Last Thursday night pre G&D's cookie tasting at Clover I had the pleasure of joining some friends at Noir Bar for drinks and appetizers.
Noir Bar is a sultry and intriguing cocktail den located inside the Charles Hotel at 1 Bennet Street in Harvard Square. Low movie theater-esque lighting, deep set black booths and red accented décor set the scene where an extensive 3 page drink list awaits. We each chose something vastly different. Megan's love of St. Germain steered her to the Signature "Film Noir" Drink menu for a Scarlet Street ($13) st. germain elderflower liqueur, blood orange purée, champagne. These next two drinks are off the "Case for Classic Cocktails" menu. I went with the Periodista ($12) myers’s dark rum, cointreau, apricot brandy & fresh lime. I was in the mood for a dark alcohol, so Myer's Rum fit the bill, but it was the apricot brandy that I ended up loving. I also tend to gravitate towards drinks with fresh lime. Meghan warmed up with a Sazerac ($12) new orleans style – old overholt rye whiskey, peychaud’s bitters, simple syrup & a touch of ricard pastis.Emily joined us as well, her drink of choice was a glass of Malbec. Noir Bar offers a 5-4-3 happy hour deal known as Noir Bites where each week they feature a $5 flatbread, $4 sandwich and $3 snack. We munched on the 5 and the 3! Avocado dip ($3) w sage, spicy tomato and walnut. I didn't get much spice or tomato, but I did appreciate the thick chunks of avocado and the creamy nuttiness of the walnuts. You can't beat a plate full of chips and glorified guacamole for $3! The Flatbread ($5) w anchovies, capers, olive paste and goat cheese was expectedly salty.The flavors proved more balanced in the Grilled Flatbread ($10) w dried peaches, goat cheese, prosciutto & balsamic reduction with arugula off the regular bar menu. Noir Bar keeps it classy yet affordable. I would be content to linger over cocktails and 5-4-3 Happy Hour plates any day of the week.
This post is a little more than its title. What else?
Its a pie, mate!
After Brekky I made sure to purchase a mini meat pie to-go from KO Catering & Pies. These savory Australian treats can be kept refrigerated and popped in a 350 degrees oven for 20 minutes. A steaming flaky pastry stuffed with flavorful beef and melted cheese, down under eats have proved a worthy cuisine in my book.
I owe it to owners Cara & Sam for bringing a taste of the Australian outback to South Boston. You owe it to yourself to make way to 87 A Street for a taste of the coveted meat pies. They even made Stuff Magazine's list of "Best 25 Things We Ate This Year".
Geoff & Drew's Double Fudge Chunk makes an appearance for dessert.
Bringing up the rear in a week of good eating and drinking are some beloved - no stranger to the blog - North End favorites. Take out from our local brick oven pizza restaurant Antico Forno as I headed home from Urban Grape's holiday party with a nice wine buzz, was just the ticket!
Two pie's for Adam and I; a classic Margherita ($12) fresh buffalo mozzarella, plum tomato sauce and fresh basil drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and the inventive Vesuvio ($15.50) Fresh imported buffalo mozzarella, roasted peppers, ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, finished with fresh sliced prosciutto. Antico Forno never disappoints. And neither does Boston Common Coffee Co. A tasty Egg Nog Latte made with half egg nog, half whole milk was warm and frothy with just a touch of sweetness. As I ventured to spend time with Adam's family in Quincy on Tuesday I sipped it while I rode the T. I haven't been cooking at all lately! And so it goes....
GOsh I wish I had your diet lol. You make things I never even thought I would eat look good haha.
ReplyDeleteHa ha. You fit a lot of eating and non-cooking in this week! The meat pie looks delish! I'm already craving another of those Scarlet Street cocktails. Loved it! Hope we see each other soon!
ReplyDeletedang! i want a meat pie! and that is a really interesting avocado dip. i have never seen avocado paired with sage or walnut.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a meat pie before. Christian's dad gives him one every year for Christmas, but I just can't bring myself to try it. Maybe this year I'll take the plunge!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to go to Noir. Now I know I need to get there just for the flatbread.
OMG I need the Vesuvio pizza. And the meat pie looks really good!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much food in this post!! haha. The crust on your meat pie looks absolutely heavenly. I really need to get back there to try the veggie pie, if just to try the crust. Also, I'm totally fiending over the dried peach pizza at Noir. I totally have to try that out.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been busy! Antico Forno looks super good and authentic. I'll have to check it out. In other news, I am now starving and craving anything from meat pies to pizza!
ReplyDeleteAfter last Friday's cooking extravaganza, I haven't been cooking at all! I really need to get back into it and will definitely be staying in tonight to cook something to cure this nasty post-office holiday party hangover :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. . . I have been eating really healthily this week and was sooooo craving pizza last night at midnight! Those photos look SO good! I need to fit pizza into my day today.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to check out Noir's happy hour deals! And the Curried Vegetable Pie sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe Scarlett Street drink is right up my alley...love St. G too!
ReplyDeleteOh my, a meat pie and blue moon. I think you just described my husbands favorite meal
ReplyDeleteHoly YUM!
ReplyDeleteThat pie looked AMAZING!
It's a pity it was a meat-filled pie... I'm not exactly a meat lover :P
But, still.. drool-worthy!
Great wrap-up of all you've been up to! that meat pie looks glorious.
ReplyDeleteMeat and pie -- a winning combo!
ReplyDelete