665457 Sat Nov 07 15:23:13 -0800 2009 3 12 Boston Area 0 5163883 Decided to check out the shops today and ended up at the Met Bar for a burger. The build your own concept was nice, prices a little high, my kobe burger with bleu cheese and applewood bacon ran $15. Burger was tasty and still juicy despite the fact in came out more well done than the requested medium. DC went with the corned beef sandwich which was really the better choice. Next trip I think I'll try Aquataine. Sat Nov 07 15:23:13 -0800 2009 26213 Pegmeister 1 5164225 Yeah, a little pricey. But for us this was an excellent family outing, and also a place I want to come back to on date night. We're probably pretty difficult--two adults, three kids all under 5--but we all were happy here. In contrast, we've had a hit-or-miss experience at Aquitaine, mostly due to a somewhat green waitstaff, I think. I like the food there as well, so I hope they'll improve. Anyway, Met Bar: Today, we just came for burgers and kids' food. My 'kobe' burger, rare with American trimmings, was very good. The seeded bun was rich but not overwhelming; I got to add my own ketchup and mustard (I am not a mayo or cheese girl when offered a properly fatty burger); and the raw red onion rings are superthin. My husband ordered, and was very happy with, the "Idol" burger rare, with sesame seed bun, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sprouts. Oh, and I got the grapefruit fizz cocktail and was very happy--fresh grapefruit juice, grapefruit infused vodka, simple syrup, and soda. It was a little sweeter than I like (too much simple syrup?) but otherwise lovely--fresh clear grapefruit juice, good bitter rind flavor, grapefruit wedge garnish. The side order of fried onion strings (astonishingly thinner and crisper than Bartley's) and "sweet potato planks" was a study in contrasts. The onion rings were exemplary, if you like them thin and crisp; the "sweet potato planks" . . . odd. There were four or five thick, deep-fried wafers, each with a paper-thin sliver of sweet potato buried inside. I like sweet potatoes, so was sorry to find so little there. The mushroom and spinach sides were good if small. The mushrooms claimed to be "exotic" but I'd be shocked if there were any varieties other than cremini or standard button mushrooms in the (otherwise delicious) side we had today. My four-year-old's spaghetti with meatballs was unusually good--the pasta was a little overdone for my taste but he loved it, and the meatballs were exceptional. I had to stop my husband from eating them, since they were the kids' favorite. My daughter's mini burgers with fries were also good, and popular with all of us. Our server was really excellent. She gave us our space while we juggled the kids and perused our menus, but also quickly jumped in for refills, timely orders, getting kids' orders in quickly, etc. She checked with the grownups before bringing over a gratis cotton candy treat for our two older kids. Both ate their spinach beforehand to earn the sugary treat, and both were properly awestruck and grateful. I was really impressed with the Met Bar's handling of our (probably annoying) party, and I thought the food was solid. Pretty rare for us to be happy both with the handling of the kids and the food. Sat Nov 07 18:49:19 -0800 2009 5163883 1122617 buffett 2 5164754 Did the kids get cotton candy at the end of their meal? I thought that was a nice touch. The Met does seem to be quite child friendly. There were a number of families dining when we were there. Also, glad you mentioned the sweet potato wafers. I saw someone with them and didn't know what they were. Sun Nov 08 06:35:43 -0800 2009 5164225 26213 Pegmeister 1 5164972 I have friends who live near and like the Metropolitan Club / Met Bar in Chestnut Hill, where I've been dragged for a series of underwhelming, overpriced meals. The food has a kind of upscale-chain vibe to me, the semblance of a luxury steakhouse without the quality. The only dish I've really thought was worth the money was their prime-grade skirt steak, one of their few fairly-priced chophouse entrees. They're putting another one on Newbury Street next year, allegedly to be called Met Prime. I should be cheering that a Joe's American is going away, but this news kind of sucks the joy out of it. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Sun Nov 08 09:02:21 -0800 2009 5163883 10143 MC Slim JB