Monday, February 29, 2016

Highlights for the Week Ending February 26, 2016

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a highly-anticipated pizza spot coming to Brookline in early April, a chain of restaurants known for their wings coming to Boston, and an award-winning donut place popping up in a new location. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a restaurant in Brookline, a photo of a sandwich from a Quincy bar, and an updated review of an Italian and Greek dining spot in Braintree.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Stoked Wood Fired Pizza Plans to Open in Brookline's Washington Square April 1

City Winery to Open in Boston

Native Grill and Wings to Come to Boston

La Bodega by Salts to Open in Watertown

Kane's Donuts Is Opening within The Pop-Up at The Street in Chestnut Hill

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Brothers Restaurant in Brookline, MA

New Photo: Turkey Club from Cagney's in Quincy, MA

New Photo: Chicken Tenders from Joe Sent Me in Cambridge, MA

Updated Review: Maria's Restaurant in Braintree, MA

New Photo: Chili from Brothers Restaurant in Brookline, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Union Square Donuts Opening Satellite Location in Cambridge's Inman Square

One of the most popular donut shops in the Boston area is getting ready to open a satellite location.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Union Square Donuts on Bow Street in Somerville is leasing the space in Cambridge's Inman Square where a retail shop of Grillo's Pickles had been until the business shut the shop down last winter. (Grillo's products remain available in grocery stores across the country.) The article says that Union Square Donuts has the Cambridge Street space--which is owned Clover--for two months, though it could remain in the spot beyond the two months depending on how well things go with the shop.

The satellite store opens its doors this Friday and will have hours of 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM daily (or until the donuts run out), according to Boston Magazine.

Union Square Donuts first opened its doors in a space on Somerville Avenue in Union Square in February of 2013, moving to its present spot a few months later. It is known for such donuts as maple bacon, Boston cream, sea salted bourbon caramel, orange cardamom poppy seed, and more.

The address for the satellite location of Union Square Donuts in Inman Square is 1075 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the business can be found at http://unionsquaredonuts.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Sunday, February 28, 2016

Tim Maslow (Ribelle, Strip-T's), Arrested at Canadian Border

One of the best-known chefs in the Boston area is out on bail after being arrested for possession of a controlled substance at the Canadian border.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Tim Maslow of Ribelle in Brookline and Strip-T's in Watertown was stopped at the border early Friday morning entering the U.S. from Canada, and a search of the car that he and four others were in resulted in the discovery of 22.5 pounds of marijuana (THC) edibles. Maslow plead not guilty to charges of felony possession of marijuana and possession of a depressant, stimulant, and narcotic and was released from the Franklin County Courthouse in St. Albans, VT, on $5,000 bail. According to the article, Vermont State Police Corporal George Rodriguez said that Maslow "claimed it was all his" and that "he was very cooperative."

In addition to the arrest of Maslow at the Canadian border, a couple of Instagram posts from the chef that seem to have been taken down indicated that changes are coming to Ribelle, with one of the posts saying that he is "so looking forward to gutting" the restaurant and "getting it right," mentioning that new food would be coming on Monday.

[February 29 update: According to a Twitter post from this morning, Ribelle is open for dinner tonight starting at 6:00 PM, though there is no word on whether any changes have been made to its menu.]

[March 2 update: According to an Instagram post of its menu, it appears that Ribelle has a new name--it is now apparently called "1665 Beacon." In addition, its new menu appears to lean toward French fare.]

As soon as we learn more about the future of Ribelle, we will post an update here.

The address for Ribelle is 1665 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website can be found at http://www.ribellebkline.com/

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.]



Friday, February 26, 2016

StreetFood Revolution Is Opening in Former Camino Real Space in Allston

A new dining spot featuring some of the street foods of China may be on its way to Allston, taking over the space where a Colombian restaurant had been.

Eater Boston is reporting that StreetFood Revolution is planning to open on Harvard Avenue, moving into the former Camino Real space between Cambridge Street and Brighton Avenue. (Camino Real closed last month after being in business for more than 15 years.) The article says that owner Alex Shan is apparently looking to offer Chinese street food with an emphasis possibly on the foods of Xi'an in central China, though no specific details about the menu have been given as of yet.

A licensing board page within the City of Boston website indicates that the city will be looking at StreetFood Revolution's request for a common victualler license on March 3, so more may be known on the eatery by next week.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Allston is: StreetFood Revolution, 48 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[March 4 update: Eater Boston (mentions that StreetFood Revolution is now open in Allston.]

[Earlier Article]
Camino Real in Allston Has Closed

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Thursday, February 25, 2016

Totto Ramen Is Opening at Somerville's Assembly Row

A Boston ramen shop that is connected to three other locations in New York will be joined by a second outlet in the local area.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a City of Somerville licensing commission page) that Totto Ramen is expanding to Somerville's Assembly Row, joining another location on Brighton Avenue in Allston along with shops in Midtown West, Midtown East, and Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. Based on the other locations of the eatery, the dining spot will likely offer spicy ramen, cold ramen, and miso ramen with a chicken base (rather than the more common pork base) and with a variety of toppings available.

The address for the new location of Totto Ramen is 465 Artisan Way, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for all locations of Totto can be found at http://tottoramen.com/

[August 15 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Totto Ramen hopes to open at Assembly Row in mid-October.]

[November 30 update: A press release states that the new Totto Ramen plans to open tomorrow (Thursday, December 1) at noon at Somerville's Assembly Row.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]




Owner of Navy Yard Bistro in Charlestown Apparently Loses Out to Starbucks in Plans for New Restaurant

The person behind a restaurant and wine bar in Charlestown had plans to open a second spot a short distance away, but his plans have been dashed--and a global coffee chain may be taking over the space instead.

BostInno is reporting (via a post within the Eater forum) that John Moore of Navy Yard Bistro was looking to open a place called "Nickel" in the historic Five Cents Saving Bank building in Thompson Square (near where Main Street and Austin Street meet), but he says that his proposal was denied and a location of Starbucks will now apparently be moving into the spot. The article mentions that Moore's eatery was going to be a "swanky" place with sushi, a burger bar, and some Thai fare, but he indicated that such a restaurant would need more investment in the building than a coffee shop would, which may be why Nickel lost out to Starbucks.

Navy Yard Bistro first opened its doors by 1st Avenue and 6th Street a bit more than a decade ago.

[November 4 update: It appears that John Moore's proposed restaurant has indeed lost out to Starbucks, as a licensing board page indicates that Starbucks has applied for a common victualler license to operate within the Thompson Square space.]

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]




Sweetgreen to Open Five More Boston-Area Locations

A chain of farm-to-table dining spots that has expanded into Boston over the past few years is getting ready to do a major expansion that will more than double the number of its shops in the region.

A press release sent indicates that Sweetgreen will be opening five new shops this year, including two previously announced here--School Street in Downtown Crossing and Brookline Avenue in the Fenway--along with Summer Street in the Financial District, Harrison Avenue at the Ink Block in the South End, and JFK Street in Cambridge's Harvard Square. The release says that the DTX shop should open in the spring, the Fenway and Financial District stores should open in the summer, and the Ink Block and Harvard Square shops should open in the fall.

Currently, locations of the Washington, DC-based Sweetgreen can be found on Boylston Street and within the Prudential Center in the Back Bay, Chestnut Hill Square on the Newton/Brookline border, and at MarketStreet Lynnfield.

[May 8 update: The School Street location of Sweetgreen is now open, and based on a licensing board page within the city of Boston website, the Brookline Avenue and Summer Street shops could be one step closer to opening by this week, as both have hearings regarding their common victualler licenses on Wednesday, May 11.]

[July 2 update: The Brookline Avenue location of Sweetgreen is now open.]

The website for the chain is at http://www.sweetgreen.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]




Stoked Wood Fired Pizza Is Opening in Brookline's Washington Square in April

A highly-anticipated pizza spot is getting close to opening in Brookline.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, Stoked Wood Fired Pizza Co. hopes to open in Washington Square on April 1, with job training starting in the middle of March. As reported earlier, the brick-and-mortar location of the pizza truck is taking over the space on Beacon Street where Sunny Boy had been until closing around the beginning of this year, with Scott Riebling of the Boston rock band Letters to Cleo and Toirm Miller of the former Jack and the Bean Bowl food cart being behind it.

[April 8 update: Stoked did not open on April 1 after all, though a source says that it is less than a week away from opening.]

[April 12 update: According to an Instagram post from Privateer Rum, Stoked plans to open on Thursday, with sources saying that it will offer craft beer, wine, and cocktails in addition to pizza.]

The Stoked pizza truck, which debuted in early 2014, has received much praise for its pies, including Boston Magazine awarding it a "best of" for 2015.

The website for Stoked can be found at http://www.stokedpizzaco.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Sunny Boy in Brookline's Washington Square to Close; Stoked to Move into Space
Stoked Wood Fired Pizza to Open Brick and Mortar Restaurant in Brookline

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]



City Winery Plans to Come to Boston

It looks like a new restaurant, winery, and music spot is on its way to Boston.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, City Winery is planning to open on the ground level of the upcoming One Canal luxury apartment development by the corner of Canal Street and New Chardon Street in the Haymarket Square area. Based on the other locations of the New York-based group of venues (Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville), the new spot could include a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced fare, an extensive wine list with some of the wines made in-house, wine classes and the option for patrons to make their own wine, and live music and other entertainment.

The person behind City Winery is music promoter Michael Dorf, who also founded a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York back in the 1980s. (The Knitting Factory now has locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane.)

It looks like the address for the upcoming City Winery is 1 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for City Winery can be found at http://www.citywinery.com/

[June 30, 2017 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that City Winery plans to open in September.]

[September 25, 2017 update: Eater Boston states that City Winery is now hoping to open on October 16.]

[October 16, 2017 update: A message from City Winery indicates that the opening date has now been pushed back into November because of ongoing construction delays and that they have had to reschedule and relocate shows up until that point.]

[November 10, 2017 update: A message from the place indicates that City Winery plans to open its doors around the middle of next week.]

[November 21, 2017 update: City Winery is now open.]

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]




Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Native Grill and Wings to Come to Boston

A small chain of restaurants known for its Buffalo wings--and with a connection to the city where it all started--is on its way to the local area.

According to an article in the Phoenix Business Journal, Native Grill & Wings is planning to expand to Boston, confirming what an earlier article in Nation's Restaurant News says about a regional area development agreement being set up in New England for them. It is not known exactly when the chain will debut in the area (or how many may open around Boston), with the Business Journal simply saying that eight franchised locations will come to cities such as Boston, Boise, Dallas, Tulsa, Tucson, and Yuma over the next several years.

According to its website, Buffalo natives Floyd and Judy Anderson moved to Arizona in the late 1970s and opened a place called Native New Yorker, which initially specialized in pizza but changed its focus to wings. In 2014, the restaurant changed its name to Native Grill & Wings and today has locations in Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas. (Niagara Frontier Publications states that the Andersons were inducted into the Buffalo Wing Hall of Fame in 2014.)

The website for Native Grill & Wings can be found at https://nativegrillandwings.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Chicken Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area]




Blaze Pizza Opening in Boston's Fenway and Theatre District

Earlier this month, we reported that a group of California-based pizza restaurants with some big names involved was opening its first Boston-area location in Cambridge. Now we have learned that two more will be coming to Boston itself.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Blaze Pizza is planning to open shops at The Viridian apartment tower near Fenway Park and in CityPlace within the State Transportation Building in the Theatre District, joining another location that will be coming to One Canal Park near the CambridgeSide Galleria. It looks like the two Boston outlets will open in the summer, while the Cambridge shop will open this spring, though no specific opening dates have been given for any of them as of yet.

[May 8 update: Based on a licensing board page within the city of Boston website, the Fenway location of Blaze Pizza could be one step closer to opening by this week, as a hearing will take place concerning its application for a common victualler license on Wednesday, May 11.]

[September 26 update: Digital Journal states that Blaze Pizza opens its Fenway shop--which will be the first location within the Boston city limits--on Thursday, September 29. (The CityPlace outlet hopes to open sometime this fall.)]

[November 2 update: A Boston Licensing Board page indicates that Blaze could be one step closer to opening in the Theatre District by today (or tomorrow, as the city often makes decisions the day following a hearing), and the notice mentions that the new shop would include an outdoor patio.]

[December 20 update: Eater Boston says that Blaze Pizza has opened at CityPlace in the Theatre District, and the place will also be celebrating its opening on Wednesday with free pizza to anyone who follows the pizzeria on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.]

A few investors who are involved with Blaze include Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, author/journalist Maria Shriver, and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star LeBron James.

The website for Blaze is at http://www.blazepizza.com/

[Earlier Article]
Blaze Pizza to Open at One Canal Park in Cambridge

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]




Fuji at West of Chestnut Is Opening in Quincy Center

The group behind a number of Asian restaurants in Quincy and the local area will be opening yet another in Boston's southern neighbor, and this one will be located in a brand new development in the heart of the city.

The Boston Herald is reporting that Fuji at West of Chestnut is planning to open in Quincy Center and that it is getting its name from a luxury apartment complex by the corner of Chestnut Street and Cottage Avenue (behind Hancock Street on the eastern edge of the downtown area). Once it opens, the new location of Fuji will join several other Quincy spots from JP Fuji Group, including Fuji 1546 Restaurant & Bar, B Cafe, Shabu Restaurant, Bistro Chi, Kama Lounge, and YoCha, along with locations of Fuji at Somerville's Assembly Row and in Cambridge's Kendall Square, and Shabu & Mein, also in Cambridge. (Another location of Fuji is also coming to the Ink Block in Boston's South End. [Ed note: Now open.])

The website for JP Fuji Group can be found at http://www.jpfujigroup.com/, while the website for West of Chestnut is at http://www.wocquincy.com/

[January 2, 2017 update: A message sent from @footballfacts states that Fuji at West of Chestnut is hoping to soft-open on January 10.]

[January 9, 2017 update: A press release sent this morning indicates that Fuji at West of Chestnut actually opens its doors today.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]




La Bodega by Salts Is Opening in Watertown

The couple behind a French-influenced restaurant in Cambridge that was destroyed in a flood two years ago will be opening a new dining spot in Watertown.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Gabriel Bremer and Analia Verolo of the now-shuttered Salts on Main Street are planning to open La Bodega by Salts in an as-of-yet undisclosed space somewhere in Watertown, with the dining spot being a new Uruguayan-inspired concept that will focus on wine and "wine culture," while also being a family-friendly neighborhood place that will be larger in size than Salts. Few other details on the upcoming restaurant are available as of yet (including when it might open and what its menu will feature), as it is in its early stages and the husband-and-wife team are finalizing the securing of the space, according to the article.

Salts, which first opened its doors in the late 1990s, was forced to shut down in January of 2014 after a burst water pipe caused major damage to the dining spot; the couple had hoped to rebuild the restaurant, but told the city of Cambridge in early 2015 that the landlord (MIT) decided not to renovate the space and no longer wanted a restaurant there.

[December 28 update: Eater Boston mentions that the people behind La Bodega by Salts have launched a Kickstarter campaign in the hopes to raise $40,000 for renovations needed for the space, which would allow them to open early in 2017. (EB also mentions that the place will feature seasonal farm-to-table items along with Uruguayan-influenced dishes.)]

[February 6, 2017 update: A new post from Eater Boston states that the Kickstarter campaign for La Bodega by Salts ended successfully--raising the money that was needed--though it is not yet known when the place might open.]

[February 8, 2017 update: According to sources (and confirmed in an earlier article from Boston Magazine), La Bodega by Salts will take over the space on Nichols Avenue where 21 Nickels had been.]

[December 11, 2017 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page indicates that La Bodega by Salts has had a soft opening, though it is not known when it will be officially open to the public.]

[February 6, 2018 update: Based on an article from Wicked Local, La Bodega by Salts continues to be in a soft opening phase, with hours being 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM Wednesday through Saturday, but the article does say that both hours and menu options will be expanded at some point in the future.]

[Earlier Articles]
Salts in Cambridge Is Looking for a New Home
Salts in Cambridge Is Apparently Still Hoping to Reopen

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]




Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Highlights for the Week Ending February 19, 2016

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a downtown Boston spot getting a new name, a landmark Polynesian restaurant up for sale, and a South End eatery closing for renovations. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a bakery in Medford, a photo of a burrito from a Boston restaurant, and a list of restaurant closings and openings for February (so far).

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Polar Bar/City Bistro Could Open at Boston's City Hall Plaza

Barney Fanning's in Downtown Boston Has Become Broadside

Bali Hai in Lynnfield Is for Sale

Aquitaine in Boston's South End to Close for a Few Months for Renovations

Amrheins in South Boston Reopens After Being Closed for Renovations for a Few Weeks

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Italo Bakery in Medford, MA

New Photo: Mole Poblano Burrito from Villa Mexico in Boston, MA

Restaurant Closings and Openings for February, 2016 (So Far)

New Photo: Roast Beef Sandwich from Bob's Italian Foods in Medford, MA

New Photo: Pepperoni Pizza from Cagney's in Quincy, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Kane's Donuts Is Opening within The Pop-Up at The Street in Chestnut Hill

A nationally-recognized donut shop with two locations in the Boston area is popping up (literally) in a new space.

According to a press release, Kane's Donuts is setting up shop at The Pop-Up at The Street in Chestnut Hill (next to Star Market) starting tomorrow, where it will remain through March 26. The temporary donut shop replaces floral company Alice's Table, and before that, knitwear line The Third Piece and OMG! Bagels. The release says that the Kane's pop-up will be open daily from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Kane's first started out in Saugus in the 1950s, opening a second shop in Boston's Financial District last March; the company is known in part for its honey glaze donut (which Travel & Leisure once included in its list of America's best donuts) and its cinnamon coffee rolls.

The Street can be found on Boylston Street (Route 9) in Chestnut Hill on the Newton/Brookline border.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Update: Sweetgreen in Boston's Fort Point Reopens After Being Closed Due to Construction

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 24.]

A chain of farm-to-table dining spots has reopened one of its Boston locations after having to shut it down due to construction.

According to a Twitter post from the company, Sweetgreen in the Fort Point section of Boston closed on Tuesday due to "construction upstairs" (a hotel in its building is undergoing expansion), referring customers to its locations on Boylston Street in the Back Bay and another within the Prudential Center. An email from the chain notes that on Wednesday, the eatery reopened for business and it does not anticipate any more closings, though if more closings are needed during construction, they will let us know.

Other locations of the chain can be found at Chestnut Hill Square and MarketStreet Lynnfield, with upcoming shops also coming to School Street in Downtown Crossing and at the Fenway Triangle Trilogy apartment complex.

The address for Sweetgreen in Fort Point is 372 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the chain is at http://www.sweetgreen.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]



Los Amigos to Take Over Boca Grande Space in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

Last month we reported that the people behind a pair of Mexican restaurants were planning to open a third shop in the space where a location of another group of Mexican dining spots resided. Now we have learned that the exact same thing will be happening in another location.

Eater Boston mentions that Los Amigos is going to be opening a new location in the former Boca Grande space on Beacon Street in Brookline's Coolidge Corner, which is what will also be happening in the former Boca Grande space on Washington Street in Brighton Center. Once they open, the two new outlets of Los Amigos will join others in Newtonville and West Roxbury, while Boca Grande is down to two remaining locations in Cambridge.

It is not yet known when the Coolidge Corner location of Los Amigos might open, nor is it known when the Brighton shop will open, though the latter appears to be close to opening.

[April 20 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Los Amigos has soft-opened in Brookline.]

[May 12 update: Based on its website as well as recent Facebook posts, Los Amigos in Brookline is now fully open.]

The address for this Mexican restaurant in Brookline's Coolidge Corner is: Los Amigos, 1294 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for Los Amigos can be found at http://www.amigosburritos.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Boca Grande in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed
Los Amigos Plans to Open in Boca Grande Space in Brighton

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]



The Clam Box in Quincy to Reopen for the Season on March 4

A waterside seafood spot that has been around for nearly 50 years is getting ready to open back up.

According to its website, The Clam Box on Wollaston Beach in Quincy plans to reopen for the season on Friday, March 4, once again offering longtime favorites such as fried clams, fish and chips, popcorn shrimp, lobster rolls, and much more. Its regular hours during the summer are 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM seven days a week, though it is not yet known whether the eatery will have limited hours as the season begins (we will post an update as soon as we find out).

The Clam Box, which first started out in 1968, is a restaurant that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as a place to go for both seafood dishes and classic American fare. The review can be found at this link:

http://hiddenboston.com/ClamBoxQuincy.html

The address for The Clam Box is 789 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA, 02170. Its website is at http://clamboxquincy.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Seafood Dishes from Boston-Area and New England Restaurants]



Punjab in Arlington Center Shut Down After Burst Pipe

A longtime favorite in Arlington Center has shut down due to a problem that many other restaurants have gone through of late, and it looks like it won't be reopening for at least a little while.

According to a sign posted in the window of the dining spot, Punjab on Mass. Ave. apparently closed early last week after a water pipe burst, with another sign saying that the restaurant is going to have renovations made to the space and will open back up in the spring. It is not known how much damage Punjab suffered from the burst pipe, nor is it known exactly when it might reopen; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

A number of other dining and drinking spots in the Boston area had to shut their doors due to burst water/sprinkler pipes following the record cold temperatures a bit more than a week ago, though many have since reopened.

The address for Punjab is 485 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474. Its website can be found at http://www.punjabarlington.com/

[December 7 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Punjab is now hiring for its reopening, but it does not have a specific opening date as of yet..]

[February 2, 2017 update: Nearly a year after it closed because of a burst water pipe, Punjab Cafe is still not open, and now a post in the Arlington Advocate indicates that it might not reopen until March.]

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]




Friday, February 19, 2016

Strega in Boston's North End Closed for Renovations; Plans to Reopen Next Month

One of the best-known restaurants in the North End of Boston is shuttered, though it will soon reopen after upgrades are made to the space.

A Twitter post from @ConciergeBoston indicates that Strega on Hanover Street is closed for renovations, one day after a Chowhound poster said that the dining spot was "gutted" inside. The picture on the Twitter page now shows dumpsters placed out front and the storefront being blocked off by wood. It is not yet known what changes may be coming to the Strega space; @ConciergeBoston does say that the restaurant will remain closed until March 3.

Strega is owned by Nick Varano, who also runs (through the Varano Restaurant Group) Strega Waterfront at Fan Pier, Nico and Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe in the North End, Strip by Strega at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Caffe Strega in the Back Bay, Strega Prime in Woburn, and an upcoming--and currently unnamed--dining spot somewhere in Cambridge

The address for Strega in the North End is 379 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at http://www.stregaristorante.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pasta Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Beyond]



MuLan in Cambridge to Reopen After Being Gutted in Fire

An Asian restaurant on the western edge of Cambridge's Kendall Square that was hit by a major fire in late 2014 is planning to reopen.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a licensing board page within the city of Cambridge website) that MuLan Taiwanese Cuisine hopes to open its doors once again--possibly in three months--once repairs are completed at the Broadway spot. Both MuLan and Beauty's Pizza were gutted in a two-alarm blaze in December of 2014, with the latter also planning to reopen again soon as well, according to its website. [Ed note: Beauty's Pizza is now open in a new location.]

MuLan Taiwanese Cuisine opened a bit more than 10 years ago, taking over the space where Pho Lemon had once been. (The eatery also has a second location on Main Street in Waltham.)

The address for MuLan is 228 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at http://www.mulan-ma.com/

[June 22, 2017 update: MuLan has not yet opened, but a Twitter post indicates that it may be opening back up again this weekend.]

[June 26, 2017 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that MuLan is open once again, and that it is larger than before, as it has taken over the former Beauty's Pizza space.]

[Earlier Article]
MuLan Taiwanese Cuisine in Cambridge "Gutted" by Overnight Fire

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]




Thursday, February 18, 2016

Certified Meatball Company to Open in South Boston

Last spring, we had reported that a local restaurant group was planning to open a meatball-focused spot to the Boston area. Now we have learned that the place has found a home a few miles away from where it had originally planned to open.

Eater Boston mentions that Boston Nightlife Ventures (BNV) will be opening the Certified Meatball Company in South Boston this summer, taking over the space on West Broadway where Windmill Food Factory had been. In April of 2015, it looked like the meatball place would open in the former Dragon Garden space in Somerville's Davis Square, but by August it was apparent that the spot would be opening elsewhere, as a "For Lease" sign had gone up at the site. According to the BNV site, the Certified Meatball Company will focus on "globally inspired meatballs" inspired by "nostalgic memories of top quality food & produce found in the local butcher shops of our youth."

Currently, Boston Nightlife Ventures runs Griddler's, The Tap Trailhouse, and Wink & Nod, and it will also be opening Southern Kin at Somerville's Assembly Row and Little Owl Tavern at an as-of-yet undisclosed location.

The address for the upcoming Certified Meatball Company is 429 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. The website for BNV can be found at http://boston-nightlife-ventures.com/

[April 22 update: A new article from Eater Boston states (via a Twitter post) that Certified Meatball Company will offer a variety of meatballs and sauce options, including beef, turkey, veggie, spicy Korean pork, and Moroccan lamb meatballs, with sauce options including a Thai green sauce and a mole.]

[July 5 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, construction is now underway at Certified Meatball Company, and it hopes to open sometime this fall.]

[Earlier Article]
Boston Nightlife Ventures to Open Certified Meatball Company

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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]



Polar Bar/City Bistro Could Open at Boston's City Hall Plaza

In late 2014, we reported that a new restaurant and bar might be on its way to downtown Boston, and that it could be part of a bigger entertainment complex. Now we have learned a bit more about the proposed dining spot as well as the complex.

The Boston Herald mentions that The Anthem Group is looking to open a 20,000-square-foot, 500-person "hospitality venue" that would include a restaurant called The Polar Bar in the winter and City Bistro in the summer, with the glass-enclosed eatery overlooking a skating rink during the colder months. The article says that the dining spot would offer regional, seasonal New England fare including special holiday meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah, along with clambakes and cookouts during the summer. The venue itself would be called Winter Landing during the colder months and summer landing during the warmer months, according to the Herald.

The Anthem Group was scheduled to meet with the city yesterday to talk about the proposal.

[Earlier Article]
The Polar Bar Planned for Boston's City Hall Plaza


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]



Barney Fanning's in Downtown Boston Is Becoming Broadside

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 19 to reflect the fact that Broadside is currently undergoing renovations.]

A couple of months ago, we reported that the people behind a closed Irish pub in Boston's Financial District are moving into the space where another Irish spot had been, with the plan being to rename the place--and possibly using the name of the shuttered spot. Now we have learned that while the name of the spot  is indeed changing, it is actually a brand new name.

Based on an article in The Boston Globe about restaurants and bars that have temporarily closed due to burst sprinkler pipes, Barney Fanning's on Broad Street is going to be called Broadside, and it appears that the owners of The Times are still behind the place. In September, both The Times and The Littlest Bar were forced out of their homes (also on Broad Street) to make way for new development, with the people behind The Times taking over Barney Fanning's in December. It had been thought by some that the name would eventually change from Barney Fanning's to The Times, but as confirmed on its Facebook page, it is going to be called Broadside.

As soon as we find out more about Broadside, including what kinds of food and drink will be offered, we will post an update here.

The address for Broadside is 99 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02110

[April 19 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, Broadside is undergoing renovations and it is hoping to open on April 27.]

[April 27 update: A new Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that Broadside will likely not be opening today, and that it mentions that "We should probably aim for a Cinco De Mayo opening party."]

[May 16 update: Eater Boston states that Broadside is now open.]

[Earlier Articles]
Update: Barney Fanning's in Downtown Boston Taken Over by The Times
Barney Fanning's in Boston's Financial District Is Apparently Closing; The Times Planning to Move In
The Littlest Bar and The Times in Boston Being Forced Out to Make Way for Development

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]




Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Bali Hai in Lynnfield Is for Sale

One of the last of the old-school Polynesian restaurants in the Greater Boston area is on the selling block.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bali Hai in Lynnfield is up for sale, with a post within the Stormcentre Lynnfield Facebook community page confirming this, saying (via the Zillow site) that the building and the land on Moulton Drive are on the market for $2,500,000. It is not yet known if the restaurant has already closed down; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here. [February 18 update: According to a couple of sources, Bali Hai is still open, at least for now.]

Bali Hai is a dining and drinking spot that has been in business for more than 50 years, offering mostly Chinese-American and Polynesian food, along with Polynesian cocktails and tiki drinks. Back in its heyday (generally before a sound wall was built along Route 128, blocking the view of the place), the restaurant competed with such similar spots as Kowloon and the long-closed Weylu's on Route 1 in Saugus.

The address for Bali Hai is 160 Moulton Drive, Lynnfield, MA, 01940. Its website can be found at http://www.balihailynnfield.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

jm Curley in Boston's Downtown Crossing Closed Until Further Notice; Burst Sprinkler Head to Blame

One of Boston's best-known restaurants is closed for an unknown amount of time after it apparently sustained water damage yesterday.

According to a Twitter post from the place, jm Curley is closed "until further notice," with the tweet saying that a frozen sprinkler head burst above the Temple Place dining and drinking spot and that it is "keeping us busy." One of our sources (@bellegardbastos) who walked by the restaurant says that it is indeed locked up with a "Closed" sign out front, with a message on the sign saying that they are working hard to reopen as soon as possible. jm Curley was also closed at least twice last month--on January 10 and January 15--with the former being due to "last minute maintenance" and the latter being due to a "mechanical issue," according to its Facebook page.

As soon as we find out when jm Curley might reopen, we will post an update here.

[February 23 update: A note from jm Curley gives a bit more information on what happened February 16, stating that the sprinkler head above the restaurant burst because of the extreme cold and "In a matter of minutes, the sprinkler shot out thousands of gallons of water all of which quickly filled the floors below creating a trail of destruction along the way." It is not known when jm Curley (and Bogie's Place) might reopen again, though the owners hope to do so "ASAP."]

[March 1 update: A new Twitter post from jm Curley says that it plans to reopen sometime this month.]

[March 8 update: A Facebook post from jm Curley mentions that while the restaurant remains closed, it will be having burger pop-up events at an as-of-yet undisclosed location this month. (No further information has been given.)]

[March 25 update: A Boston Inspectional Services Department permit posted out front at jm Curley dated March 7 (and signed on March 24) shows what kind of work needs to be done to the place before it can reopen. The work description includes the following note: "New wall, ceiling, and floor finishes, remove and re-install plumbing and electrical fixtures to allow for new finishes, replace damaged cabinets, and re-insulate ductwork where required." Our source who told us about the permit also says that the inside of jm Curley remains "gutted."]

[March 30 update: It appears that jm Curley's plans to reopen and/or have pop-up events this month will not be happening, as a new Facebook post from the place says to "Keep an eye out for updates on the reopening date in the next couple weeks and maybe even a pop up!!"]

[April 7 update: According to a Facebook post from Christopher B. Haynes of CBH Communications, jm Curley and Bogie's Place plan to reopen toward the "middle-end" of April.]

The address for jm Curley is 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at http://jmcurleyboston.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]



Aquitaine in Boston's South End to Close for a Few Months for Renovations

An upscale French bistro in the South End of Boston is temporarily closing its doors for renovations.

According to an article from boston.com, Aquitaine on Tremont Street shuts down on February 21 and when it reopens, it will have a larger bar, a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, a second bathroom, and some additions to its menu. The post says that the dining spot--whose home dates back to 1867--may be reopening in time for its 19th anniversary in May, though no specific opening date has been given as of yet.

[March 27 update: The website for the South End location of Aquitaine now has a "timer" on it, showing the number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds until it reopens. As of today, the timer shows a bit more than 45 days remaining, which means the restaurant could be reopening on either May 11 or May 12.]

[June 17 update: The South End location of Aquitaine did not open on May 11 or 12, but the timer shows that it now plans to reopen in 10 days.]

The Aquitaine Group, which operates Aquitaine in the South End, also runs other Aquitaine locations in Chestnut Hill and Dedham, along with Cafe Green Light, Cinquecento, Gaslight, La Motta's, and Metropolis Cafe in the South End, and another location of Gaslight in Lynnfield.

The address for Aquitaine in the South End is 569 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at http://www.aquitaineboston.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]




Update: Great Harvest Bread Co. Moves to New Location in East Lexington

[Ed note: A correction was made to this article, as this is actually a move, not a new opening. (Thanks to one of our Twitter followers for pointing this out to us.)]

A group of bakeries based in Montana with two locations in the Boston area now has a new home for one of its shops.

According to a source, Great Harvest Bread Co. has moved from Lexington Center to East Lexington, heading a couple of miles east to a new space near the Arlington line. Another location of the bakery can be found on Walnut Street in Newtonville, with both offering such breads as old-fashioned white, cinnamon swirl, honey whole wheat, Dakota seeded wheat, and cinnamon chip, along with specialty, seasonal, and batter breads such as challah, cranberry orange, and gingerbread. (The stores also offer sandwiches, muffins, cookies, scones, coffee, and more.)

Great Harvest Bread Co. first started out in Great Falls in 1976 and today has more than 200 franchises across the country; other New England locations can be found in Nashua, NH, North Kingstown, RI, Vernon, CT, and Burlington, VT.

The new address in Lexington for Great Harvest Bread Co. is 233 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420. The website for the group of bakeries is at https://www.greatharvest.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]