GrainMaker

Grainmaker Fast-Casual Restaurant Expanding From Boston to Somerville | Eater Boston

"I learned that Grainmaker, a fast-casual restaurant from downtown Boston that opened at 91 Summer St. in October 2017 and describes itself as a “Southeast Asian street market,” is expanding into Somerville’s Davis Square by taking over the former Amsterdam Falafelshop space at 248 Elm St. and could open as early as June. The entirely gluten- and dairy-free menu centers on grain bowls (choose a base of jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, rice noodles, or volcano brown rice) with accompaniments such as chicken, tofu, lemongrass steak, kale and pork meatballs, and sweet chili shrimp; there are also tacos, salads, and a few snacks. On April 22 the restaurant will introduce a seasonal menu featuring ahi tuna poke and salmon poke specials. Founder Chris Freeman says Grainmaker fits well with Somerville’s health-and-wellness scene and that the team has been making regular deliveries to the area from the downtown location, so expanding made sense. As with the original location, Grainmaker Davis will partner with local designers and artists for design and decor, including McMahon Architects, muralist Mark Grundig, and Tyler Gulden of Gulden Ceramics for dishes, and customers will have the opportunity to vote on design elements via Grainmaker’s Instagram." - Dana Hatic