Since Myers + Chang opened in 2008 it has generated an overwhelmingly positive citywide buzz. With Joanne Chang at the helm (you likely know her bakeries) and her partner Christopher Myers it was with genuine inspiration that they brought their interpretation of an Asian indie diner to life.
Chef Chang graduated Harvard with honors, her degrees in Applied Mathematics and Economics. She started her career as a management consultant. I wonder if she could have imagined then that her decision to follow a passion for cooking and baking would have propelled her into the spotlight, eventually achieving a celebrity chef status among Bostonians.
The concept at M+C is completely unlike any restaurant to hit the Boston dining scene. The vibe is hip, fun and funky. Signature pink dragon murals on the windows beckon from their corner of Washington Street in the South end. Inside retro Asian artifacts and Chinese newspapers placemats set the scene.
Lizzy and I arrived a few minutes after 7:30 where we were seated at the end of a long table already full bloggers! It was an ah-ha moment after the gal sitting next to me, Bianca from Confessions of a Chocoholic and I recognized each other. I quickly became friendly with Bianca and some of the others like Jen from Beantown Baker and Emily from Angry Little Chemist. There were a ton of bloggers in the mix that I was not able to meet this time around - but it's tough to get acquainted when you're at a table seating twenty!
The cuisine ranges from Taiwanese soul food and Southeast Asian street food with Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese specialties. The chefs passion is evident in each dish, whether it is a new innovation that pays homage to the flavors of the region, or a fun, creative interpretation of a classic. They strive to use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.
A captivating and memorable first course - the Thai Chicken Ginger Salad ($9) lends pungent flavors of fish sauce and cilantro which permeate the slippery rice vermicelli. The noodles sat over a bed of crisp butter lettuce topped with juicy lemongrass chicken. This salad set the stage for what was to be an incredible meal. Tea Smoked Pork Spare Ribs ($14) proved to be my favorite dish of the evening. These fall off the bone tender sweet and sticky ribs with a rich crunchy glaze atop them were phenomenal.
My least favorite plate was the Chicken and Rapini Stir-fry ($13). I am usually quite fond of broccoli rabe and I like chili oil. This tasted much too bitter for my liking.
A bowl of white rice ($2) was a welcome side dish served somewhere in the midst of all this exotic and spicy food!
Wok Roasted Mussels ($15) are solid - the broth bursting with bright lemongrass flavors. Certain bites proved incredibly spicy - there were definitely some unlisted spicy chilis hiding in that bowl! The garlic toast piled on top was grilled perfectly crisp.
A bowl of white rice ($2) was a welcome side dish served somewhere in the midst of all this exotic and spicy food!
Wok Roasted Mussels ($15) are solid - the broth bursting with bright lemongrass flavors. Certain bites proved incredibly spicy - there were definitely some unlisted spicy chilis hiding in that bowl! The garlic toast piled on top was grilled perfectly crisp.
The fresh flavors in the Vegetarian Tofu + Broccoli Chow Fun ($12) made with wide rice noodles and bathed in a slightly sweet sauce were a winning combination.
The Tiger Tears ($11) which Lizzy is digging into below offered thin strips of grilled steak with stir fried bell peppers, served cold.
I enjoyed the familiar flavors of lime and thai basil and the unfamiliarity of khao koor sprinkled on top. Khao koor is a Taiwanese powdered fried rice; a crunchy, toasty concoction that added a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
Above is a half eaten Chocolate + cocoa nib terrine w| Vietnamese coffee sauce. I guess that's the name of the game when you're sharing family style. Certain desserts were passed from the opposite end of the 20 person table.
The Lemony Shrimp Dumplings ($13) prepared potsticker style; steamed on one side and pan-fried on the other were downright addicting.
And last but not least, the Crispy Spring Rolls ($5) stuffed with garlic chives, bamboo, carrots and shitake mushrooms were easily the best spring roll I've ever tasted, wrapping up this food marathon in fine form.
I was enamored with the diner vibe and all the Far-East décor. Then, I was simply elated when Chef Chang came over to say hi!
You do not want to skip dessert here that is for certain. This coming from the girl who sampled the entire "Sweet Endings" ($7 each) menu. Above is a half eaten Chocolate + cocoa nib terrine w| Vietnamese coffee sauce. I guess that's the name of the game when you're sharing family style. Certain desserts were passed from the opposite end of the 20 person table.
The Frozen vanilla bean parfait w| fresh orange granita was served to our end of the table first! This dessert was incredibly refreshing, bursting with sweet orange and creamy vanilla flavors.
The luscious Coconut Cream Pie is elevated by a creative, zesty lime whipped cream and a topping of crispy coconut shavings. A Lemon-ginger mousse coupe has a homemade chocolate fortune cookie balancing on the rim of the glass. I'd love to know the secret behind the "Ancient Chinese Secret" chocolate mousse. It achieved a perfectly smooth texture and a balanced, restrained sweetness with homemade 5-spice marshmallows adding a playful element to the presentation.
The service tonight was nothing short of excellent. Our waitress Lily was a doll. As we exited the restaurant each and every one of the staff members in our path stopped what they were doing, smiled warmly and bid us a genuine farewell. Myers + Chang went above and beyond - from the welcoming hospitality to the inspiring and innovative work in the kitchen, I want to thank everyone who played a role in making this a wonderful and memorable event. (first photo: source)
oh my. this looks and sounds like such a great evening (or 20!!!)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
carrie
It sounds like it was a great time! I've never had a bad meal at Myers + Chang...I can't wait to head to the next one in September!
ReplyDeleteThe whole mystery meet idea sounds so fantastic! This restaurant looks super-delicious.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time! Those potstickers look AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like there was a much bigger group at this Mystery Meet. Wow! Glad you had a fun time, and I loved reading your recap. You know all those desserts are made at Flour, right? ;o) I loved learning to make marshmallows... and that cacao nib terrine might be my favorite thing ever!
ReplyDeleteLoads of great dishes, but the tea smoked pork spare ribs look really good.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos.
Megan - the entire table (well my side at least) was a buzz with the fact that the desserts are made at Flour!! I wasn't sure if that meant ALL of them, like even the ice cream granita? and the puddin? But I was totally thinking "i wonder if Megan made this coconut cream pie, or the cocoa nib terrine." I need to get to Flour ASAP!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made it out! These photos are amazing! And you describe the meal so much better than I could! Hope to see you at our next event!
ReplyDeleteWow...if the food is as great as your writing...Wow! I'm on a plane...
ReplyDeleteThe lemoney Shrimp made me sit up at attention. Everything looked so lusciuous!!! Mmmm... I am literally drooling! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI want those dumplings. Looks like a fun event!
ReplyDeleteA great meal, the tea smoked pork spare ribs look and sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to go tehre!!!The food looks awesome. I follow her on Twitter/love Flour.
ReplyDeletePS: Your Summer Snapshot is up! :)
all that food looks so good. the dumplings are my fave!
ReplyDeleteaw what a great picture of you and lizzy! i shouldn't stop there, the one with bianca and joanne chang is super cute and all the food photos! gaaaaaaaaah. i don't even know if i can ORDER american chinese food ever again after reading this/seeing these pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shoutout Daisy! Wonderful to have met you! I was kicking myself for being so lazy and not taking any pictures but your post makes it all go away. Your pictures and descriptions are better then I would have ever attempted to do. Until the next one! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous post- you are such a good writer- I wish I was. Now I need to get on the ball and write mine!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is this post!? That looks like so much fun and everything from the drinks (I want one of those coco-lime drinks now!) to the food looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! We are obsessed with Myers + Chang. I was bummed to miss this but had another event. . . and have wine class for the next few months on Tuesdays so I will continue to miss it! :(
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent recap of this memorable meal, Daisy! Glenn and I hope to meet you at an upcoming Mystery Meet!
ReplyDeleteKatrin
I always end up reading your posts after dinner and I somehow still end up hungry! haha Those potsticks look amazinggggg.
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Hi THANKS for your sweet comments. Following your blog via Google but can't find how to do it via facebook and networked blogs!
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x
Damn girl, you have to be a restaurant owners dream!! About how many days a week do you go out to eat? Heck, I'd go out every night if I could! ;-)
ReplyDeleteDaisy -
ReplyDeleteYou have a great palate and an eye for detail.
Enjoyed your post very much, especially the fotos.
Thanks for the comment.
Glenn - winedinewith.us
Oh, man! Love this! I read it all, Daisy, some of it out loud to Mr. Deer! Not only does the food look delish, that decor is amazing, just my style, I love quirky! And I just threw up a little bit that the owner is not only a Harvard grad, mathematician and chef, she is gorgeous, too! Makes you a little sick, lol, I guess you get used to this, living in Beantown! Loved this!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds likes so much fun! I would love to attend one of these, too bad there aren't any around me :(
ReplyDeletexo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com
That is a ton of food! Everything looks delicious especially the potstickers... I love potstickers!
ReplyDeleteI love this whole concept, wish there was something like this in my area.
Ribs? spring rolls! COCO LIME COOLER? bloggers and foodies? I think you just described my dream evening out :D
ReplyDeleteI finally signed up for mystery meet but couldn't make this event :( I love this restaurant though!
ReplyDeletea simply irresistible and ever so delectable description of what seems to be an amazing place! i love my cousin!
ReplyDeleteUmm, okay...I really have to check this Myers+Chang place out. It sounds wonderful!
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