Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/327657
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN TRAVIS BARNARD/BOLDFACER.COM (HUSK); LISOVSKAYA NATALIA (OYSTERS); MARK RANNEY (DUCK) Master shucker CJ Husk loves the briny punch of oysters on the half shell. Aww Shucks NEW ENGLAND'S HIPSTER OYSTER EXPERT SHELLS OUT WHERE HE GOES FOR THE FRESHEST BITE OF SEAFOOD. BY JESSICA LANIEWSKI I t wasn't a straight path, that's for sure. CJ Husk started out as a rowing instructor in Duxbury, but after spotting oyster cages on the commute, he had to find out: What were they? Turns out they were part of the Island Creek Oyster farm, where Husk bucked rowing and started shucking. He now travels all over New England as Island Creek's head brand ambassador. He let us in on his favorite haunts for the bivalves and other seafood finds. Cuttyhunk Floating Raw Bar "Cuttyhunk Floating Raw Bar is owned by Seth Garfield, who farms Cuttyhunk oysters in a salt pond right on Cuttyhunk Island. If you're lucky enough to find yourself on a boat in the area, give Seth a call and he'll pull his boat right up to yours and outfit you with an incredible spread. My favorites are their Cuttyhunk oysters and clams on the half shell. Both pack a nice briny punch." 508-990-1317; cuttyhunkshellfish.com The Beachcomber "This is one of the most iconic New England beach restaurants around. It's surrounded by a nature preserve, so you'll be traveling for miles with nothing in sight, and then this oasis appears out of nowhere. You have to go up to the raw bar to pick out your selection, such as a bucket of steamers, peel-and-eat shrimp, or oysters. Interaction with your farmers and shuckers is everything." 1120 Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet, 508-349-6055; thebeachcomber.com The Oyster Company Raw Bar & Grille "I'm a sucker for a fun preparation, and what I love about this restaurant is the varied selection of styled oysters on their menu, from the traditional Rockefeller to the Bayou, made with a Cajun sausage and lemon fennel. Their native Quivet Neck oysters have a great fruit note that's tangy and sweet at the same time." 202 Depot St., Dennisport, 508-398-4600; theoystercompany.com Atlantic Fish & ChopHouse "The Atlantic is a popular Island Creek hangout when we're on Martha's Vineyard. The space is casual but very scenic, with a gorgeous view of Edgartown's harbor. While the restaurant is a steakhouse, they do fish impeccably well. A whole roasted fish is what I tend to look for, and they typically have two on the menu that rotate seasonally." 2 Main St., Edgartown, 508-627-7001; atlanticmv.com BC NAUTICAL OR NICE Seafood gets spicy at The Nautilus on Nantucket. BY JESSICA LANIEWSKI You never know when inspiration is going to strike. For friends Stephen Bowler, Liam Mackey, and Clinton Terry, the thunderbolt came during lunch when they were working together at The Pearl on Nantucket: They undeniably, unequivocally, unquestionably had to open their own restaurant. So they did! The trio recently launched The Nautilus, a 53-seat eatery in the former 12 Degrees East spot. The culinary program focuses on Asian, Latin American, and Spanish flavors in the form of small plates (such as the tempura East Coast oyster sushi tacos with nori wrap, sushi rice, crispy oysters, and chili barbecue sauce) and family-style dishes (think whole roast duck for four). "My family has a small farm in rural Vermont, where we produced livestock for our personal use," says executive chef Mackey. "It taught me respect for ingredients." Chef de cuisine Emmanuel Rojas, most recently of The Pearl and before that Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York City, brings a deft hand with eclectic flavors to those top-quality ingredients. Bowler (a Nantucket native) is handling the nearly 200-bottle wine list while Terry, as the bar manager and lead mixologist, aims to make the best cocktails on the island. If you hear a thunderbolt or two, you now know why. 12 Cambridge St., 508-228-0301; nautilusnantucket.com Roasted whole duck with rice, herb salad, and watercress. 72 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM DINE AROUND