Shiki Shabu Shabu Is Opening in the Former Playmakers Bar and Grill Space in Waltham

A new dining spot is on its way to Waltham, moving into a space that had been home to a sports bar.

According to a tweet from @y2000k, Shiki Shabu Shabu is going to be opening on Moody Street, taking over the former Playmakers Bar and Grill space which had also been home to Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, and before that, Robert's Restaurant and Bar. An earlier post from WCAC-TV had mentioned that Shiki Shabu Shabu had been planning to open in the space as far back as the latter part of 2021, and a sign for the place has finally gone up with @y2000k saying it appears that it could be opening soon.

The address for the upcoming Shiki Shabu Shabu is 342 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453.

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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Spring Shabu-Shabu Is Opening in Allston

An Asian hot pot restaurant located in a borough of New York City is expanding to Boston.

According to a post within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Spring Shabu-Shabu is planning to open in Allston, taking over the space on Western Avenue where Maki Maki had been until closing last spring. A check on the website for the upcoming eatery indicates that Spring Shabu-Shabu currently has a location in the Flushing section of Queens, with that restaurant offering "traditional and not so traditional shabu-shabu side dishes from a buffet setting."

The website for the dining spot mentions that the new location of Spring plans to open sometime in February.

The address for this new restaurant in Allston is: Spring Shabu-Shabu, 370 Western Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the original location in Flushing can be found at http://springshabu.com/

Thanks to Steven Leibowitz of Hub Food Trucks for bringing this to our attention.

[May 26 update: It appears that Spring Shabu-Shabu could be one step closer to opening by early next month, as a source tells us that Cafe 1221 in Dorchester is petitioning to transfer its license to the place with a hearing on this being held June 7 and a decision possibly coming the following day.]

[June 10 update: Universal Hub mentions that Spring Shabu-Shabu could be opening by the end of the month if all goes as planned (and pending the city's decision on the license transfer tomorrow).]

[August 1 update: A poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that Spring Shabu-Shabu is now open in Allston.]

[Earlier Article]
Maki Maki in Allston Has Apparently Closed

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Akai Ryu in Cambridge's Porter Square Has Closed; Exact Status Unknown

An Asian restaurant in Cambridge has quietly shut down, and it is not known if (or when) it might reopen again.

According to a number of sources, Akai Ryu in Porter Square is locked up and dark, with followers on its Facebook page asking why it has been closed for some time now, and one reviewer on Yelp saying a couple of weeks ago that "Their front door just shows that they're 'Closed' but without any indication of when they are going to reopen or if they're ever going to open back up again....Their phone line has stopped ringing and the manager has never responded back to my email in regards to when they might reopen or if at all. I guess it's the end of the road." A check on its reservations section indicates that it no longer works, and a phone call placed went directly to voicemail.

[February 18 update: It appears increasingly likely that Akai Ryu is closed for good, as a call placed to the restaurant indicates that the phone number is no longer in service.]

Akai Ryu first opened in June of 2014, featuring sushi and shabu-shabu along with other Japanese and Asian items.

The address for Akai Ryu is One Porter Square, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Van Shabu and Bar Is Opening in Dorchester

It looks like a new restaurant is coming to the Savin Hill section of Dorchester, and it will apparently be catering to a couple of different audiences.

According to a job post within the site, Van Shabu & Bar will be opening on Dorchester Avenue, with its location apparently being within walking distance of the Savin Hill T station on Savin Hill Avenue. Based on the post, the new dining spot will apparently be a combination shabu restaurant and sports bar, with diners cooking their own food, choosing from various ingredients and broths. At this point in time, Van Shabu & Bar is hoping for a November opening.

[November 2 update: According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Van Shabu is looking to open sometime in December.]

The Savin Hill section of Dorchester, which is a bit south of the Columbia Road exit off of the Southeast Expressway, has a number of other eateries in the neighborhood, including Shanti, McKenna's Cafe, The Harp and Bard, and Savin Bar and Kitchen.

Keep checking back for updates on Van Shabu & Bar over the coming weeks.

[December 22 update: According to a post within the EveryBlock Boston site, Van Shabu and Bar now has a business license, and there is now a given address for the place that indicates it is moving into the former Nash's Pub space: 1154-1156 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.]

]January 18, 2012 update: According to Eater Boston (via info from Thrillist and The Boston Globe), Van Shabu and Bar is now open for business.]

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Shabu Shabu Toki in Allston Closes, Being Replaced by Toki Super Fusion Cuisine

An Asian hot pot restaurant in the Allston neighborhood of Boston has closed its doors, but another Asian eatery will be moving into its spot. The now-closed dining spot on Brighton Avenue, called Shabu Shabu Toki, is apparently being replaced by Toki Super Fusion Cuisine, according to a recent post on the EveryBlock Boston site.

Shabu Shabu Toki, which first opened a little more than two years ago, featured shabu shabu, sukiyaki, sushi, sashimi, and yakitori (grilled chicken). They were open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

[April 21 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Toki Super Fusion Cuisine is now open. The poster mentioned that the ownership remains the same, although shabu is no longer on the menu, with the restaurant instead focusing more on noodle dishes and sushi.]

The address for the now-closed Shabu Shabu Toki (and the new Toki Super Fusion Cuisine) is 123 Brighton Avenue (about a block east of Harvard Avenue), Allston, MA, 02134.

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