Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, January 10, 2025

The Smoke Shop BBQ Is in the Process of Opening in Methuen

A local group of barbecue restaurants has been joined by a new location north of Boston that has soft-opened.

According to a post on its Facebook page, The Smoke Shop BBQ is now open in Methuen for pickup and delivery only (and with a limited menu), with its official opening taking place next week. The new Pelham Street location joins others in Boston's Fort Point, East Boston, Somerville's Assembly Row, and Harvard Square in Cambridge, and another outlet is on its way to Woburn as well at some point.

Chef/restaurateur Andy Husbands first started The Smoke Shop BBQ in 2016 with a location in Cambridge's Kendall Square.

The address for the new location of The Smoke Shop BBQ in Methuen is 151 Pelham Street, Methuen, MA, 01844. The website for all locations can be found at https://thesmokeshopbbq.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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Marseille in Boston's South End Is Closing

A French restaurant in the South End of Boston is shutting down after being in business for a bit under two years.

According to a post within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Marseille on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa part of the neighborhood is closing, with a couple of Instagram stories from the place saying that "[today] our Instagram account will close as we say goodbye to the restaurant" while directing customers to the nearby Petit Robert Bistro along with Batifol in Cambridge's Kendall Square and PRB Boulangerie in Kendall Square, Somerville, and at the Marseille site (it appears that the SoWa location will indeed remain open). Marseille first opened in the spring of 2023, taking over the space where Brasserie had been, and before that, Gaslight.

The address for Marseille is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

(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, January 09, 2025

Ironwood Restaurant to Open at the South Shore Country Club in Hingham

Last month, it was reported that a restaurant and function facility at a golf course south of Boston had shut down, and now we have learned that a new dining spot and event venue will be moving in.

According to its website, Ironwood is planning to open at the South Shore Country Club in Hingham, and it will include Ironwood Restaurant along with spaces for such events and functions as wedding receptions, corporate gatherings, conferences, baby showers, and more. It appears that Ironwood will take over the space where The Greenside Grille and Raffael's had been, and chef/owner Tina Conte had been the head chef at The Greenside Grille while also working previously at such restaurants as No. 9 Park, B & G Oysters, and Craigie Street Bistrot.

If all goes as planned, Ironwood Restaurant will open this month, and its menu will include such offerings as short rib arancini, wings, fish tacos, clam chowder, chili, burgers hot dog, fried chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, poke bowls, and steak tips.

The address for the upcoming Ironwood is 274 South Street, Hingham, MA, 02043. Its website can be found at https://www.ironwoodhingham.com/

[Earlier Article]
Raffael's & The Greenside Grille at the South Shore Country Club in Hingham Have Closed

(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.)

Eva's Little Kitchen in Bedford to Open New Location in West Concord

A bakery-cafe in the northwest suburbs of Boston is going to be joined by a new location west of the city.

According to a post from boston.com, Eva's Little Kitchen in Bedford is planning to expand to West Concord, moving into a space on Commonwealth Avenue on the western edge of the commercial strip. Based on the location on Great Road in Bedford, expect to see pastries, cookies sandwiches, coffee, tea, lemonade, and more at the new shop. A specific opening date hasn't been given as of yet, but it looks like it will open sometime early this year.

The address for the upcoming location of Eva's Little Kitchen in West Concord is 110 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord, MA, 01742. The website for the business is at https://www.evaslittlekitchen.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 08, 2025

Jamie's Ice Cream Co. Opens in Cambridge on January 10

A year and a half ago, it was reported that a Brookline ice cream shop would be expanding to Cambridge, and now we have learned that the new location is on the verge of opening.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston (via an Instagram reel from the business) mentions that Jamie's Ice Cream Co. plans to debut in its new space on Kirkland Street near the Cambridge/Somerville line on January 10, joining the original on Station Street in Brookline Village along with a cafe called Brothers & Sisters Co. which is adjacent to the Brookline business. Based on the offerings at the Brookline shop, expect to see a variety of ice cream flavors at the store in Cambridge, presumably including a few dairy-free options which can also be found the Brookline location.

The address for the new location of Jamie's Ice Cream Co. in Cambridge is 86 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Jamie's (and Brothers & Sisters Co.) is at https://www.brothersandsistersco.com/

[Earlier Article]
Jamie's Ice Cream Co. in Brookline Village Plans to Expand to Cambridge

(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.)

TGI Fridays in Braintree Has Closed

A restaurant chain that shut down multiple locations in Massachusetts early last year has closed another in the local area, and it now has only three locations remaining inside Route 495.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, TGI Fridays is no longer in business, as the Forbes Road dining spot shut down early this week. With the closings of outlets in Dedham, Mansfield, Marlborough, North Attleborough, and Seekonk in January of 2024 (and one in North Dartmouth that closed in the fall), the only locations left in Massachusetts are in Boston, Everett, and Stoughton along with two a bit further outside of the Greater Boston area in Methuen and Millbury.

The address for the now-closed TGI Fridays in Braintree was 60 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the chain is at https://tgifridays.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.)