Following the surprise split last year of chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, who brought Boston some of its most beloved restaurants – Coppa, Toro and Little Donkey – many of us were left wondering what was next for Bissonnette. Oringer is still running the restaurants, plus the somewhat recently opened Faccia a Faccia.
We now have our answer, and for restaurant lovers, it sounds like great news. Bissonnette has partnered with experienced Boston restaurateurs Andy Cartin and Babak Bina to form a new restaurant group called BCB3, according to a press release.
Here’s what to expect from Jamie Bissonnette’s new restaurants
Coming in March, the group will launch three new spots in Downtown Crossing at 11 Temple Place. First, there will be a modern Korean restaurant called Somaek, then a spirit forward listening bar and a subterranean sushi restaurant called Sushi @ Temple Records. The group says they have even more planned for later this year, but details aren’t available yet.
Bissonnette says these new spots are a passion for the group
“We’re intentionally leading off BCB3 by introducing passion projects to Boston,” he explained in a statement. “Between my history in the kitchen, Andy’s inventive work in the beverage space and Babak’s passion for restaurant design and development, we’ve put a lot of energy and excitement into ideating new spaces that showcase who we are as both individuals and as a collective. We’re looking forward to bringing bold and spirited bar and restaurant concepts to the heart of Boston together in 2024.”
Bissonnette will be handling the kitchen duties at Somaek and Sushi @ Temple.
Somaek will serve Korean rice cakes, noodles, soups, and more. According to the Boston Globe, the menu is inspired by his Korean mother-in-law, who is credited as a consultant.
The location, in Downtown Crossing, is familiar territory for Cartin and Bina, whose BINA Group runs cocktail bar Wig Shop, JM Curley and Bogie’s Place, right on the same block. Will Temple Place be the hottest street in Boston by the end of March? We can’t wait to find out!