Mon Ami...Henri!

It is with great sadness in my key strokes that I say this post will be quite restroom centric, as I did not manage to photograph the rest of the interiors or the mouthwatering food!  I know.  You're probably thinking, "how could a food blogger worth her fork do something like that?" I honestly have no idea.  On that note, let's begin...

Many weeks ago I was invited to dinner and the symphony with my friend George.  And to my great excitement, we went to Henri for dinner.  For those of you who aren't aware of this great restaurant, let me attempt to describe.  From the outside, it's a very nondescript exterior.  Simple, classic facade covering for the elegant, sophisticated interior.  Intimate tables below chic crystal chandeliers, and dark upholstered walls.  The contrast of chocolaty fabric covered walls and the crisp white painted molding details is at the same time modern and fresh and also timeless.  The tables were filled with a fun range of people from the downtown crowd to the symphony goers, like George and myself. 

After sitting at our table for a bit, catching up with George, I let him know about my little project here.  And had to get up to photograph the restrooms.  What a treat that was!  Check out the luxurious embossed wallpaper and stylish wall sconces.  Not your typical restroom at all...



I just love the alligator!



Of course after I spent time enjoying the restrooms I did come back to the table and ordered the Dover Sole and sat back to enjoy the company, a great glass of wine and wait for my food.

I highly recommend you go to Henri if you haven't.  It was a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. 

Bon Appetite!

Just Dance!

Yes...you are watching a gummy bear dance party in action.  This is what has caused the serious delay in my blog these past several weeks.  The Bears apologize for monopolizing my time and attention and are eager for my few and lovely readers to learn about the truly amazing restaurants I've experienced since my Summer Shack adventure in January. 

Bon Appetite!

Best Seat in the House - Summer Shack Restauran

Let's start this journey with the the Summer Shack Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay area.

I was recently in the Boston area for work and got a recommendation for dinner one evening. It turned out to be a pretty amazing night. I hadn't planned on anything other than a quiet night of eating lobster and having a good glass of wine. But it turned into so much more.

First of all...this restaurant is a fairly casual establishment. The bathrooms are basic, clean and fit the bill. They "jazzed" up the space a bit by installing the classic 3x6 white subway tile in a vertical pattern around the room. Kudos to the designer for changing it up a bit.

 

After scoping out the restrooms I took up my post at the restaurant's bar to start my feast. I started my dining experience with a delicious plate of fried clams, a glass of Pinot Noir and a basket of bread. My bartender that evening was pretty amazing. She knew I was torn between the clams (so worth it!) and the clam chowder, so she even went the extra mile to bring me a tiny tasting bowl of chowder. Yum!

Now that's normally enough to send a girl into a food coma. Not me! I'm fearless and I sprinted onward to my main course, chef Jasper's Pan Roasted 1.5 lb lobster. Oh yes people, I went there. Wouldn't you? It's covered in bourbon, chervil & chives and comes complete with a bib and a bucket so you can dig in and get dirty. Which is exactly what I did. But first I started up a conversation with a woman just a couple seats away. After finding out I am from Chicago she proclaimed me her Chicago sister and before leaving paid for my entire meal! What a wonderful treat while in a strange town. She just wanted me to have a good impression of Boston. And all I know is her name, Julie, and that she lives somewhere around Boston. I hope you contact me Boston Julie! You're generosity continues to touch me.

Hands dripping with lobster and sauce I sat on my bar stool stunned, mouth wide open.  After such a generous happening I had to order a slice of coconut cream pie to complete wonderful night. I enjoyed my pie and drove the world's cutest car (a new Fiat!) back to my hotel room. To this day I am still in awe of my stranger in Boston.

I hope the next time you're in Boston you check out the Summer Shack Restaurant. It was a delicious meal. Though, you may not have my lobster benefactor sitting a couple seats away.

Enjoy!