Warm weather appetites

Oh! The buds are creeping into bloom, midriffs are bared and Newbury Street is about as congested as a sinus infection. A hungry and thirsty wanderer may be in danger of being trampled by girls in long dresses and platforms, so below are some ways to hit the spot when impending warm weather graces us with its presence.

Morning has broken. You’ve woken up all hot and bothered, searching for a beverage offering instant refreshment. Head to India Quality in Kenmore Square and order a lassie &-&- a yogurt drink mixed with cumin ($2.25) or rose water ($2.50). Either are so good, even lactose intolerants should trade in their gastrointestinal wellbeing for a few greedy slurps.

For those seeking a close refuge, take a short walk up Beacon Street to Audubon, voted best Neighborhood Restaurant 2009 by Best of Boston. Walk to the dark end of the bar and step out onto the divine patio lined with gently swaying bamboo plants. Although more painful than tasty, a Habanero Margarita ($10) will get those sweat glands working for even the bravest patron. But when you really want something to revitalize whatever will to live you may have lost, order the Kiwi-Cucumber Gimlet ($10). Sour lime juice, muddled cucumbers and kiwi, gin, simple syrup &-&- sip slowly and appreciate the quiet, you may even forget you’re in Boston.

For a light lunch that is a little out of the way, Genki Ya right off Coolidge Corner serves organic sushi for reasonable prices. The Spicy Scallop roll goes for $7.75, a good deal for the translucent shellfish, raw and jiggly all its glory. It won’t be enough for a meal, but it makes a great springtime snack.

Warm weather fantasies of tiny bikinis and crashing waves flutter through your minds &-&- shore-side food calls for simple and cheap solutions to hunger. All the way on Fort Port Landing, you can find the Barking Crab Restaurant looking out over the water. Here, you’re not going to find any girls in danger of nipple flashing you, but you will find fresh shellfish in huge quantities, picnic tables, beer and, most importantly, big rocks set on each table to barbarically access whatever delicious shell-encased creature you’ve ordered. Constantly collecting health food violations, you run a risk of food poisoning eating at the Barking Crab, but hell &-&- it’s worth it.

And if you find yourself longing for shade-dappled grounds and whispering trees, walk to the fens park (avoid sketchy part) with a bottle of rose. For the best of spring meals, get a huge pot, throw in some butter and chopped shallots, add a couple glasses of wine and listen to the satisfying clanks of heavy black mussels following after. Cover and wait until they’re all sexy and open. Take your pot and eager fingers with you and pick and sip, drinking the briny broth afterwards. Digest, lay down, gently drift off: satisfaction.