Tuesday, July 31, 2012

BLT Battle at Sea Coming to Boston Harbor August 26, 2012

Another unusual event is on the way from the folks behind the Bacon and Beer Festival, the Ice Cream Showdown, several pop-up restaurants, and more.

According to the Eat Boston site, the BLT Battle at Sea will be held in Boston Harbor on Sunday, August 26 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with the harbor cruise featuring BLTs and BLT-related treats, beer, and karaoke. The cruise will include folks from Chez Henri, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Staff Meal, and Trina's Starlite Lounge, along with Clown Shoes Beer and The Smuttynose Brewing Company, with karaoke from The People's Karaoke. Ticket prices are $40, which is good for one entry to the cruise.

Boarding begins at 1:30 PM at Gate C behind the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf. Please note that this is a 21+ rain or shine event.

For more information on the BLT Battle at Sea, please go to the link below.

BLT Battle at Sea



Brookline's Washington Square Could Become the First Green Dining Zone in the United States

A community group in Brookline is looking to make one of the town's busiest neighborhoods become the first Green Dining Zone in the country.

An email sent by DineGreen Brookline indicates that Brookline resident Eric McNulty has formed a coalition that includes The Fireplace restaurant and the national nonprofit Green Restaurant Association to help make Brookline a Green Dining Destination, and the Washington Square section of town the first Green Dining Zone in the United States. Their goal is to have 25% of dining spots in the neighborhood become Certified Green Restaurants this year, which would apparently qualify Washington Square as being a Green Dining Zone.

According to the DineGreen Brookline site, the only Certified Green Restaurant in Brookline right now is The Fireplace.

To learn more about the push to make Brookline a Green Dining Destination--and to learn what makes a dining spot a Certified Green Restaurant--please go to the link below:

http://dinegreenbrookline.com/



Brew at the Zoo Returning to Franklin Park Zoo, August 18, 2012

An offbeat beer tasting event is returning once again to a Boston zoo in August.

An email from Marlo Marketing/Communications indicates that the third annual Brew at the Zoo will take place at the Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday, August 18 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event, which will be held in the zoo's Tropical Forest Pavilion, will include stations hosted by local breweries, restaurants, and caterers, including Blue Hills Brewery, Cambridge Brewing Company, Clown Shoes Beer, Long Trail Brewing Co., Samuel Adams, Watch City Brewing Company, Doyle's Cafe, Piantedosi Baking Company, and others. Music will be provided by DJ BK.

The Tropical Forest Pavilion at the Franklin Park Zoo is home to such animals as western lowland gorillas, a giant anteater, and ring-tailed lemurs. In addition to seeing these and other animals, guests will also be able to visit Zoorassic Park, a seasonal exhibit that features more than 15 lifesize animatronic dinosaurs.

Tickets to the 2012 Brew at the Zoo cost $50 in advance ($60 at the door). Please note that this is a 21+ event.

Franklin Park Zoo is located at One Franklin Park Road near the Dorchester/Roxbury line.

For more information, please go to the link below:

Join us for the Third Annual Brew at the Zoo!



Mother Juice Food Truck Is Coming to Boston

A food truck that focuses on freshly-made juices and smoothies--and food items made from the leftover pulp--is on its way to Boston.

The Boston Magazine Chowder blog is reporting that Mother Juice is going to be coming to the area, having received funding via the Kickstarter site (they recently surpassed their goal of $13,000, with the funding drive ending on August 9). The truck will offer such items as watermelon-fennel-cucumber juice, vegan smoothies, and baked goods, popsicles, fruit leather, and sorbet made from fruit and vegetable pulp. It is not yet know when Mother Juice will be up and running; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

[February 22, 2013 update: BostInno mentions (in an article on a new truck called Fugu) that Mother Juice plans to be in operation in April.]

[May 2, 2013 update: A Twitter post from @ConciergeBoston indicates that the Mother Juice truck is now up and running.]

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

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1185990161/mother-juice-food-truck



MidEast Kitchen in Quincy Is Becoming My Natural Kitchen

A short-lived Middle Eastern and Mediterranean takeout restaurant in Quincy is being replaced by a new spot.

According to their Facebook page, the owner of MidEast Kitchen on Hancock Street (near the Quincy Center T station) has sold his location to My Natural Kitchen and will instead be focusing on the production of natural foods and wholesale products, with the nearby Good Health Natural Food Market being one spot that will carry the MidEast Kitchen items. MidEast Kitchen will also  be providing its successor with "nutritional grab and go items," though little else is known about My Natural Kitchen at this point. (As soon as we have more information, we will post an update here.)

MidEast Kitchen first opened in February of this year, taking over the space where Over Easy had been.

The address for the former MidEast Kitchen restaurant (and upcoming My Natural Kitchen) is 1259 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02169. The MidEast Kitchen/My Natural Kitchen Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/mideastkitchenquincy



GQ's Ice Cream Picks Include Three Shops in the Boston Area

An award-winning food writer for GQ magazine has come out with his picks of "10 ice cream shops you need to visit" in the United States, and nearly a third of them are located in the Boston area.

Alan Richman's article on ice cream places to go to includes Toscanini's in Cambridge's Central Square, J.P. Licks in Jamaica Plain, and Christina's Homemade Ice Cream in the Inman Square section of Cambridge, with a fourth Massachusetts spot also making the list--Herrell's in Northampton. Richman's picks for ice cream at the three Boston-area spots include pink grapefruit sorbet at Toscanini's, rum raisin at J.P. Licks, and lime-jalapeno-tequila sorbet at Christina's, with the Herrell's pick being chocolate pudding.


Two other East Coast ice cream shops made the list as well--Bischoff's in Teaneck, NJ and The Bent Spoon in Princeton, NJ.

The ice cream article by Alan Richman can be found at the link below:

The 10 Ice Cream Shops You Need to Visit

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.



Tilted Kilt's Plans to Open in Quincy Being Looked At by the City Once Again

A small chain of Celtic-themed sports pubs is looking to open its first Massachusetts location in Quincy, but a nearby church's concerns have brought the issue back to the city’s license board.

The Patriot Ledger is reporting that the pastor of St. John the Baptist Church at the corner of School Street and Gay Street has denounced the proposal to open the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery Plans on Parkingway. The article mentions that Section 16C of state law says a business that sells alcohol can't be situated within 500 feet of a school or church "unless the local licensing authority determines in writing and after a hearing that the premises are not detrimental to the educational and spiritual activities of said school or church." The space that the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is looking at (which is where a branch of the Outback Steakhouse used to be) is 443 feet away from the church. The license board had previously voted unanimously in favor of granting the Tilted Kilt a license on July 17.

The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, which started out in Las Vegas, is known in part for its having female servers who dress in revealing Scottish-style outfits. The chain currently operates more than 60 locations across the country, with the only New England outlet being in Wethersfield, CT. Their website can be found at http://www.tiltedkilt.com/

The address that is being looked at by the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is 227 Parkingway, Quincy, MA, 02169.

[August 29 update: The Patriot Ledger reports that the city's license board voted against the Tilted Kit opening in the former Outback Steakhouse site, with the vote (which occurred yesterday) being 3-2. The article does say that the restaurant chain can appeal the decision to the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, or they can file a legal appeal in court, so stay tuned for more possible updates.]



Monday, July 30, 2012

Highlights for the Week Ending July 27, 2012

A number of stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Asian-Latin fusion restaurant closing, a burger battle coming to Boston in August, and two well-known chefs looking to open new dining spots. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a blog review of a restaurant and bar in Brockton, reviews of a couple of dining spots in Vermont from a recent trip, and a photo of guacamole from a Mexican restaurant in East Boston.

Below are links to these and other items from the past week:

Boston Restaurant Talk

Fuji Group to Open International Sports Hub in Cambridge

Betty's Wok and Noodle in Boston Has Closed "Indefinitely"

Jason Santos of Blue Inc. to Open a New Restaurant in Boston's Theatre District

Boston Magazine's "Battle of the Burger" to Be Held August 7, 2012

Ming Tsai to Open Blue Dragon in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Blog Review: Doyle's Pub and Grill in Brockton, MA

Blog Entry: Reviews of Restaurants in Vermont

Photo: Guacamole from Angela's Cafe in East Boston, MA

Your Latest Restaurant Reviews

Photo: Potato Puffs from Doyle's Pub and Grill in Brockton, MA



Stephi's in Southie Is Opening in South Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on January 16, 2013 to reflect an exact name given for the place.]

The folks behind a trendy and upscale restaurant in Boston's Back Bay (and a second spot in the South End) are planning to open a third place, with this one being in South Boston.

Boston.com is reporting that Stephanie's on Newbury will be opening a restaurant on West Broadway, moving into the space near the Broadway T stop where The Quiet Man pub used to be. It appears that the new name may be Stephanie's as well, though we are still trying to confirm this (their other restaurant on Tremont Street in the South End has a slightly different name--Stephi's on Tremont). The article mentions that the new spot will be open for lunch and dinner (with brunch on weekends), and it could be open by April of 2013.

[January 16, 2013 update: The name of the restaurant will be Stephi's in Southie, according to the Boston Globe, with the eatery possibly opening in June. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

[September 19, 2013 update: The Boston Globe mentions today that Stephi's in Southie could open as early as next Tuesday (September 24).]

[September 23, 2013 update: UrbanDaddy says that Stephanie's is opening to the public on Wednesday (September 25).]

Stephanie's on Newbury first opened in 1994, while Stephi's on Tremont opened in 2009. Both dining spots focus on upscale comfort food.

The address for this new restaurant in South Boston is: Stephi's in Southie, 11 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127.



Punjabi Grill Is Opening in Somerville's Davis Square

A Pakistani and Indian restaurant in Framingham is going to be opening a new location in one of Somerville's busiest areas.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site (via the Somerville Patch), Punjabi Grill is planning to open on Elm Street in Davis Square, moving into the space where Namaskar Fine Indian Cuisine had been until closing this past winter. Based on the menu at the location on Route 9 in Framingham, it appears that the upcoming Punjabi Grill in Somerville will feature such items as lentil soup, naan, samosas, tandoori chicken, lamb vindaloo, goat karahi, fried fish, saag paneer, salmon tikka, shrimp biryani, mango lassi, and rice pudding.

There does not seem to be a specific opening date for Punjabi Grill at this point in time.

[August 22 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Punjabi Grill is now open in Davis Square.]

The address for this new restaurant in Davis Square is: Punjabi Grill, 234 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the Framingham location can be found at http://www.punjabigrillrestaurant.com/



Friday, July 27, 2012

A Few Photos from the 2012 Vermont Cheesemakers' Festival

Last Sunday the 2012 Vermont Cheesemakers' Festival was held at Shelburne Farms on the shores of Lake Champlain in Shelburne, VT. A number of cheesemakers, brewers, winemakers, food purveyors, and others took part in the event, including many "repeat" participants such as Twig Farm and Grafton Village Cheese. Below are some photos from the festival, which was a huge success (the event was sold out well before it took place, just as it had been the year before).


2012 Vermont Cheesemakers' Festival
2012 Vermont Cheesemakers Festival





Cheese Wheels
Cheese Wheels





Plymouth Cheese
Plymouth Cheese





Cheese from Scholten Family Farm
Cheese from Scholten Family Farm





Cheese from Twig Farm
Cheese from Twig Farm





Chocolate from Laughing Moon
Chocolate from Laughing Moon





Cheese from Vermont Farmstead
Cheese from Vermont Farmstead





Lake Champlain from the Festival
Lake Champlain from the festival




Five Guys Burgers and Fries Is Opening near Northeastern University; Another Opening in Peabody

A chain of rapidly expanding burger places that is planning to open a shop in downtown Boston is now looking to open one more within the city limits, as well as another on the North Shore.

Eater Boston is reporting that Five Guys Burgers and Fries is going to be opening on Huntington Avenue by Northeastern University, with a possible opening sometime in November or December. This is in addition to another Five Guys shop that will be opening on Summer Street, with that one possibly opening around the same time as the Huntington Avenue location. Also, the Five Guys site states that yet another shop is coming to Andover Street (Route 114) in Peabody, with this one opening sometime before the Boston location does.

[September 10 update: According to the chain's Facebook page, the Peabody location of Five Guys Burgers is now open.]

[April 8, 2013 update: The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog has confirmed information given in an article from this past Friday, that the new Five Guys on Huntington Avenue in Boston has indeed opened today.]

Currently, locations of Five Guys Burgers and Fries can be found in Burlington, Canton, Chelsea, Dedham, Foxborough, Framingham, Gloucester, Hanover, Marlborough, Medford, Natick, Randolph, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, and Walpole.

The address for the new Five Guys in Boston is 263 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The address for the one in Peabody is 227 Andover Street, Peabody, MA, 01960. And the website for the burger chain is at http://www.fiveguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
Five Guys Burgers and Fries to Open in Downtown Boston



Insomnia Cookies Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A small chain of late-night cookie delivery shops that tends to cater to college students is opening its first shop in the Boston area, and this one would also be in an area with plenty of college folks.

The Harvard Crimson reports that Insomnia Cookies is looking at a space on Mount Auburn Street in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge, with this location being the second outlet in New England (another shop can be found by Yale University in New Haven, CT). The chain, which delivers freshly-baked cookies to the doors of college students (and others), offers gift boxes as well as milk for delivery, and it also features a catering menu for various events and parties.

[January 30, 2013 update: Insomnia Cookies has opened in Harvard Square.]

Insomnia Cookies currently has 22 locations in the United States, with most being near colleges and universities, according to the Boston Business Journal.

The address for this new cookie delivery shop in Harvard Square is 65 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the chain can be found at http://insomniacookies.com/

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



Shabu and Mein Is Opening in Cambridge

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 23, 2013 and again on June 12, 2014 to reflect new information given on the place, including a couple of name changes.]

It appears that the folks behind several Asian restaurants in the Boston area--including one in Cambridge's Kendall Square--are planning to open a new dining and drinking spot on the northeastern edge of Kendall, just south of the CambridgeSide Galleria.

The City of Cambridge website posts that the people who own Fuji at Kendall on Third Street are looking to open what may tentatively be called International Sports Hub at 1 Rogers Street, with the proposed 71-seat place being open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The post also states that the new restaurant may have an outdoor patio as well, which would have room for 68 more. It is not yet known exactly what kind of food International Sports Hub would serve, but the MyPublicNotices.com site shows (via a post that is no longer up) that it will also have a lounge that will serve beer, wine, and liquor (dependent upon whether it receives a full liquor license).

[April 23, 2013 update: A more recent License Commission General Hearing post on the City of Cambridge website indicates that the name of the upcoming restaurant on Rogers Street is now tentatively going to be called Shabu at Kendall. The manager--Tony Liang--remains the same, though the name of the group behind it has changed from Fuji Group, Inc. to Bao & Mein, Inc. The post also says that the capacity is now planned to be 100 seats inside, with 32 more seats on an outdoor patio. The hearing is this evening, so expect another update soon.]

[June 12, 2014 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the Fuji at Kendall site), the new restaurant will now be called Shabu & Mein, and it will be opening in the coming weeks. The Fuji site also mentions that the address will be 148 First Street instead of 1 Rogers Street, though it is within the same building complex, so the only question is which space it will be taking within the complex.]

[June 23, 2014 update: Eater Boston states that Shabu & Mein is now open.]

In addition to Fuji at Kendall, the group behind that restaurant also owns Bistro Chi/Kama Lounge on Cottage Avenue in Quincy Center and B-Cafe and Shabu Restaurant, both on Hancock Street in North Quincy.



Cakes Bakery and Cafe in Watertown Has Closed

Earlier this month we reported that a trip of Boston-area bakeries and cafes closed one of their locations, and now we have learned that another shop has closed, leaving them down to their original spot.

According to a commenter on our blog, Cakes Bakery and Cafe in Watertown is shuttered, and a check on the Cakes site seems to confirm this, as their page for the Galen Street shop refers customers to their Arlington Store (which recently closed down as well). A check on the Yelp website further confirms the Watertown store's closure, as it is shown as being no longer in business on that site. Cakes Bakery and Cafe first opened their Watertown location in April of 2011.

With the two Cakes Bakery and Cafe closures occurring, the only remaining location is in Milton (which is the first one that was opened), with its location being on Eliot Street near the Boston line. The Cakes website can be found at: http://cakesmilton.com/

[Earlier Article]
Cakes Bakery and Cafe in Arlington Has Closed



Betty's Wok and Noodle in Boston Has Closed "Indefinitely"

An eclectic Boston restaurant known in part for its Asian/Latino fusion cuisine has closed its doors, possibly for good.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Betty's Wok & Noodle on Huntington Avenue has a sign in the window that says "Closed Indefinitely" and much of the furnishings inside are apparently gone. A call placed to the dining spot went to a voicemail that said Betty's has indeed closed indefinitely, and ends with the following statement that implies the restaurant may not be reopening: "We thank you for your years of loyal patronage."

Betty's Wok & Noodle first opened in 1999, offering diners an offbeat mix of dishes that included wontons in a Cuban dip, sake-glazed ribs, fried plantains, onion rings, Szechuan eggplant, tropical chicken, arroz con carne, pad Thai, and kung pao beef.

The address for this restaurant is: Betty's Wok & Noodle, 250 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.



Thursday, July 26, 2012

3 Potato 4 Is Coming to Boston

An eclectic shop in Salem that focuses on French fries (and apparently has an interest in space travel) is going to be opening as many as three locations in Boston.

The Boston Magazine Chowder blog reports that 3 Potato 4 at the Museum Place Mall is eyeing such locations as the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay and the W Hotel in the Theatre District as possible spots, while the outer space-themed shop's website states that they "will eventually have three additional locations in Boston." 3 Potato 4 also is looking to open in New York, New Orleans, and Las Vegas.

3 Potato 4 features organic fries in bamboo paper cones, with such dipping sauces as curry ketchup, Thai chili sauce, BBQ, honey mustard, and pesto mayo available. Toppings such as bacon bits and pickled jalapenos are also offered.

The website for 3 Potato 4 can be found at http://3p4shop.com/



Bento Express Moves into Former Beijing on the Common Space in Downtown Boston

A new quick-service Japanese restaurant has come to downtown Boston, with the eatery moving into the space where a Chinese dining spot had been.

Food writer MC Slim JB posts on the Chowhound site that Bento Express is now open on Boylston Street across from Boston Common. The new place, which resides in the spot where Beijing on the Common had been until closing last summer, offers bento boxes as well snacks, sushi, and rice and noodle dishes (including ramen and udon plates). MC mentions that Bento Express has counter service and a "fair" amount of seating inside.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in downtown Boston is: Bento Express, 62 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116.



Update: Jason Santos of Blue Inc. to Open Abby Lane in Boston's Theatre District

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 1 to reflect new information received from Grub Street Boston, including an exact name and address for the place.]

The chef behind a one-year-old dining spot in Boston's Financial District is going to be opening another restaurant, with this one being in the Theatre District of the city.

In an interview with Eater Boston, Jason Santos of Blue Inc. on Broad Street mentions that he will be opening a new dining establishment across from the Wang Center, which likely puts it somewhere on Tremont Street just south of Stuart Street and Kneeland Street. Santos states that the restaurant will have 200 seats and two floors of space, with an emphasis on American food

[November 1 update: Grub Street Boston reports that the new restaurant from Jason Santos will be called Abby Lane and it will be opening at 255 Tremont Street, where Dominic's Restaurant & Lounge used to be. GS also says that it could be opening sometime in the middle of this month.]

[November 13 update: A new post from Grub Street indicates that Abby Lane plans to open next Monday (November 19).]

Jason Santos first opened Blue Inc. last July after departing the now-closed Gargoyles in Somerville's Davis Square. The restaurant features an eclectic array of dishes, with New American, classic American, and Asian influences. Santos also appeared on the Fox show Hell's Kitchen in 2010.

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



16 Handles Frozen Yogurt Shop Is Opening in Brookline

A small chain of self-serve frozen yogurt shops is coming to the Boston area, with its first store opening in Brookline this fall.

RestaurantNews.com is reporting that 16 Handles plans to open on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner in November, with the New York-based chain apparently looking to expand into other parts of the Boston area as well. 16 Handles is known in part for their lounge-style atmosphere along with their extensive toppings bar, with the shops offering 16 Kosher-certified flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt. Currently, there are approximately 25 locations of the chain, with most being in and around New York City.

[January 28, 2013 update: Eater Boston has confirmed that the new 16 Handles in Brookline has opened.]

The address for this new frozen yogurt shop in Coolidge Corner is: 16 Handles, 1309 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Their website can be found at http://www.16handles.com/



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Whole Foods Market Is Opening in Boston's South End

A national chain of supermarkets that focuses on natural and organic foods is coming to the South End of Boston.

The Boston Herald reports that Whole Foods Market will be opening in the "Ink Block" development between Albany Street and Harrison Avenue (where the Boston Herald newspaper used to be), with the 50,000-square-foot shop being the largest market in Boston, and the first full-sized grocery store in the South End. The article mentions that the new Whole Foods will be the anchor of the upcoming development, which will include residential properties, office space, and businesses (including dining spots) as well as upgrades to roadways and sidewalks. It looks like the supermarket will have an outdoor sidewalk cafe area as well as a gelato bar and a wine shop within the store.

The Ink Block project will have two phases on construction, with an anticipated completion around 2016. Whole Foods should be open sometime in 2014.

[January 5, 2015 update: According to a sign displayed at the Ink Block site, the new Whole Foods is opening this Friday (January 9).]

[Earlier Article]
New Restaurants Coming to the Ink Block Development (and Surrounding Area) in the South End



Corn & Co Is Opening at the Burlington Mall in Burlington

A popcorn store that will apparently feature a nearly endless variety of flavors is coming to Burlington.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Corn & Co is going to open at the Burlington Mall, with an August opening anticipated. The shop's website mentions that their popcorn will come in an array of flavors, blends, and mixes, with constantly rotating flavors from their extensive "flavor library." Corn & Co is also focused on sustainability and giving back to communities via support of agriculture and education.

[July 30 update: According to Goldstein Pierce, Corn & Co  will be located on the upper level of the Burlington Mall and it will feature both a store and a test kitchen. Up to 16 flavors of popcorn will be popped each day in the test kitchen, with customers being able to add toppings and custom mix flavors. Their aforementioned flavor library will have more than 250 unique flavors, with the 16 mentioned above being the "base" flavors. A few of the flavors at Corn & Co include salt and vinegar, dill pickle, bacon, sweet watermelon, teriyaki, and wasabi, with the popcorn being gluten-free, nut-free, and Kosher.]

[August 21 update: A post from Grub Street Boston indicates that Corn & Co is now looking at a September opening.]

[September 13 update: An email from Goldstein Pierce now indicates that Corn & Co is hoping to open in early October.]

[December 17 update: According to their Twitter page, Corn & Co is now open.]

The website for Corn & Co is http://cornand.co/



Crumbs Bake Shop Is Opening in Burlington

A chain of cupcake shops that recently opened its first Massachusetts location in Boston is going to be opening a second one, with this store being north of the city.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Crumbs Bake Shop is planning to open a new outlet at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, though the exact location within the mall was not given. Once it opens, the new shop will join another location on Federal Street in Boston's Financial District (that store opened in March of this year). It appears that the new Crumbs is hoping to open sometime in August, according to the article.

[July 25 update: Crumbs will be opening on the second floor of the Burlington Mall near the food court.]

[August 16 update: A sign outside the Burlington Mall indicates that the new Crumbs Bake Shop is having its grand opening today.]

Crumbs Bake Shop first started out in New York City in 2003 and now has more than 50 stores, mostly on the east and west coasts. The shops feature regular-sized cupcakes along with "colossal" cupcakes, which are six and a half inches high.

The website for Crumbs can be found at http://www.crumbs.com/

Thanks to a poster on the Boston Globe food chat for bringing this to our attention.



East Asia in Somerville Has Closed; DooWee and Rice Replacing It

An Asian restaurant in the Powderhouse Square section of Somerville has closed its doors, with another Asian eatery planning to move into the space.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site (via Davis Square LiveJournal), East Asia on Broadway is now shuttered, with a sign stating that DooWee & Rice will be taking over the spot. The two posts mention that the new restaurant will feature such items as gourmet modern rice plates, Chinese "burgers," and Vietnamese salads. The website for DooWee & Rice also implies that this will be an Asian fusion spot, though no menu has been posted yet.

[August 30 update: Eater Boston reports that DooWee & Rice is looking to open the weekend of September 8.]

[September 10 update: According to their website, DooWee & Rice soft-opened over the weekend. Eater Boston follows up on this by reporting that the restaurant is now closed for the time being but will officially open on Wednesday, September 12, with their grand opening being on Saturday, September 15.]

[September 12 update: Eater Boston states that DooWee & Rice officially opened at noon today.]

East Asia was a Chinese and Thai eatery that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured. A review of the restaurant can be found below:

www.hiddenboston.com/EastAsia.html

The address for the now-closed East Asia (and new DooWee & Rice) is 868 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for DooWee & Rice is at http://www.dooweeandrice.com/



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Seinfeld "No Soup For You!" Food Truck Is Coming to the Boston Area, August 3, 2012

Yet another food truck is on its way to the Boston area, though this one will only be here for one day--and the name of the truck may sound very familiar to you.

The Daily Meal is reporting that the Seinfeld "No Soup For You!" Food Truck is hitting the road to visit six cities across the United States, including Boston. The truck, which gets its name from the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld (and features Soup Nazi actor Larry Thomas for at least part of the tour), will be in Beantown on Friday, August 3, with visits to Albuquerque, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York before its arrival, and Baltimore after its departure.

The Seinfeld Food Truck will offer several items that have played a role in Seinfeld episodes, including mulligatawny soup, Junior Mints, muffin tops, black and white cookies, Twix, Snapple, and bottled water, according to The Daily Meal.

Additional details on the event (including an exact location) should be posted soon. For more information, please go to the "Soup for Boston" Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/SoupForBoston

[July 30 update: According to the Soup for Boston Facebook page, the Seinfeld Food Truck will be at Winthrop Park in Cambridge's Harvard Square from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on August 3, and Dewey Square on Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.]



Feng Shui in Natick Has Closed

The folks behind four Chinese and Japanese restaurants in the Boston area are now down to three, as their location west of the city has closed its doors.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Feng Shui in Natick has shuttered, with a check on the restaurant's website confirming that it has indeed closed (it is no longer listed in the "locations" section). The eatery first opened on Route 9 in the spring of 2011, offering sushi, hibachi, a buffet, tapas, classic Chinese dishes, and more. Their other three locations (Chelmsford, Cohasset, and Tyngsboro) remain open.

The address for this now-closed Chinese and Japanese restaurant in Natick was: Feng Shui, 801 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. The website for the other locations can be found at: http://www.gofengshui.com/



Boston Magazine's "Battle of the Burger" to Be Held August 7, 2012

A food competition that focuses on burgers is on its way to South Boston in August.

An email from Regan Communications indicates that Boston Magazine's "Battle of the Burger" will take place on Tuesday, August 7 at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, with the event going from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (6:00 PM start for VIP). The cook-off will bring together chefs from a number of area restaurants, including 80 Thoreau, 5 Napkin Burger, Bond, Church, The Fireplace, Four Burgers, Olde Magoun's Saloon, Russell House Tavern, Stephanie's on Newbury, Tasty Burger, and others, with picks being made based on more than 23,000 reader votes being cast to finalize the top 20 burgers in Boston. In addition to sampling burgers from the participating restaurants, guests will also enjoy complimentary beverages, socialize with chefs and fellow food lovers, and vote for the best burger, with the winner being announced at the end of the evening.

Live entertainment will be provided at the Battle of the Burger event, along with a cookbook signing by Andy Husbands from Tremont 647. Other food items will be available as well.

Ticket prices are $75 for general admission ($95 for VIP) and can be ordered via the link below:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/burgers/tickets.html



Food Fest at Lookout Farm Coming to South Natick, August 26, 2012

A family-friendly event that features food and more is returning to a South Natick farm in August.

An email from Image Unlimited Communications indicates that NECN and TV Diner will be collaborating with Belkin Family Lookout Farm on Pleasant Street to host the 2nd Annual Food Fest at Lookout Farm on Sunday, August 26, with the event going from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Included will be cooking demos, tastings, entertainment, children’s activities, hayrides, and contests, with a number of restaurants and food vendors in the Boston area participating, including Bin Ends, Brasserie Jo, Granary Tavern, Tasty Burger, Tortilleria La Nina, and others.

Tickets to the 2012 Food Fest at Lookout Farm cost $30 per adult in advance ($40 at the door), with children 10 and under being free. For more information, please go to the link below:

http://www.necn.com/foodfest



Durgin-Park Space at Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace Has Been Sold

[Ed note: This article was edited on July 24 to reflect the fact that the space--not the actual restaurant--has been sold. Thanks to food writer MC Slim JB for pointing this out on the Chowhound site.]

The space that houses a landmark Boston restaurant that has been in business for nearly 200 years has been sold.

The Boston Herald is reporting that New York-based Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. has purchased the Durgin-Park space (not the restaurant itself) for $4 million. The well-known Faneuil Hall eatery will apparently remain as is, with the Herald stating that the restaurant "expects to keep on cooking with its long-term lease still in effect." Ark Restaurants has owned the actual Durgin-Park restaurant since 2007--and it appears that they will continue to do so--while the seller of the restaurant space is a partnership including members of the Kelley family (the former operators of Durgin-Park before Ark bought it).

Durgin-Park first opened in 1827, though the space had been used as a dining spot since 1742, according to the restaurant's website. The eatery offers classic American and regional New England fare, including fish cakes, chicken pot pie, clam rolls, pot roast, prime rib of beef, steamed lobsters, Boston schrod, roast stuffed turkey, and Indian pudding. The dining spot is also known in part for its surly waitstaff.

The address for Durgin-Park is: Durgin-Park, 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109.



Monday, July 23, 2012

Ming Tsai Is Opening Blue Dragon in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

Last week we reported that celebrity chef Ming Tsai was planning to open a restaurant in the Fort Point section of Boston, and now we have details on what kind of dining spot it will be.

Based on information from a community meeting in Fort Point this evening, Ming's new restaurant will be called Blue Dragon, with the 70-seat casual neighborhood eatery being open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Its lunch menu will focus on burgers and sandwiches, while dinner will include small plates ("east meets west" tapas), along with items such as Peking duck and dumplings. It appears that a late-night menu may also be available as well, and it may be a bit different from the dinner menu. Blue Dragon will have a full liquor license, though it looks like plans for a roof deck have fallen through.

Blue Dragon may be open by November, though it could be as late as February of 2013, depending on how things progress.

[January 29, 2013 update: A Twitter post from Blue Dragon indicates that the restaurant plans to open in "ten days." (Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

[February 11, 2013 update: A note sent to us from the restaurant mentions that Blue Dragon will be opening on Wednesday (February 13).]

[February 13, 2013 update: Eater Boston has confirmed that Blue Dragon is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in the Fort Point section of Boston is: Blue Dragon, 324 A Street, Boston, MA, 02210.

[Earlier Article]
Ming Tsai Plans to Open a New Restaurant in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood



Highlights for the Week Ending July 20, 2012

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Korean fried chicken place opening a second location in Allston, a burger pop-up coming to Cambridge, and a Brookline deli being sold. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Italian and Greek restaurant in Braintree, a blog entry about good steak tips in the Boston area, and a photo of a waffle from a breakfast and lunch spot in Quincy.

Below are links to these and other items from the past week:

Boston Restaurant Talk

Bon Chon Plans to Open in Old Kelly's Roast Beef Location in Allston

Otto Pizza to Open New Location Near Boston University

Burger Pop-Up Coming to Abigail's in Cambridge, August 20, 2012

Confirmed: Michael's Deli in Brookline Has Been Sold

Ming Tsai Plans to Open a New Restaurant in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Maria's in Braintree, MA

Blog Entry: Five Places to Get Good Steak Tips

Updated Photo Gallery of Dive Bars in the Boston Area

Updated Review: Angela's Cafe, East Boston, MA

Photo: Waffle from McKay's in Quincy, MA



Friday, July 20, 2012

Children Around the World Auction Coming to Down Ultra Lounge in Boston, August 10, 2012

A "charity date auction" returns to Boston next month, and it will be raising money for a couple of good causes.

On Friday, August 10, Anthem Entertainment will be hosting its annual Children Around the World auction at the Down Ultra Lounge on High Street. The event, which goes from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, focuses on the "auctioning" of men and women, with each auctionee coming with a date that includes dinner, drinks, and activity for two. A cocktail reception begins the event, followed by the auction, where women and men have the chance to bid on their favorite dates.

Proceeds from the 2012 Children Around the World auction benefit CHOSA, an organization that helps orphans and other vulnerable children in South Africa, and the Boston Police Department's community outreach program, which focuses on Mattapan and nearby areas and helps give youths opportunity and experience outside of their neighborhoods.

The event has a suggested donation of $10, according to the event page (see the link below).

Children Around the World: Charity Date Auction



Ken Oringer Leaves KO Prime; Patricia Yeo Leaving Moksa

Two well-known chefs/restaurateurs in the Boston-area restaurant scene are saying farewell to a couple of eateries, and one of them is going to be leaving Boston completely.

Eater Boston is reporting that Ken Oringer has said farewell to KO Prime in downtown Boston, where he had been a partner. Oringer will remain at his other dining spots, which include Clio/Uni, Coppa, La Verdad, Toro, and Earth (in Kennebunkport, ME). He is also planning to open a location of Toro in the Chelsea section of New York City.

Meanwhile, Grub Street Boston states that Patricia Yeo will be saying goodbye to Moksa in Cambridge, as she has received a job offer for a "corporate position" in Chicago. It is not yet known what kind of job Yeo will be doing, as she will keep it a secret until the job contract is finalized, according to Grub Street.

KO Prime is located at 90 Tremont Street in Boston, while Moksa can be found at 450 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge.



Laurie's 9:09 Steakhouse and Raw Bar Is Opening in Wakefield

A new fine-dining spot is coming to a northern suburb of Boston, and it will focus mainly on steak and seafood dishes.

The Wakefield Patch reports that Laurie's 9:09 Steakhouse and Raw Bar is going to be opening on Tuttle Street, moving into the space where Cafe Jag's used to be until closing this spring. The article mentions that the new eatery will offer such items as steak, lobsters, crab cakes, and oysters (with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients), and it will also have live music and trivia.

Hours for the restaurant, which is scheduled to open in September, will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday, and 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sundays, with a brunch offered that day.

[November 8 update: A new article in the Wakefield Patch states that Laurie's 9:09 Steakhouse and Raw Bar is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in Wakefield is: Laurie's 9:09 Steakhouse and Raw Bar, 33 Tuttle Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880.



Bon Chon Plans to Open in Old Kelly's Roast Beef Location in Allston

A group of Korean fried chicken franchises with locations in Allston and Cambridge is looking to open a new outlet in Allston, moving into the space where a location of a local roast beef chain had been.

The Boston Globe reports that Bon Chon is planning on opening in the former Kelly's Roast Beef location on Commonwealth Avenue, though the article mentions that the lease for the new space still needs landlord and bank approval before plans can move ahead. If all goes as planned, expect the new Bon Chon to open sometime this fall.

Bon Chon first opened on Harvard Avenue in Allston toward the end of 2010, with their Harvard Square location on JFK Street opening a little over a month ago. The eatery offers fried wings, drumsticks, and strips, as well as soups, salads, sushi, bulgogi, kimchi, and bibimbob, and more. The group of restaurants has locations in Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore, as well as a handful of spots in the United States.

Kelly's Roast Beef closed its Allston location in December of 2011. Its locations in Revere Beach, Danvers, Medford, Natick, and Saugus remain open.

The address for the upcoming Bon Chon is 1227 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[October 25 update: A more recent article in The Boston Globe mentions that Bon Chon's plans to open in the Kelly's space have fallen through.]