LINCOLN – In the same family as a popular restaurant in Massachusetts, Lincoln Tavern & Grill is set to open this Thursday, Oct. 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. at 259 Front St.
Owner Kalyan Ancha said the Catman Cafe Bar & Grill in Mansfield, Mass., is a similarly revived neighborhood restaurant, a “proper neighborhood bar” with great food and drinks, easy sports viewing, and tremendous value.
His staff said Ancha loves investing in the patron experience, with plentiful large TVs making it so no one has to crane their neck or strain to listen to the sports of the night.
They took over the former Kinnera Restaurant space in May, and have been renovating it since, said Ancha. This will be an all-American restaurant, with no affiliation to the multiple Indian restaurants occupying it previously. This isn’t just a name change, said Ancha, but whole new concept, with specials, bar with 12 taps, Keno, and 11 TVs.
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Much of what happens at the Mansfield restaurant will be incorporated here, say staff, include well-trained employees moving between the two locations as needed.
Ancha and Steve Russo, executive chef and director of operations, said they and their team of partners saw an opportunity on Front Street, with no other offerings in the area similar to this, to really become a neighborhood restaurant. The slogan is, “where Lincoln gathers.”
According to those behind the restaurant, the “all-American pub” will specialize in far better food than expected for the money. In Mansfield, they go through several hundred pounds of steak per week, and also offer seafood, Angus burgers, shrimp, risottos, meatloafs, beef stews, and lasagnas. The beef short ribs with burgundy demi-glace is also a favorite there, they said, and there will be plenty of specials.
Another staple here is pizza, and they have someone who makes the dough fresh every day, as they do with their hoagie rolls. Customers can expect fresh tomato sauce and an overall Italian flare as well, he said, including his famous basil and Capicola pizza.
Lincoln Tavern & Grill is meant to be a neighborhood pub but a bit more upscale, he said.
“Lincoln Tavern & Grill is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant in Lincoln, RI, serving classic American favorites, handcrafted burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads, and a wide selection of draft beers and cocktails,” states their website. “Whether you’re joining us for lunch, dinner, late night, game day, family gatherings, or a night out with friends, we offer great food, friendly service, and a comfortable tavern atmosphere. Enjoy live entertainment, local events, and a full bar in one of Lincoln’s favorite destinations for dining and drinks.”
They have the restaurant at 16 Old Colony Road in Mansfield (a half-mile from where this writer lived until he was 8 years old), as well as another venture coming soon to Foxboro. They have a number of offerings, including corporate catering.
The Mansfield location is a neighborhood type of restaurant where everyone knows each other, according to the owners, and their market survey showed that Lincoln is ready for a similar restaurant.
Asked what sets them apart from others, Russo said that running a smaller pub and having less overhead means they can offer great food at more affordable prices. For example, they can offer the prime rib dinner for $30, where a chain restaurant often won’t sell you a filet or tenderloin for less than $45. They can offer braised beef short ribs for $23.95, he said, which is something that’s difficult to find at another neighborhood pub.
They said they’re full of ideas on creating affordable food at top quality, for people who want to also enjoy a relaxed environment.
Lincoln Tavern & Grill also offers homemade soups and signature cocktails, as well as pizzas and salads to go.
The team has been together for quite a while, and are very experienced in getting things right, said the partners.
Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Find them at www.lincolntaverngrill.com. They’ll also have online ordering.
