Table Talk: February 2011
JUST LAUNCHED The Hub’s weekend brunch options continue to grow. Davis Square pizzeria Posto just introduced a Sunday menu featuring frittatas (like the Verdura, pictured), brioche French toast with mascarpone cream, and breakfast pizzas (think: Posto’s wood-fired crust topped with smoked salmon, onions, capers, and arugula). Island Creek Oyster Bar, meanwhile, is now serving hangover-busting fare like an Oysters Benny with spicy hollandaise, salt cod cakes with spicy tomato sauce, and lobster omelets.
OPENING Early next month, New York’s Five Napkin Burger is scheduled to open its first outpost outside Manhattan, in the Prudential Center. The chain offers plenty of riffs on the basic patty, including ahi tuna, lamb, and veggie versions, but the original — 10 ounces of ground chuck jazzed up with Gruyère, caramelized onions, and rosemary aioli — is what draws crowds.
BUH-BYE South Enders have kissed Ginger Park and Rocca goodbye, while Brookline has bid adieu to beer and cheese purveyor Publick House Provisions.
sign up If rushing through a pricey prix-fixe dinner isn’t your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day, prep for an amorous night at home with Scampo’s aphrodisiac cooking class. On February 8 chef Lydia Shire, whose Valentine’s menus are notoriously racy, will teach students how to make innuendo-laden dishes like “quivering egg and caviar on flaky bacalao strudel,” “wet and wild oysters in lemon brown butter,” and “warm, liquid, luscious chocolate tart.” The course is $35; call Scampo to book a spot.
DRINK UP Talk about overdue: Charlestown, which hasn’t seen a notable restaurant open in ages, may be getting a new Sea Dog brewpub near the Navy Yard. A spring opening is possible, provided the restaurant group that’s licensed the Sea Dog name from the Shipyard Brewing Company can get everything in order.
COMING SOON It’s a bit early to start planning Cape getaways, but come high season, Provincetown will have its own outpost of Ten Tables, the adorable farm-to-table eatery in J.P. and Cambridge. Owner Krista Kranyak and crew are working furiously to finish up renovations to the space; they’re aiming for a March debut.
