Eastern Standard
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Overall Rating: The Sickest (91 out of 100)
528 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
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Phone: 617-532-9100
Rising from the ashes of The Ratskeller at Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, Eastern Standard is an American Brasserie that is a pre-Red Sox game hot spot as well as an elegant venue for sick meals.
Our History at Eastern Standard
Our first visit to Eastern Standard was on a Friday night at 8:00pm.
Appetizers
Appetizers include asparagus soup for $7, salt cod fritters for $10, short rib ravioli for $11, steak tartare for $12, and seared foie gras for $14. Salads range from $7 for Boston Bibb to $11 for roasted beets. We ordered the salt cod fritters for $10 and the beets salad for $11.
We informed our waitress that we planned to share the beets salad; we were pleasantly surprised to receive two heaping portions. Roasted beets were tossed with blue cheese, walnuts, apples, and endive - a refreshing starter.
Served in a charming little wooden box, the salt cod fritters were crunchy on the outside and surprisingly soft on the inside. The fluffy, whipped cod mixture provided a delightful contrast to the thick, crunchy covering. Tartar sauce and spicy ketchup were provided for dipping.
Oysters, clams, shrimp, and Alaskan king crab leg are available from the raw bar. Eastern Standard also offers a selection of cheeses and charcuterie.
Rating: 9.1
Main Dishes
Entrees range from $18 to $28 and include pan roasted halibut, baked rigatoni, roasted chicken, beef short rib bourguignon, and bone-in ribeye. We ordered roasted chicken for $21 and beef short rib bourguignon for $25.
Flavorful, juicy chicken was surrounded by a crispy covering and served atop a sick stuffing of mushrooms, foie gras, and spaetzle. Tender, slow-cooked beef short rib bourguignon was served in a red wine broth with olives, mushrooms, pearl onions, and a side of buttery egg noodles.
Creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, spaetzle, green beans, and macaroni & cheese are available as sides, starting at $5. Sandwiches are also available including a burger, pressed prime rib, and grilled cheese.
Rating: 9.3
Drinks
An extensive cocktail menu features standard and original mixed drinks for any mood or taste. Our poisons were the Whiskey Smash ($10), a mix of bourbon, sweet lemon, and mint, and the Belle De Jour ($10), a sparkler that integrates elixir of lemon, Benedictine, and grenadine. A wide variety of wine is available by the glass or bottle, catering to a range of palates and wallets. Wine by the glass was poured generously; a single glass felt more like two.
Rating: 8.8
Service
We enjoyed prompt, professional service. Our waitress was at our beck and call, always just in time to take a new drink order, and patient and thorough in answering questions. Bus staff was courteous. Pacing was on the money.
Rating: 9.1
Ambiance
Eastern Standard perfectly blends bar and brasserie. We soaked in two distinct atmospheres - intimate on one hand, loud and lively on the other. A long, marble bar presents an ideal venue for conversation or watching a sporting event. At the same time, the dining area feels cozy and romantic. On a cool, fall evening, we nuzzled up in a plush red leather booth ideal for two. Outdoors seating is available on Eastern Standard's heated patio.
Rating: 9.3
Et Cetera
Trivia: Eastern Standard boasts the longest marble bar in Boston.
Menu: View the menu on Eastern Standard's web site
Reservations: Eastern Standard is on OpenTable
Transportation: Valet for $14 or take the Green Line to Kenmore.
Dress: Casual Elegent
Hours: Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5pm until 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm until midnight.
Labels: American, Eastern-Standard-Boston, Kenmore-Square, The-Sickest
