MASSACHUSETTS — Welcome to Patch’s weekly round up of food and restaurant news in Massachusetts, where we review openings, closings and more in the state’s dining scene.
Last week, we learned that Stop & Shop had officially closed eight stores that were deemed “underperforming” as part of a new strategy for the grocery chain.
This week, however, one Massachusetts community got a look at an upgraded Stop & Shop.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The company unveiled renovations at the Natick store, 829 Worcester St.
The newly remodeled Natick location is “designed to improve the overall customer experience in store and make groceries more affordable,” officials said.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Officials brought in more than 1,000 new products throughout the store, including additional fresh produce and multicultural brands and products.
To celebrate the store’s official reopening, Stop & Shop will held a ribbon cutting and organized giveaways and free food samples for customers.
Those samples and activities will continue throughout the weekend, officials said. Stop & Shop will also donate frozen turkeys and gift cards to American Veterans Post 79 in Natick.
The Lenox Hotel
Starting this month, the Lenox Hotel now has a rethought food and beverage program under the leadership of executive chef Daniel Kenney. Kenney will oversee the hotel’s three rebranded outlets: Sweeney’s on Boylston, The Irving at the Lenox and a soon-to-be-named concept set to open in early 2025.
“We are thrilled to have Chef Daniel Kenney at the helm as we reimagine our food and beverage offerings,” said Dan Donahue, President of Saunders Hotel Group. “His creativity, dedication to quality, and passion for fresh, local ingredients make him the perfect fit to guide us through this evolution. We are confident that these new concepts will bring innovative and memorable dining experiences to our guests and the local community.”
Hotel officials said they decided to bring food and beverage operations in-house to better align with their overall guest experience playbook.
“Transforming our food and beverage venues allows us to offer our guests the same level of quality, service, and heartfelt hospitality that The Lenox has been known and loved for,” said Alison Majka, Vice President of Food & Beverage at The Lenox. “We are now able to directly curate a more cohesive experience that reflects our commitment to excellence and ensures that every guest, whether dining at one of our restaurants, staying in the hotel or attending an event, feels the Lenox difference.”
Sweeney’s and The Irving opened on Nov. 1 at The Lenox in Boston’s Back Bay. Sweeney’s serves as a familiar-yet-updated Irish pub while The Irving is The Lenox’s take on a cocktail lounge with a focus on bourbon and whiskey with a “global” food menu.
Here’s what else was cooking this week in Massachusetts:
Freebie Of The Week
Restaurants, coffee shops and other businesses are thanking Massachusetts veterans and active-duty military personnel for their service with special Veterans Day discounts, freebies and deals. Veterans Day, which is always observed on Nov. 11, falls on Monday this year.
Some deals start this weekend. A military ID or proof of military service or veteran status is required on most deals. As always, call ahead to your local franchises for these national chains to make sure they’re participating.
One of the restaurants participating is the beloved New England chain Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub, which is offering veterans and active duty military a free lunch from the Veterans Day menu with the purchase of any entree on Nov. 11, from opening to 5 p.m.
Patch has compiled a list of participating restaurants and chains which can be found below:
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