From Thrillist.com: "Forget the Summer of Gronk, the Summer of Pedro, and the Summer of The Rock. This has been the Summer. Of. Food. The Boston dining renaissance continues, and local chefs have been extra busy feeding the sun-soaked masses. Here are 20 new Hub restaurants you should check out immediately."
1. Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca | Seaport
"Super-chef Mario Batali has finally landed in Boston with Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca, an offshoot of his NYC flagship Babbo Ristorante. The sleek space is organized around three Carrara marble-topped bars, while the menu is organized around wood-burning brick oven pizzas, like quattro formaggi and pancetta with crimini and robiola. Of course, signature pastas such as the Bucatini all' Amatriciana are also in the mix alongside Italian small plates (gnoccho fritto) and house-made gelati (dark chocolate, graham cracker). For cheesemongers, be sure to check out the formaggio list with locally made wonders (Babbo ricotta, Wolf Meadow caciotta)."
2. Banyan Bar + Refuge | South End
"The Gallows Group (of the famed Blackbird Doughnuts and The Gallows) is already keeping the South End well-fed, and now they’re just showing off with the recently launched Banyan Bar + Refuge on Tremont St. This modern Asian gastropub melds Eastern and Western flavors into mashups for both its dishes and its drinks. Must-haves include the Umeboshi Old Fashioned (preserved plum-infused rye, Demerara simple syrup, yuzu bitters), kung pow sweetbreads, and cast iron duck confit crispy rice with corn relish, gochujang ketchup, and poached egg. However, the crown jewel is the fried chicken done Ptang-style with dried lime chimichurri and furikake."
3. Crudo | North End
"Deep within our Little Italy, Crudo breaks the culinary mold with pan-Asian tastes and a mix of old/new Japanese cuisine. Executive Chef Kenichi Iwaoka (Ginza, OSUSHI) blends unique ingredients for dishes like Oyster Pearls, a tempura-fried tempter with truffle-honey aioli and fried cilantro; and Lobster Tsunami Makimono with lobster salad and fried leeks perched on a lightly grilled rice cake. If you’re really hungry, dive into the Seafood Pan Fried Noodle loaded with calamari, shrimp, and scallops, and wash that down with the Social Mule (cucumber vodka, ginger liqueur, organic sake, ginger beer)."
