Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Eve & Murray's Farm to Home Is Opening in West Acton

A new shop that features cheese, charcuterie, and more is on its way to the northwest suburbs.

A message sent today indicates that Eve & Murray's Farm to Home is going to be opening in West Acton, moving into a space on Massachusetts Avenue within the West Acton Villageworks, a group of independent businesses that includes True West Brewing Company. Owners Dawn (Eve) Aguiar and Tamara (Murray) Deluzio will be setting up a cheese and charcuterie counter at the store, while also offering cold sandwiches, grab-and-go cheese/charcuterie "bento boxes," breads, baked goods, vegan options, and more. (Cheese boards, serving platters, bitters, craft mixers, and barware will also be available.)

If all goes as planned, Eve & Murray's Farm to Home will open sometime in July.

The address for the upcoming Eve & Murray's Farm to Home will be 525 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://www.eveandmurrays.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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.)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

BBQ Chicken in Allston Is Apparently Expanding to Lowell

A dining spot in Allston that focuses on all things chicken appears to be opening a new location north of Boston.

According to a source (Aron Levy), BBQ Chicken is expanding to Lowell, with a Facebook post on the Lowell Live Feed Forum group page indicating that it will be taking over the space on Merrimack Street where Lowell Burger Company had been. Based on the menu at the Harvard Avenue location in Allston, expect to see a variety of options for wings and boneless chicken at the new spot, along with whole chicken dishes as well.

The address for the upcoming location of BBQ Chicken in Lowell is 143 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, 01852. The website for the Allston location can be found at https://www.bbqchickenallston.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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.)

Benedetto in Cambridge's Harvard Square Has Closed Permanently

An upscale Italian restaurant inside a Cambridge hotel will not be reopening.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Benedetto within the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square has shut down for good, with owners Mike Pagliarini and Pam Ralston saying that the restaurant's lease is being terminated. An announcement sent out via a newsletter says the following:

As owners, we are still processing this loss of the business that for the past five years has been a tremendous source of pride and joy....For us, Benedetto has been a success story in every way. We made delicious, inspired food. We created a community that meant so much to our guests and to our team. Despite the hardships the pandemic placed on our industry, we were financially sound. We were so inspired by the way our team came together to get us through the hardest parts of the past year, and it feels so unfair that we've reached this point only to be forced to close.

Benedetto was slated to reopen later this month after being closed for the winter and part of the spring; Pagliarini and Ralston also run Giulia, a nearby restaurant on Mass. Ave. that remains in operation and which will honor Benedetto gift cards.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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.)

Update: The Kenmore in Boston's Kenmore Square Reopens After Being Closed for the Past Several Months

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 21, 2021 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

Yet another Boston-area restaurant has decided to shut down for the foreseeable future as the colder weather approaches.

According to an Instagram post, The Kenmore on Commonwealth Avenue has gone into "hibernation" for the winter as of October 4, with a source telling us that the plan may be that the place could be a "little different" by springtime. We have also been given updates on restaurants and bars that are affiliated with The Kenmore, with the nearby Corner Tavern in the Back Bay in the midst of reopening this week while White Horse Tavern, Avenue Bar and Grille, and the Hopewell in Allston and Harry's Bar and Grill in Brighton are all open. (The Westland near Symphony Hall and The Last Drop in Brighton remain closed for now.)

The Kenmore, which replaced The Lower Depths last fall, joins at least two other restaurants that have gone into hibernation as the pandemic continues, with Grand Tour in the Back Bay and Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square also shutting down for now.

The address for The Kenmore is 476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://www.thekenmorebar.com/

[April 21, 2021 update: A tweet from the place indicates that The Kenmore opens back up at 4:00 PM today.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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, April 20, 2021

HAN May Be Opening in the Former Wonder Bar Space in Allston

A new spot may be replacing an Allston nightclub, and it has an apparent connection to several dining and drinking places in the local area.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, HAN is planning to open in the former Wonder Bar space on Harvard Avenue, with the manager listed (Henry Wong) indicating that it may have a connection to KLW Hospitality, which is behind such spots as Hong Kong Eatery, Quic Pic BBQ, Limelight Stage & Studios, and The Ming Dynasty. It is not yet known what kind of place HAN might be, as the listing only mentions that the business is seeking a full liquor license; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Wonder Bar, which closed down this past fall, was known in part for its live music and DJs along with open mic nights and private parties, while the place also served food and drink as well.

The address for the proposed HAN is 186 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[Earlier Article]
Wonder Bar in Allston Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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.)

Not Your Average Joe's in Arlington Has Closed Permanently

A location of a local chain of family-friendly restaurants has shut down for good.

An article from Your Arlington confirms what a source told us over the weekend, that the Arlington Center location of Not Your Average Joe's will not be reopening, with an email from CEO/chair Peter D'Amelio saying that "We have truly enjoyed being part of the fabric of the Arlington Community, and we will miss all the great moments and friendships we've shared for years." D'Amelio refers customers to the Watertown location, which is the closest outlet to Arlington along with its Waltham restaurant.

Earlier this year, it was learned that locations of Not Your Average Joe's in Arlington, Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph were all closing for the winter; it is not known when the Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph restaurants might reopen, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for the now-closed location of Not Your Average Joe's in Arlington was 645 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The website for all other locations can be found at https://www.notyouraveragejoes.com/

[Earlier Article]
Locations of Not Your Average Joe's in Arlington, Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph to Close for the Winter

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[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.)