Stock Up for the Fourth of July at the Watertown Farmers Market

The Watertown Farmers Market will be in full swing on Wednesday, July 3, and shoppers can get meats and veggies for the grill, ingredients for salads and the kids can enjoy an Independence Day craft. The market will be open on Wednesday, July 3, from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). The organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market provided the following information:

Pick up tips, chops, sausages, dogs, and more from Lilac Hedge Farm, all perfect for the grill. And let’s not forget about the veggies such as this Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash Salad or this Grilled Beet Salad with Caramelized Citrus. Guest vendor, B – Organics, will be selling produce bags to keep those veggies fresh until you’re ready to use them.

One of Watertown’s Eating Hot Spots Has Closed

Watertown’s La Casa de Pedro restaurant announced it has closed in a message posted on Facebook Sunday morning. The restaurant has been serving Caribbean food in town for a quarter century, first on Main Street and then in the Arsenal on the Charles. The statement released Sunday seems to leave open the chance of Pedros opening again in the future. Twenty five years ago, we started a wonderful and fulfilling life adventure. We learned about you, we shared our table and were blessed to be the place you chose to come to.

Restaurant Slated for Arsenal Yards will Bring a Taste of Hawaii to Watertown

The following announcement came from the developers and operators of Arsenal Yards:
Boylston Properties and The Wilder Companies announced today that with construction underway, Pokéworks will bring Hawaiian-inspired eats to Arsenal Yards in 2019. The international, fast-casual concept will join Arsenal Yards’ lineup of diverse food offerings including cult-favorite Shake Shack and New England’s first City Works Eatery and Pour House. By 2020 Arsenal Yards will be a thriving new neighborhood comprised of over more than one million square feet of development including 250,000 sq. ft. of curated shops, eclectic eateries, fresh groceries from Roche Bros., and a seven screen cinema, The Majestic at Arsenal Yards, plus 200,000 sq.

Watertown Farmers Market Seeks Input About How It Can be Improved

Organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market want to hear from residents and others interested in the market to find out what they are doing right and what they would like to see change. 

Since 2014, the Watertown Farmers Market has operated in the spring, summer and fall at various spots in the Arsenal on the Charles. The past few years it has been held in the green in front of the Mosesian Center for the Arts (and Panera Bread). The market features vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and other products such as pastries, cider and prepared food. Each week, the market also has musical entertainment and a community table featuring a local non-profit group. After being run by a private group, the Town of Watertown took over management of the Farmers Market last year.

See Which Burger Chain is Coming to Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

National burger chain Shake Shack will be opening a location in the new Arsenal Yards. 

The restaurant will be part of the renovated Arsenal Mall, which is well underway. It will be Shake Shack’s sixth location in the Boston area, including one in Harvard Yard and the newest one in Boston’s Seaport. The eatery will fit in with the newly renovated mixed-use development, said Tom Wilder, principal of the Wilder Companies. “Shake Shack’s investment in everything they do from sourcing high-quality ingredients, often from local artisan purveyors, to the investments they make in developing deep ties to their communities is truly unique,” Wilder said. “Their commitment to community, quality food and welcoming atmosphere all contribute to the overall experience that we’re building at Arsenal Yards and we’re proud to welcome them to the neighborhood.”

Shake Shack will be part of the new development, which includes a cinema, retailers, a h0tel, office space and other restaurants.

Tomatoes Galore at This Week’s Watertown Farmers’ Market With Cooking Demos and Tips

It’s tomato season at the Watertown Farmers Market, and you can learn some new ways to use these red beauts. 

The Watertown Farmers’ Market and Eat Well Watertown will provide demonstrations at Thursday’s market, which is open from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the Arsenal on the Charles. The Farmers’ Market provided the following announcement:

Our Farmers’ Grow Amazing Tomatoes – Let’s Celebrate! With peak tomato season in full swing, join us for delicious tomato tastings from your favorite Watertown farmers and a delicious Gazpacho Demo from Community Chef Gaia! Know Your Tomato Tasting 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Live Well Watertown Volunteer Natalie Tarbet will be talking all things tomato! Stop by for tomato tastings from our farms, recipes, and more!

Watertown Chef Judging National Cooking Competition in the Windy City

Watertown-based chef Mike Fucci will be hitting the road to share some of his culinary expertise as judge of a national chef’s competition. 

Fucci, who runs Chef Mike’s Kitchen in Watertown, will be part of the panel of judges for the Culinary Fight Club Fest in Chicago on Aug. 19 and 20. Among the other judges is former football great and food entrepreneur Bo Jackson. The competition in the Windy City brings together the winners of competitions across the nation. Twenty chefs begin the competition and are narrowed down to the four for the final table.

New Entertainment, Food and Drink Offerings Coming to 2018 Faire on the Square

Visitors of this year’s Faire on the Square will see some changes, including new rides, entertainers, food truck and — organizers hope — beer and wine. The 2018 Faire is the 20th annual Town celebration. It will be held on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will once again take place around Town Hall. In an effort to liven the event, organizers have brought in some new elements.