Boston Restaurant Talk

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Sorella Opens in Burlington

Last summer, it was reported that a local group of upscale Italian restaurants and markets would be closing one of its locations and that a new concept under the same ownership would replace it, and now we have learned that the new dining spot has debuted..

According to its website and social media along with a source, Sorella is now open in the former Tuscan Kitchen space in Burlington, with the website and Facebook page saying the following:

Sorella - meaning "sister" - is a softer, lighter, fresh take on Tuscan dining. Inspired by the coastal charm of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, Tanya brightened the space to feel more lively and vibrant while keeping it true to the Tuscan Brands aesthetic....Sorella's menu brings a contemporary Italian feel to the table - fresh seafood, premium steaks, and elevated classics.

Tuscan Kitchen closed in early August of 2025 after being in business for a bit less than 11 years; the other locations of Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH, and Boston's Seaport District remain open, with all restaurants (including Sorella) being part of Tuscan Brands.

The address for Sorella is 2400 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Its website can be found at https://www.sorellaburlington.com/

[Earlier Article]
New Concept to Replace Tuscan Kitchen in Burlington

(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.)

Leo's Events and Restaurant Officially Opens in Braintree

The restaurant part of a dining and function space in the southern suburbs of Boston has debuted.

A check on the space this past weekend along with a Facebook post from the business indicates that Leo's Events and Restaurant is now fully open, with the Facebook post from Sunday saying the following:

Today's the day! Leo's Restaurant officially opens its doors at 4PM. We're so excited to welcome everyone in to experience our new space, great food, drinks, and hospitality. Come join us tonight in Braintree — we can't wait to see you!

Leo's Events and Restaurant, which moves into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street, is run by Leo Keka (Alba, Scutari, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar); the functions/events part of the business debuted last summer.

The address for Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572606675228 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/leoseventsandrestaurant/

[Earlier Article]
Leo's Events and Restaurant Plans to Open in Braintree

(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 24, 2026

Little Steve's Pizzeria in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area Has Closed

A pizza place in Boston that replaced another pizzeria with the same name has shut down.

According to a poster (Drew Starr) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Little Steve's Pizzeria in the Back Bay/Fenway area of the city is no longer in business, apparently having very quietly closed its doors several weeks ago. The eatery first opened last spring in the Boylston Street space that had been home to the original Little Steve's Pizzeria which shuttered a few years ago after being in operation since 1968. (There was no ownership connection between the two Little Steve's.)

The address for the now-closed Little Steve's Pizzeria was 1114 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

(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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending February 22, 2026

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between February 16, 2026, and February 22, 2026.

Not Your Average Joe's in Norwell Has Closed
Yet another location of a local chain of family restaurants has shut down as the chain continues to shrink.
Full Story

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.
Full Story

The Dot Tavern in Dorchester Has Closed Its Doors
A neighborhood bar near the Southeast Expressway that had been around for a long time has shut down.
Full Story

Tigerbaby Opens at High Street Place in Downtown Boston
A new eatery from an award-winning local chef/restaurateur has come to a food hall in the heart of the city.
Full Story

Olympia Restaurant in Lowell Has Closed Permanently
A Greek restaurant north of Boston that had been around for nearly 75 years--and whose status has been in question for awhile--has closed for good.
Full Story

[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.)

Friday, February 20, 2026

The Halal Guys Opens in Downtown Boston

Last spring, it was reported that another new location of a chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be coming to the heart of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, The Halal Guys has its grand opening today and tomorrow in the city's downtown area, opening in a space on Washington Street on the northern edge of Downtown Crossing just south of State Street and Court Street. The new location joins another in the Theater District along with others in the Fenway, South Bay, Cambridge's Porter Square, Dedham, and further out, in Shrewsbury.

The Halal Guys, which began in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan, offers such items as chicken and rice, falafel, gyros, hummus, and baklava.

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in downtown Boston is 241 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02201. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys to Open a New Location in Downtown 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.)

Not Your Average Joe's in Norwell Is Closing

It looks like yet another location of a local chain of family restaurants is shutting down as the chain continues to shrink.

According to a source, Not Your Average Joe's in Norwell is closing, with both a Facebook post on 365 Things to do South Shore MA and a Google search indicating that the last day for the Pond Street location will be Saturday, February 21. Once it closes, the only ones left in the Greater Boston area will be in Acton, Bedford, Waltham, and Westwood, as outlets in Arlington, Burlington, Medford, Methuen, Peabody, Randolph, and Watertown have shut down over the past ten years or so.

The address for Not Your Average Joe's in Norwell is 111 Pond Street, Norwell, MA, 02061. The website for the chain is at https://www.notyouraveragejoes.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.)