Marliave

This Fridays lunch brought me to The Marliave nestled in the heart of Downtown Crossing.The restaurant building itself is over 135 years old and was first home to a restaurant opened by French Immigrant Henry Marliave in 1885. During prohibition it served as a speakeasy.

Currently it has been open for almost three years now; housing a lively bar paying homage to the speakeasy era with cracked mosaic floors and pressed tin walls. The top level where we were seated for lunch is home to a refined dining room that keeps in line with the elegant black and white color scheme. Last time I was here I pulled up a seat at their crowded bar and enjoyed a couple of the noteworthy cocktails. Friday was Adam's birthday and I was treating him to a spontaneous late birthday lunch!Their large laminated menu offers us a plethora of libations. I tried the Yellow Journalism ($10) with Clear Creak Pear Eau-De-Vie, Licor 43, Mionetto Prosecco and lemon. Adam approved of his Warren G. Harding ($10) with Old Overholt Rye, lemon and mint A simple plate of olive oil with green olives and some slices of soft bread were delivered shortly after we placed our order and inhaled just as quickly. We started the meal each with a piping hot bowl of Henry's Soup ($10). It came served in a deep white china bowl resembling a mini cauldron plated over a charming white doyle. The French Onion soup is loaded with sweet caramelized onions, a hearty crouton and thick melted Gruyere cheese. Most notably, tender bites of short ribs lace the broth taking a classic soup and elevating it to something even more incredible. This soup was outstanding. Tthe perfect first course to warm up with on a dreary and annoyingly cold and windy Friday afternoon. For his main course Adam ordered the Mussels ($12) farm raised, roasted tomatoes, garlic and parsley. He definitely enjoyed his birthday lunch, minus the roasted tomatoes! (I'll give him credit for trying one, but tomatoes are still something he can't seem to enjoy.) I ordered the salad simply labeled Beets ($12) which paired finely diced roasted beets with goat cheese, arugula, black olives and candied walnuts. A paper thin crosini balanced a top the compact beets which were plated to resembled that of a typical looking tartare. Fun, polished and creative! The creamy and tangy goat cheese and the sweet crunchy walnuts added some great texture and helped balance out the strong presence of the beets.Our waitress was pleasant and the kitchen timed our courses perfectly.
Marliave is a gem of an establishment where the DTX/Financial District crowd can enjoy a leisurely lunch or some after work cocktails; I'm almost positive the working professionals in the area would agree. But even if you don't work in the vicinity, Marliave is likely worth venturing downtown for. Get the French Onion Soup for sure!

The Marliave 

10 Bosworth Street

Boston, MA 02108