THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Xiomara on Melrose

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Xiomara on Melrose Restaurant Review:

Restaurateur Xiomara Ardolina is behind this sexy coffee-colored space featuring a cool mezzanine dining room lined with wrought iron railing. Tables are dressed in crisp white linens, candles flicker throughout, and a stately mirrored bar is busy dispensing what may be some of the best mojitos in town (it is one of the few places this far from Havana that juices its own sugarcane for the drink). The California menu, with little evidence of Ardolina's Cuban heritage, showcases a wide selection of small plates, such as truffle risotto with rock shrimp; and crispy pork belly with roasted Jerusalem artichoke, smoky eggplant purée, crispy kale and pork jus. (Former executive chef Michael Reed is no longer associated with the restaurant.) Duck confit is served with French lentils and a finely-minced celery-raisin relish for a touch of sweetness. Some larger plates are also offered, like a pork chop topped with flavored sous-vide onions and pan-seared sea bass in a butternut squash consommé---and they are mostly priced less than $20. The wine list includes some reasonably priced bottles from throughout the world, and among desserts are donut holes with Grand Marnier-infused chocolate dipping sauce.