Carver Road Hospitality, which recently announced its New England debut with the April 12, 2024 opening of Seamark Seafood & Cocktails and its intimate speakeasy cocktail bar Old Wives’ Tale at Encore Boston Harbor, has appointed James Beard award-winning chef Michael Schlow as Chef Partner at Seamark Seafood & Cocktails. Designed by award-winning architecture and design company Rockwell Group, Seamark will offer a contemporary interpretation of New England’s timeless seafood dining experience, blending tradition with innovation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Schlow to lead Seamark’s culinary program,” said Carver Road Hospitality CEO Sean Christie. “As a celebrated chef and an acclaimed restaurateur, he is perfectly suited to help Seamark make its mark as the area’s must-visit elevated seafood destination.”
In his role as Chef Partner, Schlow will continue to highlight Carver Road Hospitality’s commitment to culinary mastery while strengthening Encore Boston Harbor’s reputation as the region’s premier luxury resort and casino. He will lead Seamark’s culinary team and help to develop signature recipes.
“It is an honor to partner on another restaurant venture in my home city of Boston,” said Michael Schlow, Seamark Seafood & Cocktails Chef Partner. “With a focus on elevated New England seafood and a unique pier-to-plate concept, this one is particularly special as I have the privilege of working alongside my dear friend and Carver Road’s Sean Christie, a native to the area, who understands the nostalgia of this project as well.”
Situated adjacent to Encore Boston Harbor’s majestic Garden Lobby and across from the stunning Ferris wheel, Seamark Seafood & Cocktails will boast a bounty of elevated New England seafood favorites, featuring the freshest pier-to-plate cold-water fish, lobster, and shellfish available. The welcoming and luxurious nautical inspired restaurant, designed by the award-winning architecture and design company, Rockwell Group, will include an 82-seat main dining room, a 30-seat alcove dining room, 41-seat showcase bar and lounge, 34-seat outdoor terrace, 21-seat corridor terrace, and 16-seat private dining room.
Hidden behind the back wall of Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, Old Wives’ Tale will be a hidden room with a concealed façade inside of Seamark featuring intriguing antiques and gadgets that add a unique element of detail to this secret space. The cocktail program, curated by internationally renowned spirits expert Francesco Lafranconi, draws from lore and legend intertwined with New England’s seafaring history. The menu will offer guests the opportunity to explore ports of call around the globe, featuring spirits and flavors collected oceans away. This journey will be a testament to the allure of the open sea, the mysteries of the deep and the wonders that await those who dare to venture.
Schlow has been the recipient of many awards including being named “Best Chef in the Northeast” by the James Beard Foundation, “Best Chef in the Country” by Sante Magazine, as well as the “Culinary Award of Excellence” by Robert Mondavi. His ability to capture a variety of global cuisines and techniques has led to appearances on numerous national television programs including Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Food Network, CBS This Morning and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, among others. He is the author “It’s About Time, Great Recipes for Everyday Life.”
Schlow has opened highly acclaimed dining destinations spanning the country, including Alta Strada with various locations on the East Coast; Nama Sushi Bar and Nama Ko in Washington, DC; and Via Matta, Radius, and Tico – all formerly located in Boston. He also currently oversees Italian Kitchen at Time Out Market in Boston and Sauce Burgers at Hub Hall.
The James Beard award-winning chef Michael Schlow has returned to Boston as the Chef Partner at Seamark Seafood & Cocktails at Encore Boston.
Carver Road Hospitality will open Seamark Seafood & Cocktails on April 12th, alongside an intimate speakeasy cocktail bar called Old Wives’ Tale and Michael Schlow is in charge of the food and spirits expert Francesco Lafranconi is in charge of the drinks.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Schlow to lead Seamark’s culinary program,” said Carver Road Hospitality CEO Sean Christie. “As a celebrated chef and an acclaimed restaurateur, he is perfectly suited to help Seamark make its mark as the area’s must-visit elevated seafood destination.”
Seamark will have a focus on seafood as the name suggests and we attended a press preview this week and got to sample some picks from the menu. We tried a beautiful raw tuna starter, lobster gnocchi, a seared scallop dish and a short rib with lentils, all paired with some amazing wines and cocktails.
Known for lots of restaurants in Boston and across the country, Chef Schlow currently oversees the Italian Kitchen at Time Out Market in Boston and Sauce Burgers at Hub Hall. “It is an honor to partner on another restaurant venture in my home city of Boston,” said Michael Schlow, Seamark Seafood & Cocktails Chef Partner. “With a focus on elevated New England seafood and a unique pier-to-plate concept, this one is particularly special as I have the privilege of working alongside my dear friend and Carver Road’s Sean Christie, a native to the area, who understands the nostalgia of this project as well.”
Seamark Seafood & Cocktails will be located in the lobby of Encore Boston, adjacent to the famous Garden Lobby and across from the Ferris wheel. The nautically inspired restaurant was designed by the award-winning architecture and design company, Rockwell Group, and will feature an 82-seat main dining room, a 30-seat alcove dining room, a 41-seat showcase bar and lounge, a 34-seat outdoor terrace, a 21-seat corridor terrace, and 16-seat private dining room. But the best part is that there will be a “hidden” speakeasy in the back.
Old Wives’ Tale will have a concealed façade inside of Seamark. The cocktail program will be curated by spirits expert Francesco Lafranconi and will feature seasonal cocktails made with top-tier ingredients and prepared for visual and sensory impact for guests. At the preview night last week, we sampled a number of cocktails that will be on the opening menu this spring. The Oyster Kiss, a take on a Vesper Martini, the Veggie Beach, a take on a Bloody Mary, and the B-Town Old Fashioned are all must-tries when you stop in!
March is here, the weather is confusing, and we’ve got one foot in our comfort-food season and one foot in is-it-too-early-to-eat-on-a-patio? season. Either way, there’s great food to be had, and we’re back with our monthly guide on where to eat around Greater Boston—a mix of new restaurants, old restaurants doing new things, a few particularly great meals Boston staffers have enjoyed lately, and a peek ahead at imminent openings.
Older Restaurants Doing New Things
Interesting menu changes, special events, new chefs.
Beard Papa’s
Not so much an older restaurant doing a new thing but a previous spot making a comeback: Japan-based chain Beard Papa’s has returned to Boston. Known for its cream puffs, the bakery chain used to have a handful of local outposts that closed in the past few years, but Boston fans can once again enjoy the fresh-baked, light-as-air pastries stuffed with decadent cream. Here’s a peek inside.
232 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-449-9156, beardpapas.com/boston.
Committee
Lamb frites and shrimp saganaki, anyone? The Seaport District Greek restaurant and cocktail bar is getting a boost from a new menu, the return of lunch, and a (sort of) new executive chef. Luis Figueroa is now at the helm of the kitchen, but he was actually on Committee’s opening team back in 2015. (In the interim, he’s cooked at a few other places, including Greek restaurant Kosmos in Walpole.) The revamped lunch service includes a convenient mix of salads, sandwiches, and customizable bowls.
50 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-737-5051, committeeboston.com.
Lê Madeline
After 10 years, Quincy’s Pho Linh, a traditional Vietnamese noodle shop, has transformed into Lê Madeline, showcasing modern Vietnamese with a twist (not to mention a ridiculously good lobster roll and some killer cocktails). Executive chef Peter Nguyen, a Boston native who was most recently cooking down in Houston, draws some inspiration from the south, like in his Việt Cajun crawfish noodles dish (pictured above). You can still get the old Pho Linh menu at lunch, but head in for dinner for the full revamped Lê Madeline experience.
409 Hancock St., Quincy, lemadeline.com.
Phinista
As of the beginning of February, this French-Vietnamese café in the Fenway is under new ownership. Now, the daytime crêpe-and-bánh-mì-focused menu eases into dinner entrees in the evening, including Thai dishes like khao man gai (chicken and rice with garlic and ginger) and guay tiew neau toon (stewed beef with noodles). Watch social media for other updates.
96 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 617-262-7700, phinista.com.
Rochambeau
This French stunner has been going strong since 2019, but now there’s a fresh reason to stop by: The downstairs dining area has been transformed into “The Steak Room,” a prix fixe steak frites heaven—with endless frites!—for lunch and dinner.
900 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-247-0400, rochambeauboston.com.
Sullivan’s Castle Island
Not exactly a new thing—just Boston’s first sign of spring! Sullivan’s reopens its original Castle Island location on March 2 after its annual winter break. Hot dogs, burgers, fried fish, and ice cream await.
2080 William J. Day Blvd., South Boston, 617-268-5685, sullivanscastleisland.com.
Wink & Nod
By design, this South End cocktail bar’s culinary program rotates from time to time—and the time has come for the latest switch-up. Chef Louis DiBiccari’s Mediterranean-inspired pop-up, SubRosa, bid farewell in February, and now chef Brad Druckenbroad is onboard with Cenetta, “a contemporary approach to Italian classics.” You’ll find dishes such as tuna crudo cannoli, baked cod puttanesca, and limoncello cheesecake.
3 Appleton St., South End, Boston, 781-435-0394, winkandnod.com.
Staff Recommendations
Just a few places we’ve enjoyed recently that we think you’ll love too.
Deuxave
Every plate that comes out of Deuxave’s modern French kitchen is a work of art; go ahead and browse the restaurant’s Instagram account for a minute, and we’ll be here when you get back. But the French onion soup—well, we were pleased to find that the team deviated from swooshes and perfect plating here, instead opting for the rustic delight of molten Comté cheese baked to the sides of the bowl, the way French onion soup should be. And this one just so happens to be one of the tastiest around, thanks to the fantastic depth of the nine-hour beef broth. The rest of the meal was delicious, but it’s the soup we’re still dreaming about a week later.
371 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 617-517-5915, deuxave.com.
Eastern Standard
Eastern Standard is back; the baked rigatoni with lamb sausage is back; all is right in the world. Get the rigatoni, plus the luxurious butterscotch bread pudding with praline ice cream and salted butter caramel for dessert—and perhaps start or end at sibling cocktail bar next door, Equal Measure, for a cocktail.
775 Beacon St. (in the Bower), Fenway/Kenmore, Boston, 617-530-1590, easternstandardboston.com.
La Brasa
The smell of the wood fire and the beautifully designed wooden interior will catch your attention first when you enter this East Somerville mainstay: It feels like the type of place that could be your comfortable neighborhood hang or your wedding venue. (Conveniently, the restaurant does host a lot of weddings!) You’ll want to make sure part of your meal includes tortillas, which are made in-house completely from scratch, starting with the nixtamalization of the corn. Might we suggest the fan-favorite cochinita tacos, made with chile de árbol, salsa verde, cilantro, and onion? We could eat a dozen of these—but then we wouldn’t have room for the expertly prepared entrees. Go for whichever version of duck or chuleta is currently on the menu.
124 Broadway, East Somerville, 617-764-1412, labrasasomerville.com.
Tora Ramen
No-frills but friendly, this cash-only Chinatown spot will get you in and out quickly on your lunch break. Choose from around 10 ramen options and an assortment of small plates (takoyaki, gyoza, etc.) We love the black garlic tonkotsu ramen, a hearty, umami-packed pick that stars torched pork belly and corn in a rich broth that takes about two days to make.
99 Harrison Ave., Chinatown, Boston, 857-233-4680, toraboston.com.
Looking Ahead
We’ve got an eye out for these soon-to-open spots. (Find our full list of 2024 anticipated openings here.)
Ciao Somerville
Love the wood-fired pizzas from Chelsea’s acclaimed Ciao, but hate trying to find a seat? You’re in luck: The tiny eatery is expanding to Somerville’s Ball Square, steps from the Green Line, any day now. This location has a bit more room—and a bigger menu, from bruschetta with seasonal toppings to larger selections of pastas and salads than at the original. Watch social media for updates on an imminent opening-day announcement.
688 Broadway, Ball Square, Somerville.
Seamark Seafood & Cocktails / Old Wives’ Tale
Seafood towers, lobster rolls, creative cocktails: It’s all on deck at Encore Boston Harbor’s forthcoming seafood spot (and speakeasy-style hidden cocktail bar, Old Wives’ Tale), set to open in April just off of the glamorous main lobby of the hotel and resort. Restaurateur Michael Schlow has signed on as chef-partner, collaborating with Vegas-based Carver Road Hospitality (which is run by Boston native Sean Christie). If you’re a longtime Bostonian, you’ll recognize Schlow from his past restaurants Radius, Via Matta, and more. And yep, that famous Radius burger will be on the menu at Seamark.
Michael Schlow, a chef who built his name on now-closed Boston restaurants including Financial District fine dining spot Radius and white-tablecloth Italian restaurant Via Matta, is re-entering Boston’s fine dining scene. The gig comes courtesy of Las Vegas-based restaurant group Carver Road Hospitality, which has hired Schlow to lead a forthcoming New England seafood restaurant, Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, and a speakeasy called Old Wives’ Tale, both slated to open inside the Encore casino and hotel in Everett on April 12, according to a press release. In recent years, Schlow has mainly focused on expanding his restaurant empire beyond Boston, but still maintains two food hall stalls in the city (Sauce Burgers at Hub Hall and Italian Kitchen at Time Out Market), plus an outpost of Italian restaurant Alta Strada in Wellesley.
Grace by Nia announces a second location
Hot on the heels of a successful debut in the Seaport last spring, supper club and live music venue Grace by Nia is taking its sparkly show on the road. The restaurant, in partnership with entertainment company Big Night, will be opening a second location at the Foxwoods casino and resort near Norwich, Connecticut. The 5,000-square-foot spot is slated to open in May.
A cream puff chain with a cult following draws lines on Newbury Street
Beard Papa’s, a Japanese cream puff chain with locations across the U.S., made a splashy debut at 232 Newbury Street, in Back Bay, this past weekend. Lines snaked down the block as customers waited for their chance to grab a handful of the chain’s colorful cream puffs in flavors like green tea and Oreo cookie crumble. While this is Beard Papa’s only current location in Massachusetts, it’s actually a return to Boston for the brand: The cream puff chain once ran several Boston locations, including in Chinatown and Allston, but all have since closed.
Two restaurant ownership switch-ups to know
French Vietnamese coffee shop Phinista in Fenway has new ownership; as does beloved Ethiopian restaurant Blue Nile in Jamaica Plain. At Phinista, Yeanie Bach and Phi Pham announced that they’d be moving on in order to spend more time with their daughter. “With the joyous arrival of our new baby girl, we’ve made the decision to prioritize family and be present for this precious time in our lives,” the pair wrote in a post on Instagram. (The announcement did not mention who the new owners are.) At Blue Nile, which was previously run by restaurateur Yosef Haile, ownership has switched hands to Rob Eugene, a prolific Boston entrepreneur who is also behind restaurant and nightlife spot Hue in Back Bay.
When Seamark Seafood & Cocktails debuts at Encore Boston Harbor this spring, it’ll bring “approachable” local seafood—albeit with a bit of decadence—to the glitzy lobby of the Everett casino and resort, says chef-partner Michael Schlow. The longtime Boston (and beyond) restaurateur—who was behind Radius and Via Matta, among other restaurants—has just announced his involvement in the forthcoming restaurant, partnered with Vegas-based group Carver Road Hospitality. But don’t dismiss this as an out-of-town project: Boston native Sean Christie owns Carver Road. This duo is as New England-y as they come, and they’ve got lots of classic seafood dishes—and other fun—planned for Seamark and its hidden cocktail bar, Old Wives’ Tale.
When Christie and Schlow first connected, Christie’s idea was simply to do “a great seafood restaurant,” as Schlow tells it. “That can mean lots of different things to different people,” Schlow says. Keeping in mind the casino location, the duo made a plan for a restaurant that would play to crowds that want classics and crowds that want something a little special, but all “very recognizable” dishes without a menu full of ingredients that require Googling. “It’s a balancing act of classic New England dishes and seafood [dishes] from around the world,” says Schlow, showcasing as much “beautiful local fish” as possible.
“This menu was fairly easy to write because this food just speaks to me,” says Schlow. “It’s about respecting these ingredients. The fish that we can get here in the Boston area is so amazing, and it doesn’t need a lot. Mother Nature’s done most of the work for us. Our job is to just gently coax it and make it great.”
The menu will offer everything from “quintessentially New England” dishes like lobster rolls and chowder to more elevated options. “I think for a lot of people coming to a casino, they’re coming to be entertained, have some fun, maybe splurge. You don’t have to splurge here, but you’ll have the opportunity. You can have a dish that has caviar, lobster, king crab, a lot of high-end things.”
There will be a seafood tower, he says—“they’re so celebratory”—and appetizers like an elegant tuna tartare with cucumber, caviar, and ponzu; an “extra-crunchy” shrimp tempura he serves at his Japanese restaurant Nama Ko in D.C.; and fried calamari, Rhode Island-style. The opening menu will include a few soups—traditional takes on lobster bisque (poured tableside) and French onion, plus a “decadent” double clam chowder. That’s double the clams and double the bacon, but not double the potatoes, because that would be too much, he explains with a laugh. “And we’re having little fun plays at the casino without going too kitschy—we do have clams casino on the menu.”
Another dish planned for the opening menu is a play on shrimp scampi. “During COVID, I really thought about how foods comfort us, and I sort of embraced a lot of the Italian American dishes because they brought me back to my childhood, and I know there’s demand for them,” he says. He decided to toy around with the classic shrimp dish, using “large, succulent, over-the-top” black tiger shrimp with a “France-meets-Italy sauce” infused with butter, garlic, chives, and white wine. “It’s almost like a beurre blanc but with some Italian feel to it,” he says, and it’s served with saffron rice, charred broccoli, and tomatoes. “It’s rich and gorgeous,” he promises.
While Seamark showcases seafood, there’ll be a variety of meat- and vegetable-focused dishes, too. On the meat front, let’s get to that burning question from the Bostonians already familiar with Schlow’s work: Yes, he’s bringing his “Schlow burger” back—the horseradish sauce, cheddar, and crispy onion-topped burger made famous at his now-closed Financial District restaurant Radius, the burger that ushered in Boston’s fancy burger era. The burger has made appearances at other Schlow restaurants over the years, but he’s not currently serving it anywhere, and Seamark feels like the right fit, he says. “It’s just so approachable. You’re sitting at the bar, you don’t feel like seafood—you’re going to get that burger.”
In addition to Seamark’s main bar, there will be Old Wives’ Tale, a hidden cocktail bar within the space, with its own food and drink. Beverage director Francesco Lafranconi is creating “a very exciting beverage program,” says Schlow. “Expect the unexpected. There’ll be all sorts of surprises and fun things.” (An earlier announcement from the company described the vibe as “whimsical” and “adorned with maritime elements,” noting that drinks would be inspired by different ports of call around the world and served in “oceanic glassware” with “creative garnishes resembling sea creatures.”)
Schlow is still developing the food menu for Old Wives’ Tale but teases that it’ll have symmetry with the cocktail list, featuring light dishes inspired by the same ports of call as the drinks. There’ll be other general snacks, too, like house-made potato chips with onion dip. “Snacks that when you read the menu you’ll think, ‘I wasn’t hungry, but maybe a little of this wouldn’t hurt.’”
Schlow—a restaurateur, cookbook author, and James Beard Award-winning chef—has operated numerous other restaurants in Boston and beyond over the years. Back Bay Italian restaurant Via Matta had a particularly notable run, and the original Alta Strada in Wellesley has been going strong for nearly two decades, now with several out-of-state offshoots. Aside from Alta Strada, his current Greater Boston projects are casual food-hall spots: Michael Schlow’s Italian Kitchen at Time Out Market Boston and Sauce Burgers at Hub Hall.
“I’m excited to do a new sit-down restaurant” in the area, he says, after facing a number of closures during the pandemic. “This is my home. I think some people thought I moved away,” he says, because he does a lot of business in D.C. and elsewhere. “My [Boston] restaurants closed for a plethora of reasons—we didn’t want to close them—and I’m really excited at this opportunity to open a really nice sit-down restaurant with Sean [Christie]. We’re gonna have some fun together.”
We’re a month into 2024, and it’s already been jam-packed with delicious new openings—Mexican in Somerville! Noodles times two in Cambridge! A café/plant shop on Mission Hill! A pepperoni Negroni-filled food hall downtown! Casual omakase in Charlestown! With 11 months of the year still to go, we’re looking forward to countless other openings, reopenings, and expansions—restaurants fancy and casual, bars, cafés—spanning a variety of cuisines and neighborhoods. Below, check out the details on 26 spots we’ve got an eye on, and stay tuned for more restaurant opening coverage throughout the year. Know of something that should be on our radar? Our inbox is open.
Althea
With lovable Italian restaurant Vialé going strong for nearly a decade now in Central Square, the husband-and-wife duo behind it, Greg Reeves and Shauna Reyburn, are opening a new restaurant right down the street. Althea, taking over the recently closed Dial space on Main Street, is aimed at “healing the soul with food, wine, and humans,” says Reyburn. She and Reeves describe the food as creative American with “thoughtfully sourced ingredients,” including local veggies that’ll get cooked up on an outdoor grill. “We know what the community wants and needs—and deserves,” says Reyburn. “Althea lets us do more of that with a new twist—but still growing from strong local roots.” Watch for live music and a raw bar on the spacious patio come warmer weather.
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Anticipated opening: April 2024. 907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge.
Baleia
The Coda Group looks to Italy with its restaurants SRV, the Salty Pig, and 2023 newcomer Gufo, but the team is taking Boston diners on a trip to Portugal with its newest endeavor, Baleia (Portuguese for “whale”), opening soon at the Troy Boston apartment building. Executive chef Andrew Hebert will be serving a Portuguese-inspired menu heavy on seafood, featuring dishes such as cataplana (braised pork and seafood stew) and whole roasted black bass (charred lemon, presunto, and anchovy XO), not to mention non-fish options like piri-piri chicken and lamb shank tagine. The latter is a nod to North African cuisine; Baleia’s menu touches on not just Portugal but “port cities that have been heavily influenced by Portuguese cuisine,” per Coda partner and director of operations Ted Hawkins. The wine list will be entirely Portuguese, and the cocktails will be inspired by the region.
Anticipated opening: Early March 2024. 264 E Berkeley St., South End, Boston, baleiaboston.com.
BE Pasta Bar
Sometimes you just need a quick cup of on-the-go pasta, especially if you’re cramming for finals. This Boston University-area fast-casual restaurant, inspired by European pasta shops, will make its pasta in-house, sourcing ingredients from Greece and Italy.
Anticipated opening: February 2024. 1026 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline (on the Boston border).
Bluefin
Lobster rolls, clam chowder, raw bar items, and more: A seafood shop and takeout restaurant at Somerville’s Bow Market is expanding into bigger digs in Jamaica Plain. The second location will similarly operate as a fresh fish market and seafood-focused takeout joint, but with a bit more space for customers—and for executive chef Manya Lulek to have fun with seasonal plates to complement the core menu of New England classics. The expansion also allows the Bluefin team, founded by lifelong fisherman Jason Tucker, to improve its farmers market program, bringing fresh seafood to more communities, and the plan is to launch a fresh fish subscription service, too (think seafood CSA).
Anticipated opening: Mid-March 2024. 660B Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, bluefinrawbar.com.
Café Gloria
Local industry vet Will Isaza is best-known for his bartending skills, most recently as director of bar operations for cocktail gems Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl, and Birds of Paradise. But the East Boston native will soon be bringing a different drink to his old neighborhood with his first solo project: coffee. Café Gloria, which he’s describing as a neighborhood coffee and espresso bar, will highlight Colombian coffee beans, as well as a co-branded roast with Cambridge-based Broadsheet Coffee Roasters. There’ll be a variety of coffee-shop beverages and canned cold brew, not to mention a nonalcoholic version of Isaza’s award-winning coffee-and-passionfruit “Gloria” cocktail. Also on the menu: the Colombian rice bowls of his childhood, plus other snack-y recipes from his mother (Gloria!).
Anticipated opening: Late spring 2024. 287 Maverick St., East Boston, cafegloriaeastie.com.
Ciao Somerville
The tiny original location of Ciao! Pizza and Pasta in Chelsea gets loads of acclaim for its irresistible Neapolitan-style pizzas. This Somerville expansion—taking over the former Eat at Jumbo’s space in Ball Square—will allow fans to enjoy the pies more easily with a bit more seating, plus new menu items. For one, the original location’s popular salsiccia pizza (house-made fennel sausage with pickled cherry peppers) will be a little bit different on the Somerville menu; plus, look for new pasta dishes, more salads, and various bruschetta options.
Anticipated opening: Imminent. 688 Broadway, Ball Square, Somerville, ciaopizzaandpasta.com.
Citrus & Salt
After a little over six years, Jason Santos is moving his coastal Mexican-inspired Back Bay restaurant—awash in pastels, Dole Whips, and pitchers of margaritas—to a larger space in Fort Point. It’ll be open for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and late-night service, with a mix of old favorites and new dishes. Local firm Assembly Designs is working on the space, which will be decorated with flamingos, flowers, and sugar skulls galore. Compared to the original location, which closes with a big party on February 23 (watch the restaurant’s social media for ticket info), it’ll have a larger dining room, more space for private events, and a big patio. (Santos is also opening his previously announced fast-casual, all-day restaurant Butterbird at Arsenal Yards in Watertown around July 2024, showcasing biscuits, fried chicken, and beignets.)
Anticipated opening: March 2024. 319 A St., Fort Point, Boston, citrusandsaltboston.com.
Crush Pizza
Downtown Boston lost an excellent source for casual, Neapolitan-style pizzas—cooked fast and hot in wood-fired ovens—at the end of 2020, when Crush’s State Street location shut down after seven years. A Quincy location, open since 2019, has been going strong since then, but at the time of the downtown closure, chef and owner Tony Naser expressed hope to open another location somewhere in Boston at some point. It’s finally coming to pass: Crush will debut soon in East Boston. “It will have that same vibrant, industrial feel that our Quincy location has,” per a spokesperson, “but still a touch of old-school vibe that we love.” The Italian-imported ovens are different this time, conveyor-style gas/electric hybrids meant for consistency and perfect for Crush’s current Italian-meets-New-York style. Also on the menu: sandwiches, salads, wings, and other fun stuff, like loaded fries in various styles.
Anticipated opening: Early spring 2024. 975 Saratoga St., East Boston, crushpizza.com.
Desnuda Cocina e Bar
Part restaurant, part music-focused “listening bar”—that’s a phrase you’ll see again below—Desnuda “will take traditional Mexican, Peruvian, and Asian cuisine and strip it bare,” courtesy of executive chef Jesus Preciado, per a spokesperson for MAZI Food Group (also behind Kava Neo-Taverna, Ilona, and Gigi). Preciado will draw inspiration from his own Colombian roots as well as travels around Latin America and Asia. Expect an emphasis on cocktails and music, too, with the overall concept aiming to “capture the fiery, Latin heartbeat.”
Anticipated opening: Summer 2024. 647 Tremont St., South End, Boston.
Folio
Beacon Hill’s gorgeous membership-based library, the Boston Athenaeum, is undergoing a massive renovation—and that includes the addition of an open-to-the-public restaurant run by the Catered Affair, the team behind food and beverage offerings at other local libraries, museums, and beyond. (See also: the Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library.) At Folio, expect French and Mediterranean fare, served breakfast through dinner, alongside a French-leaning wine list. The team is describing the cuisine as “bistronomy,” a portmanteau of bistro and gastronomy.
Anticipated opening: 2024. 14A Beacon St., Beacon Hill, Boston, thecateredaffair.com/folio.
Jacob Wirth
Steeped in history, German restaurant and beer hall Jacob Wirth (home to decades of piano singalongs!) operated from 1868 until its closure following a 2018 fire. It had actually been put up for sale earlier that year—and now, finally, new owners are working on reopening it. (Its interior is designated as a Landmark, which adds some challenges to renovations, but construction is ongoing, and the team’s been having a fun time stumbling on lots of old safes in the walls—disappointingly empty.) The revamp is a collaboration between City Realty and Royale Entertainment Group, and a lot will be the same, but with an accessible entrance, a roomier bathroom for women, televisions, and—the team and we say this lovingly—improved food. “The guts, the history, the bones are still there,” says Jamison La Guardia, vice president of sales and operations for Royale Entertainment Group. “We’re just contemporizing it.” The piano, of course, will be back, and the team’s even considering adding a second piano for occasional dueling piano nights, but plans are still fluid. The menu, too, won’t be finalized for a while, but the team does plan to bring back some nostalgic dishes from the most recent incarnation as well as historical menus they’ve found from the 1950s-60s. “We’re definitely keeping the German elements,” says La Guardia.
Anticipated opening: Late spring 2024. 31 Stuart St., Downtown Boston.
Kaia
Xenia Greek Hospitality—the team behind 2023 showstopper Bar Vlaha (not to mention Greek wine bar Krasi, mysterious cocktail bar Hecate, and growing fast-casual chain Greco)—is opening “an homage to the Aegean Coast” in the South End. The Xenia crew isn’t sharing many details yet but asserts that Kaia will continue the group’s “dedication to making Boston home to one of the most exciting Greek dining scenes in the country.” (Meanwhile, they’re also opening a new Greco location at the Burlington Mall in April.)
Anticipated opening: Summer 2024. 380 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston, xeniagreekhospitality.com.
La Padrona
Raffles Boston, the glitzy Back Bay hotel that debuted last year, already has a few dining and drinking options up and running, like upscale Portuguese destination Amar. Joining the lineup in 2024: La Padrona, an Italian restaurant from A Street Hospitality, the group behind Trade, Porto, and more. The team includes James Beard award-winning chef Jody Adams as Chief Culinary Officer, as well as Eric Papachristos as CEO and Jon Mendez as COO. At La Padrona, Adams and executive chef Amarilys Colón will highlight a variety of Italian regional cuisines with lots of fresh seafood and house-made pastas. The glamorous two-story space—with design inspired by late Italian post-war architect Gae Aulenti, among other sources—will include a bar and lounge on the ground floor with the main dining area on the second.
Anticipated opening: April 2024. 40 Trinity Pl. (Raffles Boston), Back Bay, Boston, raffles.com/boston.
Lê Madeline
After a decade-long run, restaurateur Tam Le is converting his Quincy restaurant Pho Linh, which served traditional Vietnamese fare, into Lê Madeline. The new concept, which Le tested as a pop-up at Pho Linh over the last few months, showcases creative Vietnamese fare—mixing in some global flavors and techniques—by executive chef Peter Nguyen, a Dorchester native whose resume includes stints at Cambridge’s Little Donkey and Houston’s Riel. While the classic Pho Linh menu will remain available at lunch, Nguyen’s new dishes will come out to play at dinner, from Viet Cajun crawfish noodles (inspired by his time down south) to gỏi vịt, pan-seared duck breast salad. Also: fun, Vietnamese-inspired cocktails from industry vet Allan Yee, such as the Second Wind, an espresso martini with Vietnamese coffee and fig vodka.
Anticipated opening: February 8, 2024. (Pho Linh closed January 31.) 409 Hancock St., Quincy, lemadeline.com.
Merai
Here at Boston, we’re just a tad obsessed with Brookline’s Thai hotspot Mahaniyom, so we’ve been eagerly awaiting its forthcoming sibling, Merai, where the team will “celebrate and cherish the diversity in food with what we know best: Thai flavors,” as managing partner Chompon Boonnak previously put it. Now that the menu is almost complete, he teases a few dishes, such as khao soi fettuccine and hung lay bao bun. The bar (with a full liquor license) will be a focus, too—merai, after all, is a Thai word referring to alcohol.
Anticipated opening: Early 2024. 14 Harvard St., Brookline Village, instagram.com/merai.bar.
Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House
Restaurateur Kevin Liu (of Matsunori Handroll Bar, among other ventures) might be one of the busiest folks around. In addition to a handful of restaurants in operation, he and his partners have around a dozen new projects in the works in various cities, including quite a few in Greater Boston. Currently under construction with an estimated month or two left to go: a Chinatown location of Mikiya, a growing all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu chain showcasing—like many of Liu’s restaurants—wagyu. (Conveniently, he owns a wagyu ranch in Miyazaki, Japan.) The vibes are luxurious. Stay tuned for details on other intriguing restaurants coming down the pipeline, too.
Anticipated opening: Early 2024. 21 Hudson St., Unit 101, Chinatown, Boston, mikiyashabu.com.
Nowon
The team from New York City-based Nowon, a Korean-American pocha (gastropub), is “very excited” to expand to Boston’s Seaport District, says chef and proprietor Jae Lee. The restaurant, with current locations in New York’s East Village and Bushwick, is named for Lee’s South Korean hometown. The “legendary cheeseburger” gets top billing, a smashed double burger with kimchi special sauce, roasted kimchi, American cheese, pickles, and onion (although we’re already eyeing “Jae’s chicken bun,” with double-fried chicken thigh, soy-pickled jalapeño, parmesan, peanut, and cabbage slaw). Tasting menus are available for the groups who want to try a little bit of everything. Open seven days a week (lunch, brunch, and dinner), the Boston restaurant will feature seasonal outdoor seating and a full liquor license.
Anticipated opening: Late summer 2024. 117 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, nowonusa.com.
Ricen
The long-empty Rod Dee space in Porter Square will finally get new life—as another Thai restaurant! Panupak Kraiwong, who founded Best of Boston winner Dakzen in Somerville (but left the company a few years back), is behind Ricen, which will focus on rice and noodle dishes, inspired by his most recent trip back to Thailand. “I was amazed by how much Thai food has changed,” says Kraiwong. “We will serve new Thai food” and focus on careful sourcing of ingredients like fresh calamari and salmon. Ricen’s meals fall under the category of “jaan diew,” essentially single-dish meals where an entrée is served complete with noodles or rice (as opposed to, say, dining with a big group and sharing lots of à la carte entrees with separate sides of carbs). Kraiwong’s friend’s mom, Sasirin (July) Siwayawirote, is cofounder and executive chef of Ricen. “She used to have her own restaurant in Thailand,” says Kraiwong, “so we can guarantee that the taste is really close to original taste.”
Anticipated opening: May 2024. 1906 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge, instagram.com/ricenboston.
Seamark Seafood & Cocktails / Old Wives’ Tale
While there’s no shortage of food and drinks at Encore Boston Harbor, we’re always up for a shiny new option. (Can’t have a fancy steak every day, we suppose.) A new seafood restaurant—complete with a speakeasy-style cocktail bar—is opening soon, from Vegas-based Carver Road Hospitality, which is owned by Boston native Sean Christie. Expect elevated New England seafood dishes and nautical-inspired design, spanning a large main dining room and several other seating areas, including a seasonal terrace. Old Wives’ Tale, an intimate cocktail bar, will be hidden behind a wall of the restaurant, allowing spirits enthusiasts to “explore ports of call around the globe.” The team promises craft cocktails that “pay homage to the essence of the ocean”—and they’re sure to be photogenic, if that’s your priority, thanks to “oceanic glassware” and sea creature-like garnishes.
Anticipated opening: April 2024. 1 Broadway (Encore Boston Harbor), Everett, seamarkencore.com.
Small Victories
This “no-frills neighborhood tavern,” coming soon to South Boston, is “mostly a carbon copy of [East Boston sibling] the Quiet Few, but if the Quiet Few drank a Monster Energy drink,” says founder Josh Weinstein. (The new spot is about twice the size of its older sibling.) It’ll focus on whiskey and American pub fare, serving as “a place for people in the neighborhood to congregate, celebrate, and commiserate with old and new friends alike.” The larger size will allow for even more whiskey than its big sibling, not to mention a bigger food menu (“Seafood!” notes Weinstein), an amaro list, a photobooth, and more fun.
Anticipated opening: Late March 2024. 400 Dorchester St. (across from the Andrew T stop), South Boston, smallvictoriesbar.com.
Somaek, Temple Records, and more
Restaurateur Jamie Bissonnette’s 2023 departure from the restaurant group he built with Ken Oringer (Toro, Coppa, etc.) came as a surprise to longtime fans citywide. Now, he’s onto the next adventure—or, rather, at least three, as the Globe reports. With Andy Cartin and Babak Bina (JM Curley, Bogie’s Place, the Wig Shop), he’ll open a Korean restaurant called Somaek (with noodles, rice cakes, and more inspired by his Korean mother-in-law’s cooking) and a listening bar (is 2024 the year of the listening bar?) called Temple Records (with Bissonnette’s “super-eclectic” collection of music), plus a 20-seat sushi counter, Sushi @ Temple Records, this year. These’ll all be in Downtown Crossing, near Cartin and Bina’s existing spots. The trio is apparently planning more restaurants for 2024, too. Big year!
Anticipated opening: March 2024. 11 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston.
Taco Azul
Restaurateur Dan Leyva—who counts spearheading a massive overhaul of the Wings Over chain among his 15 years of hospitality experience—is bringing “a modern Mexican taco restaurant” to Boston this year, opening first on Beacon Hill, with the Seaport and Cambridge in his sights—“and all throughout Massachusetts,” he says. The restaurants will be casual (but full-service, and with full liquor licenses) and feature “delicious guacamole, tacos, and margaritas,” he says, perfect for “a quick business lunch, a family dinner, a date night, or a fun night out.”
Anticipated opening: Mid-2024. Beacon Hill, Boston, tacoazul.com.
Unnamed fast-casual restaurant from Will Gilson
The chef and restaurateur behind Puritan & Co., Puritan Oyster Bar, and more is opening a casual rotisserie chicken spot with Mediterranean flare not far from his Cambridge Crossing trio of businesses (the Lexington, Geppetto, and Café Beatrice). Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant will have a year-round indoor farmers market attached. More to come soon, including a name.
Anticipated opening: Late May 2024. 68 First St., East Cambridge.
Verveine Cafe & Bakery
The old gang is getting back together: Acclaimed pastry chef Monica Glass, who worked at restaurateur Ken Oringer’s restaurant Clio a decade ago, is partnering with Oringer to open a Cambridge bakery and café with global influences. This means treats such as kimchi egg cheddar danishes, black sesame croissants, ube brownies, and strawberry chamomile doughnuts. The beverage menu will play along the same lines, with “some fun coffee and latte drinks,” says Glass, featuring flavors like black sesame, ube coconut, peanut butter, and miso caramel. Also on deck: fresh juices and spritzes.
Anticipated opening: 2024. 298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, verveinecafe.com.
XOXO Bar
With Uni and Fat Baby alum Kegan Stritchko heading up the kitchen, American-Japanese restaurant XOXO Bar will feature omakase as well as à la carte sushi and robatayaki options. Dramatic cocktails will accompany—think smoke bubbles and fancy garnishes—in digs the team is describing as “sleek and modern,” centering around a 16-seat bar. Owners Fred Starikov and Steve Whalen are involved in a number of restaurants and bars in Greater Boston, including the reborn versions of the Thirsty Scholar in Somerville and the Silhouette in Allston.
Anticipated opening: March 2024. 1154 Boylston St. (across from the Shoppes at Chestnut Hill), Chestnut Hill, xoxosushi.com.
Yume Ga Arukara
There’s something to be said for the very concise menu at Cambridge mega-hit Yume Ga Arukara: You only have to choose hot or cold udon, spicy or not—and then sit back and enjoy your noodles. No appetizers, no desserts, no frills. (Seasonal specials occasionally appear.) That said, we’re excited to see the team get creative with an expanded space—more seating, full service, booze, and a bigger menu!—at the upcoming Seaport location.
Anticipated opening: February 19, 2024. 70 Pier 4 Blvd., Suite 260, Seaport District, Boston, yumegaarukara.com.
Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, the new restaurant coming in April to Encore Boston Harbor will include a touch of adventure, whimsy, and mystery with the introduction of Old Wives’ Tale, a hidden speakeasy with a concealed façade inside the eatery.
The intimate-but-chic cocktail bar will offer up a collection of cocktails that pay homage to the majestic creatures of the sea and the coastal communities they call home. The drinks menu created by master mixologist Francesco Lafranconi will feature 12 signature cocktails, as well as classics, which will transport guests across the globe from England and the Mediterranean Seas to the shores of South America and Asia, and concluding in India.
To complement the selection of libations, Old Wives’ Tale will also offer a thoughtfully curated selection of small plates featuring fresh seafood delicacies like exquisite oysters, flavorful ceviche and succulent grilled fish. The space will be decked out in dark woods, and embellished with details that nod to the nautical word and the mystique of the sea, from creative garnishes that resemble sea creatures to ocean-inspired glassware.
The speakeasy will adjoin Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, a restaurant featuring pier-to-plate cold-water fish, lobster, and shellfish prepared unpretentiously, but with culinary flair, says Sean Christie, co-founder and chief executive officer of parent company Carver Road Hospitality. “It’s our interpretation of an elevated seafood establishment that has all your New England favorites, but is more diverse than that,” Christie says.
Since opening in 2019, Encore has become known as a dining destination, with restaurants including elegant steakhouse Rare; Red 8, known for its sumptuous décor and Chinese flavors; welcoming Italian eatery Fratelli; and the very upscale snacks at Cheese Meets Wine.
New year, new restaurants—and 2024 will see plenty of exciting openings across America. Whether you’re craving BBQ, Italian or classic comfort fare like burgers and fries (no wrong answers), our top picks offer something for even the pickiest of eaters. It’s also worth mentioning that decorated chefs helm several of our top picks, while others are led by rising stars who are sure to make their mark, one dish at a time. Hungry for more? Ahead, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite U.S. restaurant openings for 2024, including picks in major cities like Miami, New York, Boston and (so much) more.
Best new restaurants opening in 2024
1. Porgy’s Seafood Market | New Orleans, LA
Anticipated opening: January 2024
One-part market, one-part restaurant, Porgy’s will showcase some of the freshest seafood offerings in NOLA—and the Gulf Coast as a whole, focusing on sustainable, wild-caught seafood. Four veteran New Orleans chefs founded the eatery to connect consumers directly with local fisheries. With all this in mind, diners can expect a bevy of seafood-centric sandwiches and salads, boiled seafood and crudo featuring fresh catches from the market’s ever-changing selection (freshly shucked oysters, anyone?)
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2. Gotham Burger Social Club | New York, NY
Anticipated opening date: Mid-January 2024
Gotham Burger Social Club is the brainchild of burger connoisseur-turned-chef Mike Puma, who, on a quest to uncover the best burger in New York, ended up creating his own, which, following several pop-ups over the years, has been very well-received by fans. As of 2024, Puma will have a permanent location for his burger joint on the Lower East Side. It will, of course, serve Puma’s signature Gotham Smash (his take on a classic Oklahoma onion burger: custom beef-blend patties smashed on a flattop with onions and topped with melted American cheese, Gotham special sauce, pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a soft potato roll). That said, don’t sleep on the other menu items like chopped cheese tacos and loaded tots—and wash it all down with an egg cream, because, hey, why not? The interior space pays homage to, spoiler alert, Oklahoma. It’s best described as a retro diner with a western-inspired, mid-century-modern flair (think: a walnut-paneled bar, brown leather bar stools and brass detailing).
3. Bar Bludorn | Houston, TX
Anticipated opening: Early 2024
Renowned chef Aaron Bludorn (the former executive chef of Daniel Boulud’s eponymous Cafe Boulud)—along with his business partners, wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji—are gearing up to open Bar Bludorn in Houston’s leafy Memorial neighborhood in early 2024. The upscale tavern, led by rising-star chef Alexandra Pena, will serve lunch and dinner, and offer a stellar cocktail program. Bar Bludorn will be the sister eatery to his already-open (and uber-popular) Bludorn restaurant. Expect an array of New American, French-inspired staples with a distinct Gulf Coast flair—and a seasonally changing menu.
4. Stateline Road Smokehouse | Napa, CA
Anticipated opening: March 2024
Slated to open in March 2024 (though there’s a temporary location in Napa’s Oxbow Market ‘til January, which offers a limited menu), Stateline Road Smokehouse will serve up Kansas City-style BBQ—think: brisket, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and so on—with a side of laid-back and relaxed vibes in a space that was once an auto body shop. Helmed by acclaimed chef Darryl Bell (who has had stints at Michelin-starred staples like Alinea in Chicago, Bouchon in Yountville, and Press in St. Helena), this hip haunt will be the first Black-owned restaurant in the city of Napa. In addition to the aforementioned menu options, diners can expect a wide variety of salads, grains and fish. Seating takes the form of picnic benches while fun bluegrass music plays in the background.
5. Seamark Seafood & Cocktails | Boston, MA
Anticipated opening: April 2024
This swanky seafood spot is set to open this spring in the luxurious over-the-top Encore Boston Harbor hotel—adjacent to the flora-filled lobby and stunning Ferris wheel. Diners can choose from many New England seafood staples, including cold-water fish, lobster, and shellfish galore. The stylish nautical-inspired space, which includes two dining rooms, a sleek bar area, an outdoor terrace and more, is equally impressive. The vibe? See and be seen; that said, expect plenty of well-heeled locals, travelers, and perhaps even a celebrity or two if you’re lucky.
6. Baraboo Supper Club | Boise, ID
Anticipated opening: April 2024
Boise already boasts an impressive culinary scene with its fair share of top-notch restaurants. Baraboo Supper Club, which will debut inside the (also) yet-to-open Hotel Renegade, will take downtown Boise by storm. As you can guess by its name, this elegant eatery will offer the traditional, nostalgia-inducing supper club ambiance but with a more contemporary twist. As such, diners can expect to nosh on supper club staples like prime rib and relish trays—best paired with boozy ice cream drinks and brandy old fashioneds, of course—in a sophisticated setting featuring plush banquettes, lots of wooden accents, and dim lighting.
7. Hawksmoor | Chicago, IL
Anticipated opening: Spring 2024
Chicago has always been a foodie city: In fact, it’s home to over 7,000 restaurants and counting. Soon, it’ll be home to an outpost of one of London’s most beloved steak restaurants, Hawksmoor, which has received global fame for its signature dry-aged steaks. The attention to detail here is exquisite. Set to open in a Chicago landmark—the three-story, 16,500-square-foot, and1887-era LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse—this Hawksmoor will feature the restaurant’s signature parquet block flooring and, in homage to the building’s original owner, Charles Tyson Yerkes (who saw played a significant role in developing the mass transit systems in Chicago and London), the tilework is inspired by those found in London Underground stations. Other design highlights include reclaimed Holophane glass pendant lights from the historic Nairn Mill in Scotland on the first floor and restored Parisian holophane glass street lamps on the second floor.
8. Casa Neos | Miami, FL
Anticipated opening: Spring 2024
When it opens this spring, the Medierrearan-inspired, 30,000-square-foot Casa Neos will feature a four-suite boutique hotel, a members-only beach club, a rooftop bar and lounge, and, last but not least, an eponymous two-story restaurant. Set across two stories, the signature restaurant will offer refined Mediterranean fare featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients (think: mezze platters, whole roasted cauliflower, and the like) in a trend-forward space that’s practically designed to be Instagrammed. It’s also worth noting that Casa Neos is run by Riviera Dining Group, the team behind some of Miami’s hottest eateries like MILA and Baoli.
9. Cooper Mill | Alexandria, VA
Anticipated opening: Late spring 2024
Set to open its doors in late spring, Cooper Mill will occupy one of Alexandria’s last remaining waterfront warehouses. The tavern-slash-market-slash event space is named for the former mill on the site it will call home, which fabricated barrels for the Alexandria Flour Company. (Before that, the warehouse was used as a mess house and commissary during the Civil War.) The market will offer grab-and-go breakfast staples and coffee, along with a selection of baked goods, sandwiches, soups, prepared foods and the like; meanwhile, the first-floor tavern will have a casual, come-as-you-are feel plus a warm rustic feel with an elevated twist. Last but not least, is the sprawling event space, which can hold up to 120 people.
10. Vinai | Minneapolis, MN
Anticipated opening: Summer 2024
Minneapolis is home to some of the best restaurants in the Midwest—and Vinai, slated to open in summer 2024, is well worth adding to your list. The restaurant, which will pay homage to James Beard-nominated chef-slash-owner Yia Vang’s Hmong heritage, is named for the refugee camp where he was born. (Sidenote: While Minnesota is home to the diaspora of Hmong people living outside Asia, Vinai marks the state’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant exclusively dedicated to Hmong cuisine.) The space will be decked out in plants in a loving nod to Vang’s mom’s green thumb; also, while the live wood fire serves as a lovely tribute to his dad (Vang has memories tending to said fire alongside his dad at large family gatherings). The cuisine, which, per the website, will consist of “large shared mains, bright veggie sides and bold sauces,” will utilize ingredients from local Hmong farmers, too.
After 2023’s plethora of impressive restaurant openings, from star-studded to favored reopenings, 2024 has some big shoes to fill.
As it currently stands: It seems Boston’s culinary scene will have no problem continuing to expand and dazzle with the increase of global flavors from Portuguese to Greek, Boston’s only all-you-can-eat wagyu beef concept and a massive pickleball establishment anchored by four restaurants all on the horizon.
We’ve compiled a guide to the new restaurants where we can’t wait to book a table, organized by the hottest culinary trends that they fall under: from international flair to popular expansions, reopenings, long-awaited eateries and new but mysterious offerings.
Reopenings
After temporarily shuttering amidst the pandemic in 2020, China Pearl, remained closed to complete a series of renovations that wouldn’t have been possible without the forced downtime. The decades-old Chinatown banquet hall and dim sum house is run by the Moy family who refer to the venue as “the oldest active Chinese restaurant in Boston.” Though guests may not recognize the once dark, gaudy interiors now replaced by new windows and exposed brick walls, diners can expect the same nostalgic menu of Chinese favorites, including shu mai, pork buns, steamed dumplings, rice and noodle dishes as well as contemporary riffs on classic entrees.
Downtown Boston’s Leather District will also see the return of a legendary locale as City Realty and Royale teamed up to reopen Jacob Wirth. The 4,100-square-foot German beer hall was Boston’s second-oldest continually operated restaurant until it closed due to an upstairs fire in 2018. The revival of Jacob Wirth – slated to open in Q1 of 2024 – will bring a return of local and global brews, and a revamp of its culinary offerings for a combined menu of modernized German dishes and Boston bar favorites.
International flair
The South End will welcome two globally-inspired restaurants in 2024. The first is a modern Portuguese concept from Coda Restaurant Group (SRV, The Salty Pig, and Gufo) called Baleia, that will offer dishes like Piri Piri Chicken, Lamb Shank Tagine and Pork and Seafood Stew at the base of The Troy Building starting in January.
Xenia Greek Hospitality (behind Krasi, Bar Vlaha) will also move in to the South End come the spring with a new approach to Greek cuisine as they continue to make Boston home to one of the most exciting Greek dining scenes in the country. Aptly named Kaia (pure earth and sea), the restaurant’s menu will pay respect to what these elements have already perfected.
Expansions
This past year saw an influx of out-of-towners opening flagships and multiple locations throughout the city and that doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2024.
New Haven pizza-icon, Sally’s Apizza opened their first location outside of Connecticut in Woburn in mid-December, and in the second half of 2024 will open a new flagship location in the Seaport.
Cambridge’s renowned udon hotspot, Yume Ga Arukara, is also opening their second location in the Seaport in the first month of the New Year. Celebrated for their cold and hot udon noodle bowls, the new location will feature a selection of unique appetizers and sake served at dinner, whereas lunch will remain a quick grab-and-go operation.
Chinatown will welcome Boston’s first all-you-can-eat (AYCE) wagyu beef concept in early 2024 (late January or early February): Mikiya is a national Shabu eatery with locations in Texas, California and Las Vegas, offering a sleek Asian interior with a menu to match.
Come September, Bosse Pickleball will open their second outpost at Natick Mall. The 90,000-square-foot facility will feature the largest indoor pickleball complex in the state as it takes over the former Neiman Marcus property, while offering social amenities including four restaurants and private event spaces.
Long-awaited
A few 2023 openings were pushed to early 2024, which further builds the anticipation behind their grand introductions. XOXO Sushi by chef Keegan Stritchko (formerly of Uni and Fat Baby Sushi) will open in March 2024 across from the Shoppes at Chestnut Hill. Diners can expect contemporary new American-Japanese cuisine with a rotating chef’s omakase menu. The restaurant will cure its own fish in-house as well as dry-age its beef for an elevated dining experience.
Chef Jason Santos will finally unveil ButterBird, his all-day, fast-casual concept in Arsenal Yards, come July 2024. Santos reinvents his signature biscuits as the foundations for mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches while items like fried chicken sandwiches and seasonal salads jump out on the lunch menu.
Sister restaurant to Thai-favorite Mahaniyom, the new Merai was slated to open in late 2023 but will now satiate in early 2024. The Brookline Village restaurant will incorporate Thai flavors into a variety of cuisines for an ultra-unique menu. This extends to its bar program as Merai is a Thai word in reference to alcohol, so there’ll be distinct flavors and presentations used for their cocktails, too.
Hotel hotspots
Over in Everett, Seamark Seafood is slated to open in the former Sinatra space at Encore Boston Harbor Hotel and Casino in April. Helmed by Carver Road Hospitality, their inaugural seafood spot will offer a signature pier-to-plate concept that presents the freshest available cold-water fish, lobster and shellfish. The multi-faceted space is anchored by an 82-seat dining room, with a 30-seat alcove dining area, 41-seat showcase bar and lounge as well as a 34-seat alfresco terrace, 21-seat corridor terrace and 16-seat private dining room.
The team behind Trade, Porto, Saloniki and The Venetian will open their newest venture in the spring: La Padrona at Raffles Back Bay. The Italian restaurant was designed to transport guests from the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston to a custom-designed Grand Italian villa. Chef Jody Adams and Executive Chef Amarilys Colon will delight with their interpretations of traditional Italian cuisine, relying on ingredients sourced directly from Italy (like salumi and artisan cheeses) and around New England (produce and seafood) to stitch in local flair. All pastas will be house-made, and the dishes will span the entire country, from northern Piedmont to the islands of Sicily.
New and mysterious
While some of Boston’s hottest openings have been forthcoming with launch details, others have been slightly more discreet as they arrange final features. Though we don’t know all the particularities, we’re eager to learn more about Garrett Harker’s fourth concept that will join his reopened Eastern Standard and new All That Fish + Oyster at The Bower in Fenway. MAZI Food Group (Ilona South End, KAVA-Neo Taverna and Gigi South End) will also reveal a fourth concept in the spring. Fans of Sarah Wade (behind Stillwater and Sloane’s) will want to keep an eye on her anticipated new spot at 745 Atlantic Ave. slate for summer 2024. And finally, Jamaica Plain should see a new Mexican restaurant in the former El Oriental de Cuba space, with whisperings of Abuela’s Table by chef Adolfo Alvarado set to replace it.
Openings: The Cut opens in downtown Gloucester (117 Main St.) on Monday, Nov. 20, offering 22,000 square feet of food and entertainment, plus recording studios. Performances start in January 2024; talent buyer Randi Millman was the booking agent for Atwood’s Tavern, so plan on a fun roster of live acts. Until then, visit for dinner. Expect a gastropub menu, kombucha, mocktails, and cocktails from 4:30 p.m. nightly. There’s also a walk-up window, open from 11:30 a.m. daily.
Coming soon: Blank Street Coffee opens in Harvard Square on Thursday, Nov. 16 (1380 Massachusetts Ave.). Stop in for brown sugar, chai, and pumpkin spice cold brew, plus treats from Salem-based A&J King. They’ll sell $2 drinks on opening day.
Seamark Seafood & Cocktails opens this spring at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett (1 Broadway), overlooking the casino’s Ferris wheel. Enjoy aquatic delights in various settings, including an outdoor terrace and a roomy lounge.
Also come spring, Medium Rare brings its Washington, D.C.-based steak-and-fries empire to Watertown (130 Arsenal Yards). Enjoy an old-fashioned, $30 three-course meal (salad, fries, steak), plus second helpings for free. For dessert: hot fudge sundaes, carrot cake, and seven-layer chocolate cake. It’ll also serve brunch, with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Restaurateur Mark Bucher is known in D.C. for his Feed the Fridge program, in which he fills community fridges with restaurant-quality meals; he plans to launch food-insecurity efforts in Boston, too.
A Place to Chill: In Lexington, The Inn at Hastings Park (2027 Massachusetts Ave.) launches its annual INNgloo Wonderland this week. Cozy up with five of your favorite people in a heated igloo for lunch, dinner, high tea, or champagne brunch from its Town Meeting Bistro. Visit through April.