Leo's Events and Restaurant Is Opening in Braintree

A year and a half ago, it was reported that the person behind a couple of steakhouses and an Italian dining and drinking spot south of Boston was planning to open another restaurant south of the city, and now we have learned that the place is opening soon, though with a different name and concept.

According to a source along with various social media posts from the business, Leo's Events and Restaurant is going to be opening in Braintree, with its social media mentioning "Braintree's premier destination for exceptional dining and unforgettable gatherings. Elegant spaces, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality await!" Owner Leo Keka (Alba in Quincy and Hanover, Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar in Quincy) was originally planning for the place to be one of two locations of Scutari, a Northern Italian restaurant that is now open in Hanover, though it appears that somewhere along the way, the plans for the Braintree space (which is moving into the former Dunkin' Donuts University space on Granite Street) shifted from Scutari to Leo's Events and Restaurant.

The address for the upcoming Leo's Events and Restaurant is 589 Granite Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its Facebook page is at https://ift.tt/fAt5X29 while its Instagram page is at https://ift.tt/Yto0cJ4

[Earlier Article]
Leo Keka Plans to Open Scutari in Braintree

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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CSCA Cafe Opens in the Porter Square Section of Cambridge

Last spring, it was reported that a new cafe with a connection to a cooking school was in the works, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a source, CSCA Cafe is now open in Cambridge, moving into a space across from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in the Porter Square area of the city. The Instagram page for the place indicates that it offers a variety of pastries and baked goods along with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and it has some seating within the space.

As mentioned in an earlier article, the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts says of its offshoot that "CSCA Cafe aims to become an integral part of the Porter Square Neighborhood, drawing upon CSCA's 50-year history within the community."

The address for CSCA Cafe is 1995 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140. Its website is at https://ift.tt/MghHSzq while its Instagram page is at https://ift.tt/w8ZvYey

[Earlier Article]
CSCA Cafe Plans to Open in Cambridge's Porter Square (Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

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Restaurant News for the Week Ending February 16, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between February 10, 2025, and February 16, 2025.

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Norinori Test Kitchen to Open in Brookline
The people behind a sushi spot and an upcoming French-Japanese fusion restaurant will be opening a new eatery that features Japanese fare.
Full Story

Rocco's Sports & Recreation in NYC to Expand to Boston's Seaport District
A retro-style sports bar that is based in Manhattan is making its way to the waterfront.
Full Story

Anna's Taqueria Plans to Open in the Former b.good Space in Natick
A local group of Mexican eateries continues to be in expansion mode.
Full Story

Coje Management Group to Open a Sicilian Restaurant in Downtown Boston
A local restaurant group is bringing a new dining spot to the heart of the city.
Full Story

Dae Gee Korean BBQ Opens in Chelmsford on February 14
A small group of Korean restaurants in Colorado that gained national recognition via a popular TV show is just about ready to expand to the local area.
Full Story

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

    

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Tasty Kabob and Curry Plans to Open in the Former Simco's Space in Roslindale

A new takeout spot is on its way to a space that had been home to a location of a pair of hot dog stands.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Tasty Kabob and Curry is planning to open in Roslindale, taking over the former Simco's space on Canterbury Street. The post mentions that owner Chaudhary Lateef--who runs a convenience store in Taunton--will operate the upcoming spot as a "quick‑service takeout‑only restaurant" that will be open until 11:00 PM.

The original location of Simco's remains open on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan.

The address for the upcoming Tasty Kabob and Curry is 679 Canterbury Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Read more »

Norinori Test Kitchen to Open in Brookline

The people behind a sushi spot and an upcoming French-Japanese fusion restaurant will be opening a new eatery that features Japanese fare.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Norinori Test Kitchen is planning to open in Brookline, moving into a space on Chestnut Hill Avenue by Cleveland Circle. The article mentions that the upcoming place is expected to offer such items as handrolls, bento boxes, and limited-batch ramen while also having a full liquor license, and it will have an ownership connection to Matsunori Handroll Bar in Boston's Audubon Circle area and Mia, which will be opening in the Seaport District.

If all goes as planned, Norinori Test Kitchen will open in the second half of this year.

The address for the upcoming Norinori Test Kitchen is 399 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brookline, MA, 02445. Its Instagram page can be found at https://ift.tt/Nsz5CJ6

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

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Dave's Hot Chicken Opens in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Last summer, it was reported that a growing chain of chicken spots would be opening a new location in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an article from MassLive, Dave's Hot Chicken is now open in the city's Fenway neighborhood, moving into the Bon apartment development on Boylston Street. The new outlet, which features tenders and sliders with varying heat levels, joins a number of others in the local area, including two others within the Boston city limits--in the Theatre District and at South Bay.

The address for the new location of Dave's Hot Chicken in the Fenway is 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. Its website is at https://ift.tt/P9s7cMY

[Earlier Article]
The Halal Guys, Dave's Hot Chicken Plan to Open at the Bon Apartment Complex in Boston's Fenway

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

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Pho Bistro in Malden Has Closed

A Vietnamese restaurant located just north of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, Pho Bistro in Malden is no longer in operation, with a sign out front at the Pleasant Street space saying "It has been a pleasure to serve this community. Thank you for your patronage, your friendliness and your friendships that have made us such a success. We will miss you!" Pho Bistro first opened in Malden approximately 15 years ago, offering such options as pho, spring rolls, grilled pork with vermicelli, and more.

The address for the now-closed location of Pho Bistro in Malden was 8 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, 02148.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Read more »