Monday, March 7, 2011

Saus | Belgian Street Food

Introducing Saus the first of its kind to hit the Boston scene - a Belgian snack shack serving made-to-order pomme frites and traditional pearl sugar infused Liege Waffles; accompanied by an eclectic menu of savory and sweet dipping sauces.Run by a trio of young entrepreneurs Chin, Tanya and Renee, the three became friends while working at a software company in the Financial District. A conversation about how no such restaurant existed to satisfy their lunchtime cravings back in November 2008, and so humbly began the road to opening their authentic Belgian street food meets Boston neighborhood café. All the food is homemade from scratch - from the meticulous day long process of peeling and cutting the potatoes, to the ketchup and the mayo, to the stock in their poutine gravy.
So now that we've got the basics covered, are you ready to snack like the Belgians?!Megan, Michelle, Lizzy, Meghan, Bianca, Bridget, Rachel, Elizabeth and I certainly were. We gathered last Thursday just two days after the grand opening to enjoy a complimentary tasting at the historic Freedom Trail location inside the old Yankee Publishing Building.Right in between the strip of notably rowdy Faneuil Hall bars, late-night snacking won't know what hit it! (They are open until midnight Monday-Thursday and until 2am on Friday and Saturday.) Even better in my opinion is french fries for lunch or dinner and waffles for dessert enjoyed in the company of friends!Gathered around a high top table sitting in newly painted royal blue stools surrounded by a hodge-podge of framed comic strips, the vibe is fresh and the feel is modern without being trendy. Familiar tracks from Vampire Weekends second album Contra play in the background.I ordered a Virgil's Cream Soda ($2.25) to wash down the highly anticipated fries.
Cones of golden brown strands, deep fried and crispy, piping hot and addictive were served along side every single dipping sauce that Saus has to offer.
The owners truly spoiled us. And once we finished the first two baskets of fries, they brought more.
As far as dipping sauces go, we're talking Truffle Ketchup, Saturday Night Chive, Presto Pesto, Samurai Saus and more. Creatively named and equally as tasty, Chin explained the signature flavors "go-big" because if you like a certain ingredient, naturally you are going to want more of it.
One of my favorites was the Vampire Slayer -  a roasted-garlic-infused mayo.
In addition to the standard sauce menu they have a rotating menu of weekly specials. I tend to gravitate towards the sauces with a kick and the appropriately named Green Monster with green peppers, garlic, cilantro and jalapeños most certainly brought some heat. So did the Ole Chipoltle. Just as gravitating is anything made with beer and so the Cheddar Duvel was a sauce I also returned to for many more dips. The Pommes Frites come in three reasonably priced sizes: Petit ($4), Regular ($5.50) and Belgian ($7). The individual sauces will set you back a mere 75 cents each.
We were intrigued by the Deep Fried Egg and Chin happily agreed to send one over. With a runny yolk seeping over the fries giving them a breakfast like quality, we agreed this would compliment a hangover quite nicely.And for the grand finale Renee presented us with Liege-style waffles.One of each served topped in yet another dose of signature sauces, this time of the sweet variety finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Prepared like dough as opposed to batter these waffles are rich and dense. Crystals of pearl sugar are infused lending a crunchy texture and a balanced but not overpowering sweetness.
First up was the Berry Berry - vivid and tart!
Second to be delivered were not one but two of the waffles coated in Salted Caramel - gooey and rich, where sweet meets savory.
Lastly the Lemon Cream - bright and luscious! The Homemade Nutella sauce recipe is still being perfected, so we didn't get to try that one just yet!
Pretty Fly For a French Fry!! Head to Saus at 33 Union Street to satisfy your inner Belgian street food craving. If you didn't have one before, hopefully you do now!

33 Union St
Boston, MA 02108

21 comments:

  1. I love the picture you got from across the street. Really shows how tiny Saus is. This was such a fun night, and all of the food was so good. Can't wait to get back there for more!

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  2. Oh, man, I am so sorry that I missed this. Got stuck at work Thursday... sad.

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  3. Oh my gosh, YUM. Everything looks delicious and Saus' logo on the front of the building is super cute. And cream soda, mmmm, delish.

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  4. Great re-cap! I love how all of our re-caps are so different...and I can't help but smile at your photos from across the street!

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  5. Want fries now. Seriously, I could really go for some fries and a waffle. I think we should make outings to Saus a monthly occurrence.

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  6. Fabulous recap!!! Im heading back there this week. You got so many great pictures and I feel like I learned even more from your review (Even though I was there!!!)

    Can't wait to get back there!

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  7. ok if this isn't directly up my alley i don't know what is!!! are you kidding me- the dipping queen has found her match, her long lost missing piece to the homemade edible puzzle!!! i love you KRISTEN!!!

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  8. i have to post again- i just can't believe you- i am officially the most jealous of your taste buds :)

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  9. im in love with this concept! i really want to go!

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  10. Every post that I read about this dinner gets my tummy rumbling. I wish I could have made it! I guess the homemade nutella is a reason to go back :)

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  11. Mmmm- I shouldnt have read this at 9am...sounds delicious! Great recap!

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  12. and i need to get there asap! i love the idea of adding the egg and salted caramel waffle...divine!

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  13. Oh my god... seeing that deep fried egg just rocked my world. I can't wait to go there.

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  14. Another post - another reason to hurry over and try their food!

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  15. did someone say poutine? wth was that a fried egg atop fries?? (two of my absolute favorite things in the world ever!!)

    passssss it all. including that berrie waffle. my rear end is widening just looking at this post. and for once i don't even care!!

    xo,
    c

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  16. makin me hungry!! i'll have to get there soon :)

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  17. This looks awesome. I'm bookmarking this place.

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  18. What a fantastic and unique restaurant concept - I love it! I mean, who doesn't love french fries? I hope that they expand this place...and fast!

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  19. We just went here for lunch (after I ate some spinach to offset the fried food). So good! I think the waffle with salted caramel sauce is my new addiction.

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  20. I wish I still worked over there!! OH man - those fries with the egg look AHHH mazing.

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