Pronti Bistro in Needham Plans to Expand Closer to Boston

A restaurant in Needham that features a fusion of Indian and American food may be expanding closer to Boston.

Grub Street Boston is reporting that the people behind Pronti Bistro on 2nd Avenue are looking at sites in places that may include Allston, Cambridge and the Boston University area. Pronti, which first opened in Needham in the spring of 2011, offers an array of wraps using paratha bread, along with soups, salads, desserts, coffee, tea, smoothies, and more.

The address for their original location in Needham is: Pronti Bistro, 11 2nd Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494. Their website can be found at http://prontibistro.com/


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Bar Louie Is Opening in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

A Texas-based chain of "urban bars" with two locations in New England is looking to open a third, and this one would be in one of Boston's busiest neighborhoods.

Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via the City of Boston website) that Bar Louie is planning to open on Brookline Avenue in the Fenway, apparently opening within the upcoming Marriott Residence Inn that is in the process of being built just west of Fenway Park. If all goes as planned and it does open, the restaurant and bar would join other locations at Patriot Place in Foxboro and Union Station in Providence, RI, along with approximately 70 other locations across the country. Expect a mix of classic American and New American dishes at the new Bar Louie, along with an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails (including their signature martinis).

[February 12 update: It appears to be a go for Bar Louie in the Fenway, as Eater Boston mentions (via Craigslist) that the restaurant is planning to open on Brookline Avenue this summer, while the Craigslist post indicates that the place has started looking for workers.]

[August 13 update: A new article from Eater Boston says (via Craigslist) that Bar Louie is now looking at opening sometime in September.]

[September 17 update: The Boston Business Journal states that Bar Louie is planning to open on Saturday (September 21).]

The address for this new restaurant in the Fenway is 121 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the Bar Louie chain can be found at http://www.barlouieamerica.com/


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Amsterdam Falafelshop to Open Four More Locations in the Boston Area

A Washington, DC-based falafel shop that opened a location in Somerville last summer is looking to open several more in the region.

Eater Boston is reporting (via PR Newswire) that Amsterdam Falafelshop plans on opening four more shops in the Boston area, joining the one that opened in Davis Square in July of 2012. In addition to Boston, more locations are also planned for DC along with Maryland and Virginia.

Amsterdam Falafelshop focuses on falafel sandwiches with an array of sauces and toppings, as well as salads, fries, and chips. Their website is at http://www.falafelshop.com/


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Tonic in Jamaica Plain Has Closed (Again)

A restaurant and bar in Jamaica Plain that closed last summer only to reopen in the fall has closed once again, and it is not known whether it will ever open again this time.

The Jamaica Plain Patch is reporting that Tonic on Washington Street in the Forest Hills area has been closed since December, and there are apparently no signs of it reopening at this point in time. The Patch says that a sign on the door indicated the staff was going to be taking time off for the holidays, but it remains shuttered more than a month later.

As soon as we find out more information about Tonic, we will post an update here. (Thanks to Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.)

[August 7 update: Universal Hub reports that Tonic is indeed closed for good, but that the owner of the spot may try to open an Italian restaurant within the space.]

The address for this place in Forest Hills is: Tonic, 3698 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

[Earlier Article]
Tonic in Jamaica Plain Is Reopening


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Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. Is Opening in Framingham

A Florida-based group of bagel shops that features New York-style water bagels is on its way to the area.

According to a job post on the Craigslist site, Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is going to be opening in Framingham, with more possibly on the way to the MetroWest area. The chain makes their bagels in the classic New York way, by boiling them in water then baking them in a "traditional, revolving shelf oven" that gives them a crunchy golden-brown crust.

[April 29 update: The Framingham Patch is reporting that Brooklyn Water Bagel is now open in Framingham. The article also says that this is the first of more than two dozen shops that will be coming to Massachusetts.]

Currently, there are no Brooklyn Water Bagel locations in New England, with their handful of shops mostly being found in the Southeast.

The address for this new bagel place in Framingham is: Brooklyn Water Bagel Co., 341 Cochituate Road, Suite #5, Framingham, MA, 01701. Their website can be found at http://www.brooklynwaterbagels.com/


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Peace o' Pie in Allston Has Closed

A vegan pizza spot in Allston has closed its doors, though it could be reopening at some point in another location.

According to a post on their Facebook page, Peace o' Pie on Cambridge Street is no longer in business, with the closure stemming from damage to the restaurant during the recent cold weather snap and the inability to resolve the "unforeseen consequences" with their landlord. The post mentions that the folks behind the pizzeria may be looking at new spaces and "new partnerships" to try to bring the eatery back to Boston.

Peace o' Pie first opened in the fall of 2009, replacing Tj's Vegan House of Pizza.

The address for this now-closed pizza spot in Allston is: Peace o' Pie, 487 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA, 02134.


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