For the past few years every cycle of Restaurant Week I go out with two of my girlfriends. We dress up and we each wear pearl necklaces. Its our own little way of signifying a special occasion and honoring this fun tradition in our friendship.
Tonight we had a reservation at Miel in the Intercontinental Hotel on Atlantic Ave in Boston. The Intercontinental is an absolutely gorgeous hotel. From the moment you walk into the lobby you feel transported. That feeling carries into the two featured restaurants, one of which is Miel.
Miel's decor and menu whisks you away to the French countryside. I think the restaurant is one of the most beautiful in the city.
We were seated at a table right in the window with a view of the outdoor patio and the water. There were some dark clouds overhead so I insisted we sit inside. I would love to go back and dine al fresco!
The Miel Restaurant Week menu offered so many great choices. We started by ordering drinks; a glass of Merlot, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a white wine sangria. The sangria was perfectly sweet and served with fresh raspberries, blackberries and an orange wedge.
While we waited for the first course to arrive our server brought a basket of warm olive bread. I had to stop myself after two pieces.
For the first course we tried the salmon tartare which had a beautiful presentation:
The clam chowder which was rich, creamy and very filling:
And a house salad (a last minute vegetarian substitution) that had fresh greens, juicy tomatoes, crisp green beans, artichokes and a creamy balsamic dressing. Everyone was happy with their selection and practically licked their plates!
For the entree course we all ordered the artichoke gnocchi served with zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms and shaved asiago cheese. While the portion was extremely small, every bite was heavenly. The gnocchi was soft and flavorful and the vegetables were expertly cooked.
For dessert, two of us had the flourless chocolate cake which was served with two dollops of white chocolate mouse and a raspberry glaze on the plate. The other dessert was a cheese plate offering several varieties of cheese, a chutney, and a few crackers and crisps.
The meal at Miel was divine and the atmosphere was so tranquil that we didn't want to get up! The chairs are wide arm chairs and lend themselves to ultimate relaxation.
On our way out we asked the hostess if she would take our photo (part of the tradition) and not only did she agree, but she encouraged us to stand in front of the fireplace, she took a vertical shot, a horizontal shot and a close up! What service!
I highly recommend Miel for a date, a meal when the parents are in town or a celebratory occasion.
