Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Andiamo Opens in Charlestown

A new takeout restaurant and caterer has opened in Charlestown, and one of its options for ordering takeout is a rather unique one.

According to the restaurant's website, Andiamo is now open in the City Square section of this Boston neighborhood, bringing to the area a place to get freshly-prepared salads, hot foods, refrigerated foods, and catering plates. Both the website and a Boston Business Journal article mention that the new eatery will be offering Italian items, including pasta, pizza, macaroni and cheese, and more. An interesting feature at Andiamo is the "faux home-chef" option, which allows customers to take their food with them in Pyrex dishes (at an extra charge).

Andiamo is part of the Legendary Restaurant Group, which also runs Papagayo Mexican Kitchen and Bar in the Fort Point section of Boston, Scollay Square on the edge of Beacon Hill, Tavern on the Water in Charlestown, and Max and Dylan's in Downtown Crossing and Charlestown (the latter of which is also in City Square).

The address for this new takeout spot and caterer in Charlestown is: Andiamo, 100 City Square, Charlestown, MA, 02129. The phone number is (617) 242-7300. And the website can be found at http://www.andiamosboston.com/

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Mt. Everest Kitchen in Allston Has Closed; O Yummy Cuisine Is Opening in Its Space

A Nepalese restaurant in Allston has closed its doors, and it looks like a dining spot featuring Asian fare will be moving into its space.

According to one of our spotters on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, Mt. Everest Kitchen on Brighton Avenue is shuttered, and a sign indicates that O Yummy Cuisine will be opening in the space. The poster also mentions that O Yummy Cuisine will be a Chinese and Japanese restaurant, based on the sign out front. No specific opening date appears to be available at this point in time for the new eatery.

[February 3, 2012 update: According to a poster on Chowhound (and confirmed by the restaurant's website at http://www.oyummycuisine.com/), O Yummy Cuisine is now open.]

Mt. Everest Kitchen first opened in 2007, and was one of several spots in the Boston area to serve Nepalese food, including Yak and Yeti in Somerville's Ball Square, Martsa on Elm in Davis Square, Kathmandu Spice in East Arlington, and Annapurna in North Cambridge. Another Nepalese restaurant (Masala) is due to open in Somerville's Teele Square soon.

The address for the now-closed Mt. Everest Kitchen and new O Yummy Cuisine is 182 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

Facebook Ends Daily Deals, Yelp Cutting Back Its Deals Service

The ultra-crowded online-coupon market became a bit less crowded this week, as one major website has shut down its daily deals service, while another is greatly cutting back.

According to Bloomberg, Facebook decided to end its Facebook Deals service last week, while Yelp announced yesterday that it will cut its sales staff for Yelp Deals by 50%. The article mentions that in July alone, 38 daily-deal sites shut down, with the industry having a 7% revenue drop from June in major North American markets (information supplied to Bloomberg by Yipit Inc.). Currently, Groupon and LivingSocial seem to be the two major players in the industry, which includes discounts on restaurants, bars, hotels, retail shops, services, and more.

Facebook began their deals service this past spring, while Yelp started its deals program last summer.

For more information on this story, please go to the Bloomberg link below.

Yelp Scales Back Deal Service as Competition Rises for Internet Coupons

Casbah Restaurant Is Opening in Cambridge's Alewife/Fresh Pond Neighborhood

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to the Alewife/Fresh Pond section of Cambridge, and it may be featuring North African and Middle Eastern cuisine.

According to notes from a Cambridge License Commission Hearing, Casbah Restaurant is planning to open on New Street, which is behind the Fresh Pond Mall. The address also happens to be that of Basha, a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dining spot that has been open since early 2009. Based on information from the License Commission Hearing notes, it looks like the person behind the proposed Casbah Restaurant is also the owner of Casablanca Restaurant in Harvard Square. The notes also mention that Casbah is hoping to have a seating capacity of 150--including 50 outdoor patio seats--and that it might be open for both lunch and dinner.

Currently, there is little else on the planned opening of Casbah Restaurant (including whether it will take over Basha or share the building with that restaurant), so keep checking back for updates.

[October 31 update: According to a poster on Chowhound, Casbah Restaurant is now open, and it indeed appears to have replaced Basha.]

The address for this new eatery in Cambridge is: Casbah Restaurant, 26 New Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

Champions Sports Bar Opens in Kendall Square, Cambridge

A restaurant and sports bar has just opened in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge, and its name will probably be familiar to some.

According to the Boston Marriott Cambridge website, Champions Sports Bar opened within the hotel on Broadway August 26, bringing to the area a place to get pub grub, classic American fare, and drinks of all kinds while watching a game. The new restaurant, which is the second Champions in the Boston area (the first being in the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Huntington Avenue), includes a dining section, a bar area, and a seasonal outdoor patio, along with 20 flat-screen TVs. The menu at the new Champions includes such items as fried calamari, chili, soft pretzels, lobster rolls, Italian sausage, rib eye steak, fish and chips, burgers, and wings. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Kendall Square is: Champions Sports Bar, 50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The phone number is (617) 252-4444. And the website can be found at http://www.championscambridge.com

Monday, August 29, 2011

Rail Trail Flatbread Co. Is Opening in Hudson

It looks like a restaurant that features flatbread pizza is coming to the MetroWest area.

According to The MetroWest Daily News Rail Trail Flatbread Co. has received a license to operate on Main Street in Hudson, moving into a space in the heart of the downtown area that has been vacant. The article mentions that the new spot will cook flatbread pizzas in a wood-fired oven, and that all-natural, organic ingredients will be used for the pies.

The name of the restaurant comes from The Assabet River Rail Trail, a biking, jogging, and walking trail that cuts through Hudson and, when done, will go through the communities of Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Acton.

Currently, there is no specific opening date for Rail Trail Flatbread Co., according to The MetroWest Daily News.

[December 14, 2012 update: According to a poster on the hiddenboston Twitter page, Rail Trail Flatbread Co. is now open.]

The address for this new pizza restaurant in Hudson is: Rail Trail Flatbread Co., 33 Main Street, Hudson, MA, 01749.

Colony Grill May Be Coming to the Boston Area

A landmark pizza spot in the southwestern corner of Connecticut that is expanding through that state may be looking at the Boston area as a part of their expansion plans.

According to the Avon Patch, the Colony Grill in Stamford, which opened a second location in nearby Fairfield last year and is in the process of opening other spots in Avon and Danbury, is in "preliminary talks" for a possible outlet somewhere in the Boston area. The article states that the original Colonial Grill first opened in Stamford in 1935 as a bar, introducing thin-crust pizza to the place in 1941. The restaurant and bar only offers pizza on its menu, with one size only (a 12-inch pie), and includes toppings such as a jalapeno pepper infused olive oil, according to the Patch.

The Colony Grill in Fairfield is owned by several partners, including Chris Drury, a recently-retired NHL hockey player who was on the New York Rangers for the past four years.

The website for the Colony Grill can be found at http://colonygrill.com/

Ice Cream Showdown III Coming to Boston, September 11, 2011

An ice cream event returns to Boston once again, and this time it will be held on the banks of the Charles River.

According to wheretoeat.in, Ice Cream Showdown III will take place on the docks of Community Boating in Boston (near where the Longfellow Bridge, Charles Street, and Storrow Drive meet) on Sunday, September 11, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This year's event, which helps raise money for Community Servings and Lovin' Spoonfuls, will feature such spots as Batch, The Chilly Cow, Christina's Homemade Ice Cream, Coop's Microcreamery, Giovanna Gelato e Sorbet, Picco, and Toscanini's. (Please note that this list is subject to change, so check back for updates over the coming days.)

Ice Cream Showdown III will be held rain or shine, with advanced tickets becoming available on Tuesday afternoon (August 30).

[August 30 update: Tickets to Ice Cream Showdown III are now on sale, with individual tickets being $8.00 and "baller" tickets being $13.00]

For more information on Ice Cream Showdown III, please go to the link below.

http://wheretoeat.in/calendar/63/21-Ice-Cream-Showdown-III/

New Restaurant Tentatively Called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood to Open in Jamaica Plain

A new dining spot is coming to Jamaica Plain, and it will be featuring roast beef and seafood as well as some healthy fare.

According to the Jamaica Plain Gazette, a restaurant tentatively called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood is planning to open on Centre Street on the ground floor of a new mixed-use commercial and residential building. The new spot will be offering vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as roast beef and seafood, and it will also be serving breakfast. The place will have a capacity of approximately 25, along with the possibility of outdoor seating. Takeout will be offered as well.

The article mentions that the owner of the new spot has been seeking advice for the restaurant's name, so it is possible that when it opens, it might not actually be called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood.

The address for this new eatery in Jamaica Plain will be 270 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Duff Goldman to Visit Four Boston Eateries on Food Network's "Sugar High" Tonight

A celebrity pastry chef who headed up a popular Food Network show that recently ended will be featuring four Boston eateries on his new show tonight.

According to the Food Network's website, tonight's episode of Duff Goldman's Sugar High (called "Boston Desserts - Doughlicious!") will be focusing on Beantown from 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM on the Food Network, looking at treats from the Ashmont Grill in Dorchester, Daddy's Fried Dough Food Cart at Boston Common, Modern Pastry in the North End, and Myers + Chang in the South End. The website mentions that Duff will be looking at sticky toffee pudding at the Ashmont Grill, Boston cream fried dough at Daddy's Fried Dough, sfogliatella at Modern Pastry, and lemon ginger mousse and homemade fortune cookies at Myers + Chang.

Duff Goldman started Charm City Cakes in Baltimore about a decade ago, eventually heading up a Food Network show called Ace of Cakes that focused around Charm City Cakes. That show, which began in 2006, wrapped up early this year, with his new show Sugar High premiering earlier this month.

The "Boston Desserts - Doughlicious!" episode will also be shown early Saturday morning at 1:30 AM.

For more information on Duff Goldman's new Sugar High show on the Food Network, please go to the link below:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/sugar-high/index.html

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Boulevard and Baxter Brewing Companies to Sell Their Beer in the Boston Area

It looks like a Missouri brewery and a Maine brewery will soon have something in common; they are both going to be selling their beer in the Boston area.

According to The Kansas City Star and beernews.org, Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City and Baxter Brewing Co. in Lewiston will be selling their products in and around Boston very shortly. The Kansas City Star article mentions that Boulevard's Smokestack Series will start being sold in Boston in September, while beernews.org states that Baxter's beers will be seen soon in the Boston area and the North Shore (Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont actually says that Baxter beers will be available starting tomorrow).

[September 21 update: Based on a post within the BeerAdvocate site, the Smokestack Series of beers from Boulevard Brewing Co. are now available in the Boston area.]

Boulevard, which started out in 1989, is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest with distribution in 19 states, while Baxter, which opened just last year, is known in part for canning all of their beers.

The website for Boulevard Brewing Co. can be found at http://www.boulevard.com/ while the website for Baxter Brewing Co. can be found at http://www.baxterbrewing.com/

b.good Is Opening in Burlington

A local chain of restaurants that features "real" fast food is going to be opening its 8th location in the Boston area.

According to both Linear Retail Properties and the restaurant's website, b.good is planning to open a new outlet on Mall Road in Burlington. The new restaurant, which will be located at the Burlington Marketplace (across from the Burlington Mall), may be opening by the end of the summer according to the b.good site, while Linear Retail states that it will be coming soon.

[October 28 update: According to their Twitter page, the new b.good in Burlington is planning to open today.]

b.good, which first started out in Boston's Back Bay in 2003, features such items as house-ground hamburgers, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, handcut fries, and all-natural shakes. Locations of the chain can be found in downtown Boston, the Back Bay (3 locations), Cambridge's Harvard Square, Legacy Place in Dedham, and the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham. The website for b.good is at http://www.bgood.com/

Zagat Poll Indicates Majority of Diners Support Time Limits at Restaurants

If a nationwide poll taken by a publisher of restaurant guides is any indication, it appears that diners may be frustrated by those who take their time eating at busy dining spots.

According to the New York Post, a poll taken by Zagat shows that 60 percent of diners support time limits for patrons at restaurants, at least during peak hours. The results even seemed to surprise Zagat, with its CEO believing the poll results imply that diners may be looking at the issue as a matter of common courtesy--that is, if a restaurant has a long line, folks who are already seated at tables should consider that others are waiting to eat, and that they themselves could be in a similar situation the next time they go out to a restaurant.

The idea of dining spots "clocking" their customers seems to be relatively rare; the issue did take center stage a few years ago when Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at the London in Manhattan apparently instituted a short-lived two-hour rule on tables, which was not well-received, according to the Post.

What do you think of restaurants putting time limits on diners during peak hours? Please post your comments below.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

South End Buttery Is Opening a Second Location in Boston's South End

It looks like an eclectic cafe and caterer in the South End of Boston is going to be opening a second location nearby.

According to the South End Patch, the South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue is planning to open a new to-go spot on Clarendon Street, between Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street and about four blocks from their original location. The article mentions that the new Buttery will be serving sandwiches, baked goods, coffees, and teas, though food preparation will be done at the Shawmut Avenue location, as the new spot will not have a kitchen. A small upscale market will also be located within the space, according to the Patch.

Expect a November opening for the second location of the South End Buttery (the lease begins September 1, but the place apparently will not be opening for another two months after that).

[January 13, 2012 update: The new South End Buttery on Clarendon Street has not yet opened, but it is one step closer, as The Boston Globe mentions that the Licensing Board approved a Common Victualler License for the space this week. The article states that the owner hopes to open the new location "as soon as possible."]

[December 14, 2012 update: A post on their Facebook page indicates that the new South End Buttery on Clarendon Street is now open. (Information comes via a post on the We Love Beantown site as well as a post on Eater Boston.)]

The address for this new eatery is: South End Buttery, 37 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the original Buttery can be found at http://www.southendbuttery.com/site/

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

Five Guys Burgers Opening in Chelsea

A rapidly-growing chain of burger places continues to expand through the Boston area, and now it appears that the closest location yet to Boston proper is on the way.

According to the restaurant chain's website, Five Guys Burgers is planning to open at the Mystic Mall in Chelsea, which is less than three miles from downtown Boston. Once it opens, the new Five Guys Burgers in Chelsea will join a number of others in the area, including locations in Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Framingham, Gloucester, Hanover, Marlborough, Medford, Natick, Randolph, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, and Walpole. (Another location at Middlesex Commons in Burlington will soon be opening as well.)

There does not appear to be a specific opening date right now for the new Five Guys Burgers in Chelsea.

[March 6, 2012 update: According to their website, Five Guys Burgers is now open in Chelsea.]

The address for this new location of the Five Guys burger chain is: Five Guys Burgers, 158 Everett Avenue (Mystic Mall), Chelsea, MA, 02150. The website for the burger chain can be found at: http://www.fiveguys.com/

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen Included in OpenTable's Awards for Late Night Dining Hotspots

An online restaurant reservations provider has come out with its Diners' Choice awards for best late-night dining hotspots, and a Southern restaurant and jazz bar in the South End of Boston has made the list.

According to PR Newswire, Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen on Columbus Avenue was one of 50 dining spots that made OpenTable's Diners' Choice Awards for best late night dining. The list, which did not include any other restaurants in New England, comes from more than ten million reviews from OpenTable diners for more than 12,000 restaurants across the United States. A few dining spots in New York City made the list as well, including Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Macao Trading Company, Negril Village, and Smoke Jazz and Supper Club.

Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen, which first opened almost exactly a year ago today, features a mix of comfort food and Southern-influenced dishes, along with a variety of cocktails. The spot also has live jazz, including a Sunday morning all-you-can-eat Jazz Buffet brunch.

The address for Darryl's is: Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen, 604 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. The phone number is (617) 536-1100. And the website is at http://www.darrylscornerbarboston.com/

For a complete list of the restaurants chosen by OpenTable's diners, please go to the PR Newswire link below.

OpenTable Diners Reveal Top 50 Late Night Dining Hotspots

The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods Takes a Trip to the Boston Area

It looks like a chef, writer, and host of a popular Travel Channel show is touring the Boston area right now.

Based on articles from Universal Hub and The Lowell Sun as well as Twitter posts from the host himself, Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods is checking out various restaurants in and around Boston, supposedly for the filming of an upcoming Bizarre Foods episode. Universal Hub mentions that the TV celebrity was at Maria's Pastry and The Daily Catch in Boston's North End yesterday, while the the Twitter page for Andrew Zimmern indicates that today he is in Marblehead, going dogfishing and having some food made by the chef of 5 Corners Kitchen. And according to The Lowell Sun, Zimmern is heading to the Cambodian restaurant Simply Khmer in Lowell tomorrow.

[August 24 update: According to his Twitter page, Andrew Zimmern went to a few more North End spots on Monday, including Il Panino Express, Salumeria Italiana, Gennaro's 5 North Square, and Modern Pastry. And last night, Zimmern went to the Japanese restaurant o ya in Boston's Leather District.]

[August 24 update, part 2: Today, Andrew Zimmern is at Coppa in the South End, with a couple of food pictures he posted at these links: Pork dish of year at Coppa in boston by @kenoringer and Summer plus burrata at Coppa]

[August 25 update: It appears that Andrew Zimmern is currently at Clio Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay, with a couple of pictures posted by him at these links: Urchinlobstercassoulet w foie and parsnip milk from Clio and 60degree egg with pea, mastic, truffle, jamon espuma from @kenoringer. Also, based on a Lowell Sun article, the Boston episode of Bizarre Foods will apparently be airing in Febraury of 2012.]

[August 25 update, part 2: It looks like Andrew Zimmern is now on a boat with the Island Creek Oysters people in Duxbury, and it appears that they may be harvesting oysters for Thomas Keller, who is owner of the award-winning Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry in Yountville, CA. A few pictures: Harvesting @islandcreek loading for @perse for @chef_Keller, 6 inch wide, 2 inch deep Belon. From Duxbury! @islandcreek, and Live bay scallops]

[August 26 update: Andrew Zimmern appears to be at Savenor's Market on Charles Street in Boston's Beacon Hill right now. A picture: @savenorsmarket

[January 25, 2012 update: A comment posted here (and confirmed via the Travel Channel blog) indicates that the Boston episode of Bizarre Foods will be shown on Monday, February 13, 2012.]

Bizarre Foods has been on the Travel Channel for approximately five years, with the main focus being on exotic foods and what locals tend to eat in various parts of the world. (The show can be seen Tuesday Nights at 9:00 PM.) For more on Bizarre Foods, please go to the following link: http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bizarre_Foods

Foundry on Elm in Somerville's Davis Square to Open "Saloon"

It looks like an upscale restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square neighborhood is going to be setting up an old-style watering hole this fall, and it appears that the barroom will be within the eatery itself.

According to Zagat, the folks behind Foundry on Elm are planning to create a "pre-Prohibition–style" bar that will be called Saloon. The article indicates that Saloon will be featuring mixed drinks, a variety of beers, and a limited menu that includes bar food and seasonal small plates. Zagat says that Saloon will open sometime in the late fall, and it gives the address of Foundry on Elm for the new spot, which means that Foundry on Elm will be using its downstairs space for Saloon.

[December 12 update: According to UrbanDaddy, Saloon is planning to soft-open tomorrow (Tuesday, December 13).]

Foundry on Elm first opened last September, bringing to the area a place to get upscale comfort food, New American dishes, old-fashioned drinks, and an array of beers and wines.

The address for Foundry on Elm (and Saloon) is: Foundry on Elm, 255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The phone number is (617) 628-9999. And the website for Foundray is at http://foundrydavis.com/ while the website for Saloon will be at http://www.saloondavis.com/

Chutney's, Sepal, Sarku Japan Coming to the Longwood Galleria

A collections of shops in the heart of Boston's Longwood medical area is soon going to home to three new restaurants, and all of them have names that may be familiar to some.

According to the Longwood Galleria's directory, Chutney's, Sepal, and Sarku Japan are headed to the food court at the galleria, though there do not appear to be any specific opening dates for the eateries. Chutney's is an Indian restaurant that has an existing location in The Garage in Cambridge's Harvard Square, Sepal is a Middle Eastern eatery that has one location at MIT (and it used to have a location in Watertown), and Sarku Japan is a quick-service Japanese restaurant with several locations in the Boston area.

The Longwood Galleria recently saw one of its restaurants shut down, as Sami's Wrap 'n' Roll closed their doors last month.

[December 7 update: According to their Facebook page, Sepal is now open at the Longwood Galleria.]

The address these restaurants (as well as the Longwood Galleria itself) is 350 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Armenian Street Fair and Festival Returns to Watertown, September 9-11, 2011

An event that celebrates the Armenian community in and around Boston returns to East Watertown in September, and as was the case last year, it will include a variety of authentic Armenian foods.

An email received from Image Unlimited Communications indicates that the 2nd annual Armenian Street Fair & Festival will be held from Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11 at The Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) on Nichols Avenue (two blocks south of Mt. Auburn Street and two blocks west of Arlington Street). The event will include Armenian dishes from food vendors such as Arax Market, Eastern Lamejun, Fastachi, and Massis Bakery, with items including tabouleh, humus, stuffed grape leaves, kabobs, kheyma, lamejun, choreg, and baklava.

In addition to food, the Armenian Street Fair & Festival will also feature live music, children's activities, and more.

Admission to the event is free, with tickets required for entertainment performances. Hours are 7:00 PM to midnight on Friday, noon to midnight on Saturday, and noon to 7:00 PM on Sunday.

For more information on the 2011 Armenian Street Fair & Festival in East Watertown, please go to the link below.

http://www.boston-kermesse.org/

Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake to Be Featured on the Cooking Channel's "United Tastes of America" on August 30

A Back Bay restaurant that features an eclectic mix of South American, Mexican, and North American foods is going to be featured on a popular cable network that focuses on cooking.

On Tuesday, August 30, Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake will be shown on United Tastes of America, which airs on the Cooking Channel at 10:00 PM. It appears that the episode will be on burritos, which makes sense as The Burrito Bowl took place at Poe's Kitchen this past February.

United Tastes of America looks into the various aspects of American foods, including their history and science, as well as how they relate to pop culture. It is hosted by Jeffrey Saad, who was the runner-up in 2009's "The Next Food Network Star" on The Food Network. The show will apparently be shown on the Food Network as well, likely on Sunday, September 4, at 8:00 AM--we will check the channel's schedule next week to confirm.

The Rattlesnake first opened in 1990 on Boylston Street, eventually expanding from the second and third floor of the building to the first floor, which more than doubled the capacity of the place. In the winter of 2009, chef Brian Poe worked with The Rattlesnake to start up Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake, a lunch and dinner spot that features both a rooftop deck and a street-level outdoor patio.

The address for Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake is: Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake, 384 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The phone number is (617) 859-7772. And their website can be found at http://www.rattlesnakebar.com/

A link for United Tastes of America can be found at http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/united-tastes-of-america/index.html

Van Shabu and Bar Is Opening in Dorchester

It looks like a new restaurant is coming to the Savin Hill section of Dorchester, and it will apparently be catering to a couple of different audiences.

According to a job post within the site, Van Shabu & Bar will be opening on Dorchester Avenue, with its location apparently being within walking distance of the Savin Hill T station on Savin Hill Avenue. Based on the post, the new dining spot will apparently be a combination shabu restaurant and sports bar, with diners cooking their own food, choosing from various ingredients and broths. At this point in time, Van Shabu & Bar is hoping for a November opening.

[November 2 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Van Shabu is looking to open sometime in December.]

The Savin Hill section of Dorchester, which is a bit south of the Columbia Road exit off of the Southeast Expressway, has a number of other eateries in the neighborhood, including Shanti, McKenna's Cafe, The Harp and Bard, and Savin Bar and Kitchen.

Keep checking back for updates on Van Shabu & Bar over the coming weeks.

[December 22 update: According to a post within the EveryBlock Boston site, Van Shabu and Bar now has a business license, and there is now a given address for the place that indicates it is moving into the former Nash's Pub space: 1154-1156 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.]

]January 18, 2012 update: According to Eater Boston (via info from Thrillist and The Boston Globe), Van Shabu and Bar is now open for business.]

Friday, August 19, 2011

Food Network Personality Duff Goldman to Be at Michaels in Weymouth on Saturday, August 20

A specialty arts and crafts store with a handful of locations in the Boston area just opened a new outlet on the South Shore, and a celebrity pastry chef will be paying a visit to the store this weekend.

A flyer from Michaels in Braintree indicates that Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes (a Food Network show that recently ended) and Sugar High (a new Food Network show) will be at the recently-opened Michaels on Bridge Street in Weymouth on Saturday, August 20 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The flyer mentions that the TV personality will be signing aprons at the store, which opened earlier this month.

Duff Goldman founded Charm City Cakes in Baltimore in 2000, with the reality-based show Ace of Cakes (which centers around Charm City Cakes) premiering in 2006. The show ended early this year, and his new show Sugar High, which focuses on finding sweet treats all over the country, premiered earlier this month.

The address for the new Michaels in Weymouth is 729 Bridge Street, Weymouth, MA, 02191.

Sea Dog Steak and Ale Is Opening in Northborough

A Maine-based microbrewery that has two pubs in the Boston area is going to be opening a new spot in the MetroWest region, and this one will edge more toward fine dining.

An email sent to us by Altus Marketing and Management indicates that the Sea Dog Brewing Company is planning to open a restaurant on Route 20 in Northborough called Sea Dog Steak & Ale, which will take the coastally-inspired menu of the Sea Dog Pub locations in Hull and Woburn and make it into more of a refined, seasonally-inspired menu with steaks and chops offered. In addition, the new restaurant will offer an extensive wine list and cocktails in addition to their micro brews. Some of the menu items at Sea Dog Steak & Ale will include crab-stuffed haddock, veal chops, ribeye steak, filet mignon, and New York strip.

Sea Dog Steak & Ale plans to open on Wednesday, August 24. [August 24 update: The Boston Globe has confirmed that Sea Dog Steak & Ale opens today.]

The address for this new restaurant is: Sea Dog Steak & Ale, 318 Main Street (Route 20), Northborough, MA, 01532. The website for Sea Dog Brewing Company is: http://www.seadogbrewing.com/

Mr. Dooley's Olde Irish Village Pub Opening in Cohasset

The folks behind a group of Irish pubs in the Boston area are getting ready to open a new spot, with this one being on the South Shore.

According to the Somers Pubs website, Mr. Dooley's Olde Irish Village Pub is going to be opening at 9 Depot Court in Cohasset, and based on a Craigslist job post that seems to be referring to the place, it may be opening within the next couple of weeks (check back for updates here). Once it opens, this will be the third Mr. Dooley's to open in the area, with the original being on Broad Street in Boston's Financial District and a second one being at the Wrentham Outlets in Wrentham. The Somers Pubs group also includes The Green Dragon, Durty Nelly's, Paddy O's, and Hennessy's, all of which are in downtown Boston.

Based on the menus of the other Mr. Dooley's locations, expect the new Cohasset spot to offer such items as burgers, shepherds pie, pork chops, chicken curry, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and pan-seared steak.

The address for this new Irish pub in Cohasset Village will be: Mr. Dooley's Olde Irish Village Pub, 9 Depot Court, Cohasset, MA, 02025. The website for all of the Somers Pubs can be found at http://somerspubs.com/

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Update: All Asia Bar in Cambridge to Move, Change Its Name to Prospect Lounge

[Ed note: This article was updated on December 4, 2012, to reflect a name change for the place.]

A nightclub along the eastern edge of Cambridge's Central Square is shutting its doors and moving up the road a bit, and it will be reopening under a new name.

According to Cambridge Day, the All Asia Bar at 344 Mass. Ave. is going to be torn down to make way for redevelopment by MIT, and the club will be moving to 675 Mass. Ave. in the heart of the square (where Prospect Street and Mass. Ave. meet), with its new name being Valhalla. [NOTE: The new place will now be called Prospect Lounge--see note below.] The article mentions that the new spot will be larger than the old, with about 5,000 square feet of space, with the space formerly being home to Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), which moved to 438 Mass. Ave.

Much like the All Asia Bar, it appears that Valhalla will be a nightclub with music, including entry-level acts, though more national acts may be also coming as well, according to Cambridge Day. The article does not specifically mention anything about food at Valhalla, but a bar menu has been in place at the All Asia Bar, so it seems that food may be offered at the new spot as well.

[December 14 update: According to their Twitter page, Valhalla will "offer many beers, wines, other exotic beverages and an infusion of international cuisine in a classic, comfortable atmosphere and decor." This indicates that the place may be more of a restaurant than a club, as All Asia Bar was. (As more confirmation, their sign says "Valhalla International Restaurant and Lounge".)]

[October 12, 2012 update: More than a year after we first reported on it, Valhalla appears nowhere near opening (and All Asia Bar is still open in its present space). Cambridge Day is reporting that Cambridge city law says that bars and clubs in the Central Square area have to have a main entrance either on Mass. Ave. or Main Street, which causes a problem for Valhalla, whose entrance is on Prospect Street. While the city continues to discuss the issue about Valhalla's side street entrance, All Asia has gotten a reprieve from closing because construction at the site has been delayed.]

[December 4, 2012 update: As mentioned above, All Asia Bar will be called Prospect Lounge rather than Valhalla once it moves into its new home. In addition, it appears that the plans are now moving along, with the move becoming more and more likely. Thanks to Cambridge Day for this information (via Eater Boston).]

[July 15, 2013 update: According to their Facebook page, the last days in business for All Asia Bar will be July 20 and 21, with a "liquidation party" occurring those two days. The note says "if you want a piece of History come on down Saturday or Sunday, get drunk, and barter with us. Or just come down and party..."]

The address for this upcoming spot in Central Square will be: Prospect Lounge, 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

Thanks to food writer Christine Liu for initially bringing this to our attention.

Hawthorne Is Opening in the Former Foundation Lounge Space in Kenmore Square

It looks like a craft cocktail bar will be coming to a hotel in Kenmore Square, moving into the space where an upscale lounge had been until closing last year.

According to Grub Street Boston, Hawthorne will be opening within the Hotel Commonwealth, taking over the former Foundation Lounge spot. (This subject first came up on the Chowhound site a few days ago, with Grub Street confirming it.) Grub Street states that the folks from Island Creek and Eastern Standard--both of which reside in the hotel--are behind the new spot, which will be a "high-touch craft cocktail bar" with a "developed cheese program and diverse small plates."

The Foundation Lounge closed its doors in the spring of 2010, a few months before Island Creek Oyster Bar opened within the hotel. Eastern Standard has been in existence since 2005, a couple of years after the opening of the Hotel Commonwealth.

Hawthorne may be opening within the year, according to Grub Street.

[November 21 update: According to BostonTweet, it looks like Hawthorne will be opening today.]

The address for Hawthorne is 500 Commonwealth Avenue, which is on the eastern edge of Kenmore Square.

Nico in Boston's North End Might Become Mico

It looks like an Italian restaurant in the North End of Boston may be sold, and the new owner is apparently changing the name of the place, but only a little bit.

According to Universal Hub, Nico on Hanover Street is looking to be sold to Scott Dyer, who told the Boston Licensing Board that he is planning to change the name of the restaurant to Mico. Boston restaurateur Nick Varano first opened Nico in the fall of 2008, with the eatery being one of several spots owned by the owner of The Varano Group (other restaurants include Nick's Famous Deli in the North End, Strega Waterfront, and Strega North End).

It is not yet know what other changes, if any, may come to the restaurant once it becomes Mico.

The address for Nico (and the soon-to-be Mico) is 417 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[November 29 update: According to Boston-area food/drinks writer MC Slim JB (via Chowhound), an ad for "the new" Nico is being shown in The Improper Bostonian with a picture of Nick Varano in the ad, so it appears that the sale of Nico may have fallen through and that it will apparently remain "Nico" rather than "Mico."]

Club Choices in Somerville Closing; Radio Bar to Take Its Place

A dance club in Somerville that has been in business for nearly 30 years is shutting its doors, and a new restaurant featuring local foods and local music will be moving into its space.

According to The Somerville Journal and Wicked Local, Club Choices on Somerville Avenue in Union Square is closing down and selling its space to Radio Bar, which will be run by a bartender at Rosebud Bar & Grill in Davis Square (he also was a bartender at the Salty Dog in Boston's Faneuil Hall). The article mentions that the new restaurant will keep the space intact, with its dance floor, bar, and tucked-away corners staying put, and its menu will include "American feel-good food, comfort food," with a Union Square Farmers' Market antipasto and Rhode Island-style clam chowder being two menu items at Radio Bar. The space will also be a venue for local bands.

Club Choices, which first opened in 1983, was known in part for its international music, with Brazilian night and Latin night being a couple of recurring events at the nightclub.

The address for Club Choices (and the new Radio Bar) is 379 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[October 31 update: Radio Bar is now open.]

For more information on the closing of Club Choices and the opening of Radio Bar, please go to the Somerville Journal/Wicked Local link below.

Ethnic venue Club Choices to close after 30 years in Somerville

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Harrow's Chicken Pies Opens in Tewksbury

A restaurant and food shop with three locations in the northern suburbs of Boston has just opened a fourth spot, and this one is also north of the city.

According to their Facebook page, Harrow's Chicken Pies is now open on Route 38 in Tewksbury, in the plaza that houses a location of Walmart, just south of Route 495. The new store joins its other locations in Reading, Medford, and Saugus, with the latter two spots opening over the past couple of years (the original Harrow's first opened in Reading in the 1930's). Like the other outlets, expect the new Harrow's in Tewksbury to offer scratch-made chicken pies with slow-cooked white meat chicken (with or without carrots and potatoes), as well as sides and dessert pies.

Hours for the Tewksbury location of Harrow's are 10:00 am to 7:30 PM seven days a week.

The address for the new Harrow's in Tewksbury is: Harrow's Chicken Pies, 345 Main Street (Route 38), Tewkbury, MA, 01876. The phone number is (978) 858-0410. And their website can be found at http://www.chickenpie.com/

Thanks to the Phantom Gourmet Facebook page for letting us know about this.

Artisan Bistro Is Replacing Jer-Ne at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common

A new restaurant is coming to a luxury hotel in downtown Boston, replacing another dining spot that closed a couple of months ago.

According to the website for The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common (which is on Avery Street), the Artisan Bistro is planning to open in September, taking over the space where Jer-Ne Restaurant and Bar had been for approximately ten years. It appears that the Artisan Bistro will feature inventive dishes using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients, as well as a number of microbrews and cocktails, and it will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant will include a bar as well as a dining area.

[September 16 update: According to UrbanDaddy, the Artisan Bistro is expecting to open on Tuesday (September 20).]

The Ritz Carlton recently saw the opening of another eating and drinking spot called the Avery Bar, which opened in June of this year. Unlike the Artisan Bistro, which will be more of a true restaurant, the Avery Bar is more of a place to get drinks along with small bites.

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Boston is: Artisan Bistro, 10 Avery Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common, can be found at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/BostonCommon/Default.htm

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

The Feisty Greek Opens in Norwood

A new Greek restaurant has opened southwest of Boston, replacing a cafe that had been in business for more than 17 years.

According to their Facebook page, The Feisty Greek is now open at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Route 1 in Norwood, taking over the spot where the Orchard Cafe used to be (the owners of the new restaurant also ran the now-closed Orchard Cafe). It looks like The Feisty Greek is a fast-casual dining spot with Greek, Mediterranean, and American dishes, including such items as roasted lemon potatoes, spinach rice, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, hummus, pork gyros, kabob wraps, burgers, pastitsio, mousaka, lamb chops, and Greek sausage. Desserts include baklava and rice pudding, while drinks include Greek iced coffee and cappuccino.

The Feisty Greek is open for both lunch and dinner, with hours being 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

The address for this new Greek restaurant in Norwood is: The Feisty Greek, 36 Vanderbilt Avenue, Norwood, MA 02062. The phone number is (781) 769-1982. And their website can be found at http://www.thefeistygreek.com/

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Taste of Provincetown to Feature Chef Tiffani Faison

The Taste of Provincetown is going to be taking place later this month, and this year, a well-known chef will be involved in it.

An email sent to us indicates that The Taste of Provincetown will be held on Saturday, August 27 at Provincetown Town Hall. The event, which begins at 6:00 PM, will include a number of area restaurants (including Adrian's, Bayside Betsy's, Jimmy's Hideaway, Patio American Grill, Relish and more), along with a competition called the QuickFire Challenge. Chef Tiffani Faison, who worked at Rocca in Boston's South End--and will be opening a new restuarant called Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway neighborhood--will be designing and hosting the competition, which features chefs Frank Vasello of Relish, Michael Mishkin of Victor's, and Laurence de Freitas of The Mews.

Individual tickets to the event are $125.00, with sponsorships beginning at $250.00. All proceeds go to MassEquality, a grassroots organization that works to achieve full equality for the LGBT community.

For more information on the 2011 Taste of Provincetown, please go to the link below.

http://www.MassEquality.org/Ptown

Bondir in Cambridge Makes Bon Appetit's List of Best New Restaurants in America

An upscale restaurant in Cambridge that opened last fall has made Bon Appetit's list of best new restaurants in America.

According to the article, Bondir on Broadway is one of 10 dining spots across the United States (and the only one in New England) that was included on the list, in part because of the "remarkable homemade breads," the "homespun" dishes, the "appealing" staff, and the "intimate setting" that makes it feel "like you're eating in grandma's country house." Bondir came in at number 10, with the number 1 restaurant being the Southern eatery Husk in Charleston, SC. While no other New England restaurants made the list, there was one New York spot--M. Wells, a diner in the Long Island City section of Queens.

Bondir first opened in November of 2010, with chef Jason Bond from the Beacon Hill Bistro in Boston being behind the 28-seat New American spot. It took over the space where the Portuguese restaurant Con Sol had been until closing in early 2010.

The address for Bondir is: Bondir, 279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The phone number is (617) 661-0009. And their website can be found at: http://www.bondircambridge.com/

For a complete list of the restaurants picked by Bon Appetit, please go to the link below.

The Best New Restaurants in America in 2011

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.

Fluff Festival Returns to Somerville, September 24, 2011

A festival that celebrates a sweet treat with roots in the Boston area returns to Somerville in September.

According to the Union Square Main Streets website, the annual "What the Fluff" fluff festival will be taking place in Union Square on Saturday, September 24, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The event, which is a tribute to Fluff creator Archibald Query (who invented the gooey spread in Union Square back in 1917), is in its sixth year now, and as always, it features an offbeat mix of artists, musical and theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists, along with a variety of food items offered (barbeque, whoopie pies, fluffernutters, and rice krispie treats will be available).

Fluff-loving VIPs this year include Susan Olsen from "The Brady Bunch," songwriter Allee Willis ("Boogie Wonderland," "Neutron Dance," "I'll Be There For You--Theme From Friends"), and NASA astronaut Rick Linnehan.

For more information on the sixth annual What the Fluff? event, please go to the link below.

http://unionsquaremain.org/fluff-festival/

A Taste of Roslindale to Be Held September 22, 2011

A culinary event returns to Roslindale once again in September, and as always, a number of local restaurants will be participating.

An email sent to us by TableCritic, Inc. indicates that A Taste of Roslindale will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2011, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Nectarios Church in Roslindale Village. This year, a total of 22 restaurants will be taking part in the event, including Bel Lounge, Delfino Restaurant, Masona Grill, Pleasant Cafe, Redd's in Rozzie, Seven Star Street Bistro, Sophia's Grotto, Sugar Baking Company & Restaurant, and many more.

In addition to food samplings, A Taste of Roslindale will feature live jazz music by the Patrice Monahan Quartet, a live and silent auction, a raffle, and a cash bar.

Tickets for the 2011 Taste of Roslindale cost $30 in advance ($35 at the door), with proceeds benefiting the Roslindale Food Pantry, which serves families in need in the Roslindale area, and Roslindale Village Main Street, a volunteer organization that works to revitalize the business district of the neighborhood.

For more information on the A Taste of Roslindale, please go to the link below.

http://www.roslindale.net/

2011 New England Dessert Showcase to Be Held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel on September 17

An event featuring desserts of all kinds returns to Boston once again in September, this time being held at a hotel near the western edge of the Back Bay.

An email sent to us by The Anthem Group indicates that the third annual New England Dessert Showcase is coming to the Grand Ballroom Complex within the Sheraton Boston Hotel on Dalton Street (just west of the Prudential Center) on Saturday, September 17, with both a morning and an afternoon session taking place, as well as a "trade-only" hour before the doors open to the public. The event will once again feature a variety of exhibitors offering samples of desserts, including cakes, ice cream, pastries, chocolate treats, and more (wine will also be offered). Private tastings will also be held, as well as live chef demos from area pastry chefs, and a number of media members will be in attendance.

Tickets to the 2011 New England Dessert Showcase cost $25 to $75 depending on the ticket tier (more information can be found at the link below). Hours are 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for the trade-only part of the event, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the morning session, and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the afternoon session.

For more information on the 2011 New England Dessert Showcase, please go to the link below.

http://www.nedessertshowcase.com/


Monday, August 15, 2011

Bakers' Best to Sell (or Close) Its Cafe in Newton Highlands, Concentrate on Catering

A Boston-area cafe and caterer that has been in existence for 27 years is going to be restructuring--including the selling or closing of the cafe part of its business--which will allow it to focus on catering.

An email sent to us by to Callanan & Klein Communications indicates that Bakers' Best is putting its Newton Highlands cafe on the market, with the Lincoln Street eatery remaining open until they find a buyer for it. If/when it is sold, the same day-to-day and holiday menu items can be ordered and delivered from the company's 10,000-square-foot commissary on Gould Street in Needham, which is where Bakers' Best will concentrate on full-service and corporate catering (which makes up the majority of its sales).

[December 13 update: Messages sent to us from Server Not Servant as well as Bakers' Best via the Hiddenboston Twitter page indicates that the cafe is now closed, though the catering business is still in operation.]

Bakers' Best, which first started out in 1984, is one of the region's leading caterers, with 2010 being its second highest grossing year to date.

For more information on Bakers' Best, please go to their website at http://www.bakersbestcatering.com/

News Elsewhere: Yankees Fan's Hope to Open Buck Foston in New Brunswick, NJ, Runs into Trouble

A New York Yankees fan who lives in New Jersey is hoping to open a restaurant whose name apparently represents how he feels about Red Sox fans, though the mayor of the city where the dining spot and watering hole would open seems to have other ideas, depending on whom you talk to.

According to an article in NJ.com, the person behind the proposed Buck Foston's Road House in New Brunswick is hoping that a judge can help him receive a liquor license for the place, since he believes the city is refusing to give him the license because of the name of the restaurant. The city states that it is waiting for an investigation of the owner and his business partner to be completed before a license can be approved, and that they have until the middle of September to give its approval. The owner of Buck Foston mentions that the mayor had been in favor of a new restaurant coming to the space, which is at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 18, but that the mayor said the name was "vulgar."

The article mentions that the mayor of New Brunswick is a Red Sox fan, though the owner of the restaurant does not believe that this has anything to do with the mayor's being against the name.

The attorney for the restaurant owner thinks that the U.S. District Judge involved in the case will hold a hearing on the owner's motions a bit later this month, according to the article.

For more information on this story, please go to the NJ.com link below.

Owner of potential Buck Foston restaurant in New Brunswick asks judge to approve appeal for liquor license

Eat Kitchen Opens in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A new restaurant has opened along the northern edge of Downtown Crossing in Boston, and it looks like it is focusing mainly on salads and sandwiches.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Eat Kitchen is now open for business on Washington Street (about a block south of State Street and Court Street), though the poster mentioned that as of late last week, it appeared to be more of a very quiet soft opening. The restaurant's Twitter page states that Eat Kitchen is a salad and sandwich shop, while an earlier Boston Herald page said that the restaurant was expected to be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

At the present time, there does not appear to be a website for Eat Kitchen, and its Twitter page does not have much activity. If you are thinking of checking the place out, it may be best to get in touch with them first via Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/EatKitchen, as their Twitter page also displays their email address.

The address for this new eatery in downtown Boston is: Eat Kitchen, 260 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

Mississippi Man Purchases 150 Town Spa Pizzas to Take Home with Him

A man who grew up in Stoughton but now lives in Mississippi is in the process of bringing a literal truckload of pizza back to his family from his former hometown, driving a total of nearly 3,000 miles in the process.

According to The Patriot Ledger, David Schuler of Jackson, Mississippi is on his way back home after driving from Jackson all the way to Stoughton, picking up 150 pizzas from Town Spa in Stoughton on August 13. The pizzas include 50 plain, 50 with pepper and onion, and 50 with linguica and onion, which he is transporting by placing the partially-cooked vacuum-sealed pizzas on their sides inside large coolers with ice packs along the top of the coolers. The total cost of the pizzas was $1,200, according to Yahoo News and the Associated Press.

The Patriot Ledger article mentions that this is probably the largest single-person carry-out order in the 50-plus-year history of Town Spa, which is known mainly for their classic South Shore bar pies.

The address for Town Spa is: Town Spa Pizza, 1119 Washington Street (Route 138), Stoughton, MA, 02072. The phone number is (781) 344-2030. And their website can be found at http://townspapizza.com/

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Paul Wahlberg of Hingham's Alma Nove to Open Pizzeria Diciannove

The person who runs an upscale restaurant on the South Shore--and is the brother of two celebrities in the entertainment world--is going to be opening a couple more new spots nearby, including a pizzeria.

According to the Hingham Patch, Paul Wahlberg of Alma Nove at the Hingham Shipyard is looking to open a new spot called Pizzeria Diciannove, which will also be located at this huge waterfront complex that is just off Route 3A. Once it opens (possibly by the end of the year), the new pizza restaurant will be Wahlberg's third, as a burger restaurant called Wahlburgers should be opening at the shipyard sometime in September. (See earlier article on this place at the following link: Paul Wahlberg of Alma Nove in Hingham to Open Wahlburgers.) The Patch article mentions that Pizzeria Diciannove will feature Neapolitan pizzas cooked in brick ovens, and the pies will include house-made toppings. Beer, wine, and liquor will also be available at the new spot, which will only be serving full pizzas (no slices), according to the article.

Paul Wahlberg is the brother of Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, who are known for their work in the music and movie industries.

For more information on the opening of Pizzeria Diciannove at the Hingham Shipyard, please go to the Hingham Patch link below.

What Chef Wahlberg is Cooking Up Next in Hingham

Friday, August 12, 2011

Angelina's Pastry Is Opening in Arlington Heights

A pastry business that has been involved in supplying parties and various events with baked goods since 2003 is opening a bricks-and-mortar store in Arlington Heights.

A post in the Arlington Advocate indicates that Angelina's Pastry is going to be opening on Mass. Ave. (in a strip of stores between the Forest Street and Appleton Street intersections), with the pastry maker's website confirming this. A check on the place this week shows that a sign for Angelina's is now up, though it is not open yet--the Advocate states that the shop should be opening sometime in September.

[November 8 update: Angelina's Pastry is now open for business.]

Based on the website for Angelina's, expect a variety of baked goods to be available, including pastries, pies, breads, cookies, cakes and gum paste flowers.

It appears that Angelina's will be open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays, though you may want to call ahead in advance, just in case these hours change.

The address for this new pastry shop in Arlington Heights is: Angelina's Pastry, 1193 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The phone number is (781) 316-0500. And their website can be found at http://www.angelinaspastry.com/

Sebastians Cafe and Catering Is Opening a New Location Near Symphony Hall

A small local chain of cafes that also does catering is planning to open a new location, with this one being near the western edge of the Back Bay.

According to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog, Sebastians Cafe and Catering is going to be opening in the Church Park apartment building on Mass. Ave. near Symphony Hall (just north of Huntington Avenue) where a location of Au Bon Pain used to be. The article indicates that while there does not appear to be a specific opening date, a sign on the window of the space mentions that the cafe will be opening as soon as possible.

[December 8 update: According to their website, the new Sebastians on Mass. Ave. is now open.]

Sebastians first started out in 1993 as a catering operation, eventually expanding to include five fast-casual cafes on Summer Street, Devonshire Place, and High Street in downtown Boston, Seaport Boulevard along the waterfront, and 7 Cambridge Center in Cambridge's Kendall Square. The chain features soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees, including rotisserie chicken.

The address for this new cafe in the Back Bay is: Sebastians Cafe and Catering, 251 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for all of the Sebastians restaurants can be found at http://www.sebastians.com/

Thursday, August 11, 2011

b.good Is Having a Charity BBQ in SoWa on Sunday, August 14

A small local chain of restaurants is having a charity BBQ this weekend in the SoWa district of the South End, with the event helping support a non-profit organization that is involved with having the arts become a part of daily life in Boston and beyond.

An email sent to us indicates that b.good will be at 500 Harrison Avenue on Sunday, August 14, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, hosting their 8th annual family BBQ that will include food, beer, music, and art. All proceeds from the event will help Sidewalk Sam and his Newton-based foundation, ArtStreet (website: http://www.artstreet.org/), which has been involved with the arts since 1991. Tickets for the event are $15 for adults (children get in for free), with tickets including burgers, dogs, veggie burgers, corn, salads, shakes, 1 beer, live music, and live sidewalk art.

For more information on b.good's charity BBQ, please go to http://bgood.eventbrite.com/

The website for the b.good chain is at: http://www.bgood.com/