November 2012 Openings and Closings

[MC Slim JB]

Fogo de Chão opens in the former home of The Palm in the Westin Copley Place on Nov 2, and adds lunch service Nov 5. It's a chain churrascaria with six locations in Brazil and 16 in the US.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hckybg]

Puritan & Co. is supposed to open in Inman any day now. The menu has been posted here (as a PDF):
http://www.urbandaddy.com/uploads/ass...

I am sure it will be tasty but I must say that I was surprised by the price point. Soups in the low teens and ten dollar desserts are unusual for this area. Even East Coast Grill has several cheap options among a more expensive menu. This was one of the mistakes that seemed to doom Benatti, but perhaps Gilson's reputation will help. It will be busy in the short run, regardless.

[FinnFPM]

Will left his last full-time gig a year and a half ago -- he's gotta play catch-up!

[hckybg]

Yeah...I didn't want to be too picky, but this is undoubtedly true. He has demonstrated skill at attracting hype, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. I am more interested in Bronwyn, which offers a new concept for the area. Puritan & Co. reads to me as much less original, but I do enjoy that style of food too.

[MC Slim JB]

Agreed that the prices seem a bit high. But I want to advocate for the original adage, which is that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Gonna eat first to see if those prices are justified. Psyched for Bronwyn, too.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Boston_Otter]

The Spike's Gourmet Dogs in Davis Square closes on Nov. 30th, to be replaced by a Painted Burro expansion.

[meeps2002]

I might be alone, but I really love Spike's - Hopefully the other location in Back Bay stays around for my late night fix

[Boston_Otter]

I love Spike's when all goes well; their buns and dogs are great, and I love a lot of their topping combos (such as the Reuben, the Big Dave's Deluxe, and the Joka Dog). Sadly eating at the Davis location was always a bit of a roll of the dice; the chances that you'd actually get everything you ordered or even the correct toppings was about 50/50. I'll really miss having them in the area.

[Jenny Ondioline]

I just can't get past the buns. My experiences with the Spike's in Allston have basically been "Put whatever you want on the dog, it's just gonna taste like the roll anyway."

[FinnFPM]

A Time to Taste, at 185 Devonshire (formerly Roly Poly, formerly Grass Roots) in the financial district, has shuttered.

The place lacked direction and felt doomed from the start. I hope a Boloco doesn't sprout in the ashes.

[Gordough]

There is already a Bolocco about 100 yards away on Federal Street. I'd like to see something like a second location of Thinking Cup but that is purely selfish so I don't have to walk the 10 min to Tremont Street. Other than that, a solid take out sushi place is needed in the neighborhood. That Samurai place on Franklin next to the DeAngelo's is terrible.

[Bob Dobalina]

I would second a Thinking Cup at that location. Or an in-the-ground Clover.

[okra]

It appears that Indian Dhaba at 180 Brighton Ave in Allston, has been replaced with "Grill Station".

[MC Slim JB]

Grill Station? I suppose that's better than The Bus Bucket. Any idea what kind of place it is? Can't find anything online about it, other than an Eater piece that said it would be called Mediterranean Grill. Another Egyptian kebab joint?

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[galangatron]

kiengiang restaurant has opened in the old pho number 9 location on route 16 in everett

[jcab923]

In other Legendary Restaurant Group news, Burger Dive opened today at Assembly Square…meehmmm Sorry Assembly Row (pardon my townieness).

[pemma]

Townie jcab923: Is it taking the place of Dapper Dan's? Or are you not that old?

[jcab923]

Wow Dapper Dan's. I am 37 so I do remember it. I however had completely forgotten about it. Its logo had a guy with a top hat. I always thought it was the swankiest place in the world. Thank you for conjuring up that memory.

[MC Slim JB]

Tavern on the Water in Charlestown is no more.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[mkfisher]

I'm embarassed to admit this, but I kind of liked that place on a summer afternoon.

[Gabatta]

Nothing better than grabbing a few cocktails on the deck there and watching the d-bags who have never been on the water in their life try to dock their new 20+ foot toys unsuccessfully.

[MC Slim JB]

I wonder if the sudden spate of new Seaport places that offer once-rare Harbor views led to its demise. I know I always wished the food were better, but that's something I think about all of Legendary Restaurant Group's places.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Gabatta]

Food was definitely the strong suit. When it was run by the same owners as the Warren Tavern I liked their take in the chef salad with a scoops of lobster meat, chicken salad and tuna on top.

[misscucina]

Andale! -- the Mexican place just off Summer St. and High St. (near South Station) closed on Nov. 20. I guess the Downtown Crossing Burrito Wars of 2012 has taken its first casualty.

[lovejoyeater]

Maximo's in Watertown is no longer. For rent signs are up, and I'm dreaming about what might move in there!

[ipsofatso]

Lewis's In Essex, CLOSED and FOR SALE. Won't miss it.

[ix9]

clerk agenda lists an application for a chinese bakery at the address of JNJ Turo Turo, which presumably means this filipino place is closing..

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

Firefly's BBQ in Framingham has been closed according to a pre-recorded message I heard after calling that location. The message did report that the Marlborough location will remain open.

[nsenada]

Oh crap - my son's gonna be mad.

[FinnFPM]

Five Guys in Downtown Crossing is opening this Saturday, the 17th. There. I hope that's the last time I'm compelled to post an update on the blasted place.

[hiddenboston]

Where did you hear this?

[hiddenboston]

Actually, I just got the official word from Five Guys. It'll be opening Monday. Perhaps they'll be doing a soft opening on Saturday? (They didn't say.)

[FinnFPM]

There was a sign on the door yesterday that stated they'd be opening on Saturday. That may have changed in the past 24 hours, I guess.

I did think that Monday would be a better day to open, but then wondered if they wouldn't want to work some of the bugs out before their first workday lunch.

[Gordough]

Meanwhile, if B.Good continues at their current construction pace at their new Summer St. location, their sign proclaiming that they will be selling burgers at that location in September might actually prove true. September 2013 that is.....

[nsenada]

Stoddard's-esque

[hiddenboston]

NOTE: Five Guys just got in touch with me again, saying that they made a mistake--it will indeed be opening on Summer Street this Saturday, so you were right about this.

[mkfisher]

Does anyone have details on the b&m Bon Me slated to open at One Kendall? Last I recall, I thought they were shooting for December. From what I can tell, they haven't done any work on the space.

[MC Slim JB]

Now mid-January, says Eater Boston.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[FinnFPM]

Five Guys opened up today on Rt. 110 in Westford.

The downtown location is currently conducting trainings, and hauling in large deliveries of potatoes and peanut oil.

[devilham]

Cafe Rialto in Roslindale Square closed, which is too bad as I rather enjoyed their pizza

[total13]

That place had the oddest hours, I saw it open about 1 out of every 3 times I drove by. Has anyone stopped at the the place that took the Robyn's space?

[devilham]

Agreed on the hours, no consistency to it, and said as much to my wife when I told her I suspected they were losing ground and would probably be closing sooner rather than later

[hardi]

Belle Isle Seafood closed its doors to its shack location Saturday. They said they'd be closed Sunday and Monday and opening up in their new location, just over the bridge in Winthrop later this week. I'm not sure what they are doing with the shack, but am interested to see how they do with the new location.

[Prav]

Not sure if this was covered on the September board, but on Cambridge Street in Beacon Hill, across from MGH (near the Supercuts and Ana's), seems to be opening up an "Authentic Mongolian" restaurant (that's what eater.com described it as).

It's called "Little Lamb Hot Pot", which could be awesome.

[Boston_Otter]

I wonder if that's any relation to Little Q Hot Pot, which uses a cute little lamb as their mascot.

[hiddenboston]

No relation to Little Q...

[Boston_Otter]

Then what a clever rip-off!

[hiddenboston]

They are actually a group of restaurants with a few locations around the world. So it looks like they just happen to have a name similar to Little Q. Either way, I'm sure Little Q isn't happy about this.

[Boston_Otter]

Wow, you're right -- it's actually a fairly major Chinese chain (over 300 restaurants) that's recently been bought by Yum Group -- the folks that own KFC and Taco Bell. So it sounds like Little Q borrowed the sheep idea from them, most likely. Curious!

[Bob Dobalina]

According to Prav's post, it's going to be called Little LAMB, while the larger franchise is called Little SHEEP. Not to get all ovine-snickety, but maybe not a connection.

[hiddenboston]

Ovine-snickety.....I may need to borrow this one.

[MC Slim JB]

I should do a blog photo-essay of all the places in town with signs that feature cartoons of happy animals that are served by the restaurants. Q Restaurant (cute little lamb licking its chops), Hot Pot Buffet (grinning cow licking its chops and giving you the thumbs-ups with Mickey-esque white-gloved "hands"), and the pho sign on Xinh Xinh (cow licking its chops) are a few that come to mind.

I guess the imputed thinking is, "I'm going to be slaughtered, but I just know I'm going to be turned into something delicious. Why not pour this ladleful of marinade on me right now?"

Happy pigs on BBQ restaurant signs are pretty common. Sweet Cheeks Q takes a more abstract route: the "tail" of the letter Q is curly. Any others?

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[FinnFPM]

Yes, I think this has potential.

Can we call it "Swine, Resigned?"

Alternately: Amor Fatty?

[Allstonian]

Jenny Ondioline & I call the pigs at BBQ restaurants "cannibal pigs." In many cases they are not only smiling but wearing a chef's toque and/or jacket, and I've even seen some who are carrying plates of ham slices or the like.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Yes, this is a very common trope at southern barbecue restaurants, and one I've always found inexplicably charming.

[owades]

I used to frequent Curtiss's Bar-B-Que in Putney, Vermont when I had a client in the area. They had a very-much alive Vietnamese pot-bellied pig as their friendly "mascot"—she liked to be petted by the patrons at the outdoor tables. As Curtiss's website (http://curtisbbqvt.com/pictures.html) says, "For 13 years Curtis told her that he only cooks chicken."

[nsenada]

I've always been creeped out by restaurant "mascots." I love that "Cluckin' Chicken" commercial on SNL (even if it did feature Adam Sandler).

[MC Slim JB]

Eater Boston's story on this suggests that it is indeed part of the big PRC-based chain: http://boston.eater.com/archives/2012/11/12/little-lamb-to-bring-mongolian-cuisine-to-beacon-hill.php Looks like these folks: http://www.littlesheephotpot.com/

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hiddenboston]

Mmmmmmmmmmmm.............small-tailed sheep secret God stockpot. I haven't had that since college.

[kt1969]

Thank you for posting that link, I needed a good laugh today. :)

[Berheenia]

Finally decided to try Sebastian's next to Symphony Hall for lunch and it has closed. Looks open but doors are locked and big white signs say This Location Has Closed.

[catsmeow]

Didn't they just open a few months ago?

[FinnFPM]

I think they opened last winter. So, that's less than a year for them there.

[postemotional1]

Whole Foods dramatically expanded their prepared food selection and that doomed Sebastian's from the get go. It is worth mentioning that the Au Bo Pain in Prudential is now a pre-made takeout store as Shaw's expansion of its prepared food department has been very successful.

Grocerants are growing.

[meeps2002]

Is Mike & Patty's in transition of ownership? I heard Mike may have left the business

[MC Slim JB]

Yes, true: http://boston.eater.com/archives/2012/10/22/mike-pattys-will-reopen.php Still hoping to re-open this month.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[L2k]

A moment of silence, please, for the late Bickford's Grill(e?) of Needham Massachusetts, which apparantly shut down last week.

[hiddenboston]

Head down, eyes closed.

[Cork]

Oh no. Was just there with the kids weeks ago. My boy loved the corned beef hash....

[CookieLee]

They had just rebuilt the burned out building and reopened 6 months ago. I drive by it all the time, seemed to have business.

[L2k]

I thought it was more like 2 years ago, but we hadn't stopped there since well before the fire.

[Unfoodie]

I heard a rumor that Area Four is opening a satellite in the former Bearded Pig location. I think it will only serve pizza and they will have draft wine and canned beer.

[Allstonian]

It's certainly not going to be a November opening (although there may well be a November closing involved), but I just saw this interesting item on Universal Hub: http://www.universalhub.com/2012/rest...

[greygarious]

According to Twitter, Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard has closed.

[FinnFPM]

Wow, that's the second really bad news of this thread. I know that people had their problems with Cast Iron Kitchen, but hell, it's Maynard. We can't afford to lose decent places out this way.

[maxevan]

They started off pretty strong and then lost the fire. Rumored fish place going in, part of the Fish Market.

[FinnFPM]

I went by Pret A Manger on Post Office square today, and it has opened.

[hiddenboston]

This must be a soft opening, as their Facebook page says they are opening on November 13.

[FinnFPM]

Perhaps it was. I went by this morning -- shop all lit up, doors open, cases stocked, employees at the counter -- and, when I got up there, I was told by one of them that they are actually not open yet. They told me the 19th, though.

[Gordough]

So if the cases are stocked and they aren't opening for a week or more, what happens with all the product? Sold to friends/family/service industry types?

[FinnFPM]

I don't know. The cases weren't full, by any means; the sandwich racks were empty, and I didn't investigate the nature of what was over there already.

[southie_chick]

The chips & bottled drinks are being stocked, but no sandwiches yet. I spoke with one of the managers / trainers & she said it will be open on the 19th, but I heard a rumor they may do a soft opening (not sure if it's for the general public or just for the people in the building) later in the week next week.

[Jenny Ondioline]

Walking to the Jackson Mann to vote yesterday, I saw that Brazilian Corner, a nondescript Brazilian grocery, has a banner announcing a coming new incarnation as a Brazilian butcher shop.

I would strongly support such an establishment.

[Bob Dobalina]

What sorts of things would make such a Brazilian butcher shop special?

[Jenny Ondioline]

Well, any butcher shop closer to me than Coolidge Corner would be a win. But there's also a possibility for Brazilian treats like rabbit, quail, goat, etc.

[Bob Dobalina]

Gotcha - I was thinking along the lines of particular cuts of meat or something. But different critters would be interesting too. Fresh rabbit would be quite a treat.

[FinnFPM]

Bring a bow-and-arrow to Belmont. Just don't do it in front of any kids.

[itaunas]

The Brazilian areas most represented in Boston are pretty beef, chicken, and pork oriented so the things you mentioned are actually more likely at a shop catering to a Portuguese clientele. And you aren't likely to get capivara or tatu here (which are hunted in some of those areas). ;-) Around holidays you can order a roasting pig (larger than suckling) and possibly a cabrito, although that is usually a bit harder.

What you will get is house-made sausages (pork/beef mixed, pork, chicken, different thicknesses for frying vs grilling), which will tend to feature sazon type flavors (in between Italian and other latino styles). There should be flanken-style beef and pork ribs. You can get small pieces of pork skin with fat for frying and the fixing for a feijoada. Salted meats both for feijoada and other purposes. Usually there should be hardwood charcoal, but most today stock Royal Oak from Paraguay instead of the Brazilian coals. Its not meat, but hopefully you will get a freezer of Brazilian fruit pulp which is better than the more common Goya varieties. Basically you get the same meats that a supermarket would carry, but cut differently and in some cases different meat cuts (top sirloin butt for steaks as opposed to cuts from further forward).

[Bob Dobalina]

You da' man - thanks!

[itaunas]

No problem. My Brazilian dish suggestions using some things they might have would be making "vaca atolada" with beef ribs and yuca, "canjiquinha com costelinha de porco" -- grits and pork ribs(lets) where you can also use some of their shredded kale for convenience, or go all out and make an excellent batch of feijoada but don't plan strenuous activities afterwards. You could also maybe find some frozen pao de queijo to heat and have with an avocado shake (vitamina de abacate). :-)

[Bob Dobalina]

Keep those ideas coming - I enjoy getting to know the ingredients of Brazilian cuisine.

My wife made a run at making homemade pao de queijo and I thought they turned out quite great. Recently was starching some stew meat and ran across the remaining manioc flour from the pao - it did a fantastic job sealing the meat.

[itaunas]

One hint with pao de queijo there are two types of the starch (amido), sweet (doce: plain starch) and sour (azedo: fermented in an industrial process). The polvilho azedo helps it rise a bit and it can have a nicer bite (dryer, more crisp, as opposed to the more doughy plain starch). For pao de queijo you can use either, or even mix them, but I like to have some of the azedo at least and its required for certain types of biscuits. One thing you can look out for is "queijo minas meia cura" a partially cured (traditionally in olive oil) soft cheese which is nice for pao de queijo -- Market Basket also carries it in a few stores.

[dulce de leche]

The Yoki Pao de Queijo mix is pretty good, and dead easy so your kids can make it while you do something else. At Somerville Market Basket with the Brazilian stuff.

[hotoynoodle]

also sausages.

eta: woops!! sorry, hadn't gotten down to itaunas' post. sorry.

[CookieLee]

New frozen yogurt place opening in Coolidge Corner, near Trader Joe's.
http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com...

[devilham]

Cafe Latino in Gvt. Center is no more, it and the rather bland Plaza Deli are vacant. I'm really bummed out about losing some really amazing pig skin in the downtown area, but in the end, my doctor will be happier I guess.

[mkfisher]

That is pretty awful news.

[FinnFPM]

Holy hell, no way. That's terrible news. I loved Latino! There's no replacement for that downtown. Ugh.

[ajmoose]

~sob~
never again to enjoy my treasured slab o' crispy skin.
this day just keeps getting worse.

[hiddenboston]

It looks like both are moving to Kendall Square.

[mvi]

They are merging into the new Discovery Cafe spot. Sixth Street. Kind of curious about this space. I will walk over tomorrow to see if they are open and how things look.

[jgg13]

You just made my day if that's the case. I'm never going to leave 301B!

Dunno about the Cafe Latino bit, but the normal stuff is open, saw them w/ the grand opening signs yesterday.

Edit: argh, looked at the menu online. nothing about pernil :(

[mvi]

Won't make it there today with the storm coming along (hunkering down with work, soup and red wine), but will report in when I do and look forward to others chiming in. With all of the new construction projects nearby, they should have an audience if the food is any good.

[devilham]

Not in downtown Boston, but La Lechonera Cafe in Roslindale has pretty solid parniel, they don't have the super crispy skin sadly, but the pork itself is cooked over charcoal, so it has great flavor...and you can get chicharones for your crispy skin fix.

[9lives]

Just saw that on Eater.

Losing Cafe Latino is a big loss. Wish I'd gotten there for 1 more taste of pork ..bummed!

[MC Slim JB]

Bloody effing hell. I will truly miss that pernil asado. Grateful I got my last licks in a few weeks ago. Would have done it more regularly, but it was an afternoon productivity killer, even when I stopped halfway, which was tough to do. Goddamn it all to perdition! The Chow gods can be cruel. I guess I should be thankful I've still got Zo.

A great example of a place that was off my radar until Chowhounds put me on it. I was really happy to steer more folks to it with a Boston Phoenix review. I was so thrilled and proud that they had a reproduction of that review right at the ordering line up until the end.

The news is that the Puerto Rican team will be relocated with Plaza Deli in their move to Kendall Square as Discovery Cafe, which is some comfort, but their cuisine will be de-emphasized. Who else does a worthy pernil asado in Greater Boston? It's not on the Vejigantes menu. I recall Izzy's doing it as a Friday special years ago. Is that still on, and good?

Fffffffff me. Crappity crappity crap.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[jgg13]

Izzys still does it on Friday. Can't compare it to Cafe Latino, I always get the sub which isn't going to be quite the same.

[FinnFPM]

The Puerto Rican food is "de-emphasized?" That seems like saying that Mitt Romney's presidental campaign has been "de-energized." I just looked at the menu and see nothing but snoozy garbage: wraps, salads, blah blah. Will they be serving ANYTHING Puerto Rican? Forget the pernil; this place had devastatingly good arroz y habichuelas, their plantains were awesome, and the cold yuca salads that they did were consistantly delicious.

[devilham]

As I mentioned earlier Slim, and technically Roslindale is greater boston, La Lechonara on American Legion Highway has a pretty outstanding pernil

[itaunas]

I would definitely suggest checking out La Lechonera Cafe which has been on my list to try since devilham first mentioned it and gourmaniac gave it good marks. El Orental de Cuba is another decent option that side of town. It shows up weekly on some Brazilian buffets often on weekends, although pork loin and ribs are more common. Terra Brasilis in Quincy might be one possibility.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/853245

Izzy's pernil is quite good, but its very different than Cafe Latino and served shredded, no skin. They have it both Friday and Saturday. If you want to venture to the North Shore there are a fair number of Dominican options, as well as a couple of Puerto Rican ones.

[Madrid]

I'd really like to try to make the pernil asado as close to Cafe Latina's version as possible. So that's why this isn't a question for the home cooking board. I never tried it so I have no idea where to start rather than the obvious of looking for recipes. What cut of pork was it....pork shoulder, bone-in, skin on, slow roasted, sliced not shredded.....was it lots of garlic? Since it's Puerto Rican, without the citrusy Cuban mojo marinade?

[FinnFPM]

Do the board a favor and go over to Discovery Cafe and ask one of them! Let us know what the story is.

Try and convince them to open up their own place, while you're at it.

[Madrid]

I'm hoping Slim will take a copy of his review in and encourage them to open a PR place.

[itaunas]

Madrid a good place to start for Puerto Rican pernil is Carmen Aboy Valldejili's Cocina Criolla which has been translated into English versions and I believe you can get at least the Spanish version from the library. I wasn't able to pull up the recipe in google books (but it looks like you can on amazon), but I found a couple of references to it in a google search one is below roasted at a higher temperature (she does a straight 325 or 350 depending on the book, I often do less) and its been mentioned on the home cooking board. The seasoning is very simple and the directions in the book are very detailed.

http://threeovens.wordpress.com/2011/...

Update: I was able to search inside her Puerto Rican Cookery on Amazon and it shows the "pernil al horno" recipe in that English version of the book which looks to be same directions as Cocina Criolla.

[Madrid]

thanks so much, itaunas...I found the recipe on Amazon. I like how she gives such precise instructions depending on the weight of the meat....I am probably going to add this cookbook to my already huge (300 or so) collection given that my adopted son is of Puerto Rican descent and I hope someday he will expand beyond his limited tastes.

She does however say to remove the skin. It seems like everyone who loved the pernil at Cafe Latina mentioned the crackling, delicious skin so I would definitely leave it on. And since she calls for a leg of whatever animal, also assuming she means meat with bone, as I'd prefer to cook it anyway.

If I can afford to splurge, I'll go to MF Dulock .... I got a pork shoulder there for the Bo ssam David Chang recipe and it was amazing.

And I will try asking at Discovery Cafe.....if I am successful, I'll report back. Looking at the depressingly pedestrian menu, I would prefer to ask without buying anything!

[itaunas]

I don't have it in front of me anymore, but I am pretty certain that in the Spanish version she has you make slashes in the skin (square or diamond cut), cutting slightly into the fat, but not the meat. You don't get a large piece of skin like Cafe Latino that way, but it can get crisp (even at fairly low temps, but high heat at the end is sometimes nice -- the Brazilian way is to pour hot oil over it which is very effective but a bit of a pain). She uses the same recipe for lamb, pork, and something else just changing the directions. BTW, what is usually served as pernil here is really a 'paleta' or a cut from the fore-leg, whereas a fresh ham is is a pernil. I find it easier to get crisp skin with a shoulder (picnic) than fresh-ham so that is working in y our favor. In any case, I would ask them about how they roast them temperature-wise and get the crispy skin if you find the right person at Discovery Cafe.

I haven't made it to MF Dulock, but looking forward to checking it out.

[devilham]

I have seen a technique where the skin is removed, but then tied back on, wrapped around the meat, that way you could season the meat and then cut up the now crispy shell of skin separately

[opinionatedchef]

m, just fyi, you might like to try the pernil at the Dominican take out place,La Fe, in downtown Lynn. Their deep fried stuff is really gross but what is really good,imo, is the: pernil, pigeon peas and rice, habichuelas, berenjena (eggplnt) and okra. they switch off between the latter 2 @ day. Everything is weighed and prices are low. You can gustar if you ask.Street parking is easy. (There is a counter w/ 3-4 stools but it is pretty depressing.) There is a Latin market next door too. If you have any fabric needs, it can be fun to combine the La Fe run w/ a trip to Lynn's famous Zimman's.

[Bob Dobalina]

Any word as to why? Seemed like the deli did bang-up lunch business.

[Wannabfoode]

OH NO! That's terrible!

[nsenada]

Noooooooooooo! A colleague just told me about this - he went hoping for some crispy pig skin. It looks like that "Dsicoverty Cafe" won't be "featuring" Puerto Rican food. Ugh...

[jgg13]

It's a pressed sandwich place that churns out generic sandwiches off of 2 panini presses. They have a salad bar. Anyone going there looking for cafe latino will be sorely disappointed. FWIW the sandwiches are ok, but ....

[nsenada]

Sob...sniffle...

[jgg13]

I was in here yesterday (friday) and noticed they had a roast pork special. This is the first time I'd ever gone in on a Friday. The guy said they had it every Friday - I asked if it was the same thing as cafe latino and he said yes although I don't think he understood what I meant (it was really busy).

Disclaimer, it's been ~2 years since I've had the cafe latino pernil plate so my memory might not be 100% accurate.

It was 8-9$, and much smaller amount than cafe latino. Pile of pork and some rice, no plantains. The rice was kind of crappy. I think the pork was roughly the same although there was less of it than at the old space. There was a hunk of skin in the bin but it didn't look all that crispy so I didn't ask about it.

If I hadn't have ever experienced cafe latino I'd probably have been really happy w/ what I got, but paying more for less & less quality is irksome.

[MC Slim JB]

Tonic appears to be re-opening after all this Friday, per Eater Boston, with a new menu.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[lovejoyeater]

Maximo's in Watertown has a "Closed Temporarily" sign. I'm not holding out much hope. They always have more workers than customers when I walk by there on a daily basis.

[GilbyEast]

This is TEMPORARY: Sapporo Ramen in Porter is closed; they can't get their noodles from NYC due to Sandy's wrath. The oyako donburi next door is mighty tasty, so I didn't starve.
If anyone finds Sapporo open, please post!

[opinionatedchef]

wow, gil, thx much for that info. We almost went there late yestday but we opted instead for our fav Cubano- at Dave's Pasta. I needed a Panforte too (they stopped making them for awhile during the summer until now.)

[opinionatedchef]

Called today. Sapporo got their noodles!! yum lunch later to be!

[enhF94]

Daddy Jones Bar in Magoun Square, Somerville, reports they are open as of Nov 1. This is the old "Li'l Vinny's" space (not to be confused with Vinny's @ Night/Superette, which is different).

http://daddyjonesbar.com

Haven't been.

[LStaff]

Boca Restaurant and Bar - Costa Rican joint in Waltham next door to Sadies Saloon which is also recently closed - will be closing in the very near future.

http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/brandnew...

[Snowflake]

It looks like the renovation is nearly complete at the old Foster's on Blossom St in the Holiday Inn. I can't find any confirmation of when it will open but I am guess in the next week or two. I believe it will be called something like 'West End Grill' but not positive. They have done a lot of work and it looks quite nice. I am hoping it will add to the neighborhood rotation and not just be there to satisfy hotel guests.

[Swankalicious]

Jason Santos's place will be called Abby Lane and will open in a couple weeks. *licks chops*
http://boston.grubstreet.com/2012/11/...

[hyde]

Once again the word is that Charcoal Guidos brick oven pizza on Moody st., Waltham is to open in the next few weeks.

Why so soon? Why rush?

[bear]

Don't tease me now, hyde. I'd just about given up.

[hyde]

i know! but i looked in the other day and two people who looked like staff were sitting at the bar. i was in a hurry or i would have knocked and questioned them.

[bear]

The lights were on tonight, and the sign was glowing. The door was locked at 4:30 or so, but paper menus were in the window and it looked ready to open any day. It's a cute place with a bar off to the left.
Menu lists "ciccetti", charcuterie plates (not house-made), pastas, entrees and pizzas. I didn't have time to check it out carefully, but clam pizza is the first one listed. Prices look good and the menu looks varied but not overly huge. Looks hopeful.

[hyde]

ok!

Charcoal Guidos Brick Oven Pizza on Moody st., Waltham is open!

went last night and there were 8-10 people waiting for tables. some outside. absolutely packed.
sad face. waiting in the cold and then jammed into a packed new place seemed a recipe for disaster. even more so considering the alternatives on moody. i will go another time.

[bear]

Oh, thanks, hyde! If there were that many people, hopefully they have a good product and will do well. I almost got takeout tonight, but felt like cooking. One of us will report back soon.

[FinnFPM]

I haven't seen anything about this on here, but I was walking through the Common today and saw people working on it. I've never heard of this chain, and don't know anything about it, but apparently there's one at Logan:

http://bostonherald.com/business/gene...

[Boston_Otter]

I've been to their other locations, and they'll make a nice addition to the Common. Despite the jokey name, their sandwiches are very tasty and worthwhile, on fresh-baked ciabtta-ish bread. Looking forward to having one in town.

[southie_chick]

Too bad it's taking so long for The Earl to open - was looking forward to having one while sitting on The Common this summer (but I'll be grabbing a sandwich in Orlando in a couple of weeks to make up for that). From what I've read, it's take out only - which will be interesting to see how this will impact their business if they open during the middle of winter.
In other sandwich news, Pret (on Franklin Street) looks like they've done a ton of work - probably will be open within a month or so.

[FinnFPM]

They'll have to do a bunch of advertising for people to have any idea they're there. There is NOBODY who is ever going to casually walk by the place while they're out looking for lunch. It's basically an island. There's nothing but trees, grass and garbage barrels in its vicinity. If I was trying to hide a restaurant in plain sight, in the middle of Boston, that location would be on top of my list.

[Snowflake]

I just walked by Earl of Sandwich and it is open and serving.

[MC Slim JB]

Per Grub Street, The Reserve, a swank lounge at the Langham Hotel, opens November 2.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[MC Slim JB]

According to Urban Daddy, Steel & Rye, from Chris Parsons of Parson's Table, opens in Milton on Monday, November 5. Menu: http://www.urbandaddy.com/uploads/assets/file/pdfs//c29c79161ee83092e344f4a0b217348d.pdf

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[T.Clark]

I've been following their progress on Twitter. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

[hotoynoodle]

prezza "hopes" to be open by thanksgiving. jerryrigging everything back into a very small kitchen for modern codes is taking painfully long.

[itaunas]

Reports are that Arthur's Pastry is coming to West Medford, I am guessing into the spot next to Nick's House of Pizza on High Street. I believe this is the same Arthur's as on Main Street in Medford (with characters painted on the windows) at Harvard. If that is indeed the spot its hard to gauge progress with the un-torn brown paper and construction permit in the window.

[pemma]

That would be a nice addition to the square. It's Jimmy's House of Pizza by the way.

[itaunas]

Thanks for the correction. I should have remembered correctly, given I almost tripped over their sign in the middle of the sidewalk checking out the space next door. :-) The permit is in the name of the building owner and there is absolutely no equipment the space I had in mind so nothing to confirm the revenue. It does appear that Arthur's is moderately active on facebook, so might be possible to ask them there.

[antimony]

That would be awesome!

[mvi]

Discovery Cafe opening late next week on the corner of 6th and Binney Street, about a block away from the Cambridge police station. Doors were open today, with lots of work going on, and the folks inside said they will also be offering a catering service.

[jgg13]

Here's hoping that it is less sucky than Zigo was.

[mvi]

Agreed there.

[mkfisher]

Is this that old Zigo space?

I am very curious to see how those couple blocks develop now that the new Biogen headquarters/Alexandria Center are going up.

[mvi]

Yes, that is the space. I agree with you. This whole area has been going through such rapid change. So much construction and so many new places all within a few blocks. It's been great for those of us who live and work in the Kendall Square area.

[FinnFPM]

Will Gilson "hopes" to open Puritan & Co. early in the month.

[Jenny Ondioline]

As we were walking home from a typically excellent sandwich from Boston Kaboob Company -- still home of the best felafel in town -- Allstonian and I passed something new coming in on Comm Ave near Chester, between Mixx and that rotten little pizza shop. It's the spot that used to be some bizarre little Pakistani place that was briefly a market and then had some kind of unmarked steam table buffet that you could never tell if it was open or not.

Anyway, it's too soon to tell for sure and there were no helpful signs, but the decor made me think Japanese. Anyone have any news?

[Prav]

I didn't know Medina Market was gone... well, they aren't a fraction of the goodness that is Darbar Restaurant.

[Taralli]

Darbar, good place to celebrate Halloween w/Magaz Masala.

[bear]

Banners over the sign and on the side of the building at Maria's Pizza in East Arlington were advertising "Hand-tossed Italian Pizza Coming Soon." Not sure if it's a change in owners, or just a change in concept.

[Dea]

I was driving too fast to catch the particulars, but there was a sign on the sidewalk yesterday offering a free slice.

[Nab]

Poe's Pub or whatever they're gonna call it (Mass Ave & Tremont). Sometime in November.

[MC Slim JB]

Estelle's is the new name for what was originally going to be called Poe's Chester Square Pub.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[ipsofatso]

Upper Crust closing in Beverly; new place opening there soon in the North Beverly plaza.

[chompie]

Mario's from North Reading will be opening in North Beverly so I am guessing that this will be the place. They have good food and pizza at a decent price and have takeout with a waitress section. Just was there yesterday for the first time in years and saw a sign up that they are expanding to beverly and other spots

[sinned61]

Here ya go!

http://reading-northreading.patch.com...

[MC Slim JB]

Per Eater Boston, Mangia Pizza's long-closed South End location (which I was sure was gone for good, "temporarily closed" sign notwithstanding) re-opens Nov 1. Glad to see it!

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Gordough]

If I were a betting man, I would wager that the first Five Guys in downtown Boston (Summer Street in Downtown Crossing) will be opening in November. They look to be about 4-5 weeks out.

[mkfisher]

I'm guessing the same can be said for the B Good just down the street. They were supposed to open in September, but clearly hit some delays.

[Gordough]

I am not so sure about the B Good. I walk by both of these sites almost daily and work on the B Good location has either stopped or slowed down significantly. I hardly ever even see any work going on in there although it is papered over so it is a bit hard to tell. I'd guess more like 6-8 weeks minimum unless things pick up dramatically.

[FinnFPM]

Yeah, I'm surprised by how slowly they've both been coming. That "we'll be grinding burgers in September" sign always depresses me a little bit, and I don't even really care about b.good.

[FinnFPM]

I walked past the Five Guys location yesterday and the paper is down off the windows. The interior appears mostly set up. It looks like a lot of finishing work is going on at this point, so I don't think we're too far off.

[Gordough]

I walked by the new B Good location on Summer Street today. They have made quite a bit of progress in the last week or so. Signage is up. I'd guess about 2-3 more weeks depending on permitting/license issues provided that the current pace continues.

One other non-chowish note. On the same block, Subway has opened replacing Quiznos.

[mkfisher]

Five Guys looks to be more or less ready to go. I wouldn't be shocked to see it open next week.

B Good finally has their sign up, but it looks to still need quite a bit of work inside. Probably talking December at this point.

[FinnFPM]

Yeah, I'm surprised they haven't already opened. That place is done. They're just waiting to cut the ribbon or something.

[Gordough]

Could be City Of Boston permitting/license hold ups as often happens when restaurants are trying to open.

[hiddenboston]

I heard from BosGuy and Adam's Hospitality that Cinquecento may be opening November 12.

[MC Slim JB]

Update: Cinquecento's invite-only opening party is on Thu, Nov 29 (featuring "exclusive spots for Maserati and Ferrari owners"); general public opening the next day.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hckybg]

Shouldn't there be reserved spots for Fiat 500's since that is conceivably where the name came from, or at least what it most immediately brings to mind?

[devilham]

no matter what that is kind of douchy, special treatment for the upper class. I guess us 2002 toyota owners should know our place :P

[MC Slim JB]

I suspect the name comes from the address, 500 Harrison.

My first crack about the Ferrari thing was, "A relief. I hate parking next to those Benz-driving schmucks."

My second was, "it's good news for everyone. You can be assured of not having the smallest penis in the room."

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hckybg]

It's about time someone reserved spots for the exotic car owners who love to dine out but feel discriminated against.

[hyde]

this might be one of the best "glass, half-full" comments i have ever heard