Brunch at Beat Hotel

Our friends from New York were in town this past weekend, and we made plans to do brunch (with a few other couples included). I wanted to pick a space that could accommodate a larger party, had great food, drinks, and atmosphere, AND took reservations. That ideal brunch spot ended up being Beat Hotel.

I've been to Beat Hotel several times now for drinks as well as dinner, and I just love the vibe there. The food and cocktails have also been consistently great, and I love how the owner is always walking around, greeting people with a smile. 

Thankfully, Beat Hotel doesn't disappoint on the brunch front, either. 

My meal began with a Bloody Mary ($10), which had a nice kick of spice. I'm a sucker for olives in my Bloodys (which this had), but I also appreciated the peperoncini garnish.

Beat Hotel's brunch menu offers a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes (and plenty of vegetarian options), but I was in the mood for breakfast. I opted for the Vegetarian Omelette ($14), which was chocked full of mushrooms, cheese, and onions. On the side was a delightfully thick slice of multigrain toast, a small side salad, and some crispy frites. 

The side salad was a little too overdressed for my liking, but I still ended up eating the entire thing - I think the tangy dressing ended up complementing the other flavors on the plate well. The frites were a big hit throughout our table, as they were fantastically crisp and well seasoned. 

Many of us at the table also had a cup of coffee, and many of us commented on how good the coffee was. It's the little things, but I always appreciate a good cup of coffee at a restaurant!

During brunch, Beat Hotel also has live jazz, and - like when I went last time for dinner - the live music was exceptional. Not only was the music itself great, but it still somehow ends up being background music (vs. having to scream at the person next to you just to have a conversation).

Finally, the prices at Beat Hotel are a little more than what I'd normally like to pay, but this is one of the few places I'm willing to splurge. You really get what you pay for in terms of the quality of food, service, and atmosphere.

All in all, Beat Hotel ended up being the ideal place for our larger party to grab brunch and catch up.

Beat Hotel in Harvard Square

Last week, I was invited to attend a blogger dinner at Beat Hotel, which recently opened in Harvard Square. The same folks from The Beehive are behind Beat Hotel, a hippie-inspired music venue and restaurant in the former Tannery space.

My evening started with an American Breed ($11), made with Maker's Mark, St. Elder elderflower liqueur, and apple cider. It was a fantastic fall cocktail - refreshing, yet comforting.

After sipping on our cocktails, we were all seated for dinner. I sat with Richard, Kerrie, and Jil. Beat Hotel invited us to try anything on their regular menu, so we really got a feel for their food and what they offer.

Our dinner kicked off with some standard bread and butter (the bread is from Hi-Rise Bread Company).

For an appetizer, I went with the Crispy Veggies ($11), which were cut and fried to resemble calamari. Well-seasoned and served with two flavorful sauces, this was a much more impressive starter than it looks like.

For the table, we ordered the Raw Bar Platter for four ($80; the option for two people is $40). Now, normally I would never recommend spending $80 for an appetizer, but the Maine oysters on this platter were the freshest oysters I've ever eaten. The plump Gulf shrimp were also fantastic, and the accompanying smoked tuna and fresh salmon tartars were also delicious when smeared on crispy baguette slices.

For my entree, I went with our waiter's recommendation and ordered the Tandoori Spiced Halibut ($34), which was served with red lentils and cucumber raita.

Although it's the most expensive entree on the menu, this plate was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The Indian flavors and spices were spot-on, and the halibut was cooked perfectly - my fork easily cut into its moist, flaky texture. 

For dessert, my table decided to try one of each (I like them). On the dessert menu that day (all desserts are $8): Maple Bread Pudding with Brûlée Banana and vanilla ice cream; Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with raspberry coulis and salted caramel ice cream; and Apple Strudel Cheesecake with Chantilly whipped cream.

Maple Bread Pudding.

Apple Strudel Cheesecake.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

All of the desserts were great, but our favorite as a table was the bread pudding. Moist, gooey, and ideally sweet, it was a fantastic way to end our meal.

A few more things about Beat Hotel that are noteworthy: 

• Their menu highlights seasonal ingredients and global flavors
• They have live music every night, and the acoustics are ideal - you can have a conversation without yelling
• They have wine on tap, and you can order a half glass, full glass, or carafe
• They have plenty of vegetarian (and even vegan) options

Although the prices are a little more than I'd normally pay, I'd definitely return to Beat Hotel for a date night - or a cocktail and some appetizers, to keep it economical. The vibe there is lovely, the food really blew us away, and the cocktails are inventive and impressive.

Have you been to Beat Hotel yet? If yes, what's your review?

This meal was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.