Sonsie

327 Newbury St.



Boston



(617) 351- 2500



After some energy-zapping shopping on swanky Newbury Street, a good meal is a must. Sonsie, which is right in the middle of all the stores, is a chic caf serving international cuisine in a semi-European atmosphere.

In nice weather the French doors in front are open to let air, light and noise into the front caf room. The back room is a bit fancier, with white tablecloths and candles. There is also a beautiful mahogany bar serving martinis and other cocktails.

Reservations are recommended, but my companion and I simply walked in right at dinnertime and were seated right away. Our waiter was attentive and helpful and the ambience was romantic, even though we sat in the crowded front room. Bill Poirier is the chef at the six-year-old establishment, and the food was very satisfying.

The dinner menu is large, and there is plenty of fish, chicken and meat from which to choose, as well as many pastas and pizzas from the brick oven. There is also a wide array of appetizers and sides to choose from. Prices for entrees range from $9.00 for a plain pizza to $29.50 for a 16 oz. Sirloin steak, with much variation in-between.

I had the Pasta Handkerchiefs With Eggplant, Cheese Involtini, and Basil Pesto. The dish consisted of a pile of very thin, very large, square noodles with thinly sliced eggplant covered in the pesto and cheese. Cooked cherry tomatoes that were soft and juicy surrounded the noodles. The pasta was supple and the eggplant was flavorful without being too overpowering.

My companion had a pizza from the brick oven. He ordered the Chicken and Jack Cheese Pizza With Guacamole and Salsa, but requested to have the dish without chicken. The waiter was very accommodating and added diced tomatoes instead of the chicken.

The pizza is the perfect size for one, with just enough leftover for me to have a taste. The dough was fluffy, although slightly yeasty tasting. The pizza was without sauce, and there was a separate plate of guacamole, salsa and sour cream for dipping the pizza. Dipping the pizza was fun, innovative and delicious.

We also had a side order of Deep Fried Smoked Onion Rings, which were tasty, but a bit too salty.

Sonsie has separate brunch and lunch menus as well, which feature eggs, salads, sandwiches and slightly lower prices. With an excellent assortment of dishes at decent prices, Sonsie is a pleasant place to dine on Newbury Street with your friend or your significant other.

Sonsie is open for brunch Saturday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; dinner Sunday through Tuesday 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 6:00 p.m. - midnight.

For more information, visit the restaurant's website at www.sonsieboston.com.