Cha Shu Is Back; Home Taste Chinese Cuisine Has Opened

1) MALDEN — Cha Shu has reopened with a full espresso menu and more, after nearly two months of renovations. The Malden cafe, which only opened last fall, was something of a work-in-progress until it temporarily shuttered late in June for more full-scale renovations. The company shared images of counter demolition and new furniture and equipment, as well as dark-painted and metallic walls, light wood counters, and electronic menu screens. The cafe reopened with a full espresso menu, French press coffee, a variety of iced, hot, and bubble teas, and slushies, and has since brought in pastries and grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and fruit cups. It's also now on Twitter. Status: Certified re-open. 62 Summer St., Malden. (781) 480-4867.

2) WATERTOWN — Watertown Square has a new home for authentic Chinese cuisine, including Chinese burgers, hand-made noodles, mala soup, and other Sichuan favorites. According to a Chowhounder who popped in to check out the menu this week, Home Taste has a similar menu as MDM Noodles in Brighton and Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Downtown Crossing, including cumin lamb with noodles, hot oil-seared noodles, and stewed pork and beef burgers. Home Taste, which opened where Wonder Cafe was before shuttering on September 1, also offers favorite Chinese restaurant appetizers, hand-made dumplings, and Sichuan entrees. It's open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., extending to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Status: Certified open. 58 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. (617) 923-0227 / (617) 923-6227.