Bagel Guild Rolls into Boston Public Market, Filling a Hole Left by Levend’s Closure

Spring is here, sunshine is (kind of) here, and restaurants keep opening. Updated periodically throughout the season, this roundup highlights notable spring 2022 restaurant openings and reopenings in Boston and nearby; find the most recent updates at the top.

Check last season’s roundup here, featuring Peruvian food in Cambridge, giant cookies in Back Bay, a sake bar in Brighton, and lots more.

Know of a new or soon-to-open restaurant that should be on Eater Boston’s radar? Get in touch here.

April 25, 2022: A big patio in Back Bay; bagels return to Boston Public Market; and a vegan fast food counter at Whole Foods

BACK BAY — Eva opened with a huge patio in the former Cafeteria space. The modern American restaurant comes from the same owners, but don’t expect Cafeteria 2.0. Read the full story here. (279A Newbury Street, Boston)

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — Bagel Guild rolled into Boston Public Market Thursday, April 22, taking the place of recently shuttered Levend Bagelry. With freshly milled grain from Holyoke, Massachusetts and wild yeast, brothers Lucas and Zach Reckling launched the business as a bagel delivery service when Covid forced them out of their university foodservice jobs. From there, Bagel Guild expanded to farmers markets and — now — a stall at Boston Public Market. Open hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (100 Hanover Street, Boston)

SOUTH END — Spike Mendelsohn’s vegan fast food concept, PLNT Burger, planted a flag in South End’s Ink Block development on Friday, April 22 (Earth Day). The counter-service burger, fries, and milkshake spot debuted inside Whole Foods. Read the full story here. (348 Harrison Avenue, Boston)

FRAMINGHAM — Silk Global Cuisine opened in Framingham where Volturno’s shuttered. The menu includes globe-trotting flavors in burgers like Thai pulled pork and Moroccan lamb; bao buns; zaatar chicken; and spinach masala falafel, according to District2Framington.com. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (1 Edgell Rd, Framingham)

April 18, 2022: A Haitian bakery in Medford; Korean barbecue in Allston-Brighton; and a comeback for the Breakfast Club in Malden

ALLSTON-BRIGHTON — Naksan has taken over the former Ittoku space with a menu of Korean barbecue, according to BostonRestaurants.com. Ittoku shuttered its Commonwealth Avenue favorite in September 2019 to relocate to Cambridge’s Porter Square. Currently, Naksan is open Monday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight. It is closed on Tuesdays. (1414 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston)

KINGSTON — B3 restaurant and bar is serving steaks and pizza at the Kingston Collective. BostonRestaurants.com points out that the new spot is connected to 3 Brothers Bar and Grill in Hanover along with locations of Brothers Roast Beef in Abington, Brookline, Dedham, Kingston, Malden, Quincy, and Weymouth. Open hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. (101 Kingston Collection Way, Kingston)

MALDEN — The Breakfast Club and its 1980s-era vibes have made a comeback in Malden after a two and a half month hiatus, according to an Instagram post. The popular breakfast and lunch diner originally opened in Allston in 2002 with 1980s posters lining the walls. Over time the posters gave way to an interior renovation along with Atari and 1980s records. That location of the Breakfast Club shuttered on January 31 as the popular diner began its move to its new spot in Malden, which swung open April 8 with a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, Benedicts, omelettes, and more. (269 Main Street, Malden)

MEDFORD — Grêp Kafé, a petite new Haitian American bakery, is bringing beef stuffed-patties, passion fruit juice, plus jars of pikliz to a bright new space in Medford. There’s no seating, so patrons should plan to take it home or picnic. (466 Salem Street, Medford)

Rachel Leah Blumenthal

SOMERVILLE — R.F. O’Sullivan and Son has been reborn under new owners and a slightly different name (it was formerly R.F. O’Sullivan), according to BostonRestaurants.com. The original Somerville restaurant, which was run by the Sullivan family for over 30 years, closed in May 2021. The Greatest Boston Bar Company runs the new spot with a similar menu. The official opening day is April 23. (282 Beacon Street, Somerville)

April 14, 2022: Vegan seafood in Quincy; late-night tacos in Allston; and more restaurant openings

ALLSTON, BOSTON — El Jefe’s taqueria is now bringing late-night tacos and its “no charge for extra guac” model to the Boston University community with the opening of its seventh location near campus, the mini-chain announced on its Instagram account on March 17. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (957 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston).

BACK BAY, BOSTON —Eagerly anticipated Hecate is casting its spell over Back Bay beginning April 7. The boundary-pushing cocktail bar serves up an “intimate, sexy vibe” like a European cocktail bar. Read the full story here. (Public Alley 443, Boston)

SEAPORT DISTRICT, BOSTON — Wildly popular Israeli import Maznon is bringing its hit fluffy pitas and unconventional fillings to Seaport with the opening of its first Boston-area outlet on April 6, 2022. Read the full story here. (107 Seaport Boulevard, Boston)

QUINCY — Garden Patch by the Sea threw open its doors at Wollaston Beach Tuesday, April 5 with a menu starring vegan seafood like “crab” cakes, “fish” tacos, and “lobster” rolls; breakfast items; and more, according to the Boston Globe. From father-son team Craig and Travis Somers (also behind AJ’s Pizzeria), the new vegan restaurant incorporates vegan versions of pizzas inspired by AJ’s as well. Sliding into the space that formerly housed popular lunch spot Cafe Maddie’s, which announced its closure in February 2022, Garden Patch has a view of the water and a patio that seats 80. Opening hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. (895 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy)

BEVERLY — Delphine’s Kitchen is bringing French standards like sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches like ham and butter on baguette, bakery items, housemade strawberry milk for the kiddos, and ratatouille buckwheat bowls to Beverly in a French blue-drenched cafe space. Delphine’s swung open at the end of March, according to Boston Restaurant Talk. Opening hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. (261 Cabot Street, Beverly)

WALTHAM — The Daily Lunch noticed that A Lee 88 has replaced Jiang Nan in Waltham. The new Szechuan and northern Chinese restaurant is making dumplings and noodles in house. It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (922 Main Street, Waltham)

WESTFORD — A true harbinger of spring for nearly a century, the charming Kimball Farm has started scooping ice cream again after its winter hiatus. The 80-year old frozen treats shop has been perfecting ice cream since it only cost a nickel for a cone. Its accompanying seafood shack also for the season opened April 7 for the season with clam chowder and more. (400 Littleton Road, Westford)

WOBURN — Spicy Hunan Kitchen opened in downtown Woburn after a years-long renovation, according to a post in the Hungry Onion. The menu trots across Asian cuisines with Hunan dishes, sushi, and Thai specialties all landing on the menu. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday until 10 p.m. Spicy Hunan Kitchen is closed on Tuesdays. (390 Main Street, Woburn)

April 4, 2022: Fancy gelato in West Roxbury; saucy, boiled crabs in Harvard Square; vermicelli bowls in Quincy; and more openings

WEST ROXBURY, BOSTON — Beloved sweets shop Delini Gelato reopened for the season Saturday, April 2 after a winter hiatus, when owner Viki Petkova explored new ideas while attending artisanal gelato expos in Europe. The gelato shop, which scoops flavors like mascarpone orange marmalade and honey lavender, opened during the pandemic and quickly gaining a devoted following. (5 Bellevue Street, West Roxbury)

HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE — California-based, Louisiana seafood chain The Boiling Crab swung open April 4. It’s the 22nd location (96 Winthrop Street) for the international chain, which specializes in boiled and fried seafood along with gumbo and fries, but just the first location for the Boston area.

QUINCY — Pho So 1, a Vietnamese restaurant sourcing rau tien vua (dragon leaves) from Vietnam and be thui (smoked veal) from Texas for authentic Vietnamese flavors, has opened in Quincy. Pho, along with stir-fries, rice plates, vermicelli bowls, plus beer, milk tea, and cocktails, all anchor the menu of traditional dishes. The restaurant comes from the same team behind the Randolph outlet under the same name. (1625 Hancock Street, Quincy)

WALTHAM — Boston Kebab House, a 15-year old local Mediterranean cafe known for skewered meats and rolled sandwiches, has expanded to Waltham with its second location (146 Lexington Street, Waltham). The original Boston location (7 Liberty Square, Boston) remains open.

March 25, 2022: Khao man gai downtown, conveyor belt sushi in Watertown, dramatic cocktails in East Boston, and more

ALLSTON, BOSTON — Silhouette Lounge — aka “the Sil,” one of Boston’s essential dive bars — reopened under new management right at the end of winter 2022 (200 Brighton Avenue, Boston), with the original staff in place (and yes, there’s still free popcorn, darts, and cheap beer). It’s on social media now, and it accepts credit cards, which all feels kinda weird, but hey, welcome to 2022.

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — Hen Chicken Rice — a Thai street food shop in Somerville’s Union Square that focuses almost exclusively on variations on khao man gai, a chicken and rice dish found in various forms throughout southeast Asia — expanded to downtown Boston in late March (190 High Street, Boston). Try “the Isan,” crispy boneless chicken thigh with sticky rice, and don’t miss the daikon soup.

FENWAY, BOSTON — Harvard Square’s Source, a gastropub with a focus on Neapolitan-style pizza (look at those ‘roni cups), has opened a counter-service offshoot at Fenway food hall Time Out Market Boston. The new spot has a short menu of pizzas, including a couple exclusive to this location, such as the “Get Tha Lobsta Kid” with lobster, bacon, red onion, roasted peppers, tartar sauce, and lemon. At lunchtime on weekdays, there are also calzone specials.

EAST BOSTON — Next Door, a hidden cocktail bar, opened March 24 (103 Porter Street, Boston); enter through a secret door within sibling spot Pazza on Porter (107 Porter Street, Boston). Expect dramatically presented drinks and a mostly seafood-based food menu. Read more here.

SEAPORT DISTRICT, BOSTON — Woburn-based Lord Hobo Brewing has had a Seaport District expansion in the works since 2017 (2 Dry Dock Avenue, Boston), officially announced it in 2019, and partially opened it up for outdoor drinking in September 2020. Now, it’s more fully open, having debuted its indoor brewery and restaurant space with 160 seats in mid-March. Come April, it’ll open its outdoor patio for nearly 400 more customers. There are cocktails in addition to Lord Hobo’s own beers, plus a food menu of lobster rolls, fish and chips, a burger, and more.

ASSEMBLY ROW, SOMERVILLE — Salt & Stone will open in the former Midici space at Assembly Row (463 Assembly Row, Somerville) on March 28; reservations are available online. It’s the first independent spot from Sean and Sue Olson, who operated this location of the Midici chain. At Salt & Stone, they’ll be serving a wide-ranging menu from charcuterie boards and seafood towers to pasta, flatbread, and more, emphasizing local sourcing.

BURLINGTON — The first of two local outposts of Major Food Group’s red-saucy Italian chain Parm has arrived, opening at the Burlington Mall (75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington) in mid-March. (Major Food Group is the big-deal international restaurant group behind Boston’s rooftop newcomer Contessa, among many other spots in New York and beyond.) Serving hefty sandwiches, chicken and eggplant parm platters, Negronis, and more, Parm will also open a location at Copley Place in Boston’s Back Bay in June.

HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE — Quietly open since mid-March but celebrating its grand opening on March 26, Bosso Ramen Tavern (24 Holyoke Street, Cambridge) is a Japanese izakaya inspired by the ocean. It’s serving unique ramen and sushi, as well as some other seafood dishes and more. There’s sake, too. Read more here.

In other Harvard Square news, neighborhood staple Grafton Street, which first opened in 1996, has moved to its third location, 59 JFK Street, Cambridge, which previously housed its sibling restaurant Park. Grafton Street had been open at its second location, 1230 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, since 2001, closing in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Longtime Grafton Group alums Paul Barry and Tom Borgia are both involved in the new location, serving as lead bartender and executive chef respectively. The restaurant serves new American food and cocktails. Weekend brunch is expected to start in early April.

MEDFORD — National bakery chain Crumbl Cookies has expanded to Station Landing (23 Revere Beach Parkway, Medford), celebrating its grand opening on March 25; it’s one of seven Massachusetts locations. Crumbl’s menu rotates weekly, highlighting selections from over 170 cookie flavors such as triple chocolate chip, iced oatmeal, and key lime pie. There’s ice cream, too. This location is offering takeout and curbside pickup, delivery, and catering; it’s open until midnight Friday and Saturday. Order online.

NEWTON HIGHLANDS — After over a decade on the road, the popular food truck the Dining Car put down roots in the former Bread and Chocolate space (4 Hartford Street, Newton) in the final days of winter 2022. The casual restaurant features sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. Read more here.

WATERTOWN — Conveyor belt sushi restaurant Kura Sushi, a large Japan-based chain that dates back to 1977, opened at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards development (101 Bond Square, Watertown) in March, Kura’s first New England location. (Next up, it’ll expand to Dorchester’s South Bay Center.) The dining experience is largely automated, with customers ordering from touch screens, picking their dishes up from the conveyor belt that passes by the table, and depositing finished dishes into a disposal slot next to their seat. There are prizes, too, not to mention robots (“Kurabots”) that assist the company’s human servers by delivering drinks and condiments to tables.

Jakob Layman/Kura Sushi