Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, December 16, 2022

Abington Depot Restaurant in North Abington Is Closing

A restaurant south of Boston that is located in an historic building is shutting down.

According to a source, the Abington Depot Restaurant is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the Railroad Street spot saying the following:

For 23 years, you have supported our staff, allowed us to be a part of your lives and helped to cement the Depot family in history. I am eternally grateful to have been a recipient or your generosity & kindness. Unfortunately, it is time for us to go. We have been struggling to keep up with the soaring costs to operate and it is no longer feasible. Not the way I saw it ending, but it is the reality.

Another Facebook post mentions that the dining spot plans to close on Saturday, December 17.

The Abington Depot Restaurant resides in a former passenger and freight railroad depot that dates back to the 1890s; the dining spot has been known as a family-friendly eatery over the years, offering such items as wings, nachos, quesadillas, French onion soup, burgers, American chop suey, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, London broil, and pizza.

The address for the Abington Depot Restaurant is 101 Railroad Street, Abington, MA, 02351.

[December 22 update: The social media for the Abington Depot Restaurant confirms that the restaurant is indeed now closed.]

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!

Hayashi Sushi Opens in Former Small Batch Cafe/Roadworthy Space in Dedham

A new sushi place has opened in the southwest suburbs of Boston.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Hayashi Sushi is now open in Dedham, taking over the space on Washington Street that had been home to Small Batch Cafe until this spring, and before that, Roadworthy. The website for the restaurant mentions "Our Interesting History," saying that "Hayashi Sushi is one of the finest restaurants in Dedham MA....Exotic sauces and flavors intermingle on your plate, and the hot, tangy aromas waft up to meet your nose, creating an exciting taste journey you can experience only in our restaurant."

Another sushi spot named Hayashi can be found in Easton, though it doesn't appear that there is any connection between the two.

The address for Hayashi in Dedham is 125 Washington Street, Dedham, MA, 02026. Its website can be found at https://hayashisushima.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 15, 2022

Shah's Halal Food Plans to Open in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants whose roots are in New York City is planning to expand to not one, but two more spaces in the Greater Boston area, with one being right in the heart of the city.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Shah's Halal Food is planning to open a takeout-only location on Cambridge Street, moving into a space near Bowdoin Street on the edge of Beacon Hill. If given the green light to open (its plans were approved by The Zoning Board of Appeal this week but still needs an ok from the Boston Licensing Board), the new location would join one in Boston's Fenway/Back Bay and another in the works in Walpole, along with others on Long Island, north of New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, and elsewhere. (A handful of Shah's food trucks and carts can be found in Queens and elsewhere.)

It looks like the address for the proposed Shah's Halal Food in Beacon Hill may be 106 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114 (as soon as we get confirmation, we will post an update). The website for all locations can be found at https://www.shahshalalfood.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]

Matsunori Handroll Bar Is Opening in Boston's Audubon Circle Area

A brand new spot that features a type of handheld sushi is on its way to Boston.

According to a poster (Geoff Wong) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Matsunori Handroll Bar is getting ready to open in the city's Audubon Circle area, moving into a space next to Cafe Landwer on Beacon Street. Based on the pictures posted on its Instagram page, at least some of the offerings appear to be temaki sushi shaped a bit like tacos (and placed in what looks like metal taco holders); another type of handroll is the sushi burrito, which can be found at many dining spots in the Greater Boston area, though it isn't yet known if Matsunori will offer those as well.

The address for Matsunori Handroll Bar is 900 Beacon Street (Unit A) Boston, MA, 02215. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/matsunori.handrollbar/

[January 31, 2023 update: According to an article from Boston Magazine, Matsunori Handroll Bar is now open.]

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]

Neko's Of New York Is Opening in Stoughton

A dining spot that had been in MetroWest until closing over the summer is being reborn in the southern suburbs of Boston.

According to a tweet from @JeremyKrantz, Neko's Of New York is planning to open in Stoughton, moving into a space on Sharon Street in Cobbs Corner near where Stoughton, Canton, and Sharon meet. Neko's had been located in Framingham until closing in August, and a Facebook post indicates that the new incarnation of the place will be different from the original, saying the following:

I've decided to equip the new store with brick deck ovens. 4 of them to be exact. Our menu has changed tremendously. Focusing on pizza mainly, I've categorized 5 different New York style pizzas in almost 18 different variations and or sizes. That's including NY Hand Tossed (round), Roman (half and full tray stretch), Sicilian (half and full sheet), calzones (4 size options), Strombolis (4 size options), Grandma Square and gluten-free options. After opening and finding our groove, I am committed and will launch, Neko's of Detroit, a category of pizzas prepared and baked using a completely different method. Buttery crispy thick crust, Wisconsin Brick Cheese and a finger licking sauce to layer on top.

No opening date has been given as of yet for the relaunched Neko's, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for Neko's Of New York in Stoughton is 111 Sharon Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072. Its website can be found at https://nekosofnewyork.com/

[January 30, 2023 update: @JeremyKrantz tells us that Neko's Of New York is now open in Stoughton.]

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]

Madras Dosa Co. to Open New Location in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A fast-casual Indian restaurant in Boston's Seaport District is planning to open a second location.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Madras Dosa Co. is opening in Cambridge, moving into a space on Eliot Street in Harvard Square. The new spot will have a similar menu to the original on Boston Wharf Road, including customizable dosas with such possible options as cheese, potatoes, green chili, chicken, beef, lamb, dried fruit, eggs, cashews, and more.

Madras Dosa Co. first opened in the Seaport District in the summer of 2021; the Cambridge outlet hopes to open later this month or in January.

The address for the upcoming Madras Dosa Co. in Harvard Square is 22 Eliot Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the original location can be found at https://madrasdosaco.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]