New 'Wine-Influenced' Eatery To Open On Waterman Avenue

A new restaurant will soon be opening to replace Cattails City Grille on Waterman Avenue.

Rumford resident Jeff Boisseau plans on opening a “wine-influenced” eatery called Vine Yard East in the spot next month. Cattails, a popular eatery, due to economic difficulties. 

Boisseau, who is president and a partner in three Sea Dog Brew Pub locations in Massachusetts, said he used to go to Cattails a lot and always said he would like to open a restaurant in the location if it ever came open.

“I’ve always wanted to do something in Rhode Island,” he said.

Boisseau’s wife, Donnalee, grew up in Riverside and his partner is father-in-law Robert Denham, who also still lives in Riverside.

The restaurant has a capacity for 125 people and will feature entrees such as ribeye steaks and pan-seared haddock, which would be paired with wines, Boisseau said.

It won’t be a wine bar per se, but will be “wine-influenced,” he said, and will include a wine club. But the atmosphere will remain casual. Wait staff will wear t-shirts, jeans and Chuck Taylor sneakers. And no entrée will cost more than $18, he said.

“It’s going to be as unpretentious as it can be with white tablecloths,” he said.

Vine Yard East is scheduled to open May 25.