Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting the First Annual Pizza Fest

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Calling all pizza lovers! The Watertown Business Coalition (WBC) is thrilled to announce THE FIRST ANNUAL PIZZA FEST! From September 5 to 12, residents are encouraged to head to their favorite pizza spot and experience the great pizza served here in the City! 

Participating restaurants thus far include Bar ‘Cino, Gigi’s Pizza Co., Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Johnnie’s Pizza & Wings, Red Lentil Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant, Stella’s Pizza, Sevan Bakery, Little Family Pizza, West on Main, and Gerry’s Italian Kitchen. 

Participants can visit their favorite spots, and try some new ones, and then vote online. The winner will receive the Golden Slice trophy at the Faire on the Square, on Sept. 13 at Saltonstall Park.

Charity

Watertown Restaurant Holding Sweet Fundraiser for a Food Pantry

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Bar ‘Cino’s gelato is just one dessert to choose from in the No Child Hungry This Summer program. (Courtesy of Bar ‘Cino)

Bar ‘Cino, located at 47 Main Street in Watertown, is pleased to announce a new fundraising effort to support the Centre Street Food Pantry, a local food relief agency serving Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley. From August 17 though August 31, 50 percent of dessert sales will be donated to the Centre Street Food Pantry’s “No Child Hungry This Summer” program. In a survey of families who visit Centre Street Food Pantry, more than half reported that their children did not receive subsidized meals in the summer, while the remainder who brought their children to an approved meal site said they came home and were still hungry. In response, the Centre Street Food Pantry has held the “No Child Hungry This Summer” fundraising campaign each of the last four summers to raise funds to provide lunch food items to approximately 1,400 children each month from June through September.  

“We are so grateful to the work that the Centre Street Food Pantry does for families in need and humbled to have the opportunity to support their efforts,” said Gary Morrison, Regional Manager, Newport Restaurant Group.

Business

A Pair of New Food & Drink Options Open for Memorial Day Weekend

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Watertown has two new places to grab a drink and something to eat, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. One is a pub in the West End, and the other is the newest location for a local brewery and the newest addition to Arsenal Yards. West on Main announced on social media that it was opening on Thursday, May 22. “It’s time!!! The wait is finally over – West on Main is opening its doors!

Business

New Restaurant Opening in Former Fit-Z’s Spot

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A new Irish and American bar will replace a neighborhood favorite on the Westside of Watertown. The facade of the former Fit-Z’s Bar & Grille has been repainted and now displays “West on Main,” and a Guinness sign hangs next to it. An advertisement on social media from West on Main says:

“West on Main blends the best of an Irish and American bar, creating a welcoming neighborhood spot in Watertown, MA. Serving comfort food, rotating specials, and a traditional Sunday roast, it’s the go-to place for great food, drinks, and live sports.” Boston Restaurant Talk shared a Bluesky post with a photo of the new look for the space at 451 Main St., Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Restaurants to be Featured at Chamber’s Spring Seasonings: A Taste of Our Towns

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Cha Yen Thai Cookery is one of several Watertown Restaurants that will be serving their dishes at the Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings event. (Contributed Photo)

Watertown’s vibrant restaurant scene will be on full display at Spring Seasonings: A Taste of Our Towns, happening on Monday, April 7, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Newton Marriott. Hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber and presented by The Village Bank, the event brings together top culinary talents from across the region. This year, Watertown’s lineup of participating restaurants and beverage vendors includes:

● Bar ‘Cino● Cha Yen Thai Cookery● NAYA● Not Your Average Joe’s● Nzuko● Olespana● Ritcey East● Sensational Foods

Max and Chelsea Ritcey served up food from Watertown restaurant Ritcey East at the Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings. (Photo from Charles River Chamber)

Visit charlesriverchamber.com/spring-seasonings for a full preview of the 40+ restaurants, beer, wine and liquor shops who will be sampling small bites and sips on April 7.

Around Town

Celebrate Local Dining, Community at Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings

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The Charles River Chamber announced that tickets are available for the 27th annual Spring Seasonings: A Taste of our Towns event, which includes restaurants from Watertown, as well as Newton, Needham and Wellesley. See the announcement below. Spring Seasonings: A Taste of our Towns returns to the Newton Marriott on Monday, April 7 from 5:30-8 p.m. The highly anticipated event, now in its 27th year, is hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber in partnership with presenting sponsor The Village Bank. Forty local restaurants from Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley will showcase their distinctive cuisine, with beverage exhibitors pouring samples to pair with the delicious bites. Over 500 attendees are expected to attend the event.

Food

New Middle Eastern Restaurant Celebrating Grand Opening with Specials & Activities

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NAYA will be serving Middle Eastern dishes at Arsenal Yards. (Contributed Photo)

Arsenal Yards will welcome a new restaurant that features Middle Eastern fare, and the eatery will celebrate with some grand opening weekend specials and festivities. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

NAYA is thrilled to bring its signature fast-casual Middle Eastern cuisine to Boston with the grand opening of its SECOND location in the Boston vicinity! Established in 2008, NAYA has become a beloved name in Middle Eastern dining, with this Boston opening marking its 30th location across NY, CT, NJ, and PA. Known for its fresh, customizable meals and vibrant flavors, NAYA has more Boston-area locations planned for early 2025.

Business

One Watertown Restaurant Closes, a New One Opens

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Some of the South of the Border dishes being served at Plazita Mexico Tacos. As 2025 begins, Watertown has seen one restaurant close, while an addition has been made to the eating scene. Restaurant Says ‘Bye Bye’

Olespana Whiskey & Tapas Bar on Mt. Auburn Street announced that it will be closing. The restaurant that served Spanish food, pizza and other dishes had opened in the former Mount Auburn Grill space in 2023.