Yvonne's, Parsnip, El Potro: Reviewed

Jolyon Helterman of Boston Magazine visited Yvonne's, a glamorous supper club in Downtown Crossing. The place has a "nightclubby" vibe with a disastrous menu organization, Helterman wrote, but in spite of that, "Yvonne's is a fantastic restaurant," where you're "hard pressed to find a dud" on that menu. On the hot list: chef Juan Pedrosa's crispy tater cubes, charred-maitake toast, and hamachi crudo. Meanwhile, Helterman wrote, the crisp tuna fregola and the tomahawk-style rib-eye were "flawlessly executed."

Across the river in Cambridge, Harvard Square's Parsnip is reviewed by The Boston Globe's Sacha Pfeiffer, who wrote that the service on separate visits was uneven, and the changing menu was a work in progress. But, its two "finest dishes" are staples, she wrote. The cauliflower dish was "perfectly roasted with a cumin brûlée," and the quail was "tremendous." Meanwhile, the seared scallop appetizer with a simple seasoning was "perfect," she wrote. The beef fillet was overdone, but all other meats passed muster, and the potato gnocchi with truffles stood out among the vegetarian choices. Parsnip gets most adventurous with its desserts, Pfeiffer wrote, praising the Seckel pear and whipped ricotta, as well as the brownie and chocolate mousse.

The Globe's Ellen Bhang visited El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill for a taste of Mexico in Malden. After a batch of complimentary tortilla chips and a light tomato salsa, the shrimp ceviche appetizer was excellent, Bhang wrote, and the tamale stuffed with shredded beef was delectable. "Attention to detail" showed up in the fish tacos, she wrote, where tilapia "morsels" are topped with shredded cabbage and snappy radish halves. Entrees often come with rice and beans, and the black beans were the favorite, Bhang said. Though the enchiladas al mole were "disappointingly bland," Bhang praised the chiles rellenos and the sumptuous flan.