A Little Menton Celebration

Boston has so many beautiful restaurants that are perfect for celebrations, and Barbara Lynch’s Menton is definitely tops when it comes to special occasions.              I first went to Menton right after it opened, and I have been back a few times since, every visit being perfectly perfect and very special.

Menton is a place to visit all dressed up with a special someone or group of people to spend a long, leisurely meal laughing and tasting and enjoying the knowledge and hospitality of their very well trained staff.

On Saturday night we were celebrating 35th birthdays. Mine isn’t until March, so it was fun to get a jump on celebrations. I always love an excuse to get together to toast with friends!

Our server was helpful in choosing a wine to go with the wide variety of courses we ordered. A light, dry Sicilian wine was a great choice, especially for this lover of wines from Sicily!

We did the four course tasting menu, each ordering different options and sharing bites along the way.

{Yellowfin Tuna Crudo with Hearts of Palm, Truffle, and Soy}

Perfect tuna in a generous portion with fun, umami flavors kicked off the meal and got my taste buds ready for a feast.

{Winter Bouillabaisse with Hake and Scallop and Celery Root Dulse}

This was such a fun take on Bouillabaisse, though since it was so cold out, I wouldn’t have minded some broth! The scallop and mussel were absolute perfection.

{Roman Gnocchi, with Pumpkin, Kale, Poached Farm Egg}

Roman gnocchi is hearty and filling, but the star of this show was of course the poached egg. It broke all over the gnocchi and kale, making a rich, earthy sauce.

{Almond Brown Butter Cake with Concord Grape, Figs, and Lemon}

I was almost too full for dessert, but I am glad I went with this cake, which had a beautiful, light marzipan flavor, a spongy, buttery texture, and a perfect pairing with the chewy fresh figs.  A glass of pink Champagne made dessert extra special.

{Mini Macarons}

Menton’s final, delicious touch is a container of mini macarons in flavors like pink peppercorn and chive. They are little bites of heaven that clearly take a lot of love and expertise to make.

It was amazing to get out with great friends at a restaurant that has become a Boston institution. Menton brings old fashioned, fancy dining into the future, with all of the impeccable service you would expect but also with a comfortable, un-stuffy vibe. After all, going out to dinner is meant to be enjoyed!