Temazcal

Posted on by
3

There are/were quite a few new waterfront restaurants on my list but I think Temazcal has been on it the longest. I’m not sure what took me so long – could have been the pricey apps, or maybe it’s the trouble I have pronouncing it (Tezmacal? no… Temzacal? no!) – but I finally made it to the upscale Mexican eatery, TEMAZCAL.

courtesy of the website

courtesy of the website

Bread: Chips served with 3 dips of salsa verde, refried beans, and salsa. The chips were crunchy and not overly salted or greasy. The red salsa had a small kick to it while the salsa verde added a sweet component.

Menu: This is the first time I’ve ever seen iPads for menus. Waste of money? Probably. Super cool futuristic addition to a modern restaurant? Yes, yes it is. However it’s tough to keep up to date with current technology; while I was impressed we also made comments about how the menus were the 1st generation iPads and were “heavy”, “thick”, and “out dated”. Still, I thought it was pretty neat, especially b/c they showed you photos of each menu item.

Also a plus, I already knew how to navigate the menu as it reflects the same layout as the website: Antojitos (apps), Ensaladas y Sopas, Entradas, Tequilas, Vinos, Cocteles (cocktails), Cerveza, Spirits.

Food/Presentation:
Guacamole Langosta: lobster, avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, serrano chilies
I was debating if this was worth the $18 and was curious if it would even feed 5 people. It was definitely worth it and it more than fed the 5 of us as an appetizer. The guacamole was tossed with small chunks of lobster and topped with chopped tomatoes and larger pieces of lobster. How can this not be a winner?

Dorado Mojo de Ajo: grilled mahi mahi, roasted garlic sauce, chile de arbol, plantain mash
The mahi mahi topped mashed plantains & roasted peppers and was smothered with a potent garlic sauce. The fish was great and the dish was flavorful, but just a drizzle of the sauce would have sufficed. This was my first time trying plantain mash and I really enjoyed it.

Bathroom: Each restroom entrance door is paneled with unfinished wood and labeled with a silver “M” or “W”.  The women’s room has 4 stalls and 2 shallow white porcelain square sinks. Half of the walls are lined with small lime green tiles while the half is rough white laid stone. Really pretty!



Service: Our server was great and all of the food came out on time. I just had 1 small issue with a bar tender… I ordered the beautiful strawberry/watermelon Moijto I had been eyeing on the iPad and was confused when a regular plain Mojito came my way. I asked the bar tender why mine wasn’t pretty & pink and apparently the fancy Mojito has a specific name (Sueno Rojo). While this is technically my mistake he made no attempt to remedy the situation, essentially told me with his inattentive demeanor that I was shit out of luck, and went about his business completely ignoring my disappointment. Luckily I spoke with another (better) bar tender that easily remixed the drink to my liking. Now was that so hard?

Sueno Rojo: twist on the classic Mojito with strawberry & watermelon puree

Sueno Rojo: twist on the classic Mojito with strawberry & watermelon puree

Overall: Similar to other new hot spots on the Seaport/Northern Ave strip, Temazcal has incredible patio seating overlooking Boston Harbor. We had the perfect table for the evening, outside on the boardwalk watching the planes fly in and boats sail by. The menu is more authentic Mexican than Tex-Mex and is essentially all in Spanish (thank god for the English descriptions). The appetizers are a bit unreasonably priced – 2 tacos will cost you $13-$16 and 1 quesadilla is $14, however the America Style Quesadillas come 4 to a plate at the same price. The entrees were more standard running $18-$32 with decent size portions. Overall the atmosphere is perfect for the summer; with the large floor to ceiling windows open to the ocean you feel like your dining outside no matter where your table is located.

our table

our table


The Perfect Bite: Chip with guacamole and lobster meat!

http://www.temazcalcantina.com

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Alta Strada

Posted on by
4

 The last stop on my Chef Schlow list is Alta Strada in Wellesley MA. I tried Radius for Restaurant Week a few years ago, Via Matta is one of my favorite (expensive) Italian spots, Tico is perfect for cocktails & small plates, and my recent trip to Happy’s wasn’t bad (although I think it needs work). Out of all of Schlow’s concepts I think Alta Strada fits me perfectly.

Bread: A think slice of bread that could have served at least four people was brought to our table as EVOO was poured into a shallow dish. It tasted fresh and I would have eaten the entire piece but we had quite a bit of food on the table already. Our Antipasti were served first and we were then asked if we wanted bread, which I thought was smart b/c not everyone wants that much food.

Menu: The Antipasti Table (where you can select 1 for $6, 3 for $15, or 5 for $24 – all served at room temperature) Primi, Salads, Pizza, Pasta, Secondi. I was having a hard time deciding; I wanted to try some Antipasti, but a few of the Primi selections looked amazing (Lobster & Watermelon with English Cucumber, Basil & Citrus), and the fact that they offered ½ portions of pasta didn’t help! Not to mention the Famous Chopped Salad with Matteo’s Secret Dressing also sounded excellent.

Food/Presentation:
Roasted Cauliflower, Pine Nuts, Golden Raisins
I feel like people are quick to dismiss cauliflower, and sure it’s bland on its own, but it’s very rarely prepared that way. This Antipasto had a nutty flavor from the pine nuts and a sweet component from the golden raisins. Light & tasty. I’m looking forward to the leftovers 🙂

Homemade Ricotta with Crostini
A generous portion of ricotta was topped with red pepper flakes, black pepper & EVOO and served with 2 oil-brushed and toasted crostini. After the crostini was gone I spread the ricotta on the fresh bread which was even better! Really can’t go wrong with ricotta.

Spicy Green Beans with Prosciutto
I only had a few bites but these were as good as green beans can be. Nice and crispy, and plenty of small bits of prosciutto at the bottom.

Spicy Chitarra with Lobster, Shrimp, Tomato and Basil
It was between this ½ portion and the Famous Chopped Salad with its not-so-secret dressing of lemon and cayenne pepper, but I’m really glad I chose this dish. Chitarra pasta is typically cut with guitar-like chords creating long stringy pasta which held this thin spicy sauce well. This dish had a bit of a kick but wasn’t too spicy (perfect for me), and there were a few pieces each of the lobster and shrimp.

Bathroom: Both the men’s and women’s restroom were labeled with an “M” and “W” on a motorcycle headlight. I expected the inside to have more character but it was pretty plain with 2 stalls and one bold red wall.

Service: Gina was trying to decide between the Tagliatelle with Summer Corn, Mushrooms and Pancetta, and the Raviolis. She ordered the tagliatelle but the server also brought out a small portion of the Mushroom Filled Lune pasta dish for us to try! I’m generally not a mushroom fan but I can’t deny that some varieties have an amazing flavor. If you happen to like mushrooms you’d love this pasta dish.
Besides that lovely surprise, our server was really great. As we were 1st time diners he described the entire menu to us, explaining certain dishes and the names/types of the pasta offered. The manager checked in on us as well which you don’t always see.

Mushroom filled Lune

Mushroom filled Lune

Overall: So I’ve completed the Michael Schlow list and I can honestly now say that my overall favorite is Alta Strada! While Happy’s may be considered the most casual of the 5 restaurants, Alta Strada is the most comfortable, consistent, and the menu is right up my ally. The food is top notch with perfect portions, and the atmosphere is sophisticated casual and modern with an open dining room complete with brick walls, earth tones with pops of red and lime green, and chalk boards hung above a long bar. The typically 20 minute ride from Boston took me an hour with rush hour traffic but it was totally worth the drive.
And if you live/work in the area think about visiting the Alta Strada Market on the basement level which sells lunch items and to-go containers of almost everything they have on the menu!

courtesy of Alta Strada website

courtesy of Alta Strada website

The Perfect Bite: Chitarra pasta with a forkful of lobster meat.

http://www.altastradarestaurant.com

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Legal Harborside

Posted on by
Reply

Legal Harborside sure does have a lot of hype surrounding it, and it should with its vast views of Boston Harbor and 3 expansive floors (1st fl-casual restaurant and raw bar; 2nd fl-fine dining; 3rd fl-roof deck and sushi bar). I’ve heard of celebrities and Patriot players frequenting the 3rd floor and just about every 20-something I know has had a cocktail at this new waterfront hot spot. With a revitalized dinner menu and beautiful patio space, it was about time I give this Legal establishment a try!

1st floor, view from our table

1st floor, view from our table

1st fl, showing the circular bar

1st fl, showing the circular bar

Bread: Typical Legal’s rolls (forgot to snap a pic!), served hot with packets of butter. Sure the whole Legal Harborside menu concept is different, but there’s no reason to change these simple yet delicious rolls!

Menu: On the Half Shell, Plates to Share, Starters, Chowders & Salads, Ode to Inman Square, Pasta & Sandwiches, Wood Burning Grill. As you can see there are many options to choose from and I couldn’t decide if I was in the mood for a lighter salad or more of a hearty meal like the fish (or braised short rib) tacos. Being we were at a seafood restaurant I went with the Crabmeat Salad as my entrée.

Food/Presentation:
Bruschetta (served on toasted crostini):
First off, I’m not sure why they even call it Bruschetta. Good thing there’s the disclaimer of “served on toasted crostini” or else there may be some unhappy campers.

Grilled Corn, Chipotle Cream, Cilantro
Fresh corn with a bit of a kick from the chipotle cream, really good. I would have loved to pour this onto a salad with some avocado and chopped tomatoes!
Whipped Gorgonzola & Fig Jam
As the description said “fig jam” I was pleasantly surprised to see whole figs on the crostini. I adore figs so I enjoyed this one but could have used a bit more whipped gorgonzola.

Crabmeat Salad: avocado, tomato, cucumber, egg, whole grain mustard dressing
A generous portion of crabmeat was piled onto ½ of an avocado, surrounded by tomato wedges, cucumber slices, and hard boiled egg. It would have been more salad-like if they chopped all of the items and placed the crabmeat on top, but that’s just me being picky (and lazy). The dressing was excellent, and the veggies appeared to be fresh… I just always forget that I don’t love crabmeat (unless it’s in sushi). This meal wasn’t bad, but I kind of wish I went with the fish tacos.

Bathroom: There are about 8 private 1-room restrooms, each indicated with a sign to be either a Men’s or Women’s room. I can only image that each one has a full toilet so I’m not sure why they aren’t unisex; the only reason I’m being critical is b/c there was a line of about 4 women waiting for a restroom while there were at least 2 “Men’s” rooms open. The one I used had cream colored tiled walls, and automatic sinks & hand dryers.

Service: I wasn’t thrilled when our entrees arrived while Matt was still finishing up his mussels. Let us enjoy our appetizers! Our waiter Scott did a great job though, warning us that a) the bruschetta wasn’t actually bruschetta and b) the Crabmeat Salad (and Swordfish Salad that my parents ordered) weren’t your typical Salads as they weren’t served with any greens – maybe they need to rethink the titles on their menu.

Overall: I’ve always thought the food at Legal Seafoods was good, but nothing ever really impressed me. I was anxious to try Legal Harborside as this location offered a brand new menu. Once again I walked away feeling as though I had a good meal, but I wasn’t overly excited about the cuisine. I only tried a couple of items so I can’t generalize, and I will note that my parents and Matt really enjoyed their Swordfish and Tuna. While I personally didn’t love the food, the atmosphere and location however cannot be beat. At 6pm on a Wednesday the place was packed; almost every table was taken and the bar was completely full. Each of the 3 floors offers outdoor space with incredible views of the harbor that you can’t find anywhere else.
After dinner we went to the 3rd floor for a drink (after waiting in a 15 minute line!) where there is a large bar, long high tops, and comfy couches where you can sip cocktails and snack on sushi. This is clearly the place to be and I’m looking forward to going back to the 3rd floor as soon as possible.

3rd fl bar (mirror reflecting view of harbor)

3rd fl bar (mirror reflecting view of harbor)

The Perfect Bite: This time it’s the perfect sip of the Yumberry Sangria.

http://www.legalseafoods.com/restaurants/boston-legal-harborside

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Coppa

Posted on by
Reply

Coppa (and Ken Oringer in general) has been on my list for quite some time. This Origner/Bissonnette owned South End eatery focuses on Italian style tapas with a multitude of small plates, charcuterie, small & large pastas, pizzas and more. Thank goodness I’ve grown to love tapas because this was quite the feast.

outdoor place setting

outdoor place setting

Bread: A few small slices of white bread were brought with a side dish of EVOO. This was fine as is but served us better to accompany some of the small plates.

Menu: This tapas style menu consists of: Stuzzichini (Italian small bar snacks), Salumi, Antipasti, Wood-Fried Pizza, Pasta, Piatti (plates), Formaggio. I was pleasantly overwhelmed with all of the options. If you’re not a fan of small plates it’s still easy enough to have a normal sized meal as they have entrees and full orders of pasta. My debate was deciding between an app and pizza or small plates and some pasta. Since I was with 1 other person we decided to share as much as possible!

Food/Presentation:
Arancini – traditional fried risotto balls with fontina
Two arancini came in a bowl with a light red sauce and sprinkled with cheese. Cut into the crispy risotto ball to find warm rice and melted fontina cheese. Quite delicious, especially dipped into the sauce.

Baccala – warm salt cod crostini
A ½ piece of bread came topped with the salt cod, seasonings, and chopped chives. For $6 I expected at least a full piece of bread, but at Coppa you’re paying for quality not quantity. The cod was at least piled high and tasted excellent, warm & soft, almost like a spread.

Local Burrata – Prosciutto di San Daniele, Higher Ground Farm lovage and black olive
A gorgeous presentation of smeared olive that I originally thought was a brush stroke plate pattern, topped with a lovage (herbed) spread, a generous portion of creamy burrata, and thinly sliced prosciutto. Eating a forkful of each component sufficed but I used the extra bread we had as a vehicle for the burrata and prosciutto. My mouth is watering just writing about it… the best plate so far!

Strozzapreti con Pesto – pasta with pesto, pine nuts, Piave and fingerling potatoes
This short pasta was tossed with classic pesto, small rounds of fingerlings, and shaved Piave cheese. I thought the potatoes would be strange in this dish but I actually enjoyed it as they were cooked well enough that they were soft but not too mushy. This ½ portion was a decent size, perfect to end our meal. Pesto pasta is one of my favorites and this did not disappoint.

Bathroom: A small unisex 1 room restroom with a pretty chandelier, red walls, and tiles bordering the mirror.

Service: Our server did a fine job, describing the 3 additions to the menu (each of which sounded amazing), and taking our order after each course so that the plates were delivered one after the other rather than all at once. Friendly, pleasant, and informative, which is all I ever ask.

Overall: I’m upset it’s taken me this long to get to Coppa! Similar in style to a favorite of mine (La Morra in Brookline), Coppa offers an array of small Italian plates as well as full and ½ size pastas, pizzas and entrees. There was also a great cocktail menu from which I ordered the Italian Sangria (different, with a bit of a kick!). It was a beautiful night and luckily there was available patio seating so I didn’t get a good feel for the interior; however from what I saw it appeared cute & casual with chalk board drawings, a few free standing tables and a small bar. I’m looking forward to returning, but only after I try Coppa’s sister restaurant Toro, serving Spanish style tapas.

The Perfect Bite: It’s between the Burrata/Prosciutto and a bite of the Strozzapreti and shaved Piave. I ended up dipping the burrata in the pesto which was also pretty incredible. I recommend trying both dishes!

http://www.coppaboston.com/

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Happy’s Bar + Kitchen

Posted on by
1

Since April I’ve been dying to try Michael’s Schlow’s newest restaurant, Happy’s Bar + Kitchen. I’ve tried Chef Schlow’s Radius for restaurant week, I’m a huge fan of his Italian concept Via Matta, and I’ve frequented Tico a number of times for drinks and apps. Finally I made it down to Fenway to see what his first casual eatery was all about.

bar + lounge

bar + lounge

Bread: 1 slice of white country bread was served with salt & pepper and a side of EVOO that was poured at the table. While the bread plate seemed a bit empty, this 1 piece was fine for me & my mom but 4 more slices were eventually brought with our apps. Bread was soft, doughy, and tasted fresh.

Menu: The dinner menu consists of Apps + Munchies, Salads, Sandwiches, Entrees + Big Salads. None of the salads or entrees really jumped out at me besides The Famous “Kitchen Sink” Chopped Salad and the Grilled Salmon. I was debating between the Veggie Sandwich and a couple appetizers and went with the following…

Food/Presentation:
Tuna Tartare with spicy avocado, cucumbers and crispy tempura bits
A large pile of tuna tartare was placed next to a row of thinly sliced cucumbers. Typically this dish is served with some sort of chip, pita, or bread vehicle but instead I used the cucumbers to carry the tuna. This wasn’t a bad method, until I ran out of the veggie. This app was good but I was hoping for more ‘spicy avocado’ which was only seen as a spread/paste under each cucumber.

Cauliflower with chipotle, cojita cheese and “crunchies”
The cauliflower came in a cast iron oval dish, topped with the cheese, scallions, and “crunchy” fava beans. Who knew this plain dull vegetable could be so tasty! Whether you’re a fan of cauliflower or not, this app is worth a taste.

Bathroom: The women’s room has 4 stalls, automatic sinks, soap, and hand dryers. The “Aim Straight” stencil I thought made more sense to appear above a urinal, but perhaps it’s referring to the trash can directly below?


Service: Our server was really friendly and checked on us quite a few times. He recommended the cauliflower app and encouraged us to try their Adult Milkshakes but dessert wasn’t in the cards for us that evening, even though they sounded delicious! The General Manager also stopped by at the end of the meal to see how we enjoyed ourselves during our first visit.

Overall: I love the style and comfort level of Michael Schlow’s first casual eatery. The miss-matched lounge furniture and spray painted walls gives off a quirky feel in the bar area; the dining room is more consistent with blue booths and chairs but the walls are still adorned with random artwork. The menu selection isn’t bad, especially when all dinner items are $21 and under. I’d love to go back, perhaps sit in the lounge, and try the Grilled Vegetable “Dagwood” with Rosemary Aioli.

The Perfect Bite: cauliflower, cojita cheese, crunchy fava bean.

dining room

dining room

lollipops with the check!

lollipops with the check!


http://happysbarandkitchen.com/

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Grafton Street

Posted on by
Reply

Last night I was able to have a brief but quite satisfying meal at Grafton Street in Harvard Square. I had been once before many years ago and while I didn’t remember much about it besides it’s location, I was happy to return.

Bread: I was under certain circumstances that required me to order my meal before everyone else and leave dinner a bit early, therefore I didn’t try the bread. One friend said it was cold and not the best, but the butter was soft and easy to spread. Another said he enjoyed the bread! You can decide on your next visit…

Menu: Salads & Apps, Rustic Pizzas, Entrees, Grafton Classics, Sandwiches, and Sides. The menu has great variety and the prices were quite reasonable. I do however wish the sides had more options, something maybe on the healthier, greener side? I was tempted to order 2 apps for my meal (short rib arancini and the roasted beet salad) but how can you pass up a $9 Chickpea Burger?

Food/Presentation:
Toasted Chickpea Burger with yogurt cucumber sauce on grilled naan bread
I forgot was naan bread was when ordering this “burger” and was pleasantly surprised when it came in a “pita pocket”. The cucumber sauce was spread on the bottom and topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and the burger. This sandwich was really great; both the burger and bread were soft and filling.

Service: Our waitress was helpful & accommodating as Matt & I had to order before everyone else and get our own separate check as we had a wedding appointment to run to. She apologized when the drinks took a bit too long to deliver, and offered to let me have 1/2 fries & 1/2 mixed greens with my sandwich when I was being indecisive.

Overall: Grafton Street is so much more than a “pub & grill” as its name declares. The food is great, the atmosphere is casual yet contemporary, prices are manageable, and their white sangria with peaches, strawberries, and grapes wasn’t bad! They have a nice outdoor patio and the interior has comfy booths, banquettes, and free standing tables throughout. Harvard Square is scattered with excellent restaurants and some of my favorites (Rialto, Henrietta’s Table) but if you’re looking for a good meal in the area that won’t break the bank, I suggest you try Grafton Street Pub & Grill.

The Perfect Bite: As I only ate one thing, I’ll say the Chickpea Burger 😉

http://www.graftonstreetcambridge.com/

Blu Boston

Posted on by
Reply

 Before this dinner Savored sponsored dinner (which granted us 40% off our food bill) I had never heard of Blu Boston. Located above the Ritz-Carlton I figured it was out of my league in terms of clientele and price, but it was neither stuffy nor pretentious (not implying that the Ritz is either of these things).  It has a hip & trendy vibe with moderate prices and contemporary American menu.

photo courtesy of the Blu website

photo courtesy of the Blu website

Bread: As there were 6 of us, two baskets of herbed focaccia bread were brought to the table with a side of dipping EVOO in a pretty teardrop dish. These tiny bites were excellent, there’s no way you could have just one!


Menu: The dinner menu offered Appetizers, Salads, and Entrees. Nothing too exciting but each section had plenty of mouth-watering options. I knew I wanted the Summer Squash Soup, and there were quite a few entrees that looked appetizing but since we ordered 3 apps for the table I ended up with a soup and salad.

Food/Presentation:
Smoked Mozzarella Sticks: basil pesto and marinara dipping sauce
Four short logs of smoked mozzarella were stacked on top of each other with a side of pesto and marinara for dipping. I of course favored the pesto sauce which in my opinion goes well with anything. The thick sticks did have a noticeable smoky flavor which I’ve never seen before in this classic app.

Polenta Fries: truffled fondutta and minced chives
Eight polenta fries came balanced like Jenga pieces, topped with chives and accompanied by a side creamy dipping sauce. The outside had a slight crisp while the inside was warm and smooth. These were really excellent, and clearly everyone’s favorite app.

Flash-Fried Calamari: lemony herb aioli and chopped parsley
This popular starter is typically prepared and presented the same where ever you go, and this was no different. It was good, but didn’t stand out (except I loved the lemon herb aioli, which tasted like it had a hint of mustard!)

Mixed Greens: celery, blue cheese, walnuts, apple and blueberry vinaigrette
I typically skip by the “Mixed Greens” salads but this one actually caught my eye, mainly with the blueberry vinaigrette. It’s a common salad, one that I’ve even made for myself, but it never disappoints! It was lightly dressed and had a perfect amount of each component. Winner!

Summer Squash Soup: basil chiffonade and curry-spiced apples
This soup was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted, and not necessarily in a good (or bad) way. I’ve seen pureed soup that is quite liquidy, some with a thicker consistency, others with chunks of veggies, but this was light as foam. It essentially dissolved as soon as I put the spoon in my mouth. It had some flavor but there was zero texture and tasted like air. A little strange.

Bathroom: I can’t accurately judge, as this bathroom also belongs to The Sports Club/LA, but it was clean which is important …certainly nothing special though.

Service: Twice in a row now the bread has come before we ordered (see Stephie’s on Tremont)! It didn’t influence our decision making however as we still ordered 3 apps. We didn’t interact too much with our server but our water glasses were filled and each course came out in a timely manner.

Overall: The food was great and the space is really pretty. Floor to ceiling windows line an entire wall providing views of Boston and the surrounding buildings in the Ladder District. The dining room has mainly free standing tables with some banquettes and small alcoves for semi-private dining (which is where we were seated). For being located above the Ritz and within The Sport Club/LA I expected the prices to be more outrageous, but entrees were mainly in the $20 with a few reaching the mid-$30s. I only tried one cocktail but their Watermelon Martini was excellent!

photo courtesy of Blu website

photo courtesy of Blu website

The Perfect Bite: Polenta Fries dipped in the basil pesto from the mozzarella sticks.

http://www.blurestaurant.com/


For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Stephie’s on Tremont

Posted on by
2

OpenTable (yet again) led me to this 1,000 point reservation at Stephie’s on Tremont in the South End. I’ve been to its sister restaurant Stephanie’s on Newbury a few times, many years ago, but haven’t returned as it tends to be typecast as the (expensive) “place to be” on Newbury. The menu style remains the same between the two and the food items are actually quite similar; what sets these two apart is the atmosphere & ambiance, type of clientele, and (slight) price different.

Bread: This sliced loaf of warm bread was wrapped in paper and smeared with herb butter. It was a bit messy as the top of each piece was covered in melted butter, but it wasn’t overly buttered so I wasn’t complaining.

Menu: The dinner menu consists of Appetizers, Signature Salads, Comfort Food Classics, Dinner Specialties, and Sides. A couple of the entrees looked enticing but I wanted to dabble in a few different plates so I went with an app, salad, and side to share.

Food/Presentation:
Duck Confit Spring Rolls: tender duck, shredded vegetables, noodles, peanuts, lemongrass, fresh ginger & sweet chili wrapped in rice paper and pan fried, served with hoisin barbecue sauce
Four spring rolls came next to diced scallions and what I believe was shredded pickled beets. Matt & I were really excited for this app but it was just ok; the sauces weren’t bad but the actual rolls lacked flavor and needed more duck meat.

Roast Turkey Club Goes Salad: house roasted turkey, aged cheddar cheese, thick sliced tomato, ripe avocado and brioche croutons served with romaine & iceberg lettuce, whole grain mustard vinaigrette
What a salad! From what I first saw, the lettuce was topped with thick slices of roasted turkey, ½ an avocado, croutons, and was drizzled with mustard vinaigrette. After slicing and chopping away this salad really came together. The vinaigrette was amazing (I’m obsessed with mustard – except yellow mustard, waste of time!) and I could have bought a case of the dressing on the spot. The salad itself was large, hearty & healthy, with a lot of flavor and substance. Really excellent. I know “salads” can be boring but I’d order this again in a heartbeat. FYI, this salad is originally served with bacon for all you piggie lovers out there.

Rosemary Parmesan French Fries
A pile of thin cut hot fires came in a cast iron dish topped with sprinkles of parmesan. I didn’t really see or taste the rosemary, which is the part I was most excited about. But I adore thin cut fries and these were pretty good with the perfect amount of crisp & crunch!

Bathroom: The restroom was nice with a marble countertop, trough-type sink, oversized mirror, subdued earth tones, and 2 stalls. Nothing necessarily stood out but it was clean and had automatic faucets!

Service: One thing that Matt loved is that our bread came out before we placed our order. Typically most restaurants wait to deliver the bread until after people have decided on food; I figure they want people to remain hungry and order appetizers, so they wait to bring the bread until after everyone has chosen their apps/entrees etc. Either way doesn’t matter to me, I just want the bread, and I want it to be warm & delicious!

Overall: Stephie’s on Tremont certainly has a more casual, laid back vibe compared to its sister spot on Newbury Street. Prices are moderate with apps & salads ranging $8-$19 and entrees $15-$27. Stephie’s has a long bar with multiple TVs and a dining room with a majority of banquette seating. I may not rush back (since I’m always looking to try something new) but with their outdoor patio and great food I’d suggest you give it a shot if you haven’t already. They also have a decent cocktail list, including this Spiced Pear Martini.

The Perfect Bite: Salad with turkey, avocado, and mustard vinaigrette. The leftovers were amazing as well!

www.stephisontremont.com

For more photos & descriptions of what everyone in my party ate, visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Trade

Posted on by
2

I’m a big fan of Jody Adams’ Rialto located in Harvard Square. I’ve been twice and each time have had unforgettable meals. When I heard about the beginning stages of Trade I could not contain my excitment, espcially because this concept would be more casual and affordable than the sophisticated and elegant Rialto. It took a few months since Trade’s debut, but I finally made my way to the Waterfront…

Bread: We were not served bread. Which I found strange and disappointing.

Menu: Small (tapas plates), Soups & Salads, Flatbreads, Plates (entrees), A Little Extra (sides). The smaller shareable plates offer a far share of seafood, the 4 flatbreads all sounded appetizing, and the entrées feature at least one pasta, fish, chicken, burger, and steak. I saw a variety of options from each section so my friend and I decided to share the following…

Food/Presentation:
Local Burrata with almonds, dates and balsamic
Two large pieces of burrata were served next to 3 long crostini and topped with chopped almonds. Date spread was smeared on the plate for dipping. I enjoyed the textures and flavors of this Small Plate; the cheese was soft and creamy on the inside as burrata should be, the bread was crunchy & drizzled with oil, and the dates added a subtle sweet component.

Tomato and Roasted Fennel Soup with curried yogurt, honey and Asiago
The soup was drizzled with honey & yogurt (and some unfamiliar leaves); an Asiago cheese stick was placed across the bowl for dipping. I’m usually a fan of anything with tomatoes (especially soup) and this dish was no different. I missed the fennel flavor but enjoyed the slight curry taste.

Lamb Sausage Flatbread with eggplant, Manchego, peppers and garlic yogurt
An oblong thin crust flatbread was served on a wooden board, topped with eggplant spread, roasted peppers, shaved Manchego, mint leaves, and garlic yogurt drizzle. I failed to mention the lamb sausage for a reason as it was more of ground lamb and somewhat sparse throughout the pizza. While this was tasty I was underwhelmed and disappointed in the small amounts of lamb. I expect a lot from Chef Adams, and she never fails to impress me! I was just hoping for more with this flatbread.

Taza Chocolate Budino with sea salt, rosemary and hazelnut wafer
A small ramekin came filled with chocolate “pudding” and topped with sea salt and a single rosemary leaf. The hazelnut wafer was a great contrast to the sweet chocolate and strong salt presence. The pudding was dense, thick, filling, and delicious.

Bathroom: One of my favorite bathrooms in the city, mainly because of the three private stalls! I love the raised square sinks and the bright blue stall doors against the mainly all white restroom.

Service: Our waitress seemed uninterested at first, almost annoyed. We were undecided on drinks and dinner so we asked a few questions about cocktail ingredients and food portion sizes. While she was able to answer the questions, we were somehow more confused after hearing her answers. The burrata and soup came out together and before we were finished the flatbread was brought to the table. Since we were sharing everything it wasn’t a big deal, I was just expecting to have the flatbread after the 1st course. While our server seemed hurried at times, we never felt rushed. Overall an ok service experience.

courtesy of Trade website

courtesy of Trade website

Overall: My first impression of Trade is a great one: I enjoy the open bar/lounge area fit with free standing high tops & banquettes and plenty of standing/mingling space. The dangling bulb lighting gives the illusion of a starry night, while larger domed lighting fixtures decorate the dining room. Exposed ceiling piping gives it an industrial feel, and the wooden tables & chairs with accent primary colors add a modern tone. I enjoyed the food and wouldn’t hesitate to go back and try another flatbread and any one of the entrees. My work at Trade is not complete; there’s more food to try and more cocktails to taste!

Rum Trade and Study Abroad

Rum Trade and Study Abroad

The Perfect Bite: Oiled crostini, date spread, creamy buratta. There’s no cheese like it!

www.trade-boston.com

postcard presented w the check

postcard presented w the check

For more photos & descriptions visit my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectBiteBoston

Foundry on Elm

Posted on by
Reply

A wedding appointment in Somerville brought me back to my old stomping ground Davis Square for dinner. I lived in Davis for 2 years, and while we had Red Bones (famous BBQ), Diesel Cafe (amazing sandwiches), and J.P. Licks (enough said), there weren’t many restaurants that I frequented often (besides Orleans, I did love that place). Using OpenTable I came across Foundry on Elm and after viewing their appetizing and appealing menu I decided to try it out!

Bread: Three slices of fresh warm bread came with a side of softened butter. That’s all I ever really ask! Warm fresh bread, soft butter. This specific combo was great, and the bread was even better when dipped in the hummus app (see below).

Menu: The menu is broken down into Appetizers, Raw Bar, Salads, Sandwiches, Flatbreads, Entrees, Sides, and Small Plates. There was at least 1 item from each section that I was eyeing but needed to eat conservatively as I was then on my way to my wedding dress fitting! I was tempted by the Roasted Pear, Gorgonzola, Arugula, Caramelized Onions Flatbread, but alas… app and salad it is.

Food/Presentation:
Hummus with Tahini Yogurt
A generous portion of hummus came with about 6 slices of pita bread. The hummus was really great, smooth & creamy with a dollop of tahini yogurt, but the pita wasn’t memorable. I ended up spreading hummus on the leftover fresh bread; now that was delicious!

Spring Salad: coppa, shaved fennel, asparagus, peas, mint
Both my mother and I ordered this salad with chicken replacing the coppa (type of salami). I’m not a huge fan of frisee but ended up eating the entire thing as everything was tossed in a nice light dressing. The asparagus stalks were thick and cooked perfectly. The chicken was really excellent, juicy, flavorful and well seasoned.

Bathroom: The women’s room has 4 ‘bar stalls’ as I like to call them, with a black & white tiled floor, a white granite sink counter top, and a small TV mounted on the wall. I applaud the automatic flushers, sinks, and hand dryer.

Service: Mom and I sat at a high top corner banquette in the bar area. Our server was prompt, answered all of our questions, and was able to get us out of there in a timely fashion.

Overall: I had no idea what to expect from Foundry on Elm and I was pleasantly surprised. If I was still a resident of Davis Square I like to think I’d visit here often, whether it be to watch a sports game, have a beer with a friend, or even to enjoy a nice brunch or dinner. This is a casual and modern tavern serving much better-than-bar food. Foundry offers great contemporary American cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of bar seating, communal bar high tops, banquette high tops, and booths & free-standing tables in the back. Prices are reasonable and the menu offers a little bit of everything (sandwiches, pastas, flatbreads, meats, seafood); I’d certainly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!

The Perfect Bite: I wasn’t able to sample a big variety of food, but I’ll say the hummus spread on the fresh bread.

www.foundryonelm.com