Make some space in that “new year, new me” dance card for a brand new concept from chef Valentine Howell that’s cooking up at Wink & Nod. Black Cat Eatery is officially setting up shop in the South End as the next Culinary Incubator, which gives you a front-row seat to a restaurant in the making. The debut begins with a special New Year’s Eve ticketed preview dinner, followed by a full residency launching in 2026 that will give the idea a chance to grow and evolve in real time.

If you’re not already acquainted, Howell is a Dorchester native who has cooked in some of Boston’s most respected kitchens (working under local icons like Lydia Shire and running the show in acclaimed restaurants like Krasi), received national attention as a cheftestant on Top Chef, and gotten a couple nods from the James Beard Foundation along the way. His food is rooted in Afro-Caribbean traditions and shaped by both fine dining and community-driven spaces. Black Cat Eatery stands to be the clearest expression of his unique culinary voice, with a menu that artfully balances heritage and technique, with plates like Oxtail Cavatelli, Grilled Jerk Half Chicken with Pikliz, and Djon Djon Fried Rice.

A few seats are still available for the New Year’s Eve dinner for 5:30 and 7:30pm seatings (check those out here), but be sure to follow along with the Eatery on Instagram to stay in the know on hours, menu updates and all the happenings to come in 2026.