Boston Restaurant Talk: January 2021

Friday, January 29, 2021

Shanghai Cuisine Opens in Former Grill/Boca Space in Waltham

A brand new Chinese restaurant has come to Waltham, taking over the space where at least two other dining spots have been.

According to a tweet from @y2000k, Shanghai Cuisine is now open on Pine Street in space where The Grill once was, and before that, Boca Restaurant and Bar. A check on its website shows an extensive menu that includes soups, rice and noodle dishes, and a mix of both Chinese-American and authentic Shanghai fare.

The address for Shanghai Cuisine is 11 Pine Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website can be found at https://www.shanghaicuisinewaltham.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]

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Olga's Kafe Opens in South Boston

A coffee shop that had once resided in downtown Boston has been reborn not too far away from its former space.

According to a source, Olga's Kafe is now open in South Boston, moving into a space on West Broadway between B Street and C Street. As mentioned in an earlier article here, the original location of the cafe had been on Summer Street in the Financial District until closing in the early part of 2018. It appears that the new location of Olga's in Southie offers pastries and breakfast sandwiches along with a variety of coffee options.

The address for Olga's Kafe is 206 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127.

[Earlier Article]
Olga's Kafe Plans to Reopen in New Location in South Boston

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.)

Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge's Huron Village Is Moving into the Former Fresh Pond Market Space

Back in 2019 it was reported that a neighborhood grocery store in Cambridge that has been around for nearly 100 years was closing and the people behind a nearby specialty food shop were planning to take it over and open a market there. Now we have learned that their shop will actually be moving into that space.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Formaggio Kitchen in Huron Village is planning to move from its current space at 244 Huron Avenue to the former Fresh Pond Market space at 358 Huron Avenue, with the move giving the store twice as much room. Originally, it looked like owners Valerie and Ihsan Gurdal would be opening a market in that space while keeping Formaggio in its home, but as Eater says, "the pandemic hit, and their plans changed."

The website for Formaggio, which also has locations in Kendall Square and Boston's South End along with a fourth outlet in Manhattan's Lower East Side, can be found at https://www.formaggiokitchen.com/

[February 12 update: Cambridge Day mentions that the pending move is actually expected to result in a hybrid Formaggio Kitchen/Fresh Pond Market business of sorts, with the new space including the specialty items found at Formaggio while also carrying the everyday items and staples you would expect to find at a grocery store. In addition, the article does confirm that Formaggio's iconic cheese cave will be reborn in the former Fresh Pond Market space.]

[February 19 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Formaggio's Cambridge store will be closed to customers starting Sunday, February 21, though pickup and delivery will continue, and that the plan is to open in its new location within the former Fresh Pond Market space by March 1.]

[March 1 update: A Twitter post confirms that Formaggio is now open in its new home in Huron Village.]

[Earlier Article]
Fresh Pond Market in Cambridge's Huron Village Is Being Taken Over by Formaggio Owners

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, January 28, 2021

Tapiocarias House of Flavors in Cambridge's Inman Square Has Permanently Closed

A Cambridge restaurant that opened over the summer has shut down for good, though its original location remains in operation.

A message sent from the business confirms what a couple of sources hinted at earlier, that Tapiocarias House of Flavors in Inman Square has closed its doors permanently. The dining spot, which featured Brazilian food, first opened in the former City Girl Cafe space on Hampshire Street last August, joining its other location in Everett.

The address for Tapiocarias House of Flavors was 204 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The Facebook page for the location on Norwood Street in Everett (which is also known as Casa Dos Sabores) can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Tapiocariasgourmet/

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.)

Enzina Pizzeria Is Opening in Waltham; Owner of Domenic's Italian Bakery & Deli Behind It

A brand new pizza spot is on its way to the western suburbs, and the person behind a nearby decades-old Italian food shop is opening the place.

According to a Twitter post from @banderlin (via a Reddit post), Enzina Pizzeria is planning to open in Waltham, with a notice on the city's website confirming what the tweet hinted at, that it will be taking over the space on Main Street where Peter's Greek Kitchen had been until closing down last winter. The hearing notice also confirms that Ciro Maione of Domenic's Italian Bakery & Deli is opening the upcoming pizza place, with the website for Domenic's simply saying that it will be coming soon.

Domenic's Italian Bakery & Deli first opened its doors in 1979, offering a variety of sandwiches along with pasta dishes, pizza, and more.

The address for Enzina Pizzeria is 1056 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451. Its website is at https://www.getenzina.com/ (Domenic's is at 987 Main Street.)

[May 10 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Enzina Pizzeria is now open, with its website confirming that it is indeed up and running.

[Earlier Article]
Peter's Greek Kitchen in Waltham Has Closed

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

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

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, January 27, 2021

Spyce Opens in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A Boston restaurant that makes use of robots has opened a second location in Cambridge.

According to a press release, Spyce opens today in Harvard Square, moving into the old Chipotle space in Brattle Square. The new dining spot joins its original location on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, featuring a robotic kitchen and a menu that includes a variety of salads and bowls.

The Boston location of Spyce debuted in May of 2018.

The address for the new location of Spyce in Harvard Square is 1 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Spyce can be found at https://www.spyce.com/

[Earlier Article]
Spyce Plans to Open in Cambridge's Harvard 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.)

The Nightly Plans to Open Underneath The Daily Market in Dorchester's Savin Hill Neighborhood

It looks like a brand new restaurant may be coming to Dorchester, and it appears to be opening under a grocery store that debuted last year.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, The Nightly is looking to open in the basement of 102-110 Savin Hill Avenue, which is the same address as that of The Daily Market. The notice mentions that the proposed restaurant would including a dining room and bar, while the second floor of the building would include function space and an outdoor patio (the basement and second floor areas would be connected by a rear staircase). Earlier, a source had told us that The Daily Market may have been planning to open a dining spot that features pizza, though it is not known if pizza will indeed be offered at The Nightly.

The Daily Market opened in January of 2020, with the store offering prepared meals, produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, specialty items, everyday household supplies, 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.)

Cafe Sorelli in Woburn Is Closing

A suburban dining spot that has been popular with office workers over the years is shutting down.

According to a source, Cafe Sorelli in Woburn is getting ready to close permanently, with a Facebook post from the New Boston Street eatery saying the following:

Due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic and despite our best efforts, it is with great sadness that we are writing to tell you that Cafe Sorelli will be closing its doors forever. Our small family owned and operated business will open for the last time on Friday, January 29, 2021. Our family has been proud to call Woburn our home for generations. We want to thank each and every one of our loyal customers, our friends and our family who have supported us over the last 17 years.

Cafe Sorelli, which is located in an industrial/commercial section of Woburn north of Route 128, offers breakfast and lunch items, including pancakes, waffles, omelets, soups, salads, pizza, panini, wraps, and more. In addition to its cafe, the business has also been known for its catering operation.

The address for Cafe Sorelli is 130 New Boston Street #105, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at https://www.cafesorelli.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.)

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Godiva to Close or Sell All of Its Shops in the United States

A big name in the world of chocolate is getting out of the brick-and-mortar business in the United States, and this will apparently include several locations in the Greater Boston area.

According to a source, Godiva is planning to close or sell all of its stores in North America, with a CNN article indicating that this could be completed by the end of March. CNN does say that stores overseas will remain open while NBC Boston states that its products will continue to be available online. The closing/selling of the Godiva shops means that the outlets at the Prudential Center in Boston, the Burlington Mall, the Natick Mall, and the South Shore Shopping Center will apparently be going away, along with a Godiva Cafe at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets as well.

The website for Godiva can be found at https://www.godiva.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.)

KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston Is Being Sold

More than two years ago, it was reported that the future of a beloved East Boston restaurant might close down or be sold at some point, and now we have learned that the end could now be in sight.

According to an article from boston.com, KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston is going to be sold, with the lease being up at the end of the year and owner Sam Jackson saying that he is heading back to his native Australia. The post indicates that any prospective buyer has two options--to take over the KO concept (including all the recipes and "all the secrets" Jackson has "around the meat pie world") or to purchase and beer and wine license and open a different concept within the space. (Jackson says that he is "comfortable either way.")

The original KO Catering & Pies in South Boston first opened in 2010, with that location closing in 2018; the East Boston outlet debuted in 2012 and is currently open for takeout and delivery, with the patio expected to reopen in March.

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

[Earlier Articles]
KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston May Close Down or Be Sold
KO Pies at the Shipyard in East Boston Will Apparently Remain Open for Now

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.)

Wood Fired Love Is Opening in The Squealing Pig Space in Boston's Mission Hill/Brigham Circle Area

It looks like an Irish pub will soon be home to a restaurant that features pizza.

According to a source, Wood Fired Love opening within The Squealing Pig space in the Mission Hill/Brigham Circle section of Boston, with an Instagram page for the pizza spot indicating that it will be opening soon and that Galleon Ventures--which is behind The Squealing Pig--is indeed the group behind the upcoming spot. A message from the restaurant group tells us that the pizza will be available for curbside pickup and delivery at the start.

Another location of The Squealing Pig in West Roxbury closed down last summer, with its other location in Provincetown remaining in operation.

The address for Wood Fired Love in the Mission Hill/Brigham Circle area is 134 Smith Street, Boston, MA, 02120.

[April 6 update: A message from the place indicates that Wood Fired Love is now open, and that The Squealing Pig brand is no longer part of that space, though as mentioned earlier, the Provincetown location of The Squealing Pig remains in operation.]

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, January 25, 2021

CRISP in Walpole Is Opening a New Location in Canton

A dining spot southwest of Boston that features bar pizza is opening a second outlet, with this one being just a bit closer to the city.

According to a poster within the South Shore Bar Pizza Social Club Facebook group page (via the Canton Citizen), CRISP in Walpole is planning to open a new location in Canton, with the Turnpike Street outlet possibly debuting in late March or early April. It is not yet known if the menu at the Canton restaurant will be the same as that of the Walpole spot, with the post simply indicating that it will be open for takeout and delivery, and possibly outdoor dining as well.

The address for the new location of CRISP in Canton is 955 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA, 02021. The website for the Walpole location can be found at https://www.crispizza.com/

[November 23 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, CRISP is now open in Canton.]

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.)

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Bianchi's Pizza Is Reopening in the Former Renzo's Space at Revere Beach

A legendary pizzeria is returning to the North Shore.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Bianchi's Pizza is going to be reopening at Revere Beach, moving back into the Renzo's space on Revere Beach Boulevard that they had been in (along with Renzo's) until this past fall after saying farewell to its longtime home along the beach back in 2018. Bianchi's tells us in the post that they will be operating the pizzeria on their own, though the bar there will be run by someone else, with the bar apparently serving both beer and wine.

If all goes as planned, Bianchi's will reopen sometime this spring, with construction having already begun on the space. In addition, the pizzeria's plans to open in a space by the Lynn/Saugus line are still in the works, but it is not known when that outlet will open.

The address for Bianchi's is 381 Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere, MA, 02151.

[May 7 update: A Revere Journal article mentions that Bianchi's has gotten approval to serve takeout pizza while it continues to work on major repairs to the space with the hope being that it gets a liquor license for seated dining. It appears that customers may be able to order pizza to-go there very soon, as the article says that "The commissioners voted to approve the takeout business, which can start immediately," though a Facebook post from the place (which will apparently be called "Bianchi's at the Sand Bar") simply says "Getting closer & closer to announcing a date!!!"]

[July 15 update: According to a source, Bianchi's is now open, with the Facebook page from the place confirming this, having opened today at 11:00 AM; its posts indicate that the pizzeria now accepts credit cards as well as cash and that it offers both slices and whole pizzas.]

[Earlier Articles]
Bianchi's Pizza Says Farewell to the Renzo's Space at Revere Beach
Bianchi's Pizza Plans to Open in Lynn

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, January 21, 2021

Parla, Le Macaron Both Plan to Open at Assembly Row in Somerville

A growing mixed-use development in Somerville will become home to two new options for food, including one with a familiar name locally.

According to a press release, Parla and Le Macaron are planning to open at Assembly Row, with the former being a second location of an Italian restaurant in Boston's North End and the latter being the first Boston-area location of a Florida-based chain of French patisseries that currently has one New England location in Windham, NH. Both spots are slated to open sometime this year, though no specific opening dates have been given as of yet.

Parla first opened its North End restaurant in 2014 while Le Macaron started out a bit more than 10 years ago.

The website for Parla is at https://www.parlaboston.com/ while the website for Le Macaron is at https://lemacaron-us.com/

[May 12 update: A post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com says that Parla is "days away" from opening at Assembly Row, while a new Facebook post from Le Macaron says that it is also opening soon.]

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.)

Governor Baker to Lift 9:30 PM Restriction, Stay-at Home Advisory; 25% Capacity Limit to Be Extended

It looks like a couple of restrictions that affect restaurants and bars in Massachusetts are going to be lifted, though another restriction is being extended a bit longer.

In today's news conference, Governor Charlie Baker stated that starting Monday, January 25 at 5:00 AM, dining and drinking spots will no longer be required to stop providing table service by 9:30 PM, and the stay-at-home advisory to keep people off the streets between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM will be lifted then as well. (Both the restriction and the advisory had been put in place on November 6.) In addition, the 25% maximum capacity for dining spots--which began on December 26--will be extended until February 8.

The Baker administration also said today that 638 new grants are being awarded to businesses in the state, including restaurants.

[Earlier Articles]

Governor Baker Issues Executive Order Requiring Restaurants and Bars to Stop Serving Food/Drink by 9:30 PM
Update: Baker Administration Rolling Back Maximum Restaurant Capacity to 25% Until at Least January 24

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.)

Santa Fe Burrito Grill Is Opening in Melrose

A pair of fast-casual Mexican restaurants with locations on the South Shore and southwest of Boston is opening a third outlet, with this one being north of the city.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is planning to open in Melrose, with a Patch article stating that the dining spot will open by the corner of Main Street and Grove Street in the old Papa Gino's building. Based on the other two locations in Weymouth and Franklin, expect to see nachos, tacos, burritos, tortas, bowls, and more at the new restaurant.

The address for the upcoming location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill in Melrose is 417 Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. The website for the existing locations can be found at https://santafeburritogrill.com/

[April 13 update: A new Patch article mentions that the Melrose location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill is seeking to have both a full bar and an ice cream takeout window.]

[August 11 update: According to a Facebook post, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is now open in Melrose.]

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, January 20, 2021

Ciao Bella May Be Opening in the Former McGreevy's Space in Boston's Back Bay

A familiar name in the Back Bay could be returning, taking over the space where a sports bar had been until closing last year.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, the now-closed McGreevy's on Boylston Street is looking to change its name to Ciao Bella, which was also the name of a restaurant on Newbury Street that closed approximately 10 years ago. The owner of McGreevy's had been Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys, while Ciao Bella on Newbury Street was owned by Joe Cimino, who also owned Daisy Buchanan's; it is not known if there is any ownership connection between the old Ciao Bella and the one that is being proposed, and to make matters more complicated, an Instagram page from Jeremy Scanlon--who appears to be the same Jeremy Scanlon as the former manager of McGreevy's--is named "daisysboston," though that page doesn't have any posts as of yet.

To make matters even more complicated, there is also a restaurant in the North End called Ciao Bella, and while it doesn't appear to have a connection to the proposed restaurant in the Back Bay, if we hear otherwise about this (or get any other information about the Boylston Street space), we will post an update here.

The address for the now-closed McGreevy's (and the proposed Ciao Bella) is 911 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115.

[Earlier Article]
McGreevy's in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

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

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

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.)

Rockwood Music Hall Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

It looks like a popular music venue in New York may be expanding to Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Rockwood Music Hall is seeking a liquor license to operate on Van Ness Street in the Fenway section of the city, with the proposed club having 1,847 square feet of space and including a ground floor and mezzanine floor with both seating and standing options (the seated option would have a total occupancy of 95 persons with 43 seats and the standing option would have a total occupancy of 120 persons with 27 seats). The manager listed for the place is Andrew Kaplan, whose Twitter page shows a link to Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side of Manhattan while also indicating that he is based in Boston.

Rockwood Music Hall, which first started out in New York in 2005, has grown from one to three stages over the years and according to the behindthescenesnyc.com site, has hosted such acts as Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Gary Clark Jr., and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day while also hosting local bands and singers as well.

The address for Rockwood Music Hall would be 88 Van Ness Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the New York location is at https://rockwoodmusichall.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.)

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Buff's Pub in Newton Corner Has Closed for Now; Will Reopen Soon

One of the best-known places for wings in the Greater Boston area has closed for the time being.

According to a source, Buff's Pub in Newton Corner is shuttered, with the website for the Washington Street spot saying that "For the safety of our staff and customers, Buffs will be closed until further notice." The note goes on to tell customers to check back for updates, though it is not yet known why the place has closed or for approximately how long.

Buff's Pub is considered by some to have the best wings in the region and is often compared to Wendell's Pub, a legendary watering hole and wing spot in Norton.

The address for Buff's Pub is 317 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Its website can be found at http://www.buffspub.com/

[January 19 update: A tweet from Dave of Buff's Pub mentions that the place closed because of a couple of people testing positive for Covid; he says that they will be doing cleaning and testing and if all goes well, they could be reopening in the next day or two.]

[January 22 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Buff's Pub will reopen Saturday and Sunday for takeout/online orders.]

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 Talk Restaurant in Watertown Has Been Seized by the State

An Italian-American restaurant in the western suburbs has been shut down, and it is not know what the future holds for the place.

According to multiple sources, The Talk Restaurant in Watertown has a "Seized" sign out front, with a picture from one source showing that the Main Street dining spot is now in the possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts due to nonpayment of taxes. Typically, when this happens, the restaurant and the state try to work out a payment program so that the place can open back up, but the sign is dated January 6 and we have not been able to find out if such a payment program is being worked on as of yet.

The Talk first opened in 2009, featuring such items as a Caesar salad, steak tips, broiled scrod, broiled sea scallops, chicken marsala, and ziti a la vodka.

The address for The Talk is 116 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

[February 3 update: The future of The Talk now appears to be in doubt, as our source tells us that an Auction Sale notice has now been posted in the window of the place (a photo sent confirms the auction, as does a Twitter post from @EFSmithandSon).]

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, January 18, 2021

Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester Has Permanently Closed

A North Shore brewery has decided to call it a day.

According to a source, Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from Boston's Wicked North Shore confirming this, while a Facebook post from the Rogers Street brewery says the following:

During the summer of 2002, a casual conversation spawned the, perhaps ill-thought, idea of what would become the Cape Ann Brewing Company. Since that day, we strove to create a brand and a place that would represent "the courage and spirit of the North Atlantic Fishing Fleet." We are proud of what we've created over the past 18 years. During this time we've weathered many storms, at times enjoyed smooth seas, and have always been thankful for the [strong] headwinds that have guided our voyage. Unfortunately, the current climate has proven to be our last sail.

Cape Ann Brewing Company was known in part for its brewpub which had harborside seating on an outdoor deck, while its menu featured BBQ dishes, seafood, and pub grub.

The address for Cape Ann Brewing Company was 11 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930.

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.)

George's Cafe in Dracut Is Closing

A rustic watering hole in an out-of-the-way location north of Boston is shutting down after more than 70 years in business.

According to an article in the Lowell Sun, George's Cafe in Dracut is closing its doors, as owners Penny Dowd and her mother Blanche Mahaleris are selling the bar, which sits at the corner of Honora Avenue and Textile Avenue. The post mentions that George Papafagos, who was the great grandfather of Mahaleris's late husband Charlie, opened the place up around 1946, with the place including a pool table and a piano, according to another Lowell Sun article.

It is not yet known who might be buying George's Cafe, nor is it known what might become of the place, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for George's Cafe is 570 Textile Avenue, Dracut, MA, 01826.

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.)

Matcha Cafe Maiko Is Opening in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A cafe with roots in Hawaii that features items made with a type of green tea is expanding to Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Matcha Cafe Maiko is planning to open at the corner of Jersey Street and Queensbury Street in the Fenway, with the picture shown indicating that it is taking over a space that had been home to a laundromat. Matcha Cafe Maiko, which is based in Honolulu, has a handful of other shops in the United States along with a few in Canada, China, and Thailand; the menu features various food and drink made using matcha, including soft-serve ice cream, frappes, floats, parfaits, shaved ice, tea, and latte.

The address for the new location of Matcha Cafe Maiko in the Fenway is 115 Jersey Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the company can be found at https://www.matchacafe-maiko.com/ while the website for the Fenway shop is at https://matchamaikobos.com/

[May 10 update: According to a source (Sarah Wu), Matcha Cafe Maiko is now open in the Fenway, with the website for the cafe seeming to confirm this, showing pickup/delivery options for the location.]

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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Update: 4th Wall Restaurant & Bar in Boston's Theater District Reopens After Brief Closure

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 2 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

A bar in downtown Boston that replaced a well-known watering hole a few years ago is shutting down for at least a little while.

According to an article in The Berkeley Beacon, 4th Wall Restaurant & Bar on Tremont Street in the Theater District has closed temporarily, with general manager Diky Melville saying of the closure, "It's weird....It's like the last day of school." The hope is that the dining and drinking spot can reopen around the end of February, though no specific reopening date has been given as of yet.

4th Wall, which took over the former Intermission Tavern space in the summer of 2018, is one of countless restaurants and bars in Boston and elsewhere to temporarily close due to the pandemic and its effects on the industry.

The address for 4th Wall Restaurant & Bar is 228 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at https://www.4thwallrestaurant.com/

[February 2 update: 4th Wall is 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]

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Thursday, January 14, 2021

Crab Du Jour Is Opening in Hyde Park

A rapidly-growing chain of Cajun seafood restaurants will be opening its first location in Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Crab Du Jour is planning to open in Hyde Park, with the address indicating that it would be moving into the shopping center on Hyde Park Avenue that is home to America's Food Basket. Based on the other locations of the chain, expect to find such items as hush puppies, fried pickles, seafood baskets, po boys, crawfish, crab, lobster, and more.

Crab Du Jour first started out in 2019 in Raleigh, NC, and now has approximately 60 locations mostly along the East Coast.

The address for Crab Du Jour in Hyde Park is 950 Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park, MA, 02136. The website for the chain can be found at https://crabdujour.com/

[April 22 update: A poster within Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants tells us that Crab Du Jour is now open, with a Facebook post from the restaurant confirming that it indeed opened today.]

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

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

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.)

Cornwall's Tavern in Boston's Kenmore Square Has Reopened

A British-style pub is the latest Boston spot to end its winter closure.

According to a message sent to us, Cornwall's in Kenmore Square is open once again, a few weeks after the Beacon Street spot closed down temporarily. We have been told that the pub has indoor and (limited) outdoor dining available along with takeout and delivery, with lunch and dinner being served this week and breakfast starting next week.

Countless dining and drinking spots in and around Boston have shut down temporarily as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc with the restaurant industry, though a few other restaurants have opened back up of late, including Villa Mexico in downtown Boston and Amrheins in South Boston.

The address for Cornwall's is 644 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at http://www.cornwalls.com/

[Earlier Article]
Bar Mezzana, Benedetto, Black Lamb, Cornwall's Tavern, Gustazo, Nathalie, Playmakers, The Poynt, River Bar All Announce Plans to Close for Now

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.)

Cloud & Spirits Is Opening in the Former Cuchi Cuchi Space in Cambridge

A brand new dining spot is coming to Cambridge, opening in the space where a quirky restaurant and lounge had been until closing last year.

Eater Boston is reporting that Cloud & Spirits is planning to open on Main Street between Kendall and Central squares in the former Cuchi Cuchi space, with the website for the upcoming restaurant indicating that it will focus on New American fare with Korean influences. Eater and the website mention that Katie Cheung (Kamakura, Hojoko, Menton, Oishii, Radius) and Michael Gander (The Healthy Tap) are the co-owners, with Cheung being the Executive Chef and Gander being the lead mixologist, and that the menu will include such items as steak tartare, American wagyu ribeye, spicy roe pasta, honey sesame chicken, scorched rice soup, and house churned ice cream. Currently, Cheung is running a pop-up ghost kitchen called Mikkusu out of the Cloud & Spirits kitchen, with that spot featuring Japanese sandwiches.

Cuchi Cuchi had been in business for nearly 20 years until closing down in the early months of the pandemic; the place was known for its globally-inspired fare and classic cocktails

The address for Cloud & Spirits is 795 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.cloudandspirits.com/

[June 23 update: Eater Boston states that Cloud & Spirits is now open, though initially just for dinner Friday through Sunday, with brunch on the way at some point soon (an outdoor patio is being planned as well).]

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, January 13, 2021

Jersey Mike's Subs Is Opening in Stoughton

A New Jersey-based chain of sub shops is bringing another location to the Greater Boston area, with this one being in the southern suburbs.

According to a couple of sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Jersey Mike's Subs is planning to open in Stoughton, with the address shown on the chain's website indicating that it will be coming to a space where Washington Street and Central Street meet just north of the center of town. Once it opens, the new location will join others locally in Beverly, Dedham, Quincy, and Swampscott, and it will offer both hot and cold subs including cheese steaks, tuna, ham and provolone, Italians, and BLTs.

Jersey Mike's Subs first started out in Point Pleasant, NJ, back in 1956.

The address for the new location of Jersey Mike's Subs in Stoughton is 413 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. The website for the chain is at https://www.jerseymikes.com/

[February 1 update: According to an article from Wicked Local, the Stoughton location of Jersey Mike's Subs plans to have a grand opening fundraiser on Wednesday, February 10, with all sales being donated to the Stoughton Food Pantry that day.]

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.)

Moge Tee Is Opening in Allston and North Quincy

A chain of tea places is opening two locations in the Boston area, with one of them taking over a space that had briefly been home to a chicken and rice spot.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Moge Tee is planning to open in the former Chic Chick space in Allston, while the website for the chain lists both the Allston location and a North Quincy location (on Billings Road) as "coming soon." Currently, the only other outlet of the shop in Massachusetts is in Amherst, with a number of other locations residing in and around New York City as well as others along the East Coast and in Michigan and Texas and overseas in Asia and Australia.

Moge Tee offers such options as cheese foam tea, fruit tea, milk tea, tofu pudding, yogurt fruit tea, uji matcha, and more.

The address for the Allston location of Moge Tee is 164 Brighton Avenue while the address for the North Quincy location is 54 Billings Road. The website for the chain can be found at https://mogeteeusa.com/

[March 19 update: According to its website, the Allston location of Moge Tee is now open. (It appears that the North Quincy outlet has not yet opened.)]

[May 31 update: A check on the place indicates that Moge Tee is now open in North Quincy.]

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.)

4A Coffee in Brookline Is Closing Permanently

A Brookline coffee shop whose roots are on the other side of the world is going to be shutting down.

According to a Twitter post from @kenmorebrian, 4A Coffee on Harvard Street is closing its doors in February, with a message from the place confirming this. Its website mentions that the original shop was established in Kazakhstan in 2005, with the Brookline location debuting in 2012; the Brookline shop offers such options as espresso, cappuccino, americano, chai, mocha, hot chocolate, tea, and more.

The address for 4A Coffee is 419 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://www.4acoffee.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]

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La Vita Mia in Saugus Has Closed

A beloved Italian restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston has shut down permanently.

According to an article from Wicked Local, La Vita Mia in Saugus has closed for good, with the Hamilton Street dining spot saying in a Facebook post that "This past year has been tough for everyone, especially small businesses, like ours. It breaks our hearts to have to do this but we feel it is the right thing to do at this time." La Vita Mia first opened in 1997, moving a couple of times before settling into its present location in 2009; the restaurant has been a local favorite over the years, offering a variety of Italian and Italian-American dishes along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for La Vita Mia was 38 Hamilton Street, Saugus, MA, 01906

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, January 12, 2021

Geppetto Opens at Cambridge Crossing on January 14 for Takeout/Delivery

The third of three concepts from a well-known local chef and restaurateur partially opens this week.

According to a press release, Geppetto opens on Thursday, January 14 for takeout and delivery at Cambridge Crossing in East Cambridge, joining two other restaurants from Will Gilson at the development--Cafe Beatrice and The Lexington. As mentioned earlier, Geppetto will offer Italian dishes including Caesar salad, tortellini soup, fried artichokes, meatballs, lasagna, Sicilian pizza, braised pork sugo, and more, and the release states that the dining room for the restaurant plans to debut sometime in the spring.

In addition to the three dining spots at Cambridge Crossing, Gilson also runs Puritan & Co. in the Inman Square section of Cambridge.

The website for Geppetto can be found at https://www.thelexingtoncx.com/geppetto

[Earlier Article]
Will Gilson to Open Dining/Drinking Complex at Cambridge Crossing in East Cambridge

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.)

Banana Boat Ice Cream Shop at Revere Beach Has Closed

A decades-old seaside ice cream shop has shut its doors permanently.

According to a source, Banana Boat at Revere Beach has closed down, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

It is with a heavy heart we have made the tough decision to close Banana Boat Ice Cream. Words will never be enough to express our gratitude to our family, hard-working employees, dedicated customers, suppliers, and each person who has supported us over the years....The Schena Family looks forward to their next chapter spending the summers with family and forever cherishing all the memories Banana Boat has given us over the last 43 years. We love you, we thank you, and we'll see you at the beach!

Banana Boat, which was established in 1977, has offered soft-serve ice cream, banana splits, sundaes, frappes, floats, freezes, and more over the years.

The address for Banana Boat was 700 Beach Street, Revere, MA, 02151.

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.)

Nu Burger Is Opening within the Anoush'Ella Space in Boston's South End

Last month, a fast-casual burger spot in Boston's Fenway area had to close as the food hall in which it resides shut down for the time being, but now we have learned that it is reopening inside an existing restaurant in the South End.

According to a press release, Nu Burger is opening later this week within the Anoush'Ella space on W Newton Street, with the burger place being a "virtual pop-up" that is using Anoush'Ella's kitchen. Nina and Raffi Festekjian, who own both Anoush'Ella and Nu Burger, will be serving burgers for lunch and dinner seven days a week while also continuing to offer Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare from the Anoush'Ella menu.

The address for Anoush'Ella (and the Nu Burger pop-up) is 35 W Newton Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for Anoush'Ella is at http://www.anoushella.com/ while the Facebook page for Nu Burger is at https://www.facebook.com/NuBurger.Boston

[January 15 update: The Facebook page for Anoush'Ella indicates that Nu Burger is now open within the restaurant.]

[Earlier Article]
Time Out Market Boston to Go into Hibernation Starting December 20

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 Lucky Dog in Beverly Is Open Once Again After Pausing Operations for Part of the Winter

A North Shore dive bar whose roots date back nearly 100 years is shutting down for part of the winter.

According to a source, The Lucky Dog is closing for now, with a Facebook post from the Cabot Street watering hole saying the following:

Starting [yesterday] The Lucky Dog will be PAUSING operations, until certain restrictions are lifted and we are past the recent spike in covid cases. On top of wanting to keep everyone safe, current guidelines are causing us to waste too much money that would be better off saved for the early spring. Thank you to everyone that kept us going this far. We WILL be back soon. Stay in touch & stay safe.

Pictures on the post show signs indicating that this is a winter break, though it is not known when exactly the bar might open back up again.

The website for The Lucky Dog says that the place has been "serving since the end of prohibition" (with a note underneath saying "probably during") while also calling itself a "five star dive bar."

The address for The Lucky Dog is 129 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. Its website can be found at https://www.fuelthemule.com/

[March 19 update: According to its Facebook page, The Lucky Dog has opened back up.]

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, January 11, 2021

Update: Ciao Bella, Forcella, Libertine, Ward 8, Gulu-Gulu Cafe Reopen After Being Closed for the Winter

At least five more dining spots in the Greater Boston area have closed their doors temporarily.

According to multiple sources, Ciao Bella, Forcella, and Libertine in the North End, Ward 8 near where the North End and West End meet, and Gulu-Gulu Cafe in Salem have all shut down for now, with a Facebook post from Ciao Bella stating that it is taking a break for a little while, a source telling us that Forcella and Libertine have shuttered for now (with OpenTable pages for both places--which have an ownership connection--saying that they plan to reopen in February), a note on the Ward 8 website indicating that it will remain closed until the 25% capacity limit is lifted (January 24 at the earliest), and Gulu-Gulu Cafe simply saying on Facebook that it has closed for the winter.

The five dining spots join a very large number of restaurants and bars in the local area that have temporarily closed due to the pandemic.

[February 19 update: A source tells us that Libertine is open once again while a Facebook post from Ward 8 indicates that it has also reopened.]

[March 30 update: A Facebook post from Forcella indicates that it reopens April 1 while a post from Gulu-Gulu Cafe mentions that it reopens April 6.]

[April 8 update: Ciao Bella is open once again, though under a new name--Ciao Roma.]

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.)