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Menton
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Italian French, Italian [Edit]
354 Congress St(between A St & Pittsburgh St)
Boston, MA 02210
Neighbourhoods: Waterfront, South Boston
(617) 737-0099
- Nearest Transit:
-
Congress St @ A St (448, 449, 459)
Congress St @ A St (448, 449, 459)
Congress St @ Sleeper St (448, 449, 459)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
99 reviews for Menton
Review Highlights
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"We got both :) The seared foie gras is AMAZING." In 13 reviews -
"We did the 4 course prix fixe for the biff's birthday." In 11 reviews -
"We did the chef's tasting with wine pairings, which..." In 14 reviews
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Eric F.
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I thought long and hard about what meal would be apt for my 1,000th review and Menton gave me the answer very, very quickly. I'd known about Barbara Lynch's latest establishment for quite some time and the perfect occasion came up recently: my 27th birthday =)
The interior is indeed on the minimalistic side and I must disagree with fellow Yelpers who weren't big fans - it was still plenty inviting and, in fact, reminiscent of Gary Danko...just with tons more space.
My brother and I decided to go with the Chef's Tasting menu with the caveat that there be perhaps one or two variations between our dishes. The head chef was more than happy to oblige and off we went on our culinary adventure! With the sheer number of dishes and lengthy ingredient lists for each, I'll just say that there wasn't a single miss throughout the meal. Bearing in mind that we received five different amuse-bouche along with another four at the end, nailing everything was no easy feat. Some particularly outstanding dishes included the Stinging Nettle Gnudi and Elysian Fields Farm Lamb. The resoundingly deep earthiness of the gnudi and mushrooms was unbelievable and outdid even O Ya's mushroom sashimi! Now that lamb chop...SUCH unreal texture to the point that I could literally tease apart each muscle strand in my mouth all while savoring the delectable fats intertwined between each one.
The staff deserve an entire paragraph for their excellent service. Leading you to the restrooms, providing spot-on drink recommendations (I HIGHLY recommend the Brown Derby, exquisitely executed here) and taking responsibility for every last detail even if there was no wrong at all on their part. Funny enough, I did feel really bad for one of the waitresses when she accidentally misspoke about fava beans in one of my dishes (there weren't in fact, any) after I had provided that dietary restriction to the maitre'd on the phone and had it confirmed by our server upon seating. And speaking of our server, this gentleman went above and beyond when he surprised me at the end of our meal with the removed and prepped bottle label from the Burgundy I had. Apparently, he noticed my taking notes on it and thought it'd be nice as a little keepsake. Props. MAD props.
Suffice it to say, I had one of the best dining experiences ever. Thank you to everyone at Menton for an absolutely amazing birthday celebration! -
Review from Lala I.
Malden, MA
5/13/2012
so i made a reservation a few weeks earlier. all reservations were taken except for 5:30pm. i wanted to surprise pork belly, but he figured out we were going there since he can read my mind (or he expected too much).
we arrived there a lil before 5:30. menton opens @ 5:30 for dinner. the valet parking was $16 bux but we saw a street parking spot right crossed street from menton. money saved.
the interior of the restaurant is on the minimalistic side. very clean, spacious, modern, elegant, and lavish. we were seated by the window which is perfect lighting for my pictures. check out my blog for pictures!
the meal lasted about 2 and half hours and i dropped that 4+ benjamins! was the price worth it? in terms of the deliciousness of the food, i would say no. although they used the finest and most exotic ingredients, some werent the best tasting ive ever had. i would also like more seafood dishes. from a lot of reviews i read, they had seafood such as tuna, lobster, clams, but we only had one fish dish and crawfish. we felt some of the dishes were trying too hard especially the desserts. although they were exotic and different tasting, it also lost the pure satisfying fattening feeling that you get from eating desserts.
BUT if you ask me if the price worth it in terms of experience, the quality of the food, the efforts they put in, the service and everything else? i would say YES. the food was exquisite. everything was executed to perfection with the finest ingredients. ive never had a meal that consisted soooo many ingredients and details in one little dish. it sure takes a lot of efforts and care of the chef. every dish was truly a piece of art. i felt like it was a long journey @ a food art museum. like i mentioned earlier, the service was impeccable. i felt like there were 20 people serving us. one guy was just the water guy; our water glasses were never below half full. two guy were only taking our empty plates and set up our utensils for the next dish. two people were just bringing out our food while another person holding the tray on the side and they would explain to us what each dish was, etc etc etc.
i do not know if i would return in the future for the food esp with this kinda price tag. at the end of the meal there wasnt something that was so impressive that i would remember forever and crave for it later. i'd try it again for the experience if i had extra money to blow though. -
Review from Tammy K.
Boston, MA
4/15/2012
One of my favorite aspects of fine dining is sampling the amuse bouche, and Menton definitely did not disappoint:
Amuse bouche wave 1: Beet macaroons, stuffed radishes with goat cheese and olives, clam chowder, and a warm mini croissant.
Appetizer: Warmed cauliflower salad with grapes (mmmm)
First Course: Hake with peas and asparagus (most beautiful browning job ever)
Second Course: Duck breast and confit with beets (best dish of the night)
Dessert: Cheese plate
Amuse bouche wave 2: Passion fruit ice, mascarpone cookie, dark chocolate bar, and baby dessert macaroons (I like that we started and ended the meal with macaroons).
We also had wonderful, wonderful service. Tip: Ask for a kitchen tour if you are interested. The staff was delighted to give us one (note that it was a Tuesday though), and I can't wait to return to check out their chef's dinner table series! -
Review from Abby K.
Concord, NH
4/3/2012
Oh my effing god. It was ridiculous. Amazing food, spectacular presentation and top shelf service. I was there for a private function.
http://killerdelicious... -
Review from Wendy L.
Boston, MA
I went to Menton for Valentines Day and they had a special 5-course meal for the occasion and plenty of surprises throughout the night. It was an amazing experience! WORTH THE PRICE. The service is superb here...best I've had at a restaurant hands down. They deserve Michelin stars here. The food was delicious and the little bites were fun and tasty.
Forgive me for not remembering the names of everything....the menu changes every two weeks so it's hard to go back for the same dish anyway. Overall everything was creative and had complex flavors.
We started with 4 small bites, a miniature cup of NE clam chowder and a warm buttery honey glazed crossant. (check out my pictures). My favorite was the hamachi on grilled crispy fish skin.
1st - Foie Gras
2nd - Poached Lobster with Creamy Risotto.
3rd - Escargot with Quail Eggs
4th - Veal Shank with Bone Marrow
5th - Chocolates, Crostinis and Icecream (this had a way better name...)
After all these amazing dishes the servers surprised us with more small bites of dessert. It just never ends. This place exceeded my expectations and I will definitely be back. (see pictures - the macaroons were too cute!)
After they already exceeded my expectations......they had another surprise for us because it was Vday. They took us into the kitchen for a tour to see the workstations and watch the chefs cook the amazing food. Then lead us into the chef's tasting kitchen which was decorated in red and had a table full of chocolates and candy! They allowed us to watch the chefs for however long we wanted while enjoying the treats in the room and gave us a bag to bring some home too!
I think this place is a modern version of Lespalier...but they do it better here in my opinion. Less pretentious, more casual and more creative. I LOVED IT. please try it!
I forgot to mention that they really spaced out the reservations on valentines day too so it wasn't extremely packed and loud like most places. I didn't have to squeeze into my seat without knocking over someone's glass of wine for once. We started our dinner early but even by 7:30 we were spaced out pretty evenly. Really thoughtful place!Listed in: unique food
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Review from Steve S.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went with the GF for birthday dinner. Chose the 7 course tasting with wine pairing. Food goes as follows:
1) Maine shrimp crudo with white sturgeon caviar and alluim juices. It was paired with a NV Simmonet-Fèbvre Crémant de Bourgogne. I really liked this one. The shrimp was really tasty and had a rich aftertaste with the sauce. You can never go wrong with caviar. The wine was ok, but not my favorite.
2) Local Skate Wing with Caper Emulsion, Gem Lettuce, Raisin Purée paired with a
2009 COS Grecanico & Insolia "Ramí". I love me some skate. It actually came on the bone, but it sliced right off. It had very good flavor and I liked the pure. This wine was better than round one.
3) Razor Clams with Potato, Horseradish, Dill paired with a 2010 Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner Federspiel "Hefeabzug". I liked this course. It had good flavor, but was not all that different than what I would get at any other high end restaurant in the city. Wine was good though and went well with the dish.
4) I had the Seared Foie Gras de Canard with French Butter Pear, Chestnut Honey, Pecan paired with 2009 Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvée. It was good. It had an odd sort of texture that I did not particularly care for, but it was decent. GF had the Terrine of Foie Gras, Ris de Veau, and Rabbit Pistachio, Rosemary Raisin Toast, Red Currants with 2009 Kracher Zweigelt Beerenauslese. Hers was much better and probably one of the better choices on the menu.
5) We had a simple pasta, but it came with a fantastic sauce and for $35 dollars extra it is topped with truffles. It was the best course of the night. I could have eaten this one all night long. I dont recall the wine, but it was good as well.
6) Cavendish Pheasant with Périgord Truffle, Velouté, Turnip paired with 2009 Racquillet Mercurey 1er Cru "Les Vasées". I thought this one was very good. Pheasant had a lot of flavor and was still soft and tender. The truffles and veloute was not something that you see every day. Sadly, the gf was not a huge fan. Good news for me bc I got what she left behind. :)
7) Elysian Field Farm Lamb Loin with Cauliflower, Golden Raisin, Harissa paired with 2008 Les Obriers de la Piera Coteaux du Languedoc "Terrasses du Larzac". I thought that the lamb was cooked really well. The server said that this is one of the most popular choices. We both agreed that the flavors were really good.
8) Cheese plate option. Got to pick our cheeses after a nice explanation by the server. She knew her stuff and the cheese was delicious.
9) Want to preface this with I am not a huge dessert guy, but this dessert was fantastic. It was a Baked Banana Chiboust with Oat, Pistachio, Caramel paired with 2007 Mas Lavail Maury Blanc. Loved it. A great finish to the meal. It was like a banana with class. I loved it!
To some it all up, food here was good (bread was great too). Service was great. Price tag was high. With tip the total came to about $750 dollars for the 2 of us. Needless to say, that is some big $ for some food. I thought it was worth it for the entire experience, but I think I could have been just as happy at some other restaurants in the city for less $. With that being said, I am glad I did it. Just dont tell grandma we dropped $750 on a meal. :) -
Review from Jess Y.
Boston, MA
5/10/2012
The pricey menu here may have you thinking that it's hoity-toity fancy food that leaves you hungry, but you'd be mostly wrong. The food is definitely fancy as well as beautifully conceived and plated, but after the 4 course prix-fixe and few small bites to begin and end, I was happily stuffed. Standout dishes were the squab, RI tautog, butter soup, and passion-fruit ice. Also a nice cheese selection for those cheesey people out there. John our server was friendly and knowledgeable, not at all hoity-toity. The other staff from the hosts to food runners were spot-on in timing and professionalism. The atmosphere was light and joyful, the decor pristine. I only wish I had more special occasions to celebrate at Menton!
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Review from South S.
South Shore, MA
5/9/2012
From the impeccable service to food that is likely to be the best you have ever eaten, Menton is the place to go for a true dining experience.
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Review from Chupacabra X.
Boston, MA
5/4/2012
Best meal we have ever had. Service staff is incredibly polite and attentive- they are true professionals.
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Review from Anne M.
Boston, MA
2/5/2012
Better than the three Michelin star meal we had just a week later. Service is impeccable, food is inspired, wine list is absolutely amazing. Worth the money. We've gone here twice so far and will definitely go again.
We expected it to be stuffy but it's actually a good mix of people (young crowd and business crowd) and certainly they welcome you either way. -
Review from Roberta C.
Weston, MA
5/14/2012
The only truly impressive part of our experience at Menton was the price. I had hoped that this would be the equivalent of Gary Danko, the restaurant that we visit twice a year when we go to San Francisco. However, this is at best a Gary Danko wanna-be. While the service was very attentive, the food was distinctly unimpressive, some of it to the point of being tasteless (the bavarian dessert, the squab). The skate and porcelet was OK, but nothing to write home about. Reviews of the restaurant had suggested that you would leave the restaurant "stuffed" but this was not our experience. We added the cheese course before the dessert because we felt we hadn't had enough to eat (and none of us are heavy). That may please Menton, generating more profit margin on us, but it certainly makes it unlikely that we would ever return to Menton. More pricy than Gary Danko, but with smaller portions and, more important, with food that was hardly memorable.
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Review from Kevin M.
Newton, MA
10/2/2011
I'm going to say it: I don't like Barbara Lynch restaurants. I believe they are akin to a bank heist. Despite the delicious food, her restaurants leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I've tried a few of her restaurants and while the food is tasty, the value is absent. I find it offensive the prices her restaurants charge and I think Menton takes the cake, or rather your wallet. I don't mind spending money on good food and an amazing experience, but I need to feel the value. I just feel ripped off.
My wife and I went this past Friday night to Menton and had a 3-course pre-fixe meal paired with wine. Yes, all the flavors were amazing, but it's outrageous. The servings were small, except the huge desert course. Wine pours were sizable (they should be for $50 for 3 wines). I found myself wondering why I paid an extra $10 for the tuna tartare when I could barely see it in the giant white plate. What was I paying for? 2 nibbles? The lamb entree (this would be an app in most restaurants) was amazing, but I may have burned more calories eating it than I took in.
The amuse-bouche, always a nice touch, was comical. How could they make a food serving that small?
Service was excellent and there were nice touches. The server helped with wine and meal selections. The space is beautiful, but the atmosphere was a bit staid.
I am not going back. I'll take what I'd spend here and explore 3 other restaurants. -
Review from Sarah J.
New York, NY
11/19/2011
I had the most epic multi-course meal here last weekend. I'm from NYC and tried a couple of the shmancy places here but those have nothing on Menton food-wise (especially considering price) or service-wise. Come here for a special occasion and only bring people who genuinely enjoy food -- otherwise these perfectly composed dishes will truly be wasted. The food was not just great, but you will also be wowed by unique flavor combinations (octopus + grapefruit).
Food highlights:
- langoustine crudo: possibly the best thing I ever put in my mouth - amazing taste/texture
- local skate wing: like salmon on steroids
- seared foie gras: a generous helping
- roasted squab: just gotta try this
Service highlight: our waitress's version of calling us a cab was her walking outside in the freezing cold trying to hail a cab on a fairly desolate part of town
Date tip? Take your date for drinks at Drink next door -
Review from Ashwin T.
11/18/2011
had one of the best meals of my life here. Ended up splitting a 7 course chef's tasting menu and four course prix fixe menu between two - worked out better than I could have imagined.
Most restaurants New York City wont even let you do different tasting menus at the same table. While our server was initially hesitant about our choice, after assuring him that he would be splitting all dishes, he helpfully volunteered to turn it into an 11 course epic food saga. Dishes we had:
Octopus Salad
Sea trout
Langoustine crudo
Skate
Shrimp
Skate
Venison
seared foie gras
squab
Fried donuts
Dark chocolate mousse
i would go dish by dish, but can pretty easily summarize by saying everything was pretty much great. Every dish was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The octopus salad with grapefruit was the first time i have ever enjoyed grapefruit flavoring. The langoustine crudo was great. The seared foie gras was one of the largest SFG portions that i have ever had.
Service was exceptional. Im not usually a stickler for surface - try to focus solely on the food, but this place really stood out. The waiter/ restaurant were incredibly helpful and accommodating. After listening to my wine choice preferences, the waiter tried to find something off menu that could be served by the glass and that he thought I would enjoy. After discovering that that wasnt available, he suggested the closest match from the menu, and then didnt charge me for it. At the end of the meal, they asked if we needed a cab and said they would call one for us. It turns out that there version of that was to have one of the waitresses go out to the street and hail one for us. After we decided instead to get a drink at the downstairs DRINK bar, the hostess walked us over and even carried our jackets.
Pretty much a perfect night. -
Review from Karyn V.
11/26/2011
My boyfriend surprised me by taking me to Menton's chef's dinner table series featuring white truffles (my favorite). The dinner was a lot of fun where you not only got delicious food, but you had the opportunity to watch the chefs in the kitchen prepare your food while meeting other people like you who enjoy good food.
I'm not going to go into too many details about the meal since the courses were unique to the white truffle theme. The food however was very well prepared and very tasty. The only complaint I have is that the food didn't highlight the white truffles as well as they could. French Laundry, for example, had a white truffle mascarpone risotto and all you could do was taste the white truffle. We were waiting for a dish as delicious and perfect as that but none of the courses served to us came close.
Our favorite course was the butter lobster soup. It truly was amazing. The chocolate dessert with hints of sea salt was also sublime.
What really sets Menton apart however is its superb service. Granted, our experience was unique, but the general manager was fantastic in explaining to us how white truffles are grown, farmed, etc. He also understood that dining at Menton is a special occasion and he made sure that we felt special. My boyfriend and I will definitely be back just because of how great the service is.
I definitely encourage anyone who is a fan of fine dining to try Menton's chef's dinner series. It is a ton of fun, and it will be an experience that you will never forget. -
Review from S S.
Boston, MA
2/25/2012
I LOVE Barbara Lynch, and Menton is my favorite of her restaurants. The decor is super modern and clean, and I prefer the atmosphere to No. 9 Park. Drinks are phenomenal and are custom-tailored (just like at Drink). I've been several times, and I have never been disappointed.
First and foremost, the service is impeccable. While waiting to be seated, they always allow us to order drinks in the waiting area and offer delicious munchies. The prix fixe menus are always delightful to read through, and the presentation of each course is so delicate and perfect. My favorite is Menton's cheese cart, which offers an extensive selection of cow, sheep, and goat milk cheese from the US, France, Italy, etc. I highly recommend the cow's milk blue cheese from France...phenomenal!
Once, I ordered rabbit for one of my courses, and I found a bone in one of the rabbit sausages. It also wasn't my favorite dish, so I ended up switching with my husband. Evidently, the waiter and manager were taking note. After our meal, the manager approached me and explained that he had noticed that I switched dishes with my husband, and asked whether the rabbit was not prepared to my liking. I was absolutely floored by his kindness, and I just explained that we always switch our dishes. I just couldn't complain after being approached by such great service.
Great meal presentation, fantastic service, and delicious drinks and food. -
Review from Lance S.
Andover, MA
9/10/2011
An unequivocal 5 stars. This is as good (and equally pricey) as it gets in Boston, New York, or anywhere. On a par with L'Espalier, but the interior styling is more like being at a W hotel where L'Espalier is more like the Fairmont (if that makes any sense).
This is (at least for most people), a special event place or a place where very particular foodies can go and later check it off their bucket list. The experience from the minute you walk in is first class.
As we had later reservations, we each chose to go with the four course menu, instead of the three or the full chefs tasting menu. Turned out to be an excellent choice and we would recommend it for anyone that wants to be able to try a good variety of the nightly options but does not want to spend 3 hours or more over the full tasting menu.
Food - recommend that you do not miss the Langoustines - a house specialty and deservedly so. Everything from the homemade terrine de foie gras to the cheese plate is impeccable.
We will be back - the next time a proper celebration is called for! -
Review from David P.
Cambridge, MA
2/25/2012 14 photos
Excellent service. Best in Boston.
Had the 7 course tasting menu with a bottle of wine last summer.
Amuse bouche and starter courses were very good and beautiful.
Savory dishes (rabbit and veal) were excessively salty. Returned both dishes and unfortunately, both dishes came back unseasoned/unsalted...FAIL
Additional cheese course and dessert was very good.
If the savory dishes were very good, this place could easily be 5 stars...but that's a BIG if. -
Review from Nick K.
Brookline, MA
9/1/2011
This place is sooooooooooo good! The food is just divine. Portions are pretty pretty small but they are filling and they give you various amuse bouches. And the food! I had the ribeye steak and it was amazing!!! It was tender and juicy. The chef put just the right amount of sauce on it (they offered me more so sauce fans will be happy) and was so so soooooooo good! Make sure to ask for the potato chips because they are unique and yummy. Another amuse bouche is the bread choice, which includes these mini baguettes which are really cute and yummmmmmyyyyy!!!
The only downside to this place is that it is pricey. But the food is BEYOND worth its price.
To sum things up, I have lived in Boston for almost ten years, and this is the best meal that I have had!!!!!!
Update: I would be remiss if I didn't compliment their superbly exceptional service. The waiter, Brad, was very friendly and was able to grant all of our requests (he got me a plate of potato chips which are just part of an amuse bouche, which was visually stunning, just like every course) and made everyone happy. He even offered us a tour of the kitchens, which was fascinating. I would like to personally thank the managers, the chefs, the hostesses, the waiters and waitresses, and of course Brad for making our evening at Menton so enjoyable. -
Review from Alexis K.
Boston, MA
6/23/2011
I attended Menton having a work private function. I read the reviews beforehand and thought, this would be very good. And it was, it was exceptional. The food, wine, ambiance, decor, service - the whole encounter.
I'm a foodie, and love wine - this impressed my mind. If you don't care about cost on a menu, which reflects a superb chance it's super pricey. It was an pricey meal, but what an memorable experience. Thanks. -
Review from Harri S.
6/6/2011 ROTD 11/22/2011
I'm going to begrudgingly (and with an empty wallet) tell you that this was probably one of the best meals of my life. I am still debating whether or not it was worth the price though, hence the missing fifth star.
We did the 4 course prix fixe for the biff's birthday. Luckily, it was mostly on his mom. Poor law students and what-not. We had 2 drinks a piece, and three cheeses for the cheese course to supplement the dinner. Total bill? $265. Tip? $60 for SUPERB (though at times pretentious) service. So all in all if you're judicious you wont be dropping $500 dollars for a dinner date as some reviews suggest.
Favorite dish: Seared foie gras. The torchon of foie gras was also good, but doesn't hold a candle to it's seared counterpart.
Least favorite: There's a cheese from VT aged in a spruce trunk. I'd rather eat a spruce tree. No wonder the lady was selling it so hard. Blech.
Surprise: The L'azzurene drink. Basically a lavendar gimlet. That's right lavendar (plant and color actually).
Surprise #2: The biff actually ate his peas and enjoyed them. Yay amuse bouche!
Service: Again awesome. The waiters talk to you not at you. It was very initimate and polite. So so refreshing to see. We did have one waiter who however was perhaps a little over eager, or just a snob.
Do it again: Maybe after I win the lottery.Listed in: Imbibe!, Fancy Pants Boston Edition, Indulging Barbara Lynch
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Review from Catherine S.
Washington, DC
8/25/2011 1 photo
Dinner with two foodie friends on a weeknight. We decided to go big and do the chef's tasting but chose our own wines except for the wine pairing with the foie gras.
Amazingly friendly service from the moment I walked in the door - I was a little early and took a lavender infused cocktail in the lounge and they served some complimentary canapes of pureed parsnip and sweet potatoes.
When my friends arrived - we kicked off the evening with some champagne - and we taken back to our table. There a very knowledgeable and non-pushy sommelier helped us with some wine choices and it was off to the first course!
Highlights:
Warm butter croissants with just a pinch of salt + mini baguettes served between courses.
Local Fluke Crudo
Black Sesame, Leek, White Sturgeon Caviar
Veta La Palma Camarones
White Tiger Shrimp, Espelette, Dried Fruit Vinaigrette
Crunchy tiny shrimp really added to the texture on this dish!
Seared Foie Gras de Canard
Ginger, Rhubarb, Tellicherry Pepper
2007 Kracher Beerenauslese Cuvée
This was my runaway favorite course of the evening - perfectly seared with ginger bits just slightly crunchy! Indulgent and highly satisfying!
Palate cleanser of mojito sorbet!
Definitely a place to go an enjoy food but for you wallet's and heart's sake, do not make it a habit - save it for special occasions and company that appreciates good food. -
Review from Blair M.
Brookline, MA
7/14/2011
I'd been dying to check out Menton for awhile, and despite the fact that I COULD probably afford it on my own, I just wasn't sure I wanted fork (pun!) over my own funds. So I did whatever any self-respecting employee does and pushed it for a work dinner.
The decor was lovely although other members of my party complained that it needed more color. I didn't necessarily agree, but then again my eyes kept drifting back to the few glass pieces containing beautiful bright lemons in the center of the room. I kind of wished we had a small vase of them at our table.
The staff was wonderful. Our waiter/sommalier was pretty young but I was impressed with his polished, but not snotty presence. Each course came out with an army of staff prepared to place your plates down - and this totally reminded me of my theater background. PLACES! Next course in 5! They are so attentive, I headed towards the restroom only to be gently received by a staff member and escorted there. This freaked some people out but I attribute it as a great part of this fine dining experience. The candle in the restroom is hypnotic - we discovered from our waiter that Barbara Lynch had commissioned this custom fragrance from France, and that no one can purchase it anywhere in the states. Guess I'll have to go to Diptyque....
We went for the 4 course pairing, but we started with a complimentary (I'm thinking everyone gets at least ONE comp something or other) dish of Porcini Mousse with Chive Blossoms. I love mushrooms, I love truffle and chive blossoms, but perhaps it was in a mousse texture that was a bit difficult for my palette. Maybe slathered on a crostini....
My first course was the Terrine of Fois Gras with a Cherry Gelee and Bone Marrow. Delicious and rich, I couldn't finish the plate knowing how much lay ahead of me. I then moved onto a wonderful piece of Halibut, that had a sauce I could just dive into and never come out of. My last meat was a Prime Rib that was cooked to absolute perfection. I don't even remember what was served with, all I can see is my medium rare masterpiece.
I chose the Elderflower Panna Cotta for dessert, and despite a hesitance with Elderflower Liqueur, I was extremely pleased. -
Review from Cindy W.
7/22/2011
Want to be a baller? Is $250 per person enough for you? Take a seat at Menton and you must try Chef Barbara Lynch's 7 course pre fix culinary execution of fine dinning!!!! Just their fresh rolls and croissants will jet your mind back to the streets of Paris. Their mini macaroons are finger licking good. Each meal is like a Degas - one fine piece of art. The level of service from the parking attendants to your waiter/waitress will remind you how you should be serviced everyday.
Every dish raised the bar. But what I remembered the most was the scallop with seared foie gras. Are you salivating now? Well...let me tell you it was something spectacular and words can not describe how amazing it was. You must try it and tell me it is not.
Barbara and her staff are the "crème de la crème" of Boston!! -
Review from Jay V.
New Boston, NH
After talking about going to Menton for more than a year the planets finally aligned and we made it. (or because it was my wife's b-day) one or the other. There was 6 in our party and we all decided on the 7 course tasting menu which somehow turned into an 18 course culinary experience. The canapes/amuse were incredible not only in taste but in presentation. In the mix was white sturgeon caviar on top of a crispy sesame roll which was filled with salmon tartare, goat cheese and beet macaroon, tiny foie gras sandwich, and halibut served on a piece of crispy skin. Two in our party decided to go with the wine pairing which came with a descripion of region, varietal, and flavor profiles. We all tasted these wines with each of our 7 courses. The 7 course tasting menu consisted of seared foie gras, swordfish, sweet breads, alaskan king crab, (surprise ravioli course), goat 2 ways, salsify with white and black truffles, seared scallop, and rabbit/foie terrine. We opted for the cheese course (why not, it's not like I can stand at this point anyway) which was a nice way to end the savory side of the night. 2 goat cheese, 2 triple cremes, and 2 blues. As we were waiting to see what was to come out next we were asked if we would like to see the kitchen. The hostess walked us through the kitchen and into the private chefs table dining room where they invited us to have our dessert and complete our meal. They suprised us being that it was my wife's 40th birthday. The room is set up so you can see all the chefs/servers in action. After seeing what type of efforts are put into each course and how clean and organized the ktichen was it elevated a fantastic meal to a true culinary experience. Attention to detail and service was excellent. Thanks Menton for making this night a special memorable experience.
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Review from Sokhary E.
Boston, MA
10/29/2011 1 photo
My husband surprised me with dinner reservation at Menton for my birthday this year and he did an incredible job! We went for the Chef's Tasting of course and opted out of the wine pairing. It has served us well thus far by pairing tasting menu with a good half bottle of white and red wine when eating through a tasting menu (love having wine with our meal, but we can only intake so much alcohol..hence the half bottles). :D
This review is also for the August menu. Can you tell I'm such a devoted Yelper...ha!
The service was 4 stars. The staff was very helpful with answering all of our questions. The shrimp dish had to be my favorite, which I believe is the 3rd course if my memory serves me well. I can't remember all the elements on the dish, but I can still taste the roasted grains of rice tucked underneath the perfectly cooked shrimp which was also laying on top a sauce that is sweet with a hint of chili pepper - YUM!
We will probably revisit Menton, however it will most likely be for special occasions (birthdays or dinner with other food lovers). -
Review from Bobby C.
If you want to splurge, this is a definitely a place to do it. I wanted to go here after seeing Terry C's review. Didn't really have an occasion. A friend of a friend was visiting and wanted to go here. Perfect! I've been holding off on writing this review because there is so much good things to say about it. I didn't want to go all over the place (i.e. unorganized) in my review, but that is what I am going to do...
Things to note:
-They request that everyone at the table choose either the chef tasting or the prix fixe. The reason is that they want to serve everyone at the same time.
-They have a nice private dining room that has a view of the kitchen. There is a minimum spending requirement, but it really isn't that much.
Service is amazing! The servers are dressed very well. Everything is synchronized is the best way to describe it. They were very polite and not at all intrusive throughout dinner. They will wait for you to finish your conversation before speaking. They were very helpful with my friend ordering wine. They were very accommodating. One friend asked if she could substitute her dessert for another dessert. Another friend asked if he could supplement/add another dessert along with the chef tasting menu.
They served us croissants right after the amuse-bouche but before the first entree. It was amazing! It had a hint of sweetness and just melted in my mouth. A server occasionally stops by with a (variety) tray of French rolls almost after each dish.
All three of us decided on the chef tasting menu.
1. Asparagus Gelée. Lobster crudo with caviar. Good!
2. Channel Bass. Loved it.
3. Columbia River Sturgeon. Loved it.
4. Terrine of Foie Gras, Ris de Veau, and Rabbit with sweet breads. Interesting texture. Liked the bread.
5. Assiette of Rabbit. Loved it. Very tasty. I liked the mini roll/sandwich that came with it.
6. Marcho Farm Veal. Loved the flavors!
7. Spiced Chocolate Cake. Can never go wrong with dessert. Liked the spiraled ice cream. Good. Could have eaten several plates of it!
We were getting full so we ended up not ordering any cheese. When the bill came, they brought over different flavored macaroons. Our visiting friend asked if we could see the kitchen. They were really nice about it.
Random thing I noticed was that the door between the kitchen and dining was a sliding automatic door. Just don't see that in many restaurants!
Bathroom smells really nice. They have a really strong candle lit.
They have a waiting/seating area. If you are waiting for your group, the hostess will take your order for any drinks.
We arrived around 8:30PM and left after 1AM. Just to give you an idea of how long you will be dining there.Listed in: Pardon me, do you have any…
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Review from Juniper L.
Chicago, IL
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
We got into Boston late afternoon on a Sat. and called to see if Menton could accommodate us for dinner that night. Luckily for us they could and we were in for a spontaneous treat. The amuse bouche, pasta, fish, and entree were amazing. The dessert was exquisite - although I am known to be happy enough with a warm brownie a la mode. The service was flawless, bread service, water, coat, taxi, etc. At the end of dinner one of the wait staff noted that my husband peeked toward the kitchen and she had the manager come over and bring us in for a tour of the kitchen and spend some time at the back chef's table. That was a really cool thoughtful end to an already lovely and filling dinner. So glad to have found this place.
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Review from mk E.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/13/2011
If you like to wear jeans to dinner, would prefer to use the same fork for everything you eat, or might have a coronary event if the price for a dinner for two hits triple digits, Menton is not for you.
If, on the other hand, you like to dust off your fancy pants once in a while and enjoy multiple courses of truly marvelous food, you should try Menton.
Elegant, scrumptious, and thoughtful. The staff covers every minute detail of your dining experience. They're also flexible--despite only offering prix fixe and the seven course tasting menu, they were perfectly happy to let us try something that wasn't the product of force-feeding a duck into liver explosion so that we could still have the tasting. Worth every penny. -
Review from Steven T.
Boston, MA
1/30/2012
I love Menton. From the moment you walk in you are treated as if you are a guest. The pampering begins the moment you check your coat, extends to the bar area and into the main dining room/
The four-course "Prix Fixe" menu is a bargain @ $95.00 pp considering the time and care the kitchen puts into each course. This is a meal - and an experience - to be savored; one of the best dining experiences I have had anywhere outside of Paris. -
Review from liz d.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
1/29/2012
I have been here a bunch of times. And for good reason- its a fantastic dining experience! I have had the very good fortune to always get the same amazing waitress who has been with Menton for years... shes super. She doesnt make you feel like an idiot when you are unaware of certain wines or processes.
The food is incredible. I suggest wine parings and a chefs tasting menu. -
Review from David K.
Playa Del Rey, CA
9/14/2011
It truly was a great meal. From start to finish the food was spot on and the service was superb. I highly recommend the Nova Scotia lobster dish w/artichoke etc. was out of this world and so was the plating.
I was even granted a tour of their immaculatly white tiled kitchen as well as the area glass walled off for the special chef's dinner that they offer.
If price is no object i make this a go to restaurant as soon as possible because it will probably turn out to be one of those 1-2-3 month out reserved fantastic restaurant -
Review from G N.
Boston, MA
6/30/2011
My favorite Boston restaurant so far. Barbara Lynch's MO is perfection in food, form, and service. She is the dominant force in Boston haute cuisine. Our experience here is better than her No. 9 Park (our former favorite), which is really hard to do.
Prior to being seated, we were given time in the lounge to peruse the menu and order predinner drinks. From our experience at No. 9 Park, we ordered the cocktails rather than champagne or wine. Perfectly balanced drinks, not too sweet or alcoholic, each one with interesting ingredients and tastes. We had the four course meal, each course paired with a different wine. The dishes were small, with tastes that were exquisite. The wines paired perfectly with each dish. Innovative presentations were used. For example, one of my dishes was a pea shoot panna cotta. By the end of dessert, we were quite full as each course was also quite rich.
Our meal compared favorably to some of our other extraordinary restaurant experiences (French Laundry, Bouley, Daniel, etc.), but was less expensive (if $200+/person can be described this way). -
Review from Katherine E.
Brookline, MA
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Menton provides an incredibly thoughtful and well-conceived dinig experience from start to finish. And my 100th review!
Hubby and I decided to go with the 4 course prix fixe, which gave us the opportunity to taste a wide variety of dishes.
Our server (as well as all the staff) were a very nice and attentive, and knew every aspect of the menu and gave us very detailed responses for any question we had.
We started with an pretty amuse bouche of carrot purée with various local herbs and root veggies.
For the first course, we had the fois gras terrine and beet salad. The terrine was paired with a brioche. The beet salad was sweet and earthy, and the onions and pea purée provided a nice balance.
For the second course (seafood) we chose the kataifi wrapped langoustines and bluefish. The langoustines were fantastic: the kataifi was perfectly crispy and the langoustine meat was extremely tender. I was worried that the bluefish might be strongly flavored (a tip given by Tiffany Faison on an episode of Top Chef All-Stars), but it was very well prepared.
For third course, we actually got 3 because hubby couldn't decide between 2 choices/ So we shared the ris de veau (sweetbreads). I am not a big sweetbread fan, but somehow I found myself going in for more: pressed to remove impurities, cooked in court bouillon, gently dredged in flour, and fried to a delicate crisp, with just enough minerally flavor left over to remind you that you're still eating sweetbread.
We also had the prime ribeye, which was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth. Wasn't over seasoned, so you could really appreciate the pure flavors of the beef.
The venison. O.M.G. The venison was the highlight of the meal. It was served rare, and was perfectly seasoned on the outside. So incredibly tender, very little gaminess. This was the first day they offered it on the menu, so we felt so lucky that we came on the right day!
The cheese cart (I know there is a more gentile name for this, so someone let me know), was gorgeous and offered cow, sheep and goat cheeses a la carte, and was served tableside. Served with nice sourdough crisps and apple honey.
For dessert, we chose the pine nut tart and hazelnut financier. Each was paired with an exotic ice cream. These desserts had very delicately balanced flavor profiles and were impeccably presented, but because of the balance it felt less like "dessert" and more like a thoughtful continuation of the meal. Since it was our anniversary, they came out with a little platter of micro macarons and "Happy Anniversary" was written in chocolate on the plate =)
We asked questions about the prep of the veal and the ris de veau, so they suggested we just take a tour or the kitchen and ask the chef. After dinner, we were escorted into the kitchen, which was bright, super clean and organized despite all the staff and activity. Nice end to the meal, and I felt like I had a better understanding of what I just ate. The experience also inspired us to try some of the same techniques at home!!
A totally memorable meal, and an experience that has made me think of certain flavors and preparations in a different way. -
Review from Julie R.
1/17/2011 ROTD 3/25/2011
I was super excited to come here. When having the opportunity to choose any restaurant, I teetered between L'espalier, Oya and Menton. I figured this one would be the most amazing, hence I chose it to celebrate my birthday.
First impressions awesome. The hostess was very sweet. As soon as we were seated, our server, his name escapes me but a complete gentleman, nicely dressed and well spoken came over with menus and the wine list. The wine list was a two inch book. I decided on a signature cocktail- the Floridita. I enjoyed this, it had the vibe of a cosmo but made with rum. My fiance found some wines by the glass to sample.
We both opted for the 4 course ($95) offering and tasted off each others plates so technically it could be like 8 tastings for each of us. Before those arrived an amuse of an eggplant soup came out, it was awesome and set my palate up for more.
Course 1:
Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche: Very refreshing. The citrus aspect wasn't too strong, melt in your mouth scallops.
Torchon of Foie de Canard: Silky, buttery, very fine, delicious. Served with a piece of brioche toast
Course 2: This course seemed to take forever. We received an explanation when it was put down that the chef wasn't happy with the preparation of my sea bream, so they redid it. I wish I had been told this sooner cause we were left wondering what was going on. In the meantime the baby croissant that came over was divine! I wished it was larger then a couple bites!
Sea Bream: This was my favorite course, a small piece of sea bream, a fish I've never had. It was seared, its silver scales shining through, leaving it crispy, with a sea salt crust. I found it naturally rich and flavorful.
Halibut: My fiance found this to be bland. When I tried it I agreed it was lacking flavor and overcooked.
We had another long lull in between courses. We found it odd things were taking so long again when the place was less then half full. Luckily the bread server was going around and I opted for a mini baguette.
Course 3:
Duet of Crescent Duck: Nice presentation, I found one of the duets to be very dry. The sauce poured on the plate was extremely salty, luckily it was not on everything, leaving me some bites to try to savor.
Cervena Venison: The same salty sauce was poured all over this, basically making it inedible for my fiance. We sat there trying each others plates and were grossed out by the sauce that ruined the meats. My fiance alerted the server that it was too much and they took it back. Then our server came over and said the chef agreed it was over seasoned. They offered to make another course, at that time we were already there an hour and a half and said we would just move to dessert.
Course 4 Dessert:
Passion Fruit Pavlova: I enjoyed the sweetness of this. The cake part did appear a bit messy, torn up around the plate. Presentation aside, the mixture was satisfying and I appreciated the Happy Birthday chocolate message.
Hot Chocolate Mocha: This looked cool at first with the server pouring the hot chocolate into the bowl, over a small pastry. To eat though wasn't great. Like a soupy bowl of cake and milk. We did not care much for this.
Side notes:
I expected more from the decor, knowing this place was named after a French village. While it was elegant, it was also boring. All beige neutrals on the walls, curtains, rug and tablecloths. I would of liked to see some pop through color. The dining room was also like a big box. Half the dining tables are in the middle of the dining room, which I'm sure most of us do not care for those tables. It was very open, I could of pictured it ideally built out better with booths and more private areas. I was glad we sat on the perimeter, but the loud group in the corner next to us took over the room. I felt I could hear every ones conversations without trying. Also when we were seated the lighting was very bright, with the streetlights shining in on top of that. My fiance asked if it could be dimmed, which they quickly did, improving the atmosphere.
Service followed presidential procedure through the dining room. The chefs were passionate putting every dish in front of you and telling you what it involved. Though I have to say no one really checked back in after we started eating each course. The next person we saw was the busser, quick to clear plates.
When we received the bill they did not charge us for the over seasoned course. Still with dropping almost three Benjamin's we felt it wasn't near the luscious culinary experience we were hoping for. When we made our way out, the manager presented us with a little box of three cheese samples to-go, which was a small recovery.
I had expected this to be a 5 star standout, unfortunately we probably won't return. Days later, the meal is not really memorable, what is, is the amount of exorbitant money we spent on a so-so experience. -
Review from Vince T.
4/23/2011
Worthy of 2 Michelin stars... the food is better than a couple 2-star restaurants I've eaten at, and the service is outstanding. It's the small little touches that make Menton stand heads and shoulders above the rest of the Boston restaurant scene -- sending us home with menus printed, including our cheese selections, without us even having to ask. Wine service that is knowledgeable, totally approachable, and delicious. The complimentary glasses of celebratory champagne. The agnolotti course to "apologize" for the overcooked halibut.
Definitely the best meal we've had in Boston. One doesn't marvel at the food, as one does at O Ya, but the dining experience is much nicer overall than at O Ya, and every single dish we had (7 courses + bonus course + canapes + amuse bouche + palate cleanser + macaroons + 3 cheeses) was superbly executed. Some small issues - the flowers on the lobster + asparagus dish were a bit overpowering, halibut was a bit overcooked. But these are just vanishingly small quibbles, when the overall meal was so memorably excellent.
Yes, it's pricey. But I'd rather spend the money on Menton than half as much on some meh bistro like Hammersley's or Sorrelina. It's not like i'd eat here every night, but for that very special occasion, I can't think of a better place to celebrate. -
Review from Abby S.
Boston, MA
11/12/2011
I've wanted to try this place for a while, and decided to go with 2 good friends who also appreciate a really good meal. From start to finish it didn't disappoint. The decor is very calm, lots of grey, but in what I thought was a soothing, spa-like feel.
I arrived early and sat in the lounge. There was a very striking Asian girl sitting there too. Turns out she was one of the pastry chefs, there to eat with her friends. You know that's a good sign, when the people who work there also want to eat there in their free time. Of course, maybe they had some of it comped. A host brought me a cup full of olive crostini. (Baked by aforementioned pastry chef I assume) They were amazing, each perfectly formed and cooked. Another host then brought me a glass of water. Without me asking. I felt like I had 4-5 different people all trying to anticipate my needs all night. How decadent!
I had to visit the ladies room about 3 times...yes I drank too much, but it was also worth it. The smell in there is amazing, although my friend said it reminded her of incense in a church. The tilework and finishes in there are gorgeous.
And the food, simply wonderful. The portions might be small to some, but for those of us who want to try a lot of different items, without leaving the table stuffed to the gills, I thought it was completely appropriate. We each got the 4 course prix fixe, and here's the quick synopsis of what we had:
Local Beet Salad
Braised Belgian Endive
Terrine of Foie Gras
Nantucket Bay Scallops
Artichoke soup (I see this is no longer on the menu..interesting, I did think it was kind of salty, but thought it might just be me)
Some fish in curry sauce (also no longer on menu, but my friend liked it)
Grimaud Farm Duck
Ash Crusted Cervena Venison
Braised Beef Cheek
Guanaja Dark Chocolate Mousse
Hazelnut Financier
Banana Creme Brulee Cake
The venison and duck were highlights for me....I would highly recommend those.
Just go! -
Review from Rosie Z.
Boston, MA
3/28/2011
Service was very good. We did the tasting menu, which came with a number of complimentary amuse bouche, palate cleanser, wine and dessert wine, at the end, despite the small portions, we were extremely full. At the end of the meal, we even got a tour of the kitchen from the manager.
The kitchen was buzzed with activities, everyone seemed very busy and focused. While we were touring the kitchen, no one lifted up their head to watch but stayed extremely professional. -
Review from Lana B.
Arlington, MA
11/21/2011 3 photos
This visit was for a very special birthday celebration and I'm glad we chose Menton. The food and the ambiance wowed the three of us. Service was wonderful. The entire experience was magical. Can't wait to be back for another very special occasion.
The four out of five stars is to balance out the tiny portions and the price they come at. I left content and very happy with my meal, however I can see a many guests being humored at the tiny servings. I find Kevin M.'s October 2011 review true to that end. -
Review from Jeff M.
12/29/2010
Many of the reviews on Menton so far have commented on the spectacular service. The service was extraordinarily friendly and accommodating. The server allowed me to select a first course from the tasting the menu when the rest of my meal was chosen from the prix fixe. (Seared foie for terrine)The best thing was that the mood was not pretentious at Menton. I don't feel any of my fellow diners or the waitstaff had their nose in the air like some of the fine dining establishments in Boston.
My rating is for the food alone. I was really debating four versus five stars in my head. For comparison Menton is definitely a step up from No. 9 Park and much more enjoyable than L'Espalier. No. 9 Park cooks with exact French technique but fails in creativity; this is where Menton excels.
Some highlights included seared foie gras that was unbelievably tender with the perfect amount of sea salt. The Turkish fig was the perfect compliment and I appreciated seeing this pairing when so many times I see a sauce with foie gras. The Shetland salmon (flown in direct) could not have been poached any better because it was perfect. The venison was also cooked perfectly and included cocoa nibs. First, why the hell do I keep seeing cocoa nibs on so many menus these days? Secondly, unlike so many other savory dishes that incorporate the flavor of dark chocolate, this one worked. The cocoa nib did not overwhelm the rest of the components or the protein, it gently complimented the other flavors.
The star of the meal for me was the Langoustines. Crispy and buttery textures all at once. The dish had a faint smell of a curry. I asked the waiter and he told me the dish was finished with a spice that escapes me now.
Great cheese selection and fairly affordable wine menu. The waitstaff was very knowledgeable on both. I can't wait to go back and have the tasting menu and supplement with the truffles which are presented to you in a wooden box like a fine cigar.
If you are thinking about going to Menton you should try to go sooner than later because Alan Richman named it one of the top ten new restaurants in the country in this month's GQ. Craigie On Main got more difficult once Richman put it in the top ten last year. If you do decide to splurge at Menton Drink is conveniently pretty much next door for an aperitif or digestive.
