Thursday, September 30, 2021

Johnnie's Pizza and Wings Is Reborn at Watermills in Watertown

 A dining spot that had once resided in Newton has emerged in a new location in a neighboring community.

According to a source, Johnnie's Pizza and Wings is now open at Watermills, a residential complex along the Charles River in Watertown, with a Facebook post from the place hinting that this is the same eatery that had formerly been known as Johnnie's Pizza and Smokehouse and was located on Watertown Street in Nonantum until closing approximately two and a half years ago. The menu for the new location includes pizza, wings, salads, calzones, sandwiches, pasta dishes, grill items, and more.

The address for Johnnie's Pizza and Wings is 330 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

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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The Tack Room Is Opening in the Former Real/Lincoln Kitchen/AKA Bistro Space in Lincoln

Earlier this year, it was reported that a new restaurant was looking to open in a western suburb of Boston with very few dining options, only to have it fall through. Now we have learned that another dining spot is planning to open in the space.

According to a source, The Tack Room is planning to open in Lincoln, taking over the space on Lincoln Road that had been home to Real and before that, Lincoln Kitchen and AKA Bistro. An article from The Lincoln Squirrel mentions that the restaurant will have a rustic atmosphere and offer "elevated comfort food" that is reasonably priced and that it will be open for lunch, dinner, and brunch, with craft beer available (pending approval from the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission) along with a children's menu. The post says that Michael Culpo--who tends bar at Lulu's in Allston and is part-owner of the Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks in Coventry, RI--is behind the restaurant, which could be opening around Christmas if all goes well.

As mentioned earlier here, a dining spot called Turenne had been looking to open in the space, but those plans ended up falling through.

The address for The Tack Room is 145 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA, 01773. Its website is at https://www.tackroomlincoln.com/

[February 22, 2022 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Tack Room 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]


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Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Jacob Wirth May Be Returning to Boston's Theater District

A landmark Boston restaurant that has been closed since 2018 could be coming back.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Jacob Wirth is seeking to acquire a liquor license to operate in its old space on Stuart Street in the Theater District, with the notice indicating that Julius Sokol of the Greater Boston Bar Co. is the manager listed. Since its closing due to a fire a few years back, there have been multiple proposals for the space, including talk of a sports bar moving in, then a recreational cannabis establishment.

Jacob Wirth first opened in 1868, with the place being known in part for its German food and extensive beer list along with its piano singalongs.

The address for the Jacob Wirth space is 31-37 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[October 8 update: Universal Hub reports that the plan is to reopen Jacob Wirth with "no changes," restoring the restaurant to the way it was before it sustained water damage in the fire. It appears that the licensing board won't take any action until at least November, as Sokol will apparently be having neighborhood meetings between now and then to discuss the plans.]

[Earlier Articles]
Jacob Wirth in Boston's Theater District May Become JW's Sports Bar and Restaurant
Recreational Cannabis Establishment Being Proposed for Jacob Wirth Space in Boston's Theater 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]


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Wusong Road Is Opening in the Former Les Sablons Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

An American Chinese restaurant featuring roasted duck, tiki drinks, and more is on its way to Cambridge, and the people behind it come from a couple of well-known dining spots.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Jason Doo (Menton) and Thomas Brush (Felipe's Taqueria) are teaming up to open Wusong Road in the space in Harvard Square that had previously been home to Les Sablons. The post says that the restaurant, which will be inside the historic Conductor's Building between Mount Auburn Street and Bennett Street, will have a brick oven on the first floor that is geared toward roasting ducks, while the second floor will be what Doo describes as a "100-seat American Chinese-style restaurant with heavy tropical escapism decor that has been heavily influenced by the Chinese Dai people." If all goes as planned, Wusong Road will open in mid-November.

Les Sablons, which closed in 2018 after being in business for a bit more than a year, was known in part for its French-influenced dishes and cocktails.

The address for Wusong Road in Harvard Square is 112 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/wusongroad/

[December 17 update: According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Wusong Road soft-opens this evening, with an Instagram post from the place confirming this.]

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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The Boston Eagle Space in the South End Will Become Home to The Kartal

[Ed note: This article was updated in January and March of 2022 to reflect a name given to the new place.]

Earlier this year, it appeared that one of the oldest gay bars in Boston had closed. Now we have learned that the space might not be empty for too much longer.

According to a post from BosGuy, a new restaurant and bar is being planned for the South End space that had been home to The Boston Eagle, and though details are few, it looks like a couple will be behind the spot and that it will open in 2022. In early March BosGuy mentioned that the Tremont Street bar (which was also known as ("The Dirty Bird") was shuttered and for rent, saying at the time that "The lease for the 1,400 sq. foot bar also comes with the use of a license for food, entertainment and liquor until 2:00 AM."

The Boston Eagle had been in business for more than 40 years.

The address for The Boston Eagle space (and upcoming restaurant and bar) is 520 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

Thanks to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page for initially bringing this to our attention.

[January 21, 2022 update: A licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website indicates that the name of the place planning to move into the former Boston Eagle space will apparently be Kartel, and the manager listed is Shahrokh Reza, who is presumably the same person who is behind Pasha, a local restaurant, bar, and nightclub group.]

[March 31, 2022 update: BosGuy reports that the upcoming dining and drinking spot will be called The Kartal (not Kartel, as previously mentioned) and that it hopes to open in late April or early May if all goes well.]

[Earlier Article]
The Boston Eagle in the South End Is for Rent

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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Chef Dave's Is Opening at The Street Chestnut Hill

A private chef is opening his very own restaurant a few miles west of Boston.

According to a press release, David Welch is planning to open Chef Dave's at The Street Chestnut Hill, with the dining spot being a bistro-style restaurant that offers such options as macaroni and cheese, veal chops, BBQ ribs, whole roasted crispy duck, lemon herb roasted chicken, prime beef filets, osso bucco, and more. Chef Dave's hopes to open sometime this winter and it will serve lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch along with takeout.

David Welch got his start more than 20 years ago at Formaggio Kitchen and has since become a well-known chef and caterer for such places as Harvard University, MIT, and the boutique menswear store Mr. Sid.

The Instagram page for Chef Dave's can be found at https://www.instagram.com/chefdavesonthestreet/

[May 5, 2022 update: A press release indicates that Chef Dave's 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]


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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Geppetto Opens for Dinner and Takeout at Cambridge Crossing on October 2

Earlier this year, the third of three concepts from a well-known local chef and restaurateur partially opened at a new development in East Cambridge, and now it looks like the place is on the verge of fully opening.

According to a press release, Geppetto opens its doors at Cambridge Crossing on Saturday, October 2 for dinner and takeout, with the restaurant joining two other spots within the same building at the development--Cafe Beatrice and The Lexington. Chef Will Gilson and his team are behind all three places, with Geppetto featuring modern Italian fare including house-made pasta dishes, sharable plates, family-style meals, and raw fish. Some items offered are short rib carpaccio, papperdelle with wild boar bolognese, mushroom, agnolotti, beet cavatelli, and chicken parm polpette along with an ever-changing list of house-made gelatos, while beverages include an array of Italian wines, a rotating selection of cocktails on draft, and options from an amaro cart.

In addition to Geppetto, Cafe Beatrice, and The Lexington, Gilson also runs Puritan & Co. in Cambridge's Inman Square.

The address for for Geppetto is 100 N First Street, Cambridge, MA 02141. Its website can be found at https://www.thelexingtoncx.com/geppetto

[Earlier Article]
Geppetto Opens at Cambridge Crossing on January 14 for Takeout/Delivery

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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OTTO Pizza Is Opening in Beverly

A growing group of pizzerias specializing in gourmet thin-crust pies will be expanding further into the local area, with a new one on its way to the North Shore.

According to a tweet, OTTO Pizza is planning to open in Beverly, with a page within the city's website indicating that it will be moving into a space on Rantoul Street in the downtown section of the community. Once it opens, the new location will join others in  Andover, Arlington, Boston's South End, the Boston/Brookline line (by BU), Brookline's Coolidge Corner, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Lynnfield, Newburyport, and South Boston as well as a handful of locations in Maine, where it started out. 

If all goes as planned, OTTO hopes to open in Beverly sometime in October.

The address for the upcoming OTTO Pizza in Beverly is 199 Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.ottoportland.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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Monday, September 27, 2021

Break Rock Brewing Is Opening at Marina Bay in Quincy

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a brewery was planning to open in Quincy, and now we have learned that it will be coming to a seaside location within the city.

According to an article from the Patriot Ledger, Break Rock Brewing is going to be opening at Marina Bay, with the address and video shown indicating that it will move into a space within the Meriel Marina Bay apartment complex. The post mentions that the upcoming spot will include a 10-barrel craft brewery and a taproom along with an outdoor patio, and that it plans to be open from noon to 10:00 PM Thursday through Monday.

Plans for Break Rock Brewing were first announced here in May of 2019, though plans have apparently been in the works for approximately three years now, and as mentioned in an earlier article, Quincy is currently the largest city in New England without a brewery.

The address for Break Rock Brewing at Marina Bay is 534 Victory Road, Quincy, MA, 02171. The website for the business can be found at https://www.breakrockbrewing.com/

[March 4, 2022 update: An Instagram post from the place indicates that Break Rock Brewing has opened.]

[Earlier Article]
Break Rock Brewing Plans to Open in 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]


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Blue Boat in Rowley Has Closed Down

It looks like a seafood restaurant on the North Shore that debuted last year may have shut down for good.

According to a source, Blue Boat in Rowley is no longer in business, with a message sent to us from the people behind the dining spot confirming that it has indeed closed permanently. Blue Boat first opened in the summer of 2020, offering such items as clam chowder, lobster rolls, a haddock sandwich, fried scallops, and more, with the place having an ownership connection to Boat House Grille and the Blue Marlin Grille in Essex.

The Blue Boat space had previously been home to the last location of Spud's, a family-friendly chain that once had locations in Brockton, Danvers, Saugus, Woburn, and North Hampton, NH.

The address for the now-closed Blue Boat is 255 Newburyport Turnpike (Route 1), Rowley, MA, 01969. The Facebook page for the restaurant is at https://www.facebook.com/blueboatrowley/

[November 19 update: The Facebook page for the place confirms what our source told us earlier, that the team behind Blue Boat will be opening a new restaurant within the space.]

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


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


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Bluebird Bar & Wood-Fired Grill Is Opening in Former Lumiere Space in West Newton

Early last year, an award-winning suburban bistro closed its doors permanently, and now we have learned that a new dining spot is opening in its space.

According to a source, a sign is now up for Bluebird Bar at the old Lumiere space in West Newton, with the sign also saying "a wood-fired grill" underneath. A Facebook post from owner David Sardella indicates that the 88-seat spot will be opening very soon and it will have a "big-ass bar" along with a "scratch kitchen, killer cocktails and a thoughtfully curated wine list," though a menu has not been seen for the place as of yet. A Patch article from last year mentioned that Bluebird was planning to open within the space, but no information on the restaurant was available at that time.

Lumiere, which first opened in 1999, was known as a special-occasion spot featuring dishes with French and regional influences; the restaurant closed in late February of 2020.

The address for Bluebird Bar is 1293 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465. Its website is at https://www.thebluebirdbar.com/

[December 1 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Bluebird Bar & Wood-Fired Grill opens at 5:00 PM today.]

[Earlier Article]
Lumiere in West Newton 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]


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Friday, September 24, 2021

Witch City Hibachi Is Opening in the Former Stella's Space in Salem

A new Japanese restaurant is on its way to the North Shore, opening in the space where a dining spot known for its wine options had been.

According to a source, Witch City Hibachi is planning to open in Salem, taking over the former Stella's space on Lafayette Street. The social media pages for the upcoming restaurant indicate that it will offer hibachi options along with sushi, and that the people behind it run several dining spots in Pennsylvania as well as one in South Dakota. (We have been told by our source that this appears to be a reincarnation of MYST, which was supposed to open at Pickering Wharf last year, and the owners of Witch City indeed also run a place called MYST in Jim Thorpe, PA.)

Stella first opened in late 2018, offering mostly New American fare and an array of wines; the restaurant shut down around the beginning of 2020.

The address for the upcoming Witch City Hibachi is 94 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/witchcityhibachisalem/

[December 13 update: The Facebook page for the place indicates that Witch City Hibachi 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]


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Cristian Latin Opens in the Powder House Circle Section of Somerville

A brand new option for Salvadoran food has come to Somerville.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Cristian Latin is now open in the Powder House Circle section of the city, with the website for the Broadway eatery indicating that it offers both takeout and delivery and that its website says it has the "Best Salvadoreño food in Somerville." The menu for the spot shows such items as huevos rancheros, empanadas, plantains, guacamole, pork belly, chicken stew, papusas, burritos, tacos, grilled salmon, and flan.

The address for Cristian Latin is 854 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at https://cristianlatin.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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Thursday, September 23, 2021

Fresh Food Generation Is Opening Near Dorchester's Codman Square

The people behind a food truck and catering business will be opening a restaurant in a section of Boston that has relatively few options for sit-down dining.

According to an article from the Dorchester Reporter, Cassandria Campbell and Jackson Renshaw are opening Fresh Food Generation on the outskirts of Codman Square, with the Talbot Avenue dining spot planning to have eight seats inside and approximately 20 to 30 more seats outdoors. The food offerings at the upcoming place will have Caribbean and Southern influences, with some of the options including a kale salad, Jamaican jerk chicken, red bean stew, salmon, rice plates, and more, while they also plan to offer beer and wine.

In addition to setting up a food truck at various spots in the city, Campbell and Renshaw have also been running a catering company within CommonWealth Kitchen in Grove Hall; it looks like they will ultimately be basing their operation out of 191 Talbot Avenue in Codman Square while their restaurant appears to be going into a space at 185 Talbot Avenue, based on information from the article.

The website for Fresh Food Generation can be found at http://www.freshfoodgeneration.com/

Thanks to Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

[November 10 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Fresh Food Generation 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]


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Shirley Is Opening in Koshari Mama Space at Bow Market in Somerville; Koshari Mama Moving to Former Moroccan Hospitality Space

A pop-up that focuses on farm-to-table options is opening in a long-term pop-up space in Somerville, while the pop-up that is currently in that space will be moving to a brick-and-mortar space nearby.

Eater Boston is reporting that Shirley is planning to open at Bow Market on October 16, taking over the space that has been home to the Koshari Mama (a vegan Egyptian eatery) since the fall of 2019. Shirley, which had once been known as Blueberries for Sal, has been doing pop-ups and collaborations at a number of dining spots, offering salads, cinnamon toast, flatbreads, cookies, cakes, and more, while Koshari Mama--which will be moving to the former Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant space on Somerville Avenue--serves such items as koshari, (one of Egypt's national dishes that includes rice, lentils, pasta, fried onions, and chickpeas), eggplant bowls, Egyptian country bread, fermented vegetables, and torli (zucchini, potatoes, onions, carrots, and chickpeas in tomato sauce).

The Instagram page for Shirley can be found at https://www.instagram.com/shirleythepopup/ while the website for Koshari Mama is at https://www.kosharimama.com/

[October 18 update: According to its Instagram page, Shirley is now open at Bow Market.]

[November 29 update: Eater Boston states that Koshari Mama is now open in the former Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant space on Somerville Avenue.]

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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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Next Door Is Opening in East Boston; Pazza on Porter Team Behind It

The people behind an Italian restaurant in East Boston are opening a new cocktail bar.

According to an article from Eater Boston, the Pazza on Porter folks plan to open Next Door, a speakeasy-style spot that will be a bit more "upscale and sophisticated" than traditional speakeasies and will indeed be next door to the Porter Street restaurant. The post mentions that the bar will have a hidden entrance, with the secret door having a sliding window where customers give their reservation before entering the place. Expect to find small plates, charcuterie and cheese boards, and raw bar items at Next Door, along with a variety of cocktails.

If all goes as planned, Next Door will open in early November.

The address for Next Door is 103 Porter Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website is at https://www.nextdooreastie.com/

[March 30, 2022 update: According to its website, Next Door is now open in East Boston (Thursday through Sunday only, at least 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]


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Kendall Kitchen Opens at the Quad in Cambridge

A dining spot in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge has been joined by a second location on the other side of the city.

A message sent to us indicates that Kendall Kitchen at the Quad is now open on Wilson Road, which is just north of Concord Avenue and between Alewife Brook Parkway and the Belmont line. We have been told that the new location soft-opened this summer for those within its building, but it was given the green light to open to the general public this week. Expect breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches, and wraps (a weekend brunch is coming as well) at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad, which joins the original Kendall Kitchen location at 201 Broadway that has been in business for nearly 15 years.

The address for the new Kendall Kitchen at the Quad is 10 Wilson Road, Cambridge, MA, 02474. The website for both locations can be found at https://www.kendallkitchen.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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The Underground Cafe + Lounge Is Opening at Northeastern University in Boston

The person behind a restaurant and lounge that focuses on Southern-style food is opening another dining spot nearby, with this one being located within a student apartment complex.

According to an article from boston.com, The Underground Cafe + Lounge has soft-opened on the ground floor of LightView, a Columbus Avenue building in the South End/Roxbury section of the city that houses Northeastern University students. Owner Nia Grace, who also runs Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen on Columbus Avenue, plans to make the all-day cafe both a restaurant and a community space while offering entertainment as well, and some of the dishes from Darryl's are being offered here as well, including baked macaroni and cheese. Other menu items include southern egg pies with ham and cheddar cheese, chili, seafood gumbo, pulled pork melts, BBQ chicken flatbreads, and more.

The Underground Cafe + Lounge is currently hosting an art installation with artwork from youths who are involved with Artists for Humanity, while the plan is to also have acoustic nights at some point in the near future; for now, the restaurant's website indicates that the soft opening plans to continue until October 1, with hours currently being 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, while full hours are slated to begin on October 4 (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays).

The address for The Underground Cafe + Lounge (which will be open to both students and the general public) is 742 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02120. The website for the dining spot can be found at https://www.theundergroundboston.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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Kured Is Opening at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway

A Beacon Hill shop that focuses on charcuterie is expanding to the Fenway.

According to an article within the Time Out Market Boston website, Kured plans to open there on Monday, September 27, with founder Gillian Rozynek offering both pre-made meat and cheese selections and customizable boxes at her new outlet. Once it opens, the new location of Kured will join the original on Charles Street, which opened this summer in the space that that had previously been home to a location of Fastachi.

Kured actually began as a delivery-only startup that served the Greater Boston area along with Cape Cod.

The website for Kured can be found at https://www.kured.co/ while the website for Time Out Market Boston--which is located on Park Drive--is at https://www.timeoutmarket.com/boston/

[October 5 update: A message sent from the business confirms that Kured is now open at Time Out Market 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]


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Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The Don's Barbecue Is Opening in Watertown

A catering business that focuses on Texas-style barbecue is getting ready to open its very own restaurant.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, The Don's Barbecue is planning to open in Watertown, with the School Street address indicating that it will be opening in the space that had been home to Strip-T's, and after that, Avenue Deli. Based on the website for the business, it appears that some of the offerings at the upcoming dining spot could include pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, smoked sausage, ribs, brisket, BBQ chicken, burnt ends, cornbread, collard greens, and more.

Strip-T's was a nationally-recognized restaurant that closed down in 2018, with Avenue Deli subsequently taking over the space.

The address for The Don's Barbecue is 93 School Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the business can be found at https://www.thedonscatering.com/

[October 29 update: According to its Instagram page, The Don's Barbecue opened today, though they had to close early because they "sold out of everything."]

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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New Restaurant Proposed for Former Stoddard's Space in Boston's Downtown Crossing

It looks like a new dining spot may be on its way to the heart of downtown Boston, taking over the space that had been home to a gastropub-style restaurant and bar.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Street Prince LLC is seeking a beer, wine, and liqueur license to operate at Temple Place in Downtown Crossing, with the address indicating that the business would take over the former Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale space. The listing mentions that the proposed spot would have a dining room at street level and another dining area below, and that the manager listed is Athip Komwises. A check on Street Prince shows (via a Google search that brings up a Bizapedia page) that Jamme Chantler is also listed as one of the principals; this is presumably the same Jamme Chantler who is behind The Mad Monkfish, a pan-Asian restaurant in Cambridge's Central Square area (another manager listed is Kochakorn Treenawong, who is also known as Nick Treenawong and has been involved with The Mad Monkfish as well, based on various social media pages).

Stoddard's announced its closure last fall after being in business for approximately ten years.

The address for the proposed restaurant whose parent company is Street Prince LLC (we don't yet know if the name of the dining spot will be Street Prince) is 48 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111.

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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Clover Is Opening at the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay

The people behind a number of vegetarian restaurants in the Boston area will be opening a new outlet in the Back Bay.

According to a page within the Prudential Center website, Clover is planning to open at the Pru, with the page simply saying "Coming Soon" and including a web link to the business. Once it opens, the new location of Clover will join a number of others in the local area including several in Boston and Cambridge along with outlets in Burlington and Newtonville and two within Whole Foods markets in Sudbury and Westford.

Clover initially started out as a food truck business but is now focusing on brick-and-mortar locations.

The website for Clover can be found at https://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

[October 29 update: A Facebook post mentions that the new location of Clover at the Pru has soft-opened, and that it plans to have its grand opening on November 5 and November 6, with each being "Pay What You Want" days in which customers pay whatever they want, and all proceeds go directly to the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance.]

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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Monday, September 20, 2021

Domo Hibachi & Sushi Opens in Beverly

A brand new Japanese restaurant has come to the North Shore.

According to a source, Domo Hibachi & Sushi is now open in Beverly, with the Facebook page for the Rantoul Street spot indicating that it offers a variety of options including teriyaki and hibachi items, sushi, gyoza, udon noodles, lo mein, fried rice, tempura, ramen, and more.

Based on its Facebook page, it appears that Domo Hibachi & Sushi debuted this past Friday.

The address for Domo Hibachi & Sushi is 374 Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. Its website can be found at https://domobeverly.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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Cannonball Cafe Is Opening in South Boston

A new dining spot is on its way to South Boston.

According to a source, Cannonball Cafe is opening on Dorchester Avenue, with the address indicating that it will open within the building that is home to GrandTen Distilling. Based on its social media, it looks like the new place will offer baked goods and pastries, grab-and-go lunches, coffee, smoothies, and more.

The address for Cannonball Cafe is 383 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website will be at https://www.cannonballcafe.com/ while its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/cannonballcafebos/

[December 2 update: According to an article from boston.com, Cannonball Cafe 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]


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New Republik Bar Is Opening in The Rising Space in Cambridge's Inman Square

A new dining and drinking spot appears to be opening in Cambridge, and it has a connection to a beloved bar that announced its closure earlier this year.

According to a source, the New Republik Bar is planning to open in the space in Inman Square that had been home to The Rising, with an Instagram page for the place hinting that people involved with the now-closed People's Republik are behind it, saying that "The Republik will rise again!" Our source sent us photos showing a sign up for the New Republik in the window of the Cambridge Street space, which jibes with what we have been hearing over the past few months, that people from The People's Republik--which had been located on Mass. Ave. on the outskirts of Central Square--were eyeing the space for a potential return of the bar in some form. (As soon as we find out more information about the New Republik, we will post an update here.)

The Rising was an Irish gastropub that first opened in early 2016.

The address for New Republik Bar is 1172 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

[September 30 update: An article from boston.com indicates that former People's Republik manager Patrick Gallivan and co-worker Maxwell Greene are behind the New Republik Bar, with Gallivan saying that "It'll have a lot of the same feel — mostly the same staff, a lot of the same artwork, but we're in a nicer building with nicer bathrooms. Everything's just going to be a little bit nicer." The article says that the menu will be similar to that of The People's Republik, though with a few healthier options, and that live music is not expected to be part of the plans. If all goes well, the new place could open in mid-November.]

[January 15, 2022 update: According to a source who told us last night, the New Republik Bar plans to open in February, with an Instagram post from the business indicating that it could be opening February 1.]

[February 2, 2022 update: A new Instagram post from the place mentions that the New Republik Bar is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
The People's Republik in Cambridge Has Closed Down

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


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


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Friday, September 17, 2021

CommonWealth Kitchen Opens The Launchpad at MIT; Kiosks Include Bibim Box, Las Palmas, and Las Carolinas

A local nonprofit that helps establish food-based startups has helped bring three new dining spots to a local university.

According to a press release, CommonWealth Kitchen has opened The Launchpad at MIT, which includes three food kiosks inside the MIT student center run by BIPOC and immigrant-owned food businesses. The dining spots include a Korean eatery called Bibim Box, a Dominican place called Las Palmas, and a Venezuelan restaurant called Las Carolinas and we have been told that they are all open to the public, with hours being 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The website for CommonWealth Kitchen, which is headquartered in the Grove Hall section of Boston, can be found at http://www.commonwealthkitchen.org/

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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Owners of Mike & Patty's Opening Flourhouse Bakery in Newton's Nonantum Neighborhood

The team behind a pair of breakfast places and sandwich spots in Boston and Somerville will be opening a brand new bakery in Newton.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Ania Zaroda and Michael Gurevich of Mike & Patty's in Bay Village and Bow Market in Union Square are planning to open Flourhouse Bakery in Nonantum, moving into a space on Adams Street that had been home to Blacker's Bread Basket. The post says that the upcoming shop will offer a variety of breads, rolls, muffins, cookies, and more, with the plan being to offer delivery and pop-up menus while also having a retail space; the business is currently taking preorders online, with pickups starting on September 23, and an open house is taking place on September 25.

In addition to the two Mike & Patty's locations, Zaroda and Gurevich also run Hot Box, a pizza and roast beef spot at Bow Market, and they are going to be opening two new Mike and Patty's locations at the upcoming High Street Place food hall in Boston and in Jamaica Plain.

The address for Flourhouse Bakery in Nonantum will be 140R Adams Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

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, September 16, 2021

Kohi Coffee Company Opens in Boston's South End

A coffee shop with roots on the Cape has opened another location in Boston.

According to a source, Kohi Coffee Company is now open in the South End, moving into a space within The Revolution Hotel on Berkeley Street. The website for the business indicates that the new location features a walk-up window for takeout/to-go options and offers coffee, cold brew, tea, pastries, and more.

Kohi currently has other locations in downtown Boston and Brighton along with Provincetown, where it first started out. 

The address for the new location of Kohi Coffee Company in the South End is 40 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.kohicoffee.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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Lucca Back Bay Is for Lease

A location of a trio of upscale Italian restaurants has been locked up and dark for awhile now, and it appears that the future of the place is very much in question.

According to a message and a photo sent by Adam Castiglioni of the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog, Lucca Back Bay has a "restaurant space available for lease" sign out front, and a note on its web page says that the Huntington Avenue restaurant "is currently closed. Please visit one of our other locations." Back in April, social media posts from the place indicated that it was "closed right now" and that "We miss you and hope to see you soon," though it appears that the location never did open back up. The original location in Boston's North End remains in operation, as does its newest outlet in Rockland.

Lucca Back Bay first opened in 2009, replacing Sasso, which had also been run by the same family.

The address for Lucca Back Bay is 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116. Its web page is at https://www.luccabackbay.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 Cucina at Somerville's Assembly Row Has Closed

An Italian restaurant that opened within a Somerville development a couple of years ago has shut down for good.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that La Cucina at Assembly Row is no longer in business, with the Instagram page for the place saying that "Due to unforeseen circumstances, LA CUCINA is closed permanently as of Monday 13 September 2021. We appreciate your patronage over the years." La Cucina first opened in early 2019, offering such items as pan-seared cod, chicken parmesan, salmon piccata, baked stuffed lobster, linguine vongole, bolognese, and spinach ravioli.

The address for La Cucina was 400 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA, 02145.

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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Halftime Pizza in Boston's North Station Area Is Morphing into Halftime King of Pizza/J. Pace Express

[Ed note: This article was updated on September 17 to reflect new information given.]

A longtime pizza spot across from North Station in Boston appears to be joining forces with a familiar name. 

According to a source (Geoff Wong), a "coming soon" sign is now up for Halftime King of Pizza/J. Pace Express in the storefront on Causeway Street that has been home to Halftime Pizza. A page within the opengovus.com site seems to confirm this, showing that "Halftime King of Pizza...is a business registered with City of Boston, City Clerk," with the email given on the page being for J. Pace and Son, and an Instagram page for the place hints that this is a collaboration between the two businesses, saying that they are "Bringing The Hub on Causeway two celebrated brands J.Pace Express @ Halftime King of Pizza." (A recent tweet from Halftime Pizza confirms this, saying that "Everything is remaining the same! We just have a new look inside, along with J.Pace and Son to help compliment our Pizza.") Currently, locations of J. Pace and Son--which is known for its Italian food, subs, and provisions--can be found in the West End, the Seaport District, and Saugus.

Halftime Pizza has been around for approximately 40 years, offering pizza, pasta dishes, subs, salads, and more to commuters, sports/music fans attending events at TD Garden, nearby office workers, and locals.

The address for Halftime King of Pizza/J. Pace Express is 115 Causeway St, Boston, MA, 02114.

[December 30 update: According to a Twitter post, Halftime King of Pizza/J. Pace Express is now up and running.]

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


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


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Wednesday, September 15, 2021

End Dates Announced for Temporary Outdoor Dining Spaces in Boston

It looks like expanded outdoor dining areas in Boston will be allowed to continue a little while longer, but there is now an end in sight, at least for now.

A tweet from @OnlyInBOS shows the end dates for temporary outdoor spaces for restaurants in the city, which is shown on the 2021 Outdoor Dining Pilot Program section within the city's website. The dates shown are as follows:

-- For public property (excluding the North End), on-street spaces will end on December 1, while sidewalk spaces will shut down on April 1, 2022.

-- For private property (excluding the North End), spaces on private ways and lots will shut down on December 1, and spaces on sidewalks along private ways will also end on December 1.

-- For both public and private property in the North End, all temporary spaces will shut down on November 1.

It is not known if temporary outdoor dining could resume sometime in the future, as it would likely be based on a number of factors, including the exact state of the pandemic. (Expanded outdoor dining started up in late March and early April of this year after temporarily ending late last year.)

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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Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Beyrut Espresso Opens in Revere

A new cafe that features Turkish coffee and more has opened just north of the Boston line.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Beyrut Espresso is now open in Revere, moving into a space within a shopping center by Bell Circle. The post mentions that in addition to Turkish coffee, the new shop offers a variety of pastries, including baklava, though no menu has been seen as of yet.

The address for Beyrut Espresso Coffee Shop is 3 Everett Street (Unit 3c), Revere, MA, 02151. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Beyrut-espresso-102788575446856/

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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Zoe Acai Bar & Juicery Is Opening in the Former Bruegger's Bagels Space in Cambridge's Porter Square

A new dining spot that features bowls is on its way to Cambridge, opening in the space where a location of a chain of bagel places had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Zoe Acai Bar & Juicery is planning to open in Porter Square, moving into the old Bruegger's Bagels space on Mass. Ave. The Facebook page for the upcoming place indicates that it will offer acai bowls along with cold-pressed juices, though its website is not running yet so we have not been able to see a menu for the spot. A Chinese restaurant called Zoe's is located a few blocks away on Beacon Street in Somerville, though it does not appear that there is any connection between the two places; if we find out that there is, we will post an update here.

The address for Zoe Acai Bar & Juicery is 1876 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. The website for the place will be at https://zoeacaibar.com/

[December 2 update: Eater Boston states that Zoe Acai Bar & Juicery is now open in Porter 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]


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Monday, September 13, 2021

Hub Hall Opens at The Hub on Causeway in Boston's North Station Area

A long-awaited food hall has finally opened its doors.

According to an Instagram post, Hub Hall is up and running at The Hub on Causeway development in the North Station area of Boston as of today, saying "we have arrived" in the post. The food hall will ultimately be home to a total of 18 food and drink spots, including Sauce Burgers, Sullivan's, Naco Taco, MIDA Apizza, The Smoke Shop BBQ, ReelHouse Oysters, GreCo, Monica's Mercato, Mike's Pastry, Cusser's Roast Beef and Seafood, Momosan Ramen, The Draft by Banners, and more, though it isn't yet known how many of the places actually opened today.

Plans for Hub Hall were first announced in the summer of 2019, with its opening being delayed by the pandemic.

The website for Hub Hall can be found at https://www.hubhallboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Hub Hall to Open within The Hub on Causeway Development in 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]


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The Chateau Restaurant Is Opening in the Former Joe's American Bar & Grill Space in Woburn

A local group of Italian restaurants will be opening a new location in the northern suburbs, moving into a space that had been home to a local group of family-friendly restaurants that focus on American fare.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Chateau Restaurant is planning to open in Woburn, with a Daily Times Chronicle article indicating that it will be taking over the former Joe's American Bar & Grill space on Mishawum Road. Once it opens, the new location of The Chateau will join others in Waltham, Burlington, Braintree, Norwood, Stoughton, Andover, Norton, and Franklin, and will likely offer a variety of pasta dishes and pizza along with chicken, veal, steak, and seafood options.

Joe's American Bar & Grill currently has two locations remaining in the local area, including one on the Boston waterfront and another in the Back Bay.

The address for the new location of The Chateau Restaurant in Woburn is 311 Mishawum Road, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.chateaurestaurant.com/

[April 29, 2022 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page says that The Chateau Restaurant in Woburn is now open (dinner service only 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]


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Friday, September 10, 2021

Moge Tee Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square

A chain of tea places with two locations in the Boston area is getting ready to open a third.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), Moge Tee is planning to open in the Central Square section of Cambridge, with a check on the website for the company indicating that it will be opening on Mass. Ave. in the heart of the square. Once it opens, the new shop will join other locations in Allston and North Quincy, along with outlets in Amherst, the New York City area and a handful of others in various states around the country.

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

The address for the upcoming location of Moge Tee in Central Square is 605 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139 The website for the chain is at https://mogeteeusa.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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Playa Bowls Is Opening in East Milton Square

A New Jersey-based chain of dining spots is getting ready to open its fourth Boston-area location, with this one being just south of the city.

According to an article in the Milton Times, Playa Bowls is opening in East Milton Square, with the Adams Street eatery soon joining others in Brighton by Boston College, near Northeastern University in Boston, and in Cambridge's Harvard Square. Based on its other outlets, expect to find bowls with a variety of bases, along with smoothies and fresh juices.

If all goes as planned, the new location of Playa Bowls will open sometime this month.

The address for the outlet of Playa Bowls in East Milton Square is 532 Adams Street, Milton, MA, 02186. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.playabowls.com/

[October 11 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Playa Bowls in East Milton Square 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]


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Update: Highland Fried in Cambridge's Inman Square Has Closed Permanently

[Ed note: This article was updated on September 30 to reflect the fact that the restaurant has closed for good.]

A Cambridge restaurant that features fried chicken, BBQ, and tiki drinks has shuttered for the time being, and it is not known what the future holds for the place.

According to a couple of posters within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page from earlier this month, Highland Fried is closed, with a Cambridge Day article mentioning (via a Facebook post from the restaurant) that they are "pressing the pause button" and trying to figure out what its next move might be while hinting that the closure is due at least in part to the surge in Covid cases stemming from the Delta variant. The Cambridge Street spot had been open this summer, though it had been closed on various days over the past couple of weeks, including throughout the Labor Day Weekend. As soon as we find out any updates on the exact status of Highland Fried, we will post an update here.

Highland Fried first opened in late 2017, taking over the space that had been home to East Coast Grill; the owners of Highland Kitchen in Somerville are behind the place.

The address for Highland Fried is 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.highlandfried.com/

[September 30 update: A new Instagram post from the place indicates that Highland Fried has closed permanently, saying that "We'll still serve Fried Chicken on Mondays at Highland Kitchen."]

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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