The Rattlesnake - More Than a Roof Deck

At first glance, The Rattlesnake doesn't necessarily look like anything too special.  There's a surplus of bars and restaurants on Boylston Street, so it's easy to overlook the simple black and white sign bearing the restaurant's name when you walk by, or the unassuming website when you google it.Among those who do know of Rattlesnake, there are sure to be some who simply think of it as "that place on Boylston with the roof deck."  And while the roof deck is fantastic, there is so much more to Rattlesnake than outdoor dining.If you want to get technical, Rattlesnake is the bar that houses the masterful cuisine of Chef Brian Poe.  Direct from the about page on their website, "In February 2009, Chef Poe partnered with The Rattlesnake to create Poe's Kitchen at The Rattlesnake. The new menu intertwines Mexican cuisine with flavors from the Southwest and South America."Poe's menu may start with Mexican and Southwestern food, but it's almost impossible to classify the feel of the food in one category.  While the headings on the menu seem typical enough - Tacos, Sandwiches, Quesadillas - a closer look reveals that there's nothing ordinary about Poe's offerings.  Each dish is an imaginative combination of flavors that you never knew you needed until you saw them.From a molasses and coca cola marinade in the Hudson Valley Duck Tacos, to IPA infused refried beans in the Wild Boar Burrito, to duck fat poached wild mushrooms in the Pork Porterhouse, it's often the supporting cast of ingredients that catches your eye first.  They're certainly not afraid to offer you something you haven't tried before, and chances are you'll be happy you trusted them to cook you up something unique.A perfect example of Poe's style is Rattlesnake's take on the burger. One part gluttony and one part gourmet, the Poe Burger is kobe beef  stuffed with lobster, foie gras and black truffle, and topped off with whiskey bacon, avocado and whiskey bacon cheese.  It's one of the most expensive items on the menu, and it's worth every damn cent.  When they say stuffed, they aren't kidding.  The lobster meat explodes out of the burger with every bite, and the perfectly cooked bacon is piled high on top.  Long after you're full (and you will be), you'll keep eating this burger.The Poe Burger is just one of many explosions of flavor that will knock you on your ass at The Rattlesnake.  Each and every dish I've had there has surprised me, and there's more than enough diversity on the menu that I can never decide what to order until the last possible minute.Poe and his team conquer each and every zany combination they attempt, and the result is a surprisingly affordable high-dining experience.  You're simply doing yourself a disservice if you don't stop in and figure which of their innovative dishes will have your mouth watering for weeks to come.  Find an excuse to go there, and put your trust in Poe.  He won't let you down.Poe's Kitchen At The Rattlesnake@Poes_Kitchen on TwitterPoe's Kitchen on Facebook617.859.8555384 Boylston Street, Boston