A historical splurge worthy seafood institution that has long capitalized on Boston's prime waterfront views is
Anthony's Pier 4. The original owner, Anthony Athanas, immigrated to the United States from Albania with his parents in 1916 at the age five. Dedicated and hardworking, Athanas rose the ranks to eventually personify the American Dream, opening a number of successful restaurants before his flagship Boston establishment came to fruition in 1963.
Immediate success and praise was followed by years of hosting the likes of US Presidents, Government heads, athletes, entertainers and more; as displayed proudly by a collage of photographs covering the walls in the large entrance way. Athanas passed away in 2005 and today the restaurant is owned and operated by his four sons.
Considering the fact that the South Boston Waterfront is now home to a number of modern steakhouses, seafood restaurants and others, including big name franchises or local expansions, I think it is important to embrace the history associated with Anthony's and the success it has seen in this area for decades. For all the more recent additions to
Fan Pier and
Liberty Wharf that have been met with tremendous praise, Anthony's deserves an equal dose of my affections.
The decor embodies a time in history where Rum Rooms existed, their very own displaying weathered furniture and dusty floors. The expansive dining room is filled with Captain's chairs crafted of sturdy wood and leather and an expanse of thick patterned carpet still remains underfoot.
An open air lobster tank greets you upon arrival and the bar is crafted to form the likes of old schooner. Anthony's certainly has a distinguished look and feel whether it translates as older generation elegance or nautical kitsch. I think that it is a welcome combination of both.
And lets not forget the panoramic harbor front views. No matter the buildings atmosphere, the views remain timeless.
Adam and I started off with a round of draft beers, poured in appropriately labeled pint glasses (I love when restaurants pay attention to these small details) a
Harpoon IPA ($4.95) for him and a
Sam Summer ($4.95) for her.
A basket of fresh
Popovers and slabs of soft butter were delivered right after we placed our orders. Breaking into the hollow muffin shaped roll, the swelled batter in addition to releasing piping hot steam, was light, eggy and moist on the inside and delicately crunchy on the outside. Popovers are certainly a highlight of the experience here.
We continued our lunch with
1/2 dozen Oysters ($14.95). Last Friday just so happened to be National Oyster Day so was it fitting to enjoy a freshly shucked batch of bivalves. However, I would have been slurping these down regardless of the declared "food holiday".
Our platter consisted of three
Norwalk Bluepoint Oysters from Long Island Sound, Connecticut and three
Penn Cove Oysters from Samish Bay, Puget Sound, Washington.
Adam preferred the Penn Cove which were firmer with a bright brininess and cucumber finish. I liked the Norwalk Bluepoint best, they had a moderate saltiness with a sweet gentle finish.
If last Friday wasn't the epitome of the perfect summer lunch, I don't know what is.
Behold the beauty that is my bucket of
Ipswich Fried Clams ($19.95). Once I saw this special listed on the chalk board just outside the dining room entrance, I was pretty much sold.
Batter dipped and deep fried, this iconic New England delicacy is prepared with whole soft shell clams, the bellies left intact to impart a richer flavor. Anthony's served an impeccable, large proportioned batch alongside thick creamy and tangy tartar sauce, lightly dressed coleslaw and your standard cut french fries.
Unfortunately, the fries were lackluster. Adam said they were great as he chowed down on the portion that came with his
Lobster Roll ($19.95), but I felt they were too soft, lots of potato and not enough fry. By the way, he loved his lobster roll. I commented that it looked heavy on the mayo but he was quick to correct that this was not the case. Those were some extremely large chunks of fresh claw meat. (And the camera lens became foggy as I reached across to get that shot - from the steam rising off my clams!)
Service was smooth and well paced. Our waiter, dressed head to toe in a pressed sailors uniform was friendly and efficient. All the details were attended to without us having to ask. Waters were refilled and plates were cleared promptly. Tabasco and horseradish were delivered with the oysters and ketchup with the meals upon arrival.
Lunch today was
mostly comped, the lovely Amelia Mango of the company responsible for Anthony's
website development hooked me up with a $50 gift card awhile back. I was under no obligation to review the restaurant, however I can't say I would have been persuaded to visit otherwise! (Simply wasn't on my radar.) Adam and I were so glad we did though, especially with the recent announcement of its impending closure.*
We enjoyed a leisurely harbor front stroll from the North End and back, stopping afterwards for a visit to the neighboring
Institute of Contemporary Art where the free Friday admission (one time only on that day) persuaded us in.
But not before a goofy photo shoot with the parking lot locomotive...
Yes, all four of these were necessary.
*I read yesterday on
Boston Restaurant Talk that Anthony's is closing its doors because the space it occupies is slated for replacement by a one acre public park. There is potential of it re-opening in a nearby location on the property. Construction for the park won't begin until Spring 2012 so it looks like you still have time to visit this Boston landmark before it no longer remains in its original form! For additional details about the construction scheduled to transform the Seaport District's Pier 4 check out this
Boston Globe article.*
Along a brick sidewalk that weaves down a quaint New England street bordering a historic port studded with industrial fishing boats, sits a mustard yellow barn door with thin black metal hinges, adorned with a handsome slate sign. 
Complimentary elements come together to create an inviting facade along a brick back drop - a giant circular sign touting gold lettering swings overhead, black windowpanes form a focal point where plants still bloom in the garden boxes beneath, and a gold striped awning above the door frame is the finishing touch. 
Located here at 29 Ceres Street is the family owned Black Trumpet Bistro, serving seasonally inspired, widely influenced American cuisine. A staple in the Portsmouth fine dining scene, I had heard plenty of rave reviews but this evening marked my first time in. 
Up a creaky narrow staircase the intimate wine bar overlooks the Piscataqua River. A cozy cave like dining room defined by heavy wood beam ceilings, exposed brick walls and shiny copper table tops is situated on the first floor. 
Both of these spaces embody a rustic elegance, fit for a romantic duo or a convivial group of 10.
The ladies and I, after solid day at Red Hook Brewery and exploring downtown Portsmouth, cozied up at the wine bar just as it was opening at 5pm. We shared pitchers of the fall inspired Harvest Sangria, made with white wine, lemon, brandy and autumnal spices, before settling into our table downstairs for our 5:30 reservation.
We started with a bread bowl of thinly sliced ciabatta and the restaurants signature bread, a crumbly loaf studded with black trumpets and dates. Accompanying them was a creamy butter laced with orange, this unique pairing sparked intrigue and made fans all around the table. 
I opted to partake in the restaurant week menu, three courses for $29 is certainly a good deal! I started with the delicately prepared Salt Cod Salad made with heirloom squash, pancetta and brussels sprouts, served warm in a sherry apple vinaigrette. 
The cod was not overly salty nor overly fishy, and as a result of pairing it with classic fall ingredients, the salad struck just the right balance of flavors and texture. You've got a nice sweetness from the heirloom squash, a bitter crunch from the brussels, and a firm bite of saltiness from the pancetta. The sherry vinegar and crisp apple dressing adds depth while tying everything together. 
For my main course, the Coq au Vin with porcini-cocoa pappardelle, cob smoked bacon and mushrooms was excellent. 
The chicken was perfectly braised, this traditionally rustic french preparation is clearly something the chef excels at. The pappardelle added a unique flair to the dish, it was a welcome addition to the earthy mushrooms, smokey bacon and savory chicken. 
Dessert was less exciting in comparison to its predecessors, but still a job well done.
I had a few bites of the German Chocolate Beet Brownie with milk chocolate frosting, beet whip and candied orange peel. I wasn't a huge fan of the brownie itself, but that fluffy beet whip topping was pretty awesome. 
For my Indian Pudding with whipped vanilla custard and golden raisin sauce, I actually expected it would come at a warmer temperature. 
With a soft set consistency, the pudding still manages to comfort, covered by a blanket of silky vanilla custard over a pool of golden raisins bathing in sweet syrupy goodness. 
If you find yourself in the city of Portsmouth, you'll be in good company at Black Trumpet. It's definitely worth checking out, both the bistro and wine bar, on separate occasions or all at once. The place was packed as the girls and I made our way out. I was so not ready to leave New Hampshire and head back to Boston, I love it up there!!
The Margherita Flatbread was exceptionally thin and crispy, fully loaded with red, yellow and cherry tomatoes, torn burrata, parmesan and fresh basil. 
The juicy tomatoes pop with sweet flavors while the soft burrata cheese melts into whole basil leaves and warm tomato sauce. Don't overlook this simple ingredient flatbread as you debate over the bella note menu, it proves a substantial and delicious contender.
I've had the Lobster and Truffle Crostini 
At this point I've transitioned to a glass of Zonin Proseco. While the kitchen before us was dishing out appetizers, our waiter took care to offer drink refills promptly. The first glass of prosecco certainly wasn't the last! 
The Hand Crafted Selection of Salumi, Caponata and Hot Cherry Peppers tasted every bit as good 
The Baked Veal and Pancetta Meatballs were something special. Served in a mini cast iron skillet with soft polenta and fresh mozzarella, four meatballs offered plenty of comforting, hearty bites. 
The Warm Black Mission Figs cater to the sweet tooth, this dish was easily our "dessert"! The ripe candy sweet fruits benefit from a sandwiching of tangy, savory gorgonzola dolce on the bottom, while whisps of crispy, salty prosciutto are layered on top.
On their own, cocktails begin at $11 and the appetizers showcased range in price from $12 to $18. So this deal (exclusive of tax and tip) priced at $20 will technically save you anywhere from $3 - $9 depending on what you order. Plates are ideal for sharing, so take advantage of Bella Notte with a group of girlfriends and each order something different. The relaxed scene on the North End waterfront inside a cozy bar and bistro is a perfect way to spend (or kick off) a Thursday night out!
