The Second Glass

The OtherSide Café is known in hipster circles across the country as the place to eat and drink while in Boston. It’s easy to spend hours sipping on pints while utilizing the free Wi-Fi and rocking out to the just-loud-enough-to-still-hold-a-conversation music. The quality beer selection along with a food menu packed with everything from the Southern style ‘Bama Breakfast (eggs, grits, fried greens, sausage and a biscuit) to fresh vegetarian options has kept me a regular patron since I moved to Boston. Although they are best known for their beer, The OtherSide Café has recently installed one of the only all sustainably farmed wine lists in Boston.

The OtherSide Café has always had wine, but the new list contains only sustainably-grown, organically produced or biodynamic wines, available by the glass or the bottle. Earthy, terrior based wines from Italy, France, South America and California grace the affordable menu (from $7 per glass and $28 per bottle).

The wine is served in tall, narrow glasses, which resembles something that comes with a pitcher of beer. On one hand, the glasses aren’t conducive to getting the full aroma of the wine. On the other hand, you’re surrounded by tattoo-clad patrons while the Pixies scream over the sound system. The glassware was chosen as a nod to the small Italian villages, where wine is served in glasses, not stemware. Plus, this isn’t the Four Seasons; it’s a place to hang out with friends and enjoy good food and drink.

The wine list is the brainchild of Henry Patterson, the proprietor and general manager, since 2005. “We’re not going to put anything on the list that isn’t sustainably farmed,” Patterson says. Having pioneered one of the first extensive wine-by-the-glass lists in Boston, he has now taken a heavy interest in biodynamic and sustainable farming. “Things like organics aren’t just a trend, they’re essential,” Patterson states. He gained his wine knowledge from running restaurants and working many harvests in Italy’s Piedmont region (home of the famous Barolos and Barbarescos) and France’s Burgundy and Beaujolais regions.

Food classics such as the bread, fruit and cheese platter – the best $10 spent in Boston – the vegan chili and the extensive sandwich selection have been appeasing carnivores and vegans alike for years. Welcome additions to the menu include a full brunch, served 10am to 3pm on weekends. Be sure to order a Mimosa or Bloody Mary with one of their creative breakfast items. A pastry counter filled with mouth watering, sugar loaded desserts has been added as well. However, the most recent and exciting addition to the Other Side’s menu is the completely vegan, raw food bar.

The reputation of The OtherSide Café having snooty servers who are only nice to their friends is quickly fading. In my regular excursions here, I have always been treated with respect. One thing to note, however, is the service can be very slow on weeknights and they do tend to run out of select menu items. But in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue. As long as you come to The OtherSide Café with the same laid-back attitude as the regular patrons and the staff you will always make new friends on the patio and this will become your favorite hangout in Boston.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS

Although most of the traditional food at the OtherSide is best paired with beer, some of the new additions fit well with the wine list.
The veggie pies, similar to quiche, are completely vegetarian are served with a salad. Compliment one of these dishes with some of the crisp white wines, such as the Cesconi Chardonnay ($9 glass/ $35 bottle) or the Cantina Gries Pinot Grigio ($8 glass/ $32 bottle).

The bread fruit and cheese platter, served with a yogurt and honey dipping sauce screams for wine. Assorted fruit accompany soft and hard cheeses surrounded by a sliced baguette. Pair with the Mattei Barbera ($7 glass/ $28 bottle) or the Des 2 Anes Carignane Blend ($8 glass/ $32 bottle).

For a delicious vegan, raw food bonanza start with the veggie “chips and dip” which consists of dried beet and carrot chips with a hummus-like, cashew dip. Follow this with the “pasta” with pesto, which is thinly sliced zucchini tossed with vegan pesto sauce surrounded by fresh tomatoes. If you’re a baller and just got paid, clean them out of all the Wild Hog Zinfandel ($12 glass/ $42 bottle) they have!

Finish your dining experience by splitting one of the many delicious desserts from the pastry counter accompanied by a half bottle of the lightly sparkling and sweet Piero Gatti Moscato ($19 half bottle).

The OtherSide Cafe
407 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-8437