Restaurant Review

Casa Romero
30 Gloucester St.
Boston, MA 02115
Tel. 617 536 4341
http://www.casaromero.com

It happens every year. The street sweepers start to clear six months of filth from the gutters, Patriot stocking caps give way to B laden ball caps, the sun beats down on the city and I want to eat and drink my fill in the sun.

While Boston may lack the sheer multitude of outdoor eateries that Paris and the rest of Europe may boast, the roof decks, outdoor bars and occasional courtyard that we do have are that much more valuable.

This year I chose to consume my first outdoor meal at a particularly nice spot, the inner courtyard at Casa Romero. For more than thirty years Casa Romero has remained a Back Bay institution, despite the shifting sands of fashion that have claimed so many restaurants on nearby Newbury Street. Romero offers the pleasures of outdoor dining at an internal courtyard that feels private and is remarkably quiet for its downtown location, set off of Gloucester Street.

I strolled in on a Sunday just past noon, a few hours before the Sox were to take on the Devil Rays a few blocks away. It was nearly 70 degrees out, but the shady inner courtyard was temperate and tranquil.

If you enjoyed your date from the night before so much that you are seeking brunch, or if you are out for a romantic date, this setting is perfect. The place is extremely classy and stylish. The brick patio is surrounded by high walls, so you feel cut off from the world. Inside the walls are adorned with traditional Mexican decoration ceramic decorations. The tables outside are small, and really close together, so they are great for a cozy conversation but won’t work for a large party. For that go inside, where the tables can comfortably accommodate larger groups. Reservations are available.

Brunch at Casa Romero is a price fixe affair. You get to choose from a limited selection of dishes for three courses. We started with a fresh fruit salad. The generous helping came with sorbet that melted into a creamy soup, which coated all of the melons, grapes and berries with rich cool goodness. The fruit had flavor that exploded in my mouth as I sat back and felt the warmth of the spring day on your skin. This was just what I wanted my spring Sunday to be like. We also tried the tamale, a corn husk filled with corn masa and various seasoning. The food had a subtle spice that added flavor but wasn’t overpowering. Everything had the feeling of authentic Mexican cooking.

For our main courses we tried Huevos Cazuela. These eggs come scrambled and served in a bowl with spicy peppers, onions, and cheese. The eggs come with refried beans and a tortilla cut up with tomato sauce. If you don’t mind some kick in your breakfast this isn’t a bad way to start the day. Lunch dishes are also available, and I tried the chicken with mole poblano. Mole poblano is a dark, rich sauce that is flavored with a number of nuts, spices and chocolate. At Casa Romero it is a thin almost soupy consistency. It comes with refried beans and crispy rice.

For desert we had French Vanilla ice cream with scoops of whipped cream drizzled under a mango sauce.

The meal was delicious, but thoroughly Mexican. If you are looking for a simple familiar breakfast this isn’t the place to go. The food is thoroughly authentic and makes no compromises for flavor or quality.

While the food was excellent, the service was slow and inattentive. It took a long time to get our food, no one asked how it was, or offered to refill our drinks when they ran dry and, possibly due to custom and possibly to inattention, no one offered us a check until we asked. For the lazy Sunday we had in mind that was fine, but for the people who were next to us, it was a problem. If your time is budgeted, you will need to allot plenty for this place, and if your funds are budgeted, this definitely isn’t the cheapest breakfast in town. The $15 three course brunch is satisfying, if a little expensive. It doesn’t include the margaritas, cervezas, or even O.J. that outdoor dining will demand.

But if you want to brunch like a star, have got the time and the money for a lazy Mexican meal outdoors in a secluded setting in downtown Boston, this is an excellent choice.