Cafeteria (by Kosta)

I've walked down Newbury Street many times in the past, but somehow never managed to check out Cafeteria. The other night Steph Santos and I braved the rain to try it out. Entering through a basement level entrance, we were greeted by Demetri, the director of operations. He escorted us upstairs to a very open dining area with large windows that would let the sunlight in during the day. The ambiance that evening was very cozy; candles sat on the tables and muted lights in the background created an inviting feel. Our server Farah was very friendly, made good recommendations and was happy to discuss the various menu items and the restaurant in general.

After perusing the menu we dove into the cocktails. Steph started with the Blood Orange Fizz, ($10) a tangy citrus concoction with lime and mint that was sweet and refreshing. I had the Greek Mythology, ($12) a metaxa based drink with grapefruit juice, mint and honey. Later in the meal we switched to the Timeout, ($12) a cocktail more commonly known as a “Left Bank Martini” that is in the vein of vintage cocktails. Comprised of gin, St. Germain and Sauvignon Blanc, this was my favorite of the evening. We also tried the Bee Student ($10) which is a lighter version of the typical bourbon + citrus drink, with just a hint of honey. All the drinks were well balanced between the liquor and the mixers. The “cafeteria” themed names were cute.

While sipping on cocktails we ordered up a spread of appetizers and entrees.

The Spinach Artichoke Dip ($10) was outstanding. Finely chopped and pureed, the dip was creamy due to the goat cheese, a significant difference from what you find in many dips. It made for a rich and delicious appetizer. The flatbread was crispy and seasoned with an assortment of spices. Not inhaling the entire bowl all at once was a task.

I've never had Beef Carpaccio, ($12) but Cafeteria’s was pretty delicious. Incredibly thin slices of raw beef sirloin were drizzled in a mixture capers, olive oil, horseradish, and lemon with arugula on top, creating a delectable flavor. It was best when you got pieces that had all the ingredients mixed together.

I love Mexican food, so couldn’t pass up on the Cod Tacos. ($12.50) The flavors of the fish, radish, and pickled cabbage blended well. The spicy crema and salsa verde added a nice kick. The tortillas were flour instead of corn, but it did not detract, instead giving a subtler flavor. The fish was grilled which is how I prefer it as opposed to battered and fried. Overall they were a pretty good interpretation of west coast tacos.

I always like to try Greek food while eating out to see how it stands up to my family’s home cooking. The menu had a scattering of Greek and Middle Eastern influenced items on it. I tried a small sample of their tzatziki. A hint of lemon and garlic with small chunks of cucumber throughout mixed perfectly in the fresh Greek yogurt. I am more often than not disappointed by restaurant tzakiki due to their use of subpar yogurt or filler such as sour cream, Cafeteria did none of these things and succeeded at tzatziki.

Our entrees soon came out starting with the Mac –n- Cheese. ($14) It incorporated fontina and parmesan making a cheese sauce that was similar to what you would get when using beer or wine in your roué as opposed to one thickened up with creams. The flavor of the fancier cheese really came through and made this quite tasty. I recommend adding bacon if that’s your style.

As I've said in previous posts, properly prepared eggplant is hard to find when eating out. Too often it is overcooked and soggy, or not cooked enough. Cafeteria’s Eggplant Parmesan ($14.50) was one of those rare places where eggplant is done right. A hearty slice of lightly breaded eggplant stacked 6 pieces high was presented to us. The consistency was firm yet not hard and it melted apart in your mouth. Basil and fresh mozzarella topped the wedge. A light marinara covered each layer of eggplant, but didn't detract from the flavor. The side salad included quality greens such as spinach, arugula and red leaf lettuce; the dressing was simple lemony vinaigrette and nice compliment to the eggplant.

We picked their Boston Cream Burger ($13.50) as our choice out of the myriad of burger options. Of note was the preparation of the burger. We asked for medium, and medium we received; quite different from many places which can’t seem to prepare meat to specification. The grass fed beef with cheddar and sautéed onions made a great burger, but the habanero- radish cream cheese was the highlight. The spice of the habanero was cut by the cream cheese making a savory spread that was slathered over the bun. With the burger came a side of Parmesan Fries, which were double battered and sprinkled with parmesan. I just wanted to keep snacking on them. Next time I want to try the Homemade Black Bean Burger which looked amazing.

We finished off with a Caramel Apple Cheesecake ($8) and a 10 year Tawny Port. ($8) The caramel and apples were layered on top of the very dense, creamy cheesecake. Even though we were stuffed we made it through. The port was a complimentary partner.

I have to say Cafeteria did well with subtle and delicate; but also was very flavorful and put forward just the right amount of spice. I highly recommend checking them out for dinner and drinks if you find yourself wandering down Newbury Street like I have so many times.

Cafeteria
279a Newbury Street, Boston, MA
617-536-2233
http://www.cafeteriaboston.com/

The Beehive (by Kosta)

When entering The Beehive below the BCA the vibe is akin to descending into a subterranean speakeasy. Exposed brick walls set in a maze-like interior along with dim mood lighting resembles what one might imagine the interior of a beehive to feel like.The aesthetic evokes a vintage 1920s feel with a bit of a modern edge. This bohemian restaurant/bar/venue offers live music and shows nightly on a stage surrounded by cabaret style seating near the back. 

As I and Sarah Sparks were led to our table we noticed the bustling floor, but everyone seemed happy and engaged. We were seated just outside the cabaret area against a railing, so we had an excellent view of the stage. There was an unobtrusive jazz band playing. A soulful trumpet was accompanied by smooth bass, guitar and drums adding atmosphere. The feel was very relaxed; the jazz was a quality addition to the meal. While The Beehive is known as a jazz club it has a variety of live music and shows such as Blues, Funk, Latin, Reggae, Electronica, Country, Cabaret and Burlesque.

We had a chance to speak with the General Manager and Wine Director– Bertil Jean-Chronberg. He was very personable and happy to discuss where the ingredients come from and the Beehive’s philosophy. Bertil also curates and manages a very impressive wine list, of which we got to sample with our entrees. The Beehive is proud of its green sensibilities and is committed to local ingredients and distribution. They receive fresh vegetable three times a week and get most of their seafood off the boat daily. The Executive Chef, Rebecca Newell, has taken these ingredients and created a menu that encompasses Middle Eastern, European and American influences into a well-balanced and unique experience.

After taking in the ambiance we ordered two cocktails. First up was the Janie Jones ($12) with Hendricks, canton ginger, Aperol, and lime. It was strong on the gin but well blended just how I like it. A nice bitterness suffused the drink ending with a tangy twist. Next we tried the Black Heart Ice Tea ($11) consisted of Jim Beam, Cassis liqueur, lemon, and ice tea which provided a light and lemony counterpoint.

The Seafood Platter ($40 for 2) was an array of fresh seafood appetizers set to tantalize. We started off with a half dozen exceptionally clean oysters. They were firm with a good snap and a touch of saltiness. These oysters came from Maine, and were quite large and tasty. Four colossal, fresh shrimp sat in the center of the plate. The shrimp wasn't local due to the waters being too hot at the time, but we were told they will soon return to local providers. An interesting addition to the platter was smoked bluefish pate, a creamy mixture of butter and bluefish served with a side of crispy and sparingly salted kettle baked chips. The flavor was complex and I would say it was similar to good kippers. We finished off with small chunks of tuna with a delicate lemony taste, served up in a cup with crusty wafers of bread and butter gherkins which made for a great tuna tartare.

The appetizers came out soon after we downed the seafood platter. Moroccan Cigars ($10.50) were a mix of savory, spiced ground lamb, encapsulated in flaky phyllo dough. The harissa on the side made from red coriander, cumin and hot chili’s added a piquant and spicy touch.The Steamed Mussels ($15) were buttery, succulent, and smoky with a bit of kick. The rich broth was comprised of a base of Fisherman's Amber Lager and Old Bay seasoning. A heaping pile of mussels were in the deep bowl served with a few crunchy strips of bread. Bold, strong flavors in the broth brought it all together.

The last appetizer was the Truffled Potato and Cheese Pierogies ($11), a dish to die for. A thick and savory dough wrapper surrounded the potato and cheese filling. Topped by caramelized onions and with just a tad of truffle oil drizzled over them, they provided a tasty starter. A tender arugula salad and sour cream was served on the side.

We picked two sides to accompany our meals. The Cauliflower with Harissa ($6) was sauteed with a spicy harissa and cloves of garlic and roasted red peppers sprinkled throughout. This was a great side, just enough to really whet ones appetite. Their take on Poutine ($10.50) was entailed crisp strips of wide yet thin hand cut steak fries smothered in cheddar and savory gravy. This would be a great late night side or appetizer.

Our entrees were the Blackened Scallops with Heirloom Corn Jalapeno Grits ($26) and the Seared Duck Breast with Plum Sauce ($26). Both were amazing and paired with a delicious Malbec wine. The duck was very light and not too fatty, the bit it did have was succulent. It was seared on the outside and oh so tender on the inside. Cooked just right at medium rare and coated in a delicate plum sauce, the sweetness of the sauce mixed nicely with saltiness of the duck. The whole dish was finished off with a side of basmati rice and vegetables and topped off with sweet roasted grapes. The scallops were meaty, but delicate, with just the right amount of give, not chewy at all. They were blackened and slightly seared. They sat on top of thinly sliced russet potatoes and spicy grits. The grits were creamy and infused with jalapenos and cheese. Strips of red peppers, corn and wilted kale were liberally added throughout. Between the spice of the jalapenos and the other complimentary ingredients this was absolutely heavenly.

As the meal came to a close we tried one of their smaller deserts a chocolate praline concoction. The chocolate was somewhere between fudge and mousse, it was oh smooth and sweet. Whipped cream and strawberries on top finished this off leaving us quite satisfied.

If you like music, live shows and good food, The Beehive is a hip and interesting place to spend the evening.  I've already been back once since this trip!