After a dismal week last week, there is much to report today. Lots of openings, just one closing, and an odd focus on chains. Let’s ch-ch-ch-check it out.
Openings
•Chowhound alerted us to the fact that the old site of the Greenhouse Coffee Shop in Harvard Square will soon be replaced with a new spot from the owners of Audubon Circle and Cambridge 1. No word yet on the theme, but we’re going to guess it will be science-y.
•Italian restaurants are the new burrito joints in Davis Square, or so it seems now that new spot Alfresco has joined more established restaurants like Sagra and La Spina. Early reviews seem to be mixed but fairly promising.
•The Harvard Crimson reports that the possibly-cursed former home of Conundrum and Cafe Iruña now houses Small Plates, a sort of pan-Mediterranean wine bar/tapas spot. We wish it the best of luck. God knows they’ll need it in that space.
•The gentrification of East Boston continues at breakneck speed. The Hubster reports that Starbucks is getting ready to open a branch on McClellan Highway. Word on the street is that a drive through window will be involved.
•According to Chowhound, Papa Razzi will be opening in the Newbury Street space recently vacated by TGI Friday’s. When we called the Back Bay Restaurant Group to verify, they were “unable to confirm.” As always, we shall remain on the case.
Closings
•Chowhound reports that the Saugus branch of Famous Dave’s, the barbecue chain with truly terrifying signage, has shuttered. Chain BBQ enthusiasts must now travel to the other Massachusetts location in Braintree.
[Photo: Flickr: cperfetti]
