Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Upper Crust Pizzeria Opening in Beverly

A local chain of pizza places is looking to open a new location in the Boston area, with this one being on the North Shore.

According to a job posting on the Craigslist site, Upper Crust Pizzeria is going to be opening in Beverly. A message from the Upper Crust Pizzeria Twitter page to us indicates that the new restaurant will be located in the North Beverly Plaza (on Route 1A, just north of Route 128), with a possible opening sometime in the early spring of 2011. [January 31, 2011 update: According to their Twitter page, the new Upper Crust Pizzeria in Beverly is now open.]

Currently, locations of the Upper Crust chain can be found in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Hingham, Lexington, Newburyport, Plymouth, Salem, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, and West Roxbury.

The Web site for the Upper Crust chain can be found at: http://www.theuppercrustpizzeria.com/

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New American Cafe Opens within Boston's Museum of Fine Arts

A new restaurant is now open inside the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and one of the people behind it is a familiar name within the Boston restaurant scene.

According to the MFA website, the New American Cafe recently opened in the new Shapiro Family Courtyard (the courtyard and the new Art of the Americas Wing had their grand opening earlier this month). The new dining spot looks to be a bit more casual--and less expensive--than the MFA's Bravo, though more of a full-service restaurant than The Galleria or The Garden Cafeteria. Ken Oringer of such restaurants as Clio, Coppa, La Verdad, and Toro is involved with The New American Cafe, as is Peter Agostinelli of Bravo.

The New American Cafe features both cold and hot small plates as well as soups, salads, and main entrees. (A prix fixe menu is offered as well.) Beer and wine is available, as are coffee and tea.

Hours for the New American Cafe are 11:30 AM to 4:45 PM Saturday through Tuesday, and 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM Wednesday through Friday.

The address for this new restaurant within the Museum of Fine Arts is: New American Cafe, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. A web link for the dining spot can be found at: http://www.mfa.org/visit/dining

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Five Guys Burgers Opening in Stoneham

A chain of burger places continues to expand in the Boston area, with another one soon opening north of the city.

According to the restaurant chain's website, Five Guys Burgers is planning to open in the Redstone Shopping Center on Route 28 in Stoneham. This will be one of two new locations coming to the northern suburbs of Boston, as another Five Guys will be opening soon at Station Landing in Medford.

In addition to the upcoming Stoneham and Medford spots, Five Guys Burgers can also be found in Dedham, Foxborough, Framingham, Gloucester, Marlborough, Natick, Randolph, Swampscott, and Walpole, as well as Nashua, NH.

[May 9, 2011 update: According to The Passionate Foodie, the new Five Guys Burgers in Stoneham is now open.]

The address for this new burger place in Stoneham is: Five Guys Burgers, 109 Main Street (Route 28), Stoneham, MA, 02180. The website for the burger chain can be found at: http://www.fiveguys.com/

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Raffael's Restaurant in Hull Has Closed

A restaurant and caterer that has had three locations in the Boston area is now down to two, as its waterfront dining spot in Hull has closed.

According to the Patriot Ledger, Raffael's Restaurant on Hull Shore Drive at Nantasket Beach has shut down, and a new restaurant may be coming to the space, which is within the Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel. The article mentions that the hotel itself has been sold, and will become the Nantasket Beach Resort in early April of 2011.

Raffael's first opened in Quincy in the late 1980s, eventually having three locations in Hull, Walpole, and, most recently, Hingham (at the South Shore Country Club). The restaurants and caterers feature New American, classic American, and Italian fare in an upscale yet casual environment.

The address for the now-closed Raffael's at Nantasket Beach was: Raffael's Restaurant, 45 Hull Shore Drive, Hull, MA 02045. The website for the remaining two restaurants can be found at: http://www.raffaels.com/

For more information on the closing of Raffael's in Hull (and the sale of the Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel), please go to the Patriot Ledger link below.

New owners plan subtle changes for Nantasket Beach hotel

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New Restaurant Moving into Back Bay Space Where Match Burgers and Martinis Has Been

It looks like a new dining spot will be opening in the Back Bay of Boston, and it will be replacing a restaurant and lounge that recently stopped serving food, focusing only on drinks.

According to a job posting on the Craigslist site, the company behind such local spots as Alibi Bar and Lounge, Back Bay Social Club, Harvard Gardens, and Lucky's Lounge is currently hiring people for a new restaurant at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury Street in the space where Match Burgers and Martinis has been. The as-of-yet unnamed eatery looks like it will be open for dinner on weeknights, with a brunch featured on Saturdays and Sundays, based on information within the Craigslist post.

Match Burgers and Martinis, which first opened about five years ago, had featured such dishes as burgers, macaroni and cheese, and pizza, along with a variety of drink options, but this past August, the kitchen was closed down and it remained open for drinks only Thursday through Saturday.

The address for the upcoming restaurant replacing Match Burgers and Martinis will be 94 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

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Lawton's in Lawrence Is Closing; May Reopen Elsewhere

A landmark hot dog stand in Lawrence that temporarily closed awhile back because it was in danger of falling into the adjacent canal is closing for good at its present location, though it may be reopening in another location at some point in the future.

According to the Eagle-Tribune, Lawton's on Canal Street is planning to close at the end of 2010 after being in business for more than 80 years. The article states that reasons for the hot dog stand's pending closure include both present and upcoming construction projects in the immediate area. The future construction project, which will focus on stabilizing the canal wall, brings to mind the reason for Lawton's temporary closure last year--the ground around Lawton's was unstable and had to be shored up, which kept the restaurant closed for several months.

The article mentions that the owners of Lawton's are hoping to open elsewhere in the area if they can find a location that will work out.

Lawton's, which features rippers (deep-fried hot dogs), is a restaurant that has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants). The review can be found here:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Lawtons.html

For more information on the apparent closing of Lawton's in Lawrence, please go to the Eagle-Tribune link below.

Lawton's could be gone for good Dec. 31

[January 3, 2011 update: According to a new article in the Eagle-Tribune, Lawton's has officially closed, though as mentioned above, the co-owners of the hot dog joint are looking for a new space.]

[April 19, 2011 update: According to the Eagle-Tribune, it looks like Lawton's may be reopening in another part of Lawrence, and a new hot dog stand called Lawrence Famous Frankfurters will be opening in the spot where Lawton's used to be.]

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant Opens in Framingham

A Mexican restaurant with three locations in New Hampshire has just opened its first spot in Massachusetts.

According to the restaurant's Facebook page, the new location of La Carreta in Framingham is now open on Cochituate Road (Route 30), moving into the space where Bickford's used to be. La Carreta, which can be found in Derry, Manchester, and Nashua, NH, features such familiar items as burritos, tamales, nachos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas, but also offers a number of less common traditional Mexican dishes including ones with steak, chicken, and seafood.

The address for this Mexican restaurant in Framingham is: La Carretta Mexican Restaurant, 270 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA, 01701. The website for all four restaurants can be found at: http://lacarretamex.com/

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Ka' Carlos May Reopen in Uphams Corner, Dorchester

A Cape Verdean restaurant in Dorchester that closed down this spring might be reopening once again, though it may be only open for brunch until the restaurant can prove that the troubles that plagued it are a thing of the past.

According to The Dorchester Reporter, Ka' Carlos on Hancock Street in the Uphams Corner section of the neighborhood has been allowed to open once again after a vote of approval by area civic associations. A concession for now, however, is that the eatery will close at 5:00 PM for the time being, and there will be no alcohol served and no entertainment.

In August of 2009, Ka' Carlos made regional newspaper headlines for being the site of a double homicide.

If it indeed opens once again, the address for this Cape Verdean restaurant in Uphams Corner will be: Ka' Carlos, 33 Hancock Street, Boston (Dorchester), MA, 02125.

For more information on the possible reopening of Ka' Carlos, please go to the Dorchester Reporter link below.

In compromise, Hancock St. eatery to re-open amid extra scrutiny

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Plans in Place for 2011 Reopening of Fenway's Restaurant Row

Nearly two years after being destroyed in a devastating fire, the Fenway neighborhood's "restaurant row" is on track to exist once again, with three of the former restaurants returning to the area.

According to The Boston Globe, the property owner of the stretch of Peterborough Street that had been leveled in January of 2009 has set plans in place to bring back several independent dining spots to the block, which is between Kilmarnock Street and Jersey Street, a few blocks south of Fenway Park. The article states that restaurants returning to the block include El Pelon Taqueria, Rod Dee Thai Cuisine, and Thornton's Fenway Grill, though it appears that Greek Isles Restaurant, Sorento's Italian Gourmet, and Umi Japanese Restaurant will not be coming back to Peterborough Street.

The Globe article mentions that the building may be ready by February or March of 2011, with restaurants hopefully opening three months (or less) after that.

[February 14, 2011 update: According to Theo Associates and Universal Hub, El Pelon Taqueria, Rod Dee Thai Cuisine, and Thornton's Fenway Grill, along with four new restaurants, are all planning to open in June of 2011. The new restaurants will apparently be Swish Shabu, Fenway Phoenix Cafe, an as-of-yet unnamed pizzeria, and possibly a bricks-and-mortar branch of Speed's Hot Dogs, though this is definitely up in the air.]

[December 6, 2011 update: According to Thrillist, it looks like Thornton's may be opening this Friday (December 9). Concerning the other dining spots on "restaurant row," El Pelon Taqueria is up and running as well, but the others have yet to open.]

[December 12, 2011 update: Thornton's is now open.]

For more information on the reopening of the Fenway neighborhood's restaurant row, please go to the Boston Globe article below.

Fenway's Restaurant Row set to rise from ashes in spring

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Asahi in Salem Has Closed; Lakay Island (Caribbean Restaurant) Opening in Its Space

A Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Salem has shut its doors, and a Caribbean dining spot will be opening in its space.

According to The Salem News, Asahi Japanese Restaurant, which used to be located at Pickering Wharf, recently closed its present-day location on Essex Street. The article mentions that a Caribbean eatery is moving into the spot, and a job post on the Craigslist site has indeed confirmed this, with the post mentioning that the unnamed restaurant should be opening sometime in late December or early January.

[November 30 update: According to a photo posted by The Salem Insider, the name of the new restaurant will be Lakay Island Restaurant.]

[March 5, 2011 update: According to their Twitter page, Lakay Island Restaurant opens today.]

Asahi offered a variety of traditional Japanese entrees as well as sushi, and the restaurant also had hibachi dishes featuring steak, chicken, and seafood. The restaurant was open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

The address for the now-closed Asahi (and the new Lakay Island Restaurant) is 168 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Pie Bakery and Cafe in Newton Closing; B Street Restaurant and Bar Opening in Its Place

A bakery and cafe in Newton Centre is closing its doors, but the owners of the eatery will be opening a new restaurant in its place.

An email sent to us from Pie Bakery and Cafe on Beacon Street has confirmed that the dining spot will be closing on Thanksgiving, and that B Street Restaurant & Bar will replace it. The email mentions that the new restaurant should be opening in January.

[February 28, 2011 update: According to a a poster on the Chowhound site, B Street Restaurant & Bar is now open for business.]

Pie Bakery and Cafe, which first opened in 2007, has been known for its pies and other baked goods, as well as a number of comfort food items such as spaghetti pie, turkey meatloaf, chicken pot pie, and macaroni and cheese. The restaurant has also been involved with catering for businesses.

The address for the new B Street Restaurant & Bar) is 796 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459.

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Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Opening in Boston's Government Center

It looks like a small quick-casual restaurant chain that features soup will soon be opening a location in downtown Boston.

According to the EveryBlock Boston site, Zoup! Fresh Soup Company has been issued a business license for a restaurant at Center Plaza in the Government Center section of the city, making this its first location in Massachusetts--and only the second in New England, with the other being in Glastonbury, CT. Michigan-based Zoup! features a number of freshly-made soups at each of their restaurants, including such options as broccoli cheddar, corn and crab chowder, Italian wedding, butternut squash, beef barley, split pea, and chicken chili. Salads and sandwiches are also offered at Zoup!

Currently, locations of Zoup! can be found in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

The address for this new soup-based dining spot in Government Center is: Zoup! Fresh Soup Company, 3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for the chain can be found at: http://www.zoup.com/

[December 15 update: The new Zoup! in Boston is now open.]

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Friday, November 19, 2010

Bubbles and Bites Returns to Boston, Wednesday, December 8, 2010

A food event that benefits an organization focused on the prevention of skin cancer is returning to Boston in December.

The fourth annual Bubbles and Bites will be held on Wednesday, December 8, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and like last year, it will be held at the Ritz-Carlton on Boston Common. Once again, the event will be co-hosted by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife Shonda, and it will benefit the SHADE Foundation of America, a non-profit organization that aims to educate folks on how to pre­vent skin can­cer.

The 2010 Bubbles and Bites event will include food (including cocktails and hors d'oeuvres) as well as auctions, awards, music, and dancing. A number of chefs who will be participating in the event including Gianni Caruso from Bricco, Dante de Magistris from Restaurant dante, Fabian Ludwig from the Ritz Carlton, Marc Orfaly from Pigalle, Chef Peppino from Da Vinci Ristorante, Brian Poe from The Rattlesnake, Stuart Race from Pairings, Jason Santos from Gargoyles, Armand Toutaint from Turner Fisheries, Todd Winer from MET Back Bay, and Josh Ziskin from La Morra. The Hard Rock Cafe will be providing desserts.

Ticket prices for Bubbles and Bites (if purchased before November 26) are $150 for a regular ticket and $250 for a VIP Ticket. For more information on the purchasing of tickets, please go to the Shade Foundation website at: http://www.shadefoundation.org/.

The address for The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is 10 Avery Street (between Tremont Street and Washington Street) in Boston. The phone number for the hotel is (617) 574-7100.

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Cakes Bakery and Cafe Opening in Watertown

A bakery and cafe in Milton that opened a new location in Arlington a few days ago is already at work on a third spot, this one being just west of Boston.

According to a flyer handed out at their Arlington location, Cakes Bakery and Cafe is planning to open on Galen Street in Watertown sometime in February of 2011. Based on items sold at the shops in Milton and Arlington, expect the new Watertown eatery to feature breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, soups, pot pies, pastries, and more.

The Arlington location of Cakes Bakery and Cafe opened earlier this week on Mass. Ave. near the Mill Street/Jason Street intersection. The original location is by the corner of Eliot Street and Central Avenue in Milton, just south of the Boston border.

The address for this new bakery and cafe in Watertown is: Cakes Bakery and Cafe, 51 Galen Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the original location in Milton can be found at: http://cakesmilton.com/

[April 5, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Cakes Bakery and Cafe in Watertown is now open.]

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Super Fusion Cuisine III Has Opened in Cambridge

A Japanese restaurant with two locations in the Boston area has just opened a third spot, with this one being located on a busy stretch of Mass. Ave. in Cambridge.

A check on Super Fusion Cuisine III has confirmed that the new Japanese eatery between Porter Square and Harvard Square is now open, taking over the space where the Korean restaurant Seoul Food had been for about ten years until closing in September. Super Fusion Cuisine III, which joins two other Super Fusion locations in Brookline and Watertown, looks to feature sushi as well as soups, salads, and several entrees, including grilled eel, teriyaki chicken, and coconut salmon.

Super Fusion Cuisine III is open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in Cambridge is: Super Fusion Cuisine III, 1759 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA,02140. The phone number is (617) 864-6299. And the website can be found at: http://www.superfusionsushi.com/

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Update: Bugaboo Creek Closes Six Locations in the Boston Area, Files for Bankruptcy

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 23.]

It looks like a chain of steakhouses has closed several of its locations in the Boston area, and the chain has simultaneously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

According to a press release on the CB Holding Corp. website, Bugaboo Creek has shut down restaurants in six Boston-area communities, including Brockton, Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Peabody, and Watertown. Other Eastern Massachusetts locations closing include Plymouth, Shrewsbury, and Seekonk. The CBS Boston site states that the restaurant chain, which is one of three run by CB Holding Corp. (Charlie Brown's Steakhouse and The Office Beer Bar & Grill being the other two) now has only three remaining locations in Eastern Massachusetts, including one in the Boston area (Braintree) as well as locations in Methuen and Milford. A report also came out on ABC News that CB Holding Corp. has filed for bankruptcy, though this appears to be a voluntary reorganization with the remaining restaurants staying open, at least for now.

For more information on the closing of Bugaboo Creek in the Boston area and Eastern Massachusetts, please go to the CB Holding Corp. PDF link below.

http://www.cbholdingcorp.com/_pdfs/Restaurant%20Closing%20Press%20Release%2011-15-10.pdf

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80 Thoreau Opening in Concord

A new restaurant is going to be opening in Concord early next year, and it will be moving into the space where several high-end dining spots had been.

According to the Concord Patch, 80 Thoreau is planning to open in the Concord Depot section of town in January, 2011, taking over the spot where Aigo Bistro, Different Drummer, and Cafe L'Orange all used to be. The article indicates that the new eatery will be open for lunch and dinner, and it will feature French and American fare as well as pub food in its bar. 80 Thoreau will have more than 3,000 square feet of space and a capacity of nearly 75 in its dining area, with room for 18 more at the bar, according to the Patch.

[April 21, 2011 update: According to Grub Street Boston, 80 Thoreau is now open for business, and the people behind it are folks connected with Rialto in Cambridge as well as Craft and Per Se in New York City.]

The address for this new restaurant in Concord Depot is 80 Thoreau, 80 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA, 01742.

For more information on the opening of 80 Thoreau, please go to the Concord Patch link below.

Selectmen Approve Restaurant License

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Ten-Ichi Dynamic Kitchen and Bar Is Opening in Natick

An Asian restaurant is on the way to Natick, and it is looking to move into the space where a seafood restaurant used to be.

According to the Massachusetts Public Notices site, Ten-Ichi Dynamic Kitchen and Bar will be opening on Route 9 (Worcester Street) where Skipjack's resided until closing this past spring. The public notices page mentions that the new restaurant will have nearly 7,000 square feet of space and will include a lounge and a sushi bar as well as a banquet room. The name of the dining spot, plus the fact that it will have a sushi bar, indicates that Ten-Ichi may be focusing on Japanese cuisine, though it is unknown at this time whether it will be more of an Asian fusion restaurant.

[April 25, 2011 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Ten-Ichi is looking to open in May. The post also mentions that the restaurant will be a high-end Asian fusion spot that features sushi, hot pot, and dim sum.]

[September 6, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, Ten-Ichi is now open.]

The address for this upcoming Asian restaurant in Natick will be: Ten-Ichi Dynamic Kitchen and Bar, 1400 Worcester Road (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. Their website can be found at http://www.tenichidkb.com/]

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

Another El Paisa Is Opening in East Boston

It looks like a Colombian restaurant in the Orient Heights section of East Boston is opening a second location in another part of Eastie. According to EveryBlock Boston, El Paisa has been issued a business license to open at 40 William Kelly Square, which is near the Sumner Tunnel and a few blocks west of the Logan Airport T stop.

The original El Paisa Restaurante, which is located on Bennington Street in the northern section of East Boston, features Colombian food as well as other South American fare. The restaurant has been featured on Boston's Hidden Restaurants, which is our sister site. The review of El Paisa can be found at the link below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/ElPaisa.html

[July 22, 2011 update: The new El Paisa at William Kelly Square is now open.]

The address for the new El Paisa is: El Paisa, 40 William Kelly Square, East Boston, MA, 02128. The address for the original restaurant is: El Paisa Restaurante, 1012 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Five Guys Burgers Opening at Station Landing, Medford

It looks like a chain of burger places that has been rapidly expanding through the local area is going to be opening its closest location to Boston so far.

A message posted by a follower of the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page a few days ago had indicated that Five Guys Burgers may be opening at Station Landing in Medford, and a check on the chain's website has indeed confirmed this. At this point in time, there doesn't seem to be a specific opening date for the new Five Guys in Medford; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

[June 14, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, Five Guys Burgers is now open in Medford.]

A number of Five Guys Burgers now reside in the Boston area, including locations in Dedham, Foxborough, Framingham, Gloucester, Marlborough, Natick, Randolph, Stoneham, Swampscott, and Walpole.

The address for this new restaurant at Station Landing in Medford is: Five Guys Burgers, 65 Station Landing, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for the burger chain can be found at: http://www.fiveguys.com/

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Casa Razdora Opening in Boston's Financial District

It looks like a new Italian restaurant will soon be opening in the Financial District of Boston.

According to an article in Boston.com, Casa Razdora is planning to open the week after Thanksgiving on Water Street where Sam & Anne's Deli had been for the past seven years or so. The article mentions that the new dining spot will be run by a husband-and-wife team as well as a cousin, with the husband being originally from Italy. Casa Razdora's menu shows such items as gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts, lasagna, penne with taleggio cheese and arugula, stuffed pasta, risotto, and chicken cordon bleu.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in the Financial District of Boston will be: Casa Razdora, 115 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website can be found at: http://www.casarazdora.com/

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Tim Hortons Closes All of Its Locations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

A Canadian chain of coffee shops with a number of locations in the United States has shut down all of its stores fouin Southern New England.

According to Wicked Local Swansea, Tim Hortons closed its 36 shops in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut last week, leaving Maine as the only state in New England with locations of the eatery. The article mentions that the Ontario-based chain will be turning its attention instead to its remaining U.S. outlets in the Northeast (including Maine and New York) as well as the Middle Atlantic and Great Lakes states, plus Kentucky.

Tim Hortons first started out in the 1960s as a coffee and doughnut shop, eventually expanding its menu to include breakfast items, baked good, soups, and sandwiches. The chain also has a partnership with the Cold Stone Creamery ice cream chain, with a number of co-branded stores.

The Tim Hortons website can be found at: http://www.timhortons.com/us/en/index.html

For more information on the closing of all of the Tim Hortons stores in Southern New England, please go to the Wicked Local Swansea link below.

Tim Hortons closes all Southern New England stores

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Allston Cafe Has Closed; May Reopen in a New Location

A popular cafe in Allston that used to be part of an ice cream chain has closed its doors.

According to an article on Boston.com as well as a follower of ours on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, the Allston Cafe on Brighton Avenue shut its doors over the past weekend after being in business for more than 25 years. The Boston.com article mentions that reasons for the eatery's closure include the tough economy as well as a substantial increase in the lease rate on the space. The owner is hoping to open in a new spot somewhere in Allston, with a possible opening date sometime in the spring of 2011 if all goes well.

The Allston Cafe first opened in the mid-1980s and became known in part for its quirky, eclectic vibe. The dining spot, which broke away from the Herrell's Ice Cream chain in the spring of 2009, offered breakfast and lunch items (including a number of vegan dishes) such as pancakes, French toast, vegan oatmeal, grilled cheese, tuna salad, roast beef, and tofurkey sandwiches.

The address for this now-closed cafe in Allston was: Allston Cafe, 155 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134.

For more information on the closing of the Allston Cafe, please go to the Boston.com link below.

Allston Cafe to close after 26 years; owner hopes to open elsewhere

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Good Food Cafe in North Cambridge Has Closed

An eatery in North Cambridge that specialized in freshly made sandwiches and smoothies has shut its doors. A trip to the Good Food Cafe on Mass. Ave. last week has confirmed that the restaurant has closed and that the space is now available for another dining spot (or perhaps another business). The Good Food Cafe, which first opened in the spring of 2007, had had limited hours as of late, and there was speculation awhile back that the restaurant might have been closed down, but it did remain open until recently.

Known mostly for its variety of panini, the Good Food Cafe also offered salads, smoothies (including green tea and pina colada flavors), and coffee. Sandwich options included roast beef, turkey, chicken, and an Italian with prosciutto, sopressata, and salami.

The address for this now-closed eatery in North Cambridge was: Good Food Cafe, 2378 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

YO! Sushi May Be Coming to Boston

It looks like a London-based quick-food sushi place has its sights set on Boston.

An email sent to us by Sanderson & Associates indicates that Yo! Sushi may be making its way to the area, as it is currently looking at potential sites for the restaurant chain. Currently, there are no locations of Yo! Sushi in the United States, which is mostly in the United Kingdom (other locations can be found in Ireland, the Middle East and Russia).

Yo! Sushi, which started out in London in 1997, offers a unique dining experience, namely the use of a slow-moving conveyor belt to deliver sushi to diners. In addition to sushi, their menu includes soups, classic Japanese meals (such as gyoza, katsu, tempura, and korroke), and rice and noodle dishes.

The website for the Yo! Sushi chain can be found at: http://www.yosushi.com/

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Staff Meal (A New Food Truck) Coming to Boston

A new food truck is getting ready to open in a Boston neighborhood, and it looks like it will be featuring some inventive dishes that will probably interest meat lovers.

According to Grub Street Boston, Staff Meal will be opening at a site on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain very soon, bringing to the area a place to get such items as
oxtail sandwiches, a pickled veal tongue burger with bacon mayo, and chicken liver lasagna. A recent check on the food truck's site indicates that other food options will include white anchovy deviled eggs, smoked halibut chowder, and a head cheese sandwich that includes mesclun and bacon mustard.

Grub Street Boston mentions that Staff Meal might start going on the road at some point in the future, but for now, expect it to be on Centre Street in JP (we will try to get an exact address for the truck over the coming days).

For more information on the new Staff Meal food truck, please go to their website link as well as the Grub Street Boston link below.

http://staffmealboston.com/


New Food Truck Lets You Eat Like A Chef


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Cure Lounge to Open in the Basement of Boston's Wilbur Theatre

It appears that a new nightclub and lounge is going to be opening in the heart of the Theatre District sometime next year.

According to posts on the EveryBlock Boston site, the Cure Lounge is looking to open in the basement of the Wilbur Theatre on Tremont Street (at the Stuart Street intersection). Sneak peeks of the new spot are apparently being given this fall, with one coming up for Harvard and Yale grad students later this month. The Eventbrite post for this particular event mentions that the Cure Lounge will be opening in 2011.

The Wilbur Theatre was built around the start of World War I nearly 100 years ago, with renovations being done to the place in 2008. Currently, the theatre features comedy shows and live music.

The address for this upcoming club in the Theatre District of Boston will be: Cure Lounge, 246 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Savoring Indian Cuisine Opens in Maynard

A new Indian restaurant has opened in Maynard, and it has moved into the space where another Indian dining spot used to be.

According to The Examiner, Savoring Indian Cuisine is now open on Main Street just west of the town center, taking over the former Monsoon Indian Bistro spot (the Acton location of Monsoon remains open). The article mentions that Savoring Indian Cuisine features contemporary, sophisticated Indian fare and will be open for lunch and dinner daily.

The now-closed Monsoon Indian Bisro was a restaurant that had been reviewed on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants). The review can be found here:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Monsoon.html

The address for this new Indian restaurant in Maynard is: Savoring Indian Cuisine, 155 Main Street, Maynard, MA, 01754. The phone number is (978) 897-9227. And the website can be found at: http://www.savoringindiancuisine.com/

For more information on the opening of Savoring Indian Cuisine, please go to the Examiner link below.

http://www.examiner.com/indian-immigrant-community-in-boston/new-restaurant-savoring-opens-with-sophisticated-indian-fare

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Snappy Sushi Moving into the Former Tealuxe Space in Boston's Back Bay

A Japanese restaurant with locations in Somerville and Boston's Back Bay is moving its Back Bay restaurant into the space where a tea shop used to be.

According to a couple of followers of ours on the hiddenboston Twitter page (including abbeytv.com), Snappy Sushi is planning to open at 108 Newbury Street where Tealuxe was until closing over the summer. This is a move rather than a third restaurant; Snappy Sushi's current Back Bay location is at 144 Newbury Street (early 2011 Ed note: the location at 144 Newbury Street is now closed).

[February 24, 2011 update: According to the Linear Retails Property Facebook page, Snappy Sushi opens today in its new location at 108 Newbury Street.]

Snappy Sushi, which first opened its two spots in 2008, features a variety of sushi items, as well as some salad options.

The website for both locations of Snappy Sushi can be found at: http://www.snappysushi.com/

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Monday, November 08, 2010

Slainte in South Boston to Become Owl Station Bar and Bistro

It looks like a new Japanese restaurant is coming to South Boston, and it will be replacing a bar that is across the street from the Broadway T station.

According to Boston.com, the owner of Slainte on West Broadway has been given approval to sell his liquor license to the owner of an upcoming dining spot called Owl Station Bar and Bistro. The article states that the new restaurant, which will move into the Slainte space, is planning on opening in January of 2011.

[July 6, 2011 update: According to UrbanDaddy, Owl Station Bar and Bistro is now open. (Note that the name is Owl Station Bar and Bistro, not Station Bar and Bistro, as had previously been thought.) UrbanDaddy also mentions that the new restaurant is an Asian bistro that features small plates.]

In addition to Slainte, the space that Owl Station Bar and Bistro is looking to move into has been the site of other dining and drinking establishments, including Six House and Triple O's.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in South Boston is: Owl Station Bar and Bistro, 28 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127.

For more information on the opening of Station Bar and Bistro, please go to the Boston.com link below.

Broadway bar gets a name-change ... again


Friday, November 05, 2010

Fourth Annual TV Diner Platinum Plate Gala Is Coming to Sharon November 13, 2010

A popular restaurant show on NECN returns to Sharon this month for a food event that will be featuring a number of dining spots.

An email sent to us by Image Unlimited Communications mentions that Billy Costa's TV Diner will hold its fourth annual TV Diner Platinum Plate Gala at the Herb Chambers Lexus showroom on Route 1 on Saturday, November 13, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. A total of 25 restaurants and vendors from the region will be participating, and entertainment will be provided as well, including music from the Hip Pocket Orchestra. A celebrity charity auction will be held at the event, with proceeds benefiting Horizons for Homeless Children, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and their families.

Tickets for the Fourth Annual TV Diner Platinum Plate Gala cost $100.00 and can be purchased through the NECN link below.

http://www.necn.com/pages/tv_diner

The address for Herb Chambers Lexus is 25 Providence Highway (Route 1) in Sharon, MA.

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Mick Morgan's Opening in Sharon

An Irish pub and restaurant in Newton is getting ready to open a second location, with this one being near Gillette Stadium.

According to their website, Mick Morgan's will be opening on Route 1 in Sharon, about two miles north of the stadium. According to a poster on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, the new pub is moving into the space where Wicked: A Boston Bistro used to be. The Mick Morgan's site states that an early December opening is expected for the Sharon spot, which will have a capacity of 200 in its dining room, 125 more on an outdoor deck, and three bars.

Mick Morgan's, which first opened on Needham Street in Newton in December of 2009, features a mix of comfort food, pub grub, and Irish fare. Some of the menu items include calamari, curry fries, chicken and potato soup, steak sandwiches, burgers, pan-fried scallops, fish and chips, pork chops, chicken carbonara, bangers and mash, sheperds pie, and Irish stew.

[March 16, 2011 update: According to one of our posters within the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page (and later confirmed by us), the new Mick Morgan's in Sharon is now open.]

The address for this new Irish pub and restaurant in Sharon is: Mick Morgan's, 973 Providence Highway (Route 1), Sharon, MA, 02067. The website can be found at: http://www.mickmorgans.com/

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Thursday, November 04, 2010

Aegean Express May Be Coming to Brookline

A Greek restaurant with locations in Watertown and Framingham may be opening a third spot in a mostly residential section of Brookline.

According to The Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, the Aegean is looking to open a small outlet of their restaurant on Beacon Street where La Nails & Spa used to be (between Washington Square and Cleveland Circle). The article states that if all goes as planned, the new eatery (called the Aegean Express) will have 16 seats and may serve alcohol, depending on whether a liquor license is given to the restaurant. The Brookline Planning Board will be reviewing the restaurant proposal today, with the Zoning Board of Appeals reviewing it early next month.

The Aegean Restaurant, which currently has locations on Arsenal Street in Watertown and Route 30 in Framingham, is a family-friendly dining spot that features a mix of Greek-American and traditional Greek fare. Items on the menus at the two restaurants include chicken egg lemon soup, spinach pie, stuffed grape leaves, grilled octopus, beef souvlaki, lamb kabob, pork chops, and mousaka.

If plans for the restaurant are approved, the address will be: Aegean Express, 1784 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

For more information on the possible opening of the Aegean Express in Brookline, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked Local link below.

Aegean Restaurant operators eye new location on Brookline’s Beacon Street

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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Results of Twitter Coffee Poll

Our latest Twitter poll is now complete, with this poll focusing on the best coffee in the Boston area. Our previous polls have included a meatball poll (Comella's in various locations around the Boston area won), a sushi poll (Douzo in the Back Bay), a cupcake poll (Sweet Cupcakes in the Back Bay and Harvard Square), a steak and cheese poll (Carl's in Waltham), an ice cream poll (Richardson's in Middleton), a roast beef poll (Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly), a chicken wing poll (Buff's Pub in Newton), a macaroni and cheese poll (Fat Cat in Quincy), a fried clam poll (JT Farnham's in Essex), an onion ring poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge), a hot dog poll (Spike's Junkyard Dogs), a pizza poll (Santarpio's in East Boston), a burger poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage), and a lobster roll poll (Neptune Oysters in the North End). Below are the winners of the Twitter coffee poll:

1) Boston Common Coffee, Boston (8%)
2) Blue State Coffee, Boston (5%)
2) Caffe Vittoria, North End (5%)
2) Dunkin' Donuts, various locations (5%)
2) L'Aroma Cafe, Back Bay (5%)

A number of other spots were picked in the Twitter coffee poll, including Appleton Bakery Cafe (South End), Athan's Bakery (Brookline), Berkeley Perk Cafe (South End), Bloc 11 Cafe (Somerville), Bohemian Coffeehouse (Melrose), Buttery Cafe (South End), Cafe Arpeggio (South Boston), Cafe Pamplona (Cambridge), Cafe Verde (Lawrence), Coffee Break Cafe (Quincy and Braintree), Crema Cafe (Cambridge), Delux Cafe (South End), Espresso Royale Caffe (Boston), Flat Black Coffee Company (Boston and Dorchester), Hi-Rise Bread Company (Cambridge), In House Cafe (Allston), The Java Room (Chelmsford), Karma Coffee (Sudbury), Kookoo Cafe (Brookline), LA Burdick Chocolate (Cambridge), Lambert's Marketplace (Boston), Marylou's Coffee (Quincy), McKenna's Cafe (Dorchester), Olga's Cafe (Boston), Peet's Coffee & Tea (various locations), Simon's Coffee Shop (Cambridge), and Sofra (Cambridge).

Thanks to everyone who has voted in our Twitter polls. We will start another poll a bit later this month, so keep checking back on our Twitter page at http://twitter.com/hiddenboston.

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Chaloos Restaurant Opens in South Easton

A new restaurant has just opened south of Boston, and it joins a handful of Persian dining spots that call the Greater Boston area their home.

Based on their website, Chaloos is now open on Washington Street (Routes 138 and 123) in South Easton, a short distance west of Route 24. The eatery appears to feature kabobs, but also serves Persian rice dishes, stews, wraps, and wood-oven pizzas, as well as appetizers such as grape leaves and falafel, and desserts such as faludeh (frozen rice noodles with rose water) and rollet (rolled cake filled with cream).

Chaloos is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The address for this new Persian restaurant in Easton is: Chaloos, 574 Washington Street, South Easton, MA 02375. The phone number is (508) 230-1888. And the website can be found at: http://www.chaloosrestaurant.com/

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

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Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse Opening in Braintree

A little more than a month after the announcement that a new Japanese restaurant is on its way to Braintree, it now appears that another Japanese dining spot will be opening in this southern suburb of Boston as well.

According to The Braintree Forum and Wicked Local, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse has received licenses that will allow them to open at the South Shore Plaza. (Ed note: The name mentioned in the article--Kobe Japanese Steakhouse-was apparently either changed or incorrect.) The eatery will move into the space where Rock Bottom had been until closing in the winter of 2009.

The article mentions that Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse is planning to open sometime in February of 2011. [March 14, 2011 update: According to posters on Chowhound and Yelp, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in Braintree is: Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, 250 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

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Monday, November 01, 2010

Voltage Coffee and Art Opening in Kendall Square, Cambridge

A new coffeehouse is opening this week in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge, and the shop will also be selling artwork as well.

According to their Twitter page, Voltage Coffee & Art is having a soft opening on Wednesday, November 3 on Third Street (at the Binney Street intersection), bringing to the area a place to get espresso, cappuccino, lattes, chai, tea, and Italian soda, as well as sandwiches, toast, and chocolates. Some of the lattes being offered at Voltage Coffee & Art include lime peel and agave, molasses and lemon zest, homemade caramel and salt, and vanilla with burnt sugar.

Voltage Coffee started out in the fall of 2008 as a Jamaica Plain-based mobile catering service, doing a variety of events throughout the Greater Boston area. It appears that the mobile operation will remain in operation, according to the Barismo website.

The address for this new coffeehouse in Kendall Square will be: Voltage Coffee & Art, 295 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website can be found at: http://voltagecoffee.com/

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Pie in the Sky Cocktail Challenge Coming to Game On! Fenway, November 8

A charity event featuring bartenders in the Boston area is coming to a sports bar and entertainment spot in Boston's Fenway neighborhood.

According to Blast Magazine, Game On! on Lansdowne Street will be hosting the Pie in the Sky Cocktail Challenge on Monday, November 8 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event centers around bartenders creating drinks that are inspired by pies. People attending the event will get to vote on the winning cocktail.

Tickets to the event cost $20 in advance ($25 at the door), with all proceeds going to Community Servings, a Jamaica Plain-based non-profit program that provides services to Massachusetts residents living with chronic and critical illnesses.

Two months ago, Game On! had held another charity event, with that one featuring chefs from the Boston area who participated in the King of the Wing competition.

For more information on the Pie in the Sky Cocktail Challenge, please go to the Game On! Fenway and Community Servings websites at http://gameonboston.com/ and http://www.servings.org/index.cfm

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