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A touch of coastal New England has made its way to the North Shore of Long Island.
Crazy Fish Bar and Gill, which opened in the summer of 2016 in Port Jefferson Village, has been transformed into Nantuckets offering fine dining at 9 Traders Cove.
Longtime restaurateurs and owners, Stacy and Richard Gertz, said the move was all about getting back to their roots.
The husband and wife team, which has operated restaurants together for 30-plus years, might be best known for their popular Panama Hatties in Huntington, which for years got rave reviews from food critics, such as Joanne Starkey of The New York Times.
After Panama Hatties closed, the two decided they wanted to try something new and fun so they bought the former La Parilla building in Port Jeff and got moving.
“We named it the Crazy Fish because we thought we were half crazy for opening and embracing a new business at our stage and age,” said Stacy, who’s 56.
Now, after over a year of operating, the couple felt it was time to move away from the bar and grill model to bring that Cape Cod-area vibe to the downtown.
“Nantucket reminds me of place where foodies meet cozy,” said Stacy.
So, the restaurant closed for three days this past January and re-opened as Nantuckets on Feb. 1.
(pictures below)
The entirely new cooking team is headed by Michael Heinlen, formerly of Publicans of Manhasset.
“Our new chef has a creative imagination and pushes the boundaries on eclectic flavors and ingredients with Seafood and American Fare,” reads Nantuckets’ Facebook page.
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The new menu will also feature in-house made desserts and breads, said Stacy.
Starting on Feb. 24, Nantuckets will be adding brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends, and will introduce lunch soon after.
“It is like an all-new eating experience now,” she said.
dinner & theatre
With the rebranding, the Gertz family says they look forward to continuing their support of the local community.
“We support the arts and are heavily involved in the community,” said Stacy.
Nantuckets, just like Crazy Fish, have teamed up with Theatre Three to offer a dinner and a show special.
For $60, people can get a 3-course meal from Nantuckets with their choice of a show.
To get in on the deal, call Stacy at 631-682-3881.
Top: Stacy Gertz surrounded by her staff at Nantuckets. (Courtesy photo)
