Lou's Plans to Open in the Former Beat Brew Hall Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A new dining and drinking spot is on its way to Cambridge, moving into a subterranean space that had previously been home to another restaurant and bar.

According to a press release, Lou's is planning to open in Harvard Square, taking over the former Beat Brew Hall space on Brattle Street, with the upcoming place being a restaurant, bar, and lounge that features live music. Little else is known about the spot other than the fact that John DiGiovanni of Trinity Property Management and Thomas Keane and his team at Churchill James are involved along with design firm Elder & Ash, and that it hopes to open sometime in 2025.

Beat Brew Hall first opened in 2018, replacing Beat Brasserie, with both places being run by the team behind The Beehive and Cosmica in Boston's South End as well as the recently-opened Spy Bar.

The address for the upcoming Lou's is 13A Brattle Street, 13A Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

(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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Ginger Exchange Express Plans to Open in Somerville

It looks like another location of a local group of Asian Fusion spots could be on its way.

According to a source, Ginger Exchange Express is planning to open in Somerville, moving into the space on Highland Avenue that had been home to Highland Market Pizza. An introduction page sent to us mentions that the proposed eatery would offer such items as sushi, rice and noodle bowls, and Korean fried chicken, and based on the website for Ginger Exchange, this would indeed be under the same ownership as Ginger Exchange Express in Arlington and locations of Ginger Exchange in Boston's Mission Hill and in Watertown.

The address for the proposed Ginger Exchange Express is 22 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. The website for all locations is at https://ift.tt/zGWkf15

(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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Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill in Stoughton Has Closed

Another Boston-area location of a small chain of BBQ spots has closed.

According to a source, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill in Stoughton is no longer in business, with a called placed to the Technology Center Drive restaurant confirming this permanently. With the closing of the Stoughton outlet, this means that there are only two remaining in Eastern Massachusetts, including Taunton and Tyngsboro; another one had been in Peabody but it closed several years ago.

Smokey Bones was founded in Florida, though it is now part of the FAT Brands franchising company which is headquartered in California.

The address for the now-closed location of Smokey Bones in Stoughton was 301 Technology Center Drive, Stoughton, MA, 02072. The website for the business is at https://ift.tt/a6pOYQ8

(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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Boston Market in Brockton Appears to Be Closed

Last week it was reported that a restaurant chain that got its start in the Boston area had closed its sole remaining location inside Route 128, and now it looks like its only location inside Route 495 has shuttered as well.

According to a Google search, Boston Market in Brockton has permanently closed, with a call placed to the Belmont Street outlet indicating that the phones are no longer in service, while a check on the Boston Market website indicates that the entire website is actually down. This apparent closure comes on the heels of the Quincy location being locked up and dark on Friday, while a source told us that the Framingham outlet closed at some point as well. 

The address for the now-closed Boston Market in Brockton was 756 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA, 02301.

[Earlier Article]
Boston Market in Quincy Has Closed

(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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Row 34 to Open in Boston's Kenmore Square

A local group of restaurants known for their seafood will be opening their fifth location--and their second within the city of Boston.

According to an article from The Boston Globe, Row 34 is planning to open in Kenmore Square, moving into a space next to the Hotel Commonwealth and being what co-owners Jeremy Sewall and Shore Gregory say will be the "next generation" of the dining spot. The post mentions that the 170-seat restaurant will offer such favorites as fish and chips and lobster rolls along with some new dishes, and it will have dinner service nightly along with weekend lunch service.

The new location of Row 34, which is hoping to open next summer, will join others in Boston's Fort Point, Cambridge's Kendall Square, Burlington, and Portsmouth, NH. (The website for all locations is at https://www.row34.com/)

(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 November 17

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between November 11 and November 17.

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Desnuda Cocina e Bar Opens in the South End
A new restaurant focusing on Latin American and Asian fare has debuted in Boston.
Full Story

Bar 'Cino Opens in Westwood
A regional restaurant group has opened a new location of one of its concepts in the southwest suburbs of Boston.
Full Story

Roxy's Grilled Cheese in Allston Is Closing
A popular Allston spot known for its grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers is getting ready to shut down.
Full Story

Standard Italian to Open at the Fenway Center Complex in Boston
A bit more than a year after one of Boston's best-known restaurants was reborn in a new space (and joined by a cocktail bar), the team behind it is opening a new concept across the way.
Full Story

Tree House Brewing Company May Be Opening a Brewery, Distillery, and Tasting Room at the Prudential Center in Boston
One of the best-known breweries in New England appears to have some big plans for Boston.
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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Cava Opens in North Andover

A Washington, D.C.-based group of fast-casual Mediterranean spots has opened its first location in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, Cava opens today in North Andover, moving into a space at Eaglewood Shops on Turnpike Street. The new outlet joins others in Boston, Cambridge, Dedham, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, and Mansfield, and it features customizable bowls and pita pockets.

Cava was first established in 2011.

The address for the North Andover location of Cava is 119 Turnpike Street, North  Andover,  MA, 01845. The website for all locations is at https://cava.com/

(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 »