New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Beacon Street Tavern |
1032 Beacon St. |
Brookline |
617-713-2700 |
| District |
180 Lincoln St. |
Boston |
617-426-0180 |
| La Brace |
76 Salem St. |
Boston |
617-523-8820 |
| LTK |
225 Northern Ave. |
Boston |
617-330-7430 |
| Sauciety |
425 Summer St. |
Boston |
617-532-4600 |
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| District |
180 Lincoln St. |
Boston |
617-426-0180 |
Coming Soon
All-Star Sandwich Bar
Chef-partner Chris Schlesinger plans to open this funky sandwich shop (1245 Cambridge St., Cambridge) just down the block from his much-loved East Coast Grill.
Good Deals and Other News
Drink, eat and test your taste buds during Tuesday night "Epicurean Evening" blind wine tastings (paired with small plates); the best guesser will go on to the September 12th taste-off – the grand prize is a night's stay in the hotel (6 PM; $45 per person; 617-351-2037).
Robert Fathman's exotic infused spirits (e.g. tequila with mango, lime and pineapple; whiskey with vanilla, cinnamon and dried fig) are now on the market. You'll find the Infusionique line at the South End's Brix Wine Shop (617-542-2749) and at numerous local eateries, including Central Kitchen, Silvertone and Via Matta.
When you're too full for dessert but still need something sweet, pop into blu's bar for $5 snacks like chocolate-coconut popsicles and cinnamon-sugar crisps with strawberry dip.
Rejuvenate sluggish Sundays and Mondays at Excelsior's new muddling bar. As part of "Make Your Own Muddle" nights (held from 4:30–9 PM), patrons choose their own ingredients – including assorted spirits, herbs and fruits such as champagne mangoes – and receive instructions in proper muddling technique. Those who worry they'll muddle it up can leave it to the bartenders.
This Brookline neighborhood place is the first in greater Boston to be certified by The Green Restaurant Association, a national nonprofit that seeks solutions to environmental concerns relating to the hospitality industry. For more information about the organization, go to www.dinegreen.com.
The Boston Harbor Hotel's lobby eatery reprises "Summer in the City," its annual free entertainment series, which runs through the end of August. On Tuesdays, sway to "Summer Soul" from various live acts; on Wednesdays, savor "Summer Swing" with the White Heat Orchestra; and on Thursdays, jam with bands on the harborside "Blues Barge" – all music events take place from 6–10 PM. At sunset on Fridays, watch "Movies by Moonlight"; July's lineup includes Roman Holiday, The Magnificent Seven, His Girl Friday and The Manchurian Candidate. For more details, go to www.bhh.com/social.cfm.
The theme of this month's three-course prix fixe "Sunday Suppers" menu is Maine cuisine – dishes include fish chowder, a clambake platter and a blueberry-turnover sundae ($30 per adult, $20 per child; 617-731-0600).
After a hiatus, chef Joseph Brenner is back in the kitchen at Todd English's flagship, where he began his career; expect his menu to reflect the restaurant's original repertoire of robust Mediterranean dishes.
On a double date, hit this Swampscott haunt for a kitchen sink sundae ($32). Made for four or more, it contains a whopping 12 scoops of ice cream and an equal number of toppings (including whipped cream and a cherry, of course).
Ken Oringer's tapas bar is now serving Sunday brunch. From 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, come in for crêpes with Nutella and caramelized oranges, churros in chile-chocolate sauce, patatas bravas and more, paired with the likes of banana milk.
Martini Mondays" are on for summer – get your cocktail kicks for $5 apiece after 4 PM.
The city's only rolling seviche cart has made its debut. Watch as your waiter chops up chilled, marinated fish with your choice of ingredients, from tomatoes to cilantro to fresh-squeezed lime juice.