Press Releases

MONTEREY, CALIF. – Domenico's on the Wharf and Café Fina owners, Sam and Dominic Mercurio returned today from Homer, Alaska where they were fishing with brothers, Captain Johnathan and Captain Andy Hillstrand on their crabbing boat, the F/V Time Bandit, made famous on the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Also fishing with the Mercurio and Hillstrand brothers, was New England Patriots Offensive Lineman Matt Light and American Choppers star, Paul Teutul, Sr.

"What an experience! I enjoyed cooking meals for the crew with the freshest fish you can imagine," said Dominic Mercurio, who taught the crew how to barbeque pizza out on the boat deck.

Homer, Alaska is the Halibut Capital of the World. Domenico's on the Wharf and Café Fina patrons will be happy to know that the Mercurios brought back with them fresh halibut for specials this week.

The brothers documented their trip firsthand – photos and video of his adventure will be available on Domenico's on the Wharf's Facebook Page soon.

About the Fishermen
John Hillstrand became a full-time fisherman after high school. He has not only been a crab fisherman, but for eight years, he professionally fished for lobster off of the New England coast. When he's not fishing for crab in the winters, John fishes for salmon in the summer on board his 38-foot Weggley, F/V Fishing Fever. Although a serious fisherman, John is also known as the practical joker on board Time Bandit. "Flour bombs," teetering buckets of water and the unexpected detonation of a seal bomb are a few of his favorite pranks. John's other passion is his 2000 Harley Davidson Fatboy, customized with a nitrous tank that adds 300 hp of acceleration to his ride.

Known as the Axeman, Andy Hillstrand is the consummate professional fisherman and takes every aspect of crew and boat safety seriously. Among other skills needed when confined to a boat 100 miles from shore, Andy can rewire electrical systemsor stitch up an injured crewmember. When he is not fishing, Andy returns home to his other passion, his ranch and horses. Specializing in natural horsemanship, Andy and his wife, Sabrina train horses and teach riding to adults and children.

Thanks to TLC's hit reality series American Chopper, Paul Teutul Sr. is known to the world as the massive and mustachioed father, in a sleeveless tee with tattooed biceps bulging, who owns a custom bike shop. He has been the forefront of Orange County Choppers for more than ten years. OCC originally started as a sideline to his steel manufacturing business, which was founded in the 1970's. Paul Sr. began building custom motorcycles on the side as a hobby and in 1999, he founded, the now world famous, Orange County Choppers.

Matt has played in 140 games with 138 starts over ten seasons with New England (2001-10). His 140 games are the third highest total of any active player. In his 10 seasons in New England, Light has been a part of eight division championships, four conference titles and three Super Bowl crowns. He was selected to his third Pro Bowl in 2010. Light was named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team in 2007, and earned AFC Pro Bowl honors in 2006 and 2007. Light started all three postseason games in 2003 as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the playoffs as Tom Brady attempted 126 passes, and the Patriots claimed the Super Bowl XXXVIII championship.

###