Boston Restaurant Talk

Monday, November 07, 2022

Solodko Boston Opens in Brighton

A Ukrainian bakery and pastry shop has come to Boston, moving into a space that had been home to a pizzeria.

Universal Hub confirms what a source told us last week, that Solodko Boston is now open in Brighton, taking over the former Boston Crust space on Brooks Street just south of the Mass. Pike underpass, Nonantum Road, and the Charles River. The UH article mentions that the new shop is run by two sisters--Ilona and Irina Znakharchuk--while the Instagram page for the business indicates that its offerings include such items as macarons, croissants, cakes, and more.

The address for Solodko Boston is 38 Brooks Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/solodko_boston/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Friday, November 04, 2022

XOXO Sushi Bar Plans to Open in Chestnut Hill

A brand new Japanese restaurant is on its way to Chestnut Hill.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, XOXO Sushi Bar is planning to open this winter, with the spot featuring "top of the line modern Japanese cuisine, fun and innovative creative cocktails, wine, beer & sake mixed with a fantastic experience and atmosphere." The corresponding map for the place shows Misono, a Japanese and Korean restaurant and sushi bar in West Roxbury, so it may have some sort of connection to that space, though if we find any additional updates, including its exact location, we will post an update here.

[December 8 update: A press release indicates that XOXO Sushi Bar plans to open very soon (we were told in the late fall) in a space across from The Street at Chestnut Hill (at 1154 Boylston Street). The press release also says that the kitchen will be led by PABU alum Desmond Chow and that it will feature a rotating chef's choice omakase menu while also serving sushi a la carte and robatayaki cuisine.]

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Hummus v'Hummus Is Opening in the Former A La Esh Space in Sharon

A pair of quick-service dining spots featuring hummus bowls will soon be joined by a third location.

According to a Facebook post from local chef/restaurateur Avi Shemtov, Hummus v'Hummus is planning to open in Sharon on November 9, taking over the former A La Esh space in the Sharon Heights Shopping Plaza on South Main Street. Once it opens, the new eatery will join others at the Charles River Speedway on Western Avenue in Brighton and The Street Chestnut Hill, and based on those locations, expect to see hummus bowls with a rotating list of toppings including chicken shawarma, lamb, falafel, and salmon.

The address for the new location of Hummus v'Hummus in Sharon is 366 South Main Street, Sharon, MA, 02067. The website for the business can be found at https://www.hummusvhummus.com/

[November 11 update: According to its website, the Sharon location of Hummus v'Hummus is now open.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Madhouse Cafe Is Opening in Roxbury

A new cafe is on its way to a Boston neighborhood, and it is affiliated with a shop that builds and repairs motorcycles.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Madhouse Cafe is planning to open in Roxbury, debuting in a space on Blue Hill Avenue that is next to Madhouse Motors. The post mentions that owner Julia Shia--who also runs the motorcycle shop--will serve coffee and pastries from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday within the eight-seat cafe. The Boston Licensing Board was slated to give a decision on granting a food-service license to Madhouse Cafe today; if approved, the cafe is planning to have a grand opening on Saturday, November 5.

The address for Madhouse Cafe is 24 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for Madhouse Motors can be found at http://www.madhousemotors.com/

[November 14 update: According to its social media pages, Madhouse Cafe is now open.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

The Farmstand at Mahoney's Garden Center in Winchester Has Opened

A decades-old garden center in the northern suburbs that started out as a small farmstand now has a brand new farmstand on the premises.

According to a flyer that has been sent out to nearby residents, The Farmstand at Mahoney's Garden Center is now open in Winchester, with the retail shop offering local produce, meats, eggs, artisan cheeses, pies, pasta, coffee, and more. The flyer mentions that some of the vendors selling their products at the new store include Dom's Sausage, Savenor's, Nashoba Brook Bakery, Centerville Pie Co., Gracie's Ice Cream, Petsi Pies, Jim's Organic Coffee, and Pig Rock Sausages.

Mahoney's first opened in 1959 as a farmstand, eventually becoming a major garden center while also expanding to six other locations in Massachusetts.

The address for The Farmstand at Mahoney's Garden Center is 242 Cambridge Street, Winchester, MA, 01890. The web page for the farmstand can be found at https://mahoneysgarden.com/farmstand/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Major Magleashe's Pub in Salem Has Closed

A popular North Shore bar has shut down, and it is not known what will become of the space.

According to a Facebook post from Zachary Antczak of Behold Brands (and formerly Notch Brewing), Major Magleashe's Pub closed its doors last night, as the owners are apparently retiring. It appears that a new dining/drinking spot may move into the Washington Street space, though no specific details have been given as of yet.

Major Magleashe's Pub, which first opened in 1978, was known in part for its burgers and steak tips.

The address for Major Magleashe's Pub was 268 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Deep Cuts Deli Is Moving from West Medford to the Former Carroll's Space in Medford Square

Several months ago, it was reported that a deli and nanobrewery in West Medford was looking into moving to a larger space in Arlington. Those plans have fallen through, however, as a move within Medford is now in the works instead.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Deep Cuts Deli is going to be moving from its current home on High Street to a new space in Medford Square, taking over the space on Main Street where Carroll's had been until closing down in August. A message sent to us by the business mentions that renovations are slated to begin in the next couple of weeks and that the new space will include a full dining/taproom area, a kitchen, bar, and 5 bbl brewery while also having a stage for shows and events. More details are expected on the new home for Deep Cuts sometime this week, so stay tuned for additional updates.

Deep Cuts, which opened in West Medford in March of 2021 and had once been briefly located within BearMoose Brewing Company in Everett, had originally been looking to move to the former Tango space on Mass. Ave. in Arlington Center.

The current address for Deep Cuts Deli is 472 High Street while its new location will be at 21 Main Street. Its website can be found at https://www.deepcuts.rocks/

[May 24, 2023 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page says (via an event page) that Deep Cuts is now open in its new home.]

[Earlier Article]
Deep Cuts Deli & Brewery Plans to Move from West Medford to Arlington Center
Carroll's in Medford Square Has Closed

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Johnny Rockets in Burlington Has Closed

A California-based chain of hamburger places is now just down to one location in the Greater Boston area.

A source confirms rumors and chatter that we recently heard, that Johnny Rockets at the Burlington Mall is no longer in operation, with a check on the locations section of the chain's website seeming to confirm this, showing only its Braintree outlet locally. Locations of Johnny Rockets at Logan Airport and in Acton have also shut down over the past few years as well, though another outlet in Agawam remains open.

In addition to burgers, Johnny Rockets also offers such items as chicken tenders, club sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes, and more.

The website for Johnny Rockets can be found at https://www.johnnyrockets.com/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Fields West Plans to Open in Allston

It looks like a new restaurant and bar is on its way to Allston, though details are few for now.

According to a couple of posts within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com site, Fields West is looking to open at an as-of-yet undisclosed location in Allston, saying that it will have "a focus on shared plates, live entertainment and great beer and wine." No further information has been given on the upcoming dining and drinking spot, and it doesn't look like a licensing hearing has been scheduled for the place as of yet, so keep checking back for updates.

The name "Fields West" may be referring to a painting done by artist Washington Allston (which is where the neighborhood got its name) called "Fields West of Boston," which showed the fields of Allston back around the late 1700s and early 1800s based on information from a Harvard Crimson article.

[February 24, 2023 update: A press release confirms what a source told us, that Fields West will be opening in the former Glenville Stops space at 87 Glenville Avenue, with the release saying it will feature small plates with global influences along with a wide variety of beers and wines. (Its website is at https://www.fieldswestallston.com/)]

[July 31, 2023 update: An article from boston.com mentions that Fields West plans to open on August 5, and it will be a restaurant, bar, art gallery, and social space while also hosting live events.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Tuesday, November 01, 2022

Insomnia Cookies Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

A growing chain of cookie shops with roots in Philadelphia plans to open its fourth Boston-area location--and its third within the city itself.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Insomnia Cookies is looking to open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Clarendon Street between Newbury Street and Boylston Street. The proposed storefront would be geared more toward delivery than takeout/pickup and it is looking to be open until midnight; if approved, it would join other locations of Insomnia in downtown Boston, by Boston University, and in Cambridge's Harvard Square along with outlets in Amherst and Worcester and more than 200 others across the country.

The address for the proposed location of Insomnia Cookies in the Back Bay is 222 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the company is at https://insomniacookies.com/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Seaport Social Opens in Boston's Seaport District

A restaurant and bar by the Boston waterfront that has been in the works for four years has very quietly debuted.

According to a source, Seaport Social opened to the public yesterday in the Seaport District, moving into a space on Northern Avenue within the Park Lane Seaport residential complex. The website for the dining and drinking spot does not give any indication of its opening, so this may be a soft opening for now, and no menu has been posted as of yet, so keep checking back for updates.

Plans for Seaport Social were first announced back in December of 2018, with the original manager listed being Jennifer Glover, though a recent hearing notice shows that the new manager is Adrian Fuentes, who we have been told used to work at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The address for Seaport Social is 225 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website is at http://seaportsocial.com/

[Earlier Article]
Seaport Social Planning to Open in Boston's Seaport District

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Monday, October 31, 2022

Sunset Cantina in Boston Is Returning

It looks like a Tex-Mex restaurant that is particularly popular with college students is being reborn.

According its Instagram page, Sunset Cantina on Commonwealth Avenue by Boston University is planning to reopen, with one post saying "A renovated, vibrant and exciting cantina is coming! Are you ready #Boston?" A listing within the Boston Restaurant Group website indicates that the space is under agreement and it has a new lease with BU which hints that there is an ownership change, though no other details have been given.

Sunset Cantina had once been under the same ownership as Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston, but the parent company filed for bankruptcy and Sunset Grill closed while Sunset Cantina ultimately was acquired by East Coast Tavern Group (Emmet's, Roxanne's, Scholars, Carrie Nation). The restaurant--which is known in part for its nachos--has been shuttered for at least a couple of months now.

The address for Sunset Cantina is 916 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

[January 25, 2023 update: An article from Bostonia indicates that Sunset Cantina is open once again, with Catarina Chang of Koy near Faneuil Hall being the one of the new owners. The post mentions that the restaurant continues to serve the same type of nachos offered in its previous incarnation along with other Tex-Mex faves, while also adding "elevated" authentic Mexican fare to the menu as well. (Thanks to Adam Castiglioni for bringing the opening to our attention.)]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Friday, October 28, 2022

Via Cannuccia Is Opening in the Former Caffe Zia Gianna Space in Dorchester

A brand new Italian restaurant is on its way to a Boston neighborhood, opening where an Italian bakery and cafe had been.

Universal Hub is reporting (via a licensing board hearing) that Via Cannuccia is planning to open in Dorchester, moving into the former Caffe Zia Gianna space on Dorchester Avenue between Fields Corner and Ashmont. The article mentions that Stefano and Tsedenia Kiros are behind the proposed dining spot, which would be a casual restaurant with ten tables and a four-seat bar, and the hope is that it would offer beer and wine pending approval for a license.

Caffe Zia Gianna closed this spring after being in business for approximately five years; the space had also once been home to Dot 2 Dot Cafe.

The address for Via Cannuccia is 1739 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02124.

[April 12, 2023 update: According to a source, Via Cannuccia is now open in Dorchester, with its menu including Tuscan soup, polpette, eggplant parmigiana, pizza, cacio e pepe, risotto, short ribs, and fettuccine bolognese.]

[Earlier Article]
Caffe Zia Gianna in Dorchester Has Closed

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Donut Villa Diner Is Opening in the Former Common Ground Space in Arlington Center

A trio of dining spots known for their donuts and diner food will be opening a fourth, and this one will move into a space in the northwest suburbs that had been home to a gastropub.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Donut Villa Diner is looking to open in Arlington Center, taking over the former Common Ground space at Broadway Plaza. A hearing agenda page within the town's website mentions that owner Erin Bashllari is planning to have seating for 195, an outdoor patio, and a dining room inside the place, and a menu that features American fare--and Bashllari is also seeking a full liquor license for the space. If approved, the new location of Donut Villa will join others in Malden, Cambridge, and Newtonville.

The Arlington location of Common Ground closed down in 2020 after being in business for approximately six years; the original location of Common Ground had been in Allston until shutting down in 2019.

The address for the new Donut Villa Diner in Arlington Center is 319 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474. The website for all locations is at https://www.donutvilladiner.com/

[February 13, 2023 update: An article from Your Arlington indicates that Donut Villa Diner is now open in Arlington Center.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Fin's Sushi and Grill Is Opening in Waltham

A trio of Japanese restaurants will be joined by a fourth location, and this one will move into a space west of Boston that had been home to a few other dining spots.

According to a source, Fin's Sushi and Grill is planning to open in Waltham, with a post on the Bring Retail to Waltham Facebook page indicating that it will take over the space on Main Street that had been home to such dining spots as A Lee 88 Chinese Restaurant, Jiang Nan, Noodle Hut, and Jin's Sichuan House. Once it opens, the new outlet of Fin's will join others in Boston's Beacon Hill, Kenmore Square, and Brighton, and expect it to offer such options as soups, salads, appetizers, sushi, noodle and rice dishes, and various entrees.

The address for the new location of Fin's Sushi and Grill is 922 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451. The website for all locations of Fin's is at http://www.finsboston.com/

[February 10, 2023 update: A source tells us (via a Facebook post within the Waltham, MA Residents group) that the Waltham location of Fin's Sushi and Grill is now open.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Butternut Bakehouse Plans to Open in Belmont Center

A bakery in the northwest suburbs is expanding to a new space a few minutes away from the original shop.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that Butternut Bakehouse in Arlington is going to be joined by another location in Belmont Center, with a photo sent to us indicating that it is taking over the space on Leonard Street where Craft Beer Cellar had been before moving to a new space just up the road. Based on the offerings from the Mass. Ave. shop (which opened in 2019), the new store could offer breads, cakes, cookies, croissants, danish, scones, biscuits, quiche, sandwiches, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Butternut Bakehouse in Belmont Center is 51 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. The website for the original shop in Arlington is at https://www.butternutbakehouse.com/

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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.)

Szechuan Mountain House in NYC Plans to Expand to Allston

A pair of restaurants in New York City that are known for their authentic Sichuan fare could be expanding to Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Szechuan Mountain House is planning to open in Allston, with the address indicating that it would be moving into a space within a new apartment complex at the corner of Brighton Avenue and Linden Street. The manager listed for the proposed restaurant is Ming Lin, which seems to confirm a connection to locations of Szechuan Mountain House in Flushing and the East Village, while the hearing notice also says that the dining spot would have seating for approximately 80 and it would offer beer and wine, pending license approval. While a tentative menu has not been seen as of yet for the Allston location, some of the offerings at the New York restaurants include spicy frog, green pepper eel, braised pork belly, pepper chicken intestines, pig brain and tofu, braised lamb spine, grilled beef ribs, shredded potato, tomato fish stew, and steamed crab.

An Eater article from 2017 mentioned that the people behind Szechuan Mountain House were "aiming high" with the East Village location, with the article saying that the "owners want the restaurant to win a Michelin star at some point."

The address for the proposed location of Szechuan Mountain House in Allston is 89 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the locations in New York can be found at https://www.szechuanmountainhouse.com/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Deep Ellum to Be Reborn, Opening in Waltham Where The Gaff Resides

A popular gastropub in Allston that closed a couple of years ago is planning to reopen, replacing a beer bar in Waltham.

According to a source, Deep Ellum is looking to open back up on Moody Street, taking over the space where The Gaff is located. A Facebook post from The Waltham Channel gives some information on the proposed change to the space, saying the following:

Company officials for Deep Ellum appeared before the city's license commission Wednesday to transfer The Gaff's liquor and other licenses. Deep Ellum co-owner Max Toste, an industry veteran, already operates two bars, one in East Cambridge and one in Allston. Toste has known The Gaff's owner, Mike Coen, for years. "We're excited to move into his space as he moves on to bigger things and be part of the neighborhood like we were in Allston," he said. "We're going to serve yummy food for lunch and dinner and keep up the craft beer and cocktail stuff they were doing."

The post mentions that The Gaff, which first opened in 2009, does not yet have a closing date, while Toste, who is behind two locations of Lone Star Taco Bar, is looking to serve such items as burgers, reubens, charcuterie boards, and breakfast tacos at Deep Ellum, while possibly offering live entertainment such as jazz.

The address for The Gaff (and the proposed new location of Deep Ellum) is 467 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453.

[November 26 update: According to its social media, The Gaff closes at the end of business hours today.]

[March 15, 2023 update: An Instagram post from the place states that Deep Ellum opens in its new Waltham location on Friday, March 17.]

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Tavern in the Square Opens at Woburn Village

Last summer it was reported that a local group of restaurants and bars would be opening an outlet in a new development in Boston's northern suburbs, and now we have learned that it has debuted.

According to its website, Tavern in the Square has opened its new location at Woburn Village, an open-air mixed-use development located at the site of the old Woburn Mall. The new spot joins others locally at North Station and South Station in Boston, Allston, and Burlington, along with Littleton, Lowell, Shrewsbury, Wrentham, and three in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The website for Tavern in the Square can be found at https://www.taverninthesquare.com/

[Earlier Article]
Tavern in the Square, Grainmaker, Crumbl Cookies Coming to Woburn Village

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Darwin's in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

The original location of a local group of cafes is shutting down.

According to an article from Cambridge Day, Darwin's in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge is getting ready to close its doors, with a note from founders Steven and Isabel Darwin saying that the lease is up and they are taking "workload and personal health" into account with their decision to close the Mt Auburn Street spot. The note also indicates that a new business will be taking over the space, saying that "We honestly believe the new owners will make their place as special as Darwin's. We hope the community will welcome them as we were welcomed in 1993." Cambridge Day mentions that a worker at another location said the closure is expected to take place by December 1.

It appears that other locations of Darwin's in Cambridge that are on Cambridge Street, Massachusetts Avenue, and Putnam Avenue will remain in operation, though stay tuned for updates.

The address for Darwin's in Harvard Square is 148 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for all locations is at https://www.darwinsltd.com/

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

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]