PAGU: HOW GOOD CAN JAPANESE TAPAS IN BOSTON BE?
The Cost -$62
The Atmosphere – Pagu allows for dining in a contemporary setting with an open kitchen that allows you to glimpse behind the curtain of this Cambridge restaurant.
Boston is a city known for its history and universities but not really for its food. On a recent trip, I went out to find some of Boston’s best eateries to help change minds about its food scene. On Eater Boston’s list of the top restaurants in the city, I found Pagu where chef/owner Tracy Chang serves up Japanese tapas.
The Order - Pica Pika to drink. Cheesy Wafflato, Cedar Campfire Black Cod and a Matcha Cookie to eat.
The Great - What looks like a waffle, kinda tastes like a waffle, but isn’t actually a waffle? Pagu’s Cheesy Wafflato. Made by pouring mozzarella cheese with caramelized shallots into a waffle maker and then pouring hot honey on top afterwards, this dish was creative, fun and quite good; despite being made of cheese and onions, the dish has a consistency that does resemble that of a flour-based waffle. The other great item was the Pica Pika. A tequila and mezcal based cocktail, the Pica Pika also has peach jam, Thai chili syrup and lime mixed in. The result was a delicious, slightly smoky, slightly sweet and slightly spicy drink that was the perfect way to begin the dining experience.
The Good - The Cedar Campfire Black Cod, a Pagu signature dish, was tasty. The cod was fresh, well cooked and nicely presented in a banana leaf. I didn’t love the taste that the flame torching gave the fish though and thought the dish was missing a bit of a sweetness. After having having a cocktail, an appetizer and an entrée I did not need dessert but I could not resist ordering the Matcha Cookie. The cookie itself didn’t blow me away but the gooey dark chocolate inside was a treat. At $3 per cookie, it was a nice small, sweet bite to end the meal with.
The Verdict - Chef Chang put together a nice menu and a great cocktail list at Pagu. While I wouldn’t call the restaurant an amazing value for the price, it’s definitely worth a visit if you order right.