Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, October 17, 2025

Brassica Kitchen Is Now Open in Its New Home in the Former Dogwood Cafe Space in Jamaica Plain

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a small Jamaica Plain eatery that had been a cafe by day and a restaurant by night was planning to open in a larger space next door, and now we have learned that it is up and running, though without the cafe.

According to its website, Brassica Kitchen is now open in its new home in the Forest Hills section of JP, with the place moving into the former Dogwood Cafe space adjacent to their old space. Both the website and a Bluesky post from datafran.bsky.social indicate that the people behind Brassica will be keeping the old space, though the website indicates that "we are...sadly saying goodbye to our long-time weekday cafe. Our former space at 3710 will be undergoing renovations (yes, more construction!) and we'll share all the deets and new concept once we are settled into 3712.

Brassica Kitchen + Cafe first opened in 2016, taking over the space where Fazenda Cafe had once been; the restaurant offers such options as pizza, small plates, and weekend brunch items along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The new address for Brassica Kitchen is 3712 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. The website for Brassica is at https://www.brassicakitchen.com/

[Earlier Article]
Brassica Kitchen + Cafe in Jamaica Plain May Expand into the Former Dogwood Cafe Space

(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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Cafe Sushi in Cambridge Is Reopening Its Dining Room, Becoming Cafe Sushi Nisei

An award-winning sushi spot between Harvard Square and Central Square in Cambridge that has been takeout/delivery only for the past few years is bringing back its dining area--and getting a slight name change in the process.

According to a source (via a job post within the bostonchefs.com site), Cafe Sushi on Mass. Ave. is opening its dining room back up and will be called Cafe Sushi Nisei, with the job post saying the following:

As we reopen our dining room, Cafe Sushi Nisei marks a new chapter. It's our way of honoring where we come from, while continuing to evolve — bridging Japan and Cambridge, past and present, heritage and creativity....Since 2020, we've been focused on takeout and delivery only — but this fall, we're relaunching dine-in service with Cafe Sushi Nisei, a much-anticipated new chapter for our restaurant.

Cafe Sushi, which first opened 1984, has received high praise over the years including multiple "Best of Boston" awards from Boston Magazine; the dining room was closed off during the pandemic (and the restaurant changed its name to Cafe Sushi Shoten) and it has focused on takeout and delivery ever since.

The address for Cafe Sushi Nisei is 1105 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its website can be found at https://www.cafesushicambridge.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.)

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Burro Bar in Boston's South End May Become Another Location of Posto

A Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in the South End of Boston could be getting a rebrand, and the change would be a familiar name from a restaurant group that runs both.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Burro Bar on Washington Street is petitioning to change its name to Posto, which, if approved, would mean that there would be two locations of Posto (with the other being in Somerville's Assembly Row), both of which are part of Joe Cassinelli's Alpine Restaurant Group which also includes the Painted Burro in Somerville, Cambridge, Brookline, and Waltham. It is not yet known whether the proposed new location of Posto would have a similar menu to that of the Somerville location (which offers pizza and pasta dishes along with other Italian options), but more should be known by late next week after the hearing, so stay tuned for updates.

Burro Bar first opened in the South End in 2017.

The address for Burro Bar (and the proposed Posto) is 1357 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for the Alpine Restaurant Group is at https://www.alpinerestaurantgroup.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.)

Erica's Ristorante in Ashland Has Closed

An Italian restaurant in the MetroWest region has abruptly closed its doors.

According to multiple sources, Erica's Ristorante in Ashland has shuttered, with a Facebook post from yesterday the Front Street dining spot saying the following:

It is with our deepest sadness, we are closing our doors today [due] to health and personal reasons. Words cannot express our gratitude for your business and loyalty over the last 8 1/2 years. We have met so many wonderful people and have formed so many friendships that we will cherish forever. Ashland is a wonderful community and we appreciate all that it gave to us. Sam and Erica

Erica's offered such options as pasta dishes, pizza, seafood, sandwiches, and more, while also serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the now-closed Erica's Ristorante was 78 Front St, Ashland, MA, 01721.

(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.)

Brick Street Bagels Opens in South Boston

Earlier this year, it was reported that a popup bagel business that has been based out of Boston's South End would be moving into a permanent space not all that far away, and now we have learned that it has debuted.

NBC 10 Boston states (via the Boston Business Journal) that Brick Street Bagels is now open in South Boston, moving into a space on W Broadway by the E Street intersection. The new brick-and-mortar shop is open 7 days a week and such options as fresh bagels, open-faced sandwiches, coffee, matcha, and more will be offered.

Brick Street Bagels started out in a South End apartment back in 2022.

The address for the brick-and-mortar location of Brick Street Bagels is 371 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127.

[Earlier Article]
Brick Street Bagels Plans to Open a Brick-and-Mortar Shop in South Boston

(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.)

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Yin Ji Chang Fen Opens in North Quincy

A chain of Chinese restaurants that dates back approximately 70 years has expanded to a space just south of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yin Ji Chang Fen is now open in North Quincy, moving into a space on Billings Road. The poster mentions that Ji Chang Fen is a restaurant chain from Guangzhou that serves traditional Cantonese dishes and rice rolls, while its website says that it was founded in the 1950s and it features "the traditional Rice Roll, well-known in the province of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao."

Based on their website, it appears that three locations of Yin Ji Chang Fen can be found in New York City, but this is apparently the first to open in New England.

The address for Yin Ji Chang Fen is 60a Billings Road, Quincy, MA, 02171. The website for the U.S. locations of the chain is at https://www.yinji-usa.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.)