A restaurant in Dorchester that is known in part for its terraced patio is being replaced by a new spot, and it appears to have at least an indirect connection to a number of other dining and drinking places in the Boston area.
According to a source, The Bowery Bar is seeking to open in the space in Lower Mills where ester currently resides, with the name of the parent company--Cool Hand Luke Inc.--being run by local restaurateur Julian Bolger, according to a Bizapedia page. This jibes with similar information given to us by someone in the restaurant industry yesterday, along with chatter on social media indicating that a new restaurant would be taking over the Dorchester Avenue space. Bolger has been involved with such restaurants and bars as Lucy's American Tavern in Dorchester, The Punk & Poet and The Broadway in South Boston, and Cityside in Brighton, along with Tavern in the Square, which has a number of locations in the Greater Boston area.
ester first opened in the spring of 2014, taking over the space where Ledge Kitchen and Drinks had once been; the restaurant--which includes a large outdoor dining area out back--focuses mostly on creative comfort food and New American fare.
The address for ester (and the upcoming Bowery Bar) is 2261 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02124.
[January 30 update: The Dorchester Reporter states that ester plans to close on February 11, at which point the space will be renovated for a period of at least two months. There is still no word on the exact type of restaurant that will open in its space, though the article does say that Julian Bolger and his team will change the name and the concept (there is no mention of the name "The Bowery," so that may possibly be a working name).]
[February 8 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that ester is closing on Sunday, February 11, and that it is open normal hours until then.]
[May 8 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, The Bowery Bar is opening soon and is currently hiring for all positions, with the listing saying that its menu will feature a "unique 'scratch' approach to American fare featuring an extensive beer selection from New England and the around the world, as well as a creative cocktail and wine menu."]
[July 1 update: A check on the place indicates that The Bowery Bar opens tomorrow (Monday, July 2).]
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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]
