Anthem Closed

[takeoutgirl]

Restaurant windows covered and website says they have sold the business. Sign on restaurant mentions a new place called Johnny's something or other. Anyone hear anything?

[sailormouth]

Weren't they the first to go non-smoking? I remember walking in there one night and it took me about 3 times to understand what the problem with my lit cigarette was.

Then I ordered a drink, sat there for two minutes and wondered why I bothered going there in the first place.

[TheScribe]

Oh, darn. I meant to go there for the fried Twinkie.

[MC Slim JB]

I guess the food at Anthem wasn't terrible, but the bartending usually was, which annoyed me at a place that styled itself a cocktail bar.

[marthayou]

Yes all the same group. Harp, shea's, etc are all owned by the same people. Anthem made the choice back in Feb that they would sell the location. They couldnt book private events, they barely got sports fans, only family sports fans, great for biz lunches and dinners, but that is about it.

They tried to amp up the nightlife and bring in DJ's downstairs and all. but it never worked.

Bummer, I will miss the fried twinkies, the pretty room, an upscale place near north station and I always liked the clip board menu.

[jsjs09812]

I had a really good tuna noodle casserole there once. No, really. And chalk it up to another opportunity missed - I had planned many times to go for the fried Twinkie and never did. Any other place in Boston I can find one if I choose to clog my arteries in such a deliciously sweet fashion?

[kobuta]

I mourn for their fried twinkie. Dinner otherwise was only ok, but the fried twinkie was incredible.

[Bostonbob3]

Hmm. Considering I work an entire block from there, I'm surprised I didn't notice this.

The food there was okay, actually. The Cubano was pretty good, as was the meatloaf.

I'll check out the sign at lunch and report back.

[Bostonbob3]

Here's what the sign said:

We'll reopen in the fall as "Johnny On The Side."

In the meantime, please join us at The Harp to sample our Anthem-inspired menu.

[hiddenboston]

Welp, according to Zagat Buzz, Jonnies on the Side is going to be a restaurant with a "sports-entertainment concept," whatever that means. Maybe it's going to be a sports bar? If so, that'll be nice, as that neighborhood is sorely lacking in those types of places. ;-b

[Bostonbob3]

Since it seems to be at least temporarily associated with The Harp, I'd guess, "sports entertainmernt concept" pretty much means Harp 2. Hopefully not, but we'll see.

And as Marc mentioned, that area has absolutely no sports bars, so it's badly needed. :))

[hiddenboston]

I believe they closed about a week ago (give or take). Not entirely sure what is going in there...

[twentyoystahs]

News to me, although I'm really not all that surprised. It's a large space and was never busy when I was in the area (except on event/game nights at the Garden..and even then, not that busy)

[hotoynoodle]

even then not so busy. the fact that the celtics and bruins rarely sell out anymore must really hurt businesses down there. anthem was not a good fit for that area anyway.

i had known it was going to close, but didn't think it would be missed.