Thai Amarin in Newton Corner Has Closed

A Thai restaurant just west of Boston has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Thai Amarin in Newton Corner is no longer in operation, with an Instagram reel from itsinnewton confirming this, saying "Who wants to open a restaurant in Newton Corner? @thaiamarin, Newton's longstanding Thai restaurant, has closed." It appears that the Centre Street eatery shuttered in mid-late June, and it isn't known why it closed or what might move into its space at this point in time.

Thai Amarin is not to be confused with another restaurant with a similar name -- Amarin of Thailand, which resides in nearby Newtonville and which moved from Wellesley earlier this year.

The address for the now-closed Thai Amarin in Newton Corner was 287 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

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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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Buff's Pub in Newton Corner Has Closed for Now; Will Reopen Soon

One of the best-known places for wings in the Greater Boston area has closed for the time being.

According to a source, Buff's Pub in Newton Corner is shuttered, with the website for the Washington Street spot saying that "For the safety of our staff and customers, Buffs will be closed until further notice." The note goes on to tell customers to check back for updates, though it is not yet known why the place has closed or for approximately how long.

Buff's Pub is considered by some to have the best wings in the region and is often compared to Wendell's Pub, a legendary watering hole and wing spot in Norton.

The address for Buff's Pub is 317 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Its website can be found at http://www.buffspub.com/

[January 19 update: A tweet from Dave of Buff's Pub mentions that the place closed because of a couple of people testing positive for Covid; he says that they will be doing cleaning and testing and if all goes well, they could be reopening in the next day or two.]

[January 22 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Buff's Pub will reopen Saturday and Sunday for takeout/online orders.]

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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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.)

Hopsters Appears to Be Headed Toward Liquidation

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a local brewery with two locations in the Boston area had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now we have learned that it is now apparently heading toward Chapter 7 liquidation.

According to an article from Brewbound, a judge has rejected a bid by Hopsters to prevent a trustee from changing the bankruptcy filing to a liquidation in a Thursday hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Massachusetts. Back in September, Hopsters founder/owner Lee Cooper filed for bankruptcy and was looking to reorganize at that time, reinventing the business in order to keep it going. A check on its website indicates that the site appears to have been taken down, and there is no indication as to the status of the company on social media sites. (More on the apparent liquidation of Hopsters can be found in this tweet from @EdB_SP.)

Hopsters first opened in Newton Corner in 2013, with a second location opening in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood in 2018.

[Earlier Article]
Hopsters Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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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Hopsters Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

A local brewery with two locations in the Boston area has declared bankruptcy.

According to a source, Hopsters has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, with a post within the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber website saying that founder/owner Lee Cooper is looking to reorganize and reinvent the business in able to survive. In the post, Cooper says that "We have a new menu and new leadership and we are trying our damnedest to get people in. Alas, our Newton sales are abysmal, with an older population or younger families, people are too afraid to dine out in Newton, unemployment also doesn't help." His hope is that he will be allowed to hold off from paying vendors until the pandemic lessens, explaining that "It's a novel attempt, however not without precedent....It may be an option for similar independent restaurants to follow if they want to keep their business alive."

Hopsters has locations in Newton Corner and Boston's Fort Point neighborhood, with its website being found at https://www.hopstersbrew.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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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.)

Payment Options

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Hopsters Brew and Boards Is Expanding to Boston

It looks like a unique kind of "community" brewery and pub in Newton that allows folks to make their own beer is expanding to Boston.

A Facebook post from Hopsters Brew and Boards in Newton Corner says that "Big things are coming to downtown Boston" with the hashtags #Boston #craftbeer and #drinklocal following the note. No clues have been given as to where exactly they might be expanding to--and what kind of place it will be--though there had been rumors of the business opening a second location closer to downtown Boston (possibly in the Seaport District) that appeared to have fallen through either late last year or early this year.

[May 8 update: Universal Hub is reporting that the proposed location of Hopsters in downtown Boston will be within the upcoming Boston Public Market at Haymarket, though it appears it will be in the form of a small beer store (not a brewery, brewpub, or restaurant).]

Hopsters first opened its doors at 292 Centre Street in September of 2013. Its website can be found at http://www.hopstersbrew.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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Uno Chicago Grill Closes in Newton Corner

Another location of a restaurant chain that features Chicago deep-dish pizza has closed its doors.

According to one of our readers (and confirmed by the Newton Patch), Uno Chicago Grill in Newton Corner is no longer in business, having shuttered around the end of September. The Washington Street eatery, which first opened more than 20 years ago, is one of several locations of the chain to close in Massachusetts over the past few years, including outlets in Cambridge's Porter Square, Fairhaven, Kingston, and Methuen that all shut down. A number of locations remain open in the immediate area, including in Boston, Braintree, Burlington, Cambridge, Dedham, Framingham, Revere, Swampscott, Waltham, and Woburn. (There is also a location of a fast-casual pizza spot called Uno Due Go in downtown Boston.)

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Newton Corner was: Uno Chicago Grill, 287 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02458. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.unos.com/

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Social Restaurant and Bar Is Opening in Newton

A new restaurant may be on its way to Newton, and it looks like it will be located within a hotel.

The City of Newton website is showing that Social Restaurant and Bar plans to open on Washington Street in Newton Corner, with the address indicating that it will apparently be going into the former Applebee's space at the Crowne Plaza. The post shows that the new dining and drinking spot would be open for lunch and dinner daily and that it would have seating for 172. Entertainment at Social Restaurant and Bar may include live bands, and eight TVs are planned for the spot.

Currently, there is little other information on Social Restaurant and Bar; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

[November 14 update: The Newton TAB states that Social Restaurant and Bar is opening tomorrow, with the article also saying that the dining and drinking spot will feature "an eclectic mix of comfort food and New England classics."]

The address for this new place in Newton Corner is: Social Restaurant and Bar, 320 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

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Hopster's Brew and Boards to Open in Newton Corner

A unique kind of  "community" brewery that allows folks to make their own beer is on its way to Newton.

According to its website and Facebook page, Hopster's Brew and Boards is going to be opening on Centre Street in Newton Corner, bringing to the neighborhood a place where people can learn about the brewing process, including making and bottling a variety of beers to take home with them. The brewery will also have a pub area that will feature local craft beers as well as English-style boards with cured meats, pate, cheeses, breads, and pickles.

It is not yet known when Hopster's Brew and Boards might be opening, so keep checking back for updates.

[August 26 update: According to a post on its Twitter page, Hopster's Brew and Boards is planning to open in approximately three weeks.]

[September 10 update: A new post on its Facebook page indicates that Hopster's Brew and Boards is going to start brewing on Sunday, September 15. (Daily Candy also mentions that brewing sessions will begin that day, with prices being $150-250 per kettle.)]

[September 24 update: Based on a new Facebook post, Hopster's Brew and Boards is going to start serving food this Thursday (September 26).]

[November 25 update: The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe states that Hopster's Brew and Boards has received a liquor license, so it can now serve beer (and eventually cocktails) with its food boards.]

The address for this upcoming community brewery and pub is: Hopster's Brew and Boards, 292 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02459. Their website can be found at http://www.hopsters.net/

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The Organic Table to Replace Prana in Newton Corner

A vegan restaurant is going to be opening in Newton Corner, replacing another vegan dining spot that recently closed for renovations.

According to their Facebook page, The Organic Table is planning to open on Centre Street, moving into the former Prana spot. (Prana closed for remodeling earlier this month after being open since the winter, when it had reopened after closing in the summer of 2011.) It looks like the new spot will feature organic vegan cuisine along with juices and smoothies. At this point, it is not known whether The Organic Table is owned by the Prana folks; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.


Once it opens, hours for The Organic Table will be 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Newton Corner is: The Organic Table, 292 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/organictable

Thanks to both an emailer and a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.


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Prana in Newton Corner Has Reopened

A vegan restaurant in Newton Corner that closed last summer has reopened, with a new owner, an updated menu, and a slightly different name.

An email sent by the restaurant indicates that Prana is open once again on Centre Street, having opened up once again in the fall. The email mentions that the chef from the previous incarnation of the dining spot (which was called Prana Cafe) remains at the restaurant, and the menu includes a number of additions. Some of the items that can be found at Prana include bean chili, glazed turnips, naan pizza, a kelp noodle salad, pesto primavera, marinated portabella, walnut lentil croquettes, crepes, and zucchini lasagna.

Prana is open for lunch and dinner daily.

The address for this reopened restaurant in Newton Corner is: Prana, 292 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458. Their website can be found at http://www.eatatprana.com/

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Max and Leo's to Open in Newton Corner

An artisan pizza spot and caterer that will be featuring coal-fired pies is on its way to Newton.

According to their website and Facebook page, Max & Leo's is planning to open on Washington Street in Newton Corner, with an expected mid-October opening in the works. Their website is still under construction, but it contains the quote "900 degrees. 2 minutes. 1 artisan pizza," and a picture of a coal-fired oven shown in the background. Based on the menu within Max & Leo's website, the new restaurant will offer such topping combinations as sweet Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and carmelized onions; fennel, apple, gorgonzola, rosemary, and toasted walnuts; pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and carmelized onions; shredded roasted chicken, goat cheese, lemon zest, and marjoram; and a few other options for toppings.

It appears that hours for Max & Leo's will be 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week, though a City of Newton Licensing Board Agenda page mentions a possible midnight closing (the page also states that Max & Leo's may be getting a full liquor license).

The Facebook page for Max & Leo's is also a work in progress, but a partial note appears on the page mentioning that the restaurant will apparently have a custom trailer with a mobile oven that can be used for catering events.

[November 9 update: According to both @NewtonCulture and Chowhound, Max and Leo's is now open.]

The address for this upcoming pizza restaurant will be: Max & Leo's,
325 Washington Street, Newton Corner, MA, 02458. Their website can be found at http://maxandleos.com/

Thanks to one of our readers for letting us know about this.

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Prana Cafe in Newton Corner Has Closed

A restaurant in Newton Corner that focused on vegan dishes and raw foods has shut its doors after being in business for about two years.

According to the Boston Magazine food blog and Grub Street Boston as well as the restaurant's website, Prana Cafe on Centre Street has decided to close, as the owners are looking to focus on their family, writing and yoga studios. The restaurant, which first opened in August of 2009, featured an eclectic menu that included salads, pizza, tostadas, lasagna, burritos, porridge, and granola.

The address for this now-closed eatery in Newton Corner was: Prana Cafe, 292 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

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