Woods Hill Pier 4 - Matt's Meals

With the many chains that have added to the overwhelming congestion in the South End Seaport, it is both fitting and welcome that the premiere spot that was once home to the iconic Pier 4 is now home to a home-grown (and home-growing) star like Kristin Canty, who was eventually convinced to bring her spectacular farm-to-table (both of which she owns, by the way) concept from Concord to Boston.

As befits its home, the result- Woods Hill Pier 4 – is nothing short of Revolutionary!

While it is more than possible to get a steak, a cake, a great drink, or anything in between in the Seaport, where else can all of these be enjoyed secure in the knowledge that every ingredient was hand-picked and that most came from the owner’s own farm? That is the magic of Woods Hill Pier 4!

While the location is still the best in the area and overlooks both the ICA and the harbor (as well as many area residents who seem to enjoy letting their dogs run on the harborside lawn that will hopefully yield to patio seating come warmer days and nights), it is the food and locally-sourced service that will surely bring you back to Woods Hill Pier 4. Though the menu changes regularly as the seasons dictate new layers of freshness at Canty’s farm, some of the early favorites that will hopefully linger are the charred broccoli with cheddar and smoked garlic aioli, any of the house-made pasta dishes, the crispy lamb ribs, the dry-aged farm-fresh duck platter for two, and Pier 4 caviar service which makes for a fun and celebratory taste of the classic days of Anthony Athanas. Among the other Athanas Family tributes are Chef Charlie Foster’s new take on lobster Newburg and the timeless popovers that accompany it. There is also an Anthony’s Vesper on an extensive drink menu that is arranged by region and flavor and often includes pictures of the appropriate glassware. Speaking of drinks, while the alcoholic options are plenty, there is also a strong selection of sophisticated sips that make very well due without, like the Coco Fresca, Cucumber Collins, and a Shrubby Temple that is not just for the kiddies.

So while I often sing the praises of suburban places that are worthy of downtown real estate, this script-flipper is perhaps even more welcome as it shows definitively that the Boston area need not look elsewhere for amazing food downtown.