The Pearl at Boston Landing in Brighton Is Closed; Exact Status Unknown

Earlier this year, it was reported that one of a pair of seafood restaurants in Boston had closed permanently, and now we have learned that the other location is shuttered, though it isn't yet known whether this is a permanent closure as well.

According to several sources, The Pearl at Boston Landing in Brighton is closed, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

As we navigate an important transition, The Pearl will be temporarily closing. While this isn't the news we hoped to share, we're actively working through several possibilities and remain hopeful about what's ahead. Thank you to everyone who has dined with us, celebrated with us, and supported our team. Your love and loyalty have meant more than words can express. We'll keep you updated as we have more to share.

The Boston Landing location of The Pearl first opened in early 2025, while the original at South Bay in Dorchester (which debuted in 2021) closed earlier this year; both locations were known for their variety of seafood options (including a raw bar) along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for The Pearl at Boston Landing is 67 Guest Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. Its website can be found at https://www.thepearl-boston.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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Bar Mezzana, No Relation, and Shore Leave in Boston Are Closing

Three popular dining and drinking spots that are part of a local hospitality group are all going to be shutting down.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Bar Mezzana, No Relation, and Shore Leave in Boston's Ink Block/South End area are planning to close at the end of the year, as they have made the decision to not renew the lease because "financial realities prevailed." All three places are part of Traveler Street Hospitality, with Bar Mezzana being an Italian restaurant, No Relation being a sushi bar, and Shore Leave being a tiki lounge.

It appears that Black Lamb which is also part of Traveler Street Hospitality, will remain in operation (their other spot, FiDO Pizza, recently closed).

(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.)

Masala Art in Needham Is Closing

A longtime Indian restaurant in the western suburbs will be saying farewell to its space.

According to several sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Masala Art in Needham is going to be closing, with a Needham Observer article saying that the Newton-based Village Bank will be taking over its lease and opening a branch of its bank while also including a pop-up retail shop. The exact closing date for the restaurant has not been given as of yet, and it is not known whether it could be reopening elsewhere; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Masala Art first opened in 2003, being an upscale dining spot that is known in part for its lunchtime buffet.

The address for Masala Art is 990 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492. Its website can be found at https://masala-art.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.)

Ja Learn to Open in Somerville's Union Square

It looks like a brand new Southeast Asian dining spot is on its way to Somerville.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Ja Learn is planning to open in Union Square, with photos of the storefront indicating that it will be moving into a space on Somerville Avenue on the western edge of the square. The photos hint that this will be a Thai street food place, while an Instagram page for the business indicates that the people behind it have been hosting popups in the Boston area and that they offer Northeast Thai fare including Thai BBQ.

The address for the upcoming Ja Learn in Union Square is 302 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/jalearn.boston/

(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.)

Mochiko Hawaiian in Newtonville Expands to New Location at Boston Landing in Brighton

A restaurant in the western suburbs that is known in part for its fried chicken and bubble tea has expanded to a new location, and this one is within the Boston city limits.

Based on a check on the place, Mochiko Hawaiian is now open at Boston Landing in Brighton, joining one on Walnut Street in Newtonville. The new Guest Street eatery offers such options as chicken sandwiches, pork sandwiches, fried chicken plates, burgers, spam handrolls, tater tots, hash browns, smoothies, iced tea, milk tea, and more.

The address for the new location of Mochiko Hawaiian at Boston Landing is 133 Guest Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. The website for the business is at https://www.mochikohawaiian.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.)

Yoki Express in Boston's Seaport District Has Closed; Happy Rice Sushi to Open in Its Space

A Japanese dining spot in Boston's waterfront area has shut down, and it looks like it will be replaced by another Japanese eatery.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yoki Express in the Seaport District is no longer in business, with Happy Rice Sushi planning to open in its space. Yoki Express was known for its sushi burritos and poke bowls and had an ownership connection to Yoki Japanese Restaurant & Bar, which remains open in Medford; the menu for Happy Rice Sushi doesn't yet have a menu, simply saying "modern sushi."

Yoki Express first opened back in 2017.

The address for the now-closed Yoki Express (and upcoming Happy Rice Sushi) is 53 Boston Wharf Road, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for Happy Rice Sushi will be at https://happyricesushi.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.)