Blue Inc – Quirky American

131 Broad St. Boston, MA 02110

www.blueincboston.com (617) 261-5353

*Downtown, right off the Rose Kennedy Greenway, near Rowes Warf

Seth +1 guest writer

• –Drinks–
• Fizzy Lifting Drink (Cocktail with fizzy salt; fun!)
• Stone Ruination (IPA)
• Gouden Carlos Tripel (Belgian beer)
• –Plates–
• Tuna Tartare w/ taro chips
• Buffalo fried oysters w/ frozen blue cheese beads (!!)
• Signature Honey & Hoison Glazed Duck confit w/ sweet sticky rice, mango, cashews, and coconut milk
• Grilled Tiger Shrimp w/ lobster dumplings and fried sweet potato
• –Dessert–
• Creamsicle Milkshake w/ liquid Nitrogen
• $108.07 w/ tax ($23.00 in Drinks)

 Ave. Price/Person: $30-45 w/ Drinks: $40-60

Seth: This week I am without my writing and dining partner Ren. Ably standing in is my girlfriend and often guest for these dinner, Makeda. She’ll be writing her own take; hope you enjoy. Tonight we went to Blue Inc. I’ve been here once before and enjoyed it quite a bit and tonight was no exception. The service was good right from the moment we walked in the door. The bartender was the first to notice and was sure to say hello and let the waiter know we were here. The service continued exceptionally throughout the night. From  making great recommendations, to re-folding my napkin when I left the table, to making a well-timed joke on something that happened during the dinner service. The food was no less well done. Starting with the perfectly fried oysters: they came with a little buffalo sauce on the side, as well as puréed celery and these little nitrogen frozen blue cheese drops that melted when you dipped the oysters on them. Our other appetizer was a tuna tartare with absolutely delicious tuna. It was tossed with, for what we could tell, at least seaweed, ginger some chopped onion. The fish was firm, fresh and really tasty. For my entrée, I got the grilled tiger shrimp. The shrimp couldn’t have been cooked better and they lay on a bed of well done lo-mein noodles. Also on the plate were some very nice lobster dumplings and some tempura batter fried pieces of sweet potato. This came with a phenomenal house made sweet and sour sauce of sorts that worked with all the elements on the plate. Makeda had the hoisin and honey glazed duck confit on a bed of sticky rice with mango and coconut milk. I tried a couple bites and the duck was some of the best I’ve had. The glaze cut through the fattiness of the duck really nicely and the mango was a great contrast of texture and flavor. Through dinner I had two nice beers. Anyone familiar with Stone brewery from California knows how good they can be. The Ruination is an incredibly hoppy and bold IPA with a little higher than normal ABV (alcohol by volume) count at 7.7%. Makeda had a nice cocktail that I tried a sip of. The bubbly salts on there were really neat and it was a well made drink. Their cocktail list here is really well done with some definite originals. I’d love to come back here sometime for a couple and a snack or two sometime soon. Blue Inc actually has a couple different menus. Including one just for the bar and also a late night option. Which reminds me, I have to go back to the beginning of the meal for a second. With out water when we first sat down, came these pretzel dough rolls with a ground mustard butter that was to die for. There were only one apiece and we didn’t have to eat and write about an entire meal, I think we both would have  eaten 5 of these. So good! I digress. After the entreés we decided to order dessert. They had a few good-looking options but we went with what they called a creamsicle milkshake. Not quite a milkshake but more an ice cream-less flavored drink. Don’t get me wrong; it was both tasty and neat. It came nitrogen frozen and as we broke into it, it melted down to a thinner drink. We liked it, but both decided it’s not quite appropriately titled as a milkshake. My favorite thing: Writing this now, I’m thinking of the firm, perfectly cooked tiger shrimp

Makeda:  Before I even entered Blue Inc., I was ready to dislike it. I was a given a mediocre review from a friend a few month before, but I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised. From the moment we arrived, and throughout our entire meal the service was exceptional. As the host stand was empty when we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the bartender and quickly seated. The wait staff was attentive and friendly, which made for a great dining experience. To start the meal off a cocktail was in order; the Fizzy Lifting Drink brought me back to my childhood, flavored with cranberry and topped off with pop rocks, it was tasty with a touch of whimsy. We followed with appetizers, the tuna tartare was cut in larger chunks than I am traditionally used to which created a wonderfully rustic texture, tossed with seaweed and finely sliced onion I devoured it with my fork paying no attention to the taro chips it was served with, but I must note, they were a nice crispy addition to the plate. Our second appetizer was the buffalo oysters, this was a truly creative dish, the oysters were perfectly fried served with a celery cream, and frozen bits of blue cheese that melted down seamlessly as we ate. As we moved on to entrées the meal continued to impress me. Keeping the theme of the menu going, the duck confit was a delightful twist on a classic. The crispy skin was lightly covered in a tangy hoisin sauce that perfectly complemented the fatty duck, making a usually rich meal almost delicate. This came on a bed of sweet sticky rice with mango which together made for the perfect bite. I had to try a bite of the Tiger shrimp provoking me on Seth’s plate, and I was not disappointed, they were well seasoned and juicy. I saved room for dessert and this was the only part of meal that was even mildly disappointing. We ordered the orange creamsicle milkshake, which was yummy, but I don’t think qualifies as a milkshake, more of just a frothy cold drink. Overall I would definitely come back to Blue Inc., there were an array of enticing items on the menu that I can’t wait to try.

Food: Seth 8.5 Makeda: 8.5 Food Ave: 8.5 *Certified Dericious* Quirky, delicious, well done menu. An original cocktail list

Service: Seth 8.5 Makeda 9 Great service. Very attentive and friendly staff. I dropped my napkin at one point, he happened to notice, and came over and gave me a new one. Gave good recommendations and was generally nice.

Decor/Atmosphere: Seth 8 Makeda 8 Cute little space. Place may fit 35 people tops but doesn’t seem crowded. The bar and eating area has a little separating wall and there are mirrors on some of the walls which gives the impression of more space. Very clean and neat.

Total Average: 8.416 Good solid food, really nice service and pleasant atmosphere. Good place to take a date for dinner or go have a cocktail and a snack with some friends

One bad thing: This place was such a good entry we had to search out something bad. Our conclusion: I guess it’s the milkshake not being really what we expected

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