Pedro's Tacos Moves into Tequila Mexican Grille Space in Downtown Boston

A small group of Mexican restaurants in California whose slogan is the "world's best tacos since 1986" has opened an outlet near Boston's Downtown Crossing, replacing another dining spot that also featured Mexican food.

Eater Boston is reporting that Pedro's Tacos is now open on Bromfield Street (between Tremont Street and Washington Street), taking over the space where Tequila Mexican Grille had been. The article mentions that this is the fifth Pedro's to open, with the other four being in San Clemente (2), Fallbrook, and Oceanside, all of which are located between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The menu at Pedro's Tacos features tacos (including their "famous" fish tacos), burritos, and quesadillas, along with breakfast burritos and combo plates.

The restaurant's Facebook page mentions that the Boston location of Pedro's will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday.

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Boston is: Pedro's Tacos, 55 Bromfield Street, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for Pedro's can be found at http://www.pedrostacos.com/


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Phantom Gourmet Food Festival Coming to Boston September 30, 2012

The Phantom Gourmet Food Festival returns to Boston's Fenway neighborhood once again this weekend, and as always, a wide variety of restaurants and food purveyors will be participating.

According to their Facebook page, the festival will be held on Sunday, September 30 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM by Fenway Park (along Ipswich Street and Lansdowne Street), with the combination indoor/outdoor event including samplings of food from various spots, access to restaurants and bars along Lansdowne as well as parties at clubs, and viewing of the Patriots game via 200 TV sets (plus a large screen on the street).

A few of the businesses that will be at the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival include The Chicken Connection, Comella's, Firefly's, Game On!, Kowloon, La Verdad, Salsa's, Tequila Rain, When Pigs Fly, and many others.

Tickets to the 2012 Phantom Gourmet Food Festival cost $40 in advance ($50 at the event), with tickets including food samplings and entrance to the Lansdowne Street clubs (drinks are extra). Please note that this is a 21-plus event. (Also note that online orders for tickets end at 4:00 PM today.)

For more information, please go to the Phantom Gourmet link below.

http://www.phantomgourmetfoodfestival.com/


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Flour4 Is Opening in Boston's Back Bay

A bakery and cafe with locations in the South End of Boston, the Fort Point neighborhood, and Cambridge's Central Square is opening a fourth location, with this one being in the Back Bay.

According to a post on Joanne Chang's Facebook page, Flour4 will be opening on Clarendon Street, moving into the space where the Hard Rock Cafe had been until it moved to Faneuil Hall. Based on the menu at the other three locations, the new spot in the Back Bay will likely feature items such as sticky buns, muffins, scones, tarts, cookies, cakes, sandwiches, coffee, and tea.

[September 27 update: Eater Boston mentions that the new Flour4 will be located on the ground floor of the building at 131 Clarendon Street, which will also be the new headquarters for Brookline Bank.]

[September 28 update: Joanne Chang posted (via her Facebook page) a "first peek" at Flour4 in the form of a detailed drawing, showing that the new space may have stools along the windows, tables of varying sizes, a large ordering area, ceiling fans and hanging lights, and what appears to be a sleek, modern overall look. The drawing can be seen at the following link: http://twitter.yfrog.com/esqvjswj]

[October 10 update: The Chowder blog of Boston Magazine adds some new information about the upcoming Flour4 via an interview with Joanne Chang. The new place will have approximately 50 seats, which makes it noticeably bigger than the original Flour in the South End (it will be about the same size as the Fort Point location). Also, it will have "a lot of light, open windows, [and] high ceilings," according to Chang. Finally, Flour4 could be open around Christmas, though an exact opening date is not yet in the works.]

[January 11, 2013 update: A post on Joanne Chang's Twitter page indicates that Flour4 is now open. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

Joanne Chang (who is the owner of the Flour bakery-cafes and is also co-owner of Myers + Chang in the South End) says that the new Flour4 could be open by the end of the year.

The address for this new bakery and cafe in the Back Bay is: Flour4, 131 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for Flour is at http://www.flourbakery.com/


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K.M. Taqueria and Bar to Open in Boston

The Mexican restaurant craze shows no signs of letting up in Boston, as yet another Mexican dining spot is on its way to the city.

Articles from both Eater Boston and Grub Street Boston show that a new eatery called K.M. Taqueria & Bar is going to be opening somewhere in Boston. A job post from the Craigslist site indicates that the restaurant will have a "creative taqueria menu and signature items" that may include basic, creative, authentic, and "non authentic" dishes, with all being "fine if it can wow guests."

There is no word on where exactly K.M. Taqueria & Bar will be located or when it might open; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

[Eater Boston]
Something Called K.M. Taqueria & Bar Is Happening

[Grub Street Boston]
Maybe the Mexican Craze Has Gone Too Far?


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The Continuing Saga of a Restaurant Planned for the Pavilion at Boston's Long Wharf

In early 2010, we reported on a restaurant being proposed for the pavilion area at the tip of Boston's Long Wharf, but resistance from some folks in the North End ultimately led to a Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruling against a license for the dining spot in the spring of 2011. Now it appears that the possibility of a restaurant being built on that parcel of land could get another chance, based on an article in NorthEndWaterfront.com stating that the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have appealed the decision. As a result, the case appears to be heading to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

The group behind the original restaurant proposal (Eat Drink Laugh), which was supposed to have been called Doc's Long Wharf, runs several other Boston dining and drinking spots, including the Paramount, The 21st Amendment, the Blarney Stone, and West on Centre.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.

[September 28 update: It appears that the Eat Drink Laugh folks are no longer involved with this case, as the Boston Business Journal reports that Michael Conlon (who is one of the founders of Eat Drink Laugh) withdrew from the project at some point after the Superior Court ruling. In addition, we have not been able to find out who might be interested in building a restaurant at the tip of Long Wharf; when we get more information on this, we will post another update.]

[March 18, 2013 update: Universal Hub states the Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that the tip of Long Wharf isn't a park, which could open the doors for a restaurant to open there. The case now returns to Suffolk Superior Court, where a judge will hear arguments from residents who oppose a dining spot being built at the far end of the wharf.]

[Earlier Articles]
Doc's Long Wharf Appears to Be Coming to the Boston Waterfront
Doc's Long Wharf Might Not Be Opening in Boston After All


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Orange Leaf's 200th Store to Open in Canton; Will Celebrate with Free Frozen Yogurt, Fundraiser

An Oklahoma-based chain of frozen yogurt shops is getting ready to open its 200th store--which also happens to be in the Boston area--and it will celebrate with free froyo and a fundraiser.

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 27), Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt will open a new shop in Canton, and it will be offering free 8-ounce cups of froyo along with other treats from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at its Washington Street location. The seven other Orange Leaf shops in the local area will also be celebrating, with free 8-ounce cups of froyo to the first 200 customers at each location tomorrow as well. And the 200th opening celebration will also be the kickoff for a 4-week fundraiser at all locations in the region to raise money for Boston Children's Hospital, with the goal being to raise $25,000 between customer donations and store sales contributions. (On the final day of the fundraiser--October 27--each Orange Leaf location in the Boston area will contribute at least 25% of sales toward the goal.)

In addition to Canton, other locations of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt can be found in Andover, Lexington, Marblehead, Newburyport, Salem, Seekonk, and Tewksbury, with shops in Belmont, Burlington, Danvers, Dracut, Melrose, Newton, Plymouth, Reading, Somerville, Waltham, Wayland, and Wellesley on the way.

The address for the new Orange Leaf in Canton is: Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, 95 Washington Street, Canton, MA, 02021. The chain's website is at http://orangeleafyogurt.com/


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Starbucks Plans to Open in South Boston

The global coffee chain Starbucks seems to be located everywhere in the Boston area, but one neighborhood that does not yet have a shop is South Boston. That may soon change, however.

Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog reports that Starbucks is going before the Boston Licensing Board this morning, seeking a Common Victualler's License to operate at 11 West Broadway by the Broadway T station. This is the same building that will be home to a new location of Stephanie's--which we reported on a couple of months ago--as well as a number of residential units.

Technically, Starbucks does have locations in South Boston, but their three shops are in the Seaport District (at the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel, the Renaissance Boston Waterfront hotel, and Manulife Financial) rather than in the heart of the South Boston neighborhood that Broadway cuts through.

The address for this planned Starbucks in South Boston is: Starbucks, 11 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.starbucks.com/

[Earlier Article]
Stephanie's to Open in South Boston


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Saporito's Florence Club Cafe in Hull Is Closing

A landmark South Shore restaurant that has been in business for nearly 25 years is going to be closing its doors.

A veteran poster on the Chowhound site states (via The Hull Times) that Saporito's Florence Club Cafe in Hull is shuttering, with the reason for their closing being "the desire to spend more time with family." The Rockland Circle dining spot, which first opened in the late 1980s, has been known for its Northern Italian fare, with their menu including such items as beef carpaccio, housemade cannelloni filled with shrimp, dry-rubbed pork tenderloin, roasted duck breast, grilled ribeye, almond-coated mahi-mahi, and Tuscan-spiced chicken.

Saporito's has received high marks from critics and diners alike over the years, with Zagat currently giving the restaurant a food score of 28 (which is about as high a score as you will see from them).

[October 9 update: The Boston Globe reports that Saporito's Florence Club Cafe is now officially closed.]

The address for this restaurant is: Saporito's Florence Club Cafe, 11 Rockland Circle, Hull, MA, 02045. Their website can be found at http://saporitoscafe.com/


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Fire Heavily Damages The Tides in Nahant

A popular beachside restaurant on the North Shore that has been in business for decades is temporarily closed due to a fire that caused major damage to the place.

The Daily Item is reporting that The Tides Restaurant & Pub in Nahant was hit by a fire on Tuesday morning, with the landmark eatery by Nahant Beach sustaining approximately $200,000 in damages. According to the article, the fire started somewhere in the basement  and moved upward to the uppers floors and kitchen, causing structural damage to the kitchen walls as well as smoke damage. The Item says that The Tides could be closed "for the next few weeks or more" for repairs, while Nahant Fire Captain Dean Palombo estimates that the restaurant could be shuttered for two weeks.

The cause of the fire at The Tides is currently unknown, according to the Daily Item.

The address for The Tides in Nahant is: The Tides, 2 Wilson Road, Nahant, MA 01908. Their website can be found at http://www.tidesnahant.com/


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Firehouse Subs Opens in Boston's Back Bay

A Florida-based chain of quick-casual sandwich shops has opened its second Boston-area location, with this one being in the heart of the city.

A photo on the Foodservice East Facebook page indicates that Firehouse Subs is now open on Boylston Street in the Back Bay of Boston. The shop joins one other in the area, with the region's first Firehouse opening up in Danvers a few months ago. As reported earlier, the Jacksonville-based chain is looking to open a large number of outlets in the Boston area, with one estimate being for nearly 70 locations in and around Boston.

Firehouse Subs first started out in the mid-1990s, with two brothers from a long line of firefighters being behind the chain. The restaurants are active in community service, especially in areas concerning public safety.

The address for this new sandwich shop in the Back Bay is: Firehouse Subs, 545 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.firehousesubs.com/

[Earlier Article]
Firehouse Subs Looking to Open 69 Locations in the Boston Area


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News Elsewhere: "Gronk Flakes" Arrive at Stop and Shop

One of the New England Patriots' most colorful characters can now be seen in the cereal aisles of a number of New England supermarkets.

CBS Boston reports that "Gronk Flakes" are being sold at participating Stop & Shop markets starting today as well as online at PLBSports.com. Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski was at the Walpole Stop & Shop today to celebrate the introduction of the cereal, at one point saying (in typical Gronk fashion) that the replacement referees who are currently being used for NFL games "need to eat Gronk Flakes....Give them a box."

Some of the proceeds from the sale of Gronk Flakes will go to the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation; for more information, please go to the link below.

http://gronknation.com/foundation


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Z Rant in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

A little more than a year after it first opened, a brunch place and sandwich shop in Cambridge's Central Square has shut down, though the restaurant (and nightclub complex) in which it was housed remain open.

A phone call placed to ZuZu at the Middle East club on Mass. Ave. indicates that Z Rant is no longer in operation, confirming rumors about its closing on the Chowhound site as well as from one of our readers. Z Rant mainly featured sandwiches, including pork shoulder, grilled eggplant, smoked salmon, lamb, fried green tomatoes, and roast beef. It also had a daily brunch and a special weekend brunch.

The address for this now-closed spot (as well as the still-open Zuzu and Middle East club) was 474 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.


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Kareem Restaurant Is Reopening in Watertown

The person behind a Syrian restaurant in Watertown that closed 12 years ago is bringing the dining spot back, though in a different location.

A poster on Chowhound (via an earlier article in the Watertown TAB) mentions that Ahmad Yasin is reopening Kareem in the Common Street space where he has done catering and held cooking classes for the past several years. The TAB article states that Yasin opened the original Kareem on Mount Auburn Street in 1984, where it remained in business until 2000, when he decided to try a find a space that he could own rather than continuing to rent. In 2005, he found a space on Common Street and has been catering and teaching there ever since (under the name Yasin Culinary), and now, he is planning to reopen Kareem at that site.

Kareem will only be open on weekends (for both lunch and dinner), as Yasin will continue to do catering and cooking classes during the week. Based on the catering menu at Yasin Culinary, the restaurant's menu could have such items as hummus, grape leaves, split yellow soup, kibbeh, and grilled chicken.

Expect a fall opening for Kareem , according to the TAB.

[November 19 update: The Watertown TAB reports that Kareem is now open for business.]

The address for this Syrian restaurant in Watertown is: Kareem, 99 Common Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.


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Is a Bacon Shortage on the Way?

One of the most popular foods in America may be tougher to find come next year.

Grub Street is reporting (via the Financial Times) that a bacon shortage is "inevitable," as the price of pork will increase during the next year or so due to worldwide drought conditions of late (affecting soybean and corn crops). This in turn will increase bacon prices--and the prices of other pork products--and make bacon and other pig-based items more scarce. An article in the Los Angeles Times mentions that the number of slaughtered pigs could drop by 10% during the second half of 2013, which would double the price of pork from Europe.

More information on the potential bacon shortage can be found at the National Pig Association link below:

National Pig Association Press Releases

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The Organic Table to Replace Prana in Newton Corner

A vegan restaurant is going to be opening in Newton Corner, replacing another vegan dining spot that recently closed for renovations.

According to their Facebook page, The Organic Table is planning to open on Centre Street, moving into the former Prana spot. (Prana closed for remodeling earlier this month after being open since the winter, when it had reopened after closing in the summer of 2011.) It looks like the new spot will feature organic vegan cuisine along with juices and smoothies. At this point, it is not known whether The Organic Table is owned by the Prana folks; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.


Once it opens, hours for The Organic Table will be 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Newton Corner is: The Organic Table, 292 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/organictable

Thanks to both an emailer and a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.


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Highlights for the Week Ending September 21, 2012

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a food truck throwdown between Boston and New York on its way, a Kendall Square restaurant opening a hot dog cart, and a new cafe coming to the Back Bay. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of an Asian restaurant in Malden, a blog entry on five more road trip-worthy dining spots, and a photo of Bavarian French toast from a breakfast and lunch spot in Braintree.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Baja Taco Truck Comes to Brookline (and Soon, Boston and Waltham)

Food Truck Throwdown Coming to Boston, October 13, 2012

Shake Shack Could Be Opening Multiple Locations in the Boston Area

Area Four in Cambridge's Kendall Square Opens a Hot Dog Cart

Nespresso Cafe Is Coming to Boston's Back Bay

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: All Seasons Table in Malden, MA

New Blog Entry: Five More Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants

Photo: Chocolate Eclair from Danish Pastry House in Medford, MA

New Question: Best Meatballs in the Boston Area?

Photo: Bavarian French Toast from Ashley's in Braintree, MA


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Boston University May Be Opening a Food Truck of Its Own

The section of Boston and Brookline near where Boston University is located is one of a number of sites where food trucks are set up, and now it looks like the university itself may be joining in on the food truck craze.

The Daily Free Press is reporting that BU is seeking licenses and a permit to open a food truck that features Asian fusion fare, with the truck being set up at several locations around the university's campus. Dining Services Director Barbara Laverdiere, who told the newspaper that she hopes to get through the permitting process this fall, states that "We think there is a need based on areas of the campus that do not have as many dining options close at hand," and that "Hopefully students will be happy to have another venue at which they can use convenience points."

[October 1 update: A message from Eat.Live.Blog indicates that the new BU food truck could be opening in the next two or three weeks, and that it will be called Fan Boy. It also looks like their Asian fusion concept will have a California influence to it.]

Currently, food trucks such as Pennypacker's, Clover, Bon Me, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, and others are set up in the BU area.


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Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Is Featuring Tupelo in Cambridge, September 24, 2012

Earlier this month, Guy Fieri of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" featured segments on Italian Express Pizzeria in East Boston and Cutty's in Brookline. And tonight (Monday, September 24), another Boston-area restaurant will be featured on the show. According to the Facebook page of Tupelo in Cambridge's Inman Square, the Cambridge Street dining spot will be shown on a new episode of the popular Food Network show at 10:00 PM. The restaurant was one of several places that Fieri went to on a recent trip he took to the Boston area, with Italian Express, Cutty's, Angela's Cafe in East Boston, and Boston Burger Company in Somerville being some of the others.

Tonight's episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" will also feature Patti's Pierogis in Fall River along with Angelo's Civita Farnese Restaurant and Mediterraneo, both in Providence, RI.

Tupelo, which first opened in April of 2009, is a Southern-style comfort food spot that features such dishes as fried oysters, crepes, gumbo, pulled pork, blackened catfish, and chicken and waffles. Its address is: Tupelo, 1193 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. And its website can be found at http://tupelo02139.com/

For more information on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," please go to the following link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html


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Food Truck Throwdown Coming to Boston, October 13, 2012

A food truck competition is on its way to downtown Boston, and it will pit seven Beantown trucks against seven trucks from The Big Apple to see which is the best food truck of them all.

Zagat is reporting that the Food Truck Throwdown will be held at Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on Saturday, October 13, with the event running from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Trucks from Boston include Bon Me, The Cookie Monstah, Kickass Cupcakes, Lobsta Love, Mei Mei Street Kitchen, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, and Staff Meal, while New York trucks include Bian Dang, Big D's Grub, Fishing Shrimp, Mike 'n' Willie's, Munchie Mobile, Nuchas, and Wafels & Dinges. Celebrity judges (including Jenny Johnson of NECN's TV Diner) will be at the event, along with live music.

The Food Truck Throwdown event has no admission charge, though cash will be needed to try the food items.

For more on this event, please go to the link below:

http://www.foodtruckthrowdown.com/



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Nutella Breakfast Tour Truck Comes to the Boston Area

Another new food truck has come to the Boston area, and this one, while only here for a few days, features a food item that has an almost cult-like status.

BostInno is reporting that the Nutella Breakfast Tour truck is in the area until Thursday, September 27, having initially set up shop at City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston today. The truck, which has free samples of its popular hazelnut spread, will be stationed in Cambridge's Harvard Square tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Boston University on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, City Hall Plaza on Monday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Cambridge's Central Square on Wednesday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the Boston Navy Yard on Thursday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

In addition to food samples, the truck is also stocked with Nutella Breakfast Tour t-shirts.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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Benny's Crepe Cafe Is Now Up and Running

A food truck that focuses on crepes has just opened up in Waltham, and it will soon be coming to Boston as well.

According to their Twitter page, Benny's Crepe Cafe apparently opened yesterday, setting up shop on Bear Hill Road, which runs between Winter Street and Route 117 (and is just west of Route 128). Little is known about the truck at this time, though a Twitter post indicates that they are serving "crepes and other fare," and will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Benny's will also be setting up somewhere in Boston as well; as soon as we find out when, we will post an update here.

The address that Benny's Crepe Cafe is set up at is 335 Bear Hill Road, Waltham, MA, 02451. Their Twitter page can be found at https://twitter.com/BennysCrepeCafe

[December 10 update: Eater Boston reports (via the truck's Twitter page) that Benny's Crepe Cafe is now up and running in Boston. For today, at least, you can find the truck by the Boston Public Library in the Back Bay from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for breakfast and the BU campus (west) on Commonwealth Avenue from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for lunch (be sure to check their Twitter page for any schedule changes over the coming days and weeks). EB also mentions that Benny's features a variety of crepes as well as salads, a white bean and pork stew, hash browns, coffee, and tea.]


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Boston Restaurants (and Bars) by the Numbers

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has come out with data on the city's accommodation and food service industry, and the numbers may be surprising to some.

The North End Patch reports that according to the BRA, hotels, bars and restaurants combine to make up the sixth-largest sector in Boston, with nearly 50,000 people employed in the industry (as of 2010). This number includes 9,592 waiters and waitresses, 3,225 cooks, 2,631 bartenders, 2,486 first-line managers and supervisors, 2,452 dishwashers, 1,958 food preparation workers, and 1,522 hosts and hostesses. The BRA also mentions that the accommodation and food service industry should grow by approximately 9.4 percent by 2015.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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Shake Shack Could Be Opening Multiple Locations in the Boston Area

This spring we confirmed that a popular New York City burger stand called the Shake Shack was on its way to Chestnut Hill. And now it looks like it might not be the only location to open in the Boston area.

An article in The Heights (student newspaper of Boston College) includes a quote from Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti, who says that "We're thrilled to make Boston our new home, and we look forward to bringing Shake Shack to other compelling sites in great neighborhoods in the Boston area." It is not yet known where exactly in the area they are looking--and when the locations could open--but this does confirm a rumor that we heard about the burger stand looking to open more than one spot in and around Boston.

The Shake Shack, which started out in Manhattan in 2004, features such items as burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and shakes. Currently, several locations can be found along the East Coast, including branches in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Saratoga Springs, NY, New Haven, CT, Westport, CT, Washington, DC, and Miami Beach, FL. Their website is at http://www.shakeshack.com/

[Earlier Article]
Confirmed: The Shake Shack Is Coming to Chestnut Hill


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Taste Dedham Is Coming to Moseley's, October 18, 2012

A food event is returning to Dedham in October, and a number of local restaurants will be participating once again.

On Thursday, October 18, the Taste Dedham fundraiser will be held at Moseley's on the Charles, with the event running from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This year there will be a total of 27 tasting stations and product samplings from local dining spots, and a raffle, door prize, live auction, and more will be included at  the event. Some of the restaurants that will be taking part in Taste Dedham include Aquitaine Dedham, Brickhouse Cafe, Halfway Cafe, Isabella's King's Dedham, Santoro's Sicilian Trattoria, Summer Shack, and Yard House. The event benefits the programs and services of the Dedham Rotary Club.

Tickets to the 2012 Taste Dedham are $30 per person in advance ($35 at the door).

For more information on this event, please go to the link below:

http://www.dedhamrotary.com/


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Area Four in Cambridge's Kendall Square Opens a Hot Dog Cart

An eclectic restaurant and bar in Cambridge's Kendall Square that also includes a bakery/coffeehouse now has something else for diners--a hot dog cart.

The Chowder blog of Boston Magazine is reporting that Area Four at 500 Technology Square has set up a cart outside of the restaurant, with hot dogs being sold at lunchtime on weekdays. Chowder mentions that the cart is selling BN Ranch grass-fed all-beef hot dogs (the only place on the East Coast that does this), with toppings including jalapeno-pineapple relish and pickled banana pepper relish.

Area Four first opened its doors in May of 2011.

The address for this Area Four (and its hot dog cart) is 500 Technology Square (Main Street), Cambridge, MA, 02139. Their website can be found at http://www.areafour.com/

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Baja Taco Truck Comes to Brookline (and Soon, Boston and Waltham)

A Mexican food truck that we briefly mentioned earlier this year is now up and running, bringing San Diego-style dishes to the Boston area.

Thrillist reports that the Baja Taco Truck is open for business, offering such items as fried tilapia tacos, chicken burritos, queso fresco quesadillas, carne asada, tortilla chips with a light green chili dip, and roasted pineapple popsicles. An article from Eater Boston mentions that the truck is currently located on Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline (near Boston University), but it will also be setting up shop in Boston proper as well as in Waltham at some point.

San Diego native Bryan Peugh is the person behind the Baja Taco Truck, according to Eater Boston.

The website for the truck can be found at http://www.bajatacotruck.com/

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Nespresso Cafe Is Coming to Boston's Back Bay

A Back Bay shop that sells espresso machines and pods is going to be adding a cafe to its space.

Eater Boston is reporting that Nespresso Boutique on Newbury Street is planning to open what looks to be an espresso bar, with a Craigslist job post indicating that the name of the place will be Nespresso Cafe, and that it is currently looking for assistant cafe managers, baristas, runners, servers, and more. The Craiglist post also mentions that the shop will be a "Boutique-Bar Flagship."

[March 19, 2013 update: It looks like Nespresso Cafe is getting close to opening, as a new Craigslist post indicates that it is inviting folks looking for jobs to come to the store on Newbury Street this week to meet with local managers and other hiring managers.]

Nespresso Boutique first opened its doors in Boston in late 2008. It is one of a handful of stores in the United States, with two of them being located in New York City. (Nespresso is a division of the Nestle company.)

The address for Nespresso Boutique and the upcoming Nespresso Cafe is 7 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant Is Opening in South Boston

As reported this summer, a new dining and drinking establishment is on its way to South Boston, and now we know more about the place, including the fact that a couple of folks who have worked at several Boston restaurants are involved with it.

According to their website and Facebook page, Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant is going to be opening on W Broadway, with the Facebook page indicating that the spot will be featuring New American fare as well as pizza and a weekend brunch (it will only be open for dinner on weekdays). The chef is Nicholas Dixon, who has worked at such Lyons Group restaurants as Lucky's Lounge, Harvard Gardens, and Mass Ave Tavern, while the general manager is Toula Tiganitakis, who has worked at Papagayo and Legal Sea Foods. An earlier article that we posted on this spot indicates that the Eat Drink Laugh Restaurant Group (Paramount, 21st Amendment, Blarney Stone, West on Centre.) is behind it.

It is not yet known when Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant will open, though a post last week on their Facebook page shows that they are currently hiring workers for their place.

[October 1 update: UrbanDaddy is reporting that Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant is going to be soft-opening today at 5:00 PM.]

The address for this new dining and drinking spot in South Boston is: Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant, 425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. Their website is at http://www.lincolnsouthboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Eat Drink Laugh Restaurant Group to Open New Restaurant in South Boston

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ECBA "Smoke This" Rib Fest 2012 Coming to East Cambridge, October 21, 2012

A food event and street fair that features ribs is coming to East Cambridge once again in October.

On Sunday, October 21, the East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA) "Smoke This" Rib Fest 2012 will be held on Cambridge Street (between Fulkerson Street and Fifth Street), with the event taking place from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The rib fest is a competition where pit masters face off to see who makes the best ribs in Cambridge, with guests trying samples of ribs and voting for their favorites. In addition to the rib samplings, each restaurant will also sell one of their own dishes from their menu. A few dining spots that will be participating in the rib fest include Area Four, Atwood's Tavern, Bambara, East Side Bar and Grille, Lord Hobo, Ole, Portugalia, Tupelo, and others.

A Taste Ticket is needed in order to try 10 rib samples from participating restaurants, with tickets going on sale September 20.

For more information on the ECBA "Smoke This" Rib Fest 2012, please go to the link below:

http://eastcambridgeba.dreamhosters.com/


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Highlights for the Week Ending September 14, 2012

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Latin dining spot closing in the South End, an Italian restaurant teaming up with a cinema complex, and an ice bar coming to downtown Boston. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Irish pub in Cambridge, a blog entry that includes reviews of four New England dining spots, and a photo of a burger from a restaurant in Cambridge's Harvard Square.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Noche in Boston's South End Is Closing, Moving; New Restaurant to Move into Noche's Space

Steel and Rye to Open in Milton

New Restaurant Coming to The Ship in Lynnfield

Davio's Partners with Theater Chain to Open Restaurant in Chestnut Hill

Frost Ice Bar to Open in Boston's Faneuil Hall

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: The Druid in Cambridge, MA

New Blog Entry: Reviews of Four New England Restaurants

List of September Closings and Openings (So Far)

Question: What Is Your Favorite Diner in New England?

Photo: Cheeseburger from Flat Patties in Cambridge, MA


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Legal C Bar to Open in Somerville's Upcoming Assembly Row Development

An offshoot of the Legal Sea Foods chain is going to be coming to a mixed-use development in the Assembly Square section of Somerville.

The Boston Globe reports that Legal C Bar will open at the upcoming Assembly Row, joining a number of other dining spots that will include Burger Dive and Papagayo (as mentioned here earlier). The article states that the casual cafe and seafood bar will open sometime during the next two years.

Currently, locations of Legal C Bar can be found at Logan Airport in East Boston and Legacy Place in Dedham. Another location is also going to be coming to Lynnfield.

The website for Legal C Bar is at http://www.legalcbar.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Burger Dive to Open in Somerville's Assembly Square
Papagayo to Open a New Location in Somerville
Assembly Row to Bring a Number of New Restaurants to Somerville


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Update: Kendall Square EatUp! Coming to Cambridge, October 9, 2012

A food event is on its way to one of Cambridge's hottest neighborhoods for dining out.

On Tuesday, October 2 [RAINED OUT--see updates below], Kendall Square EatUp! will be taking place outdoors at the Tech Square greenway, which is off of Main Street on the western edge of Kendall Square. The 21+ event, which begins at 6:00 PM (5:30 PM for VIP ticket holders), will include food offerings from such area restaurants as Abigail's, The Blue Room, Fuji at Kendall, Kika Tapas, Tatte Bakery and Cafe,  West Bridge, and others. In addition to food, Kendall Square EatUp! will also feature live entertainment (including a reading by local poet Toni Bee).

General admission tickets for this event cost $40, with VIP tickets being $65.

[October 2 update: Kendall Square EatUp! has been postponed due to rain. It will be held on Tuesday, October 9 instead.]

[October 9 update: According to the event's website, Kendall Square EatUp! is still on for tonight, but it has been moved indoors to the Atrium at 100 Technology Square.]

For more information on Kendall Square EatUp!, please go to the link below:

http://www.kendallsqeatup.com/


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Update: Noche in Boston's South End Is Closing, Moving; Lower Lodge to Move into Noche's Space

[Ed note: This article was updated on October 2 to reflect more information received, including a name for the upcoming spot.]

An upscale restaurant and lounge in Boston's South End is closing--and moving elsewhere--after being in business for a bit more than two years.

According to their Facebook page, Noche on Appleton Street is shutting its doors after business hours tomorrow, with the message stating that the group behind the dining and drinking spot (Boston Nightlife Ventures) is "moving the concept across town to a different location, scheduled to open Spring 2013." The message also mentions that "a new, fun concept, catering to the alternative scene," is going to move into the Appleton Street space in the late fall or early winter.

[October 2 update: Eater Boston is reporting that the new restaurant replacing Noche will be called Lower Lodge, and it could be open by the winter.]

Noche first opened in June of 2010, featuring an eclectic Latin-based menu with seasonal dishes. It moved into the space where Icarus had been since 1978.

The current address for Noche is 3 Appleton Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

Thanks to one of our readers for letting us know about this via email.


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CJP's "Fast to Feed" Initiative to Help Fight Hunger in Greater Boston

A Boston-based Jewish organization has started a hunger campaign that includes the participation of three restaurants in Brookline as well as an online food delivery service.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies' "Fast to Feed" initiative has the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse, The Fireplace, Zaftigs, and DiningIn donating a portion of diner's checks to the hunger campaign if the patrons mention it while they are dining. 100% of all donations to CJP's campaign will directly support JF&CS Family Table and JFS of Metrowest's Lucy and Joe’s Food Pantry.

The initiative started earlier this month and goes through September 26.

For more information on the Fast to Feed initiative, please go to the link below:

CJP's "Fast to Feed" Initiative


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A Taste of Roslindale Is Coming on October 18, 2012

A food event returns once again to Roslindale (this time being held in October) and many area dining spots will be participating.

On Thursday, October 18, A Taste of Roslindale will be held at St. Nectarios Church in Roslindale, with the event starting at 6:30 PM and going until 9:00 PM. Included at the annual event will be samplings of food from various restaurants and food purveyors as well as a cash bar, music, and a raffle. A few of the eateries that will be participating include Birch Street Bistro, Blue Star Restaurant, Cafe Rialto, Himalayan Bistro, Pleasant Cafe, Sugar Baking Company, Suya Joint, Village Sushi, and Wapo Taco.

Tickets for the 2012 Taste of Roslindale cost $40 and can be purchased at the link below:

http://www.roslindale.net/taste/


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Steel and Rye Is Opening in Milton

Last year we reported that the Chris Parsons was closing Parsons Table in Winchester and he was planning to reopen Catch (which had previously been in the Parsons Table space) in or near Boston. Now we have learned that he will be opening a brand new dining spot in Milton.

A Facebook invite sent to us this afternoon indicates that Steel & Rye will open on Eliot Street near the Dorchester/Mattapan line, with the address being the same as that of Cakes Bakery and Cafe. [September 13 update: A message from the Steel & Rye Facebook page says that the restaurant will be on the other side of the building from Cakes, which will remain open.] Based on information from its Facebook and Twitter pages, Steel & Rye will be a restaurant and bar that will feature locally-sourced and regionally-inspired fare in a loft-style warehouse space. Expect the dining spot to open sometime in October.

[October 31 update: UrbanDaddy is reporting that Steel & Rye is planning to open on Monday (November 5).]

It is not known if Chris Parsons still plans to reopen Catch or if that has completely fallen through for now.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Milton will be: Steel & Rye, 95 Eliot Street, Milton, MA, 02186. Its website can be found at http://steelandrye.com/


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Opus to Open in Former Green Land Cafe Space in Salem

A new restaurant is on its way to Salem, moving into the space where a cafe had been until closing recently.

The Hamilton-Wenham Patch reports (via The Salem News) that Serenitee Restaurant Group is looking to open Opus on Washington Street, taking over the former Green Land Cafe spot. This is the same restaurant group that owns such eating and drinking establishments as 15 Walnut in Hamilton, Alchemy, Latitude 43, and Minglewood Tavern in Gloucester, Cala's in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hale St. in Beverly Farms, and Maggie's Farm in Middleton. Currently, very little is known about what kind of restaurant Opus will be; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

Expect Opus to open sometime in November, according to the Patch.

[February 26, 2013 update: According to a job post on the Craigslist site, Opus plans to open on June 1, with the spot featuring "an eclectic menu with casual fine dining upstairs and a night club downstairs."]

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Salem is: Opus, 87 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.


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The Ship Restaurant Is Returning to Lynnfield

It was exactly a year ago today that we reported the closing of another restaurant within a landmark structure on Route 1 in Lynnfield, and today we have learned that the space will be home to a dining spot once again.

The Lynnfield Patch is reporting that the owner of The Ship--Nino Micozzi--and his attorney were present at a selectmen's meeting this week, successfully getting a renewal of a liquor license for the spot. The article mentions that the new eatery will focus on Italian and American fare, with Micozzi planning to make the spot much like it was back in its heyday, saying that "it was successful for 60 years. Why change it? We just want to go back to when it was 'The Ship.'" Entertainment will likely be limited to a piano player on the premises.

Last September, an outlet of The Mount Vernon Restaurant closed in The Ship's space. Prior to The Mount Vernon, Ship-based dining spots with a few different names had been at the site, with restaurants being open there since at least the 1930s, the Patch says.

Before The Ship Restaurant can open, it has to go through standard procedures with the town board of health as well as the state alcoholic beverages commission, according to the article. If all goes as planned, the spot could be open around Thanksgiving.

[April 1, 2013 update: A new article in the Lynnfield Patch states that The Ship Restaurant is in the middle of a soft opening.]

The address for this restaurant is 24 Broadway (Route 1), Lynnfield, MA, 01940. The website is at http://www.theshiprestaurantgroup.com/


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