Category Archives: Restaurant Review

Davio’s has been operating in Boston since 1985.  It moved from Newbury Street ten years ago in 2003 to Park Square where it has continued to thrive despite recent economic troubles which is impressive since most plates range from $30 – $45.  I’ve always liked the oval shaped bar in the Park Square location but had not dined there in quite a while so in the spirit of ‘research’ I co-opted a friend to join me for dinner.

Davio’s hallmark is their steaks and service, but on this visit we experienced neither. We were both craving carbs, and our perpetually befuddled server, while very polite, was too overwhelmed to be of much service.

We started our meal with salads and my friend’s beet salad ($13) was so nicely plated that I was a tad envious when it was served. Unfortunately, my photos don’t do it justice so I’d direct you to The Boston Globe photo.  Despite the gorgeous plating of the beet salad, I preferred my Baby Arugula Salad with shaved Parmigiano, lemon infused olive oil ($10).

Following our salads, we opted for carbs over protein.  Shown below is the Mezzaluna dish ($25) that I had which was a half moon shaped ravioli-like pasta stuffed with Buratta cheese.  The slightly sweet sauce was offset by the artichokes, grilled leeks and diced tomatoes. My friend ordered a half portion of the Lobster Risotto ($16). Although the photo of the risotto looks washed out the dish was creamy and rich, something I’ld enjoy when it is a bit colder.

Despite the questionable service, I’m still a fan of Davio’s even if I’m not a regular.  I also know that the staff is well trained and our experience was a fluke rather than the rule.  Davio’s also has locations in MA in Chestnut Hill, Lynnfield and Foxborough as well as outside New England in Philadelphia and Atlanta.

Davio’s – 75 Arlington Street, Boston – 617.617.4810

Ginger Exchange opened their second location by Symphony Hall at 250 Huntington Ave earlier this past summer. Self-described as a “fresh Asian kitchen”, I thought it was a comfortable and affordable option for dinner.  As with so many Asian menu’s it goes on forever so in lieu of my usual description, visit their website for details, gingerexchange.com.

We started with the Crab Rangoon ($5.95) followed by the Original Pad Thai with chicken and shrimp ($10.95).  I was sharing dinner with Sergio so I refrained from ordering any of the chef’s specialty rolls, but there were many sushi options on the menu that caught my eye – perhaps next time.

The Crab Rangoon come six to an order and were served warm. The crispy wonton and cream cheese were slightly addicting and a good start to our dinner.  The Pad Thai that followed also proved to be very satisfying.  If I wasn’t sharing this plate I would have preferred some hot sauce / oil to bring more zip to the plate, but otherwise I thought it was very tasty.

Ginger Exchange has a full bar. They are located across the street from Symphony Hall and just a few doors down from the Huntington Theater Company and NEC’s Jordan Hall, making it a good option either before or after catching a show / performance.

Ginger Exchange – 250 Huntington Ave, Boston – 617.867.9999

Since Boston Chops opened in March, I’ve been a regular at their bar.  I first reviewed Boston Chops menu last March, and I offered a review of the restaurant’s brunch menu in June 2013.

On this visit, Boston Chops was offering Chateaubriand. I have never tried this famously tender cut of meat and since this reoccurring house special is ideal to share; served as four thick cuts totaling 20 oz. Sergio and I decided that in the name of ‘research’ for my blog we’d give it a try.

Below is an image of my half of the serving; 10 ounces of what turned out to be incredibly tender and flavorful meat. I rarely order red meat but would suggest this to any meat lover. Our waiter, Chris, followed protocol suggesting a Bearnaise sauce, but the meat really needed nothing to accompany it. However, I will admit the Peppercorn sauce Sergio requested did taste great alongside the crispy french fries that were served.

Ordering the Chateaubriand is a splurge at $85, but when shared, it is similar in cost per serving to the restaurant’s 8 ounce Filet Mignon but even more tender.

Boston Chops  – 1375 Washington Street – 617.227.5011

Abby Lane is a 200-seat restaurant and bar located in the heart of Boston’s Theater District at 255 Tremont Street.  It opened in November 2012 to much fanfare with a sleek new interior that was designed by HGTV designer and Massachusetts native, Taniya Nayak. Chef Jason Santos who is still perhaps best known for his time on television’s popular cooking competition, Hell’s Kitchen, is the executive chef.

The menu at Abby Lane offers a bit of something for everyone but with only approximately a half dozen main plates, we turned our attention to the rest of the menu that is divided into small plates, soups & salads, sandwiches & burgers and pizzas. With some helpful tips from the bar staff we settled on the Shitake and Goat Cheese Pizza ($13) and the Abby Burger ($14).

While the bar was comfortable and the staff helpful and friendly, we both agreed that the food was not memorable.  Even though the pizza looked delicious when served, the crust was bland and the toppings lacked the flavors we expected. The burger also looked delicious, served with fried onion rings and toppings piled high but unfortunately the bun was a bit stale, the ground beef lacked the grilled flavor I had hoped for and tasted a bit dry.

Despite a disappointing dinner, the look and location of Abby Lane ensure that it will be quite successful, serving crowds each evening that come for a quick bite either before or after attending a show at one of the Theater District’s many play houses.  I’m just not sure that I’ll be among them in the future.

Abby Lane — 255 Tremont Street — 617.451.2229

This past July Aaron Krug opened 3 Squares at 669 Highland Avenue in Needham, MA.  Krug remodeled the space so nicely you’d be hard pressed to recognize the building was once a Bickfords.  Three Squares, which takes its name from the concept of having three square meals a day, is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you live nearby or are looking for a convenient place to meet in the area, try this comfortable, family friendly restaurant that mostly caters to local residents. Dinner plates range from an affordable $12 for a plate of their Truffle Mac & Cheese to their most pricey item, Pan Seared Salmon for $18.

We started our dinner with the 3 Squares Chopped Salad ($11.50) which is large enough to split or have as a main plate. We ate only half of the salad before trying the Pesto Arancini ($6.99) that are shown above. The pesto, if added, was so subtle that I’d suggest either adding more or renaming it.  Regardless, these fried balls of risotto and cheese were satisfying and great for sharing.

The dinner menu includes a combination of fish, meats and pastas with a selection of burgers that looked good.  However we opted to try the Braised Short Rib Pappardelle ($13.99) and the Baked Atlantic Cod ($14.99).  The braised short rib made the pappardelle a heartier plate – probably better for the upcoming fall weather than the summer.  Far lighter – and better in my opinion – for a dinner on a warm summer night was the cod.

In the name of research, we sampled two desserts from 3 Squares menu; Star Spangled Berry Shortcake and Adam’s Apple ($6.95 each). I loved the presentation of the shortcake and the warm apple dessert was delicious.  I was rather proud of myself for showing restraint by not devouring all the melting whipped topping as it oozed into the apple and sharing with Sergio.

The second location of Five Horses Tavern at 535 Columbus Avenue in the South End opened a little more than two weeks ago, and this past weekend I stopped by for lunch.  Extensive renovations by Owner Dylan Welsh, GM Sarah Hanson and Chef Aaron Parsons have transformed the space. With the kitchen now in the basement, Five Horses Tavern can seat 74 inside and 20 on their patio in good weather.

The redesigned space will give you pause upon entry. You’ll first notice the new bar featuring 40 taps that seats 11 followed by a comfortable dining area filled with tables and booths. The decor has rich colors like hunter green walls, dark brown molding and exposed brick. The large windows facing Columbus Avenue helps to make the space feel open so the effect is more cozy than cramped.The menu is exactly what I would like to see more of in the South End (and especially in SoWa). It is filled with comfort food created with a twist that makes it distinctly their own and priced so one can visit again and again. The menu’s most expensive item is $19 but most items range between $11 – $18.

Chef Parsons has some favorite ingredients that reappear through out the menu. Leveraging the abundance of lobsters in Boston, he has four plates that include this crustacean. Pork belly, avocado and spicy ingredients like chilies and jalapenos also appear repeatedly on the menu.

We started with the Grilled Brie ($10), served with frisee, pomegranate seeds and honeyed almonds sprinkled with togarshi for additional flavor. The brie nicely spread over the lightly toasted bread, and I layered the frisee and almonds with the cheese to enjoy all the flavors and textures this plate offered.

Sergio ordered the Fried Chicken Sammy sandwich ($12) with a side of cheddar jalapeno mashed potatoes (as shown above). The sandwich was very satisfying and the potatoes lived up to their hype, but the wilted greens under the chicken and the bland bun could be improved upon.

I opted for the Tuna Tacos (3 for $16) served on flour tortillas with greens, jicama, avocado, and a blood orange chili glaze. These proved to be addicting. Upon biting into the taco I first tasted the blood orange glaze but the flavors of the seared tuna and shichimi dusting quickly follow. I loved the tacos and will definitely order these again.

Five Horses Tavern is a neighborhood pub that serves some delicious (and affordable) food with a friendly and knowledgeable waitstaff. Our server, Richelle, proved to be very helpful which only enhanced what turned out to be a favorable first visit to Five Horses Tavern. I’d suggest giving the South End’s newest restaurant a try.

Five Horses Tavern – 535 Columbus Ave. – 617.936.3930

Last weekend Boston Chops opened for brunch.  The menu includes a half dozen traditional breakfast items, a section of grilled steaks and sandwiches as well as raw bar and a selection of salads.

The menu also has a number of cocktails including a bloody Mary selection that allows patrons to choose how spicy they like their drinks (served rare, medium or well done). I started with a Charred Shishito Bloody Mary served with a wedge of lemon, pepper jack cheese and a charred Shishito pepper ($10).  My request to have it made “Medium” provided just enough kick for me.

While I was tempted to try Boston Chops burger it was too early and so I opted for one of the healthier items on the menu, the kale omelet with mushroom and cheddar and a side of potatoes. While the omelet didn’t appear to have any mushrooms, it was both filling and delicious and really helped balance the spicy cocktail I continued to sip through out breakfast.

Boston Chops Kale Omelette $13

My dining partner in crime, Sergio, opted to try Boston Chops French Toast which came served with a mixed berry compote that the menu refers to as a ‘seasonal marmalade’ and a generous serving of Rhum Anglaise that is unbelievably rich and sinfully delicious. The marmalade was so good I put a spoonful on my side of toast and had to refrain from taking extra spoonfuls when Sergio was not looking.

Boston Chops French Toast $12

If ordering a full plate of French Toast seems too decadent (it really isn’t though) but you want something sweet, check out the sides like Chops house made donuts in chocolate sauce or Pecan sticky buns $7 each.

Boston Chops is open for brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm.  While reservations may not be necessary these first few weekends it is still a safe bet.  I thoroughly enjoyed my food and will be returning again and again.

Boston Chops is located at 1375 Washington Street in Boston’s South End.

“Towne” as locals call it, is a large restaurant and bar located on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay.

Recently, I decided to venture back to Towne to try their brunch. I last reviewed Towne (for dinner) in March of 2011 in my post A Tale of Two Towne’s.

Towne’s brunch menu is reasonably priced with most options between $10 – $16.  Because of the time of day, my friend and I opted for their chicken salad sandwich for $12 and their bacon and cheddar burger for $16.  Eating at the bar can sometimes be risky business depending on how crowded or busy the staff is but on our visit the bar was mostly empty and the bar staff was both attentive and helpful answering the few questions we had about menu options.

Below left is a photograph of the chicken salad sandwich served on toasted multi-grain bread and a side salad. The chopped chicken with cucumber was filling and satisfying.  Below right is a photograph of the burger presented with the top bun upside down with ketchup.  Both proved satisfying but not particularly memorable.
 I’ve had a few meals at Towne and with few exceptions I’ve found the food average.  However, the space is very comfortable and the service is generally very good.  That combined with its convenient location in the Back Bay is what accounts for its success – or at least that is what I’ve concluded.

If you are looking for casual dining with friends and an easy menu filled with familiar options, Towne is a great option.  If you are looking for a more adventurous or interesting menu, I would suggest Lydia Shire’s other restaurant in Boston, Scampo, in Beacon Hill at the Liberty Hotel.