Down economy? What down economy? While restaurant openings were scarce in the first half of ‘09, summer’s end is proving a hotbed for casual, affordable spots launching all across the Hub. Here’s our quickie guide on where to get your grub on in the coming months.

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The Stork Club has settled into the spot where Bob the Chef once reigned (and where Circle existed for precisely one hot second). A soulful South End resto-lounge, it has a menu of comfort-food classics (think meatloaf and buttermilk fried chicken) and live jazz and blues nightly. 604 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-391-0256, storkclubboston.com.

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From the whisper-thin pies at Pizzeria Regina to the Sicilian-style slices at Galleria Umberto, there’s plenty of cheesy, tomatoey goodness in the North End. What could another pizza joint possibly bring to the neighborhood?

Turns out, plenty. Before its arrival, the area lacked truly casual pizza place. The kind of easy in, easy out, neighborhoody, non-chaotic, and—this is key—minimally touristed joint that serves good beer and well-made food at reasonable prices. Like Cambridge, 1, or maybe Picco. And Ducali, a 58-seat spot which opened just around the corner from North Station about a week ago, seems to be just that. (more…)

Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Friday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie festivals, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Extreme Beer Fest
Feb. 20, 6-9:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, Two sessions: 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m.
Boston Center for the Arts
If you loved Beer Summit at the Castle, you’ll flip your cup for Extreme Beer Fest. It’s all about the American brewers this time, featuring more than 100 creative pours. Tickets are $40 and include entrance, a tasting cup, all 2 ounce pours, a fest guide, and an extreme beer education.

Throwback Friday Menu
Every Friday through April 24, 5:30-10 p.m.
Olives
Celebrate 20 successful years at Todd English’s flagship restaurant in Charlestown. In light of the milestone, every Friday night, you’ll be able to order off the original 1989 menu, which features the dishes that made Olives so popular in the first place. And, you’ll also pay 1989 prices! Some of the traditional plates available include: beef carpaccio with Roquefort polenta for $5.50, grilled octopus with chickpeas for $5.95, brick oven roasted half chicken for $12.95, and Olives bouillabaisse for $15.95. We love you Todd. No really.

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Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Friday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie festivals, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Phantom Gourmet Beer & Food Phest
Nov. 8, Noon-midnight
Suffolk Downs
The brew masters have hand-picked enough local and international beers to fill a 400-foot-long hall. Of course, there will also be some phan-tastic food from favorite spots to keep you satiated amongst all those suds.

Dante’s Ball Brawl
Nov. 9, 2 p.m.
dante
Chef Dante de Magistris has organized a ball game, challenging local chefs to a meatball cook-off on the patio. Guests judge the entries, with the winner claiming the immodest title of “Best Balls of ‘Em All.” (more…)

Thanks to the infinitely patient staff at Sav-Mor Liquors, Chowder has been sampling additional pumpkin beers after the overwhelming response to our post two weeks ago. We assembled a six-pack of our confirmed favorites (Smuttynose) and some that readers suggested (Post Road).

Now that the empties are in the recycling bin, let’s discuss.

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Chowder may be talking turkey a lot these days, but one meat is our always-and-forever, and that’s pork. And while we’re all about the booming “snout to tail” movement, which puts everything from guanciale (smoked pig cheeks) and boudin blanc (an intestinal-looking pork sausage) to whole suckling pig on local menus, our first love is a big, honkin’ plate of falling-apart ribs.

Alas, this is New England, not Dixie. And while we’re blessed with a couple of standouts (Blue Ribbon, the Best of Boston winner, Redbones, and Poppa B’s), the pickings are still pretty slim. So I’m always stoked (sorry) when a new pit-smoked BBQ joint comes to town, and on Saturday night I finally made my way back over to Washington Square’s Roadhouse. (more…)

Unlike many summer-weary Bostonians, I hate fall. Not because I dislike crisp days or the crunch of leaves underfoot, but I hate what fall signifies. Before we know it, we’ll be sliding across icy sidewalks and shut in our apartments and offices until May.

But fall does have one saving grace that keeps me from completely losing my gourd—pumpkin beer. Now that the days have grown cold and we’re talking turkey, I’m fully embracing the gourd-laced offerings while I can.

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