L'Espalier in Boston's Back Bay Is Reopening

It looks like one of Boston's best-known restaurants is returning after closing down a couple of years ago.

According to a source, L'Espalier in the Back Bay is opening back up, with an Instagram post from the business confirming this and saying that "COVID has hit our industry hard and as we watch many friends struggle to stay in business, we are reopening as a gift to the great city of Boston." The note goes on to say that gift certificates will be honored but gift cards will not (because of an apparent lack of database information), and that brunch will be offered with this incarnation of the restaurant along with a children's tasting menu. We have reached out to chef/owner Frank McClelland (who currently runs Frank, a restaurant and market in Beverly) for more on the planned reopening of L'Espalier and will post updates as we get them.

The Instagram post mentions that L'Espalier plans to open back up on October 15, and that they will host "a special guest Chef from NYC. Or is he from Napa?" for the opening weekend.

L'Espalier first opened in 1978 on Boylston Street, moving to Gloucester Street in 1982, then back to Boylston Street in 2008. The restaurant gained national recognition over the years as a high-end place featuring French and regional cuisine that has been visited by such famous people as Julia Child, Mick Jagger, and Henry Kissinger. (L'Espalier closed down at the end of 2018.)

The address for L'Espalier is 774 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02199.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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Posted in: Dining Spots