French Quarter, Fox & The Knife, and Oleana: Now on the Hit List

Because the freshly opened French Quarter is bringing Bourbon Street to Washington Street via a menu that proffers Louisiana classics like shrimp etouffee, New Orleans-style shrimp, and bourbon pecan pie. Sink into a velvet banquette to take in the jazzy soundtrack, and linger over a sazerac, a vieux carré, or a ramos gin fizz.

Because the former Lion’s Tail space on Harrison Avenue has roared back to life as the second location of Yellow Door Taqueria. Over a dozen varieties of tacos are served on house-made tortillas with fillings like mezcal-flambéed shrimp and duck with vanilla-plantain purée. On the drinks side, expect an expansive margarita program with flavors like coconut, jalapeño, and strawberry vanilla.

For reservations call the restaurant at 857-239-9276.

Because Fox & The Knife is a 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and there’s about to be a run on reservations. Make a Resy now to beat the crowds and enjoy the house-made pasta that is putting this South Boston enoteca on the map.

Because Ana Sortun’s James Beard nomination for Outstanding Chef makes this month the perfect time to visit this Middle Eastern-focused classic. Plates of spinach falafel with beet yogurt, lamb and grape leaf sarma, and scallops in chickpea chorizo stew are all a testament to Sortun’s talents. 

Because Back Bay’s latest, greatest date spot has arrived in the form of this new wine bar from the team behind Committee and GreCo. Polished marble plaster walls and deep blue banquettes provide sex appeal, while an exclusively Greek wine list provides one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the country. Between glasses, nourish yourself with shared plates of octopus mortadella, moussaka tartare and lamb osso bucco.

For reservations call the restaurant at 617-536-0230.

Because Michael Serpa’s long-awaited Parisian bistro — just a block away from his Select Oyster Bar — has finally arrived. Hand-cut steak tartare and prime ribeye steak frites are served alongside less common French fare like escargot pie and braised venison. An intimate dining room with a long marble bar tempts regulars-in-training to stop in for a glass from the extensive wine list, which touts French and American makers. 

For reservations call the restaurant at 857-277-0800.

Because multiple visits are required to take in the full scope of Southie’s red-hot natural wine bar. Check the ever-changing blackboard specials to discover your favorite new producer, and pair your choice with mussels toast and fluke crudo.

Because the Brasserie Jo-shaped hole inside the Colonnade Hotel has at last been filled. The new tenant is a swank restaurant serving Maine lobster pie, black truffle mushroom pizza, spicy crab lumache, and much more. Back Bay’s cocktail menu balances margaritas on draft with house creations like the Colonel Forbin, a drink made with Cognac, vermouth, dry Curaçao and pomegranate. 

For reservations call the restaurant at 617-425-3400.

Because with over two dozen varieties of hot and cold udon, Tsurutontan Boston provides ample reason for a second (or third or fourth) visit. If you can’t decide between Wagyu ribeye with truffle-spiked dashi broth and spicy tan tan udon, you can always order a barbecued eel and ricotta roll, and make the decision post-sushi. Just be sure to make a Resy and skip the wait. 

Because this Union Square newcomer — whose name means “bar” in Spanish — is a pretension-free homage to Mexico City’s bar scene. The simple, tightly curated food menu features dishes like taco de chile relleno (ground meat-stuffed jalapenos on house-made tortillas) and tamal de calabaza (sweet pumpkin tamal with ice cream). As for the drink menu,  you’ll encounter cerveza, mezcals, sotols, and even Mexican natural wines.  

Walk-ins only.

Throughout the months of March and April, Resy will celebrate women in the restaurant industry through our annual The Women of Food global dinner series. On March 17, Cassie Piuma will host a dinner at her award-winning Sarma to honor her partners, mentors, and friends: Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick. (And if you can’t make the dinner, this is a great month to check out more of the best women-owned restaurants in Boston.)