The Wahlberg Brothers in Hull
My hometown of Hull, Massachusetts, is lucky that Mark Wahlberg’s brother Paul chose it as the location for his restaurant, “Bridgeman’s.” And I was lucky to have had the occasion to eat there twice during the ten days I was visiting my family.
The first occasion was a birthday dinner party for my sister Tricia’s close friend Nancy, where everyone but me was a former high school cheerleader. I sipped my first Martini (peach, from Nancy’s glass) and loved the Almond Crusted Pound Cake with Bananas’ Foster for dessert, even though I don’t like bananas.
At our table of seven, forks of food were passed around because everyone wanted to share their five-star gourmet delights. Paul, who is also the brother of Donnie, a member of the 1984-1994 group New Kids on the Block, is a French-trained chef, but the food is Italian inspired, the restaurant’s webpage says. 
I was excited to have such a high quality restaurant in Hull and looking forward to eating there again on my visit home next year. But I didn’t have to wait that long.
My ten day vacation started with a high school class reunion and ended with another sort of reunion when my friend of thirty-five years, Eugene, (who I hadn’t seen in twelve years) and his wife Carla drove down to Hull on my last night home to see me.
After a walk on the beach and a ride in Eugene’s sports car with the top down, we headed for the Pemberton Pier clam stand to eat, but it was closed. We ended up at Bridgeman’s sipping wine, talking, and nibbling on clams, shrimp scampi, eggplant, and truffle French fries.
We could easily pick Paul out from behind the glass partition, where he was cooking, because he resembles his better-known brothers. 
The Wahlbergs grew up in Dorchester, part of greater Boston and less than twenty miles from Hull, where I grew up. I wished I had knocked on the glass, waved, or introduced myself to Paul. We have a few things in common. Like him, I am one of nine children from a Working Class Catholic family near Boston.
Catching up with Eugene and Carla at Bridgman’s was like a cherry on the top of a magical week that involved big sky sunset walks on the beach, bike riding, swan boat riding, quality time spent with family and friends … and good food.
Video of Paul Wahlberg talking about Bridgeman’s and his actor brother Mark’s taste in food is HERE.
August 13th, 2008 8:38 am
sounds like a marvelous trip all around
August 13th, 2008 9:26 am
Even though I’ve eaten at Bridgeman’s, oly once when they first opened, I never knew a Wahlberg worked there as a chef. Wow.
Your post made me also think of taking my kids, who as you know are now long grown, to a New Kids concert. All I can remember was how LOUD it was!
August 13th, 2008 9:33 am
Paul is the owner and chef an Bridgemans. Donnie was the one in New Kids on the Block. And Mark (previously known as Marky Mark)is the award winning actor who had the best accent in The Departed because he didn’t have to fake an ounce of it.
August 13th, 2008 10:07 am
oooh, never heard of it! LOVE joeyk’s comment about the accent, so true 😉
Is that the chef brother on the left in the top pic or is that Mark?
August 13th, 2008 10:28 am
Photo: Mark and Paul from left to right. That was me not Joeyk. Had to change the automatic filled in lines.
August 13th, 2008 11:44 am
Gastronomic delight. wonderful.
August 14th, 2008 3:46 am
what a fine time you had in your hometown! wish my visits east were as much fun. mine are often wrapped around dysfunction! 🙁
August 14th, 2008 7:44 pm
I so wish I had seen Eugene. I regret it now!!!!!
Did you tell him I said hi? xo
August 15th, 2008 5:28 pm
Coll….I’m a little late reading your blog. I had to go on my once annual business trip and I’m just getting back. I’m so glad to be home! I love this post and I can’t believe you got the chance to go back to Bridgeman’s again w/ Eugene!!! That must have been awesome. You have to post this to the Love-Link so Nancy can see it….she’ll love it. Love YOU and MISS you. Can’t wait for our next Bridgeman’s meal together. xo
August 15th, 2008 5:39 pm
P.S. I forgot to say that I find it ironic that on the video he recommends my favorite entree! The one I ALWAYS get: The cod with the basil mashed potato’s!! FUNNY
August 15th, 2008 7:10 pm
XOXO Can’t wait to eat there again next year. When I get home I’ll send this to the LoveLink (family email group).
August 16th, 2008 1:41 pm
Didn’t you just love Mark Wahlberg in The Departed? I enjoyed that movie tremendously but his performance was absolutely spectacular and really stood out for me.
Neat to read about what one of the other Wahlberg siblings is up to. Looks like a great place to eat.