beer

I didn’t plan on blogging about it. I didn’t even take any photos. It was simply going to be dinner on a rainy night after my American Institute of Wine  Food Board meeting, a new monthly tradition that my husband and I have started. Since my meetings are at Newbury College, dinner in Brookline makes the most sense. Last time we had a great (unblogged) meal at American Craft, and this time, we tried The Abbey.

Let me first start by saying that I needed cheering up. Remember the time my Trader Joe’s bag ripped on Boylston Street.

Well I know I will never trust a Trader Joe’s bag again. I usually bring my own bags when I go shopping, but in both of these cases, I was out and about and decided to grab groceries because I was in the neighborhood. It was also my turn to bring food to the Board meeting.

I found myself walking up the giant hill to Newbury College in the pouring rain with three heavy, PAPER bags. Which quickly disintegrated in the rain, first the handles ripping off, the boxes of crackers poking out the sides, and then every single grocery item going splat on the sidewalk. Multiple curse words later, I was on the ground recovering the items, wrapping them in what was left of the paper bags, and carrying them in my arms the rest of the way. It was so not fun. Did I mention the nagging chest cold I have?

Dinner out was a much-needed respite from the stress and a chance to really see my husband. I have been away on my own for two weekends in a row, and I missed him!

We arrived at The Abbey in a total downpour and were told there was about a 20 minute wait for a table. We opted to wait at the bar, ordering a Harpoon Oyster Stout  to keep us busy while we waited. The bartender was incredibly friendly and helpful, and The Abbey has a literal book of beer, wine, and cocktails.

Our table was ready in no time, and we took our seats in the cozy, very dimly lit dining area. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive throughout the entire meal.

The Abbey’s menu is not large, but somehow we still had a hard time deciding on what to order. So many things looked delicious!

I knew I had to have a charred Caesar salad. Ever since lunch at Diavola a very long time ago (I need to get back!) , I have ordered every grilled salad I could find. This one was exceptional. It was charred on the outside, warm on the inside, but still crunchy enough, doused with creamy dressing and coated with nutty parmesan.

For our entrees, we decided to share the mussels with white wine and garlic and shoestring potatoes and the bison Bolognese with fresh linguini. I also ordered a delicious cocktail, the Channel Lox – Irish whiskey, scotch, simple syrup, lemon juice, bitters.

This cocktail was nothing short of amazing. Tart lemon juice perfectly balanced the whiskey and bitters. It was delicious.

The food. . . we were out for a quick dinner, and I really wasn’t even thinking that I might discover new favorite dishes. The food was fantastic. The mussels were nestled in with shoestring fries in a light, garlicky sauce. The bison Bolognese was rich, spicy, filling, with perfectly al dente linguine. Spearing bits of the Bolognese sauce after twirling long pasta noodles around my fork provided such warmth and comfort as the rain was absolutely pouring down in buckets outside.

Our experience at The Abbey was simply outstanding. I wish I had taken photos, but it was nice to just focus on my company and the food. We will definitely be back!

What are your weekend plans? Do you have any fun eating, drinking, or traveling adventures coming up? It has been awhile since I hosted guest posters, and I would love to have a few!