FOOD Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Hawthorne all close, leaving gaping hole in Kenmore Square and many patronsâ hearts Restaurateur Garrett Harker had been locked in negotiations with UrbanMeritage, the real estate group that owns the Hotel Commonwealthâs retail properties, for years. By Kara Baskin Globe Correspondent,Updated February 18, 2021, 6:51 p.m. Email to a Friend Garrett Harker at Eastern Standard in June. At the time he said the landlords âdonât seem to acknowledge that thereâs anything special about these restaurants.âBarry Chin/Globe Staff The Boston restaurant scene, already devastated by the pandemic, was dealt yet another blow Thursday with the news that Kenmore Squareâs Eastern Standard will not reopen.