Noir Bar | Harvard Square

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....