Asana With Rachel Klein

We stopped in (once again) at Asana at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, recently as the guests of Executive Chef Rachel Klein.  It is so nice to see Chef Klein back on the dining scene.  We sipped cocktails and munched on the new selection of appetizers, such as this Summer Tomato Salad.  It included Watermelon, Heirloom Tomato, Sheep's Milk Feta, Mint, Cilantro and Chat Masala Vinaigrette.

Lobster Beignets were served with Creamed Corn, Chinese Sausage, Chili Aioli and Pea Tendrils.  Amazing.  Other favorites from the new menu but not shown were Crispy Artichokes and Crunchy Shrimp Skewers.  M Bar also serves versions of all of these as bar bites and is quite the popular spot for cocktails.  We'd suggest you drop by and see for yourself and, while you're there, peruse the museum quality art collection displayed in the public areas.

With Executive Chef Rachel Klein.

Asana
776 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199
Telephone: 617.535.8888

Brugal And Lunch At Mandarin Oriental

We stopped by The Mandarin Oriental recently for lunch as the guests of Brugal Rum, who is celebrating the introduction of their Brugal Especial Extra Dry Rum.  It's a cask-aged white rum, less sweet than others and perfect for mixing.  Asana and M Bar at the Mandarin Oriental are well-known for their bright, modern design with Asian flourishes and upscale food.

A private room with Chef's Table is also available for those special occasions where you want to have a full view of the pristine kitchen.

There are new menu additions, as well, given that fact that Chef Rachel Klein has recently taken over the helm.  The inventive, colorful menu did not disappoint.

Along with menu selection we sipped a suite of four cocktails: Cosmopolitan, Orange Blossom, Hemingway Daiquiri and Champagne Mojito, all reflected the versatility of the dry rum, which really seems to mix more like vodka.  In any case, it definitely does not fit the stereotypes some have of rum.  My favorite was that Dry Hemingway Daiquiri:  Brugal Extra Dry,  Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, fresh grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice.  Light, summery and totally refreshing.

To kick off the new Brugal Extra Dry product Asana has installed a Wall Of Brugal, which contains over 300 bottles of the clear liquid.

Lobster Beignets: Creamed Corn, Chinese Sausage, Chile Aioli, and Pea Tendrils.   With those ingredients how can one go wrong and these did not.  Perfectly crispy with a creamy, lobster filling.  A standout dish.

Summer Tomato Salad: Watermelon, Heirloom Tomato, Sheep’s Milk Feta, Mint, Cilantro, and Chat Masala Vinaigrette.  I am a huge fan of the watermelon/feta mix in summer salads.

Chilled Beet Borscht with Potatoes, Sour Cream and Dill.  There's the colorful part right there.  It looked like a Picasso on a plate.  We also sampled the Crispy Artichokes with Baby Lettuce, Garlic Confit, Coriander and Parmigiano Reggiano and Lobster Salad Sandwich (not pictured).  The artichokes were delicious and the lobster had tiny chunks of mango, a new take we had never seen but it worked well.  We'll be sure to get photos of those when we visit again this week.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Asana and M Bar
776 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02199
Telephone: 617.535.8888