Boston Restaurant Talk

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

Amelia's Taqueria by Northeastern University in Boston Has Been Rebranded to Amelia's Cluck & Smash

A local group of Mexican restaurants has changed the concept of one of its locations.

According to a source, Amelia's Taqueria by Northeastern University in Boston is now Amelia's Cluck & Smash, with the rebranding of the Huntington Avenue place turning it into a spot for such items as chicken sandwiches, smash burgers, hot dogs, fries, and salads, while also offering churros for dessert. It appears that locations of Amelia's in Allston, by Berklee College, Boston University, Boston College, and at Assembly Row in Somerville will remain as is, at least for now.

The address for Amelia's Cluck & Smash is 309 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website is at https://www.ameliacluckandsmash.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]

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Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Pressed Cafe Opens in Boston's Seaport District

A local group of dining spots that focus on healthy, freshly-made options has expanded to the Boston waterfront.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Pressed Cafe is now open in the city's Seaport District, moving into a space on Pier 4 Boulevard. Based on the social media pages for the business, the new location is open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and it offers breakfast dishes, soups, panini, bowls, fresh-pressed juices, coffee, and more--and it joins existing locations in Boston's Back Bay, Burlington, Chelmsford, Lawrence, and Newton, along with four in New Hampshire (Bedford, North Nashua, Salem, and South Nashua).

The address for the new location of Pressed Cafe is 49 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA, 01843. The website for all locations is at https://www.pressedcafe.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.)

Monday, June 30, 2025

Rabia's Dolce Fumo in Boston's North End Has Closed

A North End restaurant that was known in part for its seafood has shut down.

According to a source, Rabia's Dolce Fumo on Salem Street is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the dining spot saying the following:

2,034 days in a chapter we’ll never forget. From our opening day on December 2, 2019, three months before the official declaration of the nation’s pandemic, to our closing night on June 26, 2025, the past five years were nothing short of a wild ride. From our hard working and dedicated team, to our patrons who honored us by celebrating life’s important moments with us, and to our loyal families and friends who supported us the whole way, we are FOREVER GRATEFUL. It was time to close this chapter and for us to explore new endeavors (stay tuned).

Rabia's offered such dishes as clam chowder, oysters, antipasto, steamed mussels, lobster rolls, linguini with clams, frutti di mare, steamed lobsters, fettuccine carbonara, bolognese, and veal parmigiana.

The address for the now-closed Rabia's Dolce Fumo was 73 Salem Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

(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 June 29, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between June 23, 2025, and June 29, 2025.

Noodle Lab Reopens at Boston Public Market
A noodle spot in downtown Boston has very quietly opened back up.
Full Story

Vita Bella Ristorante in Essex Has Closed
An Italian restaurant on the North Shore has closed its doors.
Full Story

Drop Zone Brewery and Taproom in Winthrop Has Closed
A brewery just north of Boston has shut down.
Full Story

Mike & Patty's to Open in Lexington
The people behind a local group of breakfast places and sandwich shops will be opening a new location in the northwest suburbs of Boston.
Full Story

Park City Opens in South Boston
A new outdoor dining and drinking spot with a connection to a local restaurant group is up and running.
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, June 27, 2025

Cava Opens in Beverly

A Washington, D.C.-based chain of fast-casual Mediterranean spots has opened yet another location in the Greater Boston area, with this one being its first on the North Shore.

According to its website, Cava is now open in Beverly, moving into a space in the North Beverly Plaza on Dodge Street and offering such options as bowls, pitas, salads, and more. The new outlet joins others in Boston, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Dedham, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, and North Andover, and new locations are being planned for Braintree, Burlington, and Quincy as well.

The address for the new location of Cava in Beverly is 47 Dodge Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. The website for all locations is at https://cava.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.)

Au Chocolat in Downtown Boston Is Closing

A chocolate shop in the heart of Boston is shutting down.

According to a Bluesky post from Adam of @conciergeboston.bsky.social, Au Chocolat is planning to close its doors today, with an email sent from Adam indicating that the owner is retiring. The High Street shop is known for its Belgian chocolates (including Neuhaus chocolates) along with a variety of candies and other sweet treats and desserts.

The address for Au Chocolat is 35 High Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website can be found at https://treats.net/

(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.)