The team behind the Nem Kitchen pop-up recently opened their stunning Vietnamese coffee shop inside an ivy-covered building on Prospect Street in Cambridge that used to be a church office and an art gallery. Chef and co-owner Vinh Le and co-owner Duong Huynh like the motto “live slowly to understand deeply,” inspired by the teachings of Vietnamese monk and spiritual leader Thích Nhất Hạnh. That vibe is on display at Cicada, which has a zen garden out back and doesn’t offer WiFi. Guests are encouraged to unplug and relax — and to enjoy some excellent coffee drinks, of course.

The Blackfin Collective launched what it called a “hibernation opening” in January 2021, meaning that it opened its latest restaurant — the Korean-inspired New American Cloud and Spirits, which occupies the former Cuchi Cuchi space in Central Square — into an immediate hibernation situation. For now, diners can try chef Katie Cheung’s excellent pork katsu sandwiches, which are being distributed out of the Cloud and Spirits space under the Mikkusu pop-up moniker. Made with shokupan, a soft Japanese milk bread, these sandwiches are not to be missed. (Check the pop-up’s website for ordering options.) When Cloud and Spirits eventually opens, expect wagyu ribeye, juk (a savory rice porridge), steak tartare, mini matcha doughnuts, and more.

Chef and owner Douglass Williams has been operating Mida, his beloved South End Italian restaurant, since 2016. Now, he’s expanding the business to Newton: Williams plans to open a second Mida outpost in June. It’s difficult (impossible?) to find better house-made pasta in Greater Boston, and Mida’s arancini is one of the best bites in the city. Put simply, Newton is getting an absolute gem. And for the uninitiated, Mida’s “Mangia Monday” is one of the best deals around: Two diners can sample five pasta dishes, salad, and bread for $70. It’s like the Olive Garden, but actually good. (Keep an eye out for Apizza, the forthcoming New Haven-style pizzeria Williams is opening inside Hub Hall.)

It was sad when the Squealing Pig closed on Mission Hill because the Squealing Pig was a good restaurant and a better bar. It’s made less sad because the owners installed a wood-fired pizza oven and decided to transform the space into a pizzeria. Mission Hill has some great restaurants, but it’s always in need of more, and Wood Fired Love seems poised to scratch that itch. It should be opening some time in late March.

Jen and Josh Ziskin, the wife and husband duo behind La Morra (which is one of the best Italian restaurants in Greater Boston), are opening another restaurant in Brookline. Punch Bowl (an homage to the historic 18th century tavern on Pearl Street) will serve contemporary New England fare, and cocktails influenced by Brookline’s history. Once it’s safe to gather in groups again, Punch Bowl’s terrace will be a great spot to share, well, punch bowls with friends. The restaurant is set to open in early April.