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Over the fall and winter, more than 110 restaurants opened in the Boston area. Think spring and summer will top that? Here's a look at some of the most anticipated upcoming openings. (Notice anything missing? Hit up the tipline.)
Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca
Where: 11 Fan Pier Blvd., Boston (Fan Pier)
What: The first Boston venture by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. (One day, we may also get an Eataly.) The large space will feature wood-fired pizzas, pasta, gelato, and more, and there will be three bars (drinking, antipasti, pizza). Mario LaPosta and Caroline Conrad are onboard as executive chef and general manager, respectively; both come from other parts of the Batali/Bastianich empire. East by Northeast alum Blayne Daley has also joined the team as a manager.
When: Mid-April
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Photo: Twitter
The Backroom
Where: 468 Moody St., Waltham (connected to Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions)
What: Joshua Smith has already built up quite a reputation with his Waltham deli, Moody's, and now he's opening a restaurant in the adjacent space, featuring a wood-burning oven, loads of wine, and an "ultimate" charcuterie board.
When: Late April, as of March 20.
BISq
Where: 1071 Cambridge St., Cambridge (Inman Square)
What: The long-awaited sibling to Bergamot, featuring a hearty collection of charcuterie made by chef de cuisine Dan Bazzinotti. On the beverage side, wine director Kai Gagnon will be featuring wines from northern France, Austria, and Germany.
When: Early April
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Logo: Facebook
Coppersmith
Where: 40 West Third St., Boston (South Boston)
What: A massive space that will include food trucks parked inside, a rooftop raw bar, a cafe, and more. Barbara Lynch Gruppo alum Chris Henry recently joined the team as executive chef. "We are not reinventing the culinary wheel," Henry previously said via press release. "Exceptional seasonal ingredients, a focus on flavor, easy to understand dishes, but executed with precision and attention to detail. Just great food without pretense."
When: April/May, as of March 18.
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Rendering: Facebook
Hojoko
Where: 1271 Boylston St., Boston (in The Verb Hotel in Fenway)
What: A "high-energy izakaya" (or Japanese pub) from the O Ya team. The "fun and funky" space will apparently have karaoke.
When: Spring
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Rendering: Facebook
Josephine
Where: 468 Commonwealth Ave., Boston (Kenmore Square)
What: French, but with a "twist." Owner Samuel Gosselin previously told Eater that the restaurant would be a combination of his "dining experiences over the last twenty years," the "casual" vibe of San Francisco, the "edgy and modern" vibe of New York, and the "modern" French restaurants popping up around Paris these days. Located in the former Petit Robert space, Josephine is currently undergoing renovations. Stefano Quaresima, previously executive chef at the South End location of Petit Robert, is executive chef.
When: Mid-April, as of March 23.
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Rendering: Facebook
Lone Star Taco Bar
Where: 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge (East Cambridge)
What: The popular Allston taco spot (and sibling/neighbor to Deep Ellum) is crossing the river. It won't be an exact replica of the existing Lone Star; it'll draw some features from Deep Ellum as well, particularly in the complexity of its beverage program. Expect plenty of tequila and mezcal, sherry on tap, up to 28 beers on draft, and more.
When: Spring
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Photo: Instagram
Loyal Nine
Where: 660-674 Cambridge St., Cambridge (East Cambridge)
What: "East Coast revival" cuisine from a team that includes alums of Brasstacks, Menton, Bondir, Puritan & Co., and more. By day, there will be a bakery and cafe (and all breads will be made in-house.) By night, expect a menu featuring lesser-known shellfish and a rum-and-brandy-focused cocktail list. Eventually there will be a patio.
When: March 28, 2015 (NOW OPEN)
Naco
Where: 297 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (Central Square)
What: "Definitely not a traditional" taqueria from Alden & Harlow's Michael Scelfo. The Speakeasy Group's Alex Tannenbaum and Brian Lesser are also involved. Naco will have both quick-service and table-service options, and there will be a patio big enough for about 100 people. "We’re going to build a bar, we’ve got a unique kitchen concept coming to it, and we’re just going to play some good music, not mess with it too much, and just have some fun doing some good casual food," Scelfo previously told Eater.
When: May
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Photo: Instagram
SELECT Oyster Bar
Where: 50 Gloucester St., Boston (Back Bay)
What: The first solo venture from Neptune Oyster alum Michael Serpa. It'll feature "unique takes on local fish," a raw bar, and a "creative" wine list, plus a great patio. Volle Nolle and Koy alum Sebastian Martinez is chef de cuisine.
When: Friday, April 3
Shepard
Where: 1 Shepard St., Cambridge (Harvard Square/Porter Square)
What: A restaurant that will be "French in spirit," taking over the former Chez Henri space. UpStairs on the Square alum Susan Regis and Hi-Rise Bread Company owner Rene Becker are behind it.
When: Early April
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Rendering: Austin Architects
Tasting Counter
Where: 14 Tyler St., Somerville (at Aeronaut Brewing Company)
What: A 20-seat restaurant featuring high-end tasting menus by Peter Ungár, an alum of Aujourd'hui and The Bristol Lounge. Hence the name, all seats are counter seats so diners can see the chefs at work. Ungár aims for the restaurant to achieve "0 Carbon/50 Local/100 Natural" — no carbon footprint, at least 50% of food sourced in Massachusetts, and "natural" wines meeting certain criteria.
When: Early June
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Photo: Facebook
Tiger Mama
Where: 1363 Boylston St., Boston (Fenway)
What: A new Southeast Asia-inspired venture from Sweet Cheeks' Tiffani Faison, conveniently located right down the street from Sweet Cheeks. (When asked whether finding the space was a coincidence or if she was focusing on Fenway, Faison tells Eater: "It was a convergence of the two. We love the Fenway and have an incredible relationship with our landlords so we left the possibility of the neighborhood open. I looked at a lot of other spaces in other places but found ourselves always coming back to Fenway.") Tiger Mama will feature two bars, include a tiki-themed one. Regarding coming up with the name, Faison says: "That is a really long story, but ultimately it was as playful as Sweet Cheeks and lives in the same nuance of fun and not taking ourselves too seriously. I also am a bit of a Tiger Mom in the kitchen — I want the best for my cooks, I want them to push to their best and discover their greatness, so there are some parallels. It also intimates Southeast Asian in a way that is cognizant that we are American."
When: Late summer is the current estimate, according to Faison.
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Photo: Provided
Villa Mexico
Where: 121 Water St., Boston (Financial District)
What: The reincarnation of the beloved gas station burrito shop, formerly located on the edge of Beacon Hill. (The new space is not part of a gas station.) Villa Mexico's original location shut down more than a year ago, although the team has been busy selling salsa and offering catering since then.
When: At the end of 2014, the estimate was spring 2015. An updated timeline has not been announced, but the restaurant received approval for its takeout license last week.
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Rendering: Facebook
Also aiming for a spring opening:
- 7ate9 Bakery (Spring Hill, Somerville)
- Akinto (South End, Boston)
- Antonio's Bacaro (Hyde Park, Boston)
- Beard Papa's (Chinatown, Boston)
- Bee's Knees Supply Co. (Allston, Boston)
- Blackbird Doughnuts truck (Mobile)
- Boston ProJuice truck (Mobile)
- Cafe Quattro (South End, Boston)
- Committee (Fan Pier, Boston)
- Cuppacoffee (South End, Boston)
- D'Amelio's Off the Boat (Revere)
- Flank (Waltham)
- Fromage (South Boston, Boston)
- Gracenote Coffee (Leather District, Boston)
- Hops N Scotch (Inman Square, Cambridge)
- Limoo Tea Bar (Allston, Boston)
- Momo n Curry (Union Square, Somerville)
- North East of the Border truck (Mobile)
- Osteria Nino (Burlington)
- PAUL Bakery (Downtown Crossing, Boston)
- Pavement Coffeehouse (Fenway, Boston)
- Pure Cold Press Juice & Salad Bar (Brookline)
- Ria Cafe (West Roxbury, Boston)
- Sal's Pizza (Fenway, Boston)
- Saltbox Kitchen (West Concord, Concord)
- Sandrine's Bistro replacement (Harvard Square, Cambridge)
- Serafina (Financial District, Boston)
- Somerville Brewing Company brewery and taproom (Boynton Yards, Somerville)
- Strip by Strega (Bay Village, Boston)
- Suya Joint (Roslindale)
- Tasty Mo:Mo: (Magoun Square, Somerville)
- Thunder Road (Union Square, Somerville)
- The Townshend (Quincy)
Keep an eye on every little detail about potential spring openings here: Tracking Spring 2015 Boston Restaurant Openings
Looking more like summer or beyond:
- 6th Gear (South Boston, Boston)
- Anna's Taqueria (Newton)
- Ariana (Allston, Boston)
- Article 24 (Brighton, Boston)
- Bar 383 at GrandTen Distilling (South Boston, Boston)
- The Barmobile (Mobile)
- Blue Fuji (Beacon Hill)
- Bone Up Brewing Company (Everett)
- Boston Harbor Distillery (Dorchester, Boston)
- Caffe Nero (South End)
- Chicken & Rice Guys (Downtown Boston and Medford Square)
- Chill on Park (Dorchester, Boston)
- Clover (Central Square, Cambridge)
- Crudo (North End, Boston)
- Cunard Tavern (East Boston, Boston)
- Deadhorse Hill (Worcester)
- DooWee & Rice at Wonder Bar (Allston, Boston)
- Eataly (Boston)
- Eat With Jack O'Neill (West Roxbury, Boston)
- Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (Chestnut Hill)
- The Ginger Man (Government Center, Boston)
- Hamersley's Bistro replacement by The Gallows team (South End, Boston)
- Havana Pete's (Jamaica Plain)
- Home.Stead Cafe (Dorchester, Boston)
- HustleCat (Unknown)
- Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant (Watertown)
- Juice Press (Chestnut Hill)
- Ka-Carlos replacement (Dorchester, Boston)
- Lamplighter Brewing Co. (Cambridge)
- Liquiteria (Harvard Square, Cambridge)
- Lord Hobo Brewing (Woburn)
- Luke's Lobster (Back Bay, Boston?)
- Mala Restaurant (Allston)
- Nonna's (Waltham)
- NOODLE Kakigori stand (Davis Square, Somerville)
- Ocean Prime (Seaport District, Boston)
- Old Atlantic Tavern (not the final name) (Waterfront, Boston)
- Parsnip (Harvard Square, Cambridge)
- Party of Two (Unknown)
- The Polar Bar (Government Center, Boston)
- Project 202 (Brookline)
- Rina's Pizzeria & Cafe (North End, Boston)
- Saltie Girl (Back Bay, Boston)
- Scopa (North End, Boston)
- Shanti (Kendall Square, Cambridge)
- Squeeze Juice Bar (Financial District, Boston)
- Studio Manta (Central Square, Cambridge)
- Tasty Burger (Back Bay, Boston)
- Tavitas at One South Station (Financial District, Boston)
- Trillium Brewing Company (Canton)
- Upperwest (Harvard/Central Square)
- WOW Barbecue (Brookline)
- Yumi (Davis Square, Somerville)
- Zhu's Garden (Arlington)
- Ziggy's Coffee Bar & Lounge (Financial District, Boston)
- Ziti's Express (Downtown Crossing, Boston)
See also: