For Café on the Common owners, Barre location has proved a perfect fit

Jada McConologue is chef and co-owner with her husband, Dewey McConologue, of Café on the Common in Barre, feeling right at home in the town she has deep roots in. After decades in the industry, McConologue took a leap last year and leased space that housed Pie Town, a go-to-café for made from scratch sweet and savory pies. The building at 2 Common St. also was home to Picasso Restaurant & Bar, which closed in 2020.

The turnkey café was a great way for the McConologues to quickly break into the industry, opening the same day they signed the lease. The décor remained pretty much the same as when April Adams and Elisa Kjerting owned and operated Pie Town until the McConologues brought in new equipment and added personal touches to dining spaces.

Jada McConologue helped out at Pie Town for a short time before April Adams bought out her business partner and then decided to close shop. McConologue said she and her husband jumped at the chance to open their first business, not only because the property is across the street from “one of the most beautiful” traditional New England town commons, but also the café’s location makes it a great central meeting place for the community.

The dish:

McConologue graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School (Monty Tech) in Fitchburg and Newbury College in Brookline. She is a former mixologist and tapster at Quail Hollow Golf Course & Country Club in Oakham and former mixologist at East Fire Spring Yacht Club on Nantucket. A former sous chef at Jared Coffin House and a chef at the former Simply with Style Catering, both on Nantucket, McConologue also worked at Mulligan’s Irish Pub in Stratton, Vermont. Dewey McConologue, originally from Ashburnham, was previously employed at an engineering firm. He smokes meat and poultry for the restaurant and is the “go-to-person,” helping in the business wherever necessary. The couple and their three children live in Barre.

At the café, the chef’s menu ideas cater to various tastes and preferences, tempting diners with not only a Quiche of the Day, but also classic comfort food, such as chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie and mac n’ cheese. When we write about chefs and menus, we’re reminded that everyone has his or her own go-to version of comfort food, especially mac and cheese. For her part, McConologue tops creamy shells with mozzarella and gives diners the option of adding bacon or buffalo chicken to the dish at an additional cost. She uses scratch recipes to build signature flavors, she said.

Smoked ribs and smoked drumsticks are on a menu that also showcases a variety of the chef’s flatbreads, salads, sandwiches and specials. Delicious gluten-free offerings are an added bonus.

Café on the Common offers Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; Closed Monday through Wednesday. Seating is 75; Full liquor license. Open mic night is Thursdays, usually from 6 to 8 p.m. Check Facebook and other social media about live local entertainment at the café. Private parties can be booked and catering is available. Telephone: (978) 257-8080. Seasonal outdoor seating; parking in front and back of the café.

“As owners, we want the focus to be on local, whether it’s food, art or entertainment,” said McConologue. The café’s small bar features Stone Cow Brewery and local distilleries, such as Beaver Pond in Petersham, she said. Local wineries also are represented. Mimosa, Bloody Mary, Creamy Espresso Martini and Pomegranate Gin Fizz were featured drinks on a recent Sunday Brunch menu.

This holiday season, McConologue will take pre-orders for pies and other specialties. Call the café for more information. The business will be closed for a week, beginning Dec. 25.

“I think food brings back memories and makes new memories,” said McConologue. “Our goal is to bring hospitality, warmth and amazing taste experiences to our diners. Food definitely brings people together,” she said.

Something to be thankful for

Students at Rice Square School in Worcester celebrated Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 20, enjoying an early holiday meal made possible by the generosity of community partners and donors.

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester was the host venue, with the elementary school’s administrators, teachers, coordinators and staff helping with the activities. Local businesses pitched in with food donations; Coca Cola, beverages. The student population at Rice Square, K-6, is 493, according to a press release

Ernie and Aliki Binici, owners of Ciao Bella, 402 Grove St., Worcester, got a last-minute request to help prepare food for the event. Ernie Binici said he and his wife worked with St. Spyridon volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 19, roasting and breaking down more than 30 whole turkeys. They met the next day at 8 a.m. to carve the turkeys and complete food prep, he said. Paul Barber, chef/owner of the Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole in Worcester helped out that morning. Binici and Barber, with their wives, are among restaurateurs in support of St. Spyridon’s Grecian Festival. The families are parishioners at the church. Barber has served as culinary chairman of the Grecian Festival for several years. The 2024 event is planned for early summer.

Restaurants are a stronghold of local communities and often make contributions behind the scenes without recognition. Ciao Bella is among businesses actively involved in fundraisers and food events throughout the city.

Ernie and Aliki Binici have lived in Worcester for 50 years, opening Ciao Bella more than 26 years ago. They have four children and six grandchildren. Their son, Tony Binici is GM of the restaurant and “runs the place,” according to his father. “My wife and I help out in the day to day operation,” said Ernie Binici.

An experienced restaurateur, Binici said quality of food, service and staff teamwork have helped build a positive reputation for Ciao Bella. “We are a scratch kitchen and food orders move quickly,” he said, adding that takeout and catering account for a large part of the business. “This month and next, it’s all about holiday parties and corporate events,” he said. FYI: Chicken Parm continues to be a favorite with Ciao Bella’s customers.

One of city restaurants making an impact and giving back to community, Ciao Bella can be reached at (508) 756-2426.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Café on the Common finds itself right at home in Barre