Cambridge had a blockbuster opening season, from Ken Oringer's and Jamie Bissonnette's first restaurant on this side of the river (Little Donkey) to the much-anticipated Smoke Shop from Andy Husbands, not to mention Mamaleh's from the State Park crew. Plus, Michael Scelfo's cooking up seafood, pizza, and more at his Alden & Harlow sequel, Waypoint. And all of the restaurants that were damaged in a fire at One Kendall Square a year ago have finally reopened; Flat Top Johnny's returned earlier this year, while Beantowne Coffee House, The Blue Room, and Belly returned this summer. And that's not all — read on for the details.To see what opened elsewhere in the Boston area in summer 2016, head this way. Want a preview of fall openings? That's right here.
Originally published on June 21, 2016. Date of most recent update appears above.
This opened and closed within days. Duy Tran, chef/owner of the now-shuttered DooWee & Rice in Somerville, popped up at Wonder Bar in Allston for a while and then moved on to Monroe, a Central Square restaurant and nightclub, with a menu full of bao baos and lots more. But several days after Tran's debut, food service at the venue went on indefinite hiatus due to licensing problems. It seems Tran is already on his way to several new projects, including revamping the menu at Bao Nation, also in Central Square.
Toro/Coppa duo Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette are expanding way outside of Boston these days with a new Toro location in Bangkok and one in the works for Dubai — but they've also just crossed the river with their first Cambridge restaurant, Little Donkey. You'll find "global-inspired small plates" and a raw bar, not to mention a "very comprehensive" late-night menu, as well as breakfast and lunch service. The debut menu includes dishes like manti ("Istanbul meat ravioli"); a dry-aged burger with onion soup mayo, jalapeno chips, and foie gras; and matzo ball ramen.
This Maine-based food truck put down roots in the former Four Burgers space in Cambridge. The 40-seat restaurant serves burgers with a variety of toppings as well as some salads and sides.
Located in the CambridgeSide Galleria food court, Fava Bean offers dishes like shawarma, kabobs, falafel, and hummus. The restaurant group behind it is based in Malaysia, and this is the first United States location.
After opening in November 2015 and building up a following for its homestyle Korean food, Kimchi Kitchen closed in June 2016 to repair unspecified damages to the 16-seat restaurant. It ended up being closed throughout almost the whole summer and announced new ownership (but the same menu) upon reopening.
This Chipotle-style, California-based pizza chain arrived at the CambridgeSide Galleria food court this summer, offering fast, customizable pizzas with a range of toppings. Gluten-free crust is available.
This Florida-based chain offers tavern-inspired food (German pretzels, mac and cheese, etc.) and a huge beer list. This is the first Massachusetts location. It's inside the CambridgeSide Galleria.
From the founder of a Chinese bao chain with more than 200 locations comes a new concept for the US market. Tom's BaoBao serves bao, of course, and there could ultimately be locations throughout the Northeast, but this is the first in the Boston area. A Providence, RI location will also open in the not-too-distant future.
Michael Scelfo's seafood-focused follow-up to Alden & Harlow arrived this summer on the outskirts of Harvard Square. While the logo and slogan ("swim good") support the seafood theme, there is also pizza and the largest absinthe selection you've probably ever seen.
Originally located near Kendall Square, Beauty's Pizza was shuttered by fire in late 2014. Now, it has reopened in the former Pizza Pie-er space in Inman.
Voltage Coffee & Art became part of the Barismo family and underwent a remodel along with the rebranding. It reopened this summer as Barismo, which also has locations in mid-Cambridge and East Arlington (as well as a wholesale roasting facility in Somerville).
Along with sister/neighbor restaurant The Blue Room, as well as Beantowne Coffee House, Belly shuttered in August 2015 because of damage sustained in the aforementioned fire, but it came back this summer.
This weekday cafe comes from The Briar Group (Gather, M.J. O'Connor's, etc.) and offers up a variety of coffee beverages, smoothies, and teas, as well as food ranging from avocado toast to sticky buns, not to mention three types of "spudboats," loaded baked potatoes.
The State Park and former Hungry Mother team (minus Barry Maiden, who parted ways with the group in spring 2015) will open a Jewish delicatessen in the former West Bridge space, adjacent to State Park. Mamaleh's will feature a market (hello, frozen blintzes) and gift shop in addition to a 114-seat dining room and a seasonal patio. The menu will include dishes like matzo ball soup, knishes, corned beef, pastrami, lox, pickles, and more.
Tremont 647's Andy Husbands has opened a barbecue restaurant in the former Tommy Doyle's space in Kendall Square, serving up "competition-style" platters of ribs, brisket, etc., as well as less traditional dishes like smoked and fried chicken banh mi. Don't expect a roadhouse-style place. There's plenty of whiskey, and there will be live music.
In the works for more than two years, originally at another location, UpperWest is now open near Alewife and Davis, serving up cheese and charcuterie tasting flights, drink pairings, and guest chef food specials on Thursday through Sunday each week. The rest of the week, the space plays host to a wide range of events, including chef demos, classes, pop-up dinners, networking events, and more.