The Hub may have its own islands, yet many New Englanders—Bostonians included—have long had a love affair with Nantucket, that perpetually charming rock off the southern coast of Cape Cod. Now locals won’t have to take a ferry to enjoy one of that island’s most lively eateries, as The Nautilus Pier 4 has made its debut in the Seaport. Sister to Nantucket’s Nautilus restaurant, the new iteration, which opened its doors at the beginning of April, is a much larger version of the original, boasting more than 150 indoor seats, a harbor-side patio that accommodates 65 and plenty of nods to Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in the décor. Cuisine runs the gamut of influences from Asian to Mediterranean to Latin American, with a heavy emphasis, of course, on seafood. Shareable plates—including tuna poke, charcoal prawns, tempura oyster tacos and day boat scallops—are the norm, although large dishes like zatar Colorado lamb chops and feasts for multiple diners like the whole roasted Peking duck are not to be missed. Bring your thirst along with your appetite, as the creative bar program includes plenty of red, white and rose vintages along with sake, New England craft beers and tempting cocktails to make your meal complete.
