Boston's neighborhood Back Bay is saying goodbye to one of its culinary landmarks, but don't expect the space to gather dust. Precinct Kitchen + Bar, once a hotspot nestled inside Hotel AKA Back Bay, has officially shut its doors. A stalwart since 2014, the venue, once known for dishing out New England staples with a chef's twist, has served its last plate. But foodies fear not—a new French bistro is already queuing up to take its place.
Boston Restaurants Blog reported that the local favorite Precinct Kitchen + Bar closed, making room for "an exciting new culinary concept opening this spring," as an update on the restaurant's website bluntly put it. The hotel's own virtual doorstep teases the promise of a fresh "indoor/outdoor French bistro dining concept," ready to woo patrons old and new. The now-shuttered venue took over the former Cuffs space within what used to be Loews Hotel, carving out its own Back Bay nook at 154 Berkeley Street.
In its heyday, Precinct Kitchen + Bar wasn't just a restaurant; it billed itself as the epitome of Boston's edible identity, all without stepping outside the hotel. "Precinct Kitchen + Bar embraces and celebrates the region’s tradition of food and drink, contributing its own sense of personality with creative vision and progression," said the establishment's last culinary pitch. Collaboration with "most-loved, hyper-local culinary and beverage artisans" meant a curated menu promising a genuine taste of Bostonian culinary excellence. Guests could indulge in exclusive flavors from local stars like the Boston Harbor Distillery and Q's Nuts all under one roof.
Despite the restaurant's departure, its culinary philosophy seems poised to live on; the upcoming French bistro, while shrouded in secrecy, hints at continuing the mission of bringing exceptional dining experiences to the Back Bay crowd. The locale's prime real estate at 154 Berkeley Street isn't wasting any time transitioning from one gastronomic adventure to another, and Boston's avid food scene watchers eagerly await spring's fresh bloom of French flair in their urban backyard.
