Christopher's Celebrates 25 Years

Silver anniversaries are special occasions, but especially so for a restaurant. In July, Christopher's celebrated 25 years in business.

The casual eatery at 580 Main Street serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Bill and Laurie Cushing own the business, which is named after their son.

Christopher's first opened in Wakefield in 1985; a second Christopher's opened in 1992 on Main Street in Reading. (The Cushings sold the Wakefield restaurant in 1994.) To make room for a Bank of America branch, Christopher's moved down one storefront in 2008. Relocating almost doubled the space and the number of customers who could be served.

"When we first started, we never thought we'd still be here 25 years later. To be successful, you have to give people good food, good prices, and good service and we've always tried to do that," said Bill Cushing, who does most of the prep work at the restaurant.

"Running a restaurant is hard work, so you have to like what you're doing. We've had good help over the years and our customers are almost like family. They came here as children and now they're bringing their children. Some customers come here to socialize and that's important to them."

Christopher's is known for its breakfast fare, which is served all day and includes omelets, pancakes, nine varieties of French toast, and homemade oatmeal, muffins, and pastries. Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., customers can order value-priced breakfast specials that include coffee. There are also daily lunch specials for $7.99. On Monday and Tuesday, seniors (62 years old) get a 10% discount. Reading students get a 10% discount on early release and late start school days.

The Cushings believe in supporting the community. They belong to the Chamber of Commerce and donate gift certificates, cupcakes, and other food items to local schools and organizations.

Christopher's is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take-out service is available. The phone number is 781-944-3663.

LABOR DAY DINING

CLOSED: Aroma Café, Bangkok Spice Thai Restaurant, The Chocolate Truffle, Green Tomato, Hot Spot Café, Swiss Bake Express, Twin Seafood, Venetian Moon Ristorante, and The Wine Shop of Reading.

OPEN: Café Capri, Harrow's, Mandarin Reading Restaurant, Olde Redding Butcher Shoppe, Oye's, and Sam's Bistro. Christopher's will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p. m.

COMING SOON

Grumpy Doyle's should open in mid-September at 530 Main St. Open seven days a week, the restaurant will serve lunch and dinner and have a full service bar. Check out www.grumpydoyles.com for menus and more. Phone 781-942-2882.

COME TO THE FAIRE

The second Reading Fall Street Faire (www.readingfallstreetfaire.com) is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 5 p.m. There will be local food vendors and a Chili Cook-Off Competition.

CASUAL SPOTS

Aroma Café, Main St., is closed Mondays.

Hot Spot Café, 85 Haven St., has two new tea products. All-organic herbal or Ceylon black iced tea is sold in packs of four for $4.25. Organic full-leaf tea for one, which offers the flavor of loose tea in a tea bag, is sold in packs of 18 for $8.95. After Labor Day, the café will be open Saturdays. Phone 781-942-5777.

ITALIAN RESTAURANTS

Café Capri, 355 Main St., specializes in Italian fare; menu items can be eaten in, taken out, delivered, or catered. (Any size order can be delivered within Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield for $.99.) The restaurant has a full liquor license and 70 different wines. Look for coupons online at www.cafecaprireading.com. Phone 781-781-944-9898.

Ristorante Pavarotti, 601 Main St., should have its full bar in place this month. Nightly specials at the restaurant include meat and seafood. Phone 781-670-9050.

ASIAN RESTAURANTS

Mandarin Reading Restaurant, 296 Salem St., continues its free Oreo coffee mousse dessert for all dinner guests through September. Soft-shell crab is a specialty this month. Saving certificates are being sent to customers. They are also available if you come to the restaurant for a take-out order. Coupons from other area Chinese restaurants are being honored. Phone 781-942-8200.

Oye's Restaurant, 26 Walkers Brook Dr., has opened. Service hours are Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant specializes in Chinese and Japanese cuisine and features an oyster bar. Live jazz is played Saturday evenings between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Phone 781-944-6888.

SPECIALTY FOOD

The Chocolate Truffle, 494 Main St., is bringing in its fall specialties. (Blueberry Cheesecake and Key Lime Cheesecake Truffles will no longer be available.) The featured truffle for fall is Pumpkin Cheesecake; the featured mousse is Maple Mousse. The Chocolate Truffle will be participating in The Phantom Gourmet's Food and Wine Fest on Saturday, Sept. 25, on Lansdowne Street in Boston. Planning a wedding? Create a signature truffle flavor, get advice on designing a chocolate bar for your reception, and choose guest favors from hand-selected chocolates and truffles. Call or visit the store. Phone 781-944-7155.

Olde Redding Butcher Shoppe, 169 Haven St., has a free e-mail with information about specials for the upcoming week. Sign up at the store or by phone. Phone 781-944-2003.

Swiss Bake Express, 32 Lincoln St., has a new pretzel-flavored croissant. Phone 781-354-1155.

Twin Seafood, 589 Main St., is a combination fish market and restaurant. Homemade salmon burgers are available in the market for $3.99 each. Tuna burgers are coming soon, same price. Twin Seafood has an email list. Customers who sign up get a free cup of clam or haddock chowder on the spot. In September, there will be daily specials featuring a sandwich or an entrée. Phone 781-942-5855.

The Wine Shop of Reading, 676 Main St., will hold a complementary fall wine tasting on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. At least 25 different wines will be available. Specialty foods and cheeses will also be served. Tasting wines will be offered at a special discount. Sign up for the email newsletter at www.wineshopofreading.com. Phone 781-944-4521.

STEAK HOUSES

Sam's Bistro, 107 Main St., has reduced menu prices across the board and added more comfort food items. The interior décor will soon feature some artwork. A second television has been put in the bar. Phone 781-944-SAMS.

BOOKS FOR HOME COOKS

Mary Engelbreit's Fan Fare Cookbook: 120 Family Favorite Recipes (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2010; $16.99) is a collection of time-tested, go-to dishes illustrated with Engelbreit's attractive artwork. The cookbook contains 120 recipes, including Dad's Famous Stuffed French Toast, Rebecca's Chicken, and Eleanor's Tomato Soup, certain to please your family.

SOS! The Six O'Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth-Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Dinners for Busy Families (St. Martin's Press, 2010; $16.99) contains a year of healthy and delicious meals. Aviva Goldfarb believes that dinner with kids shouldn't be a battleground and shouldn't make a martyr out of the parent preparing it. Check out her Scramble system at www.thescramble.com.