Restaurant & Bar Reviews

A must go for the Boston tourist, with friends in town from Liverpool, we ended up stopping by Mike’s Pastry in the North End of Boston for as they put it ‘an unforgettable cannoli’

The line at Mike’s on a Saturday or Sunday will be out the door and to the end of the block, we went on a Thursday around 11AM, walked right in and grabbed a table.

OREO Cannoli…need I say more? Although it’s not my type of treat, they were 100% satisfied with this creation!

A latte to top it all off, which was just what I was needing!

 

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.

Great stop for a drink with atmosphere, across the street from Mongoose versus Cobra. Everyone here had a pint in hand and a smile on their face.

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’re looking for some history, with a bit of wine and slew of unique people in one of the smallest bars I’ve been in, then checkout La Carafe in Houston Texas.

A little bit about the building “The La Carafe building is listed on the National Register for Historic Places and is believed to be the oldest bar in Houston, and is the oldest commercial building still in use, in Houston. Built by developer Nathaniel Kellum in 1847, the La Carafe building has remained a two-story public venue since it’s construction.”

A little bit about the building”…made of old brick and wood around the window frames. The wood has been replaced, but the brick is original. When facing the building, one will notice a fairly new development to it’s left and an empty parking lot found at the building’s right. Because the building’s right side is exposed, the patchwork design of the building’s history through wars and remodeling is seen in the brick, concrete and wood found along this wall.”

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!

Towne is the latest addition to the Lyons group of restaurants in Boston . It is located in Back Bay in the Hynes Convention centre.

The restaurant has not one but 2 of Boston’s celeb chefs, Lydia Shire and Jasper White.

There are 3 bars located on 2 floors and a great outside dining area.

I had the salmon which was excellent.

Deffo worth a visit.
To make a reservation

Sonsie is a Boston institution. Located at the funky end of Newbury Street this hip watering hole was very much the epicenter of Supershag,s formative years.

This was deffo the place to be scene

The restaurant became the place for the beautiful people of Boston to hang out but it also had really good food.

As I had not been there for about 5 years I was very interested to see if anything had changed.

So the menu has changed a bit but the peppercorn steak is still there.this was their classic dish and is really good.

I had the tuna sashimi which really is tuna tartar. It was fantastic.

The chicken was also very good.
Sonsie has free Wi-fi and it is great fun to sit in the front of the reatauant and watch Newbury Street go about it’s business.
To make a reservation

This branch of the Oliver and Bonacini group is located in the financial district of Toronto. The restaurant consists of a bar, sidewalk cafe, restaurant and outside covered dining area.

Light fixtures in bar are really funky.

Outside was also very pleasant.

Tuna was very good.

So was the salmon .
I also had brunch here which was excellent.
Once again the staff at all the restaurants I visited in Toronto were really good and mostly very funny. The guys here were great.
I will definately go back if I find myself in Toronto again.
To make a reservation