TAUNTON — A new bar and restaurant named Blind Tiger will soon be taking over the space on the Taunton Green where the National Charter 957 officially closed down this past July.
The good news is that patrons of 957 who enjoyed the speakeasy-style vibe the cocktail bar gave off will likely appreciate Blind Tiger, which plans on keeping much of the original aesthetic.
“The space really does say ‘speakeasy’ when you see it,” down to its side entrance on Knotty Walk, said David Groves, co-owner, who, along with fellow co-owner Jillian Bates, will be modifying the interior to include more restaurant space.
Why it's called Blind Tiger
The business name is in keeping with the era it's paying homage to. Groves said, according to his and Bates’ research, Blind Tiger is prohibition-era slang for “cops blind to our location.”
As both Taunton residents, Groves said the Tiger has a double meaning, referring to the mascot for Taunton High School.
“It was a perfect fit,” Groves said.
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What's on the restaurant menu?
An early incarnation of Blind Tiger’s menu, subject to change as the place gets closer to opening, shows a healthy assortment of starters, sandwiches, hot entrées and desserts being offered.
Starters include chicken wings, poutine, deviled eggs, onion rings, and feta cheese dip with bread.
Sandwiches include a pulled pork sandwich, a chicken salad croissant, a garlic-bacon grilled cheese, a steak sandwich, a caprese sandwich and a Chicago-style Italian beef sub sandwich.
Hot entrees include fish and chips, shepherd's pie, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and steak tips with mashed potatoes.
The dessert selection includes cheesecake brûlée, a jumbo cinnamon bun, pistachio crème donuts, and drunken monkey bread, which is basically chunks of cinnamon buns soaked in bourbon and RumChata, and then baked with honey.
What's on the bar menu?
Regarding drinks, Groves said there will be a large selection of wine, beer and cocktails. Mocktails will also be served for the non-alcoholic crowd.
There will also be an assortment of “prohibition-era drinks,” said Groves, and they are looking into whether its feasible to incorporate drinks from Charter 957’s former alcohol menu.
Roots of this venture
Groves has decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He worked for years as director of operations for the now defunct microbrewery-restaurant franchise, BeerWorks, before all locations shut down permanently in 2021 due to the pandemic.
After that, he worked for a time as director of food and beverages for the New Bedford Country Club, before getting laid off again.
Groves told he was tired of being laid off and wanted to be the one running things, when the opportunity arose through the availability of Charter 957’s former space.
“We saw the opportunity and jumped on it. It’s a great location! You can’t beat it,” Groves said.
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Expanded kitchen in the works
Groves said the menu options for Blind Tiger are restricted by its kitchen space. “It’s not a full kitchen,” he said, adding they need to stick to menu items that won’t create too much smoke.
He and Bates plan on expanding the kitchen sometime next year, which would likely mean an expanded menu.
Staff
Groves said, including him, total staff at Blind Tiger will be around five. He explained the size of the space makes it small and manageable enough that it can be operated by two to three people at a time.
Hours
Groves intends on having Blind Tiger open Monday to Saturday. Hours are still being finalized, but he believes the place will be open for lunch and dinner during most of the week, about 11a.m. to 9 p.m., and open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
When will Blind Tiger open?
Groves said the best-case scenario for an opening date is mid-October. Currently, he and Bates are working on transferring the former business’ liquor license to Blind Tiger , which requires hearings with City Council and the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: New restaurant bar Blind Tiger opening on Taunton Green. Where, what's on menu and more
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