Boston Restaurant Talk: November 2023

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Dave's Hot Chicken Opens in Saugus

A California-based chain of dining spots focusing on Nashville hot chicken has opened another Boston-area location, with this one being a few miles north of the city.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Dave's Hot Chicken is now open in Saugus, with a MassLive article indicating that it debuted on November 17. The new outlet--which takes over the former Angela's Coal Fired Pizza space--joins others locally in Braintree, Chelmsford, Dorchester, Framingham, Newton, and Woburn, and like the others, it offers tenders and sliders with heat levels ranging from "no spice" to "reaper" as well as such items as macaroni and cheese, kale slaw, and cheese fries.

The website for the new location of Dave's Hot Chicken in Saugus is 890 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.daveshotchicken.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.)

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Drawdown Brewing Opens in Jamaica Plain in December

Last summer it was reported that a new brewery and taproom was planning to open in Jamaica Plain, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to a press release, Drawdown Brewing Company is slated to open on Washington Street in Egleston Square sometime in early December, with Liz Nicol being behind the business. The release mentions that the taproom expects to have seating for approximately 36 and a total occupancy of 100 along with a seasonal outdoor area, and it will offer four beers to start--a New England IPA, a Cream Ale, an Alt Bier, and a Porter--while also serving small bites via area dining spots or food trucks.

Nicol, who lives in Jamaica Plain, foresees the brewery as being an integral part of the community, saying that "Drawdown will be a welcoming space for all. We're excited to be part of this vibrant neighborhood which has a reputation for celebrating diversity, uniquely independent businesses and a thriving socially-minded community....I believe we will be the only brewery that will be 100% woman and 100% LGBTQ+ owned in the city of Boston."

The address for Drawdown Brewing Company is 3200 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its website is at https://www.drawdownbrewing.com/

[December 15 update: According to an Instagram post from the place, Drawdown Brewing Company opens its doors today.]

[Earlier Article]
Drawdown Brewing Company Plans to Open in Jamaica Plain

[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.)

Tulum Mexican Cuisine Is Opening in Somerville

It looks like a brand new Mexican restaurant is coming to Somerville.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Tulum Mexican Cuisine is planning to open on Washington Street, taking over a space near the Charlestown line just west of Sullivan Square. Very little is currently known about the upcoming dining spot other than Bizapedia saying that Abner Gonzalez and Paul Mongui appear to be behind the place; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

The address for Tulum Mexican Cuisine is 3 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website will be at https://tulumsomerville.com/

[January 29, 2024 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page indicates that Tulum is now open, with its menu showing such items as nachos, ceviche, burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, canitas, and more.]

[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.)

Pancho's Taqueria Opens in Roxbury

Last month it was reported that a local pair of Mexican restaurants was down to one, but now we have learned that there are two locations once again, as a new one has opened in a Boston neighborhood.

A message sent to us indicates that Pancho's Taqueria is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Shirley Street a short distance west of South Bay and Newmarket. This comes on the heels of an outlet in Needham shutting down after being in business since 2019, with a social media post from the place referring people to its original location in Dedham.

The address for the new location of Pancho's Taqueria in Roxbury is 94 Shirley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Pancho's is at https://www.panchostaqueria.com/

[Earlier Article]
Pancho's Taqueria in Needham Has Closed

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, November 27, 2023

Wade BBQ Opens in the Former Littleburg Space in Somerville's Union Square

A new barbecue spot has come to Somerville, taking over the space where a restaurant offering vegan Mediterranean fare had been until closing this spring.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Wade BBQ is now open in Union Square, moving into the former Littleburg space on Sanborn Court. The new eatery serves such items as chili, pulled pork, wings, ribs, burnt ends, brisket, sausage, smoked chicken and turkey, wings, macaroni and cheese, and more.

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 Wade BBQ is 5 Sanborn Court, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/deewadebbq/

[Earlier Article]
Littleburg in Somerville's Union Square Is Closing

[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.)

Charlie's on Main Is Opening in a New Location in Stoneham

A suburban pizzeria that lost its home due to a fire last year is being reborn in a new location one town away.

According to a source, Charlie's on Main is planning to open in Stoneham, with the address indicating that it will take over the space on Montvale Avenue that had been home to a location of The Gyro Spot until it recently closed. A Facebook post from the business gets into more details, saying the following:

We are so happy to finally be able to share the news that Charlie's is coming back! We will be reopening in a new location at 62 F Montvale Avenue, Stoneham MA 02180. We hope to reopen Tuesday, December 12th — but we will share an official date as we complete required inspections. We would have loved to stay in our old location, but unfortunately that was not possible. We cannot thank our north shore community enough for the love and support these past few months, and hope you will make the drive over to Stoneham — we promise the food is worth it!

Charlie's on Main had resided on Main Street in Wakefield, but its building was hit by a blaze in May of 2023 that also displaced four people who lived in the structure.

The website for Charlie's on Main can be found at https://www.charliesonmainpizza.com/

[December 19 update: A new Facebook post from the place indicates that its grand opening took place on Monday, December 18.]

[Earlier Article]
The Gyro Spot in Stoneham Has Closed

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending November 26, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between November 20 and November 26, 2023.

The Painted Burro Opens in Harvard Square
A small group of Mexican restaurants has expanded to a new location in the heart of Cambridge.
Full Story

Jason Santos Hopes to Open a Restaurant in the Former Oak + Rowan Space in Boston's Fort Point
A well-known local chef and restaurateur is looking to open another dining spot, and this one would take over the space that had previously been home to an upscale Fort Point restaurant.
Full Story

Scobie's to Open in Dorchester's Adams Village Neighborhood
A brand new dining and drinking spot that plans to have the feel of the rural pubs found along the West Coast of Ireland is on its way to a Boston neighborhood.
Full Story

The Townshend in Quincy Is Closing, Will Be Replaced with a New Concept
A casual upscale tavern known in part for its cocktails is shutting down, though the people behind it will be bringing a new concept to the space.
Full Story

The Hidden Door Opens in Marblehead
A new cocktail lounge has come to the North Shore.

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, November 24, 2023

Zhang Liang Malatang to Open in the Former Dok Bua Space in Brookline

Last month it was reported that a chain of Chinese restaurant known for their spicy (and numbing) Sichuan hot pot options would be coming to Boston, and now we have learned that another chain of Sichuan hot pot spots will be coming to Brookline, with that one replacing a beloved Thai restaurant.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Zhang Liang Malatang is planning to open on Harvard Street, moving into the space where Dok Bua had been until closing in September. News of the hot spot restaurant comes on the heels of YGF Malatang planning to open on Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area, with both chains offering hot pot with numbing Sichuan peppercorns.

The address for the upcoming Zhang Liang Malatang is 411 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[Earlier Articles]
Dok Bua in Brookline Is Closing
YGF Malatang Is Opening in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. 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]

The Gyro Spot in Stoneham Has Closed

A trio of fast-casual Greek dining spots appear to be down to two now, as its closest outlet to Boston has shuttered.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, The Gyro Spot in Stoneham is no longer in business, with the Facebook post from the Montvale Avenue restaurant showing a "permanently closed" label. No reason has been given for its closure, nor is it known what might become of the space; if we find out more information, we will post an update here.

The Stoneham location of The Gyro Spot first opened in the summer of 2022, offering a variety of gyros as well as salads, soups, rice bowls, fries, spreads with pita bread, and desserts. Locations of the dining spot in Salem, MA, and Manchester, NH, remain in operation.

The address for the now-closed Gyro Spot in Stoneham was 62 Montvale Avenue, Stoneham, MA, 02180. The website for the other locations can be found at https://thegyrospot.com/

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

The Painted Burro Opens in Harvard Square

Early last year, it was reported that a small group of Mexican restaurants was planning to expand to a new location in the heart of Cambridge, and now we have learned that it has finally opened.

The Boston Globe mentions that The Painted Burro is now open in Harvard Square, with the website for the business saying that its grand opening took place on November 20. As stated in an earlier article here, the new outlet has moved into the former Border Cafe space on Church Street, and it joins other locations in Somerville's Davis Square and Waltham, while another outlet in Bedford shut down last spring.

The Painted Burro is part of The Alpine Restaurant Group, which also includes Posto in Somerville and Burro Bar in Brookline and Boston.

The address for the new location of The Painted Burro in Harvard Square is 32 Church Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for all locations is at https://www.thepaintedburro.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Painted Burro Plans to Open in the Former Border Cafe Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

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

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Piezoni's to Open in the Former Deag's Local Diner Space in Stoughton

A regional group of pizza spots that said goodbye to a southern suburb of Boston several years ago is returning to town, taking over the space that had been home to a diner until March of this year.

According to a check on the space along with a post on Threads from @jeremykrantz, Piezoni's is opening in Stoughton, moving into the former Deag's Local Diner space on Park Street. Piezoni's, which had been in another space on Park Street until 2018, has a number of locations in Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island (where it is headquartered), and there are also a few outlets in Florida, too.

Deag's had been in business for approximately five years.

The address for the upcoming location of Piezoni's in Stoughton is 1261 Park Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. The website for all locations can be found at https://piezonis.com/

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

Boston Market in Saugus and Waltham Have Closed

A restaurant chain that got its start in the Boston area appears to be down to just two locations remaining inside Route 128, as two others have shut down with no specific information given as to their closures.

According to a couple of sources, Boston Market in Saugus and Waltham are both closed, with a check on the locations section for the chain indicating that the Saugus outlet has been removed from the site while the Waltham location remains up, though Google says it is "permanently closed" and the storefront appears to be under construction. We will try to confirm that the Waltham outlet is indeed closed for good; if that location is permanently closed, that means the only locations remaining inside Route 128 are in Medford and Quincy. (Others can be found a bit further out in Brockton, Framingham, and Lawrence.)

Boston Market started out in Newton as Boston Chicken in the mid-1980s, moving its headquarters to Colorado in the 1990s and eventually changing over to its current Boston Market name. Its website can be found at https://www.bostonmarket.com/

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

Jason Santos Plans to Open a Restaurant in the Former Oak + Rowan Space in Boston's Fort Point

A well-known local chef and restaurateur is looking to open another dining spot, and this one would take over the space that had previously been home to an upscale Fort Point restaurant.

According to a Twitter/X post from @FortPointer, Jason Santos (Buttermilk & Bourbon, Citrus & Salt, Nash Bar & Stage) gave information on a proposed new restaurant at an FPNA gathering this week, with the dining spot looking to move into the former Oak + Rowan space on A Street. The post indicates that Santos would use the existing furniture, fixtures, and equipment within the space, and there would be no changes to the layout other than the addition of an outdoor patio.

Oak + Rowan closed in the spring of 2022 after being in business for a bit more than five years; owner Nancy Batista-Caswell (and the Caswell Restaurant Group) is also behind Brine in Newburyport.

The address for the proposed restaurant from Jason Santos in Fort Point is 321 A Street, Boston, MA, 02210.

[January 31, 2024 update: A licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website indicates that Jason Santos is opening Citrus & Salt in the former Oak + Rowan space, while a press release mentions that this will be a move from the Back Bay, not a second location.]

[May 2, 2024 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Citrus & Salt opens on May 4.]

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Little Bake in Cambridge's Porter Square Has Closed

A bubble tea shop in Cambridge has closed its doors.

Universal Hub is reporting (via @Ofsevit on Mastodon) that Little Bake in Porter Square is no longer in business, with a note out front at the Massachusetts Avenue spot indicating that its last day in operation was November 19. Little Bake first opened in July of 2021, offering bubble tea, fruit tea, smoothies, yogurt drinks, coffee, and more.

The address for the now-closed Little Bake in Porter Square was 1925 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

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

Scobie's Plans to Open in Dorchester's Adams Village Neighborhood

A brand new dining and drinking spot that plans to have the feel of the rural pubs found along the West Coast of Ireland is on its way to a Boston neighborhood.

According to an article in the Dorchester Reporter, Scobie's is going to be opening in Adams Village, moving into a space on Gallivan Boulevard that had been home to the Butcher Shop and Deli before it moved to a smaller space a couple of doors down. The post states that owners John and Anne Lydon (who run the Shamrock Pub in South Boston) hope it will be "a place where you can get a pot of tea and have a long chat with an old friend; catch a broadcast game from Ireland over an Irish breakfast or get together for a community fundraiser." The space will include a bar, lounge, two fireplaces, a snug, and a to-go counter, while the menu is slated to have soups and roasts along with pints of Guinness that come from a keg room equipped for traditional pours.

If all goes as planned, Scobie's could be opening in February of 2024.

The address for the upcoming Scobie's is 512 Gallivan Boulevard, Dorchester, MA, 02124.

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

[September 5, 2024 update: Caught in Dot states that Scobie's opens tomorrow (Friday, September 6).]

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, November 20, 2023

Frank in Beverly Has Closed Permanently; DeVille Cafe & Market to Open in Its Space

A few months ago, it was reported that a North Shore dining spot with a well-known local restaurateur behind it had shuttered, and it wasn't know what the future held for the place. Now we have learned that it has closed for good, though a new location just north of Boston is now open--and a new spot will take over its original space.

According to an Instagram post from the business, the Beverly location of Frank is now closed, with the post saying the following:

While it was our hope to reorganize behind the scenes and reopen our Beverly restaurant alongside our new location in Assembly Row, we were not able to do so. Our former Beverly spot is now in new and capable hands and we'll let them make an announcement when they are ready. Last week, we opened the doors of FRANK at 400 Assembly Row in Somerville. All FRANK gift cards from Beverly will be accepted here.

A post on Threads from johnhall143 indicates (via The Salem News) that DeVille Cafe & Market is the new spot that is getting ready to open in the former Frank space in Beverly, and it will offer breakfast items, grab-and-go lunch and dinner options, prepared foods, and more. The article also says that a restaurant and bar from the people behind the business (Annika Firestone and Alex Weatherup) is slated to open in the space as well, with that coming early next year.

The Beverly location of Frank suddenly closed in August after being in business since 2019, a year after owner Frank McClelland closed L'Espalier in the Back Bay of Boston

The address for the now-closed Frank (and upcoming DeVille Cafe & Market) in Beverly is 110 Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. The website DeVille Cafe & Market is at https://devillebeverly.com/ while the website for the Assembly Row location of Frank is at https://farmtofrank.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Frank in Beverly Has Closed for the Time Being; Future of Restaurant Unknown
Frank Has Soft-Opened at Assembly Row in Somerville

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

Dotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar Is Replacing The Townshend in Quincy

A casual upscale tavern known in part for its cocktails is shutting down, though the people behind it are bringing a new concept to the space.

According to an Instagram post, The Townshend in Quincy is closing its doors, with the post saying the following:

It is with a heavy heart to announce that The Townshend, as we've all come to know and love, will be ending its nearly nine year run after our NYE party this December 31st. We will be closing with a goal to renovate and introduce a fresh concept that will continue to add to Quincy Centers' independent and vibrant restaurant scene....Although this may be sad news to hear, we are excited for our new chapter and hope you are as well. Stay tuned for more details to follow.

The Townshend first opened in the spring of 2015, offering modern takes on comfort food as well as Italian fare, while also having an extensive list of mixed drinks. The team behind the place also runs the nearby Pearl & Lime.

The address for The Townshend (and the new restaurant on the way) is 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02169. Its website can be found at https://www.thetownshend.com/

[February 14, 2024 update: A new Facebook page indicates that the restaurant replacing the now-closed Townshend will be called Dotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar, and its website is at https://www.dottyskitchen.com/.]

[February 26, 2024 update: Its social media indicates that Dotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar is now open (though it is closed on Mondays) and that in addition to raw bar items, the menu on its website shows such items as fried olives, crispy duck leg, chicken sandwiches, smash burgers, bolognese, steak frites, and Cajun shrimp and grits.]

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

The Hidden Door Opens in Marblehead

A new cocktail lounge has come to the North Shore.

According to a source, The Hidden Door is now open in Marblehead, confirming what another source told us earlier, that the place would be opening on Washington Street in the center of town. We have been told that the new spot--which is run by Todd and Victoria Horvath--is located next door to The Barrelman restaurant, and it is a speakeasy-style lounge where people enter through a secret door hidden in a bookcase.

The address for The Hidden Door is 259 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/thehiddendoormhd

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

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending November 19, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between November 13 and November 19, 2023.

Flanders Field in Hanover Is Closed; Exact Status of Place Unknown
A South Shore restaurant known in part for its food with Northern European influences and its extensive beer list is shuttered, and it is not know what the future holds for the spot.
Full Story

Guy Fieri's Tequila Cocina at the Hub on Causeway in Boston May Be Replaced by Play
A Mexican restaurant in Boston that has both a celebrity chef/restaurateur and a local hospitality and entertainment group behind it may be changing into a new spot.
Full Story

Medium Rare to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown
A small group of restaurants with roots in Washington, D.C.--and with a very simple concept--is expanding to the local area.
Full Story

Central Perk Coffeehouse Opens in the Back Bay
A new coffeehouse whose name will be familiar to fans of a sitcom from the 1990s and early 2000s has come to Boston.
Full Story

Frank Has Soft-Opened at Assembly Row in Somerville
A location of a now-closed North Shore restaurant has very quietly debuted just north of Boston.
Full Story

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) continues to deal with health issues. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Blue Ribbon BBQ Is Opening at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway

Friday, November 17, 2023

Flanders Field in Hanover Is Closed; Exact Status of Place Unknown

A South Shore restaurant known in part for its food with Northern European influences and its extensive beer list is shuttered, and it is not know what the future holds for the spot.

Based on a few checks on the place over the past several weeks along with messages sent from multiple sources, Flanders Field appears to be closed, with calls to the Washington Street spot indicating that its phone is out of service. There is no indication of its closure on its website or its social media, and the home page of its site simply mentions that it was closed on September 3 and would reopen on September 5.

Flanders Field first opened in the latter part of 2020, offering such dishes as Belgian frites, soft pretzels, pierogi, steamed mussels, pork schnitzel, bratwurst, and meatloaf, while also serving a variety of beers including from the local area and overseas. The founder of this blog wrote about the place for NECN last year, which can be read at the link below:

https://www.necn.com/eat-new-england/german-belgian-restaurant-massachusetts/2790160/

The address for Flanders Field is 2055 Washington Street (Merchants Row Shopping Center), Hanover, MA, 02339. Its website can be found at https://flandersfield.org/

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Guy Fieri's Tequila Cocina at the Hub on Causeway in Boston Is Being Replaced by Play

A Mexican restaurant in Boston that has both a celebrity chef/restaurateur and a local hospitality and entertainment group behind it is morphing into a new spot.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Big Night is looking to replace Guy Fieri's Tequila Cocina at the Hub on Causeway with a new 185-seat place called Play which would feature American food and games. The post mentions that "the operators felt something like that would fit in better with the sports-focused environment surrounding the Garden," though Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar by Boston Common--which is also a collaboration with Big Night--will remain open.

Guy Fieri's Tequila Cocina first opened in the fall of 2019.

[December 22 update: According to a tweet from the place, Play opens today, with its menu showing such food options as wings, tenders, pork belly sliders, burgers, pizza, Philly cheesesteak, an Italian chopped sandwich, and more. (Its website is at https://www.playboston.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, November 15, 2023

Medium Rare Plans to Open in Watertown

A small group of restaurants with roots in Washington, D.C.--and with a very simple concept--is expanding to the local area.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Medium Rare is planning to open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, with a Watertown News article mentioning that the dining spot could be opening in the late spring of 2024. Medium Rare offers a three-course prix fixe meal which includes steak frites, and an earlier What Now Boston post also mentions such brunch options as steak and eggs and eggs benedict, desserts such as carrot cake and apple pie, and beer and wine.

There are currently four locations of Medium Rare in Washington, D.C., Bethesda, MD, Arlington, VA, and New Orleans, LA. The website for the business can be found at https://www.mediumrarerestaurant.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

The Cookie Monstah Plans to Open in Newtonville

It looks like a local business that is known in part for its ice cream sandwiches may be opening another outlet, with this one being in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, The Cookie Monstah is planning to open at the Trio Newton mixed-use development at the corner of Walnut Street and Washington Street in Newtonville, with a post within the Newton Real Estate Forum Facebook group page mentioning that a lease has been signed for the new location. Once it opens, the new shop will join others in Beverly, Burlington, Danvers, Needham, North Andover, and Swampscott.

The website for The Cookie Monstah can be found at https://www.thecookiemonstah.com/

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

Monday, November 13, 2023

Hornstra Farms Opening Ice Cream Stand and Store in the Former Peaceful Meadows Space in Whitman This Month

A few months ago, it was reported that the family behind a farm on the South Shore that includes an ice cream stand has bought another farm with an ice cream stand not too far away, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to open.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Hornstra Farms in Norwell is putting the finishing touches on its second location which is at the site of the former Peaceful Meadows in Whitman, with a comment from them saying that it could be debuting as soon as this week. Once it opens, the new location of Hornstra Farms will include both an ice cream stand and a farm store, and it will also include a dairy farm.

The Peaceful Meadows ice cream stand, which said farewell this summer, dated back to 1962 though the farm itself was established several decades earlier.

The address for the new location of Hornstra Farms is 60 Bedford Street, Whitman, MA, 02382. The website for the business is at https://hornstrafarms.com/

[November 18 update: According to multiple sources, Hornstra Farms is now open in Whitman.]

[Earlier Article]
Hornstra Farms in Norwell Purchases Peaceful Meadows in Whitman

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

Central Perk Coffeehouse Opens in Boston's Back Bay November 14

Several months ago, it was reported that a new coffeehouse whose name will be familiar to fans of a sitcom from the 1990s and early 2000s would be coming to Boston, and now we have learned that it is debuting this week.

A message sent to us indicates that Central Perk Coffeehouse is slated to open tomorrow (Tuesday, November 14) on Newbury Street in the Back Bay, and it is based on the fictional Central Perk Coffeehouse from the show Friends. As mentioned in an earlier article, Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and CenPer Holdings, LLC (which includes restaurateur/celebrity chef Tom Colicchio as a partner) are behind the spot, which will be open for breakfast, lunch, and an early dinner, and it will offer food and drink including beer and wine.

The address for Central Perk Coffeehouse is 205 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for Central Perk is at https://centralperk.com/

[Earlier Article]
Central Perk Coffeehouse Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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

Frank Has Soft-Opened at Assembly Row in Somerville

It looks like a location of a now-closed North Shore restaurant has very quietly debuted just north of Boston.

According to two sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page and @jwarrick01890 who posted within the Threads social media platform, Frank is now open at Somerville's Assembly Row, with @jwarrick01890 posting a picture of a meal from there and saying the place appears to be in the middle of a soft opening. Plans for the Assembly Row outlet of the restaurant were first announced in June of 2022, though a few months ago it was reported here that the original location of Frank in Beverly shut down with little notice, and it isn't know if/when it might reopen.

Frank McClelland, who ran L'Espalier in Boston's Back Bay until it closed in 2018, is also behind this restaurant, which doesn't yet appear to have a website or any social media presence.

[Earlier Articles]
Frank in Beverly Plans to Expand to Assembly Row in Somerville
Frank in Beverly Has Closed for the Time Being; Future of Restaurant Unknown

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

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending November 12, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between November 6 and November 12, 2023.

Mia's Bakery Opens at The Street Chestnut Hill; Will Open Soon in Boston's Seaport District and Hingham's Derby Street Shops
A Brooklyn bakery is bringing three locations to the Boston area.
Full Story

Bone Up Brewing Co. in Everett Is Closing
Earlier this fall, it was reported that the future of a brewery just north of Boston was in question, and now we have learned that it is shutting down.
Full Story

Mother Anna's in Boston's North End Has Closed for Renovations, Will Apparently Reopen Next Summer
A North End restaurant that has been in business for more than 90 years has shut down for the time being.
Full Story

Clover Food Lab Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
A local restaurant chain that features vegetarian fare has declared bankruptcy.
Full Story

Shawarma King in Brookline Has Closed
A popular Middle Eastern dining spot in Brookline that has been serving Lebanese fare to customers for a long time has shut down.
Full Story

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) continues to deal with health issues. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Blue Ribbon BBQ Is Opening at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway

Friday, November 10, 2023

Avenue Deli in Newton Has Closed

A deli in the western suburbs of Boston has shut down after being in business for less than a year.

According to a source, Avenue Deli in Newton is no longer in business, with a Facebook post within the Newton Real Estate Forum Facebook group page showing a sign out front at the Beacon Street spot confirming that the place has indeed closed. The deli first opened in January of this year, and while there is another Avenue Deli in Lexington Center that was first established in Watertown in 2009 (and coming under new ownership in 2013), the website for that location says that "We are the only Avenue Deli and not related to any other location."

The address for now-closed Avenue Deli in Newton was 1134 Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 02461.

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

Wok n Talk in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood Appears to Have Closed Permanently

A Chinese and Asian fusion spot located near where Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain meet has apparently shut down for good.

According to a source, Wok n Talk on S Huntington Avenue is permanently closed, with our source telling us that it had been temporarily shuttered by the Boston Licensing Board for expired licenses and a locked fire exit, both of which were mentioned in a hearing notice from September. A check on the website indicates that the site is no longer running and phone calls go directly to voicemail, though the Brighton location of the eatery does appear to remain in operation.

Wok n Talk first opened in Mission Hill in 2011.

The address for the now-closed Wok n Talk in Mission Hill was 23 S Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

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

Little Caesars to Open Five New Locations in the Boston Area

A pizza chain that is known in part for its Detroit-style pizza--and which has five outlets in the local area--is planning to bring several more to the region.

According to a post from verdictfoodservice.com, Little Caesars is planning to open five locations in Boston, with the plan being to get them all up and running by 2027. This appears to be part of a major expansion from the Michigan-based chain, including bringing 10 new outlets to Chicago and 100 new locations to New York City and the Tri-State region.

Little Caesars, which first started out in 1959, currently has locations in Roslindale, Lynn, Haverhill, Lawrence, and Lowell.

The website for Little Caesars can be found at https://littlecaesars.com/

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

Thursday, November 09, 2023

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Belmont Has Closed

A Taiwan-based bubble tea chain has closed one of its locations in the Greater Boston area.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Belmont Center is no longer in business, with a "permanently closed" sign out front, while a Belmont Voice article says the Leonard Street shop has "recently closed." It appears that locations of the chain--which was first established in 1997--remain open in Lexington and Quincy, along with another outlet a bit further out in Hudson.

The address for the now-closed CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Belmont Center was 47 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. The website for the chain can be found at https://cocobubbletea.com/

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

New Restaurant to Replace Il Molo in Boston's North End

It appears that changes are coming to a basement restaurant space in the North End.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, a new dining spot tentatively called Italian Tailor is hoping to open on Commercial Street, with the address indicating that it would be taking over the space that has been home to Il Molo. The manager listed for the proposed spot is Michael Wyatt, who is involved with All Day Hospitality Group (Ward 8, Ciao Roma, Tony & Elaine's, Bodega Canal) while Il Moro is run by local restaurateur Donato Frattaroli.

Very little is known about the upcoming restaurant other than the fact that it plans to include dining areas, a raw bar, and a seated bar, and it isn't known whether "Italian Tailor" is just a working name for the place, so stay tuned for any updates that come in.

The address for the proposed dining spot replacing Il Molo is 326 Commercial Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

[April 23, 2024 update: According to a post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com site, the new spot moving into the Il Molo space will be called The Red Fox and it will be a restaurant, bar, and cocktail lounge that is "reminiscent of 70s & 80s era red sauce Italian joints." If all goes as planned, it will be opening around May 17.]

[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.)

Tradesman Plans to Open in Boston's Kenmore Square

A trio of coffee shops--two of which double as dining and drinking spots--could be expanding to a fourth location.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Tradesman is planning to open in Kenmore Square, moving into the ground floor of a recently redeveloped building on Beacon Street. The notice indicates that this may just be a coffee shop, saying that the 760-square-foot space will have one room and include a takeout counter for coffee and pastries along with a prep area.

If approved, the new location of Tradesman will join a location on Batterymarch Street in downtown Boston that is a combination coffee shop/lounge, another location on Hood Park Drive in Charlestown that is a combination coffee shop/pizza bar, and one on Federal Street downtown that is solely a coffee shop.

The address for the proposed location of Tradesman in Kenmore Square is 648 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

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

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

Denneno's Pizza in Stoughton Is Closing

A longtime pizzeria in the southern suburbs of Boston is getting ready to close its doors.

According to a source (Jeremy Krantz), Denneno's Pizza in Stoughton is shutting down, with an Instagram post from the Pearl Street spot saying the following:

The time has come for us as a family to make the difficult decision to close our family business. We are grateful for your patronage and support for the past 68 years....Our last day of operation will be December 31. 2023. In the meantime we wish you all the best in the holiday season and beyond.

In addition to its pizza, Denneno's also offers salads, subs, and pasta dishes.

The address for Denneno's Pizza is 545 Pearl Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. Its website can be found at https://dennenospizza.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.)

Mia's Bakery Opens at The Street Chestnut Hill; Will Open in Boston's Seaport District and Hingham's Derby Street Shops

Late last year, it was reported that a Brooklyn bakery was planning to open on the Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that another outlet of the bakery has come to the local area as the Boston shop prepares to open--and a third is on its way as well.

According to a press release, Mia's Bakery is now open for dine in and takeout at The Street Chestnut Hill, with its first shop outside of New York City offering a variety of cakes, pies, cupcakes, and more. The press release adds that the Seaport District outlet, which was first mentioned here in December of 2022, plans to open within The Superette sometime this month, and another shop will soon come to the Derby Street Shops in Hingham.

The address for the new location of Mia's Bakery at The Street Chestnut Hill is 33 Boylston Street (Suite 4940), Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467. The website for the business can be found at https://miasbrooklyn.com/

[December 15 update: Caught in Southie states that Mia's Bakery is now open in the Seaport District.]

[Earlier Article]
Mia's Bakery to Open in Boston's Seaport District

[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.)

Bone Up Brewing Co. in Everett Is Closing

Earlier this fall, it was reported that the future of a brewery just north of Boston was in question, and now we have learned that it is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bone Up Brewing Co. in Everett is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the Norman Street spot saying the following:

In news that won't come as a surprise to many of you, but which is nonetheless very difficult for us to deliver, we are officially announcing that Bone Up will be closing at the end of this year; our anticipated last day of taproom service will be Sunday, December 31....At the heart of this is, of course, the ongoing dispute we've been having with our landlords since early this year. There's more to it, of course, but there's only so much detail we can/should go into here and now....

The post mentions that the people behind the brewery have no plans at the present time to reopen in a new location, though "We're not ruling that out as a possibility....the future of Bone Up - if there can be a future - would look less like 'moving to a new location' and more like 'starting something new in a different spot' (though, again, this is purely hypothetical at the moment)."

Bone Up Brewing Co. first opened its taproom in the summer of 2016.

The address for Bone Up Brewing Co. is 38 Norman St, Everett, MA 02149. Its website is at https://www.boneup.beer/

[January 1, 2024 update: Its social media confirms that Bone Up Brewing Co. is now closed.]

[Earlier Article]
The Future of Bone Up Brewing Co. in Everett Is in Question

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, November 07, 2023

Mother Anna's May Be Opening in Medfield

Yesterday, it was reported that a North End restaurant that has been in business for more than 90 years is closed for renovations, and now we have learned that another location could be coming to the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mother Anna's is looking to open in Medfield, with a meeting notice from last month showing that "Mother Anna's, Inc." is seeking a liquor license, common victualler license, and entertainment license to operate in a space on N. Meadows Road. This comes on the heels of news that Mother Anna's on Hanover Street is now locked up and dark with a sign out front saying "closed for renovations" and "watch for our re-opening summer 2024."

Another location of Mother Anna's can be found in Pembroke.

The address for the proposed location of Mother Anna's in Medfield is 18 N. Meadows Road, Medfield, MA, 02052.

[Earlier Article]
Mother Anna's in Boston's North End Has Closed for Renovations, Will Apparently Reopen Next Summer

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

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

The Cut Opens in Gloucester on November 20

A brand new place for food, drink, live music, and more is getting ready to open on the North Shore.

According to a press release, The Cut is slated to open in Gloucester on November 20, with a ribbon cutting for the Main Street spot taking place that day. The new place, which gets its name from the nickname for the Blynman Bridge that spans the channel between the city's Outer Harbor and the Annisquam River, will include a restaurant and bar with seating for 180, an entertainment venue with seating for 300 (and general admission for 500 total), and rehearsal and recording studio space--and the entertainment area will be used for local, regional, and national music acts, with an earlier Gloucester Times article also mentioning its being used for comedy and film.

The address for The Cut is 177 Main Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930. Its website will be at https://thecutlive.com/

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

Monday, November 06, 2023

Mother Anna's in Boston's North End Has Closed for Renovations, Will Apparently Reopen Next Summer

A North End restaurant that has been in business for more than 90 years has shut down for the time being.

According to a source, Mother Anna's on Hanover Street is locked up and dark, with a sign out front saying "closed for renovations" and "watch for our re-opening summer 2024." No other information has been given, including what kinds of renovations may be taking place; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

Mother Anna's first opened in 1932, offering classic Italian dishes including an antipasto, fried calamari, shrimp scampi, eggplant rollatini, lasagna, baked manicotti, fettuccine alfredo, linguine with garlic and oil, veal cacciatore, chicken parmigiana, steak pizzaiola, and more.

The address for Mother Anna's is 211 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at https://www.motheranna.com/

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

Clover Food Lab Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

A local restaurant chain that features vegetarian fare has declared bankruptcy.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Clover Food Lab has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying that they can't pay the lease on a new commissary due to the fact that it could not raise enough funds from investors. A WBUR article mentions that the company plans to restructure its operations and finances while also ending the leases on underperforming locations that have above-market rent, and it will also sell off some of its delivery vehicles.

As mentioned in an earlier article here, the Boylston Street outlet of Clover in Boston's Back Bay closed this summer, and while the Globe originally said that the School Street outlet downtown will soon shut down as well, we have been told by Clover that this is not actually the case at this point in time, and it remains in operation.

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

Blank Street Coffee Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square on November 16

A growing group of coffee shops and coffee carts based in New York City will soon be opening a fourth outlet in the local area, nearly a year after it was first announced.

According to a press release, Blank Street Coffee is slated to open in Cambridge on November 16, moving into a space on Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square that had previously been home to a location of Starbucks. The new location will join others locally on Boylston Street in the Back Bay, Charles Street in Beacon Hill, and Cambridge Street also in Beacon Hill, along with others in Manhattan, Brooklyn (where it started out), and elsewhere.

The address for the new location of Blank Street Coffee in Harvard Square is 1380 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the business can be found at https://www.blankstreet.com/

[Earlier Article]
Blank Street Coffee Plans to Open a New Outlet in Cambridge

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

Shawarma King in Brookline Has Closed

A popular Middle Eastern dining spot in Brookline that has been serving Lebanese fare to customers for a long time has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Shawarma King on Beacon Street is no longer in business, with a note out front indicating that it closed its doors after business hours on October 28. The restaurant, which first started out on Huntington Avenue in Boston in 1989, offered such items as shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, and more.

The address for the now-closed Shawarma King in Brookline was 1383 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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

Sunday, November 05, 2023

Restaurant News for the Week Ending November 5, 2023

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between October 30 and November 5, 2023.

Great American Beer Hall to Open in Medford
A brand new beer hall is on its way to a space just off Route 93.
Full Story

Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch Restaurant in Belmont Are Closing
The flagship location of a group of specialty beer shops and its sibling beer hall will not be going up for sale after all.
Full Story

Fuddruckers in Saugus Is Closing
One of two locations of a burger chain that was once headquartered in the local area is going to be shutting down.
Full Story

Margaritaville Opens at Faneuil Hall
A location of a restaurant chain from a recently-passed singer-songwriter has debuted in Boston.
Full Story

The Sea Hag Opens in the Former Boathouse Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square
A new restaurant has come to the heart of Cambridge, taking over the space where another dining spot had been for a bit more than 10 years.
Full Story

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) continues to deal with health issues. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Blue Ribbon BBQ Is Opening at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway

Thursday, November 02, 2023

Great American Beer Hall Plans to Open in Medford

A brand new beer hall is on its way to a space just off Route 93.

A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page says (via a Facebook post from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn) that the Great American Beer Hall is planning to open in Medford, moving into a space on Mystic Avenue between Main Street and the Harvard Street/Route 16 intersection. The 19,000-square-foot spot will include food vendors, an outdoor pickleball court, communal spaces for sports and entertainment, and it will offer 90 beers on tap, and Brian Zarthar is one of the people behind the place.

If all goes well, the Great American Beer Hall could be opening next June.

The address for the Great American Beer Hall is 142 Mystic Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website can be found at https://www.gabhall.com/

[August 29, 2024 update: A Facebook post from Rachel Leah Blumenthal of Boston Magazine states that the Great American Beer Hall opens this weekend.]

[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.)

Fruttiberri in Watertown Is On the Market

An ice cream and frozen yogurt shop just west of Boston is up for sale.

According to a source, Fruttiberri in Watertown is on the market, with a listing on Facebook Marketplace indicating that the people behind it are selling the Mt Auburn Street business because they are moving to another state. The listing mentions that the sale includes four frozen yogurt machines three commercial freezers, two commercial refrigerators, and more.

The address for the Fruttiberri space is 127 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

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

Popovers Is Opening in Wellesley

A new bakery and coffee shop may be on its way to the western suburbs.

According to an article from The Swellesley Report, Popovers is planning to open in Wellesley, moving into a space at Church Square, which is by the corner of Church Street and Washington Street in Wellesley Square. It looks like the new place will have seating for approximately 10 people and it will be offering popovers, other baked goods, and coffee.

The address for Popovers is 16 Church Street (Church Square), Wellesley, MA, 02482. Its website is at https://popoversatchurchsquare.com/

[July 15 update: A new article within the Swellesley Report indicates that Popovers is slated to open today, and its website shows that it will also be offering sandwiches and salads.]

[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.)

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Opens in Boston's Seaport District November 17

Last summer, it was reported that an iconic theater chain that offers food and drink was looking to open on the Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that it is finally on the verge of debuting.

According to a Facebook post, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is slated to open on November 17 in the city's Seaport District, moving into the former ShowPlace Icon Theatre space on Seaport Boulevard. As mentioned in an earlier article, the 10-screen theater will offer scratch-made food (including burgers and pizza), and a full-service bar called The Press Room will sell local beers as well as wine and cocktails, and the theater has a policy of requiring proper etiquette including asking cinemagoers to not talk or text during the films.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which was founded in Austin, TX, in 1997, shows a variety of movies including indie and foreign films as well as classics and documentaries.

The address for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the Seaport District is 60 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the chain is at https://drafthouse.com/

[Earlier Article]
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Plans to Open in the Former ShowPlace Icon Theatre Space in Boston's Seaport District

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

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Update: Ritu Ki Rasoi in Burlington Is Under New Management; Changes on the Way

A vegetarian restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston which features Indian food with other international influences appears to be going through changes..

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Ritu Ki Rasoi in Burlington has closed its doors for now, with a Facebook post from the Cambridge Street spot saying that a new restaurant will be taking over the space, though it is not known what the name of the place will be nor is it known what kind of cuisine it may offer. (The post simply says "Starting next week, there will be a new management continuing the legacy of Rasoi.") Ritu Ki Rasoi first opened around the start of 2011, offering Indian dishes with such influences as Italian, Mexican, and Chinese, and the menu included a mix of vegetarian and vegan fare.

The address for the now-closed Ritu Ki Rasoi was 207E Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA, 01803.

[November 29 update: According to its website, Ritu Ki Rasoi is now called Mehfil Indian Cuisine, with a note on its home page saying that it is "under new Management of Apna Bazar Group." Based on its website and social media, it appears that Mehfil Indian Cuisine is also a vegetarian restaurant and it offers a lunch buffet.]

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

Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch Restaurant in Belmont Are Closing

Over the summer, it was reported that the flagship location of a group of specialty beer shops and its sibling beer hall were both going up for sale, with the hope being that they could remain in operation under new ownership. Now we have learned that this won't be happening after all, and both businesses will apparently be going away.

A Facebook post confirms what a source told us, that Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch Restaurant in Belmont are shutting down, with the post saying the following:

We are announcing today, that our time in Belmont Center, as your go-to bottle shop (and of late, Beer Hall For All), will be coming to an end. We anticipate our last day of operation to be Sunday, December 31, 2023....There are factors...some of which include the long lasting negative impacts of the global pandemic, which has had a ripple effect in the beer industry, retail, and restaurants, alike, on-going staffing challenges (and gosh, have they been many), and irreconcilable differences with our landlord, which has ultimately dissolved any parties interest in purchasing our businesses, as we had hoped. Time has run its course and now it's time for us to live our last chapter.

Back in August, it looked like the initial plan was for Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch to be sold separately, and the beer shop would appear to remain part of the franchise operation while Trinktisch might possibly remain in operation under that brand. (The Belmont location of Craft Beer Cellar moved from its original location up the street to its current space in 2020, while Trinktisch opened the following year.)

[January 2, 2024 update: A check on their websites and social media confirm that Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch in Belmont are now closed.]

[Earlier Article]
Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch Restaurant in Belmont Are Up for Sale

[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.)