Boston Restaurant Talk: January 2024

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Cafe Asiana in South Braintree Square Has Closed; New Restaurant Moving Into Space

A restaurant in the southern suburbs of Boston that has been serving Asian fare for nearly 25 years has closed down.

According to a source, Cafe Asiana in South Braintree Square is no longer in business, with its final day apparently being yesterday. A post within the Everything Braintree Facebook group page indicates that the owners have decided to retire and that a new Asian dining spot is moving into the space, though there don't appear to be any details on that place as of yet.

Cafe Asiana first opened in 2001, offering Thai fare along with Chinese dishes.

The address for the now-closed Cafe Asiana was 25 Pearl Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

[March 11 update: A check on the space indicates that a new Thai restaurant called The Peppery is replacing Cafe Asiana.]

[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, January 30, 2024

Sofra in Cambridge to Expand to New Space in Allston

A popular bakery in Cambridge is expanding to a second space, and this one will be located across the river.

According to an Instagram post from Ana Sortun, Sofra is planning to open a new outlet in Allston, with Sortun (who is Executive Chef and co-owner) saying the following:

We've been working on something really big for Sofra and we're ready to share some news with you. You know that we've been talking about a bigger boat for a while now! We are happy to report that a second location for Sofra is underway (only a few minutes away from our Cambridge location) nestled in the [Allston] neighborhood at 210 North Harvard Street—not far from the new location of the ART and Trader Joes. We are grateful for the opportunity to build a better more productive space for our baking and kitchen team as well as more guest seating. I know. We'll have a bigger space for classes now, too. Rest assured that nothing will change at the Cambridge location, including familiar faces and not enough seats!

Sortun mentions that the new location of Sofra plans to open in the early summer.

Sofra, which first opened on Belmont Street in Cambridge in 2008, is a Middle Eastern bakery that focuses on Turkish-influenced items. Its website can be found at https://www.sofrabakery.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.)

Monday, January 29, 2024

Baby Cafe Kitchen to Open in Allston and Brookline

A California-based group of Hong Kong-style restaurants will be expanding to two locations in the Boston area.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Baby Cafe Kitchen is planning to open on Brighton Avenue in Allston, with a check on its website indicating that another outlet will opening on Beacon Street in Brookline as well. The menus for the group of dining spots--which started out in Oakland and now has locations in Emeryville and Union City--show such options as Hainan chicken rice, beef stew, rice cube, wings, salt and pepper squid, chow fun, sizzling steak, pork and egg stone porridge, and seafood udon.

If all goes as planned, the Allston location will open in April while the Brookline location could be opening in February.

The website for Baby Cafe Kitchen can be found at https://www.babycaferestaurants.com/

[April 19 update: According to a poster within Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants, the Allston location of Baby Cafe Kitchen is now open (it doesn't appear that Brookline is open yet).]

[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.)

Hi-Rise Sweets Is Opening in Cambridge

It looks like the people behind a Cambridge bakery will be opening a new place around the corner, and it will apparently offer sweet treats.

According to a source (Tom Meek) Hi-Rise Sweets is opening on Huron Avenue, moving into the former EHChocolatier space in the city's Observatory Hill area. The upcoming shop is a short walk from Hi-Rise Bread Company which resides on Concord Avenue and is known for its breads, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches; it appears that Hi-Rise Sweets will offer pastries and dessert items but we will try to confirm this.

The address for Hi-Rise Sweets is 145 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[February 23 update: According to a source, Hi-Rise Sweets is now open.]

[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, January 28, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending January 28

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between January 22 and January 28.

Nowon to Open in Boston's Seaport District
A pair of Korean-American gastropubs in New York City will be joined by a third, with this one being on the Boston waterfront.
Full Story

Deli King Restaurant in Tewksbury Is Closing
An old-school dining spot in the northern suburbs of Boston is shutting down after being in business for several decades.
Full Story

Union Square Hospitality Group to Open Two Restaurants in Boston's Seaport District
A NYC-based restaurant group that has a well-known name behind it is bringing a couple of dining spots to the Boston waterfront.
Full Story

Voodoo Brewing Co. to Expand to Boston
A group of brewpubs based in Pennsylvania is going to be expanding to the local area.
Full Story

Fields West in Allston Has Closed; Exact Status of Place Unknown
A restaurant in Allston has shut down after being in business for only a brief amount of time, and it isn't know if/when it might open again.
Full Story

[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, January 26, 2024

Nowon Plans to Open in Boston

It looks like a pair of Korean-American gastropubs in New York City will be joined by a third, with this one being on the Boston waterfront.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Nowon is planning to open in the city's Seaport District, with the Seaport Boulevard spot including a bar and an outdoor patio while its license may be coming from Pho on Thayer, a restaurant that had once been looking to open in the SoWa section of the South End. If approved, the new location of Nowon will join others in Manhattan's East Village and the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, with those locations offering such options as truffled rice cakes, tots, fried chicken, burgers, pizza, and kimchi rice, along with beer, wine, and cocktails (the menus at the two New York City locations are slightly different from each other).

The address for the proposed location of Nowon in the Seaport District is 117 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the two locations in New York can be found at https://nowonusa.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.)

Craft Food Hall Plans to Open in Allston-Brighton

It looks like the team behind a local group of food halls may be opening one in Boston that is across from the Charles River.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Craft Food Hall is seeking to operate in Allston-Brighton moving into the space on Soldiers Field Road where Casa Cana has been. The notice states that the proposed spot would include a bar, seating area, lobby area, and a seasonal outdoor patio, and there would also be a self-service tap in the front of the space.

The Craft Food Hall Project includes food halls of various sizes in Eastern Massachusetts including Revolution Hall in Lexington, and the group will also be operating Morrissey Hall at the Southline development at the former Boston Globe site on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester.

The address for the proposed Craft Food Hall in Allston-Brighton is 1234 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA, 02135. The website for the Craft Food Hall Project can be found at https://www.craftfoodhalls.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.)

Deli King Restaurant in Tewksbury Is Closing

An old-school dining spot in the northern suburbs of Boston is shutting down after being in business for several decades.

According to a source, Deli King Restaurant in Tewksbury is going to be closing its doors, with an article from WCVB 5 saying that owners (and brothers-in-law) Arthur Agganis and Dimitrios Gomatos plan to close the place on Tuesday. The cafeteria-style dining spot, which first opened in Tewksbury in 1989, has been known for its Greek and American fare, with its menu including such items as French toast, pancakes, waffles, omelets, souvlaki, ham steak, liver and onions, shish kabob, lamb chops, and baklava.

The address for Deli King Restaurant is 885 Main Street (Route 38), Tewksbury, MA, 01876. Its website can be found at https://www.delikingrestaurant.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.)

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Revival Cafe + Kitchen to Open in South Boston

The people behind a growing local group of cafes will be opening yet another outlet, and this is slated to be one of at least three new locations to debut in 2024.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Revival Cafe + Kitchen is planning to open later this year at an as-of-yet undisclosed location in South Boston, joining existing outlets in downtown Boston, Cambridge's Alewife area and Somerville's Davis Square along with new locations coming to Watertown later this month and Lexington in March. Steve "Nookie" Postal and Liza Shirazi are behind all of the Revival locations, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, they also recently opened Mothership, a restaurant in the same building as the Alewife location of Revival that had been in the works for six years.

The website for Revival Cafe + Kitchen is at https://www.revivalcafeandkitchen.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.)

Union Square Hospitality Group to Open Two Restaurants in Boston's Seaport District

A NYC-based restaurant group that has a well-known name behind it is bringing a couple of dining spots to the Boston waterfront.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group is planning to open two restaurants to the city's Seaport District, with both opening at the upcoming Commonwealth Pier mixed-use development at 200 Seaport Boulevard. The article mentions that the two dining spots will be locations of existing brands from the group, though specific details have not been given as of yet (one will apparently be casual while the other will be a bit more "elevated"); if all goes as planned, both places will open sometime in 2025.

The Union Square Hospitality Group includes such restaurants as Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and The Modern, while Meyer is also behind the rapidly-growing Shake Shack chain. Its website can be found at https://www.ushg.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.)

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Voodoo Brewing Co. to Expand to Boston

A group of brewpubs based in Pennsylvania is going to be expanding to the local area.

According to a press release, Voodoo Brewing Co. is planning to open a franchised location in Boston later this year, which will be its first outlet in Massachusetts, and the upcoming brewpub will offer beer, cocktails, and hard seltzers along with a food menu that includes items "tailored to local tastes." Voodoo Brewing Co. first started out in Meadville (which is where its headquarters are today) and currently has outlets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada.

The website for Voodoo Brewing Co. can be found at https://www.voodoobrewery.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.)

Lanner Noodles and Bar Opens in Cambridge's Central Square

A brand new Chinese restaurant that features noodle dishes has opened in Cambridge.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Lanner Noodles and Bar is now open in Central Square, moving into the space on Pearl Street that had once been home to Rangzen Tibetan Place. The post says that the new dining spot features Lanzhou beef noodle soup, which is a dish commonly found in the northwest part of China and which has hand-pulled noodles, while the menu also includes stir-fried noodles, noodle bowls, and various hot and cold small plates.

The address for Lanner Noodles and Bar in Central Square is 24 Pearl St, Cambridge, MA 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.lannernoodles.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.)

Fields West in Allston Has Closed; Exact Status of Place Unknown

A restaurant in Allston has shut down after being in business for only a brief amount of time, and it isn't know if/when it might open again.

According to a message from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub and a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Fields West on Glenville Avenue is shuttered, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

The ongoing challenges in the current economic climate, combined with recent setbacks regarding us seeking a live entertainment license, have led us to temporarily close our doors. We want to address the updates that need to be made to the space in order to obtain an entertainment license for us to be the restaurant that we had envisioned for the community. It is with a heavy heart that we make this decision, as we understand the impact it will have on our valued staff, loyal customers, and the community.

Fields West first opened last summer in the former Glenville Stops space after being in the works since the fall of 2022.

The address for Fields West is 87 Glenville Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[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, January 23, 2024

Space Cafe Shawarma Opens in Framingham

A new dining spot that offers Mediterranean fare has come to MetroWest, and it is located inside a clothing store.

According to Kiat Cormier who posted about it within the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Space Cafe Shawarma is now open in Framingham, moving into a space within Bargain Depot on Concord Street in the city's downtown area. The new eatery offers such items as shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, baba ghanoush, kofta, kebabs, and more.

The address for Space Cafe Shawarma (and Bargain Depot) is 121 Concord Street, Framingham, MA, 01702.

[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.)

Sugo Cucina Italiana in East Arlington Has Closed; Quilo's Taqueria Is Replacing It

An Italian restaurant in the northwestern suburbs of Boston has shut down, and a Mexican dining spot is getting ready to move into its space.

A check on the space indicates that Sugo Cucina Italiana in East Arlington is no longer in business, and @danielpunkass mentions via Twitter/X that Quilo's Taqueria is taking over the Mass. Ave. storefront. His post links to a post within the Arlington List Facebook group page which says that the new eatery could be opening in the next two to three weeks.

The menu for Quilo's shows some featured items such as tacos, burritos, fajitas, and care asada, while also including tortas, enchiladas, quesadillas, pupusas, and tamales.

The address for the now-closed Sugo Cucina Italiana (and Quilo's Taqueria) is 162 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474. The website for Quilo's can be found at https://quilostaqueria.com/

[March 5 update: According to @danielpunkass, Quilo's Taqueria is now open.]

[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, January 22, 2024

Popeyes Is Opening in Newton Corner

A chain of chicken spots is going to be opening a new location in the local area, with this one being just west of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Popeyes is planning to open in Newton Corner, moving into a space on Centre Street that had been home to a locaiton of Subway. Once it opens, the new outlet from the chain will join a handful of others in the Greater Boston area, including by Northeastern University in Boston, Roslindale, Roxbury, West Roxbury, Brockton, Chelmsford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Randolph, Quincy, and Woburn.

Popeyes was established in Louisiana in 1972 and is now headquartered in Florida.

The address for the new location of Popeyes in Newton Corner is 275 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458. The website for the chain is at https://www.popeyes.com/

[December 17 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants page mentions that Popeyes is now open in Newton Corner.]

(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.)

Big Pig BBQ Is Doing a Pop-Up at Park-9 Dog Bar in Everett

A North Shore caterer that focuses on barbecue is popping up at an indoor dog park and bar that opened last year.

According to a press release, Big Pig BBQ will be setting up shop at Park-9 Dog Bar in Everett, offering items such as pulled pork, brisket, wings, sausage, smash burgers, macaroni and cheese, loaded fries, and more, all of which can be paired with the cocktail offerings available at the dog bar. Big Pig will be on site during the weekend of January 27-28, and then Wednesday through Sunday for the next three months.

Park-9 is the first year-round indoor dog park and bar in New England, while Big Pig BBQ--which started out in 2008--offers catering for corporate events, weddings, and more while also having a food truck set up at True North Brewery in Ipswich.

The address for Park-9 Dog Bar is 48 Waters Avenue #1, Everett, MA 02149. Its website is at https://www.park9dogbar.com/ while the website for Big Pig BBQ is at https://www.bigpigbarbecue.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.)

Chicken & Co. Opens in North Cambridge

A new Asian restaurant that features chicken dishes has come to Cambridge.

A message and photos sent from Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that Chicken & Co. is now open on Mass. Ave. in North Cambridge, with its sign and menu indicating that it focuses at least in part on Thai fare. The place offers such options as crispy chicken skin, chicken bun, curry puffs, daikon soup, chicken noodle soup, dry noodles with grilled chicken, chicken and rice, crispy pork over rice, mango sticky rice, Thai iced tea, and butterfly pea milk.

The address for Chicken & Co. is 2261 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

[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, January 21, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending January 21

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between January 15 and January 21.

Vitamin Sea Brewing to Open Brewery and Taproom in Plymouth
An award-winning brewery in Weymouth has announced a second location coming to the South Shore.
Full Story

Article 24 in Brighton Has Closed
A restaurant in Brighton has shut down after being in business for eight years.
Full Story

The Dial and the Blue Owl at 907 Main in Cambridge Have Closed; Future of Places Unknown
A restaurant and a bar located in a boutique hotel in Central Square are shuttered, with little information about what might become of the spaces.
Full Story

Rina's in Boston's North End Has Closed; New Concept Apparently on Its Way to the Space
A North End dining spot known for its pizza has shut down, though it looks like a new concept may be opening in its space.
Full Story

Courthouse Fish Market in East Cambridge Has Closed
A local seafood market that has been in business for more than 100 years has shut down.
Full Story

[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, January 19, 2024

Coffee Break Cafe in Hyde Park Is Closing

A local group of cafes with locations south of Boston will be closing its sole location within the Boston city limits.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Coffee Break Cafe in Hyde Park is going to be shutting down, with a Facebook post from the business indicating that January 27 is slated to be its last day in business while also saying that "We are so very grateful to have been part of this most supportive community for the past 6 years. We love our space, our staff and our devoted customers, we will miss you more than you know." It appears that shops in Quincy Center, Quincy Point, the Wollaston section of Quincy, and Milton will remain in operation.

The address for Coffee Break Cafe in Hyde Park is 680 Truman Parkway, Hyde Park, MA, 02136. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.coffeebreakcafe.net/

[February 2 update: Its social media confirms that the Hyde Park location of Coffee Break Cafe is now 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.)

Vitamin Sea Brewing Is Opening a Brewery and Taproom in Plymouth

Last summer, it was reported that an award-winning brewery in Weymouth was looking to open a second location on the South Shore, and now we have learned a bit more about it, including where it will be located.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Vitamin Sea Brewing is planning to open in downtown Plymouth, with the space including a taproom that will offer a variety of panini along with Vitamin Sea's beer options, and an event space will be set up as well. In July of 2023, Vitamin Sea mentioned a second location coming to the South Shore, including a blueprint for what would apparently be its new outlet.

The website for the business, which won Boston Magazine's 2019 Malt Madness (a people's choice award for best brewery in New England), can be found at https://vitaminseabrewing.com/

[May 28 update: A Facebook post from the business indicates that Vitamin Sea is now open in Plymouth at 98 Water Street, across from the street from the ocean, and it includes an outdoor patio along with indoor seating.]

[Earlier Article]
Vitamin Sea Brewing to Open a Second Location

[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, January 18, 2024

Article Fifteen Brewing Co. in Rockland Is Closing

A South Shore brewery that moved to a new location a couple of years ago is shutting down.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, Article Fifteen Brewing Co. in Rockland is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

It's been a fun ride, but every road comes to an end. The burdens of inflation, rising costs of materials, and equipment maintenance, combined with the constant regulatory challenges presented to us since our move have made it clear that we had to make the hardest of decisions. That being said, We will be open on Friday's and Saturday's until the end of the month. Help us drink up and say goodbye to our home away from home. Thank you to our loyal patrons who have become part of our family too. We will miss you all.

Article Fifteen first opened in Weymouth in 2017, moving to its Rockland location in the summer of 2022.

The address for Article Fifteen Brewing Co. is 406 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA, 02370. Its website is at https://articlefifteenbrewing.com/

[February 2 update: According to its social media, Article Fifteen is now 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.)

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Rivershed in Weymouth Landing Has Closed; Tres Burros Hopes to Open in Space

A second location of a South Shore restaurant has shut down, and a new dining spot could replace it, though plans for that space are now in question.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, Rivershed in Weymouth Landing is no longer in operation, though a check on its original location in Scituate indicates that it remains in operation. The article mentions that the people behind Liberty Tavern in Quincy have been hoping to open Tres Burros in the space, though it isn't a sure thing because the planning board wants to limit the seating to 88 due to a lack of parking and the lawyer for the prospective owners says they might decide against moving forward with the plans if they aren't allowed to have more seating. The issue is slated to be looked at further in a meeting on February 27.

Rivershed first opened in Weymouth Landing in the fall of 2020, offering Southern-style fare including chili, fried pickles, po'boys, macaroni and cheese, chicken and waffles, and salmon.

The address for the now-closed location of Rivershed in Weymouth Landing was 35-37 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the Scituate location can be found at https://www.therivershed.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.)

Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse at the Mall at Chestnut Hill Has Closed

It looks like a Japanese restaurant a few miles west of Boston has closed.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse at the Mall at Chestnut Hill is no longer in business, with its sign being taken down and OpenTable saying "permanently closed." It is not known why the restaurant shut down, nor is it known what might go into its space; if we get any additional information we will post it here, so keep checking back for updates.

Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse first opened in 2013, offering steak, sushi, teppanyaki options, 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.)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Article 24 in Brighton Has Closed

A restaurant in Brighton has shut down after being in business for eight years.

According to multiple sources (including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page), Article 24 on Western Avenue has closed, with a Facebook post from the place on Sunday confirming this, saying that "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our doors." Article 24 first opened in the spring of 2016, moving into the space that had previously been home to The Boyne; the dining spot was run by The Good N U Hospitality Group, which is behind such spots as The Biltmore Bar & Grille, Local 149, and The Villa.

The address for the now-closed Article 24 was 458 Western Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[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 Dial and the Blue Owl at 907 Main in Cambridge's Central Square Have Closed; Future of Places Unknown

A restaurant and a bar in Cambridge that are located on the ground floor and the top floor of a boutique hotel are closed for now, and it isn't known what may become of either of them.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Dial at 907 Main Central Square is shuttered for at least the time being with a note on both its website and the website for the Blue Owl saying that they will be "closed for the winter of 2024" while also saying "big things coming soon!" As soon as we find out more, including whether one or more new concepts may be coming to the spaces or whether The Dial and/or the Blue Owl could open back up, we will post an update here, so stay tuned.

The Dial first opened in 2020 while the Blue Owl debuted in the following year; the website for the former is at https://www.thedialcentralsq.com/ while the website for the latter is at https://www.blueowlcentralsq.com/

According to multiple sources, the closing of The Dial and the Blue Owl appear to be permanent, with an Instagram post from The Dial seeming to confirm this, saying the following: "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the permanent closing of The Dial and The Blue Owl. We thank you all for being part of The Dial and Blue Owl community and a part of the diverse neighborhood that gives Central Square it's unique energy. Together we celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, pride months and return to office cocktails; whatever the occasion we were grateful that you chose to spend it here with us."]

[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.)

Rina's in Boston's North End Has Closed; New Concept on Its Way to the Space

A North End dining spot known for its pizza has shut down, though it looks like a new concept may be opening in its space.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), Rina's on Hanover Street is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the place saying late last week that "We said goodbye to Rina's Pizzeria, but will be saying hello to something new and exciting soon! Stay tuned!" Rina's, which first opened in 2015, was owned by Nick Varano, who also is behind Strega North End Nico, and Fratelli, and it is presumed that Varano will also be behind whatever new concept comes to the space.

The address for the now-closed Rina's in the North End is 371 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[August 1 update: According to a source, the restaurant replacing Rina's will be called My Mother's Cutlets, with signs for the upcoming spot in the windows being out front, and it looks like it will be a fast-casual restaurant from The Varano Group though no specifics have been given on the place as of yet.]

(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.)

Monday, January 15, 2024

Courthouse Fish Market in East Cambridge Has Closed

A local seafood market that has been in business for more than 100 years has shut down.

According to a post on Bluesky from troysch1.bsky.social, Courthouse Fish Market in East Cambridge is no longer in business, with a note on the website for the Cambridge Street shop saying the following:

Dear valued Customers We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your years of support and patronage at the fish market. It is with a heavy heart we share the news that our fish market will be closing on January 13, 2024. We sincerely thank you for your years of unwavering support and patronage. While the fish market bids farewell, we are excited to inform you that our restaurant will continue to serve you with the same dedication to quality and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you to the restaurant next door.

The restaurant that Courthouse Fish Market refers to in the note is Courthouse Seafood, which resides in the same block and is known in part for its Portuguese fare.

The address for the now-closed Courthouse Fish Market (which first started out in 1912) was 484 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02141.

[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, January 14, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending January 14

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between January 8 and January 14.

Makaroni Pastaria Opens at High Street Place in Downtown Boston
A new option for Italian fare has come to a food hall in downtown Boston, and a local restaurant group is behind it.
Full Story

The Woods to Open at the Josiah Smith Tavern Site in Weston
An historic building in the western suburbs of Boston is finally going to become home to a restaurant.
Full Story

Cafe Beirut in Jamaica Plain Has Closed
A Lebanese dining spot has shut down after being in business for 12 years.
Full Story

Donut Villa in Newtonville Has Apparently Closed
It looks like a small local group of dining spots known in part for their donuts has closed one of their locations.
Full Story

Meridian Market Cafe Is Opening in Revere
The people behind an East Boston market that is known in part for its Italian Subs are opening a brand new location a few miles to the north.
Full Story

[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, January 11, 2024

Casa Loca Mexican Cantina in Westwood Has Closed

A Mexican restaurant just off Route 128 in the southwest suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to multiple sources, Casa Loca Mexican Cantina in Westwood is no longer in business, with a check on its website and Instagram page indicating that both have been taken down. The dining spot first opened at University Station in the fall of 2020, with the Wellesley Restaurant Group--which runs The Local in Wellesley, Wayland, and Waltham, along with West Village Tavern in West Concord--being behind the place.

The address for the now-closed Casa Loca Mexican Cantina was 174 University Avenue, Westwood, MA, 02090.

[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.)

OddFellows Ice Cream Co. at The Street Chestnut Hill Has Apparently Closed

A group of ice cream shops based in New York City appears to have closed its sole Boston location.

A message and photo sent from Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that OddFellows Ice Cream Co. at The Street Chestnut Hill has a "closed permanently" sign out front, with a check on the website for the business indicating that the Chestnut Hill location is no longer shown on the site. OddFellows first opened in the summer of 2019, offer an array of ice cream flavors (including some rather unusual options); the business was established in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn in 2013.

The website for OddFellows Ice Cream Co. can be found at https://www.oddfellowsnyc.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, January 10, 2024

Blossom Nutrition in Newtonville Has Closed

A dining spot in the western suburbs that focused on healthy options has closed.

According to a source, Blossom Nutrition in Newton is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the Walnut Street shop saying "Unfortunately we closed, we wanna to say thank you everyone for support us, and God bless you always. Never stop dreaming." Blossom first opened in the summer of 2022, offering such options as smoothies, juices, coffee, tea, and bowls,

The address for the now-closed Blossom Nutrition was 318 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA, 02460.

[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.)

Makaroni Pastaria Opens at High Street Place in Downtown Boston

A new option for Italian fare has come to a food hall in downtown Boston, and a local restaurant group is behind it.

According to a press release, Makaroni Pastaria is now open at High Street Place, with the new concept coming from Unique Concepts restaurant group (Hum'oveh, Kutzu, Inchu, Nu Burger) and featuring pasta dishes such as burrata truffle ravioli, Italian sausage orecchiette, bolognese linguine, and spicy seafood tagliatelle. The founders of Unique Concepts Restaurant Group are Chef Nina Festekjian and her husband Raffi Festekjian, with Nina and General Manager Aleks Bakhrakh being behind the Makaroni Pastaria concept.

The website for Unique Concepts is at https://www.uniqueconceptsgroup.com/ while the Instagram page for Makaroni Pastaria will be at https://www.instagram.com/makaroniboston/ (it doesn't have any posts as of this writing).

[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 Woods to Open at the Josiah Smith Tavern Site in Weston

Last summer, it was reported that plans for a restaurant to open within an historic building in the western suburbs of Boston appeared to finally be moving along, and now we have learned that a well-known figure within the local restaurant scene will be opening a dining spot there.

According to a Facebook post from Brian Piccini (Boston Chops, Deuxave, dbar), The Woods will be opening at the Josiah Smith Tavern Site in Weston, with Piccini saying the following while also referring readers to an article in the Boston Globe:

Friends have often asked how I could live in a dry town, and I am thrilled to share that I am about to change that! Welcome to The Woods! Weston will soon be home to The Woods, the town's first restaurant with a liquor license. This is a new concept offering a farm-and-sea-to-table menu and learn more in this Boston Globe article. I can't wait to have you all join me for dinner in October 2024 at The Woods!

As mentioned in an earlier article here, proposals to open a restaurant at the historic site (the tavern itself dates back to 1757) have been given since at least 2009, though in August of 2023, we were told by someone involved with Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern that the town had given its approval for the space to be used as a restaurant.

The address for The Woods at the Josiah Smith Tavern site is 358 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA, 02493.

[Earlier Article]
Plans Still Being Looked at for a Restaurant to Open at the Josiah Smith Tavern Site in Weston

[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.)

Revival Cafe + Kitchen Is Opening in Watertown

It looks like a growing local group of cafes will soon be opening another new location, with this one being just west of Boston.

According to a source (Sarah Wu) Revival Cafe + Kitchen is planning to open in Watertown, with the address given indicating that it will be moving into a new life science building on Coolidge Avenue. It appears that this will be the next outlet of Revival to open, as its upcoming Lexington location plans to open in March while the Watertown location hopes to open sometime this month; both will join existing locations in downtown Boston, Cambridge's Alewife area, and Somerville's Davis Square, with Steve "Nookie" Postal and Liza Shirazi being behind the group of eateries.

The address for the new location of Revival Cafe + Kitchen in Watertown is 99 Coolidge Avenue, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the business is at https://www.revivalcafeandkitchen.com/

[February 2 update: According to its website, the Watertown location of Revival Cafe + Kitchen is now open.]

[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, January 09, 2024

Mill Cafe Opens in Arlington

A new cafe has come to the northwest suburbs of Boston, and a local church is behind it.

According to a source, the Mill Cafe is now open in Arlington, moving into a space on Mill Street that is home to the offices of the Highrock Covenant Church. An article from Your Arlington mentions that the new 125-seat spot, which offers baked goods, breakfast and lunch items, coffee, tea, and snacks, is planning to hire people with disabilities while also donating all profits from the cafe to nonprofit organizations.

Currently, the Mill Cafe is open Thursday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The address for the Mill Cafe is 14 Mill Street, Arlington, MA, 02476. Its website can be found at https://www.millcafe.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.)

Chung King Restaurant in Billerica Has Closed

A Chinese and Japanese restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Chung King Restaurant in Billerica is now longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Boston Road spot saying the following:

We opened the restaurant during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating through tough times, facing numerous challenges such as increased operating costs, and economic crises. Believe me, this was a difficult decision for our management team. We cherish the community, and we wouldn't have come this far without your support. We want to express our gratitude to the Billerica community and surrounding towns.

The post mentions that Jade Pacific, which is also located on Boston Road in Billerica and which is under the same ownership, remains in operation, and gift cards to Chung King will be honored there.

The address for the now-closed Chung King Restaurant (which was also known as Chung King Mike's Place) was 446 Boston Road, Billerica, MA, 01821.

[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.)

Cafe Beirut in Jamaica Plain Has Closed

A Lebanese dining spot has shut down after being in business for 12 years.

Universal Hub is reporting (via the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale Facebook groups) that Cafe Beirut is no longer in business, as the Centre Street eatery closed its doors permanently over the weekend. The restaurant first opened in 2012, taking over the former Sami's Wrap 'n' Roll space and offering such items as lentil soup, lamb kebobs, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, hummous, baba ghannooj, moussaka, baked lamb, and baklava.

The address for the now-closed Cafe Beirut was 654 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

[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, January 08, 2024

Donut Villa in Newtonville Has Closed

It looks like a small local group of dining spots known in part for their donuts has closed one of their locations.

According to a couple of sources, Donut Villa in Newtonville was locked up and dark last Friday and Saturday, while another source told us earlier that it did appear shuttered, though at the time, we were told by someone at one of the other locations that it was still open. A check on the website for the business indicates that indeed appears to be closed, however, as it has been removed from the website.

The Newtonville location of Donut Villa debuted in the fall of 2022 in the former Brewer's Coalition space, joining existing locations in Malden and Cambridge; an outlet in Arlington opened up a few months later in early 2023.

The address for the now-closed location of Donut Villa in Newtonville was 344 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA, 02460. The website for the three existing locations is at https://www.donutvilladiner.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.)

Flying Boar Kitchen Opens in Westwood

A sandwich place and caterer in the southwest suburbs of Boston that is set up as a ghost kitchen has opened.

According to an email sent to us, Flying Boar Kitchen is now open in Westwood, moving into a space at Southwest Park, which is accessed off Route 1 northbound just before the Route 128/1 intersection. The new spot offers Caribbean-inspired sandwiches that are available for takeout, pickup, and delivery via online ordering, with its menu including such sandwich options as beef burger chimi, Dominican porchetta, platano and bean patty, and more, along with empanadas and such sides as red potato salad, fried cheese, and fried rice.

The address for Flying Boar Kitchen is 34 Southwest Park, Westwood, MA, 02090. Its website can be found at https://flyingboarkitchenandcatering.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.)

Meridian Market Cafe Is Opening in Revere

The people behind an East Boston market that is known in part for its Italian Subs are opening a brand new location a few miles to the north.

According to a source, Meridian Market Cafe is on the verge of opening in Revere, moving into the building on Ocean Avenue that is home to MGH Revere HealthCare Center. The upcoming spot joins Meridian Food Market on Meridian Street in Eastie along with an outlet at Logan Airport, and based on those locations, the Revere outlet could be offering such options as sandwiches, salads, and Italian meals, though we are still waiting to confirm this.

The address for Meridian Market Cafe in Revere is 300 Ocean Avenue, Revere, MA, 02151. The website for the East Boston store is at http://meridianfoodmarket.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.)

Sunday, January 07, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending January 7

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between January 1 and January 7.

Barbara Lynch Closes Drink, Menton, and Sportello in Fort Point
Three well-known dining and drinking spots near the Boston waterfront have abruptly shuttered.
Full Story

Flat Top Johnny's Reopens in New Space in Kendall Square
A popular restaurant, bar, and pool hall in Cambridge has been reborn.
Full Story

Soleil in Roxbury Has Closed
A Southern-style restaurant in Nubian Square has closed after being in business for a bit under six years.
Full Story

Ciao! Pizza and Pasta in Chelsea Is Expanding to Somerville
An award-winning wood-fired pizzeria is expanding to a new location.
Full Story

Italian Express Pizzeria in East Boston Is Reopening
A now-closed Italian restaurant that once gained national recognition via a popular TV show is returning.
Full Story

[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, January 05, 2024

Barbara Lynch Is Closing Drink, Menton, and Sportello in Fort Point "Immediately"

Three well-known dining and drinking spots near the Boston waterfront have abruptly closed.

An article in the Boston Business Journal states that Drink, Menton, and Sportello are shutting down "immediately," with owner Barbara Lynch's organization citing an "uncooperative landlord" as a reason. The article mentions that Lynch's other restaurants, including No. 9 Park in Beacon Hill, B&G Oysters in the South End, and Rudder in Gloucester will remain open, while two other spots from Lynch--The Butcher Shop and Stir--are being sold.

Drink (a cocktail lounge), Menton (a high-end French restaurant), and Sportello (an Italian dining spot) are all located on Congress Street.

[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.)

Northeast Smokehouse Is Opening a Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Billerica

The person behind a BBQ business that includes food trucks and catering services is getting ready to open a permanent space in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Northeast Smokehouse is on the verge of opening a brick-and-mortar shop in Billerica, moving into the space on Boston Post Road that had been home to Meat Again. An article from What Now Boston mentions that chef Bryan Babeu, who is behind the business, will likely offer such options as pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, and pit beans, while a Facebook post mentions that the new shop--which will focus on takeout--hopes to open on January 10.

The address for the brick-and-mortar location of Northeast Smokehouse is 306 Boston Road, North Billerica, MA, 01862. Its website can be found at https://www.northeast-bbq.com/

[January 16 update: According to its social media, the brick-and-mortar location of Northeast Smokehouse is now open.]

[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.)

Nomai in Hingham Has Closed

A South Shore restaurant that featured New American fare with Asian influences has shut down.

According to a source, Nomai in Hingham is no longer in operation, with a Boston Globe article confirming that the dining spot--which is located at the Derby Street Shops--is closed. Nomai first opened in the early part of 2022, with Brian Moy (Ruckus and Shōjō in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood) being behind it; the Globe mentions that Moy will be reopening China Pearl in Chinatown sometime this winter.

The address for Nomai was 94 Derby Street (Suite #217), Hingham, MA, 02043.

[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.)

Flat Top Johnny's Reopens in New Space in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a popular restaurant, bar, and pool hall in Cambridge was planning to be reborn in a new space nearby, and it is now up and running.

According to its social media, Flat Top Johnny's opens back up this afternoon on Main Street in Kendall Square, moving into a space within an MIT building that is only a few blocks from its former home at One Kendall Square, and the new location offers food, drink, pool, darts, and pinball. Flat Top Johnny's said farewell to One Kendall Square in August of 2020 after being in business for 27 years, subsequently looking for a new space that briefly had it looking at Allston before those plans fell through.

The address for the new location of Flat Top Johnny's in Kendall Square is 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086181597177 while its Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/FlatTopJohnnys

[Earlier Article]
Flat Top Johnny's Plans to Return to Kendall Square in Cambridge

[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, January 04, 2024

Blaze Pizza by Boston University Has Closed

A group of California-based pizza restaurants has shut down another one of its locations in Boston.

According to a couple of posters on social media (including one who posted to the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page), Blaze Pizza by Boston University is no longer in business, with both posters showing pictures out front of a sign referring diners to locations on Boylston Street in the Fenway and One Canal Park in East Cambridge. This is the second location to close over recent times, as another at CityPlace within the State Transportation Building in the Theatre District shuttered last spring. (Another outlet remains in operation in Burlington.)

The address for the now-closed location of Blaze Pizza by BU was 961 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for Blaze can be found at https://www.blazepizza.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.)

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Is Opening in Boston's Downtown Crossing

A Louisiana-based chain that focuses on a popular food item is expanding to a space in the heart of Boston.

According to a source, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is planning to open in Downtown Crossing, with a picture sent indicating that it is apparently moving into the space on Arch Street that had been home to a location of Pret a Manger. Once it opens, the new outlet of the chain will join others in the Back Bay, by Boston University, and in Marlborough and Methuen, and another is in the works for Medford as well.

The address for Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers in Downtown Crossing is 101 Arch Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the chain is at https://www.raisingcanes.com/

[August 28 update: According to a Twitter/X post from @DTownBostonBID, the Downtown Crossing location of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is now open.]

[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.)

Au Bon Pain at South Station in Boston Has Closed; Only One Location Now Remains in Massachusetts

A chain of bakery-cafes with roots in Boston--and which used to have a major presence in the local area--has shut down its sole remaining Boston location, and the chain is only one location from leaving the state entirely.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the South Station location of Au Bon Pain is no longer in business, with a check on the website for the company showing that that outlet is no longer in the locations section--and the only location left in Massachusetts is a franchise outlet at Stonehill College in Easton. Au Bon Pain's roots date back to Faneuil Hall in the 1970s, with its first shop in Boston opening in 1978, and over the years, a number of shops opened in and around the city. (The headquarters moved from Boston to Texas in 2021.)

The website for Au Bon Pain can be found at https://www.aubonpain.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.)

Soleil in Roxbury Has Closed

A Southern-style restaurant in Roxbury has closed after being in business for a bit under six years.

According to multiple sources, Soleil in Nubian Square is no longer in business, with Eater Boston confirming (via the restaurant's website) that the Washington Street spot is shuttered--and the closing follows the shutting down of Soleil's outpost at Boston Public Market last spring. Soleil, which first opened in the spring of 2018, was known for such options as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, brisket, turkey wings, po'boys, and more.

The address for the now-closed Soleil in Nubian Square was 2306 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119.

[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.)