Todd English's Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Has Reopened After 2016 Fire Shut It Down

Last year, a Beacon Hill dining spot owned by a celebrity chef was shut down due to a fire. Now we have learned that it is open once again.

According to an article from The Beacon Hill Times, Todd English's Figs on Charles Street has reopened after a fire in the ductwork that extended to the roof forced the restaurant to close in October of 2016. The post says that the menu remains the same, while renovations have been made to the space, including new chairs, tables, and kitchen equipment along with a brighter-colored interior.

Another location of Figs is located on Main Street in Charlestown.

The address for Figs in the Beacon Hill section of Boston is 42 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website is at https://toddenglishfigs.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Remains Closed After Fire Earlier This Month
Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Getting Ready to Reopen

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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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Update: Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Temporarily Closes, Reopens Again

[Ed note: This article was updated on September 6 to reflect the fact that Figs has reopened once again.]

Several weeks ago, we reported that a Beacon Hill dining spot owned by a celebrity chef and restaurateur had closed for renovations, with the place soon reopening. Now we have learned that it has temporarily closed once again.

A Twitter post sent this evening indicated that Todd English's Figs on Charles Street was looking "rather empty," while an article from Universal Hub states (via a Twitter photo) that the restaurant is indeed "temporarily closed." The note out front does not indicate that any renovations are being done this time around, with customers being referred to the Charlestown location of the eatery.

[September 4 update: In addition to the Beacon Hill location of Figs closing, Boca News Now states that another Todd English restaurant--English Tap & Beer Garden in Boca Raton, FL--closed as well yesterday, with this one apparently being permanent (it is still not known whether the Figs closure is temporary or permanent, though the signs indicates that it may be temporary).]

[September 6 update: According to a tweet posted last night, Figs in Beacon Hill is reopening today; a phone call placed to the restaurant confirms this, as it is indeed going to be opening its doors once again at 6:00 this evening.]

Other Todd English restaurants in Boston have closed over the past several years, including Bonfire in Park Plaza, Kingfish Hall in Faneuil Hall, and Olives in Charlestown, and Isabelle's Curly Cakes on Charles Street had closed for what it said was renovations earlier this year, with the place ultimately closing down.

The address for Figs in the Beacon Hill section of Boston is 42 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[Earlier Article]
Update: Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Reopens After Being Closed for Renovations

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Update: Figs in Boston's Beacon Hill Reopens After Being Closed for Renovations

[Ed Note: This article was updated on August 3 to reflect the fact that the restaurant is open once again.]

It looks like a Beacon Hill dining spot owned by a celebrity chef and restaurateur has closed for at least awhile.

A Twitter post from yesterday indicates that Todd English's Figs on Charles Street is closed for renovations, with another poster on the site saying last week that the place was temporarily closed for renovations. (A check on the place by Cappy in Boston this morning indicates that the sign out front says "temporarily closed for renovations.") Calls to the establishment last night went unanswered (no voicemail) and there is no mention of the closure on the Figs website or Facebook page.

Other Todd English restaurants in Boston have closed permanently over the past several years, including Bonfire in Park Plaza, Kingfish Hall in Faneuil Hall, and Olives in Charlestown, and another spot on Charles Street had closed for what it said was renovations earlier this year, with Isabelle's Curly Cakes ultimately closing rather than being renovated. It is not yet known whether this is the case with the Beacon Hill location of Figs; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here. (The location of Figs on Main Street in Charlestown remains open.)

[July 25 update: According to a post on their Facebook page, Figs will apparently be reopening, with the message saying "Figs On Beacon Hill will be temporarily closed this week for a few days while we take care of some minor repairs. We'll be back in action in no time and we will keep you posted."]

[August 3 update: A poster on the Chowhound site mentions that Figs on Charles Street is open once again.]

The address for Figs in the Beacon Hill section of Boston is 42 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

Thanks to @PatrickMBoston of Maguire Promotions for initially bringing this to our attention.

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Isabelle's Curly Cakes in Boston's Beacon Hill Has Closed

A cupcake place with a celebrity chef and restaurateur behind it has closed, at least temporarily.

According to a Twitter post from @lmennies of Boston Magazine, Isabelle's Curly Cakes on Charles Street has a sign out front saying that it is "closed for renovations," with the sign also saying "Please join us next month!" (Phone calls to the place went directly to voicemail.) The cupcake shop, which first opened in December of 2010, is run by Todd English and his daughter Isabelle, and features a variety of cupcakes as well as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

[January 17 update: Isabelle's Curly Cakes has put out a statement regarding its status. The note says "Isabelle’s Curlycakes is closed for a complete makeover. For the next three weeks, we will be hard at work creating a new neighborhood hangout for all our local friends. Can we tell you more? Not just yet, but be sure it will involve delicious brews and scrumptious treats. Stay tuned for our grand re-opening!" As soon as we find out what is going on with the shop, we will post another update here.]

[March 17 update: It appears that Isabelle's Curly Cakes is not being renovated after all, as Eater Boston states (via a Twitter post from @BOSFoodTours) that the space is now for lease.]

[March 30 update: A new article in The Boston Globe confirms that Isabelle's Curly Cakes has indeed closed for good, and according to property manager Jim Fay of Street & Company, Todd English has not paid the rent on the shop for months, adding that "We hope that they will pay it."]

The address for Isabelle's Curly Cakes is 81 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website can be found at: http://www.izzyscurlycakes.com/

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

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Update: Olives in Charlestown Has Closed Its Doors; May Move

It appears that one of Todd English's restaurants has closed down.

According to several sources (including an initial Twitter query from food writer MC Slim JB), Olives restaurant in Charlestown has shuttered, with the windows being papered over and inquiries referred to the building owner. (One contact who has a very firm source indicates that it has indeed shuttered.) The City Square dining spot had been closed for an extensive period of time after being damaged in a grease fire in the spring of 2010, with it finally reopening in the spring of 2012.

A call was placed to Todd English Enterprises a short time ago, with a call back to us expected shortly, according to the person who answered the phone.

[June 28 update: A photo sent to us confirms that a sign out front says "The premises is closed until further notice," with a note about inquiries and requests for access being directed to City Square Holdings.]

[June 29 update: The Boston Globe's Restaurant Hub blog reports that Olive's may be reopening in a new location at some point, with Todd English saying that even though he is "leaving this neighborhood" (City Square in Charlestown), there will be a "rebirth of Olives" with a "true representation of the evolution of America's hunger for freshness and diversity," though it will "also stay true to Olives Mediterranean roots."]

The address for this now-closed eatery in Charlestown is: Olives, 10 City Square, Charlestown, MA, 02129.

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Kingfish Hall in Boston's Faneuil Hall Has Closed for Good

The continuing saga of Kingfish Hall in Boston's Faneuil Hall may have taken the last of its twists and turns, as owner Todd English himself now indicates that the seafood spot will likely not be opening up again.

An article in the Boston Globe on Olives in Charlestown (another Todd English restaurant) mentions that Kingfish Hall appears to be finished, with English stating that "There's a new landlord, and I'm trying to renegotiate, but it's probably not going to happen." He continues by saying that "I'll probably just move on from there and look for something else down the road....Things have to change. Twelve years in Faneuil Hall, that's a good run for a restaurant."

[May 16 update: The Boston Globe reports that Todd English is being sued for more than $1 million for "unpaid rent and other charges" stemming from the closure of Kingfish Hall. The article also states that English made the decision to shut the place down back in March.]

Olives reopened late last month after being closed since the spring of 2010 due to a fire.

The address for the now-closed Kingfish Hall was: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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Update #2: Kingfish Hall Is Still Open

The strange saga of Kingfish Hall in Faneuil Hall continues, with confirmation that the troubled Todd English restaurant is actually still open.

Earlier this week, we reported that a source in an Eater Boston article mentioned that the seafood spot had closed for good last Saturday night, and a check on the OpenTable site showed that Kingfish Hall was "offline temporarily," with phone calls to the restaurant going directly to voicemail. Yesterday, one of our readers posted a comment stating that Kingfish Hall was open once again, saying that he/she "was there today for lunch and there were 2 salad options, a soup or crabcake appetizer, a lobster roll and either a fish or meat option. The fish or meat option were chefs choice only." The poster went on to say that "the staff stated the restaurant was closing for renovations." A call placed to Kingfish Hall indicates that it is indeed open for business. (This confirms an earlier article by Grub Street Boston, which reported that the restaurant "isn't closed," and "won't close.")

If we find out any other information on the status of Kingfish Hall, we will post another update here.

The address for Kingfish Hall is: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109.

[Earlier Articles]
Update: Has Kingfish Hall Closed for Good After All?
Todd English's Kingfish Hall to Remain Open
Is Todd English's Kingfish Hall Becoming a Belgian Beer Bar?
Todd English May Be Making Changes to Kingfish Hall
Todd English's Kingfish Hall Restaurant in Faneuil Hall Faces Eviction

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Update: Has Kingfish Hall Closed for Good After All?

Last month we reported that the troubled Boston seafood restaurant Kingfish Hall was apparently going to remain open, but now we are not so sure.

Earlier today, Eater Boston reported that a source indicated Todd English's Faneuil Hall eatery had closed for good this past Saturday night. A check on the OpenTable site shows that Kingfish Hall is "offline temporarily," while phone calls to the restaurant today are going directly to voicemail.

As soon as we find out more on whether Kingfish Hall has indeed closed for good, we will post another update here.

The address for Kingfish Hall is: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109.

[Earlier Articles]
Todd English's Kingfish Hall to Remain Open
Is Todd English's Kingfish Hall Becoming a Belgian Beer Bar?
Todd English May Be Making Changes to Kingfish Hall
Todd English's Kingfish Hall Restaurant in Faneuil Hall Faces Eviction

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Todd English's Kingfish Hall to Remain Open

A Boston seafood restaurant that is owned by a celebrity chef has been the subject of much speculation concerning its status as of late, but now it appears that the rumors about its possible demise can be put to rest, at least for now.

According to Grub Street Boston, Todd English's Kingfish Hall in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace will remain open, with reps of the dining spot stating that "It's off season for Faneuil Hall so we've adjusted our hours accordingly based on the slow season." Over the past few weeks, rumors have been floating around that Kingfish Hall may have closed for good (or was readying to shut down), and we reported last summer that there was talk of the restaurant possibly becoming a Belgian beer bar. In addition, last winter it was mentioned that Kingfish Hall had fallen behind in rent payments, resulting in the possible start of eviction procedures.

More updates may be on the way, so keep checking back for updates, but at this point in time, it appears that Kingfish Hall will not be closing down.

The address for Kingfish Hall is: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for the restaurant can be found at: http://www.toddenglish.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Is Todd English's Kingfish Hall Becoming a Belgian Beer Bar?
Todd English May Be Making Changes to Kingfish Hall
Todd English's Kingfish Hall Restaurant in Faneuil Hall Faces Eviction

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Is Todd English's Kingfish Hall Becoming a Belgian Beer Bar?

If the rumor mill is to be believed, the celebrity chef behind a seafood restaurant in Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace may be changing the place into a spot that focuses on high-end beers.

According to The Boston Herald, word is going around that Todd English's Kingfish Hall could become a Belgian-style beer bar, though a call placed to the chef by the newspaper could not confirm--or deny--this rumor. The article does mention that Todd English is a beer lover who recently opened a pub in Boca Raton, and is behind a pub in Las Vegas as well.

This spring, we reported that it looked like Kingfish Hall was in danger of eviction from Faneuil Hall, and that the process of negotiations included a possibility that a change in concept could happen for the space.

The address for Kingfish Hall is: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for the restaurant can be found at: http://www.toddenglish.com/

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Olives in Charlestown Plans to Reopen

Two months after we reported that the Boston Licensing Board had been looking into why Todd English's Olives restaurant was still closed months after a fire hit the place, it now appears that the Charlestown eatery may be on track to open fairly soon.

According to the Charlestown Patch, Olives should be ready to open by September, based on a letter that the celebrity chef sent to the board. The City Square eatery had been damaged in a grease fire in the spring of 2010 and has been closed ever since, prompting the Boston Licensing Board to get involved. In a hearing last month, the board decided to allow Olives to keep their liquor license for 45 days (until the end of this month), with the board deciding on what to do about the license at that point.

A call placed by the Patch to the dining spot more or less confirms the possibility of the reopening of Olives after Labor Day, as the Patch was told that it should be open by the end of the summer.

[July 1 update: According to The Boston Globe, the Boston Licensing Board has basically set a deadline of September 13 for Olives to open, at which point the board will have another hearing, possibly taking away the restaurant's liquor license if it is not yet in operation.]

[September 14 update: According to The Boston Herald, Todd English told the Boston Licensing Board yesterday that Olives will "re-open for the holidays." (Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

[December 14 update: According to Universal Hub, Olives is now hoping to reopen in January.]

[February 15, 2012 update: A new post by Universal Hub mentions that Olives is still not open and that Todd English appeared before the Boston Licensing Board once again yesterday, explaining that (in Universal Hub's words) "the restaurant itself now passes muster with the Fire Department, [but] the City Square building it's in did not." Olives will be applying for occupancy and place-of-assembly permits within the next few days, and assuming that things go smoothly, it is possible that the eatery may be able to reopen soon after that. Stay tuned for more updates....]

[April 4, 2012 update: A new post by Universal Hub mentions that Todd English faced the Boston Licensing Board once again this week, stating that the last fire inspection for Olives is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, April 5). If the inspection goes well, the restaurant could be reopening very soon, as everything appears to be in place.]

[April 25, 2012 update: It appears that Olives is on the verge of reopening, as the Charlestown Patch reports that the restaurant now has all permits needed to open and it had a hiring day earlier this week.]

[April 30, 2012 update: The Boston Herald is reporting that Olives is now open once again.]

The address for Olives is: Olives, 10 City Square, Charlestown, MA, 02129.

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Boston Licensing Board Schedules Hearing for Status of Todd English's Olives

A celebrity chef-owned New American and Mediterranean restaurant in Charlestown that was damaged in a fire last spring remains closed, and the Boston Licensing Board is now getting involved.

According to the Boston Herald, Olives, which is run by Todd English, has been shuttered since last May, when a grease fire resulted in approximately $200,000 in damages. The Herald mentions that it does not look like much in the way of major renovations have been done to the City Square eatery to get it ready for opening, and now the city is holding a hearing to see if there are any violations of the restaurant's license, based on the fact that the place has not reopened. A spokesperson for Todd English states that Olives will open once again early this summer, with work being done in the space in order to prepare for its reopening.

The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5. [April 8 update: According to The Charlestown Patch, the Boston Licensing Board has decided to let Olives keep their liquor license for 45 days (through the month of May), but the board may decide--via a status meeting at the end of the 45-day period--to take away the license if the restaurant has not opened by then.]

The address for this restaurant is: Olives, 10 City Square, Charlestown, MA, 02129.

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Herald link below.

Board serves up notice to Todd English and Co.

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Todd English's Kingfish Hall Restaurant in Faneuil Hall Faces Eviction

A popular seafood restaurant in Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace that is owned by one of the most famous chefs in the country faces a possible closure, as eviction proceedings are apparently in the works.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Kingfish Hall in the South Market Building of Faneuil Hall has fallen behind in rent payments, resulting in the start of eviction procedures against Todd English's well-known eatery very soon (a hearing looks to be happening next week). The Globe mentions that Kingfish Hall is one of several businesses in the tourist-oriented Faneuil Hall Marketplace that faces possible eviction--or has already been evicted--including Bill Rodgers Running Shop in the former category and Bombay Club and Henri's Glassworks in the latter category.

Kingfish Hall features a mix of regional classics and fresh seafood dishes, including such items as clam chowder, calamari, tuna tartare, lobster rolls, shrimp pasta, seafood linguini, grilled swordfish, roasted chicken, and steak frites. The restaurant also has a raw bar.

The address for Kingfish Hall is: Kingfish Hall, 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for the restaurant can be found at: http://www.toddenglish.com/

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

Market's retailers under the gun: Faneuil Hall shops facing evictions

Thanks to Boston food writer MC Slim JB for initially bringing this to our attention.

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Update: Todd English Might Open a Burger Bar In the Theater District

More than two years after we first reported it, Todd English's idea for an upscale burger joint may finally be coming to fruition. According to Zagat Buzz, the celebrity chef known for such places as Olives, Kingfish Hall, and Figs should have the dining spot open in the Theater District of Boston later this fall. The unnamed burger place will open at 255 Tremont Street (just south of Stuart Street), where Dominic’s Restaurant used to reside.

[December 11 update: Todd English's new burger place isn't open yet, but according to the Boston Herald, a major hurdle was passed recently when they received approval for a liquor license. The Herald also mentions that the restaurant will have a capacity of a little under 200.]

[January 6, 2010 update: According to Grub Street Boston, Todd English's still-unnamed burger bar should be opening in late March.]

[February 8, 2010 update: According to an article in yesterday's Boston Globe, Todd English's burger bar is "off the table, for now." If and when it looks like it may be in the works again, we will post a new update here.]

The Boston Herald reports that the restaurant will feature burgers paired with craft beers and wines, with prices being moderate and the atmosphere being that of an American bistro. The Herald also mentions that upstairs will be an upscale lounge with a sushi bar.

For more information on Todd English's soon-to-open burger bar in the Theater District, please go to the Boston Herald link below:

Todd English’s new burger joint

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