I love that the space is diverse and multidimentional with the entrance opening up into an open bar and high top area with lots of light through large pane windows transitioning into a more sultry bar area with lots of dinner tables and a few high top/booth hybrids. Head up stairs to a more romantic, quaint section for a more private dining set up.
I decided after a recent weekend afternoon Prosecco bender last month with an out of town guest, to try the Sunday brunch as the menu was enticing.
My review:
We started with the Hot Chocolate Croissant served with fresh raspberries and sprinkled with powdered sugar with a cup of tart, citrus sorbet/sherbert (perhaps key lime or lemon). The croissant was not authentic Brittany Pain au Chocolat, but I guess I should not have expected as much. The croissant was cool, obviously not freshly baked, and more bread-like than flaky and buttery as one anticipates when presented with a croissant. The chocolate filling was sparse and overall I found it to be very commercial and run of the mill.
I did enjoy the complimentary basket of fresh, hot donut holes with vanilla glaze! The lemon-poppy seed biscotti was just ok.
My dining companion ordered the Cinnamon French Toast which he thought fell short of the amount of cinnamon to satisfy his palate. I found the thick cut French toast to be dry and unimpressive.
My first entree choice walked a tightrope between living up to its description and forgivable disappointment. The chicken and waffles: It took awhile for me to make a decision and I figured I'd choose the chik/waf dish to compare to Gladys' (Atlanta), Roscoe's (Los Angeles), Hen House in (Boston's Newmarket Square), or Cafeteria/Amy Ruth's/Sylvia's (NYC). Yep... those were my thoughts...as who would have the gall to present such a dish at the risk of comparison to the aforementioned poultry for breakfast Giants renowned for this rural phenom!
Unfortunately the radial-humeral (elbow) joint (it's the veterinarian in me..sorry) remained blood-tinged, though the surrounding meat appeared thoroughly cooked. Management staff was kind enough to come out and speak to us after I sent the dish back to explain the preparation issues which may been some improvement (early poaching followed by deep frying). I suggested finishing in the oven.
The waffles were dry, but more syrup could have improved upon that and who can go wrong with bacon? I am not a grits type of chick, but I really enjoyed the white cheddar cheese grits which came with this dish! They were the creamiest, richest grits ever and thus carried the day for this dish!
Needless to say, the dish was comped and we received a large serving of profuse, genuine apologies from both management and server/bartender staff. We really appreciated the dialogue.
My back up order was PHENOMENAL! The roast beef skillet hash with beautiful, buttery, crispy, halved breakfast potatoes, roasted plum tomato, and scrambled (vs. poached or sunny) eggs. The hash was moist, full of flavor, meaty, and simply amazing! This dish truly redeemed the kitchen from the prior minor mishap.
I am willing to give brunch another go round at Towne for sure!
Check out Towne Stove & Spirits at www.towneboston.com
Towne accepts reservations through www.opentable.com
