Five Hot New Lunch, Brunch, and Bar Menus around Boston
There are now more hours in the week to enjoy Waypoint pizza.
Who says dining out is just reserved for dinnertime? Check out these new menus for breakfast near Faneuil Hall, a pizza-and-beer lunch special in Harvard Square, and throwback snacks for pre-gaming in Kenmore Square.
Brunch photo courtesy of Bar Mercato
Bar Mercato
In early April, downtown Boston’s new food hall-inspired restaurant launched brunch—every single day. Globally inspired, morning-friendly fare—like a breakfast burrito, bluefish gravlax, eggs Benedict, pastries, and more—is on the menu by executive chef Casey Lovell, along with salads, cured meats and cheeseboards, and sandwiches. Bar Mercato at the new Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall hotel opens daily at 7 a.m.
54 Devonshire St., Boston, 857-449-0550, barmercato.com.
The new bar menu at ICOB in Kenmore Square hits nostalgic cravings with a “Grand Macque” burger and daily “hot pockets.” / Photo by Emily Hagen
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Just in time for pre- and post-gaming Red Sox home games again this season, this Kenmore Square institution has a brand-new bar menu on offer, daily beginning at 4 p.m. Available only at ICOB’s 25 bar seats and 40 lounge-area seats, the casual menu features some fun snacks from executive chef Nicki Hobson. Throw it back with a “hot pocket” of the day; or a “Grand Macque” burger with American cheese, special sauce, and shoestring fries. The short list of snacks also features a crispy shrimp taco with pineapple salsa, caviar-topped pickled eggs (of course!), a “Shore Board” of house-smoked and cured seafood, and fried smoked mozzarella with creamy avocado and romesco sauce. It all pairs well with Jackson Cannon’s cocktails. The full dinner menu kicks in at 4:30 p.m. on game days, and 5 p.m. other nights.
500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-532-5300, islandcreekoysterbar.com.
Patio photo courtesy of Lolita Fort Point
Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar
The awesome patio at the Fort Point location of Lolita reopens for the season on Saturday, April 13, and that means weekend brunch begins again. Updates to the seasonal brunch menu include a new crispy tofu bowl, huevos enchilada, zucchini fritter tacos, and more, lighter options; along with juices freshly pressed in-house. Drinks like grapefruit ginger juice, mango mint, and the Carrot Man smoothie are a healthy start to any weekend day—and they also pair well with a shot of tequila or two. Brunch kicks off April 13 with a patio party, and continues throughout the season every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
253 Summer St., Boston, 617-369-0931, lolitamexican.com.
Of course, an Italian sub is on the lunch menu at Tony & Elaine’s. / Photo courtesy of All Day Hospitality
Tony & Elaine’s
A loving homage to old-school North End comfort food wouldn’t be complete without hot subs, and now such classics are on the menu at Tony & Elaine’s. The All Day Hospitality Group (Ward 8, Bodega Canal) is now serving lunch every day from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with the ultimate meatball sub, an Italian grinder, and more sandwiches and red-sauce staples from chef Eric Buonagurio.
111 North Washington St., Boston, 617-580-0321, tonyandelaines.com.
Waypoint’s classic chopped clam pizza is on the new lunch menu, along with more weekday-exclusive dishes. / Galdones Photography
Waypoint
Brunch has been a weekend ritual at chef Michael Scelfo’s standout seafood spot since its early days in 2016. But for the first time ever, Waypoint is now serving weekday lunch. Alongside regular menu favorites like thin-crust pizzas with creative toppings, the WP burger, fried smelts, and house-made pastas are a few new lunch exclusives, including a tuna melt, a Cobb salad, and hot-smoked chicken pizza. Two $17 specials will rotate every day: a different pizza with a 16-ounce can of Narragansett Lager, and a dozen oysters plus a glass of rosé. Lunch continues every Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
1030 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-864-2300, waypointharvard.com.
