Around Town

Apple Pie Contest Returns to Faire on the Square After Hiatus

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The following information was provided by the Faire on the Square organizers:

The Faire on the Square was founded by local Watertown resident Mike Donham back in 1999. A committee of about 12 volunteers was formed, one member of who was Joyce Munger. It was her idea to include an apple pie contest, she handled all aspects of the contest, including being the MC. The contest grew over the years, it was very successful with locals trying to outdo each other for bragging rights, not to mention prizes. At the first wrap-up meeting, it was discussed whether another type of pie, such as pumpkin should be included but that was met with a clear NO!

Entertainment

First Stick A Fork In It Food Festival Coming to Arsenal Yards

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Kicking off an exciting schedule of events this fall, Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown, invites area residents and visitors to enjoy its diverse lineup of eateries, shops and venues at the first-ever Stick A Fork In It! Food Festival, an around-the-world style food festival on Wednesday, September 21st from 5:00–8:00PM. Featuring delicious bites and bevvies from on-site restaurants including City Works, Condesa Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar,, Tori Jiro, Vitality Bowls, Frank Pepe, Roche Bros., The Majestic 7, Ben & Jerry’s, Pokeworks and more, guests can experience a little bit of everything from all of the exceptional culinary offerings of Arsenal Yards and special surprises and offerings from the neighborhood’s many shopping and entertainment venues. In addition to tasting complimentary food samples from over 10 of neighborhood’s restaurants, guests and residents are invited to also enjoy live music on the beautiful River Green, drinks from the cash beer and wine garden, and access to fun games and activities including balloon animals, a photo booth caravan, caricatures, and more. Guests will also receive a complimentary swag bag upon check-in.

Around Town

New Restaurant Serving Poke Bowl & Burritos Opens in Watertown

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Watertown added another eatery to the local restaurant scene this week, featuring Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos. See the announcement provided by Pokeworks:

On Sept. 8, Boston neighborhood foodies lined up to celebrate the grand opening of Pokeworks, the nation’s leading premium fast-casual poke destination. Opened by local entrepreneur Mandy Li, the new spot is located in the Arsenal Yards smart growth development at 109 Bond Square, and will offer a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos with a customizable menu and convenient online ordering options for pickup or delivery via web or loyalty app. To celebrate the grand opening, the new location offered a free poke bowl to the first 100 customers.

Around Town

“Bar Rescue” Star Opens New Restaurant in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

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Charlie Breitrose”Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer designed Taffer’s Tavern, to have a feel like diners have been invited into his home. The restaurant officially opened Sept. 8 at Arsenal Yards. Crowds gathered at Arsenal Yards, onlookers held up cell phones, and people lined up to shake the hand of a celebrity on Thursday when Watertown got a taste of Hollywood. Jon Taffer, the start of Bar Rescue, stopped by Thursday morning for the grand opening of his new restaurant at Arsenal Yards — Taffer’s Tavern.

Around Town

Charles River Food Co-op Adding Members, Seeks Accountant

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The Charles River Food Co-op recently announced it has been adding members since it started offering shares, and has a goal to enable it to take the next step toward opening a food store in the Watertown area. The Co-op sent out the following information:

We now have over 300 paid members, which is very exciting! Our members come from Waltham, Watertown, Newton, and beyond. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already joined us. For anyone who is interested in becoming a member, you can do that here: https://charlesriverfood.coop/join.

Around Town

See When Bar Rescue Star’s Restaurant Taffer’s Tavern Will Open in Watertown

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Bar Rescue star Jon Taffer will open Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown on Aug. 31, 2022. The following announcement was provided by Taffer’s Tavern:

Taffer’s Tavern, the innovative, full-service restaurant concept founded by leading hospitality expert and star of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer, has announced that it is now accepting reservations for its first Boston area location in Watertown at Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood located along the Charles River. The restaurant will open to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 31 with a Grand Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Jon Taffer on Sept.

Around Town

New Pop-Up Food Vendor at This Week’s Watertown Farmers Market

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The Watertown Farmers Market will be at Saltonstall Park, next to City Hall (149 Main St.) on Wednesday, July 27 from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. and features a new pop-up prepared food vendor along with the usual lineup. The Farmers Market sent out the following information:

Join the WFM, on Wednesday, to pick from a variety of summer ripened fruits and veggies, fresh meats, seafood, and specialty foods, along with fine arts and crafts from local artisans. Be sure to stop by our community and city guest tents to learn about local agencies, services, and resources.This week we have an exciting new prepared foods pop-up, Nagomi Bento. For the first time, the WFM will have authentic Japanese bento bowls available for purchase. Grab your reusable bags, take a look at our layout below, invite a friend, and come on by! What’s Growing? Our fabulous produce vendors will be bringing plenty of fresh summer goodies like heirloom tomatoes, plums, peaches, kale, cabbage, blueberries, yellow onions, garlic, cucumbers, and summer squash!

Around Town

Several Openings Anticipated at Arsenal Yards in Coming Months

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Arsenal YardsArsenal Yards in Watertown, already featuring several restaurants and retailers, has several new additions coming in 2022 and early 2023. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is celebrating continued growth and development with the opening of many highly anticipated dining, shopping, fitness, and entertainment venues throughout the neighborhood this summer and fall.  

Since its official redevelopment and expansion at the site of the former Arsenal Mall in 2017, the lively 1 million + square foot mixed-use neighborhood has flourished into a dynamic destination and neighborhood hub. Residents and visitors alike can eat, live, work, play, and experience all that the high-energy community in Watertown’s historic East End has to offer with dining, shopping, and entertainment right at their fingertips.  

With the goal of further expanding its lineup of popular restaurants, retailers and service and entertainment offerings, Arsenal Yards is eager to welcome many exciting additions to the neighborhood this year. Openings coming soon include Pokeworks, Taffer’s Tavern, Restore Hyper Wellness, Central Rock Gym, Bond Vet, and F45 Training, along with new offerings including a Starbucks, James Joseph Salon, AT&T and GNC all slated to open before the end of the year, and KinderCare in early 2023. Blvd & Bond, the neighborhood’s residential offering with 302 units across three buildings, is nearly 100 percent leased, while all life science space within Arsenal Yards and the new building at 100 Forge is entirely leased as well.