Restaurants
The New York-based restaurant took over the spot that was once the original location of Eastern Standard.
The Boston location of Blue Ribbon Brasserie, a New York restaurant known for being a late-night industry spot, has closed after nearly two years in business in Kenmore Square.
Boston Restaurant Talk first reported the closure on Aug. 31. A spokesperson for Blue Ribbon Brasserie confirmed that the restaurant closed for good on that same day because of the “challenges and dynamics of the restaurant industry.”
The New York-based eatery from chefs and brothers Eric and Bruce Bromberg had hoped to fill the Hotel Commonwealth space left empty when Eastern Standard, a similar but local concept, closed during the pandemic following lease disputes with its landlord Urban Meritage.
Opening in 2023, Blue Ribbon also promised Bostonians and Kenmore Square visitors something that’s hard to find in the city: late-night food offered not quite as late as 4 a.m. in New York, but instead 1 a.m. Its extensive menu included typical brasserie dishes (steak frites and escargot) along with comfort food, like their famous fried chicken dinner.
But in the time the Boston location was open, the Brombergs closed another Kenmore Square restaurant, Pescador, a seafood spot attached to Hotel Commonwealth that took over the vacant space left by Island Creek Oysters.
The Kenmore spot is now another Row 34, which also serves seafood and has ties to Island Creek Oysters. Eastern Standard also reopened in a new location only a few blocks away from Blue Ribbon Brasserie.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie also shortened its night hours, at one point only being open until 11 p.m.
The only Blue Ribbon Restaurants property now left in Boston is Blue Ribbon Sushi, one of several locations the group has opened across the country. A statement from the group said the Boston location of the sushi spot would remain open, and that Blue Ribbon would try to relocate its brasserie employees to its other restaurant locations.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of Brasserie’s story,” the emailed statement read. “Your support and patronage have meant the world to us. As we close this chapter, we look forward to exploring new opportunities and continuing to serve the Boston community in other capacities and are pleased to continue operating Blue Ribbon Sushi.”
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