Beyond the Bubble
Fashionable and Famished
By Emily Biberger
April 20th, 2008
Restaurant: Sonsie
Address: 327 Newbury Street
Closest T-Stop: Hynes Convention Center
Website: www.sonsieboston.com
At the first sign of spring, scores of individuals cannot wait to tie on their Adidas sneakers and set off for a rejuvenating run along the Charles. I, on the other hand, feel quite acutely an impulse to engage in a not-so-sweaty, but, in my opinion, no less refreshing outdoor activity. As I slip on a beloved Anthropologie skirt and equally colorful coordinating flats, my heart begins to race for reasons completely unrelated to physical exertion. I eagerly set off on the T and emerge at my destination ready for a stroll down the street about which Boston girls dream: Newbury.
Though it is a perplexing reality, one cannot live on fashion alone. Fortunately, Sonsie is the perfect locale at which to indulge one’s cravings for sustenance and style. This hip spot features a formal restaurant and bar, both of which are decorated in the deep inviting tones of leather and mahogany. However, my recommendation for the finest ambiance is a petite oval table in the posh café. When the weather turns warm, this front section becomes transformed, through the aid of large French doors, into an open sidewalk eatery. From this front row seat to Beantown’s premier fashion street, patrons can enjoy a diverse menu- one which includes, yet is in no way limited, to lighter fare.
While sipping a cool beverage, take full advantage of the opportunity to check out the classy people in your midst and also, perhaps even more importantly, to examine what they are eating. Pizzas, which encompass the traditional (w/ fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil pesto) and the unconventional (a “Pizza Burger” w/ cheddar cheese and fixings), are a definite crowd favorite, as I ascertained from the plethora of pies emerging at a brisk pace from Sonsie’s brick oven. While my companion chose to dine on one of the establishment’s many gourmet salads, I was unable to resist the allure of a pasta dish, choosing the angel hair with veal meatballs, plum tomato sauce and shaved pecorino. The visual presentation and combination of flavors were to perfection, and they created a sensory experience upon which I lustfully reflect when faced with the dining hall’s sub-par conception of quality carbohydrates.
Dessert at Sonsie should not be considered a splurge, but rather an essential conclusion to the dining experience, especially when it is paired with one of the restaurant’s giant frothing cappuccinos. Though I am certain no selection would disappoint, the “Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Bomb w/ Kahlua Crème” is particularly sublime. In any case, there is no excuse to allow calorie considerations to dominate your consciousness at the moment of decision. Indeed, if your Sevens are feeling a bit tight after this feast, I hear that a jog along the Charles can also be a rather transcendent experience.
