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Monday, December 20, 2010

City Table | Lenox Hotel

A contemporary neighborhood spot tucked away in Back Bay's historic and luxe Lenox Hotel is City Table serving creative American comfort food and signature libations. Before I met the ladies for an impromptu gathering I relaxed for a moments in the boutique hotel lobby. 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 dark brown woods and leather booths. Large windows 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 infatuation with bitters.  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 a slightly bitter finish. Whoever thought of a bitters soaked sugar cube 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.
Ancho rubbed Hangar Steak Tacos ($11) come with fresh diced tomatoes topped with julienned radishes and a flavorful guacamole served inside a tamale.
In the Roasted Pumpkin Agnolotti ($10) the pumpkin is complimented by the spicy crunch of the walnuts and the sweet, tender bosc pear. Finished in a warm brown butter sauce, the Angolotti proves a delicate and delicious appetizer plate.
Next up, a divine Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($12) dish made with duck confit and a savory red wine sauce. The pillows of sweet potato gnocchi proved an exciting pairing with the tender duck meat and sharp parmesan cheese.
The House-Made Burrata Cheese & Prosciutto di Parma Salad ($13) was a winning combination of ingredients. Burrata means buttered in Italian, the cheese is made with fresh mozzarella and cream, lending a soft silky palate and a creamy 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 a 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.
Embracing upscale comfort as whole, City Table makes for an intimate gathering with friends (or perhaps a more rowdy evening at the bar, see behind us).

65 Exeter Street 
Boston, MA 02116

19 comments:

  1. I've never been to City Tables on a quiet weeknight (always during loud weekends!) I had no idea it could actually be a nice, intimate venue! Good review :)

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  2. OMG those tacos look friggin amazing...MUST go eat there soon!

    PS Yay for fellow Boston bloggers! Just came across your blog and am following...feel free to check mine out and follow if you like it! :)

    ~Kirsten
    http://triplemaxtons.blogspot.com

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  3. yummy. those gnocchi look good! did that used to be called city bar? if so, ive been there and i loved a delish drink called the southside something..so good! haha

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  4. I miss those tacos... soo good. Had a lovely evening with you... just wish we weren't sending Alicia off... maybe we can come up with a plan to lure her back. :)

    I love that you gave a shoutout to St. Germain.

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  5. I love those guys in the background. Photobomb!
    The decor is very festive, but not over the top. Very pretty.
    Everything looks delicious. What a great send off for Alicia!

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  6. fun place. Just checked her blog out and its really cute. Since i live in CT I am looking froward to seeing what she thinks of our little place :)

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  7. Sorry I missed the dinner but everything looked lovely! I love, love, love CityTable and CityBar's champagne cocktails!

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  8. That gnocchi sounds intense and the pumpkin agnolotti looks delightful. I tried City Table over the summer. My meal was just okay. I thought they did a better job with the less fancy bar-type food rather than the upscale dishes.

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  9. hahaha that guy behind you guys in the last picture is hilarious

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  10. Sad that I missed this. I like City Table except for the horrible, overwhelming perfume aroma in the lobby. I asked last time, and I guess it is their signature scent, but I thought it was waaaaaay too much. I want to taste my drink, not a mouth full of perfume!

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  11. I've been wanting to go to City Table; the apps look delicious! Looks like a fun night!

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  12. Pretty restaurant, nice menu, reasonable prices (oh, and champagne!!). Looks like a winner! XX!

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  13. That looks really great! Will have to make it over there. So many places to try and so little time (and money!) Great review, loved the pictures!

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  14. Bahaha! That person in the background of the last photo is saweet. This place looks crazy awesome - great review!

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  15. I love anywhere with a fireplace. Looks cozy!

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  16. Wonderful review - love all the photos of the room and food. I agree City Table is a great place to go in the neighborhood. We are there every other week.

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  17. Ever since we saw that The Lenox is rated number 1 on Trip Advisor for the whole city of Boston, we tell all of our friends from out of town to stay there.

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  18. This was a great last meal - I'm so glad you could come!

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