“Bon Appétit” in three different languages. Adventurous diners sampled an eclectic mix of gastronomic delicacies during their one-night tasting tour of Union Square eateries. - Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Ever taken a tour of three restaurants in one night? The Somerville Arts Council held a tasting tour in Union Square this past week to explore food and culture. The goal was to show the diversity of the square through the food offered by restaurants in the neighborhood.

Elysian McNiff, a graduate intern from the Masters Program in Public Humanities at Brown University, helped organize the ethnic tasting tour. “The initiative was designed to boost the cultural economy in Union Square,” she explained. “So, we were all talking in the office one day and I mentioned that it would be fun to do a tasting tour highlighting the ethnic and delicious diversity of the square. Turns out that Rachel Strutt, program manager of Somerville Arts Council, had been wanting to do the same kind of thing so we decided that this summer we should dive in, and start up a tasting tour.”

On July 20, twenty taste testers went to three exotic restaurants to evaluate the diversity of the neighborhood’s hottest food spots and learn about cultural heritage and culinary delights of the food destinations.

The evening started at a Peruvian Restaurant called Machu Pichu. Everyone was served a passion fruit infused Pisco Sour. This national drink of Peru is a distilled spirit made from grapes grown only in Peru, lemon juice, several ice cubes and Jaraba de Goma (honey).

Following the drinks, Joanna, the server, brought out a traditional appetizer; Causa is a typical Peruvian starter made from potato mash and filled with chicken or tuna salad. The main dish was Ceviche, a raw fish marinated with limejuice that was prepared spicy. The fish was a tilapia and came along with sweet potatoes. For one lucky taste tester a special mix of the concentrated juices was extracted from the Ceviche leftovers and poured into a shot glass. They called it Tigers Milk and it supposedly helped in the recovery of hangovers.

Next, the taste testers hit a Thai restaurant called Ronnarong, Thai Tapas Bar, where they sat outside on the terrace and relaxed. Thai Sangrias were brought out by Henry Patterson, the Administer and Financial Manager of the restaurant. Then Henry served the food buffet style. “Tonight we’ve got a very traditional Papaya salad, a fresh summer item that’s actually served here year round, and a paradise beef which is something that pre-dates the advent of refrigeration.” Patterson spoke about the cook and his quirky preparation techniques. “It’s kinda a Thai Jerky, a preserved meat, that he marinates and then dries with fans in the basement and then at the last minute it gets dropped in the fryer.”

The group ended up at Cantina La Mexicana, located at 247 Washington Street. The restaurant, which opened 13 years ago, has recently expanded to include a bar.  More liquor was served with a choice of 6 different kinds of margaritas: Jalapeno, habanero, blackberry, prickly pear, passion fruit, and pineapple with cinnamon. For supper two different types of empanadas, beans and cheese Chicken and chips and salsa, spicy salsa, guacamole and more.

To see more about food destinations in Somerville visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org and read the Nibble Blog for information about diverse ethnic restaurants.