Where to Eat in August: Parla XXI, Black Lamb, and More

Long-running, pint-sized North End speakeasy Parla just got a supersized sibling in the form of Parla XXI. It carries on the speakeasy theme — perhaps less convincingly, given its oversized digs at Somerville’s Assembly Row — as well as a focus on comforting Italian fare like lobster ravioli in a grappa sauce and housemade ricotta gnudi. In terms of cocktails, you’re looking at reinterpreted classics, an entire subsection of shrubs, and Parla’s famous “Dungeon Master” experience that asks patrons to roll a 20-sided die — with a different off-menu cocktail served for each number.

Salt Patisserie comes from Chef Thiago Silva, who has an impressive pedigree: prior to opening the Brazilian-influenced French pastry shop, Silva made sweets for the likes of Derek Jeter and Carmelo Anthony and competed on “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” Now with the keys to his own place, Silva’s making white cheese-and-guava-paste croissants, gluten-free pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), and cookies-and-cream eclairs for any regular Joe off the street.

Walk-ins only.

The Nightshade Noodle Bar family just got a little larger, as the French-Vietnamese restaurant has welcomed a sibling establishment in the form of Sin City Superette. Located directly next door, the newer business is a “neighborhood market” that will sell pantry staples (if you consider caviar and housemade chile-crab dip staples), fresh local seafood, and prepared foods including poke bowls and special sauce-slathered “Sin City” cheeseburgers. It’s enough to make you consider a reservation next door to remember how this whole thing started.

NYC’s Blue Ribbon Sushi has touched down in Boston, occupying the space that had until recently housed The Hawthorne. The new interior is an ode to Japanese minimalism accented by walnut and oak, and the menu is a near phonebook-length listing of raw seafood delights including 30 types of sushi and sashimi organized by their ocean or origin. You can, of course, always opt for a maki like the Blue Ribbon roll made with lobster, shiso, and black caviar, or indulge in Japanese A5 wagyu by the 2-, 4-, or 8-ounce cut.

For reservations, call 617-264-0410.

Vegetable-based (and Cambridge-based) tavern PlantPub has crossed the Charles, setting up inside what had been the Fenway location of Boston Beerworks. Yes, there’s still suds — in the form of 19 regional craft beers on draft — and beer-soaking comfort food, but this time made without a speck of animal product. In particular, we’re talking fried cauliflower wings with herb ranch dressing, barbecue “pulled pork” pizza with melted “mozzarella” and spicy aioli dressing, and house-blend veggie burgers available classic or topped with kimchi aioli or guacamole.

Walk-ins only.

After the 2019 fire that caused its closure, it seemed a sure thing that Pasta Beach was a goner. But three years — and a global pandemic later — the Beach is back, with a refreshed aesthetic (look out for the jungle-print wallpaper) and a menu of housemade pastas including pappardelle with a Roman oxtail ragu, ravioli with ricotta cheese and ‘nduja, or tagliolini with lobster and tomato water.

Summer is in full swing at Fox & The Knife, which in the context of this South Boston enoteca, means new menu additions like ricotta tortellini with summer squash in a tomato broth, lasagna verde with nettles, spinach, and bechamel, or a spaghetti con vongole enhanced by saffron, clams, and tomato butter. Naturally, you’ll want a spritz before the feast — look to a “featured aperitivi” menu section that highlights a half-dozen possible base spirits.

In other news, T&B Pizza, which had closed and re-opened several times over the pandemic, is back to form since shuttering last fall. The traditionally made but untraditionally topped Neapolitan pies are back, so you can again experience a fluffy, charred-crust pie crowned with the likes of bacon and pickled jalapeños or Mexican street corn and ancho chile sauce.

Walk-ins only.

Black Lamb is leaning into its Bay State roots in the best way possible by introducing its own iteration of the iconic North Shore-style roast beef sandwich. Black Lamb’s version is a modern take on the classic “three-way” preparation with American cheese, mayo, and barbecue sauce on an onion roll. It’s only available on Mondays — when, it should be noted, the restaurant also offers $1 oysters and $4 Miller High Lifes.

We don’t want to bring anyone down, but it’s a fact of the calendar that summertime is receding. As such, you should do everything in your power to consume ahi tuna nachos, seafood fra diavolo, and seafood towers within sight of the city skyline across Boston Harbor. Fortunately, ReelHouse offers ample opportunities to indulge in all of the above.