Openings: New York City sensation Xi’an Famous Foods — beloved for spicy, hand-pulled noodles swimming in chili oil with cumin lamb — now has a ghost-kitchen branch in Roxbury (94 Shirley St.), with a storefront opening in Downtown Crossing later this year.
Owner Jason Wang confirms the expansion.
“Xi’an Famous Foods is expanding into Boston, in the form of corporate-owned locations. Our first step into the market is in the form of a ghost kitchen located in Roxbury. It is considered an official branch of the original brand, corporate-owned and operated with our own recipes and ingredients, not franchised or licensed. We serve almost the entire menu at this location,” Wang says in an email. (Cold skin noodles aren’t on the menu up here.)
After Downtown Crossing, Wang says that Xi’an will continue to expand with locations throughout Greater Boston.
In Lexington, Post 1917 (27 Waltham St.) is poised to open by the end of the month, building off initial success in Reading. The restaurant will bring a splash of steakhouse energy to the quaint suburb, with a 50-seat bar, a 140-seat dining room, espresso martinis, and beyond-beef indulgences like lobster tempura and seafood paella.
In Lynn, Scopa is now open, serving Italian dishes with waterfront views (829 Boston St.). Visit nightly for pastas and parms (Tuesday is $16.95 chicken parm night), plus brunch from 10 a.m. on weekends.
Closings: Fried chicken parlor Lily P’s is “closed and on indefinite hiatus” in Kendall Square (50 Binney St.), says owner Alex Tanenbaum, who also runs area restaurants Naco Taco and Smoot Standard. Lily’s will retain a Hub Hall location, however.
Festivals: The Boston Pizza Festival returns to City Hall Plaza this weekend, featuring slices from 30-plus pizzerias, demos, and wine. Sample dishes from Eataly, Florina, Quattro, Sally’s Apizza, and more. Tickets start at $10; get them at www.bostonpizzafestival.com.
Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her @kcbaskin.