Dining Out: Seasons 52 (Part II)

I wish I could take credit for discovering Seasons 52, but it was actually my mother and cousin (both regulars at the Seasons 52 Florida locations) who introduced me to the restaurant.

I made my first trip to the Chestnut Hill, MA location exactly two years ago (you can read about that visit here) and was thrilled to be invited back to sample the new menu for spring 2016. 

Seasons 52 changes their menu quarterly. Each new menu features fruits, veggies and herbs native to that season (hence the name of the restaurant). For this menu preview, we were treated to dinner in Seasons 52's private dining room. 

Seated at the table with me were fashionistas Sami of A Glimpse of Glamour and Lei Ann of Lei Ann Off Duty, foodies Kristen of Indulge Inspire Imbibe and Chelsea of Chow Down USA and health and fitness guru Athena of Fitness & Feta. It was a fantastic group and we really enjoyed each other's company. Athena and I also discovered we live just two blocks from each other! 

Each of our place settings had the seven course menu for the evening and we couldn't wait to dive in. 

With every course we received a new wine pairing. 

The chef entered the private dining room carrying an amuse bouche for each person. The vegetarian version was tofu over tomatillo salsa. I really loved the bright, bold, spicy flavors of the salsa. 

The next course was all about flatbreads. The meat eaters were enjoying the crispy prosciutto and asparagus flatbread and the lobster and mozzarella flatbread, while the vegetarians nibbled on the artichoke and goat cheese flatbread with spinach, balsamic onions and roasted red peppers.

While I love spinach and artichoke dip, I have a hard time with plates where artichoke is the star of the dish. This was 70% artichoke. That being said, I loved the texture and crunch of the very thin crust. 

Next up, spinach salad with strawberries, pea tendrils, toasted pine nuts, gorgonzola cheese and 15-year aged balsamic drizzle. 

This salad is an excellent choice for a starter. The spinach is fresh, the strawberries and gorgonzola pair perfectly together and the balsamic drizzle adds a nice acidity to cut through the richness of the cheese. 

For the next course, the omnivores enjoyed caramelized, grilled sea scallops with lemon risotto. We (the vegetarians) were served the same risotto paired with broccoli rabe. 

Of all the dishes we tasted over the course of the evening, this one got the lowest marks. The presentation was seriously lacking and the flavor was a bit one note. I'm also not a fan of broccoli rabe, but that's just a personal preference. I always find it too bitter. 

Our next dish was my favorite, the meyer lemon ricotta ravioli. I could have eaten my portion and everyone else's at the table. 

I absolutely loved the bright lemon taste, the creaminess of the ricotta cheese and the addition of the roasted red peppers and English peas. 

For the sixth and final savory course the majority of the table was enjoying either the Asian-glazed Chilean sea bass or the wood-grilled rack of lamb. We were presented with Seasons 52's signature vegetarian entree called the vegetarian tasting plate. I actually ordered this on my very first visit! 

This plate is a potpourri of veggie offerings - a stuffed mushroom, golden beets, broccoli rabe, chilled quinoa salad, a soft taco and tofu. 

Now, everyone knows the reason to come to Seasons 52 is their dessert tower called the mini indulgences. Each treat is served in a shot glass and each dessert is 370 calories or less. 

On my very first visit I tried five of these (don't judge!). This time, since I had already had six courses (!!) I managed to stick with just two. The first was the s'mores, which was the best one I've tasted yet! I loved the torched marshmallow on top, the garnish of the chocolate dipped graham cracker and the sinfully rich dark chocolate mousse underneath. 

I also inhaled the raspberry chocolate chip cannoli one. I think the presentation with the vertical cannoli shell is so fun, especially for kids. 

The table also gave the key lime pie indulgence a rave review. 

After tasting our way through the majority of the spring menu, I can tell you that you can't go wrong with the spinach salad, the meyer lemon ravioli or any of the signature mini desserts. In addition to the delicious food, Seasons 52 has a large, spacious dining room, free parking (valet too!) and is close to great shops and my happy place, Dry Bar. 

Thank you to the Seasons 52 team for such a lovely evening. I am already plotting when I can return for more lemon ravioli.

*This post is sponsored by Seasons 52. Though my meal was complimentary, all opinions are 100 percent my own.