7/15/2023: #41

Late night/Date night for lovers? Yvonne’s will check all the boxes. A very hip, very sexy swanky restaurant in Downtown Crossing which is perfectly described as a modern take on the supper-club. The restaurant itself opened in 1862 and was apparently known to host an elite crowd in discreet fashion. I could imagine wild parties with flaming drinks, as mine was served with everything over the top…and as I dined there, I almost felt like a mistress, not a wife.

It is the atmosphere that brings people here, although the food is also very good. A host of small plates to share, with a set of larger items for 2, food was well paced for such a busy establishment. We shared the crispy tater cubes…yes fancy tater-tots; the crab saganoki, which was a crab and spicy tomato concoction atop a crispy toast with a hint of meyer lemon and the tuna crudo. All were excellent. While we contemplated the large sharing plate, as apparently, they are known for their Viper chop or Ribeye…we opted for a stone fired pita which was topped with a spice beef sausage and we were not disappointed.

Lastly, we shared an amazing dessert…actually one of the best we have had at any of the top 50 we have eaten at which was an ice cream sandwich with a mint ice cream, cookie crumble and Irish whiskey chocolate sauce. Of course, since they seem to light things on fire here…the baked Alaska was a unique presentation, different than a traditional look…too large for 2 people but fun to watch how many tables ordered it.

7/21/2023: #48

Fun friday night out in the south end of Boston at Ilona. We sat by large open windows in lush bench seating. The decor and atmosphere stunning and the crowd…young and vibrant. The food is superb. We started with a lovely glass of wine, a small bowl of mixed olives and Pikilia, a smattering of three different kinds of hummus and sauces served with warm Manakish, a delicious flatbread sprinkled with zaat’ar and olive oil…which if course led to more wine and more warm flatbread.

We also feasted on grilled octopus which was served simply with lemon and olive oil and Shish Barak, a a pasta dough pillow stuffed with ground lamb, onions and pine nuts. We shared swordfish kabobs which had been marinated in a citrus-ginger and traditional lamb Souvlaki. For desert we had a bowl of ice cold Greek yogurt and berries…like breakfast after dinner.

All in all, a fabulous night out in a very hip venue.

7/23/2023: #6

As per our usual M-O…a full weekend of dining out, on Sunday, we headed to Sarma. Now, since starting this journey, Sarma, located in Somerville, is a place I have not been able to get reservations at. I have a work colleague who shares a similar love of dining out at amazing restaurants who said casually one afternoon at work, that the way to get into Sarma was to simply show up when it opens. Turns out, they actually reserve some high top and bar spots to accommodate walk-ins! We got there at 4:45pm, which I thought was crazy….but alas, there was already a line at the door when we arrived.

Just a look at the menu will tell you why this place is always booked solid. First, our waitress was amazing. Super helpful in walking us through the menu and giving us guidance on what to chose…you will be able to overeat here if you are not careful so I suggest bringing friends. We started with the black sea cornbread and the avocado Muhummara, served with burrata and pistachio crisps.

We feasted on sugarsnaps that were seasoned with tahini and ginger; the Dukkah spiced shrimp which were served in a coconut ceviche with corn and cashews and the Harissa BBQ duck. We ended the meal, already overstuffed, with the almond sundae which had an apricot sorbet and dacquiose.

If you are open to the drive to Somerville and the search for street parking…I would absolutely recommend Sarma for a night out. You will not be disappointed.

Well…half way through the year and we have 15 left to go on the top 50!