Knowing that the seemingly endless beautiful summer days in Boston are in fact nearing an end, my dining partner and I searched for an eatery with outdoor seating. Hidden among the brownstones of the South End there is a gem in "The Dish," a charming neighborhood bistro.
The Dish offers upscale food at affordable prices. The clientele was mostly young couples in search of a casual meal out. It is a small trendy place with a cozy interior, not suitable for parties of more than four to six people. The ambiance inside and out is calm and quiet, making it a perfect place for a low-key dinner.
Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. He brought us a delicious basket of sourdough bread and informed us of the many unique daily specials. While the menu is far from expansive, each entree featured fresh ingredients and a unique twist on the traditional, and choosing only two was very difficult. One entree caught our eyes immediately, the cornmeal-crusted cod served with a lime-ginger marmalade, ricotta mashed potatoes, and spicy green beans. Also enticing were the homemade specialty Cajun meatloaf and the mahi-mahi soft taco. The meals at the table next to us helped make a decision about our second entree, convincing us to order the specialty pizza of the day: a wood-fired sourdough crust with shrimp, sundried tomato, rosemary, canella beans, pine nuts, and mozzarella cheese.
Both entrees were quite a hit. The fish tasted fresh and had an interesting texture due to the cornmeal crust, and the accompanying sauce and sides were the perfect blend of flavors. The pizza was almost too rich as a result of the heavy toppings and the lack of sauce. We ate only about half of the individual pie and took the remainder home.
We were in no rush to leave the serenity of the sidewalk patio, so we opted to hear the dessert specials, all of which change daily and are featured on a chalkboard inside. We chose the peach cobbler, served in a small ramekin hot out of the oven with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on top. The peaches were fresh with a light crumble on the top, and tasted naturally sweet - a perfect end to summer.
The Dish served up exactly what we were looking for - an outdoor table, a peaceful evening, and a comforting meal at an affordable price (our bill came to only $42 for two). I will definitely be revisiting this one, maybe next time to enjoy the meatloaf and the cozy interior, with the wood ovens warming the space during the cold winter months. A
The Dish
253 Shawmut Ave
Boston, MA 02118
617-426-7866
is a member of the 
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