Tag Archives: stanhope

Cocktails: Red Lantern, Back Bay, Boston

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We stopped by the Red Lantern for a cocktail and check out the bar scene (BMH’s dining review at Red Lantern). The line was pretty long and entrance was one in one out around 11pm on a Saturday. The crowd is a mid-thirties+ in the dining room and at the bar, a mix of professionals chatting amongst each other, with minimal cross pollination.

The golden hued bar, red hanging lanterns and the golden statue is quite regal. Red Lantern has good sake selection relative to other restaurants in Boston. Every bar seat was taken and the black corseted bar staff were circling the perimeter.

The dining room’s lighting was low and each table was full. There was a private function at the front of the restaurant bar as well. The last time I dined at Red Lantern, I enjoyed the spicy rolls. At the TV Diner Platinum Plate Gala, Red Lantern served spicy tuna bites with microgreens.

My friend tried the Shanghai Street Sangria $11, which I tried on my first dining experience. The plum sake, Lillet rouge, Bacardi Dragonberry, Ciroc Red Berry and Hennessy Black is a delicious and deadly mix. The festive bamboo class contains a Mai Tai for $11, with Bacardi 8, Orgeat, Orange Curacao, Pineapple and Myers Dark. Both friends seemed to really enjoy their cocktails.

I tried the Grass-fed mule for $11, lemongrass infused grey goose citron, lime and ginger beer. This was a nice vodka version of dark and stormy and the infused lemongrass was a great enhancement to the drink. This maybe a new favorite.

Red Lantern on Urbanspoon

The Brahmin, Back Bay, Boston

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The Brahmin has transformed the former 33 Bar into an old world New England restaurant and bar. There are an eclectic selection of artwork hung and the restaurant has dim lighting, a warm cozy atmosphere and you feel as if there is a fire in a furnace crackling. The restaurant’s kitchen serves the full menu until 11pm and has grilled flatbreads until 1:30am.

We really liked the lux leather couches and dainty and feminine fixtures handing from the ceiling.

The menu cover. Our server was very informed and very warm. He really made great suggestions and paced our meal so well.

We tried the Tuna two ways, which had fresh sushi grade tuna sashimi  and tuna tartare, served with refreshing water melon for $10. The tuna tartare was melt in your mouth and had a bit of green matter from the micro greens. I liked the additional option to have more texture, as the tartare was served with a few slices of toasted french bread. The sashimi was seared and seasoned well.  I will order this again.

Chicken can be rubbery, tough and dried out. The Brahmin’s chicken skewers were quite the opposite. The grilled chicken skewers were tender,  juicy, well grilled and served with flavorful, bright and sweet cilantro lime dipping sauce for $7.50.

I love adult renditions of childhood favorites. We tried the crispy serving of tater tots with a trio of truffled ketchup, garlic aioli and grainy mustard. I liked the fresh tasting and earthy truffled ketchup the best and then the garlicky creamy sauce for $6.

Back when The Brahmin was 33, we ordered these melt in your mouth, saucy short ribs. I just remember them being some of the best short ribs I had ever had. In honor of former 33 short ribs, we ordered two orders of the short ribs with cauliflower-parsnip puree and pickled shallots for $11. This version had a nice texture, very soft, well marinated beef. However, the puree was a bit bland and didn’t add or enhance the protein.

The truffled mac and cheese was such a hearty portion for $7. I absolutely would come back to Brahmin for the mac and cheese alone. Although rich, it was not heavy. It was a lush, satisfying mouthful of creamy al dente pasta. Every forkful would yield a few strands of cheese. I really liked the stringiness of the cheese and the crunchy dusting of breadcrumbs.

I would definitely be returning again for moderate priced, American small plates. Next time I am going to try the smoked bacon BLT, Steak Frites and to sample the flatbreads and order the tuna and truffle mac and cheese again!

The Brahmin American Cuisine & Cocktails on Urbanspoon

Zocalo, Back Bay, Boston Revisited

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With a craving for Latin cuisine, specifically Mexican, we revisited Zocalo on Stanhope. I love the ambiance, table side guacamole and the clear presence of the owner helping make the restaurant run well.

Guacamole En Molcajete guacamole dip made of mashed avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, a pinch of salt and freshly fried chips. (The red tint of the previous photo was prior to adjusting the settings on my camera).

I’ve never had chilapitas before, sweet plantains stuffed with pulled pork, creme fraiche, avocado, pickled onions, chipotle and cotija cheese.

The Carne Asada charbroiled steak was really tender and I really enjoyed trying the poblano peppers, green rice and flour tortillas.

I had the Chile Relleno de Puerco. The Pan seared poblano peppers stuffed with pork was a bit heavy, but I enjoyed the queso fresco, served over salsa verde and rice.