Shanghai Fresh May Replace Picante Mexican Grill

A new Chinese restaurant appears to be moving into the Central Square space currently housing Picante Mexican Grill, and it could have a connection to a popular Allston restaurant.

Shanghai Fresh, Inc. seeks to transfer the wine and malt beverages license currently held by Picante Mexican Grill at 753 Mass. Ave., according to a Cambridge License Commission agenda for a hearing tonight. As Boston Restaurant Talk noted last week, the agenda item does not specifically say that the proposed Shanghai Fresh restaurant would be located at the same address, but it also does not list an alternative location.

Qing Min Meng is listed as the manager of record for Shanghai Fresh at tonight's hearing. A search of Meng's name in the state database of corporate filings finds a Qingmin (without a space) Meng as president of the new Shanghai Fresh, Inc., while Qing Min Meng serves as president of the company behind Shanghai Gate, a popular homestyle Chinese restaurant at 204 Harvard Ave. in Allston Village. Hong Gu is a business partner for both entities, filings show.

Shanghai Gate is not open on Tuesdays and a phone call there went unanswered this afternoon.