Exchange Street Bistro in Malden.
A Phantom Gourmet gift card we were given came into good use recently when we stopped in at Exchange Street Bistro in Malden. This place has a really great design with granite table tops, fine wood finished and muted colors of olive and red. Sounds strange but it works. There is, of course, a large bar area, several nice booths with very high walls for added privacy and a separate area behind the bar that would be perfect for larger groups or company get togethers (for those few companies that haven't cut the entertainment budget). In fact, it really did have that upscale let's all go for a drink and small bite after work type feel. Most of the lunchtime tables seemed to be occupied by business persons.
The menu, again as expected, offered hearty bistro fare. We were very tempted to go with the lobster mac and cheese but opted instead for the baked haddock.
Lunch at Exchange Street Bistro.
A generous portion of baked haddock was served over a mound of garlic and herb mashed potato and topped with steamed baby spinach leaves and finished with a creamy lobster sauce. The haddock was good but seemed to lack the succulent flavor of really fresh. Frozen maybe? The crust was well done, neither too much nor too little, and the seasoning not overpowering. The mashed potato was a bit thick and dry. We'd suggest just one more dollop of cream and a pat of butter. The sauce had just the slightest hint of lobster. It could definitely be amped up without overpowering the haddock flavor.
While we considered the meal good and the portion size generous, with just a few little tweaks it really could have made the excellent grade. Lunches are in the $9-15 range and dinners $20-30. A Sunday brunch menu is also served. Service was very good.
Exchange Street Bistro
67 Exchange Street
Malden, MA 02148
Telephone: 781.322.0071
Click here for website.
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