Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Paprika Grill Opens in Salem

by Marc Hurwitz

A new Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant has come to the North Shore.

According to an article from Wicked Local, Paprika Grill is now open in Salem, with the eatery actually starting out in Gloucester before moving to its new location on Liberty Street. The restaurant's Facebook page shows such items as red lentil soup, hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves, falafel, chicken shish kebab, lamb adana, and baklava on its menu, with all items being under $10.

The address for this new Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dining spot in Salem is: Paprika Grill, 2 Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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]





Bucktown Chicken & Fish to Open in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant featuring an array of fried foods is on its way to Boston, and this spot has roots south of the city.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Bucktown Chicken & Fish is planning to open in the city's Mission Hill neighborhood, with the Tremont Street eatery joining a restaurant simply named "Bucktown" in the Federal Hill section of Providence. The article says that place will offer fried comfort food items such as fish sandwiches, hush puppies, oyster and shrimp po' boys, chicken and waffles, and more, and the owners are also seeking a full liquor license for the spot as well. It is not yet known when Bucktown Chicken & Fish might open, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Mission Hill is: Bucktown Chicken & Fish, 1522 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02120. The website for the original Bucktown in Providence can be found at http://www.bucktownpvd.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]





EHChocolatier Opening Shop in Cambridge's Huron Village

by Marc Hurwitz

A chocolate company that is hidden in an industrial building in Somerville is moving to a storefront in Cambridge.

According to an article from Eater Boston, EHChocolatier is planning to move from its current location on Windsor Street near the Cambridge border to a space on Huron Avenue in the Huron Village/Observatory Hill neighborhood of the city. As Eater says, this will be its first permanent public-facing brick-and-mortar location, as it has had pop-up shops while also being in its current home that, while open to the public, is inside a building in an industrial area and is very easy to miss. (Its building--which is located south of Union Square--is also home to Taza Chocolate.)

If all goes as planned, EHChocolatier will open in its new location in the late fall--and the space will also include its kitchen operations, according to EB.

The current address for EHChocolatier is 561 Windsor Street in Somerville, while the new address is at 145 Huron Avenue in Cambridge; its website can be found at https://www.ehchocolatier.com/

[January 23, 2019 update: Eater Boston states that EHChocolatier opens in Huron Village on February 1.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Friday, July 27, 2018

Mexicali Grill Is Opening in Swampscott

by Marc Hurwitz

A brand new Mexican restaurant is looking to open on the North Shore, and it could be part of a local group of dining spots--though this has not yet been confirmed.

According to a source, Mexicali Grill is planning to open in Swampscott, with the address indicating that it would be coming to the Vinnin Square Plaza. An earlier page within the town website mentions that the restaurant is indeed looking to open there and that the family behind it runs several dining spots in the region. Another restaurant called Mexicali Grill is opening in the former British Beer Company space in Danvers as well [ed note--now open], but it is not known if the two places are connected, nor is it known if either (or both) are connected to Mexicali Mexican Grill, which has locations in Holden, Natick. Spencer, Ware, Webster, and South Windsor, CT. (As soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.)

The address for this Mexican restaurant in Swampscott is: Mexicali Grill, 435 Paradise Road, Swampscott, MA, 01907.

[August 26, 2019 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that a sign is finally up for the Swampscott location of Mexicali Grill, though it is still not known when it might open.]

[November 26, 2019 update: According to posters on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mexicali Grill is now open in Swampscott, and it is indeed connected to the other Mexicali Grill locations.]

[Earlier Article]
British Beer Company in Danvers Has Closed; Mexicali Grill May Open in Space

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, July 26, 2018

Lenny's Hideaway Replacing Perch 143 in Cohasset

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a family-style Mexican restaurant is coming to the South Shore, taking over the space where an upscale comfort food spot currently resides.

According to an article in the Cohasset Mariner, Lenny's Hideaway is looking to open in Cohasset, moving into the Perch 143 space on Stagecoach Way in the village center. The post says that owners Derek and Stephanie Burke come from San Francisco where they owned a number of dining spots, and that the plan is to make minor changes to the space and no changes to the exterior.

Perch 143, which opened its doors last year, is a casual upscale restaurant that features a mix of New American and classic American fare, including such items as deviled eggs, pulled pork sliders, a beet salad, burgers, a short rib grilled cheese sandwich, grilled salmon, herb roasted chicken, and steak tips.

The address for Perch 143 (and the upcoming Lenny's Hideaway) is 8 Stagecoach Way, Cohasset, MA, 02025.

[August 24 update: A new article from the Cohasset Mariner states that the Board of Selectmen has approved an entertainment license for Lenny's Hideaway, which hopes to have live music, record-sharing, and open mic events.]

[February 4, 2019 update: A Facebook post on the Cohasset143 page indicates that Lenny's Hideaway appears to be going through a soft opening, and it could be having its official opening this week, though we are still trying to confirm this.]

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]




Blue Shirt Cafe in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A popular Somerville cafe that has been in business for more than 20 years is shutting down.

According to several sources, Blue Shirt Cafe in Davis Square is getting ready to close, with a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and another poster on the Davis Square Facebook group page both mentioning this as well. A call placed to the Highland Avenue eatery confirms this, saying that its last day will be Sunday, July 29.

Blue Shirt Cafe first opened in 1997 (according to a page on the Manta site), with the dining spot being known in part for its breakfast dishes, sandwiches, smoothies, and fresh-squeezed juice options.

The address for this soon-to-close cafe in Davis Square is: Blue Shirt Cafe, 424 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at http://www.blueshirtcafedavis.com/

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]





Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Forcella Is Opening in Former Carmen Space in Boston's North End

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant is apparently on its way to the North End, and it would be moving into the space where an upscale Italian spot had been until closing a couple of years ago.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, a dining spot tentatively called Forcella is planning to open at 33 North Square, which is where Carmen was until it shut down in July of 2016. The  notice mentions that the restaurant is seeking a beer, wine, and liqueurs license and that the parent company is Flagship Restaurant Group, LLC. Little other information is available on Forcella, so check back for updates as they come in.

Carmen had been open at North Square for approximately 16 years, offering such items as steamed clams, braised short rib ravioli, baked penne, roasted rack of pork, pan-seared duck breast, and crespelle.

[October 17 update: A post from northendwaterfront.com confirms that Forcella is indeed coming to the former Carmen space, as a sign is now up and a website is in place at https://www.forcellaboston.com/]

[December 20 update: According to a tweet from @PatrickMBoston, Forcella opens tonight, with a Facebook post from the restaurant also saying this.

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]





Brothers Kouzina in Peabody Plans to Close at the End of the Year

by Marc Hurwitz

A popular Greek restaurant is going to be closing to make way for a dispensary, though not as quickly as originally thought.

According to an article in the Patch, Brothers Kouzina in Peabody is looking to close at the end of the year, as a medical marijuana dispensary is being planned for the Route 1 space. The post says that the original plan was for the dining spot to close at the end of this month, but the people behind the spot are looking for a new space in which to move. (The Patch says that the person behind the dispensary is the nephew of the owners of Brothers Kouzina.)

Brothers Kouzina first opened in 2006, offering customers a mix of Greek and American dishes including souvlaki, calamari, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, mousaka, grilled octopus, spinach pie, gyros, steak tips, broiled scallops, burgers, and more.

The address for Brothers Kouzina is 25 Newbury Street (Route 1), Peabody, MA, 01960. The website for the restaurant can be found at http://www.brotherskouzina.com/

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]

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

High Street Place Food Hall Being Planned for Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a massive new food hall is on its way to downtown Boston, and it will include a number of vendors offering food and drink.

According to an article from Eater Boston as well as the website for the project, High Street Place is being planned for 160 Federal Street and 100 High Street in the Financial District, with 22 food stalls and seating for 400 people currently in the works for the 18,471-square-foot space. Eater says that the development will have an "open-air" feeling and will connect to the lobbies of the office buildings on both Federal Street and High Street. If all goes as planned, High Street Place could be opening in the spring of 2019.

The website for High Street Place can be found at http://highstreetplace.com/

[January 30, 2019 update: A licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website mentions that High Street Place is seeking to get a liquor license from the now-closed Uno's on Huntington Avenue, and that it plans to have a total of 24 vendor spaces, 200 seats inside, and an outdoor patio during the warmer months. (The hearing will take place on Wednesday, February 6.)]

[April 7, 2019 update: According to a press release, some familiar names will be involved with the upcoming High Street Place food hall, including Tiffani Faison (Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama, Fool's Errand), who is opening a raw bar called Dive Bar and a retro pizza/grinder spot called Tenderoni's; Daren Swisher and Joseph Cammarata (Hojoko, backbar, jm Curley), who are opening a cocktail bar called Daiquiris & Daisies; and a number of other spots such as Fuji Sushi from JP Fuji Group, Wheelhouse and Haley Jane from the team behind Wheelhouse, locations of Mother Juice and Pennypacker's, Northeast of the Border from the people behind the food truck by the same name, a cafe called The Farmacy, and an Asian eatery called Noodle BOS. If all goes as planned, High Street Place will be opening in the fall.]

[June 18, 2019 update: Eater Boston states that Mike & Patty's in Bay Village will also be coming to High Street Place, opening another location of the eatery. Once it opens, it will also join another dining spot from the team behind the place--Hot Box at Bow Market in Somerville's Unison Square.]

[December 3, 2019 update: The Facebook page for the food hall indicates that High Street Place plans to open this winter, with the full list of restaurants (for now) being the following: Daiquiris & Daisies, Dive Bar, The Farmacy Cafe, Fuji Sushi, Haley Jane, Mother Juice, Noodle BOS, Northeast of the Border, Pennypackers, Tenderoni's, and Wheelhouse.]

[December 18, 2019 update: Eater Boston mentions that more vendors have been announced for the upcoming High Street Place, including Bad Doughnut (a brick-and-mortar from the person behind a local pop-up), Portland-based Gorgeous Gelato, Gracenote Coffee (which currently has a location on Lincoln Street), Hum'Oveh (which will be affiliated with Anoush'ella), and a second tasting room for Newburyport Brewing.]

[June 27, 2021 update: An email sent from the team behind Mamaleh's in Cambridge's Kendall Square indicates that High Street Place could finally open in September (and that Mamaleh's will indeed have a location there).]

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]

Adventure Pub Is Opening in Former Bistro Duet Space in East Arlington

by Marc Hurwitz

A "gastro gaming pub" is on its way to a space that had been home to a short-lived French restaurant.

According to a post within the Arlington List Facebook group page, Adventure Pub is planning to open on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington this fall where Bistro Duet had been. The Facebook page for the proposed spot mentions that it will offer a seasonal menu along with beer, wine, and cocktails, while also having a library of tabletop games and events featuring "larger group Immersive Game and Storytelling experiences...that blur the line between Interactive Theatre, Escape Rooms and Live Action Role Play."

Bistro Duet first opened around the beginning of 2017, moving into the space where Flora had been for 20 years; the French dining spot closed this past January after less than a year in business.

The address for the new Adventure Pub is 190 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[October 21 update: Adventure Pub could be one step closer to opening by this week, as a Facebook post from the place mentions that they will go before the Select Board for approval of a common victualler license Monday evening. the post mentions that if approved, the next steps would be finishing the buildout, setting up inspections, and announcing an opening date.]

[December 19 update: Your Arlington states (via boston.com) that Adventure Pub soft-opens today but it is still waiting on its liquor license, so its grand opening is expected to take place in early 2019.]

[Earlier Article]
Bistro Duet in East Arlington Is Closing

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]





Lala Rokh in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A Persian restaurant in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood that has been around for nearly a quarter century is closing for good.

According to a press release, Lala Rokh on Mount Vernon Street is shutting down at the end of dinner service on Saturday, August 11, with the note saying that "We are immensely grateful to our mother without whom we and Lala Rokh wouldn’t exist. Mama Bina (as she’s been called by the staff) painstakingly trained chefs who knew nothing about the nuances of Persian cuisine. She visited Iran year after year—as recently as a few months ago—to bring back herbs, spices and other ingredients so essential to our authentic dishes. This is a task that is now too arduous for her to continue....Although we will miss Lala Rokh immensely, we feel the time has come to spend more time with our families." It is not known what might move into the space at this point in time, so keep checking back for updates.

Lala Rokh, which first opened in 1993, is part of the BiNA Family Hospitality restaurant group, which includes Bin 26 Enoteca, jm Curley and Bogie's Place.

The address for Lala Rokh is 97 Mt Vernon Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at http://lalarokh.com/

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]





Monday, July 23, 2018

Italo Bakery in South Medford Has Closed; Exact Future Uncertain

by Marc Hurwitz

An Italian bakery that has been a longtime favorite for pizza and more has shut down at least for now, and it is not known what the future holds for the place.

According to several sources, Italo in South Medford closed this weekend, with a poster on the Medford Square Facebook group saying that this could be a temporary closure that is due to a sick family member overseas, though other posters believe that it may be a permanent closure. Calls placed to the Main Street shop went unanswered yesterday, so as of now, there is no confirmation on the exact status of the place; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Italo has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as a place to go for bakery pizza, scali bread, Italian cookies, and more, with the review being found here:

https://www.hiddenboston.com/ItaloBakery.html

The address for Italo Bakery is 509 Main Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

L&K Lounge and Kitchen in Needham Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A suburban restaurant that changed its name late last year has closed its doors.

According to a source, L&K Lounge and Kitchen in Needham is no longer in operation, with a check on its Facebook page confirming this, saying that "Unfortunately, as of this week [ed note--the post is from July 5], L&K is closing up indefinitely. We are extremely disappointed that things did not work out but we give a huge thanks to our supporters and the many many people that enjoyed an experience with us." The Great Plain Avenue restaurant had originally been known as RFK Kitchen, but it went through a name change and also made some other changes last December, including a new "Lounge bite program" along with a new cocktail menu.

RFK Kitchen first opened in the fall of 2016, with Rachel Klein (Liquid Art House, Asana, Aura, Tamo, OM) being behind the place. Klein is currently Executive Chef for Red Stripe, which has locations in Providence and East Greenwich, RI.

The address for the now-closed L&K was 948 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492.

[Earlier Article]
RFK Kitchen in Needham Is Reopening as L&K

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]





Friday, July 20, 2018

La Casa de Pedro in Boston's Seaport District Has Temporarily Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A Venezuelan restaurant on the Boston waterfront that was involved in a bankruptcy filing earlier this year has shut down for now.

According to an article from Eater Boston, La Casa de Pedro in the city's Seaport District is temporarily closed, with a Facebook post saying that "We are working hard to reopen very soon....We will be back stronger than ever." The original location of the eatery in Watertown remains in operation.

In April, we had reported that the waterfront location of La Casa de Pedro could be sold off in the wake of a bankruptcy filing by 505 Congress Street, LLC, though it was later learned that the restaurant was hoping to stay opened rather than be sold.

The address for La Casa de Pedro in the Seaport District is 505 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website is at http://lacasadepedro.com/seaport/home

[November 14 update: A check on its web page indicates that La Casa de Pedro in the Seaport District only shows the Watertown location now, but it is still not known what the future holds for the space in Boston.]

[Earlier Article]
La Casa de Pedro Could be Selling Seaport District Location in the Wake of Bankruptcy Filing

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]

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Yard House Plans to Open at the Former Chili's Location in Burlington

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of casual upscale restaurants known in part for their extensive beer lists is planning to open another outlet in the Boston suburbs, with this one taking over a location of a now-closed Tex-Mex spot.

According to a source, Yard House is looking to open in Burlington in the former Chili's space, with an application posted on the burlington.org website confirming this. This news follows months of rumors that the chain might indeed be opening within the Middlesex Turnpike space, and while we had received confirmation of the plans awhile back from another source, the news was not public at the time so it could not be posted. Currently, Yard House has locations near Fenway Park in Boston, at Legacy Place in Dedham, and at MarketStreet Lynnfield.

Chili's closed its Burlington location in May after being in business for more than 30 years.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Burlington is: Yard House, 98-108 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for Yard House can be found at https://www.yardhouse.com/

[September 26 update: It looks like Yard House is one step closer to opening in the former Chili's space, as a post within the burlington.org website indicates that their application for a special permit to operate there has been approved.]

[December 20, 2019 update: A Patch article indicates that Yard House opens in Burlington on February 3, 2020.]

[Earlier Article]
Chili's in Burlington Has Closed

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]

Pinkberry at Boston's South Station Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

An Arizona-based chain of frozen yogurt shops continues to disappear from the local landscape, this time closing an outlet that was frequented mainly by commuters.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Pinkberry at South Station is no longer in operation, with the kiosk being cleared out and the place being taken down from the locations section of the Pinkberry website. This is the second location of Pinkberry to close over the past several weeks, as its shop at the Prudential Center shuttered last month; the only locations now remaining in the Greater Boston area are at Boston University, Logan Airport, and in Braintree.

The website for Pinkberry can be found at http://www.pinkberry.com/

[Earlier Article]
Pinkberry at Boston's Prudential Center Has Closed

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]





Besito Has Closed Its Burlington Mall Location

by Marc Hurwitz

A small group of upscale Mexican restaurants has closed one of its two Boston-area locations.

According to a source, Besito at the Burlington Mall is no longer in business, with a message sent to us from the mall confirming that the dining spot indeed shuttered this week. Another outlet of the restaurant at The Shops at Chestnut Hill remains in operation, along with locations in Huntington, Roslyn, and West Islip, NY, Ardmore, PA, and Tampa, FL.

Besito first opened at the Burlington Mall in June of 2014, with the Chestnut Hill location opening several months later.

The website for Besito can be found at https://www.besitomexican.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]





Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Stella's Restaurant and Wine Bar Is Opening in Salem

by Marc Hurwitz

A new dining and drinking spot is on its way to Salem, and it looks like it will be moving into the space where a barbecue place had been.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Stella's Restaurant & Wine Bar is planning to open on Lafayette Street, with the address given indicating that it would be taking over the former Smokin' Betty's BBQ + Bar space. Very little is known about the upcoming spot other than the fact that SKF Hospitality Group is behind it, while a check on opencorporates.com shows that the company is based in Saugus.

The space where Stella's Restaurant & Wine Bar is opening has been home to a few restaurants over the past decade, including Smokin' Betty's, Red Lulu, and Strega.

The address for this new dining and drinking spot in Salem is: Stella's Restaurant & Wine Bar, 94 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website will be at https://stellaswinebar.com/

[September 26 update: The website for the place mentions that Stella's Restaurant & Wine Bar will have more than 200 wines from around the world.]

[December 13 update: Eater Boston mentions that Stella's Restaurant & Wine Bar opens on December 18.]

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]





Finesse Pastries Is Opening in Somerville

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like an award-winning bakery and pastry shop that is known in part for its macarons is on its way to Somerville.

According to a source, Finesse Pastries is opening on Somerville Avenue, with the website and Facebook page for the business confirming this. Finesse got its start in Manchester, NH, in 2012, moving to Boston Public Market in 2016 where it currently resides; when it was located in Manchester, the shop received a number of awards from various local publications, according to its website.

In addition to macarons, Finesse Pastries also offers cakes, cream puffs, and tarts.

The address for this new bakery/pastry shop in Somerville is: Finesse Pastries, 594 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for the business can be found at http://www.finessepastries.com/

[September 5 update: Eater Boston states that Finesse Pastries opens in Somerville on Friday, September 7.]

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, July 17, 2018

Stearns & Hill's Bistro in Melrose Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a suburban restaurant known in part for its steak and seafood dishes will be closing.

An article in the Patch confirms what we had heard earlier from The Passionate Foodie, that Stearns & Hill's Bistro in Melrose is closing, with the Main Street spot apparently shutting down at the end of business hours on July 28. The post hints that another restaurant could be taking over the space, though nothing has been completely confirmed as of yet (keep checking back for updates).

Stearns & Hill's Bistro, which first opened in 1999, offers such items as calamari, lobster ravioli, oysters, burgers, fried scallops, filet mignon, steak tips, pork chops, rack of lamb, and chicken pot pie. The people behind the place also run Fusilli's Cucina in Reading, which will accept gift cards for Stearns & Hill's Bistro.

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Melrose is: Stearns & Hill's Bistro, 505 Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. Its website can be found at https://stearnsandhillsbistro.com/

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

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]





Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue Is Opening in Tewksbury

by Marc Hurwitz

A brand new BBQ spot is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to an article in the Patch, Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue is planning to open in Tewksbury, moving into the space on Main Street where Mehfil Indian Cuisine had been. The post mentions that the menu at the new eatery will focus on pork-based items including ribs and pulled pork, though chicken wings, beef dishes, macaroni and cheese, and more will also be offered as well. No opening date has been given as of yet for Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for this new BBQ spot in Tewksbury is: Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue, 1777 Main Street (Route 38), Tewksbury, MA, 01876. Its website will be at http://www.memphispit.com/

Thanks to @CopeWrites for bringing this to our attention.

[July 31 update: The Tewksbury Town Crier states that the owner of Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue is Bob Ryan, who is behind Jon Ryan's Pubs in Tewksbury, Methuen, and North Billerica.]

[November 12 update: A Facebook comment indicates that Bobby & Jack's Memphis Barbecue opens November 18.]

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]





Monday, July 16, 2018

J-Pizzle Kitchen Replacing Robinwood Cafe and Grille in Jamaica Plain

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant is on its way to Jamaica Plain, and it will be moving into the space where another dining spot had been for approximately eight years.

Universal Hub is reporting that J-Pizzle Kitchen is opening on Centre Street in the old Robinwood Cafe and Grille, with a sign out front saying that the place is under new management and it will be opening soon. Very little is currently known about J-Pizzle Kitchen, including what kind of food it might serve and when exactly it will open, so keep checking back for updates.

Robinwood Cafe and Grille first opened in early 2010, replacing Planet Pizza; the restaurant was a diner-style eatery that offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The address for J-Pizzle Kitchen (and the now-closed Robinwood Cafe and Grille) is 536 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its website is at https://jpizzlekitchen.com/

[July 20 update: According to a few social media posts, J-Pizzle Kitchen is now open in Jamaica Plain, though it is still not known exactly what kinds of dishes the dining spot will be serving. (Its website does not seem to have a menu up yet.)]

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]





Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie to Open within Hotel Commonwealth in Boston's Kenmore Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A small group of Japanese noodle spots will be expanding to Boston, opening in a hotel that is home to three popular dining and drinking places.

According to a post from Universal Hub, Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie is planning to open within the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, joining Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, and The Hawthorne. The restaurant is known for its udon noodle dishes, while also offering such items as tempura, sushi, curry dishes, rice bowls, and more.

Currently, locations of Tsurutontan can be found in New York (two) and Hawaii, as well as a handful of locations in Japan, where it first started out.

The website for Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie is at http://www.tsurutontan.com/

[November 20, 2019 update: A job post within the Craigslist site indicates that Tsurutontan opens in Kenmore Square in January of 2020.]

[January 22, 2020 update: According to a source (Geoff Wong), a sign up at the site from a few days ago mentions that Tsurutontan could be opening on January 23.]

[January 26, 2020 update: An Instagram post states that Tsurutontan is now open.]

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 Cottage in Chestnut Hill Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A trio of restaurants featuring California-style cuisine is now down to just two--and only one in the Greater Boston area.

According to a source, The Cottage in Chestnut Hill has closed after approximately seven years in business, with a Facebook post from the place referring customers to their Wellesley location where they can also redeem any gift cards. The post also states that "As they say, when one door closes, another opens. Stay tuned for what's next!" so they may be looking to open a new dining spot. (As soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.)

In addition to the Wellesley and now-closed Chestnut Hill locations, another outlet of The Cottage can be found in La Jolla, CA, and the people behind The Cottage restaurants also run The Poynt and Brick & Ash, both of which are in Newburyport.

The address for The Cottage in Chestnut Hill was 47 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467. The website for the Wellesley location can be found at: https://www.cottagewellesley.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]





Bailey and Sage Is Opening Another Location in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of cafes with locations in Boston's Financial District and Cambridge's Kendall Square will be joined by another location in downtown Boston.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Bailey & Sage is opening on Federal Street, joining another on State Street along with a third on Main Street in Cambridge. Based on the offerings at the other two locations, expect to see salads and sandwiches at the new outlet as well as quinoa bowls and vegetarian and vegan menu options.

The first location of Bailey & Sage opened in Boston in 2010, while the Cambridge location opened in 2014.

The address for this new cafe in downtown Boston is: Bailey & Sage, 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the two existing locations can be found at http://www.baileyandsage.com/

[October 5 update: The new location of Bailey & Sage in downtown Boston could be one step closer to opening by next week, as a license board hearing page indicates that the city is expected to look into its request for a common victualler license on Wednesday, October 10.]

[October 17 update: According to a tweet from the place, the new Bailey & Sage at 100 Federal Street is now open.]

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]





Friday, July 13, 2018

Update: Peet's Coffee & Tea in Beacon Hill Reopens After Being Closed by the City of Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 11 to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

A California-based coffee roaster and retailer that closed two of its Boston area locations last month has reopened a third that shut down during the same time period.

According to a source, Twitter, Peet's Coffee & Tea in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston is open once again as of August 10, nearly a month after three sources, including a poster on Twitter, reported that it had shuttered around July 12 or 13, with all three sending pictures of a sign out front that said "Closed by order of Licensing Board for the City of Boston." This happened on the final day for two other locations of Peet's--one in the North End and another in Newton Centre. In addition, another sign on July 15 went up in the window of the Charles Street shop, saying that "We're working on getting this misunderstanding resolved as quickly as possible with the city so we can pick back up as soon as possible."

 Other shops in Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Lexington, and Wellesley remain in operation.

The address for Peet's in Beacon Hill is 66 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for Peet's can be found at http://www.peets.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Peet's Coffee & Tea in Boston's North End Is Closing
Peet's Coffee & Tea in Newton Centre Is Closing

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]





America's Test Kitchen Food Truck to Debut in Boston's Seaport District

by Marc Hurwitz

A company on the Boston waterfront that is known for its TV show, magazines, and cookbooks is getting ready to enter the food truck scene.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, America's Test Kitchen will debut a food truck outside of their facilities at the Innovation and Design Building on July 17, with the truck offering weekly-rotating dishes that come from "Cook's Illustrated" or Cook's Country" magazines or one of their cookbooks. The post says that most of the items will cost around $9.00 and that the first dish will be a Philadelphia Pork Sandwich that comes from the latest issue of "Cook's Country."

The ATK food truck will operate Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

The Innovation and Design Building can be found at 21 Drydock Avenue near the the Black Falcon cruise ship terminal. The website for America's Test Kitchen is at https://www.americastestkitchen.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, July 12, 2018

Goldilox Bagels Is Opening in Medford

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like another option for bagels is on its way to the Boston area, with this one opening just north of the city.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Goldilox Bagels is planning to open in Medford, with the description on its website saying that it will be a "gourmet bagel shop serving Medford and its neighboring communities," offering "homemade bagels, spreads, sandwiches, and drinks – freshly prepared and available daily." Another Facebook post from a person who is apparently behind the business mentions that a lease has been signed for it, though little other information appears to be available, including where it will be located and when it might open. (As soon as we get more info, we will post an update here.)

The website for Goldilox can be found at http://www.goldiloxbagels.com

[July 13 update: A Twitter post from @mariathegreat1 mentions that the website for Goldilox shows its address as being 186 Winthrop Street, which is just south of the Mystic River and Mystic Valley Parkway near Moulton's seafood.]

[October 16 update: The Medford Transcript mentions that Goldilox Bagels hopes to open in late November or early December if all goes well, and that it will have seating for 10 to 13 people inside the place.]

[February 20, 2019 update: A Facebook post from the place now indicates that Goldilox Bagels plans to open in April.]

[April 28, 2019 update: A new Facebook post shows that Goldilox Bagels might not be opening this month after all, as the shop is still under construction.]

[September 12, 2019 update: Eater Boston states that the long-awaited Goldilox opens tomorrow (Friday, September 13).]

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]




The Casual Cup Cafe Opens in South Braintree Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A new independent cafe has opened on the South Shore, moving into the space where a location of an Illinois-based chain of sandwich shops had been.

According to a source, The Casual Cup Cafe is now open in South Braintree Square, with the dining spot taking over the former Jimmy John's space on Washington Street. Based on an initial menu posted onto its Facebook page, the new place is offering such items as coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins, bagels, and danish for breakfast, along with salads, and sandwiches for lunch, with a few more options apparently being on the way as well.

Jimmy John's closed its Braintree location earlier this year, also shutting down its nearby shop in Quincy around the same time. (Other Boston-area locations of the chain have closed as well, including shops in Boston's Audubon Circle, Allston/Brighton, Newton, Salem, and Watertown.)

The address for The Casual Cup Cafe is 911 Washington Street Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/The-Casual-Cup-Cafe-104890373698776/

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]





Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Create Gallery & Cocktail Lounge Plans to Open at Bow Market in Somerville's Union Square

by Marc Hurwitz

One of the owners of a now-closed restaurant and cocktail spot in Boston's Fort Point--and the person behind a popup in the South End--is opening a new dining and drinking place at a recently-opened development in Somerville.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Louis DiBiccari of the shuttered Tavern Road along with Humaari (at Wink & Nod) is planning to open Create Gallery & Cocktail Lounge at Bow Market in Union Square, with the post stating that the idea for the upcoming spot comes from Create Boston, a celebration of food and art through events held in the local area. The brick-and-mortar location of Create will also focus on food, drink, art, and music, including the selling of art, promotions set up via social media, and 45- to 60-day residencies for artists, while bartenders from the Boston area and elsewhere will help collaborate on cocktails offered at the place. If all goes as planned, Create Gallery & Cocktail Lounge plans to open this fall.

Bow Market, which features a variety of businesses and food/drink vendors, is located between Somerville Avenue and Bow Street in Union Square.

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]





Great Marsh Brewing Company to Open in Former Fortune Palace II Space in Essex

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 10, 2019 to reflect a name given to the place along with other information.]

Yet another brewery is on its way to the region, with this one moving into a waterside space on the North Shore where a Chinese restaurant had been.

According to an article in Wicked Local, Hamilton resident John Collins is opening a brewery and restaurant in Essex at the former Fortune Palace II site on Main Street, with the plan being to have the brewery on the first floor and the dining area on the second floor. The post mentions that each floor will have a bar while a beer garden will be set up on the porch of the place, and the restaurant will be an "upscale American bistro" that is receiving help from an unnamed restaurant group.

Fortune Palace II had been in the space since the mid-1990s, moving from Peabody where it had been called Fortune Palace, first opening its doors in the early to mid-1980s.

[April 10, 2019 update: The Boston Globe reports that the name of the new brewery in Essex will be Great Marsh Brewing Company, and that the Webber Restaurant Group (Gibbet Hill Grill, Scarlet Oak Tavern, The Bancroft) will be running the restaurant there. If all goes as planned, the brewery and restaurant could be opening in October.]

[October 29, 2019 update: The Gloucester Daily Times mentions that Great Marsh Brewing Company plans to open its doors late next week, with a possible opening date of either Wednesday, November 6 or Thursday, November 7. (Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for bringing this to our attention.)

[November 5, 2019 update: A Facebook post indicates that the grand opening of Great Marsh Brewing Company will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, November 6).]

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]

Update: Bluestone Lane Is Expanding to the Boston Area, Including an Outlet in Cambridge's Harvard Square

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a New York-based group of Australian-style cafes will be making its way to Boston.

According to a post from prnewswire.com, Bluestone Lane is looking to expand to both Boston and Austin while doubling the number of locations from 30 to 60 across 10 cities over the next couple of years. The business, which debuted in New York City in 2013, includes both counter-service coffee shops with a limited menu and full-service cafes with "progressive cafe fare." (It is not yet known for sure which concept will come to Boston, though it appears that it could be the cafe concept.)

The website for Bluestone Lane can be found at https://bluestonelane.com/

[December 6 update: The Boston Globe states that Bluestone Lane will open in the Crema Cafe space in Cambridge's Harvard Square (Crema closes later this month).]

[November 8, 2019 update: Boston Magazine states that Bluestone Lane opens in Harvard Square today.]

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]

50Kitchen Is Opening in Dorchester's Fields Corner

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to Dorchester, and part of its focus will be on helping the local community.

According to both an email sent and an article from Eater Boston, 50Kitchen is planning to open in Fields Corner, with the Dorchester Avenue eatery being a fusion-style dining spot that includes southern-style food with Asian influences. An events page indicates that a fundraising popup will take place at home.stead bakery & cafe in Fields Corner on Saturday, July 14, which will include a special sampling menu from 50Kitchen chef/owner Anthony Caldwell.

In addition to being a restaurant, 50Kitchen also looks to work with local shelters to fight hunger, while also mentoring children on the daily operations of dining spots.

Currently, Anthony Caldwell runs a catering business and also offers private chef services out of his space at 1450 Dorchester Avenue, according to Eater. The website for the restaurant (which will apparently be at that site) can be found at http://www.50kitchen.com

[June 14, 2019 update: 50Kitchen could be one step closer to opening by next week, as a licensing board hearing is expected to take place on June 19 that will look into its request for a common victualler license.]

[January 24, 2020 update: A message sent to us indicates that 50Kitchen will soft-open next week, with a grand opening expected to take place in February.]

[January 29, 2020 update: Boston Magazine states that 50Kitchen opens today with a limited menu and limited hours, with regular hours coming February 4.]

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]