Finally, after finishing a second cocktail and clearing our plates we waited.. One of the other servers brought us dessert menus. The desserts looked great, but the exchange had been uniquely awkward. When our server returned he asked what we wanted and I simply told him, "We're walking". This was a final devastating blow and he wordlessly disappeared to the kitchen. We decided to go down to the wharf for ice cream which seemed romantic by comparison. The bill arrived and it was very modest-- probably half what I would expect in the DC area.
The menu here is very creative! I love when restaurants take inspiration from different styles of cooking and combine them into their own uniques dishes. This restaurant was the stand out to me on Nantucket island. I ordered beets to start, and I love beets but I never knew they could taste that good! I then have the pork chop, and I'm not a big pork chop person but it was melt in my mouth delicious. Everyone at the table loved everything they ordered. (Oysters, calamari, Korean BBQ short rib). The wine selection is also expansive. We ordered a bottle of white wine that we've never tried before and absolutely loved it!
Given the other reviews I hope this was just an off day, but we won't be back to find out.
We returned to the hostess station and were soon seated upstairs in what I took to be the best table in the house! On our way there, we passed a second bar with its row of empty seats. We'll know should we find ourselves returning. We were thrilled with an intimate corner, a cozy booth, great lighting, and everything was just fine. Our server seemed genial for a moment and then noticed the cocktails. He asked me pointedly about them and I explained that our table wasn't ready and that we had been asked to wait at the bar. He was clearly offended.
Don't arrive early. I arrived 4 minutes early and when the hostess got off the phone with another customer she let me know that the table was not ready. She asked us to sit at the bar for drinks. From the hostess station, we could see the bar ahead though no seats were available. We sauntered down and greeted the cheerful bartender. My companion ordered one of their signature cocktails from the menu. We waited a few minutes while the bartender retrieved a bottle of gin and then enjoyed our cool drinks at the standing room only bar with a quick toast. No sooner had we begun but another person kindly let us know that our table was ready. I asked the bartender if the drinks should be applied against the table or if she needed me to settle up. She asked that I settle up.
A bit later, we suddenly realized it had gotten personal with this man. As the minutes ticked by and our server made fawning conversation with other nearby tables it was evident that we had somehow broken his unspoken rule and that he was trying to make some sort of a point. But what!? Our cocktails apparently were an insult from which we were not destined to recover. We debated walking out as there were only a small handful of other diners in the room. We rode it out.
We were really hoping that this place would be fantastic given the other reviews. We came here with the whole family for lunch on the 3rd of July and were seriously disappointed.
Nice enough interior, but were seated upstairs in an acoustically challenged room that was so unbelievable loud that the 4 of us had to scream to have any conversation at all. Couldn’t help but notice the other room upstairs was softer and maybe quieter? We sat at a stark table with cheap molded chairs, and no table cloth. Waitress was adequate but not friendly and of course I couldn’t hear a word she said. Food was great, but couldn’t make up for the noise. Too many wonderful restaurants on island to ever return.
The restaurant truly is about 4-5 stars, but we had bad luck to get a particularly challenging hand of cards with the server. This restaurant has everything just right except for this single critical element. I would not recommend Dune until the issue is addressed and I have eaten all over Nantucket for many years. The island has many other polished restaurants. From a strictly service standpoint, communication between the reception station and the house may have made things a lot better. Or maybe they could just lighten up.
Firstly the service was terrible... Very very slow. After an hour no one in the restaurant had been served. If they had an issue with the chef they should have said.
Dune is a bit pricey so we only ever go during restaurant week. The food is amazing and always a little out of the ordinary.
When the food did come, the lobster rolls that the majority of our party had ordered came on a regular burger bun (over cooked and not good) and the lobster itself was just ok. The fish tacos were decent but all in all, perhaps due to the high expectations (and high price) this was a big disappointment.
Several other staff persons visited the table and each of these people was wonderful. Quick to fill a glass of water or just check in we found a certain rhythm especially with one kind woman which got us through to the main course. My companion had an appetizer and I chose none. The food was excellent and well plated. I had the tuna and it was nicely prepared with what was a chili based dry rub with black and white sesame seeds. The whole plate had a Southwestern vibe and was enjoyable. Bread would have been a nice touch.
Dune is a US Bar based in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Dune is located at 20 Broad St, Nantucket, MA 02554, USA.
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