Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Matsunori Handroll Bar to Open in Lynnfield

A restaurant in Boston that features a type of handheld sushi is going to be expanding to the suburbs.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Matsunori Handroll Bar is planning to open at an as-of-yet undisclosed space in Lynnfield, with this being confirmed by the social media for the business. Once it opens, the new location will join the original on Beacon Street in the Audubon Circle area, and based on that location, a variety of handrolls featuring such possible ingredients as tuna, salmon, cod, eel, shrimp, crab, scallops, and wagyu will be offered.

The original Matsunori Handroll Bar first opened in Boston in the early part of 2023. Its website can be found at https://matsunori-handroll-bar.menu-world.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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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Ramen Haven in Berlin Is Expanding, Opening a New Location in Sudbury

A ramen spot west of Boston will be expanding to a space a bit closer to the city.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Ramen Haven in Berlin is planning to open a new location in Sudbury, moving into a space within the Meadow Walk mixed-use development on Route 20. The article mentions that a variety of ramen options will be offered, including new ramen options within its expanded menu such as Lobster Ramen and Uni Ramen, while other items will include gyoza, edamame, Wagyu rice bowls, tiramisu, matcha crepe cake, milk teas, and fruit slushes.

If all goes as planned, the new location of Ramen Haven will open on May 1.

The address for the upcoming Ramen Haven in Sudbury is 530 A Boston Post Road (Route 20), Sudbury, MA, 01778. The website for the business is at https://ramenhavensudbury.toast.site/

(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.)

Comella's in Melrose Has Closed

A location of a local chain of Italian dining spots has shut down.

According to a MassLive article, Comella's in Melrose is no longer in business, as the Main Street eatery shuttered permanently on March 20. The article quotes a spokesperson as saying that "This was a franchisee-level decision following operational and financial challenges specific to that franchisee's experience" while also stating that "Comella's continues to operate successfully across our other locations, and we remain committed to serving our customers and communities." Locations of the chain in Belmont, Concord, Hingham, Natick, Needham, Newton, Wellesley, West Roxbury, Westwood, and Winchester remain in operation.

Comella's first started out in Wellesley back in 1988.

The address for the now-closed Comella's in Melrose was 478A Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. The website for the business is at https://www.comellasrestaurants.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.)

Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen Plans to Open in Wakefield

A brand new Asian restaurant is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen is planning to open in Wakefield, moving into a space on Main Street in the Greenwood section of town. Our source mentions that the proposed dining spot will focus on Asian fusion (including dishes with Japanese and Chinese influences), with sushi possibly being included among the offerings.

The address for the upcoming Howie's Bar and Vincent's Kitchen is 963 Main Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587544162383

(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.)

El Sarape in Weymouth Landing Is Closing

An award-winning Mexican restaurant that has been around for a long time is shutting down.

According to a source, El Sarape in Weymouth Landing is closing, with a Facebook post from the Commercial Street spot saying the following:

It is with a heavy heart, after 37 wonderful years serving the town of Braintree and our many dedicated and supportive customers, the Adame family has made the tough decision to close El Sarape. Next Saturday, April 4 will be the last day El Sarape's doors will be open. This decision was not easily made, however it is necessary. The Adame family, Javier, Guillermo, Donna, Nicole Jessica, Miguel and our staff would like to thank all of our customers, new and old for their patronage....We appreciate each and every one of you more than you will ever know. El sarape has always been and will always be a family

El Sarape has received high praise over the years, including once being picked by USA Today and Zagat in an article mentioning the restaurants with the best Mexican food in 20 cities while The Daily Meal also once wrote that it was among the 50 best Mexican restaurants in America.

The address El Sarape for is 5 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website can be found at https://elsarape.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.)

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Moon Bay Opens in Randolph

A brand new Chinese restaurant has opened in the southern suburbs of Boston.

A check on the place indicates that Moon Bay is now open in Randolph, moving into a space on Route 139 between the center of town and the Route 24 intersection. The new dining spot focuses in part on Hunan cuisine, with its menu including such options as handmade dumplings, lamb soup, stir-friend beans with eggplant, chili pepper short rib, stir-fried shredded potato, shrimp with string beans, stir-fried chicken with chili peppers, and braised pork.

The address for Moon Bay is 8 Mazzeo Drive (Route 139), Randolph, MA, 02368. Its website can be found at https://moonbay.toast.site/

(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.)