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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

North End Progressive Dinner Part 2 | Mare Oyster Bar

Appetizers
This evening marked my inaugural visit to the revamped Mare, a favorite restaurant of mine in its former life and now an even better asset to the neighborhood as an oyster bar. It feels less formal than it once was, and with this casual approach I am much more inclined to pop in for some cocktails and raw bar fare on a whim. We made a reservation for the four of us this evening, to keep our progressive dinner on schedule. Thankfully, our fantastic waiter had no qualms about our appetizers only meal. We sat in a corner table dressed in crisp white linens set with flickering tea lights. Through the gaping windows as the sun dipped behind the city scape in the distance we sipped from a bottle of Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut ($45) and noshed on seafood apps from the redesigned clipboard menu. We started with some beautiful, briny Cape Cod Oysters ($1.95) from Wellfleet and Pleasant Bay, Orleans and followed those up with a bowl of Steamed Wellfleet Mussels ($12.99) prepared in a lemony white wine garlic sauce. I relished the zesty citrus flavor in this dish, which was heightened by shaved lemon peels. Rounding out the shellfish offerings was a bowl of Native Clams ($12.99) which were served roasted with soppressata and herbs over smooth, creamy polenta. Everything was excellent, though these appetizers are merely a teaser of what Mare has to offer. Tonight it was all about progress. We swiftly paid our bill and were off to destination number three for the entrée course!
Read my review of Mare (during restaurant week) in its former life here.

P.S. I turn 28 today!

18 comments:

  1. Happy birthday Daisy!! Hope it's a great one. I was wondering how it might work to order just small plates at on a Sat night - great that this place was so accommodating!

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  2. Happy birthday, Kristen! The polenta was such a dream! Thanks for helping plan/organize the dinner!

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  3. Happy Birthday!!!

    Loved our stop at Mare. I can definitely see myself going back there for more champagne and oysters and of course more of that creamy, dreamy polenta with clams.

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  4. Happy Birthday girl!!!! Hope you have a great one!

    I've never been to Mare but I think I'd love it. I'm loving this progressive dinner!! I did an abridged version in Portland this weekend but we missed dessert.

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  5. Happy Birthday!!

    I loved Mare in its former life and am happy to hear that new self is worth the trip the North End. I bet taking down some of the formal nature will make it a bigger attraction.

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  6. Happy Birthday!!! Wow that polenta looks so good. I have never heard of this place. I am going to have to check it out!

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  7. happy birthday! i love this progressive dinner thing, i think i might just have to copy you when my birthday rolls around!

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  8. Happy birthday! xoxo

    PS - A progressive dinner sounds so much fun!

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  9. A lovely dinner! Happy birthday & best wishes to you!

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  10. Hapy 28th, the dish over polenta = YUM

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  11. Happy Birthday! 28 is an awesome age :)

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  12. The clams over polenta sounds wonderful. Happy birthday!

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  13. The space looks gorgeous! Dave would be in heaven there with all of those oysters.

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  14. I LOVE that you had a progressive dinner!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  15. Oysters, Muscles, & Clams ~ Oh My!

    Happy Birthday #28!

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  16. Your photos are just gorgeous. I need you to teach me how to use my camera properly. I hope you had an amazing birthday and can't wait to celebrate with you soon!

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  17. Happy birthday!! I hope this year is the best year yet! Cheers to you!

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