 | |||
| FEATURES | BLOGS | DAILY DIG | GEAR |
The Harrison Crawl
First glass empty? Europe for another
By TYLER BALLIET
del.ico.us
reddit!
With the price of the euro escalating, jumping the pond to sip Old World wines from the teat of the Motherland may be out of the question. Instead of heading to "the Continent," check out the South End's Harrison Ave—or as we're calling it, the Harrison Crawl. In the last year, this barely out-of-the-way street on the skirts of the South End has seen a lot of growth. Three new establishments offer food and drink from their respective countries: Spain, France, Italy. They also all serve food until 1am, allowing your tour d'Europe to begin the traditional way. Very late.
ESTRAGON
Newly established on the strip, this joint is run by a born-and-bred Spaniard. The food and wine menu focuses on classic Spanish fare, but they have added a modern twist. Their all-Spanish wine selection is a force to be reckoned with, regarding price and selection. Boasting over 10 bottles priced less than $30 each, it's hard not "keep 'em coming." Splurge on one-of-a-kind deals like the 1989 Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja ($62/bottle) or just hang out sipping on sangria from the "sangria machine."
Order the: pulpito (baby octopus), $13
Wash it down with: 2006 Viña Godeval from Valdeorras, $36/bottle
[700 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston. 617.266.0443. estragontapas.com]
GASLIGHT BRASSERIE DU COIN
This classic French brasserie stands complete with a hand-laid tile floor and a zinc bar. Their wine list offers more than 15 bottles of French deliciousness priced less than $40 each. Should your party become split between red or white wine, order many wines by the 1/2 or full carafes. The list comes with some baller options, but is generally priced for the non-AMEX Black-carrying set. Sip on a Muscadet with the moules frites ($15.50), or demolish the bar steak ($19.25) with a glass of Bordeaux.
Order the: sauteed skate, $18.75
Wash it down with: 2006 Chartron la Fleur Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, $42/bottle
[560 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston. 617.422.0224. gaslight560.com]
ROCCA
Finish your night at Rocca, where supermodern interiors collide with the exposed brick of an old Boston warehouse. The circular bar area is perfect for tipping back bottles of Barbera and Montepulciano while lounging on couches. In the summer, the secluded patio is prime seating for balmy nights. While the dinner menu teeters on the pricy side, the wine list offers close to 50 bottles for less than $40 a pop. This is a place to grab some dessert, chillax and imbibe until last call.
Order the: pacciugo di Portofino (gelati, sorbet and whipped cream), $9
Wash it down with: NV Mionetto Prosecco Brut from Veneto, $33/bottle
[500 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston. 617.451.5151. roccaboston.com]
DRINK MORE WINE! FOR MORE INFORMATION: THESECONDGLASS.COM
