4 Mojitos = Excellent
Beantowners, if you are looking for an intimate brunch spot with plenty of character, then Tremont 647 is your place. Note that Tremont 647 serves the same brunch on Sundays as it’s sister restaurant next door, Sister Sorel. You can visit either, but for simplicity’s sake, I am reviewing Tremont 647. Entrees range from $8.50 to $16.
Getting There
Tremont 647 is located in foodie-heaven South End. You can take the T or drive — finding a parking spot along the many South End streets is not too frantic and definitely possible. For many of you Beantowners, you might even be able to walk (preferably, in the summer!). The restaurant does take reservations. If you don’t want to risk a wait for a table, call ahead of time and make a reservation.
The Ambiance
As soon as you arrive at Tremont 647, you will notice that the staff is in their pajamas. After all, it is “Pajama Brunch.” Guests dining at the restaurant can wear pajamas too, but I will say that in my two visits I only saw a couple of diners in pajamas. Feel free to set the trend, though. The restaurant definitely encourages it. The wait staff has a definite “team” mentality and they work well together. The restaurant is small, but the decor is modern and pleasing, with pastel-colored striped walls and dark wood seating. All the tables are near the kitchen given the size of the restaurant. Personally, I enjoy seeing the hardworking chefs in action, but others may disagree. The restaurant can have a wait for brunch. Luckily, there is a bar serving all of your favorite cocktails that will ensure your wait is pleasurable.
Cocktails
The mimosas here are splendid — the perfect combination of fresh orange juice and champagne. They do serve two sizes. A regular mimosa is served in a champagne glass and is a typical mimosa serving size. The “Big Girl Mimosa” is served in a larger glass (more akin to a red wine glass) and equals roughly two traditional mimosa servings. I went for the Big Girl Mimosa and it was so tasty it was almost gone before my entree arrived. The coffee is strong and served hot (which is not always the case everywhere you dine). The wait staff is attentive and will not let your coffee cup sit empty.
Starters
Who orders a starter with brunch, you might ask? Well, if you are dining at Tremont 647, the answer is you. The shining jewel at Tremont 647 is Joanne’s Pop Tarts, the homemade pop tart starter. The filling flavors vary. On the two occasions I dined there, the filling was strawberry-rhubarb — a delightful combination of sweetness and tartness. Combined with the warm, flaky crust and the gooey icing dotted with colored sprinkles, this starter takes your childhood pop tart to the gourmet level. On the first visit, my dining partner and I shared one and we were definitely fighting over the last piece. On our second visit, we each ordered our own and were much happier with that decision.
Entrees
The scramble with house made Italian sausage, spring vegetables and fontina cheese was well cooked. The eggs were moist and just cheesy enough, the Italian sausage adding a spiced sweetness to the dish. The scramble was served with breakfast potatoes, bacon and toast for a satisfying breakfast meal.
The gingerbread pancakes have that satisfying gingerbread cookie taste that take you back to holidays and childhood times. They are served with tart lemon custard, caramelized bananas and fresh blueberries. Although unique and tasty, the sweet breakfast treat might be too much for some. I would recommend splitting the pancakes and a less sweet dish with your dining partner so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
On my most recent visit, I ordered the breakfast special — the eggs benedict with ham. I would consider myself somewhat of an eggs benedict connoisseur as I make it a point to sample eggs benedict at almost every breakfast spot. Tremont 647’s version is served on sweet potato cakes. While I admire the ingenuity, I less so appreciated the flavor. The airy lightness of the traditional English muffin base was missing, replaced by a heavier, denser and more difficult to cut sweet potato bread. The egg was well poached and the ham added the salt that the dish needed. The eggs were topped with the perfect amount of hollandaise which was done properly. Were it not for the sweet potato bread base, I would highly recommend this dish. You can try it and judge for yourself. The dish was served with breakfast potatoes and grilled asparagus spears which added a nice touch.
Summary
Tremont 647 makes brunch fun with it’s Pajama Brunch concept. The pajama-clad wait staff is friendly and attentive, working as a team to bring you the best service possible. Joanne’s Pop Tart is the highlight of the brunch experience, taking a childhood packaged treat to a chef-inspired, tantalizing level. The breakfast items, overall, are creative and satisfying. Rating my experiences, I give Tremont 647 4 Mojitosfor it’s excellent Pajama Brunch. With some tweaking, it could be 5 Mojitos, but it’s not there quite yet.
Tremont 647 (and Sister Sorel) also have a very intriguing dinner menu. Stay tuned for a review.
Tremont 647 (and Sister Sorel), 647 Tremont Street, Boston, MA (617)266-4600
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