Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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Restaurant & Lounge. Out front at Gem Storyville supplies beats that keep the party going all night. Light-filled carafes keep the night illuminated at The Hawthorne. Even the quietest nights at these current spots trump Fridays at the head-pounding dance clubs of a decade ago. street, Everything from the carpet pattern to the carved wood partitions were custom-made based on the owners' travel snapshots, napkin sketches, and on traditional Chinese motifs. One pier down the waterfront from Empire, at Liberty Wharf, Roger Berkowitz created the crown jewel of his über-successful Legal Sea Foods brand. Planning the rooftop bar at Legal Harborside, president and CEO Berkowitz knew that the water views were paramount, but that inclement weather was a reality—hence the glass walls and retractable glass roof. "We spent a lot of time brainstorming what would be conducive to this space," he explains. And that thoughtfulness has paid off: Crowds have descended and it's tough to get a seat at the bar after 6 PM on weekdays (or after 4:30 PM on weekends!). Across town, Emerald's $3-million build-out included a $500,000 sound system and a $150,000 glistening metal "tornado" sculpture that dominates the decor (a play on the lounge's The Wizard of Oz theme). The restaurant's private bar room is outfitted in ruby tiles, with tall, blood-red shirred upholstered banquettes and spirited swiveling bar stools. The other component restaurateurs realized was essential to creating the next line-down-the-street night spot is food. In the last decade, our palates have become more sophisticated; we're looking for more than just nuts and olives when we're out. Dining—and good, often adventurous food—has become a real component of what we do for entertainment. For Storyville, consulting chef Louis di Biccari came on board to create a menu of nibbles like fried oysters with tangy kimchi sauce, and mini burgers. Julep Bar tapped the kitchen of Blue Inc., its sibling across the to bring patrons exclusive seasonal menu offerings. "People expect you have to have a light menu," Perkins says. "Times have changed." And the best night spots have taken that gourmet attitude behind the bar too, crafting interesting and unique cocktails using fresh herbs (often grown in the chefs' own gardens) and house-made simple syrups, infusions, and bitters. Thanks to all that consideration, even the quietest nights at these current spots trump Fridays at the head-pounding dance clubs of a decade ago. And in blessed contrast to the old Alley bars crawling with tipsy twenty-somethings, today's best venues have a more-refined but no less vibrant scene. Think less Amy Winehouse, more Adele. Want the full experience at each carefully conceived space? Here's a cheat sheet on where to go and when. TUESDAY The Hawthorne T his early in the week, you really should be at home. But since you can't resist, why not go somewhere that feels like a glamorous penthouse? Reborn as The Hawthorne, the former Foundation Lounge was made-over by designers Alison and Stephen Sheffield, who filled the space with high-end furnishings (Philippe Starck's Masters chairs in bold orange, ArneJacobsen's Series 7 chair) typically reserved for the home. Original ar work and curio-filled shelves enhance the effect, as do the painstakingly handcrafted cocktails. (No surprise, given that bar director and co-owner Jackson Cannon, co-owner Garrett Harker, and executive chef Jeremy Sewall are also connected to cocktail destination Eastern Standard a few BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 127