With the recent demise of long-time favorite Brasserie Jo, a hole has been left in the Downtown dining scene, especially for those who enjoy partaking of Boston’s other great realm- the arts.
Many were the nights when patrons previewed the Pops or summarized the Symphony at this famous French eatery and now that it is gone, denizens of Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, the Huntington Theatre, and the general Mass Ave/Avenue of the Arts area are searching for a new regular.
Fortunately, former Brasserie chef Danielle Dorcil (who most recently made a splash in New Southie with Fat Baby) has opened up shop just steps away from her old kitchen home and also from these and other cultural gems. And the new place is ANYTHING but “regular”!
With its large mirrors hung all around and huge windows looking over its titular Avenue (not to mention a beautiful trompe-l’œil of the sky overhead), The Westland gives a welcomed sense of space in the crowded corners behind Symphony Hall. And yet, with its riveted leather seats and deep woods, it is also cozy and comfortable.
The front bar in the entryway features the Westland’s eponymous Whiskey (thanks to a great distillery in Seattle) and plenty of space to sidle up for an after-work drink, a pre-event tipple, or a post-theatre nightcap. Further on, another bar offers dining seating and more of beverage boss Julia Buccieri’s delicious temptations, including a world-travelling wine list, Boylan sodas, draughts, cans, and bottles from Boston and beyond and such cleaver cocktails as the Afternoon, Sir (with Maker’s, espresso liqueur, and house-made chocolate-coconut milk), La Rose (Grand Ten Wireworks Gin, Cocchi Americano, Luxurdo, and watermelon radish), and the Barefoot Dance (Amaro with St. Elizabeth allspice dram and cava).
From Chef Dorcil’s kitchen comes such “shareables” (though you will want to ask for tastes of everything around you) as calamari with hot pepper relish, crispy cauliflower, oysters casino, pork belly fries, and oven-dried meatballs, as well as a Nicoise salad that hearkens back to Brasserie Jo and a smoke tomato soup that takes this warming staple to a new level. Entrees include beef Bourguignon, roasted halibut, crispy eggplant with tomato and burrata (don’t call it “eggplant parm”!) and a corned beef dinner that appeared on St Patrick’s Day and that does for dinner what Michael’s Deli does for lunch (high praise indeed!). The seasonal menu also includes the Westland Burger (which is topped with crispy shallots, truffled mushrooms, and a tomato tapenade) and a satisfying grain burger made from wheatberries and cremini mushroom and topped with coffee goat cheese. There is even a pizza list that includes such tasty toppings as prosciutto, bacon and onion, sausage and peppers, or just a “traditional” (but certainly not “regular”) tomato and mozzarella. Even the kids’ menu is refreshingly upscale, with shrimp scampi, mini steak frites, tempura chicken tenders, and a mini triple-grilled cheese that is sure to please (all of which are available with sautéed green beans, brussel sprouts, root veggies, or sea-salted fries)!
Speaking of kids, you will surely feel like one when you indulge in such visit-worthy brunch bites as the homemade Westland cream donut or a plate of bananas Foster French toast that is one table-side flambé short of Brennan’s. For those who want to assuage their guilt, there is also a nutrition-packed quinoa bowl with avocado, grape tomatoes, and pickled carrots, as well as special brunch pizzas, benedicts, and other traditional and progressive favorites. No matter what you order or whom you share it with, the sharable bubbles make for a romantically refreshing way to wash it all down (or just to pause between courses).
The bottom line is that, no matter if you come before or after a show or just because you want to find a new place in Boston that could quickly become your “regular,” there is really only one direction to go- to The Westland.