80 Thoreau’s Carolyn Johnson Up for 'People's Best New Chef Award'

Concord chef is one of 100 chefs nominated for ‘FOOD & WINE’ magazine’s ‘The People’s Best New Chef’ for 2013. And we'll tell you how you can vote for her now.

Exciting news from the Concord foodie front: Chef Carolyn Johnson, who heads the kitchen at 80 Thoreau, is one of 10 New England chefs—and 100 across the country—nominated for FOOD & WINE magazine’s “The People’s Best New Chef” for 2013. Now that she’s received the nomination, her fate is in the hands of “The People,” as the public can vote for their favorite chef online. The voting commenced at 10 a.m. yesterday and runs through next Monday, March 18. You can vote here, on the FOOD & WINE website. Johnson’s cooking is often described as “rustic and refined.” She, along with 80 Thoreau, have received a smattering of regional recognitions since the restaurant opened less than two years ago. Recently, 80 Thoreau sought to further elevate …

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Foodies Take Note: 80 Thoreau Has a Tasting Menu

Not yet two years old, the progressive Concord eatery is pushing itself to elevate the dining experience with the introduction of a chef’s tasting menu.

  With it’s location above a commuter rail station, 80 Thoreau has a direct connection to Hub, but easy access to public transportation isn’t the only commonality between this suburban restaurant and a more city-style dining experience. Not yet two years old, the progressive Concord eatery is pushing itself to elevate the dining experience with the introduction of a chef’s tasting menu. Each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, for two seatings each night, a small number of diners can enjoy a one-of-a-kind, five-course meal created and introduced by chef Carolyn Johnson. The tasting menu debuted about two months ago, and the restaurant expects to offer it in perpetuity.  “It’s been great that most of our guests that come in are friends of the …

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Concord Restaurant Honored by Boston Magazine

80 Thoreau in Concord named Best of Boston New Restaurant, West.

The past 16 months have been quite the ride for Sudbury's Ian Calhoun. In that time, he opened 80 Thoreau in Concord, a fine dining restaurant at the Depot, and this week was honored by Boston Magazine as the mag's Best New Restaurant, West. "I'm definitely humbled," Calhoun said. "It's been very exciting. It's exceeded my expectations." Calhoun said in the time the restaurant has been open, since April 2011, he's received strong support from local diners, and has enjoyed building a regular crowd. "We do get some people from Boston, but it's about those who come once a week who help make us a success," he said. "We try to give you the experience you expect in Boston." On the Boston Magazine website, the article about 80 Thoreau reads: "…

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Best of Patch Readers' Choice: Who Makes the Best Dessert?

Tell us where you go to satisfy your sweet tooth.

  The warm weather of summer is not far away, which also means residents will be able to once again enjoy the treats of the season. Here at patch we are all about desserts! That's the focus of this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice poll - who do you think makes the best dessert in Concord.  But those desserts don't just have to be enjoyed during the summer. We want to know who you think makes the best dessert that can be enjoyed at anytime of the year.  Here are some of our favorite places, but if we're leaving one off of the list, please let us know in the comments and we'll add it: Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. Friday. Ties will be broken by whichever business has the most positive comments in the section below. We …

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Concord Schools Top Boston Magazine List- Do You Agree?

The magazine also awarded Concord “cutest” town center.

  Boston Magazine’s March issue is on newsstands now and it names Concord as the winner of the Bmag School Ranking section, among other prizes. The magazine stated that Concord is known for its “stellar test scores and more” in a list that also included school systems in Brookline, Winchester and Newton. In the same issue, Concord came out on top of the Main Street/Town Center Cuteness Rating section, achieving a 10 out of 10 score. The magazine wrote of Concord’s town center, “All around Monument Square are Colonial buildings and boutiques under adorable awnings.” The rankings all fall within the “Swanky Town Smackdown” feature in the issue. Wellesley was the overall winner in the list of 10 communities, but Concord also scored points for…

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About Town

80 Thoreau Serves Up Tasty Gratuity

Restaurant offers tasty thanks for guides

Good Morning and the happiest of Fridays to you all. Tonight my second oldest niece is headed to the alter to marry her childhood sweetheart. I could not be happier for them. On top of that, I will be mingling with a host of friends and relatives who are coming in from all over to enjoy the nuptials. How can I not enjoy myself? Speaking of people coming from all over, did you know that more than 20,000 tourists (the final tally isn’t in yet) were served by the Visitors Center since it opened in April, and closed for the season last weekend? That’s quite a figure considering the population of our fair city is about 16,000. Guests came as near as Concord, and as far as Micronesia to enjoy a guided tour of our wonderfully historic sites, …

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