Pita in Chelmsford Has Closed

A fast-casual dining spot north of Boston that focused on Greek fare has shut down.

According to multiple sources, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Pita in Chelmsford is no longer in business, with the social media for the Boston Road eatery confirming that it indeed shuttered sometime around early August after 10 years in operation. The restaurant was known for such items as Greek salads, falafel, Greek fries, gyros, spanakopita, pastitsio, and more.

The address for the now-closed Pita was 18 Boston Road (Chelmsford Town Center), Chelmsford, MA, 01824.

(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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Playa Bowls Opens in Chelmsford; Another New Location Coming to Framingham

A New Jersey-based chain of dining spots continues its expansion through the region, with one new outlet opening north of Boston and another one soon coming to a space west of the city.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Playa Bowls is now open in Chelmsford, moving into a space at the shopping plaza at 18 Boston Road, while another new location is in the works for Shoppers World in Framingham. Both the new location and the upcoming outlet will offer smoothies and bowls, and they are joining a number of others locally including in Brighton by Boston College, near Northeastern University in Boston, Cambridge's Harvard Square, South Boston, Winchester, East Milton Square, Canton, Westwood, Brockton, Wellesley, Hanover, and Hudson.

The website for the Playa Bowls chain is at https://www.playabowls.com/

(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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The Smoke Shop BBQ Is Opening in the Former Andiamo Restaurant + Bar Space in Chelmsford

A growing local group of barbecue restaurants is expanding to yet another space, and this one will be north of Boston.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), The Smoke Shop BBQ is planning to open in Chelmsford, with a Facebook post from the business confirming this and also confirming that it will be moving into the space on Boston Road that had been home to a location of Andiamo Restaurant + Bar (locations of Andiamo can still be found in Andover and North Andover). We had been told awhile back that the restaurant would indeed be coming to Chelmsford, but details were few at the time and the news hadn't been made public.

Once it opens, the new location of The Smoke Shop BBQ in Chelmsford will join others in Boston's Fort Point, East Boston, Somerville's Assembly Row, Harvard Square in Cambridge, Woburn, and Methuen.

The address for the new Smoke Shop BBQ in Chelmsford is 18 Boston Road #100 (Chelmsford Town Center), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for all locations is at https://thesmokeshopbbq.com/

[June 17 update: According to its social media, The Smoke Shop BBQ in Chelmsford is now open, currently being open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.]

(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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Dae Gee Korean BBQ Is Opening in Chelmsford

A small group of Korean restaurants in Colorado that gained national recognition via a popular TV show is just about ready to expand to Massachusetts, with a location opening north of Boston.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt) who sent us a link to a Facebook reel from the business, Dae Gee Korean BBQ is opening in Chelmsford on February 14, moving into a space on Parkhurst Road just off Route 3 in the Drum Hill area of town. Dae Gee, which was featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," is known in part for its "unlimited BBQ" with various bulgogi options along with pork belly, short ribs, brisket, chicken dumplings, and more, while also serving such entrees as tofu stew, bee beem bhop, and grilled mackerel.

The address for the new location of Dae Gee Korean BBQ in Chelmsford is 83 Parkhurst Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the business is at https://daegee.com/

(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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Cava Is Opening in Chelmsford

A growing Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots is going to be opening another location in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster (Aron Levy) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Cava is planning to open in Chelmsford, moving into a space on Drum Hill Road just off Route 3. Once it opens, the new location will join another north of Boston in North Andover along with others locally in Boston, Cambridge, Dedham, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, and Mansfield, and expect the restaurant to offer customizable bowls and pita pockets.

The address for the new location of Cava in Chelmsford is 40 Drum Hill Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for all locations can be found at https://cava.com/

[February 21 update: According to a press release, Cava opens today in Chelmsford.]

(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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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.)

 

Moonstones in Chelmsford Is Closing

An upscale restaurant north of Boston is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Moonstones in Chelmsford is getting ready to close its doors, with a Facebook post from co-owner Scott Plath saying the following:

There's no easy way to say, that after 16+ years and with so many emotions, we will close our beloved moonstones in January —saying goodbye to so many incredible guests and staff - while welcoming all December reservations, including holiday functions and a final celebratory New Year's Eve Dinner with our glasses proudly raised. (Stay tuned for details right here)....Unfortunately, we have been unable to overcome unfavorable lease terms, ongoing cost increases and market conditions beyond our control. We are frustrated, sad and sorry to let this incredible restaurant close but in absence of an ideal location and greater resources we are simply unable to recapture that pre-pandemic moonstones magic, while struggling to maintain the standards demanded of ourselves through these many years.

In addition to Moonstones, Scott and Kathy Plath also run Cobblestones in Lowell (where Scott says that "numerous 'touches' of moonstones...will carry on") and they had also been behind the now-closed Stones Social in Nashua as well.

The address for Moonstones is 185 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. Its website can be found at https://moonstones110.com/

(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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Andiamo Restaurant + Bar in Chelmsford Has Closed

A location of a trio of Italian dining spots north of Boston has shut down after being in business since 2016.

According to a source, Andiamo Restaurant + Bar in Chelmsford is no longer in operation, with a check on its website showing that location being removed while a call to the place indicates that they decided not to renew their lease for the Boston Road spot. Locations of Andiamo in Andover and North Andover remain open, while another location of the place in Newburyport (which was its original restaurant) shuttered back in 2020.

The address for the now-closed Andiamo Restaurant + Bar in Chelmsford was 18 Boston Road #100 (Chelmsford Town Center), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the other two locations can be found at https://www.andiamo-restaurant.com/

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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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Dave's Hot Chicken Opens in Chelmsford

A California-based chain of eateries focusing on Nashville hot chicken has opened its third location in Eastern Massachusetts.

According to a source (Aron Levy), Dave's Hot Chicken is now open in Chelmsford, moving into a space on Drum Hill Road just off Route 3. The new location of the chain joins two others locally in Newton and Woburn, while another location is also in the works at South Bay in Dorchester.

The address for the new location of Dave's Hot Chicken in Chelmsford is 40 Drum Hill Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.daveshotchicken

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

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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Simply Khmer Noodle House and Bar Opens in Chelmsford

A Cambodian restaurant north of Boston has been joined by a second location not too far away.

According to a post from @techghoul on Mastodon, Simply Khmer Noodle House and Bar is now open in Chelmsford, moving into a space at Summer Street Crossing off Route 4, just south of the center of town. The new dining spot joins Simply Khmer in Lowell, which has been serving traditional Cambodian fare in its Lincoln Street space for more than 15 years.

A menu for Simply Khmer Noodle House and Bar has not been seen as of yet (the restaurant soft-opened today); as soon as we find out what some of the offerings are, we will post an update here.

The address for Simply Khmer Noodle House and Bar in Chelmsford is 7 Summer Street, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the original Simply Khmer is at https://www.simplykhmer.co/

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

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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Pressed Cafe Opens in Chelmsford

Back in 2020, it was reported that a growing group of dining spots that focus on healthy, freshly-made options would be expanding to a new location north of Boston, and now we have learned that it is finally open.

According to a source (Aron Levy), Pressed Cafe is now open in Chelmsford, moving into a space on Billerica Road in the Cross Roads at Route 129 development just west of the Route 3 intersection. The new location offers soups, salads, panani, breakfast dishes, and more, and it joins others in Boston, Burlington, and Newton, along with four in New Hampshire (Bedford, North Nashua, Salem, and South Nashua).

The address for the new location of Pressed Cafe in Chelmsford is 330 Billerica Road (Route 129), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for all locations is at https://www.pressedcafe.com/

[Earlier Article]
Pressed Cafe Plans to Open in Chelmsford

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

Eggmania Opens in Chelmsford

A New Jersey-based group of dining spots that focus on egg-based Indian dishes has expanded to the local area.

According to a source (Aron Levy), Eggmania is now open in Chelmsford, moving into the Drum Hill Liquors Plaza on Parkhurst Road near the Lowell border. Based on the website for the group of eateries, expect to find such items as boiled eggs, French toast, masala omelets, egg curry, rice cooked with eggs, and more (including a number of non-egg dishes) at the new spot.

In addition to its Chelmsford outlet, Eggmania also has locations in Jersey City and Iselin in New Jersey along with another in Schaumburg, IL.

The address for Eggmania in Chelmsford is 83 Parkhurst Road (Unit 15), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.eggmania.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.)

Einstein Bros. Bagels in Chelmsford Has Closed

A Colorado-based bagel chain has closed one of its locations and now has only has only six outlets remaining in Massachusetts--and only one left that isn't on a college campus.

According to a source, Einstein Bros. Bagels in Chelmsford is no longer in operation, with a check on the website for the company showing that the Drum Hill Road outlet has been removed from the locations section. The closing of the Chelmsford shop means that the only other non-college location in the state is in Wayland, while others remain in operation at BU, Bentley, Brandeis, UMass Lowell, and Endicott.

Einstein Bros. Bagels, which is headquartered in Lakewood, first started out in the mid-1990s; the brand was originally developed by Boston Chicken, which is now Boston Market.

The address for the now-closed location of Einstein Bros. Bagels in Chelmsford was 40 Drum Hill Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.einsteinbros.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.)

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Pressed Cafe Plans to Open in Chelmsford

A growing group of dining spots that focus on healthy, freshly-made options will be expanding to a third location in Massachusetts.

According to a press release, Pressed Cafe is planning to open in Chelmsford, moving into a space on Billerica Road in the Cross Roads at Route 129 district. Once it opens, the new location will join others in Burlington and Newton (and two in Nashua, NH), with the menu expected to include such options as soups, salads, panini, breakfast served all day, and more.

If all goes well, Pressed Cafe should open its Chelmsford outlet in 2022.

The address for the upcoming location of Pressed Cafe in Chelmsford is 330 Billerica Road (Route 129), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.pressedcafe.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.)

Payment Options

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Max and Leo's Opens in Chelmsford

A trio of coal-fired pizza spots has opened a fourth outlet, with this one being northwest of the city.

According to a source, Max and Leo's officially opens in Chelmsford today, with a Facebook events page saying that the Boston Road restaurant debuts at 4:00 PM. The new pizzeria joins three others in Boston's Fenway, Newton Corner, and Sudbury, and based on those locations, expect to see a variety of coal-fired pizza options along with the possibility of such items as salads, nachos, wings, and more.

Max and Leo's first started out in Newton back in 2011.

The address for the new location of Max and Leo's is 20 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, 01842. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.maxandleospizza.com/

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

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Fifteen Pizzas to Try in the Boston Area]

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Aprile's European Restaurant in North Chelmsford Is Closing; The Establishment to Replace It

A suburban restaurant that features dishes using recipes from a landmark North End spot is shutting down.

A job posting on the Craigslist site indicates that a new restaurant is opening at the mill at 75 Princeton Street in North Chelmsford, and it shows a picture of Aprile's European Restaurant which is located in the mill. A thread on the Chelmsford News Facebook group page shows several people saying that Aprile's is closing (a worker at the restaurant is also on the thread), and we have subsequently been able to confirm that it is indeed shutting down. A poster on the Facebook page says that a sports bar will be moving in, but we are still trying to confirm this, and more will apparently be coming from Aprile's, so stay tuned.

Aprile's European Restaurant is known in part for its pizza that is made using the old recipe of the long-closed European on Hanover Street in Boston's North End. The place has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants), with the review being found here:

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

The address for Aprile's European Restaurant is 75 Princeton Street, North Chelmsford, MA, 01863.

Thanks to a source for helping with some of this information.

[July 27 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that Aprile's closes for good at the end of business hours on Sunday, July 30, and that all gift certificates for the place will be honored at their sister restaurant (Gaetano's in Stoneham) as well as a new restaurant coming to the Aprile's space in September. The post also says that the upcoming dining spot--which will be under new ownership--will have "a modified concept but with many of the same faces and pizza you know from Aprile's."]

[September 3 update: A new job post on Craigslist indicates that the upcoming restaurant replacing Aprile's will be called The Establishment, and that the "new, fun, exciting, family owned restaurant" is currently hiring for a variety of positions.]

[October 1 update: According to a poster on this page, The Establishment is now open, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this, showing a menu that includes such items as wings, burgers, pizza, steak tips, macaroni and cheese, and more.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Update: Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Chelmsford Is Closing; Will Open New Location in Woburn

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 27 to reflect confirmation that the restaurant will open a new location in Woburn.]

It looks like a highly-regarded Chinese dining spot north of Boston is closing, though it hopes to reopen in another location.

A poster on the Chowhound site mentions that Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Chelmsford is losing its home, saying that the town is taking over the land along Route 110 in order to build affordable housing (this has been confirmed in an earlier article from the Chelmsford Patch). The poster says that the restaurant will likely close sometime in May, and that the owner is looking for a new home for the eatery, possibly in Woburn--though he would like to remain in Chelmsford. The newer location of Gene's, which opened last summer in Boston's Financial District, remains open.

[April 27 update: The Boston Globe has confirmed that Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe will indeed be moving to Woburn, with the restaurant opening at 466 Main Street in mid-June. The article also says that a location of Gene's could be opening in another part of Chelmsford as well; as soon as we find out more about this, we will post another update here.]

[June 11 update: According to two posters on Chowhound, it appears that Gene's will close its Chelmsford shop this weekend, with one poster saying Saturday may be the last day while the other says it will be Sunday. It also looks like the new location in Woburn could be opening in approximately two weeks, though there is not a definite opening date as of yet.]

[July 11 update: A poster on the Chowhound thread above says that Gene's may be opening its new shop in Woburn tomorrow (Saturday, July 12).]

Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured the original Chelmsford location of Gene's as a place to go for its hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and more. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Chelmsford is: Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe, 257 Littleton Road (Route 110), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. Its website is at http://www.genescafe.com/

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Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Chelmsford Is Opening a New Location in Boston

The person behind a Chinese eatery that features flatbread sandwiches and pulled noodles is going to be opening another location in the heart of downtown Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Chowhound poster) that Gene Wu of Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe on Littleton Road will be expanding, opening a second spot on Bedford Street in the Financial District. It looks like the new outlet, which will initially be open for lunch only, may be up and running by next month.

[June 25 update: A veteran poster on the Chowhound thread above says that Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe will be moving into the former Burritos Express space, which is at 86 Bedford Street.]

[July 9 update: The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe mentions that the new location of Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Boston plans to open early next week.]

[July 24 update: Eater Boston states that the new location of Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe is now open in Boston.]

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe serves items found in the Shaanxi region of Northwest China, including dishes with hand-pulled noodles. Other items on the menu include flatbread sandwiches with marinated shredded meat, lamb stew, and more familiar offerings such as spring rolls and beef teriyaki. The website for Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe is at http://www.genescafe.com/

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve of the Best Food Dishes of 2013 (So Far)]

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Aprile's European Restaurant Opens in North Chelmsford

The European Restaurant in the North End may be long gone, but the pizza--and other dishes--from that local landmark lives on at a new spot north of Boston.

According to the restaurant's website as well as an earlier note from the writer of the I'm Your Server Not Your Servant blog on our Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, the same family that owned the European Restaurant (which had been on Hanover Street in Boston's North End) has opened a new spot in North Chelmsford called Aprile's European Restaurant. Located on Princeton Street where Bainbridge's Restaurant used to be, Aprile's European Restaurant is housed in a spacious old brick millhouse with plenty of seating, exposed brick, and exposed pipes along the ceiling.

The menu at Aprile's European Restaurant features a variety of Italian dishes including veal, chicken, steak, seafood, and pasta, and the pizza section of the menu includes three sizes of pies, including one that is 25 inches in diameter.

The people behind Aprile's European Restaurant also run Gaetano's on Route 28 on Stoneham.

The address for this new Italian restaurant north of Boston is: Aprile's European Restaurant, 75 Princeton Street, North Chelmsford, MA, 01863. The phone number is (978) 455-3111. And the website can be found at: http://www.aprileseuropeanrestaurant.com/

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