Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, November 09, 2018

The Federal Is Opening in Waltham, Taking Over Flank Space

by Marc Hurwitz

Earlier this year, we reported that a chophouse west of Boston was closing down and being sold. Now we know a bit more about what will be going into the space.

According to a post from Eater Boston, The Federal is opening in the former Flank space in Waltham, with a check on the website for the spot indicating that it could be opening at the 1265 Main development as early as this month. As mentioned earlier, David Alphonse and Richard Brackett of AB Hospitality Group are behind The Federal (Richard Bracket comes from The Bancroft in Burlington and Peabody), while Diego Mota (also from The Bancroft) will set up the menu for the place, which will apparently be a steakhouse.

Radio personality Greg Hill and his Whole House Group sold both Flank and 29 Sudbury this spring, with the Battle Road Brewery and Brew House in Maynard remaining part of the group.

The website for AB Hospitality Group and The Federal will be at https://abhospitalitygroup.com/

[November 12 update: A job post within the Craigslist site indicates that The Federal will be a "modern Italian influenced steakhouse."]

[January 2, 2019 update: A source tells us via The Waltham Channel's Facebook page) that The Federal opens on Thursday, January 3.]

[Earlier Article]
Greg Hill's Whole House Group Is Selling Flank, 29 Sudbury

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]

Chick-fil-A Is Opening in Boston's Copley Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A chain of chicken places that appeared to have no chance of opening in Boston several years ago may be doing just that now.

According to an article in Bisnow, Chick-fil-A is looking to open in Copley Square, moving into the space on Boylston Street currently occupied by Boloco. This announcement comes six years after the late Boston Mayor Thomas Menino voiced his opposition to the chain coming to the city based on the CEO's opposition to same-sex marriage. The company has opened outlets in various Boston suburbs, including Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Marlboro, and Peabody, but this would be its first within the city limits if approved. (The Back Bay Association supports the proposal, though Mayor Marty Walsh will still need to review the plans and the restaurant would have to go through the usual permitting process before being able to open.)

The address for the proposed location of Chick-fil-A in Copley Square would be 569 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

[November 15 update: It appears that plans for Chick-fil-A to open in the Boloco space in Copley Square are not yet definite, as Boloco has tweeted that "there is not yet any agreement for Boloco to leave. We have a lease thru 2020 and a decade of options after. We are working with landlord to find a solution based on what we've read."]

[February 5, 2019 update: Universal Hub is reporting that Chick-fil-A has received approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals to open a two-story outlet in the Boloco space in Copley Square, while the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay has also voted to not oppose the place. (The chain still needs the Boston Licensing Board to approve of a common victualler license before it can officially open.)]

[January 6, 2022 update: According to several sources, Chick-fil-A is now open in Copley Square.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Fifteen Chicken Dishes from Restaurants in the Boston Area]

Sakana Sushi Opens in Former Cafe Anthony Space in Cambridge

by Marc Hurwitz

A new sushi spot has come to Cambridge, taking over the space where a cafe had been until being seized several months ago.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Sakana Sushi is now open on Mass. Ave. in the former Cafe Anthony space, which is between Harvard Square and Central Square. A Yelp page for the place includes a note from the business saying that it offers "a reinvention of traditional sushi! discover the cozy sushi bar and experience traditional sushi with an intriguing twist." No menu has been posted as of yet, and the restaurant does not appear to have a website, so keep checking back for updates on what exactly will be offered at the place.

Cafe Anthony was shut down in June, with a sign out front indicating that it was seized by the Middlesex Sheriff's Department Enforcement Unit. A Facebook post from the spot stated that it hoped to reopen but it apparently never did.

The address for the new Sakana Sushi (and the former Cafe Anthony) is 983 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

[Earlier Article]
Cafe Anthony in Cambridge Has Been Seized by the Sheriff's Department

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, November 08, 2018

BearMoose Brewing Plans to Open Brewery and Taproom in Everett

by Marc Hurwitz

Yet another new brewery is opening just north of Boston, and this one plans to focus on selling beer out of its taproom.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Everett Independent) that BearMoose Brewing is looking to open on the Revere Beach Parkway in Everett, a short distance away from the "Fermentation District" that includes such spots as Night Shift Brewing, Short Path Distillery, and Bone Up Brewing. The upcoming place will have a taproom with a capacity of 120 and a 10-barrel brewing system, and it does not have plans for distribution at this time, instead doing taproom sales only. If all goes as planned, BearMoose may be opening in March of 2019.

The address for this upcoming brewery in Everett is: BearMoose Brewing, 1934 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett, MA, 02149. Its website will be at https://www.bearmoosebrewing.com/

[February 7, 2019 update: Boston Magazine mentions that BearMoose Brewing will be joined by Deep Cuts Deli, a business that is known in part for its pop-ups at breweries and restaurants in the local area. The article states that the deli will have a section within the space where it offers sandwiches and snacks such as house-made jerky and soft pretzels, while the space itself will also be a community center that focuses on the arts, with art shows, concerts, and more offered.]

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]

Aaron's Taco Cart'el Opening Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Stoneham

by Marc Hurwitz

The person behind a mobile taco stand will be opening a permanent shop in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a photo posted on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Aaron's Taco Cart'el is planning to open in Stoneham, apparently moving into the space on Central Street where The Mystical Cafe had been. The taco cart has been found at various spots in the Boston area and beyond, including farmers markets, festivals, and food truck sites, and catering is offered as well.

The address for this new eatery in Stoneham is: Aaron's Taco Cart'el, 8 Central Street, Stoneham, MA, 02180. The website for the business can be found at https://www.aaronstacocartel.com/

[November 27 update: According to Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie, Aaron's Taco Cart'el is now open in Stoneham, and it offers tacos, nachos, burritos, burrito bowls, and quesadillas.]

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]

Pokeworks to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz

A group of dining spots featuring a couple of increasingly-trendy food items will be opening a third Boston-area location.

According to a press release, Pokeworks is planning to open at the upcoming Arsenal Yards complex in Watertown, joining existing locations in Somerville's Davis Square and Cambridge's Harvard Square. Expect to see poke (a Hawaiian raw fish salad) as well as "pokirritos" (a type of sushi burrito) at the upcoming eatery, which is headquartered in Irvine, CA, and currently has nearly 20 locations across the United States.

Arsenal Yards will be a mixed-use development located at the site of the old Arsenal Mall, with the complex including retail, office, and residential space. As reported earlier, a location of Shake Shack will also be moving into the development.

The website for Pokeworks can be found at http://www.pokeworks.com/

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]