By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
1/7/10
East Milton Square saw a little bit of local celebrity excitement Dec. 29 when Billy Costa and the crew of NECN’s “TV Diner” show shot a segment at Abby Park. The new restaurant at 550 Adams St., owned by Vance Welch, has brought a buzz to the local food scene, and the added attention turned up the vibe a little more for the previously culinary-challenged square. “We cooked up some samples of entrees for them, while they sat at the bar,” Welch explained of the NECN visit. “Billy Costa is a foodie, so he liked all the components we offer.”
According to Welch, the entourage also included occasional “TV Diner” personality Jenny Johnson and Milton resident Lisa Roach, who works with Costa on KISS 108’s morning radio show.
It is not Abby Park’s first brush with local media, as “TV Diner” featured the restaurant on its “Diner for a Day” segment last fall. In addition, a crew from TV38’s “Phantom Gourmet” is slated to be at the restaurant Jan. 7, filming a segment for an upcoming show.
“It’s great. It’s always fun to have cameras in,” Welch said. “It’s good for business and it helps a lot. We keep getting busier, with a lot of repeat customers.”
Welch, who was interviewed by phone on New Year’s Eve, was excited about ringing in the new year at the restaurant.
“We have more reservations tonight than we have ever had,” he stated. “We received the special permit to stay open a little later, and we’re looking forward to a great night.”
The “TV Diner” segment is scheduled to air on NECN on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. and again at 7 p.m.