Cocolee Is Replacing River Bar at Assembly Row in Somerville

A new Pan-Asian dining spot is on its way to Somerville, and it is going to be a reconcept of a recently closed restaurant.

According to its website, Cocolee is opening this spring at Assembly Row, with its sample menu showing such options as adobo pork skewers, wok-fried green beans, BBQ mushroom bao, snow mountain shrimp, confit duck wings, crab basil fried rice, Maui-style noodles, sea bass, and smoked ribeye, while cocktails will be offered as well. An earlier Boston Business Journal article mentions that it will open in the River Bar space and is a concept change, so it appears to be under the same ownership as that place.

The address for Cocolee is 661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA, 02145. Its website can be found at https://www.cocolee-assembly.com/

[May 30 update: According to an Instagram post from the business, Cocolee is now open at Assembly Row, and it includes an outdoor area along with two bars.]

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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.)

Karma Opens in Winchester

A few years ago, it was reported that a local group of Asian restaurants was planning to expand to a new location in the northern suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it has finally debuted.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Karma is now up and running in Winchester, opening on Thompson Street in the center of town. The new location--whose plans were first announced in the latter part of 2021--joins others in Andover, Burlington, Concord, and Westford, and it offers pan-Asian fare.

The address for Karma in Winchester Center is 16 Thompson Street, Winchester, MA, 01890. 

[Earlier Article]
Karma Asian Fusion Cuisine Plans to Open in Winchester

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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.)

    

Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline Has Closed; Arlington Location Remains Open

A pair of vegan restaurants is back down to just one, as its second location has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline is no longer in business, with a note on the home page of the restaurant's website saying the following:

Zhu vegan kitchen cuisine At Brookline location is closed. Thank you for all your business, if you like to order please call/ order at location at the Arlington address: 166 Massachusetts ave Arlington Ma 02474

The Washington Street outlet first opened in Brookline Village in the fall of 2020, joining the Arlington restaurant which debuted in 2015 and offering pan-Asian vegan fare. 

The address for the now-closed Zhu Vegan Kitchen in Brookline Village was 220 Washington Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for the Arlington location can be found at http://zhuvegan.com/

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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!

Shojo Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square in April

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a restaurant in Boston that features inventive takes on Asian food was planning to expand to Cambridge, and now we have learned that the new location is finally about ready to open.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Shojo is hoping to open its new outlet in Central Square in mid-April, with the Mass. Ave. spot joining the original restaurant on Tyler Street in Chinatown. Once it opens, expect to see modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes (including a handful of new dishes at the Cambridge location) as well as a variety of cocktails.

Brian Moy, who is behind Shojo, also runs Ruckus, a pan-Asian noodle bar in Chinatown, and Nomai, an Asian fusion restaurant in Hingham. (Another location of Shojo can be found at Logan Airport.)

The address for the upcoming Shojo in Central Square is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.shojocambridge.com/

[April 6 update: A tweet from @TroySch1 and a note on the restaurant's website indicate that Shojo in Cambridge has soft-opened.]

[Earlier Article]
Shojo to Open in Cambridge's Central Square Area

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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!

Trend Pure Asian Cuisine in Natick Has Closed

An Asian fusion restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, Trend Pure Asian Cuisine in Natick is no longer in business, with the Framingham Source stating that the Route 9 eatery closed last weekend, and also mentioning that a social media post from the dining spot said that "Our realty company will not renew our lease in order to make way for smaller retail stores." Trend offered Chinese, Japanese, and pan-Asian fare, with its menu including such options as clay pot and dry pot items, lo mein, chow foon, ramen, teriyaki, sushi, gyoza, and more.

The address for the now-closed Trend Pure Asian Cuisine was 1400 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760.

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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.)

Shojo to Open in Cambridge's Central Square Area

A restaurant in Boston's Chinatown that features inventive takes on Asian food is expanding across the river.

According to a press release, Shojo is planning to open in Cambridge, moving into a space on Mass. Ave. on the eastern edge of Central Square. The email mentions that the new location of the dining spot will offer modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes along with cocktails and Japanese spirits, and that it hopes to open sometime this fall, joining its original location on Tyler Street along with another at Logan Airport.

The person behind Shojo--Brian Moy--also runs Ruckus, a pan-Asian noodle bar in Chinatown that is currently closed for the time being (Shojo in Chinatown is also temporarily closed).

The address for the upcoming Shojo in Cambridge is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Shojo can be found at https://www.shojoboston.com/

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

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

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

Option 1 : $1.00 USD - monthly Option 2 : $5.00 USD - monthly Option 3 : $10.00 USD - monthly

ZC Boston in the South End Has Closed

A Pan-Asian restaurant in the South End that went through a rebranding a couple of years after it opened has shut down.

According to a tweet from @Caddy2489, ZC Boston on Mass. Ave. is no longer in business, with a Yelp post indicating it may have closed in January (or possibly earlier). No reason has been given for the restaurant's closure, nor is it known what might go into its space; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

ZC Boston was a rebranding of Roka, with the latter opening in 2013 and the former replacing it in 2015. Both restaurants focused mainly on Chinese and Japanese fare, including sushi.

The address for this now-closed Pan-Asian restaurant in the South End was: ZC Boston, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

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

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Thelonious Monkfish in Cambridge's Central Square Is Now The Mad Monkfish

by Marc Hurwitz

One of the most interesting restaurant names in the Boston area is no longer, though the restaurant itself remains in operation.

Eater Boston mentions that Thelonious Monkfish in Cambridge's Central Square is now The Mad Monkfish, with a Tumblr page from the Mass. Ave. spot stating that the change apparently did not come as a result of any controversy over the use of the name, saying "Please don't believe the rumor floating around that the Monk Estate's fancy lawyer threatened to sue us." A reason was then given for the name change, but as Eater says, the post is "jokey" and it really is not known exactly why the change took place--though its website does say that the name change came about "out of respect for the Monk Estate."

Thelonious Monkfish first opened in early 2011, offering a variety of Asian fare, including Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese dishes.

The address for The Mad Monkfish is 524 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://themadmonkfish.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Takusan Sushi in Brookline Has Been Replaced by Xiang Yu China Bistro

by Marc Hurwitz

A Pan-Asian restaurant in Brookline that was known in part for its all-you-can-eat sushi has very quietly shut down, and a Chinese eatery has moved into its space.

According to a source, Takusan Sushi on Beacon Street is no longer in operation, with a spot called Xiang Yu China Bistro now open in the space. A check on the website of the new restaurant indicates that its menu will be posted soon, but for now, it is not known exactly what Xiang Yu offers (we will post an update here as soon as we get to see a menu).

Takusan Sushi first opened in the summer of 2013, replacing Budda C, which had previously been called Buddachen; the space had also been home to a location of Jae's Cafe as well.

The address for the now-closed Takusan Sushi (and new Xiang Yu China Bistro) is 1223 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for Xiang Yu can be found at http://www.xychinabistro.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Tsukiji Bistro Is Opening in Melrose

by Marc Hurwitz

A new Asian restaurant is opening in the northern suburbs of Boston, and it is moving into the space above a steak and seafood spot.

According to a message from The Passionate Foodie, Tsukiji Bistro is in the middle of a soft opening in Melrose, with the restaurant being on the second floor of the Main Street building that houses Stearns & Hill's Bistro. The new eatery offers a mix of dishes with influences from Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, and Hawaii, and it includes such options as sushi, raw bar items, gyoza, shumai, fried chicken, salt and pepper shrimp, lo mein, hot pot, and rice bowls, along with beer, wine, sake, and Asian-inspired cocktails.

It appears that there is a connection between Tsukiji Bistro and Stearns & Hill's Bistro, as the new spot shows a logo for Stearns & Hill's Bistro on its website along with another restaurant--Fusilli's Cucina in Reading. (In addition, the space that Tsukiji Bistro resides in used to be a bar for Stearns & Hill's Bistro.)

The address for this new Asian restaurant in Melrose is: Tsukiji Bistro, 505 Main St, Melrose, MA, 02176. Its website can be found at http://tsukijibistro.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go and Tiki Rock Bar Opening Where The Place Had Been in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A ramen place and a cocktail bar are sharing a space in downtown Boston where a nightclub had once been.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go and Tiki Rock Bar are both opening on Broad Street, taking over the space where The Place was until it shut down a couple of years ago.The post says that the 12-seat ramen spot will be run by Moe Kuroki, who is behind a popup with the Oisa Ramen name, while Christopher Straub, who has worked in a variety of jobs at the Hyatt hotels, is behind the Tiki Rock Bar, a spot that will feature craft cocktails along with pan-Asian street food, sushi, and more. If all goes as planned, Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go could be opening in November. (It is not yet known when Tiki Rock Bar might open.)

Early last year, it appeared that a place called Sushi Rock might take over the space where The Place had been, though that apparently fell through.

The address for Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go and Tiki Rock Bar is 2 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

[December 12 update: Eater Boston mentions that Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go will initially be open for lunch only when it debuts, though evening options such as multi-course dinners with drink pairings or the hosting of pop-ups will be offered as well at some point.]

[December 28 update: The Improper Bostonian states that Oisa Ramen is slated to open sometime in January.]

[January 8, 2018 update: An update within the earlier Boston Magazine article says that Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go plans to open a week from today (Monday, January 15).]

[January 11, 2018 update: Eater Boston says that Tiki Rock Bar is now open and that it offers sushi, pu pu platters, ginger soy fried chicken, Polynesian-style cocktails, and more.]

[Earlier Article]
Sushi Rock to Open Where The Place Had Been in Downtown Boston

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Tom Can Cook Space in Waltham Has Closed; Pho 1 Replaces It

A Thai spot on Waltham's "Restaurant Row" has disappeared from the scene, and it has been replaced by a new Asian eatery.

According to a Twitter post from @DiscoverWaltham, Tom Can Cook on Moody Street is no longer in operation, with Pho 1 taking over the space. A check on its menu indicates that the new dining spot offers a mix of Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean items along with other Asian dishes, and it appears that at least some of the options from both Tom Can Cook and InBoston (a Korean spot that merged with Tom Can Cook earlier this year) are included, such as the InBoston fried chicken.

Tom Can Cook first opened on Moody Street approximately 15 years ago.

The address for this new Asian restaurant in Waltham is: Pho 1, 374 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453. Its website can be found at http://www.pho1walthamma.com/

Thanks to @y2000k for initially bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
InBoston to Open in Tom Can Cook Space in Waltham

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Oye's Restaurant and Bar to Move into Donatello's Space on Route 1 in Saugus

Another piece of the "old" Route 1 is disappearing, and a dining spot a few miles to the west is planning to take over the space.

According to an article in Wicked Local, the town of Saugus has given its approval for Oye's Restaurant &amp Bar to operate at 44 Broadway, taking over the space where Donatello's currently is. The post mentions that the space will receive only minor renovations, with the upcoming pan-Asian eatery modeling the concept after the original location of the restaurant, which is on Walkers Brook Drive in Reading. It is not yet known when Donatello's might close or when Oye's could open; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here. [October 2 update: According to a Facebook post from the restaurant, Donatello's is now closed, with its last day in operation being earlier this week.]

Donatello's first opened in the late 1980s, featuring a mix of old-fashioned Italian-American and traditional Italian fare in an upscale environment. It is one of a few longtime spots on the Saugus stretch of Route 1 that have either closed over the past several years or are slated to close, including Hilltop Steak House, which shut down in October of 2013, and the Route 1 Miniature Golf/Dairy Castle complex in Saugus, which could be closing either later this year or in 2016.

The website for Donatello's is at http://www.donatello-restaurant.com/ while the website for the original Oye's in Reading can be found at http://www.oyesreading.com/

[June 13, 2016 update: Nearly 10 months after first reporting on this, Oye's has still not opened and now the board of selectmen want to see progress made, according to a new Saugus Advertiser article. The post indicates that the restaurant now has plans to include a sushi bar on the first floor and a service bar on the second floor--and they are working with a building inspector--but the board thought that the place would be open by now and are concerned about the length of time that its license remains unused. Oye's is now looking to open this fall, and the board has asked to meet with the restaurant on June 22 to get specific details on its progress.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

---

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

---

Tweet

Roka Is Opening in Boston's South End

A new Pan-Asian restaurant is coming to a section of the South End that currently doesn't have many dining options.

A post on the Soka Studio website indicates that Roka is planning to open by the corner of Mass. Ave. and Albany Street, with the exact address indicating that it could be on the ground floor of the Crosstown Building, which is a part of the Boston Medical Center campus. According to the blurb, the new 7,000-square-foot eatery will be an upscale dining spot with a sushi bar, takeout service, private dining room, and a bar area. It is not yet known when Roka might be opening.

[July 11 update: A new job post on the Craigslist site shows that Roka is currently hiring, so it may be opening soon, though an exact date has not been given as of yet.]

[September 30 update: An email from UrbanDaddy mentions that Roka opens today.]

The address for this new Asian restaurant in the South End is: Roka, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

Tweet

Lam's in Newtonville Is Closing

A Pan-Asian restaurant in one of Newton's busiest neighborhoods is going to be closing.

The Newton TAB is reporting that Lam's in Newtonville is planning to shut its doors for good this Saturday (December 15) after being in business for 12 years. The article mentions that a rent increase is apparently the reason behind the closure, with a co-owner of the eatery saying that business has been steady, but the higher rent would be "more than he could absorb."

Lam's has focused mainly on Thai cuisine over the years, though it also offers dishes from other parts of Asia, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian fare.

The address for this soon-to-close dining spot in Newtonville is: Lam's, 825 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02460.

Thanks to @brandnewwatch for bringing this to our attention.


Tweet

More Information on Empire, a New Restaurant Opening on the Boston Waterfront

Over the past several months, we have been telling you about a new restaurant and bar coming to the Boston waterfront. More news has recently come out about the place, including the fact that it is going to going to be a rather spacious spot.

Grub Street Boston is reporting that Empire, which plans to open this summer, will consist of nine dining rooms, three rooms with a private bar, a capacity of 350, and 14,000 square feet of space. The article mentions that the restaurant's menu will focus on a variety of Asian dishes, including such items as lobster scallion pancakes, a fish and chips roll, and broiled barley miso chicken.

The group behind Empire (Big Night Entertainment) also runs the Red Lantern in Boston's Back Bay, Gem and The Estate in downtown Boston, Tosca in Hingham, and three spots at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

[June 19 update: UrbanDaddy is reporting that Empire plans to soft-open this weekend.]

[June 29: An article in the Boston Magazine Chowder blog indicates that the official opening for Empire was yesterday.]

The address for this new restaurant and bar on the Boston waterfront is: Empire, One Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02210.

[Earlier Articles]
Shrine on the Boston Waterfront Will Be Called Empire Instead
Shrine (a New Asian Restaurant) to Open Along the Boston Waterfront


Tweet

Island Hopper in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

A Malaysian restaurant in Boston's Back Bay is getting ready to close its doors, only a few months after getting a reprieve when the opening of a furniture store in the space fell through.

A call placed to Island Hopper on Massachusetts Avenue has indicated that the restaurant's last day will be tomorrow (Saturday, March 17), confirming an email that had been sent to us by one of our readers earlier today. It appeared that Island Hopper was going to shut down this past winter when word came out that the Minnesota-based Room & Board was looking to move into the space where the eatery--and The Otherside Cafe--reside, but the furniture store ended up not moving into the space, sparing both restaurants.

In addition to Malaysian fare, Island Hopper also offered a variety of other types of Southeast Asian cuisine, including Thai and Vietnamese dishes.

The address for Island Hopper is 91 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

Tweet

Update: SE Asian Bistro Is Coming to Watertown

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 27 to reflect the name of the restaurant, which will not, in fact, be Kon Asian Bistro.]

An Asian restaurant with locations in Rhode Island and Maine is going to be opening a new dining spot in the western suburbs of Boston.

A message sent to us by Eat.Live.Blog via the Hiddenboston Twitter page indicates that Kon Asian Bistro is planning to open a restaurant in the Arsenal Mall where Ruby Tuesday used to be. This has been confirmed by the Arsenal Mall Twitter page, which informs us that the new spot will be called SE Asian Bistro. Kon Asian Bistro, which is in East Greenwich, RI, and Portland, ME (and soon, Johnston, RI), offers a Pan-Asian menu with a mix of Japanese, Thai, and Chinese fare, with the eateries having hibachi tables. It is not yet known whether SE Asian Bistro will have any similarities to the other locations (such as the Thai section of the menu, for instance); as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

The address for this upcoming Asian spot in the Arsenal Mall will be: SE Asian Bistro, 485 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for the Kon Asian Bistro restaurants can be found at http://konasianbistro.com/

Tweet

Wok n Talk Opening in Boston's Mission Hill Neighborhood

A new Asian restaurant is getting ready to open in the Mission Hill section of Boston (a short distance north of the heart of Jamaica Plain), and it will be taking over the space where an Ethiopian dining spot had been before moving to Somerville.

According to the Jamaica Plain Patch, Wok n Talk is opening on South Huntington Avenue, taking over the spot formerly occupied by Fasika, which is now located on Broadway in East Somerville. The article states that the new restaurant will feature Asian fusion cuisine during the lunch and dinner hours, but it will also serve American fare for breakfast. Wok n Talk will be a cafe-type place with an open kitchen and a capacity of 97, along with more than 20 free parking spots.

It appears that Wok n Talk may be opening any day now; as soon as we confirm that the place is indeed open, we will post an update here.

[April 19 update: Wok n Talk is now open.]

The address for this new restaurant in the Mission Hill section of Boston will be: Wok n Talk, 23 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

For more information on the opening of Wok n Talk, please go to the Jamaica Plain Patch link below.

Wok n Talk to Open on South Huntington Later This Month

Tweet This!

Latest Review: All Seasons Table, Malden, MA

The latest review that is on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for All Seasons Table, a Pan-Asian restaurant in Malden Center. All Seasons Table features mostly Chinese and Japanese cuisine (including sushi), but also has Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Singaporean items on the menu. The atmosphere is classy, elegant, and sophisticated without being overly pretentious, and the service is top notch. To read more about All Seasons Table in Malden, please click on the link above.