The Bel-Aire Diner May Open Once Again in Peabody

A diner in Peabody that had been open for more than 50 years until closing a few years ago may open again if things go as planned. According to an article in the Boston Globe, the Bel-Aire Diner on Route 1 (just north of the Route 128 exit) may indeed become part of a truck stop based on a proposal that could bring the restaurant, an all-night convenience store, and a gas station to the space.

The Globe article mentions that it has been difficult to fill many of the vacant spots in the Peabody stretch of Route 1 during recent times, while further south, the Saugus stretch generally seems to be doing better. The article also states that the owner of the site could receive financing for the project very soon, with work on the spot possibly beginning before the winter.

The address for the former (and possibly future) Bel-Aire Diner is 131 Newbury Street (Route 1) in Peabody.

For more information on the possible reopening of the Bel-Aire Diner in Peabody, please go to the Boston Globe link below:

Hoping for a revival

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Plans for a New Restaurant and Bar in Weston Center Voted Down

A plan to bring a restaurant to an historic building in Weston Center looks like it is not going to happen, at least for now. According to the Boston Globe, the proposal to bring an upscale restaurant, bar, and function space to the Josiah Smith Tavern and Barn on Boston Post Road (near where School Street and Church Street meet) was voted down at a Town Meeting session last Monday. (The vote was centered around getting additional funds to help build the restaurant.) The Globe article states that the Old Library, which is next door to the Josiah Smith Tavern and Barn had also been included as part of the proposed renovation project, with office space being added to the building. The vote was 545-to-435.

There is no word at the present time as to what might happen with the space, which is about a block north of Route 20 and across from Larson Park in the center of town.

For more information on the defeat of a proposed plan to bring a restaurant to Weston, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

Weston restaurant plan appears defeated

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Mill City Gourmet in Lawrence Has Become Wichit

A cafe in Lawrence that has been serving breakfast and lunch to both locals and nearby workers for several years has changed its name and menu, and renovated its interior. Mill City Gourmet in the Everett Mills complex on Union Street became Wichit earlier this fall (same ownership) and now focuses more on organic foods and sandwiches, though some items from the Mill City Gourmet's menu are still offered. A press release put out by Wichit states that the rebranded cafe is now doing online ordering and also offers catering.

The menu at Wichit includes pulled pork breakfast burritos, frittatas, angus steak chili, a roast turkey Cobb salad, sweet potato fries, and a number of sandwiches (Cubano, chicken katsu, angus burger, ham and egg, and several others).

On a side note, Mill City Gourmet was a restaurant that we had featured on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site. We will be heading to Wichit soon to check out the spot, but in the meantime, if you would like to read our old Mill City Gourmet review, here it is:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/MillCityGourmet.html

Hours for Wichit are 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday (it is closed on weekends). The address is: Wichit, 15 Union Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840. The phone number is (978) 794-0199. And the website is at: http://www.wichitsandwich.com/

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More Restaurant Openings: Robinwood Cafe and Grille, Olde Boston Cafe

It looks like a couple more dining spots will be coming to Boston, though very little information can be found on either place at the present time.

According to EveryBlock Boston, the Robinwood Cafe and Grille will be moving into the spot in Jamaica Plain that was formerly occupied by Planet Pizza. A regular poster on the Chowhound site mentions that the new restaurant moving into the space at 536 Centre Street has booths and hardwood floors and will be serving breakfast and lunch, with dinner possibly offered as well. The Robinwood Cafe and Grille looks like it may be ready to open fairly soon, so we'll try to post an update here as soon as possible.

EveryBlock Boston also lists another new dining spot possibly on the way, this one apparently coming to downtown Boston. The place will be called the Olde Boston Cafe, and it is looking to open up at 82 Water Street, which is less than a block east of Post Office Square in the Financial District. The 82 Water Street address is where a location of Boloco used to be, so perhaps the Olde Boston Cafe may be moving into this spot. Again, as we receive updates, we will post them here.

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Caffe Graffiti Is Open Once Again in the North End

An Italian cafe in the North End of Boston that closed about two years ago has reopened in a new spot. Caffe Graffiti, which had been located on Hanover Street until 2007, recently opened its doors on Cross Street where Martignetti Liquors used to be. The new Caffe Graffiti looks to feature more in the way of food, with sit-down service in its dining room and lunch and dinner entrees offered.

Caffe Graffiti had shut its doors around the end of 2007 after being in business since 1991. Their old spot at 307 Hanover Street has been home to Ristorante Damiano since 2008.

Hours for the new Caffe Graffiti are 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Sundays.

The address for this reopened spot in the North End is: Caffe Graffiti, 64 Cross Street, Boston, MA, 02113. The phone number is (617) 367-3016. And the website is at: http://www.caffegraffiti.com/

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Red Mango Is Opening at Symphony Plaza in Boston

A rapidly growing chain of nonfat frozen yogurt stores is getting ready to open its first New England location this weekend.

According to a press release from Dennehy Public Relations, Red Mango is opening at Symphony Plaza on Mass. Ave. in Boston on Saturday, December 5. The grand opening will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, with free yogurt being offered. There will also be a DJ and some giveaways. [NOTE: There was apparently a "soft opening" last weekend for Red Mango in Boston, but this weekend will indeed be the grand opening. Thanks to both Citysearch Boston and Laura--one of our readers--for clarifying this.]

The Dallas-based Red Mango started out in 2007 and has since grown to include more than 50 stores in a handful of states across the country. Until now, the closest Red Mango locations to Boston have been in New York and New Jersey.

Hours for Red Mango will be 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The address will be: Red Mango, 334 Massachusetts Avenue (Symphony Plaza), Boston, MA, 02115. The phone number is (857) 366-4116. And the Facebook page for the Boston location is: http://www.facebook.com/redmangoboston

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