Best New Restaurants in Boston

Courtesy of Menton

Our 2011/12 Boston Restaurants Survey was released today, and Barbara Lynch’s Menton made a big splash by debuting in the top spot in both the Service and Decor categories. It also nabbed honors for Top Newcomer – read on for reviews and ratings of the other eateries in that list.

• Menton

• 354 Congress St.; 617-737-0099
• Food: 28
• Decor: 27
• Service: 29
• Cost: $145
• Barbara Lynch’s latest “temple” of French-Italian gastronomy, located in the Seaport District, makes an auspicious Survey debut by earning the No. 1 scores for both Service and Decor thanks to its “unparalleled” staff and “elegant”, “sophisticated” setting of earthy greens, grays and wood tones; the “phenomenal” prix fixe–only cuisine, each course a “visual delight and a taste sensation” paired with “divine” wines, also “sets a new standard”, as do tabs you may have to “mortgage your house” to pay – indeed, this ranks as the Survey’s “priciest restaurant.”

   

• Bergamot

• 118 Beacon St.; 617-576-7700
• Food: 27
• Decor: 23
• Service: 26
• Cost: $51
• “Nuanced, creative” seasonal New American fare featuring “interesting juxtapositions of tastes and textures” is “backed by a sound wine list” and “well-trained, friendly” service at this “sophisticated but unpretentious”, “wonderful addition” to Somerville; all in all, “prices are not outrageous”, although the “portions are on the smallish side” so big appetites recommend you “get three courses or you may leave hungry.”

• Parsons Table

• 34 Church St.; 781-729-1040
• Food: 27
• Decor: 21
• Service: 26
• Cost: $48
• “Catch was great but this is superb” cheer surveyors of chef Chris Parsons’ “more casual”, “rustic” reimagining of his fish-focused forerunner, where he now prepares New American “comfort foods with modern, creative spins” and “nods to local sourcing”, all “while keeping prices in line”; thankfully, the “same great everything” else is still around, specifically the “attentive but unobtrusive service.”

• 5 Corners Kitchen

• 2 School St.; 781-631-5550
• Food: 26
• Decor: 20
• Service: 23
• Cost: $43
• Marblehead “needed” a new “fine-dining choice”, and this French addition is “taking the town by storm” with its “flawlessly executed” seasonal bistro fare and relatively reasonable prices; “cozy”, “spare” environs with “lots of hard surfaces” mean it can get “quite loud in there”, but the “delightful” staffers go a long way toward making everyone feel “comfortable.”

• Cutty’s

• 284 Washington St. (Harvard St.); 617-505-1844
• Food: 25
• Decor: 15
• Service: 21
• Cost: $14
• Devotees say their “dreams are made of” the “fabulous” “gourmet sandwiches” created with “imagination and attention to flavor” at this “welcome” American addition offering breakfast and lunch to Brookline Village; its “take-out setting” features a “little counter”, behind which a “friendly staff” provides “quick” “service with a smile.”