Boston Restaurant Talk reports the under-construction Arsenal Yards (where the Arsenal Mall used to be) will be the first US home of Tori Jiro, a yakitori chain that also serves fried chicken and chicken meatballs for people who don't prefer their chicken in small bites and roasted on skewers.
The Dorchester Reporter reports the owner of Van Shabu want to concentrate on a couple of suburban restaurants for now.
UPDATE, 8/29: Mess cleaned up, restaurant cleared to re-open.
A Boston health inspector shut Totto Ramen, 169 Brighton Ave., today after a sprinkler burst, sending sprinkler water all over the kitchen - from a large container of tripe stew to cutting boards and other food-prep surfaces to walls.
The restaurant can re-open once everything's been cleaned up and the kitchen passes a re-inspection.
TsuruTonTan, a Japanese chain that specializes in udon noodle dishes, is looking to open at the Hotel Commonwealth, 500 Commonwealth Ave. in Kenmore Square. Read more.
Michael Kerpan took in the annual Japan Festival on the Common yesterday. He took lots of photos and reports:
Despite the extremely variable weather yesterday, the event seemed reasonably well attended. As usual, a lot of interesting food, vendors, performers and attendees.
A sushi place in Brighton Center goes before the Boston Licensing Board on Wednesday for permission to let customers bring in their own wine and beer. Read more.
The owners of four suburban sushi and Japanese-grill restaurants in the suburbs have proposed turning the vacant old Citibank branch at 1924 Beacon St. into their latest restaurant. Read more.
A Japanese hot-pot place in Queens, NY, is expanding to Western Avenue in Brighton, taking over the space where the Maki Maki sushi buffet used to be. Read more.
Amateras, a 40-seat ramen bar at 112 South St. could open in a couple of months. Read more.
The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow whether to let Pui Chung Siu buy the beer, wine and liqueur license now held by the Umai sushi restaurant at 412 Market Street and turn the space into a noodle place called South of Clouds.
Siu's attorney, Meihuei Hu, told the board this morning that Siu is planning only cosmetic changes to the restaurant's interior. Nobody opposed the request.
Seven Star Street Bistro on Belgrade Avenue announced today its Rozzie Ramen pop-up starts Jan. 31: Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting at 5 p.m.
The Boston Licensing Board yesterday ordered Genki Ya, 232 Tremont St., shut for two days because BPD detectives caught three underage BU students with rum drinks - and the realistic-looking but fake out-of-state IDs they'd used to buy them. Read more.
The Boston Licensing Board decides Thursday whether to grant a full liquor license to the sushi restaurant Michael Shaw wants to open where Salsa's used to be on Dorchester St. Read more.
My daughter loves miso soup, but wants to be vegetarian. Normally, it's made with fish. Do you have a recommendation for somewhere with a vegetarian option? Ideally, Somerville or Cambridge, or at least Red Line....
Yo Sushi, a British sushi chain, is bringing its conveyor-belt sushi - in which plates of food glide around diners who pick what looks good - to 79 Seaport Blvd. Read more.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports the Pink Samurai dumpling place shut yesterday. People in desperate need of some dumpling action will have to head over to JP Seafood for some gyoza.
UPDATE: Wabora passed a re-inspection on Aug. 8 and was allowed to re-open.
A Boston health inspector today shut Wabora, 254 Newbury St., for a variety of violations that included raw tuna and salmon being kept too warm, a food preparer not washing his or her hands and another handling vegetables with bare hands. Read more.
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