Published in the July 11, 2017 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – This fall, a new restaurant will occupy the space of the recently departed Caryn’s Sports bar at 395 Main St. After wrapping up permitting and doing some extensive renovations, “The Public Kitchen” is expected to open as soon as October as an “upscale gastro pub” serving “edgy pub food.”
The Board of Selectmen last night approved a number of licenses requested by the businesses owners: a full liquor license, a common victualler’s license, and entertainment license (for 12 TVs) and a permit to allow alterations to the premises.
Attorney Brian McGrail represented the new owners at last night’s public hearing and introduced them to the board: Richard Talieri, Joseph Dinarello, Michelle Marcoulier and Moris Flores. McGrail said that Marcoulier would be the manager of the liquor license.
The building, 395-397 Main St. is owned by Joseph Ciampa and houses another restaurant, Sakura Organic, as well as Philip Ciampa Salon & Day Spa. The new owners of the Public Kitchen have a five-year lease, McGrail said, with three five-year options.
McGrail noted that the space has been a restaurant since the Duck Walk opened in 1997. For the past year-plus, Caryn’s has occupied the space.
McGrail told the board that The Public Kitchen would have the same number of seats (99) as both the Duck Walk and Caryn’s had. Twenty of those seats will be at the bar.
He called the board’s attention to the fact that the new restaurant will include front windows that will slide open to give the feeling of outdoor dining, a feature that is seen in some popular Boston eateries.
The Public Kitchen will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, McGrail said. The requested hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., although Talieri said that he anticipates closing at 10:30 or 11 most nights. The eatery will have 12 employees, according to Talieri.
McGrail reviewed the extensive restaurant experience of the four partners. All of them have connections to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Boston’s North End and South End as well as in Melrose. McGrail noted that Marcoulier has worked in the restaurant business on the North Shore for 19 years, including six years at Absolutely Fabulous in Melrose before becoming the current manager of the Melrose Giacomo’s location.
McGrail offered a letter of recommendation from Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan, who called the day-to-day operations of the Giacomo’s in Melrose “among the best in Massachusetts.” He described the training of the staff in liquor service and food-preparation “stellar.” He also praised the owners’ involvement in the schools and in the civic life of the community. He said that Giacomo’s had played a major role in drawing non-residents to Melrose to eat and shop.
Talieri said that The Public Kitchen would be “very food driven” and would feature such fare as burgers, wings, tacos (including fish tacos), flatbread pizzas, chili and mac & cheese.
In separate votes, the board unanimously approved the requested liquor license, common victualler’s license, entertainment license and permit to perform alterations. The board also made the required finding that granting the liquor license would not be detrimental to any nearby religious or educational activities.
