Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Big Sky Bakery & Cafe

Just across the street from the main library in Watertown is this new take-out bakery and cafe.

As its name implies, this cafe, at 142 Main St. in Watertown, is the offshoot of a bakery that has been supplying homemade breads to outlets like Russo's for years. In 2011, it opened this tiny storefront that sells not only loaves of its many whole-grain, European-style breads, but also fancy pastries, a limited breakfast and lunch menu and coffees and teas. What to eat: The pastries are fresh and delicate, such as the lemonchelle cake ($2.75), toasted almond cake, or Belgian chocolate mousse ($3.25). The list is long. For savory fare, you might try one of their dozen or so quiches, pies, croissants or pockets, such as the spinach feta pie, chicken and mushroom pocket $4.00), or eggplant parmesan torta. There are also several soups and …

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New Restaurant, Sports Bar Opening Soon Near Watertown's Arsenal Mall

Miller's Ale House will feature a wide range of choice of food, beer and sporting events.

Miller's Ale House, a new nautical themeded restaurant, is underconstruction near the Arsenal Mall. The plan is to open the restaurant, which will be the 59th location of the Florida-based chain, on Dec. 20, said general manager Jeff Brooks. Miller's Ale House will take over the spot on the east end of Arsenal Street last occupied by Bugaboo Creek. "It's a nautical-themed, sports-themed family restaurant, Brooks said. "It will have a little bit for everyone: some for mom, some for the kids, some for dad, and some for dad and his friends who are coming out to watch the ballgame." Hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., with last call at 12:30 a.m., so Brooks also hopes to attract the late-night crowd. The menu includes more than 100 items ranging …

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Waltham In The Kitchen

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot at Habanero's in Waltham

Owner Terry Knight talks about what sets Habanero's Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar apart from other restaurants (hint: it's served at the bar) and why he's not your typical restaurant owner

Most restaurateurs have had some sort of culinary training or at least have had the benefit of coming from a home where food was a central part of their family life. Not Terry Knight, who on Sept. 17 opened Habanero’s Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar on Moody Street. “I grew up on grilled cheese,” he laughingly states when asked about his background. “I don’t like to cook at all. I don’t have the patience!” But, that doesn’t mean that Knight is a stranger to running a business.  He started out as a sales trainer for a pharmaceutical company but left in 1994 when his father fell ill and he had to take over the family business of oil heat distribution. In 2000, Knight started a construction equipment rental service in his hometown of Melrose…

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Francis Food Mart

This modest supermarket in west Watertown has a deli counter in it with fresh-roasted meats, fresh-made salads, homemade sandwiches and subs and hearty winter stews.

This old-style supermarket at 1084 Belmont St. in Watertown features a deli with a good assortment of sandwiches, subs, pre-cooked dishes and salads. All the food is made in-house by Karyl, the woman who will probably be serving you as well. What to eat: The meats are particularly good, with the roast beef and turkey cooked right in the store. There are both standard hot and cold subs and sandwiches, like ham and cheese, meatballs, chicken salad, egg salad, macaroni salad, and weekly specials, such as chicken cutlet, tomato and cucumber salad and fried zucchini. The vibe: The deli counter is a flashback to the 1950s, with friendly and prompt service by someone who actually makes the food. Cool factor no. 1: The deli dishes cost quite a bit…

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Waltham In The Kitchen

Changes Coming To The Waltham Restaurant Scene

Restaurants come and restaurants go, but Waltham is certainly seeing another renaissance with three restaurants opening in the past few months and at least a couple of more right on the horizon.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first edition of our new column called Waltham in The Kitchen. It will cover food news in Waltham as well as other restaurant happenings. Waltham has one of the widest varieties of ethnic cuisines available in greater Boston. With its location right off of Route 128 and a number of colleges in close proximity, it is the ideal location for not only good ol’ American food but is also the place to travel the world, at least with your palate. Coming soon: Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, 342 Moody St. (opening TBA) – With locations already in South Boston and Quincy, Stadium makes the move to the suburbs with its upcoming location in Waltham. Offering “7 Days of Savings” specials and a number of entertainment options (…

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Wendy Schapiro

6:47 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Actually, I'm not writing for Waltham Patch any more so I haven't kept up with it. Sorry! Usually it takes a while to get all of the permits, etc. in place...   more ›

Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Baan Thai

Classic Thai dishes and sushi get equal billing -- and their own chefs -- in this 10-year-old restaurant.

Baan Thai, at 659 Main St. in Watham, has been quietly occupying the spot next to The Elephant Walk since 2001. It was previously called Tumrubthai. When owner Chalee Kioechuihe first arrived in the Boston area in the 1970s, "there were 500 to 600 Indonesian kids studying in Boston, and they didn't have a place to eat. I had to figure out how to cook Thai food with Chinese ingredients, because I couldn't find Thai ingredients in Boston." Since then, he has managed several Thai restaurants in the Boston area, before settling in Waltham. What to eat: Despite its Thai name, there are actually two distinct menus: Thai and sushi. And they get equal attention -- there's a separate sushi chef. The Thai dishes include lots of classic, crunchy …

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Mi Tierra Restaurant

This authentic Guatemalan and Salvadorian eatery has been in business for 14 years.

A family-owned and-operated business, Mi Tierra, at 585 Moody St., offers simple and tasty food in a pleasant atmosphere. Similar to Mexican fare, but slightly different, Guatemalan and Salvadorean dishes use black beans more than red ones and don't have cheese on the beans. They feature chicken and pork, as well as vegetables and seafood, often with rice and beans and side dishes such as guacamole, cassava, yuca, and plantains. What about this tight economy? "We are surviving," says co-owner Clara Barcenes. "We have families and other customers who have been coming here for many years." What to eat: The menu has a good variety of choices, including lunch specials, all-day breakfast, and chicken, pork, steak and seafood dishes, as well as …

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Maximo's Takeout

This storefront eatery is the new kid on Mount Auburn Street.

Open less than a month, Maximo's Takeout actually has four small tables with a dozen seats in its cheery room. But they're obviously aiming for more that a dozen customers at a time, with so many people commuting up and down Mount Auburn Street. There's even a bus stop just outside. "Early dinner is picking up," says proprietor Phillip Zeller, a Watertown resident. "People are ordering on their way home." What to eat: One regular recommends the burritos. There are also lots of hearty sandwiches and salads, including a nicoise salad (grilled tuna, mixed greens, green beans, olivs, hard-boiled egg) and a Cobb salad (grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, etc.), both for $8.99. The fanciest dishes, the grilled plates ($9.99), come with …

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Where In Waltham Is This?

Photo of The Day: Waltham Restaurant

Guess where this is in Waltham.

Today's photo is of a Waltham restaurant, but which one? Submit your guesses in the comment box below.

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Solea Restaurant & Tapas Bar

This elegant and lively restaurant on Moody Street has become a hit since it opened in 2002.

Who knows what the next popular international cuisine will be? In cosmopolitan places like the Boston area, the answer seems to be: anything that's done well. Certainly, Waltham has experienced that reality. Solea Restaurant & Tapas Bar, in the heart of Moody Street since 2002, has benefited from the cultured local eating scene, with its focus on tapas, or small Spanish dishes. Today, it's a place for a "special" meal: a romantic dinner for two, graduation party or 50th-something birthday celebration. What to eat: There are several dozen of choices of tapas – it's sort of like ordering dim sum in a Chinese restaurant. For vegetarians and the more cost-conscious, there are plates like Basque fries ($5) and broccoli and cauliflower fritters …

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