Monday, April 30, 2018

Boston Shawarma in Downtown Crossing Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a Middle Eastern dining spot in the heart of Boston has shut down.

According to a Twitter post from @biblioteq_tress, Boston Shawarma on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing is no longer in operation, with a message from @CappyinBoston confirming that it has indeed closed. The eatery, which first opened in 2014, was known in part for its Lebanese fare, including such items as shawarma, chicken kabobs, falafel, hummus, taboule, and stuffed grape leaves.

The address for the now-closed Boston Shawarma in Downtown Crossing was 226 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

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]





Pho Vietnam Is Opening in the Former Sintra Space in South Braintree

by Marc Hurwitz

A Vietnamese eatery is taking over part of the space where an upscale suburban restaurant had been.

A check on the place over the weekend indicates that Pho Vietnam is planning to open in the former Sintra space in South Braintree, with the Washington Street storefront also becoming home to a nail salon as well. The upcoming opening of the Vietnamese restaurant was first mentioned by a source a few weeks ago but its exact name wasn't known until now, and there is currently very little information about the dining spot, so keep checking back for updates.

Sintra, which first opened approximately 14 years ago, was a casual upscale restaurant that featured  New American and Mediterranean fare such as steamed mussels, a meatball and fig flatbread, bolognese with chorizo, house-made gnocchi with shrimp, seafood risotto, and pork chops.

The address for this new restaurant in South Braintree is: Pho Vietnam, 906 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

[July 15 update: A check on the place indicates that Pho Vietnam is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Sintra in South Braintree to Close

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]





Picante Taqueria Opening in Former Pranzi's Space in Medford

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a brand new Mexican restaurant is on its way to Medford, and this place--which may have a connection to a highly-rated Somerville spot--should be a popular option for college students.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Picante Taqueria is planning to open in the former Pranzi's space on Boston Avenue by the Winthrop Street intersection, just down the hill from Tufts University. The post indicates that the people behind Taco Loco on Broadway in East Somerville are also behind this eatery, with a page within the opencorporates.com site seeming to confirm this, saying that Jessica Morales and Edgardo Morales are the managers. (Jessica Morales is mentioned in an old Tufts University article about Taco Loco). A page on the wcribma.org site confirms the address for Picante Taqueria while the Facebook post states that the restaurant could be opening in the next month or so.

The address for this upcoming Mexican restaurant in Medford is: Picante Taqueria, 352 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155

[June 2 update: Eater Boston mentions (via a Facebook page for the place) that Picante Taqueria will feature house-made Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes including flautas, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and more.]

[July 19 update: A new post from Eater Boston indicates that Picante Taqueria 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]





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

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a Venezuelan restaurant on the Boston waterfront may end up being sold, as a company affiliated with the dining spot is dealing with a bankruptcy filing.

According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, La Casa de Pedro in the city's Seaport District is planning to be sold off, as 505 Congress Street, LLC has declared bankruptcy, with the Inforuptcy site indicating that the company has assets between $0 and $50,000 and liabilities between $10,000,001 and $50 million. The restaurant, which is located on the ground floor of the Waterside Place apartment complex, first opened in the fall of 2016, joining a location in Watertown that resides on Arsenal Street (it had originally been located in Watertown Square). It appears that the Watertown location will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing of 505 Congress Street, but if this changes, we will post an update here.

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

[May 9 update: The Boston Globe reports that La Casa de Pedro remains up and running in the Seaport District, and that it is trying to stay open rather than be sold even as it deals with increasing debts and complaints from neighbors, with the bankruptcy filing taking place in the hopes that it may stave off eviction.]

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, April 29, 2018

Wegmans Opens at the Natick Mall

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of supermarkets that is based in Rochester, NY, has opened a new location in the local area, and this one has been a long time in the making.

As reported earlier, Wegmans opened today at the Natick Mall on Route 9, taking over the two-story space where JC Penney had once been. The market, which has nearly 150,000 square feet of space, also has a handful of dining options including a Mexican restaurant called Blue Dalia and a burger, sandwich, and salad spot called The Burger Bar.

The new Wegmans (which has been in the works since the summer of 2015) joins other Massachusetts locations in Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Medford, Northborough, and Westwood.

The website for Wegmans can be found at https://www.wegmans.com/

[Earlier Article]
Wegmans to Open at the Natick Mall

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, April 25, 2018

Cafe Landwer Is Opening within The Circle Development in Brighton's Cleveland Circle

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of cafes based in Israel is going to be opening its second Boston location, and this one will be located within a new development that includes senior housing.

According to a Patch article, Cafe Landwer is planning to open at The Circle, a mixed-used complex that is located at the former site of the Circle Cinema and Applebee's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle. Once it opens, the new dining spot will join another outlet on Beacon Street in the Fenway/Audubon Circle section of Boston, and based on the menu at that location, expect to see such items as roasted eggplant in tahini, baked cauliflower, schnitzel, grilled chicken breast, eggplant and feta pizza, and hummus.

The Circle, which is currently in development, is home to a new senior living community called Waterstone at the Circle, while a 162-room AC Marriott hotel is also going to be opening at the site along with at least one other restaurant.

The website for the Landwer Cafe outlet in the Fenway/Audubon Circle area of the city can be found at http://www.landwercafe.com/

[July 2 update: Eater Boston states that Cafe Landwer plans to open at Cleveland Circle in mid-July.]

[July 26 update: A Facebook post from the place mentions that the new location of Cafe Landwer 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]





City Works Eatery and Pour House to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz

A small group of dining and drinking spots that claim to be the "best beer bar restaurants" in the United States will expand to the Boston area.

The Boston Globe is reporting that City Works Eatery & Pour House is planning to open at Arsenal Yards, a new development that is replacing the old Arsenal Mall in Watertown. The article says that the restaurant and bar will move into one of the existing spaces at the site rather than the Arsenal Mall space itself, which is being torn down. Once it opens, expect to see classic American fare along with a variety of craft beer options at City Works Eatery & Pour House, whose parent company is Chicago-based Bottleneck Management and currently has a handful of locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Florida, and Texas.

Arsenal Yards is expected to be complete in the spring of 2019, so City Works Eatery & Pour House could be opening around that time.

The website for City Works Eatery & Pour House can be found at https://www.cityworksrestaurant.com/

[February 28, 2020 update: According to a press release, City Works Eatery & Pour House opens at Arsenal Yards on March 16.]

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, April 24, 2018

Nobility Hill Tavern Is Opening in Stoneham

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new restaurant and bar is coming to a northern suburb of Boston, replacing a longtime Italian spot that shut down last year.

According to a message from Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie, Nobility Hill Tavern is planning to open in Stoneham, moving into the space on Main Street where Felicia's had been for more than 50 years until closing down last fall. The website for the upcoming dining and drinking spot has little information at this point in time, but it does says that the place will feature New American comfort food and that it is now hiring for all positions. As soon as we find out more about Nobility Hill Tavern, we will post an update here.

The address for this new restaurant in Stoneham is: Nobility Hill Tavern, 423 Main Street, Stoneham, MA, 02180. Its website will be at http://nobilityhilltavern.com/

[December 20 update: A new message from Richard Auffrey indicates that Nobility Hill Tavern is now open, while a check on the menu shows such items as fried fish tacos, burgers, grilled flatbreads, steak tips, pan-roasted salmon, buffalo macaroni and cheese, and potato bacon hash.]

[Earlier Article]
Felicia's in Stoneham 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]





Monday, April 23, 2018

Colette Is Opening within the Porter Square Hotel in Cambridge

by Marc Hurwitz

A couple of years ago. we reported that a steakhouse was planning to open within a new hotel in Cambridge. It now appears that the dining spot coming to the now-open hotel will not be a steakhouse after all, but a restaurant with French influences.

According to an article from Cambridge Day, Colette is going to be opening in the Porter Square Hotel on Mass. Ave., with Loic Le Garrec and Sandrine Rossi of Petit Robert Bistro and Frenchie in Boston's South End being behind it. The post mentions that the upcoming eatery will be an "elegant" spot with a dining area, a bar, and an outdoor patio, with the menu possibly featuring French cuisine with "modern American twists" based on the food offered at Petit Robert Bistro and Frenchie. A porterhouse steak is expected to be on the menu in a nod not only to the steakhouse that had originally been planned for the place, but also because the porterhouse steak reportedly got its start in Porter Square in the late 1800s, with the area once being home to cattle yards.

If all goes well, Colette could be opening within the Porter Square Hotel in July or August. (The hotel has been open since the fall of 2016.)

The address for the Porter Square Hotel (and Colette) is 1924 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. The website for the hotel can be found at http://www.theportersquarehotel.com/

[February 5, 2019 update: Eater Boston states that Colette opens tomorrow (Wednesday, February 6).]

[Earlier Article]
Steakhouse to Open within Porter Square Hotel in Cambridge

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, April 22, 2018

Salvatore's in Boston's Seaport District Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

An Italian restaurant on the Boston waterfront is shutting down after more than 10 years in business.

A Facebook post from Seaport Living links to a blog entry from Garzone Real Estate stating that Salvatore's on Northern Avenue is closing its doors, with a comment on the Facebook post indicating that today is its last day in operation. It appears that other locations of the dining spot will remain in operation, including those in the Theater District, Andover, Lawrence, and Medford.

The Seaport District location of Salvatore's first opened in 2007.

The address for Salvatore's in the Seaport District is 225 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the other locations of the restaurant can be found at http://salvatoresrestaurants.com/

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

[May 1 update: A notice from E.F. Smith indicates that an auction will take place at the now-closed Salvatore's at the Seaport District on Wednesday, May 9.]

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, April 20, 2018

Rebel Rebel Is Opening at Bow Market in Somerville

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a wine bar is coming to a new development in Somerville, and the person behind it comes from a couple of award-winning Boston-area restaurants.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Rebel Rebel is planning to open within Bow Market in Union Square, with Lauren Friel--who had been wine director at both Sarma in Somerville and Oleana in Cambridge--being behind the place. The article says that the new venture will focus on all-natural wines with no additives, while bar snacks will be offered as well to go with the wines, and the circular bar space will be set up in such a way to allow for wine classes and visits with winemakers.

In addition to working at Sarma and Oleana, Friel has also done consulting at such places as Committee on the Boston waterfront and the Wine Bottega in the North End while also doing freelance writing.

Rebel Rebel is one of a number of businesses coming to Bow Market (which is located between Bow Street and Somerville Avenue), including Saus, Jaju Pierogi, Tanám, Maca Macaronerie, Hooked Fish Shop, The Comedy Studio, and Remnant Brewing.

[October 2 update: Boston Magazine states that Rebel Rebel opens tonight at Bow Market.]

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]





Cafe Porto Bello in North Attleboro Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of Italian restaurants with one location in South Boston is back down to its sole restaurant in Southie, as its second outlet has shut down.

According to an article in The Sun Chronicle, Cafe Porto Bello is North Attleboro is no longer in operation, as the lease was not renewed and the space has apparently been rented to another business. The post says that owner Steve Costa had considered reopening in another location, but decided against it due to the costs involved in the buildout of a new spot, so for now, it appears that the only remaining location of Cafe Porto Bello is in South Boston.

The address for this now-closed Italian restaurant in North Attleboro is: Cafe Porto Bello, 6 N Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760. The website for the South Boston location (which is at 672 E Broadway) can be found at http://www.cafeportobello.net/

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]





Night Shift Brewing to Open Brewery and Taproom at Lovejoy Wharf in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a local brewer is expanding to a second location, with this one apparently coming to the heart of Boston.

According to a source within the restaurant industry, Night Shift Brewing in Everett is looking to open a new facility somewhere downtown, with a Twitter post from @BrewboundFurn seeming to confirm this, showing this information in what appears to be part of a timeline displayed at last night's Nite Lite launch party at The Sinclair in Cambridge. The info says that the brewer has indeed signed a lease for a second brewery and taproom in downtown Boston, though no address or opening date has been given as of yet. (Stay tuned for more details as they come in.)

Night Shift debuted on Charlton Street in Everett in 2012, moving to its present location on Santilli Highway two years later. The brewer is known for such beers as Whirlpool, Santilli, and The 87 along with One Hop This Time, Morph, and the brand new Nite Lite, which makes its first appearance this week.

The website for Night Shift can be found at https://www.nightshiftbrewing.com/

[April 20 update: Boston Magazine states that the new brewery and taproom from Night Shift will actually be a bit north of downtown Boston, at Lovejoy Wharf near North Station and the North End.]

[May 3 update: Eater Boston mentions that the Boston location of Night Shift will have 12,000 square feet of space, seating for more than 300, an outdoor patio during the warmer months, and a taproom, cafe  (with its own coffee program), and retail space in addition to the brewery itself.]

[October 16 update: A tweet from the place indicates that Night Shift has now broken ground on its new space at Lovejoy Wharf and that the taproom, kitchen, cafe, and brewery all plan to open sometime in 2019.]

[March 8, 2019 update: Eater Boston says that Night Shift's new Lovejoy Wharf location opens on March 20 and that it will also the Night Shift Roasting coffee bar.]

[March 18, 2019 update: An update from Boston Magazine says that Night Shift has soft-opened today for coffee and retail sales, only; the place will also soft-open tomorrow, with its official opening still taking place on Wednesday, March 20.]

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, April 19, 2018

Greg Hill's Whole House Group Is Selling Flank, 29 Sudbury

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a local radio personality is going to be selling two of his restaurants.

According to a couple of sources, Flank in Waltham and 29 Sudbury in Sudbury are being sold, with Greg Hill's Whole House Group selling both spots to AB Hospitality Group pending approval of license transfers. One source tells us that Flank will close immediately and is expected to reopen with an updated concept after minor renovations are made, while 29 Sudbury will remain open with AB Hospitality Group taking over operations next month. Both the Battle Road Brewery and Brew House in Maynard will remain part of Hill's Whole House Group, according to one of the sources. A Facebook post from Flank confirms all of this information and says "It has been a pleasure serving each and every one of you over the last two years. Thank you all for your patronage! We look forward to serving you again soon."

In addition to his restaurants and brewery, Greg Hill also heads up the morning show on WAAF.

Richard Bracket, who is one of the people involved with AB Hospitality Group, comes from The Bancroft, a pair of steakhouses in Burlington and Peabody.

[April 23 update: The Waltham News Tribune confirms that Flank has been sold and it is now closed for renovations--and its website is now down.]

[August 1 update: A check on the place indicates that 29 Sudbury is now closed as well.]

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]





Dock 125 Is Replacing Hayward's in Lynn

by Marc Hurwitz

A waterside restaurant that has been in business for a long time is shutting down, and a new eatery is moving into its space.

According to an article in itemlive.com, Hayward's in Lynn is closing on April 27, confirming rumors that we had heard earlier about the Lynnfield Street spot. The post says that owner Taso Mavros is selling the business in part because of health-related issues, saying that "I just can't work 15-hour days anymore....We built a good relationship with the customers and life throws you curveballs and you have to take care of yourself and your family before anything else." Mavros is selling the space to Enrico and Jaime Mancini, who will open a new restaurant called Dock 125 which will offer salads, burgers, steaks, and pasta, while also featuring some of Hayward's seafood dishes. (The article mentions that Jaime had worked at Hayward's for a number of years when she was younger.) No specific opening date has been given for Dock 125 as of yet, but the post says that four to six weeks of renovations will take place before it can open.

Hayward's first opened more than 40 years ago, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner at its Sluice Pond location while focusing on seafood items.

The address for Hayward's (and the upcoming Dock 125) is 125 Lynnfield Street, Lynn, MA, 01904.

Thanks to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for bringing this to our attention.

[July 19 update: A new article from itemlive.com states that Dock 125 has its grand opening today.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve New England Restaurants in Scenic Locations]





Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Rapscallion Kitchen and Bar to Open in the Former Michael's Space in Concord

by Marc Hurwitz

A brewery in Central Massachusetts is opening a new dining and drinking spot in the western suburbs of Boston, taking over the space where an Italian restaurant had been for a very long time.

According to a Facebook post, Rapscallion Brewery is opening Rapscallion Kitchen & Bar in Concord on April 24, with the address indicating that it is moving into the old Michael's space where Route 117 meets Sudbury Road. The web page for the spot indicates that it will have a communal dining section along with a bar, and the menu will feature comfort fare with the focus being on seafood. Drinks at Rapscallion Kitchen & Bar will include Belgian beers that are brewed exclusively for the place, while wine and cocktails will be available as well.

Rapscallion Brewery, which is located in Fiskdale, also has a restaurant and bar in Acton called Rapscallion Table & Tap.

Michael's restaurant had been in business since at least the 1980s, with the place shutting down last year.

The address for Rapscallion Kitchen & Bar is 208 Fitchburg Turnpike (Route 117), Concord, MA, 01742. The web page for the place can be found at http://drinkrapscallion.com/concord/

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]





Tre Monte Restaurant and Bar Replacing Limoncello 2 in Boston's North End

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a suburban dining spot is expanding to the North End of Boston, moving into the space where a second location of another restaurant has been.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), a sign is up at the site of Limoncello 2 on Salem Street saying that Tre Monte Restaurant and Bar is opening soon within the space, with the logo on the sign indicating that this appears to be the same Tre Monte that is located on Main Street in Woburn. A Facebook post from Limoncello 2 seems to confirm this, saying that "Maurizio has decided to sell Limoncello 2..we appreciate all who patronized the restaurant and hope you will still be visiting us at the original Limoncello at 190 North Street." Limoncello 2 first opened last July, moving into the space where Urban Cantina had been.

The original Tre Monte in Woburn is an upscale restaurant that focuses mainly on Northern Italian fare; the place is affiliated with a couple of pizza spots in Lowell and Tyngsboro called Tre Monte Pizzeria.

The address for the upcoming location of Tre Monte Restaurant and Bar in the North End is 76 Salem Street, Boston, MA, 02113. The website for Tre Monte in Woburn can be found at http://www.tremonterestaurant.com/

[April 23 update: Eater Boston confirms that this will indeed be a second location of Tre Monte in Woburn and that its menu offerings will be similar to that restaurant; if all goes well with the licensing process, the new spot could be opening in the North End by the end of May.]

[May 24 update: According to an article in the northendwaterfront.com site, Tre Monte has not yet opened but it appears to be one step closer to debuting, as the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) gave unanimous approval for a liquor license transfer which would allow it to serve beer, wine, and cordials.]

[June 30 update: A tweet from @ConciergeBoston indicates that Tre Monte is now open in the North End.]

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]





Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Sully's in Quincy Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

One of the oldest dive bars in the Boston area is shutting down, and it looks like it could be making way for new development.

According to a source, Sully's in Quincy is closing on June 16, with the Chestnut Street watering hole apparently being at least one business that may be replaced by East of Chestnut, a proposed residential and retail complex that would join the existing West of Chestnut across the street. According to an historical walk events page from several years back, Sully's first opened in 1935 and is considered the oldest continuously operating bar in the city, with three generations of Sullivans being behind the place.

Sully's is known in part for its iconic neon sign, with a picture of it being shown at the Boston's Hidden Restaurants link below:

https://www.hiddenboston.com/dive-sullys-quincy.html

The address for Sully's is 28 Chestnut St, Quincy, MA, 02169.

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]





Inna's Kitchen Is Returning to Newton Centre

by Marc Hurwitz

A suburban Jewish eatery that shut down last year is returning to a new space a few blocks away.

According to a newsletter update from the place, Inna's Kitchen is going to be opening back up in Newton Centre, moving into a space on Commonwealth Avenue near its former home on Pelham Street. The post indicates that the new place will be a takeout spot with no seating, sandwiches, or cold cuts, instead offering prepared foods including frozen items such as soups, pot pies, stuffed cabbage and latkes, while also selling family-style dinner items. the new location of Inna's will have a catering menu and cooking programs, and it also looks to have kosher supervision and a gluten-free kitchen. If all goes as planned, the new eatery could be opening in July.

The original location of Inna's Kitchen shut down in April of 2017 after being in business for approximately six years; it currently has a stall at the Boston Public Market near Haymarket Square.

The address for the new location of Inna's Kitchen is 547 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton Centre, MA, 02459. Its website can be found at http://innaskitchen.com/

Thanks to a source (Geoff Wong) for bringing this to our attention.

[December 26 update: A newsletter update from the place indicates that Inna's Kitchen soft-opens in Newton Centre today.]

[Earlier Article]
Inna's Kitchen Closing Its Newton Centre Restaurant; Will Remain at Boston Public Market

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, April 16, 2018

Caffe Nero Is Opening at Center Plaza in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a rapidly-growing chain of European coffee places is opening another shop in the heart of downtown Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @ConciergeBoston, Caffe Nero is opening at Center Plaza, across the street from City Hall Plaza near where Cambridge Street, Tremont Street, and Court Street meet. Once it opens, the new outlet will join other downtown locations on Washington Street and Summer Street, along with a number of other shops in and around the city.

The website for Caffe Nero can be found at http://www.caffenero.com/

[September 14 update: A tweet states that Caffe Nero has soft-opened at Center Plaza.]

[September 19 update: Caffe Nero at Center Plaza is now fully 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]





Boston Burger Company Is Opening in Salem

by Marc Hurwitz

Last year, we reported that a trio of burger spots might be opening a fourth location. Now we have learned that a fifth outlet is on the way as well.

According to a post in The Salem News, Boston Burger Company is planning to open in Salem, taking over the space on Washington Street where Caffe Graziani had been until shutting down in 2015. This news jibes with an earlier Facebook post from OctoCog, while the website for the group of restaurants confirms that it will indeed be coming to Salem. The site also mentions that an outlet in Cambridge's Kendall Square is still in the works, which would be the second location in Cambridge and would join others in Boston and Somerville.

The address for this new burger spot in Salem is: Boston Burger Company, 133 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.bostonburgerco.com/

[October 15 update: A Facebook post from the business indicates that Boston Burger Company is now open in Salem.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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





Bertucci's Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Closes 6 Massachusetts Locations

by Marc Hurwitz

A local chain of Italian restaurants that has closed three Boston-area locations this year has declared bankruptcy.

According to a number of sources over the weekend, including an article in Bloomberg, Bertucci's has been getting ready to file for bankruptcy and was planning to have a buyer take over the company once the filing became official. A new post from Boston Magazine confirms that the business has indeed declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with the article saying that it "has been acquired in an asset purchase agreement, and will consider all bids for a sale or restructuring of the company." CEO Brian Wright says in a press release that the hope is for the filing to be "seamless" for diners, vendors, and trading partners and that it hopes to emerge from bankruptcy in a position for "significant future growth."

The Bertucci's chain, which is headquartered in Northborough and first started out in Somerville in 1981, has seen its locations in Faneuil Hall, Kenmore Square, and Wellesley shut down in 2018.

The website for Bertucci's can be found at http://www.bertuccis.com/

[April 17 update: MassLive mentions that six locations of Bertucci's in Massachusetts have closed in the wake of the bankruptcy filing, including three outlets in the eastern part of the state--Randolph, Taunton, and Wayland.]

[June 5 update: According to a press release, Earl Enterprises (Buca di Beppo, Planet Hollywood, Earl of Sandwich) has announced the purchase of Bertucci's, which will allow the chain to emerge from bankruptcy.]

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]





Restaurant May Open in Former Masonic Temple in Quincy

by Marc Hurwitz

Last summer, we reported that a restaurant opened within a Masonic Temple in downtown Boston. Now we have learned that a dining spot may be coming to a space south of the city that used to be home to another Masonic Temple.

According to an article in Wicked Local, FoxRock Properties is looking to open a new restaurant in the former Masonic Temple on Hancock Street in downtown Quincy, with the company keeping the facade of the historic structure intact. The post says that the plan is to have a lounge on the first floor, a dining section on the second floor, a convention room on the top floor, and a courtyard area behind the building. It is not yet known exactly what kind of restaurant might open in the space, nor is it known who might run it (or when it could open), so keep checking back for updates. (Ward 1 councilor David McCarthy will have a meeting that looks into the plans on Wednesday, April 18.)

The old Masonic Lodge building, which was constructed in 1926, suffered major damage in a fire in 2013 and has been shuttered ever since.

A restaurant called Explorateur opened within the Masonic Temple at Boylston Street and Tremont Street by Boston Common last August; that dining spot is run by Big Night Entertainment Group which leases the space, with the building being shared by the restaurant and the Masons (who own the building).

The address for the former Masonic Temple in Quincy is 1170 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.

[November 1 update: A new article from Wicked Local mentions that plans to open a restaurant within the former Masonic Temple in Quincy have still not been filed, so it is not known if/when any dining spot might open in the space.]

[Earlier Article]
Explorateur Opening at Masonic Temple in Downtown Boston

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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]





Friday, April 13, 2018

Sam Adams to Open Taproom by Boston's Faneuil Hall

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a big name in the beer industry is going to be bringing a taproom to the heart of Boston.

Eater Boston confirms what a source told us earlier this week, that the Boston Beer Company (which is known for its Sam Adams beers) is planning to open a taproom at 60 State Street by Faneuil Hall, with our source saying that it would be opening in the former Hillstone/Houlihan's space. The post indicates that plans are in their early stages, as negotiations still need to be finalized and the permitting process then proceeding along with construction; if all goes well, the taproom could be opening sometime during the second half of 2019.

Currently, the Boston Beer Company has a brewery and taproom on 30 Germania Street in Jamaica Plain.

The website for Boston Beer Company (and the Sam Adams brand) can be found at https://www.bostonbeer.com/

[January 30, 2020 update: The Boston Business Journal confirms what sources told us, that the new Sam Adams taproom by Faneuil Hall opens its doors to the public on January 30.]

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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]

Fairview Inn in Marshfield Is Up for Sale

by Marc Hurwitz

An iconic oceanside restaurant on the South Shore that reopened last year is up for sale, along with the inn in which it resides.

According to an article in Wicked Local, the Fairview Inn in Marshfield's Brant Rock neighborhood is on the market for $2,975,000, with the price including the kitchen equipment, the inn's furnishings, and the name itself. The post says that Robert and Laura Clancy and Robert's brother John, who have been the owners of the Ocean Street space since 2001, are hoping that whoever buys it continues to operate it as an inn and a restaurant. The restaurant section of the Fairview Inn had been run by Paul and Betty Disch until 2015, when they left and opened Disch's Route 53 Tavern in Pembroke; the Fairview closed that fall and remained shuttered until reopening under the Clancys' management last summer.

The building in which the Fairview Inn resides dates back to the 1870s, according to an earlier article here; the structure burned down in 1998 but was rebuilt by the Clancys, opening back up three years later.

The address for the Fairview Inn is 133 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA, 02050.

[December 9 update: A new article from Wicked Local indicates that the Fairview Inn in Marshfield is still up for sale even after dropping its price by more than $1 million (to $1,950,000). The post also mentions that the business remains open while it is on the market.]

[Earlier Article]
Fairview Inn Returning to Marshfield's Brant Rock Area

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]





Update: Elmendorf Baking Supplies Opening in East Cambridge

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on September 14 to reflect an address given for the place.]

It looks like a specialty baking supply shop is on its way to the local area, and the people involved come from a few well-known local spots.

According to an article in Wicked Local Cambridge, Teddy and Alyssa Applebaum and Kim Beaty are planning to open Elmendorf Baking Supplies somewhere in Cambridge or Somerville, and are currently using Kickstarter to try to raise $20,000 for the proposed spot. The post says that the store would sell ingredients and supplies for baking recipes from around the world while also offering baking classes, with the shop aiming to be both a retail space and a community center of sorts. As of now, the Applebaums and Beaty have not yet found a space for the shop but are hoping that they can find one to rent in one of the two cities, potentially opening later this fall if all goes well.

All three of the people involved have worked at Formaggio in Cambridge, while Teddy also worked at New Deal Fish Market and is currently at Oleana, and Alyssa worked at Clear Flour in Brookline and is currently at Baldor Specialty Foods' produce department within Eataly at the Pru.

[September 14 update: Eater Boston states that Elmendorf Baking Supplies will open in East Cambridge this fall, moving into the space on Cambridge Street where a location of Petsi Pies had been until closing recently.]

[November 8 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Elmendorf Baking Supplies is now open in East Cambridge.]

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]





Lucky Strike Social Opens at Assembly Row in Somerville

by Marc Hurwitz

A long-awaited bowling and entertainment center has come to a growing development in Somerville.

According to a message sent from the place, Lucky Strike Social is now open at Assembly Row, with the spot offering bowing, food, live music, and arcade gaming along with private and semi-private events space. The new location of the Lucky Strike chain joins another Lucky Strike Social location behind Fenway Park in Boston as well as outlets in Albany and Honolulu. (Approximately 20 locations of the original concept--Lucky Strike--can also be found across the country.)

The Assembly Row location of Lucky Strike Social is open from 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM Sunday through Wednesday and 11:30 to 2:00 AM Thursday through Saturday.

The address for this new bowling and entertainment center in Somerville is: Lucky Strike Social, 325 Revolution Drive, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for Lucky Strike Social can be found at http://www.luckystrikesocial.com/

[Earlier Article]
Lucky Strike Plans to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row

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]





Baity Has Opened in Medford

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant has come to Medford, and it appears to be one of the only ones of its kind in the Boston area.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Baity is now open on Spring Street, moving into a mostly residential neighborhood approximately a half mile east of Medford Square. The post says that the eatery features Egyptian food while also offering other Mediterranean fare, with a few options including lentil soup, lamb burgers, falafel wraps, kofta kabob, chicken shawarma, a kebda eskandarani wrap (thinly-sliced marinated beef liver), and hawawshi and fateer, which are stuffed and layered breads that include a variety of meat, veggie, and cheese options. Baity is open for lunch and dinner daily.

Eater mentions that the closest Egyptian restaurants other than Baity appear to be in Lowell, while a source tells us that Azama Grill in Allston also has Egyptian influences. In addition, there had been an Egyptian takeout spot in Belmont called Samira, but the shop closed a few years ago (its products continue to be sold at stores in the region).

The address for this new Egyptian restaurant in Medford is: Baity, 84 Spring Street, Medford, MA, 02155. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/BaityMedford/

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, April 12, 2018

Update: New Development Planned for Bianchi's Space at Revere Beach; Pizza to Live on at Renzo's

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new apartment complex is in the works for a seaside space, and the site happens to be home to a landmark pizzeria.

According to an article in the Revere Journal, the Revere City Council has approved of a special permit for a non-conforming use that would allow a 145-unit apartment development to be built on Revere Beach Boulevard, with the structure being planned for the space where Bianchi's currently resides. The proposal calls for three existing buildings at the site to be demolished, with the new six-story building including space for a restaurant; Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe asked at the meeting if there was some kind of guarantee that the pizzeria could be the dining spot within the space, though the article does not give any further information about the possibility of Bianchi's remaining at the site.

Bianchi's, which has been in business for nearly 70 years, has been featured by our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as one of the best places in the Greater Boston area for pizza. The review can be found at the link below:

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

The address for Bianchi's Pizza is: 322 Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere, MA, 02151.

[May 4 update: An article from itemlive.com mentions that the City Council has approved of the construction plans at the Bianchi's site, and that Bianchi's has been told it can remain open until around Labor Day, at which point the pizzeria may either look for a temporary space in which to open during construction (which may take a year or more) or wait until construction of the apartment development is completed and move back in pending the signing of a lease there. (Thanks to a source for bringing this to our attention.)]

[August 31 update: According to several sources, Bianchi's will be closing down Labor Day Weekend, with its last day apparently being Monday, September 3. It is not known for sure what will happen to Bianchi's once it closes, so stay tuned for more updates as they come in.]

[September 1 update: A new article from itemlive.com states that although Bianchi's is indeed shutting down this weekend, there is a ray of hope, as one of the people behind the place says that they now plan to reopen in another space nearby, though they can't announce exactly where until legal agreements are complete.]

[September 3 update: A video from The Phantom Gourmet mentions that Bianchi's pizza ovens will be moved to Renzo Pizzeria on Revere Beach Boulevard and that Bianchi's pizzas will be available there soon; it is not yet known whether Renzo's pizzas will continue to be offered there as well, so keep checking back for more updates as they come in.]

[September 11 update: A comment on Facebook indicates that Renzo's wood-fired pizza ovens had to be removed to make way for Bianchi's brick ovens, but it appears that the rest of Renzo's menu may remain in place.]

[October 20 update: According to a source, Bianchi's pizza is now being served at Renzo's, with a Facebook post from Renzo's confirming this.]

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]