• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

OAK + ROWAN STILL GOIN’

Written by J.Q. LOUISE Posted November 11, 2020 Filed Under: Eats

Seaport restaurant innovates through new regulations


Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced new COVID measures specifically targeting the hospitality industry. While many businesses have been negatively affected by the pandemic, the restaurant world has faced significant structural regulatory challenges that are making it nearly impossible to operate.

The Massachusetts Restaurant Association, which has fought for additional support from the state throughout the year, released a joint statement with Mass Restaurants United, the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, and the Boston Restaurant Coalition voicing their concerns with the 9:30pm close time under the latest mandate. While most restaurant operators agree that the safety and security of their patrons is a top priority, the protesting groups argue that, “For the order to be followed, we would be unable to seat a guest after 8pm, and this presents us with the difficult prospect of rushing our guests out the door to comply with the Advisory issued by this Administration.”

Milk Punch

The petitioners continue, in an effort to further distinguish between theirs and other industries: “Restaurants are not operated like banks or shops, where there is a set closing time, allotted service schedule, and customers ushered out the door. In an industry where revenue is often generated by diners seated after 8pm, this is a devastating proposition, and one that will cause many of our most vulnerable to permanently close their doors.”

For an industry that has only received eight weeks of federal funding in a year where government-imposed mandates limiting their ability to operate have been in place for over eight months, the worry is that mass closures will continue as 2020 drags on.

Honeynut Squash

We recently visited Oak + Rowan in the Seaport to chat with the team there about how they are dealing with the new rules, and to hear about their plans for the next few weeks. According to Executive Chef Mike DiStefano, “We’re not going to change who we are or what we do. My team will continue to focus on seasonal ingredients to create some exciting dining experiences.” DiStefano and his crew have offered extensive takeout and in-person dining options throughout the year in an effort to “serve the neighborhood the best quality food at an ‘honest price.’”

Still, Oak + Rowan, like all other restaurants, continues to work through what amounts to a new truncated dinner service, all while still innovating in order to entice locals to come in for everyday meals rather than just special nights out. To that end, DiStefano has a few tricks up his sleeve, like a new “Burger Tuesday” featuring new incarnations every week, and “Fried Chicken Wednesdays,” where there will be comfort food offered in addition to their typical fine dining.

On the drinks side, Oak + Rowan has also continued to innovate with its beverage program, which for fall includes homemade concoctions. Most notably, their new “Milk Punch” is a must try. It’s a 400-year-old cocktail method in which you combine spirits, milk, spices and citrus for several days before clarifying the mixture, leaving you with a clear liquid that is much greater in taste than the sum of its parts. Take it from us, you have to try this thing, it does the trick on a cold Boston night.

“We plan on utilizing the time that we do have, encouraging earlier dinners with our themed weeknight specials as we focus on providing high quality service,” DiStefano continued. “We’re hopeful that if we remain present in the community, our customer base will help us make it through this awful time and we’ll still be there on the other side stronger than ever.”


oakandrowan.com

J.Q. LOUISE
Website

J.Q. Louise is a food and travel writer based in Boston. Join her 100,000+ followers on Instagram @jqlouise and on her blog at https://jqlouise.com.

More from author
  • J.Q. LOUISE
    https://digboston.com/author/j-q-louise/
    MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF COMES TO RED 8 AT ENCORE, OFFERS V-DAY MENU
  • J.Q. LOUISE
    https://digboston.com/author/j-q-louise/
    TAKEOUT FIT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
  • J.Q. LOUISE
    https://digboston.com/author/j-q-louise/
    ROUNDUP: FESTIVE FOODIE HAPPENINGS AROUND BOSTON
  • J.Q. LOUISE
    https://digboston.com/author/j-q-louise/
    YOUR NEW HOLIDAY BOOZE CHECKLIST

Filed Under: Eats Tagged With: COVID, eats, Pandemic Democracy Project, Restaurants

WHAT’S NEW

Miami protestors support the “Fight for 15,” a campaign for a higher minimum wage. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

AS LABOR SECRETARY, WILL MARTY WALSH REPRESENT ALL WORKERS?

STATE WIRE: FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE CREDIT COMPLAINTS A TOP ISSUE FOR MA CONSUMERS

STATE WIRE: FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE CREDIT COMPLAINTS A TOP ISSUE FOR MA CONSUMERS

ONE YEAR INTO COVID, COMMUNITY FRIDGES STILL NEEDED & RUNNING

ONE YEAR INTO COVID, COMMUNITY FRIDGES STILL NEEDED & RUNNING

SOMERVILLE MAYOR CURTATONE DROPS BOMBSHELL AHEAD OF MIDTERM ADDRESS

SOMERVILLE MAYOR CURTATONE DROPS BOMBSHELL AHEAD OF MIDTERM ADDRESS

CAMPBELL UNVEILS PLAN FOR POLICE TRANSPARENCY

CAMPBELL UNVEILS PLAN FOR POLICE TRANSPARENCY

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR by CHRIS FARAONE
  • [UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE? by POLINA WHITEHOUSE
  • BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP by CHRIS FARAONE
  • DOES THE FORMER BPD COMMISSIONER EVEN LIVE IN BOSTON? by ZACK HUFFMAN
  • MASS KEEPS TRYING TO BUILD A NEW WOMEN’S PRISON OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

Footer

digbos

Includes Gang Green, The Freeze, SIEGE, TREE, and Includes Gang Green, The Freeze, SIEGE, TREE, and many more. https://digboston.com/iconic-lineup-comes-through-to-support-nantasket-venue-through-pandemic/ #music #digital #benefit #Hull #Massachusetts
Our interview with Avi Loeb, author of “Extrater Our interview with Avi Loeb, author of “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth.” https://buff.ly/2O3nlUd #interview #book #alien #technology #astronomy #controversy #debate #science #Boston #Massachusetts
LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent sys LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent system that targets and dehumanizes vulnerable populations. https://digboston.com/special-feature-the-cruel-and-usual-violence-against-lgbtq-people-in-mass-prisons/ #prison #prisoner #humanrights #LGBT #politics #Massachusetts
Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite busin Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite businesses today. 

Are you a business? Are you the best at what you do? Encourage your fans to cast their votes! DM us to get our social media materials to promote your business and ensure your win. #bostontops #digboston
Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district attorney will explain the Work & Family Mobility Act at a press conference. https://digboston.com/driving-families-forward-coalition-aims-to-help-undocumented-attain-drivers-licenses/ #politics #undocumented #immigration #driving #license #Massachusetts
Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston
At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and engage on the need for change. https://digboston.com/officials-advocates-speak-to-immigration-reform-and-economic-recovery/ #immigration #reform #economy #politics #Massachusetts
When it comes to special packaging and limited edi When it comes to special packaging and limited editions, Jack’s Abby and subsidiary Springdale out in Framingham are top players. https://digboston.com/video-unboxing-springdale-beers-limited-edition-neipa-music-box-set/ #beer #fun
Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is well worth the look out of state ... https://digboston.com/video-pocket-wrench-by-industrial-arts-brewing-is-a-super-satisfying-session/ #beer #fun
Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in M Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in Mass face abusive #prison conditions. Still, some families say it’s better than the alternative https://digboston.com/the-commitments-addiction-treatment-behind-bars-in-massachusetts/ #treatment #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]