Fees for Liquor Licenses, Others in Watertown Waived for 2021

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.

Boston Restaurant Opening Second Location in Watertown

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.”

New Chinese Restaurant Opens in Watertown

Number 1 Taste opened on in Watertown recently, and boast 30 years of experience. The Chinese restaurant opened at 39 Galen Street. The restaurant also has locations in Belmont, Arlington and Melrose. The Number 1 Taste Watertown website says:

“With over 30 years of experience cooking in the best restaurants, our chefs is excited to bring Watertown/Newton Area what we do best. We are committed to prepare each meal to order.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Opens Watertown Location

Pizza lovers can now order a coal-fired pie from Frank Pepe Pizzeria, which recently opened at Arsenal Yards. The opening of the Neapolitan pizza restaurant was announced by Arsenal Yards on Twitter this week. The restaurant started in New Haven, Conn., and specialty pizzas include the original tomato pie and white clam pizza. Salads are also available. The pizza news we've all been craving – @pepespizzeria is NOW OPEN at #ArsenalYards!Place an order for takeout, delivery or curbside pickup today.

Long-Time Watertown Square Restaurant Closing This Week

The DPW discovered a culvert deep under Watertown Square that was not on any plans. An institution in Watertown Square for more than three decades will close its doors this week. Stellina Restaurant, at 47 Main St., announced that it will serve its last dinner service. “After 34 years in Watertown, Stellina will close after Saturday August 22. Please join us for our last week,” the restaurant’s website announced.

Casual Mediterranean Eatery Opening at Arsenal Yards

Garbanzo is opening at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

The “Feel Brighter” Movement is building even more momentum in the greater Boston area. Following its recent opening in Boston Common, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, the leading fast casual Mediterranean franchise concept best known for its preservative-free, nutrient-rich menu, is expanding its “Eat Better – Feel Brighter” movement into Watertown. With the new location slated to open later this year in the Arsenal Yards development at 41 Bond Street in Watertown, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh offers a modern twist to Old World cuisine, breaking down the traditional paradigm of the Mediterranean diet. “We’ve enjoyed introducing Bostonians to the flavor vacay that is Garbanzo, and are confident that people in Watertown will be equally impressed by our scratch-made wonder food,” said Derek St.