Dining Out: Tryst

Tonight I had dinner at Tryst in Arlington Center as part of Boston's restaurant week. Located in the heart of Arlington on Massachusetts Avenue, Tryst attracts both an after work crowd at the bar, and families and couples to their elegant dining room.

The restaurant looks and feels as if it has been furnished entirely from the Pottery Barn catalog - the chairs, the tables, the decor and even the lighting! In the bar area, where we were seated, the lighting is very dim and romantic.

Our waiter brought us the drink menu, the dinner menu and the special restaurant week menu. We started with a glass of pinot grigio and a raspberry caipirinha, a Brazilian drink that is somewhere between a mojito and a margarita. Tryst's version was absolutely sublime! A generous size drink, a heavy hand from the bartender, and just the right amount of raspberry flavor. Mmm mmm!

We started with a chopped salad that was served with sunflower seeds, radishes, tomatoes, sourdough croutons and cucumber yogurt dressing. Not only was the portion size extremely generous, the dressing was lick-your-plate delicious.

Next our entrees arrived. Heirloom squash ravioli for me, and the bell & evans chicken for my dinner date. The ravioli was just the right amount of sweet with a decadent sage brown butter sauce. The chicken was heavenly, served with a caramelized vegetable and shallot sauce that "crystallized on your tongue." The plate also featured carrots, broccoli rabe and a rice pilaf served with shaved parmesan cheese. Are you drooling?

For dessert we had the deconstructed banana split. The stunning presentation showcased a sliced banana, a beehive of marshmallow filled with chocolate mousse, strawberry sauce, vanilla ice cream, candied topping, and a small dish of hot fudge. I have one of the biggest sweet tooths of anyone I know, and I have eaten a lot of dessert in my life. I can honestly say, this dish makes the Top 10 of all time. Absolute perfection.

In addition to the beautiful atmosphere, the great drinks and the superb food, we were also served by the most gracious and accommodating staff, particularly the hostess, who routinely checked in with us to see how our evening was progressing. She was even kind enough to take a photo for us!

I would 100 percent return to Tryst, in fact, I can't wait to have an excuse to plan the next trip!

 

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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