Democracy Brewing Plans to Expand to Maverick Square in East Boston

A brewery and pub in the heart of Boston will soon be expanding to another part of the city.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Democracy Brewing is planning to open a location in East Boston which will be called Democracy Brewing Eastie, moving into a space on Maverick Street in Maverick Square. The article mentions that the new outlet--which will have seating for 56, a snug, and an outdoor space with additional seating--will build on its original location on Temple Place in Downtown Crossing, offering a variety of beers but also serving wine that is made on the premises, while its food option will include dishes with Latin American influences. If all goes as planned, Democracy Brewing Eastie will debut in the early part of 2025. 

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

The address for the upcoming Democracy Brewing Eastie is 154 Maverick Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. The website for the business is at https://www.democracybrewing.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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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Bar Fresco Opens at Legacy Place in Dedham

A brand new outdoor wine garden has come to the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, Bar Fresco is now open at Legacy Place in Dedham, with the IL Massimo team being behind the spot. The 100-seat wine garden features the entire wine list from IL Massimo (which is located at the site) while also serving beer and cocktails, and all food items from IL Massimo's menu are offered as well. Hours for Bar Fresco are 4:00 PM to closing seven days a week, with the space including umbrellas for shade along with string lights, hedges, and flowers.

IL Massimo first opened in the old Met Bar & Grill space in early 2019; its website can be found at www.massimori.com

[Photo credit: Haley Abram]

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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Stone Provisions Opens in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

 A brand new food store has come to hidden pocket of Boston.

According to a tweet from @FortPointer, Stone Provisions is now open in the city's Fort Point area, moving into a space on Wormwood Street within a residential building just north of the Channel Center development and just east of A Street. @FortPointer mentions that the new shop currently offers beer, wine, liquor, coffee, and snacks, with groceries, sandwiches, and charcuterie soon on the way as well.

The address for Stone Provisions is 21a Wormwood Street, Boston, MA 02210. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/stoneprovisions/

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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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.)

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Debevino Winery in Walpole Reopens for Tastings on April 17

A suburban winery that debuted shortly before the coronavirus outbreak forced it to spend much of the past year in a partial hibernation is getting ready to open its patio for tastings and more.

According to a press release, Debevino Winery in Walpole is planning to reopen for outdoor tastings on Saturday, April 17, with live music included along with wine and wine slushies--and charcuterie and snacks via Antonia's Italian Cuisine. The release mentions that a tent will also be set up next month that will allow for additional shaded seating and that it will be available for private events and parties.

For now, hours for the patio at Debevino Winery will be Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The address for Debevino Winery is 2255 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. The website for the business is at https://www.debevino.com/

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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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.)

Payment Options

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Bauer Wine & Spirits in Boston's Back Bay Has Been Sold

It looks like a longtime liquor store in one of the busiest parts of Boston has been sold.

According to a source, Bauer Wine & Spirits in the Back Bay was recently sold to an as-of-yet unknown buyer, with a screenshot sent to us confirming this. The Newbury Street shop has actually been up for sale for awhile now, with a post from J Barrett & Company indicating that it first went on the market last October, having an asking price at the time of $1.7 million. It is not yet known what changes might be coming to the liquor store, nor is it known whether its name will remain, so keep checking back for updates.

Bauer Wine & Spirits has been in business for more than 50 years, with the shop offering a variety of beer, wine, and spirits, including both high-end and lower-priced options.

The address for Bauer Wine & Spirits is 330 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its website can be found at https://www.bauerwines.com/

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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Massachusetts Restaurants Can Now Sell Alcohol with Takeout/Delivery

Early last week, it was reported that the Baker administration had introduced a proposal that would let restaurants sell beer and wine with takeout and delivery orders. Now we have learned that this has finally become reality.

According to both a source and a tweet from @statehousenews Governor Charlie Baker has signed the bill allowing dining spots to offer beer and wine with food orders, with the ruling stating (as mentioned earlier) that the alcohol has to be in unopened containers. Unlike some states, the ruling does indeed include delivery orders in addition to takeout, and as also indicated earlier, spirits and cocktails are not part of this.

Restaurants in Massachusetts continue to deal with restrictions where customers cannot eat or drink in dining rooms or bars, and at least a couple of communities are not allowing people to go physically into establishments at all for takeout.

[April 8 update: A comment from a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page clarifies that while wine can only be sold in its original unsealed container, beer only needs to be in a sealed container, though not necessarily its original container. This may have been done in order to allow restaurants and bars to transfer their beer in kegs to crowlers, growlers, or other containers, though it is not known for sure that this was indeed the reason.]

[Earlier Article]
Baker Administration Proposes Letting Massachusetts Restaurants Sell Alcohol with Takeout/Delivery

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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Baker Administration Proposes Letting Massachusetts Restaurants Sell Alcohol with Takeout/Delivery

It appears that Massachusetts could start allowing restaurants to offer alcohol with to-go orders, joining four other New England states that have already done this.

According to an article from CBS Boston, Governor Charlie Baker said in a press conference today that his administration has introduced a proposal that would let dining spots sell beer and wine with takeout and delivery orders, as long as the alcohol is in their original unopened containers. If passed, the state would join Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont in allowing this, with Maine being the only holdout, at least for now.

The ruling would be a way to help restaurants in the Commonwealth, as they are currently only allowed to offer takeout and/or delivery due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

[March 26 update: A check on the bill proposing that restaurants be allowed to sell beer and wine shows that it has been "Referred to the committee on House Ways and Means," which--according to a message from The Passionate Foodie--means that it has not yet passed and is simply in committee.]

[March 31 update: According to a source earlier in the day, the bill proposing that restaurants be allowed to sell alcohol might not be signed until next Tuesday at the earliest because the Senate needs to look at it again and they likely won't be in session until then, though another source tells us this afternoon that a Senator is saying the bill could actually be on Governor Baker's desk by tomorrow (stay tuned).]

[April 2 update: Our source now tells us that the bill appears to be going back and forth between the Senate and the House, so for now, the bill has not yet been signed by Governor Baker, and it is not known when it might be signed.]

[Earlier Article]
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont Allow Beer, Wine Sales with Takeout Orders
New Hampshire Allows Beer, Wine Sales with Takeout/Delivery

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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Liquor Stores, Breweries Allowed to Remain Open in Massachusetts

Yesterday we reported that Governor Charlie Baker is ordering all non-essential businesses to shut down at noon today in response to the Coronavirus crisis. We have now learned however, that not only are liquor stores allowed to stay open, but breweries are also able to remain in operation as well.

As mentioned in an earlier article, liquor stores are considered an essential business in the state and are given the option to remain open, and based on a few sources--and checks on social media pages--breweries are also apparently considered essential businesses and can continue to sell beer via takeout, curbside pickup, and/or delivery. Because this continues to be a fluid situation, it is best to check the websites and social media pages of both the liquor stores and the breweries to find out their exact status, as it is very likely that not all of them remain open.

[Earlier Articles]
Governor Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses to Close; Restaurants Not Affected
Some Boston-Area Breweries Are Now Doing Delivery/Takeout

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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Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont Allow Beer, Wine Sales with Takeout Orders

Late last week, we reported that New Hampshire started allowing restaurants and bars to offer alcohol to people with their to-go orders. Now we have learned that three other New England states have done the same.

According to an article from NBC Connecticut, a post from the Providence Journal, and an article from WCAX, the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont are letting dining and drinking spots sell alcohol in sealed containers with people's takeout orders, though Connecticut and Rhode Island will not allow it to be included in delivery orders (it appears that Vermont will allow it, based on the article). This leaves Maine and Massachusetts as the only two New England states not offering unopened beer or wine with orders, though a request to do the same in Massachusetts had hit Governor Charlie Baker's desk last week.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, all New England states have ruled that restaurants and bars are only allowed to offer takeout and/or delivery for the time being, with each state having reopening dates in place, though these dates could certainly change.

[Earlier Article]
Updates: New Hampshire Allows Beer, Wine Sales with Takeout/Delivery; Maine Joins Other States in Restaurant Closings

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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Meritage Restaurant on the Boston Waterfront Is Closing

Another big name within the Boston restaurant scene is going away in a couple of weeks.

According to a message from a source and a subsequent press release, Meritage Restaurant at the Boston Harbor Hotel is closing down following business service on February 15, with the release saying that the space will be repurposed as a private event area. The email does say that the Rowes Wharf Sea Grille and Rowes Wharf Bar within the hotel will remain in operation.

The Meritage, which has been in business for 17 years, is a fine-dining spot that is known for its food and wine pairings, with Executive Chef Daniel Bruce heading up the kitchen; Bruce will remain on and will oversee all food operations at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

The website for Meritage can be found at https://www.meritagetherestaurant.com/

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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Stella's in Salem Has Closed

A North Shore restaurant and bar that was known in part for its wine list has shut down after just a bit more than a year in business.

According to a source, Stella's in Salem is no longer in business, with a note on its website saying that it has permanently closed, thanking its customers and employees while saying it is "Such an amazing space, such an amazing city and amazing people." Stella's first opened on Lafayette Street in December of 2018, offering mostly New American fare along with more than 200 different wine options.

The space in which Stella's resided had also been home to such dining and drinking spots as Smokin' Betty's, Red Lulu, and Strega.

The address for this now-closed restaurant and bar in Salem was: Stella's, 94 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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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Debevino Winery Is Opening in Walpole

A brand new winery is coming to the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it will include a tasting room and more.

According to a message sent from The Passionate Foodie, Debevino Winery is opening on Route 1 in Walpole, with a press release saying that the place is slated to officially open tomorrow (Friday, January 10). The release mentions that the space will include a wine production facility, a tasting area where people can sample the wines and go on an informational tour, and a space for private events.

Debevino Winery was actually established in 1975, with the name coming from a composite of three family names--DeNapoli, Bevilacqua, and Arpino (the last names of the owners and winemakers).

The address for Debevino Winery is 2255 Providence Highway (Route 1), Walpole, MA, 02081. The website for the business can be found at https://www.debevino.com/

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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Rebel Rebel Is Opening at Bow Market in Somerville

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a wine bar is coming to a new development in Somerville, and the person behind it comes from a couple of award-winning Boston-area restaurants.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, Rebel Rebel is planning to open within Bow Market in Union Square, with Lauren Friel--who had been wine director at both Sarma in Somerville and Oleana in Cambridge--being behind the place. The article says that the new venture will focus on all-natural wines with no additives, while bar snacks will be offered as well to go with the wines, and the circular bar space will be set up in such a way to allow for wine classes and visits with winemakers.

In addition to working at Sarma and Oleana, Friel has also done consulting at such places as Committee on the Boston waterfront and the Wine Bottega in the North End while also doing freelance writing.

Rebel Rebel is one of a number of businesses coming to Bow Market (which is located between Bow Street and Somerville Avenue), including Saus, Jaju Pierogi, Tanám, Maca Macaronerie, Hooked Fish Shop, The Comedy Studio, and Remnant Brewing.

[October 2 update: Boston Magazine states that Rebel Rebel opens tonight at Bow Market.]

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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Wine Riot Store in Boston's South End May Be Replaced by Wine Gallery

A wine events business that has a retail shop in the South End of Boston may see its retail space taken over by another group of wine shops.

According to a Twitter post from @DGoodison, Wine Riot on Tremont Street is looking to transfer its license to Wine Gallery, with a message sent confirming that the shop would be moving into the same address. It appears that the Wine Riot shop--which is run by Second Glass--may already be closed according to another source, though this has not been confirmed as of yet. It is not known what may happen to Second Glass's wine events business at this point in time; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Wine Gallery has four locations in the Boston area--in Downtown Crossing, Kenmore Square, Brookline, and Lexington.

The address for Wine Riot (and the proposed Wine Gallery) in the South End is 519 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[May 12 update: A licensing board hearing page has confirmed the above, showing that Wine Riot has petitioned to transfer the licensed business to Wine Gallery, with the hearing taking place on May 17.]

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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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Brew Zone Is Opening on Route 1 in Saugus

A new spot that will allow people to brew and bottle their own beer and wine is on its way to a legendary stretch of road north of Boston.

According to its Facebook page, Brew Zone is planning to open on Route 1, with the place saying it is a "brew on premise" spot that will be opening soon. It is not yet known if the place will also be serving beer and wine (and food); as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

The address for this new spot on Route 1 is: Brew Zone, 135 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906.

Thanks to @CappyinBoston for bringing this to our attention.

[May 14 update: The Craft Beer Boston site mentions that Brew Zone plans to open around the end of this month and that it will open with six brew stations and as many as 60 recipes from which customers can choose, though no food or alcohol sales will be offered and there will not be a bar at the place.]

[November 14 update: @CappyinBoston tells us that Brew Zone is now open, with the business providing space and equipment for people to brew their own beer and wine.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Owners of Now-Closed Bradley Liquors in Boston's Fenway to Open Upscale Liquor Store by Audubon Circle

The people behind a liquor store in Boston's Fenway that is no longer in operation are hoping to open a new store in the city's Audubon Circle area--and this one would be focusing on specialty items.

According to a post on the Beth Treffeisen Photography site, the owners of the now-shuttered Bradley Liquors on Boylston Street are planning to open an upscale liquor store on Beacon Street in the former Superb Bicycle Shop space, with the proposed shop having the same retro look that the bike shop had while apparently selling higher-end versions of beer, wine, bourbon, and more. If all goes well, the new store--which may end up being called Shippy's--could be opening in April.

The article says that Bradley Liquors closed down because of a lack of foot traffic and rising rents.

The address for this upcoming liquor store is 842 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge to Start Offering Beer and Wine

An arthouse cinema in Cambridge will soon start offering more than just soda to customers.

Cambridge Day is reporting that the city's license commission has approved of a beer and wine license for Kendall Square Cinema, allowing it to possibly offer 11 domestic craft beers and another 5 imported brews, along with the potential for 12 red wines, 8 wines, and two sparkling options in the theater's lobby section. No specific date has been given as to when Kendall Square Cinema might start offering beer and wine; as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here.

Kendall Square Cinema is known in part for its showing of independent and foreign movies along with new releases as well.

The address for Kendall Square Cinema is 355 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.landmarktheatres.com/boston/kendall-square-cinema

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Boston East India Hotels Purchases Stonehedge Inn and Spa in Tyngsboro

An iconic inn, spa, and restaurant north of Boston has been sold, and it looks like it may get a new name.

The Lowell Sun is reporting that the North Andover-based Boston East India Hotels group purchased the Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro earlier this month, with plans in the works to do major renovations to the place and rebrand it as a part of the Troca Hotels group, which has locations in Brunswick, ME, and Goa, India (more properties in New Orleans and Sri Lanka may be added as well at some point). The article says that the Stonehedge name will "most likely" be kept in one form or another, though no details have been given as of yet.

The Stonehedge Inn & Spa, which was first established back in 1988, includes a 180-seat restaurant called the Left Bank that has a fireside bar and lounge and an award-winning wine list with more than 2,200 wines offered.

The address for the Stonehedge Inn & Spa is 160 Pawtucket Boulevard, Tyngsboro, MA, 01879.

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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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Union Square Donuts Wine and Donut Brunch to Be Held at the Boston Wine School, August 2, 2014

An event that features an unlikely food/drink pairing is coming to Boston this weekend.

UrbanDaddy mentions that the Union Square Donuts Wine & Donut Brunch will take place at the Boston Wine School on Saturday, August 2, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with the event being a tasting workshop that pairs--you guessed it--wine and donuts. Tickets to the event cost $50 each and can be purchased through the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donut-wine-pairing-with-union-square-donuts-all-for-wine-wine-for-all-tickets-12193692663

The Boston Wine School is located on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston, just east of Allston Street and a few blocks west of Harvard Avenue.

Union Square Donuts, which resides in Somerville's Union Square neighborhood, has more information on this event here.

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Steakcation to Be Held in Boston, July 6, 2013

A food and drink event is on its way to Boston in July, or perhaps more accurately, to Boston Harbor.

On Saturday, July 6 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Eat Boston folks will team up with Wines of France to host Steakcation, a karaoke harbor cruise that will include beef-based foods from Michael Scelfo of the upcoming Alden & Harlow in Cambridge, along with wine samples from Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Beaujolias and more. Boarding will begin for the 21+ rain or shine event at 1:30 PM in back of the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Tickets are available now for Steakcation and cost $20 each; to order tickets (and to get more information on the event), please go to the link below:

http://www.wheretoeat.in/steakcation/

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