The Fireplace1634 Beacon St.

Brookline

(617) 975-1900



Washington Square in Brookline is a place that too few know about. When seeking an off-campus adventure, Brandeisians normally go to Harvard Square or Newbury Street, but neglect the closer attractions in Allston, Brighton and Brookline. Washington Square, amongst other "diamonds in the ruff," is an area with fine restaurants, unique shops and an exciting cultural atmosphere. Although not the most diverse option in the Square, I decided to try The Fireplace restaurant, a New England grill and barbeque, specializing in wood-smoked dishes and superb wines.

Immediately upon entering The Fireplace, a cozy, warm aura surrounds you. With a simple colonial dcor and a large fireplace burning, the restaurant transports its guests to a tranquil, pleasant place. From the tables, the wood grill is visible, along with many of the cooks busily preparing different entres. Everyone working seems to have a content air, which adds to the relaxed nature of the restaurant.

A Brookline native, Chef Ben Nathan brings his culinary skills to The Fireplace. He has previously worked at such illustrious local restaurants as Chez Henri in Cambridge and Grill 23 in Boston. His dishes are based on traditional New England fare, but each has a twist. Although it has only been open a little over a year, The Fireplace already has regular customers and is a welcome addition to the Washington Square neighborhood.

For dinner, I ordered Spit-Roasted Half Chicken with Maple Sweet Potato Mash, Sage Brown Butter and Watercress, while my friend tried Aged Rib-eye Steak with Smoked Portobello, Arugula Salad and Crispy Garlic-herbed Potatoes. The steak entre was decent, but the chicken was delicious. Its sauce was rich, with bits of brown sugar and sage in it. The maple sweet potato mash was even better than this, and complimented the chicken. Of course, portions were hearty, so I was able to enjoy the chicken for a few meals at home, as well.

Dessert was okay, but nothing spectacular. There are many ice cream parlors and coffee shops in Washington Square, so I suggest trying one of those for after-dinner sweets. My friend and I shared Chocolate Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Fresh Raspberry Sauce, which should have been amazing, but was not. I can't quite put my finger on what was not good about it, but there was something. A finer choice would have probably been the more authentic Warm Apple Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce or the Wild Maine Blueberry and Peach Cobbler with Blueberry Ice Cream.

Before you graduate, make sure to venture to Washington Square and the other parts of Brookline. You will not be disappointed. There, The Fireplace is a nice place to eat among many other excellent choices.

For more information and directions, visit the restaurant's website at www.fireplacerest.com