Boston Restaurant Talk: hibernation

Showing posts with label hibernation. Show all posts

Monday, August 16, 2021

Update: Milk Street Cafe in Boston's Financial District Reopens After Being Closed Since Last Fall

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 16 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

A Kosher restaurant in the heart of Boston is the latest dining spot to announce that it is closing for the winter of 2020/2021.

According to a source, Milk Street Cafe in the city's Financial District has decided to go into hibernation as of late October of 2020, with a Facebook post from the place saying that both the cafe and catering operation will be shutting down until "more of our customers are able to return to their offices." The restaurant is one of a number of spots to go into hibernation as the pandemic continues, with The Emory in Beacon Hill, Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square, Grand Tour in the Back Bay, The Kenmore in Kenmore Square, and Gray's Hall in South Boston all shuttering for the winter, while Orfano and Tiger Mama in the Fenway and Sligo Pub in Somerville's Davis Square all plan to go into hibernation this weekend.

Milk Street Cafe has been in business since 1981.

The address for Milk Street Cafe is 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website can be found at https://milkstreetcafe.com/

[August 16, 2021 update: A message sent from Adam of the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry blog mentions that Milk Street Cafe plans to reopen today.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Update: Abby Lane in Boston's Theater District to Reopen in the Fall After Being in Hibernation Since Last Fall

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 28, 2021 to reflect the fact that the restaurant plans to open later this year.]

A restaurant in downtown Boston that has a celebrity chef behind it is one of the latest dining spots to go into hibernation.

Based on information from a couple of sources, Abby Lane in Boston's Theater District has shut down for the time being as of November of 2020, with owner Jason Santos confirming this to us and indicating that the Tremont Street spot plans to be closed for the winter of 2020/2021 "at most." (Santos also indicates that the lack of a patio along with no theatergoers in the area both played a role in the decision.) It appears that his other dining spots, including Buttermilk & Bourbon and Citrus & Salt in the Back Bay and the new B&B Fish in Marblehead, remain in operation for now.

Jason Santos, who is known in part for his TV appearances (including on Hell's Kitchen), first opened Abby Lane in 2012, with the restaurant offering a mix of New American and classic American fare along with craft cocktails.

[July 28, 2021 update: A message sent to us indicates that Abby Lane is looking to reopen in the fall of 2021 when Boston theaters start to return.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Kinsale and The Asgard Remain Closed Indefinitely; September Openings Appear to Be a Possibility

Last fall, it was reported that two of the most popular Irish pubs in the Boston area had closed for the time being, with the hope being to reopen this spring. They never did open back up, though a glimmer of hope does remain for their futures.

According to the Yelp pages for both The Kinsale at Center Plaza in Boston and The Asgard in Cambridge's Central Square, the two spots show the following notes which were posted at the end of May:

We have indefinitely suspended operations due to COVID. Reopening depends on multiple factors, including higher occupancy of the office buildings that provide so much of our customer base, COVID-related relief, and legislative decisions on both the national and local level.

In addition, both Yelp pages show a possible reopening date of September 1, while a YouTube video from March had indicated at the time via an interview with co-owner Peter Sarmanian that they were hoping to reopen The Kinsale sometime this fall. A check on the website, however, shows that it is down, while no updates to any of the social media pages for The Kinsale or The Asgard have been posted since last October. We have reached out to Sarmanian for more details and will post an update here if we receive a response.

Peter Sarmanian and fellow co-owner Bill Goodwin are behind Classic Restaurant Concepts, which operates The Kinsale and The Asgard; both pubs appeared to have closed permanently last October with notes out front saying that "It is with great sadness to announce that the [Kinsale/Asgard] is not able to be a viable business during the Pandemic and is now closed" but a deal was subsequently worked out with the landlords that would allow the pubs to close until this spring.

[Earlier Articles]
The Kinsale and The Asgard Will Be Reopening (After a Hibernation)

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Saturday, July 03, 2021

Update: Democracy Brewing in Downtown Crossing Reopens After Being Temporarily Closed Since November

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 3, 2021, to reflect the fact that the place opens back up July 4.]

A brewery and pub in the heart of Boston is the latest dining/drinking spot to announce that it is going into hibernation.

According to a source, Democracy Brewing in Downtown Crossing is closing for the winter, with a message sent from the Temple Place spot saying that its last day in operation before going into hibernation is Saturday, November 21. Information from our source indicates that the business was able to work out a deal for reduced rent which allows them to shut down until things get better.

Democracy Brewing first opened in the summer of 2018, moving into the old Windsor Button building.

The address for Democracy Brewing is 35 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at https://www.democracybrewing.com/

[July 3, 2021 update: According to its website, Democracy Brewing reopens July 4.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Update: Shore Leave, Orinoco (Brookline and Cambridge), Kokeshi, The Sevens, The Gaff, A&B Are All Open Again

[Ed note: This article was updated multiple times including on June 24, showing that all of these spots are now open once again.]

The trend toward local dining and drinking spots shutting down for the winter seems to be picking up speed, with a handful of restaurants and bars announcing that they will be doing so.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Shore Leave in Boston's South End and Orinoco in Brookline Village and Cambridge's Harvard Square have gone into hibernation as of late November, while Kokeshi in Salem has closed up its storefront and moved into the affiliated Bambolina space for the time being, and The Sevens in Beacon Hill has closed until sometime in early 2021. In addition, a source tells us that The Gaff in Waltham will be putting its business "on hold" after business hours on Saturday, November 28 and a Facebook post from Thomas Holland of A&B Kitchen • Bar indicates that it will close for the time being after business hours tomorrow (Wednesday, November 25).

A number of other restaurants and bars have closed for the winter over the past couple of months, while more spots are also getting ready to hibernate over the coming weeks.

[April 2, 2021 update: As stated earlier, A&B Kitchen • Bar is now open, and we have just learned that The Gaff opens back up today as well.]

[April 22, 2021 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Orinoco in Brookline Village and Harvard Square opened back up on April 16.]

[May 7, 2021 update: According to its social media, Shore Leave is now open once again.]

[June 9, 2021 update: A Facebook post from the place mentions that The Sevens is open once again.]

[June 24, 2021 update: A Facebook post from Kokeshi indicates that it is now open in both in its original location on Lafayette Street as well as in the Bambolina space on Derby Street.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Friday, June 11, 2021

Update: West End Johnnie's and Fenway Johnnie's Reopen After Being Closed for Several Months

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 15, 2021 and June 11, 2021 to reflect the fact that both spots have opened back up.]

A pair of dining and drinking spots in Boston that are popular with sports fans are getting ready to close for the time being.

According to a source, both West End Johnnie's and Fenway Johnnie's are to be going into hibernation, with an Instagram page from the two places saying that "After careful consideration & debate, we have chosen to temporarily close both West End Johnnie's and Fenway Johnnie's after brunch Sunday 12/13." The note goes on to mention safety concerns for workers and patrons, legislative rollbacks, and the "growing vacuum of business" in the downtown section of the city as reasons for the closures. No reopening date has been given as of yet for either spot, with the post saying to stay tuned for a reopening announcement at some point.

The address for West End Johnnie's is 138 Portland Street (near North Station and TD Garden) while the address for Fenway Johnnie's is 96 Brookline Avenue (near Fenway Park).

[April 15, 2021 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Fenway Johnnie's reopens today.]

[June 11, 2021 update: A new Facebook post indicates that West End Johnnie's reopens today for "phase 1" which focuses on "nightlife only" on Friday and Saturday night, while "phase 2" begins next week (no info has been given on phase 2 as of yet).]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Friday, June 04, 2021

Update: The Emory in Boston's Beacon Hill Reopens After Being Closed for Several Months

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

Yet another restaurant has decided to shut down operations--at least through the winter--as the pandemic continues.

According to a source, The Emory in Boston's Beacon Hill has decided to go into hibernation as of early October, with a Facebook post from the Beacon Street spot saying the following:

The Emory is closed until further notice. We want to thank guests and our friends for the love and support you have given us during these very difficult times....However, this is not the end. We are hoping to re-open in the spring of 2021--hopefully by then, the world will be in a better state and we can bring The Emory back!

The Emory, which first opened in the former Scollay Square space in the summer of 2019, is one of at least four Boston-area restaurants to go into hibernation due to the coronavirus crisis, with The Kenmore, Grand Tour, and Commonwealth doing the same over the past few weeks.

The address for The Emory is 21 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website is at https://www.theemoryboston.com/

[June 4, 2021 update: According to a source (and confirmed by the restaurant's Instagram page), The Emory reopens today.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Update: Hennessy's in Downtown Boston Reopens After Being Closed for the Winter and Part of the Spring

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

An old-school Irish pub in the heart of Boston has shut down for the time being.

According to a tweet from @towncrierboston, Hennessy's on Union Street (near Haymarket Square and Faneuil Hall) has closed its doors for the winter, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

We refuse to call this hibernation as we are not a seasonal restaurant. Our family and staff will not be taking a quiet slumber. Hibernation is a term that invokes a pleasantness, nothing about this decision is pleasant. Our wings have been clipped by new regulations put forth on our industry. Closing for the winter is our form of a tourniquet, slowing the bleed so that we can open again in the Spring. Until we open again we wish you all a great holiday a safe and healthy new year.

Hennessy's is one of many restaurants and bars in the local area to shut down for the winter due to the pandemic and the restrictions that have been placed on dining and drinking spots, along with a lack of foot traffic in Boston and elsewhere.

The address for Hennessy's is 25 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at http://www.hennessysboston.com/

[June 1 update: According to its Facebook page, Hennessy's is open once again.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Update: Highland Kitchen in Somerville Reopens After Being Closed Since December

[Ed note: This article was updated on June 15 to reflect the fact that the restaurant is open once again.]

An award-winning Somerville bar known in part for its comfort food and cocktails is closing for the time being.

According to an Instagram post from the place, Highland Kitchen shuts down after business hours on Sunday, December 13, with the note from the Highland Avenue spot saying the following:

This was not an easy decision to make and we have tried to hold on as long as possible. We have been unable to get any rent relief and we all know @mass.gov is not helping restaurants. Hibernation is the only way Highland Kitchen can get through this winter with the hope of reopening in the spring....If you are looking for ways to support is this winter here are a few: Head to @highlandfriedandtiki for takeout this winter. We are a Mom & Pop team and we will still have one restaurant going, right down the hill in Inman Sq. Cambridge. You can still buy gift certificates to Highland Kitchen.

Highland Kitchen first opened in 2007, with the place featuring dishes with Southern influences including chili, buffalo fried brussels sprouts, pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken, ribs, and macaroni and cheese; the bar has been mentioned over the years by Food and Wine and Esquire, along with local media outlets such as The Boston Globe and Boston Magazine.

The address for Highland Kitchen is 150 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://highlandkitchen.com/

[May 27, 2021 update: According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Highland Kitchen is now making plans to get up and running "for the summer and beyond." This comes after several months of silence from the place, including our reaching out to Highland Fried for an update awhile back but not receiving a response.]

[June 15, 2021 update: Eater Boston states that Highland Kitchen is now open with a limited menu and limited seating.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Update: Locations of Not Your Average Joe's in Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph Reopen for Takeout; Arlington Location Closed for Good

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 25 to reflect the fact that three of the four locations have opened back up for takeout.]

A local chain of restaurants is temporarily shutting down five of its outlets, including four locations in the region.

According to a source, Not Your Average Joe's will be closing its restaurants in Arlington, Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph for the winter, with a post within The Arlington List Facebook group page indicating the Arlington location being one of five that will be doing so. Based on that post, it looks like the four outlets in the local area--along with another location in the Middle Atlantic states--hope to open sometime in April. It appears that other outlets locally, including in Acton, Norwell, Peabody, Waltham, Watertown and Westwood, will remain in operation, at least for now. (The chain confirms these closures on its website, with a note on each of the four locations saying that they "are temporarily closing our lower volume restaurants.")

The website for Not Your Average Joe's can be found at https://www.notyouraveragejoes.com/

[May 25 update: A message from the company indicates that the Burlington, Methuen, and Randolph locations of Not Your Average Joe's are now open for takeout, with indoor dining and patios remaining closed for now. And as mentioned earlier, the Arlington location has closed permanently.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Monday, May 24, 2021

Update: Coppersmith, Porto, State Park Announce Have Reopened

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 24 to reflect the fact that all three spots are open once again.]

At least three more Boston-area dining spots have made plans to close for now as the pandemic continues to surge in the local area.

According to a few different sources, Coppersmith in South Boston, Porto in Boston's Back Bay, and State Park in Cambridge's Kendall Square have announced that they are shutting down for the time being, with Caught in Southie indicating that Coppersmith is now closed as of late December and hopes to reopen in mid-February, a message from Adam Castiglioni saying that Porto will be open on New Year's Eve and then will go on a hiatus for the winter (we have been told by the restaurant that it plans to reopen in the early spring), and a Facebook post from State Park saying that it will shut down after business hours on December 31 and remain closed for the rest of the winter.

For other articles on restaurants and bars in the Greater Boston area that have closed for part or all of the winter, please click here.

[March 11, 2021 update: According to a post from Caught in Southie, Coppersmith reopens today.]

[April 1, 2021 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant mentions that Porto opens today.]

[May 27, 2021 update: According to its website, State Park is back for patio service, takeout, and delivery, opening Tuesday through Saturday at 3:00 PM for snacks and drinks and 4:00 PM for dinner.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Update: Time Out Market Boston Is Open Once Again After Going into Winter Hibernation

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 13, 2021 to reflect the fact that the food hall is open once again.]

A food hall that debuted last year is the latest local spot to announce its plans to go into hibernation.

According to a message from local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton along with a press release, Time Out Market Boston has decided to shut down for the time being starting December 20, with the release indicating that its loss of business due to the pandemic and subsequent government restrictions brought about the decision. No specific reopening date has been given as of yet, but based on similar decisions made by various local restaurants, the hope may be that it could reopen in the spring and/or whenever conditions begin to get better thanks to the introduction of vaccines/therapeutics.

Time Out Market Boston, which first opened in the summer of 2019 in the former Sears, Roebuck and Company warehouse, features a number of dining and drinking spots, including Anoush'ella, Bisq, Cusser's Roast Beef, Gelato & Chill, Monti, Mamaleh's, Michael Schlow's, Monti Roman Pizzeria, Nu Burger, Revolution Health Kitchen, Taqueria el Barrio, and Union Square Donuts along with the Time Out Market Bar.

The address for Time Out Market Boston in the Fenway is 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://www.timeout.com/boston/time-out-market

[May 13, 2021 update: According to a press release, Time Out Market Boston has reopened with twelve food vendors and two bars (two vendors--Ms. Clucks Deluxe and Gogo ya--will actually open in the summer).]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Saturday, May 08, 2021

Update: Monica's Trattoria in Boston's North End Reopens After Going into Hibernation

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

A popular North End restaurant is the latest place to announce that it is closing for the winter.

According to a tweet from @Steve_O_McN, Monica's Trattoria on Prince Street has gone into hibernation as of early December, with a sign out front saying that the closure is "Due to COVID and the COVID restrictions of the state of Massachusetts and the City of Boston." A message sent from Vinoteca di Monica & Monica's Pasta Shop on Richmond Street confirms that Monica's Trattoria has indeed shut down for the winter and that it plans to reopen in the spring. (Vinoteca di Monica & Monica's Pasta Shop and Monica Mercato on Salem Street will remain open this winter.)

The address for Monica's Trattoria is 67 Prince Street #1827, Boston, MA, 02113.

[May 8, 2021 update: Monica's Trattoria is open once again.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Update: Night Shift Brewing Reopens at Lovejoy Wharf in Boston After Being Closed Since January

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 6 to reflect the fact that the place has opened back up.]

A local brewery is closing its Boston location for the time being.

According to a source, Night Shift Brewing at Lovejoy Wharf is planning to temporarily shut down after business hours on January 23, with a Facebook post from the business confirming this. The post goes on to say that the reopening date is "TBD," and that they are "hopeful that it happens sooner than later" while also referring customers to their Everett location which will remain open.

The Lovejoy location of Night Shift is one of countless dining and drinking spots to temporarily close for some or all of the winter months as the pandemic continues.

The website for Night Shift Brewing can be found at https://nightshiftbrewing.com/

[May 6, 2021 update: According to an email, Night Shift reopens its Lovejoy Wharf location today, and it also plans to open the Owl's Nest Beer Garden on the Esplanade on Saturday, May 8 and The Owl's Nest Beer Garden at Herter Park in Allston in mid-May.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Saturday, May 01, 2021

Update: Pier 6 in Charlestown, ReelHouse in East Boston and Quincy Reopen After Going into Hibernation November 1

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 1 to reflect the fact that all three places are now open once again.]

It looks like three more Boston-area restaurants are following the increasing trend of dining spots going into hibernation as the temperatures start to drop.

According to multiple sources, Pier 6 in Charlestown and ReelHouse in East Boston and Quincy's Marina Bay are soon shutting down for the winter, with the websites for all three restaurants saying that they will be going on "Winter Break" on November 1. No reopening dates for any of the restaurants have been given as of yet, nor is it known whether its other affiliated dining spot--Mija in Faneuil Hall--might be going into hibernation as well; as of now, the website for that restaurant does not show that it plans to close for the winter, but if we hear otherwise, we will post an update here. (All four restaurants are part of the Navy Yard Hospitality Group.)

At least four other local restaurants have gone into hibernation over the past few weeks, including Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square, The Emory in Beacon Hill, The Kenmore in Kenmore Square, and Grand Tour in the Back Bay, with the common thread appearing to be the colder weather affecting such things as outdoor dining and foot traffic around restaurants as the pandemic continues.

The website for Navy Yard Hospitality Group (which includes links to its restaurants) can be found at https://www.navyyardhospitality.com/properties

[May 1, 2021 update: Based on their websites, ReelHouse in East Boston and Quincy are open once again, while Pier 6 reopens today.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Monday, April 26, 2021

Update: Five Horses Tavern, Worden Hall, Elm Street Taproom Reopen After Closing for the Winter

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 26, 2021 to reflect the fact that all of the restaurants/bars from Hawkeye Hospitality are now open again.]

A local restaurant group that runs four dining and drinking spots has decided to shut them all down for the time being.

According to a message sent to us, Hawkeye Hospitality is pausing operations at Five Horses Tavern in Somerville's Davis Square and Boston's South End, Worden Hall in South Boston, and Elm Street Taproom in Davis Square starting the week leading up to Christmas, with the plan being to reopen all four places in March. All of the spots have put up Facebook posts, which say the following:

Unfortunately the current advisories and state regulations do not allow us to provide the level of hospitality that we feel meets our standards....Although 2020 has been challenging in many ways we are excited and hopeful for the upcoming year. Together we can take the next few months to remain safe and focus on better days ahead.

The four restaurants and bars from Hawkeye are among countless other places in the Boston area that have closed for the winter--or have announced plans to do so--in light of the pandemic and the resulting state and local restrictions along with decreased foot traffic.

The website for Hawkeye Hospitality is at http://www.hawkeyehospitality.com/

[April 27, 2021 update: According to posts on social media, both locations of Five Horses Tavern are open once again, as are Worden Hall and Elm Street Taproom.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Update: Miracle of Science Bar + Grill in Cambridge Reopens After Being Temporarily Closed for Several Months

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 25, 2021 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

A Cambridge spot known in part for its burgers and beer is one of the latest restaurants to close for the winter.

According to a source, Miracle of Science Bar + Grill on Mass. Ave. near MIT has gone into hibernation as of early November, with a message sent to us by the dining spot confirming this, indicating that it will remain shuttered until a vaccine becomes a reality. Miracle of Science is one of many restaurants and bars hibernating during the colder months, with others that have already shut down including Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square, The Emory in Beacon Hill, The Kenmore in Kenmore Square, Grand Tour in the Back Bay, Pier 6 in Charlestown, ReelHouse in East Boston and Quincy, Gray's Hall in South Boston, Orfano and Tiger Mama in the Fenway, and Sligo Pub in Somerville's Davis Square.

The address for Miracle of Science Bar + Grill is 321 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.miracleofscience.us/

[April 26, 2021 update: According to an Instagram post from the place, Miracle of Science is open once again.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Update: The Kenmore in Boston's Kenmore Square Reopens After Being Closed for the Past Several Months

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 21, 2021 to reflect the fact that the place has reopened.]

Yet another Boston-area restaurant has decided to shut down for the foreseeable future as the colder weather approaches.

According to an Instagram post, The Kenmore on Commonwealth Avenue has gone into "hibernation" for the winter as of October 4, with a source telling us that the plan may be that the place could be a "little different" by springtime. We have also been given updates on restaurants and bars that are affiliated with The Kenmore, with the nearby Corner Tavern in the Back Bay in the midst of reopening this week while White Horse Tavern, Avenue Bar and Grille, and the Hopewell in Allston and Harry's Bar and Grill in Brighton are all open. (The Westland near Symphony Hall and The Last Drop in Brighton remain closed for now.)

The Kenmore, which replaced The Lower Depths last fall, joins at least two other restaurants that have gone into hibernation as the pandemic continues, with Grand Tour in the Back Bay and Commonwealth in Cambridge's Kendall Square also shutting down for now.

The address for The Kenmore is 476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website can be found at https://www.thekenmorebar.com/

[April 21, 2021 update: A tweet from the place indicates that The Kenmore opens back up at 4:00 PM today.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Thursday, April 08, 2021

Update: Daedalus in Cambridge's Harvard Square Reopens After Closing for the Winter

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 9 to reflect the fact that the restaurant has opened back up.]

A casual upscale restaurant in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge that is known for its roof deck appears to have closed for the winter, though there seems to be a slight twist to this story.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Daedalus on Mt. Auburn Street is shuttered, with a Facebook post from the place saying that it went into hibernation as of November 24 until further notice. The post says that it hopes to return in 2021 and that an exact reopening date will be posted to its website and social media at some point. A photo shared in the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants thread, however, shows a sign out front saying that Daedalus has been ordered closed by the board of license commissioners, but a message received from the restaurant tells us that it was the restaurant's decision to close and that it wasn't ordered to close by the city.

The address for Daedalus is 45.5 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[April 9, 2021 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Daedalus is now open once again.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Update: Shojo in Boston's Chinatown Reopens After Being Closed for Much of the Winter

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 9 to reflect the fact that the restaurant has opened back up.]

A Chinatown restaurant that features modern takes on Asian dishes has shut down for now.

According to an ongoing list from Eater Boston, Shojo on Tyler Street is temporarily closed as of mid-late January, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

Unfortunately the odds during the pandemic have been stacked against us repeatedly despite our best efforts. With significantly reduced enforced business hours and extremely limited seating restrictions (that keep getting smaller and smaller) we're unable to sustain staying open at this time. Safety and health is a huge priority for us. As this pandemic spreads more and more, we think it’s best to pause and reconvene when things will hopefully be safer for all.

The post goes on to say that Shojo hopes to reopen in April when patio season gets up and running again.

The address for Shojo is 9 Tyler Street, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at https://www.shojoboston.com/

[April 12 update: We have received confirmation from a source (Geoff Wong) that Shojo is now open, with a Facebook post from the place saying that it is open for indoor and outdoor dining Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, at least for now.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)