Mooncusser

Finally went to Mooncusser. I am a vegan-leaning vegatarian, but have started to add in a little fish, so Mooncusser has been on my list for re-introducing fish into my meals. I am so very glad we went: party of four (2 industry and 2 foodies). We ofc had every dish on the menu. Not one person was disappointed with one dish. We each had a favorite but then when someone else said theirs, we said, "Oh yeah, that one too." The dishes were both creative and well executed. Drinks and wine list were great. I will be back, and am definitely trying the bar downstairs too.

Quick Summary Decent prix fixe meal spot with great service and ambiance. Expect the dinner to take the full 3 hours Food- 4 stars The prix fixe meal included 4 courses (the first course consists of 3 appetizers that are shared amongst your table). We had the mahi mahi ceviche, tuna and heirloom melon carpaccio, and house-made sesame sourdough. The ceviche and sourdough were just okay. The carpaccio was fantastic For the second course, I chose the scallops instead of the peppers. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauce was pretty good as well. The third course, I chose the lamb chops, but I regret not choosing the red snapper. The lamb chops were pretty standard, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce (it was a tad too salty and needed some brightness). The red snapper was fantastic though (very flaky and delicious). For the dessert, I had the black sesame and chocolate cremeaux which was a solid dessert to end the night Service- 5 stars Our servers were fantastic. Very attentive without being overbearing. Bottom Line The food was a hit or miss with the carpaccio, scallops and red snapper as the main highlights. Service and ambiance were great. It's a solid restaurant but missed on the hype of being in the "Best of Boston" category.

My friend and I enjoyed a fabulous meal last evening. The food was creative, exciting and full of unique flavors and combinations. We did the wine pairing which we think made the whole tasting menu that much better. The entire staff is gracious and well-versed on the menu – but their wine Sommelier Elaine made our night. When we’ve had a tasting menu with wine pairings, it is often the server who brings the wine and gives a bit of explanation, but Elaine detailed each wine, its nuances and why it was chosen for each course. She has an exceptional gift of explaining wines so you understand – she doesn’t try to talk over your head to prove her knowledge. We are looking forward to booking a reservation when their menu changes in a few weeks.

I think this might be the best meal I’ve ever had in Boston. A long time fan of Chef Dooley’s style- our night dining there, the flavors were totally unexpected! In the best possible way. Lots of Asian, specifically Indian flavors combined with classical cooking techniques made for a really outstanding experience. The prix fixe menu is seafood focused but does offer meat + vegetarian options as well. Service was relaxed but with fine dining steps. The space is really beautiful- a triangle in the back bay, big windows let in lots of natural light- going from day to night. Would totally make this our special night out dinner again. High quality ingredients, creativity + care.

Best tasting menu I’ve had in Boston. Came here about a month ago to try their seasonal tasting menu. Everything on the menu seemed like a concoction of contemporary cuisines with creative ingredients. I was excited to finally give them a try, and overall, it was a transformative experience. The course started with spring vichyssoise which struck my tastebuds with a good mount of acidity. Tuna crudo was headily fragrant with basil, and sliced artichoke added a contrasting texture that I enjoyed. Yet, my favorite from the appetizers was the local cod croquette. Its custard-like batter immediately melted in my mouth, and its combination with green garlic aioli and thinly-sliced asparagus was simply divine. Decorated with a crown of almonds and snap peas, sherry glazed unagi was undoubtedly the most memorable dish of the meal. Unagi was not only tender, but its slightly smoky flavor paired really well with the creamy ajo blanco. Both the steamed black bass and the roasted veal loin were great, but the latter clearly pulled ahead as a winner. Lamb was extremely tender, and its unconventional toppings were also elements of surprise. While apricot harissa gave it a sweet profile, Berber and spring onions enhanced the savoriness of the steak. I wasn’t expecting such perfection from a seafood restaurant, but the lamb loin was possibly the best I’ve had in my life. Before the desserts, they also served us with a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palates. The dessert portion of the meal wasn’t as impressive, but it was still much better than the ones served at other high-end restaurants in the city. While the tasting menu at Mooncusser wasn’t cheap, it felt like a bargain given the high quality and creative elements of the dishes. Would definitely be back to try their other seasonal tasting menus.