Watertown Restaurant Holding Sweet Fundraiser for a Food Pantry

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.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Watertown on Aug. 6

The Watertown Farmers Market will have a raffle, a scavenger hunt, food samples from a local restaurant and more during National Farmers Market Week. See more in the announcement from Live Well Watertown below. Come Celebrate National Farmers Market Week at the Watertown Farmers Market! Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. This annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in the local food system as well as the value they bring to their communities.

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

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!

New Restaurant Opening in Former Fit-Z’s Spot

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.

New Middle Eastern Restaurant Celebrating Grand Opening with Specials & Activities

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.

Italian Eatery With Spots in Brookline & Newport Moving Into Watertown Square

Newport Restaurant GroupBar ‘Cino is slated to move into the space previously occupied by Stellina Restaurant. An Italian restaurant will be taking over the space previously occupied by Stellina Restaurant in Watertown Square. Bar ‘Cino (pronounced “chee-no”) is part of a the Newport Restaurant Group that includes other locations of Bar ‘Cino in Brookline and Newport, R.I., the Papa Razzi restaurants in Wellesley and Concord, as well as the Castle Hill Inn in Newport. The Brookline menu includes pizzas, pastas, entrees, bruschetta, and salads, among other dishes. The restaurant will be located at 47 Main St.

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

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!