Monday, February 27, 2017

VERTS Mediterranean Grill Is Opening in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A growing group of restaurants based in Austin, TX, is planning to open a third location in Boston, with this one being relatively close to its first location.

According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, VERTS Mediterranean Grill plans to open on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, joining an existing location on Summer Street in the Financial District and a soon-to-open shop on Boylston Street in the Back Bay. The post says that the chain is also looking to expand even more in the region, with possible outlets coming to such spots as the Fenway, the Fort Point/Seaport area, Cambridge's Harvard Square, and Kendall Square at some point in time.

If all goes as well, the new location of VERTS--which focuses on such items as salads, bowls, and pitas--could be opening sometime in May.

The address for this new eatery in Downtown Crossing is: VERTS Mediterranean Grill, 267 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.eatverts.com/

[August 8 update: A press release states that the new location of VERTS in Downtown Crossing has its grand opening on Friday, August 11.]

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]





Einstein Bros. Bagels at the MIT Coop Food Court in Cambridge's Kendall Square Has Closed

A Cambridge location of a bagel chain has shut down, and it looks like a new dining spot will be moving into the space.

According to a source, Einstein Bros. Bagels at the MIT Coop Food Court in Kendall Square is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying that a new place called The Deli at MIT Coop is moving into the space at some point soon. It is not yet known if any other Boston-area locations of the bagel chain are closing as well; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Einstein Bros. Bagels was one of a few food spots that came to the MIT Coop Food Court when it reopened in December of 2015. Other outlets of the bagel shop can be found mostly at college campuses around the region, including at Emerson, BU, Bentley, Brandeis, Lasalle, UMass Lowell, and Endicott, along with stores in Wayland and Chelmsford.

The website for Einstein Bros. Bagels can be found at https://www.einsteinbros.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Elsewhere in New England]





Wagamama Is Opening in Boston's Seaport District

It looks like a small global chain of Japanese noodle houses with a handful of locations in the United States will be opening a new one, with this one coming to the Boston waterfront.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via a licensing board hearing page) that Wagamama is looking to open on Northern Avenue in the city's Seaport District. If approved, this would join outlets in Cambridge's Harvard Square, Faneuil Hall Marketplace in downtown Boston, and the Prudential Center in the Back Bay--with the chain's sole other U.S. location being in the Flatiron section of Manhattan. [July 10 update: The Harvard Square location closed over the past weekend.]

Another location of Wagamama had been at MarketStreet Lynnfield, but that shop closed down last year.

The address for this new noodle house in the Seaport District is: Wagamama, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for all U.S. locations can be found at http://www.wagamama.us/

[July 14 update: An email received today indicates that Wagamama opens in the Seaport District on August 2.]

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]





MeatBall Kitchen in Natick Has Apparently Closed

A pair of meatball spots appears to be back down to one location, as its shop in the western suburbs of Boston looks like it has closed after only a short time in business.

According to a source, MeatBall Kitchen at the Natick Mall in Natick is apparently no longer in operation, with a check on its website seeming to confirm this, as the site shows only the Wilbraham location now. A few posters on Yelp mention that the Natick eatery is shuttered as well, though no specific information on why it closed has been given.

MeatBall Kitchen first opened its Natick location last August, featuring a variety of meatballs along with soups, salads, and appetizers.

The website for the original shop in Wilbraham can be found at http://meatballkitchens.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Update: Brick Wall Kitchen in Brookline Closes; Bess's Cafe Replacing It

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 3 and April 20 to reflect new information given.]

A breakfast and lunch spot that was recently awarded a "best of" from our sister site has shut down, and it looks like a new dining spot is taking over the space.

According to a Twitter post from the place, Brick Wall Kitchen in Brookline served its final brunch on Sunday, saying that it was its last day in operation. No reason was given for its closure, and it isn't known what might move into the space; as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here. Brick Wall Kitchen, which was run by Frank Shear and William White of the former Benny's Crepe Cafe food truck, was picked as "best breakfast place in the Boston area" for 2016 by Boston's Hidden Restaurants, with a review of the spot shown at this link:

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

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Brookline was: Brick Wall Kitchen, 224 Cypress Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

[March 3 update: The Brick Wall Kitchen space might not be empty for long, as a board of selectmen hearing page on the town of Brookline site shows that a new spot called Bess's Cafe is moving in.]

[April 20 update: Eater Boston mentions that Bess's Cafe is now open, and that it is a Chinese eatery that features noodle soups--Jiang Nan-style noodles are used--and dumplings along with buns, scallion pancake wraps, and more.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Thursday, February 23, 2017

Deli-icious in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closed

A popular deli in one of the busiest sections of Somerville is locked up and dark, and it is not known if/when the place might reopen.

According to a source, Deli-icious in Davis Square is shuttered, with a check on the spot yesterday evening confirming that the chairs were up on the tables during normal operating hours and the cooler was cleared out. A thread within the Davis Square Live Journal site mentions the closing of the College Avenue shop as well, with one person saying it was shut down over the past weekend as well as Presidents' Day and into this week. As soon as we find out the exact status of Deli-icious, we will post an update here.

Deli-icious first opened in Davis Square approximately 10 years ago.

The address for Deli-icious is 20 College Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Elsewhere in New England]





Owners of Beehive and Beat Brasserie May Be Opening New Spot in Boston's Downtown Crossing

The people behind a couple of restaurants in Boston's South End and Cambridge's Harvard Square are apparently looking to open another place in the heart of downtown Boston.

According to a longtime source within the local media, the owners of the Beehive and Beat Brasserie are eyeing the space in the Lafayette City Center in Downtown Crossing where Latitude 360 had been looking to open, with the spot possibly being a restaurant and bar, though few details have been given as of yet. Our source says that a meeting on the proposal will take place on March 13 with the Downtown Boston Residents' Association.

The Beehive and Beat Brasserie are both eclectic dining and drinking spots that offer New American fare and craft cocktails, while the Florida-based Latitude 360 had been hoping to open locations in both Downtown Crossing and Kingston, but plans for both ultimately fell through.

[Earlier Article]
Latitude 360 Eyeing Boston's Downtown Crossing, Kingston

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]





Bonefish Grill in Westwood Has Closed

A Florida-based seafood chain has closed down another one of its Boston-area restaurants, leaving just one remaining in the region.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bonefish Grill in Westwood is no longer in business, with a check on the locations page of the chain's website confirming this. With the closing of the Westwood outlet as well as the shutting down of its Burlington location last month, the only Bonefish Grill left in the Greater Boston area (and all of New England) is in Waltham.

The Westwood location of Bonefish Grill first opened in the spring of 2015.

The address for this now-closed seafood restaurant in Westwood was: Bonefish Grill, 174 University Avenue (University Station), Westwood, MA, 02090. The website for the chain is at http://www.bonefishgrill.com/

[Earlier Article]
Bonefish Grill in Burlington Has Closed

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, February 22, 2017

Romano's Macaroni Grill in Burlington Has Closed

Yet another restaurant chain has officially disappeared from the local landscape.

Eater Boston is reporting that Romano's Macaroni Grill in Burlington shut down for good on February 20, which means that there are no more locations of the chain anywhere in the Greater Boston area or the state, and only one remaining in all of New England--in South Portland, ME. The restaurant was known in part for its pasta dishes, including macaroni and cheese, lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, ravioli, and spaghetti and meatballs.

A few other regional, national, and international chains have left the Boston area over the past few years, including Bugaboo Creek, Denny's, Saladworks, Rainforest Cafe, Old Country Buffet, and Brigham's.

The address for this now-closed Italian restaurant in Burlington was: Romano's Macaroni Grill, 50 South Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.macaronigrill.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Casa Vallarta Is Opening in the Former Chili's Space in Brockton

A trio of Mexican restaurants is going to be joined by a fourth, and this one will be taking over the space where a location of a Tex-Mex chain had been.

According to an article in Wicked Local, Casa Vallarta is planning to open in Brockton, moving into the former Chili's site on Oak Street just north of the Westgate Mall. The post says that the dining spot will have a similar menu to that of its other locations in Saugus, Northborough, and Falmouth, and it hopes to feature singers or mariachi bands. If all goes well, the new location of Casa Vallarta could open in the next two or three months.

The address for this Mexican restaurant in Brockton is: Casa Vallarta, 600 Oak Street, Brockton, MA, 02301.

[February 14, 2018 update: Eater Boston states that Casa Vallarta is now open in Brockton.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Tuesday, February 21, 2017

BB.Q Chicken Is Opening in Former SoulFire Space in Allston

A chain of Korean dining spots is on its way to Boston, and it will feature a variety of chicken dishes and more.

Eater Boston is reporting that BB.Q Chicken is planning to open in Allston, taking over the space on Harvard Avenue where SoulFire had been until it closed last month. The article mentions that this will be the first location of the chain to come to New England, and based on its other locations, expect such items as fried chicken, grilled chicken, soups, salads, burgers, pizza, kimchi fried rice, and pasta at the new spot. It is not yet known when BB.Q Chicken might open; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Currently, locations of BB.Q Chicken--which first started out in South Korea in 1995--can be found in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, and California.

The address for this new Korean restaurant in Allston is: BB.Q Chicken, 182 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.bbdotqusa.com/

[March 29 update: A new post from Eater Boston states that BB.Q Chicken is now open in Allston.]

[Earlier Article]
SoulFire in Allston Is Closing

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]





Freepoint Kitchen & Cocktails to Open in Cambridge's Fresh Pond/Alewife Area

A brand new restaurant and bar is on its way to Cambridge, and the person behind it comes from a now-closed dining spot in the city along with a North Shore eatery.

According to a press release, Freepoint Kitchen & Cocktails is opening within the new Freepoint Hotel in the Fresh Pond/Alewife section of Cambridge, with Matthew Gaudet of the former Westbridge restaurant in Kendall Square and Superfine Food in Manchester-by-the-Sea (and soon, in Marblehead as well) running the place. The email mentions that the new spot will offer breakfast and dinner daily, and that it will feature global dishes and casual fare with small, shareable plates being the focus. Gaudet will be joined by Westbridge alum Alex Howell, who will be the "Beverage Consigliere," with the bar program including both classic and modern cocktails and an emphasis on bourbon, rye, and other "brown liquors."

Freepoint Kitchen & Cocktails will be located in the lobby of the Freepoint Hotel (which is where a Best Western and 99 restaurant had once been) and will include an open-air atrium, a 13-seat bar, a casual lounge area, and a dining section with banquettes and adjustable tabletops. If all goes as planned, the new dining and drinking spot will open sometime in April.

The address for Freepoint Kitchen & Cocktails (and the Freepoint Hotel) is 220 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the hotel can be found at http://www.freepointhotel.com/

[April 14 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Freepoint Kitchen & Cocktails plans to open sometime next week (ed note--the post says "this week" but the article is meant for the Sunday Globe).]

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, February 16, 2017

NOCA Provisions Is Opening in North Cambridge

A new cafe is on its way to North Cambridge, and the people behind a nearby catering company area behind the place.

According to a Facebook page, NOCA Provisions is planning to open on Rindge Avenue this spring, with the page saying that it will be a "neighborhood cafe" that is being opened by the group that runs Season To Taste Catering on Mass. Ave. The website for NOCA  indicates that it will offer toasts, coffee, and meals-to-go, though little other information has been given as of yet.

Season To Taste Catering is also home to The Table, a high-end restaurant with French influences whose chef is "Top Chef" contestant Carl Dooley.

The address for the upcoming NOCA Provisions is 156 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website can be found at https://www.nocaprovisions.com

[June 4 update: Eater Boston mentions that NOCA Provisions opens on Monday, June 5 and that the 20-seat cafe will offer breakfast, lunch, and takeout dinners, including pastries, quiche, yogurt, toast, popovers, Sicilian pizza, soups, lunch bowls, coffee, and more.]

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]





Mighty Squirrel May Be Opening a Brewery and Taproom in Charlestown

A Boston-based beermaker that is currently a contract brewer may be getting its own brewery in the space where a cider company had been.

According to an article from BostInno, Mighty Squirrel is eyeing a building by the Mystic River in Charlestown that used to be home to Downeast Cider before that company moved to East Boston, with the Terminal Street facility possibly having a taproom in addition to a brewing area. The post mentions that Mighty Squirrel, which is contract brewing out of Von Trapp Brewery in Stowe, VT, right now, hopes to open in the space sometime this year, and that it has secured a $500,000 loan from the MassDevelopment Bank toward its brewery.

Mighty Squirrel is known in part for its beers that are high in protein, though it also has a line of more traditional beers as well.

The website for Mighty Squirrel can be found at http://www.mightysquirrel.com/

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]





Joe's American Bar & Grill in Braintree Is Closing

A small local group of family-friendly restaurants is getting ready to close another one of its locations.

According to a message sent from the group, Joe's American Bar & Grill at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree is shutting down on February 19, with no specific reason given for its closure nor any information given on what might move into the space. This is the second location of Joe's to close in the local area over the past year or so, as an outlet in Peabody shut down in early 2016.

It appears that locations of Joe's in Boston (two), Dedham, Framingham, Franklin, and Woburn remain in operation. (Another location of Joe's--whose parent company is Tavistock--can be found in Fairfield, CT.)

The website for Joe's American Bar & Grill is at http://www.joesamerican.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]





Walt's Roast Beef Opens in Braintree

A small Rhode Island-based chain of roast beef places has expanded into Massachusetts, opening an outlet a short distance south of Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @JustinA_PZD, Walt's Roast Beef opens today at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, with a Patch article stating that the place is opening within the food court. Walt's first started out in 1957 and currently has locations in Cranston, Pawtucket, Warwick (2), North Kingstown, and North Providence; its shops offer several options for roast beef along with roast turkey, pastrami, fish, ham, pulled pork, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

The website for Walt's Roast Beef can be found at http://waltsroastbeef.net/

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]





New Concept Now in Place for Tresca in Boston's North End

Last June, we mentioned that an Italian restaurant owned by a former Boston Bruins player was being reconcepted, and now we know what kinds of changes have been made to the place.

According to an email and a press release, Tresca in Boston's North End has gotten a major face lift, to both its interior and exterior, while adding a "slight Mediterranean touch" to its Southern Italian-based menu. The dining spot, which includes seating for 75 in its "Tuscan room" and another 50 in the bar area, has also undergone a change in ownership as well, with former Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque bringing in a new team including Rich Ansara (Amhreins, Appetito), Bill Galatis, (Meze in Charlestown, Dunkin Donut franchisee), and Peter Weber.

Tresca first opened its doors in the North End about a decade ago.

The address for Tresca is 233 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at http://trescanorthend.com/

[Earlier Article]
New Concept in the Works for Tresca in Boston's North End

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]





Pinkberry in Harvard Square Has Closed; Will Be Replaced by Pressed Juicery

A frozen yogurt chain has shut down its shop in Cambridge, and it will be replaced by a location of a chain of cold-pressed juice bars.

The Harvard Crimson is reporting that Pinkberry in Harvard Square is now closed and that Pressed Juicery will be moving into the Mass. Ave. space. The article says that the California-based chain of juice bars hopes to open in the late spring, with the place offering an array of juice options along with a soft-serve item that is made using a mix of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Pinkberry--which is also based in California--first opened in Harvard Square in 2011, taking over the space where Alpha Omega Jewelers had once been; a number of Pinkberry shops had been located in the Greater Boston area, but several of them have shut down over the past few years, with existing locations remaining in operation by BU in Boston, South Station, the Pru, Logan Airport, Chestnut Hill, Wellesley, and Braintree.

The address for the now-closed Pinkberry (and upcoming Pressed Juicery) is 1380 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page 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]





Five Bites Cupcakes in Wellesley Has Closed

A cupcake shop in the western suburbs of Boston has shut its doors.

According to a source, Five Bites Cupcakes in Wellesley is no longer in business, with a phone call to the place confirming that the Linden Street shop has indeed closed. Five Bites, which first opened in Wellesley in 2009, offered a variety of cupcakes and mini-cupcakes, including such flavors as birthday cake, snickerdoodle, carrot cake, red velvet, cookies and cream, white hot chocolate, coconut, and mudslide, along with some seasonal options. The company originally started out in Natick, according to its website.

The address for this now-closed cupcake shop in Wellesley was: Five Bites Cupcakes, 141 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA, 02484.

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]





Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar in Boston's Back Bay Reopens After Renovations

An upscale Mexican spot in Boston's Back Bay is open once again, two months after closing for renovations.

According to a press release, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar on Dartmouth Street has reopened after dealing with upgrades that focused on addressing structural issues to the space. The email mentions that the design of the restaurant and bar remains the same, but that with the reopening comes some food/drink changes, including tableside tequila service for shots that are ordered by patrons, new drink items such as house-made Agua Frescas which are non-alcoholic drinks that can have shots added to them, and a few new menu items such as avocado fritters. garlic shrimp tacos, a Mexican fried chicken dinner, and a cast iron flank steak.

Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar first opened on Dartmouth Street in the latter part of 2010.

The address for Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar is 271 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website is at http://www.lolitatequilabars.com/

[Earlier Article]
Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed for Construction

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]





Terra Is Opening at Eataly Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 2 and March 9 to reflect new information given.]

A new restaurant is coming to a massive Italian emporium that opened in Boston's Back Bay a few months ago, and it will apparently be located above the market.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, a "rooftop" restaurant called Terra is opening at Eataly Boston in the Prudential Center, with the dining spot featuring a wood-fired grill and "regional Italian inspired dishes." The post indicates that the menu will include a number of items from the market below, including dry-aged meats, house-made pasta, fresh seafood, and more, with charcuterie and house-made sausage being mentioned. Two posts on the bostonchefs site show that Terra is currently looking for line cooks and a sous chef.

Eataly Boston opened its doors in late November, moving into the space where the Pru food court had been. Celebrity chef Mario Batali is one of the partners involved with Eataly, which has locations in Manhattan's Flatiron area, Lower Manhattan, Chicago, and Los Angeles, along with others in Europe, Asia, and South America.

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

[March 2 update: A new job post within the bostonchefs.com site says that Terra will be on the third floor mezzanine above the rest of Eataly. It is not yet known if this means Terra will include both an indoor space (on the mezzanine) and an outdoor rooftop area; as soon as we find out more, we will post another update here. (The earlier link above has the wording changed from "rooftop" to "mezzanine.")]

[March 9 update: Eater Boston mentions that Terra plans to open April 4, and that it will include an open dining room, though there is no mention of rooftop dining. The article also says that Dan Bazzinotti (Bergamot and BISq), who was Eater Boston's 2015 Chef of the Year, will be the chef de cuisine.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Tatte Bakery and Cafe Is Opening in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A local group of bakeries and cafes is going to be expanding once again, this time opening a shop in a particularly hot section of Boston.

According to a press release, Tatte Bakery & Cafe is planning to open at 1350 Boylston, a 17-story luxury residential tower that is located in the Fenway. The email says that the new Tatte will have approximately 2,900 square feet of space and it will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Once it opens, the new shop will join other locations in Beacon Hill, Cambridge's Kendall Square (three), Harvard Square, and Brookline.

If all goes as planned, Tatte Bakery & Cafe should be opening in the Fenway sometime this fall.

The website for Tatte can be found at http://tattebakery.com

[September 29 update: A Twitter post from @BostonTweet indicates that the new Tatte Bakery & Cafe plans to open in the Fenway on October 12.]

[October 18 update: An Instagram post from Tatte mentions that a "technical error" in the licensing process has resulted in the Fenway location not being able to open as of yet. No new opening date has been given, so stay tuned for more updates as they come in.]

[October 20 update: Eater Boston states (via an Instagram post) that Tatte now plans to open its Fenway location on Monday, October 30.]

[October 30 update Boston Magazine confirms that the new location of Tatte opens today in the Fenway.]

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]





Pedro's Tacos in Downtown Boston Is Closing

A small group of California-based Mexican restaurants whose slogan is the "world's best tacos since 1986" is closing its Boston location, though it plans to open a new place at an undisclosed spot north of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a tweet from @DTownBostonBID) that Pedro's Tacos on Bromfield Street is shutting down on February 24, with a sign out front saying "We at Pedro's Tacos want to thank all of our loyal customers for an amazing and successful 5 years! Due to our growth we have become too big for this location....Please venture north to our new restaurant Bueno Malo coming this summer." Pedro's first opened in the fall of 2012 on the edge of Downtown Crossing, moving into the space where Tequila Mexican Grille had once been; other than Boston, the only locations of Pedro's are in San Clemente (2), Fallbrook, and Oceanside, CA.

The address for this soon-to-close Mexican restaurant in downtown Boston is: Pedro's Tacos, 55 Bromfield Street, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for Pedro's is at http://www.pedrostacos.com/

[February 21 update: A tweet from @DTownBostonBID mentions that today was the final Taco Tuesday for Pedro's Tacos in Boston, which closes its doors later this week.]

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]





American Fresh Brewhouse to Open in Somerville's Assembly Row

A brewery in Somerville is going to be opening a third space where people can try their beers--and their second outlet at a growing development within the city.

 According to a press release, Somerville Brewing Company (which is known for its Slumbrew line of beers) will open a new location of its American Fresh Brewhouse concept on Foley Street at Assembly Row, joining the original American Fresh Brewhouse at the Boynton Yards brewery on Ward Street and American Fresh Garden, a year-round beer garden that is also at Assembly Row. [Ed note: The beer garden is now closed.] The email says that the new location will have 3,600 square feet of space and a small brewery, with 20 draft lines and outdoor seating during the warmer months. In addition to the beers offered at the main brewery, the new brewpub will also feature "special experimental beers" that are made on the premises, and it will feature breakfast, full meals, and small plates, along with a weekend brunch.

If all goes well, the new location of  American Fresh Brewhouse could be open sometime in the late spring.

The address for American Fresh Brewhouse at Assembly Row is 490 Foley Street, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for Somerville Brewing Company/Slumbrew can be found at http://www.slumbrew.com/

[November 30 update: According to a Facebook post, American Fresh Brewhouse at Assembly Row is looking to open to the public tomorrow and is having a soft opening today.]

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]





Flatbread Company to Open at Boston Landing in Brighton

Several months ago, we reported that a handful of dining spots were going to be coming to a new development at the New Balance site in Brighton, including a pizza and bowling spot, and now we have learned who is behind this place.

According to a press release sent today, a lease has been signed for the Flatbread Company to open at Boston Landing, with this being its second combination pizzeria/bowling alley, joining one in Somerville's Davis Square. Once it opens, the new spot will join other Flatbreads in Amesbury, Bedford, and Georgetown, along with a handful of others in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and New Hampshire, as well as one in British Columbia.

In addition to Flatbread Company, a couple of other spots also signed leases to open at Boston Landing--Rail Stop Restaurant and Bar [ed note--now open] and Kohi Coffee Company.

The website for Flatbread Company can be found at http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/

[September 12 update: A new Craigslist job post indicates that the Flatbread Company is now hiring for its upcoming Brighton location, and that it will be accompanied by Brighton Bowl, with nine candlepin bowling lanes being within the space.]

[November 17 update: According to several sources (including Henry Santoro of WGBH), the new Flatbread Company plans to open in Brighton on Sunday.]

[Earlier Articles]
Rail Stop 96 Restaurant & Bar to Open at Boston Landing in Brighton
Pizza/Bowling Spot, Greek Eatery, Cafe, Juice Bar to Join Seaport Grille at Boston Landing in Brighton

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]





Felipe's Owner to Open Oaxaca Taco in Ole! Mexican Grill Space in Cambridge

A Mexican restaurant in Cambridge's Inman Square is being replaced by a new spot, and it looks like it will have a connection to another Mexican eatery nearby.

According to a license commission general hearing page within the City of Cambridge website, a transfer of Ole! Mexican Grill's liquor license to Oaxaca Taco of Cambridge will be looked at on Wednesday, February 15. The listing shows the proposed manager of the new Springfield Street spot being Thomas Brush, who is one of the owners of Felipe's Taqueria on Brattle Street in Harvard Square and is also involved with Flat Patties, which is located on the same block as Felipe's.

It was recently announced that Ole! co-owner and chef Erwin Ramos was leaving the restaurant and that changes would be coming to the space; recently, Ramos made his way to 88 Wharf in Milton where he has started a pop-up called Azul, according to a Facebook post.

The address for Ole! Mexican Grill (and the proposed Oaxaca Taco) is 11 Springfield Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

[July 7 update: A new license commission hearing page indicates that the Ole! restaurant space might be retaining at least part of its original name, as the notice says that Cambridge Restaurant Partners, LLC is seeking to change the name from Oaxaca Taco to Ole.]

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]





Caffe Nero Is Opening at Somerville's Assembly Row

A chain of European-style coffee places that is rapidly expanding through the Boston area will be opening yet another, with this one being in a growing development in Somerville.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Caffe Nero plans to open a new location at Assembly Row, with its opening being a part of Phase 2 of construction which will also bring such places as Zo, Waxy O'Connor's, Mike's Pastry, Lucky Strike, and more. Once it opens this fall, the new shop will join a number of others in the Greater Boston area, including in Downtown Crossing, the South End, Fort Point, Longwood, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Cambridge's Central Square, Andover, and Wellesley.

The website for Caffe Nero, which is based in London, can be found at http://www.caffenero.com/

[September 25 update: It looks like Caffe Nero at Assembly Row may be close to opening, as a Craigslist post mentions that it is holding a job fair tomorrow and Wednesday.]

[October 20 update: According to a Twitter post from the place, Caffe Nero soft-opens today at Assembly Row, and it will give out free coffee from now until 3:00 PM, when it closes for the day.]

[October 25 update: A message sent from Caffe Nero indicates that its Assembly Row location is now fully open, with hours being 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Friday and 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends.]

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]





Zo Is Opening at Somerville's Assembly Row

It looks like a pair of Greek quick-service dining spots in Boston will be joined by a third in a growing development just north of the city.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Zo is planning to open at Assembly Row as part of Phase 2 of construction there, which will also bring such spots as Waxy O'Connor's, Mike's Pastry, Lucky Strike, and more. Once it opens, the new eatery will join locations at Boston's Center Plaza and State Street, and based on those locations, the Somerville location could include soups, salads, stuffed grape leaves, gyros, pita wraps, and spinach pie.

It looks like Zo may open at Assembly Row sometime this fall if all goes as planned, according to the article.

The website for Zo can be found at http://www.zoboston.com/

[November 19 update: According to a Twitter post, Zo is now open at Assembly Row.

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, February 13, 2017

Boston Beer Garden in South Boston Is Closing

A restaurant and sports bar in South Boston that has been around for more than 20 years is shutting down.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Facebook post from the place and a tweet from @chipsy231) that the Boston Beer Garden on E Broadway is closing for good at the end of business hours on Sunday, February 19, with ticketed charity events taking place there on the Friday and Saturday before it shutters. It is not yet known why the dining and drinking spot is closing, nor is it known what might happen to the space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

The Boston Beer Garden, which first opened in 1995, is known for its pub grub and variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. Another Boston Beer Garden can be found in Naples, FL.

The address for this soon-to-close spot in Southie is: Boston Beer Garden, 732 E Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website is at http://www.bostonbeergarden.com/

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]

New Belgium Brewing Company Bringing Its Beers to Massachusetts

One of the largest craft breweries in the United States will soon be selling its beers in the local area.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Company's beers are on their way to Massachusetts, with its entire lineup coming to the state, including Fat Tire, Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, Voodoo Ranger IPA, and more becoming available at some point this month. The article says that the beers sold in this state will be brewed at New Belgium's new brewery in Asheville, NC, and that the company will become fully national by April when it arrives in Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Vermont.

New Belgium Brewing Company, which is headquartered in Fort Collins, was established in 1991. According to the Globe, it is the fourth largest craft brewery in the country.

The website for the brewery can be found at http://www.newbelgium.com/

[February 14 update: According to multiple sources, New Belgium Brewing Company's beers are now available in Massachusetts.]

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]





Sunday, February 12, 2017

Yoki Express Is Opening in Boston's Seaport District

A brand new restaurant is on its way to the Boston waterfront, and it has a connection to a Medford dining spot while also tapping into a couple of hot trends.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Yoki Express is planning to open in the Seaport District in early March, confirming what we had said earlier in an article about Shake Shack, that the people behind Yoki in Medford would be opening at 101 Seaport, The Globe mentions, however, that this location will be focusing on poke bowls and sushi burritos, both of which have become popular of late in the Boston area.

The original location of Yoki, which is located at Station Landing, offers, sushi, ramen, udon and soba noodles, teriyaki, and more.

The address for Yoki Express is 101 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210.

[March 8 update: According to its Facebook page, Yoki Express is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Shake Shack Is Coming to Boston's Seaport District

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]





Buck's Bar & Grill in Weymouth Has Closed; Replaced by Middle Ground Grill

A dive bar on the South Shore has said farewell, and a new dining and drinking spot has taken its place.

According to a source, Buck's Bar & Grill in Weymouth is no longer in business, with a new place called Middle Ground Grill moving into the Middle Street space. A Facebook page confirms the changeover, and while little information has been given on the new spot, the page shows that it offers such items as minestrone soup, pizza, pork chops, a chicken parm sub, ravioli and meatballs, shrimp scampi, and more.

Buck's was mostly known as a local hangout that had karaoke, Keno, darts, and cheap beer.

The address for the now-closed Buck's Bar & Grill (and the new Middle Ground Grill) is 416 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA, 02189.

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]