What to Eat (and Drink) This Weekend
Date-night dinner and a movie, go on a beer road trip, run with the bulls at Toro, and more.
Omelette at Juliet. / Photo by Emily Sotomayor for “Top New Restaurants 2016: Have Breakfast for Dinner“
An Omelette with Dijon and a Juliet Martini—Any Time
Juliet remains one of the Boston area’s most unique dining experiences, with themed prix-fixe dinner reservations available every season (Beach Rose: an ode to the New England Shoreline is on now through the fall), full breakfast every day, a collaborative profit sharing business model, and even a self-published quarterly magazine. But instead of separate menus for lunch and dinnertime service, now the a la carte options are the same, Wednesday-Sunday, all day long. Without a reservation, stop in this weekend (or anytime) for omelettes all day, snacks like butter and radishes, house-made pastas, and more of chef Josh Lewin’s whims. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m., with the full menu kicking in from 11 a.m. until close. Sunday evenings still feature all the pasta as the walk-in-only Romeo’s at Juliet. It all pairs nicely with a glass from Katrina Jazayeri’s curated wine list, or a classic gin martini.
21 Union Square, Somerville, 617-718-0958, julietsomerville.com.
Change Up 13: Ales for ALS is now available at Idle Hands taproom in Malden / Photo provided
Go to Some Breweries
Friday and Saturday are predicted to be absolutely gorgeous. Take advantage of the nice weather with a brewery road trip. Check out our five must-visit spots around the state of Massachusetts, from Tree House in Charlton, to Devil’s Purse in Dennis. Or, go way the heck up in central Maine to visit the brand-new Bissell Brothers Three Rivers, now open Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from noon-6 p.m. Closer to home, check out one of the many outdoor beer gardens popping up around Boston. Feeling charitable? A couple local spots have pints for a cause this weekend: Idle Hands Craft Ales in Malden just released Change Up 13-Ales for ALS, a 6.4 percent hop-forward IPA with lots of papaya flavors, and a touch of bitter grapefruit and green pepper. The beer, which will also be distributed to some local restaurants, donates $1 per pint, and $20 per keg to Ales for ALS in honor of co-owners Chris and Grace Tkach’s brother-in-law who lives with the disease. On the South Shore, Barrel House Z in Weymouth and Widowmaker in Braintree are both forwarding a portion of profits to the families of Weymouth Police Officer Michael C. Chesna and Vera Adams, victims of recent gun violence. Cheers to supporting the craft beer community.
A full table at Café du Pays. / Photo by Nir Landau
Or Go to the Movies
Sunday is looking less than fine weather-wise, but that’s a great excuse to go to the movies. Combine a show at the swanky new ShowPlace Icon Seaport with a nontraditional brunch: Puritan & Co. chef Will Gilson’s everything bagel popcorn is on the menu throughout July, and of course the full bar can make you a mimosa. Or, plan a night out at the Best of Boston date-night destination Café du Pays, which sells discounted tickets to nearby Kendall Square Cinema before 6 p.m., and also validates parking in the garage. Chef Dan Amighi’s summer menu has many options for pre-show snacking, from fresh oysters on the half-shell, to bluefish pâté, poutine, cheeses and charcuterie—not to mention lovely cocktails and desserts.
A Fluffernutter doughnut ice cream sandwich is on the menu at Blackbird Doughnuts.
A Fluffernutter Ice Cream Doughnut Sandwich
If you’re out and about this weekend (and perhaps partaking in a little legal weed?), try Blackbird Doughnuts’ latest stoner-friendly snack: a Fluffernutter ice cream sandwich. Vanilla soft serve is swirled with creamy peanut butter and marshmallow Fluff, and sandwiched between a pillowy, sliced doughnut of your choice. Find it on the menu at both bakeshops for $7.50.
492 Tremont St., South End, 20 Kilmarnock St., the Fenway, Boston, 617-482-9000, blackbirddoughnuts.com.
Toro hosts a Running of the Bulls fiesta on Sunday with gin and tonics, pintxos, and more. / Photo provided
Porrón and Pintxos
Toro is bringing Pamplona to the people of Boston this Sunday with pours from the porrón, a giant pan of paella Valenciana, and all-you-can-eat pintxos from new executive chef (and recent Miami transplant) Josh Elliott for a Running of the Bulls fiesta. No questionably dangerous bull-riding or chasing, only good food and fun: The ticket includes all food and some sips, tax, gratuity, and Spanish-style entertainment, while the bar will also be whipping up sherry cocktails, gin and tonics, sangria, and more. White linen pants and bright red bandanas are strongly encouraged.
$75, Sunday, July 22, noon-5 p.m., 1704 Washington St., Boston, 617-536-4300, RunningoftheToro.eventbrite.com, toro-restaurant.com.
