Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli in Newton Is Closing

An Italian food shop in the western suburbs is shutting down after only a relatively short time in business.

According to a source, Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli in Newton is closing, with an Instagram post from the Beacon Street spot saying the following:

It is with truly heavy hearts that we share the news that Scafidi Bros will be permanently closing this month due to financial challenges outside of our control. This has been an incredibly painful decision, and one we did not make lightly.

Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli first opened last spring, offering a variety of subs, wraps, and panini, as well as soups, salads, sides, and desserts.

The address for Scafidi Bros. Market & Deli is 1134 Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 02461. Its website can be found at https://www.scafidimarketdeli.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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New Concept to Replace Tuscan Kitchen in Burlington

A group of upscale Italian restaurants and markets is closing one of its Boston-area locations, though a new concept appears to be taking over the space.

According to a source, Tuscan Kitchen in Burlington is shutting down, with a Facebook post from Tuscan Brands saying the following:

After nearly 11 unforgettable years, Tuscan Kitchen Burlington will be closing its doors on Sunday, August 3rd. Since opening on October 15, 2014, this location has been more than just a restaurant—it was the heartbeat that helped build Tuscan Brands into what it is today. We’re endlessly grateful to the Burlington community, our loyal guests, and the dedicated team who made this place feel like home. While we say goodbye to this chapter, we're thrilled to share that we'll be returning to the same space with an entirely new concept—crafted for the residents of Burlington and the travelers passing through.

The Burlington location of Tuscan Kitchen was the second location to open, joining the original location in Salem, NH which first opened its doors in 2010; another location debuted in Boston's Seaport District in 2017.

The address for Tuscan Kitchen (and the upcoming concept to replace it) in Burlington is 2400 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for the business is at https://www.tuscanbrands.com/tuscan-kitchen/

[December 29 update: According to an article from What Now Boston, Sorella will be opening in the former Tuscan Kitchen space, with a Facebook post from the upcoming restaurant stating that it will include a 32-seat bar and a dining room along with private rooms for functions and events, while its menu will offer "elevated Italian dishes" including scratch-made pasta dishes. If all goes as planned, Sorella will open this winter.]

(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 Dirty Italian Gourmet Food Shop Opens in South Boston

An Italian food shop is getting ready to open in South Boston.

According to an article from Caught in Southie, The Dirty Italian opened on Old Colony Avenue July 22, with the place offering hot and cold sandwiches including chicken parmigiana, meatballs, eggplant, roast beef, sausage, ham, turkey, and "Talya's Dirty Italian" which has mortadella, hot capicola, hot soppressata, peppered ham, asiago cheese, hot mix, lettuce, tomato, oil, and vinegar. The post mentions that owner Talya Pessolano also offers catering, including meat and cheese boards.

The address for The Dirty Italian is 144 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website is at https://thedirtyitalian.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/talyasdirtyitalian/

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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J. Pace and Son Closes Its West End Location

A local group of Italian markets and delis is closing one of its locations.

According to multiple sources, including @ConciergeBoston, J. Pace and Son on Blossom Court in Boston's West End is shutting down, with an email from the business confirming that it will close at the end of business hours today while also saying that they will continue to do deliveries to MGH, which is in the same neighborhood. Other locations in the Seaport District and Saugus will remain open, as will its Halftime King of Pizza/J. Pace Express collaboration near North Station. 

The address for J. Pace and Son in the West End is 75 Blossom Court, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for all locations is at https://jpaceandson.com/

[August 9 update: A message sent to us indicates that the people behind J. Pace and Son are hoping to open in a new space somewhere near the now-closed West End location.]

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!

Cugini's Market in Watertown Has Closed

An Italian market and deli in the western suburbs has apparently closed down after being in business for only a year.

According to a source, Cugini's Market in Watertown is shuttered, with phone calls placed to the Waltham Street shop not going through, while a Yelp page for the place says that it has indeed closed. Cugini's first opened in October of 2018, with the people behind DePasquale's At Night Caps Corner in Newton opening the place; the shop offered breakfast dishes along with soups, salads, sandwiches, and a few dinner items such as chicken parmigiana and steak tips.

The address for this now-closed market and deli in Watertown was: Cugini's Market, 129 Waltham Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

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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Cugini's Market Is Opening in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like the people behind an Italian restaurant and deli in Newton are going to be opening a brand new spot.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Cugini's Market is getting ready to open in Watertown, with the post mentioning that "Depasquales at night caps corner is adding on another deli to the family! This one...will be opening up in the next week." A check on superpages.com shows that the new Italian market and deli will apparently be opening on Waltham Street in a space located just east of the Waltham line. It is not known exactly what will be available at Cugini's Market, but the job posting hints that breakfast items could be offered as well as sandwiches.

DePasquale's At Night Caps Corner, which is located on River Street in Newton between Auburndale and the Waltham line, is a place that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as an under-the-radar spot for Italian dishes, with the review being found at this link:

https://www.hiddenboston.com/DePasquales.html

The address for Cugini's Market is 129 Waltham Street, Watertown, MA, 02472.

[November 1 update: A tweet from @HarmyG indicates that Cugini's Market is now open, with the Facebook page for the place confirming this.]

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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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Terra Is Opening at Eataly Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 2 and March 9 to reflect new information given.]

A new restaurant is coming to a massive Italian emporium that opened in Boston's Back Bay a few months ago, and it will apparently be located above the market.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, a "rooftop" restaurant called Terra is opening at Eataly Boston in the Prudential Center, with the dining spot featuring a wood-fired grill and "regional Italian inspired dishes." The post indicates that the menu will include a number of items from the market below, including dry-aged meats, house-made pasta, fresh seafood, and more, with charcuterie and house-made sausage being mentioned. Two posts on the bostonchefs site show that Terra is currently looking for line cooks and a sous chef.

Eataly Boston opened its doors in late November, moving into the space where the Pru food court had been. Celebrity chef Mario Batali is one of the partners involved with Eataly, which has locations in Manhattan's Flatiron area, Lower Manhattan, Chicago, and Los Angeles, along with others in Europe, Asia, and South America.

The website for Eataly can be found at https://www.eataly.com

[March 2 update: A new job post within the bostonchefs.com site says that Terra will be on the third floor mezzanine above the rest of Eataly. It is not yet known if this means Terra will include both an indoor space (on the mezzanine) and an outdoor rooftop area; as soon as we find out more, we will post another update here. (The earlier link above has the wording changed from "rooftop" to "mezzanine.")]

[March 9 update: Eater Boston mentions that Terra plans to open April 4, and that it will include an open dining room, though there is no mention of rooftop dining. The article also says that Dan Bazzinotti (Bergamot and BISq), who was Eater Boston's 2015 Chef of the Year, will be the chef de cuisine.]

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A Sneak Peek at Eataly Boston, Which Opens Today

The day that many have been waiting for has finally arrived, as Eataly Boston opens later today (4:00 PM) within the Prudential Center in the city's Back Bay neighborhood. For those who are wondering what the space looks like, here are some photos taken earlier this month during a press event.

Eataly Boston in Collaboration with Barbara Lynch on Il Pesce

An Italian emporium that is on the verge of opening in Boston's Back Bay is teaming up with an award-winning local chef who will be involved with one of its restaurants.

According to a press release, Eataly Boston has announced that Barbara Lynch will be collaborating with them on Il Pesce, an elegant but casual seafood spot that will be located within Eataly, a huge marketplace that is slated to open at the Prudential Center on November 29. The release says that the restaurant will include a 64-seat dining room, a 12-seat bar, and 10 additional seats that face Il Crudo, a raw bar connected to the dining spot. In addition to being involved with Il Pesce, Lynch will also be teaching classes at La Scuola di Eataly by Valcucine, which will be a cooking school within the space.

One of the people involved with Eataly Boston is celebrity chef and restaurateur Mario Batali.

Barbara Lynch's restaurant group--Barbara Lynch Gruppo--includes such places as Menton, Drink, Sportello, The Butcher Shop, B&G Oysters, and No. 9 Park, all of which are located in Boston.

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Eataly Is Opening within the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay in November

Last year, we reported that a massive new Italian emporium would be coming to the Back Bay of Boston, and now we have learned that its opening is only a few months away.

According to a post from The Boston Globe, Mario Batali's Eataly is expected to open in November where the Prudential Center's food court had been, with the place having nearly 50,000 feet of space and including sections for pasta, seafood, meats, cheeses, and more, along with several restaurants and possibly a brewery. Celebrity chef Batali and his business partners are also on the verge of opening a location of Eataly in Lower Manhattan, with the two new outlets joining existing shops in Manhattan's Flatiron neighborhood and Chicago along with others in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Mario Batali is also behind a location of Babbo Pizzeria at Boston's Fan Pier.

The website for Eataly can be found at https://www.eataly.com/

[October 27 update: A post from Eater Boston indicates that its Back Bay shop has its grand opening on November 29.]

[Earlier Article]
Confirmed: Mario Batali's Eataly Will Open at the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay

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Tuscan Kitchen and Tuscan Market to Open in Boston's Seaport District

An Italian restaurant and market with two locations north of Boston is going to be expanding again, this time coming to one of the hottest parts of the city.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Tuscan Kitchen and Tuscan Market will open in the Seaport District of Boston, with the place being located in the upcoming One Seaport Square mixed-use development and having 14,500 square feet of space along with seating for 320. The article says that Joe Faro, who runs the existing pair of dining spots/markets in Burlington and Salem, NH under the Tuscan Brands company, is also going to be opening a location in Portsmouth, NH, and the Portsmouth outlet will be the third while the Seaport District location will be the fourth. [Ed note--the Portsmouth location is now open.]

One Seaport Square will also be home to a Mexican restaurant called the Scorpion Bar, a nightclub called The Grand, and a branch of the bowling alley/restaurant complex Kings. The development will be located by Sleeper Street, Northern Avenue, and Seaport Boulevard near Fan Pier. [Ed note: Both  the Scorpion Bar and The Grand are now open.]

The website for Tuscan Kitchen and Tuscan Market can be found at http://www.tuscanbrands.com/

Thanks to @kcbaskin of The Boston Globe for bringing this to our attention.

[November 13, 2017 update:  Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting mentions that Tuscan Kitchen plans to open in the Seaport District on November 20. (It is not yet known if Tuscan Market opens that day as well.)]

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

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J. Pace and Son Property in Boston's North End to Be Torn Down, Replaced by Parking Lot

The building housing a North End institution that closed last fall is going to be demolished.

The NorthEndWaterfront.com site is reporting that the now-shuttered Italian market J. Pace & Son on Cross Street is going to be torn down by property owner Joseph Pace, with the plan being to replace it with a parking lot that has 12 spaces. The article says that a "temporary" sandwich shop could set up along with the parking lot, and that a building could be constructed at the site at some point in time. The North End location of J. Pace & Son had been in business for more than 40 years.

Locations of J. Pace & Son remain in operation in Boston's West End, Park Lane in the Seaport District, and Main Street in Saugus; the website for Pace can be found at http://jpaceandson.com/

[Earlier Article]
J. Pace and Son Closing Location in Boston's North End

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

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Confirmed: Mario Batali's Eataly Will Open at the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 12 to reflect confirmation of the project taking place.]

Two years ago, we reported that a celebrity chef might bring a location of his popular Manhattan emporium to Boston, and this winter we confirmed this, though its exact location was unknown at the time. Now we have just learned where the store will be, if all goes as planned.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Mario Batali and his business partners are close to signing a deal to open Eataly within the Prudential Center in the city's Back Bay neighborhood, with the Italian marketplace apparently going into the space where the food court has been. The article says that Eataly Boston would have 45,000 square feet of space and would be on three floors, with everything from pasta to olive oil, produce, meats, cheeses, and much more, along with at least six dining spots (a brewery with a retractable ceiling and patio and a rooftop grill are apparently in the works).

If the deal is finalized and everything goes as planned (the Globe says the plans could still change), Eataly Boston could be open in the middle to latter part of 2016.

[May 12 update: According to an article from BostInno, the lease for Eataly was signed on May 8 and the project is now moving ahead; construction is expected to start in June, with the place hoping to open at the Pru in the latter part of 2016.]

Mario Batali recently opened Babbo Pizzeria at Boston's Fan Pier as well.

The website for Eataly can be found at http://www.eataly.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Mario Batali's Eataly May Be Coming to Boston
Mario Batali Is Opening Babbo Pizzeria at Fan Pier in Boston

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J. Pace and Son Closing Location in Boston's North End

A North End institution is closing its doors for good this weekend.

The NorthEndWaterfront.com site is reporting that the Italian market J. Pace & Son on Cross Street will shut down on Saturday after being in business for more than 40 years, with the article mentioning that the property has been sold. A letter from Joe Pace says that he is "thankful to an endless list of customers, organizations and communities that have contributed to my success...The North End is where my business began and for this I am sincerely grateful."

It appears that locations of J. Pace & Son on Blossom Street in Boston's West End, Park Lane in the Seaport District, and Main Street in Saugus (including Rosaria's Restaurant) will remain in operation.

The website for J. Pace & Son can be found at http://jpaceandson.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

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Pepe Bocca Is Replacing Sessa's in Somerville's Davis Square

An Italian market and delicatessen in one of the busiest sections of Somerville is closing after 35 years in business, though another food store is taking over its space.

According to a post within the Davis Square LiveJournal blog, Sessa's Cold Cuts and Italian Specialties in the Davis Square section of the city will be shutting down, as owner John Sessa has sold the spot to Giovanni Maione of La Campania in Waltham, who will open Pepe Bocca Italian Specialty Market in its place. It looks like the transition from the old shop to the new will take place over the next few weeks, with Pepe Bocca keeping the focus on it being an Italian deli and adding a few new touches, including fresh bread and other baked goods, a "line of Neapolitan street dishes," more options for prepared foods, and seating for 20 inside and another 10 outside during the warmer months.

[December 22 update: Eater Boston mentions (via Chowhound) that Pepe Bocca is now open.]

Sessa's Cold Cuts and Italian Specialties first opened its doors on Highland Avenue in 1979.

The address for Sessa's (and the new Pepe Bocca) is 414 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144.

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Mario Batali's Eataly May Be Coming to Boston

It looks like a celebrity chef might be bringing a location of his popular Manhattan emporium to Boston.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Mario Batali and his business partners are checking out sites in Boston as possible locations of Eataly, a huge Italian marketplace that first opened in 2010 in the Madison Square section of New York. The article says one site that they are looking at is Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, though they are also interested in the city's Back Bay neighborhood as well as other parts of Boston. If Eataly does come to the city, it wouldn't open until at least 2015.

The Globe article says that another Eataly--which will be even bigger than the original--is opening in Chicago this month.

[February 13, 2015 update: It appears that things may be moving forward with Eataly coming to Boston, as a response from Mario Batali last week to a follower's Twitter question on news about the place was, "we are very close !!!"]

The website for Eataly can be found at http://www.eataly.com/

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