Soul-less in the South End

Bummer… www.boston.com reports today that a 50-year South End fixture will soon be no more. Bob’s Southern Bistro (known to many of us as Bob the Chef’s) is closing! It’s a sad day… no more finger-licking soul food while listening to the smokey jazz artists of the past and present.

Yippee… they are replacing it with a “upscale lounge geared to college students”… just what we need! And get this, the establishment’s new name? “Night Town”… catchy, isn’t it? NOT.

Soul-less in the South End

Bummer… www.boston.com reports today that a 50-year South End fixture will soon be no more. Bob’s Southern Bistro (known to many of us as Bob the Chef’s) is closing! It’s a sad day… no more finger-licking soul food while listening to the smokey jazz artists of the past and present.

Yippee… they are replacing it with a “upscale lounge geared to college students”… just what we need! And get this, the establishment’s new name? “Night Town”… catchy, isn’t it? NOT.

Pub Grub

So, still recovering from my hangover (from Blogtoberfest) and the frightful sight I witnessed at Abe & Louie’s later that evening (see previous blog), I meandered over to Matt Murphy’s pub in Brookline Village to grab a bite with some old friends yesterday. I hadn’t been there in years and had never really been there to eat, but rather to enjoy the traditional Celtic and Irish music and have a few pints of Guinness.

The menu is definitely focused on Irish-themed comfort food (which is always desirable after a late night of drinking with the girls) and is divided into five sections: Farmhouse Plates, Starters, Sandwiches, Main Courses and Sweets. The Farmhouse Plates include: Country Style Pate & Grain Mustard (including several meats and picked vegetables), Potted White Fish (accompanied by other cured fish dishes) and the Farm House Cheese (which I shared with a friend) — all for $10 each.

For a cheese plate, this one was quite large and a pretty good bargain for $10. In retrospect, this probably would have been enough for lunch… even sharing it with my friend. There were several nice-sized chunks of brie, blue cheese, farmhouse cheddar, some type of mustard-grain cheese and a few others… plus pickles, pickled onions and cabbage, greens and hard-boiled eggs… all served with 2 different types of mustard and some kind of creamy relish thing. It was quite good, especially when eaten with the variety of breads served in the large bread basket.

For lunch, I had the Mixed Greens Salad, served with goat cheese and toasted walnuts in a mustard vinaigrette ($8). Very good, though a bit mustard-y. In fact… if you don’t like mustard, this may not be the place for you… as it seems to be a central flavor in many of the dishes. My friends got the Salad of Endive with walnuts, mustard and caramelized pears (also $8) and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich — served panini-style, with hand-cut french fries — with crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes and aged cheddar ($9). They both seemed to enjoy their meals, though my friend needed to scrape the abundance of mustard off her sandwich. In other words… if you are not a mustard fan (as mentioned before), be sure to ask for it on the side.

We opted out of dessert, as we were pretty stuffed, but they looked pretty yummy and quite “comforting”. Next time, I would like to try one of the Main Courses. My guess is that the portions are quite large (the prices range from $14 to $20).

All-on-all, a pretty good dining experience. Definitely no frills and the service was a tiny bit slow considering it’s a small place with just a handful of tables. My only complaint (and this is pushing it) is that the don’t serve any soda; just water or beer I believe. When I’m dragging, I enjoy a diet coke with my lunch and had to settle for agua. All things considered, since this place is really more of a music venue and drinking place and the food was surprisingly good… no hard feelings on the small selection of drinks.

Pub Grub

So, still recovering from my hangover (from Blogtoberfest) and the frightful sight I witnessed at Abe & Louie’s later that evening (see previous blog), I meandered over to Matt Murphy’s pub in Brookline Village to grab a bite with some old friends yesterday. I hadn’t been there in years and had never really been there to eat, but rather to enjoy the traditional Celtic and Irish music and have a few pints of Guinness.

The menu is definitely focused on Irish-themed comfort food (which is always desirable after a late night of drinking with the girls) and is divided into five sections: Farmhouse Plates, Starters, Sandwiches, Main Courses and Sweets. The Farmhouse Plates include: Country Style Pate & Grain Mustard (including several meats and picked vegetables), Potted White Fish (accompanied by other cured fish dishes) and the Farm House Cheese (which I shared with a friend) — all for $10 each.

For a cheese plate, this one was quite large and a pretty good bargain for $10. In retrospect, this probably would have been enough for lunch… even sharing it with my friend. There were several nice-sized chunks of brie, blue cheese, farmhouse cheddar, some type of mustard-grain cheese and a few others… plus pickles, pickled onions and cabbage, greens and hard-boiled eggs… all served with 2 different types of mustard and some kind of creamy relish thing. It was quite good, especially when eaten with the variety of breads served in the large bread basket.

For lunch, I had the Mixed Greens Salad, served with goat cheese and toasted walnuts in a mustard vinaigrette ($8). Very good, though a bit mustard-y. In fact… if you don’t like mustard, this may not be the place for you… as it seems to be a central flavor in many of the dishes. My friends got the Salad of Endive with walnuts, mustard and caramelized pears (also $8) and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich — served panini-style, with hand-cut french fries — with crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes and aged cheddar ($9). They both seemed to enjoy their meals, though my friend needed to scrape the abundance of mustard off her sandwich. In other words… if you are not a mustard fan (as mentioned before), be sure to ask for it on the side.

We opted out of dessert, as we were pretty stuffed, but they looked pretty yummy and quite “comforting”. Next time, I would like to try one of the Main Courses. My guess is that the portions are quite large (the prices range from $14 to $20).

All-on-all, a pretty good dining experience. Definitely no frills and the service was a tiny bit slow considering it’s a small place with just a handful of tables. My only complaint (and this is pushing it) is that the don’t serve any soda; just water or beer I believe. When I’m dragging, I enjoy a diet coke with my lunch and had to settle for agua. All things considered, since this place is really more of a music venue and drinking place and the food was surprisingly good… no hard feelings on the small selection of drinks.

More than a mouthful at Abe & Louie’s

Try an eye-full! What is the one thing you don’t want to see at a fine dining establishment? Two people getting it on, out in the open, about 5 feet from the restroom doors! Yes, that’s right… my girlfriend and I came out of the ladies room, made a wrong turn and, instead of seeing Sirloins, Filet Mignons and T-bones, we got a look at a good old-fashioned Rump-roast!

Standing there, tucked away in what appeared to be a busboy station, was a women facing the wall, pants around her knees and a guy standing behind her (CLOSE behind her), zipper undone. We looked at them, they looked at us, we started cracking up and got the hell out of there as quickly as we could! Later regretting that I didn’t whip out my iPhone to snap a quick shot. Oh well!

So the next question is… was this girl just really drunk, or did she just not care??? I am not exaggerating when I say this was just steps away from the bathroom door. What I’m calling a “busboy station” was not a room, but simply a nook — at best — that was maybe 2 to 3 feet deep. Not something you expect to see at this type of restaurant. The Pour House, maybe… which is where we started our evening (at the 2007 Blogtoberfest), but not Abe & Louie’s.

Anyhow… this was my first dining experience at Abe & Louie’s and my-my will it be a memorable one! Too bad it won’t be because of the food. We did eat last night, but just appetizers –it was more of a drinking night. I was there with 3 other girls and we shared 4 appetizers (and no beef, which is what this place is known for).

We had the Iced Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (for $15) — a little pricey for FOUR shrimp. They were definitely jumbo, but by far not worth $3.75 each!!! Next came the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (also $15), served with some type of tartar sauce and a fruit salsa. Again, tasty, but it was one medium-sized crab cake. In other words, also overpriced. We also got the Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Cocktail (I guess they like to emphasize the word jumbo… indicating you’ll be paying a lot) – this one went for $16. Now granted, it was a fair serving… and it was jumbo chunks, but it was served with cocktail sauce and horseradish. Whoop-dee-doo. Lastly, we shared the Boca Chopped Salad – minus the bacon ($9). This was actually quite good and a nice-sized portion for the cost. To see their full menu, click here.

Typical steakhouse fare, typical steakhouse decor and typical steakhouse prices. I will need to visit again to determine the quality and taste of the dinner entrees… but my first impression is that it’s a bit overpriced for what it is. Definitely a good ‘ol boys kind of place (but aren’t most steak houses?).

Overall, a fun night out with the girls — with a few surprises thrown in and a bit of a hangover this morning!

More than a mouthful at Abe & Louie’s

Try an eye-full! What is the one thing you don’t want to see at a fine dining establishment? Two people getting it on, out in the open, about 5 feet from the restroom doors! Yes, that’s right… my girlfriend and I came out of the ladies room, made a wrong turn and, instead of seeing Sirloins, Filet Mignons and T-bones, we got a look at a good old-fashioned Rump-roast!

Standing there, tucked away in what appeared to be a busboy station, was a women facing the wall, pants around her knees and a guy standing behind her (CLOSE behind her), zipper undone. We looked at them, they looked at us, we started cracking up and got the hell out of there as quickly as we could! Later regretting that I didn’t whip out my iPhone to snap a quick shot. Oh well!

So the next question is… was this girl just really drunk, or did she just not care??? I am not exaggerating when I say this was just steps away from the bathroom door. What I’m calling a “busboy station” was not a room, but simply a nook — at best — that was maybe 2 to 3 feet deep. Not something you expect to see at this type of restaurant. The Pour House, maybe… which is where we started our evening (at the 2007 Blogtoberfest), but not Abe & Louie’s.

Anyhow… this was my first dining experience at Abe & Louie’s and my-my will it be a memorable one! Too bad it won’t be because of the food. We did eat last night, but just appetizers –it was more of a drinking night. I was there with 3 other girls and we shared 4 appetizers (and no beef, which is what this place is known for).

We had the Iced Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (for $15) — a little pricey for FOUR shrimp. They were definitely jumbo, but by far not worth $3.75 each!!! Next came the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (also $15), served with some type of tartar sauce and a fruit salsa. Again, tasty, but it was one medium-sized crab cake. In other words, also overpriced. We also got the Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Cocktail (I guess they like to emphasize the word jumbo… indicating you’ll be paying a lot) – this one went for $16. Now granted, it was a fair serving… and it was jumbo chunks, but it was served with cocktail sauce and horseradish. Whoop-dee-doo. Lastly, we shared the Boca Chopped Salad – minus the bacon ($9). This was actually quite good and a nice-sized portion for the cost. To see their full menu, click here.

Typical steakhouse fare, typical steakhouse decor and typical steakhouse prices. I will need to visit again to determine the quality and taste of the dinner entrees… but my first impression is that it’s a bit overpriced for what it is. Definitely a good ‘ol boys kind of place (but aren’t most steak houses?).

Overall, a fun night out with the girls — with a few surprises thrown in and a bit of a hangover this morning!

Numero Uno

Excerpt from the press release, following the Uno Chicago Grill opening in Swampscott I missed last night…

“Boston, Massachusetts – October 23, 2007 – Led by restaurateurs with more than a hundred years of combined experience, Boston-based Uno Chicago Grill® is fast becoming one of the hottest restaurants in the country. On the heels of seven consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, the company is launching an experiential revolution – something Frank Guidara, president and CEO of Uno Chicago Grill is calling Uno-Plus…

…Before entering the restaurant, diners are greeted by lush landscaping – large planters filled with seasonal blooms – that mirrors the foliage lining the streetscape of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Within steps, they enter the dramatic three-story glass entryway of the new restaurant: Hanging above them, a Chicago sign, reminiscent of the original Chicago Theatre marquee. And, off the entrance, guests embark on the all-new “lounging of Uno,” a substantially larger lounge area that is sectioned off from the dining room. The new lounge, featuring plush seating, evokes a Midwestern charm and easy-going spirit. Next to the lounge is a window showcasing the kitchen, allowing guests the opportunity to witness Uno’s commitment to creating artisanal fare, and just past the kitchen, guests are greeted by a large, brick fireplace that offers all the comforts of home. Change is afoot at Uno Chicago Grill.”

Sounds interesting… if you check it out, let us know how it is.

Gobble Gobble

While not necessarily food related… unless reading about turkeys makes you want to eat turkey… it appears that Brookline has been having some wild turkey problems. This is too funny not to share:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/10/23/turkeys_take_to_cities_towns/

Numero Uno

Excerpt from the press release, following the Uno Chicago Grill opening in Swampscott I missed last night…

“Boston, Massachusetts – October 23, 2007 – Led by restaurateurs with more than a hundred years of combined experience, Boston-based Uno Chicago Grill® is fast becoming one of the hottest restaurants in the country. On the heels of seven consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, the company is launching an experiential revolution – something Frank Guidara, president and CEO of Uno Chicago Grill is calling Uno-Plus…

…Before entering the restaurant, diners are greeted by lush landscaping – large planters filled with seasonal blooms – that mirrors the foliage lining the streetscape of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Within steps, they enter the dramatic three-story glass entryway of the new restaurant: Hanging above them, a Chicago sign, reminiscent of the original Chicago Theatre marquee. And, off the entrance, guests embark on the all-new “lounging of Uno,” a substantially larger lounge area that is sectioned off from the dining room. The new lounge, featuring plush seating, evokes a Midwestern charm and easy-going spirit. Next to the lounge is a window showcasing the kitchen, allowing guests the opportunity to witness Uno’s commitment to creating artisanal fare, and just past the kitchen, guests are greeted by a large, brick fireplace that offers all the comforts of home. Change is afoot at Uno Chicago Grill.”

Sounds interesting… if you check it out, let us know how it is.

Gobble Gobble

While not necessarily food related… unless reading about turkeys makes you want to eat turkey… it appears that Brookline has been having some wild turkey problems. This is too funny not to share:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/10/23/turkeys_take_to_cities_towns/