COURTESY PHOTO
“Ribs and all barbecue inherently make you think of summer and times with family. I can’t think of anything more comforting than those fond memories,” the Smoke Shop’s Andy Husbands said.
BY STACEY MARCUS
“It’s fun to get together and have something good to eat at least once a day. That’s what human life is all about — enjoying things.” — Julia Child
It is January, the time New Englanders hunker down and tone up. This is typically a time of reflection, resolutions and a vow to move away from the table and head to the gym. What if instead of thinking of the first month of the year as a launch pad for deprivation and shrinking, we treat ourselves to our favorite comfort food served with a side of joy?
Here are five fabulous spots to enjoy some tasty comfort food this winter:
G Bar and Kitchen, 256 Humphrey St., Swampscott
“Food gives us comfort. It doesn’t have to be a meal that makes you full. … It gives you complete flavors as well as satisfies all the tastebuds. In my opinion, a well-balanced meal is like a big hug,” said Gregg Brackman of G Bar & Kitchen in Swampscott. He notes that in his ribeye, “you get the perfect salt and pepper sear on a nice ribeye steak, then the sweet tang from the bacon-cocoa Brussels (sprouts), and then of course the sweetness and crunch of the crispy Vidalia onions. It just works … like a hug,” said Brackman, whose patrons enjoy an intimate and elegant dining experience where the chef’s passion for quality sizzles all year.
For dessert: Walk across the street and enjoy a stroll along Fisherman’s Beach. Gaze at the ocean and Boston skyline in the distance. Then head back to G Bar and Kitchen to enjoy a G Coffee — vanilla vodka, Godiva liqueur and freshly brewed coffee — and Caramel Apple Bread Pudding.
grestaurant.com
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Bistro du Midi, 272 Boylston St., Boston
Bistro du Midi’s executive chef Josue Louis selects a new dish on the menu as a great comfort food that features codfish with artichoke, broccolini, olives, meyer lemon and garlic emulsion. “I love our new cod dish since it marries the flavors of one of our local fishes with the brightness of meyer lemon and the earthiness of the artichokes, olives and broccolini. It is healthy and light, which means you can still stick to any resolutions while enjoying something satiating and delicious,” said Louis.
For dessert: Winter is a wonderful time to visit Boston Common and enjoy a crisp stroll or skate on Frog Pond. Circle back to Bistro du Midi and indulge in a decadent dessert such as chocolate kahlua custard, smoked brownies and marshmallow ice cream.
bistrodumidi.com
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, 412 S. Broadway, South Boston
Executive chef Matt Drummond invites you to brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to enjoy Fried Chicken and Waffles with jalapeño cornbread waffle, chile maple butter sauce. “Our Chicken and Waffles dish screams comfort food because it’s the perfect combination of Southern and New England flavors with the cornbread waffle and spiced maple butter sauce that we use to smother the dish with.”
For dessert: Stroll around South Boston, visit Castle Island or shop in one of many specialty shops or boutiques. If you get chilly, return to Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar for a glass of cider or a fun cocktail like a Blueberry Beret: spiced rum, blueberry puree, lemon juice and lemongrass.
locosouthboston.com
Smoke Shop, 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge
Smoke Shop chef/owner/pitmaster Andy Husbands’ “1st place ribs” is the dish you should savor this winter. “Ribs and all barbecue inherently make you think of summer and times with family. I can’t think of anything more comforting than those fond memories,” Husbands said.
For dessert: Whether you want to walk around the campus of MIT or Harvard, take in a movie at Kendall Square Cinema or enjoy Community Ice Skating @Kendall Square, there’s plenty to do post-feast.
thesmokeshopbbq.com
Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant, 425 W. Broadway, South Boston
Executive chef Nick Dixon is known for his inventive New American cuisine: e.g. Fruity Pebble Pancakes, inventive pizzas and Ramen dishes during the winter, When it comes to comfort food, it doesn’t get much better than Nick’s Short Rib Poutine with Bone Marrow Gravy. The dish, a customer favorite on the brunch menu, features addictive truffle rosemary fries with bone marrow gravy, smoked short ribs, sunny-side-up egg, crumbled bacon and shaved truffle. According to Nick, “The Short Rib Poutine has lots of in-your-face flavors that are perfect for warming up during the cold weather. Smoked short rib, rosemary, bone marrow gravy, runny yolks, crumbled bacon, shaved truffle. Upping the poutine game!”
For dessert: You can opt to stroll around South Boston or head home to the couch to watch your favorite sports game or a movie after this feast!
lincolnsouthboston.com