Patrick Maguire reports that Japonaise Bakery & Café, on Beacon Street on the Brookline side of Audubon Circle, expects to re-open in 45 to 60 days. Owner Takeo Sakan closed it in 2021 for the first extensive renovations since it opened in 1985. He started a GoFundme page both to help pay for the new equipment and to help support the staff during the closure.
The Boston Licensing Board last week approved a proposal by the owners of the closed Brasserie, 560 Harrison Ave. in the South End, to re-open the place under the management of Loic Le Garrec, of Petit Robert Bistro, and under the new name of Marseille. At a hearing last week, Brasserie's attorney said the restaurant would re-open as a brasserie, but with Le Garrec's own flair.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports Bar Lyon on Washington Street est fini on Jan. 31.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports Gaslight Brasserie du Coin on Harrison Avenue will be closing permanently after brunch on Sunday.
WBZ reports three men were stabbed at Bastille Kitchen, 49 Melcher St., around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. One victim walked to a nearby ER, the other two were taken by ambulance.
Pilotblock South End took a stroll down Columbus Avenue in the South End today - the first day that restaurants could re-open their outdoor patio, with enough space between tables. Read more.
The Boston Business Journal reports on plans by a local restaurant group to open a French restaurant at the Grand Masonic Lodge at Boylston and Tremont streets, which is currently adorned by a large seal featuring two beavers that look like they're trying to eat a dove.
At brunch on Nov. 8, somebody left behind this obviously well loved bunny at Mistral in the South End. The restaurant reports they're keeping the rabbit well fed, but would love to reunite bun and owner.
H/t Brinley.
Seth Greenberg, who gave us Mistral, is planning a similar restaurant on Melcher Street in Fort Point.
Greenberg told the Boston Licensing Board today he hopes to open an "upscale modern French bistro" called Bastile Kitchen/Chalet this September in a building now under construction at 49 Melcher St.
The $2-million venture will feature a 230-seat main dining room and a 70-seat area for private functions. Greenberg is proposing to buy the liquor license now held by Four Green Fields on Washington Street downtown.
MC Slim JB tweets that Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons is closing at the end of June.
Devra First reports that the fancy-shmancy French place that replaced Bob the Chef (sorry, Bob's Southern Bistro) in October is already out of business. Next up: Upscale burger joint? Oh, wait, how about a soul-food place. With music. Nah, that'll never work.
Courtney Scott-Howard gives Gaslight, a French brasserie at 560 Harrison Ave., good marks for food (and the free parking), but marks it down for the service:
... If your waitress looks like the girl you wished your brother married, ask for a new table.
First there was British/Japanese import Wagamama. Now Boston Restaurant Talk reports the Boston area is in line to get three Vapiano "casual French fresh" restaurants.
Hmm, what about Blimpie, which is slowly circling Boston? It's from westa Worcester, so it's sorta foreign, too.
Boston Chomps on Petit Robert Bistro downtown: We'll definitely be back.
Lyss on Zocalo in Brighton: What a pleasant first experience at a restaurant.
Lewis Forman on Kashmir on Newbury Street: I have never seen a grumpier group of servers ever. Except at McDonalds.
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