Restaurant Openings and Closings in Arlington, Somerville, Medford and Belmont
A look at the area restaurant scene.
Arlington
A new restaurant is coming to East Arlington. Menotomy Grill and Tavern, which is set for the old Hollywood Video space at 25 Massachusetts Ave., received operating and all-alcohol licenses last week from the Board of Selectmen. The roughly 150-seat restaurant is being proposed by Arlington resident Billy Lyons, of Scituate Street, who most recently managed the Black Horse Tavern in Winchester. The restaurant could be up and running as soon as November. Read more.
On the other side of town, The Savory Plate, at 1346 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington Heights, is adding outdoor seating. Read more.
Also, in more food news in town, Whole Foods is looking to buy or lease the Johnnie’s Foodmaster on Massachusetts Avenue, according to Boston.com. The Texas-based upscale supermarket chain is in talks to acquire six of the 10 Johnnie’s Foodmaster locations – Arlington, Brookline, Charlestown, Melrose, South Weymouth and on Beacon Street in Somerville – the news site reported. It’s not yet known whether the sites would be run as Johnnie’s or Whole Foods if the deal goes through, according to the report. Read more.
Somerville
Since our last restaurant roundup, a barbecue joint in Somerville’s Union Square opened and then closed. Yes, it was a short run for The Bearded Pig, which lasted just three weeks at 445 Somerville Ave., as its owners were unable to “secure a new kitchen.” Read more.
Closer to Arlington, a new self-serve frozen yogurt shop (or “froyo” shop if you will) opened in Davis Square. iYo Cafe, at 234 Elm St., allows customers to fill their own oversized cups and add their toppings, just like the relatively new Orange Leaf in Lexington Center. Read more.
Medford
Bestsellers Cafe, at 24 High St. in Medford Square, finally reopened recently after five years of renovations. The cafe doubles as an independent bookstore. Read more.
Belmont
In early August, Cafe Burrito, Belmont’s first Mexican eatery, opened at 374 Trapelo Road. Read more.