Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Table Four Opens in Melrose

A new wine bar has come to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Table Four is now open in Melrose, moving into a space on W Emerson Street by the Cedar Park commuter rail station. The website and social media for the place indicate that it is a "European-inspired wine bar" that offers curated wines, craft beers, and small plates, with its food menu including such options as baguettes with jam and butter, pita bread, hummus, tinned fish, olives, nuts, and pickled vegetables.

The address for Table Four is 169A W Emerson Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. Its website can be found at https://tablefourmelrose.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/tablefourmelrose/

(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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212 Kitchen Opens in Cambridge

A brand new Asian restaurant has come to Cambridge.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, 212 Kitchen is now open in the Riverside neighborhood of the city, moving into a space on Western Avenue. The menu for the new dining spot mentions that it offers "authentic Chinese cuisine," including such items as handmade dumplings, steamed buns, fried pies, noodles and porridge, stone pot noodle soups, fried rice, grilled seafood, and more.

212 Kitchen had been in the works for at least 4 to 5 years until finally opening over the past couple of weeks or so.

The address for 212 Kitchen is 212 Western Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

(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 18, 2026

Framingham Baking Co. in Framingham Is Closing

A bakery west of Boston that is known in part for its pizza is shutting down after more than 100 years in business.

According to multiple source, Framingham Baking Co. in Framingham is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the Waverly Street spot saying "The End of an Era" while mentioning that it will be shuttering on March 29. Framingham Baking Co., which first opened in 1917, offers such items as sheet pizza, scali bread, rolls, biscotti, Italian cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more.

The address for Framingham Baking Co. is 840 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA, 01702. Its website can be found at https://www.framinghambakingcompany.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 Dot Tavern in Dorchester Closes Its Doors

A neighborhood bar near the Southeast Expressway that had been around for a long time is shutting down.

According to an article from Caught in Dot, The Dot Tavern in Dorchester is closing its doors, with the post saying that the Dorchester Avenue watering hole shutters after business hours today. The Dot Tavern had actually shut down once before in 2018 but reopened under new management in 2023 after its building underwent major renovations. The bar apparently had been open "for most of the 20th century, by some accounts" according to an earlier Dorchester Reporter article.

The address for The Dot Tavern is 840 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

(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.)

Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli in Newton Is Closing

An Italian food shop in the western suburbs is shutting down after only a relatively short time in business.

According to a source, Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli in Newton is closing, with an Instagram post from the Beacon Street spot saying the following:

It is with truly heavy hearts that we share the news that Scafidi Bros will be permanently closing this month due to financial challenges outside of our control. This has been an incredibly painful decision, and one we did not make lightly.

Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli first opened last spring, offering a variety of subs, wraps, and panini, as well as soups, salads, sides, and desserts.

The address for Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli is 1134 Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 02461. Its website can be found at https://www.scafidimarketdeli.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, February 17, 2026

The Down Low Opens in Woburn

A new underground cocktail club has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, The Down Low is now open in Woburn, moving into a space below The Brickyard on Main Street in the downtown area. Veteran hospitality professional and bartender Curtis McMillan (Tiki Rock) is the Creative Director behind the place, which has seating for 80 and which offers craft cocktails and food items such as Detroit-style pizza and smash burgers, while live music is also featured as well.

The address for The Down Low is 371 Main Street, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at https://www.downlowbar.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.)