Futago Udon Is Opening in Boston's Audubon Circle/Fenway Area

by Marc Hurwitz

A new Japanese noodle spot is coming to a space near the Boston/Brookline border, and it will be replacing a now-closed location of a sandwich chain.

Eater Boston confirms what we had heard a few weeks ago, that Futago Udon is opening in the former Jimmy John's space in the Audubon Circle/Fenway section of Boston. At the time we heard about it, all that was known was that the Park Drive eatery would likely feature Japanese fare, but it was not known that it would focus on hot and cold udon noodle dishes. The Eater article indicates that Futago Udon has a connection to Sugidama, a dining spot in Somerville's Davis Square that focuses on soba, which is another type of Japanese noodle.

No opening date has been give as of yet for Futago, but Eater says that it looks like it is very close to being ready.

The address for this new Japanese restaurant in the Audubon Circle/Fenway area of Boston is: Futago Udon, 508-512 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/futago_udon/

[February 25 update: Eater Boston states that Futago Udon is now open.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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Update: GlenPharmer Distillery to Replace Incontro Restaurant and Lounge in Franklin

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that a distillery is moving into the space.]

It looks like an upscale Italian restaurant that was located in an historic mill building has abruptly closed.

According to a source, Incontro Restaurant and Lounge in Franklin has shuttered with little or no warning, with a Facebook post from Franklin Panthers Hockey and other social media posts seeming to confirm this. Our source tells us that the owners of the West Central Street spot also run Rock N' Coal Pizza in Bellingham but the latter won't be honoring gift cards from the former, and Facebook posts seem to confirm this as well, though we are still trying to get 100% confirmation of this (if this changes, we will post an update here).

Incontro was located in Brookdale Mill, which dates back to the 1800s.

The address for Incontro Restaurant and Lounge was 860 West Central Street, Franklin, MA, 02038.

[February 8 update: According to an article from Wicked Local, Incontro owner Jim Clark says that the restaurant closed for "legal reasons" and that he has been advised by his lawyer that he should not comment any further on the issue. The post also mentions that the restaurant will not be returning to the space, though it is not known whether it could open in a new location.]

[February 12 update: Wicked Local says that a restaurant and distillery called GlenPharmer could be moving into the former Incontro space, with the distillery possibly offering whiskey, vodka, and gin. (A hearing on the proposed new spot is slated for February 25.)]

[February 22 update: A new article from Wicked Local mentions that a public online-only auction will take place on Tuesday, February 26 for items from Incontro, with an inspection for buyers taking place the previous day.]

[March 21 update: It looks like plans for a distillery and restaurant to open in the Incontro space are one step closer to reality, as a new Wicked Local article states that the Planning Board has given it a positive vote.]

[October 18 update: A post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com indicates that GlenPharmer Distillery is now hiring, while its website says that it plans to open sometime this fall. (The jobs post mentions that the place will include a tasting room and a dining spot called PROOF.)]

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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]

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Punter's Pub in Boston Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

Another classic Boston dive has shut down, though in this case the writing had been on the wall for awhile.

According to a Facebook post from local film critic Tom Meek, Punter's Pub is now closed, with a check on social media indicating that the Huntington Avenue watering hole may have actually shuttered just before Christmas. Its closure comes as no surprise, as Northeastern University purchased its building in late 2016 and the plan had been for the bar to stay open for at least a couple more years.

Punter's Pub, which first opened approximately 50 years ago, was a popular hangout for Northeastern students, being known in part for its cheap pitchers of beer along with pool and darts.

The address for the now-closed Punter's Pub was 450 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

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

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Krasi Is Replacing Cafe Jaffa in Boston's Back Bay

by Marc Hurwitz

A few months ago, we reported that a longtime favorite in the Back Bay for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food was on the selling block, and now we have learned that it may be replaced by a new restaurant that has at least one well-known name behind it.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Cafe Jaffa on Gloucester Street is seeking to transfer its liquor license to Krasi, which would operate in the same location and whose manager would be Demetri Tsolakis of Committee in the Seaport District and Gre.Co in the Back Bay (and soon, in the Seaport District as well). The name "Krasi" is commonly found in Bulgaria while it is also a Greek word for wine, according to The Passionate Foodie, but it is not known exactly what kind of cuisine(s) might be featured here; Committee offers mostly Greek and Mediterranean food while Gre.Co focuses on Greek cuisine.

Cafe Jaffa first opened in 1991, serving such items as falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, shish kabob, chicken schnitzel, lamb chops, stuffed peppers, and schwarma. Last September it was reported that the restaurant went up for sale, as the owner made the decision to retire.

The address for Cafe Jaffa (and the upcoming Krasi) is 48 Gloucester Street, Boston, MA, 02115.

[August 23 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Krasi plans to open this fall, and that it will be a Greek meze and wine bar. (In addition, the downstairs area will have a separate cocktail bar called Hecate.)]

[February 5, 2020 update: Eater Boston says that Krasi hopes to open on February 10 pending final inspections, while Hecate plans to open later this year.]

[February 13, 2020 update: Krasi did not end up opening on February 10, but an Instagram post indicates that it could be opening today if all goes well.]

[Earlier Article]
Cafe Jaffa in Boston's Back Bay Is on the Selling Block

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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]

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The Rising Eagle Is Opening in the Former Stearns & Hill's Bistro Space in Melrose

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a new restaurant with a colonial theme may be on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

Based on a tweet from @kenjimallon, The Rising Eagle is planning to open in the old Stearns & Hill's Bistro space in Melrose, with the picture within the Twitter post showing that it will be "an American Revolutionary Publick House." The Twitter thread also hints that the downstairs area could be a restaurant that is open to the public while the upstairs area may be a function room, though specific details have not been given as of yet--nor is there a specific menu for the place at this point in time. An earlier Patch article mentions that The Rising Eagle is connected to Turner's Seafood across the street, while also stating that the place is expected to offer a rotating list of seasonal items.

Stearns & Hill's Bistro, which was known in part for its steak and seafood dishes, closed last summer after nearly 20 years in business; the upstairs section was briefly home to a Japanese restaurant called Tsukiji Bistro, which opened in late 2017 but shut down last spring.

The address for the upcoming Rising Eagle is 505 Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. Its website will be at https://www.risingeaglepublickhouse.com/

[April 11 update: A Facebook post indicates that the function room for The Rising Eagle is now open, but the restaurant itself is not open as of yet.]

[November 27 update: A Facebook post from the place mentions that The Rising Eagle is now open.]

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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]

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Sushi-Teq at The Intercontinental Hotel in Boston Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

A hotel restaurant on the Boston waterfront that appeared to have temporarily closed awhile back is officially closed for good.

A message sent to us indicates that Sushi-Teq at The Intercontinental Hotel is permanently closed, and it is not yet known what--if anything--might move into its space. Back in December, we first learned that the dining spot was shuttered, though it wasn't known at the time whether it might reopen at some point.

Sushi-Teq was an upscale sushi spot that was also known in part for its variety of cocktail offerings; it was one of a few dining and drinking options at the Intercontinental, including Miel, RumBa, and VodkaBa, all of which remain in operation.

The address for the now-closed Sushi-Teq (and The Intercontinental Hotel) is 510 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the hotel can be found at https://www.intercontinentalboston.com/

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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]

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