A space that once housed a restaurant of one of Boston’s most prominent chefs is getting a new tenant later this year.
nine is set to open in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood in late spring. The fine dining establishment will occupy the former space of Chef Barbara Lynch’s No. 9 Park, from which it draws its name.
The French-inspired eatery will comprise a sophisticated bar area and dining room complete with a mural of Boston. Located on Park Street, nine will offer views of Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House.
nine is being led by El Centro’s and La Neta’s Allan Rodriguez as well as Lynch’s former protégé, Andrew Simonich. The seasoned chef will create French-inspired dishes that also draw inspiration from other surrounding European countries.
“While I am a classically trained chef, what is most important to me is honoring each and every ingredient,” Simonich said in a press release. “When I create a tasting menu, I think of it as a story — each course is a chapter, each ingredient a sentence, all blending together to express the seasons and invite guests to embark on culinary journeys led by conversation-starting courses.”
In addition to reinvented French fare, nine’s beverage program will offer Boston’s first “gin palace” — a curated selection of gins from around the world. The restaurant will also specialize in French wines and other spirits.
“Our team comprises the industry’s top talent, and each member has brought unique expertise to the table,” Rodriguez said in the release. “Together, we are creating a restaurant that promises the highest caliber of hospitality, food and beverage, and I am confident that we will deliver an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations.”
Considered Lynch’s flagship establishment, No. 9 Park opened in 1998. It was named one of the “Top 25 New Restaurants in America” by Bon Appétit and “Best New Restaurant” by Food & Wine.
No. 9 Park closed in 2024 after 26 years. It was among three of Lynch’s remaining concepts that shuttered as the chef sought retirement, The Boston Globe reported.