Decorated with red velvet booths, dripping candles, and black leather, the Beacon Street Tavern manages not to look extremely tacky. Instead, it's a comfortable and welcoming spot for a drink or meal. Besides the raw bar and cheese selections previously mentioned, the diverse menu offers everything from french fries to an extensive list of fish. If you're strictly on the search for liquid, we suggest the "painkiller," a truly pain-killing concoction of dark rum, creme de coconut, fresh orange, and pineapple. After a few of those, you'll feel ready to do some dancing in the street; Beacon Street to be exact.

Beacon Street Tavern [MenuPages]

[Photo: Bostonist]

Zaftigs Delicatessen is already famous. Not only is it Brookline’s number one weekend brunch spot, but it is also a fantastic deli and restaurant. Before you even walk in, you are greeted with a menu, 50’s music being played outdoors, and a huge Z for a door handle. Stepping into the spot, you might think you are in a New York Jewish deli. All kinds of pastries, cupcakes, paintings and a chalk menu are home some of the best food in Brookline.

Any time of the day, you can get breakfast, and yeah it is famous for a reason. It is because it rules pretty darn hard. From omelettes to banana stuffed French toast topped with strawberries and blueberries, how can anyone go wrong? Oh wait you aren’t in the mood for that? Well, try the Meatloaf Melt with home made meatloaf, cheddar cheese, Cajun ketchup, and a tomato. It’s pretty insane. So yeah, either that, or the delicious Portobello mushroom burgers or some Stuffed Cabbage.

For us, however, the knishes are where it is at at Zaftig’s. The flaky pastry like crust, the warm potato filling, it’s heavenly. There isn’t a knish anywhere that compares to this sweet little snack.

Zaftigs Delicatessen [MenuPages]
Zaftigs Delicatessen [Official Site]

We love spots that take beer seriously, and between the original The Publick House, their newly opened Provisions shop, and the soon to be opening Roadhouse, Brighton has its own tiny draught mecca in the making.

Perhaps standard in any bar, we love the fries. Hot in their little paper cone, they come with two dipping sauces that make us wish refills were free. We also think their cheese collection compliments the beer well. And the mussels...you just need to try them for yourself.

Down the block, the recently opened Publick Provisions doesn't sell beer, but they do stock a solid grocery selection and beer glasses line the walls. We're hoping they bring in some bottles soon because they're so good at that stuff - why not capitalize?

You may have to wait a while to get a seat at the House, especially on the weekends, but stay tuned for the Roadhouse and sneak in there before the buzz catches up to you.

The Publick House [MenuPages]

[Photo: Andre Charland/Flickr]

While we can rave on and on about ethic dinner plates, sushi bars, and the nightlife, we'd be remiss not to mention dessert. Specifically, we're thinking of the Korean kind, found in two of our favorite bakeries, Yi Soon Bakery and Seoul Bakery. Both are easy on the wallet and carry a variety of yummy Asian baked goods. From red bean and mochi buns to tiger and taro cakes, we love the variety of sometimes simple sweets that stand out from run-of-the-mill chocolate chip cookies. You don't have to go all the way to Chinatown to find some authentic egg tarts, so why would you? And yes, we know - we'd be remiss not to mention that Infusions Tea Spa is right next door to Yi Soon. A neighborly spending spree (well, if you think dropping 10 bucks is a spree) is easy to do on this corner.

Other tips: Seoul has refreshing shaved ice in the summers, and look out when making a Yi Soon purchase - cash only.

Yi Soon Bakery, 112 Brighton Ave, Allston, (617) 254-3099
Seoul Bakery, 58 Harvard Ave, Allston, (617) 787-6500
Infusions Tea Spa [MenuPages]

[Photo: paper or plastic?/Flickr]

When it comes to Asian food in Boston, usually the talk revolves around the bounty of radical sushi restaurants in the area. But what about the classic dim sum place? Chinatown is chock full of great dim sum eateries, but what about Allston? Oh HECK yeah does Allston have a great place for dim sum, called the Dim Sum Chef.

Located in the Super 88 Food Connection, all the way in the back, you will find a hidden treasure and great deals in this cash only shop. With some of the best bbq pork buns in the city, and for a pretty great price of $2.50 for 3 of the guys, it’s a hard number to beat.

Need to get something tasty in you real quick and cheap? In under 10 minutes and for under $7 you can get a special Dim Sum Combo offered all day Monday-Friday. It features 2 pork and shrimp shu mai and 2 steamed shrimp dumplings with a bowl of the house soup and your choice of side, although we always choose the sweet and tangy sticky rice loaded with little fried baby shrimp and sausages. Stop on in, place your order, be psyched that you got so much good food for such a good price.

Dim Sum Chef [MenuPages]

[Photo: Jared Razzano/Flickr]

Since showing up in the hood about a year and a half ago, Deep Ellum has become a standby for beer snobs and brunch lovers alike. With 120+ rotating beers on tap or bottled, there are new choices every time we stop by. Brunch was our first trip in, and the Portuguese sweet bread turned french toast is to die for, served up right with a side of perfectly scrambled eggs. We also dig the warm pretzel and veggie stuffed naan bread. Even for dinner, the choice between a homemade wurst plate or goulash is a tough call, only because both are so tasty. Local vegans love it for the fresh fruit and seitan burger. How can you go wrong with this kind of amazing home cooking and vintage VH1 on the big screen?

And because we love outdoor dining, we were more than pleased to see their summer deck open and ready for us. What's better than our favorite food and drink under an umbrella? Less Allston than the traditional spot, no one's trying to out-cool us when we show up for drinks, and the bartenders know their multitude of beers and cocktails. You can grab an absinthe cocktail or even sign up for their Daily Draft email list, getting updates on the latest goodness from the staff themselves. We love it.

Deep Ellum [Official Site]

[Photo: Dan4th/Flickr]

Coolidge Corner boasts several great sushi bars and Japanese restaurants, but one of the best spots in the area - on a busy Beacon Street corner, in fact - is Fugakyu. Open every night until 1:30am, they're one of the last places serving so late, in the area or otherwise. But you don't need a late night craving to make your way over here.

The brilliance of Fugakyu is the split between sections. Walking into a serene lobby with pools of live fish, you're shuttled in one of two directions: the private bamboo booths of the dining room, or the elaborate moat-surrounded sushi bar. Service from ladies in kimonos is always with a smile, and while your food will be promptly served, you can relax here without feeling rushed, sometimes for hours. Their lengthy wine list and detailed sushi selections will make you feel at home, and in our case, sometimes we get so relaxed, we end up ordering what seems like half the menu!

They recently opened another location in Sudbury, so if you're a ways out of town, looks like you're in luck. In both locations, the specials change frequently. One thing that stays the same: their commitment to fresh fish. Amazing cake and ice cream desserts make this a dining destination.

Fugakyu [Official Site]

Oh boy, a $6.99 lunch in Boston that won’t leave you wanting more and is better quality than a fake Italian chain with pasta and sauces full of fillers and junk? Oh we found it baby, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Sure, everyone we know has been going to the Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston for as long as we’ve known them. But not as many people frequent the Sunset Cantina. The main difference is the Cantina specializes in tequila, while the Grill offers more of a beer selection. So with well over 100 types of tequila with special margarita’s every week, it’s a great summertime hangout. Especially because they have an outdoor patio at the Cantina!

The best part for us though, is the $6.99 discounted lunch menu. With options like an all you can eat taco bar, delicious yet somewhat mild jambalaya, and the pretty fantastic Blackened Chicken Caesar Club (pictured above) with bacon, Caeser salad (WITH CROUTONS!), a blackened chicken breast, tomato, and all served on 3 slices (that’s right, 3!) of garlic Texas toast. Served with one of many sides (we chose the curly fries with a side of queso cheese), you kinda can’t go wrong with these delicious, cheap, and very filling lunch options!

Sunset Grill & Tap [Official Site]
Sunset Cantina [Official Site]

Rumor has it that the last time Boston foodies had their necessary fill of Burmese food, it was sometime in the '90s. Thankfully, YoMa has had its Allston doors wide open for well over a year, filling a niche we had all been missing.

There are many things to love about YoMa, from the simple dining room to the unpretentious plates to the excellent service you'll receive, no matter what time of day you stop in for a bite. The prices are incredibly low, even for Allston, and a menu for omnivores or vegetarians is available on request.

If you come in extra hungry (and well, you really should...), start with a sampler appetizer platter or the BuThee Jaw (fried long squash), and for lunch or dinner, our favorites include the Chicken Curry with Potato and the ShwePaYonTheeHin, a tempting combination of sweet pumpkin, tomatoes, and tofu. Trust us on the appetizer suggestion; even if you suspect it's too much goodness, you won't be too full for your entree. There is something almost magical about the YoMa portions. No matter who you are or what your body needs, the meal sizes are filling without guilt, the perfect size. We wish we knew how they do it.

Finishing off every meal with Htanyet, or Jaggery-based palm candies, is an unprecedented treat in an era where even a cheap dinner mint is appreciated. The warm, family-run establishment has become a second home for a few of us, and we suggest the same for you.

YoMa [MenuPages]
YoMa [Official Site]

[Photo: Andreas Haugstrup Pedersen/23.com, used with permission]

Reef Cafe has the best Lebanese falafel in town, and it is an absolute treat to visit this tiny eatery. With mom in the kitchen and friendly son Salaam up front, Reef is the best family-run establishment in Allston Rock City. Cold Vimto and other sodas in the cooler plus daily specials round out the menu, and late hours keep everyone happy. Call ahead - they'll have it ready if you're on the go, in usually ten minutes or less.

While not always everyone's first choice (most notably due to the high prices), Rami's in Brookline serves soft Israeli falafel with a variety of veggies in a pita pocket. Keeping completely kosher - no outside food or drinks of any kind allowed in - these thin pockets contain a great variety of greens, tomatoes, and a delicious tahini and hummus covering the fresh, fluffy falafels.

If Cambridge is the place you call home, you're lucky to have Moody's Falafel Palace on Mass Ave., in the heart of Central Square and open later than most of its neighboring restaurants. A drunk's destination after the bars close on the weekends (open until 3am!), it's also a lunch attraction for a reason. Their prices are low, their lentil soup is always warm, and the taste can't be beat on that side of the riverbank.

Reef Cafe [MenuPages]
Rami's [MenuPages]
Moody's Falalfel Palace [MenuPages]

[Photo: Avlxyz/Flickr]

Boston has no shortage of excellent Japanese fare, but the new kid in town - Genki Ya in Brookline - is about the best there is for a price almost anyone can afford. Taking over the space Nori used to occupy, Genki Ya is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Genki Ya specializes in organic, all natural Japanese cuisine. Their large, diverse menu caters to vegans and omnivores alike, with something for everyone in between. Lunch specials run no higher than $12, some combos under $10. Appetizers range from simple miso and house salads to the more exotic (we recommend the Ohidashi, organic spinach with a delicious house sesame sauce). For the seafood lovers, be sure to try the Alligator and Crazy rolls - both huge and both wonderful. Vegetarians and vegans will be especially pleased to find a wide variety of veggie and fruit rolls, including our favorite Hawaii roll, mixing flavors from fresh mango, avocado, and tempura sweet potato. And, party platters for any size group are also available.

The place has been slammed since they opened several weeks ago, but their service is consistently friendly as they get into a solid groove. Good news travels fast. If you don't opt for take-out, go for a late lunch on the weekend and hope you can find a seat!

Genki Ya, 398 Harvard Avenue, Brookline, (617) 277-3100

[Photo: | Sage/Flickr]

Oh, the humidity! The air is like shaving cream, and our spirits and feet are dragging! What could possibly save the day? Oh, right: Italian soda! What can be more refreshing than a cold and sparkling water flavored lightly with sugary syrup? We've replaced our afternoon coffee with it, with a little help from these guys...

• Espresso Royale Cafe never flavors their sodas too much, and the flavors they have are many. Our favorites are blackberry and raspberry, but the word from the friendly baristas is the new banana syrup is surprisingly delicious, as well.
• A raspberry soda from 1369 Coffee House is a little too sweet for our taste, but we know many people like their Italian sodas saturated in color. If that's your bag, you've found a home in Inman. Or Central.
• Being a Spanish cafe, Cafe Pamplona doesn't seem like the prime spot for Italian anything. Believe us, though - it is one of the best! Bonus: you can sip it on the Bow St. patio.

Espresso Royale Cafe [Official Site]
1369 Coffee House [Official Site]

[Photo: Small World Coffee]

It's strange when the local newspapers are mostly occupied by coverage of every graduation on this side of the state, but we all know what it means: the students are leaving, and we have our city back! Here are some on-campus favorites you can't try outside of summer and winter breaks.

Boston University The Terriers have gone home, and now we have Comm Ave. back! Sort of. At the very least, enjoy Noodle St without hearing about what a drag it is to be studying pre-med while researching the best residencies in the country. Pick your own topic of conversation and your own curry dish. We recommend the yellow curry to those who seek out the mild but are ready to kick it up a notch.

Harvard University The charms of Grendel's Den in the summer far outweigh their school-year counterparts. Go for their express lunch and have a soup and half-sandwich combo - maybe even sneak in a half-pitcher of sangria before you head back to work. We won't tell.

Northeastern University: Okay, we all know that the best way to shave off some of that 5-year degree that goes along with co-op is to go to school in the summer. So no, you cannot go to Tigerlily and avoid the NU DogHouse at the same time. We would, however, highly recommend a walk in the opposite direction on Huntington. The Squealing Pig offers a fine selection of beers (we like the Franziskaner hefeweizen) and rather delicious food (like the brie and cranberry toasted sandwich).

Noodle St. [Official Site]
Grendel's Den [Official Site]
Tigerlily [MenuPages]
The Squealing Pig [MenuPages]

[Photo: La Shawn Barber's Corner]

Thursday, May 15
• Craving a nice rose? So are we, and what better place to taste a few than Meritage? The first in the Seasonal Sips series, the event will take place from 5:30-7:00. [Meritage]
• Excelsior cocktails for only $5? Why yes, of course we would be glad to celebrate their 5th anniversary. From 10pm to 2am. [Excelsior Restaurant]

Friday, May 16
• TGIF! Girls' night out, anyone? $19 a person gets you three sangria tickets and appetizers from 7-9pm. [Vlora Boston]

Tuesday, May 20
• Fan of Australian wines? Check out the Grateful Palate tasting in the Jewel Box at UpStairs on the Square. Four-course dinner with wine starts at 6:30pm and costs $65. [UpStairs on the Square]
• Lucky you! Another Spanish wine tasting at Tasca Spanish Tapas, this time with a very interesting theme. Wine-maker Jose Ignacio Bordeje hosts at 7pm. [Tasca]

Between the Harvard Square ice cream invasion and the closing of a few local institutions, we don't know what to do!

Openings
All Over the Place!: Finally! Saladworks moves to the Bay State in multiple locations! [Fast Casual]
Brigham Circle: Montecristo, a Mexican restaurant, is moving into the former Cafe Italia. [Chowhound]
Central Square: Craigie on Main is the newer, larger, more accommodating Craigie Street Bistrot. [Craigie Street Bistrot]
Dorchester: Dot-2-Dot has a menu that changes daily - never a dull moment on Dot Ave! [Lower Dot]
Fenway: The president of Red Sox Nation opens the very fitting Remy's Sports Bar & Grille [Boston Herald]
Harvard Square: Sushiya, a Chinese/sushi place, is moving into the old Mayflower space. And rumor has it J.P. Licks will be opening a Harvard Square location. Because between Herrell's, Lizzy's Ice Cream, and Ben and Jerry's, there is simply not enough gourmet ice cream to go around. [Chowhound, Boston On the Go]
Newtonville: Bon Bon brings their sorbet and candies to the suburbs! [Newton TAB]
Washington Square: Roadhouse Barbeque will be run by the folks at The Publick House. Residents of Brookline and environs trust this will be a nice change from Vinny T's. [Chowhound]

Closings
Allston: New Trend Eatery closes its doors in just under a year. [Chowhound]
Central Square: After 37 years in business, La Groceria closes to make way for Craigie on Main. [Cantabrigia]
Jamaica Plain: After an 85% rent increase, Milky Way Lounge & Lanes must close. Hipsters this side of the river wonder what to do on weekday nights. [Jamaica Plain Gazette]

Moving
Jamaica Plain: The good news is, Bella Luna is moving - to Amory St. [Jamaica Plain Gazette]

[Photo: Richard C. Harris]

With Free Cone Day behind us, it's easy to be in the spring-almost-summer mindset that the rest of the country is in. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the weekend calls for nothing but Londonesque rain and overcast skies. Problem solved: hot chocolate, sweet, and more importantly, warm, boosts our mood any day. So grab a cup and drink it outside! It's spring, after all.

•LA Burdick might be better known for its hot drinks than it is for all its other chocolatey treats. There's a reason for this: each tiny cup is filled with the richest dark chocolate we have found in the city. It may seem expensive at around $4 a cup, but trust us: it's worth it.
• Made by stirring their homemade hot fudge into steamed milk, the hot chocolate at Emack and Bolios tastes like liquid chocolate cake. Bonus: conveniently located in many places, with more locations opening soon - keep an eye on North Station!
• When it finally starts behaving like spring around here (or when we have another knockout tease week like we did last month), go to Bon Bon on Mass Ave. for their gelato. For now, settle for their array of hot chocolates and teas. Our personal favorite? The rather spicy Chocolat-inspired cocoa, which can be enjoyed by the adventurous and timid alike.

LA Burdick [Official Site]
Emack and Bolios [Official Site]

[Photo: My Recipes]

Last night we went to Tasca's Spanish wine dinner. The place was packed with people, and many of the people had been loyal Tasca patrons for years. We had the pleasure of talking to our neighbors, who told us that one should not miss the wine tastings at Tasca,

And they were right! Our first wine was very sparkly, which accented the "savory bites" that started off the meal. Our favorite was the leaf of endive laden with chopped shrimp and vegetables. The next course, a hearty mussel soup, was delicious when served with a white blend. The course we looked forward to the most did not disappoint, as grilled brie with quince chutney can't help but be as good as it sounds, especially when paired with an old vine garnacha. Our favorite wine, however, was the coffee-accented jumilla that was served with Cornish game hen and spring mushrooms. Naturally, the dessert course was a hit with everyone, as a nice muscatel with ganache is wont to do.

Tasca's manager presented her wines with gusto at each table, asking us to close our eyes and imagine the breezes coming off the sea. The marvelous presentation made dinner that much more enjoyable, and so we cannot help but highly recommend the next Tasca tasting.

Tasca Spanish Tapas [Official Site]

[Photo: Tasca Spanish Tapas]

Wednesday, April 30
•Tonight, Tasca Spanish Tapas is having a Spanish wine dinner, featuring five wines paired with some of their signature tapas. At 7pm, the event costs $49. [Tasca]
•Umbria is also hosting a wine dinner, featuring wines from California's Coturri Vineyards, at 6:30pm, for $85. [Umbria Ristorante]

Friday, May 2
• Happy birthday, Cambridge Brewing Co! Why does it seem the celebration is for us? This free event is both Friday and Saturday, from 5pm to 1am. [Cambridge Brewing Co.]

Saturday, May 3
• Go to Vinalia for their Spring Wine Fest. The event lasts from 7:30pm to 2am, so plan accordingly! Tickets range from $79-95. [Vinalia]

So much to report this week! What is going on over there?

Openings
Brookline: When Pigs Fly will be setting up shop in Coolidge Corner, but rumor has it that the bread will be baked in Maine. And our sources say Genkiya will be serving organic sushi in the old Nori space. On top of all that, Bottega di Capri sets up shop in Brookline Village. [Brookline TAB]
Harvard Square: A warm welcome to Crema Cafe, and the folks at Daedalus open a pizza place to add to the Harvard pizza wars. [Chowhound]

Closings
Back Bay: Panificio has left that lovely space on Mass Ave. Who will move in? [Chowhound]
Brookline: Yes, that's right: Nori is closing (to be replaced by Genkiya). So is Bottega Fiorentina (soon to be reincarnated as Bottega di Capri). [Chowhound]
Davis Square: Neapolitan eatery La Spina closes its doors. [Chowhound]

Reopenings
Back Bay: Ken Casey is opening a new baseball bar. Will he still have time to write a new Red Sox anthem? [Dropkick Murphys]
Downtown Crossing: Cafe Marliave is back in business, just in time to use their upstairs terrace! [Boston Real Estate]

[Photo: Kodachi]

Do you have a hot tip about a restaurant opening or closing? Let us know!

Openings
•Brookline Village: Brookline residents, get psyched to have Venezuelan, and not sushi, as the South End's Orinoco opens on Harvard St. [Boston Magazine]
•Central Square: Chowhounders find it strange that Four Burgers is going into the space formerly occupied by Gandhi. [Chowhound]

Closing
•Back Bay: Area foodies not terribly surprised that the Back Bay location of Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria is closing. So much space - so few people! [Chowhound]

[Photo: Harvard Medical School]

Picnicking season has arrived in Boston, and we love nothing better in our basket than the perfect BLT. We've had them at the odd New York deli and don't see what all the fuss is about. Here are just a few places where Boston does the BLT right.

•The All Star Sandwich Bar in Inman Square is a natural choice, as these folks know their sandwiches. This is especially evident in the BLT (featuring the freshest tomatoes available and a tasty herb mayonnaise).
•Were you aware that The Pour House on Boylston St. has a BLT and chowder as their Wednesday special every week? What a winning combination! Just to make it that much more sinful and delicious, temper the salt fix with a chocolate frappe.
•We spent many a winter break afternoon bleary-eyed, eating chocolate chip pancakes with friends at Martin's Coffee Shop in Brookline Village. We still go for the pancakes, but now that we've grown up a bit, we eat afternoon-appropriate meals. Sit at the counter and make yourself a regular.

All-Star Sandwich Bar [Official Site]
Pour House [Official Site]
Martin's Coffee Shop [Official Site]

[Photo: Wild Bean Cafe]

Are you a prix fixe fanatic? Want to upgrade your dining life just a notch? Switch to the tasting menu. Unlike a prix fixe, which provides a limited (usually three course) menu for a set amount of money, a tasting menu generally changes near-daily according to the chef's whims. There are few better ways to gauge a chef's style and philosophy. The catch: tasting menus can get rather expensive (at L'Espalier, for example, the menu costs $175 and a wine pairing will run you an additional $95). Just because you're on the hunt for bargains, however, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the tasting menu experience. Below, three solid tasting menu values.

•There are two unusually great things about the $45 tasting menu at Lineage. First, it focuses entirely on lobster, which appears in everything from tacos to gnocchi. Second, the wine pairing is a la carte, that is to say $12 per course. Trust: a full wine pairing where each course gets its own glass can get a little...intense and result in you getting drunk at a very nice restaurant, which is embarrassing.
•No. 9 Park's tasting menu is, admittedly, not cheap at $95 for seven courses ($150 with a wine pairing). We would argue, however, that it still qualifies as a bargain, given the elegance of the food, the gorgeous setting and the exemplary service.
•Sometimes, you just want a fun dinner rather than haute cuisine. That's where Tremont 647's $45 tasting menu comes in. Not only is the food great and thoroughly unpretentious, but the $25 wine pairing is one of the best deals in town.

L'Espalier [Official Site]
Lineage [MenuPages]
No. 9 Park [Official Site]
Tremont 647 [Official Site]

[Photo: Foie gras at No. 9 Park, Flickr: Charles Haynes]

In this week's edition of the Tuesday Report, three restaurants take crucial steps to expand and Sweet Finnish has a not-so-sweet finishing. Do you have a hot tip about a restaurant opening or closing? Let us know.

Openings
Back Bay: Word on the street is that the owners of La Voile are planning to open a cafe and boulangerie on Newbury, near the current location. Developing! [Chowhound]
Dorchester:Dot-to-Dot Cafe, a soon-to-be coffee spot on Dorchester Ave has its sign up and has started interior work. [Lower Dot]
Downtown Crossing: Temple Place is slated to get another dining option when The Ivy's owners open Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale, a "classic American" restaurant. Look for a September opening. [The Beantown Bloggery]
Fields Corner: Shabu-shabu is coming to Fields Corner with the opening of Osaka Shabu, the first-ever Japanese restaurant to open in that part of Dorchester. Bostonians: just can't get enough of shabu-shabu! [Chowhound]
North End: Rumor has it that Finale is in discussion to open a location in part of the former Martignetti's site. Because there's not enough dessert in the North End? [Hanover & Prince]
North End: The Matarazzo Family Club, a "prestigous center comprised of a daycare, an all Italian restaurant and a shopping area" will be coming soon to Purchase Street. Will this move cause the stroller brigade to migrate from the South End to the Financial District's condos? Only time will tell. [Craigslist]
Post Office Square: Z Square continues its rapid expansion with a third location in Post Office Square (perhaps in the spot planned for Todd English's doomed burger venture?), slated to open this summer. [Boston on the Go]

Closings
Allston: It was not exactly a restaurant, but nonetheless, the Paradise will be deeply missed. [Bostonist]
Central Square: Gandhi Restaurant is no more. As one Chowhounder points out, it's difficult to imagine why a restaurant named after Gandhi would offer an all-you-can-eat buffet. Here's hoping for a more appropriately-named spot to take its place. [Chowhound]
Jamaica Plain: Sweet Finnish has closed after three years in business. Rest assured, there is still no shortage of JP bakeries. [JP Gazette]
Needham: Needham's branch of Pho Pasteur has closed and is being replaced by another location of Somerville's Tu Y Yo. [Chowhound]

Changes
Jamaica Plain: The Blue Frog Bakery might be hopping from Green Street to Centre. How fiendishly clever of them to do so just as Sweet Finnish shuts its doors! [Dishing]

[Photo: Flickr: kenziebella]

Full disclosure: as we're writing this, it is 10:20am and we just finished a yogurt. We shouldn't be hungry for lunch. We certainly shouldn't be hungry for a massive lunch of ribs and cornbread and maybe just a little heap of pulled pork. That, however, is just the power of the below video, which depicts some of the goods on offer at Smoken Joe's in Brighton. Feeling inspired for your own lunch? Consider heading to one of the seventeen restaurants on MP that serve barbecue for lunch and don't forget to wear a bib: barbecue sauce looks so sloppy on a suit.

Smoken Joe's [MenuPages]
Smoken' Joe's in Brighton Center, Boston MA [YouTube: beneeball]

We love watching people try roasted bone marrow for the first time. Inevitably, their faces quickly change from disgust at the sight of the marrow (which looks like...well, innards) to bliss at their first taste. Marrow is intensely rich and a little unctuous (in a good way) and just might be the ultimate comfort food. Best of all, it's a royal pain in the butt to make at home, so you never feel guilty about ordering it at restaurants. Try the following dishes, but take warning: once you try marrow, you'll crave it constantly.

•KO Prime serves their roasted bone marrow with our very favorite accompaniment: oxtail marmalade. Yes, that means that you're eating bread topped with beef topped with beef. Embrace it.
•At The Metropolitan Club, the roasted bone marrow dish is listed as one of the "eighth sins." It comes with whole-grain mustard and sweet hot pickles. Intriguingly unorthodox!
•Persephone, on the other hand, keeps things very traditional with marrow accompanied by a parsley/caper salad, Dijon mustard, grilled bread, and Maine sea salt. This last ingredient intensifies the marrow's flavor to such a degree that you just may find yourself making inappropriate noises of pleasure in the middle of the restaurant.

KO Prime [Official Site]
The Metropolitan Club [Official Site]
Persephone [Official Site]

[Photo: Amazon]

In this week's edition of The Tuesday Report, chains multiply like rabbits and West Roxbury suddenly has a busy dining scene.

Openings
Dedham: Today's Globe features a lengthy piece about Legacy Place, the mall coming to Dedham. It is CRAZY FANCY and will make the real Dedham Mall look even sadder than it already is. Aside from a Whole Foods (complete with cafe), the mall will include restaurants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, Legal Sea Foods Finale , and b.good, as well as a new restaurant from the folks at the Aquitaine group. In contrast, the Dedham Mall that was referenced in The Departed will continue to hold it down with the nearby Pizzeria Uno. [Boston Globe]
Harvard Square: The Upper Crust is coming! The Upper Crust is coming! Harvard Square will soon have no less than ten pizzerias. Are we the only one who misses the pizzeria that used to be in the spot in the Garage now occupied by Crazy Dough's? They had delicious pies at very reasonable prices. [Chowhound]
Quincy: Guys, when Chipotle says they're going to enter a market, they mean it. They're getting set to open a Quincy location, which, if we're not mistaken (we wish the Chipotle website would stop crashing our Firefox!) will be the third new Boston-area location in as many months. [Chowhound]
West Roxbury: Something called Fresh Catch To Go is opening on Centre Street, near Holy Name. We're going to go out on a limb and guess that it will provide takeaway seafood. [Boston Food & Whine]

Closings
Brookline: Oh no! Taqueria Mexico, our second-favorite Brookline burrito spot, will be closing, to be replaced with a restaurant serving some sort of Italian-inspired sushi. We need a nap. And a carnitas burrito. [Brookline TAB Blog]
Newton: Yerardi's, the much-beloved Newton Italian restaurant, closed its doors on Saturday so that owner Fran Yerardi can focus on his burgeoning real estate career. [Newton TAB]
West Roxbury: Vintage, the high-end spot briefly helmed by Jeffrey Fournier, has closed, suffering the same cruel fate as the preceding restaurant in the location: Fontaine's Chicken, best known for their awesome neon sign. [Parkway Blog]

Changes of Plans
Charlestown: Looks like that third location of Petit Robert Bistro won't be happening after all. [Chowhound]

[Photo: Flickr: kylescollin]

There's so much exciting openings news (and no reported closings!) this week that we're barely even sure where to start, but like The Sound of Music taught us, let's start at the very beginning.

Brighton: Two very exciting developments in Brighton. Rumor has it that When Pigs Fly, the Maine-based bakery with an outpost in Davis Square is thinking of opening a second Boston-area location in Brighton Center. Look for Brightonites (Brightonians?) to get quickly obsessed with their banana, maple, pecan, and brown sugar loaf. Meanwhile, in Oak Square, the owners of Jasmine Bistro are getting ready to open up Ray's Grill, a family-oriented spot. If the food is as good as Jasmine's and the prices are reasonable, we'll be there. [Brighton Centered]
Davis Square:Ten Tables is apparently quite interested in opening a second location in Davis Square. Presumably, it will be called Twenty Tables (HAHAHA. Sorry.) This would be the most exciting Somerville development since Highland Kitchen's opening, but probably not great news for T.W. Food. [Chowhound]
Plymouth:Here's something we didn't know. Newbury Street pizza spot Croma has another location in Manchester, England and is opening a third in Plymouth. An international mini-chain! Whoda thunk it?! [Craigslist]
Roslindale:The Square Corner Cafe, located next to Robyn's (nee The Game Day Pub) is getting ready to open. [Universal Hub]
South End:How nice for the stroller brigade! Whole Foods may open on Harrison Ave. Between this and Las Ventas, Harrison is starting to shape up as the destination for those in search of gourmet groceries. [Boston Real Estate Blog]

[Photo: Flickr: deepaffairs]

After the slow doldrums (slowldrums? Good lord, Daylight Savings Time makes us tired) of last week, we've got plenty to report this week, so without any further adieu, we'll jump right in.

Openings
•Well this is exciting! The Globe reports that Guy Martin, one of France's top chefs (which really means one of the best chefs in the world) will be opening his first-ever United States restaurant this spring in Boston! The restaurant, which will be called Sensing, will be part of the Regent Boston Hotel at Battery Wharf and will feature contemporary French cuisine with a focus on locally-produced foods. You can start counting down the minutes right about...now.
•The Boston Real Estate Blog brought us two interesting nuggets: the intersection of Mass Ave and Washington will be getting a Senegalese restaurant called Teranga. Senegalese food is delicious and underrepresented in the Hub, so this is quite exciting news. Further down Washington, Aroa, a "fine chocolates brasserie" is slated to open by month's end.
•The Newton TAB brings news that Bobalicious, a Vietnamese bubble tea shop, has opened in Nonantum. This is certainly something new for the neighborhood and we hope it succeeds, because who doesn't love banh mi?
•Word on the street is that the owners of Daedalus are opening a second restaurant. A call to Daedalus confirmed that the new spot will be a brick oven pizzeria and should open within a month, but no further details were given.

Closings
•Boston Restaurant Talk brings us the news that well-regarded North End spot La Brace has closed.
•The Hubster reports that East Boston's Caffe Italia is closing and may be turned into a Colombian restaurant. This last detail has caused quite a bit of controversy on the blog's comments. A call to Caffe Italia proved unable to provide a confirmation or denial.

Changes
•Coolidge Corner sushi spot Takeshima has quietly turned into Blue Ocean, a Korean and Japanese spot. Observant readers may remember that the Takeshima space was, at one time, set to be the home of Perpetual Oyster, the rumored Gwen Butler seafood restaurant.

[Photo: Flickr: monicamohindra]

The sea-urchin linguine with breadcrumbs and scallions pictured below is from La Morra. Somehow, it didn't quite make the cut for our sea urchin roundup, but looking at this picture, we're pretty sure that was a misstep on our part. We should probably go try it, though. Just for, you know, research purposes. God, our job is hard.

La Morra [MenuPages]
La Morra [Official Site]

[Photo: Flickr: winyang]

We know, we know: it's guys night on American Idol and you've developed a bewildering crush on Jason Castro, dreads and all, and you're seriously considering just staying home and ordering a pizza. Pizza is great and we're feeling your Castro love (he just seems so happy!), but really, it's relatively warm out (albeit a bit rainy), so shouldn't you get out while you can? Boston is full of good shows tonight, so why not get a nice meal before checking one out?

•The Boston Symphony Orchestra hosts German violinist Isabelle Faust for a night of Mozart, Berg, and Brahms at 8pm. Prepare for this evening of high culture by getting your fix of rowdiness at Betty's. A big bowl of Shanghai wheat noodles will hold you through every last concerto.
•If you're in the mood for something a little more countrified, head to The Cantab Lounge for their 8pm Bluegrass Pickin' Party, but not before stopping into Rendezvous for a luxurious dinner. Grilled sardines with fennel and cherry tomato vinaigrette pair surprisingly well with pickin'.
•Get your indie rock fix at Harper's Ferry, which hosts New York band the French Kicks at 8pm. Beforehand, stop by New Trend Eatery for stellar Cantonese fare: don't miss the BBQ roast duck.
•We are a giant theatre nerd, but frequently, the over-intellectualized productions at the American Repertory Theatre leave us cold. We do, however, very much want to see their current production of Julius Caesar for one reason: Jim True-Frost, also known as Roland Pryzbylewski on the best television show of all time, The Wire, plays Brutus. Before you feast on his awesomeness, dine on a frisee salad and crispy seared duckling at UpStairs on the Square. Mmm...artsy.

After two rather slow weeks in terms of major restaurant news, we have a slew of openings and changes (and no closings!) this week. We're just going to jump right into it, because there's a lot to report.

Openings
•Wellesley fine dining standby Blue Ginger is coming up on its ten year anniversary and to celebrate, it's getting renovated and expanded. The restaurant has acquired the space next door and plans to use it for a lounge which will showcase Ming's Bings, Chef Ming Tsai's take on Asian street food. We are unspeakably excited about this development.
•Chowhound reports that Harrison Ave is set to get even more bustling with the spring opening of Estragon, a giant tapas restaurant set to come later this spring. We were going to make an unspeakably pretentious Waiting for Godot joke here, but it turns out that "estragon" is also the French word for "tarragon." Although: it's a little strange for a tapas place to have a French name, no?
•The BU Free Press reports that Kenmore Square burger hotspot UBurger is opening a second location on Commonwealth Ave near BU's West Campus, neatly filling the space (both literally and figuratively) recently departed by Grille Zone.
•Speaking of expansion, rumor has it that Somerville's Redbones is planning a second location near Fenway Park. This would be tremendous good news for those who love both baseball and barbecue. A call to Redbones confirmed that while nothing is set in stone, they're definitely looking into opening in the area.
•The Fenway area is also set to get another fast food spot when Framingham wing and music emporium The Chicken Bone (beloved by Ming Tsai...this post is coming full circle!) opens a second branch. Note to the unemployed: they're hiring!
•It's unclear whether Sofra, the Ana Sortun/Maura Kilpatrick Middle Eastern bakery and cafe will be located in Cambridge or Watertown. It is, however, clear that people (including us) are getting pretty excited.

Changes
•The rumors are true...well, sort of. There's been a very big staff shakeup at The Biltmore with owner Rebecca Roth, chef Seth Morrison, and bartender Sean McKeown all departing. A call to the restaurant revealed that there are still a few staff members left over and it will not be permanently closing.

[Photo: Flickr: falconn67]

As we mentioned yesterday, we are a terrible person in utter thrall of HBO and we will not be watching the Super Bowl. We're guessing, however, that most of you are unlike us in that regard and have big plans to watch it. If the television in your apartment is missing that certain je ne sais quoi, below are four Super Bowl bar parties that sound like pretty sweet deals. In all cases, we'd recommend calling for reservations in advance.

•The always-festive 75 Chestnut is holding a Super Bowl party complete with beer, wings, BBQ baby back ribs, and sausages. There will also be fabulous prizes and, of course, the restaurant's regular member available a la carte.
•We don't often find ourself at sports bars, but when we go, we like to go all out, and what better place to do so than at Big City? In addition to the astonishing eighty beers on tap, the restaurant will be offering 25 cent wings (!!!!) and showing the game on an amazing nine plasma televisions.
•The best deal of the night has to be at Croma, where attendees will be treated to a free buffet full of pasta, chicken wings, and salad at half time. There will also be Patriots-inspired cocktails and general good times.
•Vox Populi definitely has the cutest Super Bowl conceit. The restaurant will be serving two a la carte menus, one featuring the iconic foods of Boston and the other highlighting those of New York. Boston cream pie beats New York cheesecake any day!

75 Chestnut [Official Site]
Big City [MenuPages]
Croma [Official Site]
Vox Populi [Official Site]

Chipotle finally makes its first incursion into Boston proper with the opening of their Cleveland Circle location today. This seems pretty smart to us: Cleveland Circle is far enough away from the Brookline burrito glut that it won't be threatened by Anna's Taqueria, Boca Grande Taqueria et. al., but it's still near enough to the target demographic (i.e. broke college students).

Here's where it gets exciting! To celebrate the new location, the Cleveland Circle Chipotle (ooh, alliteration) will be giving away free burritos from 11am-8pm today! We're sure the lines will be massive, but still! Free burritos! We like to get the carnitas with rice, fresh tomato salsa, guacamole, cheese, and black beans, but you can choose your own favorite combination. Free burritos: definitely worth the trek to Cleveland Circle.

Chipotle [MenuPages]
Chipotle [Official Site]

Well! After a very slow news week, we're back with plenty of openings, a few closings, and several of what we're going to have to charitably call "rumors." Let's dive right in, shall we?

Openings
•Everyone's favorite Brookline beer bar The Publick House will be opening Publick House Provisions in the old Beacon Kosher Market space. Hot, Buttered, and Toasted reports that the new shop will carry gourmet goodies like specialty oils and vinegars, cheeses, and a wide and presumably excellent selection of beer. Construction has already begun, so here's hoping it opens soon!
•It seems that the Au Bon Pain on Brattle Street has departed this world. Sigh. We remember when it was Warburton's. It will be replaced by some sort of coffee shop, about which little is known other than that it will be serving fancy-pants Terroir Coffee.
•Craigslist brings us the news that the perpetually-planning-to-open Johnnie's on the Side won't be the only new spot near the Garden. DJ's at The Garden will be joining it. According to the restaurant's MySpace, it will feature "great service, a fantastic beverage selection, and sublime food" as well as no less than twenty plasma TVs.
•In what has to be one of our favorite Chowhound threads of all time, one hound wondered whether a Todai Restaurant was going to open in Boston. Soon, the thread devolved into arguing as to whether or not Todai is any good and if, in fact, there are any good all you can eat restaurants. No one answered the original poster's question, but we looked on the company's website and, indeed, Boston is listed as a "future location."

Closings
•In a piece of genuinely sad news for the city's burger lovers, Grille Zone, which had previously planned to open ten new locations within the next five years closed this past Saturday.
•When two Garden-area restaurants open, one, apparently, must close. Mulligans, where one may allegedly purchase a turkey sandwich with butter and mayonnaise, will close on Thursday.
•Finally, one Chowhounder wonders if The Spotted Apron is relocating or closing. This is the first we've heard about this and no one at the bakery was available for comment but tips are, as always, very welcome.

[Photo: Flickr: hawk684]