Boston - October 19, 2007

Say Your Prayers

Church Opens

You’ve been so, so bad. Why, pray tell?

Scratch that. No need to confess. Just sprinkle on the holy water and congregate at Church, a spankin’ new Fenway spot, for food, libations, and sweet sound. Co-owned by designer Kristian Deyesso and Christopher Tocchio (a Todd English alum), Church definitely comes clean.

Its two components — stylish restaurant on one side, rockabilly music venue on the other — are designed to convert nonbelievers. In the eatery, stained glass offsets wicked graffiti; next door, live post-punk and indie rock bands take the stage.

Chef Andy Beer feeds your starved soul with seasonal dishes of warm duck confit with butternut-squash-potato hash and humbling cheddar cheese grits; hand-cut fries; or plump steamed mussels with a saintly garlic broth.

Reflect on your damned existence with the Seven Sins cocktail menu; you’ll have time to repent between a kiwi-fleshed Envy and a lavender-infused Lust.

Then holler out in praise: Jesus, this tastes good!

Church, 69 Kilmarnock Street (617-236-7600 or churchofboston.com).