New England Q&A Archive
Question 1 - May 25, 1999
Hi Kim, I'll be in Nantucket in June and was wondering if you could suggest any restaurants on the island. This is my first time to Nantucket and I am looking forward to my trip there. My wife and I enjoy all types of food, especially seafood. Looking forward to hearing from you.
- Steven C.
Answer from Kim Knox,
About.com Guide to New England for Visitors:
Hi!
I spoke with a friend of mine this afternoon who spends a week on Nantucket every summer,
and she was able to provide me with some good restaurant suggestions for you. She also
mentioned that if it's the week of June 14-19, 1999 that you'll be on the island, you're
in for a treat as that coincides with the Nantucket Film Festival, which brings a lot of
celebrities to the island.
Her favorite restaurant is called Black Eyed Susans (Unfortunately, I was unable to find
contact information, She said she thought it was on India St.). They do not have a liquor
license, but allow you to bring your own wine or liquor. The food is fantastic, and many
of the chefs and waitstaffs from other restaurants on the island dine here. They offer a
wide range of dishes from basic to ethnic, and the Caesar salad and pasta dishes are
particularly good. They do not take reservations, so it is a good idea to arrive early and
to put your name on the list, and then you can stroll around the area while you are
waiting for your table.
She also recommended highly a place that she described as being very unique called Company
of the Cauldron (7 India St., Nantucket, MA 02554 (508) 228-4016), which she said does not
advertise and does not have a big sign, just a copper cauldron hanging outside. It offers
two dinner seatings each night and one entree choice which changes from evening to
evening. Meals are all-inclusive. She described the place as romantic and said that they
frequently have a harpist playing. (Mobil Travel
Guide says the harpist plays Wed., Fri., and Sun. nights.)
Her third recommendation was The Woodbox (29 Fair Street, Nantucket MA 02554 (508)
228-0587), which is housed in one of the oldest homes on Nantucket.
She said that you'll find seafood pretty much at any restaurant on Nantucket, and that
Nantucket is known for its diver-harvested scallops.
If you're looking to have a blowout dinner (to the tune of about $100 per person), she
recommended Chanticleer (9 New St.,
Nantucket, MA 02564 (508) 257-6231). This is a French restaurant that specializes in
seafood that is located on a different part of the island. Or Topper's at the Wauwinet Inn
(120 Wauwinet Road (508) 228-0145). They offer outdoor dining, views of Nantucket Bay, and
have a $36 pp Sunday brunch as well.
The Nantucket Chamber of Commerce has a directory of
restaurants online.
Another interesting spot that is rated three stars by Mobil is called Club Car (1 Main
St., off Straight Wharf (508) 228-1101). It's in an authentic railroad car and is
decorated with turn-of-the-century furnishings and railroad memorabilia. Reservations are
required.
I hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful trip, and let me know what you like the best
about Nantucket. :-)
All best wishes,
Kim Knox
About.com Guide to New England for Visitors
http://gonewengland.about.com
Trip Report from Steven C.:
Hi Kim, and thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Your help on finding some restaurants in Nantucket was fantastic. We had a fantastic time and are eagerly looking forward to returning to Nantucket very soon. On Friday, we ate Arno's on Main Street. Since we arrived on Friday and the island was crowded, it was tough to get in most places if you didn't have reservations. Arno's was very good, and the atmosphere was nice. Friday we booked the rest of our dinners--Saturday was Company of the Cauldron and on Sunday, Federal 21.
Your suggestion of Company of the Cauldron was top shelf. I have eaten in some very
good restaurants in Manhattan and Louisiana and this place can hold its own with any one
of them. They have a fixed menu and a fixed price. Our dinner on Saturday was: Grilled
Lobster and Caesar Salad for apps. Filet Mignon with grilled asparagus with a potato au
gratin (sort of).
Dessert was a yellow cake with raspberry filling with a cream cheese icing with nuts on
the side. And you were right about atmosphere. This place had it all, candle lit tables,
etc. It was very romantic and perfect place for my wife's 30th birthday.
On Sunday we went to Federal 21, and if I thought Company of the Cauldron was great,
this place was even better. This might one of the best restaurants I have been in. From
the service to atmosphere and the presentation of the food, everything was excellent. We
shared mussels for an app. which were out of this world. My wife had Rack of Lamb and I
had a veal chop, both dishes were FANTASTIC. We shared a dessert, a warm berry thingy with
a scoop of Haagen Dazs on top. (Need I say more?) Again, thank you for the suggestions,
being my first time on Nantucket, I would have never even thought of going to these
places.
We also went to the Club Car for lunch one day and the famous Seafood Salad. It was very
good, and the converted railroad car was neat.
THANK YOU so much for the Nantucket tips; you made my wife's 30th birthday one we will
never forget.
Thank you, your friend,
Steven C.
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