City Table

A contemporary neighborhood spot tucked away in Back Bay's historic and luxury boutique Lenox Hotel is City Table serving creative American comfort food and signature libations. Located at 61 Exeter Street just around the corner from bustling Boylston, City Table provided for a cozy impromptu gathering with friends last Thursday night.Before I met the ladies I relaxed for a few moments in the lobby where clean smells of earthy incense wafted and ornate Christmas decorations filled a mantle above a crackling fire.Megan, Alicia and I gathered for a send off dinner in Alicia's honor. The evening marked her last official night as a Boston resident. Comfortable dining nooks are sectioned off in corners of the restaurant, housing modern dark brown woods and leather booths. Large windows true to form overlook the grand city scape. The central bar is set a glow by warm yellow lighting backed by a wall of rich blue and gray slate tiles.As we settled in and got to eyeing the extensive cocktail menu, it felt like a champagne kind of evening. While the martini list sparked intrigue, I sipped on what is now one of my favorite champagne drinks to date, affirming my latest infatuation with bitters to be well justified. Served in a wide rimmed champagne glass with a zig zag stirrer, the Champagne Cocktail ($8) boasted an angostura bitters soaked sugar cube, giving the bubbly a deep topaz glow and just a slightly pungent finish. Whoever thought of a bitter soaked sugercube should be praised for it is possibly best thing to happen to champagne drinks!The appetizers looked promising so once we finally narrowed it down to three choices and a salad, it wasn't long before the dishes graced the table and we played the usual pass-the-plates game before digging in.

Hangar Steak Tacos ($11) ancho rubbed, spicy tomatoes, guacamole. Tacos with a twist! The mini frajtas were the first of its kind (that I've encountered), an inventive play on a classic entree. Well seasoned slices of tender steak accompanied fresh diced tomatoes topped with julienned radishes and a flavorful guacamole served inside an exotic leaf.

Roasted Pumpkin Agnolotti ($10) brown butter, spicy walnuts, bosc pears. Agnolotti is a thinner flatter version of ravioli. The pumpkin is complimented by the crunch of the bold at times (one of us got a spicy bite, others not as much) walnuts and that sweet-spice bite of the tender bosc pear. Finished in a warm brown butter sauce, the Angolotti proves a delicate and delicious appetizer plate.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($12) duck confit, savory red wine sauce, parmesan. Duck confit is a favorite as of late, so it is no wonder I was still dreaming about this savory sweet appetizer on the T ride home. The pillows of sweet potato gnocchi proved an exciting pairing with the tender duck meat and sharp parmesan cheese.

House-Made Burrata Cheese & Prosciutto di Parma Salad arugula, grapefruit, white balsamic and fig reduction ($13) You can never go wrong when a salad includes house made cheese. Buratta meaning buttered in Italian is fresh mozzarella and cream, lending a soft silky palate and a rich sweet buttery taste. Tart juicy grapefruits, peppery arugula and crispy prosciutto mingled with an inventive dressing that combined a reduction of white wine balsamic with figs. Wishing Alicia well as she officially embraces new life in Connecticut, another round of cocktails were in order! I'm looking forward to sharing in her discoveries as she scopes out the Hartford and local CT food scene!!
Please note the man in the background in the below shot. Embracing upscale comfort as whole from the appetizers pairing unique ingredients in classic dishes to the casually elegant atmosphere, City Table makes for an intimate gathering with friends (or perhaps a more rowdy evening at the bar!)