As she poured me a dirty martini one hot summer evening behind the bar at Delux, Nikki spoke about her days spent in training at the
Back Bay Social Club. She told me about the new Lyons group hot spot opening in the old Vinny T's space, as well she told tales of muddling fruit and days spent practicing the craft of the specialty cocktail. I was certainly intrigued and I had eagerly anticipated the opening.
Meaning to stop in ever since the late summer debut, it wasn't until
Citysearch invited me to attend an event that I actually made it over to the new digs at 867 Boylston St. Greeted by two friendly hostesses in perfect unison, we all laughed together about the staged, (but not really) greeting. I immediately felt welcome.
The hostesses let me know I was the first to arrive. (Odd, that never happens.) All the more time to snap pictures and debate at the bar over the cocktail menu.
I quickly learned they were out of the
Pumpkin Trace ($12) buffalo trace bourbon, figs, vanilla, pumpkin puree & spice simple syrup. This evidently popular drink is in high demand and they can't keep up with supply, the bartender openly admitted.
Instead I chose the
Fall Social ($12) laird's applejack apple brandy, rye whiskey, aromatic bitters, fresh lemon juice, averna & simple syrup. The bartender sensed my disappointment in not being able to try the Pumpkin Trace, decided to substitute the fig and vanilla infused bourbon in this drink so I could experience. I admired her improvisation. It was an intense cocktail with comforting aromas and deep flavors.
Our host
Katherine from Citysearch joined me minutes later at the bar and as the rest of the attendees rolled in we took our seats to sample various dishes compliments of the restaurant. (Prices are listed anyways, since it's just what I do!)
I happily introduced myself to new faces and am excited that I have a host of
new-to-me blogs to check out! Just when you think you know all the Boston bloggers, there are a
handful more to be
discovered.
We began with
House Garlic Sausages ($8) wrapped in pretzel, ale mustard. 
The hoppy beer mustard elevated the warm buttery pretzel wrapped around tender sausage bites.
Meat Candy ($7) Boston smoke house kielbasa, brown sugar & pineapple. 
This dish of slow roasted kielbasa in brandy and cloves was inspired by the chef's mother. Chef used to constantly crave bites of candy in the kitchen and so Mom concocted meat candies for him some years ago!
I love charming little stories about how dishes came to be.
Cheese Board ($14) Morbier, Great Hill Blue Cheese, Pecorino, Capri Goat Cheese, Tupelo Honey. It was my first time trying Morbier (front left), an aromatic mild french cows milk cheese. The sticky sweet jam and luscious honey paired beautifully with the various types of cheese over crispy grilled toast.
The presentation over a heavy wood cutting board was tasteful and artistic.
The three plates above were inventive, flavorful and all around delicious bar snacks / appetizers that I would gladly order again. We also sampled some plates not on the official menu. These happened to be my two least favorite dishes of the evening.
Country Ham Crustini Pop's pepper relish, arugula, pine nuts. This dish didn't quite captivate me like the previous three did, though the ham was fresh and the pepper relish was tasty.
Head Cheese mushroom terrine, arugula, bacon dressing.
There is a first time for everything, right? I learned Head "Cheese" is meant to be eaten spread over a crustini and topped with the arugula. It is actually not cheese it is a meat jelly made with flesh from the head of typically a calf or pig. Temperature and texture wise, (cold and gelatinous) this dish just wasn't for me. The bacon dressing was bold, yet it didn't compliment the already pork heavy flavors, it only overwhelmed the palate.
In the midst of this well paced tasting meal, there was quite a bit more imbibing.
Michelle, who was sitting across from me ordered a beer that instantly caught my eye (large bottle, pretty packaging) so I gave the
Pretty Things Jack D'Or a try.
Pretty Things is a beer and ale project based out of Cambridge, MA - they fancy themselves a "Gypsy Brewery" without a permanent home. The amber colored ale was smooth and easy to sip.
The table was sent a round (half portions, so we were told, but these could have easily been a full portion in our minds!) of the signature
White Russian ($12) vodka, coffee liquor, milk & soda water. 
Not just any
coffee liquor my friends, but 100 proof, homemade coffee liquor. An impressive feat made for an impressive White Russian. I happily double fisted.
We were told the chef's wife, who used to be the executive pastry chef at
Radius and then
Sportello, handles the desserts. Having enjoyed desserts at both of her prior employers, I knew we were in for an impressive finale. Our table was treated to one of each on the menu.
Beignets ($7) chocolate fudge sauce. I had never had a Beignet - can you believe it?! I loved them.
Caramel Apple ($7) cider reduction. A well crafted dessert glistening with sugar crystals. The cinnamon spice apples were a fall evening delight.
Sticky Toffe Pudding ($8) This was warm, comforting and filled with rasins.
And my personal favorite
Chocolate Ganache Cake ($8) peanut butter and jelly.
I'm sensing a
PB&J dessert trend. (If you see it twice, it counts as a trend, right? I'll be on the lookout for a third.) The smooth creamy peanut butter sauce was out of this world.
I also enjoyed an espresso, and as a result was up late cleaning my apartment.
It had to be done. My place was a tornado after being in and out all weekend, constantly packing bags for sleepovers, what else is new. (I stayed in Quincy on
Friday, The Fairmont Copley Hotel on
Saturday and
Sunday I had guests sleep over.) I digress. Any one of these desserts would be a solid choice to end a meal.
Many thanks to the kind and generous staff at
Back Bay Social Club for their hospitality and delicious food and drink this evening. I had a blast with the Citysearch group and I look forward to our next outing!
Meaning to stop in ever since the late summer debut, it wasn't until Citysearch invited me to attend an event that I actually made it over to the new digs at 867 Boylston St. Greeted by two friendly hostesses in perfect unison, we all laughed together about the staged, (but not really) greeting. I immediately felt welcome. 
The hostesses let me know I was the first to arrive. (Odd, that never happens.) All the more time to snap pictures and debate at the bar over the cocktail menu.
I quickly learned they were out of the Pumpkin Trace ($12) buffalo trace bourbon, figs, vanilla, pumpkin puree & spice simple syrup. This evidently popular drink is in high demand and they can't keep up with supply, the bartender openly admitted.
Instead I chose the Fall Social ($12) laird's applejack apple brandy, rye whiskey, aromatic bitters, fresh lemon juice, averna & simple syrup. The bartender sensed my disappointment in not being able to try the Pumpkin Trace, decided to substitute the fig and vanilla infused bourbon in this drink so I could experience. I admired her improvisation. It was an intense cocktail with comforting aromas and deep flavors. 
Our host Katherine from Citysearch joined me minutes later at the bar and as the rest of the attendees rolled in we took our seats to sample various dishes compliments of the restaurant. (Prices are listed anyways, since it's just what I do!)
I happily introduced myself to new faces and am excited that I have a host of new-to-me blogs to check out! Just when you think you know all the Boston bloggers, there are a handful more to be discovered. 
We began with House Garlic Sausages ($8) wrapped in pretzel, ale mustard. 
The hoppy beer mustard elevated the warm buttery pretzel wrapped around tender sausage bites. 
Meat Candy ($7) Boston smoke house kielbasa, brown sugar & pineapple. 
This dish of slow roasted kielbasa in brandy and cloves was inspired by the chef's mother. Chef used to constantly crave bites of candy in the kitchen and so Mom concocted meat candies for him some years ago! 
I love charming little stories about how dishes came to be. 
Cheese Board ($14) Morbier, Great Hill Blue Cheese, Pecorino, Capri Goat Cheese, Tupelo Honey. It was my first time trying Morbier (front left), an aromatic mild french cows milk cheese. The sticky sweet jam and luscious honey paired beautifully with the various types of cheese over crispy grilled toast. 
The presentation over a heavy wood cutting board was tasteful and artistic. 
The three plates above were inventive, flavorful and all around delicious bar snacks / appetizers that I would gladly order again. We also sampled some plates not on the official menu. These happened to be my two least favorite dishes of the evening. 
Country Ham Crustini Pop's pepper relish, arugula, pine nuts. This dish didn't quite captivate me like the previous three did, though the ham was fresh and the pepper relish was tasty. 
Head Cheese mushroom terrine, arugula, bacon dressing. 
There is a first time for everything, right? I learned Head "Cheese" is meant to be eaten spread over a crustini and topped with the arugula. It is actually not cheese it is a meat jelly made with flesh from the head of typically a calf or pig. Temperature and texture wise, (cold and gelatinous) this dish just wasn't for me. The bacon dressing was bold, yet it didn't compliment the already pork heavy flavors, it only overwhelmed the palate. 
In the midst of this well paced tasting meal, there was quite a bit more imbibing. Michelle, who was sitting across from me ordered a beer that instantly caught my eye (large bottle, pretty packaging) so I gave the Pretty Things Jack D'Or a try. 
Pretty Things is a beer and ale project based out of Cambridge, MA - they fancy themselves a "Gypsy Brewery" without a permanent home. The amber colored ale was smooth and easy to sip. 
The table was sent a round (half portions, so we were told, but these could have easily been a full portion in our minds!) of the signature White Russian ($12) vodka, coffee liquor, milk & soda water. 
Not just any coffee liquor my friends, but 100 proof, homemade coffee liquor. An impressive feat made for an impressive White Russian. I happily double fisted. 
We were told the chef's wife, who used to be the executive pastry chef at Radius and then Sportello, handles the desserts. Having enjoyed desserts at both of her prior employers, I knew we were in for an impressive finale. Our table was treated to one of each on the menu. 
Beignets ($7) chocolate fudge sauce. I had never had a Beignet - can you believe it?! I loved them. 
Caramel Apple ($7) cider reduction. A well crafted dessert glistening with sugar crystals. The cinnamon spice apples were a fall evening delight. 
Sticky Toffe Pudding ($8) This was warm, comforting and filled with rasins. 
And my personal favorite Chocolate Ganache Cake ($8) peanut butter and jelly. 
I'm sensing a PB&J dessert trend. (If you see it twice, it counts as a trend, right? I'll be on the lookout for a third.) The smooth creamy peanut butter sauce was out of this world. 
I also enjoyed an espresso, and as a result was up late cleaning my apartment. 
It had to be done. My place was a tornado after being in and out all weekend, constantly packing bags for sleepovers, what else is new. (I stayed in Quincy on Friday, The Fairmont Copley Hotel on Saturday and Sunday I had guests sleep over.) I digress. Any one of these desserts would be a solid choice to end a meal. 
Many thanks to the kind and generous staff at Back Bay Social Club for their hospitality and delicious food and drink this evening. I had a blast with the Citysearch group and I look forward to our next outing!
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