New on Newbury: The Met Back Bay

Dining Room, Met Back Bay

Anytime a restaurant goes out leaving an empty gap, I can't help but get excited about what could be going in next.  I'll scour my usual sources looking for clues and anxious for the slightest hint of what's to come.  In this particular case, when Joe's American Bar and Grill left its spot on the corner of Newbury and Dartmouth to take up some prime real estate a little further down the road, the excitement started to build and the searching began.  Who would be the next one to occupy this space?

I'll be honest, I was a little disappointed when I discovered that another restaurant from the Metropolitan Club/Met Bar and Grill was taking up that space.  I had gone to one of their restaurants earlier this year and after much anticipation, I was let down.  I realize it's not fair to hold this place responsible for the other spot's shortcomings and also realize that everyone has an off night and maybe that was their's.  Plus, this was a different restaurant and new menu entirely.  Agreeing that I might had all-too hastily brushed them aside, when a co-worker and I were trying to think of a place to go for lunch, we wound up giving the newly opened Met Back Bay a shot.

Upon walking in, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who whisked us up a set of stairs and past a trendy little bar area (a nice spot for a post-work adult beverage, we agreed).  Right past the bar area, the place opened up into a spacious dining room, with high ceilings and natural light seeping in through the many windows overlooking Newbury Street.  The light bounced off of crisply painted white walls and the whole area was contrasted by puffy orange leather chairs.  It had a clean and chic atmosphere but was comfortable and inviting at the same time.

Eggplant Caprese Sandwich, Met Back Bay

Getting to the menu, it hosted a wide variety of offerings ranging from all over the culinary map.  From tacos to roasted root vegetable tapas to cheese plates, burgers and sandwiches, this place really did have it all.  After debating back and forth, I landed on the Eggplant Caprese, which consisted of pesto, field greens, fried eggplant, tomato and house made mozzarella all sandwiched in between slices of crusty baguette.  It was a good classic combination of Italian flavors served via sandwich.  Even though the tomatoes were a little mealy (it's a tough time of year for anyone to have stellar tomatoes though) the eggplant made up for the 'maters shortcomings by being nice and crispy.  I had substituted fries for the potato chips that it came with but was presented potato chips with my lunch.  The waitress noticed the error and immediately sent out a cute little steel box of them (and free of the additional charge for the substitution).  My dinning companion also graciously let me snap a picture of her lunch, a trio of cola and cocoa short rib tacos.  She said that they were awesome.

Cola and Cocoa Short Rib Tacos, Met Back Bay

In sum, I'd go back to the Met.  I liked the vibe and the atmosphere.  I'm curious about the rest of the menu and since this place is so new, I'm wondering how it will fare there.  Due to it's location and approachable menu, I suspect well.