No. 9 Park

2013 has brought some change. I have not been photographing as many meals or spending time here nearly as much. So many things still inspire but the shift in mindset, focus, dedication - it happened. For now, a recent (birthday!) dinner at No. 9 Park.
Should you need a reason to splurge or an excuse to visit one who sets the precedence for fine dining in Boston, No. 9 Park in an intimate Beacon Hill townhouse displays timeless elegance under sparkling antique chandeliers, with a celebrated bar and wine program, gracious hospitality, and the best of Barbara Lynch's flavorful and inspired dishes.
 

The Air Mail ($10) made with Neisson rhum agricole blanc, honey, lime and sparkling wine proves a lovely aperitif and the Conquistador ($14) garners high praise with an exotic spiciness and a hint of smoke, it blends Soberano brandy de jerez, Del Marguay Vida mezcal, Carpano Antica vermouth, cacao and thai chili. The old world meets artisan wine list is pricey but the good news is, they offer half bottles. The sommelier described quite a few in beautiful detail and we chose from Bandol, Provence, a Chateau de Pibarnon.

We started with six oysters on the half ($21), which were tiny, but of unique character; Fin De La Baie from New Brunswick, Sun Hallow from Washington and Bagaduce from Maine. The appetizers to kick off the three course prix fix ($69) were the chef's special of Seared Yellowfin Tuna with torgarashi, foie gras vinaigrette and Periguex truffle and the unphotographed but ironically favorite dish of the entire evening, the dish I would go back right now for, a rich and velvety Autumn Vegetable Potage with poached pear, seared bay scallops and sage brown butter. (It wasn't even my dish, but man, it somehow blew my sashimi away! It was more of a soup night anyways.)

The entrees of Glazed Beef Shortribs with potato mille-feiulle, baby vegetables and macomber turnip and Prime Flatiron Steak alternating with a bone marrow bread pudding and a swiss chard and spinach parcel were flawless; perfectly plated, refined, balanced, solid. (But they still did not outshine that soup!) Then there were desserts in abundance, beacons of goodness and at times otherworldly, a Tres Leches Cake with Earl Gray ice cream, grapefruit and lemon, and Fried Carnaroli Rice Pudding with pineapple, cardamon and basil. Lastly, a surprise Happy Birthday treat with the beloved chocolate and peanut butter combo was a nice touch!

The restaurant that began an empire is exquisite; it is classy and expensive, but by no means pretentious or stuffy. Our waitress was a gem. Her cheerful, easygoing, and informed nature truly added to the experience.

No. 9 Park
9 Park Street
Boston, MA 02108

P.S. If I'm not here, I'm still here, here and now here....