Southern Comfort: Tupelo Opens in Inman Square

The Boston food gods are smiling upon us today, for today is the day that Tupelo opens in Inman Square. Serving "comfort food with a Southern drawl," the Cambridge Street newcomer will be helmed by two of our favorite Boston chefs: Rembs Layman, who's had a heavy hand in the rustic, textured, rich dishes at Matt Murphy's and Pomodoro, among others, and Renee McLeod of Petsi Pies, who's an expert in creating just-like-homemade desserts (if your home had a talented pastry chef living there). The potential of this delicious combo has had area Chowhounds buzzing with anticipation for days.

Layman's mother hails from New Orleans, so we're guessing he has the chops to pull off menu items like fried oysters with green tomatoes and tartar sauce (we're seeing notes of Matt Murphy's here), Southern spiced turkey meatballs served with French bread ("for mopping up"), beef with hominy mashed potatoes, slow cooked greens and Creole horseradish cream, and bourbon-maple BBQ chicken with cheddar grits. McLeod will be in charge of whipping up desserts like banana pudding, bread pudding, cobbler and of course, pie.

Jen Deaderick, Layman's charming wife, has been manning the Twitter feed for the restaurant as @tupelo02139, with endearing updates like this one: "So many loose ends, so few days. We do have fabulous new chairs, and there will definitely be gumbo. What more do you need?" Deaderick has also promised a free appetizer for anyone who comes in on opening night and mentions that he/she is following Tupelo on Twitter, and has circulated the menu in advance via Facebook. As a restaurant, it's not easy to create a sense of openness, geniality and generosity before you, um, actually open, but Tupelo is making great strides in this direction. Up-and-coming restaurants, take note: this is the right way to use the Internets to promote your business.

Tupelo opens today at 5pm at 1193 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. Hours will be Tues-Sun, 5-10pm. Phone: 617-868-1460.

Photo of McLeod's pie from PetsiPies.com.