Something new and something nostalgic heat up North End’s culinary scene.
Extra Dirty’s interiors create the perfect ambiance for sipping and mingling late into the evening.
EXTRA DIRTY COCKTAIL CLUB
Behind The Red Fox’s velvet curtain, the libations are always extra dirty. The intimate, multi-course cocktail experience, which opened this winter in North End, comes from the creators of Farmacia and The Red Fox. Inside the moody yet ornate space, a rotating menu of innovative sips and small plates welcomes cocktail connoisseurs to sit back, relax and indulge. Explore various regions and concepts through three to four courses, which boast the finest ingredients, spirits and produce.
The Bamboo cocktail.
The club’s first endeavor, A Visit to Italy, took inspiration from classic Italian flavors and culinary techniques. While sampling pasture-raised beef meatballs and handmade pasta, guests enjoyed pairings like the Uva E Parmigiano with Citadelle Jardin D’Été gin, mixed citrus oilo, green grape soda, thyme tincture and parm foam. 326b Commercial St.,extradirtynorthend.com
The Spanish octopus with sweet baby peppers is a must-try dish.
LITTLE SAGE
In 1990s North End, Sage was a staple. The beloved Italian eatery, by chef Tony Susi and Jennifer Matarazzo, is back—kind of. Meet Little Sage: a 50-seat restaurant on Hanover boasting a menu with fan-favorite throwbacks and creative new bites.
Little Sage’s baked fazoletti pasta with short rib, spinach, fontina and cherry tomatoes.
Helmed by the same dynamic duo, this hot spot opened in March, welcoming old and new friends to delight in plates like Tony’s classic gnocchi and fazzoletti, Spanish octopus, lobster gnocchi with stracciatella and al forno dishes roasted in Locale’s pizza oven.
The Giannone chicken is just one of Little Sage’s delectable al forno items.
Pair each bite with your beer, wine or cordial of choice, and of course, save room for dessert. The hardest decision of the night may be choosing between basil panna cotta and olive oil cake with mascarpone, citrus and honey—we suggest getting both. 352 Hanover St.,littlesageboston.com
Photography by: ASSEMBLY DESIGN STUDIO, BRIAN SAMUELS PHOTOGRAPHY, LANE CAROLINE PHOTOGRAPHY
