Bostonia Public House. Doors opened last week at this new Downtown/Financial District eatery, where the menu from chef Kyle Ketchum pits modern spins on New England classics: for instance, a Boston Cream Pie topped with almond brown butter cake croutons and microgreens. The vintage-chic design from Restaurant: Impossible personality Taniya Nayak is sleek and stylish, and there’s a bountiful by-the-glass wine selection (billed as the city’s largest) that includes Bostonia’s own private label selections. For a look at the space and dishes, check out our feature here. 131 State St; 617-948-9800
Dumpling House. This week saw the opening of this Cambridge cousin to Chinatown’s Gourmet Dumpling House, which is short one word but still long on its titular eats. The dumpling and bun selections include mint soup dumplings with pork and crab, pan-fried buns with pork and leeks, and beef and celery dumplings. 950 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 617-661-8066
La Brasa. A rep tells us this highly anticipated new Somerville eatery will officially open on Friday. It comes from chef Daniel Bojorquez, an alum of L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre alum’s new restaurant and will feature a lodge-like interior where cooking everything with live fire will be the common denominator linking Latin-influenced cuisine. Local farm-raised meats, from beef to lamb to chicken, will also be made available in a small market section of the restaurant. Cocktail guru Matthew Schrage (former manager at The Hawthorne and Menton) created the bar program, heavy on mezcals and rums, while coffee expert Judson McCrae (the man behind the coffee program at Hi-Rise Bread Company) is curating an attention-grabbing roster of unique java varieties. 124 Broadway, Somerville
Parla. Putting an Italian spin on the speakeasy concept is this new North End entry. (Parla is Italian for “speak.”) The menu from chef Eric Buonagurio is big on small plates, including monkfish osso bucco and squid ink gnocchi, and the beverage program features an all-Italian wine list, craft beers, and spins on classic cocktails. (Like the Bee-Sting Julep, a habanero and honey twist on the mint julep.) There’s also a “secret menu” that in-the-know guests can access by uttering a special password. Does “please” work? 230 Hanover St; 617-367-2824
Trophy Room. Opening Friday, Trophy room is a re-imagining of the South End’s former Fritz Lounge (Its name nod sto the display of glistening trophies accrued by local teams who frequented the former gay sports bar.) Now an elevated restaurant with wide neighborhood appeal, Trophy Room has is turning out fun American fare with French and Southern accents: like drunken mussels with house lager, spicy duck boudin and gumbo. There’s also a more interesting bar program that includes 20 draft beer sand sports-themed cocktails like the those shown here: the World Cup ($12), a coupe glass of Plymouth gin, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, lemon, and egg whites; and Runner Up ($12) a neat sip of Bulleit Rye, Carpano Antica, Crème Yvette, Green Charteuse, and grapefruit bitters. For a look around the space, check out our feature here. 26 Chandler St; 617-482-3450
