Beloved Italian Spot Expands + Award-Winning Team Launches Hotel Restaurant: MA Food Week

MASSACHUSETTS — Welcome to Patch's weekly round-up of food and restaurant news in Massachusetts, where we review openings, closings, and more in the state's dining scene.

This week, we learned that new restaurants are opening across the state, while well-established restaurants are offering Valentine’s Day menus.

Have a food story idea? Send it to jessie.castellano@patch.com.

This Rhode Island favorite eatery is coming to Massachusetts

Avvio Ristorante plans to open at The Shops at Blackstone Valley in Millbury this summer, according to a report from the Worcester Business Journal. The eatery, which has been open in Cranston, Rhode Island, since 2016, serves Italian classics, including pizza and pasta, along with a variety of sandwiches and entrees.

Award-winning team opens restaurant in new Boston hotel

The Atlas Hotel opened in Boston’s Allston neighborhood this week, next to Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus.

The hotel’s ground floor will feature a new restaurant, Ama, which opened on Wednesday. The eatery will be led by Biplaw Rai and Nyacko Pearl Perry of Pearl & Law Hospitality, the team behind Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester, which was named a 2024 James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant.

Beloved Boston pizza, ice cream spot sees success at Marlborough location

Picco, a restaurant that's served pizza on Tremont Street in Boston for more than 20 years, opened a location at 179 Main St. in July. Picco, an acronym for Pizza and Ice Cream Company, is known for its sourdough pizza and flavorful, locally sourced ice cream.

“It’s been going really well since we’ve opened,” assistant general manager Kelly Urquhart told Patch. “There’s a lot of restaurants in Marlborough, but I think Picco brings in something really different and interesting.”

Here’s which restaurants in Massachusetts could be perfect for Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Patch made a list of restaurants across the state that are offering reservations ahead of the Feb. 14 holiday.

Check out Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar in Cambridge, The Mercantile in Worcester, B Napoli in West Springfield, Publico in South Boston, and Alberto's Ristorante in Hyannis to celebrate the holiday.

For reservations at your favorite local restaurant, check online or call ahead.

More Massachusetts Food News:

• Medford Dunkin' Purveyor Shutting Down And Laying Off Employees
• Former Price Chopper To Reopen As Modern Supermarket In Worcester
• Locally Owned Coffee Shop To Open In Worcester
• Marlborough Coffee Shop Celebrates Reopening, Marks 8 Years In Business

Catch Up On Past Food Roundups:

• New Trader Joe's Coming To MA + High-End Asian Supermarket Eyes Opening
• MA Grocer Among Best In U.S. + Beloved Italian Spots Shutter
• Beloved Chicken Chain Eyes Opening + Popular Breakfast Spot Launches