I excitedly set foot into Michael Schlow's latest venture Happy's Bar and Kitchen for dinner with pals Megan and Lin. From the reputable chef behind upscale French cuisine and a killer burger at Radius in the Financial District, to Latin inspired small plates at Back Bay's Tico (named one of Esquires best New Restaurants for 2011) comes a Fenway neighborhood spot serving the "greatest hits" - classic American comforts with a distinctive flair. 
In the airy urban space, graffiti splashed walls and subtle glistening chandeliers meet retro 50's decor including kitschy upholstered chairs and pressed tin ceilings. Place settings are clean and charming with vintage etched silverware and gauzy cloth napkins. The tone is more casual yet decidedly upbeat compared that of its older siblings.
We settled right in with some cocktails, a Strawberry Basil Margarita ($13) made with Hornitos Blanco, Contreau, agave and lime was refreshing, followed up by "M.B.'s" (must be the bartenders initials) rendition of a classic Aperol Spritz ($12).
To eat we decided on a number of plates from the appetizers menu; everything we sampled was skillfully executed and easily shareable. Tender Duck Tacos ($9) feel like a Tico inspired dish! Succulent duck meets a pop of cucumber, cilantro, chilies and mint.
With a name like The Greatest Wedge....Ever ($8.49) we couldn't pass up this version of blue cheese dressed lettuce, red onions, bacon and tomatoes.
I've actually been on a wedge kick lately and just had one that would give Happy's a run for the title but you know, all in good fun!
The Plate of Really Delicious Cured Meats with all the Garnishes ($10.49) is named in the same vain. But what can I say, those cured meets accompanied by dijon and spicy mustards, grilled bread and pickled vegetables were in fact, really delicious!
We raved on about the fluffy, spreadable Homemade Ricotta ($8.29) which came drizzled in olive oil and dusted with red pepper flakes and sage. Thick slices of toasted bread are just right, golden brown and lightly crisp.
When we saw a server whisk by with a cast iron skillet of Petra’s Super Mac n’ Cheese ($10) we knew an order would be headed for our table next. The visual appeal is one that delivers on taste with the right accoutrements of bacon, peas, jalapenos and crunchy bread crumbs to boost the cheese drenched noodles.
There is no dessert menu but I'd advise you save room. Our incredibly friendly and attentive waitress listed off from a number of choices that included a Strawberry Shortcake and Mascarporeos. The latter, we learned from the manager who popped over to say hello, were developed by Schlow years ago in the kitchen at Via Matta, when a chocolate shortbread cookie accidentally fell into a tub of mascarpone.
The sweet creamy cheese together with crunchy chocolate shell is a divine elevation on the classic sandwich cookie. Then the manager sent out a Strawberry Shortcake with his compliments after learning we only chose one dessert!
The elements are nicely balanced as a heaping pile of fluffy whipped cream dusted in powdered sugar and cinnamon highlights the juicy berries and a sturdy shortcake.
The bill gets delivered with another nod to an older time, featuring a handful of the sticky peanut butter-molasses flavored candy, Mary Jane!
Happy's is a happening neighborhood spot that offers good cocktails, food and fun in a vibrant setting. There is a fine balance Schlow seems to achieve of not taking himself or the menu too seriously, while still delivering tasty dishes. I look forward to returning, perhaps next time for a Ramen Noodle bowl or a Blue Plate special!
It would appear that I have some unfinished business to attend to. Once upon a time when it was summer, I had Friday's off from work and I went out to lunch! You remember those days? Long gone are they now, but not forgotten. I can't start something and not finish it, so without further a due, the final installment of my beloved Summer Lunch Series.
The opening of Blue Inc. in the Financial District had my interest peaked long before it even had a name. Chef Jason Santos was set to display his eclectic twist on traditional dishes in a funky, modern space located at 131 Broad Street, minus this one small detail. Since naming his new restaurant proved such a challenge, he announced a contest to the public. His affection for the color widely recognized thanks to his signature dyed-do, the winning submission aptly fits the bill.
I began my afternoon at the bar where the spirited bartender was more than welcoming and highly engaging. She took interest in my photography, which then led to a discussion of our favorite Boston restaurants. I happily conversed with her, sipping my Blue Inc. Sangria ($8) until Megan arrived and we sat for lunch. 
The signature red wine sangria with aloe vera and tangerine was a striking presentation with juxtaposing colors, animated further by a touch of blue in a test tube. 
I'm not sure the squirt of blue liquid added much taste wise to the already successful sangria, but frills and fun and blue fit right in, so it worked. 
Megan ordered The Anorexic Model ($11), this wildly named martini blends pierre ferrand cognac, lychee bubbles and St. Germain, and garnishes it with "twiggy & berries" an eye catching bunch of mini grapes. For lunch, we decided to share a couple appetizer plates and a salad. The chef's creative tweaks paid off in some dishes, but failed to impress in others.
Perhaps the appetizer I was most looking forward to trying (which ended up being one the waitress initially forgot) were the Mini Kobe Corn Dogs ($9). A half dozen short and fat hot dogs in an onion and cheese batter come with three dipping sauces - honey mustard with a kick, chipotle aioli and homemade ketchup. 
I wanted to love these as much a I love my carnival fare staple, but this version did them no justice. The batter was much too greasy for what was only a paper thin coating of it, namely the ratio of dog to corn tipped completely off scale in the dogs favor. The fluffy enveloping exterior I craved (which is certainly allowed to be somewhat greasy) was completely a miss. 
Twists on classics can succeed straying even far off the beaten path, but I fear corn dog lovers will experience the same level of disappointment we did. 
The Three Lobster Tacos ($14) followed up on a much brighter note, pairing finely chopped lightly dressed lobster with mango salsa, shredded lettuce, cilantro and lime. I wished there were more mangoes, and ripe ones at that, present in the taco, but otherwise I enjoyed the dish. 
Black Truffle is a recurring ingredient on the menu; I favored mine in finely shredded strands atop Tater Tots ($6) which were soft mashed potato mounds of pure comfort, stuffed in the center with Gouda cheese and wrapped in a thin crispy skin. 
The Hell's Kitchen Wedge Salad ($8) incorporated black truffle in vinaigrette form, drizzling it over a lettuce wedge studded with red grapes, candied walnuts and crumbled goat cheese. I wasn't blown away by this salad.
After finishing off my sangria I was enticed by our waitress to try another cocktail. I'll give it to them - the bartenders at Blue Inc. sling some gorgeous looking libations. 
The pretty in pink and green Strawberry Fields Forever ($9) muddles strawberries with house infused basil vodka, lime and bubbles. This drink was balanced and refreshing, just as easy on the taste buds as it was on the eyes. 
For dessert, we fancied ourselves a mid-day milkshake in the flavor of Rootbeer & Toasted Marshmellow ($8). 
Made with liquid nitrogen, a mystical whoosh of tingling, cold, bubbly air swarms around you and before you know it, you've got a shake that's anything but - it's frozen solid! 
The kitchen was kind enough to split the shake into two glasses for us and return with additional liquid nitrogen to enhance the effects. Once the mist clears and the shake melts enough to be pierced with a spoon - a thick, smooth, clay like substance is flooded with liquid lying underneath and within, proving this milkshake that strays far off the beaten path, works.
Megan and I were witness to what looked like a media demonstration where Chef Santos assumed a spot behind the bar to whip up a milkshake for a press photographer. Fun!
Accompanying the check in a shot glass is your classic childhood bank teller treat: 
A blue lollipop! 
Proving a convivial experience; the atmosphere, cocktails and food at Blue Inc. all exude a unique fanfare. While not all of the dishes I sampled during my final summer lunch outing won me over, I was more than happy to accept an invite to check out the dinner menu with friends this past Tuesday. How did the Greenway hotspot fare on my second venture? Hopefully my next review won't take as long as this one did!
A small collection of nationwide restaurants that embrace the deep rooted American steakhouse tradition, Del Frisco's most definitely knows prime grade steak and lucky for us New Englanders, a thing or two about seafood. Be that as it may, there's a lot more to the recently opened Boston location than just the food. 
Entering into the first floor off a vibrant section of Northern Avenue, you continue up a grand staircase into an impressive space housing a swank circular bar with views of the downtown skyline; and an equally stylish dining room inlaid with plush gray semi-circular booths overlooking a stunning harbor expanse.
The media dinner I attended on Thursday evening was held in the appropriately named Harbor Room, housing within its massive wine rack enclosed walls are sweeping red curtains surrounding tables boasting crisp white linens and elegant leather chairs. 
Commanding attention overhead are two giant chandeliers, the sparkling crystal figures hang to resemble exposed light bulbs. 
Spectacular, grand, impressive, massive, giant, I'm pulling out all the "go big or go home" esque adjectives; Del Frisco's atmosphere embodies that mantra to a tee. And as the rooms namesake would imply, views of the harbor aren't too shabby either. 
The dinner was based on a four course menu and was completely free of charge to attendees.
After glancing over the regular menu, everything appears to be fairly expensive. But as usual, I've included the prices in my round up to let you be the judge. 
At Del Frisco's, you can't go wrong with a signature cocktail. After one a taste of the Absolut Orange Vodka that has been house infused with pineapple and shaken to creamy frothy martini perfection, "The VIP" ($13) will have you feeling just as the namesake touts. 
The Blackberry Ginger Cocktail ($14) made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, fresh blackberries, fresh lemon juice, mint and a splash of ginger beer was also a winner. Boasting an extensive wine list (if the glass walled wine racks were any indication) A Kung Fu Girl Riesling from Washington state was poured to compliment our starter courses. Once we made our way to the steak, a Cabernet Sauvignon made just for the restaurant was also nicely paired. 
The bread here is worth indulging. A full loaf is served warm, soft baked and studded with sesame seeds, be sure to break off a piece and slather it in some of that whipped butter. An extensive spread of shared appetizers began with the Shrimp Cocktail ($19) and Shrimp Remoulade ($19). I might skip these in favor of another appetizer, especially considering the price point. 
I was not impressed by the Ahi Tuna Tartare ($16). This one paled comparison to some of my Boston favorites.
The appetizer worth splurging on is the Crab Cake ($19) with this one you get all the crab and none of the cake! A glorious mound of exceptionally tender and well seasoned crab meat is served over a creamy cajun lobster sauce. Order it if you are a crab lover for sure.
I would also recommend the Prime Beef Carpaccio ($14) served with a creole mustard and dotted with capers, the thin but lengthy slices of raw beef were generously layered on the plate. 
Given a choice of salads, I opted for the Blue Cheese Lettuce Wedge ($11). With smokey bacon, fresh lettuce and springy cherry tomatoes halves the components were lovely despite an overwhelming presence of blue cheese. The dry cheese crumbles are more than welcome in abundance but all that creamy dressing was too much for the wedge to handle.
For the steak course our waitress explained the degree of cooking runs towards rare, so in essence what is actually ordered medium would be cooked medium rare. (Or something along those lines, fair enough.)
The supreme quality of beef was evident with each bite of my 8 oz Filet Mignon ($38) cooked to their ideal medium as desired with a fully pink center, retaining its flavorful juiciness. 
Vegetable sides run the gamut from simply steamed Broccoli ($10), to lightly blanched Asparagus ($11) with shaved almonds, to Sauteed Mushrooms ($10) bathing in savory pan juices. 
The Chateau Potatoes ($9) are a perplexing side, I guess because I am not really sure what a "chateau" potato is supposed to be. A dish of heavy waxy mashed potatoes with butter and cracked pepper are good, nothing extraordinary. 
A tower of the thickest Onion Rings ($10) I've ever seen are sensational, while the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese ($16) would prove more swoon worthy had actual chunks of lobster appeared within the sea of elbow pasta. 
Behold the dessert platter, a sampling of their Lemon Cake, Banana Bread Pudding and Molten Chocolate Cake.
The Creme Brulee and Berries and Cream offer something lighter compared to a cake or bread pudding. Not that you didn't save plenty of room after all that steak! 
I am content to recommend any of the five as worthy contenders to end a meal here. 
The service executed by the waitstaff was friendly, helpful and attentive. The pacing of the meal, however, was considerably slower than expected. I took the opportunity to relish the time, enjoying the company of friends and new faces, appreciating the opportunity to sample a wide variety of their food and drink. 
250 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
I excitedly set foot into Michael Schlow's latest venture Happy's Bar and Kitchen for dinner with pals Megan and Lin. From the reputable chef behind upscale French cuisine and a killer burger at Radius in the Financial District, to Latin inspired small plates at Back Bay's Tico (named one of Esquires best New Restaurants for 2011) comes a Fenway neighborhood spot serving the "greatest hits" - classic American comforts with a distinctive flair. 
When we saw a server whisk by with a cast iron skillet of Petra’s Super Mac n’ Cheese ($10) we knew an order would be headed for our table next. The visual appeal is one that delivers on taste with the right accoutrements of bacon, peas, jalapenos and crunchy bread crumbs to boost the cheese drenched noodles. 
