Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, April 17, 2026

Clarke's at Faneuil Hall Is Closing

A bar in the heart of downtown Boston that has been around for more than 50 years will soon be shutting down permanently.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Clarke's at Faneuil Hall is getting ready to close its doors, with the article indicating that management informed employees that its last day in operation will be sometime next week. The Merchants Row pub first opened its doors back in 1975, being particularly popular with the after-work crowd and tourists alike while also being a place for work and holiday parties, and also being one of the last of the old-school drinking spots in and around Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

The address for Clarke's is 21 Merchants Row, Boston, MA, 02109.

(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.)

Tree House Brewing Is Looking to Open at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston

It looks like one of the best-known breweries in New England could be coming to downtown Boston, though plans are in their early stages.

According to an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Tree House Brewing Company has filed a proposal to open in the former Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar/Cheers Replica Bar at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, with the plans being to operate a brewery and distillery that would also include an outdoor beer garden. These plans are in their very early stages, as Tree House has only applied for a Farmer-Brewery license with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission as of this writing and it has not yet met with the Boston Licensing Board.

In 2024, Tree House Brewing Company had looked at opening a taproom, distillery, and tasting room at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay, but those plans never came to be, though they do have a kiosk at the Pru site where they sell cans and merchandise while also having a seasonal beer garden; the company currently has locations in Charlton, Sandwich, Deerfield, and Tewksbury along with a farm in Woodstock, CT, and a taproom in Saratoga Springs, NY, with its website being at https://treehousebrew.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.)

A South East Kitchen Opens in Framingham

A brand new Asian restaurant has debuted west of Boston.

According to Kiat Cormier who posted on the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, A South East Kitchen has debuted in Framingham and is currently going through a soft opening. An opening menu for the dining spot shows a focus on Thai fare, including such items as spring rolls, chicken satay, golden shrimp, massaman curry, basil fried rice, drunken noodle, pad see ew, pad thai, green curry noodle, and gai ka pow, along with Thai iced tea and Thai iced coffee.

The address for A South East Kitchen is 855 Worcester Road (Route 9) Suite 1C, Framingham, MA. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584544907322

(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.)

Kri Kri Grill to Open in Chelmsford

A veteran chef who has been involved with a number of restaurants in the Greater Boston area and beyond will be opening his very own dining spot north of the city.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Brendan Pelley will be opening Kri Kri Grill in Chelmsford, moving into the space within a shopping center on Boston Road that had previously been home to Pita. The upcoming eatery will focus on Greek fare, with the menu including such options as sourdough pita bread, hand-carved meats, spanakopita, moussaka, pastitsio, grilled dolmas, house-made ice cream, and more.

Brendan Pelley has been involved with such well-known restaurants as Krasi, Greco, Bar Vlaha, Kaia, Gibbet Hill Grill, and Doretta Taverna.

The address for the upcoming Kri Kri Grill is 18 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/krikrigrill/

(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.)

Avra Estiatorio Opens at Lyrik Back Bay in Boston

An upscale Greek and Mediterranean restaurant that got its start in New York City and now has a handful of locations around the country has come to a new development in Boston.

According to multiple sources, Avra Estiatorio is now open at Lyrik Back Bay, a mixed-use space above the Mass. Pike where Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue meet. The new dining spot focuses in part on Greek seafood dishes, with a few options including fish soup, littleneck clams, calamari, salmon tartare, grilled octopus, sardines, sea bass souvlaki, lobster pasta, and pan-seared scallops, while also offering a variety of cocktails.

The first location of Avra Estiatorio debuted in Midtown East back in 2000.

The address for Avra Estiatorio in the Back Bay is 400 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its web page is at https://theavragroup.com/avra-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, April 16, 2026

Happii Bellii to Open in the Former Brockton Beer Company Space

A pop-up dining spot known for its Vietnamese fare is opening a brick-and-mortar location which will apparently have a different concept, and it will be moving into the space where a beermaker had been.

According to an article in The Enterprise, Happii Bellii is planning to open in Brockton, taking over the old Brockton Beer Company space on Main Street in the city's downtown area. The article mentions that the upcoming eatery--which was located within Devito's Pizzeria in Taunton in 2024--may not be focusing on Vietnamese cuisine, with a spokesperson for the place saying that it will be "eclectic" and "its own concept" while also saying that "It's not an Asian theme at all."

The address for the upcoming Happii Bellii is 121 Main Street, Brockton, MA, 02301.

(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.)