January 2020 openings and closings [Boston and New England]

[passing_thru]

Salt & Olive in Harvard Square will close by the end of February

yeah, their move to the Garage never seemed like a great idea. (I always think of this space as the old Coffee Connection location, but that just shows how far I go back). I could never see that spot as a place where many people would go to buy high end grocery goods.

[Ferrari328 (Peter Sward)]

I’m not surprised. Tried twice to go for lunch not that long ago, and the restaurant never opened.

[kobuta]

Kind of in the same vein, where do Boston folks get their high quality single origin olive oil locally? We almost blew through a gallon from California in ~1 month. Not sustainable or smart to get that shipped to us every month. I’d much rather get it locally. I’ve been disappointed in some Greek specimens at Sophia’s. I can start a separate thread but using @uni’s post as a placeholder.

I’m happy with my Costco EVOO, but won’t be single origin. I would try Boston Olive Oil company on Newbury Street in the Back Bay. I’ve never purchased from there myself, but it looks like the type of place where you kind find the high-end and high-quality oils.

EDIT: And on that note, I see their website also reads fine balsamic vinegar.

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

I’ve been disappointed in some Greek specimens at Sophia’s

I have been buying Greek oil at Sophia’s North, which they decant from the big stainless jug into a bottle when you buy it. If they have the same oil at the main Sophia’s in Belmont, they’ll let you taste a swig before purchasing. We’re into our second bottle and happy. It’s my go-to for now.

My husband liked the New England Olive Oil Company in Concord though I wasn’t as enthusiastic. None of the varieties we tried from there had enough presence for me. (I can’t remember clearly enough—and can’t trace back to my original source— but seem to recall that at least a few independent olive oil shops in our area are supplied by a company called Veronica Foods?)

I was happy with the Kirkland Tuscan oil from Costco when we were members. There are some other pricer oils that I like, which therefore aren’t normal household staples (Alizari from France and Merula from Spain—Formaggio Kitchen stuff).

[GretchenS]

Grassona’s in Brookline is closing

Per Eater, Grassona’s will be replaced by Ivory Pearl from cocktail guy Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar).

[uni]

I’m happy with my Costco EVOO

This is my main source of EVOO as well. Specifically the 1 liter glass bottles of Kirkland signature Italian olive oil. It is better quality that what I consider day to day oilve oil, but at that price you don’t have to worry about it. I can use it in all purposes. In the summer I generally might buy a small bottle of a special finishing oil from somewhere like Formaggio for the really good tomatoes from the garden.

I would try Boston Olive Oil company on Newbury Street

Yes, thanks for the reminder, their balsimic is good for every day use and the price not outrageous.

[uni]

I’ve played in the band often for over 20 years.

I’m sure we’ve enjoyed your music at some point then. Thank you!

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

This is my main source of EVOO as well. Specifically the 1 liter glass bottles of Kirkland signature Italian olive oil. It is better quality that what I consider day to day oilve oil, but at that price you don’t have to worry about it. I can use it in all purposes. In the summer I generally might buy a small bottle of a special finishing oil from somewhere like Formaggio for the really good tomatoes from the garden.

We think alike! Having a staple olive oil + a finishing oil in the pantry is what works for us too.

P.S. We don’t buy salad dressing as a result. And that is how I justify my fancy oil when I buy some.

[uni]

We don’t buy salad dressing as a result. And that is how I justify my fancy oil when I buy some.

Absolutely! Some good olive oil and a jar of dijon mustard obviates the need for bottled salad dressing for me.

[nonaggie]

I can’t remember clearly enough—and can’t trace back to my original source— but seem to recall that at least a few independent olive oil shops in our area are supplied by a company called Veronica Foods?

I currently have a bottle of olive oil from Salt & Olive that indeed says “Supplied by Veronica Foods”. I would love to know what other area stores are supplied by them, as I really liked one of the oils we got at Salt & Olive. I will miss that store!

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

@nonaggie, you would need to verify this with the stores but my hunch is that Boston Olive Oil Company, New England Olive Oil Company (Concord) could be among those supplied by Veronica Foods.

Possible leads but not verified by me.

[uni]

my hunch is that Boston Olive Oil Company, New England Olive Oil Company (Concord) could be among those supplied by Veronica Foods.

The bottles look the same

[nonaggie]

@nonaggie, you would need to verify this with the stores but my hunch is that Boston Olive Oil Company, New England Olive Oil Company (Concord) could be among those supplied by Veronica Foods.

@tomatotomato, thanks for the tip. I just looked at their websites, and New England Olive Oil Company has the oil I liked (a Picual from Oro Bailen), so I think you’re right that they’re also supplied by Veronica Foods. (But the listing on their website says the oil was crushed in October 2017, which is rather old at this point. Perhaps the site is just out of date. Anyway, I will definitely check them out when I’m in need of a new bottle of oil.)

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

99 Ranch Market opens in Quincy on January 18 at 9 AM, says their ad in The Boston Globe.

Address: 475 Hancock Street, Quincy MA 02171

[kobuta]

Yeah, I posted about this a few weeks ago.

My mom actually popped in on Wednesday, when they had a soft opening. My mom speaks very little English. My mom definitely said it feels like a “Western supermarket” (I suppose she means it’s cleaner, the layout is more organized, etc.). She bought a fish, and was offered to have this fried up at no cost so my mom gave it a try. Apparently this fry service is free.

I tried her fried fish, and while the fry job was fine, it had no seasoning - just the whole fish dunked in. May be of limited use if you’re there buying whole fish, but it is nice to at least have that option.

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

^ Plus thanks to you and your Mom, now there’s already intel on the board about 99 Ranch!

[nonaggie]

Flat Patties (Harvard Square) is closed

This is apparently not new news, but the Harvard Crimson says Flat Patties will be replaced by a second location of Fóumami.

Asian Sandwich Shop Fóumami to Replace Flat Patties | News | The Harvard Crimson

(I’ve never been to the original Fóumami; has anyone here?)

[Ruprecht]

I worked in the South Station area for a number of years and used to go to that Foumami pretty regularly, and would do so still if I had one nearby. The closest comparison I can make is to Num Pang in the Prudential Mall. Tasty, somewhat different options than the “base + protein + sauce” bowl factories which are everywhere, but not something I would make a special trip for.

I was particularly fond of Foumami’s bibimbap salad, and their shao bing bread, which they serve with everything is kind of like a scallion pancake in consistency.

[sunnyday]

99 Ranch instagram confirmed steaming/frying fish is free with purchase. They are already open today, but there are various prizes and goodie bags at stake for tomorrow and Sunday (and lion dances and DJ and family activities…) so expect a huge crowd with grand opening/Chinese New Year next weekend.

[honkman]

She bought a fish, and was offered to have this fried up at no cost so my mom gave it a try. Apparently this fry service is free.

Ranch99 (and most other Asian supermarkets at least in California) clean, filet, fry, stream etc your whole fish for free. (I never looked for it but isn’t that also the case in Boston ?)