The June Hit List: The Emory, backbar, Para Maria, and More

Those who have waited over a year to again drink at backbar will no longer go thirsty. One of the area’s best cocktail lounges is back, and for the first time, they’re taking reservations. Claim a date-perfect high-top or a crowd-pleasing booth, and take your pick from the ever-creative, themed cocktail menu (June features a bear theme, with drinks like a Chicago hot dog-inspired Chicago Bear, or a tea-infused Paddington Bear with marmalade bitters) or go the “writer’s block” route and ask the bartender to whip something up based on your own imbibing preferences.

The Major Food Group, responsible for such NYC heavy hitters as Carbone and Dirty French, have expanded their reach to Boston, in the form of the freshly opened Street Bar at the reimagined Newbury Hotel. While the Public Garden-facing cocktail lounge may be new, it’s tapping into cocktail history to prep classics like the Singapore Sling, Bobby Burns and a half-dozen Martini variants.

Likewise, the food menu is a pleasing throwback stocked with hand-carved turkey club sandwiches, freshly baked pigs in a blanket and an eponymous burger topped with aged cheddar, dijonnaise, caramelized onions and pickles on an English muffin.

Time Out Market has emerged from its own time out, and while some things haven’t changed — you can still score beurre-rouge lobster rolls from Cusser’s, birria tacos from Taqueria El Barrio, and buttermilk ranch-drizzled fried chicken sandwiches courtesy of Bisq — a brand-new Tiki Bar is furnishing cocktails, the likes of the Pour Decisions (rum, falernum, pineapple, lime, Angostura bitters), to be enjoyed on the 6,000-square-foot patio.

Walk-ins only. More info here.

Goobye Brass Union, Hello Vera’s. This new concept from the same group responsible for the space’s previous tenant remains focused on high-concept cocktails, but pairs them to an unfussy food menu fixated on red sauce Italian. So, you might find yourself sipping from a frozen espresso martini, or a Lust for Life (rye, Averna, Moxie syrup, barrel-aged bitters), as you await orders of fried mozzarella sticks or linguini alle vongole.

The swank new lobby bar at the One Dalton Four Seasons wears several hats. In the evenings it’s a cocktail lounge, serving drinks that reference Boston history, like the Sticky Situation (rye, sweet vermouth, molasses and cardamom syrup) alongside local cheeses, charcuterie, and small bites — such as lamb carpaccio and a “lobster roll” send-up made with caviar, shaved celery and fennel soubise. But every Saturday and Sunday, reservations are accepted to indulge in that favorite pastime of Boston Brahmins everywhere: afternoon tea. The $59-a-head service includes a glass of sparkling wine, freshly baked scones, a selection of savory tea sandwiches filled with the likes of black truffle egg salad or curry chicken, and of course, your choice of tea from local blender Jenwey Tea.

For reservations, call the restaurant at (857)-449-2435.

Nigh Shift’s beer oasis on the banks of the Charles River has been reactivated for another summer, with food provided by the Brato Brewhouse food truck. This way, you won’t ever have to face another Esplanade sunset without a frosty pint of Mango Weisse sour ale and smoked bluefish pate within reach.

We hope you aren’t doing anything this weekend, because June 3 marks the long-awaited return of Beacon Hill gastropub The Emory. We have a hunch that its first service since closing on October 8 will involve garlic cheddar fondue-topped burgers, buffalo sweetbreads, and other high-low delights.

For the duration of summer 2021, the Envoy Hotel’s patio will play host to Para Maria, a seasonal pop-up from chef Tatiana Pairot Rosana. The Chopped veteran will serve a tight menu of homey Latin fare, including mojo pork carnitas tacos, twice-cooked patatas bravas with chipotle aioli, and “Flamin’ Hot” elotes. Speaking of: If the temperature calls for it, cool yourself down with a frosty Pacifico, or a paleta in flavors like coconut horchata, mango tajin and strawberry piña.

Walk-ins only. More info here.

Myers + Chang is seating indoors from Thursday through Sunday, allowing you to again get up close and personal with tea-smoked spareribs and wok-roasted lemongrass mussels. However, their delivery and takeout game is staying strong: Any day remains a good day for Netflix, matched with the wild boar dan dan noodles with black chorizo crumble.

The bad news is that Burlington’s location of Island Creek Oyster Bar has closed. The good news is that it’s now a new outpost of Row 34, and the bivalves and beer are once again flowing. Visit between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to take advantage of their daily dollar oyster offering, or drop by anytime for warm buttered lobster rolls, crispy oyster sliders on brioche, or lobster fettucine with braised short ribs, grilled lobster, and maitake mushrooms.

For reservations, call the restaurant at (781)-761-6500.