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The basics on Boston's restaurant week(s), from prices to participants
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The bad news is it’s Monday. The good news is we have an extra hour of p.m. daylight and more than 150 good ways to use it:
Dine out: Boston’s official restaurant week fortnight is underway. Dine Out Boston runs through March 23, with more than 150 spots in Greater Boston offering prix fixe lunch and diner menus at multiple price points. Meet Boston vice president Hilina Ajakaiye told WBUR’s Stevee Chapman it’s a relatively affordable way to try “the best of the best” of participating restaurant’s menus.
- How much should I prepare to spend? Meals will be at one of four different price points for lunch ($22, $27, $32 or $36) and dinner ($36, $41, $46 and $55) at each restaurant. That includes an appetizer, main course and dessert.
- Browse the menu: Meet Boston’s website has the full list of restaurants, which you can sort and filter by neighborhood, cuisine and price. They also have a separate list of restaurants “offering multiple courses with vegetarians in mind.” And if you’re still having trouble deciding, Eater Boston whittled down a list of the 10 best bets.
And the Oscar goes to: Two Boston-area producers took home the Academy Award for best documentary feature last night. The film “20 Days in Mariupol” shows life in Ukraine during the early days of Russia’s invasion. You can watch first-time director Mstyslav Chernov’s acceptance speech here, with Frontline producers Raney Aronson-Rath, of Lexington, and Michelle Mizner, of Wayland, at his side. WBUR’s Erin Trahan also wrote about the making of the film here.
- ICYMI: Watch the highlights of last night’s Oscars — featuring big wins from “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things,” live performances of your favorite “Barbie” songs and a near-naked presentation by West Newbury’s own John Cena. (You can also check out all the red carpet looks and read the full list of winners here.)
Next stop, Sullivan Square? After over a year of study, the state is officially moving forward with plans to extend the Silver Line. In a final report released Friday, the MBTA and MassDOT recommended extending the SL3 bus route through Everett to Sullivan Square.
- Zoom in: The six-mile extension would include eight stations and be 80% dedicated bus lanes, including a separated busway (which other local buses could use) along Broadway in Everett to Sullivan Square. Check out the proposed route here.
- Why it matters: The extension would directly connect Chelsea with the Orange Line and a dozen MBTA bus routes, grow daily Silver Line ridership by 15,000 people, and put 345,000 jobs within 45 minutes via bus/train for Everett and Chelsea residents.
- Don’t hold your breath: An MBTA spokesperson says they still need to secure funding for the $95 million project through federal grants and other sources. While the money could start flowing as soon as this summer, the design and construction phase is expected to take “5+ years,” according to the spokesperson.
Headed home: The New England Patriots have agreed to trade beleaguered quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL draft. The deal — which marks the end of Jones’ promising-turned-demoralizing three years in New England — is expected to be finalized later this week. He’ll likely compete to be backup quarterback in his hometown of Jacksonville.
- Where does that leave the Patriots? They have the third pick in the coming draft and could use it to add a top young quarterback to go along with new coach Jerod Mayo. ESPN’s Mike Reiss told WBUR the team is “most likely deciding” between LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye. Reiss said they may also look to sign a more experienced quarterback in free agency to mentor and potentially start until the rookie is ready.
Heads up: President Biden will make his first 2024 campaign visit to New Hampshire this afternoon, after skipping the state’s primary. It’s part of the Biden campaign’s general election ramp-up.
P.S.— We’re hosting a town-hall style conversation with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu next week. The March 20 event — moderated by WBUR Morning Edition host Rupa Shenoy — will be free to attend (or stream). Get tickets here while there are still some left.
