January 15th, 2006
The Publick House
What a weekend of eating. What do you expect when both friends and family come into town and need to be entertained.
I like to think of myself as a nightowl but I'm really not anymore. I've just found too many advantages to going to bed at eleven and getting up at six or seven. You are so lame, I can hear the rest of my generation say. Yeah, well, at least I'm well-rested.
Anyway, I thought that meeting some visiting college friends at popular The Publick House, 1648 Beacon St., Brookline, at 8pm on a Friday night was a good strategy for avoiding crowds. Not so, it seems. I had heard so many good things about this place that I could stand to wait forty-five minutes for a table, and fortunately, my friends were willing to do the same.
It was worth it. The Publick House is all about beer and offers an extensive selections of lagers, lambics, ales, and all their fermented friends. Because I'm, like, a total girl, I ordered a framboise lambic, which turned out to be far superior to any others I've had. Next time, however, I think I'll go for the beer sampler, served in a wooden oar-shaped tray.
Food options are of the standard pub variety (burgers, fish 'n' chips, big salads) but are very well-prepared. We feasted on perfectly salty, hearty french fries and an "artisanal cheese board" with carmelized onion toast. I wish I had left room for the Hefe Weiss Pear Tart or Kriek Bread Pudding.
Service was fine, not spectacular, as patrons are expected to seat themselves, which results in an awkward line when the place is full. The crowd was mixed, with younger folk congregating around the bar and older couples and larger groups eating dinner at thick wooden tables in the lower dining room. There is much loud, but friendly chatter, so I'd save The Publick House for mid-week revelry or weekend celebrations instead of a beer with grandpa.
With the beer, the food, and the company I thoroughly enjoyed myself and twenty bucks says I'll be back within the month.
The Info
The Publick House
1648 Beacon St., Brookline
617-277-2880
www.thepublickhousebrookline.com
March 13th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
I totally agree about the awkwardness of self-seating. Hiring a host/hostess wouldn’t kill them (might even bring in more business from the people who hate waiting in the sometimes battle-hunrgy line).
Great burgers.