Joe's is on the move

by Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun

The bad news: The Joe’s American Bar and Grill on Dartmouth is closing. The good news: it’s moving into a slightly bigger space, the old TGIFriday’s at Exeter Street.
“We’re not closing!” said Back Bay Restaurant Group spokesperson Amy Daniels. “Joe’s is moving to a new state-of-the-art location.”
Planned for a summer opening as early as June, the new Joe’s will riff on the greenhouse part of the old TGIF by adding a retractable ceiling along Newbury Street. “It will open up [kind of like a convertible top] on nice days to expose the sunlight and fresh air,” said Daniels.
Papa Razzi had been eyeing the TGIF space, but the Back Bay Restaurant Group decided to stay since there are several years left on their Dartmouth Street lease. The new space is slightly bigger, and they like the location better.
“It’s a great location, with seats along Newbury Street,” said Daniels. “It will get more visibility – it’s the heart of Newbury Street.”
The Joe’s lease isn’t up until February 2010, but they’ll close that location when the Exeter Street location is ready.
In other Back Bay restaurant news, Atlantic Fish will reopen tomorrow. It had closed months before due to a fire, although most of the staff was relocated until it could be renovated.
And in sad news, the Casa Romero on Newbury Street suffered severe water damage just before Christmas, from a pipe that burst in the kitchen of the old L’Espalier. “We are now in the process of repairs and renovations,” said their voice mail message. “We expect to open in early February.”