I’ve been to Sibling Rivalry a couple of times in the past but not recent enough to truly remember my experience. What I do recall is enjoying the atmosphere and the food, and tonight was no different.
place setting
Bread: A small variety of breads were served in a silver bowl with a side of softened butter in a square red dish. Of the three breads I tried – white, raisin scone-type breakfast bread, garlic & herb focaccia – my favorite was the latter.
bread
Menu: If you’re familiar with Sibling Rivalry you already know that the menu is divided into 2 sides/chefs, each trying their hand at a chosen ingredient (similar to Iron Chef). For the first course, Chef David and Chef Bob each presented a dish in a Curry, Pasta, Salad, Melted Cheese, and Seafood category. The main course offered Tomato, Fowl, Beef, and Fin Fish options. A unique menu set up which is the restaurant’s staple.
menu cover
Food/Presentation:
Pumpkin Ravioli with sage and brown butter sauce
We started with the appetizer special which was really delicious but overpriced for the amount we received ($14). The solid “pasta-wings” were cooked al dente but the actual pumpkin filling was minimal.
pumpkin ravioli
Mustard-Glazed Atlantic Salmon with Lump Crab Meat, Tomato Butter and Spinach
Matt, Dad, and I all ordered this entree and everyone’s plates were squeaky clean at the end of the meal. The salmon – prepared to your liking (cooked all the way through please) – was sitting between 2 small mounds of spinach and surrounded by a few chunks of red bliss potato, crab meat, and diced tomatoes. The fish was excellent and the tomato butter kept the dish moist without drowning any of the accompaniments.
salmon
Bathroom: Bright red-tiled walls, with 1 regular and 1 handicapped stall. Only 1 sink but I always appreciate the full length mirror. I also used a single stall by the bar which had electric purple tiled walls. I love that the bold colors are consistent throughout the restaurant, seen again in the plate chargers and dining room walls.
Service: Matt & I sat at the bar for a drink while waiting for my parents and the bar tender was nice enough to add a cinnamon sugar rim to the pumpkin beer I ordered 🙂 Our waitress was charming and engaging. My mother trusted her enough to order the side of bone marrow with her braised short ribs.
Overall: Every bit of food we tasted was excellent. The staff was professional and welcoming. The menu is unique and has a little bit of everything to please most diners. The starter prices are a bit steep ranging $10-$14, but the entrees fall within $22-$32 which is typical for a higher end South End hot spot. Check out Fight Night Mondays (chef’s battle with a 3 course pre-fixed menu), Show & Taste Tuesdays (cooking & food demo), and their soon to be announced Wednesday Wine Night.
open kitchen
The Perfect Bite: The actual pumpkin filling in those ravioli were incredibly smooth & creamy without being overwhelming. Too bad the small appetizer only allowed for ½ a ravioli each!
The Perfect Bite, Boston 