Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Post 390 Opening This Week in the Back Bay

A restaurant and tavern featuring upscale comfort food is opening this week in the Back Bay of Boston. According to their Web site, Post 390 will open this Friday, October 2, near the corner of Stuart Street and Clarendon Street (in the new Clarendon Building, just southeast of the John Hancock Tower). UPDATE: It looks like Post 390 may be opening on Saturday, October 3, rather than on Friday. Call ahead to check.

The Facebook page of Post 390 indicates that it will have a tavern-like atmosphere with the menu featuring upscale versions of classic American comfort food. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner (and it looks like they will also be serving brunch), with a price range generally between $10 and $30.

The folks behind Post 390 (Himmel Hospitality Group) also run Grill 23 and Bar in the Back Bay of Boston and Harvest in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge.

The address for this new restaurant and tavern in the Back Bay is: Post 390, 406 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The phone number is (617) 399-0015. And the Web site is at: http://www.post390restaurant.com/

Tweet This! Share on Facebook.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Our Facebook and Twitter Pages

A reminder that the Boston Restaurant Talk blog (as well as the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site) is on Facebook and Twitter. We use both Facebook and Twitter to update folks on everything from our latest restaurant reviews to updates on closings and openings to questions and answers to reader reviews.

If you would like to become a Facebook fan of ours, please go to this link:

Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Page

And if you would like to follow us on Twitter, please go to this link:

Twitter Page for Hiddenboston

Restaurant News: Russell House Tavern, Congas, M.J. Ready, Sea to You

Several more new restaurants are on the horizon in the Boston area over the coming weeks and months, including two in Cambridge and two in Brookline.

According to the Harvard Crimson, the space in Harvard Square where Z Square was until closing this past winter will turn into a restaurant and bar with live music. The Crimson mentions that the Brattle House Tavern looks to be opening at 14 JFK Street, and it could open by the end of the year if all goes well. [NOTE: The Restaurant has had a name change--see update below.] The article goes on to say that the folks behind this new place also own Grafton Street, an Irish pub and restaurant in Harvard Square. [February 9 update: According to Citysearch Boston, the restaurant is now going to be called the Russell House Tavern. It looks like it may be open sometime later this winter or early in the spring, but we'll post an additional update as we receive a definitive answer on when they will be opening.]

The Harvard Crimson also reports that a Latin American tapas restaurant called Congas will be opening in the old Shabu Square spot on Eliot Street in Harvard Square. Shabu Square was an Asian hotpot place that closed its doors this past spring after being in business for less than a year. It appears that the owner of Shabu Square and two other Harvard Square restaurants (9 Tastes and Spice Thai Cuisine) is behind the opening of Congas. [UPDATE: Congas is open as of Wednesday, November 4.]

Across the river, a new restaurant specializing in Thai cuisine will open in Brookline's Arcade Building where La Scala Caffe used to be. According to the Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, M.J. Ready will open soon in the historic space on Harvard Street that is at the northern edge of the Coolidge Corner neighborhood. Their menu will lean toward Thai fare, but they will offer other cuisine as well, including a few Italian dishes. The TAB mentions that M.J. Ready will also continue to serve espresso, as La Scala Caffe did before they closed. [November 19 update: M.J. Ready is now open in the Arcade Building.]

Also in Brookline, a sushi caterer called Sea To You will be opening a takeout spot on Kendall Street (just south of Route 9 between Brookline Village and the Brookline Reservoir). According to the Brookline TAB, the place should be open sometime this fall, offering takeout sushi to the neighborhood. [November 16 update: Sea to You is now open for takeout food. Thanks to a Chowhound poster for letting folks know about their opening. The website for Sea To You is at http://www.seatoyouboston.com/]

To read more about the opening of the Brattle House Tavern and Congas in Cambridge, please go to the Harvard Crimson link below:

Tavern to Open in Former Z Square

And to find out more about the opening of M.J. Ready and Sea to You in Brookline, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked Local link below:

New sushi, Thai restaurants coming to Brookline

Tweet This! Share on Facebook.

Starbucks to Start Selling Instant Coffee

The global coffee chain Starbucks is now in the instant coffee business. According to CNN and several other sources, the company will offer a "ready brew" coffee named Via throughout its U.S. locations beginning today.

CNN mentions 40% of all global coffee sales are instant coffee, making it a potentially huge market for Starbucks. And since the struggling economy has led many coffee drinkers to forgo the higher-priced Starbucks coffees in favor of cheaper cups at other chains, the move into instant coffee may help Starbucks bring back customers.

According to the CNN article, Via will cost around $1.00 for a cup, with an option of getting a pack of 12 cup-size servings for just under $10.00.

Starbucks is the largest coffee shop chain in the world, with more than 10,000 stores across the country, including over 100 in and around Boston.

For more information on the introduction of instant coffee to Starbucks, please go to the CNN link below.

Starbucks unveils its instant brew

Tweet This! Share on Facebook.

Monday, September 28, 2009

A Taste of Winthrop to be Held Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The fourth annual Taste of Winthrop is coming this week. According to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, more than 30 participants from Winthrop and the surrounding communities will be featuring food at the Winthrop Yacht Club on Wednesday, September 30, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. In addition to food and drink (it is a cash bar), there will also be live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets to the event cost $30.

Some of the restaurants participating in A Taste of Winthrop include Alia Ristorante, Crusty Crumpet Bakery, El Paisa, Kasbah, La Siesta, Moonstruck Cafe, Nick's Place, and Tutti Frutti.

The Winthrop Yacht Club is located at 649 Shirley Street, a few blocks south of Route 145 heading toward Deer Island.

For more information on A Taste of Winthrop, including how to order tickets, please go to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce link below:

http://www.winthropchamber.com/

Tweet This!

Ginger Park Replaces Banq in the South End

An upscale Asian-influenced restaurant in the South End of Boston has a new name, a new menu, and a new chef. This past Friday (September 25), Banq, which was located at the intersection of Washington Street and Union Park Street, became Ginger Park, an affordably-priced restaurant featuring modern Asian fare. The chef of this new restaurant is Patricia Yeo, who comes from New York City.

The menu at Ginger Park includes such items as naan crisps, a papaya and mango salad, lentil and green chili fritters, vegetable spring rolls, pork and shrimp water dumplings, duck meatballs in a curry sauce, cocoa and peanut-glazed shortribs, grilled flank steak, and spicy duck fat fried potatoes. Desserts include Thai coffee panna cotta and doughnuts. Prices are mostly between $10 and $20 for each dish, with sides being under $10.

The address for this restaurant is: Ginger Park, 1375 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The phone number is (617) 451-0077. And for now, the Web site is at the old Banq site at: http://banqrestaur.web151.discountasp.net/

Tweet This!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Update: The Cafe at Mohr and McPherson Is Opening the South End in February 2010

[January 15 note: Some of this material has been updated from the original post.] A new cafe will be opening up in the SoWa section of Boston's South End later this fall. According to an email from Mohr & McPherson, an importer of furniture, carpeting, and accessories on Harrison Avenue, The Cafe at Mohr & McPherson (which was originally going to be called Cafe460) should be opening their doors in January of 2010 and will be featuring breads, pastries, tea, and coffee.

The cafe, which will have counter service, will also host community meetings as well as coffee and tea seminars, with classes open to the public. The Cafe at Mohr & McPherson's location will be within the Mohr & McPherson showroom in a building that includes galleries, art spaces, residential lofts, and restaurants. The cafe will have its own entrance within the building. [February 3 update: According to a post on their Twitter page, The Cafe at Mohr & McPherson is slated to open on Friday, February 5.]

The address for this soon-to-open cafe in the SoWa district of the South End will be: The Cafe at Mohr & McPherson, 460 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. The Mohr & McPherson website can be found at: http://www.mohr-mcpherson.com/

Tweet This!

Woodward to Open in Ames Hotel in November

November will see the opening of a restaurant and tavern within a new boutique hotel in downtown Boston. The dining spot--called Woodward--will open their doors at or around the time of the opening of The Ames Hotel, which will be located on Court Street near Government Center. According to the hotel Web site, Woodward will be a modern tavern featuring high-quality food using local ingredients, and handcrafted cocktails. The site goes on to say that the owner of Mistral, a highly rated restaurant on Columbus Street in the South End that features French Mediterranean cuisine, is a partner in the new restaurant.

Ames, which will be housed in an historic building a few minutes away from Faneuil Hall in the heart of Boston, looks to be a modern, elegant hotel with more than 100 rooms, a fitness center, and suites with original fireplaces and arched windows.

The address for Woodward (and Ames) will be 1 Court Street, Boston, MA, 02108. The phone number for the restaurant will be (617) 979-8200. And the Web site is at: http://www.woodwardatames.com/

Thanks to Regan Communication Group for reminding us of the upcoming opening of Woodward.

[November 18 update: According to a Boston Globe article written by Devra First, Woodward will have what looks like a soft opening on Thursday, November 19, and a grand opening to the public on Friday, November 20.]

Tweet This!

FireBox BBQ Restaurant Coming to Bedford

A new barbecue place will soon be opening in Bedford, replacing a location of a quick food chain that focused on healthy foods. According to bedford-business.com, FireBox BBQ Restaurant looks to open its doors in early October in the spot on Great Road where UFood Grill used to be. The article mentions that FireBox will feature contemporary barbecue (and a poster on the Chowhound site mentions that it may be a bit more upscale than your typical BBQ joint).

The address for this new barbecue place northwest of Boston will be: FireBox BBQ Restaurant, 347 Great Road (Routes 4/225), Bedford, MA, 01730. (For those familiar with Bedford, it will be near the intersection of Shawsheen Road and Great Road, a short distance west of the Lexington border and just east of the Great Road Shopping Center.)

Thanks to bedford-business.com for posting information on this restaurant, and also thanks to the poster on Chowhound for letting us know a bit more about the place.

Tweet This!

The Colonial Restaurant in Plymouth Has Closed; Colonial Tavern Remains Open

A family-friendly restaurant in Plymouth has closed its doors. According to the Wicked Local Web site, the Colonial Restaurant, which was located on Route 3A in the center of town, ceased operation after more than 60 years in business. The article mentions that the dining spot had faced a number of obstacles, including increased competition from chain restaurants, paid parking, and the closing of nearby government buildings.

Wicked Local goes on to say that the Colonial Tavern, which is located upstairs from the restaurant, will remain open and will feature a new menu.

The Colonial Restaurant had been featured on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site (our sister site) and was considered a top local spot for solid, inexpensive eats.

For more information on the closing of the Colonial Restaurant in Plymouth, please go to the Wicked Local link below.

Colonial Restaurant closed

Tweet This!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Trina's Starlite Lounge Opens Near Inman Square in Somerville

It appears that a new Southern-style restaurant and bar has opened its doors near Inman Square in Somerville. According to several posters on the Chowhound and Yelp sites, Trina's Starlite Lounge actually opened a day or two before their "grand opening," which is supposed to be tomorrow (Friday, September 25). The restaurant takes over the spot where the bar/rock club the Abbey Lounge used to be on Beacon Street near the Somerville/Cambridge border.

Trina's looks to be a reasonably-priced neighborhood restaurant and lounge with a retro Southern feel to it. The menu features items such as black bean chili, corn bread, sweet potato hash, crab cakes, a green apple, arugula, and brie pressed sandwich, corn dogs, angus burgers, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken with waffles. Prices are generally under $20 for a meal, with many items being under $10. Drinks include a variety of cocktails and beers.

The address for this new Southern-style restaurant and bar near Inman Square is: Trina's Starlite Lounge, 3 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. The phone number is:
(617) 576-0006. And the Web site is at: http://trinastarlitelounge.com/

Tweet This!

Fusion Taste Opens in Arlington Center

A new Chinese and Japanese restaurant has just opened in Arlington, replacing another Chinese and Japanese restaurant that closed over the summer. Fusion Taste opened about a week ago in the Broadway Plaza section of Arlington Center, moving into the two-room location where Mifune used to be. In addition to featuring a variety of Chinese and Japanese appetizers and entrees, Fusion Taste also has a sushi bar that includes sushi, sashimi, and maki. Their lunch menu offers bento boxes as well as Chinese entrees and sushi. Lunch prices are mostly under $10 while dinner prices are mostly under $20 (with many dishes being under $10). Drinks at Fusion Taste include cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.

Hours for Fusion Taste are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM on Sunday.

Fusion Taste is connected with Sato II, which is located on Main Street in Stoneham, and Fusion House, which is on Merrimack Street in Methuen.

The address for this new Chinese and Japanese restaurant in Arlington Center is: Fusion Taste, 303-305 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474. The phone number is (781) 641-2388. And the Web site is at: http://www.fusiontasterestaurant.com/

Tweet This!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tom Yum Koong II Opens in Arlington Heights

A new Thai restaurant recently opened in Arlington, replacing another Thai restaurant that closed earlier this year. Tom Yum Koong II opened its doors for business on Mass. Ave. in Arlington Heights last weekend, moving into the spot where Sala Thai used to be. The new restaurant is the second of its kind to open in the Boston area, with the original Tom Yum Koong being located on Forest Street in Medford Square.

The menu at Tom Yum Koong II features a number of familiar Thai dishes, including shumai, satay, tom yum soup, mango fried rice, pad Thai, tamarind duck, massaman curry, and drunken noodle. A few less common dishes are also featured, such as salmon teriyaki, fried eggs in tamarind sauce, tilapia tempura in sweet and sour sauce, and duck fried rice.

Hours for Tom Yum Koong II are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week.

The address for this new Thai restaurant in Arlington Heights is: Tom Yum Koong II, 1377 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA, 02476. The phone number is (781) 648-2223. And the Web site (for the original Tom Yum Koong in Medford only, at this point in time) is at: http://www.tomyumkoong.net/

Tweet This!

Latest Review: Tavern at the End of the World, Charlestown

photo of Tavern at the End of the World, Charlestown, MAThe latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for Tavern at the End of the World, a restaurant and bar in Charlestown, MA. Located on Cambridge Street near Sullivan Square and the Somerville border, Tavern at the End of the World is a bit away from the rest of Charlestown in an area not known for its dining spots. The menu features a mix of pub grub and American fare, and the beer list is quite impressive, with a number of microbrews and imports featured. The place has a bar area in the front and a dining room in the back, with the latter having a projection TV and occasional entertainment in the form of live music. To read more about Tavern at the End of the World in Charlestown, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Zaps Opens in Allston

A fast-food restaurant with a Polish bent is now open in the Allston section of Boston. Zaps recently opened its doors on Brighton Avenue in the heart of the neighborhood, serving inexpensive food to what will likely be a big college contingent. The menu includes "zaps," or Polish-style open-faced sandwiches, and paninis. Some of the zaps featured are a traditional (mushroom and cheese), as well as an Italian, Greek, Caprese, and Hawaiian. Paninis offered include a tuna melt, Capri, and ham.

Hours for Zaps are 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM (Monday to Thursday), 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM (Friday and Saturday), and 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM (Sunday).

The address for this new cheap eats spot in Allston is: Zaps, 141 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The phone number is (617) 254-9277. And the Web site is at: http://www.zapsboston.com/

Thanks to one of our followers on the Twitter site for pointing out that Zaps is now open.

Tweet This!

Irish Cottage Restaurant and Pub Opening in Methuen

An Irish restaurant and pub will be opening in Methuen a bit later this fall. According to a job posting on the Craigslist site, the Irish Cottage Restaurant and Pub should be opening toward the end of October or early November in this small city near the New Hampshire border. The restaurant, which will be located near where Route 93 intersects with Routes 110 and 113, will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, according to the posting.

[January 5 update: Based on posts within the MethuenCommon website, it appears that the Irish Cottage is now open.]

The address for this upcoming dining and drinking spot north of Boston is: The Irish Cottage Restaurant and Pub, 1111 Riverside Drive, Methuen, MA, 01844. The Phone number is (978) 208-4347.

Tweet This!

Bertucci's Closes at Brookline Place in Brookline

A popular local chain of Italian dining spots has closed one of its locations. Bertucci's, a Massachusetts-based restaurant chain that is known in part for its brick oven pizzas, has shut down its Brookline Place location on the edge of Brookline Village. According to a Wicked Local blog entry, the Bertucci's at Brookline Place was supposed to close late in 2008, but the owner of the property--Children’s Hospital--extended the lease of the restaurant. But a call placed by Wicked Local confirmed that the Brookline Bertucci's is now closed. And a check of the Bertucci's Web site by us indicated that the Brookline location has indeed been taken off its locations list.

Bertucci's got its start in 1981 in the Davis Square section of Somerville and now has nearly 100 locations across New England and the East Coast of the United States. About 40 of those locations can be found in Massachusetts alone.

To read more information on the closing of Bertucci's at Brookline Place in Brookline, please go to the Wicked Local link below.

Bertucci's closes; Soup factory in for the long haul

Tweet This!

290 Main Restaurant and Lounge Opens in Malden

A new upscale restaurant and martini lounge has opened just outside of Malden Center, replacing a neighborhood bar that recently closed. 290 Main Restaurant and Lounge looks to be a trendy, sleek dining and drinking spot, with mostly traditional and contemporary American cuisine including steak and seafood dishes. The lounge side has sofas and love seats, and features a wide variety of wines, high-end liquors, and cocktails.

290 Main is located where Veez Grille and Tap used to be, just south of the downtown area (across Route 60).

Hours for 290 Main are 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM on Sunday.

The address for this new restaurant and martini bar is: 290 Main Restaurant and Lounge, 290 Main Street, Malden, MA, 02148. The phone number is (781) 338-0881. And the Web site is at: http://www.twoninetymain.com/

Tweet This!

Monday, September 21, 2009

2009 Phantom Gourmet Food Festival Coming to Boston Saturday, September 26

The 2009 version of the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival is only days away, as it is coming to the Fenway section of Boston on Saturday, September 26. The event, which will be held at the corner of Lansdowne and Ipswich Streets across from Fenway Park, will be held from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Some of the restaurants and dining spots that will be at the Food Festival include Al's State Street Cafe, b.good, Comella's, the Danish Pastry House, Finz, Harrow's Chicken Pies, Jae's Cafe, Lucky's Lounge, the New Bridge Cafe, Spike's Junkyard Dogs, and Wicked Whoopies.

Tickets for the event are $40 in advance and $50 at the gate (if there are any left) and open to people of legal drinking age only (21 plus). Drinks are not included in the price of the ticket.

For more information on the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival (including entertainment, a complete list of participants, and where to get tickets), please go to the Phantom Gourmet link below.

http://foodfest.phantomgourmet.com/Home.aspx

Tweet This!

Flatbread Company Is Opening in the Bowl Haven Spot in Somerville

An interesting merger of sorts looks to be happening in Somerville sometime soon. The Flatbread Company, a small chain of restaurants featuring wood-fired pizza, will be moving into the spot in Davis Square where Sacco's Bowl Haven has resided since the late 1930s. According to a report from the city of Somerville, the classic bowling alley is not going away, however; it appears that five of the bowling lanes will be taken away (and presumably the billiards area) to make room for the restaurant and bar, with ten lanes remaining open. The report says that the restaurant itself will have a capacity of 140.

The Flatbread Company opened its first restaurant in Amesbury, MA, in 1998, expanding to a number of other spots in New England over the past several years. Today, locations can be found in Amesbury, Bedford, MA, Portsmouth, NH, North Conway, NH, Portland, ME, Canton, CT, and Paia on the island of Maui in Hawaii.

The Flatbread Company will be located at 45 Day Street, which is just south of the heart of Davis Square and a few blocks north of Mass. Ave. in North Cambridge.

The city of Somerville planning staff report detailing the opening of the Flatbread Company in Davis Square can be found at this link (please note that this is a PDF file):

www.somervillema.gov/cos_content/documents/45DaySt_SR.pdf

[January 22 update: According to one of the moderators on the Davis Square Live Journal Blog, Sacco's Bowl Haven has a sign on the front door saying that it closed on January 21. Earlier in the week, one of our sources said that this indeed looked like the last week for Bowl Haven, and as of today, no one seems to be answering the phone at the bowling alley. So it appears that Bowl Haven is officially closed, with the Flatbread Company apparently moving in soon. On a related note, the Live Journal moderator also mentioned that the sign on the door indicates the place will reopen on February 6. Stay tuned for more information over the coming days....]

[June 17 update: According to the Wicked Local Somerville Blog, Sacco's Bowl Haven has officially closed. The article states that Flatbread Company will keep 10 of the 16 bowling lanes, but the pool tables will be gone. The bar will feature 20 beers, and a wood-fired oven will be installed, according to the article. A specific opening date has not been given for Flatbread Company.]

[July 3 update: A chat we had yesterday with workers at the new Flatbread Company in Somerville has confirmed that they will be having their grand opening to the public today.]

Tweet This!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Verrill Farm Opens Their New Stand Today

About a year after a devastating fire destroyed their farmstand, Verrill Farm in Concord is celebrating the opening of a brand new stand today. (According to their Web site, the ribbon cutting was at 9:00 this morning.) From the looks of the rendering of the building on their site, the new farmstand at Verrill Farm looks to be bigger and more modern than the old stand.

Verrill Farm sits on about 200 acres in Concord as well as a part of Sudbury, with half of the land used for farmland and the other half being undeveloped (mostly woodlands and wetlands). The Verrill family has been in the farming and dairy business in Concord since 1918.

Hours for Verrill Farm are 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily (they close at 5:00 on Sundays in the winter). The address is: Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA, 01742. The phone number is 978-369-4494. And the Web site is at: http://www.verrillfarm.com/

Tweet This!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Herrell's Ice Cream in Harvard Square Closing; First Printer Opening in Its Place

An ice cream shop in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge that has been in business for more than 25 years will soon be closing its doors. According to the Harvard Crimson newspaper, Herrell’s Ice Cream on Dunster Street will close as soon as this November, citing economic pressures due to competition and increasing costs. The article mentions that the opening of J.P. Licks a little over a year ago is part of the reason for the decision to close. In addition, the rent that Herrell's has had to pay is now around $10,000 a month.

The newspaper article goes on to mention that the owner of Herrell's may open a restaurant and bar called First Printer in same location (including an expansion of the present space) by the spring of 2010.

[March 26 update: An article from the Harvard Crimson from December indicates that First Printer is planning on opening in April. The article mentions that First Printer, which has the same ownership as Herrell's, will feature traditional American and New England fare including clam chowder, lobster bisque, hot dogs, hamburgers, and seafood entrees. First Printer is also hoping to have a full bar, according to the Crimson. As we get information on a more exact opening date for First Printer, we will post another update here.]

Tweet This!

Latest Review: Duck Walk, Wakefield

photo of Duck Walk, Wakefield, MAThe latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for a Thai restaurant in Wakefield called Duck Walk. Located on Main Street in the heart of Wakefield Center, Duck Walk is one of a number of options in the downtown area of this northern suburb of Boston. The restaurant is friendly and comfortable, with plants and warm lighting giving it a nice overall feel. The menu at Duck Walk includes a wide variety of both traditional and Americanized Thai dishes, and the wine list is extensive. To read more about Duck Walk in Wakefield, please click on the link above.

The Ocean Deck Is Coming to Marshfield

A new restaurant called The Ocean Deck will soon be opening in the Green Harbor section of Marshfield. According to an article in the Marshfield Mariner newspaper as well as a job posting on Craigslist, The Ocean Deck will be a casual family-friendly restaurant that will mostly feature seafood and regional items. The newspaper mentions that the restaurant will be opening on Dyke Street (Route 139) at the Green Harbor Marina in the spot where the Boathouse Pub used to be. When it opens, The Ocean Deck will have a bar as well as an outdoor deck. [November 19 update: The Ocean Deck is now open.]

The address for this new family restaurant in the Green Harbor section of Marshfield will be: The Ocean Deck, 239 Dyke Road, Marshfield, MA, 02050. If you would like to follow their progress on Facebook, their page is at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshfield-MA/The-Ocean-Deck/123456741189

To read more about the opening of The Ocean Deck, please go to the Wicked Local (Marshfield Mariner) link below to read an article from a few months ago:

The Ocean Deck will replace Boathouse Pub

Tweet This!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Montebello Ristorante Italiano Opens in Malden

A new Italian restaurant has opened in Malden, moving into the spot where another Italian restaurant used to be. Montebello Ristorante Italiano is now open for business on Florence Street in Malden Center, replacing Artichokes, which recently closed. According to the restaurant's Web site, a chef who used to work at Artichokes has partnered with a chef from Donacesca in Sudbury to open up Montebello.

Montebello looks to be a casual restaurant with a variety of traditional Italian dishes, including eggplant rolatini, bruschetta, pasta fagioli, caesar salad, tripe, pasta vodka, pork chops, chicken francese, veal limone, and shrimp scampi. The lunch menu also includes paninis.

Hours for Montebello are 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM on Friday, and 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM on Saturday. The address is: Montebello Ristorante Italiano, 2 Florence Street, Malden, MA 02148. The phone number is 781-321-8500. And the Web site is at: http://www.montebelloitaliano.com/

Tweet This!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

P.F. Chang's to Open in Cambridge in October

A chain of upscale casual Chinese restaurants is opening a new location in Cambridge this fall. P.F. Chang's China Bistro will open at the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge sometime in October, according to their Web site. The restaurant will be located on the third floor of the Galleria near Sears. [October 27 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the restaurant's site), P.F. Chang's is now open in the CambridgeSide Galleria.]

Like all P.F. Chang's, the menu will include a variety of dishes, including entrees that feature noodles, rice, duck, chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, and vegetarian items. Regional dishes will include Hunan pork, Hong Kong beef with snow peas, and Shanghai shrimp with garlic sauce. A children's menu will also be offered.

The address for this new Chinese restaurant in East Cambridge will be: P.F. Chang's China Bistro, CambridgeSide Galleria (Level 3), 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, MA, 02141.

P.F. Chang's currently has five other locations in and around Boston: The Prudential Center in the Back Bay, Park Plaza in downtown Boston, the Natick Collection in Natick, the Northshore Mall in Peabody, and Legacy Place in Dedham.

Tweet This!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Twitter, Facebook, and Boston's Hidden Restaurants

For those who don't know, both Boston Restaurant Talk (this blog) and its sister site Boston's Hidden Restaurants are now on Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter page mostly gives quick updates of both Web sites in addition to postings of questions dealing with the Boston restaurant scene. The Facebook page is a bit more interactive, with discussions between fans of the page, as well as all kinds of information given concerning both sites, including photos, links, etc.

If you would like to follow us on Twitter, please go to the link below:

http://twitter.com/hiddenboston

And if you would like to become a fan of our Facebook page, please go to this link:

http://facebook.com/pages/Bostons-Hidden-Restaurants/87883173969

b.good to Open at Legacy Place in Dedham This Month

A burger place that has several locations in the Boston area looks to open another spot in Dedham later this month. b.good, a fast-food joint with an emphasis on healthy options, is hoping to open at the new Legacy Place complex around September 24, according to a post on their Twitter page. [9/23 UPDATE: According to their Twitter page, the Dedham b.good will open on Friday, September 25.]

b.good features burgers (including turkey burgers and veggie burgers), chicken sandwiches, salads, and milkshakes, as well as handcut fries (including sweet potato fries) and stir-fried vegetables. According to a chart on their Web site, the basic burgers at b.good are all under 400 calories, with loaded burgers topping out around or just above 600 calories.

The exact address for b.good is not known at this time, but it will be located at Legacy Place on the Providence Highway in Dedham, just north of the Route 128/Route 1 intersection.

b.good currently has four other locations in the Boston area, including two in the Back Bay (Newbury Street and Dartmouth Street), one in Brookline (Harvard Street), and one in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge (Dunster Street).

Tweet This!

Update: Todd English Might Open a Burger Bar In the Theater District

More than two years after we first reported it, Todd English's idea for an upscale burger joint may finally be coming to fruition. According to Zagat Buzz, the celebrity chef known for such places as Olives, Kingfish Hall, and Figs should have the dining spot open in the Theater District of Boston later this fall. The unnamed burger place will open at 255 Tremont Street (just south of Stuart Street), where Dominic’s Restaurant used to reside.

[December 11 update: Todd English's new burger place isn't open yet, but according to the Boston Herald, a major hurdle was passed recently when they received approval for a liquor license. The Herald also mentions that the restaurant will have a capacity of a little under 200.]

[January 6, 2010 update: According to Grub Street Boston, Todd English's still-unnamed burger bar should be opening in late March.]

[February 8, 2010 update: According to an article in yesterday's Boston Globe, Todd English's burger bar is "off the table, for now." If and when it looks like it may be in the works again, we will post a new update here.]

The Boston Herald reports that the restaurant will feature burgers paired with craft beers and wines, with prices being moderate and the atmosphere being that of an American bistro. The Herald also mentions that upstairs will be an upscale lounge with a sushi bar.

For more information on Todd English's soon-to-open burger bar in the Theater District, please go to the Boston Herald link below:

Todd English’s new burger joint

Tweet This!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Latest Review: Loco Tapas and Wine Bar, South Easton

photo of Loco Tapas and Wine Bar, South Easton, MAThe latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for Loco Tapas and Wine Bar, a Spanish tapas restaurant in South Easton. Located on Foundry Street (Routes 106 and 123) a short distance east of the Mansfield line, Loco Tapas and Wine Bar is a cozy, intimate, upscale spot in an area that doesn't have many higher-end restaurants. The restaurant includes a lounge to the left and a dining area to the right. The menu at Loco Tapas features a mix of hot and cold tapas options, as well as a number of Spanish and Mediterranean entrees. Beverages include mixed drinks, beer, and wine, with port and sherry offered. To read more about Loco Tapas and Wine Bar in South Easton, please click on the link above.

The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill Opens in Quincy Center

Just a quick update on a new restaurant and bar coming to Quincy: The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill will be opening in Quincy Center tonight, making it the third Stadium to open (the other two are in South Boston and at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut).

The new Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, which moved into the old Cela's spot on Hancock Street, will feature American cuisine and pub food, with likely dishes (based on their other two locations) including nachos, burgers, subs, pizza, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, calamari.

According to their Web site, the restaurant also has a function room with a projector screen, and another room that has Wii and XBOX.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Quincy Center is: Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, 1495 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02169. The phone number is (617) 328-0076. And the Web site is at http://www.stadiumbars.com/quincy/

Tweet This!

Update: Alumni Restaurant Opens in Franklin

Franklin will soon be home to a new dining spot. According to various job postings--including on Craigslist--The Alumni Restaurant will be opening on East Central Street (Route 140), just east of the center of town. A note from the owner of The Alumni on a Franklin Cub Scout blog indicates that The Alumni will be a family-friendly restaurant that will also have a function room for meetings, fundraising activities, and other events.

[November 12 update: The Alumni Restaurant is now open. The place is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and has a capacity of 140. The restaurant also has a bar area with room for 30. According to the restaurant's website, one of the specialties is the warm slow roasted sliced roast beef sandwich.]

The address for this restaurant southwest of Boston is: The Alumni Restaurant, 391 East Central Street, Franklin, MA. The phone number is (508) 528-8804. And the website is at: http://www.alumnirestaurant.com/

Tweet This!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Restaurant News: Sofia, Ginger Park, Trina's Starlite Lounge

A few bits of restaurant news:

A restaurant called Sofia Italian Steakhouse recently moved into the spot on the VFW Parkway in West Roxbury where Vintage used to be (thanks to a poster on Chowhound for reminding us of this). Sofia is actually under the same ownership as Vintage, and the menu looks very similar to that of Vintage.

According to the Boston Globe, BanQ, an upscale Asian-influenced restaurant on Washington Street in the South End, is going to become Ginger Park later this month. [ED NOTE: Ginger Park opened on Friday, September 25.] The article mentions that Ginger Park will look to be a reasonably-priced restaurant featuring Asian food (with an emphasis on Chinese cuisine).

As reported earlier this year, the spot on Beacon Street in Somerville where the Abbey Lounge used to be will soon become home to a new Southern-style restaurant called Trina's Starlite Lounge. When Trina's opens, it will become the second Southern restaurant in the Inman Square neighborhood, joining Tupelo, which is located nearby on Cambridge Street in Cambridge. The Web site at Trina's is now up (http://trinastarlitelounge.com/), so the restaurant and bar should be opening shortly.

Tweet This!

2009 New England Dessert Showcase Coming September 26, 2009

The first annual 2009 New England Dessert Showcase is coming to the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston later this month, featuring all kinds of desserts, chocolates, ice cream, baked goods, dinner wines, and more. The event, which will be held on Saturday, September 26, is partly a networking event for distributors, but it will also be open to the public from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday. (Networking events for exhibitors will also be held on Friday, September 25.)

The Marriott Long Wharf is located at 296 State Street on the Boston waterfront.

For more information on the 2009 New England Dessert Showcase (including exhibit registration and ticket purchasing), please go to the link below.

http://www.nedessertshowcase.com/

Tweet This!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Dunkin' Donuts Introduces Chicken Parmesan Flatbread Sandwich to New England

About a month and a half after introducing their Oven-Toasted Chicken Parmesan Flatbread Sandwich to much of the country, Dunkin' Donuts is now starting to bring the sandwich to shops in New England. The Chicken Parmesan sandwich will join a growing number of flatbreads at Dunkin' Donuts, including the Ham and Swiss, the Turkey Sausage, and a few others.

Canton-based Dunkin' Donuts now has nearly 9,000 locations across the globe, and is the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain.

To read more about the new Oven-Toasted Chicken Parmesan Flatbread Sandwich at Dunkin' Donuts, please go to the press release link below:

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/press/PressRelease.aspx?viewtype=current&id=100151

Tweet This!

Rose and Vicki's Opening in Weymouth

Rose and Vicki's, a small chain of restaurants featuring pizzas, subs, and baked goods, is opening a fourth location on Bridge Street in Weymouth (where Banjos Restaurant used to be, just north of the Hingham border). This will be the first location of Rose and Vicki's in the Boston area, as their other three spots are well south of Boston, in Dartmouth, Marion, and Plymouth.

Based on the menus at the other locations, the new Rose and Vicki's in Weymouth will likely feature stone hearth pizza as well as salads, appetizers, hot and cold subs, wraps, cookies, and cakes.

A check on the restaurant over the weekend showed that it looked nearly ready, so expect it to be open for business sometime in September or early October. [October 29 update: According to the Patriot Ledger, Rose and Vicki's is now open in Weymouth. Thanks to one of our followers on the Twitter site for letting us know about this.]

The address for this new restaurant in Weymouth will be: Rose and Vicki's, 655 Bridge Street (Route 3A), Weymouth, MA, 02191.

Tweet This!

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Aquitaine Opens in Dedham

A casual upscale restaurant with two locations in the Boston area has just opened its third spot in Dedham. Aquitaine opened two days ago at the new Legacy Place development just north of the intersection of Routes 1 and 128.

Based on the menus at the other Aquitaine locations, the new Aquitaine in Dedham looks to feature French-influenced dishes with most entrees being priced between $20 and $30. The restaurant will be open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner.

The address for this new restaurant at Legacy Place is: Aquitaine, 950 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The phone number is (781) 471-5212.

The other two Aquitaine locations are in the South End of Boston and the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Newton.

Tweet This!

Friday, September 04, 2009

Red Lentil Opens in Watertown

A restaurant featuring vegetarian and vegan food has just opened up in Watertown. According to the Web site of the restaurant, Red Lentil has apparently opened today on Mt. Auburn Street in the spot where Sushiya used to be in the heart of East Watertown.

In addition to vegetarian and vegan cuisine, Red Lentil offers macrobiotic, gluten-free, and raw dishes as well. Items on the menu include ginger-miso soup, Thai peanut noodle salad, hummus, edamame, beet-potato latkes, an eggless salad wrap, spiced lentil-nut patties, Greek pizza, butternut squash polenta, millet loaf with seasonal vegetables, and sweet potato fries. Prices for meals are mostly well under $15.

Red Lentil is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, with brunch and dinner served Sunday.

The address for this new dining spot in East Watertown is: Red Lentil, 600 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The phone number is (617) 972-9188. And the Web site is at: http://www.theredlentil.com/

Tweet This!

Restaurant News: Sala Thai, Tigerlily, Symphony 8, Esti's

A few bits of news concerning the Boston restaurant scene on this Friday before Labor Day....

According to the Arlington Advocate, Sala Thai, a restaurant in Arlington Heights that had closed a little under a year ago, may be re-opening under new ownership. Sala Thai had been one of several Thai dining spots in this northwest suburb of Boston (Thai Moon and Sweet Chili being a couple of others), but the only one in the Heights area. {October 6 Update: Sala Thai has been replaced by another Thai restaurant called Tom Yum Koong II.]

The phones at Tigerlily, a Malaysian restaurant near Symphony Hall in Boston, are no longer being answered, and a note within the EveryBlock Boston Web site indicates that a restaurant called Symphony 8 will be moving into the address where Tigerlily is (8 Westland Avenue), so it is possible that Tigerlily may no longer be around (or may soon be closing). We will keep trying to get more details on this spot over the coming days. [October 27, November 16 Updates: Tigerlily has indeed closed and will be replaced by Symphony 8, a restaurant that features three bars and an $8 specialty menu. According to the restaurant's website, it will open sometime during the week of November 16--NOVEMBER 24 UPDATE: Symphony 8 is now open.]

An new upscale restaurant with French-influenced cuisine that was supposed to open at the Launch at Hingham Shipyard this summer is no longer in the works for this new development south of Boston. The folks behind what was to be Esti's are now looking for another location somewhere on the South Shore.

If anyone has any more information on any of the restaurants above, please feel free to post here or contact us at the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site. Thanks!

Tweet This!

A Taste of Roslindale to Be Held September 24, 2009

The third annual A Taste of Roslindale is on the way. More than 20 restaurants will be involved in this event, which will be held on Thursday, September 24 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church (39 Belgrade Avenue). According to an email from tablecritic.com, the beneficiaries of the event this year are Roslindale Village Main Street, the Roslindale Food Pantry, and the Roslindale Holiday Lighting Fund.

Entertainment will be featured at A Taste of Roslindale, including live jazz music and a duel between chefs to create the best dish. There will also be a live auction, a silent auction, and a raffle.

Some of the restaurants that will be participating in A Taste of Roslindale include Bangkok Cafe, the Corrib Pub and Restaurant, Delfino's, Masona Grill, MJ's Sub and Pizza, Select Cafe, and Sophia’s Grotto.

The cost to get into the event is $25 ($30 at the door). More information on A Taste of Roslindale can be found at the Web site below:

http://www.roslindale.net

Tweet This!

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Pizzapalooza Opening in Hingham

A dining spot in Newton that features Sicilian-style and "palooza-style" pizza is opening a second location in Hingham this fall. According to the Patriot Ledger, Pizzapalooza looks to open at The Launch in the Hingham Shipyard sometime in November, joining several other restaurants and shops in this new retail, residential, and office complex along the harbor. In addition to Sicilian pizza and palooza-style (pizza with chunky tomato sauce, a number of options for toppings, and cheeseless options) the new Pizzapalooza in Hingham will likely feature salads, panini sandwiches, calzones, and pasta dishes, based on the menu at the current location at 244 Needham Street on the outskirts of Newton Upper Falls.

[May 13, 2010 update: According to The Launch at Hingham Shipyard's Facebook page, Pizzapalooza is now open in Hingham.]

The Launch at the Hingham Shipyard looks to have its grand opening in the spring of 2010. According to their Web site, some of the restaurants that will reside in the development in addition to Pizzapalooza include Alma Nove, Qdoba, and Panera Bread.

To read more about the opening of Pizzapalooza in Hingham, please go to the Patriot Ledger link below:

Hingham Shipyard restaurant gets beer-and-wine license

Tweet This!

A List of September 2009 Restaurant Openings

With so many new restaurants coming soon to the Boston area, it can get confusing as to which particular dining spots are opening, as well as when they are opening and where. We have mentioned a number of such restaurants over the past few weeks, but to simplify things a bit, we've come up with a list of places that look like they will indeed be opening this month:

Aquitaine, Dedham
Basta Pasta, North Quincy (October 1)
Bobby's Grille, Wellesley
Coppa, Boston (South End)
King's, Dedham
Littlenecks Bar and Grill, Weymouth
Marathon Restaurant, Hopkinton
Peace o' Pie, Allston
Regal Beagle, Brookline
Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, Quincy

We will post updates on these restaurants as they open, so keep checking back over the coming days....

Tweet This!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Myung Dong 1st Avenue Opens in Allston

A new Korean restaurant has just opened in the heart of Allston. Myung Dong 1st Avenue has taken over the spot on Harvard Avenue where Suvarnabhumi Kiri (a Thai and Cambodian dining spot) used to be. According to the Thrillist site, the restaurant is owned by the folks behind Buk Kyung in Somerville and Buk Kyung II in Allston, and looks to replicate the feel of a Korean dive bar. Thrillist mentions that one of the drinks offered at Myung Dong 1st Avenue is a beverage called soju, which is a Korean vodka of sorts. A variety of foods are also offered at Myung Dong 1st Avenue, including stews and traditional Korean entrees.

Myung Dong 1st Avenue is open seven days a week from 12:00 PM until 1:00 AM.

The address for this new Korean restaurant and bar in the Allston neighborhood of Boston is: Myung Dong 1st Avenue, 90-92 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The phone number is (617) 206-3229.

For more information on Myung Dong 1st Avenue, please go to the Thrillist link below:

http://www.thrillist.com/allston-brighton/myung-dong-1st-avenue

Tweet This!

Latest Review: Sergio's, Saunderstown, RI

photo of Sergio's Italian Ristorante, Saunderstown, RIThe latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for a dining spot in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, called Sergio's Italian Ristorante. Located at the intersection of Routes 1A and 138 (just west of Jamestown), Sergio's is near some of the state's most popular seaside resorts, yet is a bit hidden away, as it sits next to a bridge above the busy Route 138. The restaurant features mostly Southern Italian cuisine, including a number of homemade pasta dishes as well as veal, steak, chicken, and seafood. The restaurant is family-friendly, and has both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a couple of bar areas. To read more about Sergio's Italian Ristorante in Saunderstown, RI, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

A Couple of Mysteries Develop on Route 1 in Lynnfield

Two separate stories concerning restaurants on Route 1 in Lynnfield seem to have an aura of mystery to them. If anyone can help clarify either one of these, we'd love to hear from you, so feel free to comment....

First, according to various online job listings, including one on Craigslist, a new Mexican restaurant is going to be opening at 325 Broadway (Route 1) at the tunnel just south of the Route 128 intersection. Now 325 Broadway is also the address for the Bostonville Grille, which is still open. So the question is, will this new Mexican restaurant be opening up next to the Bostonville Grille, or will it be taking over its spot?

Second, as many people have noted, Lucille's Fine Chicken, which is a short distance south of the Bostonville Grille, appears to be closed. Or is it? Over the past few weeks, it has seemed that renovations to the building were taking place, which begs the question: Is Lucille's totally gone, is the current owner putting a new restaurant in, or is it possible that Lucille's will eventually open back up again?

Again, if anyone has some insight into either of these mysteries, please post a comment here or contact us at Boston's Hidden Restaurants. Thanks!

Tweet This!

Bistro Du Midi to Open in Boston in November

A French restaurant is coming to Boston this fall, opening in a spot that was once home to a high-end restaurant that was awarded many honors during its five-year existence. Bistro Du Midi, which will be opening sometime this fall on Boylston Street across from the Public Garden, looks to be a Provencal-style bistro, according to several online job postings (including one from BostonChefs.com). The restaurant will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Excelsior, a restaurant that offered hundreds of different wines to its customers and featured mostly New American cuisine before closing earlier this year.

According to Grub Street Boston, Bistro Du Midi may open sometime in late October. [November 23 update: According to their Facebook page, Bisto Du Midi is officially opening today.]

The address for this soon-to-open French restaurant on the edge of the Back Bay will be: Bistro Du Midi, 272 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

Tweet This!