Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Max and Leo's Opens in Chelmsford

A trio of coal-fired pizza spots has opened a fourth outlet, with this one being northwest of the city.

According to a source, Max and Leo's officially opens in Chelmsford today, with a Facebook events page saying that the Boston Road restaurant debuts at 4:00 PM. The new pizzeria joins three others in Boston's Fenway, Newton Corner, and Sudbury, and based on those locations, expect to see a variety of coal-fired pizza options along with the possibility of such items as salads, nachos, wings, and more.

Max and Leo's first started out in Newton back in 2011.

The address for the new location of Max and Leo's is 20 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01842. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.maxandleospizza.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)


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

Monday, December 30, 2019

No Name Restaurant in Boston Has Closed

[Ed note: This article has been updated to reflect confirmation that the No Name Restaurant is now closed.]

Yet another landmark Boston restaurant has shut down.

According to several sources, the No Name Restaurant on the waterfront is shuttered, with a WCVB 5 article saying that the dining spot is closed this evening for a manager's meeting, while a segment on the TV channel mentions that workers say they were turned away from work and told to pick up their final paychecks. A new Facebook post from the place confirms that it has closed, thanking its customers and employees and saying "We will miss you all."

The No Name, which first opened back in 1917, was one of the last remaining old-school restaurants on the Boston waterfront.

The address for the No Name Restaurant was 15 1/2 Fish Pier East, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at http://www.nonamerestaurant.com/

[December 31 update: Universal Hub states that the No Name Restaurant has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, with listed debts of $422,000.]

[February 20, 2020 update: According to a page within the pesco.com site, Paul E. Saperstein Co., Inc. will be holding a public auction at the No Name site on February 27 at 11:00 AM.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Several Boston-Area Locations of Cosi Are Closed

A local group of dining spots whose future appeared to be shaky a few years ago seems to be going through some more rocky times right now, though details are still filtering in.

According to posters within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, locations of Cosi at South Station, Federal Street, and Milk Street--all in downtown Boston--were closed in the middle of the day today with no signs up at any of the three shops indicating what might be going on, and there is chatter that the CambridgeSide location in Cambridge is closed as well, though this has not been confirmed. Phone calls placed to all locations in the Greater Boston area either went to voicemail or were not able to go through today, and even phone calls to their headquarters in Charlestown were not going through, either. We reached out to the company in a couple of different ways over the past day or so and have not heard back yet; if they do get back to us, we will post an update here. (It appears that at least a few locations of Cosi in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia have closed over the past few days, but a full list of the closed outlets has not been given as of yet.)

In 2016, Cosi filed for bankruptcy and some of its shops shuttered around that time.

The website for Cosi is at https://www.getcosi.com/

[January 8, 2020 update: According to a couple of sources, the Burlington location of Cosi is now closed as well.]

[January 13, 2020 update: QSR states (via the Boston Business Journal) that the CambridgeSide location of Cosi has indeed closed along with Boston's Seaport District location (the latter of which was mentioned by one of our sources a few days ago). This leaves only two remaining outlets in the Boston area--one in Charlestown and another on High Street in Boston's Financial District.]

[January 21, 2020 update: A source within the food delivery business has told us that the High Street outlet of Cosi is now closed, with the place apparently shutting down yesterday. A check on the website for the business seems to confirm this, as orders can only be picked up at the Charlestown location, which now appears to be the only outlet left in the Boston area.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Skeleton Key at MarketStreet Lynnfield Has Closed

A suburban spot that featured food, drink, and "escape rooms" has shut down after about a year and a half in business.

Based on the website for MarketStreet Lynnfield, Skeleton Key is no longer in operation, with social media posts confirming that the place closed in the fall. As mentioned in an earlier article, the spot was "part bar & lounge and part museum-of-curiosities," featuring physical adventure games in which groups would try to figure out a series of puzzles and crack codes before time ran out. (The business also offered snacks and meals along with beer and wine.)

Skeleton Key first opened its doors in the spring of 2018.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 29, 2019

Southern Proper in Boston's South End Is Closing

A Southern-style dining spot in Boston is shutting down after being in business for a bit less than two years.

According to several sources, Southern Proper in the city's South End neighborhood is getting ready to close, with a post on the Instagram page of Jason Cheek confirming this, saying that the Harrison Avenue spot will close at the end of business hours on New Year's Eve. Cheek first opened Southern Proper in the winter of 2018, offering such items as deviled eggs, smoked chicken wings, fried okra, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, pork ribs, ribeye steak, and collard greens along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

Based on one of our sources, it appears that a new restaurant may be moving into the Southern Proper space at some point, though no specifics have been given as of yet.

The address for Southern Proper is 600 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://www.southernproperboston.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 27, 2019

Brookline Booksmith to Expand, Include a Restaurant

A beloved bookstore that has been around for nearly 60 years is planning an expansion, and food and drink are included in the plans.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Brookline Booksmith in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline is taking over the former Verizon space a couple of storefronts down, with the plan being to expand its children's section, add a cookbook section, and open a restaurant that will have a full liquor license. If all goes well, the bookstore will take over the 4000-square-foot space in the summer of 2020 and will debut the new expansion sometime in the fall.

Brookline Booksmith first opened back in 1961 as Paperback Booksmith.

The address for Brookline Booksmith is 279 Harvard Street while the address for the former Verizon space is 283 Harvard Street; the website for the bookstore can be found at https://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Revelry to Open in Waltham

A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that a Cuban restaurant in Waltham was planning to move to a new location, and now we have learned that a familiar name will be taking over its soon-to-be-vacated space.

According to an article in the Patch, Revelry is opening on Main Street, moving into the space where Gustazo Cuban Cafe resides until it moves to the former Garcia Brogan's space on Moody Street. The post mentions that this is indeed the same Revelry whose truck is often set up at the soon-to-close Coppersmith in South Boston--and Coppersmith owner Gerry Curtin is behind the opening of what will apparently be a brick-and-mortar version of the truck, which means it could be a Cajun/New Orleans-style restaurant.

Coppersmith plans to close early next month, as a life sciences development is being built at its site.

The address for the upcoming location of Revelry is 663 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451. The website for the food truck is at http://www.revelryboston.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Gustazo Cuban Cafe to Move to Former Garcia Brogan's Space in Waltham
Coppersmith in South Boston Is Closing in January; Life Sciences Complex Slated to Move into Space

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

PS Gourmet Coffee to Open in Dorchester's Adams Village

A local group of coffee shops is going to be making a return to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a Facebook post from the business, PS Gourmet Coffee is planning to open an outlet in the Adams Village section of Dorchester, which is where it had a shop until it was forced to close due to a fire in 2017. It is not yet known whether the coffee shop will be returning to its old space on Adams Street or whether it will open in a new space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update. (The post indicates that it will open sometime in 2020.)

PS Gourmet Coffee started out in the mid-1980s in South Boston as a coffee shop, convenience store and deli called Perkins Square Deli, with the focus becoming mainly on coffee about 15 years ago--and with it, a new name. The Dorchester location, which opened in 2012, shuttered after a fire hit a block of businesses in Adams Village that caused Blasi's Cafe and Fat Belly Deli to close as well. Currently, locations of PS Gourmet Coffee can be found in South Boston, Braintree, and Roslindale.

The website for PS Gourmet Coffee is at http://www.psgourmetcoffee.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

An Tain in Downtown Boston Is Closing

An Irish pub in the heart of Boston is shutting down, and its license may be going to a new hotel in the city's waterfront area.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, An Tain has petitioned to transfer its license/location to Hyatt Place Boston Seaport District, with the license apparently being used for both a lobby bar and a 12th-floor bar at the Northern Avenue hotel. A message sent to us confirms that the India Street pub is indeed closing, with the plan being to shutter around the middle of January.

An Tain has been known in part as a local hangout for bar food, Irish fare, and beer, wine, and cocktails, with the place also being popular with nearby office workers.

The address for An Tain is 31 India Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

[January 15, 2020 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that An Tain plans to close down on January 18.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Jae's Cafe in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closing

A Korean and Thai restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square is shutting down for good this weekend.

According to a source, Jae's Cafe on Elm Street is closing at the end of business hours tomorrow (Saturday, December 28), with a note out front thanking its customers and its workers. Jae's debuted earlier this year as a rebranding of Meju Korean Kitchen & Bar, and its name had also been known around the region, as there had once been outlets in Boston's South End, Theatre District, Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, and North Adams. (A sole location of Jae's remains in operation in Pittsfield.)

The address for Jae's Cafe is 243 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[Earlier Article]
Meju in Somerville's Davis Square Is Now Jae's Cafe

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Seoul Jangteo Is Opening in Mala Kungfu/Refuge Cafe/Buk Kyung Space in Allston

A new Korean dining spot is on its way to Allston, moving into a space that has been home to a few eateries.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Seoul Jangteo is looking to open in the spaces that are home to Mala Kungfu and Buk Kyung, and which had also been home to Refuge Cafe before it was replaced by the former. The notice says that the new spot is hoping to acquire a beer and wine license and that the manager would be Raymond Lee--and the word "Jangteo" translates to "market," though it appears that this will be some kind of restaurant with a kitchen within the space.

The address for Seoul Jangteo is 151-155 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Peka Is Opening in the Former Green Briar Space in Brighton

A new restaurant and bar may be taking over the space where a longtime Irish pub had been, and it appears that a local journalist is behind it.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Peka is looking to acquire the liquor license held by the now-closed Green Briar in Brighton, with the plan being to open within the same Washington Street space. The notice mentions that the new spot would include a kitchen, two bars, and an outdoor patio, and that the manager would be Katiuska Valiente; based on a business entity summary page within the state's website, it appears that this is the same Katiuska Valiente who has worked at such places as Las Americas Media Group, Univision, El Mundo Boston, and Sun Channel, with an article from El Planeta indicating that she has gotten two Latin-Boston-USA awards for Best Anchor and Best Newscast and has also also been recognized as a prominent public figure by the MA House of Representatives. Very little is currently known about the proposed Peka, including what kind of food it may serve and when it might open, so keep checking back for updates.

The Green Briar, which closed in May after being in business for 30 years, was one of a number of restaurants and bars from The Briar Group, which runs such spots as Anthem, City Table, The Harp, Ned Devine's, O'Connor's, and Solas.

The address for Peka is 304 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. The website can be found at https://pekarestaurant.com/

[February 5, 2020 update: Eater Boston mentions (via an Instagram page from the business) that Peka will feature Latin cuisine including tapas and arepas, and that it plans to have seating for 360 along with another 42 on an outdoor patio.]

[September 1, 2020 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page states (via another Facebook post) that Peka plans to start doing takeout on Wednesday, September 2, with the restaurant looking to officially open its doors on Wednesday, September 9. It has also been learned that Pedro Alarcon of the now-closed La Casa de Pedro in Watertown and Boston's Seaport District is one of the people behind the new spot.]

[Earlier Article]
The Green Briar in Brighton Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)


Payment Options

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

La Ronga Bakery in Somerville Has Closed

It looks like a decades-old Somerville bakery has shut its doors for good.

According to several posters on social media, La Ronga Bakery on Somerville Avenue is no longer in business, with this being confirmed this morning on a Facebook post. It appears that the shop may have actually closed last month, but there are apparently no signs out front indicating that it has shuttered for good, and phone calls are not going through, with the message saying that the call party is temporarily unavailable.

La Ronga first opened approximately 50 years ago, with the shop being known in part for its breads, sandwiches, pizza, and calzones.

The address for La Ronga Bakery was 599 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 23, 2019

Tokenfire Is Opening in Former Home Ice Sports Bar Space in Quincy

A new gastropub featuring global dishes while also having the feel of an Irish pub is coming to one of the hottest parts of the Greater Boston area.

According to City of Quincy consultant and publicist Kerry J. Byrne, Tokenfire is opening in Quincy Center in the space where Home Ice Sports Bar had once been, with principal owner Breda O'Connor getting her inspiration from her nephew Noel O'Connor, who passed away in early 2016 shortly after finishing his bartending shift at the nearby Townshend. In a press release sent to us, O'Connor says that "I'm excited to bring my nephew Noel's vision to life....Many the day I heard Noel say I want to open a bar and a restaurant and I want to call it Tokenfire....This is a deeply personal project for me and for Noel's friends and family. The essence of the concept is that he always dreamed of owning a restaurant and bar with an Irish spirt and great food that he wanted to call Tokenfire." The Washington Street restaurant and bar will feature dishes with Mediterranean, South American, Irish, American, and pan-European influences along with beer, wine, and cocktails/spirits, while the space will combine rustic and modern touches with a nod to Ireland. If all goes as planned, Tokenfire plans to open on Friday, December 27 pending final approvals.

Initially, the Home Ice Sports Bar space was going to become home to an upscale tavern from The Townshend folks called Belfry Hall, with those plans first being announced in 2016.

The address for the Tokenfire is 35 Washington Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.

[January 7, 2020 update: A number of social media posts over the past several days indicate that Tokenfire is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Tom's BaoBao in Cambridge's Harvard Square Has Closed

A Cambridge restaurant that had originally planned to expand to a number of locations has quietly shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and a tweet from @deedubya, Tom's BaoBao in Harvard Square is closed for good, with a recent Facebook comment from the place (which was buried in a months-old post) confirming this. The dining spot, which was located within the Crimson Galleria and which featured steamed buns, was started by Tom Tong, who founded the Chinese bao company GanQiShi and whose blog called him "part CEO, part tea expert, part international man of mystery."

It was originally reported that 30 locations of Tom's BaoBao had been planned for the Northeast, but only one other outlet ended up opening--in Providence--and that location has since closed.

The address for Tom's BaoBao was 84 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Article]
Tom's BaoBao Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Friday, December 20, 2019

Senses Is Replacing Cafe ArtScience in Cambridge's Kendall Square

An innovative Cambridge restaurant known in part for its experimental takes on drinks is shutting down, and a new spot under the same ownership--and with a big name apparently involved--will replace it.

Eater Boston is reporting that Cafe ArtScience in Kendall Square is closing its doors after dinner service tomorrow night, with founder David Edwards replacing it with a new restaurant called Senses. In the article, Edwards says that the upcoming Senses comes from "the fruit of a conversation between myself and chef Jody Adams that began with the loss of our common friend Tenzin Samdo earlier this year"; Samdo was a partner and beverage director for the place who passed away earlier this year, while Adams--who is a James Beard Award winner--is involved with Trade, Porto, Saloniki, and Greek Street, and was also behind Rialto, a landmark Harvard Square restaurant that closed in 2016.

Cafe ArtScience first opened in 2014, calling itself a "cafe and culture lab committed to great casual drinks and dining alongside art, science, and design experiences that express audacious frontier dreams of tomorrow."

The address for Cafe Artscience (and the new Senses) is 650 E Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for Senses will be at https://www.cafeartscience.com/

[January 23, 2020 update: A post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com site mentions that Senses will offer dishes with Mediterranean influences and that the food program will be headed up by Chef Nadia Michaud, who comes from Paris and Athens and will be mentored by Jody Adams (who will be a consultant).]

[March 3, 2020 update: According to its website, Senses plans to open sometime in the spring.]

[July 28, 2020 update: An article from boston.com mentions that Senses plans to debut for takeout only on Wednesday, July 29, while it hopes to fully open September 17; its takeout menu includes such items as wild mushroom bruschetta, beef tartare, minestrone soup, calamari au gratin, house-made cannelloni, porchetta sandwiches, veggie moussaka, a yogurt parfait, and more.]

[November 22, 2021 update: A press release indicates that Senses will finally be opening its doors in early December.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)


Payment Options

Viet Citron Is Opening in Burlington

It looks like a new Vietnamese restaurant is on its way to the northern suburbs.

According to a message sent by The Passionate Foodie, Viet Citron is planning to open in Burlington, moving into a space next to Partners Urgent Care where the Middlesex Turnpike meets Adams Street. An earlier Daily Times Chronicle article confirms that the dining spot is indeed coming to that space, while an earlier post on the Facebook page for the restaurant mentioned that it could be opening this month, though no specific opening date has been given as of yet. (The Facebook page for Viet Citron also says that it will offer such items as banh mi, chicken pho, egg rolls, summer rolls, and mixed bowls.)

The address for this new Vietnamese restaurant in Burlington is: Viet Citron, 47 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA, 01803.

[March 9, 2020 update: A Twitter post from local restaurant critic and food/drinks feature writer MC Slim JB indicates that Viet Citron has soft-opened with a limited menu.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Popeyes Is Opening in Braintree

A chain of chicken spots is going to be opening a new location south of Boston.

According to a source, Popeyes is planning to open at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, with an earlier Wicked Local article confirming this. Once it opens, the new location of the chain will join others in Boston (by Northeastern University), Roslindale, Roxbury, Brockton, Chelmsford, Everett, Lynn, and Randolph--and an upcoming shop in West Roxbury as well.

No opening date has been given as of yet for the Braintree location of Popeyes, with the sign out front simply saying that it will open soon.

The website for the Popeyes chain is at https://www.popeyes.com/

[January 3, 2020 update: Based on the company's locations page, Popeyes is now open in Braintree.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 19, 2019

KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston Will Apparently Remain Open for Now

Last year, it was reported that a beloved East Boston restaurant had an uncertain future, as it was considering shutting down or being sold around the end of this year. Now we have learned that the dining spot may end up sticking around for at least a little while longer.

Eater Boston mentions (via a Facebook post from the place) that KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston has renewed its beer and wine license, allowing the place to remain open through 2020. The Facebook post gives a bit of information on the current situation, saying that "We'll be back at it in 2020 slinging more meat pies, beer, cider and wine down in the yard. Its been 10 cracking years in Boston and we're pumped to do it all again." The note also says that owner Sam Jackson and the crew will be taking nearly a month off for the holidays and that its last day before the break is December 22. (An article in the East Boston Times-Free Press give more information on this story as well.)

In the fall of 2018, it appeared that there were three possible scenarios that could take place for KO Pies in East Boston--the business could be sold to a new owner who could then open a different restaurant in its space; the dining spot stays open until its lease runs out at the end of 2019, at which point its beer and wine license is sold; or a new owner buys the place and continues to run it as KO Pies.

The address for KO Pies at the Shipyard is 256 Marginal Street (Building 16), East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website is at http://www.kocateringandpies.com/

Thanks to @universalhub for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston May Close Down or Be Sold

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Au Bon Pain Is Closing Its Shop at the Charles River Plaza in Boston

Earlier this week, it was reported that a local chain of bakery-cafes was closing its last location in Cambridge, and now we have learned that one of its Boston shops is shutting down as well.

According to a source (Ron Newman), Au Bon Pain at the Charles River Plaza is closing its doors, with a company manager telling him that today would be its last day. The Cambridge Street store, which is located near where Beacon Hill and the West End meet, joins another outlet that closed on Tuesday--a shop on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge's Central Square--though it appears that other locations in Boston remain in operation based on the locations page for the company. (The Charles River Plaza location has indeed been removed from the page.)

Au Bon Pain, which is headquartered in Boston, has approximately 250 shops worldwide.

The address for Au Bon Pain at the Charles River Plaza is 209 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for the chain is at https://www.aubonpain.com/

[Earlier Article]
Au Bon Pain Closes Its Last Location in Cambridge Today

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 18, 2019

Blackbird Doughnuts Is Opening in Newton Centre

A small group of gourmet doughnut shops is in expansion mode once again, with a new one being planned for the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source (Adam Lipson), Blackbird Doughnuts is opening in Newton Centre, with signs now shown at the Union Street storefront while its windows are papered over. Once it opens, this will be the fifth outlet of Blackbird, with others being in Boston's South End and Fenway along with locations in Allston-Brighton and in Harvard University's Smith Campus Center in Cambridge.

The people behind Blackbird Doughnuts also run The Gallows in the South End (and soon, Arsenal Yards in Watertown), Banyan Bar & Refuge, and Sally's Sandwiches, both of which are also in the South End.

The address for the new location of Blackbird Doughnuts in Newton is 55F Union Street, Newton Centre, MA. The website for the business can be found at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.com/

[December 19 update: A message sent to us mentions that the Newton location of Blackbird Doughnuts plans to open sometime in the first two weeks of January and that it will have a "more robust" coffee program that includes espressos, lattes, hot chocolate, chai latte, and more.]

[January 19, 2020 update: According to a Twitter post from @quackking, the Newton location of Blackbird Doughnuts is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Tora Ramen Is Opening in Boston's Chinatown

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a Japanese restaurant in downtown Boston that featured raw seafood dishes was hoping to open more dining spots in the local area, and now we have learned a bit more about one of them.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), the people behind Tora Japanese Restaurant on Tyler Street in Chinatown are planning to open Tora Ramen nearby, with a Twitter thread from @JCCraves showing a picture of the sign for the place and indicating that it will reside at the corner of Kneeland Street and Harrison Avenue. (A late message from Geoff Wong says that its address will be 99 Harrison Avenue.) No other information has come out about the upcoming dining spot, so keep checking back for updates.

Tora Japanese Restaurant first opened in Chinatown in the fall of 2017, offering poke bowls and Kaisen Don, the latter of which refers to a rice bowl with sashimi, or raw fish/meat, placed on a bed of sushi rice; the restaurant also serves sushi, maki, and a variety of entrees.

[September 10, 2020 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Tora Ramen has opened, with an Instagram post from the place confirming this and mentioning that it features "authentic tonkotsu ramen, Tokyo style."]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)


Payment Options

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Gustazo Cuban Cafe Is Moving to the Former Garcia Brogan's Space in Waltham

It looks like a Cuban restaurant in Waltham is moving to a new location, taking over the space where a Mexican-Irish spot had been.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Gustazo Cuban Cafe on Main Street is planning to move to the former Garcia Brogan's space on Moody Street, with the posting saying that it will have two bars and seating for more than 300. (A message from the restaurant confirms that this is indeed a move.) This is actually a second move for the place, as it moved from Belmont to Waltham in 2014, and has since opened another location on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge as well.

Garcia Brogan's, which took over the former Skellig space in 2015, shut down late last year; its Lowell location is also shuttered.

The original address for Gustazo in Waltham is 663 Main Street, while its new address is 240 Moody Street. Its website can be found at https://www.gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham/

[March 13, 2020 update: A message sent from the place indicates that Gustazo is now open in its new space on Moody Street, though it is only offering dinner service for the time being, with lunch and brunch service on the way at some point.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

bfresh in Allston Is Closing

What was once a trio of small grocery stores will soon be down to just one.

According to a tweet from @Emjay1028, bfresh in Allston is closing its doors, with the Harvard Avenue market planning to close on December 28 or when its supplies run out. Once it shuts down, the only remaining location will be in the Davis Square section of Somerville, as a third outlet in Brighton closed in late 2017.

bfresh is a small-store concept that is connected to the Stop & Shop supermarket chain, with both being part of the Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize food retailer. (The bfresh brand is operated by Fresh Formats LLC, which is based in Canton.)

The address for bfresh in Allston is 214 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for bfresh can be found at http://bfresh.com/

[December 27 update: A phone call placed to the market indicates that he Allston location of bfresh is now closed.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

BLR by Shojo in Boston's Chinatown Is Closing

A downtown Boston restaurant whose roots date back nearly 40 years is going to be closing.

According to an article from Eater Boston, BLR by Shojo in Chinatown is shutting down at the end of business hours on Saturday, December 21, as the team behind the Hudson Street eatery will be focusing on its other restaurants, including Shojo, Ruckus (which will have changes/additions made to its food and drink menus), and an upcoming dining spot that will be located underneath Ruckus. BLR by Shojo is basically a reconcepting of Best Little Restaurant, which first started out in the early 1980s; the revamped restaurant, which debuted in 2016, is known for its modern takes on classic Chinese fare.

The address for BLR by Shojo is 13A Hudson Street, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at https://www.blrbyshojo.com/

[Earlier Article]
Team Behind Shojo, Ruckus, BLR by Shojo to Open New Restaurant in Boston's Chinatown

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Au Bon Pain Closes Its Last Location in Cambridge Today

A local chain of bakery-cafes that once had several Cambridge locations--including a flagship store made famous in a movie--says farewell to the city today.

According to an article in Cambridge Day, Au Bon Pain in Central Square shuts down for good at 2:00 PM, joining others in the city that have shuttered over the years, including outlets in Kendall Square, CambridgeSide, and two in Harvard Square. The Smith Campus Center (formerly the Holyoke Center) location in Harvard Square was an institution of sorts that was known in part for its chessboard tables out front, and it was shown in a scene in the 1997 movie "Good Will Hunting."

A number of other Au Bon Pain outlets are in the city of Boston, while another resides in Somerville's Davis Square; approximately 250 shops can be found worldwide.

The address for Au Bon Pain in Central Square is 684 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the chain is at https://www.aubonpain.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 16, 2019

Yellow Door Taqueria to Replace Lion's Tail at the Ink Block in Boston's South End

The team behind an award-winning Mexican restaurant in Dorchester and a dining and drinking spot in the South End will be shutting down the latter as the former gets ready to expand into its space.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Yellow Door Taqueria in Dorchester's Lower Mills is planning to open a second location, taking over the Lion's Tail space in the Ink Block area of the South End. The article says that Lion's Tail will be open until December 30, at which point the space will apparently go through renovations for a couple of months, with Yellow Door opening in the Harrison Avenue space in February.

Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys, Brian O'Donnell, and Taniya Nayak are involved with both Yellow Door Taqueria and Lion's Tail, and Boston Magazine says that general manager Andrew Toto will be a managing partner involved with the expansion of Yellow Door while Lion's Tail partner Jarek Mountain will help with the beverage program and executive chef Carolina Curtin will head up the kitchens of both locations of the Mexican eatery.

Lion's Tail first opened in late 2016 while the original location of Yellow Door Taqueria opened in the summer of 2017, with Boston Magazine awarding Yellow Door "best tacos" for 2019.

The address for Lion's Tail (and the upcoming location of Yellow Door Taqueria) is 300 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for the former is at https://www.lionstailboston.com/ and the website for the latter is at https://www.yellowdoortaqueria.com/

[February 11 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that Yellow Door Taqueria opens in the Lion's Tail space tomorrow (Wednesday, February 12).]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Cini's Opens in Boston's West End

A local business featuring mini-arancini has opened a retail shop that should be popular with commuters along with sports and music fans.

Eater Boston is reporting that Cini's is now open in the West End/North Station area of Boston, with the Friend Street shop offering an array of mini rice balls as well as pizza and calzones. The post indicates that the store is open late--3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and 1:00 AM when there are events at the nearby TD Garden--while the website and social media pages for the company mention that up until now, the business had been selling its arancini at various restaurants and events around the region.

The address for Cini's is 252 Friend Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for the business can be found at https://www.eatcinis.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 13, 2019

GG Pizza Company Opens in Former Papa Gino's Space in Walpole

A new spot for pizza and more has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it has taken over the space where a location of a local pizza chain had been.

According to a source, GG Pizza Company is now open in Walpole, moving into the former Papa Gino's space in the Walpole Mall. Based on its Facebook page and website, the new eatery is a family-owned restaurant that offers pizza, pasta dishes, sandwiches, calzones, seafood items, and more.

The address for this new dining spot at the Walpole Mall is: GG Pizza Company, 90 Providence Highway (Route 1), East Walpole, MA, 02032. Its website can be found at https://ggpizzaco.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)


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

Flora's to Open in West Newton

A new wine bar appears to be on its way to West Newton, and the people behind it come from a few well-known restaurant names in Boston.

According to a Craigslist job post, Flora's is planning to open on Washington Street, with the page saying that the co-owners come from Mei Mei in the Fenway area and the now-closed Towne Stove & Spirits and Liquid Art House, both of which were in the Back Bay. Little other information has been given on the upcoming 20-seat spot, though an address shown on a page within amysangiolo.com indicates that the restaurant will be taking over the space where Coney Island Ice Cream had been until closing over the summer.

The address for this planned wine bar in West Newton is: 1284 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465.

[December 31 update: A post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com mentions that Flora's will offer a "simple cheese & charcuterie menu" to go with its wine options, while also serving craft beer and cocktails as well.]

[February 6, 2020 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, Flora's hopes to open its doors late this month. (Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for bringing this to our attention.)]

[February 25, 2020 update: A source tells us that Flora's opens on Friday, February 28, with a Facebook post from the restaurant confirming this.]

[Earlier Article]
Coney Island Ice Cream Cafe in West Newton Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Mooncusser Fish House Is Staying Put; Acquires Liquor License from L'Espalier

Earlier this year, it was reported that a high-end seafood restaurant in Boston was in danger of losing its home and that it might have to move. Now we have learned that not only will it remain in its current space, but it has also acquired a liquor license from a legendary dining spot that shut down at the end of last year.

A message sent to us indicates that Mooncusser Fish House will be able to keep its space on Stuart Street, so it apparently won't be replaced by a proposed dispensary after all--and a corresponding press release also mentions that the restaurant has acquired a full liquor license from L'Espalier, allowing it to be able to service cocktails and spirits. (Up until now, the place has only been able to serve beer and wine.) In March, it was announced that Mooncusser might have to move to the former Flash's Cocktails space next door because Patriot Care had been looking to open a dispensary in the restaurant's space.

Mooncusser, which first opened in July of 2017, also has a more casual spot within the space called Moon Bar (which also comes under the full liquor license), as well as Cusser's Roast Beef & Seafood. The website for Mooncusser is at http://www.mooncusserfishhouse.com/

[Earlier Article]
Mooncusser Fish House in Boston May Be Replaced by a Dispensary; Could Move to Flash's Space

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Seafood Dishes from Boston-Area and New England Restaurants]

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Source to Replace Cambridge 1 in Harvard Square

[ed note: This article was updated to reflect new information given about the restaurant replacing Cambridge 1.]

It looks like a pizzeria in Harvard Square that has been around for more than 15 years has closed its doors and a new restaurant will be moving into its space.

According to a tweet from @K8_Bowers, Cambridge 1 on Church Street is no longer in business, with a note out front thanking its guests for their patronage. Phone calls to the pizza spot this afternoon are going unanswered, though its website remains up and gives no indication that the place has shut down.

Cambridge 1, which first opened in Harvard Square in 2002, was known for its grilled pizzas; a second location opened in Boston's Fenway neighborhood approximately five years later but closed in 2011 and was replaced by Sweet Cheeks, a barbecue restaurant from Tiffani Faison.

The address for Cambridge 1 in Harvard Square was 27 Church Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[December 30 update: Cambridge Day mentions that a new restaurant called Source is planning to open in the former Cambridge 1 space; no information has been given on that spot as of yet, so stay tuned for more updates.]

[February 28, 2020 update: According to a post within the harvardsquare.com site, Source will be a gastropub and pizza bar with a wood-fired oven, and Daniel Roughan of Big Night Entertainment Group will be behind the place; the post mentions that the restaurant will open in the spring, though no specific opening date has been given as of yet.]

[September 9, 2020 update: A press release states that Source will focus on food items using locally-sourced ingredients, with small plates, pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and house-made desserts being on the menu along with "twists" on classic cocktails. In addition, the dining spot will have an I-Wave air purification system as part of their HVAC, which the release says is "proven to eliminate multiple airborne pathogens including COVID-19, making their air some of the cleanest in the country.]

[November 17, 2020 update: A new press release indicates that Source will be a gastropub and pizza bar and that it plans to open on Saturday, November 21 at 4:00 PM.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)


Payment Options

The Baseball Tavern in Boston's Fenway Is Closing; Plans to Reopen within New Development

An iconic sports bar in the Fenway is shutting its doors for good.

According to a source, The Baseball Tavern on Boylston Street is closing down, confirming what we had heard from another source just a few days ago. A Facebook post from the place has put out a statement indicating that it will indeed be shuttering, saying "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the soon closure of The Baseball Tavern....It has been a fantastic journey and wouldn't have been possible without the support of our family, loyal customers, friends, and dedicated employees. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years," with the note coming from "[owner] Jimmy Rooney and Staff."

The Baseball Tavern first opened back in 1963 and has been a popular pre-game and post-game spot for Red Sox fans over the years.

The address for the Baseball Tavern is 1270 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://baseballtavern.com/

[December 17 update: Boston Magazine states that The Baseball Tavern is apparently not gone for good, as it is planning to reopen within the new complex that is being built at the site. No reopening date (or closing date for the current bar) has been given as of yet, but construction could begin in late February so it should be open for awhile longer. In addition, the article mentions that when it does reopen, it will no longer have a roofdeck, but it does plan to have an outdoor patio, and some of the features from the old bar (including the cap awnings and the Budweiser-branded sign) will be brought back to the new space.]

[January 2, 2020 update: Eater Boston reports (via a Facebook post from the place) that the Baseball Tavern is now closed--and that it hopes to reopen in two years.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 11, 2019

Kura Sushi Plans to Open New location at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A chain of conveyor belt sushi restaurants with roots in Japan will be opening its first location in New England within a new complex just west of Boston.

According to a press release, Kura Sushi is planning to open at the Arsenal Yards in Watertown, with the place featuring a revolving selection of sushi items on a conveyor belt that moves by each table, allowing diners to choose what they want as the food goes by. The release says that the restaurant will also allow patrons to order via a touchscreen panel at the tables and have their orders brought to them in that manner as well. If all goes as planned, the new location of Kura Sushi could be opening in the summer of 2021.

Currently, Kura Sushi has more than 400 locations in Asia and the United States, with most of the U.S. locations being in California and Texas.

A number of other restaurants and bars are slated to come to Arsenal Yards, which is located at the site of the old Arsenal Mall in East Watertown. Some spots announced for the complex include The Gallows, Tori Jiro, Pepe's Pizza, Condesa Restaurante Mexicano, Tender Greens, Shake Shack, Pokeworks, and City Works Eatery and Pour House.

The website for Kura Sushi can be found at https://kurasushi.com/

[March 18, 2022 update: According to a source (Sarah Wu), Kura Sushi has its grand opening in Watertown on Monday, March 21.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]


Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

JAK Pizzeria Replaces Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia in East Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on December 12 to reflect new information given, including the fact that its exact name is JAK Pizzeria, and that it is indeed under the same ownership as the old restaurant in the space.]

A new pizza spot with Latin American influences has come to East Boston, and it replaces another pizzeria that had a similar menu.

According to a source, JAK Pizzeria is now open in the former Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia space in Maverick Square, with a photo sent to us showing an "open" sign out front. A message sent to us confirms that it is under the same ownership as the old spot, so this is more of a rebranding, and that the menu for JAK Pizzeria includes pizzas with Central American and South American influences.

The address for JAK Pizzeria (and the old Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia) is 50 Maverick Square, East Boston, MA, 02128.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)


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

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Cask'n Flagon Plans to Open in the Former Waxy O'Connor's Space in Woburn

A restaurant and sports bar that has been popular with Red Sox fans for 50 years could be opening a new location in the suburbs.

According to a source, the Cask'n Flagon is looking to open in the old Waxy O'Connor's space in Woburn, with a notice within the city's website saying that a public hearing on the proposal is expected to take place on December 19. If approved, this would be the third location of the Cask, with the original being at the corner of Brookline Avenue and Lansdowne Street in Boston's Fenway neighborhood and a second being on Route 139 in Marshfield. The Cask'n Flagon first opened in the Fenway in 1969 and is known in part as a pre-game destination with pub grub and a variety of beers offered.

Waxy O'Connor's closed its Woburn location earlier this year and now only has one Boston-area location remaining--in Lexington. (Others in Brookline, Foxboro, and Kingston have also closed, and another that was planned for Somerville's Assembly row never came to fruition.)

The address for the proposed location of the Cask'n Flagon in Woburn is 1 Rainin Road, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for the Boston and Marshfield locations can be found at https://casknflagon.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Doves and Figs Is Shutting Down

A local business that has been known for its jams is calling it a day.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Doves and Figs is closing down, with the note--which comes from owner Robin Cohen--thanking its customers while saying "Although it was a difficult decision to make; this is the best choice for the business and for my family." Cohen's company offered jams using locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, with her products being available at a variety of farmers markets as well as local shops, orchards, and farms.

Doves and Figs was established in 2011 in Arlington, with a production facility and shop opening in North Andover in 2017.

[December 23 update: A new Facebook post indicates that Doves and Figs participated in its last farmers market over the weekend.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 09, 2019

The Biscuit in Somerville Is Closing; Plans to Move to New Location

A bakery-cafe in Somerville apparently has to leave its home of 15 years, but it looks like it will be moving to a new space.

Eater Boston is reporting that The Biscuit on Washington Street is planning to shut down at the end of the month, with a fundraising page for the place indicating that this revolves around a landlord dispute and that they say they have to move out. The fundraising page mentions that the people behind The Biscuit have found a new location nearby that it is "unique" and "subterranean," and will be used for storage space for their equipment and inventory for now.

The Biscuit first opened in 2004, offering such items as muffins, biscuits, scones, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, coffee, and more.

The current address for The Biscuit is 406 Washington Street; it is not yet known what its new address will be, so keep checking back for updates. (Its website is at https://www.visitthebiscuit.com/)

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

JW's in Winthrop Is Reopening

A dining spot just north of Boston that closed earlier this year--and that once had a couple of well-known local chefs/restaurateurs involved--is going to be opening back up again.

According to a Facebook post, JW's in Winthrop is planning to reopen with a new menu and "great vibes," with the note saying that it is under new ownership and management and that details on the Putnam Street place will be coming soon. JW's, which closed down this spring, had been in business since 2014 and went through a reconcepting a couple of years later, as Jay Silva (Bambara) took over the restaurant and initially had Marc Orfaly (ReelHouse, The Beehive, Pigalle), helping out with consulting. It appears that the restaurant may have gone through another ownership change a short time before it closed down in March, though no specific details had been given at the time.

The address for JW's is 10 Putnam Street, Winthrop, MA, 02152.

[January 14, 2020 update: A Facebook post from the place mentions that JW's is slated to have a grand reopening on January 22.]

[January 24, 2020 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that JW's is now open, with its menu including such items as burgers, flatbreads/pizza, steak and pork tips, pasta dishes, and more.]

[Earlier Article]
JW's in Winthrop Has Closed; Exact Status Unknown

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Flame Cafe in Downtown Boston Has Closed Its Retail Location; Business to Focus on Catering Via Arsenal Catering Group Brand

A downtown Boston eatery that focused on Greek and Armenian food has closed, as its focus now turns to catering.

A Twitter post from @oysterbrine from last week indicated that Flame Cafe has closed its retail location on Oliver Street in the city's Financial District, with a message sent from the business telling us today that the dining spot has indeed closed permanently. We have also been told that the catering part of the business is running under the Arsenal Catering Group brand, offering Greek and Armenian food along with sandwiches.

Flame Cafe first opened in the Financial District in the fall of 2013.

The address for the now-closed Flame Cafe was 2 Oliver Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for Arsenal Catering Group can be found at https://arsenalcatering.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Morrell's BBQ in Stoughton Has Closed; Business to Focus on Catering and Food Truck

A suburban barbecue restaurant has shut down, though the business will live on for various events.

According to a source, Morrell's BBQ in Stoughton is now closed, with the Facebook page for the place confirming this, saying it will be offering catering and its food truck for corporate and private events--and that another restaurant will apparently be moving into its space. The Washington Street dining spot first opened in the early part of 2017, serving such items as ribs, brisket, pulled pork, fried chicken, and more; the restaurant had taken over the space where LaStoria Italian Bar & Grill had once been.

Morrell's had originally been set up as a food truck before opening its brick-and-mortar space.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Stoughton was: Morrell's BBQ, 577 Washington Street (Route 138), Stoughton, MA, 02072.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 06, 2019

Blue Dalia Restaurant & Tequila Bar within Wegmans in Natick Is Closing

A full-service Mexican restaurant and bar that is located within a suburban supermarket is closing.

According to a source, Blue Dalia Restaurant &amp Tequila Bar inside Wegmans at the Natick Mall is shutting down tomorrow, with a Facebook comment from the market confirming that Saturday is indeed its last day in operation. No reason has been given for its closure, nor is it known what might go into the space, so stay tuned for updates.

Blue Dalia, whose website claims that it has "the best Mexican food in Boston," focuses on modern Mexican fare along with an array of tequila options and cocktails. The restaurant opened in May of 2018, a few days after Wegmans opened.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 05, 2019

Lumiere in West Newton Is Closing

An award-winning suburban bistro will soon be closing its doors.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe reports that Lumiere in West Newton is planning to shut down for good, with chef/partner Jordan Bailey saying that "We've been there 20 years, and the restaurant has run its course. The market has changed quite a bit as far as upscale stuff goes in the suburbs....It's hard to get out of that box." No specific closing date has been given for the Washington Street dining spot, though it appears that it could say farewell sometime in February.

Lumiere, which first opened in 1999, has been known for being a special-occasion spot featuring dishes with French and regional influences. Previous owner Michael Leviton sold the place to Bailey approximately four years ago, with Bailey being the restaurant's chef de cuisine at the time.

The address for Lumiere is 1293 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465.

[February 4, 2020 update: According to a page within resy.com, Lumiere's "last supper" will take place on February 20.]

[February 4, 2020 update #2: Boston Magazine indicates that the "last supper" for Lumiere won't actually be its last supper, as the restaurant plans to remain open through February 29.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Simply Smith's in Cohasset Is Closing

A South Shore restaurant known in part for its Italian dishes is shutting down.

Wicked Local is reporting that Simply Smith's in Cohasset is getting ready to close, with chef Greg Smith indicating that the Pleasant Street eatery was having difficulty trying to get locals to come to the place. In the article, Smith says that "If you can't get your hometown people to support you, you're not going to make it....We've had people saying, 'We don’t know you're here.' We're just totally being ignored." Smith mentions that he and his girlfriend, Jean Sullivan (who is the owner of Simply Smith's) are planning to open another dining spot, but it will not be in Cohasset.

Simply Smith's first opened approximately three years ago, taking over the former Green Light juice shop space.

The address for the soon-to-close Simply Smith's is 1 Pleasant Street, Cohasset, MA, 02025. Its website can be found at http://www.simplysmithscatering.com/

[December 12 update: According to its Facebook page, Simply Smith's plans to close at the end of business hours on December 22.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Agape Brewing Co. Will Apparently Not Be Opening in Gloucester

A proposed brewery that had an ordained minister behind it will apparently not be happening after all.

According to a source, plans for Agape Brewing Co. to open in Gloucester have fallen through, with a Facebook post and Vimeo video from Jamie Green Klopotoski saying the following:

I had a dream. A dream of having a brewery tap room in Gloucester that would be a safe and welcoming space for everyone to come together as a community to do some good in the world. But things have not been working out as planned. We have been inundated with rules, regulations, fees, red tape, bureaucracy, inconsistencies, nonsensical legalities, and delays. We are more in debt than I had anticipated because the city just kept piling on more unpublished fees, and because our tap room is STILL not open. We were hoping for a grand opening in June, which wasn't able to happen because of licensing. Then we planned a grand opening for November, which also wasn't able to happen because of licensing. So then we planned a January grand opening. But after the most recent licensing board meeting, it appears unlikely that we will EVER be able to open.

Klopotoski goes on to say that as of January 1, all aspects of the brewery will be closed, though her nonprofit organization (Agape Brewing Community) will continue on in some form.

Agape Brewing Co. had been hoping to open in the Blackburn Center just north of Route 128, with the facility including a brewery, taproom, and community space.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Swissbakers Closes All Locations

It looks like a beloved local group of bakery-cafes has shut down its retail operations.

According to several sources, Swissbakers has closed all of its outlets, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this, saying that "To the best guests in the world. It's with a heavy heart that we must inform you that we have to close our doors" while a comment from them indicates that this indeed affects all locations, including shops in Boston's North Station, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Allston, and Reading. (Another branch had been at the Boston Public Market as well, but that one closed in October.) It is not known if Swissbakers will continue on in any form including wholesale and/or at farmers markets/events; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Swissbakers, which started out approximately 13 years ago in Reading, was known for its soups, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods with Swiss influences.

[December 6 update: A Facebook post from the business indicates that the Allston location of Swissbakers will have a "final bake off" on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.]

[December 16 update: A new Facebook post from the company indicates that Swissbakers may be looking to return in some form and that they asking people to take a poll as they work on a strategy for the business.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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, December 04, 2019

Tsaocaa Is Opening in Boston's Chinatown Neighborhood

A chain of cheese tea and bubble tea shops based in China is expanding to Boston, opening a new location in the city's Chinatown neighborhood.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), Tsaocaa is opening on Tyler Street, with a "hiring" sign shown out front. The chain, which also offers Hong Kong-style egg waffles at some of its outlets, currently has a handful of locations in the United States, including in New York City, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Las Vegas.

Another group of shops known for their bubble tea plans to come to the local area as well, as Royaltea is planning to open outlets in Brookline and Waltham.

The address for the Chinatown location of Tsaocaa is 10 Tyler Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.tsaocaail.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]