Mare Rooftop – Providence, RI

Yue and I recently took a trip down to Rhode Island to visit some family, and in the process we took a bit of a whirlwind tour around the state to try out some new restaurants that had opened since I moved away a few years ago. Mare  was one such place, located in Wayland Square on Providence’s East Side. Mare features an enclosed rooftop space atop a small high-rise building. The menu features a variety of elevated seafood options, most of them locally sourced from the Narragansett Bay region.

Mare does its best business in the summer, when they can open up their space to include the wrap-around rooftop deck, which seems like a great place to have an evening cocktail and watch the sun set over the Providence river before a night out on the town. Unfortunately for us, when we went to Mare it was about 25 degrees and completely dark, so we didn’t get to take full advantage of the view, but after having spent my early years in Providence, I’m familiar enough with the local environs to fill in the details.

But Mare has much more to offer than just ambiance, and the delicious food more than made up for our poor timing. Being a restaurant in Rhode Island, one would expect Mare to take its pasta dishes seriously, so it came as no surprise that the linguine with clams that Yue ordered was excellent, with just the right amount of briney flavor to give the pasta an interesting texture. Meanwhile, I went with seared scallops over a bed of sweet potatoes, covered in a port wine and blood orange glaze. The glaze made the scallops just a bit firm on the outside, while keeping the inner meat soft.

In my lifetime, Providence has successfully rebranded itself as a cultural capital and has carved out its niche among other small New England cities as a premier place for art and entertainment. This produces a competitive environment for restaurateurs as the burgeoning youth population of Providence looks for the newest and hippest places to go and to be seen going. Restaurants in Providence live and die by either their gimmicks and the quality of their food, and Mare has excelled in both regards. In the time since I left Providence for Boston, many of my favorite haunts have closed down or been taken over by new management, so it is gratifying to see that newcomers are stepping up to fill the space left by some of my old favorites.

We’ll be returning to Mare over the summer to get the full effect of the space, and if you find yourself in Providence, it’s certainly worth a try.

Pagu – Central Square

If you’ve been following our Instagram, you’ll have noticed that we went dark for a little while last month, and then started posting a bunch of dishes geotagged to locations in China. Yue and I had a pretty tumultuous September, between our trip to China and settling in after our move, so we haven’t really been out to eat much, and so we let our activity here lapse a bit. I made the decision not to write up any posts about the food we ate in China, not in the least because I couldn’t keep the names of the dishes in my head. But now we’re back and in the swing of things, so hopefully this space will be back to the usual level of activity shortly!

But now that we’re back in Boston, Yue and I are looking into restaurants we haven’t been to yet, because before we left we fell into a bit of a rut. We’ve both heard about Pagu through the grapevine, and we’ve walked past it a few times on our forays to the Central Square bars, and since we were feeling small plates over the weekend, we decided to finally give it a try.

Pagu is an interesting sort of Asian fusion, combining Japanese-style dishes with Spanish spices in tapas-style dining. The menu is fairly eclectic, and divided up by category, so you can easily skim through the more traditional meat, vegetable, and cheese dishes, but also the Japanese-inspired dumplings, rice, and noodles. We tried a few of the dishes, but there were a few more we were interested in sampling, so we’ll have to make a return trip at some point.

We started off with an order of wafflettas, which you can see in the bottom right picture. They’re made from a combination of melted mozzarella cheese and caramelized shallots, which give it a crispy exterior shell and a creamy and savory interior. We followed it up with an order of delicious curried crab cakes.

We also ordered a fried chicken cutlet made with a special house sauce, and that proved to be the highlight of the meal, with a great balance of flavors and a spicy note to add a bit of nuance. We finished off with an order of mushroom mazemen, a kind of ramen in a thick sauce rather than broth. The earthy flavor of the noodles was a fitting end to the medley of different tastes we tried out, and Yue is bound to be favorably inclined to any restaurant where she can get both fried chicken and noodles.

Pagu is worth a visit if you happen to be in the neighborhood, especially since Yue and I find restaurants in Cambridge to be more lackluster than otherwise, so we’re always happy to find a diamond in the rough. It’s probably best to make a reservation, as tables tend to fill up fast, though we managed to grab seats at the bar.

Assagio – North End

With the warm weather we had this weekend, Yue and I decided to venture out from our comfortable neighborhood Allston haunts into the great unknown… or at least the North End, which is basically the same thing. We hadn’t eaten in the North End since late last summer, and the best way to enjoy it seemed to be to make a trek all the way to the other side of the city. We didn’t really have a specific place in mind, and since we hadn’t bothered making reservations, we figured we would try our luck with whatever didn’t have too long a wait.

We wound up at Assagio, tucked behind a church just off Hanover Street, a cozy trattoria with whitewashed walls that balances the old, simple architecture of the North End with whitewashed walls that give it a modern and chic ambiance. We started with a mushroom and herb bruschetta, served on thick slices of Italian bread, and followed that up with a pasta course.

I ordered an Amatriciana, made with tomatoes, onions and bacon, while Yue went with the vongole positano, made from specialty Italian pasta and served with imported clams in a red sauce. The pasta courses are served in pans, and lived up to my high expectations for Italian food. (After growing up in a place where it seemed like every other block had an Italian place, Boston’s lack of trattorias outside of the North End is a bit of a disappointment, but I digress)

Towards the end of our meal, we were told that the restaurant was expecting a large party, and they would need our table to accommodate. We told them it was no issue and moved to another table nearby. In recompense, the management gave us each a limoncello, a plate of tiramisu, and the rather large fruit platter you see above. Both Yue and I thought that the fruit was for the 20-seat party that we moved for, so we were a little surprised when it wound up on our table.

Assagio certainly went above and beyond to earn our loyalty and gratitude, so it’s been enshrined as one of our favorite Boston spots, and one that we will certainly return to.

Hei La Moon – Chinatown

As you might be aware, the Chinese lunar new year is set to begin this week, ushering in the Year of the Dog. To mark the occasion, Yue and I Made a trip out to Chinatown this morning for dim sum at Hei La Moon. Hei La Moon is located just across the street from Boston’s iconic Chinatown Gate, and boasts several floors of banquet hall-style seating. Uniformed servers push around carts laden with meats, pastries and dumplings around the hall, and dishes are served a la carte. It’s a sprawling space, but make sure to come early, because it does fill up fast. The building has a parking garage on top, and diners can get validated parking on the weekends, meaning people come from far and wide for an authentic dim sum experience.

Because of the way dim sum service works, you’re able to try all manner of dishes, though the tastes tend to run more towards sweet or savory than spicy. Yue’s favorite dish is chicken feet, and though I was a bit apprehensive the first time we tried them, they’re starting to grow on me. They can be a bit bony, and eating around the bones and spitting them out can take some getting used to. We also ordered peppery pork short ribs with taro, which I think were my favorite in the spread. The flavor serves as a good contrast to the sweeter dishes we ordered, and the bite-sized cubes are easy to pop into your mouth.

Also in the spread was yuba, tofu skin, wrapped around a filling of pork, shrimp, and bamboo shoots, the latter to give the dish a little extra texture. Though they may not look like much, they’re plenty filling. The dish in the foreground of the first photo are rolls of fish tofu with crab meat in the center, garnished with sweet corn. That one was a dish neither Yue nor I had tried before, but it certainly delivered a subtle but interesting flavor, kind of like a heavy, deep-fried sushi.

The egg tarts are actually a dish from Portugal, but due to Portugal’s connection to Macau, have been incorporated into the dim sum spread. The heavy pastry crust and creamy egg filing help clear the palate between dishes. We also ordered shu mai, a kind of steamed dumpling stuffed with pork. These, I think, are what tipped me over from just being merely full to staving off a food coma all afternoon. Worth it.

We ended our meal on the sweet side, with a bowl of coconut milk, watermelon chunks and tapioca pearls, and steamed buns filled with duck egg, butter, and cheese. The natural saltiness of the duck egg was offset by the sweetness of the bun itself and the flavors of the cheese and butter.

We left feeling completely stuffed, and it took a walk back through Chinatown and then all the way down through Back Bay to stave off the post-meal lethargy, but we’re ready to ring in the Year of the Dog.

-Connor

Giacomo’s – South End

Tucked behind a quiet and unassuming storefront just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue is Giacomo’s, a little Italian enclave specializing in Sicilian seafood and pasta dishes. Its dishes blend the fresh tastes I always associate with al fresco summer dining with delicious comfort food, and is the perfect remedy for a long stretch of gray winter weather, or to refuel and carbo-load after a walk through the stately brick townhouses of the South End. Table space is limited, and it fills up fast on the weekends, but there’s more availability during the week, so Yue and I keep it in the rotation for our midweek date nights.

While Giacomo’s specializes in seafood, they also offer several chicken and veal dishes. I’ve tried the veal marsala on previous occasions, and while it is good, the pasta they serve it with comes in a small bowl on the side, rather than serving the two together, which didn’t exactly impress me. That said, their seafood-focused linguine is served all on one plate, and keeps us coming back. This time, we were entertaining a friend from out of town, so we sampled three different entrees. Yue always orders the fruite di mare, scallops and mussels, while I ordered linguine with shrimp and scallops. Our friend opted for more land-based fair, with a medley of chicken, peppers and onions. All of this was served over pasta with the signature house sauce, a red cream and lobster sauce that draws out the other flavors of the seafood.

Giacomo’s is cash-only, so it’s worth taking a quick trip to the ATM before you go. It’s a little off the beaten path, and certainly a hidden gem, but if you’re looking for quality Italian food without making a pilgrimage all the way to the North End, Giacomo’s is perfect.

Punjab Palace – Allston

Tucked down near the far end of the restaurants in Allston Village is Punjab Palace, whose unassuming appearance belies an elevated experience. Punjab Palace has tastefully spare decor, and though their space is small, it carries plenty of character. The North Indian cuisine balances its flavors, mixing creamy texture with savory meat, flavored with just the right amount of spice to draw out the food’s character. If you’re looking to sear off your taste buds, you’re probably better off going to one of Punjab Palace’s neighbors, because even their medium level of spiciness didn’t do much to phase my palate. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing; I much prefer when food blends its tastes, rather than relying heavily on spices for “character”.

Punjab Palace boasts an expansive menu with plenty of vegetarian options that Yue and I paid absolutely no attention to. We were more interested in the various chicken and lamb dishes. The portions are as you see above, small bowls filled with meat and sauce served alongside jasmine rice. We ordered the chicken paneer masala, served over a creamy tomato and cheese sauce, chicken saag, made with spinach, and lamb bhuna, which is a dish prepared with onions, chunks of tomato, and herbs, all mixed in a heavy cream sauce. It’s all served with oven-fresh naan bread, and mango lassi, a sweet yogurt-based drink mixed with a mango puree.

By far the standout dish was the paneer masala, with just the right blend of spice and savory cream flavors. I did like the bhuna, but I’m not sure I’d order it again. While it was good, it wasn’t anything special, and I think I’d like to be a little more adventurous on our next visit. The menu is, as I mentioned, rather expansive, and I’m sure I’ll find something else to pique my curiosity.

Personally, I felt it was a nice break from our usual repertoire of eastern food, and a welcome change on the palate. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s certainly worth a look.

-Connor

Carlo’s – Allston

Most of the restaurants in Allston Village are eastern food, which is great most of the time, but sometimes you just want the perfect balance of flavors that western cooking provides. Tucked in among the Chinese and Korean joints along Brighton Ave is Carlo’s, a tiny Italian enclave that’s a breath of fresh, tomato-scented air for the neighborhood.

I grew up in a place with more Italian restaurants than you could shake a stick at, so I was a little disappointed when I moved up to Boston and found that authentic Italian places were few and far between here unless you trekked out to the North End. That’s a long hike from Brookline, so I don’t get to indulge all that often. When I discovered Carlo’s, I was happy that I had an Italian option in my neighborhood. The problem then became getting in…

Yue and I have been trying to get a table at Carlo’s since we started dating last year, and we finally got in last weekend. The space is really small, and they draw a lot of families in large parties, so table space fills up fast. If we’d shown up even fifteen minutes later, we would have been out of luck (and missed out on an amazing meal). The walls are painted with murals of the Italian countryside, and the space buzzes with conversation between the staff and their regulars. Carlo’s curates a welcoming vibe, like any reputable Italian establishment ought. You’re greeted at the door with a smile and friendly wave as you’re shown to your table. The waiters are jocular and boisterous, and the service is quick.

Yue ordered the Pollo alla Irene, chicken sauteed with potatoes, mushrooms, peppers and onions in a white wine sauce, while I went with the Fettuccine alla Marysa, veal with caramelized onions, peas, and prosciutto. Both dishes were, in our humble estimation, the best food we’ve profiled on the blog so far, and that’s no faint praise. The mushrooms with Yue’s chicken were cooked to perfection, and the blend of flavors in the fettuccine was impeccable. The food makes waiting nearly eight months to finally get in worth it.

We’ll definitely be trying to go back, if only so we can try a few more dishes on the menu that caught our eye. Don’t let the restaurant’s humble appearance fool you, Carlo’s is top caliber Italian food at its best. Any Boston foodie is doing themselves a disservice if they don’t take the pilgrimage out to Allston to give it a shot. I can assure you, they won’t disappoint.

-Connor

Regal Beagle – Coolidge Corner

It’s cold again in Boston, which means Yue and I aren’t as adventurous as we’d like to be. This blog post comes to you from another local joint, probably one of the best known in Brookline. The Regal Beagle on Harvard Ave is tucked away behind an unassuming front window belying a warm and inviting interior. The Regal Beagle’s dinner menu changes with the seasons (though I’ll admit that the few times I’ve gone for the dinner service, I’ve found it a tad lackluster), but as far as this blogger can tell, the brunch menu stays fairly consistent. It features a wide variety of omelettes and eggs, along with other classics like pancakes and (my personal favorite) french toast stuffed with ricotta cheese and garnished with fruit. They also have a variety of cocktails to complement their brunch menu, along with others for the dinner service. They range from the typical mojito and Bloody Mary to more inventive house cocktails.

On this visit, Yue was feeling something more savory than sweet, so she went with a roasted chicken sandwich, while I went with a Regal Beagle signature, the BATman, eggs benedict complimented by bacon, avocado and tomato. It’s served with roasted potatoes and small salad to balance out the palate. Yue’s chicken was smoked, and balanced on the fine line between tender and dry, supplemented with the fresh greens.

The Regal Beagle mixes minimalist decor with upscale eats to craft a relaxed but elevated atmosphere, and it’s a favorite among Brookline locals. From families to young professionals, the Regal Beagle attracts a diverse crowd. When you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check it out.

Kaze Shabu Shabu – Chinatown

It had been a while since the last time Yue and I had eaten in Chinatown. Last night, we were spending some time in a cafe near Boston Common to get out of the cold, so we decided it was a good night for some hot pot, and took a walk down Boylston Street to see what we could find. We ended up in Kaze Shabu Shabu, tucked a little ways down Essex Street, not far from the Orange Line Chinatown stop.

Kaze Shabu Shabu serves up Japanese-style hot pot, which offer more variety for broth than a traditional Chinese or Mongolian hot pot would. I went with a savory Japanese curry-style broth, while Yue stuck with a more familiar Chinese herbal. The menu offerings were vast and varied, offering up plenty of meats, seafood and vegetable options. As any canny reader can assume, Yue and I aren’t remotely vegetarian, so the initial offering of veggies were enough for us, and we opted for meat plates. Yue ordered beef, while I went for a combination of beef and pork.

For the benefit of any readers who haven’t tried hot pot, it’s served by placing a large pan full of broth on a burner set into the table. The broth boils, and the diners put in the vegetables/meat/etc., and once those have been cooked in the broth, they’re taken out and put in a smaller bowl, where they can cool in a marinade of soy and barbecue sauces, along with a mixture of chopped garlic, scallions, peppers, and vinegar. Once it cools enough to not scald your tongue, it’s ready to eat.

What makes hot pot so fun is how much it’s tailored to each diner’s tastes. If you want miso soup but your partner wants beef broth, it’s cool! Don’t like how napa cabbage gets limp when it’s boiled? No problem, just don’t put it in! Are you in the mood for some meat but your friend is a vegetarian? No need to worry, there’s a handy divider in the pot to keep everything separate! Yue and I tend to have similar tastes in food, which is great, but it never hurts to have the option to cater more to your tastes.

Kaze Shabu Shabu is hardly the only hot pot place in Chinatown (actually, I think there are about three others on the same block), but of the ones I’ve tried, I think it’s my favorite so far. The portions are just the right size to not leave you feeling too full, but it’s certainly enough to satisfy one’s appetite. It also seems to be far less crowded than the other hot pot places nearby, and not having to wait for a table is always a plus as far as I’m concerned. If you’re looking for something to warm you up for the next spate of cold weather we’re due for, give Kaze Shabu Shabu a shot.

-Connor

Sonsie – Back Bay

Over the weekend, Yue and I braved the freezing temperatures to show a friend from out of town around Boston. Naturally, the first order of business was brunch. We felt like we had exhausted our neighborhood options lately, so we settled on Sonsie on Newbury Street. We have been to Sonsie several times previously (and it’s our go-to backup for a date night after work), but never for their brunch service, so it was a new experience for all three of us.

Sonsie is best on warm days when you can take full advantage of their cafe style seating at the front of the restaurant. They open up the front windows so that diners can take in the sights of Newbury Street and people-watch. Not that you couldn’t people watch last Saturday, but when the temperature is hovering around zero, there aren’t a lot of people out and about. That said, the space was a warm, comfortable refuge from the frigid outside air, and the cafe area was bright and well lit. When we’ve gone for dinner, the cafe can feel a little cramped, and generally seating is two to a table. But in the morning, Sonsie isn’t as busy (or maybe the cold was keeping everyone away), which gave us a little more room to breathe. The decor is chic and upscale, and looks good in the bright light of morning or for a low-light candlelit dinner at dusk.

We ordered eggs benedict, a ham and spinach quiche, and one of Sonsie’s signature pancakes, respectively. The eggs were some of the best I’ve had in a while, with just the right balance of flavors and texture. The pancake was likewise delicious; fluffy and garnished with fresh fruit. Yue ordered the quiche, which was remarkably filling. The pictures don’t really do justice to how tall the slice was.

The breakfast menu also has our favorite Sonsie dish on it, though we didn’t order it this time. Sonsie serves a variety of artisan pizzas, and the clear standout is the one with mushrooms and brie. I could go on at length about it, but I think I’ll save that for another blog post some other time.