italian | Yummy Ventures

Biagio Ristorante & Bar

Posted on April 7, 2017 by yummyventuresco

Overall taste: 7.75/10 | 2017 | 123 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453

+++ = highly recommend | – – – = do not recommend

We received a $100 gift certificate for this restaurant, but we remain objective in our review.

IMG_20170406_093231_079 — **Mussels Dijon –** white wine, dijon mustard, garlic, butter, tomatoes & rosemary, served w/ grilled bread ($14.95) *[The mussels were fresh and well-cooked but they were on the small side. Lynn would prefer it without mustard but Jeff liked it.]*

IMG_20170406_092709_038 — **– – – Mini beef wellington –** w/ truffle demi-glaze ($14.95) *[We both did not like their beef wellington. The meat was tough and not meaty enough. The crust wasn’t good as well.]*

IMG_20170406_093720_431 — **+++ Seared jumbo sea scallops –** w/ lemon, white belgian chocolate risotto & grilled asparagus ($26.95) *[These scallops were seared to perfection! The white chocolate risotto was weird but good at the same time.]*

IMG_20170406_092638_998 — **+++ Lobster ravioli –** homemade ravioli filled w/ plump maine lobster in a lobster sherry cream sauce ($27.95) *[This is on the heavy and creamy side but if you like lobster bisque, you’d like this. We thought that their ravioli wrapping could be thinner. However, we really enjoyed this overall.]*

IMG_20170406_093604_165 — **Grand marnier creme brulee –** vanilla custard, grand marnier and crystallised sugar ($9.75) *[This tasted like regular creme brulee with a hint of orange taste, presumably from the grand marnier.]*

IMG_20170406_093451_084 — **Tiramisu –** espresso soaked biscotti layered with mascarpone cream and cocoa ($9.75) *[We really liked the taste of their mascarpone cream but there wasn’t enough of it. You can tell from the picture that it’s mainly filled with biscotti.]*

IMG_20170406_092848_456 — **Cioccolato –** warm molten lava cake with vanilla bean gelato and rasberry puree ($9.75) *[We felt that this was closer to a moist sponge cake than a lava cake. We would definitely have liked it more if the interior was more molten.]*

Dinner Menu

Dessert Menu

Grotto

Posted on April 1, 2017April 3, 2017 by yummyventuresco

Overall taste: 8.25/10 | 2017 | 37 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02114

+++ = highly recommend | – – – = do not recommend

We came here during the dine out week and it was only $2 cheaper than if we were to order from their regular menu (see menus below).

We feel that their food is a little on the salty and heavy side, but still delicious and satisfying.

IMG_20170401_173529_078 — +++ Focaccia (complimentary) [We never post pictures of complimentary bread but this was the best focaccia we had. The interior had a cakey texture and the exterior was like cookie! They served the same bread in Marliave but it was served cold and didn’t taste as good.]

IMG_20170401_173435_453 — **Piccata** – mussels, lemon, capers, white wine ($10) *[The mussels were extremely fresh and not overcooked. We both prefer it without lemon]*

IMG_20170327_134541_526 — **Fonduta –** fontina cheese fondue, beef tenderloin tips, portobello mushrooms, aged balsamic, truffle oil ($10) *[Lynn wasn’t a fan of it and found the cheese to be too salty but Jeff loved it.]*

IMG_20170401_173351_753 — **+++ Carne –** grilled beef tenderloin, reggiano risotto, asparagus, red wine sauce ($26) *[The tenderloin was alright but their risotto and red wine sauce were *(#&*@ amazing.]*

IMG_20170401_173314_555 — **+++ Anatra –** apple stuffed duck breast, crispy leg, prosciutto, dried cherries, potato gratin, black truffle aioli, madeira ($26) *[The duck leg was so moist, tender, and heavenly! We thought that the duck breast could be more rare. The potato gratin was soooo buttery.]*

IMG_20170401_173122_989 — **Cioccolato –** melting chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream ($10) *[average]*

IMG_20170401_173225_906 — **Budino –** banana bread pudding, caramel ice cream, spiced walnuts ($10) *[Loved the caramel ice cream. The bread pudding was so-so.]*

Dine out Menu

Regular Dinner Menu

Click menus to enlarge.

Capo

Posted on March 21, 2017 by yummyventuresco

Overall taste: 6.5/10 | 2017 | 443 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

+++ = highly recommend | – – – = do not recommend

We had a blast last night at Capo with Dining Playbook hosts, Billy and Jenny. Dining Playbook airs on NESN every Saturday at 9a.m. (replays every Sunday at 9p.m.). Follow their food adventures on TV!

We were invited for a complementary meal, but we try to stay objective in our review. For the dishes we could find in their online menu, we’ve included the price below.

Pictured above: Salami & formaggi – chef’s selection of artisanal cured meats and cheeses ($16/$28)

IMG_20170320_230416_815 — **+++ Short rib arancini** – pulled short rib, fontini, herb aioli ($8) *[We couldn’t really taste the short rib and didn’t know it was in the ingredient until we read the description. Nonetheless, they were delicious and reminded us of potato croquette.]*

IMG_20170320_230347_969 — **+++ Ricotta crespelle** – honey comb, pea shoots, white truffle powder *[This was our favourite dish. The ricotta was subtle and not overpowering. We would prefer it if they used truffle oil.]*

IMG_20170320_230302_348 — **Pappardelle –** lamb and mushroom ragu, pecorino cheese ($12/$23)

IMG_20170320_230203_033 — **Cauliflower ravioli** – sage, butter & cauliflower crumb ($11/19)

IMG_20170320_230040_835 — **– – – Monkfish picatta –** lemon, butter, capers ($21) *[We are picky about our fish and do not like it overcooked]*

IMG_20170320_225958_278 — **Baked** **broccoli**

IMG_20170320_225858_001 — **– – – Grilled pork chop** – white bean & mushroom ragout *[The pork was tough and dry and was not particularly flavourful. We didn’t like the beans underneath as well.]*

IMG_20170320_225724_803 — **Espresso creme brulee** *[Lynn likes this but Jeff prefers regular creme brulee]*

IMG_20170320_225621_847 — **Polenta cake** *[Jeff likes this while Lynn finds it average]*

IMG_20170320_225516_939 — **Chocolate terrine**

Menton

Posted on March 17, 2017March 17, 2017 by yummyventuresco

Overall taste: 8/10 | 2017 | 354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

+++ = highly recommend | – – – = do not recommend

We feel that we’d give Menton a higher rating if we ordered from their regular menu instead of their Dine Out Boston menu. This review is based on their 2017 Dine Out Boston selection only (see menu below). We went for their 3 course menu for $35pp.