By Matt Robinson
While Boston may be known for its steak houses and, to a growing extent, for its places to grab an inexpensive but delicious bite, few people could name a place in Boston where you can get a combination of the two.
That is, of course, unless they have been to Kingston Cuts.
Located on Kingston Street just steps from the Opera House and other cultural centers, Kingston Cuts is a great place to grab a quality bite before theater and to grab a drink after a show or just after a long day at the office.
The scene at Kingston Cuts is welcoming and comfortable (just as the prices are) with textured wallpaper behind vintage mirrors and that hang above worn-in velvet seating areas, including a cozy lounge in the entryway. As you stroll past the long brass-railed wooden bar, you will notice tall mirrors behind gleaming bottles of whatever you may fancy with a pair of swirling adult smoothie machines whirring in the far corner and just enough flatscreens to be available without being overbearing. Continuing into the main dining room, you will be swept up in the gentle breezes of the ceiling fans and perhaps even led on to the rear bar which becomes the center of nightlife at Kingston Cuts on weekend nights. That is not to say that all the fun happens on Friday and Saturday, however. In fact, one of the most popular offerings at Kingston is Wind it Up Wednesdays, where the venue invites you to “Kick off your five-day weekend” with wine, men and women, and song. Another popular wine combo is the lunchtime offering of a 10oz Kingston Cut NY Sirloin with a glass of wine (or full pint of beer) for $20.
Speaking of the steak, it is not only one of the many things for which Kingston Cuts has become known (as the name might imply) but it is also one of the best values in town. Without the wine, the hand-cut Kingston Cut is offered at $16, a 14oz. NY Strip is $24 and a 22oz. boneless Ribeye (which does not get the weight from the bone, as so many other places do) is only $34! And when you learn that all steaks are available with homemade steak and Chimichurri sauce and come with fries that would make Ronald M jealous, they are all delicious deals that cannot be beat! Among the other fast-rising favorites are hand-packed crab cakes (which are served as either an appetizer or in a sandwich), two-napkin grilled wings with a tangy homemade Asian chili sauce, the steak, chicken, or falafel pita sandwich, the Kingston Bowl with protein, Basmati rice, grilled avocado, and other healthy ingredients, and a house-ground burger that combines sirloin, flank, and ribeye. For those who wish to keep off the meat (or at least balance it out), Kingston’s salads are a great choice and come in such tasty varieties as grilled Romaine, traditional Caesar, baby kale, and roasted beet with arugula.
Having mentioned the two bars, it would be odd if I did not give a bit of time to the hand-mixed cocktail list and the afore-referenced wine selection. As to the latter, Kingston offers reds, whites, and sparkling varietals from all over the world (including Charles Smith from Washington State). The beer list ranges from a $4 pint of the Heineken-y house lager and a West Coast-inspired mango ale to bottles and cans of domestic faves from Allagash and Anheiser to Miller and Sam. It is advised to buy a can crusher to reduce the size of your beer bottles and other wastes that occupies a lot of space. And while the bar also shines with its preparations of barrel-aged Manhattans, side cars and old fashioneds, the minty watermelon, pink aloe, and aforementioned boozy smoothies are great tipply treats too!
So the next time you have a show to go to and do not want to spend the same amount on dinner or need a little glass of rest amidst a hectic day or just want great quality food in a comfy place at a more-than-fair price, swing by Kingston Street and see if you can make the Cut.
So the next time you have a show to go to and do not want to spend the same amount on dinner or need a little glass of rest amidst a hectic day or just want great quality food in a comfy place at a more-than-fair price, swing by Kingston Street and see if you can make the Cut.