Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, December 07, 2018

Nguyen's Kitchen Is Opening in Cohasset

by Marc Hurwitz

A new Vietnamese and Asian fusion restaurant is on its way to the South Shore, and it will be moving into a space that has seen a number of dining spots come and go over the years.

According to an article in the Cohasset Mariner, Nguyen's Kitchen is opening on Route 3A next week, taking over the space that was last home to Blu Mussel Tavern. The post says that the new eatery will be a family-friendly restaurant that features authentic Asian cuisine, with the plan being to open on Wednesday, December 12.

In addition to Blu Mussel Tavern, several other dining and drinking places have been in the space that Nguyen's Kitchen is moving into, including Constantine's, KoKo Island, Signorelli's, Acapulco's, Pacini's, and Blackstone Tavern.

The address for Nguyen's Kitchen is 156 King Street (Route 3A), Cohasset, MA, 02025.

[December 31 update: The Cohasset Mariner confirms that Nguyen's Kitchen is now open.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

PA's Lounge in Somerville's Union Square Is Now Union Tavern

by Marc Hurwitz

Another well-known name on the Boston-area dive bar scene is gone, as the owners have upgraded and rebranded the place.

According to a series of Twitter posts from the new spot, PA's Lounge in the Union Square section of Somerville has changed to Union Tavern, with the tweets hinting that the new concept will have what looks to be a beer garden and will also be serving food, while also continuing to host local bands. An earlier tweet from Gerard Amaral of PA's Lounge indicates that the new bar is under the same ownership and that the changeover appears to have been happening over the past several weeks, based on earlier posts and retweets from him.

PA's Lounge, which first started out nearly 50 years ago, was originally called the Portuguese American Lounge (which is where it got its name).

The address for Union Tavern (and the former PA's Lounge) is 345 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

Thanks to musician and radio host/consultant Michael Scott Stewart for initially bringing this to our attention.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Mitho Restaurant Is Opening in the Former Cafe Piazza Dolce Space in Winchester

by Marc Hurwitz

A new option for dumplings and more is coming to the northern suburbs, taking over the space where an Italian restaurant had been.

The Winchester Star is reporting that Mitho Restaurant is getting ready to open in Winchester in the former Cafe Piazza Dolce space on Main Street, with the new eatery focusing on Nepali cuisine. The article mentions that momos (a type of steamed dumpling) will be offered along with lamb, chicken, and noodle dishes, while a number of vegan items will be available as well--and expect beer and wine to be served, as the restaurant just received a liquor license. If all goes as planned, Mitho Restaurant could be opening as early as next week.

Cafe Piazza Dolce closed over the summer after being in business for approximately 13 years.

The address for this new dining spot in Winchester is: Mitho Restaurant, 831 Main Street, Winchester, MA, 01890.

[December 23 update: A Facebook post from the place states that Mitho Restaurant is now open.]

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]

Amelia's Taqueria to Open in Former Zest Mediterranean Grille Space in Boston's Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a trio of Mexican restaurants will be opening a fourth location, with this one moving into the space where a Mediterranean eatery had been.

According to a Twitter post from @TheDrewStarr (via a tweet from @JohnSPepper), Amelia's Taqueria is opening in the old Zest Mediterranean Grille space in Boston's Back Bay, with the tweets indicating that it will also be moving next door to a location of Boloco, a group of dining spots known in part for their burritos. Based on the menu at the other locations of Amelia's in Allston, Cleveland Circle in Brighton, and by Northeastern University, expect to see burritos here as well, along with nachos, tacos, quesadillas, chimichangas, tortas, fajitas, and more.

The space that Amelia's is moving into had once also been home to a location of Spike's Junkyard Dogs.

The address for this upcoming Mexican restaurant in the Back Bay is: Amelia's Taqueria, 1076 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for Amelia's is at http://ameliastaqueria.com/

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]

Dryft and Fine Line to Open at Revere Beach; John and Michael Aldi (Pier 6, Reel House, Mija) Behind Them

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 26, 2019 to reflect the fact that two new dining spots will be coming to the development.]

It looks like an upscale restaurant is on its way to an historic seaside location a few miles north of Boston, and a couple of people who are behind several local restaurants are behind this spot as well.

According to a press release, John and Michael Aldi are opening a new "contemporary restaurant and bar" at a new mixed-use development on Ocean Avenue at Revere Beach that is currently under construction, with the unnamed 5,000-square-foot spot featuring "a creative menu and cocktail program" along with outdoor plaza seating. No specific opening date has been given as of yet, but the release indicates that it could be opening next year.

John and Michael Aldi are investors and operators of such restaurants as Pier 6 in Charlestown, the Reel House in East Boston, and Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar at Boston's Faneuil Hall.

The address for this upcoming restaurant and bar will be 500 Ocean Avenue, Revere, MA, 02151.

[July 26, 2019 update: Eater Boston states that two new dining spots will actually be coming to the new development in Revere, which will be called "500 Ocean Avenue." The restaurants will be Dryft, which will feature Neapolitan-style pizza, seafood (including a raw bar), pasta, craft beer, whiskey, and more, and with a takeout kitchen being part of the space, while Fine Line will be more of a beer bar with pizza, craft beer, and whiskey offered.]

[November 11, 2019 update: A new post from Eater Boston indicates that Dryft is now open for dinner and a weekend brunch, with expanded hours apparently coming next week. (It is not yet known when Fine Line might open.)]

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, December 05, 2018

Seaport Social Planning to Open in Boston's Seaport District

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on October 17, 2019 to reflect a new name for the upcoming place.]

It looks like a new restaurant could be on its way to the Boston waterfront.

According to a licensing board hearing page, a spot tentatively called B&B (Eat, Drink & Socialize) is planning to open on Northern Avenue in the Seaport District, with the place including a main dining section as well as bar seating and an outdoor patio during the warmer months. The address that is given hints that it could be moving into the former Salvatore's space--though this has not been confirmed as of yet--and the manager listed is Jennifer Glover; it is not known if this is the same Jennifer Glover from Lucca in Boston's North End, so stay tuned for updates on both this and the exact location of the proposed spot.

The address for this proposed restaurant will be 225 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210.

[October 23, 2019 update: A new licensing board hearing page indicates that the restaurant will apparently be called Seaport Social rather than B&B (Eat, Drink & Socialize).]

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]