At a packed June Bug, wood-fired pizza and more
Where to: June bug, a restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza and more in somerville’s Union square.
Why: you appreciate eating firekissed foodstuffs in a cozy restaurant with a cute aesthetic.
The backstory: June bug is run by sara Markey and Andrew brady, the couple behind nearby field & Vine, which celebrates all things local and seasonal. (they also teamed with lauren friel to open Dear Annie in Cambridge.) the oven is an inheritance from t&b Pizza, which previously occupied the space. expect to find gratuity and a kitchen administration fee included when you get the bill.
What to eat: Pizza is the main event, on a light and puffy-edged sourdough crust. try the margherita-esque shuggie’s or the Chimney sweep, with gorgonzola dolce, spinach, and pine nut agrodolce. you can also get fermented green chile oil, dilly ranch, and other dips on the side for eating with your crusts. the rest of the menu includes raw fish dishes, salads and veggie sides (don’t miss the kitchen sink salad, a boisterous medley of greens, chickpeas, olives, dates, and more), and skate with celery root puree, roasted turnips, and brown butter. for dessert: citrusy flan, olive oil cake, or a scoop of ice cream in fun daily flavors (lime halva!).
What to drink: Cocktails like the summery, spicy lawn flamingo (Aperol and vermouth with soda water, cucumber, and fermented chile) or the snack break martini, made with pickle brine. there’s a nice selection of alcohol-free cocktails, as well. Glasses of fizzy Italian pét-nat Cellario, skin-contact selections like forlorn Hope’s Queen of the sierra Amber, and other pizza-friendly wines are on the list, along with local beers.
The takeaway: June bug, with cheek-by-jowl seating when it’s crowded and a convivial energy, serves as a casual counterpart to field & Vine. Come here for everyday fun, there for a meal that feels like an official evening out. 251 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville, 617-718-0569, www.junebugrestaurant.com. Pizza $19-$23; other plates $13-$24. Dessert $5-$10. Cocktails $15.