Update: Jade's Restaurant in Peabody Remains Open After Announcement of Its Closure

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 7 to reflect the fact that the restaurant continues to be in operation.]

It looks like an old-school Chinese restaurant on the North Shore could be shutting down at some point, though it remains open for now.

According to a Facebook post from the place on March 27, Jade's Restaurant in Peabody appeared to be getting ready to close its doors, with the post saying the following:

After 30 incredible years, it's with a heavy heart that we say goodbye. We've shared so many wonderful memories together—celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, and countless special moments with you all. From the first bite of your favorite dish to the familiar faces we've come to know so well, it's been an honor to be part of your lives. We're sad to close this chapter. Please join us for our last weekend to celebrate these beautiful memories. Thank you for being part of our journey—we'll miss you!

However, a new Facebook post from April 6 says that the restaurant now remains open "indefinitely," though no other details have been given.

Jade's Restaurant is known in part for its Chinese-American fare along with its Polynesian drinks.

The address for Jade's Restaurant is 4 Bourbon Street, Peabody, MA, 01960. Its website can be found at https://www.jadesrestaurant.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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Tiki Island in Medford Is Closing; New Owners to Take Over Space

It looks like another old-school Polynesian restaurant is saying farewell to the Greater Boston area.

According to a source, Tiki Island in Medford is getting ready to close down, with a Facebook post from the Middlesex Avenue spot--which offers both Chinese and Polynesian fare--saying the following: 

Dear Customers, For the past 40 years, we at Tiki Island Restaurant have had the pleasure of serving our great customers. We are very grateful to have everyone be a part of our journey. Together, we cooked up a lot of fun and sweet memories with many of you.  Thank you for the support which has kept us successful from Day One! However, running a restaurant is a very challenging job which demands a lot of attention and efforts to sustain. Although the business is going strong, it is a bittersweet decision that we have decided to retire. Official closing date has not been finalized but is expected to be within the month or sooner.

The post indicates that the space will come under new ownership, though it is not known what the name of the restaurant will be, nor is it known what kind of cuisine it will offer.

A number of other Polynesian spots have shut down locally over the years, including Bali Hai in Lynnfield, Weylu's in Saugus, Makaha in Acton, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and The South Pacific in Newton.

The address for Tiki Island is 269 Middlesex Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155.

[October 18 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Tiki Island is now closed. (Thanks to Gary Goldblatt for bringing this to our attention.)]

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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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The Tahiti Restaurant in Dedham Is Changing Ownership

A couple of years ago, it was reported that the future of yet another Polynesian restaurant was in question, as it had been sold while also being able to remain open for awhile. Now we have learned that the dining spot is officially changing hands.

According to an article from Wicked Local, the Tahiti restaurant is seeking to transfer its liquor license while also having a change of manager, though a meeting notice shows that both the parent company and the DBA (the name of the place) will apparently be the same. We have since been told by a source that a new team is indeed taking over the Tahiti, though it isn't know what changes--if any--might be coming to the space.

The Tahiti is one of very few remaining Polynesian places left in the Greater Boston area, as spots such as Bali Hai in Lynnfield, Makaha in Acton, the Royal Hawaiian in Burlington, Weylu's in Saugus, Aku Aku in Cambridge, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and the South Pacific in Newton are no longer in business.

The address for the Tahiti is 22 Mah Way, Dedham, MA, 02026.

[Earlier Article]
The Tahiti in Dedham Has Been Sold; Closing Does Not Appear to Be Imminent

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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Manoa Poke Shop in Somerville Is Reopening

A Somerville restaurant that shut down earlier this year is returning to its old space.

Eater Boston is reporting (via an Instagram page from the place) that Manoa Poke Shop on Beacon Street is opening back up, with the dining spot soft-opening this weekend and also being open next weekend, though it is not yet known when it might resume normal hours. The post mentions that the eatery will offer poke (a Hawaiian raw fish salad) once again, along with Polynesian specialties that include its popular fried chicken dish.

Manoa closed in January after being in operation for approximately two years, though the business has continued to do pop-ups at events since its closure, according to Eater.

The address for Manoa Poke Shop is 300 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[Earlier Article]
Manoa Poke Shop in Somerville Is Closing

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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The Tahiti in Dedham Has Been Sold; Closing Does Not Appear to Be Imminent

The future of yet another Polynesian restaurant now seems to be in question, though it does not appear that it would close right away.

According to an article from Universal Hub, the Tahiti in Dedham has been sold to a local builder, with the sale of the property--which includes approximately an acre of land--taking place last month. The post does say that the dining and drinking spot will apparently be able to stay open for at least two more years, though it is not known what might become of the space once it closes--if it does indeed close.

The Tahiti is one of the few remaining Polynesian places left in the Greater Boston area, as such spots as Bali Hai in Lynnfield, Makaha in Acton, the Royal Hawaiian in Burlington, Weylu's in Saugus, Aku Aku in Cambridge, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and the South Pacific in Newton have closed for good over the years.

The address for the Tahiti is 22 Mah Way, Dedham, MA, 02026.

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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Makaha in Acton Is Closing

It looks like the Greater Boston area will soon be losing yet another old-school Polynesian restaurant.

According to a source, Makaha in Acton is shutting down, with a Facebook post from the place saying that the Great Road spot will be having a closing party on July 28 while a comment within the thread indicates that it will be shutting down for good on July 31. Makaha, which has been open for nearly 50 years, will soon join several other Polynesian places that have said farewell to the region, including such spots as Bali Hai in Lynnfield, the Royal Hawaiian in Burlington, Weylu's in Saugus, Aku Aku in Cambridge, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and the South Pacific in Newton.

The address for the soon-to-close Makaha is 255 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720.

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

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

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Imperial Terrace in Quincy Is Closing

It looks like a Chinese restaurant on the South Shore that has been around for a long time is shutting down.

According to multiple sources, including several within the Quincy Is Everything Facebook group page, Imperial Terrace in Quincy is closing, with a few sources saying that the last day for the Sea Street eatery will apparently be this weekend while a poster within the Everything Quincy - past present and future Facebook group page mentions that the place is selling its decorations and electronics. We have reached out to the restaurant and are waiting to hear back from them on why they are closing and what might happen to the space, so keep checking back for updates.

Imperial Terrace has been in business for at least 50 years, according to a few people on the Quincy Is Everything page, with the dining spot being known in part for its Chinese-American fare and Polynesian drinks.

The address for Imperial Terrace is 105 Sea Street, Quincy, MA, 02169. Its website can be found at https://www.imperialterrace.com/

[June 28 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Imperial Terrace is indeed closing, with tomorrow (Sunday, June 30) being its last day in operation.]

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

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

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Bali Hai in Lynnfield Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like one of the last of the region's old-school Polynesian restaurants is getting ready to close.

According to a Facebook post from one of the workers at the place, a sign out front says that Bali Hai in Lynnfield is shutting down for good, with the note stating that the Moulton Drive restaurant plans to close its doors on New Year's Eve. A newer Facebook post mentions that the closing date has been moved up to Sunday, December 30--we will try to confirm that this is indeed the final day as soon as we can.

Over the summer, we reported that plans were being made to replace Bali Hai with a luxury apartment complex, though an article from last month from the Daily Item said that those plans were rejected by the Zoning Board of Appeals. It is not known what might become of the space now, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

Bali Hai, which first opened approximately 50 years ago, is known in part for its Chinese-American food along with its Polynesian cocktails and tiki drinks.

The address for Bali Hai is 160 Moulton Drive, Lynnfield, MA, 01940.

[December 30 update: A Facebook post from photographer and diner documentarian Larry Cultera confirms that today is the last day for Bali Hai.]

[Earlier Article]
Proposal Being Looked at to Replace Bali Hai in Lynnfield with Apartment Complex

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

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Proposal Being Looked at to Replace Bali Hai in Lynnfield with Apartment Complex

by Marc Hurwitz

The future of one of the region's last old-school Polynesian restaurants could be in doubt, though plans to replace it with a luxury apartment complex have been met with a bit of resistance.

According to an article in the Lynn Item, a meeting took place last night on a proposal to replace Bali Hai in Lynnfield with a 32-unit, three-story residential development. The post says that the Planning Board ultimately voted against the project, recommending to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) that they do not grant a special permit for it after listening to local residents share their concerns about the plans. (The ZBA is expected to vote on the proposal this evening.) Matthew and David Palumbo, who are behind the plans to build the complex at the Moulton Drive site, apparently have an agreement to purchase the property, which is located just off Route 128 near the Route 1 intersection.

Bali Hai has been in business for more than 50 years, offering mostly Chinese-American food along with Polynesian cocktails and tiki drinks. A couple of years ago, we had reported that the restaurant had been up for sale, though no further updates were given on the place.

The address for Bali Hai is 160 Moulton Drive, Lynnfield, MA, 01940. Its website can be found at http://www.balihailynnfield.com/

[Earlier Article]
Bali Hai in Lynnfield Is for Sale

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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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Oye's Restaurant and Bar Soft-Opens in Former Donatello's Space in Saugus

A dining spot in Reading has finally expanded into the space on Route 1 where an iconic restaurant had once been.

According to a source, Oye's Restaurant and Bar appeared to be open in Saugus yesterday with balloons out front and cars in the parking lot, and a phone call placed to the Reading location indicated that today is Day 2 of a soft opening for the new eatery. The dining spot, which takes over the space where Donatello's was, had a rocky ride on its way to opening up, as it was first announced that Oye's was planning to open back in the summer of 2015, but as of the fall of 2016 it had still not opened, prompting town selectmen to take action, requiring the place to give a written project status update while having town departments monitor progress as well.

Oye's offers a mix of Chinese and Japanese options along with Polynesian dishes and other Asian fare.

The address for the new Oye's on Route 1 is 44 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906. The website for the original location in Reading can be found at http://oyesrestaurant.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Oye's Restaurant and Bar to Move into Donatello's Space on Route 1 in Saugus
Oye's Still Not Open in Former Donatello's Space in Saugus, Prompting Selectmen into Action

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

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Bali Hai in Lynnfield Is for Sale

One of the last of the old-school Polynesian restaurants in the Greater Boston area is on the selling block.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bali Hai in Lynnfield is up for sale, with a post within the Stormcentre Lynnfield Facebook community page confirming this, saying (via the Zillow site) that the building and the land on Moulton Drive are on the market for $2,500,000. It is not yet known if the restaurant has already closed down; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here. [February 18 update: According to a couple of sources, Bali Hai is still open, at least for now.]

Bali Hai is a dining and drinking spot that has been in business for more than 50 years, offering mostly Chinese-American and Polynesian food, along with Polynesian cocktails and tiki drinks. Back in its heyday (generally before a sound wall was built along Route 128, blocking the view of the place), the restaurant competed with such similar spots as Kowloon and the long-closed Weylu's on Route 1 in Saugus.

The address for Bali Hai is 160 Moulton Drive, Lynnfield, MA, 01940. Its website can be found at http://www.balihailynnfield.com/

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

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Weylu's Building on Route 1 in Saugus Being Demolished Today

Say goodbye to one of the Boston area's most iconic restaurant spaces.

NECN is reporting that the building on Route 1 in Saugus that used to house Weylu's is being demolished today, with photos on social media indicating that it is already in the process of being taken down. Last year we had mentioned that the developers who bought the property were planning on leveling the structure along with the hill on which it sits, with commercial development possibly coming to the site. (It is not known exactly what might go into the space at this point in time.)

Weylu's first opened in the late 1980's, with the 60,000-square-foot restaurant offering Chinese and Polynesian food as well as entertainment. The dining spot closed in 1999 and was replaced by East Manor then Jin Asian Cuisine before the property became vacant for good.

The address for the old Weylu's space is 20 Bennett Highway, Saugus, MA, 01906.

[Earlier Article]
Weylu's Building in Saugus to Be Demolished

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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 Rumor Mill: Is Fantasy Island in Salem Closing?

It looks like one of the few remaining Polynesian restaurants in the Boston area may be shutting down.

According to a reliable source, Fantasy Island in Salem is reportedly going to be closing its doors, with the Loring Avenue dining and drinking spot possibly being replaced by a drug store chain. Little else is known about the apparent closure of the restaurant at this point in time, including when it could be closing and what store will definitely be going into the space; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

The Manta site states that Fantasy Island has been in business since 1979.

The address for this Polynesian restaurant in Salem is: Fantasy Island, 516 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA, 01970.

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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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Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Is Closing

It looks like a bar that has been in the Fenway section of Boston for decades is going to be shutting its doors.

According to a post on its Facebook page, the Tiki Hideaway within the Howard Johnson Inn on Boylston Street is getting ready to close, as the note says that "Unfortunately, the Hotel will be changing owners and will be closing for renovations by year end." It is not yet known whether the Hong Kong Cafe, a Chinese restaurant that is also located within the hotel, will be closing as well.

[December 4 update: A new Facebook post from the spot indicates (via an events page link) that the hotel "as we know it is at the end. Dates not confirmed but probably around the 14th." Still no word on the Hong Kong Cafe, but it appears that it may be closing as well.]

[December 10 update: Based on a new note on its Facebook page, it appears that the Tiki Hideaway will be closing this Friday (November 13).]

[December 13 update: A phone call placed to the hotel confirms that the Tiki Hideaway has officially closed (it will not be open tonight).]

The Tiki Hideaway has been known as a place to go for old-school Polynesian drinks (including scorpion bowls), live music and comedy, with food being offered by the Hong Kong Cafe team. The bar and hotel have been around for a long time, with HoJo's first opening in 1959. (It appears that the bar may have opened around that time as well, based on the Facebook note from the Tiki Hideaway saying that "We will cherish all the great memories from the last 54 years.")

The address for this soon-to-close bar in the Fenway area is: Tiki Hideaway, 1271 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Cheesy Items from Places in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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The South Pacific in Newton Has Closed

Say goodbye to one of the last of the old-school Polynesian restaurants in the Boston area.

Eater Boston is reporting (via well-known mixologist Brother Cleve and an article in the Newton Patch) that the South Pacific in Newton has closed after being in business for nearly 50 years. The Beacon Street eatery was known in part for its strong drinks in tiki mugs, along with Chinese-American fare that included such items as spareribs, pineapple chop suey, sweet and sour shrimp, beef chow mein, spring rolls, moo shi pork, and kung pao chicken.

The South Pacific first opened its doors in 1964, according to a page on the Manta site.

The address for this now-closed Polynesian restaurant in Newton was: South Pacific, 1152 Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 02461.


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