Boston Restaurant Talk: June 2021

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

The Tall Ship Boston Opens on the East Boston Waterfront

About a year ago, it was reported that a restaurant on a moored ship that was planning to open in Charlestown was coming to East Boston instead, and now we have learned that it has very quietly opened.

According to an article from Mass Live, The Tall Ship Boston is now open on Pier One in Eastie, with the website for the business saying that it has three mahogany bars, views of the city and the harbor, a menu that offers shellfish, sushi, and charcuterie, and a variety of cocktails. The dining and drinking spot, which is run by the Navy Yard Hospitality Group (Pier 6, ReelHouse) and is located on a 245-foot vessel, had originally been looking to open at the Charlestown Navy Yard, but those plans were subsequently shelved.

The address for The Tall Ship Boston is 1 East Pier Drive, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website can be found at https://www.tallshipboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Floating Restaurant Proposed for Charlestown Could Be Coming to East Boston Instead

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.)

Miznon Is Opening in Boston's Seaport District

A small group of restaurants that feature Israeli street food will be expanding to the Boston waterfront.

According to a press release, Miznon is planning to open in the city's Seaport District, with the upcoming dining spot offering such items as whole roasted baby cauliflower, lamb kebabs, a dish called "rotisserie broken chicken," a slow-cooked beef and roots stew, rib eye minute steak, and a "run over potato" (a flattened baked potato), while beer and wine will be available shortly after the opening of the place. If all goes as planned, the new location of Miznon will debut on the waterfront later this year.

Miznon got its start in 2011 when Israeli chef Eyal Shani opened its first location in Tel Aviv; currently, outlets can be found in New York City, Melbourne, Paris, Singapore, and Vienna.

The address for the new location of Miznon in the Seaport District is 107 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.miznonnyc.com/

[April 6, 2022 update: According to a press release, Miznon opens today in the Seaport District.]

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.)

Shake Shack Is Opening at Somerville's Assembly Row

Last summer, it was reported that a New York-based group of burger and shake spots would be opening a new location in a growing development in Somerville. Now we have learned that the new outlet is only a few days away from debuting.

According to a press release, Shake Shack plans to open at the base of the new Miscela residential building at Assembly Row on Monday, July 5 at 11:00 AM, with $1 from every burger sold that day going to Project Bread. The new location of Shake Shack joins a handful of others in the Greater Boston area, including in Boston's Seaport District, Downtown Crossing, and Back Bay, Cambridge's Harvard Square, The Street Chestnut Hill, Legacy Place in Dedham, Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and Woburn.

The address for the new Shake Shack in Somerville is 355 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.shakeshack.com/

[July 16 update: A post from boston.com confirms that Shake Shack has opened at Assembly Row.]

[Earlier Article]
Yakitori Totto, Shake Shack Are Coming to Somerville's Assembly Row

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.)

Ramsay's Kitchen Is Opening in the Former Bar Boulud Space in Boston's Back Bay

A celebrity chef from overseas is debuting a brand new restaurant concept, and the first location will be in Boston.

According to an article from The Boston Globe, Gordon Ramsay is planning to open Ramsay's Kitchen in the former Bar Boulud space within the Mandarin Oriental hotel in the Back Bay. The post says that the upcoming spot will have seating for more than 180 people while including a bar and lounge and an outdoor patio, and it will also have two private dining sections as well. A press release received this morning mentions that the menu is expected to include Ramsay's "most inspired, talked about, and favorite dishes" from his other restaurants around the world along with regional dishes, with two options mentioned including beef wellington and lobster and clam bouillabaisse. Expect Ramsay's Kitchen--which will "share DNA" with his Bread Street Kitchen restaurant in London--to open by the end of the year if all goes as planned.

Gordon Ramsay is a British chef who is known in part for his reality TV shows and books, and he is behind a number of restaurants in the United States, England, and elsewhere.

The address for Ramsay's Kitchen is 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02199. The website for Ramsay's other restaurants is at https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/

[January 24, 2022 update: Eater Boston reports that Ramsay's Kitchen is now open in the Back Bay.]

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, June 29, 2021

The Beacon Restaurant & Bar Is Opening in the Former Wick's Space in Marblehead

A brand new dining and drinking spot is debuting on the North Shore, and a local entertainer with ties to Las Vegas is behind the spot.

According to an article from the Marblehead Reporter/Wicked Local, The Beacon Restaurant & Bar is opening in the old Wick's space within Warwick Place in Marblehead, with Johnny Ray of the Johnny Ray Band and business partner Chef Edgar Alleyne of the now-closed Red Rock Bistro in Swampscott being behind the Pleasant Street place. A check on the website for the restaurant mentions that it will include a bar and an outdoor patio while live music, dancing, and comedy shows are part of the plans. The site also hints that today could actually be its opening day; as soon as we confirm this, we will post an update here.

Johnny Ray is a singer who is known in part for his lounge music along with pop, soul, and classic rock, performing in the Greater Boston area, Las Vegas, and elsewhere.

The address for The Beacon Restaurant & Bar is 123 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945. Its website can be found at https://thebeaconmarblehead.com/

[July 8 update: A Facebook post from the place confirms that The Beacon is now open.]

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 Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Being Purchased

Yesterday it was confirmed that a beloved Boston bar that has been around for more than 100 years had shut down, but now we have learned that the space may not be shuttered for long.

According to message sent to us, The Red Hat in the city's Beacon Hill neighborhood is being purchased, with a Facebook post from Jake Nicholson saying the following (the same post was also put up by Keith Gleason, who is also involved):

With all the press and speculation about another Boston bar saying farewell, a couple of industry vets have agreed to purchase the famed Red Hat. We're seeking to breathe new life into the 110+ year old watering hole, ripe with nostalgic lore. Stay tuned as a Beacon Hill staple will be resurrected, while holding onto its rich history in the ever-evolving, post-Covid bar landscape of Boston!

It is not yet known whether Nicholson and Gleason will keep the Red Hat name; once we find out more, we will post an update here.

The Red Hat has been a popular spot over the years for college students from nearby Suffolk University as well as business and government workers.

The address for The Red Hat is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[August 29 update: A Facebook post from Keith Gleason indicates that he will not be teaming up with Jake Nicholson to reopen a restaurant/bar in the Red Hat space, saying that "After finding out Jen and I were expecting a son in early '22, I had to re-evaluate things. Long story short, about a month ago I stepped away from the ownership position at Red Hat. One of the toughest decisions I've ever made, but the right one....Truth be told, after making the decision, Jake was so supportive, as always. I have full confidence in him completing the project we envisioned for the last few years."]

[Earlier Article]
The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood 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.)

Monday, June 28, 2021

The Shanty Is Opening in the Former Sully's Sand Trap Space in Weymouth

A new drinking spot is on its way to the South Shore, taking over the space where a neighborhood dive bar had been.

According to a source, The Shanty is planning to open in Weymouth, moving into the former Sully's Sand Trap space on Route 3A. A post from the Weymouth Is Everything Facebook group page indicates that the new place could be opening in the next couple of weeks and that they are currently hiring bartenders.

Sully's Sand Trap was mostly a local hangout for residents of North Weymouth and nearby Quincy Point, which is just over the Fore River Bridge.

The address for The Shanty (and now-closed Sully's Sand Trap) is 327 Bridge Street (Route 3A), Weymouth, MA, 02191.

[July 30 update: Our source tells us that The Shanty is now open in Weymouth.]

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.)

High Street Place Is Opening in Boston's Financial District

A new food hall that has been in the works for awhile could finally be opening in a few months.

According to a message we received, High Street Place hopes to open a bit later this year, approximately three years after we first announced plans for the place, which will connect to the lobbies of the office buildings on both Federal Street and High Street. In 2019, we learned of a number of vendors that were planning to come to the food hall, though it isn't known which of them are still planning to open there; as soon as we find an updated list of vendors, we will post an update here.

The website for High Street Place can be found at https://www.highstreetplace.com/

[October 13 update: According to a press release, High Street Place is now planning to open in March of 2022, and its vendor lineup has been announced. Four new spots are now on the way, including Bubble Bath, a champagne and wine bar; Kutzu, an Asian place that focuses on noodles; Lionheart Confections, a pastry shop that offers doughnuts; and another outlet of Mamaleh's Delicatessen. (Approximately 15 other vendors are opening as well, including Gracenote Coffee, The Farmacy Cafe, Dive Bar, Newburyport Brewing, Pennypacker's, and Hum'Oveh, with the website giving the complete list.)]

[March 3, 2022 update: A new press release mentions that High Street Place opened yesterday.]

[Earlier Article]
High Street Place Food Hall Being Planned for Downtown 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.)

Besito Has Closed Its Chestnut Hill Location

A small group of upscale Mexican restaurants appears to have said goodbye to the Greater Boston area.

Based on information from a couple of sources, Besito at The Shops at Chestnut Hill is no longer in operation, with a check on the web page for the Boylston Street dining spot confirming this, saying that "During these trying times it is with a heavy heart that we are sharing the unfortunate end to our time in our beloved Besito Chestnut Hill location. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events and will miss all of our amazing guests in Chestnut Hill. We cannot thank everyone enough for their loyalty and endless support." Besito, which closed its other Boston-area location in Burlington in 2018, had once been planning to open an outlet at MarketStreet Lynnfield as well, though those plans apparently fell through at some point.

Currently, other locations of Besito can be found in Huntington, Roslyn, and West Islip, NY, all of which are owned and operated by Besito OBP, and ones in Tampa, FL, and Ardmore, PA, both of which are owned and operated by ConSul Hospitality Group

The address for the now-closed Besito in Chestnut Hill was 199 Boylston Street (Route 9), Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467.

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, June 25, 2021

Bambu in Randolph Is Closing Permanently

A chain of Vietnamese cafes with three locations in Eastern Massachusetts is closing one of its local outlets next month.

According to a source, Bambu in Randolph is shutting down for good, with a Facebook post from the owner of the N. Main Street spot indicating that it plans to shutter on July 23 while saying that "with a heavy heart, I have to close the store with the renewal of the lease." The owner does go on to indicate that the space will not be empty for long, as a friend is opening a bakery there in the next few months.

Bambu, which first started out in San Jose, CA, in 2008, currently has more than 70 shops in the United States and Canada, including two others locally in Dorchester and Lowell. The chain offers smoothies, juices, coffee, tea, desserts, and more.

The address for the Randolph location of Bambu is 1138 N. Main Street, Randolph, MA, 02368. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.drinkbambu.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.)

b.good in Beverly Has Closed

A local group of restaurants known in part for their healthy options continues to shrink, with yet another outlet shutting down apparently recently.

According to a tweet from @swixvonflaubert, b.good in Beverly is no longer in business, with a check on the website for the group of dining spots seeming to confirm this, as it has been removed from the locations section. The dining spot, which was located on Dodge Street in the North Beverly Plaza, is one of at least four to close of late, with others in Boston's South End, Wellesley, and Hingham (the last of which was mentioned here just yesterday) shutting their doors as well.

The address for the now-closed location of b.good in Beverly was 55 Dodge Street (Route 1A), Beverly, MA, 01915. The website for b.good is at https://www.bgood.com/

[Earlier Article]
b.good in Hingham 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.)

Anthem Kitchen & Bar in Boston's Faneuil Hall Has Closed

A Faneuil Hall restaurant that had once been located near Boston's North Station has closed its doors.

According to a source, Anthem Kitchen & Bar is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

Anthem Kitchen & Bar has closed after 10 wonderful years in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. It's been a pleasure creating meaningful memories with our friends & neighbors over the years. We feel so grateful to still be able to welcome you at our sister locations throughout Boston & Foxborough @neddevines @mjoconnors @citytable @theharpboston @gatherboston @hurricanesbos @solasboston @mjsseaport @citybarboston @sixstringfoxborough If you purchased a gift card from Anthem, thank you! Gift cards can still be used at any other Briar Group location...

Anthem, which was known in part for its regional dishes and upscale comfort food along with its patio, closed its original location on Portland Street back in 2007, opening back up in the South Market Building in 2010.

The address for the now-closed Anthem was 101 South Market Street (Faneuil Hall), Boston, MA, 02109.

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, June 24, 2021

The Middle East in Cambridge's Central Square Is Reopening This Weekend

An iconic music complex whose future was up in the air not too long ago is opening back up.

According to a source from earlier this month, The Middle East in Cambridge's Central Square had signs in the windows out front saying "Coming June 2021" and "Our Smallest Stage Ever," with a picture sent to us confirming this. Today, we learned through a Facebook post from the place that it will be officially reopening this weekend, saying that "We are opening the restaurant, Zuzu, and The Corner first at regular hours but slowly, you will see other events hosted in our various rooms as we get everything in order to bring happiness and entertainment into your lives and ours." (Its website is indeed displaying posts for upcoming shows.) Early last year, it was reported that The Middle East was up for sale, while the complex has also been closed since the start of the pandemic.

The Middle East, which was originally a Middle Eastern restaurant before becoming a music venue in 1987, has been the site of countless shows over the years, including local, national, and international acts.

The address for The Middle East is 472-480 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.mideastoffers.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge's Central Square Has Been Put Up for Sale

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.)

Prep Neighborhood Kitchen to Open in Former Boston Pizza and Curry Space in Arlington Heights

A new dining spot is coming to the northwest suburbs, taking over the space where a short-lived Indian/Nepalese restaurant and pizzeria had been, and before that, a Greek pizza spot.

According to an article from the Arlington Advocate and Wicked Local, Prep Neighborhood Kitchen is planning to open in Arlington Heights, moving into the former Boston Pizza and Curry space on Mass. Ave. The post mentions that the upcoming eatery will offer such items as sandwiches, pasta dishes, pizza, house-made desserts, and family meals such as a Featherbrook Farms Whole Chicken that comes with truffle smashed potatoes, whole wheat sourdough bread, and whipped butter. The dining spot will have some seating but it appears to be geared more toward takeout and catering, according to the article.

Boston Pizza and Curry replaced the Villa House of Pizza early last year; the Villa had once been located a few blocks west by the Arlington/Lexington line.

The address for the upcoming Prep Neighborhood Kitchen is 1367 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

[November 2 update: A post within the Arlington, MA Pizza Discussions Facebook group indicates that Prep Neighborhood Kitchen plans to have a soft opening on Friday, November 5.]

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.)

b.good in Hingham Has Closed

Yet another location of a local group of restaurants known in part for their healthy options has closed down.

According to a source, b.good at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham is no longer in business, with a check on the website for the group of dining spots seeming to confirm this, as the Hingham page has been removed and it is also no longer listed in the locations section of the site as well. This is the third location of b.good to close of late, with locations in Boston's South End and Wellesley also shutting their doors as well.

The address for the now-closed location of b.good at the Derby Street Shops was 94 Derby Street Suite 237, Hingham, MA, 02043. The website for the other locations is at https://www.bgood.com/

[Earlier Articles]
The Original b.good on Dartmouth Street in Boston's South End Has Closed
b.good in Wellesley 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, June 23, 2021

Mecha Noodle Bar to Open in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

It looks like a Connecticut-based group of Asian restaurants will be expanding to the local area.

According to an article from Wicked Local, Mecha Noodle Bar is planning to open in Brookline, moving into the space on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner that had been home to a location of Peet's Coffee until it closed in early 2019. The upcoming eatery will features noodle dishes with Southeast Asian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean influences including pho and ramen, while banh mi and bao will also be offered--and beer, sake, spiked tea, and cocktails will be available as well. If all goes as planned, the new location of Mecha could be opening in Brookline by the end of the year.

Mecha Noodle Bar first started out in 2011 and currently has five locations in Connecticut.

The address for the upcoming Mecha Noodle Bar is 285 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://mechanoodlebar.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.)

Liberty & MAIN Is Opening at Legacy Place in Dedham

A new restaurant and bar is on its way to a development in the southwest suburbs, and the person behind it used to head up a high-end steakhouse chain.

According to a press release, Liberty & MAIN is opening at Legacy Place in Dedham, with the place being a New American bistro that will include an "interactive bar" along with an outdoor patio, and it will be run by Michael Feighery, who had been the CEO and President of Smith & Wollensky until leaving the group last year. In addition to offering American bistro food, Liberty & MAIN will also have a full bar and they are partnering with the Norwood-based Castle Island Brewery which will produce a signature beer for the place called Liberty Draft.

The website for Liberty & MAIN can be found at https://www.libertyandmainbistro.com/

[September 19 update: Based on a tweet from @brownwey, Liberty & MAIN is in the middle of a soft opening.]

[September 28 update: According to a press release, Liberty & MAIN officially 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.)

Kipo's Pizzeria in Charlestown to Be Replaced by Apartments

A longtime pizza spot in Charlestown is making way for residential space.

According to an article from Universal Hub, the Zoning Board of Appeal has approved plans to replace Kipo's on Bunker Hill Street with apartments, with the plan being to add two floors to the one-story building and build both two- and three-bedroom units. Kipo's, which has been in business for nearly 25 years, is mainly a local spot that offers such items as pizza, sandwiches, grill items, pasta dishes, and ice cream.

The address for Kipo's Pizzeria is 106 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129.

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.)

Yard House Is Opening in Champions Space within the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston

It looks like a chain of casual upscale restaurants known for their beer options will be opening a second location within the Boston city limits, and it would be taking over a sports bar within a hotel.

According to a licensing board hearing page, Yard House is seeking a license to operate in what is described as the "former location" of Champions at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, with the license coming from the Beacon St. Locale, a Back Bay restaurant and bar that closed down in 2018. If approved, the new location of Yard House would join others locally in the Fenway, Burlington, Dedham, and Lynnfield.

Champions had been temporarily closed during the pandemic, with its last Facebook post going up on March 10, 2020, just as the coronavirus outbreak was taking hold.

The address for the new location of Yard House at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel is 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.yardhouse.com/home while the web page for the hotel is at https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosco-boston-marriott-copley-place/

[September 26 update: The locations page for the place indicates that Yard House is opening at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel on October 4.]

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, June 22, 2021

9 Wallis in Beverly Announces That It Has Closed

Yet another live music venue in the Greater Boston area has decided to shut down.

According a message posted within its website, 9 Wallis in Beverly will not be reopening, with the note including the following:

For the past year, we have been scrambling to be ready to reopen 9 Wallis when the time comes. Unfortunately, too many factors have conspired to make reopening impossible. With no revenue from 9 Wallis for 15 months and a substantial loss from having our drive-in shows shut down, we are no longer in a position to continue pouring our own money into the venue. Given considerable re-opening expenses, combined with the fact that our 9 Wallis landlord refuses to forgive any rent, we simply do not have the money to reopen. More importantly, we no longer have enough assets to weather the enormous risks inherent in operating a music venue.

The note on their website mentions that 9 Wallis is working with other local venues to move as many shows as possible to those places while also attempting to honor both tickets and gift certificates as well.

When the pandemic took hold in the spring of 2020, 9 Wallis initially invited music acts to perform for free within the space, then in the summer it set up drive-in concerts in Manchester by the Sea. The venue debuted back in the spring of 2017.

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.)

Bar Fresco Opens at Legacy Place in Dedham

A brand new outdoor wine garden has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, Bar Fresco is now open at Legacy Place in Dedham, with the IL Massimo team being behind the spot. The 100-seat wine garden features the entire wine list from IL Massimo (which is located at the site) while also serving beer and cocktails, and all food items from IL Massimo's menu are offered as well. Hours for Bar Fresco are 4:00 PM to closing seven days a week, with the space including umbrellas for shade along with string lights, hedges, and flowers.

IL Massimo first opened in the old Met Bar & Grill space in early 2019; its website can be found at www.massimori.com

[Photo credit: Haley Abram]

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, June 21, 2021

The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Is Closing

It looks like a Boston institution that has been serving food and drink for more than 100 years is closing its doors.

According to posters on social media over the weekend, including a tweet from @DunnTimothyP, The Red Hat in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of the city is shutting down possibly on June 27, with a message sent to the Bowdoin Street spot on Sunday asking for more details about the closing going unanswered as of Monday afternoon. A new Twitter post from Karyn Regal of WBZ seems to confirm this, saying that "I'm told The Red Hat, which opened in 1907, will close, likely next weekend."

The Red Hat has been a popular place over the years with nearby business workers, politicians, and college students from nearby Suffolk University, with the upstairs section being more of a restaurant and the downstairs area being a bar.

The address for The Red Hat is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its website can be found at https://www.theredhatboston.com/

[June 28 update: The Boston Herald mentions that The Red Hat closed after business hours last night.]

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.)

Far Out Ice Cream Is Opening a Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Brookline

The person behind a pop-up ice cream stand on the South Shore is opening a permanent location in Brookline.

According to an article from Wicked Local, Far Out Ice Cream is going to be opening on Harvard Street between Coolidge Corner and the Allston border, with the address indicating that it will move into the space that had been home to 4A Coffee until it closed earlier this year. The post mentions that founder August Radbill is "very happy to be part of the community, serving ice cream to the wonderful people of Brookline," and as was the case with his pop-up across from Nantasket Beach in Hull, the ice cream that will be served is a specific type found in New Zealand where ice cream and fruit are blended together.

The address for the new Far Out Ice Cream in Brookline is 419 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://www.farouticecream.com/

[November 22 update: According to a tweet from @deedubya, Far Out Ice Cream is now open in Brookline, with the Facebook page for the business confirming this.]

[Earlier Article]
4A Coffee in Brookline Is Closing Permanently

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.)

Leggos in Holbrook Has Closed, Plans to Reopen in a New Space

A dining spot in the southern suburbs that is known in part for its breakfast dishes and its shaded patio has shut down, though it hopes to be back in a new space.

According to a source, Leggos in Holbrook closed at the end of business hours yesterday, with a Facebook post from the N Franklin Street eatery confirming this, saying that it was "due to circumstances beyond our control" while also saying that "WE WILL BE BACK! It won't be the same location, but it will be with the same love and care for our friends and our food." It is not yet known whether Leggos is looking to stay in Holbrook or open back up in another town; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Leggos, which first opened 14 years ago, offered such items as crepes, waffles, pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, meatloaf, fish and chips, tacos, and burritos. Our other site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured it as an under-the-radar place that was mostly frequented by locals, with the review being at the link below:

https://www.hiddenboston.com/Leggos.html

The address for Leggos was 120 N Franklin Street (Route 37), Holbrook, MA, 02343.

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.)

Hummus Republic Opens in Boston's Financial District

A California-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean restaurants has expanded to downtown Boston.

According to a message sent by Adam Castiglioni of the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog, Hummus Republic is now open at the corner of Franklin Street and Batterymarch Street in the city's Financial District, with the website for the business confirming this, showing that it joins a handful of locations in California along with one outlet in New Jersey. The menu for the dining spot includes build-your-own wraps, pita pockets, and bowls with options such as couscous, garbanzo beans, several hummus options, chicken shawarma, falafel, steak strips, mushroom shawarma, tabbouleh, crumbled feta, fried eggplant, and more.

Hummus Republic, which is headquartered in West Hills, started out in 2013 and is now looking to expand through franchised locations, with upcoming outlets on their way to California, New Jersey, and Virginia.

The address for the new Hummus Republic in the Financial District is 274 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the business can be found at https://www.thehummusrepublic.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.)

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Update: Shore Leave, Orinoco (Brookline and Cambridge), Kokeshi, The Sevens, The Gaff, A&B Are All Open Again

[Ed note: This article was updated multiple times including on June 24, showing that all of these spots are now open once again.]

The trend toward local dining and drinking spots shutting down for the winter seems to be picking up speed, with a handful of restaurants and bars announcing that they will be doing so.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Shore Leave in Boston's South End and Orinoco in Brookline Village and Cambridge's Harvard Square have gone into hibernation as of late November, while Kokeshi in Salem has closed up its storefront and moved into the affiliated Bambolina space for the time being, and The Sevens in Beacon Hill has closed until sometime in early 2021. In addition, a source tells us that The Gaff in Waltham will be putting its business "on hold" after business hours on Saturday, November 28 and a Facebook post from Thomas Holland of A&B Kitchen • Bar indicates that it will close for the time being after business hours tomorrow (Wednesday, November 25).

A number of other restaurants and bars have closed for the winter over the past couple of months, while more spots are also getting ready to hibernate over the coming weeks.

[April 2, 2021 update: As stated earlier, A&B Kitchen • Bar is now open, and we have just learned that The Gaff opens back up today as well.]

[April 22, 2021 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Orinoco in Brookline Village and Harvard Square opened back up on April 16.]

[May 7, 2021 update: According to its social media, Shore Leave is now open once again.]

[June 9, 2021 update: A Facebook post from the place mentions that The Sevens is open once again.]

[June 24, 2021 update: A Facebook post from Kokeshi indicates that it is now open in both in its original location on Lafayette Street as well as in the Bambolina space on Derby Street.]

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.)