Mike & Patty's to Open in the Former Johnny Pomodoro Space in Charlestown

The people behind a local group of breakfast places and sandwich shops will be opening a new location in a Boston neighborhood.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mike & Patty's is planning to open in Charlestown, moving into the space on Main Street that had been home to Johnny Pomodoro, and before that, New Speedy Chen's. A check on the website for Mike & Patty's confirms this, as the location has been added to their site with a note saying "coming soon." Once it opens, the new location will join others in Boston's Bay Village, High Street Place in downtown Boston, Logan Airport, Jamaica Plain, and Bow Market in Somerville, along with a collaboration with Flourhouse Bakery in the Nonantum section of Newton.

The address for the new location of Mike & Patty's is 297 Main Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129. The website for all locations is at https://www.mikeandpattys.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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Shabu-Zen in Allston May Be Replaced by Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot

One of a pair of longtime Asian fusion restaurants known in part for their hot pot could be replaced by a new hot pot place.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Shabu-Zen in Allston is petitioning to transfer its license to Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot, which would open within its space on Brighton Avenue. Very little information has been given about the proposed eatery, but more should be known by later next week after the hearing, so stay tuned for updates.

The Allston location of Shabu-Zen opened approximately 20 years ago, joining the Chinatown location which had debuted a few years earlier and which remains in operation on Tyler Street.

The address for Shabu-Zen in Allston (and the proposed Zhu Seafood & Beef Hot Pot) is 80 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the business is at https://www.shabuzen.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.)

Buff's Pub in Newton Corner Is Apparently Expanding to Watertown

It looks like one of the best-known places for wings in the Greater Boston area may be opening a second location.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Buff's Pub in Newton Corner appears to be expanding to Watertown, with posters within the group and a licensing board page along with a Facebook post from Mike Petraglia of Petraglia Services seeming to confirm this. The address given indicates that it would be moving into the Belle's Burgers and Ice Cream space on Arsenal Street just outside of Watertown Square, and it would be a short distance north of the original location on Washington Street near the Newton/Watertown line.

Buff's Pub, which first opened in Newton Corner in 1976, is often mentioned as having the best wings in the region, being compared to Wendell's Pub, a highly-rated place for wings in Norton. 

The address for the upcoming location of Buff's Pub in Watertown is 46 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for Buff's can be found at https://buffspub.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.)

C'Yool Yemeni Cafe & Bakery Opens in Boston's South End

A new coffeehouse has come to Boston, and it focuses on Middle Eastern treats and drinks.

According to a source (BosGuy), C'Yool Yemeni Cafe & Bakery is now open in the South End, moving into the space on Harrison Avenue where Atlantico had been. The website for the new spot mentions that it offers such items as Yemeni mountain coffee, qishr (a traditional Yemeni hot drink made from coffee husks and spices), Yemeni chai, honeycomb bread, warm pocket bread, sabayah (a sweet pastry), manakeesh (a Levantine flatbread), and more.

The address for C'Yool Yemeni Cafe & Bakery is 600 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://cyoolcoffee.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.)

Home Taste in Watertown Is Closed, Is Apparently Being Rebranded

A Chinese restaurant west of Boston that is known in part for its noodles and dumplings is locked up and dark, and it appears that it could be in the midst of a rebranding.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Home Taste in Watertown is currently closed, with a photo showing signs out front saying that Badam Uyghur Cuisine is apparently moving into the space. This could be a reconcepting from the people behind Home Taste, as a Facebook post from them earlier this month said the following:

We will be taking a short break for vacation and will be temporarily closed for approximately one month. Thank you so much for your continued support and understanding! We look forward to welcoming everyone back when we reopen.

Home Taste first opened in 2015, offering such options as hand-pulled noodles, handmade dumplings, Chinese "burgers," Szechuan dishes, and more. [Ed note: Another Home Taste can be found in Arlington Heights.]

The address for Home Taste in Watertown (and presumably, Badam Uyghur Cuisine) is 58 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

(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.)

Armsby Abbey in Worcester Is for Sale

A gastropub in Central Massachusetts that is considered by many to be one of the best beer bars in New England is on the market.

According to an article from the Worcester Guardian, Armsby Abbey is Worcester is for sale, as owners Sherri Sadowski and Alec Lopez say that "After 18 years of ownership we are considering taking a step back to focus on the things that are most important to us; our son, family, and friends....We have lost a few very important people in our lives in recent years which has truly brought to our attention how precious life is and how fast time is going by." The article mentions that the offering includes the business, equipment, and other assets, but it does not include the real estate, and the owners want to find a buyer who will keep the dining and drinking spot going with its current staff--and that it is business as usual for the time being.

Armsby Abbey is known for its hard-to-find beers while also being the first place in Massachusetts to offer Hill Farmstead beers on a regular basis (Hill Farmstead is an award-winning brewery in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont).

The address for Armsby Abbey is 144 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01608. Its website can be found at https://armsbyabbey.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.)