KOKO Bakery in Newton Is Closing; New Bakery to Replace It

A bakery in the western suburbs of Boston is getting ready to shut down, though a new bakery will be moving into its space.

According to a couple of sources, KOKO Bakery in the Nonantum section of Newton is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the California Street spot saying the following:

After five years of intensive work creating and managing KOKO Bakery, owner Nobuko Maruyama is retiring on Christmas Eve. Her loyal employee Manokasemsant Duangporn will take over the management of the bakery, alongside the current crack kitchen and front desk team. The bakery, under a new name, will continue to offer many of the same recipes and treats you have come to know at KOKO. KOKO Bakery will be open December 22nd, 23rd and 24th. On those 3 days, we will be offering gifts to all our loyal customers. Please check our Facebook or Instagram for details. The new bakery will re-open in February, after a much-needed January break.

KOKO Bakery first opened in the summer of 2016, offering a variety of baked goods and pastries including danish, croissants, scones, donuts, cakes, pies, and sticky buns along with sandwiches, coffee, and tea.

The address for KOKO Bakery (and the new spot that is replacing it) is 232 California Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Its website is at http://www.kokobread.com/

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

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

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Loyal Nine in East Cambridge Is Closing

A Cambridge restaurant that has been known in part for its colonial theme and regional fare is shutting down.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting (along with an article from boston.com), Loyal Nine in East Cambridge is closing down, with an Instagram post from the Cambridge Street spot saying the following:

After dinner service on Saturday December 18th, Loyal Nine will close its doors for the last and final time. As a business and as individuals, we've grown  quite a bit since we first established our restaurant and coffee shop seven years ago. While the last 18 months have had their challenges, reflecting on our time in East Cambridge comes with sincere joy as we appreciate all that has been given to us. Thank you to our community, our staff, and our regulars.

The post indicates that Northern Spy in Canton--which is under the same ownership--will remain in operation.

Loyal Nine, which first opened in 2015, got its name from a group of patriots who protested the Stamp Act in the 1760s; the menu includes such items as tuna croquettes, calamari, porchetta, lobster rolls, brisket sandwiches, slow-roasted pork shoulder, and bread pudding.

The address for Loyal Nine is 660 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02141. Its website can be found at https://www.loyalninecambridge.com/

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

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

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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.)

Boon Noon Market to Open in Former Thailand Cafe Space in East Arlington

A new Asian restaurant is on its way to East Arlington, taking over the space that had been home to another Thai spot.

According to a poster within The Arlington List Facebook group page, Boon Noon Market is opening in the former Thailand Cafe space in East Arlington, with an article in Your Arlington saying it has an ownership connection to Dakzen in Somerville. The article also mentions that the new spot will focus on Asian Thai fusion fare, while a picture posted on The Arlington List shows that the restaurant will also apparently include a Thai grocery within the space.

The address for the upcoming Boon Noon Market is 161 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

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

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

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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.)

Lychee Bistro & Lounge Opens in Braintree

A new Asian restaurant that has been in the works for more than three years has finally opened its doors.

According to a source,  Lychee Bistro & Lounge in Braintree soft-opens today, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street spot saying that "To allow us to work out some of the small kinks and prepare for the grand opening, we're hosting a few soft opening dinner services and we'd love to have you join us. Here are the 3 soft opening days: * Friday 12/3 * Saturday 12/4 * Sunday 12/5."

Lychee Bistro & Lounge, which first announced its opening in the spring of 2018, will focus on Asian fusion cuisine including tapas-style dishes; it resides in the space that had been home to Tiki Palace for approximately 20 years.

The address for Lychee Bistro & Lounge is 1177 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

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

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

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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 Vanak Opens in Belmont

A brand new Persian restaurant has opened in the western suburbs, and it has a connection to a market next door.

Eater Boston is reporting (via The Boston Globe) that Cafe Vanak is now open in Belmont, taking over a space on Belmont Street that is next to Super Vanak. The articles say that the new eatery offers Halal Middle Eastern and Iranian fare, including tabouli salad, grilled eggplant, stuffed grape leaves, lamb shank, saffron chicken, Persian stew, chicken kababs, and more.

The address for Cafe Vanak is 271 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. The website for both Cafe Vanak and Super Vanak can be found at https://www.vanakfood.com/

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

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

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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.)

Dear Annie Opens in Cambridge

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a restaurant and wine bar that focuses on seafood would be coming to Cambridge. Now we have learned that the place has debuted.

Eater Boston is reporting that Dear Annie is now open on Mass. Ave. on the southern edge of Porter Square, and as mentioned earlier, the place has an ownership connection to both Rebel Rebel Wine Bar and Field & Vine in Somerville. The post says that the restaurant is currently open Thursday through Sunday for dinner and snacks, and it has communal seating, ordering at the counter, and a heated patio.

The address for Dear Annie is 1741 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website can be found at https://www.dearanniebar.com/

[Earlier Article]
Dear Annie to Open in Cambridge's Porter Square Area

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

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

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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.)