Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, December 09, 2022

El Peñol Opens in Brookline

It looks like a pair of Colombian restaurants in the local area have been joined by a third location.

According to a source, El Peñol is now open in Brookline, with a check on the website for the Harvard Street eatery showing that it is called "El Peñol 3" while the website for its Revere location is "El Peñol 2" (the original is in East Boston). The menu for the new spot hasn't been posted as of yet, but based on the other locations, it may be serving such items as empanadas, arepa, yuca frita, ceviche, carne asada, churrasco, tostones, paella, flan, and more.

The address for the new location of El Peñol is 404 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://elpenol3.business.site/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Gourmet China House in Boston's Chinatown Neighborhood Has Closed

A restaurant in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood has very quietly shut down.

According to a tweet from @Railfan23, Gourmet China House is no longer in business, with a picture showing a sign out front at the Beach Street eatery saying "we will be ending our restaurant business on 11/28/2022 due to restaurant lease expires." The dining spot, which first opened in 2016, offered a mix of authentic Chinese and Chinese-American fare, including a number of frog and lamb dishes and some Taiwanese options as well.

The address for the now-closed Gourmet China House in Chinatown was 55 Beach Street, Boston, MA, 02111.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

The Dogwood in Jamaica Plain Is Closing

A popular spot for pizza, craft beers, and cocktails is shutting down.

According to a tweet from @jessekb, The Dogwood in the Forest Hills section of Jamaica Plain is getting ready to close, with the Washington Street spot posting the following on its website:

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that after 27 years The Dogwood will be closing its doors for good January 14th, 2023. We are thankful for the continued patronage & support the community has offered through the years. To all our faithful & loyal Dogwood friends & family we thank you for the memories & look forward to having one more with you before we go to exchange the stories & memories this great establishment has offered us all. We hope to see you in these next few weeks.

No reason has been given for the closure, nor is it known what might move into its space.

The Dogwood has been known in part for its wood-fired pizzas named after trees (the Arnold Arboretum is within walking distance) along with fish and chips, chicken under a brick, steak tips, macaroni and cheese, and wings, and a rotating selection of local and regional beers, martinis, margaritas, sangria, and more.

The address for The Dogwood is 3712 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its website can be found at https://thedogwoodjp.com

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Thursday, December 08, 2022

Coje Management Group Is Opening Caveau at Center Plaza in Downtown Boston

It looks like a local restaurant group is opening a new dining and drinking spot in downtown Boston.

According to a source (Jocelyn Tetrault), a new restaurant and bar tentatively called Caveau is looking to open at Center Plaza, with a licensing board hearing page within the city's website indicating that Coje Management Group is apparently involved; the company overseeing the place is CMG CP1, LLC, with a Google search indicating that Christopher Jamison of Coje is the registered agent of the company.

The hearing notice mentions that the new restaurant and bar would have seating for approximately 280 and an overall capacity of approximately 450, and that it would be on the ground floor of the building.

Coje Management Group is known for such spots as Yvonne's, Mariel, Ruka, Coquette, and Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bars.

The address for the new spot from Coje is 1-3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA, 02108. The website for the restaurant group can be found at https://www.coje.com/

[May 5, 2023 update: Boston Magazine reports that the new dining/drinking spot from Coje--which is called Caveau--is now open at Center Plaza, and it is a nightlife spot with dancing that is open Thursday through Saturday while offering small bites, desserts, and cocktails.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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 07, 2022

Smith & Wollensky Is Opening in the Former Del Frisco's Grille Space in Burlington

Earlier this year, it appeared that a hospitality group which is part of an an Irish investment firm was going to open an Italian restaurant in the northern suburbs of Boston. Now we have learned that the group will be opening another one of its restaurants in the space instead.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Smith & Wollensky is going to be opening in Burlington, moving into the former Del Frisco's Grille space on Middlesex Turnpike. An earlier Daily Times Chronicle article confirms this while also saying that PPX Hospitality Brands had been looking to open a location of Strega in the space (which we reported on back in February), but ultimately decided that Smith & Wollensky would be a better fit since the space was already set up as a steakhouse.

PPX Hospitality Brands, which is headquartered in Medford, is part of the Dublin-based Danu Partners.

The address for the new location of Smith & Wollensky in Burlington is 92 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for its other locations (including in Boston and Wellesley) can be found at https://www.smithandwollensky.com/

[June 14, 2023 update: An email indicates that Smith & Wollensky in Burlington is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Strega Plans to Open in Burlington

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]

Tuesday, December 06, 2022

Render Coffee Is Opening within Foundation Kitchen Space in Charlestown

A trio of coffee shops in Boston is about to joined by a fourth.

According to a press release, Render Coffee is opening within the Foundation Kitchen space in Charlestown, with its grand opening being this Friday through Sunday. The new location will offer breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, and pastries in addition to coffee, and it will join others in Boston's Financial District, South End, and Seaport District.

The Foundation Kitchen space will also include a wine bar and food stalls as well as pop-ups, events, and cooking classes.

The address for the new location of Render Coffee in Charlestown is 32 Cambridge Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129. The website for the business can be found at https://www.rendercoffeebar.com/

[Earlier Article]
Foundation Kitchen to Open in Charlestown's Sullivan Square Area

by Marc Hurwitz (Also 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]