Boston Restaurant Talk: April 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 30, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between April 24 and April 30, 2023.

Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. to Expand to New Location in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood
A brewery in the western suburbs is going to be expanding into Boston.
Full Story

Joseph's Bakery in South Boston Is Closing
An iconic bakery is shutting down after more than 50 years in business.
Full Story

Crush Pizza Is Opening in East Boston
A pizzeria known for its Neapolitan-style pies that said farewell to its downtown Boston location a couple of years ago is returning to the city, though in a new location a few miles away.
Full Story

Littleburg in Somerville's Union Square Is Closing
A takeout restaurant in Somerville that features vegan Mediterranean fare is shutting down.
Full Story

Soleil in Roxbury Expands to Boston Public Market
The person behind a Southern-style restaurant in Roxbury has opened a second location at an indoor marketplace in downtown Boston.
Full Story

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Saturday, April 29, 2023

A Big Thank You to Casa Verde in Jamaica Plain (and How to Help)

Late last year, a Jamaica Plain restaurant went out of its way to help raise funds for my father (Leslie Hurwitz) who has been in a respite room at an assisted living facility and who has had some real struggles since the fall of 2021. Well, a nearby dining spot that is under the same ownership just had a fundraiser as well and raised some additional funds.

A big thank you to David and the folks at Casa Verde for your help, and another thanks to Tres Gatos for what it did in December; it shows just how giving the local restaurant community is, including the folks behind BoonNoon Market in Arlington, Vee Vee in Jamaica Plain, Common Market restaurants in Quincy, Parish Cafe in Boston, and so many others who have given over the past few months.

To read about the what has been going on with Leslie and/or to donate, please go to this link:

Help for Leslie Hurwitz's Ongoing Health Issue

Friday, April 28, 2023

Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. to Expand to New Location in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A brewery in the western suburbs is going to be expanding into Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Boston Business Journal) that Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. in Waltham is planning to open a 13,000-square-foot facility at Bower, a residential development on Beacon Street between Kenmore Square and Audubon Circle that will be part of the new Fenway Center complex. The new space will be used for the production of new beers in smaller batches while also having a kitchen that will be run by an outside food partner.

Bower is planning to debut in October, and the new Mighty Squirrel plans to open later this year as well.

The website for Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. is at https://www.mightysquirrel.com/

[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.)

Nosh & Grog in Medfield Is Moving to Canton

An upscale restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Boston is moving to a new, larger space a bit closer to Boston.

According to multiple sources along with a Facebook post from the place, Nosh & Grog in Medfield is planning to move to Canton, taking over the former Bertucci's space on Washington Street. The post from the restaurant gets into more detail, saying the following:

We have outgrown our space and are moving to an absolutely beautiful, and much larger, new location in Canton....We hope to close shop here in Medfield in about a month, and plan to open in our beautiful new space a few weeks later. We will update you on exact dates as we finalize the details. For now, thank you for making us so successful. We look forward to sharing our new restaurant with you. Until then join us here in Medfield center one more time before we move.

Nosh & Grog first opened on North Street in Medfield in 2016, replacing Zebra's Bistro and Wine Bar; it is known in part for its New American fare and cocktails.

The new address for Nosh & Grog will be 95 Washington Street, Canton, MA, 02021. Its website can be found at https://noshandgrog.com/

[May 31 update: An Instagram post from the place indicates that Nosh & Grog's Medfield location is now closed as it gets ready to move to its new home in Canton.]

[September 14 update: A new Instagram post from Nosh & Grog states that it is now open in its new location in Canton.]

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

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

Joseph's Bakery in South Boston Is Closing

An iconic bakery is shutting down after more than 50 years in business.

Caught in Southie is reporting that Joseph's Bakery on K Street in Southie is closing its doors as the owners are retiring, with a note from the owners within South Boston Today saying that "We will always cherish the memories and conversations with all who have passed through our doors." The bakery remains open for now, with its closing expected within the next few weeks.

Joseph's Bakery first opened in 1967, offering pastries, baked goods, coffee, Italian dishes, subs, and more.

The address for Joseph's Bakery is 258 K Street, South Boston, MA, 02127.

[June 7 update: Caught in Southie mentions that Joseph's Bakery is now closed, but the owners of the bakery hope to open a new location somewhere nearby.]

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

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Crush Pizza Plans to Open in East Boston's Orient Heights

A pizzeria known for its Neapolitan-style pies that said farewell to its downtown Boston location a couple of years ago is returning to the city, though in a new location a few miles away.

According to a source (Geoff Wong) on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page via a Facebook post from the business, Crush Pizza is planning to open in East Boston, moving into a space on Saratoga Street in Orient Heights. Once it opens, the new location will join another on Hancock Street in Quincy Center; its original spot was on State Street on the northern edge of Boston's Financial District until it closed toward the end of 2020.

When the downtown Boston location of Crush Pizza closed, there had been talk of a new outlet opening in another part of the city, though it wasn't known exactly where at the time.

The address for the upcoming location of Crush Pizza in East Boston is 975 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. The website for the business can be found at https://www.crushpizza.com/

[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.)

Sala By Fratelli's Is Saying Farewell to Its Space in Quincy

A dessert bar that is affiliated with a trio of pastry shops is shutting down, though it could be returning in some form at some point.

According to a source, Sala By Fratelli's in Quincy is leaving its Southern Artery space in June, with a Facebook post saying the following:

There are many factors that played a role in the difficult decision to pause and rethink our business plan. However, the biggest factor being, the space. Our lease has come to an end and resigning would not allow us to profitability expand how we envision. Although, we love our cozy & homey little setup, the current footprint is no longer suitable for our continued growth....The good news is we hope this isn't the end for Sala....We have lots of exciting potential ideas and opportunities including (but not limited to), possibly utilizing the very large space attached to our bakery, which we do own.... Whatever the future holds, it will take us some time to rethink, rework and renovate....In the meantime, we hope to incorporate some of the unique Sala concepts into Fratellis (more to come on that).

The post says that Sala will close on June 4, though private functions will go through end of the month.

Sala By Fratelli's first opened in June of 2018, joining locations of Fratelli's pastry shops in Quincy, Weymouth, and Taunton; the dessert bar offers small plates, desserts, and drinks, including wine, cordials, cocktails, and coffee.

The address for Sala By Fratelli's is 470 Southern Artery Unit 2, Quincy, MA, 02169. Its website is at https://salabyfratellis.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]

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Thai Thai Is Opening in North Easton

A new Thai restaurant is coming to the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a Twitter post from Jeremy Krantz, Thai Tai is planning to open in North Easton, moving into the former Press It Juicery in the RK Easton Village shopping center (where Roche Bros. is located). Jeremy mentions that the upcoming eatery "is Thai street food inspired," with a photo showing a sign out front saying "opening soon for takeout and delivery."

The address for Thai Thai is 3 Roche Brothers Way, North Easton, MA, 02356.

[October 11 update: A message sent by Jeremy Krantz indicates that Thai Thai 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]

Littleburg in Somerville's Union Square Is Closing

A takeout restaurant in Somerville that features vegan Mediterranean fare is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Littleburg in Union Square is getting ready to close, with an April 24 Facebook post from the Sanborn Court spot saying the following:

All good things come to an end....Our lease is up mid May, and without a new space to transition into, Littleburg's time has come. We're operating for just two more weeks, making all of our favorite menu items from the last three years of Meal Delivery this week and next. Find this week’s menu at LittleburgMenu.com Takeout will be open like normal too....Swipe to read more about the decision to close.

Littleburg first opened its brick-and-mortar shop in the summer of 2021, transitioning from a pop-up business that Chef/Owner Graham Boswell established in 2017.

The address for Littleburg is 5 Sanborn Court, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at https://www.littleburgveg.com/

[May 11 update: Eater Boston states that Littleburg is now 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]

Bartaco Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A small chain of street food spots with influences ranging from California to Mexico to South America is planning to open a second location in Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, bartaco is looking to open in the Fenway, moving into a space on Van Ness Street. The hearing notice indicates that the new location would have a dining area with a bar as well as a patio for the warmer months, and it hopes to acquire a full liquor license. If approved, the new outlet of bartaco would join another in Fort Point along with approximately 20 others that are mostly on the East Coast. (The first bartaco opened in Port Chester, NY, in 2011.)

The address for the proposed new location of bartaco in the Fenway is 100 Van Ness Street (Suite 106), Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the chain can be found at https://bartaco.com/

[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, April 26, 2023

Pon De Joy to Open in Malden

A pair of Boston-area shops that feature donuts with a mix of American and Japanese influences will soon be joined by a third outlet.

According to a source (Geoff Wong) who posted about it on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page as well as an article from the Daily Voice, Pon De Joy is going to be opening in Malden, moving into a space on Pleasant Street in the downtown area. Based on its other two locations in Allston and Newton Centre, expect to find a variety of mochi donuts (a fusion of American-style doughnuts and Japanese rice cakes) along with the possibility of coffee and tea.

The address for the upcoming location of Pon De Joy in Malden is 7 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148. The website for the business can be found at https://www.pondejoy.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]

Ailaa Himalayan Bar and Grill Opens in Stoneham

A new Himalayan restaurant has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a tweet (and segment) from Matt Shearer of WBZ NewsRadio 1030, Ailaa Himalayan Bar and Grill is now open in Stoneham, with the menu for the Montvale Avenue spot showing such options as mo:mo (dumplings), chatamari (rice flour crepes), bara (black lentil pancakes), chow mein, rice and polenta plates, and more, along with beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. Based on its social media, it appears that Ailaa Himalayan Bar and Grill first opened in March.

The address for Ailaa Himalayan Bar and Grill is 58 Montvale Avenue, Stoneham, MA, 02180. Its website can be found at https://www.ailaahimalayanbar.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]

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Banh Mi Oi to Open in Waltham

It looks like a pair of Vietnamese restaurants will soon be joined by a third.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Banh Mi Oi is planning to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Lexington Street just north of the Trapelo Road intersection. Once it opens, it will join other locations in West Roxbury and Foxborough, and based on those outlets, expect to find Vietnamese sandwiches along with pho, vermicelli, Vietnamese coffee, and more at the new spot.

The address for the upcoming location of Banh Mi Oi in Waltham is 1097 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA, 02452. The website for the business can be found at https://banhmioi.cafe/

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]

Josephine Opens in Somerville

A new Italian restaurant opens in Somerville today, just over a year after it was first announced.

According to a press release, Josephine debuts this evening within the Cambria Hotel on Somerville Avenue, and as mentioned earlier, Michael Scelfo (Alden & Harlow, Longfellow Bar, Waypoint) is behind the place The menu for the restaurant--which has an outdoor patio with a bar and a fire pit--includes such options as focaccia, roasted olives, burgers, deep-dish pizza, pasta, and more, along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for Josephine is 515 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[Earlier Article]
Josephine Plans to Open Within Cambria Hotel in Somerville

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]

Chivo Taqueria Plans to Open in the Baraka Cafe Space in Cambridge

It looks like a new restaurant may be on its way to Cambridge, replacing a North African dining spot that had moved to the space several years ago.

According to a source, Chivo Taqueria is looking to open on Mass. Ave., taking over the Baraka Cafe space just south of Porter Square. A Cambridge Day article and a meeting agenda page within the city's website both mention the proposal, with the hearing notice indicating that the new restaurant would have seating for 40 and an outdoor patio with seating for 8, and that Luis Morales Jr. is the manager listed. Little else is known about the upcoming eatery, so keep checking back for updates.

Baraka Cafe first opened more than 25 years ago on Pearl Street in Cambridgeport, moving to Mass. Ave. in 2016; the place has been known in part for its Algerian and Tunisian fare.

The address for the proposed Chivo Taqueria (and Baraka Cafe) is 1728 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

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]

Monday, April 24, 2023

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Opens in Boston's Back Bay on April 26

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a restaurant chain that focuses on chicken fingers was planning to open a second Boston location, and now we have learned that it is getting ready to debut.

According to a press release, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is slated to have its grand opening in the city's Back Bay neighborhood on Wednesday, April 26, with the Boylston Street dining spot joining another on Commonwealth Avenue by Boston University. (A third outlet in the region is also on the verge of opening in Marlborough as well.) Plans for the Back Bay restaurant--which has an outdoor patio and which is across the street from the Prudential Center--were first announced in the spring of 2021.

The address for the new location of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers in the Back Bay is 755 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the Baton Rouge-based chain can be found at https://www.raisingcanes.com/

[Earlier Article]
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Plans to Open in Boston's 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]

Merai Plans to Open in Brookline

The people behind an award-winning Thai restaurant are making plans to open another dining spot.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Mahaniyom in Brookline Village is going to be joined by a nearby restaurant called Merai, which means "alcohol" in Thai and which Mahaniyom co-owner Chompon Boonnak indicates will be "more playful" and with fusion cuisine being at least part of the focus. No address has been given for Merai as of yet, nor has a menu been seen, so stay tuned for updates as they come in. (The dining spot hopes to open in the late fall.)

Mahaniyom, which opened in early 2020, has received high praise over the past couple of years, including from Eater, The Boston Globe, and Boston Magazine.

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]

Soleil in Roxbury Expands to Boston Public Market

The person behind a Southern-style restaurant in Roxbury has opened a second location at an indoor marketplace in downtown Boston.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Soleil is now open at Boston Public Market, joining the original location in Nubian Square which chef/owner Cheryl Straughter opened in 2018. The new outlet offers such options as macaroni and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken, brisket, turkey wings, a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich, banana pudding, and more.

Eater Boston mentions that Boston Public Market, which first opened in 2015, now has nearly 30 vendors.

The website for Soleil can be found at https://soleilboston.com/ while the website for Boston Public Market is at https://bostonpublicmarket.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]

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 23, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between April 17 and April 23, 2023.

A New Restaurant May Be Opening in the Former Jeveli's Space in East Boston
It looks like plans are in the works for a new dining spot to replace a landmark East Boston restaurant.
Full Story

The Harp Is Expanding to a Second Location at Patriot Place in Foxborough
A bar in Boston that is particularly popular with sports fans will be opening a new outlet.
Full Story

Spoodles Soup Factory in Belmont Is Closing
A dining spot in the western suburbs that features soup and more is saying farewell.
Full Story

Borrachito Opens in Boston's Seaport District
Last summer, it was reported that a taqueria in New York City would be expanding to the Boston waterfront, and we have now learned that it has opened.
Full Story

Pizza Project Is Opening at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton
A popup pizza business is in the process of getting its very own storefront at a marketplace across from the Charles River.
Full Story

Friday, April 21, 2023

Axel & Byrne Opens at Patriot Place in Foxborough

The couple behind a year-old Somerville restaurant now have another dining spot, with this one being in the southwestern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, Sean and Sue Olson of Salt + Stone at Assembly Row have opened Axel & Byrne at Patriot Place in Foxborough, with the counter-service restaurant featuring "food from the road" including dishes found at barbecue pits, roadside diners, and food stalls across the country. Sean says of the new eatery, "If Salt + Stone was an homage to my wife and I breaking away from corporate restaurant brands and doing our own thing based on years of us working for others, Axel & Byrne is a continuation of that journey honoring our grandparents and their love of food."

A few of the items offered at Axel & Byrne include grilled corn salad, chili, fried stuffed jalapenos, burgers, beef on weck, Frito pie, pulled pork, burnt ends, smoked brisket, and Coney dogs, along with beer, wine, and cocktails, while the space includes seating for 65 and an outdoor patio. In addition, Axel & Byrne will have the option of whole roasted pigs with sides and sauces for tailgating on game day at Gillette Stadium along with offsite meals.

The address for Axel & Byrne is 267 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA, 02035. The website for the restaurant will be at https://axelandbyrne.com/ while a menu for the place is at https://www.patriot-place.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Axel-Byrne-Menu.pdf

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]

Kong Dog to Expand to Boston, Braintree, and Peabody

A chain of Korean corn dog spots that opened its first Boston-area location in Somerville last year is planning to open at least three more outlets in the local area.

According to the locations page within its website, Kong Dog is looking to open locations at Faneuil Hall in Boston as well as in Braintree and Peabody, with the latter two possibly coming to Northshore Mall and South Shore Plaza, those these two locations have not been confirmed as of yet. Once they open, the new shops will join another on Elm Street in Davis Square, and they will likely offer corn dogs with such coatings as sweet potato, ramen crumbles, fried potato, Cheetos, fruity rice puffs, Doritos, and more along with bubble tea.

Kong Dog was established in Illinois in 2021; the website for the company can be found at https://kongdog.us/

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]

Che! Empanada Opens within La Fabrica Central in Cambridge's Central Square

A pair of dining spots featuring Argentinian food have been joined by a third outlet, and this one resides within a Spanish-Caribbean restaurant.

According to a source (Ari Herzog), Che! Empanada is now open in the La Fabrica Central space in Cambridge's Central Square, with a Facebook post from the business saying "WE ARE NOW OPEN at our NEW LOCATION in CAMBRIDGE!!! Come, Visit Us & Share with your Friends or Family our Delicious Empanadas, just in La Fabrica Central‼️ ARGENTILICIOUS!!" The new location of Che! Empanada joins its original in Worcester along with one in Newtonville which debuted last spring; La Fabrica Central has been in operation since 2017, taking over the space that had previously been home to Monroe, and before that, Naga and Moksa.

The address for the new location of Che! Empanada (and La Fabrica Central) is 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Che! Empanada can be found at https://www.cheempanada.com/ while the website for La Fabrica Central is at https://www.lafabricacentral.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]

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Braintree Appears to Have Closed Permanently

It looks like a Chicago-based chain of sub shops has closed one of its locations in the Greater Boston area.

According to a source, Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Braintree is no longer in operation, with a check on the website for the business showing that the Forbes Road outlet has been removed from its locations section. It appears that other locations in downtown Boston (two), Logan Airport (two), and Burlington remain in operation.

The Braintree outlet of Potbelly Sandwich Shop first opened its doors in 2013.

The address for the now-closed Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Braintee was 30 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA, 02184 The website for the chain is at https://www.potbelly.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]

H Mart Is Opening in Brookline

An Asian supermarket chain that has three locations in the Greater Boston area is opening a fourth.

According to a tweet from @PatrickMBoston, H Mart is planning to open in Brookline, moving into the space on Beacon Street that had been home to a location of Whole Foods. It is not known when it might open (the signs out front simply say "coming soon), but once it does, the new H Mart will join others in Burlington, Cambridge's Central Square, and Quincy.

H Mart, which started out in Queens in 1982, currently has nearly 100 stores across the United States.

The address for the new location of H Mart in Brookline is 1028 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.hmart.com/

[August 8 update: According to multiple sources (including Sarah Wu and Patrick Maguire), the new H Mart in Brookline is now open, having had its grand opening on August 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]

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

A New Restaurant May Be Opening in the Former Jeveli's Space in East Boston

It looks like plans are in the works for a new dining spot to replace a landmark East Boston restaurant.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, a new restaurant called Rose is looking to open in the former Jeveli's space on Chelsea Street, with the manager listed as being Andrea Rueda while the description of the place is a front room with a bar and seating for 56, a main and back dining room with seating for 93, and a "Presidential Dining room" with seating for 47. No other information has been given other than the fact that the proposed dining spot hopes to acquire the Jeveli's liquor license and that the parent company is Rose Square Inc.

Jeveli's first opened in 1924, being billed as the oldest Italian restaurant in Boston; it shuttered for the winter in November of 2020 due to the pandemic and never reopened.

The address for the proposed new restaurant moving into the Jeveli's space is 387 Chelsea Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

[April 26 update: According to an article from Universal Hub, Rose looks to be a tapas restaurant that focuses on cuisines from around the world, including such items as fish tacos, bacon-wrapped plantains, croquettes, and octopus.]

[Earlier Article]
Jeveli's in East Boston Goes on the Auction Block

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]

The Harp Is Expanding to a Second Location at Patriot Place in Foxborough

A sports bar in Boston that is particularly popular with Bruins and Celtics fans will be expanding to a second location, and this one should be popular with fans of two other local teams.

According to an article from boston.com, The Harp by TD Garden and North Station is planning to open a new outlet at Patriot Place in Foxborough, with the post saying that it will be taking over the space that had been home to CBS Sporting Club. A note on the website for the Causeway street dining and drinking spot says that the new location will have "soaring views of Gillette Stadium [which is home to both the Patriots and Revolution], food, drinks, sports, patio, same lively pre-game atmosphere & vibrant nightlife in Boston," with the plan being to open later this year.

The original location of The Harp, which first opened in Boston in 1993, is run by the Briar Group (Hurricane's at the Garden, Ned Devine's, Six String Grill & Stage). The Harp's website can be found at https://www.harpboston.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]

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Pappardelle to Open in Lowell

A brand new Italian dining spot is on its way to Lowell, and it has an ownership connection to a nearby eatery.

According to a source (Aron Levy), Pappardelle is getting ready to open on Middlesex Street, with a Facebook post from the place saying that it will be "an Italian restaurant opening in downtown lowell featuring homemade pasta, artisan pizza and serving beer and wine with a unpretentious North End vibe." We have been told that the people who run Purple Carrot (a bakery-cafe on Merrimack Street) are behind the upcoming restaurant, and the Facebook page indicates that there will be a few dinner testings for Pappardelle at Purple Carrot beginning later this month.

The address for the upcoming Pappardelle is 160 Middlesex Street, Lowell, MA, 01852.

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]

Lucy's Is Opening in West Medford

It looks like a new food shop is on its way to West Medford, moving into the space where a deli and nanobrewery had been until leaving the space as part of a move.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, a sign is now up for Lucy's in the old Deep Cuts Deli space on High Street, with a QR code on the sign taking people to an Instagram page which has no posts as of yet. The space that Lucy's is moving into had been home to Deep Cuts Deli, which is moving into the former Carroll's space on Main Street in Medford Square.

The address for Lucy's in West Medford is 472 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155. Its Instagram page will be at https://www.instagram.com/lucyscraftdeli/

[October 30 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page says that Lucy's is now open, and it offers salads, Sicilian pizza, and sandwiches.]

[Earlier Article]
Deep Cuts Deli to Move from West Medford to Former Carroll's Space in Medford 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]

Spoodles Soup Factory in Belmont Is Closing

A dining spot in the western suburbs that features soup and more is saying farewell.

According to a source, Spoodles Soup Factory in Belmont is in the process of closing down, with a post from owner Jose Rios on the restaurant's Facebook page saying the following:

Having owned and operated various fast-casual establishments across several towns in Massachusetts for approximately 35 years, and having perfected my soup recipes over time, I have now decided to retire. I am grateful to all of our customers, many of whom I have come to know as friends, for welcoming us into your community and making us feel at home as fellow members of the community in Belmont. Retiring from service in this community is a great blessing, and I thank you all for your support and patronage. I will be cleaning the store in the following weeks. Please feel free to stop in if you are in the area.

The Trapelo Street eatery first opened in 2015, offering soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with bread bowls.

The address for Spoodles Soup Factory is 374 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA, 02478.

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]

Monday, April 17, 2023

Borrachito Opens in Boston's Seaport District

Last summer, it was reported that a taqueria in New York City would be expanding to the Boston waterfront, and we have now learned that it has opened.

According to a press release along with its website and social media, Borrachito debuts today at The Superette, a retail, dining, and entertainment center in the city's Seaport District, and as mentioned earlier, a hidden back room includes a bar/lounge area that was originally to be called The Garret Bar, though it no longer appears to have a separate name after all. The Garret Group, which runs both the original location in Manhattan's East Village and the new location in Boston, also operates The Garret cocktail bar and Bandits diner and dive, both of which are in Manhattan.

The address for Borrachito in the Seaport District is 70 Pier 4 Boulevard, Suite 270, Boston, MA, 02210. Its web page is at https://www.borrachito.com/boston while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/borrachitotaqueria/

[Earlier Article]
Borrachito and The Garret Bar to Open at The Superette in Boston's 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]

Pizza Project Is Opening at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton

A popup pizza business is in the process of getting its very own storefront at a marketplace across from the Charles River.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via a Boston Magazine article), Pizza Project is on the verge of opening at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton, with Dan and Allie Spinale being behind the place. The Spinales established the business in the spring of 2021, popping up at local breweries including Notch at the Speedway and offering different styles of naturally leavened pizzas made from stone-milled flour; the menu at the brick-and-mortar location will include three options of Sicilian pizza along with sandwiches and snacks.

The address for the brick-and-mortar Pizza Project at the Charles River Speedway is 525 Western Avenue, Brighton MA, 02135. Its website is at https://www.pizzaprojectboston.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]

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 16, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between April 10 and April 16, 2023.

Tous Les Jours Is Opening in North Quincy
A group of French-Asian bakeries and cafes based in South Korea is getting ready to open yet another Boston-area location.
Full Story

Cava to Open in Downtown Boston
A Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots continues its expansion plans through the local area.
Full Story

STK Steakhouse Plans to Open in the Back Bay
A group of steakhouses that planned to bring a "female-friendly" concept to several cities--including Boston--is now planning to bring its original concept to Boston instead.
Full Story

Kitchen Table to Open in Beverly
A new restaurant is coming to the North Shore, and the person behind a now-closed spot known for its BBQ and locally-sourced fare appears to be involved.
Full Story

Dudley Cafe in Roxbury Plans to Expand to Cambridge
A community-focused cafe is looking to expand to a second location.
Full Story

Friday, April 14, 2023

Nutnapat Aroy Thai Is Replacing Taste of Siam in Stoneham

A new Thai restaurant is coming to the northern suburbs of Boston, replacing another Thai spot that recently closed.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Nutnapat Aroy Thai is planning to open in Stoneham, moving into the former Taste of Siam space on Main Street. The poster had mentioned a bit more than a month ago that Taste of Siam's windows had been papered over, but it wasn't known at the time whether this was a temporary or permanent closure.

Very little is known about the upcoming eatery other than a Select Board meeting page within the town's website saying that Nanut Jitbunchong is involved with the opening of the place and that the original hope was that it had hoped open in February.

The address for Nutnapat Aroy Thai is 499 Main Street, Stoneham, MA, 02180.

[August 25 update: A poster within the Facebook group page mentions that Nutnapat Aroy Thai 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]

Tous Les Jours Is Opening in North Quincy

A group of French-Asian bakeries and cafes based in South Korea is getting ready to open yet another Boston-area location.

A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page says (via a Patriot Ledger article) that Tous Les Jours is slated to open in North Quincy this month, moving into a space on Billings Road just off Hancock Street. Once it opens, it will join others locally in Allston, Burlington, Malden, Natick, and Newton, and based on those locations, expect to see a variety of baked goods, pastries, and other items such as sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, and tea.

The address for the new location of Tous Les Jours in North Quincy is 48 Billings Road, North Quincy, MA, 02171. The website for the company can be found at https://www.tljus.com/

[July 20 update: According to a press release, Tous Les Jours in North Quincy 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]

Cava Is Opening in Downtown Boston

A Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots continues its expansion plans through the local area, with a new one now being planned for the heart of Boston.

According to a tweet from @FortPointer, Cava is planning to open on Summer Street in the downtown area of the city, with a post from downtownboston.org confirming this. Once it opens, the new outlet will join others in the Fenway and Back Bay (2), Cambridge's Kendall Square, Dedham, Hingham, and Woburn, and locations in Harvard Square and Framingham are in the works as well.

Cava, which was established in 2011, is mostly known for its customizable bowls and pita pockets.

The address for the new location of Cava in downtown Boston is 125 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02111. The website for all locations is at https://cava.com/

[May 2 update: A tweet from @DTownBostonBID indicates that the new Cava in downtown Boston 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]

Thursday, April 13, 2023

STK Steakhouse Plans to Open in Boston

A group of steakhouses that planned to bring a "female-friendly" concept to several cities--including Boston--only to have the concept fall through is now planning to bring its original concept to Boston.

According to a source (Sarah Wu), STK Steakhouse is going to be opening on Berkeley Street in the Back Bay, with a photo sent showing a "Coming Soon" sign for the place out front. STK Steakhouse had originally planned to open STK Rebel in the Seaport District in 2016, with One Group Hospitality co-founder Jonathan Segal saying at the time that "We went into this with the sole intention to create a different steakhouse that appealed to the female market....If you want to make a lot of money in this world, focus on the female market and women, because men only get to make 3 percent of the decisions." The concept was scrapped later that year.

It appears that the address for the upcoming STK Steakhouse in the Back Bay will be 222 Berkeley Street, though we are still trying to confirm this. (The website for all STK locations is at https://stksteakhouse.com/)

[Earlier Articles]
STK Rebel Plans to Open at One Seaport Square in Boston
STK Steakhouse Will Apparently Not Be Coming to Boston's Seaport District After All

[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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Caffe Ollo Is Opening in Waltham

A new coffee shop appears to be opening west of Boston.

According to a Twitter thread from @y2000k, Caffe Ollo is planning to open in Waltham, moving into the Cronin's building on Moody Street. The website for the upcoming spot says that it will offer coffee, tea, breakfast, and desserts, and that it will include "service with elegant music." No opening date has been given for Caffe Ollo as of yet, and the menu part of the website has not been set up yet, so check back for updates as they come in.

The address for Caffe Ollo in Waltham is 241 B Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website can be found at http://www.caffeollo.com/

[October 26 update: @y2000k tells us that Caffe Ollo has soft-opened with its grand opening taking place on Saturday, October 28, and that its menu includes baked goods, pastries, salad bowls, fruit bowls, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, tea, smoothies, and more.]

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

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

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Kitchen Table Is Opening in Beverly

A new restaurant is coming to the North Shore, and the person behind a now-closed spot known for its BBQ and locally-sourced fare appears to be involved.

According to multiple sources along with a job post within the Craigslist site, Kitchen Table is going to be opening in Beverly, with an earlier licensing board agenda page indicating that William Fogarty is listed as manager. Fogarty was the chef/owner of Scratch Kitchen, a Salem restaurant that shut down in the summer of 2020 after being open for nearly 10 years;

The Craigslist job post mentions that Kitchen Table will also be chef-owned and operated, though it doesn't specifically mention Fogarty; it does say that the restaurant plans to open in May.

The address for the new location of Kitchen Table in Beverly is 392 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. Its website is at https://kitchentablebeverly.com/

[August 24 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kitchen Table in Beverly 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]

EHChocolatier in Cambridge's Huron Village Is Closing

An award-winning chocolate shop in Cambridge is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, EHChocolatier in Huron Village is getting ready to close its doors, with a Cambridge Day article saying that it will shutter on April 28. The article mentions that founders Catharine Sweeney and Elaine Hsieh will be "pursuing different paths," with Sweeney "retiring to spend more time with her family as well as traveling, gardening and whatever else life brings" while Hsieh will be "exploring new opportunities and collaborations."

EHChocolatier has received accolades for their chocolate treats since opening in 2009, including "best ofs" from Boston Magazine, Food and Wine, Fodor's Travel, and the New York Times according to their website.

The address for EHChocolatier is 145 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Their website can be found at https://www.ehchocolatier.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]

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Dudley Cafe in Roxbury Plans to Expand to Cambridge

A community-focused cafe in Roxbury is looking to expand to Cambridge.

According to a press release, Dudley Cafe in Nubian Square is planning to open a second location on Mass. Ave. between Porter Square and Harvard Square, with a crowdfunding campaign currently set up for the upcoming spot via NuMarket. Much like the Roxbury location, the outlet in Cambridge will offer Indian-inspired food while also being a place for art and community-related events.

Dudley Cafe first opened in the historic Ferdinand building within the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Center in 2015.

The address for the upcoming location of Dudley Cafe in Cambridge is 1663 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the business can be found at https://www.dudleycafe.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]

Monday, April 10, 2023

Kelly's Roast Beef Is Opening in Dedham

A local group of road beef spots that dates back to the 1950s is going to be opening a new outlet in the Greater Boston area.

An Instagram post from the business confirms what multiple sources have told us, that Kelly's Roast Beef is planning to open in Dedham, with NBC 10 Boston indicating that it will move into a space on Providence Highway a short distance north of Legacy Place (and on the southbound side of the road). Once it opens, the new location will join others in Revere, Danvers, Medford, and Saugus, along with others in New Hampshire an Florida.

The address for the new location of Kelly's Roast Beef in Dedham is 825 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website can be found at https://kellysroastbeef.com/

[November 7 update: A new Instagram post indicates that the Dedham location of Kelly's Roast Beef has opened for drive thru only, with the place fully opening soon.]

[January 1, 2024 update: Kelly's in Dedham is now fully open.]

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

Sunday, April 09, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 9, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between April 3 and April 9, 2023.

Joia Restaurant & Lounge Opens Within the Harborside Inn in Downtown Boston April 21
A new Italian restaurant is on its way to the heart of Boston a bit later this month.
Full Story

Row 34 Opens in Cambridge's Kendall Square
A trio of restaurants known for their seafood has opened a fourth location.
Full Story

Portico Brewing Company Soft-Opens in Somerville; Grand Opening to Take Place April 15
A local contract brewer is in the process of debuting its own brewery and taproom in a new development in Somerville.
Full Story

Ciao Amici Opens in the Former Massimo's Ristorante Space in Wakefield
A new Italian restaurant has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston, taking over the space that had been home to another Italian spot before it closed a few months ago.
Full Story

Wicked Bagel Plans to Open New Shop in the Former Porcini's Space in Watertown
A pair of bagel shops will apparently be joined by a third, taking over the space where an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant had been until closing earlier this year.
Full Story

Friday, April 07, 2023

Sons of Boston Space Near Faneuil Hall Is Becoming Loyal Nine

A bar near Boston's Faneuil Hall that was shut down indefinitely by the city a year ago is returning with a name change--and the name would be the same as that of a now-closed Cambridge restaurant.

Universal Hub is reporting that Sons of Boston on Union Street is planning to reopen as Loyal Nine, with a voting agenda page within the city's website showing that a vote took place yesterday in which "Causeway Union, LLC Doing business as: Sons of Boston...has petitioned to change the d/b/a of the licensed business – From: Sons of Boston To: Loyal Nine." [Ed note: Adam of UH tells us that the Boston Licensing Board did vote in favor of the change.] An earlier article from UH mentioned that Sons of Boston was shuttered by the Licensing Board in April of 2022 as a result of a bouncer allegedly stabbing a visiting marine to death outside the place.

Neither Sons of Boston nor the proposed Loyal Nine have an ownership connection to the colonial-themed Loyal Nine restaurant in East Cambridge, which had been in operation for approximately six years until closing in 2021, and whose owners currently run Northern Spy in Canton.

[May 16 update: A check on the place over the weekend indicates that Loyal Nine is now open in the former Sons of Boston 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]

Joia Restaurant & Lounge Opens Within the Harborside Inn in Downtown Boston April 21

A new Italian restaurant is on its way to the heart of Boston.

According to a press release, Joia Restaurant & Lounge is opening inside the Harborside Inn on State Street April 21, with Gianmarco Rinaldi--who comes from Naples and who had been the manager at Trattoria il Panino in the North End--being behind the place. The upcoming dining spot will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will feature modern takes on Italian classics along with beer, wine, and cocktails, while the space will "offer a Gilded Age ambiance" with a 60-seat dining area, a bar with seating for 16, and an outdoor patio that that seats 24 and overlooks the Greenway.

The address for Joia is 185 State Street, 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]

La Vita Dolce Opens in Tewksbury

A brand new Italian spot has come to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to its Facebook page, La Vita Dolce is now open in Tewksbury, with a ribbon cutting taking place at the end of March. The Main Street spot is a bakery, cafe, and deli that offers pizza, calzones, subs, panini, arancini, meats, cheese, breads, cookies, pastries, imported goods, and more, with a Tewksbury Carnation article mentioning that the place also has a full liquor license while an outdoor patio will be set up in the warmer months.

The address for La Vita Dolce is 1866 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA, 01876.

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]

Thursday, April 06, 2023

Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline Has Closed; Arlington Location Remains Open

A pair of vegan restaurants is back down to just one, as its second location has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline is no longer in business, with a note on the home page of the restaurant's website saying the following:

Zhu vegan kitchen cuisine At Brookline location is closed. Thank you for all your business, if you like to order please call/ order at location at the Arlington address: 166 Massachusetts ave Arlington Ma 02474

The Washington Street outlet first opened in Brookline Village in the fall of 2020, joining the Arlington restaurant which debuted in 2015 and offering pan-Asian vegan fare.

The address for the now-closed Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline Village was 220 Washington Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for the Arlington location can be found at http://zhuvegan.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]

Update: Pho 99 in Malden Has Closed; Shi Miao Dao Yunnan Rice Noodle May Replace It

A restaurant in Malden that featured Vietnamese and Chinese food has shut down.

According to a source, Pho 99 on Pleasant Street closed on March 28, with a photo showing a note in the window that says "Thank you so much for your patronage. We're proud to have served the Malden community for 22 great years." Pho 99 offered such options as pho, vermicelli dishes, rice plates, spring rolls, stir-fry dishes, and a variety of Chinese-American and Chinese fare.

The address for the now-closed Pho 99 was 99 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, 02148.

[April 11 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that Shi Miao Dao Yunnan Rice Noodle may be moving into the former Pho 99 space, with a City of Malden memorandum seeming to confirm this. (Another location of Shi Miao Dao can be found 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]

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

Yego Coffee Opens in Somerville's Teele Square

A Rwandan coffee shop has come to Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting (via The Somerville Times) that Yego Coffee is now open on Broadway in Teele Square, with Francois and Fatuma Tuyishime being behind the place. The articles mention that Francois comes from a coffee farming family in Southwestern Rwanda, moving to the Boston area and going to Brandeis where he received a master's degree, then getting back into the world of coffee, starting an online brand and being at local farmers markets.

The address for Yego Coffee in Teele Square is 1212 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at https://www.yegocoffee.com/

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

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]

Row 34 Is Opening in Cambridge's Kendall Square on April 7

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a trio of restaurants known for their seafood would be opening a fourth location, and now we have learned that it is on the verge of debuting.

According to a press release, Row 34 is slated to open in the Kendall Square of Cambridge on Friday, April 7, joining existing locations in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood, Burlington, and Portsmouth, NH. The release mentions that the new outlet will have two levels of dining and a seasonal patio, offering lunch and dinner daily with its menu including locally sourced seafood as well as a variety of beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the new location of Row 34 in Kendall Square is 314 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for all locations is at https://www.row34.com/

[Earlier Article]
Row 34 to Open New Location in Cambridge's Kendall 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]

Portico Brewing Company Opens in Somerville

Back in 2020, it was reported that a local contract brewer was planning to open its very own brewery and taproom in a new development in Somerville, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Portico Brewing Company has soft-opened on the ground floor of 101 South Street at Boynton Yards, a mixed-use life science complex near the Cambridge line. A Facebook post from the business mentions that its grand opening is slated for April 15 while its website and social media pages indicate that they have teamed up with Johnny Pomodoro in Charlestown to offer Detroit-style-pizza, subs, and more.

Portico started contact brewing in 2012, producing beer out of Mercury Brewing/Ipswich Ale Brewery in Ipswich.

The website for Portico Brewing Company can be found at https://porticobrewing.com/

[Earlier Article]
Portico Brewing to Open Brewery and Taproom Near Boynton Yards Development in Somerville

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]

Tuesday, April 04, 2023

Putarin Thai Plans to Open in the Former Mitho Restaurant Space in Winchester

A brand new Thai restaurant is looking to open in the northern suburbs of Boston, moving into the space where a Nepali eatery had been.

According to a source, Putarin Thai is planning to open in Winchester, taking over the former Mitho Restaurant space on Main Street just north of the center of town. Very little information is available on the proposed dining spot as of yet other than the fact that it hopes to acquire a full liquor license, based on a select board meeting page.

Mitho first opened in the latter part of 2018, replacing Cafe Piazza Dolce; the restaurant was known in part for its momos (a type of steamed dumpling) along with a variety of meat-based, vegetarian, and vegan options.

The address for the proposed Putarin Thai (and now-closed Mitho Restaurant) is 831 Main Street, Winchester, MA, 01890.

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]

Hallowed Ground Is Opening in the Former Opus Underground Space in Salem

Earlier this year, it was reported that a North Shore restaurant and bar was being replaced by a new spot under the same ownership, and now we have learned that its downstairs music venue will become home to a new spot as well.

According to a source, Hallowed Ground is opening in Salem, moving into the former Opus Underground space on Washington Street that had also been home to Opus restaurant upstairs before it morphed into Dire Wolf Tavern. An email sent to us mentions that Hallowed Ground will be a speakeasy-style place with the feel of an old-school lounge and it will feature a late-night menu and cocktails; like Dire Wolf, it will be run by Serenitee Restaurant Group, which was behind Opus and Opus Underground and operates such places as Maggie's Farm, 15 Walnut, Cala's Restaurant, Hale Street Tavern, The Spot, Minglewood Harborside, and Alchemy.

The address for Hallowed Ground is 87 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website can be found at https://www.hallowedgroundsalem.com/

[April 11 update: An email sent to us indicates that Hallowed Ground opens today, with its menu showing such items as chili, squash bisque, sushi, and brunch items including shakshuka, chorizo and sweet potato hash, steak and eggs, lobster eggs benedict, and poutine, while the drinks menu includes beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails. (It will be open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5:00 PM.)]

[Earlier Article]
Dire Wolf Tavern Is Replacing Opus in Salem

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]