Grotto | Beacon Hill

Summer Restaurant Week has been good to me; so good in fact that I find myself looking back on restaurant weeks past wondering if certain meals were deserving of as much praise I gave them. All comparisons aside, the two weeks of prix fix menus are a great reason to check out new prospects and old favorite dining establishments throughout the city. I am not sure how any RW appetizer city wide could stack up to the Chilled Local Corn Soup that kicked things off last Monday at Mistral. That meal went unphotographed but the sheer brilliance of that first course can not go without mention. Over a week later, I'm still savoring the velvety smooth with just a hint of cream soup, which was ladled atop a mountain of shredded lump crab surrounded by thick bites of soft avocado. A finishing swirl of Jalapeno oil lent a slow heat, in lovely contrast with the sweet corn flavors. It was truly a standout of soups I've tasted. The rest of the meal continued in fine form (Mustard Glazed Salmon, Chocolate Cake with cappuccino sauce) - so thank you to Mistral and moving right along to Grotto now! A subterranean spot located on the back side of Beacon Hill, our meal here tonight was just as poignant.As I descended into the space where exposed brick and stone walls are met with black shelving housing rows of wine bottles; I spotted my dining companion Lindsey of Beantown Eats sipping Chardonnay at a cozy two top. The cavernous dining room is characterized by sweeping floor to ceiling red curtains and industrial ceilings with exposed piping, dangling from them two small jeweled chandeliers. After soaking in the atmosphere, I turned my attention to the wine list. Lindsey remarked the Chardonnay was a little sweeter than she expected, which was helpful since I was in the mood for a crisp, dry white wine. I opted for a Quartino of Sauvignon Blanc ($12). I appreciated the reasonable price point of this small carafe (about two glasses worth.) Why settle on one when you can get two for just a few dollars more? With soft bread and a plate of olive oil served we were off to an impressive start. Grotto's Restaurant Week menu presents you with nearly all the same dishes as their regular menu, surpassing the typical three choice dishes that most restaurants are accustomed to offering. It proves for some difficult decision making but our waitress happily weighed in on her favorites. For my primi course I chose the Mare which is a grilled calamari salad. Under a bed of lemony dressed greens specked with red peppers laid tender coils of grilled calamari, elevated by a smooth white bean puree. Lin chose the Fontina Cheese Fondue served with beef tenderloin, aged balsamic, truffle oil and Portobello mushrooms. Drastically different appetizers, mine light and summery, hers exuding a cold weather heartiness; both were solid. 

Off all the secondi courses listed the Potato Gnocchi with Short Ribs, Mushrooms and Gorgonzola caught both of our attentions first. This also happened to be one of the waitresses top recommendations and neither of us could pass it up!A generous portion of smooth as silk, fluffy as clouds, grooved potato dumplings were paired with fork tender short rib cubes in a deeply flavorful brown sauce laced with slippery shitake mushrooms and just a dusting of sharp gorgonzola cheese. Trusting our instincts paid off. This was absolutely phenomenal. Lindsey and I both agreed we had to spare a few bites for leftovers to take home to our significant others. Aren't we thoughtful?! For dolce I chose one of the lighter options to follow up a hearty entrée, one of my all time favorites, Panna Cotta. Grotto's lemon version is bright and refreshing with a decadent balsamic raspberry sauce and a crispy pizzelle cookie. Lindsey chose the Banana Bread Budding with caramel ice cream and candied spiced pecans. Restaurant week dessert courses can sometimes feel neglected; but at Grotto that is entirely not the case. Both of our desserts were outstanding and especially so because we paired them with a dessert wine - Falchini Vin Santo ($9). It offered a balanced sweetness and pronounced nuttiness with a sharp clean finish. An intimate and cozy space tucked inconspicuously underneath a Beacon Hill brownstone, visit Grotto for comforting, contemporary Italian dishes at a reasonable price point.

Grotto

37 Bowdoin Street

Boston, MA 02114