Northern Spy Opens in Canton

A new family-friendly restaurant that features regional comfort food--and which has been in the works for awhile--has debuted in an historic space in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, Northern Spy is now open at the Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton, with the restaurant featuring seasonal New England fare while initially being open for takeout and delivery. The menu for the new dining spot includes such items as baked clam dip, braised beef flatbread, parsnip and cheddar pierogi, pork chops, sea scallops, beef stew, baked beans, Parker House rolls, maple pie, and baked apple cornmeal pudding. As mentioned earlier, the people behind Northern Spy also run Loyal Nine, a restaurant in Cambridge that features New England cuisine as well. 

The Paul Revere Heritage Site will include an historical museum, residential space, and a town green, while Northern Spy will feature a spacious garden patio during the warmer months.

The address for Northern Spy is 4 Rolling Mill Way, Canton, MA, 02021. Its website can be found at https://www.northernspycanton.com/

[March 5 update: According to a new press release, Northern Spy will add in-person outdoor dining on its patio starting Thursday, March 11, with lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch offered.]

[Earlier Article]
Northern Spy Plans to Open at Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton

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

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Evviva Cucina in Beverly to Become REV Kitchen and Bar

An Italian restaurant on the North Shore that has been in business for three years is morphing into a new neighborhood spot that will focus on American classics with a regional focus.

According to a press release, Evviva Cucina in Beverly is being replaced by REV Kitchen and Bar, with the Enon Street space retaining the same ownership while changing the concept of the place. A couple of items that REV will offer include burgers (using beef from Creekstone Farms in Kansas) and fried pizza, while drinks will include craft beer and cocktails. The new restaurant and bar will also have a patio set up during the warmer months.

REV Kitchen and Bar is set to open on September 4 after a one-day renovation of the space.

The address for Evviva Cucina (and the upcoming REV Kitchen and Bar) is 45 Enon Street, Beverly, MA, 01915. The website for REV will be at revkitchenandbar.com

[August 30 update: A Facebook post from the place confirms that Evviva Cucina will be closed as of September 3 and that REV Kitchen and Bar will open on September 4.]

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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Northern Spy Plans to Open at Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new restaurant is on its way to the southern suburbs of Boston, and it will be located at an historic riverside space.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that the group behind Loyal Nine in Cambridge will be opening Northern Spy in Canton, with the dining spot residing inside the copper rolling mill at the Paul Revere Heritage Site on Revere Street, just west of the center of town. The post says that the new restaurant will feature regional comfort food such as chowder, clam dip, crab on Parker House rolls, burgers cooked on a wood-fired hearth, and French fries that will be taken "very seriously," with lunch, dinner, and brunch being offered. If all goes as planned, Northern Spy could be opening sometime in September.

Paul Revere Heritage Site includes both the rolling mill and a barn, with an earlier Canton Citizen article mentioning that the complex may include a museum along with a park.

Loyal Nine, which first opened in the spring of 2015 on Cambridge Street, also features regional New England fare.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Canton is: Northern Spy, 96 Revere Street, Canton, MA, 02021.

[September 24 update: A Twitter post from Loyal Nine mentions that Northern Spy plans to open in Canton over the next few months.]

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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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Tex Mex Eats Is Opening in Former Tupelo Space in Cambridge's Inman Square

by Marc Hurwitz

The person behind a catering business, various pop-ups, and cooking classes in the local area is looking to open a new restaurant in Cambridge that combines the cuisines of a few different areas, replacing a dining spot that focused on foods with Southern influences.

According to a license commission hearing agenda page within the city's website, Tex Mex Eats is planning to open in the former Tupelo space on Cambridge Street in Inman Square, with the website for the business indicating that the new eatery may feature "'Texachusetts' flavors that combine Mexican dishes with local New England ingredients." The site states that Amanda Escamilla--who was part of the catering team at the now-closed East Coast Grill and who sells her foods at local farmers markets--is behind the restaurant, with her culinary influences coming from growing up on the Gulf Coast of South Texas. Based on the the menu within the Tex Mex Eats website (which encompasses what she currently offers through her business, including catering and cooking classes), the restaurant could feature such items as shrimp tamales, fish tacos, frito pie, cactus lima bean soup, arroz con pollo, enchiladas, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, cornbread, and a Latin-style whole roasted pig.

Tupelo closed in October after being in business for approximately ten years.

The address for the new Tex Mex Eats is 1193 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.txmexeats.com/

[April 29 update: Eater Boston states that Tex Mex Eats debuts in the former Tupelo space on May 2, and it will be an extended pop-up restaurant that is open for dinner Thursday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays--and it will offer beer and wine in addition to Tex-Mex dishes.]

[May 24 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Tex Mex Eats plans to remain open in the former Tupelo space through the end of July.]

[Earlier Article]
Tupelo in Cambridge's Inman Square Is Closing

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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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Durgin-Park in Boston's Faneuil Hall Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a landmark Boston restaurant that has been in business for nearly 200 years may be shutting down, though details are just coming out now.

According to a Twitter post from Jonathan Choe of NBC10 Boston, workers at Durgin-Park in Faneuil Hall have been told that the restaurant is closing on January 12, though a more recent tweet from Choe says that Ark Restaurants (the company behind the place) has not yet responded to the news, while a spokesperson for Faneuil Hall states that it is still under a lease agreement and a formal closing notification has not been submitted. Another post from Choe states "workers now scrambling to find new jobs. They say management told them the business is no longer profitable, operating costs too high, and now dealing with intense competition from emergence of new restaurants in nearby Seaport District."

Durgin-Park, which first opened in 1827, is known in part for its classic American and regional New England fare.

This is a developing story, so stay tuned for updates.

[Update: WBZ reporter Kristina Rex tweets that Ark Restaurants CEO Michael Weinstein confirms Durgin-Park is closing January 12, saying that the shutting down of the restaurant is inevitable because it is no longer profitable.]

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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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L'Espalier in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

One of Boston's best-known restaurants is getting ready to call it a day.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, L'Espalier on Boylston Street is closing on December 31, as chef/owner Frank McClelland says "The lease is up, and I don't really have the desire to continue to do this and renew." The post says that McClelland is working on a new project, though no information has been given on that as of yet.

L'Espalier, which first opened in 1978, has gained national recognition over the years as a high-end restaurant featuring French and regional cuisine that has seen the likes of such well-known people as Mick Jagger, Henry Kissinger, and Julia Child, according to the Globe. McClelland has owned the place since 1988, when he purchased it from Moncef Meddeb, who was the original owner and chef. The restaurant started out on Boylston Street, moving to Gloucester Street in 1982, then moving back to Boylston Street to its current home in 2008 next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The address for L'Espalier is 774 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02199. Its website is at http://lespalier.com/

[January 9, 2019 update: According to a note from E. F. Smith & Son, an auction will take place at the site of L'Espalier on Wednesday, January 16.]

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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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The Center Cafe in Needham Has Closed

An upscale suburban restaurant known in part for its regional fare has closed its doors.

According to an article in the Needham Times, The Center Cafe in Needham shut down for good this week after being sold this past Monday, with owner Steve Waller saying that one reason for the closure of the Great Plain Avenue spot is his stepson and chef Jonathan Taufman being hurt in a car accident in March, though there were other factors as well. The post says that a new restaurant is planning to move into the space, so stay tuned as more information on that spot gets released

The Center Cafe first opened in early 2010, taking over the space where Fava had been. The restaurant featured New England fare along with wine and cocktails.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Needham was: The Center Cafe, 1027 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492.

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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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The Fireplace in Brookline's Washington Square Is Closing

A few years ago, we reported that an upscale Brookline restaurant that was known in part for its regional fare and its catering operation was planning to shut down and that an award-winning pizzeria was replacing it. And while that did not end up happening, now we have learned that the dining spot is closing--and this time it is for real.

According to several sources last night, The Fireplace in Washington Square is planning to say farewell at the end of the month, with an article from Eater Boston confirming what one source mentioned to us--that chef/owner Jim Solomon has apparently made the decision based on issues with his health (he is having surgery, according to a newsletter that went out) and the desire to spend more time with his family. The Boston Globe says that Solomon has sold the rights to the lease to someone who plans to open a Mediterranean seafood restaurant in the space.

The Fireplace, which first opened 16 years ago, had looked like it might be closing at the end of 2014 to make way for a location of Pepe's Pizza, but the New Haven-based pizzeria never did move in and The Fireplace remained in operation (Pepe's subsequently opened a location in Chestnut Hill).

The address for The Fireplace is 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://www.fireplacerest.com/

[August 30 update: Based on a Facebook post from Jim Solomon, tomorrow (August 31) will be the last day in business for The Fireplace.]

[Earlier Articles]
Pepe's Pizza to Open in The Fireplace Space in Brookline's Washington Square
Pepe's Pizza No Longer Coming to The Fireplace Space in Brookline; Deal Called Off

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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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Steel & Rye Team Opening Prairie Fire in Former Lineage Space in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

A new restaurant is on its way to one of the busiest parts of Brookline, and it has a connection to a popular upscale spot in Milton.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com site, chef Brendan Joy and the team at Steel & Rye are planning to open Prairie Fire in Coolidge Corner, with the restaurant having a large wood-burning oven and the menu offering regional fare, with charred vegetables, local shellfish, and wood-fired pizza being a few options. The post mentions that the focus will be on "simple yet thoughtful food" that is "rooted in classical technique" while also "preserving, fermenting, brining, and cooking with fire everyday." No address has been given as of yet, and it is not known exactly when Prairie Fire might open (the post simply says "spring"), so stay tuned for updates.

Steel &amp Rye, which first opened in Milton in 2012, is known in part for its inventive New American fare along with its classic and modern cocktails. The Eliot Street restaurant is housed in a former ambulance garage.

[March 6 update: Boston Magazine states that Prairie Fire will open in the former Lineage space on Harvard Avenue and that Steel & Rye operating partners Dan Kerrigan and Bill Scannell are behind it along with chef Brendan Joy. (The article also says that the restaurant will be "a little sibling" to Steel & Rye.)]

[July 28 update: A Patch article says that Prairie Fire plans to open by the end of the summer.]

[September 4 update: A tweet from @BostonAttitude indicates that Prairie Fire is now open.]

[September 5 update: Boston Magazine mentions that Prairie Fire is just open for dinner at this point in time, though lunch service will begin at some point. (The post also says that the restaurant does not take reservations.]

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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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Merrill & Co. Is Opening in Boston's South End

A new restaurant is on its way to the South End of Boston, and it is connected to a popular dining and drinking spot in the city's Downtown Crossing area.

An email sent this week indicates that Merrill & Co. is going to be opening on Appleton Street, moving into the space where 28 Degrees had been until closing in September. The note mentions that the new spot will be a neighborhood restaurant and bar that features New England fare with a focus on local seafood, and it will offer contemporary and traditional cocktails, as well as an array of craft beer.

The folks behind Merrill & Co. also operate jm Curley on Temple Place, a neighborhood restaurant and bar that is also home to a little steakhouse in the back called Bogie's Place. Jason Cheek, who was most recently at Willow Road in New York City (and also worked at the now-closed KO Prime in downtown Boston) will be the Executive Chef of Merrill & Co., while Kevin Mabry of jm Curley and Bogie's Place will be the beverage director.

It appears that the new spot could be open in early 2014, according to the email.

[January 30 update: Eater Boston is reporting (via a Craigslist job post) that Merrill & Co. may be opening in March, with the Craigslist post saying the restaurant will feature "a creative menu focused on small plates of New England seafood" as well as "artisan spirits, 10 rotating draft lines and an exciting offering of Sherry by the glass."]

[March 10, 2014 update: A new post from Eater Boston indicates that Merrill & Co. opens its doors at 5:30 PM this evening.]

The address for this new restaurant and bar in the South End is: Merrill & Co., 1 Appleton Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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The Local in West Newton Is Expanding to Wayland and Wellesley

A West Newton gastropub that features regional foods and beers is going to be opening at least two more locations west of Boston.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Frank Santo, who owns The Local on Washington Street, plans to open restaurants in Wayland and Wellesley, with the former being in the Town Center Development and the latter being in the Forest Street space where China Sky had been. While the Wayland and Wellesley locations are the only ones confirmed (with Wayland possibly opening June 1 and Wellesley possibly opening next winter), the article says that more locations of The Local could open as well, with one proposed for somewhere north of Boston at some point.

The new Wayland and Wellesley locations will have slightly expanded menus, according to the Globe.

[March 29 update: According to an article in the Wayland Town Crier, The Local in Wayland is one step closer to opening, as the town has approved a full liquor license for the place. The article also says that the 6,000-square-foot dining spot will have a capacity of 90 in its dining room, another 96 in its bar, and 14 in a seasonal outdoor patio.]

[September 27 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), the Wayland location of The Local is now open.]

[November 26 update: A Facebook post from The Local indicates that the Wellesley location is now open as well.]

The website for The Local can be found at http://thelocalnewton.com/

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


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Durgin-Park Is Opening a New Location at Logan Airport

A landmark Boston restaurant that has been in business for nearly 200 years is going to be expanding to Logan Airport in East Boston.

Grub Street Boston is reporting that Durgin-Park in Faneuil Hall is opening a second location, with this one apparently being within Logan's Terminal B, according to a post on the Craigslist site. Craigslist also shows that a job fair is being held at the terminal tomorrow (January 24) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the lower level of Terminal B over by American Airlines. The restaurant, which is known in part for its surly waitstaff, says that it is looking for "friendly, enthusiastic" people to work for them at their upcoming location.

[March 20 update: The Boston Herald says that the new Durgin-Park at Logan Airport has opened. (Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.)]

The original Durgin-Park, which first opened in 1827, offers such classic American and New England dishes as chicken pot pie, clam rolls, fish cakes, roast turkey, pot roast, and Indian pudding.


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Barry Maiden of Hungry Mother Is Opening State Park in Cambridge's Kendall Square

[Ed note: This article was edited in December of 2012 and May of 2013 to reflect new information given, including the fact that Hungry Mother will be opening a second location, rather than moving from their original space. The May update also includes a name for the place as well as when it may open, what kind of cuisine it will offer, and its exact location.]

The person behind one of the most highly-regarded restaurants in the Boston area is going to be opening a second restaurant, and it won't be very far from their original space.

Eater Boston is reporting (via The Boston Globe) that Barry Maiden of Hungry Mother in Cambridge is planning to open a restaurant at One Kendall Square, which also happens to be up for sale, according to the Globe. At this point in time, it is not known exactly which space the eatery will move into at One Kendall Square, which is currently home to several dining spots including Belly Wine Bar, The Blue Room, Cambridge Brewing Company, Tommy Doyle's, Flat Top Johnny's, The Friendly Toast, and West Bridge.

Earlier it appeared that Hungry Mother might be moving from Cardinal Medeiros Avenue to One Kendall Square, but a more recent Boston Globe article states that this will actually be a second restaurant, with this one possibly being a "Jewish deli with modern touches." The Globe says that the new spot is expected to open sometime in 2013.

[May 10, 2013 update: According to a License Commission General Hearing page within the City of Cambridge website, Alon Munzer of Hungry Mother has applied for an all alcoholic beverages as a restaurant license for the upcoming restaurant, which will be in Building 300 at One Kendall Square. It looks like the upcoming eatery could have 143 seats inside, with 48 additional seats outside, and that it might be open from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily. The name "Slawdog" is given in the post, though it appears that this is probably the name of the business entity.]

[May 16, 2013 update: Eater Boston says that the name of the new restaurant from the Hungry Mother folks will be State Park, and that it will be taking over the former Think Tank space with a possible September opening in the works. EB also mentions that the new spot will be a casual eatery with at least some Southern-influenced fare, so the earlier reports on it being a deli may no longer be accurate. (Keep checking back for updates.)]

[December 15, 2013 update: According to a series of posts on Barry Maiden's Facebook page over the past few days, State Park went through a soft opening over the weekend and it now looks like the place could officially open on Tuesday. One of the posts also mentions that the new spot is a restaurant and "dive bar."]

[December 17, 2013 update: Eater Boston confirms that State Park opens today, with its doors officially opening at 5:00 PM.]

Hungry Mother first opened in 2008, bringing to the Kendall Square area a place to get inventive Southern-style dishes with French and regional New England influences. Its address is 233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02141, and their website can be found at http://www.hungrymothercambridge.com/


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Society on High Is Opening in Boston's Financial District

The person behind two upscale restaurants in Boston's Leather District is going to be opening a third spot nearby, and this one will have what few others (if any) have in the city's Financial District--free parking.

The Zagat blog is reporting that Ian Just of Sorriso and Les Zygomates--both of which are on South Street--will open Society on High, with the dining spot possibly opening as early as November. The post mentions that the High Street eatery will focus on regional cuisine, with locally-sourced ingredients used to make the dishes. Society on High will have seating for 140 inside along with 60 additional seats in an outdoor plaza and bar area, and in a section of the city where parking is at a premium, the restaurant will also offer parking at no charge.

[May 31, 2013 update: Eater Boston mentions that Society on High is planning to have its grand opening on June 17.]

[June 13, 2013 update: Based on posts on their Facebook and Twitter pages, Society on High is currently undergoing a soft opening.]

The address for this new dining spot in the Financial District is: Society on High, 99 High Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Society-on-High/118349921659221?id=118349921659221

Thanks to Grub Street Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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Durgin-Park Space at Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace Has Been Sold

[Ed note: This article was edited on July 24 to reflect the fact that the space--not the actual restaurant--has been sold. Thanks to food writer MC Slim JB for pointing this out on the Chowhound site.]

The space that houses a landmark Boston restaurant that has been in business for nearly 200 years has been sold.

The Boston Herald is reporting that New York-based Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. has purchased the Durgin-Park space (not the restaurant itself) for $4 million. The well-known Faneuil Hall eatery will apparently remain as is, with the Herald stating that the restaurant "expects to keep on cooking with its long-term lease still in effect." Ark Restaurants has owned the actual Durgin-Park restaurant since 2007--and it appears that they will continue to do so--while the seller of the restaurant space is a partnership including members of the Kelley family (the former operators of Durgin-Park before Ark bought it).

Durgin-Park first opened in 1827, though the space had been used as a dining spot since 1742, according to the restaurant's website. The eatery offers classic American and regional New England fare, including fish cakes, chicken pot pie, clam rolls, pot roast, prime rib of beef, steamed lobsters, Boston schrod, roast stuffed turkey, and Indian pudding. The dining spot is also known in part for its surly waitstaff.

The address for Durgin-Park is: Durgin-Park, 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA, 02109.


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Justine's Table Is Opening in Wellesley

A new restaurant is coming to Wellesley, moving into a space near the Natick border.

A job post on the Craigslist site indicates that Justine's Table will be opening on Worcester Street (Route 9), with the restaurant featuring regional and seasonal American fare. The post mentions that the eatery will feature live entertainment and tableside presentations, along with a private dining room, and it will be have a fine-dining menu. The Swellesley Report mentions that Justine's Table will have seating for 85 people.

Expect a June opening for this new restaurant, according to Craigslist.

[November 6 update: According to their Facebook page, Justine's Table is now open.]

The address for this upcoming dining spot in Wellesley is: Justine's Table, 978 Worcester Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482.

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Update: Granary Tavern Is Opening on the Greenway in Downtown Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 31 to reflect a name change of the place from the Grain Exchange to Granary Tavern, as posted by Eater Boston.]

The group behind several Boston-area Irish pubs and restaurants is going to be opening a new spot along the Rose Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston, and this one will focus on regional New England dishes.

The Boston Herald is reporting that Granary Tavern (which was originally going to be named Grain Exchange--see note above) will open at the corner of Milk Street and the Greenway, bringing to this section of the city a place that features flatbreads, shellfish, charcuterie, and "New England classics with a twist." The Glynn Hospitality Group is going to operate the new spot, adding to their list of eating and drinking establishments which includes The Black Rose, Brownstone, Clerys, Coogan's, Dillon's, Hurricane O'Reilly's, Jose McIntyre's, and The Purple Shamrock (which will be closing in September).

The Herald mention that the 250-seat dining spot is expected to open in June. [May 31 update: Eater Boston mentions that Granary Tavern could be open by June 15.]

[June 21 update: UrbanDaddy reports that Granary Tavern is going to have a soft opening today.]

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Boston is: Granary Tavern, 170 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.

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