Regal Beagle

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Sister restaurant to Church in the Fenway area (which wasn’t a favorite), Regal Beagle does everything right that Church neglects: good service, fantastic food, tasty cocktails. Located in the busy & popular Coolidge Corner of Brookline, this neighborhood eatery is a must try.

Bread: A sliced white loaf and bread sticks were served with scallion butter. I’m not a huge bread stick fan but the slices weren’t bad.

Menu: Bar Bites, Appetizers, Entrees, and Sides. There were items from each section that I couldn’t resist but wasn’t able to order or consume all of them! We settled on the Dates to share (my mother has been craving them since they were featured on The Phantom Gourmet), and I went with a couple apps as my meal.

Food/Presentation:
Dates: stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in bacon
Four warm  dates came stick side up, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. I’m not a bacon fan but I forced myself to try a bite without undressing the date. Fortunately the strong bacon flavor wasn’t as prominent as the sweetness of the date and pungent gorgonzola. The Phantom did not steer us wrong!

Duck Confit Soft Tacos: foie gras cider vinaigrette, Brussels sprout slaw and tarragon aioli
Two soft tacos came piled with green apple/carrot/Brussels sprout slaw next to a drizzle of tarragon aioli. The slaw was a bit overwhelming (I couldn’t fit it into my mouth for 1 big bite!), but the app was so good that I literally almost choked as I inhaled it.

Mixed Greens: molten goat cheese, roasted beets, candied almonds, pomegranate seeds, and Zinfandel vinaigrette
It’s hard for a salad with these ingredients to be bad; I loved the addition of pomegranate seeds to this classic combination. A refreshingly light & delicious app, just as I was expecting!

The Girl Next Door: Absolut Ruby Red, orange liqueur, fresh squeezed grapefruit, and sparkling wine
This is their signature cocktail for a reason! Fruity without being too sweet – a perfect “girly” drink.

Bathroom: The restroom was small but cute; the wallpaper is felt silhouettes of different breeds of pooches, like a children’s touch & feel book!


Service: Our waitress was friendly, engaging, and was able to make suggestions when we were having trouble deciding between certain entrees and specials. The GM stopped by to make sure we were enjoying our meal and he revealed that their Executive Chef Laura Henry-Zoubir recently appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped… impressive!

Overall: I recommend this comfortable neighborhood gem for brunch, dinner, or for a couple of cocktails at the bar. The menu is always changing and providing plenty of appetizing options. Prices won’t hurt your wallet either, with Bites/Apps under $12 (except for the $14 cheese plate) and entrees topping out at $25. I suggest stopping by Regal Beagle on your next visit Coolidge Corner!

The Perfect Bite: Even though I unwrapped my date so it was bacon-free, it was still so delicious!

gorgonzola inside the dates!

gorgonzola inside the dates!

www.thebeaglebrookline.com

Church

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I had heard mixed reviews for Church but wanted to try it out for myself before writing it off. Being a sister restaurant of Coolidge Corner’s Regal Beagle in Brookline I was expecting a strong culinary showing, but instead experienced a slightly disappointing meal and spotty service.

Bread: None. At least we didn’t receive any. I should have realized then that what was to come was nothing impressive.

Menu: Sliders, From the Garden, Grilled Flatbread, From the Sea, From the Farm, Dessert. There were a good amount of options, and part of certain dishes stood out but there wasn’t one that I was immediately drawn to (besides the rosemary duck fat fries, which I didn’t even order). I also need to mention the cocktail menu; it was broken down into two categories, “Seven Deadly Sins” and “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. I commend Church for being creative with their descriptions, but when they omit any mention of the alcohol involved it’s hard to determine what to order!

Food/Presentation:
Margherita Grilled Flatbread: slow roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil
The four of us started with this flatbread as an appetizer. It wasn’t bad but there wasn’t anything particularly memorable about it either. I love any kind of tomato (except maybe sundried) but I didn’t like the way these were prepared.

Warm Baby Spinach Salad: cranberry-thyme vinaigrette, toasted walnuts, molten gorgonzola, and beets
My salad came in a warm skillet, with the ‘molten cheese’ crisped to the bottom of the cast iron pan. It was a little strange that the lettuce was so warm, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The salad was lightly dressed, and a good combination of sweet & savory.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders: buttermilk-blue cheese dressing and celery slaw
Two sliders came topped with slaw; sandwiched between was a pile of fries. Before ordering I assumed the chicken would have been pulled or grilled, so I was pretty disappointed to learn that in between the buns was cubed, slightly fried chicken. The slaw was decent and I liked the sauce, but the square pieces of poultry really threw me off.

Bathroom: The ladies room was actually nice with earth tones, chrome faucets, and bowl sinks which I always find quite pretty.

Service: My friend Alana arrived about 15 minutes before the rest of us and said she waited at least 10 minutes before anyone came over to offer her a drink. Once we arrived and ordered cocktails it took another 15 minutes to receive those. Our waitress was either new, distracted, or just straight up not good at her job. Our salads came before we finished the flatbread, which isn’t a huge deal but I don’t like to be rushed! The rest of the evening was fine, although it did take a while to get the check.

Overall: I think Church is more of a bar / live band scene than a restaurant; I personally would never send anyone there for the food. The cocktails were just ok; I started with Vanity (a vodka & grapefruit concoction) and ended with Death (useless description is above – turned out to be a champagne cocktail). The prices were reasonable at least and the atmosphere was lively and comfortable. The location is so remote (Kilmarnock Street) that I don’t see myself returning any time soon.

Vanity

Vanity

The Perfect Bite: I guess I’ll say the warm spinach, melted gorgonzola, and beets.

 www.churchofboston.com

Tremont 647

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I’ve driven by Tremont 647 multiple times but have never had an impulse to go in and try their food. Thanks to Ben’s favorite reservation mechanism Savored.com (which charges you to make a res. but then discounts you 40% off the food bill) we opted to try the South End restaurant, a first visit for all four of us.

Bread: A bunch of mini focaccia bites were served with what the waiter called “white bean puree”, which was in fact orange and had more of a sauce-like consistency. The bread was ok and the sauce was pretty decent, with a strong curry flavor.

Menu: Appetizers, Entrees, Sides. The options weren’t fantastic and there wasn’t one particular meal that I HAD to have, but a couple of dishes seemed interesting. There was certainly a slight Asian flare to the menu with options like fried pork dumplings (Pork Momos), Tempura Soba Maki, fried rice etc.

Food/Presentation:
647’s Signature Pork Momos: soy sake, sriracha
Four fried dumplings were served with a side of sauce; they were pretty tasty and had a balanced ratio of crispy exterior and warm pork interior.

Crispy Pork Belly Tacos: yuzu aioli, red jalapeño
Two soft shell tacos came topped with aioli, pork belly, lettuce, and jalapeños that were oh so spicy! The pork was great, well cooked with a slightly crispy lining.

Roasted Beet, Squash & Pear Salad: feta, candied almonds, sherry vinaigrette
Beets, squash, and pears were assembled in a small mound topped with cheese and vinaigrette, with a few nuts (that were not almonds) off to the side. This salad was quite good and I unfortunately wolfed it down without noticing any squash.

BBQ fries with Andy’s BBQ sauce
A large bowl of fries came with a side of Andy’s BBQ Sauce. The fries were well seasoned and had great flavor without being overwhelming.

Roasted Cauliflower
The cauliflower was roasted with some peppers, onions, and an unidentifiable Middle Eastern flavor. This side dish was ok… I just didn’t love the particular spices used.

Chocolate Almond Bacon Bark
I loved chocolate and nuts but I can’t stand bacon so this wasn’t my favorite, but everyone else at the table really enjoyed it!

Pomegranate Flan: pomegranate seeds & sauce
I’m also not a fan of flan 🙂 Let’s just leave it at that…

Bathroom: This 1 room/stall unisex restroom was a bit trippy! Every inch of the wall space and door is covered with an underwater themed mural featuring fish, seahorses, and waves. I really liked the basket-weaved mirror!

Service: The service was great; the bartender steered me towards a delicious martini, our entrees were delivered after our apps had been cleared, and our waiter took our entire order, at once, without a pen/pad (3 apps, 4 entrees, 2 sides) – impressive!

Overall: I really like the space and atmosphere of Tremont 647, but the menu didn’t excite me. The food was good, and I left satisfied but I don’t have any reason to go back for that particular menu. I really enjoyed my 647 Pineapple Martini (house infused pineapple and vanilla bean vodkas, pineapple juice, simple syrup) and I know Dave loved his Harvest Sidecar (jim beam red stag, liquor 43, grapefruit, perchaud’s bitters), so perhaps I’ll stop in again for a cocktail. I wouldn’t tell you not to try Tremont 647, but my personal feeling is “been there, done that, moving on”.

Harvest Sidecar

Harvest Sidecar

The Perfect Bite: Beets, candied nuts, sherry vinaigrette.

www.tremont647.com

B Street

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 We tried B Street recently for brunch, and after drooling over the dinner menu I knew we’d be back soon. Bonus: B Street is on Restaurant.com which offered us a $50 gift card for $25. Small catch, you have to spend $100. But with this incredible menu that wasn’t a problem!

Bread: Three slices arrived for the 2 of us with a side of EVOO. When I saw the bread being delivered earlier I wasn’t too excited but it was actually better than it looked. The EVOO was plain which was a tad disappointing, but the bread was soft and filling.

Menu: The winter menu features Soups & Salads, Starters, Entrees and Additions. It may sound simple but I’ve never been more overwhelmed with mouth-watering options! I wanted 4 out of the 6 Soups & Salads, 6 out of the 8 Starters, and just about every entrée had something special that was calling my name. They also have a fun cocktail list, although only a couple caught my eye (like this Ruby Slipper).
Matt & I were torn on our food decision, so decided to order tapas style…

Food/Presentation:
Salmon Tartar: Asian Style Spices, Ginger, Sesame & Sweet Pepper with Baked Wonton Crisps
The tartar was cubed perfectly and I was happy to see it was salmon instead of the usually tuna. It didn’t appear to be that great of a portion at first, but it was more than enough for the 2 of us to share.

Grilled Flatbread: Fig Jam, Duck Confit, and Gorgonzola
No picture can do this justice! I love almost anything with fig, but pair it with duck & gorgonzola on a flatbread? Amazing! I would order this again in a heartbeat and urge you to try it ASAP.

Turkey Chili: Butternut Squash & Tomatoes, topped with Vermont Cheddar & House Baked Tortilla Chips
Served in a small cast iron bowl, the chili came topped with the melted cheese and tortilla chips. While there were plenty of pieces of squash, I was expecting more of a butternut squash flavor. This dish was good & hearty, and I wouldn’t discourage you from trying it but it wasn’t my favorite of the evening.

AND FOR MATT…
Sweet Corn Bisque with a Polenta Crouton
The soup consistency was in between a broth based and a thick puree. It was so delicious that I completely forgot about the lack of the polenta crouton (which I was truly looking forward to).

Arugula Salad: Poached Eggs, Grape Tomatoes, Shaved Parmesan & Cracker Pepper Vinaigrette
I don’t love runny/poached eggs, but I tried a bite anyways. Not bad, but it wouldn’t personally be my first choice of salad.

Bathroom: A 1 room/stall unisex bathroom. The bright red walls and square flat sink gave it a little edge, and I particularly liked the giant photo of a 1950’s housewife eating pie.

Service: I don’t fully understand why restaurants don’t take reservations, which is probably my only issue with B Street. We waited about 20-30 mins in a cramped hallway, but the hostess checked on us a couple of times. Jackie was our server for brunch a couple of weekends ago and luckily for us we sat in her section again this evening. The place was jam-packed and she could have been understandably over-whelmed and frantic, but she was the opposite. She gave us plenty of time to enjoy our starters before we ordered our 2nd course. She was really friendly and I’ll be requesting her for our next visit.

Overall: B Street is small in size but mighty in offerings and flavor! They have a cute bar and have optimized seating with some booths, banquettes, and high tops. The menu is outrageous in a ‘I want everything I see’ kind of way; the entrées really do sound excellent, but they can wait! The Winter Menu will only be around for another month or two, so I’m going back soon for the Braised Short Rib Quesadilla and the Pumpkin Hummus with Grilled Naan Bread.

photo from B Street website

photo from B Street website

The Perfect Bite: I’m still dreaming about the Corn Bisque and the Flatbread. If I must choose… it has to be the Fig Jam & Duck Confit Flatbread with that strong Gorgonzola – amazing flavor!

http://www.bstreetnewton.com

Terramia

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A friend of mine has been raving about Terramia for quite some time, so when I saw the Bloomspot coupon in my Inbox I not only FWDed it directly to her, but I bought one for myself as well. I set up a nice Saturday evening dinner for me & my fiancé, with $80 to spend! Too bad some bonehead (yours truly) didn’t remember to check the fine print: Coupon valid Sundays-Thursdays.

Bread: About 4 large fluffy white pieces of bread was delivered in a metal basket with a side of white bean purée with red pepper flakes. The bread was soft and fresh, and the spread was delicious, a great change-up from the expected butter or EVOO.

Menu: Antipasti, Salads, Primi, Secondi, Contorni. The options weren’t overwhelming and provided a nice variety. They also had quite a few tempting appetizer and entrée additions, one of which Matt ordered (Sea Bass).

Food/Presentation:
Frittelle di Aragosta: Larry’s fresh Maine lobster fritters topped with crispy vegetables in a balsamic honey glaze
The lobster fritters were recommended to me by my friend who has frequented Terramia often. Four fritters were sitting in the glaze and topped with the crispy vegetables, which added a great texture. Each fritter had a decent piece of lobster, but the proportion of crustacean to fried dough was way off. I found myself leaving half of each fritter as I didn’t want to eat just dough. The glaze however was delicious, but I wouldn’t order these again with the $18 price tag.

Risotto del Giorno: winter squash, rabbit confit, red pepper purée
A cylindrical mound of risotto came topped with shaved veggies and surrounded by a circle of red pepper purée. The portion was generous – I could have eaten ½ and been satisfied, but it was so good that I couldn’t imagine not devouring the entire plate. The rabbit pieces were substantial and risotto wasn’t too creamy which I enjoyed. Really great dish!

Bathroom: 1 room/stall unisex bathroom due to the restaurant’s small interior. Brick walls, basket for paper towels, pretty sink/mirror combo. Small, but with a rustic character.

Service: Our server was able to rattle off all 5+ detailed menu specials from memory, which I’m always impressed by. The wine and food were delivered in a timely manner. The waiter wasn’t overly personable or friendly but he was professional and got the job done (even if he didn’t take my Bloomspot coupon…damnit!).

Overall: Prices were above average with apps & salads running $10-$16, pastas in the low to mid $20s, and the entrées ranging from $24-$37. All sides are $7, but I thought were unnecessary since each dish came with their own accompaniments. The atmosphere is like most North End eateries: rustic décor, small & a bit squished, but intimate (sometimes with the table next to you). There are dozens of North End spots to pick from, and while this may not be my 1st choice we both still really enjoyed our evening and most importantly our entrées.

The Perfect Bite: Risotto, rabbit confit, dab of red pepper purée.

http://www.terramiaristorante.com

La Morra

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 La Morra has been on my list for a while now but I was hesitant to try it as I used to fear small plates – I like my food and I rarely like to share! That mentality has changed now that I realized with tapas/small plates I get to try more dishes. My mom noticed La Morra in Boston Magazine’s ’50 Best Restaurants’ issue and suggested we go… I wasn’t arguing!

Bread: A server carrying a large basket delivered slices of homemade fresh bread, 1 for each of us. On the side was a ramekin of ricotta with sea salt, cracked pepper, and EVOO. The bread was excellent-warm, doughy, & hearty, and I really enjoyed the ricotta spread.

Menu: Cichetti (small tastings from $3-$4), Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, Dolce (and a pre-fixed 4-course menu for $35). I wanted to try everything, especially the pastas in the primi section. I ended up with the items below, and thankfully my parents ordered a few other things I was eyeing.

Food/Presentation:
Chickpea Salad (compliments of the chef) – chilled chickpeas, celery, wood grilled peppers, oregano
Although it was a little too salty for my taste, this was a great ‘palette cleanser’ as it was crisp and fresh in flavor. A nice addition to the start of the meal!

Ceci Fritti – Chickpea Fries
I imagined these to look more like a thinner French fries, but 4 thick ‘fries’ came arranged like Stonehenge, balancing on one another. The outside had a thin crispy crunch and the inside was soft and piping hot. A really excellent side dish.

Insalata di Barbabietole – roasted beet salad with apples, goat cheese, aged balsamic vinegar, and walnut puree
A stack of alternating slices of apples and beets came topped with goat cheese. The apple beet combo is always refreshing and pairs well with the goat cheese. The walnut puree added a tasty light dressing.

Tagliatelle al ragu – homemade pasta with bolognese
Praise the food gods for the ½ portions! For $11 I ordered the ½ size of the Bolognese which was the perfect amount for me (I even took ½ home). The meat was pulled rather than ground and topped with grated cheese. I typically like a tomato based sauce, which this was not, but it was still amazing, especially the al dente tagliatelle!

Bathroom: There are two unisex single rooms/stalls in the upstairs dining room, each with a home-y touch of a small area carpet, Italian artwork, and aroma oils.

Service: The service was excellent; our waitress has clearly been working at La Morra for some time now and it showed. She was able to describe the preparation & presentation of each dish we questioned, was attentive when our wine was running low, and was personable & helpful. I hope to have her again next time.

Overall: This is honestly a new favorite! I love Italian food, I recently found a love for small plates, and who wouldn’t like a warm, cozy, casual atmosphere? The prices are reasonable with Antipasti and half pastas topping out at $11, and full pasta portions and Secondi ranging $19-$24. Fantastic value for price in my opinion. The downstairs seats about 30 and has a small stone bar, while the upstairs can hold about 60 with tables and ½ table/booths lining the 2 side walls. I highly recommend La Morra and already can’t wait to go back!

The Perfect Bite: Honorable mention of my mom’s ½ portion of the Risotto with roasted local squash, brown butter, sage, and aged balsamic. Wow, was that delicious!

www.lamorra.com

La Verdad

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 I’ve tried a few Mexican restaurants recently (Lolita, Sol Azteca, Papagayo) but was told by a friend or two that La Verdad was the best in the city. Located on the famed Lansdowne Street outside Fenway, I can only imagine how busy this place must be in the summer. On a cool December evening however it wasn’t packed, but was busy as it could be for a Friday night at 6:30pm. I didn’t make my way into the dining room but the bar/front seating area was a little small with some high tops and 2-4 tops, and was decorated with white ‘Christmas’ lights.

Bread: The bread of course was chips & salsa which came with our order of seasonal guacamole. The chips were good – not to oily, lightly salted – and the salsa wasn’t bad but I like mine chunkier.

Menu: Starters, Soups & Salads, Tortas & Huaraches, Tacos & Burritos, Entrees, and Sides. There were enough options and a few things caught my eye that I had never heard of before, one being Huaraches which is Mexican-style Flatbread. I was struggling between a couple different entrees and eventually settled on something a bit different…

Food/Presentation:
Seasonal Guacamole – green apples, cheese, garlic, cumin
While it wasn’t made table side, I really appreciated the guacamole with a twist! It was different and the green apples were actually a great addition. The portion looked tiny set in the large pestle but it actually was enough for the 4 of us.

Duck Carnitas – confit duck, fig marmalade, orange goat cheese, and rajas salad
Three small soft tacos were topped with fig spread, pulled duck meat, red onion, cilantro, and goat cheese & mandarin oranges (rather than “orange goat cheese” as the description stated). The portion was perfect and I loved this option of the lighter, sweeter taco. It’s nice to see inventive menu items! If you’re a duck fan I suggest this dish.

Bathroom: Two large oval mirrors hang above 3 sinks, and to the right are 3 or 4 bar-typical stalls. What appeared to be some type of playing card bordered the walls in the stall ½ of the restroom.

Service: Our table was a bit small for 4 people but we made it work. Drinks were brought in a timely manner. Our entrees arrived before the guac and chip basket was cleared which I always frown upon. Our waitress was nice and able to answer our few questions.

Overall: The sangria tasted like mostly juice and was just ok, but the multiple Mojito options (classic, mango, raspberry, strawberry, limon, passion fruit – I had the latter) made up for it! The prices were less expensive than most Mexican Taquerias I’ve been to recently, with starters topping out at $12 and entrees reaching $19 (although Matt did mention that while his Enchilada was $13 it didn’t come with the expected sides of rice and beans). The food was great, atmosphere was decent, and the total bill wasn’t scary.

The Perfect Bite: Chip with a big scoop of seasonal guacamole!

www.laverdadtaqueria.com

Blue Inc.

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 Jason Santos of Hell’s Kitchen brings a hip new American eatery with Asian flare to the Financial District with Blue Inc. Even before my co-worker started raving about it I knew it was a must try. Located at the end of Broad Street, it attracts the after work crowd but after building up a reputation I’m sure people will be flocking from places near & far.

Bread: Four pretzel bread rolls were wrapped in tin foil and served in a red metal basket with a side of mustard butter. The bread was warm, salted, and so excellent with that infused butter. One of the best bread baskets I’ve had in a while!

Menu: The Dinner Menu offers Apps and Mains, many of which I was interested in. I had checked out their Bar Menu online and knew I needed to order a couple of items from there, which our waiter allowed us to do. The only thing that wasn’t available to us was the bar Bucket Menu which offers small bites from $1-$7 served in a Blue Bucket! I’d also like to mention that the cocktail menu is unique and fun, with items like ‘Dinner and a Movie’ (buttery popcorn rum, pepsi, malt balls) and ‘Fizzy Lifting Drink’ (pear-cranberry infused tequila, poached cranberries, fizzy salt). The list goes on, and it’s intriguing!

I Know I Jamm Jamm

I Know I Jamm Jamm

Food/Presentation:
Blue Inc. Hand Tossed White Pizza-  butternut squash, blue cheese, fresh figs
Now that I think of it, we asked for this with the prosciutto but didn’t get it! It was so delicious though that we completely forgot; I was mesmerized by the size of the fig pieces and contrasting flavor of the butternut and blue cheese. Really amazing pizza!

Pumpkin Bisque – fennel puree, porcini tortelloni, black garlic
A large shallow bowl came full of 2 tortelloni and a small cup which the waiter poured the bisque from. The soup was great, smooth and flavorful. The tortelloni was a nice touch; without that addition it may have been too simple/plain.

Spicy Tuna Tacos – chile aioli, cucmber salsa, shredded lettuce
Three tacos came side by side filled with diced tuna and cucumber, lightly tossed with spicy mayo. The shells were nice and crispy as they should be. I could have used a little more sauce but I appreciated that it wasn’t overpowering. Great portion for me!

Bathroom: The restroom isn’t exactly located in the restaurant; you have to walk through the entryway and down a long hall to the back of the building. Each door has a funky silhouette of a lady and gentleman. The interior was clean but there wasn’t any toilet paper in the lady’s room both times I went (I sure did sneak into the men’s room to steal some). They could use some more decorations but the flowers were nice.

Service: Our waiter was great and was able to get me a glass of the Strawberries Fields Forever cocktail, even though it’s a seasonal summer beverage. I also asked for the Bar Menu (knowing I wanted to Spicy Tuna Tacos) so he brought that over without hesitation. Everything was served in a timely manner and he filled our water glasses when they were low.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Strawberry Fields Forever

Overall: My parents, Matt & I all really enjoyed our evening; every bit of food we tasted was excellent from mom’s Cabernet Braised Short Ribs to dad’s Hand Rolled Sage Gnocci. I’d love to go back for their Grilled Salmon dish, and even the Pan Roasted Natural Statler Chicken Breast sounds amazing (rosemary polenta, yes please!). The prices weren’t outrageous with entrees topping out at $26, and the apps and bar menu ranging from $5-$19. Blue Inc. certainly makes a statement, esp. with its pretzel bread and blue lollipops they give out with the check. It’s a small interior but has a lot of flavor and sass; I can’t wait to go back!

The Perfect Bite: A slice of that white pizza with a giant piece of fig! Unbelievable.

www.blueincboston.com

menu cover

menu cover

Ristorante Euno

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 I believe the coupon of choice this evening was offered from Bloomspot: spend $25 and receive $50. I had never heard of Euno, most likely b/c of its small sign and Salem Street location away from the hectic Hanover. When I checked out the website and saw Rachel Ray’s stamp of approval I figured it was a must try.

Bread: About 4 slices of white Italian was served with a side of infused EVOO. The bread was good but not anything special; a typical Italian loaf, not particularly warm or doughy, but soft with a good crust.

Menu: Antipasti, Insalata, Pasta, Pesce, Carni, and the waiter had about 7 specials to add. There were a couple of fish specials with an amazing sounding risotto, which made my decision a littler harder, but I was in need of a great Bolognese so I took my chances with Euno’s version.

Food/Presentation:
Caprese: fresh mozzarella, wine-ripe tomatoes, basil garlic oil
Four slices of tomatoes alternated with 5 slices of mozzarella next to a side of arugula topped with a roasted red pepper. You usually don’t see the mozz out weighing the toms, and usually this would be a positive feature, but not when the cheese is hard and unappetizing. I would not recommend this dish as the mozzarella was uncharacteristic of any I’ve had in the past. The side salad however was nice & refreshing, lightly tossed with a simple dressing.

 Pappardelle alla Bolognese: Osso Bucco with homemade pappardelle pasta in tomato herb sauce
The homemade pasta was served on a square dish and topped with a basil leaf. The meat was Osso Bucco style and shredded rather than ground, which I wasn’t sure about at first but ended up really loving it. The proportion of sauce to pasta was perfect, the portion wasn’t too overwhelming, and pasta was cooked al dente – no complaints here!

Bathroom: Three unisex one-room bathrooms are located downstairs, where there were surprisingly more tables. The restroom I used was clean, had a warm décor, and offered 2 different types of nice smelling soap!

Service: The gentleman who greeted us at the door was extremely friendly and upbeat. Our waiter was prompt and recited all 7 specials from memory. The bread was a bit delayed b/c “they were slicing it”, which isn’t that big of a deal (it still arrived before the appetizers). We received each course rather quickly, which may make some people feel like they’re bring rushed, but it works for me & Matt!

Overall: Prices do not appear on the website which typical means entrees run over $30; my pasta was the priciest option in that category at $21, and Matt’s swordfish special was $35. We both cleaned our plates but I’m convinced you can get a similar quality of food for less. I did enjoy the charming atmosphere with exposed brick walls and dim romantic lighting. I grabbed this image from the website but this was my view for the evening, peering out onto Salem Street. Our meals were fantastic, and I wouldn’t tell you to not go to Euno, but I think you can experience the same for cheaper at other Italian eateries.

The Perfect Bite: Pappardelle Bolognese – perhaps in my Top 5 Boston Bolognese! If you’re curious, current favorites are from Stella (South End), Lucca (North End), Teatro (Theater District), and Mamma Maria (North End).

www.eunoboston.com/

Rialto

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Finally! 10,000 Open Table points and $100 to any participating restaurant. After much deliberation Matt & I decided on Rialto, Jody Adams’ restaurant in the Charles Hotel. Mixing Sicilian inspired dishes with New England’s local ingredients, Adams’ menu offers seasonal bites, pasta dishes, veggie options, and enough meat to please every carnivore.

Bread: A metal basket with peach paper held three types of bread and came with a side dish of herb infused EVOO and a small pile of course salt. The quality of bread was excellent; the roll was hearty and filling, the focaccia herbed and flavorful, and the fennel bread sticks tasted like my dad’s tarralli, yum!

Menu: First, Second, Third, Sides. The first two sections offered appetizer sized plates of salad, soups, fish, meats etc. I appreciate the Second category offering a half or whole size of pasta dishes. Often when menus have a Sides section, especially in a fine-dining establishment, it means the entrées come without any accompaniments. Thankfully that wasn’t the case here because the polenta that came with the Pork entrée was driving my decision.

Food/Presentation:
Pumpkin Soup – truffle honey, lemon-thyme, parmesan cream
I could have had an entire pot of this soup! It was light, silky, and smooth without being watery or oily. The cream on the edge of the bowl added great flavor to each bite. Not much else I can say except that it was fantastic.

Grilled Pork Rack – milk braised belly, buckwheat polenta, mushrooms, black kale, capers
I do love pork but the polenta was the real reason I ordered this entrée. The pork itself was well cooked, juicy and not dry, but the sides really stole the show. I’ve never had buckwheat polenta and I wish to never have regular polenta again as this was so much better – creamy but hearty consistency and great wheat flavor. I dug right in to the circular item without remembering what it was, but didn’t care after the first bite even though I knew it’d end up being something creepy. Fried to a thin crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, I ate about ½ before the waiter informed me it was pork belly. Creepy and delicious.

Bathroom: I can’t fully judge the restroom as it is part of the Charles Hotel and not exclusive to Rialto diners, but I love the warm earth tones, shutter stall doors, and automatic soap and water dispensers.

Service: Our waiter was a pro, was able to answer all questions, and knew the menu inside and out. Everything was served on time, without being rushed. I made a note in the OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating our birthdays, and since we were too full to order a dessert, we received a couple snowball cookies with a Happy Birthday note!

Overall: When experiencing a fine-dining restaurant – which isn’t too often fo rme – I expect a unique atmosphere, great service, and exquisite food. Rialto exceeded my expectations as it was classy without being to stuffy; I felt like I belonged even though normally I couldn’t afford to even look at the menu. Starters run $13-$18, and entrees $25-$43, most of which are in the $30+ range. It’s a pricey commitment but totally worth it.

The Perfect Bite: It’s between the pumpkin soup and pork belly with buckwheat polenta – don’t make me choose!

http://www.rialto-restaurant.com