Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Porto Maltese Is Opening in Brookline's Washington Square, Taking Over the Former Fireplace Space

by Marc Hurwitz

A few months ago, we reported that an upscale Brookline restaurant was closing and that a new seafood spot was looking to take over the space. Now we have learned a bit more about the upcoming eatery that is moving in.

According to an article from Wicked Local and the Brookline TAB, Porto Maltese is planning to open in the Washington Square space where The Fireplace had been until closing at the end of August, with owner Zachary Ostrer offering Mediterranean seafood dishes (with a nod to Eastern European fare) at the Beacon Street restaurant while the place will also offer organic foods and be green certified. The post mentions that it looks like the new spot could be open around the end of December if all goes as planned.

The Fireplace, which first opened 16 years ago, was known in part for its regional fare as well as its catering operation. The restaurant was looking at possibly closing around the end of 2014 to make way for a location of Pepe's Pizza, but those plans fell through and The Fireplace remained open until this summer.

The address for this Mediterranean seafood restaurant in Washington Square is: Porto Maltese, 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://portomaltese.com/

Thanks to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting for bringing this to our attention.

[March 22, 2018 update: According to a Facebook update from Drew Starr, Porto Maltese has soft-opened, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this. A look at its website indicates that the menu includes such items as paella, risotto, amatriciana, seafood options such as monkfish, skate, grouper, and swordfish, and lamb chops and filet mignon.]

[Earlier Article]
The Fireplace in Brookline's Washington Square Is Closing

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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]