Interested in exploring the newest restaurants to open in Allston? From a hot pot joint to a spot for vegetarian wraps, read on for a rundown of the newest destinations to open for business in this area of Boston.
Tasty Pot
194 Harvard Ave.
First up, Tasty Pot is a hot pot spot located in the space formerly occupied by In House Cafe. The California-based chain takes an eclectic approach to the traditional Taiwanese dish.
On the menu, there are Thai, Japanese, Korean and Sichuan versions of the soup, which you can customize by selecting your vegetables, noodle type and spiciness level. Supervise the boil over hot coals at your table.
You'll also encounter a long list of teas in a variety of styles, including milk tea, milk cream-topped tea, fruit teas and sweet milk or matcha teas, with or without boba.
Tasty Pot currently holds five stars out of 18 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Thomas W., who reviewed the restaurant on Aug. 8, wrote, "The layers of flavors were unique and explosive. It is simple yet complex. The staff were very attentive, and the overall lasting palette of flavors made my night."
Salina Yz Z. noted, "The amount of food is amazingly worth the price. Milk tea was the highlight for the night, very traditional Taiwanese flavor. The staff is pretty new to everything but super friendly and welcoming. Nice clean space. Overall a very pleasant experience."
Tasty Pot is open from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9:30 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. on Friday-Sunday.
Mala Kungfu
155 Brighton Ave.
Next, Mala Kungfu is a spot to enjoy the spicy "mala tang" Chinese soup. The short menu consists of the soup, barbecue wings, lamb skewers and drinks, including coffee and tea.
Customize the soup to suit your tastes by choosing your vegetable, fungus, bean and noodle preference, selecting beef, lamb, chicken or fish ball protein, and deciding on a spiciness level from "tiny" to "extra." You pay by the weight of your selected ingredients.
Mala Kungfu, located in the former Refuge Cafe location, is off to a strong start with five stars out of 12 reviews on Yelp.
Jiaxi W., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Aug. 22, wrote, "My friend and I liked this place and really enjoyed our time there. The Mala Tang is authentic and delicious. They also serve pineapple bun, which was also tasty!"
Yelper Calvin G. added, “We were impressed by the flavor of the soup — it is spicy with a mix of sesame. The staff is super friendly and multi-lingual, would highly recommend.”
Mala Kungfu is open from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily.
Rhythm 'N Wraps
1096 Commonwealth Ave.
Rhythm 'N Wraps is the brick-and-mortar embodiment of a longtime food truck that offers vegetarian wraps and pizza.
The restaurant menu starts with a vegan pizza with fire-roasted red peppers, jalapeños, black olives, caramelized onions, crushed roasted garlic and fresh basil. (Daiya cheese and meat substitutes are available for an additional charge.) Entrees include a vegetable chickpea curry, plus a Texas chili and a Sichuan stir-fry, both with meat substitutes.
Most wraps are built on vegan "sausage" (Italian, smoked apple and sage, and chipotle are available), plus veggies and dressings.
To drink, try the house punch made from hibiscus, ginger and lime.
Yelpers are excited about Rhythm 'N Wraps, which currently holds 4.5 stars out of five reviews on the site.
Matthew S., who reviewed the eatery on Aug. 8, wrote, "Incredible vegetarian/vegan food. Too bad the establishment doesn't have a liquor license. Food would have been off this world with an icy vegan-friendly beer!"
Ian B. noted, "I'm not vegetarian, but I stopped in here one evening for dinner. I was really surprised; the ballpark dish was fantastic. The restaurant is clean, everyone is very friendly, and it was an overall great experience."
Rhythm 'N Wraps is open from 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m. on Sunday.
Cheers Cut
154 Harvard Ave.
Finally, there's Cheers Cut, a Taiwanese fast-casual spot. The shop shares space with boba tea shop Gong Cha.
Choose from grilled or deep-fried squid, shrimp, chicken or beef. Dip them in sauces like teriyaki or Thai sweet and sour. There are also entrees of minced meat or curry with rice, plus sides like fried tofu.
Yelpers are generally positive about Cheers Cut, which currently holds four stars out of 27 reviews on the site.
Dorothy N., who reviewed the eatery on Aug. 8, wrote, "The staff was super friendly, and the food was delicious. The grilled beef and minced meat rice together was a perfect combo. They pack the food in a to-go container — perfect if I eat there and don't finish it, or if I'm ordering to go food. The prices are reasonable too."
Yelper Vinay F. wrote, "This place is solid value for money. The food is great, service is quick and parking is easy nearby."
Cheers Cut is open from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday–Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday.
