Burgers, comfort food and shopping. Who could want for anything more? That’s exactly what you will find at the MET Bar and Grill located at the new Natick Collection. Think of MET as comfort food on steroids. Now envision clam chowder with whole clams and bacon whipped mashed potatoes, an enormous bowl of rich rigatoni Bolognese, slow cooked short rib tacos made with cola and cocoa, and chicken pot pie with thick gravy and a flaky croissant-like pastry topping.
Belly on up to the large comfortable bar or grab a cozy booth in the adjacent main dining room and be prepared for a lunch to remember. Owner Kathy Sidell has created a menu at each of her MET locations that focuses on upscale American comfort food with a hearty twist. For example, you won’t find the typical tomato and mozzarella flatbread, Buffalo wings or nachos on the menu but you will discover some amazing finds like the spinach and artichoke dip flatbread, buffalo shrimp with green peppercorn dressing, fresh fork-smashed guacamole with made-to-order corn chips and Kentucky-style chicken wings with honey mustard.
There is a separate burger bar where you can watch chefs prepare your own creation from a selection of meats (think Kobe beef, chicken, turkey, veggie or salmon), buns, cheeses (including feta, American, Danish blue and cheddar jack) up to 48 different toppings like a fried egg, apple smoked bacon, charred salsa and cucumbers and finally condiments like chipotle mayo, cherry bomb relish or roasted garlic aioli. If you’re not in the mood for a burger, try one of their enormous sandwiches, including a two-fisted chicken club, chicken parmesan sandwich on ciabatta bread or a pressed Cuban.
Lighter fare includes a micro chopped salad, “Chicago” and classic Caesar and Greek “The Athens,” country style salad. The good thing about MET’s new location inside the Natick Collection is that you can walk off all those calories just outside the door. Be sure to check out Sidell’s new book, When I MET Food, which describes her passion for food, how she got her start and includes some fabulous recipes so you can try some of her favorite dishes at home. The MET Bar and Grill is located at the new Natick Collection, 1245 Worcester Street in Natick. For reservations or more information, call (508) 651-0003.
