2013 Lineup for Mobile Food Options on the Rose Kennedy Greenway to Include Eight New Vendors

Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway is once again going to be the site of a variety of mobile food spots, and this year eight new food trucks and bike vendors will be participating.

An email sent to us this week indicates that for the 2013 season, a total of 22 food truck and bike vendors will be on the Greenway, with new options including the A4 Truck (from the Area Four folks in Cambridge) as well as the Baja Taco Truck, Chubby Chickpea, The Coffee Trike, Momogoose, Paris Creperie, Seta's, and Shuckin' Truck. The lineup will also see the return of Beantown Franks & Spuds, Chicken and Rice Guys, Clover, Momogoose, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, and others.

For more information (including a full listing of vendors and specific locations), please go to the following link:

http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/food/park

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Treat Cupcake Bar Is Opening in Chestnut Hill

A cupcake shop in Needham is expanding, with a second shop coming to a retail complex a few miles to the east that is currently undergoing redevelopment.

Eater Boston is reporting that Treat Cupcake Bar plans to open at The Street Chestnut Hill (formerly the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center) on Route 9, with a possible opening coming in the next week or so. The original location, which is on Highland Avenue in Needham, is an "interactive" shop where customers can design their own cupcakes by picking a cupcake option, choosing a frosting, then adding treats to the top.

[April 8 update: An email sent to us indicates that the new Treat Cupcake Bar in Chestnut Hill is now open.]

The Street Chestnut Hill is also home to a location of the Shake Shack, a New York-based eatery that opened earlier this month.

The address for this new cupcake shop in Chestnut Hill is: Treat Cupcake Bar, 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467. The website for the original shop can be found at http://www.treatcupcakebar.com/

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Little Thai Cafe Is Opening in Watertown

A new Thai restaurant is coming to Watertown, and it will be moving into the space where an Indian eatery used to be.

According to one of our readers on Twitter (@y2000k), a sign for Little Thai Cafe is up at the Main Street spot where Lazziz Fine Indian Cuisine had been until closing last month. Earlier notes from a Watertown Licensing Board meeting confirm this, as an all alcohol common victualler license transfer was approved from the now-closed Indian restaurant to Little Thai Cafe. Based on the notes, it appears that the new dining spot is planning to be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and it will apparently have a seasonal outdoor patio.

It is not yet known when Little Thai Cafe might open, so keep checking back for updates.

[September 3 update: According to one of our readers, Little Thai Cafe is now open, having opened awhile back (possibly back in May).]

The address for this new Thai restaurant in Watertown is: Little Thai Cafe, 51 Main Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

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3 Squares Is Opening in Needham

A new dining spot is coming to a western suburb of Boston, and it will apparently be moving into the space where a location of a family-friendly restaurant chain had been.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, 3 Squares is on its way to Needham, and based on a recent town hall agenda PDF page, the eatery will open at 669 Highland Avenue, which is the same address as the now-closed Bickford's Grille. The Craigslist post indicates that the new restaurant will focus on "culinary diner food" and "comfort food with a twist," and that it could be opening in May or June.

[May 6 update: The Needham Times mentions that 3 Squares is hoping to open sometime in the middle of June, and that it will be a casual, affordable spot that is family-friendly.]

[July 25 update: According to its Facebook page, 3 Squares is now open.]

The address for this new dining spot in Neeham is: 3 Squares, 669 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 669 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. Its website is at http://www.3squaresneedham.com/

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Naumkeag Ordinary Is Opening in Salem

A new restaurant and pub is on its way to Salem, and a couple of folks who had worked at a dining spot in Boston's South End are behind it.

The Salem Patch is reporting that Naumkeag Ordinary is opening on Washington Street, moving into the space where a location of Cafe Polonia had been until closing last month. The article says that the co-owners of the upcoming tavern are Matt Brady and Dan Bitler, who had formerly worked at Coda on Columbus Avenue in Boston. Naumkeag Ordinary, which could be opening during the second week of April, will mostly feature pub-style food with meals priced at between $8 and $15, according to the Patch.

[April 22 update: Naumkeag Ordinary is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant and bar is: Naumkeag Ordinary, 118 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

Thanks to North Shore Dish for bringing this to our attention.

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Sealey's Lunch in Brookline to Close

A landmark luncheonette in Brookline whose history goes back a long ways is closing its doors this week.

The Brookline TAB is reporting that Sealey's Lunch on Cypress Street will shut down tomorrow (closing at 12:00 PM then reopening at 2:00 PM for pastries and coffee), as co-owner Sophie Vessiropoulos is selling the eatery to someone who made a "substantial offer." The dining spot, which is known as a place to get reasonably-priced breakfast and lunch items, has a history that "goes back at least 100 years," according to the article, when it had been an ice cream stand.

It is not yet known what will be moving into the Sealey's space, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for this soon-to-close luncheonette is: Sealey's Lunch, 147 Cypress Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

Thanks to @brandnewwatch for bringing this to our attention.

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Update: Basha Becomes Alborz, Which Moved into the Casbah Space, Which Had Moved into the Basha Space

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 2, 2014, to reflect a name change for the upcoming restaurant.]

A new Middle Eastern restaurant is replacing another Middle Eastern restaurant in Cambridge, and it will be taking the name of the Middle Eastern restaurant that had been there previously.

Eater Boston is reporting that Basha is returning to New Street in the city's Fresh Pond section, and it will be taking over the space where Casbah had been since October of 2011, when it had replaced a dining spot that was also called Basha. According to EB, the new Basha will apparently be much like the old Basha, with a similar menu featuring Lebanese dishes, and the person behind had worked at Casbah. It looks like Basha soft-opened recently but has since closed, though it appears that the eatery will be having an official opening soon. (Note: Some of the information here comes from meeting minutes from the City of Cambridge website.)

As Eater Boston mentions, it looks like earlier plans for a BBQ spot called the Fat Man Cafe have fallen through for the space.

[April 2, 2014 update: Based on an Instagram photo from ohbabyboston, the name of  Basha has changed to Alborz. (This has been confirmed by the City of Cambridge website.) It does appear that the restaurant is open for business; as soon as we find out its status, we will post another update here.]

The address for this upcoming restaurant is 26 New Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Articles]
Casbah Restaurant in Cambridge to Become the Fat Man Cafe
Casbah Restaurant Is Opening in Cambridge's Alewife/Fresh Pond Neighborhood

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Dim Sum Cafe Opens in Medford

A new Chinese restaurant has just opened its doors in Medford.

According to their Facebook page, Dim Sum Cafe is now open on Fellsway West (Route 28), with their grand opening being this past Monday. A post on their page says that the dining spot features "delicious dim sum to eat at the comfort of your own home," with a picture showing that the eatery offers Szechuan, Cantonese, and Mandarin fare. Dim Sum Cafe is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, with hours being 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Wednesday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Thursday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM on Sundays.

The address for this new Chinese restaurant in Medford is: Dim Sum Cafe, 679 Fellsway West, Medford, MA, 02155. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dim-Sum-Cafe/175526439264728

Thanks to food writer MC Slim JB for bringing this to our attention (via Chowhound).

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Whole Foods Market Is Opening in Brookline

A national chain of supermarkets that features natural and organic foods is getting ready to open another Boston-area location.

The Brookline TAB is reporting that Whole Foods Market plans to open April 15 in Brookline, with the grocery store moving into the space on Beacon Street where a location of Johnnie's Foodmaster had been. (The Johnnie's chain closed down last November.) This will be the first of several Whole Foods to take over former locations of Johnnie's, with more planned for Arlington, Charlestown, Melrose, Somerville (Beacon Street), and South Weymouth over the coming months.

[April 8 update: According to a post on their Facebook page, the opening date for the new Whole Foods in Brookline has been moved up, with the market now planning to open this Thursday (April 11). The post also says that this will be the chain's "smallest location in the United States," with 8,000 square feet of space and approximately 75 employees.]

Currently, approximately 20 locations of Whole Foods can be found in the Boston area, including ones in Beacon Hill, the Symphony Hall area, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain.

The address for the new Whole Foods in Brookline is: Whole Foods Market, 1026-1028 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for Whole Foods is at http://wholefoodsmarket.com/

[Earlier Article]
Johnnie's Foodmaster to Close All Ten of Their Locations

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Cafe Rossetti's in Winthrop Is Opening a Second Location in Lynn

An Italian restaurant that is located just north of Boston (and across the street from the ocean) is going to be opening a second location north of the city.

The Daily Item of Lynn is reporting that Cafe Rossetti's in Winthrop plans to open on Sutton Street in the downtown section of Lynn, with the eatery expected to open sometime later this year. Based on the menu at the original location on Winthrop Shore Drive, the new spot in Lynn could have pasta dishes and pizza as well as chicken, veal, seafood, pork, and beef entrees.

According to the article, the new Rossetti's will share its building with D'Amici's Bakery, with the restaurant occupying half of the building and the bakery occupying the other half. It looks like Rossetti's might be open only for dinner (the article does not say anything about it being open for lunch).

[November 26 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, the new location in Lynn is now open (its name is Rossetti Restaurant), and it appears that the place is indeed only open for dinner.]

The address for this new Italian restaurant in Lynn is 41 Sutton Street, Lynn, MA, 01901. The website for the Winthrop location can be found at http://www.caferossettis.com/

Thanks to North Shore Dish for bringing this to our attention via their Facebook page.

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Highlights for the Week Ending March 22, 2013

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a popular Irish pub in the Back Bay closing, a new restaurant from the owners of a couple of well-known Maine restaurants opening, and Cambridge dining spot getting ready to set up a food truck. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a diner in Braintree, a blog entry on outdoor dining in the Boston area and beyond, and a photo of a sandwich from a breakfast and lunch spot in Dorchester.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Crossroads Irish Pub in Boston's Back Bay to Close

MC Medici Ristorante and Bar to Replace 606 Congress in Boston's Seaport District

No. 29 Sudbury Looks to Open This Spring

Geoffrey's Cafe in Boston Closes, May Reopen Under Different Ownership

Area Four Food Truck Looks to Open April 1

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Olympian Diner in Braintree, MA

New Photo: Stuffed Chicken Marsala from the Inn at Bay Pointe in Quincy, MA

New Blog Entry: Time to Get Ready for Outdoor Dining

Question: Best Burger in the Boston Area?

New Photo: Meatball Sub from McKenna's Cafe in Dorchester, MA

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Steve "Nookie" Postal to Open Steinbones (Jewish-Inspired BBQ) in Cambridge's Central Square

Last fall we reported that Steve "Nookie" Postal, the now-former executive chef for the Boston Red Sox--and a finalist on Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates--was going to be setting up a pop-up version of his upcoming NYC Jewish-influenced barbecue spot in Cambridge's Harvard Square. Now we have confirmed what he had considered at the time, namely that he will be opening a brick-and-mortar version of the place in another part of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting that Postal plans to open Steinbones in Central Square, joining the location that is going to be coming to Manhattan. In an earlier article, we had said (via EB) that an outlet of the restaurant could be coming to the Boston area, with Nookie saying "If people are freaking out about it, we might do it."

Based on the items served at the Steinbones pop-up at Crema Cafe on Brattle Street last December, the brick-and-mortar spot in Central Square could have such dishes as a chopped short rib pastrami sandwich, fried matzoh balls, and lamb ribs.

As also mentioned earlier, Steve Postal is opening a restaurant and market in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge as well, with the place being called Commonwealth.

[November 8 update: Commonwealth has opened, and according to an article in Eater Boston, Nookie says that Steinbones is slated to open "in the summer of 2014 in the most amazing location in Cambridge," though he won't tell where the location will be at this point.]

[May 23, 2014 update: Zagat mentions that Steinbones is still planning to open sometime this summer, though there is still no address for this place.]

[December 9, 2014 update: Boston Magazine states that Steinbones is now looking to open in early 2015 and that there will be a sneak peek at its dishes at an event at Commonwealth on December 21.]

[Earlier Articles]
Steve "Nookie" Postal to Set Up Pop-Up Jewish BBQ Spot at Crema Cafe in Cambridge
Update: Steve "Nookie" Postal to Open Restaurant/Market in Cambridge's Kendall Square

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Wegmans Planning to Open a Market in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Last March we reported that Wegmans Food Markets was looking to open a store somewhere within the Boston city limits. Now we have learned where the first location of the supermarket chain might be.

According to a post in the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog (via a Twitter post from Janet Wu of WCVB and a retweet from @HeyRatty), Mayor Menino is announcing that the Rochester, NY-based chain of grocery stores is planning to open a branch in the Fenway section of the city. Currently, Wegmans has a store in Northborough, with other outlets being built in Burlington, Chestnut Hill, and Westwood [ED NOTE: all are now open].

As soon as we have more information on the exact location of the Wegmans in Boston's Fenway area, we will post an update here.

[UPDATE: @BOSFoodTours has sent us a message saying that the new Wegmans will be opening in the Landmark Center at Park Drive and Brookline Avenue.]

[October 7 update: The Boston Business Journal gives a bit more information today on the proposed supermarket coming to Fenway. According to the article, plans are being filed to add a 75,000-square-foot Wegmans to the Landmark Center, which would see the addition of three new buildings (including retail and office space as well as housing), the demolition of its parking garage, and 2.2 acres of open space. (The article also says that the market itself would "have the look and feel of a European, open-air market.")]

[January 17, 2014 update: Wegmans is one step closer to opening its first market within the Boston city limits, as the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog mentions (via The Boston Herald) that the Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved the expansion plans for the Landmark Center.]

[December 2, 2015 update: According to an article in the Medford Transcript, the Fenway location of Wegmans will apparently not be opening until 2019 or 2020.]

[Earlier Article]
Wegmans Market Is Planning to Open Somewhere in Boston

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Update: Cafe Quattro in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Moving to the South End

[Ed note: This article was updated several times in 2015 to reflect new information given, including a location for the place.]

A now-closed Italian-style cafe on the edge of Beacon Hill in downtown Boston is returning, though in another part of the city.

According to a post on their Facebook page, Cafe Quattro, which had been on Somerset Street, is in the process of lining up a new spot for their eatery; they say in the thread that "Nothing is set in stone, but we are shooting for an early fall opening!" The restaurant had lost their lease awhile back and apparently closed their doors sometime last fall. [Ed note: Cafe Quattro should not be confused with Quattro, a new, unrelated restaurant in the North End.]

Cafe Quattro featured such items as thin-crust pizza, panini, coffee, and Italian desserts. They first opened approximately eight years ago. (Their website is at http://www.cafequattroboston.com/)

[January 26, 2015 update: According to a Boston Licensing Board page, Cafe Quattro is opening on E Springfield Street in the South End, with the address indicating it will be on the corner of Harrison Avenue across from the Boston Medical Center.]

[March 12, 2015 update: Eater Boston mentions that Cafe Quattro is trying to raise money via the crowdfunding site Kickstarter in order to pay for such things as the purchase and installation of equipment along with moving expenses. (The goal is to raise $20,000 by the end of the month.)]

[July 28, 2015 update: A new article from Eater Boston says that Cafe Quattro has now opened in its new location at 817 Harrison Avenue.]

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Staniford Cafe in Boston Has Closed

A restaurant over by Mass General that was known in part for serving breakfast all day has closed its doors.

Eater Boston is reporting that the Staniford Cafe on Staniford Street is no longer in business, having closed recently after more than 20 years in business. In addition to breakfast dishes, the eatery also served soups, salads, sandwiches, and seafood, and the folks behind the place offered catering as well.

The address for this now-closed dining spot is 70 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

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Upper Crust Pizzeria in Boston's South End Reopens

Yet another location of a local group of pizzerias that recently went to auction is opening its doors once again, with today being the day of its reopening.

According to the post on their Facebook page, the South End location of Upper Crust Pizzeria opens today at 11:00 AM, making this what appears to be the third location to be reopened by UC Acquisition (a private equity firm connected with Upper Crust founder Jordan Tobins), as locations in Watertown and Wellesley have also opened up again. As mentioned in an earlier article, another former Upper Crust location is becoming a new pizza spot (The Just Crust, which is taking over the Harvard Square space), while the Back Bay location of the chain was recently taken over by The Proper Slice, which is based in Brighton.

The address for this reopened pizza spot in the South End of Boston is: Upper Crust Pizzeria, 683 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118.

[Earlier Articles]
Upper Crust Pizzeria in Watertown Has Reopened
Upper Crust Pizzera in Wellesley Is Reopening
The Proper Slice in Brighton Is Opening in the Former Upper Crust Space in Boston's Back Bay
The Just Crust to Open in Former Upper Crust Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square
Upper Crust Pizzeria Locations Head to Auction

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Remington's in Downtown Boston Is Closing; Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault to Move

It appears that a restaurant in downtown Boston is closing, and a comedy club downstairs from it will need to find a new home.

According to Craig Caplan, who is President of the Downtown Crossing Vending Association and is affiliated with The REAL Downtown Crossing Page on Facebook (with further information coming from other sources), the lease for Remington's and Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault on Boylston Street is not going to be renewed, so Remington's will shutter, while Dick Doherty's will be looking to move to another location. The dining spot and comedy club have been in the space (which is owned by Emerson College) across from Boston Common for nearly 30 years.

[March 26 update: The Boston Business Journal is now reporting that Remington's has been given a three-month reprieve by Emerson College, so it will remain open at least through June. In addition, we have also received confirmation that Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault will be open at least through June as well.]

[June 26 update: A poster on our Twitter page states that Remington's will be closing on Sunday, June 30, and a Facebook post on Dick Doherty's Facebook page seems to confirm this, as the page shows that the last Beantown Comedy Riot at the Vault will take place tomorrow night (Thursday, June 27). The Facebook page also mentions that Doherty will apparently start to book shows at Howl at the Moon on High Street in the Financial District beginning in mid-July. (It is not known if Remington's will be moving to a new space; as soon as we find out one way or the other, we will post an update here.)]

[June 27 update: It has been confirmed that Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault will be closing on Sunday, June 30 along with Remington's, and as mentioned yesterday, Doherty will start booking shows at Howl at the Moon in the middle of July. (Remington's status is still unknown.)]

[July 15 update: A note sent to us on Facebook indicates that Dick Doherty's Comedy Den will have its grand opening below Howl at the Moon at 184 High Street this Thursday (July 18).]

The address for Remington's and Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault is 124 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the comedy club can be found at http://beantowncomedy.com


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Del Frisco's Grille to Open in Burlington

A small national chain of steakhouses continues to look into expanding through the Boston area, with a location of its newer concept planned for a northern suburb of the city.

According to one of our sources, Del Frisco's is going to be opening a location of their Del Frisco's Grille in Burlington, with the restaurant coming to a new development across the street from the Burlington Mall (between Barnes & Noble and Route 128). Currently, a location of the Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse can be found in the Seaport District of Boston, with another location planned for Chestnut Hill.

[October 28 update: The Daily Times Chronicle states that the new Del Frisco's Grille in Burlington is hoping to open in the spring of 2014. The article also mentions that the restaurant will have two floors (including patios on each floor) with 199 seats planned for the first floor and 119 seats on the second floor.]

[May 29, 2014 update: An email sent indicates that the new Del Frisco's Grille in Burlington will open on June 14.]

Del Frisco's Grille is a modern American bar and grill that is more casual than the original Double Eagle Steakhouse restaurants, with a bit more focus on the bar area as well. The website for Del Frisco's Grille can be found at http://delfriscosgrille.com/ while the website for Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is at http://delfriscos.com/

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Crossroads Irish Pub in Boston's Back Bay to Close

It looks like a well-known Irish pub in the Back Bay of Boston is getting ready to close its doors.

According to a Facebook post on the pub's page (in the "Recent Posts by Others" section of the page, from someone who works there), Crossroads Irish Pub on Beacon Street is going to be shutting down. At this point, we have not been able to confirm an exact closing date, though several posters on Facebook and Twitter are saying it could happen toward the end of the month or in April.

[April 8 update: A Boston.com article mentions that the last day for Crossroads Irish Pub will be a week from today (Monday, April 15), which happens to be Marathon Monday.]

[April 14 update: A new Facebook post indicates that Crossroads is going to remain open until Saturday (April 20). Thanks to several folks on Twitter and Facebook for letting us know about this.]

[April 22 update: According to their Facebook page, Crossroads has closed.]

The address for this pub in the Back Bay is: Crossroads Irish Pub, 495 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Their website can be found at http://crossroadsirishpubboston.com/

Thanks to Drew Starr for initially bringing this to our attention, and thanks to @BostonTweet for sending an update on this as well.

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Panera to Close Its Arlington Heights Location

A chain of bakery-cafes that continues to expand through the Boston area is actually getting ready to close one of its locations.

The Arlington Patch is reporting that Panera Bread is shuttering its store in Arlington Heights, with the Mass. Ave. location closing by the end of the month. The article mentions that once it closes, the closest Panera stores to Arlington will be in Lexington Center, Waltham, and Cambridge's Porter Square (the Patch also mentions that a new location is slated for the Fresh Pond Mall in Cambridge).

[March 25 update: A Facebook post from the Arlington Advocate indicates that Panera is apparently closing its Arlington location tomorrow.]

The Panera in Arlington Heights has been in business since 1998.

The address for this soon-to-close bakery-cafe is: Panera Bread, 1398 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The website for the Panera chain is at http://www.panerabread.com/

Note: Thanks to Grub Street Boston for telling us about this. (The GS website can be found at http://boston.grubstreet.com/)

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A Taste of Newton and Needham to Be Held May 6, 2013

A tasting event that features restaurants from two western suburbs of Boston is coming later this spring.

According to the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, A Taste of Newton and Needham will take place on Monday, May 6 from 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM at the Newton Marriott Hotel on Commonwealth Avenue. The Chamber of Commerce page says that the event will include tastings from up to 40 dining spots in the area, along with beer and wine pairings. A few of the restaurants that will be participating include Bokx 109, The Cottage, Davios, The Local, Riverbend Restaurant, and Terry O'Reilly's.

The "early bird" ticket price for A Taste of Newton and Needham is $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members. (It looks like the price could go up to $40 at some point.)

For more information on the 2013 A Taste of Newton and Needham, please go to the link below:

http://www.nnchamber.com/may-6-spring-seasoning-a-taste-of-newton-needham/

[April 17 update: An email sent to us indicates that A Taste of Newton and Needham is now sold out.]

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Cognac Bistro in Brookline Is Up for Sale

It looks like a French bistro in Brookline is going to be sold, though it may remain open for at least a little while, at least until a buyer is found for it.

The Brookline TAB is reporting that Cognac Bistro on Harvard Street could be shuttering by the end of the year, as owner Nelson Cognac is planning to move to the Jay Peak area of Vermont and open a new dining and drinking establishment up there. (Cognac has already purchased a lodge in Jay.) The Brookline eatery is already on the market, and the price (approximately $275,000) includes its liquor license, according to the article.

[September 12 update: A poster on the Chowhound site states that Cognac Bistro will close on September 22, with OpenTable: Boston Restaurants seeming to confirm this--it shows that no reservations are being taken for the restaurant after September 22.]

Cognac Bistro, which first opened in the fall of 2010, features dishes such as duck confit hash and poached eggs, mussels escargot, croque monsieur, pan-seared sole, pork sausage, and grilled hanger steak. It also has an oyster bar.

The address for Cognac Bistro is: Cognac Bistro, 455 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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


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M.C. Spiedo Is Replacing 606 Congress in Boston's Seaport District

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 18  to reflect the fact that a new name will be given to the upcoming restaurant.]

The people behind a pair of well-known restaurants in Maine are going to be opening a new restaurant in Boston's Seaport District, taking over the space where another dining spot currently resides.

The Boston Magazine Chowder blog is reporting that a restaurant that may be called MC Medici Ristorante & Bar is opening within the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, replacing 606 Congress. The article says that the people who are opening the new restaurant are Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier, who own both Arrows and MC Perkins Cove in Ogunquit. Expect to see Italian fare at the place, with chef Rich Garcia of 606 Congress overseeing the culinary operations at the new spot.

Chowder mentions that the new restaurant could be opening sometime this fall.

[August 27 update: According to a post from BostonChefs.com, 606 Congress closed its doors over the weekend. (As soon as we hear more about when the new spot might open, we will post another update here.) Thanks to one of our readers for bringing this to our attention.]

[October 22 update: The Portland Press Herald mentions that the new Seaport District restaurant is planning to open in the middle of February, and it also says that Gaier and Frasier are selling Arrows in Ogunquit.]

[October 23 update: The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe states that the new dining and drinking spot from Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier will not be called MC Medici Ristorante & Bar after all, with a new name coming for the place at some point.]

[November 18 update: A new post from The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe says that the restaurant will be called M.C. Spiedo.]

[February 7, 2014 update: The Restaurant Hub blog is now reporting that M.C. Spiedo is planning to open sometime next week and will offer such items as roast suckling pig with house-made sausage, pizza with arugula, fennel, grapes, and mozzarella, and spit-roasted chicken with prosciutto.]

[February 10, 2014 update: Eater Boston says that M.C. Spiedo opens today.]

The address for this new restaurant in the Seaport District is 606 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website is at http://mcspiedoboston.com/

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Munch Madness 2013 from The Boston Globe

A restaurant tournament that is modeled on the NCAA's March Madness is back once again.

Today marks the first day of The Boston Globe's Munch Madness 2013 competition, a bracket that includes 64 dining spots in and around the city, all of which will be vying for the title of best restaurant (based on readers' votes). The past two years have seen Hungry Mother take the top spot, defeating Craigie on Main in 2012 and East Coast Grill in 2011. (Interestingly enough, all three eateries are located in Cambridge.)

The first round of voting takes place today and tomorrow, with subsequent rounds occurring over the following days. The championship will be held on March 30 and 31, with the winner being announced on April 1.

For more information on the Globe's Munch Madness 2013 competition, please go to the link below:

http://www.boston.com/ae/restaurants/specials/munch_madness/2013/

[April 1 update: For the third year in a row, the Munch Madness winner is Hungry Mother, which defeated Oleana (also in Cambridge) to win the crown. Craigie on Main was beaten by Hungry Mother in the semifinals this year, with Oleana defeating Gaslight in Boston's South End. (Full results can be seen at the link above.)]


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Greg Hill of WAAF Is Opening No. 29 Sudbury

A new Italian restaurant is on its way to Sudbury, and a local radio person is one of the owners.

The Sudbury Patch is reporting that No. 29 Sudbury is going to open on Hudson Road in the new Sudbury Town Square (see article below), with the place possibly opening sometime in May. The article says that Greg Hill, who is known as "The Hillman" on WAAF 107.3 FM, is one of the owners (Chris Stephens is the other), and that Evan Deluty of Stella in Boston's South End will be the Executive Chef. Greg Hill mentions that No. 29 Sudbury will focus on modern Italian cuisine, with marinated beet and goat cheese salad, mussels, bolognese, and quattro funghi pizza expected to be on the menu. The restaurant will have two floors, an open kitchen, and an outdoor patio, according to the Patch.

[July 26 update: According to a post on their Facebook page, No. 29 Sudbury is opening on August 10.]

The address for this new restaurant in Sudbury is: No. 29 Sudbury, 29 Hudson Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.

Thanks to Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this story to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Restaurant, Ice Cream Shop, and Cafe May Be Coming to Sudbury Center

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Schoolhouse Pizza in Quincy Has Reopened

Last fall we reported that a highly-regarded pizza spot in Quincy had closed. Now we have learned that the place is open once again.

According to one of our readers (and confirmed by a phone call placed to the eatery), Schoolhouse Pizza on School Street reopened yesterday, and it appears that the menu may be similar to that of the original place, though we are still trying to confirm this. The restaurant, which closed in November of 2012 after being in business for about five years, had been known for their thin-crust pizzas that included fresh ingredients such as house-made mozzarella cheese, with sandwiches also being on the menu.

The address for this reopened pizza place in Quincy is: Schoolhouse Pizza, 1 School Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.

[Earlier Article]
Schoolhouse Pizza in Quincy Has Closed

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Salem Spring Restaurant Week to Be Held March 17-21, 24-28, 2013

Boston Restaurant Week isn't the only "restaurant week" that is taking place right now, as another one began yesterday on the North Shore.

According to the Chamber of Commerce website, Salem Spring Restaurant Week 2013 began yesterday and will continue until Thursday, March 21; after a two-day break it will start up again on Sunday, March 24 and finish up on Thursday, March 28. As always, a variety of local dining spots are participating, including 43 Church, Bella Verona, Great Escape, Red Lulu, Thai Place, and a number of others.

A two-course prix-fixe dinner menu during Salem Restaurant Week costs $15, with a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu costing $25 (drinks, taxes and gratuities are extra). Please note that some--but not all--restaurants will be offering both prix-fixe dinner options. For more information, please go to the following link:

http://salem-chamber.org/salem-restaurant-week-41.html

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In a Pickle Restaurant in Waltham Is Moving

It looks like a popular breakfast and lunch spot in Waltham is moving into the city's "restaurant row."

According to a post on their Facebook page, In a Pickle is moving from their Main Street home of nearly nine years to a new, larger space on Moody Street, taking over the spot where Asian Grill used to be. The eatery will close its doors on Main Street on March 25, reopening in the new Moody Street space in early April, according to the Facebook page.

[April 22 update: According to its Facebook page, In a Pickle is now open in its new home on Moody Street.]

The address of In a Pickle's new location is 265 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Their website can be found at http://www.in-a-pickle.com/

Thanks to Wicked Local's Brand New Watch blog, which had initially brought this to our attention.

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A Spoonful of Ginger to Be Held at the Museum of Fine Arts Tonight (March 18, 2013)

A culinary event that focuses on a particular spice returns to the Museum of Fine Arts tonight.

According to the Joslin Diabetes Center site, A Spoonful of Ginger will be taking place within the Art of the Americas wing of the MFA this evening from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. As always, guests will be able to partake in ginger-based food items from some well-known chefs in and around Boston, with Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang, Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger and Blue Dragon, and Jasper White of Summer Shack being at the event.

Tickets to the 2013 Spoonful of Ginger cost $250 each, with proceeds going to the Joslin Diabetes Center's Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI). For more information, please go to the link below:

http://events.joslin.org/ginger/

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Highlights for the Week Ending March 15, 2013

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Fort Point restaurant/art gallery closing, a high-end French eatery turning into a new spot, and a pop-up event from a now-closed Mexican dining spot on the way. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of an Irish pub in Newton, a photo of a dessert item from a restaurant in Southern Maine, and a question about coffee in the Boston area.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Chacarero to Open within Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay

Channel Cafe in Boston's Fort Point District Closes; Will Become Verrine in Newton

Pigalle in Boston to Become a New Restaurant

Island Creek Oyster Team to Open Row 34 in Boston

Villa Mexico to Have a Pop-Up Event at Daddy Jones in Somerville, March 27, 2013

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: O'Hara's in Newton, MA

New Photo: Cookie Trio from When Pigs Fly Pizzeria in Kittery, ME

Updated Review: Toast in Hull, MA

Question: Who Has the Best Coffee In or Near Boston?

Updated List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area

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Update: Aces High in South Boston Has Closed

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 19 to reflect confirmation that the bar has indeed closed.]

It looks like a dive bar in the Andrew Square section of South Boston is shutting down, with its liquor license possibly going to an upcoming pizza restaurant coming to the Fort Point neighborhood.

Universal Hub reports that Aces High on Dorchester Avenue may be selling its license to Pastoral, which plans to open on Congress Street sometime this summer. UH says that a Boston Licensing Board hearing will take place on March 27 to look into the potential transfer.

Aces High is one of a number of dive bars that can be found in Southie, with others including Croke Park, Touchie's Shamrock Pub, the Shannon Tavern, Tom English's, and the Quencher Tavern.

The address for Aces High is 551 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127.

[March 19 update: Eater Boston has confirmed that Aces High is now closed, and that their liquor license has been purchased by Pastoral. On a side note, the "Aces High Pub" sign that had been in the bar was given to the Pastoral folks, but it has been stolen. (George Lewis Jr. of the upcoming restaurant is now offering a reward for finding the sign.)]

[Earlier Article]
Pastoral to Open in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

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Restoration Hardware in Boston Is Not Open After All (No Occupancy Permit)

Earlier this month we reported that a California-based luxury home furnishings that includes a restaurant held an opening night party at its new Back Bay location (which was soon shut down due to overcrowding). Now we have learned that the Berkeley Street store never actually opened because it doesn't have an occupancy permit yet.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Restoration Hardware (also known as RH) remains closed nearly two weeks after their opening party and that its opening could still be "weeks away" while issues centering around its exhaust system, elevator, and fire alarm are dealt with. Bryan Glascock, who is commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department, says in the article that "At this point, the ball's sort of in their court. They can let us know when they're ready for final inspection."

Once it does open, Restoration Hardware will include a restaurant that will apparently be on the third floor.

The address for this upcoming home furnishings store and dining spot in the Back Bay is: Restoration Hardware (RH), 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.restorationhardware.com/

Note: This story was first reported by the Boston Business Journal last week.

[April 10 update: A new article in the Boston Globe mentions that Restoration Hardware could be opening in the next couple of days, and that an announcement may be coming from the company by the end of today. (Keep checking back for updates.) Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.]

[April 12 update: The Globe now says that Restoration Hardware is planning to open tomorrow (Saturday, April 13).]

[Earlier Article]
Restoration Hardware (RH) Opens in Boston's Back Bay; Opening Party Shut Down by Fire and Police Departments

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Area Four Food Truck Opens April 1

In January we reported that Area Four was one of a couple of restaurants around town looking to get into the food truck business. Now we have learned that the Cambridge eatery may be only a couple of weeks away from having its truck up and running.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Craigslist job post) that the Area Four truck is planning to debut on April 1, with EB (and Craigslist) previously saying that the food truck might be serving breakfast and lunch in both Cambridge and Boston. The Kendall Square restaurant isn't new to the mobile dining world, as it had also set up a hot dog cart last fall outside its Technology Square location.

[April 1 update: Area Four's Facebook page has confirmed that their food truck (which they are calling the "A4 Truck") debuts today, with the truck serving breakfast and lunch at the Rose Kennedy Greenway for their first day in operation.]

As mentioned earlier, another restaurant that is looking to start up a food truck is Biryani Park in Malden.

The website for Area Four can be found at http://www.areafour.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Area Four, Biryani Park Food Trucks Coming; Mei Mei Street Kitchen and Roxy's Grilled Cheese May Expand to Brick-and-Mortar
Area Four in Cambridge's Kendall Square Opens a Hot Dog Cart

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Geoffrey's Cafe in Boston Closes, May Reopen Under Different Ownership

An eclectic restaurant in Bay Village (near where the South End and Back Bay of Boston meet) has been shut down, though it appears that the place could open back up under new ownership.

Universal Hub is reporting that Geoffrey's Cafe on Berkeley Street is closed, with a Twitter picture showing a sign out front saying that the eatery was "vacated" this past Friday by order of the Superior Court. Facebook posts by Brian Spencer imply that he is apparently out as the owner of Geoffrey's, though it sounds like the dining spot may reopen with someone else behind it, as he says that "It will still be Geoffrey's. I may not be there, yet Geoffrey's is a neighborhood place, the people that go there make it."

[March 19 update: It looks like Geoffrey's may indeed be reopening, as owner Brian Spencer says via his Facebook page that "the group that is buying [the restaurant] has full intentions of keeping the name, concept, staff, and doing some much needed renovations! It is slated to reopen in a month or so!" It is not known at this point who is buying Geoffrey's; as soon as we find out, we will post another update here.]

Geoffrey's Cafe had moved from Roslindale to Berkeley Street in 2010, and it had also previously resided on Boylston Street (its original location), Tremont Street, and  Commonwealth Avenue. The restaurant has been in business for more than 20 years.

The address for this now-closed dining spot in Boston is: Geoffrey's Cafe, 142 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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Boston Restaurant Week (Winter 2013) to Be Held March 17-22, 24-29

Boston Restaurant Week returns this month, with the winter 2013 version of the event including a huge number of dining spots throughout the Boston area once again.

Based on information from the RW websites (see below), the latest restaurant week begins on Sunday, March 17 and runs through Friday, March 22, with a break on Saturday before starting up again on Sunday, March 24 and ending on Friday, March 29. This year, three-course dinners cost $38.13, three-course lunches cost $20.13, and two-course lunches cost $15.13, with more than 200 restaurants participating. (The prices shown are per person and do not include beverages, tax, or tips.)

For more information on the winter 2013 Boston Restaurant Week, please go to the following links:

http://www.restaurantweekboston.com/

http://www.bostonusa.com/visit/restaurantweek/

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