Panera Opens "Pay-it-Forward" Style Location in Boston

Panera, which has a location in Marlborough, is expanding its network of restaurants that help those who can't afford full price meals.

The Panera Bread Foundation has opened its fifth nonprofit cafe where customers can help pay for others' meals.  "This is a pay-it-forward model and will only work if the community supports it and one another,” said Ron Shaich, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Panera Bread and president of the Panera Bread Foundation in a press release Wednesday. The Panera Cares location — at 3 Center Plaza in the Government Center area of Boston — has no cash registers or prices, but rather uses donation bins and suggested donations for meals. Customers are encouraged to leave a little bit more to cover the meals of those who cannot contribute, said Shaich. The store joins four others — in St. Louis, MO, Detroit, MI, Portland, OR and Chicago, IL — and was…

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Otto: Pizzas for the Topping Enthusiast

A hip new Portland-born pizza joint arrives in Coolidge Corner.

I have to be upfront about something here: I was on my way to another Coolidge Corner eatery when the delicious smells wafting out of Otto yanked me through the doors like some puppeteer was holding my strings. Boston-area Otto enthusiasts will be familiar with the tiny, standing-room-only Harvard Square location, selling slices for immediate face-stuffing gratification as well as whole pies for takeaway.  But the story begins in 2009, when Otto co-owners Anthony Allen and Mike Keon joined forces to open the 3-stool-capacity flagship location in Portland, Maine.  The following year, they opened Otto 225 in Portland, while simultaneously scouting the Harvard Square spot. Otto’s fourth location, the 60-seat Coolidge Corner site, opened a …

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Bank Robbed Saturday in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

Note passed implying a weapon.

The Eastern Bank at 301 Harvard St. in Coolidge Corner in Brookline was robbed Saturday, June 30, just before 11:30 a.m., according to Brookline Police. A man is alleged to have passed a note to a bank teller implying he had a gun, and then fled on foot with an unknown amount of money, police said. Police are describing the suspect as a white male, of an unknown age, wearing jeans, a white shirt with blue horizontal stripes, a hat, glasses and carrying a backpack. More details include the suspect being five-foot-10 with a skinny build, a goatee and possible tattoos around his neck. Police flooded the area and activated the public surveillance cameras in Cooolidge Corner in an attempt to locate the man or determine a possible direction of …

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Otto Pizza (and Wine) Coming to Coolidge Corner

A new pizza place on its way to Coolidge Corner, headed into Friendly's former space.

Another vacancy in Coolidge Corner will soon be filled, this time with pizza and wine.  The Board of Selectmen voted last night to approve a liquor license for Otto Pizza, a pizza chain with two locations in Portland and a third in Cambridge. Manager Anthony Allen said they are aiming for a late April or early May start to the restaurant. The license has been assigned for 289 Harvard Street, the former location of Friendly's Express, which closed in October of last year.   Otto Pizza in Portland was rated one of the ten best by Boston.com in 2010. Boston Restaurant Talk blog notes that the Cambridge location opened roughly a year ago, and adds that the menu will likely be similar here in Brookline. The Board also approved a license for …

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Cristin Nelson

10:38 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I could not be more excited about this. I absolutely love Otto Pizza!!   more ›

Brookline Police Seek Suspect in Morning Breaking-and-Entering

Brookline Police released surveillance photos of a man wanted in connection with breaking-and-entering incidents at three Coolidge Corner businesses.

Brookline Police today released photos of a man wanted in connection with a series of morning breaking-and-entering incidents in Coolidge Corner. The suspect is described as a black male of light complexion, 6-feet tall, aged 25-35. He was seen wearing a blue or purple New Era brand hat, black T-shirt, light blue jeans, and gray sneakers with white soles. The suspect broke into Fire Opal and Bottega Fiorentina between 5:25 and 5:45 a.m., broke into the businesses through the front door and took cash from the registers. He also attempted to break into the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse, but was unable to get into the building. He was captured on camera at the back of the building, where he was seen attempting to break into other businesses, …

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Five Things You Need to Know: June 19

A musician on the roof, a talk about the media in politics, and some sad news from the weekend.

Registration for one-week jewelry & metal-smithing class begins today. The class takes place at the Brookline Arts Center, and will run you $230 (members get $50 off). In a week, you'll learn to make your own jewelry, and other small metal works. The classes start June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25 and August 22 The Boston League of Women Voters present a discussion of the Media's Role in the Political Landscape with Margery Eagan, tonight. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a light dinner, and coffee and snacks by JP Licks. The program moves on to a League meeting and the discussion of the shifting role of Media. The event will be at 633 Centre St, Jamaica Plain. A Big Screen Classic, "Fiddler on the Roof" is showing tonight at the Coolidge …

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Coolidge Corner Theatre Kicks off its Own Award Season

The Sundance-selected documentary, "These Amazing Shadows" started off the two day celebration of the Coolidge Corner Award.

The Oscars may take over Hollywood for only one night a year, but the Coolidge Corner Theatre has its annual award ceremony over the course of two days. On Tuesday evening, Elizabeth Taylor-Mead and Denise Kasell of the Coolidge Corner Theatre introduced a movie they discovered while at the Sundance Film Festival. "These Amazing Shadows" starts with many famous voices recounting their love of the movies before the traditional Chaplin appearance to signal the start of the documentary. From then on, we're whisked through the creation story of the National Film Registry. Well-known faces like Debbie Reynolds and Christopher Nolan chime in to recount either their favorite memories of going to the movies or to comment on events on the film …

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Five Things You Need to Know: May 10

South Brookline gets a chance to talk transportation needs, and the Coolidge Awards begin tonight.

[Correction: 9:03 a.m.] The Aussie Aviary is already open, but is still well worth a visit. 

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Five Things You Need to Know: April 25

Last day of Passover.

Passover officially draws to a close at sundown tonight. The sun sets at 7:45 p.m. The Public Health Department is looking still looking for a Senior Public Health Inspector, and if you want to apply for the job get your resume and cover letter submitted to Human Resources by the end of business today.  You may not be able to make a trip to Ireland on a whim, but you can go through the shutter of Frank Binder. Binder's Ireland Slide Show, 2:30 p.m. at Goddard House, is a showcase of his professional photography and knowledge of the history of the country.  After riding through India Sideways on a Scooter, NPR Editor Miranda Kennedy learned some interesting things about how women in the culture are both Westernized and held to ancient …

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Get Out

Get Out! A Weekend of Music and Theatre

Weekend shows at a number of different venues. Dancing, Documentary Music, and Musicals.

Where/When?: 7:45 p.m., Friday at Brookline Tai Chi Why Go?: Dance Friday is an alcohol- and substance-free place to kick off your shoes and dance. This week, you will warm up with Helder Tsinine, then spend some time with DJ Davoid and DJ Andrew "Slam" Duncan. All ages are welcome, but kids should keep their parents around. Pricing: $8-12 donation or volunteer time Where/When?: The Footlight Club in JP. April 8, 9 at 8 p.m. and 10 at 2 p.m. Why Go?: The Club is the oldest community theatre in the country. The theatre staff, and cast of this production of "RENT" are volunteers and residents. Pricing: $19-$24 for tickets.  Where/When?: The Puppet Showplace Theatre, on April 9 and 10, starting at 1 p.m. Why Go?: A collection of puppets …

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