Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as eating all the great local veggies while they’re still in season. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news, bad news, and what must be one of the highest-calorie diets ever.

Good News
The prix fixe fun of Restaurant Week can be had for the entire month of September at the 33 Restaurant and Lounge. The three-course menu features Beef Tartar with aioli and fried capers, Slow Roasted Salmon Confit with braised parsnip puree and smoked tomato vinaigrette, and Summer Berry Panacotta with vanilla anglaise for only $33. Diners can pair their meal with a flight of wines.

Zagat Buzz reports that the Craigie Street Bistrot’s move to Main Street in Central Square is on track for an October opening. (more…)

Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as getting a Restaurant Week reservation at L’Espalier. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news and the show that should be nominated for an Emmy in dedication to the culinary arts.

Good News

Stephanie’s on Newbury will open a second location in the South End, in what used to be Garden of Eden. The new spot “will feature many of the signature ’sophisticated comfort’ food menu items Stephanie’s of Newbury is known for but with a twist to reflect the flair of the South End.”

Bonfire gives Sox fans options other than potato skins and Bud Lite for their game-day snacking needs with its new Red Sox Game Day Menu. The bar menu, which will be offered for all the remaining home and away games, features drink specials (Dustin Pedroia Punch), snacks (Big Papi Popover), and dessert (Jonathan Papelbon Bon Bons). (more…)

Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as impossible as getting a pizza delivered at 3 a.m. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news, bad news, and more reasons to avoid fast food.

Good News
Nebo created the Happy Hour and a Half, but the Met Bar in Chestnut Hill’s Metropolitan Club has topped it by creating Sunset Hour. From 4:30-6:30 p.m. daily, the bar will serve select small bites and snacks (like Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls and Beef Flautas) for $4. You can wash your treats down with cocktails priced as low as $6.

Do you love to visit the South Shore, but hate to go without a decent bento box? Hingham’s Asian C restaurant has debuted what it believes is the area’s first bento box offering.

Chowder welcomes any Southern food outposts to our fair city, so we’re happy to hear about The Hen House Wings ‘n Waffles. While the restaurant’s website is still under construction, Yelp users give the newcomer good reviews.

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Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as impossible as getting a seat at the Cask’n Flagon during a Sox-Yankees game. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news, bad news, and deep food-related thoughts.

Good News
Has the high cost of food, or a diet, got you dining on less-than-extraordinary food? Sandrine’s Bistro now offers a Bistro Menu, available in both the dining room or at the bar, that “offers the same creative French cuisine, but in smaller portions, and at price points that encourage the sharing of multiple items.”

Chris Douglass’ Tavolo will open in the first week of August. The press release promises there will be no chicken parm, but the Dorchester eatery will have build-your-own antipasti and 12-inch pizzas starting at a reasonable $8.

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Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as impossible as resisting a warm chocolate chip cookie. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news, bad news, and updates you on the latest salmonella scare.

Good News
You’d think you may have to travel far to find the World’s Best Chocolate Ice Cream. Not so, according to the judges as the World Dairy Expo, who bestowed the honor on Skowhegan, Maine’s Gifford’s Ice Cream.

Chowhound reports that L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre will open in the Mandarin Oriental on September 15.

Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro at Patriot Place is hiring staff for its opening in mid-August. The restaurant describes itself as “offering wines from around the world and an inspired menu of small plate creations.” Should be a great post-Pats game stop for men who need to placate their football-hating wives.

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Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as choosing a cocktail at Eastern Standard. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news along with tales of the coming chocolate apocalypse.

Good News
Congratulations to the All Star Sandwich Bar, which was named in Bon Appetit’s Hot Ten Sandwich Shops.

Those of you who donated to save Toscanini’s will be pleased to hear it was named one of Forbes Traveler’s Best Ice Cream spots.

Somehow, Massachusetts residents drink enough coffee to support a Dunkin’ Donuts on every corner and a Starbucks on every other block. The Seattle-based coffee company won’t shutter any of their Bay State locations in the first round of closings. (more…)

Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as figuring out what kind of salsa is safe to eat. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news and food-related additions to our lexicon.

Good News
Chowderfest has come and gone, and for the second year in a row, Christopher’s Wine Bar won the title of Boston’s Best Chowder. We call shenanigans—Christopher’s is in Maynard.

ZagatBuzz reports that the owners of Lala Rokh and Bin 26 Enoteca will open a new restaurant and gourmet market in the South End sometime this fall. The site also reports that Barbara Lynch’s trio of new endeavors are getting close to opening in Fort Point Channel. (more…)

Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as getting the right ratio of hot dogs and buns for your Fourth of July cookout. Chowder scours the Internet for the latest good news, bad news, and a restaurant where there’s most likely not a wait.

Good News
Although the waterfront still doesn’t get foot traffic like the Back Bay, we’re always excited for a new spot. The d Street Cafe, which is a new venture from Darryl Settles, who brought you Beehive and the late, great Bob’s Southern Bistro, will be “a fun family-based casual restaurant that would feature fresh quick-serve food, ice-cream and music.” So says the press release.

At long last, Estragon, a new tapas spot in the South End, will open on Sunday.

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Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as getting a window seat at Ciao Bella. Chowder scours the internet for the latest good news, funny Chinese translations, and the most controversial color-coded map since red and blue states.

Good News
Theatergoers will soon have another place to grab a sweet treat. Troquet has announced the addition of Le Patissier, which the press release describes as “desserterie serving decadent plated desserts.” It will be open in Troquet’s lower level Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

While it may not be the favorite stop for MBTA conductors, parents love Legal Sea Foods. The local chain was named the best family restaurant by the readers of Parents magazine.

Those who really want to be sure their steak is cooked to their specifications may enjoy Bokx 109, a new steakhouse opening Friday in Newton’s Hotel Indigo. The joint boasts an exhibition kitchen, according to Zagat Buzz.

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Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as scoring a table outside on a sunny day. Chowder scours the internet for the latest good news, bad news, and the obscene uses of bacon.

Bad News
We come to you with a heavy heart (though perhaps a lighter derrière). Beloved Boston magazine haunt the Golden Horn has closed after five years of service and untold quantities of frozen yogurt.

Needham’s Bickford’s was destroyed in a fire. The owner hopes to rebuild, but we’re left to ponder where we’ll get our next Big Apple until that happy day.

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