Boston Restaurant Talk: November 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

Update: The Lansdowne Pub, Daddy Jones Bar, Olde Main Street Pub All Reopen After Being Closed for Much of the Winter

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 30 to reflect the fact that all three spots are now open.]

At least three more restaurants/bars in the Greater Boston area have shut down for the winter, as the trend of hibernating continues to pick up.

According to several sources, The Lansdowne Pub in Boston's Fenway, Daddy Jones Bar in Somerville's Magoun Square, and the Olde Main Street Pub in Salem have all closed for now, with The Lansdowne Pub mentioning on Facebook that it plans to reopen in March, a message from Daddy Jones Bar saying that it continues to offer half trays and baklava online along with catering while shutting takeout down for the winter, and the Olde Main Street Pub indicating that it hopes to reopen in the spring while also having takeout available "if needed." The three dining/drinking spots join a lengthy list of local places that have already shut down for the winter as the pandemic continues.

To find out which restaurants and bars have gone into hibernation, please click here.

[March 30 update: Facebook posts from The Lansdowne Pub, Daddy Jones Bar, and Olde Main Street Pub indicate that they are all open once again.]

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.)

China Moon in Stoneham Is Closing

An old-school suburban Chinese restaurant that has been in business for nearly 70 years is closing down.

According to several sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and a Facebook post in the North Shore Eats group page, China Moon in Stoneham is getting ready to shut down permanently, with the North Shore Eats post indicating that the Main Street spot plans to close on or around December 14, and that the family behind the place is planning to sell the property. China Moon first opened in 1953, with the place being known in part for its Chinese-American fare and Polynesian drinks while also featuring a buffet until the pandemic hit.

The address for China Moon is 170 Main Street (Route 28), Stoneham, MA, 02180. Its website can be found at https://www.chinamoonstoneham.com/

[December 15 update: Based on several posts from people on Facebook, it appears that yesterday was indeed the final day for China Moon.]

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.)

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

W Cafe in Woburn to Become The W Pizzeria

A breakfast and lunch place in the northern suburbs of Boston is getting ready to morph into a pizza spot.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, W Cafe in Woburn is becoming The W Pizzeria, with a Facebook post from the upcoming eatery indicating that its grand opening will take place on December 1. Very little is known about the upcoming restaurant other than the fact that its Facebook page says "Handmade Italian style pizza crust. 15 + years and growing"; stay tuned for any updates as they come in.

W Cafe has been known as a place for breakfast, brunch, lunch (including business lunches), and catering, with a few items on its menu including pancakes, French toast, breakfast pizza, sandwiches, and more.

The address for W Cafe (and the upcoming W Pizzeria) is 109a Main Street, Woburn, MA, 01801.

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.)

Rivershed Opens in Weymouth Landing

A second location of a Southern-style restaurant that has been in the works for well over a year has finally arrived.

According to a source, Rivershed in Scituate opens a new location in Braintree today, moving into a space in Weymouth Landing within the new Landing 53 development on Commercial Street. A Facebook post from the place says that "We have the same classic shed menu [and] 20 tapped kegs" and it indicates that it will be open for lunch and dinner, with the menu showing such items as fried pickles, gumbo, poutine, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, brisket, burgers, blackened swordfish, steak tips, ribs, and more.

The address for the new location of Rivershed in Weymouth Landing is 35-37 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for both locations can be found at https://www.therivershed.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rivershed in Scituate to Open Second Location in Weymouth Landing

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.)

Update: The Lobster Shanty, Atlantico, Select Oyster Bar Reopen After Closing for the Winter; Bonez Brothers BBQ Has Closed

Two more restaurants in the Greater Boston area have shut down for the winter, while two other Boston spots are getting ready to do the same.

According to several sources along with posts on social media from the places, The Lobster Shanty in Salem and Bonez Brothers BBQ in Quincy are now shuttered for the season, and Atlantico in Boston's South End and Select Oyster Bar in the Back Bay (which are under the same ownership) will be going into hibernation at the end of business hours on Saturday, November 28. The four dining spots join an increasingly-large number of restaurants in the region that have shut down for the winter as the pandemic continues, with many of them planning to remain closed until a vaccine and/or therapeutic makes things more conducive for business. (Just yesterday, a number of hibernation announcements were made here.)

[April 1, 2021 update: A message sent to us indicates that The Lobster Shanty reopens today for indoor and outdoor dining.]

[April 2, 2021 update: According to a list from boston.com, Atlantico and Select Oyster Bar are both open once again.]

[April 3, 2021 update: According to a source, Bonez Brothers BBQ has closed down.]

[Earlier Article]
A Number of Other Boston-Area Restaurants and Bars Are Hibernating

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.)

Cuisine en Locale in Somerville Is Going Out of Business; ONCE Hopes to Find a New Home

A catering company in Somerville is shutting down, and its event venue that has attracted countless music acts will be looking for a new home.

According to a source (Ron Newman), Cuisine en Locale on Highland Avenue is calling it a day while ONCE Lounge and Ballroom will not be opening within the space, with an email from founder JJ Gonson saying that "COVID has made it impossible to make the kind of money we need to occupy a space of that size." The note says that the plan is for ONCE to fine a new space in which it will be able to host "in-person shows, flea markets, benefits, and community-building events," but that Cuisine en Locale appears to be shuttered permanently.

Cuisine en Locale first opened in the former Anthony's space in 2013, with ONCE debuting there the following year.

The address for Cuisine en Locale and ONCE Lounge and Ballroom is 156 Highland 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]

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.)

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Rutchada Thai Cuisine Opens in Roslindale

A new Thai restaurant has come to a Boston neighborhood, moving into a space that has been home to a rather large number of other dining spots.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Rutchada Thai Cuisine is now open in Roslindale, taking over the space where Tasty Thai had been, and before that, Seven Star Street Bistro, Cheerful Kitchens, a Vietnamese eatery, and possibly five or more Chinese restaurants before that. The menu for Rutchada Thai Cuisine shows such items as crispy tofu, scallion pancakes, satay, glass noodle soup, jungle curry, pineapple fried rice, drunken noodles, and duck noodle soup.

The address for Rutchada Thai Cuisine is 153 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA, 02131. Its website can be found at https://www.rutchadathai.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]

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.)

Friendship BBQ Replaces Jo Jo Taipei in Allston

A barbecue spot in Boston's Chinatown that features skewers of meat has opened a second location, and this one replaces a Taiwanese restaurant in Allston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Friendship BBQ is now open in the former Jo Jo Taipei space on Brighton Avenue, joining its original location on Harrison Avenue. Based on the menu at the Chinatown outlet, the new location likely offers a variety of skewers and it may also serve such items as grilled fish, seafood boils, rice noodles, tripe, grilled quail, and more.

Jo Jo Taipei first opened its doors back in 2008.

The address for the new location of Friendship BBQ in Allston (and the old Jo Jo Taipei) is 103 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the Chinatown location of Friendship BBQ can be found at https://friendshipbbqboston.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]

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.)

BMS Paper Company and Market in Jamaica Plain Looking to Add Restaurant, Roofdeck

A retail store in Jamaica Plain that sells restaurant supplies, party goods, and more is planning to expand, with its proposal including a restaurant and roof deck above the shop.

According to an article from Universal Hub, BMS Paper Company and Market on Washington Street has submitted plans to the Boston Planning & Development Agency to expand its 2 1/2-story building to six floors which would include residential units while also adding a dining spot on the second floor above the store, along with a roof deck above the restaurant. Based on information within the project notification form, the dining spot would be a moderately-priced neighborhood restaurant while the roof deck would be a seasonal space.

BMS Paper Company and Market first started out in 1984.

The address for BMS Paper Company and Market is 3390 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. The website for the business is at https://www.bmspaper.net/

[September 3, 2021 update: According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, it looks like the name of the restaurant at the BMS Paper Company and Market site will be called BMS After Dark.]

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.)

Monday, November 23, 2020

La Patrona Mexican Grill Is Opening in Jamaica Plain

It looks like a brand new Mexican restaurant is on its way to Jamaica Plain.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, La Patrona Mexican Grill is planning to open on Centre Street, with the address indicating that it will move into a space in the Hyde Square section of the neighborhood. Very little is currently known about the proposed eatery other than the fact that the manager listed is Elizabeth Cabral and that its hours of operation may be 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM; as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here.

The address for La Patrona Mexican Grill is 360 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/La-Patrona-Mexican-Grill-105773298039815

[January 20, 2021 update: According to its Facebook page, La Patrona Mexican Grill is now open in Jamaica Plain, with the menu including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more.]

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.)

Kinfolks BBQ & Fried Chicken Opens in South Easton

The person behind a barbecue spot in Taunton has opened a second restaurant in a neighboring town.

According to an article from The Enterprise, Kinfolks BBQ & Fried Chicken is now open in South Easton, joining Kinfolks Award Winning BBQ in Taunton. The menu for the new spot shows such items as pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken, ribs, macaroni and cheese, hush puppies, baked beans, yams, collard greens, and fried okra, and owner Sylvester English says that he hopes to start a franchise of barbecue and fried chicken restaurants within the next ten years.

English, who comes from Tallahassee, FL, started the business out as a food trailer in Taunton in 2013, with his first restaurant debuting in that city in 2018.

The address for Kinfolks BBQ & Fried Chicken in South Easton is 25 Robert Drive, South Easton, MA, 02375. The website for the restaurant is at http://eatkinfolks.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]

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.)

The Model Cafe in Allston Is Now Serving Bar Pizza

A neighborhood bar in Allston that has been around for nearly 90 years is now serving a regional food that is typically found south of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Model Cafe on N Beacon Street is now offering bar pizza, with a Facebook post from the place indicating that they started serving bar pies this past Friday. The introduction of bar pizza appears to be in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that bars can only be open if they serve food made on-site, and the Model Cafe has reportedly not been open since the pandemic began.

The Model Cafe, which first opened back in 1932, is known in part for its cheap drinks, live music, and pinball machine.

The address for the Model Cafe is 7 N Beacon St, Allston, MA, 02134.

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.)

Villa Mexico in Downtown Boston Has Gone into Hibernation

A beloved Mexican restaurant in the heart of Boston is the latest dining spot to go into hibernation.

According to a tweet from the place, Villa Mexico on Water Street in the city's Financial District has shut down for now, with the post saying that it will reopen on January 11. This hibernation is different from many of the others that have taken place in and around Boston, as restaurants that have shut down for the winter are generally looking to open back up in the spring or whenever a vaccine and/or therapeutic is in place.

Villa Mexico had once been located within a gas station on Cambridge Street in Beacon Hill until closing in 2013; the dining spot reopened in its current space in downtown Boston three years later.

The address for Villa Mexico is 121 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website is at https://www.villamexicocafe.us/

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.)

Friday, November 20, 2020

Hopsters Appears to Be Headed Toward Liquidation

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a local brewery with two locations in the Boston area had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now we have learned that it is now apparently heading toward Chapter 7 liquidation.

According to an article from Brewbound, a judge has rejected a bid by Hopsters to prevent a trustee from changing the bankruptcy filing to a liquidation in a Thursday hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Massachusetts. Back in September, Hopsters founder/owner Lee Cooper filed for bankruptcy and was looking to reorganize at that time, reinventing the business in order to keep it going. A check on its website indicates that the site appears to have been taken down, and there is no indication as to the status of the company on social media sites. (More on the apparent liquidation of Hopsters can be found in this tweet from @EdB_SP.)

Hopsters first opened in Newton Corner in 2013, with a second location opening in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood in 2018.

[Earlier Article]
Hopsters Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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.)

Wachusett Brew Yard Opens in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A highly-anticipated brewpub has arrived in Cambridge, taking over the space where another restaurant and beer bar had been until closing last year.

According to a source, Wachusett Brew Yard opens today in the former John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House within The Garage in Harvard Square, with a Facebook post saying that it debuted at 4:00 PM and it will have a "diverse line up of hand-crafted beers and meals." This is the third Brew Yard that Wachusett has opened, with the other two being in Westminster (where Wachusett Brewing Company is headquartered) and Worcester.

The address for the new Wachusett Brew Yard in Harvard Square is 33 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Wachusett Brewing Company is at https://www.wachusettbrewingcompany.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Wachusett Brewing Company to Open Brewpub in Former John Harvard's Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square
John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House in Cambridge's Harvard Square 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.)

Gaslight in Boston's South End Is Closing

A French restaurant in the South End of Boston is shutting down.

According to a couple of sources, Gaslight Brasserie du Coin on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa area is closing its doors, with one source indicating that its last day will be Sunday, November 22 after brunch service. A Facebook post from the dining spot hints that new restaurants could be on the way from the group behind the spot, saying that "The Aquitaine Group is moving off of Harrison Avenue and we are looking forward to new endeavors in 2021. We are bullish on Boston and the restaurant community that serves our city just as we have, for over 25 years and running at Aquitaine Boston, Aquitaine Chestnut Hill and Metropolis Cafe."

Gaslight is one of two restaurants from the The Aquitaine Group that has resided on Harrison Avenue, with Cinquecento closing earlier this year after being hit by a flood from a water main break.

The address for Gaslight is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

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.)

Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos in Boston Have Gone into Winter Hibernation

Two more local dining and drinking spots have decided to close for the season, joining a number of others that have also gone into hibernation as the pandemic continues.

A message sent from Two Saints Tavern indicates that both Two Saints and Dos Diablos--which are in the same space and under the same ownership--have decided to hibernate for the winter, with a GoFundMe page for the former saying the following (the fundraising page has been set up to help out the workers there who have been laid off):

"Unfortunately due to Covid-19 and the restrictions put forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Two Saints Tavern has been forced to temporarily close its doors. As you may know, we tried to bring some normalcy back to to 52 Gainsborough St., and the Northeastern University community, but at the end of the day we just couldn't survive in these difficult times."

Two Saints Tavern and Dos Diablos opened in the former Our House East space in the spring of 2018, with the former being called at the time an "urban, rustic tavern" while the latter was called a "gritty, gótico-chic, taco bar."

The address for the two spots is 52 Gainsborough Street, Boston, MA, 02115.

[April 13, 2021 update: According to its Facebook page, Two Saints Tavern has reopened.]

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.)

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Lady C&J Cafe Opens in Brockton

A new breakfast and lunch spot with southern influences has come to Brockton, and the person behind it used to run a restaurant with a similar name nearby.

According to a source, Lady C&J Cafe is now open at the downtown Brockton Area Transit terminal, with an article in The Enterprise mentioning that Alabama native Cynthia Hodges is the operator of the Court Street spot. The post states that Hodges used to run Lady C&J Soul Food on Perkins Avenue until 2014, when a fire forced her to shut down the place after 3 1/2 years in business.

Hodges says that Lady C&J Cafe offers a variety of soul food options, including such items as biscuits with sausage gravy, macaroni and cheese, BLTs, egg and cheese sandwiches, Jamaican-style beef patties, empanadas, and fish- and chicken-stuffed pastries.

The address for Lady C&J Cafe is 155 Court Street, Brockton, MA, 02302.

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.)

Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant in Somerville Has Closed

A family-owned restaurant in Somerville that featured North African cuisine has shut down, and COVID is to blame.

According to an article in Wicked Local, Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant on Somerville Avenue is no longer in business, with sisters Amina and Nouzha Ghallay initially starting off the year strong with their dining spot, but as Nouzha says, "In March, we had all these reservations, but as soon as COVID hit us, people started canceling them. After March, the business was going down, down, down – sinking little by little – and we never recovered from that." The restaurant started out in Malden in 2011, moving to Somerville three years later, with the menu including such dishes as lentil fritters, lamb tajine, chicken kebabs, and veggie couscous.

The address for the now-closed Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant was 585 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]

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.)

Dispensary Given Approval to Replace Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a dive bar that was popular with college students could end up being replaced by a dispensary. Now we have learned that these plans have taken a big step forward.

A message from Henry Santoro of WGBH indicates that a marijuana shop has been given approval to open in the Mary Ann's space in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton, with a Boston Globe article saying that the Boston Cannabis Board has indeed voted to allow Happy Valley to open in the Beacon Street space. The Globe mentions that there has been criticism from nearby Boston College about the plan, with former Boston police commissioner Bill Evans--who is currently head of the security and police operations at BC--voicing concerns about the proposed shop at a public hearing last week, saying that it would "open the door to another drug that will impact these kids" and stating that "I'd take Mary Ann's over [the dispenary] any day."

Mary Ann's, which has been locked up and dark for awhile, is one of a few drinking spots that was taken over by the Greater Boston Bar Co. back in 2018, including The Tam in Boston's Theatre District and the Beacon Hill Pub, the latter of which is reportedly being replaced by a high-end restaurant.

The address for Mary Ann's (and the proposed dispensary) is 1937 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[Earlier Article]
Is Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle Being Replaced By a Dispensary?

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.)

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Temporary Outdoor Dining on Public Sidewalks and Parking Lanes in Boston Slated to End December 1

A couple of months ago, it was reported that expanded outdoor dining areas in Boston would be allowed to continue until at least through December 1 as the pandemic continued. Now we have learned that this does appear to be the end date, at least for temporary patios in public spaces.

According to two sources, including Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, restaurants in the city that have set up temporary outdoor dining areas on public sidewalks and parking lanes will only be able to continue to do so until the end of business hours on December 1, as starting December 2, only outdoor areas on private property will be allowed to remain in operation. In addition, it is possible that poor weather conditions between now and the beginning of December could result in an early end to the temporary outdoor dining program, so at this point, December 1 appears to be a best-case scenario. (We have also been told that detailed information on temporary outdoor dining in 2021 will be coming from the city at some point.)

A number of restaurants in Boston have been allowed to operate temporary outdoor dining areas on public property over the past several months as a way to help businesses out during the coronavirus crisis.

[Earlier Articles]
Governor Baker to Sign Order Extending Timeframe for Expanded Outdoor Dining in Massachusetts
City of Boston Extends Outdoor Dining at Restaurants Until at Least December 1

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.)

Indulgenza Is Opening in Waltham

It looks like a new dessert and pastry shop is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Indulgenza is planning to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Moody Street between Spruce Street and Taylor Street. The Facebook page for the upcoming shop says that it is coming soon while mentioning that "Something delicious sweet and savory is waiting for you." A Facebook post within the Bring Retail to Waltham group page shows a "permit to build" sign in the storefront, mentioning that the place will be a dessert and pastry shop with no baking done on the premises.

The address for Indulgenza is 346 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453.

[January 15, 2021 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Indulgenza is now open, offering desserts and pastries to go.]

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.)

Hot Chix Halal Is Opening in Medford Square

A new dining spot that features halal food is on its way to Medford.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Hot Chix Halal is opening in Medford Square, moving into a space on High Street on the same block as Salvatore's restaurant (between Governors Avenue and Bradlee Road). Based on a menu posted on the ieatery.com site, it appears that the restaurant offers Indian dishes that are considered halal, or prepared according to Islamic dietary guidelines. It looks like there are also some other types of cuisine served as well, with rotisserie chicken, baby back ribs, burgers, and chicken nuggets, along with a "Bay of Bengal" section of the menu that includes fish masala, shrimp saag, and fish curry.

The address for Hot Chix Halal is 49 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

[December 16 update: It appears that Hot Chix Halal is open, as its online ordering system is now up and running.]

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.)

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Bar 25 in Ayer Is Replacing Ceia in Newburyport

A restaurant and bar in Ayer that is known for its craft cocktails is opening a second location, and this one will replace a well-known spot in Newburyport.

According to a source, Bar 25 is planning to replace Ceia on State Street, with a Daily News article saying that Bar 25 owner Reza Rahmani is looking to open a location that will be bigger than the original on Main Street in Ayer. An Instagram post from Nancy Batista-Caswell of Ceia indicates that if all goes as planned and the transfer does go through, the last night for Ceia could be Thankgiving Eve. (Other restaurants from Batista-Caswell and the Caswell Restaurant Group are Brine in Newburyport and Oak + Rowan in Boston's Fort Point area.)

The address for Ceia (and the new Bar 25) is 38 State Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950. The website for Bar 25 can be found at https://bar-25.com/

[November 27 update: Wednesday was indeed the final night that Ceia offered its dinner menu, but a Facebook post mentions that it will be open for burgers and charcuterie tonight, a wine dinner tomorrow night, and a last brunch on Sunday which will wrap things up for the restaurant.]

[November 30 update: Ceia is now closed, and a Facebook post from Nancy Batista-Caswell indicates that Bar 25 will indeed be opening in the space, with her note saying to the restaurant, "Welcome to the hood."]

[July 9, 2021 update: According to its website Bar 25 is now open in Newburyport.]

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.)

Windy City Pizza in Dorchester Is Expanding to Weymouth

A Dorchester pizzeria that moved to a new location last year is getting ready to open another outlet in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Windy City Pizza is opening a shop in Weymouth, which jibes with an earlier article here from last year that looked into the Dorchester location moving from Gallivan Boulevard to Morrissey Boulevard. In that article, it looked like the new shop would be opening on Main Street in Weymouth, though we are still trying to find out its exact location.

The move of the Dorchester location of Windy City Pizzeria stemmed at least in part from "a small electrical incident" that took place at its former home in July of 2019; it opened in its new location approximately four months later. (Another location can be found on Newport Avenue in North Quincy.)

The address for Windy City Pizzeria is at https://www.windypizza.com/

[November 27 update: According to two sources (including our original source for this), Windy City Pizzeria will be moving into the old D'Angelo space at 1049 Main Street in South Weymouth.]

[January 20, 2021 update: The Windy City website indicates that the Weymouth location is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Windy City Pizza in Dorchester Is Moving to Former Unchained Pizza 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]

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.)

The Patriot Tavern in Walpole Is for Lease

It looks like a roadside watering hole in the southwest suburbs of Boston is on the market.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Patriot Tavern in Walpole is for lease, with another Facebook post showing this while a listing within the Bisquest site seems to confirm this as well. The listing mentions that seller of the Route 1A property wants a quick sale and that it is in "turn key condition," while also saying "just bring your concept."

The structure in which the Patriot Tavern was housed dates back approximately a century, with the former Patriot Tavern being a dive bar until a few years ago when it was reborn under new ownership as a dining and drinking spot with such items as steak tips, wings, burgers, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, and brick chicken.

The address for the Patriot Tavern space is 100 Main Street (Route 1A), Walpole, MA, 02081.

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.)

Locations of 99 Restaurant & Pub in Braintree and West Concord to Close

A family-friendly chain of restaurants with local roots will be closing two locations in the Greater Boston area.

According to posters within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the 99 Restaurant & Pub in both Braintree and West Concord are closing, with a message from the company confirming this, saying that their last day in operation will be Saturday, November 21. We have also been told that locations in Seekonk and Worcester (East Central Street) will be shutting down, though it appears that other outlets in the region will remain in operation.

The 99 Restaurant & Pub is headquartered in Woburn and has more than 100 locations in New England and New York, with most being in Massachusetts. The dining spots are known for such items as wings, steak tips, burgers, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, and country fried chicken.

The address for the 99 in Braintree is 250B Granite Street (South Shore Plaza) while the address for the location in West Concord is 13 Commonwealth Avenue. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.99restaurants.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]

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.)

Monday, November 16, 2020

Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, NH Is for Sale

One of the best-known seafood shacks in New England is on the market.

According to a source, Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, NH, is for sale, with an article from seacoastonline.com confirming this, indicating (via a sales brochure given by the commercial division of Keller-Williams Real Estate) that the owner of the dining spot is looking to retire. Markey's is often mentioned in the same breath as Brown's across the street, with both being landmark seafood restaurants known for their lobster rolls, fried clams, and more.

Markey's first opened its doors back in 1971.

The address for Markey's Lobster Pool is 420 NH-286, Seabrook, NH 03874. Its website is at https://www.markeyslobsterpound.com/

[February 6 update: While there are no updates on any pending sale, it does look like Markey's remains in operation, with its website saying that it plans to reopen for the season on weekends only starting February 13 (weather permitting).]

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.)

Buttermilk & Bourbon Is Opening at Arsenal Yards in East Watertown

A well-known local chef and restaurateur who recently opened a seafood spot on the North Shore will also be opening a second location of a Southern-influenced restaurant he opened in Boston a few years ago, with this one coming to a new development by the Charles River.

According to a press release, Jason Santos is planning to open a new location of Buttermilk & Bourbon at Arsenal Yards in East Watertown, joining the original on Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay. Once the new outlet opens, expect New Orleans-inspired cuisine along with a wide variety of bourbons and other spirits as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

In addition to Buttermilk & Bourbon, Santos is also behind Citrus & Salt and Abby Lane in Boston and the new B&B Fish in Marblehead, and he is also known for being on the Fox reality TV show Hell's Kitchen ten years back along with other shows.

If all goes as planned, the new location of Buttermilk & Bourbon will open in 2021.

The website for the original Buttermilk & Bourbon in the Back Bay can be found at https://www.buttermilkbourbon.com/

[August 3, 2021 update: According to a press release, the new location of Buttermilk & Bourbon opens at Arsenal Yards on Monday, August 9.]

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.)

The Wenham Tea House Plans to Reopen Under New Ownership

Several months ago, it was reported that a North Shore institution that had been around for more than 100 years had closed down, but now we have learned that it will be reborn under new ownership.

According to a Twitter post from @swixvonflaubert, the Wenham Tea House is planning to reopen, with an article in the Salem News saying that Brenden Crocker and Milissa Oraibi of the Black Arrow in Manchester-by-the-Sea are behind the plans. The article mentions that the husband-and-wife team have some visions for the Monument Street spot, with Oraibi looking to offer locally-made items that aren't sold elsewhere in the retail space while she says of the restaurant part, "I want it to be an experience....I want people to feel special, like you've just walked into another country. I want to transport them." (She also wants the traditional touches to remain in place.) If all goes as planned, the Wenham Tea House--which will offer brunch and lunch along with prepared foods for takeout--will open sometime next spring.

The Wenham Tea House dates back to 1912, originally as "a women's exchange to provide an outlet for local homeworker goods and a cozy place for the townspeople to gather," according to its old website; more recently it had been known in part for its afternoon tea.

The address for the Wenham Tea House was 4 Monument Street, Wenham, MA, 01984.

[Earlier Article]
The Wenham Tea House Has Closed Down

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.)

Friday, November 13, 2020

Daily Table Is Opening New Location in Cambridge's Central Square

A nonprofit community grocer that helps provide food to those in need is expanding to a third Boston-area location.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Daily Table is opening in the Central Square section of Cambridge, with an Instagram post saying that it hopes to debut in its Mass. Ave. space in January. Based on the two locations of the market in Dorchester and Roxbury, expect the new store to offer fresh produce, everyday grocery items and scratch-made prepared foods--all at reasonable prices--while also paying living wages and focusing on hiring workers from the neighborhood.

The address for this new grocery store in Central Square is: Daily Table, 684 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the existing stores in Dorchester and Roxbury can be found at https://dailytable.org/

[February 9, 2021 update: A new Instagram post from the place indicates that Daily Table is now open in Central Square.]

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.)

Home Kitchen Opens in Needham

A brand new Indian has come to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Home Kitchen is now open in Needham, moving into a space on Chestnut Street a bit south of the center of town. A check on its menu indicates that the new eatery offers a variety of Indian dishes for takeout and delivery, and that it is currently open for Diwali (the Indian festival of lights) and has a special Diwali menu up.

In addition to takeout and delivery, Home Kitchen also offers catering as well.

The address for Home Kitchen is 324 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA, 02492. Its website can be found at https://homekitcheninc.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]

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.)