Max SullivanPortsmouth Herald
SEABROOK — With one restaurant on its way out at Seabrook Beach, Ernie Thibeault saw an opportunity for quality seafood and views from an outdoor deck.
"I felt like the area needed a little higher-end fare,” said Thibeault, who opens his new restaurant Ernie’s Seaside Restaurant May 11 at 209 Ocean Blvd.
The space has been newly gutted and renovated since Thibeault purchased the building last year and includes outdoor deck dining. The menu will feature seafood classics like crab cakes and clam and seafood chowder, as well as alternatives like burgers, steak and cider-brined pork chops. The prices range from a $13 Buoy Burger and $20 fried haddock to the $50 Tebo Tenderloin and the $51 Sea Hag's Pie with lobster meat. Ernie's will also feature a selection of specialty co*cktails, according to Thibeault.
While Hampton’s main beach is packed with restaurants and takeout places, Thibeault said Seabrook’s eateries are fewer. His restaurant and 12 Ocean Grill bookend Seabrook’s stretch of Route 1, where only a handful of businesses operate across the street from a neighborhood of beach homes.
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Thibeault believes the former Castaway's location is a perfect place to open Ernie’s and give locals and their guests an alternative destination for seaside dining with a harbor view.
“I think Seabrook Beach is more of a higher-end enclave for nice homes on the beach, not much really there for a restaurant scene,” Thibeault said. “We’re looking to have a little higher-end beach fare-type food here, and I think it’s one of the nicest sunsets and decks around.”
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Thibeault sees an opportunity at former Castaway's spot
Thibeault, a real estate developer and entrepreneur, is known locally for owning the Hampton River Marina. He has run the Water’s Edge Yacht Club, a private club and restaurant in the harbor, for 15 years. In addition to his work in real estate development, he is a food enthusiast as well and recently was looking for an opportunity to open a new restaurant in the area.
“I consider myself a foodie,”Thibeault said.
Thibeault was close to opening a new restaurant in Hampton last year when Ron’s Landing in Hampton went up for sale. Thibeault said he almost bought Ron’s but backed away from the deal after a right-of-way issue came up with the property.
“Then I saw that the old Castaway’s was for sale,” Thibeault said.
Castaway’s opened at 209 Ocean Boulevard in 2009. Thibeault liked the space and location and reached out to the owners of Castaway’s to buy it. They closed the deal in fall of 2022, and Thibeault’s team has been renovating it since.
Thibeault has completely refinished the floors at the former Castaway’s, repainted inside and put brand new outside furniture on its deck. The place has a lot of new “knick-knacks” and décor on the wall as well. The kitchen suffered a major flood during the winter, leading Thibeault to rebuild that as well.
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What can people expect at Ernie’s?
Thibeault said there will be live entertainment, although only inside as the Seabrook Beach Village District has an ordinance against outside live music. He said he hopes to work with the local body, which has jurisdiction over the beach, on eventually allowing some outdoor music for customers in the afternoon. That would ultimately take a vote at the Village District’s annual meeting to amend the ordinance.
“Doesn’t make any sense that you couldn’t have a one-man band, two-man band, from 6 to 8, or 2 to 6,” Thibeault said. He added that Village District Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Steve Keaney had been “excellent” to work with.
The restaurant will start out open four days a week, then switch to seven days open on Memorial Day weekend. Thibeault said the plan is to start Ernie’s as a seasonal business but eventually move to a year-round schedule, open at least Thursday through Sunday in the offseason.
“That’s all going to depend on the patrons,” Thibeault said.
Chef Aaron Duvall, who has worked in the past at restaurants like the 401 Tavern and Chez Boucher Bistro, said he looks forward to Ernie’s. He said Seabrook is a quiet area with great views and a location for seafood dining.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for us and very successful,” Duvall said.
