Pomona Appears to be Opening Soon in East Boston

A cafe with Colombian influences may finally be close to opening after being in the works for nearly three years.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Pomona is slated to appear before the board via a virtual hearing this week regarding its seeking a common victualler/liquor license to operate on Meridian Street in East Boston's Maverick Square area, with the upcoming spot including a bar area with five seats and a service area with tables and chairs for patrons. The website for the place says that "we're almost here" while also mentioning "fresh brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee & drinks Made with Colombian soul, crafted for Eastie From our kitchen to your table....Let's celebrate flavor, coffee, and community together."

Another location of Pomona can be found in Swampscott, while one had also been in Winthrop but it is closed. (A location had been in the works for Jamaica Plain, but those plans apparently fell through).

The address for the upcoming location of Pomona is 18 Meridian Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website is at https://pomonaeastie.com/coming-soon/

[Earlier Article]
Pomona Cafe & Wine Bar Plans to Open in East Boston

(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.)

Capricho Colombian Steakhouse Is Opening in the Former La Voile Space in Brookline's Washington Square

A South American restaurant is on its way to Brookline, taking over the space where a location of a pair of French restaurants had been until closing several months ago. 

According to an article from boston.com, Capricho Colombian Steakhouse is getting ready to open in Washington Square, moving into the former La Voile space on Beacon Street. The article mentions that the upcoming dining spot will be a high-end restaurant that features wood-grilled prime cuts of steak and that it plans to have live music as well, and it also looks to open once a liquor license is received.

The Brookline outlet of La Voile, which first opened in 2015, shut down in April, while the location on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay remains in operation.

The address for Capricho Colombian Steakhouse is 1627 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website is at https://caprichocolombiansteakhouse.com/

[October 14 update: An Instagram post mentions that Capricho Colombian Steakhouse is now open in Brookline.]

[Earlier Article]
La Voile in Brookline's Washington Square Has 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.)

Luna's Cakes & Coffee Is Opening in Newton Centre

A new bakery is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page (via an All Over Newton post as well as a thread from Marini Real Estate), Luna's Cakes & Coffee is planning to open in Newton Centre, taking over the space on Centre Street that had been home to a location of Starbucks. The Facebook posts indicate that sisters Valeria and Valentina Restrepo, who established a home bakery business during the days of the pandemic, are behind the shop, which will feature baked goods with Colombian influences along with Colombian coffee. 

The address for Luna's Cakes & Coffee is 1269 Centre Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459.

[September 19 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page mentions that Luna's Cakes & Coffee is now open.]

(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.)

La Esquina del Sabor Replaces Antique Table in Winthrop

A location of a small group of Italian restaurants on the North Shore has closed, and a Colombian dining spot has expanded into its space.

According to multiple sources, Antique Table in Winthrop is no longer in operation, and there is now a sign up for La Esquina del Sabor, which has taken over the Crest Avenue space. It appears that locations of Antique Table in Lynn and Salem remain in operation, while the upcoming location of La Esquina del Sabor appears to be an expansion rather than a move from its home on Unity Avenue in Revere.

The address for the new La Esquina del Sabor (and now-closed Antique Table) in Winthrop is 19 Crest Avenue, Winthrop, MA, 02152.

(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.)

 

El Peñol Opens in Brookline

It looks like a pair of Colombian restaurants in the local area have been joined by a third location.

According to a source, El Peñol is now open in Brookline, with a check on the website for the Harvard Street eatery showing that it is called "El Peñol 3" while the website for its Revere location is "El Peñol 2" (the original is in East Boston). The menu for the new spot hasn't been posted as of yet, but based on the other locations, it may be serving such items as empanadas, arepa, yuca frita, ceviche, carne asada, churrasco, tostones, paella, flan, and more.

The address for the new location of El Peñol is 404 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://elpenol3.business.site/

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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!

JAK Pizzeria Replaces Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia in East Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on December 12 to reflect new information given, including the fact that its exact name is JAK Pizzeria, and that it is indeed under the same ownership as the old restaurant in the space.]

A new pizza spot with Latin American influences has come to East Boston, and it replaces another pizzeria that had a similar menu.

According to a source, JAK Pizzeria is now open in the former Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia space in Maverick Square, with a photo sent to us showing an "open" sign out front. A message sent to us confirms that it is under the same ownership as the old spot, so this is more of a rebranding, and that the menu for JAK Pizzeria includes pizzas with Central American and South American influences.

The address for JAK Pizzeria (and the old Cafeteria Y Pizzeria Mi Colombia) is 50 Maverick Square, East Boston, MA, 02128.

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

---

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

---

La Chiva Restaurant in East Boston Gains Approval to Be Open 24 Hours

by Marc Hurwitz

A South American restaurant that focuses on takeout will now be one of the very few places in Boston to be open all night.

According to an article from Universal Hub, La Chiva Restaurant in East Boston has been given the green light by the Boston Licensing Board to be open 24 hours, with the Bennington Street eatery joining such spots as South Street Diner in the Leather District, Bova's in the North End, IHOP in Brighton, and Victoria's Diner on the Roxbury/Dorchester line as being able to stay open through the night. (Victoria's is only open 24 hours from Thursday into the weekend.) La Chiva, which offers Colombian fare such as papusas, tamales, and empanadas, is a counter-service spot that has limited seating, including some outdoor seating during the warmer months.

The address for La Chiva is 259 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website can be found at http://www.lachivarestaurant.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Ricolombia Restaurant in Hyde Park Closes; Ownership Change Coming

A restaurant featuring Colombian, Italian, and American fare has closed after a very brief time in business, and it looks like a new owner will be taking over the space.

Universal Hub is reporting that Ricolombia Restaurant in Hyde Park is shuttered, with the River Street eatery having signs out front saying that it will open soon and will have a change of ownership. It is not known if the place will open back up as Ricolombia Restaurant or whether it will become a new eatery; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Ricolombia Restaurant first opened its doors around the beginning of the year, replacing Salamander Cafe which was run by the same owner (Mercedes Pica).

The address for the now-closed Ricolombia Restaurant is 1231 River Street, Hyde Park, MA, 02136.

[Earlier Article]
Ricolombia Restaurant Replaces Salamander's Cafe in Hyde Park

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Ricolombia Restaurant Replaces Salamander's Cafe in Hyde Park

A coffee shop and cafe that was shut down by the state a few months ago has reopened with a new name.

According to a Facebook post from Hyde Park Main Streets, Ricolombia Restaurant has replaced Salamander's Cafe in Hyde Park, with the new spot having a "renovated menu" but apparently offering the same cuisines that Salamander's had before it closed--American, Italian, and Colombian. Based on the post, it looks like Salamander's owner Mercedes Pica is also behind the new Ricolombia Restaurant.

Salamander's Cafe was forced to close late last summer, with one notice out front saying the premises had been "vacated per order of the District Court." An update from an Eater Boston article said at the time that Mercedes Pica had fallen behind on rent payments and was trying to get enough money to reopen the spot.

The address for Ricolombia Restaurant is 1231 River Street, Hyde Park, MA, 02136.

[Earlier Article]
Salamander's Cafe in Hyde Park Shut Down by the State

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Delicias Pacias Bakery in Lowell Destroyed in Early-Morning Fire

A Latin American bakery and restaurant in Lowell was gutted in a fire early this morning.

The Lowell Sun is reporting that Delicias Pacias Bakery on Bridge Street was destroyed in a three-alarm blaze that was apparently caused by a deep fryer as a worker was opening the place up sometime around 4:30 AM. The article says that the building is now uninhabitable, with most of its roof collapsing and firefighters not being able to get into the structure to see the exact extent of the damage as of this time. It is not yet known if the owner of the bakery will try to rebuild.

Delicias Pacias Bakery, which first opened in 1996, has been known for its Colombian foods, including such items as cheese bread, empanadas, arepas, chicken and rice, steak with chimichurri sauce, tamales, and chicken pies.

The address for Delicias Pacias Bakery is 392 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA, 01850.

[May 20 update: Eater Boston mentions (via an update from the Lowell Sun) that the building housing Delicias Pacias Bakery has been torn down, and it is still not known whether the owner will reopen.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Camino Real in Allston Has Closed

One of the relatively few Colombian restaurants in Boston has closed down.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Hungry Onion site) that Camino Real in Allston is no longer in operation, with the Yelp page for the Harvard Avenue dining spot and a Google search for the place seeming to confirm this. It is not yet known exactly why the restaurant shuttered, nor is it known what might go into the space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Camino Real first opened in 1999, offering items such as Colombian sausage, yuca frita, arroz con pollo, tamales, carne asada, and flan.

The address for this now-closed dining spot in Allston was: Camino Real, 48 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Angela's Cafe in East Boston Is Opening Second Location in El Paisa Space in Orient Heights

One of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Boston is going to be expanding to a second location, and it will move into the space where a Colombian dining spot resides.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a licensing board page within the city of Boston website) that Angela's Cafe on Lexington Street in the Eagle Hill section of Eastie is looking to open Angela's Cafe II in the El Paisa space in Orient Heights. Based on the menu at the original Angela's Cafe, the new Bennington Street location could feature such items as guacamole, tortilla soup, chicken pole, pork adobo, gorditas, enchiladas, and flan.

[January 20, 2016 update: Based on an article in the East Boston Times-Free Press, the owners of Angela's recently had what appears to be a positive meeting with residents who live near the Orient Heights site where the restaurant plans to open. The article indicates that if all goes as planned, El Paisa will shut down very soon and Angela's could be up and running in its second location in February after two to three weeks of renovations.]

[February 29, 2016 update: Eater Boston states that the new location of Angela's Cafe is now open, and that it is serving breakfast and lunch only, along with a brunch (it is open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily).]

Angela's Cafe is a dining spot that was featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" in 2012; our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has also featured it as an under-the-radar eatery to go to for authentic Mexican fare, with the review being found at the following link:

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

El Paisa, which features a mix of Colombian, Italian, and American fare, has also been featured by Boston's Hidden Restaurants, with its review being below:

http://hiddenboston.com/ElPaisa.html

The address for the new location of Angela's Cafe is 1012 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Fire Destroys El Dorado Bakery in Chelsea

A South American bakery just north of Boston has been destroyed in a fire, and it is not yet known whether the place will be rebuilt.

The Boston Globe is reporting that El Dorado Bakery in Chelsea went up in flames Thanksgiving morning, with the interior of the spot at 18 Congress Avenue being gutted by the two-alarm fire and the roof collapsing. (As of Thursday, the cause of the blaze was unknown.) The article says that owner Carlos Camacho will attempt to run the Colombian bakery out of a nearby space at 14 Congress Avenue that he owns while waiting to see if the owner of the structure decides to rebuild.

El Dorado Bakery first opened 26 years ago.

Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

Tweet

Another El Paisa Is Opening in East Boston

It looks like a Colombian restaurant in the Orient Heights section of East Boston is opening a second location in another part of Eastie. According to EveryBlock Boston, El Paisa has been issued a business license to open at 40 William Kelly Square, which is near the Sumner Tunnel and a few blocks west of the Logan Airport T stop.

The original El Paisa Restaurante, which is located on Bennington Street in the northern section of East Boston, features Colombian food as well as other South American fare. The restaurant has been featured on Boston's Hidden Restaurants, which is our sister site. The review of El Paisa can be found at the link below:

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

[July 22, 2011 update: The new El Paisa at William Kelly Square is now open.]

The address for the new El Paisa is: El Paisa, 40 William Kelly Square, East Boston, MA, 02128. The address for the original restaurant is: El Paisa Restaurante, 1012 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

Tweet

El Paisa Butchery Coming to East Boston

A Colombian restaurant in East Boston is apparently going to be opening an adjacent butcher shop in the space where an Italian eatery used to be.

According to EveryBlock Boston, a license was just issued for El Paisa Butchery, which looks like it will be located on Bennington Street next to El Paisa Restaurante, confirming what we had mentioned awhile back in an article about the closing of Carmine's Kitchen. (Carmine's had closed in March of this year).

El Paisa Restaurante is a dining spot open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week that features Colombian and other South American dishes such as fried red snapper, chicken turnover, sweet plantains, and grilled steak with fried pork rind and a fried egg. The restaurant has been featured on our sister site, Boston's Hidden Restaurants. The review can be found at this link:

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

It is not known at the present time when El Paisa Butchery will open; keep checking back for updates, which we will post here as we receive them.

The address for this upcoming butcher shop in East Boston will be: El Paisa Butchery, 1010 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA, 02128.

Tweet This!

Latest Review: El Paisa, East Boston

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for El Paisa Restaurante, a Colombian dining spot located in the Orient Heights section of East Boston. Roomy, warm, and comfortable, El Paisa has a nicer atmosphere than most other Central or South American restaurants in East Boston. The menu has a mix of dishes specific to Colombia as well as entrees that can also be found in other South American dining spots. To read more about El Paisa Restaurante in East Boston, please click on the link above.