Category Archives: South End

Two large, new South End developments on the horizon

Posted on June 16, 2015 | Leave a comment

While many in the South End have been fixated on the development at the Ink Block and Troy Boston along Traveler and Albany Streets, just a few blocks down the road are two large properties that will be developed in the coming years.

Boston Flower MarketLast month The Boston Flower Exchange shareholders approved the sale of their 5.6 acre property (shown above) after receiving a $35 million dollar offer.  Their vote has cleared the way for another large development in the neighborhood. Couple that with the news that last fall Boston Medical Center sold three buildings to Leggat McCall Properties along Harrison Avenue and East Canton Street and this section of the South End looks like it will be transformed; potentially bringing thousands of new residents to the neighborhood.

Legget McCall South End East Canton DevelopmentLeggat McCall Properties met with the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association in May to discuss their plans for future development of this area.  Stay tuned; more information is expected to be forthcoming.

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Merrill & Co. to close after 15 months

Posted on June 16, 2015 | 4 comments

BiNA Family Hospitality Merrill and CompanyMerrill & Co. was an eagerly anticipated (and hyped) South End restaurant that opened in March 2014 with quite a splash.  For about three months it was the “IT” place to dine, but after an initial honeymoon it didn’t have the staying power and earlier this month several food blogs published what everyone in the neighborhood already knew — nobody eats at Merrill & Co.  All one had to do was walk by on a weekend evening and you could see the place half empty.

Merrill & Co. will close Friday, June 19th

In an interesting twist the owners are creating a competition to find the right person to take over the space.   While I don’t pretend to know how to run a successful restaurant or even what the rent there might cost here are some thoughts on what I think one needs to do to succeed in that space.

  1. The neighborhood doesn’t need anymore small plates restaurants.
  2. Unless you are going consistently crank out amazing food (and not just claim to) bring your average entrée price down to $18-$22.
  3. Do great comfort food or something ethnic the neighborhood doesn’t have to stand out.  Some suggestions include: Greek, Moroccan, or a Japanese Noodle Bar — I’m thinking Ramen and Karaoke Bar.
  4. Create great bar scene at your restaurant where people can pick from a number of easy to eat options bar side.
  5. Do something with that beautiful patio while the weather is warm.

 

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Are the Franklin Cafe South End days numbered

Posted on May 7, 2015 | 1 comment

Franklin Cafe South EndLate last year Franklin Southie closed and now rumors are swirling that the days of the South End location may be numbered. This listing for 276 Shawmut which includes 6,000 square feet of residential and restaurant space is currently for sale.

David DuBois emailed me yesterday after I inquired about the potential sale and he said, “The landlord has listed the building on MLS. He is wanting to retire and selling all his property. It does not involve the Franklin“.

Considering the success of DuBois chain of Tasty Burger restaurants (its 5th location opens tomorrow at the Back Bay T station)  I’m not quite sure what to make of his response – even though I want to believe him.  Restaurant owners rarely level with me about their future plans.  The Franklin Cafe is a longtime neighborhood favorite, but this neighborhood has changed and maybe the lure of growing a nascent burger chain is of more interest. Time will tell. Anyone with details can contact me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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Caffe Nero South End

Posted on May 3, 2015 | 2 comments

Francescas, Tremont Street, South EndThe European coffee house chain, Caffe Nero, which is moving into the space formerly occupied by Francesca’s, has in recent weeks shown signs of activity. New windows that will open to Tremont Street remain papered, hiding their progress, but the front doors indicate they will be opening soon and are even looking for help, recruitment.us@caffenero.com.

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Jae’s Cafe in the South End may be replaced by new restaurant

Posted on April 30, 2015 | 1 comment

Jaes Cafe South EndBoston Restaurant Talk blog wrote that Jae’s Cafe on Columbus Avenue in the South End may cease to exist and be replaced by a new restaurant called Shun’s Kitchen.  I have a lot of happy memories at this restaurant but haven’t been there in quite a while.  I thought I’d share the news with my readers who may also have similar happy memories of this restaurant.

…According to a licensing board page within the City of Boston website, Jae’s Cafe in the South End of Boston is seeking to transfer its stock and have new officers, directors, and shareholders for the space, with the Columbus Avenue restaurant being replaced by a new spot called Shun’s Kitchen. If the request is approved, this will be the final location of Jae’s to shut down….Jae’s Cafe, which first opened in the South End approximately 25 years ago, has been known as a spot to get a variety of  Korean, Japanese, and Thai dishes, along with other Asian fare.

The address for Jae’s in the South End (and the proposed Shun’s Kitchen) is 520 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

You may read the full blog post on Boston Restaurant Talk here.

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South End Open Market in SoWa returns Sunday, May 3rd

Posted on April 26, 2015 | 1 comment

SoWa Open MarketThe 2015 SoWa Open Market returns to the South End on Sunday, May 3rd. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. through October 25, 2015 and spans three blocks along Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End.

Every Sunday 15 to 20 Food Trucks will be located at 540 Harrison Avenue serving a variety of food.  Just up the street at 500 Harrison Avenue is the Farmers Market which includes an ever larger assortment of locally grown produce, flowers, plants, and gourmet specialty foods.  Lastly, be sure to check out the Arts Market located at the end of Thayer Street.  It is a great place to peruse some of the region’s best artists and designers.

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Whale mural on Planet Storage building in the South End

Posted on April 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

public art, Tyson Andree, ink blockThe whale mural that has been visible from the Planet Self Storage building along Boston’s Southeast Expressway since the early 1990s has disappeared from view on I-93 ever since the Troy Boston residential building was erected.  According to a recent story in The Boston Globe, a fourth whale is going to be added to Planet Self Storage building.  The additional whale still won’t be visible to those on the highway but rather will face the Ink Block.

The developer behind the Ink Block, National Development, has commissioned Brookline graffiti artist, Tyson Andree, to spray-paint the new mural on a 15-foot-high by 68-foot-long section of Planet Self Storage’s northern wall, facing the Ink Block. The project should be finished by this weekend.

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Banyan to open in space formerly home to Hamersley’s Bistro

Posted on March 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

Rebecca Roth, South End restaurantEarlier today Eater Boston reported that Rebecca Roth Gullo (Owner) and Seth Yaffe (General Manager) of The Gallows South End – will name their new restaurant, Banyan.

Banyan will open later this year in the space formerly home to Hamersley’s Bistro located on the corner of Clarendon Street and Tremont Street.

It was previously reported that Banyan would serve contemporary Asian cuisine with a focus on small plates. While I applaud Rebecca and Seth on opening a new restaurant, I’m not particularly interested in seeing anymore small plate menus.  I am starting to equate “small plate” with “spending a fortune and leaving hungry”. However, Rebecca has proven time and again that she knows how to run and manage a successful restaurant so I’ll be watching with curiosity.

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GTI Properties looks to convert SoWa church into apartments

Posted on March 19, 2015 | 4 comments

GTI PropertiesThe Boston Herald is reporting that new plans from GTI Properties have resurfaced for the Jesuit Urban Center which was shuttered in 2007.  GTI’s latest round of plans for the church, which was built back in 1858 and the adjoining property, would  call for 54 one- to three-bedroom apartments in the former Church of the Immaculate Conception and four townhome-style units in what they are calling an attached “Link Building”.   Back in 2013 GTI filed a letter of intent for the property to include 62 rental units but nothing ever came of it.  This new letter to the BRA is the first in more than a year.

 

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South End Buttery celebrates 10 years of business

Posted on March 11, 2015 | 1 comment

South End ButteryIt is hard to believe that it was ten years ago this April The South End Buttery opened on the corner of Shawmut and Union Park Street.  The corner coffee shop now has two locations in addition to expanding into neighboring space to create a restaurant and bar as well as a take out prepared foods market.  To celebrate this milestone anniversary The South End Buttery has lined up several events you may want to check out.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 6:00 — 8:00 p.m.
– Wine, Beer and Hors d’oeuvres
– Chef Demonstrations
– Samples of New Prepared Market Foods
– Prepared Foods Discount

Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:00 — 8:00 p.m.
– Wine, Beer and Hors d’oeuvres
– Cake and Cookie Decorating Lessons
– Discount Coupon on Next Custom Cake Order
– Samples of New Prepared Market Foods
– Prepared Foods Discounts

Friday, March 13, 2015, 6:00 — 8:00 p.m.
– Wine, Beer and Hors d’oeuvres
– Cooking Demonstrations
– Samples of New Prepared Market Foods
– Prepared Foods Discounts

Saturday, March 14, 2015, 10:00 AM — 6:00 p.m.
– Equator Coffees Specialty Roast samples all day
– Love Grain Pancake Samples w/ Mimosas (10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.)
– Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Samples with their Hot Sauces and Equator Coffees Jaguar Espresso Shakes (1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.)
– Valicenti Organico artisanal pasta tasting (4:00 — 6:00 p.m.)
– Love Grain, Jeni’s and Valicenti Organico and Buttery Prepared Foods Discounts will be available all day

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Taste of the South End: Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Posted on February 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

TOSE, AIDS Action, AAC, South End restaurantsI previously wrote about this fun annual tasting that raises money for the AIDS Action Committee of MA, but I wanted to give one more shout out for those of you who may have been contemplating attending but had yet to buy tickets.

Taste of the South End, Tuesday March 3, 2015

More than 40 of the neighborhood’s restaurants will share tempting bites that range from the savory to the sweet.  In addition there will be plenty to drink and entertaining cooking demonstrations from some of the neighborhood’s most admired chefs.   If you have any questions about this social South End event, feel free to reach out to me.  Otherwise, grab tickets while they last.  Here is a quick video from a Taste of the South End from a few years back. 

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Posted in AIDS Action Committee, Dining, Philanthropy, South End, Video

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Marriott hotel may open at Ink Block in 2017

Posted on February 8, 2015 | 1 comment

Marriott at Ink Block South EndThe developers behind the South End Ink Block, National Development, recently unveiled an image of a proposed 200 room AC Hotel by Marriott, a brand that targets Gen X and Millennials.  According to National’s PR machine, the hotel will have a contemporary feel that will blend in with the four adjacent buildings.

Based on drawings that I’ve seen previously of the Ink Block development, the hotel building looks like it would be on the corner of Albany and Traveler Streets. The article (linked below) indicates this property would open in early 2017.

More details here.

 

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Taste of the South End tickets now on sale

Posted on February 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

TOSE, AIDS Action, AAC, South End restaurantsSince 1995 local restaurants have come together to share some of their most tempting plates to help raise awareness and money for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. This year more than 40 restaurants from the South End will converge for the Taste of the South End on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Get your tickets before the event sells out. You can find more details about the program can on their website here.  Tickets for the 2015 Taste of the South End are on sale now!

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Boston Magazine: A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well in the South End

Posted on January 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well in the South End, Christopher HughesRead Boston Magazine’s article penned by Christopher Hughes, A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well in the South End. Hughes, the magazine’s online food editor, asked Ken Oringer (Clio, Uni & Toro) and Top Chef season 10 winner Kristen Kish to share their favorite South End spots.

The article really illustrates how lucky South End residents are, showcasing a wide variety of options.  If you are curious where Oringer and Kish go for cocktails and / or cuisine check out the article. My only surprise – even though I agreed with many of their choices – was how many other options we have in this tiny neighborhood that went unmentioned.

How can anyone overlook such neighborhood gems like Formaggio with their superior selection of cheeses and meats or Brix with their unique selection of small vintage wineries?  Restaurants and bakeries like South End Pita, Orinoco, Elephant Walk and Render Coffee add color and options that most neighborhoods would kill to have but the South End has such a rich collection it is easy to forget all the markets, restaurants, bakeries and cafes crammed into this tiny n’hood.

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Cafe Quattro opening in the South End

Posted on January 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

Pizza, pizzeria, boston, south endBoston Restaurant Talk reports that Cafe Quattro, a popular Italian / Pizzeria with Beacon Hill residents will reopen in the South End.

Apparently the popular restaurant lost its lease in Beacon Hill after the landlord essentially forced them out to make room for a larger upscale restaurant.  Beacon Hill’s loss is the South End’s gain.  Cafe Quattro will reopen at 817 Harrison Avenue on the corner of East Springfield Street.  The owners were scheduled to go before the licensing commission this week (not sure if the weather has delayed that meeting). One hopes they will be opening soon.

About Cafe Quattro: We serve a wide array of sandwiches, panini, wraps, and pizza, as well as cappuccino, espresso, latte, and coffee.  Our breads are baked especially for us and delivered daily.  Our thin crust pizza is hand tossed and made to order, using fresh dough.  Pizza is available by the slice, small personal pies, or 20″ Large pies each made in the old fashioned Italian-American tradition.

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