Boston Restaurant Talk

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Up and Atom Coffee Co. to Open in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A new coffee shop is on its way to the heart of Boston.

According to an X post from @FortPointer, Up and Atom Coffee Co. is planning to open in Downtown Crossing, moving into the ground floor of the Genesis lab/office building on Summer Street. It appears that the upcoming spot could offer coffee, tea, baked goods, breakfast items, smoothies, and sandwiches based on a menu seen online, though there does not appear to be a website or social media presence for the place as of yet.

The address for the upcoming Up and Atom Coffee Co. in Downtown Crossing is 55 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for the Genesis facility is at https://www.genesis-55summer.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[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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Monday, December 22, 2025

The Friendly Toast in Danvers Is Closing

An eclectic local group of dining spots known in part for their breakfast dishes will be closing one of their locations.

According to a source, The Friendly Toast in Danvers is getting ready to shut down, with a Patch article saying that the restaurant--which resides on Independence Way by the Liberty Tree Mall--is shuttering as of December 31 due to mechanical issues within the building, according to the business. The company also indicates that it hopes to move into a new space but continues to search for one, saying the following:

While we had previously announced plans to relocate within the Danvers community upon the expiration of our lease, and despite our extensive search, The Friendly Toast has not yet identified a new space in the area that meets our operational needs and maintains the experience our customers expect and deserve....The Friendly Toast remains committed to finding a new space in Massachusetts' North Shore....We plan to keep searching for a space that feels right for our team and for our customers.

The Danvers location of The Friendly Toast first opened in the summer of 2021. (Other locations remain in operation locally in Boston, Burlington, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Dedham, and North Andover.)

The address for The Friendly Toast in Danvers is 50 Independence Way, Danvers, MA, 01923. The website for all locations can be found at https://thefriendlytoast.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham Is Closing

It looks like a small local group of barbecue joints will be closing one of its locations.

According to an X post from @bostonradio (who was told by one of their managers), Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham is going to be shutting down, with a Facebook post from local music act Joe Pete Wetherbee also saying this and mentioning that it will be closing at the end of the year, putting "the end to our monthly residency there." Wetherbee also says that the Arlington and West Newton locations of Blue Ribbon will remain in operation, and presumably the Time Out Market Boston outlet in the Fenway will continue to be open as well.

The Dedham location of Blue Ribbon first opened in the early part of 2018.

The address for Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham is 342 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the business is at https://www.blueribbonbbq.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Brownstone in Boston's South End Has Closed

A neighborhood spot in Boston that was known in part for its comfort food has shut down.

According to its website and Facebook page, Brownstone in the city's South End has closed its doors after approximately 15 years in business, with the Dartmouth Avenue restaurant and bar saying the following on its Facebook page: "Brownstone was fortunate enough to defy the typical lifestyle of a very good restaurant, many times over...but the old girl is tired. It's time." In addition, the following message can be found on its site:

After many wonderful years together, we want to share that Brownstone will be closing its doors. We are so grateful for your loyalty and support - it has meant the world to us. As we close this chapter, we invite you to explore our sister concepts and continue enjoying exceptional experiences with us. You can find them at Glynn Hospitality Group. Thank you for being part of our journey!

Other dining and drinking spots run by Glynn Hospitality include Hurricane O'Reilly's, The Black Rose, Brownstone, Central Wharf, Clery's, Coogan's, Dillon's, the Granary Tavern, and D16.

The address for the now-closed Brownstone was 111 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for Glynn Hospitality is at https://www.glynnhospitalitygroup.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending December 21, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between December 15, 2025, and December 21, 2025.

Sally's Apizza to Open in Weymouth
An award-winning Connecticut pizzeria continues to be in expansion mode, with a location now in the works for the South Shore.
Full Story

Amarin of Thailand in Wellesley to Return, Opening in a New Location in Newtonville
A popular Thai restaurant that had been in the western suburbs of Boston until closing several months ago is being reborn in a new location west of--and bit closer to--the city.
Full Story

Venchi Opens in Boston's Back Bay
A chocolate company that got its start in Italy nearly 150 years ago has opened its first shop in Boston.
Full Story

Chef George Mendes to Open Agosto, Baby Sister in Boston's South End
An acclaimed chef who was once based in New York City and now calls Boston his home is planning to open not one, but two new spots in the city.
Full Story

Temazcal Tequila Cantina and Tony C's in Boston's Seaport District Are Closing
It looks like a couple of dining spots along the Boston waterfront that are part of the same restaurant group are shutting down.
Full Story

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, December 19, 2025

Rogue Kitchen + Provisions/Flip the Bird at Cummings Center in Beverly Has Closed

A local group of dining spots in the northern suburbs of Boston that focus in part on fried chicken sandwiches has closed one of its locations.

According to an Instagram post, Rogue Kitchen + Provisions/Flip the Bird at Cummings Center in Beverly has shut down, with the post mentioning "suffering through the aftermath of the pandemic and trying to operate a restaurant in an office park" while also saying the following:

I had too much to say in a text box, so I made a story for everyone who's had questions about why we're no longer at our Cummings Center location. It's worn many hats over the year (Marino's Cafe, The Hatchery, Flip The Bird Cafe @ Cummings, and last but not least Rogue Kitchen + Provisions) but myself and Anthony have been the ones behind each concept....We also want to give a HUGE shout out thank you to everyone who helped us in our final days, it was a heavy load to carry and short window to get it done, we couldn't have done this without you and we'll never be able to repay your kindness.

The Cummings Center location of Marino's Cafe/The Hatchery/Flip The Bird Cafe/Rogue Kitchen + Provisions got its start more than 10 years ago, with other locations of Flip the Bird currently in operation in Beverly (Cabot Street), Danvers, and Swampscott.

The address for the now-closed Rogue Kitchen + Provisions/Flip the Bird was 100 Cummings Center Suite 107P, Beverly, MA, 01915. The website for all locations is at https://flipthebirdfriedchicken.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)