Our Annivsary Dinner at Clio

We were able to get reservations at Clio on short notice via OpenTable though the only times available were after 8pm (weekday). The ambiance at Clio is nice though not as "special/formal" as L'espalier. The tables are pretty close together but we managed to get a cozy table in the corner of the restaurant.



Clio certainly lives up to its name as one of the best restaurants in Boston. I like cuisine that is more creative and Clio certainly fits the bill. SO got the lobster and uni casoulette and I got the lacquered foie gras for appetizers. Of course I sampled his as well. The cassolette was delicious! It was a little frothy and the flavor seemed to change with each bite?! Fascinating.

I was disappointed with the foie gras. It was lukewarm, the apricot accompaniment was overpowering, and the cut was chewy. Definitely wasn't the melt in your mouth kind of foie gras.

Casolette (L), Foie (R)


Fortunately however, the main courses and dessert saved the day. I ordered the butter basted lobster while SO got the pork rib (or pig as they called it on the receipt!). I loved my lobster, it might just be the best cooked lobster I've had! The meat was really tender and slightly undercooked towards the center. Wow delicious! I wonder how they do it?

SO's pork was also a winner. The pork had three layers, the crispy skin, the fatty layer and the meat. Perfectly done! It also came with some interesting sauces on the side, I think there was kumquat, an olive like sauce, and maybe hoisin.

Lobster (L) and Pork (R)


We wanted to get the fruit capsule and rooibos ice cream (I don't remember what was in the capsule) for dessert but it was sold out! * Grrrr * Ended up sharing the bon bons with sarsaparilla ice cream which was pretty good.

Oh yes, I also had the nitrogen frozen chocolate cocktail which was fun. It's all smoky when it arrives and the liquid gets frozen. Looks a little like the surface of mars!



Clio Restaurant
370 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA
(617) 536-7200



Chomp Meter:
Highly recommended! We're thinking of trying the tasting menu some time. I wonder however if our dining experience would have been different if we ordered some of the other items on the menu that Clio may not be as well known for. Well to be safe, get the pig and the lobster! :)

So how is Clio compared with L'espalier? Clio is more inventive and the food was more memorable (for us). SO and I were trying to remember what we ate at L'espalier in May and none of the dishes really stood out. However, L'espalier was more distinctive in terms of service and ambiance. Don't get me wrong, the food was excellent too and perfectly done. Both restaurants definitely are some of Boston's best, I suppose it just depends on what you are in the mood for!

An Evening at Toro

It's been a year since I've last been to Toro. You can't make reservations here so getting there early is key. We arrived at 6pm sharp and the restaurant was already busy but still had tables available.

Toro is owned by Ken Oringer who also runs Clio. The restaurant, in the South End, delivers a modern take on tapas. I always enjoy a trip here. Some of the choices like the foie gras and oysters are decadent but since the portions are small, it makes me feel a little less guilty! Here's what we got:

Atun Crudo: This was sashimi grade yellow fin tuna with citrus and soy. The flavors were really light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summery evening.

Garlic shrimp: This was only ok for me. I guess I'm not a fan of garlic shrimp.

Foie gras: The portion is small. The foie gras is about the size of 2 quarters or less. Can't expect too much for $12? I thought the ginger gelee was a little overwhelming. Also the fg was cold.

Stew of sea urchin crab meat and lobster: The taste of the tomato was too overpowering. I wish I could taste more of the uni. But that's me. This is dish has gotten raves from friends.

Corn with aged cheese: This is the house special and delicious. Make sure you get a piece with generous topping of blue cheese haha.

Duck with rhubarb: I liked the flavor pairing on this.

Paella: It was ok. Wouldn't get it again and save room for more tapas.

Kobe burger: It was good but not really the religious experience kobe beef should be. Pass.

Fried potatos - Boring, nothing special.

Tripe with chick peas and blood sausage - I liked this! (Disclaimer, I am a tripe lover hehe) The chickpeas are stewed in tomato sauce and tripes with blood sausage. Very filling though.

Roasted eggplant - This was pretty good too!

I also spied some Jamon Iberico on the menu. I read in a WSJ article recently that restaurants in the U.S. will soon be allowed to serve Jamon Iberico de Bellota (where the pigs feed exclusively on acorns)! I wonder if Toro will import some too?

Photo courtesy of WSJ:



Toro
1704 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 536-4300
(South End)



Chomp Meter:

A great place to go for drinks and small plates. You get creativity at lower prices. I like!