Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Gen Korean BBQ Plans to Open in Cambridge's Harvard Square

Last year, it was reported that a chain of Korean barbecue spots was hoping to expand to Allston, and now we have learned that the chain is planning to expand to Cambridge, though the status of the Allston location is now in question.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Gen Korean BBQ House is planning to open in Harvard Square, confirming an earlier article from the Cambridge Somerville Independent that said the plans were "on pause" back in May because of concerns about how customers would be grilling their own food, including whether open flames would be involved. An update to the article states that the pause ultimately ended after conversations took place between fire inspectors and the business owners.

As reported here in August of 2025, a location of the Gen Korean BBQ House chain--which was established in Los Angeles in 2011--was being planned for Harvard Avenue in Allston, but it still hasn't opened, and a new licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website indicates that its liquor license may be transferred to a proposed location of Taco Bell Cantina near Faneuil Hall.

The address for the upcoming Gen Korean BBQ House in Harvard Square is 26 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the chain is at https://www.genkoreanbbq.com/

[Earlier Article]
Gen Korean BBQ House May Be Opening in Allston

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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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Oblix Plans to Open in the Former Strega Italiano/Strip by Strega Space in Boston's Park Plaza Area

It looks like an upscale restaurant in London is going to be expanding to Boston.

According to an article in The Boston Sun, Oblix is planning to open in the city's Park Plaza area, moving into the space at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza hotel that had been home to Strega Italiano/Strip by Strega space. The article mentions that the Boston location will serve dinner and brunch and it will include a large dining area, a smaller dining area, and an oyster bar, with a total occupancy of 328. If all goes as planned, the new location of Oblix could open around the end of next July.

The original Oblix in London is known in part for its steak and seafood dishes along with its cocktails. Its website can be found at https://www.oblixrestaurant.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]

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Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Borgo Italian Kitchen to Open in the Former NY Bagel & Diner Space in Allston

A brand new Italian dining spot is on its way to Allston, and it will have an ownership connection to an adjacent eatery (along with a couple of other restaurants).

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Borgo Italian Kitchen is planning to open on Brighton Avenue in the former NY Bagel & Diner space, with What Now Boston indicating that Dariusz Zywina is one of the owners (Zywina is also co-owner of Punjab Palace next door and Da Vinci Bistro and Soul of India in Sudbury). The upcoming place will offer such options as pizza, panini, pasta dishes, and salads, and it will focus on takeout and delivery, though a few tables will be set up inside the dining spot as well.

The address for the upcoming Borgo Italian Kitchen is 111 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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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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Tradesman Coffee Shop to Open at Independence Wharf in Boston

It appears that the people behind a local group of coffee shops and lounges are going to be opening another coffee shop in downtown Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Tradesman Coffee Shop is planning to open at Independence Wharf, with a sign out front saying "Tradesman Coffee Shop Atlantic Ave Opening Soon. We can't wait to meet you!" Once it debuts, it will join other Tradesman locations on Batterymarch Street and Federal Street (two locations on Federal) in the downtown area as well as ones in Charlestown's Hood Park and at Boston Landing in Brighton.

It looks like the address for the upcoming Tradesman Coffee Shop & Bar at Independence Wharf will be 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210.

(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.)

Clementine to Replace The Garrison House in Brookline Village

A new restaurant is on its way to Brookline, and it will be replacing a dining spot that has been around for about five years.

According to an article from The Brookline News, Clementine is planning to open in the space in Brookline Village where The Garrison House currently resides, with Mathew Freid (who was behind the now-closed Idle Hour in Quincy) being the owner. Very little is known about the upcoming place other than the fact that it plans to have seating for 128 inside and 32 outside and that it hopes to be open until 1:00 AM on weekends; more should be known soon (a hearing on the plans is slated for today), so stay tuned for updates.

The Garrison House debuted in late 2021, replacing Magnolia Smokehouse; Hawkeye Hospitality (Elm Street Taproom, Five Horses Tavern, The Chester Tavern) is behind the spot, which is known in part for its classic American fare and pub food.

The address for the upcoming Clementine (and Garrison House) is 6 Harvard Square, Brookline, MA, 02445.

(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.)

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Mandarin Cuisine in Needham Is Closing October 31

A decades-old suburban Chinese restaurant is getting ready to shut its doors.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mandarin Cuisine is going to be closing, with a Facebook post from the Highland Avenue spot saying the following:

To our wonderful patrons, neighbors, and friends, We are announcing the upcoming closure of Mandarin Cuisine. We will remain open until October 31, 2026. We have loved every single moment of serving you over the past 37 years. Thank you for your unwavering support, your smiles, and for making our restaurant a true community staple. As we prepare to hand over the keys to new ownership, we want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our small business. We hope you will stop by before the end of October to say goodbye. We will miss you!

No information has been given on the restaurant that will be replacing Mandarin Cuisine, so stay tuned for any details as they come in.

The address for Mandarin Cuisine is 238 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. Its website can be found at https://www.mandarincuisine.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.)