Eight Pop-Up Dinners and Culinary Events around Boston in August

Newton chef David Punch. / Photo courtesy of Sycamore Restaurant

SRV Cicchetti Takeover: Chef David Punch

We don’t always head out to Newton for dinner, but when we do, we often end up at a David Punch restaurant. But this week, the chef-owner of Sycamore (where he partners with Lydia Reichert), Little Big Diner, and the unfortunately-still-closed Buttonwood is coming to us. Punch is the culinary mind behind the latest cicchetti takeover of the SRV bacaro, promising bites like heirloom melon with Iberico ham and basil; a Calabrian hot link; and sweet corn and Jonah crab croquetas. No reservations are required for this complimentary snack time.

Wednesday, August 1, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., SRV, 569 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-536-9500, srvboston.com.

Do not overlook National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on August 2. / Photo provided by Hood

Free Ice Cream Sandwiches at the Children’s Museum

To celebrate its 105th year, the Boston Children’s Museum is throwing itself a bit of a birthday party. Wally the Green Monster is invited, and Hood is handing out free birthday cake-flavored ice cream sandwiches (along with classic chocolate-and-vanilla) from the iconic Fort Point milk bottle. Take a long lunch on Thursday, August 2, to pose for photos with the Red Sox mascot—Wally’s on hand from noon-1 p.m—but throughout the afternoon, there will be face-painting, giveaways, and more National Ice Cream Sandwich Day fun.

Thursday, August 2, noon-4 p.m., the Hood Milk Bottle at the Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston, Facebook.

Chef Jamie Bissonnette’s paella pops up at the Automatic this month. / Photo courtesy of Toro

Paella on the Porch

The Automatic patio has a cute little tropical bar, shaded al fresco seating, and access to some of the best modern classic cocktails around. But if you need another reason to visit, the one and only chef Jamie Bissonnette is swinging by Sunday, August 5, and he’s bringing paella. The Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey chef is cooking up a huge pan of his award-winning, seafood-stuffed rice, but it will run out. Reservations are encouraged, and the fun starts at 5 p.m.

Sunday, August 5, 5 p.m., the Automatic Food & Drink, 50 Hampshire St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-714-5226, theautomaticbar.com.

Dishes from Kaki Lima’s Indonesian street food menu. / Photo by Nina Gallant for “The Breakdown: A Taste of Indonesia“

Kaki Lima Pop-Up at Mamaleh’s

Itinerant Indonesian restaurant Kaki Lima is making a one-night-only stop in Cambridge. Chef Retno Pratiwi is preparing a couple dishes from her spicy-tangy-craveable repertoire on Thursday, Aug. 9, to pair with the full menu at Mamaleh’s bar and delicatessen. Kaki Lima sold out a series of East Boston pop-up dinners last month, so reservations are recommended for this a la carte evening.

Thursday, August 9, 5-9 p.m., Mamaleh’s Delicatessen, One Kendall Square, 15 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-958-3354, mamalehs.com.

Scenes from the kitchen at a 2018 Nightshade pop-up at Soall Bistro. / Photo by Melissa Stefanini

A Rare Boston Appearance of the Nightshade Pop-Up

Chef Rachel Miller’s Vietnamese-inspired fine dining project, Nightshade, is still predominantly based on the North Shore—its next event is a Viet-Cajun-style crawfish feast in downtown Gloucester on Sunday, Aug. 12. Take advantage of this summer’s $10 weekend Commuter Rail deal, or even make a beach day of it, then wind down with a shellfish bonanza, Vietnamese beers, and a custom Parlor Ice Cream flavor. But later in August, Miller, sommelier Lauren Friel, and the Nightshade crew have their eyes on Boston: save the date on Sunday, August 26 for a dinner at Cultivar with standout local pastry chef Meghan Thompson.

Viet-Cajun Crawfish, $45, Sunday, August 12, 6:30 p.m., the Tiki Room (upstairs) at Short & Main, 36 Main St., Gloucester, 978-281-0044, Tickets.

The main dining room at Boston Chops in Downtown Crossing. / Photo by Andy Ryan

Dine Out Boston

Here’s an excuse to cross off a few restaurants from your to-visit bucket list: Dine Out Boston returns this month with 12 days of affordable prix-fixe menus at dozens of Greater Boston restaurants. From the newest Boston Chops, to Barbara Lynch’s Menton, to Select Oyster Bar in the Back Bay, more than 120 chefs from Cambridge to Concord are participating with $15-$25 lunch menus, $28-$38 dinner deals, or both. The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which started the event as Boston Restaurant Week 18 years ago, has picked MLK Boston as its 2018 charity partner—which means a portion of your discounted dining-out budget will support the nonprofit’s mission to celebrate the local life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

August 5-10 and 12-17, various locations, bostonusa.com.

Julia Child-inspired hors d’oeuvres from the 2016 tribute dinner at Puritan & Co. / Photo provided by Puritan & Co.

Julia Child (Birthday!) Dinner

The fifth annual Julia Child tribute dinner at Puritan & Co. is a fitting way to mark what would have been the French Chef’s 106th birthday. On August 15, chefs Cassie Piuma (Sarma), Tony Messina (Uni), Nick Calias (Brasserie Jo), Douglass Williams (Mida), and Rebekah Cote (Puritan & Co.) join Will Gilson at his Cambridge Street spot to celebrate the influential culinary figure. Each chef is preparing a Julia Child dish that has influenced them, with the feast served alongside ample carafes of wine to share. Get comfortable and make new friends—as Julia told us, “People who love to eat are always the best people.”

$105, Wednesday, August 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Puritan & Company, 1166 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge, 617-615-6195, puritancambridge.com, Tickets.

Try a cocktail from just-opened Chickadee during Libations for Preservation. / Photo for Chickadee by Kristin Teig

Libations for Preservation

Do you also have strong feelings about architecture? Put your money where your hot takes are at this bartender throwdown, which supports the Boston Preservation Alliance’s efforts to protect the city’s architectural heritage through advocacy and education. Mixologists from the brand-new Chickadee, Eastern Standard, Tres Gatos, Yvonne’s, and Stoddard’s compete to be fan favorite at this Prohibition-themed soiree, which takes place at the 100-year-old, rapidly changing Innovation and Design Building.

$35/45, Wednesday, August 15, 6 p.m., Boston Design Center, 1 Design Center Place, Seaport, Boston, bostonpreservation.org, Tickets.