Thursday, November 29, 2012

Schoolhouse Pizza in Quincy Has Closed

A restaurant in downtown Quincy that featured thin-crust pizza has closed its doors.

A poster on the Chowhound site mentioned today that Schoolhouse Pizza appears to have closed, and we were able to confirm this via the Facebook page of the eatery, with a note stating that their last day in business was November 20. Schoolhouse Pizza was known in part for its use of fresh ingredients for their pizzas,, including house-made mozzarella cheese. The dining spot also offered a variety of sandwiches.

Schoolhouse Pizza first opened its doors approximately five years ago.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Quincy was: Schoolhouse Pizza, 1 School Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cuppacoffee (a Coffee Shop with Australian Meat Pies) Is Opening in Boston

A new espresso bar is on its way to downtown Boston, and it will be serving meat pies along with coffee.

Eater Boston is reporting that Cuppacoffee is going to be opening at the site of the Mobil gas station across from the Haymarket T stop (on Merrimac Street). The article states that the new spot will feature Australian meat pies as well as coffee from Hopkinton-based Red Barn Coffee Roasters, and it will make espresso using its own blend of beans. A check on Cuppacoffee's website shows that the shop will be run by Todd Moore and his wife Michelle, with Todd mentioning that he comes from Sydney, Australia.

This will not be the first spot in Boston to feature Australian meat pies; a pair of such places (KO Catering and Pies in South Boston and KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston) opened in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

[May 15, 2013 update: According to a Twitter post, Cuppacoffee is planning to soft-open sometime next week. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.]

[May 20, 2013 update: Grub Street Boston states that the official opening date for Cuppacoffee is Tuesday, May 28, with a soft opening expected over the Memorial Day weekend.]

The address for this new coffee shop in Boston is: Cuppacoffee, 1 Merrimac Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website can be found at http://www.trycuppacoffee.com/



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Head of Bull to Open in Revere

A new dining spot is coming to Revere, and it will apparently be serving some interesting cuts of meat.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Chowhound) that Head of Bull plans to open on Everett Street sometime in December, bringing to this northern neighbor of Boston a place to get a variety of American, French, Italian, Mediterranean, and Portuguese dishes with Brazilian leanings. The Chowhound poster mentions that the upcoming eatery will offer meats that aren't always seen at restaurants (boar, crocodile, and venison), and it will also feature French desserts.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Revere is: Head of Bull, 7 Everett Street, Revere, MA, 02151.



Garage Boston Is Opening in Allston

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 10, 2014 to reflect an opening date as well as a slight name change.]

A private supper club is on its way to Allston, and it will include a form of entertainment that isn't seen all that much anymore.

Eater Boston reports that a place tentatively called Garage Lounge is going to be opening on Linden Street, presumably sharing the space where Crystal Restaurant (a Russian dining spot) resides. The article mentions that the club will feature go-go dancers, with a Craigslist job post mentioning that the dancers will perform during DJ nights and at staged shows and performances for special events. It appears that it will be a high-end club with a "highly selective door," according to their Facebook page, and it will include a scotch bar and tapas-style fare.

[April 10, 2014 update: A new article from Eater Boston mentions that Garage Boston (a name change from Garage Lounge) will open on April 17. At this point in time, it is not known for sure whether it will be a private supper club, a public restaurant and lounge, an event venue, etc., though a post on its Facebook page that Eater Boston added to an update indicates that it could be open to the public.]

[April 24, 2014 update: Garage Boston is now open, with its website including the phrase "Luxury Cars, Beautiful People, Unique Ambience" at the top.]

The address for this new supper club is 20 Linden Street, Allston, MA, 02134. Their website is at http://www.glboston.com/


Monday, November 26, 2012

Highlights for the Week Ending November 23, 2012

A few more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a popular waterfront restaurant and bar closing, a gluten-free bakery coming to Arlington, and a Puerto Rican dining spot opening in the South End. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an offbeat Italian eatery in Medford, a blog entry on Instagram, and a photo of an appetizer from an Asian restaurant in Jamaica Plain.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Tavern on the Water in Charlestown Has Closed

Something Sweet Without Wheat to Open in East Arlington

Squeaky Beaker Cafe to Open in Cambridge's Kendall Square

Mana Escondido Cafe to Open in Boston's South End

Yogurtland Is Coming to the Boston Area

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Nappi Meats and Groceries in Medford, MA

Photo: Breakfast Burrito from Leggos in Holbrook, MA
 
New Blog Entry: Our New Instagram Web Profile Page

Question: Best Macaroni and Cheese in the Boston Area?

Photo: Dumplings from Wonder Spice Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA



Mario Batali Might Be Opening Babbo Pizzeria in Boston

A New York-based celebrity chef, restaurateur, writer, and TV personality is hoping to open a restaurant in Boston.

According to a post on his Twitter page, Mario Batali is planning to open Babbo Pizzeria somewhere in the city, with Eater Boston mentioning that the eatery could be opening in the Fort Point neighborhood or the Seaport District. Batali runs an award-winning place in New York called Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca along with OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria in New York and Las Vegas and Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, CA, and Singapore, so it is possible that the new restaurant could have components of all three places--or it could be an entirely new spot (stay tuned for updates).

[November 27 update: The Boston Herald is reporting that Batali's new restaurant will be located at 320 Summer Street in the Fort Point area, which ties into the following article that we posted in March: A New Restaurant May Be On Its Way to Summer Street in the Fort Point Area . The Herald also mentions that this will actually be a third location of the aforementioned OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria, though it is possible that it may be called Babbo Pizzeria in order to avoid conflict and/or confusion with Otto Pizza, a Portland-based eatery that has locations in Cambridge and Brookline. The pizza restaurant is actually not a done deal, as no agreement has been signed yet for the 6,500-square-foot space, according to the article.]

[April 5, 2013 update: The Boston Globe confirms that Mario Batali's upcoming restaurant is definitely going to be happening, and that it will be called Babbo Pizzeria and Enoteca. The article also says that the restaurant could be opening in the middle of the fall. (Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.)]

[August 26, 2013 update: Eater Boston mentions that a Twitter post from Mario Batali says an opening for Babbo Pizzeria and Enoteca in Fort Point is "not looking good right now." (Batali then goes on to say "[I'll] keep you posted.") As soon as we hear more about what might be going on with Babbo, we will post another update here.]

In addition to the restaurants mentioned above, Mario Batali also owns a number of other eateries in the United States and Asia, and can currently be seen on ABC's "The Chew." (He also starred on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America.") Batali is also known for his cookbooks and food/cooking products, many of which can be found at Eataly, his massive Italian emporium in New York. Mario's website is at http://www.mariobatali.com/

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.



Andale in Boston's Financial District Has Closed

A Mexican restaurant in the Financial District of Boston has closed its doors, though it will continue to run its catering operation.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Andale on Summer Street is shuttered, with a phone call to the place confirming this. The dining spot, which first opened in late 2003, featured such items as burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, and was connected with Zocalo in the Back Bay, Ole in Cambridge, and Olecito in Brookline and Cambridge--all of which are part of the Ole Restaurant Group.

The person we talked to on the phone mentioned that Andale Catering will remain in place (the catering operation is based in the Back Bay).

The address for this now-closed Mexican restaurant in the Financial District was: Andale, 125 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the Ole Restaurant Group can be found at http://www.olerestaurantgroup.com/



Friday, November 23, 2012

Tavern on the Water in Charlestown Has Closed

A waterside restaurant and bar in Charlestown known in part for its spectacular views of Boston has apparently closed its doors for good.

Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog is reporting that Tavern on the Water is shuttered, with a phone call placed to the spot by Adam not going through and another call to a sister restaurant confirming that the restaurant is not just closed for the season (as its website states), but will not be reopening again.

Tavern on the Water featured pub grub, American classics, and seafood, with its views from the upstairs deck being some of the best in the entire Boston area. It was part of the Legendary Restaurant Group, which includes Avery Provision Co., Burger Dive, Max and Dylans, Papagayo Mexican Kitchen and Bar, Scollay Square, and Sip.

The address for this now-closed restaurant and bar in Charlestown was: Tavern on the Water, 1 8th Street #6, Charlestown, MA, 02129.

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



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Something Sweet Without Wheat Is Opening in East Arlington

A bakery that focuses on gluten-free and wheat-free products is getting ready to open in East Arlington.

The Arlington Patch is reporting that Something Sweet Without Wheat is opening on Mass. Ave., moving into the space where Barismo had been until moving next door to a bigger space. The article mentions that the new bakery is owned by two sisters who run a commercial kitchen in Woburn that mainly does wholesaling of its goods (products for the retail bakery will be made in the Woburn space and brought to Arlington each morning). In addition being gluten-free and wheat-free, the items at Something Sweet Without Wheat will also be 95 percent dairy-free and will not contain any tree nuts (other than coconut).

It looks like Something Sweet Without Wheat could be opening its doors as early as December 1, according to the Patch.

[January 17, 2013 update: The Arlington Patch mentions in an article that Something Sweet Without Wheat is apparently on the verge of opening. (The article, which was posted on Tuesday, says that it could open sometime this week.)]

[January 24, 2013 update: An email sent to us from the bakery indicates that Something Sweet Without Wheat will be opening on Tuesday, January 29.]

The address for this new bakery in East Arlington is: Something Sweet Without Wheat, 169 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA, 02474.



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Squeaky Beaker Cafe Is Opening in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A new restaurant is coming to the Kendall Square section of Cambridge, and it looks like the person behind it also runs a breakfast and lunch spot nearby.

A License Commission General Hearing page from the City of Cambridge website states that Anthony Miller is planning to open the Squeaky Beaker Cafe at 675 West Kendall. The site indicates that the 18-seat eatery will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (hours listed are 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Friday), while a couple of posts on Craigslist mention that the cafe is planning to open sometime in December.

[January 4, 2013 update: Eater Boston reports that the Squeaky Beaker Cafe is now open. (One note--dinner is takeout only.)]

Anthony Miller is also the owner of the 2nd Street Cafe, which is a few blocks north of Kendall Square.

The address for this new restaurant in Kendall Square is: Squeaky Beaker Cafe, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, MA, 02142.



Monday, November 19, 2012

Mana Escondido Cafe Is Opening in Boston's South End

It looks like a new Puerto Rican restaurant is on its way to Boston.

Universal Hub is reporting that Mana Escondido Cafe is going to be opening in the South End, with the eatery apparently being open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Aguadilla Street dining spot will serve mofongo as well as items that "are currently unavailable anywhere in Massachusetts," according to the owner of the restaurant. Expect a December 1 opening for the new eatery.

[December 7 update: Eater Boston, which recently mentioned that Mana Escondido Cafe was hoping for a December 8 opening, is now stating that the restaurant will not open on December 8 after all, though it appears that their opening is not far off. (Stay tuned for more updates.)]

[May 2, 2013 update: A Twitter post (along with a direct message) from @Pilotblock indicates that Mana Escondido Cafe is now open.]

Mana Escondido Cafe is moving into the space where Miami Cafe had been (just south of Tremont Street).

The address for this new Puerto Rican restaurant in the South End is: Mana Escondido Cafe, 68 Aguadilla Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Their website is at http://www.manacafeboston.com/

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.



Highlights for the Week Ending November 16, 2012

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including another location of a popular BBQ spot closing, a hot chocolate pop-up coming to Boston, and a local group of pizzerias facing an uncertain future. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included questions on French fries and onion rings, a blog entry on the new Facebook feeds page, and a photo of a pizza from an old-school Quincy spot.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Firefly's in Framingham Has Closed

Area Four in Cambridge May Be Opening a Second Location

Hot Chocolate Pop-Up Coming to Revere Hotel in Boston

Upper Crust Closes Most Locations; Future of Stores Unclear

Steve "Nookie" Postal to Set Up Pop-Up Jewish BBQ Spot at Crema Cafe in Cambridge

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Question: Best French Fries in the Boston Area?

New Blog Entry: And Now...a Facebook Pages Feed

List of Restaurant Closings/Openings (So Far) for November

Question: Best Onion Rings in the Boston Area?

Photo: Hamburg Pizza from Villa Rosa in Quincy, MA



Friday, November 16, 2012

Yogurtland Is Coming to the Boston Area

Attention, Bostonians: Get ready for even more frozen yogurt.

The Boston Business Journal is reporting (via a Business Wire news release) that a California-based frozen yogurt chain called Yogurtland is looking to expand into the Boston area, with approximately 20 locations on the way. The BBJ article mentions that Yogurtland, which is headquartered in Irvine, focuses on the concept of self-service frozen yogurt. The company opened its first shop in 2006, with more than 190 locations now open in the United States, Mexico, and Guam.

[June 4, 2013 update: The restaurantnewsrelease.com site states that Yogurtland has opened its first Boston-area location at 273 Harvard Street in Brookline, with more on the way in the next month, including shops in Boston's Back Bay (Newbury Street), Harvard Square in Cambridge, and Newton Centre.]

The Boston area has seen a large number of frozen yogurt shops open up over the past few years, with both chains and independent places opening in and around the city.

The website for Yogurtland is at http://www.yogurt-land.com/



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Firefly's in Framingham Has Closed

A barbecue joint that once had three locations in the Boston area is now back down to one, as another one of its restaurants has closed.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Firefly's in Framingham has shuttered, with a check on the place confirming this, as a message on their voicemail indeed says that they have closed down after being in business for nine years. This is the second closing for Firefly's in the past couple of years, as their Quincy location closed in the spring of 2011 after being open for approximately four years. Their original restaurant in Marlboro remains open.

The address for this now-closed BBQ spot in Framingham was: Firefly's, 235 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA, 01701. The website for the original Firefly's is at http://www.fireflysbbq.com/



Bostone Pizza in the Back Bay Is Closing

A pizzeria that shuttered its Financial District location this spring is going to be closing its original shop in the Back Bay this weekend.

Eater Boston is reporting that Bostone Pizza on Newbury Street is getting ready to shut down after being in business since 2007. EB mentions that Saturday will be the pizzeria's last day of operation.

Bostone Pizza is a place that has featured both Neapolitan and Sicilian pizza, and their original location had been mentioned on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as an under-the-radar spot for pizza. A review of the restaurant can be found below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/BostonePizza.html

The address for this soon-to-close pizzeria is 225 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Update: Area Four in Cambridge Is Apparently Opening a Second Location in Somerville

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 4, 2013 to reflect a possible location for a second Area Four.]

A casual New American restaurant in Cambridge's Kendall Square area that opened about a year and a half ago might be opening a second location.

Grub Street Boston is reporting that the folks behind Area Four on Main Street are eyeing locations for a new outlet of its restaurant. At this point in time, it is not known where in the Boston area they are looking; as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here.

[April 4, 2013 update: Based on a note posted in the window (which we saw last night), it appears that Area Four is planning to open at 445 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, taking over the space just west of Union Square where The Bearded Pig had briefly been last summer. Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for initially bringing this to our attention.]

Area Four first opened in June of 2011, bringing to Kendall Square a place to get such items as mussels, macaroni and cheese, braised grass-fed beef, and wood-fired pizza. The restaurant also has a bakery-cafe area as well as a bar.

The address for Area Four is: Area Four, 500 Technology Square (Main Street), Cambridge, MA, 02139. Their website is at http://www.areafour.com/



Hot Chocolate Pop-Up Coming to Revere Hotel in Boston

A new "pop-up" is on its way to downtown Boston, and this one will focus on a popular cold-weather drink while raising money for a good cause in the process.

Eater Boston mentions that "Pop it Like it's Hot" will be set up at the Revere Hotel on Stuart Street, with the pop-up featuring a variety of hot chocolate drinks such as ginger white chocolate, maple bacon, and meringue brulee. Executive chef Bader Ali will be making the hot drinks using chocolate from Taza in Somerville, with the drinks being free, though with suggested donations that will help out The Home for Little Wanderers.

Pop it Like it's Hot can be found in the lobby of the Revere Hotel each Friday between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM from November 23 through December 21.

The address for the Revere Hotel is 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Their website is at http://www.reverehotel.com/



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Upper Crust Closes Most Locations; Future of Stores Unclear

It looks like a troubled local group of pizzerias that recently declared bankruptcy has closed most of its locations, and while it could be only temporary, it is not known when (or if) they might reopen.

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Watertown location of the Upper Crust Pizzeria is closed for business, with an employee there saying that "Our company is going through some changes so we are closed for at least next couple of days." The Globe says that workers at several other locations stated that the eateries were shuttered "indefinitely," with the phones going unanswered at their Newbury Street location as well as shops in Hingham, Lexington, and Wellesley. Their Fenway and South End restaurants are having orders routed to the Beacon Hill and Brookline locations, which are operated by Jordan Tobins (the founder of Upper Crust) and are not involved in the conpany's bankruptcy proceedings.

Upper Crust, which filed bankruptcy last month, has been closing shops over the past several months, including locations in Boston (by BU), Beverly, Waltham, and Salem.

[November 13 update: A second article in The Boston Globe gives more information on the status of the Upper Crust Pizzeria. Based on information from a trustee who is overseeing the group of restaurants, Upper Crust closed last night because "it had just four days of supplies and only $14,000 in cash after company executives paid themselves a month’s salary in advance," and that the chain (presumably not including the locations run by Tobins--see above) "will shut down permanently unless (it) can get a cash infusion in the next few days." The Globe also mentions that 11 of the 16 Upper Crust locations closed.]



Montilio's Creates a Life-Size Cake Replica of Rob Gronkowski

A Brockton-based bakery has teamed up with the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain to create a cake version of one of Boston's most beloved sports figures.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Montilio's has made a life-size cake replica of tight end Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots. The cake sculpture, which was made for the "DD Gronkoff" Facebook sweepstakes for Dunkin' Donuts (for whom Gronk is a spokesperson), took about 80 hours to make and has enough ingredients for 15 sheet-cakes, according to the article. The toughest part of the process was apparently getting Gronk's haircut right, which took nearly a whole day to do.

The cake will be unveiled today at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, with winners of the contest getting to meet the Patriots player--as well as dining on Dunkin' Donuts Bakery Sandwiches.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention (via BostInno).



Monday, November 12, 2012

Highlights for the Week Ending November 9, 2012

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a French restaurant in Brighton possibly being replaced by a Japanese spot, an upscale comfort food place west of Boston closing, and a chicken pie spot opening its first location south of the city. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a pizza place within an auto garage, a photo slideshow on interesting restaurant interiors, and a photo of a Cambodian soup from a Jamaica Plain spot.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Petit Robert Bistro in Brighton May Be Replaced by Ittoku

Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard Has Apparently Closed

Video of a b.good Burger Launched into Outer Space

Tonic in Jamaica Plain Is Reopening

Harrow's Chicken Pies to Open in Dedham

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Country Pizza in Lincoln, MA

New Slideshow: Twelve Interesting Restaurant Interiors

Photo: Khmer Soup from Wonder Spice Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA

Question: Favorite Sushi in the Boston Area?

Photo: Burger from Dogwood Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA



Huge Wheel of Cheese to Make Its Way Through Concord in Horse-Drawn Cart

Last year we wrote about how a gigantic hunk of artisanal cheese was going to make its way through Concord, and this year a similarly huge piece of cheese will be doing the same thing.

Grub Street Boston is reporting that the largest wheel of cheese in the entire Western Hemisphere will be traveling through Concord on a horse-drawn cart on December 6, with its ultimate destination being the Concord Cheese Shop in the center of town. The 400-pound Crucolo, which is from Italy, will start its journey at 3:30 PM, being serenaded by an Italian chorale group along the way. GS also says that Concord Academy's Crucolo Dancers will "prance alongside the cart while 'brandishing large chunks of cheese.'"

The Concord Cheese Shop is located at 29 Walden Street in Concord Center.

[Earlier Article (from 2011)]
400-Pound Crucolo Cheese to Make Its Way Through Concord on December 1



Steve "Nookie" Postal to Set Up Pop-Up Jewish BBQ Spot at Crema Cafe in Cambridge

In August, we reported that the executive chef for the Boston Red Sox--and a finalist on Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates--is going to be opening a restaurant and market in Cambridge's Kendall Square. Now we have learned that he will also be creating a pop-up spot in nearby Harvard Square that will give Bostonians a glimpse into his upcoming Jewish barbecue restaurant in New York City.

Eater Boston is reporting that Steve "Nookie" Postal is setting up a pop-up version of Steinbones at Crema Cafe on Brattle Street on December 15, with items at the pop-up possibly including a chopped short rib pastrami sandwich, fried matzoh balls, lamb ribs, and grilled chicken thigh. Details on how to get a table at the Steinbones pop-up are not yet available, so check back for updates.

[December 15 update: Eater Boston states that the pop-up version of Steinbones will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM this evening, with guests getting to spin a dreidle to find out how much their food will cost. (Proceeds go to Lovin' Spoonfuls, a local hunger relief organization.)]

According to EB, Postal might also be considering a brick-and-mortar version of the Jewish barbecue spot in Boston at some point, saying that "If people are freaking out about it, we might do it."

[Earlier Article]
Steve "Nookie" Postal to Open Restaurant/Market in Cambridge's Kendall Square



Sebastians Cafe and Catering on Mass. Ave. in Boston Has Closed

A small local chain of cafes and caterers has closed one of its locations, with the shop shutting down after being in business for less than a year.

According to a poster on Chowhound, Sebastians Cafe and Catering on Mass. Ave. near Symphony Hall has closed, and the Sebastians website appears to confirm this, as the location is no longer shown on the site. This location of Sebastians first opened in December of 2011, moving into the space where a location of Au Bon Pain had been.

Sebastians started out in 1993 as a catering operation, and today has five cafes in the Boston area (Summer Street, Devonshire Place, High Street, and Seaport Boulevard in Boston, and 7 Cambridge Center in Cambridge's Kendall Square). The chain offers soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with some hot entrees.

The address for this now-closed cafe in Boston is: Sebastians Cafe and Catering, 251 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for all of the Sebastians restaurants is at http://www.sebastians.com/



Friday, November 09, 2012

Newton Winter Farmers' Market Coming to Newton Highlands

Yet another new winter farmers' market is setting up shop in the Boston area, with this one being located in a western neighbor of Beantown.

The Newton Patch is reporting that the city of Newton is readying a winter farmers' market at the Hyde Community Center at 90 Lincoln Street in Newton Highlands, with the market officially kicking off on Tuesday, November 13. The farmers' market will be held every Tuesday from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, with a number of local merchants selling everything from beef and seafood to cheese, jellies, and coffee.

The Facebook page for the Newton Farmers' Market can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Newton-Farmers-Market/139682986097922



Thursday, November 08, 2012

Portland Pie Co. Is Opening in Reading

It looks like a small group of pizza spots based in Southern Maine that features flavored dough is coming to a northern suburb of Boston.

The Reading-North Reading Patch is reporting that Portland Pie Co. is eyeing a location in Reading, though as of last month, they were only in the "information-gathering phase." If they do decide to open a new location in Reading, it will be on Haven Street, just east of the Reading commuter rail stop.

[June 19, 2013 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), Portland Pie Co. has indeed opened on Haven Street in Reading, with opening day apparently being this past Monday.]

Portland Pie Co.first started out in Portland in 1997, eventually expanding into Scarborough and Westbrook, along with Manchester and Nashua, NH. The group of eateries offers dough with flavors such as beer, garlic, basil, and honey, with gluten-free options available. In addition to pizza, Portland Pie Co. also has salads, sandwiches, calzones, and pasta.

The address for this new pizza spot in Reading is 54 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for all of the locations can be found at http://www.portlandpie.com/



Izakaya Ittoku Is Opening in Petit Robert Bistro Space in Brighton

The Brighton location of a group of French restaurants is closing, and a Japanese dining spot is moving into its space.

Universal Hub is reporting that the owners of Petit Robert Bistro on Comm. Ave. are selling its beer and wine license--along with the rights to the space--to Kentaro Suzuki, who will open a new spot called Izakaya Ittoku. UH mentions that the planned eatery, which will feature such items as ramen, sushi, and yakitori, will be voted on today by the Boston Licensing Board (Suzuki went before the board yesterday to ask permission for the transaction). The mayor's office, three city councilors, and the Brighton Allston Improvement Association are all in favor of the plans.

[November 7, 2013 update: Food writer MC Slim says (via the Chowhound site) that Izakaya Ittoku is currently having a soft opening, with both MC and Eater Boston mentioning that the new restaurant's grand opening might be taking place on Monday, November 11.]

[November 11, 2013 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that Izakaya Ittoku opens today at 5:00 PM.]

The folks Petit Robert Bistro opened Chez Jacky in the space in June of 2010, with its name being changed to Jacky's Table two months later. (The restaurant became Petit Robert Bistro about a year later.) Other Petit Robert Bistros are located in the South End, Kenmore Square, and Needham, with a location of Petit Robert Central being found in Downtown Crossing.

The address for Petit Robert Bistro in Brighton (and the upcoming Izakaya Ittoku) is: 1414 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135.

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.



Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Po'Boys Is Opening in Newtonville

It looks like a new dining spot is coming to the Newtonville section of Newton, and based on its name, it will be featuring Louisiana-style sandwiches.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Po'Boys is looking to open on Crafts Street, moving into the space where Eugene's Coffee & Hot Dogs and the Crafts Street Cafe had been. An earlier Newton Board of License Commissioners page indicates that the person behind the upcoming spot--Eric Cormier--may be planning to have the new spot open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with proposed hours possibly being 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM seven days a week.

The address for this new sandwich place in Newtonville is: Po'Boys, 67 Crafts Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

[December 20 update: Grub Street Boston reports that Po'Boys is now open. The article mentions that one item that can be found on the menu is a spicy catfish version of the sandwich.]



Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard Has Apparently Closed

photo of Cast Iron Kitchen, Maynard, MAIt looks like an upscale comfort food spot west of Boston has closed its doors. A Twitter note from @moviequill indicates that Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard is no longer in business, with the place recently shutting down (possibly earlier this week). Cast Iron Kitchen featured inventive takes on classic American dishes such as macaroni and cheese, fish and chips, steak frites, and braised short ribs, along with some Italian items as well. The restaurant has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants), with a review of the eatery being found at the link below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/CastIronKitchen.html

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Maynard was: Cast Iron Kitchen, 177 Main Street, Maynard, MA, 01754.



Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Buca di Beppo in Dedham Has Closed

A Florida-based chain of Italian restaurants that opened several locations in Massachusetts a couple of years back is now down to one, as it just closed an outlet in a southwest suburb of Boston.

According to one of our sources (and confirmed via the chain's site), Buca di Beppo in Dedham has shuttered, making this the third branch in the state to close (the others being in Lexington and Seekonk). This leaves Shrewsbury as being the sole remaining location in Massachusetts.

Buca di Beppo started out in Minneapolis in 1993, gradually expanding across the country over the years, though it did not come to New England until 2010. (The Boston Business Journal states that their headquarters are now in Orlando, FL.) The chain offers a mix of Northern and Southern Italian fare in a family-friendly environment.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Dedham was: Buca di Beppo, 233 Elm Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.



Monday, November 05, 2012

Video of a b.good Burger Launched into Outer Space

A little more than a week ago, we wrote about how b.good was planning to have one of its burgers launched into outer space. Well, we are happy to report that the mission has been completed, with only minor issues occurring at the end. On the weekend of October 27-28, the b.good burger was launched in Sturbridge, with a mostly successful landing happening in Byfield. The burger got caught in a tree upon landing, however, so a tree company needed to be hired to bring it down.

Here is the video of the burger's trip into space and back:





Highlights for the Week Ending November 2, 2012

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a local magazine coming out with its top dining picks for 2012, a South End space deciding to have trucks all year round, and a California-based pizza restaurant possibly coming to Boston. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated list of restaurant closings and openings, a photo of a pasta dish from a Roslindale eatery, and a question on a specific type of cuisine.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Boston Magazine Chooses Its 50 Top Restaurants of 2012

SoWa Food Truck Court Will Be Open All Year Round

Dante in Cambridge to Host the Unknown Calzone Dethrone, November 18, 2012

Blaze Pizza May Be Coming to the Boston Area

Discovery Cafe to Open in Cambridge's Kendall Square

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Completed List of Restaurant Closings/Openings for October

Photo: Tater Tots from Cambridge Common in Cambridge, MA

Updated Dive Bar Photo Gallery

Photo: Lasagna from Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale, MA

Question: Favorite Chinese Restaurant in Boston?



Panera Cares Cafe Is Opening at Center Plaza in Boston

A chain of bakery-cafes is planning to open a new location in the heart of downtown Boston, though this one will be a nonprofit "community cafe" whose goal is to help fight hunger.

Universal Hub is reporting that Panera Bread is eyeing Center Plaza (across from City Hall Plaza) as the site of their latest Panera Cares outlet. Unlike other Panera branches, the new cafe would not have prices for their items, but would instead give suggested donation prices for food, with the option of having folks volunteer at the cafe if they can't afford to pay. Panera Cares is run by the nonprofit Panera Bread Foundation, which looks to the cafes as being a way to address hunger "in a restaurant setting that maintains one's dignity and fills one's belly."

The Boston Licensing Board will look into the proposed Panera Cares cafe this Wednesday at City Hall, with the meeting including the cafe's request for a license, according to UH.

[December 26 update: Plans to open Panera Cares are now moving along, with The Boston Globe mentioning that it could be opening up sometime in January.]

[January 10, 2013 update: The new Panera Cares community cafe is opening in Boston on Wednesday, January 23.]

The address for this new cafe is: Panera Cares, 3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for Panera Cares can be found at http://paneracares.org/

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.



Tonic in Jamaica Plain Is Reopening

A restaurant and bar in Jamaica Plain that has been the subject of many rumors over the past few months is going to be reopening.

A post on their Facebook page indicates that Tonic on Washington Street in the Forest Hills section of JP is planning to open back up this Friday (November 9) with new menus in place. Tonic first opened in April of this year only to close its doors in August shortly after Chef Ryan Kelly left. Since then, rumors have been swirling about whether the place was permanently closed, temporarily closed while the folks behind it were on vacation, closed for the time being due to medical issues, or closed with a reopening on the way that would include a change in concept (which appears to be the case here).

As soon as we find out what kinds of changes will be coming to the soon-to-reopen Tonic, we will post an update here.

[November 9 update: Eater Boston reports that Tonic will reopen today at 4:00 PM, with the menu including mostly classic American dishes such as burgers, chicken wings, pan-seared scallops, pork chops, and baked haddock.]

The address for this restaurant and bar is: Tonic, 3698 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.



Saturday, November 03, 2012

Harrow's Chicken Pies Is Opening in Dedham

A small local group of restaurants and stores featuring chicken pies is going to be opening a new location, with this one being its first that is not in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to the Phantom Gourmet (and confirmed on the restaurant's Facebook page), Harrow's Chicken Pies is going to be opening on the Providence Highway in Dedham in the plaza where Bed Bath & Beyond is, with an expected opening date sometime in the early winter of 2013. Once it opens, the new Harrow's will join locations north of Boston that include Medford, Reading, Saugus, and Tewksbury.

[January 3, 2013 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Harrow's in Dedham has opened.]

Harrow's Chicken Pies first opened in Reading in the 1930s, offering freshly-made chicken pies with slow-cooked white meat chicken. The pies can be purchased with or without carrots and potatoes.

It appears that the address for the new Harrow's is: Harrow's Chicken Pies, 810 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The Harrow's website is at http://www.chickenpieguys.com/



Friday, November 02, 2012

Jamaica Plain's First Winter Farmers Market to Open

A new winter farmers market is getting ready to open, and this one will be setting up shop in a neighborhood of Boston.

An email sent from The Williams Agency indicates that Jamaica Plain will be the site of the Egleston Farmers Market this winter, with the market being located at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall on Brookside Avenue in the Egleston Square area. The market, which begins on Saturday, November 10, will likely have a dozen (or more) vendors, including Buckle Farms, Foxboro Cheese Company, Mei-Mei Street Kitchen, Stillmans Farm, and The Cupcakory.

The Egleston Farmers Market will be held on Saturdays twice a month in November and December and weekly in January and February, with hours being 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

For more information on Jamaica Plain's first farmers market, please go to the link below:

http://eglestonfarmersmarket.org/



Fundraiser at Mike's City Diner for New York City Folks Affected by Sandy

A food-based fundraiser to help folks in New York City who were affected by Sandy is going to be held in the South End of Boston next week.

An email from Baltz and Company indicates that on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00 PM, Ken Oringer and several other Boston chefs will be at Mike's City Diner on Washington Street to help raise money for the American Red Cross. The chefs will prepare a meal of white truffles, oysters, foie gras, duck, and lobster (including wine pairings) for 50 guests at a minimum donation of $500 per person, with all of the money going to the organization. Chefs who will be at the event include Ken Oringer (Clio, Uni, Toro, La Verdad, Coppa, Earth), Jamie Bissonnette (Toro, Coppa), Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery, Myers + Chang), Jay Hajj (Mike's City Diner), Tony Maws (Craigie on Main), Michael Serpa (Neptune Oyster Bar), and Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger, Blue Dragon), with a raw bar provided by Island Creek Oysters.

If you would like tickets to this fundraiser, please e-mail Jen at ToroRestaurant@gmail.com or go to this link:

http://sandyreliefbostonpopup.eventbrite.com/

Mike's City Diner is located at 1714 Washington Street in the South End.

[November 9 update: A Twitter post from Joanne Chang indicates that the event at Mike's City Diner raised a total of $30,000 for hurricane relief.]



Boston Magazine Chooses Its 50 Top Restaurants of 2012

A local magazine that features articles on all aspects of Boston living has come out with its picks for best restaurants of 2012, and the list includes everything from casual neighborhood bistros to elegant high-end eateries.

Over the past six months, Boston Magazine has been looking around the city (and suburbs) for the area's best dining experiences, narrowing it down to 50 picks for the year. Included are relatively new spots (Trade, Tres Gatos), gastropubs and local hangouts (Russell House Tavern, The Gallows), ethnic places (East By Northeast, Oishii), landmark restaurants (Hamersley's Bistro, L'Espalier), and much more.

To see the complete list of restaurants picks by Boston Magazine, please go to the link below:

The 50 Best Restaurants 2012



SoWa Food Truck Court Will Be Open All Year Round

It looks like people will now be able to visit food trucks in Boston's South End all year long.

According to a post on the SoWa Open Market Facebook page, food trucks will be set up at SoWa through the rest of the fall and winter, with the trucks being set up inside the restored power station at 540 Harrison Avenue starting Sunday, November 11. Hours for the food trucks will be 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM each Sunday through April 28, when they will presumably return to their usual "warm-weather" space.

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.