Around Town

Efforts to Start Local Food Co-op Reaches Key Milestone

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The Charles River Food Co-op surpassed the 500 member mark recently, and continues to work toward opening somewhere in or around Watertown. Progress has been encouraging for Nick Quaranto, president of the Co-op’s board of directors. “I haven’t seen other co-ops get to 500 as fast as we have, so I think we are really onto something,” Quaranto said. “People really understand what we are tying to do, which is great. but we are going to need more.”

Around Town

Kura Sushi Offering Tetris Inspired Sushi Boxes & Prizes

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The following announcement was provided by Kura Sushi:

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a leading technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept serving authentic Japanese cuisine through an engaging revolving sushi service model, is thrilled to announce its newest Bikkura Pon collaboration with one of the most popular electronic games of all time, Tetris®. Joining forces once again with the Tetris brand after a highly successful collaboration in late 2021, The Tetris Company and Kura Sushi USA are proud to unveil the reimagined “Tetris™ x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon Series 2 Collaboration” featuring all new prizes and brightly colored Tetris-inspired sushi boxes. Available exclusively at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar U.S. restaurants, including at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, through December 31, 2022, the Tetris x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon prize collection includes a lanyard, temporary tattoos and can badges. The unique collectibles are dispensed from the Bikkura Pon Prize System, an integral part of Kura Sushi USA’s interactive and tech-driven dining experience. The system is comprised of a prize machine, touch panel and plate disposal slot located at every table in the restaurant.

Around Town

LETTER: Missing Russo’s, Striving to Create Food Co-op

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It’s been one year since Russo’s announced they were closing. Over 365 days have passed with our community lacking one of Boston Metro West’s best sources for produce, baked goods, and plants. As I stood in the checkout line on their last day — laden with too much cheese and veggies — my mind raced, thinking of the 200 people who would be without jobs soon, wondering why Watertown needed yet another lab facility for a biotech company instead of a market. My kids would no longer be able to prowl through the Christmas trees stacked up outside each December. My wife would need to find a replacement for the especially spicy maror (horseradish) that would make us tear up at Passover.

Around Town

Longtime Owner of Meat Spot Retiring, Passing on Business

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Charle BreitroseDick Ucuz, who has owned The Meat Spot for 32 years, will be retiring soon. He has sold the business and the new owners will keep the deli and butcher shop going. For more that three decades, Dick Ucuz has served up sandwiches, cut fresh meat, and provided other edible delights from The Meat Spot. This week is one of his last at the business that has been in Watertown Square for more than a century. Fans of The Meat Spot can be comforted that the business has been sold to new owners who will continue to serve the same favorites.

Around Town

Watertown Restaurant Serving Special Menu Items for Indigenous Food Week

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The following information was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

On Monday, Oct 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated for the first time in Watertown with speakers, theatrical performances, cultural presentations, Indigenous artisans and musicians plus information tables. The celebration will take place at First Parish of Watertown located at 35 Church St. from 2-5 p.m. and is supported by a generous grant from the Watertown Community Foundation to Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. As part of Indigenous Peoples Day, Pigsgusset Initiative is partnering with Branch Line restaurant in Watertown where Chef Ivan Conill is collaborating with award-winning Wampanoag Chef Sherry Pocknett around the preparation of Wampanoag dishes that will be featured on Branch Line’s menu from Friday, Sept. 30 until Monday, Oct.

Around Town

Apple Pie Contest Returns to Faire on the Square After Hiatus

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The following information was provided by the Faire on the Square organizers:

The Faire on the Square was founded by local Watertown resident Mike Donham back in 1999. A committee of about 12 volunteers was formed, one member of who was Joyce Munger. It was her idea to include an apple pie contest, she handled all aspects of the contest, including being the MC. The contest grew over the years, it was very successful with locals trying to outdo each other for bragging rights, not to mention prizes. At the first wrap-up meeting, it was discussed whether another type of pie, such as pumpkin should be included but that was met with a clear NO!

Entertainment

First Stick A Fork In It Food Festival Coming to Arsenal Yards

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Kicking off an exciting schedule of events this fall, Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown, invites area residents and visitors to enjoy its diverse lineup of eateries, shops and venues at the first-ever Stick A Fork In It! Food Festival, an around-the-world style food festival on Wednesday, September 21st from 5:00–8:00PM. Featuring delicious bites and bevvies from on-site restaurants including City Works, Condesa Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar,, Tori Jiro, Vitality Bowls, Frank Pepe, Roche Bros., The Majestic 7, Ben & Jerry’s, Pokeworks and more, guests can experience a little bit of everything from all of the exceptional culinary offerings of Arsenal Yards and special surprises and offerings from the neighborhood’s many shopping and entertainment venues. In addition to tasting complimentary food samples from over 10 of neighborhood’s restaurants, guests and residents are invited to also enjoy live music on the beautiful River Green, drinks from the cash beer and wine garden, and access to fun games and activities including balloon animals, a photo booth caravan, caricatures, and more. Guests will also receive a complimentary swag bag upon check-in.

Around Town

New Restaurant Serving Poke Bowl & Burritos Opens in Watertown

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Watertown added another eatery to the local restaurant scene this week, featuring Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos. See the announcement provided by Pokeworks:

On Sept. 8, Boston neighborhood foodies lined up to celebrate the grand opening of Pokeworks, the nation’s leading premium fast-casual poke destination. Opened by local entrepreneur Mandy Li, the new spot is located in the Arsenal Yards smart growth development at 109 Bond Square, and will offer a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos with a customizable menu and convenient online ordering options for pickup or delivery via web or loyalty app. To celebrate the grand opening, the new location offered a free poke bowl to the first 100 customers.