CITY LIFE
TABLE HOPPIN’
Restaurateurs Joe and Ben Kaplan buy JPs in Westboro BARBARA M. HOULE
integral part of the Tower Hill Community. Visit www.pepperestaurateurs and sartfulevents.com to learn more brothers, Joe and Ben about Peppers, which the Green Kaplan last November Restaurant Association certified as bought JPs Restaurant a 3-star green caterer. Telephone: and Pub, a longstanding fixture Family Meal Deals at Chuck’s (508) 393-6844. on Westboro’s dining scene. It’s Note: Peppers has posted its Chuck’s Steak House in Auburn their fourth restaurant, but who’s Valentine’s Day Dinner menu on offers new Family Meal Deals. counting. its website. Take a peek! Meals for family of four is The siblings own and op$24.95, available for takeout only erate Lakeside Bar & Grille in Katzie Guy-Hamilton’s Valduring restaurant hours. Shrewsbury (six years), Herbie’s in entine’s offerings Menu selections: Worcester ( four years) and Center News from Worcester native Buffalo Chicken Mac N’ Cheese Tree Bar & Grill in Rutland (two Katzie Guy-Hamilton is that her is based on the restaurant’s years). online business, Cassata Bakery award-winning mac n’ cheese The rumor in 2019 that JPs (cassatabakery.com), offers a Valrecipe. owners Joseph (Joe) and Linda AnHomemade Meatloaf is served entine’s Love Satchel that can be tonio were interested in selling the ordered through Feb. 1. over garlic mashed potatoes and business first caught the Kaplans’ The Love Satchel, $55, includes topped with gravy, caramelized attention, according to Joe Kaplan. a dozen each of Honey Chocolate onions and mushrooms. It was just a rumor at that time, he Truffles and Rose Pasticcini CookChicken Parmesan (pan said, and it wasn’t until later in the Brothers Ben, left, and Joe Kaplan are the new owners of JPs ies packaged with a custom handseared) is with penne and also year when the brothers “stumbled” Restaurant & Pub in Westboro. written note tucked inside a dusty includes bread sticks. across the real estate listing that rose envelope. You also can order Take Out Taco Kit contains a RICK CINCLAIR they decided to make an offer the Love Satchel Book Bundle, $75, 24-ounce container of salsa, eight despite COVID-19. “Joe and Linda that arrives with a dozen Honey flour tortillas, taco beef, tomato, have eaten at the restaurant.” owned the business for 40 years Chocolate Truffles and dozen Rose lettuce, sour cream and cheese. “The restaurant previously And, regular and new custom- served lunch seven days a week, and were committed to it,” said Pasticcini Cookies, personalized Tortilla chips, too. ers often compare JPs to the iconic and we’re keeping to it,” said Kaplan. “They weren’t closing it An optional add to any meal is signed copy of Guy-Hamilton’s down. They just decided to retire.” Bull & Finch Pub on Beacon Hill, cookbook, “Clean Enough,” and a the Family Style House or Caesar Kaplan. It’s a place to find fresh the inspiration for the setting of JPs is similar to the Kaplans’ custom handwritten note. Truffles Salad, $12.95. seafood, he said, and the classic the TV sitcom “Cheers,” “where other restaurants known for a and cookies in both offers are Visit www.chucks.com and New England lobster roll. The laid- back atmosphere while at the everybody knows your name.” separately packaged. click “to go online” for more info. menu also features soups, “tasty same time serving traditional and “Joe (JPs former owner) knew his Guy-Hamilton describes the treats” (Buffalo wings, etc.), salads Telephone: (508) 832-2553. comforting food. Meals are afford- customers on a first name basis,” limited-edition Rose Pasticcini and house favorites like Delmonsaid Kaplan. “He made it a point able and satisfy your cravings at Cookies as “delicate Meyer lemon Tower Hill café open Friico steak, sirloin steak, baked to know every single person who the same time! pillow cookies that will bring a haddock, fried chicken and barbe- day-Sunday came in.” The Kaplans plan to continue Reminder: The Farmer and the moment of sweet romance to each cued ribs. There also are “everyday Both Kaplans currently work at specials,” Italian dishes, lighter fare, Fork Café at Tower Hill Botanic with JPs legacy and “not break the day.” the restaurant, rotating every cou- sandwiches and the ever- popular Garden in Boylston opens from 11 mold,” according to the owners, A former contestant on “Top who retained employees and kept ple of weeks. They also make daily fried seafood meals that include a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sun- Chef Just Desserts,” Guy-Hamilton the restaurant’s menu intact. “Hor- checks of their other businesses, has been recognized as one of the day. You must have an admission scallop roll and clam roll. with Ben Kaplan at Lakeside and ror was the reaction from a few “Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America” ticket to Tower Hill to dine in the In keeping with COVID-19 Center Tree and Joe Kaplan at customers when they first heard by Dessert Professional Magazine, café, or pick up a to-go order. guidelines, the restaurant has news that the restaurant had been Herbie’s. in addition to other awards. She For the full menu, visit www. limited seating at bar and booths. JPs Restaurant and Grill is losold,” said Kaplan. “Some people Before the coronavirus, more than towerhillbg.org. Both alcoholic and formerly led the culinary departthought we would come in and gut cated at 166 Milk St., Westboro, in a hundred people could be seated. non-alcoholic beverages are avail- ments at Max Brenner Chocolate the Westmeadow Plaza, off Route the place, or change everything and Equinox Fitness and co-foundable. For the winter, the café also As some local restaurants 9. Current hours are 3 to 8:30 p.m. close and hibernate during winter is offering hot chocolate, mulled around, including the menu. We ed the premium baked goods and Monday through Friday; 11:30 a.m. months, the Kaplans offer indoor have no intention of doing that. artisan confections brand Cassata cider and spiked beverages. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. “We have people tell us that with Rachel Graper. FYI: Peppers Artful Events in dining and takeout at all their Telephone (508) 355-0627 for take- restaurants and have “high hopes” Northboro manages the café. The they’ve been eating at JPs for 20 out orders. No online ordering for and 30 years plus,” said Kaplan. If you have a tidbit for the 32-year-old catering company for late spring and summer with “One couple recently told me that now. Visit Facebook for the menu. a return to warmer weather and column, call (508) 868-5282. Send needs no introduction. Owners A new website is in the works. five generations of their family email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. John and Susan Lawrence are an outdoor seating. Joe Kaplan said
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while JPs never had a patio, there’s always the possibility of introducing al fresco dining. For now, the owners’ goal is to continue to build on JPs success.
J A N . 28 - F E B . 3, 2021 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
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