Hotel Commonwealth underwent a serious renovation, complete with a new wing that nearly doubled the size of the luxe Kenmore Square hotel. Highlights of the project take advantage of the hotel’s location near Fenway Park. The new Fenway Park Suite is decorated with Red Sox memorabilia, and a 1,500-square-foot terrace overlooks the ballpark. The outdoor space holds 250 guests for receptions or seats 100. The renovation finished in January.
Located on Boston’s desirable Long Wharf, State Street Provisions is a 160-seat restaurant in a rustic yet sophisticated environment. Reminiscent of a historic Boston tavern, the venue opened in December and serves contemporary dishes such as a quinoa fritter sandwich with cauliflower kimchi and harissa aioli. It has a 400-square-foot private event space for 40 seated guests but can expand the space to 700 square feet to accommodate groups of as many as 65. The private space also has audiovisual capabilities, including a drop-down projector with audio.
SRV, a Venetian-style Bacaro, opened January 18 in the South End neighborhood. Serving shareable dishes like house-made pastas, risotto, proteins, and fish, the restaurant includes an 80-seat dining room, a spacious bar area with seating for 20 guests, and a lush outdoor dining space on a wooden deck for 50. For private dining, there is an 800-square-foot private event space that seats 50 guests or holds 70 for receptions.
In December, the public rowing club Community Rowing opened up its new indoor rowing studio for private events. Located on the second floor of the Harry Parker Boathouse, the 500-square-foot space is available for drop-in rowing classes or for private events. For private event rental, it seats 35 theater-style or holds 50 for receptions. Teambuilding sessions for as many as 12 people are available, with classes taught by rowers training for the United States Olympic team.
In January, the popular Inman Square restaurant Puritan & Company took over the space next door, adding a 600-square-foot private dining room that seats 30 or holds 40 for cocktails. The soft blue walls and hardwood floors are a welcoming setting, and catering options include prix-fixe, à la carte, or buffet-style dining. Other amenities include a small service bar and its own sound system.
Chef and World Barbecue champion Andy Husbands will open Smoke Shop in early spring. Housed in the former Tommy Doyle’s space in Cambridge, the 5,000-square-foot restaurant has undergone complete reconstruction and will provide event spaces that will hold as many as 200. There will be two spaces for semiprivate events: one in the traditional dining room for 34 guests, and another for 65 guests that combines the bar space and high-top tables. A seasonal patio will accommodate 40.
Southern fare is headed to Assembly Row with Southern Kin Cookhouse, a comfortable new venue slated to open in the spring. The menu will feature more than 100 American whiskeys and comfort food such as pulled pork biscuits. The 5,000-square-foot space, equipped with audiovisual capabilities, will seat about 100 guests in an environment of reclaimed wood and crimson textures and accents. In nicer weather, a wraparound patio will hold more than 60 guests.
The first brick-and-mortar location for Bread & Salt Hospitality, Juliet is a highly anticipated Union Square hot spot. The small 19-seat eatery plans to provide “high-quality food that can be enjoyed in a casual setting” with options such as tartines, egg sandwiches, and lobster sandwiches with mirepoix and brown-butter mayonnaise on saffron brioche. The 1,000-square-foot restaurant is expected to open in late winter and will be available for full buyouts.
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is taking his popular coffee line and expanding into the café business. Located at the intersection of Routes 1 and 1A, the 1,500-square-foot Joey Kramer’s Rockin’ and Roastin’ Cafe will appeal to the breakfast crowd. Opening in early April, it will offer diverse coffee options alongside fresh baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. The venue seats about 20 people. A seasonal patio spanning an additional 1,500 square feet will seat 22.
The beloved Boston chain Tasty Burger is continuing its expansion with its sixth location in up-and-coming Dudley Square. Measuring 3,400-square-feet, the new location opened earlier this month in the historic Bolling Building next to the Dudley bus terminal and serves its trademark burgers, hot dogs, crispy chicken, shakes, and beer and wine. A unique extra: a custom Dudley-Square-theme mural by local artists. The restaurant seats 120 guests.
