The New Uni

          I've always been a fan of Uni, so I was really excited to check out the newly expanded concept when they reopened in the former Clio space. In addition to the classic high end sashimi plates, Uni now offers a wider variety of sushi and small plates. The fiance and I ordered a tasting menu of all sushi and sashimi, and were glad to see some of our old favorites from the original Uni along with some delicious and creative new dishes!

           We started with this single kumamoto oyster  on ice; the presentation was beautiful and it tasted even better!


            Next was one of my favorites, a classic dish from the original menu - the Uni spoon served with caviar and a baby quail egg. This is one of the most decadent bites I've ever had.

           The fried softshell crab roll was next, and this was not your average spider maki! The roll was bursting with fresh softhshell crab lightly fried and garnished with sauce on the side.

           Several rounds of sushi and sashimi completed the meal, and I was excited that we each got a small piece of A5 kobe beef cooked rare with a perfect sear on the outside.

 

           As much as I loved the old Uni, I enjoy the new concept even more. If you haven't been yet, I highly recommend trying them for dinner soon!

Sushi Teq

          The fiance and I were recently at an event at the Intercontinental Hotel, and so we decided to grab a quick bite at Sushi Teq while we were there.

          We shared the sashimi flight, which came with the Chef's selection of fish for the evening. This included salmon, hamachi, tuna, white tuna, and snapper. Everything was very fresh, and paired with simple accompaniments like sliced lemon to complement the fish without overpowering the light clean flavors.

          We also shared the seared tuna tataki with spicy pepper, crushed sesame, ponzu jelly, garlic, and scallions. This was also done very well, and very flavorful. 

          Overall I enjoyed the experience at Sushi Teq and was impressed how good the meal was for the price; dinner for two with drinks was under $100 which is rare anywhere in Boston but especially for sushi!

Waypoint

          Waypoint is the latest restaurant from Chef / Owner Michael Scelfo, that just opened in Harvard Square. As a huge fan of Alden and Harlow, I was really excited to check out his new spot which focuses on seafood and creative cocktails including a huge selection of absinthe. I went in a few weeks ago with fellow food blogger Fiona of Gourmet Pigs to check it out!

          We started with two of the cocktails made with absinthe: the finochio and absinthe cobbler. Both were delicious but I loved the cobbler, which was a little bit sweeter and a perfect combination of fall flavors.

Finochio: fennel infused gin, la muse verte absinthe, dolin genepy & amaro montenegro

Absinthe Cobbler: Tennyson Absinthe, Roasted Apple, Fennel, Amaro Montenegro & Lemon

          Next we shared several apps including the crudo of the day, roasted arctic char belly, crab and avocado, and grilled monkfish. I honestly didn't have a favorite, they were all so good. The char and monkfish were cooked perfectly, and I all of the preparations were both creative and decadent. I loved the addiiton of squid ink and caviar to several dishes.

Fluke crudo special topped with apples, greens, and caviar

Wood Roasted Char Belly with Crispy & Creamy Ceci Beans, Grilled Grapes, and Lemon

Crab and Avocado with garlic mayo, horseradish gremolata, topped with caviar

Grilled Monkfish Cheek with Inked Eggplant, and Kohlrabi Salsa Verde

          For our main course, we shared the whole black bass for two. It was seared with crispy skin, with tender flaky fish once you cut in. I enjoyed the corn salsa but could have eaten and enjoyed the fish without any accompaniments at all it was that good.

Whole Black Bass for Two with Radish, Corn & Tomato

          My expectations were high going into Waypoint, and the meal did not disappoint. I'll definitely be back!

Blunch

          Blunch is a tiny cafe in the South End, with a huge selection of grilled sandwiches, bakery items, and breakfast all day. I stopped by for a quick lunch recently, and can see why this place is so popular!

          They have a ton of gluten free items, like salad, crustless quiche, and gluten free bread for the sandwiches. I decided to try the piglet with gluten free bread, which came with ham, cheddar, greens, and maple aioli served toasted.

          This sandwich was so simple and so delicious, I seriously considered going back later in the day for another! I hope to check them out again soon and try some more of the menu!

Dot 2 Dot Cafe

          Dot 2 Dot Cafe is a tiny restaurant / coffee shop / bookstore in Dorchester. The fiance and I had heard great things about their breakfast, and decided to check them out!

          The bookstore is a nook in the corner of the restaurant with plenty of comfy seating for reading and hanging out with a cup of coffee. 

          The coffee is served in giant, sturdy mugs, which make it feel like a step up from your average local diner.

 

           Pancakes are made fresh to order, and can be prepared with gluten free flour upon request. We shared an order, along with some of our usual savory breakfast favorites.

          I went with the corned beef hash topped with two poached eggs. This was clearly made from scratch, and came with generous chunks of fresh corned beef rather than your standard chopped / canned version.

          The fiance enjoyed his eggs benedict topped with both ham and bacon! They also offer a veggie option with spinach, and many of their dishes can be done vegan. 


 
           We went in around 9AM on a Sunday and found a table right away, but by the time we finished breakfast the place was completely packed! I highly recommend Dot 2 Dot Cafe for breakfast, but go early to avoid the wait!

The Paramount

          The Paramount is a fast casual restaurant with locations in both Southie and Beacon Hill. You order at the counter, and seat yourself at a table in the dining area. They serve breakfast all day, and even offer a few beer and wine options.

          The fiance and I went in recently for a late breakfast, and were impressed with the food and portion sizes for the price. I went with the huevos rancheros with black beans, soft poached eggs, salsa, and fresh sliced avocado. There were also a ton of hasbrowns on the side!

          The fiance enjoyed his build your own omelet with ham, cheddar and onion, and side of pancakes. His breakfast also came with tons of home fries and grilled toast. 

          In addition to lunch, The Paramount is known for the sandwiches which I hope to come in and try soon!

Bacco

          Bacco is one of my go-to spots in the North End; but I hadn't been in for awhile because of all the new places on my list to try. The fiance and I recently had a reservation at a different North End restaurant up the street, but they were running behind so we headed over to Bacco for a drink. We were lucky enough to score seats at the bar right away, and so we decided to stay and eat dinner there instead. 

          We started with two apps to share, the parmesan polenta cake topped with pancetta bolognese sauce and the proscuitto with fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic agrodolce. Both of these were excellent, and the sauces were what really made them! I loved the flavor of pancetta in the bolognese and the sweetness of the balsamic agrodolce.

          The fiance ordered his favorite classic, spaghetti and meatballs, which was a huge portion topped with fresh basil and grated parmesan.

          I ordered the fruitti di mare with gluten free pasta, and this came loaded with fresh seafood including lobster meat, mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, calamari and salmon all tossed in a tomato saffron broth. 

          Bacco is a classic North End restaurant, and has been there for as long as I can remember. The food is always consistently good, and menu consists of traditional comfort food Italian dishes you know you can count on!