We're back.

It's been a long layoff but The Front of House blog is making a return. We have some great stories to share with you but, for now, there's this:

Jeff Fournier, Chef & Owner of Newton's 51 Lincoln and Waban Kitchen, tormenting some Smurfs.

Weekend // Aquapocalypse

Well, it was certainly an interesting weekend to work in a Boston restaurant. We found out at about 4:30, right before dinner service, that we weren’t allowed to serve water to anyone. Not only that but we couldn’t serve any sodas or cocktails made with ice. Going into a busy Saturday night, we were wondering how exactly this was going to work.



It also happened to be the first night that our patio was open this season. The first table that I had out there had not heard about the water problem, so I tried to explain it to them.



So, you can’t serve us water?

No, I’m sorry, we just found out. One of the managers is going to the store to get bottled water and soda, but we can’t serve you anything from the tap.

Well, you have refrigeration?

Yes.. ?

The refrigeration lines require water -

Yeah, but we’re not drinking the water from the refrigeration lines. Look, this is happening all over the city, it’s not like we’re the only jerks here that can’t give you water.

I can’t do this!



The grown man threw up his arms in frustration and lifted out of his seat, his wife apologizing for him. He walked across the street to the 7-11 and grabbed himself a Perrier. I have to say, though, aside from this one dude, people were surprisingly understanding.



From a service point of view, the water problem actually made our jobs so much easier by eliminating a waiter's worst enemies: coffees, hot teas, and cappuccinos. This was especially clutch at brunch. 



Speaking of brunch, it was the Walk For Hunger this past Sunday. My restaurant is on the route, so we got to watch the endless parade of people shuffling by. Two observations:



1. There was a sign on Beacon Street that said “Be Sure to Drink a Lot of Water!,” which was awesome. I blew it by not taking a picture.



2. The two ladies who couldn’t make it through the entire Walk for “Hunger” without stopping in for some french toast and bacon. Really, ladies? Really?

We also saw some excitement this weekend with a pretty major shake-up in management. “Alfredo,” our assistant manager who started maybe two weeks ago, got fired. This is unfortunate because he was a good source of comedy and now we won’t have any new Alfredo stories.



Before becoming our assistant manager, he was brought aboard to teach a weekly wine class with the front of house staff. Well, one Thursday, he pulled a no-call-no-show, which is one of the worst things you can do in the restaurant industry (or any other one for that matter). How was he rewarded for this awesome display of unreliability? With a job in management!


Needless to say, his short stint as a manager quite literally got off to a “shaky” start: he passed out twice during his first three shifts. Another red fleg, perhaps? 

His behavior always became increasingly erratic towards the end of any night he worked. We’re talking heavy sweats, long trips to the bathroom, chugging suspiciously large amounts of water, discombobulation, confusion, etc. We all knew there was something shady going on with him.



He closed the restaurant by himself for the first time on Thursday and for the last time on Saturday. Over the course of these three shifts where he was left alone without supervision, he was spotted doing a number of weird things:

He was seen bringing two pieces of bread into the bathroom, where he remained for fifteen minutes. The bread in the bathroom story became an instant hit and will not soon be forgotten. I personally watched him stumble out to his car, where he sat for a moment before he proceeded to walk up the little hill in our parking lot and disappear into the bushes. Six or seven bottles of white wine were found open in the walk-in downstairs. He was also known to pour himself “diesel” glasses of wine during service. On Saturday night, he walked around the restaurant asking where Holly was...



You guys, where’s Holly? Where’s Holly, you guys? Has anybody seen Holly? I don’t know if I have enough money to pay Holly.

Um, Holly left three and a half hours ago.

The best was on Saturday when he was explaining his position at the restaurant..



The restaurant is a pool and you’re all swimming in it. I’m the lifeguard, you guys, and I need to know that everyone in the pool is safe at all times.



All things considered, I’m not so sure I’d want to be swimming in any pool that he’s in charge of watching.

After firing him, our owner had this to say:

I thought he was a little goofy.

2nd Annual Oyster Invitational @ B & G

With the warmer days upon us, patios around the city have started opening up. On May 2nd, you can head down to the South End and help celebrate the opening of B&G Oyster's beautiful backyard patio with the restaurant's second annual Oyster Invitational. The event includes participation from other big-time Boston restaurants such as Neptune Oyster, No. 9 Park, Oleana, O Ya, The Butcher Shop, Sal de la Terre, and more. For the $65 admission you'll be treated to an awesome variety of freshly shucked oysters and small plates, not to mention the beer and wine tastings. The festivities will kick off at noon and, even though the price tag seems a bit steep, this is a very unique event and the food is guaranteed to be fantastic. To make a reservation, you can call B&G at 617.423.0550.

Sorry and Thanks

I know that everyone has been compulsively checking back here to find the second installment of “Dining With the Stars,” and I’m sorry that I haven’t yet delivered on my promise. The truth is, I wrote up a post that chronicled some of my run-ins with local “celebrities” but I thought twice about putting it up here because I was a little too harsh on Bob Lobel. So, while I reconsider my approach there, I just want to thank the lady who left me a $90 tip on her $160 bill on Thursday night. Earlier in the evening I was thinking about how it had been a long time since someone left me a random, super kick-ass tip, so the timing was absolutely brilliant…

And, for your listening pleasure, here's the new song from The National. It's called "Blood Buzz Ohio" and I'm pretty obsessed with it right now.

This is What You Should Do Tonight

"What should we do tonight?” 

“I don’t know, something.” 


They shrug and wind up going to the same old Irish bar around the corner. They see the same people, drink the same drinks, eat the same previously-frozen bar snacks. They’re trapped in a comfort zone, stuck in a routine. Sure they have fun sometimes, but there’s an element of excitement missing from their social lives. Everything just feels a little stale.
 This is a common situation amongst young people all over the city. They know that there are unique and exciting experiences out there just waiting for them, but they don’t have the ambition to find out where. From crazy cocktail challenges to obscure trivia nights, Boston’s restaurants and bars are constantly coming up with new themes and weekly traditions that many people are completely unaware of. So, for those of you who are looking for something to do, here is a rundown of some of the city’s most interesting and affordable nights out.


Our week starts on Monday. For most, Monday is a day of mourning for the weekend that passed away far too soon. Well, the best way to get over your beginning of the week sorrows is to drown them in booze. If you don’t have to work or be in school, you can start your day early by hitting up the brunch at Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Inman Square, where you can chase down your biscuits and gravy breakfast with a delicious mango bellini. As you leave the comfort of the retro lounge, greeted by the somewhat uncomfortable rays of the afternoon sun, you squint and decide that you need to rest up for the excitement that awaits you on the rest of your Monday Funday.

On Monday night you have a couple of good options. There’s always the poker night at the Vegas Lounge in Norwood. Yes, we all know that gambling is illegal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but there are ways around that. Every Monday night, you can find anywhere between fifty to one hundred players congregated around five Hold ‘Em tables in this unassuming stripmall bar in the suburbs. The drinks are incredibly cheap and the owners offer up free pizza to the players, so if you’re feeling lucky, punk, this might be a good remedy to your case of the Mondays.

If you don’t have the disposable income to throw away on games of chance or the inclination to drive out to Norwood, then head up to Beacon Hill, where you’ll find the 6B Martini Lounge Bar & Restaurant. In addition to excellent 25-cent chicken wings, starting at 8:00 pm the 6B offers one of the most fun trivia nights in the city. Hosted by the aptly-named “Trivia Guys,” it takes on a free-form style that is severely lacking from the numerous Stump!-organized trivia nights around the city. The grand prize is a $30 gift certificate that you can use immediately, with different prizes also being offered to second and third place teams. Be sure to say hi to Olive, 6B’s resident Monday night server and DJ if you decide to stop by.

Mondays are also home to the best standing hip-hop date in the area. Mattapan’s very own Big Shug, founding member of the Gang Starr Foundation, takes to the stage every Monday night at the Wonder Bar in Allston. Backed by a live band and featuring a weekly special guest star, Big Shug puts on a different show every week and there’s never a cover!


Come Tuesday, you need to head down to Estragon in the South End for their weekly exploration of classic cocktails. Join their resident mixologist, Eric Cross, on a journey through 100 turn of the century and prohibition-era cocktails that you won’t find anywhere else. There is a grand prize for the first person to make their way through all 100 cocktails, so you should probably hurry up and start drinking. Pad your stomach with some of their authentic Spanish tapas, including the Tocino, Miel y Marconas. That’s pork fat back, spanish honey, and Marcona almonds on toast. I can tell you’re skeptical. You can’t get over the part about the pork fat back. Well, get over it, because it’s one of the tastiest bites you’re sure to experience in the city. Remember, folks, fat equals flavor.


For a less sophisticated night out, you can head back to Allston on Tuesdays for the weekly Beer Pong tournament at the Draft Bar & Grille. Over the past few years, beer pong has exploded in popularity. From a myriad of “official” rulebooks that you can find at Urban Outfitters to the orange ping-pong balls now sold at the counter of your local White Hen Pantry, the game is everywhere. So, you’re invited to bring your skills every Tuesday night, when you can enjoy drafts for $2.50 and pitchers for $9. Compared to other bars in the area, it is relatively low-key and boasts a nice patio, complete with an outdoor bar, where you can enjoy a Pabst and a Parliament when weather permits.


Tuesdays also offer a couple of fantastic weekly comfort food extravaganzas. Check out Taco Tuesdays at Tremont 647, where local celebrity-chef Andy Husbands offers up a menu of $2 tacos each and every week. There are more $2 treats across the river, at dante in Cambridge. Starting at 5:30, every Tuesday night, they will be featuring different grilled cheese sandwiches inspired by the restaurant’s favorite Italian films. Previous offerings have included the Under the Tuscan Sun, with buffalo mozzerella, roasted tomato, and pistachio pesto, and The Godfather, filled with eggplant, mozzerella, tomato, and Sicilian oregano.

On Wednesday, your best bet is to stick to Cambridge. At M.I.T., there is a relatively-unknown establishment doing some relatively awesome things. At the Muddy Charles Pub, you can enjoy all the wings you can eat - for free! That’s right, in addition to their ridiculously low-priced beer list, the fine folks at the Muddy Charles offer up free chicken wings every week! Dealing with the robot-building nerds that make up the clientele is a small price to pay for such deliciousness. Just kidding, we love the nerds and their robots. Where would we be without them?


Just a short walk away from the Muddy Charles is Kendall Square, where Flattop Johnny’s hosts free pool every Wednesday after 9:00 pm. Their bartenders control the iPod, so the music is always as ecclectic as its choice of beers.

Speaking of iPods, each and every Thursday, dBar gives you the chance to show off your musical prowess with their UB the DJ night. Make a playlist and bring your mp3s down to Dorchester for the chance to control the house music. Show off those indie chops by introducing people to new bands they’ve never heard of or stick to the classics and watch as people do the Humpty-Hump upon your command. They feature an extensive and affordable seasonal cocktail list, with unique creations like the Huckleberry-Rhubarb Martini and the Celebration Sangria, a devious mixture of red wine, Jim Beam, and fresh fruits and spices.

By now you’ve drank your week away but you’re entitled to celebrate Clink’s “Finally Friday” anyway. Located in the Liberty Hotel which is actually the old Charles Street Jail, Clink offers modern American cuisine while maintaining the vestiges of original jail cells, which have been retrofitted for casual fine dining. Clink can be pricey, but if you catch them on Friday night, you can enjoy some raw bar and chacruterie bargains while taking in the most unique atmosphere offered by any restaurant in Boston.

Fridays also give you the chance to visit the Boston Globe’s recent Munch Madness winner, The East Coast Grill in Inman Square, where they invite you to “go whole or go home.” Each week in the spring and summer, Chef Chris Schlessinger and his team will be roasting a whole pig in their backyard.
The accompaniments and rubs will change from week to week, so you might want to keep checking back. Wake up early on Saturday to head back to Tremont 647. You tried their tacos on Tuesday and now it’s time to experience their pajama brunch. The service staff remains cool and calm in their robes and kimonos, while you get to munch on the city’s best Huevos Rancheros and sip on the Tremont Tang, an easy-going concotion of vodka and orange juice in a martini glass rimmed with the space-age favorite, Tang.

On Sunday morning, you can trade in your footsies for platform shoes and check out the Disco Brunch at Gargoyle’s on the Square in Somerville, where you can enjoy Pumpkin-Butterfinger pancakes or a Nutella Smoothie with liquid nitrogen and banana. Chef Jason Santos, known around the city as “Blue Jay” on account of his blue-dyed hair, has created the ultimate neighborhood spot in Davis Square and his Disco Brunch is an excellent opportunity to enjoy his creations at an affordable price.


On Sunday nights, Park Square’s Avila hosts a weekly Sabor de Espagne, or Taste of Spain. For only $28, you’ll enjoy a special three-course prix-fixe menu prepared by Chef Rodney Murillo to honor the flavors of Spain. Options include a classic Chilled Tomato Gazpacho and Braised Short Ribs with Brussels Sprouts and Creamy Corn. For dessert, don’t miss out on the Spanish Churros with Chocolate Sauce and Dolce de Leche.


By the time Sunday is over, you will hopefully be ready for a good night’s sleep only to start the process again with a visit to Trina’s in the morning. You’ve heard about those Chicken and Waffles, you’ve spent the whole week regretting the fact that you didn’t order them. You look forwad to defending your trivia title at the 6B, and suddenly you’re stuck in a new routine that makes the city feel just a little bit bigger.











Trina's Starlite Lounge - 3 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143 (617) 576-0006
The Vegas Lounge - 36 Vanderbilt Avenue, Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 769-1888
6B Martini Lounge Bar & Restaurant - 6 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 (617) 742-0306
Wonder Bar - 186 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA 02143 (617) 351-2665
Estragon - 700 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 (617) 266-0443
The Draft Bar & Grille - 34 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA 02134 (617) 783-9400
Tremont 647 - 647 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118 (617) 266-4600
dante - 5 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02142 (617) 497-4200
The Muddy Charles Pub at MIT - 142 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 253-2086
Flat Top Johnny's - 1A Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02141 (617) 494-9565
dBar - 1236 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02125 (617) 265-4490
Clink Restaurant at The Liberty Hotel - 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 224-4004
East Coast Grill - 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 491-6568
Gargoyles on the Square - 219 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 (617) 776-5300

Dining With the Stars: Part I

Celebrities are people, too, and they need to eat. Sometimes celebrities go to restaurants. I’ve had the pleasure of waiting on a few. Perhaps you don’t consider some (most?) of them to be “celebrities,” but it’s pretty awesome when someone even semi-recognizable walks into your restaurant, so I thought it might be fun to talk about some of these people.

Here's some background music.



Gene Hackman



Back when I was a young waiter slash college dropout in New Mexico, Gene Hackman used to come into my restaurant all the time. He was the first celebrity that I ever had any sort of real contact with and he remains the absolute coolest of them all. Though his far-younger wife was somewhat rude, Gene was always incredibly friendly and appreciative. He was incredibly social and always wanted to talk. He couldn’t eat the Tacos Satanicos on account of his lactose intolerance.

My biggest regret with Gene is that I never got to pitch him my awesome idea for Superman V, which involved experimental drugs causing Christopher Reeve to believe that he truly was Superman and that Gene truly was Lex Luthor. Would've been huge.

Judge Reinhold



Again, this was back in New Mexico. Our kitchen closed at 10 and I got a phonecall at 9:50:



Thank you for calling the Blue Corn Cafe, this is Anthony, how can I help you?

Hi, I was wondering what time you closed?

Kitchen closes at 10.

Okay, we’re on our way right now -

Well, you better hurry up!

I hung up the phone, all pissed off that I had another table coming in. Even though I still get upset about that sort of thing, I would never be so explicitly rude about it. I was still developing my sense of hospitality, I suppose. Five minutes go by and in walks a tall man and his pretty blonde wife.

Holy shit.



Judge Reinhold.



Kids these days probably don’t have much appreciation for the man, but growing up a child of the 80’s, I was pretty floored when I saw him walk in. He approached the host desk, all timid..



Uh, we called...



Holy shit.
That was Judge Reinhold on the phone.
I told Judge Reinhold that he needed to “hurry up.”



I brought him to his table and happily took care of him. He had a very genuine quality to him and was as gracious as just about anyone I’ve ever waited on, let alone a celebrity. He asked for extra pickles. Apparently, Judge Reinhold loves pickles. I brought him a whole bowl.

T’was the least I could do.



Matt Cassell



Matty (as we came to call him) and his tall, athletic wife are really down-to-earth, awesome people. The first time he came into my restaurant was during the 2008 pre-season. He was the back-up quarterback at the time and no one recognized him when he first came in. He sat at the bar and ordered a MacCallan 18 on the rocks.



More like a MacCallan 18 and 1...

The Pats had infamously gone 18-1 in the previous season, you see. I didn’t actually say that to Matt, though he might have found it humorous. Maybe not.



The next time we saw him was after the season opener against Kansas City. T. Brady had gone down with a knee injury early in the game, giving Matty his first starting job since high school. While most of Patriot Nation thought we were “all done,” all of us at the restaurant were psyched for the guy. Sure, we figured we weren't going to win the Super Bowl, but we felt like we needed to root for Matt. After the game we joked around about how cool it would be if he came into the restaurant to celebrate his big win.

And then he did.



This time, everyone recognized him. Chef prepared them all kinds of mid-courses and spent a lot of time chatting with him at the table. I can confidently say that it was the first time Matt was treated like the star he would soon become. Chef got a little excited and tried to give him hats from the restaurant so that he could wear on television. We were all relieved when he couldn’t find any.



Matt continued to come into the restaurant with some frequency, always personally thanking and shaking hands with everyone in the building on his way out. He also had a very underrated season for the Patriots, leading them to the same record that Brady did upon his return in 2009.

I remember there was one time when he was having dinner and Wes Welker kept texting him. Welker kept asking him what he was up to and Matty lied because he didn’t want to hang out with him.



The last time we saw him was when someone asked to take a picture with him. That’s probably not why he stopped coming in, but we always thought that it might have tainted what he considered a fairly low-key little restaurant in the ‘burbs.

Bill Richardson


Governor of New Mexico, former presidential candidate and ambassador to North Korea. He ate very loudly, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. 




These are the more exciting ones, but we'll delve into the lower and more local levels of celebrity next time.

Munch Madness

Every year it seems like radio stations and other media outlets try to capitalize on the NCAA's March Madness fever by hosting their own "tournaments." This year, Boston.com is hosting their very first "Munch Madness," where they pit 64 of Boston's most popular restaurants against one another in an epic four-bracket food fight. The voting has come down to the Final Four restaurants, which are Toro, East Coast Grill, Orinoco, and Hungry Mother. Despite my own negative opinion of them, Toro has to be considered the favorite going into this round, as they are the only #1 seed left in the competition. Voting for the Final Four is open through April 1st, so head on over there and cast your vote. Mine's going to the ECG.

Edit - Looks like the East Coast Grill is your 2010 Munch Madness Champion, destroying Hungry Mother in the final round.