Summer Lunch Pop-Ups Return to Allen Center | |
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Never mind the back-to-school ads and the Halloween candy display at Star Market--there are still a few weeks of summer left and West Newton's Allen Center is gearing up to make the most of them. Yup, last summer's lunchtime pop-ups are returning to the Allen Center's gorgeous patio for two glorious days--Wednesday August 21 and 28.
On these last two Wednesdays in August, new entries to Newton's food scene will serve lunch, bringing different tastes, cuisines, and cultures to West Newton. Even better? A rotating showcase of local small businesses will pop-up too, for a little summer lunchtime retail therapy and, on the 28th, an afternoon filled with family activities. The covered patio will be open for lunch and shopping from 11:30-2:30, rain or shine.
To help the pop-up restaurants gauge demand, lunches should be ordered in advance. (There will be limited food to purchase on-site at the Allen Center.) A weekly list of participating restaurants and small businesses is posted here: https://www.allovernewton.com/allencenterpopups
Kicking off the lunchtime pop-up series on August 21st is a creative group of women-owned small businesses. For lunch, Hungry Ninja will feature their popular Vegan Sushi Salad Bowls, and NaisLee Catering has a crowd-pleasing summery menu. (And if you can't decide which one to try, order lunch from one and dinner from the other--for a mid-week break from cooking!)
Here's more on each of these eateries and small businesses at the Allen Center on August 21:
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Hungry Ninja
Vegan Sushi Salad Bowls
This summer, Hungry Ninja has been a godsend to those of us who enjoy fresh, flavorful food, and don’t want to lift a finger. Sharing a love of healthy cooking and Japanese food, two Newton moms, Yoko Bryden and Shinobu Swindell, recently launched Hungry Ninja at Newton’s Farmers’ Markets, with their signature “Vegan Sushi Bowls” regularly selling out as their popularity grows week after week. The bowls are a creative vegan take on traditional chirashi sushi, with over a dozen carefully prepared ingredients like seasoned vinegar rice, sauteed burdock root, baked tofu crumbles, simmered hijiki, and a medley of fresh julienned veggies served with a carrot ginger dressing. Pre-order Vegan Sushi Bowls and other Hungry Ninja menu items for the Wednesday, August 21 Allen Center Pop-up, by 8 PM on Tuesday, August 20th. Dig into yours on the patio or order bowls to take home for an easy mid-week dinner.
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NaisLee Catering
New Newton Catering Company
There’s a new catering company in Newton and by any measure this women-owned and operated business is on a culinary tear. Naisbel Azarek and Haylee Kulig, two professional pastry chefs, recently opened NaisLee Catering in the former W. Newton location of L’Aroma. With tons of talent and backgrounds at high-end food establishments, Naisbel and Haylee are bringing a crowd-pleasing summery lunch menu to the Allen Center Pop-up on Wednesday, August 21. Their menu includes farm-fresh seasonal gazpacho, elegant and hardy sandwiches/wraps (with vegan options), and their waaaaay-too-good-to-pass-up desserts. Pre-orders are required, and are open now through midnight on Sunday, August 18, for Wednesday.
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August 21 Women-Owned Small Businesses | |
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Greentail Table
Home Entertaining & Gifts
Greentail Table in Nonantum is a Best of Boston Winner for Best Entertaining Essentials and a destination resource for home accessories, modern tableware, and gifts for pretty much any occasion. The shop is popping up at the Allen Center with a selection of summer items for patio dining, making even casual, everyday meals festive and fun. And they make great summertime hostess gifts, too! Much of the store’s merchandise changes with the seasons, always seeming to have just what we need when we need it. The shop is open Monday-Saturday. You can also peruse and shop Greentail Table’s online site--orders placed by 5 PM on Tuesday August 20th can be picked up at The Allen Center during the pop-up. Just be sure to add “ALLEN CENTER PICK UP, PLEASE” in the notes section of your order!
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Dear Duchess
Women's Boutique in Newton Centre
Newton Centre boutique, Dear Duchess, is popping up on the Allen Center patio with an assortment of summer sale clothing and accessories, and a "sneak peek" at what's new for fall. Specializing in on-trend, wearable clothing at reasonable prices, fashion-savvy owner Rachel Sciaba is in-sync with local tastes, carrying styles that add a little “oomph" to our everyday look without being over-the-top. The result? Tops, pants, skirts, jackets and dresses that can be dressed up or down, offering shoppers a classic but current look. Take a look at Dear Duchess' online site by clicking the button below. Place an order by 5PM on Tuesday August 20th, select "local pick up," and in notes section enter "Allen Center pick up," and Rachel will bring your order with her on the 21st.
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Stoneside Flower Farm
Local, Field-Grown Bouquets
Two Newton residents and best friends, Gaby and Greg, met while working on a local farm, bonded over their mutual love for field-grown flowers, and launched Stoneside Flower Farm this year. Based in Dartmouth MA, Gaby and Greg practice regenerative farming, prioritizing soil health and biodiveristy on their two acre farm. The results are jaw-dropping—local, healthy flowers, freshly harvested with long shelf-lives. They’ll be bringing their stunning bouquets to the Allen Center on Wednesday August 21. Placing orders in advance is helpful, so they can harvest fresh based on demand. Reserve yours by placing an order by noon on Monday, August 19 for pick up on the 21st. There will be two bouquet sizes available for purchase— medium bouquets for $22 and large ones for $30. Examples of both can be seen on the ordering form—of course the final composition will vary based on what’s ready to pick that week.
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The Allen Center is located at 35 Webster Street in West Newton. Parking is in the lot at the corner of Webster & Cherry Streets. See you on the patio! | | | | |
