In 2012 The Fairmont Copley and their restaurant, The Oak Long Bar + Kitchen, completed a $20 million remodeling and reopened to the public. A few months later, I provided my first review of Oak Long Bar + Kitchen in September 2012.
Earlier this month I found myself at the bar of this Back Bay gem and figured I’d see if the menu and cooking was as good as I recalled. The restaurant’s menu has changed as is so often the case and I was sad to see the tagliatelle dinner with braised ribs and lobster was no longer available. However the menu remains largely the same with flatbread options, several hearty main plates that range in price from $23 – $41 and a number of “snacks” or small plates from $8-$21.
I started my dinner with the hearth baked bread $5. The bread was extremely buttery and you could smell and taste the rosemary liberally sprinkled alongside pretzel salt which was delicious with my beer.
I opted for a slightly healthier option, the Steak Salad $25, which was cooked as I asked. The presentation of the long stalks of romaine lettuce was prettier than my photo does justice, and the only disappointment was the accompanying bread that came with my salad. My friend opted for the Steak Frites $41 but substituted his frites for a medley of summer vegetables. The over sized cast iron plate makes an impressive first impression. Fortunately, the meal lives up to the hype as my friend repeatedly mentioned how much he enjoyed his meal.
One year later and it appears that Oak Long Bar + Kitchen has proven that they are able to consistently serve a hungry public that is only too willing to step into this beautiful Back Bay restaurant. Have not tried the Oak Long Bar + Kitchen or has it been a while? Give them a try, but reservations are recommended.
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen – Copley Square – 617.585.7222
BosGuy 