Boston | Newtonians have their own off-duty pub
đ· Sycamore.: Newtonâs Charming BistroâVibes First, Flavors Second Passed this spot countless times, drawn in by its âstraight out of a movieâ ambiance. On a Friday post-movie whim, we rolled the dice without a reservationâand lucked out (even us introverts get wins!). With a rotating seasonal menu (no âsignature dishesâ hereâchefâs always experimenting), itâs equal parts cozy and creative. đ The Standouts (and Surprises) Smoked Bluefish Pate: đ Listed as a âsnack,â but portions rival an appetizer. Rich, smoky fish spread with a briny kick, served with crisp breadcrumbs that outshine the underwhelming house bread. Itâs bold, creamy, and perfect for sharingâgreat for seafood lovers. Rillettes a la Fermiere: đ„ The unexpected favorite. Thought I was ordering sourdoughânope, itâs French-style meat spread: tender shredded meat folded into silky fat, with a depth thatâs savory and slightly salty. Just when it teeters on rich, the tangy sourdough cuts through, balancing every bite. We couldnât stop spreading it. Montreal Spiced Hanger Steak: đ„© Not your typical steak. Tender, almost braised in texture (more like slow-cooked beef than a seared cut). If youâre craving a crusty, charred steak, youâll be let downâbut judged on its own, itâs flavorful: spice-kissed, juicy, and served with bright, acidic greens to cut richness. đ The Forgettable Japanese Hamachi Crudo: đ„ą Fresh fish, but unremarkable. No standout sauce or textureâjust⊠fine. Skip it for more interesting options. âDonât Touch My Muddlerâ Cocktail: đč Gin-based with cucumber, ginger, and pomegranate. The ginger overpowers everything, masking the ginâs botanicals, and it skews too sweet. More âmuddledâ than balanced. âš The Vibe Ambiance: 5/5. Warm lighting, rustic-chic decor, and that âneighborhood bistroâ charm that makes you feel like a regular. Perfect for low-key dates or friend hangs. Food Philosophy: The rotating menu keeps it exciting, even if not every dish wows. Itâs clear the chef loves experimentingâand that creativity is part of the fun. Budget Score: 3.5/5. At ~$65 per person, itâs pricier than its âcasualâ vibe suggests. But for the ambiance and a few standout bites, itâs a solid weekend pickâespecially if you love (French bistro) vibes. Sycamore. isnât about blow-you-away flavors, but it nails the mood. If youâre after a cozy, creative spot with more charm than pretense, itâs worth the trip to Newton. đ sycamore. 755 Beacon St, Newton, MA 02459 #NewtonEats #FrenchBistro #BostonDateNight