Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, April 10, 2026

Mondo to Open in Boston's South End

A new wine bar is on its way to Boston.

According to a poster within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Mondo is planning to open in the South End, with an article from Swurl indicating that Spenser Payne of Neighborhood Wines, and Travis Robitaille of Petula's are behind the place. The article mentions that dining and drinking spot will offer a New England-inspired food menu with French, Italian, and Spanish influences and that the space will include a patio, while Payne says when it comes to wine options, "The point is to appeal to everybody....From wild and unconventional to really classic."

No opening date for Mondo has been given as of yet, nor has an address been given, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

The Instagram page for Mondo can be found at https://www.instagram.com/mondoboston/

(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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Ralph's Coffee to Open in Boston's Seaport District

A new coffee shop is on its way to the Boston waterfront, and it has a connection to a well-known luxury designer.

According to an article from Caught in Southie, Ralph's Coffee is planning to open in the city's Seaport District, with the shop moving into a space by Seaport Boulevard and Pier 4 Boulevard. Ralph Lauren is behind the concept which will likely offer such options as cold brew, espresso, tea, pastries, and baked goods.

Ralph's Coffee dates back to 2014 with the opening of a shop in Manhattan; its web page can be found at https://www.ralphlauren.com/ralphs-coffee-locations-feat

(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 09, 2026

Yakiniku Plans to Open in Waltham

It looks like a new Asian restaurant will be opening in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yakiniku is looking to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Main Street just east of Prospect Street. A Waltham Times article says that the dining spot will focus on Korean BBQ, with burners in the tables for diners to cook all-you-can-eat meat, and the restaurant will offer ramen and sushi as well. If all goes well, Yakiniku could be opening sometime in May.

The address for the proposed Yakiniku is 863-867 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451.

(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.)

Baby Cafe Kitchen in Allston Has Closed

The sole Boston-area location of a California-based group of Hong Kong-style restaurants has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Baby Cafe Kitchen in Allston is no longer in operation, with a check on the website for the business seeming to confirm this, as the Brighton Avenue outlet has been removed from the locations section. The eatery offered such options as Hainan chicken rice, beef stew, wings, salt and pepper squid, pork and egg stone porridge, and seafood udon.

Baby Cafe, which also had a location in Brookline that closed last year and which started out in Oakland, now appears to have only one location left (in Union City, CA).

The address for the now-closed Baby Cafe in Allston was 128 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the business is at https://www.babycaferestaurants.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.)

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]

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.)

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.)