Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1537091
28 Bluefish River Tavern, which opened in late 2022, blends New England comfort with bold global flavors – and in less than two years, it has earned a loyal local following on the South Shore. For owner Erik Daigle, who lives in Kingston, the restaurant marks both a personal milestone and a long-held dream. "I've been in the restaurant industry for almost 25 years," Daigle says. "This is my first concept on my own." The opportunity came knocking when the space formerly occupied by the iconic Milepost restaurant – a beloved Duxbury staple for over 40 years – opened up. "When it became available, I was very interested in the location and the opportunity to start something on my own," he says. "We ended up having to pretty much gut the whole place and put our own spin and personal touches on it." The result is a bright, coastal ambience that rings true to the locality of the building and the town. The name, too, is steeped in personal meaning. The Bluefish River is just down the road and is a summer boating destination for Daigle and his children, as well as many Duxbury locals. "There's a place on the river where the kids would swim out and jump off the bridge," he explains. "Just a nice, fun little spot for them to play at high tide." That same sense of familiarity and comfort extends to the team in the kitchen, led by executive chef Douglas Cordeiro, also of Kingston. A longtime friend and former colleague, Daigle and In the heart of Duxbury, Massachusetts, just a mile from the Bluefish River itself, a fresh take on coastal dining has quietly been making waves. FROM PASSION TO PLATE: The Story of Bluefish River Tavern Written by Zoe Pirnie