Fromage

I live within walking distance of Fromage, and it has become our «go to» place when we want to stay in the neighborhood to dine out. The food has been consistently interesting and delicious. The other thing I really like is that one can really hear your dinner guests speak. Some of the other places nearby are all about being seen. This place is about the food and having conversations with friends. A part of me didn’t want to review– I don’t want the secret to get out! But they deserve some recognition for offering an alternative in Southie to the overhyped places. The portion sizes have increased since they started out as well. We’ve never left hungry. So… Go to Fromage. But not in the nights I want to go there. I still want my table!

Décor: Excellent for groups or romantic dates. There’s a bar, high tops by the window, and about a dozen tables. The owner did a great job with the renovations.
Food:
Octopus salad: Excellent flavor. Although I wish the octopus was fresher, the dish was well executed and everything in it balanced each other.
Bouillabaisse/​fish stew with clams, scallops, and shrimps: HIGHLY recommend. The broth was light (pleasantly surprised since it looked like a salty tomato broth at first), but packed with flavors. The clams were big and cooked just right.
Scallops with mushrooms and risotto: scallops were perfectly seared and mushrooms were flavored just right. I have never been a huge fan of risotto (always think its too salty regardless).
Service: Excellent. The waitress was definitely attentive but not overbearing.

I have lived in Southie for 9 years, and although, I (and everyone) waited for years for the opening of Fromage it finally did it.
My first experience (yesterday Saturday August 8, 2015) was nothing but EXCELLENT. Everything was simply perfect. On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, my partner and I stopped for brunch, and from the beginning, everything was superb. The service, the ambience, the music, and of course, the food deserved a 5 stars (I barely give 5 stars) moment, which, for now, I give to Fromage as a restaurant.
The cream of mushroom and the crepes were exquisite. In my case a great glass of Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc to go along with my brunch, and a great coffee to finish it.
I can’t wait to go back (probably next Saturday with some friends this time) and try something else.
As right now, I have to highly recommend this place if you are in Southie, and if you don’t live in Southie, put on it on your list to places to go out and enjoy a good meal and time.

Fromage had been teasing us Southie residents for years before it finally opened a few months ago. Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite lived up to everything I hoped and dreamed it would be (two years of waiting and speculation will do that to you).
Service overall has been OK, but spotty at times. I’ve heard this from friends on various occasions as well. The food for me has been hit or miss — the charcuterie options are high points on the menu and the staff is actually pretty knowledgeable about the products. Drinks wise, I was hoping for more craft beer as it was heavily advertised before the opening. I’m not typically a wine drinker but they have a ton of wine taps behind the bar, and the bartender seemed to know what he was talking about when it came to the various options and pairings.
I still have pretty high hopes for Fromage and I’m sure will keep giving it chances every time I walk past hungry.