Friday, July 29, 2016

Del Frisco's Grille to Open at University Station in Westwood

A small national chain of steakhouses continues the expansion of its more casual concept into the Boston area, with a location coming to a development southwest of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Boston Business Journal) that Del Frisco's Grille is planning to open at University Station in Westwood, joining existing locations in Burlington and Chestnut Hill, along with a location of Del Frisco's more high-end Double Eagle Steakhouse in Boston's Seaport District. It is not yet known which space the 7,500-square-foot restaurant will move into, and no specific opening date has been given, but if all goes as planned, the new dining spot could be opening in the second half of 2017.

Other restaurants at University Station include such places as Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza, Smashburger, Not Your Average Joe's, and Which Wich.

The website for Del Frisco's Grille can be found at http://delfriscosgrille.com/

[March 9, 2018 update: An email sent today indicates that the new Del Frisco's Grille in Westwood opens to the public on March 14.]

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]





Canto 6 Bakery in Jamaica Plain Is Closing

A bakery in Jamaica Plain that focuses on French specialties is shutting its doors.

The Jamaica Plain news is reporting (via at Twitter post from @guarantdswahili) that Canto 6 on Washington Street will apparently close down at the end of August, and that there is currently a "For Rent" sign out front. The article mentions that the bakery could reopen in a new space at some point, and that it is not yet known why the place is leaving its space.

Canto 6 first opened approximately 10 years ago, offering a variety of soups, sandwiches, baked goods, and pastries.

The address for Canto 6 is 3346 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its website can be found at http://www.canto6bakeryjp.com/

[August 31 update: A call placed to Canto 6 confirms that today is indeed its last day in operation.]

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: La Provence in Concord Is Closing; New Restaurant May Move In

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 15 to reflect the fact that a new dining spot may move into the space.]

A French bakery and cafe that has been around for nearly two decades is shutting down.

The Concord Journal is reporting that La Provence in Concord closes its doors for good today, as owner Robert Didier is dealing with health issues that are forcing him to retire from the business. The article says that Didier will go to France for a few weeks once he closes the Thoreau Street restaurant, then he will return home to spend some "quality time" with his wife, which he is looking forward to after many years of long hours spent at the restaurant.

Didier, who was born in France, first opened La Provence 18 years ago; the dining spot featured baked goods, pastries, sandwiches, meals such as coq au vin, and more.

The address for La Provence is 105 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA, 01742.

[August 15 update: It appears that the person behind Karma Restaurant in Andover and Westford is going to be opening a high-end sushi fusion spot in the space where La Provence had been, though it is not yet known whether it will be another location of Karma. (This information was sent to us by Corbett Restaurant Group, who sold the property and were also behind the sales of Andiamo in Chelmsford and The Tilted Kilt in Billerica.)]

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]





Thursday, July 28, 2016

Sierra's Space in Sudbury to Go on the Auction Block

The roller coaster ride for a troubled dining spot is officially over.

According to an article in the Sudbury Town Crier, the space where Sierra's had once been is scheduled to go up for auction today following the foreclosure of the North Road property by owner Sam Cannarozzi. As previously reported, both Sam and Erica Cannarozzi had been hoping to open Erica's Italian Table in the former Sierra's space once the taxes they owed on the latter were paid, but the $50,000 owed have since escalated to nearly $64,000 and the foreclosure took place due to failure to pay the mortgage. (Whoever buys the property will need to pay the back taxes, according to the post.)

Sierra's was a Tex-Mex restaurant that temporarily closed in April of 2013 because of financial problems, then reopened, then closed again in August of 2014. A few months later, the Cannarozzis announced that they had plans to open Erica's, but it never came to be.

The address for the Sierra's space is 470 North Road, Sudbury, MA, 01776.

[August 2 update: According to a post on pesco.com, the auction of the Sierra's space was postponed due to bankruptcy and is now expected to take place on September 7.]

[Earlier Articles]
Erica's Italian Table on Track to Open in Former Sierra's Space in Sudbury
Update: Owners of Now-Closed Sierra's in Sudbury Attempting to Open Erica's within Space

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]





Kam Man Building in Boston's South Bay Is Being Demolished

An Asian supermarket just south of downtown Boston that was closed and then "sealed off" due to a dispute is in the process of being leveled.

According to a photo posted on LinkedIn, the Kam Man building at the South Bay shopping center is being demolished, though it is not known what exactly will be happening to the space. As reported earlier, a new open-air mixed-use development called South Bay Town Center is coming to the area, so it is possible that the Kam Man site will be included as part of the complex.

Kam Man closed its doors in April of 2014, with the store subsequently being blocked off from the rest of South Bay by jersey barriers, apparently because of an issue concerning the planned addition of a Dollar Tree store within the space. Another location of Kam Man in Quincy remains in operation.

The address for the Kam Man site in South Bay is 101 Allstate Road, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

[Earlier Articles]
Kam Man in Boston's South Bay Has Closed; Status Unknown
Kam Man Market "Sealed Off" from South Bay Center
South Bay Town Center Planned for Dorchester

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]





Area Four Boston Is Opening in the South End

It looks like the people behind a Cambridge restaurant and an award-winning Somerville pizzeria that shut down last year will soon be opening a dining spot in a new development in Boston's South End.

According to a job listing within the bostonchefs.com site, the team behind Area Four in Cambridge's Kendall Square/MIT area is getting ready to open a new spot in the South End and currently seeks a general manager, and based on an earlier article here, this job post seems to refer to a new location of Area Four or A4, the latter of which had been in Somerville before closing due to an electrical issue that caused its building to be considered unsafe. There had been talk that the A4 folks had hoped to find a new location in Somerville, but no news has come out about that of late.

Both Area Four and the now-closed A4 have received much praise for their pizza, including Boston Magazine once awarding A4 the best crust in the Boston area. (In addition to pizza, Area Four also offers a few other comfort food items including macaroni and cheese.)

The address for this new restaurant (which will be at the Troy Boston apartment building) is 264 E Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for Area Four is at http://areafour.com/

[August 30 update: A Fall Preview feature from The Boston Globe confirms what we have been hearing from sources, that the new restaurant coming to Troy Boston in the South End will not be A4 after all, but will be called Area Four Boston; the post says that the place will offer such items as roasted meats, seafood, vegetables, and pizza, and it will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.]

[October 21 update: The Boston Globe states that Area Four is now open in Boston.]

[Earlier Articles]
A4 in Somerville Has Closed for Good
A4 at Troy Planning to Open in Boston's South End

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]





Eataly Is Opening within the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay in November

Last year, we reported that a massive new Italian emporium would be coming to the Back Bay of Boston, and now we have learned that its opening is only a few months away.

According to a post from The Boston Globe, Mario Batali's Eataly is expected to open in November where the Prudential Center's food court had been, with the place having nearly 50,000 feet of space and including sections for pasta, seafood, meats, cheeses, and more, along with several restaurants and possibly a brewery. Celebrity chef Batali and his business partners are also on the verge of opening a location of Eataly in Lower Manhattan, with the two new outlets joining existing shops in Manhattan's Flatiron neighborhood and Chicago along with others in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Mario Batali is also behind a location of Babbo Pizzeria at Boston's Fan Pier.

The website for Eataly can be found at https://www.eataly.com/

[October 27 update: A post from Eater Boston indicates that its Back Bay shop has its grand opening on November 29.]

[Earlier Article]
Confirmed: Mario Batali's Eataly Will Open at the Prudential Center in Boston's 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]





Brelundi Opens within the Watch Factory in Waltham

A second location of an Italian restaurant has opened in Waltham, and this one resides within an historic building in a particularly scenic location.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Brelundi is now open in the Watch Factory building on Crescent Street, joining its original location on Felton Street, which first opened in early 2015. The new outlet of the restaurant is a full-service spot while the original, focuses more on takeout, with both offering mostly Southern Italian and Sicilian fare.

The Watch Factory, which dates back to the mid-1800s, is located a couple of blocks west of Moody Street on the Charles River.

The address for the new location of Brelundi is 185 Crescent Street, Waltham, MA 02453. The website for both locations is at http://www.brelundi.com/

[Earlier Article]
Two Locations of Brelundi to Open in Waltham

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]





Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Confirmed: Evergood Market in Cambridge Has Closed

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 17 to reflect confirmation of the shop's closure.]

It looks like a decades-old grocery store in Cambridge has shut down for good.

According to a couple of sources, Evergood Market on Mass. Ave. appears to be closed, with a message sent from Rich O's Ravings saying that the shop--which is located between Porter Square and Harvard Square--no longer has an "hours" sign up and has a generic "we are closed" sign on the door, while bread baskets, produce bins, and many shelves look empty. A check on the market's Facebook page indicates that it can no longer be found, while its phone number is out of service.

Evergood Market, which was established in 1975 (according to the Manta site), offered an array of breads, cheeses, poultry, meats, canned and packaged goods, and more.

The address for the now-closed Evergood Market was 1674 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[August 17 update: A Twitter post confirms that Evergood Market has indeed closed, with a picture showing a "prime retail available" sign out front.]

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]





Seaport Grille Planning to Open at Boston Landing in Brighton

A few years ago, we reported that a new development at the site of the New Balance world headquarters in Brighton might become home to some dining spots. Now we have learned that a Gloucester-based hospitality company will be opening a second location of its restaurant there.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, Beauport Hospitality Group is planning to open a location of Seaport Grille within the Boston Landing complex on Guest Street, with the place having seating for 274 in its restaurant and bar along with some outdoor seating during the warmer months. The post says that the upcoming eatery will be an upscale casual spot that will be open for lunch and dinner daily, and that it will offer "contemporary New England cuisine" in a "beautifully designed" space. The original location of Seaport Grille can be found at 6 Rowe Square overlooking Cruiseport Gloucester, which is also run by Beauport Hospitality Group. (The group also operates Beauport Hotel in Gloucester as well.)

Boston Landing is located off of Market Street in Brighton, just south of the Mass. Pike.

[Earlier Article]
New Balance World Headquarters Plans in Brighton Include Restaurants

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, July 26, 2016

Norvia's Place in Roxbury Hopes to Reopen This Fall

A now-closed bar in Roxbury could reopen as a restaurant later this year, depending in part on whether the city of Boston allows its owner to keep the liquor license for the place.

Universal Hub is reporting that Norvia Pena is planning to reopen Norvia's Place on Washington Street this fall (possibly in September), with the business focusing more on food than drinks and upping the seating from 15 to 45. The post says that Pena and her landlord have been making renovations to the space (which has been the site of a bar since the 1930s), with her attorney telling the Boston Licensing Board that the foundation of the building "basically started to crumble" when Pena was doing had been doing renovations to the kitchen last year.

The board is expected to decide whether to allow Norvia's Place to keep her liquor license until its expected opening in the fall.

The address for Norvia's Place is 2805 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119.

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]





Jimmy's Pizzeria in Arlington Heights Is Being Replaced by Nina Trattoria and Pizza

A pizza spot and sub shop in a northwest suburb of Boston that is full of pizza spots and sub shops is going to change into a brand new eatery with a new name.

The Arlington Advocate is reporting that Angelo Carbini--who is currently a waiter at the Florentine Cafe in the North End of Boston--is taking over Jimmy's Pizzeria in Arlington Heights and will replace it with a new spot called Nina Trattoria and Pizza. The article says that the 19-seat restaurant on Mass. Ave. will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, serving house-made Italian items including antipasti (Prince Edward Island mussels and beef carpaccio will be two options), lobster ravioli in a vodka cream sauce, and veal saltimbocca, with freshly-made pastas being offered. Carbini has not yet applied for a liquor license, but he may do so in the future, according to the Advocate.

Jimmy's Pizzeria first opened its doors more than a decade ago.

The address for Jimmy's Pizzeria (and the new Nina Trattoria and Pizza) is 1510 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[October 2 update: According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, it looks like Jimmy's Pizzeria is now closed (its phone number is out of service).]

[February 26, 2016 update: According to a few posters on the Arlington List Facebook group page, Nina Trattoria and Pizza is now open.]

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]





Monday, July 25, 2016

Cheesy Street Grill Opens Natick, Westborough Locations Along the Massachusetts Turnpike

A pair of grilled cheese restaurants have opened west of Boston, and they cater nearly exclusively to travelers.

Wicked Local Natick is reporting that Cheesy Street Grill is now open at the Natick Service Plaza (eastbound) and the Westborough Service Plaza (westbound), offering an array of grilled cheese sandwiches along with soups, salads, desserts, and beverages. The two locations are open seven days a week, with hours being 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, according to its social media pages.

Cheesy Street Grill started off as a food truck in Connecticut in 2014, setting up in Hartford, Bristol, and elsewhere, including at farmers markets and various events. Its website can be found at http://www.cheesystreetgrill.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]





Wingstop Opening Locations in Medford and East Boston

Nearly eight years after first reporting about it, a Texas-based chicken wing chain will finally be bringing its first locations to the Boston area.

An email sent today indicates that Wingstop plans to open shops in Medford and East Boston, with the former opening this Wednesday at the Fellsway Plaza and the latter coming this fall to Central Square. Based on the other locations of the chain, expect to see wings, boneless wings, and chicken tenders with a wide variety of sauces offered.

Back in late 2008, we had mentioned that Wingstop--which is headquartered in Dallas--had signed franchise agreements to open a couple of locations in the Boston area. Currently, the only three shops in New England can be found in Hartford, Storrs, and Vernon, CT.

The website for Wingstop is at http://www.wingstop.com/

[November 15 update: A Twitter post sent from the place indicates that the East Boston location of Wingstop will open on Wednesday, November 16, making this the second shop to open in the local area (the other opening in Medford over the summer, as mentioned above).]

[Earlier Article]
Wingstop to Open Two Locations in Boston

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]





Paolo's Trattoria in Charlestown Has Closed for Renovations

An Italian restaurant that has been around for nearly 20 years has shut down for the time being.

A Twitter post from @The_Fliz from last week indicated that Paolo's Trattoria in Charlestown was closed and that earlier calls placed to the Main Street eatery went unanswered. A phone call placed to Paolo's today now goes to a voicemail saying that the restaurant has closed for renovations for the summer and that it will reopen in the fall. It is not yet known what kinds of changes will take place to the dining spot; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here.

Paolo's Trattoria is a family-owned restaurant that is known in part for its wood-fired pizza; the restaurant was established in 1998, according to the Manta site.

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]





Burro Bar to Take Over Ribelle Space in Brookline

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect new information on what will be happening with the Ribelle space.]

Earlier this month, we reported that a highly-rated Brookline restaurant was closing down and that another dining spot could be moving into the space. Now we are hearing who will be opening a restaurant there.

According to multiple sources within the restaurant industry, the Alpine Restaurant Group (Posto, Painted Burro, Rosebud) is looking to take over the space where Ribelle had been until shutting down on July 2. Most of the sources indicate that the new eatery may be a location of the Painted Burro, but there is no confirmation of this as of yet. The restaurant group has indicated that more locations of its dining spots may be coming, saying on its Facebook page that "The group will continue to expand its presence in the region with new locations of Posto and The Painted Burro across New England."

Locations of Posto can currently be found in Somerville's Davis Square and in Waltham, while the Painted Burro and Rosebud are both located in Davis Square.

The address for the former Ribelle space is 1665 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

[July 26 update: The Boston Globe confirms that The Alpine Group is indeed opening a restaurant in the former Ribelle space, and it will be a smaller version of the Painted Burro called the Burro Bar.]

[November 8 update: The Corbett Restaurant Group tells us that Ribelle was sold today, and as stated earlier, Joe Cassinelli will open the Burro Bar in its space.]

[January 16, 2017 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that the Burro Bar hopes to open in Brookline on January 23.]

[January 23, 2017 update: A message sent from the restaurant indicates that the Burro Bar won't be opening today, with the plan being to open a week from today instead (Monday, January 30).]

[Earlier Article]
Ribelle in Brookline 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]





Friday, July 22, 2016

Renegade's Pub Is Taking Over Victory Pub Space in East Boston

It looks like a new gastropub is coming to East Boston, and it will move into the space where a neighborhood dive bar had been.

The East Boston Times-Free Press is reporting that Peter Ackerman, who owns two locations of Salvatore's, is planning to open a dining and drinking spot called Renegade's Pub in the former Victory Pub space in Orient Heights. The article says that the Bennington Street spot will have seating for 35 and will feature a wide variety of burgers and beer options, and that the space will apparently undergo major renovations before opening.

Last fall, Ackerman took ownership of Salvatore's in downtown Boston along with the Seaport District location, as founder Sal Lupoli transferred ownership of all locations to a few of the restaurant group's managers,

The address for this new gastropub in Orient Heights is: Renegade's Pub, 1004 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, 02128.

[May 5, 2017 update: Eater Boston hints that Renegade's Pub appears to be very close to opening, as it has only a "few final inspection hurdles" to clear before it debuts (possibly by the end of next week). In addition, EB says that the place will be run by three partners--Ackerman, Greg Weinstock, and Ryan Pozerycki.]

[May 16, 2017 update: A post on its Facebook page indicates that Renegade's Pub is now open.]

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]





Thursday, July 21, 2016

Michael Pagliarini of Giulia to Open Benedetto in Former Rialto Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A story we heard awhile back--that the person behind a Cambridge dining spot would be opening a new place where a landmark Harvard Square restaurant had been--has been confirmed.

The Boston Globe states that chef/owner Michael Pagliarini of Giulia on Mass. Ave. is planning to open Benedetto within the Charles Hotel, taking over the former Rialto space once it has been fully renovated. This jibes with news we received from a source within the restaurant industry a few months ago, but at the time, the Rialto team was telling us that they did not have plans to close. (The restaurant ended up shutting down last month.) According to the Globe article, Benedetto will have seating for 220 and it will include an upscale dining room, a casual bar area, an "extensive" wine display, and a table where pasta is made.

Pagliarini first opened Giulia in late 2012, taking over the space where Rafiki Bistro had been. The restaurant is known in part for its house-made pastas.

Jody Adams, who first opened Rialto more than 20 years ago, is now focusing on her other restaurants--Trade on the Boston waterfront, Porto in the Back Bay, and Saloniki in the Fenway.

[October 21 update: Boston Magazine mentions that Benedetto could open sometime next month, and that Renae Connolly (Cafe ArtScience) will he heading up the pastry program there.]

[Earlier Articles]
Rialto in Cambridge's Harvard Square is Closing
Jody Adams to Leave Rialto in Cambridge's Harvard Square

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]





Steve "Nookie" Postal Planning New Restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square

It looks like a well-known local chef and restaurateur is planning to open a new spot in one of the busiest sections of Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting that Steve "Nookie" Postal of Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square has signed a lease to open a restaurant in the old Subway space in Davis Square, and he tells EB that this will not be the long-awaited Steinbones, but will instead be a different spot. Postal had been the executive chef for the Boston Red Sox and was also on Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates before opening Commonwealth on Broad Canal Way in the fall of 2013, and there has been talk of his opening the Jewish-influenced BBQ spot Steinbones as well for awhile now, but it is still not known when or where that place might open.

The space that Postal is taking over was also home to the very first Bertucci's, which was known in part for its bocce court.

The address for Postal's planned eatery in Davis Square is 197 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[July 29 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Steve Postal may be opening a coffee shop within the Elm Street space, though the exact concept has not been finalized as of yet.]

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 Paddy Wagon (Inflatable Irish Pub) Is Coming to Heritage Days Festival in Scituate August 6 and 7

An annual South Shore event is returning next month, and this year it will be home to a very unique drinking spot.

According to an article from 95.9 WATD FM, an inflatable Irish pub called The Paddy Wagon will be set up at the Heritage Days Festival in Scituate, with a Facebook post saying that it will be at the event on August 6 and 7, doing beer and whiskey tastings that feature O'Hara's, Crean's, Glendalough, and Teeling. (Admission for the tastings are $20.) Last summer, we reported that The Paddy Wagon debuted in the Boston area, with the pub featuring indoor and outdoor seating, a fake fireplace, windows, two doors, and a full bar.

The website for The Paddy Wagon is at http://www.thepaddywagonpub.com/ while more information on the Heritage Days Festival can be found at http://www.scituatechamber.org/events/heritage-days.html

[Earlier Article]
The Paddy Wagon (Inflatable Irish Pub) Debuts in Boston

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]





Dorchester Brewing Company Has Opened

Two years after first reporting on it, the first dedicated contract brewing facility in Boston--and the entire state of Massachusetts--has officially come to the city.

According to its Facebook page, Dorchester Brewing Company is now open on Massachusetts Avenue between South Bay Center and Edward Everett Square, with Eater Boston mentioning that in addition to being a place for craft beer brands to brew and package their products, it also has a taproom and food trucks outside that will offer dinner on weekdays and lunch on weekends. (Tours and beer for takeaway will both begin next month.) EB says that the people behind the 25,000-square-foot facility include Todd Charbonneau (who comes from Harpoon), Holly Irgens, Travis Lee, and Matt Molloy.

The address for Dorchester Brewing Company is 1250 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02125. Its website can be found at http://www.dorchesterbrewing.com/

[Earlier Article]
Dorchester Brewing Company to Open Contract Brewing Facility

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]





Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Owner of Cafe Luna Plans to Take Over Former Verna's Space in Cambridge

It looks like at least one of the owners of a cafe in Cambridge's Central Square may be opening a business in North Cambridge where a beloved donut shop used to be.

According to a note from @richo976, a sign is up in the former Verna's Donut Shop space on Mass. Ave. showing that a public hearing will be taking place July 28 to look into the proposal of a "catering business with accessory retail food sales" to operate in the space. The post shows that Matthew Haymer is the petitioner, which is apparently the same Matt Haymer who co-owns Cafe Luna with his wife Teri. It is not yet known exactly how the business would be set up, including what it might be selling within the space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Verna's, which was established back in 1951 (and became a tenant at the Mass. Ave. address in 1974), was seized by the state in April for what appears to have been nonpayment of rent, with the order to close the store actually being issued the previous month in Cambridge District Court.

The address for the former Verna's--and proposed catering/food business--is 2344 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

[January 31, 2017 update: According to an email sent from the Corbett Restaurant Group, Matt Haymer of Cafe Luna has officially purchased the Verna's Donut Shop space, with the sale apparently going through a bit earlier this month. (We also hear that it may be another location of Cafe Luna.)]

[February 1, 2017 update: An email sent today indicates that the new restaurant from the Cafe Luna owner--and it may also be a Cafe Luna--hopes to open around March 1.]

[Earlier Article]
Verna's Donut Shop in Cambridge Seized by the State

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]





New Restaurant Coming to Weymouth Landing Where Ultimate Pizza and The Landing Pub Had Been

Last year we reported that a pizza place and an adjacent bar on the South Shore were demolished after a fire, but that they could be replaced by a new restaurant. Now we have learned that this will indeed be happening.

According to an article in The Weymouth News, the Sarras family--who owned both Ultimate Pizza and The Landing Pub in Weymouth Landing--looks to start construction on a new dining spot in the Commercial Street space after getting approval for a seating and ramp easement from The Braintree Town Council last week. The post says that once the community's building department gives its ok, work can begin on the spot, which will have seating for 95 people and an outdoor dining area.

In March of 2015, both Ultimate Pizza and The Landing Pub were hit by a fire, with the structure subsequently being torn down. Before the blaze occurred, the Sarras family had mentioned that it actually had plans to take the building down and open a restaurant in the space.

Ultimate Pizza had been at 6 Commercial Street on the Braintree side of Weymouth Landing while The Landing Pub had been at 2 Commercial Street.

[Earlier Articles]
Ultimate Pizza and The Landing Pub in Weymouth Landing Both Demolished After Last Week's Fire
Ultimate Pizza in Weymouth Landing Hit by Fire

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, July 19, 2016

Villa Rosa in Quincy Has Closed

A Quincy institution that has been around for a very long time has decided to call it a day.

According to a Facebook post, Villa Rosa on Adams Street has closed, with the note saying that the people behind the restaurant made the decision not to reopen after closing for renovations in late June. An exact reason has not been given for the closure, but it appears to be based at least in part on a financial decision, possibly related to proposed renovations.

Villa Rosa, which first opened approximately 65 years ago, was a family-friendly Italian restaurant known in part for its pizza. Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured the place, with the review being found at the link below:

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

The address for Villa Rosa was 703 Adams Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.

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





Update: Wild Willy's in Quincy Reopens After Car Crashes into the Place

[Ed note: This article was updated on July July 21 to reflect the fact that it has reopened.]

A car crashed into a burger spot in Quincy today, causing minor injuries as well as damage to the space.

According to a live video from Fox 25 News, fire trucks and police cars can be seen in the parking lot (as of 1:15 PM) of Wild Willy's on Washington Street, where a car apparently went into the restaurant. A Twitter post from @itsthejoeshow--who is Fox 25's evening TV news producer--shows a photo of the scene, while a tweet from @llambert_ledger indicates that the vehicle did go through the front door and that the injuries are not considered serious. A more recent Twitter post from @llambert_ledger mentions that no customers or workers were hurt and that the dining spot could reopen on Wednesday, while a new article from WCVB 5 mentions that four people were injured, and that none of the injuries are life-threatening.

Wild Willy's is located at 588 Washington Street in the Quincy Point section of the city.

[July 21 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Wild Willy's in Quincy reopened this afternoon.]

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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.]





Marc Orfaly, Navy Yard Hospitality Group Opening Reelhouse within The Eddy in East Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 22 and on February 19, 2017 to reflect new information given, including the restaurant group that will run the place and a name for the spot.]

A new restaurant is coming to an upcoming apartment building on the East Boston waterfront, and a well-known local chef and restaurateur will be behind it.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via @SteveAdamsTweet) that Marc Orfaly is planning to open a new dining spot within The Eddy, a 16-story tower on New Street that should be opening sometime in September. An article in Boston Magazine mentions that the eatery (whose exact details had been "hush-hush" at the time of its writing) will likely have outdoor dining, though no other information has been given as of yet.

Marc Orfaly, who was once nominated for a James Beard award, comes from such restaurants as Pigalle and The Beehive, and he will also be working with Jay Silva (formerly of Bambara in Cambridge) on the reconcepting of JW's in Winthrop, which Silva recently took over.

The address for the upcoming restaurant from Marc Orfaly (as well as The Eddy apartment building) is 10 New Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

[August 22 update: A press release from bldup.com states that Orfaly is actually teaming up with the Navy Yard Hospitality Group (Pier 6, Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar) to open the new dining spot (which is being labeled a "destination restaurant") within The Eddy.]

[February 19, 2017 update: According to a job posting on the bostonchefs.com site, the new restaurant from Marc Orfaly and the Navy Yard Hospitality Group will be called "Reelhouse" and it will have a "coastal seafood driven menu with 200+ seats, a large outdoor bar and patio, and complimentary boat service for its employees and guests." If all goes as planned, the restaurant will open sometime this spring.]

[April 20, 2017 update: A press release indicates that Reelhouse opens tomorrow (Friday, April 21), with seating for 141 indoors, another 133 seats on an oceanfront outdoor patio, and it will also have complimentary water shuttle between it and Pier 6 starting in June. (The restaurant will be open for dinner nightly and will also have a weekend brunch.)]

[Earlier Article]
Jay Silva Leaving Bambara in Cambridge, Becoming Owner of Restaurant in Winthrop

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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]





Plans for Doughnut and Bagel Shop in Somerville's Davis Square Fall Through

It looks like a doughnut and bagel shop that was being planned for one of the busiest parts of Somerville will not be happening after all.

Eater Boston is reporting that plans for a place tentatively called Davis Square Donuts and Bagels have fallen through and that the Summer Street space is now apparently up for lease. Last year, we had mentioned that the person behind Opa Greek Yeeros on Highland Avenue (which has since opened) was also hoping to open up the doughnut and bagel shop, but EB says that he ended up pulling out of the plans, citing the possible leasing out of the space by the owner of the building.

At this point in time, it is not known what might happen to the space, which is now covered in plastic wrap.

[Earlier Article]
Gourmet Doughnut Shop May Be Coming to Somerville's Davis Square

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





Monday, July 18, 2016

753 South Is Opening in Roslindale

A couple of years ago, we reported that the person behind an upscale Italian restaurant in Roslindale was planning to open a new dining spot across the street. Now we have learned that plans for the place remain in the works, and that it may be getting close to opening.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, 753 South is opening soon and is currently looking for a sous chef, with the entry also saying that it will be a neighborhood restaurant that will be open for dinner as well as a Sunday brunch. As mentioned earlier, the space in which 753 South is moving had been home to a breakfast place called Derna's (along with a beauty salon next door), and that the owner of Delfino will be running the new eatery.

The address for this new restaurant is 753 South Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

[May 17, 2017 update: Universal Hub is reporting that 753 South has soft-opened, and that the restaurant--which has an outdoor patio--offers small plates as well as beer and wine.]

[Earlier Article]
Derna's in Roslindale May Become a Full-Service Restaurant and Bar

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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]





Carmen in Boston's North End Has Closed; May Reopen in New Location

An upscale Italian restaurant in the North End of Boston has closed down, though it may be opening back up in a new space.

According to a Twitter post from over the weekend, Carmen in the North Square section of the neighborhood is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying "While we will no longer be at this location, we will be reopening at a new spot in the near future." Phone calls placed to the dining spot went to voicemail with the message saying that they had been closed for vacation earlier this month, while a check on its website indicates that it is currently down.

Carmen, which first opened 16 years ago, was a rustic spot that featured modern takes on Italian cuisine, including such items as steamed clams, braised short rib ravioli, baked penne, roasted rack of pork, pan-seared duck breast, and crespelle.

The address for the now-closed Carmen was 33 North Square, Boston, MA, 02113; it is not yet known what the new address for the restaurant might be; as soon as we find out, we will update this article.

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





Update: The Madrona Tree Losing Its Home, Closing July 31

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 30 to reflect confirmation that the restaurant is closing this weekend.]

It looks like an eclectic restaurant northwest of Boston is closing and may be looking at moving to a new location.

According to a Twitter post from over the weekend, The Madrona Tree in Arlington is closing at some point, with Town Manager @AdamWChap replying "This is a shame. @TheMadronaTree is a great part of #ArlingtonMA Center. Meeting w/several landlords this week." A few sources confirm that the Broadway eatery may have to leave its space because its lease might not be renewed and that the owner of the restaurant is searching for a new location in which to move. It is not known exactly when the dining spot's lease ends, though it appears that the closure might not happen immediately. (We will post updates as they come in.) If it does close, it will add yet another empty storefront to Arlington Center, including the former Yummys Frozen Yogurt Lounge space on Mass. Ave., and Punjab, which is across from the former Yummys site and which has been temporary closed since February, when it was hit by flooding.

The Madrona Tree first opened in the fall of 2011, offering a mix of comfort food, American classics, and Lebanese fare using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. A few items offered include burgers, grilled cheese, hummus, falafel wraps, macaroni and cheese, kibbeh, and gyros.

The address for The Madrona Tree is 315 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474. Its website is at http://www.themadronatree.com/

[July 30 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, The Madrona Tree is apparently closing tomorrow (July 31), saying that this is its "last weekend." (This confirms what someone said on The Arlington List yesterday.)]

[August 1 update: It appears that the now-closed Madrona Tree may be gone for good, as a new Facebook post from the restaurant states that "We are sorry to report we have no plans of relocation at this point I know many of you have been asking and just want to be honest."]

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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]