Multicultural Cooking Class Series Kicks Off This Week

Would you like to learn how to make some delicious and nutritious Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dishes? If so, then join us for one or more classes in this program series featuring Watertown community “chefs” who will teach you how to make some of their favorite dishes and share stories about food related traditions. Samples will be served! Come learn about Italian Cuisine: Pasta Primavera, Broccoli Salad, and Cannoli Bites

The class is on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Coolidge Street Apartments, 319 Arlington Street, Watertown. Free parking.

Watertown’s Deluxe Town Diner Up for Best Brunch Spot

Classic Watertown brunch spot Deluxe Town Diner is up for a region-wide award in a contest run by Boston.com. The following announcement sent out by Boston.com:

Deluxe Town Diner was named a finalist in the Best Brunch That Will Bring You Back to Life category of Boston Uncommon, presented by Capital One, a Boston.com reader-participation awards program that will uncover the area’s favorites in nightlife, art & culture, restaurants and innovation. Voting takes place through March 21 at Boston.com/Uncommon. There will be 40 Boston Uncommon awards 20 selected by Boston.com readers and 20 chosen by Boston.com editorial. The result will be an unparalleled guide to our city’s best hidden gems, which will appear on Boston.com on Friday, March 25.

Kendall Square Chef Plans to Open New Restaurant in Watertown

Another fine-dining spot may be heading to Watertown with chef behind Salts in Kendall Square planning to open a new restaurant in town. 

Chef Gabriel Bremer ran Salts in Cambridge until it closed prematurely after a pipe burst and destroyed the interior. The new establishment will be called La Bodega by Salts, according to an article in Boston Magazine. The restaurant will draw inspiration from the homeland of Bremer’s wife Analia Verolo, who grew up in Uruguay. It will have a focus on wine and wine culture, but also will be a place to grab a cup of coffee, Bremer told Boston Magazine. The location of the restaurant has not been announced, but Bremer said he is close to securing a location in town.

Owners of Red Lentil Opening New Vegan Cafe in Watertown

The owners of Red Lentil announced the grand opening of their new restaurant in East Watertown. Wild Rice Vegan Cafe will host a grand opening on Jan. 29-30 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 71 Elm Street. The spot was formerly occupied by Grappa. “We’re serving a $9 all-you-can-eat buffet with coffee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

National Sandwich Chain Opening Location in Watertown Square

A new national sandwich shop will be opening its doors soon in Watertown Square. 

Jimmy John’s will take over one of the spots in the shopping plaza where Staples used to be, at 11 Mt. Auburn St. (at the Watertown Square intersection). Jimmy John Liautaud opened his first restaurant in a converted garage in Charleston, Ill., in 1983 when he was just 19 years old. Now, the company has more than 2,400 locations in 43 states.