August 2012 Openings and Closings

[mats77]

Figured I would start this thread since I can't imagine this place opening tomorrow: A b. good location is going in at the corner of Devonshire and Summer (former GNC) in Dowtown Crossing. Also looking forward to trying Shojo in Chinatown when they open next week. Any other spots opening or closing for August?

[Bob Dobalina]

The Purple Shamrock near Faneuil Hall is closing in September.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/d...

May their many fruit flies rest in peace.

[ScotchandSirloin]

The birthplace of 1000s of drunken hookups, none of which lasted more than 12 hours.

[hiddenboston]

Hoooh boy, do I have stories from that place. :-o

[Bob Dobalina]

Do go on....

[hiddenboston]

OK, one story...I once let a woman cut in front of me in the men's room line because she really had to go and the women's room line was much longer. A few women in line started swearing at me, then at her, then she swore at them, and before you knew it, the whole place erupted in a female riot, with women smashing into tables, throwing haymakers, rolling on the ground, etc. My friends said it was all my fault, which it wasn't, of course. :-b

[Prav]

hot.

[drewames03]

Ok...believe it or not...I met my wife at the P.S. - The first question she asked me...."Please tell me you don't come here!" 11 years later, we are still together!

[opinionatedchef]

given that neither of you would ever be caught dead, usually, in PS, your meeting sounds pretty darn pre-ordained! congrats!

[Bob Dobalina]

Great stories from both of you - hilarious.

[MC Slim JB]

What goofy car did the former owner used to park out in front: some bright-yellow thing? Or was it purple, too? Haven't set foot inside that place in decades.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[southie_chick]

That was Betty's Rolls Royce - both the name of the bar & the type of car she had. She did have it parked inside for a while - I kinda remember the news cameras showing up on the last day when she had the window popped out & she "drove off into the sunset" right out of the bar. I think it was yellow MC, but The Purple Shamrock took that space over.I remember her marching in the Southie St. Pat's parade (with the car driving behind her) too.

[Stride]

Isn't that where Chik Fil A (or however they spell it) is supposed to go for their first Boston location?

[Uncle Yabai]

There is (or maybe used to be?) a Chik-Fil-A in the Science Center at Harvard. Not Boston, but close.

[Luther]

closed like 5-10 years ago

[Uncle Yabai]

Shows you how au courant I am with the hood's latest hotspots.

[jgg13]

It was gone at least as far back as 2003 (the last time I tried going there)

[Gordough]

Just posted this in the Pret thread but figured it could go here too although it is of course not opening in the next few hours so not an August opening.

I just noticed a "Coming Soon: Pret" sign on a storefront at the corner of Franklin and Oliver Streets in Post Office Square (specifically the signs were on the Oliver St. side) . Perhaps a second location? Work is ongoing at the site. I believe it is the Verizon building. Its directly across from where a single food truck has been appearing each day as of the last month or so.

[hiddenboston]

Yup, it looks like Pret is opening on Franklin Street, and it could have some outdoor seating.

[southie_chick]

Gee, I take a week off & miss all the fun in my building - was wondering what was gonna go in there. FYI Gordough, you are right - it is the Verizon building. I'm just glad it wasn't another cupcake shop (since they did put the prerequisite bank on the other side - that's all that pretty much seems to open in the area lately).

[MC Slim JB]

Gaga Seafood in Chinatown had a pretty bad fire last night, per Grub Street Boston.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hckybg]

I don't believe anyone has mentioned that Simon's is taking over Canteen on Mass Ave, for a second Simon's. Gus of Toscanini's fame broke the news, and Eater confirmed it. I think this is excellent news, though at some point we will either reach coffee saturation or we will all just have to start drinking more coffee.

[Gabatta]

I don't drink much coffee, but Canteen is one of the all time worst so good riddance and welcome Simons!

[jgg13]

Agree. I dug canteen when it first opened but it got worse and worse. I just moved from the area but hadn't gone there in ~2 years

[jgg13]

I've never been in there, so maybe it is just a vacation or something but yesterday I noticed that the "Cambridge Coffee and Pizza Shop" on cambridge st was shuttered in the late afternoon.

[Gabatta]

Probably not opening until Sep, but not worthy of it's own thread. OSushi is opening in Harvard Square in the area of Mt. Auburn, Eliot and Winthrop Streets. While it is not mentioned on OSushi Boston's website, I assume it is the same place due to the name and font on the coming soon sign.

While Cambridge needs more sushi options, I have had some pretty iffy experiences at the OSushi in Back Bay. I haven't been there in years, but always found it somewhat underwhelming and had a few funny tasting pieces of sashimi I had to spit into my napkin. Yay...

[Gordough]

I agree on the Westin Copley location of OSushi. Not very good quality especially for the price. With Duozo (or even Haru which is by no means my favorite) steps away, it was never difficult staying away from OSushi and getting better quality fish in the neighborhood.

[omarba]

Walked by Delicato Cafe in Pi Alley and they are closed and I hear Eat Kitchen is closing shortly as well.

[Gordough]

That's too bad, I rather liked Eat Kitchen.

[MC Slim JB]

Not to kick them when they're down, but my scrambled eggs at Delicato Cafe were served as a plain omelet. Don't like that. Kinda put me off of them for breakfast.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[joth68]

There is a big sign for Falafel King in the Eat Kitchen window. I didnt have a chance to investigate further but It almost looked like the space might be shared. Just the impression from that i got.

[hiddenboston]

I saw a notice somewhere about Falafel King opening there (EveryBlock Boston, perhaps?) but haven't heard anything else about it.

[joth68]

Ok the signage changed this morning. Looks like the entire place will be falafel king. Maybe they will keep that delicious pork recipe from Eat and make a falafel/pork combo sandwich. (wishful thinking)

[Bob Dobalina]

Sounds sort of blasphemous...

[Dea]

And delicious.

[nsenada]

I just found this out the hard way, expecting to get one of Eat's monstrosities - the last one I had had ham, brisket, an egg, and horseradish cream on it. I went in for a falafel anyway, and it is the same as ever (free falafel while you wait in line).

Sad about Delicato, they had a really good chicken noodle soup that seemed to be homemade.

[joseapie]

Not sure what's up with Delicato. My office is directly across from theirs in Pi Alley and their metal gates have been up for the at least the last three days. I was in there just last Friday.

[hiddenboston]

Before any rumors begin on Tonic in JP being closed, the word that I got is that they are on vacation and will be reopening the place once they return. That's about all I know right now.

[mkfisher]

I don't recall seeing mention of this, but I could be wrong... a Five Guys will be opening on Summer St in the FD/DTX crossing area (next to Qdoba). That 2 block stretch will now be getting B.Good, Subway and Five Guys in the next few months.

[Gordough]

I wish the Potbelly's on Washington Street was instead going in where the Subway is on Summer Street. There are already plenty of awful Subways serving faux meat in the immediate area between the Corner Mall Food Court, High Street, Washington St. etc.

[Gabatta]

I wish a good independent deii was going into the space. Unfortunately, Potbelly's is every bit processed food slinging the chain Subway is at this point. I suppose it is at least a different option, but not one I will patronize.

[Gordough]

You really think the quality of food at Subway is equal to Potbelly's? I have never ever heard someone make that claim before. No one is saying Potbelly's is healthy or good for you but comparing the offerings between Subway and Potbelly's is really no comparison at all IMO. When was the last time you had Potbelly's Gabatta?

[Gabatta]

I was on a business trip in MSP last year and had to go straight from meeting to a late flight home. I grabbed Potbellys in the skyway adjacent to the office tower In which I was meeting. It was like a heated up Subway with extra cheese. It sucked and next time I would bypass both Subway and Potbellys for a bag of nuts at the airport. I admittedly haven't eaten at either place enough to make a definitive comparison, however for me they fall into the same general category.

I liked the original Potbellys in Lincoln Park, but this chain version is nothing like the original.

[camberville]

According to the Potbelly's website the Washington Street store is now open. I'm going to stop by this week to see if it matches my memories of the Chicago-area location I frequented in college. (I'll probably need to be really hungover and/or stoned to make a fair comparison.)

Either way at least Potbelly's doesn't pump out that nauseating Subway smell that seems exactly the same outside every store.

[omarba]

not open as of today but seems they will be soon. They are training.

[Boston_Otter]

Neither Potbelly's nor Subway sell "faux meat". They sell deli slices of real, actual meat.

[Luther]

Well, depends on your definition. The "ham," "bologna," and "salami" at Subway are all turkey.

[ScotchandSirloin]

If true, it would be nice if I could get turkey-ham, turkey-bologna or turkey-salami at Subway (assuming it is lower fat content then the "real" stuff, which may be a wrong assumption).

[Boston_Otter]

Not really true. The meat on the "Cold Cut Combo" (ham, salami, bologna) is all turkey based, yes. Which is still meat, by any possible definition. But that's only for that one sandwich. The rest of their subs with ham on them use "Black Forest ham", which is actual ham.

[Bob Dobalina]

From the Black Forest? ;-)

[Boston_Otter]

I know :) Whenever I see that on their menu, I picture some big industrial ham factory in Iowa called "Jim Bob's Black Forest Meats" or something.

[jgg13]

"by any possible definition"

Just to be a pain in the butt, that's not true :) I disagree with this belief, but many folks equate "meat" with mammal flesh - which is why you see so many vegetarians who think it is ok to eat poultry or fish. Turkey's poultry, thus they'd not include it in a definition of meat. :)

[Boston_Otter]

As a former vegetarian of 15 years, I think those people are very silly. My definition of "meat" is "the flesh of an animal". If folks want to avoid red meat but eat all the poultry they want, that's fine, but that's absolutely not vegetarianism.

[jgg13]

I think it is silly as well, but it isn't some crazy thing pulled out of nowhere. See definition 2a in webster for 'meat'. I was just being pedantic about your phrase of "by any possible definition" considering webster has a possible definition :)

[MC Slim JB]

Turkey cold cuts are surimi, i.e., based on a paste made from a slurry of pureed turkey parts. I can see how some people might want to distinguish this from meat-meat, if not grant them a vegtarian loophole on it. Not judging: I eat hot dogs and crab sticks. Just saying.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Boston_Otter]

Point taken, MC, that's very true.

[galangatron]

boca brazil cafe and restaurant has opened on squire road in revere

[MC Slim JB]

Mike & Patty's in Bay Village is closed until further notice, though the owner insists that this is not permanent. That one would be a loss if it disappeared altogether.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[AGM_Cape_Cod]

I hope they are looking for a slightly larger space but it would be a loss if they didn't reopen.

[MC Slim JB]

KO Prime closes tomorrow, though apparently the kitchen keeps going privately for catering and room service purposes.

No great loss in a town with far too many entrants in the luxury steakhouse category, and one that served choice-grade steaks, to boot. I guess the writing was on the wall when Oringer withdrew from his consulting chef role last month, but I figured something would take its place as a public dining space. The Nine Zero will have no restaurants now, odd for a hotel in that category.

As for KOP, I haven't had much use for it since the days when Jamie Bissonnette made the non-steak portion of the menu interesting with dishes like calf's brains piperade. That was a long time ago.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Gordough]

They have to maintain some sort of a kitchen operation in the hotel for room service, no? I remember reading somewhere fairly recently (Boston Business Journal?) that the hotel is having serious financial issues and has missed significant debt payments.

[mkfisher]

It was Boston Business Journal. I don't think they actually missed a payment. Just pushed out a maturity because they didn't have sufficient cash to make the payment. I believe they can't push the maturities out any further, so it'll be do or die when the debt comes due next year.

[MC Slim JB]

The Nine Zero kitchen remains open to do room service and event catering. Odd setup.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hyde]

seems to me i saw signage on "Charcoal Guido's" wood fired pizza place on moody in waltham that now seems to be gone.

alas, its been almost a year i have been hearing about this place, methinks there is no wood fired pizza coming to upper moody.

[bear]

Sigh, I was hoping, too. I was also hoping they would give Upper Crust a run for their money.

[LStaff]

Do you mean a formal sign was put up and taken down? Walked past it today and the temp window covering with Charcoal Guido's on it was still there.

Should start a pool - what's going to open first, Charcoal Guido's or Dosa Factory?

[hyde]

in my brain there was formal signage that was up and then taken down but now you have me wondering if i imagined the whole thing. not sure, but still. a YEAR?

[MC Slim JB]

Per Grub Street Boston, Four Green Fields in Downtown Crossing is done. Walked by it many times, could not bring myself to try it. I've had too much bad fake-Irish pub food in this town.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Bob Dobalina]

You did not miss a thing. Weird space (one cavernous room), bad location, sysco-like chow.

[Beachowolfe]

That was an awkward space. Any rumors of a successor?

[greenzebra]

Punjabi Grill is now open in Davis Square (in the former Namaskar space). Menu looks pretty typical North Indian / Punjabi, with a few Pakistani dishes and some interesting looking goat items. Apparently the same owners of the restaurant in Framingham of the same name.

[bobot]

I will have to try this- I used to work with a couple of Pakistani guys and they loved the place in Framingham.

[total13]

Did anyone report that the Bearded Pig is having issues with their cooking place and has had to close? I'm not sure of details but they had a sign on the window about moving the smoker, but I think something went wrong and they're closing for now.

[Bob Dobalina]

Website has it too. http://thebeardedpig.com/
Barbeque + dense urban residential neighborhoods = conflict.
Remember the same kind of thing with that bbq place on Beacon Street in Brookline?

[bostoneater]

There were no issues whatsoever with neighbors or the City of Somerville in relation to their original Smokehouse

[hiddenboston]

The last I heard was this, from their FB page: "important announcement: we are closing for dinner tonight until further notice... our smokehouse is being moved and we will be down for a short period of time... we will keep you informed!!!"

That was about a week ago...haven't heard anything since.

[jgg13]

Crap, I was afraid of something like that. Walked by last friday around 7pm and they were closed. Hopefully this doesn't sink them.

[ChocolateMilkshake]

Well this is sad... from their Twitter Feed:
"We have been unable to secure new smokehouse location. We are now permanently closed. Have loved being part of Union Square. Thank you all! "
https://twitter.com/thebeardedpig/sta...

[hyde]

damn! how long were they open?

as dobalina says its always a problem with smoking in dense urban areas. the fact that Roadhouse on beacon had crappy BBQ was unfixable even when they brought in Jake Jacobs because the neighborhood (considerably more upscale than somerville) reacted strongly to constant (mostly pork!) smoke.

dont think pigtrip even had a chance to review it.

[hckybg]

They were open just a couple weeks, but I guess I'd like to know more about the whole story. We don't know what motivated the smokehouse move...I haven't seen anything about municipal ordinances or neighbor complaints (though that could certainly have something to do with it...we don't know). Reports seemed to suggest that the pork was fine, so it's not like they were turning out an inferior product. Too bad for them, I am sorry to hear that it closed before many of us got to try it and I am sure it is very difficult for the owners.

[bostoneater]

There were no issues related to neighbors or the City of Somerville, everyone in Somerville had been very supportive - the Smokehouse move was presumably motivated by growth - they were in a shared kitchen and decided they needed their own space. It is/was very, very surprising and unexpected that they decided to move and have subsequently closed.

[Madrid]

the owner did tell me that he was running out of food every night well before closing.

[LeoLioness]

On my one visit there (which was at about 6:30 on a Friday) they were down to the last few orders of ribs. They mentioned they were still getting a feel of how much food they would sell a night--so they were actually limited by the space?

[Madrid]

I got the impression it was planning, not space, but that is just an impression. I suspect there is something of a back story here. Hope we find out and that he re-opens somewhere close by.

[itaunas]

If they were in Kitchen Inc or the equivalent to do the smoking, it certainly makes sense they couldn't get enough time in the kitchen to meet demand or even space to store their meats. There are definitely indications they didn't "look before you leap" and underestimated demand/logistics of cooking the meat, but like Bob Dobalina I am surprised they would abandon the space for another location after doing renovations, collecting signatures for beer/wine, and so on.

[Bob Dobalina]

So they were so successful that they had enough money to a) close the restaurant, b) break the lease and c) will be setting up shop in a new location?

That's amazing.

[bostoneater]

You are right - it doesn't doesn't add up! Remains to be seen if they will actually reappear anywhere. Feels like a slap in the face to all those who supported him over the past year!

Sh#t happens, but there is a right way and a wrong way to handle things and something feels wrong about this!

[Mbschm]

Sorry we could not explain what happened. We had to make a split from Kitchen Inc. We had helped build that space and were hoping to be able to continue to work out of there but we're unable to come to terms. We tried are best to handle it in a way that would not throw mud in any direction and we thought we had done so by explaining that we were unable to find a suitable location for the smoker. We closed to look at several places to move and none of those worked out. It was a very hard decision for our family and we had a difficult time making that final decisions to close. We were very successful and appreciate everyone that supported us and that resulted in us having to close because we could not get more time/space. We were able to break our lease at restaurant because we had a great landlord that understood our plight and worked with us. We were working on moving kitchens, not restaurants and this would have serviced the restaurant and catering. As I mentioned this was extremely difficult for us and we wish we could have kept it going. We had great support and thank everyone for all of their support.

[itaunas]

BTW, it looks like their equipment maybe up for sale so perhaps they have given up reopening in another location.

[Bob Dobalina]

I would really like to hear the back story on this. Was it properly vetted with the city and permitted? Were residents put on notice and then later complained? Unbelievable.

[itaunas]

Where were they doing their catering out of previously? For the restaurant they might have done better at 431 Somerville Ave which I believe is vacant. That was formerly a churrascaria and had significant ventilation work done after a previous fire. Assuming it was compatible with their smoker the exhaust for the hood is high-up. I am not certain there was ever even a full kitchen in the Bearded Pig space (in the far past it shared a kitchen and bathroom with what is now Dosa Temple).

[hyde]

that would have been problematic, no? is not dosa temple a southern indian vegetarian place?

this is one reason i am disraught at this news, i was hoping to eat at dosa temple with my vegetarian wife and then get pork BBQ on my way out for later. curses!

[itaunas]

Yes, obviously they don't share the same kitchen anymore and its been that way for a while. Just from what I remember, there was not a lot of room to put in the kind of ventilation system they might need (certainly can't put it street-front, there was a hallway behind part of their space, and before there wasn't much access froom the back). BTW, glancing at the Somerville licensing notes and Somerville Journal they have been catering out of the location since at least January, at least applied for a CV well before the restaurant opened, but not certain what has happened since (couldn't see any recent public notices).

[Madrid]

I agree that this is sad and a big loss for the neighborhood and I wish the owner the best (what a nice guy he is). I also really loved the juxtaposition of the bbq and the dosa temple. Wish I'd gotten more bearded beans!

[yumyum]

I'm surprised as well. They seemed so game and ready to improve when I went in! I hope they find a good new spot as their hearts are in the right place. I'm mad mostly cuz it's on my way home from work and would have been a convenient guilty pleasure supper option.

[jajjguy]

bummer!

[jgg13]

I recently moved into the area (~5 min walk) - we'd smell bbq smoke now and then (mostly on sundays) and assumed it was coming from the Redbones smoker by Conway (not sure if they actually use it on site there or not) but it went away late last week, which makes sense now. If we could smell it that far away I'm sure it was pretty pungent closer in.

Personally I'd love to have that smell constantly but ....

[bostoneater]

See my post above - there were no issues whatsoever with Somerville related to the original Smokehouse - they decided to voluntarily move to a dedicated space in another City.

[hyde]

hope its a good move for them, i think i once heard of a restaurant that expanded fast to increased demand and ended up going out of business....but that cant be.......

[bmmommy]

I sadly came back from vacation to hear this news- and then drove by yesterday to see the enormous "For Rent" banner on the storefront. Really hope he finds another spot soon- I loved that bean salad!

[Boston_Otter]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but the new ramen spot that's replacing Zing Pizza in Porter Square has signs in the window saying that they're opening in September.

[hiddenboston]

Did it give a name for the place?

[Boston_Otter]

Not yet, no. There's plenty of xeroxes of magazine articles about the place pasted in the window, but they're nearly all in Japanese. Some of the signs indicate it might be called YUMEWOKATARE or something similar.

[hiddenboston]

Yup, that would indeed be Yumewokatare, which is a small group of ramen shops based in Japan. Thanks for the update!

[Luther]

Wowowowow I would be ridiculously pumped, this appears to be 夢を語れ, which from online descriptions appears to be a Jiro-style ramen. If you've ever had Ramen Jiro, you'll probably be equally excited for the opportunity to consume greasy pork slabs and oversized noodles in gluttonous portions. I can't find anything about this being a small chain, though

http://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2603/A260303/26003256/

http://ramendb.supleks.jp/s/8549.html

http://musashinonikki.fc2web.com/yume...

[Boston_Otter]

There's photos in the windows of what look like several branches of their restaurants, but each has a different name in the pictures. But they also posted amazing photos of ramen topped with fatty pork that definitely looks like Jiro ramen to me.

[Luther]

YAY

[galangatron]

makin' jamaican food truck in malden center will be closed until late august/early september

[bobot]

The Paddock in Somerville is closed.

http://boston.eater.com/archives/2012...

[yarm]

I saw this on MC's twitter post. Glad we hit that Somerville institution one last time a few months ago. I held it with the same old school esteem as I do Vinny's at Night.

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/

[itaunas]

I haven't been to the Paddock in a few years for food, but in reading DeCova's announcement I noticed his facebook page has him standing next to the lead cook (a central american) from the Harvard Square Il Panino and I had been wondering where he had landed. Now I guess I am wondering again...

[yumyum]

I went maybe a year ago after a great pizza experience a few years back. I went In a snowdrift -- walking distance from my house. I wanted to love it but the mixed tips I got were awfully inconsistently cooked and the staff just seemed unhappy to be there. It smelled like a place that was shutting down then. I'm surprised it took this long.

[itaunas]

The tips were good before DeCova took over, but not so nice when I tried them shortly afterward. Then again I wasn't a huge fan of his food at Guiseppi's in Medford (the pizza there was pretty good) where the tips were sweet, except I liked the Portuguese specials he added. His wife did post some status updates the mods deleted and I did hear there were improvements with the food more recently so they gave it a try. However, to me it mostly became a lounge with Brazilian traditional country music nights, karaoke nights, and soccer games. I think takeout/delivery orders were mostly pizza. All good stuff, but lacking focus to make it a successful business I think (which was the case before he took it over but Somerville has changed dramatically in 5 years). The cook from Il Panino turned out good food when he was there, so I would have liked to tried it one more time before they closed. The Mexican family that took over Guiseppi's is really sweet and cranks out some pretty tasty food, but the menu options I like are a bit limited to eat there all the time.

[MC Slim JB]

I'd been visiting The Paddock periodically for yonks, reviewed it for The Phoenix when the chef finally bought the place from the longtime owners about four years ago. The food was never amazing (pizza and the nightly Portuguese specials were my standbys), and a friend who lives nearby had noted a seriously drop-off in quality over the past year or so.

But I'm always saddened when some old-timey place like this goes by the boards. They don't make 'em like that anymore. I'm somewhat relieved to hear that The Stockyard has been bought (by the Eat Drink Laugh people) and will remain largely unchanged, though I can imagine the food quality ticking back up under the new owners.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[vengefultacos]

A new Indian place, Punjabi Tadka, opened in Arlington Center last weekend in the old Midami/ Asiana Grill location (444, Mass. Ave). Seems like it has been under construction since February or so. I halfway thought they might have given up. It's bound to cause some confusion, given that it's across the street from a restaurant named Punjab...

[bear]

Cafe Burrito was open tonight in the old Angelato space on Trapelo Rd. in between Coolidge Sq. and Waverly, right next to the Studio Cinema. From the online presence, it appears to be a combination coffee shop and burrito place.

[corduroy]

Drove by Evenfall in Haverhill/North Andover (is this considered Greater Boston?) this evening and the parking lot was empty. Found a blog post by the owner that said he closed for a variety of reasons and would be focusing on his newer restaurants in Andover (Sauce, Andolini's).

[southie_chick]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Finagel A Bagel at International Place is gone. There is a sign posted wishing The Palm good luck - wonder if this the same Palm that was in Copley Place?

[hiddenboston]

It is.

[southie_chick]

YAY - another steakhouse! ; ) Any idea when it's gonna open hidden? Wonder how they're gonna work that small space (won't be able to put a sit down restaurant if they use the same footprint as Finagle). Thought it was interesting that both the old & new locations overlook water features.

[hiddenboston]

Last I heard, it probably won't be open until early next year.

[hyde]

thank god! another steakhouse! maybe they could open another bank right next to it as there dont seem to be enough of either in boston proper.

[southie_chick]

They just put a bank in the 1st floor of my building ......... which is right next door to Bank Of America (AKA the "pregnant" building). Maybe they'll put a combo steakhouse / cupcake place on the other side of the 1st floor to make the building renovations complete! ; )

[MC Slim JB]

Taiwan Cafe is definitely open for business. Looks nice, refreshed, new furniture. Menu and food are everything they were before, which is to say, very, very good. Had the pork/crab XLB: I'd still give the edge to Dumpling Cafe for better, more delicate wrappers, but the filling at TC is superior, fresher-tasting. Presumably this will crimp the mystifying lines at Gourmet Dumpling House.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Nab]

I heard there were some menu revisions - did you happen to catch what those mighta been ?

And was Jimmy back at the helm ?

[MC Slim JB]

My memory is not that good: the menu looked substantially unchanged to me. I did notice one thing: seven dumplings to an order of XLB, where there used to be eight for the same price. Gotta pay for that new look somehow!

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[ScotchandSirloin]

Agree the XLB are better elsewhere, but GDH has a number of very good dishes (Sliced Fish Szechuan Style, Beef w/Longhorn Peppers, Eel/Tofu and pork w/ yellow chives, Qing Dao Spicy clams, etc.). Personally, I think it is a tad unfair to say the lines at GDH are mystifying.

[MC Slim JB]

I'm not trying to say GDH sucks, but it is constantly packed with lines out the door in a way that I don't quite understand. The sliced fish Szechuan style, for instance, has gotten a heap of praise (Ken Oringer was raving about it publicly at one point), but I think it's better at Dumpling Cafe. Somebody told me GDH was featured in some big national magazine -- GQ or Esquire, maybe? -- and that that's when it started getting crazy there.

I know I reviewed it favorably in the Phoenix back in March '09 (while noting the dumplings aren't that special), but the lines (mostly white faces, by the way) were something I started noticing rather more recently. Why don't these same folks queue up at Best Little, for instance? I wonder if maybe it's popular because it's popular.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hiddenboston]

MC, how come there are endless lines at Rino's in Eastie while there are none at Greek Corner in Cambridge, even though both has been little-known spots that were featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives? Sometimes you just have to scratch your head--I've given up trying to figure things out.

[ScotchandSirloin]

Interesting. I read online (can never trust what you read online) that the Szechuan style flounder at DC has no szechuan peppercorn, which really is one of the key ingredients to that dish. Maybe they have changed the recipe. Guess I have to go try it. This is getting difficult. Now I need to go to the new TC, back to DC for the fish, to the new China King for duck, and now you are implying that Best Little is queue worthy (is it?). Why do I bother reading these new restaurant threads when I'm going to have to be eating in Chinatown for the next 6 months?

[Nab]

The DC version of the dish did not have Sichuan peppercorns on my single sampling. It's not a dish that enters my top 10-15 orders at DC, but despite the lack of peppercorns, I found it plenty silky and fiery. It's not the reason one goes to DC, though.

ETA: another mention of it sans-peppercorns - http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/07/du...

[Guinness02122]

I hope just enough people go to Best Little Restaurant to keep them in business. That place is great, and I hope to never have to wait in line there.

[conchens]

I also believe that that super hot fish dish was on the travel channel or the food network, maybe someone like Ming blabbed about it and had the chef cooking it on "Best thing I ever ate" ? It was weird once, seeing that dish on almost every single table on a gross muggy humid boston night, then I turned on the food network channel the next day... Oh wait, there's another thread about that dish.

[passing thru]

I especially don't understand waiting in line in Chinatown at all, when you can so easily go to multiple other reasonably good places and sit right down to eat

[hyde]

hear, hear!

[Bob Dobalina]

Another cupcake spot - Lulu's - looks like it is close to opening in the recently vacated kiosk in Winthrop Square (across from the Dunks kiosk, in the alley). Based on the similar signage (I think), it appears to be an outlet of Lulu's in the North End. http://luluboston.com/

While the number of cupcake places in the downtown area baffles me, this one seems to make the most sense, given that the footprint is so small. May actually make economic sense.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Pity that Lulu's cupcakes taste like ass, though.

[catsmeow]

I really like LuLu's cupcakes. More of a buttercream frosting vs Lyndall's which is a sugar frosting and I never cared for. They're always moist and fresh. Different tastes ........

[Jenny Ondioline]

If they're always moist and fresh, then that's a change from their original location on Hanover Street, where the cakes were frosted with Crisco, tunneled, and tasted three days old regardless of when you bought them. Have they finally learned how to make cupcakes since they closed and reopened, perhaps?

[Beachowolfe]

I had LuLu's cupcakes recently and they were pretty good. They haven't been open on Hanover for years so it seems like your opinion could be outdated.

Worth another shot if you can forego the more appealing dessert options in the north end one time.

[lergnom]

Otto's Pizza, which recently opened in Coolidge Corner, Brookline, will open in the vacant, former Upper Crust location on Comm Ave at BU. That's also Brookline but no one thinks it is. From no Otto to lotta Otto.

[Berheenia]

It is open and hope they get the AC up and running. Stopped in for a peek and it was oppressive.

[viperlush]

Hops N Scotch in Coolidge Corner has openned

[Berheenia]

Went by yesterday afternoon. Hours are 5- 1 Tues through Sunday. Closed Mondays. But a manager came out as we were perusing the menu and said they would be opening for weekend brunch in a few weeks.

[Northstar22]

I heard tonight that Paul Turano has taken over a kendall square Spot and that he will split time between Tryst and this. Any other news on this?

[Nab]

New-ish (month old) Korean fastfood spot in Allston called Bethlehem To Go.

Small menu with some rolls, rice plates, rice cakes and noodles.

Menu, along with some snaps of the grub, can be seen on their yelp page:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bethlehem-to-...

[Stride]

According to today's Globe, Buddy's DIner has reopened and will begin serving dinner in the near future.

[CookieLee]

Sign in the window of the shop next to Tavern In The Square in Allston, announcing a fro yo shop to open soon.

From their FB page, it looks like Hops N Scotch is having what they describe as, "a very soft opening", saying they'll be open to the public on Wed. They do have a few res available, discounting the food.
https://www.facebook.com/HopsNScotch

[hotoynoodle]

http://boston.eater.com/archives/2012...

this place looks promising. so few good places in coolidge corner anymore.

[MC Slim JB]

Not sure where to post this, but St. John the Baptist, the South End Greek Orthodox church at 15 Union Park Street between Washington and Shawmut, is holding its fall Grecian Festival, which always features a lot of nice home-cooked Greek food for short money, on September 14 (6pm to 11pm), 15 (noon to 11pm), and 16 (noon to 8pm).

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Beachowolfe]

we need a seasonal thread for stuff like this

[itaunas]

My suggestion would be the thread below which could use more contributions. Others have suggested doing it monthly which is also fine but for me one thread is easiest.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/851330

[kobuta]

Kind of ho-hum, but saw a sign that another Lollicup is coming to one of the eatery spaces by Quincy Center station. The old sign read Mia East (? -- that's what it looked like).

[Parsnipity]

Q's Nuts storefront at the corner of Willow and Highland has a new sign out front and looks like it is getting closer to opening.

[MC Slim JB]

Universal Hub reports today that Michael Conlon (Paramount, West on Centre, Blarney Stone, etc.) is trying to buy The Stockyard with plans to re-open it under the same name.

Also, Tasty Burger got approval to move forward with its Southie location in the former Boat House ice cream stand, but as a takeout spot only; its request for a patio was shot down. It will serve from 8am (breakfast burritos, coffee and such) till 11pm, midnight on weekends.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[libertywharf]

I heard the stockyard is a done deal.

[granolagurl]

iYO Cafe in Davis Square is now open.

[kobuta]

Do they offer you a digital frozen yogurt, as new healthy, fat-free alternative? Seriously though...do you know what's their menu?

[MC Slim JB]

Boston Restaurant Talk recounted a Somerville city report that said, "the 68-seat iYO Cafe will focus on such items as frozen yogurt, pastries, coffee, and tea, with self-serve frozen yogurt stations and a self-serve topping station within the space." Also, "an email sent by the owner of the shop states that the place will also offer personalized fruit blends and smoothies as well, and that the space will include cafe-style seating, a fireplace, Wifi, and a 'drawing room,' which will be a dedicated space where customers can work individually or with advance notice, reserve the entire space for a study group, or an event such as a child's birthday party."

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[kobuta]

68 seats, for mainly froyo, smoothies, and cafe? Wow!

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Farmstead in Newton Center opening tonight. http://newton.patch.com/articles/farm...

[Gordough]

Likely not an August opening, but the Boston Business Journal is reporting that the owner of 51 Lincoln in Newton Highlands has acquired Kouzina in Waban and will be opening Waban Kitchen.

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blo...

[Bob Dobalina]

Feel nostalgic about Kouzina - had more than a few yummy meals there. My DW really enjoyed the bronzino - simple pan roast with potatoes, tomatoes and herbs.

[y2000k]

Drove past Newtonville last week and saw that Brewer's Coalition (in the old C Tsar spot) is close to ready. I suspect it should open some time this month (if not open already)?

[LStaff]

I was somewhat excited to see it when I drove past last weekend -(hoping that they might have some good beer)- then I googled it and found out its just another John Brewer's location.

[pemma]

But, I hear it's going to be more a craft-beer type place than a John Brewer's.

[cookfood]

its a slight step up from john brewers-went last night-good beer list, better than the usual john brewers-it was packed. also very loud but overhead a waitress saying they had ordered sound proofing (as a sidenote: several people waiting gave up there spot bc of the noise). bf got a burger which he thought was great and i got a buffalo chicken wrap-also what i expected and was pleased it was grilled chicken not fried. we'll go back the prices were reasonable and the beer/drink list was good enough. im sure it will be crowded for a while there isnt to much over there.

[Duster17]

Waltham Patch reported that it opened this past Sunday.

[mkfisher]

There's a post on bostonchefs.com for a new unnamed wine bar in Davis Square. The email address they have listed is for a place called Spoke Wine Bar, so I assume that's the name. Looks like Camberville will now have two new wine bars.

[hckybg]

Is that possibly the wine bar that Dave's Fresh Pasta has been hoping to open?

[yarm]

Most likely considering they secured their spirits license after a prolonged wait (could call it a battle since Somerville wanted to save those licenses for the Assembly Square development) a few months ago. I can't wait to see what Felicia and friends are putting together!

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/se...

[barleywino]

wandered by Shojo and they were unofficially open (still doing some construction, limited menu for now). Tried the pork ribs (3 for $8, tender, a bit bland/ sweet though) and the baby pig steamed buns (2 for $8, crispy skin, also on the bland/sweet side, probably would have preferred hoisin and maybe mayo over the sweet/sour sauce, and more crispy skin). Shrimp w/ angel hair and peanut sauce was ok ($15, small shrimp). Tried the Ron Zacapa old-fashioned, decent but also on the sweet side. Looking forward to them bringing an expanded menu on line after they officially open in about a week.

[mkfisher]

I believe the sign for b good said they're opening in September (though I could have that wrong as I was in full sprint on my way to Viga).

Belly Wine Bar is apparently opening in late August. Boston Restaurant Talk says it's located "down the steps to The Blue Room and turn left". As far as I know there's nothing really down there besides the space behind the Blue Room bar area, so I'm curious where exactly it's going to be located. This does mean that it's not taking over the Think Tank space.

[hiddenboston]

And Bon Me isn't going into the Think Tank space, either. So for now, it looks like it will remain empty.

[mkfisher]

Does that mean Bon Me is going into that empty space below West Bridge?

[hiddenboston]

Someone has mentioned that Bon Me could be moving into that space. But the Bon Me folks told me only that the location would be "close" to where Think Tank was, but didn't specify.

[mkfisher]

Bon Me is in fact going directly below West Bridge. There are now a handful of tables and stools in the space.

It also appears some very minor movement has occurred in Think Tank. Silverware has been taken off tables and stools have been taken off the bar. Still says closed for repairs, yet no real work appears to have been done.

[viperlush]

Unless Think Tank isn't really closing and the "Closed for Repairs" sign is true?

[hiddenboston]

Corn & Co (popcorn) and Crumbs Bake Shop are both coming to Burlington in August.

[southie_chick]

Does anyone know if Corn & Co is the place that sold their popcorn at the holiday Farmer's Market (near Macy's) about 2 years ago? I used to buy the kettle/white cheddar from a vendor there that was from the North Shore, but didn't bother to save the label since the owner told me they were going to sell it at Market Basket (& it never appeared). Loved the blend - you get both the salt & the sweet. I've never been able to find any other popcorn place that makes this - they usually only do this as either white cheddar or kettle corn, never the 2 combined.