A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

Kaki Lima just finished their residency at Wink and Nod’s culinary incubator. I thought I’d take this opportunity to throw it back to a post I had forgotten about in my drafts since the space is changing over. Little Owl Tavern was Wink and Nod’s first stab at Italian fare since they opened three years ago. Other notable restaurants/chefs that have been at Wink and Nod are: Whisk by Jeremy Kean and Philip Kruta; Bread and Salt with Josh Lewin and Kate Holowchik; Akinto with Chef Patrick Enage; Pelekasis from Chef Brendan Pelley; and Gita from Chef Gita Kantrow. Currently the space is being occupied by Pareja  by Chef Aaron Lhamon. The restaurant features bold flavors of Spanish, Portuguese and Basque cuisine. Small plates include items like Asparagus with grilled salmon hollandaise and espelette, and artichokes with boquerones aioli, garlic and vin juane. Larger plates include a paella, a chicken roulade and a ribeye.

We feasted that night:

Artisan ricotta with orange truffle honey ($9); burrata with green hummus, red onion marmalade, and olive focaccia crumbs ($13); and the butter poached king crab with avocado, cara cara orange, and meyer lemon vinaigrette ($25).

Other menu offerings included:

mini oyster tacos with pancetta, anise spinach, picked red onion and roasted garlic aioli

crispy eggplant carpaccio with lily-yogurt, tomato chutney, sweet peas and Parmesan

charred octopus with stewed tomato-white bean ragout and rapini

lobster bolognese with squid ink pappardelle, oven roasted tomatoes, chiles, pea puree and mint

grilled branzino with lemon, olive oil, herb yogurt puree, confit tomatoes, picked fennel and arugula

Looking forward to trying out Paraja. Have you been? Let me know what you thought!

Little Owl Tavern at Wink and Nod

1 Appleton Street, Boston, MA

Tags: casual dining, restaurant, south end