June 26, 2012

Where: Nantucket Harbor, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Right at the beginning of my shift last night a weird storm quickly passed by the island and left the harbor with a double rainbow. I had my zoom lens so I couldn't catch both rainbows in one frame, but I got this one that settled right into the harbor. I guess thats natures way of saying that Nantucket is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Pretty gorgeous scene off the docks from the deck of Straight Wharf, made a lot of guests very happy.

What I learned today: My car will have access to Nantucket's beaches this summer. 

June 25, 2012

Where: The Den, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: This one was taken early Monday morning after we got home from work. I opened up the shutter for 30 seconds and tried to write SWR with a sparkler. It didn't really work too well, but I thought the photo came out pretty cool. Thats Matt, Brennan and Swoops in the background as I move the sparkler around in front of them.

What I learned today: Even on a rainy day, softball Monday is the best day of the week. 

June 24, 2012

Where: SWR Kitchen, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Sunday Brunch is slowly becoming my favorite shift of the week. It gets pretty busy, I make tons of bloodies and then I get some down time in the afternoon. The kitchen was prepping for dinner that afternoon and I snapped a few photos. This one is of the mussels that would  eventually become part of the swordfish dish that everyone has come to love in the dining room. Was very tempted to take a couple of them, but all I ended up with was this photo.

What I learned today: Kevin Youkilis' days as a Red Sox are over. 

June 23, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Another long day at the office made for another short day with the camera. Just after service as the kitchen was cleaning up I snuck up to the SWR office and took a photo looking down on the kitchen. Not the best quality, but a cool perspective of the kitchen that puts out the best food on the island. On the left is Andrew, on the right is Nick, two of the SWR cooks that make the magic happen.

What I learned today: Time flies on a busy night in the dining room. 

June 22, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Friday was a long day at SWR. I took this photo just before midnight because it was really the only time I had with my camera that day. After working the lunch bar shift, I headed over to the dining room to set up for a wedding rehearsal dinner that night. Toward the end I ran up and grabbed my camera, left the shutter open and came up with this. Not a bad view from my office eh?

What I learned today: Finishing a double shift with a private event takes more out of you than you would think. 

June 21, 2012

Where: Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: It's no wonder why we always keep coming back. If this scene was in you're rear view mirror every time you left, wouldn't you come back too? I went down to the beach for a quick dip before work on Thursday and as I was driving away I took a look back and saw this. Not only is the scene on the road ahead welcoming, but the beach behind me wasn't too bad either. Its all around us out here.

What I learned today: The water this summer is pretty seaweedy. 

June 20, 2012

Where: Cisco Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Headed down to Cisco for my pre-work swim on Wednesday. I never really go to this part of the beach to swim, but it is post #7 and someone edited the sign with a note from God. I love the effort here, just being straight up and letting people know not to mess with the beautiful island that we have here. Cheers to whoever did that.

What I learned today: God is protecting Cisco beach. 

June 19, 2012

Where: Grand Union Parking Lot, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Took this one just after I parked and headed into work on Tuesday. I saw Wainer in the parking lot and I stopped to take this picture. This is SWR's executive chefs', Gabriel and Amanda's car and its an old Benz that he has running on veggie oil. Pretty cool if I do say so myself. Not only is their restaurant green, but they practice what they preach.

What I learned today: I can't really park in town anymore, that time has come. 

June 18, 2012

Where: Davkim Lane, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: After softball on Monday Coop, Swoops and I headed over to Matt's place to chill for a while. He lives on a part of the island I haven't chilled at too much. Down the street from him there is a junkyard and what he calls the car graveyard. We checked out his back yard for a little and found cars like this just growing into the ground because they've been there for so long. Headed over to the staff party later and the rest of the night is hazy.

What I learned today: Kisiday has a pretty entertaining backyard. 

June 17, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Sunday night brought Oystahfest to SWR and it was a great night all around. Cisco Brewers, Island Creek Oysters and Straight Wharf all teamed up for a fundraiser consisting of Sam's bluefish pate, SWR champagne, Island Creek Oysters, and Cisco beer. Sunday was one of those awesome nights on this island that just don't happen anywhere else. Here is a look in through the bar grill window at Pete serving up the Cisco brews. The event raised $1,000 for the ICO Foundation and everyone had an awesome time in the SWR Bar. Great night all around.

What I learned today: SWR, Cisco and ICO are some bad mothershuckers. 

June 16, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Saturday was the soft opening of SWR's brunch. I had the eggs benedict that I was dreaming of for most of the offseason and it was amazing as usual. I also had one of the 888 infused bloody marys that I've been working on for the last week or so. It was fantastic and I can't wait to try out some new stuff. This is Ani, who was serving brunch. She's awesome and is part of my day time super crew in the bar. Welcome to the blog!

What I learned today: SWR's brunch is still out of this world. 

June 15, 2012

Where: Upper Deck, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Came home in the wee hours of the morning to this night sky. This was taken around 4am from my deck upstairs. Awesome contrast of the night sky and the sun slowly creeping toward the horizon. Pretty cool to see the big dipper perfectly then look to the right and see the sun starting to rise. This island blows my mind everyday. Big fan of this shot.

What I learned today: Nantucket has the most unique sky scenes of anywhere I've ever been.

June 14, 2012

Where: Sleep Inn, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Straight Wharf brunch starts this weekend, so Gray and I headed over to a couple local farms to grab some veggies to infuse the 888 vodka for the weekend bloody mary bar. We went with three infusions. 1. Lovage and Jalapeño 2. Red Pepper, Garlic, and Peppercorns and 3. Aromatto Basil and Cucumber. They should be amazing I'm trying to get myself a slice of all three. Here is the pre infusion photo shoot, enjoy.

What I learned today: I want ownership in a farm someday. 

June 13, 2012

Where: Nantucket Health Club, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Headed to the gym earlier in the day with Graylan because I felt a lot better on Wednesday after having an early night Tuesday. Saw a truck parked outside the gym with hundreds of kids toys inside it. It reminded me of Toy Story, not only because Buzz and Woody were there, but because they all just looked like they wanted to come to life when I turned away. I don't know what they're doing with all these toys in the back, but I kinda wanted to take Buzz because I never had one as a kid.

What I learned today: Pumpkin Pond farm is an awesome place to grab some herbs or veggies. Great small local farm. 

June 12, 2012

Where: Old South Wharf, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: I grabbed this photo just before walking into work because the sun was shining and it looked good against all the flags and shops of the Old South Wharf. That  night was my first night alone on the floor of the dining room and I'm starting to get the hang of it. I actually ended up serving Mary Kate Olsen that night and it was quite the experience. Pretty good for my first real day.

What I learned today: Mary Kate is not the same Mary Kate I loved when I was younger. 

June 11, 2012

Where: Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Monday was a pretty awesome day off on this island. It was a beautiful day on the island and some softball and a BBQ made it better. I took this one when I went home to grab some clothes before heading to the Box. These three signs represent three of the best places on the island, Bartlett's, Cisco Brewery and 167 aka East Coast Seafood. Looked pretty cool at night, some nice Nantucket wear and tear to these signs help make it look "classic."

What I learned today: Apparently have to stretch more before running around, quad is not feeling so hot. 

June 10, 2012

Where: Sleep Inn, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Chilled up on the deck during an awesome sunset on Sunday. I was traveling for most of the day, but got to stop in Boston and see some cool people. Flew back to Nantucket later that day and came home  right around sunset. It was friggen gorgeous. Hung out there with Jeff, Gray, Mandy, Collin and Tim. This is the pine tree that blocks the sun's last decent, but if you stand up it makes for an unreal shot.

What I learned today: JetBlue's new flights to Nantucket are a lifesaver. 

June 9, 2012

Where: Brooks School, North Andover, Massachusetts

About: It was another beautiful day on the Brooks campus and we took the party outside for most of the day. First we started down by the lake with a few beers and then headed to the top of the green machine for some quality 2007 Brooks time. Took this one in the grass before we got ready for dinner. Weird to be drinking all over the campus where it was high illegal just a few years ago. Putting us all in that situation brought out the best in us.

What I learned today: Brooks' new dormitory puts all the others to shame. 

June 8, 2012

Where: Brooks School, North Andover, Massachusetts

About: Five years flew by pretty fast and the class of 2007 headed back on campus this past weekend. Friday started off by Eubene picking up Miller and me at the airport. We had an interesting ride up to campus and then settled in. Dinner was in the tent later and this is Anne and Eubes getting ready before the awesome night. We partied all over campus, something that we could never legally do five years ago, felt damn good.

What I learned today: I went to high school on the most beautiful campus I've ever seen. 

June 7, 2012

Where: Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: I took this photo during the drive on my way back down to work Thursday night. The sun sets pretty late in the day now and it makes the Nantucket days nice and long. It was foggy in Cisco for most of the afternoon, but the sun broke through just before it set into the ocean. It reflected pretty nicely against the grave yard and made for a good photo.

What I learned today: When Lebron is hot, nobody can stop him. 

June 6, 2012

Where: Orange Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Its a dogs island and we all just live on it. I know I posted one like this a few days ago, but when I got out to grab a coffee at Fast Forward on Wednesday, this guy was curious as to what I was doing. I grabbed my camera quickly from the back seat and whistled at him. This is the result. He was one happy dog, but I forgot his name, unfortunately.

What I learned today: How to serve in the restaurant at Straight Wharf.

June 5, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Spent most of my night in the kitchen at Straight Wharf. The restaurant was hosting a wine tasting dinner and I was there to photograph some of the special dishes the kitchen was putting out. This is the yellowfin tuna crudo, which I got to eat after this photo was taken. It was unbelievably tasty props to the SWR cooks and chef for hooking it up! Learned a lot by being in the kitchen all night, great experience with the crew.

What I learned today: How much hard work and detail goes into the many dishes on the SWR menu. 

June 4, 2012

Where: Cisco Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Headed home in the wee hours of the morning Monday after work on Sunday night in the bar. The weather was very weird that night, high winds, full moon, and some wild cloud cover. The tides were so high they flooded the streets in town. I saw this crazy sky on the way home and took this photo with a 30 second exposure over the newly eroded bluff off of Cisco. Pretty cool that you can see the sky was clear out on the ocean and the full moon lit up the water.

What I learned today: Apparently softball makes me sore after not playing for a while. 

June 3, 2012

Where: Cisco Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Headed down to the beach to relax a little before work. It wasn't too warm, but the Northern wind was getting blocked by the dunes again. Really weird weather these days on the island, but nothing surprises me anymore here. Saw this kiteboarder cruising the south shore for a while. He lost his board at one point and Gray helped him get it 300 yards away from where he drifted in the wind. Pretty windy day, good day for this sport I guess.

What I learned today: My neighbors down the street are attempting to build their own dune to protect their house from being swallowed by the sea. 

June 2, 2012

Where: India Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: After grabbing Downyflake for the first time this summer, Tim, Collin and I headed to The Bean to catch up on some stuff using their free internet. The weather was kind of nasty, which is becoming a theme. I sat and blogged away, then walked over to Straight Wharf to set up the bar for the night. Passed this guy on the way manning the car on India Street as he or she waited for their owner.

What I learned today: The Portuguese Omelet at Downyflake is the right choice.

June 1, 2012

Where: Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Before work started yesterday I took the camera up to the Straight Wharf office and creeped out the window a little bit. The crack in the window worked well for composition in this photo. The dock seen here is a pretty expensive place to park your boat, but prime location. It was a pretty beautiful day on the island once again, a bit nippy, but well take it for June 1. Bar grill opened yesterday for dinner, come be a part of the action.

What I learned today: The new Straight Wharf shirts are the best ever, come by and get one or five. 

May 31, 2012

Where: Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: I was a pretty tired soul on Thursday, but I got up early anyway to clean all the windows at my parents house to prepare for a weekend rental. After, I rewarded myself with a nap down at Cisco Beach. I fell asleep for an hour or two and woke up with a little sunburn. Worth it. It was a midsummer beach day in the heart of spring on the island. I took this one on the drive back home. Sometimes I just get lucky and this was no different. Perfect old school car drives by to contrast the weathered mailboxes.

What I learned today: Cisco beach took a serious beating over the winter. The surf comes up to the road now. 

May 30, 2012

Where: SWR Staff House, Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: Wednesday was another night off for the Ventuno/SWR crew. The SWR cooks decided to host a pig roast and they smoked the swine overnight Tuesday. They did an awesome job putting everything together. It was a night full of food, beer, and good times by their new fire pit. Toward the end of the night I started playing around with the long exposure. I set the camera down and Tony spelled out SWR with a flashlight, the photo came out pretty sweet, $on.

What I learned today: Days off in the restaurant business bring out the best in everyone. 

May 29, 2012

Where: Sleep Inn Jr. Nantucket, Massachusetts

About: After an afternoon at the brewery celebrating the end of a long Figawi weekend, a bunch of the Straight Wharf crew went out to Sushi by Yoshi for some dinner. It was an awesome time with lots of drinks and lots of table entertainment from Cheryl Swoops. Later on we drove around listening to The Boss and eventually a few of us ended up here. This is Sleep Inn Jr. the little shed I want to call home. Someday...someday.

What I learned today: Sleep Inn Jr. is my new favorite late night hang out spot on the island.