Pizza-Tossing Acrobatics (and More Updates)

Welcome back to Morning Briefing, an almost-daily round-up of mini news bites to kick off the day.

Books (and a Cafe) for Belmont

A bookstore called Belmont Books is now open in Belmont Center (79 Leonard St.), reports Boston Restaurant Talk, and it includes a cafe called The Black Bear Cafe. “Because we believe books, coffee, and fresh-baked muffins were meant to live together in harmony,” according to the Belmont Books website. Note: Unattended children “will be fed espressos and doughnuts until you return.”

Pizza Alert

The Boston Pizza Festival is this weekend (July 8 and 9, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) at City Hall Plaza, and it’s pretty much what it sounds like — go and eat lots of pizza from a bunch of different vendors. An admission fee gets you in the gates for one of the two days ($15), but once you’re in, you’ll have to pay more to eat and drink. Slices are $2, whole pizzas are $6, and beer and wine are $6. There are also various demos, including a “pizza-tossing acrobatics” show. Vendors include Antico Forno, Cafe Quattro, Locale, Babbo, and more. The Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana — the organization that certifies Neapolitan pizza-— is a supporting partner of the event.

Meats on Sticks

Power trio Andy Husbands (Smoke Shop, Tremont 647), Tim Maslow (Mida), and Tony Susi (Capo) are getting together for a patio party at Tremont 647 (647 Tremont St., South End, Boston) on July 24 at 6 p.m., serving up a variety of meats on sticks: lamb skewers with salsa verde from Susi, octopus spiedini from Maslow, and smoked brisket skewers from Husbands, who will also be making Texas-style baby back ribs. Plus, the 647 crew will add in Texas hot link corn dogs, halloumi french fries, tandoori chicken skewers, salt cod cakes, and more. Rain or shine. Tickets are $32.

One Thing You Should Eat Today

Sure, there are tons of excellent small plates to try at Toro (1704 Washington St., South End, Boston): the corn, of course, but also the gambas al ajillo, the empanada de cabra, and more. But make sure to factor in stomach space for one of the larger showstoppers, the paella valenciana: Calasparra rice that’s tender on the top and perfectly crispy on the bottom, topped with a mountain of mussels, clams, shrimp, chicken, and sausage. While this is one of the largest dishes on the menu, it does come in two sizes, and the smaller one is quite manageable alongside a parade of small plates.

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