Do you want to try a Genghis Khan? No, not that one: Tufts doesn't advocate eating leaders, no matter how ineffective or violent they may be. I am, of course, referring to Mongolian hot pot, as it is formally known, and the new restaurant in Chinatown that can introduce you to this culinary delight.
Q, a fancy restaurant located on the fringes of Chinatown, is something out of the ordinary. Sharing building space with the uptown Archstone apartment building, Q is a hot spot for the well?dressed and the well?informed of Boston's social scene.
The restaurant is easily accessible by the T, simply a short walk from the Chinatown station on the orange line. Peak time is between 7 and 9 p.m., and you will easily wait at least 45 minutes for a table on Saturday or Sunday, considering they don't take reservations on weekends.
Fusion describes it best. Boasting a sufficiently diverse menu, Q has everything from Japanese fare like sushi to the regular Chinese entrees and hot pot. The ambience is by far the classiest I have seen among Asian restaurants and one of the nicer ones in Chinatown altogether. The entrance is flanked with hypnotic blue bubbles on either side that instantly give you the impression that you are entering a swanky place. The staff is helpful and polite, presumably to everyone and not just restaurant critics.
Q's unique selling point is hot pot, which is a fun concept in itself. It involves ordering a kind of broth, which boils to perfection on your table while you choose what meat and/or vegetables you want in it. Going with a few friends is always a good idea for this big meal.
There are a variety of broths to choose from: tom yum, kimchi, herbal and mushroom, among others. We ordered a Mongolian Veggie broth with a number of sides - rice cake, fried tofu, watercress and mushrooms. The broth turned out to be an excellent choice, as it was full of flavor, yet not too spicy, and the rice cake complemented it well.
To make sure we got a full sampling of the menu, we also ordered General Gao's chicken and chicken dumplings, which were great. The chicken was sweet, sour and perfectly cooked. The chicken dumplings were tender, doughy and full of flavor.
To drink, we went with the lychee smoothie, which provided a nice, fruity contrast to the main dish. For those more alcohol?inclined, a quick glance at the bar (across from where we were sitting) was enough to show a plentiful variety of cocktails. A highlight was "The Gunner," a pear?flavored drink topped with champagne.
To top off the experience, Q offers the authentic Asian flavors for its ice cream, like green tea and red bean. We went as a group of four and ended up paying a little over $20 for drinks, food and dessert - quite reasonable for a full meal at a classy establishment.
Hot pot is not only fun but encourages community eating, an idea echoed in many cultures across the world. It can be tricky to get right, and Shabu Zen - a rival in the vicinity - offers even better hot pot, but the setting is not as chic as Q.
Despite failing to fully live up to its main attraction, Q definitely gets a thumbs up for a great way to spend a Friday night. Good ambience, good conversation and good music make for a solid restaurant choice for a younger, hip crowd.
