According to a Facebook post from Boston Nightlife Ventures (BNV), Akinto is looking at a possible fall 2016 or winter 2017 opening on Appleton Street in the former Merrill & Co./Ipswich Custom space, which is a bit later than the projected early summer opening that had been previously mentioned. Based on what it featured when it was a popup within the Wink & Nod space next door, it appears that the brick-and-mortar version of Akinto may offer Southeast Asian-influenced food items, though no specifics have been given as of yet.
Merrill & Co. closed last June after being in business for a bit more than a year and subsequently posted the mysterious message "Who wants to be a restaurant owner?" on its site, which appeared to refer to a TV show that seems to have fallen through. A new place called Ipswich Custom briefly took over the space in October before Merrill & Co. briefly returned as a "Truck and Mortar" concept that was a collaboration between the Bina Group and Stock Pot Malden.
Boston Nightlife Ventures is behind such spots as Griddler's, The Tap Trailhouse, and Wink & Nod, with three other new spots--Southern Kin Cookhouse and Bar in Somerville's Assembly Row, Certified Meatball Company in South Boston, and Little Owl Tavern (the latter of which is in as-of-yet undisclosed locations)--on the way as well. [Ed note--Southern Kin is now open.]
The address for the upcoming Akinto is 1 Appleton Street, Boston, MA, 02116.
[August 15 update: According to a Facebook page from the place, Akinto is now looking at an early 2017 opening, and is "getting ready to build" after finalizing its plans.]
[May 6, 2017 update: A licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website indicates that the liquor license from the now-closed Forum on Boylston Street is looking to be transferred to Akinto, with the hearing taking place on May 10.]
[Earlier Article]
Merrill & Co. in Boston's South End Closing Again; Akinto to Replace It
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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]
