Ida's Restaurant in the North End of Boston Has Closed

A week after we reported that an Italian restaurant in the North End of Boston had closed, it looks like another Italian dining spot in the neighborhood has shuttered, and this one had been around for a very long time.

Patrick M. of the Server Not Servant blog mentions (via a Twitter post) that Ida's on Mechanic Street is no longer in business, with a note out front saying "Thank you for loyalty and patronage over the years." (Patrick also says that the building in which Ida's is housed has been sold.) The restaurant, which had a partially hidden side entrance off Hanover Street and focused mainly on Southern Italian food, first opened its doors back in 1951.

A nearby spot called Piccola Venezia also closed a week ago Saturday after being in business for more than 30 years; Modern Pastry, which is next door, will be expanding into the space.

The address for the now-closed Ida's in the North End was: Ida's Restaurant, 3 Mechanic Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Comfort Food Items from Boston-Area Restaurants]

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Guacaholics Anonymous 4 to Be Held at Barrio Cantina in Boston, November 4, 2013

A guacamole-based event is coming to Boston once again, and as always, it will be raising money for a good cause.

On Monday, November 4, Guacaholics Anonymous 4 will take place at Barrio Cantina on Boylston Street in the city's Fenway neighborhood, with the event running from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. A number of area restaurants will be offering samples of their guacamole, including Barrio Cantina, El Centro, El Pelon Taqueria, Mi Padre Pedro's, Ole, Temazcal, and Villa Mexico.

Tickets to Guacaholics Anonymous 4 cost $15, with proceeds going to hunger relief organizations Lovin' Spoonfuls and Community Servings once again. For more information on the event, please go to the link below:

[October 16 update: Guacaholics Anonymous 4 is sold out.]

http://www.wheretoeat.in/2013-guacaholics-anonymous/

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A Taste of Roslindale to Be Held October 17, 2013

A food event is returning to a Boston neighborhood this month, and as always, a number of local restaurants will be participating.

A Taste of Roslindale will be held on Thursday, October 17 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, with food samplings, demonstrations, live music, and a raffle all being part of the event. Some of the restaurants that will be at the Taste event include Birch Street Bistro, The Corrib Pub, Delfino, Himalayan Bistro, Masona Grill, Napper Tandy's, Pleasant Cafe, Redd’s In Rozzie, Suya Joint, and many more.

Tickets to the 2013 Taste of Roslindale cost $40 each.

For more information on this event, please go to the link below:

http://www.roslindale.net/taste/

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Kickstand Cafe Is Replacing Jam'n Java in Arlington Center

A new cafe is on its way to Arlington Center, and it will be moving into the space where a coffeehouse has been for a bit more than five years.

The Arlington Advocate is reporting that the Kickstand Cafe will be opening on Mass. Ave., taking over the space where Jam'n Java has been. It appears that the new spot may be similar to the one that it is replacing, though with a renovated interior, a new espresso machine, new tables and chairs outside, and new food items on the menu that include Vietnamese fresh rolls, according to the article. (It plans to continue open mic events, by the way.)

The owners of the Kickstand Cafe include Mark Ostow, who owns Cafe Zing in Cambridge (and also owned the now-closed Zing! Pizza) and Emily Shea, who lives in Arlington.

The Advocate doesn't give an exact opening date, though it appears that the new eatery could be opening soon.

[December 11 update: One of our sources tells us that the Kickstand Cafe is now open.]

The address for this new cafe in Arlington Center is: Kickstand Cafe, 594 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476.

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Friendly Toast Restaurants Sold; New Owners May Eventually Open Additional Locations

Two years ago we reported that a pair of eclectic restaurants in Cambridge and Portsmouth, NH, were up for sale. Now we have learned that the eateries have finally been sold, and the new owners will be making changes--and could open new locations at some point.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Seacoast Online) that the Friendly Toast restaurants have been purchased by Eric Goodwin, who is president of Concord, NH-based Goodwin Hospitality & Associates, and business partner (and real estate broker) Scott Pulver. Goodwin and Pulver plan to do "culinary-driven" updates within the next few months, and new locations of the Friendly Toast may eventually be on the way as well. EB says that Marcus Thompson, who has been involved with the Barking Crab, Outback Steakhouse, and Uno Chicago Grill will be running the two restaurants.

[October 28 update: Cambridge Day mentions that the Friendly Toast restaurants will apparently remain much the same as they have always been, with Eric Goodwin stating that "We bought the business and paid a lot of money for the business because we love it, so we don't plan on changing." He goes on to say that "We look to accentuate the positives and hope to grow, but the roots are going to stay."]

According to its website, Goodwin Hospitality & Associates is involved in a number of services, including professional mystery shopping and food safety audits. Its website is at http://www.goodwin-associates.com/

The address for the Friendly Toast in Cambridge is: The Friendly Toast, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for both locations can be found at http://www.thefriendlytoast.net/

[Earlier Article]
Friendly Toast Restaurants in Cambridge and Portsmouth Are for Sale

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Tunnel Is Opening in the W Boston Hotel

A new nightclub and lounge is opening within a hotel in the Theatre District of Boston, replacing a cocktail lounge that closed over the winter.

UrbanDaddy is reporting that Tunnel opens today underneath the W Boston Hotel, with the dance club taking over the former Descent space. According to UD, the new spot features a "custom-made artificial intelligence program" that is able to run 65,000 non-repeating light displays, with a total of 3,600 LED lights used. (Access to Tunnel is via a private elevator.)

The address for this new club in the Theatre District (as well as the W Boston Hotel itself) is 100 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the hotel is at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1787

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