502074 Sun Mar 23 18:53:16 -0700 2008 9 12 Boston Area 0 3520632 I have to give a shout out to this place that I haven't seen mentioned lately. Went Fri. night about 9 and got seated at the bar right away. My friend had a vodka drink in which she could really taste the vodka. The bartender showed her the organic stuff she had before and let her taste test that against the one he used. He explained that her organic one was filtered many times and contained sugar and that most vodkas are made that way. I had a Spanish gewurtztraminer like white and was satisfied. The crackers they served with the drinks were addictive. For apps she had oysters which came with mignonette and a cucumber slush. I tasted the slush and though very nice, I'm not sure I get it. I went with chicken livers with collard greens. So good. The bartender talked about the skate and we were both convinced. It had hazel nuts, brown butter and lemon.1st time skate for me. Wow. The chef came later and asked how we liked it and I had to say it was one of the best dishes I've had all year. He told how they usually have it just in the winter, so I must go back. Then I saw quince eau de vie on the menu and the bartender let me try it. As he warned me, it was not as I imagined. Eau de vie-not for me.Great place.Great service. All around great. After- at Eastern Standard, a Metamorphis drink for her, cappaccino for me and Tres Leche cake for both. The drink had bitters which I learned is not just a mixer but an alcohol in itself. Had a sip and wished I wasn't driving.The Tres Leche was very moist and very sweet. Sun Mar 23 18:53:16 -0700 2008 10369 mimish 1 3521127 Thanks for the review. Did the bartender say what brand of vodka he was using? Among my favorite cocktails is the French Horn, which I make with armagnac (since it's got French in the name) even though it calls for vodka because I can't find one that isn't just fire-water. There are a lot of vodka cocktails I shy away from in favor of the brown liquor-based ones for that reason, but it's nice to know that if I ever go to Rendezvous I won't have to! Sun Mar 23 23:17:04 -0700 2008 3520632 105892 pollystyrene 2 3521244 I'm reading from the website and it was an Elderflower cocktail made with Reyka vodka St. Germain, and lime. I think he said it was Polish and only filtered once which was why you could taste it. Mon Mar 24 03:34:49 -0700 2008 3521127 10369 mimish 3 3524064 Thanks for the useful info; I'll give it a try. Mon Mar 24 18:23:27 -0700 2008 3521244 105892 pollystyrene 3 3525434 I thought Reyka was from Iceland? Great stuff and loved that Elderflower cocktail too! Tue Mar 25 08:21:20 -0700 2008 3521244 14743 Trumpetguy 4 3527534 I think you're right. Tue Mar 25 17:20:22 -0700 2008 3525434 10369 mimish 1 3521353 Ditto mimish's post. Went Saturday night, the first time there for all 4 of us. Five appetizers, 3 dinners, 3 desserts, and each one was absolutely perfect. I had the carrot soup, and sampled the chicken livers. The soup was perfectly done, with a nice ginger flavor. The chicken livers was superb. I didn't try the winter vegetable antipasto or the ceviche, but both got raves at the table. The 3 entrees were the skate, a first for my wife and she absolutely loved it. I had the roast chicken with lemon risotto, a half chicken perfectly cooked and tasteful. My friend loved the duck 3 way, served in a way none of us had ever seen before. All capped off by the warm chocolate cake, and the lemon buttermilk pudding with huckleberry sauce, which the chef sent to our table. The waiter suggested we must come back if for no other reason than to taste the pear dessert. And lastly, all served in a very well done room. Looking forward to returning. Mon Mar 24 05:45:26 -0700 2008 3520632 176295 gmfeld 1 3521566 Right now there is a salad on the menu that I adore. I recommended the salad to a friend and she raved about it too. It is a wedge of Boston and lovely. Boston lettuce salad with apples, cheddar cheese, spiced pecans, red onion and cider vinaigrette Mon Mar 24 07:29:42 -0700 2008 3520632 21331 BostonZest 1 3526892 I was visiting my parents this weekend in Boston and we had an early Sunday dinner at Rendevous. What a wonderful neighborhood restaurant---I would love to have it in my area in DC. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, especially in regards to our wine picks (I wish I remembered his name.) We got there at around 5-5:30pm and it was pretty empty but by the time we left almost all the tables were filled up with people young and old, folks dining alone, and with young children. It had a real neighborhood vibe, especially with their special 3 course Sunday special which is a good deal. I started with the mixed greens salad with a light dressing. Very nice and light. My father had the chicken livers with collard greens--very good if you like liver. The only dish I didn't enjoy all night was my Mom's lobster ceviche. I thought the lime juice was WAY over-powering, so much so that you couldn't enjoy any lobster taste. For a main course I had the salmon with a dijon sauce, escarole, and potatos. This dish was perfectly made. The crisp skin sat on top of the dish with a line of the Dijon sauce. Everything was just delicious. My Mom had the skate which she has ordered before and loves. And my Dad got the delicious roasted chicken with a Moroccan spice rub. The chicken was served with a garlicky broccoli rabe and frites. A perfect Sunday night dish. For dessert we shared the warm chocolate cake (a perfect size slice and deliciously decadent), the baked lemon pudding (the star of the night!) and the pear crostada which I really enjoyed but my Mom found it a little dry. Such a delicious meal. My parents go there often when they are in Cambridge and I would certainly return. I wish they would open up another restaurant in my neck of the woods :) Tue Mar 25 14:00:48 -0700 2008 3520632 76776 Elyssa 2 3526941 Thanks for reporting on that Elyssa. When it's hitting on all cylinders, Rendezvous is a lovely spot -- one of my favorites in town. Tue Mar 25 14:13:54 -0700 2008 3526892 10232 yumyum