Poe's Kitchen at Rattlesnake Bar and Grill ?

[opinionatedchef]

I recently discovered Ruth Tobias' blog which I really have enjoyed. I see that she has a love for Poe's work. A CH search did not show me any recent detailed reviews of this place, just some small mentions and Slim's inclusion of that ridiculous burger on his 2010 ' losers list.' Anyone have experiences there to share? They have fish tacos on their menu and alot of things sound really good. Supposedly they do brunch, but i didn't see brunch option on their website, so maybe they don't offer it anymore?

Thanks for your help.

http://www.rattlesnakebar.com/Menu_Winter_2009.html

http://cookeatclick.com/2010/06/19/delicious-decisions-rattlesnake-bar-grill/

http://www.ruthtobias.com/globeater/m...

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Rattlesnake Bar & Grill
384 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

[opinionatedchef]

btw, i called today and they are not doing their brunch until summer.

[C. Hamster]

Front door to front door from my office is maybe 100 yards and we go for lunch out all the time. Tried it once a few years back and that was once too many.

[MC Slim JB]

Was that before or after Poe?

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[C. Hamster]

I am pretty sure it was before. Maybe 3 years ago.

Should we chance it again? Bad mexican is available around here for cheaper.

[MC Slim JB]

I personally think Poe's menu is a huge upgrade over its predecessor, but again, you have to consider the idiom. TLunch is probably better. I like weekend afternoons on the roof deck, when it's generally relatively calm. The place should be avoided when it's really busy: it can feel like a cheesy nightclub, kind of painful.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[tatamagouche]

First of all, thanks to the OP for the kind words about my blog!

Second, I agree that you kind of have to put blinders on and just focus on the food in front of you; hopefully the dining room in the new place will have much nicer atmosphere.

Third, to be fair (and I tried to and hope I did make this clear on the blog), Brian's become a friend of mine over the past couple of years, which means I go when I know he's there to take good care of/hang out with me. So I can't comment on what it's like when he's not in the house.

But I can say based on my experience that his talent is unquestionable. Last time I was in town, back in January, he surpassed my expectations even as a friend, never mind as a food writer. And since his passion and genuine kindness are also obvious (hence the friendship), I know it's important to him to give everyone the same good experience.

All I can add is I wish the man the very best. When I published that post above, someone—I think it was Scelfo—tweeted that Poe's the nicest man in the business. Totally rooting for him.

[opinionatedchef]

so glad you weighed in again, re the physical environment. we'll have to wear dark glasses and go, once we've i.d.'d his days off.

and thanks again for such good writing. i bet you are loving colorado. Those skies!........

[tatamagouche]

When you go, definitely reach out to Brian. If he's not busy he'd be sure to sit down with you for a drink in his Family Guy pintglass.

Yes, Denver's weather beats the hell out of Boston's. And the dining scene is exploding here, great to be part of a such a young, vibrant, no-holds-barred community. Still, I miss my New England seafood and Italian food.

[MC Slim JB]

The Rattlesnake's food used to be appalling, and the joint itself still is, but Poe is trying hard to do something ambitious and creative despite the crowd and the constraints of the price point. It often works, particularly when he's working the creative Mexican / Southwestern tip, and I'm grateful to be able to enjoy the roof deck without having to endure what they used to serve there. I think his reach sometimes exceeds his team's ability to execute, as in that burger, a clever idea that just didn't hang together. Consider the setting.

I'm much more interested to see what he does once freed from the shackles of having to feed an after-work and tourist-trade bar mob. His new Poe's Chester Square Pub is opening in the South End later this year.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[opinionatedchef]

thnx for that articulate summation.

[mkfisher]

It's funny you mention this. We stopped at the Rattlesnake on Sunday for a couple beers as a pit stop on our walk home. Anyways, we started discussing the menu, and how it seemed kind of out place at a spot like the Rattlesnake. At the end of the day it's just a dive bar with sticky floors and disgusting bathrooms. To try and serve somewhat ambitious food in that environment seems a little off to me.