Sometimes a last minute trip surprises you. I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first time visiting Boston, my city’s alleged rival (or does that only apply to sports?) but our trip was full of many pleasant surprises. We arrived so late at night I was certain dinner was going to be after-thought. My husband and I unenthusiastically made our way downstairs to the hotel lobby when we realized there were actually several restaurants inside the casino. It was my first time actually walking through a casino, and though the brightly colored lights looked fun enough, I opted not to gamble and instead headed over to the very back where we found Fratelli.

Braised beef short ribs in a red wine reduction over creamy parmigiano polenta with roasted chestnuts and a sweet Italian glaze. Warm rustic bread served beside extra virgin olive oil, roasted garlic cloves and marinated olives. A refreshing and insanely good passionfruit tequila cocktail. A brick oven pizza that tasted like heaven on earth.

Braised beef short ribs / creamy parmigiano polenta / roasted chestnuts / red wine reduction / sweet italian glaze

The next couple of days were spent exploring the city. Coffee shops, local parks, and of course good eats. We stopped by Yvonne's, a modern speakeasy hidden behind a faux hair salon. Dimly lit and surrounded by books and mahogany, jacquard wallpaper, antique couches, and chandeliers, there was a seductive secrecy that enveloped the room. There was an exciting and carefully crafted mixology menu, so of course I had to enjoy a couple of drinks at the bar while we waited for our table to be ready.

The small-plate menu ranges from Turkish Sujuk to Argentine asado to Korean street food. Dishes create interesting pairings with the wide ranging drinks list and we had a wonderful time indulging in both familiar flavors and the new. A Niman Ranch long bone ribeye steak with steak fries, black garlic butter, and marinated mushrooms. The “Autumn Mezze” which was beet whipped feta, habibi hummus, baby artichokes, red and gold beets, crispy pumpkin, spiced pepitas. A nostalgic Sujuk pita with Turkish spiced beef sausage, mozzarella, basil, marrow butter, onion and parsley.

Boston has a familiarity of every city I’ve visited in America. Cosmopolitan, hurried and unique because of its residents. We are so lucky to have such a range of international cuisine right at our fingertips, it’s so expansive too that it’s easy to take for granted.

I hope I am able to return again someday, hopefully with more time to enjoy what the city has to offer and less of a threat from a world-wide pandemic. Travel has changed so much for us since but I am optimistic that this will be temporary and we will eventually resume back to traveling the way we used to know.

Long Weekend in Boston, A Culinary Weekend Feast