My foray into Eastie at 303 Cafe
When it comes to favorite foodie hangouts, I've obsessed over places in Southie, Coolidge Corner, Washington Square, the Waterfront, Theatre District, the North End, and of course Back Bay. Eastie was not a neighborhood I found myself in often, mainly because I don't know how the heck to get in and out of there! Now that one of my closest foodie chick friends is an Eastie homeowner, I have to expand my horizons. I started tonight.
I wasn't quite ready for the adventure, as I walked from the under-construction Maverick station dressed in my best Pru-wear (Ann Taylor central), strappy heels and my faux leather "luggage" slung over my shoulder. I received a few, um, friendly comments walking down the street, as I was on the phone asking my friend, "Should I have gone right or left?!" Talk about a target. In my defense, the street went from T station to firehouse to residential -- I didn't expect to find a restaurant in the midst of all that!
Anyway, after 10-15 minutes of back and forth, I found myself in front of 303 Cafe, which just happened to be running its weekly trivia night. As soon as we walked into the nearly full, small, restaurant, a happy waiter eagerly checked on space and seated us. This guy was so on the ball, if I even looked his way, he somehow sensed it and walked over 5 seconds later.
He also recommended the best crab cake appetizer I think I've ever had. I'm not exaggerating. This small, brick, ultra casual, breezy cafe -- with its tall, thinly draped windows and cozy 2 and 4-seater tables -- had a rockin' crab cake plate, perfect for two. It was lumpy crab meat with the emphasis on the crab, a spicey chipotle aioli and awesome jicama slaw, which I could have had an entire plate of on its own.
Unfortunately, the falafel and tabouleh wrap I ordered for dinner wasn't nearly as good. (I should have asked the waiter for another recommendation.) I like my falafel fried, so the outside is really crispy, and the sandwiches filled with greens. I don't think it was fried for even a second, nor were any greens to be found. It was really a rather mushy wrap with about half dozen large waffle fries on the side. Could have spared just a few more I think.
The salmon special my foodie friend ordered was, however, delicious, even though just a tad dry. They have quite a few seafood entrees and two of them were sold out. If they tasted anything like the salmon, I wouldn't be suprised why. Not to mention, they're only about $15/plate. I'd definitely come back here for one of the seafood dishes, surprising as that may be in a cafe.
303 has a limited wine and beer menu, but they host regular tastings, including a weekly international hops night, in addition to the Wednesday trivia night. Try it for dinner, or go in for breakfast and ogle the menu board of bagel, brunch and hot beverage options. I wish this place was closer to work... Then again, maybe I don't. I have a hard enough time not loading up on carbs every morning.
If you find yourself in Eastie, make your way over to 303 Cafe. In your jeans. For crab cakes. And maybe some trivia.
Happy dining!
FC
303 Cafe is located at 303 Sumner Street in East Boston. You can reach them at 617-569-3001.
I wasn't quite ready for the adventure, as I walked from the under-construction Maverick station dressed in my best Pru-wear (Ann Taylor central), strappy heels and my faux leather "luggage" slung over my shoulder. I received a few, um, friendly comments walking down the street, as I was on the phone asking my friend, "Should I have gone right or left?!" Talk about a target. In my defense, the street went from T station to firehouse to residential -- I didn't expect to find a restaurant in the midst of all that!
Anyway, after 10-15 minutes of back and forth, I found myself in front of 303 Cafe, which just happened to be running its weekly trivia night. As soon as we walked into the nearly full, small, restaurant, a happy waiter eagerly checked on space and seated us. This guy was so on the ball, if I even looked his way, he somehow sensed it and walked over 5 seconds later.
He also recommended the best crab cake appetizer I think I've ever had. I'm not exaggerating. This small, brick, ultra casual, breezy cafe -- with its tall, thinly draped windows and cozy 2 and 4-seater tables -- had a rockin' crab cake plate, perfect for two. It was lumpy crab meat with the emphasis on the crab, a spicey chipotle aioli and awesome jicama slaw, which I could have had an entire plate of on its own.
Unfortunately, the falafel and tabouleh wrap I ordered for dinner wasn't nearly as good. (I should have asked the waiter for another recommendation.) I like my falafel fried, so the outside is really crispy, and the sandwiches filled with greens. I don't think it was fried for even a second, nor were any greens to be found. It was really a rather mushy wrap with about half dozen large waffle fries on the side. Could have spared just a few more I think.
The salmon special my foodie friend ordered was, however, delicious, even though just a tad dry. They have quite a few seafood entrees and two of them were sold out. If they tasted anything like the salmon, I wouldn't be suprised why. Not to mention, they're only about $15/plate. I'd definitely come back here for one of the seafood dishes, surprising as that may be in a cafe.
303 has a limited wine and beer menu, but they host regular tastings, including a weekly international hops night, in addition to the Wednesday trivia night. Try it for dinner, or go in for breakfast and ogle the menu board of bagel, brunch and hot beverage options. I wish this place was closer to work... Then again, maybe I don't. I have a hard enough time not loading up on carbs every morning.
If you find yourself in Eastie, make your way over to 303 Cafe. In your jeans. For crab cakes. And maybe some trivia.
Happy dining!
FC
303 Cafe is located at 303 Sumner Street in East Boston. You can reach them at 617-569-3001.
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