It looks like one of Boston's best-known restaurants is closing, along with its sister spot next door.
According to a post from BosGuy, Tremont 647 in the South End is shutting down on April 1, with the adjoining Sister Sorel also saying goodbye. A poster on the South End Community Board Facebook group page mentions that owner Andy Husbands announced the news at the Pilot Block Neighborhood Association Party yesterday, while @pilotblock announced the news on Twitter as well. Two of our sources (including one in the restaurant industry) have confirmed the news as well, and while there is chatter about a Japanese dining spot going into the Tremont Street space, very little information on that has come out as of yet.
Tremont 647, which first opened in 1996, is known in part for its modern American fare with global influences as well as its funky vibe; Sister Sorel opened its doors in 2002, offering American fare in a trendy but casual setting. In addition to these two spots, Husbands is also behind The Smoke Shop, a pair of BBQ restaurants in Cambridge's Kendall Square and Boston's Fort Point (a third is being planned for Assembly Row in Somerville).
[February 9 update: Devra First from The Boston Globe mentions on Facebook that Tim Maslow--who is perhaps best known for his work at Strip-T’s in Watertown--is teaming up with restaurateur Brian Lesser to open a Japanese brasserie in the South End that is tentatively called Whaling in Oklahoma, and based on the chatter mentioned above and the fact that Lesser is involved with The Smoke Shop, it appears that this is indeed the restaurant that is planning to take over the Tremont 647/Sister Sorel space. (Neither Husbands nor Maslow will confirm this, however.)]
[February 13 update: An update to an earlier Boston Globe article confirms that Tremont 647 is closing, as Andy Husbands now says that the restaurant will indeed be shutting down. There is no confirmation as of yet, however, that Tim Maslow's upcoming restaurant--which hopes to open in June--will be moving into the space.]
[March 28 update: According to its website, Tremont 647 ends its run with a pajama brunch on Sunday, April 1 (which is also Easter) and it will be open for our regular service until then.]
[March 29 update: A licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website confirms that Whaling in Oklahoma will indeed be taking over the Tremont 647/Sister Sorel space.]
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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]
