Category Archives: Dining

Last week Aquitaine Boston reopened with a Bastille Day celebration that Sergio and I attended. After closing earlier this year to renovate the 20 year old restaurant, their opening was highly anticipated to say the least. The most notable changes to the restaurant include a private dining section in the space formerly occupied by the tiny wine bar and moving the redesigned 11-seat pewter bar to the left of the newly monogrammed floor entrance.

The restaurant is much lighter. The black and burgundy color scheme has been replaced by French oak paneling and brass antique lighting, but perhaps the most appreciated change by patrons will be the second bathroom. Aquitaine has proposed a 14-seat outdoor patio but that may not be a reality until next summer. The menu remains largely the same, with the exception that their lunch special, featuring many of their plates for $12.95 is not currently being offered.

Sergio & Chef Chef Bob Krajewski

Plat du Jour

Aquitaine Bar courtesy of Aquitaine Boston

Aquitaine monogrammed entrance courtesy of Aquitaine Boston

One of the South End’s most popular restaurants, Aquitaine, closed for renovations back on February 21st. Shortly after closing they papered their over-sized windows to hide the work being done but soon that paper will come down and their doors will be open for business.

Although their website indicates a Monday, June 20th opening, rumor has it that Aquitaine Boston is targeting June 15th. Regardless, I can hardly wait to see the newly remodeled space and want to wish them all the best. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End, and I have missed Aquitaine over these last 3+ months.

Last fall I wrote about Bar Mezzana’s opening in the Ink Block’s Sepia Building. At the time the projected spring opening seemed so far off it was hard to imagine, but fast forward 6 months and tomorrow on Wednesday, June 1 Bar Mezzana opens to the public adding another Italian dining option to the n’hood.

Friends and Family nights were well received and the hype is building for the 130 seat (and 40-seat outdoor patio) restaurant that has ties to one of the South End’s favorite chefs, Barbara Lynch. Time will tell where Bar Mezzana sits in the pantheon of great South End restaurants but I wish them luck and look forward to trying the neighborhood’s newest restaurant.

Bar Mezzana
360 Harrison Avenue (at the Ink Block)
www.barmezzana.com

Kava Neo Taverna is opening their doors for their South End neighbors to stop by and enjoy the neighborhood’s newest restaurant from 6-9PM tonight.

When I stopped by to talk to the team busy at work, it sounded like they were hoping to be open for dinner daily as early as tomorrow, but I still don’t see the restaurant listed for reservations on Open Table so be sure to check back.

Kava Neo Taverna is located across from the South End Buttery on the corner of Union Park and Shawmut in the South End.

For those who love all things Italian (but especially the food), the Taste of the North End is a fun, casual event worth checking out on Friday, April 29th from 7 to 10 p.m. at Steriti Memorial Park in the North End of Boston.

Purchase Tickets to Taste of the North End

Participants in this year’s Taste of the North End include: Accardi & Son; Albert A. Russo Imports, Inc.; Antico Forno; Terramia; Aragosta; Aria Trattoria; Artu; Bricco; Mare; Il Panino; Cafe Paradiso; Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop; Espresso Plus; Filippo; Gennaro; Il Molo; Lucia; J. Pace & Son; La Summa; Lilly Pasta; Lucca; Mamma Maria; Massimino; Mike’s Pastry; Modern Pastry; Neptune Oyster; Paul W. Marks; Piantedosi Baking; Prezza; Rocco’s Cucina & Bar; Sail Loft; Strega; Taranta; The Living Room; Tresca; Union Oyster House; Vito’s; Carmelina’s; Ward 8; Fabrizia Limoncello; Fantasy Wines; Voga Italia Wines; Champy; and Harpoon Brewery.

Tickets are on sale for $79, but the price will increase in just a few days. Starting on April 16th tickets will be $99 so purchase your tickets today.

312 Shawmut Avenue – South End, Boston

Kava Neo Taverna is a neighborhood Greek restaurant that is patiently waiting for the city to allow it to open in their new home located on the corner of Union Park and Shawmut Avenue in the South End across from the South End Buttery.

Over the past couple months I have been able to meet and talk to the team behind this new restaurant, that I will admit I’m excited to have opening. They were gracious enough to send me a few photos of some of the items you can expect to find on their menu when they open.  Think of this as a feast for your eyes and something to tempt you until they open.

Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves with rice)

Small Plate Options: Patates Lemonates (potatoes, lemon, oregano and olive oil);
Elies (olives, olive oil and oregano);
Spanakopita (spinach pie)

Kolokithakia (zucchini chips with scordalia)

Horiatiki (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, feta cheese, oregano, and olive oil)

καλή όρεξη

Last week I was so happy to read that the popular (and incredibly delicious) Kendall Square pizzeria, Emma’s Pizza, is planning to open a new spot (yet to be named) in the space previously occupied by Mangia on Columbus Avenue.

The Boston Restaurant Talk blog writes, “Based on early information, it looks like the new place will be a satellite location focusing mainly on takeout and delivery (slices will be offered as well as whole pies), with counter seating inside and some additional patio seating outdoors during the warmer months.”

www.emmaspizza.com

Yamato II on Boylston Street in the Back Bay is easy to miss if you aren’t looking down. The subterranean restaurant serves up all you can sushi seven days a week, but I had never heard of it until we were introduced to it a few weeks ago, when friends of ours invited us to join them.

I love sushi but since Sergio doesn’t like it I rarely eat it.  Fortunately, Yamato II serves up a lot of non-sushi options so even non-sushi enthusiasts like Sergio can really enjoy themselves. Since the photos I snapped don’t do the food justice I’ve opted to use the photo below from the restaurant’s website to give you a peek at some of the tempting things you can order.

The all you can eat sushi is $17.50 for lunch and $25 for dinner (Sunday through Thursday).  It is a few dollars more for dinner on Friday and Saturdays but regardless of when you go it is a great deal for sushi lovers.  Yamato also has a second location on 117 Chiswick Road in Brighton, MA.

Yamato II
545 Boylston Street (in Copley Square)
857-250-4473