The Early Word on Committee

The Reclaimed News: Committee is "gorgeous," the Dig declared a week into the new Mediterranean restaurant's tenure at 50 Northern Ave. One enthusiastic Yelper said she feels "right at ease" upon entering Committee, noting a "mix of wood, leather, metal and stone throughout under honey-hued lighting adds texture and sensuality to the decor."

Indeed, Eater Boston's Inside feature showed funky fixtures and clever uses for wine crates inside the spacious, 5,500-square foot restaurant on Day 1, also noting the banquettes in the lounge are made from wood reclaimed from Anthony's Pier 4. "Any eyes wandering from the cocktails are likely to spot a number of handsome design and decor touches," The Improper Bostonian noted. Devra First of the Boston Globe saw pipe chandeliers, cracked burgundy leather, and sawhorse tables.

Elsewhere in the Globe, Committee's bathrooms earned a feature, which not only include penny-tiled flooring, but also saucepan sinks and Jack Daniels soap dispensers.

But You're Not There For the Bathrooms News: How is the food? The menu, created by consulting chef Diane Kochilas and enacted by chef de cuisine Geoff Lukas (Sofra, Oleana), features "modern, miniaturized versions of Greek classics," according to the Globe, and other internationally-inspired cold and hot dishes. Go in "expecting amazing food that will expand your palate," NESN's Dining Playbook promises.

Grilled bread soaks up the tomato-based sauce accompanying sardine plaki, the Improper observes. Kibbe naya, a cold dish of spiced raw lamb and emulsified harissa, is "interesting," according to Haute Living.

The enthusiastic Yelper, who has "gone back for seconds and thirds," found the classic baba ganoush "aromatic, smoky and meaty." The pita "comes out hot and extra fluffy like your favorite goose down pillow," she adds. But not all customers found a good value. One trio spent $270, but "no one left drunk or full."

Tiki Talk: Committee owner George Aboujaoude (Cafeteria, Bijou Nightclub) called his newest venture a "convivial speak-easy that feels like one great big cocktail party" in an early announcement. "We want all eyes on the cocktails," co-owner Demetri Tsoklis told the Improper.

Haute Living says the effort by beverage director Peter Szigeti is "creative," including edible garnishes and an in-house carbonating system. In a Quick Bite review, the Boston Globe's Devra First calls cocktails like the Smoke Show — strawberry-infused mezcal, Aperol, amaro, sweet vermouth, and candied bacon chips — "craft-y."

A Yelper, who was overall underwhlemed by the buzzy new place, was impressed by the cocktails, also naming the Smoke Show as his favorite. Another disagreed, calling a $14 cocktail overpriced with too much ice. Yet a third online reviewer described the cocktails as "strong."

Date Night News: "Add this to your list of date spots on the Waterfront," one Yelper advises. One strongly disagrees, judging couples inside as "douchey." The wraparound bar and communal tables encourage social interaction, as does the meze style of service, Dining Playbook notes, a statement echoed in other online reviews.