Persephone Springs Up in Fort Point

Spring officially sprung yesterday, although the rain and wind made it feel like a regular winter day. Lucky for Boston, Persephone has already been in town for a while.

Named after the queen of the Greek underworld and harbinger of spring, the Fort Point-area restaurant Persephone officially opened last month. It is one half of the Achilles Project, in which high-end fashion meet high-end food. It may seem like an odd combo to some, but the result is a boutique and restaurant that stand apart from the shopping and dining scenes of Boston.

The name is especially fitting when one thinks of the type of food served. No, it's not Greek. The menu, created by Michael Leviton from Newton's Lumiere, is focused on local, organic, and sustainable products, with an emphasis on "simplicity and harmony with each passing season." It's an ecclectic menu, with influences ranging from French cuisine to Mediterranean ingredients, with plenty of Asian influence to mix things up. Dishes are split up by size - small (appetizers), medium (salads and heartier appetizers), large (main dishes), and extra-large (for sharing) - another quirky part of the Achilles Project plan.

Bostonist's favorite menu items were the crispy Maine shrimp and the braised veal shoulder. The "small" shrimp, perfectly poppable snacks, were exactly as advertised - crispy and salty with just a little bit of spice. They would be absolutely perfect with a cold beer or one of the fabulous cocktails on the menu. The "extra-large" veal was tender and juicy and tasty enough for this self-professed veal hater to enjoy. It would be a great meal to share with that special someone while the weather is still blustery.

So, as spring begins to show itself around town, take a trip over to Fort Point and toast to Persephone - the restaurant and the goddess (with a pomegranate martini, naturally).

Post contributed by Pam Aghababian. You can read more of her writing at Cave Cibum.