In early April, we realized that our new boat – Amazing Grace, would not arrive from Australia in time for our annual Father’s Day Flotilla to Nantucket.
Mrs. Horne and I took all of an hour to decide that we would still participate via the High-Speed Ferry and a Cottage at The Nantucket Boat Basin (but that’s another story for another time).
The Cottage was wonderful, and on Friday night, we decided to try a new restaurant on Nantucket!
A “New” Old Restaurant
The Brotherhood of Thieves originally opened in 1972. It closed its doors in the midst of the pandemic lockdown. In 2021 it was purchased by Henry Helgeson and Cisco Brewers CEO Jay Harman for $7.9 million. It reopened under the original name in May of 2022.
The Cisco connection proved problematic for neighbors looking to avoid the carnival atmosphere that most Cisco Brewery venues represent.
But one look at the menu told me the secret sauce was not the Cisco connection but rather the Silverstein connection! The new owners brought in the Southcoast’s most successful serial restauranteur – Steve Silverstein, to run the restaurant!
A Junteenth Connection!
I admit that America’s newest three-day holiday weekend snuck up on me. I knew Emancipation Day was April 16, and I guess it was too close to Easter to make it a three-day holiday weekend.
Two years ago, Joe Biden declared the date that the State of Texas finally abolished slavery to be Juneteenth and made it a federal holiday. So last weekend was actually a holiday weekend, but what does that have to do with The Brotherhood of Thieves?
The name, Brotherhood of Thieves, has its roots in Nantucket history. Way back in 1842, there was a riot on Nantucket known as the Brotherhood of Thieves Riot.
A local pastor coined the term – Brotherhood of Thieves as a label for the segregated local churches that continued to oppose the growing movement to abolish slavery. The riot broke out on Broad Street between the Abolishnists and thugs from the local Methodist, Episcopalian, and Baptist churches.
You always learn something new at My Buzzards Bay!
Old School Atmosphere
We checked in on the street and entered a below-grade bar and dining room.
I got instant deja vu of entering Front Street or Sal and Ciros in Provincetown. I love restaurants that feel like a wolves’ lair.
We sat in the front dining room and ordered some of their special margaritas.
It’s called Trip to Tijuana, a new twist on the ever-popular spicy Margarita.
The Food
Although Brotherhood of Thieves shares some dishes with other Silverstein restaurants, many items departed from the seafood-forward menu at the Black Whale or the Sail Loft.
Mrs. Horne started with The Nantucket Sushi roll (spicy scallops, cucumber, and tempura crunch, topped with tobiko – $26.) At this point in the season, my photo instincts are still rusty, and I forgot to take a photo. Mrs. Horne did love it.
My friend Tom ordered the Spicy Rigatoni (pan-fried chicken over rigatoni in a calabrian chili vodka cream sauce with pecorino romano for $26.00.)
He shared some with me, and it was great with just a hint of spice – far from a Fra Diavlo.
Terry ordered The Latin Crusted Salmon.
This $34 dish included grilled salmon with avocado, salsa verde, glazed sweet potatoes, and grilled corn.
As much as I wanted to explore the menu, I couldn’t pass up my favorite Black Whale dish – Boom Boom Shrimp.
I’m not sure why, but this is the most delectable shrimp preparation I’ve ever had. It’s simply crispy fried shrimp with sweet sriracha sauce, and sesame seeds ($18).
This is a very large portion of shrimp for eighteen bucks, and I always share. I added Parmesan Truffle Curly Fries for $9 and ended up with a $27 semi-fried seafood feast.
And Live Music Too!
As you know, I’m a musician and a huge fan of local live music. As we were leaving Nantucket, I ran into my friend (and local recording artist) Rebecca Correia boarding the High-Speed Ferry to New Bedford.
She had her Taylor guitar strapped to her back, and I asked her if she’d performed on the Island.
She said “Yes, last night at The Brotherhood.”
In fact, she started right after we left in the Beer Garden at 8:00. So you can add The Brotherhood of Thieves to the list of venues on Nantucket that regularly support live music!
I’ll leave you with my favorite Rebecca Correia song Solid Ground, accompanied by Keb Mo.
Well done!
Food looks amazing.