After sushi, we drove down Eastern Avenue from Fells to arrive in Canton. Our goal was to investigate Annabel Lee (601 S Clinton St), a new tavern and brainchild of a former Brewer's Art GM. The place is pleasantly removed from O'Donnell Square, and subsequently doesn't reek of pretension and self-assured sophistication. Instead, the Annabel Lee remained understated and easygoing, even on a Saturday night. We shared the former row home's first floor with few other patrons, a fact that helped us feel like we were in on a little secret, or at least that we were in an honest-to-goodness neighborhood joint.
The tavern's Poe theme may be cranked up a bit much, with a portrait of the author on display along with the back wall's huge, scrawling lines of the poem for which the bar takes its namesake. It certainly doesn't seem dark enough indoors to be Poe-esque, but at least the widescreen television over the bar wasn't turned on. The large mirror behind the bar and ornately framed specials board add nice touches but don't do enough to save the rest of the tavern's lacking decor (and horrendous curtains).
The drink prices were average for the most part, but the house drink was a steal. A variation of a Manhattan, our bartender combined Bourbon with Madeira wine rather than Vermouth, creating a delicious concoction in my martini glass. The best part? It cost less than the modest amount of Bailey's I had in an old-fashioned glass just minutes before. The staff was equally as pleasing, explaining the beer selection and recommending drinks while still laying back and not becoming nuisances.
UPDATE: 5/12/08 - we returned to Annabel Lee four Saturdays later to find the tavern standing room only. Looks like that "little secret" we felt in on last month has gotten out...
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ra Sushi
Saturday night (4/19/08) led us to Ra Sushi (1390 Lancaster St), a newish and striving-to-be impossibly hip restaurant in Harbor East. Ra is on the other side of Pazo and offers valet parking at a hefty $7. Skip it; we were able to park two blocks down Lancaster with no problem, parting only with a bit of change at the aggravating pay-to-park machine.
The restaurant seemed crammed to capacity, but we were able to be seated immediately at the sushi bar. Bless all those other folks who, for some reason, would rather stare at each other masticate than have a bird's eye view of a chef preparing their meal.
Ra's staff, decor, and blush-inducing drink names (Me Love U Long Time, Effen Around in the Ra) all tip their hat at aiming for a young, Hills-watching and South Moon Under-shopping sort. Relax your facial muscles beforehand for maximum grimacing and wincing at "oh baby I like it Ra" styled puns. The atmosphere, however, comes away clean. Black and deep red permeate the entirety of the establishment in such a way as to make you feel a bit more separated from the other gourmandizers. You'll find yourself a bit more secure about your hair, and a bit more likely to get cozy with a date. Lighting (in the form of deep red balls that hang from the ceiling) sinks into bamboo and reed, lending the sushi almost aphrodisiac qualities.
Not that it really needs the help. The unfortunately named Crazy Monkey Roll ($9.50) is simply incredible. The common combination of salmon and cream cheese is given a facelift with bits of mango inside the roll, and more mango sauce on top for good measure. Avocado and flakes of red tempura on top lend fabulous color and texture to this must-have. Also quite good is the Viva Las Vegas Roll ($11.25), which introduces sliced lotus root and an uber-fresh spicy tuna topping to the old standards, imitation crab and cream cheese. Tunacado ($10.25), a plate of sliced avocado and seared strips of blackened tuna, doesn't provide much to munch. It would better serve as an appetizer; the sweet zing of its accompanying Ponzu dipping sauce only left us wanting more.
Drink prices ranged from average to a bit steep. Ra offers wine, champagne, several types of sake, and a list of specialty house drinks in addition to their behind-the-bar regular lineup. The only standout we sampled was the unique Cucumber Martini, a blend of vodka, sake, and lychee syrup, garnished with a slice of cucumber floating in your glass. Many other drinks come with extremely sticky sugar on the rim that becomes much of a nuisance.
With tip, we dropped $80 on food and drinks for two.
The restaurant seemed crammed to capacity, but we were able to be seated immediately at the sushi bar. Bless all those other folks who, for some reason, would rather stare at each other masticate than have a bird's eye view of a chef preparing their meal.
Ra's staff, decor, and blush-inducing drink names (Me Love U Long Time, Effen Around in the Ra) all tip their hat at aiming for a young, Hills-watching and South Moon Under-shopping sort. Relax your facial muscles beforehand for maximum grimacing and wincing at "oh baby I like it Ra" styled puns. The atmosphere, however, comes away clean. Black and deep red permeate the entirety of the establishment in such a way as to make you feel a bit more separated from the other gourmandizers. You'll find yourself a bit more secure about your hair, and a bit more likely to get cozy with a date. Lighting (in the form of deep red balls that hang from the ceiling) sinks into bamboo and reed, lending the sushi almost aphrodisiac qualities.
Not that it really needs the help. The unfortunately named Crazy Monkey Roll ($9.50) is simply incredible. The common combination of salmon and cream cheese is given a facelift with bits of mango inside the roll, and more mango sauce on top for good measure. Avocado and flakes of red tempura on top lend fabulous color and texture to this must-have. Also quite good is the Viva Las Vegas Roll ($11.25), which introduces sliced lotus root and an uber-fresh spicy tuna topping to the old standards, imitation crab and cream cheese. Tunacado ($10.25), a plate of sliced avocado and seared strips of blackened tuna, doesn't provide much to munch. It would better serve as an appetizer; the sweet zing of its accompanying Ponzu dipping sauce only left us wanting more.
Drink prices ranged from average to a bit steep. Ra offers wine, champagne, several types of sake, and a list of specialty house drinks in addition to their behind-the-bar regular lineup. The only standout we sampled was the unique Cucumber Martini, a blend of vodka, sake, and lychee syrup, garnished with a slice of cucumber floating in your glass. Many other drinks come with extremely sticky sugar on the rim that becomes much of a nuisance.
With tip, we dropped $80 on food and drinks for two.
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