Boston Restaurant Week 2005 Recap
Last week was Restaurant Week in Boston, where some of the finer restaurants in the area offer special discounts to the public.
The 5th Annual, RESTAURANT WEEK ! August 22-26, 2005, is a culinary festival bound to whet your appetite each day as some of the finest restaurants in Boston & Cambridge and beyond offer a special three-course prix-fixe Lunch Menu for just $ 20.05! AND once again, many of the restaurants are offering a special Dinner Menu for $30.05! Over 100 restaurants participate in Restaurant Week - so select your favorites to re-visit or try Boston’s NEWEST eateries.
I was able to try three restaurants this year.
Last Wednesday I had lunch at Via Matta.
Via Matta
New chic and beautiful traditional Italian restaurant, presenting delicious dishes from Michael Schlow’s kitchen.
79 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-422-0008
http://www.viamattarestaurant.com
We ate outdoors, so I can’t say much for the atmosphere.
The food was quite good. For appetizers, I had the pomodoro (a tomato & bread type of soup), followed by pork cutlets. For dessert, I had a pudding of some sort covered in berries.
On Friday, I had lunch at Mantra.
MANTRA Restaurant
Boston’s first contemporary restaurant where French cuisine is artfully combined with exotic Indian spices features the culinary expertise of Executive Chef Thomas John. Occupying two floors of a former circa 1890’s bank, MANTRA boasts modern 21st century decor that provides an impressive setting for both a la carte dining as well as large parties and private events. An international staff, an impressive wine list, and a wonderful selection of clay oven breads makes MANTRA unique and truly a spa for the senses.
52 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-542-8111
Fax: 617-542-8666
http://www.mantrarestaurant.com
I had heard all about mantra before being this posh, trendy place noted for it’s hookah den. First, the atmosphere isn’t all that spectacular. There’s a mix of wild marble and warped mirrors, and kindof chintzy-looking curtains separating sections of the dining room. Overall, I wasn’t that impressed with the decor… It seemed like an uninspired “trendy” instead of really holding its own.
And I’m not sure if has something to do with Boston’s ban on smoking in restaurants, but the hookah den was not running. Also disappointing, especially since I’ve heard so much about it over the years.
Fortunately, the food was great. For apps, I had a cold carrot soup which was gritty texturally, but quite tasty. For an entree I had tandoori chicken, which was a nice mix of French and Indian tastes. Dessert consisted of three scoops of a rich creamy ice cream, presumably homemade.
On Friday night, I dined at Union in the South End
Union Bar and Grille
Located in the South End of Boston, acclaimed American grille serving dinner and cocktails nightly and brunch on Sundays to Boston’s business and neighborhood elite. Voted Best New Restaurant 04, Boston Magazine; Best Bartender 04 Boston Magazine; Best New Restaurant 04 Boston Phoenix Readers Poll; Best Buzz 04, Improper Bostonian Magazine.
1357 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-423-0555
Fax: 617-423-6055
http://www.unionrestaurant.com
Union was probably my favorite restaurant of the three.
The decor was cool, sophisticated, but not insultingly uber-trendy. Black leather booths complemented the painted exposed brick walls typical of South End establishments. The tables were decorated with orchids (a favorite), and the lighting was perfect.
I was also fornunate to get arguably the best table in the house, a small corner booth against the window overlooking both the street and the dining room floor.
As if that weren’t enough, I was sitting right next to the most attractive girl in the building. The atmosphere just doesn’t get better.
The food was also excellent. I had the bluefish appetizer, followed by steak. For dessert: I had an ice cream sandwich (ice cream sandwiched in between two chocolate chip cookies). Simple, traditional, but highly effective.
In all, all of the places I visited were great. My favorite was Union, followed by Via Matta, with Mantra being my least favorite.
I get the sense that during restaurant week, some restaurants (who are more accustomed to the regular high-end clientele) somewhat skimp on their offering. That’s not to say they offer less (portions are typically small at all three of these establishments), but instead I feel like they sortof mass-produce their Restaurant Week offerings, and so they taste a bit inferior to the same dish produced as part of their regular offering. (Exception: Union, which didn’t feel like they skimped at all)
Of the three restaurants I visited, I will definitely return to Union, it’s possible I’ll return to Via Matta, and it’s unlikely I’ll go back to Mantra.
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