Puro Ceviche Bar Replaces Trattoria Newbury in Boston's Back Bay

A new spot that focuses on seafood opens in Boston's Back Bay this evening, and it replaces an Italian eatery owned by the same people.

Eater Boston is reporting that Puro Ceviche Bar opens on Newbury Street tonight, taking over the space where Trattoria Newbury had been. The article says that the owners of Trattoria Newbury--George Axiotis, Irakli Gogitidze, and Shahrokh Reza--have turned the place into "a ceviche bar with Latin soul" that offers "energetic service with good music and traditional Latin small plates in a creative space." The team also runs Kava Neo-Taverna on Shawmut Avenue in the South End.

The menu at Puro includes ceviche, salads, grilled seafood and meat, a variety of small plates, beer, wine, and cocktails, and more.

Trattoria Newbury had previously been home to Bottega Fiorentina.

The address for Puro Ceviche Bar is 264 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at http://www.purocevichebar.com/

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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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Foumami in Downtown Boston May Be Going National

It looks like an Asian sandwich bar in downtown Boston may have some major expansion plans in the works.

According to a press release, Foumami on Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District has announced that it will start franchising, with founder and CEO Michael Wang saying that "While building Foumami certainly has been a labor of love, I've always brought an analytical eye to the process, and a vision for Foumami as a franchising opportunity and a national brand. We've held back on expansion for six years in order to prove our concept and work through every aspect of our business," A check on the Foumami website indicates that it now has a franchising support section while the franchise.org site shows a company name of Foumami America, LLC.

Foumami first opened in Boston in 2010, offering sandwiches along with breakfasts, soups, salads, rice and noodle bowls, teas, and more.

The address for Foumami is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website can be found at: http://www.foumami.com/

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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]

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Mayhew Wine Shop Opens in Boston's Fort Point May 30

A brand new wine shop is on the verge of opening in one of the hottest sections of Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @DGoodison, Mayhew Wine Shop plans to open on Tuesday, May 30 in Fort Point, with the website for the Melcher Street store saying that it will feature a variety of wines along with craft beers and local gourmet provisions such as chocolates, jams, spreads, cheeses, breads, crackers, and more. The upcoming shop will also have a tasting room and special events space in the back that can be rented out, with the space having two tasting tables and room for 50 people.

The address for this new wine shop in Fort Point is: Mayhew Wine Shop, 20 Melcher Street Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at https://mayhewwine.com/

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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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Esquire's 2017 Best Bars in America List Includes The Baldwin Bar in Woburn

A popular men's magazine has once again come out with its annual picks for best bars in America, and an award-winning spot in the Boston suburbs has made the list.

According to the article, Esquire Magazine has included The Baldwin Bar at Sichuan Garden in Woburn in its list of best bars, with editor Luke O'Neil saying "Picture the best Chinese-takeout restaurant you've been to....Now put that inside a New England Colonial mansion built in 1661. When you tack on one of the best cocktail bars in Massachusetts, it's almost an embarrassment of riches." O'Neil goes on to mention the "brown and bitter recipes in flasks served in cigar boxes" and "a glass egg filled with Aperol, absinthe, and grapefruit served on a bed of flowers," concluding with "It's twenty-five minutes outside Boston, but the cab fare is worth it."

The only other New England spot to make the list this year is The Magdalenae Room in Providence.

To see Esquire's complete list of best bars in America, please go to the link below:

Esquire's Best Bars in America in 2017

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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]

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Salmonella Outbreak, Health Violations Lead to Closure of Back Bay Sandwich and Cafe Med in Boston

A couple of Back Bay dining spots are closed for the time being after multiple cases of salmonella poisoning and health violations.

NBC Boston is reporting that Back Bay Sandwich and Cafe Med--both of which are in the same building on St. James Avenue--have been temporarily shut down by city health inspectors after seven people reportedly fell ill from eating at the two spots. An article from WCVB 5 mentions that Back Bay Sandwich has been cited for 19 health violations and Cafe Med has also been cited for 19 violations, with a note on the window at the latter spot indicating that they are working with health inspectors to resolve the issues.

It is not yet known when either restaurant might open back up again.

Back Bay Sandwich and Cafe Med are both located at 31 St. James Avenue, between Arlington Street and Berkeley Street.

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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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Salt & Olive in Cambridge May Open Restaurant within Space

It looks like a specialty grocery store in Cambridge may be adding a restaurant to its space.

According to a series of pages within the city's website, the Harvard Square Advisory Committee met this week to discuss a Board of Zoning Appeal application in which Salt & Olive is looking to to open a 35-seat restaurant in the building where its retail shop is on Mass. Ave. (between Harvard Square and Central Square), with the plan being to have the restaurant next to the retail shop. A couple of schematics posted indicate that the retail space would be in the left room, the dining area in the middle room, and the kitchen (with additional seating) in the right room. It is not known exactly what the menu might include at the restaurant, nor is it known when it could open, so stay tuned for updates.

Salt & Olive, which first opened in the fall of 2014, sells such items as olive oils, vinegars, spices, salts, and teas.

The address for Salt & Olive is 1160 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its website can be found at https://saltandolive.com/

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

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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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