Around Boston: Sycamore, Blue Ginger, The Painted Burro

Sycamore is a brand new restaurant in Newton Centre recently opened by a young chef with a glowing reputation: David Punch. I met him when he ran Ten Tables in Cambridge. Even with reservations, we had a long wait but the food was sublime so we forgot our initial discomfort. I went there with Sophie, Mason and Diane and as a result, we were able to taste most of the spectacular menu.

Even a simple salad was garnished with goat cheese, hazelnuts, dried pears and champagne vinaigrette. But there was also a dish of asparagus, laughing bird shrimp (what is that?--probably a pretentious name for small shrimp), 5-minute egg, honshimeji (a Japanese type of) mushrooms, and nori (the seaweed which appears around makizushi).

For the main courses, we tried Pan Roasted Arctic Char with celery root, green peppercorns, and pea greens as well as Rabbit Two Ways: one way was bacon-wrapped and the other braised, garnished with nettle gnocchi and maitakes (another type of Japanese mushroom).

For the health fad nuts, we ordered some sides of vegetables: the obligatory kale sautée, and cauliflower roasted with raisins and pine nuts.

Dessert was thorough wonderment. There was a chocolat pot de crème, chantilly with caramelized banana and peanut brittle. I skipped the side section and went straight for the pot de crème. I gave in when I tasted that peanut brittle! We also tried and loved the warm-sugared beignets served with house-made milk jam. The beignets were excellent.

Sophie is a bit of a wine expert, having learned the art from her father, my good friend, Richard. She chose a nice wine for us, but of course, I was sorry it was a French one, since I come from France where French wines are what we have all the time. But it was very good and married well with the main courses: Baronfosse "les Blemnites" Côtes du Jura, 2007.

Blue Ginger in Wellesley was next on the itinerary. I wish it had been there when I went to that college. It was recommended to me by my old, dear friend, Carol, and we went there with her husband, Ed and with very old friends of mine, Susan and Eric.

This was the perfect place as I love Asian Fusion Cuisine. The chef, Ming Tasi, is well known from his food channel TV show: East Meets West. We shared several appetizers and chose our own main course.

The signature Foie Gras Shiitake Shumai in Sauternes Shallot Broth were gobbled up before I had a chance to take a photo! They were delicious. We also shared Crispy Fried Calamari with Thai Dipping Sauce--another winner.

For the mains, there was Sake-Miso Marinated Sablefish with a Vegetarian Soba Noodle Sushi;

Pan-Seared Scallops with Tamarind Sauce, Creamy Thai Barley Risotto and Sautéed Haricots Verts, Seared Duck Breast with Sweet Wasabi Sauce, Applewood Smoked Duck Leg, Wild Fried Rice and Shiso-Bartlett Pear Purée; And Korean-Marinated New Zealand Lamb Rack with Asian Mole, Yuca-Potato Cake and Chayote-Kale-Asian Pear sauté.

I was very happy with our Sauvignon Blanc from the Napa Valley.

A stunning chocolate cake was a fit end to a memorable meal.

The Painted Burro



This might be the best Mexican in already Mexican-crowded Davis Square, Somerville. It is certainly the newest and the noisiest with the longest list of Tequilas. I went there with Mark and Jesse. Mark and I shared Street Cart Chicken: a 1/2 roaster with achioto-citrus marinade, more of that kale (the latest of the ubiquitous vegetables), fried plantain, creamy poblano rice and tamarind butter. It was both beautiful and tasty. Jesse had already eaten so he "just" ordered Fundido: Oaxaca, Chihuahua and Jack cheeses served with corn tortillas and with black bean "refrito"--very rich indeed.



I was not a big fan of the churros with caramel-chocolate sauce but Jesse and Mark gobbled them up.