Loretta's Last Call Is Opening in Former La Verdad Space in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

It looks like a new restaurant and bar is coming to the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, and this one will have some southern influences to it.

A couple of job posts within the Craigslist site indicate that a dining and drinking spot with "Southern Hospitality, Fried Chicken, Cold Beer & Country Music" will be opening on Lansdowne Street, and a Twitter post from someone who is involved with the place says that there is indeed an "Open call for ALL STAFF for a new #Country restaurant/bar." It looks like the spot could be opening in late May, though no exact address has been given as of yet.

[May 14 update: Universal Hub is reporting that the name of the new dining and drinking spot will be Loretta's Last Call, and (pending city approval) it will move into the space at 1 Lansdowne Street where La Verdad had been until closing over the winter.]

[June 17 update: According to a post on the UrbanDaddy site, Loretta's Last Call may be opening by the end of this week.]

[June 20 update: According to @BostonTweet, Loretta's Last Call opens today.]

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

New Restaurant Planned for Pan Asia Space in South Boston

The restaurant group behind several dining and drinking spots in the Boston area is looking to open another one across the street from one of their places in South Boston.

Universal Hub is reporting that Michael Conlon of Eat Drink Laugh is eyeing the space on West Broadway where Pan Asia has been, with the plan being to possibly open a casual neighborhood tavern there. The spot--which does not yet have a name--would be across the street from the Lincoln Tavern, which Conlon opened in the fall of 2012. The Boston Licensing Board will decide tomorrow whether to approve of Conlon's plans to buy the Pan Asia space as well as its liquor license.

In addition to the Lincoln Tavern, the East Drink Laugh group also runs The 21st Amendment, The Blarney Stone, The Paramount, and West on Centre.

The address for Pan Asia (and the proposed dining and drinking spot from Eat Drink Laugh) is 414 W Broadway, Boston, MA, 02127.

Tweet

Read More

Legal on the Mystic Is Coming to Somerville's Assembly Row

It looks like the folks behind a number of seafood restaurants in the Boston area (and beyond) are going to be opening yet another dining spot, and this one will be within a brand new complex in Somerville.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Legal on the Mystic will open at Assembly Row, a mixed-use development that is located just off Route 93 between the Charlestown line and Route 28. This is just part of a rapid expansion from Legal Sea Foods, with a new Legal's opening this week within the new Terminal B connector at Logan Airport and a spot called Legal Oysteria coming to the former Olives space in Charlestown. (Another new restaurant called Legal Crossing opened at Millennium Place in downtown Boston last month.

The article mentions that Legal on the Mystic is expected to open sometime this summer.

[May 12 update: A new article in The Boston Globe says that Legal on the Mystic is hoping to open in July.]

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Top Chef Is Coming to Boston for Season 12

The recent rumors of a food-based reality show coming to Boston have come true.

The Boston Globe is reporting that the 12th season of "Top Chef" will be filmed in and around the city this spring and early summer, with the Bravo show looking to film in Boston and along the coast (a couple of spots mentioned include Fenway Park and Plimoth Plantation). Two years ago, rumors had also been swirling about the show coming to the city, but Season 10 ended up being filmed in Seattle.

As mentioned in the article, "Top Chef" has featured some local folks on the show, including Tiffani Faison of Sweet Cheeks and Michael Schlow of Tico, Alta Strada, and Via Matta. Stephanie Cmar of Stacked Donuts and Kristen Kish (formerly of Menton) are two other chefs who have been on the show.

The website for Top Chef can be found at http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef

Tweet

Read More

Committee (Mediterranean Restaurant) Is Coming to Boston's Fan Pier

It looks like a new Mediterranean restaurant is on its way to the Boston waterfront.

Universal Hub is reporting that George Aboujaoude of Cafeteria in the Back Bay and the Bijou Nightclub in the Theatre District will be opening Committee at the Fan Pier development, with the dining spot featuring meze (small plates/appetizers) and "hand-crafted" cocktails. The restaurant is part of a buildout of Fan Pier, which will also become home to a Starbucks and a daycare center.

If all goes as planned, Committee could be opening sometime this fall, according to UH.

The address for Committee will likely be 1 Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02210.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Daisy Buchanan's in the Back Bay of Boston to Close This Fall

Earlier this year, we had reported that a popular Back Bay bar was facing the possibility of foreclosure or being sold, and now it has been confirmed that the latter has happened, which means the place will be closing down.

The Boston Herald is reporting that Daisy Buchanan's on Newbury Street has been sold to UrbanMeritage, with principal Michael Jammen saying that the watering hole will likely close in early October or early November when the Red Sox season is over. In February, it was learned that Daisy's owner Joseph P. Cimino was looking at a possible foreclosure auction in early March, though the auction was postponed a couple of times before word finally came that the place--along with the property next door at 41 Fairfield Street--had been sold.

[May 1 update: According to a new article in The Boston Globe, Daisy Buchanan's may remain open after all, with a rep for the bar's owner saying "The building has been sold, but Daisy's is not closing...They will continue to serve their hot dogs, hamburgers, and Chardonnay." This seems to conflict with the information given by UrbanMeritage. (Expect more updates as soon as we find out the exact status of Daisy's.)]

Daisy Buchanan's has been in business since 1970.

The address for Daisy Buchanan's is 240 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

Tweet

Read More

Fuji to Open at Assembly Row in Somerville

The group behind several Asian restaurants in the Boston area is going to be opening another dining spot, with this one being within a new development in Somerville.

The Assembly Row Facebook page mentions that Fuji is planning to open at the new mixed-use development located just off Route 93 along the Mystic River, with an earlier article from ABG Commercial Advisors saying that the dining spot will focus on Chinese stir-fry. In addition to three wok stations, the new location of Fuji will also have a couple of sushi bars as well, according to the article.

[May 12 update: The Boston Globe says that the new location of Fuji at Assembly Row is hoping to open sometime in July.]

Fuji will be run by the folks who also operate Fuji in Cambridge's Kendall Square along with Fuji 1546, Bistro Chi, Kama Lounge, B-Cafe, Shabu Restaurant, and Yocha, all of which are in Quincy.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Paul Bakery to Open at Somerville's Assembly Row

A chain of French bakery-cafes that is opening an outlet in downtown Boston is now planning to open another shop at a new development in Somerville.

According to Assembly Row's Facebook page, Paul will be opening a branch at the new mixed-use development that is located off Route 93 just north of Boston. It looks like the bakery will be its second locations in the area, with one coming soon to One Boston Place where the Irish pub Four Green Fields used to be, though there has also been talk of locations of Paul possibly coming to Burlington, Natick, and elsewhere in Boston as well.

[May 11 update: The Boston Globe states that the Assembly Row location of Paul is planning to open sometime in September.]

Paul first opened in France in 1889, with approximately 500 location now found in a number of countries, including a handful of locations in the United States (in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Florida). Its website can be found at http://www.paul-usa.com/

[Earlier Article]
Paul (French Bakery-Cafe) Is Opening in Boston

Tweet

Read More

Tony C's Sports Bar to Open at Assembly Row in Somerville

The group behind several restaurants and bars in Boston is going to be opening a sports-themed dining and drinking spot within a new development in Somerville.

According to the Facebook page for Assembly Row, Tony C's Sports Bar  will open at the mixed-use development just off of Route 93, joining another upcoming location of the spot that is coming soon to 3rd Ave, a retail area in the middle of the Northwest Park development in Burlington. Based on the description of the Burlington location from an earlier article here, the new Tony C's will likely feature moderately-priced comfort food and a HD audiovisual system, with an atmosphere geared toward sports fans, families, and office workers.

The company behind Tony C's--The Cronin Group--also operates Atlantic Beer Garden, The Boston Beer Garden, Jerry Remy's, Temazcal, and The Whiskey Priest.

[Earlier Article]
Tony C's to Open at Burlington's 3rd Ave Complex (in Northwest Park)

Tweet

Read More

Kam Man in Boston's South Bay Has Closed; Status Unknown

It looks like an Asian supermarket just south of downtown Boston has closed, and it is not known whether it will be reopening.

A veteran Chowhound poster mentions that Kam Man at the South Bay shopping center is apparently shuttered, with the building being fenced off. A phone call placed to their store in Quincy seems to confirm this, with the person simply saying that it is "closed." There is chatter that a Dollar Tree could be moving into the space, possibly even sharing the building with a smaller Kam Man, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

Kam Man, which first started out in 1972, has stores in New York City and New Jersey, as well as in Quincy.

The address for Kam Man in South Bay is 101 Allstate Road, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

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

Tweet

Read More

Highlights for the Week Ending April 25, 2014

Several more stories and articles focusing on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including an Asian eatery opening in back of a liquor store in Cambridge, a popular event featuring bacon and beer coming to Boston, and a cupcake shop in Somerville moving up the road. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included an updated review of a Turkish restaurant in Brookline, a blog entry on two more Pinterest food boards, and a photo of cookies from a bakery in Boston's North End.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Bao Nation Coming to the Back of Libby's Liquor Market in Cambridge's Central Square

2014 Bacon and Beer Festival to Be Held in Boston on June 7

Jersey Mike's Subs May Be Expanding to Boston

Clover Food Lab May Take Over Hi-Fi Pizza Space in Cambridge's Central Square

Kickass Cupcakes in Somerville to Move Its Retail Space

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Updated Review: Brookline Family Restaurant in Brookline, MA

Photo: Sicilian Pizza from Italo Bakery in Medford, MA

Two More Pinterest Boards: Breakfast Items, Soup

Question: Who Makes the Best Steak and Cheese/Cheesesteak in the Boston Area?

Photo: Anise Cookies from Bova's Bakery in Boston, MA

Tweet

Read More

Taste of the Nation Boston Taking Place April 29, 2014

A tasting event that raises money to fight hunger among children returns to Boston this week, and as always, a number of restaurants will be participating.

On Tuesday, April 29, Taste of the Nation Boston will be held at Cruiseport (at Black Falcon Pier on the South Boston Waterfront), with the event starting at 7:00 PM for general admission and 6:00 for VIP. This year, Honorary Chefs Jody Adams, Joanne Chang, Gordon Hamersley, Andy Husbands, and Tony Maws along with more than 60 area chefs will be at the event, with food, beer, wine, and spirits available.

Ticket prices for the 2014 Taste of the Nation cost $95 for general admission and $150 for VIP, with all proceeds going to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger.

For more information on this event, please go to the following link:

http://ce.strength.org/events/taste-nation-boston

Tweet

Read More

Uno Fresco to Open in Stoneham

A Boston-based chain of restaurants that feature deep-dish pizza is planning to open a version of its fast-casual concept a few miles north of the city.

The Stoneham Independent is reporting that Uno Restaurant Holdings is going to be opening Uno Fresco in Stoneham, with the eatery taking over the space in the Redstone Plaza where Baja Fresh had been. The article implies that Uno Fresco may be similar to Uno Due Go, which Uno Restaurant Holdings opened in Boston's Downtown Crossing in the fall of 2011; both spots focus on lunch and lighter dinners (as opposed to Pizzeria Uno's menu, which features Chicago-style deep dish pizza), including such items as salads, panini, and pizza.

According to the article--which was posted last month--Uno Fresco could be opening in May or June.

[June 2 update: A press release sent indicates that Uno Fresco opens its doors on Wednesday (June 4); the release also says that this is the very first location of the new Uno Fresco concept, though it does seem somewhat similar to Uno Due Go.]

The address for this upcoming eatery in Stoneham is: Uno Fresco, 101 Main Street, Stoneham, MA, 02180.

Thanks to The Passionate Foodie for bringing this to our attention.

Tweet

Read More

Kyotoya in Stoneham Closes; Replaced by Shabu Sai

A Japanese restaurant north of Boston has closed its doors and has been replaced by a new dining spot that also tends to focus on Japanese fare.

A note from The Passionate Foodie indicates that Kyotoya in Stoneham is gone, with Shabu Sai moving into the Montvale Avenue space. It appears that the new restaurant offers sushi and Japanese dishes, along with some Chinese and Thai fare as well, and based on its name, it could also be serving hot pot, though this has not been confirmed as of yet.

Kyotoya was a dining spot that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) featured as a little-known place to get sushi and Japanese dishes. A review of the restaurant can be found at the link below:

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

The address for the now-closed Kyotoya (and now-open Shabu Sai) is 58 Montvale Avenue, Stoneham, MA, 02180.

Tweet

Read More

OpenTable's Picks for Best Brunch Restaurants in America for 2014 Include Two Boston Restaurants

An online restaurant reservations provider has come out once again with its Diners' Choice awards for best brunch restaurants in America, and this time around, two dining spots in Boston have been included.

According to MarketWatch, OpenTable's Diners' Choice Awards for the 100 best restaurants for brunch in the United States includes Cafe Fleuri on Franklin Street in the city's Financial District and South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue. The list of best brunch restaurants comes from more than 5 million reviews for approximately 19,000 dining spots from OpenTable diners between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

While a number of restaurants in New York made OpenTable's brunch list, only one other eatery in New England was included within it--the Pond House Cafe in West Hartford, CT.

For a complete list of OpenTable's best brunch restaurants for 2014, please go to the following link:

OpenTable Restaurant Reviews Reveal the Top 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America

Tweet

Read More

Chacarero Closes Its Prudential Center Location in Boston's Back Bay

A pair of Chilean sandwich shops in Boston is now down to just one, as it has shuttered its newer location in the Back Bay.

Universal Hub is reporting that the outlet of Chacarero within the food court at The Shops at Prudential Center is now closed after being in business for less than a year. The post indicates that the eatery may have shut down on Friday, with the apparent reason for its closure being business that wasn't up to expectations. The existing location of Chacarero on Arch Street remains open.

Chacarero began as a pushcart in Downtown Crossing about 20 years ago, eventually moving to a takeout space in the former Filene's building nearby before opening shops on Province Street and Arch Street (the Province Street location is no longer in operation). The dining spot is known mostly for its sandwiches with grilled steak, chicken, and veggie options, though it also offers empanadas, sweet oven-fried potatoes, rice pudding, and breakfast items. The website for the original location is at http://www.chacarero.com/

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Two Farm-to-Table Restaurants Coming to West Concord

Last summer, we reported that a farm-to-table restaurant was planning to open in West Concord, and now we have learned that not one, but two such dining spots (which will be unrelated) will be opening in this section of town.

The Concord Journal is reporting that Woods Hill Table will be opening in the Commonwealth Avenue space where the West Concord Supermarket had been, while Saltbox Kitchen will also be opening on the same street nearby. The article says that the former will be run by Kristin Canty, who owns a farm in Bath, NH, while the latter will be owned by Ben Elliott, who has worked in restaurants in both San Francisco and Boston (including No. 9 Park).

It appears that Woods Hill Table and Saltbox Kitchen could both be opening sometime in the fall.

[Earlier Article]
Farm-to-Table Restaurant Proposed for Former West Concord Supermarket Space

Tweet

Read More

Omni Foods Supermarkets in Weston Is Closing

A grocery store in a western suburb of Boston is closing after being in business for a quarter century.

The Weston Town Crier is reporting that Omni Foods Supermarkets in Weston is shutting its doors, with the general manager of the store indicating that "economics" is playing a role in its closing. The market, which is located off Route 20 in the center of town, has not given a specific closing date yet, though it appears that it could be shutting down very soon.

The article mentions that there has been chatter around town about a Roche Bros. possibly moving into the Omni space, though for now, these are only rumors.

The address for this soon-to-close grocery store in Weston is: Omni Foods Supermarkets, 21 Center Street, Weston, MA, 02493.

Tweet

Read More

Raider Tavern Plans to Open in Former Orchard Park Grill Space in Watertown

A couple of years ago, we reported that a decades-old dining and drinking spot in Watertown may be closing and/or sold. Now we have learned that a new restaurant and bar is looking to open in that space.

A note from Eat.Live.Blog indicates that the Raider Tavern is planning on opening on Waverley Avenue where the Orchard Park Grill used to be. The note mentions that the new spot will apparently be a family-style pub, while a Licensing Board page within the Town of Watertown website says that it will focus more on food than its predecessor had. It appears that the Raider Tavern may be opening sometime over the next month or so.

The Orchard Park Grill first opened in 1950, with the place being known mainly as a neighborhood watering hole.

The address for this upcoming restaurant and bar in Watertown is: Raider Tavern, 208 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA, 02472.

[Earlier Article]
Orchard Park Grill in Watertown May Be Closing (Or Sold)

Tweet

Read More

Chinese Mirch to Open in Boston

A Chinese/Indian restaurant with one location in the MetroWest area and another in New York City is going to be opening third outlet in a busy section of Boston.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Licensing Board page on the City of Boston website) that Chinese Mirch is planning to open on Mass. Ave, near Symphony Hall where a location of Sebastians had been until closing in the fall of 2012. The article mentions that the new dining spot is hoping to include a 36-seat patio as well as indoor seating and apparently a bar area. Once it opens, the new Chinese Mirch will join another branch on Route 9 in Framingham as well as one on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. (Another location in Stamford, CT, has closed because the building in which it resided has been torn down; it is hoping to relocate.)

Chinese Mirch, which first started out in New York in 2003, features dishes that mix Indian herbs and spices with Chinese-style cooking.

The address for this upcoming Chinese/Indian restaurant in Boston is: Chinese Mirch, 251 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115. Its website can be found at http://www.chinesemirch.com/

Tweet

Read More

Bao Nation Coming to the Back of Libby's Liquor Market in Cambridge's Central Square

It looks like the group behind several Boston-area restaurants will be opening a new dining spot in Cambridge, and this one will be in the back section of a liquor store.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Chowhound) that Bao Nation is going to open within Libby's Liquor Market in Central Square, with the fast-casual eatery featuring Asian bun sandwiches and dumplings. The sign posted on Chowhound mentions that the dining spot will present a "unique twist" on Taiwanese gua bao, or pork belly buns, using "flavors and ingredients ranging from various parts of Asia."

[June 12 update: According to its Facebook page, it looks like Bao Nation is planning to open around the end of June. (Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.]

One World Cuisine owns Libby's Liquor Market (and the upcoming Bao Nation) as well as Shalimar grocery store and Dosa Factory next door (which has a similar setup, with the dining spot being in the back of the market). Other businesses run by the group include Kashmir in Boston's Back Bay, Bukhara in Jamaica Plain, Mela in the South End, and Diva in Somerville's Davis Square.

The address for Bao Nation is 575 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website will be at http://baonation.com/

Tweet

Read More

UPDATE: 2014 Bacon and Beer Festival to Be Held at the House of Blues in Boston, August 10

[ED NOTE: The 2014 Boston Bacon and Beer Festival, which was to be held on June 7 at the Landmark Center in the Fenway--but had been postponed--is now on again at a new venue.]

A popular event that features two very popular food and drink items is returning to Boston once again.

On Sunday, August 10, the 2014 Boston Bacon and Beer Festival will take place from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the House of Blues on Lansdowne Street in the Fenway section of the city. This is year five of the event, and as always, it will be raising money for hunger relief organizations Community Servings and Lovin' Spoonfuls. The event page mentions that more than 60 restaurants and brewers will be participating this year.

More information will be coming, so keep checking back for updates; the Facebook page for the event is below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1421916541408499/

Tweet

Read More

Jersey Mike's Subs May Be Expanding to Boston

A New Jersey-based chain of sub shops is planning a major expansion, and it looks like Boston could be a part of it.

The GlobeSt.com site is reporting that Jersey Mike's Subs is seeking franchisees right now in Boston as well as New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, northern California and states in the Rocky Mountain region, with the plan being to open 200 new shops this year. The chain, which started from a single store in 1956 in Point Pleasant, NJ, features both hot and cold subs made to order, with options including cheese steaks, meatballs and cheese, chicken parm, tuna, Italian subs, turkey, roast beef, and more. Sub sizes at Jersey Mike's are Mini (5 inches), Regular (7 inches), and Giant (14-15 inches).

The website for Jersey Mike's Subs can be found at https://www.jerseymikes.com/

Tweet

Read More

Waltham Food and Wine Festival to Take Place Tonight (April 23, 2014)

A food and drink event is returning to a western suburb of Boston again tonight, and once again, a number of local dining spots will be participating.

An email sent indicates that the 22nd Annual Waltham Food & Wine Festival will take place at the Westin Hotel on 3rd Avenue starting at 6:00 PM, with the focus once again being on the city's roots in the textile industry. Food and wine will be offered by such spots as The Chateau, City Streets, Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions, Pizzi's Farm, Solea, and many others, and there will also be music at the event.

Tickets to the 2014 Waltham Food & Wine Festival cost $50 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, a non-profit organization that looks to preserve the area's industrial heritage while encouraging future innovation in the United States.

For more information on this event, please go to the following link:

http://www.walthamfoodandwine.com/

Tweet

Read More

Radio in Somerville May Be Closed for Good

It looks like a music club in Somerville that has been closed since last fall may be shuttered for good.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a Licensing Commission page) that the liquor license for Radio on Somerville Avenue may be transferred to Two Three Zero, which is the event space for Paint Nite, a painting party spot located a bit further east on Somerville Avenue in Union Square. Radio first took over the space where Club Choices had been in October of 2011, with an earlier article on the Vanyaland site saying that an electrical fire closed the place last November due to water damage from the sprinkler system. There had been hope that the music club might reopen, but now that seems to be in doubt.

The address for this now-closed music club in Somerville was: Radio, 379 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

Tweet

Read More

Angelo's Coal Fired Pizza Planning to Open in Quincy

It looks like a new pizza spot could be opening in the downtown section of Quincy, and it would be moving into the space where a couple of other restaurants had been.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Angelo's Coal Fired Pizza is planning to open in the former Remick's/Finian's space on Hancock Street, with a Board of License Commissioners page on the City of Quincy website confirming this. Little other information can be found on the proposed eatery other than the fact that the manager's name is Patrick Cross, which is also the name of one of the owners of The Thirsty Scholar Pub in Somerville, though it is not known if this is the same person.

Remick's, which was an upscale comfort food spot, closed in the Hancock Street space in the summer of 2013 after being in business for a bit more than two years. (Marc Orfaly of the now-closed Pigalle in Boston had been one of three people behind Remick's opening.) Finian's had been in the space before Remick's, with that family-friendly spot first opening in 1983.

Tweet

Read More

Clover Food Lab May Take Over Hi-Fi Pizza Space in Cambridge's Central Square

It looks like the people behind a number of vegetarian food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants in the Boston area may be opening a new spot in one of Cambridge's busiest neighborhoods, and it would be taking over the space where a pizza place and sub shop had been for more than 40 years.

Cambridge Day is reporting that Clover is eyeing the space in Central Square where Hi-Fi Pizza & Subs was until closing in March, with the article saying that it could be a 24-hour restaurant if the city gives its approval. The proposed Mass. Ave. eatery would join other brick-and-mortar locations of Clover in Inman Square, Harvard Square, and Kendall Square in Cambridge, and in Brookline and Burlington, along with a number of Clover food trucks set up in the Boston area as well.

The address for the proposed Clover restaurant in Central Square would be 496 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Kickass Cupcakes in Somerville to Move Its Retail Space

A cupcake bakery on the eastern edge of the Davis Square section of Somerville is going to be moving up the road a bit, going to the site where its bakery operations currently resides.

Eater Boston is reporting that Kickass Cupcakes will be closing its shop at 378 Highland Avenue after April 30, and it will be moving a bit less than a mile east to 199C Highland Avenue, which is where its bakery space has been since branching off from the original storefront in the summer of 2012. It is not known exactly when the move will be completed, so keep checking back for updates.

[May 1 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Kickass has officially moved, with the retail shop going from 378 Highland Avenue in Davis Square to 199C Highland Avenue by the Armory.]

Kickass Cupcakes first opened in 2007, offering a variety of cupcakes made from scratch every day in small batches. Its website can be found at http://www.kickasscupcakes.com/

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Royal Bengal Reopens in Somerville

An Indian restaurant in Cambridge that closed late last year has reopened in Somerville.

According to its website, Royal Bengal, which had been located on Mass. Ave. just east of Central Square, is now open once again on Medford Street toward the southern edge of Winter Hill. The restaurant had closed in the late fall of 2013 after being open for nearly 15 years in its Cambridge space, with the plan being for Darwin's Ltd. to possibly open at that site at some point.

It looks like Royal Bengal reopened on or around April 2.

The address for the new location of Royal Bengal is 364 Medford Street, Somerville, MA, 02145. Its website can be found at http://www.bengalicafe.com/

Thanks to a poster on Chowhound for bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Darwin's May Be Opening a New Location in Royal Bengal Space in Cambridge

Tweet

Read More

Serafina in Concord Has Closed Again (This Time for Good)

An Italian restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston has closed for the second time in the past year, and this time it won't be reopening.

An email sent from a reader indicates that Serafina in Concord is no longer in operation, with an article in the Concord Journal confirming this, saying that the owner lost the lease after being unable to come to terms with the landlord on the Sudbury Street space. The article says that the owner and his wife will focus on their other restaurant--Sierra's on North Road in Sudbury--with the focus being on a more eclectic menu there.

Serafina and Sierra's had both closed last April due in part to the rough economy, though both dining spots ended up reopening, with Serafina opening in the summer and Sierra's opening in the fall.

The address for the now-closed Serafina in Concord was 195 Sudbury Road, Concord, MA, 01742.

[Earlier Articles]
Serafina in Concord and Sierra's in Sudbury Have Closed
Serafina in Concord and Sierra's in Sudbury Are Reopening

Tweet

Read More

Highlights for the Week Ending April 18, 2014

A few more stories and articles centering on the Boston-area restaurant scene came out over the past week, including a popular dining spot in Cambridge's Central Square that is going to be sold, a well-known donut shop possibly expanding, and a burger restaurant with three well-known brothers behind it coming to the Fenway section of Boston. In addition, our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) included a new review of a bar pizza spot in a very unusual location, a question on the best corned beef hash in the Boston area, and a photo of spanakopita from a new Greek eatery west of the city.

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

Boston Restaurant Talk

Rendezvous in Cambridge's Central Square to Be Sold

Kane's Donuts in Saugus May Be Expanding

Ocean Club at Marina Bay in Quincy May Be Replaced by Luxury Homes

Wahlburgers to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Kings in Burlington Heavily Damaged by Fire

Boston's Hidden Restaurants

New Review: Hoey's Pizza in Randolph, MA

Photo: Coffee Oreo Ice Cream from Soc's in Saugus, MA

Boston-Area Restaurant Closings and Openings for April, 2014 (So Far)

Question: Best Corned Beef Hash in the Boston Area?

Photo: Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) from My Other Kitchen in Belmont, MA

Tweet

Read More

Pasta E Pomodoro in Boston's North End Has Apparently Closed

It looks like an Italian restaurant in the North End of Boston may have closed its doors.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Pasta E Pomodoro appears to be shuttered, and a check on the place over the weekend seemed to confirm this, with the entire interior cleaned out and a ladder sitting in the middle of the space. Multiple phone calls placed to the dining spot were unable to go through and OpenTable says that the restaurant could not be found, though its website is still up and running.

As soon as we find out what might be happening to the Pasta E Pomodoro space, we will post an update here.

The address for this now-closed restaurant in the North End was: Pasta E Pomodoro, 120 Salem Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Update: Rendezvous in Cambridge's Central Square Is Being Sold; Viale to Replace It

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 22, May 6, and June 19 to reflect new information given.]

A restaurant in the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge that has been in business for nine years is being sold.

An email sent today indicates that "After nine wonderful years in Central Square, chef/owner Steve Johnson is moving on from Rendezvous and has agreed to sell the restaurant to the team of Greg Reeves and Mark Young." This announcement was made today via a joint statement from Steve and the buyers. Steve added that "Rendezvous will continue to be open for business as usual until late June when the two parties expect the transaction to be finalized. Steve and the Rendezvous staff would love to have an opportunity to say 'Thank you' to the restaurant's friends over the next few months." Following the sale, Steve plans to spend more time in Westport, MA, his second home for many years, and is pursuing a new restaurant project in Tiverton, RI.

The new owners, Greg Reeves, (formerly of Upstairs on the Square, B&G Oyster/Butcher Shop and Green Street), and Mark Young of Green Street and Spoke Wine Bar are "excited about the opportunity of taking over a great restaurant in the lively Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge. We respect the business that Steve and his team have built, and are enthused about the challenge of filling some very big shoes." Reeves and Young are planning on using the existing wood-fired grill for a Mediterranean themed menu focused on local ingredients and housemade pastas. Beverages will focus on Old & New World wines, artisanal beer, and an in-depth cocktail program. The restaurant will close temporarily for minor renovations after the sale is finalized, and reopen late summer/early fall.

[April 22 update: The Boston Globe mentions that the new restaurant replacing Rendezvous will be called Viale.]

[May 6 update: A bit more info on Viale, which will replace Rendezvous--according to a License Commission General Hearing page within the City of Cambridge website, the upcoming restaurant is expected to have a capacity of 84, with proposed hours being 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM Monday through Saturday and 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Sundays.]

[June 19 update: A post by Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions (see below) during a food chat today indicates that the last day for Rendezvous will be June 25.]

Greg Reeves can be found on Twitter at @wordreeves.

The address for Rendezvous (and the upcoming Viale) is 502 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at http://www.rendezvouscentralsquare.com/

Thanks to @PatrickMBoston of Maguire Promotions for bringing this to our attention.

Tweet

Read More

Uyghur Kitchen Food Truck Coming to Boston

A new food truck is on its way to Boston, and it may just be the first of its kind in the entire country.

According to an article in eurasianet.org, Uyghur Kitchen is going to be debuting very soon on the streets of Boston, serving Uyghur-tyle kebabs that are placed on skewers or within wraps. The article says that the person behind the truck is Payzulla Polat, who is a professional musician attending the Berklee School of Music and comes from the Uyghur city of Urumqi, which is in the northwest section of China. Polat says in the post that there are no restaurants in New England that serve Uyghur food, and it appears that this will be the first food truck in the United States that offer this type of cuisine.

[April 22 update: Eater Boston states that the Uyghur Kitchen food truck debuts today, with it being set up at the Commander's Mansion in Watertown from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and Opera Place near Northeastern from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM today.]

According to the website for Uyghur Kitchen, the Uyghurs are "a Turkic people" with their language being written in "a modified Arabic script," and most Uyghurs being Sunni Muslims.

The website for the upcoming Uyghur Kitchen food truck can be found at http://uyghurkitchen.com/

Thanks to @ConciergeBoston for bringing this to our attention.

Tweet

Read More

Kane's Donuts in Saugus May Be Expanding

A popular donut shop north of Boston might be getting ready to expand.

Eater Boston is reporting (via Chowhound) that Kane's Donuts in Saugus is looking for folks to invest in or own new locations of their shop, with the store's website mentioning "plans for a regional rollout." The website has a contact form that allows people who are interested to give their information, with Kane's representatives getting back to them.

Kane's first opened in Saugus in 1955, offering a variety of donuts as well as items such as danish, cupcakes, muffins, croissants, brownies, turnovers, and their signature coffee rolls.

The address for this donut shop in Saugus is: Kane's Donuts, 120 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, MA, 01906. Its website can be found at http://www.kanesdonuts.com/

Tweet

Read More

Berkshire Farms Market Is Opening at Logan Airport in East Boston

A nonprofit organization that brings together a collection of food makers in the western part of the state (and New York) will be collaborating with a restaurant group to open a retail outlet at Logan Airport.

A press release sent today indicates that Berkshire Farm & Table is working with Tastes on the Fly to open Berkshire Farms Market in the new Terminal B connector of the airport in East Boston. The 1,200-square-foot grab-and-go shop will offer a variety of food and drink item from businesses in and around the Berkshires, including Berkshire Bark, Berle Farm, Fire Cider, Klara's Cookies, The Red Lion Inn, Sweet Brook Farm, and others. The release also says that a variety of Berkshire regional cookbooks will be sold in the shop as well.

Berkshire Farms Market is planning to open on April 30. (Its website can be found at http://www.berkshirefarmandtable.org/berkshire-farms-market/)

Tastes on the Fly also runs a couple of Boston Beer Works locations at Logan Airport as well as Dine Boston, Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill at Logan, and an upcoming location of Stephanie's.

Tweet

Read More

Ocean Club at Marina Bay in Quincy May Be Replaced by Luxury Homes

Last fall, we reported that a sprawling entertainment complex on the water just south of Boston had closed for the season early and that its exact status was unknown. Now we have more confirmation that it might never reopen--and could be replaced by a development that includes luxury housing.

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Ocean Club at Marina Bay in Quincy may become the site of a new housing development called the Boardwalk Residences at Marina Bay, which would include what appears to be high-end apartments, commercial space, and possibly a restaurant. The article mentions that the lease for the Ocean Club has not been renewed, and that its website has not listed any events for this season.

The Ocean Club at Marina Bay has been the site of several clubs over the years, including the Marina Bay Beach Club, WaterWorks, and The Tent. Quincy city council member Brian F. McNamee calls the place "one of the largest open-air nightclubs on the East Coast" in the Globe article.

Construction on the new project may begin sometime later this summer or in the early fall.

[June 19 update: A Facebook post from restaurateur Frank DePasquale (who was involved in the Ocean Club) confirms that the place is definitely closed; he also ends the post with a curious note, saying that "You will see another."]

The address for the site is 333 Victory Road, Quincy, MA, 02171.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

New Apartment Building Slated to Be Constructed at Elephant Walk Site in Boston; Restaurant Considering Options

It looks like a new building that houses apartments may be constructed in the Fenway section of Boston where a French and Cambodian restaurant currently resides, and the exact status of the dining spot is unclear at this point in time.

The Boston Business Journal is reporting that the Boston Redevelopment Authority will likely approve of the new apartment project on Beacon Street that would include the demolishing of the building where the Elephant Walk currently is. The article says that the restaurant has been offered a space in the new structure, though operations manager Richard Pile mentions that they may need to consider opening in another space due to the construction time of the new building. (It is not known whether this would be a third location while they wait for the Beacon Street location to reopen, or whether this would be a move.) The Elephant Walk also has a location on Mass. Ave. in North Cambridge.

The address for the Boston location of the Elephant Walk is 900 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

Thanks to Eater Boston for bringing this to our attention.

---

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

---

Tweet

Read More

Update: Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Chelmsford Is Closing; Will Open New Location in Woburn

[Ed note: This article was updated on April 27 to reflect confirmation that the restaurant will open a new location in Woburn.]

It looks like a highly-regarded Chinese dining spot north of Boston is closing, though it hopes to reopen in another location.

A poster on the Chowhound site mentions that Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Chelmsford is losing its home, saying that the town is taking over the land along Route 110 in order to build affordable housing (this has been confirmed in an earlier article from the Chelmsford Patch). The poster says that the restaurant will likely close sometime in May, and that the owner is looking for a new home for the eatery, possibly in Woburn--though he would like to remain in Chelmsford. The newer location of Gene's, which opened last summer in Boston's Financial District, remains open.

[April 27 update: The Boston Globe has confirmed that Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe will indeed be moving to Woburn, with the restaurant opening at 466 Main Street in mid-June. The article also says that a location of Gene's could be opening in another part of Chelmsford as well; as soon as we find out more about this, we will post another update here.]

[June 11 update: According to two posters on Chowhound, it appears that Gene's will close its Chelmsford shop this weekend, with one poster saying Saturday may be the last day while the other says it will be Sunday. It also looks like the new location in Woburn could be opening in approximately two weeks, though there is not a definite opening date as of yet.]

Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured the original Chelmsford location of Gene's as a place to go for its hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and more. The review can be found at this link:

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

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Chelmsford is: Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe, 257 Littleton Road (Route 110), Chelmsford, MA, 01824. Its website is at http://www.genescafe.com/

Tweet

Read More