Grand Openings: Olives Returns and an Empire Grows

Todd English and Dante DiMagistris; photo courtesy of Marc Andrew Deley/Crammed Media

By Naomi Kooker

This week marked two big restaurant openings in Boston. Todd English formally celebrated the opening of the new and improved Olives in Charlestown Wednesday night (though they’ve been serving dinner for weeks). Empire, an expansive Asian restaurant and lounge on the Waterfront, opened at Fan Pier night.

Both are big news. Olives had been shuttered for more than a year, drawing controversy and anticipation; Empire is Big Night Entertainment Group’s second restaurant opening this year (the first was Gem), as well as the second restaurant to open at the newly developed Fan Pier, which consists of luxury condos, retail and marina. Here’s a peek at both.