Turkish Restaurant Serves Traditional Dishes in Longtime Watertown Dining Spot

Halva Kebabs serves up a variety of grilled meats. (Courtesy of Halva Kebab)

A spot in town that has long been an eating destination is serving hungry diners once again. Halva Kebab opened in the former New Yorker Diner spot near Watertown Square, and is serving up a wide range of kebabs and other Turkish dishes. While the owners are new to the area, they have a long tradition of running restaurants, said co-owner Joseph Dagdelen. “We have another location in New Jersey,” he said.

Watertown Native’s Whiskey Will Soon be Available for Purchase by Local Residents

Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

The following release was provided by Watertown Whiskey:

Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown but, until now, the only way the people of Watertown, Massachusetts could get it was by ordering online. That changes on March 1, 2024, as Watertown Whiskey, the refreshing, low sugar coconut whiskey, has its official East Coast launch in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “It has always been one of our top priorities to have Watertown Whiskey for sale in Watertown,” says Mikey Bortone, CEO and co-founder of Watertown Whiskey, who started the brand with childhood friends Steve Cicarelli and Mark O’Donnell. “We’re thrilled to start our national expansion in Massachusetts as well as in Rhode Island and are looking forward to bringing our whiskey to bars, restaurants and retailers across the country soon.”

Watertown Whiskey is partnering with Atlantic Beverage Distributors as a part of this expansion and is excited at the prospects that this partnership will bring.

James Beard Award Winning Chef Cooking in Watertown Indigenous Food Week

The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Intitiative:

Starting on November 16 and for one week only, diners can sample award-winning Indigenous cuisine prepared according to recipes by Mashpee Wampanoag Chef Sherry Pocknett, 2023 winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast. Branch Line restaurant in Watertown will feature Chef Pocknett’s butternut squash soup, corn cakes, and cranberry chutney as part of Watertown’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration and in recognition of Native American Heritage Month. In 2022, Branch Line hosted the first Indigenous Food Week with Chef Pocknett. Chef Pocknett will travel to Watertown to collaborate with Branch Line’s new Executive Chef, Michael Morway, and his staff on Thursday, November 16th. She will talk about the 12,000 year history of the Mashpee Wampanoag and describe her deep connection to food and cooking.

Watertown Native Names New Whiskey After His Hometown & Got a Little Help from His Friends

Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

Watertown native Mikey Bortone’s eureka moment came when he was enjoying a whiskey, while trying to hydrate at the same time. After perfecting his recipe, and with some help from a couple hometown buddies, Watertown Whiskey has become a reality. The liquor named for his hometown brings together rye whiskey and coconut. It debuted in California, where Bortone now lives, and he plans to bring it to his home state.

Faire on the Square is Almost Here! See What’s Going on Saturday

The Faire on the Square, Watertown’s annual celebration, will take place Saturday, Sept. 23 at Saltonstall Park (next to City Hall). Come enjoy the entertainment, dozens of exhibitors, music, food, kids activities, an apple pie contest and chili cook off, a beer garden, and more! The Faire will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Organizers announced the Faire will take place, rain or shine.

ACEC Hosting an Evening of Armenian Wine and Jazz

The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center:

Join the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center (ACEC) in Watertown for an elegant evening of “Jazz and Armenian Wine” on Friday, Aug. 25. 

The evening will begin with Storica Wines, the leading purveyor of Armenian wines in the U.S. Storica Wines boasts a portfolio of 19 exquisite wines that reclaim long-lost grape varietals indigenous to Armenia, including Areni and Voskehat. The company will offer eight of its finest wines at the ACEC event, accompanied by a presentation on Armenia’s historic winemaking culture. Hors d’oeuvres will be served by Boston eatery anoush’ella. After wine tasting, guests will enjoy a performance by the Yulia Musayelyan Quartet.

See Who Will be at the 2023 Watertown Arts Market This Saturday

Watertown will celebrate arts of all kinds during the third annual Watertown Arts Market on Saturday at Filippello Park. The Watertown Arts Market is a free event with free parking at the BB&N lot next to the Park at 191 Grove St. Meet local Watertown artists and arts-related non-profits on Aug. 19, from 12-5 p.m., at Filippello Park, Grove Street entrance. Artists & Craftspeople

Visit Echo Art and Design @echoartanddesign for your name in calligraphy or a calligraphy mini lesson https://www.echoartanddesign.com/

Visit Artist, Designer & Screen Printer Eric Lavalliere @peabo_show

See Zoë Raymond’s charm bracelets @blingy_strings

Visit Artist Adam Adkison @adamadkison1

Visit Artist @vapordoll

Come meet Artist Serena Gauthier @flmgrl

Visit Jacob’s Bracelets for Good at the Watertown Arts Market!

New Italian Restaurant Opens in Center of Watertown

Bar ‘Cino has opened in Watertown Square. (Photo courtesy of Bar ‘Cino)

The following piece was provided by the Newport Restaurant Group:

Newport Restaurant Group, the Rhode-Island based and 100 percent employee-owned hospitality group that operates a collection of restaurants and properties across New England, today opens Bar ‘Cino in Watertown. Derived from vicino, the Italian word for “neighbor”, the new Bar ‘Cino is nestled in the heart of Watertown Square and is the third location of the Italian-inspired dining concept which first opened in Newport, Rhode Island in 2019 followed by Brookline 2020. “We are thrilled that our latest Bar ‘Cino opening will be in the vibrant and historic city of Watertown,” said Paul O’Reilly, CEO of Newport Restaurant Group. “Over the past several years, we’ve enjoyed bringing our passion for delicious Italian food and drink to our guests in Newport and Brookline and are excited to foster that same spirit right on Watertown’s Main Street.