Naya Opens in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Last fall, it was reported that a growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City would be expanding to a new location in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, Naya is now open in the city's Fenway neighborhood, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, it has moved into a space on Boylston Street where a location of Caffe Nero had been. The new location of Naya, which joins others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, Cambridge's Kendall Square, Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and Burlington, features a garage-door-style facade that fully opens to the sidewalk, and it offers dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

Naya first started out with a restaurant in Midtown East in Manhattan back in 2008.

The address for the new location of Naya in the Fenway is 1375 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[Earlier Article]
Naya Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

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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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Baba Shawarma May Be Opening in the Former Haymarket Pizza Space in Boston

A Middle Eastern dining spot may be coming to downtown Boston, and it would apparently be taking over the space where a decades-old pizzeria had once been.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Baba Shawarma is looking to open on Blackstone Street, with the address indicating that it would be moving into the former Haymarket Pizza space. The notice hints that the proposed place may be focusing on takeout, as no seating capacity has been given, while the description says that it would have 870 square feet of space with one room, a kitchen in the back, and storage in the basement.

Haymarket Pizza closed in 2021 after being in business since the 1960s.

The address for the proposed Baba Shawarma is 106 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA 02109.

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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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Naya Is Opening in Burlington

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will continue to expand into the Greater Boston area, with a new outlet getting ready to debut in the northern suburbs.

According to a press release, Naya is opening in Burlington on June 3, moving into a space within The Shops at Mall Road near where Middlesex Turnpike and Burlington Mall Road meet. Once it opens, the new location will join others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, Cambridge's Kendall Square, and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and dishes with Lebanese influences will be offered, including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Naya in Burlington is 112 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for the business is at https://www.eatnaya.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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Jafra Cafe & Lounge to Open in Cambridge's Inman Square

A brand new Middle Eastern spot is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a Bluesky message from troysch1.bsky.social, Jafra Cafe & Lounge is getting ready to open in the city's Inman Square neighborhood, moving into a space on Hampshire Street a couple of blocks south of the Cambridge Street intersection. The Instagram page for the business indicates that it will be a Middle Eastern cafe and hookah lounge and that it will have gluten-free, vegan, and halal options with a photo showing what appears to be falafel, hummus, and pita.

The address for the upcoming Jafra Cafe & Lounge in Inman Square is 187 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/jafracafelounge/

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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 Halal Guys Opens in Newton

Last summer, it was reported that a growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be opening a new location in the western suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, The Halal Guys is now open in Newton, moving into a space on Needham Street just south of where it meets Dedham Street and Winchester Street and a short distance south of Route 9. The new location offers some new menu items including a lamb and beef gyro, waffle fries, and a berry mint refresher, and it joins others locally in downtown Boston, the Theater District, the Fenway, South Bay, Cambridge's Porter Square, Dedham, and further out, in Shrewsbury.

The Halal Guys first started out in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan.

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in Newton is 55 Needham Street, Newton, MA, 02461. The website for the chain can be found at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys Plans to Open New Location in Newton

(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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Ray Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine in Salem Has Closed

 A dining spot on the North Shore that offered fusion fare has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via a Salem Food Digest post), Ray Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine in Salem is no longer in business, with a "for lease" sign in the window of the Lafayette Street space. The eatery was known in part for its vegetarian and vegan Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare including falafel, hummus, and babaganoush, while also offering meat-based Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, and steamed fish.

The address for the now-closed Adea's Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine was 90 Lafayette Street (Unit 1B), Salem, MA, 01970.

(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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Naya to Open at Shoppers World in Framingham

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will be expanding further into the Greater Boston area, with a new outlet coming to a space west of the city.

According to an article from the MetroWest Daily News, Naya is planning to open in Framingham, moving into a space within Shoppers World between Route 9 and Route 30. Once it opens, the new location will join others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, Cambridge's Kendall Square, and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and expect to see dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The website for Naya can be found at https://www.eatnaya.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 Halal Guys Opens in Downtown Boston

Last spring, it was reported that another new location of a chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be coming to the heart of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, The Halal Guys has its grand opening today and tomorrow in the city's downtown area, opening in a space on Washington Street on the northern edge of Downtown Crossing just south of State Street and Court Street. The new location joins another in the Theater District along with others in the Fenway, South Bay, Cambridge's Porter Square, Dedham, and further out, in Shrewsbury. 

The Halal Guys, which began in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan, offers such items as chicken and rice, falafel, gyros, hummus, and baklava. 

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in downtown Boston is 241 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02201. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys to Open a New Location in Downtown Boston

(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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Naya Is Opening in Cambridge's Kendall Square on January 14

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will be opening a new Boston-area location next week.

According to a press release, Naya is slated to open in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge on January 14, with the Main Street location joining others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. Once it opens, the new eatery will offer dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more, and while it wasn't initially known whether the upcoming Fenway location might debut before Kendall Square, it now appears that the former will open on Boylston Street sometime in the spring.

The address for the new location of Naya in Kendall Square is 355 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for all locations is at https://www.eatnaya.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 Halal Guys Opens in Dedham

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City would be opening a location in the southwestern suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it is ready to open.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social and a Facebook post from the chain, The Halal Guys opens in Dedham October 25, moving into a space by Star Market on Providence Highway. The new location will join others in Boston's Theater District, the Fenway, South Bay, Porter Square in Cambridge, and further out, in Shrewsbury--and other locations are being planned for downtown Boston and Newton as well.

The Halal Guys started out in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan and today offers such options as chicken and rice, falafel, gyros, hummus, and baklava.

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in Dedham is 799 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA, 02026. The website for the chain can be found at https://thehalalguys.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open New Locations in Dedham

(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.)

Naya Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City continues its expansion plans locally, with another new one on the way to Boston.

According to a poster (Patrick Maguire) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Naya is planning to open in the city's Fenway neighborhood, moving into the space on Boylston Street where an outlet of Caffe Nero had been. Once it opens, the new location of the restaurant will join others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and expect it to offer dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Naya in the Fenway is 1375 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for all locations is at https://www.eatnaya.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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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.)

The Halal Guys Plans to Open New Location in Newton

A growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City will be opening yet another location in the local area, and this one will be in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from the business, The Halal Guys is planning to open in Newton, moving into a space on Needham Street just south of where it meets Dedham Street and Winchester Street (a short distance south of Route 9). Once it opens, the new location will join others in Boston's Theater District, the Fenway, South Bay, Porter Square in Cambridge, and further out, in Shrewsbury--and other locations are being planned for downtown Boston and Dedham as well.

The Halal Guys started out in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan and today offers such options as chicken and rice, gyros, falafel, hummus, baklava, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of The Halal Guys in Newton is 55 Needham Street, Newton, MA, 02461. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.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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Sam's Falafel & Shawarma in Somerville Has Closed

It looks like a Middle Eastern spot in Somerville has shut down.

According to multiple posts on social media, including a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Sam's Falafel & Shawarma is no longer in business, with several posters saying that the last day for the Highland Avenue eatery was Sunday. In addition to falafel and shawarma, Sam's offered such options as lentil soup, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanouj, kabobs, and garlic lemon eggplant.

The address for the now-closed Sam's Falafel & Shawarma was 215 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

(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.)

The Halal Guys to Open a New Location in Downtown Boston

A growing chain of halal spots with roots in New York City will be opening another location in the local area, and this will be its second in the heart of Boston.

According to an Instagram story from the business, The Halal Guys is planning to open in the city's downtown area, with its Washington Street address indicating that it will reside in a space on the northern edge of Downtown Crossing just south of State Street and Court Street. Once it opens, the new outlet will join another in the Theater District along with others in the Fenway, South Bay, Cambridge's Porter Square, and further out, in Shrewsbury. 

The Halal Guys, which started out in 1990 as a food cart in Manhattan, offers such options as chicken and rice, gyros, falafel, hummus, baklava, and more. 

The address for the upcoming location of The Halal Guys in downtown Boston is 241 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02201. The website for the chain can be found at https://thehalalguys.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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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.)

Naya Is Opening in Boston's Back Bay This Spring

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City is slated to open its third Boston-area location later this month, and this one will be its second within the city itself.

According to a press release, Naya is planning to open in the Back Bay possibly at the end of the month, moving into a space on Boylston Street on the eastern edge of Copley Square. Once it opens, expect to see dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more, and it will be joining others in downtown Boston and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown while a fourth location will be opening in Cambridge's Kendall Square this summer.

The address for Naya in the Back Bay is 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for all locations is at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[June 12 update: According to a new press release, Naya is now open in the Back Bay.]

(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.)

The Halal Guys in Boston's Fenway Has Soft-Opened; Grand Opening Is April 11 and 12

Last summer, it was reported that a couple of growing chains were both planning to open locations within an apartment development in Boston's Fenway, and now we have learned that the second of the two spots is in the process of opening.

According to a press release, The Halal Guys has soft-opened, with its official opening taking place at some point soon--and the new spot joins a location of Dave's Hot Chicken which recently opened its doors as well. This is the fourth location of The Halal Guys to open locally, with others being in the Theatre District, South Bay in Dorchester, and Porter Square in Cambridge (another can be found in Shrewsbury).

The address for the new location of The Halal Guys in the Fenway is 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the chain is at https://thehalalguys.com/

[April 11 update: According to a new press release, The Halal Guys has its grand opening in the Fenway today and tomorrow.]

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open at the Bon Apartment Complex in Boston's Fenway

(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.)

Gina's Lebanese Cuisine Opens in Quincy

A new dining spot that features Middle Eastern food has opened on the South Shore.

According to a poster within the Quincy Is Everything Facebook group page, Gina's Lebanese Cuisine is now open in Quincy Point, moving into a space on Route 3A a few blocks east of where it meets Route 53. The menu for the new spot--which focuses on takeout but has some limited seating--including such options as stuffed grape leaves, falafel, beef kabab, hummus, spinach pie, baba ganouj, chicken shwarma, baked kibbeh, and more.

The address for Gina's Lebanese Cuisine is 529 Washington Street (Route 3A), Quincy, MA, 02169. (The restaurant does not have a website as of yet.)

(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.)

 

Naya Is Opening in Downtown Boston on December 11

A few months ago, it was reported that a growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City would be expanding to the Greater Boston area, and now we have learned that its first location in the region will be debuting in the heart of the city this month.

According to a press release, Naya is slated to open in downtown Boston on December 11, moving into a space on Summer Street. An earlier article here had mentioned that locations at Arsenal Yards in Watertown and in Boston's Back Bay would also be coming, though the press release now says that a total of three additional locations are being planned for the local area. 

Naya is a fast-casual chain with Lebanese influences that offers customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The address for the new location of Naya in downtown Boston is 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the company, which first started out in Manhattan approximately 15 years ago, can be found at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[Earlier Article]
Naya to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown; Locations Also Planned for Boston

(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.)

 

Naya Is Opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will be expanding to the Boston area.

According to a press release, Naya is going to be opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, bringing to the mixed-use development a fast-casual spot with Lebanese influences that offers customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more. We have been told that in addition to the Watertown location, outlets are also being planned for downtown Boston [ed note--now open on Summer Street] and the Back Bay as well.

The website for Naya, which first started out in Manhattan approximately 15 years ago, can be found at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[February 4, 2025 update: According to a source, Naya is now open at Arsenal Yards.]

(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.)

 

The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open New Locations in Dedham

A few months ago, it was reported that a couple of growing chains were both planning to open within a development in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and now we have learned that the two businesses will be doing something similar in the southwest suburbs.

According to a source, The Halal Guys and Dave's Hot Chicken are both planning to open in Dedham, with the two of them apparently moving into the space by Star Market on Providence Highway that had been home to Panera before it moved up the street. These plans have been confirmed by a page within the town's website that shows a Design Review Advisory Board hearing, showing The Halal Guys as being at 799 Providence Highway and Dave's Hot Chicken being at 797 Providence Highway.

Back in June, we wrote about plans for The Halal Guys and Dave's Hot Chicken to open at the Bon on Boylston Street in the Fenway, with the former being takeout-only while the latter will apparently have both takeout and dine-in options. (The two businesses also have locations within the same space at South Bay in Dorchester as well.)

The website for The Halal Guys is at https://thehalalguys.com/ and the website for Dave's Hot Chicken is at https://www.daveshotchicken.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open at the Bon Apartment Complex in Boston's Fenway

(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.)