A tale of two towne's

Towne Stove and Spirits (known locally as towne) has generated a lot of buzz since it opened its doors in the summer of 2010. I've made two recent visits to towne and the experiences could not have been more different. To be blunt, your experience will vary based on where you are seated. A louder more raucous environment dominates the first floor; a slightly more subdued atmosphere exists on the main section of the second floor; and the most intimate experience is in front section of the second floor overlooking Boylston Street.

Comparing service from one dining room to the next is unfair since the experience is totally different. Because of this, when you make your reservation (because it is worth checking out), consider what kind of dining experience you want and request the section that seems most in line with your wishes.

Dinner at towne will run you approximately $50 / person (1 drink, an appetizer and main – not including tip). On my second visit, we shared mesclun greens salad and lobster popovers. Both were beautifully presented and equally delicious. Lydia Shire always seems to work magic with lobster so when you visit I would strongly recommend trying one of the many options with lobster. For dinner I selected the duck which has a mouthwatering sauce comprised of cane syrup, citrus and red currants and mashed potatoes on the side. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portion and wondered if I’d finish it. For the record the duck was devoured, and I soldiered on ordering the bittersweet chocolate bouchon, peanut butter sauce and mocha ice cream for dessert.

For food enthusiasts, I would certainly recommend trying towne. The dining experience and service varies depending on where you sit so take that into account and book your reservation accordingly. If you have eaten at towne, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts in my comments section.

The delicious duck