#or the local mexican restaurant that took the same approach and made the inside a little town square of a mexican village

[wekillitwithfire]

jenny nicholson understands me and my love for theme parks and themed restaurants and themed hotels and essentially any heavily themed experience

[marshmallow-phd]

Midnight Hours

Part of The Untamed - EXO Wolf Universe

Genre: Wolf!AU

Pairing: Sehun x Reader

Summary: For you, being a good witch was easier said than done. Something dark was lurking inside of you and the others knew it. When you’re forced to tag along with Soomi and help a local wolfpack face a coming evil, you’re sent on a path that breaks into a crossroads. While you struggle with your inner demons, could the wolf Sehun be the key to your ultimate fate?

Part: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I 11 I 12 I 13 I 14 I 15 I 16 I 17 I Final

**

“She’s my best friend.”

“Your very nosy best friend.”

Dana threw Kyungsoo a glare, but coming from the soft-spoken mate, it didn’t really pack any heat behind it, especially when compared to Kyungsoo’s icy stare downs.

“When is she coming?” Junmyeon asked, his worried expression etching lines into his otherwise youthful face.

“In a couple days,” Dana replied. “She wouldn’t take no for an answer. She said she’s bored where she’s at and that she misses me. I miss her too, but….”

You were still confused as to what the big deal was. “Is her coming to see her friend a bad thing?”

“(y/n)…,” Soomi scolded. You shrugged innocently at her.

Dana sighed. “Kyungsoo’s right. Mina’s very nosy, especially if she even thinks she senses something’s off. She doesn’t know about werewolves or witches or anything supernatural. Keeping her unaware is going to be a challenge.”

“She can’t come to the farmhouse,” Junmyeon said as he let out an exasperated sigh.

Kyungsoo nodded. “Of course.”

“Quite the time to make a surprise visit, huh?” Jongdae snapped. He definitely wasn’t the only one thinking it given the nodding consensus around the room.

“The timing is weird,” Kris agreed, “but coincidences happen. Dana will keep her away from the farmhouse and the woods and we’ll go about as usual. It’s not like we haven’t been practicing how to be normal our whole lives.”

You couldn’t help but snort at that. Several wolves gave you confused looks. Maybe it was because you’d spent a majority of your life trying to pretend to be the witch equivalent of “normal” that you found amusement in what the alpha had said. You’d learned a while back that “normal” was just a setting on the washing machine.

“I guess you’ll have to stay at your apartment while she’s here,” Kyungsoo muttered disappointedly. Dana gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder, but it did little good. The wolf turned and went back to the food still cooking on the stove top. Apparently, that was the end of the conversation because everyone went back to their business from before Dana had shown up with her news.

You’d come to the conclusion that not much bothered these boys. Whether it was because of what they’d gone through in the past or because they didn’t deem too much to be a threat to them, they didn’t worry easily. Besides the alphas, that is. You had to admit, it was a bid admirable, but it could also be considered stupid. You didn’t think this Mina was anyone to worry about, however, looks could be deceiving. Very deceiving. And assumptions could be dangerous…

**

For the millionth time since you’d come to the farmhouse, you were sitting on the couch, going over all your notes on your visions that you’d taken down. You were desperate to figure out what it all meant, but looking at the half-sentences and vague descriptions made you feel like you were trying to put together a thousand piece puzzle without any sort of hint to what the final picture may be. It didn’t help that your mind wanted to focus on the vision with the wolf. To you, it was irrelevant. There was no immediate danger attached to the scene – accept maybe the wolf itself. However, you didn’t think it would hurt you, at least not on purpose. By now, you were pretty sure it was Sehun, the other supposedly white wolf, Luhan, easily ruled out. Part of you was even hoping that is was Sehun. But why?

You refused to fall into the same trap Soomi did. And yet, how many times did you find yourself replaying the garage in your mind? You wanted to hit the memory out of your head with your notebook, but it was no use. It was stuck there, refusing to budge. Being tortured like this was not what you had signed up for when you reluctantly agreed to come here. Stupid wolf. Stupider witch.

“Hey, witch girl!”

You peaked over the edge of your notebook to see who’d called out to you. Hae In – one of the more outspoken mates – stood behind the arm of the couch where your feet rested, hands on her hips and a smirk on her lips. Behind her was Harper. The ex-hunter was shifting nervously as her eyes darted around the room. She always seemed to be on edge no matter what the situation.

“We’re going to meet up with Dana and her friend,” Hae In informed you. Her usual boldness and straight-to-the-point attitude was still very much present. It didn’t matter that the two of you hadn’t interacted much, she treated you like everyone else around the house. But you liked that about her. It made you feel less ostracized in a way. “Soomi said we could take you with us. Let’s go.”

Harper threw her cousin a tired look, “Innie….”

Hae In wasn’t fazed at all. “What? If I was her, I’d want out of this house, too. I can still remember poor Jinyoung going crazy.”

Harper rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue further. And neither did you. Closing the notebook, you tossed it down on the coffee table and leapt to your feet. “I’m down.”

“Awesome!” Hae In threw Harper a triumphant look before spinning on the balls of her feet and waltzing out of the room. The latter simply shrugged at you and followed her out.

You were hot on their heels until you came to a screeching halt just before the steps on the porch. Baekhyun, it seemed, would be coming with you. So this was not to be a “girls only” thing. With the energy that was brewing in the air at the moment, you were half tempted to go back inside. Currently, Baekhyun had his fingers wrapped around the handle of the front passenger door. He wasn’t glaring at Harper, but you could tell there was an uneasiness behind his eyes. You weren’t aware of the entire situation that occurred between former enemy and the pack, but you figure that if she was going to betray everyone, it would have happened by now so there was no point in not trusting her.

With a short nod, Harper stepped up to the back car door behind the driver’s side and slid in. It seemed she was letting the wolf take the front seat. Hae In honked her horn, bringing your focus back to the present, and you ran to take the remaining seat in her little Honda. It was about an hour into town, a shorter trip than what you had to take back home. As each road sign passed and the buildings on the horizon grew larger, you became antsier, eager to get out and wander around civilization. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Harper slightly smile at you before turning her head to face out her own window.

Hae In parked near the center of town in the business district. Decorating the middle of the prosperous area was the red brick clock tower, like a beacon luring in shoppers with money to spend within its territory. But as intriguing as the timeless structure was, it was the figure leaning up against the base that caught your eye.

The unmistakable orange hair stood out even as dozens of patrons milling about the square, blocking most of him from view. His arms were crossed lazily over his chest with his eyes focused in on the cracking cement by his feet. Just to his left, Dana and Kyungsoo were having a conversation, the wolf looking a bit annoyed, but even from where you stood by the car you tell it wasn’t directed at Dana. When the group you were with approached the others, you found out the reason for his annoyance.

“Mina’s going to meet us at the restaurant,” Dana explained while you tried extremely hard to focus on her and not let your eyes wander over to Sehun. He hadn’t even acknowledged the group’s arrival. “She’s running a bit behind.”

“She overslept and thinks she needs to spend an hour getting ready,” Kyungsoo elaborated with a blank face.

“Let’s just go,” Sehun said in a bored tone as he pushed off the clock tower. It seemed he’d come out of whatever thoughts were keeping his attention previously. “I’m starving. She can just join us when she does.”

Dana looked like she wanted to argue, but Kyungsoo reached out and took her hand, squeezing her fingers reassuringly. That seemed to be the catalyst to give in. “Okay,” Dana agreed. “I’ll send her the name of the restaurant. She’ll find us.” Under her breath, she added, “Hopefully.”

The group made its way across the square towards a small Mexican restaurant squeezed in between a clothing boutique and an eyebrow salon. Keeping to yourself quietly near the back, you learned as you walked that Luhan wouldn’t be joining the group since he was out on perimeter duty at the moment.

“What’s perimeter duty?” you asked out of curiosity. You had a pretty good guess, but….

Sehun was the one who answered. “Kris and Junmyeon have everyone running the surrounding area in case we come across something that might be considered helpful.”

Both Baekhyun and Kyungsoo threw the youngest an odd look, but nothing more was said as the group entered the restaurant. Right away, the hostess should you to a table off to the side of the large room. You were thankful that you and Sehun sat on the same side with Hae In and Baekhyun in between. That way you were less tempted to look at him. That didn’t stop the occasion glance out of the corner of your eye, but you hope it was subtle enough to go unnoticed by the others.

As soon as the chips and salsa were placed on the table, you took that as the perfect distraction to occupy your attention. Baekhyun was keeping most of the table entertained with the random facial expressions and nonsensical sentences leaving his mouth. The waiter came around and took the drink orders, leaving to give everyone a minute longer to pick what sounded good from the menus that had barely been looked at. Another fifteen minutes went by and you were starting to wonder if Dana’s friend was going to show up at all.

“Hey, sorry I’m late!”

You looked up from the pieces of tortilla chip in your hands and froze.

Dana’s friend Mina was a tall girl with light blonde hair and milky skin to match. Just like the woman in your vision.

Jumping up from her seat, Dana gave her best friend a long hug, completely unaware of your reaction to the new arrivla’s appearance. In fact, no one else seemed bothered or to make the connection they took their seats.

“Hey,” Harper whispered, leaning towards you from her seat in front of you. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you nodded a little too eagerly, leaning back in your seat. The waiter, noticing the newcomer, brought Mina a cup of water and took her order after she barely glanced at the menu.

“You get the same thing every time,” Dana teased.  

Mina shrugged, flipping her blonde curls over her shoulder in the process. Her eyes wandered over everyone at the table before they landed on Sehun who sat across from her. Like lightning, her hand was out, reaching over the chips and salsa. “Hi, I’m Mina.”

Sehun shifted in his seat, uncrossing his arms long enough to shake her hand before assuming the position once again. “Sehun. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re one of Kyungsoo’s friends, right?” He nodded. “I’m surprised that Dana is comfortable around so many people,” Mina commented, barely glancing at who she was referring to before going back to the one person she was actually addressing. “Groups like this used to make her uncomfortable.”

“A lot’s changed in the last few years,” Dana defended. Making eye contact with Kyungsoo, she slipped her hand into his. The usually stoic wolf let his lips spread into a wide grin, the kind of look that he reserved only for his mate.

“And I’m so happy for you,” Mina said happily as she pulled her friend into another hug.

The conversation drifted into what Dana had been up to lately. She was careful to avoid anything that might accidentally roam into the area of the wolves that lived in the woods.

“So, Sehun, what do you do most days?” Mina asked out of nowhere. She placed her chin in her folded hands as her elbows rested on the table. A glance was exchanged between Baekhyun and Hae In, but if Mina noticed she wasn’t deterred.

In reply to her obviously flirtatious inquiry, Sehun shrugged. “Depends on the day. Sometimes I’m home, sometimes I’m at Kris’ shop, helping out there.”

A sparkle shine in her eyes. “So, no girlfriend to hang out with?”

You shoved your tongue in your cheek, biting down hard to avoid any sort of sarcastic comment flying out of your mouth. She was being shamefully obvious to the point that by now even the mated couples at the table – who weren’t particularly shy about PDA and innuendoes – were shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Sehun, however, was just as unconcerned as ever. “No. No girlfriend.”

Mina nodded with a Cheshire cat grin. “Interesting. When I asked Dana if she had anyone to introduce me to, she said all of her friends were taken.”

“You’re just visiting,” Dana murmured, a deep frown on her lips. “What’s the point?”

“Well, you know me, I’m always on the move.” She sent her friend a wink and a sly smile.

Your blood was boiling even though you had no reason to be irritated. Part of you kept waiting for Sehun to tell her he wasn’t interested, but he kept his mouth closed, letting the nerve-grating comments keep on coming.

Perhaps what was bothering you was the fact that she looked just the woman in your vision. No, you never saw her face when the premonition hit, but the hair and skin was almost a perfect match. Maybe that was why you were on edge. Yeah, that had to be it… right?

You stared at the glass of water in front of you, fighting with yourself, repeating that what happened in the garage meant nothing – as nothing even happened – and it didn’t give you any right or reason to be jealous. Closing your eyes, you started the deep breath exercises Mother Willow had taught you when you felt your emotions getting out of control.

“You know,” Mina said, “Dana can’t hang out with me all the time. So, would you be interes- ah!”

You jumped at the sound of the glass rattling against the table before it rolled away. Water splashed all over Mina’s pretty sky blue skirt, leaving a spot the size of your palm in the most unflattering of places. Crap. You hadn’t meant to do it. Your guilt must have been written all over your face. When you risked looking up from the fallen cup, your eyes met Sehun’s. He was staring at you with a furrowed brow, head tilted to the side. As quickly as you could, you shrank back in your seat to hide yourself from view. Harper was glancing at you as well, her eyes flickering back and forth from Mina to you. Right in this moment, you were wishing that invisibility was a power you possessed. 

So maybe some damn self-control.

**

After getting home from the restaurant, you immediately rounded the house and bee lined for the woods. You’d let your emotions control your powers. Again. And in front of witnesses, no less. While everyone at the table had assumed it was a strange accident possibly caused by an unstable surface, you could tell that Harper’s mind was going in a different direction – you. Her eyes shifted to you throughout the rest of the meal, noticing that you were barely touching your food and not joining in on any of the conversation.

Despite being doused in water, Mina insisted on continuing her flirtatious pursuit of Sehun. Your nails dug into your upper arms with each new line, surely leaving behind half-moon indentions that were thankfully covered by the long sleeves of your shirt. All you wanted to escape from this internal embarrassment.

The forest created the perfect cover. As soon as you thought you were far enough in to be invisible from the house, you slowed down a leisurely walk. You knew you were going to have to tell Soomi about the incident eventually. From what you’d gathered about Baekhyun’s personality, this was not something that would remain among the group. He’d find it too funny that while Mina was hitting on Sehun her glass suddenly spilt all over her to keep it to himself. While she didn’t exactly know about your conflicting emotions regarding the wolf, she’d still be suspicious enough to confront you about it. You just needed some time alone before you faced that conversation. The last thing you wanted was for her to worry about you losing control.

After half an hour or so of walking, you came across a river that intertwined through the trees. It wasn’t very deep, but the water was clear to allow you to see the small, hand-sized fish that swam through the barely existent current. They were unbothered by your presence as you sat down near the edge. Tiny fins kept them stead as they searched the tiny pebbles for possible food.

With the sun shining down through the tree leaves, you could just barely make out your reflection on the surface of the water. Sometimes you didn’t recognize the person staring back at you. Sure, you knew the features – the nose, the eyes, the hair – but the person behind them had become lost. You toed the line between being the witch you were expected to be and wanting to use the powers that were given to you, see how far you could push them until they reached their limit. It was easily to blame the elders in this. To you, the smart decision would have been to teach you how to control your powers, not force you to suppress them. They wouldn’t magically go away through non-usage. But no one cared about your opinion. To them, you were just a young witch with horrible impulse control and lesser knowledge about these things.

The rustling of leaves pulled you from your thoughts of self-pity. Your eyes grew wide as Sehun sat down beside you on the ground, leaving at least two feet of space between you. Great. Was he cautious of you now? With a roll of your eyes, you turned back to the water. “What are you doing here?”

“Harper said you came out here,” he shrugged. It was lost on you why he would even care whether you were out here or in the house or anywhere in the vicinity. He couldn’t be upset at what had happened at the restaurant. If he was, well then, he could just suck it up.

You threw your hands up. “So, you found me. You can go about your business now.”

“You made the glass spill over, didn’t you?”

Well, wasn’t that just fantastic. He really had made the connection that it was you after all.

Picking up a smooth rock barely the length of your pinky, you flipped it over in your palm a few times as you mulled over his question. For as long as you could remember, keeping your powers a secret beyond the coven had been the number one rule in your life. Scratch that – rule number two. The first one was to not use them in the first place. Soomi had emphasized the importance of that rule before you came here. The pack was already wary of witches and you couldn’t entirely blame them. For the first time in your life, though, you were scared to admit to them, to your powers. In the past, you’d never shied away from admitting to their existence; that yes, the strange incident was all your doing. Hiding who you were had never been something you liked to do. But in this moment, you were afraid. How could you be so worried about what this wolf would think of you? In this moment, you were the most afraid of being considered the freak than you ever had been before.

You pulled in as much air into your lungs as possible before emptying them once again. You flipped the rock over in your palm one more time before tossing it into the river. The ripples blurred your face in the water before slowly disappearing. If only you could fade away like the waves. “Yeah,” you admitted. “That was me.”

Sehun nodded. Apparently, he hadn’t been expecting any other answer. “Can all witches do that?”

“No,” you said bluntly. What was the point of beating around the bush? “Not without a lengthy incantation and even then, some can’t.”

“But you can just… do it?”

“Yup.”

There was nothing but the sound of the river for a moment or two. What you would give right now to be able to read minds. The possibilities could be endless for whatever was going through his mind. Which part was he focusing on? Was it the fact that you could do things like tip over a glass of water? Or was he making an assumption as to why you did it?

“Which did you move?” he suddenly asked, making you jump.

You frowned, staring at him. “What do you mean?”

For the first time since he arrived, he turned to look at you. “The water or glass? Which one were you moving?”

“Oh.” You blinked, trying to figure out the best way to explain this. “It was the water. I’m not telekinetic, although that wouldn’t be a bad gig.”

“Being able to move water doesn’t sound too bad, either,” he said with a small, crooked smile. His reaction to your confession was so understated, as if this was something he’d come across before. It made you comfortable. Perhaps a little too comfortable.

“No, it’s not,” you agreed. “But when you add in the other stuff, it kind of freaks people out.”

Sehun leaned back on the palms of his hands, looking at you with eyes full of curiosity. “The other stuff?”

You picked at your cuticles nervously. It was a bad habit that you thought you’d broken a while back, but the compulsion was rearing its ugly head again. “It’s not just water that I can manipulate. It’s… kind of all the elements. Fire, water, air, earth. All that jazz. It’s kind of a rare thing, for witches. Like, it’s been a few centuries kind of rare.”

“That’s….” He struggled to find a word to put to the news you were telling him. Unable to do so, he went another route. “If you can do this, why has Soomi been teaching you about plant magic?”

This was a question you were subconsciously dreading. “The elders are… concerned about the fact that I can do these things since, according to history, it didn’t end very well last time. A lot of people died because of that witch. They think it’s best if I don’t use them too much. Plant magic sort of defaults to good. There’s never been a witch who trained in it that went dark. A few evil ones have used that kind of magic before, but that was never their specialty. The mothers think it’s safer.”

“But you don’t agree?”

You scoffed. “How could I? You saw what happened at the restaurant. There’s times I can’t control it and things like that occur. They think suppression is the answer, but-” You swallowed back the words that were about to leave your tongue. Never had you been tempted to release those thoughts to anyone – not Mother Willow or Soomi – so why did you almost let them go now? There was something about Sehun that got to you; something that caused holes to appear in your walls. Fearful that you might actually make him run away, you looked down at the eroding rocks that decorated the riverbed.

“But what?” he surged.

“It’s nothing.” The lie felt like acid on your tongue, but it was the kind of lie you were used to telling. Somehow, though, saying it to the orange haired wolf made you feel guiltier than normal. “I’d just prefer to be able to use them, that’s all.”

Everything about Sehun’s demeanor screamed that he didn’t believe you, but he didn’t verbalize his suspicions. He nodded as he sat up, pretending he was taking you at your word. His eyes danced around the surrounding area, careful not to land in your direction. You couldn’t help but think that you made him uncomfortable now, the element controlling witch residing not just in his home, but in his bedroom.

“You must think I’m a freak now, huh?” You hadn’t meant to ask that out loud, but his reaction was… well it was hurting you.

But when Sehun finally looked at you, he seemed confused as to why you could ask such a thing. His brow was scrunched, forming a harsh line above the bridge of his nose. His eyes shined a dark amber for only a second before fading back to their usual brown. Shaking his head, Sehun scoffed. “You’re not a freak. Different, sure, but not a freak.”

“You were acting like I make you uncomfortable,” you pointed out.

The way he sucked in his lips and ran a hand through his hair told you that you were right. “I- I don’t think you’re a freak,” he repeated.

That made you roll your eyes. “You can say that as many times as you’d like, but have you ever heard of the phrase that actions speak louder than words?”

Sehun growled at your argument, but you didn’t flinch at the aggressive sound. Your response was to simply raise an eyebrow and wait. Heavy air escaped through his lips as he looked away. Tension was visible in all his muscles, especially where his neck and hands were exposed. It was like you were watching an internal struggle before your eyes, having seen the signs before within yourself. There was no telling what was going on with him, what he was wrestling with. You weren’t sure if you wanted to know, in case it harmed your ego. Suddenly, he turned to face you, his eyes a brighter amber than before. And they stayed that way. Not once did they flicker or fade back to a normal, human color. The change made you lean back, the tiniest bit of fear lighting up inside you. But that small movement seemed to encourage him.

Your heart was pounded again, exactly like it did back in the garage. Sehun was coming closer. He leaned in as if the space between you didn’t even exist. Why was it that every time he came in close proximity you froze like a deer in the middle of the road? He certainly felt like a speeding car coming at you a hundred miles an hour and whatever damage was done when the two of you finally collided would resonate for the rest of your lives.

In time, however, he swerved away, squeezing his eyes shut as he replaced the space between you. The veins on his hands were visible from how hard he was clenching his fists. “You should go back to the house,” he suggested through gritted teeth. “Soomi’s worried about you.” When you continued to sit there and stare at him, he growled, “Go!”

You huffed. What the hell had you done? He was the one who kept invading your space, saying cryptic things, and flipping back and forth between ignoring you and seeking you out. “Whatever.” You jumped up to your feet and made your way back to the clearing, happy to be putting distance between the two of you.

[mystblbk]

Chavela Valdes--Chapter 3

After shopping for necessities, mom manages to get a job at a local cantina and had convinced the owner to have her start right away. Panchito gets us back home in an hour, just in time for Milagros to growl at us about how she wanted half the rent by the end of the weekend. I would have yelled at her if it were not for my mom grabbing my bicep to calm me down. I stay in our room long after mom left for her new job, as a means to keep the landlord alive and to practice.

I cradle the instrument in my lap while slowly sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. The roughly tiled floor rubbed against the skin of my thigh harshly, but I have no other place to practice seeing that the Evil Witch from the South was currently in the living room a few paces away.

Right then, let’s get started.

With the silencer covering my guitar’s sound hole, I practice some of the old ballads my guitar teacher had taught me. It became our ritual to teach me a new song every day, especially after the first week of class. No one truly wanted to learn how to play the guitar, they were just there for the easy grade, so having me actually wanting to learn was a godsend to the young teacher. Mr. Peña had been a kind person to me and even allowed me to take one of his practice guitars home after he noticed how I took to each lesson with ease. He must have seen something in me because after that he had me permanently placed into his class for the next three years of high school.

I wish I could have said goodbye.

I go through a few finger placement exercises until the sadness dies out, but the songs don’t. By the time I look down at my iPod and see that its almost 4’oclock in the morning my fingers have deep creases on the tips from the steel strings. I cradle my left hand and inspect the red digits. The worn skin has small cuts from being used again, but there was no pain to be felt. I sigh and close my eyes, hands instinctively playing a new song.

“I forgot how good you were.”

My mom’s voice shocks me and my hand makes a thumping sound as it hits my instrument. Mom gives me a sheepish look when I give her an empty glare from across the room. She smiles softly as she goes through the motions of getting ready for bed. Her long shiny hair is let down, and her clothes are exchanged with pajamas. Once she’s done, she comes to sit next to me. She cuddles into my side, reminding me of how I would when I was younger.

“You know I hate being startled,” I mumble, once we’re both settled in.

“Sorry, mija,” she grins, “Come on, play something for me?”

I look down at my mother’s hazel eyes and nod slowly, “What song?”

“Surprise me,” she smiles.

I nod again and quickly roll through the songs I have memorized in my head. My mother watches as I think then moves to sit across from me and against the bed. Finally, I start strumming the cocky and sassy song. Making sure my voice is clear, I start to sing with a grin directed at my mother.

Esas tus miradas de fulgor extraño Esa tu sonrisa de color de rosa Siempre me facinan aunque me hacen daño Porque eres muy linda pero desdeñosa

My grin starts to hurt as I see mom trying to hold back a laugh. My mood is cheery as I continue along, making sure to bop my head to the quick plucking I do.

Esas tus miradas de fulgor extraño Esa tu sonrisa de color de rosa Siempre me facinan aunque me hacen daño Porque eres muy linda pero desdeñosa

Mom coughs a laugh this time, her tan cheeks a little red for holding back her cheer. I try not to giggle as an effort to complete the song completely with no breaks.

Brindame el encanto de tus bellos ojos El sensual embrujo que en ti se adivina Para que en mi vida tan llena de abrojos Seas como una estrella que a mi alma ilumina

By now mom is covering her mouth with both hands, mirth bright as the sun rising behind us. My heart soars to see her happy, to bring some happiness in the midst of all this terror we’re going through. It’ the same feeling I had with Valentina in the afternoon, a painful need to see a beautiful woman smile at me instead of frown.

Brindame el encanto de tus bellos ojos El sensual embrujo que en ti se adivina Para que en mi vida tan llena de abrojos Seas como una estrella que a mi alma ilumina

As I go through the last fast-paced strumming, my mom’s giggles get the best of her once the song ends. I giggle along with her as she stands up from next to me. I place my guitar in its case on my side of the bed. My sleepiness night catches up with me as I set my phone’s alarm for later this morning, the volume only high enough for me to hear. With a huff, I settle myself next to my mother on our small bed. I glance over at the older woman and she smiles sadly at me before turning off our only light.

My mind continues to run long after my mom’s breathing deepens into a dreamless sleep. I stare at the ceiling, unused to the new sounds and feeling of the space I’m in. Annoyed, I quietly get up from the bed and make my way to the living room and into the kitchen. I pull a cup from the rack and fill it halfway. I sigh and drink slowly, trying to quiet down my thoughts. Once finished with my drink, I wash it quietly and place it back on the rack.

My footsteps are quiet on the neon pink tiles. I’m passing the coffee table when a familiar picture catches my eye. The latest issue of Cosmopolitan sits on the table with a dog-eared page. I raise an eyebrow and stare at the magazine for a second. Curiosity gets the best of me so I grab the paper book and flip to the page that is saved.

“No way,” I whisper gasp, “It can’t be.”

But it is.

Who else can it be?

Splattered across the page is a title to an article that should be in a National Enquirer instead of a Cosmo.

Léon Carvajal: El Ultimo Adios

Underneath the morbid title is pictures of a well-aged man in a fitted suit. His features are sharp but also aged just enough to show his age. His hair was multicolored, black fading into grey and then into white in spots. His smile was warm but strong as if to say he was the boss. Underneath the collage of pictures of his life throughout the years are pictures of his funeral form a few weeks prior. A strand of pictures is framed at the bottom but one, in particular, forces my attention on it.

In the center of the picture is a brunette with watery eyes wearing all black and sitting on a couch alone. Behind her are people lingering around a warm brown colored casket, a strike of platinum blonde surrounded by a group of brunettes. All seeming to be the immediate family. All not noticing what the lonely girl has in her hands: a silver flask.

“Valentina,” I whisper with a broken heart.

I read the article and get annoyed as they speak of my new friend and her family. The writer obviously using this man’s death as a way to sell copies of this month’s magazine. I sigh and close the book, making sure to place it where it once was so Milagros won’t see a difference. My feet still make no noise as I enter our room. Mom is still asleep as I get into bed next to her. I stare at the ceiling for a moment then close my eyes, one thought lingering in my mind.

Well, right now I don’t think it applies here.

“It will,” I mumble as I fall into the abys, “I’ll make sure of it…”

_________________________________________________.

The morning comes fast, almost as fast when we were on the run a few days ago. It blends into the day so well that the dream world isn’t even acknowledged to me as I wake up at 7’olock. I quickly get ready without waking mom up, knowing full well the hell I will have to pay for her not coming with me. I’m far too concerned with her getting her own rest then my own safety as I watch how peaceful she looks. The kitchen smells of food when I exit our room, but I ignore the woman cooking as my pride is too much for a pity breakfast from her. With a forced out ‘good-bye,’ I walk out of the house and into the sleepy streets of Mexico City. Pulling up the address on my phone, I pull the strap of my guitar case tighter as to not have it taken from me in a worst-case-scenario.

The way to my new job was a nice way to get used to the city as it goes through el centro and the marketplace it stands on. There are many streets filled with people selling form their homes or pop-up stalls, mostly of spices, fresh vegetables, and the occasional clothing or electronics. The scents of the pile of spices lined around my path tickle my nose in a way that reminds me of my empty stomach. I’m spared of this painful journey as I approach a large building sticking out of the mayhem as if it were a center point of the area. As I approach the restaurant I take not of its old Spanish style, the kind that was made to attract the tourist population: red brick with white trims and wide bay windows. My feet carry me up the flight of stairs and through the front arches leading inside to the second floor.

The fluorescent lights make my eyes hurt as I to adjust to my surroundings. I blink back the shadows and look around, taking notice of the large murals on each wall. Taking one side of the building is a large bar with two stainless steel doors that would lead to the kitchen. Decorating the counter behind the marble bar are figurines of Catrinas and Alembrijes on each shelf. There are artisanal wooden tables with matching chairs placed neatly in the space to make the best use of the size with paper floral centerpieces. It was a purely Mexican restaurant that one would see in a stock image photo.

“Juliana! Good morning!”

I look over to the sound of Salvador's voice and see him along with a group of five other young men that look to be around his age. Salvador stands in the center, a few inches shorter than the tallest man. To his right were two boys, twins actually, with light skin and eyes that matched their dirty blonde hair. Their round faces made them look young, a few years older than I am, and so did their smirks and bright hazel eyes.

On Salvador’s left were the other three young men, all three handsome and tall. The tallest, which stood directly next to Salvador, had black hair and dark eyes similar to Salvador except for the broody look on his face. On the broody guy’s left was a boy with dark skin, obviously from African descent, that hade burning green eyes to contrast the rest of him. This guy’s expression was kind and open, an expression that helped calm my nerves. Finally, the last young man had bright reddish hair and super pale skin. He looked like he belonged in the hills of Scotland, not the streets of humid Mexico.

As I approached the group, I pulled my shoulders back and stand straighter to make myself look taller. The second I was a foot away, the twins pulled me into a hug and started chattering into my ears. I stay frozen in place as the two boys tug me by my jacket.

“I can’t wait to hear—”

“No, you said we were—”

“No, Sal said we have to—”

“Sal said, more like you—”

“STOP!”

Salvador’s voice booms in the restaurant, shocking the twins to look back over at him.

“I’m sure you will have time to get to hear Juliana’s,” Salvador says as he drags them into submission, “Now, how about some food while we get to know each other?”

The twins quickly pull away and run to one of the long wooden tables nearby. I stare as they push each other back and forth like only siblings do. Sal brings me back to my current position as he claps me on the back softly and pushes me carefully to the table. We all take our seats and watch as two waitresses come and start serving us some traditional Mexican breakfast. My mouth drools as one waitress places a plate of huevos rancheros in front of me. I stare down at the food then look up and around me. The boys were all tucking into their own food, taking the liberty to take from the large dishes of sides on the table to place on their plates.

A tap from my right directs me to the dark-skinned boy, he smiles encouragingly and makes signals for me to eat in a polite manner. I glance at Salvador and he smiles back, so I sigh happily and eat along with them. The breakfast is good, the only downside is that I couldn’t eat more. I sigh and sip the rest of my agua de frutas while Salvador introduces the other boys.

The twins were named Raymundo and Ricardo, kids to a widowed father of a family of eight. The redheaded boy’s name was Francisco, or Franky, and was son to an American teacher and British painter. The darkest skinned young man was named Axel, had immigrated to Mexico City a few years ago with his parents from Argentina. Finally, the broody guy that looked very similar to Salvador was introduced to me as Raúl, Salvador’s cousin.

They were all kind, except Raúl who was still a bit cold and distant and talked to me about the city and such. The conversation came to a halt when Raúl reminded us of the two outfits that I had to try on. Salvador stood up and quickly went into the employees only room. The man comes back carrying two outfits covered by black coat bags.

“Sal huffed, “Thanks, Raúl. Juli, go try them on please.”

“Okay,” I sighed, taking the two bags, “be right back.”

Axel kindly points to the restrooms and I walk in the direction of them. I quickly go inside and let out a large breath I was keeping inside. Trying to calm my nerves, I carefully hang the two protected outfits on the stall door. A few minutes later I’m pulling on the tight black pants on, the pant legs are a bit longer than me but easily fixable. The soft white dress shirt is a bit too large but I tuck it into the pants before pulling on the black vest and finally the black jacket over that. The gold tie is tricky to get on, but after a minute of struggling I figure it out. The tan belt with obstaniously large belt buckle settles perfectly on my waist.

I open the door to the stall and step into the larger part of the restrooms. With a glance over the uniform, I turn to look at myself on the large floor-to-ceiling mirror. A gasp leaves me as I look over myself. The clothes are a bit too loose but I can see with a bit of a tweak here and there I can get it to look amazing on my small frame. I looked the part of a mariachi player, except for my loose hair and converse. With a small smile I use the band I keep on my wrist to pull my hair up in a bun.

“Better,” I sigh.

“Juli,” Sal asks with a knock on the door.

“Just a second,” I call back.

Taking one more look over myself, I turn and walk out. All five boys look up and take in how I look. Sal and Axel smile largely at me while the twins smirk and nod happily. Raúl walks from his position against the wall and walks around me, eyes rolling over me with a heavy stare. The boy comes to stand in front of me and stays there for a second. I hold my breath as he turns around to the table and takes the large traditional hat. Raúl slowly and gently places the hat on my head, positioning it to face forward correctly.

“You need dress shoes, maybe even boots,” the young man tells me, “What’s your size?”

I blink, “Uhm, nine.”

“Americans,” Raúl rolls his eyes but turns back to a bag he has next to the wall.

He pulls out a pair of black leather boots, “Put these on, they should fit. They belonged to my sister, but she doesn’t even wear them so…”

I stare at the man before sitting where he pointed me to. Raúl crouches down and pulls my tennis shoes off then replaces them with the boots, telling me to adjust the shoes as needed.

“Stand up,” he tells me, “I need to see that you don’t look like a fool next to us.”

I huff but do as he says by allowing him to look me over again. Once he is satisfied, Raúl nods at me then at the others.

“She’ll do,” he proclaims, “Just needs to get them both fitted, but she should be fine.”

Sal grins, “Good. Go take that off, except the boots so you can get them worn in and get back here so we can practice.”

“Okay,” I nod and turn to follow his orders.

I make it into the restroom and once again let out a large sigh of relief. Though I felt a bit on edge from having Raúl look me over, I understood his need to have me look good next to them. My mind kept traveling to the boys as I undressed and redressed, mostly thinking how easily we got along during our breakfast. By the time I had got the suit and hat into their proper places, I was ready for practice. The boys are now standing on the makeshift stage waiting for me as I approached them.

I look over the instrument they are holding as I pull my guitar out. Salvador, no surprise, is the other guitarist. Axel holds a shiny trumpet and is doing scales with Raúl who is the second trumpeter. The twins surprise me as they tune their violins, the shape, and color the instruments almost exact to reflect their owners. A grin pulls at my lips as approach my bandmates, ready to get to it.

“Alright,” Sal tells us, “You went through the setlist I gave you right?”

I nod to Salvador, “Yeah I went through it. I knew all of them already, so I’m fine.”

“Good,” Axel nods, “Let’s go through it and then decide which parts to add or correct.”

“Which brings up another thing,” Raúl huffs, “Do you know how to sing?”

I shift in place trying to ignore their stares, “A little.”

“Then we try that too,” Raúl nods, “Let’s start then.”

With that, we begin practicing for the day.

____________________________________________________.

The wind blows my hair out of my face as I stand in the sun. My eyes don’t leave to marble rock in front of me, newly placed onto of the grave of my husband of only a few hours. I stare at the rock for another minute before a tear is released from my eye and flows down to fall into the large field of grass.

“I wish you were here. The bed is too big without you. The house is too cold. And don’t get me started on the company,” I whisper to Léon, “I’m trying my best to pick up where you left off but Johnny is such a snake! Honestly, how didn’t you see how much of a backstabber he is? He’s off speaking with presidential hopefuls and big company CEOs—completley what you’ve always been against! To top it all off he’s been flirting with me, some adopted son you picked out Léon! I’m pretty sure he’s behind all this. His actions speak for him. I can’t get proof yet, but I really hope Eva can have a change of heart so she can help me at the paper. If I have her and Guille on my side, I’m sure I can catch him in the act.

“Eva is angry She thinks this is my fault. I suppose it is, you were killed at our wedding. Guille, well Guille is trying to be strong but I know he’s finding comfort with drinking his sorrows away when he’s not working. As for Valentina—she’s a mess, my love. I’m having the staff keep an eye on her, but I know she’s been sneaking alcohol into her room at night. I really hope she finds a way to get out before I have to call a family meeting on her.”

“I wish you were here,” I whisper with a sob, “We all do.”

As if answered, the wind blows again cooling the hot trail of tears on my cheek. I sigh and hold myself for another moment, thinking about my family and their individual struggles. Suddenly, the sound of guitars strumming catches my attention. I look up to my right and see an elderly couple standing next to each other as a young girl sings over the grave. Her dark hair is pulled up in a bun with a few strands falling over her cheeks allowing me to see how young she is. Perhaps Valentina’s age? Her clothes are worn and faded in color, reminding me of my time in the streets.

I watch as her soft voice carries lovingly through the cemetery and creates a strange peace that otherwise should be filled with a turmoil of the living. The girl finishes the song and allows the sound to bounce around the empty plain before turning to shake hands with the elderly couple. The old man dabs his eyes with a handkerchief and shakes her hand kindly. The older woman smiles as well and hands her a few bills in return for her service. The girl shakes her head but is forced the money into her had by the older woman. I smile as the humble girl goes through the motions of the Holy Cross then bows her head to the elderly’s dead before leaving them be.

I watch curiously as the girl counts the bills and does the Holy Cross again with the money in her hand, a sign of a thankful worker, before putting the money in her front pants pocket. I look down at Léon and remember how kind he was and willing to help me when I was in that young lady’s shoes.

“I suppose this is a sign,” I tell him then look over at the girl, “Hey! Young lady! Come here, please!”

The girl looks up and stares at me for a second before jogging up to me. I let her catch her breath for a second before speaking.

“What are you doing here,” I ask, “They normally don’t let anyone in here, it’s a private cemetery.”

“Oh,” she shrugs, “A friend’s uncle works here, and he told me I could come here to earn some money.”

My eyebrows furrow, “It’s really hot though. Can’t you find something better?”

“I can. I mean I do—have a job,” she sighs, “I play in a mariachi band and get a cut from what we earn, but I need more for the rent of the place I have. I don’t want my mom to work too hard, she’s been through enough this past year. I want to help her, so she won’t worry as much.”

“Past year,” I ask, “What happened?”

The girl sighs, “Well, my dad died during work. We had our house, well trailer, taken away and had to come here. We found a place but the landlord, well, she wants the rent for this whole month by this weekend.”

“What,” I gape, “That’s completely unfair! Most landlords give a week…”

“Yeah she did, originally,” the girl rolls her eyes, “But my mom could only get a job at a bar, so when she found out she gave us until Saturday. Something about being a streetwalker.”

“That’s just three days from now,” I whisper, outrage at this unknown landlord for acting this way to a recent widow.

“Yeah,” the girl nods, looking at her scuffed-up shoes, “That’s why I’m doing whatever I can right now.”

I watch as the girl shifts the guitar strapped over her shoulder from one place to the other. Seeing her up close made it even more clear how young she is. My heart tugged at her sad but determined look. With a sigh, I turn to my guard.

“Can you let home know I have another errand to do and might not get home on time,” I shout to Alirio.

“Yes, ma’am I’ll let them know,” he calls back.

I turn to the girl and pull my hand out for her to shake, “Lucía, and you are?”

The girl blinks back at me then shakes my hand politely, “Juliana.”

I grin and motion for her to follow me, “I have a job you can do for me. I need someone to come shopping with me. I need an honest opinion on what I’m wearing, I know these men won’t have a reliable opinion other than blank staring. You can also help me carry my bags to the car.”

Julian turns to me with wide confused eyes, “I—”

I cut off the girl, “Don’t worry. I’ll pay you for your time. I’m sure it will be more than the amount you’ll get here.”

“Why,” she whispers.

“I know how it feels,” I answer simply, “Now come on, I actually do need help deciding.”

Juliana stares at me for a second then grins, “Thank you, Ms. Lucia. You don’t even know me, but…”

I smile at the girl and pull her by her elbow. The door is opened by my guard and I enter the vehicle with Juliana. The young woman stays quiet as she stares out the window, enjoying the view as we reach the closest boutiques I like to go to. By the time we reach the stores, Juliana is a bit calmer and responds to the few questions I ask her.

The first store is filled with expensive ball gowns, a perfect place to find a dress for my meeting with the Spanish Ambassador in a few weeks. Juliana is in awe as we enter and a saleswoman quickly greets us with an overly bright smile. I let her down gently and once she’s gone I turn to my new companion.

“Alright, what should we start with,” I ask her.

Juliana pauses and looks me over quickly before looking around. I watch as something catches her eye from a nearby rack. The brunette scurries to a rack full of red and maroon dresses and quickly goes through them until she finds what she’s looking for. A bright red dress with a backless design and a long train is presented to me with excited and nervous eyes.

“Try this one,” Juliana mumbles, “I think it will suit you.”

I grin at the timid girl and take the dress with no complaints, leaving her shocked at my silence. I walk towards the dressing rooms and turn around with an encouraging look.

“Perhaps look for other ones,” I encourage her, “I’m always looking for good dresses for events.”

This seems to calm the girl as she smiles back at me and continues to look over the racks. The afternoon goes on like this. From store to store, my new stylist picks out clothes for me to try and I do as she says. By the time dinner time arrives, I have many new bags filled with clothes and accessories. I’m shocked that this little thing of a girl knows how to style clothes in just the right way and to fit my style. I’m sure she has a good future if she pursues a career in fashion. As I tell her this, she blushes brightly and scuffs up her shoe on the concrete paths.

“I’m not joking Juliana,” I pat her arm, “You could be a professional stylist or even a designer.”

“I’m flattered, but I’m more concerned with the food on the table,” she rolls her eyes like the teenager she is, “Maybe someday but not soon.”

I sigh, completely understanding her situation. I could help her but a strong woman like her, like me, would not like handouts. She wants to make things from her own strength, not the strength of others. I look down to her shoes and see that the worn Converse are really in need of replacement. The edges are almost all the way unsealed from the cloth of the shoe. The bottoms are worn out to the point that the grooves are almost gone.

I suppose I could help her with this at least.

“You know, my stepdaughter could use some new shoes,” I glance over at the girl, “I think you might have the same size as her. How about coming to help me find her a new pair before we drop you off at home? What’s your shoe size?”

Juliana stares down at her lap then looks up at me with a reluctant smile, “Oh, I’m a size nine, I don’t know about matching since I have a big foot….but I guess I can help…”

With a grin, I pull her with me to the closest shoe store. We walk through the long shelves of shoes until I find the Converse section and conveniently walk through the section. I watch as Juliana stops walking and stares at a pair with desire in her eyes. The pair was all black except for colorful stars dotting the fabric. The girl then shakes her head and continues on into the shop. I grin and pull out the correct size. With a signal to Alirio to take my credit card and pay for the pair. I grin as he walks back to the car, most likely to hide the pair in Juliana’s guitar case while I make sure the girl is not looking.

Through my show, I manage to find pairs for everyone. Before long I have new pairs of shoes for Valentina, Guille, and Eva along with a few heels for me and the girls. Juliana helps me carry the magnitude of shoes to the clerk and we quickly leave the store after that.

“Thank you, Juliana,” I tell the girl once we’re on our way again, “I really enjoyed your company.”

“I enjoyed it too,” the girl tells me, “You remind me of my mom, easy to talk to.”

“Well she raised a very kind woman,” I tell her, “I really hope things get better for you two.”

Juliana shrugs without looking at me, “So do I. I just hope this job gives me enough money so she won’t worry about the rent.”

“This job,” I start, “Is it in a band that goes to events, gets booked, or is it in a restaurant or…”

“Oh, both,” she nods, “It’s at a restaurant and sometimes we’ll go to parties and such. That’s what Salvador said anyway, I haven’t played once yet. I only just got the outfits today.”

“Wait, you mean you haven’t played anywhere yet,” I ask.

She nods, “Not yet, Friday is my first day. Today I met the band and practiced until an hour before I met you.”

I nod, “Well now I’m interested. You must be very good if they think you’d be ready in two days.”

Juliana turns to me and furrows her eyebrows, “I didn’t think of it like that. I just figured they needed cash too, you know for expenses and such.”

I smile, “I don’t think so. They must have a lot of faith in you after hearing you. I know I liked your singing from what I heard in the cemetery. I want to hear more from you. I’m sure you sound even more lovely with a full band to accompany you.”

Juliana’s tan cheeks turn rosy as she shifts in embarrassment, “Um yeah, thanks.”

“We’re here, Seńorita Lućia,” the driver calls to us from the driver’s seat.

I look out the window and see the humble streets lined with buildings decorated with chipping paint and cracked walls. Juliana sighs and tugs her guitar case over her shoulder. As she begins to open the car door, I take her left hand and squeeze it as a mother would do. This gets her attention and she waits for me to speak.

“Take care of yourself, okay,” I insist, “I know you’re tough but be careful.”

Juliana looks at my hand and then back up, “Okay, I promise.”

I smile and kiss the girl’s cheek, gaining another full-on blush, and tuck into her hand a crisp hundred-dollar bill. Juliana gapes at me and I simply smile back at her. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, the girl leaves the car in a daze and makes her way into the small home. Once outside, she waves at the car and makes quick work of the many locks to get inside. The door closes with a large bang sound.

“Let’s go home,” I tell the driver once Juliana is inside.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18497122/chapters/44311702

[gabigoesplaces]

Shanghai (’19) and different ways of living

It was indeed one of the best trips of my life, I learned so much, met amazing people and got to (kinda) darle la vuelta al mundo (Calle 13 reference)

I had waited so long for this and when the time came, I was ready but definitely nervous for what to expect. I had spent a few days in Marbella before, so I expected Shanghai to be poles apart from my experiences in Puerto Banus. We arrived at the airport, and after going through a face and Touch ID migration system, which was surreal, kind of scary but fun nonetheless; we were picked up by a bus, and on our way to the hotel the tour company that was taking care of us, gave us a booklet with some basic information about the city, and gave us cryptic instructions like: “Don’t get inside of a red taxi”

We took the advice, but we were ready to explore the city and Fusion was our first destination, right after getting huevos rotos at a Spanish restaurant at the French Concession, we tried ordering a taxi to the hotel lobby but failed to communicate through Google translate that we had to get there by 11pm. So there we were, a bunch of kids running behind yellow taxis to get to the club. 

After showing the taxi drivers the address, we arrived to a mall and 11 stories up, we were shown to a secret door... When we got inside, everyone could clearly see who the outsiders were. We, westerners, did not wear Gucci sneakers, we weren't eating an entire buffet of xiao long bao, or had in our table bottles of Golden Goose (we did, however got our hands on that later). 

We danced, some of us got became fans of lollipops from an unknown origin, and others were thrown confetti on by some Chinese influencers; but the night came to an end early after we realized that class at 6am the next day was mandatory. Some friends and I were, dropped off in a wrong location, so we decided to finish off the night by getting Pocky from a local store, meanwhile on our way to the right hotel, we got disapproving looks from the seniors dancing at the parks we passed by. 

The next day, well, only a few hours later, we were on the metro, hungover while trying to stay awake until the next stop. The best way to describe the way we felt, while standing next to commuters was: hot and bothered, but not in a good way. Little did we know, two hour classes about Chinese foreign policy and a not so brief historical background awaited. We got our abanicos out, and like a real flamenca, we fanned non-stop. 

Later in the afternoon, after getting a good siesta, we got Mexican food; let me note, I am aware of how bad this portrays me as a travel blogger but the birthday boy wished for it so, c’est la vie! (I assure there is great Chinese culinary adventures later on). And after our celebration, accompanied by a Chinese live singer in the background (who apparently only knew Ed Sheehan songs), the after party followed in a suite, which our Mexican friend got after “talking to the manager” (I still don’t know how he managed to make that happen, he’s really not intimidating in the slightest, with his 1.60cm). The views from there were breathtaking, we could see the whole city which had grown so quickly since the 19th century. 

We made a right choice by staying in that day, because even after the long day that followed, exploring Xuhui district, we were ready for Ladies night at Bar Rouge. The girls and I got all done up, ready for our photoshoot in the Bund (we were also joined by some fans who wished to take pictures with foreigners), we climbed up four stories and after saying the magic words “Francisco Tonight”, we were in. Red lights (and a handsome ice cream man) welcomed us, as he guided the group towards the manicure station, sponsored by Dom Perignon, and indeed we wished to drink the stars.

“You are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen”, I heard as I turned around to find an Indian guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt. I said thank you but he seemed to have understood the hidden message in my words, so he asked me I wanted him to introduce his Dutch friend to me and after sharing a laugh he did so. Time passed by as we danced the night away, while he apologized for his two left feet. All while knowing he had to leave to Shenzhen in the morning to pitch his startup drone company to new investors. 

My friends and I regrouped and went downstairs to (attempt to) find a cab with a taximeter, trying to avoid the red taxis, as we had been advised. And as we tried our luck, we found the Dutch guy again, I said goodbye and my friends and I entered the taxi, after he failed to convince them to stay, “don’t you want to see the sharks at M1NT?”. Suddenly, as if it were Singing in the Rain, it started raining. Gene Kelly (from the Netherlands) opened the door of my cab and for a second there I felt like a 50s movie star.

I daydreamed the whole way back to our hotel about what could have been if I had stayed… Luckily my friends had my best interest at heart because just a shower and three hours later, we were at a Chinese Leadership Centre, strolling along the gardens, while feeling unexplainably calm, maybe it was the feng shui after all. 

After a crazy afternoon bargaining with sellers at the black market, which was strangely located at a metro station, we got dinner at our favorite huarique (Peruvian slang for restaurant which turns out to be hidden gem), which served the best dumplings we had ever tried, until then... A full belly and a happy heart later, we hoped on a taxi again, to see with our own eyes if the Dutch guy’s theory was true indeed. And it was, as you entered the club shark tanks and the sound of house music surrounded you, for me, it was definitely unforgettable as  I looked at my phone, waiting for my classmates to finish their part of the essay. After sending the email to my professor, I went to the dance floor, but made a pit-stop at some Peruvian guy’s table, who told us he was there for business and because of our shared nationality, gave us a bottle of Goose to start off the night right. 

Surprisingly, a guy approached me as I was singing my heart out to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On a Prayer, air guitars and all, to say: “I see there’s someone here with a good music taste”. I turned around to find a skater boy from Cali, he was tattooed up from head to toe, and when I pointed it out he proceeded to show me his favorite one, which he undoubtedly got done by an amateur tattoo artist. He also mentioned he was in the city for the X games and after dancing for a while I got swept out by a Brazilian guy on who I practiced my Portuguese, but just a few moments after telling him I liked to sambar, a French guy also came up to me and I applied the same premise, just for learning purposes, bien sûr.

But Duolingo live was short-lived, because a touristic day awaited. We went to Shanghai Museum, and a friend and I quickly moved to see everything, from the Porcelain collection to the Traditional Clothing exhibition. After, we walked along Nanjing East Road, which in reality was more like running because of our guide’s hurry to get to Yu Garden in time, hearing that it might get reconstructed because “everything is new in Shanghai”, was kind of heartbreaking for a history junkie like me. Later we went on a cruise along the Bund, as the lights of the financial center went on.  

The next day, after partying at an 80s themed club, we went up the second tallest building in the world. Shanghai tower is known for having the world's highest observation deck, and as I looked down on the city, it truly did feel like a serendipitous moment; 10 year old me would never believe 18 year old me’s words if I told her that in less than ten years we would be standing there.

That day we also got to try my favorite Chinese dish so far, Shanghai fried dumplings were truly the best part of my culinary experience. Even though dinner at an Arab? (to this day, I’m not sure where exactly the food was from) restaurant, was also one of the best parts, because of the amazing dishes and the dancers who invited us to be part of the show.

Longhua temple was indeed a calming experience, it felt like the last moments of our trip were indeed here. Seeing the statues and feeling so small beneath them, while hearing about the Buddhist acts of faith, like offers to Mitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings. It was sobering (no pun intended), after crazy nights, to take a moment to evaluate life and how in this enormous planet, human beings live it in such different ways. 

Shanghai gifted me experiences I could have never had anywhere else and taught me potential lovers could not only be found at umbrella marriage markets. Leaping into the unknown was definitely worth it, and for that I say xie xie.

[dearmloveg-blog]

The beginning of two individuals who met under chance of Fate. It all started with two people named Gabriel and Maria. Gabriel is one of many special type of men who has the rarest personality known to men. A talented individual whom can understand the systematic of life, nature, and love. Maria is one of many special type of women who loves to enjoy life in her own perspective. A taste of uniqueness in  Music, Art, film, and etc. She shows the whole world that everything and nothing can be special with just a small look. Thus, these two special individuals began their story with a trip to a small local cigar bar with their mutual friends down in a dark lit alley.

Who would’ve knew just a casual night at a cigar bar with a bit forgetfulness could turn things around after a year. After they split during that night, a year later they come across each other at a bar sitting booth to booth. It is then during this night a fateful encounter happened with Gabriel’s friend; “Drunk David”.

Before the encounter happens, Outside whist smoking a nicely packed cigarette, Gabriel tells his loyal counterpart and partner in crime; Amicable Andy. [Inhale smoke] “You know that girl that is sitting next to our booth?” [Exhale smoke] “I’ve taken a quite bit of interest in her. What do you think?” Amicable Andy replies “I got you bro” [Drops cigarette and dashes toward the booth.] [Gabriel frantically waiting outside the cold winter breeze just playing another night’s scenario] [Several minutes in, Gabriel dashes into the bar]

Before the encounter happens, Inside whist drinking a nicely made cocktail. Maria and her posses talk.  [Drinks cocktail]  “Wow this is a nice bar! we should come here often guys” Maria talks. “Omg I know, You can meet your soul mate here” Mai speaks. Maria replies while putting her drink down “Pfffft!, You know I don’t believe in such plausible belief”. Clara replies to Maria “It’s people like you who finds their soul mate like RIGHT NOW”. Staring at Maria with eyes fully opened. “Hahaha! well well you two, I already have my partner” Mai says. “yes yes yes, We all know, Mai” Everybody replies in sync.

[Enters in Drunk David the legend] He walks in zigzags like he is dancing to a Salsa dance in slow motion. Slowly approaches Maria and her group multicultural girlfriends. “Wazzzzzzzzup Ladies” as he says with all arms out. They all laugh and greets back.

[Arriving to the scene] Now Andy follows up with Drunk David’s introduction to Maria’s booth. Andy strikes a casual conversation waiting for Gabriel to arrive as the Knight in shining armor. Gabriel arrives to the scene. Walking towards Andy and Maria, seemingly confident but with a hidden frail mind of not trying to fuck this opportunity up. Andy reminds himself with a famous line in “How I met your mother”. Gabriel gives Andy the cue! Andy says “Maria, Have you met my friend Gabriel?”. Thus, the fateful Encounter has happened…

“Hi, I’m Gabriel. It’s my pleasure to meet you!” Introducing himself.  *Shakes Hand “Uhmm Have we met before?” asked Maria “Yeah? Have we met before? I think I know you?” thinking that what Maria said was a pick up line that has been dead for decades. “I’m pretty sure we’ve met but where…?” Says Maria. “Usually I’m really great with memories and if you were never part of my memories… I’m pretty sure we’ve never met til today.” Says Gabriel. “but… but… I really think I know you, I’ve seen you somewhere before.” Maria replies. “Well! it’s out of our hands now. So… let us start a new.” answered Gabriel “Let’s start off with an introduction. I’m Gabriel, What is your name?” Asks Gabriel “I’m Maria, Nice to meet you!” Answers Maria. “Nice to meet you too Maria! and so….” [Gabriel and Maria stares deeply into each others eyes] [Record playing Jazz Music in the Back] So the night goes on… a night where two strangers begin Fateful journey at a local bar. This was the night that changed their lives forever. [Music Fades] ‘Maria! My friend is too drunk! I’m going to leave! TEXT ME! BYE” Yells Drunk Gabriel.

If Love wasn’t so complicated, Gabriel already knew when he met Maria second time; he fell in love. If love at first sight can be explained in this modern society… This was the night, when Gabriel and Maria had looked into each others eyes before saying hello. During this moment, time really did pause for a second when Gabriel looked into the spheres of Maria’s eyes. A relaxing comfortable fell upon Gabriel at this moment. He isn’t the type to believe in such nonsense but ‘twas the night he could say that… just maybe… It can be true. As for Maria, she could say the same. The same type of stare when a person falls in love. However, to her, it was more nostalgia than love at first sight. Nonetheless, soon she will realize is was love at first sight. It is Friday. The time where young people go out to experience the time of euphoria. A moment to forget how hard the week was. Music is all over the city. The city lights look brighter than ever. People are passing by as they laugh and smile. This is the night Gabriel had asked Maria to join him for dinner, in which he had to muster all his courage to send one text; “Any plans for tonight?” Gabriel is a man who loves surprises and loves to see how people react. So to find out if Maria was a cool chill girl or just another girl you see everyday, he purposely texted her on that night and to see if she was willing to come out. Gabriel embraced for impact as he patiently waited for Maria’s reply. Maria replies “Sounds cool, around what time?”. Gabriel smiled as he saw Maria’s reply. The cold silence that was surrounding Gabriel disappears and he tells Alexa to play the song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. Lets skip all the cringeness Gabriel does while he opens his wardrobe with a toothbrush in his mouth half naked dancing to the stars.

Maria is a women who is ever so calm and diligent. she loves the small details in life. While out with her friends, suddenly, a vibration was felt. She took a stare at her phone. A sense of mysterious happiness and shock surged over her body. During this time, She did not know why but she just went with the flow. Realistically, She was more entertained by the fact that she wanted to find out why she felt like she knew Gabriel from before. Maria, without knowing, creepily smiled at her phone as she replies back with Yes. She soon goes back home, and tells Alexa to play “Riding High” by Ella Fitzgerald. Let’s also skip what Maria does at home... 

As Gabriel sees Maria walking towards him after arriving to the destination, Gabriel saw her glimmering in light as she wore a Red Dress. As Maria walks towards Gabriel, Maria saw him cool as the night ocean as he wore a brown leather jacket. Thus Gabriel and Maria’s night started with them meeting at a Mexican Cantina.

The first time they sat in front of each other was unknowingly the Cigar Bar night. A year later, The second time they sat across from each other was at the Mexican restaurant. However, this is the first time they get to know each other in a more curious approach. Questions flew, Experience flew, and Opinions Flew. They chatter about what life is, what life is about, and what life should be. Just like any pre-romantic relationship, where as the “List” was being checked unconsciously. “Hi, wow you look amazing” says Gabriel “haha, So do you, Prince Charming.” replies Maria. “No, I’m a frog. You might have to give me a kiss so I can turn into Prince Charming.” “Then you can stay being a frog for the rest of your life” ”Ouch, Ribbit Ribbit” “Hey! look at that, there are alot of coloful umbrellas above us! isn’t it beautiful?” “Do you know why they put umbrellas on the ceiling?” “Why?” “Because they don’t want couples kissing each other when rain falls” “What?” Maria looking really confused. “Yeah, Before they renovated this place, there was a myth that when a couple kiss at THIS exact spot in the rain, they will fall in love and live happily ever after.” “ohh that is interesting, but why did they put all these umbrellas?” “haha it’s because many people who would visit would show Public Display of Affection.” “Aww thats a shame.” They Enter the restaurant and orders their meal. After a casual conversation of them getting to know each other and checking off each others list. Maria finds out that they did, IN FACT, meet before.  Gabriel: So before I used to be a chef at a certain mexican restaurant. That’s how much I love mexican food! Maria: wait I had a friend who worked there before!  Gabriel: Is his name Donald? Maria: YEAH omg, did you happen to go to a Cigar Bar one night? Gabriel: oh what? yeah how did you know? Maria: We did meet before! i told you so! I was the girl at the Cigar Bar! Gabriel: O M G, that was you? WOW this is just too strange. Maria: WOW what a coincidence. You owe me a wish hehe.  At this very moment, they find out they did meet each other a year ago. That night, they all knew everyone they went with except each other. After the restaurant, Maria’s friend arrives and we head to a bar and hang out with friends. The night ended when Gabriel unconsciously held hands with Maria in order to get out of a huge crowd. Hearts were beating erratically.

Night 2, If Maria and Gabriel knew what Fate was… it is at this night where they have met between the moving subway and the station stop. Like two lost birds searching for each other. Suddenly they meet face to face with one another unexpectedly… at Queen’s Crossing Train Platform 6-1.

This was the moment where Gabriel had to pull out all his knowledge on the game of dating. He thought various scenarios and places to go in order to maximize the potential epitome of romantic dates. Surely you might think Gabriel is a type of man to know where to go on this perfect date in a click of snap? NO, Gabriel is a man who creates plans A through Z. And sub-atomically overthinks in every way on what could go wrong and what could go right. Lets just say, He is too much of a perfection; Werido. Seemingly, in his mind, he choose the best situation for the date; An Ice Rink. Why you ask? Because he can hold hands with Maria without being to cringey! Thus, the second date started with a sprinkle of a fate encounter and pair of ice skates. [Subway Stops in front of 6-1] [Maria and Gabriel looks at each shocked] Gabriel: Is this fate? Maria: I think so.

[Each other laughs] [Subway goes…] “Maria, I’m going to be honest with you… I have butterflies in my stomach and it’s not the good kind.” “What do you mean? Do you need to take a poop as well?” “HAHAHA, no not that! I’m scared… this is my second time ice skating and I have a feeling that I might fall on my ass tonight.” “I ice skated a few times, It’s one of the two favorite sports I enjoy. It’s not that hard…” “The butterflies are fluttering in my stomach the close we get… OMG” “STOP, You’re getting me scared now.” [Ticketing Office] “How many tickets?” “Give us 2 tickets” “The total come’s out to be 26 dollars” *Arrives to the Ice Rink Gabriel: “Maria, this is goodbye, I’m going to die tonight and when I do… I want you to go my house and throw my laptop in a tub of water.” Maria: “Why?” Gabriel: “Just don’t ask questions.” Maria: “It’s your fault now, I’m scared to go in the Ice Rink.” Gabriel: “This is the time that Nike has been telling us to do our whole lives; Just Do It!” *Gabriel skates off to the rink Maria: “oh my Gosh but here I go!” *Maria Falls on her butt* Gabriel: “Are you ok....... WOAH” *Gabriel Falls as well*

As both of they fall, they laugh it off as well. After falling, they were gliding elegantly under a night of a full moon. After ice skating, both of them go to a cafe and order a drink due to heavy dehydration. 

Maria: oh my goodness, this Mango Apple Smoothie looks so delicious. I’ll have on of those please. Gabriel: that’s a weird selection of a drink. I feel as though that is too sweet. I don’t think it will hydrate you. Gabriel: Excuse me, does this Apple tea taste like apple?  Maria: Are you stupid? thats why it’s called apple tea hahaha! Gabriel: Touche you got me. I’ll have one Apple please.  *Background Music- You are the sunshine of my life by Lisa Ono.

After having being hydrated they begin to walk around the mall and head over to an arcade. Gabriel wants to impress Maria so he tries to win prizes for her. However, the opposite happens. In every they compete with each other, Maria was the unanimous winner. It somehow fuels Gabriel’s competitive spirit and challenges her to a game of Air Hockey. Ring, Ring, Ring in under 1 minute of competing each other in Air Hockey; 3 points for Maria, 0 points for Gabriel. SUDDENLY, a 100 small air pucks starts to release from a small hole and catches Maria and Gabriel off guard. There were too many pucks for anyone to concentrate and to anyone who witnessed such a air hockey game, it looked like two idiots flailing their arms side to side. The score? 100 to 27. The victor? of course the Undefeated Champion of Air Hockey; Maria. Afterwards they go to a bar and meet some friends. Then they walk underneath a full moons light while holding hands in silence. The night ends as Gabriel see Maria takes an Uber home. 

The 3rd Night

Calls Maria in the middle of the night on a Monday. “Hey you, are you busy tomorrow?” “Not that I am, what’s up?” “Let’s do something crazy tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at 6pm” “I didn’t even give you a reply but okay!” “Yeah, See you tomorrow” “mmhm, See you tomorrow” This was the night. The night that’ll change the fate of two wandering people. The night Gabriel was going to ask Maria to be his girlfriend. In Gabriel’s rule of dating, he can only have 3 dates before making everything official. Usually women rarely makes it to the 2nd date. This is a rule that only applied to Gabriel because of his belief in 3rd times the charm. 1 step too quick and you fall, 1 step too late and you fall. This was a quote to raise Gabriel’s Morale. This was to make Gabriel have 5 huge seconds of courage. Thus 3rd times the charm. Arrives to Gabriel’s favorite place in the city. Full of history and art. A place where if he wanted to have the chance to meet his fated one and ask her out; This is the place. It’s a place you can see the full view of the city and looks amazingly beautiful at night. Gabriel takes Maria on a tour to his secret passageways and alleyways. Before arriving to the restaurant, he takes Maria to a store she would like to look at. While looking around the store, Gabriel notices Maria intensely staring at a Red Bracelet.

Maria: Wow this is really pretty! Gabriel: ah ha ha, it sure does. Hey look at these Owls! aren’t they cute? Maria: yeah... but  Gabriel: hey let’s go! it’s getting too late.  Maria: oh okay. *While walking down towards the restaurant.  Maria: My Mother always told me that wearing a Red Bracelet bring people fortune.  Gabriel: ah ha ha did she? Hey, by the way, what kind of flowers do you like? Maria: hmm I just like them all,  probably roses? Gabriel: ohhh I love Dandelions, You get to make a wish when you blow all the seeds out. No flower can give you a wish. Maria: interesting..  They walk around and he takes her to his favorite restaurant which is available on the apex of the hill. It was not an expensive meal nor a exquisite interior. The restaurant looks shabby and cold but there was a line of 50 people waiting. The is amazing and made the night of both of them. They walk and walk through a beautiful alley of traditional looking houses. They walk through monuments and even a library. They shared their favorite books to read and Gabriel could not find an opportunity... all he needed was courage. The night was getting too late and he needed just a 5 second window to let out his feelings. Maria suddenly suggested that there was a cafe she used to go. This was the moment. the moment when Gabriel to gather all the courage he can in order to confess. While walking to the cafe, people were walking in slow motion. lights were shining more brightly than they ever could have. Out of nowhere, there they stood in the cafe that will change their lives. Will they become strangers or lovers?  They sat down next to a window where you can see from above people walking and talking. She tells him about this place and that her friends would come here. It was a very minimalist cafe on the 5 floor. slow jazz music playing around. Gabriel took a huge breathe and exhaled. He was now ready. Gabriel: Maria, What do you think of me?  Maria: uhmm I think your nice ... you are very caring towards your friends. We have alot in common. Gabriel: I think of you... all the time. I have no idea in my rational brain that you keep coming up everytime. Everything thing I do, It starts to think about you. I like you alot. Will you go out me?  Maria: Okay. I would love to.

Gabriel faints from the shock. just kidding. However, the intense atmosphere starts to die out and began to be comfortable. After 10 minutes, the Cafe closes and so does the night. 

2 years later, Maria and Gabriel had a falling out. Maria is at the airport leaving to London. She sits in the aisle seat with no one seating by her side. As she waits for the plane to fly, She starts to cry and remembers all the memories she had. She falls asleep while listening to music. The plane lifts off and a few minutes later a person seats beside her. She continues to sleep. A few hour later, She wakes up and stares to her right side. There Gabriel was siting beside her and believe this to be a dream, She pinches herself. It’s not a dream, and Gabriel, while with his eyes closed, tells Maria “Did you sleep well Princess”? He opens his eyes and they both stare at each other as if time had stopped. Gabriels theory of 3rd times the charm was wrong. There is no time because it is infinite. The plane flies away in the sun setting and above the clouds.

[jacewilliams1]

Piecing it together after a flight goes awry

Log Entry July 13, 2008: AF no-show, divert to 52A for WX, alternator failure.

The words are few, just a couple notes in the logbook to help describe the events of a day that started with promise and ended with a belly full of carnitas and an airplane stranded on the ground. But sometimes even a few words can describe a meaningful adventure.

With just over two years of airmanship under my belt, I sought every opportunity to build time and experience – and to help justify to my wife why I had bought that darn airplane. An aggressive schedule of instrument certification and several long cross-country trips had pushed me across the threshold of 250 hours required to be an Angel Flight pilot, so that became the next opportunity to expand my logbook.

“Patchy clouds this morning, and then a strong chance of afternoon thunderstorms across the region.”

Meteorologists across the Southeast can record this statement on July 1 and replay it every day until September, when the hurricane warnings start. But on this day, the statement held up. With the uncertainty in the afternoon forecast, I would not have chosen this day to fly just for fun, but, with an Angel Flight passenger waiting, I judged the mission doable.

“If I can get to St. Simons Island by 10 am and pick up the patient, we’ll be back in Atlanta by 12:30 or 1 pm at the latest. That should give me plenty of time before the storms hit.” My wife rolled her eyes and nodded, her silent way of saying yes, just go fly and have fun. And be safe.

Angel Flight patients are usually happy passengers.

Angel Flight patients are very appreciative of our volunteer pilot service, and are happy to travel in the relative comfort of a small airplane and avoid an hours-long trip by bus or car. And I have never met one who expressed any fear at all of flying; they are so preoccupied with their health condition that any flight anxiety fades into the background. It’s no joke – they’ve got bigger fish to fry.

But on this day, when I arrived at the Golden Isles FBO, my passenger was nowhere to be found. I called her number… no answer. I nibbled on FBO popcorn for a few minutes. I called the Angel Flight coordinator to see if she had reached out to cancel the trip, but they had heard nothing.

All the while, the benign puffy clouds that had been sentinels in the morning were joining together into ever-larger platoons and forming a united front, preparing for an afternoon assault on the region. With a final call to the Angel Flight coordinator, we agreed that the patient was a no-show and it was time to head home.

It was well past my 10:30 target time when I lifted off to do battle with the storms. But I had equipped my little 1976 Warrior II (call sign “Jugs”) with a yoke-mounted MFD, so with XM Weather feeding me a constant stream of NEXRAD data, I began to pick my way home through the buildups.

Even with little actual weather-flying experience, I knew the importance of staying visual in these conditions. Making headway through southeast Georgia, the ride was smooth as I picked my way through the cloud canyons that grew around me. But as I got closer to Macon, my eyeballs and the NEXRAD display both shouted the same thing. That towering gray monster in front of me – and the big blob of yellow/red/pink on the screen – said it was time for Plan B.

Off to my right, and 6,000 feet below, sat the little airport at Madison, Georgia. It was still in the clear, but the wall of water was approaching from the west. I could hear the voice of my primary instructor, Melissa, in my head: “Let’s have some fun with an emergency descent. Pull throttle, 45-degree bank angle, don’t bust Vne, get her down.” Which I did, and my heart danced a giddy little jig as I taxied toward the FBO, shut down the engines, and hustled inside just a minute before the deluge hit.

As a former ski instructor, scuba divemaster and karate instructor, I know from experience that we learn in increments, that we add bits and pieces to a solid foundation to develop the skills that we practice. In karate there is a saying: “When the student is ready, the master will teach.” What I have found is that this often means, “What the master has taught, the student finally understands when forced to use it!”

My diversion and rapid landing, then, was one example of how something I had learned in a safe training environment became highly useful in reality. It would not be the only example before my airplane was finally pushed back into its tie-down spot at home.

The storm passed fairly quickly, and fair skies followed. With the pavement still wet and the clean smell of rain in the air, I hopped into my trusty Warrior to finish the journey. It was now well past noon, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of that warm cheeseburger back in Atlanta.

A quick preflight, a few shots of prime and a loud “clear prop!” into the empty ramp area ended with the soft rumble of that little engine. Except that now, my eye caught the blinking red light on the panel indicating that my amps weren’t amping, or my volts were revolting. It’s not always clear in these older airplanes where the electrical systems have been stretched beyond the limits of their original design.

“Ah, this I understand!” I had learned the hard way about electrical problems in an airplane. In my first ever solo cross-country, pre-PPL, I had missed a similar warning light during the 30-minute cruise to Dalton for my prescribed landings. Stronger-than-expected crosswinds caused me to abort those landings so I headed home, only to see my GNS430 start to flicker and die, along with every other bit of electronics in the panel. I had just enough juice to place a plaintive call on 121.5, and a friendly airliner relayed the info back to Atlanta that I was NORDO and would be coming in silent. That was a chance to practice real pilotage, light-gun signals, and a no-flap landing, since my little trainer had electric flaps.

I had worn a bright red shirt that morning, a prideful spring in my step as I considered the solo endorsement in my logbook and the flight ahead of me. But even though the flight ended fine, I decided that there was little place for cockiness in a cockpit… karma is a bitch… and I banished red from my pilot wardrobe. Still, I earned another layer of experience that would be useful down the line.

When Mother Nature decides to build a wall of storms, your options quickly become limited.

As I sat there in Madison, engine happily running on all cylinders, but the battery slowly being drained of life, a quick decision was in order. I could try to make a run for it, and hope that the battery would last long enough to get me home. But getting home meant not only returning to a towered field where radio communications are important, but also flying into the Mode C veil around Atlanta. I had no idea how long my battery would last, or if my transponder would still be working. And since I didn’t relish the thought of a call from the FAA, a Plan C formed in my head.

Time to call Ed.

Ed was, still is, my flying consiglieri. We had been working together in a technology start-up for a year before I knew that he lived in the little town of Winder, about 50 miles east of Atlanta. But he commuted nearly every day in his trusty 1963 Cessna 172, a plane he affectionately dubbed “1-Ugly” after the truncated version of its tail number. Not ashamed to say it, 1-Ugly did live up to her moniker, but she was “the little airplane that could” and he made the trek into the city most days by air, unless the weather was just too profoundly horrible, in which case he drove into town in his beater airport car (which was only marginally safer!).

When I quizzed Ed about his flying commute and explained my interest in piloting, the next step was obvious. We arranged for a “long lunch” one early spring day so I could get a taste of life at 3,000 feet. I also got a taste of bile in my throat from that bumpy thermal afternoon, but my enthusiasm only grew, and soon the full set of Jeppesen Private Pilot flight manuals sat on my desk and I had lesson plans booked. I was infected by the pilot bug.

A few months later and sporting a new PPL certificate in my wallet, I drafted Ed for many adventures, first in 1-Ugly, and then in Jugs. (It was Ed who christened Jugs… not long after she came into my life, she required a bit of cylinder work.) We wore down the pavement at nearly every airport with a restaurant. We flew an hour just for the privilege of buying, and then using, the cheapest dinosaur juice possible. We made the pilgrimage to Moontown, Alabama, to experience the bliss of landing on a turf field as smooth as a fairway, and to really learn about adverse-yaw in an Aeronca Champ.

And one day, we both flew from Atlanta down to Dothan, Alabama, for the Cessnas-2-Oshkosh formation flight training. I had no plans to join them for the OSH arrival, but I did want to get some experience with formation flight and they were happy to oblige. They needed to fill the training roster in order to have two flights of three. So I learned formation takeoffs, how to maintain spacing in the #2 and #3 positions at a 45 degree angle from #1’s strut, how to use throttle to speed up and slips to slow down, how to switch positions behind the lead; in short, I learned how to keep my cool in close proximity to other airplanes

Sitting there at the Madison airport with an electrical gremlin running around in my panel, Plan C formed in my head. Winder is not far from Madison – ten minutes by air, thirty by car – maybe Ed would like to help me out.

In the half-hour drive it took for him to fetch me, another storm cell popped up, so we headed over to the local Mexican restaurant for lunch. And since the day was becoming a total rainout, we washed our carnitas down with a beer or two. Over chips and salsa we fleshed out the details of the plan.

He drove me home to Atlanta that afternoon. But two days later, he picked me up in 1-Ugly, we flew to Madison to retrieve Jugs, and we cruised back into town as a flight of two, with my transponder turned off and my radio on ship-to-ship. Tower even offered us a formation landing, but we decided that was a bit too aggressive so we split up and I landed in trail.

During that short trip back, I marveled at how many different puzzle pieces had fallen into place to make this adventure possible, how all the separate elements of training had come together into a unified whole. An emergency descent allowed escape from a storm. A prior electrical failure had taught me how to handle that situation. And a fun jaunt to learn formation flight became very useful when I had to nurse an ailing airplane back home.

As I pushed Jugs back into her slip and walked over to my car, I got that jaunt in my step again, that certain feeling that I had crossed at least one more threshold and was further down the path toward becoming a real pilot.

But I still won’t wear red in the cockpit!

The post Piecing it together after a flight goes awry appeared first on Air Facts Journal.

from Engineering Blog https://airfactsjournal.com/2019/07/piecing-it-together-after-a-flight-goes-awry/

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

[bretinlv]

Bret’s Guide to Cancun/Isla Mujeres & the Riviera Maya

As part of planning for Kurt & Carly's wedding at the end of April I wanted to write a sort of guide to getting around Cancun and Isla Mujeres (especially) but also to touch on the whole of Riviera Maya.

I have been blessed to be in a BUNCH of different parts of Mexico over the years and I just LOVE the country-- its people are so warm and caring and the beauty of the country is spectacular.  Mexico has some of the most amazing beaches in the world and has thousands of miles of tropical beach to explore.  

Let me answer an important first question that I get asked a LOT and comes up a LOT:  Is Mexico safe?  Somehow ALL of Mexico has gotten the reputation that it is unsafe.  That would be like comparing all of the US to inner-city Chicago.  By the way, I'd much rather be in Mexico at night than inner-city Chicago these days.  Some parts of Mexico are unsafe-- border towns like Juarez are very dangerous.  The state of Guerrero and the beach city of Acapulco are not safe right now.  Tourist areas are important for the Mexican economy and so they are guarded by both federal and municipal police and you will see a stronger police presence than you see here.  Federal police carry rifles out in the open so don't be alarmed.    

I spent three days in Cancun last week and stayed with a family on AirBnB.  I walked around neighborhoods at night, took taxis and Uber, rented a car, traveled 50-100 kms and never felt a bit nervous.  There are parts of Cancun where you will think you are in the US (I'm thinking of the corner where the Sam's Club and Wal-Mart are across the street from the Dodge dealer and the Starbucks-- a REALLY nice Starbucks). 

By the way, I stayed in Cancun with a family in a private upstairs room they had just built for $11/night.  They both spoke English and were most accommodating.  I paid a total of $49 (with fees) for my 3-night stay.  I used Uber from their house to the ferry building to go over to Isla Mujeres and Uber cost me $2.50USD.  The ferry round-trip is 300 pesos ($15USD).  Breakfast on the beach was $3.50 at Jax for two eggs, sausage, toast, potatoes and coffee and orange juice.  All with a stunning view from the outdoor, second floor area (try to find that in Newport Beach!):

So, let me jump into the nuts & bolts of our time in Mexico for Kurt & Carly's wedding.  Please read this carefully:

  Phone Service in Mexico 

A GREAT development recently also is that most US cell phone carriers have made access in Mexico (and other international destinations) part of their service agreement.  I have an iPhone 7 Plus and use AT&T as my carrier.  When I land in Mexico I go to my settings and locate "Carrier" and switch to AT&T Mexico.  Voila-- I get 4G LTE service, and my phone works just like here.  Feel free to call my cell in Mexico if you get stuck, need a quick tip or advice (my number is listed below in my signature).

CHILL OUT!

This is a VERY important consideration:  Mexico is more chill than the US.  It is not a good thing or a bad thing, it is just a thing.  The Mexican people move a little slower, take family more seriously (in general) than we do, take relationships more seriously than we do (generally).  Tell yourself when you arrive in Mexico:  Breathe!  Take a few long, deep breaths and switch to a more relaxed culture.  I saw this on my last trip most in this way:  When I went and sat at a restaurant, it took about 5 minutes (on average) for a server to approach me.  My American response is to get up and leave the restaurant in a huff.  Just relax, they will come.  I think the Mexican mentality is this:  "Hey, you're out to eat, it must be a special occasion...you must need lots of time to connect with your friends and talk and talk and talk..."  Are they moving a little slower than you'd like at the car rental place?  Flow with it, you're in their country.  Don't be a rushed, angry American-- it's not a pretty sight there or here-- and I say this to myself as well.

Passport 

I assume you know you need a United States Passport (or a passport where you hold your citizenship) to travel to Mexico.  You do not need to apply for a visa before traveling (see below about visas).  It takes about 6 weeks to get a US Passport by regular means (start at your local post office).  

Arriving in Cancun

I assume most of you reading this will arrive by air into Cancun International Airport.  This is a busy, modern airport.   It's not the size of McCarran (Las Vegas) and there is only one lobby.  You may have to pass through customs if this is your first stop in Mexico.  A couple things about Mexico customs: 1) on your plane you will get a customs declaration sheet.  On the bottom is a tear-off form that looks just like the info on the top part.  Fill out both parts with the same info.  The bottom part is your VISA and you will be required to present that when you leave.  DON'T LOSE IT.  It's a hassle to replace and costs like $15 to get another one right before your departing flight.  Here's another different thing:  When you pass through customs and get your luggage you will come to an agent who will push a button and you will get either a red light or green light.  I think this is just a random way to determine whose bags they will check, although someone sitting in some back office may be watching by camera and override those they want to check.  If you get a red light, they will scan your luggage through the x-ray and likely open it up afterwards to see what you have inside.  Very customary.  Don't worry.  If you get a green light, say "gracias" and take your luggage and scram.  

From the Airport to Where You are Staying

The most stressful part of your whole time at Kurt & Carly's wedding could be navigating the airport lobby to your transportation to your next destination.  Some of you, I imagine, will go directly from the airport to Isla Mujeres.  Some of you may stay a night in Cancun and then go over to Isla.  In the airport lobby (and this is different from our airports) there are dozens of "transportation vendors" who will be offering to take you where you want to go.  You have several options:  1) Take a taxi into Cancun (the airport is about a 10-15 minute drive south of the hotel zone and/or downtown Cancun; There is a catch here though:  there are two taxi options:  regular or collective (colectivo in Spanish); Regular is you and your travel partner(s) get in the taxi and they take you where you want to go.  This costs about $40USD. Too much!  The colectivo will put you in a taxi with others headed in the same direction and you only pay 140 pesos (about $7).  The BEST way to do this is to go outside the airport lobby and find the taxi stand and tell them you want to take the colectivo to the ferry at Puerto Juarez (if you're headed to Isla or wherever you may be going); 2) Uber from the airport to your destination.  Make sure you get the app and have it set up before you leave on your trip so you're not fumbling around on the ground.  Uber is having the same kind of problem in Mexico as they are in parts of the US.  Uber drivers are feeling a bit threatened by taxi drivers because it is taking away their business.  You may find that if you request Uber that your driver may decline.  BUT Uber is the CHEAPEST, FASTEST, BEST OPTION to get around Cancun unless you rent a car.  If you are coming in early and headed to Playa del Carmen, contact me separately and I will tell you my suggestions on this to save you money. Here's a picture of the taxi stand outside the airport lobby:

The Ferry to Isla Mujeres

There are several ferry routes that go over to Isla Mujeres.  The BEST and least expensive ferry service is at Puerto Juarez just north of the main part of Cancun.  Every taxi, bus & Uber driver in town knows where it is so just tell them you want to go to Ultra Mar at Puerto Juarez.  The ferry leaves every 30 minutes and only takes 15 minutes across the water.  There is usually some live music on the upper deck and the weather is so nice it's worth trying to get a seat up top.  Hand the musician a 5 peso coin if you like his music.  Here is a picture of the ferry building:

Exchanging Money in Mexico

The BEST way to get pesos in Mexico is to use your ATM card and withdraw pesos out of your US checking account.  Your bank will give you the best and current exchange rate (right now about 20 pesos: $1USD).  You will be asked how much to withdraw (just like here);  $3000 pesos is about $150USD and 3000 pesos will go a long way.  I would get $1000 pesos or so right in the airport and then get more on Isla at an ATM when you need it.  There are banks and ATM's everywhere.

   Getting Around Isla Mujeres

The best way to get around Isla is to rent a golf cart.  Parking is at a premium and a car is difficult to navigate and find parking for....and you have to take a separate ferry to get your car over there.  If you are staying for more than two days I would get a golf cart for your stay.  There are places right by the ferry building to rent golf carts and they run about $35/day.  Be careful, there are some golf cart places that only rent for the day....and some for extended days.  Make sure you get the right place.   If you are only in Isla for two days or so and you are staying on the north side of the island, I would say to use a taxi.  Taxi rides on Isla cost about 40 pesos anywhere (about $2USD).  That's a LOT of taxi rides to get to the $35/day for a golf cart....but you choose.  It's fun to take the golf cart around the whole island and see everything. There are some BEAUTIFUL spots at the very south end of the island and some Mayan ruins to view.  Gerrafon Park is also down there with snorkeling, zip lines, a great beach and swimming.   

The wedding is going to be on this beach!!  Whoa! Got questions?  Feel free to email me or call.  See you on the beach in April!  

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

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A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

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A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

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A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Cult Brunch Hit in Easton Is Getting a Sibling Spot in a Really Old Church

And more dining news from Boston’s suburbs and beyond

There’s plenty more to Massachusetts dining than just restaurants in Boston proper. We’re keeping tabs on developments in the Greater Boston area and beyond, including openings, closures, and more. With a focus on Greater Boston suburbs but occasionally reaching out further around the state, this piece is updated weekly, with the most recent news appearing at the top.

March 7, 2018

CONCORD — Adelita (1200 Main St.) opens for lunch and dinner, bringing farm-to-table, organic Mexican food to Concord. (Really farm-to-table: The meats come from owner Kristin Canty’s own farm in New Hampshire.) Canty also operates Woods Hill Table in West Concord and has a restaurant headed for Boston’s Seaport as well, on the former site of the iconic Anthony Pier’s 4. The menu at Adelita, developed by Woods Hill Table’s executive chef Charlie Foster, features items like tacos, ceviche, aguachile de camarones, chorizo taquitos, carne asada plates, and churros for dessert.

LYNN — IronBound Marketplace(3-11 Mt. Vernon)will be an indoor/outdoor market for the North Shore, filling downtown Lynn with food trucks, permanent stalls, and a broad collection of vendors. A block party celebrating the arrival of the market is scheduled for April.

MALDEN — 3 Amigos (375 Main St.) has opened in Malden with a menu full of Mexican dishes like fajitas, fish tacos, and flan, plus tequila infusions. The restaurant makes its corn tortillas in-house and boasts a wide selection of drinks. A grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for March 14.

NEWTON — El Basha Grille (880 Walnut St.)opened a few weeks ago in Newton, joining existing locations in Worcester, Westborough, and Sudbury. The Newton location is takeout only, offering Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine, including kebab, mezze items, shawarma, moussaka, falafel, and so much more.

NORTH EASTON — Brunchers in southeast Massachusetts have been going nuts for The Farmer’s Daughter (122 Main St.) since it opened five years ago, serving up New England comfort food featuring plenty of local ingredients. These days, there’s dinner service several nights a week as well — aka “TFD After Dark.” But that’s not all: Chef-owner Chandra Gouldrup is just about ready to open the Farmer’s Daughter’s dinner-focused follow-up, Towneship, in a renovated 150-year-old church nearby (140 Main St.)

The restaurant will make full use of the old church space — think mezzanine seating, cathedral ceilings, and lots of exposed bricks and beams. There will also be two bars, a chef’s table, an exposed kitchen, and outdoor dining.

Cory Williams (Social, the Met) will be executive chef at the new spot, serving up New England cuisine. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is fast approaching.

Towneship [official drawing]

This will one day be Towneship

SALEM — Antique Table (26 Congress St.) expands to Salem this week, opening officially on Friday, March 9. The restaurant has existing locations in Winthrop and Lynn, serving pizza, pasta, seafood, and more.

WAKEFIELD — Gloucester’s Tonno will add a second location in Wakefield (175 North Ave.), which will span more than 4,000 square feet with seating for 110 inside and 65 outdoors on a patio. With a full liquor license, Tonno will serve the same Italian seafood-focused menu as in Gloucester. Owner Anthony Caturano is also behind the acclaimed Prezza in Boston’s North End (24 Fleet St.)

February 28, 2018

Simjang/Facebook

Simjang banchan

ARLINGTON — Fusion Taste (303 Broadway) has closed down temporarily but could reopen at the same location soon. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese dishes, including sushi, noodles, and more. Stay tuned for updates on its return.

Also in Arlington,Bagels by Us (789 Massachusetts Ave.) will close on March 16 after more than 20 years in business. It’s known for its bagels, along with sandwiches, salads, and other diner fare.

BROOKLINE — Hamilton (1366 Beacon St.), a forthcoming restaurant and bar near Coolidge Corner, will serve “good, simple, seasonal food, rooted in classic cooking,” as chef Nick Davidovich (formerly of West Bridge, Salts, and 80 Thoreau) told Boston Restaurant Talk. The 149-seat restaurant, which will have a bar section separate from the main dining room, will also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

QUINCY — Dorchester’s Windy City Pizza will add a new location in Quincy at 195 Newport Ave. It will serve pizza, subs, salads, wings, and more, and if all goes well, the restaurant could open by the end of the year, offering service until 3 a.m. and delivery.

Elsewhere in Quincy, Sala by Fratelli’s is on the way to 470 Southern Artery, and the person behind it is John Milone, who runs Fratelli’s Pastry Shop (which has three locations in Massachusetts). Sala by Fratelli’s will seat 60, with a menu of desserts and drinks, coffee, and more. Look out for an opening in May.

WORCESTER — The team behind the acclaimed Deadhorse Hill has a new restaurant opening tomorrow, March 1. Simjang (72 Shrewsbury St.) features American-Korean dishes, including Korean fried chicken, pork belly bossam, raw bar items, and more. Soft serve will eventually be on the menu too — flavors like matcha and yuzu — part of a growing trend nationwide.

The team has lots of Boston-area ties: Jared Forman and Sean Woods, two of the co-owners, come from Strip-T’s and other area restaurants, as does chef de cuisine Mike Wenc, and general manager Ellen Benson is an alum of Island Creek Oyster Bar and Giulia.

Meanwhile, Stix Noodle Bar (72 Franklin St.) has opened in Worcester from New England Craft Restaurant Concepts, which also operates Brew on the Grid. The group recently closed down its Cambridge location of Brew on the Grid and will replace it with another Stix Noodle Bar restaurant. Stix serves noodle bowls, stir-fried dishes, and more.

February 22, 2018

The Backroom at Moody’s [official photo]

BROOKLINE — Takusan Sushi has closed, and now Xiang Yu China Bistro operates in the 1223 Beacon St. location, serving stir fry, noodles, and items featuring pork belly, beef with hot pepper, and whole fish dishes.

Elsewhere in Brookline, a replacement is on the way for Yasu, which closed down in 2016. Hamilton will open at 1366 Beacon St., and an early look at interior designs shows it to be an expansive space.

DEDHAM — A trendy salad restaurant chain based in DC, Sweetgreen, opens a new location in Dedham at 244 Legacy Pl. on Monday, February 28. The chain will donate proceeds from this opening day to Fresh Truck.

SPRINGFIELD — An MGM Casino in Central Massachusetts will boast several different dining options, including one from chef Michael Mina (of PABU), which will be a coastal Italian concept called Cal Mare. Other options will include The Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market, and TAP Sports Bar.

WAKEFIELD — Public Kitchen took over Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield, opening in mid-February at 397 Main St. The owners have a connection to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End, and the restaurant serves pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads and more.

WALTHAM — The popular Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions on Moody Street in Waltham drastically expanded its restaurant this week and introduced a larger menu full of seafood and more. There are now oysters available on the half shell, along with scallops, hamachi tiradito, a salmon belly BLT, and a daily crudo. Other menu items include charcuterie, flatbreads, and French onion soup. Moody’s also recently expanded to Back Bay.

WELLESLEY — The tide went out for Wellesley’s juice wave with the closure of Thirst Juice Shop in January. The business had been around since late 2016, and it continues to operate a location in Downtown Boston. Meanwhile, another trendy restaurant will move into town this week: The aforementioned salad chain Sweetgreen opens at 180 Linden St. on Saturday, February 24, and will donate proceeds from the first day to Natick Community Organic Farm.

February 14, 2018

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Blue Ribbon pulled pork

BEVERLY — Poke continues to grow in popularity on the East Coast, this time landing in Beverly, north of Boston. Lolo Poke is now open (503 Rantoul St.) and serving the Hawaiian raw fish dish, as well as musubi — seaweed wrapped around rice and spam, tofu, salmon, or chicken.

BROCKTON — With existing locations in Falmouth, Saugus, and Northborough, Mexican restaurant Casa Vallarta just added another location in Brockton (610 Oak St.) All locations are family-owned, and the restaurants serve dishes such as burritos, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas, plus a lengthy list of margaritas.

DEDHAM — Blue Ribbon BBQ made its debut in Dedham this week, opening on February 12 at 350 Washington St., per Boston Restaurant Talk. This planned expansion has been in the works since 2016. Blue Ribbon — with longstanding locations in Arlington and West Newton — is known for its pit-smoked barbecue, including platters of pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, and more.

February 7, 2018

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

FOXBORO — CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar (200 Patriot Pl.) closes down for lengthy renovations on February 12 after 10 years in business at Patriot Place. The renovations will coincide with a shift in management, as the Kraft Group and CBS have teamed up with Big Night Entertainment Group (Empire, Red Lantern, Explorateur, more) to run the restaurant. CBS Scene could reopen over the summer.

METHUEN — Pica’s Pub & Grill (10 Ayers Village Rd.)is open in Methuen, and it has a rich history in the area. In 1939, Albert Pica opened a restaurant called Garden Nite Cafe, and his family has run restaurants there ever since. Now, his great-grandson Shane Bernard, and Shane’s father Wayne, are running the new restaurant, which serves burgers, sandwiches (including a muffaletto), appetizers, salads, and entrees like baked mac and cheese and steak tips.

NEEDHAM — Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel St.)closed down towards the end of January, but a different restaurant is already lined up to take its place. Cappella will take over the Chapel Street space, under the auspices of Rob Picardi from Prezza in Boston’s North End.

Meanwhile, The James Pub & Provisions (1027 Great Plain Ave.) has opened near Needham Center, with a mix of small and large plates, including soda bread, grilled octopus, leek tart, duck confit salad, spicy beef tartare, seared monkfish, a burger, fish and chips, and grilled pork chops.

NEWBURYPORT — The Angry Donut(38 Washington St.)has found a home and debuted with limited hours last week. The former pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is now serving up doughnuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and babka, plus coffee, espresso beverages, and tea.

SALEM — Mr. Crepe(83 Washington St.), which has a longtime location in Somerville’s Davis Square, has expanded north to Salem, opening with a familiar menu of stuffed crepes, pastries, soups, and more. The shop operates daily, serving breakfast through dinner.

January 24, 2018

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Adjarian khachapuri at Jana Grill & Bakery

BURLINGTON — Eddie V’s will take the place of Macaroni Grill, which closed down at 50 South Ave. last year. The Austin, TX-based chain of Eddie V’s is part of the Darden Restaurant Group and serves seafood and steak. It’s also coming to Boston proper.

Also in Burlington, Caffe Nero, the London-based chain of coffee shops that’s expanded with dramatic fashion in the Boston area over the last few years, has officially opened within the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Tpke.) It is situated near Au Bon Pain and Besito Mexican Restaurant.

FRAMINGHAM — Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen (855 Worcester Rd.)has closed down after more than 20 years in business. A reason for the closure was not given, but posts on Facebook indicate the restaurant may pursue a new location.

MALDEN — Oppa’s Kitchen & Bar (157 Pleasant St.) is closed, at least for now; the business was seized.

NATICK — Kelly’s Roast Beef closes down this month after about 20 years in business in this location, which is inside of Jordan’s Furniture (2 Underprice Way). The owners are reportedly not renewing the lease on the space, though other locations of Kelly’s will remain in operation.

Meanwhile, the Natick Mall will get a Dave & Buster’s(1245 Worcester St.), which aims to take over a section of the current Sears, which is downsizing.

Finally, the owners of The Farmhouse in Needham have a new project planned for Natick. Buttercup is set to arrive at 13 West Central St. this spring from Dora Tavel-Sanchez Luz and Gabriel Sanchez, who aim to serve farm-to-table American dishes alongside a full bar. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help with funding.

QUINCY — Momo Cafe is up and running in Quincy at 649 Hancock St., serving a selection of desserts and pastries, plus tea and more. (It does not serve momo, Nepalese dumplings.)

SALEM — Smokin’ Betty’s BBQ closed its doors at 94 Lafayette St. on January 14 after a little under a year in business. The owners — who are also behind Gulu-Gulu Cafe and Flying Saucer Pizza Company, which remain open — shared a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing the closure, stating: “At the end of the day it really came down to simple math. We spent more money than we brought in and we projected a larger number of customers than we saw come through our doors.” They intend to continue offering Smokin’ Betty’s food for catering orders and perhaps reopen one day in a smaller venue.

WATERTOWN — Jana Grill & Bakery (2 Watertown St.) opened just a week ago, and it’s serving a menu of Armenian dishes, including egg boats, babaganoush, shawarma, flatbreads, and breakfast items. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.

January 3, 2018

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Ramen at Broth by the Hangover

ARLINGTON — Chilly Cow (451 Massachusetts Ave.) will convert into Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, under the same ownership. The ice cream shop will serve largely the same items with some additions, with a goal of making a name for itself as a national wholesale brand.

SAUGUS — A planned expansion of Kane’s Donuts will likely happen this spring, as the popular shop prepares to open a location with a drive-thru window within the Essex Landing development, which many will remember as the site of the Route 1 miniature golf course and its recognizable orange dinosaur statue, which still stands.

TAUNTON — A new Fratelli’s Pastry Shop is open (1 Washington St.), and it joins two more in Quincy and Weymouth. Like its counterparts, the Taunton shop serves specialty cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies, pies, and breads, in addition to a menu of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, calzones, and more Italian dishes. The Taunton bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WELLESLEY — The Cottage (190 Linden St.) temporarily closed down on January 2 to allow for updates, including a menu change and interior renovations courtesy of Taniya Nayak, a former HGTV host and designer who has worked on several restaurants in the area, including Yellow Door Taqueria and Lower Mills Tavern, among others. Her designs for The Cottage will reportedly feature natural wood and greenery. Culinary director Peter Hansen will oversee updates to the menu. Expect The Cottage to reopen mid-January.

WEYMOUTH — Gourmet Oriental (625 Washington St.)has closed down. The restaurant served a mixture of Chinese dishes and offered karaoke, live music, and other entertainment.

WORCESTER — The team behind The Hangover Pub (Worcester’s bacon-filled restaurant) has a new restaurant focused on ramen. Broth is now open next door at 106 Green St., serving five different soups (including a vegetarian option), light appetizers, several cocktails, and two desserts made with bacon.

December 27, 2017

The Angry Donut [official photo, via Facebook]

The Angry Donut

LEXINGTON — Yangtze River(25 Depot Sq.), a Chinese-American restaurant that first opened in the 1970s, has closed down, per Boston Restaurant Talk. It served lunch and dinner, plus dim sum on the weekends. A different restaurant called Sanyo will take its place.

MARLBOROUGH — A new spot joined the interesting restaurant names category: Thairiffic is now open in Marlborough (128 Main St.), serving items like massaman curry, tom yum soup, and fresh rolls. The restaurant also offers takeout.

NEEDHAM — It’s been many months since chef Rachel Klein departed the restaurant that bears her initials, RFK Kitchen (30 Dedham Ave.), and now it’s getting a rebranding. L&K (“lounge and kitchen”) grandly reopens tomorrow, December 28, with new managers and a new menu by new executive chef Matthew Kovach. There’s also a new cocktail menu and selection of “lounge bites.”

NEWBURYPORT — A pop-up called The Angry Donut has permanent aspirations. Founder Tom Quill is a native of Newburyport, and he connected with baker Jill Passen to launch The Angry Donut, appearing as a pop-up and at farmers markets around the region. Now, they’re working to secure a permanent location and have launched a Kickstarter to help fund the process, offering rewards for those who donate.

WESTFORD — Go to The Okipoké(8 Cornerstone Sq., Unit B) and eat yourself some fish. The new restaurant in Westford serves a wide range of options, including bowls, burritos, and salads, topped with tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and more.

WORCESTER — A place for Vietnamese noodles and seafood opened recently in Worcester. My Sister’s Crawfish II(442 Park Ave.)joins Dorchester’s My Sister’s Crawfish in serving rice plates, bun, noodles, spring rolls, and crawfish by the pound, plus bubble tea.

December 20, 2017

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Tuna poke tostadas at Bueno Malo

ANDOVER — “The flavors of Mexico meet the heartbeat of Southern California” at Bueno Malo, which opened about six weeks ago in Andover. Mike Reidy and Franco Lozano III teamed up for the restaurant, which has a full bar and serves tacos and burritos stuffed with steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, fish, bean and cheese, and even tater tots. For dinner, there are wings, taquitos, ceviche, nachos, and street corn.

DEDHAM — Legacy Place continues to grow its food and beverage options, adding one more this week: Temazcal Tequila Cantina’snewest location, now open, spans 7,000 square feet, filling nearly every inch with Mexican dishes and more than 250 varieties of tequila.

NORTH ANDOVER — Howling Wolf Taqueria, featured in Eater Boston’s Salem dining guide, already has one fast-casual location in Marblehead, but this spring it will add another in North Andover. The new Howling Wolf Express will operate with a full liquor license within a space at 550 Turnpike St.

SAUGUS — One of the most recognizable plots of land in Saugus will soon be home to a new restaurant. A development project at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House will bring a 110 Grill restaurant to the area, along with an undetermined fast-casual restaurant. The Saugus 110 Grill will join several existing locations around the state, and a bunch more are on the way.

SWAMPSCOTT — Local-born chain B.Good will expand to the North Shore, adding a restaurant in Swampscott at 450 Paradise Rd. B.Good serves a line of locally-sourced fast-casual meals, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and grain bowls.

WALPOLE — A source for beer will go quietly into the night in Walpole: British Beer Company on Route 1 will shutter on Christmas Eve, with reports indicating the business couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord. There are 13 other locations in the region.

December 13, 2017

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Mooyah burgers

BERLIN — Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes opened its newest Massachusetts location on December 11 (48 Highland Commons East). The Texas-based fast-food chain serves a menu true to its silly name, focusing on burgers, which are topped with items like bacon and jalapeños. There are turkey burger and chicken options for sandwiches as well, and the restaurant also has vegetarian options, plus hot dogs, french fries, and salads, along with shakes.

BRAINTREE — The Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing development will welcome a new restaurant, Bates Bar and Grill(2 Commercial St.), taking the place of the Landing Pub and Ultimate Pizza, which were torn down after a fire.

MELROSE — A restaurant serving sushi and pan-Asian dishes is now open in Melrose. Tsukiji Bistro is located at 505 Main St., in the same building as Stearns & Hill’s Bistro.

SALEM — Stacia’s Place closed down (97 Bridge St.) on December 1. The restaurant had been around for 35 years, serving subs of all varieties, along with soup, salads, wings, hot dogs, and several other items.

Also in Salem, Victoria Station has been shut down, with reports indicating that it had not renewed the lease for the space at 86 Wharf St.

WELLESLEY — Smith & Wollensky plans to open a steakhouse location in Wellesley — taking over the longtime Blue Ginger space at 583 Washington St., as previously reported — and has set a target opening date for mid-April 2018. There are two existing locations in Boston proper, along with other steakhouses in Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Miami Beach, and London.

November 29, 2017

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Fiorella’s Concord

CONCORD — Fiorella’s has arrived in Concord, joining an existing location in Newton (and takeout-oriented siblings dubbed Fiorella’s Express in Belmont, Cambridge, and Brighton). The new restaurant, located at 24 Walden St. (the former Bondir space), serves the familiar menu of Italian dishes in a full-service dining format.

FRAMINGHAM — The beloved J&M Diner is back in business after a devastating fire pushed it out of its original home back in March. The new restaurant opened at 50 Worcester Rd. at 6 a.m. on November 27, with a line out the door.

WALTHAM — A Brothers Marketplace is on the way to Waltham and will open within The Merc at Moody and Main (45 Moody St.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. There are other locations in Weston and Medfield, offering retail goods along with prepared foods.

November 22, 2017

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Blue Canoe Cafe storefront

CONCORD — A new market on the way to Concord will also serve prepared foods, and the folks behind it also run Trail’s End Cafe and Lincoln Kitchen. Concord Market will be located on Lowell Road and could open in about a year.

DEDHAM — Yep, there’s another Caffe Nero open. This one’s at Legacy Place (218 Legacy Pl.); it debuted on November 20.

MARBLEHEAD — A new place for coffee and food will open within a storefront on School Street that was previously home to Atomic Cafe. Blue Canoe Cafe (14 School St.) will serve coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and baked goods, along with bags of Atomic coffee. Renovations are underway.

PEABODY — Seawitch Restaurant & Oyster Bar, a longtime restaurant and fish market, is now under new ownership with a new name — well, two: The market arm of the business became North Shore Lobster and the restaurant became SeaGrilz. Both are open and located at 203 Newbury St. (Rte. 1).

Peabody will also see the addition of a La Siesta restaurant, which has an existing location in Winthrop. The Mexican restaurant will open within a building under redevelopment at 1 Main St.

November 15, 2017

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Pressed Juicery juices

LYNN — A Central American chicken chain called Pollo Campero (25 State St.) grandly opened a location in Lynn this week, serving fried and grilled chicken. There are also two other locations nearby, in East Boston and Chelsea.

WAKEFIELD — A new restaurant called Public Kitchen (395 Main St.) will take over for Caryn’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Wakefield. The partners in the new restaurant are all connected to Giacomo’s, which has locations in Melrose and both Boston’s North End and South End. Expect to see pub-style items like burgers, flatbreads, wings, and chili.

WELLESLEY — California-based Pressed Juicery has a new location in Linden Square (180 Linden St., Suite 107), where it offers cold-pressed juices and frozen treats. There’s also a location in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and one on Newbury Street in Boston.

WORCESTER — A 1920s-themed restaurant called Josephine (551 Main St.) will open within the Hanover Theater in Worcester around spring 2018, and the person behind it is Chris Rassias, who also operates The Farimount Grille in Hyde Park.

November 8, 2017

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Singh Saab

ARLINGTON — Waltham’s Santa Banta has officially relocated and reopened in Arlington as Singh Saab(444 Massachusetts Ave.). The restaurant offers a large menu of Punjabi dishes and a lunch buffet.

BURLINGTON — Singh Saab also got a sister restaurant in Burlington this week, an Indochinese restaurant called Singh Ching (184 Cambridge St.)

NEW BEDFORD — dNB Burgers (22 Elm St.)once again fell victim to vandalism this week, with a Facebook post showing a brick that had been thrown through one of the windows. This is the fourth instance of vandalism or break-in at the restaurant.

NORTH SCITUATE — A fire destroyed 50-year-old Jamie’s Grille & Pub in North Scituate this past weekend, and the building will likely be torn down. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page indicated there were no injuries. There is no word yet on whether the owners will rebuild.

November 1, 2017

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Friendly’s ice cream

MARLBOROUGH — In an attempt to rebound from closures, Friendly’s is testing a new prototype restaurant in Marlborough, with plans to open more locations in the next several years, MassLive reports. The new restaurants feature drive-through windows, which 10 existing locations will also get. The Marlborough location is slated to open on November 6 at the Apex Center on Route 20 (180 Boston Post Rd. W.)

NEEDHAM — The James Pub & Provisions will open within the former home of the Centre Cafe (1027 Great Plain Ave.), per Boston Restaurant Talk. The owners aim to “bring the pubs of fond memory into the light once more,” according to the restaurant’s website, and it will reportedly open some time this fall.

WOBURN — A new restaurant called Shallots (920 Main St.) opened in September with an Asian fusion lunch and dinner menu that includes items like stir-fry noodles, panang curry, mango fried rice, chili duck, steak, and spicy eggplant, among others.

October 25, 2017

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Spiga

LYNN — The White Rose Coffee House has closed, as The Daily Item reports, due to drama prompted by anti-police statements that the owner’s daughter (and a manager at the cafe) made on Facebook. Owner Kato Mele apologized, fired her daughter, and invited police to the cafe to make amends, but it was not enough.

NEEDHAM — The nearly decade-old Spiga (18 Highland Cir.) has reopened after a big revamp, with chef Marisa Iocco in charge as the new co-owner. The Italian restaurant underwent a menu and design overhaul over the summer.

PEABODY — Regina Pizzeria has closed down its location at the Northshore Mall, sharing an update on Twitter that “we closed at that location because the Mall took our space to make a new entrance.”

WOBURN — Arcenia’s Cucina Rustica closed its doors in Woburn and has now been replaced by a different Italian restaurant called Fortunato’s (428 Main St.)

October 18, 2017

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Davio’s in Braintree

BRAINTREE — Davio’s officially opened its newest location in Braintree this week at the South Shore Plaza. This is the ninth location for the restaurant.

CHELMSFORD — The Establishment is a family owned and operated restaurant at 75 Princeton St. that debuted in September with a menu ranging from burgers and pizza to baked haddock, steak tips, and more.

CONCORD — As Country Kitchen owner Trish Irons prepares for retirement, the restaurant prepares to close on December 15, per Boston Restaurant Talk. Irons is pursuing options, including having someone else take over the restaurant.

LOWELL — Loui Loui Louisiana Seafood opened a new location in Lowell a few months ago, and its recent growth has gone beyond the Northeast. The restaurant had just two other locations when it opened in Allston earlier this year (in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and Fort Lee, New Jersey), and now its presence reaches as far as Duluth, Georgia, with six total restaurants.

STONEHAM — One restaurant closed down and another is on the way to Stoneham, just north of Boston. Felicia’s (423 Main St.) shuttered over the weekend after more than 50 years in business. Meanwhile, chef Patrick Campbell (previously of Cafe ArtScience and No. 9 Park) plans to open The Stones Common House & Kitchen in the town square.

October 11, 2017

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Cook in Needham

BRAINTREE — Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will soon add a new member of the family with the opening of its Braintree restaurant at 250 Granite St. The massive restaurant, slated to open early next week at South Shore Plaza, spans 10,000 square feet and serves pasta made in-house, seafood, beef entrees, and more.

DEDHAM — Fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A (140 Providence Hwy.) opened its eleventh location in Massachusetts last week. The beloved, albeit controversial, restaurant is known for giving away free chicken to the first 100 customers on opening day, and Dedham’s opening drew a crowd ahead of time.

NEEDHAM — Cook (109 Chapel St.) opened over the weekend, joining an existing location in Newton (825 Washington St.) Right now, Cook is open for dinner, but lunch and brunch will follow soon. The restaurant seats 115 and serves items like lobster sliders, chili-rubbed flat-iron steak, and tagliatelle with meatballs.