The October Hit List: Cobble, Lord Hobo Seaport, Bronwyn, Coppa, and More

Pandemic or not, Lord Hobo’s long-awaited Seaport expansion has landed. But this mammoth new beer garden is uniquely suited for our socially distanced moment: the outdoor deck can safely seat well over 200 thirsty patrons. Plentiful Lord Hobo drafts and canned cocktails will sate the aforementioned thirst, and a Bon Me food truck will be on hand to provide noodles, barbecue pork sandwiches, and more.

Dining status: patio dining by reservation.

Like the hotel that houses it, 907 Main, The Dial is a newcomer to Central Square. But chef Justin Orso has deep local roots, having previously worked at L’Espalier and Catalyst. Orso’s menu borrows liberally from global cuisine, packing coconut curry laska, Ethiopian beef tartare, and Brazilian shellfish stew onto the same inquisitive menu.

Dining Status: patio and indoor dining by reservation; call the restaurant at 617-349-2967.

The newcomer Cobble is on the frontier of post-coronavirus dining. The second-story restaurant has a total seating capacity of 12, broken up between separate rooms, and can be booked out entirely for private dining. The plan of attack here is pre-fixe family style, with a new menu of Italian-influenced fare debuting each Monday; you might find pumpkin zuppa with Gouda, barley risotto with rosemary and Parmigiano, and chicken cacciatora. It’s BYOB, so pack along your favorite wine or spirit. And if you go the latter route, Cobble even has a menu of housemade mixers to choose from. 

Dining status: indoor dining by reservation.

The lights are back on at this glitzy downtown supper club. Celebrate the occasion with Yvonne’s classics, like chicken and quinoa meatballs in garlic sauce, and crispy tater cubes with Gouda and beet-pickled eggs, or make up for lost time with an indulgent, serves-two Hong Kong beef brisket made with 24-hour char siu, garlic chili noodles and black mushrooms in a hot pot. Their vanilla-infused espresso martini is right where you left it, though you may want to consider a new dram like the ‘Nana Gone Wild, made with Cognac, sherry, banana liqueur and cinnamon demerara. 

Dining status: indoor dining by reservation; call the restaurant at 617-267-0047.

Inventive cocktails inspired by classic vinyl and globe-trotting finger-foods have returned to Harvard Square. Longfellow’s current menu includes hits like Thai sausage pigs in a blanket, smoked-grain sourdough with maple-koji butter, and of course, the Big Mac-inspired Alden Burger. On the drinks side, you may want to consider a Sea ,Change made with Privateer rum, rainwater Madeira and dry curacao; or a London Calling, with gin, yellow Chartreuse and Dimmi.

Dining status: indoor and dining by reservation; call the restaurant at 617-864-0001; also offering takeout.

In days past, the only way to snag Bar Mezzana’s elusive double cheeseburger was to order it at the bar during dinner service. Now you can catch it anywhere within the restaurant during Saturday and Sunday brunch. The half-fancy-half-not burger piles crispy onions, dijonnaise, ketchup, pickles and American and Taleggio cheeses on two beef patties. 

Dining status: open for indoor and patio dining by reservation; order here for takeout or delivery.

You have until October 25 to celebrate Oktoberfest at Bronwyn’s tented patio, where you’ll be treated to a 3-course dinner menu, with choices including schnitzel in mushroom cream sauce, spätzle with aged cheddar and a two-pound beer-braised pork shank. Or you can mark the beercentric holiday at home by ordering six-packs of Bronwyn’s house-made sausage and “mystery” four-packs of German and Polish brews for takeout or delivery.

Dining status: open for indoor and patio dining by reservation; order here for takeout or here for delivery.

The North Shore-style roast beef sandwich and seafood shack is the newest vendor at Time Out Market. Walk up for hot buttered lobster rolls with a red wine sauce; wagyu beef sandwiches on griddled onion rolls; and seafood chowder made with clams, smoked scallops, potatoes, and crème fraiche. 

Dining status: walk-ins only.

Coppa is marking the return of Pats season with Sunday-only takeout packages, bundling their famed Italian grinder, margherita and pepperoni pizzas, and Caesar salad, with the option to add sixers of Narragansett or cans of Lambrusco. If you aren’t feeding a crowd, just know that their pepperoni pizzas are now available for takeout or delivery each Sunday. Meanwhile, the football agnostic can visit in-person to indulge in bucatini carbonara and lasagna pizzoccheri.

Dining status: open for patio dining by reservation; call the restaurant at 617-391-0902; order here for takeout or here for delivery.

Summer may have ended, but Nighshift’s beer garden on the Esplanade is still going strong. Through October, you’ll have the chance to partake in Nighshift brews and hard seltzers while admiring the changing foliage and noshing on fare from visiting food trucks.

Dining status: open for patio dining by reservation.