There’s always a line at Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions in Waltham (468 Moody St. at Chestnut Street), and thankfully they’ve launched a 42-seat restaurant with a full liquor license at long last. Moody’s Back Room, adjacent to the deli, specializes in meat-focused and wood-fired small and large plates. Owner Joshua Smith reveals that his Parisian gnocchi with wild mushrooms cooked in a wood oven is an early crowd favorite; operations director Ellen Benson recommends meatballs made with salami ends, ground pork, and beef. The restaurant is open Tue-Sat, 4-10 p.m.
Good news for fans of Bishop’s in Lawrence, the long-lived Lebanese landmark that closed in 2001: The founding family has opened a 70-seat spot, Bishop’s Legacy, in Lowell (143 Merrimack St. at Palmer Street). “We fell in love with Lowell’s beauty and diversity,” says owner Chuck Saba. He’s making many of his family’s original recipes dating from 1949, like baked stuffed clams and baked stuffed mushrooms.
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The Boston Park Plaza has a new restaurant: Off the Common opened on Friday (50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a seafood-centric menu: lobster Benedict in the morning and clam chowder, pan-roasted mussels, and baked local cod loin at lunch and dinner. It replaces the Statler Lounge.
Steakhouse STRIP by Strega, part of restaurateur Nick Varano’s empire, opens at the hotel on April 18. Farouk Bazoune, of Woburn’s Strega Prime, is executive chef.
Starting this weekend, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in the Back Bay (75 Arlington St. at Stuart Street) will serve Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find spring rolls stuffed with chicken Parmesan and Philly cheesesteak, several pastas, and even a few egg dishes like a goat cheese, spinach, and tomato frittata.
Kara Baskin can be reached at kcbaskin@gmail.com.