Friday, July 31, 2015

Update: Saus in Boston Reopens After Temporarily Closing Due to Broken Water Pipe

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 3 to reflect the fact that Saus has reopened.]

A popular restaurant in downtown Boston that features Belgian street food and more has closed for the time being.

According to a Twitter post from the place, Saus is shut down for now, with the message saying "Hey, friends! We are temporarily closed and are unsure of when we'll be reopening. Stick to our Twitter feed for updates." A similar post on Facebook was also put up this afternoon, though no other information has been given on either Twitter or Facebook, or their website. As soon as we find out more about the status of the restaurant, we will post an update here.

[July 31 update: It appears that this is indeed a temporary closing, as Saus just added the following: "The building we're in is SUPER old, so we're just dealing with some issues" followed by this: "Update: a pipe broke so we're having a little trouble running water - fingers crossed we're back up soon! Again, thanks for the concern!"]

[August 3 update: According to a new post on its Facebook page, Saus is open once again, with the note saying "We can't thank you all enough for your incredible support after last week's temporary closure. We didn't mean to scare you! We are OPEN OPEN OPEN and expected to stay that way...we want to see your smiling faces."]

Saus first opened in the spring of 2011, featuring such items as liege waffles, poutine, and pommes frites, with more options such as salads and sandwiches eventually being added as well.

The address for Saus is 33 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108; its website can be found at http://www.sausboston.com/

Thanks to @hoover_dam for bringing this to our attention.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Elsewhere in New England]



Chilacates Opens in Jamaica Plain

A brand new taqueria has come to a Boston neighborhood.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Chilacates is now open in Jamaica Plain, opening its doors on Amory Street a bit earlier this month. EB says that the new shop--which has seating for 10--has such items as burritos, tortas, tacos, quesadillas, and other dishes, along with breakfast items, with nearly all items costing under $8.00.

The address for this new taqueria in JP is: Chilacates, 224 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its Instagram page can be found at https://instagram.com/chilacates/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Dates and Olives Is Opening in Brighton

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to Brighton, and the person behind it may be known to those who watch a Food Network show.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a licensing board page) that Dates and Olives is planning to open on Chestnut Hill Avenue in the space where Bento Cafe had once been, and it seems that Renita Mendonca of the catering business Seasoned and Spiced is the manager of the spot. (The listing shows the name "Renita Mendonla," which appears to be a misspelling.) The article says that the upcoming eatery will lbe a quick-service Mediterranean restaurant, though little else is known about Dates and Olives at this point in time.

[August 31 update: According to a new article from Eater Boston, Dates and Olives is now open in Brighton, featuring rice bowls, salad bowls, and pita pockets filled with such options as beef, falafel, hummus, grilled veggies, tahini, and more, along with starters such as baba ganouj and labneh, and desserts such as rice pudding.]

According to EB, Renita Mendonca once competed on the Food Network show "Chopped" (Season 9 in 2011), with a bio on The Clarke Culinary Center site saying that she once worked at the famous Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry.

The address for this new Mediterranean restaurant in Brighton is 160 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]



Thursday, July 30, 2015

Taco Party and Sabertooth Vegan Bakery Moving into Space in Somerville's Ball Square

A couple of months ago, we reported that a vegetarian taco truck was looking to open a brick-and-mortar spot in Somerville. Now we have learned that it will actually be a collaboration with a local baking business.

Eater Boston is reporting that Taco Party is teaming up with Sabertooth Vegan Bakery to open on Broadway in Ball Square, with everything offered from both businesses being vegan. Sabertooth is known in part for its wide variety of donuts, with cakes, cupcakes, and cookies also offered, and EB links to a now-deleted Facebook post from the bakery that refers to the upcoming shop as being an "all-vegan, taco-and-doughnut paradise."

It looks like if all goes as planned, the Taco Party/Sabertooth shop could be open by later this summer.

[August 23 update: UrbanDaddy states that Taco Party/Sabertooth soft-opens today in Ball Square.]

[August 25 update: Eater Boston states (via a Facebook post from the place) that Taco Party/Sabertooth officially opens "for reals" on tomorrow at 11:00 AM.]

The address for the new brick-and-mortar location of Taco Party and Sabertooth is 711 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for Taco Party is at http://www.tacopartytruck.com/ while the website for Sabertooth can be found at http://sabertoothbakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Taco Party to Open in Somerville's Ball Square

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Pret a Manger to Open in Boston's Longwood Area

It looks like a London-based chain of sandwich shops is going to be expanding further into Boston, with a new one being planned for the Longwood Medical area of the city.

According to a Licensing Board page within the City of Boston website, Pret a Manger is looking to open at the Longwood Center at the corner of Brookline Avenue and Longwood Avenue, with the eatery having an indoor dining area on the ground floor of the building as well as a seasonal outdoor patio. Once it opens, the new location of Pret will join others in Boston's Financial District (Arch Street, Federal Street, Franklin Street, and State Street) and in the Back Bay (Boylston Street).

As mentioned earlier, it appears that the Longwood Center will also become home to a new location of b.good as well (that spot hopes to open later this summer).

[September 14 update: Eater Boston mentions that the new Pret a Manger in the Longwood area has its official opening on Friday, September 18, with "Guinea Pig Day" (its soft opening) being on Thursday, September 17.]

The address for this upcoming sandwich shop in the Longwood section of Boston is: Pret a Manger, 354-364 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.pret.com/us/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Elsewhere in New England]



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

WuBurger Is Opening in Woburn

A brand new eatery is coming to the northern suburbs of Boston, and this one will offer some classic comfort food items.

According to its website and Facebook page, WuBurger is going to be opening in North Woburn, with the dining spot featuring burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, and ice cream. (Concerning this last item, the place is taking over the Main Street space where Mr. Charlie has been, and it will actually be serving their ice cream.) A note on its site indicates that it will be a family-friendly fast-casual spot that will be opening sometime this summer, with its Facebook page saying that it expects to open in August.

[September 3 update: According to a post on its Facebook page, WuBurger opens its doors on Tuesday. September 8. (Ed note: An updated post from them says that it opens at 11:00 AM on that day.)]

The address for this new restaurant in North Woburn is: WuBurger, 880 Main Street (Route 38), Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at http://www.wuburger.com/ while its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/WuBurgerMain/

Thanks to The Passionate Foodie, for initially bringing this to our attention.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Jake n Joes Sports Grille Is Opening in Woburn

It looks like a local group of dining and drinking spots is going to be expanding once again, and this time it will open a location north of Boston.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Jake n Joes Sports Grille is planning on opening in Woburn and is currently looking for a general manager for the place. It is not yet known exactly where the new spot will open, but the job posting indicates that it is hoping to open sometime this fall. Once it does open, expect the new Jake n Joes to feature its ever-popular fried calamari (thanks in part to CBS Sports Radio host Damon Amendolara, who is a big fan) along with a variety of classic American fare, comfort food, and pub grub.

Currently, locations of Jake n Joes Sports Grille can be found in Foxboro, Norwood, and Waltham. Its website is at http://www.jakenjoes.com/

[July 29 update: According to a message from The Passionate Foodie, the new Jake n Joes will open on Mishawum Road where a location of Sea Dog Pub had been before it closed (and declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy) last summer.]

[January 7, 2016 update: A Facebook post from the place states that Jake n Joes Sports Grille opens its new location in Woburn this evening and that it will be open for dinner only for now, with lunch service on the way soon.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Comfort Food Items from Boston-Area Restaurants]



Friendly's in Sudbury Has Closed

A local chain of restaurants and ice cream shops that declared bankruptcy a few years ago has closed one of its few remaining shops in the Greater Boston area.

The Sudbury Town Crier is reporting that Friendly's has closed its location on Boston Post Road (Route 20) in that town, with the closure taking place this past Sunday. The article says that no reason was given for its shutting down, with the manager of the dining spot simply saying "There's just a lot going on."

The Friendly's chain went bankrupt back in the fall of 2011, closing a number of Boston-area locations at the time before emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2012. Currently, locations of the chain can be found in East Boston (at Logan Airport), Framingham, Norwood, Peabody, Quincy, Saugus, Stoneham, Waltham, Watertown, and Weymouth.

The address for this now-closed location of Friendly's was 457 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA, 01776. The website for the Friendly's chain can be found at http://www.friendlys.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Sandwich Express in Boston's Financial District Is Closing

A sandwich shop that is popular with workers in Boston's Financial District is getting ready to shut its doors for good after approximately a quarter century in business.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Sandwich Express on Summer Street is closing, possibly because of expensive rent (though this has not been confirmed). While the poster says that it will be shuttering on Friday (July 31), a phone call placed to the shop indicates that its last day in operation will be Thursday.

Sandwich Express, which has been in business for at least a decade, is known for its soups, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches. as well as its to-go breakfast items.

The address for this soon-to close in downtown Boston is: Sandwich Express, 99 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

[July 29 update: Eater Boston mentions that while Sandwich Express is indeed closing tomorrow, the 12 suburban locations of Elena's Cafe--which the people behind it also own--will remain in operation. (Elena's generally serves business workers and also does catering.)]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Sandwiches from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Elsewhere in New England]



Conde Nast Traveler Includes Eastern Standard in Boston Among Its Picks for World's Greatest Bars

A travel magazine has come out with its picks for the world's greatest bars, and a Boston spot has been included on the list.

A recent article/slideshow on the 30 greatest bars in the world shows that Conde Nast Traveler has put Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square among the best, with a blurb from Chris Himmel (Grill 23, Post 390) saying that "The bar team at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink views the drink process as a conversation. For example, they listen to what is happening around them and craft their beverage selection with a point of view in mind." Himmel goes on to mention the "Remember the Maine" cocktail (rye whiskey, vermouth, cherry heering, absinthe), which is his current favorite there.

The only other spot in New England to make Conde Nast's list of greatest bars in the world is Ordinary in New Haven, with three New York City bars (Angel's Share, The Lambs Club Bar, and Pegu Club) also making the grade.

For a complete list of the bars picked by Conde Nast Traveler, please go to the link below:

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-07-21/the-greatest-bars-in-the-world/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]



Update: The Proper Slice in Brighton Is for Sale; Remains Open for Now

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that the place remains open while the business is up for sale.]

It looks like a pizzeria is up for sale, a few months after shutting down temporarily due to a fire.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Proper Slice in Brighton is shuttered with a "For Sale" sign in the window of the Washington Street spot. Another poster said that the website was recently acting "wonky" while both posters said that phone calls placed to the shop indicate its mailbox is full (which we have confirmed). Back in March, The Proper Slice closed temporarily after a small grease fire caused the place to have to be professionally cleaned and re-inspected, according to a Facebook post from them.

[July 28 update: Eater Boston states that while The Proper Slice is indeed on the market, it is staying open while it is for sale, and it is in fact open this evening. EB also mentions that the business is for sale, not the space, and whether the brand name and concept remains is up to those who ultimately purchase it.]

Another location of The Proper Slice on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay shut down in the fall of 2013 after being in business for only about a half year.

The address for this pizzeria in Brighton is: The Proper Slice, 547 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Monday, July 27, 2015

Highlights for the Week Ending July 24, 2015

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a North End restaurant moving to a new space, a Back Bay spot opening a second location in Brookline, and an iconic music club in Somerville announcing that it is closing. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of an Asian restaurant in Malden, updates to the dive bar photo gallery, and a question on best individual food items.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Puritan and Company in Cambridge's Inman Square Plans to Expand, Add Retail Space

Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar Is Opening in Boston's North End

La Voile Brasserie to Open in Brookline's Washington Square

Grappa in Watertown Has Closed

Johnny D's in Somerville's Davis Square Is Planning to Close

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: All Seasons Table in Malden, MA

Updated Dive Bar Photo Gallery

Question: What Are the Best Individual Dishes/Food Items You've Had from Boston-Area Restaurants?

Updated Review: Mul's Diner in South Boston, MA

New Photo: Pearl Harbor from All Seasons Table in Malden, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Giacomo's Ristorante Is Opening in Melrose

It looks like one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Boston is going to be expanding.

Eater Boston is reporting that Giacomo's Ristorante in the city's North End is planning to open a new outlet in Melrose, taking over the space on Main Street where Absolutely Fabulous had been until closing recently. (As mentioned here in April, that restaurant is planning to move to a new space on nearby Franklin Street.) An earlier blog post from Mayor Robert J. Dolan had mentioned that a "high end Italian restaurant" was looking to move into the space, but at the time (late June), no name had been given.

The North End location of Giacomo's is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike and often has long lines out front; its sister restaurant on Columbus Avenue in the South End is a quieter (and less-crowded) alternative.

The address for the new location of Giacomo's Ristorante in Melrose is 454 Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. The blog for the restaurant can be found at http://giacomosblog-boston.blogspot.com/

[May 5, 2016 update: The Melrose Free Press states that the new Giacomo's in Melrose plans to open sometime between May 16 and May 23.]

[May 17, 2016 update: Eater Boston mentions (via the restaurant's Facebook page) that Giacomo's opens its Melrose location on Monday, May 23.]

[Earlier Article]
Absolutely Fabulous in Melrose Is Moving

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pasta Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Sichuan Garden II in Woburn Is Expanding; New Bar Being Added Upstairs

A Chinese restaurant north of Boston whose bar is often mentioned as one of the best in the entire region is expanding, with a second bar opening within the space.

According to a Facebook post from Ran Duan, who is mixologist and owner/operator of Sichuan Garden II at The Baldwin in Woburn, a new bar area will be built in the space upstairs where a ballroom currently resides, with Duan telling us that the room will be a lounge with a capacity of 45; included will be six tables for dining, leather couches in the middle, a service-only bar with no seating, and mahogany panels set up in a vintage library style. It appears that the revamped room will serve as overflow for both the bar downstairs and the current dining areas and that a full dinner menu will be offered for those seated at the tables, according to Duan.

Sichuan Garden II has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as a spot that offers both authentic Chinese food and Chinese-American fare along with outstanding cocktails and hard-to-find beers in an historic mansion that dates back to the 1600s. (Ed note: Another location of Sichuan Garden can be found in Brookline Village.) The review can be found at this link:

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

If all goes as planned, the new bar could be ready sometime in the fall.

[October 20 update: Boston Magazine reports that the new upstairs bar at Sichuan Garden II at The Baldwin is now up and running on a limited basis. (It is only open on Friday and Saturday nights and by reservation only--it should have more regular hours by the end of the month.)]

[November 3 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that the upstairs section of Sichuan Garden II officially opens a week from Thursday (November 12).]

The address for Sichuan Garden II at The Baldwin is 2 Alfred Street, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website is at http://sichuangardenrestaurant.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]



A High-End Restaurant (or Two) May Be Coming to the Old Applebee's/Circle Cinema Site in Cleveland Circle

Last month we reported that a popular location of a casual restaurant chain was closing its doors in order to make way for new development. Now we have learned that the project is one step closer to becoming reality--and at least one new restaurant could be opening there.

 According to an article in the Allston-Brighton TAB, the town of Brookline has given its ok for the proposed Circle Cinema development in Cleveland Circle, which would include a hotel, luxury senior housing, retail space, and possibly a high-end restaurant (though the article also says that two dining spots could come to the space). The post says that before demolition can begin at the site--which had been home to an Applebee's along with the old Circle Cinema--the city of Boston also has to give the green light as well, as the project borders Brighton and Brookline.

[October 28 update: The Brookline TAB states that demolition of the former Applebee's building (and the cinema) will start within the next two weeks, with at least one high-end dining spot coming to the space by the fall of 2017.]

.Applebee's closed its Cleveland Circle restaurant on June 30, with the place selling its "artifacts" to customers before shutting down for good.

The site of the proposed development is located at Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue.

[Earlier Article]
Applebee's at Cleveland Circle in Brighton to Close June 30

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]



Outback Steakhouse Opens in Somerville's Assembly Row

Less than a month after closing one of its most popular Boston-area locations, a chain of Australian-themed restaurants has opened another outlet in a new development just outside of the city.

According to a press release from CBS Marketwatch, Outback Steakhouse opens today at Assembly Row in Somerville, with the new spot having a "Modern Australia" theme whose decor "mirrors the indigenous flora and fauna, adventure, geography and leisure of modern day Australia." The new location of Outback, which opens its doors at 11:00 AM, will give a portion of today's sales to Best Buddies, a local nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the world.

As mentioned here earlier, Outback closed its Burlington location at the end of June after being in business for nearly 20 years.

The address for the new location of Outback Steakhouse at Assembly Row is 340 Canal Street, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.outback.com/

[Earlier Article]
Outback Steakhouse in Burlington Has Closed

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Cabot's Candy in Provincetown Has Opened in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A Cape Cod candy shop that got its start nearly 90 years ago has quietly opened in one of the busiest parts of Cambridge.

A message sent from the place indicates that Cabot's Candy in Provincetown is now open on Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square, with the shop initially opening its doors sometime last week. Based on its original store on Commercial Street in the heart of Ptown, expect to see a variety of salt water taffy at the new shop, along with fudge, peanut brittle, popcorn, and more.

According to its Facebook page, the original Cabot's candy shop in Provincetown has been around since 1927, making it one of the oldest stores in town. It is located across from Town Hall and about a block south of the Pilgrim Monument.

The address for the new location of Cabot's Candy in Harvard Square is 1300 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The Facebook page for the new shop is at https://www.facebook.com/cabotscandycambridge while the website for the original store is at http://www.cabotscandy.com/

[August 14 update: A message from Cabot's indicates that their candy is actually being sold out of a jewelry shop and a clothing store in Cambridge; the post says that the owners of Zinnia Jewelry and Tula Boutique (both of which are in the same building and share an entrance) have decided to sell Cabot's candy instead so the clothes and jewelry have apparently been put aside and the candy is now in place. Cabot's also says that their grand opening party will take place tomorrow (Saturday, August 15).]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Friday, July 24, 2015

Pink Samurai to Open in Jamaica Plain

A new fast-casual restaurant is coming to a neighborhood of Boston, and this one may be of interest to dumpling lovers.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Pink Samurai is planning to open in Jamaica Plain, with the dining spot not giving out an exact address for the place as of yet. The new eatery is calling itself a "modern dumpling house" that will offer dumplings made in-house along with freshly-made tofu and street food, with an earlier job posting indicating that local seafood and farm-raised meats would be used, along with locally-sourced ingredients in general. The executive chef of Pink Samurai is Matt Cunningham, who comes from such places as The Sinclair, Strip-T's, and UpStairs on the Square.

If all goes as planned, Pink Samurai should be opening sometime this fall.

[July 29 update: An update from Eater Boston confirms what he had heard earlier, that Pink Samurai will open in the old Charlie Chan's space at 658 Centre Street.]

[February 18, 2016 update: Pink Samurai has not yet opened, and a Facebook post from the place states that they have had one or two false starts, a lot of work needed to renovate the space, and some other issues that have come up along the way. For now, they would rather "keep people in suspense" instead of setting an opening date, though they do say that the restaurant should be opening "very soon."]

[April 26, 2016 update: According to a Facebook post from executive chef Matt Cunningham, it looks like Pink Samurai will open sometime in May, though he says "don't count this as official though, just a well informed 'guess.'"]

[July 5, 2016 update: We learned this afternoon that Pink Samurai is still on, and that Bob Botchie (Shanghai Social Club, Kirby's Kitchen, Erbaluce, Myers + Chang) will now be the opening chef there. (No specific opening date has been given.)]

[August 5, 2016 update: According to a source, Pink Samurai plans to open its doors on Monday (August 8).]

[August 8, 2016 update: We are still waiting to hear if Pink Samurai will open today, but we have also learned that neither Matt Cunningham nor Bob Botchie is involved with the place anymore, and a check on its social media pages indicates that they have all been taken down.]

[August 18, 2016 update: A check on the place yesterday evening indicates that Pink Samurai has apparently still not opened, while several people on the local restaurant scene don't know the exact status of the place at this point in time. In addition, a Twitter post from @Mattybangin (Matt Cunningham) says that "I took media down when I left, not sure why there's nothing new. No idea what's up now."]

[August 19, 2016 update: A new tweet indicates that Pink Samurai may finally be opening for real, with the place likely opening within a week.]

[August 23, 2016 update: Pink Samurai is now saying that it is opening "soon" and it was giving out samples to people yesterday; in addition, Bob Botchie is back on the team and the restaurant's social media pages are up and running again.]

[August 29, 2016 update: Pink Samurai has not yet opened, and now we have heard that Bob Botchie and the restaurant have parted ways once again.]

[September 2, 2016 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, Pink Samurai has opened.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Riceburg Food Truck Debuts in Boston

A brand new food truck has hit the streets of Boston, and this one combines foods from the East and the West.

 Eater Boston is reporting (via an Instagram page from Steven Leibowitz of the Hub Food Trucks blog) that Riceburg is up and running, with the truck apparently having been on the road for a few weeks now. The food truck's menu includes what appears to be a mix of Asian and American foods, including crispy chicken sandwiches on compressed rice buns, steamed fish and beef balls, shaved steak on rice buns, a shaved shiitake mushroom rice burger, rice cake skewers, fries, and more.

Riceburg can currently be found at 2 Boylston Street in Chinatown on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and at 432 Stuart Street by Copley Square from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays and 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Its Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/Riceburg1

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



DavidsTea Is Opening at the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham

A chain of tea shops based in Canada is expanding once again into the Boston area, this time opening its first location south of the city.

According to a Twitter post from @DGoodison of The Boston Herald, DavidsTea plans to open tomorrow (Saturday. July 25) at the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham. Based on its other locations, expect to see premium loose leaf teas--including exclusive tea blends--at the new shop, with options including green, black, white, oolong, rooibos, and mate, along with a variety of herbal teas.

The new outlet of DavidsTea will join several other locations in and around Boston, including Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, Tremont Street in the South End, Assembly Row in Somerville, The Street Chestnut Hill, and the Natick Mall.

The website for DavidsTea can be found at http://www.davidstea.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Puritan and Company in Cambridge's Inman Square Plans to Expand, Add Retail Space

A Cambridge restaurant that features modern takes on traditional New England fare is making plans to expand its space.

According to an article in the Cambridge Chronicle and TAB, Puritan & Company in the city's Inman Square neighborhood is looking to use its adjacent storage space to enlarge the spot, with the 2,000-square-foot space being used for a 25-seat private dining area along with retail space. In the article/interview, owner Will Gilson says that he hopes to have the private section in place by the end of November and the retail area being ready possibly by next spring, though Gilson is not yet sure what kind of retail space it will be. (He hopes to get feedback on what to do with the space from the surrounding neighborhood along with others who work at the restaurant.)

Puritan & Company first opened in the fall of 2012, with Gilson previously working as a chef at the now-closed Cambridge gastropub Garden at the Cellar and also being involved with a series of pop-up restaurants in the Boston area and elsewhere. In addition to the upcoming expansion of Puritan & Company, Gilson has another project in the works as well, as he is getting ready to open a a takeout place called Beatnik Beverage Company in Kendall Square.

The address for Puritan & Company is 1164 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.puritancambridge.com/

[Earlier Article]
Will Gilson to Open Beatnik Beverage Company in Cambridge's Kendall Square

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]



Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar Is Opening in Boston's North End

A couple of months ago, we reported that a popular North End restaurant was moving to a new location and would have a slight change in concept. Now we have learned a bit more about the spot--and when it will be opening.

According to a press release, Mare Oyster Bar is moving from Richmond Street to Mechanic Street, taking over the space where Ida's had been and changing its name to Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar. The new dining spot, which plans to open on Wednesday, July 29, will have an indoor dining area and an indoor/outdoor bar section, with the outdoor patio having fire pits, lounge seating, and a retractable roof that was imported from Italy. The new location of Mare will feature oysters, ceviche, crudo (raw fish/meat) options, an octopus salad, whole fish plates, hot and cold lobster rolls, and more, with drink choices including an expanded beer list, organic wines, and cordials. The release says that the dining spot will be open seven days a week for dinner, with lunch also being offered Friday through Sunday.

As mentioned in an earlier article, the Richmond Street space that Mare is vacating will become a tapas place and wine bar called Sfizi. (It looks like that restaurant will open sometime in the early fall.) Frank DePasquale of DePasquale Ventures is behind both dining spots, along with such places as Bricco, Gelateria, Il Panino, and Quattro.

The address for the upcoming Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar is 3 Mechanic Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[Earlier Articles]
Shake-Up Coming to North End Restaurant Scene; Pompei, Mare, Il Panino Involved
New Restaurant to Open in former Ida's Space in Boston's North End

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[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]



Thursday, July 23, 2015

Walloon's Opening Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant on Route 1 in Peabody

Yet another Boston-area food truck is expanding into the brick-and-mortar business, and its restaurant will be located on an infamous stretch of highway.

According to a message from @CappyinBoston, Walloon's is planning to open on Route 1 in Peabody, moving into the space where The Nest had briefly been. Based on its truck offerings, the new dining spot will focus on fried chicken--possibly chicken sandwiches, which is what the truck offers--and perhaps fries as well (the truck had originally been focusing on hand-cut, twice-fried pommes frites until recently). A Twitter post from the spot indicates that the brick-and-mortar restaurant may be opening in October.

[October 16 update: A press release sent today indicates that the brick-and-mortar location of Walloon's now plans to open during the second week of November.]

[November 13 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, the brick-and-mortar location of Walloon's is now open. (Thanks to @CappyinBoston for bringing this to our attention.)]

Walloon's truck first hit the streets of Boston last August.

The address for the new restaurant from Walloon's is 108 Newbury Street (Route 1) Peabody, MA, 01960. Its website can be found at http://www.eatwalloons.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Chicken Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area]



Il Panino Express to Open in Jamaica Plain

The person behind several restaurants in Boston is helping to open a place with a familiar name in a neighborhood of the city.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Jamaica Plain News) that Frank DePasquale is involved with the opening of Il Panino Express on South Street in Jamaica Plain, with the owner of the upcoming spot--Lakis Vlahoulis--thanking the restaurateur, saying that "without your help and guidance, this wouldn't have happened." Vlahoulis is also behind Il Panino Cafe and Grill, which is located on nearby Centre Street and is more of a sitdown place while the upcoming Il Panino Express will focus on takeout, including pizzas, calzones, and salads.

A location of Il Panino Express used to be in Boston's North End, but it was replaced by another Frank DePasquale eatery called Ristorante Quattro a couple of years ago; other restaurants from DePasquale include a sitdown location of Il Panino in the North End along with such places as Bricco, Gelateria, and Mare.

The address for the upcoming location of Il Panino Express is 172 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Clover to Debut Plug-In Truck in Boston's Back Bay

Over the past few years, we have written about a new location of Clover possibly coming to one of the busiest streets in Boston's Back Bay. Now we have learned that the plans are officially on, and that it will be a rather unique location of the group of vegetarian food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Boston Magazine is reporting that the new Clover coming to Newbury Street will be a plug-in truck that is apparently attached to Hynes Convention Center by the MBTA station, with the truck getting all of its power via electricity from the building. The article indicates that Clover is setting the truck up in this manner because of an MBTA ban of on-site propane, which forces the truck to rely solely on electrical power. Earlier, it looked like the Newbury Street location of Clover might be a sidewalk cafe, with news of the proposed spot dating all the way back to the early part of 2012.

Currently, brick-and-mortar locations of Clover can be found in Central Square, Harvard Square, Inman Square, and Kendall Square in Cambridge, along with shops in Brookline and Burlington; a number of Clover food trucks can also be found around the Boston area. The website for Clover is at http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

[July 29 update: According to a reliable source, the new Clover Truck will not actually be plugged into the Hynes Convention Center building, but instead will be plugged into the Hynes MBTA Station itself.]

[November 11 update: According to a blog post from Clover, they are getting close to the finish line with their Newbury Street truck (possibly debuting this winter), though there have been so many stops and starts that founder/CEO Ayr Muir says "There is no way I would have ever embarked on this journey if I had any idea at all. It was a crazy mistake."]

[March 21, 2016 update: Eater Boston states that the Clover plug-in truck is now up and running on Newbury Street.]

[Earlier Articles]
Clover Food Lab May Open a New Location on Newbury Street
Clover's Newbury Street Location Appears to Be Back On

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Fairview Inn and Restaurant in Marshfield Is Up for Sale

An iconic oceanside inn and restaurant on the South Shore is now on the market, and it is not known what might happen to the spot.

According to an article in Wicked Local, the Fairview Inn and Restaurant in the Brant Rock part of town is up for sale, as the tenants recently terminated their lease agreement with owners Jack and Bob Clancy and the two brothers have decided to sell the property. The Clancys are hoping that a new buyer would keep the Ocean Street property as an inn and restaurant, though it would be up to those who purchase the place as to what it would ultimately become, according to the post.

The article says that the operators of the Fairview Inn and Restaurant--Paul Disch and his wife Betty--may be leaving the space in the fall (though this is not yet definite), and are in the process of purchasing the property in Pembroke where Bobby Hackett's Restaurant had been. If all goes as planned and they do open a dining spot in the Washington Street space, it would apparently be similar in concept to the Fairview though with a different atmosphere, and workers at the inn and restaurant would be invited to relocate there.

The building in which the Fairview resides dates back to the 1870s, according to website for the place.

The address for the Fairview Inn and Restaurant is 133 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA, 02050. Its website can be found at http://thefairviewinn.com/

[November 13 update: Wicked Local states that the Fairview Inn and Restaurant is now closed and that Paul Disch is now running a new spot called Disch's Route 53 Tavern in the former Bobby Hackett's space in Pembroke. The article says the new eatery has the same menu as the Fairview and that the entire Fairview staff is now working there. (It is not known what will become of the Fairview Inn and Restaurant's space.)]

[February 23, 2016 update: A new article from Wicked Local indicates that Marshfield selectmen have approved of various licenses for a new spot called the Oceanview Grille to operate in the former Fairview Inn and Restaurant space, and that it could be open in April if all goes as planned.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten New England Restaurants in Scenic Locations]



Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Colonial Inn in Concord Is Being Sold

An historic inn and restaurant west of Boston is being sold, and the buyers of the property are behind a couple of other historic spots in the region.

The Concord Journal is reporting that Jurgen Demisch, who owns the Colonial Inn in Concord, will be selling the place to Michael and Dorothy Harrington, who currently own Hawthorne Hotel in Salem and the Publick House in Sturbridge. The article says that the sale will probably be made official during the first week of August, and at this point in time it is not known if there will be any changes made to the property.

According to the Journal, the Colonial Inn was first built back in 1716 and started to operate in its present location on Monument Square in 1889.

The address for the Colonial Inn is 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA, 01742. Its website can be found at http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten New England Restaurants in Scenic Locations]



Monday, July 20, 2015

La Voile Brasserie to Open in Brookline's Washington Square

A new restaurant is on its way to one of the hottest sections of Brookline for dining, and this one will focus on French fare.

According to a Facebook post from the Washington Square Association, La Voile Brasserie is going to be opening in the town's Washington Square area, with the note saying that the dining spot is planning to open sometime in September. The post also mentions that the chef of the upcoming eatery arrived from France only two weeks ago, and he will apparently be making such items as fois gras, escargots, roast chicken, bouillabaisse, and moules frites, along with Mediterranean seafood and veggie options.

[July 23 update: According to several sources--including the Facebook thread above--the Brookline location of La Voile is connected to that of La Voile on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay; the thread also indicates that the new location will be at 1627 Beacon Street, which is where Vernissage Restaurant had once been.]

[December 17 update: Boston Magazine states that the new location of La Voile opens in Brookline tomorrow (Friday, December 18), and that it will have an open house this evening.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Sunday, July 19, 2015

Update: Grappa in Watertown Closes; Wild Rice Vegan Cafe Opening in Its Space

[Ed note: This article was updated on December 14 to reflect new information given, including a name for the new restaurant along with the fact that it is now open for business.]

An Italian restaurant located in an unlikely place near the Boston line has closed its doors, and it looks like a nearby vegan eatery will open a new spot in the space.

According to the Tables section from The Boston Globe, Grappa in Watertown is no longer in operation, as the owner sold the Elm Street dining spot to the people behind Red Lentil, a restaurant located nearby on Mt. Auburn Street. The post says that the person behind Grappa is looking to find a new space for private events, though it is not known if she will also eventually open another dining spot as well.

Grappa was a restaurant that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) featured as an under-the-radar spot for reasonably-priced Italian food. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for the now-closed Grappa (and upcoming restaurant from the Red Lentil folks) is 71 Elm Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

[December 14 update: Eater Boston states that the new restaurant from the owners of Red Lentil is now open in the former Grappa space, and it is called Wild Rice Vegan Cafe.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pasta Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Beyond]



Johnny D's in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closing

It looks like the Boston area will be losing another iconic music venue.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant and Music Club in Somerville's Davis Square is planning to close, with owner Carla DeLellis looking to shut the Holland Street spot down in either late January or early February of 2016. The post says that the decision to close the club is mostly a personal decision rather than a business decision, with DeLellis planning to convert the space into a multi-story mixed-use development that would include commercial space on the ground floor and residential space on three floors above.

[January 27, 2016 update: An event page within its site indicates that the final day for Johnny D's will be March 13. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

Johnny D's first opened its doors in 1969, with the place initially being a bar then a country music spot before becoming a popular restaurant and music club that featured a wide variety of local and national acts.

The news of Johnny D's upcoming closure follows the news of another landmark club--T.T. the Bear's Place in Cambridge--shutting down later this month. [Ed note: Now closed.]

The address for Johnny D's is 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at http://johnnyds.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]



Friday, July 17, 2015

Swissbakers Opens Tiny Outlet at Mercedes-Benz of Boston in Somerville

A pair of Boston-area bakery-cafes has been joined by a third outlet, and this one is in a rather unusual location.

According to a recent Facebook post as well as a tweet, Swissbakers is now open inside the Mercedes-Benz of Boston dealership in Somerville, with this one appearing to be little more than a station where customers can get refreshments while having their vehicles serviced in the bay. The new spot joins other branches of Swissbakers on Lincoln Street in Reading and Western Avenue in Allston, both of which offer such items as croissants, cookies, pretzels, challah, quiche, soups, sandwiches, coffee, and hot chocolate.

The Facebook post indicates that another outlet of Swissbakers will be coming to Boston in the next couple of weeks, though no other information has been given on that one.

The address for the new branch of Swissbakers (and Mercedes-Benz of Boston) is 259 McGrath Highway, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for Swissbakers can be found at http://www.swissbakers.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]