Fourth of July Barbecues, Clambakes, and Beer Bashes
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Puritan & Company
Chef Will Gilson is celebrating Independence Day with a lobster clambake complete with lobster, clams, corn, and potatoes, all for $35 a person. In addition, Puritan will feature à la cart items such as barbecue chicken, kohlrabi slaw, baked black eyed peas, house-made cheddar brats, grilled lamb kabobs, and lobster rolls.
$35 per person, 1166 Cambridge St., Cambridge; 617-615-6195 or puritancambridge.com.
Sweet Cheeks Q
Tiffani Faison is serving up summer favorites such as buttermilk fried chicken, fall-off-the-bone berkshire pork ribs, and hot broccoli casserole, all year long. But Sweet Cheeks’ authentic barbecue should be even more in demand this rainy Fourth of July holiday. The Fenway area restaurant is currently accepting reservations, so wheel that Weber grill back into the garage and make plans to devour a Fat Cheeks tray (a choice of three meats) and Faison’s signature Bucket o’ Biscuits.
11:30a.m. -11p.m., 1381 Boylston St., Boston; 617-266-1300 or sweetcheeksq.com.
Estelle’s
In addition to Estelle’s new Texas-style barbecue, executive chef Eric Gburski will be introducing two holiday specials at Estelle’s in the South End. For an entrée, Gburski will whip up corn dogs served with creole mustard, buttermilk ranch, and a pickle. Then for dessert, Estelle’s will be serving a Red, White & Blue Shortcake made with strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, and freshly baked buttermilk shortcake.
11:30- 2 a.m., 782 Tremont St., Boston; 857-250-2999 or estellesboston.com.
Cask ‘n Flagon
Everyone’s favorite pre-game party spot will be hosting a full-out barbecue bash this Independence Day. Choose from a full rack of baby back ribs, barbecue pulled pork that has been slow-roasted overnight, or the Cask ‘n Flagon “Family Style BBQ” plate served with a whole barbecue chicken, baby back ribs, pulled pork, cornbread, and three sides. (Serves 4-6 people – $67).
62 Brookline Ave., Boston; 617-536-4840 or casknflagon.com.
Mystic Brewery
Bryan Greenhagen is giving his employees a day off, so unfortunately Mystic’s new beer cafe won’t be serving food. But the beer will be flowing. So grab a pint of Mystic’s Mary of the Gael spring saison or its bourbon barrel-aged counterpart or you just fill a growler for the road. Greenhagen is working abbreviated hours, so stop by before 6 p.m. for a taste of Mystic’s new Hazy Jane summer saison, the Day of Doom quadruple ale, or some Flight of the Earls Irish stout.
11a.m. – 6p.m., 174 Williams St., Chelsea; mystic-brewery.com.
Pier 6
Executive chef Adriano Silva will be serving seasonal specialties such as lobster chowder with manzanilla sherry, melted leeks, sweet potato and bacon; Point Judith calamari; and Maine crab cakes with shaved asparagus, carrot salad, and a green garlic aioli. Pier 6’s scenic patio bar will open early (weather permitting) at noon for draft beers, wine, and it’s new frozen drink menu. In the evening, guests can order from Silva’s dinner menu featuring items such as oysters from the raw bar, a lobster roll made with house pickles and red cabbage slaw, and a New York strip steak with ratatouille and chimichurri sauce.
11a.m. – 10 p.m., 1 8th St., Charlestown; 617-337-0054 or pier6boston.com.
Bistro du Midi
Bistro du Midi will be combining both American Independence Day and French Independence Day, commonly known as Bastille Day, into one celebration. From July 4 through July 14, guests can indulge in the 714 menu, named for its seven options, one prix fixe, and four courses. The 714 menu includes an amuse bouche and multiple choices for each of the three subsequent courses. Options include a duck and pork pate, goat cheese gnocchi with haricot verts, and a grilled flat iron steak with sauce au poivre, among others. Desserts options include a strawberry pistachio parfait or a espresso ice cream with a vanilla mousseline.
$45 per person, 5- 10p.m., 272 Boylston St., Boston; 617-426-7878 or bistrodumidi.com.
Tryst
Usually only offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, chef Paul Turano’s barbecue menu will be available for the entire weekend (July 4-8). Guests can choose from a selection of starters such as BBQ oysters, fried green tomatoes, fried B&B pickles, or a steak tostada. For entrée-portioned dishes, the menu offers a wide array of options including cornmeal fried chicken, coffee and bourbon glazed baby back ribs, and the Maine lobster sandwich. All entrées come with a vinegar slaw and southern style potato salad.
689 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington; 781-641-2227 or trystrestaurant.com.
Merrill & Co.
Chef Jason Cheek is rolling out an all-grilled menu at Merrill & Co., which he’s calling “Red, White, and Booze.” Expect an old fashioned cookout with racks of ribs, whole fish, corn, burgers, dogs, and some other secret specials. Bar manager Kevin Mabry is going to have a number of drink specials to get you in the spirit as well. Choose from patriotic specials such as a watermelon collins, a blueberry shrub cocktail, and Jack’s Abby Framingham Lager paired with a shot of bourbon for $5.
1 Appleton St, Boston; 617-728-0728 or merrillandcoboston.com.
