According to the Harvard Crimson, the space in Harvard Square where Z Square was until closing this past winter will turn into a restaurant and bar with live music. The Crimson mentions that the Brattle House Tavern looks to be opening at 14 JFK Street, and it could open by the end of the year if all goes well. [NOTE: The Restaurant has had a name change--see update below.] The article goes on to say that the folks behind this new place also own Grafton Street, an Irish pub and restaurant in Harvard Square. [February 9 update: According to Citysearch Boston, the restaurant is now going to be called the Russell House Tavern. It looks like it may be open sometime later this winter or early in the spring, but we'll post an additional update as we receive a definitive answer on when they will be opening.]
The Harvard Crimson also reports that a Latin American tapas restaurant called Congas will be opening in the old Shabu Square spot on Eliot Street in Harvard Square. Shabu Square was an Asian hotpot place that closed its doors this past spring after being in business for less than a year. It appears that the owner of Shabu Square and two other Harvard Square restaurants (9 Tastes and Spice Thai Cuisine) is behind the opening of Congas. [UPDATE: Congas is open as of Wednesday, November 4.]
Across the river, a new restaurant specializing in Thai cuisine will open in Brookline's Arcade Building where La Scala Caffe used to be. According to the Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, M.J. Ready will open soon in the historic space on Harvard Street that is at the northern edge of the Coolidge Corner neighborhood. Their menu will lean toward Thai fare, but they will offer other cuisine as well, including a few Italian dishes. The TAB mentions that M.J. Ready will also continue to serve espresso, as La Scala Caffe did before they closed. [November 19 update: M.J. Ready is now open in the Arcade Building.]
Also in Brookline, a sushi caterer called Sea To You will be opening a takeout spot on Kendall Street (just south of Route 9 between Brookline Village and the Brookline Reservoir). According to the Brookline TAB, the place should be open sometime this fall, offering takeout sushi to the neighborhood. [November 16 update: Sea to You is now open for takeout food. Thanks to a Chowhound poster for letting folks know about their opening. The website for Sea To You is at http://www.seatoyouboston.com/]
To read more about the opening of the Brattle House Tavern and Congas in Cambridge, please go to the Harvard Crimson link below:
Tavern to Open in Former Z Square
And to find out more about the opening of M.J. Ready and Sea to You in Brookline, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked Local link below:
New sushi, Thai restaurants coming to Brookline
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