Friday, March 29, 2019

Red 8 to Open at Encore Boston in Everett

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like an upscale Chinese restaurant is on its way to the casino complex in Everett, and this would be a fourth outlet of a group of dining spots with locations out west and overseas.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Red 8 is opening in June at Encore Boston Harbor resort and casino, with the restaurant offering Cantonese dishes along with food items having influences from such places as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sichuan, Singapore, and Malaysia. The dining spot will be located on the south gaming floor of the casino, and it will be joining a number of other restaurants and bars at the complex, including Rare Steakhouse, two Italian restaurants called Sinatra and Fratelli, and an Asian-fusion spot with sushi.

Currently, locations of Red 8 can be found in Las Vegas and Macau (two). The web page for the Las Vegas location can be found at https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/casual-dining/red-8

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]




Fruity Is Opening in Allston, Taking Over 89C Crepe & Ice Cream Space

by Marc Hurwitz

A tea shop on the South Shore is going to be joined by a new location in the city, and it looks like it is replacing a cafe known in part for its Thai-style rolled ice cream.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Fruity is planning to open in Allston, and based on the address given by the business, it appears to be replacing 89C Crepe & Ice Cream on Harvard Avenue. The new shop will join an existing location at the South Shore Plaza, and based on the offerings there, the new Fruity could be featuring green tea infused with fruit along with smoothies.

If all goes as planned, the Allston location of Fruity may be opening in April.

The address for Fruity (and the now-closed 89C Crepe & Ice Cream) is 77 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/fruity_greentea/

[April 16 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that the Allston location of Fruity is now open.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Grainmaker in Boston Plans to Expand to Amsterdam Falafelshop Space in Somerville's Davis Square

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a Southeast Asian street food spot in the heart of downtown Boston may be expanding to Somerville, taking over the space where another dining spot will be until this weekend when it shuts its doors.

According to a post from Ron Newman on the Davis Square Facebook group page, Grainmaker is looking to open in the Amsterdam Falafelshop space in Davis Square, with a notice in the window of the Elm Street storefront indicating that it is seeking a license to operate there. Based on the menu at its original location on Summer Street in Downtown Crossing (which opened in the fall of 2017), the new eatery could be offering such items as salads, rice bowls, street tacos, banh mi, and smoothies, depending on the season.

Amsterdam Falafelshop, which closes down tomorrow, first opened its doors in 2012.

The address for the proposed Grainmaker (and Amsterdam Falafelshop) is 248 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the original Grainmaker in Boston can be found at https://www.eatgrainmaker.com/

[April 2 update: Eater Boston states that Grainmaker could be opening in the former Amsterdam Falafelshop space as early as June.]

[June 12 update: Boston Magazine states that the new Grainmaker in Somerville plans to open on Friday, June 14.]

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]

Lululemon Plans to Open Cafe within Its Upcoming Shop on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

An athletic apparel chain that is moving its Newbury Street shop to a new space could be including a place to eat within its new shop.

According to a post from Universal Hub, Lululemon is looking to open a cafe in its upcoming two-floor store at 210-214 Newbury Street and has received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeal for its plans. Currently, the shop--which focuses in part on yoga gear--is located at 337 Newbury Street, which is about three blocks west of its future location.

Lululemon first started out in 1998 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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]




Friendly's in Waltham Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

What had once been a large regional chain of restaurants and ice cream shops continues to disappear from the local landscape, with one of its last remaining Boston-area locations closing.

According to a source, Friendly's in Waltham is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from The Waltham Channel saying that the Lexington Street shop has indeed shut its doors. With the closing of the Waltham location, there are now only three Friendly's outlets left inside Route 128--Logan Airport in East Boston, Saugus, and Stoneham. The chain used to have more than 400 locations but it filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and now has about half that amount.

The Wilbraham-based Friendly's, which first started out in Springfield in 1935, is known in part for its ice cream products, including sundaes, fribbles, and floats, with its restaurants also serving such items as burgers and seafood dishes. (Its website can be found at https://www.friendlys.com/)

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]




Sarcastic Swine BBQ Restaurant and Catering Opens in Abington

by Marc Hurwitz

A brand new barbecue spot has opened in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Sarcastic Swine BBQ Restaurant and Catering is now open in Abington, with the Bedford Street dining spot offering such options as hush puppies, wings, macaroni and cheese, brisket, ribs, pulled pork, burritos, and pulled chicken. Based on its Facebook posts, it appears that Sarcastic Swine debuted to the public on March 16.

The address for this new barbecue spot in Abington is: Sarcastic Swine BBQ Restaurant and Catering, 988 Bedford Street, Abington, MA, 02351. Its website can be found at https://sarcasticswinebbq.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]




Trillium Fenway Is Opening Next to Time Out Market

by Marc Hurwitz

Earlier this week, we reported that one of the most popular brewers in the region was bringing a beer hall to a space by Route 128. Now we have learned that they also have some big plans for Boston as well.

According to a post from the place, Trillium Brewing Company is planning to open Trillium Fenway by the new Time Out Market near where Park Drive and Brookline Avenue meet. The post says that the new spot will be a combination outdoor beer garden and indoor taproom with a total of 1,500 square feet of space, while also having access to the food options at the adjacent food hall which includes stalls from the people behind such restaurants as Craigie on Main, Tico, O Ya, and Tasting Counter.

As mentioned earlier, Trillium is also going to be opening a new facility in the former Reekbok space in Canton that will include a taproom; currently, the company has a facility on the other side of Canton while also having a brewery, brewpub/restaurant, and retail shop in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood.

Thanks to Boston Tweet for initially bringing this to our attention.

[October 7 update: Boston Magazine mentions that the new location of Trillium in the Fenway is now doing can sales as it gets ready for its grand opening.]

[October 24 update: Boston Tweet states that the Fenway location of Trillium opens its taproom today, with hours being 11:00 AM to midnight.]

[Earlier Article]
Trillium Brewing Company May Open Beer Hall at Former Reebok Headquarters in Canton

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, March 28, 2019

Sassafras in Somerville's Ball Square Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A vegetarian restaurant in Somerville that had once been a comfort food spot has shut down, and it appears that construction on the Green Line extension is one of the reasons for its closure.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Sassafras in Ball Square is no longer in operation, with the website for the Broadway eatery saying that "...we have become a financially unsustainable business. The closure of the Broadway Bridge only adds to that issue. We have sadly decided to close our doors and are taking steps to evaluate our future." The bridge closure that the note refers to centers around a long-term project that will eventually bring the MBTA's Green Line through parts of Somerville and Medford, and it looks like the Broadway bridge could be closed for approximately a year.

Sassafras replaced Eat at Jumbo's last year, which was under the same ownership and which first started out in 2009. That place offered such items as pizza, sandwiches, chicken wings, and macaroni and cheese, while Sassafras sold such items as cookies, muffins, vegan sushi, seitan steak chimichurri, and the Impossible Burger.

The address for the now-closed Sassafras was 688 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144.

[Earlier Article]
Eat at Jumbo's in Somerville's Ball Square Is Now Sassafras

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]




Quarterdeck Seafoods in Maynard Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A suburban seafood spot is getting ready to shut down after nearly 40 years in business.

According to an article in Wicked Local, Quarterdeck Seafoods in Maynard is closing its doors on March 30, with owner Chris Basile continuing to do wholesale and events while also focusing on the Boston Fisheries Foundation--which he founded--and the Boston Seafood Festival, which he also helped start. Basile and his brothers opened the Quarterdeck in 1981, with the Main Street space eventually going from a seafood market and takeout spot to becoming both a full-service restaurant and a market; he took it over from his brothers in 1999 and sold off the restaurant section in 2008, at which point it went back to being a market.

The address for Quarterdeck Seafoods is 175 Main Street, Maynard, MA, 01754.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Horse Thieves Tavern Is Now Open in Dedham

by Marc Hurwitz

A suburban tavern that has been a long time in the making has opened its doors.

According to a source, Horse Thieves Tavern is now open in Dedham, with a Facebook post confirming that the High Street spot is now up and running. Its website says that the new restaurant and bar is a "modern interpretation on a traditional New England tavern" and that the Facebook post mentions that it has a fireplace and community table along with original wooden and steel beams from the 1920s-era structure in which it resides. The menu at Horse Thieves Tavern includes such items as grilled German sausage, oven-roasted cod, meatloaf sandwiches, chicken tagine, and more, as well as a selection of beers and wines.

Plans for Horse Thieves Tavern date all the way back to at least 2016, which is when we first reported on the place.

The address for this new dining and drinking spot in Dedham is: Horse Thieves Tavern, 585 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website can be found at https://www.horsethievestavern.com/

[Earlier Article]
Horse Thieves Tavern to Open in Dedham

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, March 27, 2019

Bruins Bar Opens at Terminal A at Logan Airport

by Marc Hurwitz

A new sports bar has opened at Logan Airport, and this one gives a nod to one of the local sports teams.

According to a press release, the Bruins Bar is now open at Terminal A, with the place displaying a variety of memorabilia and photos that focus on the history of the hockey team while offering pub grub and regional food along with beer, wine, and cocktails. This is one of a number of restaurants and bars being brought to the airport by MarketPlace Logan, developer and manager of the Boston Logan Concessions Program, including the now-open Lucca, Shojo, and Kelly's Roast Beef as well as such spots as Sullivan's, Santarpio's Pizza, Alta Strada, B.Good, Mija Cantina and Tequila Bar, Not Your Average Joe's, Saloniki Greek, Tico, Trade, Monument Restaurant & Tavern, Otto Pizza, Monica's Mercato, Tasty Burger, and Temazcal Tequila Cantina.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Six / West at the Cambria Hotel Is Opening in South Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

Back in 2017, we reported that a rooftop spot and a lobby restaurant and lounge within a hotel was being planned for South Boston, and now we have a name for the place.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Six / West at the Cambria Hotel is opening by the W Broadway/Dorchester Avenue intersection and that it will include a bar and lounge on the roofdeck as well as a lounge in the lobby that will have "a speakeasy look with a library feel."

The website for the Cambria Hotel can be found at https://www.cambriaboston.com/

[October 15 update: Eater Boston states that the lobby section of Six / West at the Cambria Hotel opens this evening, though the rooftop will be opening at a later date.]

[November 18 update: Boston Magazine mentions that the rooftop section of Six / West debuted on Friday, and it will apparently continue to open up depending on the weather.]

[Earlier Article]
Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, Ground-Level Restaurant Coming to South Boston

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

Southern Kin Cookhouse to Open in the Former Merrill & Co./28 Degrees Space in Boston's South End

by Marc Hurwitz

Last year, we reported that a Southern-style restaurant in Somerville was going to be joined by a second location, and now we have learned where it will be.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Southern Kin Cookhouse will be opening in the South End of Boston, taking over the space on Appleton Street where Merrill & Co. had been, and before that, 28 Degrees. The company behind Southern Kin is Boston Nightlife Ventures (BNV), which runs the original location of the restaurant at Assembly Row and which also operates Wink & Nod, a space in the South End next to the upcoming Southern Kin which features a line of rotating dining spots. (BNV also ran The Tap Trailhouse near Faneuil Hall, Griddler's Burgers & Dogs by Boston Common and in Beacon Hill, and Certified Meatball Company in South Boston, all of which have closed, though a new restaurant is apparently coming to the Certified Meatball space.)

Southern Kin first opened at Assembly Row in June of 2016.

The address for the upcoming location of Southern Kin Cookhouse in the South End is 1 Appleton Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the original Southern Kin in Somerville can be found at http://southernkincookhouse.com/

[Earlier Article]
Southern Kin Cookhouse to Open Second Location

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Jamaica Mi Hungry Is Opening in the Former Mooyah Space in Jamaica Plain

by Marc Hurwitz

The people behind a food truck in Boston--and a restaurant in New Hampshire--will be opening a brick-and-mortar spot in Jamaica Plain, moving into the space where a location of a chain of burger places had been.

According to an article in the Jamaica Plain News, Jamaica Mi Hungry is opening on Centre Street in Jackson Square in the former Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes space. Based on the offerings from the food truck and its seasonal restaurant in Hampton Beach, the new spot could offer such items as jerk chicken, jerk pork, curry goat, oxtail, rice and beans, plantains, and more.

The Jamaica Plain location of the Texas-based Mooyah closed last fall after being in business for approximately a year and a half; other locations remain open in downtown Boston, Billerica [ed note--reopening soon], Hudson, Northborough, and Sudbury.

The address for the new Jamaica Mi Hungry in Jamaica Plain is 225 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. The website for the business can be found at https://www.jamaicamihungry.com/

[April 16 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Jamaica Mi Hungry plans to open its brick-and-mortar restaurant in Jamaica Plain sometime this spring.]

[September 11 update: A new Facebook post mentions that Jamaica Mi Hungry soft-opens in Jamaica Plain tomorrow (Thursday, September 12).]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

IHOP Is Opening in Former Ground Round Space in Braintree

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of pancake spots is opening a new Boston-area location, and this one will take over a space south of the city where a location of a chain of family restaurants had been.

According to an article from the Braintree Forum, International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is planning to open in Braintree, moving into the former Ground Round space in the Granite Plaza on Granite Street. Once it opens, it will join approximately 10 other outlets in the Greater Boston area, including one in nearby Quincy.  (No opening date has been given as of yet.)

The space that IHOP is moving into had also been home to an Applebee's, which was open for a brief time after the Ground Round closed 15 years ago.

The address for the new location of IHOP in Braintree is 755 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for IHOP can be found at https://www.ihop.com/

[June 16 update: A check on the place confirms that the new IHOP opens in Braintree on June 18.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Tuesday, March 26, 2019

minibar at the Copley Square Hotel in Boston Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A trendy drinking spot inside of a Boston hotel has shut down.

According to a source, minibar at the Copley Square Hotel in the city's Back Bay neighborhood is closed, with a message sent from the hotel confirming that the place has indeed shuttered. No reason has been given for its closure, nor it is known what might go into the space; we are waiting to find out more from the hotel, so stay tuned for updates.

minibar was a chic hotspot on the ground floor of the hotel that had a seasonal patio and appetizers and small plates to go with its beer, wine, spirits, and cocktail options.

The address for minibar was 51 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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




Waxy O'Connor's in Woburn Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A group of Irish pubs continues to disappear from the local landscape, as yet another outlet has closed its doors.

According to multiple sources, Waxy O'Connor's in Woburn has shut down for good, with the closure apparently happening yesterday. The pub joins other locations of Waxy's in Brookline, Foxboro, and Kingston that have also shuttered (another was planned for Somerville's Assembly row but that fell through), with the sole remaining location in the Greater Boston area--and Massachusetts--being in Lexington. Waxy's does appear to remain in operation in Keene, NH, Plainville, CT, San Antonio, TX, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL (its first location).

The Woburn outlet of Waxy O'Connor's had been in business for approximately six years.

The address for the now-closed location of Waxy's in Woburn was 1 Rainin Road, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for the other locations can be found at http://www.waxys.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]




Monday, March 25, 2019

Trillium Brewing Company Plans to Open Beer Hall at Former Reebok Headquarters in Canton

It looks like one of the biggest local names in beermaking could be bringing a beer hall to a space right by Route 128.

According to a source, Trillium Brewing Company is planning to open what appears to be a restaurant and bar at the former Reebok headquarters in Canton, with a hearing notice sent to us showing that the Royall Street facility could include a brewery, a dining and drinking area, and a retail shop along with an outdoor patio. This seems to jibe with an earlier Banker & Tradesman article that said the brewery was indeed looking to open a beer hall at the site, and there are also posts within the New England Craft Beer Connection Facebook group page that mention the plans as well. It is not yet known if this would be a move (Trillium currently has a facility on Shawmut Road in Canton), and it is also not known when it could open in the old Reebok building; the hearing is scheduled to take place on April 11, so more should be known by next month.

Trillium, which first opened a retail shop on Congress Street in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood in 2013, opened a new facility on nearby Farnsworth Street last fall, which includes a brewery, brewpub, a retail shop, and function/event space. (The current Canton location opened in late 2015.)

The address for the proposed beer hall from Trillium is 100 Royall Street. Canton, MA, 02021. The website for Trillium can be found at https://www.trilliumbrewing.com/

[March 29 update: According to a post from the business, this will be a move rather than a second location in Canton, though it sounds like Trillium will be making the move in stages and that it will be business as usual at its present location on Shawmut Road this summer. It also sounds like the move could take a little while to complete, as the post tells its readers to follow their progress "over the next couple years."]

[January 29, 2021 update: According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Trillium's new location in Canton plans to open in May, and it will include a taproom, restaurant, beer garden with a patio, winery, distillery, and event spaces.]

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]


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Craft Beer Cellar in Roslindale Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A growing group of specialty beer stores will soon see one of its shops close--and this one is located in an historic space that once looked like it could include a restaurant as well.

Universal Hub is reporting that Craft Beer Cellar in Roslindale is shutting down, with the store--which is located in the basement of a former substation--selling its products at 25% off starting tomorrow. No closing date has been given as of yet, but it sounds like it will likely shutter relatively soon. Craft Beer Cellar first opened in Roslindale in early 2017, and at the time, it looked like local restaurateur Chris Douglass (Ashmont Grill, Tavolo) might open a dining spot called Third Rail in the century-old structure as well, but those plans never came to be and the space has only been home to some temporary spots other than the beer shop, including winter beer halls over the past couple of years.

Craft Beer Cellar first started out in Belmont in 2010 and now has a number of stores in the local area and beyond.

Thanks to @JeremyKrantz for initially bringing this to our attention.

[April 4 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Craft Beer Cellar in Roslindale plans to remain open at least through this Sunday.]

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]




Chick-fil-A Plans to Open Outlets in Brockton, Woburn

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of chicken places that appeared to have no chance of opening in the city of Boston several years ago is now in rapid expansion mode in the area, with two shops coming to the suburbs in addition to at least two others on the way, including one within the Boston city limits.

According to an article in The Enterprise, Chick-fil-A is planning to open in Brockton, while several sources also tell us that another location is on its way to Woburn, with a Facebook page confirming this. The Brockton location, which will be at 544 Westgate Drive, hopes to open by the late summer, while the Woburn outlet, which will be at 375 Washington Street, does not have an opening date yet, but it looks like it is close to being up and running.

Earlier in the decade, the late Boston Mayor Thomas Menino voiced his opposition to the chain coming to the city based on the CEO's opposition to same-sex marriage, but now it looks like the city's first shop could be opening at 569 Boylston Street in the Back Bay, while another location may be coming to Walpole as well. (Other location can be found in various Boston suburbs, including Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Marlboro, and Peabody.)

[April 23 update: The Patch mentions that the Woburn location of Chick-fil-A opens on April 25.]

[June 7 update: Wicked Local states that the Brockton location of Chick-fil-A opens on June 11.]


[Earlier Article]
Chick-fil-A Plans to Open in Boston's Copley Square
Chick-fil-A Plans to Open in Walpole

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


Tick Tock Chocolates Is Opening in Belmont

by Marc Hurwitz

A small-batch chocolate shop is getting ready to open in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to an article in the Waltham News Tribune, Tick Tock Chocolates is opening in the Cushing Square section of Belmont, with the Trapelo Road store featuring such items as chocolate truffles, chocolate bars, pate de fruit, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Up until now, the business has been selling its products at farmers markets and various events, using a commercial kitchen in Somerville to make its chocolates.

If all goes as planned, Tick Tock Chocolates could be opening around April 1.

The address for this new chocolate shop in Cushing Square is: Tick Tock Chocolates, 111 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA, 02478. Its website can be found at https://www.ticktockchocolates.com/

[April 11 update: A Facebook post from last week indicates that Tick Tock Chocolates is now looking to open in late April or early May.]

[May 7 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that Tick Tock Chocolates is now open in Belmont.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

Friday, March 22, 2019

Migaku Is Replacing Yokohama Japanese Restaurant in Brookline Village

by Marc Hurwitz

A brand new Japanese restaurant is on its way to Brookline, and it will be replacing another Japanese eatery that closed last summer.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, Migaku is opening in the former Yokohama space in Brookline Village, with a sign in the storefront of the Washington Street space saying that it will feature authentic Japanese noodles and rice bowls. It is not known exactly when Migaku might open, so stay tuned for updates.

Yokohama, which had been in business for nearly 20 years, offered sushi, bento box options, Japanese entrees, and more.

The address for Migaku is 238 Washington Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

[May 15 update: Eater Boston reports that Migaku is now open.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston


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

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a high-end seafood restaurant in Boston could be losing its home to a dispensary, though if it happens, it plans to move into a nearby space that had once been home to another dining and drinking spot.

According to an article in the Beacon Hill Times, plans have been unveiled for Patriot Care to open a facility in the Mooncusser Fish House space on Stuart Street, with an earlier Boston Sun article mentioning that if approved, the owner of the restaurant would end up moving the spot to the former Flash's Cocktails space next door with no apparent changes being made to it. If the dispensary gets the green light to open, it could be up and running in November or December, though it is not known when Mooncusser might have to close (keep checking back for updates as they come in).

Mooncusser first opened in July of 2017 and was joined by a more casual space called Moon Bar a month later; the two were joined by Cusser's Roast Beef & Seafood last May.

The current address for Mooncusser is 304 Stuart Street, while the address for the Flash's space is 310 Stuart Street.

Thanks to Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention via a message.

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, March 21, 2019

Northern Spy Plans to Open at Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to the southern suburbs of Boston, and it will be located at an historic riverside space.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that the group behind Loyal Nine in Cambridge will be opening Northern Spy in Canton, with the dining spot residing inside the copper rolling mill at the Paul Revere Heritage Site on Revere Street, just west of the center of town. The post says that the new restaurant will feature regional comfort food such as chowder, clam dip, crab on Parker House rolls, burgers cooked on a wood-fired hearth, and French fries that will be taken "very seriously," with lunch, dinner, and brunch being offered. If all goes as planned, Northern Spy could be opening sometime in September.

Paul Revere Heritage Site includes both the rolling mill and a barn, with an earlier Canton Citizen article mentioning that the complex may include a museum along with a park.

Loyal Nine, which first opened in the spring of 2015 on Cambridge Street, also features regional New England fare.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Canton is: Northern Spy, 96 Revere Street, Canton, MA, 02021.

[September 24 update: A Twitter post from Loyal Nine mentions that Northern Spy plans to open in Canton over the next few months.]

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 Neta Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

Last summer, we reported that a brand new Mexican restaurant appeared to be in the works on Newbury Street in the Back Bay, and the person behind it was also behind several local dining spots. Now that we have learned that he will be opening another restaurant at a different location on the same street.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Allan Rodriguez of El Centro and La Catrina is planning to open La Neta at 221 Newbury Street, which is about a block east of where Rodriguez had been looking to open another spot called Taqueria Urban Kitchen. The post says that La Neta will be a fast-casual eatery that offers tacos, tortas, enchiladas, burritos, and more, with the plan being to open sometime later this spring or early in the summer.

Locations of El Centro can be found in the South End, Belmont, Brookline [ed note--now closed], and Dedham, while La Catrina can be found in Brighton; it appears that plans for Taqueria Urban Kitchen have fallen through because the address is so close to the upcoming La Neta, but if any new information comes, we will post an update here.

[Earlier Article]
Taqueria Urban Kitchen Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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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]




Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Six String Grill and Stage Is Opening in Foxboro

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant, bar, and music venue is on its way, replacing a popular spot for country music that closed earlier this year.

According to a press release, Six String Grill and Stage is opening at Patriot Place in Foxboro, moving into the old Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill space. The upcoming spot will feature Southern-style food and classic American fare along with beer, wine, and cocktails, and there will be live rock and country music from both local and national acts. Six String Grill and Stage is a collaboration between The Briar Group, which runs such spots as Anthem, City Table, The Harp, Ned Devine's, O'Connor's, and Solas, and DFTR, whose partners include Mike Mushok of the band Staind, radio and music veteran Dennis Callaghan, and Dan Millen of Thunder Road in Somerville.

Six String Grill and Stage will be located at 275 Patriot Place, while its website will be at https://sixstringfoxborough.com/

[April 11 update: A Facebook comment indicates that Six String Grill and Stage plans to open sometime this summer.]

[May 24 update: A press release states that Six String Grill and Stage is now open in Foxboro.]

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]

Bukhara Indian Bistro in Jamaica Plain Moving to New Space in Forest Hills

by Marc Hurwitz

An Indian restaurant in Jamaica Plain is moving to a new location nearby.

According to a Facebook post from Steve Garfield, Bukhara Indian Bistro on Centre Street is moving to Washington Street in Forest Hills on April 1, with Universal Hub stating that it will take over the space that had been home to Tonic until it closed in 2013 (a location of Grass Fed also took over the Tonic space but it shuttered in 2017). It is not yet know what might be going into the current location of Bukhara; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Universal Hub mentions that the space that Bukhara is moving to is two doors down from another Indian restaurant (Tikki Masala).

The address for Bukhara is currently 701 Centre Street, with its upcoming address being 3698 Washington Street.

[March 20 update: According to a comment within the Facebook thread above, Bukhara is apparently moving into the space in Forest Hills while the Centre Street space is being remodeled; the plan appears to be for the restaurant to move back to its current home once renovations are complete.]

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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]




Dig Inn Plans to Open New Location in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a New York City-based group of "farm-to-counter" restaurants could be opening a fourth location in Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @danpflock, Dig Inn is apparently looking to open in Fort Point, with the tweet showing an alteration permit that mentions the eatery is seeking to open in a vacant commercial space on Thomson Place. If it does get approval to open there, the new location of Dig Inn would join others at the Pru, on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing and on Boylston Street across from Copley Square.

Dig Inn, which first started out in 2011, offers locally-sourced healthy food options including "market bowls" that have a grain or salad base with items such as chicken, beef, and salmon.

An exact address is not yet known for the new location of Dig Inn at Fort Point, but the permit notice does show an address of 19-39 Thomson Place. (The website for Dig Inn is at https://www.diginn.com/)

[April 29 update: A licensing board hearing page confirms that Dig Inn is looking to open in Fort Point, with the exact address given being 25 Thomson Place and the restaurant planning to be open until 11:00 PM.]

[June 7 update: Eater Boston states that the Fort Point location of Dig Inn opens on Wednesday, June 12.]

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, March 19, 2019

Vaanga Opens in Former Curry House Space in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant that describes itself in a rather unusual manner has come to downtown Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Vaanga is now open on Water Street, moving into the space that had been home to a location of Curry House. The logo for the new eatery says that it is a "Crazy Indian Joint" while the "about" section of its Facebook page says it is "The most unauthentic Indian fare in Downtown Boston serving the kickass styles of Indian food." The website for the restaurant is not up and running as of yet, but its Facebook page mentions such items as samosa burgers and dosas along with "DESI Tacos and BAERITTOS." (As soon as we see a full menu, we'll post an update here.)

Curry House first opened on Water Street in the summer of 2017, taking over the space where Beantown Hoagie had once been; the original location of Curry House remains in operation on Beacon Street in Brookline's Coolidge Corner.

The address for Vaanga is 102 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/BostonVaanga/

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]




A Floating Restaurant May Be Coming to the Charlestown Navy Yard

by Marc Hurwitz

Boston may soon be getting a new restaurant that would literally be located on the water.

According to an article from boston.com, the Boston Planning &amp Development Agency and Mayor Marty Walsh have approved of plans to have a temporary floating restaurant set up within a tall ship at the Charlestown Navy Yard. The post mentions that the Navy Yard Hospitality Group would operate the dining spot, which would open this summer and be part of Imagine Boston 2030, a citywide initiative that, for Charlestown, would include free outdoor programming from the USS Constitution Museum, a temporary gathering space for the general public, and the floating restaurant.

The Navy Yard Hospitality Group is behind a few local restaurants, including Pier 6 in Charlestown, ReelHouse in East Boston (and a second location coming to Quincy),  and Mija at Faneuil Hall.

[March 22 update: The Charlestown Patriot-Bridge states that the floating restaurant would be set up on a 245-foot-long ship that would be located at Drydock #2, which is the strip of water near where 1st Avenue meets 5th Street and 6th Street (just north of the USS Constitution).]

[June 19 update: The floating restaurant could be one step closer to opening by next week, as a licensing board hearing page for June 26 shows an amended description of the licensed business (which includes Pier 6) as including the tall ship, which would have a dining room, bar, lounge, and kitchen on the main deck while the upper deck would have three more bars with dining areas.]

[July 5 update: A new article from The Charlestown Patriot-Bridge mentions that a new proposal has been made that would set up the floating restaurant next to Pier 6 rather than at Drydock #2.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]




Monday, March 18, 2019

Cheers Cut Is Opening in North Quincy

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a small group of Taiwanese restaurants known in part for their crispy fried chicken will be opening a second location in the Boston area.

According to a Twitter post from @QuincyTweets, Cheers Cut is opening on Billings Road, with a tweet from @ahGwenYee saying that it is moving into a space that had been home to an insurance company. Based on the menu at the outlet in Allston that opened last summer, the new location could offer such items as crispy chicken, chicken nuggets, fried shrimp, sauteed calamari, fried diced beef, and more.

In addition to its Allston and upcoming North Quincy locations, Cheers Cut also has shops in New York and Florida.

The address for Cheers Cut in North Quincy will be 19 Billings Road, Quincy, MA, 02171.

[May 21 update: A Yelp page for the place indicates that Cheers Cut has soft-opened, and that it also has some sort of a connection to OneZo, an adjacent bubble tea spot that had soft-opened as well.]

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

Thursday, March 14, 2019

The Gallery Opens Underneath Yvonne's in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A downtown Boston restaurant that resides in an iconic space has been joined by a hidden basement spot that offers a mix of art, culture, and dining.

According to a press release, the Gallery is now open below Yvonne's, a high-end "supper club" that took over the former Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in late 2015. The new space is accessed through Yvonne's Library Lounge by way of a hidden bookshelf door, with the downstairs space having rotating art exhibits and seven tables where diners can order from Yvonne's food and drinks menus.

The space in which the Gallery resides is the former Rebel Room, which had been used for private events and large groups; when Locke-Ober resided in the space, the downstairs room was actually called Yvonne's, a members-only club that inspired the name of the current restaurant.

Yvonne's (and the Gallery) can be found at 3 Winter Place in the Downtown Crossing section of 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]




Tom English's in Dorchester Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A couple of years ago, we reported that yet another dive bar in Boston was going to eventually be closing and replaced by a mixed-use development, and now we have learned that the place is now getting ready to shut down.

According to a post from NBC 10 Boston, Tom English's in Dorchester will be closing for good on April 1, as the site of the Dorchester Avenue watering hole (along with Dorchester Market, which closes April 7) will become home to a five-story residential building that could end up housing a restaurant and a market on the ground floor. Earlier, we had mentioned that Dorchester Market could be the store that opens in the new development, but it is not known if this is still the case.

Dorchester and nearby South Boston have seen a number of other dive bars shutter over the past several years, including the Lower Mills Pub, the Centre Bar, Aces High, the Cornerstone Pub, the Quencher Tavern, and the Dot Tavern, though this last bar could be reopening at some point.

The address for Tom English's is 957 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

[Earlier Article]
Tom English's in Dorchester to Be Sold

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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]




Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Rare Steakhouse to Open at Encore Boston in Everett

by Marc Hurwitz

Another new restaurant has been announced for the upcoming casino complex in Everett, and this one will feature a food item that can only be found in a handful of places around the country.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Rare Steakhouse is planning to open at Encore Boston Harbor resort and casino, with the dining spot offering certified authentic Kobe beef among other items such as Sanuki Olive Beef, rare Ideue beef, and American-raised beef products along with local seafood, premium and accessible wines, a variety of scotch options, and more. Rare Steakhouse--which has a connection to SW Steakhouse at the Wynn Las Vegas--is slated to open in June when the complex debuts.

As of 2016, only nine restaurants in the United States offered real Kobe, according to a Business Insider post.

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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]




Jose's Torta Mexicana Is Opening in Part of the Former Bagels by Us Space in Arlington

by Marc Hurwitz

Last fall, we reported that a new bakery was taking over the space where a suburban bagel shop had been. Now we have learned that it won't be the only food spot coming to that space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Jose's Torta Mexicana is opening in part of the former Bagels by Us space in Arlington, with an earlier post in Your Arlington confirming that it is indeed coming to half of that Mass. Ave. space while--as stated before--Butternut Bakehouse will move into the other half. Both the Your Arlington post and an Instagram page from the upcoming Jose's Torta Mexicana indicate that the person behind Jose's in Cambridge is also behind this spot, while the Instagram page shows that the restaurant will be offering Mexican tortas and more, though a menu has not been seen as of yet.

Bagels by Us closed last March after being in business for more than 20 years.

Based on the Instagram page for the place, it looks like the address for Jose's Torta Mexicana will be 793 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[May 9 update: According to a neighboring business owner who posted on The Arlington List Facebook group page, Jose's Torta Mexicana could be opening as soon as Monday.]

[May 19 update: A message sent from Jose's in Cambridge confirms that Jose's Torta Mexicana in Arlington is now officially open.]

[Earlier Article]
Butternut Bakehouse to Open in Former Bagels by Us Space in Arlington

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Monday, March 11, 2019

Jose Duarte of Taranta in Boston's North End Plans to Open Tambo 22 in Chelsea

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 22 to reflect a name for the place as well as more information given.]

It looks like a new restaurant is opening just over the bridge from Boston, and a well-known chef and restaurateur is involved with the place.

According to a Facebook post from Susan Holaday of Foodservice East, Jose Duarte of Taranta in Boston's North End is planning to open a dining spot in Chelsea, with an earlier meeting minutes page seeming to confirm this, saying that Duarte and Taylor Corcoran (Choquet), who is also from Taranta, being behind the place, which would be on Adams Street and whose parent company is called Oakwood Tavern, LLC. The minutes page had mentioned that the restaurant would be a Peruvian and Italian fusion spot with a capacity around or just under 20, though it is not known if this remains the case for both the concept and capacity. Duarte posts on Susan Holaday's page that details will be coming soon, so stay tuned for updates.

Taranta, which is located on Hanover Street, also offers Peruvian-Italian fusion fare.

The address for this new restaurant in Chelsea from Jose Duarte and Taylor Corcoran is 22 Adams Street, Chelsea, MA, 02150.

[March 22 update: Boston Magazine states that the restaurant from Jose Duarte and Taylor Choquet will be called Tambo 22, and it will be a Peruvian-inspired restaurant with Peruvian beers and organic wines.]

[March 2, 2020 update: Eater Boston says that Tambo 22 opens tomorrow.]

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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]

Sorella's in Jamaica Plain Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a beloved breakfast spot that has been around for a long time is getting ready to close for good.

According to an article in the Jamaica Plain News, Sorella's on Centre Street in JP is shutting down at the end of the month, confirming what a poster had said on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page. The article says that one of the two sisters behind the eatery--Ellie Bolys--passed away four years ago, leaving Antoinette Bolys to run both Sorella's and the Dedham Diner and that the former has been for sale for several months now.

Sorella's, which first opened in 1983, has received much praise among critics and patrons alike over the years, with its pancakes, crepes, and French toast being among the most popular items there.

The address for Sorelle's is 386 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

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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, March 08, 2019

Amsterdam Falafelshop in Somerville's Davis Square Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

What was once a growing group of falafel shops will soon be disappearing from the Boston-area landscape.

According to a Facebook post, Amsterdam Falafelshop in the Davis Square section of Somerville is shutting down on March 30, with the note saying that "It's with great sadness that we announce the closing of Amsterdam Falafelshop in Davis Square....Please take advantage of the last few weeks of service and come into the store early and often, order catering platters for your local events, and please tip our loyal staff a little extra as they transition to new ventures. We are off to new ventures with family and business and will never forget our time in Davis Square." The Somerville closure will mean that no more locations of the Washington, DC-based group of eateries will be in the region, as the Kenmore Square shop closed in early 2017 and other locations that were being planned never came to be. (At one point early on, it looked like four Boston-area locations in addition to the Somerville shop--which first opened in 2012--were being planned.)

Other locations of Amsterdam Falafelshop in Washington, DC (three) and South Miami (one) remain in operation.

The address for the soon-to-close Amsterdam Falafelshop in Davis Square is 248 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.falafelshop.com/

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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]