Watts Grocery
About
Watts Grocery is a restaurant on Broad Street in Durham, NC. It was started by Durham chef Amy Tornquist in 2007, filed for bankruptcy in February 2019, and closed that July. The location will become The Sage, operated by the same owners.
From the Food Arts birth announcements for December, 2007:
In September Amy Tornquist, owner of the Durham-based Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering Company and original chef at Nasher Museum Café, launched her first restaurant at 1116 Broad Street. Named for a beloved childhood haunt for candy and snacks, Watts Grocery serves classic North Carolina cuisine as defined by what's grown locally and seasonally. With high ceilings, large orange oval lampshades overhead, a chocolate hued banquette, and paintings by husband and Sage chef/partner Jeremy Kerman, the 110 seat interior has a laid-back, easy-to-love soul. Apps ($7 to $9): roasted butternut squash salad with field greens, Stilton, spiced pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette; smoked local ham with fig compote and cheddar toasts. Mains ($12 to $19): chile-braised short ribs with goat cheese dumplings and lemony sautéed escarole; rockfish "muddle" (fish stew with onions, potatoes, and carrots in bacon studded broth) with braised greens and hush puppies. Desserts ($5 to $6): root beer float with cinnamon ice cream and brown sugar/pecan bars; chocolate pudding layer cake with fresh whipped cream.