Mandarin Cuisine in Needham Is Closing October 31

 A decades-old suburban Chinese restaurant is getting ready to shut its doors.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mandarin Cuisine is going to be closing, with a Facebook post from the Highland Avenue spot saying the following:

To our wonderful patrons, neighbors, and friends, We are announcing the upcoming closure of Mandarin Cuisine. We will remain open until October 31, 2026. We have loved every single moment of serving you over the past 37 years. Thank you for your unwavering support, your smiles, and for making our restaurant a true community staple. As we prepare to hand over the keys to new ownership, we want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our small business. We hope you will stop by before the end of October to say goodbye. We will miss you!

No information has been given on the restaurant that will be replacing Mandarin Cuisine, so stay tuned for any details as they come in.

The address for Mandarin Cuisine is 238 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. Its website can be found at https://www.mandarincuisine.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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Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse Opens in the Former Continental Space in Saugus

A South American restaurant has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston, taking over the space where an old-school restaurant had been for a very long time.

A check on the place indicates that Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse is now open in Saugus, moving into the former Continental space on the northbound side of Route 1. The website for the new restaurant indicates that it offers a "traditional Southern Brazilian Rodízio experience....an all-you-can-eat celebration of flame-kissed meats" while also showing that another location can be found in King of Prussia, PA.

The Continental closed in the fall of 2024 after being in business for 72 years; it had been known in part for its steak and seafood dishes along with its popovers.

The address for Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse is 266 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Its website can be found at https://charkoals.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.)

The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar in Scituate Is Closing

A South Shore dining and drinking spot known in part for its dishes using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients is shutting down.

According to its social media, The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar in Scituate is closing at the end of business hours on October 31, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

With heavy hearts, we're sharing that we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. We gave this concept our hearts, our energy, and everything we had, and while this chapter didn't unfold quite the way we had hoped, we're incredibly grateful for the experience, our customers who supported us, and our dedicated staff. To our family and friends - thank you for standing beside us through every step. Your love, encouragement, and support have meant more than we can put into words. As we close this chapter, we're looking ahead with gratitude and excitement for what's to come.

The note does mention that its other restaurant--Osteria Vivo in Pembroke will remain in operation, saying that "We're thankful to continue our journey at Vivo, and we're excited to see where the future takes us and what new endeavors may be on the horizon."

The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar first opened las summer, taking over the space where Rivershed had been.

The address for The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar is 17 New Driftway, Scituate, MA, 02066. Its website can be found at https://thesaltmarshbistroandbar.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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending October 18, 2026

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between October 12, 2026, and October 18, 2026.

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Blackbird Doughnuts Looking to Expand Nationally; Banyan Bar + Refuge Is Being Sold
The person behind a local restaurant and hospitality group is looking to take one of her brands national.
Full Story

Ramen Haven to Open Locations by BU in Boston, at South Shore Plaza in Braintree
A growing local group of ramen spots will be opening two more locations--one in the city, and one in the southern suburbs.
Full Story

Black Bamboo Opens in the Former Bodega Canal Space in the West End
A brand new Asian restaurant and lounge has come to Boston, and it replaces a Mexican spot that closed last year.
Full Story

Michette Opens New Location in Cambridge
A bakery in Somerville has expanded to a second space.
Full Story

Smashed by BRED to Open at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
The people behind a pair of gourmet burger spots will be opening a quick-service place in the heart of Boston.
Full Story

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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.)

Blackbird Doughnuts Looking to Expand Nationally; Banyan Bar + Refuge Is Being Sold

The person behind a local restaurant and hospitality group is looking to take one of her brands national.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, Rebecca Roth Gullo of the Gallows Group is seeking investment in Blackbird Doughnuts, with the plan being to expand to Maine and New Hampshire initially, then to "every major city." Gullo indicates that she wants to find a local investor or a family office, stating that "We're really looking for people who are interested in growing the brand with us. That's an important thing, and I'm not exiting this by any means, and nor is my team." The article mentions that she is considering an investment of under $10 million, which would be sufficient for 20 locations.

In addition to the Blackbird plans, Rebecca Roth Gullo also says that she is looking to sell Banyan Bar + Refuge in Boston's South End, with the hope being to transfer the business to a local restaurant person, and she says that "If I were not doing Blackbird, I would be doubling down [there]" and that she is "waiting for the right person, because it’s my neighborhood....Some great local operator will take it over."

The website for Blackbird Doughnuts can be found at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.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.)

Ramen Haven to Open Locations by BU in Boston, at South Shore Plaza in Braintree

A growing local group of ramen spots will be opening two more locations--one in the city, and one in the southern suburbs.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Ramen Haven is planning to open outlets by Boston University in Boston and at South Shore Plaza in Braintree, with the two joining existing locations in Berlin, Burlington, and Sudbury. It appears that the Braintree location will open first--sometime this month--while the BU outlet will open in December, and expect to see such options as ramen, gyoza, edamame, Wagyu rice bowls, matcha crepe cake, fruit slushes, and milk teas at the two new eateries.

The website for Ramen Haven is at https://ramenhavensudbury.toast.site/

(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.)