Top Chef Finalist Tiffani Faison to Open Second Boston Restaurant

Top Chef Finalist, Tiffani Faison, has won over the hearts and tastebuds of many Bostonians with Fenway’s barbeque hotspot Sweet Cheeks Q. To continue her success, Tiffani's long-awaited second restaurant, Tiger Mama, is slated to open this week and we couldn't be more excited for her! This delightful Southeast Asia-inspired spot will open at 1363 Boylston Street, taking over the old Happy’s and Barrio Cantina space formerly run by Michael Schlow. Our mouths are already watering for a bite of this eclectic cuisine!

 

(From left to right: my younger sister Brooke, myself, my older brother DJ and my dad Dave, outside Sweet Cheeks Q for Father's Day 2012.)

Just to give you some additional background on this brilliant chef--Tiffani Faison is an American chef, restaurateur, culinary consultant and television personality. She began working in restaurants at the age of 14 and has worked her way from busser to Chef/Owner. Tiffani began cooking for Todd English in Boston and has traveled the country and the world working for such renowned chefs as Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, and Tony Maws. In 2009, Tiffani was tapped to run Rocca Kitchen & Bar, earning a three-star review from the Boston Globe. She then opened her first venture, Sweet Cheeks Q, adding another three-star review to her resume. Tiffani was the runner-up on Season 1 of Top Chef and competed on Top Chef All-Stars and our favorite, Top Chef Duels. She is a tireless advocate for LGBT human rights issues and lives in Boston with her wife and furry kids. So much respect for this woman!

(From left to right: my dad Dave, Chef Tiffani Faison, and myself at Sweet Cheeks Q in June of 2012. It was such a pleasure meeting Chef Tiffani!)

It is clear, there is no stopping Tiffani! Tiger Mama is definitely a culinary jump from barbeque but we know she is going to nail it. The menu will consist of original interpretations of classic dishes like Pad Thai and be broken out into seven categories including snacks, cold and fresh, crispy and spicy, broths and curries, rich and earthy, noodles and rice, and banquet.. The restaurant will also have two bars, including a Tiki bar toward the back. Tiger Mama will offer 135 seats and private dining options. Tiffani is opening the restaurant alongside her wife, Kelly Walsh, and chef de cuisine Mike Stark (formerly of Toro and Coppa).

Tiger Mama is officially set to open this Thursday, December 10th. We recommend getting there early because we're sure there will be a line around the block to try out this soon-to-be Fenway favorite. Congrats to Tiffani and her team on devouring the details of another successful restaurant! Best of luck in 2016.