5 Napkin Burger

5 Napkin Burger opened in Boston in March of 2011 - see my first post here. This Back Bay neighborhood spot had fallen off my radar. It was great to pay them a visit this winter at a media tasting and try some of the new menu items along with revisiting some of the classics. 

Edamame Hummus ($9.50) | miso tahini, sunflower seeds, sprouts & warm flatbread

Crispy Calamari | spicy peppers, marinara sauce

Pesto Flatbread | oven dried tomatoes

Bacon-Cheddar Burger ($15.75) | 8 oz. fresh ground beef, black label bacon, sharp cheddar, raw onion, lettuce, tomato, sesame brioche bun
Stack of Thick Cut Panko Onion Rings ($7.50) | asiago fondu

Chicken & Waffles | This was my entrée - I'm a sucker for this dish. The chicken was nicely seasoned and crispy, but there was an overwhelming amount of it. I'll happily take leftovers, but I found it hard to make my way to the waffle. Conceptually, I prefer when the chicken and waffles can strike a balance. The bourbon maple syrup was excellent and nicely tied the dish together.

Milkshakes! | We sampled: S'mores, Cookies n Cream and Salted Caramel. Do not leave 5 Napkin without trying one. These milkshakes are creamy, frothy and decadent. 

Read my friend Molly's recap of our evening on Pop.Bop.Shop.
And my friend Fiona's on A Boston Food Diary.

5 Napkin Burger
105 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Towne Stove & Spirits

Since the highly anticipated opening in late July of 2010 Towne fast became a Back Bay hot spot, their kitchen producing a variety of globally inspired dishes that saw praise and criticism alike. I had heard plenty about the collaboration between the Lyons Group and duo of high caliber chefs that have long shaped the dining scene in Boston, Lydia Shire and Jasper White, to know this trendy venue was a must visit at some point in time. Even though that some point is a just shy of a year later and I was only stopping by for lunch on the patio, it is easy to see why this exuberant two story space housing multiple bars and dining rooms is so popular.The patio situated in the courtyard directly underneath the Prudential Center on Boylston Street is a uniform expanse of heavy woven iron tables and chairs dotted with bright orange Aperol umbrellas. Green shrubs line the perimeter backed by brown rattan banquet seating.  Only a few patrons were enjoying the outdoor space with a few more noted indoors, it was a quiet weekday afternoon. As I browsed the spirits menu and nothing particular caught my eye, I realized it was because I was craving a beer. I ordered the Notch Session Pils ($6) from Notch Session Brewing Co. in Ipswich, MA. My waiter explained this beer is lower in alcohol content because it is meant to be consumed in "sessions" or in other words, one after another. Sounds good to me, even thought I only planed on drinking one. The brightly colored laminated menu depicted the day-of-the-week specials and three divided sections: "soup+more", "garden+more" and "farm+sea". Seafood options are $$$ with a Lobster Cobb salad set at $21, the Tuna Nicoise for $19 and the Crab Cake a whopping $19 as well. Perhaps they were worth it, but I wasn't in the mood to find out. The Deluxe 8 oz. All American Bacon Burger 70/30 ($16) took on a lengthy title and a little more appeal with a lower price point. Just like that, my burger craving took hold. The thick patty is a ground skirt (70%) and short rib (30%) combo and the menu recommends you order it rare. I intended to go with my typical medium rare but figured why not have it as the chefs intended. They didn't steer me wrong. The burger was intensely juicy and well seasoned; the melted cheddar cheese was evenly proportioned and crisscrossed slices of bacon draping over the edges were delicately greasy and lightly crisped. The presentation with a rainbow of colors in effect offered toppings including red onion and a ripe avocado half. The toasted bun was warm and buttery with poppy seeds speckled in its crevices. The sweet pepper relish elevated the burger with a dollop of sweetness.The pile of french fries is massive and you will be happy to know these thin cut gems are everything you want them to be. The sprawling patio set just a few hundred feet back from the hustle and bustle of Boylston under a towering Prudential Center was an extremely peaceful location during this hour. The first July lunch was definitely a happy success. Way to go, Towne!

towne stove and spirits

900 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 

Wagamama | Back Bay

The first Wagamama opened its doors in London in 1992 and in the twelve years since has expanded to open over 70 restaurants in the UK and 36 more in Europe, USA, Australia and The Middle East. Their reasonably priced fresh food in a sleek yet informal environment lends a diverse appeal. They are arguably the most popular chain of award-winning noodle restaurants in the UK. This worldwide chain offers a full menu of pan-Asian inspired dishes, but at its core wagamama is a noodle bar specializing in ramen noodle soups, cold noodle salads and hot noodle entrees. Boston is the lucky recipient of three wagamamas with locations Faneuil Hall, Harvard Square and the most recently opened location in the Back Bay's Prudential Center. We were invited to partake in a menu tasting featuring new kitchen creations and fun new cocktails! The meal tonight was free, however prices are noted to reflect the overall value. (Artsy photos expressing my new obsession with instagram are inserted just because.)Seated in long booths adorned with swag in the form of bright red wagamama tee shirts we were welcomed by the Director of Marketing, Nancy Barrett, who was on hand to briefly explain the new dishes and answer any questions we had. The reasonably priced and inventive cocktails - most of which are rum based, with a sake and a bourbon option thrown in the mix, served to impress. I started with a Mango Sekkai ($8.95) boasting sweet chunks of fresh mango muddled with bright notes of basil and lime blended with rum and soda water. I finished the evening with a Ringo Martini ($8.95) combining sour apple and honey bourbon liqueurs with fresh squeezed apple and lime, garnished with a slice of golden delicious apple.In between there were many appetizers including bowls of tender green soybeans: Edamame ($3.95) and plates of both the Chicken Dumplings ($6.50) and Yasai Dumplings ($5.95) which are steamed, grilled and served alongside a chili garlic + soy dipping sauce. Fun Fact: 1,500 portions of edamame are eaten at wagamamas worldwide everyday.
Tempura battered and lightly fried, the squid in the Chili Calamari ($6.95) remains delightfully chewy seasoned with sea salt and shichimi (Japanese chili pepper). It was served with a sweet chili, garlic + cilantro dipping sauce.Succulent Suribachi Chicken Wings ($7.95) are tossed in a gently spicy sauce and dusted with red chili peppers and crunchy scallions.
Fall off the bone tender Pork Ribs ($8.95) are glazed with a sweet chili hoisin sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Our first entrée (everything was shared family style) was the new Lemongrass Shrimp Soba ($13.95) where perfectly grilled shrimp sit over a bed of soba noodles stir fried with minced cilantro, chilis, garlic and fresh beansprouts. The Beef Cha Han ($10.95) is shichimi-marinated beef in a bowl of stir fried rice with snow peas, carrots and leeks. Wagamama's most popular entrée is the Chicken Katsu Curry ($11.25). Chicken breasts are coated in panko breadcrumbs, deep fried, then sliced and plated under sticky rice and bathed in their famous light curry sauce. This dish comes with a side salad tossed in house dressing. Speaking of salads, the Marinated Yasai Noodle Salad ($8.75) is loaded with vegetables including marinated grilled eggplant, mushroom and zucchini combined with caramelized red onion, roasted sweet potato, asparagus, diced tomato and mixed greens. Whole wheat noodles serve as the base and pickled red ginger and sesame seeds the garnish.
The Seafood Ramen ($12.75) bathes noodles in a wakame and spinach filled vegetable broth. The soup is then topped with grilled shrimp, salmon, swordfish and marinated calamari, garnished with menma and scallions.Fun Fact: Twelve tons of noodles are served at wagamamas worldwide each week! After feeling sufficiently stuffed from a serious round of entrees we were offered dessert. The options ranged from good, to great, to knock your socks off amazing. The Creme Brulee Cheesecake ($5.95) was good with a rich vanilla flavor and biscuit base, but a little to heavy for me after such a filling meal! The moist Chocolate Cake ($5.95) with a chocolate fudge frosting and vanilla ice cream was a pretty great slice of cake. But nothing could top the unexpectedly amazing Coconut Reika ($4.95) which was a refreshing three scoops of coconut ice cream drizzled in a tangy mango sauce and topped with toasted coconut. Wagamama's success is greatly attributed to their mission which is to combine great, fresh and nutritious food in an elegant yet simple setting with helpful friendly service and value for money. Welcoming another "positive living + positive eating" chain in the heart of Boston, the Wagamama inside the Prudential Center is sure to please old fans and newcomers alike!

Wagamama

Prudential Center

800 Boylston St

Boston MA, 02119

Boston, MA

5 Napkin Burger

New to Boston but not to the upscale burger-joint scene in general 5 Napkin Burger hails from New York City boasting three locations in Astoria Queens, Hell's Kitchen and The Upper West Side. Following the NYC success is the the newest outpost, a chic setting disguised with butcher shop paraphernalia located in The Back Bay's Prudential Center.

A panoramic restaurant space is filled with shiny black leather booths and a serpentine fixture overhead dangling exposed lightbulbs. Glossy white subway tile walls are lined with meat scales and shelves of brightly colored glass jars. 
The restaurant was completely packed on a Friday night and unfortunately they do not allow reservations for parties over 8. This left our party of 12 with a one and a half hour wait time. It was also unfortunate that when we called to make a reservation they were quick to assure us the wait would not be a problem. I understand it might deter business if you proclaim, "we will be packed on Friday evening so expect a long wait!" but a little transparency goes a long way. We gathered at the bar and caught up over drinks, so the wait went by rather quickly. While we waited I enjoyed an Alagash White ($7) on draft. Once we were seated I ordered the Perfect 5 Napkin Manhattan ($11) made with Makers Mark, brandied cherry juice, sweet and dry Vermouth and orange essence. This was indeed a perfectly crafted Manhattan.
As far as dinner was concerned, it was a no-brainier from my perspective to order the burger that made them famous. The Original 5 Napkin Burger ($10.95) comes on a soft white bun with 10 oz. of fresh ground chuck, melted Gruyere cheese, a heaping pile of caramelized onions and a spoonful of velvety rosemary aioli.  
The toppings were well executed but the juicy patty was loosely packed, the meat easily falling apart. However, the large fluffy bun nicely contained everything. Fries and pickles are ordered la carte.
The Tuscan Fries ($3.75) tossed in Parmesan, thyme, sage and rosemary, delivered on flavors but lacked in crispiness. They were much to soft. 
A Bowl of House Cured Pickles ($2.75) were really impressive. Their briny sweet essence was so tasty I even slapped a few on my burger. The Cornmeal Crusted Onion Rings ($6.75) maintained a nice crispy exterior. The use of cornmeal seemed like an innovative approach to this classic side. The Tater Tots ($4.25) much like the french fries were not crispy but soft two-bite morsels packed with smooth whipped potato.
It was nearing 10 pm and the table was settling into dessert mode. Adam and I had post dinner plans so we decided to make a break before it got too late. It was definitely a long meal considering we just ate burgers and fries and I was bummed to have to miss dessert milkshakes! The great thing about this place is that it is relatively inexpensive and the lively atmosphere makes it a fun outing for large groups!

5 Napkin Burger

105 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199