Phantom Gourmet Reviews Tastings Wine Bar And Bistro In Foxboro
BOSTON (CBS) - Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro in Foxboro is a cozy enoteca, with outdoor seating and views over Gillette Stadium.
The stylish dining room is awash in deep reds and exposed brick, with wine-themed paintings and photographs on the dark-wood walls. The compact menu of upgraded comfort food reads like a "Who's Who" of local farms and purveyors.
First, "pork meatballs" had a juicy, tempting texture, topped with pepper-onion sofrito and grated cheese. "Fried calamari" was hot and crispy, tossed with briny olives and pepperoncinis, and served with a bright-orange swirl of tangy romesco sauce.
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Next, oversized "sea scallops" were seared to perfection, plated with creamy beans, braised greens, and smoky slab bacon. "Roast chicken" was gloriously flavorful, but the skin was flabby and the whipped-potato garnish was ho-hum.
"Frozen chocolate mousse" wasn't bad, served in elegant cubes alongside peanut butter and pulverized pretzels. A modern twist on "bread pudding" was too inventive for its own good: the dried-out bread chunks, apple slivers, and exotic spices never quite came together.
Portions are generous, and appealing sides and small plates make for easy upgrading. Despite the waiter's absurdly thorough explanations, service was excellent.
The place was clean as a referee's whistle. Though entrees hit the low 30's, this is some seriously deluxe tailgating.
Tastings is in Patriot Place, a short punt from Gillette Stadium, with on-site parking. Phantom gives Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro a total of 85, gourmet greatness.
Check out all the food and fun on the phantom gourmet Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on TV38.
