Date P.M.

Belmont Boulevard is booming. It didn't look this way 10 years ago, or so I've been told. Ten years ago, I was still a high schooler without my drivers license, confined to eating ballpark hotdogs and delivery pizza. But today, Belmont Boulevard is a trendy block for young professionals, hipsters, artists, and college students alike to congregate and eat and drink.

I am working my way down the Boulevard, sampling the fare at ChaChah, Bongo Java, and PM. The latter is one I have heard is either a love-it-or-leave-it place. I was anxious to try it out for myself and finally got the chance. The swanky establishment with welcoming patio seating makes for a great place to meet with friends or for a date without being too upscale and prohibitive.

I was surprised to find that the menu boasts mostly Asian dishes; for some reason my preconceived ideas had me geared up for good ole' American comfort food. But if Asian-inspired cuisine can be comforting, then that's exactly what my meal at PM was.

While waiting for our table, we grabbed a seat at the bar and my spring-time comfort drink, gin and tonic. The wait was much shorter than expected, which is always a nice surprise, especially on a warm Friday evening. When faced with the surprising menu (Asian small and large plates on one side, salads, burgers, and Asian nachos on the other), a sushi menu, and a wine list, I was understandably overwhelmed. My colleagues, to whom the idea for this blog is attributed, will tell you I am one of the most indecisive orderers you will ever have the pleasure of sharing a meal with, so 3 different menus was almost too much for me.

But when in doubt, ask the waitress! She recommended the Madras Chicken Lettuce Wrap small plate, a comforting concoction of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro in a tiny pot situated next to pieces of lettuce in which to wrap the yumminess. For the main meal, she suggested a variety of options, but I settled on the Chicken Katsu, having absolutely no idea was I was actually ordering.

What I got was an artful creation decorating my large white plate. Chicken breasts rubbed with Asian spices (sorry I can't tell you what they were--I just know they were spicy!) and fried to a crisp were situated atop an Asian slaw mix of lettuce, greens, beans, and was that edamame? The whole thing was topped off with those pretty little wisps of crispness that accompany many Asian dishes. I wish I'd taken a picture, but I had not yet introduced my dining partner to this blog, and as we were still just getting to know each other, I thought I would refrain from being that girl at dinner.

Despite the fact that my adjectives for Asian food are lackluster, this meal sparkled, and I will definitely be back, even if it's just for a cocktail and a small plate.

The End Notes:

• Asian Fusion here = mix of cuisine from different regions, including Mexico (yes, there are quesadillas and nachos on the menu)
• Filling and moderately priced
• Fun, trendy atmosphere without pretension. 
• Yummy!