Another week, another new restaurant in the Seaport—and this one looks sexy and fun! COJE Management Group, the Boston-based restaurant group behind Lolita, Ruka, Mariel, Yvonne’s and more splashy spots, has announced Mr. H, a “modern Chinese restaurant,” will open on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Located at 225 Northern Ave., across from Legal Harborside, Mr. H leans into the cuisine of mainland China and Taiwan with the atmosphere of an intimate Shanghainese cocktail lounge, according to an opening release. Imagine luxurious gold and red hues, gorgeous murals of flowers and dragons on the walls, and carved wood details. From the street, visitors will see a lightbox of authentic antique Chinese screens circa 1900, combined with an animated neon fish eating a soup dumpling (naturally) hung above the restaurant’s entrance.
Inside, there is a dumpling lounge with a majestic brass dragon as a focal point. Custom velvet Chinese art hangs on the walls, with a chandelier lighting the green and gold banquettes and cherry-red seating. A half-wall divides the space from a six-seat dumpling bar with a 24-carat gold leaf ceiling. The gold leaf extends into the main dining room, which also has an interpretation of a Chinese clay tile roof in green jade. The main dining room is ready for a feast, with an extended row of banquettes with tables that have a red lacquer base, and black lacquer dining chairs with silk cushions for those seated across from the banquettes.
Speaking of feasting, doing so at Mr. H should be no problem. COJE’s chief culinary officer, Tom Berry, developed the menu based on his dining adventures around the globe. The menu he created is divided into four sections: Cold Treasures, Dumplings and Dim Sum, Night Market, and Wok and BBQ. All plates are designed to be shareable, as well as a treat for eyes.
From the menu, we’re excited to try the crab noodles made with red crab and glass noodles, topped with caviar; and the tangerine tuna, a lightly sweet-and-sour tuna crudo tossed with a spiced, tangerine-infused vinegar that’s popular in Hong Kong. The dumpling menu is also exciting, with soup dumplings filled with Snake River Farms Kurobuta pork—a heritage breed from Japan—along with six other dumpling varieties, all available steamed or fried.
The menu also features some tasty-sounding street food-inspired dishes, such as hand-rolled scallion pancakes and oysters mee sua, a New England-influenced take on a traditional noodle dish using local oysters. Wok-cooked dishes like mushroom fried rice made with raw-smoked basmati rice and an assortment of mushrooms, scrambled egg, scallion; and char siu pork made with overnight-brined Snake River kurobuta pork collar cooked low until tender.
Like at their other restaurants, COJE promises “beautifully presented” cocktails at Mr. H. Beverage director Ray Tremblay has developed an Asian-influenced lineup behind the bar, including a curated selection of Chinese craft beers and the group’s signature “social serve” shareable drinks, such as one called the Golden Panda Bowl. There are also non-alcoholic beverages.
If you think this sounds like a great night out, you can check out Mr. H beginning Thursday, Sept. 12, at 5pm. The restaurant will stay open from 5pm until 2am nightly, with plans to launch lunch very soon.
