The 20-seat, ticketed Tasting Counter that was first reported a year ago has found a home in the new Aeronaut Brewing Company space on the outskirts of Somerville's Union Square. The brewery is leasing part of its building to a variety of local companies in the food and drink sphere, including barismo and Something GUD. A Tasting Counter banner was visible in the space when Aeronaut held its grand opening event this past weekend, and an employee of one of the resident companies noted that owner Peter Ungár had signed a lease days earlier. Ungár says that while they don't have a specific opening date yet, they're shooting for this fall.
The idea is born from Ungár's 10-year-old company, The Dining Alternative, in which he hosts small, private dinner parties featuring elaborate tasting menus. His background includes stints at the now-defunct Aujourd'hui and The Bristol Lounge. Tasting Counter, where guests will literally sit at a counter, watching the food preparation, will be an "experiential dining restaurant," according to the website. Ungár's goal for the restaurant is to work towards leaving no carbon footprint while sourcing at least 50% of products from Massachusetts and serving 100% "natural" wines based on a specific set of criteria.
· Tasting Counter [Official Site]
· All coverage of Tasting Counter on Eater [~EBOS~]