Tag Archives: Dining

BoMA Restaurant and Bar to open next week

Posted on September 26, 2012 | 1 comment

BoMa Restaurant and BarBoMA restaurant + bar

Today I sat down with the very personable head chef of BoMA Restaurant and Bar, Chris Bussell, to talk to him about his new restaurant, which is just days away from opening.  Although he was quiet on the exact day he did say “for sure by next Friday”.

This eagerly awaited restaurant has transformed the former home of Pho Republique, enlarging and moving the bar to the left side of the restaurant and making the space feel much larger by installing floor to ceiling sliding windows that open on to Washington Street across from the beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

BoMa South End

BoMA Restaurant features a bar area that can seat 24 comfortably overlooking Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Bussell was most excited when talking about the menu he’s pulled together which is divided into five categories: Tiny plates (think tapas but with a twist); Small plates (appetizers); Medium plates (mostly lighter fare ranging $14-18); Large plates (main course ranging $21-27) and Sweet plates (desserts).

The kitchen closes at Midnight but the bar will remain open serving drinks until 1AM.  While BoMA will only be serving dinner initially, Bussell assured me that after a few weeks they will also start serving Sunday Brunch.  Sounds delicious to me and I can hardly wait.

BoMa Restaurant in the South End

BoMA Restaurant includes cozy dining nooks where patrons can quietly dine

BoMA Restaurant and Bar is located at 1415 Washington Street.

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BosGuy cooks wicked awesome pork with maple syrup

Posted on September 25, 2012 | 5 comments

I’ve grown up consuming real maple syrup all my life, and the abundance of this in New England makes it a popular ingredient.

I love to cook with maple syrup; a natural sweetener that complements pork and chicken as a glaze.  The meal I’ve pulled together in the video below cost approximately $12 and took me less than 20 minutes.

Bon Appetit!

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Posted in Dining, Video

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Harvest festival at The Butcher Shop and B&G oysters

Posted on September 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Butcher ShopCalling All Foodies

Chef Barbara Lynch, owner of The Butcher Shop is hosting a harvest celebration today, starting at 1pm.

For $85, one may indulge in all sorts of delicious food courtesy of Barbara Lynch. A wine stomp will take place across the street at Lynch’s sister restaurant B&G Oysters for those who purchase VIP tickets for $125. You may read the full post on EaterBoston here.  Call 617.423.4800 for tickets and see here for more details.

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SoWa Food Trucks every Sunday 11-4PM

Posted on September 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

The growing popularity of the Food Trucks, which come to the South End each Sunday for the SoWa Open Market, have been moved down Harrison Avenue to accommodate the growing interest.

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Is Boston Chops hiring

Posted on September 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday, Eater Boston wrote a post entitled, Upcoming South End Restaurant to Focus on “The Cow”.  The post comments on a job posting on Craigslist looking for “Chef de cuisine, Executive Sous, Chef & Sous chef” who have “a strong understanding of the cow”.

Eater Boston’s article wonders out loud which of the new South End restaurants might be hiring for these positions, naming Estelle’s, BoMa , and Cinquecento.  However, my money is on Brian Piccini’s latest endeavor, Boston Chops, which is targeting a late November opening (pending construction).

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Justin Ito-Adler new manager at Clio / Uni

Posted on August 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Left: Justin Ito-Adler, Manager Clio / Uni
Right: Ken Oringer, Chef and Restaurant Owner

I don’t often write about personnel changes in the Boston restaurant scene mostly because it would be a full-time job and there are already several sites that do a great job at following these changes.

However, earlier this week I learned that Justin will be leaving the South End after working here for nearly four years; first at Rocca Boston and more recently the Aquitaine Group’s, Union Bar & Grille.

Starting this week, Justin Ito-Adler joins Ken Oringer’s management team at his flagship restaurant Clio / Uni, which recently underwent a significant makeover.  No doubt Justin’s enthusiasm and youth will help this culinary gem, which in recent years had seemed a bit stuffy.

Best of luck Justin.  We will miss having you so near us.

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Posted in Back Bay, Dining

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Dave Andelman should be muzzled

Posted on August 15, 2012 | 3 comments

david andelmanThere has been a bit of controversy raging among the world of foodies in Boston due to comments made by Dave Andelman from the Phantom Gourmet.  Last week Andelman told BostonInno all food trucks should be 1,000′ from brick and mortar restaurants. He has since said 500′ would be sufficient, but I find his entire argument inane.

The basis of Andelman’s argument (as I understand it) is that the less costly business model for food trucks puts traditional restaurants at a disadvantage so food trucks may charge a lower price.  While this is true, I wonder if Andelman has lost his mind entirely since he is essentially saying dining from a food truck is the equivalent of dining at a restaurant, which last time I checked came with perks like: tables, chairs, climate control, wait staff, bathrooms, etc… Never mind the fact that when the mercury has risen (or more likely in the months to come plummets) food trucks in Boston are at a distinct disadvantage.

Whoever handles The Phantom Gourmet’s PR should be fired for allowing this discussion to take place and Andelman should be muzzled.

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Posted in Boston, Dining

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Trattoria Cinquecento opening just weeks away

Posted on August 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Aquitaine Group made news in the fall of 2011 when they announced they would remodel the restaurant space previously occupied by Rocca in the South End and reopen it as the first Italian restaurant property the group owns and manages.

Cinquecento has garnered much attention and as recently as last week, positions for restaurant managers and a bar chef were seen posted online.  The 300+ seat Italian-concept restaurant has been eagerly awaited and although a definite opening has yet to be confirmed,  Trattoria Cinquecento will definitely open before the end of next month. Look for a soft opening the middle of September 2012.

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Restaurant Week Boston starts August 19th

Posted on August 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

restaurant-week-bostonRestaurant Week Boston is set to begin later this month, but to ensure you will be able to dine at a restaurant of your choosing it is wise to make reservations now.  Many of the city’s premiere dining establishments will fill to capacity far in advance of Restaurant Week. The South End, has nearly 20 participating restaurants, you may see a complete list of places to dine in Boston, here.

If this is your first time making reservations during Restaurant Week, consider the following tips or guidelines to maximize your dining experience.

– Not all participating establishments are worth visiting. Restaurants serve 3 courses from a Prix Fixe menu for $33.12.  If most of the restaurant’s main plates are less than $20.00 you are not likely saving much money. Look for restaurants with a higher price point.

– Restaurant Week is designed to bring crowds into restaurants during a time that is normally quiet.  To avoid the crush and not compromise on the service, make reservations for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

– Select a restaurant you have never had a chance to visit. Use the opportunity to explore new places.  You may be pleasantly surprised and discover a new favorite.

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Taste of Provincetown, Saturday, August 25

Posted on August 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

taste-of-ptownOn Saturday, August 25th The Taste of Provincetown will take place with all proceeds going to benefit MassEquality, and yours truly has been invited to attend the event.

Thirty of Cape Cod’s most highly-rated restaurants and chefs will be on-hand to tempt your taste buds and satisfy your stomach.  I will share more about The Taste of Provincetown over the next few weeks, but I hope you will come and join me for an evening of cocktails and good food, knowing that your money goes to such a worthwhile non-profit. You may purchase your tickets here.

The Taste of Provincetown is at 6PM on Saturday, August 25th. The event will be hosted at Provincetown Town Hall, 260 Commercial St.

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Aquitaine Boston tribute to Julia Child

Posted on August 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Seems like a brilliant deal at a fantastic restaurant.  Make your reservations now – Bon Appétit!

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BOMA the South End’s next restaurant to open

Posted on July 26, 2012 | 1 comment

Shane ManfredNews about BoMa (or is it Boma?) opening in space formerly occupied by the Bombay Club but best known as Pho Republique’s home was reported in May on this blog and elsewhere.  At the time, word was the owner, Shane Manfred, would open in late July but now it appears BoMa hopes for a mid- to late-August opening.

There remains a lot of work, but beautiful folding windows that open to Washington Street have been installed, ensuring this will be a popular place on warm evenings where you can dine or drink across from the beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

A quick peek at the new space through their newly installed windows shows Manfred has flipped the floor plan, building a large bar that can accommodate 20+ along the front left wall and added a wine rack along the back left wall. Shane Manfred

Incidentally, in my first post about BoMa I speculated the four lettered name might be an abbreviation for Boston, Massachusetts but I’ve been told it is an African word meaning “home” or “safe haven”.

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Big Daddy’s in Provincetown

Posted on July 19, 2012 | 2 comments

provincetown-cheap-eatsProvincetown is an expensive place and it can seem like you are opening your wallet every five minutes.

However, there are a lot of great places to grab an affordable meal. One of my favorite places to visit is Big Daddy’s Burritos at 205 Commercial Street in the Aquarium Marketplace.  Big Daddy’s serves up delicious take out that is ready in minutes.  When I visit Provincetown I grab more than a few meals here.  After you pick up your take-out, bring your food out to the Aqua Bar where you may order a cocktail and eat overlooking Ptown Harbor.

Below is a photo of the “Catch of the Day” burrito in a bowl ($8.50).  The portions are plentiful enough and the lime-cilantro yogurt sauce with the cucumber salsa makes this one of the best deals in town. Its even better accompanied by a cold beer at the Aqua bar.

Big-Daddys

The view from the Aqua Bar is free of charge and never gets old. Ptown

Big Daddy's Burritos on Urbanspoon

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Ming Tsai coming to Seaport

Posted on July 17, 2012 | 2 comments

Blue GingerAccording to Adam’s Hospitality & Tourism blog and The Boston Herald, Ming Tsai will be opening a new restaurant in the Seaport District.

The proposed restaurant, which could include a roof deck,  would be located at 324 A Street in the Fort Point neighborhood in the space previously occupied by the A Street deli space.

I know the space from my days when I worked in the Seaport, and I can assure you a roof deck would be a very good idea for this property.

I’m an admirer of Ming Tsai and hope this comes together quickly. I’m sure everyone living at the Channel Center is cheering about this news.

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South End Buttery: Expansion nearly complete

Posted on July 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Richard Gordon, owner of The South End Buttery, one of the most popular cafes in Boston and a South End juggernaut serving the neighborhood has been busy remodeling space at 312 Shawmut Ave.

This second location (literally next door to the original shop) will serve two purposes; the back will be additional space for a bakery, and the front is for take out; items available are rumored to be baked goods, food supplies and prepared dishes. All completely delicious – I’m sure.

While Richard has been mum about when work will conclude and he will be ready to open , these photos show the space is nearly ready.

FRONT:SE Buttery Expansion

BACK:South End Buttery Boston

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