A Delicious Milestone

Many people dream of one day opening a restaurant, but few actually do it. Matt Rooney of the Black Bass Grille in South Dartmouth is one of those folks whose dream came to life at the intersection of luck, opportunity and hard work.

He’s celebrating Black Bass Grille’s fifth anniversary this year. “After that first summer, I started creating and having some fun [in the kitchen] while still allowing the traditional New England [entrées] to surface,” says Matt. “We are in [the] historical seaside New England village [of Padanaram] after all.” As for his favorite dish on the menu, that’s a tough call. He’s obsessed with the Crab Cakes but gives the Padanaram Bouillabaisse its due – for him, it’s all about that broth.

Aside from looking forward to a delicious meal any day of the week followed a crazy beautiful sunset over the water, November brings the Black Bass Grille’s third annual Wounded Warrior Project Dinner. This year the dinner falls on November 16 at 6pm and will feature six courses along with beer pairings. All food and labor for the dinner is donated by Black Bass Grille, all beer is donated by Leinenkugel and 100% of the ticket price ($100) goes to the Wounded Warrior Project. Matt’s in the process of having the RI Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band perform, he’s secured a safe ride home via South Coast Towing and he’s working on a shuttle service via Green Shuttle out of the Cape.

Matt started the dinner because it’s important to him to take care of those in need, especially our nation’s service men and women; his father is also a retired Marine. “We have many veterans that come to the dinner, and I have a lot of veterans that are friends and family,” Matt explains. “This dinner is [designed] to support everyone in need of services when they come home. My goal for the dinner is to have 60 people come and raise $8,000. Last year, which I'm very proud to say, 42 people came and over $6,400 was raised.”

Matt believed in himself and has successfully created, and maintained, a new landmark restaurant in Padanaram. He also believes in honoring those who’ve given everything for our country. Between what he’s already accomplished and his ambitions for the future, I think it’s safe to say there's much more we’ll be seeing from Matt Rooney and the Black Bass Grille. 3 Water Street, South Dartmouth. 508-999-6875