Bonanza Is Opening in the Former Cornerstone Space in Somerville

A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that a Somerville restaurant that was ordered closed earlier this year by the Board of Health had shut down for good, and now we have learned that a new dining spot is moving into the space.

According to a Bluesky post from @troysch1.bsky.social, Bonanza is planning to open on Beacon Street, taking over the space where The Cornerstone had been. A Reddit thread indicates that the upcoming eatery will be "a South and Central American tapas / cocktails bar" while a poster within the thread mentions that it will be under different ownership from the former Cornerstone, which had replaced R.F. O'Sullivan & Son in 2023, then changing management last summer before being shut down by the Board of Health for unspecified reasons in January.

This place has no connection to the Bonanza chain of casual steakhouses that once had locations in the Greater Boston area.

The address for Bonanza is 282 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/bonanzasomerville/

[December 9 update: According to multiple sources, Bonanza is now open in Somerville, and it indeed offers tapas and cocktails.]

[Earlier Article]
The Cornerstone in Somerville Has Closed Permanently

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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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La Qchara in Melrose Opens Second Location in Beverly

A Central and South American restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston has expanded to a second location north of the city.

A message sent to us indicates that La Qchara in Melrose has been joined by a new outlet in Beverly, and we've been told that this is more of a sit-down restaurant with table service. According to what we've been told, the new Cabot Street location is open for lunch and dinner and has a weekend brunch, and it also has a liquor license.

The people behind the two La Qchara restaurants also run T'ahpas 529, a Melrose spot that features Spanish and Mediterranean food.

The address for the new location of La Qchara in Beverly is 275 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. The restaurant for both locations is at https://laqchara.com/

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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El Cuscatelco Pupuseria & y Restaurante to Open in Former Mi Cocina Mexicana Space in Framingham

A new restaurant that could feature Mexican and Central American food is coming to MetroWest, and it will replace a now-closed Mexican dining spot.

According to a source,  El Cuscatelco Pupuseria & y Restaurante is planning to open in Framingham, with a Framingham Source article indicating that it will move into the space on Waverly Street that had been home to Mi Cocina Mexicana. Based on its name and a Yelp page for it, the upcoming eatery could offer Salvadoran fare and possibly Mexican cuisine as well, though no details have been given as of yet.

The address for El Cuscatelco Pupuseria & y Restaurante will be 740 Waverly Street (Route 135), Framingham, MA, 01702.

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.)

Recino's Cafe Opens in East Somerville

A new dining spot has come to Somerville, and it features Central American fare.

According to an article in the Somerville Journal, Recino's Cafe is now open in East Somerville, moving into the space on Broadway that had been home to Blanca's Bakery. The new eatery focuses on food items found in El Salvador such as papusas and tres leches cake, and such items as pancakes, egg dishes, pastries, and coffee are offered as well. Recino's is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with hours being 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

The address for this new El Salvadoran dining spot in East Somerville is: Recino's Cafe, 85 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 02145.

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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Casa Cana Is Opening within the Studio Allston hotel in Allston-Brighton

by Marc Hurwitz

A new Latin restaurant and rum bar is opening within a hotel across from the Charles River, moving into the site where a Chinese restaurant (and another hotel) had been.

Eater Boston is reporting that Casa Cana is opening in the Studio Allston hotel on Soldiers Field Road where the Days Hotel and Joyful Garden were. The article mentions that the upcoming spot may be focusing on nuevo latino fare while focusing on rum-based drinks as well, with the food apparently including Central and South American options along with Caribbean dishes. A specific opening date has not been given as of yet for Casa Cana (EB mentions that it plans to open soon), so keep checking back for updates.

Joyful Garden is reopening in the former Old Country Buffet space at the Watertown Mall, with earlier reports saying it could open in August though it isn't known if this is still a possibility.

The address for Casa Cana is 1234 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA, 02135.

[August 9 update: A Twitter post indicates that Casa Cana has soft-opened, with its official opening taking place this weekend.]

[Earlier Article]
Joyful Garden Is Reopening in Watertown

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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El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill to Open in Malden

It looks like a pair of Mexican restaurants will soon be joined by a third spot.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Twitter post from @DuffyMalden) that El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill is opening in Malden, with the upcoming Highland Avenue outlet joining others in Somerville's Union Square and Lowell. The Twitter post says that the Malden location will be the biggest of the three, and while no opening date has been set as of yet, EB mentions a hearing on the design of the restaurant's signage was held last week, so it could be getting fairly close to opening. (As soon as we find out when they plan to open, we will post an update here.)

In addition to Mexican fare, El Potro also offers a variety of Central American items from its extensive menu.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Malden is: El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill, 160 Highland Avenue, Malden, MA, 02148. The website for El Potro can be found at http://elpotromexicangrill.com/

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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Mi Pueblito in East Boston Is Opening a Second Location

It looks like a Mexican and Central American restaurant in East Boston is going to be expanding.

The East Boston Times-Free Press is reporting that the owners of Mi Pueblito on Border Street are opening a second location of their restaurant on Saratoga Street in Orient Heights, taking over the space where several other dining spots had been, including Las Vegas, Tequilas, and King Dragon. The article says that the new eatery plans to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will include renovations that help create a "more upscale family dining experience."

[September 11, 2015 update: Eater Boston states (via an article in the East Boston Times-Free Press) that the new location of Mi Pueblito on Saratoga Street is now open.]

The original location of Mi Pueblito has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as an under-the-radar place to go for both Mexican and Salvadoran fare. The review can be found at the link below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/MiPueblito.html

The address for this new restaurant in East Boston is: Mi Pueblito, 964 Saratoga Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. The website for Mi Pueblito is at http://www.mipueblitorestaurantboston.com/

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[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]

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La Qchara Is Opening in Melrose

A new restaurant is on its way to Melrose, and the person behind it also happens to own another eatery nearby.

The Melrose Free Press is reporting that Lorenzo Tenreiro of Coffee Tea and Me on Main Street is going to be opening La Qchara on Franklin Street, with the new dining spot featuring Latin fusion cuisine. The article mentions that the restaurant, which will move into the former Peacuddy's Café and Bakery space, will include dishes that are influenced by a variety of Spanish influences, with the focus leaning toward Central American and South American fare. It appears that the breakfast and lunch spot could be open by the end of the summer.

[October 9 update: A note on Facebook indicates that La Qchara has opened; the post says that the new restaurant has food items such as arepas, cachapas, and tortas, along with a smoothie bar and raw juice bar, and coffee, tea, and espresso.]

The address for this new spot in Melrose is: La Qchara, 506 Franklin Street, Melrose, MA, 02176.

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Tico (A New Michael Schlow Restaurant) Is Coming to Boston

It looks like a well-known Boston chef and restaurant owner is going to be opening a new dining spot in the city.

According to the Boston edition of Zagat Buzz, Michael Schlow is planning to open Tico, a new restaurant that looks like it may feature Central American cuisine. [October 4 update: A new post by Zagat Buzz indicates that Tico will be a dining spot with Latin American and Mexican influences. An earlier rumor of Tico opening in the Seaport District can be disregarded, as Zagat Buzz mentions that Tico will open in the Back Bay where the Cottonwood Cafe had been until closing early this summer. Expect an early 2011 opening for this restaurant. The address for the upcoming Tico will be: Tico, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116.]

[October 15 update: According to Boston Herald, Tico will be offering both lunch and dinner, with the lunch menu including such items salads, tacos, and sandwiches, and the dinner menu including snacks and small plates.]

[February 7, 2011 update: According to UrbanDaddy, Tico is going to be opening this Wednesday (February 9).]

Michael Schlow is the owner and executive chef of Radius in the Financial District of Boston, Via Matta in Park Plaza, and Alta Strada in Wellesley. He is also an author and has appeared on a number of food-based TV shows, including Good Morning America (more info on Michael Schlow can be found at http://www.michaelschlow.com/).

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