Sully C's Bar and Grill Planning to Take Over Former Jalapenos Spot in Saugus

It looks like a new dining and drinking establishment may be on its way to Route 1 in Saugus, moving into the space where a short-lived Mexican restaurant resided.

According to The Saugus Advertiser and Wicked Local, the landlord of 168 Broadway (Route 1) is asking permission from the town of Saugus to open Sully C's Bar & Grill at the site where Jalapenos had been from January of this year until earlier this fall. The article mentions that the proposed eatery would be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and that it would apparently be similar to Godfried's, a restaurant that was located at this address for a number of decades (Tabu Ultra Lounge and Nightclub had also been located at this site). The landlord plans to have Sully C's Bar & Grill open from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM and is looking to keep the floor plan the same, which would allow for a capacity of nearly 250.

[January 24, 2012 update: It looks like a go for Sully C's, as a job post on the Craigslist site indicates that the restaurant and bar is now looking to fill a number of positions, including cooks, servers, and managers.]

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Saugus will be: Sully C's Bar & Grill, 168 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906.

For more information on the planned opening of Sully C's Bar & Grill, please go to the Saugus Advertiser/Wicked Local link below.

Restaurant/bar proposed at Saugus Jalapenos site

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Father Leaves Kids Home Alone While Burglarizing The Red Parrot in Hull

A Hull man was in court today, several hours after leaving his children home alone while he broke into a nearby restaurant and beach bar to burglarize the place.

According to The Patriot Ledger and The Boston Channel (WCVB Boston), the 32-year-old man was arrested around 3:00 AM at The Red Parrot on Hull Shore Drive across from Nantasket Beach, a couple of blocks from where he lived. Hull police then went to his home where they found his two toddlers (a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old) alone in the house. The Ledger says that the children's mother was out of town at the time and that the two toddlers are staying with an aunt for now.

The Patriot Ledger also mentions that the man was sitting on the porch of The Red Parrot with a Bud Light in his hand when the police arrived.

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LeanWorks Restaurant to Open in West Roxbury

A new restaurant is coming to the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, and it looks to be a healthy--and slightly upscale--alternative to traditional fast-food eateries.

According to The West Roxbury Transcript and Wicked Local, LeanWorks is going to be opening on Spring Street (the address is the same as that of a now-closed Finagle-A-Bagel outlet, but we are still trying to find out if this is indeed the space in which the new restaurant will be moving). The article mentions that the food at LeanWorks will be "fast food reinvented," with the place being somewhere between a quick-service and a sit-down eatery. The restaurant's menu will feature items that are all 490 calories or less, with buffalo chicken wraps and steak and cheese sandwiches being two items offered.

The Transcript states that the 49-seat LeanWorks will be open for lunch and dinner, and it might have some outdoor seating. Expect a March 1, 2012 grand opening for the restaurant.

The address for this upcoming dining spot in West Roxbury will be: LeanWorks, 75 Spring Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132. Their website will be at http://www.eatlean.com/

For more information on the opening of LeanWorks, please go to the West Roxbury Transcript/Wicked Local link below.

Two new eateries on the way for West Roxbury

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J.P. Licks Is Opening in Boston's Beacon Hill

It looks like a local group of ice cream cafes may be opening a new location, with this one being in the heart of Boston.

According to a Boston real estate agent, J.P. Licks is planning to move into a space on Charles Street (their lease has already been signed), though the Beacon Hill Civic Association will apparently need to approve a zoning variance during its Zoning and Licensing Committee meeting on December 7. No address for the proposed J.P. Licks was given, though an earlier Downtown View article mentioned that the space in question is a former law office.

[December 1 update: According to an email from the Mass. Market Blog, the address for J.P. Licks in Beacon Hill will be 150 Charles Street, and it appears that it will have have about 20 seats and a closing hour of midnight.]

[December 4 update: According to Eater Boston, the upcoming J.P. Licks in Beacon Hill is planning to open in the spring of 2012.]

[December 9 update: According to the Stoneham Patch and Eater Boston, J.P. Licks has gained approval by the Beacon Hill Civic Association's Zoning and Licensing Committee to move ahead with their plans to open on Charles Street, though the closing hour of the place has been moved up an hour to 11:00 PM.]

J.P. Licks, which first started out in Jamaica Plain in 1981, features a wide variety of homemade ice cream flavors as well as frozen yogurt, frappes, smoothies, cakes, pies, and coffee. They currently have locations in JP, the Back Bay, Mission Hill, Harvard Square, Coolidge Corner, Davis Square, West Roxbury, Newton Centre, Wellesley, and Dedham. Their website can be found at http://www.jplicks.com/

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Roger Berkowitz, Lydia Shire, Domingo-Martin Barreres to Blog for the Boston Herald

Three folks who are a big part of the Boston restaurant scene are adding something new to their resumes; they becoming bloggers for one of the city's major newspapers.

According to The Boston Herald, Roger Berkowitz (Legal Sea Foods CEO/president), Lydia Shire (chef/co-owner of Scampo and culinary director at Towne Stove and Spirits), and Domingo-Martin Barreres (master mixologist at Market by Jean-Georges) are going to be writing for the paper's Forklift blog. The article states that Berkowitz will post behind-the-scenes articles about the restaurant industry along with some recipes, while Shire will also post recipes and Barreres will "share his award-winning secrets" on craft cocktails.

The Herald's newest bloggers have already started writing, with three of their posts being found below:

My Food Vice by Roger Berkowitz

Holiday Appetizers from Lydia Shire

The Ultimate Holiday Drink by Domingo-Martin Barreres

Other Forklift bloggers include Kerry Byrne, Mary Ann Esposito, Sara Gaynes, and Laura Raposa.

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Griddler's Burgers and Dogs to Open in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood

Two months after a gourmet sandwich shop and pizza restaurant in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood closed, it now appears that a new burger and hot dog spot from the same folks will be moving into the space.

According to the new restaurant's website, Griddler's Burgers and Dogs is planning to open on Cambridge Street, taking over the spot where The Federal had existed from the spring of 2009 until this past September. As reported earlier, it is believed that the group behind The Federal--Boston Nightlife Ventures--is behind the new eatery. (Boston Nightlife Ventures also runs Forum in the Back Bay, Noche in the South End, and The Tap in Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.)

Expect a late fall opening for Griddler's Burgers and Dogs.

[December 7 update: According to a Facebook event page, Griddler's Burgers and Dogs will be having a soft opening tomorrow (Thursday, December 8) from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.]

The address for this new restaurant in Beacon Hill is: Griddler's Burgers and Dogs, 204 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Their website will be at http://griddlersburgers.com/

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A New "Restaurant Row" May Be Coming to Burlington

As reported earlier, the upcoming Northwest Park development in Burlington is planning to include a new Wegmans market as well as a Kings bowling alley and restaurant. Now, it looks like the complex will also be home to a number of independent and chef-driven eateries as well.

According to The Boston Globe, the developer of Northwest Park, which will be located at Third Avenue just north of the Burlington Mall, will become a "culinary mecca," with a number of non-chain restaurants within the 285-acre development. The article includes a map that indicates Wegmans would be at one end of Third Avenue, with eateries lining the street between the supermarket and the other end of the street at the Middlesex Turnpike. The development will also include a boutique hotel, high-end rental housing, and office space.

It is not yet known what restaurants may be moving into Northwest Park, but the Globe mentions that there could be a high-end burger spot, a French cafe, and a gelato maker among others. (A total of 10 liquor licenses have been acquired by the developer.)

It appears that Wegmans and the adjacent restaurants could be up and running by the fall of 2013.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

Developer envisions dining mecca at old office park

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The Building That Houses Stoddard's Fine Food and Ale Has Been Sold

A mixed-use building in downtown Boston that houses a gastropub-style restaurant has been sold.

According to a MarketWatch article, Group Boston Real Estate has brokered the sale of 48-50 Temple Place (between Washington Street and Tremont Street) to Yanamtemple LLC for a price of $3.2 million. The building, which contains residential and office space, is also home to Stoddard's Fine Food and Ale, a dining and drinking establishment that first opened in the spring of 2010. At this point in time, there is no indication that the sale of the building will affect Stoddard's, but if anything changes, we will post an update here.

Stoddard's Fine Food and Ale was once the sister dining spot of a casual upscale cafe called the Ivy Restaurant which was on the same street. Ivy closed last fall after the parent company (the Ivy Restaurant Group) declared bankruptcy.

For more information on the sale of the Temple Place building, please go to the MarketWatch link below.

Michael Carucci of Group Boston Real Estate brokers $3.2m sale of 48-50 Temple Place

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Highlights for the Week Ending November 25, 2011

A few more stories focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a coffee company in the Berkshires opening a cafe in Boston, a pair of chefs from a high-end restaurant opening a ramen noodle pop-up spot, and the demolishing of a building that once housed a Boston Red Sox slugger's restaurant. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) had a new review of a Quincy restaurant as well as photo of French toast from a breakfast and lunch spot in Quincy and updated results of a reader poll of best restaurants of 2011.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

The Rumor Mill: Michael Schlow, Ten Tables, Jamie Bissonnette, and More

Barrington Coffee Roasting Company to Open a Cafe in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

Chefs from o ya in Boston to Open Guchi's Midnight Ramen Pop-up Restaurant

Swissbakers in Reading to Open Second Location in Allston

Former Big Papi's Grille to Be Taken Down; David Ortiz Parts Ways with Classic Restaurant Concepts

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Louis in Quincy, MA

Photo: French Toast from McKay's in Quincy, MA

Some Facts About Turkey (and Turkeys)

Updated Results of Reader Poll of Best 2011 Restaurants

Photo: Mussels Bianco from Louis in Quincy, MA

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Moksa in Cambridge to Feature a Restaurant within the Restaurant

An upcoming restaurant in Cambridge is going to be featuring a rather unique setup, as it will have another restaurant within the space.

According to their Facebook page, the people behind Moksa in Central Square will be placing another restaurant (which does not yet have a name) inside the Mass. Ave. space. The Facebook post mentions that the second eatery will be a "food bar" with a five-course prix fixe menu that changes weekly, focusing on more "avant-garde fare." It appears that the spot will be small, with limited seating.

Moksa, which is being opened by the folks behind OM Restaurant and Lounge on nearby Winthrop Street in Harvard Square (including Patricia Yeo of the now-closed Ginger Park in Boston's South End), will be featuring street-style Asian fare once it opens. At this point in time, it appears that Moksa could open in mid-December (it is not yet known if the second restaurant within the space will be opening at that time as well).

The address for Moksa--as well as the restaurant within Moksa--will be 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Their Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/moksarestaurant

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NCAA Not Happy with The Boston Globe's Munch Madness

If the folks behind the NCAA basketball tourney get their way, an annual restaurant tournament from The Boston Globe may have to get a name change.

According to the newspaper, the NCAA central office is petitioning to force the Globe to change the name of its Munch Madness competition, citing possible confusion between it and the March Madness college basketball tournament. The article mentions that the NCAA is concerned that the basketball tourney's brand could be "damaged" by the use of the Munch Madness name, and cites a lawsuit by the New York Times (parent company of The Boston Globe) against the Huffington Post to change the name of its parenting blog "Parentlode," which sounds similar to the "Motherlode" blog of the Times. The New York Times/Boston Globe responded to the NCAA petition by stating that the term "Munch Madness" has been used by others in the past, and that their "little restaurant contest" wouldn't be able to "destroy" the March Madness brand.

The Globe's Munch Madness competition, which started out last year, is a tournament of 64 Boston-area restaurants where readers pick their favorite places.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

NCAA lawyers target Munch Madness

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More from the Rumor Mill: Is The Shake Shack Coming to Chestnut Hill?

Two years ago, it appeared that New York City's Shake Shack may be coming to downtown Boston, but that never materialized. Now, according to one of the members of The Phantom Gourmet, the popular burger stand could be coming to the Boston area after all, with a possible opening a few miles west of the city.

According to Michael Andelman (who teams up with brothers Dave and Dan on the Phantom's Saturday radio show on 96.9 FM - WTKK), The Shake Shack may be looking to open somewhere in Chestnut Hill. Andelman, who mentioned this during the "restaurant news" section of the radio show, did not give a specific source for the news, though he did indicate that it was someone in the real estate industry. We are currently waiting to hear back from the eatery on this possibility; as soon as we find out any new information from then, we will post an update here.

The Shake Shack is a group of food stands that feature such items as burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, shakes, and alcoholic beverages. Locations of the eatery can be found in Madison Square Park, the Theater District, Battery Park City, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side in Manhattan, as well as in Brooklyn, Queens, Saratoga Springs, Westport, CT, Washington, DC, and Miami Beach, FL.

The space that The Shake Shack had been looking at in Boston is the former rest room on Boston Common near Tremont Street. (A dining spot called the Earl of Sandwich will be opening in that space.)

The website for The Shake Shack can be found at http://shakeshack.com/

[November 29 update: We just heard back from The Shake Shack, with a spokesperson telling us the following: "...we have openly expressed our intention to bring Shake Shack to compelling sites in great neighborhoods. As such, rumors often circulate about potential openings. We have decided not to comment on any of these rumors until we have something concrete to share." She also went on to say that "at this time we are focusing our efforts on our existing Shacks as well as those scheduled to open in the next year: Brooklyn (mid-December), Philadelphia (mid-2012), Coral Gables (mid-2012) and Long Island (late 2012).]

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The Rumor Mill: Michael Schlow, Ten Tables, Jamie Bissonnette, and More

A new Boston Globe food chat took place today, and several rumors about restaurants in the Boston area were mentioned toward the end of the discussion. We have not been able to confirm any of them as of yet, so be aware that they are indeed just rumors for now. Here is what was included in the chat:

Is Ten Tables opening a burger bar in Jamaica Plain?
It appears there is a possibility that the owner of Ten Tables in JP may be looking at opening a burger spot in the nearby space on Centre Street where Bon Savor has been. (Bon Savor is a French and South American bistro that has been open for about six years.)

Is Jamie Bissonnette opening a new restaurant in the Columbus Cafe space?
We had written about an upcoming breakfast and lunch spot from the chef and one of the owners of Coppa on Shawmut Avenue and Toro on Washington Street (both of which are in the South End), but have not been able to confirm where exactly the eatery may open. It was mentioned on the chat that the space where the Columbus Cafe currently resides might be where it opens, but no definitive word on whether this Columbus Avenue restaurant is even closing for sure (we had also written about their possible closure awhile back).

Is Michael Schlow opening a diner in the old Burton's space?
Last month, Burton's Grill in the Fenway section of Boston closed its doors (its other locations in the Boston area remain open), and now there is a rumor that restaurateur Michael Schlow (Tico, Radius, Via Matta, Alta Strada) may be looking to open a diner in the Boylston Street space.

Again, none of these rumors have been confirmed by us, so keep checking back, as we will post updates once we find out more information.

You can read the entire food chat from The Boston Globe at the link below.

Food chat Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m.

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Tenoch Mexican Restaurant Is Opening in Medford

Another Mexican restaurant is coming to the Boston area, with this one being just north of the city.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Tenoch Mexican Restaurant is planning to open in Medford, with a sign outside the Riverside Avenue spot stating that they will be offering such items as tacos and burritos. Once it opens, Tenoch will be the latest of a number of Mexican dining spots that have either recently opened in the Greater Boston area or are looking to open. (Habanero's in Waltham, El Triunfo in Boston's Financial District, Rodeo Mexican Grille in Winchester, Red Lulu Cocina in Salem, and El Pelon Taqueria in the Fenway are in the former category; Rosa Mexicano on the waterfront, The Painted Burro and Papagayo in Somerville, yoTaco [possibly somewhere in Boston], and Los Amigos in West Roxbury are in the latter category.)

[January 2, 2012 update: According to their website, Tenoch Mexican Restaurant is planning to open in February.]

The address for this upcoming Mexican spot in Medford will be: Tenoch Mexican Restaurant, 24 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Their website can be found at http://www.tenochmexican.com/

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Barrington Coffee Roasting Company to Open a Cafe in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

A coffee company in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts is getting ready to open a cafe in the Fort Point section of Boston.

According to their Facebook page, Barrington Coffee Roasting Company is going to be opening a coffee shop on Congress Street, with the Lee-based company stating that they are currently waiting on permits but are otherwise ready to open. Barrington Coffee, which first started out in 1993, features coffees from around the world, including beans from such places as Rwanda, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia, offering artisanal blends, espresso, dark roast, decaf, and more.

[December 1 update: According to their Facebook page, it looks like Barrington Coffee will be opening their Fort Point shop this Saturday (December 3).]

The address for this new cafe in Fort Point will be: Barrington Coffee, 346 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. Their website can be found at http://www.barringtoncoffee.com/

Thanks to Friends of Fort Point Channel and Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

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yoTaco in Duxbury to Open a Clam Shack Food Truck and (Possibly) Another yoTaco in Boston

A Mexican restaurant on the South Shore has some plans in the works, including a "clam shack" food truck and, perhaps, a second location of its dining spot in Boston.

According to The Patriot Ledger, yoTaco in Duxbury is looking to open a mobile shop next spring or summer that will operate as a clam shack in the parking lot of the restaurant, which is located on Railroad Avenue (a short distance east of Route 3A in the center of town). The article also states that the food truck would be used for area events and festivals as well, adjusting what the truck offers to the specific events. In addition to the food truck, the Ledger mentions that the folks behind yoTaco may decide to open a second location of the restaurant at some point, with it possibly being somewhere near the Improv Asylum comedy theater on Hanover Street in Boston's North End (one of the owners of yoTaco opened the theater in 1998 with two other folks).

The address for yoTaco in Duxbury is: yoTaco, 30 Railroad Avenue, Duxbury MA, 02332. The phone number is (781) 934-8226. And their website can be found at http://yotaco.net/

For more on this story, please go to the Patriot Ledger link below.

Mexican restaurant yoTaco thrives in Duxbury

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Update: GEM to Open in Boston's Downtown Area

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 23, 2011, and January 3, 2012 to initially reflect the fact that the job post on Craigslist was edited, with the name "GEM" being taken out. The January 3 update confirms that the name of the restaurant is indeed GEM.]

A new restaurant is coming to downtown Boston, and the group behind it also runs several other spots in the Boston area and Connecticut.

According to a job post on Craigslist, Big Night Entertainment Group (BNEG) is planning to open a dining spot on Province Street (between Washington Street and Tremont Street near Downtown Crossing), bringing to the area a new "full food and beverage property." It appears that the eatery is planning on opening in December, which means that it may open before another new Boston spot from BNEG--an Asian-themed place at Fan Pier in the Innovation District that we wrote about a couple of months ago (see article: New Asian Restaurant to Open Along the Boston Waterfront. No other information has been given about this new restaurant from BNEG, so keep checking back for updates over the coming days.

[November 23 update: As mentioned above, this restaurant may or may not be called "GEM." We will post an update here as soon as we find out more.]

[January 3, 2012 update: Based on a recent Stuff at Night article, it has been confirmed that the name of the new restaurant will be GEM, with Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog mentioning that it will move into the space on Province Street where Kennedy's Midtown had been. Also, it appears that GEM will focus on inventive comfort food dishes, according to Stuff at Night.]

Big Night Entertainment Group is also behind the Red Lantern in Boston's Back Bay as well as Tosca in Hingham, The Estate in downtown Boston, and three spots at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

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Chefs from o ya in Boston to Open Guchi's Midnight Ramen Pop-up Restaurant

A new pop-up restaurant is on its way to the Boston area, and the folks behind it come from one of Boston's highest-rated eateries.

According to Boston Magazine's Chowder blog, Guchi's Midnight Ramen is planning to open somewhere in or around the city of Boston. The article mentions that the two people who are starting the pop-up ramen spot work as chefs at o ya, a high-end restaurant in the Leather District of Boston that focuses on sushi. Based on the pop-up's Twitter page as well as the Chowder article, it appears that house-made noodles along with pork, chicken, and vegetable broth will be offered at Guchi's Midnight Ramen.

Currently, it is not yet known where this pop-up restaurant will be located (Chowder states that the owners still need to receive permits and are looking at locations at the present time). As soon as we receive more information, we will post an update here.

The Twitter page for Guchi's Midnight Ramen can be found at http://twitter.com/#!/GuchiRamenNight

For more information on this story, please go to the Chowder link below.

Mysterious Ramen Pop-Up, Guchi's Midnight Ramen, Coming to Boston

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Swissbakers in Reading to Open Second Location in Allston

A bakery and cafe in the northern suburbs of Boston is planning to open a second location, with this one residing in a neighborhood of the city.

According to Eater Boston, Swissbakers on Lincoln Street in Reading looks to be opening a new spot on Western Avenue in Allston (which will be their new headquarters for production as well) early next year. The article mentions that in addition to having both indoor and outdoor seating at their new cafe, the Allston location of Swissbakers will also have a fireplace and a children's play area. Expect items such as croissants, pretzels, cookies, challah, quiche, soups, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and coffee at the new spot.

The address for this upcoming bakery and cafe in Allston will be: Swissbakers, 168 Western Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Their website can be found at http://www.swissbakers.com/

For more information on the opening of Swissbakers in Allston, please go to the Eater Boston link below.

Swissbakers Bakery and Cafe Coming to Allston

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Highlights for the Week Ending November 18, 2011

A few more stories centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including two indoor farmers' markets coming to the Boston area, the coming expansion of a burger restaurant near Fenway Park, and the reopening of a restaurant in Jamaica Plain. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) had an article on five interesting turkey dishes in the Boston area as well as a blog review on a new restaurant in Arlington and an updated review on an Irish dining spot in Hyde Park.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Indoor Farmers' Markets Coming to the Back Bay and Somerville This Winter

Tasty Burger to Expand in the Boston Area

Burger Dive to Open in Somerville's Assembly Square

Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant Returns to Jamaica Plain

Forbes Travel Guide's Five-Star Picks Include Menton

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Photo: Pumpkin Spice Bread from Inna's Kitchen in Newton, MA

Five Interesting Turkey Dishes in the Boston Area

Blog Review: The Madrona Tree in Arlington, MA

Updated Review: Townsend's in Hyde Park, MA

Photo: Glazed Apple Crisp Donut from Westward Orchards in Harvard, MA

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Former Big Papi's Grille to Be Taken Down; David Ortiz Parts Ways with Classic Restaurant Concepts

The building formerly occupied by a now-closed restaurant that had one of Boston's most well-known sports figures behind it is going to be torn down, and it has also been learned that the athlete and the restaurant group behind the place have gone their separate ways.

According to The Framingham Tab and Wicked Local, the former Big Papi's Grille on Route 9 in Framingham is slated to be demolished in the spring of 2012, with a new building facing a different angle going up at the site. Big Papi's (which is named after Red Sox slugger David Ortiz) first opened in the summer of 2009, but only lasted two years before closing this past July. There had been talk of a new Big Papi's Grille coming to Boston, but the article mentions that Ortiz has parted ways with Classic Restaurant Concepts, the group behind the now-closed Framingham spot (Classic Restaurant Concepts also owns the Asgard in the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge and the Kinsale in the Government Center section of Boston). The Tab does say that other restaurateurs are looking to partner with Ortiz, but it is not known at this time whether a new Big Papi's Grille--or another restaurant from the ballplayer--will open in the Boston area.

Big Papi's was located at 30 Worcester Road (Route 9) in Framingham.

For more information on this story, please go to the Framingham Tab/Wicked Local link below.

Former Big Papi's Grille to be torn down

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Indoor Farmers' Markets Coming to the Back Bay and Somerville This Winter

A couple of indoor farmers' markets are all set up for the winter, with one being in Boston's Back Bay and the other being in Somerville.

A post from Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog indicates that The Shops at Prudential Center will be hosting a farmer's market every Thursday in the Belvidere Arcade, with the market continuing from now through next May. In addition, an email from the Somerville Winter Farmers' Market mentions that their farmers' market will take place on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM starting now through May 26, 2012 at The Center for Arts at the Armory on Highland Avenue.

For more information on these farmers' markets, links to The Shops at Prudential Center and the Somerville Winter Farmers' Market are below.

http://www.prudentialcenter.com/

http://www.facebook.com/SomervilleWinterFarmersMarket

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Tasty Burger to Expand in the Boston Area

The person behind a burger place in the Fenway section of Boston that has been in business for a little over a year is looking to open more locations in the Boston area.

According to Boston Magazine's Chowder blog, the owner of Tasty Burger on Boylston Street is planning to open at least two more branches of the restaurant, with possible sites being in Cambridge, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Somerville, as well as Boston proper. The article mentions that the new spots, which could be opening as soon as a half year from now, would have slightly different hours and atmosphere than the original Tasty Burger (and the takeout setup may be different as well).

Tasty Burger first opened in the Fenway area in September of 2010, offering a variety of burger options as well as hot dogs, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, slushies, beer, and wine. The person who owns the restaurant is also behind the Franklin Cafe in the South End, South Boston, and Gloucester, along with The Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar, which is across the street from Tasty Burger.

The website for Tasty Burger can be found at http://www.tastyburger.com/

For more information on this story, please go to the Chowder link below.

Tasty Burger to Expand With at Least Two New Locations This Year

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Suya Joint to Replace Bangkok Cafe in Roslindale

It looks like an African restaurant is coming to Roslindale, and it will apparently be moving into the space where a Thai spot has been for the past several years.

According to the restaurant's website, Suya Joint is planning on having a grand opening for their restaurant sometime this month on Poplar Street. The address that they give is that of the Bangkok Cafe, which has been in Roslindale Village since 2005, and a PDF page on the City of Boston website seems to confirm that Bangkok Cafe will be replaced by Suya Joint, as a transfer of a liquor license from one business to the other was discussed during a Licensing Board meeting last month.

The 35-seat Suya Joint will be featuring West African cuisine, with an emphasis on Nigerian fare. It will also offer catering, according to its website.

[January 19, 2012 update: Suya Joint is one step closer to opening, as EveryBlock Boston mentions that the restaurant received a business license a few days ago.]

The address for the soon-to-open Suya Joint will be: Suya Joint, 25 Poplar Street, Roslindale, MA, 02123. The website for the restaurant can be found at http://www.wix.com/dowcreativesolutions/suya-joint

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A Tavola Is Opening in Winchester Center

A new Italian restaurant is getting ready to open in the center of Winchester, and it will be moving into the space where an upscale comfort food spot had been until deciding to move.

According to Grub Street Boston, A Tavola is planning to open November 22 on Church Street in the former Parsons Table spot (Parsons Table is looking to reopen in or near Boston at some point). As mentioned in an earlier article here, the folks behind A Tavola are also the owners of Bistro 5, a high-end Italian restaurant in nearby West Medford. Based on the Grub Street article, it looks like the menu at A Tavola will feature small plates (including salumi and seafood options) as well as well as pasta dishes, risotto, pressed chicken, and grilled skirt steak.

The address for this new restaurant in Winchester is: A Tavola, 34 Church Street, Winchester, MA, 01890.

For more information on the opening of A Tavola, please go to the Grub Street link below.

Have A Look at A Tavola's Menu, Soon to Take Over Parsons Table

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Kickass Cupcakes Are Now Available at Whole Foods

A cupcake bakery in Somerville's Davis Square is now selling its treats at a national chain of organic and natural grocery stores.

An email sent to us by CBH Communications indicates that Kickass Cupcakes has partnered with Whole Foods Markets to have their cupcakes sold in all 28 New England locations. The email mentions that 4-packs of specialty/seasonal flavors will be available right away in time for the holidays, while their fall cupcake--pumpkin spice with cinnamon frosting--will be available at stores until the end of November. Starting in December, a chocolate cupcake with pink peppermint frosting will be sold at Whole Foods. Select stores will have other Kickass treats, including those from The Fall Collection (including Caramel Apple) and The Classic Collection (including Chocolate Fudge).

Whole Foods has about 20 locations in and around Boston, including stores in Beacon Hill, Brighton, Jamaica Plain, and near Symphony Hall.

Kickass Cupcakes, which first opened in Somerville in the fall of 2007, also has a cupcake food truck that started up over the summer. The shop's website can be found at http://www.kickasscupcakes.com/

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Burger Dive to Open in Somerville's Assembly Square

As mentioned yesterday, the group behind Papagayo in the Fort Point section of Boston are looking into opening a second location of the Mexican restaurant in Somerville, and they are also planning a new burger concept as well. More information is now out about the burger restaurant, including a name for the place.

According to 451 Marketing, Burger Dive is looking to open at the entrance to the upcoming Assembly Row complex in the Assembly Square section of the city (near the Route 93/28 intersection). It appears that Burger Dive could be open by the early to middle part of 2012, depending on progress on the Assembly Row project. (See earlier post: Assembly Row to Bring a Number of New Restaurants to Somerville)

The folks behind Burger Dive (Legendary Restaurant Group) also operate Papagayo, Scollay Square, Max and Dylan's, Tavern on the Water, and Andiamo, all of which are located in Boston.

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Papagayo May Be Opening a New Location in Somerville

An upscale Mexican restaurant that opened in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston about a year ago may be opening a second location, with this one being a short distance north of the city.

According to Grub Street Boston, Papagayo on Summer Street is apparently considering a second restaurant in the Assembly Square section of Somerville. While no specific details are available as of now, it appears possible that the new Papagayo could be opening in the Assembly Row complex, an upcoming massive mixed-use project that will include a number of restaurants and dozens of factory outlet stores as well as offices and residential space. Grub Street also mentions that the folks behind the restaurant (Legendary Restaurant Group) might be planning an upcoming burger concept as well.

[November 16 update: A note from 451 Marketing indicates that the new Papagayo has not been finalized, and if it does happen, it won't be opening anytime soon (possibly not until 2013).]

Papagayo first opened in Fort Point last November, joining several other restaurants from the Legendary Restaurant Group (Scollay Square, Max and Dylan's, Tavern on the Water, Andiamo).

For more information on the possible opening of Papagayo in Somerville, please go to the Grub Street Boston link below.

Papagayo Team Eyes Second Location, Burger Concept

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Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant Returns to Jamaica Plain

An Ethiopian restaurant has come back to Jamaica Plain after closing several years back, reopening in the space where a coffee shop had been.

According to the Jamaica Plain Gazette and Eater Boston, Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant is now open on Centre Street in the Hyde Square section of JP, several blocks south of its former home on S Huntington Avenue, where it closed in 2006. (Fasika, another Ethiopian eatery, subsequently moved into that space before moving to Broadway in East Somerville; Wok n Talk now resides in the spot.) The Gazette mentions that Blue Nile, which took over the former Velouria Espresso space, is open for lunch and dinner, featuring more vegetarian items than before and possibly tej (honey wine) over the coming weeks.

The address for this new restaurant in Jamaica Plain is: Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant, 389 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

For more information on the reopening of Blue Nile, please go to the Jamaica Plain Gazette and Eater Boston links below.

[Jamaica Plain Gazette]
Ethiopian eatery opens

[Eater Boston]
Blue Nile Reopens in Jamaica Plain

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Assembly Row to Bring a Number of New Restaurants to Somerville

Plans are in the works for a large-scale mixed-use complex in the Assembly Square section of Somerville, and it is expected to include restaurants as well as factory outlet stores.

According to The Boston Globe, the developer of the upcoming Assembly Row project (Federal Realty Investment Trust) is hoping to open a number of restaurants and "dozens" of outlet store within the site, which will also have offices, residential space, a new MBTA station, and an upgraded park along the Mystic River. The article mentions that work has already begun at the 45-acre site (roads, infrastructure), with construction on the first buildings likely starting in early 2012.

Over the next several months, Federal Realty plans to start giving the names of the restaurants and other businesses that are looking to come to Assembly Row, according to the Globe.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

A project to change the retail landscape: Assembly Row will bring dozens of outlet stores close to Boston

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12 Years Later, a Back Bay Restaurant Remains Unopened (and May Lose Its Liquor License)

A proposed restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston that remains unopened after 12 years may finally be seeing its days numbered, as a state rep is looking to take away the spot's liquor license.

According to Universal Hub, restaurateur Joe Cimino recently requested that he be able to receive six to nine more months to open Saratoga restaurant on Fairfield Street, but state Rep. Marty Walz feels that it is time to give the license to someone else, as Cimino has had six years to open the place--and the previous owner also had six years of holding the license without opening a restaurant.

Universal Hub mentions that Boston has a limited number of liquor licenses, and complicating this case further is the fact that the licensing board also grants the wishes of the Back Bay Neighborhood Association in having an informal limit on the number of licenses in the Back Bay.

The board will decide tomorrow whether to revoke the license for Saratoga restaurant.

The address in question is 41 Fairfield Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

For more information on this story, please go to the Universal Hub link below.

State rep demands revocation of liquor license for Back Bay restaurant that's sat unopened for more than a decade

Thanks to MC Slim JB for bringing this to our attention.

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Cheeseboy Is Opening at the Natick Mall in Natick

A takeout restaurant that specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches is expanding a bit more into the Boston area, with their next location being in the western suburbs of the city.

A press release sent to us by The Castle Group indicates that Cheeseboy is planning to open in the Natick Mall (formerly the Natick Collection) on Route 9 in Natick this month, joining other locations at South Station and the Prudential Center in Boston as well as at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree and their original spot in Milford, CT. (Another new Cheeseboy will be opening in West Nyack, NY, this month as well.) The new Natick branch of Cheeseboy will be in the food court of the Natick Mall, a shopping complex that is on the westbound side of Route 9 near the Framingham border.

As with the other locations, Cheeseboy in Natick will offer a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches as well as soups and desserts.

[November 30 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Cheeseboy in Natick is now open.]

The address for this new grilled cheese spot in Natick is: Cheeseboy, 1245 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. The website for all the locations can be found at: http://cheeseboy.com/

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Forbes Travel Guide's Five-Star Picks Include Menton

Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) has just made its picks for five-star and four-star restaurants, hotels, and spas in the United States and beyond, and a high-end dining spot in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston is the only eatery in the city to be awarded five stars.

According to MarketWatch and Startle.com (the new interactive site of Forbes Travel Guide), Barbara Lynch's Menton on Congress Street was given five stars in the guide's 54th annual listing of top restaurants, hotels and spas worldwide, making it one of only 25 restaurants in 2012 to receive such a high rating. Several other Boston dining spots received four stars, including Asana, Clio, L'Espalier, Meritage, and No. 9 Park. Rialto in Cambridge, Toppers in Nantucket, and Twenty-Eight Atlantic in Chatham also received four stars in the latest guide.

The 2012 winners include 25 restaurants, 57 hotels, and 30 spas among the five-star picks, and 146 restaurants, 177 hotels, and 103 spas among the four-star picks.

For a complete listing of five-star and four-star establishments in the 2012 Forbes guide, please go to the MarketWatch and Startle.com links below.

[MarketWatch]
Forbes Travel Guide Announces 54th Annual Five- and Four-Star Awards Naming the Most Five Star Awards in Its History

[Startle.com]
Forbes Travel Guide’s Five- and Four-Star Award Winners

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Loukoumaki Bakery Opens in Arlington

A Greek Bakery has opened in Arlington, taking over the space where another bakery and pastry shop had been.

According to The Arlington Advocate and Wicked Local, Loukoumaki Bakery is now open on Mass. Ave. near the Highland Avenue intersection in the former Bella Moto spot (Bella Moto closed earlier this fall). The article mentions that Loukoumaki features such items as bread, rolls, muffins, scones, cupcakes, and pies, along with Greek dishes such as baklava, cheese pie, and spinach pie.

Hours for Loukoumaki are 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sundays.

The address for this new Greek bakery in Arlington is: Loukoumaki Bakery, 916 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474. The phone number is (781) 646-2253.

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Montilio's Baking Company Is Opening in Braintree

A Brockton-based bakery that has three locations in the Boston area is getting ready to open a fourth spot.

A sign in front of a vacant storefront at the Granite Plaza in Braintree indicates that Montilio's Baking Company is going to be opening a location there soon. Once it opens, the new spot will join other Montilio's shops that are located in Brockton, Quincy, and Peabody, and it will be adjacent to a soon-to-open restaurant and bar called The Brew House (both spaces are along the right side of the plaza, behind the Granite Grill FX).

[November 25 update: A check on the new Montilio's in Braintree indicates that it is now open for business.]

Montilio's Baking Company, which first started out in 1947, is known in part for its cakes, including wedding cakes as well as cakes for corporate events, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc. The shops also feature such items as muffins, cookies, tarts, cupcakes, and more.

The address for this new bakery in Braintree is: Montilio's Baking Company, 703 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for Montilio's can be found at http://www.montilios.com/

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400-Pound Crucolo Cheese to Make Its Way Through Concord on December 1

It looks like an enormous hunk of artisanal cheese will be traipsing through Concord early next month, complete with a red carpet and cheering locals.

According to Grub Street Boston, a 400-pound crucolo will be heading up Walden Street in the center of town on Thursday, December 1, making its way toward its final destination--the Concord Cheese Shop. The article mentions that the crucolo that is on its way to Concord is the world's largest chunk of cheese, with a diameter of "a man's arm span." Included in the parade will be The Crucolo Dancers (costumed children throwing pieces of cheese), live music, and tri-colored balloons.

The crucolo is expected to be at the Concord Cheese Shop around 3:30 PM.

For more information on this event, please go to the Grub Street link below.

The Biggest Cheese in the World is Coming to the Suburbs

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Highlights for the Week Ending November 11, 2011

Several more stories focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Brookline restaurant and bar that may be replaced by a tapas restaurant, the reopening of a popular Mexican restaurant, and the possible closing of two Back Bay restaurants to make room for a furniture store. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) had a review on a sushi bar and wine shop in the South End as an updated review on a deli in Newton and a photo of frog-shaped pastries from a place in Medford.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Barcelona Wine Bar May Be Moving into American Craft Space in Brookline

Review: Bova's Bakery in Boston's North End

Idle Hands Craft Ales Has Officially Launched Its Beers

El Pelon Taqueria Has Reopened in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Back Bay's Other Side Cafe and Island Hopper May Be Replaced by Room & Board

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Review: Seiyo in Boston, MA

Updated Review: Inna's Kitchen in Newton, MA

Photo: Pizza from Santarpio's in East Boston, MA

Early Results: Reader Picks for Best 2011 Restaurants

Photo: Frog (Kaj) Marzipan from Danish Pastry House in Medford, MA

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Barcelona Wine Bar Plans to Move into American Craft Space in Brookline

As mentioned in an earlier article here, a group behind several Spanish tapas restaurants and taquerias/tequila bars in Connecticut, New York, and Georgia are planning to open a location in the Boston area, and it appears that one space that they are looking at is currently home to an American restaurant and beer bar.

According to the Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, the Barcelona Restaurant Group is interested in opening a branch of the Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar in Brookline, apparently taking over the space on Beacon Street where American Craft resides. American Craft is owned by the same person who is behind The Publick House (just east of American Craft on Beacon Street) as well as the now-closed Roadhouse Restaurant, which was in the same space as American Craft until it closed in the winter of 2010. The article mentions that while a spokesperson for Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar says that the company is indeed hoping to open in the American Craft space, the owner of American Craft and The Publick House did not respond to calls from the newspaper about whether American Craft may be moving elsewhere or simply closing.

Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar first started out in 1995, while its sister restaurant Bar Taco was introduced in 2010. The former can be found in Fairfield, Greenwich, New Haven, South Norwalk, Stamford, and West Hartford, CT, as well as Atlanta, GA, while the latter can be found in Stamford, CT, and Port Chester, NY.

[November 23 update: This has just been confirmed; Barcelona will indeed be taking over American Craft (which remains open for now) and has town approval to transfer the liquor license, though it still needs the state's approval. Construction on Barcelona is expected to begin next spring, with the restaurant looking to open in the middle of 2012.]

[December 6 update: American Craft is still open and will remain so at least through December. As soon as we hear of a closing date for the restaurant, we will post another update here.]

[January 14, 2012 update: A message from the owner of American Craft indicates that their last day of business will be tomorrow (Sunday, January 15).]

For more information on this story, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked Local link below.

Tapas chain plans move into American Craft space in Brookline

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New Restaurant and Boutique Hotel Coming to Boston's Bay Village

The owner of a Southern-style restaurant and jazz bar in the South End of Boston is teaming up with others to build an upscale restaurant and boutique hotel in the nearby Bay Village section of the city.

According to The Boston Herald, a development team that includes Darryl Settles of Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen on Columbus Avenue is planning to construct a small hotel (19 rooms) and restaurant on Arlington Street where a vacant building currently sits. The article states that work should start on the site in the spring of 2012, with the restaurant and hotel possibly opening in 2013. Currently, no restaurant has yet committed to leasing the first-floor space (which will be about 2000 square feet), and the Herald mentions that the South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue had been looking at the site as a possible second location of their bakery/cafe, but decided on another spot nearby.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Herald link below.

High hopes for hip hotel

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Review: Bova's Bakery in Boston's North End

A number of us recently went to the North End of Boston, stopping at Bova's, a bakery that has been around since the early 1930s. This is a favorite of mine in the North End neighborhood, partly because it is a bit off the main drag (Hanover Street) and is is generally not quite as touristy or busy as places such as Mike's or Modern. For those who haven't been to Bova's, the space is set up like your typical bakery, with lots of plexiglass display cases on both sides of the shop showing a huge array of pastries and baked goods. A variety of freshly-made breads are stored in bins to the right, while pizza and calzones can be found toward the back of the place.

Because we were such a large group, we were able to try a number of different items at Bova's. A few of the highlights included some rather decadent chocolate chip cannoli; equally sinful chocolate-covered biscotti that were crisp and had a slight anise/licorice taste; half-moon cookies that were just a bit on the dry side, though the chocolate and vanilla frosting made up for the dryness by adding a deep richness to the cookies; a red velvet whoopie pie that was also slightly dry, but rich tasting due to the cream filling; a light and creamy Napoleon (a type of puff pastry); and several different Italian cookies. Service at Bova's was friendly and quick, and prices were pretty reasonable, especially considering how expensive many places in the North End can be.

There isn't much not to like about Bova's Bakery, and there is one more thing that makes this a good option, especially for those of you who are night owls--the place is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is a rarity for food places in the Boston area, and elsewhere in New England, for that matter. It may not be the best bakery or pastry shop that I have been to in the region (it is tough to beat Clear Flour Bakery in Brookline), but Bova's is well worth seeking out.

The address for Bova's is: Bova's Bakery, 134 Salem Street, Boston, MA, 02113. The phone number is (617) 523-5601. And the website can be found at http://bovabakeryboston.com/



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Idle Hands Craft Ales Has Officially Launched Its Beers

A local "nanobrewery" has introduced its beers to the public, debuting them at a restaurant and bar in Cambridge.

According to the Chowder Blog of Boston Magazine, Idle Hands Craft Ales had an official launch of their beers at Atwood's Tavern on Cambridge Street earlier this week, with the Everett-based nanobrewery debuting four beers, including Pandora (a Belgian-style pale ale), Cognition (an Abbey-style session brown), Patriarch (a Belgian-style single), and Pandora "A" (another Belgian-inspired pale ale).

While it is not yet known which restaurants and bars will have their beers, a note within the website for Idle Hands indicates that they do hope to expand through the Boston area and beyond in the future, even though it appears that they will remain small in size for the time being. (Idle Hands is considered a nanobrewery in part because they brew only 1.5 barrels at a time as opposed to 15 or more barrels that some microbreweries brew.)

The website for Idle Hands Craft Ales can be found at http://www.idlehandscraftales.com/site/

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Maggie's Farm to Open in Middleton

A new restaurant featuring an unusual mix of food items will be opening north of Boston at the beginning of 2012, and the group behind it also runs a number of other North Shore eateries.

According to their Twitter page, Maggie's Farm is planning to open in Middleton on January 2, bringing to the area a place that will have pub food, a sushi bar, and live music. The Town of Middleton website mentions that Maggie's Farm has received a transfer of alcohol, victualler, and entertainment licenses from Rock's Tavern, a restaurant on Route 114 that first opened in the winter of 2010 (Rock's Tavern has apparently closed; a call placed to the spot shows that their phone has been disconnected) and it also indicates that Serenitee Restaurant Group--which is behind such places as 15 Walnut in Hamilton, Latitude 43 in Gloucester, and Hale Street Tavern in Beverly--is opening the new spot.

Based on the comment below, it appears that Maggie's Farm will be moving into the former Rock's Tavern space. If so, the address will be: Maggie's Farm, 119 S Main Street (Route 114), Middleton, MA, 01949. The Twitter page for Maggie's Farm can be found at http://twitter.com/#!/MaggiesFarmMidd

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El Pelon Taqueria Has Reopened in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A popular Mexican restaurant in Boston's Fenway neighborhood that was destroyed in a fire a few years ago has reopened.

According to a poster on Chowhound (and confirmed by the restaurant's Facebook page and main website), El Pelon Taqueria is now open once again on Peterborough Street. The eatery had been one of several spots (including Greek Isles, Rod Dee, Sorento's, Thornton's, and Umi) within the Fenway's "Restaurant Row" that burned to the ground in early 2009. The folks behind El Pelon opened a new location of the restaurant on Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton in the spring of 2010, then started focusing on reopening in the Fenway, along with several other restaurants looking to open in the same block (Rod Dee and Thornton's are the only other restaurants returning, with the other places being new spots).

El Pelon Taqueria had also been damaged in a fire in December, 2007, but was able to reopen after fixing up the space.

The address for the reopened El Pelon Taqueria in the Fenway section of Boston is: El Pelon Taqueria, 92 Peterborough Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The phone number is (617) 262-9090. And their website can be found at http://www.elpelon.com/

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The Back Bay's Otherside Cafe and Island Hopper to be Replaced by Room and Board

It looks like two Back Bay restaurants may be forced to closed, as a furniture chain could be planning to take over the block in which they reside.

According to The Boston Globe, The Otherside Cafe on Newbury Street and Island Hopper on Massachusetts Avenue, are a couple of businesses that might be on their way out to make room for Room & Board, a Minnesota-based chain of stores that focuses on furniture and home accessories. The article mentions that the company is looking at approximately 40,000 square feet of space where the two restaurants currently reside, along with Sleeparama on Mass. Ave., a mattress store that also has a location in Cambridge. A spokesperson for Room & Board says that the chain "has not yet committed to a space," though the tenants on the block and real estate people are stating that the chain is in negotiations to take over the spot, according to the Globe.

[November 14 update: According to Hubway, The Otherside Cafe is going to be closing its doors on December 23.]

[December 7 update: According to BostonZest, Island Hopper is looking for a new (and possibly smaller) space somewhere in Boston or Cambridge. It sounds like Central Square in Cambridge may be one possibility, but at this point, there is nothing definite.]

[December 8 update: According to BostonBeerBars and Beer Advocate, The Otherside Cafe has apparently gotten a bit of a reprieve and will remain open through January.]

[December 13 update: According to The Boston Globe, The Otherside Cafe will be closing on January 28.]

The Otherside Cafe is restaurant that features vegetarian fare and a variety of beers, while Island Hopper is a Pan-Asian eatery that offers a number of Malaysian dishes.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

Back Bay could offer Room & Board

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