A Friday Buffet
No. 006 Just the treats, please. Halloween weekend has arrived.
Hello!
After multiple days of clouds, rain, and unwelcome humidity, it seems the skies have finally cleared. The sunshine has returned (!) and we can all go back to enjoying this wonderful fall season. This morning’s walk was especially brisk and it felt so good! Bring on all of the layers and sherpa jackets.
My weekend plans haven’t fully formed yet, but since it’s just about Halloween I probably need to buy candy. Ha! Last-minute candy-buying and some mild decor tends to be my “usual” for this holiday. To each their own!
On a more personal note, I am dedicating this Buffet to my grandfather who would have been 99 today. Incredible. Growing up, he actually loved the candy I would deem “least favorite” from my Halloween stash and give to him after hours of trick-or-treating. More importantly, he was exceptionally kind, funny, generous, and joyful.
My grandfather loved burning-hot black coffee, music ranging from the soundtrack of Les Miserables to Lady Gaga’s greatest hits, watching the birds outside, fresh-baked cookies, and spending time with family. He also owned a shoe store in East Boston for several decades! My shoe passion (collection) and daily, wicked-hot cup of caffeine are only two of the many ways I constantly keep him in mind. My grandfather was simply superb. :)
OK, everyone, here’s my honest take: I am not a fan of Halloween. I don’t like being scared, I hate horror movies, and have been anti-costume since I was 2. I appreciate a big bag of candy just like everyone else (Reese’s rule), but my costume choices early-on were pretty….bizarre. Puppy dog salesperson (pretended to sell my stuffed animals), Gap Model (I wore khakis and a button down and semi-dyed my hair red), and the easiest of them all: witch. I think I just wore a black hat.
Not to put down those who choose the costume route well into adulthood (you do you), it has just never been my thing. I don’t like to pretend to be anyone other than myself. *shrugs* Good thing I didn’t want to become an actor. I’ve always been more of the writer-type. ;)
So instead of diving further into my anti-Halloween opinions (sorry, friends), I would love to share with you today a few of my favorite restaurants! How about this weekend you try a new spot? My dining guide, Bar Bites, on the blog, is chock-full of recommendations, but I’d love to share four favorites with you right here.
Living with celiac disease, I tend to be a repeat customer of spots that offer plenty of gluten free options, a well-versed, knowledgeable staff that knows how to handle my dietary needs (without being rude about it), and (this should go without saying) has excellent food. Duh!
My advice for anyone dining out with a dietary restriction: speak up! Tell the server your needs and if anything seems strange or not safe…speak up! You are your own best advocate when dining out so make sure to go somewhere you feel comfortable doing so. It can take time to find your favorites and go-to restaurants, but that’s OK. I love being a regular at certain spots because it makes going out that much more fun and special. As it should be!
Let’s dive into a few great ones, shall we? There are plenty more on my list, but I’ll share four with you today that are tried, trusted, and loved. By the way, even without a dietary restriction, each of these restaurants is excellent.
A Tavola (Winchester)
I am such a fan of this small, family-owned Italian restaurant located right in Winchester Center. Parking is easy nearby and we’ve always been able to get seats outside during the summer or bar seats (facing the kitchen!) now that it’s chilly out. For groups of four or more, I’d recommend a reservation. The staff is super-friendly and the entire vibe is relaxed and home-y, but polished.
The menu changes frequently, which is wonderful, and always has plenty of options for my gluten free needs (not to mention homemade pasta for those who can enjoy it). I’ll often split an appetizer or two with Seth (love the Caesar Salad and roasted eggplant) and then for dinner I’ll usually order something I haven’t tried yet! Recently, I had the risotto special which was topped with local, Cape Cod Bay scallops and it was one of the most delicious risottos I’ve eaten in a restaurant in months. We usually skip dessert, but there are several available. I tried their version of an espresso martini (liquid dessert) and it was excellent!
A Tavola is a wonderful, welcoming spot for a relaxing night out filled with fantastic food and a joyful, cozy ambience. Highly recommend!
The Bancroft (Burlington)
For the record, this restaurant deems itself a steakhouse, but I must admit I rarely order steak! The Bancroft is a large restaurant in Burlington that offers a variety of seating options - perfect for large groups and private events as well - and yet we always opt for the bar when available or one of the small tables in the lounge area back near the fireplace. Wherever you get seated, I know you’ll have a great time!
This spot has a lot of energy and definitely brings city vibes out to the ‘burbs (but better since there is ample free parking). Something I love about Bancroft is that if you go for dinner, the energy is high and it’s incredibly busy, but if you pop in for lunch or brunch, the atmosphere is just the opposite. Visit for lunch for a very calm, relaxing time where there’s no need to rush and you can leisurely enjoy cocktails and wonderful food for as long as you’d like.
The waitstaff is excellent and I have never had a problem requesting the gluten free menu that has plenty of great choices (available for lunch and dinner). Gluten free bread is available, a separate fryer is on hand for fries and my personal joy, the polenta fries (served with truffle aioli), which I cannot resist every time we go.
Seth loves the Bancroft Burger as well as the steak frites; I often lean toward the steak tartare, shrimp cocktail, or the variety of entree options available. The side dishes pair with the steaks, but honestly they are all delicious so I’d order a few for the table regardless. ;) And don’t forget the fries!
The Bancroft has been one of our favorites for many years and I highly recommend it for a special occasion, a fun night out, or celebrating the end of the week! PS: The bartenders are all so kind and friendly; and they make great drinks!
Faccia a Faccia (Boston)
This is a newcomer to our list, but ever since our first visit this past summer, I can’t get enough of this excellent coastal Italian restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay from famed chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. The vibe is calm casual at first, and then ramps up as the evening goes on. Reservations are tough to secure, so we’ve arrived before 6pm to easily get bar seats (our usual). I’d highly recommend reservations if you prefer a table or are meeting a group. It’s a pretty big space, but it fills up incredibly quick.
Not only is this restaurant just fun to be in, but the food is phenomenal. Almost the entire menu is available gluten free, including homemade gluten free pasta (superb), and the servers check to ask if you are OK with cross-contamination (I am not) and don’t bat an eye. A judgement-free zone! Yippee!
The hardest part of visiting Faccia a Faccia is not ordering the entire menu. Every single option is scrumptious and I will definitely be wearing elastic-waist pants next time we go (just kidding. kind of.). On my list of must-order, you cannot skip the fried artichokes, stuffed olives, mozzarella sticks topped with caviar, tuna tartare, or any of the fresh-made pastas. All of these dishes can be made gluten free, safe for those with celiac. Music to my ears!
Seriously, it’s probably for the best that we don’t live within walking distance to this restaurant as I’d be there at least once a week. It’s too good! And the best part? You can buy their fresh gluten free pasta to take home! Amazing. We bought two bags last time and I’m pretty sure I’ll be purchasing four or more next time. ;)
FRANK (Beverly)
While Frank is last on my list today, it’s no where near “last” on my list of awesome restaurants. A North Shore jewel from Chef and co-owner Frank McClelland (of L’Espalier fame), this farm-to-table spot has the warmth and generosity of a small cafe, but the expertise and food quality of a five-star city dining experience.
Someone must have known I’d be a frequent customer because every time we visit, I just say this: Wow. I love everything about it here. The vibe is stellar, the staff is awesome, and the food is superior. And it’s such an elegant, yet semi-rustic space. Hard to describe; it just feels good to be there. Per usual, we grab seats at the bar, but there is plenty of space for groups throughout the restaurant as well as outdoor seating if you prefer.
The menu changes often with the season so I cannot pinpoint specific dishes, but there is always something excellent to eat. Gluten free options aplenty and the gluten free bread is seriously delicious. I’ve had it for the breakfast sandwich and let’s just say I ordered an extra side of (GF) bread after I finished. Yum! Seth and I have visited for brunch and dinner and each time the atmosphere is just delightful. The food is fabulous.
Not only is it fun to dine at FRANK, but you must visit the market before you leave! It’s filled with fresh-baked pastries and cookies to bring family and friends as well as wine section, pre-prepared foods, and all sorts of goodies to peruse and purchase. Pro-tip: visit for an early brunch and get your pick of the biggest variety of treats (everything sells out!). Note: I do not eat non-gluten-free items, but I love to buy them for others. :)
Well, that’s it for this week’s restaurants. I hope you try one of these wonderful spots or make a reservation for a future date. Enjoy!
No tricks, just treats in today’s Buffet. Allow me to share it, right this way…
I finally got my license last year, but if I were currently a teen, I’d like lessons from this veteran of the driving-school industry.
I loved this in-depth piece about couches people own and why. On my someday list: a green velvet (sectional) sofa.
Also on my someday-list in furniture world: this leather couch. The color is divine and I have admired it for years.
My total, to-date french fry consumption is not a small amount, but I don’t think I’ve ever had cottage fries. Have you?
I can confirm that I’ll be living in these corduroy pants as soon as it’s a bit colder out. Super soft, comfy, and will go with…everything!
Why yes, I did order these Ugg Classic Ultra Mini boots and yes, it did feel like 2005. But they look so cozy!
Cropped puffer from J.Crew? Don’t mind if I do… and it’s on sale.
I do not need another shirt-jacket (“shacket”), but I do like this heather-gray-camel one quite a bit. Wow, J.Crew has a lot of goodness right now.
Who wouldn’t love Le Creuset’s new fall tone, nutmeg, for all of their cookware?So chic and modern. Love it.
I’m skeptical, yet intrigued by this “crypto luxury community” in the Bahamas.
The White Lotus is back for season two on Sunday! Find it on HBO.
Just for fun luxury: I hope to one day have a reason to own this Judith Leiber Couture Iris Pancakes Crystal Clutch. #pancakesarethebestcakes
Cheers and joy,
Mollie
