Encores: The Blue Room in Kendall Square (1 Kendall Square at Portland Street) reopened for dinner this week, says co-owner Liz Vilardi. It had closed last August after a fire, along with sister restaurant Belly, which will tentatively reopen on Sept. 9. “We are so looking forward to seeing our old guests and meeting new!’’ Vilardi says. As for the refurbished digs, expect an “open and lighter’’ space, she says, and a new chef. Joe Guarino will create a menu of Mediterranean food, as before, with a special focus on Africa, Vilardi says.

Openings: Bright and sunny Florina Pizzeria and Paninoteca has opened on Beacon Hill (16 Derne St. at Myrtle Street). Enjoy pizza by the slice, homemade meatballs, pasta, and hot or cold panini.

Coming Soon: Pagu will open next month in Cambridge (310 Massachusetts Ave. at Blanche Street), led by Tracy Chang, who previously cooked at Boston’s O Ya, Guchi’s Midnight Ramen, and Spain’s three-Michelin-starred Restaurante Martin Berasategui. Pagu combines Japanese and Spanish influences at a cafe-style breakfast, plus lunch and dinner with the likes of squid ink bao, uni fried rice, and ramen (of course). Cooking runs in the family: Chang’s grandmother owned Cambridge’s long-running Tokyo restaurant.

Festivals: Make plans to visit SoWa Boston (540 Harrison Ave. at Union Park Street) for its first-ever, free Sausage Fest on Sept. 10, hosted by Eat Boston. Enjoy meaty delights from trucks including the Chubby Chickpea, the Dining Car, Moyzilla, and Stoked, plus drinks from Lord Hobo Brewing Co., Narragansett Beer, and more.

Meanwhile, those who prefer veggies should spend the day at Watertown’s Arsenal Project (485 Arsenal St.) for its first Vegetarian Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, with vegetarian delights from Bon Me, Chik Chak, Yumm Bai, Taco Party, and more, plus an assortment of local beers. Visit www.foodtruckfestivals ofamerica.com for tickets.

Kara Baskin can be reached at kcbaskin@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @kcbaskin.