As I continue my comeback... (do I keep the Rendezvous reservation?)

[BrettLove]

Happy New Year, Boston Hounds-
I'm reacclimating myself to Boston's dining "scene" after a somewhat lengthy hiatus (dealing with some of life's proverbial curveballs, as it were...), and am new to this board. I used to dine out a few times (or more) a week, from roughly 90'-99', but drugs and alcohol ruined all that. Nearly 5 years sober, I'm just beginning (yeah, it's taken me a while) to be wholly comfortable again in the same environment that so complemented my debauchery for many years. Quasi-awkward intro out of the way (germane though, as my questions/comments will often be qualified with a "no raw alcohol" disclaimer), allow me to cut to the chase; I have a res. tonite @ Rendezvous, and was wondering if I could perhaps get a meal of similar quality, at a similar price point, somewhere downtown. Their $38 prix-fixe looks like great bang for the buck, and after a brief but pricey NYC X-Mas weekend, I'm lean in the purse tonight. I will be taking the T from another part of town, and wouldn't mind what would be a slightly shorter commute to "downtown proper". Best if dinner was <$50 pre-tax/tip. Forgive my rambling post, I anticipate becoming more concise in time. I've been enjoying your posts (some, obviously, more than others) for a few months, and have learned much from many of you. Thanks, and warm wishes for a healthy, well-fed New Year!

[Madrid]

as others have said, Rendezvous is low key, excellent food, and the prix fixe is an amazing value. and Steve Johnson is a mensch......look at the picture on the web site so you can identify him. The room is warm and very friendly, as are the servers. Welcome back and have a great dinner!

[Madrid]

the tapas menu on Monday is also a fantastic value and each plate is delicious...he has to be losing money on these tapas! However, it is served only in the bar area. But, if you survived Clink scene, this might be an option for you.

[viperlush]

What are the prices like for the tapas? I keep meaning to go for them. I've finally started to remember taco night (Wed) at Green Street, but I keep forgetting about tapas night at Rendezvous.

[Madrid]

as I recall, they are in the range of $5 to $7, maybe some a bit higher than that. The bluefish cake tapa is amazing....the fried oysters are a steal.....the last time I went, he added a delicious obviously expensive soft goat-ish cheese to the Muhammara + marinated olives tapa...and the price was the same as without the cheese, I think. One of the servers commented on it and said she couldn't wait to try it herself. I hope someone who has been more recently and remembers the pricing will chime in. They all have very special thoughtful accents...nothing just thrown onto the plate. The only one I haven't loved is the sardines, and that's because I don't like sardines. One of the simpler ones such as the Salt roasted padrón peppers may be even lower than $5....and they come with delicious iggy's bread and what seems like house made crackers.

It can be a wait if you get there after they first open, but on one occasion, they sat us in the dining room area so we wouldn't have to wait too long. The staff is so attentive and warm without being at all intrusive.

[BrettLove]

Thanks to all, for your kind, thoughtful replies; Rendezvous was splendid, but my service left a bit to be desired. I was between a pair of couples who were known to the server, and was only tended to when the server had occasion to wait on either of the two other tables. I'm all for economizing motion, but a separate trip to check on "just me" would've been nice. Another server noticed my slight neglect, and offered her assistance a few times ("Are you ready to order? I'll send 'name' over.", et al), but was still only approached as part of a "fell swoop". That having been said, my grilled sardine app. was quite nice, the vegetable "bollito misto" w/truffle, farro & polenta was a fantastic entree - and I rarely do the "vegetarian option", but dessert left me a wee bit cold. The pear crostada's filling was very "heavy" (alcohol? burnt nutmeg?), and I only ate the accompanying almond ice cream. Still, a nice, reasonably priced meal, and the "other server" provides me hope that I won't necessarily get the same "consolidate the one-cover with his neighbor table" treatment next time. And at that price, for that farm-to-table quality, I will return. I hope the so-so service I received has not caused me to understate what a lovely, coherent, visually arresting entree I was presented with; THAT was top class all the way. Forgive my lack of reviewing prowess, and again, thank you all very much. I look forward to learning more from you, and hopefully sharing more with you in the future. Have a freaking awesome New Year!

[GretchenS]

Excellent review, reminds me that I need to get back there soon. Happy New Year to you too!

[opinionatedchef]

Excellent report; thanx. Aren't those sardines delic? I get them in an entree portion.
Haven't had negligent service there; sorry for that.

[BrettLove]

Thanks!
Service wasn't awful, in fact I wonder if my issue isn't something for management or the maitre'd; it's tough when my server comes to my table and is essentially coming to all three adjacent tables, as they're nearly connected. Ultimately, a neighbor has a request, or the server feels compelled to check in with everyone (heck, it's kinda' natural) since he/she's "there already", or brings things for all the tables together since they're "going that way anyways". I'm no restauranteur, but maybe by staggering the table assignments so servers don't have "connecting" tables of "unconnected" guests? Either way, it wasn't a deal-breaker for me, as dinner was extremely yummy & fairly priced. It's a true pleasure interacting with you all, and I'm truly grateful y'all took a little time to think of me. Peace!

[BrettLove]

Oh, and by the way, yes- those sardines were something I'd very much enjoy an entree of! Legal used to have a fried smelt app. that apparently was 86'd many moons ago, and I usually jump on any opportunity for "small, whole" fish (at least now, that I don't blow all my $$$ on booze & drugs!) when I see 'em.

[total13]

I'd suggest eating at the bar next time, and trying their wonderful non-alcoholic cocktail (if you like cardamom) and their signature lemon pudding cake dessert. A definite solid choice.

[BrettLove]

Ah-ha! Forgot to mention that I tried that drink and LOVED it! There seems to be more non-alcoholic options like that in NYC (Jean-Georges, the Danny Meyer places, among others, all offer house made "grown up sodas" for lack of a better phrase), but I may create a post asking about just that type of thing here.
Respect, B. (P.s. Yes, I will do the bar next time. Tx!)

[gourmaniac]

Island Creek Oyster Bar also has several grown up sodas that are tasty. ICOB has a nice NYC oyster bar feel to it with good food to match. Nothing earth shaking though I like the lobster / short rib pasta dish, but quality on seafood is top notch. Good luck with your recovery, one day at a time.

[viperlush]

Keep it. After a long hiatus their consistancy and no frills makes Rendezvous the perfect "first" for you.

[BrettLove]

Thanks, y'all-
I will keep it. I've done a couple of NYC trips for nice meals, and actually have been out to a couple (or a few?) of places in town already, but this still represents a reacclimation. I made a bit of a mistake in trying Clink on a Saturday night (decent enough food, nearly trampled by bar/nightclub overflow), and had a nice steak at Smith & Wollensky's waterfront location, but neither meal was a hauntingly satisfying experience. Don't get me wrong, the dry-aged sirloin @ S & W was some ethereal-ass meat, even memorable in it's own right, but that's "all" it was... Know what I mean? I appreciate your prompt replies and look forward to more correspondence. Peace!

[hotoynoodle]

i love dry-aged meat too, but steak on a plate ain't my idea of dinner out.

plenty happening around here since 1999!

[cambridgedoctpr]

dry aging a steak is very easy; you can look at cook's illustrated or china moon cookbook for recommendations on how to do it. i like the idea of eating something that would require lots of work and time at home.

[hotoynoodle]

i've worked in my share of steakhouses. i prefer a few small plates of interesting flavors, beautifully presented. trying to get through a 24-oz. porterhouse is more of a chore vs. an enjoyable dinner. i run out of steam after about 4 oz., lol.

[hotoynoodle]

i love rendez-vous and that prix-fixe is a great value. i think you'd be hard-pressed to beat it "downtown", unless you're heading to chinatown. besides, i'm not sure that all places are open today because of the holiday?

also, the owner is one of the industry's truly nice guys. i like talking with my wallet in that regard. there are certain chefs to whom i will not a give a wooden nickel.

i'd go for it. from park sq. to central is a very short ride, less than 10 minutes and it's not even cold!

welcome back!