Izzy's Restaurant in Cambridge Is Closing

A beloved dining spot in Cambridge that specializes in Puerto Rican fare is shutting down.

According to a source, Izzy's Restaurant on Harvard Street is closing permanently, with an Instagram post from Alberto Vasallo of El Mundo Boston confirming this, saying in Spanish that "after 40 years, the iconic 'Izzy's Restaurant' in Cambridge officially closes its doors." It appears that the dining spot shuttered on or around February 12, though it is unclear in the video if that was indeed the official closing date.

Izzy's featured a mix of Puerto Rican and classic American fare, including tripe soup, chicken legs, cheeseburger subs, fried ribs, steak tips, stewed goat, fried pork subs, pork chops, fish cakes, sweet plantains, and hot sausage.

The address for Izzy's Restaurant is 169 Harvard Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

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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Amira Lounge & Kitchen Plans to Open on Route 1 in Saugus

It looks like a brand new Caribbean restaurant is on its way to a busy stretch of Route 1 north of Boston.

According to an article from Wicked Local and the Saugus Advertiser, Amira Lounge & Kitchen is planning to open in Saugus, taking over the space in a strip mall near the Route 1/Walnut Street intersection where Inka's Peruvian Restaurant had been. The post mentions that the dining spot is expected to be a family-friendly eatery that offers Dominican fare along with Puerto Rican food, with the menu possibly including shrimp ceviche, blackened salmon, carne frita, pollo a la plancha, and more.

The address for the upcoming Amira Lounge & Kitchen is 184 Broadway (Route 1), Saugus, MA, 01906

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.)

PapiVivi Opens in Lynn

A restaurant featuring Puerto Rican fare has come to the North Shore, and the people behind it are known for their pop-up spots.

Eater Boston is reporting that PapiVivi is now open in Lynn, moving into a space on Boston Street near the Saugus line. The father-daughter team behind the new dining spot used to run pop-ups at various breweries and distilleries in the local area, and they used to hand out free sandwiches in New York City while also participating in the NYC Wine and Food Festival. The menu at PapiVivi includes a variety of sandwiches along with empanadas, burripletas, bowls, pizza, cheese fries, and more.

The address for PapiVivi in Lynn is 816 Boston Street, Lynn, MA, 01905. Its website can be found at http://papivivi.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.)

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Mana Escondido Cafe Is Opening in Boston's South End

It looks like a new Puerto Rican restaurant is on its way to Boston.

Universal Hub is reporting that Mana Escondido Cafe is going to be opening in the South End, with the eatery apparently being open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Aguadilla Street dining spot will serve mofongo as well as items that "are currently unavailable anywhere in Massachusetts," according to the owner of the restaurant. Expect a December 1 opening for the new eatery.

[December 7 update: Eater Boston, which recently mentioned that Mana Escondido Cafe was hoping for a December 8 opening, is now stating that the restaurant will not open on December 8 after all, though it appears that their opening is not far off. (Stay tuned for more updates.)]

[May 2, 2013 update: A Twitter post (along with a direct message) from @Pilotblock indicates that Mana Escondido Cafe is now open.]

Mana Escondido Cafe is moving into the space where Miami Cafe had been (just south of Tremont Street).

The address for this new Puerto Rican restaurant in the South End is: Mana Escondido Cafe, 68 Aguadilla Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Their website is at http://www.manacafeboston.com/

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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