Boston’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Spun off to Fenway from the High Street Place food hall original, this instant landmark from chef Tiffani Faison (of Sweet Cheeks Q and the late Tiger Mama fame) has fun with a sort-of Italian-American menu (“old man clams with grilled soaky bread”) and a choice of mostly non-traditional pizzas that will keep you coming back.

After hibernating through most of the pandemic, Wink & Nod — a handsomely turned-out South Boston basement speakeasy — is back in full force, featuring an amazing Scotch collection (among other potables) and a pop-up culinary program featuring food by an array of top local chefs.

It’s mozzarella sticks, chicken Parm, and cannoli — among other old-school Italian-American specialties — done traditionally but in high style at this Boston outpost of the Parm mini-empire from New York’s Major Food Group (of Carbone, Sadelle’s, etc.).

There’s plenty of pizza in various styles in Boston, but this family-friendly “pizzabar” from chef Michael Lombardi of SRV brings something different to the table: canotto-style pizza, a variation on the Neapolitan original with a crust that’s puffy, light, tender, and extremely delicious.

Bring someone special to this voluptuously decorated Italian restaurant and cocktail mecca in Sommerville’s Assembly Row development — sibling to Parla in the North End — for the seafood specialties, the varied pastas, and more. And have fun with the bar’s Dungeon Master program: Roll the dice and sip your way (eventually) through 20 secret cocktails.

Reopened after a fire shut it down for three years, this breezy Rowes Wharf Italian — with the kitchen now in the capable hands of chef Andrea Congiusta, who cooked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy — is just as good as you might remember. Be sure to try the thin-crust pizza-like pinsas.

Boston restaurant stars Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette summon up the flavors of coastal Italy with this handsome Newbury Street destination, with Brian Rae, from the team’s well-loved Coppa, running the kitchen. Grilled lobster with clams and fregola is a signature. Pro tip: Begin (or end) the evening at the seductive Bar Pallino downstairs.

Note: As of October 2022, the restaurant has changed its name from Faccia Brutta to Faccia a Faccia.

Longtime personal chef and caterer David Welch (he did the food for Barack Obama’s 60th birthday bash) now offers his impeccable renditions of classic fare (his signatures include smoked ribs and a “royal blue” burger) to anyone lucky enough to grab one of the 18 seats at his Chestnut Hill bistro.

You’ll want to settle in at one of the wood-slab tables at this modern-style Japanese establishment on Harvard Square for the alternating ramen specials, the innovative sushi offerings, and the imaginative izakaya-style snacks (edamame hummus, anyone?).