New restaurant will include some former Cat ’n Fiddle favorites

The son of the former Cat ’n Fiddle owner is opening an eatery of his own in Concord.

John Barous hopes to open Barous’ Family Restaurant at 94 Fort Eddy Road in a couple of weeks – likely Jan. 21, he predicted.

“Good quality food at decent prices,” said Barous, 47. “Like we used to do with the Cat ’n Fiddle.”

The Cat ’n Fiddle closed in 2009 when Barous’s father, Nick, retired after operating the popular Manchester Street restaurant for 35 years. Along with many Concord residents, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan had eaten at its tables.

“My dad’s been a fixture in the city for many, many years, and a lot of people know him,” the younger Barous said. “He’s always had a good reputation as far as the restaurant was concerned. . . . He’s been helping me out quite a lot, as far as getting stuff ready to go.”

In 2010, Barous first tried to open his own restaurant in the same South Main Street building that houses The Draft. The Concord zoning board waived a requirement to provide additional parking for his restaurant at that address, but Barous said the lease eventually didn’t work out. He worked at the Corner View Restaurant in Concord since then, but he has now left their kitchen.

“I just decided that the time was right to get back into it,” Barous said. “It was time to do something for myself.”

He said the menu will include some old favorites from the Cat ’n Fiddle, including prime rib. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“I’m excited to get cooking again,” Barous said.

The Barous’ Family Restaurant is located in the Market Basket plaza on Fort Eddy Road, in the storefront last home to the Wok Inn Buffet. For information, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Well-wishers and former Cat ’n Fiddle patrons have been posting on the page – messages like “Your parents must be so proud!” and “When do we see menu?” – since Barous hinted at his plans in early November.

“Decided to take the plunge again,” he wrote. “Stay tuned for more details.”



(Megan Doyle can be reached at 369-3321 or mdoyle@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @megan_e_doyle.)