Japanese tapas restaurant coming to South End; Joe V's moving to Brookline

South End Patch
News

Japanese Tapas Restaurant to Replace Joe V's on Union Park
After seven years, the legendary Yoga Pizza is moving to Brookline.
By Colleen Mullen and Neal Simpson || 1:08pm

Joe V's Restaurant, a Union Park favorite, will be shuttering its South End doors soon and shipping off to Brookline. After over seven years at the corner of Union Park and Shawmut Ave., owner James Hamelburg will be relocating to the long-vacant B&D Deli spot on Beacon Street.

The small corner restaurant served up a variety of creatively named thin crust pizzas, including the Yoga Pizza - a prosciuto-topped creation featuring mushrooms, baby arugala and white truffle oil. By South End standards, the restaurant was a bargain, with most entrees priced around $15.

In an interview with Brookline Patch in August, Hamelburg said he was looking foward to returning to his roots. Hamelburg grew up in Washington Square and attended the Driscoll School. 

"I'm so excited to be coming back here and opening a casual Italian restaurant – no frills, inexpensive, big plates, big portions, great staff, great atmosphere," he said at the time. "We're putting our money where our mouth is."

Hamelburg said he plans to preserve the Joe V's menu at the new location, which can seat 92 people. The space will have a "very minimal, very industrial" look, he said.

On Tuesday, the Union Park Neighborhood Association revealed that the restaurant license for the 315 Shawmut Avenue spot has been sold to Snappy Sushi owner, Kazu Aotani.

Aotani plans on opening a Japanese Tapas restaurant that will serve sushi dishes, yakitori (skewered meats) and small Japanese inspired plates. Initial plans are for a Spring 2011 opening, serving both lunch and dinner. The beer and wine license will be maintained.