Saturday was the first full day of summer, and the weather provided a perfect evening for patio dining. We took a walk on Newbury Street and sailed into an outside table at La Voile.
Since our 2008 New Year's resolution has been to drink more sparkling wine, we thought we would expand our first day of the month quest for bubbles to include the first day of the season. We began the evening with a bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne Brut de Charvis Rosé.
With Champagne prices rising as our dollar becomes worth less, we have been buying more Cremants and enjoying them. This one is a tad drier than the one La Voile had been serving and that was fine with us.
The staff added an amuse of leek soup and saucisson along with warm bread for nibbling with the wine.
The wine went well with the amuse, but it really shined with my main course.
I have been stuck on the cod with chorizo and beans that has been a staple of the La Voile spring menu. I know I should order other items when I dine here, but I adore the cod, and inevitably it will disappear. Until it does, I'm eating it often.
Ed ordered the snapper with pepper coulis. He ate all of his and the last third of mine. Both dishes were very good.
Dining greatness came at dessert. Ed is probably bored splitting this dessert with me but, I adore the warm chocolate cake that the chef has had on the menu since our first visit. The chocolate is of top quality, the cake is baked to runny; gooey perfection and there is always a divine ice cream (topped with a chocolate sail) to complement each spoonful of cake.
Sorry, but in the presence of this decadence, I forgot to take a photo. I guess I'll have to find someone to accompany me some afternoon to order the cake and photograph it.
Any volunteers out there?
This is a great spot for watching the passing parade on Newbury Street. We were also treated to the show of a tableside de-boning of a neighboring diner's dinner.
In a neighborhood full of chain restaurants, food factories, and just a few hidden gems, La Voile has sailed into our hearts. We feel welcome, we are treated well, they seem to care about the neighbors and we always leave relaxed and happy. What more can you ask of a neighborhood spot?
Details:
La Voile
261 Newbury Street
Boston, MA
617-587-4200
http://lavoileboston.net/
Other opinions:
This has been a Chowhound favorite with a few dissenters to give you other views. Here a Chowhound search for you to review.
Here's the yelp.