144228 Mon Mar 03 08:01:18 -0800 2003 0 12 Boston Area 0 772759 Swung by No. 9 Park with my beloved for a drink early Saturday evening, and decided to have a snack while sitting at the bar, as it was yet uncrowded. Ordered the antipasti platter: $15, and amazing! Six kinds of gorgeous house-made charcuterie (including, I believe, a duck prosciutto), great olives, a scoop of marinated pepper salad, a fantastic blue cheese on a slice of chunky pressed-fig cake, a fried artichoke with an aioli-like dressing, a hunk of some lovely Northern French cheese (described correctly as somewhat Edam-like), a chutney-like salad (marinated grapes, onions, fennel?), and a couple of items I'm probably omitting. Nice crusty rolls with excellent butter, plus those yummy little cheesy-poof things they serve to all comers at the bar, plus a free hard-boiled egg if you like. We washed it down with a half-bottle of Muga Riserva Rioja ($23, one of several reasonably cheap and good options on a very interesting wine list, heavy on pricey Italian and French wines). Exceptionally pleasant and attentive service at the bar, including decanted (!) wine and nice stemware. A gourmet experience for not a lot of money, and practically a meal for two in itself. Mon Mar 03 08:01:18 -0800 2003 0 MC Slim JB