Cafe Eilat in Brookline Is Closing

A kosher eatery in Brookline that has been a popular spot for pizza is shutting down.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Cafe Eilat on Harvard Street closes its doors today, with the note saying that "For over 20 years we have the honor of servicing the community. We would like to extend our gratitude and best wishes to everyone of you. We look forward to our next venture. Hasson family and the Cafe Eilat Staff." It is not yet known what their next venture might be; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Cafe Eilat has offered pizza, calzones, pasta, sushi, sandwiches, salads, and Mexican food over the years, with all of its dishes being kosher. 

The address for Cafe Eilat is 406 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

Thanks to Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

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: Milk Street Cafe in Boston's Financial District Reopens After Being Closed Since Last Fall

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 16 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

A Kosher restaurant in the heart of Boston is the latest dining spot to announce that it is closing for the winter of 2020/2021.

According to a source, Milk Street Cafe in the city's Financial District has decided to go into hibernation as of late October of 2020, with a Facebook post from the place saying that both the cafe and catering operation will be shutting down until "more of our customers are able to return to their offices." The restaurant is one of a number of spots to go into hibernation as the pandemic continues, with The Emory in Beacon Hill, Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square, Grand Tour in the Back Bay, The Kenmore in Kenmore Square, and Gray's Hall in South Boston all shuttering for the winter, while Orfano and Tiger Mama in the Fenway and Sligo Pub in Somerville's Davis Square all plan to go into hibernation this weekend.

Milk Street Cafe has been in business since 1981.

The address for Milk Street Cafe is 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website can be found at https://milkstreetcafe.com/

[August 16, 2021 update: A message sent from Adam of the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry blog mentions that Milk Street Cafe plans to reopen today.]

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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A Perfect Taste Catering Company Opens Popup Retail Space in Sharon

Last week it was reported that a Kosher caterer in Brookline has started to offer takeout food to the public as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause businesses to have to readjust, and now we have learned that another caterer that focuses on Kosher food has done the same.

According to its website, A Perfect Taste is slated to debut a takeout shop in Sharon today, moving into the space in the Sharon Heights Shopping Plaza on South Main Street that will eventually become home to a new restaurant called A La Esh, which Avi Shemtov of Simcha will be opening. A few options offered at the shop include wild mushroom soup, an Israeli quinoa salad, chicken sofrito, cottage pie with beef, mushroom strudel, sweet potato pie topped with brisket, and salted caramel pretzel brownie squares. The website for A Perfect Taste indicates that the popup will be open Tuesday through Friday for curbside pickup.

As mentioned earlier, Catering by Andrew on Harvard Street in Brookline has also started to offer restaurant-style takeout food to the public.

The address for A Perfect Taste's retail popup shop is 370 South Main Street, Sharon, MA, 02067. The website for the business can be found at http://aperfecttaste.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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Catering by Andrew in Brookline Starts Offering Restaurant-Style Takeout to the Public

A Kosher caterer in Brookline has basically pivoted into the restaurant business for now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

According to an email, Catering by Andrew on Harvard Street has started to offer lunch and dinner takeout, with the new offshoot of the business--which is called CBA2U--offering salads, burgers, fries, onion rings, and sandwiches such as a schnitzel sandwich and a brisket sandwich. In addition, Catering By Andrew continues to have its Friday shabbat takeout as well, and it also offers pantry items for sale including fresh fish, flour, and yeast.

The address for Catering by Andrew is 402 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website is at http://www.cateringbyandrew.com/ while a PDF link to its takeout menu can be found at http://www.cateringbyandrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CBA-2U-Menu-.pdf

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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Jerusalem Pita in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed

A Brookline restaurant that was known for its Kosher fare has shut down.

According to a couple of sources, Jerusalem Pita in the Coolidge Corner area of the community is no longer in business, with a post from the Facebook page of the Pleasant Street eatery showing that it shuttered last weekend and saying that "WE ARE CLOSING our doors after 11 great years. Thank you all for your support We will miss everyone" No reason has been given for the closure of Jerusalem Pita, nor is it known what might become of the space, so stay tuned for updates.

Jersualem Pita featured Israeli and Mediterranean dishes such as hummus, falafel, tabouleh, grilled eggplant, shawarma, shish kebab, schnitzel, and lamb chops.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Coolidge Corner is: Jerusalem Pita, 10 Pleasant Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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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Building Facade at Taam China in Brookline Collapses

by Marc Hurwitz

A building in Brookline housing a Chinese restaurant has suffered damage in an overnight facade collapse, though the exact extent of the damage--and the status of the dining spot--is not yet known.

Universal Hub is reporting (via a Twitter post from the Brookline Police Department) that the facade at Taam China on Harvard Street crumbled to the sidewalk at around 4:30 AM today, with a photo showing that the front area is taped off this morning--and a new photo posted by @rgoulston shows that more of the facade collapsed as crews were securing the space. It is not known when the restaurant might be able to open again, so keep checking back for updates. (No injuries were reported in the collapse.)

Taam China is known for its glatt kosher Chinese cuisine, with the place offering such items as chicken dumplings, steamed whole fish, orange-flavored beef, veal with garlic sauce, deep-fried eggplant, beef lo mein, and veal fried rice.

The address for Taam China is 423 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://www.taamchina.us/

[November 7 update: The Jewish Advocate states that Taam China has reopened.]

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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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Vittorio's Grill Is Reopening in Brookline, Moving into Pizzeria Dante Space

A kosher eatery is coming to Brookline, taking over the space where a pizzeria run by the same owner had been--and which is the same space where another pizza spot had been until it moved to another space.

Universal Hub is reporting that Vittorio Hassan is looking to open Vittorio's Grill in the former Pizzeria Dante space on Beacon Street, which is also where Hassan operated a place called Vittorio's Kosher Pizzeria from 1995 to 2003. The article says that the new Vittorio's will have seating for 16 and hours being 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on "most days" (it will be open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Fridays).

Pizzeria Dante moved from Beacon Street to its present home on Harvard Street this spring, taking over the space where Panelli's Pizza and Parm (and before that, Ozzie's Pizza & Cafe) had been.

The address for the upcoming Vittorio's Grill is 1398 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[October 28 update: Universal Hub mentions (via Michael Burstein) that Vittorio's Grill is now open in Brookline, and that it offers a handful of kosher options, including burgers, salads, wraps, subs, pita sandwiches, and fried items.]

[Earlier Article]
Pizzeria Dante Moves into Former Panelli's Space in Brookline

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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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Plans for a Kosher Hotel and Restaurant to Open in West Roxbury Have Apparently Fallen Through

Earlier this year, we reported that a unique type of hotel and restaurant could be coming to Boston; now we have learned that this apparently will not be happening after all.

Universal Hub mentions that the property on the VFW Parkway in West Roxbury where a kosher hotel and a glatt-kosher restaurant was being considered has been sold to the owner of a gas station and car wash in Brockton. The proposed spot--which was tentatively going to be called the King David Hotel--had been the idea of developer Nissim Shimon Trabelsi, with the plan being to work with a hotel management company to possibly start a chain of kosher hotels and restaurants. (It is not known if these plans have fallen through as well.)

In addition to lodging and dining, the hotel was also going to include "his and hers mikvah baths," a swimming pool, and a ballroom.

[Earlier Article]
Kosher Hotel and Restaurant May Be Coming to West Roxbury

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Kosher Hotel and Restaurant May Be Coming to West Roxbury

It looks like a Boston neighborhood could become home to a kosher hotel and restaurant--and it may be the first of several (or more) such places.

Universal Hub is reporting that developer Nissim Shimon Trabelsi is looking to open what would apparently be called the King David Hotel in West Roxbury, with the spot opening on the VFW Parkway by the Dedham line. The article says that the 69-room hotel would have a glatt-kosher restaurant along with "his and hers mikvah baths," a swimming pool, and a ballroom. Trabelsi is also in talks with several hotel management companies with the plan being to make the West Roxbury spot the first of a chain of kosher hotels and restaurants.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has not yet scheduled a vote on the hotel and restaurant, according to UH.

It appears that the address for the proposed King David Hotel would be 1650 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA, 02132.

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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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Rami's Food Truck Has Shut Down After a Fire; Rebuilding to Take Place

A food truck from the people behind a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Brookline has shut down due to a fire after being up and running for a very brief time.

Eater Boston is reporting that the Rami's food truck was hit by a fire after being in operation for only a couple of days (October 28 and 29), with the owners saying that they are now "in the beginning process of rebuilding the food truck and hope to be open within the year." At this point in time, it is not known how the fire started.

In August, the glatt kosher restaurant Rami's--which is located on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner--first announced that they would be starting up the new Rami's food truck.

The website for Rami's can be found at http://ramisboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rami's in Brookline Is Starting Up a Food Truck

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Update: Rami's in Brookline to Open Cold Press Juice and Salad Bar Next Door

[Ed note: This article was updated on March 12, 2015 to reflect a name change--and apparently a concept change--for the upcoming spot.]

Nearly three years ago, we reported that a glatt kosher restaurant in Brookline was thinking of opening a second spot, and they went so far as to ask diners where a good location in the Boston area for the eatery would be. Now we have learned that they will indeed be opening a second spot--and it will be within shouting distance of the original spot.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Brookline Beacon) that Rami's on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner will be opening a kosher, vegetarian restaurant that is literally next door--and it will tentatively be called The Place Next Door. EB says that the dining spot will be moving into the space where a beauty supply shop had been, with the Beacon article saying that the new place will be "a kosher dairy restaurant."

[March 12, 2015 update: A new post from Eater Boston indicates that the upcoming spot from Rami's will apparently be jumping on the juice craze, as it will be a juice and salad bar called Cold Press.]

[May 29, 2015 update: According to a press release sent out this week, Cold Press is planning to open next Wednesday (June 3).]

In late 2011, Rami's had announced that it was looking to open a second spot and created a Facebook poll asking folks where a good location for it might be; at the time, Cambridge seemed to be in the running, with fans also being interested in Sharon.

As mentioned in an article here a few days ago, Rami's may be starting up a food truck as well.

The address for this new spot in Brookline will be 326 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[Earlier Article]
Rami's in Brookline Is Looking to Open a Second Location

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Rami's in Brookline Is Starting Up a Food Truck

Back in 2011, we reported that a glatt kosher restaurant in Brookline was thinking of opening a second location somewhere in the Boston area. And while they have not yet done so, there is now word that they may be joining the food truck craze.

Eater Boston mentions (via a Twitter post from the dining spot) that Rami's on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner is going to be starting up a truck, with the restaurant saying "In about 2 weeks we have a very special surprise coming... Hint hint falafel on wheels?" It is not known what location(s) the truck would be at, nor is it known which of Rami's menu items would be offered; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

[September 24 update: The Boston Globe states that the Rami's food truck should be up and running in October--and that it will be offering the restaurant's "staples."]

[October 14 update: According to a post from UrbanDaddy (and confirmed by the truck's Facebook page), the Rami's food truck is now up and running.]

In December of 2011, Rami's set up a Facebook poll asking people where a good location for a second restaurant might be. Since then, there has been little word about a second Rami's opening.

Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured Rami's as a little-known spot to go to for Kosher and Middle Eastern food, with the review being at the link below:

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

The address for Rami's is: Rami's, 324 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://ramisboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rami's in Brookline Is Looking to Open a Second Location

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Taam China II in Newton Has Closed

The Boston area has lost one of its only kosher Chinese restaurants.

An article in The Jewish Journal states that Taam China II in Newton has closed its doors, with the place apparently shuttering in late October due to the fact that its business was "unsustainable." The Adams Street Shul website mentions that a new restaurant called Jean & Lee Kitchen will move into the Oak Street space, and that it will not be a kosher spot.

The original Taam China, which is located on Harvard Street in Brookline, remains open.

The address for this now-closed kosher Chinese eatery in Newton was: Taam China II, 108 Oak Street, Newton, MA, 02464. The website for the Brookline location is at http://www.taamchina.us/

Thanks to one of our readers for bringing this to our attention.

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Rami's in Brookline Is Looking to Open a Second Location

A glatt kosher restaurant in Brookline is thinking of opening a second location, and its decision could be based on what its patrons think.

According to The Harvard Crimson, Rami's on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner recently set up a Facebook poll that asks folks where a good location for a second restaurant might be. A check on the poll today indicates that Cambridge and Sharon are of particular interest to the dining spot's Facebook fans, and Rami's now has another poll asking which part of Cambridge might be best, so it is possible that Cambridge could be the main community that they are now looking at. (So far, Harvard Square is in first place, with Central Square being in second place.)

Rami's features mostly Middle Eastern fare, including such items as falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, borekas, and shawarma. Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured the restaurant as a little-known spot to go to for Kosher and Middle Eastern food, with the review being at this link:

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

The address for Rami's is: Rami's, 324 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The phone number is (617) 738-3577. And their Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramis-Boston-Glatt-Kosher-Middle-Eastern-Cuisine/39794754660

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Zaftigs Delicatessen Opening Second Location in Natick

A deli in Brookline is going to be opening a second location, moving into the space in Natick where another delicatessen closed less then three months ago.

According to the Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, Zaftigs is planning on opening a new restaurant in the Sherwood Plaza where Joan and Ed's Deli used to be for more than 30 years until closing in June. The article states that Zaftigs, whose original location is on Harvard Street in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline, received an all-kinds liquor license and common victualler licenses late last month for the new place, which will be across from The Natick Collection on Route 9.

An article in Grub Street Boston indicates that the new Zaftigs in Natick will have the same menu as the Brookline location and may be open by November.

[March 1, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Zaftigs in Natick is now open for business.]

The address for this new delicatessen in Natick is: Zaftigs, Sherwood Plaza (Route 9 East), Natick, MA, 01760. The website for Zaftigs is at: http://www.zaftigs.com/

For more information on the opening of Zaftigs in Natick, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked Local and Grub Street Boston links below.

[Brookline TAB/Wicked Local]
Brookline's Zaftigs to open new store on Rte. 9 in Natick

[Grub Street Boston]
Zaftigs Expands to Natick

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