Sweet Kingdom Dessert Shop to Open in Allston

It looks like a new dessert shop is coming to Allston, and it will apparently focus on healthy items.

Universal Hub is reporting that Sweet Kingdom is planning to open on Harvard Avenue in the space where Unique Food had been, with the store getting approval by the City of Boston to be open until 2:00 AM. The article mentions that the new shop will offer only healthy desserts that are made using organic fruits and "light sugar," with the late hours designed to attract folks who are leaving the various bars found nearby.

It is not known exactly when Sweet Kingdom will open; as soon as we hear of an opening date, we will post an update here.

The address for this upcoming dessert shop in Allston is: Sweet Kingdom, 145 Harvard Avenue, Boston, MA, 02134.

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Mystic Station Is Opening in Malden

It looks like another upscale pub is planning to open in Malden.

Eater Boston is reporting that Mystic Station is opening on Pleasant Street, moving into the District 7 space in the downtown area of the city. The article mentions that the place will offer "upscale pub style food" along with craft beer and inventive cocktails, while the website for the restaurant says that it will have a fireplace, a long granite bar, and "game time televisions."

[March 25 update: A new post from Eater Boston says Mystic Station opens on April 3, with its menu including such items as fried pickles, wings, fish tacos, burgers, steak tips, and broiled haddock.]

Last month we reported that a gastropub called Ferry Street Food & Drink was also looking to open in Malden. (It looks like that place could be opening early this spring.)

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Malden is: Mystic Station, 139 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, 02148. Its website can be found at http://www.mysticstationmalden.com/

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Centre Street Cafe in Jamaica Plain Being Sold to Owners of Tres Gatos

It looks like an eclectic eatery in Jamaica Plain may be bought by the folks behind an equally eclectic tapas bar and book/music shop.

According to one of our readers, the owners of Tres Gatos are looking to purchase the Centre Street Cafe, with an earlier Jamaica Plain Gazette article confirming that this is indeed in the works. The article mentions that the plan is to renovate the space (with the Centre Street Cafe apparently closing at any time now) and possibly reopening this spring with the same name but a different menu that focuses on Italian and Mediterranean fare. At the time the article was written (late December), one stumbling block was the transferring of the wine license to Tres Gatos, with owner David Doyle saying that they won't do this unless the transfer takes place (there is no word on any outcome to this as of yet).

[May 14 update: Universal Hub states that the owner of Tres Gatos is indeed going to be buying the Centre Street Cafe, with the plan being to keep the name, change the menu (it will focus on Italian fare at dinner and Mediterranean at lunch), and keep the existing brunch as is. Expect to see the new version of Centre Street Cafe open this fall.]

[June 30 update: According to a post on its Facebook page, the Centre Street Cafe closes (under present ownership) at the end of business hours today; it still appears that it will reopen under new ownership (see above) later this year.]

The Centre Street Cafe is a dining spot that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as an under-the-radar spot to go to for its farm-to-table food and Sunday brunch. A link to the review can be found below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/CentreStreetCafe.html

The address for the Centre Street Cafe is 669a Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

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Temazcal to Open at MarketStreet Lynnfield

An upscale Mexican restaurant in the Seaport District of Boston is going to be opening a second location, with this one being in a new open-air retail center north of the city.

According to a Facebook post from the dining spot, Temazcal is planning to open at MarketStreet Lynnfield, joining a number of other restaurants such as Davio's, Kings, Legal C Bar, the Yard House, and others (we also reported recently that an outlet of Wahlburgers may be coming to the complex as well). The note says that the eatery will be located between Kings and the Yard House, and it is expected to open sometime in May. Based on the menu at the original at Liberty Wharf, the new Temazcal could have such items as lobster guacamole, tortilla soup, fish tacos, short rib fajitas, chorizo enchiladas, and fried plantains, along with a variety of tequilas and margaritas.

[April 15 update: It looks like Temazcal is on track to open soon, as a Craigslist post indicates that it is now looking to hire restaurant managers.]

Temazcal first opened its doors in the Seaport District in April of 2011. Its website can be found at http://www.temazcalcantina.com/

Thanks to Food Service Advisor for initially bringing this to our attention.

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More Romantic Restaurants in the Greater Boston Area]

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Taste of the South End Coming to Boston, March 4, 2014

An annual event that helps raise funds for the largest AIDS service organization in New England is going to be returning to Boston once again.

On Tuesday, March 4, Taste of the South End will take place at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM (6:00 PM for VIP), with more than 40 local restaurants participating. The event will include food samplings, live cooking demos, a silent auction and raffle, and wine and beer tastings. Some of the dining and drinking spots that will be at Taste of the South End this year include Addis Red Sea, Boston Chops, Davio's, The Gallows, Hamersley's Bistro, Orinoco, Stephi's on Tremont, and many others.

Tickets to the 2014 Taste of the South End cost $100 ($150 for VIP tickets), with proceeds going to the AIDS Action Committee. If you would like more information, please go to the following link:

2014 Taste of the South End

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Stage (an American Vaudeville Nightclub) to Open in Boston

A new nightclub is on its way to downtown Boston, and this one will feature entertainment that harkens back to the early 20th century.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Zagat site) that Stage will open sometime this year in The Alley (Boylston Place), which is off of Boylston Street across from Boston Common. The club, which will be run by the folks behind the Brahmin on Stanhope Street in the Back Bay (the Redbrook Restaurant Group), will be a "vaudeville-inspired" performance-based spot with what appears to be several stages and "luxurious and classic" decor throughout. It is not yet known exactly when Stage might open (though EB says that auditions are now taking place), so keep checking back for updates.

[March 14 update: The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog mentions that Stage is looking to move into the space where The Liquor Store nightclub has been; a hearing on the proposed license transfer will take place on Wednesday, March 19.]

The website for Stage will be at http://www.stagenightclub.com/, while its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/stagenightclub

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Cuisine en Locale Sets Up Weekly Locavore Brunch in Somerville

A catering and event company in Somerville that supports local farmers is now behind a rather unique weekly brunch.

The Restaurant Hub blog of The Boston Globe is reporting that Cuisine en Locale has debuted what is termed the "world's first-ever locavore function hall" at Anthony's on Highland Avenue. The post says that the company will set up a brunch each Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with healthy foods using local ingredients, along with drinks and live jazz. Expect to see such items as roasted potatoes with spinach and melted cheese (and topped with an egg), baked layers of eggs, cheese, and veggies with a salad on the side, short rib ragu on toast with eggs, bloody marys, and more.

The article also says that Cuisine en Locale will be hosting pop-up dinners as well, though there is no specific information on that as of yet.

The address for Anthony's is 156 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for Cuisine en Locale can be found at http://www.cuisineenlocale.com/

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Pret a Manger Is Opening in Boston's Downtown Crossing; Many More Could Be on the Way

A London-based chain of sandwich shops continues to expand through Boston, with a new one on its way to Downtown Crossing.

Banker and Tradesman mentions that Pret a Manger is looking to open at least "a dozen" new outlets in Boston and Cambridge during the next four or five years, with one of them slated for Arch Street where Men's Wearhouse used to be (the other locations are not set in stone as of yet). Once it opens, the new shop will join two locations on Boylston Street in the Back Bay and one on Franklin Street in the Financial District. It is not yet known when the Downtown Crossing outlet will open; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here.

[June 18 update: Eater Boston states that the new Pret a Manger in Downtown Crossing officially opens Friday, but it will also have a "Guinea Pig Day" on Thursday, with customers who dine at the shop in the morning being given a voucher for a free lunch between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM (while supplies last).]

Pret a Manger first started out in England in 1986.

The address for the new location of Pret a Manger in Downtown Crossing is 101 Arch Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The chain's website can be found at http://www.pret.com/us/

Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

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Viga Is Opening on Clarendon Street in Boston's Back Bay

A trio of Italian eateries and caterers in Boston is going to be adding a fourth location, with this one being in the Back Bay.

A Licensing Board page on the City of Boston website indicates that Viga is planning to open a new outlet on Clarendon Street, joining other locations on Stuart Street, Washington Street, and Devonshire Street. The website for Viga says that the new location is expected to open this spring, while the hearing page on the city's site mentions that it plans to be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, though it is not yet known whether this would be weekdays only like the other locations.

[April 8 update: One of our readers mentions that the new Viga on Clarendon Street is now open, though its hours are different from those mentioned above--the restaurant's website says it is open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday.]

Viga is known mainly as a takeout spot (though with limited seating) with a menu that includes soups, salads, pasta dishes, pizza, calzones, hot and cold sandwiches, and pastries. It also offers lunch catering and special events catering.

The address for this new spot in the Back Bay is: Viga Italian Eatery, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for Viga can be found at http://www.vigaeatery.com/

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404 Tapas Lounge Opens in Brookline

A brand new tapas spot has very quietly opened in Brookline.

A Twitter post sent this morning indicates that 404 Tapas Lounge is now open on Harvard Street between the Allston line and Coolidge Corner, with the address indicating that it has taken over the space where Khayyam had been. The restaurant's Facebook page says that New American and French-influenced tapas is offered along with full meals, with the menu on the website showing such items as lamb sausage, grilled shrimp flatbread, crispy artichokes, garlic saffron mussels, paella, and steak frites.

The chef/owner of 404 Tapas Lounge is Rachid Kourda, who has worked at several restaurants in Boston, New York, and California, including Harvard Gardens in Beacon Hill.

The address for this new tapas spot in Brookline is: 404 Tapas Lounge, 404 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://404bar.com/

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Update: Rosebud American Kitchen and Bar Coming to Rosebud Diner Space in Somerville

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 2 and July 2 to reflect new information given, including a name, the type of cuisine offered, and when it might open.]

It looks like a landmark diner in Somerville that closed its doors last May is going to be home to a "roadhouse" type of eatery, and the person involved with it also happens to run two other spots in the neighborhood.

Eater Boston has confirmed what folks on the Davis Square Live Journal blog had mentioned--that Joe Cassinelli of Posto and The Painted Burro is going to be opening a restaurant in the Rosebud Diner space on Summer Street, with the dining spot perhaps opening in May. The EB article says that the new spot will have the concept of a roadhouse with pan-American food and possibly live music, and that while the interior has been gutted and will undergo extensive renovations, the exterior will remain as is and the place will apparently keep the name the Rosebud. It is not known if Martin Bloom of the old Vinny Testa's chain and the Mission Oak Grill in Newburyport remains involved with the project (we had reported in the winter of 2013 that he had purchased the diner); as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Cassinelli is also working on opening another location of The Painted Burro in Boston's Downtown Crossing.

[April 2 update: According to a new article from Eater Boston, it looks like the restaurant moving into the Rosebud space will be called "Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar" and that it will focus at least in part on Southern fare and BBQ.]

[July 2 update: According to a post within the jobs section of the BostonChefs.com site, Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar plans to open in August, with the restaurant being "a down-to-earth casual restaurant and bar serving regional American food" that will have a main dining area, a bar, and an outdoor porch.]

The Rosebud, which first opened in 1941, has been designated as a single-building historic district. The address for the diner is 381 Summer Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

[Earlier Article]
Rosebud Diner in Somerville's Davis Square to Be Sold

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Highlights for the Week Ending February 21, 2014

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a Brookline restaurant and bar planning to expand into Cambridge, a celebrity family looking to open a second location of their burger restaurant, and an eclectic Philadelphia eatery planning to expand to Boston. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a dining and drinking establishment in Cambridge, a photo of a popular Greek dish from a restaurant in Brighton, and updates to the dive bar photo gallery.

Below are links to these and other items from the past week:

Boston Restaurant Talk

Alfredo's Italian Kitchen May Be Taking Over The Snack Bar Space in Cambridge

Hops N Scotch Planning to Open in Cambridge's Inman Square

Smashburger Plans to Open in Cambridge's Central Square

Wahlburgers Plans to Open in Lynnfield

PYT May Be Expanding to Boston

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Joe Sent Me in Cambridge, MA

Photo: Moussaka from Esperia Grill in Brighton, MA

Updated Dive Bar Photo Gallery

New Blog Post: Pinterest Group Board on Boston-Area Restaurants

Photo: Burger from Joe Sent Me in Cambridge, MA

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Tantric in Boston's Theatre District Has Reopened

An Indian restaurant in the Theatre District of Boston that had closed around the beginning of the year is open once again.

As we reported in early January, Tantric in the Transportation Building on Stuart Street had shut its doors, with a note on both Facebook and Twitter saying that it had closed for renovations. Now, according to a new Facebook post, Tantric is up and running again, with the message saying "Tantric India Bistro is happy to announce our re-opening on Monday February 24. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and the many well wishes during the past month-and-a-half closure. We thank you for your past dining visits to the restaurant, and we look forward to your return and the opportunity for us to serve you again." It is not yet known what kinds of renovations have taken place; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Tantric has been in business for approximately ten years.

The address for this restaurant in the Theatre District is: Tantric, 123 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website can be found at http://www.tantricbistro.com/

[Earlier Article]
Tantric in Boston Closed For Renovations

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Update: b.good Closes Its Newbury Street Location in Boston's Back Bay; New Location Coming to Boylston Street

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 25 and April 15 to reflect new information given.]

A small local chain of restaurants that features "real" fast food (and tends to focus on burgers) has closed one of its Boston locations, though it appears to be more of a move than a closing.

One of our readers told us that b.good on Newbury Street in the Back Bay has closed, with the location being taken off their website and subsequent phone calls not going through. Its closure has been confirmed this morning, as a call placed to another location in Boston indicates that the Newbury Street shop is indeed no longer in operation.

[February 25 update: A commenter on this page, along with a poster on the b.good page, both say that a new location of b.good is planned for Boylston Street near the now-closed location on Newbury Street. As soon as we have more details, we will post another update here.]

[April 15 update: A Facebook post from a couple of weeks ago confirms that this is indeed a move, with a new b.good coming to Boylston Street possibly later this month or in early May, based on the info from the post. The new address will be 665 Boylston Street, which appears to be where New England Dental Center had been.]

Currently, Boston-area locations of b.good can be found on Summer Street in the city's Financial District, Washington Street in the downtown area, two others in the Back Bay, Harvard Square in Cambridge, Legacy Place in Dedham, the Burlington Marketplace in Burlington, Great Road in Bedford, and the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham. The website for the b.good chain is at: http://www.bgood.com/

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Ernesto's Pizza in the North End of Boston Is Opening in Somerville's Assembly Row

A highly-rated pizza place in Boston's North End is going to be expanding, with a second location coming to a new complex in Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting (via the Somerville Patch) that Ernesto's Pizza on Salem Street is planning to open at Assembly Row, a mixed-use development near Route 93 that will soon see several other restaurants, bars, and food shops open at the site as well, including Earls Kitchen + Bar, J.P. Licks, Legal C Bar, and Papagayo (Burger Dive is already open at Assembly Row). Based on its original location in the North End, expect to see a wide variety of pizza slices offered at the new Ernesto's, which could be opening this spring or summer.

[March 22 update: In an interview with Eater Boston, Ernesto's owner Anthony Radzikowski mentions that the new outlet in Somerville's Assembly Row will be more or less the same as that of the original North End location, with two differences being the addition of gluten-free pizza and smaller slices for youngsters.]

[May 12 update: The Boston Globe mentions that the new location of Ernesto's in Somerville's Assembly Row is planning to open sometime in September.]

Ernesto's Pizza first opened in 1984, with the place being known in part for its huge slices of pizza (each one is 1/4 of a pie). The website for the restaurant can be found at http://www.ernestosnorthend.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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Pita Pit in Brookline Has Closed

It looks like the Brookline location of a chain of sandwich places has closed its doors.

According to one of our readers, Pita Pit on Harvard Street (a short distance south of the Allston border) is no longer in operation; a phone call to the place seemed to confirm this, as the number has been disconnected. This was the only location of the chain in the Boston area, though a few other shops can be found elsewhere in New England--three in Amherst, one in Durham, NH, and one in Stamford, CT.

[February 24 update: The closing of Pita Pit has been confirmed, with the reader sending a photo showing a "Closed" sign out front. (The sign says "Thank you to all of our loyal customers.")]

The Canada-based Pita Pit focuses mainly on pita sandwiches, with the menu also including soups, salads, cookies, smoothies, and a few other items. The chain opened its first shop in Kingston, Ontario in the mid-1990s.

The address for this now-closed eatery in Brookline was: Pita Pit, 479 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.pitapitusa.com/

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Alfredo's Italian Kitchen Plans to Take Over The Snack Bar Space in Cambridge

A local group of Italian eateries is looking to expand into Cambridge, and this location would apparently take over the space where a Portuguese dining spot currently resides.

A License Commission General Hearing page on the City of Cambridge website indicates that Alfredo's Italian Kitchen--which has locations in Everett, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Somerville, and South Boston--is seeking a common victualer license to open on Cambridge Street, with the address indicating that it would move into the spot between Inman Square and Lechmere where The Snack Bar is. If all goes as planned, the new location of the eatery would have seating for 20, with proposed hours being 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Snack Bar is known in part for being one of the spots that Anthony Bourdain went to for the Boston episode of "No Reservations" back in April of 2011.

[March 14 update: A poster on Twitter mentions that The Snack Bar has a sign up saying "sorry we closed."]

[June 1 update: A veteran poster on the Chowhound site confirms that Alfredo's will indeed be moving into the former Snack Bar space, saying that "Coming Soon" signs are now posted out front.]

The address for the proposed location of Alfredo's Italian Kitchen is 691-697 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02141. The website for the group of restaurants can be found at http://www.alfredositaliankitchen.com/

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Hops N Scotch to Open in Haveli Space Cambridge's Inman Square

It appears that the folks behind a restaurant and bar in Brookline are planning to open a second location across the river.

According to a License Commission General Hearing page on the City of Cambridge website, Hops N Scotch is seeking a liquor license held by Haveli Restaurant, with the plan apparently being to move into that their space on Cambridge Street in Inman Square. If the license transfer goes through, the new eating and drinking establishment would have a seating capacity of 99, with proposed hours being 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM seven days a week.

[February 28 update: Eater Boston mentions that the liquor license transfer has been approved for the new Hops N Scotch in Cambridge.]

[May 7 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Haveli is now closed, as they "gave away everything in the place over the weekend." A call placed to them indicates that the number has been changed, with the new phone number going unanswered.]

Hops N Scotch first opened its doors on Beacon Street in Brookline's Coolidge Corner in August of 2012. The place features southern-style comfort food along with a wide variety of beer, scotch, whiskey, bourbon, and more.

The address for the proposed location of Hops N Scotch in Inman Square is 1248 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the original location is at http://www.hopsnscotchbar.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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Smashburger May Be Coming to Cambridge's Central Square

It looks like a Denver-based chain of quick-casual burger restaurants may be opening a location in one of Cambridge's busiest areas.

A License Commission General Hearing page on the City of Cambridge website mentions that Smashburger has applied for a common victualer license to open a location on Mass. Ave. in Central Square, with the eatery having seating for 70 and hours being 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. If Smashburger does open in the space, it will join another location in Natick, which opened this past December. (Earlier we had reported that a number of locations of the chain could be coming to the Boston area.)

Smashburger, which started out in 2007, features meatball-shaped burger patties that are "smashed" on the grill, helping to caramelize the meat and keep in the juices.

The address for this proposed burger place in Central Square is 589 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Smashburger is at http://smashburger.com/

[March 18 update: Central Square News is reporting that Smashburger has apparently decided not to open at 589 Mass. Ave. after all, with the restaurant's website seeming to confirm this, showing no listing of the location in its "new store openings" or "coming soon" sections. (It is not known whether they are still looking to open elsewhere in the neighborhood.)]

[Earlier Article]
Smashburger Is Coming to the Boston Area

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More Romantic Restaurants in the Greater Boston Area]

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A Spoonful of Ginger Returns to Boston, March 17, 2014

A culinary event returns to the Museum of Fine Arts in March, and once again, a number of local chefs will be participating.

On Monday, March 17, the Joslin Diabetes Center will be presenting A Spoonful of Ginger within the Art of the Americas wing of the Museum of Fine Arts on Huntington Avenue, with the event running from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. At this year's event, guests will be able to try an array of ginger-based dishes from such chefs as David Becker of Sweet Basil, Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang, Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Kevin Long of Empire, and Jasper White of Summer Shack.

Tickets to the 2014 Spoonful of Ginger cost $250 for general admission, with proceeds going to the Joslin Diabetes Center's Asian American Diabetes Initiative. For more information on this event, please go to the link below:

http://events.joslin.org/ginger/

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Chefs Cooking for Hope to Be Held in Boston, March 6, 2014

An event that raises funds for cancer research and care is coming back to Boston in early March, with a number of restaurants participating.

On Thursday, March 6, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will be hosting the 14th Annual Chefs Cooking for Hope at 125 High Street in the city's Financial District, with food, beer, wine, and cocktails offered. Some of the dining spots that will be participating include Alta Strada, Tico, and Via Matta, which are owned by honorary chef Michael Schlow, along with Bistro du Midi, Catalyst, Clio, Douzo, Island Creek Oyster Bar, La Morra, L'Espalier, Red Lantern, and Taranta, to name a few. (Drinks will be offered by Jack's Abby Brewing, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Marty's Fine Wines, Mayflower Brewing, and others.)

Tickets to the 2014 Chefs Cooking for Hope cost $100 each; for more information, please go to the link below:

Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presents "Chefs Cooking for Hope"

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GQ's Picks for 2014's Best New Restaurants in America Includes Row 34 in Boston

A well-known food writer for GQ magazine has come out with his picks for top new restaurants in the country, and a Boston dining spot has made the list.

Alan Richman's article on 2014's 25 best new restaurants in America includes Row 34, an oyster bar in the Fort Point section of the city that opened last November. In the post, Richman mentions that "I liked the warm lobster roll, the potted smoked trout, and especially the mashed potatoes with sour cream....But I kept going back for the same thing, the oysters," with a particular liking of "the sweet and nutty variety named Row 34." The article also gives a nod to the array of beers on tap and the farm-to-table, or "tap-to-table" feel of the Congress Street eatery.

One other New England restaurant made Richman's list of top new restaurants--Le Penguin, a French bistro in Greenwich, CT.

The GQ post on Row 34 can be found at the link below:

Row 34: The Bar Every Man Longs For

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.

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WOW Barbecue Food Truck Is Opening a Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant in Malden

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 8 and May 20 to reflect new information given, including a possible address and an opening date.]

The trend toward food truck owners opening brick-and-mortar restaurants appears to show no sign of letting up, as a relatively new truck that focuses on BBQ may be the latest to make the move.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Facebook post from the truck) that WOW Barbecue is looking to open a permanent restaurant, with the post from the Facebook page saying that "we [have] already grown up from a little poor [dining] car to a luxury [dining] car and our own restaurant is going to open in next months with lots of new different kind[s] of traditional delicious Chinese food." It is not yet known where the brick-and-mortar spot might be located; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here.

[May 8 update: It looks more and more likely that the brick-and-mortar location of WOW Barbecue will open in Malden, with a Chowhound poster and a Boston Herald article both seeming to confirm what an earlier Eater Boston post had mentioned. The EB article says that the address is apparently 184 Salem Street, which is where CitySide Bar & Grille had been.]

[May 20 update: According to a message from @DuffyMalden, the grand opening for the brick-and-mortar location of WOW Barbecue is June 2.]

WOW Barbecue debuted last summer, with such items as lamb, sausage, and shrimp skewers offered. The truck can be found in Chinatown and by Northeastern University.

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Wahlburgers Plans to Open in Lynnfield

It looks like a second location of a burger restaurant from one of Boston's best-known families will be coming to the local area.

On last night's episode of  the A&E show Wahlburgers, a new outlet of the Hingham eatery by the same name is being planned for Lynnfield. It appears that the dining spot, which is run by chef and restaurateur Paul Wahlberg and his celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie, could be opening at MarketStreet Lynnfield, based on chatter that we have heard over the past few weeks. (MarketStreet Lynnfield is supposedly going to enter into a "Phase 2" of building at some point, which will include more restaurants and shops for the open-air complex.)

[March 3 update: The Boston Globe has confirmed that the new Wahlburgers will indeed open at MarketStreet Lynnfield, based on what a rep told them.]

Wahlburgers first opened at the Hingham Shipyard in October of 2011, with Paul Wahlberg also being behind another restaurant at the complex called Alma Nove.

Thanks to Food Service Advisor for initially bringing this to our attention.

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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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Peet's Coffee and Tea to Open in Former Francesca's Space in Boston's South End

It looks like a California-based coffee roaster and retailer will continue to expand in the Boston area, with a new shop planned for the city's South End neighborhood.

BostInno is reporting that Peet's Coffee & Tea is looking to open on Tremont Street, moving into the space where Francesca's Cafe had been for nearly 20 years until closing last August. As we reported earlier, the chain of coffee spots is opening a new location in Beacon Hill and is also going to be involved with cafe/bank hybrids called Capital One 360 Cafe, with the first one coming to Boylston Street in the Back Bay and others planned for Downtown Crossing, Harvard Square in Cambridge, and Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

Peet's Coffee & Tea, which first started out in Berkeley, CA, in 1966, currently has locations in Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton Centre, and Wellesley.

The address for this upcoming shop in the South End is: Peet's Coffee & Tea, 564 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02118. The website for Peet's can be found at http://www.peets.com/

Thanks to food writer MC Slim JB for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Articles]
Peet's Coffee and Tea to Open in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood
Capital One 360 Cafe to Open in Boston's Back Bay (and Other Locations Are Coming)
Francesca's Cafe in the South End Is Closing

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