.::|TheDish|::.

South End Buttery - By Day & Night

Rating: 4 forks

We all know that the South End Buttery has breakfast delights sure to wake up your taste buds, so who would expect anything short of a masterpiece by night? I had heard only raves from friends about the new Buttery Bar-Bistro that opened its doors a short month or so ago. And with all the travel and crazy schedule, I wasn't able to pop in for a tasting until this eve.

By day, the front cafe area of this former coffee shop only establishment was marked by the most decadent morning starters and mid-day meals, perfected coffee drinks, sinful cupcakes, and of course the long, but quick-to-move, lines. By night, the cafe is transformed into a dimly lit bar and bistro, where wine and champagne replaces the espresso and tea, and rich, home cooked meals replace the homemade pastries.

We chose the 6:30 seating (other option was 8pm, though the restaurant was not full so anytime in between was fine) and we were seated at a high table facing Shawmut Ave on one side, and the short, 6-8 person bar on the other. The table was a bit too high, and the over-sized pillow was bit too large, too awkward behind my back and sort of in the way at my and my neighbor's side; so, it ended up placed - gently - on the floor.

The super friendly and attentive waitress took our order: for me, a glass of Silver Palm Cab ($10) from the wine list; from the dinner menu, the mussels in a saffron broth with frites, and the local roasted cod with artichokes. For the man, his signature Hendricks n' tonic, the butternut squash soup with curried lentils, and the duck.

Wow, the food, especially with entree prices under $20, is amazing. I would have to say, though my cod was as perfect as a mild, meaty white fish can possibly be prepared, and the duck was cooked the perfect medium rare and fanned elegantly like a bird's feathers on the plate, our favorite was the fries (yes Zoe, you were right!). I think they salt, fry, then salt again, to create this, well, salty batter. Evil.

All-in-all, we'll be back to this new neighborhood for sure, now not to just start the day, but close out the eve.

South End Buttery
314 Shawmut Avenue
(between Union Park & Waltham St)
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 482-1015
southendbuttery.com

[image via]

Tips For Red-Eye Flights

I am headed to Salzburg, Austria for work today at about 4pm. I arrive in Frankfurt, Germany at about 11pm EST, which is 5am local time there. Then I hop onto another flight to Salzburg, and arrive at 9:30am local time (you can't fly direct). That's 3:30am EST. Then it's off to the hotel and to work. Sigh.

I despise red-eyes, and try to avoid them at all costs when traveling for business. On Fodors, I found these useful tips to help me survive the red-eye and hopefully snag some quality zzz's:

1. Nab a good seat:  pay extra for the comfort of a roomier seat in economy plus, business, or first class (I am in biz class, sweet)

2. Pack a goodie bag: Ear plugs, eye mask, a travel pillow, and warm fuzzy socks (off to get ear plugs!)

3. Consult your doctor: get a little help from a prescribed sleeping aid (Ambien, check!)

4. Just say no to napping:  Many red-eye regulars skip the nap that first day and then go to sleep early that evening (ok, not sure if I have a choice here, it's a work trip!)

5. Take it easy on the ground: Ambition is the enemy after a long red-eye flight. Keep your plans for that first day as simple as possible. (Hopefully my client will have a little mercy on me)

[Image Via]