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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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.)

Mizu Matcha Opens in Boston's Back Bay

A new gelato shop with Japanese influences has debuted in Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mizu Matcha is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Newbury Street between Exeter Street and Fairfield Street. The Instagram page for the place mentions that it offers levels of matcha gelato that range from sweet and mellow to rich and bold, and they also serve other dessert items such as parfaits along with beverages such as matcha lattes.

The address for Mizu Matcha is 217 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/mizumatcha_bos/

(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.)

Pho Town Is Planning to Open in Allston

It looks like a Vietnamese dining spot is on its way to Boston, and it could have a connection to a couple of other restaurants in the local area.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Pho Town is planning to open in Allston, and it appears to be moving into the space on Brighton Avenue where Burrito Loco had been, and before that, Bubbakoo's Burritos. No information is available on the eatery as of yet, and its website isn't up and running, but there are a couple of restaurants called Pho Town in Medford and Brockton so it's possible that this could be a third location (as soon as we find out more, we will post an update).

The address for the upcoming Pho Town in Allston is 89 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its website will be at https://photown-brighton.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.)