Diamond Tart Opens in Allston

A dessert shop that features a special kind of pastry has come to a Boston neighborhood.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston mentions that Diamond Tart is now open in Allston, moving into the space on Harvard Avenue where a location of the Taiwanese chain Tiger Sugar had been. The new eatery offers croissant tarts (which are basically a combination of a flaky croissant and an egg tart) with flavors including chocolate, blueberry, matcha, pistachio, strawberry, cinnamon apple, and hazelnut popcorn along with canele options, and the place also serves a variety of teas.

The address for Diamond Tart is 181 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its website can be found at https://www.diamondtart.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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Oasit's Sweet Dessert Studio Opens in Brookline's Washington Square

A new spot for sweet treats has debuted in Brookline.

According to a poster (Geoff Wong) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Oasit's Sweet Dessert Studio has soft-opened on Beacon Street, moving into a space on the western edge of Coolidge Corner. The new shop doesn't appear to have a website or any social media, but based on the signs out front, it offers such items as Thai tea slushies, honey toast, custard toast, kakigori (a shaved ice treat), grass jelly with brown sugar on ice, and savory snacks such as hot dogs, crispy fried wontons, and fish balls.

Oasit's Sweet will remain in its soft opening phase until August 5, at which it will "pause" until its grand opening in September.

The address for is Oasit's Sweet Dessert Studio is 1428 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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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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Milk Bar in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

Last spring, it was reported that a Washington, D.C.-based pizza chain had closed its only Boston-area location, though a New York-based bakery within the space would remain open. Now we have learned that the bakery is shutting down as well.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Milk Bar in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge is closing, with a note out front at the Brattle Street spot saying that its last day in operation will be February 19. Both Milk Bar and &pizza first opened in the former Tory Row/Crimson Corner space in 2019, with the pizza spot closing last May.

Milk Bar, which has shops in New York City, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Vancouver, was once called "one of the most exciting bakeries in the country" by Bon Appetit Magazine.

The address for the Harvard Square location of Milk Bar is 3 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[Earlier Article]
&pizza in Cambridge's Harvard Square Has Closed; Milk Bar Remains Open for Now

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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Meet Fresh Opens in Allston

A Taiwan-based group of dessert spots has finally opened its new shop in Allston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Meet Fresh is now open on Brighton Avenue, moving into the space where Sushi Factory had been. The Facebook page for the place indicates that it is currently undergoing a soft opening with a temporary menu and hours from 12 Noon to 6 PM, and that it is offering Taiwanese drinks and desserts.

The Allston location of Meet Fresh has been in the works since the early part of 2019.

The address for Meet Fresh is 140 Brighton Avenue, Boston, MA 02134. The website for the company can be found at https://meetfresh.us/

[Earlier Article]
Sushi Factory and Hi B3ar Ice Cream Roll in Allston Are Closed; Meet Fresh to Replace Sushi Factory

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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Indulgenza Is Opening in Waltham

It looks like a new dessert and pastry shop is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Indulgenza is planning to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Moody Street between Spruce Street and Taylor Street. The Facebook page for the upcoming shop says that it is coming soon while mentioning that "Something delicious sweet and savory is waiting for you." A Facebook post within the Bring Retail to Waltham group page shows a "permit to build" sign in the storefront, mentioning that the place will be a dessert and pastry shop with no baking done on the premises.

The address for Indulgenza is 346 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453.

[January 15, 2021 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Indulgenza is now open, offering desserts and pastries to go.]

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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ZZ Dessert, OneZo Open in Boston's Chinatown and Allston

A dessert place and a bubble tea spot have opened what appears to be a shared space in downtown Boston, while also quietly opening another collaborative shop in another part of the city.

According to a couple of sources, including Sarah Wu and a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, ZZ Dessert and OneZo are now open in the city's Chinatown neighborhood, moving into the former New Dong Khanh space on Harrison Avenue. In addition, Sarah Wu tells us that ZZ Dessert and OneZo are now open as well in Allston, taking over the old Chatime/Beard Papa's space on Brighton Avenue. We have been told that the latter does not have a dedicated post announcing its opening, though the former has announced its opening, and pictures shown to us of both spots confirm their openings.

Another location of ZZ Dessert/OneZo can be found in North Quincy.

The address for ZZ Dessert and OneZo in Chinatown is 83 Harrison Avenue while the address for ZZ Dessert and OneZo in Allston is 145 Brighton Avenue. The website for OneZo is at https://www.onezo.us/

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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Coco Leaf in Dorchester Opens New Location in Boston's Back Bay

A Dorchester shop that focuses on Vietnamese desserts has expanded to one of the busiest sections of Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting that Coco Leaf is now open in the Back Bay, moving into the space on Newbury Street where a location of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company had been until April. Like its original location on Dorchester Avenue in the Fields Corner area, the new outlet of Coco Leaf offers such items as cakes, macarons, and bubble tea, though it is not yet offering chè (a soup-like dessert item) which is expected to be available within the next few months.

The original Coco Leaf opened in Dorchester debuted in the early part of 2017.

The address for this new Vietnamese dessert shop in the Back Bay is: Coco Leaf, 303 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its website can be found at https://www.cocoleafboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Barrington Coffee Roasting Company in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

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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Boston Cream Pie Company Opens at the Longwood Galleria in Boston

A collection of shops and eateries in Boston's Longwood medical area is now home to a new spot, and this one focuses on a local favorite.

Eater Boston is reporting that Boston Cream Pie Company has opened a kiosk at the food court within the Longwood Galleria on Brookline Avenue, with the place offering traditional Boston cream pies (sponge cake filled with cream and covered with chocolate) along with other takes on the treat, including pies topped with white chocolate, heath bars, sprinkles, Oreo cookies, and more. An earlier Facebook post mentions that the business--which was established in 2014--had holiday locations at the Hanover Mall and at the Arsenal Project in Watertown, but those shut down late last month. (It also has a vending tricycle on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston during the warmer months.)

The Longwood Galleria's food court is home to such dining spots as Beantown Burrito, Bourbon Street Cafe, Dragon Bowl, and Sakura Japan.

The website for Boston Cream Pie Company can be found at http://eatbcpc.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Great Desserts from Boston-Area Spots]

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Finale in Boston's Park Plaza Is Closing

An upscale dessert spot and bakery in Boston is closing for good, apparently marking the end the line for what had once been a local group of shops.

According to a Twitter post from @FoodserviceEast, Finale at Park Plaza is shutting down, joining other now-closed locations in Cambridge's Harvard Square, Brookline's Coolidge Corner, and the Natick Mall. It is not known if the Park Plaza location has already closed or if it is getting ready to shut down; calls placed to the shop this morning went directly to voicemail, though its website is still up. (We have reached out to one of the people behind Finale and will post an update as soon as we get it.)

[January 1, 2016 update: A note sent from one of the owners of Finale states that the Park Plaza shop will be closing for good on Sunday (January 3), though some of its products will continue to be available at a new cafe in Park Square called Vivra Chocolate Studio that will open this spring.]

Finale first opened in Park Plaza more than 17 years ago, offering such items as cookies, cakes, brownies, cupcakes, soups, salads, sandwiches, small plates, coffee, and more.

The address for this dessert spot and bakery is: Finale, 1 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website is at http://finaleboston.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Finale in Cambridge's Harvard Square Has Closed

It looks like an upscale dessert spot and bakery has closed another one of its locations.

The Harvard Crimson is reporting that Finale in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge "suddenly" shuttered over the weekend after being in the Dunster Street space for 12 years. It is not known for sure why the shop closed, though the article mentions that the general manager at the Finale shop in Boston's Park Plaza thinks it may be because of upcoming construction of the Smith Campus Center (formerly the Holyoke Center), where the Harvard Square location has resided.

In addition to its Park Plaza store, Finale also has a pastry kitchen near the Harvard Business School; other locations of the shop in Brookline's Coolidge Corner and the Natick Mall are now closed, and one that had been planned for the North End a few years ago never materialized.

The address for this now-closed dessert spot and bakery in Harvard Square was: Finale, 30 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Finale can be found at http://www.finaledesserts.com/

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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Treat Cupcake Bar in Needham to Introduce New Concept Called The Dessert Workshop

A cupcake shop in Needham is taking over the space next door and will debut a new interactive concept for dessert lovers.

Eater Boston is reporting that Treat Cupcake Bar on Highland Avenue is expanding into the former Swizzles space with the plan being to open The Dessert Workshop there. The Facebook page for the upcoming spot says that customers will be able to create an array of dessert items, including cupcakes, pies, parfaits, and sundaes using equipment supplied by the place, with another option being to choose from pre-made treats from them. It looks like The Dessert Workshop will open sometime this fall, though no specific date has been given as of yet.

Treat Cupcake Bar also has a location at The Street Chestnut Hill, with that shop opening in April of 2013.

The address for the upcoming Dessert Workshop is 1450 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dessert-Workshop/345218965630579

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[Note: Please join the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook Group Page to get more info on dining spots and also chat with others about Boston-area restaurants.]

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Sweet Kingdom Dessert Shop to Open in Allston

It looks like a new dessert shop is coming to Allston, and it will apparently focus on healthy items.

Universal Hub is reporting that Sweet Kingdom is planning to open on Harvard Avenue in the space where Unique Food had been, with the store getting approval by the City of Boston to be open until 2:00 AM. The article mentions that the new shop will offer only healthy desserts that are made using organic fruits and "light sugar," with the late hours designed to attract folks who are leaving the various bars found nearby.

It is not known exactly when Sweet Kingdom will open; as soon as we hear of an opening date, we will post an update here.

The address for this upcoming dessert shop in Allston is: Sweet Kingdom, 145 Harvard Avenue, Boston, MA, 02134.

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Finale in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed

An upscale dessert spot and bakery with three locations in the Boston area is now down to two, as its Brookline location has closed.

According to the Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, Finale on Beacon Street shuttered after business hours on New Year's Eve, though its locations in Boston's Park Plaza and Cambridge's Harvard Square will remain open. The company has not given an official reason for the closing of the Brookline location of Finale, though one employee was quoted in the article as saying "It didn't end up being the right property for us."

Finale features an array of baked goods, pastries, and cafe items, including pies, cakes, tarts, cupcakes, cookies, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

The address for this now-closed spot in Coolidge Corner was: Finale, 1306 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for the remaining two locations can be found at http://www.finaledesserts.com/

For more on this story, please go to the Brookline TAB/Wicked local link below.

Finale in Brookline is closing

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Licki Licki Dessert Stand Has Opened in Allston

It looks like a dessert stand has opened within the Hong Kong Supermarket/Super 88 in Allston, and it has a rather memorable name.

According to posters on the Chowhound site and the Hiddenboston Twitter page, Licki Licki has opened within the market's food court area. One of the Chowhound posters mentions that the dessert stand, which is one of a number of Asian spots within the food court, offers ice cream, yogurt (presumably frozen yogurt), and some other desserts.

Currently, there appears to be no information online about the new Licki Licki food stand. If anyone has tried the place, please post a comment here.

The address for Licki Licki (and the Hong Kong Supermarket/Super 88) is 1095 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

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Reasons to be Cheerful Is Opening in West Concord

A new dessert cafe and ice cream shop is going to be opening in West Concord, possibly as early as the end of this month.

According to The Boston Globe, a common victualer’s license has been awarded to Reasons to be Cheerful, allowing them to open in the Gatehouse building on Commonwealth Avenue. An earlier Concord Patch article mentioned that the new place will feature 28 ice cream flavors as well as frozen yogurt, pastries, crepes, and coffee.

The Globe article states that Reasons to be Cheerful is looking at a late June or early July opening. [June 28 update: According to a poster on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page (and confirmed on the cafe's site), Reasons to Be Cheerful is now open.]

The address for this new dessert cafe in West Concord is: Reasons to Be Cheerful, 110 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord, MA, 01742. The owner's blog can be found at: http://cheerfulmusings.com/

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Tasti D-Lite Coming to Boston's Back Bay

A New York-based frozen dessert chain that features lower-calorie items is going to be coming to the Back Bay of Boston, opening its first shop in the city in March of 2011.

An email sent to us by Sanderson and Associates indicates that Tasti D-Lite will be opening on Newbury Street in the Back Bay, bringing to the neighborhood a place to get dairy-based desserts that are lower in calories, carbs, and fat than typical frozen treats. Tasti D-Lite, which first opened in New York in 1987, features an extensive list of flavors for their frozen desserts (which can be ordered in either a cup or a cone), including such flavors as apple pie, burnt sugar, German chocolate cake, papaya, peanut cluster, rice pudding, and toffee crunch.

The email mentions that the people behind the planned Tasti D-Lite in Boston will be opening three other locations in the area, with the second one opening sometime late in 2011.

The address for this upcoming dessert shop in the Back Bay will be: Tasti D-Lite, 205 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at: http://www.tastidlite.com/

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