SRV | South End

I'm confident that the food and cocktails at SRV are going to blow you away. One of my favorite meals in Boston this year and an exemplary choice for a special occasion; we celebrated my Mom's 60th birthday and they made us feel special from beginning to end. SRVs radical approach to cicchette + piatti (Italian small plates) and homemade pastas is nothing short of impressive. 

SRV stands for Serene Republic of Venice and proudly distinguishes themselves as Boston's first Venetian Bacaro + Wine Bar. Our table decided to go for the Arsenale ($45pp) chefs tasting at the encouragement of our waitress. We all agreed that each and every ciccette sounded wonderful, plus it's exciting to be surprised and to let the chefs send out what they think is the best of the menu. 

But first - drinks! The wine list is exclusively Italian and the cocktails showcase a heavy Italian influence. Between five of us we had a solid apertitvi sampling, which was perfect because I would have ordered any one of them. I love spotting new-to-me ingredients and different types of vermouth, amaro, spirits etc. So from the SRV Negroni ($12) with bully boy estate gin, cocchi vermouth di torino + campari to the Innocents Abroad ($12) with fighting cock bourbon, amaro nonino, gran classico + kina l'aero, SRVs bar staff delivers. The Streaking in Italian ($9) - pueblo viejo añejo tequila, contratto aperitif, cardamaro + lemon was another solid choice. The cocktails go on to feature one with grappa and another with cachaca. I'm super impressed!

~~~ And now presenting the Arsenale ~~~

 Fresh Goat Cheese - tomato brodo, herb blossoms, cucumber. A stimulating, creamy, fruity first bite!

 Stuffed Piquillo Pepper - Asiago cheese, herbed bread crumbs. Our meal continues in impressive fashion with perhaps my favorite of SRVs chiccetti.

 Baccala Mantecato - salt cod, black bread, herbs, garlic. The black bread is squid ink, a creative vessel for a bracing bite of salt cod. 

 Mozzarella in Carrozza - preserved tomato, bonito. Those whimsical bonito flakes that move on their own and this melty mozzarella is a winning bite.

 Beef Tartare - off menu and i forget what came in this besides sunflower seeds and other nuts adding a playful texture contrast. We all loved it. 

Smoked Sea Trout - salsa bastarda, lentils, turnip brovada, lemon hollandaise. The trout was reminiscent of an arctic char or salmon and ever so slightly seared yielding a delicate piece of fish with smokey flavor.

Lamb Belly - this was everyone's first time having lamb belly, and wow is it rich and fatty. Crispy on one side, tender on the other, it was reminiscent of both bacon and pork belly, definitely with a distinct flavor. The carrot in pinzimonio, saffron yogurt and stone fruit helped cut the richness of the belly.

Strozzapreti - spicy lamb sausage, ricotta salata, kale

Creste de Gallo -  smokey tomato, pesto, pine nuts. Both handmade pastas are terrific. Works of art in fact. We take votes and the table is divided on which is the winner. No matter what, I want more pasta dishes from SRV, that's for sure.

 Biscotti Misti - venetian cookies & confections

Tiramisu - mascarpone, savoiardi, cocoa nibs / Caffé Corretto - espresso with a touch of grappa / Affogato - espresso, hazelnut gelato, gianduja

The only disappointment of the Arsenale tasting menu is the dolci as it comes with a forgettable biscotti misti. We ordered the Tiramusi and Affogato on our own and loved both. All three desserts are $8, so swap the affogatto in for the biscotti and the Arsenale is one of the best prix fix menus around.

The space is tasteful and uniquely designed - antique decanters turned light fixtures meet heavy barn doors and there's a dreamy patio out back. Also, the bathrooms!!

SRV Boston

569 Columbus Avenue

Boston, MA 02118

sycamore | newton centre

An upscale neighborhood bistro perfect for date night. Consistently winning Best of Boston awards since they opened in 2013. Tempura soft-shell crab with green sriracha. Polenta fries. Unique homemade pasta dishes. Exquisite fish entrées like bluefish with rabe pesto, chickpeas, and sweet pepper jam. Strawberry rhubarb angel food cake with hibiscus sorbet. Beignets with salted caramel sauce. The menu is always changing and no matter what, it is always exceptional. If you ask me for a restaurant recommendation in Boston, I'll ask if you don't mind venturing slightly outside the city because sycamore is consistently at the top of my list. With an easily accessible location in Newton Centre on the Green (D) line, sycamore really is a must if you're looking for somewhere new to impress! 

sycamore.

755 Beacon St

Newton, MA 02459

Newton, Lately

Blue Ribbon BBQ | West Newton

This plate was actually from the Lexington Battle Green BBQ Festival. We were biking along the Minuteman Trail and out of nowhere live music and smokin' ribs, pulled pork, beans, coleslaw, mac n cheese, cornbread, the works!! 

Max and Leo's | Newton Corner

At Max and Leo's tiny Newton Corner establishment the 900 degree coal fired oven turns out exquisite artisan pies. See also: a Definitive Guide to Boston Pizza in the Improper Bostonian and Boston's 12 Best Pizza Joints in the Boston Globe.

 

Truly their coal fired pizza and cozy Newton Corner digs are the BEST. Start with a nice glass of red wine and a Fire-Roasted Stuffed Red Pepper with rice, chicken, vegetables + drizzled with a balsamic glaze; then go half and half with their creative pies. For tomato sauce based, half Dante / meatballs, house-made mozzarella, roasted red pepper + basil with half Jero’s Pineapple / house-made mozzarella, bacon, pineapple, + jalapeño is a winning combo. And if you're in a white olive oil base kinda mood the L’Umina with sliced pears, caramelized onions, basil, ricotta cheese, fresh-sliced Prosciutto + drizzle of organic wildflower honey with half L’Oscar / Italian sausage, caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, mascarpone + mozzarella cheese will really do the trick. Also in the white pizza category I really like The Brooksy ($17.95) with grilled chicken, caramelized onions, wild mushroom, mascarpone and mozzarella cheese. The Marley ($16.75) is a classic red pizza finished with arugula, shaved parmesan and a balsamic drizzle. I guess I have basically had every pizza on the menu at this point so - trust!

Max & Leo's 

325 Washington St.
Newton, MA 02458 

Cook | Newtonville (update - they moved to Needham!)

Cook is a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood where a cheerful modern space serves creative American comforts. The Banana French Toast ($12) is made with Portuguese sweet bread. I paired a Bellini ($9) with the Smokey Pepper Grilled Cheese ($12) made with manchego, house boursin, crispy shallots and a smoky pepper jam with a side of leafy greens and sweet pickles. Yum!

Shake Shack | Chestnut Hill

Love indulging in a Shake Shack Burger and their golden crinkle cut fries. SO GOOD.  P.S. Their 100th Location just opened in the Seaport!!

Where have you been eating in your city or neighborhood lately?!

Cocktails, Lately

Trade / 540 Atlantic Avenue / Financial District

Beets by Trade / Bully Boy vodka, beet + cucumber simple syrup, lime, pineapple 

Waxy's / 1032 Beacon St / Brookline

Shake Rattle + Rum / Three Olives coconut water vodka, The Real McCoy 5 year rum, pineapple, ginger, angostura bitters 

Il Molo / 326 Commercial Street / North End

Sidecar / Cognac, Contreau, lemon juice, orange slice + demerarra sugared glass

Three destination worthy drinks! 
 Where have you had a great cocktail lately?!

Post 390 Picnic Basket

Post 390 Picnic Baskets are where it's at this September. The sun is still shining after you get out of the office, but those sweltering July and August days are well behind. Schedule a basket with an hour lead time to pick up after work - then wander over to Copley Square, the Esplanade or the Public Garden. We headed to our end of the Charles River Esplanade in Brighton. (The light was so insanely beautiful that I decided to channel my inner fashion blogger modeling with my cute little picnic basket!) Here's what's in it: 

/ Salad of Artisan Lettuces / candied pecans, dried cranberries, manchego, white balsamic vinaigrette 

/ Antipasto / prosciutto americano, sweet soppressata, marinated mozzarella, pickles, stout mustard, banana peppers, toasted baguette with sea salt  

/ Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies / soft + chewy 

/ Meyer + Tarragon Sparkling Lemonade / meyer lemon juice, tarragon, black peppercorn

All the food was delicious, however, that lemonade was my favorite! Everything was thoughtfully prepared and securely packaged, which in turn made for convenient unpacking and laying out a lovely spread with ease. The wooden utensils were a thoughtful touch, too. There are a couple different menu options - check them out here and let me know if you try one! 

*This picnic basket was complimentary, all opinions are my own*