Lunch, L'Espalier (Restaurant Week)

[lakmiseiru]

My stepfather and his secretary invited me to join them during Restaurant Week this summer for lunch at L'Espalier, a high-end restaurant in Back Bay along Boylston Street. The menus for lunch for RW are either two- or three-course; this was a three-course, for $20.09 a head plus $7.50 each for wine. I was quite tempted to take pictures, but

Comments

[anonymous]

L'Espalier used to be located in a townhouse in Beacon Hill. It was the most romantic restaurant in Boston; the food was always spectacular and overpriced but it always left a big impression. Each high ceilinged room in the townhouse had a fireplace (seasonally lit) with classical decor, candlelit tables, real silverware/crystal and a gracious waitstaff. It was one of my favorite restaurants for many years.

A couple of years ago it moved and we haven't been back since.

I love the fact that you have such a critical eye and made good suggestions for improvements. If you noted your above comments I am sure the chef will appreciate them.

With regard to the wine, if you order by the glass you will get to taste it if they open a fresh bottle. There are about 5 glasses of wine in a bottle so I guess you have a 20% chance of being asked. When they ask you to taste the wine they are not asking you if you like it but rather if it is drinkable. About 1 in 25 bottles of wine have leaky corks and when air gets in the wine is stale or 'corked'.-

[lakmiseiru]

I'd heard they moved; my stepfather (who'd been to the old one) said he's less fond of the new setup. It's less cozy and more modern, which is a shame - it removes the unique and friendly atmosphere.

I haven't ordered wine by the glass at a place this high-end before, so that's good to know. I'm familiar with the convention otherwise (although I've yet to find a bottle I needed to send back, thankfully).

Are there other restaurants in the area you'd recommend that have similar styles to the old L'Espalier?