Restaurant News: Burgers, Pizza and Pubs

Have you noticed a new restaurant while driving around the MetroWest area recently? We know you don't just stay in town when you want to eat out so here is a round-up of restaurant news around the area.

Shrewsbury

Upgrades made to KFC/Taco Bell and India Cafe; B.Good opening

The upgrades to existing restaurants and the addition of B.Good, a burger chain, will make White City a more updated destination along Route 9 East.

Holliston

Mangia Pizza Opens in Holliston

Located across the street from Bertucci's, Mangia offers takeout with unique toppings, including shrimp and clams.

Grafton

New Deli Replacing Branded Bear

After months of vacancy, the location that once housed the Branded Bear will become Bushel 'N Peck, another deli. 

Northborough

Qdoba Heading to Northborough Crossing

Soon, you will be able to grab a stuffed burrito or a couple of tacos to fend off the hunger while shopping at Northborough Crossing.

Sea Dog Was Closed to Re-evaluate

Last month, many were shocked to hear that Sea Dog Steak & Ale had closed its doors. Less than two years old, the pub had struggled due to the often "unforgiving" world of restaurants, and an inability to overcome a bad reputation.

Sea Dog may just reopen under a new name, with a new brand and approach. We shall wait and see.

Westborough

Bagel Bistro Moving Across Street

Fear not, the local bagel place is not leaving Westborough; it's just moving. Bangkok Thai closed and Bagel Bistro will soon occupy the former Thai location.

Bangkok Thai Closes

The Bangkok Thai Restaurant has closed permanently because the owner/operator has been "running into some financial straits," his attorney said today.

"B.B." had "tried to get people interested in taking over his license, without any success," attorney John Matson said.

Selectmen OK Brewpub

Owen O'Leary's was approved to fill the vacanct location left by the Picadilly Pub. 

Marlborough

Bolton Tavern Opening

The site of the former Picadilly Pub would become the Bolton Street Tavern. The Stounaras' also own Morse Tavern in Natick.

Bar Pong Gone at Firefly's After Disturbance

You'll have to go someplace else if you want to engage in a game of bar pong. 

The games were held to draw people in during the week, he said. The game never involved alcohol in the cups, per state law, said Firefly's Manager Steven Uliss. 

The restaurant soon found people attending bar pong that did not fit with their target clientelle, he said.

“It was success and then we saw that the crowd that we saw coming into the rest was not the crowd we wanted,” said Uliss.

Framingham

Million Dollar Renovations and Name Change

La Cantina is now La Cantina Italiana Ristorante. Along with the millions of dollars spent on renovations, the landmark restaurant changed its name to better describe what it is.

"The change is so we don't get calls asking for tacos anymore," attorney Peter Barbieri joked.

Outback Steakhouse Announces Opening Date

Outback Steakhouse will open in the former Big Papi's location on Jan. 14.