Reeling in New Honors

Recognition for Catch Restaurant and Catch at The Terrace

For Chef Chris Parsons of Catch Restaurant (Winchester, Massachusetts) and Catch at The Terrace (Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts), 2008 is “off the hook,” with three new awards to add to the restaurants’ already long list of honors.

In its January 2008 issue, Condé Nast Traveler presented the 2008 Gold List, detailing the world’s top hotels, resorts, and cruise lines.  The Charlotte Inn, the distinguished Relais & Châteaux property in which Catch at The Terrace is located, was the only hotel on Martha’s Vineyard included in the list, and 95.8 percent of respondents rated the food as excellent or very good.

The International Star Diamond Award has been given to both Catch Restaurant and Catch at The Terrace (these are the only restaurants in Massachusetts to receive the award).  This award is given by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in recognition of a demonstrated commitment to excellence.  To receive this award, Parsons’ restaurants were evaluated by the Academy on an extensive list of criteria, including gastronomy, hospitality, service, and overall quality.

Newcomer Catch at The Terrace was also recognized by the Excelsior Business Club.  The restaurant was honored in 2008 with the Golden Service Crown for its excellent service.

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.

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

"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'..."

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

Boston Herald - The Edge - January 2, 2005
Chef's Special: Chris Parsons "Fresh seafood is Parsons' best Catch"
-Mat Schaffer

Boston Magazine - July 2004 - "Dictionary of New England Seafood"
"Peekytoe Crab- Try them at the year old Winchester restaurant Catch, where Chef Chris Parsons fashions them into Peekytoe Crab salad with a lemon vinaigrette, pea tendrils and chilled pea soup."
-Kim Atkinson

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

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

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

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