Gluten/Wheat Free Bakery Coming to Arlington and More Nearby Bites

Also in this month's roundup of restaurant news near Winchester: Vine Brook Tavern opens in Lexington; Stop and Shop plans to lease Medford Foodmaster location; and Burger Dive up and running in Somerville's Assembly Row.

We know Winchester residents don’t only stay in town when they want a night out and a break from cooking.  Restaurant coming and goings, new businesses and the best dishes and recipes are among the items that have appeared on Patch sites around the region over the past month. Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories covered in the past month. Gluten/Wheat Free Bakery Coming Soon to East Arlington A gluten/wheat free bakery is moving into the old Barismo spot in East Arlington. Something Sweet Without Wheat could open at 169 Mass. Ave. as soon as December according to Teresa Fiore, who will manage the shop. The family owned and operated specialty bakery, which was started by two Stoneham sisters just over two years ago, is based …

• Photos (1)

TELL US: Bring Back Happy Hour?

Should happy hour come back to Massachusetts?

Is happy hour coming back to the Bay State? The 28-year-old “happy hour law” now banning Massachusetts bars and restaurants from pouring free, discounted or two-for-one alcoholic beverages in area restaurants may be updated so restaurants can compete with casinos that may one day be in the state. As part of the ban, cities and towns now rule that a beverage must be priced the same for each calendar week and two drinks can only be served per person at a restaurant. In addition, pitchers of alcohol can only be served to two or more people, according to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The ABCC will hold a hearing in Boston on Aug. 21. Four other hearings will be held throughout the state to gain public feedback.  According to an …

•  52 Comments
• Photos (1)

And the Best Place to Go for Mother’s Day Brunch Is …

Our Best of Patch Readers' Choice winners.

If you’re looking to treat your mother, mom or mommy this Mother’s Day, you have at least four great options right around Winchester, according to our readers. Cafe Escadrille in Burlington, Flora and Tryst in Arlington and Concord’s Colonial Inn tied in this week’s poll, making them all winners in our most recent Best of Patch Readers’ Choice contest for best place to go for Mother’s Day brunch. You can compare the winners’ brunch menus by clicking on the following links: Cafe Escadrille, Flora, Tryst and Concord’s Colonial Inn. Winchester’s Cafe Dolce and Lexington’s Lexx and Waxy O’Connors also received votes. Be sure to review the brunch options yourself on our Patch Places page. We're doing a poll on the Best Staycations in and around…

• Photos (1)

What Is The Most Romantic Restaurant In Winchester?

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and those of us who have procrastinated need to make plans and could use some advice.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we want to know the most romantic restaurant in Winchester. Might be the atmosphere, might be the food or the locale. You tell us. Where is the most best place in Winchester to take your valentine for a romantic dinner?

• Photos (1)

Chat Transcript: A Tavola Owner Gives Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

Vittorio Ettore talks about cooking and his new restaurant in Winchester.

The owner of Bistro 5 Restaurant in West Medford will answer your holiday cooking questions and more from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Vittorio Ettore is the chef at highly-acclaimed Bistro 5 in West Medford and is just opened a a new restaurant, A Tavola, in Winchester. To participate in the chat, just type a question into the text box. And don't forget to use your name to help us distinguish who's talking during this dialogue. Patch will moderate the conversation. If you can't stay for the whole chat or would like to go over the dialogue again, a transcript will be posted. Sign up for an email reminder (above) and submit a question early for the chat by emailing Medford editor Jarret Bencks. (This chat is being shared on Winchester Patch…

• Photos (1)

Week in Review: Arrest Made, Businesses Closing and Parking Issues

Here's a look back at some of the top stories the past week in Winchester.

Emir Ikanovic of 16L Veterans Avenue in Everett was arrested and charged with breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Winchester gymnast, Alicia Sacramone, dropped her clothes as she posed for the ESPN Body Issue. The magazine, which hits newsstands Oct. 7, is supposed to give readers a look at an athlete's body. At Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the town unveiled a draft parking management plan. One of the goals of the plan, according to selectman Thomas Howley, is to increase the vitality of the Town Center. Eleven months ago, the Chill Zone was preparing for its grand opening, now the local eatery was forced to close its doors. The Chill Zone closed down midway through September, according to its…

• Photos (5)

Patch Picks

Winchester's Best Ethnic Restaurants

China Sky, Lucia and Imari Fusion top the list.

Each week, Winchester Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. This week, we asked you, “What are your favorite ethnic restaurants in and around Winchester?” Here are the results: China Sky: Winchester Patch reader Constance Stolow submitted this local Asian restaurant as her top pick. “China Sky gets my vote for the best ethnic restaurant in Winchester,” she wrote. “Delicious food, friendly service, warm atmosphere and reasonable prices.” Lucia: If you’re in the mood for authentic Italian food, you can’t go wrong at Lucia. Winchester resident Donato Frattaroli owns the restaurant, as well as one in the …

• Photos (3)