Funny how I seem to visit The Hourly after a snowstorm!
Well, after drooling over Instagram pictures of Chef Salty John’s oyster creations and Chef Taryn Bonnefoi’s gorgeous dishes (she has French training and her husband is French and is a pastry chef- jealous of all of this!!!!!!), I recruited my friend Jenny G. to join me pre-concert.
The last night post-snow that I visited The Hourly, it was pretty dead. I was thrilled to see that it was much busier, with many seats both at the bar and in the dining room filled.
I should mention that it was dining out week and that there was a good value of two courses for $28. But I wanted my oysters and my choice of dishes!
I met Chef Salty John and Chef Taryn, and both were lovely. And both were super accommodating to my ultra picky requests due to dietary restrictions.
John came over to chat and tell us what he was going to make as a special- oysters with pancetta and blow torched crystallized ginger. I couldn’t eat that as I don’t eat meat, so he made me a special oysters with calabrese sangria pepper sorbet with crushed almonds, cherries, orange and red wine. My iPhone camera doesn’t do this justice. Safe to say that Incould have eaten at least a dozen! 
Jenny loved her special oysters, and we both loved the plain oysters. She went for Island Creek and I went for a couple of Kusshis and a Spearpoint.
For dinner, Jenny ordered the Seared Scallops, which were done perfectly. They were a good size, flavorful and well accompanied by celery root purée, Brussels sprouts and walnuts. I got to try some her scallop, and it was just as good as it looked.
I agonized over whether to order the Branzino with paella style saffron rice or the Cioppino, which was the special of day. Fortunately, Taryn had come by to introduce herself and to chat, and when I told her that I was going carb free, she rightfully steered me to the cioppino, sans crusty bread for dipping (blasphemy to skip that, I know). Even without bread, it was so wonderful that I literally wished that I could dive into the bowl. It was stocked with clams, big and baby shrimp, calamari, salmon and white fish (cod, I think). Mussels are part of the dish, but I dislike them strongly and they are mercifully left out.
Don’t you wish you could eat this right now?
I needed my veggies, so I ordered some sauteed spinach – just olive oil and garlic- and some braised red cabbage and mushrooms.
I ate every bit of the fish, but couldn’t finish everything else. I was so full and happy! Jenny was as well.
She also ordered two glasses of white (I forgot which type) and she said it was fantastic!
Chef John came back to chat and Onlearned more about the restaurant and Chef Taryn’s training. He said that things were gong well and that they are selling 3000 oysters a week. That sounds like a lot to me!
Our server Walter was sweet as well, and we enjoyed everything from start to finish at the table.
We headed to the Sinclair, a great venue for seeing bands, to see Indie husband and wife band, Tennis. I have been following them since the release of their debut album, Cape Dory in 2011. They played a bunch of songs off of their new album that was just release a few days ago, plus a few old favorites. It was a quick show – about an hour, but very enjoyable!
Great night, ending with a brisk walk through Harvard Square.
Xxoo, PF