Friday, April 29, 2016

News Elsewhere: NYC's Pearl Oyster Bar to Open in Kennebunk, ME

A popular "upscale lobster shack" in New York City is expanding to Southern Maine, and it is a homecoming of sorts for the restaurant's owner.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Rebecca Charles of Pearl Oyster Bar in the West Village of Manhattan is opening another location of the dining spot in Kennebunk, ME, which is where her family has summered for many decades and where she worked at the landmark White Barn Inn as executive chef in the 1980s, according to Pearl's website. It is not yet known where in Kennebunk the new location of Pearl will be, nor is it known when it might open; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Pearl Oyster Bar, which is known in part for its lobster rolls, has received much praise since opening in 1997, with the eatery being picked as a semifinalist for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards for outstanding restaurant. Another page within the restaurant's site shows that the eatery has also gotten recognition from Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetit, and the Washington Post, and celebrity chef and restaurateur Mario Batali is quoted as calling it "...my favorite lunch spot on the planet..."

The address for the original Pearl Oyster Bar in the West Village is 18 Cornelia Street, New York, NY, 10014.

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]



Boloco Closes in Brighton's Cleveland Circle

A local group of restaurants that features burritos has closed one of its first locations.

According to a Facebook post, Boloco shut down its shop in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton, saying "So Long Old Friend....Thank you to the nearly 1,000 team members who made burritos for the over 2,000,000 of you who visited us during that time. We will remember." A post from Universal Hub gives more information on the closure, including a note from the chain that says the following: "Why are we closing, you may ask? The simple truth is that for the last 3-4 years we have lost money at Cleveland Circle - quite a bit of it, in fact. With Boloco's high quality ingredients and highest paid employees in the industry, we needed more customers every day to run a sustainable business and whatever we were (or more likely not) doing at that location just didn't attract enough of you. It really always comes down to simple math."

A timeline page within its website states that the Beacon Street location of Boloco opened in 1998 when it was called The Wrap, joining its original location on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's Back Bay (it was briefly called Under Wraps) and a second shop on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge's Harvard Square. Today, locations of the Park Plaza-based group of dining spots can be found in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, the Northeastern University area, Children's Hospital in the Longwood area, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Lynnfield, Natick, and Wellesley, along with four others in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The address for the now-closed location of Boloco in Cleveland Circle was 1940 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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



Jody Adams to Leave Rialto in Cambridge's Harvard Square

An award-winning chef who is involved with three Boston-area dining spots is saying farewell to one of her restaurants.

According to a press release (and with more information given in a Boston Globe article), Jody Adams will be leaving Rialto in Cambridge's Harvard Square in June, with the plan being for the chef and restaurateur to spend more time with her family and also focus on both new projects and her existing eateries, including an upcoming dining spot coming to Avalon at Prudential Center along with Trade on the waterfront and the new Saloniki in the Fenway. Adams says that the restaurant--which is located in the Charles Hotel--will remain in operation, confirming a message from the Rialto team earlier this month to us in response to rumors both inside and outside the restaurant industry about the future of the dining spot. The Globe says that chef de cuisine David Ladner has been promoted to executive chef of the place, and that Adams is planning on a "big fat" going away party sometime in June.

In addition to being a James Beard Award winner, Jody Adams also competed in the second season of the "Top Chef Masters" series on BRAVO. She and her business partners first opened Rialto 22 years ago.

The address for Rialto is 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

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[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.]



Thursday, April 28, 2016

Jimmy John's Opens in Watertown

An Illinois-based chain of gourmet sandwich shops has just opened another store in the Boston area.

According to a Facebook post, Jimmy John's is now open in Watertown, with the Mt. Auburn Street eatery apparently opening its doors on Monday. The new shop joins others in Boston (Park Drive by Audubon Circle, Valenti Way near North Station, and Western Avenue in Allston-Brighton), Quincy, Salem, Waltham, and South Braintree.

Jimmy John's, which was established in Charleston, IL in 1983, offers a mix of subs and club sandwiches.

The address for this new sandwich shop in Watertown is: Jimmy John's, 1 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.jimmyjohns.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]



Tryst in Arlington to Remain in Business; Ownership Change Taking Place

Earlier this month, we reported that an upscale restaurant and bar in Arlington was looking to transfer its license and that the exact future of the place was unknown. Now we have learned that very little--if anything--will be changing.

According to a meeting agenda page from this week, Song-Ho Kim (also listed as Sang Ho Kim earlier) is planning to take over operations of Tryst on Mass. Ave. along with his son Taek, and that "everything is staying the same with the restaurant and it is just a change of ownership." Previously, we had mentioned that owner Paul Turano had been seeking to transfer the Tryst license to Kim and the Taeksoo Corporation, but it was not known at the time what might happen to the dining spot.

Turano also has a restaurant in Newtonville called Cook, while Kim and his family appear to be involved with the Blue Coyote Grill in Maynard.

The address for Tryst is 689 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. Its website can be found at http://www.trystrestaurant.com/

[Earlier Article]
Tryst in Arlington Seeking to Transfer Its License

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]



Pretzelmaker to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row

A chain of shops featuring all things pretzels--including pretzel dogs--is expanding to a growing development in Somerville.

According to a job post within the Craiglist site, Pretzelmaker is on its way to Assembly Row and is currently hiring for the upcoming store. Based on the menu for the other shops, expect to see freshly-made pretzels, pretzel bites, pretzel dogs, and a variety of sauces offered, along with blended drinks and lemonade.

Once it opens, the new Pretzelmaker at Assembly Row will join other locations at the Cambridgeside Galleria in Cambridge, the Northshore Mall in Peabody, the Burlington Mall in Burlington, the Square One Mall in Saugus, and a number of other shops elsewhere in the United States and beyond.

Pretzelmaker first started out in 1991, according to its website, which can be found at http://www.pretzelmaker.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]



Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Taste of Somerville Coming to Davis Square June 8, 2016

A culinary event returns to Somerville in June, and once again, a number of local businesses will be participating.

On Wednesday, June 8, Taste of Somerville will take place at 50 Holland Street in the city's Davis Square neighborhood, with the event running from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This year, more than 60 restaurants, breweries, and wineries will be taking part, and there will also be live entertainment at the event.

Tickets to the 2016 Taste of Somerville go on sale today and cost $50 for adults ($75 for VIP), with children under 12 getting in for $15. (Proceeds from the event will benefit the Community Action Agency of Somerville.) Note: Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance.

For more information, please go to the following link:

http://tasteofsomerville.org/

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[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.]



AKA Bistro in Lincoln Is Closing

It looks like an upscale suburban restaurant is getting ready to close its doors for good.

A message sent from The Passionate Foodie indicates that AKA Bistro in Lincoln is planning to shut down, with the closing date possibly being around May 8 or 9. No reason has been given for the closure as of yet, nor is it known what might go into the space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

[May 3 update: According to a new message from The Passionate Foodie, AKA Bistro closes for good at the end of business hours on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8).]

Christian Touche and Chris Chung first opened AKA Bistro by the Mall at Lincoln Station in the spring of 2010, with the restaurant featuring both French and Japanese fare. Touche had formerly been at the now-closed Clio in Boston's Back Bay, while Chung had been at Uni, which was adjacent to Clio and recently took over the Clio space.

The address for the soon-to-close AKA Bistro is 145 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA, 01773. Its website can be found at http://www.akabistrolincoln.com/


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



Caffe Nero to Open in Historic Burnham Building in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A chain of Italian-style coffee shops based in Europe is planning to open a new shop in the heart of downtown Boston, moving into an historic space that is part of a new complex.

The bldup.com site mentions that Caffe Nero is opening at the Millennium Tower development in Downtown Crossing, with The Boston Herald reporting that the 2,200-square-foot shop will reside in the Burnham building, which had formerly been home to Filene's and today includes a location of Roche Bros. Once it opens, the new cafe will join others in Boston's Downtown Crossing (Millennium Place), the South End, Longwood, and Jamaica Plain, along with upcoming stores in Fort Point and in Wellesley.

A high-end Japanese restaurant called PABU will also be opening at the development, moving onto two floors of the Millennium Tower.

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



Chris Coombs, Brian Piccini (Boston Chops, dbar, Deuxave) to Open More Restaurants in Boston

The duo behind three of Boston's most popular restaurants are in expansion mode once again.

According to Chris Coombs of  the Boston Urban Hospitality restaurant group (Boston Chops, dbar, Deuxave), he and business partner Brian Piccini are planning to open more dining spots in the city, with Coombs telling us that the exact number of eateries and the specific locations have not been disclosed as of yet, but all will be in Boston proper. Coombs also mentions that Stefanie Giao Bui has been promoted to the new Chef de Cuisine at Deuxave and Adrienne Wright has been promoted to Executive Chef of Boston Urban Hospitality. More news on Boston Urban Hospitality's expansion plans will be coming at some point, so stay tuned.

Boston Chops is on Washington Street in the South End, dbar can be found on Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester, and Deuxave is on Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay.

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, April 26, 2016

Strip-T's to Open a Grab-and-Go Spot in Watertown

The people behind a nationally-recognized restaurant are planning to open a new spot, and this one looks like it will focus on takeout items for office workers.

According to a job posting within the bostonchefs.com site, Strip-T's in Watertown is going to be "taking on a grab-and-go operation" in a new office building somewhere in town by the end of the year. A new office building called LINX is currently under construction on Arsensal Street near the School Street restaurant, and the project overview page for the development says that a cafe will be located in the atrium, but it is not yet known if this and the new spot from Strip-T's are one and the same. (As soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.)

Strip-T's first started out in the mid-1980s as a cafe, eventually morphing into a high-end casual restaurant that helped put it in the national spotlight. Tim and Paul Maslow, who are behind the eatery, are also behind 1665 Beacon (formerly known as Ribelle) in Brookline.

The website for Strip-T's can be found at http://www.stripts.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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



Monday, April 25, 2016

Commune Kitchen Is Opening in Former Zocalo Space in East Arlington

It looks like a new restaurant is coming to Arlington, and it is opening in the space where a Mexican eatery had been until closing a bit more than a year ago.

The Arlington Advocate is reporting (via reference material related to an upcoming license hearing) that Commune Kitchen is opening on Broadway in East Arlington, taking over the former Zocalo space on Broadway. Based on the application, it appears that the place would be a bistro that offers small plates, pizza, grilled open-faced sandwiches, poutine, pastries, breads, espresso, beer, wine, and more.The article says that Justin Demers and Richard Niedzwiecki are behind the proposed Commune Kitchen, with Demers having worked at Clear Flour Bread in Brookline and Bergamot Restaurant in Somerville in the past.

Zocalo had been in the Broadway space for approximately 10 years before closing in the winter of 2015; before that, it had been called Ole Mexican Grill.

The address for Commune Kitchen is 203 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[April 27 update: A new article in the Arlington Advocate says that the Board of Selectmen approved the license for Commune Kitchen earlier this week.]

[June 16 update: Eater Boston states that Commune Kitchen 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]



Rainforest Cafe in Burlington Has Closed

Another national restaurant chain has disappeared from the local landscape.

According to a source late last week, Rainforest Cafe at the Burlington Mall closed over the weekend. with a phone call placed to the dining spot confirming that its last day was Sunday. An article in the Burlington Union indicates that it will apparently not be replaced by another restaurant, as a furniture store is planning to take over the space.

Rainforest Cafe first started out in the mid-1990s in Minnesota and is now headquartered in Texas as part of the Landry's corporation. The chain, which offers mostly American fare and has a rainforest theme that includes animatronic animals, opened its Burlington location more than 15 years ago. The closing of the Burlington outlet means that there are no longer any locations in Massachusetts (or New England), with the closest ones being in New Jersey.

Two other national chains--Bugaboo Creek and Old Country Buffet--recently disappeared from the Boston-area restaurant scene as well, though nearby locations of the former do remain open in Milford as well as in Nashua and Newington, NH.

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, April 22, 2016

Tony C's Is Coming to Boston's Seaport District

A pair of restaurants and sports bars in Somerville and Burlington will open a new outlet on the Boston waterfront, and there will likely be some speculation over its location.

According to a Twitter post sent this morning, Tony C's Sports Bar & Grill is planning to open in the Seaport District, with a check on the restaurant's menu page indicating that it is indeed on its way. Earlier today, we had reported that another Tony C's is coming to the Fenway as well, and it will be taking over the Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill space on Boylston Street; another location of Jerry Remy's is located in the Seaport District--and both Remy's and Tony C's are owned by the Cronin Group--which may mean that Tony C's could possibly be replacing the Seaport District of Jerry Remy's as well, though this has not been confirmed as of yet. (As soon as we find out where exactly the new Tony C's will open, we will post an update here.)

[May 11, 2016 update: We have reached out to Tony C's to find out more about the proposed location in the Seaport District but have not yet heard back; in addition, none of our sources have been able to confirm that it will be taking over the Jerry Remy's space. The menu page for the Fenway location, however, does continue to show that it is indeed coming to the Seaport District. (Keep checking back for updates.)]

The website for Tony C's can be found at http://www.tonycssportsbar.com/

[Earlier Article]
Jerry Remy's in Boston's Fenway Has Closed for Good; Tony C's to Replace It

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]



Jerry Remy's in Boston's Fenway Has Closed for Good; Tony C's Is Replacing It

Last year, a well-known restaurant and bar near Fenway Park closed its doors, only to reopen under new ownership and management. Now we have learned that it has closed again--this time apparently for good--and an earlier rumor that had been going around appears to be on the verge of becoming reality.

According to a Twitter post sent this morning, the sign for Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill on Boylston Street has been taken down, and a search for its Twitter page brings up a page for Tony C's, while the website for the restaurant lists a new location for it at the same address. It is not known when the new Tony C's might open; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

[April 23 update: BostInno states that the new Tony C's in the Fenway is now open.]

Jerry Remy's Fenway location closed down in March of 2015 but reopened the following month; there had been some chatter during its first closure that Tony C's may open in the space, but those rumors were denied by its owner (The Cronin Group) at the time.

Other locations of Jerry Remy's can be found in Boston's Seaport District, Logan Airport, and in Fall River, while locations of Tony C's can be found in Somerville and Burlington.

The address for the now-closed Jerry Remy's (and the new Tony C's) in the Fenway is 1265 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.



[Earlier Articles]
Jerry Remy's Sports Bar and Grill in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Has Closed
Confirmed: Jerry Remy's in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Is Reopening April 13

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, April 20, 2016

Sullivan's in South Boston Is Apparently Not Opening a Second Location in Hingham After All

Early last year, we reported that an iconic snack shack in South Boston was planning to open a second location, with this one being at a waterfront space on the South Shore. Now we have learned that this will apparently not be happening after all.

A message sent from Sullivan's at Castle Island indicates that at this point in time, there are no plans to open a new location at the Hingham Bathing Beach near Monument Park just off Route 3A. In January of 2015, it was mentioned that the eatery was possibly going to take over the beach's concession stand and tentatively be open daily from March to November, with the place looking to open sometime this year. As of now, it appears that these plans have fallen through, but if we hear of any further changes, we will post an update here.

Sullivan's first opened in South Boston in 1951 and has been known in part for its hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, and more, along with its spectacular water views. Its website can be found at http://www.sullivanscastleisland.com/

[Earlier Article]
Sullivan's in South Boston May Open a Second Location in Hingham

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]



Union Square Donuts Is Opening in Brookline

One of the most popular donut shops in the Boston area is going to be opening a brand new store, taking over the space where an iconic fish market currently resides.

The Brookline Tab is reporting that Union Square Donuts in Somerville is planning to open on Harvard Street in Brookline, moving into the Wulf's Fish Market space. (Wulf's is closing its retail shop on May 13 after 90 years in business and shifting operations to the Boston Fish Pier, where it will focus on its wholesale business.) The article says that the new shop will have seating for 13 and proposed hours of 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and if all goes as planned, it will take over the space on June 1 and hopefully open in the fall. [Ed note: This last bit of information was corrected on April 26.]

Another location of Union Square Donuts can be found at the Boston Public Market near Haymarket Square in Boston.

The address for this new donut shop in Brookline is: Union Square Donuts, 409 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://unionsquaredonuts.com/

[January 17, 2017 update: A Facebook post from Amy Traverso of Yankee Magazine indicates that Union Square Donuts is now open in Brookline, though it is a soft opening for now, with a limited menu and yeasted donuts only.]

[January 18, 2017 update: Boston Magazine states that Union Square Donuts is now fully open in Brookline.]

[Earlier Article]
Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline to Close

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]




Portland Pie Co. in Reading Has Closed

A small group of pizza spots has gotten a bit smaller, as its sole Boston-area locations has shuttered with what appears to be no warning.

According to a source, Portland Pie Co. in Reading abruptly closed over the past few days, with several people on social media (including a poster on Twitter who took a picture of a sign out front) confirming that the Haven Street dining spot indeed shut down for good over the weekend. No reason has been given for the sudden closure of the pizzeria, with the restaurant's website simply removing the shop from its locations page.

Portland Pie Co. started out in Portland, ME, in 1997 and now has locations in Portland, Biddeford, Westbrook, Scarborough, and Brunswick, ME, along with Manchester and Nashua, NH. In addition to its build-your-own pizzas, the group of eateries also offers soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and calzones.

The address for this now-closed pizza spot in Reading was: Portland Pie Co., 54 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for all of the locations is at http://www.portlandpie.com/

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, April 19, 2016

Ben and Jerry's Co-Founders Arrested on Steps of U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC

The people who started a Vermont-based ice cream company were arrested at a protest over the weekend.

CNN is reporting that Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were among the approximately 300 people who were arrested at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday during the "Democracy Awakening" protests, which focused on voting rights, money in politics, and other issues. The article says that Cohen and Greenfield were arrested for unlawful demonstration activities and were processed at the site of the protests and then released. (More information on the arrests--and the beliefs of Cohen and Greenfield--has been posted to the Ben & Jerry's site.)

Ben & Jerry's, which is headquartered in Waterbury, VT, first started out in 1978.

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.]



Coach Grill in Wayland Closed After Sustaining Major Damage in Fire

An upscale steakhouse in the western suburbs of Boston is closed for the time being after being hit by a two-alarm fire over the weekend.

The MetroWest Daily News is reporting that Coach Grill in Wayland suffered major damage in a blaze that started in a refrigeration unit in the kitchen, with the Boston Road restaurant sustaining both smoke damage and water damage. Initially, it appeared that the dining spot sustained approximately $200,000 in damages and might be closed for at least a week, but a more recent article in the Wayland Patch says that the place could be shuttered for two to three weeks. Coach Grill was not open at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported, according to the Daily News.

[May 5 update: An article from The Wayland Town Crier mentions that Coach Grill is now looking at a June reopening.]

[June 28 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that Coach Grill may be reopening late this week (though that would be at the earliest, according to the post).]

Coach Grill traces its roots to the 1930s when the Red Coach Grill was established in the space; that restaurant was destroyed in a fire in the late 1970s, according to the dining spot's website, with Coach Grill eventually being built at the site.

The address for Coach Grill is 55 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA, 01778. Its website can be found at http://coachgrill.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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



Monday, April 18, 2016

West Side Lounge in Cambridge Has Closed

A couple of months ago, we reported that a dining and drinking spot in Cambridge was up for sale. Now we have learned that the place has closed for good.

According to a tweet posted this evening, the West Side Lounge announced that they were shutting down today, with a Facebook post from the Mass. Ave. spot saying "We want to thank our customers for 16 wonderful years, during which you all became part of our WSL family. We hope you'll come visit your favorite West Side staff members at Cambridge Common and Christopher's in the near future. Thanks to all of you who have made the West Side experience so memorable."

In February, the West Side Lounge announced that it was on the selling block, though it was not known at the time what might happen to the space or when it would change hands, though it had been hoping that the sale would take place within a couple of months. The restaurant and lounge first opened in 1999, featuring mostly New American fare along with modern and classic cocktails.

The address for the now-closed West Side Lounge was 1680 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Article]
West Side Lounge in Cambridge Is For Sale

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]



Sunday, April 17, 2016

Pizzeria Dante Moves into Former Panelli's Space in Brookline

A pizza spot in Brookline has moved to a new location, taking over the space where another pizzeria had once been.

According to a couple of posters on the Chowhound site, Pizzeria Dante is now open on Harvard Street a bit north of Coolidge Corner in the former Panelli's Pizza and Parm space, having moved from its original space on Beacon Street a couple of blocks west of Harvard Street. Panelli's closed last December after being in business for approximately a year; previously, the space had been home to Ozzie's Pizza & Cafe.

Pizzeria Dante first opened about seven years ago.

The new address for Pizzeria Dante is 415 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://www.pizzadante.com/

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]



Tryst in Arlington Seeking to Transfer Its License

An upscale restaurant and bar northwest of Boston that is known in part for its extensive wine list is looking to transfer its license, though it is not yet known what may happen to the space.

According to a legal notice/public notice within the print version of the Arlington Advocate, Tryst is petitioning for a transfer of license to Taeksoo Corporation, with the new owner/manager being Sang Ho Kim, pending approval by the board of selectmen (a hearing on the issue takes place April 25). A check on the Bizapedia site shows that Sang Ho Kim is the president of Taeksoo--which shows the same address as that of Tryst--though little other information has been given other than the fact that the filing of the company took place on February 28. A message was sent to Tryst yesterday to find out more about the license transfer, but we have not heard back from the place yet.

Tryst first opened approximately 10 years ago, with Paul Turano being behind the restaurant; Turano also has a dining spot in Newtonville called Cook, which opened in 2013.

The address for Tryst is 689 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. Its website can be found at http://www.trystrestaurant.com/

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

[April 19 update: A bit of research done by a member of The Arlington List Facebook group page indicates that the license transfer may could be going to at least one person who has a connection to the Blue Coyote Grille in Maynard, as a Bizapedia page shows that Sang Ho Kim is the president of Sehoon Corporation, whose address is that of the dining spot, while a meeting minutes page on the town of Maynard site from late 2011 shows that the manager of the Blue Coyote Grill as of that date was Taek-Soo Kim. (As mentioned above, Sang Ho Kim is the president of Taeksoo Corporation, which is involved in the proposed license transfer from Tryst.)]

[April 22 update: Tryst never did get back to us, but in an article from The Arlington Advocate, owner Paul Turano says that the restaurant "will stay the same." (He also said he couldn't comment any further until after the hearing.)]

[April 23 update: A new article from The Arlington Advocate states that Tryst has been sold, and that the sale will become official once the license transfer is approved.]

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.]



jm Curley in Boston's Downtown Crossing Reopens Two Months After Being Hit by Flooding

One of the most popular restaurants and bars in downtown Boston is open once again after being forced to close earlier this year due to major flood damage.

According to several sources (and confirmed by multiple posts from the restaurant's Twitter page), jm Curley on Temple Place reopened on Saturday night, with one tweet saying "Have you missed us as much as we missed you? Pop by say hello and see what we've done to the joint." In mid-February, the dining and drinking spot saw a "trail of destruction" run through the place after a sprinkler head burst from the extreme cold and shot out thousands of gallons of water. There had been talk of burger pop-up events at a separate location while renovations were being made, but it is not known whether these events ever ended up taking place.

The address for jm Curley is 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111; its website is at http://jmcurleyboston.com/

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

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]



Friday, April 15, 2016

Grainne O'Malley's in Brookline Has Opened

Last week, we reported that one of the last of the old-school dining and drinking spots in Brookline had closed. Now we have learned that a new restaurant and bar that was planning to move into the space is now open.

A recent check on the space indicates that Grainne O'Malley's is now open where the Corrib Pub had been, with a phone call placed to the Harvard Street pub indicating that it actually opened its doors last Sunday.  As mentioned earlier, it appears that Grainne O'Malley's is starting out as an Irish pub, but it may morph into more of a gastropub at some point.

The Corrib first opened in Brookline back in the mid-1980s, and was one of three locations in the Boston area. (The other two locations in West Roxbury and Brighton remain in business.)

The address for this new pub in Brookline is: Grainne O'Malley's, 201 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[Earlier Article]
The Corrib Pub in Brookline Has Closed

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



Sumiao's to Open in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A new Chinese restaurant is on its way to Cambridge, and it will be featuring foods commonly found in the south-central section of China.

According to a License Commission General Hearing page within the City of Cambridge website, Sumiao's plans to open on the northern edge of Kendall Square, with the Third Street dining spot having both indoor and outdoor dining and serving both lunch and dinner based on its proposed hours. A PDF page from the squarespace.com site indicates that the restaurant will offer Hunan cuisine, possibly including such items as baked and smoked baby fish with chili, rice with smoked ham and herbs, braised pork belly, stir-fried lotus seed, eggplant noodles, and spicy chicken with roasted peanuts. (These are all part of a "conceptual menu.")

The hearing page shows that Sumiao's is hoping to acquire the license currently held by Wagamama in Harvard Square; it is not known what the status of that place is at this point in time (as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here).

The address for this proposed restaurant in Kendall Square is: Sumiao's, 270 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. Its website will be at http://www.sumiaoshometown.com/

[July 21, 2017 update: Eater Boston mentions that Sumiao's has soft-opened, while the Sampan website states that the restaurant will open to the public on July 28.]

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




Sapore Ristorante and Bar Is Opening in Boston's Seaport District

A new Italian restaurant is on its way to the Seaport District of Boston, and it will be replacing another Italian eatery.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, Sapore Ristorante & Bar is planning to open within the Renaissance Boston Waterfront hotel on Congress Street, which is currently home to M.C. Spiedo. A check on the hotel's website includes information on Sapore, and when the link for Sapore is clicked, it goes to the M.C. Spiedo site. The listing for Sapore says that it will feature "modern interpretations of the classic rustic flavors of Italy with a focus on indigenous and seasonal ingredients of New England."

Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier (MC Perkins Cove and the now-closed Arrows in Ogunquit Maine) opened M.C. Spiedo in February of 2014, taking over the former 606 Congress space.

The address for Sapore Ristorante & Bar (and Renaissance Boston Waterfront hotel) is 606 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210.

[June 8 update: Eater Boston states that Sapore Ristorante & Bar is now open.]

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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]

East Coast Grill in Cambridge's Inman Square Is Reopening

It looks like an iconic Cambridge restaurant that shut down earlier this year is returning.

According to a License Commission General Hearing page within the City of Cambridge website, East Coast Grill in Inman Square is planning to reopen, and it looks like Mark Romano, who owns Highland Kitchen in Somerville, is behind the rebirth of the dining spot. This jibes with what had been heard from several people in the restaurant industry over the past few weeks, though nothing had been confirmed until now.

East Coast Grill was established in 1985 by nationally-recognized chef and restaurateur Chris Schlesinger, who sold the place to three members of the East Coast Grill team in 2012; the restaurant closed in January and was said to be up for sale at the time. Known in part for its legendary "Hell Nights" that focus on hot and spicy food items, East Coast Grill was also a favorite for seafood and BBQ dishes.

The address for the soon-to-return East Coast Grill is 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

[April 17 update: The Boston Globe gives a bit more information on the reopening of East Coast Grill, saying that it will keep the name and a lot of the same food offerings, and it will have the same overall feel as the original incarnation of the place, though owner Mark Romano says that there will also be "some spiff and shine," including an expanded bar, and an updated drink menu.]

[April 20 update: Cambridge Day states that the new owner of East Coast Grill (Mark Romano and Marci Joy) will be bringing back Hell Night "eventually."]

[June 6 update: According to an interview within the Craving Boston section of the WGBH site, East Coast Grill plans to make some tweaks to the menu--including adding some sandwiches--but it will also retain a lot of the classic ECG dishes (and a bit more emphasis may be placed on the barbecue). In addition, there will still be a raw bar and the Bloody Mary bar will eventually be brought back as well.]

[January 1, 2017 update: Eater Boston states that East Coast Grill celebrates its rebirth tomorrow (Monday, January 2).]

[Earlier Article]
East Coast Grill in Cambridge's Inman Square Is Closing

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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]





Thursday, April 14, 2016

Lewis Mills & Co. Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

It looks like the future of a seafood wholesaler on the North Shore is very much in doubt.

According to a Twitter post from Boston Herald writer @DGoodison, Lewis Mills & Co. has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection with an approximate debt of $2.26 million. A check on the inforuptcy.com site confirms the bankruptcy, with a search result shown within a cached file saying that the filing took place on April 11.

Lewis Mills & Co., which has a listed address of Main Street in Gloucester, supplies both fresh and frozen fish such as salmon, haddock, arctic char, cod, halibut, Atlantic sea bass, and trout.

The website for Lewis Mills & Co. can be found at http://lewismills.com/

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



Dinner Lab Suspends Operations

The company behind a series of pop-up dinners in a number of cities across the United States--including Boston--has decided to shut down operations.

According to a note on its website, Dinner Lab is ceasing operations and suspending events effective immediately, saying that "we weren't able to turn the corner on creating a profitable enough enterprise to support our ambitions." The host of pop-up dinners, which is based in New Orleans, started out 3 1/2 years ago and has had events in such cities in Boston, New York, Baltimore; Washington, DC, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and many others, with chefs showcasing their talents to diners in secret locations.

Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for initially bringing this to our attention.

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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]



Frank McClelland of L'Espalier Is Opening Riversbend at the Essex Marina

Last year, we reported that an award-winning chef who owns a nationally-recognized restaurant in Boston would be opening a new dining spot on the North Shore, Now we have learned a bit more about the place, including an exact location and a new name for the spot.

According to a job post on Craigslist, Riversbend is going to be opening along the Essex River at the Essex Marina, with Frank McClelland of L'Espalier in the Back Bay partnering with Lindsay and Curt Bergeron, who are the owners of the marina according to a page on the Manta site. The job post mentions that Riversbend--which was originally planning to be called "Tides"--will be a casual "farm-to-fork" restaurant and bar with a wood oven, fire pit, and rotisserie, with the eatery being open for lunch and dinner. A Facebook post from the place indicates that it could be opening by or before June 15, though that note was from last month so it is possible that this date could have changed.

L'Espalier has received accolades from several national publications over the years, and McClelland himself was a James Beard Award winner for Best Northeast Chef in 2007

The address for Riversbend is 35 Dodge Street, Essex, MA, 01929.

[July 22 update: Eater Boston mentions that Riversbend opens its doors this evening.]

[Earlier Article]
Frank McClelland of L'Espalier to Open Tides in Essex

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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]




Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline to Close

An iconic seafood market that has been in business for nearly a century is closing its doors.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline is shutting down for good on May 13, with the people behind the shop making plans to shift operations to a facility on the Boston Fish Pier where they will focus on the wholesale end of the business. The article says that Wulf's has such well-known clients on the wholesale side as ABC Kitchen, Daniel, the French Laundry, and Jean-Georges, and that with the new facility, they will be able to supply upscale grocery stores with flash-frozen fish.

Wulf's first opened in Brookline back in 1926.

The address for the soon-to-close Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline is 409 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://www.wulfsfish.com/

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