A Tater Tot Reprieve, Two on the Way from Ward 8, and More Updates to Start the Week

The Tots Remain

Last week, Kenmore Square’s The Lower Depths (476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston) announced that it was transforming into a taco-focused spot henceforth to be known as Poe’s Taco Cielo at The Lower Depths — but the introduction of tacos also meant that all the popular tater tot options were going away. A great cry went up across the city, and chef Brian Poe decided to save the tots after all. Plus, he’s working on a tot taco.

Ward 8 + 2

The Ward 8 (90 N. Washington St., Boston) team is working towards opening North Square Oyster in the former Gennaro’s 5 North Square space in the North End this month, as previously reported, and Douglas Rodrigues (Liquid Art House, Clio) will be in the kitchen, as noted by Boston Magazine. But that’s not the only forthcoming project from Ward 8 owner Nick Frattaroli. He’s also looking at a late summer opening for a Mexican restaurant in the former Grand Canal space at 57 Canal St., reports The Improper Bostonian. (Grand Canal closed in mid-2016.)

Seasonal Reopenings

Up-and-down weather aside, a few more seasonal spots have reopened their doors for the spring, according to @HiddenBoston: Tony’s Clam Shop (861 Quincy Shore Dr., Quincy), Jake’s Seafood Restaurant (50 George Washington Blvd., Hull), and Top Dog (2 Doyle Cove Rd., Rockport).

Woburn to Cambridge

Been meaning to make the trip out to Woburn to check out Sichuan Garden II and its acclaimed bar, The Baldwin Bar? If you live closer to Boston, you’re in luck: The Baldwin Bar is popping up at The Automatic in Cambridge’s Kendall Square (50 Hampshire St.) tomorrow, April 4, from 9 p.m. until closing. The Baldwin’s Mick Kellogg and Nika Orlovsky will be onsite showing off some cocktails, and there will also be “a food mashup including both of [the restaurants’] kitchens.”

Head Down to Providence

The Boston Globe Magazine published a Providence guide highlighting numerous dining options, from “the almost boneless fried chicken (feet-on for shock effect)” at North (3 Luongo Memorial Sq.) to the house-made hot dog with kraut at Chez Pascal (960 Hope St.) For drinking, try The Avery (18 Luongo Sq.), “dark and broody”; The Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.), “your one-stop shop for a night on the town”; and more. In other Providence news, the Elmwood Diner (777 Elmwood Ave.) closed over the weekend. It originally opened in 1947 and has gone through a few name changes and owners over the years. Could you be the next owner?

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