License Commission addresses overserving incident at Taste House

Representatives from Taste House at 275 Moody St. went before the License Commission to discuss an overserving incident that took place earlier this month.

On Jan. 12 at 1:30 a.m., police responded to reports of an unwanted party at the restaurant. Upon arrival, the manager on duty directed the officer to a man who was asleep at the bar. The man woke up but was unable to speak clearly and had red, glassy eyes. Diabetic test strips were visible in the man’s bag. Due to this and his apparent intoxication, the man was transported to a local hospital for care.

When the officer interviewed the manager after the incident, she shared that the man had consumed an entire bottle of wine between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. The manager had served him the bottle assuming he would share the wine alongside a meal with a friend who regularly joined him for dinner. However, his friend did not show up that night. The man proceeded to drink the entire bottle himself and subsequently laid his head down on the bar to sleep. The manager affirmed that she would not be serving the man a bottle of wine again, and the officer reminded her that she was only allowed to serve alcohol until midnight per the restaurant’s liquor license.

The commission advised that the restaurant review the rules and regulations of having a liquor license in Waltham and make sure that everyone who is serving alcohol receives TIPS alcohol safety training. Commissioner Kevin Ritcey commended the restaurant for calling the police, saying that it was the right thing to do and they should not hesitate to call the police for any future incidents. Commission chairman Wayne F. Brasco told both the manager and the restaurant owner that the incident was simply a mistake. 

“They make millions of pencils every year. They put erasers on the top because people make mistakes,” he said.

The commission wished the group a happy Lunar New Year and sent them on their way.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a series of one-day beer and wine permits as requested by Robert Perry of the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. The permits will be used for upcoming comedy and music events as well as the annual Breezers Ball on March 14.
• Approved an application for an additional 344 square feet of alcohol storage space at Tico’s Corner at 102 Clematis Avenue.