We just hung up with Jason Owens, owner of Southie’s brand-new Local 149. (He’s also the brains behind Newton’s venerable Biltmore Bar & Grill.) It officially opens on Wednesday, though Owens suggests that curiosity seekers are welcome to pop in ahead of time to check things out. Flush with success from his other new venture, upscale Southie market American Provisions, he gave Grub Street some tips on what to order at his new urban tavern.
Owens tells us that the beer-braised short ribs; taco salad with duck, quail, pheasant, and chicken; and deviled crab salad with purple potatoes are must-orders. Pan-fried pork chops also sound tempting. (For a lighter meal, sidle up to the bar and request a mini-wich with fillings shaved from their prosciutto-slicer.) Owens has hired Chef Leah DuBois, formerly at Grezzo and Toro, so we have high hopes. We’re also curious about the antique fire extinguishers that have been reincarnated as draft taps, as noted by Urban Daddy.
Mainly, says Owens, the goal is to get residents to eat locally and take pride in the City Point neighborhood, an area that he’s seen change immensely in the past few years, especially thanks to its cleaned-up beaches. (Owens himself has lived in the area for years.) Southie’s always been a fine place to drink; now there’s no reason to flee across a bridge to sup comfortably.
Bonus: There’s also a fireplace.
