Restaurant Openings and Closings in Arlington, Lexington, Somerville and Medford

Arlington

A Wings Over, the franchise known for satisfying college kids late-night cravings, is coming to East Arlington. Wings Over Arlington was approved by the Board of Selectmen last week for 218 Massachusetts Ave., the former home of The Wing Place and WhattaWing! Read more.

In yesterday’s news (literally), Barismo, the tiny East Arlington coffee shop known for its high-quality brews, is moving two doors down to a bigger location, according to its blog. The shop’s new spot at 171 Massachusetts Ave. is just a laundromat away from its current digs (169 Massachusetts Ave.) and will be large enough to handle seating, according to the post. The transition is expected to be completed sometime this month. Read more.

In food news, yes, Johnnie’s Foodmaster is closing all of its 10 locations. Liquidation sales began more than 10 days ago and many shelves at the grocery stores are now empty – however, there are still deals to be had. The Johnnie’s at 808 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington is set to become a Whole Foods next fall. Read more.

Lexington

In our last “Restaurant Openings and Closings” column, we told you that Vine Brook Tavern was set for 20 Waltham St. in Lexington Center, the former home of Buca di Beppo and its predecessor Vinny T’s. Well, this time around, we’re happy to report that the tavern, which will serve American fare, is opening, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, to be exact. You can see photos of the tavern’s rustic interior on its Facebook page. The 130-seat tavern, which is owned and operated by Marcus Palmer, has a full bar, and entrées are in the $17-25 range. Read more.

The embattled gourmet pizza chain Upper Crust, which has 16 locations, including one at 41 Waltham St. in Lexington Center, owes employees about $850,000 in back wages and damages, according to a recent Boston Globe report. There is still no word on the fate of the Lexington Upper Crust.

Lexington’s newest yoga studio has a juice component. Lexington Power Yoga, which opened last month at 1762 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 204 (above Rancatore’s Ice Cream and Yogurt in Lexington Center), has a side operation called Simply Pure Juice. Customers can order their organic juices, which are made off-site, and muffins online and then pick them up in the yoga studio’s lobby. Read more.

Somerville

Daddy Jones, a restaurant/bar with Greek-themed dishes, cocktails and a “retro décor evocative of the ’80s and ’90s,” has opened in Somerville’s Magoun Square. The eatery, at 525 Medford St., the former home of Lil’ Vinny’s, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to its website. Read more.

In the past three months, two new frozen yogurt (or “froyo”) places have moved into Davis Square (iYo Cafe and Orange Leaf), and until recently, it looked like a third – Pinkberry – was coming too. However, Pinkberry recently withdrew its application, after it appeared the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals was inclined to reject it. Read more.

Davis Square’s Boston Burger Company was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in early October. Read more.

After eight months of debate, the Somerville Board of Alderman recently passed an ordinance governing food trucks. Under the ordinance, food truck operators will have to file applications with the city and renew their licenses each year. Read more.

In quick-hit restaurant news, the Painted Burro is expanding in Davis Square. It’ll take over the adjacent space, which is now Spikes Junkyard Dogs, sometime this winter. La Brasa, in East Somerville, and Bronwyn, in Union Square, are also expected to open relatively soon. Read more.

Medford

More restaurants are now eligible for liquor licenses in Medford, but the new ordinance hasn’t caused a flood of applications, according to the city. The ordinance change, approved by Gov. Deval Patrick last month, reduced the required number of seats at a restaurant seeking a full liquor license from 99 to 50. Read more.