Boston Restaurant Talk

Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Bar 23 and Le Boulevard to Open in Boston's Seaport District

A local restaurant group will be opening a couple of new dining spots on the Boston waterfront.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Bar 23 and Le Boulevard are both planning to open in the city's Seaport District, with Himmel Hospitality Group (Grill 23, Bistro du Midi, Harvest, The Banks) being behind the two places. The article mentions that Bar 23 will be a "spinoff" of Grill 23 with seating for 75 and a focus on steaks, while Le Boulevard will be a Parisian-inspired bistro with seating for 250 including a large patio. If all goes as planned, Bar 23 and Le Boulevard will open in 2027.

The addresses for the two upcoming spots from Himmel Hospitality Group are 11 Fan Pier Boulevard for Bar 23 and 10 Fan Pier Boulevard for Le Boulevard.

(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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Ray Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine in Salem Has Closed

A dining spot on the North Shore that offered fusion fare has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via a Salem Food Digest post), Ray Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine in Salem is no longer in business, with a "for lease" sign in the window of the Lafayette Street space. The eatery was known in part for its vegetarian and vegan Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare including falafel, hummus, and babaganoush, while also offering meat-based Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, and steamed fish.

The address for the now-closed Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine was 90 Lafayette Street (Unit 1B), Salem, MA, 01970.

(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.)

Calisto's Has Replaced Boston Pocket and Deli in the South End

A brand new sandwich shop has debuted in the South End of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from the place within the South End Community Board group page, Calisto's is now open on Tremont Street, with the owners taking over the former Boston Pocket and Deli space. The post gives more info on the new spot, including the following:

Calisto's is a European-inspired sandwich shop combining classic deli tradition with modern creativity....A little about us: Pat grew up in an Italian household and has dreamed of running his own food business for as long as he can remember (he went and got a degree in entrepreneurship to back it up). Nick has always had a passion for design, aesthetics, and the arts. When we saw an opportunity to take over a struggling deli and pour everything we had into it, we jumped. We're combining those two worlds — great food and a space that feels intentional and inviting — to create something we think the South End deserves.

The menu for Calisto's includes breakfast sandwiches and hot and cold lunch sandwiches.

The address for Calisto's is 682A Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://www.calistosdeli.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.)

Lola's Coffee and More in West Medford Has Closed

A coffee shop in West Medford has shut down after being in business for three years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Lola's Coffee and More on Playstead Road is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the shop saying the following:

Owing to certain challenges with Len's Coffee and changes in my employment situation, we opted for retirement and made preparations for new owners to take over both businesses. Regrettably, after completing the necessary paperwork, the individual set to assume control of Lola's Coffee and More informed us that they would not be proceeding, forcing our hand and leading to this sudden closure.

Lola's first opened in the spring of 2023, moving into the space that had been home to Nourish Your Soul (a location of that business remains in operation in Winchester).

The address for the now-closed Lola's Coffee and More in West Medford was 17 Playstead Road, West Medford, MA, 02155.

(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.)

Mexicana Grill & Cantina Opens in West Newton

A brand new Mexican restaurant has come to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mexicana Grill & Cantina is now open in West Newton, moving into the space on Washington Street that had previously been home to Ninebark Kitchen + Drinks, and before that, Burke's Alewerks and a location of The Local. An Instagram post from It's In Newton mentions that owners Antonio de Trizio and Nicolas Ruiz previously owned Latina Kitchen & Bar in Needham, while the menu for the place shows such options as taquitos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, tortas, flautas, churros, and flan, along with a variety of margaritas.

The address for Mexicana Grill & Cantina is 1391 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465. Its website is at https://mexicananewton.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, April 07, 2026

Conrad's to Open in Canton

A local group of restaurants known in part for their steak tips will be opening another new location.

According to an article from The Patriot Ledger, Conrad's is planning to open in Canton, moving into the space on Washington Street within The Village Shoppes that had previously been home to Nosh & Grog. Once it opens, the new location will join others in Norwood, Walpole, Foxboro, and Needham, while another had been in Sudbury as well but it closed in 2022.

The address for the upcoming location of Conrad's in Canton is 95 Washington Street, Canton, MA, 02021. The website for all locations is at https://conradsrestaurant.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.)