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Entries in Legal Harborside (2)

Monday
Feb042013

Healthy Choices while Dining Out

Legal Harborside

270 Northern Ave.
Liberty Wharf
Boston, MA 02210
617-477-2900

Following up on my last post, readers of my blog will be happy to know that I am down 36 pounds since November, and that I am now more-than-ready to re-engage in the “Restaurant Guy” blog, with a new focus on healthy choices

I’ve contended the term “Healthy Dining Out” is an oxymoron, however, my girlfriend Yvonne, says “Of course, it’s doable!”.  So, as the “Restaurant Guy” blog evolves, let’s find healthy eating out options!

A client of mine told me about an absolutely incredible crusted tuna dinner he had at LTK (Legal Test Kitchen -225 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210.)  He enjoyed it so much, he inquired after the healthiness of it.  The word came back from the kitchen…2800 Calories.  That’s the equivalent of five Big Macs.  In his words, “He would have left LTK thinking he had a healthy tuna dinner had he not asked for the calories.”

Two days later, I picked up Yvonne at Logan after her three-day business trip.  Sitting in Friday night MassPike traffic was NOT my idea of a good time, so we went over to the Liberty Wharf area. We had openers at 75 on Liberty Wharf (one of our favorite spots), while waiting for Legal Harborside to open.  The view, the wine, the service and the conversation were all amazing.

I had made - reservations at Legal Harborside for 6pm; my thought was “This is Legal’s…it has to be healthy, right?”

We were greeted by a lovely hostess, who sat us at my requested table overlooking the harbor next to a gas fireplace.  The night was certainly shaping up to be special. 

Our waiter came to the table, described the specials.  We immediately asked him for healthy choice recommendations.

He laughed, and said “Go with the chicken, it’s the healthiest thing on the menu.”

Hold on.  The healthiest option at Legal’s is the chicken?  There is something counter intuitive about this.

I started to get concerned.  We could have gone to Del Frisco’s for a healthy steak.  This is a fish place; with the exception of mercury in some fish, isn’t fish healthy?

Thankfully, Yvonne kicked in.  Yvonne started asking how the fish was prepared.  To his credit, the server was well versed in how the meals were prepared, as well as some meals to simply avoid.

Yvonne quickly honed in on scallops (pan-seared, on bed of vegetables, with polenta).  The issue was the scallops were prepared in butter.  A consensus was quickly reached… could the chef prepare the scallops with olive oil?

A quick check had our scallops’ order being prepared. 

The other thing Yvonne and I have been doing in the past few months is splitting an entree.  With all due respect to my late parents, I was always taught to eat everything put in front of me (“There are starving children in Biafra.”)  By splitting an entrée, the caloric intake is immediately half of what it would have been otherwise.  This is respectful of a quick suggestion a nutritionist made, “Eat whatever you want, and don’t eliminate the things you like, as you’ll crave them later and binge.  Just cut the volume in half.”

Dinner was fabulous…and then it was time for dessert.

We went with a pear.  Far better for us than the Legal Profiteroles.

Overall, a good compromise allowing a fabulous evening to continue.

One thing we debated is how to rate these experiences.  Legal Harborside already got a green on the RAG scale.  On the Healthy Choices Dining Out Scale, Legal Harborside gets good marks for cooking with olive oil at our request, however gets a Red light for Healthy Choices Dining Out.

  •  Overall – Green Light
  •  Healthy Choices Dining Out – Red Light

About the RAG scale:

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

       Amber Light – Use caution

       Red Light – Save your time and money

 

Friday
Nov302012

75 on Liberty Wharf

75 on Liberty Wharf

220 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA

(617) 227-0754

One of the greatest revivals in Boston is the Liberty Wharf area in the Seaport District.  Places like Del Frisco’s and Legal Harborside are thriving, while some of the old guard get ready to go.

October 17, 2012 welcomed a new property to the mix with the opening of 75 on Liberty WharfThis tiny (120 seats total – Inside (Bar and Grill) – 60, Outside (Deck) – 60) location is standalone from the other properties, located between Del Frisco’s and the Boston Fish Pier, the first thing you notice are the outdoor “bonfire” style gas torches.  Dramatic, and inviting, you are drawn to the property.

While we could have sat outdoors near one of the Bonfire torches or the fire pit, our New England sensibilities took us inside on this 40 degree afternoon.

Entering the bar and grill area, I expected some of the touristy “Cheers” elements, since 75 on Liberty Wharf is owned by Thomas A. Kershaw who also owns 75 ChestnutCheers Beacon HillCheers Faneuil Hall, and Hampshire House.  While Sam, Diane, Norm and the rest of Cheers was nowhere to be found, we certainly felt as welcomed.

Sitting at the beautiful wood bar, we were captivated by the floor to ceiling windows.  We looked out at the harbor and quickly began a discussion about whether it would be more fun to live on water or near trees.

This light debate was made all the better by a selection from the drink menu.  I felt suddenly intrigued with a Tea N’ Honey martini - Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka shaken with Barenjager Honey Liqueur and lemon juice.   It was a fabulous choice.

One of the other patrons at the bar entered into a discussion about whether the drink was “perfect,” as apparently the bartender suggests she makes perfect drinks.  I had to be honest; the drink was a perfect complement to the day.

The menu was simple Boston pub comfort food, like clam chowder, cocktail shrimp, classic Caesar, and a Bistro burger to name a few.  We went with the Five Alarm Chili, served with condiment bar and roasted polenta wedges, as the perfect addition to the Patriots game getting underway on the large screen televisions.  The chili wasn’t spicy, and wasn’t as warm as we liked, so a quick return to the kitchen took care of the warmth. 

As we took in the view of the sun setting over the harbor, with the Patriots playing well, and the overall feel of the place, we both commented how comfortable 75 on Liberty Wharf is for a visit, and how we wish there was a pub as comfortable in MetroWest.

We want to go back to 75 on Liberty Wharf before the crowd finds out about the place.  It is delightful, with an accommodating, pleasant staff.  And the view?  Let’s just say living on water would be a treat.

Hours

Monday – Thursday
11:30am – 3:00pm
5:00pm – 12:00am

Friday:
11:30am – 3:00pm
5:00pm – 2:00am

Saturday:
11:30am – 2:00am

Sunday:
10:30am – 12:00am *Brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays

 75 on Liberty Wharf gets a GREEN LIGHT…go and enjoy.

About the RAG scale:

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

       Amber Light – Use caution

       Red Light – Save your time and money