Feast: The Ashmont Grill
I’m sick of the cold, I’m bored of my sweaters, and both my waistline and my psyche are getting pretty desperate for the end of comfort food season. But, for one last gravy- smothered hurrah, I made a return trip to The Ashmont Grill this week. The Ashmont, for all of its Caesar salads and turkey pot pies, is the perfect transition from winter to spring- while the food can be rich, it is refined and not over-indulgent. Macaroni and cheese just doesn’t feel as sinful when it’s made with with sun dried tomatoes and Moody Blue.
train wreck fries
braised pulled lamb with cherries and pappardelle
One of my favorite aspects of The Ashmont is that, amidst the steaks and pastas, they do have healthier options on the menu. And this time, I actually tried one- a turkey burger. Described as “righteous” on the menu, the burger was served with avocado mousse, arugula, cranberry relish, and roasted sweet potato wedges. The mousse and relish gave the burger rich, layered flavor, though I wished the size of the patty was in better ratio to the bun. I hate having extra bits of bun. The sweet potato wedges had a silky texture that made them feel decadent without actually being fattening. And, while I didn’t actually taste another lighter option – the pork loin special (served with couscous, spinach, and a wine reduction) – it certainly looked delicious.
I’ve always chosen a glass of port for dessert at The Ashmont- by that point in my meal I’m usually feeling too guilty for chocolate. But this week we shared a strawberry-rhubarb crumble that combined the winter warmness of brown sugar with the bright, tart promise of summer fruit. Appropriately sized- just enough for a few small bites around the table, it was worth the extra calories. Knowing how good the sweets are, I might go in for a piece of “Nanny Sheila’s Big Ole Carrot Cake” next time.
Thank you, Ashmont, for what my new jeans hope will be my comfort-food swan song this season. Knowing how worthwhile your healthier options can be, I’ll certainly be back before next winter, but I’ll bring someone else to order the mac and cheese. Which I bet goes really well with a turkey burger.
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread 