Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Planning for 2021, Provides Access to Fruits & Veggies to Everyone

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The opening of the Watertown Farmers Market is still a few months away, but the 2021 season will feature more produce vendors, modified COVID-19 restrictions and has special programs for people who qualify for the SNAP program. The Farmers Market opens on June 16 and runs through Oct. 20 in Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). The hours will be 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Watertown’s Community Wellness/Market Manager Stephanie Venizelos continues to confirm which vendors will be at the Watertown Farmers Market in 2021, but she said there will be three large produce vendors, all of which will have at-market sales, and also preorder and/or CSA (community supported agriculture) where subscribers get a box of vegetables each month. The Watertown Farmers Market newsletter announced information about the CSA programs:

“We’re looking forward to having many of our fabulous vendors back in the park, in addition to welcoming back Farmer Tim’s and welcoming in Stillman’s Farm!

Business

Town Taking Application for Additional Outdoor Seating at Restaurants

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Deluxe Town Diner was one of several Watertown restaurants approved to have outdoor seating in 2020. Restaurants can apply again in 2021. Diners may have more outdoor dining opportunities in 2021 as the Town of Watertown is allowing restaurants to apply for additional outdoor space for temporary seating. Last year, the Town allowed some restaurants to have seating on the sidewalk in front of their business, or other places on their property, and 15 did so. The temporary permits were given to allow for increased capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arsenal Yards

Arsenal Yards Warming Winter With Outdoor Fireside Dining

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Fire pits will provide some warmth for outdoor diners at Arsenal Yards this winter. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Winter has officially gotten warmer at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards with Fire Side hangouts on the River Green. Based on the success from the holiday season, the Fire Side winter experience is back. Guests can now reserve their own socially distanced, outdoor propane fire pit to make outdoor dining from Arsenal Yards’ restaurants – including Ben & Jerry’s, Chipotle, City Works Pour House & Eatery, Frank Pepe, Garbanzo and Shake Shack – a little bit cozier. Arsenal Yards is also hosting special hangouts throughout the winter featuring live musicians and DJs during certain timeslots. Following an incredible response in December, Fire Side kicks off again on Friday, January 15, with the return of Pat Dowling, a Boston-based performer who uses a loop pedal to layer singing, beatboxing and guitar to create a full band sound, as the first performer.

Business

Watertown Restaurants Cooking Something Up for New Year’s Celebrations

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Several Watertown restaurants have special menus planned to ring in 2021. City Works & Pour House will host a Brew Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31, 2020 with a special menu, including filet medallions, short rib and Cajun linguine. See more details here. Branch Line will be cooking up special meals to take home to celebrate New Year’s Eve, including entrees of prime rib or lobster thermidor.

Arsenal Yards

New Mediterranean Restaurant Opening in Arsenal Yards

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Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh has opened at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, the leading fast casual Mediterranean franchise concept best known for its preservative-free, nutrient-rich menu, today officially opened the doors of its newest location at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. The new eatery is now welcoming guests at its location at 41 Bond Street, offering a modern twist to Old World cuisine, breaking down the traditional paradigm of the Mediterranean diet. “Bostonians are loving the delicious, healthy food that Garbanzo offers, and we are very excited to officially open our doors in Watertown today,” said Derek St. George, co-owner of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh in Watertown and Boston.

Business

Fees for Liquor Licenses, Others in Watertown Waived for 2021

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Watertown Town Hall

The Licensing Board voted to waive fees for liquor licenses and other fees charged to do business in the Town of Watertown for all of 2021 in an effort to help them endure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday night, the Board heard a proposal to eliminate the annual fees for liquor licenses for restaurants, which is $2,700 for most. After a discussion, Licensing Board members decided that not just those, but also fees for other businesses should be removed for 2021. Other communities have already made changes to their liquor license fees, said David Doneski, the attorney that works with the Licensing Board. Newton and Needham approved a 50 percent reduction in fees, and Malden and Quincy waived the entire fee.

Business

Boston Restaurant Opening Second Location in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Boylston Properties and Wilder proudly announced today that they’ve leased 3,000 square feet at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards to local celebrity chef and restaurateur, Jason Santos. Following the success of Buttermilk & Bourbon in Boston’s Back Bay, the nationally-recognized chef will open his second location of the popular restaurant in the new neighborhood in 2021, bringing a taste of Southern hospitality to Watertown. The New Orleans’ inspired restaurant will be an exciting addition to the eclectic mix of offerings at Arsenal Yards, which will offer a true neighborhood experience with its more than one million square feet of retail shops, residential apartments, life science space, and a 146-room hotel when construction is completed in Fall 2021.   

“For a chef of Jason Santos’ caliber to open his next restaurant at Arsenal Yards only adds to the incredible level of buzz that Arsenal Yards and the town of Watertown is currently receiving,” said Bill McQuillan, Principal at Boylston Properties. “And while COVID-19 continues to greatly impact our communities and neighborhoods, we couldn’t be more grateful to share some positive news about one of the best chefs and restaurant groups in Boston. Our team is committed as ever to creating a unique place for people to work, live, and simply just enjoy, and Jason and Buttermilk & Bourbon are the perfect complement to this lasting, energized experience that we’re creating at Arsenal Yards.”