As you can probably tell by its name, Mooo… is a steakhouse. But it's not just any steakhouse. Mooo… boasts the title of the best steakhouse in Boston as rated by Boston Magazine and is reputably one of the city's 50 best restaurants of 2011. This is something I can personally attest to.
Just a five−minute walk from Park Street Station, Mooo… is situated inside the swanky XV Beacon Hotel. It is contemporary, yet classic; sophisticated, yet young. One whole wall displays the restaurant's extensive wine collection, while the rest of the venue exhibits clean lines and cool colors. Grand light fixtures hang above each table and square pillars interrupt the vast space of the dining room. Interesting photos of cows adorn the walls, which I found to be a bit unnerving, since I wasn't too keen on being reminded of the farm animal I was about to eat. Regardless, the interior is truly beautiful.
Mooo… is somewhat unique as a steakhouse in that it also serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well as dinner. So if steak and a glass of wine are not appealing to you, I suggest heading over in the morning for Belgian waffles or wild mushroom frittatas. Because the restaurant is quite pricey, I would recommend it for special occasions or a very elegant date. For those looking for just a taste of the food without the hefty bill, order a drink and snack from the bar menu and enjoy the classy atmosphere.
During my visit, our table was served complimentary bread rolls, which set the tone for the rest of the meal. They were freshly baked and still warm, and with each bite their buttery glaze melded with the sweet heaviness of the dough. Though delicious, they were also very filling.
Soon after we devoured the bread, the appetizers arrived. The baby beets and Vermont goat cheese salad was probably my favorite dish of the entire meal. The creamy tartness of the goat cheese perfectly accented the sweet flavoring of the beets. The other appetizer was a classic Caesar salad with lettuce with a satisfactory crunch, while the tuna tartare was very refreshing and not too heavy.
For my entree, I ordered the petit filet mignon cooked medium rare with a side dish of wild mushroom risotto. The filet came, complete with bone marrow butter, beautifully arranged on the plate. With a dab of butter on the morsel of meat, each bite was exquisite, succulent and tender. As I savored each bite, my temporal muscles were happy not to be forced into the usual routine of masticating dry, tough beef. I enjoyed my risotto, but I found it to be a smidge too salty for my liking, though it was incredibly flavorful.
The other side dish on the table comprised of truffled parmesan fries, which were truly too good for words. No French fry was too soggy or too crisp; all had the perfect consistency and featured a light but flavorful parmesan seasoning. Be warned: They are dangerously addictive.
I was also able to try the linguini and white clams, which was also a very classic but wonderful dish −− neither too bland, nor too strongly tasting of seafood.
For dessert, I ordered apple pie, which was quite possibly the best apple pie I've ever eaten. It avoided all the usual downfalls of this classic American treat, such as being too sweet or too sour, or too apple−heavy or apple−scarce. In simple terms, it was the perfect pie.
At Mooo…, the service is exceptional, and the dining experience makes you feel −− at least temporarily −− a bit more sophisticated and a bit more chic than before you entered the restaurant. My only real −− if meager −− complaint is that the portions are excessively large. If you lack self control, like I do, you will leave the restaurant feeling almost sick with satiety. But if you don't mind committing the sin of gluttony, and you're looking for an elegant evening out on the town, I highly recommend the best steakhouse in Boston.
