Act III Restaurant Has Closed


 

This was the official website for Act III Restaurant.
Content is from the site's 2015 archived pages as well as from other outside sources.

Act III Restaurant has closed.


Act III Restaurant
529 King St.
Littleton, MA 01460
978-486-3600

Hours of operation (winter season 2015):
Tuesdays through Fridays 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturdays 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday 4-9 p.m.
closed Mondays

ACT III RESTAURANT (FORMERLY ACTON JAZZ CAFE)

Gallery 529 - We are so happy to be the restaurant and live music venue associated with this amazing homespun cooperative gallery of local artists and artisans. Please visit their website, www.gallery529.com, to learn about classes, workshops, paint nights, art openings and more! There's a lot going on here at 529 King Street, and we hope you will enjoy it all!

With our new, more relaxed alcohol service license, you can just drop by anytime during service hours, have a glass or wine or cocktail, and walk around Gallery 529. Bring a book or laptop, lounge on the patio, and take your time, without the need for reservations. It's a great place to participate, buy or create a gift, or just browse. We'd love to see you!

Do you have an event coming up? ACT III is now scheduling private functions in the more intimate rooms of the old farmhouse. Groups of 6 to 20 are invited to arrange a special event here! Call 978-486-3600 and ask for Liz, our function manager.

 

ACT III Restaurant In Littleton MA, Open In 3 Phases Beginning November 11, 2014

By Alexander Silva / asilva@wickedlocal.com
Posted on November 6, 2014

Dear friends,
We have had a wonderful, eventful break, and now, finally, we’ll reopen next week as ACT III Restaurant in Littleton, MA.

As most of you know, we have partnered with a wonderful new cooperative of artists,

Gallery 529  www.gallery529.com.

Our new address together is 529 King Street, Littleton MA 01460.

It’s just off exit 31 on Rte. 495.

Our new website www.act3restaurant.com should be up by next week.

Our new phone number is 978-486-3600. Give us a call!

ACT III will open in three phases.

Phase I

Opening for lunch and dinner as of Tuesday 11/11/14!
Our full alcohol license will be in effect.

We welcome Chef Joseph Alptekin

and his artful, delicious, healthy Mediterranean/ European cuisine!

uesday through Friday 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Saturdays 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sundays 4-9.

Reservations by telephone and email (24 hr. advance) are most welcome!

During Phase I, we will be playing choice CD’s recorded exclusively by our own community of Acton Jazz Cafe live musicians. CD’s will be featured and also for sale at all times.

Phase II 

Beginning in a few weeks, we’ll be adding weekly Sunday brunches to our restaurant schedule.

During Phase II, we will be scheduling a few select live musical events, mainly at night, including as many of our longstanding regular musicians from The Acton Jazz Cafe as possible. Please stay tuned for our musical schedule!

 

 

At this point, we don’t expect to have a full entertainment license at ACT III until some time in 2015.

 

We have moved into an historic (1830) converted farmhouse, and there have been serious concerns about updated code compliance. This has been a somewhat difficult, long, and complicated process, involving thoughtful architects, lawyers, and town officials.

 

The Littleton Fire Department has had to order the installation of a sprinkler system. This would be an almost impossibly difficult and expensive installation. We now have to appeal that order (& win) at a state level before we can schedule live music at will several nights a week, as we have done in the past.

If we lose the appeal, we definitely won’t be able to install a sprinkler system before springtime at the earliest.

A more feasible alternative to a sprinkler system might be the construction of fire walls around our space within the building. That could possibly happen sooner. Right now, we are unsure of how long the appeals process will take. It could be weeks, or months.

Live music will be weekly or even monthly, rather than nightly, until we get this whole issue resolved.

The Town of Littleton welcomes us! They are working with us. They just do not have the authority to override the laws governing live music performance and fire suppression. We do have high hopes for success at the state level.

Ultimately, we will do whatever it takes to optimize the live music at ACT III.

We don’t anticipate being able to schedule our beloved jams or open mics until Phase III. Sad, but true.

We do sincerely hope that you will visit us and enjoy the artful, musical restaurant scene in the meantime. We miss you!

We think you’ll love it! We look forward to developing the restaurant and the service to a point that we have only approached in the past.

Phase III
It’s hard to say quite when we will have a full entertainment license, and our nightly dinner performances, scheduled weekly jam/ open mic events alongside the ongoing restaurant and gallery operations.
Third time’s the charm!

Gwenn Vivian

 



 

 

By Alexander Silva / asilva@wickedlocal.com

Littleton’s Act III folds after a year

Posted Nov 12, 2015 at 3:48 PMUpdated Nov 17, 2015 / http://westford.wickedlocal.com

After almost one year of operation, the lights faded at Littleton’s Act III Restaurant on King Street, and the dining and live entertainment venue closed its doors for good Oct. 30.

The restaurant, formerly known as the Acton Jazz Café, relocated from Acton to share a building with Gallery 529 in Littleton at the end of last year, but faced numerous complications before it could open, according to Act III owner and founder Gwenn Vivian.

“Initially, we had to use up all of our opening funds in a very long, drawn-out attempt to get licensing from the town,” Vivian said. “We had hoped to open Sept. 1 of 2014, but opening was delayed by licensing complications until Nov. 8.”

Multiple licenses, one business

Live background jazz music was a key aspect to the café when the business was in Acton, but Vivian was unable to obtain the proper entertainment licenses in time for the Littleton opening because of concerns over the possible need for a fire sprinkler system.

“An appeals process kept us from presenting live entertainment until April,” Vivian said. “In the past, live music had been a major part of our market definition.”

Selectmen held multiple public hearings on the application for the liquor license last year so the town’s building inspectors could determine whether sprinklers would be required for the multiple uses proposed for the property, according to Town Administrator Keith Bergman.

“There were particular concerns about the proposed live entertainment use at this property and whether the state code triggered a requirement for sprinklers as a nightclub, which made Act III’s experience with the local licensing process a rather unique one,” Bergman said.

Selectmen first voted to approve Act III’s application for a retail restaurant license for all alcoholic beverages in September 2014, but then voted in November to issue the liquor license provided that the licensee submit an application to alter the premises to eliminate bar seating, due to the lack of sprinkler, according to Bergman.

This would also limit the entertainment uses at Act III to 12 times in a calendar year, he added.

“As with any building department throughout the commonwealth, we are required to adhere and enforce certain laws that may sometimes appear to be overburdening. However, not enforcing these laws opens the Town of Littleton to unnecessary liability,” said Littleton Building Commissioner Roland Bernier.

The cost to install a sprinkler system would have been approximately $80,000, according to Vivian.

Vivian filed an appeal with the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards for a variance over the sprinkler requirement.
The board decided that Act III did not qualify as a nightclub in March 2015 and awarded the restaurant a variance, which cleared the way for an annual entertainment license, rather than the 12-event limit it had been operating under.

Selectmen voted to issue Vivian an annual entertainment license for 2015 in March to allow live music performances at various times on Tuesdays through Sundays.

However, the slow start affected the restaurant during the offseason, according to Vivian.

“We didn’t have the necessary cushion remaining to pull through the slow months, when the cost of doing business rose above the revenue,” said Vivian. “It came to a point when it seemed most prudent to cut our losses and close.”

What’s next for King Street?

With Act III’s closure, there’s one less live entertainment venue in the area, according to Vivian.

“I could... say that our culture has changed a lot and fewer people seek live entertainment, in particular live jazz, as a pastime,” Vivian said. “We have seen a rash of closings of live music establishments in the last couple of years. Entertainers have to be paid, even when the audience is sparse, and the chronic lack of attendance for our later evening shows added to our problems. I think I misjudged the popularity of our product in relation to the demographic.”

Vivian started the Acton Jazz Café in 1996 with her former husband, Robert Rosenberg, at 452 Great Road in Acton. In 2012, it moved to its second location in Nagog Park Mall in Acton.

Act III at 529 King St., Littleton shared a building with Gallery 529, and with the closure, the restaurant portion of the building is now vacant.

“Act III was our sister business,” Gallery 529 owner Virginia Wood stated. “We were proud of our joint concept... under one roof, unique and different but working for a shared vision. It was total celebration of all the arts, culinary, music, literary and visual.”

Wood, who owns the building, is now looking for another eatery to fill the space alongside the gallery.

“We are hopeful that another restaurant will take the place of Act III,” Wood stated.

After 20 years of running first the Acton Jazz Café and then Act III, Vivian said she is ready for a break.

“I am looking forward to having more free time to explore my own interests and to spend more quality time with my family and friends,” said Vivian.

 



 

ACT III: OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Live music was always the major theme and purpose of The Acton Jazz Cafe, for 18 years (since 1996). 

It is also the driving reason for our new project, ACT III, as we negotiate for our full entertainment license in our beautiful new location in Littleton.
 
The mission of ACT III, as we enter our 1st year of our new phase of operation:

  • To serve healthy, handmade, artful and nourishing food to our community of wonderful patrons.
     
  • To be a comfortable, attractive and affordable meeting place.
     
  • To present and to support the highest quality regional music in an intimate and interactive atmosphere.
    (Please stay tuned. For the moment, we are featuring CD's of Acton Jazz Cafe artists, playing all day and night during service.)
     
  • To provide a space that is conducive to conversation, to fine and nourishing dining, to the imbibing of quenching beverages, and to the enjoyment of music and good company
    .
  • To support a community of all ages of professional and non-professional musicians, and to provide a place for growth, networking, experimentation and performance.
     
  • To serve the community that supports it in as many creative ways as possible.
     
  • To provide an honest and reasonable living to its full and part time staff.
     
  • To survive and to stay true to these ideals into the future, despite the inevitable changes in our economy and political situation.
     
  • To promote and support the ideal of worldwide peace at a community level.
     
  • To join together with our friends in celebration of the best that we all have to offer, and to add something tangible to a dream of a more creative and festive life for everyone. 

 



Reviews

Iryna G.   Binghamton, NY
4.0 star rating 2/13/2015
We were definitely surprised to find in the middle of nowhere such a nice place to eat.  Especially considering that we can find only pizza places and American style restaurants through the yelp. Nice fresh food, portions on the small side. The ambience is very sophisticated.
+++

Bill F.  Milford, MA
5.0 star rating 4/2/2015
Ate here last Sunday. Food was Eastern Mediterranean for the most part and simply delicious. The presentation was also lovely. We both kept raving during the meal and afterward. Wine was really good too. We will be going back and on a night when music is playing too. We noticed that the staff was celebrating some Batman event and all were wearing these very cool Batman sweatshirts that we've never seen before. I asked our waitress about them and she turned us onto the perfect site to buy the best Batman sweatshirt styles which I visited as soon as we got home and ordered my nephew a great birthday gift! Batman would be proud.
There were two dining rooms, one with music and the other with bar and tv. Building includes an art gallery with some interesting pieces. We love this place!


+++

Sherry C.  /  Littleton, MA
5.0 star rating 2/18/2015  
Updated review
We went back a second time at 3:00 on Valentines Day-- it was a special 5 course meal that was just amazing. It was more like a feast! We had another waiter who was just as attentive and wonderful as the first one.  I love how everything is homemade! It was by far- the best baklava I have ever had... We can't wait to go back again. The art / crafts gallery in 2 rooms was really nice as well- lots of great artwork.

Was this review …?

5.0 star rating 2/14/2015 
Previous review We went a week ago and thought the food was really yummy&  interesting. We both had lamb dishes and they were tasty. Mine had an almost fuscia bright pink color which was a bit unnerving though. The atmosphere was nice and the waitress super attentive.
We plan on returning in the next week to try another dish!

+++

Tanya P. / Littleton, MA
4.0 star rating 2/20/2015   Updated review
I went back tonight with hubby for drinks and apps.  We checked out the bar.  It's a very cozy spot.  It's not really a great place for privacy but it's definitely a warmer environment than the dining room.  We had very good service and enjoyed our BBC beers and fantastic spanikopita (2 spanikopita with a nice side of greek salad).  It was a nice 'light' dinner.  I really hope they can make a go of it in the new space.  The food is fantastic and we are looking forward to live music.
 
4.0 star rating 2/15/2015
 
I visited for lunch on a weekday. The restaurant is in an old house and shares the space with an art gallery. The ambience is a bit odd. I think they've done the best they can with limited funds and an older space. The dining room is small and does not afford much privacy. The bar was tiny but looked inviting and cozy and more conducive to a date.

The menu was varied and interesting. Our meal began with complimentary bread and two spreads. The bread was nice and crusty and both dips very tasty. I had the lamb shish kebab with vegetables and rice. The presentation was nothing special but the taste blew me away. Each element was very well done.  The lamb was simply amazing. The portions were just right. Prices, overall, seemed a bit high but, given the scale of the operation and the quality of my meal, well worth it. 

+++

Sharon W. / Groton, MA
5.0 star rating 7/23/2015
Went for dinner on a Tuesday night, the Jerry Bergonzi Trio was playing. Food and music were great. Only 2 empty tables in the dining room on a week night! Will go back again.

 



LUNCH MENU

SOUPS

RED LENTIL SOUP / ANATOLIA
A soup from the Greek and Turkish border.
Slow-cooked red lentils in vegetable broth with homemade red pepper paste, mint, onion, and potato.         6.

TOMATO SOUP / FRANCE
Homemade tomato soup made with fresh Roma tomatoes and French red wine,
topped with fresh mozzarella.          6.
 

SALADS

SHEPHERDS’ SALAD / TURKEY
Chopped peppers, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, herbs, Turkish olive oil.          7.

GREEK SALAD / GREECE
Romaine lettuce, chopped tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, sliced red onion,
cherry tomatoes, and homemade Greek dressing.          8.

SANDWICHES

Ask about our daily Panini specials, made with our own homemade bread!
Served with your choice of soup or salad.      12.

COLD APPETIZERS

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES / TURKEY
Grape leaves stuffed with jasmine rice, currants, pine nuts and fresh herbs,
cooked in olive oil. Chef’s family recipe.       7.

BEET TARATOR / FRANCE
Made with freshly shredded red beets, sour cream, sweet pickles, and a touch of mayonnaise.       6.

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH VEGETABLES / ITALY
Roasted eggplant, roasted red pepper and herbs, with olive oil and garlic.         6.

HUMMUS / LEBANON
Chickpeas, tahini, garlic, olive oil and spices.      7.

LABNEH / LEBANON
Rich, strained yoghurt with chopped basil and dill, with a caviar garnish      7.

SPICY MASHED VEGETABLES / ANATOLIA
Twelve seasonal vegetables, walnuts, olive oil, and crushed red pepper flakes.      6.

HOT APPETIZERS


STUFFED POTATO / FRANCE
Mashed potato balls stuffed with fresh spinach, then rolled in bread crumbs and baked.       8.

WINE CHICKEN SCHNITZEL / ITALY
Chicken breast, homemade breadcrumbs, eggs, herbs and white wine with an olive oil drizzle.      8.

MOZZOFETA / TURKEY
Phyllo dough with Turkish feta cheese, fresh mozzarella and parsley, deep fried to a golden brown.     8.

SPANAKOPITA/ GREEK
Traditional spinach pie with phyllo, feta, spinach, egg, and leeks.       8.

FALAFEL /  MIDDLE EAST
Chick peas, celery, cilantro and herbs formed into balls and deep fried to golden brown.       8.

FROM THE GRILL

CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB
Tender cubed chicken marinated with white wine and herbs, with roasted vegetables,
topped with red wine tomato sauce.      10.

LAMB SHISH KEBAB
Tender cubed lamb marinated with white wine and herbs, with roasted vegetables,
topped with red wine tomato sauce.         11.

CHICKEN ADANA
This unique dish is named after a city in Turkey. Ground chicken with fresh red pepper and herbs, formed on a hand-pounded wide skewer and grilled. Served with baked vegetables.        10.

BEYTI/ STUFFED GROUND LAMB
Hand minced lamb, fresh red pepper and herbs, red wine tomato sauce and roasted vegetables.      11.

ADANA SHISH KEBAB
Ground lamb and ground beef, fresh red pepper and herbs, served with baked vegetables.        12.

LAMB CHOPS
Served with baked seasonal vegetables       18.

NEW YORK STYLE SIRLOIN STEAK WITH MEDITERRANEAN RUB
Cooked to order, served with baked seasonal vegetables       18.

SEAFOOD

BAKED SALMON WITH VEGETABLES
Fresh Atlantic salmon marinated in white wine and herbs,
then slow-baked with vegetables, served with a white Empire sauce.        16.

OCTOPUS WITH VEGETABLES
Slow oven-cooked octopus, with seasonal vegetables.      18.

STUFFED TROUT
Whole trout stuffed with fine herbs and seasonal fresh vegetables.       24.

GRILLED BRONZINI
A whole Mediterranean fish served with roasted vegetables. Chef’s specialty.       24.

Whole fish may be requested bone-in or bone removed prior to service.

All of these main dishes are served with steamed jasmine rice.
Fresh garlic mashed potato available upon request.

AUTHENTIC DISHES

ZUCCHINI PARADISI / ITALY (Vegetarian)
Fresh zucchini, eggs and herbs. Baked, not fried. Served with seasonal vegetables       12.
 

STUFFED EGGPLANT / TURKEY
Fried Italian eggplant stuffed with fresh 90/10 ground beef, chopped onion, chopped peppers,
herbs and cherry tomatoes, then baked until velvety.       14.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE / ITALY
A traditional Italian dish. Hand-cut chicken breasts, white wine, mozzarella, baby onion, cherry tomatoes, chopped red peppers, zucchini, summer squash, asparagus and herbs in a creamy sauce.    14.

LAMB CASSEROLE / TURKEY
Cubed lamb and seasonal vegetables in a red wine and tomato sauce.       15.

LAMB SHANK IN RED WINE SAUCE / FRANCE
Roasted lamb shank, slow-cooked until tender. Marinated for 5 days in Mediterranean red wine
and served with a pureed tomato, red wine and herb sauce, and vegetables.          14.

All of the above main dishes are served with steamed jasmine rice.
Fresh garlic mashed potato available upon request.

STUFFED CABBAGE / GREECE
A delicious, healthy dish with meat minced by hand, Mediterranean white rice, onion, red wine, fresh herbs, currants, pine nuts and olive oil, served with tomato red wine sauce.      13.

BEEF RAVIOLI /TURKEY / ITALY
Homemade stuffed beef raviolis served with creamy red wine tomato sauce.
A traditional food from the Mediterranean.         13.
 

DESSERTS

BAKLAVA / TURKEY
A rich, sweet, handmade pastry with layers of phyllo, filled with chopped nuts 
and sweetened with our special traditional syrup.  6.

 RICE PUDDING / TURKEY
An ambrosial version of a traditional dessert.      6.

~
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a Mediterranean diet as an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease. Enjoy our fare today, and maintain energy for what is ahead!
Research has shown that following a Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
~
Consumer advisory: consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.

 



 

ACT III CATERING MENU

All of these items and more are available for preparation in our kitchen, to be packaged and picked up
(fewer than 20 items) or delivered (more than 20 items) for your private event.
Please call to schedule a private consultation with Chef Joseph.  
Advance notice is needed for certain items.
978-486-3600

STARTERS

FRESH HOMEMADE BREAD
Chef’s recipe with fresh mint, dill, oregano, olive oil and spices.

MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE DIP
Black and green Mediterranean olives, brandy, fresh basil, fresh oregano, fresh mint and olive oil.

MUHAMMARA
This is a Lebanese dip, mild in spice and delicious, made with fresh red peppers, olive oil,
garlic, walnuts, crushed red peppers, homemade breadcrumbs and spices.
This is a traditional starter that helps with digestion.

 

SOUPS

MILANO ZUPPA DI POLLO PROCEDURALE/ Milano style chicken soup/ ITALY

BOEUF SOUPE AUX LEGUMES/ vegetable white beef soup/ FRENCH

CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP/ PONTUS/ GREEK

LAMB AND WHITE BEAN SOUP/ kuzu etli kuru fasulye/ OTTOMAN/ TURKEY

RED LENTIL SOUP/ kirmizi mercimek corbasi/ ANATOLIA

CREAMY OCEAN SOUP/ ENGLAND

ZUPPA DI PROCEDURA VENEZIA CON VERDURE/ venezia style vegetable soup/ ITALY

SOUPE A LA TOMATE/ tomato soup/ FRENCH

COLD APPETIZERS

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES/ yaprak sarma/ TURKEY

BEET TARATOR/ Bette rave tarator/ FRANCE

HUMMUS/ LEBANON

PEAS WITH OLIVE OIL/ pois avec l’huille d’olive/ FRANCE

GREEK STYLE ARTICHOKES/ GREECE

STUFFED MUSHROOMS/ champignons forces/ FRANCE

LABNEH/ LEBANON

STUFFED MUSSELS/ moules forcies/ FRANCE

SPICY MASHED VEGETABLES/ acili ezme/ ANATOLIA

 

HOT APPETIZERS

ZUCCHINI PARADISI/ tortiera zucchini paradisi/ ITALY

STUFFED SPANISH-STYLE POTATO/ pateto personnel sipanic/FRANCE

WINE CHICKEN SCHNITZEL/ pollo wine schnitzel/ ITALY

FRIED MOZZOFETA STICKS/ sigara boregi/ TURKEY

EUROPEAN STYLE BRUSCHETTA

STUFFED ZUCCHINI WITH OLIVE OIL/ zeytinyagli kabak dolmasi/ TURKEY

SPINACH PIE/ spanakopita/ GREECE

 

SALADS

SHEPHERDS SALAD/ coban salatasi/ TURKEY

ANATOLIA SALAD/ ANATOLIA

ARTICHOKE SALAD/ salat di carciofi/ ITALY

MIMOSA SALAD/ salade mimosa/ FRANCE

AUTHENTIC ISLAND SALAD/ otantik ada salatasi/ CYPRUS

GREEK SALAD/ GREECE

OTTOMAN SALAD/ osmanli salatasi/ TURKEY

 

AUTHENTIC DISHES

STUFFED EGGPLANT/ karniyarik/ TURKEY

BEEF BOURGIGNON/ FRANCE

BEEF FILLET WITH VEGETABLES/ filetto di manzo con verdure/ITALY

CHICKEN CASSEROLE/ ITALY

LAMB CASSEROLE/ kuzu guvec/ TURKEY

LAMB SHANK WITH RED WINE SAUCE/ jarret d’agneau sauce au vin rouge/ FRANCE

SULTAN’S ADMIRER/ hunkar begendi/ TURKEY

BEEF STEW/ ragout de boeuf/ FRANCE

STUFFED CABBAGE/ GREECE

BEEF RAVIOLI (pelmeni) / TURKEY/ ITALY/ GREECE

 

SEAFOOD

BAKED SALMON WITH VEGETABLES

STUFFED TROUT

SHRIMP WITH VEGETABLES

TOTA DI PESCE/ FISH CAKE

OCTOPUS WITH VEGETABLES

FRIED MUSSELS WITH BECHAMEL SAUCE

 

FROM THE GRILL

CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB/ grilled skewered chicken

LAMB SHISH KEBAB/ grilled skewered lamb

BEYTI/ stuffed ground lamb

ADANA  SHISH KEBAB

GYRO

LAMB CHOPS

 

CHEF’S RECIPES

STUFFED DUCK WITH ORANGE SAUCE

LAMB STEWED WITH FIGS AND RED WINE SAUCE

OVEN ROASTED GOOSE WITH VEGETABLES

EFTHIMIA

KUL BASTI/ OTTOMAN STYLE STEAK

BEYTI/ OTTOMAN STYLE STUFFED MEAT

 

SIDE ORDERS

TURKMEN RICE

CRACKED WHEAT RICE/ BULGUR RICE

WHITE RICE

STEAMED VEGETABLES

MASHED POTATOES

HOMEMADE BREAD

 

DESSERTS

RICE PUDDING

BAKLAVA

TIRAMISU

KAZANDIBI

WALNUT FIG DESSERT


Chef Joseph is interested in tailoring your menu to your tastes.

Please call for a consultation appointment!

978-486-3600

 



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