Saturday, April 26, 2025
BERTUCCI'S IS ON LIFE SUPPORT
Some good news: Bertucci's just opened a new fast casual concept in Boston near Government Center. It's called Bertucci's Pronto and aims to feed commuters quickly. Let's hope it lasts.
GOODBYE RUBY TUESDAY
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| The former Ruby Tuesday at Wrentham Village Outlets in Wrentham, Mass. |
To quote the Rolling Stones, it's Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday for much of New England. It's just the latest chain that's starting to disappear. Eat Up New England noticed its longtime location at the Wrentham Village Outlets is now closed. It was there for a good 20+ years. There are now zero locations in Massachusetts. However, the chain is not dead in New England. There are still a handful of locations in Connecticut and Maine. Ruby Tuesday is one of the few remaining restaurants to still have a salad bar or a "garden bar" as they call it. It's been slowly shutting down local locations in recent years, but there are still more than 200 Ruby Tuesday restaurants nationwide as of this writing.
Wednesday, October 09, 2024
SEVERAL UNO PIZZERIA AND GRILLE RESTAURANTS CLOSE
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| This Uno in Bellingham, MA is still open. |
If you haven't been to Uno Pizzeria and Grille in awhile, now would be a great time to give them your business. The local chain best known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza has closed a bunch of locations - places that were open for decades. Their Wrentham location that's in Wrentham Village is now closed. Their Framingham location also shuttered recently. Restaurants in Leominster, Millbury and Westborough locations also shut down this year, along with one in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Only 7 locations remain in Massachusetts according to their website.
It's sad to see what's happening to this longtime local chain. Inflation continues to wage war on the restaurant industry, along with skyrocketing leases and post-Covid recovery. People just can't afford to go out as much as they used to.
Saturday, September 07, 2024
WHETSTONE STATION IN BRATTLEBORO, VT HAS CLOSED
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| The bar at the now closed Whetstone Station |
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| One of the many delicious Whetstone beers |
Raise a glass for Whetstone Station. Eat Up New England is sad to report that the restaurant and brewery in Brattleboro, Vermont has closed its doors for good. It was known for its beer and tasty comfort food. The cozy Vermont vibe couldn't be beat, with a fireplace that burned in the winter months and its location right on the water. North Chair Brewing took over the Whetstone Brewery over the winter and plans to can favorites from the Whetstone Brewery and release beer under its own label, according to to the Brattleboro reformer.
There is some good news here. A new restaurant will be opening at the former Whetstone location. Rail & River Tavern will open in its place. It will offer high-quality American food and will be the home of the second location of Vermont Beer Makers.
Friday, July 28, 2023
MIGHTY SUBS CALLS IT A DAY
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| Mighty Subs closes after 33 years. |
After 33 years, the popular Mighty Subs is closing. This little sub shop and its owners Artie and Karen Wright are beloved in Needham, Massachusetts. They are known for their gigantic sandwiches, so much so that their slogan is, "Our Small is Their Large." The owners are stepping away to spend more time with their family. Lines for lunch have been out the door over the past week. I've heard they have run out of bread, and even some of their meats because they have been so slammed. Best wishes to the owners in their well-deserved retirement!
Wednesday, December 07, 2022
TOUGH TIMES FOR BERTUCCI'S
Newington, CT location that is now closed.
Bertucci's has filed for bankruptcy and is closing a number of restaurants. The Italian chain sites Covid-19 and inflation for declining sales and an increase in expenses. In Massachusetts, restaurants in North Attleboro, Beverly, Brockton, Canton and Marlborough have closed. In New Hampshire, Bertucci's in Manchester and Salem were closed. Only the Nashua location remains in New Hampshire. 20 Bertucci's in Massachusetts will remain open, along with 11 others on the East Coast. Bertucci's also filed for bankruptcy in 2018. The restaurant got its start in Somerville in 1981.
Update: Sadly, the first location I ever went to decades ago has closed. Their spot in Newington, Connecticut.
Thursday, September 03, 2020
THE CORONAVIRUS TAKES ITS TOLL ON MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANTS
Add Sky Restaurant in Norwood, Massachusetts to the long list of restaurants that has closed permanently because of struggles from the coronavirus. The restaurant was in business for nearly 20 years. It was known for its gigantic Sunday brunch buffet, which always included a chocolate fountain. The owner of Sky also owns 3 Restaurant in Franklin, which has a similar menu. Sky gift cards are also being honored there.
It's been a brutal week for restaurants in and around Boston. The Fours closed its popular location near the TD Garden. LIR on Boylton Street in Boston is closing. Legal Test Kitchen in the Seaport closed after 15 years in business. The Friendly Toast shut down their popular spot in Cambridge. Anna's Taqueria closed down their original location in Brookline after 25 years. In Hopkinton, Carbone's restaurant is closing after 87 years in business. The owners do hope to sell to new owners. And last week, Covid-19 forced Stellina Italian restaurant to close its doors in Watertown after 34 years.
Needless to say, support your favorite restaurants right now.
Tuesday, August 04, 2020
A COUPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS MOE'S CLOSE FOR GOOD
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| The Moe's that was in Foxboro. |
Monday, July 29, 2019
BOSTON'S "BABBO" TO CLOSE
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| Saying goodbye in September 2019 |
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| Babbo's Ricotta Gnocchi |
Babbo is known for its wood-fired pizzas, pastas and gelati. Batali got into the Boston restaurant scene for the first time with Babbo in 2015. He later divested his interests in Babbo and many other restaurants after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
Sunday, November 04, 2018
PAPA GINO’S ABRUPTLY CLOSES DOZENS OF LOCATIONS
UPDATE: Papa Gino's And D'Angelos have been sold to a new owner. It seems the weakest stores were closed. The remaining locations will be remodeled.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
GOODBYE TO GRAPPA
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| Grappa's Chocolate Bomba |
Eat Up NE had reservations. When we arrived on Saturday night, we were forced to wait with two other couples in the freezing cold entryway. The two servers were unfamiliar. 15 minutes went by and they paid no attention to us. When one of them finally checked in on us, her demeanor was cold. She told us we had to wait even longer. It didn't matter that it was Valentine's Day night and we had reservations. We left and ate somewhere else, promising we would never return. We never did.
Last week, it was reported that Grappa was shutting down. Eat Up NE is not at all surprised based on the last visit. Who knows what happened. It seems like there was new management in place. It's a shame. Grappa is a textbook example of how a perfectly good restaurant can go downhill so fast.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
SEVERAL PIZZERIA REGINA'S HAVE SHUT DOWN
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
THE FORUM IN BOSTON IS CLOSING
Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of FORUM Bar & Restaurant on March 1st. Boston Nightlife Ventures would like to offer our sincere gratitude to FORUM’s incredible staff and to each and every one of our patrons, from our regulars to those who came in after the marathon to show their support. We cried together, we smiled together—none of those times will be forgotten.
Unfortunately, the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent this year by nearly three times our current rate. This rent increase makes it financially impossible for Boston Nightlife Ventures to operate and sustain a business at a location that means so much to us and to our city. Out of enduring respect for the events surrounding our brief but unforgettable history at 755 Boylston Street, Boston Nightlife Ventures has decided to retire the name FORUM.
Though FORUM must close, Boston Nightlife Ventures remains committed to investing in our city’s dining community. We look forward to using our resources and efforts to continue serving Boston at our existing locations—The Tap Trailhouse, Wink & Nod, Griddler’s Burgers and Dogs—and at exciting new concepts coming in 2015 and beyond. As owners and operators of multiple concepts, BNV is fortunately able to offer FORUM’s staff numerous opportunities to remain with our team.
We invite you to join us this week for one last hurrah before we close our doors following dinner service on Saturday, February 28th. For more information, please email us at info@forumboston.com
On behalf of everyone at Boston Nightlife Ventures, thank you to the city of Boston and its incredible residents. It is an honor to continue to serve you.
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
CRUMBS BAKE SHOP CLOSES ALL LOCATIONS!
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| The Crumbs shop at the Natick Mall |
In a statement to the Wall Street Journal Crumbs announced the sad news, "Regrettably Crumbs has been forced to cease operations and is immediately attending to the dislocation of its devoted employees while it evaluates its limited remaining options." Days ago, the chain was suspended from Nasdaq, which triggered a default on its debt. As of 8:45 am/ET on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, the Crumbs website was still up as if nothing had happened.
So, why did this popular cupcake shop lose it all? My educated guess: they expanded way too quickly. At first, Crumbs was an NYC thing. I would always stop by during a visit to the city and get my favorite, the Baba Booey. But then, I noticed I could get the Baba Booey at Crumbs in Natick, Mass. Then, I could order it at a couple of locations in the Prudential Center in Boston. Crumbs quickly popped up at the Providence Place Mall in Rhode Island. Then, Westfarms Mall in Connecticut. You get the picture. Too many stores in too little time with too few customers. It's too bad. There's still hope that Crumbs will get it together. Maybe they will reopen a few of their NYC spots. For now, at least we will have Georgetown Cupcake.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
AU BON PAIN IN DEDHAM, MA ABRUPTLY CLOSES
Sunday, January 05, 2014
MORTENSEN'S: A CONNECTICUT TRADITION CLOSES
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| This picture was taken a few days before they closed. |
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| #7: Bacon & cheddar omelet with hash browns and an English muffin |
Mortensen's has been a favorite spot for my family for decades. We'd stop by for a sandwich and fries for dinner or a grilled cheese and bacon for lunch. For me, it was their breakfast that really put Mortensen's on the map. I loved their #7 breakfast special: a bacon & cheddar omelet with hash browns and your choice of toast. I always went for a grilled English muffin. Not only was their food great, but their staff couldn't have been any kinder. The same people, some of them members of the Mortensen family, worked there for years. You could always count on seeing them and catching up. It's no wonder why so many people were so sad to see a place like this go.
I ordered my last #7 on December 30. We hugged our waitress. My grandmother even took a picture with her. We were far from alone. Many of the regular customers were there doing the same thing. This spring, a Moe's Southwest Grille will open up where Mortensen's has stood for so long. In the back of the restaurant, will be Mortensen's ice cream. They also have another location in Cromwell, Connecticut that serves ice cream and the family has said they hope to open a few more ice cream shops. Mortensen's Restaurant: thank you for all of the wonderful meals and memories.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
HEARTH 'N KETTLE IN ATTLEBORO, MA CLOSES
Saturday, May 11, 2013
GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE ON NEWBURY STREET IN BOSTON
If you haven't been, prepare to be overwhelmed by a huge selection of cupcakes. It's impossible to decide on just one and tough to pick out a half dozen. You really want to try them all. Georgetown Cupcake has several flavors that you can pick up everyday. There bake several chocolate cupcakes, from chocolate birthday and chocolate & vanilla to double milk birthday chocolate and chocolate ganache. There's also red velvet and vanilla & chocolate. There are special cupcakes made each day of the week. Depending on the day you visit, you can get carrot, mint cookies & cream, pumpkin spice, lemon berry, maple, mocha, toffee crunch, cookie & creme and peanut butter fudge cupcakes. They also offer up vegan and gluten-free cupcakes including the vegan apple cinnamon and gluten-free chocolate coconut. See why it's so hard to decide on just one or two cupcakes? Be sure to pick up their daily cupcake menu so you know what varieties are available when you visit.
Cupcakes are $2.75 each. The cake is rich and moist. So many cupcake shops have a tendency to put way too much sugary frosting on top. It overpowers the cupcake. Not at Georgetown Cupcake. The frosting is spread to perfection.
There are only a few other Georgetown Cupcake shops in the country - Washington, D.C., NYC, Los Angeles and Bethesda, MD. We're lucky to have one in New England. There's a reason everyone's buzzing about Georgetown Cupcake. These cupcakes are the real deal.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
RUN TO WHETSTONE STATION IN BRATTLEBORO, VT! (Now closed)
You don't get more Vermont than this place. Whetstone is right on the waterfront with beautiful outdoor views no matter where you sit. There's also a roaring fireplace in the middle of the restaurant, which is perfect during the chilly winter months.
The food at Whetstone just couldn't be any better. I had a grilled cheese & bacon with fries for lunch. This was no ordinary grilled cheese. It was stuffed full of bacon, Vermont cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Cream cheese! So good. Somehow, I still had room for dessert, so I ordered the "46 Carat," that delicious slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting pictured below.
There's something for everyone on their menu. Hearty burgers, mac & cheese, scallops, salmon and plenty of vegetarian options. They also serve up a cheddar ale soup with Vermont Grafton cheddar cheese and Switchback Ale, which I'm dying to try next time.
Ahh, ale. That brings us to their drink menu. There are cocktails and wine, but it's their beer that's putting Whetstone Station on the map. They offer an extensive menu of local craft beers. From Narragansett to their exclusive Whetstone Cider Works, there are a variety of craft beers on tap and in bottles. They even have several types of gluten free beers. This spring, Whetstone is promising something extra special. They are launching their own in house nano-brewery.
If you're ever anywhere new Brattleboro, Vermont, do yourself a favor and stop in for lunch or dinner at Whetstone Station. It's an Eat Up New England Favorite and will be one of your favorites, too!
