Tag Archives: South End

¡Hola! Barcelona Wine (South End)

Posted on December 11, 2014 | 1 comment

South End restaurantLast night one of the South End’s most eagerly anticipated restaurants had a soft opening.  Upon entering Barcelona South End, patrons will see a large (26-seat) horseshoe shaped white marble bar that opens to the kitchen behind it.  The sterile modern decor of its predecessor is gone – replaced by dark wood ceilings and floors that contrast with the white marble bar and subway tile along the back wall.

The tapas menu will offer plenty of temptations at an affordable price with most items ranging $6-$10.  If you want more than tapas their menu has Paella, Meat & Fish and Mixed Grilled options ranging from $19 – $25.  The cocktail menu and wine list are equally inviting, which makes me think this will become a favorite watering hole for locals looking for a place where they can catch up with friends and nibble on a few bites during the week.

The bar staff was knowledgeable and clearly excited to be open for business, reinforcing an already friendly atmosphere.  The food we tried was quite good but sadly our photos didn’t do the food justice enough so I promise to go back for a more thorough sampling.  Look for Barcelona to open in the coming days.

Barcelona – 525 Tremont Street – (617) 266 2600

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South End holiday stroll: Wednesday, Dec 10th

Posted on December 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

WedSmall Business Saturdaynesday, December 10th from 4:00 – 9:00 pm your favorite South End shops will be open to encourage you to shop and dine in the neighborhood.

You can park for free at 540 Harrison Avenue and free Pedi Cabs will be available from 5-8pm  to take you to any of the 32 participating retailers in the South End at no cost – just remember not to be a Grinch and tip your Pedi Cab riders.

A handful of restaurants are also participating in the program so you can grab something to eat after you’ve flexed your retail muscle.  For every $25 you spend at a participating store you will be entered to win a massive gift basket which has items from each boutique shop.  To find out which stores and restaurants are participating on Dec 10th visit www.shopthesouthend.com.

 

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South End restaurant Union Bar & Grille to close

Posted on November 23, 2014 | 5 comments

Aquitaine Group, Boston, South EndBig changes are in store for one of Aquitaine Group’s signature south end restaurants. Effective January 1, 2015 Union Bar & Grille, which first opened eleven years ago in the autumn of 2003 will close.  Aquitaine Group, which owns Union will retain the space and reopen a new restaurant under a new name with a targeted opening for April 2015.  There is no information about the new concept, menu or who will help run the re-branded space.  However, the Aquitaine Group understands the competitive South End restaurant industry better than most and have an impressive track record.

Aquitaine Group, South End restaurant, SoWaA lot has changed since October 2013 when Union opened.  They were one of the first restaurants in the emerging SoWa district of the South End. Despite the fact that earlier that year Wilkes Passage and Rollins Square had opened, the restaurant scene in the South End didn’t cross over Tremont Street with but a few exceptions. Union’s presence with their gourmet, house ground burger and 10k Tuna changed all that and shortly after more restaurants followed.

I have a lot of fond memories of Union but the restaurant has lost its way and newer restaurants nearby like The Gallows and Boston Chops have proven to be tough competition for a restaurant that has not been updated in over a decade.  I look forward to the new space when it reopens in the spring of 2015 and wish them all the best.

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Troy Boston apartments offers 2 months rent free

Posted on November 17, 2014 | 6 comments

South End boston apartmentsThe South End’s newest apartment complex, Troy Boston, is offering two months free rent if you move-in starting this January.  The new development located at 276 Albany Street has two towers and when fully open will include 376 apartments, rooftop terraces, rooftop lounge, outdoor swimming pool, fitness facilities, and outdoor pet-friendly space.

You can find out more if interested by visiting their website, troyboston.com.

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Franklin Cafe Southie closing

Posted on November 9, 2014 | 2 comments

Franklin Cafe South EndOn Friday Donna Goodison from The Boston Herald Tweeted that the Franklin Cafe Southie will go before the Boston Licensing Board to sell the business (and alcohol license – of course) to a new spot called Moonshine Kitchen.   I can’t find any details about Moonshine Kitchen but any tips from my readers would be welcome.

Donna Goodison

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Zoning issue plagues 46 Wareham residential project

Posted on October 12, 2014 | 4 comments
Factory at Wareham Street, Boston

Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority

This summer I wrote about a new residential project proposed by The Holland Companies that would convert the underutilized and decrepit 46 Wareham Street building into a residential space with The Society of Arts and Crafts (currently on Newbury Street) on the ground floor.

However the plan to redevelop this space has hit a snag according to Zack Huffman’s article in the most recent Boston Courant.  The building is zoned for light industrial work (not residential).  It is unclear if this means the original plans need to be scrapped or if a middle ground will be found, but the developers are now working on a new plan that would not violate the zoning restrictions. I have no idea what that means, but I do know that the building as it currently stands is an eye-sore and is not serving either the business community nor residents and this neighborhood needs more usable space for both small businesses and residents.  I snapped a photo of how 46 Wareham currently looks; we can do better.

Factory at 46 Wareham Street

46 Wareham Street South End

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The Butcher Shop Harvest Fest 2014

Posted on September 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Butcher Shop Boston, Barbara LynchChef Barbara Lynch and The Butcher Shop will celebrate the Fall season at Harvest Fest 2014 in the South End on the corner of Waltham & Tremont Street on Sunday, October 5th. The event includes festivities and 20+ restaurants & purveyors.

Attendees may savor endless small plates featuring foie gras, oysters, artisanal cheeses, stuffed Maine lobster tail, charcuterie, grilled Wagyu, and seasonal vegetables harvested from Siena Farms.Sip small-grower, food friendly wines with Barbara Lynch Gruppo’s wine director Cat Silirie, and toast the afternoon with local craft beers from Harpoon Brewery.

Sunday, October 5th from 2 – 6 PM

VIP tickets are now sold out but general admission tickets for $150 remain available (for the time being). For a complete list of participating restaurants, planned events or to purchase tickets to this event link here.

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Gallows owners eye Hamersley’s space for new restaurant

Posted on September 5, 2014 | 1 comment

Rebecca Roth GulloEarlier this week I wrote a quick post about a whisper campaign regarding who was moving into Hamersley’s restaurant after it closes next month.  Those whispers were apparently credible. Today, Eater Boston published Rebecca Roth Gullo of The Gallows will open a new restaurant there in early January 2015.

According to the Eater article, Hamersley’s is seeking to transfer its license to an RRG, LLC with Seth Yaffe listed as the manager. RRG (most likley is Rebecca Roth Gullo) and Seth Yaffe is The Gallows’ GM.  I’m very happy for Rebecca and her team. She has a great track record of opening successful businesses here in the South End.

 

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South End restaurant rumors: Hamersley’s

Posted on September 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

Hamersleys Bistro South End BostonSomething I really like but never expected from this blog is people proactively reaching out to tell me about new businesses opening and old businesses closing.  I often refer to these tips as “whispers” because they are usually shared as such when I’m out and about.

I’m going out on a limb here and asking for more info

A whisper campaign seems to be in full swing with different people who don’t know each other whispering who is going into Hamersley’s space after it closes in October.  The problem is the name mentioned over and over again doesn’t make sense.

So I’ve decided to ask those of you who have been whispering (you know who you are) if you would email me with more information. What did you see? Who told you? Give me something in writing.

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Cafe Madeleine in South End is open

Posted on August 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

South End Boston CafeYesterday, Cafe Madeleine opened at 517 Columbus Avenue in the South End. Their menu includes pastries (with several varieties of croissants), chocolate treats (think mousse, cake and other treats) as well as more nutritious luncheon options like salads, sandwiches and quiche.

Give this new South End cafe a try and let me know what you think.

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Food trucks come to South End’s Franklin Square

Posted on August 20, 2014 | Leave a comment

Boston announces 15 new food truck locationsBoston StrEATS rolled into the South End’s Franklin Square last Thursday as part of a weekly evening food truck program that is designed to bring people out to Boston parks.

Boston StrEATS each Thursday 5-9 p.m. at Franklin Sq.

The free event will feature eight food trucks and live music from 5 – 9 p.m. and will hopefully bring more people over to Franklin Square; often overlooked by South End residents in favor of the neighboring Blackstone Square on Washington Street.

Boston StrEATS plans to bring different food trucks each Thursday through the fall for as long as the weather permits.

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Jordan Lofts at 477-481 Harrison Avenue

Posted on August 20, 2014 | 1 comment

Jordan Lofts Building South EndMy previous blog post about Jordan Lofts on Harrison Avenue in the South End got a lot of attention so I asked a friend to introduce me to the developer, John Holland, from Holland Development, LLC.

John Holland told me that Jordan Lofts would be a mix of condominiums and rentals; condos on fourth and fifth floors and rentals on first, second and third floors.

Don’t be deceived by the use of “lofts” since there are varying floor plans. The commercial space is approximately 4,700 square feet and they are working with a local daycare provider, but the space is zoned general commercial so it could be an office, retail, restaurant or gallery. My preference would be for retail, restaurant or gallery.

The building is scheduled to open at the end of next summer.  Pricing for the rentals and sales are still being determined – the website will be updated when that information is available.

Below are images that John was nice enough to share.Boston South End real estateJordan Lofts in the South EndSouth End Boston residential buildinng

 

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Bounce public art at BCA Plaza

Posted on August 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

Liz NofzigerDespite all the gentrification in the South End, I love that a strong arts community remains.  I firmly believe that the soul of the South End is tied to the fate of the artists who live and or work in this neighborhood. Their personality is still present despite the million dollar condos that seem to be for sale everywhere.

A great example of this is the current public art display in the BCA Plaza by Liz Nofziger entitled Bounce. BCA resident artist, Nofziger, has installed three conjoined ping-pong tables that are custom engineered to form an over sized ‘communal’ ping pong court. The public is encouraged to play – paddles and balls are available to all.

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Hamersley’s Bistro to close

Posted on August 13, 2014 | Leave a comment
Gordon Hamersley at Taste of the South End

Gordon Hamersley at Taste of the South End

Holy crap! Gordon Hamersley, a James Beard Award winner and one of Boston’s most celebrated chefs, has announced that he will close his restaurant after opening twenty-seven years ago in Boston’s South End.

Gordon told The Boston Globe’s Devra First that he wants to spend more time to focus on his follow-up book to Bistro Cooking at Home and to continue to mentor young chefs.  An undisclosed new owner has already claimed the space and license, and will renovate and re-open a new concept at the beginning of 2015.  Full story here.

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South End rumor: Tenant signed in former Francesca’s space

Posted on August 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

gossipRumor has it that Fred Kiley (the owner of the building that once housed Francesca’s) has signed a lease with a new tenant for the prime space on Tremont Street.

According to the neighborhood gossip, the space will remain a coffee shop and include outdoor seating.  The new tenant is not Peets coffee but I’ve not been able to get any further details regarding who signed the lease or an expected opening.  If you happen to have any further information, contact me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

 

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