Tag Archives: Restaurant Review

Earlier this month I attended my second Mystery Meet Boston event. The group which is comprised of food lovers and bloggers, hosts a monthly meet-up at a location in and around Boston the second Tuesday of each month. If you are a food blogger or avid foodie living in and around Boston, I’d suggest you check out the group.

This month the group met at JP’s Tres Gatos, a funky Spanish tapas restaurant that also sells books and music. The tiny restaurant and bar has a definite cozy vibe and seems like a great addition to the neighborhood. Chef Marcos Sanchez was on hand to welcome us and cook the 4-course tasting menu for all of us. At the end of this entry I’ve included photos from each course. If curious, you can view the restaurant’s menu here.

1st Plate Assorted Tapas: I thought this was the most disappointing of the four plates. In particular the radish shown at the top of the plate was both lacking flavor and not satisfying.
2nd Plate Gambas A La Plancha: If we eat food with our eyes, than this was my favorite in terms of presentation. The over sized prawns in a cilantro coulis did not disappoint.
3rd Plate Fideos: This included chorizo, chicken liver, mussels and was extremely flavorful.
4th Plate Queso: This included three cheeses. My favorite was the manchego but all of it was good. My only complaint was the portions for this plate were ridiculously tiny.

Erbaluce is located in the building that formerly was home to Dedo in Boston’s Bay Village neighborhood. Dinner for two with appetizers, main dishes and dessert not including drinks or tip will run approximately $100.

The restaurant’s menu cannot be found online because it changes daily, but its unmistakably Italian, including several pastas and main course dinner plates each night. The kitchen takes traditional Italian fare and turns it on its head by including ingredients not often pared but are delicious all the same.

Food and service at this restaurant was flawless. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful with food and wine selection, plates were only taken once everyone was finished and requests were all managed with ease. However, despite the interesting menu, delicious food, and good service, I’m not certain I will rush back to this restaurant. Detracting from the dining experience was the poor condition and layout of the dining room. The building is in a serious need of a facelift; the carpeting is worn and stained, the room was chilled every time the front door opened and we were provided a point-blank view of the hectic and unattractive kitchen which is essentially open to view in the main dining area. These physical detractions in the end ultimately impact one’s dining experience because they serve both to disappoint and distract.

There are an abundance of Italian restaurants in Boston that provide interesting menus and solid service in the same price range. I’d love to come back to Erbaluce if the building is remodeled and cleaned up a bit because menu options are certainly intriguing and absolutely worth trying.

First Plate: Speck with native apples, seasame and mint $14
Fettucini with roasted beats, sage and smoked prosciutto $22

Erbaluce 69 Church Street Boston, MA (617)426 6969
Reservations are strongly recommended

Victoria’s Diner is one of my favorite places to grab breakfast on the weekend.

Recently this diner in a doublewide was remodeled, menu revised and hours extended (open now 24-hours on the weekends). The waitstaff told me that a male couple who recently bought the diner were responsible for the changes. Aside from the change in decor in the front room (which still is a bit off in my opinion), there must have been a change in the kitchen as well because everything being served looks far fresher and has much more taste.

Because the new owners have not changed the affordable prices and large portions Victoria’s regulars can still be seen lining up in the cramped foyer of the diner waiting for a seat every weekend. Lines tend to get a bit long by 10:30am but everyone always seems to be quite friendly about the wait. Victoria’s clientele boasts a large cross-section of Bostonians. On any given weekend you are likely to see young, old, gay, straight, latino, black and asian. My favorite patrons are the African-American women who come after church decked-out in their Sunday finest. They add a touch of elegance if not over the top fashion ‘a la roxbury’ which I never was exposed to growing up in the suburbs.

An added bonus previously not mentioned if you happen to be a 30- or 40-something is that the music played during weekend brunches is 80s only. I’m sure for the younger clientele, this retro feel fits in just fine with a dining room in a trailor but for someone like myself who grew up during the 80s it is an unexpected and pleasant touch not overlooked and definitely appreciated; brunch always tastes better listening to the likes of Prince, Madonna, and Cindy Lauper.

How to get to Victoria’s
Victoria’s is located on Mass Avenue on the Dorchester / Roxbury line, at 1024 Massachusetts Avenue. It is easily accessible off of I-93 and as the address indicates, on Mass Ave.