Estella in Boston's Downtown Crossing Is Expanding, Opening a New Location at Patriot Place in Foxboro

An upscale restaurant in the heart of Boston that focuses mainly on New American fare will soon be joined by a second location southwest of the city.

According to an Instagram post, Estella is planning to open at Patriot Place in Foxboro, with the post (which comes from the Patriot Place IG page) saying the following:

Patriot Place is excited to announce that @estellarestaurant is coming Summer 2025! With its flagship location in downtown Boston, Estella delivers an exceptional dining experience that fuses food from various backgrounds and cultures. Estella boasts a robust menu featuring diverse pasta selections, entrees, salads, soups, appetizers, a weekend brunch menu and delicious desserts, which guests will be able to enjoy this summer as this new dining establishment officially opens in the heart of Patriot Place!

The Downtown Crossing location of Estella first opened on Temple Place in the summer of 2022, taking over the space that had once been home to 49 Social. Its website can be found at https://www.estellaboston.com/

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

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Laced Pizza & Pub Is Opening in Foxboro

A new spot for bar pizza is coming to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it should be popular with sports fans.

According to a hearing notice, Laced Pizza & Pub is planning to open in Foxboro, taking over the space on Route 1 that had been home to Chickie Flynn's. The upcoming restaurant and bar, which will be just south of Gillette Stadium, will focus at least in part on bar pizza, and based on its Facebook page, it looks like the place will open sometime this fall if all goes as planned.

The address for Laced Pizza & Pub is 94 Washington Street (Route 1), Foxboro, MA, 02035. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565451478719

[October 18 update: According to its social media, Laced Pizza & Pub is now open for takeout.]

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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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Bapu G's in Foxboro Is Closing

An Indian restaurant southwest of Boston that is known in part for its kebabs is shutting down.

According to a tweet from @JeremyKrantz, Bapu G's in Foxboro is closing permanently, with a note on the website for the Washington Street spot saying that "We simply cannot keep up with the unpredictability of the supply chain and staffing issues." The last day for the restaurant will be December 24.

Bapu G's first opened three years ago, offering kebabs and sandwiches along with such items as naan, samosas, tikka masala, vindaloo, biryani, korma, and more.

The address for Bapu G's is 29 Washington Street, Foxboro, MA, 02035. Its website is at https://bapugs.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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Update: The Lafayette House in Foxboro Receives Demolition Permit, Remains Open for Now

[Ed note: This article was updated on September 8 to reflect new information given on the exact status of the restaurant.]

A Colonial-style restaurant whose roots date back nearly 250 years could be having a date with the wrecking ball.

According to multiple sources, the Lafayette House in Foxboro appears to be looking at a possible demolition, with an article from The Foxboro Reporter saying that the Route 1 dining spot has been granted a demolition permit. The post mentions that the plans were approved by the town rather than having a moratorium set in place because most of the structure does not have historical significance due to renovations and additions made to much of it, with Mark Ferencik, of the Foxboro Historical Commission saying that "Given the realities of the current business situation with COVID-19 and the small amount of original structure, the commission felt that it would be unfair to impose a six-month demolition delay, which is the most allowed by the current bylaw." It is not yet known when the Lafayette House could be demolished, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

The Lafayette House was built in 1784 and had once been a stagecoach tavern and inn whose visitors reportedly included Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington.

The address for the Lafayette House is 109 Washington Street (Route 1), Foxboro, MA, 02035. Its website is at https://lafayettehouse.com/

[September 8 update: Several sources have told us that the Lafayette House isn't actually being demolished, and now a boston.com article seems to confirm this, saying that although owner Ron Young has indeed applied for--and received--a demolition permit, he has no plans to actually demolish the restaurant, saying that "I said to my wife, 'we have to clean the slate off.'....Just because you have a demo permit doesn't require you to act on it....I actually have the demolition permit… [It's] a precaution....[Lafayette House is] not for sale. I have reservations every day this week." The article mentions that both Young and his wife have had health issues, so the permit is apparently a precautionary measure in the event of a worst-case scenario. (Mark Ferencik, of the Foxboro Historical Commission says in the article, "Well, I mean the bottom line is that the guy [applied for] a demolition permit....Generally, that is to demolish a building. We can't force them to do it. When you take out a demolition permit, you have to assume that that was the reason you did it.")]

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

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Bar Louie Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

A Texas-based chain of "gastrobars" with two locations in the local area has filed for bankruptcy.

According to an article from CBS Boston, Bar Louie announced on Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and that it has reached an agreement with its lenders to buy the restaurant chain by way of a bankruptcy sale, with the plan being to come out of bankruptcy within the next three months. The article says that locations of the chain in Boston's Fenway neighborhood and Foxboro remain in operation, though 38 outlets that were "underperforming" have shut down.

Bar Louie, which first started out in Chicago approximately 30 years ago, is known in part for its classic American and New American dishes along with an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails (including its signature martinis). The website for the chain can be found at https://www.barlouie.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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Conrad's May Open in the Former Waxy O'Connor's Space in Foxboro

The people behind a trio of restaurants known in part for their steak tips could be opening a fourth, with this one replacing a now-closed outlet of an Irish pub.

According to a Patch article, Conrad's is hoping to open in the former Waxy O'Connor's space in Foxboro, with owner Robert Conrad securing the lease for the Main Street storefront. If town selectmen approve of the license for the new location of the restaurant, it would join others in Norwood, Walpole, and Sudbury.

The Lexington location of Waxy O'Connor's is the only one remaining in the region, as outlets in Foxboro, Brookline, Kingston, and Woburn have all closed.

The address for the proposed location of Conrad's in Foxboro (and the now-closed Waxy OConnor's) is 121 Main Street, Foxboro, MA, 02035. The website for the three other locations of Conrad's can be found at http://www.conradsrestaurant.com/

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Waxy O'Connor's in Foxboro Has Closed

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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Six String Grill and Stage Is Opening in Foxboro

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant, bar, and music venue is on its way, replacing a popular spot for country music that closed earlier this year.

According to a press release, Six String Grill and Stage is opening at Patriot Place in Foxboro, moving into the old Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill space. The upcoming spot will feature Southern-style food and classic American fare along with beer, wine, and cocktails, and there will be live rock and country music from both local and national acts. Six String Grill and Stage is a collaboration between The Briar Group, which runs such spots as Anthem, City Table, The Harp, Ned Devine's, O'Connor's, and Solas, and DFTR, whose partners include Mike Mushok of the band Staind, radio and music veteran Dennis Callaghan, and Dan Millen of Thunder Road in Somerville.

Six String Grill and Stage will be located at 275 Patriot Place, while its website will be at https://sixstringfoxborough.com/

[April 11 update: A Facebook comment indicates that Six String Grill and Stage plans to open sometime this summer.]

[May 24 update: A press release states that Six String Grill and Stage is now open in Foxboro.]

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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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Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill in Foxboro Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a restaurant and bar that is also a popular venue for country music has shuttered.

According to multiple sources, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill in Foxboro has abruptly closed, with country music singer Annie Brobst posting about this while country singer Shanna Jackman has also said that it has indeed shut down. While there has been chatter as to why the place has shuttered, we have not confirmed an exact reason for its closure, so keep checking back for updates.

Toby Keith's, which first opened in Foxboro in May of 2011, has been known in part for its live music, mechanical bull, bar food, and drinks while also being a popular place for sports lovers, as it is located at Patriot Place by Gillette Stadium. There used to be a number of locations of the restaurant and bar around the country but it now appears that only four remain, including three in Oklahoma and one in Las Vegas.

The website for Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is at https://www.tobykeithusa.com/ while more information can be found at https://www.tobykeith.com/restaurants

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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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Waxy O'Connor's in Foxboro Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A group of Irish pubs has closed another one of its locations in the local area.

According to a source, Waxy O'Connor's in Foxboro is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this, saying that "After more than 10 year's operating in the Foxboro community, it is with a heavy heart we inform you that the Waxy's Corporate team has made the regretful decision to officially suspend operations at its Foxboro location indefinitely." The note also mentions that the place is closing "As a result of the punitive measures imposed by the town over Christmas and the New Year, going on to state that "due to the unexpected disruption to the restaurant's operations, it is impossible to continue doing business at our Main Street location when lost revenue, reputational damage and associated commercial ramifications are considered."

The post on Waxy's Facebook page appears to refer to the town's health department shutting down the pub for "repeat violations," with the Sun Chronicle stating that it had been called before the board twice last year and that more violations were found during an inspection on December 27. The article says that the Waxy's would have needed to go before the board of health on January 14 or request an emergency meeting before that day if quicker action was needed, but it looks like the pub has decided to shut down instead. (The Facebook post from Waxy's states that "the integrity of our food and beverage offerings, safety and overall guest satisfaction has always been our highest priority....We have continually over the years implemented enhanced food safety procedures through staff training and certifications and through a significant capital expenditure program.")

Other locations of Waxy O'Connor's in Brookline and Kingston closed their doors early last year (thanks to our readers for pointing out the closing of the Kingston location), while plans for an outlet at Somerville's Assembly Row fell through as well. Currently, Waxy's can be found in Lexington and Woburn along with Keene, NH, Plainville, CT, San Antonio, TX, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL (its first location).

The address for the Foxboro location of Waxy O'Connor's was 121 Main Street, Foxboro, MA, 02035. The website for the other locations can be found at http://www.waxys.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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Green Valley Steak House Opens in Former Christina's/Stoneforge Space in Foxboro

A new steakhouse has opened southwest of Boston, moving into the space where a couple of restaurants have resided over the past few years.

According to its Facebook and Twitter pages, Green Valley Steak House is now open on Route 1 in Foxboro, moving into the building that formerly housed Christina's Fireside Grille, and before that, Stoneforge. The restaurant's Facebook page mentions that the new spot offers "exquisite dining in a warm atmosphere of casual elegance," with "the best quality Midwestern beef" being served. Based on a link from the Facebook page, Green Valley Steak House is also the site of a function facility called Demetri's (one of our readers mentions that the current owners were also behind a restaurant called Demitri's Red Snapper, which was open here many years ago).

The address for this new steakhouse and function spot is 2 Washington Street (Route 1), Foxboro, MA, 02035. The Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/GreenValleySteakHouse while the Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/GVSteakHouse

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Christina's Fireside Grille in Foxboro Is Closing

A popular function hall southwest of Boston that changed its concept (and name) a couple of years ago is being shut down, though it could reopen once again in the future.

My Fox Boston is reporting that Christina's Fireside Grille in Foxboro is closing on Saturday, June 30, as the owners--radio talk show host Marjorie Clapprood and her husband--are apparently being evicted. The article mentions that the place could reopen under new management, though it is not known if the name would remain the same.

Christina's Fireside Grille first opened in July of 2010, replacing Stoneforge, a restaurant that was under the same ownership. Known in part as a wedding venue, Christina's is reportedly leaving more than a dozen couples without a place to get married due to its abrupt closure.

[August 13 update: The Boston Globe mentions that town selectmen voted in favor of having the all-alcohol restaurant license transferred from the company behind the now-closed Christina's Fireside Grille to the landlord of the building (Nicholas Panagopoulos), who will "pay all outstanding bills for police details plus attorneys fees, and honor deposits for functions and events." The Globe also mentions that Panagopoulos is going to renovate the structure and reopen the place as a steakhouse and function hall.]

The address for this function hall in Foxboro was: Christina's Fireside Grille, 2 Washington Street (Route 1), Foxboro, MA, 02035.


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Speed's Hot Dogs to Open Across from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro

It appears that an award-winning hot dog wagon in Boston that has been in business for more than 30 years is going to be opening a second cart, and football lovers will probably want to take note of this one.

A note on their Twitter page indicates that Boston Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon in Newmarket Square is planning to open another cart across from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The new wagon could be open by July, according to the note posted on Twitter.

Last December, we had reported that a bricks-and-mortar location of Speed's had also been in the works, with the place planning to open on Peterborough Street near Fenway Park in Boston at about this time, but we have not heard any updates on that spot of late.

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing the opening of Speed's in Foxboro to our attention.

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Stoneforge in Foxboro Becoming Christina's Fireside Grille

A steak and seafood restaurant in Foxboro has closed, and it will soon reopen as a new dining spot under the same ownership.

According to The Sun Chronicle, Stoneforge Foxboro on Route 1 has shut its doors and will be turned into Christina's Fireside Grille, with a planned opening sometime in late July. The article mentions that the new restaurant will be smaller than Stoneforge, allowing the adjacent Christina's functions facility to expand its business into the extra space that will be freed up. The Sun Chronicle also mentions that on Mondays and Tuesdays, the new Christina's Fireside Grille will have beer and wine tastings, cooking classes, celebrity chef demonstrations, and themed dinners.

The Stoneforge restaurants in Dartmouth, Easton, and Raynham remain open.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Foxboro will be: Christina's Fireside Grille, 2 Washington Street (Route 1), Foxboro, MA, 02035.

For more information on the closing of Stoneforge Foxboro and the opening of Christina's Fireside Grille, please go to the Sun Chronicle link below.

Fireside Grille new hot spot in Foxboro

[July 26 update: According to one of our readers, it was mentioned on the Pat Whitley Show that Christina's Fireside Grille is planning on opening this Wednesday (July 28).]

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Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill Is Opening in Foxborough

It looks like a country music star is planning on opening a restaurant and entertainment spot at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

According to the website of the New England Patriots, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is going to be opening at the popular shopping, dining and entertainment complex next to Gillette Stadium on Route 1. The site mentions that the opening date for this new spot should be sometime this summer.

[May 23, 2011 update: According to several posters on their Facebook page (as well as one on our Facebook page), the Foxborough location of Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is now open. It appears that it may be a soft opening, as the restaurant's website still says "Coming Soon," and there has been no official announcement on their Facebook page.]

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill (which is named after Keith's 2003 song "I Love This Bar") will have just under 20,000 square feet of space, a capacity of 400, and both an outdoor patio and a gift shop, according to the site. There will also be a mechanical bull, 50 TVs, and live music. The menu will focus on Southern-style cuisine.

For more information on Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, please go to the New England Patriots link below:

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill Plans To Open At Patriot Place

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CBS Scene to Open at Patriot Place in Foxboro This Week

After many months of anticipation, a new dining and entertainment spot called CBS Scene will be opening at Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA, this week. CBS Scene is one of a number of restaurants opening in this huge shopping and entertainment complex located next to Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots). According to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle, other dining spots opening in Patriot Place will include Skipjacks, Blue Fin Lounge, Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro, Red Robin (which is already open), Bar Louie, and Davios.

CBS Scene Restaurant and Bar Coming to Foxboro

The Kraft Group, owners of the New England Patriots, have announced that they will team up with CBS to bring a restaurant called the CBS Scene Restaurant and Bar to the new Patriot Place.

According to WBZ-TV, the three-story restaurant and entertainment complex should open sometime next fall, and will have broadcasting facilities for WBZ, WBCN, and CBS Sports.

Patriot Place, a unique new development located next to Gillette Stadium, is presently home to many other restaurants, as well as a hotel, a theater, and a number of shops.

For more on the upcoming opening of the CBS Scene Restaurant and Bar (including images), go to the WBZ link below:

http://wbz.com/CBS-and-the-Kraft-Group-launch-new-themed-restaura/1303219