Eastern Standard

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Overall Rating: The Sickest (91 out of 100)

528 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
View Map
Phone: 617-532-9100

Rising from the ashes of The Ratskeller at Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, Eastern Standard is an American Brasserie that is a pre-Red Sox game hot spot as well as an elegant venue for sick meals.




Our History at Eastern Standard
Our first visit to Eastern Standard was on a Friday night at 8:00pm.

Appetizers
Appetizers include asparagus soup for $7, salt cod fritters for $10, short rib ravioli for $11, steak tartare for $12, and seared foie gras for $14. Salads range from $7 for Boston Bibb to $11 for roasted beets. We ordered the salt cod fritters for $10 and the beets salad for $11.

We informed our waitress that we planned to share the beets salad; we were pleasantly surprised to receive two heaping portions. Roasted beets were tossed with blue cheese, walnuts, apples, and endive - a refreshing starter.

Served in a charming little wooden box, the salt cod fritters were crunchy on the outside and surprisingly soft on the inside. The fluffy, whipped cod mixture provided a delightful contrast to the thick, crunchy covering. Tartar sauce and spicy ketchup were provided for dipping.

Oysters, clams, shrimp, and Alaskan king crab leg are available from the raw bar. Eastern Standard also offers a selection of cheeses and charcuterie.

Rating: 9.1

Main Dishes
Entrees range from $18 to $28 and include pan roasted halibut, baked rigatoni, roasted chicken, beef short rib bourguignon, and bone-in ribeye. We ordered roasted chicken for $21 and beef short rib bourguignon for $25.

Flavorful, juicy chicken was surrounded by a crispy covering and served atop a sick stuffing of mushrooms, foie gras, and spaetzle. Tender, slow-cooked beef short rib bourguignon was served in a red wine broth with olives, mushrooms, pearl onions, and a side of buttery egg noodles.

Creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, spaetzle, green beans, and macaroni & cheese are available as sides, starting at $5. Sandwiches are also available including a burger, pressed prime rib, and grilled cheese.

Rating: 9.3

Drinks
An extensive cocktail menu features standard and original mixed drinks for any mood or taste. Our poisons were the Whiskey Smash ($10), a mix of bourbon, sweet lemon, and mint, and the Belle De Jour ($10), a sparkler that integrates elixir of lemon, Benedictine, and grenadine. A wide variety of wine is available by the glass or bottle, catering to a range of palates and wallets. Wine by the glass was poured generously; a single glass felt more like two.

Rating: 8.8

Service
We enjoyed prompt, professional service. Our waitress was at our beck and call, always just in time to take a new drink order, and patient and thorough in answering questions. Bus staff was courteous. Pacing was on the money.

Rating: 9.1

Ambiance
Eastern Standard perfectly blends bar and brasserie. We soaked in two distinct atmospheres - intimate on one hand, loud and lively on the other. A long, marble bar presents an ideal venue for conversation or watching a sporting event. At the same time, the dining area feels cozy and romantic. On a cool, fall evening, we nuzzled up in a plush red leather booth ideal for two. Outdoors seating is available on Eastern Standard's heated patio.

Rating: 9.3

Et Cetera

Trivia: Eastern Standard boasts the longest marble bar in Boston.

Menu: View the menu on Eastern Standard's web site

Reservations: Eastern Standard is on OpenTable

Transportation: Valet for $14 or take the Green Line to Kenmore.

Dress: Casual Elegent

Hours: Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5pm until 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm until midnight.

Labels: American, Eastern-Standard-Boston, Kenmore-Square, The-Sickest

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 8:21 PM 0 comments 

Match

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Meals (80 out of 100)

94 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
View Map
Phone: 617-247-9922

Match Burgers and Martinis is a modern restaurant and lounge that is located near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury Street. Befitting its name, Match serves up delicious gourmet burgers and sick martinis.




Our History at Match
Our third visit to Match was on a Saturday night at 6:30pm.

Appetizers
Match's apps include gingery chicken satay with peanut sauce, steamed mussels in a ginger and lemon grass broth, spicy shrimp and chorizo skewers, and grilled Margherita pizza with roasted plum tomato and basil. Prices range from $8.75 to $10.50. The menu also includes lobster bisque soup as well as salads such as tomato & cucumber with feta cheese and spinach and goat cheese salad with sliced apples and caramelized pecans.

We tried the spicy shrimp and chorizo skewers for $9.50. Match served five skewers, each including a small slice of sausage and an average-sized shrimp with mildly-spicy sauce. Overall, this dish was decent, but nothing special.

Rating: 7

Main Dishes
Match offers four entrees ranging from $12 for spaghettini to $22 for a 10oz fillet mignon. However, the main event is Match's mini burgers. The burger lineup includes a classic cheese burger, a lamb burger, a veggie burger, a tuna steak burger, a sausage burger, and a lobster burger. Each mini burger is approximately three ounces and served on a miniature bun. Prices range from $4.75 for the veggie burger to $8 for the lobster burger.

We ordered the spicy lamb burger with coriander, tomato, and yogurt relish, the soy and ginger marinated tuna steak burger with wasabi aioli, and the New England lobster burger with roasted red pepper aioli. All three of these burgers left us salivating for more, but we particularly enjoyed the tuna and lobster burgers. The wasabi aioli danced off the exquisite tuna steak.

These little burgers are expensive but truly sick. We recommend ordering a minimum of three burgers per person in your party.

Sides include onion rings, fries, and grilled asparagus with prosciutto. We tried the grilled asparagus with prosciutto for $3.75. We received a single slice of substandard prosciutto wrapped around several overcooked asparagus. You are better off ordering onion rings or fries to complement the mini burgers.

Rating: 8.3

Drinks
Match mixes sick martinis. At first glance, the $10+ martinis seem pricey, but the prices include enough alcohol to make almost two martinis. The waitress pours your first martini and leaves behind a mini-shaker for you to pour a generous second helping. We particularly enjoyed the Bubbletini, a mix of vodka, peach schnapps, lemon juice, and champagne.

Rating: 9

Service
Waitresses are best-known for tight-fitting uniforms, but service was satisfactory. Our waitress was friendly and mostly attentive.

Rating: 7.9

Ambiance
Divided equally into a sleek bar area and a main dining area, Match exudes an early-evening lounge feel. The dimly-lit dining area features a glass wine room and a unique fire display that nearly runs the length of the room.

At any hour, the volume always seems a tad bit too high, and the acoustics don't seem quite right. The beat and volume pick up as the night progresses. If you plan to chat at dinner, get there early.

Rating: 7.9

Et Cetera

Trivia: Match is located at the former home of the Blue Cat Cafe.

Menu: View the menu on Match's web site

Reservations: Match is on OpenTable

Transportation: Valet is available for $15. The nearest T station is Hynes Convention Center on the Green Line.

Dress: Casual Elegant

Hours: Dinner is served Sunday through Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm and Thursday through Saturday from 5pm to 11pm.

Labels: American, Back-Bay, Match-Burgers-and-Martinis-Boston, Sick-Meals

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 8:59 PM 0 comments 

Intrigue

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Meals (85 out of 100)

70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
View Map
Phone: 617-856-7744

Extraordinary views. Stellar service. Delightful piano music. Sick continental meals. All of these amenities are for the taking at Intrigue, the Boston Harbor Hotel's surprisingly-affordable waterfront cafe.



Our History at Intrigue
Our first visit to Intrigue was on a Friday night at 8:00pm.

Appetizers
For starters, choose from three "Tastings" and eight appetizers. Tastings include fondue for $7.50 and barbecued boneless spare ribs for $8. Appetizers range from $6 for wild mushroom soup to $14 for chilled jumbo shrimp. We decided to try the fondue as well as the Rowes Wharf salad - crabmeat, avocado, tomato, caper, and horseradish tossed greens for $11.

Beaufort cheese and sweet onion fondue was served with toasted country bread. The sweet onion flavoring complemented the sharp, Beaufort cheese. Although we would have liked some veggies in addition to the bread, this tasting provided a perfect start to our evening.

Next up was the Rowes Wharf salad, stunningly served with a heaping amount of fresh crabmeat, perfectly-ripened avocado, and large, juicy tomato slices. The salad exceeded our expectations and delivered strong on value.

Other appetizers include clam chowder for $6.50, asparagus and parmesan ravioli for $12,50, fennel and lime stuffed Pemaquid oysters for $11.50, and Robiola, Shropshire, and aged Gouda cheeses for $12.50.

Rating: 9

Main Dishes
Entrees range from $14.50 for a Sicilian pizza to $27.50 for a steamed Maine lobster and spiced chorizo. Other options include Fontina cheese and sage stuffed crispy chicken breast, beef tenderloin, grilled jumbo sea scallops, Porcini topped halibut, and Tuscan kale and ricotta cheese cannelloni. In a seafood mood, we ordered the halibut for $19.50 and the scallops for $21.50.

The grilled jumbo sea scallops were bland and a bit chewy; the accompanying curried vegetables proved unexciting. Likewise, the Atlantic halibut was average, and the Porcini topping was much creamier than anticipated. The halibut was served with warm potato, leek, and pancetta salad.

Rating: 7

Drinks
A mostly-American wine list starts at $40 per bottle. The martinis are excellent, but at a whopping $12.50 per glass. A delicious substitute for dessert, the chocolate trifle martini tastes like a chocolate cake.

Rating: 7.9

Service
Intrigue and Boston Harbor Hotel staff practically fall over one another to ensure your satisfaction. Our server perfectly paced the delivery of our dishes, giving us ample time to relax, sip a drink, and chat between courses.

Rating: 9.5

Ambiance
In nice weather, sit outside and enjoy a lively harborside scene. Any time of year, take advantage of a comfortable dining room with live piano music.

Rating: 9.3

Et Cetera

Trivia: Chef Daniel Bruce is also the chef for Meritage

Menu: Check out the appetizers and entrees

Reservations: Intrigue is on OpenTable

Transportation: Valet for $26 or take the Red Line to South Station.

Dress: Casual

Hours: Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 4:30pm until 10pm, Friday from 4pm until 11pm, and Saturday from 4pm until 10pm.

Labels: American, Intrigue, Sick-Meals, Waterfront

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 8:46 PM 2 comments 

75 Chestnut

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Meals (81 out of 100)

75 Chestnut Street
Boston, MA 02108
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Phone: 617-227-2175

Off the beaten path on Chestnut Street in Beacon Hill, 75 Chestnut delivers regional comfort food in a cozy pub environment.



Our History at 75 Chestnut
Our first visit to 75 Chestnut was on St. Patrick's Day, a Saturday, at 7:00pm.

Appetizers
75 Chestnut's seafood-driven appetizer menu includes herbed clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, steamed mussels, crab cakes, and crispy fried Monterey Bay calamari. Other options include five alarm chili, bruschetta, Caesar salad, and bibb salad. Prices range from $7 to $14.

We ordered the herbed clam chowder for $7 and crispy fried calamari for $10. Smoked bacon gave a kick to the creamy clam chowder, filled to the brim with clams and melt-in-your-mouth Maine potatoes. The crispy calamari was fried to a perfect crisp, but the homemade marinara and tartar sauces fell flat.

Rating: 8.1

Main Dishes
The dinner menu includes pan seared halibut, sauteed shrimp and scallops, pork tenderloin, and filet mignon as well as pub fare such as fish & chips, a burger, and turkey and sirloin steak sandwiches. Prices range from $10 for a burger to $20 for the filet mignon. 75 Chestnut also serves seasonal specials.

We opted for corn beef brisket with cabbage and potatoes, a St. Patrick's Day special. We also tried the sauteed shrimp and scallops for $19.

Tender corn beef brisket was traditionally salty, but not too salty. Delicious Irish soda bread complemented the dish.

75 Chestnut's sauteed shrimp and scallops dish was served with lemon-lime sauce and garden vegetables. We enjoyed a fair portion of shrimp and scallops, but the lemon-lime sauce was a bit too lemony for our taste.

The 75 Bistro Burger - a half pound of fresh ground chuck served on a toasted bulky roll and fries - was a favorite among many of our fellow diners.

Rating: 8

Drinks
Affordable and satisfying Oyster Bay (2006) sauvignon blanc went for $24. However, mediocre, overpriced martinis felt out of place.

Rating: 7.8

Service
We received prompt, friendly service despite a larger-than-average crowd.

Rating: 8.5

Ambiance
Presenting a cozy, polished-wood tavern environment, 75 Chestnut is a nice place to relax, grab a beer, and enjoy quality American comfort food on any night of the week. Sports fans fancy the bar area that includes several televisions, including a large flat panel. More so than Cheers up the street, 75 Chestnut truly feels like a place where "everyone knows your name".

Rating: 8

Et Cetera

Trivia: 75 Chestnut is owned by Thomas Kershaw, owner of Cheers Beacon Hill, Cheers Faneuil Hall, and Hampshire House.

Menu: Check out the dinner menu

Reservations: 75 Chestnut accepts reservations for parties of 6 or more.

Transportation: Valet for $16 or take the Red Line to Charles/MGH.

Dress: Casual

Hours: Dinner is served seven days a week from 5:00PM to 10:00PM.

Labels: 75-Chestnut, American, Beacon-Hill, Sick-Meals

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 9:12 PM 0 comments 

Pops Restaurant

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Potential (78 out of 100)

560 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
View Map
Phone: 617-695-1250

A brand new addition to Restaurant Row in the South End, Pops Restaurant is located in the space formerly occupied by Perdix. Pops features affordable, creative comfort food and an interesting lineup of cocktails. However, Pops needs a bit of refinement before reaching Sick Meals status.




Our History at Pops
Our first visit to Pops was on a Friday night at 7:30pm.

Appetizers
Pops' appetizers include cobb salad, lobster & cod croquettes, crispy pea ravioli, chicken wings, Rhode Island clam "stuffies", crispy oysters, and spinach salad. Prices range from $7.50 to $12. We tried the lobster & cod croquettes for $10 and the Rhode Island clam stuffies for $9.

Three lobster & cod croquettes were filled with healthy portions of lobster and cod and topped with aioli. The Rhode Island clam stuffies consisted of two oversized clam shells brimming with a corn, linguica, and clam-based stuffing. Both dishes shined in creativity and taste.

Rating: 8.5

Main Dishes
The dinner menu features osso bucco, putanesca eggplant pave, salmon, skirt steak, pork tenderloin, and a crispy confit of 1/2 duck. Prices range from $16-$20. In addition, Pops offers a few sandwiches, including a burger, for $12.

We ordered the grilled skirt steak and the osso bucco - for $20 each.

The grilled skirt steak was served with shitake mushroom gravy and garlic thyme fries. We requested a medium-cooked steak, but it arrived rare, and the texture was chewy. A disappointment, the lonely steak sat half-finished.

The veal breast osso bucco was slow cooked in lemon and sage and served with escarole and orzo. While the osso bucco was an improvement over the skirt steak, it was not a particularly memorable dish.

Rating: 7

Drinks
A bottle of white starts at $27 and a bottle of red starts at $25. Cocktails are $8. Several bottled beers are available for $5.

Pops had only flavored vodka on hand. A blood orange vodka mixer proved disastrous, but we later enjoyed chocolate espresso and strawbellini cocktails. The refreshing strawbellini was made with fresh pureed strawberries.

Rating: 7.9

Service
We were seated 15 minutes late for our 7:30pm reservation.

The full menu is available at the bar, but we chose to wait for a "table". Surprisingly, when it was time to be seated, we were shuffled to what appeared to be the other end of the long bar, but what actually represented additional seating for dining. To our disappointment, we waited 15 minutes to sit at stools and eat from a counter - not much different than dining at the bar. The hostess should inform guests of these unusual seating arrangements.

Otherwise, service was average. Pops opened less than a week ago; they are still going through initial growing pains. The staff seemed frazzled at times.

Rating: 7.5

Ambiance
Located at garden level, Pops offers a warm, cozy dining environment. Black and cream tones run through the restaurant. The ceiling features decorative, old-school molding. An ultra-wide mirror hangs in the center of the room.

There are not many tables for two. A party of two would likely be seated at stools that run along a long counter that connects to the bar. These counter seats face the kitchen which is viewable through transparent glass.

Rating: 8

Et Cetera

Trivia: Chef/owner Felino Samson is the former co-owner of Bomboa.

Reservations: Call for reservations. Reservations are recommended

Transportation: On weekends, street parking can be hard to find. Valet is available at Hammersley's Bistro, located across the street, for $14.

Dress: You may dress casually at Pops.

Hours: Pops serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 PM until midnight.

Labels: American, POPS, Sick-Potential, South-End

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 6:46 PM 0 comments 

Union Bar and Grille

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Overall Rating: The Sickest (90 out of 100)

1357 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
View Map
Phone: 617-423-0555

Located in the South End's revitalized SoWa area, Union Bar and Grille serves sick American cuisine in a striking urban dining environment. Simply put, Union presents a delightful union of style and substance.



Our History at Union Bar and Grille
Our sixth visit to Union was on a Thursday at 7:30pm.

Appetizers
A varied appetizer menu includes mussels, pumpkin ravioli, risotto, and flaked cod and potato cakes. Prices range from $6 to $9 with an average price of $8.

We informed our waiter that we wanted to share the sweet corn risotto. To our surprise, we received two ample bowls of risotto, split evenly. A creamy, spicy mix, the risotto integrated chorizo sausage, fire roasted peppers, corn, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and fresh sage. Union cooked the risotto to perfection and the dish presented outstanding value for just $9.

Instead of plain old bread, Union serves freshly-baked cornbread in a hot cast iron skillet. The cornbread alone is worth a visit to Union.

Rating: 9.6

Main Dishes
Union's entree lineup includes steak, seafood, pastas, lamb, and chicken. Prices range from $16 to $34 with an average price of $24. On this evening, we went with the grilled lack of lamb and the Gloucester haddock.

The grilled lack of lamb was served with Jerusalem artichoke gratin, winter kale, and black mission figs. Tender and flavorful lamb was complemented by the creamy, slightly-crunchy gratin. At first bite, the flaky Gloucester haddock seemed plain, but quickly sprang to life when meshed with sick succotash - a medley of lima beans, corn, leeks, zucchini, and amazingly soft potatoes.

Union's pan roasted natural chicken is another can't-miss pick.

Rating: 9.3

Drinks
An all-American wine list starts at $34 for a bottle of white and $36 for a bottle red. We enjoyed a few glasses of J Lohr Bay Mist Riesling. However, Union's mixed drinks left a bit to be desired. Our first drink was mixed with too much juice. Our second drink was served with flat soda.

Rating: 7.7

Service
Service here is consistently above average. Our waiter was prompt and professional. He anticipated our needs throughout the evening.

Rating: 9.2

Ambiance
Union features a bar area and a main dining room. A steel and glass wall separates the bar from the dining room.

The bar area includes quite a bit of seating both at the long bar as well as at tables that run parallel to the bar. Union's full menu is served at the bar.

The main dining room is simple yet stunning. Plush, black-leather booths are shaped like saucers and provide luxurious seating. Candlelit tables and large candlelit chandeliers dimly light the bustling room.

Rating: 9

Et Cetera

Trivia: Union is owned by The Aquitaine Group, owners of Metropolis Cafe, Aquitaine Bar a Vin Bistrot, and Aquitaine Bis in Chestnut Hill.

Menu: Check out the menu here

Reservations: Union is on OpenTable

Transportation: Take the Silver Line to the Union Park stop or find street parking on Washington Street. Valet is available for $15.

Dress: You may dress casually at Union.

Hours: Union serves dinner Sunday through Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM and Thursday through Saturday from 5:30pm until midnight.

Labels: American, South-End, SoWa, The-Sickest, Union

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 6:21 PM 0 comments 

The Fireplace

Monday, January 29, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Meals (88 out of 100)

1634 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
View Map
Phone: 617-975-1900

Perched atop Washington Square in Brookline, The Fireplace serves up high-end comfort food in a homey dining environment. A roaring fire creates a seductive scene for sick meals on the coldest of New England nights.



Our History at The Fireplace
Our second visit to The Fireplace was on a Friday night at 7:00pm.

Appetizers
Appetizers include mussels, calamari, Johnny Cake, a chilled seafood platter, and a pumpkin and white cheddar tart. The Fireplace also offers a variety of soups and salads. Prices range from $9 to $12 with an average price of $10. We opted for the tart, the calamari, and a bowl of butternut squash bisque.

Fried Rhode Island style calamari was breaded just right and served without a trace of grease. Tomato gravy and lemon aioli provided tempting dipping options. If you've tried Rhode Island style calamari at Legal Sea Foods, try it at The Fireplace. Our verdict: The Fireplace by unanimous decision.

The pumpkin and white cheddar tart with toasted walnuts and maple glaze was served atop mixed greens. Although the tart included more pastry than anticipated, its sweetness was deliciously complemented by the bed of greens.

Butternut squash bisque with crispy sage and sweet chestnut cream delighted the senses - a perfect choice for a frigid evening.

Rating: 8.7

Main Dishes
The Fireplace focuses on wood-smoked and rotisserie dishes. Twelve alluring entrees include pan-seared duck, turkey & chicken pot pie, scallops, Samuel Adams-marinated pork porterhouse, and a spit-roasted half chicken. Many dishes are served with unique mashed potato concoctions that integrate ingredients such as carrots, parsnip, and honeyed cornmeal.

We decided to go with the pan-seared scallops as well as The Fireplace's signature dish, the spit-roasted half chicken.

The spit-roasted half chicken was served on top of soft mashed potatoes and warm sage brown butter. A light-crispy covering encompassed tender, delectable chicken, delivering a filling and satisfying meal.

Six pan-seared scallops with orange-honey sauce circled sick parsnip mash. Shredded beets topped the dish. Scallops are difficult to cook, but The Fireplace came up aces - soft on the inside and a little crispy on the outside.

Entrees range from $18 to $28 with an average price of $23.

Rating: 9.1

Drinks
A selection of martinis and cocktails are available for $9 to $10. An American wine list starts at $29 for a bottle. Many wines are available by the glass. In addition, The Fireplace facilitates affordable sampling by offering "tastes" of wine for $2.50 to $5.00. Spirits and bottled & draft beer are also available.

With dinner, we downed a bottle of Salmon Creek Riesling, for $34. The Riesling danced on our tongues and tasted like a sparking wine, but without the fizz. After dinner, we imbibed in a few mixers at the bar. The quality of these mixers relied heavily on who was making them. Bartender number one served up a too-strong caipirinha. Bartender number two mixed a perfect vodka with club soda and a splash of cranberry juice.

If you get a drink at the bar, look for the bartender with tattooed forearms.

Rating: 8.3

Service
We arrived 30 minutes late for our reservation. During this period, we stayed in touch with the restaurant, and when 15 minutes late turned into 25 minutes, the restaurant called our cell phone to make sure that we were still coming. Upon arrival, we were cheerfully and immediately seated. We proceeded to enjoy sick meals - without rush - and we were done in plenty of time for the next reservation to be seated on time. The Fireplace handled our late arrival flawlessly. And clearly, they scheduled ample time between reservations.

Our waiter was all business - no fluff and to-the-point - but his service and demeanor matched the high-end comfort food dining environment.

Rating: 9

Ambiance
The Fireplace is divided into four areas. As you walk into the Fireplace, you are greeted by a bar that seats 12. The bar serves either as a destination or as a comfortable place to grab a drink before or after your meal. To your left is a small dining area that faces Beacon Street. Straight ahead is a roaring, wood-burning fireplace. Five tables are assembled in this area. Finally, there is a main dining room with a view of the kitchen, located on the upper level.

Golds, oranges, and reds mesh with a maroon ceiling and long curtains to create a warm, homey feel throughout the restaurant.

The main dining area on the upper level is dimly lit. The lower level - where the bar and fireplace are located - is dark.

The table closest to the fireplace is a great venue for a romantic dinner.

Rating: 8.7

Et Cetera

Trivia: Chef/owner Jim Solomon is a native of Brookline. Read more

Menu: Check out the menu here

Reservations: The Fireplace is on OpenTable

Transportation: Take the Green Line (C branch) to Washington Square or scour for street parking on Beacon Street or Washington Street.

Dress: You may dress casually at The Fireplace.

Hours: The Fireplace serves dinner Sunday through Wednesday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm and Thursday through Saturday from 5:00pm to 11:00pm.

Labels: American, Brookline, Romantic, Sick-Meals, The-Fireplace

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 8:24 PM 0 comments 

Sibling Rivalry

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Overall Rating: Sick Meals (82 out of 100)

525 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
View Map
Phone: 617-859-4805

Located in the South End, Sibling Rivalry is a modern American restaurant that features the dueling cuisine of brothers David and Bob Kinkead. For each menu category, Chef David and Chef Bob serve up a first course or main course. The winter menu includes selections in the following categories: arugula; duck; mushrooms & artichokes; tuna; veal; leeks; cabbage, bacon, & potatoes; tomatoes; lamb; and shellfish. Specials are also available.

Sibling Rivalry's food is among the sickest. However, the service was not so sick. When exquisite cuisine meets haphazard service, it is a travesty.



Our History at Sibling Rivalry
Our fourth visit to Sibling Rivalry was on a Friday night at 8:45pm.

Appetizers
Sibling Rivalry's arugula salad is one of the best salads we've had. This $11 treat includes roasted beets, haricots verts, walnuts, sherry-shallot vinaigrette, and goat cheese fondue. The beats were fresh and flavorful.

We also sampled pan-seared scallops, one of the evening's special offerings, for $14. The dish consists of two scallops wrapped in ham with house-made Boston baked beans and griddled brown bread.

Other notable options included hand-rolled pappardelle with artichokes & portobollo mushrooms and pumpkin ravioli with duck confit.

The average price for a first course is $12.

Rating: 9.5

Main Dishes
Pepper crusted saddle of Vermont venison ($27) was another of the evening's specials. Tender, juicy, and tasty venison was wonderfully complemented by spinach gnocchi that simply melted in our mouths.

In addition, we enjoyed a pan-seared, thinly-sliced rare tuna steak ($26) with a long tempura string bean and miniature pork wontons. Think sushi without the rice. The serving size was a bit dainty, but the dish was fantastic.

The average main course is $28.

No matter what you order, you can't go wrong.

Rating: 9.4

Drinks
Sibling Rivalry serves perfect martinis, priced at $11. We tried the Down Under - vodka with smashed kiwi and simple syrup. During the summer, Sibling Rivalry mixes a fresh watermelon martini that is not to be missed.

Sibling Rivalry presents a diverse wine collection that caters to many palates and wallets. A handful of whites are priced in the $34-$39 range. There are also a handful of reasonably-priced reds, starting at $29.

Rating: 8.6

Service
We arrived on time for our 8:45pm reservation. The restaurant was "running behind", so we were directed to the overflowing bar area. The next time we heard from someone was 9:20pm, and we were given the option of a table in the bar area, or waiting "a few more minutes" for a table in one of the two main dining areas. Ten minutes later, we were seated at an inappropriately-positioned table in a hallway that joins the bar and the main entrance. A one-to-two foot pole divided the bar area from the table.

After waiting over 35 minutes for a table - and waiting an extra 10 minutes to not sit in the bar area - we were stunned.

So, several minutes later, we were moved to one of the main dining areas. For our 8:45pm reservation, we sat down at 9:37pm.

For our troubles, we were served a complimentary bottle of Brut Durgent - a nice gesture, but coming off New Year's, champagne was not on our hit list.

Our waitress was professional, but she seemed to be in her own little world.

In the visits we've made to Sibling Rivalry, we've never been seated on time.

Rating: 5

Ambiance
Sibling Rivalry includes three rooms. There are two main dining areas - one with a view of the open kitchen - and a bar area. The restaurant is always busy; there's a buzz in the air. It's a sick place to dine or have drinks.

The only caveat is the tables shockingly assembled in the hallway. In making a reservation, note that you do not want to sit in this irrelevant area.

Patio dining is available in the summertime.

Rating: 8.4

Et Cetera

Trivia: Chef Bob authored a seafood cookbook, Kinkead's Cookbook

Parking: Valet is available for $16.

Menu: Visit Sibling Rivalry's web site to view this season's menu.

Reservations: Sibling Rivalry is on OpenTable.

Dress: Sibling Rivalry presents an elegant yet casual dining environment.

Labels: American, Sibling-Rivalry, Sick-Meals, South-End

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 12:37 AM 1 comments 

Laurel Grill and Bar

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Overall Rating: Sick Potential (76 out of 100)

142 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
View Map
Phone: 617-424-6711

Laurel Grill and Bar is an American restaurant located conveniently on Berkeley Street, near Columbus Avenue. Laurel sports a small, bustling bar that seems like a nice spot for after-work drinks. The restaurant exudes a vibrant, conversational environment. And the prices are reasonable. While our overall dining experience was mixed, we plan to return in the future. Read on!



Our Laurel History
This was our second visit to Laurel. We've also ordered from Laurel via Dining In. This review is based on a recent visit on a Saturday night at 8:00pm.

Appetizers
Laurel offers an array of appetizers and salads. Something on the menu is bound to appeal to any member of your party. We chose to go with the grilled kielbasa sausage plate and the crispy fried calamari. The kielbasa was tasty, rubbed with honey mustard vinaigrette and served with pickled cabbage. The calamari was so-so; it seemed "mushy" more than crispy. During a previous visit, we sampled the lobster-artichoke dip, and it was outstanding. The apps are very reasonably priced, ranging from $4.59 for the soup of the day to $8.99 for jerk crusted seared rare tuna. The salads range from $5.99 for mesclun greens, beefsteak tomatoes, and red onion with balsamic vinaigrette to $13.99 for the grilled cilantro marinated flank steak salad.

Rating: 8.7

Main Dishes
The entree lineup includes various fowl, seafood, and meat selections. Lobster risotto and tender veal meatloaf caught our eye. So did the braised lamb shank and gorgonzola & bacon stuffed maple brined boneless pork loin. On this evening, we went with the lamb shank and pork loin. The lamb shank was good but it was in the middle-of-the-pack compared to other lamb shanks we've tasted. The pork loin was disappointing. We would not expect gorgonzola and bacon to overwhelm the pork loin, but these ingredients were seemingly present only in trace elements; if "gorgonzola" and "bacon" were not printed on the menu, we'd never have guessed that they were a part of the dish. What dampened our experience the most, however, was that both plates were served at luke-warm temperatures. Luke-warm lamb shank falling off the bone does not compare to fresh-from-the-oven lamb shank falling from the bone. In short, the entrees sounded better than they tasted.

Rating: 6.7

Drinks
Laurel offers a nice selection of accessible and reasonably-priced wine. A glass of wine starts at $6. Full bottles start at $18. There is a drink menu that includes a variety of martinis and other mixed drinks. The advertised martini specials for the evening - blueberry and cran-apple - were pretty good, but not spectacular. The martinis range from $7 to $10.50. The quality of the other vodka-based mixed drinks we had were pretty good, but inconsistent. We ordered the same drink twice: we were charged two different prices and the relative composition of the mixers was clearly different.

Rating: 8

Service
We sat immediately upon arriving for our 8:00pm reservation. Other than that, the service was friendly, but slow. The waitress was slow to take and deliver drink orders. The entrees arrived at luke-warm temperatures.

Rating: 6

Ambiance
With raised ceilings, a nifty bar, and an open layout, Laurel is inviting, and as soon as you walk in, it seems like a perfect place for a sick time. During this visit, we were seated in an area that was a bit detached from the main dining area and bar. Although this location suited us fine, it could limit one's immersion in the energy that one normally feels at this restaurant.

Rating: 8.5

Et Cetera

Trivia: The restaurant is owned by the husband and wife team of executive chef Russ Berger and executive pastry chef Sherry Berger. The Bergers also own Firefly at 130 Dartmouth Street, next to Copley Place.

Menu: Check out the dinner menu here

Reservations: Laurel is on OpenTable

Parking: There is no valet, but there are nearby parking lots and garages. Street parking can be difficult to find on weekends.

Dress: You can dress casually at Laurel.

Labels: American, Back-Bay, Laurel, Sick-Potential

posted by The King of Sick Meals @ 8:41 PM 0 comments