Aquitaine | Chestnut Hill

Camden's NanaK visited and we took her out to Aquitaine for Mother's Day! 

Perfectly cooked Seared Duck Breast ($36) with a crispy skin encasing tender meat parades around a luscious madeira jus with artichokes and fava beans. This was a memorable entrée.

Profiteroles ($14.50) are a revelation sandwiching a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, drizzled with Belgian chocolate and a topping of powdered sugar.

This little video is a boomerang look at the piping hot Escargot Bourguignon sizzling in butter, garlic, parsley and pernod. ($15.50). A must order appetizer!

A classic French bistro atmosphere and well executed cuisine to match, Aquitaine Chestnut Hill is one of our favorites!

Aquitaine

11 Boylston St

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Newton, Lately

Blue Ribbon BBQ | West Newton

This plate was actually from the Lexington Battle Green BBQ Festival. We were biking along the Minuteman Trail and out of nowhere live music and smokin' ribs, pulled pork, beans, coleslaw, mac n cheese, cornbread, the works!! 

Max and Leo's | Newton Corner

At Max and Leo's tiny Newton Corner establishment the 900 degree coal fired oven turns out exquisite artisan pies. See also: a Definitive Guide to Boston Pizza in the Improper Bostonian and Boston's 12 Best Pizza Joints in the Boston Globe.

 

Truly their coal fired pizza and cozy Newton Corner digs are the BEST. Start with a nice glass of red wine and a Fire-Roasted Stuffed Red Pepper with rice, chicken, vegetables + drizzled with a balsamic glaze; then go half and half with their creative pies. For tomato sauce based, half Dante / meatballs, house-made mozzarella, roasted red pepper + basil with half Jero’s Pineapple / house-made mozzarella, bacon, pineapple, + jalapeño is a winning combo. And if you're in a white olive oil base kinda mood the L’Umina with sliced pears, caramelized onions, basil, ricotta cheese, fresh-sliced Prosciutto + drizzle of organic wildflower honey with half L’Oscar / Italian sausage, caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, mascarpone + mozzarella cheese will really do the trick. Also in the white pizza category I really like The Brooksy ($17.95) with grilled chicken, caramelized onions, wild mushroom, mascarpone and mozzarella cheese. The Marley ($16.75) is a classic red pizza finished with arugula, shaved parmesan and a balsamic drizzle. I guess I have basically had every pizza on the menu at this point so - trust!

Max & Leo's 

325 Washington St.
Newton, MA 02458 

Cook | Newtonville (update - they moved to Needham!)

Cook is a great restaurant to have in the neighborhood where a cheerful modern space serves creative American comforts. The Banana French Toast ($12) is made with Portuguese sweet bread. I paired a Bellini ($9) with the Smokey Pepper Grilled Cheese ($12) made with manchego, house boursin, crispy shallots and a smoky pepper jam with a side of leafy greens and sweet pickles. Yum!

Shake Shack | Chestnut Hill

Love indulging in a Shake Shack Burger and their golden crinkle cut fries. SO GOOD.  P.S. Their 100th Location just opened in the Seaport!!

Where have you been eating in your city or neighborhood lately?!

Brio Tuscan Grille

I had been curious about Brio Tuscan Grille ever since I noticed last year they had moved into The Shops at Chestnut Hill. A couple weeks ago we had a really nice time dining with them. Although I've never been to Tuscany, the space somehow feels like I'd expect a Tuscan Villa to - grand molded archways with roman columns and sweeping gauzy curtains with marbled accent walls and tabletops. The afternoon summer light streaming in through the wrap around terrace. An expansive dining room boasts leather meets upholstered booths and tables are set in crisp white linens. 

We started our meal in classic Italian fashion - a round loaf of bread still warm and crusty from the oven and an olive oil plate with all the parmesan, crushed red pepper and balsamic. Brio's Burrata and Ciabatta ($10.95) appetizer is a near perfect rendition. They pair the soft, milky cheese with a hearty roasted tomato dip and plenty of lightly toasted ciabatta. I liked the presentation on a wooden board over an Italian newspaper placemat. The Calamari Fritto Misto ($11.95) is a heavily breaded and crispy version that would do well for a big party each having a couple bites. It was too much as a second appetizer for two people and had us filling up fast! Little did we know how massive the entrees would be...

From the Tuscan grille Bob had the New Zealand raised Lamb Chops Double Cut ($29.95) which were nicely cooked, with a side of the lust worthy Fingerling Potatoes Brio. Those fork tender fingerlings coated in an ethereal special sauce served in a mini cast iron skillet are a must order! Despite being overwhelmed by the serving portion of my Chicken Limone ($21.95) I loved it (especially for lunch not one but two days in a row!) The chicken is prepared traditional picatta style and served with lemon, capers, haricot vert and mashed potatoes in a flavorful lemon and herb sauce. 

As far as desserts are concerned, their Flourless Chocolate Torte ($6.95) misses the mark with a wedge of unremarkable chocolate and an olive oil gelato. The texture of the cake was off and the gelato was missing a creaminess to it - that special note that sets good gelatos apart. The Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake ($3.95) with anglaise sauce and whipped creme was the better choice. That said, with large portions of hearty starters and entrees, you'll likely be too full anyways!

Brio Tuscan Grille

200 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

Seasons 52 | Chestnut Hill

Another week, another restaurant in the suburbs showing off their repertoire! That seems to be the trend as of late and I am enjoying seeing what these spots are all about. A sophisticated grill and wine bar, Seasons 52 is a part of the specialty restaurant group that owns The Capital Grille. Their menu changes with the seasons four times a year and is accompanied by an exceptional wine list of which 52 are available by the glass. One of them includes an affordable champagne, Chartogne-Taillet ($15.50) Cuvee Sainte-Anne which proves to be an ideal aperitif - light, bone dry and deliciously fruity. 

Of the ten or so appetizers presented to us, pictured here are my favorites. 

Their rendition of the ever popular Blistered Shishito Peppers ($7.20) are served with roasted corn, Sonoma goat-feta cheese, lemon-aioli and sumac. There were delicate strips of lightly seared Ahi Tuna and tender bites of oak grilled Lamb Lollipops that benefited from a smokey char. They exclusively serve Nantucket Bay Scallops, which were beautifully rendered with brown butter and meyer lemon, served in the shell. Flatbreads with a delightfully crisp, paper thin crust have mass appeal for sure, but only the Blackened Steak + Blue Cheese ($10.50) with cremini mushrooms, spinach and caramelized onions managed to stand out in a crowd. 

As for the entrees, everyone around the table seemed to really enjoy theirs. Bob had the Asian-Glazed Sea Bass ($31.80) over organic black rice with snow peas and shitake mushrooms. My Oak Grilled Filet Mignon ($28) was expertly cooked to medium rare, bathing in a red wine sauce with yukon gold mashed, broccolini, roasted tomato and mushrooms. A glass of Jolie Saison Gamay ($12) unfolds with rich fruits and subtle spice notes. A good structure with silky, graceful tannins prove it's well suited to match the filet mignons smooth and buttery texture. 

Their take on dessert is refreshing. Let's be honest, after a heavy steak or seafood meal you rarely want a dessert matching in feat and size, but your sweet tooth kicks in regardless. A rotating selection of mini parfaits and tortes offer delicate spoonfuls of goodness served in a double shot glass. Pictured are the Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cannoli, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte and Pumkpin Pie. They are the perfect way to end this type of meal, especially alongside a glass of aged Tawny Port. 

Seasons 52

220 Boylston St

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

Besito | Chestnut Hill

Besito translates to "little kiss" and at this small chain of authentic Mexican restaurants newest Chestnut Hill location, there is no lack of love. You taste it in the beautifully presented cuisine, you feel it from the eager-to-please waitstaff who greet you in Spanish, and you embrace it all around you in the culture rich atmosphere.

I love Mexican food. I wanted it all - tortilla soup, tableside guacamole, not to mention a number of sensational sounding appetizers. In an effort to reel it in, we decided on the ceviche del dia featuring fresh shrimp, avocado and mango, served with crispy tortilla and plantain chips. I sipped on a Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita, which nicely balanced the elements of cool and refreshing with a pinch of heat. 

Entrees showcased incredible, wide ranging and well developed flavors. The Filet de Res ($28) has a serious wow factor. Marinated in Negro Modelo, the butterflied steak is cooked a perfect medium and comes presented on a wide, circular cast iron skillet surrounded by a rich chipoltle sauce, balanced by quernado salsa, queso Chihuahua, queso fresco, nopales (cactus) and sweet plantains.

The Salmon Manchamantales ($23) is roasted and served with plantains in a pineapple pico de gallo. Besito's manchamantales mole is excellent. This earthy, complex sauce is certainly rivaling the mole we ate in Tulum, Mexico not too long ago! Additionally, black beans and rice studded with pepitas come with the entrees, served in little cauldrons for the table to share.

For dessert the delicious Tres Leches Cake is a must. The dense sponge cake is soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated, condensed, and placed atop a sweet, heavy cream. I sipped a smokey Mezcal while Bob enjoyed a spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate.  

At the end of the meal you are presented with parting gifts - crispy Churros and tiny little Mexican Worry Dolls. Traditionally you tell all your worries to the doll and place it under your pillow before bed, in the morning you wake up worry free.



Besito is a true testament to the owners deeply rooted passion, stemming from years of travel to Mexico. You can also visit them in Huntington, New York, Roslyn, New York, West Hartford, Connecticut, and in Burlington, Massachusetts at The Burlington Mall.

Besito Mexican Restaurant

Mall at Chestnut Hill

199 Boylston Street

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*this meal was complimentary - all opinions are my own*