Fiorella's Express Is Opening in Wellesley

by Marc Hurwitz

A trio of Italian eateries that focus on takeout will be joined by a fourth later this year.

The Wellesley Townsman is reporting that Fiorella's Express is planning to open in Wellesley, with the address indicating that it will be moving into a space on Route 16 in Wellesley Square. Once it opens, the new outlet will join others in Belmont, Brighton, and Cambridge [ed note--the Cambridge location has closed], along with full-service locations of Fiorella's in Concord and Newton, and expect to see such items as pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more at the new spot.

The address for this new eatery in Wellesley Square is: Fiorella's Express, 575 Washington Street (Route 16), Wellesley, MA, 02482. The website for the other locations can be found at https://www.fiorellasexpress.com/

[January 11, 2019 update: A new article from The Wellesley Townsman states that Fiorella's Express plans to open its new location in Wellesley sometime around February.]

[March 22, 2019 update: The Swellesley Report states that Fiorella's Express is now open in Wellesley.]

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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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Bonapita Opening in Former BurgerFi Space in West Roxbury

by Marc Hurwitz

A quick-service restaurant in downtown Boston is expanding to a second spot, taking over the space where a burger place had been.

Universal Hub is reporting that Bonapita is opening in West Roxbury, moving into the former BurgerFi space on Spring Street. Based on the menu at the original location on Franklin Street, the new eatery might offer salads, stuffed pita, and bowls, all of which could include such items as black bean and beet patties, meatballs, chicken, lentils, hummus, and more.

BurgerFi closed its West Roxbury location in 2016, while its outlet near Boston University had closed for renovations the previous year and never reopened; these were the only two locations of the Florida-based chain of burger spots in the region.

The original location of Bonapita in downtown Boston opened in 2014.

The address for the new location of Bonapita in West Roxbury is 77 Spring Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132. The website for the original location can be found at http://bonapita.com/

[December 12 update: Eater Boston states that Bonapita's new location in West Roxbury is now open.]

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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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Fresh City in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Is Closing

A local group of quick-casual dining spots is closing one of its locations in Boston due to major redevelopment that would be "disruptive" to the shop.

According to an article in boston.com, Fresh City at the Landmark Center in the city's Fenway neighborhood is shutting down, joining a Best Buy location there that is also closing because of an extensive expansion at the site that will include new office space, luxury housing, and retail and restaurant space. The article says that both Fresh City and Best Buy were given the option to cancel their leases early, which they both took; it appears that Fresh City could be closing any day now, while Best Buy will remain open until November 1.

Existing locations of Fresh City in Natick, Newton, Woburn, and Logan Airport--along with one location each in Connecticut and New Jersey--remain open.

The address for Fresh City in the Fenway is 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.freshcity.com/

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Update: Freshii/Flat Black Coffee Is Opening at Channel Center in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

[Ed Note: This article was updated on May 14 to reflect the fact that the new spot will be a hybrid business, with two places within the same space.]

A small but fast-growing chain of healthy quick-casual restaurants is going to be opening its second Boston location, with this one coming to one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city for dining.

According to a job post on the Craigslist site, Freshii is planning to open at Channel Center on A Street in the city's Fort Point area, joining an existing location on High Street in the Financial District. Based on the offerings at the chain's other locations, expect to see such items as soups, salads, wraps, burritos, wraps, rice and noodle bowls, and frozen yogurt at the new spot, and also expect it to be a "green" restaurant that uses biodegradable packaging and recycled paper.

[May 14 update: A Twitter post from Flat Black Coffee mentions that the new Freshii at Channel Center plans to open in "a few short weeks." Based on the post, it appears that this will be another collaboration between Freshii and Flat Black (the Freshii shop on High Street in the Financial District also has a location of Flat Black within it). Flat Black Coffee can also be found in a few other locations, including Dorchester's Lower Mills neighborhood.]

[June 5 update: Eater Boston states that the Freshii and Flat Black Coffee hybrid spot is now open at Channel Center.]

Freshii was established in Toronto in 2005, with its headquarters currently located in Chicago. The chain has about 75 restaurants in operation, with another 100 locations on the way. Its website is can be found at http://www.freshii.com/us

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Bonapita Is Opening in Downtown Boston

A new restaurant is coming to the heart of downtown Boston, and it looks like it could be a fast-food eatery and/or a takeout spot.

According to a post within the jobs section of the BostonChefs.com site, Bonapita will be opening on Franklin Street in the Downtown Crossing/Financial District area of the city, with the "vibrant, quick service restaurant" planning to open its doors sometime in March. This confirms what an earlier article from the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog said, with that post mentioning that the place had been looking to acquire a Common Victualler's License last month. Little is known about Bonapita at this point in time; as soon as we find out more about the restaurant, we will post an update here.

[May 21 update: According to a new post within the BostonChefs.com restaurant jobs section, Bonapita is "about to open." The website for the restaurant gives little information on the place, other than the fact that it will be a Mediterranean bakery and grill.]

[June 5 update: A Twitter post from @DTownBostonBID indicates that Bonapita is now open, with a sign out front saying "Come in and try our fresh baked pitas."]

The address for this new eatery in downtown Boston is: Bonapita, 51 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website will be at http://bonapita.com/

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Lyfe Kitchen May Be Coming to the Boston Area

The folks behind a pair of healthy quick-casual restaurants in California are looking to expand in a big way, and their plans apparently include coming to Boston.

According to an article on the Eater Boston site, Lyfe Kitchen is getting ready to open 250 locations across the country, including the Boston area. An Eater National post mentions that the name Lyfe stands for "Love Your Food Everyday," with the eateries focusing on "healthier versions of comfort food like burgers and fries." Currently, locations of Lyfe can be found in Culver City and Palo Alto.

[June 14 update: The Boston Business Journal is reporting that Lyfe Kitchen is "seeking 4,000 square feet in Downtown Crossing, the Seaport District and/or Faneuil Hall Marketplace," with up to 10 locations total opening in the Boston area in the next five years.]

The people who are behind Lyfe Kitchen include chef and marathon runner Art Smith, cookbook author Tal Ronnen, and two former executives from McDonald's, according to Eater National. The website for Lyfe can be found at http://restaurant.lyfekitchen.com/

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UFood Restaurant Group Files for Bankruptcy

A local group of quick-casual restaurants has declared bankruptcy, though all of its locations remain open--at least for now.

The Boston Business Journal is reporting that UFood Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on Friday, with the unprofitability of its Fenway and Watertown UFood Grill locations apparently being a big factor in its decision to go this route. The article mentions that these two shops could be "pared back or closed," though it looks like its other locations (including restaurants in Downtown Crossing and Logan Airport) appear to be safe at the present time. The Newton-based company is planning to restructure its balance sheet and try to return to profitability.

[January 3, 2013 update: Eater Boston reports that the Watertown location of UFood Grill has shut down.]

In addition to its Boston-area locations, UFood also has restaurants in Maryland, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. It was formerly known as Know Fat Lifestyle Grille. (The website can be found at http://www.ufoodgrill.com/)


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Piperi Mediterranean Grill Is Opening in Downtown Boston

It looks like a new fast-casual restaurant will be coming to downtown Boston, and it will be focusing on Mediterranean fare.

According to a post on the RODE Architects site, Piperi Mediterranean Grill is going to be opening at One Beacon Street (where Beacon Street and Tremont Street meet), with the eatery apparently moving into the "appendage" adjacent to the actual 37-story building. A Craigslist job post sheds more light on the restaurant, stating that it may be the first of multiple locations, with a second spot possibly opening within the next year or so. Craigslist mentions that Piperi Mediterranean Grill will offer "healthy food quickly, mostly at breakfast and lunch," while a post that we read on LinkedIn indicates that it could be open by early October.

[November 13 update: Eater Boston reports that Piperi is opening on December 3.]

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Boston is: Piperi Mediterranean Grill, 1 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108.


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Super Fusion Express in Jamaica Plain to Become a New Wrap Spot

A Jamaica Plain restaurant that is one of a group of four Japanese dining spots in the Boston area is in the process of changing into a new eatery that will apparently feature wraps.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Super Fusion Express on Centre Street is going to be reopening as a "healthy wrap place," while a Yelp poster mentions that the upcoming spot will be called "something like 'wrap mi.'" A note on the restaurant's website states that "This location is temporarily closed during renovations. We are creating an exciting New Concept and a New Menu."

Super Fusion Express first opened in JP in April of 2012, being a quick-food version of its restaurants in Brookline, Watertown, and Cambridge. It featured soups, salads, and sushi, as well as some Japanese entrees and specials.

The address for Super Fusion Express (and the upcoming wrap spot) is 779 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. The website for all of the Super Fusion restaurants can be found at: http://www.superfusionsushi.com/


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b.good Is Planning to Start Franchising

A local chain of restaurants that features "real" fast food is planning to franchise, with an eventual expansion outside the Boston area being a possibility.

The Harvard Crimson reports that b.good is looking to start franchising later this year, with the plan being to sell two franchises and open at least one new store before the end of 2012. The article also mentions that the Boston-based burger chain is hoping to have new locations outside of the region "after a few years."

b.good first started out in Boston's Back Bay in 2003, featuring such items as house-ground hamburgers, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, handcut fries, and all-natural shakes. Locations can be found in downtown Boston, the Back Bay (3 of them), Cambridge's Harvard Square, Legacy Place in Dedham, the Burlington Marketplace in Burlington, and the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham. The website for b.good is at http://www.bgood.com/

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Eggcetera, Etc. Opens in Framingham

A quick-service restaurant is now open in a western suburb of Boston, and it features an interactive "create-your-own-meal" dining experience.

According to The MetroWest Daily News, Eggcetera, Etc. opened a couple of months ago on Route 30 in Framingham, near the Mass. Pike and Speen Street intersections and just north of the Natick Mall and Shoppers World. The article states that the new eatery allows diners to design their own creations from what the owner calls their "farmstand." Designing a meal at Eggcetera, Etc. is a four-step process in which customers choose the type of meal they want, then choose ingredients from the farmstand, then bring the items to the chef who cooks it in front of them, and then bring their prepared meal to the dining area (or have it packed to go). A few dishes at the restaurant include omelets, French toast, pancakes, stir-fries, and pasta.

Eggcetera, Etc. is open for breakfast and lunch daily.

The address for this new dining spot in Framingham is: Eggcetera, Etc., 665 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA, 01701. Their website can be found at http://eggceteraetc.com/

For more information on Eggcetera, Etc., please go to the MetroWest Daily News link below.

Framingham restaurant serves egg-citing dishes

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LeanWorks Restaurant Is Opening in West Roxbury

A new restaurant is coming to the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, and it looks to be a healthy--and slightly upscale--alternative to traditional fast-food eateries.

According to The West Roxbury Transcript and Wicked Local, LeanWorks is going to be opening on Spring Street (the address is the same as that of a now-closed Finagle-A-Bagel outlet, but we are still trying to find out if this is indeed the space in which the new restaurant will be moving). The article mentions that the food at LeanWorks will be "fast food reinvented," with the place being somewhere between a quick-service and a sit-down eatery. The restaurant's menu will feature items that are all 490 calories or less, with buffalo chicken wraps and steak and cheese sandwiches being two items offered.

The Transcript states that the 49-seat LeanWorks will be open for lunch and dinner, and it might have some outdoor seating. Expect a March 1, 2012 grand opening for the restaurant.

[April 2, 2012 update: According to their website, LeanWorks is now open for business.]

The address for this new dining spot in West Roxbury is: LeanWorks, 75 Spring Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132. Their website will be at http://www.eatlean.com/

For more information on the opening of LeanWorks, please go to the West Roxbury Transcript/Wicked Local link below.

Two new eateries on the way for West Roxbury

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Cheeseboy Is Opening at the Natick Mall in Natick

A takeout restaurant that specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches is expanding a bit more into the Boston area, with their next location being in the western suburbs of the city.

A press release sent to us by The Castle Group indicates that Cheeseboy is planning to open in the Natick Mall (formerly the Natick Collection) on Route 9 in Natick this month, joining other locations at South Station and the Prudential Center in Boston as well as at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree and their original spot in Milford, CT. (Another new Cheeseboy will be opening in West Nyack, NY, this month as well.) The new Natick branch of Cheeseboy will be in the food court of the Natick Mall, a shopping complex that is on the westbound side of Route 9 near the Framingham border.

As with the other locations, Cheeseboy in Natick will offer a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches as well as soups and desserts.

[November 30 update: According to their Facebook page, the new Cheeseboy in Natick is now open.]

The address for this new grilled cheese spot in Natick is: Cheeseboy, 1245 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. The website for all the locations can be found at: http://cheeseboy.com/

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UFood Grill To Give Free Meals to Veterans on November 11

The group behind several fast-casual restaurants in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Texas is going to be doing something special on Veterans Day at two of its Boston locations.

According to Marketwire, UFood Restaurant Group Inc. will be offering free meals to all veterans on Friday, November 11 (Veterans Day) at its UFood Grill locations on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing and on Brookline Avenue in the Fenway section of the city. All veterans need to do is to show their military ID and they will be eating for free at these two locations.

UFood is currently expanding into the military channel, with new locations coming to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and, eventually, at U.S. military installations around the world.

UFood Grill, which was used to be known as Know Fat Lifestyle Grille, offers such items as soups, salads, rice bowls, wraps, burritos, burgers, panini, and pizza. In addition to its Downtown Crossing and Fenway locations, it also has two outlets at Logan Airport as well as one in Watertown. Its website can be found at http://www.ufoodgrill.com/

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

As UFood Grill Prepares to Expand Into the Military Channel, the Company's Boston Restaurants Mark Veterans Day With Free Meals for Veterans at Local Restaurants

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Los Amigos Is Opening in West Roxbury

It looks like yet another new Mexican restaurant is on its way to Boston, with this one opening in the West Roxbury neighborhood of the city.

Based on information from their Facebook page and website, Los Amigos is planning to open on Centre Street (between the West Roxbury Parkway and Corey Street), moving into the space where Nightingale Health Care used to be. The eatery will be a fast-casual restaurant that, according to its website, will feature "an authentic and contemporary twist on Mexican Cuisine," including such dishes as beer-battered codfish tacos and shrimp burritos.

[December 29 update: According to The West Roxbury Transcript and Wicked Local, Los Amigos may be opening shortly after the new year, though it still needs to go before the city for a common victualler and takeout license in early January before it can officially open for business. The article mentions that Los Amigos will be a takeout-only spot, featuring burritos, quesadillas, and salads, and it will be open for both lunch and dinner.]

Over the past couple of years, a number of Mexican restaurants have opened within the Boston city limits, including North of the Border, a West Roxbury restaurant about a mile and a half away from the future site of Los Amigos that opened this past winter.

Thanks to a poster on Chowhound for bringing this to our attention.

[January 27, 2012 update: According to their Facebook page. Los Amigos may be having a soft opening either tonight or tomorrow.]

[January 30, 2012 update: Los Amigos is now open for business.]

The address for the new Los Amigos is: Los Amigos, 1743 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132. Their website will be at http://amigosburritos.com/

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Amsterdam Falafelshop Is Opening in Somerville

[Ed note: This article was updated on January 2 and 3 to reflect new information on the exact location of the place.]

A quick-service Middle Eastern eatery in Washington, DC that got its inspiration from falafel shops in The Netherlands is planning to open a new location in the Boston area.

According to the Washington City Paper (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), the Amsterdam Falafelshop in the Adams Morgan section of Washington is looking to franchise another shop in Boston. Currently, the owner of the proposed Boston location is looking for a place to set up the dining spot, so it is not known where it will be located, or if it will even happen for sure, so keep checking back for updates.

[January 2, 2012 update: According to posters on Chowhound and Davis Square LiveJournal, it appears that the Amsterdam Falafelshop is looking to open where Diva Lounge in Somerville's Davis Square has been. It appears that the restaurant side of Diva will remain open.]

[January 3, 2012 update: The above update has been confirmed--according to their Twitter and Facebook pages, the Amsterdam Falafelshop will indeed be opening in Davis Square, with an expected opening date sometime in the summer.]

[July 9, 2012 update: Eater Boston reports that Amsterdam Falafelshop is officially opening at 11:00 AM today. The address is 248 Elm Street in Davis Square.]

The Amsterdam Falafelshop features falafel sandwiches that have a mix of European and Middle Eastern influences and include such sauces and toppings as red pepper, jalapeno, tahini, garlic parsley, and peanut. Salads and pickles are also offered, as are fries, which can be ordered with traditional Dutch mayo, malt vinegar, homemade peanut sauce, and Old Bay seasoning.

The website for the Amsterdam Falafelshop can be found at http://www.falafelshop.com/

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Freshii Is Opening in Boston's Financial District

A small chain of health-focused quick-casual restaurants that started out in Canada several years ago is planning to open a new location in the heart of Boston.

According to the Boston Business Journal, Freshii is going to be opening on Federal Street within The Landmark building (by the High Street intersection) in the Financial District, moving into a space across the lobby from Rebecca's. The article mentions that the new dining spot will offer fresh, healthy eats including soups, salads, burritos, wraps, rice and noodle bowls, and frozen yogurt, and it will be a "green" restaurant, with recycled paper and biodegradable packaging used.

Freshii first started out in Toronto in 2005, eventually moving its headquarters to Chicago. There are currently 40 locations in the United States, Canada, Austria, and Dubai. (Currently, the closest Freshii location to Boston is in Manhattan.)

Expect an August opening for Freshii, according to the Boston Business Journal.

[August 15 update: According to Marlo Marketing/Communications, Freshii is now open in Boston.]

The address for this new quick-food restaurant in the Financial District is: Freshii, 160 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

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Firehouse Subs Looking to Open 69 Locations in the Boston Area

It looks like a chain of quick-casual restaurants that feature hot subs is getting ready to enter the Boston-area market in a big way.

According to The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com, Firehouse Subs is planning to expand into nine states, including Massachusetts, with 69 franchises proposed for the Boston area alone. The article mentions that the Jacksonville-based chain, which currently has 416 locations, is looking to open 429 new spots, including in Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

[January 9, 2012 update: According to the Back Bay Patch, the first of Firehouse Subs' 69 Boston-area locations might be opening at 545 Boylston Street in the Copley Square area of the neighborhood. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.)]

[March 22, 2012 update: The Boston Globe reports that the Copley Square location of Firehouse Subs is definitely going to happen, and that it will possibly be opening in June. The Globe also says that there will be 85 locations of the chain opening in New England. (Thanks once again to Eater Boston for letting us know about this.)]

[March 26 update: The Danvers Patch reports that the first Firehouse Subs to open in New England will NOT be the one coming to the Back Bay, as a location of the chain has already opened in Danvers.]

According to the restaurant chain's website, Firehouse Subs was first established in the mid-1990s by two brothers who come from a long line of firefighters. The chain is very active in community service, especially in areas concerning public safety.

In addition to hot subs, Firehouse Subs also offers soups, salads, cold subs, cookies, and brownies.

The restaurant chain's website can be found at http://www.firehousesubs.com/

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Pronti Bistro Is Opening in Needham

A new restaurant featuring a fusion of Indian and American food will soon be opening in Needham.

According to the Needham Times and Wicked Local, Pronti Bistro plans to open at the corner of Second Avenue and Highland Avenue (just east of the Route 128 intersection), moving into the space where the old Backcare Basics store used to be. The article mentions that Pronti Bistro will feature quick-food with South Asian and American influences, including such dishes as paratha filled with chicken, steak, fish, cottage cheese, and eggplant. Breakfast will also be offered at the new dining spot, with bhurji (an Indian-style egg wrap) being one option. The restaurant will have a capacity of 30 inside the space, plus another 12 or 13 in an outdoor dining area that will be set up.

The article states that Pronti Bistro may have a soft opening in mid-February, with a grand opening in early March.

[April 1 update: According to a poster on Chowhound, Pronti Bistro is now open.]

The address for this new Indian-American fusion restaurant in Needham is: Pronti Bistro, 11 Second Ave, Needham, MA, 02494.

For more information on Pronti Bistro, please go to the Needham Times/Wicked Local link below.

Needham bistro to feature Indian food, American-style

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Zaps in Allston Has Apparently Closed

It looks like a quick-food dining spot in Allston that featured Polish sandwiches has closed its doors.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Zaps on Brighton Avenue has had a "Closed for Renovations" sign up for awhile. A check on the restaurant's website shows that it no longer exists, and a call placed to the spot indicated that their phone has been disconnected.

Zaps first opened about a year ago, focusing on cheap eats for the college crowds that populate this Boston neighborhood. The menu included "zaps," or Polish-style open-faced sandwiches, as well as some panini options.

The address for this sandwich shop in Allston was: Zaps, 141 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

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