April 2011 Openings and Closings

[hiddenboston]

Here we go again. A new month and probably a number of openings and closings in and around Boston. Any that come to mind? I know that Pronti in Needham (Indian) should be open very soon and Floating Rock in Cambridge (Cambodian) should be opening any day now. As for closings, Scup's in East Boston is closed for now, at least until they can find a buyer for the place.

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

[okra]

Tantawan in Watertown appears available...

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Tantawan Thai Cuisine
356 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472

[Stride]

Do you mean "available" as in open for business or as in "this space available for a new business because Tantawan has closed"? It's always been hard to tell if they are in business or not, and I wondered what its status was.

[okra]

I meant "this space available for a new business because Tantawan has closed"

Amazingly odd configuration for any restaurant outside of a diner (which apparently it was). I have to admit to enjoying a few meals there.

[Stride]

Yes, it was an odd little place with a very small parking lot in a place with no on-street parking. I only ate there once or twice and enjoyed it, though not enough to rave about it to friends that they had to go there. I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did.

I wonder what will go in the space.

[Duster17]

Speaking of empty restaurants in Watertown, nothing has yet gone into TGIF's(or was it Ruby Tuesday) at the Arsenal Mall, and Bugaboo is empty as well.

[Gordough]

It was a Ruby Tuesday. while they have made a few minor improvements recently, the Arsenal Mall and the adjacent Watertown Mall are rather depressing places even for malls which is saying something.

[nickls]

Yeah, you know you're in bad shape as a mall when one of your anchor tenants is the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Thus Old Country Buffet is a fitting dining destination for such a mall.

[hiddenboston]

I was in the Watertown Mall the other day and overheard a couple from Detroit say, "Eeeeeesh, look at this place. It's so depressing."

[hckybg]

And they are from Detroit!! (Though one does wonder what they were doing at the Watertown Mall while on vacation.)

[edgewater]

In Framingham on Route 135 where the KFC used to be a place with "home-style breakfasts" and homemade donuts is opening sometime in the next couple of weeks named Carrie Anne's. There is an article by Julia Spitz about it in todays Metro West News. I hope it's good. We could certainly use a good breakfast place in the Metro West area. Options are limited at the moment.

[justbeingpolite]

80 Thoreau opened in Concord. Chef out of Rialto and the manager from Craft and Per Se! Anyone been?

[LStaff]

The taqueria formerly named Tango Mango on Moody St in Waltham had a sign up - Coming in May: Habanero's Mexican Kitchen. Looks to be advertised as a full service restaurant/bar. Hopefully its a full change of management too, and not just a change in concept by the same people.

And a non-update: Dosa factory is still coming soon....

[jgg13]

This was rumored to happen in the fall, but I noticed today that Phoenicia on Cambridge St had its windows papered over

[y2000k]

I'm not 100% confident, but Joe Sent Me on Main Street in Waltham looks closed. Drove by yesterday (after lunch at Mulan-Waltham) and Joe Sent Me looked all emptied out.

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Joe Sent Me
849 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451

[Dave MP]

Anyone know if Tsunami Sushi in Coolidge Corner is closed? Their website isn't working anymore, and neither is their phone. I tried to search Chowhound, but haven't found anything conclusive.

Dave MP

[loper]

It sure looks closed walking by, everything is a mess inside. Don't know if it is permanent or a renovation type situation, i've never actually tried it.

[MC Slim JB]

Not likely an April opening, almost certainly no sooner than May or June, but the Aquitaine Group (Metropolis Cafe, Union Bar & Grille, the three Aquitaines, Gaslight) is purportedly leasing the old Rocca space and doing some kind of modern Italian concept there. Very glad to hear of this: that pretty, secluded patio is my favorite in the South End. I would have really missed it this summer.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[mvi]

Espresso Love is opening at 33 Broad Street as soon as they pass a couple more inspections. (Just looked at their Facebook page which says they hope for May 2nd.) They are an offshoot of a very popular place in Edgartown on the Vineyard. They will be serving breakfast and lunch and if the menu is at all similar to the Vineyard location, the baked goods are very fresh and good but pricey. Broad Street is not in my neck of the woods but I am a fan of their place on the Vineyard so I'll journey over when they open.

[MC Slim JB]

Urban Daddy notes that talent-poaching national chain steakhouse Del Frisco's opens on Liberty Wharf this Saturday, April 23.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[The Chowhound Team]

A discussion about the meaning/ethics of talent poaching has been split to the Not About Food board:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/780408

[MC Slim JB]

Locke-Ober has reopened after its several-months hiatus. The menu looks largely the same, but there are some changes: 1) new owner, whom I believe was also a prior owner, as he owns the building it's in; 2) Lydia Shire is out, presumably focusing on her three newer restaurants; 3) the jackets-required dress code, the last surviving one in Boston, has been shot, though jeans and sneakers are still taboo.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108

[qianning]

is it open for lunch?

[MC Slim JB]

No lunch yet, possibly adding lunch hours toward the end of the year.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[qianning]

oh well, one can hope. thx for the info

[Matt H]

According to the Floating Rock Facebook page the Soft Opening was last night (April 16th)

[MC Slim JB]

I saw a picture in the Stuff Magazine write-up yesterday of Floating Rock: http://stuffboston.com/get/archive/2011/04/18/grow-with-the-flow.aspx It looks much fancier than I expected. I hope it doesn't veer too far from the traditional Khmer cuisine it featured in Revere.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

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

[opinionatedchef]

i was trying to figure out where this space was, so here :

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...

[Matt H]

I actually stopped by yesterday to grab some Tiger Tears for Take Out (They were not really set up for Take Out, but accommodated me) The space really is nice, they did an incredible job with the place.

I was speaking with the Owner and Manager while waiting and they stressed to me that the Khmer part of the menu will be the exact same as the Revere location and in time they want to expand the Khmer menu even more because of the additional kitchen space and staff.

There will be additional "Americanized" items also and Jenny (Owner) said that it was a decision made to open up business to large dining groups where everyone may not be as willing to try the traditional potion of the menu. It did seem as if they struggled with this decision but feel that their reputation is strong enough in the area that people will trust that they have not completely "dumbed down" their food.

Most importantly though, the Tiger Tears were as good as ever and I cant wait to see what they can turn out of the kitchen when they are completely up and running.

[Trumpetguy]

I went to Floating Rock last night. Beautiful room and bar. Unfortunately the food was not nearly up to my one meal at their old Revere location. Granted they're in "soft-opening" mode, with a smaller menu than it will be, but I missed the spicy seafood dishes I had in Revere big time :(

Service was nice, but timings were way off--Apps appear and seconds later main courses...I will go back, but hope to hear others extol their virtues before I return.

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

[Gabatta]

They should spend less time posting on Facebook, and more getting take out containers.

[galangatron]

you can get take-out

[Gabatta]

Really? I called the other day and they said they weren't taking carry out orders yet. Also, it sounds like Matt H's experience echoed this even though they accommodated him. Have they gotten full take out operations up in the past few days? I got the impression that I should hold off for a few more weeks.

[galangatron]

they told me the same thing but i had no problem ordering take-out after enjoying a lovely dinner there a few nights ago

they haven't even been open a week and are still in soft opening mode so i think they're just not prepared to be barraged with take-out orders. in the meantime, you could always go to the restaurant for a sit down meal

[autopi]

it really has more to do with slowly increasing the capacity of their kitchen so that they don't get overwhelmed with orders. facebook has nothing to do with it.

ate there last night as well, and thought the five or six things we tried were on a par w/prior excursions to floating rock in revere, i.e. excellent.

[Madrid]

please, what did you order?

[galangatron]

the atmosphere is more upscale and the portions are slightly smaller but i thought the cambodian dishes were just as good as the revere location. particularly the tiger tears and prahok k'tiss (ground pork and fermented fish dip)

they added a few new dishes to the menu (nime chow, sach ko ang, amok) as well as dessert. they eventually plan on adding the complete cambodian menu but wanted to start off slow to give the staff a chance to get used to it

[galleygirl]

That looks very scarey...I'm feeling the way I did about the original Elephant Walk, when they started taking the authentic dishes off the menu...

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Elephant Walk
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140

[MC Slim JB]

It's early yet, but it will be interesting to see how this shakes out. I suppose, worst case, that we'll always have Thmor Da.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[galleygirl]

Precisely!

[galangatron]

i'd rather go to lowell. i don't think thmor da is on the same level as the cambodian food you can get up there

[galleygirl]

Really? I went with a group for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was really pleased. I thought the intensity of flavors and complexity of spices were right on. We ordered all my particular 'bellwethers", (prahok ktiss, salor kor ko, and exemplary papaya salad) and was blown away....

[galangatron]

i think thmor da is perfectly adequate for the area but the selection and quality doesn't compare with the cambodian food in lowell

[crabtree]

Does anyone know of a "chocolate themed restaurant" Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man, opening in the Back Bay? Apparently part of a chain?

[KilgoreTrout]

I know they were actively hiring management more then 8 months ago. Don't know what the delay has been. The Union Sq. (NYC) location felt a little olive gardenish. Obviously focus grouped and or "the text book on opening a restaurant says we should..." just with mostly chocolate.

[Boston_Otter]

I've been to one of their NYC locations. They serve actual food -- sandwiches, salads, brunchy type spa food -- and a selection of chocolate fondues. Most people seem to just order confections at the bar, such as hot chocolate. The most memorable thing I saw was a plastic syringe full of melted chocolate which you 'inject' into your mouth.

[betta]

I went to one in NYC several years ago. I believe the chain started in Israel. The only thing I remember is the mocha at breakfast was almost 10 dollars and that the cup was shaped so that the piece of chocolate sat at the top and the heat from the coffee melted the chocolate and caused it to drip down into the coffee. For me, a bit to expensive and precious & I see no need to try it again.

[Gabatta]

According to their menu online, it looks like that and similar drinks are priced at $5.25

[jgg13]

If it's not actually open yet it's coming soon. I forget exactly where it is but walked past it last weekend. I rmeember laughing at the name, but it looked like a place that was actually open from afar.

[greenzebra]

It is open, I poked my head in last week, but didn't try anything (had just had an epic lunch at L'Espalier and really couldn't eat anything else).

They do have a fairly nice patio and it looked like a decent amount of people were checking it out. They also sell chocolate confections in a little part of the restaurant off to the side, and hot chocolate to go at the bar.

[hotoynoodle]

it's open. not my thing at all though.

[crabtree]

5 Guys is opening (or already opened?) in Saugus, Stoneham and Medford. The locations seem awfully close together. Have you been to 5 Guys in other areas? Worth a trip?

[phonelady]

One opening in Burlington too

[hiddenboston]

The Saugus location opened this week; Stoneham and Medford have not opened yet. I've been the one in Dedham a few times. The burgers are excellent, IMO, though the fries have been inconsistent (at times outstanding and at other times limp and undercooked).

[hoolese]

Anyone hear anything about Bull in Harvard Sq? They were supposed to open last summer, then fall, and they have a sign up but their website still just says coming soon. Seems like they are on floating rock time?

[Beachowolfe]

Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge appears to be opening on Saturday according to Thrillist. Anyone know anything about it?

Website looks like it is going to be another "olde time Boston" spot sort of like Marliave (about 100yds away) and Stoddard's (500 yds away).

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Marliave
10 Bosworth Street, Boston, MA 02108

[MC Slim JB]

Scholars is brought to you by the people behind 6B and Emmet's. Claiming to do craft cocktails. Welcome, if true.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Beachowolfe]

You can look at the cocktail menu for yourself http://scholarsboston.com/index.php/c...

[MC Slim JB]

To the extent that one can judge a bar by its cocktail list, it's promising!

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[yummieeee]

The newly renovated Rock bottom brewery is open in the theater district

[mangorita]

Meadhall (or whatever it will be called) in the former Quantum Books space in Kendall Square Cambridge is looking like it will be opening soon. The furniture has been delivered, much of it is still wrapped in plastic...and today they had employee training. Does anyone know of a planned opening date for this place? it will be great to have a new lunch/afterwork option in the area.

[hiddenboston]

I heard that Meadhall will be opening this month, but no specific date at this point.

[hckybg]

Did you get the sense that the plastic would stay on the furniture? I know the old-timey thing is in, but I'm not sure about having Grandma as your decorator...

[hiddenboston]

Haven't you heard? Plastic-wrapped chairs are the new cupcakes.

[MC Slim JB]

Cupcakes? Ha! Plastic-wrapped chairs are the new fancy-fake-Mexican-with-100-tequilas.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hiddenboston]

Heh, my mistake. I can be so 2010 sometimes.... :-D

[hckybg]

Don't feel bad, I think he meant that plastic-wrapped chairs are the new salted caramel.

[Unfoodie]

....and about 7 of those tequilas are actually good, traditional, family produced spirits!

[emannths]

Was supposed to open on 4/15. Now they're saying "after the weekend." This is their twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/foodiedrinks

[emannths]

Per the twitter feed, Meadhall will be open tomorrow (4/27). The beer list is here: http://twitpic.com/4pm5kq

[Trumpetguy]

Impressive list!!! :)

[emannths]

Opens at 4pm today. The chef used to work at the Publick House. Brief coverage on boston.com: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/...

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Publick House
1648 Beacon St, Brookline, MA

[sflory]

It was a mob scene at 5:30, would have had to wait to get a beer who knows how long. left and headed down the street. Will have to wait for the hype to die down.

[C. Hamster]

They have gutted the old Bertucci's on Stanhope street and something is going in there... no signage yet

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Bertuccis
280 School St Ste G100, Mansfield, MA 02048

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

I believe it's going to be a night club called The Red Lantern. Not positive though.

[gourmetbostonlady]

www.redlanternboston.com/overview

[MC Slim JB]

CBaZ is correct, but Red Lantern will also feature an upscale pan-Asian menu. It's from the people behind Tosca in Hingham and a bunch of Foxwoods nightclub/restaurant kind of spaces that I've never been to.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[C. Hamster]

TNX

[hotoynoodle]

bertucci's purchased the papparazi restaurants, outside the sale of the rest of the bbrg places.

[kbarry1726]

Where did you hear this? I can't find a mention of this online anywhere... Do you know if PR will remain a separate entity?

[hotoynoodle]

tavistock wasn't keen on the papparazi units, and other groups did line up for them, with bertucci's winning the bid. this happened a couple of weeks ago.

i know people who work for both tavistock and the former bbrg.

[hiddenboston]

Definitely not April, but I just heard that Florida-based Firehouse Subs is looking to open nearly 70 locations in the Boston area.

[Boston_Otter]

70? Is it too late to tell them "please, don't"?

[hiddenboston]

LOL, I'm thinking it is.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Huh. Wonder what'll go into those locations six months later when they all close following the bankruptcy caused by overexpansion...

[hiddenboston]

Maybe Sal's can open 70 more places in those spots? :-b

[Bostonphotobill]

Legal Harborside has posted that they will open at 3:00 on Thursday.

[djd]

To the surprise of none of the dozen people who ever noticed it was open, the Brazilian açai juice/smoothie shop on Medford St. in Somerville has closed.

[Stride]

Bom Cafe, in the old Muqueca space, is open. The chalkboard sign outside listed coffee, bread, omelettes, and juice. That sounds pretty limited, but I didn't have a chance to see if there was a menu posted anywhere. Does anyone know if they serve a broader menu than this?

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Muqueca
1010 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[mvi]

I went in today. The owner, Antonio, is very friendly and approachable. They offer all kinds of breads and cakes, subs and juices in a very cheery spot. He said they are just building their menu but will have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. I got some cheese bread and a piece of coconut cake that were both devoured by the recipient. The cheese bread was especially popular. It's a round, light ball of dough like a popover with a strong cheese flavor. They had some corn bread and macaroons that looked really great. Prices are low. The cheese bread was a dollar and the cake $1.50.

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Muqueca
1010 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[hiddenboston]

Has anyone heard anything about Fenway Cantina? Is it definitely closed for good? Their phone number has been "temporarily" disconnected and their website is still up and running.

[Gordough]

I just walked by there after the game this afternoon and it was closed. I can't imagine they would have been closed on opening day unless it is permanent but I do not know for certain.

[KilgoreTrout]

The liquor license is for sale, but it is a 1 o'clock close, and beer wine only so there have been no takers yet.

[Unfoodie]

It's actually a cordial license, I think the only one in the area. I was hearing a while ago (before Fenway Cantina bought the license from Chicken Bone) that there are issues with the capacity and entertainment they're licensed for.

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Chicken Bone
1260 Boylston St Ste 3, Boston, MA 02215

[mwk]

I walked by there about three weeks ago, and there is a "for rent" sign in the window. It didn't seem to last long at all.

[jjbourgeois]

Firefly's in Quincy apparently has shut down. Been closed all this week and the Quincy location has been removed from the website.

[MC Slim JB]

It's official; Firefly sent a note to its Facebook fans on the Quincy location's closing.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[C. Hamster]

Turning into a bank, right?

[jjbourgeois]

That is correct. TD Bank will bulldoze the existing building and put up a new one.

[Pegmeister]

Just what we need, another bank, Oh well, I guess that spot has been somewhat jinxed for restaurants. Not one has been successful since the closing of the Hollow.

[Luther]

Floating Rock staff now claim that they have passed inspection but won't have supplies on hand to actually open for business until Tuesday 4/12.

[Gabatta]

Floating Rock has set a record for most blown opening dates. Their next announcement should be "We're Open!". No other updates are really needed.

[Prav]

Almost as bad as CF O'Donavans!

[azra]

Floating Rock is still hoping for a mid-week soft opening. They may open with dinner-only service for a week or so, before opening for lunch too. The dining room is beautiful and quite large, and they will have a much broader menu than they did in Revere, with some American/Cambodian-American dishes in addition to their Cambodian dishes.

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

[Northstar22]

I read that The Cottage is opening a 2nd location In Chestnut hill. Does anyone know where? May opening is scheduled.

[umeditor]

Last night I noticed a new place called Jaja's Cafe going into 441 Cambridge Street, in East Cambridge - site of the old Timeless BMX shop. They're hiring staff, but the sign didn't mention what type of place it would be. Anyone have more info? Google didn't turn anything up.

[chowdahound]

I walk by the Sheraton Commander on the way to work and have been noticing some good progress on the renovations to their bar/restaurant. The space looks somewhat interesting, definitely open and modern. I didn't know the name of the new place until I saw grubstreet do a write-up today - Nubar - http://boston.grubstreet.com/2011/04/... . The menu doesn't have many surprises, but it looks tasty. Bill Flumerfelt from Ashmont Grill and Icarus, is involved. Looks like some attention will be paid to the bar offerings as well. Nothing ground-breaking it looks like, but it'll be nice to have another option in the area!

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Ashmont Grill
555 Talbot Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Sheraton Commander
16 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138

[MC Slim JB]

Nubar's grand opening is tonight.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[galangatron]

el rancho grande in east boston has closed and energy express cafe has opened in it's place. it wasn't exceptional but they were one of the few taquerias to offer tacos de chivo (goat tacos)

[hiddenboston]

I was just doing a bit of research, and El Rancho Grande and Energy Express Cafe have two different addresses. The former is 300 Bennington Street, while the latter is 386 Chelsea Street. Does that storefront have two addresses?

[galangatron]

i might have the wrong spot but taqueria el rancho grande is definitely gone

[hiddenboston]

Yeah, definitely closed. I tried to call to see if the new place was using that number, and it was out of service.
Maybe Energy Express Cafe is in the old El Rey Enterprises location?

[Allstonian]

Within the past couple of days, Boston Kabob has opened at 164 Brighton Avenue in Allston, the former Gitlo's/V. Majestic space. Don't know anything more about it - I saw the sign from a passing bus this morning.

[gourmaniac]

not sure if in April but...

Eric Madsen reports Coda's chef,
Charlie Redd, is set to open a place called Redd's in Roslindale in
what was once Geoffrey's on Washington Street. Redd himself reports:

I have been working on this project for a few months with my biz
partner Beth to create a neighborhood spot in Roslindale with great
local Americana fun approachable lick you fingers get in there get
dirty "what was that flavor?!" doughnuts hush puppies BBQ PBR KIR
record playing baked fish right out of the water Island Creek oysters
dedicated to Paul Farmer and raising money for PIH

[MC Slim JB]

Universal Hub reports that Redd's in Rozzie is now open, dinner only, open till 1am Fri-Sat.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

I know Siraj closed in March, but I'm hoping it opens in April. If the pics of Frida Kahlo are any indication, than perhaps some Mexican food is headed this way. Anyone have any updates or knowledge of what'd going on behind the papered windows?

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Siraj Cafe
472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

[ilovedessert]

Bon Bon, the gelato shop at 197 Mass Ave between Berklee and Symphony Hall, is now Mass Ave Pita. They look to be pretty close to opening. The signs indicate they will have shawarma, falafel, hummus, ice cream, and gelato.

The gelato case has stayed put during the whole transition, so I'm assuming they inherited it from the previous owners. It'd be great to have another quality option in the area, but it doesn't appear to have much seating besides some counter space and a few tables and chairs outside.

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Bon Bon
197A Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115

[phonelady]

Saw a sign in Stoneham square about a new butcher (J&B or something like that) going in - any deets????

[bear]

There was a banner on a storefront at 848 Mass. Ave. in Lexington saying that Macarons and Gelato would be coming soon.

[joebloe]

Le's Restaurant (Pho Pasteur) in Dorchester should be opening today. It's where the old Pho Hoa used to be, which is right across the new Pho Hoa.

[hiddenboston]

It is? I didn't see anything about the new Le's on their site, though that doesn't mean much, as it appears that they last updated their site during the Bush administration. :-)

[C. Hamster]

Is it across or on the same side?

[Walthamfoodman]

I am going to Pho Hoa today but I might give Le's a shot. I love the food at Pho Hoa but the service is really bad. Luckily the food is totally worth it. The new place is across from the health center on Dot Ave.

[Beachowolfe]

There is a new casual Mexican place where Grezzo used to be on Prince Street in the North End. El Tiundo maybe? Nice addition to the neighborhood since it seems the closest Mexican is Viva Burrito. Has anyone been?

[MC Slim JB]

The former Grezzo (former Sage) space will be occupied by a second outlet of the South End's El Triunfo, whose menu is mainly Mexican and Salvadoran but also has a few Turkish items (kofta, hummus, mucver, falafel, a red lentil burger), as the owner is Turkish. Confusing, I know.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

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Grezzo
25 State St, Newburyport, MA 01950

[9lives]

If you want to impress yor friends with useless trivia, El Triunfo isa small town
outside of La Paz, Baja, MX which may be why they named it that.

It was a fairly nondescript town until 1862; when it was found that it sat on a large silver mine..:) Lovely church and town square,lot of shops selling silver souvenirs.

I've not eaten at El Triunfo but it did replace a Singaporean place some years back.

[MC Slim JB]

Ali Yagcioglu is the second El Triunfo owner. The first owners were Salvadoran, and I believe their food wasn't as well-regarded as the current ownership.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[itaunas]

Except its pretty unlikely that many Salvadorans have been through La Paz, sure it doesn't have anything to do with the port of the same name in El Salvador? :-)

[9lives]

No not sure; El Salvador or Baja..makes for good trivia....:)

[Beachowolfe]

quite a confusing menu... kofta burritos and falafel fajitas? I will have to try one of these combos in the future. Don't like doing takeout tacos so we stuck with burritos today- one chicken and one steak (no pork on teh menu?). Nothing terribly exciting but tasty and open late (11pm) every night. Definitely a good addition.

[Allstonian]

I would kind of expect a Turkish owner to avoid pork.

[C. Hamster]

I've driven past it about 100,000 times on my way to work and never stopped. Of course it probably isnt open, but I always wondered if it was worth take out on the way home ...

[AdamGL]

Sips and Licks in Oak Square Brighton is closed. There is a sign in the door saying a Thai Restaurant is opening soon.

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Oak Square Cafe
433 Faneuil St, Brighton, MA 02135

[mkfisher]

I'm pretty sure that Mija will be opening in Faneuil Hall towards the end of the month. There's a sign outside saying that it's "coming soon"

[Swankalicious]

On my way to work this morning, I noticed two things afoot in Arlington: A sign that Acitron Mexican will come soon to the old Rio's space, and it seems MiDami has changed hands and is now touting 15 percent off their sushi (cringe).

[marcreichman]

Mi da mi was discussed in a different thread about renovations but it being back open. Do we have confirmation about changing hands?

[sdwr98]

That would be a real bummer about Midami - we rely on them for decent delivery sushi and were nervous about the recent closing.

[digga]

Acitron in Arlington Center is now open. I picked up a menu last night. Some interesting-sounding-to-me dishes, such as:

calamares en salsa de huitlacoche (app; $8.25)
alemjas a la mexicana (app; $7.50)
crepas de rajas poblanas ($13.95)
chayotes rellenos ($13.95)

Meat/fish entrees are more pricey, about $18-$28 (filete sonorense)

Pleasant space, with a tiny bar (4 seats).

473 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA 02474

[The Lady]

Is this Mija as in the San Francisco Ferry Building Mija? Yum!

[BostonZest]

Do we want to do the seasonal openings of old favorites here? Or, should we start a separate "Open for the 2011 Summer Season" topic.

[itaunas]

I think it would be better to separate it since there are also seasonal closings/vacations,which are best to track separately.

[BostonZest]

I started a seasonal opening conversation here.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7760...

[pemma]

Not a restaurant and not in April, but an Aldi food store is opening in Fellsway Plaza in Medford I think in June.

[chickendhansak]

Very interesting. Aldi has cult status in Europe and hopefully brings some of its characteristics with it here.

[marcreichman]

From Jason Santos's twitter feed: " It's official I am opening a resto on the Greenway, hopefully opening by early June, last day at Gargoyles is Easter."

Keep in mind it's 4/1!

[hiddenboston]

I don't know if I believe it about Jason Santos. A lot of people did believe my Tweet earlier today about 1200 Wegmans opening in the Boston area by next year, each having an In-N-Out Burger inside it. I know, it was a cruel April Fool's joke...

[jgg13]

"a lot of people did believe ..."

now we know who made up the left side of the bell curve

[Kat]

OMG, LOL that is too funny!

[almansa]

He's still saying it's a go and refusing to deny it. I haven't noticed any ads for his position, but they could fill from within. It's no surprise - he's bigger than Gargoyles in terms of celebrity, and I can't imagine him staying on for what they could, or would, pay him, not that owning a stake in a restaurant is like having your own pot of gold. But celeb chefs can have their investors overpay them for long enough (and claim a tax liability) that they can eventually have several projects going to pay the bills.

[mkfisher]

Devra First tweeted earlier today that Jason Santos' new place is opening in the Lobby space on Broad Street. Lobby shares a kitchen with Revolution Rock Bar, so I'm not really sure how this would work.

-----
Revolution Rock Bar
200 High St Lbby 3, Boston, MA 02110

[jgg13]

I still put it in the "no great loss" category but the ShangriLa on cambridge st in boston is still "temporarily" closed due to an electrical problem after nearly 3 months now. That and the Subway next door got knocked down during one of the snow storms in January, the latter has been open for a while now but the former still hasn't reopened.

[Prav]

Sooo excited for Pronti! I keep driving by there and calling their phone number like a stalker.

[galangatron]

pronti bistro is open

[Prav]

I am going to go try it right now. BRB.

[Prav]

Here we are: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/775897

[myladyfae]

This may be old, but I went by Aunt Mary's World Cafe in Lexington yesterday, only to find it replaced by something called "Kebab House"

was disgruntled about the loss, so I didn't actually check the new place out!