August 24, 2020 by Courtney Doyle, Chef/Owner, Clandestine Kitchen, LLC
When Boathouse Bistro customers need a solid, go-to family meal, they know that hand-tossed pizza, fresh ingredients and housemade sauces, dressings and marinades will be a slam dunk for the entire family. From filet mignon to french fries to fresh salads, Tinka and Steve McCauley draw on 20+ years of restaurant industry experience to serve up exactly what community families are craving.
“Boathouse Bistro is an amazing spot for safe outdoor dining for our family. I love the beet salad and the whole family loves the pizzas (and the homemade meatballs!). We are so fortunate to have such a family-friendly restaurant here in Hingham”, says Hingham resident and Boathouse Bistro loyal customer, Megan Johnson.
Currently open 7 days/week for lunch and dinner, Boathouse Bistro offers takeout, curbside (upon request), outdoor and indoor seating from 11:30am to 9:00pm and hasn’t missed a beat. Pivoting during the current COVID climate has not been easy but, it’s been all about, well, family. When the crisis first hit the community, Steve McCauley looked at his staff of 5 years and said, “Is this it? Are we done?” and, without pausing for a moment, they looked right back at him and pledged to be ready to work and be ready for anything, no matter what.
The staff pledge wasn’t the only loyalty shown to Boathouse Bistro. The entire south shore community has continued to support the restaurant and, as such, have become members of the Boathouse Bistro extended family.
5 years ago, during 4th of July weekend, Tinka and Steve decided to bring a little bit of the ‘city vibe” to the suburbs by opening the doors to Boathouse Bistro. Hand-tossed pizza and housemade pasta continue to be the most popular items with everything made-to-order, featuring housemade sauces and the absolute best in fresh produce and proteins. Tinka’s brother manages delivery operations for North Coast Seafood and ensures that Boathouse Bistro receives the daily catch fresh off the pier and truly provides a “sea-to-table” dining experience for their customers.
North Coast Seafood is the purveyor of one of the most popular entrees at Boathouse Bistro: the Shrimp Scampi (featuring scratchmade sauce, simple, fresh ingredients and fresh, locally sourced seafood). The McCauley’s look forward to the boaters flooding the Hingham Shipyard Marina every season as these maritime warriors have been one of the most consistent sources of takeout for the restaurant every summer. Featuring fresh, light and healthy seafood dishes remains a constant on the robust seasonal menu, appealing to those spending long summer nights out on the water.
Packing nutrition and fresh flavor into the menu is a passion for the McCauleys. The roasted veggie platter, salads, wraps, and nightly specials highlight fresh produce, housemade hummus and dressings, and clean, seasoned proteins that can be added to almost everything on the menu. The Fig + Prosciutto Pizza is a popular favorite as is the simple and delicious Margherita.
With 3 kids of their own, the McCauleys hope that every family can find something for everybody that is not only healthy and delicious but also can become a staple in the households of the local community. There are so many unknowns as we head into fall but local families can feel a sense of security knowing that “what’s for lunch or dinner?” doesn’t have to be one of the stressful decisions. The best thing about Boathouse Bistro is their commitment to broadening their extended family by being a part of the restaurant community on the south shore. They don’t see “competition” – they see an opportunity to come together to bring the town of Hingham what they need to feel nourished and fueled by providing food that powers families through anything and everything.
Clandestine Kitchen (CK) Chef/Owner, (and local Hingham resident ), Courtney Doyle, will be stepping out of the CK kitchen and stepping out on the town, sharing her passion for food, total body wellness and supporting our local community with editorial lifestyle spotlights for The Anchor.