After a long awaited opening, Nix’s Mate has finally made its debut inside the Hilton Downtown, Boston’s first Art Deco skyscraper, located in the Financial District and adjacent to Faneuil Hall. The classic name of the restaurant pays homage to one of the tiniest Boston Harbor Islands while the locally focused menu here celebrates regional New England fare. The busy bar was jammed with an after-work, local, and hotel crowd stopping by to check out the Kentucky Derby.
While the open side of the airy restaurant was quiet when we arrived at 6 p.m., by the time we left it was nearly filled to capacity. A welcoming server quickly greeted us and suggested we sample one of their signature cocktails. The Deliverance, mixed with bourbon and mint, sounded interesting and was the drink of choice for most patrons at the bar watching the Kentucky Derby.
We started off with a sampling of a dozen fresh, briny Wellfleet oysters on the half shell served with a side of kicking cocktail sauce. The creamy New England clam chowder was loaded with tender clams and chunks of potatoes, which we savored to the last bite. Other interesting appetizers on the menu here included crispy confit duck leg, salt cod fritters, and tuna carpaccio Nicoise.
We loved Nix’s Mate’s untraditional take on their surf and turf plate. Their version arrived with a tender and juicy petite filet with rich port reduction complemented by a side of jumbo shrimp scampi and creamy cheddar, white cornmeal polenta as well as crisp bacon mixed with green beans. However, the must-have dish here is the spring pea risotto, a generous portion of fresh Maine lobster, savory brown butter, pea tendrils, and parsnip cream. Finish the night right by noshing on the homemade ice cream sandwich.
Nix’s Mate is located in the Hilton Boston Downtown/Financial District, 89 Broad Street. For more information, call 617.348.1234 or visit NixsMate.com.
