1 week Ago By Katelyn Umholtz
By Katelyn Umholtz You’re reading The Dish , Boston.com’s guide to the Greater Boston food and dining scene. Sign up to get expert food guides, chef Q&As, and industry news in your inbox every week .
As a kid, the mall food court felt like the coolest spot in town. I saw it as a chance to make my voice heard, choosing fried rice even if my dad was in line for a slice of Sbarro Pizza. It was full of activity and different walks of life, enjoying their Orange Julius while surrounded by shopping bags from Spencer’s or FYE.
I also loved shopping, so regardless of the pitiful food options, I knew it was ultimately just fuel before I asked (begged) my dad to walk into the dimly-lit rooms of Hollister. Now, I’m rarely inside of a mall, unless I need to return an online order. I make a mad-dash to get in and out as quickly as possible, leaving me no time to get mediocre food inside the shopping center.
But something different is happening inside the CambridgeSide mall’s food court . The restaurants are places I already eat outside of a mall setting ( Chilacates , Sapporo Ramen ). The collection of food offerings, from Mediterranean to wood-fired pizza, resembles several other modern food halls that have popped up around Boston.
The CanalSide food hall surrounds a bar, C-Side, run by some impressive names in the Boston beverage scene: Ran Duan of Blossom Bar and Brahm Callahan of Grill 23 & Bar. The wine list is curated by Brahm, and there are also a few craft beer options. For the cocktail menu, Ran wanted to play with mall nostalgia, like beach-y drinks that transport you to a PacSun ad, or a cocktail that reminds you of an Auntie Anne’s pretzel.
I felt like going down memory lane, so I cozied up at the bar one recent Saturday. Before I get into what I tried, I feel it’s important to note that these cocktails are pricey, and the options were more approachable than they were booze-forward. But if you need to take the edge off while holiday shopping, here’s some menu guidance: C-Side Sling : True to its name, this tequila-based sling balances sweet and savory by using guava and tomatillo.
It made me feel like I was on vacation instead of facing a 4:30 p.m. darkness in Massachusetts.
C-Side recommends pairing it with the rigatoni with Napoletana from DalMoro’s Fresh Pasta To Go . Granite Rose : Sort of like a Greyhound or a tastier vodka soda, this vodka-grapefruit cocktail is refreshing for those random warm fall days we keep getting. However, there are more exciting options you might want to try on this menu.
Pair it with the Margherita pizza from Lala’s Neapolitan-ish Pizza . Miami Vice : My favorite cocktail of the evening was this rum, coconut, and pineapple drink topped with a salted strawberry daiquiri foam. It’s a delicious option for those who like to avoid overly-sweet tropical cocktails.
Pair it with Kookaberry ice cream from Far Out Ice Cream . Twisted Harmony : Hands down my favorite mall food was a cinnamon Auntie Anne’s pretzel dunked into the sweet glaze dip, and this take on an old-fashioned reminded me of that treat. It’s even topped with a white chocolate-covered pretzel.
Pair with the Old Timer smash burger from Nu Burger . For your reading list For your calendar What I’m eating this week: Beef on Fire at Sumiao Hunan Kitchen ($26) Aptly named, this dish from the Cambridge Chinese restaurant put my mouth on fire, but the flavor from the beef, pickled peppers, and plenty of garlic also served as a nice distraction from the heat. The restaurant allows diners to pick their spice level, so if you’re not a fan of the heat, go mild instead of “authentic,” Sumiao’s hottest option.
Thanks for reading, and if you’re visiting family this weekend, safe travels! — Katelyn Umholtz I’d like to know: How much is too much for a cocktail? A night out at a Boston bar can run up a bill quickly, but in my opinion, sometimes the taste of and ingredients in a cocktail justify my spending. Other times, I’m left disappointed and with a $20 hole in my pocket/wallet. Share your thoughts below.
Katelyn Umholtz Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter .
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