Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, May 15, 2026

Presto Pasta Opens in Boston's North End

A new concept that focuses on takeout pasta dishes has come to the North End of Boston.

According to its Instagram page, Presto Pasta is now open on Richmond Street, being a takeout window located within AquaPazza and being part of DePasquale Ventures which operates such places as AquaPazza, Bricco, Il Panino, Mare, Assaggio, and Umbria. The new business sells pasta to go with customizable house-made pasta meals where customers choose a pasta, sauce, meat, veggies, etc.

The address for Presto Pasta is 135 Richmond Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/prestopastanorthend/

(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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Essex County Brewing Company Opens Taproom at Alfalfa Farms in Topsfield

A North Shore beermaker has opened a taproom within an historic space.

According to multiple sources, Essex County Brewing Company has opened at Alfalfa Farms in Topsfield, with Facebook posts from the business saying the following:

We are still shaking our heads and are wondering what just went down this weekend!! We are so grateful for old friends and new that joined us in the rain on Saturday and again on a sunny Mother’s Day!! We are so lucky and so happy to FINALLY be able to open our doors and let you all into this new refreshed beautiful historic space!....come be part of the journey, help us bring life back into this historic farm, and grow with us as we fine-tune every detail. Expect incredible craft beer, craft wine, and next-level cocktails designed by Seth Freidus. We couldn’t be more grateful for your patience and support. Now it's time to celebrate together.

Essex County Brewing Company first started out in Peabody 2018, working out a deal to move to the Topsfield farm a couple of years ago with major renovations taking place at the farm leading up to the opening of the taproom.

The address for Essex County Brewing Company at Alfalfa Farms is 267 Rowley Bridge Road, Topsfield, MA, 01983. The website for Alfalfa Farms is at https://alfalfafarmcellars.com/ while its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Alfalfafarmcellars

(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, May 14, 2026

Oregano in Newburyport Has Closed

A North Shore restaurant known for its Italian and Mediterranean fare has shut down.

According to multiple sources, Oregano in Newburyport is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the Pleasant Street dining spot saying the following:

To our wonderful community - There are no words that feel big enough for this. Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, Oregano [has closed] its doors. Your support, your loyalty, and your presence over the years turned Oregano into something so much more than a restaurant. It became a home away from home. A place where memories were made, milestones were celebrated, and people came not just to eat, but to feel like they belonged....Thank you to our friends, family, staff, and most importantly our patrons for being part of something we will never forget.

Oregano first opened 18 years ago, offering such options as pizza, pasta dishes, risotto, kebabs, lamb chops, stuffed grape leaves, salmon patties, and more.

The address for the now-closed Oregano was 16 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950.

(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.)

Popeyes Plans to Open in Brighton

A chain of southern fried chicken spots that dates back more than 50 years may be expanding to a neighborhood of Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Popeyes is looking to open in Brighton, moving into a space within Park Center Plaza on Washington Street between Brighton Center and Oak Square. The proposed location of the chain will likely focus on takeout, having only 7 seats and a kitchen in the back; if given the green light to open, the new outlet would join others nearby at Northeastern University in Boston, Roslindale, Roxbury, West Roxbury, and Newton, along with locations in Brockton, Chelmsford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Randolph, Quincy, and Woburn.

The address for the proposed location of Popeyes in Brighton is 470 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.popeyes.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.)

Moozy's Ice Cream in Belmont Heavily Damaged in Fire

An ice cream shop in the western suburbs of Boston has been hit by a fire.

According to an article from NBC10 Boston, a fire broke out at Moozy's Ice Cream in Belmont overnight, with smoke first being reported at the Trapelo Road storefront around 4:30 AM. The article mentions that firefighters discovered a heavy fire coming from the basement of the building when they arrived, and they had to be pulled back from the structure when the first floor started to collapse. No injuries were reported, and the exact extent of the damage is unknown as of this writing, though damage does appear to be extensive.

The address for Moozy's Ice Cream is 2 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA, 02478.

(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, May 13, 2026

Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Boston's Downtown Crossing Is Closing

A restaurant and bar in the heart of Boston known in part for its live music and nightlife is shutting down after 15 years in business.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Downtown Crossing is getting ready to close, with the website for the School Street spot indicating that it will shutter permanently after this weekend. Scholars first opened in 2011, offering regional dishes along with beer, wine, and cocktails while also having semi-private spaces, karaoke, and DJs.

The address for Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge is 25 School Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at https://www.scholarsbostonbistro.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.)