😤🍣 Beat Boston’s Resy Hunger Games

🏖️ Your hooky plans now come with lunch. ‘Cause Lincoln’s beach boxes are BACK for the summer! Name a better beach combo than a wrap, a bag of Cape Cod chips, and a DC on the beach. We’ll wait!

🥳 And a special HBD to B-Side Member Charlotte! We’d slip a lil’ sweet treat in your beach box if we could. <3

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

Maturing is realizing that winning the Resy Hunger Games doesn't always = a good meal. Trust us, we’ve been there ...

Between Boston’s first Michelin Guide and a flurry of buzzy openings, we’ve been waving at open tables from District 12. So we called up our food writer friends to ask, “if we can’t get in here, where should we go instead?”

Here’s what they said:

🍣 Can’t land a seat 311 Omakase? Go to Wa Shin. Boston’s omakase scene has blown up over the last few years (I had the pleasure of taking a deep dive for a recent guide). At the Michelin-recommended Wa Shin, chef-owner Sky Zheng presents elegant, restrained bites with a vibe that feels special-occasion-worthy without being stuffy. Don’t expect many theatrical, over-the-top flourishes — just beautifully prepared, luxurious ingredients. Reservations are fairly attainable a couple weeks in advance, especially if you’re open to a Monday or Tuesday. 

🍝 If you can’t get into Carmelina’s … go to The Daily Catch. We love The Daily Catch for its epic portions of seafood and pasta, served in a pan. The signature squid-ink linguine is a must; try it with the aglio olio preparation, which delightfully adds chopped calamari to the garlic, olive oil, and cheese for some oceanic funk. The tiny, bustling North End location is a joy if the line’s not too long (no reservations), but for convenience, reserve a table at the spacious waterfront outpost nearby, ideally on the cozy cobblestone patio.

— Rachel Leah Blumenthal, food writer at Boston magazine

🥗 If you’re boxed out at Sarma … try Moona. Yes, Sarma's artful Eastern Mediterranean small plates are stunning — but reservations can be elusive. Moona also serves a thoughtful Eastern Mediterranean-lilting, Middle Eastern mezze menu. There are two locations (a cozier one in Inman Square; a bigger one in Central Square), so snagging a table is stress-free. As at Sarma, there's a long list of spice-market-ish, botanical cocktails, paired with dips aplenty, plus falafel, shish, and whole grilled fish. 

— Kara Baskin, food writer at The Boston Globe

🐙 If Dalia’s booked, beeline to La Bodega. Swoon-worthy decor? Check. A tight tapas menu? Check. Walk-ins on weekends? Also check. This Watertown gem delivers Dalia-level vibes on a smaller, cozier scale. Imagine: Exposed brick, hanging greenery, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, and a warm glow that’s prime date-night fuel. Their Uruguayan-inspired tapas menu also hit similar cravings: pan con tomate, octopus, cured meats — and they’re consistent. Every. Single. Time. Pro tip: Get the Senator Line, my favorite cocktail ever.

— Emily Schario, yours truly

🚗🇺🇸 The Revolutionary War wasn't just a Boston thing. New Hampshire helped shape America's future long before independence was official, and today that history lives on in its scenic drives, waterfront towns, and fiercely independent spirit. Spend a weekend exploring Revolutionary landmarks, grabbing roadside ice cream, and celebrating America 250 without spending half the day weaving through crowds.

🥵 Buckle up for our steamiest season yet. The next three months we’re expecting a true wet, hot, Boston summer (shoutout climate change!). With the increased heat and humidity, afternoon thunderstorms and muggy nights are in the cards, especially as we come off of a long drought. Not to mention, each summer we’re seeing more 90-degree-plus days than the last. So no AC might’ve been OK 50 years ago, but now? We can’t beat the heat without it.

⚽ Boston’s got THE biggest ball. Like, officially. Massport took home the Guinness World Record title for the largest soccer ball in the world at a *whopping* 47.9 feet (the previous record was set in Doha in 2013 and measured ~38 feet). This baddie will be on display in Piers Park II in Eastie through June 18. What happens after? They plan to reuse and recycle as much of it as they can. Plus, Massport will be donating 100 (normal-sized) soccer balls to youth groups and community organizations across the state. Aw!

🍓 We’ve got a bone berry to pick. Good news: It’s strawberry season! Even better news: there are TONS of U-pick strawberry farms near Boston that are ready for visitors. Our recs? Boston Hill Farm in North Andover or Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon. Both are around a ~35-minute drive from Boston AND free to enter. But run fast: Strawb-picking season only runs through early July! Prefer picking flowers? Ward’s also has a PYO lavender option. 

🧁 PSA: The viral dot cakes officially made it to Boston. Yes, these trendy desserts are basically just cakes in a cup, topped with a good heap of frosting and tiny, crunchy colorful sprinkles. And yet, the people are obsessed. Where can you find them? Little Miss Cupcake on Newbury Street, and now even Fenway Park (yes it comes in a helmet cup!). Outside the city? Head to Shubh Kitchen in Natick and Treat Cupcake Bar in Needham. You can read more dot cake lore here.

We’re sorry to report that this newsletter is now a Tartan Army stan page. But can you blame us after what happened at Fenway this weekend? 

The ballpark was decked out in kilts, bagpipes, and drums as thousands of Scottish soccer fans took over the stadium for Scottish Celebration Night. And yes, tarps off were in full force. 

After marching to Lansdowne together with bagpipe players leading the way, the Tartan Army brought every bit of the energy with them, screaming-singing at the top of their lungs. All. Night. Long. Yes, even after the music stopped playing. And loooooooong after the game was over. 

Someone commented on a video, “Was there enough beer at the ballpark for them?” From the looks of it, we’d say definitely. 

— Written by Kelly Chan and Emily Schario

😭 Thanks for reading! They almost make us forget that the Red Sox lost … almost …

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, Visit NH, for supporting local journalism and reminding us that "Live Free" is actually a pretty solid vacation philosophy.

🌴 The results are in: 44% of you are Spectacle Islanders! One reader wrote: “I’m committing to visit all 4 of these this summer! Woohoo!” Collecting islands like Infinity Stones, IKTR.

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