First great meal in Boston
So we did it, we finally had a ‘signature’ meal in Boston. A wonderful, horrifyingly gluttonous meal. One where the food was so good we just went for it. Craigie on Main was the scene of the crime, and it is automatically my favorite restaurant in this town. As wonderful as dinner was, there are easily a half dozen different dining experiences I could have put together on the menu and the menu changes seasonally. I could get pretty comfortable there, so it’ll take some pretty serious kitchen skills to unseat the place.
My amuse-bouche was a few thinly shaved pieces of pork belly aged like prosciutto, microgreens with a zesty citrus dressing and a dab of spicy brown mustard. Two perfect bites. E got a leek loaded with whipped goat cheese and chives that was likewise perfect.
I had crispy pigs tails, which are the backbone of the hog deep fried in spicy sauce, something like a buffalo chicken wing but with the very tastiest morsel of fatty meat off of a hog. Six of those with onion straws and pickled jalapenos made up an order which would have done me in, but I set aside a few for Moe. E had an amazingly fresh baby asparagus and baby green salad with pistachios. I could have eaten a giant bowl of it.
We then split a two pound Blue Hill roast chicken. I take great pride in my bird roasting abilities but they put me to shame. The meat was both tastier and moister than I have ever managed. After being presented to us it was masterfully carved and served with a side of au jus which we didn’t feel the need for.
Post-chicken we were surprised by the arrival of bone marrow which we had forgotten we had ordered in a bit of hubris earlier. So we faced three sizzling shanks cut lengthwise and steaming. I managed to spread some marrow on a piece of crispy ciabatta from Iggy’s, and even doused it with a bit of the au jus from the chicken. But that piece was the end of me and most of the marrow went unenjoyed. We were done.
The staff was wonderfully attentive, the bartender worked with me to create a drink, everything was right about the joint. I look forward to many meals there.
