Sunday was the first really cruel evening in a balmy autumn, so the Rabbitz wanted a dinner spot within stumbling distance from the Taj Hotel (where were we staying for the night). After a consultation with the concierge, we opted for a short jaunt across the Common to the Beacon Hill Bistro…

The place was quiet-ish on a Sunday, but with a enough locals filling tables and reposing at the pretty stained-glass bar to keep the room alive. The space itself is long and narrow, dark and cozy, really the perfect setting for a comforting meal.

After a warm greeting, we started with a bottle of Rhone selected from a reasonably priced list and picked at some bread — a baguette and a noteworthy olive loaf — while waiting for our starter. 

Our first observation about the BHB is that portions are certainly generous… our shared appetizer could easily have been a meal in itself! The duck confit starter was presented with a large serving of duck liver, collard greens and a buttery helping of grits that was perfect baby comfort-food. It was a nice plate but a bit overwhelming, especially considering we’d both ordered meaty mains. 

When said mains arrived, Mr. Rabbit found himself facing off against a gigantic piece of pork shoulder avec carrots and winter veg in a tasty cider and raisin sauce. The meat was sinewy and tender and pulled off the shoulder in delicious threads with just with a fork. I especially liked the fat raisins in the accompanying sauce.

My steak frites were nicely executed with the meat cooked rare, as ordered. Again, the serving size was more than ample and I was glad Mr. Rab was around to assist with the frites (again, well executed). The kitchen did omit to deliver my sauce on the side, and I was disappointed to find the sauce too buttery and overwhelming for my palate, but rather than hold up our meal I did a little scraping and still enjoyed the plate.

Although we were both well (perhaps overly!) sated, I couldn’t resist the pumpkin cheesecake. A round personal-cake was topped with figs and raisins to give the dish a very autumnal touch. The cake was dense and subtle-y spiced - exactly as I’d hoped and expected, and I polished it off with surprisingly little help from Mr. Rabbit.

Service throughout our evening was professional, pleasant and attentive (except for the slight miss on the saucing-up of the Rabbit main). One might also note that Monday wine dinners look like a good deal around the BHB. There are too many places on my Boston to-do list to come back here immediately, but I wouldn’t hesitate if we find ourselves hungry and in the nabe. I think that next time I’d choose to sit at the bar, drink something with whiskey, and split a main. Still, this is a good place to keep on the radar for winter — warm, hearty, and inviting.

 www.beaconhillbistro.com

PS –

Fuelling for our afternoon shopping expedition, Rabbitz lunched at Bouchee on Newbury Street. I regret that we didn’t take photos, not just because lunch was very respectable, but because we’ve dined here on several occasions and find it one of the better options on Newbury. Bouchee is a pretty brasserie, perhaps even a little de trop in its prettiness. We opted for a  seat at the zinc bar and ordered beverages — a glass of Chablis for Rab and a draft Hoegaarden for Mr. The bar had a nice Sunday buzz, with lots of patrons enjoying booze-y lunch and a respite from the first gusts of winter. We were both pleased with our lunches. Rab opted for a tuna nicoise, well executed although missing the traditional anchovies. The tuna was nicely seared and I enjoyed how the fingerling potatoes had been doused with a bit of mustard (not too much, just enough for flavour). Mr. Rabbit enjoyed his sausage with sauerkraut and potato salad. He was especially pleased with the sauerkraut,which he said was the real deal. Service was pleasant and attentive, relaxed and suitably informal (not lax). Recommended.

 www.boucheebrasserie.com

And Another Thing…            

After a grueling afternoon shopping, the Rabbitz retired to the hotel bar at the Taj, formerly the Ritz Hotel. Overlooking Boston Common, this has long been one of our favourite Boston drinking establishments. The Taj Group is happily keeping the Grand Dame in good stead, although the new management is leaving its mark. The cocktail and snack menu does show Indian influence through a smattering of exotic martini offerings and a snack menu focused on Indian bites. All of this is welcome innovation, although Mr. and I both thought mixology was a little sub-par on this visit. My pear martini wanted for more juice or mix, giving it a thin, overly liquor-y taste. Mr. Rabbit was satisfied with his bourbon sidecar, but he thought it was slightly less expert than in past.

Actually, the Indian touches were most evident in our room, where they sprinkled petals on our bed at turndown and set our television to the Taj channel, promoting all those Indian palaces they have appropriated as luxury hotel properties. Have to admit that their propaganda was effective… even Mr. Rabbit, who has been anti-India since his whole office got dysentery ten years ago, started to dream of that exotic vacation I’ve been pushing for years. Thanks, Taj!!

www.tajhotels.com/Boston/

Posted on November 18th, 2008 by rabbit
Filed under: Boston, Restaurant Reviews