A High Class Evening
Armani Cafe
Newbury St

Excelsior
Four Seasons Hotel

Decorated in tones of pale brown and white, Armani Café’s minimalist atmosphere provides just the right mix of trendy chic- the rest is made up in great drinks and all pretty decent food. In its constant quest to be the after work and nighttime hotspot for Boston’s young, hip socialite crowd, Armani was hosting yet another weekday party. And yes, this party was more than welcome. After a week of drowning in the rain, you might as well drown yourself in a cocktail! It was enjoyable evening of food and drink, but all good things come to an end, So as the NSL party started to break up, we took advantage of the brief reprieve from the rain and head toward Excelsior.

On the walk to Excelsior, we rolled up our sleeves and attempted to bask in the sun we hadn’t seen in days. Unfortunately, the sun came out just in time to set but whet our appetites for outdoor patios, walks through the park, and possibly a tan if we got a chance to go to the Cape or Newport. One of the girls in our group raved about the lobster pizza at Excelsior and described it as “an amazing gift from Heaven.” Despite the all but subtle push from friends to have the pizza I just wasn’t that hungry – I had already shared in, rather overindulged in some of the tasty passed hors d’oeuvres at Armani!

This was actually my first trip to Excelsior and I was pleasantly greeted by a welcoming staff and sleek black and glass interior. We could peer into their wine elevator and let me tell you that that is one cellar I wouldn’t mind getting locked in! My friends and I were seated promptly in their main bar area given and extensive mixed drink menu that more than rivaled other Martini Bars in the area. Excelsior claims to have “Bold and Contemporary American Cuisine with a touch of whimsy…” Maybe our ideas or whimsy are different as I failed to notice any as I ate my Asian Flair dish of “Crispy Crabmeat Spring Rolls with Nuac Cham dipping Sauce.” The dipping sauce had a sweet, almost pleasing taste and the meal was good – but it was nothing that I would order again. Although my friend got the Oyster plate featuring 2 of each type of oyster: Island Creek, East Coast and West Coast. The presentation for this oyster plate was A+ and judging from the ooh’s and ah’s elicited from my friend, the little shellfish hit the right spot… that’s why they call oysters and aphrodisiac!

Mosty importantly, their were great drinks… Raspberry Mojito, Strawberry Martini, and Gimlet – all proved to be first rate. I will definitely go back again for the drinks and with a hearty appetites, as their delectable menu made my mouth water with the likes of “Duck in Caraway sauce,” and “Sirloin Steak in a Madeira Sauce.”