BOCA

the tables, set

Dan had a night off, my friends had a babysitter, and we somehow managed to snag reservations last minute at Boca in Cincinnati.

It was my first time, and the waiter told the uninitiated that we were in for a wonderful experience.

He was right.

You know those meals where you can close your eyes and replay the tastes? And I know it hasn’t even been 24 hours since we were seated, but this joint is firmly lodged in that part of my brain.

Some of my oldest memories are of food. The smell of chocolate when my grandmother opened the candy drawer, the first taste of ginger dressing back when my family took that trip to Hawaii in the 70’s, the combination of peanut butter and banana (on a sandwich!) at Farrells ice cream parlour, the list goes on.

If you’re curious, on weekends they serve a 2 or 3 course menu. I had (their words) 1. a BOCA caesar salad – wood fired romaine heart marinated with a garlic-anchovy emulsion, 2. diver-caught Sea Scallop with three-hour caramelized brussels sprouts, brown butter truffle vinaigrette & parmigiano reggiano, and 3., a filet topped with lobster and some type of sinful sauce. I’m trying to track down information on the latter.

It’s not inexpensive, but cheaper than a flight to Chicago or New York. A big shout out to my friends for sharing this delicious treasure.

Current music: St. Vincent “All My Stars Aligned”