Off The Common, Park Plaza

We were invited to dine at Off The Common at the Park Plaza recently and experience the stunning renovation of the lobby restaurant just recently completed.  The cocktail program is excellent with drinks to honor Boston landmarks and traditions.  We started with this, the Romeo And Juliet (named after the famed swans of the Public Garden):  Grey Goose Noir, St. Germaine, Pure Cane, Fresh Lemon, Agave and Luxardo Cherry.  Light, smooth and refreshing.

The architectural details are beautiful and the bar is a popular gathering spot.

The Lobster Mac And Cheese arrived in a tiny red Le Creuset crock and was heavy on the lobster meat.  The cheese did not overpower the delicate lobster flavor, the hallmark of this dish when done well.

Prime Sirloin Steak, House Cut Fries And Roasted Garlic And Herb Compound Butter.  Very Good, perfectly done.

Baked Local Cod Loin, Salt Cured Olives, Blistered Tomatoes, Smoked Marcona Almonds And Romesco Sauce. The cod was a bit dry but good.  Perhaps a hefty drizzle of a fine Spanish olive oil over the dish would make it perfect.

The Beignet And Chocolate Sauce was delicious.  The crispy fried dough was rich and the chocolate sauce not too sweet.  A hit.

The Limoncello Flute, Lemon Gelato And Limoncello Drizzle was the tart alternative, also good.

The Scene:  Well-heeled guests and twenty-something friends gathering for drinks at a dazzling, long bar to map out plans for the evening.  On the night we visited the bar patrons were overwhelmingly male, the diners more fifty-fifty, a typical yet polished upscale hotel lobby crowd of  visitors and new faces, although we spotted a few well-known Boston faces.

Perfect for:  A delicious drink and appetizer before the theater in a comfy yet refined setting.  An initial business cocktail in a tasteful, off-the-beaten-track atmosphere.

Favorite things:  Drinks.  Lobster Mac.  Beignet.  Trace and Trust locality dining.

Off The Common
Boston Park Plaza
50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street
Boston, MA  02116
Telephone:  617.426.2000
Twitter:  @OffTheCommonBOS