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bex77 ([personal profile] bex77) wrote2009-10-27 08:24 pm
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Tupelo, Inman Square, Cambridge

We had our anniversary dinner at Tupelo, the new Southern style restaurant in Inman Square.
http://www.tupelo02139.com/

I had been pining to try it ever since it was a rumor when Magnolia's closed over a year ago. It's one of three new Southern places to open in the past year or so, with Highland Kitchen and Hungry Mother.

It got a glowing review in the Boston Globe.."Yum." And almost 100 reviews on Yelp.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tupelo-cambridge-3

It was great to have a quiet meal with my sweet husband.


We were seated at the window table overlooking Cambridge Street, which gave us a calm spot away from the main dining room.

They brought us free cornbread and butter.

The menu is quite short, only 4 or 5 choices in each category, but we still had trouble choosing.

Starters:
Watercress salad with grilled pears, goat cheese and candied pecans
Southern spiced turkey meatballs with French bread
Deep fried cheese grits

Mains:
Daube Of Beef - Beef Brisket Braised In Red Wine With Mashed Potatoes,
Collards and Horseradish Cream.

New Orleans Gumbo
Classic Southern Stew Of Andouille Sausage And Pulled Chicken.

Dessert
Brown Butter Pecan Pie from Petsi's served with Sweet Cream ice cream from Tosci's

Drinks: Sweet Tea

I should note that nothing was spicy except the spicy meatballs. I found the gumbo oddly bland.

The service started out well - great descriptions of dishes and patience with questions. It was personable but odd, with classic faux pas like trying to clear a dish we weren't finished eating, clearing one person's plate before the other was done, and bringing the bill early...typical table clearing behavior that is less than classy, especially in a half-empty place.

The whole thing added up to $60 - quite reasonable.


It was all good, but I came away feeling underwhelmed. I can't explain why it is getting glowing reviews. Nothing came across as special to me. I wouldn't mind going back, but I'm not going to pine for it.

[identity profile] moria923.livejournal.com 2009-10-28 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Too bad the place wasn't all you'd hoped. The relaxing dinner with the sweet husband was doubtless worth it, though, especially since you've both been so busy. Happy (belated) anniversary!

[identity profile] modpixie.livejournal.com 2009-10-28 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I know the people who run this place, but because I had a crush on (and subsequently embarrassed myself in front of) one of the waitstaff, I don't know if I'd ever go there.