Latin American Food (With a Side of Boozy Slushies)

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on Latin American Food (With a Side of Boozy Slushies)

The Boston area has a lot of Mexican food on deck this year, with a bit of Salvadoran and Peruvian joining the mix as well. Here’s what’s on the way:

Ali Baba

If the name doesn’t exactly sound Latin American, that’s because it’s not: Ali Baba’s original South End location is focused on Turkish food (and some other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes) and located right next door to its Mexican and Salvadoran sibling, El Triunfo. The two will combine forces under the Ali Baba name for a new restaurant in Charlestown that features the cuisines of both restaurants (not fused together, just offered alongside each other). So: burritos, flautas, quesadillas, tacos, and the like, as well as kofte, doner kebab, ishkembe (a Turkish tripe soup), and more. See also: Not One But Two, Maybe Three, Turkish(ish) Restaurants section below. 100 Cambridge St., Charlestown, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: “Soon.”

Barra

See Boozy Boston section above.

Chilacates Cantina

As local Mexican chain Chilacates continues to expand, founder Socrates Abreu is adding a little something different to the mix: He’s replacing his burger restaurant the Joint (which replaced Grass Fed) with a new full-service restaurant along the Chilacates lines but slightly different. Unlike the fast-casual restaurants, the so-called Chilacates Cantina will have booze (a beer, wine, and

cordials license that allows for some creative cocktails). Diners can expect new menu items, such as chimichangas and flautas — and whole-roasted pig on Sundays. And a bathroom built in an adjacent space, a definite improvement over the burger shop’s no-bathroom situation. Plus, the long-in-the-works Roslindale expansion of Chilacates will combine Chilacates and Chilacates Cantina, offering a fast-casual counter as well as a sit-down bar. 605 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston; 4253-4257 Washington St., Roslindale, Boston. Anticipated opening timelines: January 2020 in Jamaica Plain; late winter for the counter-service portion of the Roslindale location; later for the bar portion.

Cósmica

The team behind the Beehive in the South End and Beat Brew Hall in Harvard Square is on the verge of opening a Mexican restaurant in the South End. Cósmica will open inside the Revolution Hotel and will feature taco options such as duck carnitas with mole verde and fried plantains; chicken chorizo with cheesy ancho yucca mash; and cauliflower al pastor with chipotle pineapple yogurt. (There will be non-taco dishes as well.) Its beverage list will include boozy slushies, sangria, Mexican beers, mezcal, and seasonal agua frescas (both with and without alcohol). 40 Berkeley St., South End, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Imminent.

El Tacuba

Medford is still eagerly waiting for this full-service restaurant and tequila bar from the brothers behind the popular group of fast-casual Tenoch restaurants, which are known for their tortas. When Alvaro and Andres Sandoval’s new restaurant finally opens, there will be dishes like pescado a la veracruzana and other dishes inspired by their home city of Veracruz, Mexico, alongside a wide range of tequila and mezcal options. 35 Salem St., Medford. Anticipated opening timeline: Not in 2018, like its website still says. Not in 2019, as the team has said as recently as late 2019. Perhaps 2020?

Tambo 22

Longtime North End chef Jose Duarte, who runs the Peruvian-Italian restaurant Taranta, is expanding his talents out to Chelsea with Tambo 22, featuring Peruvian-inspired bar food accompanied by natural and biodynamic wines and Peruvian beers. 22 Adams St., Chelsea. Anticipated opening timeline: Winter 2020.

Yellow Door Taqueria

Dorchester’s Yellow Door Taqueria’s South End sibling restaurant Lion’s Tail closed just before the new year began, but Yellow Door Taqueria plans to fill that void with another Yellow Door Taqueria. Diners can expect a vibe and interior that’s similar to the original location, along with tacos, crudos, and cocktails. There also may be space for DJs and live music. 354 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Possibly as soon as February 2020.

Lots of Japanese Food (Mostly Out-of-Town Chains, But Potentially Interesting Ones)

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on Lots of Japanese Food (Mostly Out-of-Town Chains, But Potentially Interesting Ones)

The title of this section says it all — there are lots of Japanese restaurants slated to open this year, and they’re mostly chains, but they sound like they might be worth some excitement. Here’s the rundown.

Fuji at High Street Place

The JP Fuji Group — which has Japanese restaurants in Quincy, Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston — will be a vendor at the forthcoming High Street Place food hall (see above), featuring some bestsellers from its existing locations as well as some new dishes. There will be drinks, too, including sake, whiskey, and beer. 100 High St., downtown Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: March 2020.

Kura Sushi

This one is actually more of a 2021 thing, so it’ll be a long wait, but this Japanese sushi chain plans to open in the forthcoming Arsenal Yards development (along with several other restaurants mentioned above and below). It will bring conveyor belts full of sushi — and small prizes for those who eat a lot of it. 485 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anticipated opening timeline: 2021.

Maruichi

This Japanese grocery store and deli will open in the Harvard Street space formerly occupied by Japanese restaurant and cafe Gen Sou En. Maruichi is based in West Hartford, Connecticut, where it sells Japanese groceries such as enoki mushrooms, Kewpie mayo, and more, along with prepared foods such as ramen, sushi, bento boxes, yakisoba, and bubble tea. Maruichi also operates a shop in Scarsdale, New York. 299 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline. Anticipated opening timeline: February 7, 2020.

Menya Jiro

This New York City-based ramen chain is planning a Massachusetts expansion. Menya Jiro, which specializes in the ramen typical of Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture, will open inside the Crimson Galeria in Harvard Square. The restaurant has been described as the “Chipotle of ramen” because of its focus on build-your-own dining options. The shop serves ramen with a base made with tonkotsu and chicken broth and also offers spicy and vegetarian options. 57 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Anticipated opening timeline: Winter/spring 2020.

Momosan Ramen

This is part of the Hub Hall food hall (see above.) From Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, it will serve ramen (of course) but also sushi, bar snacks, and more, along with sake. It will be the only full-service, standalone restaurant within the confines of the food hall. 80 Causeway St., West End, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Early 2020.

Tora Ramen

This ramen shop will be the newborn sibling to Tora Japanese, a subterranean kaisen don gem in Chinatown. Owner Patrick Zhong plans to open at least two more restaurants in Boston under the Tora moniker; this Harrison Avenue joint appears to be the first. 99 Harrison Ave., Chinatown, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Unknown.

Tori Jiro

See There Are Still a Lot of Chicken Restaurants on the Way section above.

Tsurutontan [NOW OPEN]

A new addition to the small but mighty local scene of restaurants that focus on udon (see also: Yume Ga Arukara and Futago), Tsurutontan is now open inside the Hotel Commonwealth. This chain is rooted in Osaka, Japan, and has a dozen Japanese locations, but it’s only just getting its footing around the United States. In addition to udon, it serves sashimi, dumplings, and a little more. 500 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston. Opened: January 24, 2020.

2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on 2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two

You know the drill: Boston’s obsessed with food halls right now. As it’s getting harder for independent operators to open up standalone restaurants due to rent and a million other factors, maybe this is a good opportunity for newbies to get a foot in the door with relatively low rent and access to a liquor license. Or maybe Boston will be overrun by food halls and will eventually sink into the ocean under their weight.

Like it or not, they’re coming. Several are on the way for 2020, and several more beyond. Keep track of it all with this guide, which is updated periodically, and get a quick overview of the expected 2020 openings below:

The Beat

Another historic and gigantic space, another food hall. Sort of. The Beat plans to open in the former Boston Globe headquarters on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, where it will feature up to 25,000 square feet for retail and restaurant space, possibly including a 100-seat restaurant, a microbrewery, and/or a beer garden, as well as a food hall-style atrium. The development’s other 695,000 square feet will be dedicated to tech and office space. No vendors have yet announced their intent to open in the Beat, and details are somewhat scarce overall, but some distinctive signage went up in late 2019, and construction is moving along. It’s one of quite a few potential 2020 openings happening in Dorchester; check out the Spotlight on Dorchester section below for more information. 135 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Spring 2020.

High Street Place

Several vendors have already been mentioned above — Daiquiris & Daisies, Haley Jane, Wheelhouse, and Tenderoni’s. Overall, this downtown Boston food hall will feature around 20 food and beverage vendors, and the roster also includes a local juice shop chain, Mother Juice; a Somerville shop known for its porchetta sandwich, Pennypacker’s; a popular sandwich shop from Bay Village, Mike & Patty’s; and more. 100 High St., downtown Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: March 2020.

Hub Hall at the Hub on Causeway

Apizza, mentioned above, is one of Hub Hall’s 18 planned vendors; others include old-school Boston icons Mike’s Pastry, Monica’s Mercato, and Sullivan’s, as well as newer local spots like the Smoke Shop BBQ, Greco, and Cusser’s Roast Beef. Hub Hall is part of the larger Hub on Causeway development, which includes office, hotel, and residential space. There are also several other dining options open or coming soon at the development, not part of Hub Hall, including Guy Fieri’s first Boston restaurant and a cocktail bar called Sound Advice. 80 Causeway St., West End, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Early 2020.

The Speedway

As mentioned in the Boozy Boston section above, Notch Brewing is the first announced vendor for the Speedway, which isn’t explicitly a food hall, but it will fill much the same niche. Built on the site of the former Charles River Speedway Headquarters administration buildings — with certain historic elements preserved — the Speedway will be home to multiple food vendors, a full-service restaurant, and the aforementioned brewery and taproom, as well as event and office space, a large courtyard, and small retail shops featuring local makers. 525 Western Ave., Brighton, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Summer 2020.

Pizza? Pizza in Boston

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on Pizza? Pizza in Boston

Like all the aforementioned chicken openings, a number of Boston’s forthcoming pizzerias also missed their late 2019 opening timelines. Several interesting ones are still on deck, as well as a few that are new to this category:

Definitely happening soon-ish

Apizza at Hub Hall at the Hub on Causeway

Opening at Hub Hall, the TD Garden-adjacent food hall (see the 2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two section below), Apizza comes from Mida’s Douglass Williams and will draw inspiration from New Haven pizza (albeit without a coal oven) as well as Roman pizza. 80 Causeway St., West End, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Early 2020.

Bar ‘Cino [NOW OPEN]

This Newport, Rhode Island, import — which is employee-owned and overseen by the same restaurant group as Papa Razzi — features thin-crust, grilled pizza, but there’s more, too, from the casual Italian-inspired spot. The Newport location serves dishes like a whole roasted lemon-scented chicken (meant for two to share), piadini, some pasta dishes, and more (not to mention a molten chocolate-Nutella souffle for dessert). 1032 Beacon St., Brookline. Opened: January 17, 2020.

Bianca

It’s not a pizza restaurant (and not an Italian restaurant), but Bianca — a family-friendly, wood-fired restaurant from O Ya’s Nancy and Tim Cushman — will include a few pizzas, among other things made with wood-fired grills and ovens, a wood rotisserie, and a smoker. (They do quite a good job with pizza at one of their New York restaurants, Covina, so it’s likely to be a must-try here.) The Street, 47 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill. Anticipated opening timeline: Winter 2020.

Da LaPosta (stylized with a lowercase “d,” da LaPosta)

This wood-fired pizza joint is the brainchild of Mario LaPosta, the former pizzaiolo at the now-closed Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca. LaPosta previously told Eater that his pies will cook at temperatures that range from 800 to 1,000 degrees, which is typical of Neapolitan pizzas, but he was quick to note that he doesn’t consider his pizzas Neapolitan. “I prefer the term pizza artigianale, especially with our commitment to local, sustainable ingredients.” Technicalities aside, the addition of a new wood-fired pizzeria is never a bad thing. Finally, an opening in the Seaport area that isn’t a chain steakhouse. 12 Farnsworth St., Fort Point, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Spring 2020.

Stoked Pizza Co.

A Brookline favorite, Stoked will expand to the Harvard Law campus this year in Cambridge, albeit without the wood-fired aspect of its big sibling. The new location will be about twice the size at the old one and will have a menu that looks mostly the same (minus the wood-firing of the pizzas, which will be cooked in an electric oven). In addition to pizzas, Stoked serves salads, wings, milkshakes, and more, including an extensive vegan menu, and the beer list is solid. 1611 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Anticipated opening timeline: Summer 2020.

Tenderoni’s at High Street Place

This will be the first non-Fenway restaurant from empire-builder Big Heart Hospitality (chef Tiffani Faison and co.), along with sibling spot Dive Bar, both opening within the High Street Place food hall (see the 2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two section below.) Expect the vibes of a 1970s or 1980s pizza-and-grinder shop. 100 High St., downtown Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: March 2020.

Happening eventually

Double Zero

This vegan, wood-fired pizzeria is part of a chain from global vegan restaurateur Matthew Kenney, who opened a fully vegan food hall in Providence not too long ago. Most of the pizzas are made with cashew-based mozzarella or cream, but rice-based cream is also available (as are gluten-free crusts). There are also a few pasta dishes and Italian-inspired small plates. 163 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: 2020.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

The legendary New Haven-based, coal-fired pizzeria chain continues its expansion around the northeast with a Watertown location at the Arsenal Yards development, where it will join the aforementioned Tori Jiro and lots more. 485 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anticipated opening timeline: Unknown.

Vaguer plans

Nothing’s definite yet, but New York-based, Detroit-style pizzeria Emmy Squared is eyeing Boston for expansion, and cake-throwing DJ Steve Aoki has mentioned a hope of bringing his pizza delivery business, Pizzaoki, to Boston, among other cities. Plus, Boston is still eagerly awaiting the re-emergence of the Rabbotini’s pizza pop-up, which will hopefully land a permanent Boston-area space eventually. Will any of these open in 2020? Stay tuned.

There Are Still a Lot of Chicken Restaurants on the Way

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on There Are Still a Lot of Chicken Restaurants on the Way

Fall 2019 was supposed to see the debut of a strangely high number of chicken-focused restaurants; a few did open, but most are still in the works, along with a couple newcomers to this category. Stay tuned for:

Bucktown Chicken & Fish

When this Providence-based spot arrives in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood, it’ll feature Southern-inspired comfort food, from fried fish sandwiches to chicken and waffles. The Boston location will be larger than the Providence one and could have an expanded menu (and possibly alcohol) to match. 1522 Tremont St., Mission Hill, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Late spring/early summer 2020.

Haley Jane at High Street Place

Yep, more food hall news. (Also see the 2020: Year of the Food Hall, Take Two section below.) One of High Street Place’s vendors, Haley Jane, will feature fried chicken based on popular fried chicken sandwich specials that appear at its big sibling, downtown burger gem Wheelhouse. (Wheelhouse itself will also have a new location at the food hall.) 100 High St., downtown Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: March 2020.

Hen Chicken Rice

One of a couple exciting Thai openings coming to the Boston area this year (also see Another Good Year for Thai Food, Perhaps section below), Hen Chicken Rice will do what many restaurants in Thailand do: Focus on a single dish. That one dish is khao man gai, also known as Hainanese chicken, essentially a dish of poached chicken, seasoned rice, and sauce. The Union Square restaurant, from chef Pong Kansab (Blue Ginger, Grill 23, Smoke Shop), will offer several combinations of chicken, rice, and sauce. 24 Union Sq., Union Square, Somerville. Anticipated opening timeline: February 2020.

Hot Chix

This Nashville hot fried chicken pop-up has been ramping up the frequency of its appearances in and around Boston while it gears up to open a permanent location at a yet-to-be-announced address. The fast-casual shop will serve chicken sandwiches as well as appropriate sides, such as mac and cheese and collard greens. Anticipated opening timeline: 2020.

TKK Fried Chicken at Super 88

Shiny new food halls are popping up all over the city (see the 2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two section below), but nothing ever could or will beat the food hall at the Super 88 market in Allston, where diners can get ramen and Uyghur-style hand-pulled noodles and pho. And soon enough, diners will also be able to get fried chicken and something called kwa kwa bao, an invention of the Taiwanese chain TKK Fried Chicken — it’s a ball of sticky rice packed with mushrooms, sealed in chicken skin, and fried. Eater NY critic Robert Sietsma loves this fried chicken chain, which also has a Quincy location. Like the Quincy one, the Super 88 location will be a collaboration with bubble tea chain Kung Fu Tea. 1 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: Late 2020.

Tori Jiro

Japan-based yakitori chain Tori Jiro — which specializes in Japanese-style chicken skewers, fried chicken, chicken meatballs, and more — will open its first United States location at the burgeoning Arsenal Yards development in Watertown. (See also: Lots of Japanese Food below.) 485 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anticipated opening timeline: Fall 2020.

Guide to 2020 Restaurant Openings Around Boston

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on Guide to 2020 Restaurant Openings Around Boston

2020 is here, and it looks poised to keep pace with 2019 in terms of rapid-fire restaurant openings in and around Boston, spanning a number of cuisines — but, in particular, zeroing in on Japanese food, pizza, a weirdly large amount of chicken, plenty of booze, and a strong showing in Dorchester, Boston’s largest neighborhood. 2019’s promise of food halls galore will carry over into 2020 as well.

The new year will likely see an invasion of more giant non-local chains (looking at you, Seaport District) as well as some non-local television and internet celebrities (Iron Chef Morimoto, Salt Bae?), and while signs point to it getting harder and harder for local, independent operators to open up restaurants, there are fortunately still a number of those on the horizon.

This guide tracks some of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2020; keep in mind, though, that projected timelines can and often do change as a result of construction and permitting delays and other factors. In fact, many of the restaurants mentioned in this guide were supposed to open around fall 2019. As such, take timeline projections with the necessary grain of salt.

For weekly updates on what’s coming, check Eater Boston’s coming attractions news roundup; for weekly updates on what’s actually open, check the openings roundup. Know about something not mentioned in this guide that should be on our radar? Send tips via email. Want to discuss the Boston restaurant scene in general, along with fellow Eater Boston readers and staff? Join our Facebook group.

Boozy Boston

Drinkers may find a lot to love in the

new year with cocktail bars, breweries, and more on the horizon. Here’s what’s coming:

Cocktails and spirits

Barra

From owners Paola Ibarra — who developed the bar program at Peruvian restaurant Celeste a couple doors down — and Yhadira Guzmán comes Barra, an intimate bar in a space that previously housed a juice shop. While Barra’s focus will be on drinks, especially Latin American liquors (including sotol and mezcal), there will be tacos and other snacks to eat. The menu was created by Mexico City-based chef Sofía García Osorio. (Also see the Latin American Food section below.) 23A Bow St., Union Square, Somerville. Anticipated opening timeline: Early February 2020.

Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place

One of 20 food and beverage vendors slated for downtown Boston’s forthcoming High Street Place food hall (see 2020: The Year of the Food Hall, Take Two below), Daiquiris & Daisies will feature “creative and classic cocktails with seasonal twists” from Boston bar stars Daren Swisher and Joseph Cammarata, Hojoko alums (where they were co-winners of the 2015 Eater Boston Bartenders of the Year award). 100 High St., downtown Boston. Anticipated opening timeline: March 2020.

The 10 Best Places for Falafel in Boston

Posted by infotele on Feb 9, 2020 in Restaurant | Comments Off on The 10 Best Places for Falafel in Boston