A Night at Pigalle
My friend and I had been talking about a weekend in Montreal for ages, we were hoping it would happen this spring, it didn’t. So in lieu of a trip to a francophone land, we decided to have an exquisite French meal. During our tenure in Boston we had both heard amazing things about Pigalle, a small French restaurant nestled in Boston’s Theater district. The chef, James Beard nominee Marc Orfaly, is constantly lauded for his culinary creations. I am happy to perpetuate the ‘word-of-mouth,’ for Pigalle, that “You must go there!”
The restaurant is small and intimate. The decor really suits the restaurant. Whomever did the decorating knew the integrity of the restaurant, it feels perfect.
The people at Pigalle are warm, they really took care of us. I felt like a guest as opposed to a patron, a feeling that makes the restaurant experience very memorable.
At the bar was Jack and the Friday night “pop-up oyster bar.” Pop-up Oyster Bars are a new summer trend that Pigalle hosts on Friday nights. You can sit at the bar and enjoy Jack’s oyster knowledge while he shucks some of the best bivalves.
The food is remarkable, really, I know because I have been constantly talking about it. Can I recommend an entire menu? I really wanted to peak in the kitchen and see how it was orchestrated. I consider myself a great cook, but I could not recreate any of our courses at home.
Pigalle is a gem, a setting to have memorable moments, food that you’ll dream about, and meet people that will charm you. If you’re looking for a quicker trip, they offer a generous theater and bar menu. No matter the occasion, I recommend Pigalle.
A votre sante,
Laurie
Posted by Laurie, Concierge at Hotel Veritas
We are very excited that some of our favorite restaurants and chefs are 2012 James Beard Award Nominees!
- Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery + Cafe) for Outstanding Pastry Chef
- No. 9 Park for Outstanding Wine Program
- Jamie Bissonnette (Coppa) for Best Chef: Northeast
- Tim Cushman (O Ya) for Best Chef: Northeast
Winners will be announced May 7th. Fingers crossed!
Zagat: 10 Crazy-Awesome Game Dishes From Around the U.S.
We’ve always been fans of Zagat guides and find them incredibly useful. Zagat.com is a great resource for what’s new and interesting in the culinary world. They have just posted an article on some “crazy-awesome game dishes” and have included the Vermont Pheasant Two-Ways from one of our local favorites, Craigie on Main.
“Eat like a king at chef Tony Maws’ Craigie on Main in Cambridge, MA. Here Maws slow-roasts his pheasant breasts and then takes the legs to make a crispy confit. The dish finishes with autumn olive sauce, farro and matsutake mushrooms. Because the restaurant’s philosophy is to start with an ingredient and then create the menu around that, it’s pretty impressive he tackled this notoriously gamey bird, and, he did it well.”
The culinary talent of Tony Maws has long been appreciated around Cambridge – and he continues to receive national recognition including a James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast. Reservations are definitely needed for this popular restaurant – and the small bar (with an outstanding libations menu) very often has a bit of a wait.
Craigie on Main, 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 617.497.5511
James Beard: 2012 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists
We are incredibly lucky to have so many great restaurants, lounges, and bars in Cambridge and Boston. Our guests (and we!) frequently enjoy some of the best culinary experiences around.
This year’s semifinalists for the James Beard Awards have just been announced and a few local favorites have been nominated:
- Trade for Best New Restaurant
- Drink for Outstanding Bar Program
- Jody Adams (Rialto and Trade) for Outstanding Chef
- Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery + Cafe) for Outstanding Pastry Chef
- Maura Kilpatrick (Sofra Bakery and Cafe) for Outstanding Pastry Chef
- Oleana for Outstanding Restaurant
- Roger Berkowitz (Legal Sea Foods) for Outstanding Restaurateur
- L’Espalier for Outstanding Service
- No. 9 Park for Outstanding Wine Program
- Troquet for Outstanding Wine Program
- Jim Koch (The Boston Beer Company) for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional
- Jamie Bissonnette (Coppa) for Best Chef: Northeast
- Jason Bond (Bondir) for Best Chef: Northeast
- Tim Cushman (O Ya) for Best Chef: Northeast
On March 19th, this list will be paired down a bit. Updates will be posted on the James Beard website.
Benson Willis
Hotel Veritas
Hotel Veritas in Harvard Square 