.::|TheDish|::.

Pigalle Kicks Off Summer w/ $1 Oysters

Rating: 4 forks

We met some friends out for dinner at Pigalle Saturday night in Boston's Theatre District, and dined on the patio despite the blistering heat that's been paralyzing many New Englanders this weekend. I actually had never been to Pigalle, named after the red light district in Paris, which is surprising as it's topped the list for a few fellow foodies that I have met and also shares the same chef as Marco, a favorite of mine the N. End. And it was – as expected – very tasty.

What drew us was not the rich French fare, though quite a regular and favorite of mine lately, but rather the $1 "dressed" oysters, available on the patio and the bar to kick off the summer. The minuette is drizzled directly onto the oyster rather than being served in a small side dish, hence the "dressed" descriptive. Let's just say, between 8 of us, we had 72, and not everyone ate oysters ;)

We all stayed on the lighter side for our main course, and Mike and I shared a few appetizers:

• Tuna Martini with Seaweed Salad, Spicy Crème Fraîche and Tobiko Roe $21.*
• Roasted-Beet Spring Rolls with Mint, Cilantro and Horseradish Cream $12. 
• Duck Liver Terrine with Toasted Brioche and Armagnac-Soaked Prunes $14. 
• Cream of White Asparagus Soup with Fresh Almond Foam, Maine Crab Meat, Carrot Julienne and Crispy Shallots 15.

The food was great, well portioned, and fresh. I think by far our fav was the rich, creamy white asparagus soup; a must if you visit. The Steak Tartar a fellow diner ordered looked amazing too, but we had already snacked on a healthy portion of tartar for lunch at The Butcher Shop (the best in the city by far) just a few short hours prior. Ok, yes, it was an "oink" kind of day!

I'd recommend not sitting on Pigalle's patio if you have a large party; it's questionable whether or not they really should allow large parties out there, as there is limited space permitted by the City and therefore the tables are flush against the window, yielding a rather awkward situation for both conversing with friends at the other end of the table as well as constantly catching the eye of the indoor diner staring out the same window that you are facing. Plus, the servers can barely squeeze by to serve the rest of the diners.

We look forward to going back, and sampling the main dishes off their menu. I think next time we'll dine at the bar, which is small but intimate, or in the elegant, romantic dining room. We also are eager to try their tasting menu:

Petit $95. with wine $125.
Grand $115. with wine $160.

The street parking is by permit only, however garage parking, connected to the restaurant, is available for $10 with validation.

Pigalle
75 Charles St. South
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-4944
www.pigalleboston.com

Eastern Standard: Boston's Best Cocktails

We went to Eastern Standard the other night to celebrate one of my company's founders' birthday, and I knew they were known for their cocktails, but OMG are they amazing! The list is endless, and somewhat cryptic like:

Hanky Panky
This one's for Jane Doe

Aviation
Fasten your seat belts

I guess you can make some assumptions as to what the ingredients may be from the section headers like "Standards", "Infusion", "Heritage", etc. but it kind of forces you to either drive your waitress mad by requesting a recipe each time you order, or just take a bit of a risk. I tried the Au Provence, a gimlet of tarragon and lime, and it was delicious, and then I tried the Old Cuban, an evocative mix of rum, lime, mint and bubbles. This is by far my favorite drink, like ever. But then again, there's a hundred others on the menu to sample still!

I have yet to try the food, however I loved the cocktails so much that I proposed Eastern Standard for a get together this weekend with past-life colleagues. Yes, that's twice in one week. It's that good.

Ten Tables is a Perfect 10!

Rating: 5 forks

Well, 5 forks, that's a perfect score on this scale (btw I keep meaning to write the definition of my "forks", just need the time!).

The best things come in small packages, and this cliché stands true when speaking of Ten Tables in Jamaica Plain. The approximately 650 sq/ft space (that's my best guess), including the open kitchen and a dining room with – you guessed it – 10 tables, is located on popular Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. After many attempts to secure a resie, we finally made it last Saturday eve. It was absolutely amazing!

Ten Tables serves up French/American and sometimes Italian fare, and prides itself on using organic food from local farms. The atmosphere is intimate, simple, and romantic, with local art hanging on the exposed painted brick and delicate orchid flowers floating in water-filled stemless wine glasses resting on each tabletop.

The couple we dined with live a short few blocks away in JP, and are regulars at Ten Tables; they also know the owner, chef and staff so we had quite the "in". We were greeted with a glass of bubbly, followed by a little shot of chilled cucumber soup. Next up, some tasty bread, thinly sliced, soft on the inside and crusty on the outside, served with a long olive plate of smooth olive oil just bursting with fruit and flavor. The presentation was superb.

Next, we selected some apps:

Steamed Mussels with Pancetta (not listed on the website)

Hosemade Chorizo with White Beans and Orange $7

Saffron-scented Potato and Leek Veloute with Vanilla Oil $7

Next came complimentary mushroom consumee to cleanse the pallate, and for the entrées:

Orrecchiette with Fresh Maine Shrimp, Pancetta and Tellicherry Back Pepper $17

Giannone Chicken with Fresh Shell Beans, Bacon and Cabbage $19
Vegetarian Gnocchi  (not listed on the website)

Grilled salmon (also not listed on the website)

Each dish was perfectly portioned, so fresh, unique, and simply stellar. For wine, we ordered up a – ok 2 – bottles of Malbec; unfortunately I can't recall what it was but I am going to find out because it was so delicious!

JP may seem like a "hike" for many of us inner-city dwellers, but Ten Tables is totally worth it. Just plan ahead, as reservations are apparently a month out!

Ten Tables
597 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA
02130
617.524.8810       
tentables.net

Petit Robert Bistro | South End

Rating: 4 forks

The French bistro has become quite a popular option within the dining mix of Boston restaurants. Most recently Gaslight opened on Harrison Ave, and has received quite a mixed bag of reviews. Last week, we finally made it to Petit Robert Bistro in the South End, a not-too-new bistro, but one that I have been dying to try; and after all the hype and positive chatter online and amongst friends, it totally lived up to my expectations.

PRB captures the definition of an authentic French bistro via it's simple, affordable fare (<$20 at dinner, <$12 at lunch), fabulous wine menu, and a loud and energetic dining room atmosphere with simple decor. The menu boasts all the French bistro standards: Patés, Escargot, Foie Gras, Soupe à l’Onion Gratinée, Duck Confit, Bouillabaisse, Coq au Vin, Cassoulet... as well as a very extensive pastry bar menu with classics like Macarons, Nutella filed Crêpes, and Crème Brulée. Yum Yum. Any yes, the specials are written on a chalk board.

I went the lighter fare route that evening, starting with the Garden Salad, Shallot Vinaigrette with Panko Crusted Goat Cheese ($9.75), followed by the seared tuna (not currently listed on the Web menu so I cannot provide the exact detail or price point). Mike selected the richer end of the spectrum, starting with the Fois Gras followed by the Grilled Skirt Steak~Frites, Poivre Sauce ($19.75). And our friends enjoyed the Trio of Homemade Patés with Condiments ($7.00), the same garden salad with goat cheese that I selected, the Steak Frites (again!) and the Three-Mushroom Risotto (also not listed on the Web menu). We paired a fabulous Chateauneuf Du Pape with the meal. Each plate was promptly cleaned, and our wine glasses emptied, which was collectively a sure sign of diner's approval. We sealed the evening off with a couple desserts from the pastry menu: the apple tart, and the profiteroles. Mmmm.

Overall, the service was good. I think if I were to point out a couple negatives, one would be that Mike and I waited about 10 minutes or so before someone came to our table (the couple joining us was running a tad late), and it was the busser, offering us water. We kindly requested that he send over our waiter so we can order an aperitif to sip and enjoy while we waited. It was clearly busy, and the waitsaff was certainly slammed so I suppose it was justified. A second negative was that it was someone's birthday in the dining room, and in celebration, the waitstaff dimmed the lights, brought out a dessert dressed with a lit candle, and sang happy birthday. I was a tad shocked: is the TGI Fridays or Applebees?! Geez!

Aside from those two pretty minor negatives, I really loved the overall experience, and I will be back. Their website is quite informative, so be sure to check it out, though the site could use a little lovin' (looks like a web designer's first attempt with an early version of Dreamweaver!). I particularly enjoy this quote on the homepage: The success of a restaurant is not defined by cash but by the happiness of its customers.

And this customer left quite happy.

Locations:
468 Commonwealth Ave
Boston MA
02215
617.375.0699

480 Columbus Avenue
Boston MA
02118
617.867.0600

www.petitrobertbistro.com
Open 7 days a week 11-11 

KO Prime: A Total Knock Out

Rating: 5 forks

After all the chatter and the hype, we finally made it to KO Prime for dinner last Friday evening; it lived up to our expectations, and in fact, it actually exceeded them. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Nine Zero Hotel, we were greeted by a friendly valet, who offered-up a couple of his personal favorite dishes as recommendations as he opened the door for us to enter. We ascended the staircase, to what used to be Spire restaurant, to what now is Ken Oringer's (Chef, Owner) modern steak house. The hostess greeted us with a smile, graciously took our coats and, although we were right on time for our reservation, she asked us if we'd like to enjoy a cocktail before dinner. And so we did. We both enjoyed our simple favorite: a Chopin martini, up, dry, with olives. Yum. The bar area hasn't changed much from Spire: the crescent-shaped bar seats about 10 or so, facing a comfortable lounge area accented with cow-skin seats, leather cubic stools, and cocktail tables. The light was dim, which set the perfect mood.

Upon finishing our cocktails we were led back through the romantic, yet modern & chic, dining area to our table for two. An energetic and very friendly waitress approached us, welcomed us, and informed us of the pre-appetizer for the evening: an Asian style app of crispy seared shrimp (full head and all) served with sauteed Japanese peppers, of which 1 in 10 is "spicy". We ordered it, and I was on the receiving end of that lucky pepper. Yikes! It was tasty though. We then received a miso soup spoon of ceviche with "foam", compliments of the chef. It was interesting to see, and heaven on the palate.

From the menu, we enjoyed 4 oysters, 2 Island Creeks and 2 Kumomotos ($3/each) as...well...the "post-pre-appetizer", and then I enjoyed an appetizer of refreshing Hamachi Sashimi ($16), and Mike feasted on the decadent Seared Fois Gras, with rhubarb, Reisling, and laurel ($18). Our bottle of 2003 Elyse "Morisoli Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California) was breathing, and opened just in time, as the waitress delivered our entrees: for me, the 10oz filet served perfectly medium-rare, with Chimichurri sauce on the side, as I like my quality meat unmasked and straight-up ($44); for Mike, the 14oz New York Strip Steak, 28 Day Dry-Aged served with Cippolini Onions ($44), also served medium rare; and for sides, Jumbo Green Asparagus, Hollandaise ($8), and Mixed Mushrooms ($8).*

Wow. The entire evening was an A+. The ambiance was spectacular, romantic, yet upbeat. The service was fabulous, friendly, and authentic (note, we went with low expectations of the service as friends have told us, and we have read numerous online reviews, of terrible service experiences. I think Ken listened?). And the food- oooh, the food - was sublime. What more can you ask? I guess that your neighboring party picks up the rather large tab ;).

KO is not your typical steak house, so don't go expecting the mahogany, brass, and attitude. Its modern. Its sexy. If you haven't been... you should, and please share your experience(s) with me.

KO Prime
90 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-772-0202
http://www.koprimeboston.com/
Valet Available @ The Nine Zero

KO Prime is also green!

* Note: prices listed above may not be exact; prices on the KO Prime Web site are lower than the actual menu prices.

Guest Review: Mooo Restaurant

A friend and colleague of mine surprised me this morning by shooting me an email with a very detailed review of Mooo restaurant, a new modern and upscale steak house hot spot. The place has some pretty big shoes to fill, occupying the former location of The Federalist (which was spectacular, though the name even screams ostentatiousness!) at the XV Beacon Hotel. So I figured I'd post it here; I love the idea of having guest reviewers on TheDish, as it offers a refreshing change to my writing style and my taste in dining. So, without further ado, let's see how Mooo measures-up, from the mind and palate of Mike Profit (damn he has a good name, eh?!):

Mooo
15 Beacon St
Boston
Website
Reservations

By Mike Profit

I'm not a steak house guy normally. Too in your face and frankly I can source excellent meat and cook it exactly the way I like at home for a fraction of the cost.  However, I was pleasantly surprised by Moo. Slick interior with attractive front of house staff. Table was ready on time and bar staff was fine.  We had an excellent waiter; very low key, but knew the menu and gave recommendations. We were at no times rushed despite a clearly busy evening. Busboys were attentive and we always had glasses filled with water.  One of our party is a foodie too with her own wine cellar, so she selected an excellent 2005 Dauvissat Les Forest Chablis, and my personal fav, a 2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz from Australia. With 27 pages of wine to choose from you'll find something you'll like, if not afford!

We mostly skipped the apps (although a couple of people had the endive salad). The Roquefort was an excellent foil to the bitter endive.  Two girls in the party did the wise thing and ordered an appetizer as their main course and shared the sides. One chose the beef carpacio and it was a whole plate of excellent hand cut wafer thin carpacio. I had the beef wellington, with spinach, duxxelles and fois gras ($44).  I am often wary of ordering a wellington at a restaurant because I've had them dry and flavorless. However this was cooked to perfection (medium rare) and served beautifully. Very rich and decadent. I did steal some of Dave's bone marrow butter (simply because I'm a marrow fiend, ever since I read From Nose To Tail Eating by Fergus Henderson (a British visionary chef) which was unctuous and heady with it's richness.

Of course being a steak house, they **** you over with their pricing structure. You order your slab of meat and then you have to choose your side (priced between $9 and $17) and sauce (an extra $2-3). The waiter explained that the sides would serve between 2 and 4 depending (which was a bit annoying, because we didn't know what would serve who). So in the end we over ordered and got: Truffled cauliflower (fantastic cauliflower in a cream sauce with shaved black truffles), creamed spinach (fine - it's creamed spinach!), wild mushrooms (these actually were mostly wild which was encouraging - I'm a big mushroom fan too and thoroughly enjoyed these), potato skins with aged gruyere and bacon (feeds the inner sports fan within you), and a mushroom risotto with Madeira (can't go wrong with a good risotto!). We only managed to eat about half the accompaniments, which was a shame.

We skipped desert (we were on expenses after all!).

Overall, it was an excellent meal. Lots of beautiful people (somewhat sullied by our presence), but we received excellent service, very competent food and a thoroughly pleasant location.  I will go again, when I don't have to pick up the tab ;-)

Great review Mike, and I look forward to giving Mooo a try some time. If you are interested in writing a review on TheDish, please email me!

[Image Via]

Sinful Truffles

I don't have much of a sweet tooth - I sway more on the savory side - except for a small piece of rich chocolate from time to time. Well, I have found the remedy for those oh so sinful cravings as well as a new creative outlet: homemade truffles. I came across this recipe from the Feb/March issue of Fine Cooking Magazine and its actually quite fun to make, as well as the perfect dessert for a dinner party.

First, make the Ganache, what will be the soft inside to your truffle (also can be used for hot cocoa and the foundation of a chocolate torte):

Basic Ganache
12oz semi-sweet chocolate (55-60% cocoa) coarsely chopped or broken into pieces
1 cup heavy cream

Grind the chocolate in a food processor until its reached the consistency of course meal, about 30 seconds. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the cream to the food processor and process until smooth, about 10 seconds. If not using right away, transfer the Ganache to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate.

Next, construct your truffles:

Truffles
Above recipe for Ganache
2 tbs. unsalted butter, softened
1 cup cocoa powder (preferably dutch processed); more as needed
8 oz of semi-sweet chocolate (about 1 1/2 cups)

Make the Ganache and add the butter to the warm Ganache while still in the food processor. Process until smooth, about 10 seconds. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Put the cocoa powder in a large bowl.

Using teaspoons, drop rounded heaping teaspoons of truffle mixture onto a large, parchment lined baking sheet.

When all of the truffles are scooped, dip them in the cocoa and use your palms to roll the truffles into smooth 1-inch balls. You are going to get messy! Keep the balls on the small side, since they are so rich (don't worry about making them perfect; slightly irregular truffles have an appealing homemade appearance). Transfer the truffles to the refrigerator.

Melt the chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl set in a small skillet of barely simmering water (or a double boiler if you have one), stirring occasionally until smooth. Transfer the bowl to a work surface.

Working in batches, use your fingers or a couple of forks to coat the truffles with the melted chocolate. Coat them with your topping of choice. My favorites: chopped nuts, coconut, and cocoa powder.

Let the truffles sit at room temp for at least 15 minutes before serving; this gives them the hard outside and soft inside texture. They also can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days (that is, if you can resist eating them!).

Enjoy!

You Can banQ On It

Rating: 5 forks

Yes, that is five forks (out of a possible five!). We made it to banQ this week for dinner, and it was simply put: spectacular. You may ask - like I did - how can a restaurant nail-it on week one? Well, I don't know, its rare, and they did it; restaurateurs, visit and take notes. The sexy and sophisticated space on Washington St in the South End, occupying the old Penny Savings Bank, is stunning, with panels of smooth banana wood (or birch, I have heard both) cut at varying lengths hanging from the ceiling to create a flowing wave effect, smooth table tops upon concrete floors, lots of straight lines with warm light throughout that all contribute to it's simple elegance (my favorite style).

The staff was very friendly, and our waitress and the service was perfect. As for the cuisine, categorized as French-inspired with a broad international influence, we enjoyed a few starters, kicked-off by their "bread" plate of warm naan-like patties. Next, a couple "small bites":

Soy Ginger Lamb Loin $5.50
Spring Roll with Roquefort glaze

Fire-Charred Sea Scallops $5.50
with Indian lentils

And from the appetizer menu:

Cumin Scented Green Pea Soup $9
soy ginger Monkfish wontons, straw potatoes

And for the main course, I selected:

Grilled Cod $26
dusted with morels, Pommery banana flower relish, lotus root Provencal, a green tea miso beurre blanc

And the beau feasted on:

A Braised Short Rib
Not listed on the Web site so I can't provide more detail for you!

WOW! Everything was spectacular! The cod was crispy on the outside and perfectly seared, and the lotus root was a delightful new side dish for my taste buds, while the generous portion of short rib was rich and sinful, eaten sans a knife of course. It's so great to see that the banQ Web site is finally live, complete with the menu. You must check it out.

The entrees are under $26, the portion size is liberal, and the drink menu is unique and fun. Another very welcome addition to Boston's South End, a neighborhood that's simply bursting with flavor. If you swing by banQ, please check back in and leave me your review in the comments section; I am so curious what the buzz is and if you agree with my rating!

banQ
1375 Washington st.
Boston, MA 02118   
617.451.0077
www.banqrestaurant.com
Valet: $16

New Menu at the Frank

The word on the street is the Franklin Cafe has a new menu. Great to see they kept some of my favs: Warm Napa Cabbage Salad, Garlic Grilled Calamari, Roasted Turkey Meatloaf. But there are so many new tasty additions, using the same fish and meat as before but with a new twist, like the salmon, cod and the pork (buttermilk? oink! but yum!). Here is the menu, and also on their Website:

APPS Oven Roasted Soup Rye Toast Point | $6

House Mixed Green Salad Jicama, Wasabi Peas, Lemon Citronette | $5

Green Goddess Salad Avocado Deviled Egg, Crispy Bacon, Romaine | $7

Local Scallop Rockefeller Spinach, Lemon, Watercress | $9

Ground Lamb Stuffed Lettuce Brown Rice, Raisins, Zesty Puree Tomato | $9

Warm Napa Cabbage Salad Apple-Wood Smoked Bacon & Blue Cheese | $8

Cambozola Tarte-Tatin Spiced Walnut & Black Grape Salad | $8

Garlic Grilled Calamari Basil Pesto, Baby White Beans, Citron Blanc | $8

Prince Edward Island Mussels Pernod, Scallion, Garlic, Herb | $9

ENTREES Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder House Made Pappardelle, Olives, Fresh Parsley | $18

Potato Ravioli Sausage Meatballs, Peas, Roasted Tomato Sauce | $17

Classic Steak Frites Port Demi Glace, Roquefort Butter | $19

Grilled Atlantic Salmon Parsnip Puree, Asparagus, Tarragon Jus | $18

Chicken With 20 Cloves Semi- Boneless Halved Chicken, Roast Garlic, Thyme | $18

Pan Seared Local Cod Oyster Mushrooms, Scallion, Ginger | $19

Crispy Duck Confit Smoked Sausage & White Baan Cassoulet, Local Cranberry | $19

Roasted Turkey Meatloaf Spiced Fig Gravy & Chive Mashed Potato | $17

Buttermilk Fried Pork Loin Garlic Collard Greens, Bourbon-Apple Gravy | $18 SIDES

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts $4

Mash Potato $3 Address The Franklin Café 278 Shawmut Ave. Boston, MA 02118 Hours Open Monday - Sunday Dinner: 5:30 - 1:30 Bar: 5:00 - 2:00 There is also a Gloucester location: The Franklin Cape Ann 118 Main St. Gloucester, MA 01930

Lemongrass Beef and Onions over Rice Vermicelli (Bun Bo)

Yesterday I was in the mood to break away from the same-old recipes for dinner. Don't get me wrong, we cook about 4-5 nights a week, and we are overall somewhat innovative with our creations; but, I was in the mood for something very different. So, I visited the recipe section on the Williams-Sonoma Web site, my recent go-to for fabulous and, to-date, flawless recipes, and I came across this: Bun Bo, Lemongrass Beef and Onions over Rice Vermicelli. This recipe, though the preparation is rather time consuming and could be mostly be prepped well in advance, is amazing and I cannot believe it came out of my kitchen (well, my neighbors, but that's another story!). For all the Asian ingredients, meat (I used sirloin steak but flank would be better), veggies, etc, I recommend Russo's Market in Watertown.

From the WS Web site:

Lemongrass Beef and Onions over Rice Vermicelli (Bun Bo)

This noodle salad is a signature dish of Vietnam. As is the case with many Vietnamese dishes, once the ingredients have been assembled, each diner mixes the dish at the table to his or her liking.

To make fried shallots, slice cloves into very thin, uniform slices, then separate the slices. In a small fry pan over medium heat, pour in vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch and heat to 325ºF on a deep-frying thermometer. Add the slices and fry until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper bag.

For the nuoc cham dipping sauce:
1 large garlic clove
1 fresh red chili, seeded
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
5 Tbs. fish sauce
3 Tbs. sugar
6 Tbs. water
2 Tbs. grated carrot

3/4 lb. dried rice vermicelli, soaked in
  warm water for 15 minutes
1 lb. beef chuck or flank, thinly sliced against
  the grain
3 lemongrass stalks, tender midsection
  only, finely minced
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 Tbs. fish sauce
1/2 tsp. sugar
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the salad:
4 cups finely shredded red or green-leaf lettuce
  or romaine lettuce
1/2 English cucumber, peeled and finely
  julienned
2 cups bean sprouts
1 carrot, peeled and finely grated
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh Thai basil
1/2 cup finely shredded fresh mint leaves

3 Tbs. vegetable oil, or as needed
1 large red onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
Fried shallots for serving (see note)

To make the dipping sauce, in a mortar, pound together the garlic and red chili with a pestle until pureed (or pass the garlic clove through a garlic press). Mix in the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and water and add the carrot. Set aside.

Bring a large saucepan three-fourths full of water to a boil over high heat. Drain the noodles, add to the boiling water, stir well and boil until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the noodles in a colander, rinse thoroughly with cold running water and drain again. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the beef, lemongrass, half of the garlic, the fish sauce, sugar and pepper. Mix well, cover and set aside.

To make the salad, in a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, carrot, basil and mint. Divide the salad evenly among 4 shallow bowls. Top each with an equal amount of the noodles. Set aside.

Preheat a wok or deep-fry pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the 3 Tbs. oil and the remaining garlic and stir-fry until light golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and stir-fry until the layers separate, about 30 seconds more. Push the onion and garlic up the sides of the pan. Add additional oil if the pan is dry. When the oil is hot, add a batch of the beef mixture and spread it over the bottom of the pan. Cook, without stirring, until the beef is nicely seared on the bottom, about 1 minute. Turn the beef over and sear the other side, about 1 minute more. Transfer the beef and onion to a plate. Fry the remaining beef mixture in batches.

When all of the beef is seared, return the beef and onion to the wok and toss for a few seconds to reheat. Spoon one-fourth of the beef-onion mixture over each salad. Garnish with the peanuts and fried shallots. Pour the dipping sauce into individual bowls.

To eat, each diner spoons the dipping sauce over his or her portion, to taste, then, using chopsticks, tosses together the noodles, salad and topping. Serves 4.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Savoring Series,Savoring Southeast Asia,by Joyce Jue (Time-Life Books, 2000).

January's Winter Warmer Menu @ Sage

I just received the newsletter from Sage restaurant, and their January Warmer Prix Fixe looks pretty tasty! The menu is available Sunday through Wednesday, for $26, excluding beverage and gratuity.... what a deal!

First
choice of

Chicken, Escarole & White Bean Soup
--
Mixed Greens, Pistachios, Warm Goat Cheese Triangle
--
Mushroom, Pancetta & Leek Tart

Second
choice of

Shellfish Cioppino, Roasted Fennel & Potatoes
--
Rigatoni Baked with Ricotta, Tomato & Basil
--
Braised Short Rib, Sausage & Duck Leg, Broccoli Rabe, Slow Roasted Tomato

Third
Formaggio Tasting

SAGE
1395 Washington Street
South End, Boston
617.248.8814
www.sageboston.com

More Info on BanQ Restaurant

I posted a while ago about banQ restaurant, the Asian-French restaurant soon to open in the former Penny Savings Bank building in the trendy SOWA neighborhood. I just want to call-out to all the eager foodies alike, that BanQ's informational Web site is live, with a bit more detail around the concept, the food, ambiance, & hours  (seems as thought they missed their early December opening). From the description on the site, it just may bring the lounge to the hood, as I had hoped. This description intrigues & excites me, can't wait to see if they live up to the hype:

Banq is divided into two segments: the front area on Washington Street will be the bar and lounge, while the larger space behind will serve as the main dining area.  The ceiling is covered by a Baltic birch wood-slatted system, providing an undulated canopy under which to dine.  The middle of the dining room will house a large structure reminiscent of a banyan tree which will serve as the wine cellar.  The restaurant’s natural color scheme will encompass different tones of taupe shading to umber and emerald tones.  As a testament to the incredible design of the space, Banq is featured in the October, 2007 issue of Gourmet Magazine.

BanQ
375 Washington Street
South End, Boston
617.451.0077
http://www.banqrestaurant.com/

A (Pre) B-Day Dinner @ Hamersley's

Rating: 4 forks

Tonight I dined at Hamersley's Bistro with my family for my birthday celebration (the real day is not 'til Wed, 12/12 but its a full week of holiday/birthday celebrations!). The meal was fantastic! I haven't been since the night I turned 21 (yes, 11 years ago, so do the calculation!) and had the first glass of "legal" wine with my Mom at a bow front window. This year, we shared a couple bottles of Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel and...

...as an app, my bro, Mom and I a each had:
Mixed Autumn Greens with Sherry Vinegar and Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil 11
… with Crispy Goat Cheese  14

My Dad's app:
Grilled Mushroom and Garlic Sandwich on Country Bread  15.50

And Mike had:
Rabbit Terrine with Prunes and Armagnac Compote
… Mustards and Toasts  12

And for dinner:

Me:
Fennel Dusted Seared Scallops with Braised Leeks, Pickled Pumpkin and Cider Vinaigrette  28

Mom:
Haddock and Clam Roast with Bacon Braised Greens, Big White Beans and Black Trumpet Mushrooms  26

Dad:
Rabbit Braised in Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms, Bacon and Pearl Onions  27

Mike:
Roast Chicken with Garlic, Lemon and Parsley  26

The service, the food, and the overall experience was fabulous; the ambiance is rather mellow with a classic French bistro flair; its definitely not a "scene" place, but the perfect spot, thats rich in history, to enjoy a dinner with friends and family. We will be back soon & thanks to my family for celebrating with me!

Holiday Party Menu - Comfort Food

We are throwing a holiday cocktail party this Tuesday night and am expecting about 20-25 of my colleagues and a few significant others to attend. The menu consists of some staple apps like a cheese and sausage plate with fresh figs & grapes, seared flank steak with carmelized onion and horseradish cream on mini toasts, and smoked salmon, dill, caper, & cream cheese "lollipops". However, I am testing out some comfort food tidbits, to help coat the bellies as we sip champagne splashed with pomegranate. Here are the new additions:

Italian Cocktail Meatballs with Herbs and Ricotta (above pic)
Ridiculous Truffle Mac & Cheese

I love testing out new recipes; if they are a flop, there's always pizza delivery :)

Happy *Belated* Thanksgiving!

The day was a total SUCCESS! The meal was spectacular, thanks to the help of my family... Wow, am I wiped. Check out some photos here, and more to come!

Thanksgiving Menu

And my 1st Thanksgiving menu is now final:

Hot toddy
Whiskey-spiked mulled apple cider

Small Dishes:
Carmelized onion, seared flank steak, horseradish cream on mini toasts
Smoked wild salmon, dill cream cheese, caper "spoons"
Goose liver pate, cornichon, toasted cracker
Assorted cheese

The Starter:
Maple butternut squash soup, fried sage, breadstick

The Main Dish:
Carlemized onion sweet potato gratin, pecan crumb
All American mashed potatoes (with "lumps", for Dad)
Truffled mashed potatoes
Green beans, brown butter, pecans
Perled onions, cream
Mom's Sausage stuffing
Butter massaged turkey, gravy

Dessert:
Mom's homemage apple pie, vermont cheddar
Traditional pumpkin pie

[image courtesy of lakejunaluska.com]

Announcing: Sip & Savor Blog

I am so excited to officially announce the launch of a new blog: Sip & Savor. It's the collaborative effort of myself and 5 fabulous friends (Zoe, Julie, Jess, Jessica, Amanda), and will feature recipes, wine recommendations, and restaurant reviews (TheDish will still live on!). Be sure to check back frequently for special foodie finds that are sure to help out with your holiday menus and entertaining.

Brix Annual Port and Chocolate Tasting

Tonight BRIX wine shop is holding their (free) Annual Port and Chocolate Tasting, featuring Taza's Stone Ground Organic Chocolate, made in a chocolate studio in Somerville, paired with Ramos Pinto, including their 20 Year Tawny. I have one word: YUM!!! I will not be able to make the event tonight, but I beg one of my readers to attend and let me know how it is!

 

BRIX
1284 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
617.542.BRIX (2749)
brixwineshop@verizon.net

Mela

Rating: 4 forks

The South End's cry for tasty Indian cuisine has finally been answered: Mela. Located on Tremont Street, occupying the former space of The Nightingale and situated next to Metropolis, this little nook of a space is pleasantly designed with warm shades of rose and red, long mesh curtains seeping light through the over-sized street-level windows, cream bulbous light fixtures, and an ornate copper wall. We had a romantic table-for-two, tucked in the far corner.

The friendly waitress brought over a complimentary tasting from the chef: fried cauliflower in a tangy, spicy sauce. From the well-priced menu, as an appetizer, we shared the Mustard Lamb ($13), consisting of three lollipops served with mint chutney and a spicy brown sauce. As an entree, I had my signature Tikka Masala dish, diced boneless, white meat chicken tandoori style and cooked in rich tomato cream sauce ($16). Mike enjoyed his favorite Beef Biryani, comprised of basmati rice and spicy beef chunks cooked with nuts and flavored with saffron ($14). I recommend a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio to wash down the "medium" spice, which was definitely on the spicier side of the medium scale.

The meal was spectacular and the service was impeccable. I can see how it may get very loud in the tiny space, and the limited seating may yield quite a wait. Regardless, I strongly recommend a visit, and am eager to try out the Sunday brunch buffet.

Mela
578 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02118
617.859.4805

banQ: The Next New Kid on the Block

Us South Enders are always asking: who will be the next "new kid on the block" eatery to take the South End foodie survival test? This year, we have seen a few newbies captivate out attention and tantalize our taste-buds: Rocca, Gaslight, Sage (a transplant), and Meyers + Chang. Well, next up: banQ (site coming soon now live). Currently with construction well under way, and set to open very soon, this French restaurant with an Asian twist will occupy 6,600 sq/ft of the old Penny Savings Bank, located on the corner of Union Street and Washington Street. Perched above the restaurant will be boutique residential condos, and to the right, another suitable fit, a CitiBank branch.

banQ is co-owned by Hemant Chowdry, formerly of Mantra, and Mark Raab of the SoWa Restaurant Group (or that's my understanding to date, though I have read some conflicting content). I am eager to see if this large space will offer a bit of a lounge atmosphere (we all know what happened to Mantra!), if done tastefully, would attract the hip, fashion forward SoWa/So End crowd and would be a refreshing change to the existing restaurant mix.

If anyone has any more specifics, please let me know!

banQ
22 Union Park St.
Penny Savings Bank
South End, Boston

Alibi

This weekend was girls weekend, and I finally had the chance to check out Alibi with the ladies, located on the ground floor of the historical Charles Street Jail that closed its doors in 1990, underwent $150 mm in renovations and opened as the swanky Liberty Hotel just a few months ago. On Charles St. in Beacon Hill, in close proximity to Mass General Hospital, Alibi is the latest hot spot attracting Boston yuppies, 30-somethings, and socialites alike.

The space was once a cellblock, apparent immediately when you walk in: original iron bars & cell doors, bricks, small rooms, and even framed mug shots of famous celebrities in the slammer (Paris, Lindsay, etc). It's a cool spot, unique in character, but definitely has a few drawbacks. First, it was packed at the bar, with very little wiggle room, but there was ample standing room and seating in the back rooms; yet, there still was a huge line out front. Rather annoying. (Take note: we arrived at 9 or so, and managed to just miss the long line that snaked around the boutique hotel's entrance soon thereafter.) And secondly, this place has a few too many nooks n' crannies. If you are with a group, and just want to chill out with your friends or colleagues after work for a drink, then the low couches and stools in one of the small rooms is fine. If you want to socialize and take-in some quality people watching, it's not quite the place. And finally, there is no food. To a foodie, and probably to most folks enjoying cocktails, thats a huge drawback, and simply rather bizarre.

We are headed to Clink, the restaurant upstairs above Alibi, in a couple weeks, so I'll have another review to share.

Alibi - The Liberty Hotel
215 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
617.224.4000
http://www.libertyhotel.com

<photo courtesy of Boston.com>

El Triunfo

Rating: 4 forks

I must have driven by this hole-in-the wall Mexican joint a million times without noticing it; in fact, it wasn't until I complained that there is no good Mexican in these parts that a friend opened my eyes to this gem: El Triunfo. It's an itsy bitsy taqueria, thats been recently remodeled, located a mere couple blocks from me, on East Berkley Street in SoWa. I think there are a couple 2-tops inside, but the primary business is take-out, I assume servicing the mix of artists, business-folk, and construction workers during the weekday lunch hour. Just dont go there for a sit down dining experience; you'll be disappointed.

The space is clean with ornate, brightly painted walls, the counter service is uber-fast, its cheap, and the ingredients are fresh and dishes are made to order. I chose a chicken burrito with everything (not sure what "everything" is but it was tasty) and black beans. Yum! They even packaged it nicely in one of those thermo bags to trap in the heat.

This foodie was pleasantly surprised to learn - after all that complaining - a killer Mexican eatery was just around the corner.

Check out the menu here.

El Triunfo
147 E Berkeley St
Boston, MA 02118
617.542.8499

A Warm Welcome to Myers + Chang

Rating: 4 forks

"Dragons Make Nice Pets"

"The Great Wall of China is one big ASS wall...
But, is it great?!?"

These are the writings on the wall - literally - at SoWa's freshest restaurant, Myers + Chang. I finally dropped in to pay them a visit this past Sunday, early evening. I dined solo, Phantom Gourmet style, at the high tops facing Washington Street and the East Berkley Silverline stop. This is a "colorful" place to be seated, as passersby from The Pine Street Inn are commonplace. The inside space was larger than I expected, and  was bustling when I arrived at 6pm, and packed when I left about an hour later. The room has a funky diner feel, with 50's era white leather chairs around simple tables, chrome high-top tables towards the front half of the space, street light accent lamps, a mosaic floor, and paper menus and place-mats that appear to be actual Chinese newspapers. The second, back half of the restaurant, features an open-air kitchen with bar seating in front. The music was rockin', people were chatting, and it was quite a lively scene with a great vibe.

Christopher Myers himself was making his rounds, asking guests if they were enjoying their meal and their experience, clearing tabletops, and he even delivered my meal. I just went in for a taste, as I was SO eager to check it out and not patient enough to wait to dine with friends! The waitstaff, sporting unique vests with splattered paint and Chinese writing, were undeniably a tad mystified and green, as to be expected at the new joint on the block; I was fine with it, and Meyers was there to smooth out any bumps if needed. I ordered a signature favorite of mine, the Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($9). The sauce was a tad heavy, but overall the dish was very tasty and the perfect size for the not-too-hungry me, and I washed it down with a chilled glass of Prosecco, pleasantly served in a stemless flute. I glanced around frequently, and the other diner's meal selections looked fresh and quite appealing.

All dishes are under $17 but are designed as "tastings", so expect to get a couple per person. Additionally, they have a  beer and wine (including Sake) license only. Take-out is available and delivery is coming soon.

I can't wait to go back, as I really loved the overall experience. Its unparalleled in Boston, and a warm welcome to my burgeoning SoWa neighborhood.

Myers + Chang
1145 Washington St
South End, Boston
617.542.5200
http://myersandchang.com

Stella is Expanding!

I was chatting with Michael, the bar manager at Stella, last evening at a cocktail party and he informed me that Stella is expanding & construction is already underway! They have acquired the space next to the restaurant and are adding a new bar, a fireplace (perfect for the ensuing winter months), and a cafe that will open at 5AM, featuring Italian coffees & pastries. Additionally, the Fall menu should be making its debut in a week or 2.

Update: Myers & Chang

I have an update on the opening of the new Chinese, soon-to-be-hotspot, eatery in the South End. Myers & Chang, brought to us by Christopher Myers (Radius, Via Matta and Great Bay) and his fiancée Joanne Chang (Flour) is opening this Monday the 17th! I heard that all the dishes are going to be under $13 and will be void of gels, powders, and gooey sauces. Thank God for that.

See you Monday?

Myers & Chang
1145 Washington St.
South End, Boston
617.532.5300. Opens Monday, 9.17.07

Gaslight: A Welcome Addition

Rating: 4 forks

I am always hesitant to try a restaurant on opening night, or opening week for that matter; much like refusing to buy a first-generation product like the iPhone, I typically want the new kids on the block to have chance to work the kinks out. However, with Gaslight (website is now live), I knew that this eatery was brought to us by some very seasoned restaurateurs (Aquitaine Group), and by now, they should know how to open a restaurant.

And they did with Gaslight. This is a real brasserie: open space (bar & restaurant); boisterous atmosphere; simple but hearty fare; reasonable prices (<$20/entree); open late (serve food 'til 1:30AM 7 days/wk); and even dressed with authentic striped French table napkins. From the main dinner menu, I had Calamares Grille with cracked picholines olives, arugula ($7.50) as a starter, which was light and flavorful, and as an entree Sauteed Skate with haricots verts and caper beurre noisette ($18.00), which would have been spectacular had they omitted some of the overpowering, additional salt in the sauce. Mike had Escargots de Bourgoune with garlic and parsley ($7.50), always a treat, and Gigot d’ AgAgneau Rôti with garlic, herbs and pommes morbier ($17.50) - a traditional lamb dish- which he appeared to really enjoy. Zoe had the Salade Frisee  with chevre boucheron, black olives and braised leeks ($6.75), which she too commented on the excess salt, but seemed to enjoy her Saumon Filet garlic braised escarole and lemon confit ($18.50), light and healthy. And Jay had the same calamari salad as I had and enjoyed it equally, but went with the classic Bar steak with caramelized shallots and mustard cream sauce ($16.50), a flank steak that he claims rivals the best-of-the-best in Boston.

The cocktail list is fun, featuring cocktails with unique ingredients like Pimms and Lillet Blanc. And the dessert menu and after dinner drink list is very impressive, though difficult to tackle after a full meal. I am jazzed to have this new neighborhood addition just a stones throw from my home, and can see it becoming a regular destination for meeting-up with friends or catching a quick meal.

The Capital Grille meets Red Lobster?

WHAT?!? According the this Boston Globe piece, Darden Restaurants Inc., the operator of the chain restaurants Olive Garden and Red Lobster, is acquiring Rare Hospitality International Inc., the company that owns the The Capital Grille steakhouses, for $1.19 billion.

Okay, does this concern you as much as it concerns me? Not that I frequent The Capital Grille much, and I personally prefer Grill 23, but Capital has always been a solid upscale steak house that fits in well on swanky Newbury St.; that says a lot. Even though it is a chain, it lacks that chain experience that's characteristic of places like Red Lobster and the Olive Garden (not that I have been but I don't need to to justify that assumption!). I was actually shocked to find out that Rare Hospitality also runs the Longhorn Steakhouse, another chain (that I have not been to). Hopefully this new ownership can continue to mask that crippling chain restaurant feel; otherwise, Capital will become just another link.

Gaslight - Opening Night