Woodward at Ames

Even when Joey McIntyre is not standing on the bar singing, as he was the other night after the Boston Common tree lighting, Woodward at Ames is still a cool place to hang out. We visited recently, joining a fine group of fellow food bloggers to sample the food and sample we did! Everything was good but there are some real standouts so get your napkins ready for some mouth-watering pics. We began with the Charcuterie plate pictured above.


Woodward is known for their well-crafted cocktails. Among those we enjoyed in this funky Tavern-meets-urban-oasis setting were the Demon Does (Milagro silver with muddled jalapeno and agave nectar with fresh lime and creme de cassis) and the Boston Mule (Absolut Wild Tea with A J Stephens Ginger Beer and spearmint). Delicious. It was then onto the starters, which we all shared.


Short Rib Tortellini with Madeira and Truffle Butter. This was one of the standouts.


Next were the flatbreads. Duck Confit with Goat Cheese and Dried Cranberries.


Spicy Coppa, Caramelized Onions and Gruyere. This was my favorite. The Gruyere just made it for me.


Roasted Mushrooms, Truffle Oil and Spicy Cress.


Parsnip Bisque with Seared Scallop, Cranberry and Juniper. Another standout. Deliciously creamy with that hidden gem of a scallop.


Next up were the salads. Riesling Poached Pear with Great Hill Blue Cheese, Field Mache and Spiced Pecans. Loved the spiced pecans!


Smoked Trout with Frisee, Watercress, Pickled Red Onion and Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette. Loved the Smoked Trout!


Fall Farmers Market Young Vegetable Salad with Honey Chardonnay Vinaigrette. Loved the Vinaigrette!


Entrees were next. Local Cod with Kohlrabi, Fennel and Apple Salad. I am just not a fan of fennel but the cod was perfectly done.


Tavern Steak with French Fries, Crispy Ranch Onion Rings and Chipotle Hollandaise. Man food! Those onion rings!


Seared Salmon with Brussels Sprouts, Parsnip-Celeriac-Rutabega Gratin and Cider Reduction. Salmon and Brussels Sprouts are one of my favorite dishes. The fillet looked perfectly firm but not overdone.


My dish: Braised Lamb with Collard Greens and Maple Roasted Squashes. Melt-in-Your-Mouth lamb. This could not have been any better.


We began our Dessert Course with a Southie Coffee, Woodward's take on the Irish Coffee, a warm dessert cocktail. Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey and Frangelico with fresh brewed coffee and hand whipped cream are combined for an incredible dessert drink. Standout!


Brownie Sundae with Peanut Butter Ice Cream. That PB Ice Cream was the highlight for me.


Ganache Tart with Salted Caramel. Absolutely delicious.


Caramel Apple Tart with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Excellent apple tart.


Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta.

Overall great food in a fun, downtown setting. If you like your comfort food served with comfort cocktails then this would be a great spot for you and your friends to warm up this holiday season.

Woodward at Ames
1 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: 617.979.8200