Eastern Standard Is Aiming to Reopen in Fenway in June

Restaurateur Garrett Harker is eyeing June for the highly anticipated reboot of cult-favorite spot Eastern Standard in Fenway. Harker announced the reopening date at an annual brewing conference in Massachusetts, where he was invited to speak in mid-November, according to Worcester Magazine.

A post published to Eastern Standard’s Facebook page includes a photo of the new spot under construction and a message reiterating the restaurant’s comeback next year. The new Eastern Standard is one of four businesses that Harker plans to open in the neighborhood in 2023. There aren’t many details out yet about the other projects, but one will be a cocktail bar led by Jackson Cannon, the bartending legend who was behind the acclaimed bar programs at all of the former Kenmore Square businesses.

Harker originally shut down Eastern Standard — as well as seafood spot Island Creek Oyster Bar, and cocktail bar the Hawthorne — in early 2021 following a dispute with his landlord at the Hotel Commonwealth, where the businesses where located, during the pandemic. NYC-based restaurant group Blue Ribbon has since taken over all three of the spaces and opened Blue Ribbon Sushi, seafood spot Pescador, and a third restaurant, a brasserie, that is still forthcoming.

A new Vietnamese spot arrives in Allston

Boston Restaurant Talk reports that Banh Mi K has opened where a hot dog restaurant, Spike’s Junkyard Dog, once stood, at 108 Brighton Avenue, near Linden Street, in Allston. Banh mi, dumplings, rice cakes, and pho are all on the menu.

‘Tis the season for holiday pop-up bars

Boston Magazine rounded up three fun options to check out this month, including Miracle at Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge and Mystic Station in Malden, and the Hanukkah-themed Maccabee bar at Noir in Cambridge and Backbar in Somerville.

Another Shake Shack lands in Boston today

The latest outpost of the burger chain, known for its smash burgers and crinkle-cut fries, opens today and is located at the Prudential Center in Back Bay. This marks the company’s 13th Shake Shack in Massachusetts.