La Voile in Brookline's Washington Square Has Closed

A local pair of French restaurants is back down to just one.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston mentions that La Voile in the Washington Square section of Brookline is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the business indicating that it shuttered over the weekend. (The note does say that the location on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay remains in operation.) The Brookline outlet of La Voile first opened in 2015, offering such items as foie gras, French onion soup, escargots, seared Dover sole, lamb shank, bourguignon, and creme brulee.

The address for the now-closed La Voile in Brookline was 1627 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for the business is at https://www.lavoilerestaurants.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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Ivory Pearl in Brookline's Washington Square Is Closing

A seafood restaurant and cocktail bar in Brookline that has an award-winning mixologist and restaurateur behind it is shutting down.

According to multiple sources, Ivory Pearl in Washington Square is getting ready to close its doors, with a Facebook post from the Beacon Street spot saying the following:

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our loyal guests, incredible staff, and the welcoming community for their unwavering support of our 42-seat restaurant. In an ever-changing restaurant landscape, facing challenges such as rising costs, the need for adaptation is clear. We are truly proud of the space we've created here in Washington Square. As we approach March 31st, the final service day for Ivory Pearl, We invite you to join us in the coming two weeks to celebrate everything that Ivory Pearl has represented. Let’s enjoy these moments together as we prepare for the exciting journey that lies ahead.

Ran Duan (Sichuan Garden/Baldwin Bar in Woburn, Sichuan Garden/Blossom Bar in Brookline Village, Birds of Paradise in Brighton) first opened Ivory Pearl in the summer of 2020, replacing Grassona's.

The address for Ivory Pearl is 1704 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website is at https://www.ivorypearlbar.com/

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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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Is'Original Thai Cuisine in Brookline's Washington Square Is Closing, May Be Looking for New Location

A Thai restaurant in Brookline is shutting down after being open for a bit under four years.

According to a source, Is'Original Thai Cuisine in Washington Square is closing, with a note out front indicating that Friday, December 15 will be its last day in operation, though we have been told that the people behind it may be looking to reopen elsewhere. The dining spot first opened in January of 2020, taking over the space on Beacon Street where New Rod Dee had been; the place is known for such items as boat noodle soup, crispy pork belly, spicy duck, mango crispy chicken, and BBQ pork with sticky rice.

The address for Is'Original Thai Cuisine is 1671 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website can be found at https://www.isoriginalthai.com/

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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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bartaco Is Opening in Brookline

Last month, it was reported that a small chain of street food spots with influences ranging from the cuisines of California to Mexico to South America was planning to open a second location in Boston, and now we have learned that another will be coming to Brookline.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, bartaco is going to be opening in Washington Square, moving into the Beacon Street space that had been home to Porto Maltese, and before that, The Fireplace. It appears that this will be the second Boston-area location of the chain, as another which is planned for Van Ness Street in the Fenway is currently going through the licensing/permitting process while the Brookline outlet appears to be further along.

The first Boston-area location of bartaco opened in Fort Point in the fall of 2018.

The address for the new location of bartaco in Brookline is 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for the chain is at https://bartaco.com/

[July 17 update: According to a tweet from @riptor, bartaco in Brookline is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
bartaco Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

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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Mamaleh's in Cambridge's Kendall Square Is Opening a New Location in Brookline

A Cambridge deli is expanding to Brookline.

According to an article from boston.com, Mamaleh's Delicatessen in Kendall Square will be joined by a new location on Beacon Street in Brookline's Washington Square area, with the place taking over the space where a location of Dunkin' had been. The post says that the new outlet, which is currently crowdfunding with the help of Boston-based NuMarket, will be a counter-service spot with a menu that will be mostly the same as that of the Cambridge restaurant, while some table seating will be set up eventually. If all goes as planned, the new location of Mamaleh's could open early this summer.

The Kendall Square location of Mamaleh's debuted in the summer of 2016, with the team behind it also running Cafe du Pays and State Park in the Kendall Square area.

The address for the new location of Mamaleh's in Washington Square is 1659 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for the original location can be found at https://mamalehs.com/

[August 5 update: An article from the Brookline Tab and Wicked local mentions that the Brookline location of Mamaleh's 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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Ivory Pearl Is Opening in Brookline's Washington Square in Early August

A long-awaited seafood restaurant and cocktail bar that has one of the region's best-known mixologists behind it is on the verge of opening.

According to an article from boston.com, Ivory Pearl is looking to open in the Washington Square area of Brookline in early August, with Ran Duan (Sichuan Garden/Baldwin Bar in Woburn, Sichuan Garden/Blossom Bar in Brookline) and his team planning to offer a raw bar as well as small plates and larger entrees, while drinks will include wine-based and carbonated cocktails. The post mentions that the space will include an outdoor patio, while to-go options could include "takeaway kits" that customers can cook at home, though this isn't a given as of yet.

Ivory Garden is taking over the space that had been home to Grassona's, an Italian restaurant that closed earlier this year.

The address for Ivory Pearl is 1704 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website will be at https://www.ivorypearlbar.com/

[August 5 update: Eater Boston states that Ivory Pearl debuts this evening.]

[Earlier Article]
Ran Duan to Open Ivory Pearl in Grassona's Space in Brookline's Washington Square

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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Is'Original Thai Cuisine Opens in Former New Rod Dee Space in Brookline's Washington Square

A new Thai restaurant has come to Brookline, and it features dishes served at the Thai spot that used to be in the same space.

Wicked Local is reporting that Is'Original Thai Cuisine had a grand opening this past Friday in the former New Rod Dee space in Washington Square, with the Beacon Street eatery using recipes from the now-closed spot as owner Pichaya Promploy was the head chef at New Rod Dee--and he gets his recipes from his mother. New Rod Dee had closed last spring along with the Cambridge location of Rod Dee, while the location of Rod Dee in Boston's Fenway became Rod Thai Family Taste.

The address for Is'Original Thai Cuisine is 1671 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its website can be found at https://www.isoriginalthai.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Rod Dee in Brookline's Washington Square and Cambridge's Porter Square Have Closed
Rod Dee in Boston's Fenway Is Now Rod Thai

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

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

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Asahi Is Moving from Brighton to Brookline

A Japanese restaurant in Brighton is moving to a new space in Brookline.

According to a tweet from @GospelOfIHM, Asahi on Market Street in Brighton Center is moving to Washington Street in Brookline's Washington Square area, with a sign out front at the old location indicating that the move may have taken place yesterday. The sign also mentions that the place might be expanding its menu, which currently includes sushi, sashimi, and maki along with soups, salads, and appetizers.

Based on the address given, it appears that Asahi is taking over the space where Kamiza and Matuya had been.

The address for the new location of Asahi is 696 Washington Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://www.bostonasahi.com/

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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Rod Dee in Brookline's Washington Square and Cambridge's Porter Square Have Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a local group of Thai restaurants has closed at least two of its locations.

According to several sources, including posters on the Brookline Town Discussion Facebook group page, locations of Rod Dee in the Washington Square section of Brookline and the Porter Square section of Cambridge are now closed, and we received late confirmation that the Cambridge location has definitely shut down. The location in Brookline's Coolidge Corner remains in operation, and we are trying to find out if their Fenway outlet is still open as well.

The Washington Square location of Rod Dee was located at 1671 Beacon Street while their Porter Square location was located at 1906 Mass. Ave.

[April 9 update: A message sent to us confirms that the Washington Square and Porter Square locations of Rod Dee have indeed closed for good and that the Coolidge Corner location will remain open--and the Fenway outlet will remain open as well, though it looks like the name of that location will apparently change to Rod Thai.]

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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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Porto Maltese in Brookline's Washington Square Has Temporarily Closed; Exact Status Unknown

by Marc Hurwitz

A seafood restaurant in Brookline has shut down for at least the time being, and it is not known exactly what the status of the place is at this point in time.

According to multiple sources, Porto Maltese in Washington Square is locked up and dark--apparently having closed last week--while one source sent a picture showing a sign out front that says the Beacon Street restaurant is temporarily closed until January 11. There are rumors going around that it could end up being reconcepted and/or rebranded, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

Porto Maltese first opened in March, moving into the space where The Fireplace had been until closing in the summer of 2017. The restaurant has focused in part on Mediterranean-style seafood dishes, including a variety of shellfish options.

The address for Porto Maltese is 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://portomaltese.com/

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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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Fairsted Kitchen in Brookline Is Closing; Being Replaced by Grassona's Italian

by Marc Hurwitz

An "Olmsted-inspired" restaurant that has received some high praise since opening a few years ago is saying farewell, though the people behind it are opening a new dining spot within its space.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Fairsted Kitchen in Brookline's Washington Square is closing on New Year's Eve, with owner Steve Bowman and his team opening Grassona's Italian in the Beacon Street space in late January after making what appears to be minor changes to the interior. Eater says that Bowman is having former Fairsted alum Phil Dwyer head up the kitchen at the upcoming Grassona's Italian, offering Italian comfort food such as lasagna, slow-roasted meatballs, and osso bucco along with Italian wines and cocktails.

Fairsted Kitchen, which first opened in the fall of 2013, is known in part for its New American fare with Middle Eastern influences as well as its Victorian-influenced atmosphere inspired in part by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The restaurant has gained some recognition in the media, including Boston Magazine giving it a "best neighborhood bar" award in 2014 and picking it for "best late-night dining" in 2015.

The address for Fairsted Kitchen (and the new Grassona's Italian) is 1704 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445. The website for Fairsted Kitchen can be found at https://www.fairstedkitchen.com/

[December 26 update: According to a post from bostonchefs.com, Fairsted Kitchen will be hosting events over the coming days as it gets ready to shut down. Included will be a Jack's Abby Beer Dinner tomorrow (Wednesday, December 27) and "The Last Supper," which takes place on New Year's Eve.]

[January 17, 2018 update: Boston Magazine mentions that Grassona's soft-opens tomorrow (Thursday, January 18), with its grand opening coming on Tuesday, January 23.]

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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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Porto Maltese Is Opening in Brookline's Washington Square, Taking Over the Former Fireplace Space

by Marc Hurwitz

A few months ago, we reported that an upscale Brookline restaurant was closing and that a new seafood spot was looking to take over the space. Now we have learned a bit more about the upcoming eatery that is moving in.

According to an article from Wicked Local and the Brookline TAB, Porto Maltese is planning to open in the Washington Square space where The Fireplace had been until closing at the end of August, with owner Zachary Ostrer offering Mediterranean seafood dishes (with a nod to Eastern European fare) at the Beacon Street restaurant while the place will also offer organic foods and be green certified. The post mentions that it looks like the new spot could be open around the end of December if all goes as planned.

The Fireplace, which first opened 16 years ago, was known in part for its regional fare as well as its catering operation. The restaurant was looking at possibly closing around the end of 2014 to make way for a location of Pepe's Pizza, but those plans fell through and The Fireplace remained open until this summer.

The address for this Mediterranean seafood restaurant in Washington Square is: Porto Maltese, 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://portomaltese.com/

Thanks to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting for bringing this to our attention.

[March 22, 2018 update: According to a Facebook update from Drew Starr, Porto Maltese has soft-opened, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this. A look at its website indicates that the menu includes such items as paella, risotto, amatriciana, seafood options such as monkfish, skate, grouper, and swordfish, and lamb chops and filet mignon.]

[Earlier Article]
The Fireplace in Brookline's Washington Square Is Closing

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Seafood Dishes from Boston-Area and New England Restaurants]

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