Waikiki Opens in the Old Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

A few years ago, it was reported that a poke bar could be opening at the site of an iconic music club that had closed a couple of years earlier. Now we have learned that the place has finally debuted.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Waikiki is now open in the former Johnny D's space in the Davis Square section of Somerville. As mentioned earlier here, the new Holland Street spot offers such options as poke, sushi rolls, and raw juices, while also serving milk tea, fruit slushes and teas, smoothies, and salad bowls as well.

Johnny D's closed down in 2016 after being in operation for nearly 50 years.

The address for Waikiki is 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at https://waikiki-poke-bar.business.site/

[Earlier Article]
Waikiki Could be Opening in Former Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

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

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Waikiki Could be Opening in Former Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A couple of years ago, we reported that a new restaurant could be coming to the space where a legendary Somerville music club had been, and now it appears that this may indeed be happening.

According to a post on the Davis Square Facebook group page, a dining spot tentatively called Waikiki is looking to open at the site of the old Johnny D's space on Holland Street. A blueprint for the proposed place indicates that it would apparently be a sushi, poke, and raw juice spot while a planning staff report gives a bit more information, saying that it would be a "fast-order food establishment" that would be on ground floor of a four-story mixed-use development that includes residential units above.

Johnny D's closed in March of 2016 after being in business for approximately 47 years; the club started out as a bar, then became a country music venue before transforming into a renowned music club and restaurant that featured a variety of local and national acts.

The opening of a restaurant here is likely a long way off from happening, as the structure hasn't even been built yet, so stay tuned for any updates as they come in.

The address for this proposed eatery in Davis Square is: Waikiki, 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[Earlier Article]
A Restaurant/Bar Could Move into the Former Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

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Pressed in Boston's Beacon Hill Opening Second Location in the South End

A Beacon Hill spot that offers juices, popsicles, and more is going to be expanding to another section of Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting that Pressed on Charles Street is planning to open a second location somewhere in the South End, with the exact location of the place not being disclosed as of yet. Based on the offerings at its Beacon Hill shop, expect to see such items as soups, salads, juices, shakes, paletas (which are basically popsicles), and more at the new store, which could be opening sometime in the spring of 2016 if all goes well.

Pressed opened its original location on Charles Street in January of this year. Its website can be found at http://www.pressedboston.com/

[July 29 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Pressed will be opening in the South End in "the upcoming weeks" and it looks like its address will be 643 Tremont Street.]

[September 12 update: A new article from Eater Boston indicates that Pressed opens in the South End today.]

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Will Gilson Is Opening Beatnik Beverage Company in Cambridge's Kendall Square

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 13 to reflect new information given, including a name for the place.]

A new eatery is coming to one of the hottest sections of Cambridge, and a well-known chef and restaurateur is involved with it.

Eater Boston is reporting that Will Gilson (Puritan & Co. in Inman Square) is working with his father David Gilson (of the Herb Lyceum in Groton) to open a coffee and juice bar at 5 Cambridge Center in the city's Kendall Square area, confirming information from a previous article saying that a "chef with a popular Cambridge restaurant" would be looking to open the spot. The as-of-yet unnamed place will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will offer ice coffee, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, and more, according to EB. If all goes as planned, it looks like it could be opening "within weeks."

Will Gilson is also known for his stint as chef at the now-closed Cambridge gastropub Garden at the Cellar in Cambridge, along with a number of pop-up restaurants over the years.

[July 13 update: The Boston Globe mentions that the name of the Kendall Square spot that Will and David Gilson are opening will be Beatnik Beverage Company, and that it will be a takeout place that offers iced coffee, tea, cold-pressed juices, and Kombucha.]

[September 1 update: A new press release states that Beatnik Beverage Company opens a week from today (Tuesday, September 8).]

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Liquiteria Opens in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A New York-based juicery has opened its first Boston-area shop, and it is located in one of the busiest parts of Cambridge.

According to a press release, Liquiteria opens today on Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square, with the address indicating that it is taking over the space by Church Street where The Body Shop had been. The release says that in addition to cold-pressed juices and made-to-order smoothies, the new shop also offers breakfast pastries, acai bowls, and grab-and-go snacks and salads. Hours for Liquiteria in Harvard Square are 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekends.

Liquiteria opened its first location in NYC's East Village in 1996 and currently has five locations in Manhattan. It is considered one of America's original cold-pressed juice and smoothie bars.

The address for this new juicery in Harvard Square is: Liquiteria, 1440 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its website can be found at http://www.liquiteria.com/

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