Squid Eats: Restaurant Poco

via Restuarant Poco

Restaurant Poco is a small and popular establishment in downtown Burlington, an ideal spot for us if we have evening plans in town.  Poco doesn't take reservations so the best plan is to arrive early and cross your fingers.  When we've managed to get there right at 5:30 when they open, we've had no problem.  For our most recent visit, we arrived at 5:40 and the tables were already filled.  Two seats at the bar?  Perfect.

Poco is a shared plate restaurant serving what is described as "Globally Inspired Cuisine" meaning, essentially, no-holds barred fusion.  I'd say the most prominent influences are Asian.  This time, we ordered karage (Japanese-style fried chicken) and a pork belly dish, both scrumptious.  Sitting at the bar allowed us to watch the exceptionally talented bartender.  He was impressively ambidextrous, stirring one cocktail with his right hand, shaking another with his left.  He used Punt E Mes for my Manhattan which brought a raisin-y flavor.  I'll have to try that some time.

The atmosphere is casual for a place with such elegant food.  All of the staff are friendly and personable.  Despite multi-tasking like a champ, the bartender was engaging and happy to answer my questions.

After we left, my wife proclaimed Poco as her favorite restaurant: we're always happy with what we order, both food and drinks are more interesting and innovative than other places we go.  I know we'll be back.