Marseille in Boston's South End Is Closing

A French restaurant in the South End of Boston is shutting down after being in business for a bit under two years.

According to a post within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Marseille on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa part of the neighborhood is closing, with a couple of Instagram stories from the place saying that "[today] our Instagram account will close as we say goodbye to the restaurant" while directing customers to the nearby Petit Robert Bistro along with Batifol in Cambridge's Kendall Square and PRB Boulangerie in Kendall Square, Somerville, and at the Marseille site (it appears that the SoWa location will indeed remain open). Marseille first opened in the spring of 2023, taking over the space where Brasserie had been, and before that, Gaslight.

The address for Marseille is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[January 17 update: Eater Boston mentions that Marseille is now closed, apparently saying goodbye on Monday, January 13.] 

(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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PRB Boulangerie Opens in Boston's South End

A couple of months ago, a new French restaurant opened in the South End of Boston, and now we have learned that a cafe from the same team has debuted there as well.

A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page has posted an article from BosGuy saying that PRB Boulangerie is now open on Harrison Avenue in the former Green Light Cafe space, which was open when Gaslight Brasserie du Coin was in operation in the space. That restaurant is now home to Marseille, and the people behind Petit Robert Bistro (also in the South End) are running the cafe as well. BosGuy mentions that PRB Boulangerie offers such options as bread, pastries, coffee, salads, sandwiches, and dinners for takeout, and the space includes indoor seating while Marseille's outdoor patio can be used by patrons as well.

The address for PRB Boulangerie (and Marseille) is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[Earlier Article]
Marseille Is Opening in the Former Brasserie/Gaslight Space in Boston's South End

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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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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Marseille Is Opening in the Former Brasserie/Gaslight Space in Boston's South End

It looks like the people behind a French restaurant in the South End of Boston are opening a new dining spot not too far away.

According to a post from BosGuy, the Petit Robert Bistro team is opening a restaurant that features southern French fare in the SoWa part of the neighborhood, moving into the space on Harrison Avenue where Brasserie had been, and before that, Gaslight Brasserie du Coin. BosGuy mentions that the new spot could be opening sometime in February or March if all goes as planned.

Petit Robert Bistro resides on Columbus Avenue, just under a mile away from their upcoming restaurant.

The address for the new restaurant coming from the people behind Petit Robert Bistro is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[January 6, 2023 update: Based on a licensing board hearing notice, the new restaurant moving into the former Brasserie/Gaslight space will be called Marseille.]

[May 2, 2023 update: A new article from BosGuy mentions that Marseille soft-opened over the weekend while its Instagram page indicates that it is indeed up and running.]

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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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!

Brasserie in Boston's South End Is Closing for Dinner Service; Takeout Cafe Remains in Operation for Now

A French restaurant in the South End of Boston is shutting down its dinner operations, though part of its business will remain open, at least for now.

According to a note within the OpenTable page for the dining spot, Brasserie in the SoWa area closes today, with the post saying the following:

It's been a tough two years for so many. With great sadness, we inform you of our indefinite closing for evening service beginning today, Wednesday, August 31st. Our take-out cafe will remain open Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 3 PM. We appreciate your support in this last year. Many operational issues have made it difficult for us to continue service at the high level so many expect when entertaining family, friends, and colleagues. Thank you for your support! Jeff and team

Jeffrey Gates, who is a former partner of The Aquitaine Group, first opened Brasserie in May of 2021, with the restaurant taking over the former Gaslight Brasserie du Coin space on Harrison Avenue.

The address for Brasserie is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://www.brasserieboston.com/

[November 3 update: A tweet from @BosGuy indicates that the cafe is now closed as well, with a check on its web page seeming to confirm this, as it has been taken down.]

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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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!

El Barrio Mexican Grill in Dorchester Opens New Location in the South End

A Mexican restaurant in Dorchester has expanded to a second location, and this one resides in a neighborhood just outside of downtown Boston.

According to a tweet from @bennyjet34 (and confirmed by Caught in Dot), El Barrio Mexican Grill is now open on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa section of the South End, joining the original location on Dorchester Avenue between Fields Corner and Ashmont/Peabody Square. Based on the menu at the Dorchester location, expect such items as burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tacos, tortas, bowls, and more at the new spot, along with beer and margaritas.

The address for the new El Barrio Mexican Grill in the South End is 809 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. The Instagram page for the business is at https://www.instagram.com/elbarrioboston/

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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Jeffrey Gates Has Four New Projects in the Works for Boston's South End

It looks like a well-known local restaurateur may have multiple projects on the way to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Jeffrey Gates is looking to open four places on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa section of the South End, including Roma 500 in the former Cinquecento space, Brasserie in the former Gaslight space, The Power Station in the historic SoWa Power Station space, and Pho on Thayer, which would presumably be where Harrison Avenue and Thayer Street meet. It looks like Roma 500 would be an Italian restaurant, though we are still waiting to hear more about Brasserie, and the Power Station would be an events venue according to an article from The Boston Sun, while BosGuy indicates that Pho on Thayer would be an Asian eatery.

As BosGuy says, Jeffrey Gates is a former partner of The Aquitaine Group, which currently runs Metropolis Cafe in the South End and Aquitaine in the South End and Chestnut Hill--and which had operated the now-closed Cinquecento and Gaslight (including a location of the latter in Lynnfield), and a location of Aquitaine in Dedham, which is also shuttered.

[January 28, 2021 update: A post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com indicates that Brasserie will be a classic French brasserie with a "carefully curated beverage program."]

[April 15, 2021 update: A message sent to us indicates that Brasserie is looking to open sometime in early May (an earlier update from a job posting had given a specific date but that date might not be definite).]

[May 4, 2021 update: Eater Boston states that Brasserie opens on Thursday, May 6.]

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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Gaslight in Boston's South End Is Closing

A French restaurant in the South End of Boston is shutting down.

According to a couple of sources, Gaslight Brasserie du Coin on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa area is closing its doors, with one source indicating that its last day will be Sunday, November 22 after brunch service. A Facebook post from the dining spot hints that new restaurants could be on the way from the group behind the spot, saying that "The Aquitaine Group is moving off of Harrison Avenue and we are looking forward to new endeavors in 2021. We are bullish on Boston and the restaurant community that serves our city just as we have, for over 25 years and running at Aquitaine Boston, Aquitaine Chestnut Hill and Metropolis Cafe."

Gaslight is one of two restaurants from the The Aquitaine Group that has resided on Harrison Avenue, with Cinquecento closing earlier this year after being hit by a flood from a water main break.

The address for Gaslight is 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

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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Cinquecento in Boston's South End Has Closed for Good

An Italian restaurant in Boston's South End that sustained serious water damage in April has decided to shut down permanently.

According to a tweet from @heyratty, Cinquecento on Harrison Avenue has closed its doors for good, with a note from the dining spot saying that "On Tuesday April 14, 2020 Cinquecento was devastated by a water main break on Harrison Avenue. Approximately five feet of water filled the building making the restaurant inoperable. It is with great sadness that we have to announce the restaurant will not be reopening." The note does say that Gaslight, a nearby restaurant that is part of the Aquitaine Group along with Cinquecento, will continue to offer dishes from the now-closed restaurant, while Aquitaine Boston and Metropolis Cafe--both of which are located in the South End--and Aquitaine Chestnut Hill remain in operation.

The address for the now-closed Cinquecento was 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[Earlier Article]
Cinquecento in Boston's South End Is Closed After Suffering Major Flood Damage; First Floor a "Total Loss"
Gaslight in Boston's South End to Start Offering Food from Cinquecento's Menu

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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Gaslight in Boston's South End to Start Offering Food from Cinquecento's Menu

An Italian restaurant in the SoWa part of Boston's South End that was heavily damaged in a flood will live on for now at a nearby restaurant that is known for its French fare.

According to a Facebook post, Cinquecento's menu items will be available at Gaslight starting this Saturday, with the post saying that "all of your Italian favorites will now be served @gaslightboston for delivery and curbside pickup." The note also confirms what was feared about Cinquecento--that is was "destroyed" in mid-April due to a water main break that flooded much of the surrounding area. (At the time, the restaurant posted that the first floor was a total loss with damages exceeding $1 million.)

It is not yet known whether Cinquecento will be rebuilt; if we hear anything, we will post an update here.

Gaslight is located at 560 Harrison Avenue while Cinquecento is at 500 Harrison Avenue. (Both restaurants are part of the Aquitaine Group.)

[Earlier Article]
Cinquecento in Boston's South End Is Closed After Suffering Major Flood Damage; First Floor a "Total Loss"

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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Cinquecento in Boston's South End Is Closed After Suffering Major Flood Damage; First Floor a "Total Loss"

An upscale Italian restaurant in the South End of Boston is closed for the foreseeable future after sustaining serious damage due to a water main break.

According to a Facebook post from Jeffrey Gates, Cinquecento on Harrison Avenue is shuttered for the time being due to flood damage from a broken water main that also flooded a large part of the SoWa section of the South End on Tuesday night. Gates, who is one of the business partners behind the place, says in the post that "The water was 4 feet high throughout the area and in the restaurant....Unfortunately, the first floor is a total loss exceeding $1M....The water from the broken 36" main was similar to a damn breaking," and he also says that "Lives would have been lost" if the restaurant had been open at the time. There doesn't appear to be any timeline for the possible reopening of Cinquecento, though Gates does say that he believes "insurance and time will solve this particular issue."

Gates and his Aquitaine Group is also behind such restaurants as Aquitaine in the South End, Chestnut Hill, and Dedham, Gaslight in the South End and Lynnfield, and Metropolis in the South End.

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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All Spice Is Opening in Boston's South End

It looks like a new dining spot is coming to a quiet part of the South End of Boston.

According to a source, All Spice opening at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Worcester Square in the space where a location of Subway had been, with signs in the window indicating that it will be a breakfast and lunch place serving such items as falafel, gyros, wraps, shawarma, and coffee. Little other information on the restaurant has been given as of yet, and it is not known when exactly it might open, so keep checking back for updates as they come in.

The section of the South End where All Spice is planning to open is mostly residential, though Boston Medical is across the street from the space.

The address for All Spice is 805 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

[February 11, 2021 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, All Spice is now open.]

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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Stella Cafe in Boston's South End Closes Today

A cafe that is affiliated with an adjacent South End restaurant is getting ready to shut down for good.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the restaurant's Facebook page) that Stella Cafe on Washington Street closes at the end of business hours today, though Stella Restaurant and Bar will remain in operation. The Facebook note also mentions that "you'll be able to join us again for lunch soon at Charlie's," which refers to a now-closed landmark eatery on Columbus Avenue that Stella chef/owner Evan Deluty and his wife Candice will be reopening.

Stella Cafe offered a variety of breakfast items as well as salads, sandwiches, and crepes.

The address for Stella Cafe (and Stella Restaurant and Bar) is 1525 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website can be found at http://www.bostonstella.com/

[Earlier Article]
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End of Boston Is Reopening

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Breakfast Dishes/Items from Restaurants in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Bone Daddy's Burgers Food Truck Is Up and Running Once Again

A food truck that focuses on burgers has returned to the area after briefly shutting down.

A visit to the SoWa food trucks yesterday indicated that Bone Daddy's Burgers is back in business, with a message from the Hub Food Trucks blog confirming this. It appears that at least for now, the truck has a shorter schedule, with their being set up at SoWa on Sundays and also at two locations in Watertown on other days--the Commander's Mansion by The Arsenal and the Central Rock Gym on Acton Street a bit west of the center of town.

In March, we had reported that Bone Daddy's Burgers was planning to call it a day after "a long struggle & a cold hard winter," but it looks like they received enough funding (including from the gofundme site) to stay in operation.

Bone Daddy's Burgers debuted in the spring of 2013, offering burgers as well as hot dogs, fries, and more. Information on the truck can be found at http://www.brothertrucker.biz/ and at https://www.facebook.com/bonedaddysburgers

[Earlier Article]
Bone Daddy's Burgers Food Truck May Be Shutting Down

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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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SoWa Food Truck Court Will Be Open All Year Round

It looks like people will now be able to visit food trucks in Boston's South End all year long.

According to a post on the SoWa Open Market Facebook page, food trucks will be set up at SoWa through the rest of the fall and winter, with the trucks being set up inside the restored power station at 540 Harrison Avenue starting Sunday, November 11. Hours for the food trucks will be 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM each Sunday through April 28, when they will presumably return to their usual "warm-weather" space.

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.


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The Cannoli Cart May Be Coming to SoWa Open Market This Year

A new mobile food spot may be on its way to the SoWa Open Market in Boston's South End this year, and it looks to feature a popular Italian treat.

This past weekend, the EveryBlock Boston site reported that The Cannoli Cart received a business license to operate at 460 Harrison Avenue, which is the site of the market which features a wide variety of vendors, including food trucks, artists, photographers, florists, and more. The Cannoli Cart would join a number of food vendors, with a few of last year's options including Clover Food Truck, Bon Me, Grillo's Pickles, Staff Meal, Silk Road BBQ, C-Cup Cupcakes, and South End Pita.

At this point in time, very little is known about the planned Cannoli Cart; as soon as we find out more information, we will post an update here.

The address for the SoWa Open Market is 460 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for the market can be found at http://www.sowaopenmarket.com/

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Cinquecento to Open in Former Rocca Space in Boston's South End

The group behind several South End restaurants are going to be opening an Italian eatery in the SoWa space where another dining spot had been until closing just over a year ago.

Based on information from both The Boston Globe and Grub Street Boston, The Aquitaine Group is planning to open Cinquecento on Harrison Avenue in the SoWa section of the South End, taking over the former Rocca spot (Rocca closed at the beginning of 2011). The Globe article mentions that the new restaurant will feature mid-priced Italian food, and that extensive renovations are being done, including the atrium being demolished and the second floor being enlarged.

[February 28 update: According to the Craigslist site, Cinquecento is now hiring managers and is planning to open sometime this spring. The post also states that job candidates must have experience in high-volume "fine dining" establishments, which may indicate that Cinquecento could perhaps be more on the high end of the mid-priced spectrum that we had mentioned earlier.]

[November 14 update: An email sent to us from CBH Communications indicates that Cinquecento is hoping to open "right after Thanksgiving."]

[November 26 update: A new job post on Craigslist mentions that Cinquecento plans to open this Friday (November 30).]

The Aquitaine Group operates four other restaurants in the South End--Aquitaine, Metropolis Cafe, Union Bar and Grille, and Gaslight. It also runs Aquitaine in Chestnut Hill and Aquitaine at Legacy Place in Dedham.

The address for this upcoming Italian dining spot in the South End will be: Cinquecento, 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

For more information on the opening of Cinquecento, please go to the Boston Globe and Grub Street links below.

[Boston Globe]
Reversing a restaurant curse

[Grub Street Boston]
The Aquitaine Group's New Restaurant Will Be Called Cinquecento, Might Channel Keith McNally

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Owner of Stella in Boston's South End Considers Opening a Burger Place

It looks like the chef/owner of an Italian restaurant in the SoWa district of Boston's South End may be thinking about joining the burger craze.

A Boston Globe article on possible 2012 restaurant trends includes a post from Evan Deluty of Stella on Washington Street, who predicts affordable burgers being a possible trend for the year. In the post, Deluty also indicates the possibility of being part of the trend, stating that he is "looking at potentially doing a burger place." The chef/owner of Stella also looks at restaurants that are playing a role in the burger craze, including Wahlburgers in Hingham, Tasty Burger in the Fenway (which is planning to expand), and Burger Dive, which hopes to open in Somerville's Assembly Square.

Stella is a chic yet affordable Italian eatery in SoWa that features such dishes as grilled Italian sausage, spicy mussels, grilled pizza, tagliatelle bolognese, house-made gnocchi, honey-glazed salmon, and seared duck breast. The address for the restaurant is 1525 Washington Street (next to Blackstone Square).

Information for this article comes from the Boston Globe link below:

Hot restaurant trends of 2012

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Food Trucks Return to the SoWa Open Market Starting May 1, 2011

Last year, the SoWa Open Market in Boston was home to a Food Truck Festival and eventually, a weekly gathering of food trucks. For 2011, the food trucks are returning, with a number of vendors coming to opening weekend at SoWa on Sunday, May 1.

According to The Beantown Bloggery, the 8th year of the SoWa Open Market begins this coming Sunday on Harrison Avenue from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the market running every Sunday until the end of October. The blog post mentions that there will now be a SoWa Food Truck Court, with nine food trucks (different trucks each week) setting up each Sunday. The lineup of food trucks includes Bon Me Truck, Clover Food Truck, Grillo's Pickles, Lincoln Street Coffee, M&M Ribs, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, South End Pita, and more.

The SoWa Open Market can be found at 460 Harrison Avenue in the South End of Boston. For more information, please go to http://www.sowaopenmarket.com/

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for initially letting us know about this.

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Rocca in Boston's South End Has Closed

It looks like a popular restaurant in the SoWa section of Boston's South End may have shut its doors.

According to several sources, including food writer MC Slim JB, who posted the news on Chowhound, as well as a few people on the Twitter site, Rocca on Harrison Avenue has closed, with the upscale eatery apparently shutting its doors as of either yesterday or today. A check on OpenTable indicates that reservations for Rocca are not being taken anymore, and calls placed to the restaurant have not been picked up by anyone. In addition, a note on Rocca's Twitter page mentions that the reservations manager's last day was on December 28.

Rocca, which first opened in the spring of 2007, featured mostly inventive Italian dishes, with such menu items as yellowfin tuna tartare, ricotta cavatelli, gnocchetti, smoked and braised pork, spiced lamb loin, and goat's cheese pound cake.

The address for this now-closed restaurant was: Rocca, 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

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The Boston Lobster Party Is Coming to SoWa October 16, 2010

Another culinary event is coming to the SoWa section of Boston, and this event will focus on lobster.

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, The Boston Lobster Party will be held at The Trolley Barn (540 Harrison Avenue), and it will feature lobster-based dishes from several restaurants as well as craft beers from a number of local brewers. Restaurants participating include Garden at the Cellar, Rocca, Stoddard's, Petit Robert Bistro, South End Buttery, and Turner Fisheries, with more on the way. A few of the breweries bringing their beers to the event include Blue Hills Brewery, Cisco, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Mayflower Brewing Company, Notch Session, Peak Organic Brewing Company, and Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project.

All proceeds (after expenses) from The Boston Lobster Party will go to Community Servings, Share our Strength, and Lovin' Spoonfuls.

Tickets to The Boston Lobster Party, which will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, cost $30.00 (plus fee) for early-bird tickets and $35 (plus fee) for regular tickets.

For more information on The Boston Lobster Party, please go to the following links below.

[Facebook event page]
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110069062385969

[Eventbrite page]
http://bostonlobsterparty.eventbrite.com/

[Eat Boston Twitter page]
http://twitter.com/eatboston

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