Boston Restaurant Talk

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Borgo Italian Kitchen to Open in the Former NY Bagel & Diner Space in Allston

A brand new Italian dining spot is on its way to Allston, and it will have an ownership connection to an adjacent eatery (along with a couple of other restaurants).

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Borgo Italian Kitchen is planning to open on Brighton Avenue in the former NY Bagel & Diner space, with What Now Boston indicating that Dariusz Zywina is one of the owners (Zywina is also co-owner of Punjab Palace next door and Da Vinci Bistro and Soul of India in Sudbury). The upcoming place will offer such options as pizza, panini, pasta dishes, and salads, and it will focus on takeout and delivery, though a few tables will be set up inside the dining spot as well.

The address for the upcoming Borgo Italian Kitchen is 111 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

(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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Tradesman Coffee Shop to Open at Independence Wharf in Boston

It appears that the people behind a local group of coffee shops and lounges are going to be opening another coffee shop in downtown Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Tradesman Coffee Shop is planning to open at Independence Wharf, with a sign out front saying "Tradesman Coffee Shop Atlantic Ave Opening Soon. We can't wait to meet you!" Once it debuts, it will join other Tradesman locations on Batterymarch Street and Federal Street (two locations on Federal) in the downtown area as well as ones in Charlestown's Hood Park and at Boston Landing in Brighton.

It looks like the address for the upcoming Tradesman Coffee Shop & Bar at Independence Wharf will be 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210.

(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.)

Clementine to Replace The Garrison House in Brookline Village

A new restaurant is on its way to Brookline, and it will be replacing a dining spot that has been around for about five years.

According to an article from The Brookline News, Clementine is planning to open in the space in Brookline Village where The Garrison House currently resides, with Mathew Freid (who was behind the now-closed Idle Hour in Quincy) being the owner. Very little is known about the upcoming place other than the fact that it plans to have seating for 128 inside and 32 outside and that it hopes to be open until 1:00 AM on weekends; more should be known soon (a hearing on the plans is slated for today), so stay tuned for updates.

The Garrison House debuted in late 2021, replacing Magnolia Smokehouse; Hawkeye Hospitality (Elm Street Taproom, Five Horses Tavern, The Chester Tavern) is behind the spot, which is known in part for its classic American fare and pub food.

The address for the upcoming Clementine (and Garrison House) is 6 Harvard Square, Brookline, MA, 02445.

(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, October 20, 2026

Mandarin Cuisine in Needham Is Closing October 31

A decades-old suburban Chinese restaurant is getting ready to shut its doors.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mandarin Cuisine is going to be closing, with a Facebook post from the Highland Avenue spot saying the following:

To our wonderful patrons, neighbors, and friends, We are announcing the upcoming closure of Mandarin Cuisine. We will remain open until October 31, 2026. We have loved every single moment of serving you over the past 37 years. Thank you for your unwavering support, your smiles, and for making our restaurant a true community staple. As we prepare to hand over the keys to new ownership, we want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our small business. We hope you will stop by before the end of October to say goodbye. We will miss you!

No information has been given on the restaurant that will be replacing Mandarin Cuisine, so stay tuned for any details as they come in.

The address for Mandarin Cuisine is 238 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. Its website can be found at https://www.mandarincuisine.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.)

Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse Opens in the Former Continental Space in Saugus

A South American restaurant has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston, taking over the space where an old-school restaurant had been for a very long time.

A check on the place indicates that Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse is now open in Saugus, moving into the former Continental space on the northbound side of Route 1. The website for the new restaurant indicates that it offers a "traditional Southern Brazilian Rodízio experience....an all-you-can-eat celebration of flame-kissed meats" while also showing that another location can be found in King of Prussia, PA.

The Continental closed in the fall of 2024 after being in business for 72 years; it had been known in part for its steak and seafood dishes along with its popovers.

The address for Charkoal's Brazilian Steakhouse is 266 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Its website can be found at https://charkoals.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.)

Monday, October 19, 2026

The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar in Scituate Is Closing

A South Shore dining and drinking spot known in part for its dishes using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients is shutting down.

According to its social media, The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar in Scituate is closing at the end of business hours on October 31, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

With heavy hearts, we're sharing that we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. We gave this concept our hearts, our energy, and everything we had, and while this chapter didn't unfold quite the way we had hoped, we're incredibly grateful for the experience, our customers who supported us, and our dedicated staff. To our family and friends - thank you for standing beside us through every step. Your love, encouragement, and support have meant more than we can put into words. As we close this chapter, we're looking ahead with gratitude and excitement for what's to come.

The note does mention that its other restaurant--Osteria Vivo in Pembroke will remain in operation, saying that "We're thankful to continue our journey at Vivo, and we're excited to see where the future takes us and what new endeavors may be on the horizon."

The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar first opened las summer, taking over the space where Rivershed had been.

The address for The Salt Marsh Bistro and Bar is 17 New Driftway, Scituate, MA, 02066. Its website can be found at https://thesaltmarshbistroandbar.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.)