Best Luxury Steak Outside a Luxury Steakhouse: Davio’s
This versatile combination of a swanky Italian restaurant and a luxury-grade chophouse has a secret weapon: some of the best steaks in town. Davio’s (74 Arlington Street, Boston, 617.357.4810) plates the same dry-aged prime beef — from boutique producer Brandt Farm, which only feeds its Holsteins hormone-and-antibiotic-free corn — as nearby Grill 23. These utterly surpass the flavor of the feedlot prime steaks served at most local luxury chain steakhouses: don’t even mention the choice-grade steaks served at some, the same cuts any schlub can buy at Johnny’s Foodmaster.
Best Second Restaurant by an Established Fine-Dining Star: Persephone
Stuck at the back of chic, minimalist boutique Achilles is Persephone (283 Summer Street, Boston, 617.695.2257), chef Michael Leviton’s fascinating entry into the blazing-hot fort point restaurant sweepstakes. If you know Leviton’s refined bistro cooking and elegant room at Lumière in West Newton, you maybe be surprised by Persephone’s industrial-chic décor, fabu-lounge, outstanding cocktails, and a near-communal dining room with long tables. His sophisticated American food is served in a range of portion sizes, from bar bites to big sharable entrées. Don’t miss the superb roast chicken or the sea-salt-and-bacon-topped pretzel (served only at the bar).
Best Unsung Bartender: Kevin Dick at Grill 23 & Bar
Fueling the testosterone-charged fun at boys-in-suits clubhouse Grill 23 & Bar (161 Berkeley Street, Boston, 617.542.2255) requires big slabs of beef, gargantuan sides of creamed spinach, and oversized shaker drinks. For the latter, Kevin is your man. Yet despite being tall, handsome, and unflappable, he doesn’t display the qualities that generally garner best bartender awards, like a cantilevered boob job or a polished dissertation on the history of the Tom Collins. Kevin merely cranks out a couple hundred dirty goose martinis a night with speed and precision while keeping his regulars fed, lubricated, and feeling well cared for. Unflashy hospitality and workmanlike chops are bartending’s most underrated skills; Kevin dick has both in spades.
Win dinner on us! Text FEED, followed by a space, followed by the name of your favorite restaurant, to 22122.
