Two meat dishes that stand out for me are the Costilla de Buey (Rioja braised short rib of beef with armagnac soaked prunes and Vidalia puree) and the Pato con Membrillo (Smoked duck drumettes with rhubarb). There are just two drumettes but the costilla is served in a small cast iron pot and is great to spread on bread or just pass around for a bite. Recommended by a regular when we sat at the bar.

Wurst - that's so sad! If you drive there again try parking on the other side of west broadway - what would be the east side closer to fort point. There is a decent amount of 2-hour parking on West third - which goes to overnight parking after 8 p.m. There's also a lot of turnover on west broadway itself. as you may have discovered since, the restaurant is so close to the Broadway Red Line stop which could make your next trip easier.

When you do make it - I recommend the vitello tonnato app that Food4 mentioned. one side of the plate with the raw tuna and capers, and on the other side some nicely grilled MR veal. it's such a classic franklin-type dish - simple ingredients and food pairings (food w/ food; not food w/ wine) that elevate the overall dish. A great item to share since it's very much like two smaller dishes on one plate.

anyone tried the brunch yet? can't wait!

A regular I know talked with the owner who said the lease was the issue. Sounds like they're in the works to have a location in the Digitas building, 33 Arch - but accessible only with a building pass. Oy.

I liked a Manhattan I had at Union on Washington St. back in Feb. Anyone had a martini there? What did you think?

In case you haven't seen—Martini's in NYC:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/04/13/...

I pass near it fairly often and I still see the little copy paper printouts saying that they are closed (a little yellowed by the sun). Then a tumbleweed rolls down Dot. Ave and I keep moving. The local Southie folks were right: that address doesn't work for a restaurant. I'm not in the camp that refuses to believe that an upscale place could survive in Southie. But it needs two things IMHO: an East Broadway address (preferably the old Hub convenience store address; that's visible) and a much larger bar area. With all of the new spots coming to Harrsion Ave. and tempting Southie folks under 93, and the Waterfront places popping up, my guess is that a tonier restauarant in Southie proper won't fly for at least a few more years.

Thanks for the update, alyss! I'll investigate today.

I found Yale Electric in Dot to be intimidating and the prices to be rigidly high.

I found a 30 inch, DCS gas 5 burner (center one does 17,500 BTUs) at Doyon's in reading, MA. see link for store:

http://doyons.homeappliances.com/hade...

it was a deal because it was floor model but the attitude there was very friendly, people were knowledgable and not pushy. You may want to go so far as to ask for Walter who helped us. It is very important that you don't work with someone who seems like they want to steamroll you into buying something. It's too expensive and vital a purchase to go too far too fast.

I'd like to suggest Aquitaine for their Saturday brunch (I know you said lunch but this may allow you to be even more leisurely). Here are the details and the menu:

Saturday Prix Fixe Brunch For $9.95 per person
Offering ...

Warm House-made cinnamon Bun and Icing

Eggs Piperade- Pepper, onion, tomato, and ham
or
Omelette à la Grecque- Spinach and Feta Cheese
or
Omelette de la maison- Bacon, smoked tomato
and Gruyere cheese

Each is served with Caramelized onion home fries and Seven Grain Toast, Fresh Orange or grapefruit juice And Bottomless Coffee

...I'm a big fan not so much for the food (which is fine) but for the brunch on Saturday idea and the decent price (for Aquitaine). It goes from 10 to 3 p.m. and makes for a nice way to wake up. Very quiet space to catch up in.

Here's the site: http://www.aquitaineboston.com/Brunch...

MCSJB - what was their rationale on not opening the patio out back? Just not this year or not ever? I had heard about it in June, called to make sure that they had their "outdoor seating" open and arrived to find the Washington St. seats. We sat inside.

from the herald

http://business.bostonherald.com/busi...

Well done. Sounds ideal.

About what time were you there? Was it busy? I have been itching to get over there but I fear arriving after the wiser masses for dinner so lunch could be a solution.

Thanks for the post. I also live in Southie ('bout 2 years) and I appreciate any good food news. It's tough to come by sometimes! If you like Indian, there's a restaurant called Shanti in Dot that delivers to Southie (the place itself is also worth visiting). Here's the link:

http://www.shantiboston.com/

Enjoy!