by Kyrstyn Kralovec » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:52 pm
Spent a wonderful weekend in Boston; the weather shaped up beautifully Saturday afternoon so I was able to walk to Hammersley’s that evening, and then spend the entire day exploring on Sunday with a stop in the North End for lunch.
Thanks to Michael K. for the Hammersley’s recommendation. The ambience was understated chic, cream on cream with rustic wood accents, and although it was packed it didn’t feel that way – very comfortable yet elegant. I had the spicy bluefish with horseradish slaw and smoked tomato-basil mayonnaise, and it was really, really good. I chose a verdejo to accompany it, a 2003 Jose Pariente Rueda. I’m pretty sure this was my first Rueda, but it won’t be my last. Full bodied and nutty with spicy citrus accents, it worked very well with both the fish and the slaw. I finished up with a glass of sauternes – unfortunately I neglected to jot down the name. There was a couple sitting next to me who apparently waited for over an hour to be served their food, and they raised a bit of a ruccus in complaining about it. I suppose I can see their point, although once their food arrived the woman was raving about how good it was. They were trying to get the restaurant to give them their wine for free because of the wait, and it was apparently still unresolved when I left (they were there when I sat down, so I guess it really had been some time for them). However, my own experience was delightful if a little pricey, and I’d certainly visit again.
I decided to cancel my brunch reservations at Sonsie’s for Sunday since I was craving Italian. Walked from my hotel in Back Bay up to Boston Common, then followed the Freedom Trail to the North End. I tried to get a table at Florentine Café, which had been recommended by the hotel, but they were full up so I wandered back to a place I had seen on the way that had an outdoor section – Fiore. I sat on their rooftop patio and had a glass of 1997 Quintarelli Valpolicella from Veneto with a margerita pizza that was simply one of the best pizza’s I’ve had in a long time – perfectly cooked (means slightly crunchy to me) thin crust, lots of gooey cheese and very fresh tomatoes). The wine was quite nice too, and not too heavy since it was a bit on the cool side.
I’m really glad I had the opportunity to visit the city…I’ve been a couple of times before for brief trips but it was during the colder months and I really didn’t get around much. I’ll definitely make this a more frequent weekend event.
I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. ~John Galt
