Big Papi's Grille to open July 24

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, known to baseball fans everywhere as "Big Papi," will open his first restaurant, Big Papi's Grille, in Framingham, Mass. The upscale casual restaurant is designed to appeal to a wide audience, with featured menu items that include high-quality steaks, Kobe beef burgers, hearty pasta dishes and much more.

Ortiz is a financial partner in the restaurant, owned by Classic Restaurant Concepts. The restaurant, currently being operated as the Metro 9 Steak House, will remain open through July 21. Big Papi's Grille will be closed July 23 for a private party hosted by Ortiz before opening to the public July 24.

The Ortizes live locally and have enjoyed dining at Metro 9.

"When David mentioned his passion for great food, the idea to change Metro 9 was spawned," said Peter Sarmanian, president of Classic Restaurant Concepts. "With David's strong commitment to the community and loyal fan base, we saw it as a perfect fit. We are thrilled to be working with David and look forward to a successful venture."

Big Papi's Grille has several dining-area options, including Table 34, a semi-private, 20-seat dining area preferred by Big Papi and his family and friends. Big Papi's Grille also has private dining accommodations for 60, perfect for a corporate meeting or family gathering.

Throughout the restaurant, baseball memorabilia chronicling Big Papi's career will be featured prominently. Photos and trophies from his early years through his days as a current member of the Boston Red Sox will be on display.

Big Papi's Grille also features a large lounge area, with a 45-foot bar extending the length of the room. Large flat-panel Sharp Aquos liquid-crystal definition TV screens round out the décor, making the lounge the perfect place to watch Big Papi hit one over the Green Monster. The outdoor patio will have a very comfortable, relaxed feel -- an ideal setting to share appetizers or to enjoy a full dining experience.

"Meals are a time when my family, like many families, comes together," Ortiz said. "It was in the Dominican that I first developed my love of cooking. My hope is that Big Papi's Grille will be an integral part of the local community, bringing people together over a great meal to create unforgettable memories."

Scott Olson, current executive chef at the Metro 9 Steak House, will stay on as executive chef for Big Papi's Grille. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Olson has been a chef at a number of well-known restaurants, including Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge, Mass., as well as New York City restaurants Maxims and The Russian Tea Room.

Olson worked closely with David Ortiz to expand the menu for Big Papi's Grille, which features some of his favorite dishes. The restaurant will continue to offer the high-quality, "natural" steaks currently offered at the Metro 9 Steak House. However, the menu will be greatly expanded to offer a wide variety of entrées, including salads, pasta and gourmet burgers with handcut fries. The menu will also feature a sampling of David's favorites, such as Dominican rice, plantain-crusted cod and the Dominican chimichurri burger. David's new sauces -- from mild to hot -- are in several of the recipes and will be available for purchase at the restaurant. The bar will feature an extensive wine list of more than 100 wines, eight beers on tap and, of course, Glaceau's vitaminwater.

Big Papi's Grille will open daily at 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 508-620-9990 or via opentable.com. More information will be available soon at www.bigpapisgrille.com.

About David Ortiz
A native of the Dominican Republic, David Ortiz and his wife, Tiffany, two daughters and son now call Massachusetts their home. Known to Boston fans as "Big Papi," David has been at the heart of Red Sox Nation since his arrival in 2003. In 2004, he led the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years. Two years later, David set the Red Sox single-season home run record with 54 and led them to a second World Series in 2007. Recently, David became only the 19th active player to reach the 300 home run milestone.

In addition to Big Papi's Grille, David recently launched the Big Papi En Fuego Hot Sauce line. His strong commitment to the community led him to fund the David Ortiz Children's Fund, dedicated to raising funds to enable children in the Dominican Republic and New England to have access to the pediatric critical care they need to lead productive lives. For more information about David, please visit www.davidortiz.com or www.facebook.com/davidortiz.

About Classic Restaurant Concepts, llc.
Classic Restaurant Concepts, located in Framingham, Mass., owns three restaurants in Massachusetts. In addition to Big Papi's Grille, the company also owns the Irish pubs Asgard in Cambridge and The Kinsale in Boston. For more information about Classic Restaurant Concepts, please visit www.classicirish.com.