New South End restaurants to try this fall

A new South End bistro from Matt Sullivan (Sullivan's Public House, Nantucket’s the Tap Room) officially opened on July 23. The menu is focused on American fare, with staples like a Caesar salad and a burger, as well as full and half portions of pasta (plus a summery blue crab risotto), and entrees like umami glazed sea bass and grilled filet. The white brick walls and tin ceilings are just as classic and charming as the menu, with window-front tables for people-watching and a long bar for grabbing a Shawmut Spritz (an elderflower liqueur-based take on the Italian staple) and a friendly chat. Currently open nightly for dinner, brunch is planned for the fall.

Boston’s second franchise location (the first is in Chinatown at 52 Beach St.) of this Michelin-recommended NYC spot has its grand opening on August 5. The fast-casual outpost known for its soup dumplings also offers rice bowls, noodles and dim sum favorites, including potstickers, wontons, crispy pork buns, siu mai and scallion pancakes, which are available regular or rolled with beef. For drinks, there are a few fruit and milk tea options, as well as housemade soy milk. The location is the former Bar Lyon space on the corner of Washington and Massachusetts Avenue, with a variety of seating options and convenient touch pad ordering in addition to counter service. Nan Xiang Express also has a loyalty program and app that offers pickup or delivery. 

After closing earlier in 2024 for renovations on the Shawmut Avenue space (there’s another location in Dedham), Mexican restaurant El Centro reopened in early August with a revamped interior and longer bar. The website notes that the menu is also new, while still focusing on the family recipes and house-made tortillas that chef/co-owner Allan Rodriguez learned from his grandmother. The “clasico” section of the menu has your favorites like burritos, flautas, chimichangas and chile rellenos, all with your choice of protein. On the “nuevo” side, you’ll see options like patatas bravas, beet carpaccio, a smoked fish quesadilla, and several different preparations of shrimp. The drinks menu offers a selection of craft cocktails, including margaritas and mezcalitas in several flavors like strawberry, coconut and tamarind, three sangrias (roja, blanca, and spicy) and a variety of Mexican beers.