February Openings and Closings

[hiddenboston]

So what restaurants are opening or closing this month? I've heard of a few, including Saus possibly opening (finally) over by Quincy Market, as well as Pronti Bistro in Needham, City Streets in Waltham (where Legends used to be), and Tico in the Back Bay (where Cottonwood Cafe used to be). As far as closings, Andros Diner in Belmont may be shutting down.

Others?

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Andros Diner
628 Trapelo Rd, Belmont, MA 02478

[gourmaniac]

I guess it's almost march so this may be better for the next post on this subject. I noticed a sign for Irashi Sushi and Teriyaki on Kneeland between Washington and Harrsion. Best hope is an Izakaya place that specializes in grilling in addition to sushi. Worst case is ...same old crap.

[66corvair]

Tres Gatos (fomerly rhythm and muse) is now open

[66corvair]

Sorry-thats on Centre St in JP

[scotty27]

It was written up in the Globe today.

[cookiezim]

Deno's pizza in Brookline on Cypress Street is closed. Looks like it's being replaced by a roast beef sandwich place.

[Allstonian]

Pollo el Chalan/El Cafetal in Allston has closed, and UChef has "For Rent" signs up, although I didn't notice whether they were still operating.

[myladyfae]

Drove by Qingdao, and it sure looked like it might be now open for buisness! Can anyone confirm?

[enhF94]

See the Qingdao updates thread, but yes, rumors say Qingdao is only waiting for regulatory approval.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/760358
http://community.livejournal.com/davi...

[Boston_Otter]

It opened on March 2.

[hiddenboston]

Does anyone live near (or has driven by) Select Cafe in Belmont? I believe it has closed, though still trying to confirm (someone told me there is a "For Rent/For Lease" sign in the window, and I tried to call but their phone seems out of service).

[bear]

I'm pretty certain that they closed. I'll try to check later on today when I'm in the area.

[hiddenboston]

Thanks. More and more, it is looking like this is the case. I may drive by it later today as well.

[bear]

Definitely closed. It was pretty empty with large For Sale signs in the windows. Too bad, although I'd only eaten there a couple of times. Food was simple and fresh and the owner had his heart in it. He may have just retired, though.

[hiddenboston]

Yeah, I drove over there yesterday to check it out and as you say, there are signs in all the windows.

[galleygirl]

Route 9 Needham, just before 128, across from Staples,
"Pronti Bistro", translating, roughly, to "fast, fast" in two languages; ha!
Workers were painting the Former FastSigns location with bright colors that caught my eye..

Route 9, Framingham, former Skipjacks location, "Ten-Something-Japanese", coming soon, sushi, Japanese fusion...

[Jenny Ondioline]

So after nearly two months of being dark (purportedly on a short vacation), one has to assume that the Lollicup in the HKM food court is no more. It's both a shame and a puzzle: they were one of the busiest stalls in there, so I can't imagine why they'd close. And as long as you stuck to the tea-based drinks and stayed away from the artificial-tasting and too sweet fruity things, they were pretty good.

Infusions Tea Spa has far better bubble tea, but it's much less convenient if you're looking for something to go with an order of two sides yellow with char siu and Chinese veg from Kantin.

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Infusions Tea Spa
110 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Lollicup
1095 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Kantin
1095 Commonwealth Ave Ste 203, Boston, MA 02215

[barleywino]

I like your literal translation "two sides yellow" for the pan fried crispy noodles ;)

[Jenny Ondioline]

It's my favorite thing they make there, but frustratingly, the way I like it isn't actually on the menu, so I have to go through a bit of a rigamarole every time: it's the pan-fried noodles, but with roast pork, Chinese vegetables (usually Chinese broccoli or some type of choy) and the appetizingly-named "brown sauce." It makes for a big ol' luscious mess of old-school Chinese-American carbohydrate comfort. While I'm very glad that we credible Shanghaiese, Dongbei and Taiwanese food within walking distance and solid Sichaun a short bus ride away, I do appreciate that Kantin offers decent versions of some of the old C-A favorites.

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Kantin
1095 Commonwealth Ave Ste 203, Boston, MA 02215

[galangatron]

lollicup is open

[Jenny Ondioline]

Oh good! Now I want bubble tea.

[kobuta]

Passed by a restaurant called Thelonious Monkfish that looked like it's ready to open in Central Square. Signs read it's a jazzy Asian fusion/ sushi themed restaurant. Was so amused by the name that I looked it up online tonight, and it's suppose to have opened tonight, but I don't recall seeing patrons in there.

They have a Facebook page with a web link, but website is not live yet. Some sites already even have a menu up, and it looks like an assortment of mainly Thai and Japanese themed dishes.

I usually avoid "Asian fusion" themed restaurants (scarred by the likes of Typhoon) but I'm so desperate for a reasonably close decent sushi option I might give it a try. Has anyone heard any thing else about this place (aside from awesomest name ever)?

[hckybg]

It is so absurd (and seemingly random) a name as to cross the line over into awesome territory.

[AdamGL]

Look up the name Thelonious Monk in jazz. He's one of the best composers, on par with the likes of Ellington and Mingus. He's a true giant among giants. No comment on the food, I'm an admitted jazz nut who doesn't care for raw fish.

[kobuta]

Being a huge jazz fan, I'll assume hckybg knows the reference. I think it's what makes it so great!

[hckybg]

Ha, yes I too am a huge jazz fan (and Asian food fan!) and of course get the reference...it is the fact that Thelonious Monk and Asian food having nothing to do with one another that amuses me so. It is no less random than having a bar called Mick Jaggermeister or a gym called Paul McCartwheel.

[Bob Dobalina]

I got it! The Car Talk Guys are silent partners in Theo. Monkfish!

[Beachowolfe]

Where is this Mick Jaggermeister's you speak of?

[hckybg]

Heaven.

[jgg13]

Is this the space that had the generic "ASIAN FUSION" sign up for a while? Down by the Phoenix?

[kobuta]

Yep, that's the one'

[jgg13]

Well, if nothing else, I like that it has an interesting name instead of just "ASIAN FUSION" :) I have a feeling that between the incoming floating rock, thailand cafe (until it gets knocked down) and mary chung that it won't be getting much of my business though

[cambridgedoctpr]

you might try sakayana in allston; the owner will prepare it for you though the place is a fish shop and not a restaurant. It is about a 10 minute drive from central square. Check about the status of the BU bridge as repairs are being done on it. It opened about one month ago.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Quickest route from Central Square to Brighton Ave is the Western Ave bridge -- the BU bridge would be completely out of the way.

As an enormous Monk fan, I am not at all certain how I feel about his name being used like this...for one thing, I think he was a vegetarian!

[kobuta]

Alas, I'm in Central Sq only during work, so it's a bit far for lunch. Plus I take the T in. But we will be moving closer to the BU bridge soon, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the proximity to Allston.

[BlueTrain84]

Heard from a friend that Wholy Grain is finally open in the South End! Can't find any hours listed on the website, but I will certainly be dropping by this week to see what they have.

[Jenny Ondioline]

I hadn't heard any word about this, but a discussion over on Universal Hub mentions that Cherry Bomb--the ill-fated cupcake place in Brighton Center that shot itself in the foot before it even opened by insulting its competitors on their Facebook page--has already shut its doors.

[Spenbald]

The website (http://www.cherrybombboston.com) seems to allude to this: "Cherry Bomb Bakery is a private dessert and pastry supplier." They don't seem to mention a retail space at all anymore.

[enhF94]

Cherry Bomb also refers to a brouhaha on CH that I can't find. Removed?

[kimfair1]

I was in Brighton Center the other day and noticed it closed. No big loss. The only time we tried their cupcakes, they were starting to go stale, and were pretty boring in terms of taste. Thankfully we got them half off with a groupon.

[AdamGL]

I heard that the Brighton Beer Garden will be closing

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Brighton Beer Garden
386 Market St, Brighton, MA 02135

[Beachowolfe]

did they ever open up da klub on the bottom floor of that place?

[AdamGL]

I think they did open the downstairs. I've never been down to see what it looks like. I stopped going here almost a year ago when they turned the menu into standard pub grub and lowered the food quality at the same time. This spot has always been difficult for restaurants. My guess is the mgmt has it's hands full with the Allston Tavern in the Square and it's #s are better than this location.

[opinionatedchef]

there's a grand opening sign up for Tacos Veracruz on the west side of Centre St. by Faulkner and Spalding.

[BarryP]

by Yucatan Tacos or replacing it?

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Yucatan Tacos
1417 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132

[opinionatedchef]

barry, i didn't write it down when i saw it (BIG mistake these days)and for some reason i alw get 'yucatan' and 'veracruz' mixed up. maybe it's the end of the alphabet thing; i don't know. anyway, yours is prob the correct name. sorry. have you tried it? if not, plse tell us when you do!

[Karasto]

There is a sign up in Union Square, Somerville for a Sushi place that's coming, next to Riverside Motorsports (scooter shop).

[emannths]

Looks like it'll probably be called Ebi Sushi. No other info of consequence at the moment. Here's the nascent thread on the place: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/766975

[Karasto]

ahh cool, thanks!

[BostonZest]

The gas station that houses Villa Mexico on Cambridge street near Mass General has been purchased and I heard today that Villa Mexico has to go. Any word on if they will relocate? We'd be losing a treasure. Love to get food from there and go over to the Esplanade and picnic.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

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Villa Mexico
296 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114

[Gordough]

Terrible news! I really hope they can find some space anywhere downtown. Do you know if the gas station is being demolished for a new building or do the new owners of the gas station just want her out?

[BostonZest]

I think it will be part of MGH. But, don't have details.

[jgg13]

I know that MGH has essentially run out of space on the main campus (the soon to be constructed new building is the very last plot they have, I was recently told), so that does make sense that they're trying to expand.

Considering how much of her biz comes from MGH, I suppose one could say that MGH giveth and MGH taketh away :)

[nsenada]

I'd recommend the Chacarero space on Province Street for new digs.

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Chacarero
26 Province St, Boston, MA 02108

[BostonZest]

great idea!

[hiddenboston]

The owner of Villa Mexico just sent me a message saying "Don't worry, dear....there is a possible move, meanwhile we're still here." I can't root for her enough--wherever she ends up, I'll definitely be there.

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Villa Mexico
296 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114

[jgg13]

I'll just deifnitely be there less, considering that my workplace is right across the street at the moment :)

Maybe they'll give her a little stand inside the hospital, that'd certainly top all of the cafeteria options!

[hiddenboston]

That's a helluva good idea. I'd be at the hospital more than some of the doctors!

[jgg13]

I did notice on the way in that the sign put up on the station that I'd never read before said that the first floor would have 2 retail spaces and the upper floors would be office. It's probably wishful thinking on my part, but perhaps the smiley that @VillaMexico used (is it Julie or her daughter?) implies that they've already got that retail space?

There's also the old spotted apron space that's been sitting empty for ages, not to mention the white hen and the video store.

[BostonZest]

Thanks so much for following up and thanks for the mention and the link in your piece. I know quite a few people on Beacon Hill who will be happy to hear this news. Now if the weather can keep up like today, we can head over to the park soon with tacos and burritos.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

[marcusnaz14]

Has anyone seen or tried Four Green Fields at One Boston Place?

http://www.fourgreenfields.com/

[Bob Dobalina]

I tried this place today with some colleagues. It's one huge high ceilinged room with a really long bar. The floor plan felt odd - just a lot of tables with no breaks...could really use some booths. It's also a cold feeling room, both temperature wise and visually. But then there are some strange idiosyncrasies. In the near corner, there is a separate room with a thatched-roof that houses lots of artwork - according to the waiter, the owner is a collector of Irish art, so presumably those were not Thomas Kincaids in there. There also seems to be a second floor bar...but we did not venture up there.

Food had some hits - some misses - My bacon cheeseburger was great in terms of the meat - properly and juicy medium rare - real good sear on the burger - bacon was in shards, but thick and well cooked. But then they put it on a pale, soft seeded bun that was straight out of the bag and almost smaller than the patty. Why? And of two slices of plum tomato, one was clearly pale and mealy. Did the same person who cooked the patty do the dressing?

Looking over at other tables, we wisely avoided the regular fries in favor of sweet potato fries and onion rings - both appeared to be house cut and battered from the real things.

One colleague had the crab cake sandwich (on the same meh bun) and she thought they were pretty standard issue restaurant crabcakes - nothing to write home about.

Our third colleague had the true winner - a salmon melt, which was a very generous thick piece of salmon that had been grilled and then dressed on nice thick toasted slices of a wheaty looking bread. The salmon was the same price as the other sandwiches (9-10) and looked great.

It's a tough location tucked in that corner over there....need more signage out in front of the building.

[nsenada]

I worked in that building up until a few months ago - any data points on their Guinness pouring prowess?

[Beachowolfe]

they pour it down the side of the glass until about 3/4 full, let it sit, and then fill the glass.

[Bob Dobalina]

I will do my best to gather more data as soon as possible.

[Stride]

Not exactly a closing, but Brunello Bistro in Somerville appears to have discontinued its brunch and lunch hours.

[hiddenboston]

Uh oh. Hopefully I didn't gowdy the place by picking up "Citizen Somerville" today. That area needs some decent restaurants.

[FoodDabbler]

This is both an opening and a closing, but Blue Fin in the Porter Exchange is (we were told) under new ownership. It certainly has a new menu this week. Gone is the colorful, idiosyncratic, laminated one. In its place has come a staid, conventionally organized, cardboard one with fake leather covers. Worse, gone are the interesting "set" meals (salmon, mackerel, etc.) that gave you a couple of pieces of grilled fish, rice, some pickled veggies, salad, tofu with bonito flakes, etc., for a reasonable price. There's still tatsu age, the fried chicken app., but it's now greasier, breadier, and less-tastier (based on one visit last night). There are some new dishes, but one we tried, a pork belly affair in slit steamed buns, was only so-so. I've had much better at Momofuku.

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Blue Fin
1815 Massachusetts Ave # 1, Cambridge, MA

[myladyfae]

This makes me supremely SUPREMELY sad, though not entirely surprised. My office is, quite literally, below Blue Fin (in the lower level of porter exchange) and I often would go there for the lunch sets. I loved that you could get a little of everything!

I believe Blue Fin was owned by one of the partner owners of the Kotobukiya market however, and with his partner's businesses closed, he may have decided to retire himself.

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Blue Fin
1815 Massachusetts Ave # 1, Cambridge, MA

[galangatron]

it's not quite as convenient as above your office but, if you really have a craving, blue fin has a sister restaurant on main street in middleton

[FoodDabbler]

Is that one staying the same, or has it too gone under new ownership and changed its menu?

[galangatron]

i don't know. haven't been to the one in middleton in years

[myladyfae]

yeah, Im afraid Middleton is a little off the beaten path for me :) Toraya will have to sate my sushi cravings...just on a much less regular basis!

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Toraya Restaurant
890 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

[galangatron]

there are also other stalls in the porter exchange food court that have good lunch sets. especially cafe mami and and tampopo

[myladyfae]

there definately are, and after 12 years I've pretty much been to all of them :)

The thing I liked about Blue Fin was their Sushi/Sashimi/tempura/shumai/salad/rice/miso combo. It was huge and oh so satisfying!

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Blue Fin
1815 Massachusetts Ave # 1, Cambridge, MA

[MC Slim JB]

Per Grub Street Boston, Sensing in the Fairmont Battery Wharf is closing. Its successor will be called Aragosta, an "Italian Mediterranean" restaurant, with new chef David Daniels, most recently of Topper's at the Wauwinent, which if he does something similar may suggest another very high price point.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Jenny Ondioline]

Surprised it lasted as long as it did...

[cindywho]

I haven't been in a few months, but will be sad to be down one Chacarero

http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com...

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Chacarero
101 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110

[Gabatta]

Chacarero has been on a downhill slide for several years based on my experiences. I'm not sure if it is lower quality ingredients or more careless preparation, or more likely a combination of both. There was a time when I would be torn between the Province Street lunch options, and actually favored Chacarero. For the past few years I have walked right past Chacarero to LaGrassas with barely a 2nd thought. Sad but true.

[Gordough]

The price of the sandwiches has also risen too steeply IMO. I seem to recall spending about $5 for a small in 2007 and now it's almost $8 for the same small.

[nsenada]

Agree on both scores - it is sad, but the quality has been slipping as the prices have gone above the $7 mark. I still crave them, and have them at least once a week, but I have noticed the lines on Province Street are nowhere near as long as they used to be. I almost like the sweet potato fries and dipping sauce better than the sandwich now. It could partially be a function of the crappy weather, but LaGrassa's always seems to pack 'em in.

[Bob Dobalina]

Province Street was very low visibility, too.
And I am among surely many people who no longer spend $7 or more on lunch, in favor of a Cliff Bar and a cup of water from the cooler.

[Marisa23]

Got a chance to eat at Tico, which is opening tomorrow. Tacos and tapas were very tasty. Atmosphere is hip. Looking forward to going back.

[southie_chick]

Driving by Woburn tonight, I saw a sign for The Sea Dog (can't miss it off the highway - it's a HUGE lighted sign), which looks like it's a "brew pub" (not sure if they brew anything there tho). It's in the Nichols Grill location ....... which wasn't open that long. Not sure if it's open, but I did see cars in the parking lot.
Also, Sullivan's at Castle Island will be open at the end of the month (I think on the 26th) - guess that means Spring's around the corner!

[LStaff]

Sea Dog beers at the Woburn "brewpub" are brewed at Shipyard. Yuck!!!

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

1. There is a sign hanging over a small storefront on Shawmut Ave. across from the Franklin that reads "The Wholly Grain: a little taste of heaven." Terrible name aside, it would be nice to have a bread bakery in the South End.

2. Bombay Cafe seems to be on its last legs. It never appears open. It may in fact be closed but I can't confirm. A shame considering the need for good/great Indian in the S.E. that isn't overpriced and the it deepens the pain of the closing of Pho, which was at the very least a good watering hole.

3. The coffee shop replacing Aroa on Washington looks nearly ready, in the limited glimpses I've gotten through the opening of the front door and over the papered windows.

[esnaguy]

Wholy grain won't bake on premises. They'll have hot & cold sandwiches, soups, salads and other stuff that's "good for you".

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

Is there another branch of this places somewhere?

[esnaguy]

Nope. Might be other similar places, but this is their one and only store.

[MC Slim JB]

Pretty sure the Wholy Grain folks are first-timers. In addition to the new external sign, there's a note on the door that says, "Opening soon."

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

MC, do you know what's going on with Bombay Club? Done?

[hckybg]

A friend attended a catered event last night and they provided the food, so that suggests they aren't gone.

[MC Slim JB]

I don't. But even if I did, I try to avoid commenting on rumored, unconfirmed closings. It is certainly no secret that the South End Bombay Club has never really taken off. But it has a lot of company in the neighborhood as a place that looks mostly empty from Sunday to Wednesday. Between the economy and the snow, I can't recall a grimmer time for the industry locally. Many more places will close in the coming months, I'm afraid.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[southie]

I appreciate that response. It was given with great finesse.

[MC Slim JB]

Bombay Club has closed.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[postemotional1]

Bombay Club is partly a victim of the increased availability of Indian food. 20 years ago Indian food was found in marginal areas such as Central Square, Cambridge .

Kebab 'n' Kurry on Mass. Ave thrived for years in a step down basement by the dubious virtue of being below ground. Funky!

Padma Lakshi was far in the future.

Today The Corner and the Prudential Mall food courts offer Indian food that is the equal of what was offered in the sit-down restaurants of 20 years ago.

The market for sit-down indian food is a small one at best. A snowy January is all that it takes to send a marginal operation into extinction.

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Bombay Club
57 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

[Uncle Yabai]

I think it was a bad decision to move out of Harvard Square and into more rarefied territory, where the demand for Indian food and the alternatives available made it much harder to succeed. Overreach, I think.

[postemotional1]

Yes!

[esnaguy]

Bombay not only now closed, it's bankrupt as well...

http://southend.patch.com/articles/bo...

[mangorita]

Gabby's Restaurant at 462 Quincy Ave in Braintree (former home of Giomatti's and that Pizza Party place) had their grand opening event on January 29th.

"Gabby's Restaurant & Lounge, the only Argentinian, Italian & American fusion restaurant on the the South Shore. We are a family owned and operated restaurant,"

Here's their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabbys-Restaurant-Lounge/151493651564494
and website: http://www.gabbysrestaurantandlounge....

I haven't checked it out yet. But am interested in trying out some of the Argentenian items on their menu.

[esnaguy]

While walking in our nice weather this weekend, saw Best Cellars wine store on Boylston was papered over and empty inside. Anyone know if it's a remodel/move/closing?

[Jenny Ondioline]

They moved some time back. I think there's a sign, but I forget where it said their new location was.

[esnaguy]

hmmm. I'd swear I just saw a tasting there all of 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, they web site overall has been left to languish for quite a while... Thanks for the info

[Allstonian]

You may be thinking of the liquor store in Coolidge Corner that had replaced the Best Cellars there some time ago - those folks moved last year, I think to a location somewhere on Route 9.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Ah, I believe you're right. Sorry about that.

[Madrid]

Floating Rock posted on their Facebook page Feb. 1 that they would open in Central Square in late Feb/early March. Also have a deal going on their gift cards while construction continues.

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Floating Rock
485 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

[viperlush]

It's like they are in competition with the Cambridge Library Central Square branch for who can delay their opening longer.

[femmevox]

Hilarious!

[maillard]

I guess this is more of a February non-opening... Qingdao Garden doesn't seem to be any closer to re-opening. I looked in a few days ago and it looked almost exactly the same as a month ago. Nobody was in there working. I'm starting to lose hope.

-----
Qingdao Garden Restaurant
2382 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

[Boston_Otter]

Thanks for the update. I noticed that their website's been taken offline as well. *sigh*

[maillard]

Yikes. This is really disappointing. Does renovation kill restaurants often? I wish I could help somehow. I'm pretty handy with a hammer and have lots of spare chairs in my basement...

[smtucker]

I have a drill, and would be most willing to assist.

[Bob Dobalina]

This appears to be a live website for them - http://allthetown.com/wl/home/qingdao...

[Boston_Otter]

Thanks, that's some hope, anyhow.

[devilham]

Sugar Bakery and Resteraunt has opened up in Roslindale, in the old Boschiettie (spelling?) location. Looks very pretty, and less than a block from my house, I hope to try it soon.

[devilham]

Quick follow up, had lunch here and had the reuban, it was pretty good, the space looks awesome and the service was good (which made sense, since it was an early lunch, and there were only a couple of people in there!). The rueban was on a marble rye, and they managed to have it not get soggy......which is awesome to me, I hates me a soggy reuban!

[devilham]

Okay, sorry to keep harping on it, but second follow up here. I got there egg sandwich today, and holy hell it was good! They make there own english muffins, and they are SO GOOD!!! I hope they sell them in the bakery part because the muffin was outstanding! The rest was pretty good too, egg did have it's yoke cracked (I prefer a running yoke, but to be honest, this is an industry standard, to crack the yoke that is) and I got american cheese (I know, I know, but I love it!!!), so you couldn't really mess that up. They did offer some more exotic cheeses for the sandwich though, and next time I might just take them up on it (manchego for example, I love that stuff!)

[Prav]

What's this Greek place, Akropolis, about, in Needham? It's in the same complex as Wild Willy's. Anyone know anything about it, or when it's opening?

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Wild Willy's
46 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472

[hiddenboston]

I think it's going to be called Acropolis with a "c." Other than the fact that it'll be at 1257 Highland Avenue, I don't know anything about it yet. Have you been by there lately? Look like it's close to opening?

[Prav]

I almost pulled in driving past it this afternoon, but I saw a "coming soon" sign - I will report back soon, as I work nearby. Would be interesting to have two Greek places, one on each side of Highland Ave / Needham st. :)

[Cachetes]

Does anyone remember the Greek place that used to be in Needham Center many years ago, at least through the mid-1990s? It was sort of near the square, maybe even on it. It may even still be there, for all I know, but I ended up going there many times with the parents of a friend, and I always wondered what happened to it.

[Desineguy]

That sounds like Four Stars. Sort of across from the town hall. I remember going there with my family a few times in the 1980s! The food was not that memorable for me (probably why we stopped going). It is now Fuji Steak House.

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Fuji Steak House
1430 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02492

[Cachetes]

That's it, thank you! And you are right, I don't remember the food being all that great, though the owner seemed like a nice guy.

[JoJo5]

Hi all,

I called Mulan yesterday to get an estimated opening date for the Waltham location but the response is still "We don't know yet". Boohoo

[copykat]

Thrillist just did a piece on Jalapenos in Allston in the old Our House location - does anyone know when it's officially opening? The company's website still says "Coming Soon," but it has to be very soon.

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Our House
1277 Commonwealth Ave, Allston, MA 02134

[Jenny Ondioline]

Dear lord. I just read that Thrillist piece. So...they'll just let anybody write for them, huh? That was so incoherent that even people on Yelp would find it poorly-written, and worst of all, I still have no idea what the food is actually going to be like. CH may have its tortilla-count obsessives, but it's a couple hundred times better than that!

[pemma]

Yes, it's like those Thrillist pieces are written in another language. They have to cram as many puns and hip references into run-on sentences as they can while making weird associations that have nothing to do with what they are talking about.

[MC Slim JB]

I like the local Thrillist guy's style, think he can be very witty, but the Jalapenos bit was a little opaque. It's a useful source for news of restaurant openings, regardless of whether the prose is to your taste.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[copykat]

Turns out Jalapenos in Allston opened yesterday!

[digga]

From the 77 bus today, I noticed that Prose in Arlington is papered over. Are they just doing renovations?

[lc02139]

Here is what was written in the advocate a while ago, closed.
http://arlington.patch.com/articles/p...

[Gabatta]

Peeking through the paper on the windows at the Al's State Street location in Holyoke Center (Harvard Square) yesterday it looks like they are finally moving on the build out there. There appeared to be a good amount of work yet to be done, but at least they are cranking. Hopefully soon.

Sadly, in a step in the wrong direction, a new Dominos location opened on furniture row (Corner of Ellery and Mass Ave) outside of Harvard Square. Sad are the realities of chain economies of scale which allow Dominos to open while Il Pannino closed a few doors down not too long ago.

[Bob Dobalina]

But did Il Panino deliver in 30 minutes or less? ;)

Sort of tongue in cheek there but I am more surprised there has not been one there sooner, given the demands of hard working college students.

[ChefJune]

There's GOT to be better pizza around the corner... any corner. Domino's is vile.

[itaunas]

I think the big difference is neither Il Panino or Angelo's have particularly late hours, although Pinocchio's does which draws plenty of college students. Panino did when they opened but was more dinner oriented then. Cindarella's and Dial a Pizza don't have good pizza, but deliver and deliver late so people order them. HiFi in Central still draws lines, well, late at night.

-----
Il Panino
266 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

[lc02139]

I'm many years past college, but I would prefer a cold day old slice of pinocchio's pizza to the Domino's we made it better, really we did slice

[nonaggie]

The Al's in Harvard Square is now open:
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/201...

[Gabatta]

I have eaten subs from there twice. It is a great addition to the area. The sandwiches are basically the same, and as good as the downtown location. I love their fresh bread. A lot of the staff for the opening appears to have been brought in (at least temporarily) from the original location. They are more on the ball than the customers who seem to be scared to order from the eager and fast counter people.

[hckybg]

Al was even there. I got him to sign my sub with permanent marker. But seriously, it is a tasty place. Just don't order the large unless you know what you are in for.

[viperlush]

While riding the 1 bus I thought that I saw a sign for a sushi and Japanese restaurant on Mass Ave around Central Square? Did I make this up, or is there a new restaurant coming?

[jgg13]

There is indeed a sign that says something like "asian fusion". I did see that the soon to no longer be with us All Asia owners claim that htey're opening an asian fusion restaurant in central sq, so it may or may not be them.

[copykat]

Local 149 in Southie in the old Farragut House space and Tres Gatos in Jamaica Plain as part of Rhythm & Muse were both supposed to open in January, so hopefully this month?

[cbw_chowfan]

I live in South Boston and walk by the former-Farragut/ now-Local 149 spot every week to check on the progress. It looks like (despite the mostly papered windows) they've made a good amount of headway on the interior. The exterior still has the old Farragut sign up and needs a lot of work. My guess would be that its still about a month from opening, just based on construction appearances. I hope I'm wrong though -- would love it to open sooner!

If anyone has an update on Local 149's estimated opening day, please share!

[JLMBOSTON]

Local 149 is getting close. Look for it to be open definitely by the last week of February if not sooner.

[cbw_chowfan]

Here's an updated on Local 149: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/...

They're saying the opening date is now set at March 1st, but that's still pending permits/inspections. I'm hoping for mid-March, realistically. But, still, can't wait for it to open!

[Prav]

Rabbit rabbit!

Do you know any further details about this Pronti Bistro in Needham?

[hiddenboston]

Pronti Bistro is going to be a quick-food Indian fusion place that will be open for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. It'll be near the intersection of Route 128 and Highland Avenue.