Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Evelyn and Angel's in Cambridge Is Opening a Cafe within Its Candy Shop

A candy and nut shop in Cambridge will soon have a cafe within its space.

The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe is reporting that Evelyn & Angel's Candy Shop on Mass. Ave. is planning to debut a cafe inside the store, possibly toward the latter part of next week. The article mentions that the cafe will include such items as pastries, coffee, and hot chocolate, and it will apparently be open evenings.

Evelyn & Angel's first opened in January of this year, taking over the space between Porter Square and Harvard Square where a gift shop and jewelry store called Topaz had been.

The address for Evelyn &amp Angel's is 1702 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, and its website is at http://evelynangels.com/


Pomodoro in Boston's North End Planning to Move to New Location

It looks like a restaurant in the North End of Boston may be moving, though if it happens, the move won't be all that far.

NorthEndWaterfront.com is reporting that Pomodoro is hoping to move from its current home at 319 Hanover Street to a "somewhat" larger space at 204 Hanover Street (close to the Rose Kennedy Greenway), taking over the spot where the jewelry shop High Gear had been until closing earlier this year. The article mentions that the eatery, which is still open in its original space, could be moving into its new home sometime in early 2014 if all goes as planned.

[July 15, 2014 update: The Boston Business Journal mentions that the North End Waterfront Residents Association (NEWRA) voted nearly unanimously against Pomodoro's plans to move to the former High Gear space, with reasons including noise issues and another retail space becoming a dining spot. The article says that Pomodoro is not able to renew the lease at its present location, so the future of the restaurant is up in the air at this point in time. The BBJ states that the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) will also be looking into Pomodoro's plans at an upcoming meeting; as soon as we find out how that group votes, we will post another update here.]

[May 13, 2015 update: A Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website indicates that Pomodoro is still planning to move, as it is petitioning to change its location to the space mentioned above. The city will look into its plans a week from today (Wednesday, May 20).]

Pomodoro also has another location of its restaurant on Harvard Street in Brookline Village.


The Western Front in Cambridge Is Closing

A nightclub in Cambridge that has been in business for nearly half a century is closing its doors.

The Cambridge Chronicle is reporting that the Western Front in the city's Riverside neighborhood is shutting down, with owner Marvin Gilmore making the announcement last Friday. Gilmore said that he will be selling the liquor license of the club, which is located at the corner of Western Avenue and Putnam Avenue, though it is not yet known who might be buying it or what could be moving into the space.

The Western Front first opened in 1967, with the club being known as a place to hear live music, including reggae, jazz, and rhythm and blues.

The address for the Western Front is 343 Western Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.


Monday, December 30, 2013

Highlights for the Week Ending December 27, 2013

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Irish pub coming to Harvard Square, a Chinese restaurant closing near Fenway Park, and a local group of beer shops looking to expand to other parts of the country. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a Vietnamese restaurant south of Boston, a photo of a breakfast dish from a cafe in Dorchester, and an article on favorite dining spots and dishes of 2013 from restaurant and media folk.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

A Reminder About the Boston's Hidden Restaurants' Google+ Page

Kennedy's Public House to Open in Cambridge's Harvard Square

Hong Kong Cafe in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Has Apparently Closed

Craft Beer Cellar to Expand Beyond New England

Where to Find Us

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Pho So 1 in Randolph, MA

Photo: Mexican Fiesta from McKenna's Cafe in Dorchester, MA

Favorite Dining Spots and Dishes of 2013 from Restaurant and Media Folks

Photo: Spring Rolls from Pho So 1 in Randolph, MA

A Look Back at This Year's Slideshows


Thursday, December 26, 2013

A Reminder About the Boston's Hidden Restaurants' Google+ Page

There has been a lot of talk about the future of social media over the past few weeks, in part because of the changes made to Facebook's algorithm (making many business pages on that site less visible) that have caused at least some to look more closely at other sites, including Google+. Our sister site--Boston's Hidden Restaurants--has had a Google+ page for awhile now, with that page featuring a mix of information on lesser-known restaurants as well as the news-based stories that you find here.

If you are on Google+ and would like to follow the Boston's Hidden Restaurants page, please go to the link below:

Google+ Page for Boston's Hidden Restaurants


Update: Kennedy's on the Square Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square

An Irish pub and restaurant southwest of Boston is looking to expand, with a second location on its way to one of the busiest sections of Cambridge.

Eater Boston is reporting that Kennedy's Public House in Norwood is planning to open a new dining and drinking spot in Harvard Square, based on information given on the pub's website. It is not known where the new place will be, nor is there an opening date, so keep checking back for updates.

[February 16, 2014 update: A Twitter post from @BostonGourmand indicates that the new location of Kennedy's (which is going to be named "Kennedy's on the Square") is taking over the space on Dunster Street where First Printer has been.]

[September 29, 2014 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site--and confirmed by the restaurant's Facebook page--Kennedy's on the Square is now open in Cambridge. The Facebook note mentions that the new place is "a classic American tavern offering gastro-pub inspired cuisine and tantalizing craft cocktails."]

One sidenote from EB is that owner Finbar Griffin is also behind Tommy Doyle's in Newton, which has different ownership from the recently-closed Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square.

The original Kennedy's Public House is located within the the Hampton Inn on Route 1 in Norwood. Its website can be found at http://www.kennedyspublichouse.com/


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Hong Kong Cafe in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Has Closed

A few weeks ago we mentioned that a bar within a hotel in the Fenway section of Boston was going to be closing. The bar has indeed shuttered, and it looks like a Chinese restaurant within the hotel has as well, with its future being very much in doubt.

The Hong Kong Cafe within the Howard Johnson Inn on Boylston Street is now apparently closed--along with the Tiki Hideaway--with plans for the space apparently being up in this air at this point in time. Because of all the unknowns concerning the site, it is not known whether the restaurant or the bar could be coming back to the space or whether they might reopen elsewhere.

[December 28 update: According to Drew Starr, the Hong Kong Cafe was still open as of last night, though it appears that its closure may be imminent, as the hotel's phone is now disconnected.]

[December 30 update: It appears that the end may have officially come for the Hong Kong Cafe, as a check on the place over the weekend shows that there is a fence around both the hotel and the restaurant, with a sign out front indicating that both are out of business. (A phone call placed to the Hong Kong Cafe would not go through because the mailbox is full.) One final note--an update from The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe mentions via a worker at the restaurant that the Hong Kong Cafe has moved to 1391 Beacon Street in Brookline, though the worker may have meant that the Hong Kong Cafe II, which opened in that space in the spring of this year, simply remains open.]

The Tiki Hideaway shut down on December 13.

The  address for this restaurant in the Fenway area was: Hong Kong Cafe, 1271 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

[Earlier Article]
Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Is Closing


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Monday, December 23, 2013

Highlights for the Week Ending December 20, 2013

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including the last of a trio of French restaurants closing, an online restaurant reservations provider including a Boston dining spot in its list of 10 best restaurants in the United States, and a soon-to-close landmark restaurant south of Boston opening a takeout spot. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Irish pub in Everett, a list of best restaurants of 2013, and some "predictions" for 2014.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

New Restaurant to Open in Former Tamarind Bay Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

Sel de la Terre to Close Final Location (in Natick)

OpenTable's Picks for Best Restaurants in America Include o ya in Boston

Christo's to Go! to Open in Whitman

New Restaurant to Take Over UpStairs on the Square Space in Cambridge

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Stewart's Pub in Everett, MA

Best Hidden Restaurants in the Boston Area, 2013

Photo: Steak Tips from Stewart's Pub in Everett, MA

10 Restaurant and Food "Predictions" for 2014

Photo: Turkey Tips from Stewart's Pub in Everett, MA


Craft Beer Cellar to Expand Beyond New England

The folks behind a handful of specialty beer stores in Eastern Massachusetts (and one in Vermont) are now looking to open new stores in other parts of the United States.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Kate Baker and Suzanne Schalow of the Belmont-based Craft Beer Cellar are planning to continue expanding, with its website mentioning upcoming outlets planned for Portsmouth, NH,  Brandon, FL, St. Louis, MO, and--according to the article--possibly Seattle. Currently, locations of the CBC can be found in Belmont, Winchester, Newton, Braintree, Westford, and Waterbury, VT, with the Winchester location being an "annex" that focuses on New England beers.

It is not yet known if/when other franchise sites could be coming to the region or elsewhere in the country; as soon as we hear more information, we will post updates here.

The website for Craft Beer Cellar is at http://www.craftbeercellar.com/


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Night Market Is Opening in the Former Tamarind Bay Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

It looks like a new restaurant is coming to Cambridge's Harvard Square, and it will be taking over the basement-level space where an Indian eatery had been.

The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe mentions (via the Harvard Square Business Association) that a new dining spot is looking to open in the former Tamarind Bay space on Winthrop Street. (Tamarind Bay closed in August, a few months after its other location in the Washington Square section of Brookline shuttered.) No information on the proposed restaurant is available at this point in time, so keep checking back for updates.

Two other restaurants are slated to open on Winthrop Street in Harvard Square as well, including an unnamed dining spot that will move into the space where UpStairs on the Square will be until the end of the year and a new Shake Shack [now open].

[January 3, 2014 update: A License Commission General Hearing page on the City of Cambridge website indicates that the new restaurant opening in the former Tamarind Bay space will be called "Night Market," with the 58-seat eatery planning to be open for lunch and dinner daily.

[November 14, 2014 update: Eater Boston mentions that Night Market will be an Asian street-food spot with one possible item on the menu being deep-fried crickets.]

December 8, 2014 update: UrbanDaddy states that Night Market opens tomorrow.]

The address for this upcoming restaurant that will be opening in the Tamarind Bay space is 75 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Article]
Tamarind Bay in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing


McDonald's in Cambridge's Central Square Now Has a Walk-Up Window

A Cambridge location of the world's largest hamburger chain now has a rather unique feature, at least for local outlets of the chain.

Boston.com is reporting that McDonald's in Central Square now has a walk-up window, making this the first of its kind in the Greater Boston area from the chain. The article says that these windows are commonly found at locations of McDonald's in large cities such as New York and Chicago, but until today, none had been found at shops in the region. [Correction: According to several sources, including the readers below, the now-closed McDonald's on Union Street across from Faneuil Hall had a walk-up window as well; so while the Central Square location is the only one in the area with a walk-up window at the present time, it is not actually the first.]

The walk-up window at the Mass. Ave. location of McDonald's had its grand opening at 10:00 AM today, according to boston.com.

The address for McDonald's in Central Square is 463 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/home.html


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Sel de la Terre to Close Final Location (in Natick)

What was once a trio of French restaurants in the Boston area has dwindled to one, and now we have learned that its final location will be closing soon.

Eater Boston mentions (via Chowhound) that Sel de la Terre at the Natick Mall in Natick is going to shut its doors on January 1, joining other locations that have closed at Boston's Long Wharf in April of 2011 and the Back Bay in January of this year. As of now, it appears that owner Frank McClelland's other businesses--L'Espalier and Au Soleil Catering in the Back Bay and Apple Street Farm in Essex--will remain open.

[December 30 update: According to information posted on its website and Facebook page, New Year's Eve (tomorrow) will be Sel de la Terre's last night in operation.]

The Natick location of Sel de la Terre has been open for approximately 13 years.

[Earlier Articles]
Sel de la Terre in the Back Bay of Boston Has Closed
Sel de la Terre at Boston's Long Wharf to Close; New Restaurant to Take Over Space


OpenTable's Picks for Best Restaurants in America Include o ya in Boston

An online restaurant reservations provider has come out with its first-ever list of the 10 best restaurants in the United States, and a dining spot in Boston has made the list.

According to an article in USA Today, OpenTable's list of top 10 restaurants in America includes o ya, a high-end Japanese eatery and sushi spot on East Street in the city's Leather District. No other New England dining spots made the list, and interestingly enough, not a single restaurant in New York City was picked, either. (The closest place to the Boston area that was picked was Charleston in Baltimore.)

The OpenTable list for best restaurants in America comes from more than 5 million reviews for 19,000 dining spots, according to the article.


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Monday, December 16, 2013

Highlights for the Week Ending December 13, 2013

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a business website giving national recognition to a downtown Boston restaurant, a couple of folks returning to TV with a new food show, and a high-end restaurant with a three-star Michelin chef behind it closing its doors. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a "best restaurants list" for 2013, a photo of chili from a little-known Irish pub, and a post on how to deal with the increasing invisibility of Facebook pages.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Hotel Chocolat in Boston's Back Bay to Set Up Cafe and Cocoa Bar

Business Insider Includes jm Curley in Boston Among Its 50 Coolest Small Businesses In America

Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson to Co-Host New Show on NESN

Market at W Boston Is Closing

Turner Fisheries in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Best Hidden Restaurants in the Boston Area, 2013

Photo: Chili from Finnegan's Wake in Walpole, MA

New Blog Post: How to Deal with the Increasing Invisibility of Facebook Pages

Photo: Stuffed Grape Leaves from The Fieldston in Marshfield, MA

Photo: Open-Faced Roast Beef Sandwich from Finnegan's Wake in Walpole, MA


Christo's to Go! Is Opening in Whitman

Last month we reported that another landmark restaurant in the Boston area was going to be closing, though there was talk of the folks behind the Greek dining spot opening at least one new place. Now we have confirmed that this will indeed be the case.

According to a Facebook post from Christo's in Brockton, a new spot called Christo's to Go! will be opening in Whitman, with an expected opening of February for the eatery, which will be located on Route 18. Earlier we had mentioned that the family behind Christo's was also thinking of opening a new restaurant in another location, though it does not appear that there is any new information on this right now.

[March 17, 2014 update: The Whitman Times mentions that Christo's to Go! is hoping to open within the next month or so, with the article also saying that the takeout spot will sell soup, Greek salads, salad dressing, prepared meals, pizza, and desserts, with fried foods and sandwiches eventually on the way as well.]

[July 18, 2014 update: Christo's to Go! has still not opened, but it appears that progress is being made, as a Twitter poster says that the sign is now up for the place (this has been confirmed by another source). The poster also says that the exact address is 785 Bedford Street, Whitman, MA, 02382.]

[October 21, 2014 update: According to a Twitter post (and confirmed by the Enterprise), Christo's to Go! is now open.]

The original Christo's, which is on Crescent Street in Brockton, will close its doors on December 31 after being in business for nearly 50 years. In addition to this spot, a number of other well-known restaurants have either closed or announced their closings over the past few months as well, including Anthony's Pier 4 on the Boston waterfront, the Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Chez Henri in Cambridge, Market in Boston, Turner Fisheries in the Back Bay, and UpStairs on the Square in Harvard Square.

The address for this new takeout spot in Whitman is: Christo's to Go!, 785 Bedford Street, Whitman, MA, 02382.

[Earlier Article]
Christo's in Brockton Is Closing; Plans Underway for Takeout Spot, Smaller Restaurant


Parsnip to Take Over UpStairs on the Square Space in Cambridge

A couple of months ago, we reported that a landmark restaurant in Cambridge's Harvard Square would be closing at the end of the year. Now we have learned that the space might not stay empty for long.

The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe mentions (via the Harvard Square Business Association) that a new dining spot is slated to open in the space on Winthrop Street where UpStairs on the Square currently resides, with the eatery being "helmed by a respected French-trained chef from the United Kingdom." No other details have come out about the upcoming restaurant just yet (other than it apparently opening in the spring of 2014), so keep checking back for more details.

[January 3, 2014 update: A License Commission General Hearing page on the City of Cambridge website mentions that the new restaurant coming to the former UpStairs on the Square space may be called "Parsnip," though this might just be a working name. The note says that the new spot is planning to have 180 seats inside and another 26 seats on a sidewalk-level patio, with lunch and dinner served daily (and possibly brunch on Sunday, as indicated by the proposed 10:00 AM opening).]

[January 9, 2014 update: Cambridge Day has confirmed that the new dining spot taking over the UpStairs on the Square space will indeed be called Parsnip, and that there apparently won't be many changes to the now-closed restaurant's "layout, entertainment or style" (the article says that it may be focusing on farm-to-table fare).]

[July 28, 2015 update: Eater Boston states that Parsnip will be opening early this fall.]

The article also says that a new restaurant will be moving into the former Tamarind Bay space on Winthrop Street as well (Tamarind Bay closed over the summer).

The address for the soon-to-close UpStairs on the Square (and new dining spot, which has not yet been named) is 91 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Article]
UpStairs on the Square in Cambridge Is Closing


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Friday, December 13, 2013

ShabuMaru Is Opening within The Westin Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay

[Update: This article was updated on January 21, 2014 and November 12, 2014 to reflect new information given.]

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to the Back Bay of Boston, and it would apparently be moving into the space where another dining spot had been.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via a page on the City of Boston website) that a restaurant that may be called Maru is planning to open within The Westin Copley Place on Huntington Avenue, with the post saying that it would be taking over the former Osushi spot. The person behind the eatery is Jack Huang, who owns Douzo and Basho, both of which are in Boston.

[January 21, 2014 update: A post from Hub Food Trucks indicates that the new dining spot going into the former Osushi space will be a shabu shabu hot pot restaurant. (The sign there says that Shabu Shabu hot pot restaurant is coming soon, but it is not yet known whether the place will still be called Maru or whether it will possibly be called Shabu Shabu; stay tuned for more updates.)]

[November 12, 2014 update: Eater Boston mentions that the new restaurant within the Westin Copley Place--which will be called ShabuMaru--will be opening soon.]

[January 7, 2015 update: According to a post from UrbanDaddy, ShabuMaru has soft-opened.]

The address for this new restaurant in the Back Bay is 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for The Westin Copley Place Hotel is at http://www.westincopleyplaceboston.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Osushi in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed
Turner Fisheries in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing


Hotel Chocolat in Boston's Back Bay Is Setting Up a Cafe and Cocoa Bar

A high-end chocolatier in the Back Bay of Boston is going to have a cafe as well.

BostInno is reporting that Hotel Chocolat on Newbury Street is debuting a cafe and cocoa bar, with the place reportedly starting out sometime around the beginning of next week. According to the article, the space will include seating for as many as 16 and there will also be outdoor seating during the warmer months. The menu looks to offer such items as chocolates, toasted sandwiches, warm chocolate plates, and roasted cacao drinks.

[January 8, 2014 update: Local food writer MC Slim JB says (via Chowhound) that the cafe and cocoa bar at Hotel Chocolat is now open.]

Hotel Chocolat, which is based in Britain, has two stores in the United States, with the other one being in New York City.

The address for Hotel Chocolat (including the upcoming cafe) is 141A Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the company is at http://www.hotelchocolat.com/us/shop


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Roast Coffee Company to Open in Winchester

It looks like a new coffee shop is coming to a northern suburb of Boston.

According to a poster on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page--and confirmed by the Daily Times Chronicle--Roast Coffee Company is planning to open in Winchester, with the article saying this will be the town's first locally-owned coffee place. Expect to see bagels, muffins, and coffee at the new spot, which will tend to focus on takeout though it will have seating for approximately 15 to 18 people.

If all goes well, Roast Coffee Company could be opening around January 11, according to the article.

The address for this upcoming coffee shop in Winchester is: Roast Coffee Company, 748 Main Street, Winchester, MA, 01890.


Martsa on Elm in Somerville's Davis Square Is Open Once Again

A couple of months ago, we reported that a Tibetan restaurant in Somerville had closed, with a sign out front saying that it would open under new management. Now we have learned that the eatery is open once again.

Eater Boston is reporting that Martsa on Elm in Davis Square has indeed reopened under new management, though it is not yet known what changes, if any, have come to the Elm Street spot. The restaurant shuttered in October after being in business for about ten years.

In addition to Tibetan food, Martsa on Elm has also been a place to go to for Nepalese and and Himalayan fare.

The address for Martsa on Elm is 233 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[Earlier Article]
Martsa on Elm in Somerville's Davis Square Has Closed; Status Unknown


ester Is Opening in Ledge Kitchen and Drinks Space in Dorchester

A restaurant in the Lower Mills section of Dorchester is being sold to a new owner, with the plan being to open a new dining spot with a different name in the space.

The Dorchester Reporter confirms what we heard last week, that Ledge Kitchen & Drinks on Dorchester Avenue will be taken over by Eleanor Arpino--who is a former general manager at Davio's in downtown Boston--and several business partners. The article says that the new restaurant will be called ester and that it would be a family-friendly spot offering "contemporary comfort food." It appears that outdoor patio out back will remain in place as well as the 140-seat indoor dining area, according to the Reporter. Depending on how the licensing and permitting process goes, the new eatery could be opening sometime in the late winter or early spring of 2014.

[February 16, 2014 update: The Dorchester Reporter states that the Ledge has officially closed.]

[April 3, 2014 update: An email sent today states that ester plans to open this Saturday (April 5).]

Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has written about the Ledge in a blog review, with highlights including the lobster roll, burger, brick chicken, and macaroni and cheese, as well as the aforementioned back patio. The review can be found at the link below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/blogentries/the-ledge-dorchester-1010.html

The Ledge first opened in the summer of 2009.

The address for this new restaurant in Lower Mills is: ester, 2261 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02124.


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Thursday, December 12, 2013

Business Insider Includes jm Curley in Boston Among Its 50 Coolest Small Businesses In America

A popular business website has come out with its picks for the "coolest" small businesses in America, and a well-known restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown Boston is included in the list.

According to the article/slideshow, Business Insider mentions jm Curley on Temple Place among its 50 picks, noting its new themed menu items each week such as the "Goodbye Breaking Bad" menu. The note on the dining and drinking spot also mentions the fact that Boston Magazine gave jm Curley the best burger award for 2013.

Other local businesses included within the Business Insider article include The Coffee Trike (a mobile coffee bar) and The Garment District (a quirky clothing store in Cambridge).

The complete Business Insider article can be seen at the link below:

http://www.businessinsider.com/coolest-small-businesses-in-america-2013-10


Tasti D-Lite in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

It looks like the number of frozen yogurt shops in the Back Bay of Boston has dropped by one.

One of our readers has told us that Tasti D-Lite on Newbury Street is shuttered, with the shop's Facebook page saying that it has indeed closed (its last day in operation was last Friday). The shop first opened in May of 2011 during a flurry of frozen yogurt shop openings in the Back Bay that included locations of BerryLine , Smoothie King, and Pinkberry. (The Back Bay location of BerryLine has since closed.)

Based on the picture sent to us from the reader, it appears that a public liquidation auction will take place at the site of the now-closed Tasti D-Lite on Wednesday, December 18.

This was the only location of Tasti D-Lite in the Boston area as well as New England; other locations can be found in a handful of states across the country, including New York and New Jersey.

The address for this now-closed frozen yogurt shop in the Back Bay was: Tasti D-Lite, 205 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at http://www.tastidlite.com/


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Update: Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson to Co-Host "Dining Playbook," a New Show on NESN

[Ed note: This article was updated on Febraury 4, 2014, to reflect a name given to the show, as well as the date of its premiere.]

The hosts of a canceled food show on NECN are going to be heading up a new show on another station.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson of "TV Diner" will co-host Dining Playbook, a show on NESN that focuses on food, including restaurant reviews and cooking demos. The article says that the show will also have some segments that are connected to sports, including looking at where athletes dine out. It appears that Herb Chambers, who heads up a large auto dealership group in the local area, will be a "major sponsor" of Dining Playbook, according to the Globe.

NECN announced the canceling of "TV Diner" in September, with the station looking to have more of a news and weather-based format with less emphasis on lifestyle shows. The show had been on for more than a decade.

Expect to see the new show on the air sometime in February.

[February 4, 2014 update: Zagat states that Dining Playbook will premiere this Saturday (February 8) at 11:30 AM.]

[Earlier Article]
TV Diner to Be Taken Off the Air by NECN


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sweetgreen to Open at Chestnut Hill Square

A chain of "farm-to-table" fast food places continues its expansion plans through the Boston area, with another location coming to a new mixed-used development west of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting that Sweetgreen is planning to open at Chestnut Hill Square, an open air retail, office, and residential center that is located on the eastbound side of Route 9 near the Newton/Brookline border. Once it opens, it will join an existing location on Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay as well as an new location on Congress Street in the city's Fort Point neighborhood. Expect to see such items as salads, wraps, juices, and frozen yogurt at the new Sweetgreen, which is based on Washington, DC.

[May 22, 2014 update: A new article from Eater Boston mentions that Sweetgreen plans to open at Chestnut Hill Square next Wednesday (May 28).]

The website for Sweetgreen can be found at http://sweetgreen.com/


Monday, December 09, 2013

Highlights for the Week Ending December 6, 2013

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Irish pub leaving Harvard Square, the folks behind a popular restaurant in Downtown Crossing opening a new place in the South End, and a new burger spot coming to the BU area. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a cozy old restaurant on the South Shore, a photo slideshow on some of the best dishes of the year, and a photo of chili from a little-known Irish bar and restaurant.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Tommy Doyle's Pub in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

Focaccia in Wilmington Closes Abruptly

Merrill & Co. to Open in Boston's South End

Il Casale to Open in Nourish Space in Lexington

BurgerFi to Open by Boston University

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: The Fieldston in Marshfield, MA

Slideshow: Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013

Photo: Garlic Bread from Kelley Square Pub in East Boston, MA

Restaurant Closings and Openings for November, 2013

Photo: Chili from Finnegan's Wake in Walpole, MA


Market at W Boston Is Closing

A high-end restaurant in downtown Boston that features dishes developed by a three-star Michelin chef is closing.

An article from Zagat confirms what A Thought For Food mentioned to us on Friday, that Market at W Boston on Stuart Street in the Theatre District will shutter at the end of the year. The post also says that an announcement on what might go into the space will come at some point and that the W Lounge within the hotel will remain open, though it will received some type of a "refresh" in 2014. The restaurant first opened in October of 2009, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten and the New York-based Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group behind it.

As mentioned earlier, Zagat also mentions that Starwood, which is behind the W Hotel, also has changes in store for its nearby Westin Copley Place Hotel--it will close the 30-year-old Turner Fisheries within the hotel later this month.

Market at W Boston, which is an elegant but casual spot that features an eclectic mix of French, Italian and Asian-influenced dishes, is one of a number of restaurants that Jean-Georges Vongerichten has helped develop, with others (including both his own and collaborations with Culinary Concepts) being in New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Shanghai, and many other locations. His website can be found at http://www.jean-georges.com/

The address for the soon-to-close Market (and the W Boston) is 100 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[December 10 update: A side note--Eater National mentions (via The New Potato) that Jean-Georges Vongerichten has announced he is planning to open a new restaurant in New York City in the spring of 2014, with the place being a vegetarian spot. The article also mentions that he is looking to open a taco stand in NYC called Cocina Tacos as well.]

[December 23 update: A phone call placed to the W Boston indicates that Market has officially closed, though it sounds like plans are definitely in the works for a new restaurant to open in the space in 2014.]


Sunday, December 08, 2013

Smoken' Joe's in Brighton Reportedly Faces Possible Eviction

A BBQ spot in Brighton that features live music is apparently in danger of losing its home.

A series of posts on its Facebook page indicates that Smoken' Joe's BBQ & Blues on Washington Street may be facing an eviction, with the dispute between the restaurant and the landlord being discussed in detail on the page. Based on information from the posts, the place shut down in October due to "construction/water main damage" and has been closed ever since, and it is hoping to reopen on Friday night after having inspections early this week. The apparent dispute with the landlord has the folks behind Smoken' Joe's unsure of their future, saying "whether we end up moving somewhere else or working something out is up in the air right now."

As soon as we get more updates about Smoken' Joe's, we will post an update here.

[According to a number of new posts on its Facebook page, Smoken' Joe's is open once again, having reopened on Friday night as indicated earlier. There appears to be no mention of the eviction issue right now, so keep checking back for more updates.]

The address for Smoken' Joe's BBQ & Blues is 351 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02135.

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Turner Fisheries in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

A popular seafood restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston is going to be closing its doors, apparently making way for a new eatery.

Zagat confirms what A Thought For Food told us on Friday, that Turner Fisheries in The Westin Copley Place Hotel is shutting down. According to Zagat, the dining spot will close on December 21, with the plans being to "reposition" the space "based on current market dynamics and dining trends," and while Bar 10 within the hotel will remain open, it will go through an "exciting refresh" sometime next year.

Turner Fisheries, which first opened its doors approximately 30 years ago, is an upscale seafood spot that features such items as black sea bass, lobster risotto, horseradish-crusted salmon, and a New England bouillabaisse. It also offers steak, chicken, and vegan dishes.

The address for this soon-to-close seafood restaurant in the Back Bay is: Turner Fisheries, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for The Westin Copley Place Hotel can be found at http://www.westincopleyplaceboston.com/


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Friday, December 06, 2013

Tatte to Open a Third Location in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A group of bakeries and cafes with locations in Brookline and Cambridge is planning to expand once again, and once again, it is eyeing a specific part of Cambridge.

Cambridge Day is reporting that Tatte is going to be opening a third location in Kendall Square (possibly on Monday), with this one being on Main Street. The article mentions that this outlet will have an open kitchen, church benches, and farm tables, and it will also have cooking classes beginning in January. The cafe will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[December 9 update: An update to the Cambridge Day article above shows that Tatte is now looking at a Wednesday opening for its new shop. Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.]

[December 11 update: Based on a Twitter post from the place, it looks like tomorrow (Thursday, December 12) is opening day for the new Tatte.]

Other locations of Tatte can be found on Third Street in Kendall Square and Broadway (also in Kendall), as well as its original shop on Beacon Street in Brookline.

The address for the new Tatte in Kendall Square is 101 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for all locations is at http://tattebakery.com/


Thursday, December 05, 2013

Tommy Doyle's Pub in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

An Irish pub in one of the busiest sections of Cambridge is going to be closing later this month.

According to a post on its Twitter page, Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square is planning to close at the end of business hours on December 22 after being in business for approximately nine years. Another Twitter note from the place says that "we have decided to not renew our lease and are looking for new locations and opportunities." It looks like their other location in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge will remain open. (Locations of Tommy Doyle's in Newton and Hyannis are under separate ownership.)

[December 9 update: The Boston Business Journal mentions that the folks behind Tommy Doyle's are looking at Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville as possible locations of a replacement pub for the soon-to-close Harvard Square spot.]

[December 24 update: Posts on the Tommy Doyle's Facebook page confirm that the Harvard Square location has indeed officially closed.]

Tommy Doyle's first opened in Harvard Square in 2005, moving into the building where the House of Blues had been. (A newer House of Blues has since opened across from Fenway Park in Boston.)

The address for this soon-to-close pub in Harvard Square is 96 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the remaining two spots can be found at http://tommydoyles.com/

Thanks to one of our Facebook fans for initially bringing this to our attention.


Cafe Madeleine Is Opening in Boston's South End

Earlier this year, we reported that a cafe in the South End of Boston had closed down. Now we have learned that a new cafe will be moving into the space.

Eater Boston is reporting that Cafe Madeleine is planning to open in the spot on Columbus Avenue where the Amsterdam Cafe had been, with the place apparently being a French patisserie with sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee. (Note: Another, unrelated Amsterdam Cafe in South Boston remains open.) The article mentions that the chef and owner of the eatery is Frederic Robert, who has worked at the award-winning PB Boulangerie in Wellfleet and the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, and had also been an executive pastry chef in France.

It looks like Cafe Madeleine could be opening early next year, according to EB.

[July 15, 2014 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Cafe Madeleine plans to open sometime this month.]

[August 25, 2014 update: Eater Boston states that Cafe Madeleine is now open in the South End of Boston.]

The address for this new cafe in the South End is: Cafe Madeleine, 517 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.


The Grill (Mediterranean Cuisine) Is Opening in Waltham

A new Mediterranean restaurant is coming to Waltham, and it will be moving into the space where a Costa Rican eatery used to be.

A Twitter post from @DowntownWaltham indicates that a place called The Grill is going to be opening on Pine Street, with the restaurant taking over the spot where Boca Restaurant and Bar in Waltham used to be until closing in October of 2012. Based on the menu shown on its site, The Grill will offer such items as lemon rice soup, grape leaves, spinach pie, hummus, falafel, burgers, gyros, shish kabob, and steak tips.

[February 25, 2014 update: According to a Twitter post from @y2000k, The Grill is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in Waltham is: The Grill, 11 Pine Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website can be found at http://www.thegrillonpine.com/


Focaccia in Wilmington Closes Abruptly

An Italian restaurant north of Boston has closed, and its closure appears to have been very sudden.

According to an article in the Wilmington Patch, Focaccia in Wilmington shuttered abruptly in November, possibly due to an apparent dispute between ownership and management. Another post in the Wilmington Town Crier says that it appears to have shut down in the late afternoon on a Saturday when people were in the middle of dinner, with folks reportedly being asked to leave and having their food put into takeout containers. A check on Focaccia's website indicates that it is no longer working.

Focaccia was known in part for its previous owners being on a Food Network show called  Chefs vs. City a few years back. The Town Crier mentions that the restaurant was also the site of a party for the cast of the movie The Fighter, which starred actor, music performer, and restaurateur Mark Wahlberg.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Wilmington was: Focaccia, 2 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA, 01887.

Thanks to @jarrodcohen for bringing this to our attention.


[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More of the Best Food Dishes of 2013]



Pearl Street Cafe Opens in Saugus

The folks behind a family-friendly restaurant and bar in Malden have opened a new spot nearby.

According to a post on its Facebook page, Pearl Street Station in Malden now has a sister restaurant in Saugus called Pearl Street Cafe, with the Route 1 eatery apparently having the same food and drink options as the original, which is on Summer Street near Malden's downtown area. It appears that the new spot opened sometime in November.

Pearl Street Station has been looked at by our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants), with the steak tips, turkey tips, and calzones being a few highlights. A link to the review can be found below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/blogentries/pearl-street-0811.html

The address for the new Pearl Street Cafe is 114 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906.