Local Food Writer Declares That Bertucci’s Rolls Are ‘Not That Good’

Welcome back to AM Intel, a round-up of mini news bites to kick off the day.

What Happened Last Week?

Catch up on last week’s most-read stories, including the opening of the Downtown Crossing location of Boston Chops (complete with a table designed with “influencers” in mind), a map of great bagels around the Boston area (yes, they do exist), the closing of Michael Schlow’s Greek restaurant in Back Bay, and more.

And from our international big sister, Eater.com: A rundown on new food-focused arrivals to Netflix and Amazon Prime this month. An op-ed on the invisibility of female chefs in food stories. A look at the botanical theme appearing in restaurants nationwide (and how to score some similar decor for your own home). And here’s a Roman pasta-maker showing off some cacio e pepe ravioli.

Oh No She Didn’t

“Objectively speaking, the rolls are not that good,” writes Devra First of Bertucci’s rolls, blasphemously, for the Boston Globe. But those rolls have some things going for them, at least: nostalgic comfort. Heat. No cost. “In these uncertain times, Bertucci’s rolls can be a comfort,” she writes. “They have a middle-of-the-road crumb, a middle-of-the-road structure. No one feels alienated by a Bertucci’s roll. If Bertucci’s rolls were NFL players, they would definitely stand for the national anthem.”

Kickstartin’

Two local businesses have recently begun crowdfunding campaigns: For one, Yume Wo Katare is looking to raise $15,000 via Indiegogo to help open Yume Lab Boston, a “multi-functional co-working space” under the restaurant that could open around September 2018. Got $8000 to give to the Yume Wo Katare campaign? In return, you and a guest will get a trip to Japan to eat your way around Kyoto and Tokyo with Yume Wo Katare owner Tsuyoshi Nishioka (among other rewards).

Meanwhile, the long-in-the-works Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen is hoping to raise $50,000 via Patronicity — which, if successful, will result in a matching $50,000 grant from MassDevelopment through its Commonwealth Places grant program — to revitalize a historic Upham’s Corner building into a cafe and bike shop. Sip & Spoke aims to provide low-cost bicycles and repairs, along with free classes and activities, and the cafe will focus on locally sourced, healthy food.

Get to Strip-T’s While You Can

As Watertown’s beloved Strip-T’s marches toward its planned closure — exact timeline TBD — owner Paul Maslow has been keeping fans updated on social media regarding the shrinking operating hours and menu. Dinner service ended over the weekend, and Maslow currently plans to keep the restaurant open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday throughout June, serving a small menu that includes the N.Y.C. pho real, the eggplant banh mi, and a little bit more.

The Shutter

French cafe chain Paul Bakery, which was founded way back in 1889, has closed its downtown Boston location (201 Washington St., Boston), which opened three years ago, serving baked goods, frappes blended with macarons, quiches, and more. Locally, Paul remains open at Somerville’s Assembly Row and in the Natick Mall. There was once a Burlington location as well, but that one has also closed. Worldwide, there are around 500 locations.

Got a news tip for the Eater Boston team? Email boston@eater.com.