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blitzandthebarracudabrigade · 6 years

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Prologue 3.1: Where Squids Fear to Swim

Here comes another story after many weeks of thinking my PC had finally run out of steam! I’m actually surprised it managed to stay stable long enough for me to get this done! (knocking on wood so much from writing this here) But regardless, here is the third segment of the Prologue stories!

Outskirts of Calamari County, 0723 hours.

The shining beams of the morning sun gleamed through the clouds of the prior night, a few illuminating the small outpost stationed a few hundred meters from the border that defines the territories between the Inkling and Octarian peoples. Despite its seemingly unimportant appearance the outpost, designated as Bakery Battlement, served as a first response checkpoint should the Octarians ever attempt to invade and cross the border with military force. Established mere months after the end of the Great Turf War, the Inkling military established dozens of outposts such as this along the entire border to ensure that no one sector was unchecked. The Octarians, however, wouldn’t accept this and have established their own checkpoints as well, known as Kettles, where they stationed their troops in underground bases. But due to the efforts of the newly formed Squidbeak Splatoon, Agents 3 and 4 have successfully managed to effectively demilitarize their forces via retaking the Zapfishes when they were stolen. Without this vital power source the Great Octo weapons were rendered useless, forcing the Octarians to rely on less effective sources of energy. Ever since then the relationship between the two countries have devolved into a thinning line of tension and suspicion, as neither side are willing to come to peace and reestablish negotiations.

As the sun rose to bring its warming rays to the surrounding barren landscape, the occupants of Baker Battlement awoke and began to gear up for the resupply convoy. Numbering 5 in their squid squad, the members of Baker Company include: Sergeant Cutter, Privates Rollpin, Lowbs, Spatlas, and the newest transfer Pan. Cutter buttoned up his uniform before pulling up his pants and tucking in, tighening the belt to ensure it’s secured. Rollpin, Lowbs, and Spatlas followed his example and tucked in their own uniforms before grabbing their standard issue helmets. Meanwhile Pan was still out of it, her pillow covering her face and an arm and leg hanging out from under the blanket.

“Hey, someone wake her up.” Cutter barked back to the privates. They looked at each other and decided that Spatlas is to be her alarm clock.

“Ugh, fine.” He groaned and walked over to the sleeping trooper. “Oie, wake up.”

She barely moved a muscle, instead letting out a light snore.

C’mon kid, wake up. Spatlas furrowed his brow and lightly kicked her leg.

She quietly groaned and shuffled slightly under her pillow.

“Oh for-” He grabbed the feather-filled cushion and yanked it off of her face, a faint beam of sunlight hitting her closed eyes. This was enough to get her to sit upright, a look if disdain forming on her face.

“What?” She said in a daze, trying to blink the sleep out of her eyes.

“Get up kid, we got work to do.” Spatlas threw the pillow back to her before following his comrades out of the sleeping quarters.

She sat on her bed staring at her new squadmates, finding it oddly surreal that she was here in Baker Battlements. Never in her life did she expect to actually be stationed so far from home. She slumped out of her bunk, not realizing she changed into her squid form, and proceeded to her gear box to put on her own uniform. Slowly but surely she slipped on her boots, pants, and uniform and slogged her way to the mess room. As she peered in she saw that Cutter and Rollpin were already bringing out pre-cooked MREs while Lowbs and Spatlas were organizing their inventory. Pan wasn’t sure of what to do or whether she should be doing anything, as she was only stationed there for just over a week. Regardless she took in a deep breath and walked inside. For a moment her squad stopped whatever they were doing and looked at her. She shuffled her feet a few times before looking up to the sergeant in command.

“...what?” Cutter said monotonously, glancing back to the others.

“Eh? N-nothing.” She quickly looked down to her feet and made her way to an empty chair. She refused to look up at anyone else until Cutter placed a tray of rehydrated hashbrowns, refried beans, and a few cooked eggs.

“Thank you...” She grabbed a fork and quietly ate her breakfast, leaving the others to their own devices. Cutter went back to get himself a helping of food while Rollpin, Lowbs, and Spatlas went back to discussing the schedule for the day.

“First things first, we gotta take inventory of all the provisions so we get enough to last us another month,” Lowbs motioned to the top of a list laid out before the trio. “afterwards we restock our munitions because someone can’t control their itchy trigger finger.” Lowbs and Rollpin glanced at Spatlas, who was in the middle of wolfing down a concoction of scrambled eggs, ham, and toast.

“...what?” He mumbled through his food.

Lowbs shook his head and resumed the last items on the list. “Finally we need to recheck all the sensors that run the perimeter of the outpost.”

“Again? But we did that 3 days ago!” Rollpin groaned as he tossed a piece of toast on his plate.

“Yeah, well the sensors are acting up again because of all the sand blowing around recently. And it’s starting to gunk up the barometers.”

“Ugh, fine.” Rollpin leaned back on his chair, reluctantly accepting the task. “Anything else we need to do?”

Lowbs tapped his utensil against his chin, thinking deeply whether there was. “Ah! One of the Commander’s secondaries, Nhan-Tu, is making an inspection visit after we are to be resupplied.”

Rollpin merely sniffed while the others resumed finishing their breakfasts. However Pan gave the private a quizzical look. “Who’s Nhan-Tu?”

The private gave her a raised eyebrow but Cutter intervened before he could make a comment on her question. “She’s one of our Commander’s closest colleagues. One of the leading combat medics back at HQ. She trains all the new field docs that want to help people out, ya know?”

“Oh, okay.” Pan nodded, scooping a mouthful of beans into her mouth.

“Yeah, but she ain’t as strict as you might think. So don’t worry about being all proper and junk,” Spatlas mumbled through a mouthful of pancakes. “In fact she almost acts like a...” He stopped eating for a moment to scratch his head.

“Like a mother,” Lowbs finished his comrade’s thought. “In a figurative sense at least.” He reached for a cup of coffee and took a long drink before setting it back down.

“Yes, she does tend to do that. But it’s just in her training as a medic.” Cutter reminded the other privates. “She does a damn good job of patching anyone up when they need it. Fixed up my arm here when I got hit when I was doing operations over in the Urchins’ home territories.” The squad leader lifted up said arm to show off a shot wound on his forearm. He glanced back to Pan and gave her a reassuring nod to calm her nerves. She nodded back and quickly shoveled her breakfast up before taking her tin plate to a cleaning tub. One by one the others finished their meals and piled their dirty utensils and tins next to her.

“You got it covered Pan?” Spatlas joked as he gave the recruit a nudge on the shoulder.

“Y-yeah, I got it.” She replied to him, making an effort to keep her eyes trained on cleaning up the tins thoroughly. Hearing the privates laughing as they went to begin their assignments, she slowed her efforts to a crawl. Her mind was elsewhere as she barely held on to a tin plate and scrub. Is this really what I spent the last year training to do? She wondered. She could still remember when she first arrived at the Inkopolis Military Training Grounds, where she first met the heroes that saved the city from an imminent Octarian invasion. She even recalled shaking the hand of the leader of the Barracuda Brigade, Blitz Phalanx himself.She worked her rear off every day from then on to train as hard as her hero did, never stopping except to rest, eat, and sleep. When she finally completed her training she was almost dumbstruck when she found out that she was to be transferred to a far off sector of the county’s territories. Despite feeling disappointed that she wasn’t able to join a proper military unit, Pan shook her head to clear her head and swiftly washed everyone’s tins and utensils in record time. She left no plate, fork, or knife unchecked before storing them away in a storage crate. Feeling a lighter mood after her diligent work, Pan went off to meet up with her sergeant to receive her next task.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At a roadway checkpoint between the territories of Calamari County and the Octarian Lands...

”Ugh, this is so lame...” A border guard groaned, leaning against his tiny toll booth. He tried, for the past several hours or so, to alleviate his pseudo-dire circumstance from organizing and reorganizing the folders and files in his floor box, counting the amount of money in his booth’s cash register, and even cleaning the outside windows despite their tendency to get coated with sand and dust. The guard even tried to count the vehicles that passed through the gateway between the two countries. “I’m stuck in this goddamn post doing nothing but counting cars and collecting cash.” He looked towards the Octarians’ side of the border and saw the same sight as always: a barren landscape with piles of scrap metal and junk littering the scene. He then looked to the other side and saw a completely different picture: green rolling hills with small bushels of flora as well as small outlets off-shooting from the main highway that led to various pit stops and towns. He wished that something, anything, would make his day more exciting-

“What the...?” He glanced over to the Octarians’ side of the border and noticed a change he hadn’t caught a few moments before. He eyed a particularly suspicious pile that he swore was about 10 meters to the right. Along with the slight change in its position, the guard also saw a faint glimmer coming from the top of the pile. He tried to squint to see what it could be, but the next thing he knew he felt a sudden hard hit on the back of his head. He fell to the ground in a daze, his vision blurred from the blunt force trauma, and took a moment to see a group of figures circling him.

“That should keep the security here quiet.” He heard a voice as his vision began to black out.

“Yep. Now to the inkling outpost...” Was the last he heard before he went unconscious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Back at Baker Battlement...)

The squad of inklings within the small bunker were hard at work tidying up before the arrival of Blitz’s secondary. Rollpin and Spatlas were busy de-gunking the sensors that bordered the bunker, Lowb and Pan were off in the sleeping quarters cleaning up the bunks, and Cutter evaluating inventory (or rather the lack of inventory). The first two made quick work on the sensors, the simple task of pulling out the barometers and shaking the sand out, before returning to grab a quick cold one. The second pair took longer with the bunk cleaning, but nonetheless cleared out all the dust, dirt, and debris hiding in the nooks and crannies of each sleeping mat. Finally Cutter was counting the last of the base’s meager supplies: a single filled ink tank for each of them, 2 tank cans for the bunker’s light machine gun, and rations for another 2-3 days if they have to get resourceful.

“Alright, just gotta make sure I get what we’re lacking written down.” He scribbled a few notes onto a clipboard and proceeded out of the supply cache. He took a look around and let his gaze stop at the border checkpoint. He reached for a pair of small binoculars and looked to the small booth. Despite the mild sandstorm blowing around the base he could make out the border guard sitting at his post. Good, he’s still doing his job. Cutter went back to finishing up his task and locked up the cache before meeting up with the other 4. Once inside he saw that everyone but Pan was enjoying a few bottles of Juddweiser and Heinekraken beer.

“Enjoying some drinks eh privates?” Cutter remarked as he walked past the preoccupied troopers. The trio stuttered at first but regained their composure as they watched their squad leader open the cooler containing the refreshments and pulled out a bottle himself. He popped the cap and chugged a few gulps down before taking a seat next to the drinkless inkling girl. “Can’t be mad when you guys have my favorite!”

“Oh please sir,” Spatlas scoffed. “Everyone knows that Heinekraken is only a cheap knock-off to the light and airy feel to Juddweiser!”

“Oh yeah?” Lowbs gave his comrade a light tap on the shoulder. “At least Heinekraken sounds like a proper beer, rather than the drink that sounds like it came from Judd’s unmentionables!” Rollpin and Cutter chuckled gleefully at the joke, even managing to get Pan to giggle as well as she watched her squadmates continue on bickering about their preferred alcoholic beverage. She relaxed her shoulders and felt a weight lifting off herself as she heard the conversation change every so often, from the current leading teams of Ranked and League tournaments to the finer things like their lives back home in Inkopolis: Cutter wishing to get back to his wife and newborn of 3 months, Rollpin wanting to get his dream job as a professional bowler, Lowbs looking forward to finishing his last tour of duty as the base’s defender, and Spatlas... he never gave a clear answer during the conversation. Something about eggs...?

Just as the group were finishing up their drinks and talks, they heard a radio crackle behind them.

“Come on Baker Battlement. This is Lieutenant Nhan-Tu radioing in.”

Cutter set aside his empty bottle and stood up to reach the radio. “This is Sergeant Cutter, we hear you loud and clear Lieutenant.”

“Good, are you ready for the convoy to resupply?”

“Yes ma’am, we are awaiting your arrival.”

“Copy that, we’ll meet with you in approximately 5 minutes.”

“5 minutes, understood. Baker Battlement, out.”

Cutter shut down the radio and turned to his squad. “Alright, that was Lieutenant Nhan-Tu. She’ll be making her approach to the base very soon. Make your way outside and await her arrival!” He motioned a hand to them, enforcing his orders. The rest nodded to their squad leader and hastily grabbed their gear before racing outside. I sure hope things will just play out as usual...

#Splatoon #Splatoon 2 #Splatoon stories #Prologue to...?#MY OCs #Cutter #Rollpin #Spatlas #Lowbs #Pan

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usfwspacific · 6 years

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Looking to the Future at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

By Holly Richards / Public Affairs Officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Pacific Islands

With its lush rainforest and deep turquoise waters surrounded by some of the most intact coral reef ecosystems in the world, Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge seems like a perfect island paradise, but it wasn't always so perfect.

Clockwise from top left: red-footed booby, frigate bird, red-footed booby and chick on a nest, brown booby. Photo credit: Andrew S. Wright

In 2011, the tiny atoll 1,000 miles from Hawaii was overrun with more than 30,000 rats - invasive predators that were introduced when Palmyra was a World War II military outpost.

Over the decades the rat population on Palmyra had exploded across the land, wreaking havoc on the native sea bird population and creating disturbances throughout the island ecosystem.

Hermit Crabs had to compete with the invasive rats. Photo Credit: USFWS / Andrew S. Wright

Introduced predators like rats can put extreme pressure on an ecosystem, causing disruptions to the natural system and even leading to species extinction. The invasive rats on Palmyra ate the eggs and chicks of both ground and tree-nesting birds, particularly sooty and white terns. The rats also ate native seeds, seedlings and plants, and competed with all seven species of land crabs known to live there.

“The sooty terns would be under attack from rats and you could see the perimeter of the colony literally get eaten away,” said Amanda Pollock, Refuge Manager at Palmyra Atoll during the removal project.

Everything on Palmyra suffered because the rats were throwing the entire terrestrial world of Palmyra out of balance. So in June 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Nature Conservancy, and Island Conservation took on the task of removing rats from the ecosystem.

Clockwise from top right: school of barracuda, two-spot red snapper glares at the camera, parrotfish swim past coral reef, school of convict tangs (Acanthurus triostegus), and a black-tip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus).

Photo Credit: USFWS / Kydd Pollock

“We knew it was going to be hard, but if we stuck to the plan we had the best chance of success. Anything less than success was not an option,” said Pollack

The Palmyra rat removal project was the result of careful planning and research to ensure that native species were not harmed, and it was the first step in a longer-term effort to restore the atoll’s ecological balance.

“This was something we needed to do to allow the ecosystem to return to normal,” said Pollock.

For those who were a part of the removal, the changes were visible and immediate. Pollock said that before the removal you could see impacts from the rats everywhere – rats were always visible on and in trees and there were chewed seeds and seedlings all over.

“We think that a lot of the really rare plants were kept rare because the rats ate them all,” said Stefan Kropidlowski, Refuge Manager for Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

The coral reef that surrounds Palmyra Atoll is home to an incredible volume and diversity of fish and marine life. Photo Credit: USFWS / Andrew S. Wright

After the removal it was magical, said Pollock. “I remember hearing crickets at Palmyra for the first time. There were swarms of dragonflies. I saw land snails that I had never seen before because the rats had kept them in extremely low numbers. And seedlings of some native trees that I had never seen before.”

Native Pisonia Trees have been thriving since rats were removed from Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: USFWS / Andrew S. Wright

“If you’re just zooming by in an airplane, you’re not going to notice an immediate difference,” said Kropidlowski. “But the big differences for Palmyra will be in the future. We believe removing all the rats will increase the density and diversity of plant and animals at Palmyra in the long term, and thereby the resilience of the atoll.”

In 2016, scientists from Island Conservation returned to Palmyra to determine what changes occurred since the rats were removed from the atoll five years ago. The data they collected will help us better understand how island ecosystems can recover when invasive predators are removed.

Coral Wolf a Conservation Biologist with Island Conservation demonstrates the growth in a Pisonia Patch from 2011 to 2014. Photo Credit: Island Conservation

“After a week of monitoring many of the plants and animals dwelling on this beautiful paradise, some changes are immediately apparent. Seedlings of particular tree species have appeared where there once were none, and new land crab species are being recorded,” said Coral Wolf, Conservation Biologist at Island Conservation.

The data they collect will help us understand how to help a damaged ecosystem recover. The lessons learned on Palmyra Atoll are all a part of the continuing evolution of the science of conserving and protecting these rare and incredible ecosystems.

For more images of Palmyra Atoll visit https://goo.gl/CnWoYd

#palmyra atoll #conservation #The Nature Conservancy #u.s. fish and wildlife service #USFWS #invasive species #invasive #seabirds #islands #pacific #Pacific Ocean

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silverbirdtravelplusltd-blog · 5 years

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10 best islands for a Malaysia holiday

From the cosmopolitan charm of Penang to the hippie getaway of the Perhentians, a diverse array of islands offer a huge variety of Malaysia holiday options. Here, in no particular order, we present our Top 10 best islands in Malaysia. 1. Perhentians: Hippie hideaway

While many backpacker haunts have become gentrified over time, the Perhentians have managed to retain their low-key vibe. Courtesy G E M/Creative Commons/Flickr They might not be easy to get to, but the Perhentian islands off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia have achieved iconic status on the backpacker trail. And for good reason -- the waters are so clean that you can snorkel right off the beach and still see a diverse array of aquatic life. Fishermen turned tour guides will also take you out in their small boat for a day trip to swim with sharks and turtles. In the evening, beach bars set up cushions on the sand as wandering fire artists do their thing. Where to stay: For high-end Malaysia holiday lodgings, check out the Tuna Bay Island Resort. Budget hunters should look up Abdul Chalet. Getting there: Regular buses leave from Hentian Putra bus station in Kuala Lumpur, taking nine hours. Alternatively, fly from Kuala Lumpur's LCCT airport to Kota Bharu, and then catch a taxi to the port town of Kuala Besut. 2. Tioman: An island for flashpackers

The island of Tioman and the waters surrounding it are protected nature reserves, which has helped it retain its wild vibe. Courtesy tak.wing/Creative Commons/Flickr Although part of the Malaysian state of Pahang, Tioman is actually reached from the Johor town of Mersing. There's also a direct ferry from Singapore. This popular Malysia holiday island has two claims to fame that continue to be hyped by media and marketers. One, the dramatic topography of this teardrop-shaped isle in the South China Sea was (supposedly) used as a backdrop for the 1958 movie "South Pacific," while Time magazine named it one of the world's most beautiful islands in the 1970s. Though it's now a firm fixture on the tourist trail and has lost a little of its exotic mystique, it retains --- where many of its Southeast Asian contemporaries have lost theirs --- the natural environment and wildlife that first made it famous. First among animals, on land at least, are the giant monitor lizards that roam among the kampungs (Malay for villages) in search of food. Don't worry, they avoid humans. Most of the time. Where to stay: For a boutique experience, check out JapaMala. Getting there: There are bus services from all over Malaysia to Mersing; from here it's a two-hour boat ride to the first jetty on the island. Tioman also has a small airport, which Berjaya Airways flies to from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. 3. Langkawi: Best for luxury

Don't worry, Lankawai has the same stunning beaches as the rest of these islands. We just thought you might be tired of looking at white sand. Courtesy Jan Bjerring/Creative Commons/Flickr Located right by the border with Thailand, Langkawi is part of the Malaysian state of Kedah, not Perlis which is in fact directly adjacent. Famously, the Malaysia island was believed to have been cursed in 1819, when a woman named Mahsuri, was put to death for alleged adultery. Before she died, she uttered the words, "There shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a period of seven generations." Two years later Langkawi fell to the invading Thais, with much of its population subsequently dying from starvation. The island was then indeed barren for a long time, before Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed --- the colossus of Malaysian politics who also built Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers and the Sepang F1 circuit --- decided to turn it into a resort island in 1986. He declared it a duty-free island, and ever since then Langkawi's growth has been nothing short of spectacular, with high-profile resorts dotting its sandy shores to make it a Malaysia holiday star. The best way to take it all in is on the 2,200-meter-long cable car, which rises some 710 meters above sea level. Interestingly, Mahsuri's husband and son moved to Phuket after the Thai invasion, and it was on that island that her seventh generation descendant was born --- in the year 1986. Coincidence? Where to stay: They don't come much more stylish --- or eclectic --- than Bon Ton, eight traditional Malay homes set in a former coconut plantation. Or there's always the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Getting there: Langkawi has by far the best flight connections of any Malaysian island, with dozens of daily flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Penang. 4. Penang: Food and heritage

Historic Georgetown is a highlight of Penang. Courtesy Phalinn Ooi/Creative Commons/Flickr The Pearl of the Orient has a long and illustrious history. "Discovered" by Captain Francis Light in 1786, Prince of Wales Island, as it once was known, was for a long time one of the jewels of the British empire. Alongside Melaka and Singapore it was known as one of the Straits Settlements, a string of outposts that dominated the sea trade between India and the rest of Asia. However, its importance gradually waned over the centuries, before it was rediscovered as a Malaysia holiday destination and reinvented as an IT hub. Today, under the close eye of Malaysian opposition and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the island is proudly parading its past --- the UNESCO status granted to historic Georgetown in 2008 guarantees that. But its greatest attraction is its street food --- from Penang laksa off Macalister Road to banana leaf in Little India to seafood on Gurney Drive --- you'll find it all here. Alongside a raft of improvements designed to attract even more visitors, including investment in public transport, a tree planting program, pedestrianization schemes and a schedule of new cultural festivals and fairs, this magnificent island --- only slightly smaller than Singapore --- is once again making its mark on the world stage. Where to stay: Since 1948, the recently restored Lone Pine sits serenely on the north shore of the island, while for city digs look no further than the Hotel Penaga, heritage buildings in the heart of town. Attracting a lot of attention among luxury lovers is the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, a restored colonial property. Getting there: Flights from around the world land at Penang International Airport. From there, inexpensive taxis can transport you to destinations around the island, or you can catch the airport bus into town. 5. Labuan: An isle of bankers

Clear waters, white sands and offshore banks. What everyone looks for in an island. Courtesy prilfish/Creative Commons/Flickr Located off the coast of East Malaysia, sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah, Labuan is one of three Federal Territories (the others are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya). Its special status as an international offshore financial centre and free trade zone has allowed it to attract outside investment from the financial sector (some 6,500 offshore companies are based here). Long-term, the Malaysian government envisions the island as becoming one of the world's major offshore business centres, akin to the Middle Eastern hubs of Dubai or Bahrain. While it has some way to go to achieve similar status, the nation has a track record of dreaming big and making it happen -- the Petronas Towers and annual F1 race attest to that. If you're not involved in the financial services, there are other reasons to visit such as wreck diving. Over the years, numerous ships were sunk in the shallow waters off Labuan, making it ideal for novice divers. These are simply known as the American, Australian, Blue Water and Cement Wreck. There is also a well-tended War Cemetery, where an annual remembrance ceremony is held for some 3,900 Allied soldiers who died during in World War II. Where to stay: For both service and quality, it's a close toss-up between the Tiara Labuanand the Grand Dorsett. Getting there: There are daily flights to Labuan Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. There is also an air-conditioned ferry to Brunei. 6. Layang-Layang: Isolation guaranteed

Would you call this an island? Layang-Layang's isolation makes it one of Asia's best diving experiences. Courtesy Matthew Lee/Creative Commons/Flickr Little more than a coral reef with a runway, the tiny island of Layang-Layang is located some 300 kilometers northwest of the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu (KK), the state to which it belongs. A creation of the Malaysian Navy, which reclaimed land from the sea in order to state the nation's sovereignty over the Spratlys, that South China Sea island group also claimed whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Surrounded by pristine waters that drop to 2,000 meters, Layang-Layang is often ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world due to its remarkable array of marine life. Due to the Navy's presence, the coral reef has been spared the explosive damage caused by dynamite fishing and other destructive practices, leading to underwater visibility of more than 40 meters. Particularly of note are the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, which can sometimes number in the hundreds, though you can also expect to see manta rays, dolphins, barracuda and turtles. Where to stay: Easy one to answer. At the only game in town, the traditional-styled Layang Layang Island Resort run by the Avillion group. Getting there: The only way in and out of this Malaysia island is on a charter flight from Kota Kinbalu, with the price included in the various packages offered by the only place to stay on the island. 7. Sipadan: For hard-core divers

In his 1989 film "Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle," famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau said, "I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art." Courtesy Benjamin Hollis/Creative commons/Flickr At the end of 2002, following a long dispute with Indonesia, the International Court of Justice ruled that the island of Sipadan was Malaysian. The country, and the state of Sabah which it is part of, have reason to be relieved. Sipadan is often rated as the world's best dive site, with a location in the centre of the planet's most bio-diverse marine habitat. In order to protect the fragile ecosystem of this Malaysia holiday destination, in 2004 the government ordered all of the dive resorts off the island, banned night dives and set a limit of 120 divers per day. The move worked, as the surrounding waters continue to teem with life. It's home to 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles --- so much so there is a famous turtle tomb, an underwater labyrinth that has drowned many of the unfortunate sea creatures. Where to stay: As you are not allowed to stay on Sipadan itself, stay close by at theSipadan Kapalai Dive Resort built on stilts over the water or Sipadan Pom Pom Resort. Getting there: It's a 55-minute flight from Kota Kinbalu to the town of Tawau, an hour's drive to the even smaller township of Semporna, and then a 40-minute speedboat ride. 8. Redang: For a 'Summer Holiday'

If you get tired of white beaches, Redang has plenty of wildlife, including monkeys, deer and monitor lizards. Courtesy Phalinn Ool/Creative Commons/Flickr The Redang archipelago actually consists of nine islands, namely Lima, Paku Besar, Paku Kecil, Kerengga Besar, Kerengga Kecil, Ekor Tebu, Ling, Pinang and Redang itself. Together, they form a marine park situated 45 kilometers off the east Peninsular Malaysia state of Terengganu. Unlike its close cousins, the backpacker-filled Perhentian islands to the north, Redang is very much an upmarket destination, with mostly resort accommodation on offer. Accordingly, the island also has its own airport, served by Berjaya Air, which since 2004 has flown daily to Kuala Lumpur's Subang Airport and Singapore's Changi. With excellently preserved coral, the main attractions of Redang are snorkeling, diving and the crystal clear waters. You'll need to stick close to the shoreline regardless, as the interior is mostly impassable, apart from a road that connects the airport with the coast. In 2000, the Malaysian island was the setting for Hong Kong movie "Summer Holiday," which featured Cantopop star Sammi Cheng and Taiwanese heartthrob Richie Ren. The success of the film led to a sudden influx of tourists. Where to stay: The same company that owns the only airport and airline to fly in, also has the best place to stay, The Taaras, by Berjaya. However, film fans should head to the Laguna Redang Island Resort, where the colourful souvenir shop was a key setting in the movie "Summer Holiday." Getting there: If you don't want to pay to fly in directly, the alternative is to fly to Kuala Terengganu, and then continue by car and take a ferry from the port of Merang. 9. Rawa: For a weekend break

Not all of us have opportunities to stay in a sultan's lair. Rawa is the next best thing. Courtesy Phalinn Ooi/Creative Commons/Flickr There aren't many chances to stay on a Sultan's private island. Rawa is one. Owned by the family of the Sultanate of Johor, Rawa is a small island 16 kilometers off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Only two resorts hug its white-sand fringed west coast, which is accessible by boat from the mainland port of Mersing (also the departure point for more distant Tioman). Because of this exclusivity, Rawa attracts tourists looking for a more secluded vacation. While the west coast is postcard perfect, the rest of the shoreline consists of inaccessible, dramatic rocky cliffs that plunge directly into the sea. To check these out, take the easy way and rent a canoe or hike up steep steps to the summit of the island, from where you have vantages of the eastern shore, the coast of Johor and the other 12 small islands that make up the Johor Marine Park. As your choice of accommodation is limited -- it can often fill up quick with young Singaporeans looking for a weekend getaway -- so book up early. Where to stay: There are only two places to stay on the island: Rawa Island Resort or the smaller Alang's Rawa. Getting there: From Kuala Lumpur, catch a bus or drive to Mersing, from where regular ferries depart. Note that during low season (November to March), ferry frequency can drop sharply. 10. Pangkor: Loved by locals

Tiny Pulau Pangkor lies off Perak on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Courtesy Phalinn Ooi/Creative Commons/Flickr Despite measuring just eight square kilometres, Pulau Pangkor (pulau is the Malay word for island) is one of the most popular beach getaways in Malaysia -- among locals, that is. Pangkor is one of the country's most accessible islands, yet it is overwhelmingly the preserve of Malaysians, who head there every long weekend for a little rest and relaxation. There is little in terms of nightlife but instead you'll find uncrowded sandy beaches, a huge variety of amazing local cuisine and friendly people. Where to stay: Try the Pangkor Island Beach Resort. Getting there: There are direct flights to the island from Subang's Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport via Kuala Lumpur, or it's a 30 minute ferry ride from the town of Lumut. Editor's note: This article was previously published in 2012. It was reformatted and republished in 2017 by CNN Travel Read the full article

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All the New Boston-Area Restaurants to Check Out This Fall

It’s a delicious season

Fall 2017 is shaping up to be an exciting season in the Boston area’s dining scene. There are many restaurant openings on the horizon, including a number of expansions of well-loved local restaurants. Moody’s Delicatessen, for example, is expanding from Waltham to Back Bay; Union Square’s Ebi Sushi will get a Fenway sibling, Sushi Kappo; Boston Chops will add a Downtown Crossing location; and Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar just expanded from Back Bay to Fort Point.

The season also includes the expansions of a few high-profile out-of-towners, such as Portland’s Eventide Oyster Co., which just got a sibling spot (with a slightly different concept) in Fenway; New York’s iconic Magnolia Bakery, whose Boston expansion comes admittedly a few years past the cupcake bubble, but it’ll be a fun spot nonetheless; New York’s extraordinarily popular food cart and restaurant empire, the Halal Guys; and a massive New York-based music venue and restaurant with a focus on wine, City Winery. And of course, there will be poke: Pokéworks, which already has one local outpost in Somerville, is expanding to Harvard Square.

Here’s the rundown on fall 2017 (and beyond) restaurant openings in and around Boston. Something missing? Email [email protected]; this guide will be updated throughout the season.

This guide was initially published on August 23, 2017; it is being updated periodically through the end of fall 2017, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Boston

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy tuna chilindrinas at Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, which expanded to Fort Point this fall.

320 Cafe

This breakfast-and-lunch spot will take over the former home of West Roxbury’s Spring Street Cafe, courtesy of Joseph Adamo, who was executive chef at Aragosta Bar + Bistro. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 320 Spring St., West Roxbury, Boston

75 on Seaport Square

This will be the latest in a group that includes 75 Chestnut and 75 on Liberty Wharf, as well as Boston’s two Cheers locations and Hampshire House. It will be located in a Seaport complex that includes a Kings Bowl and Tuscan Kitchen, and it’ll serve American comfort food. Projected opening: November 2017. 60 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston

Bar Lyon

The newest restaurant from the Columbus Hospitality Group (Mistral, Mooo…., Ostra, etc.) will feature Lyonnaise cuisine, from duck confit to saucisson, complemented by an all-French wine list. The restaurant, located a block from Toro in the South End, will seat around 60, making it fairly small compared to the rest of the group’s venues. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 1750 Washington St., South End, Boston

Barracuda on the Fly [NOW OPEN]

Barracuda Tavern’s food truck spinoff got a brick-and-mortar location in the former Pedro’s Tacos space, serving Key West-inspired seafood. It’s open for weekday lunch only. Opened: October 2, 2017. 55 Bromfield St., Downtown Crossing, Boston

Bodega Canal

The crew behind Ward 8 and the recently opened North Square Oyster are behind this forthcoming Mexican restaurant and nightclub, and it will be located in the former Grand Canal space. Expect tacos and more, alongside a tequila-focused cocktail list. Projected opening: Late November 2017. 57 Canal St., West End, Boston

Boston Chops

Like its big sibling in the South End, the second Boston Chops steakhouse will be in the former home of a bank, although more recently, the Temple Street space was home to a restaurant called Mantra. Expect a private dining room in the old bank vault and a table lit specifically for Instagrammers. Projected opening: October 2017. 52 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston

Boston Juicing

Boston’s obsession with juice continues with a new shop in Charlestown that will serve cold-pressed juices, smoothies, “healthy alternative snacks,” and teas. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 283 Main St., Charlestown, Boston

The Broadway

Longtime nightlife spot Boston Beer Garden closed here in early 2017, to be revamped into the Broadway under the same ownership. The same crew also recently revamped their Southie spot, the Playwright, into the Punk & Poet. Projected opening: November 1, 2017. 732 E Broadway, South Boston

Cafe Landwer

This will be the first United States location for the Israeli cafe chain, which serves shakshuka, pizza, Mediterranean foods, and more. (There’s also one in the works for Cleveland Circle in Brighton — as well as one up in Toronto.) Projected opening: Late November 2017. 900 Boylston St., Audubon Circle/Fenway, Boston

Casalinga [NOW OPEN]

Taking over the location of the short-lived Lulu’s Kitchen, Casalinga features a massive pasta menu that includes 30 sauce options, plus pizza, sandwiches, and more. Opened: October 16, 2017. 151 Hanover St., Haymarket/North End, Boston

Citrus & Salt

Jason Santos is turning Back Bay Harry’s into more of a sibling of one of his other restaurants, Buttermilk & Bourbon — but where Buttermilk & Bourbon focuses on New Orleans-inspired cuisine, Citrus & Salt will take its cues from coastal Mexican. The Citrus & Salt menu will feature a number of similar items to Buttermilk & Bourbon, but with a South American twist. Projected opening: October 31, 2017. 142 Berkeley St., Back Bay, Boston

City Winery

A venue for food, music, and wine that has its roots in New York City will finally arrive in the West End in November. City Winery will serve as a concert venue and private event space, in addition to a winery and restaurant. The venue will have more than 30,000 square feet of space, and the restaurant will seat 100, while the entertainment area will seat 300. Due to some construction setbacks, a number of early fall shows that had already been scheduled were moved to different venues. Projected opening: November 2017. 1 Canal St., West End, Boston

Craft Table & Bar

From the group behind Worcester-based coffee shop Brew on the Grid and more, Craft Table & Bar is opening in East Boston, replacing the nearly decade-old Ecco (and keeping some favorite menu items). The restaurant’s website describes Craft Table as “polished-casual.” It’ll soon have a sibling in Worcester as well. Projected opening: Early November 2017. 107 Porter St., East Boston

Crepe & Ice Cream 89C [NOW OPEN]

This dessert-focused shop serves Thai-style ice cream rolls, ice cream-filled crepes, bubble tea, and more. (There are also savory crepe options.) The name might refer to minus 89 degrees Celsius, the coldest recorded temperature on Earth (Antarctica, 1983). Opened: Late September 2017. 77 Harvard Ave., Allston, Boston

Dig Inn [NOW OPEN]

Very close to its existing Back Bay location, this fast-casual New York chain with a penchant for local sourcing is now open inside the Prudential Center, serving customizable grain bowls and more. Opened: October 18, 2017. 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston

Eventide Fenway [NOW OPEN]

This sibling to Portland, Maine’s acclaimed Eventide Oyster Co. isn’t exactly the same as the original location, but some of Eventide Portland’s greatest hits — hello, brown butter lobster roll — are available at the new spot, which features a “continued service” model that blends counter service with floating servers (so diners don’t have to return to line to order more food and drinks). Opened: October 7, 2017. 1321 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

Evergreen Eatery

From the owners of JP Seafood Cafe comes a farm-to-table restaurant serving classic American diner food with some Latin, Caribbean, and Asian influences. There’ll be an express coffee and juice bar for customers in a hurry. Projected opening: Mid-November 2017. (154 Green St., Jamaica Plain, Boston)

Flatbread Company

The Amesbury-based pizza chain will expand to Brighton’s new Boston Landing development for its 15th location, and like the Somerville location, it will have a candlepin bowling alley attached. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 80 Guest St., Brighton, Boston

Golden Goose Cafe [NOW OPEN]

Affiliated with Golden Goose Market nearby, this cafe serves breakfast and lunch and seats around three dozen. A seasonal patio could open at a later date. Opened: Early October 2017. 65 Atlantic Ave., Waterfront/North End, Boston

Grainmaker [NOW OPEN]

This restaurant draws inspiration from Southeast Asian street food, serving a menu of warm grain bowls, salads, and “street signatures” and allowing customers to select a main protein and a variety of different flavor combinations. Owner Chris Freeman hopes to open 10 locations in the Boston area in the next three or four years; this one is the first. Opened: October 2, 2017. 91 Summer St., Downtown Boston

Honeygrow [NOW OPEN]

This Philadelphia-based fast-casual chain recently opened its first Boston location in the Fenway neighborhood, and Seaport followed close behind. Honeygrow centers around customizable stir-fried dishes: Customers can choose from a variety of rice and noodle bases, vegetables, meats, sauces, and more. An abbreviated version of Honeygrow, Minigrow, is expected to open in early 2018 at a yet-to-be-announced address. Opened: October 13, 2017. 100 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston

Hopsters

This Newton-based brewery — which allows customers to brew their own beers — will expand to Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood with a brewery and restaurant. Hopsters also operates a beer shop in the Boston Public Market. Projected opening: Around Thanksgiving 2017. 51 Sleeper St., Fort Point, Boston

Juicygreens

This Jamaica Plain juice bar, located in the former Harvest Co-op space on South Street, will also serve toasts, salads, acai bowls, and more, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available. Projected opening: November 2017. 57 South St., Jamaica Plain, Boston

Kings Seaport

Part of the ever-expanding group of Kings bowling-and-more venues around the country, Kings Seaport will feature a full-service restaurant and lounge along with a variety of games, from bowling and billiards to skee-ball and air hockey. A room called the Draft Room will have a bar and tons of televisions and big screens for watching sports. Projected opening: October 30, 2017. 60 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston

Kohi Coffee Company [NOW OPEN]

This Provincetown coffee shop has expanded to the new Boston Landing development in Brighton, which will also be home to a Flatbread Company and more. Opened: Unknown. Boston Landing, 80 Guest St., Brighton, Boston

La Colombe

The Philadelphia-based coffee roaster and cafe chain already has one Boston location (in the Leather District), and two more are on the way, with this Seaport location on deck for a fall opening, followed eventually by a Back Bay opening. Projected opening: Early November 2017. 29 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston

Local 338 [NOW OPEN]

This New York-inspired bagel shop uses bagels that are made 90% in New York, frozen, and shipped to Boston; final prep occurs onsite. Local 338 also serves bialys and coffee. Opened: October 3, 2017. 1727 Centre St., West Roxbury, Boston

Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar [NOW OPEN]

With one location already in operation in Boston’s Back Bay, Lolita added a second spot in Fort Point this fall. The restaurant is twice the size of its original counterpart, with an added bonus of an expanded menu and even more tequila. Opened: October 14, 2017. 253 Summer St., Fort Point, Boston

Luke’s Lobster

A third Massachusetts location is on the way for this New York-based, Maine-inspired fast-casual chain. Luke’s Lobster serves lobster rolls and more. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 53 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston

Madera 83 Tapas Bar and Kitchen [NOW OPEN]

Tangierino has been reborn as a tapas bar (under the same ownership), with Townsman alum Matthew Leddy as chef. And yes, the hookah bar remains. Opened: October 12, 2017. 83 Main St., Charlestown, Boston

Magnolia Bakery

New York’s famous Magnolia Bakery, a hallmark of the cupcake boom of the early 2000s, has been promising a Boston location for years, and now it’s almost here, opening at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This location will serve the same menu as the flagship on New York City’s Bleecker Street. Projected opening: December 2017. 2-4 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Downtown Boston

Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions

Joshua Smith is expanding his meat empire in a few ways this year, including a Back Bay version of his popular Waltham deli. The new location will be similar to the original, reports Zagat, with the addition of “lighter cafe fare,” such as grain bowls, avocado toast, bagels, and daily flatbread specials. Plus, he’s adding a couple of adjacent spots to his existing Waltham space. And a holiday season pop-up on Newbury Street. And a California location. Projected opening: Second week of November 2017. 500 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston

Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go

A popular ramen pop-up is getting its own brick-and-mortar location in part of the former Place space. (The other part will be home to Tiki Rock Bar, a tiki bar, which will have its own entrance.) There will be a dozen seats and a menu that offers three types of ramen, plus rice bowls and a small beer selection. It’s meant to be a quick, casual spot, and at least to start, it’ll only be open for lunch and only on weekdays. Projected opening: November 2017. 2 Broad St., Downtown Boston

Our Fathers Delicatessen

This “modern Jewish deli inspired by old school tradition but firmly rooted in new school ways” comes from the group behind Franklin Cafe, Tasty Burger, and Citizen Public. It will open in the Continuum building in Lower Allston, and it’s going to have some pretty cool windows. One side will be for takeout, while the other side will be a restaurant and full bar. Expect a lot of gin. Projected opening: Before the end of 2017. 196 N. Harvard St., Lower Allston, Boston

Poke Bento and Beard Papa’s [NOW OPEN]

In an unlikely partnership, a new poke spot has teamed up with Japan-based cream puff chain Beard Papa’s for a location that offers plenty of raw fish and sweet desserts. Opened: Early October 2017. 827 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston

Purr Cat Cafe

When Purr Cat Cafe opens, it’ll be Boston’s first cat cafe. There have been numerous delays in the opening process, and the young cafe’s social media presence has been marred by drama, but owner Diane Kelly is aiming to open the doors this fall. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 167 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton, Boston

Rogue Lounge

Located in the former North Star space, Rogue Lounge is slated to serve sushi, small plates, and more, alongside cocktails and beer, and there’ll be live music and DJs. There will also be private dining space available, and the lounge will have quite a few televisions. Also: mai tais on tap. Projected opening: October 2017. 222 Friend St., West End, Boston

Scorpion Bar and the Grand

The Big Night Entertainment Group (Red Lantern, Empire, and more) will open a version of one of its Connecticut venues, Scorpion Bar, in Boston’s Seaport this fall, full of tequila and tacos. The multi-story space will also include a nightclub called the Grand. Projected opening: October 25 (the Grand) and 26 (Scorpion Bar), 2017. 58 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston

The Smoke Shop

Andy Husbands’ Kendall Square barbecue restaurant is expanding to the former Tavern Road space in Boston’s Fort Point with lots of meat and lots of whiskey. Projected opening: December 2017. 343 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston

Sushi Kappo

The co-owner of Union Square, Somerville’s Ebi Sushi will open a new restaurant on Fenway’s “restaurant row,” featuring a similar menu and “good deals on lunch combos.” Keep an eye out for sushi burritos and poke bowls. The new restaurant will have seating for 16; owner Jose Garcia expects that more than half the business will be takeout. Projected opening: October 2017. 86 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston

Tasty Burger

This local burger chain is expanding again, this time opening in Boston’s West End — right by TD Garden — this fall. This location will serve beer and wine. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 1 Nashua St., West End, Boston

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

This local cafe chain keeps expanding (there’s also a Back Bay location in the works, opening in the winter.) The forthcoming Fenway location will include a full coffee bar (cold brew and nitro options too) and will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus brunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be “plenty of seating,” per the Tatte website, as well as a large patio. Projected opening: October 30, 2017. 1352 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

Tuscan Kitchen Seaport

With locations in Burlington, MA, Salem, NH, and Portsmouth, NH, Tuscan Kitchen Seaport will expand to Boston this fall in a massive space at the One Seaport Square development, seating 320 people and serving Neapolitan-style pizza, fresh pasta, and other regional Italian cuisine. (Unlike its New Hampshire counterparts, it won’t have a separate market section.) Projected opening: Mid-November 2017. 64 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston

White Bull Tavern

This new Faneuil Hall venue will serve oysters, pizza, small plates, rotisserie entrees, and more. It’ll be open for lunch and dinner every day, plus Sunday brunch. Expect an interesting-looking interior, courtesy of Dave O from At Absolute Zero Design, who designed the eclectic Beat Brasserie space in Cambridge. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 1 Union St., Downtown Boston

Zia Gianna Caffe and Bakery

With a focus on Sicilian cuisine, this forthcoming Italian restaurant will feature espresso, Italian pastries and desserts, Sicilian street foods, sandwiches, and more. To start, Zia Gianna will be open for breakfast and lunch, but ticketed dinner events are on the horizon. Projected opening: November 2017. 1739 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston

Boston openings beyond fall 2017:

6 West Broadway hotel restaurant and rooftop bar (6 West Broadway, South Boston): Part of Meyer Jabara Hotels, this forthcoming South Boston hotel will have a restaurant as well as a rooftop bar. Projected opening: Early 2019.

Alcove (100 Lovejoy Wharf, Waterfront, Boston): Longtime Boston restaurant industry vet Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli (Island Creek Oyster Bar and more) is opening his own place within the Lovejoy Wharf condo building near TD Garden. Projected opening: Spring 2018.

Anna’s Taqueria (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): The beloved local taqueria chain has had a Prudential Center location in the works for quite some time. Projected opening: By the end of 2017.

Backlash Beer Co. (152 Hampden St., Roxbury, Boston): This longtime contract brewer is in the process of opening up its own brewery and taproom. Retail sales began in September 2017, but there’s more permitting and construction that has to happen before the taproom debuts. Projected opening: Unknown.

Bartaco (25 Thompson Pl., Fort Point, Boston): This East Coast chain is Barcelona Wine Bar’s more casual counterpart and serves tacos, rice bowls, poke, and more, along with a tequila-heavy booze selection. Projected opening: Unknown.

Better Bagels (83 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): The popular New York-style bagel pop-up is getting a permanent home at the One Seaport Square development. Projected opening: Unknown.

Blue Bottle (Unknown address in Back Bay, plus three other locations in or near Boston): This Californian coffee chain has five locations in the works — a Harvard Square one that is expected to open in fall 2017, plus one in Back Bay and three other mystery locations.

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (1124 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston and another yet-to-be-announced location): The Canadian pizza-focused sports bar chain named for Boston is expanding to Boston; there are two forthcoming locations, one right by Berklee and not far from Fenway. Projected openings: The Fenway location will open in June 2018; the mystery location is slated for 2020.

Brato Brewhouse & Kitchen (Tentatively at an unannounced location near Boston Landing in Brighton): The forthcoming brewpub from Cambridge Brewing Company alums will potentially be located in Brighton, but plans haven’t been entirely finalized yet. Projected opening: Unknown; meanwhile, Brato is hosting a number of pop-up events.

Cafe Landwer (Yet-to-be-announced address in Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston): This will be the second United States location for the Israeli cafe chain, which serves shakshuka, pizza, Mediterranean foods, and more. (First, it’ll open in Audubon Circle in fall 2017. There’s also a Toronto, Canada location in the works.) Projected opening: April 2018.

Cava Back Bay and Fenway (667 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston; 1350 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This rapidly expanding DC-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain is also coming to Hingham and Dedham. Projected openings: The Fenway location will open in January 2018; the Back Bay location will open later in 2018. (Hingham and Dedham are both slated for February 2018.)

Chilacates (The Tremont, 1480 Tremont St., Mission Hill, Boston): This Jamaica Plain taqueria duo will open a third location, this time in Mission Hill. Projected opening: Early 2018 at the earliest.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): The upscale steakhouse chain, which has a Boston location in the Seaport District, will expand to the Pru’s ground floor with a massive 17,000-square-foot location that will seat 450. There will be a seasonal patio as well. Projected opening: Second half of 2018.

Democracy Brewing (35 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston): A worker-owned brewpub opening in the historic Windsor Button space. It’ll have a tasting room and event space, and the team plans to distribute to bars and restaurants. Projected opening: March 2018.

D’s Keys Dueling Pianos and Singalong Bar (391 D St., Seaport District, Boston): A dueling piano bar from dueling piano bar veterans. Projected opening: By the end of 2017.

Exodus Bagels (3346 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston): This popular pop-up had a Roslindale brick-and-mortar in the works for a while, but plans have shifted — that space will remain the Exodus kitchen, but the first Exodus storefront will be in the former Canto 6 space in JP. Projected opening: Unknown, but sooner than the Roslindale spot would have opened.

Feng Shui (1924 Beacon St., Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston): Sushi, hibachi, and Chinese food from a restaurant group with locations in Chelmsford, Waltham, Cohasset, and Tyngsborough. (It’ll open in Burlington eventually as well.) Projected opening: Unknown.

Globe Bar & Cafe (384 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This longtime Boylston Street staple is just moving a little bit down the street, into the former Rattlesnake space. Projected opening: Unknown.

The Halal Guys (Multiple locations): The New York City chain debuted in Boston’s Theatre District in late summer 2017. Coming up next: locations in the Financial District, West End, Back Bay, and Downtown Crossing (as well as Cambridge’s Porter Square). Exact addresses and opening timelines haven’t been announced yet. Projected openings: Unknown.

I-CE-NY Back Bay and Allston (217 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston; 1110 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, Boston): More Thai-style rolled ice cream. Projected openings: Unknown.

Kaju Tofu House (636 Beacon St., Kenmore Square, Boston): The Harvard Square sibling of an Allston Korean restaurant closed recently, but the number of Kaju locations will soon come back up to two when it opens in the former Thai Dish space in Kenmore. Projected opening: Unknown.

La Colombe (250 West Newton St., Back Bay, Boston): The Philadelphia-based coffee roaster and cafe chain already has one Boston location (in the Leather District), and a Seaport Location is slated to open this fall. After that: Back Bay. Projected opening: Unknown.

Life Alive (888 Commonwealth Ave., Boston University, Boston): The fourth location for this local vegetarian restaurant — which is also in Cambridge, Salem, and Lowell — will be in the former Panera space by BU. Projected opening: January 2018.

Liquid Art House’s unnamed replacement (100 Arlington St., Back Bay, Boston): Liquid Art House will transform into a new concept, opening about two months after closing for renovations. (Closing and reopening dates haven’t yet been announced.) A future West End location might be in the works as well. Projected openings: Unknown.

Lobstah on a Roll (537 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston): Seemingly opening in the Emma’s Pizza space — which closed over the summer, but it was described as a temporary hiatus — Lobstah on a Roll will primarily focus on takeout, serving lobster rolls, lobster dinners, and sandwiches. (An Arlington location is also in the works.) Projected opening: “Soon.”

Minigrow (Yet-to-be-announced address): A streamlined sibling to Philly-based stir-fry chain Honeygrow, which now has two Boston locations. Projected opening: Early 2018.

Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes (140 Tremont St., Downtown Boston): This Texas-based burger chain has a growing local presence. It recently opened in Jamaica Plain and will expand to the Boston Common area next. (Berlin, Massachusetts is also getting a location.) Projected opening: Unknown.

Nourish Your Soul (282 Cambridge St., Beacon Hill, Boston): A juice bar with locations in West Medford and Winchester is expanding to Beacon Hill with smoothies, coffee, chia pudding, toasts, and more. Projected opening: Unknown.

Pig ‘N Whistle Diner (226 N. Beacon St., Brighton, Boston): A diner that has been closed for 15 years might get resurrected without too many changes. Projected opening: Unknown.

Santeria (10 Post Office Sq., Financial District, Boston): A restaurant, cigar bar, and members-only club from the team behind Yvonne’s, Ruka, and Lolita. Projected opening: Unknown.

Shaking Crab (140 Boylston St., Theatre District, Boston): This growing local chain that features Cajun-style boiled seafood will open in the original Troquet space on the edge of the Common. (It’s also expanding to Cambridge’s Porter Square and Brookline’s Coolidge Corner.) Projected opening: Unknown.

Shaking Seafood (19 Poplar St., Roslindale, Boston): Another Vietnamese-Cajun seafood boil restaurant. Projected opening: December 2017 or January 2018.

The Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen (611 Columbia Rd., Uphams Corner, Dorchester, Boston): Repair your bike; drink coffee. Projected opening: Unknown.

Southern Proper (The Girard, 600 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston): A Southern (“but not kitschy”) restaurant located in a new South End development. Jason Cheek (Sam’s, Toro, KO Prime) is behind it. There may be some barbecue on the menu, but it “won’t be a barbecue joint.” Projected opening: Unknown, but probably after winter 2017-18.

Sweetgreen (60 State St., Financial District, Boston; Seaport District, Boston; Post Office Square, Boston): The DC-based salad chain keeps expanding, with two downtown locations and a Seaport location in the works, as well as one each in Dedham (Legacy Place), Wellesley, and Brookline (Coolidge Corner). Projected openings: Unknown.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe (399 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): Following shortly behind a new Fenway location, this expanding local cafe chain will open near the Public Garden. Projected opening: Winter 2017-2018.

Tiki Rock Bar (2 Broad St., Downtown Boston): A tiki bar sharing the former Place space with the forthcoming Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go. Projected opening: Unknown.

The Westland (10 Westland Ave., near Symphony Hall, Boston): From the group behind Hopewell Kitchen & Bar, the Avenue, and more comes a “classic American tavern” in the long-vacant Symphony 8 space. Projected opening: “Soon.”

Time Out Market (401 Park Dr., Fenway): The Landmark Center is being converted into a new development, 401 Park Drive, which will be home to a food hall with roots in Lisbon. (A Miami location will open in 2018.) Time Out Market is owned by the same company behind Time Out media entities. Vendors have not yet been announced, but they’ll reportedly be local. Projected opening: 2019.

Unnamed Chris Parson project (Location unknown): In partnership with Brian Lesser, Steel & Rye’s Chris Parsons will open a restaurant at an upcoming Boston hotel. The duo also recently launched a boozy business called Speakeasy Imports. Projected opening: Unknown.

Unnamed sushi restaurant (118 Dorchester St., South Boston, Boston): Mike Shaw of Lincoln Tavern and Loco Taqueria will open a sushi-focused restaurant in the former Salsa’s space. Projected opening: Unknown, but currently hiring.

Unnamed Tim Maslow projects (Locations unknown): As promised, Tim Maslow — chef-owner of the now-defunct Ribelle — will eventually open something (or two somethings) in Boston, although he’s currently helping out with two openings up in Maine. In partnership with Brian Lesser, he’s reportedly finalizing two Boston locations for new restaurants. Projected openings: Unknown.

Amesbury

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

A “dog of the day” at Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Somerville. The restaurant is expanding to Amesbury this fall.

On the heels of the summer 2017 opening of two new breweries, this North Shore spot is getting a location of Somerville’s cocktails-and-hot-dogs hangout, Trina’s Starlite Lounge, this fall. (The team behind Trina’s has a variety of connections to the North Shore and has a restaurant called the Paddle Inn in Newburyport.)

Arlington

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Temporary signage is up along the side of the future Lobstah on a Roll space in Arlington; it should open around November.

Lobstah on a Roll

Steps from the Minuteman Bikeway, a restaurant called Lobstah on a Roll — self-dubbed “the biggest little restaurant in America” — will open in the former Elton’s Roast Beef & Pizza space, serving “crazy” breakfast, seafood-centric lunch and dinner, and a smattering of Korean cuisine. There’s room for 16 seats inside. (Another location, primarily takeout-focused, will open soon in Boston’s South End.) Projected opening: Early November 2017. 478 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington Center

Arlington openings beyond fall 2017:

Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery (677 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington): An acclaimed Winchester bakery (that also had a stall at Boston Public Market for a time) is expanding to Arlington, serving French breads, crepes, waffles, and more. Projected opening: Unknown.

Braintree

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Spring rolls at Davio’s, now open in Braintree.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse [NOW OPEN]

Boston-based upscale Italian steakhouse chain Davio’s has opened its latest location this fall, this time in Braintree at South Shore Plaza, and it’s a big one, spanning 10,000 square feet. This is the growing chain’s ninth location; other Massachusetts outposts are in Boston proper, Foxborough, Chestnut Hill, and Lynnfield. It has also expanded out of state. Opened: Mid-October 2017. 250 Granite St., Braintree

Widowmaker Brewing [NOW OPEN]

Braintree’s new brewery includes a 70-seat taproom where visitors can drink partial and full pours of beer, as well as flights; 32-ounce crowlers can be purchased to bring home. The opening line-up includes a pale ale, two stouts, a blonde ale, an IPA, and a double IPA. Opened: September 23, 2017. 220 Wood Rd., Braintree

Brookline

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Food at Shan-A-Punjab, relocating from 455 Harvard St. to 500 Harvard St. this fall.

Allium Market

This cafe and specialty food market will have an extensive cheese selection, along with lots of pickled vegetables, sauces, and other goods. It’s located in the historic S.S. Pierce Building at the intersection of Beacon and Harvard. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 1330 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline

Shan-A-Punjab

Currently located at 455 Harvard St., the onetime Cognac Bistro space, this Indian restaurant is slated to move across the street into the former Rubin’s space. Both properties are owned by Brookline-based real estate, development, and management company the Danesh Group, and principal David Danesh tried to resurrect Rubin’s at the 500 Harvard St. space but couldn’t make it happen, finally opting to rent the property to the very local Shan-A-Punjab instead of bringing in a chain. Projected opening: November or December 2017. 500 Harvard St., outside of Coolidge Corner, Brookline

Brookline openings beyond fall 2017:

Blossom Bar (295 Washington St., Brookline Village): Like Sichuan Garden II in Woburn, which is home to the acclaimed Baldwin Bar and the Baldwin & Sons Trading Co, the original Sichuan Garden in Brookline will get its own fancy cocktail bar, Blossom Bar. Construction began in September. Projected opening: 2017.

Gen Sou En Tea House (299 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline): This Japanese teahouse will also serve coffee, beer, wine, and sake, along with light meals and baked goods. It’s opening in the former Panera space. Projected opening: Early 2018.

Shaking Crab (250 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline): Taking over the former Khao Sarn space, this quickly expanding local chain serves up Cajun-inspired seafood, boiled in a bag with spices. It’s also expanding to the Boston Common and to Cambridge’s Porter Square. Projected opening: Unknown.

Sweetgreen (Unknown address, Coolidger Corner, Brookline): This DC-based salad chain keeps expanding, with three Boston locations in the works, plus this Coolidge Corner location, one in Dedham’s Legacy Place, and one in Wellesley. Projected opening: Unknown.

Burlington

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

A relatively light option on the menu at the Friendly Toast’s original Portsmouth location.

The Friendly Toast [NOW OPEN]

With locations in Boston’s Back Bay, Cambridge’s Kendall Square, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire (the original), the Friendly Toast has expanded to the Burlington Mall (and a Bedford, New Hampshire, location is in the works as well). The restaurant, known for its eclectic ambiance, serves a large diner-style menu with lots of vegetarian-friendly options. It’s in the former Bobby’s Burger Palace space. Opened: October 23, 2017. 75 Middlesex Tpke., Burlington

Jack’s Coal Fired Pizza [NOW OPEN]

Sharing the former Papa Razzi space with Temazcal Tequila Cantina, Jack’s serves both coal-fired and wood-fired pizza, as well as wings, pasta, beer, and more. Opened: October 2, 2017. 2 Wall St., Burlington

Burlington openings beyond fall 2017:

Feng Shui (2400 District Ave., Burlington): Sushi and Chinese food. There are existing locations in Chelmsford, Waltham, Cohasset, and Tyngsborough, and it’s also expanding to Brighton. Projected opening: Summer 2018.

Cambridge

Hien Nguyen for Momi Nonmi

A dish at Momi Nonmi, which opened this fall in Cambridge’s Inman Square.

New for fall 2017 in Cambridge: an Alden & Harlow expansion upstairs into the former Cafe Algiers space, more poke, a Japanese izakaya with a touch of Hawaii, a neighborhood bar that encourages “witty banter,” and more.

Concord

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Baby clams and linguine at Fiorella’s Cucina in Newton, expanding to Concord this fall.

Fiorella’s Cucina

The space that was previously home to Bondir Concord will become a second location for Newtonville-based Fiorella’s, an Italian restaurant that also has a takeout offshoot, Fiorella’s Express, with three Boston-area locations. The new Fiorella’s will feature a full bar. Projected opening: October 2017. 24 Walden St., Concord Center

Concord openings beyond fall 2017:

Caffe Nero (55-57 Main St., Concord): Yet another forthcoming Boston-area location for the London-based cafe chain. Projected opening: Unknown.

Dedham

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A chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A, now open in Dedham.

Blue Ribbon BBQ

With more than 20 years under its belt, Blue Ribbon BBQ — located in West Newton and Arlington — is embarking on its third expansion this fall, this time to Dedham Square. The new location will mirror the counter-service model and menu of the older two locations, but it’ll have significantly more seating (up to 60 seats). Projected opening: Mid-November 2017. 350 Washington St., Dedham

Chick-fil-A [NOW OPEN]

A franchise of the ubiquitous fried chicken sandwich chain, the Dedham Chick-fil-A is one of a growing number in Massachusetts; there are also locations in Peabody, Burlington, Framingham, and beyond. The Dedham location includes a playground, wifi, and drive-thru service, as well as online ordering. Breakfast is available. Opened: October 2017. 140 Providence Hwy., Dedham

El Centro

A Mexican restaurant with locations in Boston’s South End, Brookline, and Belmont will expand to Dedham Square this fall, opening next to the forthcoming Blue Ribbon BBQ. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 350 Washington St., Dedham

Dedham openings beyond fall 2017:

Cava (680 Legacy Pl., Dedham): One of four Boston-area locations planned for this DC-based Mediterranean chain. (It’s also coming to Boston’s Fenway and Back Bay neighborhoods, as well as to Hingham). Projected opening: February 2018.

Sweetgreen (680 Legacy Pl., Dedham): The rapidly expanding DC-based salad chain has lots more Boston-area locations in the works, including one at Dedham’s Legacy Place retail development. Projected opening: Unknown.

Framingham

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Pizza at Volturno, which expanded from Worcester to Framingham this fall.

Volturno [NOW OPEN]

This acclaimed Neapolitan-style pizzeria expanded from Worcester to Framingham this fall; the new location was first announced way back in fall 2015. In addition to pizza, the full-service restaurants serve a variety of pasta dishes and other entrees. Opened: Late September 2017. 1 Edgell Rd., Framingham

Ipswich

Provided

True North Ale Company

The North Shore brewing scene continues to heat up with the forthcoming opening of True North Ale Company in Ipswich (not to mention Amesbury’s two summer 2017 brewery openings and another on the way in Salem).

Lexington

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The exterior of Wicked Bagel, opening in September.

Wicked Bagel Bakery & Deli

This forthcoming bagel shop is located in a former bank space and will make bagels in-house in an open kitchen. There will also be sandwiches and other “deli staples.” Expect plenty of cream cheeses and other bagel toppings, as well as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Projected opening: October 26, 2017. 171 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington

Lynn

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Cupcakes at Worcester’s Brew on the Grid, expanding to Lynn (and beyond) this fall.

The Worcester-based group behind Brew on the Grid cafes and several other concepts is expanding a lot these days, including a planned fall opening of a new Brew on the Grid in Lynn. (The growing cafe chain is also expanding to Marlborough and Salem.)

Malden

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The signature dish, crying tiger, at Crying Thaiger, now open in Malden.

Crying Thaiger [NOW OPEN]

This Thai restaurant is named for its signature spicy dish, crying tiger, which pairs grilled beef brisket with a pungent, fiery sauce. The restaurant also has other “crying” dishes with different grilled proteins and vegetables. The space was once home to a Chinese restaurant called the Great Chow. Opened: Mid-October 2017. 114 Ferry St., Malden

Marlborough

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Baked goods at Worcester’s Brew on the Grid, expanding to Marlborough (and beyond) this fall.

110 Grill

Part of the under-development Apex Center on Route 20, this will be 110 Grill’s 10th location, following closely behind the late summer opening in Haverhill; Fall River is up next, slated for winter 2017 (along with Stratham, New Hampshire). Next year, Athol, Worcester, and Wrentham will follow. The Massachusetts and New Hampshire restaurants serve modern American food and offer a gluten-free menu as well as extensive accommodations for other dietary restrictions. Qdoba, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, and Friendly’s are also expected to join 110 Grill at the Apex Center, along with Evviva Cucina (see below for more details.) Projected opening: Fall 2017. Apex Center, 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

Brew on the Grid

Yet another upcoming expansion for this Worcester-based coffee shop, which also opened in Cambridge in the late summer. It’ll expand to Lynn in the fall and Salem next year. Projected opening: November 2017. 187 Boston Post Rd., Marlborough

Evviva Cucina

With locations in Beverly and Westford, this Italian restaurant will join 110 Grill and more at the Apex Center this fall. The restaurants serve a variety of pizzas, “piada tacos,” classic Italian-American pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

Walden Woods Brewing

Run by “two beer geek brewers who also love history” (and they love Henry David Thoreau, too), Walden Woods Brewing will be Marlborough’s first brewpub and will serve “traditional European and American-style” beers with a “regional or historic twist.” The opening lineup will include an American Pale Ale, an India Pale Ale, and more. The taproom will be open Thursday through Sunday. Projected opening: Late fall 2017. 277 Main St., Marlborough

Medford

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A burger at the Burger Bar by Wegmans, opening on November 5 in Medford.

The Burger Bar by Wegmans

Rochester, New York-based grocery chain Wegmans has built up quite a cult following over the years, but despite Boston’s large Western New York ex-pat population, it’s only recently that Wegmans began to expand here. The next location is in Medford. This will be the first local outpost to feature Wegmans’ in-store Burger Bar restaurant, which serves burgers, milkshakes, and more. Projected opening: November 5, 2017. 3850 Mystic Valley Pkwy., Medford

Needham

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Roasted chicken at Cook Newton, expanding to Needham this fall.

Cook Needham [NOW OPEN]

A neighborhood restaurant in Newton called Cook got a Needham sibling this fall. At Cook, chef-owner Paul Turano — who was also behind Tryst in Arlington until selling it last year — aims to serve “a menu stripped down to simple, flavorful cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, in an ambiance that is inviting and feels like home,” per a release. Opened: Early October 2017. 109 Chapel St., Needham

Spiga [NOW OPEN]

After nearly a decade in business, this Italian restaurant closed down for the summer for a major revamp. It reopened this fall with a new chef and co-owner, Marisa Iocco, along with plenty of renovations and a new menu. Opened: Mid-October 2017. 18 Highland Cir., Needham Heights

Newton

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Buttonwood, under construction in the former 51 Lincoln space.

Buttonwood

Opening in the former 51 Lincoln space, this new restaurant comes from the team behind Newton Centre restaurants Sycamore and Little Big Diner. Buttonwood (another word for a sycamore tree) is meant to be a more family-friendly, affordable spot than Sycamore and will feature rustic, seasonal food. Projected opening: Late October/early November 2017. 51 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands

Olivia’s Bistro

Located in the former Ginger Root space, this Italian restaurant will feature Neapolitan-style pizzas alongside pasta, seafood, antipasti, and more. Projected opening: Around October or November 2017. 136 Adams St., Newton

Norwood

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Custom tap handles at Percival Brewing Company, now open in Norwood.

Percival Brewing Company [NOW OPEN]

This new addition to the local brewing scene features a dog-friendly taproom and an opening lineup of beers that includes a pale ale, an oatmeal stout, and more. Well, it’s not quite new — the company was founded in Dorchester in 2011 and has been contract brewing over the years, but now it has its own space. Opened: Late September 2017. 83 Morse St., Norwood

Salem

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Mussels at Antique Table, expanding from Winthrop and Lynn to Salem this fall.

An Italian restaurant with locations in Winthrop and Lynn, Antique Table, is slated to open in Salem this fall. On the post-fall horizon, there’s a brewery in the works, as well as one of several forthcoming locations of growing cafe chain Brew on the Grid.

Scituate

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A single hop pale ale at Untold Brewing, opening this fall in an old Scituate schoolhouse.

Untold Brewing [NOW OPEN]

This brewery, built partly in an old schoolhouse, has a family-friendly taproom and features West Coast-inspired brews; the brewers met while working at Georgetown Brewing in Seattle. The opening lineup includes a few IPAs, pale ales, and more. Opened: October 13, 2017. 6 Old Country Way, Scituate

Somerville

Kickstarter

A sample dish from Field & Vine, as shared during the restaurant’s crowdfunding campaign.

Somerville’s all about Assembly Row these days, with a few fall openings on the horizon there, including a brewhouse, an LA-based “fast-fine” chain serving Neapolitan-style pizza, and yet another Caffe Nero location. But Davis and Union squares are each featuring a new spot or two as well this season, including a North Shore-based French patisserie.

Waltham

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Meat at Moody’s, which is expanding to add tacos, ceviche, and more late this fall.

Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions / The Backroom at Moody’s

This popular Waltham deli and full-service restaurant are getting two new siblings in adjacent spaces: a taco-and-barbecue spot that features recipes from Latin-American members of the Moody’s team, according to Zagat, as well as a ceviche and oyster bar. These will operate under the umbrella of the Moody’s name. (Moody’s is also expanding to Boston’s Back Bay this year — and all the way to California next year — and operating a holiday season pop-up on Newbury Street in Boston.) Projected openings: Both in mid-December 2017. 468 Moody St., Waltham

Watertown

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A La Bodega menu teaser: heirloom tomato gazpacho.

La Bodega by Salts

From the owners of acclaimed Cambridge restaurant Salts, which closed in early 2014 due to damage from a burst pipe, La Bodega will serve “Uruguayan-influenced farm-to-table cuisine,” a departure from Salts’ upscale French menu. Projected opening: November 2017. 21 Nichols Ave., Watertown

Woburn

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A mural by Mary Lacy at the forthcoming Matadora, opening this fall in Woburn.

Matadora

The team behind Boston restaurants Yvonne’s, Ruka, and Lolita is opening a Spanish restaurant serving “tailored tapas and cocktails” at the Hilton Boston-Woburn. Also in the works from the same folks: a downtown restaurant and cigar bar with a members-only club. Projected opening: October 2017. 2 Forbes Rd., Woburn

Worcester

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Korean fried chicken wings at Deadhorse Hill, which will get an American-Korean sibling restaurant this fall.

Craft Table & Bar

Slated to open on the bottom level of the Bancroft Hotel, this “polished-casual” restaurant comes from the group behind Brew on the Grid, Stix Ramen, and more. There’s also a Craft Table location opening in East Boston shortly before this location opens. Projected opening: Late fall 2017. 50 Franklin St., Worcester

Simjang

The team behind Deadhorse Hill, a popular Worcester restaurant from owners with Boston ties, will open an American-Korean restaurant in the former Sweet Kitchen & Bar space, right by Volturno. Simjang (“heart” in Korean) will reportedly blend “traditional Korean elements” with local, seasonal ingredients. The space will feature artwork by Arlin Graff, who also painted a substantial mural by the Deadhorse space. Projected opening: Fall 2017. 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

Worcester openings beyond fall 2017:

110 Grill (Unannounced address, Worcester): Growing local chain that serves modern American food and offers menus for gluten-free diners and people with other dietary restrictions. Projected opening: Winter 2017.

Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

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diveplanit · 5 years

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Munda Magic: a land of wrecks, reefs, walls and legends

Award-winning photographer PT (Pink Tank) Hirschfield spends seven days of underwater exploration with Dive Munda and discovers the restorative powers of the legendary ‘Munda Magic’.

Sitting here in the tranquil Solomon Islands outpost of Munda, it’s difficult to imagine these blue skies buzzing with WWII Japanese and US fighter planes. Yet not far beneath the surface of the calm waters surrounding Dive Munda HQ lie the P-39 Airacobra, a small Jap Zero fighter plane lying at 28 metres, and the Douglas Bomber close to the shore at 12-14 metres depth.

Photo: PT Hirschfield

This region is rich with historical significance. Several islands stand as shrines to one Lieutenant John F. Kennedy and his heroic feats when his vessel was rammed and wrecked by a Japanese destroyer. Diving the easily accessible plane and shipwrecks in this region, seeing them take on new lives as artificial reefs, just one of many reasons to explore the lagoons of the Solomon Islands’ Western Province.

During my visit, a group of aquatic historians are laying plaques on known wrecks and seeking local knowledge to discover wrecks that have never yet been dived. Unlike many of the divers attracted to this region, war and history have somehow never quite held the same appeal for me.

While I enjoy photographing the small fighter plane wrecks, I find myself more drawn to the living, breathing pelagics swirling past the current prone slopes and drop offs, of Munda’s Shark Point, Eagles Nest, Barry’s Breakfast and Secret Spot. I’m enthralled by three spotted eagle rays dancing at depth, large schools of barracuda, curious batfish, midnight snappers, bumphead parrotfish, yellow tailed kingfish and trevally. The appearance of occasional black tip, white tip and silvertip reef sharks, small devil rays and turtles are always cause for celebration. When I am underwater surrounded by such incredible diversity of marine animals, I can barely spare a thought for the complexities of life on land.

A diverse range of sites is easily accessible between ten and forty minutes across the gorgeous bay by boat from Agnes Gateway Hotel, where Dive Munda is based. The bommies and rocky outcrops of Haipe Reef, Rainbow Reef and Susu Hite Island play host to a wide diversity of hard and soft corals, barrel sponges and countless fish species.

Amongst the most photogenic are many types of anemone fish; the white-bonnet variety are endemic to the Solomon’s and are easily found along with nine other varieties. Dartfish, bannerfish, tangs, triggerfish and moray eels are some of the more commonly sighted species seen availing themselves of the ever-present cleaning stations. The highly decorative leopard wrasse is far less common and sighting one feels like winning a jackpot. Small octopuses and cuttlefish hide amongst the rocks between all the hard and soft corals, brightly coloured sponges and spectacular gorgonian fans.

The last ten or so metres at the gorgeous Rainbow Reef are a poignant reminder of the 2016 tsunami, the slopes in the shallows being almost completely comprised of coral rubble. Yet life goes on and there are scattered signs of new growth and marine life, a testament to the resilience of nature.

Photo: PT Hirschfield

Langarana (along with nearby Belobelo) is one of Munda’s signature sites. A sheer wall descends hundreds of metres, festooned with gorgeous brightly coloured spaghetti-like sponges and some of the largest sea fans in the world (purportedly home to pygmy seahorses). Big-eye mackerel, tuna and eagle rays pass in the blue, while black tip sharks are found resting in the rocky swim throughs. Tombatuni Point is another of the best wall sites the Solomon’s has to offer, coupling large pelagics with stunning sponges and fans. A myriad of macro treasures, particularly nudibranchs, can be found hidden along the wall.

Photo: PT Hirschfield

One of the most memorable dives in this region, however, is the Cave of the Kastom Shark, entered through a sinkhole in the middle of a small coral atoll. The vertical shaft descends to around 35 metres before opening up into a chamber, where we follow a guideline through a narrow tunnel to a wide opening on a vertical coral wall.

Photo: PT Hirschfield

Throughout this region, dolphins can often be seen from the surface. Rumours of occasional hammerheads and legends of dugongs seen once but never again stir my senses. Surface intervals are spent on lush deserted islands with a generous feast of snacks and an opportunity to go exploring before re-boarding the dive tender for the next dive.

I have always been obsessed with details, taking intimate macro portraits of the marine creatures I encounter. But the Magic of Munda compels me to broaden my field of vision, to see all that lies before me as part of a much bigger picture. My photos from this trip are primarily wide angle. On this trip, I have been less focussed on isolating and capturing tiny subjects and details and more intrigued by finding the connections between beautifully chaotic elements within the broader scheme, often bursting with colour. The diversity of sites on offer is breathtaking, and more than can be adequately explored in a single week.

Photo: PT Hirschfield

Availing myself of the typical three dives a day on offer, my seven days of underwater exploration with Dive Munda has exposed my soul to the restorative powers of the fabled ‘Munda Magic’.

The post Munda Magic: a land of wrecks, reefs, walls and legends appeared first on Diveplanit.

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socanation · 6 years

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HOW JAMES BOND'S LEGACY IS SAVING JAMAICA The founder of Island Records runs a unique conservation movement that could be a model for the entire Caribbean. By Ross Kenneth Urken (via: Bloomberg.com) July 23, 2018, 4:00 AM EDT From CLIMATE CHANGE In 1949, Ian Fleming bought a blank naturalist’s notebook which he grandly labeled “Sea Fauna or the Finny Tribe of Goldeneye.” Bound in leather and its title embossed in gold, he took it with him when he departed London for his beloved Jamaica, where he would immerse himself in the island’s natural beauty and dive among its plentiful barracudas. He called two of the larger specimens Bicester and Beaufort, similar to creatures seen in “Thunderball,” one of a dozen novels he would later write about a certain British spy. Sixty years on, the pristine Jamaica of James Bond’s creator is in danger. Overfishing has imperiled the barracuda’s habitat: Fewer algae-eating fish spurs coral die-off, and the practice of fishing with dynamite has had catastrophic effects. But over the past seven years, a former record company executive has slowly built a network of conservationists to help protect the ecosystem near Fleming’s home, dubbed Goldeneye, creating a template for others in the process. Chris Blackwell, 81, founded Island Records and launched Bob Marley’s career, among others. He’s the son of Blanche Lindo, Fleming’s close friend, and he now owns Island Outpost, a chain of boutique luxury, nature-oriented resorts. Its gem is GoldenEye, where guests can rent the original Fleming villa near the village of Oracabessa (“GoldenEye” is also the name of a 1995 Bond film). The Oracabessa Foundation, which operates as the headquarters of Blackwell’s conservation efforts, is located there. READ FULL STORY @ www.BLOOMBERG.com #Trinidad #Tobago #Guyana #Jamaica #Haiti #Barbados #Bahamas #Bermuda #StVincent #StKitts #StLucia #StMaarten #Stthomas #Grenada #Caymanislands #Antigua #Belize #Stcroix #Dominica #Aruba #Montserrat #Guadeloupe #Martinique #Westindian #soca #socakingdom #bigbadsoca

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brightgreenpenguin · 3 years

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Best LEGO Sets of 2020 - The Competition Begins!

What has been your favourite LEGO set of 2020?

I thought I attempt to see what people think, especially as 2020 has been a challenging year

So how am I going to do this?

According to Brickset (one of the best LEGO sites!) over 785 ‘sets’ were released, which i think would be a bit too big a selection, so I decided to go for the top 128 sets rated according to Brickset’s overall rating (I did exclude a few things like Polybags and CMF so we could include as many sets as possible) (Date of rating was 31st October 2020)

How is this going to work?

Each of the 128 sets will be matched against another set, and polls will be occurring on our Facebook page to decide which ones you prefer, and then that set goes to the next round. Sets will be ranked and as in any good competition, we will be creating the matchups according to rankings, i.e ranked 1 vs ranked 128, 2, vs 127 etc. This will keep going on until we are left with just two sets and then one will be picked as best set of 2020 (as according to Brighton Bricks!!)

As we will be going along, I will keep updating this page with Brickset links for details about the sets, as well as details on what votes are coming up, and the results of previous votes etc.

What sets are we including?

So the 128 sets are

Mandalorian Battle Pack - Brickset Link

Golden Mech

The Razor Crest

501st Legion Clone Troppers

Ferrari F8 Tributo

International Space Station

AT-AT

The Mandalorian & The Child

Pirates of Barracuda Bay

Nintendo Entertainment System

1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1

Street Sweeper

Bespin Duel

Duel on Mustafar

Pirate Ship

Adventures with Mario

A-Wing Starfighter

Attack on the Burrow

Chinese New Year Temple Fair

Boba Fett

Monkey King Warrior Mech

Mini CLASS XERION

The Taiga Adventure

Armored Assault Tank

Obi-Wan’s Hut

LEGO Trains 40th Anniversary Set

Journey to the Skull Dungeons

Kylo Ren’s Shuttle Microfighter

T-16 Skyhopper vs Bantha Microfighters

Forest Fire

Lloyd Avatar - Arcade Pod - Brickset Link

Skull Sorcerer’s Dungeons

Avengers Truck Take Down

Lion Dance

Crocodile Locomotive

Easter Bunny

Marvel’s Studios Iron Man

Year of the Rat

Fairground Accessory Set

Monkey King

Frankenstein

Baking Competition

Lamborghini Sian FKP 37

Ariel’s Storybook Adventures

Monster Truck

Construction Bulldozer

Ice-Cream Truck

Passenger Airplane

Bullet Bill

Bo-omb

Peepa

Kai Fighter

Empire Dragon

Jay Avatar - Arcade Pod

Stormtropper

Resistance I-TS Transport

Dr Wu’s Lab: Baby Dinosaurs

Forbidden Forrest: Umbridge’s Encounter

Hogwarts Astronomy Tower

Hedwig

Iron Man Mech

Avengers Speeder Bike Attack

Spider-Man Mech - Brickset Link

Wonder Woman vs Cheetah

1989 Batwing

Black Widow’s Helicopter Chase - Brickset Link

Avengers Tower Battle - Brickset Link

Iron Man Armory

Ducati Panigale V4R

Sith Troopers Battle Pack

Golden Zane Accessory Set

Ocean Exploration Ship

Safari Off-Roader

Jungle Raider

Kai Avatar - Arcade Pod

Resistance Y-wing Microfighter

Anakin’s Jedi Interceptor

Brick-build Minions and their Lair

4 Privet Drive

Book Shop

Kai’s Mech Jet

Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder

BigFig Pig with Baby Zombie

The Panda Nursery

The Pillager Outpost

The Illager Raid

Grand Piano

Fire Dragon

Townhouse Toy Store

Easter Egg

Drag Racer

Concrete Mixer Truck

Police Dog Unit

Mail Plane

Stunt Team

Ocean Mini-Submarine

Ocean Exploration Base

Welcome to the Hidden Side - Brickset Link

Spinjitzu Burst - Kai

Cole’s Speeder Car

Jay and Lloyd’s Velocity Racers

Wu’s Battle Dragon

Poe Dameron’s X-wing Fighter

Star Wars Advent Calendar

Mos Eisley Cantina

Death Star Final Duel

Hogwarts Room of Requirement

Joker’s Trike Chase

Iron Man

Nissan GT-NISMO

Stephanie’s Play Cube - Baker

Gamer’s Market

Sith TIE Fighter

App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car

Knights of Ren Transport Ship

Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe

Police MF Accessory Set

Mobile Crane

Police Helicopter Chase

Police Helicopter Transport

Ocean Exploration Submarine

The Lighthouse of Darkness

Death Star II Battle

Fiat 500

Old Trafford - Manchester United

Haunted House

Elf Club House

Creative Blue Bricks

Round 1

Mandalorian Battle Pack vs Creative Blue Bricks - VOTE

Spider-Man Mech vs Black Widow’s Helicopter Chase - VOTE

Lloyd Avatar - Arcade Pod vs Welcome to the Hidden Side - VOTE

More to be added later

#Top 128

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tonyduncanbb73 · 7 years

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All the New Boston-Area Restaurants to Check Out This Fall

It’s a delicious season

Here’s the rundown on fall 2017 (and beyond) restaurant openings in and around Boston. Something missing? Email [email protected]; this guide will be updated throughout the season.

This guide was initially published on August 23, 2017; it is being updated periodically through the end of fall 2017, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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