Friday, January 30, 2015

Battle at the Brewery - Dundee V to Take Place in Boston February 23, 2015

A culinary competition that raises money for charity is on its way to the Boston waterfront.

On Monday, February 23 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the 5th Mick Dundee Pie Challenge (Battle at the Brewery - Dundee V) will be held at the Harpoon Brewery beer hall on Northern Avenue, with Boston chefs competing against each other for a championship belt along with the chance to give $2,000 to the charity of their choice. The MC of the event will be Patrick Maguire, who writes the restaurant industry blog "Server not Servant" and is also the owner of restaurant consulting company Maguire Promotions.

The event will include the donation of $2,000 to hunger relief organization Community Servings from the last Dundee challenge, which was won by Chin Kuo of Saus in Boston.

Tickets to the Mick Dundee Pie Challenge cost $60, which is good for up to four people and includes access to the event, 12 mini pies, and one Harpoon beverage for each person. (A cash bar will be available from 9:30 PM to last call.) Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance.

For more information on Dundee V (including who will be participating), please go to the following link:

"Battle at the Brewery" - Dundee V

[February 12 update: Battle at the Brewery - Dundee V is now sold out.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Grafton Group Is Opening State Street Provisions in Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on June 4 and August 25 to reflect a name change for the place.]

Earlier this month, we reported that an upscale restaurant on the Boston waterfront was closing and that a new dining spot was planning to take over its space. Now we have learned that the restaurant group who we thought might be opening the new place is indeed involved with it.

According to an article from Eater Boston, The Grafton Group (Park, Grafton Street, Russell House Tavern, Temple Bar) is going to be opening Old Atlantic Tavern in the former City Landing space on State Street, with proof coming from the fact that the corporation listed for the eatery--Atlantic Shore Restaurant Corporation--includes Patrick Lee (who we had mentioned) as well as other partners of the restaurant group--Peter Lee, Sean Kennedy, and Gerry Sheerin. EB also says that the Old Atlantic Tavern would have a dining room, lounge/bar section, and outdoor seating during the warmer months, though little else is known about it at this point in time, including what will be on the menu and when it might open.

City Landing closed on January 10 after being in business for about 2 1/2 years.

The address for the proposed Old Atlantic Tavern is 255 State Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

[June 4 update: According to a Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website, the people behind the place that is replacing City Tavern are requesting to change its proposed name from Old Atlantic Tavern to State Street Provisions.]

[August 25 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that State Street Provisions plans to open in early December.]

[December 3 update: Eater Boston says that State Street Provisions opens at 5:00 this evening, and that it will offer sandwiches, pizza, pasta, house-made sausage, and more, along with regional beers and cocktails using ingredients that were used long ago in the local area, such as molasses and tea.]

[Earlier Article]
City Landing on the Boston Waterfront Is Closing

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Highlights for the Week Ending January 23, 2015

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a local radio personality possibly opening a brewery, a popular group of Mexican restaurants getting ready to expand, and a pizzeria coming to the North End. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Italian eatery and pizza spot in Woburn, a photo of a pizza from a shop in Concord, and an updated review of an Italian restaurant in East Boston.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Greg Hill of WAAF Plans to Open a Restaurant and Brewery in Maynard

Anna's Taqueria Plans to Open in Newton Highlands

The Barmobile Is Coming to Boston

Tony G's Barbecue to Open in Belmont

Rina's Pizzeria and Cafe Is Opening in Boston's North End

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Arcenia's Cucina Rustica in Woburn, MA

New Photo: Mushroom and Hamburger Pizza from New London Pizza in Concord, MA

Updated Review: Jeveli's Restaurant in East Boston, MA

New Photo: Veal Saltimbocca from Maria's Restaurant in Braintree, MA

New Photo: Spumoni from Jeveli's in East Boston, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Fleck Is Opening in Newton Highlands

A new coffee and espresso bar is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston, and its name comes from an interesting term.

Eater Boston is reporting that Fleck is opening in Newton Highlands, with the Walnut Street specialty coffee shop getting its name from the term "tiger flecking," which refers to the patterns of coffee particles at the top of a shot of espresso that "indicate a good extraction and proper grind." The article says that in addition to coffee, there will also be pastries offered.

It looks like Fleck could be opening in early February.

[February 9 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Fleck is now open.]

The address for this new coffee bar in Newton is: Fleck, 1169 Walnut Street, Newton, MA, 02461. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/fleckcoffee while its Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/fleckcoffee

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



7ate9 Bakery Is Opening in Somerville

The person behind a business that makes mini-cheesecakes and more is planning to open a shop in Somerville.

According to an article in Somerville Beat, Sarah Chester is looking to open 7ate9 Bakery on Highland Avenue, with Eater Boston mentioning that its location will be in the space where Kickass Cupcakes had been until closing last summer. Once it opens, expect to see the treats that Chester offers at farmers' markets in the Boston area, including her signature small cheesecakes as well as regular-sized cheesecakes; she will also be selling additional sweet treats and coffee.

Somerville Beat says that 7ate9 Bakery could be open for business sometime next month, depending on the permitting process and construction.

[April 30 update: Eater Boston mentions that 7ate9 Bakery appears to be on the verge of opening, as it passed its final inspection earlier this week and now just needs to calibrate the ovens and get used to the equipment.]

[May 4 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that 7ate9 Bakery is now open.]

The address for this new bakery in Somerville is: 7ate9 Bakery, 199C Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://7ate9bakery.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Monday, January 26, 2015

World’s Largest Key Lime Pie to Come to Boston's South Station February 5, 2015

A key lime pie is going to be coming to Boston early next month--but this isn't just any kind of key lime pie.

According to a post from BostInno, a trio of chefs from Key West, FL, are going to be creating the world's largest key lime pie on February 5, with the mammoth treat being set up in the main concourse of South Station. The article says that the pie will be nine feet in diameter and with a total weight of approximately 1,000 pounds, and it will yield nearly 2,000 servings. (Ingredients include 200 pounds of graham crackers, juice from 5,760 key limes, and 55 gallons of condensed milk.)

The key lime pie will be created at around 3:00 PM, with servings of the pie being offered around 4:00 PM.

Thanks to @FoodserviceEast for bringing this to our attention.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]



Suya Joint in Roslindale Moving from Roslindale to Roxbury

It looks like one of the only restaurants in Boston that serves Nigerian food is moving.

Eater Boston is reporting that Suya Joint in Roslindale is closing in preparation for a move from its current Poplar Street location to Dudley Square in Roxbury. The article says that its final day in business in Roslindale Village is later this week, though it is not known whether the last day is Friday, January 29 or Saturday, January 30 (a note on the restaurant's Facebook page says "Friday, January 30"). It appears that the eatery will open in its new space in Roxbury sometime this spring.

[January 22, 2016 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Suya Joint is now open in its new home in Roxbury.]

Suya Joint first opened in February of 2012, moving into the space where the Bangkok Cafe had once been; the dining spot offers West African cuisine, with an emphasis on Nigerian fare.

The new address for Suya Joint will be 185 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at http://www.suyajoint.com/

Friday, January 23, 2015

Restoration Hardware in Boston's Back Bay Plans to Sell Off Its Liquor License

Nearly two years after first opening its doors in the Back Bay of Boston, a California-based luxury home furnishings chain has still not opened a planned restaurant within its store, and now it looks like it may get rid of its liquor license.

According to a Boston Licensing Board page, Restoration Hardware on Berkeley Street is seeking to transfer its beer and wine license to the Paramount on Broadway in South Boston, with a Twitter post from @planetsouthie explaining that the Paramount would then sell its current liquor license to an unnamed restaurant also on Broadway in Southie. It is not yet known if RH will still try to open a dining spot within its Back Bay store at some point; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Restoration Hardware first opened its Boston store in March of 2013.

The address for Restoration Hardware is 234 Berkeley Street in Boston's Back Bay, while the address for the Paramount is 667 E Broadway in South Boston.

[Earlier Article]
Restoration Hardware's Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay Still Not Open; City Issues Warning

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Caffe Nero to Open in Boston's Fort Point, Longwood Neighborhoods

A chain of Italian-style coffee shops based in Europe is continuing its expansion plans in the Boston area, with two more now in the works.

A Twitter post from @FortPointer confirms earlier some rumors, that Caffe Nero is planning to open new shops in the city's Fort Point neighborhood as well as the Longwood area. It is not yet known exactly where either location will be, though @FortPointer says that the one in Fort Point will be its largest in Boston, possibly at more than 3,000 square feet in size. It appears that more information on one or both of the new locations could be coming out next week.

Currently, Caffe Nero can be found in Downtown Crossing and Jamaica Plain, with another one slated for the South End; @FortPointer mentions that the Longwood shop will apparently open first, followed by the one in the South End, then Fort Point.

[January 26, 2015 update: A new Twitter post from @FortPointer gives the address for the Caffe Nero shop coming to Fort Point--it will be at 368 Congress Street. (The post also says that this one will be Nero's largest shop in the United States.)]

[March 6, 2015 update: A Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website gives the address for the Caffe Nero shop coming to the Longwood area--it will be at 354-364 Longwood Avenue.]

[April 30, 2015 update: Eater Boston states that the Longwood location of Caffe Nero is now open.]

The website for Caffe Nero can be found at http://www.caffenero.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Greg Hill of WAAF Involved in Opening of Restaurant and Brewery in Maynard

It looks like a local radio personality is involved in the opening of a restaurant and brewery west of Boston.

According to an article in Wicked Local, Greg Hill ("The Hillman") of WAAF and his Whole House Group is planning to work on opening a restaurant and brewery in Maynard, with the place being called the Battle Road Brewery. The new establishment--if approved by the town--would have up to 75 seats for dining, while the brewery would have the capacity of making 5,000 barrels of beer per year (the brewery part of the business, which was established in 2012, produced 500 barrels last year). Hill says that the restaurant would be more of an upscale spot than a pub and it would offer such items as pretzels, burgers, steak, and pasta.

Greg Hill's Whole House Group also operates 29 Sudbury in Sudbury and Howl at the Moon in Boston, and he is currently working on opening Flank, The New American Beefsteak in Waltham. [Ed note: Flank is now open.]

[March 13, 2015 update: The Boston Business Journal states that the Battle Road Brewery will be opening within the historic Clock Tower Mill in the center of Maynard and that it is a partnership between Hill's Whole House Group and Jeremy Cross and Scott Houghton, who founded the brewery (they currently operate the contract brewing business within the Ipswich Ale Brewery). According to the article, an outdoor beer garden that overlooks Mill Pond is part of the plans, and the restaurant and brewery could be opening sometime this fall.]

[June 10, 2016 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Battle Road Brewery is now brewing beer.]

[November 17, 2016 update: The Boston Business Journal indicates that Battle Road Brewery hopes to open its brew house/restaurant in December, and that much of the space will be used for the restaurant and taproom, while the rest will be for the actual brewery.]

[January 4, 2017 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Battle Road Brewery and Brew House will open its doors on Saturday, January 28.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Thursday, January 22, 2015

UPDATE: Operation Dine Out to Be Held February 24, 2015

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 4 to reflect a new date for the event.]

A culinary event is on its way to the Boston area for the first time ever, and it will be raising money for Boston's Finest.

According to a press release sent this week, the Boston Police Foundation will be hosting its first annual Operation Dine Out, which will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 [note--the event had been postponed on January 28 due to weather issues]. A number of local restaurants will be participating, with a percentage of their sales that day supporting the Boston Police Department; the goal of the event is to raise awareness and help fund the foundation's programs such as "Text a Tip," "Crime Watch," "Crime Stoppers," and "Officer Wellness and Safety." A few of the dining spots that are participating include Alma Nove, Cask n Flagon, Church Boston, El Pelon Taqueria, Michael's Deli, Russell House Tavern, South Street Diner, Vito's Tavern, and many others.

General info on Operation Dine Out can be found  here:

http://www.bostonpolicefoundation.org/#events

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Bluestone Bistro in Brighton Is Closing; May Be Replaced by Chili Thai Bistro

A decades-old restaurant that is known for its pizza is apparently closing, with an Asian eatery moving into its space.

According to a Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website, Bluestone Bistro in Brighton is looking to transfer its liquor license to a new spot tentatively called Chili Thai Bistro, which would open at the same Commonwealth Avenue address. If the city approves of the transfer, it is not known exactly when Bluestone Bistro would close, or when Chili Thai Bistro might open; the hearing is taking place today, so as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here.

[February 19, 2015 update: Eater Boston states that Bluestone Bistro has officially closed.]

Bluestone Bistro first opened in the late 1980s, offering such items as pizza, calzones, subs, pasta dishes, and more. It has been known as a popular spot for college students--especially pizza lovers from BC, which is located nearby.

The address for Bluestone Bistro (and the proposed Chili Thai Bistro) is 1799 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02135.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Anna's Taqueria Is Opening in Newton Highlands

A local group of restaurants that focuses on Mexican food is looking to open a new location, with this one being in a western suburb of Boston.

The Newton TAB is reporting that Anna's Taqueria is planning on opening in Newton, with the shop being somewhere in the Newton Highlands village of the city. The article says that the people behind Anna's are "actively involved" in securing a space for the Newton location, which would be their seventh in the Boston area (they currently have one in Boston, two in Brookline, two in Cambridge, and one in Somerville).

[February 2 update: According to a post in The Boston Globe, the new Anna's Taqueria will open at 27 Lincoln Street, which is where Rox Cafe had been until closing in October.]

[March 1, 2016 update: Eater Boston states that the new location of Anna's in Newton Highlands is now open.]

Anna's Taqueria, which first started out in 1995, is known for such items as burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, with the group of eateries being particularly popular with college students in part because of their affordable prices.

The website for Anna's can be found at http://www.annastaqueria.com/

Thanks to Boston Tweet for bringing this to our attention.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Highlights for the Week Ending January 16, 2015

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Japanese dining spot in Cambridge closing, a couple of Italian eateries coming to Waltham, and one of a local group of pizza spots shutting down. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a speakeasy-type bar in Cambridge, a new photo gallery on closed restaurants that people miss, and a photo of home fries from a breakfast spot in Weymouth.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Yoki in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

Two Locations of Brelundi to Open in Waltham

Stone Hearth Pizza in Winchester Has Closed

CuppaCoffee to Open in Boston's South End

The Grapevine Restaurant in Salem Has Closed

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Joe Sent Me in Cambridge, MA

New Photo: Blackjack Burger from O'Sullivan's in Somerville, MA

Photo Gallery: Closed Restaurants in the Boston Area

Updated Review: Maria's Restaurant in Braintree, MA

New Photo: Home Fries from the Mad Hatter Cafe in Weymouth, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


The Barmobile Is Coming to Boston

A new "food truck" is on its way to Boston, though its focus will not actually be on food.

Eater Boston is reporting that The Barmobile is going to be hitting the streets of the city, with the vehicle being a mobile cocktail catering service that (according to its Facebook page) brings "all your booze needs for any and all occasions!" According to EB, Kevin Mabry and Suzie Dagenais of jm Curley and Merrill & Co., and Domingo-martin Barreres of Bogie's Place within jm Curley are behind the truck, though it will not be affiliated with those dining spots.

The Facebook page for The Barmobile says the "truck" is a 1946 Flxible bus that is 30 feet in length.

In addition to Facebook, The Barmobile can also be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/thebarmobile

[April 21 update: A new article from Eater Boston mentions that The Barmobile now has a Kickstarter campaign to help fix up the cocktail truck so it can get on the road. (The folks behind the truck are looking to raise $35,000 by May 15.)]

[May 12 update: According to a Twitter post sent out last night, The Barmobile has met its funding goal of $35,000.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Brothers Restaurant Opens in Brookline

A new Italian, Mexican, and American restaurant has come to Brookline, and the three people behind it come from several Boston-area dining spots.

According to several readers, Brothers Restaurant has opened on Harvard Street, taking over the space where the Persian eatery Khayam had been. As of this writing, the new restaurant's website is extremely difficult to maneuver, but its cached pages in Google show that the place is run by chefs who have worked at such spots as Dolce Vita Ristorante in Boston's North End, Devlin's in Brighton, Sound Bites in Somerville, Broadway Diner in Arlington, Rustic Kitchen in Boston's Theatre District, Game On in the Fenway, Sorellina in the Back Bay, and others.

It appears that Brothers is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but because the website cannot be accessed, it is not known exactly what is offered; a poster on the Chowhound site does say that the breakfast menu includes such items as waffles, pancakes, French toast, and omelets, but the lunch and dinner menu cannot be seen at this point in time.

[January 28 update: The website for Brothers in Brookline is now working and its lunch and dinner menu includes such items as chili, wings, nachos, crab cakes, linguini bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, braised short ribs, orange maple-glazed salmon, fish tacos, lamb kabobs, flatbread pizza, burgers, and lobster rolls.]

The address for this new dining spot in Brookline is: Brothers Restaurant, 404 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://brothers-restaurant.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Tony G's Barbecue Is Opening in Belmont

It looks like a brand new BBQ spot is on its way to the Boston area, and it will be opening in the space where a Cuban eatery had been before moving to a new location.

According to several sources--and confirmed by The Belmontonian--Tony G's Barbecue is planning to open in Belmont, taking over the former Gustazo Cuban Restaurant & Cafe spot on Belmont Street by the Watertown border (Gustazo now resides on Main Street in Waltham). The Belmontonian article mentions that the proposed dining spot would be open for lunch and dinner and would be self-serve and takeout only, with food cooked by way of an "oven range" rather than by grilling or deep frying. A few items planned for the menu include brisket, ribs, BBQ chicken, and pulled pork, according to the article.

[July 3 update: A Facebook post from the Belmont Citizen-Herald says that Tony G's opens its doors on July 8.]

The person behind Tony G's Barbecue is affiliated with Pho And Thai, an Asian restaurant in the Waverly Square section of town.

The address for this new BBQ place in Belmont is 289 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA 02478.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Rina's Pizzeria and Cafe Is Opening in Boston's North End

Two years ago, we reported that the person behind several Boston-area restaurants was planning to open a new eatery in the city's North End neighborhood. Now we have learned that it is finally getting close to opening, though with a slightly different name.

According to a Twitter post from @ConciergeBoston, a sign is now up for Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe on Hanover Street, with the NorthEndWaterfront.com site indicating that this is the place Nick Varano (and The Varano Group) had been looking to open originally as Strega Pizzeria & Cafe. A few months back, we mentioned that the Boston Licensing Board wanted to know why the dining spot hadn't opened, as the plans date all the way back to the spring of 2013; Varano's attorney told the board that the delay was due at least in part to issues concerning the installation of kitchen vents.

In addition to the upcoming Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe, Nick Varano also runs Strega in the North End (which is next door to Rina's), Strega on the waterfront, two locations of Caffe Strega within the city, Strega Prime in Woburn, and Nico in the North End.

[June 8 update: A new article from the NorthEndWaterfront.com site indicates that Rina's will open sometime this week.]

[June 19 update: UrbanDaddy states that Rina's is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in Boston's North End is: Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe, 371-373 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. The website for The Varano Group can be found at http://www.thevaranogroup.com

[Earlier Article]
Strega Pizzeria and Cafe Plans to Open in Boston's North End

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Friday, January 16, 2015

Greater Boston Food Bank's Super Hunger Brunch to Be Held January 24-25, 2015

A food event that helps raise money for a hunger relief organization is returning to the Boston area once again, and once again, nearly 20 restaurants are involved.

On Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, The Greater Boston Food Bank will be bringing the 33rd annual Super Hunger Brunch to the region, with participating restaurants having special menus with prices set at $25, $35, and $50 per person, and for every dollar spent, people in need will get to have three nutritious meals. As of this writing, the restaurants involved include Blue Ginger, Burtons Grill of Burlington, Craigie on Main, Dillon's, 80 Thoreau, The Fireplace, Grill 23 & Bar, Kirkland Tap & Trotter, La Morra, Michael's Harborside, Nix's Ten Center, Post 390 Restaurant, Precinct Kitchen + Bar, Rialto, Stella Restaurant, and Tosca.

For more information on the 2015 Super Hunger Brunch, please go to the link below:

http://gbfb.org/events/super-hunger-brunch.php/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Capital One 360 Cafe to Open at the Ink Block in Boston's South End

It looks like a combination cafe/bank will continue to expand into the region, with one now coming to a new complex just south of Boston's downtown area.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting that Capital One 360 Cafe is planning to open in the Ink Block development in the South End (by Harrison Avenue and Albany Street), and as is the case with their other locations, it will feature Peet's Coffee. Once it opens, the new cafe will join locations in Downtown Crossing, the Back Bay, Brookline's Coolidge Corner, and Cambridge's Harvard Square, along with others in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and St. Cloud.

Expect the new Capital One 360 Cafe to open sometime in May, according to the article.

[June 4 update: The new Capital One 360 Cafe (which will include Peet's) has not yet opened, but its website indicates that it now plans a June opening, and a Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website shows that the board will be meeting to look into the request for a common victualler license on June 10.]

[July 2 update: According to a press release, the new Capital One 360 Cafe at the Ink Block will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 9, with its grand opening weekend to follow.]

The website for the cafes can be found at http://cafes.capitalone360.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Yannalfo's in Marblehead Has Closed

An Italian restaurant on the North Shore has closed after being in business for approximately 2 1/2 years.

According to one of our readers, Yannalfo's in Marblehead is no longer in business, with a check on the dining spot's Facebook page confirming that it is indeed shuttered. A note from the Washington Street spot says that "we all loved doing what we were doing at Yannalfo's, but at some point you just need to 'stop the bleeding,'" with the original Facebook post saying "Thank you once again for being part of our 'too short life' as a business and letting us be part of yours!"

Yannalfo's first opened in September of 2012 in the space where Pellino's had once been.

The address for this now-closed Italian restaurant in Marblehead was: Yannalfo's, 261 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Former Busy Bee Cleaners in Roslindale May Become Busy Bee Restaurant

It looks like a now-closed cleaners in Roslindale could become a brand new restaurant serving three meals a day--and its name would apparently remain the same.

Universal Hub is reporting that Stelio Koutonidis, the owner of a building at 4381 Washington Street (between Roslindale Village and the West Roxbury line), is looking to put a dining spot in the space where Busy Bee cleaners had been, with the name of the eatery also being the Busy Bee. The article says that Koutonidis met with residents yesterday to discuss his plans, which include having the place serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the latter two possibly having Greek and Italian influences (he also says that "breakfast is breakfast"). Next up is a hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals, which may take place in March.

If all goes well, the Busy Bee could be open sometime this summer, according to Universal Hub.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Thursday, January 15, 2015

Yoki in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

A Japanese restaurant in Cambridge has closed its doors after being in business for about 2 1/2 years.

Eater Boston is reporting that Yoki in the city's Central Square neighborhood is shuttered, with one of its readers saying that the furniture inside the Mass. Ave. space is gone. According to the article, an employee at the original location of the eatery in Medford's Station Landing says that it appears the Cambridge spot's closure is permanent, though this has not been completely confirmed as of yet.

Yoki took over the space where Floating Rock had been in the summer of 2012 (Floating Rock had moved from its original location in Revere), offering such items as sushi, tempura, teriyaki, noodle dishes, and more.

The address for this now-closed Japanese restaurant in Central Square was: Yoki, 485 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the Medford location can be found at http://yokirestaurant.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Two Locations of Brelundi to Open in Waltham

A few months ago, we reported that an Italian restaurant was planning to open at the historic Watch Factory building in Waltham. Now we have learned what the place will be called--and we have also learned that there will be a second location nearby.

According to its Twitter page, Brelundi is planning to open restaurants on Crescent Street (where the Watch Factory is along the Charles River) as well as on Felton Street (just off Moody Street and a bit north of the river). Based on the address given, the Felton Street location of the eatery will be in the space where Franca's Brick Oven Pizzeria had once been, with that spot being more of a takeout place. It looks like both will be featuring Southern Italian fare and they should both open sometime early this year.

According to the dining spot, the name "Brelundi" comes from combining the words "breakfast," "lunch," and "dinner."

The addresses for the two locations of this restaurant are 185 Crescent Street and 16 Felton Street; the website can be found at http://www.brelundi.com/ while the Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/Brelundi/

[March 10 update: Boston Magazine is reporting that the Felton Street location of Brelundi is now open and that it is actually focusing on Sicilian cuisine. The article says that the second location at the Watch Factory should be opening in May, and if both do well, there could be more locations of the eatery on the way.]

[April 9 update: An interview with the owner of Brelundi in The Waltham News Tribune indicates that the Crescent Street/Watch Factory location of the restaurant is now planning on opening in June.]

[Earlier Article]
Italian Restaurant Coming to the Watch Factory in Waltham

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Highlights for the Week Ending January 9, 2015

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a pair of sports bars in the city closing, an iconic snack shack planning to open a second location, and a landmark Back Bay watering hole possibly returning. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a breakfast spot in Weymouth, a photo of a curry dish from a Japanese restaurant in Cambridge, and a slideshow on more burgers in the Boston area.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Louis Boston on the Waterfront Is Closing; Sam's at Louis to Remain Open

Stadium Sports Bar and Grill in Downtown Boston and South Boston Have Closed; Quincy Location Remains Open

Sullivan's in South Boston May Open a Second Location in Hingham

The Littlest Bar and The Times in Boston May Be Forced Out to Make Way for New Development

The Rumor Mill: Is Daisy Buchanan's Returning to Boston's Back Bay?

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Mad Hatter Cafe in Weymouth, MA

New Photo: Chicken and Egg with Noodles in Curry from Tampopo in Cambridge, MA

Slideshow: Ten More Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area

New Photo: Pancake Plate from Dot 2 Dot Cafe in Dorchester, MA

Updated Review: Golden Garden in Belmont, MA

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Confirmed: Lower Mills Pub in Dorchester Will Become Lower Mills Tavern

[Ed note: This article was updated several times to reflect new information given, including confirmation of the buyers and a new name given.]

It looks like a decades-old dive bar in Dorchester is going to be sold--though some legal issues need to be worked out first.

An article in the Dorchester Reporter states that the people behind the Lower Mills Pub on Dorchester Avenue have an agreement to sell the place to a "prominent Boston restaurant operator," but the Boston Licensing Board summoned those involved with the bar to a hearing yesterday because it has concerns about allowing the sale to go through. According to the board, the watering hole has not legally had a manager for the past five years--when the bar's co-owner passed away without leaving a will--and the spot also owes the city approximately $80,000 in back taxes. The Lower Mills Pub is now asking for a continuance of the hearing for eight more weeks to clear things up, which the board plans to look into tomorrow.

The Lower Mills Pub has been open for 35 years, according to the article.

[April 14 update: A new article in the Dorchester Reporter states that the Lower Mills Pub is indeed being sold--with the sale possibly being finalized later this month--and that the team involved in the purchase includes Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys, who is also behind McGreevey's in Boston's Back Bay. Others involved with the purchase include Brian O'Donnell, who is a "key partner," and HGTV host Taniya Nayak, who is married to O'Donnell and will help design the new spot. The article says that the as-of-yet unnamed place will likely be a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar with Irish music and acoustic bands possibly playing there.]

[April 27 update: According to a licensing board page within the City of Boston website, the name of the proposed spot will tentatively be Lower Mills Tavern, with the city looking into the request for a license transfer this Wednesday (April 29).]

[December 29 update: A new licensing board page confirms that the now-closed Lower Mills Pub will indeed be called Lower Mills Tavern, and that the license transfer will be looked at on January 6.]

The address for the Lower Mills Pub (and upcoming Lower Mills Tavern)  is 2269 Dorchester Avenue, Boston, MA, 02124. Its website can be found at http://www.lowermillspub.com/

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Stone Hearth Pizza in Winchester Has Closed

A local group of pizza spots has closed one of its locations.

According to a Twitter post sent to us this morning, Stone Hearth Pizza in Winchester is no longer in business, confirming some information that we had recently heard about the space. The restaurant's website also seems to confirm this, as the Main Street location is indeed no longer shown on the site. A few reliable sources have mentioned that a new dining spot may be moving into the space; as soon as we hear more on this, we will post an update here.

The locations of Stone Hearth Pizza in Allston, Belmont, Cambridge, Hingham, and Needham remain in operation.

The address for this now-closed pizza spot in Winchester was: Stone Hearth Pizza, 528 Main Street, Winchester, MA, 01890. The website for the other locations can be found at http://www.stonehearthpizza.com/

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Gordon Hamersley Becomes Food Columnist for The Boston Globe

Last fall saw the closing of Hamersley's Bistro, one of the best-known restaurants in all of Boston, and now we have learned that owner Gordon Hamersley will continue to be in the spotlight, this time as a writer for a local newspaper.

A Twitter post from @GlobeFood indicates that the person behind the now-closed French dining spot in the South End is now a cooking columnist for The Boston Globe, with his cooking column being in the paper's Food section every other week. Hamersley's articles will cover such areas as favorite recipes, cooking tips, food items that he has recently made, and more, according to the Globe. His first article can be seen here:

Introducing a chef you already know, Gordon Hamersley

Hamersley's Bistro shut down in October after being in its Tremont Street home for 27 years.

[Earlier Article]
Hamersley's Bistro in the South End of Boston Is Closing

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CuppaCoffee Is Opening in Boston's South End

An "Australian-inspired" coffee shop in the Haymarket area of downtown Boston is going to be opening a second branch, with this one being in a part of the South End that is undergoing extensive development.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting that CuppaCoffee on Merrimac Street is planning to open within the new apartment building Troy Boston, which is located on Traveler Street by the Ink Block complex and the new Whole Foods market in the South End. A Twitter post from the coffee shop says that the new outlet hopes to open sometime in the second quarter of 2015.

[September 11 update: According to a new Twitter post from the place, CuppaCoffee has its grand opening on September 21.]

CuppaCoffee first opened near Haymarket in May of 2013, offering Australian meat pies along with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more.

The address for the new CuppaCoffee in the South End will be 55 Traveler Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for the original location can be found at http://www.trycuppacoffee.com/

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



The Maharaja in Cambridge's Harvard Square to Reopen After 2014 Fire

An Indian restaurant in Cambridge that was damaged in a fire in the spring of 2014 is hoping to reopen soon.

Cambridge Day is reporting that The Maharaja in the city's Harvard Square area is planning on opening once again in March, with the dining spot saying that the reason it has taken so long to get back up and running is because of  "a long investigation by the insurance companies" along with finding a builder and going through the permitting process. The restaurant was forced to shut in June of 2014 when a blaze hit the Galeria, damaging both The Maharaja and Staples (the latter of which was quickly able to reopen, according to the article).

[November 2 update: Eater Boston mentions that The Maharaja is now open once again.]

The Maharaja first opened in March of 2011, moving into the former Bombay Club space.

The address for The Maharaja is 57 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138; its website can be found at http://www.maharajaboston.com/

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Monday, January 12, 2015

Burrito Bowl IV to Be Held at Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, January 31, 2015

A burrito competition is returning to Boston once again, and once again some of the best-known chefs in the area will be participating.

On January 31 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Burrito Bowl IV will take place at Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake on Boylston Street in the Back Bay, with the event featuring chefs who compete to make the best "bowl-style" burrito in the eyes of both guests and the competition's referees/judges. Chefs who are participating include Chris Damian (Papagayo), Jose Duarte (Taranta), Yohni Aldana (Estelle), Jim Hoben (El Pelon), Leo Asaro (Tico), Uri Abragimovich (Poe's Kitchen), Allan Rodriguez (El Centro), and Chris Douglass (Ashmont Grill and Tavolo), while the "refs" are Jenny Johnson (NESN's "Dining Playbook"), Scott Kearnan (Zagat Boston), and Tom O'Keefe (BostonTweet).

Tickets to Burrito Bowl IV cost $25 each and can be ordered at the link below:

Burrito Bowl IV

Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake is located at 384 Boylston Street.

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Cuisine en Locale in Somerville Is Now Serving Dinner and Drinks Nightly

Last year we reported that a catering and event company in Somerville had debuted a weekly brunch in what was termed the "world's first-ever locavore function hall." Now we have learned that the company is now serving dinner every night in the space.

Eater Boston mentions that starting tonight, Cuisine en Locale is offering food from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM nightly at the Anthony's site on Highland Avenue, with its relatively unknown bar being open until 1:00 AM as well. The article says the place will have what looks to be an ever-changing menu that includes such items as tacos, flatbreads, and at some point, possibly arepas.

Cuisine en Locale is known in part for its pop-up events along with its support of farmers in the local area.

The address for Cuisine en Locale's restaurant and bar area at Anthony's is 156 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for the company can be found at http://www.cuisineenlocale.com/

[Earlier Article]
Cuisine en Locale Sets Up Weekly Locavore Brunch in Somerville

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Rodizio Grill in Braintree Has Closed

It looks like a location of a Brazilian steakhouse south of Boston has closed its doors.

According to one of our readers, Rodizio Grill in Braintree is no longer in business, with a check on the chain's website seeming to confirm this, as the Braintree listing has been taken off the site. The restaurant first opened at the South Shore Plaza in March of 2013, with the dining spot offering a number of  rotisserie-grilled meats carved tableside as well as appetizers, desserts, and more.

Approximately 15 other locations of Rodizio Grill remain in operation, though none of them are anywhere near the Boston area (the closest ones are in New Jersey and Pennsylvania).

The address for this now-closed Brazilian restaurant in Braintree was: Rodizio Grill, 250 Granite Street (South Shore Plaza), Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.rodiziogrill.com/

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



The Grapevine Restaurant in Salem Has Closed

A landmark dining spot on the North Shore has closed after more than a quarter century in business.

According to one of our readers (and confirmed by The Salem News), The Grapevine Restaurant in Salem is no longer in business, with the Salem news article indicating that the dining spot shuttered because it wasn't doing as much business as it had hoped to do. The Grapevine, which first opened on Congress Street in 1988, came under new ownership in 2012 and went from being mainly an Italian restaurant to more of a Mediterranean spot.

Earlier we had reported that chef Tim Caldwell of The Grapevine had purchased the space on Essex Street where The Old Spot had once been, though it is not yet known exactly what kind of place might open at that site.

The address for the now-closed Grapevine Restaurant was 26 Congress Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

[Earlier Article]
Chef Tim Caldwell from Grapevine Purchases The Old Spot in Salem

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