rlh's Profile
Menton, No.9 Park or Deuxave
Island Creek is the one to beat these days IMHO - and worth the wait even if you can't reserve a table - step into the Hawthorne downstairs or Eastern Standard at the other end of the block!
Middling chow at Moksa, and the Cocktail thing has Jumped the Shark
Fancy reno? I was struck by the harshness and unevenness of the lighting throughout and the bare cement floor -
and ditto on the cocktail catastrophes (what exactly did possess ME to order a watermelon habanero viengar margarita there?? - oh yes, it was 2+ fine libations at Brick and Mortar preceding the dinner attempt we made at Moksa )
At some point there's got to be a back to basics movement that recognizes "classic" craft cocktails are that for a reason and additions to the long-term lexicon are likely to be few and far between (though I have some to nominate, but that belongs on the Spirits board, I believe)
Bergamot - outstanding!
Back again last night for another top notch experience in terms of cocktails (thanks to Paul) and food (amazing mackerel app and salmon main specials with an OK panna cotta dessert that was good if you scraped off the extraneous rose water foam) - as always it was a friendly and enjoyable place for a great meal overall.
Service slip-ups for the first time last night were a surprise: host told us we could wait 15 min for a bar seat and 30 minutes in that wasn't happening, so we choose a table - but he could have pointed this out much sooner for us. Also, the waiter was distracted or didn't pay attention to the specials briefing as he had the ingredients all wrong - he was also notably absent when needed and insisted there were only two roses served by the glass in spite of the Facebook posting yesterday detailing 4 separate offerings with photos...
We'll be back - but have to time it when there are actual seats available at the bar where the service is always stellar.
Orange Liqueurs
The recent addition of Ferrand Dry Curacao is noteworthy - as the name says, it's drier and more complex - really makes a difference in a Mai Tai or Sidecar - $40 for .75 L in Boston area at Brix on Broad St. downtown (I had to ask for it - it was in the closed closet).
Moksa - Tender, Spicy, Meaty
Totally underwhelming experience last Saturday - pretty empty at 7p yet we were denied a table and sat at bar. The concrete floor throughout and spartan, harsh lighting are not appealing for a spot with upscale menu ambitions. The comedy club operation in the rear is weird and gives a really cheesy feel to the whole place.
Noon was there but we had a different, much less experienced but nice enough bartender serving us. We had just come from Brick and Mortar so the bar was admittedly high on drinks, but the menu seems creative and original, and they are definitely premium priced, so high expectations seem reasonable. The special watermelon margarita cocktail was a total mistake - it just didn't taste good. It takes more finesse than they have to pull off habanero vinegar in a cocktail....we stopped the cocktail orders at that point. No one asked if we liked it and it didn't seem worth the effort to complain given the front door treatment / snub we received.
The food was virtually all oversalted in an extreme way, almost to the point of inedible and leaving us with a hazy, semi-nauseous feeling as the meal ended. The sauce with the otherwise tasty crab rangoon was too mustardy and overwhelming to the generous crab contents. The lauded lamb dish was gloppy and salty with little tiny bits of salty lamb and the aforementioned gummy noodles. The peppers with bonito flakes were clever and the tastiest option of the night but extremely oily. The Berkshire dumplings were too salty and otherwise flavorless.
It's hard to imagine returning with so many other inviting, more friendly options at lower and similar price points nearby,. Chef Yeo was in the house but apparently not closely monitoring service or seasoning that night. Quite a disappointment. We'll give it some time and keep an eye out for positive posts in the future. Also, there were more empty dining tables when we left than when we arrived - why was it we couldn't be seated, again???
Found it! Hard to find ingredients and where to find them
Old Monk seems to be back now - paid $21 at Brix on Broad where they also had Rittenhouse $100 for $26 and Ferrand Dry Curacao (new and exciting for tiki stuff!) for $30. They also had Ferrand 1840 cognac for $45 which seemed too high to me...
Cocktail with Cynar?
Definitely going to try this with the sub of Zucca for Cynar (which I don't have at home right now) - I think the rhubarb may play very well with the lemon and marachino!
Boston this week/weekend with Wife and Friends
Great cocktails, atmosphere and service are to be had at The Hawthorne (try to get seated near bartenders Scott or Nicole if possible - they will take great care of you, but the others are all good as well), Eastern Standard, and / or Island Creek Oyster Bar - all within the Hotel Commonwealth complex that is a long walk or shot cab / T ride from where you are staying. It's worth the trek!
So tired of the Umberto's Love.....
FWIW, I would eat the pizza, calzones, and arancini more often IF it was nearby AND there was little or no line - for me, it's not cheap and tasty enough to merit a long walk and a long wait. It's not a destination in my book, but I'm glad it's there for others to enjoy and add to the character of Hanover Street...
A rare night out with the wife
Island Creek is awesome but can add up. I love date night at Bergamot - and the daily prix fixe is $39 and always interesting / tasty - really nice wines by the glass are available and the cocktails are top notch along with always-great service. I liked sitting at the bar at Salty Pig and it smelled great but it's awfully casual for a night out IMHO.
If you don't mind the potentially long wait and the crush of waiting at the bar, Toro can be affordable, truly delicious and fun as well.
best bartenders for regulars?
Another supporter of Paul and the Bergamot bar - always a pleasure, even for a mere semi-regular - and terrific drinks as well!
Artbar in Cambridge
If you haven't been to Drink , it's one of the very best places anywhere (seriously) for cocktails and quite close to a couple of waterfronts (Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor) - do try to go off peak as much as possible for the best experience with the terrific bartenders there.
This advice is based on my most recent 4 visits on Thurs-Sat (and often Sunday as well!) from 6p onward it's become an overrun zoo scene - a door monitor holds you in line in the stairwell with very little communication and then eventually doles out a standing room spot by the wall or around a big column - you have virtually no interaction with the person actually making your drinks, though it will be properly made and taste great - it's just a disappointing overall experience on those nights that usually causes me to head elsewhere now (which requires quite a trek as there's nothing comparable nearby).
Slate experiences?
Anyone had food or drinks at the recently-opened Slate on High St in the Financial District? How was it? How's the decor and service? Curious to try it soon and looking for recommendations / warnings - thanks!
Artbar in Cambridge
Nice initial post - welcome - looking forward to more details from you on your other top notch cocktail experiences around town - have you tried Backbar yet?
Where to buy bluefish pate around Boston?
Just had Capt Dave's from Formaggio (Huron Ave) and it was really good - smoky fish and cream cheese with a little garlic and horseradish! Definitely a repeat ($6 for 4 oz there)
Found it! Hard to find ingredients and where to find them
1 Bottle of Rittenhouse 100 at Cirace for $21.99 last week
El Dorado 15 at Altas in Medford for $28.99 a couple of weeks ago
Has anyone seen Old Monk anywhere recently (within the past month)?
Delicious Sushi, Odd Service at Toraya Arlington
You're right on all counts - but until they decide to expand into larger space and add another sushi chef, I am willing to accept the wait or order takeout at off-peak times vs. any of the other takeout options I am aware of nearby - it's just that much better (love the perfect chirashi they provide!)
I sometimes even hope the quirky service may reduce the number of times we show up and there are no tables and a line out the door (which only requires about 4 people ahead of you in the cramped quarters) as was the case for lunch today at 12:45 - we still end up there just about every week and always enjoy the freshness (never a SINGLE lapse in this area for us - and that is RARE to me), kind / warm service, and fair prices - just not the most efficient dining experience around.
Best Grenadine?
This is great - thanks - and I have another use for my neglected little bottle of orange flower water that awaits Ramos Gin Fizzes and not much else - until now!
Best Grenadine?
Stirrings is the best-tasting, readily-available commercial brand I've found of grenadine but doesn't seem amazing and it's $5 for small bottle - I want it to be red, contain real sugar rather than corn syrup, and at least approximate the taste of pomegranate.
What's your favorite brand? Where do you get it (or order) from? What's the price and volume?
Does anyone have a recipe to share for making a small amount at home?
Best shrimp Scampi in Boston or Cambridge
The lobster scampi at Moulton's (Winthrop St) in Medford is huge enough for 2, delicious, and usually under $30 - I expect they do a great shrimp scampi for much less that will be good - it's local and super casual - I've never had anything remotely bad there (well, except the very sad, tiny little green side salad with its flavorless cucumber and tomato slices - veggies are not the focus...).
East Coast Grill Sold
Those wet bones are a menu item I'll never forget and often wonder why they are not replicated...
just amazing.
Foumami in Financial District?
where is that bahn mi? Dewey Square truck or elsewhere? Thanks!
What Genever Should Come Back from Amsterdam with me?
Thanks for the advice - WF was not open as they claim for an English tour at 12:30p on Sat, however, I went back to the tasting room after 3p and thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well as several of their genever offerings and specialty liqueurs (brought home rose, ginger, and a mix of apricot/citrus flavors that was totally new and interesting to me - their products dominated what I was able to fit in my luggage for the return - see photo.
I highly recommend this as a destination for any spirits enthusiast visiting Amsterdam (along with making a reservation and going to door-74 for carefully crafted, innovative cocktails - such as their oyster mushroom-infused bourbon Old Fashioned - details in photo)
Need Suggestions for Starter Cocktail Bar [moved from Outer Boroughs board]
If you're serious about muddling - find a PUG! muddler - handmade by a guy in the Hudson valley - $35-60 I think - makes muddling more fun - also nice to have a mixing glass for stirred (spirits only, no juice or other mixer) cocktails and some tiki glasses - love thebostonshaker.com and cocktailkingdom.com as sources - they both have lots of interesting bitters options as well - you live near the folks of Bitterman's Bitters - amazing product - go meet them and try their stuff - in the east village, I think. I use their Xocolati Mole and Tiki bitters constantly in addition to the Ango regular / orange and Peychaud's staples.
Alcohol newbie looking for some starter tips.
Get the Robert Hess bartending book (the Essential Bartender's Guide) - it is a great starter text, with easy to follow recipes and descriptions of key spirits, etc. It's $12.95 on amazon.
What Genever Should Come Back from Amsterdam with me?
Thanks very much - something new and exciting for me to search for!
What Genever Should Come Back from Amsterdam with me?
Just getting to know (and enjoy) the world of Dutch gins - I have Bols Genever (unaged) at home and really enjoy it in several cocktails. It's the only Genever I've seen readily available for sale around Boston. I plan a visit to House of Bols.
The only other brand I know is Boomsma, and I intend to sample both Jongen and Oude varieties.
What are others I should try and consider bringing home from my trip? Do you have any specific cocktail recipes to pair with them?
Classic Cocktail Book?
I like a number of these books for their classic status that is well-deserved, however, I found The Essential Bartender's Guide by Robert Hess to be best all-round starter book that lies flat, is pretty comprehensive, has easy to read layouts, and interesting but not obscure ingredients - and the proportions in the recipes are generally spot on relative to balance for my taste.
I love the PDT book to read but not to make drinks from on a daily basis. Joy of Mixology is a great reference but too dense for daily use to me.
I also think Boozehound by Jason Wilson is a great read with solid recipes interspersed but not a general guide.
Finally, if Tiki drinks are interesting to you, you can't live without Beachbum Berry Remixed, an excellent compilation of a couple of prior books
Backbar Open and Worth Seeking Out
Stopped in last night after learning they were opening this week - seems truly speakeasy style for now with only a small handwritten sign on a solid metal door - I ended up going into Journeyman and asking then was pointed though the back and down the hall.
The L-shaped room is mod, seems kind of unfinished, and the lighting is weird. Walking up to the packed bar in the back, I was greeted by a really gracious host - she explained nicely that all seats were full but that I was welcome to wait by the entrance for an open one - and then brought me a menu (a few drinks, mostly new twists on classics, along with some tasty sounding small bites) and a complimentary glass of delicious punch.
Seeing Bryn Tattan behind the bar (and relieved later to learn she's still at Drink on Mon and Tues nights) and loving her Old Fashioneds , I asked for one. I also asked about the little "Reserved" signs on some tables with open seats - they do take reservations (by phone for now) for both table seating and at the bar - I'd recommend it given the crowd there last night.
I was seated at the bar before my drink was even ready (under 10 minutes) - Bryn, Sam, and Joe (new to me, from a bar in Southie) were really humming along behind a pretty small bar and putting out top notch drinks again and again while also conversing with customers. It was lively and energetic and fun. I'll be back and hope it's not also overrun by then.
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backbar
9 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143
Brick & Mortar
I too enjoyed stopping in much earlier last night - enjoyed the drinks from the short menu I had but wasn't blown away by either - enjoyed the custom Bols Hanky Panky more - Misty was warm and friendly as always and the other two bartenders were fine given that it was the first time I ever met them.
The bar itself is an interesting shape and covered in copper - and several taps with interesting drafts were a very welcome sight not so common at "craft cocktail" bars. It's a dark and unfinished, sort of divey feel - which I liked. The vinyl-based music is also unique and interesting.
The food was good to great - tasty chips and garlicky dip (not enough of it for the amount of chips), single fried oyster mini po' boy (really bready but it was good brioche), and awesome spicy fried brussel sprouts - a big serving of Indian-influenced crispy nuggets - definitely a repeat.
