Boston Restaurant Talk: January 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

Sabertooth Vegan Bakery in Somerville Is Closing Down

A Somerville bakery that shares a space with a taco shop is calling it a day.

Eater Boston is reporting that Sabertooth Vegan Bakery in Ball Square will be shutting down within the next couple of weeks, as owner Evie Noël is planning to move to California so she can work on an animal sanctuary. In the article, says that "I'm sorry and sad to leave you all but I'm glad it's for a good reason and I know I'll be back in the kitchen (somewhere?!) someday. Thank you so much for everything." Taco Party, which is a vegan taco place within the same space on Broadway, will remain in operation.

Both Sabertooth and Taco Party first opened their doors in Ball Square last August; previously Sabertooth had been a baking business while Taco Party was set up as a food truck.

The address for the soon-to-close Sabertooth Vegan Bakery (as well as Taco Party) is 711 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[February 18 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that it closed for good last weekend.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Great Desserts from Boston-Area Spots]

Sully C's in Saugus in Dispute with Landlord Over Repairs; License Now at Stake

A restaurant and bar in Saugus that was hit by a fire last May has not yet reopened, and a disagreement over who should cover the repairs is testing the patience of town officials.

The Saugus Advertiser is reporting that the owner of Sully C's Sports Bar and Grill on Route 1--Elaine Byrne--is in the middle of a dispute with the building's landlord about who is responsible for repairs needed to the space, as the building--which has also been home to a location of Boston Market--not only has major structural damage, but it also has an infestation of mold and termites and is dealing with a leaking roof as well. The article states that the Board of Selectmen has no interest in getting in the middle of the disagreement, instead focusing on the fact that Sully C's liquor license is going unused. The town is asking for a progress report on the situation, at which point another progress update could be scheduled for March 2, though other options could be on the table, including the restaurant selling the license or the town revoking ultimately it if it looks like progress appears unlikely.

Sully C's first opened in June of 2012, taking over the space where Jalapenos had been, and before that, Tabu Ultra Lounge and Nightclub.

The address for Sully C's Sports Bar and Grill is 168 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906.

[June 27 update: A new article in the Saugus Advertiser indicates that the future of Sully C's is now very much in question, as the board of selectmen feels that there doesn't appear to be a real solution in place for the restaurant and bar to reopen, so a show cause hearing is now scheduled for July 13 that could start the process of taking away its liquor license. (The post also says that owner Elaine Byrne plans to either reopen Sully C's in a new location or sell the license.)]

[July 21 update: The Saugus Advertiser states that the board of selectmen has given Sully C's until September 22 to either sell its liquor license or find a new location; if nothing has taken place by then, its license will be canceled.]

[Earlier Article]
Sully C's Sports Bar and Grill in Saugus Hit by Fire

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]

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Automatic Bar to Replace Atasca in Cambridge

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 14 to reflect new information given, including who is behind the upcoming restaurant and the space is will be taking over.]

It looks like a brand new restaurant and bar is replacing another dining spot in Cambridge, and a legendary local bartender appears to be involved with the place.

A Twitter post from a couple of days back indicates that an Instagram page quietly appeared two weeks ago for The Automatic Bar, which says it will be a "neighborhood restaurant opening in Cambridge sometime between early summer and 2099." A hashtag for #americascousin shows on the page appears to refer to another Instagram page, this one for Dave Cagle, who is known for his bartending (and other jobs) at such places as the now-closed B-Side Lounge in Cambridge, Green Street in Central Square, Lone Star Taco Bar in Cambridge and Allston, Deep Ellum in Allston, Trina's Starlite Lounge on the Somerville/Cambridge line in Inman Square, and the ONCE Lounge within Cuisine en Locale in Somerville.

The B-Side Lounge was a place that was hugely influential to many of the region's present-day cocktail spots, with a number of well-known people within the local food and drink scene working there at one time or another before it closed in 2008 (including Dave Cagle).

[February 14 update: Eater Boston is reporting that The Automatic will be opening on Hampshire Street, moving into the space where the Portuguese restaurant Atasca has been since 2000 (Atasca first started out on Broadway in the mid-1990s), with the article also saying that Chris Schlesinger--who has run such places as East Coast Grill in Cambridge and the Back Eddy in Westport--is teaming up with Dave Cagle to open the new spot. EB says The Automatic will offer food that will "have that Chris Schlesinger mark on it" and the drinks list will feature classic cocktails, while the space will have seating for 74 inside and another 40 on an outdoor patio. It appears that Atasca might be closing in May, with The Automatic possibly opening in the middle of that month.]

[April 1 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Atasca has closed, with owner Joe Cerqueira now focusing on Rocco's in Wilmington, which he purchased last year.]

[November 19 update: Eater Boston mentions that The Automatic opened to the public for drinks yesterday and will do the same tonight, with dinner service starting on Monday (it is closed Sunday) and lunch coming soon.]

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]

Joe's American Bar & Grill in Peabody Has Closed

A small local group of family-friendly restaurants has quietly closed one of its locations.

A message sent from the dining spot this morning indicates that the Peabody outlet of Joe's American Bar & Grill has shut down for good, confirming what some people have been hinting at over the past few days, including at least a couple of posters on the Yelp page for the Northshore Mall dining spot as well as a question from another person within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group. It appears that locations of Joe's in Boston (two), Braintree, Dedham, Framingham, Franklin, and Woburn remain in operation. (Other locations of the restaurant can also be found in Nashua, Providence, Fairfield, CT, and Paramus, NJ.)

Joe's American Bar & Grill is part of the Tavistock Restaurant Collection, which includes such brands as Abe & Louie's, Atlantic Fish, Coach Grill, and a number of others. The Orlando-based Tavistock Restaurant Collection is part of the Tavistock Group, which had purchased Joe's from the Back Bay Restaurant Group--a local restaurant group that also ran Atlantic Fish and Coach Grill, along with the now-closed Charley's--in 2011.

The website for Joe's American Bar & Grill can be found at http://www.joesamerican.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]

Pizza Shop Owner Accused of Trying to Recruit Former Worker for Prostitution

The owner of a popular pizza place in the western suburbs of Boston is out on bail after being arraigned for allegedly trying to get a woman who used to work at the shop to have sex with married men in return for money.

According to an article on the WCVB site, police have charged Michael Giakoumakis of Liberty Pizza in Wayland of attempting to recruit a former worker of the Main Street pizzeria for prostitution, with Lincoln police working with Wayland police on the arrest of the Framingham native. Giakoumakis is free on $500 case bail following his district court arraignment earlier this week.

CBS Boston mentions that Liberty Pizza is a "fixture" in the town, and that Lincoln police were called in to help because a number of police officers in Wayland eat at the pizza spot and know the owners.

Giakoumakis is scheduled to be back in court March 10 to face the charges against him.

The address for Liberty Pizza is 116 Main Street, Wayland, MA, 01778.

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.]

Erica's Italian Table on Track to Open in Former Sierra's Space in Sudbury

The owners of a now-closed Mexican restaurant that had its share of financial troubles are getting ready to open a new dining spot within the space--though it won't happen until they pay off some bills.

The Sudbury Town Crier is reporting that Sam and Erica Cannarozzi are hoping to open Erica's Italian Table in the former Sierra's space on North Road once they pay taxes owed, which were listed at approximately $50,000 as of last month when a meeting was held concerning the renewal of its license. The Sudbury board of selectmen said at the time that they would not renew the license until the taxes were paid, and while they are not paid back yet, Sam Cannarozzi says that they will be before Erica's opens and believes that the restaurant could be up and running in about four to six weeks.

Sierra's went through a troubled stretch during its final years in business, temporarily closing in April of 2013, then reopening before closing once again in August of 2014, two months after we reported that it was going through financial difficulties and asked the town for more time to pay off its debt. The first mention of Erica's opening in the Sierra's space came about in December of 2014, but the board of selectmen said it would not be able to open until the debts for Sierra's were paid off.

Once Erica's Italian Table does open, it will offer pasta and seafood dishes as well as pizza, with a dining room and a bar being set up within the space.

The address for the upcoming Erica's is 470 North Road, Sudbury, MA, 01776.

[Earlier Article]
Owners of Now-Closed Sierra's in Sudbury Attempting to Open Erica's within Space

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]

Frank Kurlitis, Owner of Lynwood Cafe in Randolph, Has Passed Away

The person behind a beloved watering hole known for its bar pizza has died.

According to a post on its Facebook page, the Lynwood Cafe in Randolph has lost "our patriarch, our father, our friend" Frank Kurlitis, who first opened the Centre Street spot with his wife Pauline back in 1949 (Pauline passed away five years ago). The note says "In those many years Frank has been a part of many peoples lives. Imparting his wisdom, his introspection and his fair reasoning to all aspects of our lives. The world has many great men but very few good men. Frank was a good man who helped those around him to have a great life."

The Lynwood Cafe is considered by many to be one of the best spots in the region for bar pizza, with one of its signature items being its baked bean pizza.

The address for the Lynwood Cafe is 320 Center Street, Randolph, MA, 02368.

Thanks to several sources, including a tweet from @WelcomeToDot, for letting us know about the passing of Frank Kurlitis.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Boston Cream Pie Company Opens at the Longwood Galleria in Boston

A collection of shops and eateries in Boston's Longwood medical area is now home to a new spot, and this one focuses on a local favorite.

Eater Boston is reporting that Boston Cream Pie Company has opened a kiosk at the food court within the Longwood Galleria on Brookline Avenue, with the place offering traditional Boston cream pies (sponge cake filled with cream and covered with chocolate) along with other takes on the treat, including pies topped with white chocolate, heath bars, sprinkles, Oreo cookies, and more. An earlier Facebook post mentions that the business--which was established in 2014--had holiday locations at the Hanover Mall and at the Arsenal Project in Watertown, but those shut down late last month. (It also has a vending tricycle on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston during the warmer months.)

The Longwood Galleria's food court is home to such dining spots as Beantown Burrito, Bourbon Street Cafe, Dragon Bowl, and Sakura Japan.

The website for Boston Cream Pie Company can be found at http://eatbcpc.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Great Desserts from Boston-Area Spots]

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Double Chin Is Opening in Boston's Chinatown

A new cafe is getting ready to open in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston.

According to an article in Eater Boston, Double Chin is soft opening on Harrison Avenue this Thursday, with its grand opening taking place on Friday. The post says that the new eatery will feature Chinese dishes with modern influences, including salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and desserts, and more, while a check on its menu shows "cart noodles" where diners choose between broth and stir-fry, pick from several noodle options, then add extras such as spam, hot dogs, pig skin, roast duck, and curry fish balls.

The name Double Chin comes from the family behind the spot, including Gloria and Emily Chin, who created the menu.

The address for this new dining spot in Chinatown is: Double Chin, 86 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at http://www.doublechinbos.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]

The Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton Is Closing

An historic dining and drinking spot west of Boston is closing down after nearly 90 years in business.

The Worcester Telegram is reporting that The Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton is getting ready to shut its doors for good, with a press release saying that "After 87 years and careful thought, we have decided that it is time for us to move on and find our pot of gold under a new rainbow....This decision was not an easy one for us, but we feel it is the best interest for our family. We have been blessed to take part in so many special occasions and also to be a part of the wonderful community of Clinton, a truly special town." The article indicates that the restaurant side will close at the end of business hours on January 30, while the pub side will remain open through February 7 (which is the date of the Super Bowl).

The Old Timer is a place that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as an under-the-radar spot to go to for American classics, comfort food, pub grub, and drinks. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for this soon-to-close dining and drinking spot is: The Old Timer Restaurant, 155 Church Street, Clinton, MA, 01510.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Interesting Restaurant Interiors]

Monday, January 25, 2016

Building Housing The Brendan Behan Pub in Jamaica Plain Is Up for Sale

A building that is home to a beloved Irish pub is up for sale--and one of the selling points seems to be the potential to be able to raise the rents.

The Jamaica Plain News is reporting that the property at 378 Centre Street in JP's Hyde Square that houses The Brendan Behan Pub is on the market for $2,995,000, with the original pitch from the Coldwell Banker page apparently saying "Combines strong retail with great residential and prime location and room for increased rents (plus automatic increases in commercial leases over time!)," though the wording appears to have changed since the article was written. (A listing from Sazama Real Estate retains the original wording.) The multi-family property is also home to Tails pet supply and services and Pikalo, which is a Dominican eatery.

The article mentions that it is trying to find out more information about the sale of the property; as soon as they (and/or we) find out more, an update will be posted here.

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]

Highlights for the Week Ending January 22, 2016

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a landmark diner reopening in the South End, a NYC-based group of "farm-to-counter" spots coming to Boston, and a bar with hundreds of beer options on its way to Cambridge. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a recently re-opened Mexican restaurant in Boston, a photo of a dessert from a hot pot place in Quincy, and updates to the dive bar photo gallery.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

STK Rebel to Open at One Seaport Square in Boston

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe Reopens in Boston's South End

Dig Inn Seasonal Market to Come to Boston

World of Beer to Open in California Pizza Kitchen Space at CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge

Oath Craft Pizza Plans to Open in Somerville's Davis Square

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Villa Mexico in Boston, MA

New Photo: Green Tea Tiramisu from Shabu Restaurant in Quincy, MA

Updated Dive Bar Photo Gallery

Updated Review: Bella Luna in Jamaica Plain, MA

New Photo: Chicken Burrito from Villa Mexico in Boston, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

Dosa N Curry in Somerville Has Reopened

Several months after being forced to close because of electrical problems within its building, an Indian restaurant in Somerville is open once again.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Dosa N Curry on Somerville Avenue reopened yesterday after being shuttered since August when an electrical issue caused the structure to be considered unsafe--and which ultimately led to the restaurant's neighbor (A4 Pizza) ending its lease there and considering moving to a new space somewhere in the city. Dosa N Curry first started out in December of 2011 as Dosa Temple, changing its name (but little else) in January of 2013.

The address for this Indian dining spot in Somerville is: Dosa N Curry, 447 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://dosa-n-curry.com/

[Earlier Article]
A4 in Somerville Has Closed for Good

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, January 24, 2016

Nick Varano to Open New Restaurant in Cambridge

One of the best-known restaurateurs in the Boston area is planning to open yet another dining spot.

An article in The Boston Globe mentions that Nick Varano is going to be opening a restaurant somewhere in Cambridge, though no name or concept has been given as of yet, and it is not known exactly where the place will open. Once the dining spot does debut in Cambridge, it will join a handful of other places from Varano, including Strega Waterfront at Fan Pier, Strega, Nico, and Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe, all in the North End, Strip by Strega at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Caffe Strega in the Back Bay, and Strega Prime in Woburn.

If all goes as planned, the new restaurant in Cambridge could be opening later this year.

The website for Nick Varano's restaurant group--which is called The Varano Group--can be found at http://www.thevaranogroup.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]

Comella's in East Arlington Closes Today

A location of a local group of Italian dining spots and caterers is getting ready to shut down for good.

According to a source, Comella's in East Arlington is closing at the end of business hours today, with a call to another location confirming this news. The Mass. Ave. eatery first opened in early 2011, offering such items as ravioli, lasagna, gnocchi, chicken alfredo, shrimp scampi, and "family messes," or mystery dishes. Other locations of Comella's remain open, including outlets in Belmont, Chestnut Hill, Concord, Marblehead, Melrose, Natick, Needham, Wellesley, West Newton, West Roxbury, and Westwood. (New shops in Bedford and Hingham are also going to be opening soon.)

The address for this Italian food spot in East Arlington is: Comella's Homemade Italian Foods, 202 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474. The website for all of their locations can be found at: http://www.comellasrestaurants.com/

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]

Friday, January 22, 2016

Future of Home Cafe in Brockton in Question After Damage from Flooding

A drinking spot south of the city that is known for its bar pizza is facing an uncertain future after massive flooding hit the place last night.

The Brockton Enterprise is reporting that Home Cafe in Brockton sustained what appears to be major damage after a water main burst on North Main Street outside the bar around 11:00 PM, causing thousands of gallons of water to pour into the basement, reaching the ceiling, and coming up through the floor of the place in a few spots. The article says that owner Paul Stewart was in touch with his insurance company today and is going to be having the water pumped out of the structure, but is unsure if he wants to go through the ordeal of getting it cleaned up and ready to reopen, especially since a similar situation that happened in 2007 caused the place to be shut down for a number of months. Stewart says in the post that "I'm sick to my stomach about the whole thing....That was 10 months of hard grueling heartache. Mostly the insurance company and then getting everything else in order too. It was such a grind trying to put it back together. I don't know if I have it in me for a second time."

[February 14 update: Fox 25 WFXT states that another water pipe burst in the same part of North Main Street over the weekend, though this one didn't cause any damage to Home Cafe. The post also says that the owner of the bar has filed the necessary claims and is now waiting for the insurance company to pay the money needed for it to reopen.]

Home Cafe is a bar that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as one of the best--and least-known--places to get bar pizza south of the city. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for Home Cafe is 677 N Main Street, Brockton, MA, 02301.

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]

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Is Opening in Newton

More than a year ago, we mentioned that a Florida-based chain of pizza spots was planning to expand into the Greater Boston area, and that the expansion could include a location in Newton. Now we have learned that this will indeed be happening.

According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza has plans to open somewhere in Newton as well as in Littleton and Northborough, joining their existing locations in Westwood and Reading (the latter of which opens Monday). No address has been given for the Newton location, which had been mentioned in a job post dating all the way back to December of 2014; as soon as we find out the address, we will post an update here.

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza first started out in Fort Lauderdale in 2002 and now has locations in a number of states, mostly along the East Coast. The website for the chain is at https://acfp.com/

[January 27, 2017 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza opens in Newton on Monday, January 30, and that it will be located at 180 Needham Street; this will be Newton's third coal-fired pizza place, joining Pepe's in Chestnut Hill and Max and Leo's in Newton Corner.]

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]

STK Rebel Plans to Open at One Seaport Square in Boston

A small NYC-based group of "female-friendly" steakhouses is coming to one of the hottest parts of Boston for dining.

The Boston Globe is reporting that The One Group Hospitality Inc. is planning to open STK Rebel at One Seaport Square in the city's Seaport District, with the Rebel concept being a less expensive alternative to the locations that are simply called STK. The article says that the new spot will include seating for 220 on the first floor, a private dining section upstairs, and a live DJ that will play light rock from the 1970s and 1980s. One Group Hospitality CEO and founder Jonathan Segal says of STK, "We went into this with the sole intention to create a different steakhouse that appealed to the female market....If you want to make a lot of money in this world, focus on the female market and women, because men only get to make 3 percent of the decisions."

STK currently has 10 locations, including two in Manhattan, where it is headquartered; more locations of STK and STK Rebel are in the works in addition to the Boston outlet, including locations of STK Rebel in Austin, Denver, and Miami.

The website for One Group Hospitality (and STK) can be found at http://togrp.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]

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe Reopens in Boston's South End

One of Boston's truly iconic dining spots has returned to the city.

According to a tweet from @DigBoston, Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End reopens Friday (January 21), nearly two years after the place closed down and was subsequently sold to Evan Deluty of the nearby Stella restaurant. The Columbus Avenue eatery was gutted and went through a complete renovation, but it appears that the place retains a similar feel and has a menu that is also much like that of the original. An article in boston.com mentions that Charlie's will offer only breakfast for now, with lunch service starting at some point in the future.

The original Charlie's was a landmark diner and coffee shop known in part for its signature turkey hash; the restaurant first opened in 1927.

The address for Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is 429 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116.

[Earlier Articles]
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in Boston's South End Is Closing
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End of Boston Is Reopening

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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

Mangia Neapolitan Pizza in Boston's South End Closes for Renovations

A small local group of pizzerias has closed one of its Boston locations, though it should be reopening after renovations.

According to a source, Mangia Neapolitan Pizza in the South End has been locked up and dark for at least a week or two now, with another source saying that the sign for the Columbus Avenue eatery is now down, though an email from the restaurant this afternoon indicates that this is a renovation and that the South End shop will indeed be reopening at some point. Mangia had actually shut down its South End shop once before (in the summer of 2012) before eventually reopening; a number of other locations have closed for good over the past few years, including ones in Brookline, Canton, Cohasset, Hopkinton, Walpole, and Wenham, with its now-closed Sharon location being replaced by a market and provisions shop across the street that will sell Mangia's pizza along with beer and wine. (Existing locations of Mangia can be found in Holliston, Medfield, Norton, West Roxbury, Barrington, RI, and Park City, along with upcoming ones in Draper, UT and Los Angeles.)

The address for Mangia Neapolitan Pizza in the South End is 537 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at http://www.mangiapizzeria.com/

[March 17 update: It looks like Mangia will not be reopening in the South End after all, as Emma's in Cambridge is planning to take over the space.]

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]

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Dig Inn Seasonal Market Is Opening in Boston's Back Bay

A New York City-based group of "farm-to-counter" dining spots is on its way to the Back Bay section of Boston.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Dig Inn Seasonal Market is planning to open on Boylston Street, with the eatery being its 12th location--and its first outside of New York. The new 40-seat spot will be its biggest at 3,000 square feet (and with outdoor dining) and will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a brunch offered on weekends. Included on the menu will be such items as pastries, hard-boiled duck eggs, quinoa waffles, veggie croquettes, grilled tofu, sandwiches, meatballs, charred chicken, flank steak, wild sockeye salmon, coffee from George Howell, tea, cold-pressed juices, shakes, and more, with the focus being on "build-your-own" meals.

Dig Inn first started out in 2011, featuring locally-sourced, healthy food items at reasonable prices; all 12 of its shops are in Manhattan, and all offer lunch and dinner (the Boston location will be the first to offer breakfast).

If all goes as planned, the new Dig Inn in Boston will open sometime in the spring.

[May 18 update: Universal Hub reports that Dig Inn could be one step closer to opening in the Back Bay by tomorrow, as the city of Boston is expected to make a decision on its request for a license. (It appears that the new eatery may be serving alcohol as well, as it is looking to acquire the beer and wine license currently held by Seven Star Street Bistro in Roslindale.)]

[July 13 update: According to a press release, Dig Inn opens its new Back Bay location today.]

The address for this new dining spot in the Back Bay is: Dig Inn Seasonal Market, 557 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at https://www.diginn.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]

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Highlights for the Week Ending January 15, 2016

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Italian restaurant possibly being demolished, a Mexican spot coming to Fort Point, and a landmark South Shore place possibly returning to a new space. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of an old-school restaurant in Roslindale, a photo of a red-hot app from a Chinese dining spot in Brookline, and an updated list of closings and openings.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Basta Pasta in North Quincy May Be Torn Down to Make Way for Apartments

Forage to Open in Former Ten Tables Space in Cambridge

Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar in Boston's Back Bay Plans to Open New Location in Fort Point

Arthur and Pat's Restaurant Is Apparently Taking Over the Sea Dog Pub Space in Hull

The Table at Season to Taste Opens in North Cambridge

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale, MA

New Photo: Pork Dumplings from Sichuan Garden in Brookline, MA

Boston-Area Restaurant Closings and Openings for January (So Far)

New Photo: Chili from City Streets in Waltham, MA

Updated Review: Ashley's in Braintree, MA

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

Knight Moves Is Expanding to Somerville's Teele Square

A Brookline cafe that is a popular spot with lovers of board games is opening a second space in Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a city of Somerville planning staff report page) that Knight Moves in on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner is planning to move into a space on Broadway in Teele Square, taking over the spot where a hair salon had been. Based on the original location, the new cafe would likely be a place where patrons can play board games and card games for a monthly fee (or by buying day passes), dining on snacks, and drinking coffee, tea, and milkshakes. (EB says that the Somerville shop would have a small coffee bar.)

Knight Moves first opened its doors in Brookline in the fall of 2013.

The address for the new Knight Moves in Teele Square is 1159 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the original location can be found at http://knightmovescafe.com/

[July 5 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Knight Moves is now open in Teele Square, and it offers coffee, tea, and access to board games.]

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

Joshua Smith (Moody's Deli, Backroom, New England Charcuterie) Opening Meat-Processing Plant and Tasting Room in Waltham

A couple of years ago, we reported that the person behind an award-winning deli and specialty food shop was opening a restaurant (now open) within the space, along with a meat-processing plant nearby. Now we have learned a bit more about the latter.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Joshua Smith of Moody's Delicatessen and Provisions and the Backroom on Moody Street in Waltham is beginning to build a facility within a commercial park in the city that will have 10,000 square feet of space and a capacity of producing more than 55,000 pounds of meat at a time under the brand New England Charcuterie (the current production space at Moody's is only 700 square feet with a capacity of 1,400 pounds at a time). The post mentions that in addition to processing meat, the plant will also have a tasting room where people can try some of the products.

The Globe article also hints at things that could be coming down the road, with Smith saying that he can eventually picture a "string" of Moody's Delis across New England. (Smith currently has a mini-version of the deli within a new location of Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors in Boston's Downtown Crossing.)

Dan McCarthy, who wrote the Globe article, tells us that the processing plant will be located at 108 Clematis Avenue Unit D, which is off Beaver Street near where Waltham meets both Belmont and Watertown.

The website for New England Charcuterie can be found at http://www.newenglandcharcuterie.com/

[February 26 update: The Waltham News Tribune mentions that the Moody's/New England Charcuterie meat processing plant could be up and running by April.]

[Earlier Articles]
Moody's Delicatessen and Provisions Is Opening The Backroom in Former Wings Express Space
Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors Is Taking Over the Wine Cellar Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

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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]

World of Beer to Open in California Pizza Kitchen Space at CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge

Last summer, we reported that a Florida-based chain of beer bars was making another run at coming to the Boston area, two years after initial plans for them to open in another location fell through. Now we have learned where exactly they will be opening this time around.

BostInno is reporting that World of Beer is looking to open at the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge, with Eater Boston stating that it will be coming to the space where a location of California Pizza Kitchen had been until recently closing. According to BostInno, the new dining and drinking spot will have 60 beers on tap and more than 500 other options available in bottles and cans, and that they will be offering "tavern fare" to go with the beer.

Back in 2013, the chain mentioned that they had plans to open in Somerville's Davis Square, but those plans never materialized and they announced in 2015 that they would be looking once again to open in the region, though at the time there was no word on where they might open.

Eater Boston says that the new World of Beer could be opening in Cambridge sometime this summer if all goes as planned.

[May 23 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that World of Beer is "putting all the final touches" on its new location in Cambridge and is currently hiring for a variety of job positions. An earlier post had said that they were hoping to open in June, but no specific opening date has been given as of yet.]

[June 29 update: Eater Boston mentions that World of Beer plans to open in Cambridge on July 11.]

[July 15 update: According to an article from boston.com, World of Beer is now open in Cambridge.]

[Earlier Articles]
World of Beer Is Looking to Come to Somerville's Davis Square
World of Beer May Be Out, Beer Works May Be In (or Maybe Not) for Somerville's Davis Square
World of Beer Planning to Come to the Boston Area

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

Oath Craft Pizza Is Opening in Somerville's Davis Square

Last summer, we reported that the people behind a pizzeria on Nantucket Island were planning to expand into the Boston area, including a possible shop in Somerville. Now we have learned that this may indeed be happening.

Eater Boston mentions (via a Davis Square LiveJournal post) that Oath Craft Pizza is planning on opening in Davis Square, with a city planning staff report page showing that it may be taking over the space on Elm Street where a Singer sewing machine shop currently resides. (That store is moving to West Cambridge, according to Davis Square LiveJournal.) If the proposal is given the green light, the new location of Oath would join its original on Straight Wharf in Nantucket as well as Boston's South Station (which Oath's CEO says may be the world's smallest pizzeria) and an upcoming shop at Chestnut Hill Square. [Ed note: Now open.]

In August, Oath had been talking about possibly having a "marquee" location in either the Davis Square section of Somerville or in Chestnut Hill, and that a total of eight to ten locations could open in the Boston area by the end of this year.

The address for the new location of Oath Craft Pizza in Davis Square is 280 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for Oath can be found at http://www.oathpizza.com/

[June 7 update: Eater Boston states that Oath Craft Pizza opens today.]

[Earlier Articles]
http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2015/08/nantuckets-oath-craft-pizza-plans-to.html
Oath Craft Pizza to Open at Chestnut Hill Square

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

Monday, January 18, 2016

News Elsewhere: Amid Lawsuits, Sally's Apizza in New Haven Remains Up for Sale, Faces Uncertain Future

In the spring of 2014, we reported that one of the highest-rated pizzerias in New England could be up for sale. Now we have learned that the possible sale of the eatery--and the controversy surrounding it--is causing some to wonder about the future of the place.

The New York Times states that a dispute about the possible sale of Sally's Apizza in New Haven has led to lawsuits, with an earlier article from the New Haven Register mentioning that the suits stem from the owners of the Wooster Street pizzeria saying no to a high offer of $3.1 million offer from a group named Al Dente, instead picking another, unnamed, bidder. Carmine and Vincenzo Capasso of Al Dente filed a lawsuit against Sally's in late 2014, with a Connecticut Superior Court judge siding with the pizza place; the Capasso brothers appealed the judge's decision but the judge subsequently lifted a hold on the selling of Sally's which allows the owners to sell it to someone else (the Register says that a second lawsuit has been filed against Al Dente by the people behind Sally's as well). No deal has been reached as of yet on the pizzeria, though the owners have been talking to people who have been interested in purchasing the place.

Both articles says that Pepe's--a renowned pizza spot that is on the same street and is run by cousins of the people who own Sally's--had also placed a bid for Sally's in 2014, but their bid was not among the highest ones and it appears that Pepe's is apparently no longer interested, saying it is a "dead issue" for them, according to the Register.

Sally's Apizza first opened its doors in 1938, serving pizza cooked in a coal-fire oven like its neighbor Pepe's; while Pepe's is known in part for its clam pizza, Sally's is a place that many go to for its tomato pie. Both Pepe's and Sally's are considered among the best pizzerias in all of New England--if not the entire country--and both have been visited by celebrities of all kinds over the years.

The address for Sally's Apizza is 237 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT, 06511. Its website can be found at http://sallysapizza.com/

[Earlier Article]
News Elsewhere: Sally's Apizza in New Haven May Be Sold

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

Friday, January 15, 2016

FoMu Alternative Ice Cream + Cafe Is Opening in Boston's South End

A pair of vegan ice cream shops in Allston and Jamaica Plain will soon be joined by a third, and this one will be coming to a space in the heart of Boston's South End.

Boston Magazine is reporting that FoMu Alternative Ice Cream + Cafe is planning to open on Tremont Street, taking over the space where an art gallery had been. Based on the other two shops, expect to see non-dairy ice cream made using a coconut base or almond/cashew blend as well as baked goods, tea and coffee, and smoothies offered.

If all goes as planned, the new location of FoMu could be open sometime in May.

The address for this upcoming vegan ice cream place in the South End is: FoMu, 655 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118. The website can be found at http://www.fomuicecream.com/

[May 27 update: The Boston Globe states that the new location of FoMu in the South End is now open.]

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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]

Update: Basta Pasta in North Quincy May Be Replaced by Apartments; A Move Is Possible

[Ed note: This article was updated several times to reflect new information given, including the possibility that the restaurant could move (though this now seems unlikely).]

It looks like the future of an Italian restaurant just south of the Boston line may be in question.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, a proposal to tear down Basta Pasta in North Quincy and replace it with a four-story apartment building is apparently going to be looked at by the city later this month, and it appears that the owner of the Hancock Street dining spot (Bledar Huxhallari) is also behind the plans for the apartments. The eatery first opened in 2009, replacing another restaurant called Tullio's; another location of Basta Pasta--which is the original--can be found on Western Avenue in the Cambridgeport section of Cambridge. (Huxhallari also operates a third place called Buco Trattoria, which is located on Summer Street in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood.)

The article for the North Quincy location of Basta Pasta is 150 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02171. The website for both locations is at: http://bastapastacambridge.com/

[February 28 update: A check on the place indicates that Basta Pasta has shut down, though it is not yet known if it will be demolished to make way for an apartment building.]

[November 23 update: The Patriot Ledger mentions that the people behind the now-closed Basta Pasta in North Quincy are hoping to find a new space in the neighborhood, but they apparently need to find a new location quickly, as they have to file paperwork by the end of the month in order to renew their liquor license--and there needs to be an address for the license.]

[December 28 update: Hopes for a new location of Basta Pasta in North Quincy seem to have been dashed, as Wicked Local Quincy reports that the city licensing board has voted to take away its license. (The article says that the owners didn't show up for the board meeting and the board voted "with little discussion" to cancel the license.)]

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

Forage Is Opening in Former Ten Tables Space in Cambridge

Earlier this month, we reported that one of the highest-rated restaurants in Cambridge had abruptly shut its doors. Now we have learned that a new dining spot will be moving into the space, and it has a connection to the now-closed eatery that had been there.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Forage is going to be opening on Craigie Circle where Ten Tables had been until shutting down at the start of the year, with owner Stan Hilbert (the GM of the Jamaica Plain location of the Ten Tables) planning to make it a "cozy" neighborhood bistro that offers food items using ingredients from local farms. The post says that Ten Tables chef Eric Cooper will be joining Hilbert, working the kitchen at the new restaurant.

Ten Tables first opened in Cambridge in 2009, replacing Craigie Street Bistro, which moved to the other side of Cambridge and became Craigie on Main.

The address for this new restaurant in Cambridge is: Forage, 5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge, MA 02138.

[April 15 update: Eater Boston says that Forage plans to open this Sunday (April 17).]

[Earlier Article]
Ten Tables Closes Its Cambridge Location

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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]