Sea Dog Steak and Ale in Northborough Has Closed

A Maine-based microbrewery that has a couple of pubs in the Boston area has closed one a restaurant that it operated in the MetroWest region.

The Northborough Patch is reporting that Sea Dog Steak & Ale in Northborough has closed, thought it could reopen at some point with a new concept and a new name. The article mentions that the dining and drinking spot went through a difficult stretch because of the often "unforgiving" world of restaurants, and it also had to deal with a "bad reputation." The eatery, which first opened on Route 20 in the summer of 2011, has until the end of June to let the Board of Selectmen know what it plans to do.

The brewery currently runs a couple of Sea Dog Pub locations in Hull and Woburn, as well as another pub in Nantucket and three in Maine. Their website can be found at http://seadogbrewing.com/

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Northborough was: Sea Dog Steak & Ale, 318 Main Street (Route 20), Northborough, MA, 01532.


Tweet

Super Hunger Brunch to Be Held in Boston, January 26-27, 2013

A food-based event that helps raise money for the largest hunger-relief organization in New England is returning to the Boston area once again, and as always, some of the most popular restaurants in the region will be participating.

An email from Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications indicates that the 31st annual Super Hunger Brunch will be held on the weekend of January 26-27 to benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank, with area restaurants creating special menus for diners (prices are set at $25, $35 and $50 per person). Restaurants that are participating include Blue Ginger, Chez Henri, Craigie on Main, Darryl's Corner Bar, Elephant Walk, The Fireplace, Grill 23 & Bar, Hamersley's Bistro, Harvest Restaurant, La Morra, L'Espalier, North 26, Rialto, Sel de la Terre, and Tomasso Trattoria.

For more information on the 2013 Super Hunger Bruch, please go to the link below:

http://www.gbfb.org/events/super-hunger-brunch.php


Tweet

Craft Beer Cellar May Be Coming to Needham

It looks like a specialty beer store in Belmont could be expanding to another western suburb of Boston.

The Needham Times is reporting that Craft Beer Cellar is hoping to open a second shop in Needham, which recently passed a measure to allow beer, wine, and liquor to be sold in stores. If a license is approved for Craft Beer Cellar, it would be one of the first package stores to open in the community. (A public hearing will take place on February 2 to see which applicants might get licenses.)

Craft Beer Cellar first opened on Leonard Street in the fall of 2010. It focuses on craft beers from small, independent breweries in New England and beyond. The website for the store can be found at http://nocrapbeer.com/craftbeercellar/ma/belmont/


Tweet

Fresh Truck (a Mobile Farmers Market) Is Coming to Boston

A rather unique food "truck" is on its way to Boston, and it will be offering affordable produce to the city's neighborhoods.

According to their Facebook page and website, Fresh Truck will be up and running this spring, with a retrofitted school bus being used as what is basically a mobile farmers market. The bus will bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Boston residents, with its mission being to improve both community health and health literacy in the city, and the folks behind it will also host educational programming that focuses on eating healthy.

Once it is up and running, Fresh Truck will go to a number of neighborhoods on a daily basis, with the focus being on underserved sections of Boston. A weekly schedule will be posted once the bus gets going in the spring.

[July 9 update: The ONEin3 Blog states that Fresh Truck launches this Thursday (July 11) at City Hall Plaza in Boston.]

[July 11 update: According to its Facebook page, Fresh Truck will launch at City Hall Plaza today between the hours of 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.]

The website for Fresh Truck can be found at http://thefreshtruck.org/ while the Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/thefreshtruck

Thanks to BostonTweet for bringing this to our attention.


Tweet

Sweet Tomatoes Is Bringing a Food Truck to Boston

It looks like a local group of pizza places is planning to join the food truck craze.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Craigslist) that Sweet Tomatoes is going to be starting up a food truck and is currently hiring. Once it gets up and running, the truck will join brick-and-mortar locations of Sweet Tomatoes in Newton Centre, West Newton, Needham, and the Northeastern University campus in Boston, and it could feature both regular and specialty pies, based on the menu for the permanent locations. The truck has its own Facebook page, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/SweetTomatoesPizzaTruck

The website for Sweet Tomatoes is at http://sweettomatoespizza.com/

[March 22 update: The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog mentions that the Sweet Tomatoes food truck is now up and running, with the truck coming to several locations within the city of Boston, including the Boston Public Library, BU East, and the Financial District.]


Tweet

Nick Varano's Famous Deli in Boston's North End to Change Its Name, Menu

A sandwich spot in the North End of Boston that is owned by a well-known restaurateur is going to morph into a new eatery.

According to a NorthEndWaterfront.com article, Nick Varano's Famous Deli on Cross Street is currently papered over, and when it reopens, it will have a new name and a new menu, along with an updated interior. The post mentions that Varano says the deli "wasn't working" since it opened back in 2009, so that it is "time for some changes."

Nick Varano also runs Strega Waterfront at Fan Pier along with Strega North End and Nico, both of which are located on Hanover Street.

The address for Nick Varano's Famous Deli (and the upcoming new spot) is 66 Cross Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing to our attention.


Tweet