I have a confession to make. As someone who craves variety, I feel a bit guilty in admitting that I've eaten at West Side Lounge twice in the past week. It's not because I've fallen into a diet rut or that I've gotten lazy and don't want to leave Cambridge in search of food farther afield. No, the reason is much more exciting than that. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I've fallen in love. What's he like, you ask? Well, he isn't tall, dark, and handsome, as you might expect. Instead, he's actually a bit short and round......but he's also very hot and a little spicy too. Take a look and just see if you don't swoon.....
Allow me to introduce my new love: one of West Side Lounge's seasonal offerings: hot mulled wine (please excuse the slightly blurry shot. My eyes were tearing up with happiness). A wonderful mix of mulled red wine, fruit, spices, vodka, and brandy. Velvety smooth, deliciously sweet, and warms you up from the inside out. Can you blame me for falling for him?
But anyway, let me tell you about the food as well, which is also pretty darn good. My first meal of the week here was had with E, in a belated celebration of her birthday. We chose West Side for its fun, artsy vibe and eclectic food menu as well as its extensive and fun cocktail offerings.
In a fun touch (I'm guessing for Valentine's Day), the ceiling had been strung with roses.
However, our attention was soon stolen away from the ceiling by the arrival of this bucket of glory.
Parmesan truffle fries. They started out good and then got more truffle-y and delicious as you went down. We made short work of them and then, as if on cue, our mains arrived. For me, it was "Our Favorite Chicken Ever" (gotta love a name like that).
Pan seared chicken nestled on top of whipped goat cheese mashed potatoes, with artichoke and a wild mushroom sauce. The chicken itself wasn't mind blowing but I would like to personally thank the person who thought of adding goat cheese to mashed potatoes. Comfort food at its finest. And the combination of the artichoke and mushroom sauce was an interesting and really tasty complement. E ordered two appetizers in place of a main: the blackened shrimp tacos and one of the night's specials: dates stuffed with chorizo and goat cheese with a spicy sauce.
Once those plates had been cleared away, we were rather stuffed, but since it was a birthday celebration (and since we're professionals), we decided that we could find room for dessert. West Side Lounge always has a creme brulee of the day and on that day, the flavor was caramel, which we thought sounded promising.
We were right, as it was delightfully sweet and caramelly with an easily cracked crust and a perfect creamy texture. It was the just the right way to end the meal. We got up to leave but I knew in my heart that I would have to return soon to my newly found love......I couldn't stay away for long. So, with tales of a mysterious beverage that would wrap you in a warm embrace on a cold winter's day and melt even the coldest of hearts, I convinced GK to go to brunch over the weekend. However, the mulled wine was playing a bit hard to get, so we started with a more civilized, bubbly brunch cocktail: the pomimosa---basically a mimosa with the addition of pomegranate juice.
Being a big eggs benedict fan, I was excited to see that there were three options for the dish on the menu: one featured prosciutto, another was heavier on the veggies, and the third included smoked salmon. I was feeling adventurous and went for the smoked salmon.
I was so glad that I did. The smoked salmon added a deliciously rich layer between the English muffin and the perfectly poached eggs, while the hollandaise sauce was wonderfully flavorful and zesty.
I was pretty focused on these babies, but I did manage to tear myself away for a moment in order to taste GK's California omelet, which had avocado, tomato, feta, and scallions.
I love me some avocado in an omelet, but surprisingly, the scallions were what gave this one an intriguing flavor snap that held your attention and tied all the other flavors together. By the time we finished our eggs and our bubbles, the lovely bartender was heating up the mulled wine and, at long last, we were reunited. Cue the romantical music.
We gazed at each other and everyone else in the restaurant seemed to fade away......
until GK intentionally coughed and ruined the moment. I think that she was getting a bit jealous because she seemed to quickly become besotted as well.
Thank goodness that there was enough to go around for the both of us. And, while I usually don't like to share, I'm willing to spread the love to you as well. If you'd like to go for dinner or brunch, I'd recommend making a reservation through West Side's website, because they seem to fill up quickly and it's not a large place. I'd also try to get there soon, before winter turns to spring and they change their seasonal cocktail menu and take away the gorgeous man in red. Just remember to take things slow. Or you could end up like me and find yourself, in the immortal words of Beyonce, drunk in love.
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