The Oak Bar | Fairmont Copley Plaza

After some last minute wedding related errands we checked into the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. The suite was stunning. 

Then, it was finally time to relax with some cocktails at The Oak Bar .

Tucked away in the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel on the corner of St. James Avenue and Dartmouth Street, a restored antique room filled with arched windows of vast proportions, regal upholstered décor, ornate drapes and paneled ceilings painted in deep gold and royal blue accents is perhaps one of the most elegant hotel bars in the city.

The maid of honor, one of the bridesmaids, the bride and I started off the evening together and were soon joined by some out of town wedding guests. The Oak Bar features one of the largest martini and specialty drink menus I've seen in this city. I started off with a humorous twist on a classic favorite. The Charles River Martini ($17) offered a long pour of Crop Organic Vodka and olive juice with Charles River Mud (chopped olives, onion and lemon zest). $17? I know. Not only is this worth every sip due to the organic vodka in a perfectly crafted and well thought out Boston named martini, but you receive an additional pour as delivered in a signature carafe in a bucket over ice. This is not just the extra martini topper that wouldn't fit in the glass. This is another drink! The real surprise of the evening, though, was the Oak Bar Kobe Beef Burger ($18). Apparently flying under the radar for years (my radar at least) this burger was comparable in price to the infamous Radius Burger, though not as extraordinary. Melted cheddar cheese and thinly coiled shoestring onion rings come piled on kobe beef with an ever so slightly prevalent sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. The option to pile on raw onion, lettuce and tomato come on the side. The Kobe beef, exquisite tender meat with rich juicy flavors is heaven on a toasted bun. The thick cut steak fries were lacking in crispiness and seasoning.

My second (or fourth, call it what you will) drink was a Moscow Mule ($10) impressively garnished with two slates of candied ginger. Desserts were consumed in the form of Green Tea Panna Cotta ($12) and Vermont Crème Fraiche Cheesecake ($12). I'm normally a panna cotta gal and I loved the green tea flavor, but the cheesecake stole the show with a rich and tangy flavor and a dissimilar texture when compared to a standard slice. The crème fraiche elevates the dessert beholding a fluffy whipped consistency over a dense gram cracker crust. 

Since we ended up in The Oak Bar for post wedding drinks (working my way through their cocktails menu this weekend) I also thought I'd share my nightcap!

The Copley Serenade ($10) is a delicate blend of Farmers Organic Gin, mint, raspberries and fresh lime juice and charged with ginger ale. It was fantastic!