Italian place closed (porter-esque)

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

Maybe old news - but I (finally!) got back to the gym at Ballys in Porter and noticed that the Italian restaurant there is closed/for sale - it's another Boston Restaurant Group production. They have a sign saying they are moving to.... I forget. Backbay? Didn't BRG do Sauce?

I never eat at the place in Porter so don't know if it sucked or not but for some reason it seems a tough location. That mall overall is pretty weird and lifeless considering how many food places are in there (some of them quite good).

It's like the ghost of Sears past lurks there... ;-)

Comments

Acutally.

[kyroraz.livejournal.com]

I kinda like some of the food places in that mall. You can't beat Cho-Chos ... or Blue Fin if you have the cash.

Re: Acutally.

[sarah-raz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. But the OP is right, that mall can be weirdly lifeless.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I also get a creeped out vibe from that 'mall'.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

Rustic Kitchen is the place that is relocating. It got good reviews on a regular basis, and I believe that it's relocating only so that it can expand its business.

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

is that like retiring to spend more time with one's family?

(Sort of weird to expand over in Boston)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Rustic Kitchen had wonderful food, though expensive. They would do better on Newbury Street or in Harvard Square.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I really think they were just aiming for the wrong demographic with that space. I'm sure if they put in something decent but more moderately priced, it might do okay.

I do miss that french Bisto place, though.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Well, they do have a location down at Fanueil Hall, so I think they covered that space. The Porter Mall was just not a good location for a trendy restaurant.

[spettacolo.livejournal.com]

The Faneuil Hall location closed over a year ago.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I really liked Rustic Kitchen, though we never thought to go there a lot. It wasn't a great location for them.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

From their website:

"Rustic Kitchen is located in Hingham at the Derby Street Shoppes, and in Cambridge at Porter Square. Our newest restaurant location will open in Boston at Park Square in the Fall of 2006 and feature an enclosed Garden Lounge, 200 seat Bistro and Bar, a Tuscan Dining room, a private Wine Cellar Dining room and Live Broadcast Studio Kitchen."

It sounds like maybe they're closing down the Porter location as they get ready to open the Park Square one? I dunno...haven't seen the Park Square site yet.

[azores.livejournal.com]

Yes, I walked from Davis Sq to Rustic Kitchen a few weeks ago intent on enjoying some of the better martinis this side of the Charles (you know they're good when they have slivers of ice in 'em), and was crushed to find them shuttered, although their outdoor patio furniture was still outside, unsecured, oddly enough.

I always liked Rustic Kitchen and, albeit a bit expensive, they did things very well, particularly their homemade pasta dishes. This location is a bit of a black hole for eateries- I wasn't too sorry to see the French bistro, Metro, go (it was a little too pretentious for it's own good- I mean, not offering a single domestic beer on tap? Come on.), and haven't recollected a restaurant making a go of it for any extended run since Coyote Cafe was there 8 years ago or so.

As an aside, one thing I haven't been able to figure out is the core of pure-play Japanese businesses that are in the Porter Square Mall, primarily in the basement. It's strange because outside of that building, there is no concentrated Asian "neighborhood" that would seem to complement it. I think it's great, but am really interested in how that enclave developed, if anyone knows.

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

wow - I haven't recalled Coyote Cafe for.... maybe 8 years. They did seem to do pretty well.

that mall probably survives esp. because it serves a specific group - with the street face being Gap + City Sports it's not very inviting. All the little stands and noodle places inside have a bit of William Gibson/post-apocalypse re-purposed office building feel - like they all set up shop in an abandoned office building.

Speaking of lifeless malls... does anyone go to the mall that hold the Chicago Pizza/Blockbuster etc.?

[kglue.livejournal.com]

for me, that other mall = Anna's Taqueria (though not as efficient or inviting as the one in Davis)

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

I think people just use the outside entrances to those business more. It's a small enough mall-type-thing that there's not much use for the interior hallway. Sorts like the mall-type-thing in Harvard Sq. with Panang and the Swatch store--thriving businesses, empty interior corridors.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

What businesses are in the basement (other than Bally's)? I've never ventured down there except to the gym...

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

there is (or was) a Lesley U bookstore, bunch of offices - not on the ballys side - but on the other side.

I wonder if development of the 'mall' aspect has been restricted because they have many business/academic tenants there as well.

[azores.livejournal.com]

There is a virtual warren of authentic japanese noodle restaurants down there (or, never having been to Japan, at least I think they are authentic since they are heavily patronized by many Japanese, whom I assume know a thing or two about that stuff.) There are also a number of Japanese businesses on the main floor as well.