Locke-Ober - Downtown Crossing

This place has been a childhood favorite of mine since I can first remember fine dinning. I’ve been trying to get Big D there with me for some time and today was finally the day.

Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place
Boston, MA 02108

It took some time trying to find parking because the restaurant is hidden down an alley off a street that doesn’t allow cars. I love my valet, but I’m willing to give it up this time for the adventure of a 3 block walk. If I hadn’t been to this place before there is no way Big D would have found it. Good for our ability to get reservations, bad for everyone else.

Once in I was welcomed back into the comfortable hosting that is expected with an establishment like Locke-Ober. Coats taken immediately, seats promptly available, all attendants alert and ready to serve: take note, this is how it’s done people. I did not have to worry about a thing until I realized that they had sat us next to a group of church ladies and their priest. Neither Big D or I are particularly fowl mouthed, but it did cause our conversations to be rather dull.

The decor was very old school, like being in a secret club of the royal Tananbuams. Chiseled molding and what looks like original ceiling art work draped all around us. Again the only thing that put me off was the fact that the antique bar was covered in dishes and their cleaning racks. It looked like the mess hall tables at summer camp with the mugs still in their plastic cleaning carrier. Odd I say. Odd.

Food breakdown:

Drinks: My cozmo was fine and they gave Big D his amstel in a cup. No complaints. The cozmo was nothing to write home about, but it sure didn’t suck either.

Bread: I was not particularly stunned by the bread available. They gave us some nice rolls with very good butter. Woo hoo.

Appetizers

Foie Gras steak: To die for. After our dinner last week I had to give this dish another go with Locke-Obers take on it. Blew my mind. Less savory and more sweet and served with waffle. My only complaint is I ran out of waffle before I ran out of foie gras. Even Big D ate some.

Crab Cake: Big D ate this and didn’t say a word about it. He was happy and cleaned his plate, but I didn’t hear anything out of him that gave me the impression he would order it again.

Lobster Bisque: Very creamy, very delish, very worth the expense. As far as I’m a concerned, all good lobster bisque is trying to be like Locke-Obers.



Main Course

I had an amazing steak (not sure which one) that the waiter recommended I try with the wine sauce. I’m learning to be more open to the waiter’s suggestions and am ever so glad I did. The cut was so full of flavor I almost felt I didn’t need any extra accompaniment, but when it finally hit my mouth I melted on the spot. Such a savory experience, I could not get enough. After going through all the steakhouses in Boston, how could we have over looked this flawless diamond?

Big D had the Locke-Ober Sirloin Steak au Poivre. They flamed it up at the table for him and he only shared one bite for me (heavenly). When Big D won’t share, you know he’s happy. In fact he said he would be recommending our new favor spot to all his colleagues when they have VIPs to impress.



Dessert: After such a winning meal I had to try the dessert. I got the crème brulee. Nothing that knocked me out of my seat like the foie gras, bisque and steak, but I manage to eat the whole thing anyways. It was a struggle I know…

All in all Big D and I were very pleased. Locke-ober is not for the loud or cheap crowd, but if you want the best damn hidden gem in Boston, you’ve found it.