Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Restaurant Reviews: Saus & Back Bay Social Club

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of checking out newly opened Saus located right in the heart of Fanueil Hall at 33 Union Street in Boston. "Part classic Americana, part authentic European, Saus takes the best of both worlds by fusing traditional, made-to-order pommes frites (Belgian fries) with an ecletic menu of dipping sauces." (source).  But what makes these fries different from the American fries is that the owners make their own from scratch.  They have an extensive process of peeling, cutting soaking and then frying their fries to perfection.  And what goes best with fries?  SAUS.
Saus is run by Chin, Tanya and Renee; a group of friends who came up with this idea while trying to figure out what would satisfy their lunch cravings while working at a desk job in the area. They came up with this idea for Belgian street food specializing in fries and waffles with various SAUSES that make it delicious.
I joined MeganMichelleMeghanBiancaBridgetRachelElizabeth and Daisy for a delicious tasting of the fries and the sauces that en company them.
Now lets talk Saus, shall we?  Well there was truffle ketchup, Saturday night Chive, Samurai Saus, Bacon Parm, Cheddar and Duvel Ale, Presto Pesto, Curry Ketchup, Ole Chipotle and Vampire Slayer plus complimentary sauce of homemade mayo, homemade ketchup and malt vinegar with red pepper flakes.  
Here's a handful of sauces.  I'd be lying if I could tell you exactly what was what.
In addition, there was a handful of Weekly Specials including my favorite the Green Monster.
This sauce was deliciously sweet and spicy at the same time.  A perfect combination in my book. I also LOVED the cheddar bacon one and the cheesy beer combination. The pesto saus was also a winner. (Bottom left).
It was fun to hang out with the boston food bloggers and enjoy some nice fries!
I also loved how passionate Chin was and how open he was to suggestions.
But obviously the best part of the night was grazing on these mouthwatering fries.  And what's beter than fries?  Dipping sauces!
I unfortunately had to scoot before trying the waffles but please view the other blogs for comprehensive reviews on everything I missed.
and last by not least...
(funny story about Bridget- we used to work together at GapKids when we were in High School and we hadn't seen each other since we were 18!  And now ten years later, we meet again at a Blogger Event.  Too too funny : )
(Thanks Megan and Daisy for allowing me to use some of your photos!)
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Friday night I headed out to Back Bay Social Club to celebrate my best friend Courtney's birthday.  We decided to have a girls night with Court's closest friends from college and high school. It was a really fun night where a lot of wine was consumed and lots of delicious food!
Located right on Boylston Street between Gloucester and Fairfield, the atmosphere is inspired by a time when social clubs were popular for cocktails, conversations and community.  It has a delicious food and a laid back atmosphere.

My friend Stephanie and I decided to split two dishes. The first was off the Starters menu: Pumpkin Ravioli.
Four rather large raviolis with pumpkin sage and a butter sauce.  I personally loved it and made me miss fall when I ate pumpkin all the time!

After this, Steph and I shared the Butter Roasted Cod.
The puree was my inspiration for a dish I made Monday (will post about it later this week).  I loved it.  I think it was a combination of celery root and cauliflower in the puree.  This dish was melt in your mouth delicious.  It was mouthwatering and filling at the same time.  Sometimes I order fish and I'm still hungry after but not with this dish.  It was hearty and filling and perfectly cooked.

After dinner, we enjoyed more drinks and ended the night with cupcakes.
Happy Birthday to my best friend!

I definitely recommend Back Bay Social Club.  The atmosphere was really fun and the food and service was really good.  Check it out if you are ever in the neighborhood.

Have you been to either of these places? What did you think?

19 comments:

  1. holy cow. HOLY COW. those fries. omg. can i please come eat with you?!

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  2. What a cool idea to have a restaurant based on fries and all kinds of different sauces! It seems like such a fun lunch place. And the fact that it was started by 3 friends, who are visible in the restaurant, is awesome. Back Bay Social Club looks good too - pumpkin ravioli is SO good!! I always say this, but I really enjoy reading your restaurant reviews Lizzy!

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  3. So glad you enjoyed Saus with us and so sorry you missed waffles. You'll have to go back! Love the review! And that pumpkin rav at BBSC looks fabulous too!

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  4. Saus me up, that whole concept sounds AMAZING.

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  5. I'm dying to go to Saus after reading all the reviews.
    The ravioli looks delicious!

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  6. The meal at BBSC looks fantastic! I haven't been in awhile and totally want to go back. oh yea, same with Saus, I want to try the Poutine!

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  7. Holy shazam - those are the fanciest fries I've ever heard of! As long as they have sweet potato fries...I'm in!

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  8. You always find the best spots in Boston! Next time we run, we're getting fries after. And plenty of saus!

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  9. So great seeing you at Saus! That cod dish from Back Bay looks delicious.

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  10. Such a cool idea for a restaurant!! I really want to go there. I love the sound of all those sauces, and I think I'd really like to try the waffles too. We need to try this out after our next running date!!

    The pumpkin ravioli sounds amazing too. That's one of my all-time favorite dishes.

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  11. First of all, I cannot even begin to tell you how jealous I am. First of all, for all this good boston food that I miss so much! And second for getting to hang out with some of my favorite bloggers! Sounds like such a fun time!

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  12. I am sad I missed Court's birthday! And, that would have been the exact dishes I would have tried

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  13. Mmmm Saus looks good. Maybe I'll take the T down and meet you for lunch one day! I like Back Bay social but I've only been for drinks. The vibe was very cougar-ish when I was there.

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  14. So nice seeing you, running coach! ;) We should def make plans to hang out again soon. I haven't been to Back Bay Social Club yet! I heard the drinks there are awesome.

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  15. My mouth is watering, I NEED THOSE fries!!! Delicious. I've also never been to BBSC, but I'm surprised by how great the food looks, I thought it was more of a drinks/apps type of place (similar to Bank or whatever that spot is in the Langham Hotel or something)

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  16. Yes! Sorry I did read this!...I think I read it on my phone and therefore forgot to comment once I got back to a computer...woops. Haha bloggers/Gap employeed reunited! I knew it would only be a matter of time before I met a blogger who I knew before blogging! :)

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  17. Hi Friends,

    This site provides about back bay social club. It has two new floor, old timely hangout occupying the former Vinny T’s space, now open. Thanks a lot!

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