R.F. O'Sullivan's in Somerville Is Expanding to Lynn

A restaurant and pub in Somerville that some consider to have the best burgers in the Boston area is looking to expand, with a new location planned for the North Shore.

According to an article in the Lynn Journal, R.F.O'Sullivan & Son has made a bid on the old Kevin's Corner pub space on Central Avenue in Lynn. The newspaper says that owner Richard "Frank" Sullivan was the only bidder on the property, with the Swampscott resident saying that he wants to do "the exact same thing" that he has done with the original pub on Beacon Street by the Cambridge/Somerville line. Lynn City Councilor Richard Collucci indicates that it looks good for the new O'Sullivan's to open, saying that "It's probably 99-percent that he'll get the property." If all goes as planned, the new pub could be open by the end of August, according to the Journal.

[September 23 update: The Daily Item mentions that the new O'Sullivan's in Lynn is now looking at a December opening; the article also says that the eating and drinking spot will have mahogany exterior walls, stone interior walls, and a fireplace.]

[March 13, 2015 update: According to a Twitter post from The Phantom Gourmet (and confirmed by the restaurant's Facebook page), the new location of O'Sullivan's in Lynn opens tomorrow.]

O'Sullivan's is a spot that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as a place to go for its burgers. The review can be found at the following link:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Osullivan.html

The address for the original R.F.O'Sullivan & Son is 282 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at http://www.rf-osullivan.com/

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Za'atar Is Opening in Former Loukoumaki Bakery Space in Arlington

A Middle Eastern and Armenian bakery is coming to Arlington, moving into the space where a Greek bakery had been.

The Arlington Patch is reporting that Za'atar plans to open on Mass. Ave. at the Highland Avenue intersection, taking over the former Loukoumaki Bakery site. The article says that the bakery is looking to be open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with items such as lahmajun, tahini bread, baklava, rice pudding, ghadayef, croissants, cookies, iced coffee, lemonade, and more offered. It is not yet known when Za'atar might open.

[August 8 update: An article in the Arlington Advocate indicates that Za'atar plans to open in sometime during the middle of this month.]

[September 8 update: A check on the place over the weekend indicates that Za'atar is now open.]

The address for this new Middle Eastern and Armenian bakery in Arlington is: Za'atar, 916 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

Thanks to a poster on the Chowhound site for bringing this to our attention.

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Sheherazad (Middle Eastern Food Truck) Debuts in Boston

Another new food truck has come to Boston, and this one features Middle Eastern fare.

Eater Boston is reporting that Sheherazad is up and running, with the truck offering "ancient eats on the city streets," according to its logo. The food truck offers such items as a roasted cauliflower salad, grilled yogurt chicken, slow-roasted leg of lamb with rice, mulberry lemonade, and more, plus appetizers and specials that will change "often." Sheherazad can be found at several spots, including the Fenway, East Boston, the South End, and the Back Bay, and it will be open for business Monday through Saturday.

The Facebook page for Sheherazad is at https://www.facebook.com/sheherazadinc

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

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Mu Ramen to Open in Cambridge's Harvard Square

It looks like a new ramen shop will be opening in one of the busiest sections of Cambridge, and the person behind it comes from a top restaurant in New York City.

Eater Boston is reporting that Mu Ramen, a pop-up spot in the Long Island City section of Queens, plans to open somewhere in Harvard Square, with a Twitter post from the restaurant saying that it is looking to open sometime next year. Joshua Smookler and his wife Heidy are the couple behind the eatery, with EB saying that they are going to be turning their pop-up restaurant in Long Island City into a brick-and-mortar spot in the next month or so. Once the Harvard Square shop opens, expect to see various ramen options as well as steamed buns and snacks.

Joshua Smookler comes from the award-winning Manhattan restaurant Per Se, according to Eater Boston.

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Fred's Franks in Wakefield Cuts Hours After New Law Apparently Takes Effect

A couple of years ago, we wrote that a hot dog stand in the northern suburbs of Boston was reportedly paid a visit by someone who claimed to be a representative of a state agency and told that the stand may need to move. That never happened, though now the hot dog stand appears to be facing another similar problem with its location.

According to a Facebook post from the stand, Fred's Franks in Wakefield has had to reduce their hours apparently because of the following: "Due to a new law in Wakefield, Fred's Franks is only allowed to conduct business for 2 hours at a time. After 2 hours we must move 100 ft which is a difficult task for us due to the fact that we have 2 fired Big Green Eggs. So, we will be conducting business from 11:30-1:30ish daily till further notice." It is not known why they need to move their stand after two hours, but the ruling appears to be in effect immediately, as another note on the Facebook page says "The police came down [Tuesday] and said they are going to enforce it starting [yesterday]."

Fred's Franks is located on the northern edge of Lake Quannapowitt, just south of the Route 128/129 intersection. Its website is at http://fredsfranks.com/

Thanks to one of our readers for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Fred's Franks in Wakefield May Have to Move

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2014 Taste of Quincy to Be Held June 17

A culinary event is on its way to Boston's southern neighbor this month, and as always, a number of restaurants and food purveyors will be taking part in it.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, Taste of Quincy will be held at the Best Western Adams Inn on Hancock Street in North Quincy on Tuesday, June 17, with the event starting at 5:00 PM. Food samplings will be offered from approximately 30 local businesses, including such spots as Abby Park, B Cafe, Babycakes, Early American, Fratelli's, La Paloma, Pho Hoa, Punjab Cafe, Siros, Tony's Clam Shop, the Wheelhouse Diner, and more, according to the event's website.

Tickets to the 2014 Taste of Quincy cost $35 ($15 for children under 12) and can be ordered at the following link:

http://tastequincy.com/

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