Tavern On The Water

You go for the atmosphere.

You go for the view.

Do you want the good news or the bad news?

Good news is the brunch is pretty damn good.

A surprise of sorts! When the menu lists home fries these little nuggets of herb crusted hash browns are the last thing you expect to see on your plate.
They were absolutely delightful. The entire plate was a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the addition of lemony fresh greens to the standard 2 egg, sausage, english muffin breakfast.

Bad news is, the bloody marys were awful.

I've had a lot of bloody marys in my life. I know when they taste good. I know when they taste bad.
They look awesome. I look so excited to drink them. They even have a golf tee holding the garnishes in place.
Ironically, Tavern On The Water offers a make your own bloody mary bar. As fun and inviting as that sounds, we had just walked all the way to the Charlestown Navy Yard in the 90 degree heat and therefore we opted for the bartenders batch. I was in the kind of mood that if I wanted to make my own, I would have. At home.Surely, the bartender can make a better drink than us. Also, Adam never orders a bloody mary. I have no idea why he did today. I guess he wanted to try something new. Good for him. Or not so much. The taste was exceedingly more awkward with every sip. We kept making faces inadvertently while drinking - it was as painful to admit defeat. Adam was perplexed how anyone could like these and chalked it up to lack of booze in the mix. I reassured him that was not the case. I'm just saying' - it did not taste like spicy tomato juice sans vodka. It tasted more like a stale drink mix of sorts. Honestly, I have no idea what wrong. I have no idea if this was a fluke batch.
Be wary the Bloody Marys. But definitely stop in for a beer or two.

Tavern On The Water

Pier 6 | Navy Yard

1 8th Street

Charlestown, MA 02129

Woodward at The Ames

Despite the excellent meals I've had out and about in Boston + Cambridge over the past two weeks - I had yet to partake in Restaurant Week! Coincidentally it ends today. How lucky the Summer Lunch Series should get the opportunity for a 3 course lunch for $20.10. That is a great deal. And what better way to conclude an amazing season of meals. Technically flex time wraps on September 3rd but since I have big plans for Labor Day Weekend it is with bittersweet emotions I write my last post in the series. It is back to normal 8 hour days and 5 day weeks, it's saying goodbye to summer in the city, it's the change of the seasons, it's the passing of time. As much as it is familiar change and as much as I embrace Fall; there are parts of me that want to hang onto neighborhood strolls in the sweltering heat, sun drenched days in the park, lunches on patios and Friday's off....

So for the last time this season - lets do lunch!

Woodward is a Modern Day Tavern located in the luxury boutique Ames Hotel. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect as I had never been inside before. I was greeted first by the doorman and second by a mobile of sparkling silver branches.
I strolled into Woodward where I debated with the hostess if I should sit inside or out. I only questioned because the interior was so sharp and inviting - but the weather was way too nice. She offered me a seat at the bar while she cleaned off a table for one on the patio. I pulled up a red leather chair and felt welcome as the group of staff to my right who seemed to be really enjoying themselves acknowledged me with smiles and nods. The bartender offered me a water as I scanned the cocktail menu. Woodward's list of handcrafted and innovative cocktails presented me with another tough decision.The bartender seemed impressed with my choice of the Hot Nantucket Night ($15). He got right to it: slicing the jalapeno, muddling the cranberries, measuring the tequila and agave nectar and crafting me one of the best cocktails I have ever tasted, hands down. Go big or go home!The layers of flavor evoked in a single sip are genius. First you taste the tartness of the cranberries and the ever so slightly sweet notes of agave nectar. Then the heat of the jalapeno seeps in slowly before it finishes with a kick. The Don Julio Blanco tequila is on par with the range of spicy, tart and sweet ingredients. My table was ready shortly there after my life changing experience at the bar.
Forget the roof deck scene, I am pretty sure I just found the hidden gem of all hidden gems out here on Woodward's patio, right there in the middle of Government Center. Sometimes these undiscovered spots are right under your nose. Or maybe I'm the only one who gets excited about city scape and clock tower views. Either way.
The historic Old State House to my right, the vibrations of the T (Orange Line) running underneath and skyscrapers surrounding at all angles, this is downtown Boston in one of her finest hours. In general I'm pretty content, but in this moment I found some sort of inner peace.

Feel free to peruse the menu.

The appetizer choice was a no brainier, the entrée took a few seconds of debate between the burger and the scallops, but it was the dessert that really gave me some trouble. My waiter without hesitation told me which dessert I should order. He also smiled approvingly at my entrée choice. "Best dish on that menu" he stated matter-of-factly.
I began with the Chilled Corn Soup with Roasted Corn and Jalapeno.
Let's just stare at that for a moment, shall we?
Jalapeno is fast becoming a theme of this meal! The heat it gave off in the soup was very subtle, with thin shreds of the pepper laced throughout. It actually complimented my cocktail quite well. Most importantly, this bowl was full of creamy, comforting sweet corn flavors. The chilled velvety broth was magic to my taste buds. About every other spoonful welcomed crispy corn kernels. This soup achieved well balanced bites of delicate textures and bold flavors.
My waiter speaks the truth, the Seared Scallops with Corn and Bacon Succotash was the highlight of my meal.
Three large golden brown and crispy on the outside, white and springy on the inside scallops sat over a hearty pile of succotash. Yet another theme I'm embracing at this lunch - corn! I welcomed those sweet kernels once again, along with small but hearty cubes of potato. And those little slices of bacon - I almost forgot the dish had bacon until I tasted the familiar bite of salty goodness. Scallops and bacon, a classic pairing we all know and love was elevated to an incredible dish honoring one of summers favorite vegetables.
So, I actually noticed I require at least four shots of a dish to capture it fully to my liking.

So, there you go!

Time to give you a rundown of the atmosphere, because really, a restaurant review post wouldn't be complete without that either. The contemporary-meets-comfy patio furniture-meets-bustling city streets creates a unique vibe. You've got elegant marble Victorian tables on one hand next to smooth stone tables with legs in the form of wooden tree branches on the other. You've got high backed wicker chairs next to steel industrial cafeteria style seats, next to wooden benches with comfy pillows. It is basically a hodge-podge furniture out on that patio, but it works.
The perimeter is outlined with green rectangular shrubs and dotted with red umbrellas.
For my dessert course I was going to choose the poached peach with almond cake and whipped cream. Going to....
Once again, my waiter did not steer me wrong. He understood the menu, was quick and to the point and also offered truly genuine service.
Oh hello Warm Brownie Sundae with Peanut Butter Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce.
Chocolate sauce and sliced almonds formed an avalanche down the slopes of that mountain of perfectly scooped peanut butter ice cream, which was insanely good.
I will say I prefer my brownies a little more moist and chewy. This one was a tad rough around the edges. Not a huge deal. What else can you say about a brownie sundae? I almost finished all of it. After two full courses I'd say I did a pretty respectable job.
I seemed to have slipped into the land of oblivion and forgot I was getting all this for twenty dollars and ten cents. (What are you talking about a seventeen dollar for one drink bar tab!?) Ancient history. Full and happy, it was time to explore the Ames Hotel.I took a quick shot of Woodward's upstairs interior before I made my way out to the second floor balcony and into the stairwell. And finally, back down to the lobby, where randomly placed black and white pieces of furniture make bold statements.

Woodward at The Ames

1 Cross Street 

Boston, MA

It has been a rewarding summer of Friday lunches to say the least. I have experienced so many new-to-me Boston restaurants, traveling to various neighborhoods to broaden my horizons and just explore. I embraced the concept of eating out alone and truly enjoyed doing so. I have also spent some memorable afternoons in the company of best friends and family. I hope you've enjoyed reading this series of posts as much as I've enjoyed writing them. Until next summer!

The High Summer Tomato | Upstairs on The Square

What exactly is a high summer tomato? It is the ripest, reddest, late summer crop; specifically the locally grown and native heirloom varieties which offer the best flavors and lend their beauty to various dishes. {The above harvested last week from my Mom's garden!}

Upstairs On The Square has taken on the task of finding these tomatoes and creating a tasting menu deemed "The Perfect August Repast: A Tomato Feast!" This event is taking place for four nights - Wednesday August 25th - Saturday August 28th. My first experience at Upstairs On The Square was Afternoon Tea for Gretchen's Bridal Shower. The event was held in the sun drenched, glossy pink walled Zebra Room named for its wild animal carpet. The afternoon filled with tea, champagne and tiered trays of finger foods was magical and I have been itching to head back here ever since. With that preface, you understand my delight when Megan invited me along with Alicia, Michelle & Meghan to this annual event. On a cold and bleak Wednesday evening I was greeted by an enthusiastic hostess who lead me up three flights of leopard print stairs and into the Soiree Dining room. {photo}

I was taken in by an abundance of pastel colors flanked with gold accents. This room transports you into a fairy tale. Large circular windows look down over the square. Whimsical lavender booths, teal painted tables, folded pink napkins and crisp white linens all added to the pretty pretty princess-esque ambiance.

The wine pairing commenced with a Bonny Doon Ca'del Solo Estate Vineyard / Albarino / Monterey, California. We then began the tasting with an Amuse Bouche Shooter of Summer Gazpacho.

This was a flavorful few mouthfuls of crisp finely chopped ingredients including croutons, corn, onion, zucchini, and of course, tomato.The appetizer course that immediately followed was a Classic Native Heirloom Tomato Salad composed of Fresh Market Raspberry Vinegar, Vermont Goat Cheese & Thai Basil. Vibrant red, yellow and green tomatoes were lined elegantly on the plate, dotted with deep-red raspberries and leaves of thai basil. The goat cheese was mild and creamy, the vinegar was pungent and tangy. The pool of fresh raspberry and tomato juices it left behind was soaked up by my third (but not final) piece of bread.
Our second wine pairing was presented as a declassified version of what is normally a very expensive wine, a 2007 Domaine Callot / White Burgundy / Meursault, France. This wine accompanied the Parsley & Lemon Crusted Hake with Lightly Crushed Yukon Golds & Lemongrass Tomato Water. It wasn't so much a crust as a delicate blanket of lemon and parsley enveloping the fish. The Yukon Golds were subtle tender bites of warmth. There were fewer actual tomatoes highlighting this dish, but it didn't compromise on tomato taste. The broth was replete with comforting scents and beautiful flavors, enhancing the mild white hake. You better believe I grabbed more bread to sop up the lemongrass tomato water. I figured another slice of was more appropriate than drinking the bowl. Our third and final wine of the evening was a 2006 Stags Leap Artemis / Cabernet Sauvignon / Napa Valley. She explained this bottle was an upgrade from the original pairing, because they ran out of the former. It was also made clear that the pour only appeared small because we were given a large glass that allows the wine to air properly. It does look like a pea sized amount! Good thing she made note of this fact. A robust red with notes of plum and cherry was complimentary to the Wood-Grilled New York Strip Steak highlighting Tomato à la Provençale with Slow Roasted Garlic. The strong scent of roasted garlic wafted through the air. The striking pool of lime green emulsion grabbed my attention. It provided a beautiful backdrop for its counterparts - a  juicy medium rare strip steak and a vivid red tomato, plump and overflowing with baked goodness. The crispy breadcrumbs, garlic, onion and herbs encased by the ripe flavorful tomato was the perfect portion to serve alongside the hearty wood-grilled steak. This dish was comforting and filling. I still (despite all that bread consumed earlier) did not feel too full for dessert.

Sweet Tomato Sorbet Coupe with Olive Oil Ice Cream, Candied Pinenuts & Lemon Thyme Shortbread. The ever so slightly sweet tomato sorbet laced with a red wine reduction over a scoop of olive oil ice cream was impossibly good! The shortbread cookie infused with lemony citrus flavors and fragrant notes of thyme was lovely, but for me it was the small touch of candied pine nuts that elevated everything contained in this small shooter. 

The pastry chef took every day savory kitchen ingredients and turned them into a luscious, sweet and unforgettable final course. It was all we could do to stop talking about it!

The the many charms of the high summer tomato were showcased with brilliance, surpassing all my expectations. It was a great evening at Upstairs On The Square with fellow Boston food bloggers / new friends / lovers of all things tomato / in general women whose company I enjoy, especially at the dinner table creating images that bring food to life.

Upstairs on The Square

91 Winthrop St

Cambridge, MA