Ocean Prime

I want to say this was one of the most indulgent meals I've had in along time - but that would only be half true. Last week was a whirlwind of spontaneity out and about the city. First came the sushi bar at Super Fusion in Watertown - one of our favorites which never fails to impress. We had double toro maki and a caterpillar maki, alongside carafes of hot sake, edamame and more. Second, after a night at Hotel Envoy's Lookout (the new see and be seen rooftop bar) a visit to Dumpling Cafe in Chinatown where we enjoyed crab rangoon, a heaping plate of mango chicken, ice cold Sapporo, and loads of the pork and vegetable dumplings that made them a citywide craze. So So GOOD.

And third this week came Ocean Prime, the Seaports newest upscale chain. This Steakhouse is swanky and sophisticated with an extensive wine room. We go all out, I'm talking east and west coast Oysters on the half shell ($19) followed by an exceptional Ahi Tuna Tartare ($18) and a ridiculous Point Judith Calamari ($16) tossed with sweet chili sauce and cashews - for no other reason than it's Thursday and we've had a great week, why stop now! 

Traditional cocktails accompany our indulgent first courses - a Dirty Martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives and their own Manhattan ($15) that adds Rosemary Grapefruit Peppercorn bitters! 

My 8 oz Filet Mignon ($41) and Bob's 12 oz Bone in Filet ($50) are executed medium rare with a warm, pink center. Both are expertly seasoned, tender and juicy. To accessorize our steaks we order Black Truffle Butter ($6) which is a very good call. Our a la carte sides of Whipped Mashed Potatoes ($9) and Asparagus with Hollandaise ($11) are flawless. We perused the lengthy wine list for quite sometime and decided on an Argyle Pinot Noir ($65) from Willamette Valley, Oregon. (We visited their tasting room last October - it's always fun to pick a wine that brings back good memories!) Finally, there was Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie ($11) with fluffy peanut butter mouse and decadent bittersweet chocolate ganache . You definitely can't end a meal like this without dessert.

Ocean Prime

140 Seaport Boulevard

Boston, MA 02210

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

Babbo Pizzeria

This past April, Boston warmly welcomed high-profile chef Mario Batalli to the Seaport District's Fan Pier with the opening of Babbo Pizzeria at 11 Fan Pier Boulevard. (The original Babbo resides in Manhattan with a Michelin Star.) Each time I venture across the Fort Point Channel I am wide-eyed in amazement at the changes taking place; shiny new buildings and restaurants are continuing to forever transform the city's waterfront. On a recent Tuesday, The Envoy Hotel's chic roofdeck overlooking the not-forgotten Barking Crab looks like the place to be. Across from a massive construction site, venturing towards what was once the lone Fan Pier Restaurant, Sam's, I locate Babbo. Inside the wide open, bright space, I spot my girlfriends gathered around one of the Carrara marble counter-tops sipping aperitivi from the likes of a classic Aperol Spritz (Flor processo, Aperol, orange), to a Peach Shrub (Zucca Amaro, house made peach shrub, vinegar) and a Summer in the City (Strawberry Rye, Cocchi Rossa, Peychauds). The Peach Shrub is unique and invigorating; I order one for myself. 

Once seated at a round table for six, we start with Verdure (vegetables) Cauliflower alla Sciciliana ($5) and Peas, Mint & Prosciutto ($5) offer delicate little cauldrons with fresh, flavorful components. Joining the mix is everything on the Pesce section ($7 each / $21 all): Tuna Sottolio - sungolds, calabrian chilis, panzanella / Sardines Marinato - Portuguese sardines, cucumber, cherry tomato / Calamari Siciliana - fregola, caperberries, cherry tomatoes / Grappa Cured Salmon - arugula, primo olio. If you have a large group that enjoys seafood, ALL four for $21 is the way to go!

Babbo's pizza is divine. The dough is made daily and pies are wood fired in a 1000 degree brick oven. The result is a Neapolitan style pie where an airy crispness is met with a wonderfully chewy texture. Just the right amount of toppings come together in the Squash & Stracciatella ($14) with thinly sliced summer squash and zucchini, wild boar salami, and chili adding a welcome spicy kick. The thin crust gets slightly overwhelmed by the Guacinale ($14), even so, I still welcome the delicately cured pork, perfectly soft boiled egg, and scallion on my pizza. The Bagna Cauda ($13) ends up being our only red sauce based pie, with escarole, parmigiano and sausage. 


As if three Pizza's weren't enough, we shared from the Fritti Section: Fiore Di Zucca ($16) - local squash blossoms with conch farm goat cheese and lemon aioli and Eggplant Milanese ($14) with stracciatella and tomato jam. And for Pastas: Egg Yolk Ravioli ($15) - brown butter, sage, hazelnut, guanciale and a simple Gnocchi Pomodoro ($15) - cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella di bufala. 
Overall - the pizzas were a home run, outshining the pastas but complimenting nicely the rest of the menu. I loved all the verdue, pesce and fritti that we tried. 


Finally, you'll want to go big with the dolci. Megan had been here before and steered us right the entire evening - ending with the decision to order ALL the Coppettas. A group favorite was the Olive Oil Coppetta ($10) with olive oil gelato, lime curd, strawberries, passionfruit granita and basil syrup.  

The S'More Coppetta ($10) featuring graham cracker gelato, dark chocolate gelato, chocolate crumbs and toasted marshmallow was a very close runner up for me. That gooey torched marshmallow sauce was unreal!

In a hilarious moment, the towering Sweet Corn Coppetta ($10) with blackberries, polenta cake, zabalgione and caramel corn toppled over, jenga style! The waitstaff were quick to clean up the mess and to assure us they would bring another right out. You don't have to think twice about service here, it is flawless.

P.S. A fun article in the Globe: Batali Bursts into Town with Babbo

BaBBo Pizzeria

11 Fan Pier Boulevard
Boston, MA 02210

Sam's Patio Party

With prime waterfront property on Fan Pier, Sam's located inside the Louis Boston building has a lot to offer, beginning and certainly not ending with exceptionally breathtaking views. Weaving through a construction ridden parking lot, I followed signs leading me to an industrial warehouse; the facade a seemingly misleading and trendy disguise for what it beholds.Sam's sits perched on the back half of the second floor, where at the entrance I was welcomed by owners Esti and Drew Parsons. It was an absolutely perfect day for an outdoor event as evidenced by sunny blue skies, a barely there breeze and calm waters. The stylish single room interior offers panoramic views out two toned glass walls. Globe lighting flanks the perimeter of the lofty ceiling while pristine leather couches back retro cafeteria style tables. A small bar with modern stools and a black counter top is perched in the corner. Directly to the right is the exit to the patio where the event was being held. The wraparound deck is home to a trifecta of jaw dropping landscapes. Boats pass by on the harbor, the city skyline parades in the distance over Rowes Wharf and just below an inviting bright green lawn expands to meet the Boston Harborwalk. Views in Boston don't get much better than this!The backside of the building is nothing like the front, where besides those pristine glass walls, multi-toned wood panels construct the rest of the exterior.I was excited to find this girl behind the bar, my friend Jess Li who is a former waitress at longtime favorite hangout DeLux. She knows me all too well and wasted no time explaining the signature cocktail created especially for the event.  The Less Than Three (<3) is an inventive blend of tequila, cassis, grapefruit juice, muddled cucumber, mint and lavender topped with a splash of club soda and garnished with a salted cucumber. Not to sweet, or too tart, with nice herbal flavors this was balanced and refreshing.Bloggers and other media reps were introduced to the talents of Sam's new chef Asia Mei through a sampling of passed appetizers. The chef excels at pairing exciting ingredients in creative and unique forms. From the Crispy Jalapeno Crab Rangoon with sweet and sour plum gastrique to Mini Lobster BLTs with candied bacon, I was impressed early on. One of my favorites was the Halibut Tartare cradled by a bibb lettuce leaf topped with thin crispy potato shavings. The Braised Endive, Grapefruit & Sesame Brittle was also a divine bite.Thick and juicy, tender and flavorful Pistacio Crusted Lamb Lolipops were up for grabs.Barbeque Pulled Pork Nachos topped with pickled cabbage and a dollop of crème fraiche had a spicy kick.A hearty Quinoa Salad boasting almonds, feta cheese, blueberries and orange segments was a nice introduction to these edible grain like seeds.Plate after plate of these inventive appetizers were offered, the waitstaff happy to accommodate our constant requests to photograph their trays. After another Less Than Three there was white wine. Basking on the deck in blissful weather sipping perfectly crafted cocktails and munching on fantastic appetizers was highlighted by the company of these ladies - from left to right -Lin, me, Susie, Meghan, Chelsee, Elizabeth, Christine, Lingbo, Bridget and Tina. Sam's is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The bar is open 7 days a week until 1 pm. I'm already looking forward to a return visit! Who is in?!

Sam's @ Louis

60 Northern Avenue

Boston, MA 02210