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The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is the world's premiere organization for awarding excellence in travel, cuisine, luxury products and services. Each year, the Academy bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award — a recognition that many strive for, but few achieve—on superlative establishments that are deemed to be of pinnacle quality. |
| Best Suburban Seafood: CATCH RESTAURANT, Winchester Dining at this attractive storefront bistro is a reminder of why life too far from the ocean simply isn't worth considering. Savory broths, reductions, and spice rubs let the seafood stand out, surrounded by an ensemble of complementary tastes, such as salmon with poached figs, St. Peter's fish and lemon risotto, or caramelized scallops with braised short-rib stuffed ravioli. |
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Open Table's
Diner Choice Awards for June 2009
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| Zagat
2009-2010 Food: 27 Serviec: 23 Decor: 20 "Sublime", "astoundingly creative" and "attractively presented" New American seafood of "exceptional" "Freshness" is the hook at this "cozy", homey" Winchester spot whose daily changing menu is proffered by a "friendly, knowledgeable staff" |
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"There's not a whole lot to Catch, a handful of tables in an unremarkable corner of Winchester. Not that we care: Chef Chris Parsons's palpable passion for seafood makes ambiance entirely irrelevant here. We could have been sitting in a dumpster and still had a dinner for the books, from feather-light potato gnocchi with Maine shrimp to crispy black bass with beet purée. We'd eat this meal 10 times over—if the menu didn't change daily." |
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August 2007 |
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2008 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List "Catch focuses on regional seafood using French techniques in its beautifully presented meals." |
| "In our fish-fanatic city, it seems unlikely that many diners would chose to trek to a landlocked town for seafood. That a lot of people do make the trip to Winchester says a lot about Catch, where the clean décor is as calming as waves crashing on the beach and wholesome, seasonal ingredients enliven each of chef Chris Parsons’s satisfying dishes. Don’t miss the summer braised lobster, which arrives atop a crêpe stuffed full of fragrant maitake mushrooms, spinach, and mascarpone cheese, or the flaky halibut accompanied by yellow beans, fingerling potatoes, and fragrant green garlic." |
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Boston
Magazine - April 2006 Great Dining in the Suburbs Growing up chef Chris Parsons had no idea where Winchester was. The water baby spent his summers on Cape Cod fly-fishing and playing on the beach. Even when working in landlocked Colorado and later back East at Rialto and Four Bakery, Parsons always knew that his place would be all about seafood. But when he and his wife, Megan, scouted oceanfront towns for the perfect location, all they found was Winchester-which, for you city folk, is nowhere near the water. Despite the location, Parsons turns out beautiful seafood-centric dishes such as pan-seared scallops wearing braised short rib-ravioli hats and grilled calamari atop yellow wax beans and roasted potatoes. And while Winchester will never boast ocean views, Catch makes coastal living seem a little more accessible. 34 Church St., Winchester, 781-729-1040. |
| New England
Travel & Life - 2006 Best Seafood New England In a region celebrated for its ocean bounty, we were caught off guard to find the most standout seafood joint in a landlocked town. But Winchester's Catch hits the mark with every dish. Chef-owner Chris Parsons introduces local seafood to subtly exotic flavors. Mussels in saffron-citrus bath. The stripped down dining room, where the only flare is the form of black-and-white paintings, is an ideal setting for experiencing fresh, fabulous food. (Cover) |
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Boston
Magazine - August 2005 "Best of Boston" Best Seafood Restaurant, North "Chef-Owner Chris Parsons prepares seasonal seafood in fine, simple dishes: His uncomplicated mussels are always irresistible and his signature pan-seared scallops with braised-short-rib ravioli are a rare treat." -Boston Magazine Staff |
| Wine
Spectator - August 2008 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator -
August 2007 Wine Spectator -
August 2006 Wine Spectator -
August 2005 |
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Zagat 2008-2009 Food: 25 Service: 22 Decor: 19 "This self-styled American bistro 'is indeed a great catch': 'focusing almost exclusively on seafood', the kitchen takes 'the best of the daily market' and makes 'artwork' in the form of 'simple, elegant appetizers' and 'innovative, complex entrees'..." |
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Phantom
Gourmet - April 2, 2005 84 Gourmet Greatness "Catch is…well, quite a catch! The small town bistro turns out incredible seafood pleasure." -The Phantom |
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Boston Herald
- The Edge - January 2, 2005 Chef's Special: Chris Parsons "Fresh seafood is Parsons' best Catch" -Mat Schaffer |
| Boston
Magazine - August 2004 - "Best of Boston" Best New Restaurant, North "The most refreshing thing Catch has to offer is what it lacks. Pretense, for instance. Also thankfully missing is a menu full of confit this and froth of that. But Catch has what counts: fresh, local ingredients served in an intimate setting by a knowledgeable and eager-to-please waitstaff." -Boston Magazine Staff |
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Boston Magazine - July
2004 - "Dictionary of New England Seafood" |
Boston Herald - The Edge - June 11, 2004 "Boston could certainly benefit from an all seafood restaurant with food this accomplished and confident. In the meantime, discerning diners will gladly drive to Winchester" -Mat Schaffer |
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Boston Magazine - Dining
Guide - April 2004 "Chef and co-owner Chris Parsons's menu is by definition seafoodcentric, and his ingredients are local and seasonally sensitive; alongside the carefully prepared and delicious dishes, his menu lists the names of his many local purveyors." -Annie B. Copps |
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Boston Globe - Calendar -
April 1, 2004 "...there's an energy here - a palpable enthusiasm from the hostess who greets you at the door, checking to make sure a guest who called for directions found her way, to the customers at the counter chatting with the chefs, to the creatively presented food on the plate." -Alison Arnett |
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Boston Globe - Calendar -
Debuts - March 4, 2004 "This 38 seat restaurant (including the barstools) focuses on local seafood and brims with ineffable charm." -Betsy Block |