Chef and owner Michael Buckley first entered the restaurant scene in 1995 when he opened Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro, Wine & Jazz Bar on Main Street in Nashua, NH. Critically acclaimed for its upscale atmosphere and cuisine, Michael Timothy’s quickly became one of the region’s premier dining destinations. Best Chef and Best Restaurant are counted among the many distinctions awarded to Chef Buckley.

Prior to opening Michael Timothy’s, Chef Buckley cooked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in New Hampshire, including the former Levi Lowell’s in Merrimack. He also spent time in Europe working under a master chef. When Levi Lowell’s closed, Chef Buckley and his wife Sarah decided to open Michael Timothy’s.

Building on his success with Michael Timothy’s, the Buckleys then opened their second restaurant – Surf – in 2002 just across the street from the urban bistro. Devoted entirely to creatively prepared and seriously fresh seafood, Surf continues the tradition of excellence set by Chef Buckley. Surf was recently voted Best Seafood Restaurant in the state by New Hampshire Magazine’s Readers Poll.

Most recently, the Buckleys opened an upscale steakhouse in Merrimack, NH called Buckley's Great Steaks.