The Critics Ate Branzino, Crudo, and Bao This Week

In his latest review for Boston Magazine, Corby Kummer visited Juliet in Somerville’s Union Square. The restaurant’s vibe may be casual, but "they’re flexing serious culinary talent here," Kummer wrote. He praised the hen-of-the-woods mushroom dish along with the meaty bolognese, which was "a dish [he] could have every night." Kummer wrote that brunch might be the restaurant’s strongest suit, including its soft-curded omelets. For dinner, the whole roasted branzino was "perfectly firm but not dry," though the skin was too salty, Kummer wrote, and he praised the clafouti, lemon tart, and strawberry shortcake.

The Boston Globe’s Nestor Ramos visited Bar Mezzana in the South End for his latest review. The crudo selection, including salmon and tuna, "is bracingly fresh and tender," Ramos wrote. The prosciutto plates (with fruit or mozzarella) were enough for four, and the crostini featured a "rich, delicious bone marrow." He said the artichoke salad and its citrusy dressing was "bright without being overly acidic," and the grilled octopus was charred and tender. Satisfying main dishes included duck ragout and lobster paccheri, and Ramos lamented not being able to lick the bowl. He also wrote that the gelato and sorbet were "excellent and reasonably priced."

Catherine Smart visited Tom’s BaoBao in Harvard Square, where she found "pillowy soft, super-savory, handmade" bao — the only thing on the menu. The lobster bao was "rich and buttery," she wrote, and the satisfying vegetarian bao felt "pious" and "almost as umami-filled as the juicy pork bao." There are also curry beef and chicken bao, and Smart recommended trying one of the restaurant’s Chinese tea selections.

• Restaurant Review: Juliet in Somerville [BM]
• What happens when Barbara Lynch alums bring Italian food to the South End? [BG]
• Tom’s BaoBao: Doing one thing well [BG]