Boston Restaurant Talk

Monday, August 15, 2016

Panda Express May Roll Out the Chork (a Chopsticks/Fork Hybrid)

A chain of Chinese-American restaurants is toying with the idea of introducing a rather unusual kind of eating utensil to its customers.

According to an article in Nation's Restaurant News, Panda Express has debuted samples of a "chork" with its new limited-time-offer General Tso's Chicken, and the chopsticks/fork hybrid could possibly rolling out for real at the chain at some point in time, though a decision on that has not yet been made. The article says that a photo of the red plastic utensil has gone viral with widely varying opinions on it, including some saying it is a "sign of the end of days."

NRN mentions that Brown Innovation Group gave a sneak peek of the chork back in 2010 and it officially went on the market one year later, being used by food trucks, in restaurants, and at weddings and other events.

Panda Express has a handful of locations in the Greater Boston area, including by Boston University, at CambridgeSide Galleria in Cambridge, at Cambridge Center by Kendall/MIT, and in Dedham. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.pandaexpress.com/

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Update: WellBeing Bar Plans to Open within Kiosk by the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington

[Ed note: This article was updated on August 22 to confirm the exact location of the eatery.]

A new eatery that focuses on healthy food options is looking to open in Arlington.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, WellBeing Bar is planning to open on Mill Street, with an agenda and meeting notice page within the town site indicating that it would apparently move into the kiosk between Shattuck Hardware and the Minuteman Bikeway (by the Brigham Square Apartments). Based on its logo, the new spot will offer acai bowls and blends that will apparently include a mix of fruits, nuts, seeds, and more.

The town of Arlington will be holding a public hearing on Monday, August 22 to look into allowing WellBeing Bar to operate within the kiosk.

The address for the proposed WellBeing Bar is 30-50 Mill Street, Arlington, MA, 02476. The website for the business is at http://wellbeingbar.com/

[August 22 update: The Arlington Advocate confirms that WellBeing Bar will indeed be housed in the 12 foot by 12 foot kiosk that is next to the bikeway and part of the Brigham Square apartment complex.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Isabella in Dedham Being Replaced by Cafe Tremezzo

An upscale suburban bistro that has been in business for more than 20 years is saying farewell, and an Italian restaurant will be replacing it.

According to a message sent from the dining spot's Facebook page, Isabella in Dedham has been sold and will become home to Cafe Tremezzo, which will be under the same ownership as Tremezzo in Wilmington. The note says that Isabella is still open for business during the transition, and that the changeover (including the name change and the menu change) will be complete by September.

Isabella, which first opened its doors in 1995, is a casual upscale spot featuring seasonal New American dishes; the original Tremezzo in Wilmington is a modern Italian eatery that opened in the summer of 2014, replacing Focaccia, which shut down abruptly in late 2013.

The address for Isabella (and the upcoming Cafe Tremezzo) is 566 High Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.

Thanks to a source for initially bringing this to our attention.

[September 13 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that Isabella will become Cafe Tremezzo within the next couple of weeks and that during the transition period, a few of Tremezzo's Italian specialties will be available.]

[November 21 update: The Dedham Transcript mentions that the sign is now up for Cafe Tremezzo, and while the place officially switched over from Isabella a couple of months ago, it was not clear that the changeover had actually taken place because the Isabella sign was still shown out front.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Sunday, August 14, 2016

City of Quincy to Look into Status of the Beachcomber Site

Nearly a year after closing its doors, a landmark bar and music club in Quincy remains locked up and empty, and now the city wants to know why.

According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, city officials will be looking into the exact status of the space where the Beachcomber had been until shutting down in early October. At the time, it looked like the Quincy Shore Drive building might be demolished, with a high-end restaurant possibly being built at the site, but we have since heard that those plans may have fallen through, though this has not been confirmed and no specific plans have been given over the past several months. The Quincy licensing board is expected to meet on Tuesday to find out the fate of the space from the manager of the property, and it is possible that the board could take back the space's license if it does not look like a plan is in place for a new business coming to the site or a license transfer being considered.

The Beachcomber, which first opened in 1959, showcased some well-known regional and national acts, including the Dropkick Murphys, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Loretta Lynn, with the club being more of a spot featuring local bands toward the end.

The address for the Beachcomber space is 797 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA, 02170.

[August 17 update: A new article from the Patriot Ledger indicates that a restaurant is still being planned for the former Beachcomber space, though it is not known whether it will be still a high-end spot as had been originally planned. According to the post, it looks like the sale of the property will be finalized in two weeks, and that the dining spot--whose design has been "scaled down for economic reasons"--will have seating for 50 and will not use the Beachcomber name.]

[Earlier Articles]
The Beachcomber in Quincy Is Closing
Beachcomber in Quincy to Close Out with Dropkick Murphys Show

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, August 11, 2016

Plans for Medieval Manor to Reopen in Old Space Fall Through

A landmark theater and restaurant that was hoping to return to its former space has given its fans a bit of bad news.

According to a Facebook post, the Medieval Manor will not be reopening in its old home on E Berkeley Street in the South End after all, with the note saying the following:

It is with great sadness that we inform you our efforts to reach a new lease agreement for the space where the Manor has lived for so long were unsuccessful. The price of a castle in Boston has increased significantly. We will continue to search for ways to bring back the king but we may not be seeing you as soon as we had hoped. Thank you for all of your support over the years.

The Medieval Manor closed at the end of last year but subsequently said that it was hoping to reopen in its former space, which would apparently be modified. The place had been in business for more than 40 years.

The address for the Medieval Manor was 246 E Berkeley Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[August 13 update: The Medieval Manor won't be returning to its old home, but a new Facebook post gives a bit of good news--some of the cast is working on a new Pilgrim-themed show called "Plymouth Rocks," which is planning to open in Plymouth sometime in November.]

[Earlier Articles]
Medieval Manor in Boston May Be Reopening
Medieval Manor in Boston Is Closing

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, August 10, 2016

Update: Sweetgreen in Boston's Back Bay Reopens after Being Forced to Close Due to Health Violations

[ed note: This article was updated on August 11 to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

A chain of fast-casual dining spots focusing on healthy food options has reopened one of its Boston locations after it was closed due to health violations.

Universal Hub is reporting that Sweetgreen on Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay was shut down by the Boston health inspector on Tuesday after being hit by a variety of violations, including keeping food stored at the wrong temperatures, food containers not being labeled, workers not changing gloves after preparing each dish, a hand dryer not working in the bathroom, a customer bringing a dog into the restaurant, no hand-washing sink available, and more, according to an inspection result page within the city of Boston website. The eatery reopened on Wednesday after a followup inspection gave the place the green light.

Other locations of Sweetgreen can be found at the Prudential Center, School Street in Downtown Crossing, Congress Street in Fort Point, Brookline Avenue in the Fenway, Chestnut Hill Square on the Newton/Brookline border, and MarketStreet Lynnfield.

The address for Sweetgreen in the Back Bay is 659 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at http://www.sweetgreen.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]