Fattening Up at the Fat Cat
On Saturday I took my Mom out for an early birthday lunch. She wanted to try a relatively new spot in Quincy called the Fat Cat. Evidently she had read glowing reviews and was tempted by their signature dish, lobster mac 'n' cheese.
The Fat Cat is excellent. It's a small, casual spot a bit outside the main Quincy Center area. It's reminiscent, in my Mom's accurate words, of a "place in Cambridge...like somewhere in Inman Square." Sort of hard to describe if you aren't familiar with it, but it has a laid-back, friendly vibe, a nice decor, and quality food. A bar with several flat-screen TVs was separated from a small dining area by an opaque glass partition. The menu was pretty extensive for a smaller place, with gourmet takes on some classics - fries, calamari, and fried pickles; burgers, pulled pork and fried turkey sandwiches; pasta and fish 'n' chips. It's the kind of place where Buffalo wings and lobster and crab lavash go hand-in-hand.
We had the fried calamari for an appetizer. Delicious - lightly fried in a well-seasoned batter, replete with big slices of several types of hot peppers and black olives (the latter a nice addition to the standard calamari and hot peppers app).
I opted for the fish 'n' chips (inspired by a recent viewing of Bobby Flay's Showdown featuring this dish). Three big, beautiful pieces of fish in a golden batter (a tad on the thick side but very tasty) resting on a gigantic bed of awesome hand-cut fries. Golden-brown with the skin still on them. Really fantastic fries. (The Cat also has several different seasonings and dipping sauces to go with the fries - next time I go I will have to try these out.)
Mom's lobster mac 'n' cheese was heavenly. Big chunks of lobster and cavatappi pasta swimming in a rich, creamy four-cheese sauce, topped with tomato slices and browned panko breadcrumbs.
Although we didn't partake, I noticed a good beer menu, reasonable wine selection and featured $8 cocktails (practically free drinks compared to Hub prices).
I liked the Fat Cat quite a bit. Time to heat up my leftover fries...
24 Chestnut St
Quincy, MA 02169
10 comments:
okay, I've now read about the Fat Cat in some local newspaper (?The Metro? ?Improper Bostonian? Something like that), heard about them on the Phantom Gourmet, and read about them here. I'm not so sure I'll be in Quincy anything soon, but all these sources say I should go.
My friend and I were JUST talking about going here after seeing pics of the lobster mac 'n' cheese on Boston.com. Now I really think we're going to have to go...sounds amazing :)
did i tell you that i went? and had the lobster mac and cheese--delish. there was so much lobster in it! caitlin and i also tried the tuna steak, which was awesome.
@keraven & susie: Go! It's Yum City.
@rooroo: No, you didn't. I was going to say next time A-side rolled thru Q-town that we should go.
There is one thing lobster should never, ever, be paired with; cheese. Another thing lobster should almost never be paired with is tomatoes. When tomatoes are paired with lobster the tomato component should be very small, for color or light acidity and the lobster should not be the centerpiece, such as in bouillabaise. Lobster mac and cheese is an abortion of culinary rules.
@anonymous: Well this "abortion" of culinary rules tastes amazing.
Perhaps you should consider bending the rules a bit.
I'd agree that it goes against traditional culinary thinking. However, I don't see how it's much different than a seafood Newburg dish, which is widely acceptable.
@thug: You'd agree? Have you been taking night classes at the CIA?
@mrhe: Isn't it common knowledge that cheese and seafood don't go together? I'm agreeing with the statement as it applies to general cooking rules. Personally, I couldn't care less about these rules, and can't wait to try Lobster Mac and Cheese.
And as for the CIA, they ain't got nothing on me. I should have my own cookbook.
Well I'm of the opinion that cheese goes with everything. The more the better!
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