Boston Restaurant Talk: April 2024

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

EVOO and Za in Cambridge's Kendall Square to Close; Arlington Location of Za to Remain Open

A pair of Cambridge restaurants that are under the same ownership are saying farewell.

According to a Facebook post, EVOO and Za, which are located in the same building in Kendall Square, are shutting down, with the post saying the following:

It's been a great run!! EVOO will be closing on June 1 and Za Cambridge on June 14....The time is right with our lease and we're looking forward to slowing down a bit and enjoying more time with our families....We can't thank our amazing staff and guests enough. We are so lucky! We hope to make the next month a celebration. Stop in for a drink or dinner, or just to say goodbye if you can.

The post does say that the Arlington location of Za will remain in operation.

EVOO, which offers New American fare, has been in business for 26 years, starting out in a space in Somerville before moving to its current home in 2010. The Cambridge location of Za, which is known for its pizza, also opened in 2010, joining its original location on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington which first started out in 1998.

The address for EVOO and Za in Kendall Square is 350 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for EVOO is at https://evoorestaurant.com/ while the website for Za is at https://cambridge.zarestaurant.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.)

Posto to Move from Somerville's Davis Square to Assembly Row

A restaurant in Somerville that is known in part for its pizza is moving to another section of the city.

According to a press release, Posto in Davis Square is planning to move to Assembly Row, with the new space including a full-service dining area along with a takeout market/cafe, and the place will continue to offer wood-fired pizza along with such options as steak, seafood, and house-made pasta.

Posto first opened on Elm Street in 2009; owner Joe Cassinelli and his Alpine Restaurant Group currently run the Painted Burro in Somerville, Cambridge, Brookline, and Waltham, and Burro Bar in Boston's South End.

The website for Posto can be found at https://www.postoboston.com/

[June 14 update: According to a source, Posto will be moving into the Assembly Row space where Frank had been, with a licensing commission page seeming to confirm this, giving the address as 400 Assembly Row, 502.]

[November 15 update: An Instagram post from the place indicates that Posto will close its Davis Square location at the end of business hours on November 17 as it gets ready for the move to Assembly Row, with that location possibly opening in the next few weeks.]

(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, April 29, 2024

Just Salad Opens in Needham

A New York-based salad chain has expanded to a second location in the Greater Boston area.

According to a press release, Just Salad has soft-opened in Needham, moving into a space on Highland Avenue just west of the Route 128/95 intersection. The new outlet--which will have a grand opening celebration this week--joins another on Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District which opened last fall, with the new spot offering such options as salads, warm bowls, salad wraps, soups, smoothies, and more, and it includes both indoor and outdoor seating.

The address for the new location of Just Salad in Needham is 669 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.justsalad.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.)

Mood Is Opening in Boston's North End

A new dining spot appears to be close to opening in the North End of Boston.

A check on the space over the weekend indicates that signs are now up for Mood on Salem Street, with signs installed for the place that say "Mood Cafe Restaurant" while "coming soon" signs are in the windows. The signs also say that it will offer Mediterranean food, which jibes with a Universal Hub article and an earlier post within the northend.page site, with the former saying that it plans to be a "Middle Eastern fusion restaurant" while the latter states that it will be "Mediterranean with a focus on Egyptian cuisine."

The space in which Mood is opening had been home to Shasa Cafe, and before that, Rigoletto Ristorante.

The address for Mood is 115 Salem Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[June 12 update: A check on Google indicates that Mood is now open, with a note from the place saying the following: "Mood Restaurant & Cafe, a new Mediterranean eatery on Boston's North End Salem Street, invites you on a culinary journey through the sun-drenched flavors of the region. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served, featuring fresh juices, lattes, and non-alcoholic alternatives alongside classic and innovative Mediterranean dishes."]

[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, April 28, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 28

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

Clover Food Lab Is Emerging from Bankruptcy, Announces Expansion Plans
A local restaurant chain that features vegetarian fare is exiting bankruptcy and is now looking to expand.
Full Story

Grasshopper Vegan Restaurant in Allston Is Closing
An Asian dining spot that features vegan food is shutting down, though it could be reborn in a new space.
Full Story

Darling to Open in Central Square
A new cocktail bar is on its way to Cambridge, and a well-known local bartender and beverage director is involved.
Full Story

Jahunger Is Expanding to a New Location in Cambridge
An Asian restaurant in Providence whose chef/owner was in the running for a prestigious award earlier this year is expanding to the local area.
Full Story

Maxie's Deli in Stoughton Has Closed
A suburban delicatessen that has been in business for more than 30 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, April 26, 2024

NY Bagel Factory Opens in Newtonville

A new location of a local group of bagels shops has debuted nearly a year after its plans were first announced.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, NY Bagel Factory is now open in Newtonville, moving into a space in the Trio luxury apartment building on Washington Street. The new shop joins others in Framingham and Southboro, and it offers bagels, breakfast items, baked goods, sandwiches, coffee, iced tea, and more.

The address for the new location of NY Bagel Factory in Newtonville is 839 Washington Street, Newtonville, MA, 02460. The website for all locations can be found at https://thenybagelfactory.com/

[Earlier Article]
NY Bagel Factory Plans to Open a New Location in Newtonville

[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.)

Chip City Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A cookie chain that is based in New York City is expanding further into the Greater Boston area, with a new location on its way to Cambridge.

According to an article in The Harvard Crimson, Chip City is planning to open in Harvard Square, joining three others locally in Boston's West End and Arsenal Yards in Watertown along with another in the works in the Back Bay. It looks like the new outlet will open in July, and based on the other locations, expect to see a rotating list of cookie options, including chocolate chip, cookies and cream, cannoli, dark chocolate peanut butter, confetti, and more.

Chip City got its start in Queens back in 2017.

The address for the new location of Chip City in Harvard Square is 1 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the company can be found at https://order.chipcitycookies.com/

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

[September 16 update: According to a press release, Chip City is now open in Harvard Square.]

[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, April 25, 2024

justBook-ish Plans to Open in Dorchester

It looks like a new bookstore/cafe may be on its way to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, justBook-ish is planning to open in Dorchester, moving into a space on Dorchester Avenue in the Fields Corner area. The notice mentions that the place is seeking a beer and wine license and would include a retail bookshop and cafe with seating for 17 on the ground floor of a new building called Dot Crossing.

More should be known about the plans for justBook-ish by the middle of next week, so stay tuned for details.

The address for the proposed justBook-ish is 1463-1467 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02122.

[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.)

Chick'n More Is Opening in the Former Boston Market Space in Saugus

A new chicken spot is on its way to a space a few miles north of Boston, taking over a location of a chain known in part for its chicken dishes.

According to an article in Itemlive, Chick'n More is going to be opening in Saugus, moving into the space on Route 1 where a location of Boston Market had been. Very little is known about the upcoming dining spot including what its menu might include, so keep checking back for updates as they come in.

The Saugus location of Boston Market closed down last fall, along with a location in Waltham; another location in Medford recently shut down as well.

The address for Chick'n More is 168 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906.

[May 22 update: According to a post from @IrishEyesPhoto1, Chick'n More is now open, offering oven-roasted chicken, fried chicken, wings, nuggets, chicken burgers, chicken shawarma, macaroni and cheese, fries, corn, cheese sticks, 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.)

H Mart Is Opening in Somerville's Davis Square

It looks like an Asian supermarket chain is going to be opening a new location in Somerville, confirming chatter that has been taking place for a number of months now.

According to an article in The Tufts Daily, H Mart is planning to open in Davis Square, moving into the space on Elm Street that had been home to a location of bfresh. The article states that employees at locations in Burlington and Cambridge mentioned the upcoming opening, with one worker indicating that it could be opening sometime this summer. (An earlier LLC filing seems to confirm the planned opening as well.)

In addition to the Burlington and Cambridge locations, H Mart (which first started out in Queens in 1982) also has two other Boston-area outlets in Brookline and Quincy, and another one may be coming to Medford as well.

The address for the new location of H Mart in Davis Square is 240 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. The website for the company can be found at https://www.hmart.com/

[January 9, 2025 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, H Mart is slated to open in Davis Square today.]

(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, April 24, 2024

Mission on Fire Is Opening in the Former Sofia Italian Steakhouse Space in West Roxbury

A local restaurant group is bringing a new dining spot to West Roxbury, taking over the space where a steakhouse had been until shutting down last month.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mission on Fire is planning to open in the former Sofia Italian Steakhouse space on VFW Parkway, with the sign for the place showing a similar logo to that of Mission on the Bay in Swampscott, Mission Oak Grill in Newburyport, and Mission Boathouse in Beverly, all of which are operated by the Mission Restaurant Group. Very little information is out as of yet on the upcoming spot, including what might be on its menu and when it could open, so keep checking back for updates.

Sofia Italian Steakhouse shut down in early March after being in business for 16 years.

The address for Mission on Fire is 1430 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132.

[August 13 update: According to a source, Mission on Fire is now open in West Roxbury.]

[Earlier Article]
Sofia Italian Steakhouse in West Roxbury 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.)

Clover Food Lab Is Emerging from Bankruptcy, Announces Expansion Plans

A local restaurant chain that features vegetarian fare is exiting bankruptcy and is now looking to expand.

According to a press release, Clover Food Lab is emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week, using the time from last November to now to restructure while closing its outlets in Boston's Copley Square and Somerville's Assembly Row along with a Dedham warehouse. They are now looking to add to their current group of 13 restaurants, with the 5-year plan including 47 new outlets (initially opening locations in the Greater Boston area and then elsewhere in New England), focusing on smaller outlets in urban locations and around universities.

The website for Clover (which started out as a food truck by MIT in 2008) is at https://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

[Earlier Article]
Clover Food Lab Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

[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.)

Grasshopper Vegan Restaurant in Allston Is Closing

An Asian dining spot that features vegan food is shutting down, though it could be reborn in a new space.

According to multiple sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Grasshopper Vegan Restaurant in Allston is getting ready to close, with a note on the N Beacon Street eatery saying, "Due to leasing disagreements Grasshopper Vegan will be ceasing operations on May 29, 2024." Another note mentions something about following their Facebook page for a reopening location and date, but no details have been given on that as of yet.

Grasshopper first opened 27 years ago, offering meatless takes on Asian fare, including a variety of Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes.

The address for Grasshopper Vegan Restaurant 1 N Beacon Street, 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, April 23, 2024

Scutari Plans Is Opening in the Former Flanders Field Space in Hanover

A local restaurateur is looking to open not one, but two locations of a new concept.

According to a source (via a Patriot Ledger article), Leo Keka, who runs Alba in Quincy and Hanover, is planning to open Scutari in Hanover, taking over the space on Route 53 where Flanders Field had been. It appears that this will be the first of two locations of the Northern Italian restaurant to open, as another in Braintree (which was mentioned here last summer) may not be opening in the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street until late August or early September while the Hanover location could be opening May 15.

Flanders Field first opened in the latter part of 2020, offering dishes with Northern European influences along with an extensive beer list; it apparently closed sometime late last summer or early in the fall, though an official announcement was never made.

The address for Scutari in Hanover is 2055 Washington Street (Merchants Row Shopping Center), Hanover, MA, 02339.

[July 31 update: According to its social media, Scutari is now open in Hanover.]

[Earlier Articles]
Leo Keka Plans to Open Scutari in Braintree
Flanders Field in Hanover Is Closed; Exact Status of Place Unknown

[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.)

Black & Blue Steak and Crab Is Opening in Wellesley

A small group of upscale restaurants based in Upstate New York is going to be opening a second location in the Greater Boston area.

According to its website, Black & Blue Steak and Crab is opening soon in Wellesley, with an earlier Swellesley Report article indicating that it will move into a space on Central Street in Wellesley Square. Once it debuts, the new outlet will join another in Burlington that opened in 2018, along with others in Rochester (where it first started out), Buffalo, and Albany.

Based on its other locations, the new outlet could be offering such items as oysters, crab cakes, filet mignon, ribeye, Alaskan king crab legs, grilled shrimp, and more.

The address for the new location of Black & Blue Steak and Crab is 65 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482. The website for all locations is at https://blackandbluesteakandcrab.com/

[September 27 update: According to Kiat Cormier who posted within the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Black & Blue Steak and Crab is now open in Wellesley.]

[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.)

Amber Road Is Opening in Boston's Financial District

A local restaurant group is planning to open a new dining spot in the heart of downtown Boston.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, Amber Road is opening in the city's Financial District, with the listing indicating that it will be a fine dining establishment from the group behind Tradesman, Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grille, and Urban Wild (Third Door Hospitality). An address of 100 Federal Street is shown within the listing, which is where one of the Tradesman locations can be found.

The website for Amber Road is at https://www.amberroadboston.com/

[May 28 update: A post from @FortPointer indicates that Amber Road is now open, with the menu showing such options as chicken soup, steak spring rolls, lobster turnovers, honey miso salmon, grilled branzino, and flatbreads, along with beer, wine, and cocktails.]

[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, April 22, 2024

Darling to Open in Cambridge's Central Square

A new cocktail bar is on its way to Cambridge, and a well-known local bartender and beverage director is involved.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com website, Darling is planning to open in Central Square, with the address indicating that it is moving into the space on Mass. Ave. that had been home to Mary Chung until closing at the end of 2022. The email address within the job post belongs to Brian Callahan, who has worked at such spots as Row 34, Orfano, Tiger Mama, Coquette, and Grafton Street while the listing says that the place will offer "Dim Sum influenced small plates" along with cocktails. If all goes as planned, Darling will open later this year.

The address for the upcoming Darling is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

[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.)

Jahunger in Providence Is Expanding to a New Location in Cambridge

An Asian restaurant in Providence whose chef/owner was in the running for a prestigious award earlier this year is expanding to the local area.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Jahunger on Wickenden Street in Fox Point is going to be joined by a second location on Brookline Street in Cambridgeport, featuring Uyghur cuisine (which is found in the northwest section of China), including such options as lamb dumplings, chicken stew, hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and Asian chili with eggplant in garlic sauce. If all goes well, the new location of Jahunger could open in early May.

Subat Dilmurat, who runs Jahunger with his wife Nadira Parhat, made it to the semifinals of the 2024 James Beard Awards for Best Chef: Northeast.

The address for the new location of Jahunger is 272 Brookline Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Jahunger can be found at https://www.jahunger.com/

[June 2 update: According to a Facebook post from Rachel Blumenthal of Boston Magazine, the Cambridge location of Jahunger 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.)

Maxie's Deli in Stoughton Has Closed

A suburban delicatessen that has been in business for more than 30 years has shut down.

According to multiple sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Maxie's Deli in Stoughton has closed its doors, with a phone call placed to the restaurant confirming this. The deli, which was located on Sharon Street in Cobb's Corner, first opened in 1993, offering such items as matzo ball soup, potato salad, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, potato latkes, noodle kugel, blintzes, and more.

The address for Maxie's Deli was 117 Sharon Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072.

[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, April 21, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 21

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

Wahlburgers at South Bay in Dorchester Has Apparently Closed
A location of a chain of burger spots with local roots appears to have closed.
Full Story

Owners of Giacomo's and Riccardo's in Boston's North End Plan to Open New Restaurant in the Neighborhood
The operators of a couple of North End restaurants are hoping to open a new dining spot.
Full Story

Rox Diner to Open in the Former Dining Car Space in Newton Highlands
It looks like a diner is returning to Newton, though its exact ownership is unknown at this point in time.
Full Story

A&B Burgers Opens at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway
The person behind a pair of restaurants known for their burgers has opened a third location, and this one is in a food hall.
Full Story

Floramo's Restaurant in Malden Has Closed; Plans to Reopen in New Location
A popular spot for steak tips has shut down, though it plans to open back up in another space.
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, April 19, 2024

Night Shift Brewing Is Opening a Seasonal Beer Garden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston

Another local brewery will be bringing a seasonal beer garden to downtown Boston.

According to a press release, Night Shift Brewing will be opening a pop-up beer garden in Dewey Square Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway beginning on May 8 and running through October. The new outdoor spot from Night Shift joins another on the Greenway--Trillium's beer garden, which is a few blocks to the north and has opened for the season--and it joins brick-and-mortar locations of Night Shift in Everett (two, including one at Encore Boston Harbor), Boston's North Station area, and within Level 99 in Natick and Providence, along with other seasonal beer gardens on the Esplanade in Boston and Herter Park in Allston.

The website for Night Shift Brewing can be found at https://nightshiftbrewing.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.)

Waterfront Bar & Grill in Plymouth Has Closed

A South Shore restaurant that was known in part for its seafood, pub grub, and water views has shut down.

According to a couple of sources, Waterfront Bar & Grill in Plymouth is no longer in business, with a Wicked Local article saying that the Water Street spot "officially surrendered its liquor license to the town" and that a Plymouth Select Board agenda item mentions that "they are no longer in business." The dining and drinking spot first opened about 14 years ago, taking over the space that was once home to the Crow's Nest.

The address for the now-closed Waterfront Bar & Grill was 170 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360.

[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.)

Wahlburgers at South Bay in Dorchester Has Closed

A location of a chain of burger spots with local roots appears to have closed.

According to a source, Wahlburgers at South Bay in Dorchester is no longer in business, with the website for the chain seeming to confirm that it is gone as it has been removed from the locations section of the site. We reached out to the company several days ago to find out more information on the closure, and if/when they get back to us, we will post an update here.

The South Bay location of Wahlburgers first opened in late 2018; existing outlets of the chain--which was founded Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg--can be found locally in the Fenway, Logan Airport (2), Hingham, and Lynnfield.

The address for the now-closed location of Wahlburgers at South Bay was 9 District Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.wahlburgersrestaurant.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, April 18, 2024

Bakey Is Opening in Newton Centre

A pair of bakeries with a well-known Israeli baker behind them will soon be joined by a third location.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via a post from All Over Newton), Bakey is going to be opening in Newton Centre, with an earlier Fig City News article indicating that the business had been having popups within the Beacon Street space late last summer and fall, Once it opens, the new shop will join others in Boston and Brookline, and expect to see fresh breads, burekas, babkas, croissants, bagels, sandwiches, coffee, and more.

Bakey co-founder Uri Scheft is behind Lehamim Bakery in Israel, and he also co-founded Breads Bakery in New York City.

The address for Bakey in Newton Centre is 749 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459. The website for the business is at https://bakeybabka.com/

[May 16 update: According to its Instagram page, Bakey in Newton Centre 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.)

Mamaleh's Kibitz Corner Is Opening in the Former Vincent's Space in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a restaurant and wine bar in Cambridge was closing, and now we have learned that the group behind it is debuting a new spot with a familiar name.

According to a press release, Mamaleh's Kibitz Corner is opening in Kendall Square, taking over the space on Cardinal Medeiros Avenue that had been home to Vincent's. The release mentions that the new spot will offer its space for private events while also hosting public events such as book readings, comedy nights, and special popup dinners--and being a test kitchen where it tries out new recipes. The grand opening for Mamaleh's Kibitz Corner takes place on April 26 and April 27 with a prix-fixe Passover dinner.

Big Dipper Hospitality Group (which runs State Park in Kendall Square and Mamaleh's in Kendall Square and Brookline) first opened Vincent's in 2020 as Vincent's Grocery, reconcepting the place into Vincent's restaurant the following year.

The address for Mamaleh's Kibitz Corner is 233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02141. The website for Mamaleh's can be found at https://mamalehs.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.)

Owners of Giacomo's and Riccardo's in Boston's North End Plan to Open New Restaurant in the Neighborhood

The operators of a couple of North End restaurants are hoping to open a new dining spot.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, a restaurant tentatively named North End Lobster Co. is looking to open on Hanover Street, with Adriana Travaglione being the manager listed. A post within the northend.page website mentions that Richard and Adriana Travaglione (who both run the North End location of Giacomo's as well as the nearby Riccardo's) are indeed behind the proposed spot, though the website says "The restaurant will be called 'North End Lobster Company'.... except probably not. Turns out that was just a placeholder and the real name on the BDA is TBD."

A hearing on the plans is slated to be held on April 24, so there should be more information by later next week.

The address for the proposed new dining spot is 204 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[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.)

Rox Diner to Open in the Former Dining Car Space in Newton Highlands

It looks like a diner is returning to Newton, though its exact ownership is unknown at this point in time.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page along with a Newton Real Estate Forum post, the Rox Diner is planning to open in Newton Highlands, moving into the space on Hartford Street that had been home to The Dining Car. There had been a Rox Diner in Newtonville which closed in 2020, while another spot called the Rox Cafe had once been in Newton Highlands, with that place closing back in 2014. A location of the Rox Diner can currently be found in West Roxbury, though it isn't yet known if there is an ownership connection with the upcoming one in Newton Highlands. (The Newtonville outlet originally had a connection to the West Roxbury location, though the two restaurants split and went under different ownership.)

The Dining Car first opened in the Hartford Street space in 2022, with the space previously being home to Bread and Chocolate.

The address for the new location of the Rox Diner in Newton Highlands is 4 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands, MA, 02461.

[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.)

bb.q Chicken to Open in the Former Cafe Beirut Space in Jamaica Plain

A Korean chicken chain that has a handful of locations in the Greater Boston area is opening a new outlet, taking over the space where a Lebanese restaurant had been.

According to an article from the Jamaica Plain News, bb.q Chicken is planning to open in Jamaica Plain, moving into the former Cafe Beirut space on Centre Street. Once it opens, the new outlet will join others locally in downtown Boston, Allston, Kenmore Square, Cambridge's Central Square, Lowell, and Quincy.

Cafe Beirut closed in January after being in business for 12 years.

The address for the upcoming bb.q Chicken in Jamaica Plain is 654 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. The website for the chain can be found at https://bbqchicken.com/

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

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

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Eat Greek Gyros Is Opening in the Former Out of the Blue Space in Somerville's Davis Square

A new Greek eatery is on its way to Somerville, and it will take over the space where an Italian seafood restaurant had been.

According to a source, Eat Greek Gyros is opening in Davis Square, moving into the former Out of the Blue space on Elm Street. A menu seen for the upcoming spot shows such options as gyros, souvlaki, octopus, halloumi, rice bowls, fries, and a variety of salads, along with beer, wine, and cocktails. No opening date has been given as of yet, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

Out of the Blue closed down earlier this year after being in business for nearly 25 years.

The address for Eat Greek Gyros is 215 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[July 15 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Eat Greek Gyros is now open in Davis Square.]

[Earlier Article]
Out Of The Blue in Somerville's Davis 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.)

Ninebark Kitchen + Drinks Is Opening in West Newton

A new restaurant and bar is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston, moving into the space where a couple of spots have been over the past few years.

According to a source, Ninebark Kitchen + Drinks is planning to open in West Newton, taking over the space on Washington Street that had been home to Burke's Alewerks, and before that, a location of The Local. Our source says that local chef Todd Alsworth is involved with the upcoming place, while a Craigslist job post mentions that it will be a "vibrant, sophisticated, and inviting" spot that will focus on New American fare.

The address for Ninebark Kitchen + Drinks is 1391 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465. Its website will be at https://ninebark.co/

[May 29 update: According to its website, Ninebark Kitchen + Drinks 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, April 16, 2024

Untold Brewing at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham Has Closed

A South Shore brewery has closed one of its outlets.

According to a source, Untold Brewing has closed its brewery, taproom, and restaurant at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham, with a Facebook post from late February from the business indicating that they had hoped to extend their lease, but that "fortune was simply not on our side." The post indicates that the Hingham location was closed as of March 1, though its Scituate and Plymouth locations remain in operation.

Untold Brewing first opened its brewery, taproom, and restaurant at the Derby Street Shops in the fall of 2022, and it also had a seasonal beer garden on The Green there for three years.

The website for Untold Brewing can be found at https://www.untoldbrewing.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.)

Greek Habits Opens in Arlington Center

A new bakery has come to the northwest suburbs.

According to a poster within The Arlington List Facebook group page, Greek Habits is now open in Arlington, moving into the former Elton's Roast Beef & Pizza space on Mass. Ave. in the center of town. The post indicates that the new spot offers such options as crepes, sandwiches, spinach turnovers, coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods, and pastries.

The address for Greek Habits is 478 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[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, April 15, 2024

A&B Burgers Opens at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway

The person behind a pair of restaurants known for their burgers has opened a third location, and this one is in a food hall.

According to an Instagram post, Thomas Holland has opened A&B Burgers at Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway, joining a location of A&B Burgers in Beverly and A&B Kitchen • Bar in Boston's North Station area. The new spot offers a variety of burgers along with sides, and it is open for lunch and dinner.

The address for the new location of A&B Burgers (and Time Out Market Boston) is 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the original A&B Burgers in Beverly is at https://www.anbburgers.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.)

Floramo's Restaurant in Malden Has Closed; Plans to Reopen in New Location

A popular spot for steak tips has shut down, though it plans to open back up in another space.

According to a Facebook post, Floramo's Restaurant in Malden is closed, with replies from the place within the thread indicating that it will be reopening in a new location nearby soon. As mentioned in an earlier article, the Wakefield location had shuttered as well a couple of months ago, while the hope is that Floramo's will open back up in Chelsea--which was its original home--at some point in the future.

The Malden location of Floramo's first opened in September of 2022.

The address for the now-closed location of Floramo's Restaurant in Malden was 229 Centre Street (Route 60), Malden, MA, 02148. The website for Floramo's is at http://floramos.net/

[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, April 14, 2024

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 14

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

Dave's Hot Chicken to Replace Boston Market in Medford
A growing chain of chicken places is further expanding into the Greater Boston area, opening in the space where a location of a shrinking chain of chicken spots had been.
Full Story

Bartaco Opens in Boston's Fenway
A new location of a small chain of street food spots has opened in Boston after being in the works for a year.
Full Story

Parlour in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed
A dining and drinking spot in Brookline has very quietly shut down after being in business for five years.
Full Story

Cini's Pasta Bar, Bati, and Adriano's Open at Hub Hall by North Station in Boston
Three new dining spots have come to a food hall in Boston.
Full Story

The Fat Greek Opens in East Arlington
A fast-casual Greek and Mediterranean restaurant in the Merrimack Valley has expanded to a new location in the northwest suburbs of Boston.
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, April 12, 2024

Dave's Hot Chicken to Replace Boston Market in Medford

A growing chain of chicken places is further expanding into the Greater Boston area, opening in the space where a location of a shrinking chain of chicken spots had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Dave's Hot Chicken is planning to open in Medford, moving into the former Boston Market space at Wellington Circle Plaza. Once it opens, the new outlet of Dave's Hot Chicken will join others in Boston's Theatre District, Dorchester's South Bay, Braintree, Chelmsford, Framingham, Newton, Saugus, and Woburn, while the Medford location of Boston Market joins others that have recently closed in Saugus and Waltham--and it appears that the Quincy outlet may be closed as well, though we are trying to confirm whether this is a permanent closure. (If so, that would mean that there are no remaining locations of the chain inside Route 128.)

The address for the upcoming Dave's Hot Chicken (and now-closed Boston Market) in Medford is 616 Fellsway, Medford, MA, 02155. The website for all locations of Dave's Hot Chicken can be found at https://www.daveshotchicken.com/ while the website for Boston Market is at https://www.bostonmarket.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, April 11, 2024

Bartaco Opens in Boston's Fenway

A new location of a small chain of street food spots has opened in Boston after being in the works for a year.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, bartaco is now open in the Fenway section of the city, moving into a space on Van Ness Street. The new location joins others locally in Fort Point and Brookline, with another one on the way to Hingham as well, and like the other outlets, the new one offers food items with influences ranging from California to Mexico to South America.

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

[Earlier Article]
Bartaco Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

[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.)

Parlour in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed

A dining and drinking spot in Brookline has very quietly shut down after being in business for five years.

According to a source, Parlour on Harvard Street is no longer in business, with the social media for the Coolidge Corner place indicating that it actually shuttered at the end of February, though its website continues to be up and running and gives no indication as to its closure. Parlour first opened in the summer of 2019, taking over the space where Regal Beagle had once been and offering mostly New American fare along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the now-closed Parlour was 308 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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

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

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Cini's Pasta Bar, Bati, and Adriano's Open at Hub Hall by North Station in Boston

Three new dining spots have come to a food hall in Boston.

According to a press release, Cini's Pasta Bar, Bati, and Adriano's are now open at Hub Hall by North Station in Boston, with Cini's being an Italian place that features arancini and which is a new outlet of Joe Spagnuolo's place by the same name on Friend Street; Bati being an Indian eatery with an ownership connection to Shanti in Dorchester and Roslindale; and Adriano's being a soul food spot run by Chef Monique (Monique Booker).

Hub Hall, which first opened in September of 2021, can be found at 80 Causeway Street, with its website being at https://www.hubhallboston.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.)

Rassa Is Opening in the Waltham Space That Had Been Home to Molti on Moody and Moody's Delicatessen

A brand new restaurant is on its way to Waltham, moving into the space that had been home to a couple of dining spots--including an award-winning deli.

According to a source, Rassa is planning to open on Moody Street, taking over the space where Molti on Moody had previously been, and before that, Moody's Delicatessen and Provisions. The website for the upcoming eatery says that it will be "an upscale Indian restaurant with full bar, where we artfully elevate the flavors of Southern India's culinary traditions," and that if all goes as planned, it will open sometime this month.

Molti on Moody, which was known in part for its sandwiches, opened in the fall of 2020, closing down in early 2022; Moody's Delicatessen, which received both local and national recognition for its deli offerings, had been in the space from 2013 until morphing into Molti in 2020.

The address for Rassa is 470 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website can be found at https://rassaboston.com/

[November 15 update: According to a source, Rassa is now open.]

(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 Fat Greek Opens in East Arlington

Last spring, it was reported that a fast-casual Greek and Mediterranean restaurant in the Merrimack Valley was planning to open a new location in the northwest suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it is open.

According to its website, The Fat Greek has debuted in East Arlington, moving into the space on Mass. Ave. where ArtWear had once been. The new location, which appears to be going through a soft opening (only open for dinner for now), joins another location in Haverhill, with both offering such options as gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, hummus, and more.

The address for the new outlet of The Fat Greek in East Arlington is 185 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474. The website for both locations can be found at https://thefatgreekusa.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Fat Greek in Haverhill Plans to Open New Location in Arlington

[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, April 09, 2024

Tandoor & Curry Opens a Brick and Mortar Restaurant in Woburn

The people behind a pair of food trucks that feature Indian food have opened a permanent restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to Kiat Cormier who posted within the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Tandoor & Curry now has a brick-and-mortar dining spot in Woburn, moving into a space on Main Street in North Woburn, a short distance north of Route 128. The Facebook page for the business mentions that for now, the eatery is takeout-only, though they may add tables at some point in the future, and that the food trucks will continues to be in operation in and around Boston.

The address for the brick-and-mortar location of Tandoor & Curry in Woburn is 902 Main Street (Route 38), Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at https://tandoorcurry.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, April 08, 2024

Veggie Crust Is Opening in Waltham

A local group of vegetarian/vegan spots known in part for their pizza will be opening another new location, with this one being west of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from Kiat Cormier within the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, Veggie Crust is planning to open in Waltham, with the website for the business indicating that it will be moving into a space on Warren Street just west of the Watertown line. Once it opens, the new outlet will join other locations in Norwood, Somerville, Brookline, and Lowell, and based on those restaurants, expect to see meatless versions of pizza, pasta, panini, Indian dishes, and more.

The address for the Waltham location of Veggie Crust is 14 Warren Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. The website for all locations can be found at https://vegcrust.com/

[May 19, 2024 update: A messages sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub indicates that the Waltham location of Veggie Crust 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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 7

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

Bickford's in Woburn Has Apparently Closed for Good
It looks like a restaurant chain that used to have a number of locations in Massachusetts is now down to just one remaining in the state (and in total).
Full Story

Wade BBQ in Somerville's Union Square Is Closing
A Somerville barbecue spot is shutting down after being in business for only a short time, though the hope is that it could reopen in another space not too far away.
Full Story

Silver Girl to Open in West Acton
The team behind a specialty food shop in the western suburbs of Boston will be opening their very own restaurant.
Full Story

Ziggy Bombs Opens in Brookline
A Worcester dining spot known for its steak and cheese subs has expanded to the local area.
Full Story

Izakaya Ittoku, Yume Ga Arukara in the Porter Exchange Food Court to Move into the Former Shaking Crab Space
Two dining spots within a Cambridge food court are relocating to another space within the building.
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, April 05, 2024

Owners of The Burren Buying Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square; Christopher's to Become McCarthy’s

Last summer, it looked like a restaurant and a music club in Cambridge were both going to be changing hands, though those plans subsequently fell through. Now we have learned that the people behind a nearby Irish pub will be buying the two spots, and changes will be coming to one of them.

Cambridge Day is confirming what a source told us earlier, that both Toad and Christopher's in Porter Square are set to be sold to Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello of The Burren in Somerville's Davis Square, with Toad remaining unchanged while Christopher's will become a new place called McCarthy's. The article says that the former Christopher's space will be renovated including moving the bar and reworking the front windows and entrance, though the pass-through to Toad will remain in place.

The sale of the two spaces to McCarthy and Costello is not official as of yet, as the deal is pending approvals by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and Cambridge building officials which could happen over the next three weeks or so; if all goes well, construction could commence in May with a slated opening sometime in September.

Toad is at 1912 Massachusetts Avenue while Christopher's space is at 1920 Massachusetts Avenue.

[Earlier Article]
Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square Have Apparently Been Sold

(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.)

Thursday, April 04, 2024

Bickford's in Woburn Has Apparently Closed for Good

It looks like a restaurant chain that used to have a number of locations in Massachusetts is now down to just one remaining in the state (and in total).

Based on the website for the business, Bickford's appears to have closed its outlet in Woburn, as the link to the Woburn location has been removed from the locations section of the site. This means that the only location of the chain remaining is in Burlington, as a third one in Acton has closed in 2020.

Bickford's first started out in New York approximately 100 years ago.

The address for the Woburn location of Bickford's was 325 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for the one remaining location in Burlington is at https://www.bickfords.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.)

BE Pasta Bar Opens in Brookline

Early last year, it was reported that a restaurant featuring fresh pasta dishes was planning to open on the Brookline/Boston line, and now we have learned that it has debuted.

According to its Instagram page, BE Pasta Bar is now open on Commonwealth Avenue, taking over the space that had once been home to Live Noodles. As mentioned in an earlier article, the new fast-casual homemade pasta shop is run by a husband-wife team who were inspired by European pasta shops, and a Mass Live article indicates that diners can build customized pasta plates that include different pasta and sauce options along with a variety of toppings.

The address for BE Pasta Bar is 1026 Commonwealth Avenue, Brookline, MA, 02215. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/bepastabar/ while its website is at https://bepastabar.com/

[Earlier Article]
BE Pasta Bar Plans to Open in the Former Live Noodles Space on the Brookline/Boston Line

[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.)

Wade BBQ in Somerville's Union Square Is Closing

A Somerville barbecue spot is shutting down after being in business for only a short time, though the hope is that it could reopen in another space not too far away.

According to an article from boston.com, Wade BBQ in Union Square is getting ready to close, as its lease is up at the end of the month and will not be renewed, with this coming after complaints about smoke coming from the place, first inside, then outside after chef/owner David Wade decided to smoke the meats outdoors as a solution to the smoke leaking into a neighboring business. Wade mentions that he would like to return in a nearby spot, saying that "Hopefully in the near future, I'll be able to plant my roots [in Union Square] and still continue to bring good barbecue to the neighborhood."

Wade BBQ first opened last November in the former Littleburg space.

The address for Wade BBQ is 5 Sanborn Court, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website is at https://www.wadebbq.com/

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

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

Wednesday, April 03, 2024

Meet Point Patisserie Opens in Brookline

A new bakery has come to Brookline, and it has an ownership connection to an adjacent restaurant.

According to a source, Meet Point Patisserie is now open on Kendall Street, moving into a space in the Point section of town, and being next door to Dolma Mediterranean Cuisine. Both Dolma and Meet Point focus mostly on Turkish fare (along with Greek and other Mediterranean items), with the menu for the bakery showing such options as croissants, cakes, baklava, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and more, and a Brookline News article mentions that the space has three tables inside.

Dolma first opened in 2021, taking over the space where Toichi Ichiban had once been.

The address for Meet Point Patisserie is 5 Kendall Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website can be found at https://meetpointpatisserie.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, April 02, 2024

Silver Girl Plans to Open in West Acton; Owners of Eve & Murray's Farm to Home Behind It

The team behind a specialty food shop in the western suburbs of Boston will be opening their very own restaurant.

According to a Facebook post from Eve & Murray's Farm to Home in West Acton, Silver Girl is planning to open nearby, with the post saying the following:

We'll be serving the best from our combined heritages - a bit Louisiana, a bit French, a bit Italian. All deliciously elevated comfort-food classics. The flavor combinations and flair we put into the sandwiches you love at Eve & Murray's will come together at lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Silver Girl. Coming soon-ish.

Dawn (Eve) Aguiar and Tamara (Murray) Deluzio will be opening Silver Girl on Arlington Street, which is just north of the center of West Acton and a short distance away from Eve & Murray's, which is on Massachusetts Avenue.

The address for the upcoming Silver Girl is 251 Arlington Street, Acton, MA, 01720.

[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.)