According to the Inky, the space on Straight Wharf where Cap’n Tobey’s served average food and chowder, which has been vacant this season, is to become Nantucket’s only barbecue restaurant. The restaurant, to be called B-ACK Yard BBQ is to be run by Brant Point Grill’s former chef Fred Bisaillon and his girlfriend Denise Corson, a veteran of the Nantucket restaurant scene, including a stint as manager of Cap’nTobey’s.
The restaurant, which will maintain a sports bar theme, will occupy the first floor, while three new apartments take up the upstairs space. Cap’n Tobey’s closed in October, 2012 when the Roche brothers lease expired. The building is now owned by real estate investor Bernard Chiu, who also owns the building now occupied by the successful new Proprietor’s Restaurant on India St.
According to Bisaillon, his restaurant will provide a selection of traditional barbecue styles, along with Kentuch bourbon and Tennesee whiskeys. They also plan to offer occasional international barbecue styles, such as Chinese and Korean in addition to their usual American styles.
The building is currently undergoing extensive renovation, remodeling the downstairs restaurant space and creating the upstairs apartments. The awkward outdoor staircase to the sidewalk has been removed, and the new restaurant entrance centered in the front.
Bisaillon said that they planned to offer lunch and dinner and takeout, with takeout continuing after dinner service concludes. The restaurant will be seasonal, opening this spring, and offering breakfast during July and August.
Nantucket lost its only barbecue place when Cambridge Street closed two years ago, being supplanted by 12 Degrees East, which after downsizing no longer offers barbecue.