MAZÍ Food Group (Gigi, Ilona, Kava Neo-Taverna) has debuted the newest addition in its growing restaurant collection: Desnuda Cocina & Bar. Located in the famed 647 Tremont Street space, the bilevel Desnuda Cocina & Bar brings two distinct concepts to the South End with its lower-level sound bar and an epicurean experience featuring bold Latin and Asian flavors.
Upon entering the restaurant on the street level, the eye is drawn to the gilded ceiling with suspended topiary-draped candelabras. Exposed brick, accented with bronze sconces, lines the row of celadon-hued suede banquettes while the bow of the restaurant – complete with French doors that open onto Tremont Street – makes way for Parisian-style café seating. The ornate back-mirrored wooden bar gracefully displays a portfolio of global spirits while amber-colored glass-blown chandeliers hang above.
Venturing downstairs to the sound bar – a concept created in Japan in the 1950s – the walls are lined with vertical wood panels where mood lighting peeks through the slats. Inside the hideaway, there is an expansive bar in addition to more intimate seating anchored by giraffe-print banquettes and a half-moon booth that sits beneath a glittering spherical light fixture. The backbar displays Desnuda’s collection of retro vinyl records, the heartbeat of the sultry and vibrant sound bar, that will be amplified over a customized vinyl sound system. The immersive, eclectic urban music experience will be curated with themed nights, guest deejays and mixologist-selected playlists complemented by deliciously complex cocktails and a late-night menu of small plates available after 10:00pm.
Upstairs, MAZÍ Food Group’s executive chef Jesus Preciado has reimagined a menu rooted in core Latin-Asian tastes and textures. With a passion for sourcing locally, Chef Preciado’s menu of ceviches, baos and proteins are intended to be ordered in multiples to encourage a social dining experience. Highlights from the menu include the catch-of-the-day ceviche clasico with leche de tigre, habanero, corn, chancha, sweet potato, red onions and cilantro; pork belly bao bun with braised pork belly, cucumber, pickled vegetables and soy reduction; acevichado roll, tempura white fish, tuna, salsa acevichada, sweet potato puree and togarashi; aji de gallina, shredded chicken, huancaina sauce, heavy cream, parmesan, olive aioli, rice, potato and boiled eggs; and arroz con pato, duck leg confit, aborio rice, vegetables and cilantro sauce.
On the liquid side, Desnuda Cocina & Bar features a thoughtfully designed beverage program that mixes timeless techniques with progressive twists while showcasing globally-represented wines and spirits including a collection of tequilas and mezcals as well as Japanese whiskys, gins and sakes. Standouts are Beet the Heat with spicy pisco, yuzu liqueur, beet syrup and lemon as well as Amarillo Passion with tequila, yuzu liqueur, aji amarillo, passionfruit syrup and lime.
Desnuda Cocina & Bar is located at 647 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End neighborhood. Desnuda Cocina & Bar is open daily beginning at 4:00pm. In the coming weeks, Desnuda Cocina & Bar plans to reprise the epic weekend brunch party from the location’s yesteryears.
