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Boston Area

Spring 2008 openings and closings

Panificio in the Back Bay closed on 4/1/08.

Dairy fresh Candy in the North End is "closed for renovations" but was pretty thin on merchandise during my last two visits. At Neptune I heard the Dairy Fresh owners were "weighing their options."

La Voile is opening for lunch on 4/30 and the patio is now open as are most of the patios on Newbury.

There is a new shop with something going on about cupcakes opening on Mass Ave near Marlborough Street. Signs are in the windows and I heard it is to be a branch of a Hyde Park bakery.

Next????

169 replies so far

  1. I saw a story in the Courant that talked about a martini bar opening not far from The Modern condo complex. Sounds like Bob's Southern Bistro space to me, but the story identified it as a project of the folks behind the Parrish Cafe. I wonder if this means that Night Town is a dead duck, or has new backers, or what.

    1. re: MC Slim JB

      I've assumed Night Town was DOA for a while now: the soft open was scheduled for mid-December last I heard, which never happened. And I just checked the bar's MySpace page and noted that its owner last logged in over three months ago.

      1. re: BarmyFotheringayPhipps

        So when did Night Town close? Or did it never even really open? For some reason I thought it had been open, at least for awhile, but perhaps not?

        1. re: hiddenboston

          As far as I can tell, it never even opened. Was there even a soft open?

      2. re: MC Slim JB

        While driving by the old Bob's space yesterday I saw a sign that said "coming soon -- Circle". No idea what that is, but I guess that means no Night Town after all.

        1. re: purple bot

          http://circleplatesandlounge.com/

          Malcolm Aalders is involved so I guess he decided to go with another concept.

      3. A Hyde Park bakery? Hmmmm....can't think of one.

        1. Noticed while passing on the 66 bus:

          Bottega Fiorentina in Brookine Village has closed (the original, in Coolidge Corner, is still open.) Sign posted says "Coming soon - Bottega di Capri, Under New Management" so I don't expect a huge change.

          Nori Sushi has closed, to be replaced by another sushi place, I couldn't make out the name. "All natural and organic sushi," it says.

          1. re: Allstonian

            The replacement for Nori Sushi is Genki Ya.

          2. Think the sign at the cc place, said "Sweet" or "Sweets".

            1. re: Taralli

              Rumour is that this cupcake bakery is from the folks over the road at Sweet And Nasty. I'm not sure if that shop gets much attention on Chowhound.

              Let's hope they fair better than the much-maligned Kickass Cupcakes in Somerville.

              1. re: teaTomE

                very excited about these cupcakes. there are NO good cupcakes bakeries in boston. lulu, kickass, southendbuttery, party favor, all bad bad bad

                1. re: kweesee

                  Wow, I'm hardly a cupcake expert, but I kinda like Lulu's and Party Favors.

                  As a frame of reference, where (nationally) would be some cupcakes that float your boat?

                  1. re: kweesee

                    I thought the red velvet cupcake at SE Buttery was one of the better in Boston. Haven't had PF cupcakes but didn't think the cake was all that. My KA wasn't great, haven't tried them at Lulu but they make an interesting biscotti.

                    1. re: Joanie

                      Oh I have to disagree with the red velvet at SE Buttery. One of the driest cupcakes I've ever had. A complete waste of money.

                      1. re: taves7

                        Only had it once but that time it was moist, a good size, good frosting and not overpriced.

                      2. re: Joanie

                        I've eaten over 15 of the rv's (not in 1 sitting) and not once have I had a dry one.
                        It's an excellent cupcake. No Party Favors pb-filled chocolate cupcake, but excellent nonetheless

                2. There's a new sign/storefront reading "Trata" and newspaper covered windows in the former Tommy's Pizza (or was it Tommy's Lunch?) space on Mt. Auburn in Harvard Square. No further details...

                  1. re: mrsx

                    all i know is that it's owned by the daedalus people. nothing else

                    1. re: mrsx

                      It's going to be a sit-down, more upscale pizza place (similar to Cambridge One). They've spent a lot of money on new ovens and generally improving the kitchen. Should be opening in a couple of weeks. Beer and wine in a month or so... I am looking forward to it!

                      1. re: mrsx

                        Is this the space that used to be a Chili's?

                        1. re: hsquare2southend

                          No, it's where Tommys Pizza used to be on Mt. Auburn 2 doors down from Daedalus. It's been open a little while but I haven't had a chance to dry it yet.

                          1. re: cambridgeMike

                            Oh, gotcha.

                        2. re: mrsx

                          Have eaten at Trata. Fairly tasty, thinnish crust pizza. Glad to have this in the neighborhood as a Cambridge One alternative.

                        3. A new cafe in Cambridge's Brattle Square - Crema Cafe - should be opening soon. Even more exciting is the new "Market in the Square" that's due to open on the corner of Brattle and Church. According to a sign on the window, the market will sell everything from coffee and pastries to omelettes, sushi, hot foods, and also contain a salad bar and a regular dry goods market.

                          1. re: Dea

                            Crema Cafe is open, according to another thread. Is the Market in the Square going into the space that was Sage's once upon a time?

                            1. re: Allstonian

                              Yes, the Market in the Square will be at the old Sage's location in Harvard Square (corner of Church & Brattle).

                              1. re: SEH

                                Yep, I work across the street and a bunch of us already decided we're just going to call it Sage's again, as Market in the Square is a mouthful. Plus we never got over the loss of Sage's.

                                I didn't see that Crema Cafe thread until after I posted here - it sounds like it's going to be a nice addition to the Square!

                              2. re: Allstonian

                                Crema Cafe was not open today, which was a little disappointing given the good reviews from yesterday's soft opening. Does anyone know when they're opening for real?

                            2. Shouldn't surprise many but La Spina in Davis Sq. closed in the past month or so and replaced by some sort of Rosebud setup...I'm assuming similar to the old Rosebud Surrey room.

                              1. Openings soon in Needham: Wild Willys and Tu Y Yo.

                                1. Looks like Alba's new space across Hancock Street from the original Alba, is in the middle of a soft opening. Most regulars have been invited to dine there during the shakedown. They always do a good job, and I can't wait to give it a try.
                                  Enjoy,
                                  CocoDan

                                  1. It's sort of an opening but the expansion of Antico Forno (into the old Shake the Tree space) has begun!

                                    1. I walk by Dairy Fresh every morning and there is definitely hammering and sawing going on inside behind the metal doors. They only closed on 3/24. Maybe they are "giving" some space over to Neptune's (which would be great!)

                                      1. Not exactly an opening/closing, but the Craigie Street Bistrot in Cambridge is looking to move to a new location....

                                        1. re: hiddenboston

                                          Real Deal of West Roxbury is opening a new shop in JP near the fire station.

                                          There will be two new ice cream shops on Centre St. in W. Roxbury. One will be next to the Real Deal and the other in the former art store that was burned out (near Continental Dog Grooming).

                                          There is also a sign up at the former Tia Ho (sp?) looking for a restaurant to go into this new space.

                                          Not yet opened, but a fish-to-go store on Centre street diagonally across from the West on Centre restaurant.

                                          1. re: bearzie

                                            Tai Ho? That was the place that had the terrible fire last year, wasn't it?

                                            1. re: bearzie

                                              There's a Blowfish Restaurant opening up on Washington Street between JP and Roslindale (I live in Rozzie, but I don't actually know where the line between the two neighborhoods is). Not sure about the opening date.

                                              1. re: terrilynn813

                                                Where is this in relation to BBQ Town or the Yucatan Tacos? Or is YT changing over?

                                                1. re: Joanie

                                                  It's pretty much that same block on the other side of the street.

                                                2. re: terrilynn813

                                                  Do you know what Blowfish is supposed to be? The folks in the barbershop next to it thought pizza, but they weren't sure. As of last Saturday they had an opening soon banner up.

                                                  1. re: cheesecakester

                                                    Folks on Universal Hub seem to think it's going to be takeaway seafood.

                                                    http://www.universalhub.com/node/14926

                                              2. re: hiddenboston

                                                Any details on the Craigie Street re-lo? For me anyway, the current digs and parking "situation" have moved past curious oddities and into the realm of moderate annoyances.

                                                1. re: finlero

                                                  I kind of have to believe that Craigie Street already has a new location lined up, though I have no idea where. (Were I to bet, I'd guess the Seaport District.) I heard on the Pat Whitley radio show that La Groceria is moving from its Main St location (where it's been for 30 years) into the current Craigie Street site.

                                                  1. re: MC Slim JB

                                                    See, now I heard the reverse: that Craigie Street is moving to the La Groceria space. Hmm.

                                                    1. re: purple bot

                                                      Maybe you're both right and they're pulling the ol' switcheroo. Now that would be interesting!

                                                      If La Groceria does move into the Craigie Street spot, I really hope they improve their food. Folks in the neighborhood might feel jilted otherwise, especially considering that they are losing such a highly regarded restaurant in the Craigie Street Bistrot.

                                                      1. re: hiddenboston

                                                        Read the Craigie St. dish here...
                                                        http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/...

                                                        1. re: galleygirl

                                                          Just across the street from Salts, a culinary empire on main street in Cambridge!

                                                2. re: hiddenboston

                                                  Are they planning on changing the name?

                                                  1. re: Bob Dobalina

                                                    Not many details at this point. I wrote all I knew on my blog, which isn't much. What I do know is that their present location is up for sale, and I doubt they would keep the existing name (unless they move across the street or next door). The name does tend to stick in your mind, however, so perhaps they will keep the name even though they would no longer be on Craigie Street.

                                                    1. re: hiddenboston

                                                      I saw the real estate ad for Craigie Street in yesterday's Globe under Business Opportunities.

                                                      1. re: phonelady

                                                        Orinoco in Brookline Village opened this past week. I saw on this board that When Pigs Fly Bakery is opening in CC in June. Several new openings coming to Washington Sq this spring - Rod Dee, Publick House Gourmet Shop, a bakery, and I believe Publick House is planning another restaurant on Beacon next to their shop. Does anyone know when the new Spanish Tapas place in the South End is opening? Weren't they planning a Spanish market as well?

                                                        1. re: drewames03

                                                          estragon is the restaurant and las ventas is the shop. they're saying to open in may.

                                                          1. re: hotoynoodle

                                                            I went by today, and they said Estragon is due to open next weekend, and Las Ventas should open the following week.

                                                      2. re: hiddenboston

                                                        In today's Herald it says that La Groceria will serve its last meal May 17. The space will reopen " in the fall as Craigie on Main Street, a new restaurant from Craigie Street Bistrot chef and owner, Tony Maws". It sounds as if Craigie Street Bistrot may remain open and La Groceria is closed, not relocating.

                                                  2. The Bottega Florentina in Coolidge Corner closed several months ago, before the one in Washington Sq. It's now a Japanese place which has gotten some good press, but I haven't been there yet. I'm also curious as to what's going into the old Vinny T's spot on Beacon St. I've also heard rumors that the Publick House people are doing something there, but from the new look outside, I can't figure what's going to be on the inside.

                                                    1. re: ghostcat

                                                      No, the Japanese place is in the basement space behind Bottega Florentina on Babcock. Bottega Florentina is still there.

                                                      1. re: BarmyFotheringayPhipps

                                                        Yes, Shiki is the new Japanese restaurant, and it went into the space formerly occupied by Firenze, a sit-down restaurant owned by the same folks as Bottega Fiorentina. Firenze closed about a year ago.

                                                        The Bottega is still open, although as I reported above, the Brookline Village branch is closed and will be reopening under new management as Bottega di Capri.