Friday, March 30, 2018

Joyful Garden Is Reopening in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz

A Chinese restaurant in Brighton that closed down last year is reopening in a space not too far away.

A Twitter post from today shows a picture of a sign for Joyful Garden at the Watertown Mall, confirming what multiple sources have been saying, including posters on Facebook who mentioned that the dining spot would be moving from its previous location within the now-closed Days Hotel on Soldiers Field Road to the former Old Country Buffet space in the mall. No opening date has been given for the new location of Joyful Garden, though a poster on Facebook said that it might open sometime in August (this has not been confirmed).

The original location of Joyful Garden in Brighton was known in part for its Chinese menu which featured Hong Kong-style Cantonese food, while it also had a Chinese-American menu as well.

The address for the upcoming Joyful Garden in the Watertown Mall is 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

[September 27 update: A Facebook comment indicates that construction is apparently done at the new location of Joyful Garden, and that pending one more inspection, the restaurant could open in October.]

[November 16 update: A phone call placed to the restaurant indicates that Joyful Garden is now open in its new home in Watertown.]

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]





Sonny Walker's in Roxbury Is Closing; District 7 Tavern Plans to Replace It

by Marc Hurwitz

A neighborhood mainstay that has been in business for nearly 40 years is shutting down this weekend.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Sonny Walker's in Roxbury is closing for good on Sunday, April 1, with the post indicating that owners Gerry and Andrea Walker (whose father Sonny retired from the Warren Street bar five years ago) are "ready to move on." The article says that the Walkers have sold their full liquor license license to the upcoming Del Frisco's in Boston's Back Bay, and that another restaurant owner plans to open a new spot in the space called District 7 Tavern, which hopes to get a beer and wine license after it opens.

Sonny Walkers first started out in 1980, with the original name being C&S Tavern (after the names of the original owners--Charles Canada and Sonny Walker). Gerry Walker describes the bar as the "black Cheers," a place where regulars go to play pool, watch games, listen to live music, and drink fruit punch.

The address for Sonny Walker's (and the proposed District 7 Tavern) is 380 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119.

[August 30 update: District 7 Tavern could be one step closer to opening in the former Sonny Walker's space by next week, as a licensing board hearing page indicates that the city is expected to look into its request for a liquor license on September 5. No other information on the proposed spot has been given other than the fact that the manager listed is Royal C. Smith.]

[September 7 update: Universal Hub states that District 7 Tavern has been given approval for a liquor license by the city.]

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]





Intelligentsia Coffee Is Opening in Boston's Financial District

by Marc Hurwitz

A Chicago-based coffee roaster that opened its first Boston-area shop last summer is opening a second outlet in the region, and this one will be in the heart of downtown Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting that Intelligentsia Coffee is planning to open in Post Office Square within the city's Financial District, with the Franklin Street shop joining another on Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown which debuted in July of 2017. The article says that the new location of Intelligentsia, which is majority-owned by California-based Peet's Coffee & Tea, will be the first to offer nitro cold coffee and it will look quite a bit different from the Watertown location, with that location being in a standalone building and including a retail shop as well as a coffee training lab and sales office.

If all goes as planned, the new location of Intelligentsia Coffee could be opening sometime this summer.

The address for this new coffee bar in the Financial District is: Intelligentsia Coffee, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website can be found at http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/

[August 14 update: Boston Magazine mentions that the new location of Intelligentsia Coffee opens this Friday (August 17).]

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, March 29, 2018

Tiki Palace in Braintree to Be Replaced by Lychee Bistro and Lounge

A longtime spot south of Boston for Chinese food and drinks is shutting down, as it is being replaced by a brand new restaurant.

The Braintree Forum is reporting that Tiki Palace in Braintree is closing and is transferring its licenses to an Asian fusion eatery called Lychee Bistro and Lounge. The article says that the new spot will include a new lounge area and overall renovations to the space (with the seating capacity dropping from 140 to 124), while the menu will offer both Asian fusion and traditional fare.

No closing date has been given as of yet for Tiki Palace--which has been in business for approximately two decades--nor has an approximate opening date been given for Lychee Bistro and Lounge, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for Tiki Palace (and the upcoming Lychee Bistro and Lounge) is 1177 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

[June 14 update: According to a source, Tiki Palace is now closed.]

[June 11, 2021 update: After more than three years in the works, Lychee Bistro and Lounge is finally getting ready to open, as a message from the place says it plans to debut sometime this summer.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


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Rebel's Guild Is Opening in Former Emerald Lounge Space in Revere Hotel

by Marc Hurwitz

Last fall, we reported that a hotel bar and nightclub near Boston Common was closing and would be replaced by a new restaurant. Now we have learned what is moving into the space.

According to the Tables section of The Boston Globe, Rebel's Guild is opening within the Revere Hotel, with a message sent to us confirming that it would indeed be the new spot that is taking over the former Emerald Lounge space. The Globe post mentions that the place will offer such items as Yankee pot roast, deviled eggs with lobster, turkey pot pie, smoked duck crostini, and lobster fritters with honey butter, while our earlier article said that the restaurant would be "an iconic destination inspired by the city of Boston's rich history and innovative spirit."

If all goes as planned, Rebel's Guild will open sometime in April.

The address for the new Rebel's Guild (and the Revere Hotel) is 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the hotel can be found at https://www.reverehotel.com/

[April 18 update: Eater Boston states that Rebel's Guild opens today, and that it features a Revolutionary War theme that includes a "sizable cannon" inside the dining area.]

[Earlier Article]
Emerald Lounge in the Revere Hotel 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]





Group Behind McGreevy’s Opening Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos in Our House East Space in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 24 to reflect new information given, including the fact that two new spots will move into the space.]

It looks like a new restaurant/bar is replacing a watering hole that has been a popular spot with students, and the team behind a Back Bay bar--and a few other places--appears to be behind it as well.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, a "new joint" is on its way to Gainsborough Street near Northeastern University, with the address indicating that it will be taking over the Our House East space. A check on the Our House East Facebook page indicates that a "farewell tour" took place earlier and that it apparently shut down a couple of weeks ago, with a post there saying that they were planning to "close the doors to Our House East and open two new places!" The website for McGreevy's on Boylston Street shows that Our House East had come under their ownership at some point in time (possibly last year), with the team also being behind Lion's Tail in the South End's Ink Block area and Lower Mills Tavern and Yellow Door Taqueria in Dorchester's Lower Mills. Brian O'Donnell and Ken Casey (the latter of whom is a member of Dropkick Murphys) are two of the people involved in McGreevy's and the other places.

The address for the former Our House East is 52 Gainsborough Street, Boston, MA, 02115.

[April 24 update: According to a press release, Brian O'Donnell and Ken Casey will be opening Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos in the former Our House East space, with the former being an "urban, rustic tavern" and the latter being a "chic, bordello-evoking taco bar." The emails mentions that Taniya Nayak is the interior designer while Chuck Hitchcock is another partner and the General Manager, with Andrew White (Church, Summer Shack) being Executive Chef for both and Adam Ford (Pabu, Tiger Mama) overseeing the bar program. Expect Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos to debut sometime in May, according to the release.]

[May 17 update: A new press release says that Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos open on Monday, May 21, and that the former is still being called an "urban, rustic tavern" while the latter is now being called a "gritty, gótico-chic, taco bar."]

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]





Plans for Waxy O'Connor's to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row Have Fallen Through

by Marc Hurwitz

Last year, we reported that a group of Irish pubs was planning to expand to Somerville. Now we have learned that this will not be happening after all.

According to a source, plans for Waxy O'Connor's to open at Assembly Row have fallen through, with an email sent to us this morning confirming this news, stating that another restaurant/concept is now being pursued for that space. This comes on the heels of chatter from multiple sources saying that Waxy's would indeed no longer be coming to Assembly Row, though it had not been officially confirmed until now.

As reported earlier, the Brookline location of Waxy O'Connor's shut down in January (which sparked the rumors of Waxy's in Somerville no longer happening), though other locations in Foxboro, Kingston, Lexington, and Woburn remain in operation, as well as others in Keene, NH, Plainville, CT, San Antonio, TX, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

The website for Waxy O'Connor's can be found at http://www.waxys.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Waxy O'Connor's to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row
Waxy O'Connor's in Brookline Has Apparently Closed

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, March 28, 2018

Pepe's Pizza Plans to Open at the Burlington Mall in Burlington; Will Take Over Uno's Space

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like one of the best-known pizzerias in America is going to be opening a second Boston-area location.

According to a Twitter post, Pepe's Pizza is planning to open in Burlington, with a page within the burlington.org site stating that the pizzeria is looking to open in the former Uno space at the Burlington Mall. A cover letter posted indicates that the proposed location of Pepe's would have just under 4,000 square feet of space and seating for 98, and it would be open for both lunch and dinner.

A Bizapedia page also confirms the plans for Pepe's to open in Burlington.

The New Haven-based Pepe's, which opened its first Boston-area outlet in Chestnut Hill late 2015, has received numerous accolades since it started out back in 1925, with The Daily Meal awarding it best pizza in the country in 2017.

The website for Pepe's can be found at https://pepespizzeria.com/

[May 17 update: A check on the burlington.org page mentioned above indicates that plans for Pepe's to open at the Burlington Mall have been approved, with an earlier article from the Daily Times Chronicle confirming that the town planning board gave its approval of a special permit for the restaurant.]

[June 2, 2019 update: A page within the Burlington Mall/Simon Property Group site states that Pepe's Pizza plans to open its Burlington outlet on June 10.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Fuku to Open in Boston's Seaport District

by Marc Hurwitz

A celebrity chef, restaurateur, and James Beard award winner is bringing a casual chicken joint to the Boston waterfront.

According to an article from Eater Boston, David Chang is planning on opening a location of Fuku in the city's Seaport District, with a page within the bostonseaport.xyz website indicating that it is indeed coming to Northern Avenue in the One Seaport complex. Once it opens, expect to see fried chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, fries, slushies, and perhaps desserts from Milk Bar, which is also opening a location in Cambridge's Harvard Square.

David Chang is known for such dining spots as Noodle Bar, Má Pêche, Daishō, Shōtō, Nishi, Ssäm Bar, Ko, Seiōbo, Nikai, and Ando along with Fuku and Milk Bar. (He is also behind Netflix's "Ugly Delicious.")

The address for the upcoming Fuku is 43 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for Fuku can be found at https://eatfuku.com/

[October 17 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Fuku opens in Boston's Seaport District this Saturday.]

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]





Monday, March 26, 2018

District 118 Kitchen + Bar Is Opening in Former Grande Kitchen + Bar/Mick Morgan's Space in Newton

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new dining and drinking spot is coming to a space in Newton where another restaurant and an Irish pub had both been.

According to a post from the Village 14 blog, District 118 Kitchen + Bar is opening on Needham street in the former Grande Kitchen + Bar/Mick Morgan's space, with a Craigslist job post indicating that the new place will be a "chef-driven concept" that will feature a seasonal menu along with beer, wine, and cocktails. It appears that if all goes as planned, District 118 could be opening in early April according to both Village 14 and the job post.

Grande Kitchen + Bar first opened in the summer of 2017 under the same ownership as Mick Morgan's, but it was a short-lived spot that closed down in December. Mick Morgan's debuted in the space in 2009, with a still-operating location of the pub opening in Sharon in 2011.

The address for this new spot in Newton is: District 118 Kitchen + Bar, 118 Needham Street, Newton, MA, 02464

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

[April 18 update: Eater Boston mentions that District 118 Kitchen + Bar 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]





BAB Korean Bistro Is Opening in Former Shanghai Jade/Zenna Space in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

by Marc Hurwitz

A Korean restaurant is getting ready to open in one of the busiest sections of Brookline, and it is moving into the space where a Chinese eatery and an Asian fusion bar had both been.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Twitter post from @kunesk) that BAB Korean Bistro is opening in Coolidge Corner, taking over the former Shanghai Jade/Zenna Noodle Bar space on Beacon Street. The new dining spot, which is slated to debut on Wednesday, March 28, will be one of the only options for Korean fare in Brookline as Eater indicates, though neighboring Allston has many places for Korean food.

Shanghai Jade closed last year after being in business for approximately three years; Zenna Noodle Bar had been in business for approximately six years before shutting its doors and making way for Shanghai Jade.

The address for this new Korean restaurant in Coolidge Corner is: BAB Korean Bistro, 1374 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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]





Trillium Beer Garden Says Farewell to Roslindale Substation

by Marc Hurwitz

A popular beer garden that debuted in the heart of Boston last summer and was reborn in an historic structure over the winter has shut down, at least for now.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, the Trillium winter beer garden at the Roslindale substation said farewell yesterday, with the post indicating that it plans to return to the Rose Kennedy Greenway this summer. Our sources say that the return of the beer garden to the Greenway is not written in stone as of yet, so stay tuned for more updates as they come in.

Trillium's beer garden in downtown Boston debuted last June and remained on the Greenway until October, while the Roslindale winter beer garden started up in early December. The brewery itself has its headquarters in Boston's Fort Point area, though they will be moving to a new space in Fort Point that will feature a brewery, taproom, restaurant, patio, and rooftop terrace. (Another location of Trillium is in Canton.) The website for Trillium can be found at http://www.trilliumbrewing.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]





Bertucci's in Wellesley Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

Yet another location of a local chain of Italian restaurants has closed its doors, making this the third to shut down in the Boston area in 2018.

According to an article from The Swellesley Report, Bertucci's in Wellesley shuttered suddenly over the weekend, with the company telling both us and The Swellesley Report this morning that the Washington Street restaurant is indeed closed for good, saying that the closure was lease-related. Bertucci's tells us in the message that they have relocated many of the workers to other locations and that they are grateful for the service and loyalty of the Wellesley staff. It is not known what might be going into the space at this point in time, so stay tuned for updates.

The closing of the Wellesley location of Bertucci's, which first opened in 1989, follows the shuttering of an outlet in Boston's Faneuil Hall in January and a location in Kenmore Square earlier this month. A number of other Bertucci's remain in operation in the local area, including several close to Wellesley (Framingham, Needham, Newton, Waltham, and Wayland).

The address for the now-closed Bertucci's in Wellesley was 380 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA, 02481. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.bertuccis.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]





Sunday, March 25, 2018

West End Johnnie's Team to Open Fenway Johnnie's in Former Tilted Kilt Space in Boston's Fenway

by Marc Hurwitz

The people behind a restaurant and bar that is popular with Bruins and Celtics fans are expanding to a space that could become popular with Red Sox fans--and one that will take over the space where a "breastaurant" had been.

According to a source, the West End Johnnie's team plans to open Fenway Johnnie's in the Fenway, taking over the former Tilted Kilt space on Brookline Avenue. Our source sent us a link to a job posting on Monster confirming this, while a Facebook page is now up for the place as well. Based on the menu at West End Johnnie's, the upcoming Fenway Johnnie's may feature a mix of New American and classic American fare in a casual upscale environment, though no specifics on the spot have been given as of yet.

Tilted Kilt shut down in January after being in business for less than a year; the space had previously been home to Copperfield's.

West End Johnnie's debuted on Portland Street near TD Garden/North Station as Johnnie's on the Side approximately 10 years ago; its name change came about a couple of years later.

The address for the upcoming Fenway Johnnie's is 96 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

[March 27 update: Eater Boston states that Fenway Johnnie's hopes to open in time for the Boston Marathon (which takes place on Monday, April 16) and that its menu will be slightly different from that of West End Johnnie's, though with some similarities as well.]

[May 28 update: According to a series of social media posts, Fenway Johnnie's is now open, and it includes a downstairs space called Fenway Lounge which apparently opened a few days after the upstairs space, based on a Facebook post from a week and a half ago.]

[Earlier Article]
Tilted Kilt in Boston's Fenway Has Closed

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, March 23, 2018

The Carriage House Pizzeria in Sharon Has Closed; Pizzigando to Close As Well

by Marc Hurwitz

A double dose of bad news has come for pizza lovers in a suburb south of Boston.

According to a source, The Carriage House Pizzeria in Sharon has closed, while Pizzigando, which is also in Sharon, is getting ready to shut down as well. Our source says that the owner of the former is planning to open a Mexican restaurant in the old Halfway Cafe space in Canton, while the owner of the latter is retiring. With the closing of these two places, it appears that this will leave Sharon with only one pizza spot in the entire town--Pizza Market on South Main Street.

Our source tells us that a couple of new dining spots are planning to move into the Pizzigando and Carriage House Pizzeria spaces; keep checking back for updates as we find out more.

The address for The Carriage House Pizzeria was 21 S Main Street, while the address for Pizzigando is 1 Pond Street.

[March 25 update: Wicked Local states that Pizzigando closes on March 31.]

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, March 22, 2018

Jimmy John's in Boston's Fenway/Audubon Circle Neighborhood Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like yet another Boston-area location of an Illinois-based chain of sandwich shops has closed, and only a few now remain in the region.

According to a source, Jimmy John's in the Fenway/Audubon Circle section of the city is no longer in operation, with the windows being papered over. A check on the chain's website seems to confirm this, as the Park Drive location is no longer on the locations page. This is one of a number of shops that have closed of late in and around Boston, including locations in Allston/Brighton, Newton, Salem, Watertown, Quincy, and Braintree, all of which are gone. Outlets in Boston's Theatre District, North Station, South Boston, and Waltham appear to remain open, based on the website.

Jimmy John's first came to the Boston area in 2014 when it opened a shop on D Street in Southie; the chain got its start in Charleston, IL, in 1983.

The address for this now-closed sandwich shop in the Fenway/Audubon Circle area was: Jimmy John's, 512 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the chain is at https://www.jimmyjohns.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Boston-Area Dining Spots]





Dumpling Kitchen Opens in Former Yummy Hut Space in Somerville

by Marc Hurwitz

A new eatery featuring soup dumplings and more has come to Somerville, opening in the space where a Chinese takeout/delivery place had been.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Dumpling Kitchen is now open on Highland Avenue, taking over the former Yummy Hut space by the Lowell Street intersection. The post mentions that the new place offers such items as XLB (soup dumplings) as well as a mix of Chinese-American fare and less common options, with the menu shows such dishes as mala hot pot, poached salted edamame, preserved egg with chilled tofu, golden fried shrimp balls, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, and a dry wok frog dish.

The address for Dumpling Kitchen is 217 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://www.dumplingkitchen.net/

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]





Double Horse Bistro Opens in Abington

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant featuring classic American fare with global influences has opened south of Boston.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Double Horse Bistro is now open in Abington, with the Brockton Avenue eatery featuring "modern American Asian" items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu at the new spot includes omelets, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, and main dishes, with a few options being lobster rangoon, Saigon crispy roll, banh mi, ahi tuna wrap, Cubanos, chicken katsu po'boys, pho, vermicelli bowls, falafel, and Hawaiian fried rice.

The address for this new restaurant in Abington is: Double Horse Bistro, 800 Brockton Avenue, Abington, MA, 02351. Its website can be found at http://doublehorsebistro.com/

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]





Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Gate in Jamaica Plain's Egleston Square Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like an Irish pub and restaurant has suddenly closed its doors after less than a year in business.

According to a source, The Gate in the Egleston Square section of Jamaica Plain has shut down, with a real estate post seeming to confirm what our source told us--and confirming earlier chatter about its closure within the Jamaica Plain Facebook group page. There is much speculation as to why the Washington Street spot shuttered, but nothing has been completely confirmed as of yet.

Paul Byrne of the now-closed James's Gate on McBride Street was behind The Gate, which first opened in May of 2017 and featured a mix of Irish and New American fare along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for this now-closed Irish pub and restaurant was: The Gate, 3171 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

[March 23 update: The Jamaica Plain News has confirmed that The Gate has indeed closed for good, with Byrne now in the process of selling the restaurant. (Thanks to a source for bringing this to our attention.)]

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]





Mighty Squirrel Opening Brewery and Taproom in Waltham

by Marc Hurwitz

A bit more than a year ago, we reported that a local beermaker and contract brewer was looking to open its very own brewery and taproom in a space in Boston where a cider company had been. Now we have learned that they have found a different space, with this one being west of the city.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Mighty Squirrel is planning to move into a facility on Waverly Oaks Road in Waltham near the Belmont line and Beaver Brook Reservation, with the two-story space being approximately 23,000 square feet and including a brewhouse, taproom, retail area, and two outdoor patios, with the capacity to make 30,000-plus barrels per year though the initial plan is to start at 7,000 barrels. If all goes as planned, Mighty Squirrel could be debuting in the space in October of this year.

Mighty Squirrel started out in 2015 with the production of protein-based beers, though the brewer now focuses more on traditional beers such as a New England-style IPA, a Belgian white, and a mocha stout. The company had been contract brewing out of Von Trapp Brewery in Stowe, VT, earlier, and is currently contract brewing out of Ipswich Ale Brewery--and over the past year or so, they have been looking at a variety of spaces for their own brewery, including a space in Charlestown that had been home to Downeast Cider before they moved to East Boston.

The address for Mighty Squirrel is 411 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA, 02452. Its website can be found at http://www.mightysquirrel.com/

[October 4 update: Eater Boston mentions that the upcoming brewery from Mighty Squirrel (which hopes to open this fall) will include a rock gym from Central Rock Climbing Gym, with the climbing area being separated from the taproom by a glass partition.]

[November 30 update: A new article from Boston Magazine states that Mighty Squirrel opens to the public on December 7, while the rock gym plans to debut in January of 2019.]

[Earlier Article]
Mighty Squirrel May Be Opening a Brewery and Taproom in Charlestown

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]





Al's Restaurant in Plymouth Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A decades-old dining spot south of Boston that was known for its pizza-shaped building and mechanical chicken has closed its doors.

According to an article from Wicked Local, Al's Restaurant in Plymouth shut down over the weekend, with a Facebook post from the Water Street eatery saying that "we have had 45 years of happy memories, 45 years of serving our community, and 45 years of listening to that damn chicken machine....The time has come for us to move on to other adventures (including a well-earned retirement), but this one will always be our favorite." Al's, which first opened on the waterfront in 1973, featured pizza, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more, with the structure it was housed in being shaped like a pizza slice while its "chicken machine" had a chicken start clucking, spinning around, and lay an egg with a prize inside for those who inserted 25 cents into the machine.

The address for this now-closed dining spot in Plymouth was: Al's Restaurant, 136 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360.

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]





Minigrow Opening Locations in Downtown Boston, Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

Last fall, we reported that a Philadelphia-based group of dining spots specializing in stir-fry dishes was bringing a new concept to Boston. Now we have learned that two locations will indeed be coming to the city.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Honeygrow is planning to open a location of Minigrow on Summer Street in downtown Boston near South Station (on the other side of the Rose Kennedy Greenway), with the notice saying it would have a bit less than 3,000 feet of space and what appears to be one room at street level. A check on the locations page for Minigrow also mentions that another shop will be coming to Boylston Street in the Back Bay as well, though no specifics have been given on that space as of yet. Based on earlier reports, expect the two Minigrow locations to feature a more streamlined menu than Honeygrow while also having an assembly-line system of preparing meals for customers, and it will apparently use a combi oven (a variant of a convection oven), which means the noodle-based dishes will not be stir-fried as they are at Honeygrow.

Currently, locations of Honeygrow can be found in the Fenway and the Seaport District.

The address for Minigrow in downtown Boston will be 125 Summer Street while the Back Bay outlet will be at 565 Boylston Street. The website for Minigrow is at https://minigrow.com/

[April 19 update: Eater Boston states that Minigrow plans to open both its downtown Boston and Back Bay locations on Friday, April 27.]

[April 28 update: An update from Eater Boston mentions that Minigrow has opened its downtown location, but the Back Bay location won't be opening until May 1.]

[Earlier Article]
Honeygrow to Bring Minigrow Concept to Boston

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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]





Tuesday, March 20, 2018

A&B Burgers Is Opening at The Beverly by North Station in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

Earlier this year, it was learned that a popular spot for burgers and more on the North Shore was looking to expand to Boston. Now we have discovered that this will indeed be happening.

According to an Instagram post from Thomas Holland of A&B Burgers in Beverly, a lease has been signed for a new location somewhere in Boston, though a specific location has not been given as of yet. A Bizapedia page mentions the company name is A&B Burgers - Causeway, LLC, but we are still waiting on an exact address, which appears to be coming shortly; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

In the fall of 2016, we reported that A&B Burgers was eyeing a space in Amesbury, but those plans fell through, though at that time it was announced that they were thinking of opening a location closer to Boston, while an article from Eater Boston a couple of months ago mentioned that they were indeed attempting to finalize a lease within the city. (The Beverly location of A&B Burgers started out in Salem in 2013, moving to its present space in early 2016.)

The website for A&B Burgers can be found at http://anbburgers.com/

[April 9 update: According to a press release, the new location of A&B Burgers will be (interestingly enough) at The Beverly, which is across from North Station; the upcoming restaurant will have have seating for 100 with approximately 19 bar seats, and it will have views of Charlestown and the Zakim Bridge.]

[February 20, 2019 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that A&B Burgers opens at The Beverly in Boston tomorrow (Thursday, February 21).]

[Earlier Article]
Plans for A&B Burgers to Expand to Amesbury Fall Through; New Plans for Second Location in the Works

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




Gräem Roasted Nuts to Open in Concord

by Marc Hurwitz

A food shop featuring nuts, chocolate, and more is on its way to an historic space west of Boston.

According to a press release from Linear Retail Properties, Gräem Roasted Nuts is opening in the downtown area of Concord, moving into the Friend Block building at the corner of Main Street and Walden Street. The European-inspired store plans to offer an array of roasted nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, and other locally-sourced items, with the hope being that it will open sometime this summer.

The Friend Block building, which dates back to 1892, had been home to Friend Pharmacy, which eventually became Snow Pharmacy before closing approximately 20 years ago.

The address for this upcoming food shop in Concord is: Gräem Roasted Nuts, 49 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742.

[September 6 update: A job post within the Craigslist site indicates that Gräem Roasted Nuts plans to open in Concord sometime this month.]

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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]





Monday, March 19, 2018

Mercado Taco Bar to Open in Bertucci's Space at Faneuil Hall in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A couple of months ago, we reported that a local chain of Italian dining spots was closing its location in downtown Boston. Now we have learned that a Mexican restaurant appears to be taking over the space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mercado Taco Bar is planning to open in Faneuil Hall, moving into the space wher Bertucci's had been. A Facebook page seems to confirm this, while a photo from the poster in the Facebook group indicates that it could be opening this summer. No other information appears to be available for Mercado at this point in time, so keep checking back for updates.

The Faneuil Hall location of Bertucci's shut down in mid-January after nearly 30 years in business, and with the subsequent closing of its Kenmore Square location earlier this month, there are now only two outlets left within the Boston city limits--in the Longwood medical area and in West Roxbury.

The address for the upcoming Mercado Taco Bar is 22 Merchants Row, Boston, MA, 02109.

[April 4 update: Eater Boston mentions that Mercado plans to be a sit-down restaurant that offers tacos inspired by beachside taco shacks found in Mexico as well as street food spots in both New York City and Los Angeles, and that it hopes to get a full liquor license so tequila and mezcal may be part of the plans as well. It looks like Mercado could be opening late this summer if all goes well.]

[Earlier Article]
Bertucci's at Faneuil Hall in Boston Is Closing

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





River Rock Grill in Maynard Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A casual upscale suburban restaurant that has featured New American and Mediterranean fare since opening nearly 10 years ago is closing down.

According to a Twitter post from @maynardbrewer, the River Rock Grill in Maynard is shutting its doors on March 24, with a Wicked Local article confirming this, saying that owner Pablo Carbonell has decided to "get back to my core businesses, and to have more time for my family" (the post says that Carbonell is a licensed contractor). The tweet mentions that the Main Street storefront has been sold and that it will be used for office space, those no specifics on this have been given as of yet.

The River Rock Grill first opened in 2009, taking over the space where the Sit n'Bull (a restaurant and music club) had been.

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant is: River Rock Grill, 163 Main Street, Maynard, MA, 01754.

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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]





Great Chow in Abington Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a popular South Shore restaurant has shut down.

According to a source, Great Chow in Abington is no longer in business, apparently closing its doors over the past weekend, while a Facebook post from the place seems to confirm this. It is not known if they might look to reopen in a new location (our source says that this may be the case), though it does appears that the original Great Chow in Quincy's Wollaston neighborhood remains in operation.

The Abington location of Great Chow (which is also known as Great Chow 18) first opened approximately 10 years ago, offering mostly Chinese and Japanese fare, including sushi and teppenyaki items; the Quincy location has been in business for more than 20 years.

The address for this now-closed Asian restaurant in Abington is: Great Chow, 497 Bedford Street (Route 18), Abington, MA, 02351. The website for the remaining location in Quincy can be found at http://www.great-chow.com/

[April 3 update: According to a couple of sources (including a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page), a sign out front says that Great Chow is being replaced by an "Italian restaurant and sushi bar."]

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





Friday, March 16, 2018

Tender Greens Is Opening at Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

A California-based group of restaurants that is opening its first Boston-area location will be opening another shop in one of the busiest sections of the city.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Tender Greens is planning to open at Copley Place in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, with a page on the Copley Place website indicating that it will be located on the ground floor near Back Bay Station. Once it opens (it is scheduled to debut in August), the new eatery will join a location at The Street in Chestnut Hill, with that one looking to open next month. [Ed note--now open.] For both locations, expect such options as soups, salads, sandwiches, and meals with a small salad and a side of vegetables.

As mentioned earlier, one of the investors in the chain is Danny Meyer, whose New York-based Union Square Hospitality Group operates the Shake Shack restaurants.

The website for Tender Greens can be found at https://www.tendergreens.com/

[December 10 update: A press release mentions that Tender Greens opens at Copley Place on Wednesday, December 12.]

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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]





Il Mondo Pizzeria Is Opening in Former Grub Space in Brigham Circle

by Marc Hurwitz

A pizza and sandwich shop that used to have a location in the Brigham Circle area of Boston is returning to that neighborhood, taking over the space where a short-lived eatery that featured poutine had been.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), Il Mondo Pizzeria is opening in the former Grub space on Huntington Avenue, joining another location on Mass. Ave. near where the Back Bay and the Fenway meet. Il Mondo had also been located on Huntington Avenue on the other side of Brigham Circle, but that shop recently shut down, so this could be more of a move than a closure though the details about why that location closed and this location is opening are not known as of yet. Based on the menu at the old location (and that of the Mass. Ave. outlet), expect to see pizza, calzones, salads, appetizers, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and grill items at the new shop.

Grub, which first opened in the late fall of 2016, shut down last October; the owner of the place also runs Penguin Pizza across the street, which remains in operation.

The address for the new location of Il Mondo Pizzeria is 738 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for the business can be found at http://www.ilmondopizza.com/index.php

[March 20 update: According to a Twitter post from @epeemike81, Il Mondo Pizzeria is now open in the former Grub space, while the website for the business shows the new address along with the Mass. Ave. address.]

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