Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

Remember the William Welch Gallery over there on Easy Street? (Is there a better address than “Easy Street, Nantucket?) Sadly Bill is no longer selling his paintings from that spot. Opening in June at 14 Easy Street will be Atlantic, with decorative antiques, vintage light fixtures, fine jewelry, French canvas totes, paintings and nautical accents. The new shop will be run by Colleen Darby Wurtz, longtime summer resident of ‘Sconset.

Denby Real Estate will give up its office, and shift to a web based service of appraisals, referrals, and consulting. The full story is in this week’s Nantucket Independent.

Pete from the lunch counter at Nantucket Pharmacy is now also running the counter and Congdon’s Pharmacy.

Moving on up from the Cape, Lynn Walsh is scouting out unique places for your trips to and from Boston. Here’s her first report.

When looking for tapas on island, there’s Cinco. But next time you’re headed to America for a few days of pre-daffodil bulk shopping, and you find yourself lusting for the acorn-smoky-buttery flavors of paper-thin jamon Serrano melting on your tongue, I’ve found a pretty amazing tapas restaurant in South Easton, of all places.

Loco is only open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, but everything is right: the right light, the right music, and yes, the right crowd. (I found myself chatting with a couple who are frequent Nantucket visitors.)

Just inside, pausing to shed my gloves in one of those so very Euro ’space capsules’ distinguished by heavy paprika colored velvet drapes meant to keep out the the draft, it absolutely smells like Spain. In the lounge, you can perch (or pose) on club chairs, or melt into loving sofas for two. High drama or low key, this lounge is a carefully blocked stage, and you get to be one of the cast. Play any role you like.

At the sexy copper bar, there’s a thirst quenching house-made sangria, a more than respectable by-the-glass wine list, and daily “pinchos” - little tapas bites displayed as in Barcelona, under glass at the bar. Nibble on the chorizo - it’s the real thing; and savor a “love bite” while you wait for your table.

The dining room is high art: on the walls and on the plate. You’re likely to be escorted to your table by Mikaela Messinger, a LOCO principal and who, with her husband, are two of the ‘Crazy Chefs’ whose catering company won Best of Boston in 2006. The wait staff are friendly and apt guides as you begin your adventure through the extensive menu of more pinchos, tapas, and platos principales.

You’ll love the pepita crusted diver scallops with pomegranate glaze, presented as would be jewels at the Prado. There’s Loco Caesars, with famous Crazy Chef dressing, earthy fabada, an Asturian white bean stew, and patatas bravas – perfectly fried wedges with garlicy allioli and spicy tomato sauce. The beef tenderloin and rosti potatoes with blue cheese butter and onion confit is fusion at its best.