Stoli-Russian restaurant in Brookline Village (not the vodka)

Before my bro left back to the left coast, we took him to STOLI a Russian dining establishment as our first choice was closed. The sleek styling and of red was cool and looked uber hip (if it was nighttime). I was reminded a bit of the now extinct but fave bar club Pravda 116 now the current Gypsy Bar in the heart of Boston by Boston Commons. We entered there was no one inside and we had to as "is anyone there?" a few times. Luckily this was no future indication of what was to come...

But after we got our waiter, service was fine. We got the lunch specials and we had the borscht (beet soup), mushroom soup and karcho (lamp spicy soup) then a mixed salad (mesclun greens with salt pepper oil and vinegar). For our main entrees my bro got the Georgian dumplings served with sour cream, I got the stuffed cabbage and peppers served with a tomato sauce and my sis got the beef stroganoff with mash potato. My bro loved the karcho, beef stroganoff the best! My sis the mushroom soup and beef stroganoff. I think the warm chocolate mousse cake crepe and apple strudel both served with ice cream were my faves.

For the soups, the karcho had the best overall flavor with the spiciness and great lamb bits, the mushroom soup was light and flavorful, the borscht was simple but delicious. The Georgian dumplings were not that extraordinary as Asians we have consumed a variety of dumplings in our lives so this was not that special. The stuffed cabbage did not wow me nor the tomato sauce which was nice but lacked in the flavors and spices I am used. The beef stroganoff was the most flavorful but rich in texture and flavor due to the cream but after a few bites I was grateful to eat my entree. The warm chocolate mousse cake crepe was a sight to behold and the scoop of ice cream was a great touch. Yum! The apple strudel was simple and delightful.

This place is a bit pricey for lunch. But I guess if you consider you get choice of two soups and salad (no Karcho) it costs about $12-15.

Pomodoro in Brookline Village

BrSunday night, I met up with ALEE. It has been a while but she is a sweetie pie. I always love seeing her. She also went to a 7 sisters college as well. I just learned she went to her alma mater due to her parents. Cool chick and always great company.

This establishment also has another location in the North End and both do not take anything other than cold hard cash. My friend ALEE is on first name basis with the owner. Knowing the owner has its perks---glass of champagne (ok to lure us from our table to seat a party who had rsvped) or free appetizer of fried calamari. Yummy!

The bread was delicious and accompanied with the quality olives and olive oil, heaven! The nice chewiness and texture had a rustic feel to it. The calamari was just right lightly breaded and not overly greasy. The dipping tomato sauce was nice and thick with tomato chunks and not runny spaghetti sauce like sauce at other restuarants.

My seafood fra diavolo ($22) was a perfect blend of wi spicyiness and seafood chunks studding the dish with squid, clams, mussels, shrimp making it a heavenly dish. ALEE got the risotto with crab (got a pair of claws) ($22) and it was not overly done and great creaminess and the flavors were great. We did get dessert a trio of creme brulees ($8) in three tiny expresso mugs. Later we realized each one had a different fruit on the bottom (except for the middle one which was plain). The creamy texture and the nice hardened sugar crust was just right. Though in three small cups, it was a lot to have to consume.

Our drinks were good, I got a pomegrante martini ($8) which I thought was lovely. Not overly fruity but had enough bite of alcohol.

The restaurant space is definitely bigger than the North End location and much more inviting. I loved the exposed brick wall all around furnishings.