First things first: let’s talk dinner reservations. If you’re going big this year and are going to be in Boston, then I highly recommend you check out L’Espalier’s degustation of vegetables – essentially their vegetarian tasting menu. I’ve been a fan of L’Espalier for a few years now. A friend of mine took me to High Tea on my birthday back when they were located on Gloucester Street. Tea is still a great option but from reviews, it seems like it isn’t what it used to be. Instead I highly recommend the dinner experience.
With the swank new locale within the Mandarin Oriental comes a larger, sleeker and more modern space. While the charm of the old location is missed, the new digs allows for a pre-dinner drink saloon. Guests can sip on one of the excellent cocktails while enjoying the view over Boylston Street or while ogling the amazing cheese cart. When you are finished winding down getting into the mood, a very attentive server will show you a table in one of the three spacious dining rooms. I should probably take a minute here to note the service. L’Espalier is known for impeccable service. The staff is attentive and extremely knowledgeable. But they definitely try to give you your space and be unintrusive. They also take immediate feedback very seriously and will do the best they can to rectify any misgivings.
Not that there will be any, because you are in for 7 courses of perfection (and that’s not including 2 amuse bouches and bread that you will definitely want to eat). Now according to our server, the vegetarian tasting varies significantly everyday. But below is what I had when I made a trip there recently. Please note, one of the two amuse bouches is not shown since a waiter brings it out to you on a small plate and it is sort of difficult to keep him waiting while you get your camera ready.
Amuse Bouche: Cauliflower Fritter
Bread: Pretzel Bun and Butter
Course 1: Pumpkin Soup
Course 2: Fennel and Herb Salad
Course 3: Falafel
Course 4: Lemon Risotto
Course 5: Cheese Plate with Accoutrements
Here are the cheeses from front to back:
1. Manchego, La Mancha, Spain (Sheep’s Milk)
2. Moses Sleeper, Jasper Hill Farm, Greensboro, VT (Cow’s Milk)
3. Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Uplands Cheese, Dodgevill, VI (Cow’s Milk)
4. Raclette, Spring Brooke Farm, Reading, VT (Cow’s Milk)
5. Classic Blue, Westfield Farm, Hubbardston, MA (Goat’s Milk)
You can drop by the saloon anytime to have a plate of cheese and a drink without making a reservation.
Course 6: Palette Cleanser – Lemon Sorbet
Course 7: Chocolate Praline Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
After a decadent meal like this, you can be sure that your date will be swooning. But just for good measure, the maitre d will send you home with macarons. While I can safely say your night will go swimmingly after your experience at L’Espalier, I cannot guarantee the days after. Be warned: this is a lot of indulgent food for one person. Take the necessary precautions. And if you forget, I believe there is a drug store across the street.
L’Espalier
774 Boylston Street
617-262-3023
Currently based out of Boston, Jesal is a blogger, freelance writer, yoga enthusiast and lifelong vegetarian who spent four years eating her way through New York City and various other cities around the globe. After answering hundreds of emails and phone calls answering the question, "Where's a cool place I can take my vegetarian friend out to eat" she started Veggiewala to efficiently share her knowledge of the vegetarian food scene with curious carnivores, flexitarians and other vegetarians.