Burlington’s New CHOPPS American Bar and Grill is a Hidden Gem
Don’t miss the recently opened CHOPPS American Bar and Grill at the Boston Marriot in Burlington, where executive chef David Verdo and general manager Davide Crusoe make a winning team.
Given our next issue is all about the North Shore’s secret treasures, we’ve been pounding the beat extra hard lately, on the hunt for hidden gems. Now and again, we are so pleasantly surprised we take to the Web to share our finds. Such is the case with the recently opened Chopps American Bar and Grill at the Boston Marriot in Burlington, where executive chef David Verdo and general manager Davide Crusoe make a winning team. Located inside the Marriot hotel on the corner of Burlington Mall Road and Route 3A, the place is literally quite hidden—and worth seeking out.
Chopps’ swanky lobby area bar hosts regular live entertainment, offers a medley of seating options, and is alive with spirited conversation—in short, it is a hot spot for hyped-up cocktailing. That lively scene ultimately gives way to a fine dining respite, where guests enjoy subdued décor, spacious tables, and a view to the outdoor patio, which affords alfresco dining in the warmer months. (Crusoe envisions live jazz music out there come summer.)
It is the menu, however, that gives Chopps its full measure. Featuring excellent cuts of choice grass-fed beef—all of which is antibiotic- and hormone-free, raised humanely, and sourced from sustainable farms—chef Verdo prepares a gorgeous New York strip, a lean nearly creamy filet mignon, and a delightful Delmonico. (Bone marrow butter and savory steak sauce complement each dish.) Small plates of note include the Maine Jonah crab cakes and burre blanc gnocchi. Yellowfin tuna tartare, maple-glazed pork belly, and a beet with pistachio and goat cheese salad all earn high marks. Crispy artichokes? Divine. A lengthy wine list supports the pairing of rich dishes with smooth varietals.
Of course, no meal is complete without something a wee bit sweet. The apple crisp pineapple upside down cake and the coffee and vanilla panna cotta with berry syrup are not to be missed. Also, consider a nightcap—top-shelf whiskies and bourbons figure prominently among their specialty cocktails.
For a full appreciation of the kind of entertainment found in the Bar at Chopps, visit choppsamericanbarandgrill.com
One Burlington Mall Rd., Burlington, 781-229-6565
