Steve "Nookie" Postal to Set Up Pop-Up Jewish BBQ Spot at Crema Cafe in Cambridge

In August, we reported that the executive chef for the Boston Red Sox--and a finalist on Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates--is going to be opening a restaurant and market in Cambridge's Kendall Square. Now we have learned that he will also be creating a pop-up spot in nearby Harvard Square that will give Bostonians a glimpse into his upcoming Jewish barbecue restaurant in New York City.

Eater Boston is reporting that Steve "Nookie" Postal is setting up a pop-up version of Steinbones at Crema Cafe on Brattle Street on December 15, with items at the pop-up possibly including a chopped short rib pastrami sandwich, fried matzoh balls, lamb ribs, and grilled chicken thigh. Details on how to get a table at the Steinbones pop-up are not yet available, so check back for updates.

[December 15 update: Eater Boston states that the pop-up version of Steinbones will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM this evening, with guests getting to spin a dreidle to find out how much their food will cost. (Proceeds go to Lovin' Spoonfuls, a local hunger relief organization.)]

According to EB, Postal might also be considering a brick-and-mortar version of the Jewish barbecue spot in Boston at some point, saying that "If people are freaking out about it, we might do it."

[Earlier Article]
Steve "Nookie" Postal to Open Restaurant/Market in Cambridge's Kendall Square


Tweet

Sebastians Cafe and Catering on Mass. Ave. in Boston Has Closed

A small local chain of cafes and caterers has closed one of its locations, with the shop shutting down after being in business for less than a year.

According to a poster on Chowhound, Sebastians Cafe and Catering on Mass. Ave. near Symphony Hall has closed, and the Sebastians website appears to confirm this, as the location is no longer shown on the site. This location of Sebastians first opened in December of 2011, moving into the space where a location of Au Bon Pain had been.

Sebastians started out in 1993 as a catering operation, and today has five cafes in the Boston area (Summer Street, Devonshire Place, High Street, and Seaport Boulevard in Boston, and 7 Cambridge Center in Cambridge's Kendall Square). The chain offers soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with some hot entrees.

The address for this now-closed cafe in Boston is: Sebastians Cafe and Catering, 251 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for all of the Sebastians restaurants is at http://www.sebastians.com/


Tweet

Newton Winter Farmers' Market Coming to Newton Highlands

Yet another new winter farmers' market is setting up shop in the Boston area, with this one being located in a western neighbor of Beantown.

The Newton Patch is reporting that the city of Newton is readying a winter farmers' market at the Hyde Community Center at 90 Lincoln Street in Newton Highlands, with the market officially kicking off on Tuesday, November 13. The farmers' market will be held every Tuesday from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, with a number of local merchants selling everything from beef and seafood to cheese, jellies, and coffee.

The Facebook page for the Newton Farmers' Market can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Newton-Farmers-Market/139682986097922


Tweet

Portland Pie Co. Is Opening in Reading

It looks like a small group of pizza spots based in Southern Maine that features flavored dough is coming to a northern suburb of Boston.

The Reading-North Reading Patch is reporting that Portland Pie Co. is eyeing a location in Reading, though as of last month, they were only in the "information-gathering phase." If they do decide to open a new location in Reading, it will be on Haven Street, just east of the Reading commuter rail stop.

[June 19, 2013 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), Portland Pie Co. has indeed opened on Haven Street in Reading, with opening day apparently being this past Monday.]

Portland Pie Co.first started out in Portland in 1997, eventually expanding into Scarborough and Westbrook, along with Manchester and Nashua, NH. The group of eateries offers dough with flavors such as beer, garlic, basil, and honey, with gluten-free options available. In addition to pizza, Portland Pie Co. also has salads, sandwiches, calzones, and pasta.

The address for this new pizza spot in Reading is 54 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for all of the locations can be found at http://www.portlandpie.com/


Tweet

Izakaya Ittoku Is Opening in Petit Robert Bistro Space in Brighton

The Brighton location of a group of French restaurants is closing, and a Japanese dining spot is moving into its space.

Universal Hub is reporting that the owners of Petit Robert Bistro on Comm. Ave. are selling its beer and wine license--along with the rights to the space--to Kentaro Suzuki, who will open a new spot called Izakaya Ittoku. UH mentions that the planned eatery, which will feature such items as ramen, sushi, and yakitori, will be voted on today by the Boston Licensing Board (Suzuki went before the board yesterday to ask permission for the transaction). The mayor's office, three city councilors, and the Brighton Allston Improvement Association are all in favor of the plans.

[November 7, 2013 update: Food writer MC Slim says (via the Chowhound site) that Izakaya Ittoku is currently having a soft opening, with both MC and Eater Boston mentioning that the new restaurant's grand opening might be taking place on Monday, November 11.]

[November 11, 2013 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that Izakaya Ittoku opens today at 5:00 PM.]

The folks Petit Robert Bistro opened Chez Jacky in the space in June of 2010, with its name being changed to Jacky's Table two months later. (The restaurant became Petit Robert Bistro about a year later.) Other Petit Robert Bistros are located in the South End, Kenmore Square, and Needham, with a location of Petit Robert Central being found in Downtown Crossing.

The address for Petit Robert Bistro in Brighton (and the upcoming Izakaya Ittoku) is: 1414 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135.

Thanks to Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.


Tweet

Po'Boys Is Opening in Newtonville

It looks like a new dining spot is coming to the Newtonville section of Newton, and based on its name, it will be featuring Louisiana-style sandwiches.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Po'Boys is looking to open on Crafts Street, moving into the space where Eugene's Coffee & Hot Dogs and the Crafts Street Cafe had been. An earlier Newton Board of License Commissioners page indicates that the person behind the upcoming spot--Eric Cormier--may be planning to have the new spot open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with proposed hours possibly being 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM seven days a week.

The address for this new sandwich place in Newtonville is: Po'Boys, 67 Crafts Street, Newton, MA, 02458.

[December 20 update: Grub Street Boston reports that Po'Boys is now open. The article mentions that one item that can be found on the menu is a spicy catfish version of the sandwich.]


Tweet