Business

Watertown Restaurant a Finalist in National Contest for “Serving Their Community”

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Watertown’s Ritcey East has chosen as one of five finalists in a contest run by Toast for restaurants who make a difference in their communities. The winner will received $10,000, and voting is now open. The restaurant on Waverley Avenue, is “serving up a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community and a fresh take on comfort food,” according to Toast. Ritcey East was nominated by a fan of the restaurant because it is “a small, queer-owned biz that kept all their staff during the pandemic and continues to partner with local charities.” Say hello to our Built for You $10k Contest Finalist, Ritcey East!

Arsenal Yards

New Revolving Sushi Bar Opens at Arsenal Yards

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Jakob LaymanSome of the more that 140 offerings at Kura Sushi at Arsenal Yards. Arsenal Yards proudly announced that Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept known for its revolving sushi bars, opened their first New England restaurant at Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood located along the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts. Established in the United States in 2008, the 37th Kura Revolving Sushi Bar location at 101 Bond Square, Watertown, MA 02472 brings the freshest sushi and most authentic Japanese cuisine to the Greater Boston community. With a focus on premium ingredients and a distinctive dining experience, Kura Sushi adheres to the Japanese virtue and philosophy of serving healthy and natural meals in a unique setting. Since the first restaurant opening in Japan in 1977, the Kura Sushi brand offers more than 500 locations across Japan, Taiwan and the United States.

Around Town

Charles River Chamber Teaming With Local Restaurants to Provide Food Assistance, Resources for Eateries

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:

Food Assistance Grant Program – Applications Now Open

The chamber has received funding to support independent Watertown restaurants while providing food assistance to local residents in need. We’ll be ordering individually packaged meals from restaurant partners (at a flat rate of $20 per meal plus tax) to distribute to local food pantries, senior and family programs and other persons in need within the city. Right now, we’re gauging interest and potential meal offerings (that would be both well balanced, but also profitable for your restaurant) via this Restauarnt Partner Application Form. After you are approved as a restaurant partner, we’ll reach out with more specifics as to individual order dates, quantities, etc. The program will launch late March, extend at least through the spring and we hope to support as many Watertown restaurants as possible through this initiative.

Business

Watertown Restaurant Combines Caribbean & Mediterranean Cuisine, With a Healthy Flair

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Meghan CroninSome of the dishes served at Nzuko in Watertown, which offers Mediterranean and Caribbean inspired food. Located a couple blocks off Main Street, one of Watertown’s newest restaurants offers a unique combination of Caribbean and Mediterranean food, with an emphasis on healthy preparations. Nzuko opened in November, and offers a wide range of dishes inspired by multiple cuisines, said chef Laurette Ndukwe. “I’m from the Caribbean and the manager is from Jordan, and then we have my son, who is an African-American from here, and we have Brazilians in the kitchen, so we have a multicultural flair in the restaurant,” Ndukwe said. Nzuko’s first location was in Framingham, but many diners lived west of Boston (or in the city), so they asked if Ndukwe could open another restaurant closer to Boston.

Business

New Restaurant on Arsenal Street Packs Flavors from Around the Globe into Takeout Dishes

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Flavor Boom!Six of the 10 entrees served up at Flavor Boom!, which opened recently on Arsenal Street. A pair of foodies have opened up their own restaurant in Watertown that serves up bold dishes from around the world which are designed to be taken out and enjoyed at home or work. Flavor Boom! began about three months ago in a space in a commercial block on Arsenal Street, and now has a menu with 10 entrees inspired by the cooking of places like China, Spain, Indonesia, France and Thailand. Owner Jim Tao said he came up with about half of the dishes and the others were the creation of his cooking partner Harry Liao, or “Chef Harry.”

Arsenal Yards

Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar Opens in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

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Arsenal YardsCondesa Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar opened at Arsenal Yards. Arsenal Yards proudly announced that Condesa Restaurante Mexicano and Tequlia Bar just opened its third location at Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood located along the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts. With two additional locations in Smithfield and West Warwick, Rhode Island, the latest location at 80 Arsenal Yards Blvd is bringing the finest and freshest Mexican dishes and original family recipes from brothers Roberto and Ernesto Leon to the Greater Boston community. Inspired by their late father’s rich Mexican heritage, the Leon brothers were determined to bring a taste of genuine Mexican cuisine and culture to the United States. They started with Condesa’s first location in Smithfield in 2015, and with the help of their mother, father and aunt, they opened a second location in West Warwick, RI, in 2018 and now Watertown, MA, in 2021.

Around Town

New Barbecue Restaurant in Watertown Holding Soft Opening

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Barbecue lovers will have a new spot to visit in Watertown beginning Thursday, Oct. 28. The Don’s BBQ Restaurant will hold a soft opening starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the restaurant located at 93 School St. (the former Avenue Deli and Strip T’s location). The owner, Sebastian “The Don” DiFelice, specializes in Texas-style barbecue, and the restaurant uses only USDA Prime cuts for his briskets, pork shoulder, and pork loin ribs sourced in New England.

Business

Sweetgreen Opens Friday, Meals Sold on Opening Day Benefit Watertown Food Pantry

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Arsenal Yards is home to the newest location of sweetgreen. The following announcement was provided by sweetgreen:

On Friday, August 27, sweetgreen, the seasonal restaurant with the mission of connecting people to real food, opens its newest Boston-area restaurant at Arsenal Yards (100 Bond Square, Watertown, MA 02472). 

The space will be able to accommodate 24 guests inside, with a spacious patio for an additional 26 diners to enjoy salads and bowls during Boston’s summer months. Sweetgreen features fresh, seasonal food, including salads, warm bowls and plates. Earlier this year, sweetgreen went through a complete rebrand, and the Arsenal Yards space will reflect the company’s newest look decorated with updated posters, graphics and photography. For every meal sold on opening day, sweetgreen will donate a meal to its local impact partner, Watertown Food Pantry, to nourish those who are  food insecure in the Watertown community.