Restaurateur J.B. Blau moves into Mansion House

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The Copper Wok will soon replace Zephrus with a new menu and look. — Photo by Nelson Sigelman

J.B. Blau, owner of popular Mexican restaurants Sharky’s in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, and M.V. Chowder Company in Oak Bluffs, is just a wok away from opening a new restaurant in Vineyard Haven.

Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Blau announced an agreement with the owners of the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven to operate a restaurant in the space now occupied by Zephrus.

Mr. Blau said the new restaurant, Copper Wok, will feature mostly traditional Chinese food, as well as familiar dishes from Thailand, Viet Nam, and Japan, complemented by an extensive selection of beer, wine, and saki. The restaurant will open in April and serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, he said.

“You’ll recognize our menu items, some of the most popular dishes from each of the regions.” Mr. Blau said. “Our focus is going to be the year-round business. This restaurant will never close.”

The Goldstein family opened Zephrus in 1999, soon after the hotel was rebuilt following a fire. It featured an open floor space and patio.

“We’ve had a great run,” said Susie Goldstein, co-owner with her husband Sherman. “We’re delighted to hand over the reins to J.B. We wanted someone who had the same commitment to the community. We have been watching J.B. and we are very impressed.”

Chef Alex Nagi, a business partner with Mr. Blau in the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company, is also a partner in Copper Wok, where he will be the head chef.