It’s Official: Nantucket Bucket is Open For Business!
The long-awaited opening of the Second Street seafood restaurant took place Thursday night, just in time for Safety Harbor's 3rd Friday celebration.
Rest easy, Harborites: The moment so many people have been waiting for has finally arrived.
As of Thursday night at five o’clock, Nantucket Bucket was officially open for business, ending a months-long process that involved permits, planning, construction and plenty of anticipation.
“We did a walk-through for friends and family Wednesday night, and it went well,” assistant manager Amanda Atteniese said. “We wanted to make sure we had all the employees on the same page before we opened.”
With the finishing touches being applied to the sprawling establishment Thursday afternoon, owner Russ Latimer said everything was in place for the newest edition to the downtown dining scene.
“We’re bringing a unique concept to the area, in that people will be able to order a basic bucket of seafood and then they can to add to it from there,” he said.
“The main thing is we’re really bringing seafood to Safety Harbor.”
The restaurant, which has a seating capacity of 200, is broken up into different sections, with each spot catering to a different customer and carrying a different atmosphere.
On the inside there is a small dining are called the Harbor Room, which is adorned with classic photos of the town and has a quaint and cozy vibe.
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The Boathouse Bar has a nautical theme and is designed so patrons can talk across the room to one another; it offers high-end cocktails with fresh ingredients as well as “exceptionally cold” craft beers on tap.
Outside there are a number of seating areas, each with a more wide open, family friendly aspect in mind, including a large space with picnic tables, a separate smoking section, and a front deck that is also pet friendly.
But what will tie the whole place together is the food.
The buckets will be the backbone of the business, with a separate kitchen cranking out the single and two-person servings that come with vegetables, corn on the cob and a variety of seafood items such as clams, shrimp, mussels, crab and lobster.
In addition they offer appetizers, seafood dinners, salads, chowders, pasta and sandwiches, as well as a classic Nantucket favorite, steamers. All the seafood will be brought in fresh daily.
Atteniese said right now the plan is to start serving lunch next week between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Boathouse Bar will open at 4 for the after-work crowd. A grand opening is being planned for sometime in November.
Latimer hopes the anticipation for the opening results in a terrific turnout, and the place becomes a hotspot for people who love seafood and love to have a good time.
“There’s nothing being done like this in the area,” he said. “We believe it’s going to pull people in from all over, not just from Safety Harbor.”
Address: 519 2nd St. S.
Phone: 727-487-500
Harborite
7:04 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Nantucket Bucket looks like it is going to be a great addition to the restaurant scene here in Safety Harbor. Being from New England, I miss having the fresh lobsters, clams, and seafood from the cold New England waters that made the seafood so tasty. The restaurant and bar have lots of character. I like that they have added old Safety Harbor photos on the wall. Good Luck Nantucket Bucket. It looks like you're going to be a great success here.
Melissa J. Dallago
8:17 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Welcome to the neighborhood, and all the best to you! We are excited by the prospect of a great seafood restaurant in the city!
Jeffrey Rosenfield
8:17 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Well said, Joe. I'm from up there too, and I can't wait to try the steamers and littleneck clams! Walking through there yesterday, it's obvious the owners put a lot of thought and planning into the the place. Hopefully it pays off for them.
Barbara W. Hugg
9:45 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
We went last night along with several other Harborites. We had a great time. There are some kinks to iron out but that is to be expected. Everyone seemed happy to help and the staff were all friendly. Russ listened to us and was open to our comments. Our large table had 12 folks there at the same time so we gave the staff a good workout.
Welcome to the Harbor, glad to have you here...
PS, I had a bucket and it was quite good. The sausage was amazing...
Jeffrey Rosenfield
10:18 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Awesome review Barbara - thanks for the info!
Kelli Brazier
1:31 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
I had the opportunity to dine with a group of friends and sample a good portion of menu items and I can honestly say, it was the best seafood experience I've had in a long time. Everything was so fresh and perfectly cooked but the presentation of the buckets were phenomenal; color, smell, variety, most of all taste, makes me crave seafood now! I loved the Boathouse Bar and Kelly was great to us. The layout of the outside dining area's perfect for large family & friend gatherings or corporate events. I plan on taking my employees there for dinner and a fun experience soon. Congratulations Russ, it was awesome and I'm sure Nantucket Bucket will be a huge success!
Jeffrey Rosenfield
10:35 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Wow, great review Kelli. I can't wait to check this place out. Sounds like it's a great addition to the downtown dining scene for sure.
Laura M
8:48 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I went to get steamers & clams w/bellies. Rumors going around you were going to have these. Not serve because it wasn't 5pm. Don't remember seeing that comment anywhere. Wanted to make sure that the steamers were simular to New England"s. When I asked my waitress if they were the soft shells she said no. I told her, then they were not the New England steamers. The clams with the bellies were also not available. The specials were not available either because I had arrived at 3:45pm & the specials ended at 3:30pm. So why bother to be opened from 3:30pm to 5pm? I am Portuguese so I decided to try the Portuguese Stew Soup - very disappointed! No flavor & the clams were not drained completely because of the sand pebbles were still there. This is a BIG no no with New Englanders. I also ordered the Fish Tacos - I couldn't taste any fish at all. Chips were also very stale tasting. I had to sit outside because the inside was closed till 5pm. It was windy & cold. For me to say that, since I love the cold,...it was cold! Again I say why bother being open if your customers have no choice but to sit outside in the cold. The waitress informed me that you are going to put some kind of closure on the outside in the future. I was checking your place out to have a gathering for 20-25 people, but I will not put them in this kind of atmosphere & with bland food & questions on when the good food (if prepared correctly) is available. I wish you the best of luck in the future.
Russell L
5:15 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
We appreciate constructive comments from our customers but some of the items you addressed were opinions as to what time to cut off lunch specials (full lunch menu was still being offered) to what time we should start serving dinner. Almost all the customers that have visited us in the two short weeks we have been open have raved about the Portuguese Stew and the Mahi fish tacos which we always sell out of on 3rd Fridays. They are identical to the ones that are the number 1 seller for the last two years at Marker 8 in Dunedin. Our whole bellied clams are indeed shipped in fresh from New England, our chefs make sure of that. On cold days we do open the inside for seating and even on a warm day if requested. Drops are currently being made for the patio and should be up in about two weeks. We also have now installed a fire pit that is lit on cooler nights. The mistake we did make is when the new server did not immediately bring a manager to your table, which is our policy. The managers are empowered to go to great lengths to correct any mistakes that may happen, especially when you are new and make you happy. I truly do hope you give us another try as we are brand new and want to be the premier restaurant in Safety Harbor.
Anthony
3:19 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
This place is awesome! You must try it./ Went up there last week and I had a great time! My server, I think her name was Samantha has the prettiest smile!(too bad im married)
Great Lobster Rolls!and they had music
Try this place! I guarantee you will love it!
Dee Dokumaci
8:56 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I Love Nantucket Bucket!
First Class Service, Excellent Food & Nice Atmosphere!
First Time I went, I had the Mahi Fish Taco which is 2 huge portions, one was plenty so second one I took home & had it for lunch the next day, all I can say is best fish taco anywhere in the Tampa Bay region!
My second time, I had the fish taco delivered to my business, same huge yummy portion, second piece I had for dinner!
My third visit I ordered the shrimp bucket, it was delivered in a timely fashion & it was absolutely delicious!
So my overall satisfaction is 10 stars, will I be back, you bet I will, will I recommend this wonderful restaurant to my customers, you bet I will, just keep bringing your menus so that I can pass them out!
Thank you Nantucket Bucket :)
Jeffrey Rosenfield
9:43 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
Thanks for the comments Georgia and Dee!
Rocket City-ite
2:47 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I understand they are dog-friendly? If so, that is just awesome.