Friday, April 28, 2017

Sweet Caroline's in Boston's Fenway Is Becoming Jyuba

A restaurant and bar near Fenway Park is in the process of being replaced by an Asian fusion spot.

According to a source, the people behind Sweet Caroline's on Boylston Street are petitioning to change the name of the place to Jyuba, with a hearing on the matter taking place on May 10. A Yelp page for the dining spot seems to indicate that Jyuba may already be open while a website for Jyuba is now up and running, though the website shows references to Sweet Caroline's as well.

Sweet Caroline's first opened in the fall of 2011, initially being run by the people behind Battery Park Bar & Lounge in Boston's Financial District before being taken over by the owners of Slate Bar & Grill (also in the Financial District). The place shut down in the fall of 2014 before reopening as Sweet Caroline's Modern Pizza + Bar in the spring of 2015, then it changed its name to Sweet Caroline's Modern Kitchen + Bar at some point.

The address for Sweet Caroline's/Jyuba is 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for Jyuba can be found at http://www.jyuba.com/

[May 23 update: According to a tweet from @kciccolini, the sign for Sweet Caroline's was being taken down this morning and a new sign--presumably for Jyuba--is being put up.]

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]





Landwer Cafe Is Opening in Former Elephant Walk Space in Boston's Fenway/Audubon Circle Neighborhood

Late last year, we reported that a chain of cafes in Israel was planning to expand to North America with one of its first locations coming to the Boston area, and now we have learned where it will be opening.

According to an article in The Boston Sun, Landwer Cafe is looking to open in the former Elephant Walk space in the Fenway/Audubon Circle section of Boston, with the Beacon Street eatery being the first in the United States and apparently the second on the continent, as an outlet of the place opened in Toronto earlier this year. The article says that the new 80-seat dining spot will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an outdoor patio with seating for about 40 will be set up during the warmer months. Based on the menu at the other locations of Cafe Landwer, expect to see such Mediterranean-influenced items as roasted eggplant in tahini, crispy cauliflower, pasta with sweet potatoes and chestnuts, pink tomato gnocchi, pizza with eggplant and feta, schnitzel, rozalach, and cheesecake at the new location, along with beer and wine.

Elephant Walk moved out of the Beacon Street space in October of 2014, moving into a new space on Washington Street in the South End a couple of months later.

The address for this new eatery in the Fenway/Audubon Circle area is: Landwer Cafe, 900 Beacon St, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.landwercafe.co.il/

[January 18, 2018 update: According to a couple of sources, including Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, Landwer Cafe has soft-opened, with an official opening apparently on the way next week.]

[January 22, 2018 update: A message from the place indicates that Landwer Cafe plans to start regular hours this weekend.]

[Earlier Articles]
Landwer Cafe to Open in Boston
Elephant Walk Is Moving from Beacon Street in the Fenway to former BoMA Space in Boston's South 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]





Chau Chow City Restaurant in Boston's Chinatown Is Closing

Chinatown's restaurant scene is taking another big hit.

According to an article in the Sampan, Chau Chow City on Essex Street closes on Sunday, April 30 after being in the neighborhood for 32 years, with the post saying that the restaurant's lease is up this month and the landlord is apparently raising the rent, according to the people behind the dining spot. This is the second big closure to hit Chinatown of late, as East Ocean City on Beach Street recently shut down as well.

Chau Chow City first opened on Beach Street in 1985, moving to its current home approximately 12 years later. Another location of the restaurant is located on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, with the Sampan saying that that one will remain in operation.

The address for Chau Chow City in Chinatown is 83 Essex Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

Thanks to Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

[June 8 update: A photo sent by a source indicates that the former Chau Chow City in Chinatown could soon be replaced by a new hot pot and sushi place.]

[Related Article]
East Ocean City in Boston's Chinatown Has Apparently Closed

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Thursday, April 27, 2017

District Kitchen Opens in Malden

A new Asian fusion restaurant has come to Malden, and it has a connection to a highly-rated dining spot nearby.

Eater Boston is reporting that District Kitchen is now open on Florence Street, very close to All Seasons Table, another Asian fusion spot on Pleasant Street that is under the same ownership. The article indicates that the new eatery offers small plates, sandwiches, and main dishes, with the focus appearing to be on Southeast Asian fare (including Thai and Vietnamese items), though the menu also has Japanese, Korean, and other Asian dishes.

All Seasons Table is a restaurant that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as a top-tier Asian spot that received a "best of" last year for its sushi. The review for All Seasons Table can be found below:

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

The address for District Kitchen is 2 Florence Street, Malden, MA, 02148.

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]





Swissbakers Opens in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A trio of Boston-area bakery-cafes has opened a fourth location, with this one being in a hot section of Cambridge.

Eater Boston is reporting that Swissbakers is now open in Kendall Square, with a Facebook post from the business calling the new outlet a "pop-up" and giving an address of One Broadway. The new shop, which is open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays, offers baked goods, soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, and more.

Other locations of Swissbakers can be found in Reading, Allston, and the Boston Public Market.

The website for the business is at http://www.swissbakers.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]





Shaking Crab Opening in Former Troquet Space in Boston

A pair of Cajun seafood places is looking to expand again, and this time it would be taking over the space where a high-end Boston restaurant had been before moving to a new spot.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Shaking Crab is looking to open in the former Troquet space on Boylston Street by Boston Common, with a hearing on the proposed license transfer taking place May 3. If approved, the new eatery would join others in Newton and Quincy, both of which offer such items as fried oysters, crab legs, mussels, shrimp, and lobster.

Troquet recently moved to a new (and larger) space on South Street in the Leather District, taking over the spot where Bel Ari had been.

The address for the new Shaking Crab in Boston is 140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the original location in Newton can be found at http://www.shakingcrabnewtonma.com/

[January 19 update: Eater Boston states that Shaking Crab opens in the old Troquet space on Tuesday, January 23, joining other locations in Newton and Quincy along with another that recently opened in Cambridge's Porter Square. (Yet another new outlet is coming to Brookline's Coolidge Corner as well.)]

[Earlier Article]
Troquet in Boston to Take Over Bel Ari Space

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]





Pastalina's Restaurant in Medford Is Moving to a New Location

A longtime favorite in Medford that has been in business for more than 20 years is heading for a new home.

A check on the place this week showed that Pastalina's Restaurant on Salem Street was gutted and the space appeared to be under construction, with an earlier Facebook post from this winter indicating that the dining spot has left its space and is moving. More recent notes on its page show that the new space will be bigger--though it is still not known where it is moving to--and that there were "building obstacles" last month causing delays in its reopening.

Pastalina's is an Italian restaurant and caterer that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as an under-the-radar spot to check out. The review can be found at the link below:

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

The old address for Pastalina's Restaurant was 454 Salem Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

[May 14 update: A recent Facebook post from the place mentions that the opening is "going slow because of construction of the building and the city to zone it for a restaurant." (No opening date has been given as of yet.)]

November 7 update: A new Facebook post states that Pastalina's has been hit by delays in its planned move, with the note saying that "We ran into some financial and building code issues for a few locations. New times new state rules so it's unexpected and unfortunate but we are still staying hopeful and please have patience we are trying to get thru this."]

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, April 26, 2017

Lulu's Kitchen in Boston's Haymarket Area Has Closed

A Boston restaurant that was run by the person behind a nearby bakeshop has closed after a very short time in business.

According to a source,  Lulu's Kitchen in the Haymarket area of the city is no longer in operation, with a phone call to Lulu's Sweet Shoppe in the North End confirming that the restaurant has indeed shuttered. The call also confirmed that owner Sandy Russo will continue to run Lulu's Sweet Shoppe, which recently moved from Salem Street to Parmenter Street.

Lulu's Kitchen first opened on Blackstone Street late last fall, focusing on comfort food such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and egg sandwiches.

The address for the now-closed Lulu's Kitchen was 120 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

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]





East Ocean City in Boston's Chinatown Has Apparently Closed

A longtime favorite in the Chinatown section of Boston has shut its doors.

According to a source, East Ocean City on Beach Street is no longer in business, with a sign on the door apparently saying that the owner may be reconcepting the space. This seems to jibe to an extent with a post from last month from the Boston Chinatown Blog that said there was chatter about the dining spot shutting down and the owner of the restaurant--and the building--possibly looking into opening a new hotel at the site, though it was not known at the time whether a dining spot might be part of the hotel. (Phone calls to the restaurant went unanswered today.)

East Ocean City, which first opened in 1991, has been an industry favorite over the years, in part for its fresh seafood and Peking duck.

The address for the now-closed East Ocean City in Chinatown was 27 Beach Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

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]





Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in Boston's South End Papered Over; Exact Status Unknown

A legendary Boston dining spot is suddenly papered over, and it is not known whether the restaurant will reopen or whether it may be reconcepted.

According to a Twitter thread from this afternoon, Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End is shuttered and locked up, with a picture showing the windows and door out front being papered over sometime today. A source tells us that the Columbus Avenue eatery had been locked up and dark for more than a week now, while another source mentions a sign out front said this morning that it was going to open today but the sign is now gone and the paper apparently went up over the past few hours. A check on the restaurant's website shows that it is no longer up and that the page says "Future home of something quite cool." There is no word as of yet on exactly what is happening with the space; as soon as we find out whether Charlie's will open up again or whether a new spot will move in, we will post an update here.

Charlie's is a landmark diner and coffee shop that first opened in 1927; the place shut down in the summer of 2014 but reopened under new ownership in early 2016. The diner is known in part for its turkey hash.

The address for Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is 429 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116.

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]





Inna's Kitchen Closing Its Newton Centre Restaurant; Will Remain at Boston Public Market

A suburban Jewish restaurant and deli is getting ready to close, though its outpost in downtown Boston will remain in operation.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a newsletter from the place) that Inna's Kitchen shuts down in Newton Centre on Saturday, April 29, but it will continue to run its stall at the Boston Public Market, offering such items as soups, pot-pies, and other frozen items--and owner Inna Khitrik is planning to teach cooking classes at the market as well at some point.

Inna's Kitchen, which first opened on Pelham Street in 2011, has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as a place to go for soups, sandwiches, deli items, desserts, and more. A link to the review can be found below:

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

The address for Inna's Kitchen in Newton Centre is 19 Pelham Street, Newton, MA, 02459. The website for Inna's can be found at http://innaskitchen.com/

[May 4 update: The Newton Patch states that a new restaurant called Ellana's Kitchen hopes to open in the former Inna's Kitchen space, with the manager being Miguel Contessi. (No other information can be found on the proposed spot, so stay tuned.)]

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]





Rachel Klein of RFK Kitchen in Needham Becoming Executive Chef for Red Stripe in Providence and East Greenwich, RI

A well-known Boston-area chef and restaurateur is making a return to Rhode Island.

The Providence Journal is reporting that Rachel Klein of RFK Kitchen in Needham is going to be the new executive chef for Red Stripe in Providence and East Greenwich, though she will also continue on as an owner of RFK Kitchen. Klein first came to Rhode Island as chef de cuisine at XO Cafe in Providence in 2002, and was also an opening chef for the now-closed Lot 401 in Providence before working in the Boston area at OM Restaurant in Cambridge, Aura Restaurant and Tamo Bar at the Seaport Hotel, Asana at the Mandarin Oriental in the Back Bay, and Liquid Art House before opening RFK Kitchen.

The two Red Stripe restaurants are upscale dining spots that feature American fare with French influences; the Providence location is at 465 Angell Street while the East Greenwich location is at 455 Main Street.

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]





Italian Kitchen in Lawrence Is Closing

A dining spot north of Boston that has been in business for nearly 60 years--and one that offers a food item that is nearly impossible to find--is closing its doors.

The Well Seasoned Gourmand is reporting that Italian Kitchen in Lawrence is planning to shut down for good on Sunday, April 30, with a message sent to us stating that owner Peter Messina and his wife Ruth are planning to retire. The Common Street eatery is known for two items--crispelli and rice balls (arancini)--with the article indicating that the former might not be available at any other dining spot in the United States, though a sign at the adjacent North End Deli hints that they may be offering the little pieces of fried dough soon.

The Italian Kitchen first opened in 1958 in the heart of an old Italian neighborhood in Lawrence that still has several Italian food shops and restaurants, including the North End Deli, Tripoli Bakery, and Napoli Pizza and Subs.

The address for the soon-to-close Italian Kitchen is 91 Common Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840.

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 25, 2017

The Friendly Toast Is Opening in Former Bobby's Burger Palace Space at the Burlington Mall

by Marc Hurwitz

A trio of eclectic dining spots is planning to open a fourth, with this one moving into the space where a burger spot owned by a celebrity chef had been.

The Daily Times Chronicle is reporting that The Friendly Toast is looking to open a new location in the former Bobby's Burger Palace space at the Burlington Mall. The article says that the dining spot plans to have seating for 120 and that it hopes to get a liquor license from the now-closed Rainforest Cafe, which had been located within the mall as well. Once it opens, the new location of The Friendly Toast will join others in Boston's Back Bay, Cambridge's Kendall Square, and Portsmouth, NH, and another one could also be opening in Brookline's Coolidge Corner as well. [Ed note: The Coolidge Corner location has fallen through.]

Bobby Flay first opened Bobby's Burger Palace in January of 2013, with the place closing its doors for good this past December; last month, we reported that a location of Davio's was eyeing the space, though the Daily Times Chronicle indicates that plans for that restaurant fell through, apparently due to lease obligations.

The website for all locations of The Friendly Toast can be found at https://www.thefriendlytoast.com/

[October 2 update: The Friendly Toast has apparently been given the green light to open at the Burlington Mall and it is now looking to staff up, accordingto a job post within the bostonchefs.com site. (No opening date has been given as of yet.)]

[October 19 update: According to a press release, The Friendly Toast opens at the Burlington Mall on Monday, October 23.]

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]





Something Sweet Without Wheat Closes Arlington Location; Will Merge with Woburn Shop

A pair of gluten-free and wheat-free bakeries is now down to one, as it is merging the two shops.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Something Sweet Without Wheat has shut down its Arlington store and will be merging it with its shop in Woburn. An earlier post indicates that the official merging of the two locations will take place on Tuesday, May 2, and its Sixth Road store will also start being open on Saturdays beginning May 6.

Something Sweet Without Wheat first opened on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington in early 2013; the business offers such items as brownies, muffins, cookies, donuts, cakes, breads, and more.

The address for the now-closed Arlington location of Something Sweet Without Wheat was 169 Massachusetts Avenue while the Woburn location is at 19 Sixth Road. Its website can be found at http://www.somethingsweetwithoutwheat.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]





Chick-fil-A Is Opening in Dedham

A controversial chain of restaurants is opening its first location inside Route 128.

WCVB 5 is reporting that Georgia-based Chick-fil-A is planning to open a shop in Dedham, moving into a space on the Providence Highway near the Ocean State Job Lot. This will be the chain's third location in the Greater Boston area, with the other two being at the Burlington Mall in Burlington and the Northshore Mall in Peabody, and it will be the eighth to open in Massachusetts.

Chick-fil-A, which features such items as chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and chicken nuggets, was in the local news several years ago when former Boston mayor Thomas Menino said he wouldn't allow the chain to open within the city because of the CEO's opposition to same-sex marriage.

The address for this upcoming dining spot in Dedham is: Chick-fil-A, 140 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/

[October 5 update: According to a Twitter post from @TrekNewEngland, Chick-fil-A opens today in Dedham--and people were apparently camping out in tents last night in the hopes that they would win one free meal a week for a year.]

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]





Monday, April 24, 2017

PizzaRev at the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge Has Closed

A small California-based chain of pizza shops has left the Boston area (and New England) after only a brief stay.

According to a source, PizzaRev at the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge is no longer in business, with a check on the chain's website confirming this (its locations page for Cambridge has been taken off the site). The chain first opened at the Galleria last August, featuring "craft your own" pizza with a number of dough, sauce, cheese, and topping combinations available.

PizzaRev, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, started out in 2012 and now has nearly 50 locations across the country; with the closing of its Cambridge outlet, the closest shops to Boston are now on Long Island in New York.

The website for PizzaRev can be found at http://pizzarev.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]





Elton's Roast Beef & Pizza in Arlington Center Has Closed

It looks like a suburban sandwich shop and pizzeria has shut its doors for good.

According to a page on the Support Arlington Center site, Elton's Roast Beef & Pizza on Mass. Ave. is no longer in business, with the space being labeled as "vacant" while the shop has been locked up and dark for at least a week. Elton's first opened in Arlington Center in 2009, replacing Steve's House of Pizza; the shop offered salads, pizza, calzones, hot and cold sandwiches and subs, pasta dishes, grill items, and more.

As soon as we find out what might be going into the former Elton's space, we will post an update here.

The address for the now-closed Elton's Roast Beef & Pizza was 478 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[April 27 update: The Arlington Advocate has confirmed that Elton's Roast Beef & Pizza has closed, with town economic development coordinator Ali Carter saying that it has indeed shuttered; Carter did not give a reason for the closure, but mentions that she has talked with the landlord about it.]

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]





Hen House, Liquor Land Reopen After Ceiling Collapse

A couple of Boston businesses are open once again after they had to close temporarily due to a ceiling collapse earlier this month.

A recent check on the building indicates that Hen House and Liquor Land on the Roxbury/Dorchester line near Newmarket Square have reopened after their building was taped off when some of the structure's cement apparently broke off and caved in the ceiling. The Mass. Ave. building went through a structural evaluation shortly after the April 6 ceiling collapse, which injured two people.

The Hen House and Liquor Land are both located at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue.

[Earlier Article]
Ceiling Collapse at Building Housing Hen House, Liquor Land in Boston; Two Injured

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]





Chicken & Rice Guys Restaurants Open Again After Passing Inspection; Trucks Remain Off the Road

A local group of food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants that shut down earlier this month after an outbreak of E. coli is back in business on the restaurant side, though the trucks are not yet up and running.

According to a Facebook post, Chicken & Rice Guys has passed inspection and its brick-and-mortars in Boston's Downtown Crossing, Allston, and Medford are now open once again. The post says that the trucks are still off the road--with no exact date for their reopening--and while the original post does not mention that the Bedford Street shop in downtown Boston has opened, it appears that it is indeed open as well. [Ed note: Opening confirmed.]

A couple of weeks ago, all of the Chicken & Rice Guys restaurants and food trucks were shut down after an outbreak of E. coli sickened approximately 15 people.

[May 2 update: More than a week after their brick-and-mortar restaurants reopened, the Chicken & Rice Guys food trucks remain off the road, according to a Facebook post--and there is no word on when they might return.]

[May 14 update: A Facebook video mentions that Chicken & Rice Guys will be moving on from the temporary kitchen it had been using as it builds their own facility, and that the food trucks will remain off the road for a few months.]

[Earlier Article]
E. coli Outbreak Shuts Down All Locations of Chicken & Rice Guys

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]





Capri Pizza & Subs in Arlington Heights Could Reopen Once Again

A longtime suburban pizzeria that has quietly closed twice over the past year or so may reopen yet again, though no specific plans are currently in place for it to open back up.

The Arlington Advocate confirms what we had reported last month, that Capri Pizza & Subs in Arlington Heights is indeed closed, with owner Miltos Athanasopoulos indicating that the closure is due to one of the cooks leaving and his not being able to get someone else to take over the position. Athanasopoulos does say that he may look to reopn the Mass. Ave. shop later this year, though no exact date has been given at this point in time. A bit over a month ago, we mentioned that Capri was locked up and dark, and at the time, no reason had been given for its closure; the pizzeria had also shut down in early March of 2016, but reopened a month later under new ownership.

Capri first opened in the early 1990s, taking over the old Charlie's Pizza space.

The address for Capri Pizza is 1323 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[Earlier Articles]
Capri Pizza & Subs in Arlington Heights Is Closed Again
Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights Has Reopened
Capri Pizza in Arlington Heights Is Currently Closed; Exact Status Unknown

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, April 20, 2017

NextDoor Cafe Opens in Allston

A new eatery featuring a type of ice cream treat that is increasingly popular in the Boston area has come to Allston.

Eater Boston is reporting that NextDoor Cafe is now open on Brighton Avenue, with the place offering Thai ice cream rolls as well as popcorn chicken, pork gyoza, cube toast, fries, bubble tea, and more. Other spots selling Thai ice cream rolls have opened in the area of late, including Hi B3ear in Allston and Juicy Spot Cafe in Chinatown, and it appears that the first to come to the region is a kiosk called Frollz at the Square One Mall in Saugus.

The address for this new dining spot in Allston is: NextDoor Cafe, 110 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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]





Midici: The Neapolitan Pizza Company to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row

A California-based "fast-fine" pizza chain is on its way to the Boston area, setting up shop in a growing development just north of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting that Midici is planning to open at Assembly Row in Somerville, joining another pizzeria--Ernesto's--within the complex. The chain's website says that its franchises combine "the best of fast-casual with highly polished and experiential fine dining" and that it is planning to have a major expansion, opening 50 new shops by the end of 2017 and considering a possible 1,000 locations over the next 20 years.

Midici, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, currently has no locations in New England; it is not yet known if the Somerville shop will be the first or if other locations in the region might open before the Assembly Row outlet.

The address for this upcoming pizza spot in Somerville is: Midici, 463 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA,02145. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.mymidici.com/

[October 10 update: A press release indicates that Midici hopes to open later this year at Assembly Row, and that it will offer Neapolitan pizza, craft beers, fine wines, and cocktails in an upscale environment.]

[December 13 update: A press release states that Midici plans to open at Assembly Row on January 11, and that it will offer free Margherita pizzas (one per customer) that day.]

[December 27 update: The Somerville Journal says that in addition to Margherita pizzas being given out on its planned opening day (January 11), Midici will also give 20 percent of proceeds to the Somerville Homeless Coalition and the Somerville High School Culinary Arts program on January 12 and children will be able to eat for free on January 13.]

[January 8, 2018 update: According to an email, the opening of Midici at Assembly Row has been delayed due to last week's storm, as high winds caused outdoor scaffolding to collapse which affects some of the final construction taking place. It appears that the restaurant could be opening later this month, but no opening date has been given as of yet.]

[January 30, 2018 update: A new email indicates that Midici now looks to have its grand opening at Assembly Row on Friday, February 9, and that it plans to offer one free margherita pizza to all customers that day. In addition, children 12 and under (with a paying adult) will receive a free margherita pizza on Saturday, February 10, and on Thursday, February 15, the restaurant will donate 20 percent of all sales to  a combination of the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Program and the Somerville Homeless Coalition.]

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]





Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Bee's Knees Supply Company in Boston's Fort Point Up for Auction

Earlier this year, we reported that a gourmet market in one of Boston's hottest neighborhoods was seized by the state for nonpayment of taxes. Now it appears that the shop will not be reopening again.

According to a tweet from @DGoodison, Bee's Knees Supply Company in Fort Point is going on the auction block on Wednesday, April 26, with a post from E.F. Smith & Son saying that a variety of new and used equipment will be available which will be sold on the premises of the Farnsworth Street space starting at 11:00 AM. In January, we had mentioned that the shop was locked up and dark, and one day later it was learned that a "Seized" sign was out front saying that it was in the possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bee's Knees first opened in Fort Point in March of 2013, while a second shop (which has since closed as well) opened on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston two years later.

The address for the now-closed Bee's Knees Supply Company in Fort Point was 12 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA, 02210.

[Earlier Article]
Bee's Knees Supply Company in Boston's Fort Point Seized by the State

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]





Crazy Dough's Pizza Closes Shop in Boston's Fenway/Back Bay Area

A local group of pizza spots has gotten a little smaller, as it has shut down its shop by the Fenway/Back Bay line.

According to a Twitter post from @TheDrewStarr, Crazy Dough's Pizza on Boylston Street is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying "we thank you for 18 years of support!" No reason has been given for its closure as of yet, and a check on the Crazy Dough's website simply shows that it has been removed from the locations section. Based on the website, it appears that shops at City Place by Park Plaza, the Prudential Center, TD Garden, Brighton, and Newport, RI, remain in operation.

Another location of Crazy Dough's in Cambridge's Harvard Square shut its doors in March of 2016.

The address for the now-closed Crazy Dough's in the Fenway/Back Bay area was 1124 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for all other locations can be found at http://www.crazydoughs.com/

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





Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Greenway Beer Garden Opening in Downtown Boston; Trillium Brewing Company Involved

A beer garden is coming to downtown Boston this summer, and one of the top-rated brewers in the state will be a part of it.

According to an Instagram post from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the "Greenway Beer Garden" is on its way, with the note saying that "This summer we'll be partnering with @TrilliumBrewing.... We're still working out the details, but pretty soon you'll be able to enjoy your time in the park...while enjoying a world-class beer (or glass of wine!)"  A Boston Globe article mentions that the beer garden will be set up in the "geographic center" of the park, apparently near the Rowes Wharf arch, and in addition to six to eight Trillium beers offered on tap, there will also be wines from Westport Rivers Vineyard as well.

If all goes as planned, the new beer garden will debut in late June and will run until October.

[June 1 update: According to an article in Boston Magazine, the Greenway Beer Garden soft-opened yesterday and it looks like it will open to the public either today or tomorrow.]

[June 1 update #2: According to multiple sources, the beer garden is now open.]

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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]





Blue Ginger in Wellesley Is Closing

An award-winning suburban restaurant from a celebrity chef is shutting down.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Blue Ginger in Wellesley will close at the end of business hours on June 3, with owner Ming Tsai indicating that the decision to shut down the Washington Street dining spot was brought about by the end of its current lease. The article mentions that Tsai will focus next on a new quick-service stir-fry concept called ChowStirs, which will debut in early 2018 in an as-of-yet undisclosed location and will help raise money for Family Reach, a nonprofit that offers financial help to families of children who have cancer. (The Globe mentions that Blue Dragon, a restaurant in Boston's Fort Point that Tsai runs with Sean Gildea--who will also be teaming up with Tsai on the ChowStirs concept--will remain open.)

Blue Ginger first opened in 1998, bringing to Wellesley a place to get gourmet Asian dishes with western influences; the restaurant has received countless accolades over the years, including being nominated by the James Beard Foundation as "Best New Restaurant 1998," according to the Blue Ginger website.

The address for this soon-to-close dining spot in Wellesley is: Blue Ginger, 583 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482. Its website can be found at https://www.ming.com/blue-ginger.htm

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]





Sunday, April 16, 2017

Pho So 1 in Dorchester Getting a New Lease on Life

A highly-rated restaurant in Dorchester that has been facing a permanent shutdown by the city of Boston is returning, pending the outcome of a decision by the licensing board.

According to a non-hearing page on the city's website, Pho So 1 is applying for a new common victualler license to operate once again in its space on Adams Street in Fields Corner, with the manager of record being Jennifer Vinh. The board, which is expected to look into the matter on April 20, had made the decision to revoke its liquor license and its food-serving license last month after the dining spot was cited multiple times for being open after its licensed closing time of 10:00 PM, though at the time, it was noted that the owner could theoretically appeal the revocation of the liquor license with the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Pho So 1 has been featured by Boston's Hidden Restaurants as a hidden gem to go to for Vietnamese food, while Serious Eats has also given the place high marks, calling its pho "remarkable" and saying "This bowl is worth a trip down to Dorchester all on its own."

The address for Pho So 1 in Fields Corner is 223 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA, 02122.

[April 20 update: Universal Hub reports that the city of Boston has reinstated the food-serving license for Pho So 1 in Dorchester, allowing it to reopen for a 60-day probationary period, though it will not have a liquor license. In addition, its hours can now be extended to midnight (it had previously been open only until 10:00 PM).]

[May 30 update: The Boston Globe states that Pho So 1 in Dorchester is open once again--and as others have recently told us, there is apparently no connection between this location and Pho So 1 in Randolph.]

[Earlier Article]
Pho So 1 in Dorchester Is Being Permanently Shut Down by the City of Boston

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Liberty Publick House Opening within American Legion Post in Holbrook

A post of an American veterans' organization will soon be home to a restaurant and bar that will be open to the public.

Wicked Local Holbrook is reporting that the Dalton American Legion Post has received approval from Holbrook selectmen to open Liberty Publick House within the Plymouth Street post. The article says that the post has been undergoing renovations since closing last fall, with the "members only" lounge and a function room being converted into a public restaurant and bar along with a small lounge for members. A post on the Liberty Publick House Facebook page confirms that Liberty Publick House will be open to the public, and also mentions that it is looking at a possible May opening.

The address for the Liberty Publick House (and the Dalton American Legion Post) is 777 Plymouth Street, Holbrook, MA, 02343. The website for the Liberty Publick House can be found at http://www.libertypublickhouse.com/

[January 9, 2018 update: A new article from Wicked Local indicates that the Liberty Publick House opens for dinner on January 19, with lunch service being added sometime in February.]

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 14, 2017

Carmelina's in Boston's North End to Move from Hanover Street to Salem Street

A restaurant in Boston's North End that first opened five years ago is getting ready to move.

According to a source, Carmelina's has applied for a beer and wine license to operate in a new space on Salem Street, with this information seeming to jibe with an earlier Universal Hub article that said the owner has been planning to leave his current space on Hanover Street for a larger space on Salem Street. The City of Boston will hold a hearing on the request on April 26.

In early 2012, Carmelina's replaced a small plates spot under the same ownership called Ristorante Damiano; its replacement focuses more on classic Italian, Sicilian, and Mediterranean fare, including such items as fried calamari, spaghetti with littleneck clams, gnocchi al forno, pan-roasted chicken, and filet mignon.

The current address for Carmelina's is 307 Hanover Street, while its future address is 124 Salem Street. Its website can be found at http://www.carmelinasboston.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]





Serafina Is Replacing Scoozi in Boston's Back Bay

It looks like a gourmet pizzeria and sandwich bar in Boston's Back Bay is going to be replaced by an upscale Italian restaurant that has its roots in New York.

 According to a source, Scoozi on Newbury Street is planning to transfer its beer and wine license to Serafina, which would operate in the same location. If the City of Boston approves of the transfer, this would be the second location of Serafina in Boston, with the other being on High Street in the Financial District--and if this is a closure and not a move, Scoozi would have only one remaining location in the area--on Commonwealth Avenue near Kenmore Square.

The City of Boston will look into the license transfer on April 26.

The address for Scoozi (and the new Serafina) in Boston's Back Bay is 237 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[February 11, 2019 update: According to a Facebook post from Christopher Haynes of CBH Communications, Serafina plans to open its Newbury Street location this week.]

[February 13, 2019 update: A LinkedIn post states that the Newbury Street location of Serafina 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]