I met my friend Rick for a cocktail at The Butcher Shop last night prior to our dinner plans at B&G Oysters. I totally forgot President Obama was speaking at the Cyclorama and was met by a zoo of police, security, snifferdogs, snipers on the roof and Boston Works vans everywhere blocking the streets off. How exciting!!!! I did manage to walk down Tremont Street to meet Rick while staring at the sights of Boston awaiting our President to arrive. We did not even get a glimpse!
After our quick glass of vino at the packed and always great Butcher’s Shop we walked across the Street to B&G Oysters, another restaurant owned by the fabulous Barbara Lynch. With no reservations at this small neighborhood seafood restaurant, we were escorted to the bar area for our dining experience. The bar surrounds the kitchen and the chef’s at work so I was very happy to sit there and watch everything.
The place is small, retro and very cool. Everyone is friendly, even without a reservation. Lots of high-top table seating that last night was serving a very eclectic clientele. I wonder if any of them were from the Obama administration? It was fun people watching!
No sooner had we sat down when our extremely friendly waiter (waitress – I am not sure what is politically correct these days?) came over to see us and share the specials. My plan was to order some oysters as they change their oyster menu daily and always have an interesting mix. However, she said Soft Shell Crab and I did not hear any more after that! I love Soft Shell Crab and you rarely see it on menus. I had my starter on order. Rick started with the Arugula Salad.I quote from our waiter’s handwritten note “The Soft Shell Crab ( Maryland) is soaked in milk, dredged in flour/semolina mix and fried. Served on a fennel, arugula, naval orange salad with a whole grain mustard aioli.” The crab was crispy out the outside with succulent fresh soft crab on the inside. The fennel gave it a great flavor with a nice little kick from mustard. It was by far one of the best Soft Shell Crab dishes I have ever tasted. Rick was also raving about his Arugula Salad. It’s hard to rave about a salad but I have to agree with him. The bitterness of the arugula mixed with almonds and oranges was a delicious combination.
For my entrée I was struggling to decide as I literally wanted every fish entrée on the menu. I ended up ordering the Red Snapper while Rick ordered the Striped Bass. My dish was superb… fresh tasty, flaky fish over a cauliflower puree with roasted turnips, which complimented the dish very nicely – I loved the cauliflower puree, it was such a nice change from potatoes. Rick’s was also good, however, the spaetzle looked like gold fish to me… they were bright orange and funny looking. It did not stop him eating the whole dish and practically licking his plate. We also shared a side or Roasted Brussels Sprouts which were crunchy and scrumptious.
After an over indulgent evening of food we just could not even think of ordering dessert. We did however order another glass of Chablis. It was the right thing to do.
B&G is fantastic, fun and a great place to go with friends to sit at the bar for a glass of wine and oysters.
