Beehive Review

Bzzzzz... Praises for this restaurant/jazz club/bar are abundant in many publications and obvious if you walk by on a weekend night and notice 50 people standing in line just to get in. Reservations recommended.
Maybe I wasn't so impressed by this establishment because most of the customers there were not like me. Believe me, I like sophistication, jazz and a funky atmosphere as much as I detest midterms. But, the Beehive did not live up to its hype. We (my faithfully adventurous roommate and I) made reservations a week in advance and were anticipating an excellent jazz show at 10pm. We had even heard the place did burlesque on weekends - such scandal for a suddenly independent girl from conservative Kansas.
When we arrived, we eagerly skipped in front of the long line and passed the imposing large, black doorman to be rushed downstairs to where the jazz singer would soon begin. The walls were a rough brick - reminiscent of an old warehouse - and made a V where the stage was set. The plush velvety curtains around the stage made the performance area seem sumptuous and Moulin Rouge-esque. However, we did not reap the benefits of such primo seating. We were placed around the corner of the stage, near an "Exit" door, and squashed by the wall with all of the coat hooks. Guests were constantly reaching around us, opening the door to let in freezing air, and standing in front of our table to see the singer. So maybe we should have made reservations two weeks in advance?
Food and service were not awful, but haphazard and slow. The tuna tartar I ordered seemed fresh (although pairing it with pickles was strange tasting), and the cheese fondue my roommate, Allegra, ate came with various fruits and breads. The very best part of the meal was the Frites (baked potato fries) with cheese and gravy. Juicy, salty, and filling - perfect to stuff our stomachs before the entertainment.
I would not generally recommend this club/restaurant to college students - it was expensive and uninspiring. The jazz we couldn't hear well because of our awful location and we were too distracted by the shiver-inducing rushes of air that kept swooping toward our table. The crowd was casual, and well into its 30's. As sophomores in college then, we felt out of place. My boyfriend joined us later and tried two of their mixed drinks - one with way too much sour mix and the other with flat tonic water.
Overall, the mood of the place was chaotic and pushing to be trendy. For example, even though the room was very full of people, the darkness and the bare walls made it still seem empty. We couldn't even relax after our meal because a group of older women nearby kept asking (and lusting) after our meager table. Our waiter, too, rushed us to pay the bill so he could leave early.
I would love to hear from others what they've thought about the Beehive and if they've had a similar, better or much different experience.

-Meg K.

SALES

I know the weather may be getting you down right now, and it's an awkward time with midterms and spring break so close.... So get out of your funk and go hit the 50-60% off sales on Newbury Street. I just stopped by LF boutique and French Connection and there was still lots of really great jeans, dresses, sweaters, t-shirts, boots, hats, purses, and scarves waiting to be snatched up! I justify the buys by telling myself that I'm really saving money by not spending it on full price items during my spring break trip. Have at it!

Addis Red Sea: An Ethiopian Adventure

I was excited to discover such an interesting and unique restaurant for my first visit to the South End. Walking down the cobbled roads of Clarendon Street toward Tremont, I fully enjoyed the brisk evening and lack of crowds that usually swarm Copley and Downtown on Saturday night. My two roommates and I had read about Addis Red Sea in a Boston calendar and were enthusiastic to try it out! I think we expected the place to be a hole-in-the-wall with few customers, but once we went down the stairs to the underground building, we put in our names with the kind host, and waited about 90 minutes. That said, I would recommend reservations for the weekend or just going out for a late dinner (they serve until 11pm). The hallway was claustrophobic with so many servers rushing to and from tables with plates and plates of food. However, to distract from the busy-ness, one could appreciate the walls lined with intriguing paintings of Ethiopian warriors, weddings, and landscapes. Or, you could glare at the customers lingering over their meals, hoping they'll take a hint and leave.
Once we sat, we were fully aware of the cozy dim lighting, the basket tables, the absence of silverware, and the aroma of fresh lentils, bread, and honey wine. Every server and employee of Addis is Ethiopian and the restaurant appeals to many of the country's locals. Our server was kind and informative, letting us know the restaurant had been open for twenty years and was still (obviously) very successful. She brought us warm, damp cloths to wipe our hands and face and recommended specific plates on the menu. For appetizers, we ordered a Vegetarian Sambusa (similar to the Indian samosa) which was two fried pastries with carrots, potatoes, and green beans, and Ayib Begomen (cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen - spicy). Both were delicious and small enough to whet our appetites. The most fascinating part of the meal was eating everything with the special Ethiopian bread - a flat, moist, almost dough textured circle made of barley, wheat and water (yum!). No silverware must mean easy clean-up!
For the entree, we all shared the Vegetarian Combo Platter (very cheap for the amount of food). This included three different dishes from the vegetarian section of the menu: Tikle Gomen (a cabbage dish with garlic and ginger - tastes like potatoes), Butecha (chickpea paste blended with lemon and spices - does not taste like your average hummus), and Yesmsir Alcha (lentils with tumeric and spices - my favorite of the three). Don't worry about pronouncing or misinterpreting what you want - the staff is understanding and speak English perfectly.
The three of us enjoyed sampling each dish because the flavors of the fresh vegetables and new spices were all so different compared to the bland and eternally buttered dishes of BC.
Despite our fullness, we had to try dessert - and we were neither disappointed nor astounded. The baklava was not extraordinary compared to others. The honey, pastry, and nuts were all well balanced and not too sticky. Our second dish, the chocolate mousse cake was rich and smooth. More mousse than cake with a thin raspberry sauce underneath.
Overall, a fun, new find which may seem superficially rustic to some, but which helped introduce me and my roommates to a completely different culture of Africa. Call for reservations or takeout and visit their website! www.addisredsea.com

Location: 544 Tremont Street (Off of Back Bay Station)
Entrees - $8.00 - $16.00
Dress - Casual

Write comments to let me know if their non-vegetarian dishes are delicious or suspicious!

- Meg