Kid Critic has been anxious and excited to try the new grille in town, none other than Big Papi’s. The restaurant space was previously owned and occupied by Metro 9 Steakhouse. A team of workers transformed the steakhouse into a red-sox themed grille featuring the Papi himself. David Ortiz, designed the menus and restaurant to appeal to a wide audience says the restaurant’s press release. It features all natural steaks, Kobe beef burgers of high-quality and much more.  Big Papi’s Grille opened on July 24, apparently a private party was hosted by David Ortiz on July 23 for some very exclusive people. Memorabilia crowded the walls giving you a warm welcome as you step inside the busy restaurant. Photos and trophies from his Red Sox days are on display as well. A lounge is located in the back of the restaurant with a large flat-screen TV which was showing the current baseball game happening in Baltimore.  The lounge also has a 45’ bar.  There is a semi-private Table 34, a table preferred by the Big Papi himself and his family/friends. For extra space there is an outdoor patio to eat.  Kid Critic had made a call-ahead reservation before coming over as he had seen the Jersey Boys prior to dining at Big Papi’s Grille, I was dining out with my grandparents and parents. We were quickly seated at a large booth. The entire table ordered the quite popular, Petite Filet Mignon cooked medium, the way I like it. I also ordered two sides (included with steak meals) of hand-cut rosemary french fries which were good and grilled asparagus. Rice was also requested by our table but did not arrive until later. My shirley temple drink was nicely made topped with cherries (without asking, a nice gesture). I enjoyed my meal and had a nice time dining out with the family. I would return, the only down side is that the restaurant opens at 4:00 p.m. not making it a lunch spot. Service was a little slow but I can understand because there were many people being served.

“Meals are a time when my family, like many families, comes together,” said David Ortiz.

“It was in the Dominican that I first developed my love of cooking. My hope is that Big Papi’s Grille will be an integral part of the local community, bringing people together over a

great meal to create unforgettable memories.”

Scott Olson, the executive chef of Metro 9 Steakhouse is going to stay as executive chef for Big Papi’s Grille. Olson worked closely with David Ortiz to create the menu which features many choices such as burgers, seafood, steaks, pastas, salads. A couple items are Big Papi’s favorites such as Dominican rice, plantain crusted cod and the Dominican Chimichurri. The restaurant also offered a variety of sauces and salts from mild to hot. The salts were Hawaiian/Dominican Smoky Salt, Peppercorn and sea salt. The restaurant features a menu of 100+ wines, 8 beers on tap and Glaceau’s vitaminwaters.

Big Papi’s Grille opens daily at 4:00 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 508-620-9990 or via www.opentable.com.More information as well as menus can be found at www.bigpapisgrille.com.