Notable openings: The Fenway gets an authentic, fast-casual Greek sandwich shop on March 14. Chief culinary officer Jody Adams and partners Jonathan Mendez and Eric Papachristos (pictured with Adams) will open Saloniki (4 Kilmarnock St. at Van Ness Street), which serves sandwiches, plates, and salads — all under $10.50. It’s a personal project: Papachristos comes from Greece, Adams is the chef at Mediterranean spot Trade, and, well, Mendez felt strongly that there was a lack of authentic Greek food in the Boston area.
“I used to think of a gyro as what you might order in a pizza shop here, until I visited Greece,’’ says Mendez. “We want people to be able to have a proper Greek sandwich with authentic flavors: bold, bright, balanced.’’
Build your fresh-pressed pita at a counter showcasing fillings like honey garlic braised pork shoulder or pomegranate-glazed eggplant and toppings like charred eggplant, spicy whipped feta, or olive tapenade, then opt for sides of Greek fries or crispy pita chips. Saloniki serves Greek wines, beer, and iced coffee frappes, too, plus dessert.
“It’s really approachable, at an approachable price point and a fun casual setting,’’ says Adams.
The restaurant — which takes its name from the Greek city of Thessaloniki — is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Reopenings: Belmont’s Il Casale (50 Leonard St. at Moore Street) is back in business after a January fire. Look for the same Italian dishes you know and love, plus new additions like octopus salad and roasted swordfish chops.
Sweet news: Visit the Boston Public Market (100 Hanover St. at Haymarket Station) to try gluten- and dairy-free desserts at the new Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery, which started as a market pop-up. Or indulge at Arlington’s new Scoop N Scootery, the brick-and-mortar home of the popular Medford and Somerville sundae delivery service, now open for business (112 Mass. Ave. at Magnolia Street). KARA BASKIN
Kara Baskin can be reached at kcbaskin@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter@kcbaskin.
