Once upon a time… ok, last night… Mal and I were invited to a holiday party for a new restaurant called BoMA in the South End. It was a fun time, but the experience left our taste buds sort of confused.
When we arrived at BoMA, Mal and I were warmly greeted and then given a couple of drink tickets, so we headed to the bar.
The restaurant was modern with funky art work, exposed brick, and dim lighting. The staff was super friendly and seemed genuinely excited for the event.
Wine me!
With drinks in hand, we checked out the appetizer spread. Mal and I were both pretty hungry, so we fill up a couple of plates to share with cheese, crackers, veggies, and hummus.
Wine, snacks, great atmosphere… it was a fantastic start to the evening.
But, then came the passed appetizers, which threw our taste buds for a loop. They looked delicious and some of them smelled delicious, but they did not taste delicious. They actually tasted like… nothing. Everything we tried was really bland—like the chef forgot to season the dish. Mal and I pretty much tried everything that came our way with the hope of something tasting really amazing, but, sadly, it never happened. The food was just really blah, especially compared to some of the other restaurants in the South End.
Mal and I left BoMA disappointed and still pretty hungry, so we hit up an old standby on the way home: Stockholders. This place is always packed. Even on a random Wednesday night, we had trouble finding a parking spot in their (huge) lot.
Mal and I were hungry, but not for a full-sized meal, so we snagged some seats at the bar and shared a couple of appetizers (potato skins and sliders), which were delicious and full of flavor. Our taste buds were pleased.
And they lived happily ever after.
The end.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Makes me sad for the restaurant. Hopefully they’ll get it together and be a successful restaurant.
I hate when that happens! You have such high hopes for a restaurant or a meal, and then…………….. nothing. Least the night ended on a high note!
Well, that’s sad. I know I’m guilty of under seasoning food, but I’m also not a chef. Hopefully it was just an off-night for the chef?
i wonder how they’ll survive in boston. south end is a tough place for restaurants, with great places like toro, stella, beehive…
I used to live in the South End and that store front look soooo familiar it’s driving me nuts. Do you know what it used to be?
That stinks. I hate When you try so much and you eat all your food and your not satisfied after. Glad u got some tasty food at the end of the night
I love wine. At least maybe that was Good?!
I feel like that’s the most disappointing thing in the world! Something LOOKS delicious, and SMELLS delicious, and then doesn’t live up to your expectations what so ever. I’m glad you guys were able to have a fun evening together though!
How disappointing! It’s great to try new things but sometimes the old classics really are the best.
That food looks so tasty — bummer that it wasn’t
WOW that hummus looks incredible! I’m a hummus freak!!!!!
Sorry the food was bad! It looks so promising.
Bummer! It looks like a cute place. Hopefully they’ll pull it together.
I hope the Chef sees your post and take action. Would love to see them succeed!
Oh sad! What a bummer! I hate when restaurants let me down
Isn’t it weird when that happens? I went to a holiday party at a friend’s house the other day, and everything smelled AMAZING. I was drooling as soon as I walked in the door. But the taste? Um, not so much.
Have you ever been to Stephi’s on Tremont? My brother and sister-in-law live literally feet away from that place. SO DELICIOUS. I ordered the scallops, and they were fantastic. However, my mother’s lobster roll stole the show! Definitely recommend!
It looked like a lovely evening from start to finish minus the less-than-stellar bites. My boyfriend doesn’t care about presentation as long as it tastes good. Some people seem to prefer the glitz and the presentation more though. I prefer good tasting food. Some curries don’t photograph well (lentils) but boy, are they tasty!
I hate when I end a meal still feeling unsatisfied!
That’s so weird that everything was bland, hopefully they learn and change things up!
Hope the BoMA owner/chef doesn’t read this post! haha
Old standby’s are not to be underestimated. They can often outdo a fancy schmancy restaurant any day.
Glad it was a happy ever after!
Good to know! I’m amused by that drink menu, which I’m pretty sure says “Wines Glasses.” Could those be related to beer goggles?
Oh no I hate when that happens, especially when it was all going so well…at least it was an invite and hopefully you didn’t have to pay for the experience!
That stinks that you weren’t impressed and the food was bland. When you have a bad dining event (in terms of food) your first time to a place, do you give them another shot down the road? To see if it was a fluke?
That’s so disappointing that the food was so bland! Because it certainly LOOKS delicious. I hate feeling dissatisfied after a meal. Sounds like Stockholders took care of that for you, though!
It seems like some of the restaurants with the biggest “hype” can be a letdown…at least you got a good glass of wine!
So disappointing! Sounds like they’ll close within a year….you have to be great to stick around in big cities these days. Cute name for the restaurant though.
Haha, this post totally cracked me up. My best friend and I did the same thing at a lot of “tastings” – either inadequate food, or just plain bland. It’s a shame, considering there is so much awesomeness in the South End (Gaslight?!)
I love Gaslight!
Is your sweater from LOFT? I think I have the same one in green!
It’s actually from Marshalls!
Bummer about the passed appetizers. I guess at least the layed out ones were better! I hate that incomplete feeling too when an experience just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I feel like I don’t go out to eat to avoid issues such as that haha
Bland food is so disappointing, especially for an opening party! Hopefully they get their act together before they open their doors!
Hate when that happens! I learned that the hard way with Indian food…went out to dinner, didn’t eat a thing and then grabbed a pizza!
How disappointing. After watching every season of Top Chef, I know that seasoning is key.
The Kidless Kronicles
That’s a bummer about BoMA! The sound end is definitely one of my favorite parts of the city as it was where my first Boston apartment was. Such a cute area.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, you make me miss Boston everyday. ha!
As i don’t get to eat out as often as i used to now that i have a baby, i really have high hopes when i do go out, there is nothing more disappointing than food that looks tasty but is bland!
I appreciate your honesty about this restaurant.
I can imagine that it is hard to write a not-so-positive review over a place that just gave you a free meal. This is why I continue to read your blog….I know you will always be honest with your readers!
That stinks that you had a bland meal! Hopefully they figure out how to make the flavors pop!