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All the Boston Food News That Mattered in October 2019: From Fluffy Pancakes to Fieri

The month in openings, closings, top news, and more

Thick, fluffy pancakes and a pressed fish-shaped dough form plated with a green matcha sauce and white whipped cream
Souffle pancakes from Taiyaki
Taiyaki [Official Photo]

New England autumn is in full swing, and the Boston restaurant scene keeps churning out new openings. October’s arrivals include a Southeast Asian restaurant in Cambridge, French food in Back Bay, Vietnamese noodles on the North Shore, and more. But there were some closures as well, including a 137-year-old pub in Jamaica Plain, a popular Chelsea brewery, and a Back Bay restaurant with a rooftop bar.

Read on for a summary of October 2019, including the most-read news stories and maps, the openings, and the closings.



A pile of “trash can nachos” on a white plate on a wooden table in a restaurant
Trash can nachos from Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen and Bar are also on the menu at Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina, opening October 31, 2019, in Boston
Big Night
  1. One of Chinatown’s Best Dumpling Spots Reopens After Being Seized for Not Paying Taxes: Chinatown institution Gourmet Dumpling House was seized by the state on October 17 — but quickly reopened the following day.
  2. Ready or Not, Guy Fieri’s Trash Can Nachos Are Coming for Boston This Halloween: Here’s a sneak peek at the menu for Guy Fieri’s first Boston restaurant, opening on October 31.
  3. Boston’s Late 2019 Restaurant Closings, Updated Weekly: A roundup of pertinent updates on Boston-area restaurant closings (and announced closings that will take place later).
  4. Boston’s Late 2019 Restaurant Openings, Updated Weekly: A roundup of pertinent updates on Boston-area restaurant openings.
  5. Del Frisco’s Grille Is Closing Two Massachusetts Locations Amid Sale of Chain: The chain’s Burlington and Chestnut Hill restaurants will shutter on October 20.
  6. Suburban Boston Dining News, Updated Weekly: A round-up of restaurant news outside of the immediate Boston vicinity.
  7. Unfortunately Named Pink Taco Opens Today in the Seaport: Pink Taco begins serving its brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night menus.
  8. Boston-Area Beer News, Updated Weekly: A round-up of brewery updates and other booze news in and around Boston.
  9. Jiggly, Fluffy Souffle Pancakes Are Coming Soon to the Seaport District: Taiyaki NYC adds the highly anticipated pancakes to its weekend menu at the Boston location in November.
  10. A Rooftop Dining Destination Is Almost Ready to Debut in South Boston: Six West is now open at the Cambria Hotel with snacks like caviar panini and fried chicken bao, but its rooftop portion isn’t quite open yet.

A swirled purple pastry made of taro and a small glossy mooncake sit on a white paper bag on a stone background
Taro pastry and mooncake from 101 Bakery, one of Chinatown’s best bakeries
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater
  1. The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston, Fall 2019: Boston’s greatest restaurants for any occasion, updated seasonally.
  2. The Hottest Restaurants in Boston Right Now, Updated Monthly: Boston’s best new hot spots.
  3. The Best Dishes the Eater Boston Team Ate This Week: We’re sharing some of our current favorite dishes with you every Friday.
  4. The Hottest New Brunches in Boston Right Now, Updated Monthly: Tired of your usual brunching routine?
  5. 24 Boston-Area Ramen Destinations to Visit in Any Weather: Whether it’s a frigid winter day, a drizzly summer night, or anything in between, a hearty bowl of ramen is always in season.
  6. Boston’s Best Food and Drink Events: The local events you’ll actually want to attend, updated weekly.
  7. 10 Great Bakeries in Boston’s Chinatown: Where to eat mooncakes, pineapple buns, egg tarts, and more.
  8. The Cocktail Heatmap: Where to Drink Right Now, October 2019: Hot new cocktail destinations to try this month.
  9. The Best Martinis in Boston Right Now: 16 martinis to sip in late 2019.
  10. The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Dating in Boston: Where to eat for your first date or your 100th.

French onion soup sits in a white bowl on a white saucer. The cheese on top is browned in spots and is melted over the edges of the bowl.
French onion soup at Rochambeau
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

These monthly summaries no longer include a complete list of the month’s restaurant openings; instead, check this weekly updated roundup for details.

A few highlights from October:

  • Chalawan, near Porter Square in Cambridge, serving Southeast Asian cuisine that touches on Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and beyond
  • Ittoku, also in the Porter Square area after moving from its original Allston home, serving a wide menu of izakaya-style Japanese snacks, sushi, sake, and more
  • Nightshade Noodle Bar, a pop-up-turned-restaurant in Lynn, serving banh mi and cafe fare by day and Vietnamese-inspired noodle dishes and small plates by night
  • Rochambeau, located at the Pru in Back Bay, hitting the French brasserie notes in a vast two-story space

The bar at Doyle’s Cafe, with high chairs lined up in front of a wooden bar, sunlight streaming in, and a television, American flag, and other decor on the green wall
Doyle’s Cafe
Doyle’s Cafe/Official Site

These monthly summaries no longer include a complete list of the month’s restaurant closings; instead, check this weekly updated roundup for details.

A few sad farewells from October:

  • Doyle’s Cafe, a 137-year-old Jamaica Plain pub that attracted locals, politicians, celebrities, film crews, and more
  • Mystic Brewery, a popular Chelsea brewery that started out drawing inspiration from old Belgian brews before delving into a hoppier lineup
  • Del Frisco’s Grille in Chestnut Hill and Burlington (but the Westwood location remains open)

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