Parsnip

   I recently tried Parnsip in Harvard Square for a light dinner with a friend. The space is huge and includes a more formal dining room and bar, as well as a lounge upstairs which feels more cozy and casual. The craft cocktail menus are the same in both spaces, but the lounge offers lower priced small plates and apps. We started in the lounge, but moved to the bar in the main dining room so we could try the full dinner menu. While looking over the menu we enjoyed some delicious and creative cocktails; I loved the Sazerac made with whiskey and absinthe.

Sazerac: old overholt rye whiskey, raw sugar, peychaud's bitters, absinthe

   We shared the cauliflower cumin brûlée, which was exactly what it sounded like: a creme brûlée with puréed cauliflower! The texture was perfect- a slightly sweet torched layer on top of an incredibly creamy cauliflower custard. This came with a few pieces of seared cauliflower on the side, as well as some apple and golden raisins. This dish was the main reason we'd wanted to try parsnip, and it definitely lived up to our expectations!

Roast Cauliflower and cumin brulee with apple and golden raisins

   For our main course, we shared the lemon gnocchi which was equally amazing! This was a generous portion of potato gnocchi in a lemon butter sauce with seared Brussels sprouts and hazelnuts. Although I'd shown restraint with the bread before our meal, I couldn't stop myself from using it to scoop up all of the sauce left on the plate!

Lemon gnocchi with brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, and sage

   We finished with another round of cocktails, although the desserts were tempting. I definitely want to come back and try them sometime!

Big City Mule: indigenous fresh pressed apple vodka, fresh lime, ginger beer

   The service at Parnsip was top notch, in addition to the food and atmosphere. It's perfect for a casual night with friends, a romantic date, or a business dinner!