A landmark Cambridge restaurant that was reborn earlier this year is apparently getting a new name.
According to a license commission agenda page within the city's website, East Coast Grill in Inman Square has applied for a name change to "Highland Fried," with the request scheduled to be looked at on November 15. At this point in time, it isn't known whether there would be any other changes to the Cambridge Street restaurant; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.
East Coast Grill first opened in 1985, with nationally-recognized chef and restaurateur Chris Schlesinger being behind the place. Schlesinger sold the dining spot in 2012 to three members of the East Coast Grill and it ended up closing in January of 2016, but it was learned a few months later that the people behind Highland Kitchen in Somerville would be taking it over, and East Coast Grill reopened approximately one year after shutting down.
The original East Coast Grill had been known in part for its legendary "Hell Nights" along with its seafood and barbecue offerings.
The address for East Coast Grill is 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.eastcoastgrill.net/
[December 11 update: A tweet from @kcbaskin of The Boston Globe states that Highland Fried will open on Friday, December 15, while Boston Magazine states that East Coast Grill quietly shut down over the weekend and that Highland Fried will be a new, more casual concept that focuses on fried chicken as well as BBQ, fresh oysters, and American comfort food. (Boston Magazine also says that East Coast Grill's tiki decor, its bar program, and nearly all of its staff will remain in place.)]
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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Seafood Dishes from Boston-Area and New England Restaurants]
