Hungry Boston: Gene's Chinese Flat Bread Cafe

   Gene's came highly recommended, originally based out of Chelmsford their second location recently opened in Boston this summer. My brother in-law had told me about the hand pulled noodles, the limited seating and the tight window of operating hours so naturally Gene's was added to my must try list.

   I would say their unique attributes are a double edged sword. Like many contemporary establishments these days the cafe has a very limited menu, only about 7 items. I'm all for niche specialties but in this case I wish there was more variety offered. Because they're located in downtown Boston, parking is tough to find for non-commuter and the hours of operations are also restricted, Mon-Fri from 11-4 only, catering mainly to employees in the financial district looking for a hearty lunch. Before you try this restaurant you should be aware that it won't be your run of the mill Americanized Chinese food but instead it's authentic flavors from the city of Xi-An.

   So just how good are these always fresh, made to order noodles?   Well they're great but the real star of the show is the flat bread sandwich. I loved the actual noodles but the seasoning wasn't my style, a lot of tangy flavors. I believe many of the sauces available as well as the soup contained vinegar which is good in moderation but in this case it was too much for me to handle. It's unfortunate that the noodles steal the spot light because the flat bread sandwich is much better all around. It might not be complex but the simplicity and natural flavors of fresh pork and grilled flat bread creates a delicious dish, similar to comfort food. I hope they add some more variation of the noodles, possibly in a dry stir fry.

   Overall it's great for foodies, I know many people love what they do but from a pragmatic perspective I'll admit that it was a bit underwhelming. The potential is there for sure but the execution was lacking and despite all of the little flaws I would definitely go back to try it again. The experience was really fun because no one else in Boston has really done what Gene's has and it's always refreshing to experience innovation. So even though it's a hit or miss with consumers it's still a must try.

Score: We Liked It. (7/10)