Best Boston Restaurants of 2008 Just Posted

Our fourth annual "Best Little-Known Boston Restaurants" page is now up and running on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site. This year, a few new categories have been added, and there are both repeat winners and newcomers on the list.

To see our picks, please go to Best Boston Restaurants of 2008 to find out what we particularly liked this year.

Ghazal Coming to Jamaica Plain

A new Indian restaurant will be opening in Jamaica Plain. Both Chowhound and EveryBlock Boston report that Ghazal Fine Indian Cuisine will be opening at 711 Centre Street (the spot where Cafe D used to be, near the corner of Centre and Burroughs Streets).

No specific date has been given as to when Ghazal will open. Stay tuned, as we hope to get updates over the coming days...

Latest Review: Grain and Salt, Allston

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for a Pakistani and Indian restaurant in the Allston section of Boston called Grain and Salt. Located just off the main shopping street in the center of Allston, Grain and Salt is just out of the way enough to be little known to many diners. The menu at Grain and Salt includes a mix of Pakistani and Indian dishes (as well as some Indian-Chinese dishes), with a special menu featured on weekends. The restaurant consists of two rooms with both rooms having a cozy and intimate feel. To read more about Grain and Salt in Allston, please click on the link above.

New Feature on Boston-Area Bakeries and Pastry Shops

Timing is everything. Boston's Hidden Restaurants posted a new feature on Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area earlier today only to hear that the Channel 5 show Chronicle will be having a similar feature this evening at 7:30 PM.

So it looks like readers and viewers will be knee deep in bakeries and pastry shops today and tonight. By the way, if you would like to get a sneak peek at what Chronicle will be doing this evening, please go to the following link:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/

New Restaurants Around Boston: Late Fall, 2008

With the economy in such rough shape, one would think that restaurants would be closing all over the Boston area. But oddly enough, the past month has seen a slew of restaurant openings throughout the region, with realtively few dining spots closing.

Restaurants that have opened in late October and November include (in no particular order): The Littlest Bar, an Irish pub in the Financial District of Boston; Taste of Siam, a Thai restaurant in Stoneham; The Local, a restaurant and pub in West Newton; Craigie on Main, a New American restaurant between Central and Kendall Squares in Cambridge; Bina Osteria, an Italian restaurant near Downtown Crossing in Boston; Emilianoz, a Mexican restaurant in Medford; Shabu Square, an Asian hot pot restaurant in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge; The Franklin Cafe, an upscale comfort food place in South Boston; Sportello, an Italian restaurant in the Fort Point Channel district of Boston, and Tsunami, a Japanese restaurant in Arlington.

As we hear about more restaurant openings (or closings) in the Boston area over the coming weeks, we will be sure to let you know.

Farewell, Giuseppi's, Hello Emilianoz (Medford)

Giuseppi's Kitchen, an Italian restaurant on Boston Avenue in West Medford, has officially closed, with a Mexican restaurant taking its place. Emilianoz Mexican Grill has taken over the spot formerly occupied by Giuseppi's, with its opening occurring over the past day or two. It looks to be open for at least lunch and dinner--not sure about breakfast at this time.

The address for Emilianoz is: Emilianoz Mexican Grill, 123 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. The phone number is (781) 646-8226.

The Franklin Cafe Opens in South Boston

The Franklin Cafe has opened a third location, this one being on Dorchester Avenue in South Boston.

Located in the Allele building (a new condo development) just south of the Broadway T Stop, the new Franklin Cafe joins its sister restaurants in the South End of Boston and Gloucester. All three Franklin Cafes feature New American cuisine and comfort food at reasonable prices.

The address for the latest Franklin Cafe is: Franklin Cafe, 150 Dorchester Avenue (Allele building), South Boston, MA, 02127.

Thanks to the good folks who post at Chowhound for bringing the opening of South Boston's Franklin Cafe to our attention.

We are Looking for Reader Reviews of New England Restaurants

Our parent site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has a section on Unevaluated Restaurants Around Boston and New England that features dining spots all over New England that we have not tried yet, but we consider to be places that fit into our theme of unique and mostly little-known restaurants with interesting features. We have added a number of such restaurants over the past couple of weeks, so feel free to look at this feature and post reviews of any places that you have been to.

Tsunami Grand Opening in Arlington, November 22, 2008

Tsunami, a Japanese restaurant that has been a neighborhood favorite in Brookline's Coolidge Corner for years, is now opening a second location in Arlington Center.

The Arlington branch of Tsunami is now open for business, but they are having an official grand opening this coming Saturday (November 22). The open house grand opening will be held from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The menu at the Arlington location of Tsunami features sushi, sashimi, and maki, as well as a variety of appetizers and kitchen entrees.

The address for the new Tsunami is: Tsunami Japanese Cuisine, 669A Mass. Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476. The phone number is (781) 648-5888.

Bina Osteria and Bina Alimentari (Downtown Crossing, Boston) Are Now Open

Just a quick update that a new Italian restaurant and gourmet food shop are now open in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston. Bina Osteria (the restaurant) and Bina Alimentari (the food shop), which are both located by the corner of Washington Street and Avery Street near Boston Common and the Theater District, have officially opened their doors to diners and shoppers. Both the restaurant and food shop will be open 7 days a week.

The addresses for Bina Osteria and Bina Alimentari are 581 Washington Street and 571 Washington Street, respectively. The phone number is (617) 956-0888.

Latest Review: Mill City Gourmet, Lawrence

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for the Mill City Gourmet, a cafe located in the Everett Mills building on Union Street in downtown Lawrence. The Mill City Gourmet is a funky and friendly little breakfast and lunch spot with lots of character, mainly from its location within an historic mill building. Lunches at the Mill City mostly consist of soups, salads, and sandwiches, and many of the options are healthy and fresh. To read more about the Mill City Gourmet in Lawrence, please click on the link above.

The Greek Grille (Winchester) Is Now Open

A new Greek restaurant is in Winchester is now open. It is called the Greek Grille, and it is located on Main Street just north of the rotary in the center of town. It appears to be mostly a takeout restaurant, though it does have seating.

The address for the Greek Grille is: The Greek Grille, 599 Main Street, Winchester, MA 01890. The phone number is (781) 729-2889.

The Littlest Bar Is Now Open Again in Boston (In a New Location)

The Littlest Bar, a popular Irish pub on Province Street in Downtown Crossing that closed a couple of years ago, is now open once again, but in a new location. The new Littlest Bar is located on Broad Street in the Financial District, and has more room than the original, which had been in existence since the 1940s. The new location looks to have a capacity of just under 100 people.

The address for the Littlest Bar is: The Littlest Bar, 102 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

Lunch with Curt Schilling at Da Vinci's on December 11, 2008

Sports station WEEI is hosting a charity event at Da Vinci’s Ristorante in Boston on Thursday, December 11 to help raise money for Curt's Pitch for ALS, a program founded by Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife Shonda. Curt Schilling will be at the event, as well as WEEI morning hosts Dennis and Callahan.

The charity lunch will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at Da Vinci's, which is at 162 Columbus Avenue in Park Square. Tickets are $100. To order tickets, please go to the WEEI community events page at http://www.weei.com/pages/235663.php.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease. Curt’s Pitch for ALS was developed in 1993 to help ALS patients and their families. The program operates chapters in New England, Arizona, and Philadelphia. The Web site for Curt’s Pitch for ALS is: http://www.curtspitch.org/.

BOND Restaurant and Lounge to Open This Winter

A new casual, upscale dining spot called BOND restaurant and lounge will be opening in the Langham Hotel in Boston's Financial District in the winter of 2009.

According to the Langham Hotel site, BOND will feature gourmet sandwiches for lunch and small plates for dinner, with an emphasis on international cuisine.

This will be the third restaurant to open in the Langham Hotel, as BOND will soon join Cafe Fleuri and the Julien Bar and Lounge.

Abbey Lounge in Somerville Closing at the End of November

The Abbey Lounge, a somewhat grungy but beloved rock and roll club located on Beacon Street in Somerville, is going to close its doors later this month.

According to the Boston Herald, fund-raising efforts by Boston-area bands failed to keep the historic Inman Square bar open, and it looks like it will shut down for good on November 28.

The final show at the Abbey Lounge will be held on Wednesday, November 26, and will include the bands The Acro-Brats, Auto Interiors, Jay Allen, The Coffin Lids, The Curses, The Konks, Muck and the Mires, Spitzz, The Sprained Ankles, The Tampoffs, and Triple Thick.

For more information on the closing of the Abbey Lounge, please go to the Boston Herald link below:

Abbey Lounge to Close This Month

Craigie on Main in Cambridge Is Open

Craigie on Main, a new restaurant located on Main Street between Central Square and Inman Square in Cambridge, has officially opened its doors.

Formerly the Craigie Street Bistrot in Huron Village, Craigie on Main has moved to a new spot but retains its high-end feel with a seasonal a la carte menu and a tasting menu. The restaurant also has a bar menu and will be serving brunch at some point in the future.

Craigie on Main is located in the place that was formerly occupied by La Groceria, an Italian restaurant that closed earlier this year.

The address for Craigie on Main is: Craigie on Main , 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. The phone number is (617) 497-5511.

For a review of Craigie on Main, please go to this link:

Alli 411: Craigie on Main

Fire Hits Atlantic Fish Co., Other Back Bay Businesses

The Atlantic Fish Co., a seafood restaurant located in the Back Bay of Boston, sustained extensive damage in a fire that broke out early Saturday morning. According to WBZ, the fire seems to have been started by an electrical short circuit, with the total damage estimated at being around $1.6 million. Though Atlantic Fish is closed indefinitely, it appears that the restaurant may not have been a total loss and will hopefully be able to re-open in the near future.

Atlantic Fish is located at 761 Boylston Street in the heart of the Back Bay. It has been a popular seafood spot among locals and tourists alike since opening in 1978.

Restaurant Deals at The 2008 Mayor's Holiday Special Web Site

Just in time for the holiday season, The Mayor's Holiday Special Web site is up and running, thanks in part to Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the city of Boston as well as a number of local businesses.

The Web site, which is at http://www.mayorsholidayspecial.com, includes specials on restaurants, lodging, shopping, entertainment, and events. For dining spots, there are specials (as of today) offered for folks going to Vlora in the Back Bay, J.P. Licks in Jamaica Plain, Jacob Wirth in the Theater District, Robyn's Bar and Grill in Roslindale, and Vox Populi in the Back Bay.

This is the fifth annual Mayor's Holiday Special, with this one coming at a particularly good time considering the state of the economy right now...

Latest Review: Colonial Restaurant, Plymouth, MA

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for an old-fashioned family dining spot in Plymouth called the Colonial Restaurant. Located on Route 3A in the heart of downtown Plymouth, the Colonial Restaurant is a comfortable, homey eating place that feels a bit like a diner inside. The menu features a mix of traditional American fare and seafood, with some Italian dishes also offered. To read more about the Colonial Restaurant in Plymouth, please click on the link above.

The Local Restaurant Opens in West Newton

A new West Newton gastropub called The Local Restaurant has opened its doors.

The Local features a variety of comfort food dishes including macaroni and cheese, steak tips, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and Kobe beef burgers. The new restaurant also offers beer from each state in New England.

The address for The Local is 1391 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465, and the phone number is (617) 340-2160. The Web address is at http://thelocalnewton.com/.

Quincy Market Bankruptcy Threat

General Growth Properties Inc., a REIT based out of Chicago that owns the Faneuil Hall Marketplace (including Quincy Market) in Boston, is in danger of going bankrupt, according to reports that have come out today. WBZ 1030 and other news outlets mentioned this morning that General Growth, which is one of the largest owners of malls in the United States, may have to file for bankruptcy in December unless they are able to extend their debt or refinance.

Quincy Market is a popular food court that contains more than 40 restaurants, including The Dog House, Steve's Greek Cuisine, Pizzeria Regina, Boston Chowda, and the Brown Derby Deli. It is one of several sections of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which also includes North Market, South Market and the historic Faneuil Hall itself.

General Growth Properties owns several other malls in New England, including the Natick Collection in Natick, the Silver City Galleria in Taunton, the Swansea Mall in Swansea, the Steeplegate Mall in Concord, NH, the Brass Mill Center in Waterbury, CT, The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester, CT, Providence Place in Providence, RI, and Burlington Town Center in Burlington, VT.

For more information on the troubles facing Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, please go to the WBZ link below:

Faneuil Hall, Natick Collection Owner In Trouble

Sportello Opens in the Fort Point Channel District

A casual Italian restaurant called Sportello has officially opened in the Fort Point Channel District of Boston. As reported earlier, this is another Barbara Lynch spot in the Fort Point area, the second of three spots that has opened (Drink was the first).

At this point in time, it appears that hours are limited at Sportello. It is probably a good idea to call in advance to check on when they are open at this time.

The address for Sportello is 348 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. The phone number is (617) 737-1234.

P.F. Chang's Opens in Peabody

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, a chain of upscale Chinese restaurants, has opened a new location at the Northshore Mall in Peabody.

According to the Gloucester Daily Times, P.F. Chang's, which opened on Monday, November 3, has a seating capacity of more than 200, and its menu has a price range of $11 to $22.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro has three other locations in the Boston area, including one at Park Plaza in downtown Boston, one at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay, and a third location in Natick.

To read more about the opening of P.F. Chang's at the Northshore Mall in Peabody, please go to the Gloucester Daily Times link below:

P.F. Chang's opens at Northshore Mall

Phantom Gourmet Beer and Food Fest Coming November 8, 2008

A brand new Phantom Gourmet festival begins this coming weekend. The Phantom Gourmet Beer and Food Fest will be held at Suffolk Downs in East Boston this coming Saturday, November 8, from 12:00 noon until midnight. Tickets are $4.00 in advance, or $5.00 at the show.

Vendors at the Phantom Gourmet Beer and Food Fest include Firefly's, Fuddruckers, Harrows, the Sausage Guy, the Sunset Grill, Wholly Cannoli, and more. There will be a number of different beers offered from Bass, Beck's, Budweiser, Hoegaarden, Michelob, and Stella Artois, to name a few.

For more information on the Phantom Gourmet Beer and Food Fest, please go to the Phantom Gourmet link below:

http://www.phantomgourmet.com/

Latest Review: Vecchia Roma, Newton, MA

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for Vecchia Roma, an Italian restaurant located on Route 16 in the Nonantum section of Newton. Vecchia Roma is an authentic, old-world Italian restaurant that has some of the best Italian food in the western suburbs of Boston, if not all of Greater Boston itself. The restaurant is cozy and intimate, with two separate (and different-feeling) dining rooms. To read more about Vecchia Roma in Newton, please click on the link above.