Sel de la Terre Back Bay

So, Sel de la Terre in the Back Bay (there are several other locations, but this is the only one i've been to) has several specials that they run. L and I decided to hit it up for the lunch special a Monday past, 17.50$ gets one a three course prix fix lunch (beverages extra, of course) at night, 35$ will do the same thing. They also, on Monday nights, have what they call "Magical Monday", where a buck will get one an oyster or a choice of several charcuterie (when we went, it was all porky goodness, including a pig heart la plancheta, they have a thing for pork and planks).

The joint is nice enough, still has that new car smell about it and although the bicycles suspended from the ceiling are a little scary (some sort of installation thing I guess, something that might make one think of France, makes me think of my childhood), they are fairly innocuous. As a matter of fact, my companion didn't notice them the first time we went there for the lunch. She did when we went there for the buck tapas.

Noise levels are dicey, as the place is located on Boylston Street across from the Apple Store and there is plenty of traffic to provide both noise and the sweet smell of exhaust from the large open windows. Still, however, there is enough "this place doesn't seem to belong here" to help keep the dream alive that one isn't, in fact, sitting within eyeshot of the Apple Store and stumbling distance of Gucci.

Our bartender was a quiet young man, not pleasant, not unpleasant, just there. He had a partner, but that gentleman never did stop by our end of the bar. We asked if there were special cocktails that weren't on the menu and he told us about that night's beverage; a mixture of vodka, midori, sour and sparkling wine, if I remember correctly. He looked a little ashamed and we, of course, didn't order that. I ordered a sazerac and L. ordered a gin cocktail. We finally got around to ordering our apps, a dozen dollar oysters and one of each of the other dollar apps; a pig heart on a plank, a pork terrine and a slider of pork salad.

The people sitting at and around the bar were a melange of different types; some people who seemed to be there to help someone celebrate the end of higher education, ladies who dine, men who cocktail and those ladies who like to hang out with them until they get to Club Cafe. 

Our food arrived as we were halfway into our cocktails. The plating was fine, but the slider was sitting on this entirely too large plate with absolutely no frills. There was nothing on the plate to garnish the little bovine sandwich, it was merely there, alone, sliding about as the plate was carried from the upstairs kitchen to us. It more than likely belonged on a smaller plate with perhaps a dollop of something green. Yes, I know, it's a buck, why am I bitching? I'm kevetching because this place could have spent the same amount of money on this app and put it on a smaller plate so that it's lack of size weren't as pronounced. Unless, of course, that was the plan. Regardless, the slider was tasty, but rather bland. The pig heart was my personal fave, it was tender, flavorful and completely plank-free. The terrine was L's fave. She was a fan of it's silky texture and the generous portion we were served. Why it was served with a jam is beyond me, it was fine right off the plate. I would stay away from the sweet part of the dish and focus on the meat. Finally, the oysters weren't at all wonderful. They were smallish, which would be fine in and of themselves. What wasn't acceptable was the fact that they were shabbily prepared. The ones that I had were filled with bits of shell and most of them had no liquor. So, we were left with oysters in name, only. An oyster with no liquor isn't, imho, an oyster at all. I don't add much to my bivalves, sometimes a dash of cocktail, mainly a little lemon juice. These would have been tasty, had it not been for the shell and the liquor, they were briny and sweet. I really wanted to love them, but couldn't.

We were still hungry, so we decided to split a burger. I will say that the burger was good, although my decision to get chips instead of fries was one that I regretted. The burger was filled with locally sourced meat, veggie and cheese. They were kind enough to split it for us before it arrived at the bar, which goes a long way for me. The burger was juicy, not particularly remarkable, however. i think that the pig heart on a plank was my fave part of the meal.

We toyed with the idea of dessert, but not being a big dessert person myself and L. not being hungry enough for one on her own, we opted out and got off the bar stools to head on home.

In all, I wouldn't say no to another night at Sel de la Terre in the Back Bay. Would I seek it out or crave it? Perhaps not for buck oysters. To be honest, 28 Degrees does buck oysters better 7 days a week from 5-7, Tues-Thurs, it's extended to 10pm. I might seek it out if i'm in the area and want a cocktail experience that i'm used to getting at Eastern Standard or Craigie on Main. I'm withholding final judgement until I hit it up for a proper meal. Until then, do stop by for the prix fix lunch and a nice adult beverage, just avoid the oysters. And do get some of that yummy homemade bread.

Comments

[L]

I got the dessert, remember? The carrot cake. It was dry.

[lids]

Right, I thought that you did, I couldn't remember what it was. Damn me for not being a real dessert person...

[L]

Yes, damn you.
;)