Highlights for the Week Ending May 24, 2013

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a clam shack coming to a former restroom on the North Shore, a well-known name disappearing from the local dining scene, and a new restaurant coming to the South Boston waterfront. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Indian restaurant in Waltham, a photo of pancakes from a breakfast place in Quincy, and a blog review of a Worcester beer bar.

Below are links to these and other items from the past week:

Boston Restaurant Talk

Clam Shack Coming to Former Restroom Site at Salem Willows

Brigham's Restaurants to Disappear; Will Be Renamed with New Ice Cream Suppliers

The Briar Group to Open a Restaurant within District Hall on the South Boston Waterfront

Ward 8 Restaurant and Bar to Open in Boston's North End

Warehouse Bar and Grille to Open in Boston's Financial District

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Kabab and Tandoor in Waltham, MA

New Photo: Blueberry Pancakes from McKay's Breakfast and Lunch in Quincy, MA

Question: Favorite Fried Clams in New England?

New Blog Review: Armsby Abbey in Worcester, MA

New Photo: Aloo Bondas from Kabab and Tandoor in Waltham, MA

Tweet

Root to Open in Allston

It looks like a new spot is coming to the space in Allston where a vegan pizza restaurant had been, and the new place will apparently feature different kinds of juices.

Eater Boston is reporting that Root is going to be opening on Cambridge Street, moving into the former Peace o' Pie spot which closed this winter after being in business for a bit more than three years. The article mentions that Root will be a "plant-inspired" dining spot and juicery, and it will likely be open for both lunch and dinner. Based on its Facebook page and website, expect to see such food items as salads and sandwiches.

The address for this upcoming eatery in Allston is: Root, 487 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA, 02134. Its website can be found at http://rootboston.com/

Thanks to one of our readers for initially bringing this place to our attention.

Tweet

Clam Shack Coming to Former Restroom Site at Salem Willows

A few years ago, we reported that a restaurant was being proposed for the space where an old restroom had been in Salem. Now we have learned that plans are back on track for this to happen, though it will be a different kind of eatery from what was originally thought.

The Salem News is reporting that a new dining spot with outdoor seating and takeout will be opening at Salem Willows, taking over the former restroom/bathhouse site there. The restaurant, which will tentatively be called Clam Shack, will offer steamers, fried clams, steamers, lobster dinners, and lobster salad sandwiches, according to the article. It is possible that the place could be opening this summer, though it might not be ready until next summer, depending on the permit process and renovations that will be needed.

Originally, it looked like a barbecue place might be going into the Salem Willows site, but that apparently fell through.

Another restaurant opened in a former restroom last fall--the Earl of Sandwich, which is located on Boston Common.

Thanks to North End Dish for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Barbecue Joint Proposed for Former Restroom at Salem Willows

Tweet

Boloco in Medford Has Closed

A couple of years ago, we reported that a local chain of restaurants was considering the possibility of closing one of its locations. Now we have learned that the shop has indeed shuttered.

According to a post on its Facebook page, the Medford location of Boloco is no longer in business, having apparently closed sometime this month. The note states that "our lease was up a while ago and we kept renewing it monthly, but the time had finally come." It appears that all other Boloco locations will remain open.

The Boloco chain focuses on burritos, with other items offered including salads, wraps, smoothies, and shakes. Locations can be found in Boston (several), Brighton, Cambridge, Natick, Wellesley, Warwick, RI, Concord, NH, Hanover, NH, Burlington, VT, Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC.

The address for the now-closed Boloco in Medford was: Boloco, 340 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the chain is at http://boloco.com/

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Boloco Might Be Closing Its Medford Location

Tweet

Brigham's Restaurants to Disappear; Will Be Renamed with New Ice Cream Suppliers

A local restaurant and ice cream chain that has been in existence for a very long time will soon be no more, though its frozen treats will still be available.

According to an article in the Arlington Advocate, all remaining locations of Brigham's will be losing their brand name and they are now in the process of finding new suppliers of ice cream, with the changes apparently occurring between now and June. The article mentions that HP Hood of Lynnfield (which purchased Brigham's several years ago) has decided to stop selling its ice cream in bulk quantities, which is the reason that the restaurant locations will shutter. The Brigham's products will still be sold in convenience stores and supermarkets, according to the Advocate.

The article says that the Brigham's location in Quincy will become The Ice Cream Parlor and is planning to sell products from the Sugar Maple Creamery, while the Hingham location will become Patti's Place and is looking to sell Gifford's ice cream. The Arlington location does not yet have a new name, though the owners are hoping to sell Richie's Slush there, while the North Andover location is now called Fari's Diner (thanks to one of our readers for this last bit of information).

Brigham's first started out in 1914 with a shop in the Post Office Square section of Boston. After decades of expansion throughout the area, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and ended up closing all but a handful of locations.

Tweet

Zoup! in Boston's Government Center Has Closed

A Michigan-based group of quick-casual restaurants that feature soup has closed its sole Boston location, though it appears that the company may be looking to open another one in the area at some point.

According to a Twitter post sent yesterday, Zoup! in Government Center has shut its doors, citing the fact that "the owner had health issues." The post does mention that "[they] hope to be back to the area soon!"

In addition to soup, the Zoup! franchises also offer salads and sandwiches along with baked goods and beverages. Locations can be found in a handful of states and in Ontario, with the only remaining New England store being in Glastonbury, CT.

The address for this now-closed eatery in Government Center was: Zoup!, 3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for Zoup! can be found at http://www.zoup.com/

Tweet