I have never written a review before - buat the meal I had last night
begs to have others know about it. The restaurant is the newly opened
Rauxa - located in the original location of the Elephant Walk in Union
Square. The owner really went to town in decorating the place- with
large murals and warm candle light. Rauxa serves food (according to
the card) "inspired by the foods and traditions of Catalonia". (the
food is *anything* but traditional!)
The full service bar must seat 12-15 - offering an assortment of
spanish olives to munch on while sipping Cavas, a nice selection of
wines by the glass or whatever. While still at the bar we had a tasting
plate - a lovely selection of cheeses, seared tuna in a sauce I couldn't
describe, white anchovies and a few other tasty treats.
The dinner was the best part though. My appetizer was so amazing - a
foie groi "sandwich" with apples - a brandy in a truely inspired
reduction sauce of apples and brandy. I hated to share any of it with
my friend.
Reduction sauces seem to be the specialty of the kitchen, something you
just don't see all that often anymore. For dinner I had the double pork
chop - the thickest piece of meat I have ever had, cooked perfectly
(pink in the middle, and moist) -served in a complex pomegranet
reduction sauce. It was all I could do to not lick my plate. It came
with a gratin of parsnips and dried plum. There was also a spanish
(catalonian?) style mashed sweet potato that was also wonderful, served
along some sauteed kale. I ended up taking it home.
We weren't gonig to have dessert - but ended up splurging on something
called a musical desert plate. A piece of nut pie - similar to the old
Planter's Peanut bars - served with a small glass of sherry that
complimented it perfectly.
My only complaint was that the wait staff was a little too attentive.
But it was a Monday night and he probably could have used a few more
tables.
This place, as I understand it, has been open for only a week. But I
took a peek at their New Year's Eve menu. I am seriously thinking of
going back just for the foie groi!
Not cheap, but worth every flavorful bite!
I can't recommend this place highly enough to lovers of fine food. For
anyone interested - the phone is: 617-623-9939, call - you'll
thank yourself for it later!
Laura in CambridgeBoston, MA