TURNING OVER NEW LEAVES

I recently raved about the renovated and renamed Irish eatery (which is now known as Sweeney’s) at the historic Lenox Hotel http://www.lenoxhotel.comin downtown Boston and wanted to follow up with an update regarding one of the Hotel’s other dining establishments.

City Table was a favorite of hotel guests and visitors alike for years, but now that the Hotel has taken its dining service in-house and handed the reins to Chef Daniel Kenney (who local food fans and visitors may know from his masterful menus at The Liberty Hotel), the lobby restaurant has been renamed Willow & Ivy and, when it reopens in March, will feature a menu that features Kenney’s fresh takes on New England-inspired American cuisine.  

Among the signature dishes at Willow & Ivy are a Maine lobster pie made with Cognac and sweet corn, an orange blossom honey-glazed duck breast with grilled stone fruit and ginger carrots, and a Harissa-rubbed spring lamb chop and loin combo. 

As with Sweeney’s and the recently-renovated and renamed Irving bar, there is also a new cocktail program that combines locally-sourced botanicals and house-made infusions that can be customized for any taste.

As it sits on the corner of Boylston and Exeter in the heart of Back Bay, the Hotel and its restaurants make for perfect stops for locals and visitors alike and the floor-to-ceiling windows framing Willow & Ivy will allow guests to take in all that Boston has to offer while they enjoy gatherings with friends and family or business meetings in the main space or in the private dining room that seats up to 32 guests. True to its name, the main dining room includes a live tree right in the middle, so not only does the space let in the outside it truly brings the outside in!

Whether you are new to Boston, just visiting, or come from Brahmin stock, the Lenox Hotel is always a great place and the new dining options make it even better!

As Matt’s Meals fans know, I like to talk about what’s new on the restaurant scene, but I would not be a true food reporter if I did not help Friendly’s celebrate 90 years in business.

While many may think of them nostalgically, the Wilbraham, MA-based chain has recently revamped its menu with a combination of old favorites and new flavors, many of which are being offered in ways that are also easy on the wallet.

As part of a nonagenarian comeback, Friendly’s is bringing back one of their most popular offerings – the classic tuna melt.

I spent many a lunch when I was a kid enjoying a Friendly’s tuna melt and a Fribble (with maybe a Jim dandy sundae for dessert!), so it’s great to see this standard fare still going strong!

Friendly’s is also adding some new flavors including a beef tips with mashed potatoes dinner and an entire menu of quesadillas that features a bacon ranch quesadilla and a roasted corn and cheese one that is really great!

Friendly’s has also brought back the famed Happy Ending Dessert meal deal which offers a classic sandwich and one of their famous Happy Ending sundaes for as little as $8.99.

Friendly’s will also be offering a Birthday In a Bag pack, which includes not just ice cream and fixin’s but decorations. And if that weren’t enough, the birthday celebrator can join the Friendly Fun Club online and register to get a free medium sundae on their special day!

Being the first to try the latest hotspot is a thrill, but it’s always great to go back to an old familiar and see how well it still doing. I hope to see everybody at Friendly’s again soon!

I recently talked about local restaurant legend Seth Greenberg opening Monteverdi in Cambridge.

Now another great Seth is planting a flag in another hot neighborhood.

Wellesley’s own Seth Goldman (who you may know as the creator of Honest Tea and Beyond Meat) is finally ready to open his popular plant-based burger joint PLNT Burger (that’s “P-L-N-T Burger”) in Coolidge Corner just across from the historic and iconic Coolidge Corner Theatre. 

Though PLNT Burger has already been winning rave reviews at Whole Foods Markets in MA and in its New York location, this opening will represent a sort of homecoming for Seth as it will mark the first Boston-area location for his latest expanding brand.

Known for their nutrient-rich, plant-based proteins in such delicious disguises as the admittedly misnamed (but no less delicious) steakhouse burger, the environmentally-friendly save the Bay filet, and convincingly crispy chik’n sandwich (as well as a burger that is made with real vegetables), PLNT Burger also offers a great Cool Kids lunch pack that is perfect for younger fans who want to eat right and do good by the planet. If you need a little pick me up, PLNT delivers with sweet potato crinkles, and even a plant-based chili that is perfect on colder days. When you’re done saving your health and the planet, reward yourself with an oat milk shake of Whisked! cookie. With so much nutrition and so little impact, you can’t go wrong!

As Seth would say (and often does!), “Eat the change you wish to see in the world” at PLNT Burger.

Though the Seaport may have already become too big for its bridges, there are still places to take in what was once the only view from the Hub’s newest neighborhood- that of the beautiful Boston Harbor.

For years, one of the best places to capture a truly Boston moment was while dining at the legendary Daily Catch while peeking out from beneath its brick arches at the rolling waves and warming sun and across to the Boston Harbor Hotel (which also offers great food and views).

While the Catch may be gone, the legendary view is back thanks to the local team that has opened a stunning new lounge called Marcelino’s Levantine Cocktails & Cuisine.
Helmed by Mediterranean Chef Maroun Nohra and bar director Refaat Ghostin, Marcelino’s is set to build upon the success of their Boutique Bar in Providence.

Offering masterfully-made mezze-style small plates and made-to-order mixes (both alcoholic and non-) that include such international impressions as olive sourdough,za’atar fattoush salad, saffron baby squid, and a decadent grilled lamb with Turkish ezme, as well as cocktails that feature tomato and oregano and watermelon and rhubarb, the Andalusian-themed space (which has been completely reimagined and redesigned) will also host live music and is perfect for after-work rendezvous and other special events.

Marcelino’s is sure to be the new perfect spot for a bite, a beverage, and a breathtaking view, so brave the traffic and come on down!