Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Tampopo in Cambridge's Porter Square Is Closing

A decades-old Japanese restaurant in Cambridge is closing down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via a Cambridge Day article), Tampopo within the Lesley Building/Porter Exchange in the city's Porter Square area is shuttering in June after residing within the building since 1992 and once being part of a bustling food court. The eatery has been known for such options as tempura, donburi, katsu don, noodle soups, and curry over the years.

The website for Tampopo says "This journey has been made possible entirely through your warm support and continued patronage, for which we are deeply grateful....Serving this neighborhood has been the honor of a lifetime. We hope you'll stop by over the next six months so we can thank you in person."

The address for Tampopo is 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website can be found at https://www.tampopocambridge.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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TGI Fridays in Boston's Mission Hill/Brigham Circle Area Has Closed

A restaurant chain continues to shrink in the local area, as its sole Boston location has now shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, TGI Fridays in the Mission Hill/Brigham Circle section of the city is no longer in business, with a check on the locations section of the chain's website confirming this, as the Tremont Street outlet has been removed. With the closing of this location, there are now only two TGI Fridays remaining in the Greater Boston area--in Everett and Stoughton--with two others a bit further out in Methuen and Millbury.

Closings of TGI Fridays locations over the past couple of years have taken place in Braintree, Dedham, Mansfield, Marlborough, North Attleborough, North Dartmouth, and Seekonk.

The address for the now-closed location of TGI Fridays in Mission Hill/Brigham Circle was 1626 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120. The website for the chain is at https://tgifridays.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.)

The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the Top of the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay Are Closing

An upscale restaurant and a rooftop bar on top of one of Boston's highest buildings will both be shutting down this spring.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the top of the Prudential Center in the Back Bay are slated to close on April 21, as it appears that the spaces may be used instead for events/functions, with a spokesperson for operating partner Legends Global indicating to the BBJ that they are both "being replaced in response to a growing interest in private events." It does look like the observation deck will remain open, according to the article.

The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus first opened in September of 2023 in the renovated space called View Boston (which includes the restaurant, bar, and observation deck), replacing the Top of the Hub restaurant and the Skywalk Observatory which had been there until early 2020.

(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.)

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Sprouts Farmers Market and 7 Brew to Open in Weymouth

An upscale chain of grocery stores will be expanding to the Greater Boston area, with a location coming to the South Shore.

According to multiple sources along with an article from NBC10 Boston, Sprouts Farmers Market will be opening in Weymouth, moving into the space on Main Street just north of Route 3 that had been home to a Honda dealership. The new market, which will also be home to a drive-thru location of 7 Brew Coffee, will offer fresh produce, organic products, gluten-free items, and plant-based options.

This will be the first New England location of Sprouts Farmers Market, which is based in Phoenix, and the second location of 7 Brew Coffee, which is headquartered in Fayetteville, AR (the other location is in West Springfield).

(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.)

Sorella Opens in Burlington

Last summer, it was reported that a local group of upscale Italian restaurants and markets would be closing one of its locations and that a new concept under the same ownership would replace it, and now we have learned that the new dining spot has debuted..

According to its website and social media along with a source, Sorella is now open in the former Tuscan Kitchen space in Burlington, with the website and Facebook page saying the following:

Sorella - meaning "sister" - is a softer, lighter, fresh take on Tuscan dining. Inspired by the coastal charm of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, Tanya brightened the space to feel more lively and vibrant while keeping it true to the Tuscan Brands aesthetic....Sorella's menu brings a contemporary Italian feel to the table - fresh seafood, premium steaks, and elevated classics.

Tuscan Kitchen closed in early August of 2025 after being in business for a bit less than 11 years; the other locations of Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH, and Boston's Seaport District remain open, with all restaurants (including Sorella) being part of Tuscan Brands.

The address for Sorella is 2400 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Its website can be found at https://www.sorellaburlington.com/

[Earlier Article]
New Concept to Replace Tuscan Kitchen in Burlington

(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.)

Leo's Events and Restaurant Officially Opens in Braintree

The restaurant part of a dining and function space in the southern suburbs of Boston has debuted.

A check on the space this past weekend along with a Facebook post from the business indicates that Leo's Events and Restaurant is now fully open, with the Facebook post from Sunday saying the following:

Today's the day! Leo's Restaurant officially opens its doors at 4PM. We're so excited to welcome everyone in to experience our new space, great food, drinks, and hospitality. Come join us tonight in Braintree — we can't wait to see you!

Leo's Events and Restaurant, which moves into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street, is run by Leo Keka (Alba, Scutari, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar); the functions/events part of the business debuted last summer.

The address for Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572606675228 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/leoseventsandrestaurant/

[Earlier Article]
Leo's Events and Restaurant Plans to Open in Braintree

(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.)