Going to Gargoyle's for first time, any "must try" dishes?

[bluesjack]

Been wanting to try Gargoyle's for a while now and recomendations?
thanks in advance

[somervilleoldtimer]

I was just there and got the very tasty oysters for appetizer (not much there, but what there was was delicious) and the amazing "root beer" osso bucco for an entree. I had to ask the waitress what was up with the root beer -- I couldn't believe they were going to do what southerners do with coke on a ham. But no -- there was no root beer involved, just truly flavorful and satisfying spicing, making it a toothsome meal indeed. I'm hungry again just thinking about it!

Alas, I found the desserts disappointing.

[meat inspector]

please goto jasonsantos.com and see the person who will be cooking your food!

[LindaWhit]

Ummm....there's only one post there, and it's from August 2008. I'm thinking not many people are going to see much about Jason there. :-)

[mbasnack]

I love Gargoyle's- I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I'd second the Signature Hoisin & Honey Glazed Duck Confit - it's fantastic. Also, if you're there with a few folks, The Pick Plate (from bar menu) is delicious yet simple. They typically include a black truffle honey that I could happily bathe in daily. It's that good.

[Parsnipity]

Agree- the duck drummettes in whatever incarnation is currently on the bar menu are great. The burger also is one of my favorites. And the butterscotch fondant dessert is pure truffle bliss. I have been less wowed by their dining room menu in general. Agree on the cocktails, too. Gosh, I'm feeling agreeable about this post...

[alohagirl]

Sounds like I may be a minority voice but I am not a fan of Gargoyles. I am from Hawaii and was excited about their ahi poke, but it was too salty and not even close to delish. Our entrees were OK, nothing special. For the price, I think you can do much better. We have been there twice, probably will not return.

[Boston_Otter]

I've heard the duck confit is excellent. Their bartender's one of the best in the area, too, in my opinion -- he does his own bourbon infusions for their cocktails.

[yumyum]

Paul is great, and if you dig Sangria, try his. In the wintertime he makes an infused bourbon that one chowfriend (who shall remain nameless) has been known to drink in quantity.

[LindaWhit]

Isn't it Maureen who makes the better sangria? At least she's better at it (IMO) than Paul times I've been there. I haven't had his infused bourbon as I'm not a fan of bourbon.

And for the OP, the duck confit is always good, as is the burger and the pick plate on the bar menu.

[yumyum]

Hi Linda -- I've had both Maureen's and Paul's sangria and never sent either back. I favor Paul's in the winter / spring because it's got a little spice to it (cinnamon, cloves, etc) and Maureen's in the summer. But you know, they're probably both pretty much the same. Delicious.

[barleywino]

speaking of sangria, i tried Scampo's sangria the other day (they're just gearing up to put it back on the summer menu), it was definitely more watery than last year's, hopefully they will fix that but just a heads up

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Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114

[yumyum]

Had a long conversation with the bartender at Scampo when I was there and he was very anti-Sangria (for cost reasons) -- maybe he's behind the watering down, he sure didn't like the economics of what they were serving last summer. It's a shame because our pitcher there late summer was the magical never ending pitcher and went perfectly with everything we ordered that night.

-----
Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114

[barleywino]

maybe they're focussing more on cocktails this year, they seem to have beefed up their list...btw they also have some early softshell crabs in, but the one i had there wasn't fried as crispy as last year, a bit disappointing but maybe just early season kinks...

[opinionatedchef]

when are you going?
banana leaf wrapped duck w/ cashews and coconut rice
tuna poke- app.
truffle ice cream w/ butterscotch fondant

[bluesjack]

Heading over there Thursday night

thanks for the recs

[opinionatedchef]

don't forget to tell us what you had and what you thought about it all!

[bluesjack]

Hi...sorry the review took so long. First off I'd like to thank those who gave out some recommendations, that was very helpful. Second I've got to say that while a lot of chef's use unusual ingredient and combinations of flavors merely to dazzle Gargoyle really delivers.
While waiting for our dinning partners we took a seat in the comfy bar in the front. I had a wonderfully refreshing glass of the not too sweet red sangria and my DC have an apple martini. She pronounced it delicious..and strong. I'm not a martini drinker but that sounds like a good combo to me :-)

We tried the tuna poke and the calamari and the explosion of different flavors and textures was a welcome relief to the ordinary.

While I was sorely tempted by all the raves for the duck I was in the mood for beef and ordered a strip steak and what a steak it was. Tender, flavorful and cooked a perfect medium rare. (the web site has skirt steak listed but strip steak was on the menu for that night at least) celery gnocchi and asparagus were welcome sides and as one of my DC's remarked, "nice to NOT see garlic mashed or Yukon gold for a change"
She had also ordered the steak.

Our other 2 DC's got the grilled giant shrimp and the 1 small bite I was allowed to steal was very good.
We were all too full for dessert so no report
Service was very friendly also. Well worth a visit

[yumyum]

Thanks for reporting back. I think Jason is doing good things there. I like eating in the bar area and I'm really happy you enjoyed the sangria. Not too sweet is how I'd describe it as well. YAY.

[MC Slim JB]

Tuna poke (a Hawaiian-style raw tuna salad) is terrific, a signature of the chef for years. I like his sous-vide dishes, too: current one is veal cheeks, looks very nice (haven't tried it myself). Worth hitting the bar for a cocktail first: they make the best drinks in Davis Square.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[autopi]

i like their burger a lot. at $10 w/fries and house ketchup, it's a great deal. i've eaten off their dining room menu two or three times, and never cared for it, but i do really like their burger.