Boston Restaurant Talk

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Beyond Full to Open in the Former Zoe's Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

It looks like a comfort food spot southwest of Boston is expanding to Cambridge, taking over the space where a diner that offered a mix of Greek and American fare had been.

According to a poster (Geoff Wong) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page as well as an article from What Now Boston, Beyond Full is planning to open in Harvard Square, moving into the former Zoe's space on Massachusetts Avenue. The upcoming dining spot, whose original restaurant can be found in Hopedale, focuses on breakfast dishes, burgers, and shakes, and it is actually located inside Hopedale's Town Hall.

Zoe's closed last summer after being in business for approximately 20 years.

The address for the upcoming location of Beyond Full in Harvard Square is 1105 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The Facebook page for the original location is at https://www.facebook.com/beyondfullinc/

[Earlier Article]
Zoe's in Cambridge's Harvard Square Has Closed

(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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The Daily Catch to Open a Takeout Spot in Boston's North End

A trio of Sicilian-style seafood restaurants will soon be joined by a to-go spot near one of its locations.

According to an Instagram post from @conciergeboston, The Daily Catch is planning to open a takeout/delivery shop in the North End of Boston, taking over the former Sweet Boba space on the same block of Hanover Street as one of the Daily Catch restaurants. Once it opens, the upcoming shop will join the North End dining spot as well as locations in Boston's Seaport District and Brookline's Coolidge Corner, and expect the place to offer a variety of seafood options including such possible items as calamari, clams, oysters, octopus, mussels, lobster, scallops, shrimp, haddock, and swordfish, based on their restaurant menu.

Sweet Boba first opened in the Hanover Street space in the summer of 2023, taking over the space that had been home to China House for more than 20 years.

The address for the upcoming Daily Catch takeout shop is 331 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. The website for the business is at https://thedailycatch.com/

[Earlier Article]
Sweet Boba in Boston's North End Has Closed

(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.)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Leo's Events and Restaurant Is Opening in Braintree

A year and a half ago, it was reported that the person behind a couple of steakhouses and an Italian dining and drinking spot south of Boston was planning to open another restaurant south of the city, and now we have learned that the place is opening soon, though with a different name and concept.

According to a source along with various social media posts from the business, Leo's Events and Restaurant is going to be opening in Braintree, with its social media mentioning "Braintree's premier destination for exceptional dining and unforgettable gatherings. Elegant spaces, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality await!" Owner Leo Keka (Alba in Quincy and Hanover, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar in Quincy) was originally planning for the place to be one of two locations of Scutari, a Northern Italian restaurant that is now open in Hanover, though it appears that somewhere along the way, the plans for the Braintree space (which is moving into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street) shifted from Scutari to Leo's Events and Restaurant.

The address for the upcoming Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572606675228 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/leoseventsandrestaurant/

[Earlier Article]
Leo Keka Plans to Open Scutari in Braintree

(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.)

Monday, February 17, 2025

CSCA Cafe Opens in the Porter Square Section of Cambridge

Last spring, it was reported that a new cafe with a connection to a cooking school was in the works, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a source, CSCA Cafe is now open in Cambridge, moving into a space across from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in the Porter Square area of the city. The Instagram page for the place indicates that it offers a variety of pastries and baked goods along with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and it has some seating within the space.

As mentioned in an earlier article, the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts says of its offshoot that "CSCA Cafe aims to become an integral part of the Porter Square Neighborhood, drawing upon CSCA's 50-year history within the community."

The address for CSCA Cafe is 1995 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website is at https://www.cscacafe.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/cscacafe/

[Earlier Article]
CSCA Cafe Plans to Open in Cambridge's Porter Square (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 February 16, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between February 10, 2025, and February 16, 2025.

Norinori Test Kitchen to Open in Brookline
The people behind a sushi spot and an upcoming French-Japanese fusion restaurant will be opening a new eatery that features Japanese fare.
Full Story

Rocco's Sports & Recreation in NYC to Expand to Boston's Seaport District
A retro-style sports bar that is based in Manhattan is making its way to the waterfront.
Full Story

Anna's Taqueria Plans to Open in the Former b.good Space in Natick
A local group of Mexican eateries continues to be in expansion mode.
Full Story

Coje Management Group to Open a Sicilian Restaurant in Downtown Boston
A local restaurant group is bringing a new dining spot to the heart of the city.
Full Story

Dae Gee Korean BBQ Opens in Chelmsford on February 14
A small group of Korean restaurants in Colorado that gained national recognition via a popular TV show is just about ready to expand to the local area.
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, February 14, 2025

Tasty Kabob and Curry Plans to Open in the Former Simco's Space in Roslindale

A new takeout spot is on its way to a space that had been home to a location of a pair of hot dog stands.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Tasty Kabob and Curry is planning to open in Roslindale, taking over the former Simco's space on Canterbury Street. The post mentions that owner Chaudhary Lateef--who runs a convenience store in Taunton--will operate the upcoming spot as a "quick‑service takeout‑only restaurant" that will be open until 11:00 PM.

The original location of Simco's remains open on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan.

The address for the upcoming Tasty Kabob and Curry is 679 Canterbury Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

(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.)