Fairsted Kitchen Will Transform Into Grassona’s Italian
The Brookline neighborhood spot serves its final meal on New Year's Eve.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle for “Restaurant Review: Fairsted Kitchen“
After four years dishing out Middle Eastern-leaning fare and craft cocktails, “the lovely experiment that is Fairsted Kitchen will come to an end December 31st,” owner Steve Bowman shared. In early 2018, the team will unveil a new concept called Grassona’s Italian in the Washington Square space.
“Fairsted is a beautiful restaurant, and I’ll always be proud of the beautiful experiences we created in our cozy corner of Washington Square,” Bowman wrote in a letter to guests, which he shared with media late last night. “I’m eternally grateful to all the incredible and talented people who labored to make Fairsted special. But variety is the spice of life, and it’s time for us to try something new.”
The new spices of life at 1704 Beacon St. will likely include a fair amount of basil, bay leaves, parsley, oregano, and garlic. At Grassona’s, Bowman promises “classic Italian comfort” in a refreshed space.
“Imagine dishes like slow-roasted meatballs, hearty lasagna, meltingly tender osso bucco and more,” he wrote.
Most of the Fairsted Kitchen team will remain, Bowman says, and former sous chef Phil Dwyer is back on board as Grassona’s chef. Dwyer cooked at Fairsted in 2014 and 2015, and also spent time in now-closed kitchens such as Ribelle, West Bridge, and KO Prime.
“The people, warmth, and soul you’ve come to love at Fairsted won’t change,” Bowman wrote to guests.
A beloved bar program will continue, as well, “supported by the uniquely Italian focus on aperitivo and spritz culture, and a deep Italian focused wine list,” he added. Bowman, a Brookline native, was a bartender at Russell House Tavern, and became a certified sommelier while working under Cat Silirie at Menton before his ownership debut.
Before Fairsted says addio, the neighborhood spot has some fun events planned. Fairsted Farewell Week kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 27, with a Jack’s Abby beer dinner. The Framingham brewery has provided the draft beers at Fairsted since day one, and the kitchen will say thank-you with a spread paired with a range of their lagers.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the bar will welcome back some familiar faces, including the Frogmore co-owner and bar manager Alex Homans, who opened the Jamaica Plain spot with Fairsted partners in 2015. The guest bartenders will share their favorite Fairsted drinks and dishes. And the Last Supper on Sunday—New Year’s Eve—is a $65, family-style feast of Fairsted greatest hits. Check out the menu below.
“In the coming weeks… Come say hello, share a memory, and let us thank you for all of the incredible love and support you’ve shown us over all the years,” Bowman wrote.
1704 Beacon St., Washington Square, Brookline, (617) 396-8752, fairstedkitchen.com.
