Monday Funday | Sel De La Terre

Prior to the Boston Food Bloggers Launch Party I spent the Monday holiday with my girls Megan, Alicia, Michelle & Meghan. We enjoyed lunch at Sel de la Terre, sipped rum cocktails in front of a roaring fire at the InterContinental Hotel and befriended the staff at Union Bar and Grille all before 6 pm. Sel De La Terre is a French Brasserie serving cuisine inspired by the rustic country fare of Provincial and Southern France. The original location at 255 State Street sits among the bustling Long Wharf waterfront where their affordable and approachable "Salt of the Earth" Southern French cuisine has impressed critics and garnered high praise. Since the Long Wharf location opening ten years ago they expanded to the suburbs of Natick and then opened a third location in the Back Bay. Excited to finally pay them a visit I entered off the frigid (but at least sunny and blue skied) streets where a hostess warmly greeted me and took my coat. Seated in a corner table backed by a semi circular brown leather booth, the sunlight spilled in through the windows making the girls and I feel like we had the best table in the restaurant. I immediately dug into the basket of homemade breads and ordered a glass of Chianti from the cork board wine menu. I was leaning towards ordering the Duck Confit Sandwich ($10) with fig compote, whole grain mustard, provolone cheese and baby arugula but when our waitress mentioned they were out (before we placed our orders, grateful) I decided on The SDLT burger ($15).A massive juicy patty cooked to an ideal medium with Vermont cheddar cheese, apple wood smoked bacon and a slather of spicy aioli was all contained on a toasted brioche bun. The burger was excellent and I was in heaven with this massive pile of extra skinny, precisely seasoned rosemary pomme frites. We scrutinized the dessert menu in all its glory until spotting the Grand Dessert for two ($20) described as a sampling of our desserts “en miniature”. Each and every one of the dessert menu offerings sounded terrific so we figured why not try them all? The sampling proved a worthwhile choice with more than enough bites to satisfy everyone.As the sun moved it cast shadows through the blinds which made for some unique lighting. I did the best I could! Anyways, lets take a closer look at the adorable mini desserts. 

maple goat cheese mousse | hazelnut currant tartlet, mini meringue, port wine honey and mint syrup. 

granny smith apple bread pudding | cider gastrique and vanilla bean ice cream. orange vanilla crème brûlée | fresh kiwi fruit, blood orange and a cinnamon checkerboard cookie.
chocolate molten fondant cake | white chocolate espresso ganache and raspberry sorbet. 

chai tea panna cotta | sesame praline

These were so much fun to sample and share. I am always partial to a well made panna cotta or crème brulee, the respective chai tea and orange flavor bases were thoughtful and delicious. The rich layer cakes paired with luscious ice cream or fruity sorbet were super indulgent while the green apple bread pudding would fare well if you craved a lighter dessert. The maple goat cheese mousse was as inventive as they come, perhaps the dessert I would order if I could only pick one!

Sel De La Terre

255 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

Our next stop was RumBa at The InterContinental Hotel. We cozied up in front of their roaring fireplace with fantastic cocktails. You can read about it here!

After RumBa it was off to Union Bar and Grille in the South End where they don't have a fireplace but they have some of the warmest staff on the block. It was t-10 minutes to opening time (5 pm) but the host and face behind the tweets, Justin, graciously welcomed us into the bar where the new bartender, Justin (formerly of Rocca) crafted some fancy cocktails and proved a worthy photographer. That's two Justins, four and a half cocktails, and many group photos.

Megan's French Standard ($10) with St. Germain, Lillet Blanc, lemon, vodka, and grapefruit bitters was a pleasant balance of sweet to sour, garnished with a black cherry. I ordered a Barbadillo Manhattan ($10) with rye whiskey, dry and sweet sherry, sweet vermouth and rhubarb bitters. This was a complex Manhattan with a striking appearance. The drinks were strong. Thank Goodness. The Gallows awaited.....

I will for sure be returning to Union Bar and Grille because a) their menu looked fabulous and b) I have a $25 gift certificate compliments of the BFB Launch Swag bag.

Union Bar and Grille

1375 Washington Street 

Boston, MA 02118

What.a.day. I wish I could incorporate Monday Funday into my weekly routine. Who's with me?