Owners Ted and Patrick Courtney with chef Chris Fischer at The Covington, 52 Main street, Edgartown.
Mark Lovewell

Ships in the Night, Covington Joins Port Hunter on Main Street

<p>Vineyard native Chris Fischer will offer only the finest and freshest ingredients when The Covington opens its doors next Wednesday.</p>

A dish tastes only as good as its ingredients, and Vineyard native Chris Fischer will offer only the finest and freshest ingredients when The Covington opens its doors next Wednesday on Edgartown’s Main street.

Chris Fischer is back cooking on the Island, starting June 29.
Mark Lovewell
Chris Fischer is back cooking on the Island, starting June 29.
Mark Lovewell

Mr. Fischer returns to the Island restaurant scene after a brief but busy hiatus following his time at the Beach Plum Inn. During the past year, Mr. Fischer cooked with chefs from all over the world including Japan, Rome, Morocco, London and New York city. He also published The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook which recently won a James Beard Award in the category of American cooking.

Mr. Fischer will join two other local boys, owners Patrick and Ted Courtney, to help unveil a “different” taste in Edgartown. He referenced The Port Hunter, the Courtney brothers’ restaurant across the street, as an example.

“What makes the Port Hunter Restaurant so good and interesting is that their team has a point of reference that’s more global than most places [on the Island],” Mr. Fischer said. “It’s really cool to see a restaurant as this cultural meeting place where ideas can be spread, a place you can learn new things. It should be an inspiring experience.”

The Covington is located at former Edgartown Deli spot.
Mark Lovewell
The Covington is located at former Edgartown Deli spot.
Mark Lovewell

The Covington will offer a diverse menu from meat to seafoods, and feature a wide array of ingredients — from Vermont goat cheese to almonds from California and imported olive oil from Robert Marcelli. Mr. Fischer is joined by general manager Carlo Stanisci, who also helped launch the Port Hunter.

“We’ll also have a nice pasta section, which is pretty exciting,” said Mr. Sanisci. “You really don’t see too many [pasta restaurants] here.”

To turn the former deli, whose lease expired this year, into an upscale restaurant, the Courtney brothers gave the building an entire makeover both inside and out. The brothers said they enjoy renovating older, historic buildings and putting their own fresh spin on them.

Dinner served from 6 to 11 p.m. six nights a week, with bar staying open until 12:30 a.m.
Mark Lovewell
Dinner served from 6 to 11 p.m. six nights a week, with bar staying open until 12:30 a.m.
Mark Lovewell

“Being right across the street, this building was getting older and it definitely needed a fresh start. We had a good opportunity to get it cleaned up,” Patrick Courtney said. “Growing up in Edgartown, we’re always looking for opportunities to bring high-quality offerings to the people who spend time in Edgartown.”

The Covington is located at 52 Main street in Edgartown. It opens on Wednesday, June 29, six nights a week (closed Tuesdays) from 6 to 11 p.m., with the bar staying open until 12:30 a.m.

And for those wondering about the name: The Covington was the tugboat that crashed into the Port Hunter, sinking the freighter off the coast of East Chop on Nov. 2, 1918.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 17:28

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Patrick Workinger Palm Beach Florida

Congratulations on the new restaurant.
Should be heading to the vineyard soon and will be sure stop in and see what all the buzz is about.

Your friend always

Patrick Workinger

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 19:19

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Sandi Edgartown

Congratulations to all involved! I know the blood, sweat and tears that went into this. So proud of you! Now how can I make a reservation!?!?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 20:12

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Crispin Haskins Toronto

I really can't wait to check it out! Port Hunter is the best in Edgartown; Covington will no doubt impress!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 22:47

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Richard Vollkommer Kew Gardens, New York

You performed a miracle turning the Wood Store into The Port Hunter; can't wait to see the transformation of the Edgartown Deli into Covington. I know the food will be delicious.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 10:19

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Walt Ringease Brooklyn

Congrats brother Chris! Can't wait to try the new menu. Hope you have your famous bucatini on the menu! My grandmothers favorite.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 14:35

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Stephanie A. Smith Gainesville, FL

Hi guys! Still remembering the dishes you served us Noepe peeps last year (and I put one of those meals in my next novel, the one I'm working on now). Will be back on Island in September!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 05:17

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Ellen Poss Chilmark/Brookline

I was there for the opening last night.
The food is excellent; the decor creative and welcoming.
IMHO, it is the best food Chris has ever made, and Chris is a fabulous chef.
I had pickled oyster crostini which take crostini to a new height.
There was a clam and fennel pasta dish with a fair amount of heat, much more interesting than the usual clam and...
I was full by then, but sampled and brought home the shortribs which were tender and delicious, and the flourless chocolate cake with berries, which could be the the dessert of all desserts. The coffee was first rate. The service was friendly and efficient. Hard to believe it was their first night in business!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 06:46

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Devin Reston Edgartown

Congratulations guys, it looks really beautiful, and know it was a ton of work to get everything ready for a pre-July opening. Wishing you all my best and lots of luck.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/10/2016 - 07:34

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Barry Adler Edgartown

Had a great first meal there last night -- already booked for next Saturday.

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