Tag Archives: Dining

Cafe Quattro opening in the South End

Posted on January 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

Pizza, pizzeria, boston, south endBoston Restaurant Talk reports that Cafe Quattro, a popular Italian / Pizzeria with Beacon Hill residents will reopen in the South End.

Apparently the popular restaurant lost its lease in Beacon Hill after the landlord essentially forced them out to make room for a larger upscale restaurant.  Beacon Hill’s loss is the South End’s gain.  Cafe Quattro will reopen at 817 Harrison Avenue on the corner of East Springfield Street.  The owners were scheduled to go before the licensing commission this week (not sure if the weather has delayed that meeting). One hopes they will be opening soon.

About Cafe Quattro: We serve a wide array of sandwiches, panini, wraps, and pizza, as well as cappuccino, espresso, latte, and coffee.  Our breads are baked especially for us and delivered daily.  Our thin crust pizza is hand tossed and made to order, using fresh dough.  Pizza is available by the slice, small personal pies, or 20″ Large pies each made in the old fashioned Italian-American tradition.

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Wine and cheese pairings guide

Posted on January 14, 2015 | 1 comment

wine and cheese pairingsI stumbled upon this pairings guide and while I would always encourage individuals to pair whatever they like, I recognize that guides like this can be helpful for those who may not know where to start.

For those who live locally, I would strongly suggest visiting Formaggio and let them know what wine you are purchasing.  They make excellent suggestions.

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Metropolis Cafe gets a makeover

Posted on January 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

Aquitaine GroupNearly fifteen years ago Metropolis Cafe opened in the South End on Tremont Street.  The quaint neighborhood restaurant has been a favorite place to grab brunch on the weekends and dinner in the evenings.

If you’ve not visited Metropolis Cafe recently you may want to make a point to stop by.  Last fall the restaurant underwent a makeover and the space looks great. A larger white marble bar top and new bar stools are welcome updates as are the new lighting fixtures and color scheme that significantly brightens the restaurant without losing that cozy feel.  Alongside the physical changes some tweaks have also been made to the menu and Chef William “Billy” Nurse, continues to crank out consistently delicious meals from what might be the smallest kitchen in the South End.

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Spot (the gays in Sao Paulo)

Posted on January 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

Dining Sao PauloAlthough on our most recent visit we didn’t have a chance to go to Spot, I thought I should write about this restaurant and bar since it is a favorite.  You will find more than a few handsome men at this gay friendly restaurant conveniently located just a block off of Paulista Avenue near MASP.

The first time I visited Spot was probably ten years ago.  We arrived at 11PM on a Friday night and asked for a table for four.  The handsome host smiled and said the wait was 2 hours, but encouraged us to order drinks from the bar and enjoy the outdoor patio while we waited.  We didn’t take him seriously until he came to seat us for dinner at 1 AM (at which point there was only a 30 minute wait).

Dining in Sao PauloWhile the food is good it is the people watching that makes this a great place to either nab a cocktail or have dinner with friends.  Main dishes at Spot run from $30 – $50 Reis (with the current US exchange rate of 2.5 that equates to $15-$20).

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Posted in Brasil, Brazil, Cocktails, Dining

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BosGuy’s 5 restaurant trends for 2015

Posted on December 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

City of BostonIn 2014 the Boston restaurant industry seemed to finally hit its stride with more openings than I can recall in recent years.  An improving economy and some interesting local legislative initiatives – notably the addition of 75 new liquor licenses – all helped to contribute to this. While some restaurants closed their doors in 2014 it seems like there was twice that number opening.  Here are five trends that I believe you can expect to see in Boston in 2015.  Let me know your thoughts and feel free to share your own predictions.

Celebrity Chefs: More big name, nationally recognized chefs will open restaurants in Boston.  Mario Batali’s Babbo Pizzeria which is expected to open in the Seaport is just one example.  Expect announcements from local chefs of note to announce new restaurants (hint: think Ink) in the first half of 2015.

Seaport, South End & Southie: Developments in the Seaport will keep the neighborhood in the news with more high profile restaurant openings. However, Southie and the South End will continue to see more restaurant openings as well.

Shared Plates: Dining trends continue to point to small / shared plate options. I will admit this trend confounds me but recent and soon-to-be openings continue to show an appetite on the part of chefs to build these menus.

Bigger:  Restaurants in Boston will get bigger and build even larger bars that are prominently featured in an open dining space that encourages a more social dining experience.

Late Night Dining: More restaurants in Boston’s downtown neighborhoods will experiment with staying open and serving food later as millennials look for more options after Midnight and the city becomes more accustomed to the Late Night T service.

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Where you can grab grub on Christmas Eve

Posted on December 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

BoMA RestaurantOnce again EaterBoston has pulled together a solid list of local restaurants that are open and serving dinner on Christmas Eve.  While this is not a complete list, it does give you some great options.

Have a happy and safe Christmas no matter where you may find yourself and for those of you who don’t observe this holiday, may your week pass quickly so you too can enjoy some time away from work with friends and family.

Restaurants open on Christmas Eve via Eater Boston

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South End restaurant update: Elephant Walk open

Posted on December 22, 2014 | Leave a comment

South End Restaurant newsDespite the fact that I’m currently in Brazil, friendly tips from readers continue to help me keep you posted about life in the South End.  Just as I was the first to share with you news about BoMA’s closing earlier this year, I’m happy to  be the first to let you know the Elephant Walk South End quietly opened their doors for business this past Sunday evening.  News of their opening came to me from two readers, Dave & Owings, who happened to be walking by the restaurant Sunday evening.

While the restaurant has not noted the opening on their website or facebook, and they are not taking reservations on Opentable.com yet, look for these updates in the days that follow.  I will be in Brazil through the holidays so at this point I have no further details to offer, but if you do check out Elephant Walk let me know your thoughts about the décor, menu and food.

Congratulations to the owners of Elephant Walk.  I want to welcome them to the neighborhood and wish them much success. 

Elephant Walk – 1415 Washington Street – (617) 247-1500

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New South End restaurant will serve small plates with “international flavors”

Posted on December 19, 2014 | Leave a comment

Rebecca Roth, South End restaurantEarlier this month UniversalHub and EaterBoston shared news about the new restaurant that Rebecca Roth and Seth Yeffe (from Gallows South End) will open in the space that was formerly occupied by Hamersley’s Bistro.

According to information learned from a licensing board hearing the new restaurant will serve small plates and shared dishes that have Asian and Mediterranean flavors.  Sounds delicious but it will need to be with the new Barcelona South End tapas restaurant only steps away.  While I think most miss seeing Gordon working behind his kitchen, Rebecca is as savvy as she is sweet and one can assume the restaurant will be a popular destination for South End residents when it opens in 2015.

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Barcelona South End now open

Posted on December 13, 2014 | 1 comment

Boston, Spanish Restaurant, TapasBarcelona South End quietly opened their doors last night and flipped the on switch to their new Facebook page which you can like here.  Sergio and I visited the invite only soft opening earlier this week, which I wrote about in my post, ¡Hola! Barcelona Wine (South End).

Barcelona South End opens at 3 pm 7-days a week but check back after they have been up and running for a bit because Jason Boske told me that he loves brunch.

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Where you can grab grub in Boston on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

BoMA RestaurantEaterBoston has pulled together a solid list of local restaurants who are open and serving dinner so whether you want to eat out or take home food you have a list of options.  While this isn’t a complete list it does give you some great options.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving no matter where you may find yourself on this holiday and for those outside of the US who don’t observe the holiday, may your week pass quickly so you too can enjoy some time away from work.

Thanksgiving in Boston: What’s open, what’s closed and what you can take home

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South End restaurant Union Bar & Grille to close

Posted on November 23, 2014 | 5 comments

Aquitaine Group, Boston, South EndBig changes are in store for one of Aquitaine Group’s signature south end restaurants. Effective January 1, 2015 Union Bar & Grille, which first opened eleven years ago in the autumn of 2003 will close.  Aquitaine Group, which owns Union will retain the space and reopen a new restaurant under a new name with a targeted opening for April 2015.  There is no information about the new concept, menu or who will help run the re-branded space.  However, the Aquitaine Group understands the competitive South End restaurant industry better than most and have an impressive track record.

Aquitaine Group, South End restaurant, SoWaA lot has changed since October 2013 when Union opened.  They were one of the first restaurants in the emerging SoWa district of the South End. Despite the fact that earlier that year Wilkes Passage and Rollins Square had opened, the restaurant scene in the South End didn’t cross over Tremont Street with but a few exceptions. Union’s presence with their gourmet, house ground burger and 10k Tuna changed all that and shortly after more restaurants followed.

I have a lot of fond memories of Union but the restaurant has lost its way and newer restaurants nearby like The Gallows and Boston Chops have proven to be tough competition for a restaurant that has not been updated in over a decade.  I look forward to the new space when it reopens in the spring of 2015 and wish them all the best.

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After work cheap eats in the South End

Posted on November 13, 2014 | 1 comment

South EndLast week Nikki Chase from the Boston Herald wrote an article about her favorite after-work cheap eats and it got me to thinking about some of my favorite places in the South End to grab something to eat after work; please share your favorites.

Darryl’s at 604 Columbus Avenue; All their starters are 1/2 price from 5 – 6:30 pm at the bar only.

Estragon at 700 Harrison Avenue;  offers something they call “Tapas Blitz where they offer items like fried pork belly with salsa pi­cante.  Their blitz menu items are available Monday-Thursday, 5-7 p.m. and range from $1-$5.

Masa Restaurant at 439 Tremont Street makes their tapas so affordable you can’t help but indulge with 50¢ tapas in the bar only. You can order items like grilled chorizo, pork spring roll and shredded chicken taquitos.  These super cheap eats are good Sunday – Thursday from 5-7p.m.

647 Tremont (and Sister Sorel too!) at 647 Tremont Street hosts their $2 taco Tuesdays where you can order a variety of house made tacos for $2 each.  My favorites include the fried fish and pork almond mole; Tuesdays only.

Stella at 1525 Washington Street; offers cheap eats menu with options that inclued arugula salad, parmesan arancini and (one of my favorites) grilled Italian sausage.  Every plate is only $5 until 6p.m. on weeknights only.

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Dinner at ester in Dorchester

Posted on November 11, 2014 | 1 comment

Writing this blog has perks and last week was a great example. I was invited to the Lower Mills neighborhood in Dorchester to meet one of the owners of ester, Eleanor Arpino, and check out this relatively new restaurant.

Antonia's Meatballs $6.50 and Meat Board $11

Antonia’s Meatballs $6.50                                  Meat Board $11

ester is a neighborhood restaurant trying to make a name for itself and be a part of the community it so proudly named itself after.  Their menu showcases the produce they collect each week from their 5,000 sq foot rooftop garden to let you know what ingredients are homegrown (literally).

Sirloin 1/2 Pound Burger w/ Bacon Jam $15.50

Sirloin 1/2 Pound Burger w/ Bacon Jam $15.50

Their menu is reasonably priced, including snacks and appetizers ranging in from $5-$11; soups and salads $7-$8 and main plates $14-$21.  The cocktail menu, wine list and beers are equally affordable; the beer list in particular is impressive with 32 options on draft and bottle.

Risotto with their rooftop cherry tomatoes $12

Risotto with their rooftop cherry tomatoes $12

I would like to thank Eleanor Arpino and chef Estabon Gallego for their gracious invitation and wish them much success.  Despite the fact that their massive back deck will close for the winter season, I’d encourage neighbors to check out the 17-seat bar or come down and try dinner in their spacious dining room.

Boneless Berkshire Roasted Pork Loin $21

Boneless Berkshire Roasted Pork Loin $21

ester is located at 2261 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester Center.

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Restaurant gossip

Posted on October 14, 2014 | 1 comment

gossipMore restaurant gossip continues to be passed my way but unlike most whispers this is about two well known places outside of the South End.  My contacts and connections outside the South End aren’t as strong but the source has proven to be quite reliable in the past so I thought I would pass it along to all you foodies.

Rumors are circling that Via Matta & TICO may close.

One of Boston’s favorite chefs is Michael Schlow.  He may be best known for his former restaurant, Radius, which closed last year, but I’ve recently been told two of his restaurants in the Back Bay, Via Matta and TICO, may soon meet a similar fate. I don’t know Michael nor do I have any connections to verify these rumors. However, if true these establishments would be Michael’s second and third restaurant closings in 2014; following the closure of Barrio Cantina earlier this year in the Fenway.

 

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Claude Riffault Sancerre La Noue

Posted on October 11, 2014 | 3 comments

wine reviewI was feeling inspired by the Amisfield Pinot Gris 2012, New Zealand wine tasting and review I participated in with my friend and fellow blogger, Tracey so I opened a bottle of La Noue, a red wine Sancerre from the Claude Riffault winery.  I love wines from Sancerre, but I had never had a red wine Sancerre – until today.

wine reviewThe wine is made from the Pinot noir grape.  According to the winery, it is best served with seared or smoked plates of pork or beef.  I opted to skip the cooking and try it solo – just me and the bottle.

The wine’s color is beautiful but not so dark as you cannot see through it when held up to the light and its nose is heady, making me think it would be delicious with a soft goat or aged Parmesan cheese. The wine packs a punch with some strong fruity overtones but has a soft finish with a hint of the minerality (is that even a word?) I associate with the finish of Sancerre white wines.

While the price point is a bit higher than I typically spend (Brix Wine Shop South End sells it for $33), I think it is really delicious.  The wine would make for a great host gift for a dinner party or to share with another who appreciates and enjoys talking about wine.

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