Each month, we visit a new food spot thanks to the folks at Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, an estate & elder planning law firm who like to shine a spotlight on local gems of the South Coast.
The culture of the 1980s is back in a big way. Pervasive in social media content, it’s also omnipresent in today’s fashion, art, politics, sport, literature, or whatever else you got. The ‘80s had such a zeitgeist, and we loved it so much we are head over heels in nostalgia for it.
In Wareham, it is encapsulated beautifully in RWND Restaurant & Arcade. The abbreviation references the term rewind (remember rewinding tapes and VHS cassettes back in the day?).
This unapologetically themed restaurant is the brainchild of owner Phil Warren, whose father Danny owns Warren’s Harborview just down the street. Phil isn’t old enough to have experienced the ‘80s firsthand, but his obsession is genuine. “I saw the death of the MTV-VH1 era,” he explains, which helped fuel his fascination. Two and a half years in the planning and making, the restaurant opened its doors this spring.
The décor is spot-on: black and silvers contrasted with the electric neon and pastels made famous by preppy fashion and the novelty of music videos and arcades. There is a mural of RoboCop on one wall, and various video game characters on others. Vintage movie posters adorn one wall above shelves of what looks like Blockbuster VHS cassette cases (upon closer inspection, they depict the RWND name). The menus have a purposely cliché, mottled black and white composition notebook cover. Phil worked with the team at Chipie Design, known for its bold visual branding of fellow Wareham establishment Ella’s Wood Fired Kitchen and many Cape Cod restaurants, and the final result is stunning.
The front of the restaurant houses tables, booths and a long bar. Warren opened up the walls between the two adjoining buildings, which was previously factory space for Advanced Engine Rebuilding. Now the back space a few steps down from the bar is an arcade floor, boasting dozens of classic games.
Staff mill about in ‘80s- and ‘90s-era attire, complete with classic fanny packs reminiscent of the era.
The menu is full of tasty food, almost all of which is named after common ‘80s references. Appetizers called “Porky’s Belly Skewers” and “Crab Ran-Goonies Dip”; pizzas named “Hot, Sticky, Sweet” and “Punky Brewster”; and hot dogs labeled “Cowabunga,” “Bueller,” and “Han Seoul-O.” I tried a couple of the bowls: Kung Lao Mein (named after a Mortal Kombat character) and Pika Poké Bowl (one of a few references to the ‘90s!).
The former featured stir-fried noodles, shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, egg, and sesame soy sauce; the latter, yellowfin tuna, quinoa, edamame, cucumber kimchi, and wonton chips. Both were delish.
Drinks afterward included the Ashtray (bourbon, bitters, orange, Luxardo cherry, and topped off with a candy cigarette) and an Orange Dreamsicle, which can be made with or without alcohol (our non-alcoholic version was totally tubular, dude).
The kitchen staff is led by brothers Matt and Pat Brassil from Carver. Head chef Matt was previously at Boston Tavern; sous chef Pat at Brewfish.
Whenever I need a good fix of tasty food and a cool vibe, I am heading back to RWND. “It’s incredible how much the youngsters like it,” says Phil Warren, beaming with pride for what could be a haven for ‘80s culture for many years to come.
Photography by Liam Connor Photography
RWND Restaurant and Arcade, 176 Main Street, Wareham
We hope you enjoyed this post, which is part of a series of blog posts celebrating local food spots, sponsored by Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., the premier estate planning and elder law practice serving clients in Southeastern Massachusetts. Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes can help you prepare the foundational documents needed to facilitate healthcare, financial and legal decisions should a medical crisis occur. Early planning can save money, heartache and angst during a temporary bout of incapacity or a long-term care event. Getting your estate plan in order gives you peace of mind. Find out more about Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes here.
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Last post in the series: Beer aficionados, unite! Wareham is a great destination for tasting craft brews now thanks to Pour Farm Tavern. Brad and Jen Cardoza opened their new establishment earlier this year in the space on Main Street formerly occupied by Scarlet Rose Bistro.