Reopenings: Happily, Moody’s Delicatessen and Backroom (468 Moody St. at Chestnut Street) isn’t gone for good. The Waltham sandwich shop and restaurant had shuttered, coinciding with the departure of longtime partner Joshua Smith.
However, general manager and director of operations Alex Hage (a former general manager at downtown seafood destination Ostra) says that a new, expanded version of Moody’s will reappear soon, complete with a large private event space behind the deli.
“We’re re-concepting and reopening in stages,” he says. Part of this plan includes a new restaurant in the former El Rincon de Moody’s space next door, which specialized in barbecue and tacos under Smith.
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However, Moody’s deli-in-the-front, restaurant-in-the-back setup won’t change.
In the deli, “We’ll have great quality food, great quality meat, and the next thing you know, you’re in heaven,” he says.
Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions in the Back Bay remains open for business.
Coming Soon: North End restaurateur Nick Frattaroli (Tony & Elaine’s) plans to refashion and rename sister restaurant North Square Oyster (5 North Square). Ciao Bella will debut in June, focusing on Italian-American food. North Square Oyster Bar within the restaurant will serve a pared-down seafood menu with crudos, oysters, and lobster rolls, overseen by executive chef Pierce Boalt Juckett (Select Oyster Bar).
Allston’s Café Beatrice (182 Western Ave. at North Harvard Street) is slated to open on Tuesday, May 7, the latest from Will Gilson (Inman Square’s Puritan and Company). The six-month pop-up takes over the former Rabottini’s pizzeria. Graze on breakfast sandwiches, granola and yogurt parfaits, grilled cheese, grain bowls, and noodle bowls from an all-day menu. Bring your laptop and work al fresco on the patio from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
James Beard Best Chef Northeast award-winner Karen Akunowicz (Fox & the Knife, Myers + Chang) will open a fast-casual poke shop, SloPoke, at downtown’s Whole Foods at Charles River Plaza (181 Cambridge St. at Blossom Street) on Friday, May 10. Grab ahi, sake, and sweet potato poke bowls on the go, or build your own.
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Seasonal delights: Duxbury’s Island Creek Oyster Farm (401 Washington St.) has relaunched its seasonal raw bar, serving homegrown bivalves, tinned fish, caviar, pate, wine, and beer, enhanced by fire pits and lawn games overlooking Duxbury Bay. If your kids don’t love caviar, feed them hot dogs and ice cream cups.
Pop-ups: Michael Scelfo (Alden + Harlow, Longfellow Bar, Waypoint) launches the Misión Burrito pop-up this weekend at Harvard Square’s annual Mayfair, partnering with local charities to support youth culinary education. Grab a $9 pork, chicken, scrambled egg, or fried potato burrito, and visit www.instagram.com/mision.burrito/ for location and charity partner updates. Kara Baskin
Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @kcbaskin.