Boston Restaurant Talk

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Ben Cotto Opens in Boston's North End

A couple of years ago, we reported that a pizzeria could be opening in the North End space where a long-closed pizza spot had once been, and now we have learned that the place is finally open.

According to an article from the NorthEndWaterfront.com site, Ben Cotto is now open on Hanover Street, taking over the space where Circle Pizza had been for nearly 50 years until closing in 2000 and becoming the site of a flower shop (which subsequently closed as well). The post indicates that the new pizzeria has seating for approximately 40, a dining counter, a wood-fired brick oven, and a license to serve beer and wine. As mentioned earlier, Warren Mustacchio and Joe Bono (Al Dente and Benevento's) are behind the new Ben Cotto.

The address for Ben Cotto is 361 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

[Earlier Article]
Ben Cotto Plans to Open in Former Circle Pizza Space in Boston's North End

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Pizzas in the Boston Area and Beyond]

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Honeycomb Cafe Is Replacing Savin Scoop in Dorchester

A new farm-to-table cafe is on its way to Dorchester, moving into the space where an ice cream spot had been.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Honeycomb Cafe is getting ready to open in Savin Hill, taking over the space where Savin Scoop had been before it announced its closure in March. A menu has not been added to the restaurant's website as of yet, but a note on the site says that the eatery will have scratch-made food using locally-sourced ingredients, with the food being "clean, simple and prepared with love."

Savin Scoop first opened approximately seven years ago.

The address for the new Honeycomb Cafe is 107 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125. Its website can be found at https://www.honeycombcafe.biz/

[August 7 update: A check on the place over the weekend indicates that Honeycomb Cafe is now open, with its menu including breakfast and lunch sandwiches along with muffins, bagels, coffee, and tea.]

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

Castle Island Brewing in Norwood Opening Taproom June 16

A local brewery that opened about a year and a half ago is getting ready to debut a taproom within its space.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Castle Island Brewing in Norwood is planning to officially open a 100-person taproom on Friday, June 16, with 16 draft lines installed, locally made snacks such as salsa and guacamole, tortilla chips, and prosciutto-style jerky offered, and food trucks set up Friday through Sunday for the opening. Hours for the new taproom will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Castle Island Brewing, which first opened in December of 2015, is known in part for its Keeper IPA 2015, Candlepin session ale, and lager. Its address is 31 Astor Avenue in Norwood while its website can be found at http://castleislandbeer.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

The Halal Guys Opening in Boston's Theater District; More Locations on the Way

A year and a half ago, we reported that a legendary group of restaurants and carts based in New York City was looking to expand to the Boston area. Now we have learned that it will open a location in the heart of the city--and more outlets will be coming to the region as well.

According to a press release sent this morning, The Halal Guys is opening in City Place Building at 137 Stuart Street in Boston's Theater District sometime in July, and this will be followed by shops in Downtown Crossing, the Financial District, the North Station/TD Garden area, the Back Bay, and Cambridge's Porter Square. Expect to see such options as chicken and rice, hummus, falafel sandwiches, and baklava at the new shop in the Theater District and the other upcoming locations.

The Halal Guys first started out in 1990 as a food cart by West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in the Midtown section of Manhattan, with the original owners coming from Egypt. The website for the group of restaurants and food carts can be found at http://thehalalguys.com/

[August 30 update: Boston Magazine states that The Halal Guys opens in the Theater District on September 15.]

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys to Expand to the Boston Area

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]

Fairview Inn Returning to Marshfield's Brant Rock Area

It looks like an iconic oceanside inn and restaurant on the South Shore will soon be returning.

According to an article in Wicked Local, the Fairview Inn has received approval by town selectmen to open back up as early as June 23, more than a year and a half after it shut down when the Brant Rock place went up for sale and the restaurant operators left to open Disch's Route 53 Tavern in Pembroke. Last fall, plans were put in place for a new owner to open a spot called the Oceanview Grille at the Fairview Inn, but the plans ultimately fell through after the owner did not open the restaurant in a timely manner and the town voiced concerns about the owner's business practices. The current group includes building owners John and Robert Clancy along with management team Robert Pruitt and Liz Bruce, with Pruitt being the manager on the liquor license and finishing up his work at the White Elephant in Nantucket this summer. (It looks like the restaurant may be BYOB at the start, as the board's approval of the license still has to be reviewed by the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.)

At this point in time, it appears that the Fairview Inn would be open for lunch and dinner daily, with a brunch offered on Sundays.

The address for the Fairview Inn is 133 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA, 02050.

[June 30 update: Wicked Local says that the Fairview Inn will soft-open tomorrow through Monday bfore closing briefly in preparaton for their official opening (date to be announced). The article also mentions that the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has approved of their request for a liquor license.]

[August 16 update: A new article from Wicked Local states that the Fairview Inn has an open house today as part of a grand opening celebration.]

[Earlier Articles]
Fairview Inn and Restaurant in Marshfield Is Up for Sale
Oceanview Grille Plans to Open in former Fairview Inn Space in Marshfield
Oceanview Grille at the Fairview Inn in Marshfield Has Its License Revoked

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve New England Restaurants in Scenic Locations]

The Blue Room and Belly Wine Bar in Cambridge's Kendall Square Are Closing

Two award-winning spots in Cambridge--an eclectic farm-to-table restaurant and a wine bar--that are under the same ownership are shutting down.

According to an article in boston.com, The Blue Room and Belly Wine Bar in Kendall Square will be closing for good at the end of business hours on July 1, with owners Nick Zappia and Liz Vilardi indicating that they never really recovered from a 2015 fire that shut both places down for a year. The post mentions that their insurance payment wasn't enough to offset expenses, while increased competition on the local dining scene and a demographic shift in the neighborhood from Baby Boomers to millennials apparently affected both spots as well. It has not yet been divulged what Zappia and Vilardi's future plans are, though their wine shop (Central Bottle Wine + Provisions in Central Square) will remain open and a new dining spot with different owners is being planned for the Blue Room/Belly space.

The Blue Room first opened 26 years ago, with Zappia and Steve Johnson (the chef at the time) buying the restaurant from restaurateur Chris Schlesinger in 1996, with Vilardi coming on board in 2000 and Zappia buying Johnson out three years later. Belly Wine Bar is a fairly recent concept, with Zappia and Vilardi opening it approximately five years ago. The article mentions several awards received by the two spots over the years, including Steve Johnson being named best chef in 1998 by Boston Magazine and then getting a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef Northeast three years later, while Vilardi's wine program for the Blue Room got it included among Wine Enthusiast's 100 Best Wine Restaurants in 2014 while Boston Magazine gave Belly a Best Wine Program award that same year.

[July 1 update: The Blue Room and Belly Wine Bar shut down at the end of business hours last night, with an events page showing that there will be a "Funeral for a Friend" celebration today.]

[August 1 update: According to a post from E. F. Smith & Son, The Blue Room goes on the auction block tomorrow, with a variety of items being available, including kitchen equipment, fixtures, furniture, glassware, and more.]

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]