Cuisine:

• American
• Regional
• Brew, Pubs, Microbreweries
• Bar
• Contemporary

Washington Square Tavern Description:
Creative American cuisine in an upscale bar in the heart of Washington Square. The restaurant is furnished in dark woods, with modern art along the walls, and bookshelves adding a more casual touch. The crowd is a friendly mix of young professionals and long-time neighborhood residents.
Unlike many area restaurants, takeout is not offered. Desserts are not available, either, but locals know to visit Athan's bakery across the street.
The Washington Square Tavern spun off a similar restaurant in another section of Brookline - the Beacon St. Tavern - but there was a management split in mid-2008, and the restaurants are no longer related.
Washington Square Tavern's got it---that elusive matrix of qualities that distinguishes a thriving and beloved neighborhood place from your less blessed, average eatery. It's partly the cozy corner space, filled with dark woods, candles and shelves of both bottles and books. It's partly the crowd, a grown-up bunch of Brookliners who know how to have fun while maintaining decorum. And, of course, it's partly the booze and food: high-grade cocktails and interesting wines and beers supplement dishes that skillfully straddle the line between comfort and specialty. While the cheeseburger and sweet potato fries are among our favorites citywide---which is really saying something, given their ubiquity---slightly more ambitious fare succeeds equally: elegant salads and handsome chops are generally done to a turn. But add up said parts, and the sum still doesn't equal a wholly satisfactory explanation. It may be that the puzzle's final piece isn't intrinsic to the Tavern at all, but rather a matter of its proximity to Athan's, a pastry shop across the street; after all, what better way to top off a beery, hearty meal than with some syrup-soaked baklava?


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