Restaurant & Bar Reviews

We actually started the evening with a few drinks at ‘The Lobby Bar’ in the atrium of the Liberty Hotel. This building was previously “Boston’s Charles Street Jail which had been opened in 1851 as an experiment in prison reformation and closed more than a century later after a judge ruled conditions there were inhumane.” (NPR article)

The building re-opened in September of 2007 after a five-year, $150 million renovation, as the Liberty Hotel. Our night started with a ‘Harvest Margarita’ pictured below and a Besame, both were delicious.

We then moved into CLINK. to commence our dinner.

I was very happy to see they offered gluten free bread to start our dinner (along with normal bread)

We also found an exquisite bottle of wine to take us through the evening, it’s called Darioush (neither of us had it previously and it pleasantly surprised us.)

In regard to food, we started with the Beef Tartar (a little too pureed for our preference) though the ice cream on top was a unique pairing that went well with the overall dish.

When asked between the Tuna Sashimi and the Octopus with Yucca, the waiter said, hands down if you like Octopus this is the best in Boston. While it was good especially when compared with others I’ve had in Boston, I have had better in Argentina.

Our main dishes were another beef dish, and the scallops, both were good, but nothing off the chart. My scallops were especially interesting as they were accompanied by a mix of raw mushrooms and carrots, thankfully I like raw, for those who don’t this may be a little to overpowering to be bearable.

Overall, dinner was nice, the atmosphere entertaining and the wine and cocktails even better. We arrived for a 6pm reservation, the place was packed (Saturday night) by the time we left which was around 9PM. I recommend booking a reservation for CLINK. and heading over early to get a drink at the Lobby Bar and take the architecture and crowd in at your leisure.

 

I find this a great spot to take the lunch crowd. They can turn around a table in under an hour complete with drinks, appetizers and main course. The restaurant’s decor will ooze onto you an atmosphere much more sophisticated than Joes’ American Bar and Grill or Parrish (both in opposite directions of MET) just remind yourself you are going here for a wide option of lunch choices that will all satisfy!

Our lunch started with a Oskar Blues Mama Yella Pils

and a glass of the Girard Petite Syrah (very fruity!)

We followed this with the Octopus Salad appetizer, it had great coconut flavor (not to overpowering) I love avocado, so that is always a hit, however the octopus, was tasting very much like octopus, something I do not look for in a cold appetizer.

I followed this with the Tuna Nicoise salad, as always this was a great choice, light enough and filling enough for lunch.

My friend had the Micro Chopped salad, I’ve also had this and as she found it is a little to much to fit in for lunch, especially when you start with an appetizer!

Stop into MET Back Bay for a corporate lunch or dinner party, their service will be sure to please!

We stopped in here for Sunday brunch, and thanks to Daren’s help we started out with a glass of the 2010 Kunin Pape Star and bottle of the Digfish ale.

This spot had been open as ‘Kitchen’ since June of 2011, previously it went under the name Pop’s, which I still remember the mouth watering pulled pork sandwich I had!

We had the omelette, bibb salad and hamburger Yorkshire style.

we then followed this with a Singapore Sling:

followed this with a Moscow Mule (forgot to take a picture) and then a ‘Sparkling Cloister’ (champagne cocktail)

while listening to Ray Charles on LP!

and following all of this with a ‘Hemingway Daiquiri’ a little to tart for Chris…but I loved it.

As you can see this place had a vibe that kept us there all afternoon, Daren was an equally entertaining bartender and turned us onto a new must have App for the local cocktail scene lover, checkout GetOnTheBar and you’ll see what I mean. Not to mention the fun loving crew that inhabited the rest of the kitchen (you see here chef finding a way to insert some brandy into his meals) asking politely of course as to make sure this would not hinder the bar that evening.

We finished the afternoon up with a tall cup of black coffee, I highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat or an entertaining drink and conversation with the bar men at Kitchen Restaurant in Boston’s South End it’s at 560 Tremont Street (Previously ‘Pop’s’ restaurant was situated here.)

The salty and sweet nibbles that are put out at the bar are some of the best in Boston, you could consider coming in for a drink just for this deluxe selection. I started the night with a glass of Sankity Light, a local beer that hits the spot, when you don’t want something to heavy or to light.

I always start with the Tuna Tartar (one that I consider to be the best in Boston)

The Sea Bass is presented in a light sauce that lingers in your mouth, urging you to ask for more!

Market has a happening lounge and restaurant scene, I highly recommend making a reservation at Market in Boston for any occasion!

 

Woodward is a happening spot for tasty food with an old feel, it is named for a tavern once housed in the Ames family home, Woodward is a modern-day tavern that incorporates local fresh foods and a dynamic beverage selection.

“Located at 1 Court Street and Washington Mall in downtown Boston, the Ames Building was designed by the architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge in Richardsonian Romanesque and paid for by Frederick L. Ames. It is the second tallest masonry load bearing-wall structure in the world, exceeded only by the Monadnock Building in Chicago, completed that same year.” (Quoted from Wikipedia)

I started with the Steak Tartar (topped with an egg, not a usual choice for me but the dish was delicious none the less)

The Simple greens salad was topped with pumpkin seeds, cucumber, dill yogurt and a cider vinaigrette, fantastic!

Also at the table we tried the Steamed mussels, pork belly, fennel, garlic and Woodward Ale! Unforgettable!

This is a common stop for us when we have people in town and want to show them a comfortable setting with deluxe food and as dressy as you want to make it. I highly recommend stopping into Woodward at the Ames hotel if you are in Boston.

A fantastic find for the vegetarian organic food lover!!! The taste of freshness in this food will stay with you for at least a week after you’ve eaten here. I went on a late Sunday afternoon and the place was pack with a line nearly out the door! The vegetarian menu of deluxe organic options is also supported with a robust smoothie menu.

I started with ‘The Innocent’ a flaxy Nutri-Nama sauce seasoning sweet corn, shredded carrots, broccoli, kelpy yeast & tamari almonds over quinoa.

My friend also had the Flourish Alive smoothie, a blend of berry kombucha, blueberries, mango, lemon, avocado and maca, it was DELICIOUS!

While you can’t make a reservation as it’s similar to walking into a Starbuck’s, putting in your order and having it rrive at your table in 10 minutes, you can order takeout!!!

They have locations in Lowell, Salem and Cambridge MA, I’ve only been to the Cambridge location:

Life Alive – CAMBRIDGE, MA:
765 Mass Ave
617-354-5433

New spot in Boston, big lunch time and after work crowds. Outside seating area is sometimes tough to get into because of privately booked events. With this being the most windy area in Boston I’d prefer to sit inside anyway.

I had the fish of the day which was excellent, a nice piece of Grouper on sautéed vegetables with a chorizo sauce

We also had the shrimp salad which unfortunately had far to much salt to be enjoyable.

I had a glass of the El Coto ‘Crianza’, Tempranillo (Rioja) and loved it!

Overall the service was a tad bit slow and we had a few issues with our order, they kindly comped us for these which made up for the distress. I’ll probably be going back but this spot is not on the top of my list, if you want to stop in make a reservation at TICO restaurant before showing up as it can get crowded fast with the work crowd.

Stopped here for a cocktail after dinner,  the drinks were excellent, best we’ve had all weekend and the name of this place alone should spark your interest to stop in ‘Mongoose versus Cobra‘ will not disappoint.

The front has large windows that open to outdoor seating in the front. They have a great bar space to the right and seating through to the back of the bar. A very funky space with a great staff!

Andy was our bartender and filled us in on the stuffed baboon above the bar (previously occupied an investors basement) he mixed a great flight of shots despite being a QPR supporter.

I highly recommend the ‘Roy Orbison’ a cocktail made with Angostura Bitters plus a few other magical ingredients, it was phenomenal (I had two)

I highly recommend stopping at Mongoose versus Cobra in Houston for a drink, they are fantastic and memorable.

If you have a chance you should stop by the second oldest building in Houston a renovated old building turned hotspot and awesome gastro lounge in the Houston Downtown area known as Hearsay at their first location 218 Travis Street, Houston, TX

Hearsay Gastro Lounge is in the W. L. Foley Building, the second building on the block designed by prolific Texas courthouse architect Eugene T. Heiner buit in 1889. Much of the credit for the current state of the great building goes to former owner and artist Lee Benner and his six year renovation that started in 1993.

I suggest you book in advance if you plan to have dinner at Hearsay Gastro Lounge we had to book the day of and were squeezed in for a 6PM reservation.

I started with the ‘Whitney’ a fabulous blackberry + vodka + champagne cocktail, had to stop at one as it was soooo good!

The Caprese salad was wonderful even with the under ripe tomatoes.

New Address 1008 Prairie Street | Houston, TX 77002
Prohibition Website

Stopped by this place when it was next to the Galleria in hopes of getting into the sold out burlesque show via the waitlist. We were able to sneak a peak at the show (even though we didn’t make the waitlist)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a happening old time speakeasy style bar and restaurant. The bartenders have a dress code that identifies their skill levels: vest = first level, suspenders the next level, all black with suspenders = mixologist.

I started with a ‘Southern Lady’

It was a little to strong for my taste, moving on to some wine from their fun selection which also features the beloved Chimay!

We started with the Caprese Salad and the Wasabi Calamari

 

Finished with the Truffle Mac and Cheese (which left something to be desired)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surf & Turf (mostly turf with extra seasoning)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Crab Role without the roll! (Best Crab I’ve ever had!!!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next time I’m in Houston I wouldn’t think twice to come back, we had a great time and were surrounded with a fabulous energy (reminded me of one of the SupersShag pole showcases a few years back great taste and good friends) I recommend you book a reservation at Prohibition or just show up at the bar and see what you can get!