Thursday, March 31, 2016

Bel Ari in Boston's Leather District Is Closing

An Italian restaurant in downtown Boston is shutting down after being in business for approximately a year and a half.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Bel Ari closes today, with the note saying that the closure of the South Street dining spot is in preparation for a "pending sale," referring people to its sister restaurant Les Zygomates (which is also on South Street). Bel Ari first opened in September of 2014, taking over the space where Sorriso had been (both Sorriso and Les Zygomates had been sold earlier that year). The eatery offered such items as calamari, penne a la vodka, veal marsala, grilled swordfish, braised short ribs, and pizza.

The address for Bel Ari is 107 South Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

Thanks to @bookwormcu for initially bringing this to our attention.

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]



Strega in Boston's North End Reopens After Renovations

Last month, we reported that one of the best-known restaurants in Boston's North End had shut down for renovations. Now we have learned that it is open once again.

An article from Zagat shows that Strega on Hanover Street has reopened, with the dining spot having opened back up earlier this month. The post says that the restaurant has a refreshed and more modern look and feel to it that includes leather banquettes, chandeliers, and new wine displays.

Nick Varano and the Varano Restaurant Group run Strega in the North End along with 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 eatery somewhere in Cambridge.

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

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

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]



Apartments, Condos Proposed for Former Quinzani's Bakery Space in Boston's South End

Last summer, we reported that a century-old commercial bakery in the South End that supplied many local businesses was closing and its building was being demolished. Now we have learned that the developer that owns the property is planning to put up a residential building in its space.

Universal Hub mentions (via a project notification form within the Boston Redevelopment Authority site) that Boston-based Related Beal has submitted plans to build a 14-story structure on Harrison Avenue at the site of the former Quinzani's Bakery along with the now-closed Ho Kong Bean Sprout, with the building consisting of 280 condos and apartments as well as commercial/retail space on the ground floor and an underground garage. UH also says that a "mid-block connector" from Traveler Street to E. Berkeley Street is included in the plans.

Quinzani's Bakery, which shut its doors for good in August of 2015, supplied dinner rolls, sandwich rolls, French and Italian bread, and more to approximately 800 restaurants, caterers, and food service companies. It first started out as a pastry shop in 1919 in Boston's old Combat Zone.

The address for the proposed development in the Quinzani's Bakery and Ho Kong Bean Sprout space is 370-380 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[Earlier Article]
Quinzani's Bakery in Boston's South End Is Closing, Selling Building

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]




Vin & Eddie's in Abington Is Closing; Sorelle Bar & Grill Plans to Replace It

An Italian restaurant on the South Shore that first opened its doors more than 60 years ago is closing for good, and a new dining spot is looking to take over the space.

According to one of its owners, Vin & Eddie's in Abington is planning to shut down at an as-of-yet unknown date, with the restaurant being replaced by Sorelle Bar & Grill, confirming what a few sources have been telling us over the past several weeks. The owner of the new eatery is Andrea Schnell, who has been Executive Chef of the Square Cafe, a French-influenced bistro located in Hingham Center.

Vin & Eddie's, which first opened in 1955, has been known as a place to go to for its mix of Northern and Southern Italian dishes along with its many wine options.

The address for Vin & Eddie's (and the upcoming Sorelle Bar & Grill) is 1400 Bedford Street, Abington, MA, 02351. The website for Vin & Eddie's can be found at http://www.vinandeddiesrestaurant.com/

[May 25 update: According to a Facebook post from the restaurant, Vin & Eddie's closes its doors forever at the end of business hours Friday (May 27).]

[May 27 update: A new Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that Vin & Eddie's has already closed and will not open for one final day today, as its inventory was "depleted" yesterday. Another link from the Abington Wicked Local mentions that Sorelle Bar & Grill hopes to move into the space in September and that it will also be an Italian restaurant, though with modern touches. (It also looks like most of the Vin & Eddie's workers will stay on, working at Sorelle when it opens.)]

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]



Stop & Shop in Roxbury Reopens After Being Shut Down Because of Unsanitary Conditions

Earlier this week, we reported that a supermarket in a Boston neighborhood had been shut down by the city for various issues, including a rodent infestation. Now we have learned that the store has been allowed to open back up again.

An update from WCVB Boston indicates that Stop & Shop in Roxbury was given the green light to reopen yesterday after the store was cleaned and sanitized and pest control measures were taken. The Blue Hill Avenue market had been shut down on Monday by the Boston Inspectional Services Department after inspectors found such issues as a dead mouse in a sticky trap, mice eating through bags of food in the bakery area, trash found outside of the dumpster behind the market, and a dead rat. WCVB says that moving forward, unannounced inspections will take place at the store to make sure it remains clean and free of further infestations.

The address for the Roxbury Stop & Shop is 460 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury, MA, 02121.

[Earlier Article]
Stop & Shop in Roxbury Shut Down by the City of Boston

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, March 30, 2016

Plans to Open Sam's at Liberty 22 on Boston's Waterfront Fall Through

Last year, we reported that a restaurant on the Boston waterfront that had been connected to a high-end clothing shop was planning to reopen in a new space next door after the shop shut down. Now we have learned that this will no longer be happening.

According to an article from Eater Boston, plans for Sam's at Louis to move and become Sam's at Liberty 22 have fallen through, with an Instagram post from its sister restaurant The Maiden saying "With heavy hearts, we'd like to share with you that our sister restaurant @sams22liberty will remain closed. We had hoped to reopen this beloved restaurant on the waterfront this year, but despite everyone's best efforts the process became too overwhelming for our small, family-driven team." The note goes on to say that the Sam's team is now working at The Maiden, which Esti Parsons, her husband Drew, and Drew's brother Jon opened on West Broadway in South Boston in December.

Louis used to be located on Berkeley Street in Boston's Back Bay before moving to Northern Avenue on the waterfront in the winter of 2009/2010, with Sam's opening there a few months later. The restaurant was an upscale casual place known in part for its patio that had memorable views of Boston Harbor.

[Earlier Articles]
Louis Boston on the Waterfront Is Closing; Sam's at Louis to Move Next Door
The Maiden Is Opening in South Boston

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]



Au Bon Pain at the Smith Campus Center in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

It looks like a Harvard Square institution is getting ready to close for good.

According to several sources over the past couple of days, Au Bon Pain at the Smith Campus Center (formerly the Holyoke Center) is shutting down tomorrow, with the flyby blog of The Harvard Crimson is confirming this, saying that "It was to be expected due to the renovation of the Smith Campus Center, but it just happened so fast." (Clover has also left the building and is moving to the former Yenching space around the corner, while Oggi's is looking to temporarily move about 50 feet south to Dunster Street.) The post shows a sign in the window of Au Bon Pain saying that it is searching for a new location in the area, and it also refers customers to nearby outlets on the eastern edge of Harvard Square along with others in Central Square and Kendall Square.

Au Bon Pain, which first opened at the Holyoke Center 32 years ago, has been known in part for its chessboard tables out front and its being used for a scene in the movie "Good Will Hunting." The chain of bakery-cafes is headquartered in Boston, where it first started out in 1978.

The address for this soon-to-close location of Au Bon Pain is 1360 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the chain can be found at http://aubonpain.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]



Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Sugidama Soba and Izakaya Opens in Somerville's Davis Square

A brand new Japanese restaurant is in the process of opening in one of the busiest parts of Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting that Sugidama Soba & Izakaya soft-opened last Thursday in Davis Square, and based on the restaurant's Facebook page, it appears that the soft opening is continuing this week as well. The menu at the eatery--which is located in Davis Square Plaza between Elm Street and Herbert Street--offers freshly-made soba noodles (both cold and hot) along with yakitori, sushi, tempura, salads, and a variety of appetizers.

Sugidama Soba & Izakaya is open for lunch and dinner daily.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in Davis Square is: Sugidama Soba & Izakaya, 260 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sugidamasoba/

[April 6 update: According to a few posts on its Facebook page, Sugidama Soba & Izakaya is now fully open.]

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]



Trattoria il Panino to Expand into Former Caffe Pompei Space in Boston's North End Next Week

A restaurant that has been in Boston's North End for nearly 30 years is getting ready to expand into the space where another dining spot had been for more than a half century.

According to a Facebook post from Frank DePasquale of DePasquale Ventures, Trattoria il Panino on Parmenter Street will be expanding into the former Caffe Pompei space--which is around the corner on Hanover Street--sometime next week, with the post saying "When I bought the old Pompei, I [knew] it would be a great addition to Trattoria Il Panino (Boston's first original Trattoria) Reinventing & Celebrating 30 yr & opening of our new bar next week." DePasquale purchased the Pompei space late last spring at a time when DePasquale Ventures was making some changes to its restaurants, including moving Mare Oyster Bar from Richmond Street to the former Ida's space on Mechanic Street and opening a new tapas spot called Sfizi in the old Mare space (which took place in October).

DePasquale Ventures is also behind such places as Bricco, Gelateria, and Quattro, and DePasquale helped out in the opening of a couple of Il Panino Express locations in Jamaica Plain, which are under different ownership.

The address for the former Caffe Pompei space is 280 Hanover Street, while the address for Trattoria il Panino is 11 Parmenter Street.

[March 31 update: According to a press release, the "reinvented" Trattoria il Panino debuts April 8, with one entrance at the former Pomei space on Hanover Street and another entrance at the original Trattoria il Panino space on Parmenter Street. The release says that the restaurant will have seating for 250, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner being served in the Hanover Street space and lunch and dinner in the Parmenter Street space.]

[Earlier Articles]
Shake-Up Coming to North End Restaurant Scene; Pompei, Mare, Il Panino Involved
DePasquale Ventures Planning to Purchase Caffe Pompei in Boston's North End
Sfizi Is Opening in Boston's North End in October

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]



Waban Kitchen in Newton Has Closed

A well-known local chef and restaurateur has closed one of his dining spots.

According to a source, Waban Kitchen in Newton is no longer in business, with a note on the restaurant's website confirming this, saying that "It's never easy to turn the page and move on but we've made the difficult decision to close Waban Kitchen following our last ​service on ​Saturday, ​March 26th." The note, which was written by owner Jeff Fournier, goes on to say that he will now focus on 51 Lincoln, an upscale restaurant in Newton Highlands that opened a decade ago, and that Fournier's team at the now-closed Beacon Street eatery will be moving there. (At this point in time, it is not known what may be going into the Waban Kitchen space.)

Waban Kitchen first opened in the fall of 2012, taking over the space where Kouzina had been. The restaurant focused mainly on New American fare featuring dishes using locally-sourced ingredients.

Before opening 51 Lincoln and Waban Kitchen, Jeff Fournier had worked at such places as Pignoli, the Linwood Grill, Locke-Ober, Excelsior, Sophia's, and the Metropolitan Club, according to a page within the BostonChefs.com site.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in the Waban section of Newton was: Waban Kitchen, 1649 Beacon Street, Waban, MA, 02465.

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, March 28, 2016

b.good in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

A local group of restaurants that features "real" fast food is getting ready to close one of its locations.

According to a Facebook post, b.good in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge is shutting down tomorrow (Tuesday, March 29), with the note mentioning that the Dunster Street spot will have a farewell party on its last day with live music and it will also be "pay-what-you-can," with all donations for food and drink going to a Harvard Square Homeless Shelter. The note also indicates that b.good is hoping to return to Harvard Square, as it is currently looking for a new location.

b.good, which first started out in 2004, has more than 30 locations in the Greater Boston area, elsewhere in Massachusetts, and in a handful of other states as well as Canada. Some of the locations in the immediate area including stores in Boston, Bedford, Burlington, Cambridge, Dedham, Hingham, and Newton,with another new one coming to Woburn as well.

The address for this soon-to-close eatery in Harvard Square is: b.good, 24 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.bgood.com

[March 30 update: The Harvard Square location of b.good is now closed, and according to a new Facebook note from them, they raised more than $6,000 for the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter on its last day in business.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten More Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Highlights for the Week Ending March 25, 2016

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Allston pizza spot closing, a vegan eatery in NYC coming to Boston, and a South End restaurant shutting down after its license becomes unavailable. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a bakery in Lawrence, a photo of an appetizer from a Greek restaurant in Cambridge, and an updated review of a Chinese dining and drinking spot in Woburn.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Bravo Pizza in Allston Has Closed

Sea Dog Brew Pub in Hull to Move; Arthur and Pat's Appears to Be Moving In

by CHLOE in New York's West Village Plans to Open in Boston's Seaport District

Kitchen in Boston's South End Closes After Its Liquor License Becomes Unavailable

Kingston Grille and Bar Opens in Downtown Boston

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Tripoli Bakery in Lawrence, MA

New Photo: Stuffed Grape Leaves from Desfina in Cambridge, MA

New Photo: Black Currant Kombucha from Coffee and Cotton in Lowell, MA

Updated Review: Sichuan Garden II in Woburn, MA

New Photo: Sicilian Pizza from Tripoli Bakery in Lawrence, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Stop & Shop in Roxbury Shut Down by the City of Boston

A supermarket in a Boston neighborhood has been forced to shut down because of unsanitary conditions.

WCVB Boston is reporting that the Health Division of the Boston Inspectional Services Department has closed down Stop & Shop in Roxbury after a follow-up inspection today showed that it had apparently not fixed conditions discovered in a visit by inspectors this past Friday after a customer put in a complaint. The Friday visit found issues such as mice eating through bags of food in the bakery section, a dead mouse in a sticky trap, trash found around a dumpster in back of the market, and a dead rat. The Blue Hill Avenue store is now locked up and a sign out front from the inspectors indicates that it will remain shuttered until the issues are resolved and approved of by the Health Division. According to the article, Stop & Shop is allowed to ask for a hearing within 10 days of the closure to talk about the order. (WCVB also says that store representatives have not talked to them as of yet.)

[March 29 update: CBS Boston states that Stop & Shop in Roxbury remains closed, though officials from Inspectional Services did meet with reps from the supermarket today, and a public meeting will be held on the situation tomorrow (Wednesday, March 30); the shop may be allowed to reopen as early as tomorrow depending on the results of a follow-up inspection.]

The address for the Roxbury location of Stop & Shop is 460 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury, MA, 02121

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]



Bit Bar Is Opening in Historic Salem Jail

A hybrid restaurant/arcade is opening within an historic jail on the North Shore that has been home to a couple of restaurants over the past several years.

The Salem News is reporting that Everett-based Boston Bit Labs is planning to open Bit Bar in the old Salem Jail complex on St. Peter Street, with the place including a restaurant featuring New American fare along with an arcade area that will have restored coin-operated arcade machines. An article from Eater Boston mentions (via a Facebook page from the upcoming place) that Bit Bar will also have a full-service bar featuring beer and spirits from local businesses and that the arcade will have a rotating selection of 30 (or more) arcade games and pinball tables that come from the period between the late 1970s and the early 2000s.

If all goes as planned, Bit Bar--which will be open for lunch and dinner and will have 21+ hours later at night--could be opening in June if all goes well.

The Salem jail, which dates back to the early 1800s, had been home to A&B Burgers until it left last summer (and has since moved to Beverly) as well as a dining spot called Great Escape.

The address for this new restaurant, bar, and arcade in Salem is: Bit Bar, 50 St. Peter Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

[June 13 update: Eater Boston states that Bit Bar is still aiming to open this month--possibly debuting around the end of June--and that it will feature an outdoor patio in addition to a main room and a smaller "cave-like" room.]

[June 20 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, Bit Bar has soft-opened (note--it will be closed on Tuesday, June 21).]

[June 24 update: A press release says that Bit Bar--which is being called Greater Boston's first bar arcade--officially opens today.]

[Related Article]
A&B Salem to Move to Beverly

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]



PizzaRev to Open Shop in Cambridge

A small group of California-based "craft your own" pizza shops is opening its first outlet in New England--and it will be located in a spot in Cambridge where a craft beer tavern is also opening.

BostInno is reporting that PizzaRev is planning to open this spring at the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge, with the place opening in the mall's food court. Based on its other locations in California, Minnesota, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah, the new spot will offer customized pizzas using regular or gluten-free dough, several types of sauces and cheeses, and approximately 30 options for toppings. ("Our way" pizzas are also available along with salads, drinks, and desserts.)

In addition to PizzaRev, theCambridgeSide Galleria will also become home to World of Beer [ed note--now open], a Florida-based chain of beer bars that is hoping to open within the mall sometime this summer.

PizzaRev, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, started out in 2012. Its website can be found at http://pizzarev.com/

[August 8 update: Eater Boston states that PizzaRev opens in theCambridgeSide Galleria tomorrow (Tuesday, August 9).]

[Related Article]
World of Beer to Open in California Pizza Kitchen Space at CambridgeSide Galleria in East 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]



Relish Burger Bistro Is Opening in Waltham

A new restaurant that focuses on burgers is opening within a hotel in the western suburbs of Boston.

The Waltham News Tribune is reporting that Relish Burger Bistro is opening at The Westin Waltham Boston on Third Avenue, with the dining spot offering such items as a Watch City Burger with bison meat and two fried eggs on top, and a Signature Burger that is made using Kobe beef. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and free parking will be offered to customers of the eatery.

Relish Burger Bistro, which is taking over the Seventy at Third Avenue Restaurant space, plans to open in early April.

[April 6 update: Eater Boston states that Relish Burger Bistro is now open at The Westin Waltham Boston, joining others in locations that include Scottsdale, Seattle, and Maui.]

The address for the new Relish Burger Bistro (and The Westin Waltham Boston) is 70 3rd Avenue, Waltham, MA, 02451. The website for the hotel can be found at http://www.westinwalthamboston.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten More Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Coffee Break Cafe in North Quincy Has Closed

Last week, we reported that a cafe with three locations south of Boston had opened a fourth shop nearby. Now we have learned that the group of shops actually remains at three, as one of the other locations closed over the past week or so.

According to one of our readers, the Coffee Break Cafe on Atlantic Street in North Quincy is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the group of places confirming this, indicating in the post that the owners of the space have opened their own coffee shop there called (according to a Yelp poster) Coffee Pot. This location of the Coffee Break Cafe had actually been located within another business called Atlantic Market Liquors, which had previously been Richard's Market Pizza.

Other locations of the Coffee Break Cafe can be found on Old Colony Avenue in Wollaston and Parkingway in Quincy Center, along with a brand new shop on Central Avenue in Milton.

The address for the now-closed Coffee Break Cafe in North Quincy was 247 Atlantic Street, Quincy, MA, 02171. The website for all four locations can be found at http://www.coffeebreakcafe.net/

[Earlier Article]
Coffee Break Cafe Opens New Shop in Milton

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]

Donut Ice Cream Cones Coming to Pizzi Farm in Waltham April 1

A market, deli, garden center, and ice cream shop in the western suburbs of Boston will be bringing a very unusual treat to the area later this week.

According to a post on the Anali's Next Amendment blog, Pizzi Farm in Waltham will be offering donut ice cream cones to customers on Friday, April 1, which is opening day for the ice cream shop. (A Facebook photo from the store confirms this, showing the donut cones being made.) As of now, it looks like the cones will only be sold on April 1, but the blog mentions that donut ice cream panini sandwiches will be offered as a weekday special this season at Pizzi.

The address for Pizzi Farm is 549 Lincoln Street, Waltham, MA, 02451. Its website can be found at http://www.pizzifarm.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

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, March 27, 2016

Veggie Crust to Open in Former A4 Space in Somerville

A vegan/vegetarian restaurant is opening in Somerville, and it is moving into the space where an award-winning pizzeria had been.

According to @EatBoston and @BlkMagicCoffee, Veggie Crust has a sign up at the former A4 space on Somerville Avenue, with the sign saying "vegan, gluten free, vegetarian pizza & vegan nice cream" and another sign below saying "meatless everyday." It is not known when the place may open--the sign simply says "coming soon"--and it has no web/social media presence at this point in time; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

A4 permanently closed last November, approximately three months after it had to shutter for the time being because of an electrical issue which caused the Somerville Avenue building to become unsafe, and which also forced the temporary closure of Dosa N Curry (which has since reopened). A new location of A4 is coming to the Troy Boston apartment building in Boston's South End, and there had been talk that the pizzeria was hoping to find a new location somewhere in Somerville at the time of its permanent closure. (A4 received some high praise since opening in the summer of 2013, with Boston Magazine awarding it best crust in the Boston area and Food & Wine Magazine including it in its list of best pizza places in the United States.)

The address for the upcoming Veggie Crust is 445 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[March 28 update: A new post from EatBoston mentions that the people behind Dosa N Curry will be running Veggie Crust.]

[August 24 update: Eater Boston states that Veggie Crust opens tomorrow, with vegetarian and vegan pizza offered along with salads, pasta, panini, and vegan ice cream.]

[Earlier Article]
A4 in Somerville Has Closed for Good

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, March 24, 2016

Exhibit A Brewing Company to Open in Jack's Abby's Old Brewery in Framingham

A new brewery is coming to the region, and it will be moving into the facility where another brewery had been until moving to a bigger space nearby.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Exhibit A Brewing Company is planning to open in Framingham this summer, taking over the old Jack's Abby space on Morton Street. (Jack's Abby has since moved to the Dennison Building on Clinton Street.) An article from Eater Boston says that Matthew Steinberg, who is behind the upcoming brewery, has worked at such places as Harpoon, High Horse, John Harvard's, Off Shore Brewing Company, and Rapscallion, leaving the High Horse (which is in Amherst) in September to start working on Exhibit A.

It looks like the new brewery will include a taproom along with a retail area, and the hope is that its beers will also be available on draft at restaurants and bars in Massachusetts that come from a "focused list" put together by Steinberg. A few beers that could be coming from Exhibit A include a few pale ales along with a porter and "a project of various coffee beers."

The address for this upcoming brewery in Framingham is: Exhibit A Brewing Company, 81 Morton Street, Framingham, MA, 01702. Its  Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Exhibit-A-Brewing-Company-457720264425358/

[May 26 update: Eater Boston mentions (via The Boston Globe) that Exhibit A Brewing Company hopes to begin brewing beer by mid-June and officially opening its doors in August.]

[June 24 update: A new post from Eater Boston states that Exhibit A has gotten its brewing license and is hoping to begin test batches of beer next week if all goes as planned.]

[August 18 update: Eater Boston states that Exhibit A Brewing Company opens to the public on August 31, with a grand opening celebration taking place September 3.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]




b.good to Open in Woburn

A local chain of restaurants that features "real" fast food continues its expansion into the suburbs, with a new location on its way to a community north of Boston that is becoming a red-hot place for dining.

The Boston Business Journal is reporting that b.good is planning to open a new shop in Woburn, moving into a space in Cummings Park that is just south of where Washington Street and Route 128 intersect. If all goes as planned, expect to see the new location of the chain to open sometime in the early summer.

b.good first started out in 2004 and now has 33 locations in the Greater Boston area, elsewhere in Massachusetts, and in a handful of other states along with Canada. A few locations found locally include shops in Boston, Bedford, Burlington, Cambridge, Dedham, Hingham, and Newton.

The address for this upcoming dining spot in Woburn is: b.good, 4 Cummings Park, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.bgood.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten More Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Coffee Break Cafe Opens New Shop in Milton

A cafe with three locations in Quincy has opened a fourth shop in a neighboring community.

According to a post on its Facebook page, the Coffee Break Cafe is now open in Milton, taking over the space on Central Avenue where Radio Coffeehouse had been. The new shop joins other locations in North Quincy, Wollaston, and Quincy Center, and brings the total number of cafes back up to four. (A location of Coffee Break Cafe on Pearl Street in Braintree closed back in 2011.)

Based on the menus at the other shops, expect to find, bagels muffins, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more at the new location.

The address for this new cafe in Milton is: Coffee Break Cafe, 24 Central Avenue, Milton, MA, 02186. The website for all four locations can be found at http://www.coffeebreakcafe.net/

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]

Ten New Food Options Coming to Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway for the 2016 Season

The 2016 food vendor lineup for the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston has been announced, and 10 vendors will be setting up shop there for the first time.

According to a post from BostInno, the new names for this season include Chik Chak (Middle Eastern), Cupcake City, Gogi on the Block (Korean) Jamaica Me Hungry, Munch Mobile (American bistro fare), Quebrada (baked goods), Roving Lunch Box (hand pies) Sheherezad (Middle Eastern) Walden Meat Co., and Walloon's Fried Chicken. The article also says that a record 34 food vendors will be on the Greenway this season, with at least 20 being set up at any given time.

The 2016 season is slated to begin on April 1.

For more information on the vendors coming to the Rose Kennedy Greenway for the 2016 season, please go to the following links:

http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/food/
http://hubfoodtrucks.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]



Johnny D's in Somerville's Davis Square to Have a Memorabilia and Ware Sale April 1 and 2

Earlier this month, an iconic music club shut its doors forever, and in early April, it will be selling off parts of its place.

Eater Boston mentions (via the club's Facebook page) that Johnny D's in the Davis Square section of Somerville is going to have a memorabilia and ware sale on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2, with the sale including stools, framed pictures, glasses, and more. According to the marquee out front, hours for the sale will be 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both days.

Johnny D's closed on March 13 after being in business for nearly half a century; the place had initially been a bar then a country music spot before becoming a popular music club and restaurant that featured a variety of national and local acts.

The address for the Johnny D's space is 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[Earlier Article]
Johnny D's in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closing

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: Tony's Clam Shop in Quincy Reopens for the Season March 25, 2016

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect a last-minute decision by Tony's to open earlier than had been previously thought.]

A popular seafood spot in Quincy is getting ready to reopen for the season.

According to a post on its Facebook page, Tony's Clam Shop at Wollaston Beach is hoping to reopen tomorrow (Friday, March 25), featuring an array of seafood dishes, classic American fare, and more once again. Earlier this month, the dining spot announced that its founder Tony Kandalaft--who had first opened the place back in 1964--had passed away, saying that "Wollaston beach lost a legend....If you met Tony you knew the genuine, generous, hard working man we love. We will miss him."

Tony's Clam Shop is a spot that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured in part for its fried clams. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for Tony's Clam Shop is 861 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA, 02170. Its website is at http://tonysclamshop.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]



Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Smith & Wollensky Sold to Irish Investment Firm

A Boston-based group of high-end steakhouses has been acquired by an investment firm that is headquartered in Ireland.

According to an article in Nation's Restaurant News, a Bunker Hill Capital LP consortium has sold Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group Inc. to Dublin-based Danu Investment Partners Ltd. for an undisclosed amount, with all eight U.S. locations except for the New York outlet of the restaurant being included in the deal. (The Manhattan location is owned by Quality Branded Restaurant Group.) The article says that Danu already runs a London location of the steakhouse, which it opened under license from Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group last year. It appears that the Wollensky's Grill concept, which has a sole location in Chicago, is also part of the deal as well.

The two locations of Smith & Wollensky in Boston can be found at "The Castle" on Arlington Street in the Back Bay and at Atlantic Wharf on Commercial Street along the waterfront.

The website for Smith & Wollensky is at http://www.smithandwollensky.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.]



Bravo Pizza in Allston Has Closed

A pizzeria that was popular with college students, clubgoers, and locals alike has shut its doors.

According to several sources, Bravo Pizza in Allston is no longer in business, with a Twitter post showing a sign out front saying "Bravo is permanently closed. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your business." No reason has been given for the closure of the Brighton Avenue shop, and it appears that it may have shuttered over the past day or two with little or no notice.

Bravo Pizza was known in part as a place to go for late-night pizza along with salads, subs, wraps, calzones, and more. The shop first opened more than a decade ago. (It appears that the other location of Bravo on Washington Street in Quincy remains in operation.)

The address for this now-closed pizzeria in Allston was: Bravo Pizza, 160 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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]



Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Sea Dog Brew Pub in Hull to Close; Arthur and Pat's Owners to Replace It with Art's

A brewpub with some of the best views in the Greater Boston area is saying goodbye to its home, but it could be returning elsewhere--and as mentioned earlier, the owners of a landmark restaurant are taking over the now-empty space.

According to a Facebook post from the place, the Sea Dog Brew Pub will not be reopening for the season on A Street in Hull, with the note saying that "We want to thank our past co-workers, the Town of Hull and the best customers around for an amazing 6 [years]. We are sad to say that we will not be opening at this location this season....However we have a surprise in the works so stay tuned!" A photo that goes with the note simply says "Stay tuned. Coming soon!" and no hints as to where exactly the new location of the restaurant and bar have been given as of yet. Earlier this year, we reported that the people behind the now-closed Arthur and Pat's Restaurant in Marshfield may have purchased the Sea Dog property, and the Arthur and Pat's folks are indeed moving in, based on a number of real estate listings for the neighborhood around A Street, including a listing from condonrealty.com.

The address for the now-closed Sea Dog Pub (and the new restaurant from the Arthur and Pat's owners) is 2 A Street, Hull, MA, 02045.

[April 14 update: A new Facebook post from Arthur and Pat's mentions that the new place from them will be called "Art's," and that it will feature "globally inspired signature dishes, fresh seafood and more." And while the post does not specifically mention the former Sea Dog space, it hints that this is where it will be moving, saying that it is coming to the Sunset Bay Marina, which is where the brewpub had been.]

[April 26 update: According to several people, including sources within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and posters on the unofficial Pat's Facebook page, Pat's has soft-opened in the former Sea Dog space.]

[May 12 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that Pat's in Hull is now officially open, though it is closed on Wednesdays for the time being.]

[Earlier Article]
Arthur and Pat's Restaurant Is Apparently Taking Over the Sea Dog Pub Space in Hull

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Outdoor Dining Areas In the Boston Area and Beyond]




by CHLOE in New York's West Village to Open in Boston's Seaport District; More Locations Coming

It looks like a popular vegan restaurant in Manhattan is now setting its sights on Boston.

According to a licensing board page within the City of Boston website, by CHLOE is looking to open in the city's Seaport District, moving into the 101 Seaport office tower where Seaport Boulevard and Boston Wharf Road meet. Based on the original location in the West Village, the proposed spot in Boston could offer items such as salads, vegan burgers, sandwiches, fries, pasta, dairy-free ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, cold-pressed juices, coffee, and more. The new location of by CHLOE is planning to have one room inside the place along with an outdoor patio set up during the warmer months and it hopes to have a closing hour of 10:00 PM.

Vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli and Samantha Wasser of ESquared Hospitality first opened by CHLOE on Bleecker Street last summer; Chloe is known in part for being the first vegan chef to win the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," while Samantha helped open Horchata de Nueva York in the Village in 2014.

The address for this upcoming vegan restaurant in the Seaport District is: by CHLOE, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the original location can be found at http://bychefchloe.com/

[March 23 update: The Boston Globe has posted additional information on by CHLOE coming to Boston, and it appears that the Seaport District location will be the first of multiple shops in the area, though no specific locations have been given as of yet.]

[April 4 update: A new article from The Boston Globe states that another location of by CHLOE may be coming to the corner of Boylston Street and Kilmarnock Street in the Fenway; if all goes as planned, it could open in September. (The Seaport District shop hopes to open this summer.)]

[February 14, 2017 update: According to an email, by CHLOE opens in the Seaport District on Thursday, February 23.]

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]




Kitchen in Boston's South End Closes After Its Liquor License Becomes Unavailable

A restaurant in the South End of Boston has shut its doors, and its closure stems from the fact that its liquor license is no longer available.

Eater Boston is reporting that Kitchen on Tremont Street is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the place saying that "the non-transferable liquor license we were operating under is no longer available. So, we cannot continue to operate in the Kitchen space." (The note also refers customers to Grotto in Beacon Hill and Marliave near Downtown Crossing, both of which are under the same ownership.) According to EB, the license that Kitchen was using came from Pops Restaurant, which had been in the space from 2007 to 2011 and which is losing the license; at this point in time, there are no plans to reopen Kitchen in another location, though owner Scott Herritt does tell Eater that a new cafe/coffee spot is being planned for the lower floor of Marliave.

Kitchen first opened in June of 2012, initially featuring dishes based on recipes from a collection of old cookbooks, though it morphed into more of a seafood-based spot last September.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in the South End was: Kitchen, 560 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118.

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]