Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, July 11, 2025

The Dot Block Diner and More to Open in Dorchester

A new diner is on its way to a Boston neighborhood, and the person behind it may be familiar to some.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, The Dot Block Diner and More is planning to open in Dorchester, moving into a space on Dorchester Avenue on the southern edge of Savin Hill. The listing mentions that Bernard Goodman is the manager, and this is the same Bernard Goodman who opened McKenna's Cafe on Savin Hill Avenue with his wife back in 1999, selling the business to new owners several years later (McKenna's remains in operation today). It looks like The Dot Block Diner will be open for breakfast and lunch, though specific details have not been given as of yet.

The address for the upcoming Dot Block Diner and More is 1203 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

(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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Namastay Boston to Open in Kenmore Square

A brand new Indian restaurant is on its way to the Boston's Fenway area.

According to a source, Namastay Boston is planning to open in Kenmore Square, moving into a space next to Cornwall's on Beacon Street. The website for the upcoming eatery mentions that it will feature "bold, elegant Indian cuisine" including everything from "rich curries to vibrant street snacks" from various regions of India. No opening date has been given as of yet, with a sign out front simply saying "coming soon."

The address for Namastay Boston is 636 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://namastayboston.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.)

Brother's Deli & Restaurant in Wakefield Has Closed

A decades-old cafeteria-style restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston that was known in part for its Greek fare has shut down.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Brother's Deli & Restaurant in Wakefield is no longer in business, with the post saying the following:

After nearly two years of pouring our hearts into Brothers Deli, we've made the very difficult decision to close our doors. This wasn't what we had hoped for and continuing on was no longer sustainable.⁣...We may be stepping away from the business, but we'll always carry this community with us. If the lights come back on under new ownership, just know: what we built together can't be replaced or forgotten.⁣⁣ Just because we are closing up shop doesn’t mean its goodbye forever....With all our love and gratitude, Sunny, Sonia, Happy, & the Brothers Deli team⁣⁣

Brother's Deli & Restaurant's roots date back approximately 40 years, with an ownership change taking place in 2023.

The address for the now-closed Brother's Deli & Restaurant in Wakefield was 404 Main Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880.

(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.)

District 7 Cafe Opens in Roxbury

A new cafe has come to a Boston neighborhood, and it is under the same ownership as an adjacent bar.

According to an article from boston.com, District 7 Cafe is now open in Roxbury, moving into a space on Warren Street that is next door to District 7 Tavern. Both spots are run by Royal Smith (Urban Food & Beverage, Boston Black Hospitality Coalition), with the cafe offering breakfast pastries along with coffee and tea, and eventually, alcohol which plans to be served at brunch.

The address for District 7 Cafe is 376 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/district7cafe/

(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, July 10, 2025

Mila's Is Opening at Gibson Point in Revere

Last fall, it was reported that a new dining spot was on its way to a waterside location just north of Boston, and now we have learned that it is in the process of getting up and running.

According to a press release, Mila's in Revere had a ribbon cutting and soft opening on Tuesday, July 8, with the restaurant moving into the Gibson Point apartment community in the Point of Pines area near the northern tip of Revere Beach and just south of the Lynn border. (We have been told that the official opening is Monday, July 14.) As mentioned in an earlier article, the new place is a cafe at breakfast and lunch and an upscale restaurant, bar, and lounge at night, with outdoor seating including water views.

Michael Aldi (Dryft, Fine Line, and Vivi's Tapas Bar, Aldi Companies) and real estate and investment firm Redgate are behind Mila's.

The website for Mila's will be at https://www.milasrevere.com/

[Earlier Article]
Mila's Plans to Open in Revere

(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.)

Darling Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square This Month

Last spring, it was reported that a new cocktail bar was looking to open in Cambridge, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to an article from boston.com, Darling is on the verge of opening in Central Square, with a planned opening date of July 16 as of this writing. The Mass. Ave. spot is taking over the space where Mary Chung had been until closing at the end of 2022, and it plans to offer "Chinese inspired" cocktails along with dim sum fare--and as mentioned in an earlier article, Brian Callahan (Row 34, Orfano, Tiger Mama, Coquette, Grafton Street) is one of the people behind it, along with Zimu Chen (Coquette, Eastern Standard, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Mariel).

The address for Darling in Central Square is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website will be at https://www.darlingcambridge.com/

[Earlier Article]
Darling Plans to Open in the Former Mary Chung Space in Cambridge's Central Square

(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.)