Pops in the South End?

[jules127]

Is this place opened? I drove by Saturday night and it looked open so my husband and I walked over there in hopes to have dinner. Once we got there we saw the sign in the window for "Private Event". Does anyone know if they are open now otherwise?

[fleur de lis]

We tried out Pops last night. Overall, a very favorable first impression. I really like what they've done with the space. They've created a bar on the right side of the room (which would be good for solo dining), and included a lot of nice decorative touches (such as rotating pictures of historic and current Boston on small flat panel televisions embedded as "pictures" in the wall).

The food was quite good, and very reasonably priced for the neighborhood. Entrees top out at $20, and they have 3 sandwich options for $12 each (the Pops burger with carmelized onion, mushrooms, bacon and cheddar, a crispy shrimp sandwich, and a lamb souvlaki sandwich). The menu tends towards heavier comfort food (pappardelle with a lamb bolognese, kobe meatloaf on the lunch menu, Rhode Island stuffies on the appetizer menu, lobster and cod cakes as an appetizer, gnocchi in a cheesy cream sauce), but has several relatively lighter Asian-influenced dishes (such as a salmon with a crispy skin, cucumber noodles, and black sticky rice). The wine list is also reasonably priced. Glasses of wine start at $7, and bottles at $25 (with several options in the <$40 price range).

We had the burger and pappardelle. The burger was quite good (I particularly enjoyed the sauteed mushrooms), and served with skin-on fries. The lamb bolognese was also well prepared -- a rich sauce with chunks of lamb was perfect on a slushy night. Service was very friendly, and good for opening week.

We took a look at their lunch (served daily) and brunch menus as well. The lunch menu has an expanded list of sandwich options, and the brunch menu is more wide ranging than the typical South End options (including numerous savory options). One potential issue with the brunch menu is that it doesn't include the standby egg brunch dishes (eggs benedict, scrambles) featured at the other South End brunch destinations, but it certainly looks worth a shot if you're heart isn't set on those dishes.

Overall, Pops seems like a great addition to the neighborhood (particularly if the menu remains at its current prices) and is an excellent option for a cold winter night.

[MC Slim JB]

Just stuck my head in to look around: you captured the look well: very pretty Victorian decor, like nothing in the neighborhood, and nicely opened up with a dozen bar seats facing a newly glassed-in kitchen. I'm frankly amazed that they kept their promise to price entrees at $20 and under: they read much more expensive than that, like $30 plates elsewhere in the neighborhood. I hope that lasts. Wine list seem decent, average $40-50, a bunch by the glass. Can't wait to try it!

[fleur de lis]

Thanks for the review, Jody! I'd love to try Pops tonight, but called and the phone wasn't working (I assume jules127 and I called the same number -- 617.456.1250 from a Restaurant Week ad).

Two questions if anyone happens to know:

1. Were they doing a Valentines prix fixe, or will it be the regular menu?

2. Do they take reservations (and, if so, does anyone know the phone number)?

Thanks!

[MC Slim JB]

The correct number for Pops is 617-695-1250. They do take reservations. I'd be very surprised to learn they're doing something other than their standard menu tonight.

[jody]

No indication of special for Valentine's day.
They seem to take reservations because all tables were full when we entered except one and they told us it was for a reservation (though could have been a "walk in" reservation)

[jody]

Was there last night. The staff seemed to be surprised that they were packed, since they have done no advertising (silly them). Despite being overwhelmed, they made up for it with friendliness and apologies.

The space has been redecorated. They have openned up the kitchen behind glass, which enabled them to sort of extend a bar from front to back. The bar seats now look through the glass at the kitchen. Decor is highend victorian. Fun background music.

The menu slants towards comfort food, though at the prices that you would expect for Tremont street. Burgers (which looked good when delivered to next table) are $12. Other entrees range up to I think around $20 (maybe mid 20s).

The food was good, given the unexpected crowd. I'm sure it will be even better once they get rolling. My husband had the Duck Confit (1/2 duck), which was large and tasty. I had a salad (standard romaine hearts, but with a slice of bacon - yum) and a "side order" of cheesy gnocchi. This side order is large enough for a meal for most folks.

Many wines by the glass.

Will go back to check it out again.

[jules127]

I don't even think their phone is turned on yet, I can't believe they would be crowded on a cold Tuesday night. I am tempted to check out it tonight, but seeing how it is V Day, not sure how crowded it would get. (We sometimes prefer to sit at the bar anyway). Though it is a mess out there today!

[pmac1964]

They are now open to the public.

[MC Slim JB]

Saturday night was a soft-opening, friends-and-family-and-neighbors kind of event. I imagine they'll be open for real some time this week.