Table Talk + This Week's Edible Events
photo by Melissa Ostrow
Ah, summer. For many that means weekend escapes to the Cape or Islands. For city-bound folk, it means easy-to-score reservations on a Saturday night. What better time to explore all the new spots that have opened this summer? Here are some highlights from a few new kids on the block.
Area Four
500 Technology Sq., Cambridge, 617-758-4444, areafour.com.
411: Addictive pastries, sandwiches, and iced coffee by day; simple, rustic, wood-oven-fired fare by night.
What to eat: Sweet pea hummus + smoked bluefish and scallion salad + mustard-crusted Cape Cod bluefish + soft serve flavor of the day.
What to drink: A liter of rosé – whatever’s on tap (or flowing from the box).
The Salty Pig
130 Dartmouth St., Back Bay, 617-536-6200, thesaltypig.com.
411: Pig parts and stinky cheeses with a killer patio right on the cross hairs of Back Bay and the South End
What to eat: Pick & choose charcuterie (Jamon Serrano, The Stilton, fig jam) + mushroom pizza w/ a fresh farm egg + pork pate and pickled radish sandwich on baguette.
What to drink: Pitcher of sangria or Sixpoint Sweet Action in a can.
Jimmy’s Bar & Oven
1653 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-277-2774, jimmysbarandoven.com.
411: Communal tables and wide-open floor-to-ceiling windows in industrial-chic setting with traditional Italian eats.
What to eat: Sauteed mussels + grilled chicken & mushroom pizza + gnocchi with vodka sauce + gelato.
What to drink: House made blueberry lemonade.
This Week’s Edible Events
Tuesday 7/19 – Naked Pizza at The Urban Grape
The healthy pizza pie co. descends on Chestnut Hill for the wine store’s Chef’s Night. They’re serving up slices paired with amber ale, sparkling sake, and vermentino. ($10 suggested donation, 5:30-7 pm. The Urban Grape, 7 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill; 617-232-4831; urbangrape.com.)
Wednesday 7/20 – Wine Barbecue at Rialto
Chef Jody Adams hosts her annual patio fete, serving up treats from Campania. Try the sweet-and-sour-kid-and-fig skewers before diving into the three course menu which includes olive-oil poached lobster and roasted baby lamb. ($125, 6:30 pm. Rialto, The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Havard Square. For reservations, call 617-661-5050; rialto-restaurant.com.)
Thursday 7/21 – Narragansett Beer Pairing at Kingston Station
The RI brewer shows off its range by pairing lager with littlenecks and porter with short ribs at its first beer dinner. ($35 for four courses paired with beer; 5-10 pm. Kingston Station, 25 Kingston St., Boston. For reservations, call 617-482-6282; kingstonstation.com.)
Saturday 7/23 – Wok ‘N Wine at Wine ConneXtion
Who says martial arts and high-heat cooking don’t mix? Check out both at this in-store wine tasting that includes a martial arts demo and wok-made treats from China Blossom. (Noon-5 pm. The Wine ConneXtion, 117 Main St., North Andover, 877-469-5025; wineconnextion.com.)
