Southie’s New Trendy Restaurants, So Much Bracket Madness, and More Updates to Start the Week

Spring Is Here?!

Today is the first day of spring. As we watch the snow melt, we’ll be running one more update later today on our map of winter openings. As of late February, there were already more than 50 new restaurants in the Boston area, and there have been even more openings since then. Stay tuned for the final count.

Trendy Meets Classic in Southie

The Boston Herald examines the emergence of South Boston’s hot new restaurants and how they coexist with each other and with a neighborhood full of classic spots and people who have lived there forever. “It’s a good idea to listen to the people who have been here longer than you have,” Worden Hall owner Dylan Welsh told the Herald.

If These Walls Could Talk

The Improper Bostonian highlights some of the local restaurant work of muralist Mark Grundig, whose art appears at The Smoke Shop, George Howell Coffee, Buttermilk & Bourbon, and beyond.

The Story of Superfine

The Other Cape, a website that chronicles the happenings of Cape Ann, tells the story of Superfine, Manchester-by-the-Sea’s fast-casual spot “with a fine dining pedigree” (aka Matthew Gaudet, who closed the acclaimed West Bridge in Cambridge to open Superfine, and his partners Paul Emmett and Chris Robins, all of whom have impressive fine dining resumes). “What’s happening here in Manchester is happening all around the country,” writes Heather Atwood. “It’s called ‘fast casual.’ Or ‘fast casual 2.0.’ Or, sometimes, ‘fast fine.’”

Bracket Madness

The Boston Globe and Boston Magazine are still in the midst of their March Madness food competitions. The Globe’s annual “Munch Madness” competition is in its second round, with 32 competitors remaining. Round two voting goes through March 22, pitting restaurants against each other such as Oleana vs. Barcelona Wine Bar, Little Big Diner vs. Alden & Harlow, Sweet Cheeks vs. Lincoln Tavern, and more. Boston Magazine’s “Starch Madness” competition is in its third round through tomorrow; eight competitors remain. Mike’s Pastry cannoli are pitted against Gracie’s Ice Cream’s toasted Fluff ice cream cone, Wheelhouse’s breakfast burger is taking on Bagelsaurus’ pretzel bagel, and more.