Rachel Leah Blumenthal
@blumie625.bsky.social
Food editor of Boston magazine. Also: musician, cookbook enthusiast, succulent enthusiast/killer.
Mainly posting about food, parenting, and whatever I see in my wanderings around Greater Boston.
Mainly posting about food, parenting, and whatever I see in my wanderings around Greater Boston.
Cafe Sushi reopens its dining room in #Cambridge tomorrow, finally! Get the details in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social. (Spoiler alert: no more omakase. But we're digging the new sake bar vibes and look forward to the new era!)
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Cambridge Icon Cafe Sushi Enters a New Era
Farewell to omakase; hello to a sake bar.
www.bostonmagazine.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Cafe Sushi reopens its dining room in #Cambridge tomorrow, finally! Get the details in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social. (Spoiler alert: no more omakase. But we're digging the new sake bar vibes and look forward to the new era!)
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Brassica is as important to the Boston dining scene as it is hard to define. ("Italian-ish/Japanese-ish; French roots; fermentation/upcycling" *sort of* gets there.) Learn about its evolution in a new space in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Fermentation, Fried Chicken, and Fun: Brassica 2.0 Thrives
The quirky JP restaurant moved next door, and the evolution adds pizza.
www.bostonmagazine.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Brassica is as important to the Boston dining scene as it is hard to define. ("Italian-ish/Japanese-ish; French roots; fermentation/upcycling" *sort of* gets there.) Learn about its evolution in a new space in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
What do Cuban sandwich-inspired rangoons, secret entrances, and the 1994 blockbuster movie "The Mask" have in common? Cambridge's CocoMango Speakeasy, aiming to transport patrons from 2025 to 1925. My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Cambridge Has a New Hidden Cocktail Bar
CocoMango Speakeasy serves Caribbean-Asian small plates, 1920s vibes.
www.bostonmagazine.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
What do Cuban sandwich-inspired rangoons, secret entrances, and the 1994 blockbuster movie "The Mask" have in common? Cambridge's CocoMango Speakeasy, aiming to transport patrons from 2025 to 1925. My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Italy's All'Antico Vinaio opened its first #Boston location last week. While I try to devote most of my restaurant enthusiasm to locally owned spots rather than big international chains, these sandwiches are GOOD. My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Beloved Italian Sandwich Shop Opens in Boston to Much Fanfare
All'Antico Vinaio debuts in Back Bay, featuring crunchy Tuscan flatbread.
www.bostonmagazine.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Italy's All'Antico Vinaio opened its first #Boston location last week. While I try to devote most of my restaurant enthusiasm to locally owned spots rather than big international chains, these sandwiches are GOOD. My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Mai, from the Matsunori Handroll Bar team, opens September 10 in Boston's Seaport with caviar-garnished chicken nuggets, wagyu steak frites, handrolls, a smoke-bubble-topped cocktail, sake flights, and decorative Labubus:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Boston’s First French-Japanese Restaurant Opens in the Seaport
Labubus watch from the rafters as you dine on wagyu steak frites.
www.bostonmagazine.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Mai, from the Matsunori Handroll Bar team, opens September 10 in Boston's Seaport with caviar-garnished chicken nuggets, wagyu steak frites, handrolls, a smoke-bubble-topped cocktail, sake flights, and decorative Labubus:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Nine opens in the former No. 9 Park space tomorrow, with much of the former No. 9 Park team. Fine-dining tasting menus; a spotlight on gin in an homage to Victorian London "gin palaces." Details in my latest story and photos for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Nine Replaces Boston's No. 9 Park, Offers $70 Caviar Cocktails
A new Beacon Hill fine-dining restaurant is here. Expense accounts welcome.
www.bostonmagazine.com
August 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Nine opens in the former No. 9 Park space tomorrow, with much of the former No. 9 Park team. Fine-dining tasting menus; a spotlight on gin in an homage to Victorian London "gin palaces." Details in my latest story and photos for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Solidarity with my former colleagues at Eater, some of the best reporters/editors/photographers/people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Very sad to see the thing we built together be dismantled layoff after layoff.
Vox Media Union statement on today's devastating round of layoffs at Eater. We stand with all of our wonderful colleagues. #solidarityforever #unionstrong #1u
August 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Solidarity with my former colleagues at Eater, some of the best reporters/editors/photographers/people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Very sad to see the thing we built together be dismantled layoff after layoff.
Row 34 is now open in Kenmore Square—in a space that used to be home to its past sibling, Island Creek Oyster Bar. There's some nostalgia, but the team is focusing on the future with their 5th location. Learn more in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Row 34, Local Seafood Star, Expands to Kenmore Square
Now open in the one-time space of its past sibling, Island Creek Oyster Bar.
www.bostonmagazine.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Row 34 is now open in Kenmore Square—in a space that used to be home to its past sibling, Island Creek Oyster Bar. There's some nostalgia, but the team is focusing on the future with their 5th location. Learn more in my latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Love live music AND good food? You're in luck: Seems like Lou's—now open in Harvard Square and featuring talented chef Jason Bond (remember Bondir?) in the kitchen—is putting equal emphasis on both. Here's my @bostonmagazine.bsky.social story with the details:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Yay, Cambridge Has a Swanky New Restaurant with Live Music
The new Harvard Square venue puts equal emphasis on vibes and food.
www.bostonmagazine.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Love live music AND good food? You're in luck: Seems like Lou's—now open in Harvard Square and featuring talented chef Jason Bond (remember Bondir?) in the kitchen—is putting equal emphasis on both. Here's my @bostonmagazine.bsky.social story with the details:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My four-year-old is *obsessed* with the MBTA and probably knows the map better than I do. But he absolutely cannot wrap his head around inbound/outbound being relative to downtown (because, well, he's four), so I broke his brain with an inbound-to-Oak-Grove photo I snapped at Back Bay. Sorry, kid!
August 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
My four-year-old is *obsessed* with the MBTA and probably knows the map better than I do. But he absolutely cannot wrap his head around inbound/outbound being relative to downtown (because, well, he's four), so I broke his brain with an inbound-to-Oak-Grove photo I snapped at Back Bay. Sorry, kid!
Cruller alert! I've got a new opening story up on @bostonmagazine.bsky.social today about Daily Provisions' arrival in Massachusetts (with at least one more local outpost to come).
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Daily Provisions Arrives in Harvard Square in a Flurry of Crullers
The New York-born all-day cafe is also coming to Boston's Seaport.
www.bostonmagazine.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Cruller alert! I've got a new opening story up on @bostonmagazine.bsky.social today about Daily Provisions' arrival in Massachusetts (with at least one more local outpost to come).
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social is our August cover story! It's a great big guide to New England seafood, from A(tlantic cod) to Z(on's zebrafish)—everything from lobster economics to the 1815 volcanic eruption that brought about "the mackerel year." www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
The Ultimate (and Unabridged) Guide to New England Seafood
An A-to-Z guide to the wild, whimsical, and weird world of local fish.
www.bostonmagazine.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social is our August cover story! It's a great big guide to New England seafood, from A(tlantic cod) to Z(on's zebrafish)—everything from lobster economics to the 1815 volcanic eruption that brought about "the mackerel year." www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social is a sneak peek at Darling, a very cool cocktail bar/dim sum-inspired restaurant opening in Central Square #Cambridge next week. (It's in the old Mary Chung space, and yep, there's an homage to the suan la chow show.) www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Darling Opens with Experimental Cocktails and Spicy Dumplings
The dim sum-inspired spot debuts in the former Mary Chung space July 16.
www.bostonmagazine.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social is a sneak peek at Darling, a very cool cocktail bar/dim sum-inspired restaurant opening in Central Square #Cambridge next week. (It's in the old Mary Chung space, and yep, there's an homage to the suan la chow show.) www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Had a great time chatting with Somebody Feed Phil's @feedphil.bsky.social in advance of the new season (airing 6/18 on Netflix), which includes a #Boston episode w/ a delicious, jam-packed restaurant itinerary! Here's my latest on @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Phil Rosenthal on Boston's Food Scene: "I Absolutely Loved It"
"Somebody Feed Phil" returns for season 8 in June with a Boston episode.
www.bostonmagazine.com
June 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Had a great time chatting with Somebody Feed Phil's @feedphil.bsky.social in advance of the new season (airing 6/18 on Netflix), which includes a #Boston episode w/ a delicious, jam-packed restaurant itinerary! Here's my latest on @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Every season is ice cream season but especially this season. Here's my new ice cream guide from our June issue of @bostonmagazine.bsky.social, on newsstands now, featuring 15 spots for various moods. www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
An Essential Boston Ice Cream Guide: 15 Spots for Every Mood
A frozen treat for every occasion, from mini ice cream cakes to "tacos."
www.bostonmagazine.com
June 13, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Every season is ice cream season but especially this season. Here's my new ice cream guide from our June issue of @bostonmagazine.bsky.social, on newsstands now, featuring 15 spots for various moods. www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Thoughts on a potential #Boston Michelin Guide? (Personally kinda on the fence overall but glad for any additional eyes Boston can get on its—IMO very deserving—dining scene!)
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
The Michelin Guide Might Come to Boston. Cool?
There are pros and cons to the guide's rumored arrival here.
www.bostonmagazine.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Thoughts on a potential #Boston Michelin Guide? (Personally kinda on the fence overall but glad for any additional eyes Boston can get on its—IMO very deserving—dining scene!)
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My latest for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Just a little love letter to the types of bars we tend to brand as "speakeasies" (even if that's a silly name to use in modern times). @bostonmagazine.bsky.social
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Boston, More Secret, Sexy Cocktail Bars, Please!
Extra Dirty Cocktail Club is one of the latest debuts. Keep 'em coming.
www.bostonmagazine.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Just a little love letter to the types of bars we tend to brand as "speakeasies" (even if that's a silly name to use in modern times). @bostonmagazine.bsky.social
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Korean-American restaurant Nowon expands from NYC to the #Boston Seaport with soju flights, a chopped cheese-inspired take on tteokbokki, a late 1990s-early 2000s hip-hop soundtrack, and tiger-themed decor. Check out my preview for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Korean Street Food Meets NYC Bodega Culture at Nowon
Kimchi-infused burgers, soju flights, and 1990s hip-hop in the Seaport.
www.bostonmagazine.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Korean-American restaurant Nowon expands from NYC to the #Boston Seaport with soju flights, a chopped cheese-inspired take on tteokbokki, a late 1990s-early 2000s hip-hop soundtrack, and tiger-themed decor. Check out my preview for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social:
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Lots of cool new stuff in #Malden these days. My latest @bostonmagazine.bsky.social piece is up now, a preview of the very fun Phat Thaiger—opening next week! It's Thai-Japanese fusion from the team behind Thaiger Den, Crying Thaiger, and Zuru Zuru Ramen.
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Malden’s Phat Thaiger Feels Like a Party
Japanese-Thai fusion, from khao soi maki to DIY hand rolls with Thai flavors.
www.bostonmagazine.com
March 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Lots of cool new stuff in #Malden these days. My latest @bostonmagazine.bsky.social piece is up now, a preview of the very fun Phat Thaiger—opening next week! It's Thai-Japanese fusion from the team behind Thaiger Den, Crying Thaiger, and Zuru Zuru Ramen.
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Noodles! Oodles of them! From a bunch of different cuisines and neighborhoods! This guide was very fun to research. It's in the @bostonmagazine.bsky.social March 2025 print issue, on newsstands now, and online too, for your early spring carbo-loading pleasure:
www.bostonmagazine.com/resta.../bes...
www.bostonmagazine.com/resta.../bes...
Where to Eat Boston's Most Delicious Noodles
Around the world in 18 hearty bowls, from khao soi to Catalan stew.
www.bostonmagazine.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Noodles! Oodles of them! From a bunch of different cuisines and neighborhoods! This guide was very fun to research. It's in the @bostonmagazine.bsky.social March 2025 print issue, on newsstands now, and online too, for your early spring carbo-loading pleasure:
www.bostonmagazine.com/resta.../bes...
www.bostonmagazine.com/resta.../bes...
Cafe Reynard is open inside @idlehandsbeer.bsky.social in #Malden! Check out my latest @bostonmagazine.bsky.social story for details on the "trans-run, worker-owned queer cafe and coffee roaster." Doughnut fans: Lionheart Confections is a frequent collaborator. www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Malden’s Cafe Reynard Brews Coffee, Revolution
The nanoroaster and “worker-owned queer cafe” opens inside Idle Hands.
www.bostonmagazine.com
March 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Cafe Reynard is open inside @idlehandsbeer.bsky.social in #Malden! Check out my latest @bostonmagazine.bsky.social story for details on the "trans-run, worker-owned queer cafe and coffee roaster." Doughnut fans: Lionheart Confections is a frequent collaborator. www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
My latest story and photos for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: a sneak peek at Don't Tell Aunty, an "Indian gastropub" opening in Back Bay later this week. I think this is going to be a fun spot! Live music, late-night hours, mango lassi cheesecake...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
Boston’s First ‘Indian Gastropub’ Comes to Back Bay
Don't Tell Aunty opens in March with live music and mango lassi cheesecake.
www.bostonmagazine.com
March 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
My latest story and photos for @bostonmagazine.bsky.social: a sneak peek at Don't Tell Aunty, an "Indian gastropub" opening in Back Bay later this week. I think this is going to be a fun spot! Live music, late-night hours, mango lassi cheesecake...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
I've been a big, big fan of Celeste (my old neighbor! I miss Union Square!) and La Royal since day one—very, very excited for the latest project from the team:
Boston's Rosa y Marigold—soon-to-be sibling of Celeste and La Royal—will open at the Lyrik development in fall 2025, paying tribute to Nobel laureate poet Louise Glück.
Rosa y Marigold, a New Peruvian Restaurant, Coming to Back Bay
Ceviche, live music, fun cocktails, and more, arriving at Lyrik in fall 2025.
www.bostonmagazine.com
February 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I've been a big, big fan of Celeste (my old neighbor! I miss Union Square!) and La Royal since day one—very, very excited for the latest project from the team:
Anyone else repurpose It's Always Sunny's "Dayman" song to be about day clothes and night clothes to get your kid to change out of their pajamas?
February 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Anyone else repurpose It's Always Sunny's "Dayman" song to be about day clothes and night clothes to get your kid to change out of their pajamas?
Coming soon in/near #Boston: An ode to Mary Chung’s suan la chow show. Wasabi martinis. Indian and Korean gastropubs. Thai-Japanese fusion and French-Japanese fusion. Cocktail-inspired coffee drinks, a Vietnamese coffee roastery, and a café in a distillery.
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
We Can’t Wait for These 2025 Boston-Area Restaurant Openings
And bars, breweries, cafés, and bakeries galore.
www.bostonmagazine.com
February 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Coming soon in/near #Boston: An ode to Mary Chung’s suan la chow show. Wasabi martinis. Indian and Korean gastropubs. Thai-Japanese fusion and French-Japanese fusion. Cocktail-inspired coffee drinks, a Vietnamese coffee roastery, and a café in a distillery.
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...
www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/...