#reading amorino and its something

[marlocandeea]

Santacroce saw Bataille and said is anyone gonna do that. And didn't wait for an answer

[jaclynnicole-blog]

NYC TRIP JULY 2018

Ok, so this whole trip and reason goes way back a few years...

Through my online magazine I came across a young and talented girl who had recently been a part of The Grinch Tour and was moving onto something that I nor she knew would change everything. Nicole Scimeca had announced she would be part of the newest musical that had come to light, “Anastasia” as “Little Anastasia” and “Alexei”. I immediately connected with Nicole and was able to arrange a special interview during their rehearsals before the preview of the show started at The Hartford Stage in Connecticut. I couldn’t be there in person, but I had a very sweet and talented friend Chloe Lang who was able to meet up with Nicole for the Interview at The Theatre. Little did we know, Nicole and I would meet in person a few years later. Flash Forward a little bit to when I found out “Anastasia: The Musical” was moving to Broadway in New York City! Guess who ended up moving with the show and would be part of the Original Broadway Cast? NICOLE! I was super happy and excited for her! 

Ok ok, flash forward to 2018... “Anastasia made its Broadway Debut in Spring 2017 so over a year in NYC and the show was still going strong with Nicole loving every minute of it! Summer, I would say around end of June Nicole made a huge announcement that she would be leaving “Anastasia” to move onto filming for a Netflix Series, “Messiah”. I couldn’t have been more happy for Nicole but at the same time I flashed back to Nicole’s Interview and how I came to know her, and I realized I still hadn’t see her perform in the show. Yes being in Florida didn’t help any LOL . Well, I kind of made a spontaneous and last minute decision to purchase a ticket to see “Anastasia: The Musical” just to see Nicole. $156 later and around a $300 plane ticket I was set to go. My parents thought I was crazy and for a minute I was like “what did I just do?” but my TWO Day trip to NY turned into something I will never ever forget just wait...

So although I was only going for a short time, I decided to make the best of it. Started to see who else I could meet up with the one full day I would be in THE city. Thank you to my Aunt and Uncle who let me stay with them for the two days. My NYC Trip was planned from July 4th to July 6th. 

The start of my trip was super excited packing throughout the few days before. July 4th was more exciting then ever anticipating my trip and flight (which was later that night). I headed to the airport with my parents and we grabbed a bite to eat at P.F. Changs in the airport. By the time we finished we were done in plenty of time to catch my flight, but due to weather it was a bit delayed. I didn’t mind it just meant more time to just anticipate what was coming next. The flight was a little over two hours but we didn’t end up boarding until after 9pm. I read throughout the flight... Was working on the last Hunger Games book.My flight didn’t get into New York until after Midnight. I felt so bad for my Aunt and Uncle but they were so supportive and loved getting to spend time with them. 

So by the time I got to my Aunt and Uncle’s house I got settled in and didn’t get to sleep until after 2am. I couldn’t wait until what the next day/rest of the day LOL would bring. As I got up and ready for breakfast, I wasn’t sure exactly what time I was planning to be in the city but by 11am I had everything planned, went onto get ready for the day and head to the train station. My family lives on Long Island so the train ride to NYC takes around an hour each way not bad. I had done it before and was super comfortable this time around. We literally got to the train station and purchased my ticket just in time for the Noon pick up. As I was on the train, it brought memories back to when I went into NYC for the first time alone in 2015 and was determined to see “Matilda: The Musical” (Which turned out to be my very first Broadway show in NYC). I was definitely going back and nothing was going to stop me. 

I arrived in NYC around 1pm and set off to meet some dance friends of mine at a Hotel down 54th Street. I came off the train and was around 33rd Street and headed a few blocks to make it in time. I was heading to meet some talented young dancers, one who I had met back in Florida (One of my Magazine’s Cover Girls) Lilly Nugnes and Layla Goodwin (Dancer who I had worked with online and had helped me with some Interviews for my Magazine in NYC). I was super excited to catch up with Lilly and meet Layla for the first time as our connections truly came full circle. By the time I walked over to the hotel it was around 1:30pm. We chatted for a few minutes, took some photos, and sadly Layla had to head to her busy schedule during competition (but I was super grateful to have met Layla and her wonderful mom even if it was just for a few minutes). Lilly, her mom Lesley and I headed out to grab a bite to eat. We walked into The Melting Pot and had some salads and shakes. When we arrived back at the hotel, we ended up spotting another special someone, Jordan Matter (The Dance Photographer). Lilly and I go some photos with Jordan and then we said our goodbyes. As I walked down 54th headed to 44th, where I would be meeting Nicole and where The Broadhurst Theatre/”Anastasia: The Musical” I was grinning from ear to ear just happy to be back in NYC. I was born in New York but moved early on and was never able to experience The City the way I always wanted to. I made a quick stop at one of the numerous Starbucks in The City to meet up with a friend of mine, Natoli. We caught up and snapped a photo for memory. As I arrived at Broadhurst Theatre, around 3:30pm, I took in the surroundings and snapped numerous photos of The Theatre and “Anastasia” signs. I headed to Amorino (Gelato etc.) to meet up with Nicole for the very first time. I had time to just cool off and relax before we were supposed to meet around 5pm. As soon as Nicole and her mom walked in I immediately gave each one of them a hug, took a few photos, and then we just sat and talked for a bit. I explained how special this trip was and how I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see Nicole in a show she had been a part of since she was 8 and was soon to be 11. As I explained I held back tears but was trying to take in every moment. around 5:45pm we headed to The Broadhurst Theatre and snapped a few photos in front of a few “Anastasia” signs. As Nicole walked into theatre for her call time, I met back up with an old friend to talk for a bit. Around 6:30pm we were let into the theatre, and I quickly headed to the restroom to change clothes and freshen up a bit. Once I walked into the actual theatre and found my seat, was around 8 rows back in Orchestra (Had to a decent seat to see Miss Nicole up close LOL). The show started at 7pm. Nicole started out in the first scene so it was super special. During Intermission, I stayed in my seat but was reflecting on the first half of the show and took in everything. The show ended around 9:45pm. “Anastasia: The Musical” was incredible from the costumes, to the set, the most talented cast Christy Altomare as “Anya” and the story behind it all. I do remember seeing the movie, I was so young. As I got up to head out of the theatre, I met up with Nicole’s mom and purchased a few items from the “Anastasia” Gift Shop. Once finished, we headed to the Stage Door and was let in with Nicole’s mom to get a quick On Stage Tour of the set by Nicole herself. On our way in, I spotted Christy Altomare (“Anya”) and asked if I could grab a quick picture with her. Then Nicole took me on the tour and we stepped onto The “Anastasia” Stage to take a few photos. What a special and moment thanks to Nicole and her mom. I had Nicole sign a few of the items I purchased and we headed out so Nicole could sign autographs for so many other amazing fans of the show. After we said our goodbyes I headed across the street to where “Frozen: The Musical” was and waited for the four young ladies who alternate the roles of “Young Elsa” and “Young Anna”: Zoe Glick, Ayla Schwartz, Mattea Conforti, and Mimi Ryder as I knew a few of them through my magazine and Instagram. As I was waiting, I realized I had forgotten to have Christy Altomare sign any of the items I purchased. I looked back thinking Christy had surely been gone by now 45mins after the show around 10:45pm. Christy was still there talking and taking photos with her fans. I was kind of an awe and shock at first. Christy signed and I headed back across the street to meet the girls. I was able to take a quick selfie with all four girls and was well on my way back to the train station to head back to Long Island. I waited for the next train which was around 11:35pm. On the train ride back, I had reflected on the day and couldn’t believe how fast it went and how many people I had a chance to see and meet. I had gotten back to Long Island well after Midnight to be picked up by my Uncle. I couldn’t believe the day I had and was exhausted. I fell right to sleep. The next morning I headed out to grab a bite to eat with my Aunt, Uncle, and one of my cousins Michelle. We then headed back to get my stuff and went straight to the airport. I sat at the airport a bit (we didn’t board until after 4:30 and flight took off after 5pm). I ended up arriving back home in Tampa around 7:30pm. On the ride home, I looked through some of the “Anastasia” items I purchased: One being the Big Program with many photos of the cast. I usually collect one with each Tour/Broadway Show I see so I couldn’t pass it up, although this one was super special. I turned the first page of The “Anastasia” Program and guess who was on the first two pages? NICOLE! Since Nicole was a part of The Original Broadway Cast of “Anastasia” she was in the Program! I also purchased an “Anastasia” Shirt and Key Chain. I held the “Anastasia” Key Chain in my hands and closed my eyes for a moment the second I was back home. I coulnd’t have asked for a better two days in NY. Thank you to Nicole and her mom for making my trip a memory that I will treasure forever.

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Puritan Trading Company [official photo]

A crispy chicken sandwich from Puritan Trading Company, a delivery-only restaurant that opened in February.

Blue Bottle [NOW OPEN]

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee has started its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that seats around 22. A Prudential Center location has also been announced, along with one in downtown Boston. Opened: February 3, 2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: February 2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company [NOW OPEN]

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team has launched a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items are prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services, such as Caviar. The menu includes a crispy chicken sandwich, scallop and linguica dumplings, kung pao cauliflower, and more. Opened: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s [NOW OPEN]

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop has debuted a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also remain Toscanini’s production home even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Opened: January 25, 2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Milk Bar [official photo]

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Blackbird Doughnuts (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Fenway and South End doughnut shop from the team behind the Gallows and Banyan might be opening a new location at the revamped Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Oggi Gourmet (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): An original tenant of the Harvard student center, Oggi moved elsewhere in the neighborhood to weather the massive construction, but it’ll open inside the Smith Campus Center once renovations are finally complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

One Ramen & Sushi (1759 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge): Probably serving ramen and sushi, this restaurant is slated to take over the Super Fusion Sushi space.

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Saloniki (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This fast-casual Greek spot with locations in Central Square and Fenway is reportedly expanding to the forthcoming Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: Early April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge; 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s, as well as the Smith Campus Center at Harvard. Projected openings: Late spring 2018 in Central Square and fall 2018 in Harvard Square

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici [NOW OPEN]

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this is the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Opened: February 9, 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Maca [official photo]

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Dakzen (Davis Square, Somerville): This forthcoming Thai restaurant will specialize in noodle soups, including boat noodles and yen ta fo. It’s not yet announcing its address publicly since it’s replacing a restaurant that is still in operation. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Assembly Row, Somerville): Andy Husbands’ barbecue joint — with locations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square and Boston’s Fort Point — will expand to Somerville’s Assembly Row next. This location will have two patios. Projected opening: 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: May 1, 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

[tonyduncanbb73]

The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

Jump to:

Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

Facebook

Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

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The Winter 2017-2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cambridge and Somerville

Just across the river from Boston, there will be poke, burgers, and coffee

On the heels of a fall packed with fried chicken, loco moco, French pastries, and beer, winter 2017-2018 is underway, and Camberville has a few more restaurant openings on the horizon. The bulk of the region’s upcoming openings won’t be until after winter — Bow Market will arrive in Somerville around spring 2018 with so many food vendors — but winter won’t be entirely quiet.

Coming up this season: grab-and-go shakshuka and shawarma, bowls and bowls of poke, ceviche with a side of artsy community involvement, the relocation of a North End favorite, and more.

Here’s the rundown on what to expect in the coming months, with a sneak peek beyond winter as well.

This guide is being updated periodically throughout the winter, so email boston@eater.com if something’s missing, and stay tuned for our forthcoming seasonal opening guides for other areas outside of Boston. (Looking for openings within Boston? Here’s the winter opening guide for Boston proper.)

This guide was originally published on December 22, 2017; the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Cambridge | Somerville

Cambridge

Katie Chudy for Eater

Seared avocado tacos at Allston’s Whole Heart Provisions, which has two Cambridge locations in the works, one of which will open this winter.

Blue Bottle

40 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Californian coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee will start its Massachusetts expansion with a Harvard Square location that will seat around 22. A Back Bay location has also been announced (although not a specific address), and three more locations are expected to open in the Boston area as well, but Harvard Square’s up first. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Boston Burger Company

610 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge

This will be the fourth location for the local burger chain, which is known for its over-the-top burgers, frappes, and more. (The group is also opening a fifth Boston Burger Company, its first on the North Shore — 133 Washington St., Salem — as well as a Davis Square deli called Mortadella Head; see details on that one below.) Projected opening: Early 2018

Pita Cambridge

11 Springfield St., Inman Square, Cambridge

From the owners of Moona around the corner, this spot will serve fast-casual Mediterranean food in the former Olecito space. Pita Cambridge will have a variety of grab-and-go options, as well as catering and retail. Like Olecito, Pita will fit a few counter seats into the small space, and there will be a seasonal outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available, with everything from shakshuka and mana’eesh flatbreads to shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and a mezze bar. Projected opening: Early February2018

Pokéworks

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge

Boston has recently hopped onboard the fast-casual poke train; one of the next destinations in town for the classic Hawaiian dish will be a second local outpost of Pokéworks, which first arrived in Somerville in late 2016. In Cambridge, it’s replacing Liquiteria, a Harvard Square juice shop. There are also locations in California, New York, and beyond; the company is currently experiencing a lot of growth. Projected opening: Early 2018

Puritan Trading Company

Inman Square, Cambridge

The Puritan & Co. team is launching a delivery-only “ghost restaurant” where a range of delivery-friendly items will be prepared in the Puritan & Co. kitchen and assembled in an adjacent space to be delivered via existing services. Possible menu items include a crispy chicken sandwich, grilled beef short ribs, fried clams with squid ink aioli, and more. Projected opening: February 7, 2018

Toscanini’s

159 First St., East Cambridge

While Toscanini’s original Central Square location is temporarily closed to undergo renovations as part of larger changes to the building where it’s located, the popular ice cream shop will shortly debut a new location not too far away. In addition to serving 32 flavors of ice cream and a variety of other baked goods, the new space will also become Toscanini’s production home, even after the original space reopens post-renovations. Projected opening: Late January 2018

Whole Heart Provisions

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

This Allston-based, vegan-friendly restaurant — which shares a co-owner with Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — is expanding to the MIT edge of Central Square, right by Roxy’s. (Later, it’ll also open at the Smith Campus Center at Harvard.) Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018

Cambridge openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

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“Crack pie” from New York-based Milk Bar, eventually coming to Harvard Square in partnership with DC’s &pizza.

&pizza X Milk Bar (1394 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): After a variety of Cambridge opposition, this project appears to be moving forward; it’ll be a blending of DC-based &pizza and NYC-based Milk Bar, located in the former Tory Row and Crimson Corner spaces in the heart of the square. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Amorino (50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This international gelato chain known for its pretty rose-shaped scoops already has a Back Bay location; this’ll be the second in the area. It’s slated for the former Berk’s Shoes space. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Bon Me (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Boston’s ever-expanding Bon Me truck and restaurant empire is bringing its Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual fare to Harvard’s renovated Smith Campus Center. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Cava (88 Ames St., Kendall Square, Cambridge): This DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain opened its first Boston-area location in Fenway in January 2018. Next it’ll spread to Dedham in the spring, Boston’s Back Bay and Hingham in the summer, and Kendall Square after that. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Falafel Inc. (Yet-to-be-announced address in Kendall Square, Cambridge): Operating under the motto “food for good,” this potential chain originated in DC earlier in 2017 and has big expansion plans, including around the Boston area. A portion of proceeds are reportedly donated to help feed refugees. Projected opening: Unknown

The Halal Guys (Unknown address in Porter Square, Cambridge): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Next up: a location in Cambridge’s Porter Square (and four more in Boston proper). An exact address and opening timeline haven’t yet been announced. Projected opening: Unknown

The Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow (40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The latest from Alden & Harlow and Waypoint’s Michael Scelfo, this will be located above Alden & Harlow, in the longtime Cafe Algiers space. Scelfo has been quiet on details since the initial announcement back in June 2017, but per the agenda for a licensing commission hearing, the new venue may have a dining area, bar, and seasonal patio on each of two floors. Projected opening: Summer 2018

Mothership (Alewife, Cambridge): As noted below (see the Revival listing), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal has a few projects in the works with Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi (Postal became a Crema partner in 2016.) One of them, Mothership, will be a beer hall with 10 taps, food, and plenty of games. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The Alewife location of Postal and Shirazi’s Revival cafe will open around April 2018, and then Mothership is next on the list

Patty Chen’s Dumpling Room (907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge): Patty Chen’s closed in late October 2017, thanks to construction that will ultimately turn the building into a boutique hotel. The restaurant will reopen in eight months or so in a larger space in the new building; the extra space will allow for the addition of a bar. (As for the other tenants in the building, Cinderella’s closed permanently, and Toscanini’s is unaffected.) Projected opening: Summer 2018

Pavement Coffeehouse (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This growing local cafe chain will expand to Harvard’s Smith Campus Center once its renovations are complete. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Pineapple Thai (1108 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge): A new sibling of a Brookline Thai restaurant. Projected opening: Unknown

Revival (Alewife, Cambridge): In 2016, Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth took on the role of partner at Cambridge’s Crema Cafe, and he and Crema co-founder Liza Shirazi are opening two new cafes called Revival in Davis and Alewife, along with an Alewife beer hall. The Alewife Revival is slated to open first. He’s documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: April 2018

Sheger Cafe and Ethiopian Restaurant (2376 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge): A small Ethiopian restaurant from a nearby salon owner. There will be around a dozen seats inside and a small patio outside. Projected opening: Unknown

Swissbakers (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): With existing locations in Reading and Allston, as well as at the Boston Public Market, this bakery will add a cafe within the Smith Campus Center, which is under extensive renovations. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Talulla (377 Walden St., Cambridge): Husband-and-wife duo Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer have purchased the former T.W. Food space — where Dennehy was chef de cuisine and Ayer was briefly wine director before becoming opening general manager at sibling restaurant Bronwyn — and will open a 12-table restaurant named for their infant daughter. They’ll serve a five-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu drawing from French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Projected opening: April 2018

Whole Heart Provisions (1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): As noted above, this vegan-friendly restaurant, which has a location in Allston, will open in Cambridge’s Central Square this winter before joining Swissbakers, Pavement, and Bon Me at Harvard’s Smith Campus Center later in 2018. Projected opening: Fall 2018

Zambrero (71 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The first United States location for the Australia-based burrito chain is taking over the location of a local burrito chain, Boloco. Zambrero donates one plate of food to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold. Projected opening: Unknown

Somerville

Provided

A margherita pizza at Midici, expanding to Somerville’s Assembly Row this winter — and later, Dorchester.

Carmen’s Trattoria & Italian Pub

521 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Popular North End restaurant Carmen Trattoria closed in mid-2016 with the promise to return, and now its relocation is in the works. Its new Assembly Row location will be much larger, and the menu will feature a mix of old favorites and new additions, including Italian-inspired pub fare. Projected opening: Late winter 2017-2018

Celeste

21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

This space will feature ceviche with a side of the arts, including community events and artistic collaborations. For one thing, diners may be able to share their own playlists of their favorite music. Bar seating will look into an open kitchen, and the menu will focus on Peruvian cuisine. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available, and there will be a late-night bar menu. Projected opening: February 2018

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville

Nutella calzones, Neapolitan-style pizza, and more: This Los Angeles-based chain describes itself as “fast-fine,” and this will be the first New England location. It’s also expanding to Dorchester, opening eventually at the under-development South Bay Town Center. Projected opening: January 2018

Mortadella Head

20 College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville

The team behind Boston Burger Company is not just opening a new BBC location in Kendall Square and up in Salem; they’re also working on an Italian quick-serve restaurant with a focus on sandwiches and pizza. Mortadella Head will be in the former Deli-icious space. Projected opening: March 2018

Somerville openings beyond winter 2017-2018:

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Macarons from Maca, one of many vendors slated for Somerville’s forthcoming Bow Market.

Buenas (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Rotating empanada options (heated up to eat there or frozen to bring home) and Chilean sauces at the forthcoming Bow Market. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Gate Comme Des Filles (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): The Somerville chocolatier will have a space at the forthcoming Bow Market, serving chocolate mousse in chocolate cones, hot chocolates with flavored whipped creams, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hooked Fish Shop (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market vendor will serve street food-inspired dishes that incorporate fresh seafood from Red’s Best and smoked seafood from Boston Smoked Fish Company. Expect dishes such as Iggy’s bagels with smoked fish, some soups and chowders, poke bowls, fish tacos, seafood banh mi, and scallion pancake wraps. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Hulun Beir (5 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville): This Mongolian hot pot and barbecue chain has a Beacon Hill location as well; that one was the company’s first foray into North America. It might expand to Malden as well. Projected opening: Unknown

Jaju Pierogi (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Pierogi from a pair of sisters. They’ve been popping up around the Boston area for a few years; this location — within the forthcoming Bow Market — will be Jaju’s first permanent home. The duo is also in the process of building out a large kitchen in Lynn and expanding wholesale distribution. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Lucky Strike Social (325 Revolution Dr., Assembly Row, Somerville): This growing chain offers bowling, other games, and comfort food. In Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, Jillian’s recently rebranded into a Lucky Strike social, and there are also locations in Albany and Honolulu. Projected opening: 2018

Maca (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This local macaron company will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Bow Market, selling adorable macarons in fun flavors. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Nibble Kitchen (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Located at Bow Market, Nibble Kitchen will showcase a rotating array of food entrepreneurs from the Somerville Arts Council’s Nibble Entrepreneurship Program, which helps people from Somerville’s immigrant communities develop food businesses. Projected opening: Spring 2018

North South (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): A North Shore versus South Shore restaurant from the team behind Mike & Patty’s, coming to Bow Market. It’ll feature roast beef sandwiches (North Shore) and bar pizza (South Shore). Projected opening: Spring 2018

Remnant Brewing (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This brewery will take up a large portion of Union Square’s forthcoming Bow Market, which will be packed full of food vendors and more. The brewery will include an all-day cafe and an outdoor biergarten, and the beer line-up will have everything from sours to session beers, New England-style IPAs, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Revival (197 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): As noted above, this is one of several forthcoming projects from Liza Shirazi (Crema) and Steve “Nookie” Postal (Commonwealth and Crema). Another Revival will open in Alewife, along with a beer hall. The Davis location was home to the original Bertucci’s and later a Subway. Postal is documenting his restaurant-opening adventures every other week; follow along here. Projected opening: The other Revival could open at some point in April 2018, eventually followed by the beer hall and then this Revival

Saus (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): Popular downtown fries-and-more spot Saus will open a vegetarian sequel at the forthcoming Bow Market, snagging one of the largest spots at the under-construction space. Expect poutine, salads, sandwiches, beer, and cider — but no meat. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Tanám (337-341 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville): This Bow Market spot will be a 10-seat Filipino restaurant — a continuation of the Pamangan pop-up series that has previously hosted events around the Boston area. There will be ticketed dining experiences that include art and music components, and every Wednesday, there will be a utensils-free, kamayan-style Filipino meal. Pending the appropriate permitting, there may also be an outdoor cocktail bar with boozy boba tea, snacks, and more. Projected opening: Spring 2018

Waxy’s (Unknown address at Assembly Row, Somerville): A “modern Irish bar” with locations in Massachusetts, Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Projected opening: Unknown

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news: