What to Eat (and Drink) This Weekend

Bambara Burger, Brandy, and Beer special. / Photo by Peter Holmgren

A Bambara Burger, Beer, and Brandy

Still haven’t been over to Edwin H. Land Boulevard to check out what chef David Bazirgan has been doing at Bambara—even with the addition of the Hotel Marlowe’s new brandy bar? There’s really no excuse, especially now that Bazirgan is offering a $25 special every night, featuring a dry-aged burger with smoked cheddar, pickles, harissa aioli, and thick-cut fries; plus bartender’s choice of a craft pint and a pour of brandy.

$25, available Friday-Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Bambara Kitchen & Bar, at the Hotel Marlowe, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, 617-868-4444, bambara-cambridge.com.

Temple Bar Frosé Pops photo provided / By Chloe Birthday Cake Push Pop photo provided

Fancy Push Pops

It’s almost August, which means it’s officially the dog days of summer. That calls for a push-up pop—and we’re not talking about some cardboard-y cylinder of your youth. How about a tube of bright-speckled Birthday Cake from Chill By Chloe? The newest vegan ice cream debuts today at all By Chloe locations, including Boston’s Seaport and Fenway, in celebration of the brand’s second anniversary. Or, try a light, refreshing, and just-boozy-enough Frosé Pop at Temple Bar, which bar manager Jenn Harvey freezes up in flavors like strawberry and grapefruit.

By Chloe, 107 Seaport Blvd., 100 Van Ness St., Boston, eatbychloe.com.

Temple Bar, 1688 Mass Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-5055, templebarcambridge.com.

Photo by Nina Gallant for Restaurant Review: The Backroom at Moody’s

Moody’s Tacos

Chef Joshua Smith and his venerable team at Moody’s Delicatessen will soon bless Greater Boston with a taqueria. In anticipation, visit Moody’s Backroom on Saturday for an early taste of the fare, like a smoked chicken taco with sweet corn, Gruyere, and salsa roja; and jerk beef, with crispy Swiss cheese and pico de gallo.

Saturday, July 29, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., the Backroom at Moody’s, Waltham, 781-216-8732, moodyswaltham.com.

Sweet Cheeks biscuits photo by Mike Diskin

As Many Sweet Cheeks Biscuits As You Can

Is that a challenge? Yes, it is. Tiffani Faison’s fluffy, buttery biscuits are always among the top reasons to check out this barbecue temple, but this Saturday, there’s an added bonus. The restaurant is hosting a biscuit-fueled fundraiser to support Boston Medical Center’s new addiction treatment center and its work. A $20 entrance fee goes right to the cause, and competitors could go down in history—and win a $100 gift card. For spectators, proceeds from sales of specials like biscuits and gravy and biscuit sandwiches also support BMC.

Biscuits for BMC, $20 entrance fee to participate, Saturday, July 29, 1 p.m., Sweet Cheeks Q, 1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-266-1300, sweetcheeksq.com.

Pagu cheesy wafflato photo by Matt Li / Gracenote Espresso Tonic photo by Tracy Chang

Katsu Chicken Wafflato and a Spanish Mimosa

Here’s an additional day every week to get your black-as-night lobster roll fix—Pagu debuts a leisurely brunch this Saturday. The menu has weekday lunch-and-evening favorites, like the aforementioned sandwich, Guchi’s Midnight Ramen, and the cedar campfire black cod; plus new dishes, like chef Tracy Chang’s signature wafflato topped with chicken katsu and mushroom gravy; tamari-honey-glazed short rib and eggs for two; and a Spanish mimosa with Axta vermouth, orange cordial, and Cava. Saturday brunch marks the premiere of the house pastry program, and it will be a great opportunity to throw back a Gracenote espresso tonic.

Saturdays beginning July 29, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 310 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-9290, gopagu.com.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRETA RYBUS (WAFERS, BLUEBERRIES, FISH, RUM); JIM BRUECKNER (PIZZA, CREEMEE, CLAM STRIPS); JULIA HOPKINS (CHOWDER)

Like a New Englander

Whether you take a scenic drive to try a regional specialty (steamed cheeseburgers, anyone?), stock up on seafood (5 million Island Creek Oysters were sold last year), or try your hand at Fall River native Emeril Lagasse’s clam boil, here are 43 ways to eat like a local.

Night Shift Brewing Throwback beers. / Photo by Tim Oxton

All Your Favorite Retired Night Shift Beers

We’re quite happy with Night Shift Brewing these days, from its hoppy offerings and experimental sours, to its taproom expansion and new distribution arm. But that doesn’t mean we don’t miss the retired Belgian ale Trifecta on the daily. “We field lots of requests from those of you who want to see your favorites return,” the company says, so they’re bringing some back this weekend to say thank-you. Trifecta, Taza Stout, Bee Tea, Viva Habanera, Rose saison, and Jojo, a hibiscus-infused IPA, all return to the taproom on Sunday, and will also be packaged to take home in four-packs. Plus, special vendors, like Better Bagels, Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers, and Frozen Hoagies will be at the brewery throughout the day.

Night Shift Throwback Fest, Sunday, July 30, 9-11 a.m. (to-go sales only), 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Hwy., Everett, Facebook.