Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/728082
42 As Tony Ambrose will tell you, it takes less than 10 seconds to know whether or not you like an establishment. That is what he learned from his extensive hotel and restaurant background. With that being said, that is why the owner and chef of Blu Mussel Tavern in Cohasset pays meticulous detail to the sounds, scents and hospitality of his new location on 156 King Street (3A). As the restaurant's motto says, "Come in for the vibe, and stay for our good taste." Ambrose has in fact created a very cool vibe at Blu Mussel Tavern, one which exudes a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Plus, with Ambrose being the creative genius behind everything from the décor to the music to the amazing menu, given his lengthy history as a world- renowned chef, you know that the food is going to be remarkable. "Peter (Tedeschi; Ambrose's business partner) approached me about opening a restaurant at this location," recalls Ambrose. "He said, 'Hey, let's go look at a restaurant.' I said, 'Hey, let's not.' I finally decided to take a look at it. But I said no, at first. He called back, and I still said no. Then, after about two months, I went back and did another walk through by myself. At that point, I said, okay, I'll do it. I called Peter to see if he was still interested, because he had moved on to looking at other businesses at that point. We decided to buy it, and then things got really interesting. From there, it was like a runaway train. I just sort of stared at it for two or three months. We decided that we didn't want to move a lot or spend a ton of money, but we wanted to come up with a cool look." From the minute you walk through the doors at Blu Mussel Tavern, it is obvious that he succeeded in creating that 'cool look.' From the inviting lounge to the extraordinary bar, Ambrose certainly came up with the 'neighborhood eatery and saloon' look that he was after. The feel is described as cool and casual, yet also sophisticated. After stepping away from the restaurant business for some time by Rob Kelley A Casual, Cool Vibe and the Vision of Tony Ambrose Makes Blu Mussel Tavern the New Neighborhood Eatery & Saloon