Category Archives: Cocktails

Monday’s at Pigalle

Posted on October 29, 2012 | 1 comment

Pigalle is a cozy French restaurant that straddles Boston’s Theater District and Bay Village. It has a reputation as a great place for a quiet, romantic dinner.  However, in the summer, Chef Marc Orfaly decided it was time to jazz up the place (literally) so each Monday, a jazz band plays while the kitchen serves food from only the bar menu.

Last Monday, I was invited to sample the new bar menu with my friend and food blogger, 40-Something Life.  The Pigalle bar menu offers a wide variety with items ranging from $1 casino clams to a $39 for Sirloin Steak Frites au Poivre (most items are $5 – $15).  Shown below: Smoked Trout Fried Rice ($12) and Asian-Style Tacos ($7).

Pigalle BostonThe smoked trout fried rice comes in Chinese take-out containers and was one of my favorite menu items. Along with the rice and trout Chef Orfaly includes sausage, leeks and ginger.  The delicious tacos shown above are with duck but the fall menu will serve these with pulled pork.

If you’d prefer shellfish, the Clams Casino ($1 ea), served on a bed of salt stuffed with chunks of bacon and buttery panko crumbs are fragrant enough to make you salivate, but beware these are served hot and can be hard to handle.  A cooler option I preferred are the local oysters served on the half shell (note on Friday’s these are $1 each at the bar). Pigalle BostonIf you would like something more hearty the burger and shepherd’s pie (shown below) are worth sinking your teeth into. The burger is topped with sharp cheddar, caramelized and fried onions that add plenty of flavor and a bit of crunch. The beef, short ribs shepherd’s pie is a must try. It comes served in a hot skillet perfectly seasoned, although I would have loved it if the mashed potatoes were more crispy on top. Pigalle BostonThe bar menu includes other tempting options such as salads, fried artichoke hearts, Malaysian-style chicken wings, etc… Mix up your routine, enjoy Pigalle’s bar menu and live music on Monday nights. Don’t believe me? Check out my friend’s 40-Something Life review.

Pigalle is located at 75 Charles Street South (617) 423-4944

 

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The Boston Cocktail Summit Oct 4-6 2012

Posted on October 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Cocktail enthusiasts rejoice!  The Boston Cocktail Summit, the first-ever city-wide cocktail event will take place October 4-6, 2012.

Part convention, part festival, the 3-day celebration known as The Boston Cocktail Summit features Boston’s cocktail culture and highlights the city’s fascinating history of mixology, breweries, wineries, and distilleries, while offering educational programs for professionals and amateurs alike.  All told there are approximately 75 official events.

The Boston Phoenix does an excellent job helping thirsty summit goers figure out what is available in their article Booze Your Own Adventure.Boston Phoenix Cocktail Summit Decision TreeWant to learn more? Purchase tickets to one of the events? Visit the event website, BostonCocktailSummit.com.

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Urban Grape South End opens this week

Posted on September 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Urban Grape South EndLater this week, on Thursday – September 20th to be precise, the South End will welcome a new business to the neighborhood.  The Urban Grape will open a second location at 303 Columbus Avenue between Clarendon and Dartmouth Streets.

This wine shop, which has called Chestnut Hill home, first leaked they would be opening a second location earlier this year.  In recent weeks they have been sharing photos of the progress inside.

I have one thing to say to The Urban Grape, “Cheers!”

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BosGuy says, “Lets have a kiki”

Posted on September 14, 2012 | 2 comments

drink upThe work week is officially ovah… O-V-A-H!

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Best Summer Beers

Posted on July 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

PeakLast week The Huffington Post had an interesting article on the best summer beers. I enjoy a cold beer in the summer so I thought I’d check out their list.  I had not tried many of them but one of my favorite beers, Peak Organic Summer Session made the list.

Peak Organic Brewing Company describes the beer as a traditional summer wheat beer that marries a West Coast pale ale. I describe it as a light ale that has  a citrus-like aftertaste and very refreshing.

If you too like these mindless, totally entertaining articles you can see the full list of suggested beers here.

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Crewmen and Company

Posted on May 3, 2012 | 2 comments

BosGuyI love this.  While I’m sure these guys get their share of bachelorette parties, they would do good business working gay cocktail parties here in Boston.  Unfortunately, Crewmen & Company is only in Toronto, although they are expanding to Montreal soon. Maybe Boston can be next?  Just a suggestion guys.

Anyone familiar with this company or used them before?

I love how they describe their services “We are charming, attractive, topless waiters and bartenders. We come in two flavors: Classy and Sassy. As hired help we take the pressure off hosting an event and we do it with a smile.” While their current staff is quite handsome, they definitely err on the side of twink. Maybe overtime they can expand and find guys more in line with my Furry Friday types.

You can read more about Crewmen & Co. here

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Posted in Cocktails, Gay

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Opus Affair social tonight

Posted on April 9, 2012 | 1 comment

Looking for something fun to do tonight? Are you aware of tonight’s event hosted by Opus Affair? They will be hosting their monthly cocktails reception at Back Bay’s Speakeasy / Nightclub, Storyville, located in the space previously occupied by Saint at 90 Exeter Street.

Who is Opus Affair?

Opus Affair is an informal social group mostly comprised of artists and art enthusiasts / patrons in their 20s and 30s.  It is a very social and friendly group who have made me (a 40-something) feel very welcome when I’ve attended in the past.

Monday 6-9PM Storyville at 90 Exeter Street

Tonight’s program at Storyville is one part social and one part fundraiser.  Opus Affair asks that you RSVP (no cost) and encourages you to vote ($10 per vote) for one of three charities.  One of these three charities names will be drawn during the social and receive the amount raised by votes for tonight’s event. There is more information about these charities and to RSVP here.

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Restaurant review: Masa

Posted on January 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Masa is a restaurant in Boston’s South End which has stood the test of time (first opening back in 1999).  Because of its location near where Tremont Street crosses over the Mass Pike, I often overlook or forget about this restaurant with a southwestern inspired menu.   The dining room can get quite loud but oversized booths along the far side of the restaurant can provide a more private (less jostling) dining experience.

Masa’s dinner menu is divided into “First Course” with most options between $8-$14 and “Main Course” with most options between $18-$30.   They have a collection of tempting cocktails and some tasty appetizers which can boost one’s bill, but based on our recent dining experience – it was money well spent.  We enjoyed a delicious meal courtesy of Chef Philip Aviles and were well attended by our waiter, Shawn, who I have to credit with suggesting I try the hibiscous caipirinha ($12).  Props must also go to their bartender Greg Neises for creating this cocktail.  It’s been a hit since it was first introduced to their drink menu in the summer of 2010.  (PHOTO: Joeal Veak)

Photographed below is the dinner special – pork chop with ranchero tomato salsa, grilled baby corn, large chile onion rings, and garlic whipped potato for $26.95. And a signature dish at Masa, blackened rare ahi tuna steak on yellow mole and accompanied by potatoes and wild mushrooms for $24.95.  Both meals were very flavorful and filling.  The only knock against the food was the seafood special (not shown) it was so light and the portions so much smaller that the couple who ordered this left Masa still a bit hungry. By contrast the portions shown below were large and heavy enough that we were sated.Masa is not the place one visits for a serious conversation or a romantic “date night” but it offers a creative menu filled with options that tempt both in liquid and solid form.  If you have not tried Masa (or in our case if it has been a few years), I’d encourage you to give the place a try.  They also have a boisterous bar filled with several options again in liquid and solid form sure to tempt you.

Masa is located in Boston’s South End at 439 Tremont Street

Reservations are highly recommended.  Tel: (617) 338-8884

Masa on Urbanspoon

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Celebrate Repeal Day

Posted on December 5, 2011 | 3 comments

Seventy-eight years ago on December 5th, 1933 the 21st Amendment was passed repealing the 18th Amendment (a.k.a. prohibition), which makes Monday, Repeal Day.  Go out and celebrate the passing of the 21st Amendment (one of my  favorites) by ordering yourself a classic cocktail.

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Cocktail Sunday

Posted on November 13, 2011 | 1 comment

Sad Sunday has already arrived and don’t want to think about the inevitable Monday morning blues?  There are two events today that can make you forget all about tomorrow (and by forget I mean black out).

The dbar Harvest Tea Dance (4Pm – 8PM) will gather an early crowd of mostly gay men looking for an excuse to get out, chat with friends and listen to KISS 108 disc jockey “Gay Jim” play a heavy rotation of dance music.  There is no cover for the fall – sorry – “Harvest” party so bring your friends but arrive early since parking can be a royal pain in the you know what.

LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) is hosting a cocktail party at the House of Blues from 5PM – 11PM.  The event includes cocktails, comedy, Prince tribute band LoveSexy and a Left bank (Cambridge) – Right bank (Boston) bartender competition.  Cost: $50

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Cool cocktails

Posted on November 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Each Wednesday my local wine shop, Brix, hosts local mixologists to come in and make interesting cocktails you can sample, then make at your home.  This week’s guest was the bar manager from Eastern Standard, Kevin Martin.

Kevin is a friendly and approachable and both drinks are his own personal creations, but can be made by anyone at Eastern Standard upon request.  Thanks to Kevin taking time to show me how to make the drink, now you too can learn to make two equally delicious but very different exotic cocktails.

Drink 1: Equinox                                                                                                                              This cocktail definitely screams “Autumn” with its hints of apple and spices.         1.5 ounces  Daron Fine Calvados                                                                                              3/4 ounce Fresh lemon juice                                                                                                           3/4 ounce Spiced Syrup                                                                                                                   Dash of Angostura Bitters                                                                                               Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice and shake.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Drink 2: Houdini Cocktail                                                                                                                This is a great cocktail for gin lovers.                                                                                     1.5 ounces Bols Genever                                                                                                              3/4 ounce Benedictine                                                                                                                   3/4 Cocchi Americano                                                                                                                    Dash of orange bitters                                                                                                                       Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and stir. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

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