JPers Want West Roxbury Restaurants

Jamaica Plain residents mentioned several West Roxbury restaurants when asked what they would like to see on their part of Centre Street.

  Imagine this, hip Jamaica Plainers pining for West Roxbury's eclectic array of restaurants. But it's true.  When asked whether they would like a new Walgreen's pharmacy on Jamaica Plain's Centre Street, many Jamaica Plain Patch commenters suggested several West Roxbury restaurants as their preferences for vacant storefronts. Patty wrote: "We do not need yet another pharmacy. A nice Italian restaurant sounds nice or Peruvian (Like Masona Grill)." Yogasong wrote: "...a nice sit-down Chinese restaurant along the lines of Mandarin Gourmet in West Rox or one of the more authentic Chinatown sit-downs." Mandarin Gourmet is actually in Chestnut Hill, but located on the West Roxbury Parkway. One of West Roxbury's favorite family restaurants also …

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Monday Marks Beginning for Burger Wars

Competition, which will benefit West Roxbury Main Streets' community revitalization efforts.

Let the games -- and the eating -- begin. West Roxbury Main Streets' Burger Wars commences today, pitting nine of West Roxbury's restaurants' burgers up against one another. The competition will run until March 16. An online poll will account for 25 percent of the vote, but otherwise the decision will be made based on West Roxbury's appetite. For every burger served, $1 will count as a vote, and will also be put towards WRMS' community revitalization efforts. The battling restaurants are: WRMS Executive Director Kara O'Connor said the event provides an opportunity to highlight the neighborhood's restaurants. December's Holiday Stroll, by contrast, focuses on retail in West Roxbury, she said. Learn more at WRMS' website.

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Bites Nearby

Porter Café Adds Irish Flair to Centre Street

A modern Irish pub in West Roxbury offers craft beers, hearty food and a lively atmosphere.

  Overview: Porter Café, which opened in June 2011, is the newest addition to Centre Street’s restaurant scene in West Roxbury. Located on the same block as The Upper Crust and across the street from West on Centre, Porter rounds out the area with a modern Irish pub option. Co-owners and Ireland natives, Paul Murphy and Dermot Loftus, have worked at various establishments around Brookline and Dublin, taking their expertise and experience to West Roxbury. Atmosphere: Long and narrow, the pub utilizes its small dining space with a few tables and a lengthy bar. Red walls, warm lighting, high ceilings and virtually no artwork give the place a cozy, down-to-earth vibe. Wide mirrors reflect the light and walls, making the interior feel more …

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A Red-Eyed Pig is on Centre with BBQ

The Red-Eyed Pig opened for business two weeks ago and food has been flying out the door...

During summertime West Roxbury residents Jim and Heather Casey found themselves hosting a lot of BBQs. So they already had recipes when they decided to open the Red-Eyed Pig restaurant on Centre Street.  While tending to meat on the grill during a recent lunchtime, Jim spoke about the new business, "We have a seafood restaurant [Blue-Eyed Crab Grill] in Plymouth for four and a half years. We were trying to get something closer to town, and we wanted to do something a little different."  Added Jim, "I was getting bored with seafood. I cook a lot. We mulled over a couple of food (types). And because we’re in West Roxbury, we thought the meat thing would go well over here. There was a seafood place here that didn’t go well. There are lots of …

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Patch Passport

Dining Around the World

Did you know West Roxbury offers places to sample all the tastes of the world? The Saturday Patch Passport is a complete list of places to eat in West Roxbury organized by international flavor.

Do you want to get out of the kitchen, but are bored of the same old places you always go to? Want some fresh ideas for tasty meals? Then the Patch Passport can help. We have assembled a list of local places (and some out of West Roxbury places we've featured in Bites Nearby) with international flavors. Try one out and let us know what you think. Bon Appetit! American: Canary Square Masona Grill Pleasant Café Porter Café Redd's in Rozzie Rox Diner Spring Street Café Vee Vee Westbury West on Centre   Asian: Himalayan Bistro Number 7 Phuket Pu Pu Sticky Rice Café Thai Spice Village Sushi West Garden   Chinese: Number 7 Pu Pu West Garden   Greek: A&N Pizza Christo's Pizza   Indian: Himalayan Bistro   Irish: Corrib Spring Street Café Westbury …

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Patch Passport

Hidden Gem: Viva Mi Arepa Restaurant [VIDEO]

Discover the Viva Mi Arepa Restaurant, a Hidden Gem that you may have driven by and never known it existed. Or maybe you have not visited this interesting spot in years. So take a little trip with Patch...we’ll show you the way.

Viva Mi Arepa is a prime example of hidden West Roxbury. It's unlikely location and perhaps unfamiliar cuisine keep the crowds at bay, but undeniably good food keeps those in-the-know coming back for more. Their namesake "arepas," grilled or deep-fried pockets made of cornmeal, are formed and stuffed with various fillings by hand while you wait, and fresh fruit juices, including passionfruit and guanabana, are made in the kitchen. Owner Edner Trente-Et-Un, originally from Haiti, spent most of his young adult life in South America, and has the Spanish and cooking skills to prove it. He opened Viva Mi Arepa, located on Washington and Grove streets, six years ago. "We're doing good. I'm very grateful for the people who have helped me, from …

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