They came for the food — celebrities and Islanders alike would line up on Kennebec avenue at Jimmy Seas every summer. But after a 20-year run the Oak Bluffs restaurant closed two years ago. It was sold at a foreclosure auction Tuesday morning.</p>
An Oak Bluffs restaurant famous for its heaping servings of pan pasta was sold at a foreclosure auction Tuesday morning.
William Craffey bid $450,000 to buy the former home of Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta. He and his business partner Lisa Huff have already invested in the property, which they plan to renovate and reinvent as a pan pasta restaurant, possibly with the same name. Mr. Craffey also operates Vineyard Pizza Place in Vineyard Haven and The Pizza Place at the Edgartown Triangle.
Former owner and chef James J. Cipolla, known as Jimmy C, was not present at the auction, run by Daniel McLaughlin and Co. in Boston. There was one other bidder.
Mr. Cipolla ran the restaurant for two decades, and said by phone Tuesday that Jimmy Seas had a great run, filled with countless memorable moments.
Famous for its pan pasta, restaurant fell on hard times two years ago and was closed.
Famous for its pan pasta, restaurant fell on hard times two years ago and was closed.
“That building had a lot of soul, and when summer would come, it would be as fun as it gets in the restaurant industry,” Mr. Cipolla said.
The original Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta occupied a garage on Kennebec avenue. When the landlord raised the rent, the business moved to down the street to a much larger space.
Beginning in 1994, the restaurant served pasta right out of the pan at 38 Kennebec, a tradition he’d started in Boston before moving to the Island. “It took off very quickly,” he said.
Customers raved about the size of the portions, which they often brought home, he said. “They’d say, we ate that for three days; it was the best meal and the best deal in town.”
The best sellers were zuppa di pesce and frutti di mare, both seafood pasta dishes.
Mr. Cipolla counts many celebrities among his customers, including Beyonce, Steven Tyler, Keith Richards and the Clinton family.
Actor Greg Kinnear, a former patron, included a shout-out to Jimmy Seas in the film Stuck on You.
“That was our only goal, to make sure that when you mention the restaurant’s name, people had good will about it,” he said. “When it was rocking and rolling, we fit more people to a small space than you could possibly imagine.”
The restaurant was known for being busy during dinner service. A sign outside still reads, “Wait at your own risk, don’t block traffic, we can’t deliver dinner to the hospital.”
Mr. Cipolla maintained a private, very important person room in his own apartment upstairs, where he claims he once sheltered Chelsea Clinton from paparazzi. When they got word of this seating area, the town selectmen issued a warning on his liquor license.
Mr. Cipolla began cooking at age 13, and 40 years later, he admits he has suffered some burnout.
The ultimate demise of the restaurant followed a break-in two winters ago, when an individual was found to be squatting inside, Mr. Cipolla said. The building sustained vandalism and substantial flooding in that incident. “It led us to lose last summer, and we just never really recovered,” Mr. Cipolla said. He also suffered some health problems last year, he said.
Mr. Craffey and Ms. Huff have 30 days to close the sale. After handing in his deposit, Mr. Craffey said he would do everything in his power to be open for the summer season.
“I was getting bored, but that has changed,” he said, referring to the laundry list of things he needs to do before he can open the restaurant.
For his part, Mr. Cipolla said a new opportunity had “come across his bow” recently. He declined to offer specifics.
“Once you are in the restaurant business, you are always in the restaurant business,” he said. “It’s in your blood.”
Comments
Wishing you luck
Suzy Weisman ChilmarkWishing you luck
Great restaurant
Enjoyed many meals there many years ago and hope to return
Going to miss the laughs and
BrianGoing to miss the laughs and larger then life portions.. Good luck in your future endeavors Jimmy "C"
We started going to Jimmy
Edgar & Beth Chagrin FallsWe started going to Jimmy Seas when it was in the garage. We had the pleasure of a few seatings in the upstairs dining room in recent years. We will miss you, Jimmy C. Hope good luck smiles on you. If you don't change your phone number we will stay in touch.
Butternut squash ravioli was
Jackie Kaser OhioButternut squash ravioli was so delicious I stood up and applauded right there on the spot.
Agreed!
joyce obAgreed!
I will miss your Lobster Fra
Ann Marie Western MassI will miss your Lobster Fra Diablo! Looked forward to it every year! Was saddened we missed it last year. Was looking forward to it this year! Good Luck!
We loved Jimmy Seas pan pasta
Kim Fuson Oak Bluffs, MAWe loved Jimmy Seas pan pasta dishes. Hopefully, the new restaurant will open for business this summer and the food will be as delicious as ever!
Just a little more
Lisa Huff Oak Bluffs, MAJust a little more information~~Jimmy's has been my personal favorite restaurant since I was visiting the island with my children, many many years ago~Jimmy approached us last summer about buying it, I couldn't have been more excited! Unfortunately, partly because of the closing last summer and loss of income, the closing did not happen. To be the winning bidder at the auction was pretty much a dream come true for both Will and myself. We do not intend to change anything, it's already delicious! We are hoping to be open by June 1st and you will notice the same chefs that have been at Jimmy's for the past 20 plus years, they are anxious and excited to go back. We look forward to seeing everyone this summer!
Lisa, It is my understanding
Laurie Cipolla Boca Raton, FLLisa, It is my understanding that you do not have the Jimmysea's name trademark, menu or recipes. I'm sure that if you contact Jim he will help you with this. I'm glad you enjoyed eating at Jimmysea's.
So, unbelievably happy Jimmy
Celine Maney Johns Creek, GASo, unbelievably happy Jimmy Seas is re opening. My favorite restaurant on the island! I was hoping to celebrate my birthday there (June 2), and was so disappointed to hear it had closed. My husband and I just bought a cottage in the Campground, and will be summering instead of vacationing, from now on. Wondering if you are looking for waitstaff...would love to be part of the pan pasta team! Are you going to be hiring?
Hello Celine, yes we are
Lisa HuffHello Celine, yes we are going to hiring! Also, June 2nd, might be a nice time for a "soft" opening for your birthday. Stop by anytime, we are there almost every day getting things ready.
It is unfortunate that Jimmy,
Laurie Cipolla Boca Raton, FLIt is unfortunate that Jimmy, due to health issues and circumstance, was unable to keep this Jimmyseas location. We hope that the new owners of this building enjoy the location as much as my brother did. Our family has many fond memories of this location and will treasure them. We want to thank all of our loyal patrons of Jimmyseas for the last 22 years and we hope that there will be another Jimmyseas location in the future. Until then, think of us fondly when you see garlic...
Hello Laurie,
ColleenHello Laurie,
I'm Colleen Farrell and your bro was a very close friend(yes..& loud) when I needed one. I would like to know he's ok. I just sadly learned bout the restaurant- among other things. If u have time I would appreciate an email [email protected]. U R a good sister!
I read your comments...dignified & honorable! I read thread between youself & new owner...hope to privately converse with you. Be well-
Coll
Colleen, thank you for your
Laurie Cipolla Boca Raton, FLColleen, thank you for your kind reply & support. I spoke with Jim today and he says hello. I will private email you tonight and give you Jim's contact info. I am also overwhelmed with all of the love and support I have received for Jim. He would like to personally thank everyone who has wished him luck in his future endeavors and his healthy recovery. God bless.
Hey, good luck in CR!
WJC OBHey, good luck in CR!
best food, best vibe , good
diana cadmus bostonbest food, best vibe , good luck Jimmy!
Great times,memories and food
JR & Kristina Ramos The other side of the pond/ Fairhaven, MaGreat times,memories and food. From my bachelor days and endless dates there to my first meal with my beautiful wife after our secret wedding in W. Tisbury , Jimmy C's was the go to place for us. I can almost smell those hot cast iron skillet meals and oh that big old wooden bowl of salad coming my way. Regardless that my wedding meal was delivered into my lap by the waiter that night which made my wife and I laugh like crazy. It was great , priceless. I wouldn't have wanted that mishap to happen any where else - Good Times
We sure missed you last
Eric Hauser Buffalo NYWe sure missed you last summer.... Good luck to the new owners... looking forward to meeting you this summer....
Hi Eric, thank you for your
Lisa Huff Oak BluffsHi Eric, thank you for your well wishes! We have been working non stop to get things up and running! We are hoping to be open mid June and look forward to meeting you! I'll be in your area (Buffalo) next week, as my son is graduating from RIT.
To the new owners.... We
CKJ New HavenTo the new owners.... We hope things are progressing well. We have been patrons for many years, and very much look forward to returning in August, as always! I'm sure many of us are pulling for you! Hope you don't change much....
Thank you for your support!
LisaThank you for your support! We have been working day and night in hopes of opening in the next few weeks. We do not plan on changing anything with the exception of brand new kitchen equipment! That always makes the chefs happy!
I have been vacationing on MV
Hai & Mark Binghamton, NYI have been vacationing on MV with Mark ever since we met in the late '90s. Mark, even longer, prior to meeting me. We eventually had a small family only wedding at the Edgartown lighthouse. Since then, we held our wedding anniversary dinners at Jimmy Seas. Sorely missed it last year! Looking forward to our meal this year, particularly the Frutti de Mar :p
A note for Laurie Cipolla.
Lee New YorkA note for Laurie Cipolla. Hello, my family has had the most wonderful memories of dinners at Jimmy Seas. We've had an annual tradition of celebrating our birthdays there every year, and our 2 children, the oldest now 16, have been there every year of their lives. It was our favorite restaurant, both the cuisine and the heart that was evident inside. We had planned to celebrate our 50th b'days there this year and were heartbroken to hear of the vandalism and subsequent closing. And in reading this article, the owner's health problems. We wanted to send a message to Jimmy, to thank him for creating such a special place, that has given us a lifetime of memories, and to wish him well --good health and happiness in the future. Til we hear of his next venture, we'll be trying like crazy to come close to re-creating his amazing recipes!
Used to love to sneak in the
Larry Mc QuincyUsed to love to sneak in the side door and sit at that small bar with friends or kids. So many great meals and who wrapped "to go" plates better? very good the next day on the boat!
Looking to try the new owners
Paul DiBona in the campgroundLooking to try the new owners on their first night 071514 with my bride. Hope for a great pasta experience Will & Lisa
Hi Paul, I hope you were
LisaHi Paul, I hope you were able to come in and be seated, the past two days have been a little crazy! If you were able to come in, we certainly hope it was all and more than you expected! Lisa
My family and I spfnt 20
Bob Donahue Woodstock , CTMy family and I spfnt 20 years vacationing on the Vineyard. Jimmy Seas was also a must during our stays. I would bring Jimmy a cigar as he enjoyed
them as do I. Jimmy would sit our family upstairs which was always a special treat. We're returning to the Vinyid again this summer with friends and hope we can dine at Jimmy Seas once again !!!! Hope to meet you this July !!
Is it possible to get in
Dartagnan Nashville, TNIs it possible to get in contact with Jimmy C. I think we met last night in Nashville at the CMA's...he praised my performance (I'm a magician) that he'd seen the previous evening and I didn't have a business card on my person when he asked. So I said I'd get in contact and he just said "Jimmy C, Martha's Vineyard" as he was in a hurry but said he'd love to have me come perform in his neck of the woods. Sorry if I'm mistaken.
Warm regards,
Dartagnan
Hello it's me jimmy feel free
Jimmy cHello it's me jimmy feel free to contact me at jimmysea@gmail
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