Spotlight On: Washington Square

This week I met a favorite girlfriend in Washington Square in Brookline for a night of dining gluttony! We started at Publick House on Beacon Street in Brookline. Publick House is famous in Beantown for its enormous beer selection. Its the kind of beer menu that makes a Bud Light drinker feel like an idiot trying to read a foreign language. However, if you're well versed in the beverage, you'll be in heaven!

The restaurant has an upscale pub/tavern vibe. We were seated a table that is actually a chess table. Nice touch of character.

We started off the night with an order of "monk fries". This is a giant basket of french fries (about the size of a half gallon of milk) and comes with two dipping sauces of your choice. We went for the chipotle mayo and the pesto aioli. The fries were superb and VERY cravable, and the dips were SUPER yummy. It had me wishing that basket was bottomless!

I ordered the mac and cheese at the suggestion of a coworker who lives in the neighborhood, and was further convinced when I read on the menu you can add a whole host of veggies to the dish. I ordered mine with broccoli.

Now, what should have been a delicious pasta dish wound up being bland and unimpressive. I easily emptied half the pepper shaker onto my pasta and still couldn't taste any flavor. For those who ever uttered the question "How can you mess up mac and cheese?" I just found out.

My dining partner ordered a burger that came with a big side salad and a pickle. She loved the burger and would order it again.

I would absolutely go back and try one of their salads or paninis, but the true magic of Publick House is in the french fries. You really don't need to bother ordering anything else.

After dinner we headed across the street to one of my favorite bakery/cafes - Athan's. This is a European bakery that has two locations - Washington Square and Brighton Center. Both boast the same incredible selection of decadent treats and a cozy, warm cafe with plenty of tables. We split a chocolate eclair and a mini chocolate hazelnut cake that were both so delicious, I licked my fork clean. Twice. Just to be thorough.

I frequently bring out of town guests to the Athan's in Brighton Center which has beautiful twig and crystal chandeliers and a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. They make a delicious brioche french toast, a perfect cheddar and tomato panini, and french fries so good you'll be licking your fingers. They also have a gorgeous male barista with perfect biceps. Yum.

Lesson learned: Washington Square is for junk food lovers. French fries and chocolate dessert await you!

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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