Update: A New Restaurant May Be Coming to South Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 15 to reflect the fact that the name of the proposed spot is a working name only, and the cuisine is not written in stone yet.]

It looks like a new restaurant that could be featuring Italian food may be coming to South Boston, and its working name reflects a name that a New York newspaper gave the neighborhood earlier this year (though the restaurant will likely be called something else).

Universal Hub is reporting that a proposed dining spot that has the name "Sobo Bistro" is planning to open at the corner of E Broadway and L Street, with owner Michael Norton looking to convert the former electrician's shop into a 60-seat eatery. The term "SoBo" briefly made the rounds back in June when the New York Times used it to describe Southie in an article on the Whitey Bulger trial.

According to UH, the Boston Licensing Board will look into the possibility of awarding Norton a beer and wine license for the restaurant today, which, if all goes well, could open in the spring of 2014.

[November 15 update: The Boston Globe states that "Sobo Bistro" is a working name only and will not be the final name of the eatery, and it may or may not focus on Italian cuisine. The article also says that no decision was made on the beer and wine license at yesterday's meeting.]

[January 27, 2016 update: It has been more than two years since we first wrote about this planned restaurant, and while it has not opened yet, things may be moving along now, as a licensing board page within the city of Boston website mentions that a meeting will take place on February 3 that looks into its request for a liquor license.]

[February 3, 2016 update: Universal Hub reports that Michael Norton is planning to team up with restaurateurs Gordon Wilcox and Brian Poe (Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, Tip Tap Room, Bukowski) to open the as-of-yet unnamed spot in Southie, which would be more of a restaurant than a bar.]

The address for this proposed dining spot in South Boston is 749 E Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127.

Thanks to @ConciergeBoston for initially bringing this to our attention.

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Cocobeet Is Opening at Boston's City Hall Plaza

A new dining spot is opening in the downtown Boston, and it looks like the place will focus on healthy fare.

The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via an earlier Eater Boston article) that Cocobeet is planning to open at 100 City Hall Plaza, with the eatery moving into the space where 1-800-Flowers had been. The blog post mentions that the spot will offer such items as raw, vegan, and gluten-free takeout food items as well as power smoothies. There appears to be no specific opening date for Cocobeet at this time, but the sign out front says "Coming Soon."

[January 23 update: Eater Boston states that Cocobeet may be opening sometime next week.]

[January 31 update: Food writer MC Slim JB says (via the Chowhound site) that Cocobeet is now open.]

The address for this upcoming place in downtown Boston is: Cocobeet, 100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA, 02108.

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Chez Henri in Cambridge Is Closing

Earlier this year, we reported that a French-Cuban restaurant in Cambridge may have been sold, but a later report said that it hadn't. Now we have learned that the place is getting ready to close.

Cambridge Day is reporting that Chez Henri on Shepard Street is going to be shutting down this Sunday, with a note on the dining spot's Facebook page saying that "After 19 amazing years, it is with a heavy heart and bright eyes to the future that we announce Chez Henri will be closing its doors." There is no word on what might be replacing the restaurant.

Owner Paul O'Connell first opened Chez Henri in 1994, with the eatery becoming known in part for its Cuban sandwiches.

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Cambridge is: Chez Henri, 1 Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

Thanks to Chowhound poster (and food writer) BostonZest for bringing this to our attention.

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Cheesy Items from Places in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Tara Restaurant in Waltham Has Been Seized by the State

A restaurant in Waltham has been shut down by the state, and it is not known whether the place will reopen at this point.

A Twitter post from @BrandNewWatch indicates that Tara Restaurant on Moody Street has been seized for nonpayment of taxes, and it is now in the possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Waltham Patch is looking for more information on its closing, so we may be able to give an update on the status of the dining spot relatively soon.

Tara Restaurant features pizza and sandwiches, as well as Chilean cuisine such as chacareros, lomitos, and empanadas. It also offers a variety of pasta dishes and grill items.

[November 19 update: The Waltham News Tribune says that Tara is now open once again, as the owner worked out a payment plan with the state on the payment of back taxes.]

The address for this dining spot in Waltham is: Tara Restaurant, 288 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website is at http://www.tararestaurant.net/

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A "Restaurant Row" Is Coming to Quincy

The downtown redevelopment of Quincy continues to move ahead, and now we have learned that a "restaurant row" will be a part of it--though at the expense of three eating and drinking establishments.

The Patriot Ledge is reporting that the first phase of the project called Merchants Row will include restaurants along Cottage Avenue, with Alba Restaurant apparently being included--remaining in its current spot where Cottage Avenue meets Hancock Street. However, Granite Rail Tavern, Tully's Cafe, and Quincy Jade will all close, making room for new dining spots, according to the article. It is not known which restaurants might be going into the upcoming restaurant row, nor is it mentioned when the three existing spots might close; as soon as we receive more information, we will post an update here.

Cottage Street is located between Hancock Street and Chestnut Street on the eastern edge of the downtown area.

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Caffe Nero Is Opening in Boston

A chain of Italian-style coffee shops based in Europe is going to be opening its first location in the United States, and it will reside in the heart of Boston.

According to a post from the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog (via Atlantic Associates), Caffe Nero is planning to open at the new Millennium Place building on Washington Street, with the shop featuring Italian coffee and possibly (based on other locations) food items such as soups, salads, panini, pasta dishes, muffins, and pastries. It looks like the cafe could be open sometime in the early part of 2014.

[February 26, 2014 update: A Licensing Board page on the City of Boston website mentions that Caffe Nero is looking to be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and it plans to have a seasonal outdoor patio that seats 24. In addition, the chain's website says that it expects to open its Boston location sometime this spring.]

[May 13, 2014 update: According to a Twitter post from @FortPointer, Caffe Nero will be opening its Boston location tomorrow (Wednesday, May 14) at 10:00 AM.]

Caffe Nero first started out in London in 1987, with the chain now up to more than 500 shops in Europe and Asia. Its website can be found at http://www.caffenero.com/

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Cheesy Items from Places in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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