Rice Away Thai Express in Brighton Has Closed

A Thai restaurant in Boston that was known for its buffet has shut down after being in business for approximately a year and a half.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Rice Away Thai Express in Brighton is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street eatery saying the following:

Thank you so much for all the love and support you've given us over the years. Every visit and every kind word has meant so much to our team....this is not the end. We're excited to share that a new restaurant is coming soon. Please stay tuned, and we can't wait to welcome you again very soon!

It is not yet known what the new restaurant might be, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for Rice Away Thai Express was 296 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

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

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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]

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Napper Tandy's in Roslindale May Be Replaced by La Hacienda

It looks like a local group of Irish pubs may be closing one of its locations, and it may be replaced by a location of a local group of Mexican/Salvadorian restaurants.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Napper Tandy's in Roslindale is petitioning to transfer its license to La Hacienda, which would move into its Washington Street space. If approved, this would leave three locations of Napper Tandy's remaining in Millis, Norwood, and Walpole, while the new location of La Hacienda would join others in East Boston, Everett, and Revere.

The Roslindale location of Napper Tandy's first opened in 2012.

The address for Napper Tandy's in Roslindale (and the proposed La Hacienda) is 4195 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131. The website for the former is at https://nappertandyspubs.com/ while the website for the latter is at https://www.lahaciendaboston.com/

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

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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]

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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.)

Boston Chops in Boston's South End and Downtown Crossing Have Closed

A pair of steakhouses in Boston have shut down, and it is not yet known what might become of the spaces.

According to multiple sources, Boston Chops in the South End and Downtown Crossing are no longer in operation, with the website for the business saying the following:

...We are grateful for every team member, neighbor, guest, and vendor who built and sustained Boston Chops. It has been an extraordinary journey full of celebrations but we are now closed to make way for new ownership and a revitalized concept to better serve the community. Thank you & you're welcome, Chops Family

The South End location of Boston Chops first opened in 2013, with the Downtown Crossing location debuting in 2018; both restaurants were known in part for their steak and seafood dishes along with their extensive wine list and cocktails.

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

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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]

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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.)

FoMu in Boston's South End Has Closed

A local group of vegan ice cream shops has closed another one one of its locations.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, FoMu in the South End of Boston is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the business on December 29 saying the following:

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS, FAMILY & FANS THAT CAME BY OUR SOUTH END LOCATION ON THE COLDEST OF DAYS TO SAY #SOLONG  Our South End store is now closed, and while we are sad to say goodbye, we hope you find FoMu near you and join us on our journey. Please note #HolidayHours at FoMu Fenway & Quincy Market… and when all else fails #DELIVER

Other locations of FoMu in Jamaica Plain, the Seaport District, and Allston have also shut down over the past few years.

The address for the now-closed FoMu in the South End was 655 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for all locations is at https://www.fomuicecream.com/

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

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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]

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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.)

Novo Lantern to Replace Nan Xiang Express in Boston's South End

The company behind a now-closed location of a Shanghainese soup dumpling restaurant will be opening a new dining spot in its space.

According to a job post within the Glassdoor site, Novo Lantern is planning to replace Nan Xiang Express in the South End of Boston, confirming what a member of the South End Community Board Facebook group page posted. The job post says the following about the upcoming Washington Street eatery:

Ting Management Group Corp — owners of Jiang Nan Boston, Nan Xiang Express Chinatown, and Friendship BBQ Allston — is excited to bring a brand-new concept to the South End: Novo Lantern. Novo Lantern puts a modern, fresh twist on traditional Asian flavors.

An opening date for Novo Lantern has not been given as of yet, nor has a menu been seen for the place, though a sign is now up for the restaurant out front.

The address for the upcoming Novo Lantern is 1750 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118.

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

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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]

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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.)

Osteria Nino in Burlington Is Apparently Closing

It looks like an Italian restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston is closing its doors.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Osteria Nino in Burlington is shutting down, with a check on the website for the 3rd Avenue dining spot seeming to confirm this, as it will no longer take reservations after Wednesday, December 31. The poster mentions that The Lyons Group (which is behind the place) plans to bring another concept to the space, though this has not been confirmed as of yet.

Osteria Nino first opened in 2015, offering a variety of Italian dishes including pasta, pizza, chicken, veal, seafood, and beef options along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for Osteria Nino is 19 3rd Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Its website can be found at https://www.osterianino.com/

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

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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]

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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.)