Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, January 17, 2025

Ssaanjh Opens in Brookline

A brand new Indian restaurant has come to Brookline.

According to a press release, Ssaanjh is now open on Beacon Street, taking over the space by the St. Mary's Street MBTA stop that had once been home to O'Leary's Irish pub. The new dining spot, which is run by Manju Kaushal (who was born and raised in India), is an upscale restaurant that offers a mix of vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian dishes along with wine, cocktails, spirits, and mocktails, with the space having seating for 60 people.

The address for Ssaanjh is 1012 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

(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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Could Little Steve's Pizzeria Be Returning to Boston?

A few years ago, it was reported that a decades-old pizza place in Boston was closing, and now it appears that it could be coming back, apparently with a different owner.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Little Steve's Pizzeria has applied for a common victualler license to operate at its former address on Boylston Street where the Back Bay and Fenway meet, with the notice saying that it would have seating for 43 and a seasonal patio, and the notice also lists Koushik Babu Koganti as the manager; this is presumably the same Koushik Koganti who is involved with such spots as Godavari, Boston Halal, Madras Dosa, and other businesses in the local area including the upcoming Don't Tell Aunty.

Little Steve's Pizzeria, which first opened in 1968, was looking to be replaced by another restaurant in 2021, but those plans apparently fell through at some point, while Universal Hub also mentions that a dispensary had been looking to open there as well and those plans never came to fruition, either.

The address for the Little Steve's space is 1114 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

[Earlier Article]
New Restaurant Plans to Replace Little Steve's Pizzeria in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area

(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.)

Sunnyside Cafe Opens at Hood Park in Charlestown

A new dining spot that features brunch all day has come to a mixed use development just north of downtown Boston.

According to a source, Sunnyside Cafe is now open in Charlestown, moving into a space at Hood Park where Naco Taqueria had been. The Caught in Charlestown website indicates that the new place offers such brunch items as pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelettes, hash and eggs, breakfast sandwiches, chicken and waffles, burgers, and more, along with beer, wine, and cocktails, with the website for the eatery saying that it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The address for Sunnyside Cafe is 100 C Hood Park Drive, Charlestown, MA, 02129. Its website can be found at https://www.sunnysidecafectown.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.)

News Elsewhere: Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen in Providence Is Closing, Will Be Replaced by Wally's Wieners and Copper Club

A landmark Rhode Island restaurant that has been in operation for more than six decades is going away, and two new dining/drinking spots will be taking over the space.

According to an article in The Providence Journal, Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen in the Federal Hill section of Providence is planning to close down this weekend after 67 years in business, as the Atwells Avenue space has been purchased by the Heritage Restaurant Group of Newport. The hospitality group--which plans to preserve the historic character of the space--will open Wally's Wieners on the first floor, joining two other locations in Newport and featuring hot dogs and smash burgers, while a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge called Copper Club (which is also located in Newport) will open on the second floor, with both hoping to debut in March.

Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen first opened in 1956, featuring old-school Italian-American fare and attracting such well-known people as John F. Kennedy, Jackie Onassis, JFK Jr., and Buddy Cianci; in 2022, Sal Marzilli (whose father Joe founded the restaurant) said that he was looking to retire and put the restaurant up for sale.

The address for Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen (and the upcoming Wally's Wieners and Copper Club) is 120 Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI, 02903.

(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, January 16, 2025

Velvet Vine Cafe Opens in the Former Holy Grail Space in Acton

A new option for small bites and cocktails has come to the northwest suburbs of Boston, opening where a neighborhood pub had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Velvet Vine Cafe is now open in Acton, taking over the former Holy Grail space on Route 2A/119. The menu for the new spot includes such items as wings, mac and cheese bites, a cheese and charcuterie plate, stuffed mushrooms, martinis, margaritas, and old fashioneds, along with beer, wine, and cider options.

Holy Grail closed its doors last June after being in business for six years.

The address for Velvet Vine Cafe is 166 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://velvetvinecafe.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.)

Bakey to Open in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A trio of bakeries with a well-known Israeli baker behind them will be joined by a fourth location next month.

According to an article from Cambridge Day, Bakey is planning to open in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge in mid-February, moving into a space on Main Street near the Broadway fork and having a dining area and counter service along with catering options. Once it opens, the new location of the bakery will join others in Boston, Brookline, and Newton, and it will offer such items as pastries, baked goods, salads, sandwiches, coffee, and more.

Bakey co-founder Uri Scheft is behind Lehamim Bakery in Israel, and he also co-founded Breads Bakery in New York City.

The address for the upcoming Bakey in Kendall Square is 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for the business can be found at https://bakeybabka.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.)