[Ed note: This article was updated on June 15 to reflect the fact that the restaurant is open once again.]
An award-winning Somerville bar known in part for its comfort food and cocktails is closing for the time being.
According to an Instagram post from the place, Highland Kitchen shuts down after business hours on Sunday, December 13, with the note from the Highland Avenue spot saying the following:
This was not an easy decision to make and we have tried to hold on as long as possible. We have been unable to get any rent relief and we all know @mass.gov is not helping restaurants. Hibernation is the only way Highland Kitchen can get through this winter with the hope of reopening in the spring....If you are looking for ways to support is this winter here are a few: Head to @highlandfriedandtiki for takeout this winter. We are a Mom & Pop team and we will still have one restaurant going, right down the hill in Inman Sq. Cambridge. You can still buy gift certificates to Highland Kitchen.
Highland Kitchen first opened in 2007, with the place featuring dishes with Southern influences including chili, buffalo fried brussels sprouts, pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken, ribs, and macaroni and cheese; the bar has been mentioned over the years by Food and Wine and Esquire, along with local media outlets such as The Boston Globe and Boston Magazine.
The address for Highland Kitchen is 150 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://highlandkitchen.com/
[May 27, 2021 update: According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Highland Kitchen is now making plans to get up and running "for the summer and beyond." This comes after several months of silence from the place, including our reaching out to Highland Fried for an update awhile back but not receiving a response.]
[June 15, 2021 update: Eater Boston states that Highland Kitchen is now open with a limited menu and limited seating.]
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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