We went to the North End last night for dinner at Mare. They’ve changed things and have added an oyster bar.
The restaurant is small. When we entered we were seated at a table for two practically breathing on the couple next to us. On the other side of us was an extremely loud table of six. Not good. Being that we are “2 at the bar” we noticed two seats had opened up at the bar; not just two seats but the best, two corner seats. Lucky us!
A glass (okay 3 glasses) of 2009 Vermentino Aia Vecchia Maremma Toscana for me and a couple of glasses of 2009 Sangiovese Carpazo, Toscana for Roy. We shared some apps: the best octopus salad we’ve ever eaten. Tom the bartender told us its boiled, flash fried and then sautéed. Whatever it was, it was fantastic. I had seared scallops with couscous and a seafood risotto, both done perfectly. We also shared an assortment of oysters which change daily. If you want oysters, the waiter gives you a menu, like a sushi menu. You an choose the oysters you want by reading a description of them, how they taste and where they’re from. Dessert was a panna cotta with caramel sauce an espresso finished off the night.
As much as we liked the food, the tables are on top of each other and the restaurant is noisy making conversation tough. We lucked out with the bar seats.
See you at the bar….
