RESTAURANT OPENINGS

FIRST COURSE

At one time Boston’s dining scene was a source of great anxiety for Bostonian foodies but that is no longer the case. Boston no longer needs to be ashamed of their cod filled sport bar menus of the past. Nowadays the tight-knit dining scene of Boston is currently thriving with high profile talents cooking up creative and vibrant dishes in great new eateries all over the city and its surrounding neighborhoods. Discover these five new Boston eateries the next time you need to step away from the Beantown stereotypes.

Todd English’s Olives (10 City Square, Charlestown) has been closed for two years after a grease fire ravished the interior of the space. Although this is not a new space per se, Olives celebrated their soft reopening this past weekend and are set to serve guests the big, bold, Mediterranean flavors Todd English has built his enterprise around. The website still says the restaurant is closed for renovations but they will be taking advanced reservations to fill seats for the upcoming summer Restaurant Week (August 19-24 and 26­-31)

FIRST COURSE

The Philly dining scene is so much more than hoagies, traditional scrapple dishes, and our world’s famous cheesesteak like many visitors tend to believe. The neighborhoods of Philadelphia are stocked with both traditional restaurants and inventive, cutting edge culinary outposts. Here are four newly opened eateries in Philly, three serving plates of traditional staples while another serves up imaginative, fun fare diners are sure to enjoy.

SoWe Bar & Kitchen (918 South 22nd Street) opened this week in Southwest Center City in the space formerly occupied by Divan Turkish Kitchen. During renovations, owners Nancy Law and Troy Barton, replaced the floors with reclaimed wood floors and added a weathered oak bar to the Graduate Hospital eatery’s location. SoWe, the name is a take on the real estate abbreviation, operates as a bistro seven days a week, serving burgers, sandwiches, and other dishes and will also offer a brunch menu on the weekends. Looking to create a neighborhood bar feel the menu includes craft beers and inventive cocktails that take classic drinks and add modern flare.

FIRST COURSE

The food scene in Miami is a direct reflection of the city’s diverse population. There’s endless seafood, Cuban sandwiches, and all the classic southern American fare you can think of. Here are five new Miami eateries that offer the things that make Miami’s dining scene so wonderful while throwing in their own unique flare to their menus and overall focus. All different in their own ways these new hot spots are sure to appease to any foodie in the Miami area.

J&G Grill (9703 Collins Avenue)

FIRST COURSE

The second location of Little Town NYC (366 West 46th Street), owned by restaurateurs Michael Sinensky and Sean McGarr (sideBAR, Hudson Terrace, Village Pourhouse), opened March 12th in the former Village Pourhouse space on Restaurant Row in the Theater District. After the success of their Union Square Little Town NYC, the pair wanted to “provide out-of-towners an experience otherwise unavailable in this part of town” while paying homage to New York dishes from Fifth Avenue to Main Street.

FIRST COURSE

For those of you unfamiliar with Texas de Brazil, I send you my condolences. With five locations scattered across Florida, surely you must have come across it somehow? If your answer is still no, you can now add one more to the list of Florida locations for Texas de Brazil: Fort Lauderdale. Just off of Sunrise Boulevard, across from the Galleria Mall, marks the sixth location for this beloved Brazilian Churrascaria in the Sunshine State.

Famous for their handsome “Gauchos” in tradition South American cowboy attire that parade around the restaurant with swords full of grilled meats, Texas de Brazil takes the hassle from choosing between a particular dish like at any old steakhouse by instead giving you all of the options for one simple dinner price. The Gauchos come to each person with a wide selection of perfectly cooked meats that have been prepared on spits and in an open flame. A small red and green flip card on at your table indicates your further wish for more or less food to be presented to you (wait...it gets even better). Not only does the meat come to you, there is also a selection of dozens of accompaniments to your meal from the traditional Brazilian Feijoada (black beans stewed in beef and pork) and white rice, to an assortment of salads, and even cured meats and aged cheeses like Prosciutto, Salami, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Manchego. Top your meal with a perfectly paired wine or another addicting Brazilian tradition, the Capirinha, and you’re in all-you-can-eat heaven!

FIRST COURSE

Attention South Florida: there’s another reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo today! Cinco Cantina & Tequila Bar is opening its doors today, just in time for our beloved Cinco de Mayo festivities! Featuring a beautiful bar and an expansive menu, created and executed by Chef John Belleme and his talented kitchen staff, the restaurant, located in the upscale Village of Merrick Park’s beautiful plaza, is slated to open to the public on our favorite Mexican holiday. Seating 366 throughout a spacious dining room, bar, outdoor patio and two private rooms, Cinco is perfect for all the foodies and scene-makers that flock to the designer boutiques that fill the Spanish-style al fresco shopping center. Bringing the spirit of Cinco de Mayo to Miami 365 days a year, Cinco will feature a rustic and festive ambiance with colorful and traditional Mexican design elements.

FIRST COURSE

Chef Angelo Sosa of Yumcha in Greenwich Village and Xie Xie in Hell's Kitchen opened Social Eatz in Midtown East last Thursday for dinner service and plans to start serving lunch in the next couple weeks.

The concept for this new eatery is "All American food--burgers, hot dogs, soups--with an Asian twist!" This one-level, low ceiling, industrially decorated space with orange and black accents has both tables and bar seating. With its loud music and hip staff in t-shirts, the service was informative and approchable.

FIRST COURSE

The Lobsta Truck from New England is driving around LA stocked full with fresh crab and lobster. This product of Maine is fresh and flown in three times a week. Flex those seafood taste buds and savor the flavors from the east coast.

The menu is short but month watering. Have Lobsta Rolls and Crab Rolls (split-top roll, with a bit of mayo or butter), and Clam Chowder (cup or pint). For dessert have a whoopee pie and some Cape Cod chips. Worked up a hunger yet? Find out where they’re going to be next by looking for a red truck with a giant lobster on it or following them on Twitter.

FIRST COURSE

Located in the Wynn Las Vegas and opening December 3rd is La Cave a stylish wine and food hideaway. The developer and operator of restaurants and nightclubs at the Palms, Michael Morton, have teamed with Steve Wynn to create La Cave.

Watch your head on the low-ceilings and settle into a cozy nook. The dim lighting and the 150 varieties of wine set the mood. Indulge on cold plates, oven-fired flatbreads, and farmhouse cheeses that are excellent for wine pairing. If you’re not a wine person La Cave also offers hand crafted beers and fine spirits. This spot is a great fit for lunch, dinner, and late night.

Opens December 3, 2010.