Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill Is Opening in Foxborough

It looks like a country music star is planning on opening a restaurant and entertainment spot at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

According to the website of the New England Patriots, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is going to be opening at the popular shopping, dining and entertainment complex next to Gillette Stadium on Route 1. The site mentions that the opening date for this new spot should be sometime this summer.

[May 23, 2011 update: According to several posters on their Facebook page (as well as one on our Facebook page), the Foxborough location of Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is now open. It appears that it may be a soft opening, as the restaurant's website still says "Coming Soon," and there has been no official announcement on their Facebook page.]

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill (which is named after Keith's 2003 song "I Love This Bar") will have just under 20,000 square feet of space, a capacity of 400, and both an outdoor patio and a gift shop, according to the site. There will also be a mechanical bull, 50 TVs, and live music. The menu will focus on Southern-style cuisine.

For more information on Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, please go to the New England Patriots link below:

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill Plans To Open At Patriot Place

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Taste of the Towns Coming to Watertown, May 6, 2010

A culinary event hosted by the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce is returning to Watertown early next month.

Taste of the Towns, which features food from a number of restaurants in Watertown, Belmont, and beyond will be held on Thursday, May 6, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hellenic Cultural Center on Bigelow Avenue (just south of Mount Auburn Street in the Coolidge Square section of East Watertown). Some of the dining spots participating this year include The Aegean, Donohue's, Halfway Cafe, Kashish, Matilda's, Red Lentil, and The Talk.

Tickets for Taste of the Towns are $25 each, with the option of getting a fifth ticket free if you buy four tickets.

For more information on the 2010 Taste of the Towns in East Watertown, please go to the link below:

http://www.wbcc.org/home/index.html

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Hot Pot Buffet Opens in Chinatown

A new hot pot restaurant has opened in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, moving into the space vacated by a dim sum spot that had been around for years.

Located by the Chinatown Gate, Hot Pot Buffet is now open on Beach Street, replacing Imperial Seafood, a spacious Chinese restaurant that recently closed. According to posters on the Chowhound site, Hot Pot Buffet features all-you-can-eat hot pot meals that include a variety of meats and vegetables as well as less-common items such as quail eggs and fried gluten balls. It looks like the cost of lunch is around $15, with dinners being around $20, according to one poster. Another Chowhound poster mentions that no sides are available (at least at this point), and bubble tea is offered, though it is apparently not on the menu as of yet.

The address for this new hot pot place in Chinatown is: Hot Pot Buffet, 70 Beach Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The phone number is (617) 338-0808.

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Latest Review: J and J Restaurant in Somerville

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for a Portuguese dining spot in Somerville called J and J Restaurant. Located just outside of Union Square at the intersection of Washington Street and the McGrath/O'Brien Highway, J and J Restaurant sits in the back of a variety store that also does takeout food, including subs. The restaurant part of the store is nearly completely separate from the store itself, with a handful of tables and a menu that features a number of traditional Portuguese dishes. To read more about J and J Restaurant in Somerville, please click on the link above.

Privus Lounge in Allston Closing

A sleek, upscale lounge in the heart of Allston will be closing within the next week after being in business for about two years.

According to an event posting on the Facebook site, Privus Lounge on Brighton Avenue will be shutting its doors on Sunday, May 2. Privus is affiliated with The Kells, a bar and nightclub next door to Privus which is going to be closing as well. [May 16 update: Just to confirm, Privus has closed.]

Privus Lounge has been known as a place to go for sushi, cocktails (including martinis and drinks with sake), and dancing. The menu at Privus also included tempura, teriyaki, shumai, and a particularly popular Korean fried bon chon chicken. According to an article in the Cambridge Chronicle and Wicked Local, this last dish will continue to be served at a new Korean restaurant in Harvard Square called Bull, a place whose co-owner has also been behind Privus Lounge.

The address for Privus Lounge was: Privus Lounge, 161 Brighton Avenue (just west of Harvard Avenue), Allston, MA 02134.

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Fiorella's Express Is Opening in Brighton

A new restaurant focusing mostly on takeout is coming to the Oak Square section of Brighton, and it is connected with a couple of other dining spots in the Boston area.

According to posts on Yelp as well as our Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, Fiorella's Express is going to be opening on Tremont Street in the heart of Oak Square, moving into the space where Ray's Grille has been. Posts on both sites has indicated that Fiorella's Express is connected with Fiorella's, an Italian restaurant in Newton, as well as Cafe Fiorella, a calzone and pizza place in Belmont. A call placed to Fiorella's in Newton has indeed confirmed this, and an email sent to us from the restaurant states that Fiorella's Express will be a quick-service version of Fiorella's in Newton, with a scaled-down menu geared mainly for takeout and delivery. There will be a small dining area with 16 seats, though it will be counter service only.

Based on the email we received, Fiorella's Express may have an initial soft opening sometime in late May. As soon as we find out an exact opening date, we will post an update here. [June 30 upodate: According to Thrillist Boston, Fiorella's Express in Brighton is now open.]

The address for this new Italian takeout place in Oak Square is: Fiorella's Express, 2 Tremont Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

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Umami Restaurant and Bar Opening in Brookline

A new restaurant is going to be opening in Brookline, and it looks like it will be focusing on Asian cuisine.

According to several sources--including posters on both the Chowhound and Twitter sites--Umami Restaurant and Bar is coming to Beacon Street on the outer edge of Washington Square. The person who is opening Umami had also been behind Khao Sarn, a Thai restaurant on Harvard Street in nearby Coolidge Corner, and it looks like the restaurant will be a high-end Japanese fusion-style dining spot, though it appears that the prices will be reasonable.

No specific opening date has been given yet for Umami, and we have not had a chance to look at a menu for the place yet, so keep checking back for updates. [July 27 update: According to the UrbanDaddy site, Umami is planning on opening late this week.]

[July 30 update: Umami is now open for business.]

The address for this new Asian restaurant near Washington Square in Brookline is: Umami Restaurant and Bar, 1704 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

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Cafe Rialto Opens in Roslindale

A new Italian restaurant has come to Roslindale, moving into the space where another Italian eatery used to be until closing last year.

According to the Thrillist site, Cafe Rialto has just opened on Washington Street along the northern edge of Roslindale Village, replacing the Square Corner Cafe, which was a sub, pizza, and pasta place that shut down in the spring of 2009. The 40-seat restaurant will be offering salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, calzones, and pizza, and will also have a bar with more than 20 beers available, according to Thrillist.

The address for this new Italian dining spot in Roslindale is: Cafe Rialto, 4197 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131. The phone number is (617) 323-1505.

For more information on the opening of Cafe Rialto, please go to the Thrillist link below.

Cafe Rialto: Rozzy Village gets new pizza/pasta joint

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Dawat in Allston Closes; Ariana Cuisine to Open in Its Place

More changes are coming to the Allston dining scene, as an Indian restaurant has closed its doors and will be replaced by a new Afghan dining spot.

According to a couple of sources on our Facebook page (and based on an early posing on the EveryBlock Boston site as well as an article we wrote awhile ago), Dawat on Brighton Avenue has closed after being in business for approximately a year. The eatery had replaced another Indian restaurant called Rangoli, which had been in that space for more than a decade.

A new restaurant called Ariana Cuisine will be moving into the space where Dawat used to be, and it looks like it will be featuring Afghan fare. There appears to be no definitive opening date for Ariana Cuisine at this point in time; as soon as we get more details on the upcoming spot, we will post an update here. [June 11 update: According to one of our spotters in Allston, Ariana Cuisine is now open.]

The address for this new Afghan restaurant in Allston is: Ariana Cuisine, 127-129 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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Ride Studio Cafe Opens in Lexington

A new cafe has opened in Lexington Center, and it just happens to be located within a high-end bike shop.

According to an article in the Lexington Minuteman and Wicked Local, the Ride Studio Cafe opened its doors last weekend, offering a mix of top-tier bikes and such items as muffins, sandwiches, and coffee. The article states that the new spot, which is near the corner of Mass. Avenue and Waltham Street (and very close to the Minuteman Bikeway) is run by the same people who are behind Bloc 11 and the Diesel Cafe, both of which are located in Somerville.

A photo on the website of the Ride Studio Cafe indicates that there is an outdoor patio for patrons, and a job posting on the site mentions that the food and drink at the cafe is geared particularly toward riders, with a pre-ride fuel-up fixed-price menu as well as post-ride recover meals.

Hours for the cafe are currently 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM seven days a week, but these hours could change as the place gets more settled in, so call in advance.

The address for this new bike store and cafe in Lexington Center is: Ride Studio Cafe, 1720 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02421. The phone number is (339) 970-0187. And the website is at: http://ridestudiocafe.com/

Thanks to one of our readers for emailing us information on this new spot.

For more information on the opening of Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, please go to the Lexington Minuteman/Wicked Local link below.

Ride Studio Cafe coasts into Lexington Center

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Buffalo Wild Wings Is Opening in Saugus

The opening of Buffalo Wild Wings in Danvers may be on the shelf (at least for now), but it looks like the national chain of casual restaurants and sports bars may still be making its presence felt in the Boston area at some point soon.

According to an article in The Daily Item of Lynn, Buffalo Wild Wings (also known as BW3) has received approval for a liquor license by the Saugus Board of Selectmen, paving the way for a new outlet of the popular chicken wing place on Main Street in the Kmart Plaza (just west of Route 1). The article mentions that BW3 would take over the Verizon Wireless space.

Based on information in the article, if all goes as planned, the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Saugus will have 56 televisions, a capacity of just under 250 people, and a closing time of 2:00 AM (1:00 AM for serving alcohol).

Last year, we had reported that BW3 was looking to open in Danvers, making that the first location of the chain in the Boston area, but it appears that the Danvers restaurant may have fallen through. Currently, the only other Buffalo Wild Wings location in Massachusetts is in Hadley, with a few spots in Connecticut as well. [January 10, 2011, UPDATE: A new BW3 has since opened in Leominster, with the Hadley location closing.] The chain has more than 600 locations in 41 states across the country.

[April 26, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Saugus is opening today. For more info, their Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/bwwsaugus]

For more information on the opening of Buffalo Wild Wings in Saugus, please go to the Daily Item link below.

Saugus board OKs license transfer

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La Posada Restaurante Opening in Arlington Heights

A Mexican restaurant is on the verge of opening in Arlington Heights, moving into the space where an eclectic dining spot with Caribbean influences used to be. Based on a quick check on the place earlier this week, La Posada Restaurante on Mass. Ave. (just east of the Park Ave. intersection) appears just about ready to open for business, as the tables and chairs are set up and the "coming soon" sign has been taken down. The new eatery is taking over the spot where Something Savory was until they closed their restaurant about a year ago (their catering business remains open).

The menu at La Posada mainly features familiar Mexican and Mexican-American dishes, including guacamole, taquitos, nachos, chalupas, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and tacos. A few less familiar items include a traditional Mexican meatball and rice soup, a salad with cactus leaves and avocado slices, and a mild whitefish sauteed with olives, chili peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Prices for entrees are within the $5 to $13 range.

As soon as we know that La Posada is officially open for business, we will post an update here. [April 23 update: La Posada is now open.]

The address for this Mexican restaurant in Arlington Heights is: La Posada Restaurante, 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The phone number is (781) 316-8300.

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Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer to Be Held May 3 Through May 9, 2010

A fundraising event focusing on all kinds of dessert items is returning to Boston early next month. The 11th annual Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer, which will be held from Monday, May 3 to Sunday, May 9, will feature desserts from a number of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes in the Boston area and beyond. Each place will select a specific dessert from their menu as the special Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer dessert, with 100% of the proceeds from those desserts going to breast cancer research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Included in the lineup this year will be Acorns Bakery and Cafe in Needham, Barolo in Hyannis, the Bristol Lounge in Boston, Canto 6 Bakery in Jamaica Plain, Fireplace in Brookline, Harvest in Cambridge, L'Andana in Burlington, Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery in Somerville, Peaches Bakery and Deli in Harvard, Rino's Place in East Boston, Stellina in Watertown, Sugar Bakery in West Roxbury, Tempo Bistro in Waltham, Vicki Lee's in Belmont, and many, many more.

For more information on the 2010 Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer event, please go to the link below:

http://www.bostonbakesforbreastcancer.org/

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33 Restaurant and Lounge in the Back Bay Has Closed

An upscale restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston that featured contemporary American cuisine and regional dishes has shut its doors. A call placed to 33 Restaurant and Lounge has indicated that the Stanhope Street dining spot closed last week after being in business for about eight years.

33 Restaurant and Lounge was a dinner and late-night drinking spot that offered such varied dishes as statler chicken, gnocchi, roasted cod, glazed pork chops, mushroom ravioli, filet mignon, and a number of other dishes, in addition to many wine and cocktail options. The restaurant also had both a prix fixe menu and a bar menu, and featured wine tastings.

It is not known what might be going into the former 33 Restaurant and Lounge space at this time, as the spot appears to be up for lease right now, according to a number of sources.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in the Back Bay was: 33 Restaurant and Lounge, 33 Stanhope Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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SlowFest to Be Held in Boston, April 23-24, 2010

Get ready for another culinary event, as a beer and food festival is coming to Boston later this week. On Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24, SlowFest will be held at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street in the South End and will include a number of markets, restaurants, caterers, and beer vendors. The two-day event will focus on session beers (beers that are lower in alcohol and tend to be popular in Britain) and samples of local food.

Some of the restaurants that are participating in SlowFest include the Centre Street Cafe in Jamaica Plain, Deep Ellum in Allston, Estragon in the South End of Boston, The Independent in Somerville, Nourish in Lexington, Sherman Market in Somerville, and Stone Hearth Pizza in Belmont, Cambridge, and Needham. Beers from Ayinger, Belhaven, Cisco, Gritty McDuff's, Long Trail, Rapscallion, Samuel Smith, Victory, and many others will be available.

Tickets for SlowFest cost $50 for the April 23 VIP session ($55 on the day of the event) and $40 for either one of the April 24 sessions ($45 on the day of the event).

For more information on SlowFest, please go to the link below:

http://www.slowfest.com/

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Mehak Opens in East Boston

A new restaurant has just opened in the Jeffries Point section of East Boston, bringing a combination of Indian and Pakistani cuisine to this mostly residential area near Piers Park and Maverick Square.

According to several sources (including a poster on Chowhound), Mehak has opened its doors on Sumner Street, just down the road from 303 Cafe and about two blocks from Piers Park. Mehak looks to focus on halal food, including a number of dishes that will be familiar to lovers of Indian cuisine. Based on the post on the Chowhound site, it sounds like prices at Mehak are very reasonable, with entrees tending to be under $10.

The address for this new Indian and Pakistani restaurant in East Boston is: Mehak, 329 Sumner Street, East Boston, MA 02128. The phone number is (617) 874-1811.

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Shabu Shabu Toki in Allston Closes, Being Replaced by Toki Super Fusion Cuisine

An Asian hot pot restaurant in the Allston neighborhood of Boston has closed its doors, but another Asian eatery will be moving into its spot. The now-closed dining spot on Brighton Avenue, called Shabu Shabu Toki, is apparently being replaced by Toki Super Fusion Cuisine, according to a recent post on the EveryBlock Boston site.

Shabu Shabu Toki, which first opened a little more than two years ago, featured shabu shabu, sukiyaki, sushi, sashimi, and yakitori (grilled chicken). They were open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

[April 21 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Toki Super Fusion Cuisine is now open. The poster mentioned that the ownership remains the same, although shabu is no longer on the menu, with the restaurant instead focusing more on noodle dishes and sushi.]

The address for the now-closed Shabu Shabu Toki (and the new Toki Super Fusion Cuisine) is 123 Brighton Avenue (about a block east of Harvard Avenue), Allston, MA, 02134.

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Chutney's Opening in the Old Flat Patties Spot in Harvard Square, Cambridge

An Indian dining spot looks to be opening in the Harvard Square space recently vacated by a burger place.

According to the restaurant's website, Chutney's is going to open where Flat Patties used to be within The Garage (Flat Patties will soon be moving to nearby Brattle Street). The new eatery will feature such items as samosas, vegetarian rolls, chicken kabobs, chutney chili lamb, and garlic shrimp. Drinks will include mango lassi and ginger chai. A variety of chutneys will also be available, including mint, tamarind, mango, pineapple, and garlic.

A June opening is expected for Chutney's. [June 30 update: According to Thrillist Boston, Chutney's is now open.]

The address for this new Indian restaurant in Harvard Square is: Chutney's, 81 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Their website can be found at: http://chutneysma.com/

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

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On the Bone Restaurant Opens in Andover

A new steakhouse appears like it will be opening today within a renovated hotel in Andover.

According to The Andover Townsman, On the Bone is opening inside the Wyndham Boston Andover hotel on Old River Road (just east of the Route 93/River Street intersection). The article mentions that the restaurant, which is connected with the original On the Bone restaurant in Princeton, NJ, will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and will feature small plates within its menus in addition to steaks. Based on the restaurant's website, other items offered at On the Bone will include burgers, sandwiches, chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes.

On the Bone will be open daily from 11:00 AM until midnight.

The address for this new steakhouse north of Boston is: On the Bone, 123 Old River Road, Andover, MA 01810. The phone number is (978) 683-2663. And the website for the restaurant is at: http://www.ontheboneandover.com./

For more information on the opening of On the Bone in Andover, please go to the Andover Townsman link below:

On the Bone steakhouse opening

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Taste of the North End Coming to the Aquarium, May 14, 2010

A food-based event is returning to Boston next month, with a number of area restaurants participating. The 16th annual Taste of the North End celebration will be held at the New England Aquarium on Friday, May 14 starting at 7:00 PM, and will feature both wine vendors and local dining spots. Tickets to the event will cost $99, with proceeds going to the North End Community Health Center.

Some of the restaurants that will be participating in Taste of the North End include Al Dente, Bricco, Filippo Ristorante, Fiore, Lucca, Massimino’s Cucina Italiana, Neptune Oyster, Piccola Venezia, and Tresca.

For more information on the 16th annual Taste of the North End, please go to the link below:

http://tasteofthenorthend.org/

And for information on the North End Community Health Center, here is their website:

http://www.northendchc.org/

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Latest Review: Scup's in East Boston

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for Scup's in the Harbour, a restaurant along the water in East Boston. Located in the middle of the Boston Harbor Shipyard in the Jeffries Point section of East Boston, Scup's is accessed through a security booth with a guard on the premises. The restaurant has seating both inside and outside (with views of the water from the outdoor picnic tables), and the menu features mostly lighter fare (salads, sandwiches, empanadas, desserts), though dinner specials such as lasagna and meat loaf are also featured, changing from night to night. To read more about Scup's in the Harbor in East Boston, please click on the link above.

The Exchange on Congress to Open in Salem

A new restaurant is coming to the North Shore, moving into a spot where several eateries have been over the past decade or so. According to The Salem News, The Exchange on Congress is looking to open on Congress Street where the New American restaurant and pub Sonoma was until closing in the fall of 2009. (Other restaurants that have been in this space include T, Red Raven, and Love Noodle.)

The Exchange on Congress appears like it will be a tavern-style restaurant with a varied menu including steak, seafood, and pizza, according to the article. The interior of the restaurant looks to be offbeat in an industrial sort of way, with cartoonists and graffiti artists giving the atmosphere a quirky overall feel.

The Salem News mentions that the person who will be running the upcoming spot has been involved with Lexx in Lexington, 51 Wharf in Portland, ME, and a number of other places in the region.

A May opening for The Exchange on Congress is planned. [June 21 update: According to The Salem News, it looks like The Exchange on Congress will now be opening in July.]

The address for this soon-to-open restaurant in Salem will be: The Exchange on Congress, 75 Congress Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

For more information on the opening of The Exchange on Congress, please go to the Salem News link below.

Restaurant to open in well-known spot

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Taste of Somerville to Be Held June 8, 2010

A culinary event is coming to the city of Somerville later this spring, with a number of restaurants participating. According to the event's website, Taste of Somerville 2010 will be held at the Holiday Inn on Washington Street on Tuesday, June 8 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This is the twelfth year of the event, with samplings from various dining spots available as well as raffles and a live auction.

Some of the restaurants that are participating in this year's Taste of Somerville include Amelia's Kitchen, Brunello Bistro, Eat at Jumbos, Highland Kitchen, The Independent, Orleans, Redbones, and Ronnarong.

Ticket prices for the event are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door.

For more information on Taste of Somerville, please go to the event's website below:

http://www.tasteofsomerville.org/

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Sal's Pizza Opening in Downtown Boston

A rapidly-expanding local chain of pizza places and Italian restaurants is opening a new location in downtown Boston. According to a job posting on the Craigslist site, Sal's Pizza is going to open on Tremont Street across from Boston Common (by the West Street intersection). A specific opening date has not been given, but it appears that the opening of the new Sal's Pizza will be fairly soon, as they are holding interviews for a variety of employees.

Most of the Sal's Pizza locations are north of Boston, though a Sal's recently opened on the South Shore (in Norwell) and there are also a few locations west of Boston as well. A number of Sal's pizza places can also be found in New Hampshire, and a few are located in Arizona, California, and Florida. Its sister restaurants are Mary's Pasta and Sandwiches and Salvatore's Italian Restaurant, the latter of which has a location on the Boston waterfront.

[June 28 update: A phone call placed to Sal's Pizza in downtown Boston indicates that it is now open for business.]

The address for this new pizza place in downtown Boston is: Sal's Pizza, 150 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The phone number is (617) 227-1010.

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Marina Bay Beach Club in Quincy to Become The Ocean Club at Marina Bay

A massive entertainment complex at Marina Bay in Quincy has new owners, and it is going to be revamped and given a new name. According to the Boston Herald, the Marina Bay Beach Club (which used to be called Waterworks) has been bought by North End restaurant owners Nick Varano and Frank DePasquale and will reopen Memorial Day weekend as The Ocean Club at Marina Bay. The article mentions that the updated outdoor venue will have new cabanas as well as a gourmet food court, an upscale lounge, and four bars. The popular volleyball court will stay where it is, according to the Herald.

Nick Varano currently runs several restaurants in the North End of Boston and beyond, including Strega and Nico. Frank DePasquale is behind such dining spots as Mare and Bricco.

The address for this soon-to-open entertainment complex at Marina Bay is: The Ocean Club at Marina Bay, 333 Victory Road, Quincy, MA, 02171.

For more information on the upcoming Ocean Club at Marina Bay, please go to the Boston Herald link below.

Hub restaurant owners to run Marina Bay club

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The 2010 Taste Quincy Restaurant Week Is Being Held Until April 16

April has seen several "restaurant weeks" in the Boston area, including one just south of the Boston that is going on right now. Taste Quincy Restaurant Week, which started yesterday (Sunday, April 11), will be going until this Friday, April 16 with a number of restaurants throughout the city participating.

As was the case last year, several options are available during Taste Quincy Restaurant Week, including lunch for two for either $10 or $15, and dinner for two for either $20 or $30 (there are also some other specials available). A complete list of participating restaurants can be found on the Taste Quincy Restaurant Week web page, but a few of the dining spots include Beni Cafe, Captain Fishbones, Coop's, Firefly's, Gennaro's Eatery, La Paloma, Siros, and Villa Rosa.

For more information on the 2010 Taste Quincy Restaurant Week, please go to the link below:

Taste Quincy Restaurant Week


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Uno's Closes in Allston

Another location of a restaurant chain that features Chicago deep-dish pizza has closed in the Boston area.

According to Allston City Limits, Uno Chicago Grill shut their doors on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston sometime toward the end of March. The Boston-based Uno chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January and closed a handful of other Massachusetts locations since filing, though many remain in business for now. One of the locations that they recently closed was their Porter Square (Cambridge) restaurant, which shut down a little over a month ago.

The address for the location of the Uno Chicago Grill in Allston was: Uno Chicago Grill, 1230 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

Thanks to one of our emailers for bringing this to our attention.

For more on the closing of Uno's in Allston, please go to the Allston City Limits link below:

Uno's, we hardly knew ya.

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Festival of Extraordinary Food to be Held on April 13, 2010

The Fifth Annual Festival of Extraordinary Food is coming to Natick tomorrow (Tuesday, April 13), and will include a number of area restaurants among its exhibitors. According to the Framingham Education Foundation website, the event will be held at the Hampton Inn on Speen Street starting at 6:30 PM and will include live jazz music along with food samplings.

Some of the participating restaurants involved with the 2010 Festival of Extraordinary food will include Brazzille, the British Beer Company, the Chicken Bone, the Melting Pot, the Naked Fish, Sichuan Gourmet, and Tennesee's Barbecue.

Tickets to the event are $30, with all of the money benefiting programs in the Framingham Public Schools.

For more information on the Fifth Annual Festival of Extraordinary Food in Natick, please go to the Framingham Education Foundation link below.

http://www.framinghamedfoundation.org/

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Genki Ya Is Opening in Cambridge

It looks like a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Brookline that focuses on organic food is opening a new location in the Fresh Pond area of Cambridge.

Based on notes from a License Commission General Hearing on the City of Cambridge website, and also based on a sign in the storefront mentioned in the notes, Genki Ya is going to be moving into the space on Alewife Brook Parkway between Sleepy's and Sav-Mor Spirits (by the Fresh Pond Rotary). Genki Ya currently has a location on Harvard Street between Brookline's Coolidge Corner and the Allston line; we do not know at this time whether the Cambridge restaurant will be a second location of Genki Ya or if the Brookline restaurant will be moving. We will try to get an update on this as soon as possible.

According to the hearing notes, the new Genki Ya is hoping to be open from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM seven days a week and may have a capacity of 45. The restaurant is also looking to serve beer and wine, based on the notes.

The address for this restaurant by the Fresh Pond rotary in Cambridge is: Genki Ya, 231 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA, 02138. This is the site of the old Ground Round, and which now has a new building that contains several shops. The address of the original Genki Ya is 398 Harvard Street in Brookline.

[May 20 update: The new Genki Ya in Cambridge is now open.]

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