As is the annual tradition of Eater, we conclude 2020 by researching local food writers (including our own staff and contributors) on various restaurant-related topics, and we publish their answers on these last days of the year. (Keep an eye on the Archive Page of the Year in Eater for future posts in this series.)
The survey questions obviously look a little different this year, but we wanted to continue the tradition as a way to highlight some of the restaurants that were there for us during this extraordinarily difficult year, as we look forward to better times in 2021.
Readers, please feel free to engage with your own thoughts by joining our Facebook group.
Following: What was the saddest restaurant closure in 2020?
MC Slim JB, restaurant critic at Boston.com (currently pandemic interrupted):
‘This is a December 2020 snapshot, because I’m afraid we’ll still have to close numerous places I love, but I’ll take note of a few that are very close to home. China King, the Shinong-style Chinatown venue of the beloved Doris Huang and her family, has always done the best traditional three-course Beijing duck dinner in the city. After reviewing it for the Boston Phoenix in 2012, I dived deeper into it for the Taste Trekkers podcast. It did not hurt that I considered the Beijing duck meal (with homemade noodles for the second course) as one of the tastiest bargains in Boston. I sincerely hope that Doris can finally return to another place.
The other is the Hotel Commonwealth trio of Eastern Standard Kitchen, Island Creek Oyster Bar and the Hawthorne (one of my very favorite bars), although it was not sure I was looking at it last time, it looks like it was by a unwilling landlord has been undone. . I have given many grateful things to the three standouts over the years, and I will be inconsolable with their loss. I feel happy that I had to hold a big birthday dinner at ESK early in the year. That place is so damn versatile, doing so many things right for such a wide variety of audiences that closing it would leave a huge void in our dining room.
I will also feel the Automatic (a wonderful little bar with an old-fashioned setting despite being only a few years old), Stoddard’s (a fantastic beer bar in DTX with excellent cocktails and atmosphere), Café Polonia (a rare outpost in Boston , mis). of Central European fare, with modest, fine Polish cuisine on Andrew Square), and Taranta (one of the few places I loved in the North End, and occasionally served innovative Italians with Peruvian touch from time to time.) RIP, everything. ”
MC encourages readers to consider donating Community Service, the Greater Boston Food Bank, Restaurant Worker Mutual Aid of Greater Boston, and community refrigerator programs in your area.
Erin Kuschner, food writer for Boston.com:
“Under the circumstances, every closure of the restaurant in 2020 was a real blow. I think a lot of people feel especially sad about the restaurants that make up their own neighborhood, and Bella Luna and the Milky Way and the Frogmore were extra gloomy for me. ”
Erin encourages readers to consider donating Boston Black Hospitality Coalition and Project restores us.
Marc Hurwitz, founder of Boston’s Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Conversation, food writer for Grawe Boston and NBC Boston/NECN:
‘Do you have an hour? Seriously, everyone is incredibly sad, but the one that probably hit me the hardest was Bella Luna / Milky Way in JP. Great people, excellent food, an excellent list of drinks, a patio that was perfect for a hot summer night, and greatest of all, a place that caters to those in the world of music, dance and art. This closure absolutely crushed me. ”
Marc encourages readers to consider donating Arlington Eats and Haley House.
Joel Ang, Staff Writer for The infatuation:
“Eastern Standard is particularly difficult to process, but Deep Ellum, the Automatic, and Bukowski’s in Inman Square were also all personal favorites.”
Joel encourages readers to donate Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.
JQ Louise, lifestyle blogger behind JQLouise.com and food editor at DIG Boston:
“Unfortunately, there are too many closures to count this year. It feels like forever that Top of the Hub announced that they would close, and China King announced this week that they would only serve until NYE and during the entire pandemic we saw Bar Boulud, Kamakura and Gaslight close. ”
JQ encourages readers to donate Project restores us.
Eric Twardzik, freelance writer and contributor to the food lenses, Boston.com, DIG Boston, en Resy:
‘The automatic. It was the kind of place where you could relax with a cheap beer and a shot or a well-made cocktail. That combination does not sound revolutionary, but it is getting harder and harder to find. ”
Eric encourages readers to consider donating the Greg Hill Foundation and the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Samer Khudairi, contributor to Eat Boston, Grawe Boston, and more:
Deep Ellum. The announcement of Deep Ellum’s closure was placed in late May. It was one of the first public closures of a prominent restaurant in Boston and predicted the unfortunate decisions for many businesses. ‘
Samer encourages readers to consider donating MassUndocuFund.
Nathan Tavares, freelance writer and culture writer for WBUR:
“I’m really going to miss slurping the big bowls of ramen that Moe Kuroki served at Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go downtown.”
Nathan encourages readers to consider donating Restaurant Worker Mutual Assistance from Greater Boston and your refrigerators in the local community.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal, editor of Eat Boston:
‘I felt a little uncomfortable including this question in this year’s survey; I think it is safe to say that everyone has been devastated by the large number of closures this year, and every closure is sad. But I wanted to give us some space to mourn a few places that meant something special to each of us in a personal way – without any intention for all the other closings of the year.
I was particularly shocked to see the ambitious Kamakura close this year; I think it’s brought something new to the table in terms of Boston’s prestigious Japanese cuisine, and I’m looking forward to seeing what chef and owner Youji Iwakura does next.
It happened pre-pandemic, but I was also disappointed that Tim Maslow’s creative South End spot Whaling in Oklahoma closed. (And for the record, though some people think the name was silly, I loved its absurdity.) But now he has a weekly delivery service for prepared food, pantry, seafood and more, and it’s definitely worth it. to check.
And as a Somerville resident, I’ve felt the loss of music venues like Bull McCabe’s and Once this year, and like every local music lover, I’m afraid these closures (and a few others already reported this year) are just the one. tip of the iceberg for the closure of the performing arts, many of which cannot switch to alternative revenue streams such as food supply. ”
Rachel encourages readers to consider donating Project bread en a community closet in your area.