Try it Two Ways

When cooking there are so many ways to use the same foods and produce entirely different dishes, as Iron Chef shows. Cooking contests have become all the rage, especially with the popularization through television programming on the Food Network and Bravo's hit show Top Chef. The appeal is in the unpredictability, and the chance for chefs to show their creativity and delve into a gastronomic world of infinite possibilities.

Sibling Rivalry in Boston's South End took the concept of culinary competition and turned it into a happening restaurant, as brother chefs David and Bob Kinkead created a "dueling" menu that showcases their talents with different interpretations of the same seasonal ingredients. The dinner menu literally has two columns, one for each chef, to show the parallels and variations between each's selections. For example, while one will have duck agnolotti (a kind of ravioli) in a sage marsala sauce, while the other will make crispy pressed duck with cipollini onions and sour cherries - same bird, different takes. They also experiment using ingredients in different courses, as Chef David makes a Moroccan style lamb appetizer, while Chef Bob does a grilled paillard of lamb with rosemary as an entree. Alternatively, they also use similar cooking techniques to different ingredients as well, such as the Asian tuna tartare with pickled ginger and spicy aioli and the ancho chile steak tartare with pickled cabbage, a Southwestern-inspired version of the dish. Never lacking in creativity, Sibling Rivalry's menu changes regularly depending on what's in season, so the specials are always exciting.

Sibling Rivalry offers a pre-fixe menu to give diners the chance to experience three courses of culinary genious, which I highly recommend. Described as "modern American cuisine," Sibling Rivalry demonstrates the melting pot effect of U.S. culture - and food - blending different ethnic cuisines with a selection that includes mussels in Thai curry, Southwestern scallops, Korean style short ribs, classic Italian gnocchi, Vietnamese crispy fried squid, and Alaskin halibut, to name a few. Every single dish is well-executed, with a classy presentation to match the restaurant's posh atmosphere and swanky location, and of course cocktails to match. Yet Sibling Rivalry doesn't overdo it, because they know they don't have to. Minimalist decor, a good (yet not too lengthy and overwhelming) wine selection, top-notch (but not snobby) service, and most importantly, good food.

Who wins the rivalry? The diner, for you can't go wrong with a meal here.

4.5/5 stars.