TELL US: Bring Back Happy Hour?

Should happy hour come back to Massachusetts?

Is happy hour coming back to the Bay State? The 28-year-old “happy hour law” now banning Massachusetts bars and restaurants from pouring free, discounted or two-for-one alcoholic beverages in area restaurants may be updated so restaurants can compete with casinos that may one day be in the state. As part of the ban, cities and towns now rule that a beverage must be priced the same for each calendar week and two drinks can only be served per person at a restaurant. In addition, pitchers of alcohol can only be served to two or more people, according to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The ABCC will hold a hearing in Boston on Aug. 21. Four other hearings will be held throughout the state to gain public feedback.  According to an …

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Where Is the Best Place to Grab Lunch with Friends in Arlington?

Vote for your favorite spot in our Readers' Choice 2012.

Where Is the Best Place to Grab Takeout in Arlington?

Vote for your favorite spot in our Readers' Choice 2012.

What Is the Best Italian Restaurant in Arlington?

Five are vying for the title 'Arlington's best.'

What Is the Best Asian/Indian Restaurant in Arlington?

Fusion Taste, Punjab, Shanghai Village or Sweet Chili?

Restaurant Openings and Closings in Lexington, Belmont, Medford and Somerville

A look at the area restaurant scene.

Lexington A “paint-and-pour” business might be coming to Lexington Center. Stan Finch, a representative from Brush and Goblet, went before the town’s Board of Selectmen Monday to test the waters about his idea to pair art classes with beer and wine. “Paint-and-pour,” or “paint-and-sip,” establishments are more common in the South but have been coming to the Northeast, Finch told the board. The Paint Bar in Newton, Palettes in Natick and Paint ’n Pour in Maynard are a few examples in the Bay State. No specific locations for the Brush and Goblet were discussed at the meeting. Read more. Belmont A very large Subway opened in Belmont Center Wednesday. The Subway, at 59A Leonard St., the former site of TCBY, is more than 3,000 square feet, or …

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Photo of the Day: Coming Soon?

Arlington Patch's Photo of the day for Monday, July 23.

New Indian Restaurant Coming to Arlington Center. Have a photo worthy of our Photo of the Day? Email it to Arlington Patch Editor John Waller at john.waller@patch.com or upload it to our Pics & Clips Gallery.

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PHOTOS: The Four Arlington Restaurants Caught Serving Alcohol to Minors

The restaurants failed to pass an undercover test by police in late May.

Four Arlington restaurants were caught serving alcohol to minors during an undercover operation by police in late May. Kathmandu Spice, Sabzi, Sweet Chili and Manna Sushi all served beer to the minors who were working with police on Wednesday, May 30, without asking for ID, according to the police report. It was all four restaurants first offense. The owners of Kathmandu Spice, Sabzi and Sweet Chili appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Monday, and they all took full responsibility for their infractions. All three restaurants had their alcohol licenses suspended for three days by the board. The restaurants will serve their suspensions during the middle of the week, sometime in September. The restaurants will remain open during the …

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Four Eateries Coming Soon to Neighboring Belmont

Quebrada Baking Company, which has locations in East Arlington and Wellesley, has begun the permitting process with the Town of Belmont.

The smile on Ellen Carter's face was made up of one part anticipation, one part anxiety and one part seeing her dream of running her own eatery coming true as the Belmont Board of Selectmen approved her business license on Monday, July 2, to open the Sweet Peach Diner, Belmont's first Southern-style restaurant. And after the town OK'd a variance for a outdoor service and pickup window, Carter said the diner, located at the former Althos Diner at 628 Trapelo Rd. in Belmont, will be open for business on Wednesday, July 11, at 6 a.m. "We're crossing our fingers," said Carter, as she and three other eateries are moving forward with their plans to open shop in Belmont. In addition to Sweet Peach, Belmont Selectmen also approved a "Common …

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Broadway Diner Adding Outdoor Seating

Would you like to see more outdoor seating in Arlington?

Broadway Diner was granted outdoor seating Monday by the Board of Selectmen. The East Arlington diner, at 117 Broadway, plans to have four, two-person tables on its front sidewalk sometime soon, owner Carolina Guerrero told the board. She said neighboring residents and business owners have been excited about the idea. “Everybody loves it,” she said. “They think it’ll create visibility for the area.” Selectman Joseph Curro Jr. said he had heard similar comments. “People have told me they’re looking forward to it,” he said. Since the diner is at its seating capacity of about 50, Guerrero said eight seats will be removed from inside the restaurant to accommodate the change. The tables will be on Guerrero’s private property, not the public …

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