the place: stephi’s, 571 tremont st, south end
the date: friday, 05.01.09
the plan: post-cabaret cocktails
I read some anti-stephanie’s/stephi’s commentary somewhere recently (I want to say chowhound, since they tend to be anti-several things), and I started questionning whether I actually liked stephanie’s. I haven’t been there in awhile, but there was definitely a fewmonth period where it was one of my favorite spots in the city. so I was excited to try stephi’s despite hearing that it might not be amazing. I haven’t made it for dinner, yet, but we did pop in for a few rounds after the cabaret show and I’m still excited to try it for real.
the patio was closing when we arrived, which was sad since it would have been nice to sit outside, but the inside was really quite nice and we got seats at the bar. over the course of the evening enough seats opened for all of us. the space is really bright and open, with cute but not overly precious decorating in coral-y pinks, ivory, and brown. one of my favorite combos. the window in the dining room looks out onto the trees and aquitaine’s window (pictured above) and it’s really a calming, pretty view that my phone didn’t quite do justice.
drinks, of course: I had the peach tea. red tea, peaches, vodka. very refreshing, the peach is sweet without being cloying and the tea was not too bitter. I’m not a huge tea fan, but sweet tea has it’s southern-drenched appeal and this seemed a bit like an alcoholic attempt at that. everyone else had something with pear vodka that looked chilled and refreshing.
overall, good marks for drinks and space and I definitely intend to head back for food. however, the only thing that kept me from going back immediately was the mildly unpleasant crowd (sorority girl types and their really obnoxious dates) and, more importantly, some less-than-awesome service. the bartenders were not very friendly and not very attentive. at one point, one of them was on the other side of the bar exchanging pda/not-quite-making-out with a customer I can only assume was either his girlfriend or short on tip money. I’ve never seen such a thing at a bar outside of allston and even there it wouldn’t really be encouraged. still, despite that, I will check it out again. but, I’m not kissing any of the staff.
