Early last year, it was reported that three popular dining and drinking spots from one of Boston's best-known restaurateurs were shutting down. Now we have learned that he will be opening several new restaurants/bars in a new development nearby.
According to a press release, Garrett Harker is planning to develop four "food and beverage concepts" at Bower, a luxury destination on Beacon Street between Kenmore Square and Audubon Circle, with Harker saying "From B&G Oysters to Eastern Standard to Row 34, I've loved harnessing the transformative power of hospitality to activate neighborhoods....While there have been dark clouds in our industry the past two years, I'm as excited as ever to roll up my sleeves and dig in. I'm grateful to the team at Bower for giving me the opportunity to once again be a part of creating an entirely new neighborhood just a short five-minute walk from my home of 15 years."
In February of 2021, we reported that Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar (which was a partnership between Harker and Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury), and The Hawthorne--which were all located within the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square--would not be reopening and that new dining/drinking spots under different ownership would be opening within the spaces.
Harker, who currently runs Branch Line in Watertown and Eastern Standard Provisions Co., will be announcing the exact concepts sometime this year, with the plan being for them to open in early 2023--and mixologist/Eastern Standard opening bar manager Jackson Cannon and Chef Nemo Bolin, (Cook & Brown Public House, No. 9 Park) will be involved.
Thanks to Adam Castiglioni (@ConciergeBoston) for initially bringing this to our attention.
[October 27 update: Eater Boston states that the first of four concepts has been announced, and it will be a cocktail bar called Equal Measure that plans to open sometime in 2023.]
[Earlier Articles]
Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston's Kenmore Square Will Not Reopen; Transferring Their Licenses to UrbanMeritage
The Hawthorne in Boston's Kenmore Square Has Closed Permanently
[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.)
