Visitors to the 11th annual Boston International Fine Arts Show (refer to story in around the hub), in town from November 15–18, will have an opportunity to enjoy a feast for the eyes as they savor works of art from all over the world. And afterwards, they’re bound to set out in search of another kind of feast—particularly because the South End neighborhood in which the show is based is home to some of Boston’s finest restaurants. Here’s a quick primer for those who want to make a full evening of enjoying the best art—and cuisine—the world has to offer in Boston.
Chinese: Myers &
Chang
1145 Washington St., 617-542-5200
The first business venture between
lovebirds/Boston culinary giants Christopher
Myers (Via Matta, Radius) and Joanne Chang
(Flour), this brand-spanking new eatery
offers a fresh take on Chinese (as well as
Vietnamese and Thai) specialties. The fresh
and funky, bright and airy décor is enhanced
by flavorful offerings like braised pork
belly buns, green papaya salad (with chilis,
peanuts, lime and dried shrimp) and Thai BBQ
chicken. With a reasonably priced menu (most
dishes are $8–10, and nothing is over $15),
Myers + Chang have quickly established
themselves as the first names for great
Chinese cuisine.
Cuban: Miami Café
68 Aguadilla St., 617-859-8360
It’s not fancy, it’s not big, and it’s not
expensive...still reading? If so, prepare to
enjoy one of the South End’s hidden
treasures—Miami Café. Essentially a
glorified take-out joint, Miami Café has
some of the best Cuban sandwiches in the
city, as well as authentic and delicious
plantains, beans and rice and other
delicacies. The menu’s in Spanish, but the
friendly staff will help you through it if
you’re a gringo. Wash your meal down with a
cup of “café” or fresh mango juice, and
you’ll be feeling as though you’ve been
transported south of the border.
Ethiopian: Addis
Red Sea
544 Tremont St.,
617-426-8727
While diners have become increasingly
familiar with European and Asian cuisine
over the years, African restaurants are
still something of an unexplored culinary
adventure for many. Addis Red Sea acts as a
perfect primer for Ethiopian food—one of the
most vibrantly tasty African flavors out
there. The restaurant is authentic all the
way, from the special honey wine that gets
meals off to a sweet start, to the
traditional dishes like yesega alcha (beef
cubes simmered in a sauce of butter, onion,
ginger and turmeric) and doro wot (chicken
marinated in lemon butter and sautéed in a
spicy red pepper sauce). Communal dining is
encouraged, with guests sitting around
barrel tables and eating from shared trays,
and patrons are encouraged to eschew Miss
Manners and eat the Ethiopian way, sans
silverware.
French: Gaslight
Brasserie du Coin
560 Harrison Ave., 617-422-0224
Another recent arrival on the South End
dining scene, Gaslight is modeled on the
traditional French “brasseries,” or
neighborhood restaurants. Stylish and
sophisticated in appearance with its beamed
wood ceilings, antique mirrors and wood
floors, Gaslight’s frequently updated menu
is full of traditional French favorites at
reasonable prices—just like its Gallic
counterparts—and gives South End denizens a
hint of Parisian feel without any of the
snooty French attitude.
Italian: Sage
1395 Washington St., 617-248-8814
Formerly one of literally dozens of
restaurants jockeying for attention in
Boston’s North End neighborhood, Sage made
the move to the South End earlier this year
and has, in no time, carved out a reputation
as one of the neighborhood’s finest spots
for Italian fare. Chef Anthony Susi serves
up delicious modern takes on classic Italian
dishes like arancini, gnocchi and stuffed
veal loin, in some cases incorporating just
a hint of French and Asian influence. The
desserts are handmade on the premises, and
even a drink at the bar is special thanks to
the frequent screenings of Italian films on
the televisions. A meal at Sage is truly La
Dolce Vita all the way.
Japanese: Oishii
1166 Washington St., 617-488-8868
For nearly a decade, Oishii has been racking
up awards and plaudits from local and
national publications, and Bostonians
continue to flock to the eatery to indulge
in some of the city’s best sushi. From the
modern and minimalist décor so popular with
sushi bars, to the exquisitely fresh
high-end ingredients like bluefin tuna in
the Oishii Sashimi Maki and the Kobe beef
carpaccio, Oishii promises a dining
experience that will satisfy any seasoned
sushi veteran and leave novices marveling at
what they’ve been missing.
Mexican/
Southwestern: Masa
1166 Washington St., 617-488-8868
If your realm of experience with Mexican
cuisine is tacos, chimichangas, burritos or
anything else drowning in cheese or beans,
liberate yourself from the heftiness of said
dishes and experience the range of flavors
on display at Masa. This popular eatery
applies the spices, flavors and techniques
of Southwestern and Mexican cooking to a
full and varied range of dishes, while
incorporating seasonal tastes. For fall,
Masa has added warm and sumptuous creations
like cinnamon roasted pumpkin and goat
cheese quesadillas, Negra Modela braised
pork shoulder with roasted apple salsa, and
the New Mexican roasted fall vegetable
enchiladas with smoked gouda.
Middle Eastern: The
Red Fez
1222 Washington St., 617-338-6060
Originally opened in 1940 (and revamped in
2002), the Red Fez is one of this South
End’s most venerable eateries. Specializing
in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine,
the Fez offers all the traditional favorites
like hummus, babaghanush, falafel and
kebabs, as well as more unique offerings
like the Damascus Chicken (hand-chopped,
char-grilled chicken seasoned with red bell
peppers and parsley) and the Red Fez Lamb
(cooked in Neapolitan sauce, wrapped in
fried eggplant and served with a light
garlic yogurt). Wash it all down with one
off their creative signature cocktails (like
the Lost in Space, which unites Stoli orange
and Triple Sec with that old astronaut’s
favorite, Tang), and you’ve got a culinary
experience like none other in the city.
Venezuelan: Orinoco
477 Shawmut Ave., 617-369-7075
Snug and intimate, Orinoco describes itself
as “a Latin Kitchen,” inspired by the casual
roadside cafes in Venezuela and throughout
South America. That unpretentious vibe is
reflected both in the food—delicious,
rib-sticking dishes like empanadas and
arepas (grilled corn pocket sandwiches
stuffed full of everything from black beans
and cheese to shredded chicken, beef and
pork)—and the prices, which are among the
most affordable in the South End.
Accompanied by a wide range of Chilean and
Argentinian wines, Orinoco’s food is an
authentic slice of sub-Equatorial spice in
the heart of Boston.
Vietnamese: Pho
Republique
1415 Washington St., 617-262-0005
Long renowned as one of the South End’s
hippest nightspots/eateries, and one that
helped place the neighborhood on the map as
a destination for great food, Pho Republique
boasts Vietnamese delicacies packed with
spice and flair. The menu explodes with
flavor: pineapple Kung Pao chicken, candied
garlic spare ribs, pork and ginger
potstickers, and the heaping bowls of pho
(chicken broth and noodles) for which the
restaurant is named. Throw in a selection of
exotic cocktails and a range of boutique
sakes, and you have a ton of tasty reasons
to pledge allegiance to this Republique.
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