Broad Street Bistro Review (Formerly Caliterra)

BROAD STREET BISTRO @ the Hilton

My Opinions: CH-CH-CH-Changes. Oh to list the changes they have made would be to highlight the things that have made me fall out of love with this place.

To be fair, it's not all bad, but here's what I will miss most:

1. Wine Glasses: They have substituted their tall, delicately clinking, swirling-friendly stemware with tiny chintzy glasses (one size fits all) that have an obvious marker to guage the size of the pour.
2. Wine list: I guess to compliment the cheaper glasses, they had to get cheaper wines ... no more Louis Martini Cabernet for me.
3. Menu: How I will miss the delicious herloom tomato salad and spinach tortellini the most. 
4. Bottled Water: I always looked forward to being refreshed by a large bottle of Pelligrino - now I dread a glass of water carbonated by a machine that pumps in bubbles bigger than marbles.
5. Salt & Pepper: I liked the grinders, and sea salt is all the rage now because its healthier and tastes better, but those are gone and you're stuck with small plain shakers.
6. Napkins: Watch out for the lint ... the white cloth got all over my black pants ... and stuck on my lips (gross).
7. Breakfast: Say goodbye to the nice buffet spread they hosted every morning.
8. Portion Size: It went from satisfactorally-filling to guess-I'm-being-forced-to-diet.

Some Food/Drink Tasted:  Breakfast Buffet - Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Mediterranean Pizza - Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Penne with Shrimp - Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream - Tiramisu - Strawberry Shortcake

Patronage Inclination:  Fleeting

Most Recent Visit:  5/03/2011
Amount Visited: 75+
Experiences:  Breakfast, Dinner, Bar

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com/  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  February 2011  -  January 2011  -  December 2010  -  August 2010  -  June 2010  -  March 2010  -  February 2010  -  September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: I finally made it to the breakfast buffet and ... it was delicious!

They didn't have as many food items as they use to, but they did offer the necessities such as pastries, fresh fruit, bacon and eggs, and copious amounts of coffee. The service was great and you didn't feel rushed at all.

The best thing about this breakfast spot is that they offer it every day. I will definitely come back for more.

     Try:  Spinach Tortellini - Heirloom Tomato Salad
     Skip:  Filet Mignon Sandwich 

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Breakfast Buffet - Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Mediterranean Pizza - Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Penne with Shrimp - Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream - Tiramisu - Strawberry Shortcake

Patronage Inclination:  Fleeting

Most Recent Visit:  2/05/2011
Amount Visited: 75+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com/  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  January 2011  -  December 2010  -  August 2010  -  June 2010  -  March 2010  -  February 2010  -  September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: Red Alert: Caliterra is changing over to a bistro and it is not looking good for our relationship. I think I'm going to have to find a new local spot :(

They have already gotten rid of offering San Pellegrino water bottles, my favorite cabernet by Louis Martini, and my huge swirling-friendly wine glasses. I wanted them to revamp the menu, but this is ridiculous - change is not always good.

They have not announced what the bistro name is going to be, or what the new menu has to offer, but I have a feeling Umbria and Vintage Lounge reviews are going to be popping up on this blog soon.

     Try:  Spinach Tortellini - Heirloom Tomato Salad
     Skip:  Filet Mignon Sandwich 

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Mediterranean Pizza - Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Penne with Shrimp - Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream - Tiramisu - Strawberry Shortcake

Most Recent Visit:  1/26/2011
Amount Visited: 75+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination:  Fleeting

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com/  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  December 2010  -  August 2010  -  June 2010  -  March 2010  -  February 2010  -  September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: It's official, I truly feel like I'm the "Norm" of Caliterra - guess I will just have to embrace it! 

With the cold weather here, this hotel restaurant and bar is getting busier. They've had some change in management, and I hope it doesn't cause a big staff-turnover or cause stocking issues. I did notice they were out of a few items, so let's see if this works itself out.

The food here is still good, but my 2011 wish is for a menu revamp that changes at least 60% of the appetizers, entrees and deserts!

     Try:  Spinach Tortellini - Heirloom Tomato Salad
     Skip:  Filet Mignon Sandwich

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Mediterranean Pizza - Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Penne with Shrimp - Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream - Tiramisu - Strawberry Shortcake

Most Recent Visit:  12/18/2010
Amount Visited: 75+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination:  Fleeting

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com/  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  August 2010  -  June 2010  -  March 2010  -  February 2010  -  September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Reivew

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: This place is my "Cheers Bar" - it's comfortable since I know the bartenders, have gotten to know some of the regular patrons, and think the food & drink is decent.

I especially appreciate their large red wine glasses that bring swirling to a whole new level. Caliterra's heirloom tomato salad is a must for me because they get the tomatoes fresh from a local organic farm ... an unexpected healthy treat! My desert of choice is the cookies and ice cream. The cookies are baked in-house and they have strawberry ice cream (a nostalgic flavor for me).

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream

Most Recent Visit: 8/24/2010
Amount Visited: 50+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  June 2010  -  March 2010  -  February 2010  -  September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: This visit was great, per usual, but a bit emotional because we celebrated one of Caliterra's irreplaceable bartenders, Elena's, last day. She is off to pursue her aspirations, so I am happy for her, and I look forward to visiting her at the House of Blues. As far as I know, Dragan will still be here to serve ice cold San Pellegrino with a smile and offer up great conversation - so all is not lost and I will continue to come here! - I still haven't gotten a chance to enjoy the buffet breakfast that they serve every morning ... maybe Elena and I will come in together to try it.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream

Most Recent Visit: 6/04/2010
Amount Visited: 40+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  March 2010 - February 2010 - September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: I had another great evening here and was thrilled to discover that they've started offering some bar bites (great cheese fries), and I finally tried the Cookies & Ice Cream desert (loved it) - It's a great place to come to as a single diner/drinker - The staff is great, especially Dragon & Elena the bartenders! - I haven't gotten a chance to enjoy the buffet breakfast that they serve every morning (yet)

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Sliders - Cheese Fries - Spinach Tortellini Pasta - Chicken lettuce Wraps – Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini - Cookies & Ice Cream

Most Recent Visit: 3/29/2010
Amount Visited: 30+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts:  February 2010 - September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant & Bar Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: I really enjoy coming here as a single diner/drinker - The staff is great, especially Dragon the bartender! - I just found out they offer a buffet breakfast every morning (yum!). It's something on my "to-try" list for 2010 - The food is surprisingly good, fresh and well prepared. I always start with the Heirloom Tomato Salad – Service is excellent at the bar – The décor is comfortable and basic – Bar scene is hit-or-miss because of the Hilton Hotel, it’s not a typical pick-up spot, but can offer some interesting patron.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Chicken lettuce Wraps – Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini

Most Recent Visit: 2/21/2010
Amount Visited: 30+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston 

Older Caliterra Posts: September 2009

Caliterra Restaurant Review

Caliterra Bar & Grille at the Hilton

My Opinions: The food is surprisingly good, fresh and well prepared – Service is excellent at the bar – The décor is comfortable and basic – Bar scene is hit-or-miss because of the Hilton Hotel, it’s not a typical pick-up spot, but can offer some interesting patrons

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Chicken lettuce Wraps – Wild Mushroom Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza – Heirloom Tomato Salad – Filet Mignon Sandwich – Chicken Panini – Turkey Panini

Most Recent Visit: 9/07/2009
Amount Visited: 25+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 89 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02110
Website: http://www.caliterrarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 348-1234
Social Networking: Twitter @CaliterraBoston