Nothing spells summer better than oysters, shrimp, cherrystones and Nantucket. Now picture the biggest raw bar on the island and you will envision Cru, the best excuse to venture over to Nantucket this season. Located directly at Straight Wharf just steps from the Hy-Line Cruise dock, Cru not only has the best waterfront view in town (any closer to the water you would be swimming with your dinner) but also the freshest seafood. The restaurant recently opened in the former Rope Walk location.
Cru has two bars, an outdoor patio and a beautiful minimalist main dining room that offers a front row seat to some of the best views of Nantucket Harbor. Cru is the brainchild of Executive Chef Erin Zircher and managing partners Jane Stoddard and Carlos Hidalgo (who also created the restaurant’s impressive wine list and cocktail program). Seafood is the name of the game here so get started with the massive raw bar Grand Plateau of seafood specials.
Enjoy clams, oysters and local oysters before moving onto roasted Cape Cod Bay oysters with chorizo butter or grilled calamari with spicy tomato broth. Pair up a bottle of Chappellet Cabernet with the surf and turf (a melt-in-your-mouth cut of tender juicy rib eye with butter poached lobster, whipped potatoes, mushrooms and ramps). We also loved the flaky fresh Nantucket fluke meuniere. Other dishes include line caught swordfish, seared sea scallops, and a warm buttered lobster roll.
There is also a spring vegetable gratin and herb grilled organic chicken when you have tried everything else on the menu. Cru is located at One Straight Wharf, Nantucket. For reservations or more information, call (508) 228-9278 or visit CruNantucket.com.
