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reviewed on: May 1, 2009
Nothing’s more fun than taking a stroll along 32nd Avenue in the Highlands neighborhood. What a few years ago was crumbling and rundown has morphed into block after block of quaint shops and restaurants of all kinds. No matter what you’re in the mood for, from simple to fine dining, you’ve got a good chance of finding it somewhere in the Highlands. Of course, there are always those occasions when you’re craving may be something different than what your dining companion wants. However, if one of you is up for Mexican, and the other wants Asian, the answer is found behind the simple exterior of BOA on West 32nd.
BOA occupies the space where D’Eggos was just east of Lowell Boulevard, and like many of the restaurants along 32nd Avenue, it’s physically limited by the size of the period building itself. But it’s this same size constraint that contributes to the quaint coziness of the restaurant.
The owners of BOA describe their unique concept as “Asian Mexican Comfort Food,” and while you may be tempted to think of it as fusion, it’s not. Or certainly not in the way a restaurant like Zengo presents fusion. At Boa, with the exception of only three dishes, East is East and West is West—you’re either choosing from a selection of Asian dishes, or you’re going Mexican. Which doesn’t preclude you from choosing a Mexican appetizer and an Asian entrée or vice versa. In short, your experience at BOA can be pure Mexican or Asian or anywhere in between.
The appetizer selection includes Asian temptations like shrimp prepared tempura style in a sweet coconut batter, fried Chinese pot stickers with a soy dipping sauce, or a classic satay of skewered and grilled chicken or beef with a spicy peanut sauce. Or head over to the Mexican side and enjoy grilled shrimp basted with a cilantro-lime-chile sauce, or a bowl of green chili and a quesadilla.
Eastern entrees offer a choice of chicken, beef or tofu prepared with your choice of sauce, so you can opt for a spicy Kung Pao or Szechuan style, or a simpler sweet and sour or Mandarin preparation. . If you enjoy Asian noodle dishes, they also offer classic Pad Thai, a Vietnamese rice noodle bowl with grilled meat, lettuce, peanuts and mint, or Lo Mein.
From Mexico, entrees include Blue Corn Enchiladas, a really tasty chili relleno made with poblano peppers stuffed with jack cheese and a mix of zucchini and corn, stuffed sopapillas with a housemade chili sauce, a soft taco prepared with marinated carane asada, and more.
Whichever way you choose to go, I can guarantee one thing, and that is that you won’t go home hungry. Portions are plentiful and, with prices that top out right at $11.95, this food represents real value.
Parking is on the street, but you can usually find a place nearby. And, even if you have to park a couple of blocks away, you’ll enjoy your stroll past all the cheery, colorful storefronts.
BOA on West 32nd
3464 W. 32nd Ave. just east of Lowell Blvd.
303-484-9628
http://boaw32nd.com
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