Ashmont Grill

Summer nights are one of my favorite times to live in Dorchester. Unlike other neighborhoods I have lived in, there is a real sense of community. Neighbors stop and talk to each other, people know the neighborhood kids, and shop owners and staff are friendly.

Add to that the smell of the ocean and a handful of great restaurants with outdoor space, and you have yourself the perfect Friday night.

Having not been to Ashmont Grill in a few months, we decided to head there for an early Friday dinner, opting to sit inside because there was still a chill in the air.

Ashmont Grill has an awesome back patio, completely enclosed from the noisy city streets, and complete with a fire pit and fleece blankets on the chairs. It is one of my favorite Boston outdoor dining experiences; if I had been feeling better, we would have been out there.

I had a hard time deciding between a beer, a glass of bubbly, or a cocktail, but Ashmont Grill’s cocktail menu is great, and I finally decided on a Ginger Sidecar which had a spicy kick and was delicious. It warmed me right up!

As we often do at Ashmont, we ordered a bunch of appetizers to share for dinner. When it comes to being able to try four or five things or to eat a big plate of one thing, I definitely go for the variety!

First came the roasted beet and arugula salad with goat cheese, mandarin oranges, and candied walnuts. Heaven on a plate, a salad we both could easily eat every day. I love golden beets!

Next up, we shared a plate of oysters. They were great, but I need to be in an oyster mood, and I wasn’t.

Our dinner course was spicy pork tacos with pickled onions and guacamole, tender, spicy pork on soft, warm tortillas with lots of flavor from the onions and a sprinkle of cilantro.

And, to quell my craving for fries, we shared the tempura veggies with a spicy aioli. It actually worked! These were served piping hot with a crispy coating and an addictive sauce. Though, if you are really, really in the mood for good fries, Ashmont’s “train wreck” fries, topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and pickled jalapenos are the way to go.

Dinner at Ashmont Grill is always a laid back, delicious experience with lots of great food and drink choices. Their weekend brunch is fantastic, and their Monday wine club, $35 for dinner and four wines, can not be beat.

Hmmm. . . Where in Dorchester will I eat next?