So. I didn't really want my first review-type post of a restaurant on her to be negative; but I also believe the people deserve the truth. And you, dear reader, are the people!
And the truth is this: Sibling Rivalry was nothing spectacular. If you're not familiar, this place is one of the many restaurants along the South End's Restaurant Row. When I lived in this storied neighborhood years ago, this was one of the few places I never tried. I was too busy spending every spare penny on tacos at Tremont 647 and cocktails at Columbus Cafe. I had always wanted to try Sibling Rivalry, and was intrigued by their dueling-brothers/chefs-concept. So when they came up on Groupon for a lovely $40 for $20 deal, I purchased. Then last Thursday, almost 10 months later and expiring Groupon still sitting in my account, I knew we had to use it or lose it.
Of course it was pouring on Thursday, so when Matt picked me up from work, we drove over. One lap around the South End, nowhere to park. Two laps, two cigarettes later...nowhere to park. Finally after coming up on the Beehive for the third time I announced I had cash, and we should valet my darling, beat up, Honda Civic.
Valet guys were nice enough. Didn't even scoff at my messy car. Asked for $16 GWs to run the thing around the corner for an hour, but still, nice enough.
Once inside and out of the rain, the staff was also considerably hospitable. I did love that their kitchen is open, with bar stools set along a counter facing in. That is dinner theater if I've ever seen it.
The bar area was also cool; chic and dimly lit, separated from the quiet dining room and with ample space to meet up with friends. They also had a decent variety of beers and wines, and a nice cocktail list. So, like I said, not all negativity here.
Our server explained the concept of their menu (which has not been updated on their website, I see), which is that each chef will take a common element - curry, pasta, fowl, tartare, etc - and do their own spin on it to create two distinctly different appetizers or entrees. This excited me, but I wasn't sure we would see the brothers go head-to-head on any plates. Mostly because Matty and I are pretty notorious for eating about two bites of things and declaring that we are "full". This usually leads to splitting an appetizer and one entree, or something to that effect whenever we go out. I certainly knew we were not up for two apps and two entrees; in terms of our stomachs and wallets as well. Even factoring in a Groupon, these prices were pretty high.
For drinks, I ordered a Crispin Hard Cider and Matt went for the Righteous Rye from Sixpoint Brewery (again, their site hasn't been updated with the same drink menu we were presented...I just had to do some serious thinking and Googling to find the name of his beer). These were stellar calls on our parts. The Crispin came in a Belgian glass and was dry enough to evoke champagne, while still clearly being a cider. Matty's beer was smooth and amber colored and went down pretty easy.
We decided to go for Chef Bob's take on tartare to start, which was steak. This was the only picture I took because it was very quiet in the dining room and I was definitely being watched when I snapped it.
I was so excited when this came out, with the lovely avocado and lightly fried hush-puppy like accouterments. But it was...OK. While we did eat all of it, I could not shake the fact that the tartare itself tasted like ketchup. It really did. Which I did not care for, and could not shake. I have definitely had better tartare before; I wish I could see how Chef David's tuna stacked up to this.
For entrees, I got a half order of the special pasta (again, we "suck at eating") and Matt ordered Chef David's take on chilies: pan-seared sea scallops with a chili relleno and salsa fresca. The special pasta was an oxtail ravioli. The raviolis were good, although dolloped with some sort of tomato-stuff that looked, tasted, and behaved exactly like tomato paste. Matt's scallops were slightly over cooked but still tasty; the rest of the dish somewhat unremarkable.
I suppose this is just one little experience at a restaurant that has been in business since 2004, so they must definitely do something right to keep paying the rent on this South End eatery. Perhaps it's the friendly service and cocktails... I can't really imagine it's the food.
1 comments
Thorough review; good to know, thanks for sharing. We need to explore more of the South End.
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