If you've got the cash to spend, or an executive expense account (ha!), Grill 23 & Bar is the perfect place to settle in for the night. Located just a few blocks from Newbury Street, it's a magnet for power suits, schmoozing, and brown-nosing.
Perfect for a date if you're going for the whole impress-the-pants-off-her thing, Grill 23 serves award-winning food in a classic, elegant atmosphere without being overbearingly romantic. This restaurant is for the date you want to see again and again, not the date you want to forget ever happened. Think twice - it's an expensive mistake if you don't enjoy his or her company following the arrival of the appetizers.
From the outside, the building is an austere gray slab of stone somewhat resembling a bank. No wonder, since the clientele probably all hail from the financial district. The glowing plate-glass windows, however, illuminate the street in contrast with the intimidating exterior, revealing lively diners, delicious plates, and animated conversations.
The diner who steps into the foyer of Grill 23 is greeted by a gracious maitre'd. If you don't have a reservation, however, be prepared to be graciously turned away. Still, it's much classier than the "Please wait to be seated" signs at Friendly's. While waiting for your table to be prepared, mingle with the businessmen at the bar drinking martinis. Most of them are foreign, and you can bet they're in Boston on business and putting the meal on their expense account.
And why not, after all? Grill 23 is renowned for serving some of Boston's best dry-aged beef as well as astounding seafood presentations. Executive Chef Jay Murray piles masses of shellfish onto silver platters of ice, creating the visual effect of a mountain of food rivaled only by the fresh fish markets in Paris.
But we digress... we're still at the bar, salivating at the thought of Cedar Roasted Salmon or Prime, Dry-Aged Delmonico. When your coat is checked, your drink refilled, and your tummy growling, you are escorted to your table in the middle of a bustling, lively dining room. Looking out over the dining room is the kitchen - really the grill - where chefs and sous-chefs flurry around in white caps preparing delicious delectables. Set behind an open wall, diners are often interested in watching the goings-on of the orderly kitchen. The noise from the kitchen provides a comfortable level of background chatter, adding to the spirited atmosphere of the dining room.
Once seated, the pampering begins and your date will start to be really impressed. A waiter comes to explain the menu, namely that it is seasonal and changes a little bit each week. He recommends certain dishes and mentions the specials, which are met with a chorus of growling stomachs. He leaves the diners to contemplate, and a wine steward arrives to help in the selection of a fine wine from Grill 23's award-winning list. If you have a favorite wine, they probably have it - but if you don't, the steward can suggest one to compliment your meal. Watch yourself, though - the food here may run the bill up to around $100, but with nice wine and port after your meal, you could wind up in the feed-a-small-army price range.
The menu reflects the d?©cor: classical, with a modern twist. As an appetizer, the traditional Steak Tartare comes with an interesting tile bread and tomato confit. Seared Tuna arrives with Tzaziki, tomato water, and dill oil, adding a new-ish twist to an old favorite. But the appetizers are merely a prelude to the piece-de-resistance, the main courses.
The seafood served at Grill 23 is truly the best available, prepared in masterful ways by culinary geniuses. Yes, it's very good. Apart from lobster, the Herb Crusted Tuna comes perfectly underdone and well seasoned for a light yet filling meal. One taste, and you'll wish you'd ordered the tuna instead of the Grill 23 Meatloaf, which says a lot. This is not your mother's leftover meatloaf - this is a sculpted cylinder of goodness served on a bed of caramelized onions. Other equally delicious choices include steaks of all shapes and sizes, Chicken Breast with provencal couscous, pattypan squash and goat cheese, and Rack of Lamb with marinated tomatoes, shoestring potatoes and arugula pesto.
Though instinct and your taste buds will tell you to clean your plate, save room for dessert. The cr??me brulee, which comes with fresh fruit, whipped cream and a cookie, is perfectly caramelized on top and gooey inside. Indulge in something warm and sweet before venturing back into the cold night air.
After dinner at Grill 23, your date will be snuggling with you in the cab or holding your hand on the sidewalk. Bellies full, senses satiated, and interests peaked, the happy couple will stroll off into the sunset with light hearts and lighter wallets.
