Jose's Torta Mexicana in Arlington to Become Full-Service Restaurant and Bar

A Mexican spot in the northwest suburbs of Boston whose focus was initially on takeout will soon be focusing on sit-down service complete with alcoholic beverages and outdoor dining.

According to a message sent to us from Leah Klein of City Living Boston, changes are coming to Jose's Torta Mexicana in Arlington, with a Facebook post from the Mass. Ave. eatery saying the following:

We've come a long way… Since opening in 2018 as a takeout spot, Jose's Torta Mexicana has been growing with one goal in mind: bringing you the full experience. And now… it's finally here ... Introducing our FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT & BAR. Front Patio officially opens May 1st. Join us and enjoy: Authentic Mexican food Handcrafted Margaritas Mexican beers & cocktails Outdoor dining with friends & family

The address for Jose's Torta Mexicana is 793 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. Its website can be found at https://josestorta.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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Kero + Homemade Bites Brazilian Cafe Plans to Open in Somerville

It looks like a new cafe is on its way to Somerville.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kero + Homemade Bites Brazilian Cafe is planning to open on Medford Street, moving into a space on the southern edge of the city's Winter Hill area. An article from What Now Boston mentions that the upcoming eatery will offer such options as pães de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), coxinhas (teardrop-shaped chicken croquettes),  sandwiches, and Brazilian coffee, though the article also incorrectly mentions that it is going into the Bocelli's space in South Medford (Bocelli's remains open on Main Street in that neighborhood).

The address for the upcoming Kero + Homemade Bites Brazilian Cafe is 374A Medford Street, Somerville, MA, 02145.

(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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Mister Q. Cafe in Charlestown Is Expanding, Opening a New Location in Cambridge

A cafe in Charlestown is going to be expanding to a second location, and this one will be in Cambridge.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mister Q. Cafe is planning to open on Western Avenue and it currently has a "coming soon" sign out front, with What Now Boston mentioning that it might have both indoor and outdoor seating. Based on the Main Street location in Charlestown, the new Cambridge location could have breakfast items, baked goods, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches. No opening date has been given as of yet, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

The address for the upcoming location of Mister Q. Cafe in Charlestown is 150 Western Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the Charlestown location is at https://ift.tt/Wm79UVx

(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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Rosa Y Marigold Opens at Lyrik Back Bay

Early last year, it was reported that a restaurant with a connection to a couple of other local dining spots would be coming to a new mixed-use project in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a source (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), Rosa Y Marigold officially opens today at Lyrik Back Bay, a development that is located above the Mass Pike by Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue. As mentioned in an earlier article here, the team that operates Celeste in Somerville and La Royal in Cambridge is behind the new place which features Peruvian cuisine and is open for lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch while also featuring live music. 

The address for is Rosa Y Marigold is 400 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its website can be found at https://ift.tt/8d26P7Y

[Earlier Article]
Rosa Y Marigold Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

(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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La Tavernetta Opens in East Boston

Last fall, it was reported that an award-winning local chef was bringing a new concept to the East Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, La Tavernetta is now open at Clippership Wharf, and as mentioned in an earlier article, Douglass Williams is the co-owner along with Seth Gerber, both of whom are behind MIDA in East Boston, the South End, the Fenway, and Newtonville. Like MIDA, La Tavernetta focuses on Italian fare, though it is considered an Italian tavern that Williams says has "a slightly more letting-your-hair-down atmosphere" than MIDA. Some items on the menu include fried olives, oysters on the half shell, a porchetta reuben, frutti di mare, grilled whole bronzino, stromboli, and ricotta pie while beer, wine, and cocktails are also available.

The address for La Tavernetta is 45 Lewis Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its website can be found at https://ift.tt/9WRvsQH

[Earlier Article]
La Tavernetta by Mida Plans to Open in East Boston

(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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Bambola and The Girl Next Door Open in Boston's Seaport District

Last spring, it was reported that a couple of dining and drinking spots from a local restaurant group would be coming to the Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that they are both up and running.

According to a source along with an article in The Boston Globe, Bambola and The Girl Next Door are now open in the city's Seaport District, moving into the space on Northern Avenue where Seaport Social had been. As mentioned in an earlier article here, Bambola is an upscale Italian restaurant while the The Girl Next Door is a more casual neighborhood spot with Italian comfort food and cocktails. Both places are part of the Sneaky Good Hospitality Group, which includes Flamingo in the North End, Rock & Rye in the Theatre District, Pinky's in the Back Bay, and Blondie's in Brighton.

The address for Bambola and The Girl Next Door is 225 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for Sneaky Good Hospitality Group is at https://ift.tt/8xgk3bT

[Earlier Article]
Bambola and The Girl Next Door Plan to Open in Boston's Seaport District

(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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Amar in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

A high-end restaurant in Boston that was first opened by an acclaimed chef a few years ago is going to be closing.

According to an article from The Boston Globe, Amar in the Back Bay is shutting down on April 26, with the space (which is on the 17th floor of the Raffles Boston hotel on Trinity Place) being turned into a private event space. As mentioned in an earlier article here, George Mendes, who was opening chef at the now-closed Aldea (a Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant), is now based in Boston and he will be opening a couple of new spots this year in the South End--Agosto (a restaurant on Washington Street in the South End with a chef's counter and a tasting menu) and Baby Sister (a bakery-cafe that will be next door).

Amar, which first opened its doors back in 2023, has been known for its Portuguese and Mediterranean fare; its web page can be found at https://ift.tt/yprMwUR

(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 »