J. Pace and Son Is Opening Rosaria's Restaurant Above Its Saugus Market

The person behind a group of Italian specialty shops in the Boston area is planning to open a "higher-end" restaurant above one of his markets.

The Daily Item is reporting that the Saugus Board of Selectmen have issued a liquor license to Joseph Pace for a new spot called Rosaria's, which will be directly above the Saugus location of J. Pace & Son on Main Street (at the Lynn Fells Parkway intersection). The article mentions that Rosaria's will be an 11,000-square-foot restaurant and function hall that will have a capacity of 232 in its dining area, seating for 46 at the bar, and a private dining room that has room for 14. Construction of the second-floor space should be done around December 1, according to the Daily Item.

[December 5 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Rosaria's could be opening sometime in January.]

[March 28, 2013 update: An article in The Saugus Advertiser indicates that Rosaria's has opened (and the article actually focuses on an alleged assault that took place at the new dining spot).]

In addition to their Saugus location, three other J. Pace & Son markets can be found in the Boston area, including stores in the North End, the West End, and the Seaport District. Their website is at http://jpaceandson.com/


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Red Sky Restaurant and Lounge in Boston's Faneuil Hall Has Closed

A trendy dining and drinking establishment in the Faneuil Hall section of Boston has closed its doors.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Red Sky Restaurant & Lounge is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying "to contact The Brahmin [their sister restaurant] for any catering/party needs." A check on the restaurant's website confirms this, stating that Red Sky is indeed no longer open.

Red Sky Restaurant & Lounge first opened in 2006, offering an eclectic menu that included such items as seared ahi tuna, chicken wings, mussels frites, ham and cheese panini, cheesesteak, pizza, filet mignon, pasta and meatballs, and turkey tips.

The address for this now-closed dining and drinking spot in Faneuil Hall was: Red Sky Restaurant & Lounge, 16 North Street, Boston, MA, 02110.

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Charles River Food Truck Festival Coming to Artesani Park in Brighton, July 28, 2012

A number of food truck festivals in Massachusetts have been scheduled for 2012, and one happens to be coming to Boston later this month.

On Saturday, July 28, the Charles River Food Truck Festival will be held at the DCR's Artesani Herter Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton, with food, music, children's activities, and more being offered. Participating trucks include Bon Me, Boston Super Dog, Captain Marden's Cod Squad, Paris Creperie's La Tour Eiffel, The Happy Taco, Slush King, Dining Car, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Shuckin' Truck, and a number of others, with sample portions and full meals both being offered.

The following options are available for tickets: 10 taste tickets for $13, 20 for $25, 30 for $37, and 40 for $48, with tickets being available both in advance and at the event. There is no additional admission fee.

For more information on the Charles River Food Truck Festival, please go to the following link:

http://foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/

[Earlier Article]
A Schedule of Food Truck Festivals in Massachusetts for 2012

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Vino Volo Wine Bar Is Opening at Logan Airport

A small group of high-end wine bars found at various airports around the country is going to be coming to Logan Airport in East Boston.

A job post on the Craigslist site indicates that Vino Volo will be opening at Terminal E, bringing to the airport a place to get glasses and bottles of wine, wine flights, small bites, sandwiches, and full meals in an upscale environment. Vino Volo currently has 13 locations at airports in the United States, including at JFK Airport in New York City and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey. (Please note that all Vino Volo locations are located beyond the security gates.)

Some of the food offered at Vino Volo includes a cheese plate, cured olives, smoked salmon rolls, a brie and prosciutto sandwich, braised pork tacos, and penne and cheese.

[September 24 update: According to their Facebook page, Vino Volo is now open at Logan Airport.]

The website for Vino Volo can be found at http://www.vinovolo.com/

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.



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Otto Pizza Is Opening a New Location Near Boston University in Brookline

A Portland, Maine-based pizza spot continues to expand through the Boston area, with plans now in place for a new branch near Boston University.

Eater Boston is reporting that Otto Pizza is going to be opening on Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline (making this their second location in that town), taking over the space where a location of the Upper Crust Pizzeria had been until closing last month. The article mentions that the new outlet of the pizza spot will have a capacity of 50, and beer and wine will be available. Once it opens, this will be the third Otto Pizza in the Boston area, with the other two being in Cambridge's Harvard Square and Brookline's Coolidge Corner.

There is no word of an opening date for the new Otto Pizza in Brookline; as soon as we find out when it might open, we will post an update here.

[August 10 update: Both the Brookline TAB and the Brookline Patch mention that the new Otto Pizza by Boston University hopes to open around August 20.]

[August 27 update: BostonTweet reports that the new Otto Pizza on Commonwealth Avenue is now open for business.]

[September 24 update: The Brookline TAB states that the new Otto Pizza on Commonwealth Avenue has just been approved for a beer and wine license.]

The address for this new pizza spot near BU is: Otto Pizza, 888 Commonwealth Avenue, Brookline, MA, 02446. Their website can be found at http://www.ottoportland.com/


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Update: Buddy's Diner in Somerville Seized by the State

[Ed note: This article was edited on July 21 to reflect additional information on Buddy's being seized.]

A diner in Somerville that has been in business for more than 80 years has been shut down by the state.

According to posters on the Yelp site as well as another poster on the Universal Hub Twitter page, Buddy's Diner on Washington Street is shuttered, with an orange "Seized" sign in the window. The Boston Globe mentions that the state of Massachusetts took over the eatery (not the IRS, as he been previously reported), as it owes more than $24,000 in meals taxes.

Buddy's Diner, which first opened in 1930, served classic American fare such as omelets, French toast, meat loaf, burgers, hot dogs, and sausages.

The address for this now-closed spot in Somerville was: Buddy's Diner, 113 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.


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