by Marc Hurwitz
A few months ago, we reported that a longtime favorite in the Back Bay for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food was on the selling block, and now we have learned that it may be replaced by a new restaurant that has at least one well-known name behind it.
According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Cafe Jaffa on Gloucester Street is seeking to transfer its liquor license to Krasi, which would operate in the same location and whose manager would be Demetri Tsolakis of Committee in the Seaport District and Gre.Co in the Back Bay (and soon, in the Seaport District as well). The name "Krasi" is commonly found in Bulgaria while it is also a Greek word for wine, according to The Passionate Foodie, but it is not known exactly what kind of cuisine(s) might be featured here; Committee offers mostly Greek and Mediterranean food while Gre.Co focuses on Greek cuisine.
Cafe Jaffa first opened in 1991, serving such items as falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, shish kabob, chicken schnitzel, lamb chops, stuffed peppers, and schwarma. Last September it was reported that the restaurant went up for sale, as the owner made the decision to retire.
The address for Cafe Jaffa (and the upcoming Krasi) is 48 Gloucester Street, Boston, MA, 02115.
[August 23 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Krasi plans to open this fall, and that it will be a Greek meze and wine bar. (In addition, the downstairs area will have a separate cocktail bar called Hecate.)]
[February 5, 2020 update: Eater Boston says that Krasi hopes to open on February 10 pending final inspections, while Hecate plans to open later this year.]
[February 13, 2020 update: Krasi did not end up opening on February 10, but an Instagram post indicates that it could be opening today if all goes well.]
[Earlier Article]
Cafe Jaffa in Boston's Back Bay Is on the Selling Block
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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]
