The Boston Business Journal is reporting (via a meeting agenda from the Downtown Boston Residents' Association) that Ed Kane of Big Night Entertainment Group is looking to open a French restaurant at the Masonic Temple space where Boylston Street and Tremont Street meet by Boston Common. The article says that Kane's plans are expected to be presented to the residents group on December 12 (no other information on the dining spot has been given as of yet).
The Masonic Temple in downtown Boston is the third oldest grand lodge in the world and the oldest in the western hemisphere, according to an article on the WGBH site, with its roots dating back to the 1700s.
Big Night Entertainment Group is behind such spots as Red Lantern, Empire, and Gem; its website can be found at http://www.bneg.com/
Thanks to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting for initially bringing this to our attention.
[December 9 update: According to a source, the new restaurant would be leasing a space within the Masonic Temple, with the building being shared by the restaurant and the Masons (who own the building).]
[December 13 update: A job post within the bostonchefs.com site indicates that the name of the restaurant coming to the Masonic Temple in downtown Boston will be Explorateur (this has also been confirmed by a source), and that it will be a restaurant, bar, and cafe.]
[August 4, 2017 update: Eater Boston mentions that Explorateur will have both French and California influences, and that it will have a cafe space, a restaurant area, and a bar.]
[August 28, 2017 update: A Facebook post from the place says that the cafe part of Explorateur is now open, while Boston Magazine states that the restaurant and bar will be opening today as well.]
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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
