Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, October 16, 2026

Blackbird Doughnuts Looking to Expand Nationally; Banyan Bar + Refuge Is Being Sold

The person behind a local restaurant and hospitality group is looking to take one of her brands national.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, Rebecca Roth Gullo of the Gallows Group is seeking investment in Blackbird Doughnuts, with the plan being to expand to Maine and New Hampshire initially, then to "every major city." Gullo indicates that she wants to find a local investor or a family office, stating that "We're really looking for people who are interested in growing the brand with us. That's an important thing, and I'm not exiting this by any means, and nor is my team." The article mentions that she is considering an investment of under $10 million, which would be sufficient for 20 locations.

In addition to the Blackbird plans, Rebecca Roth Gullo also says that she is looking to sell Banyan Bar + Refuge in Boston's South End, with the hope being to transfer the business to a local restaurant person, and she says that "If I were not doing Blackbird, I would be doubling down [there]" and that she is "waiting for the right person, because it’s my neighborhood....Some great local operator will take it over."

The website for Blackbird Doughnuts can be found at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.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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Ramen Haven to Open Locations by BU in Boston, at South Shore Plaza in Braintree

A growing local group of ramen spots will be opening two more locations--one in the city, and one in the southern suburbs.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Ramen Haven is planning to open outlets by Boston University in Boston and at South Shore Plaza in Braintree, with the two joining existing locations in Berlin, Burlington, and Sudbury. It appears that the Braintree location will open first--sometime this month--while the BU outlet will open in December, and expect to see such options as ramen, gyoza, edamame, Wagyu rice bowls, matcha crepe cake, fruit slushes, and milk teas at the two new eateries.

The website for Ramen Haven is at https://ramenhavensudbury.toast.site/

(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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The Ramyun Zip Is Opening in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

A chain of self-serve Korean noodle shops is on its way to Brookline.

According to an article in the Brookline News, The Ramyun Zip is getting ready to open in Coolidge Corner, moving into a space on Beacon Street a few storefronts east of the Harvard Street intersection. The store will be completely self-serve and will feature instant noodles with a wide variety of ingredients offered, where customers open a noodle package, add hot water from a machine, and choose from an array of extra toppings to add, including bean sprouts, fish cakes, scallions, and dumplings. (Pre-made bowls will also be available.)

The address for the upcoming location of The Ramyun Zip in Coolidge Corner is 1310 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The Instagram page for the Brookline location is at https://www.instagram.com/theramyunzip.boston/

(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.)

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Black Bamboo Opens in the Former Bodega Canal Space in Boston's West End

A brand new Asian restaurant and lounge has come to Boston, and it replaces a Mexican spot that closed last year.

According to its Instagram page, Black Bamboo has soft-opened in the city's West End area, moving into the space on Canal Street that had previously been home to Bodega Canal. The new place is an Asian Fusion spot that offers such options as sushi, wagyu fried rice, blooming enoki, creamy truffles udon, and cocktails, and live music appears to be part of the plans as well.

Bodega Canal first opened in the fall of 2018, offering small plates, tacos, bowls, tequila drinks, and more; it closed late last summer.

The address for Black Bamboo is 57 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/blackbambooboston/

(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.)

Roma Pizza & Company Opens in the Former Rome Pizza Space in Boston's South End

Last month, it was reported that a longtime pizzeria in Boston had closed down, and now we have learned that a new pizza spot has moved into its space.

According to a couple of sources, Roma Pizza & Company is now open in the South End, taking over the former Rome Pizza space on Tremont Street. The website for the new eatery shows such options as pizza, salads, garlic bread, zucchini bites, wings, tenders, sandwiches, pasta dishes, steak tips, and chicken milanese, and it is open for lunch and dinner daily.

Rome Pizza had been in the space for approximately 30 years.

The address for Roma Pizza & Company in the South End is 416 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at https://www.romabos.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rome Pizza in Boston's South End Has Closed

(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.)

Lulu Green in South Boston Is Closing

A vegan dining spot in South Boston that is a cafe by day and a restaurant by night is shutting down, though its other location will remain in operation.

According to a source from earlier this week, Lulu Green on W Broadway is getting ready to close, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

After 7 incredible years, the time has come for us to move on to our next chapter. Saturday, 10/17/26 will be our final day of service at the South Boston location. As a small, family run business, we want to focus our full attention on growing our newly opened Kendall Square location in Cambridge. This will allow us to bring our focus under one roof and continue bringing you remarkable plant-based food and drink with lots of fun happenings to come. This was a very tough decision - one that we did not take lightly because this neighborhood means so much to us. South Boston welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to create something truly special - community + connection + friendships that will last a lifetime.

The South Boston location of Lulu Green first opened in the early part of 2020 while the Kendall Square location debuted this spring.

The address for Lulu Green is 246 W Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website can be found at https://www.lulugreen.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.)