Where is The Bristol Lounge located?
Revolving doors lead into the black and gold lobby space of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, where modern vases add a sleek touch to the traditionally classic hotel. In the far left corner, dark red carpet waits to greet you at The Bristol Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant (and to locals, a Boston institution). The Lounge has long been a favorite gathering spot for everyone from families on vacation to businessmen on martini lunches and the trendy after-work crowd looking for a spot to unwind. The Bristol Lounge’s location at 200 Boylston Street is one of its best bragging rights — and most awe-inducing features. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street, providing the perfect people watching atmosphere for an intimate night out or, dinner with friends or a relaxing solo cocktail.
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“Artistic” is the best word to describe the food presentation at Bristol Lounge. Chef Brooke Visoka and his team enjoy adding a bit of flare to the sophisticated comfort food the restaurant serves. Tuna taco appetizers are served three in a row, perfectly placed on a plate and fitted with even drops of guacamole on each taco and a perfectly placed piece of lettuce cradling the bottom of the taco. Pasta dishes are served in a poetic display of colors inside white pasta bowls, and steaks are placed in the center of plates drizzled with juices that create their own pattern on the white porcelain canvas.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Chef Brooke Visoka adds lots of seasonal dishes to the menu at Bristol Lounge, depending on what’s fresh and available. During the winter months, you’ll see more pastas and pot pies on the Bristol Lounge menu, while summer brings more salads, fresh vegetable dishes and of course, the fresh lobster roll. Chef Visoka spends his free time working with local farmers and harvesters to determine what’s new and in-season as the weather changes in New England. It’s likely you’ll see a variety of different sides, in addition to seasonal main menu items, on the Bristol Lounge menus as the seasons shift.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Bristol Lounge has 27 tables in total, which vary in size, making it easy for the restaurant to accommodate parties of all sizes. Those 27 tables include the smaller tables in the bar area, however not the sofas and booth sections that line the entrance of the restaurant. These red-leather sofas can seat around 6-8 people, and include low-lying tables at which you can enjoy dinner and drinks.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge uses Schott Zwiesel glasses, which only adds to the decadence of your chosen wine for the night. The glass company is known for placing pristine crystal in luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. The Bristol Lounge also mixes things up a bit every now and then with Riedel glasses. Either way, you’ll be picking up a vessel worth its pour in these glasses.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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One of the best views in Boston happens right outside the Bristol Lounge’s windows. The tables along the window wall in the restaurant offer views of the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street, making people watching an entertainment-meets-performance art experience at the restaurant. During the winter months, a seat at one of the window tables at the Bristol Lounge will seem like you’re sitting inside a snow globe. When the flakes fall in Boston on a cold winter night, there’s almost no better place to be than at the Bristol Lounge, near the restaurant’s fireplace, with unparalleled views of the Boston Public Gardens as it turns from a city garden to a winter wonderland.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge is Four Season Boston’s only restaurant and bar, which are within the same room but are set apart by a low wall. The bar offers plenty of seating options. You can order from the bar menu or main menu in the comfort of one of the dark red leather booths, at a corner table or from a bar seat. There are two TVs behind the bar for those who want to catch up on the news of the day. The bar menu, which includes Bristol favorites such as the Bristol burger and crab chowder is available Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 to 12:30 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Our suggestion: Try the truffle flatbread pizza and tuna tacos from the bar menu, or if you’re craving something substantial, The Bristol burger is the best in town.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge offers a complete menu for kids at each meal. For breakfast, kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. For lunch, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, and burgers are favorites. At dinner, kids love the ants on a log (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins), pinwheel wraps (made with tomato, turkey, ham or any variation), pizza, burgers and hot dogs. Desserts are a delight for kids, especially when there’s s’mores and brownie sundaes on the menu. There are plenty of healthy items on the menu, too, including egg-white scrambles and salads. If there’s something specific your child wants, just ask. There’s little the restaurant won’t do to accommodate the taste buds of budding foodies.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge is what you make of it. It can be a trendy hotspot for friends who want to catch up after a long day of work, or a romantic spot for couples looking for an intimate night out. The Bristol Lounge’s dining area (as opposed to the bar) is generally better for the latter, especially during the winter months when Bristol Lounge has its wood-burning fireplace roaring, and you can watch the snow fall in Boston Public Gardens from your table. If you have a special engagement to celebrate, make sure to let The Bristol Lounge know ahead of time so they can secure a special table for you.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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One of our favorite things about The Bristol Lounge comes after the meal — dessert. Pastry chef Tim Fonseca takes desserts to a new level (at a reasonable cost). The caramelized apricot tart, vanilla bean creme brulee and dark chocolate praline ‘candy bar’ are a few of our favorites for $12. The ‘Let’s Spilt It’ is a table favorite for $24 — a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and creme de cacao that serves up to four people. What we love most about dessert at The Bristol Lounge, however, is the full dessert buffet complete with fondues and mini cheesecakes, which the restaurant lays out on Friday and Saturday nights. Chef Fonseca also shakes things up a bit with his sundae bar. No simple presentation, they’re offered on Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight, and feature a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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While Bristol Lounge exudes elegance and comfort, the restaurant leaves the focus on the food. While the staff is educated to recommend a glass or bottle to accompany your meal, there are no formal wine pairings programs or special wine courses in place. However, Bristol Lounge recently introduced Burgers and Burgundy Wednesday, where you can choose from four variations of the famous Bristol burger — original, montrachet, croque madame, and grand cru — paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines selected by the wine director. The price of this burger and Burgundy pairing is $35 per person.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Prices and portion size vary at the Bristol Lounge, depending on the meal you’re having. The restaurant serves a hearty breakfast, and full lunch and dinner menus, and makes meals a full-on affair. On average, you can expect to pay around $30-$40 per person at the Bristol Lounge, without alcohol, tips and taxes. Dinner is the most popular time of day at the Bristol Lounge, and you’ll find something for everyone in your party on the menu. Appetizers range from $10-$20, pasta prices out between $25-$25, and the dry-rubbed steaks made-to-order to your liking are between $33-$52. Sides are $9, and the Bristol favorites (meatloaf, fish and chicken) generally range between $20-$40. For those wanting to try something a little different, the Bristol Lounge hosts Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays, where you can choose one of four burgers to be paired with two tastings of wine for $35. Desserts will run you $12 per item, and cocktails start at $15 at the Bristol Lounge.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The bar at The Bristol Lounge is one of the city’s most frequented hotel bars — thanks in part to its spectacular people watching, but mostly because of its creative cocktail menu and tasty bar eats. If you have a reservation in the main dining room, get here a little early and enjoy a cocktail in the trendy bar area. The bar menu features a good variety of eats labeled ‘For Sharing’ and ‘Bristol Favorites,’ so you can choose your food based on your mood. Great items to share include the avocado fries (fried avocado served with cilantro dipping sauce) and truffled flatbread pizza. The ‘Bristol Favorites’ menu feature the favorite items from the main Bristol Lounge dining menu, including the Bristol burger and the crab chowder. Or, save your appetite for the main event and just indulge in one of The Bristol Lounge’s cocktails or wines by the glass. We suggest asking for A Mule in Paris, made up of Michtner’s Rye, Plymouth sloe gin, lemon, honey, absinthe and rosemary.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Walk into the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Boston, and stroll to the far left corner. There you’ll find a table in the window, that is slightly separated from the rest of The Bristol Lounge and bar (simply because of its corner location) and in our opinion, the most romantic spot in the hotel. Even on a busy night at the Bristol Lounge, this table provides a good amount of privacy, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer pristine views of the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street. On a snowy night, there’s nothing more romantic than scoring this table, enjoying homemade pasta dishes and a bottle of wine, and watching the snow fall over the towering trees and flickering gas lamps in the Boston Public Garden.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Red leather placements are set on the black tables at the Bristol Lounge, providing an elegant look for night (that quickly turns to casual in the day when the placemats are flipped to reveal a yellow-gold color). Every table is set with one course setting at each seat: a white plate is adorned with a white napkin, flatware is placed on either side of the plate, and a water glass and wine glass round off the table settings. Before your meal is served, your place setting is removed to make room for the first course, and a new wine glass is brought to the table based on whether you’ve picked a crisp white or dense red.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, is easy to use and very tourist-friendly. The MBTA station stops nearest the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Bristol Lounge are the green line (any train) at Boylston stop or Arlington Street stop. If you get off the train at Boylston Street, walk through the Boston Common toward the Public Gardens, and the hotel will be immediately on your left side at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets. If you arrive from Arlington Street station, exit the station toward the signs reading “Public Gardens” and the hotel and restaurant will be one block down from the train station exit on your right side.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge boasts a few different personalities. During the breakfast hours, it’s generally full of family and business folk, and caters to young palates and big group tables craving everything from French toast to egg white omelets. The lunch crowd is generally business-oriented, with local execs hosting power lunches over the Bristol’s famed clam chowder and Bristol burgers. At night, however, The Bristol Lounge shifts moods and becomes more intimate. The bar at the Bristol Lounge is a great spot for dates, thanks in most part to the bar’s layout and shareable menu items. We also suggest grabbing one of the Bristol’s booths so you can get your know your date a little better by sitting closer to together.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge, located in the Four Seasons Boston, exudes the same elegance and sophistication as its hotel home. It’s a favorite place for power-lunches, family dining and after-work crowds. Decked out in rich red, black and brown tones, it casually channels the cigar-bar-martini-lunch era, and easily goes from casual day meals to sexy evening affairs with the dim of a light and change of music. The 127-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. During the daytime hours, The Bristol Lounge is light and casual, appealing to families needing a kid-friendly location and nearby business execs hosting lunches, who want a casual place to impressive clients. At night, The Bristol Lounge dims the lights and the space turns from bright to dramatic. The low lights against the dark red booths in the bar and the cherry wood tables in The Bristol Lounge make for an intimate atmosphere for diners and intriguing environment for bar-goers. Bonus: The people watching is second-to-none at this Boston institution, so we recommend you get there early and grab a good seat.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge is what you make of it. It can be a trendy hotspot for friends who want to catch up after a long day of work, or a romantic spot for couples looking for an intimate night out. The Bristol Lounge’s dining area (as opposed to the bar) is generally better for the latter, especially during the winter months when Bristol Lounge has its wood-burning fireplace roaring, and you can watch the snow fall in Boston Public Gardens from your table. If you have a special engagement to celebrate, make sure to let The Bristol Lounge know ahead of time so they can secure a special table for you.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge offers a complete menu for kids at each meal. For breakfast, kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. For lunch, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, and burgers are favorites. At dinner, kids love the ants on a log (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins), pinwheel wraps (made with tomato, turkey, ham or any variation), pizza, burgers and hot dogs. Desserts are a delight for kids, especially when there’s s’mores and brownie sundaes on the menu. There are plenty of healthy items on the menu, too, including egg-white scrambles and salads. If there’s something specific your child wants, just ask. There’s little the restaurant won’t do to accommodate the taste buds of budding foodies.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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There is no age requirement for dining at Bristol Lounge. In fact, the kitchen at Bristol Lounge often goes out of its way to make kids feel at home at the restaurant. There are specific kids menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bristol Lounge. For breakfast, kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. For lunch, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, and burgers are favorites. At dinner, kids love the ants on a log (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins), pinwheel wraps (made with tomato, turkey, ham or any variation), pizza, burgers and hot dogs. Desserts are a delight for kids, especially when there’s s’mores and brownie sundaes on the menu. When you make a reservation at the Bristol Lounge, just be sure to let the restaurant know of any allergies or favorite foods so the kitchen can create something perfect for your child’s palate.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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If allergies cause you to have a complicated time eating at restaurants, you’ll be happy with the menu items at Bristol Lounge. The Bristol Lounge menu offers plenty of gluten-free dishes, including their dry-rubbed steaks, which can be served without butter and sauces for a true gluten-free dish. In September, the restaurant began highlighting their gluten-free options on the menu, so you won’t have to ask for specifics or have the kitchen create something to meet your needs. Chef Brooke Vosika decided to include items on the menu that highlight gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options after he received requests from diners on a regular basis. If you don’t see something you like, just consult with your server and they’ll work with the kitchen to create a dish that works for your dietary needs.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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While Bristol Lounge exudes elegance and comfort, the restaurant leaves the focus on the food. While the staff is educated to recommend a glass or bottle to accompany your meal, there are no formal wine pairings programs or special wine courses in place. However, Bristol Lounge recently introduced Burgers and Burgundy Wednesday, where you can choose from four variations of the famous Bristol burger — original, montrachet, croque madame, and grand cru — paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines selected by the wine director. The price of this burger and Burgundy pairing is $35 per person.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The bar menu at Bristol Lounge features all the favorites from the main menu, as well as a few items meant for sharing among friends. The truffled flatbread pizza and avocado fries are a few favorites that always seem to find their way to the tables at the bar. There is a raw bar menu available at the bar from 5 to 11 p.m. that includes oysters ($3 each), crab claws ($4 each), little neck clams ($18 per dozen) and lobster cocktail (steamed, cracked and split for $33). You can also order the famous Bristol burger from the bar menu or enjoy some homemade pasta or crab chowder. During our visits to The Bristol Lounge, it was possible to order off the main dining room menu if you were seated at the bar, but given the heartiness of those plates we think they’re best reserved for a table in the dining room. Meanwhile, what we love most about the bar menu comes in liquid form. The creative cocktail menu is divided up into drinks hat are herbal, fruity, savory, fizzy, aromatic and non-spirited concoctions. Most cocktails are $15, and the non-alcoholic drinks are $7 and $8.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Chef Brooke Vosika says that when it comes to his food, his main goal is perfection. Whether creating dishes for an intimate dinner or an event with upwards of 1,000 attendees, Vosika’s team of 65 cooks always strives to create the best dining experience for their guests. His love for local, seasonal, and artisanal products serves as the foundation for the sophisticated comfort food that adorns the menus at The Bristol Lounge. As far as chef Vosika is concerned, every guest should leave their meal remembering a favorite part of their dish, and wanting more.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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Red leather placements are set on the black tables at the Bristol Lounge, providing an elegant look for night (that quickly turns to casual in the day when the placemats are flipped to reveal a yellow-gold color). Every table is set with one course setting at each seat: a white plate is adorned with a white napkin, flatware is placed on either side of the plate, and a water glass and wine glass round off the table settings. Before your meal is served, your place setting is removed to make room for the first course, and a new wine glass is brought to the table based on whether you’ve picked a crisp white or dense red.
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Forbes Inspector answered a question:
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The bar at The Bristol Lounge is one of the city’s most frequented hotel bars — thanks in part to its spectacular people watching, but mostly because of its creative cocktail menu and tasty bar eats. If you have a reservation in the main dining room, get here a little early and enjoy a cocktail in the trendy bar area. The bar menu features a good variety of eats labeled ‘For Sharing’ and ‘Bristol Favorites,’ so you can choose your food based on your mood. Great items to share include the avocado fries (fried avocado served with cilantro dipping sauce) and truffled flatbread pizza. The ‘Bristol Favorites’ menu feature the favorite items from the main Bristol Lounge dining menu, including the Bristol burger and the crab chowder. Or, save your appetite for the main event and just indulge in one of The Bristol Lounge’s cocktails or wines by the glass. We suggest asking for A Mule in Paris, made up of Michtner’s Rye, Plymouth sloe gin, lemon, honey, absinthe and rosemary.
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The Bristol Lounge’s 27 tables are spread out across the restaurant and bar, providing plenty of space between each table so you are sure to enjoy a meal without being distracted by nearby table conversation. Our favorite tables are set along the window wall of the restaurant that overlooks Boylston Street and the Boston Public Garden. If you’re here during the winter months, you can also request a table near the restaurant’s fireplace toward the back of the room, which really turns the Bristol Lounge from an elegant restaurant to a comfortable living room. Adding to that cause even more are the red leather chairs at each table, which are comfortable and easy to get cozy in.
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Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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The Bristol Lounge is one of Boston’s favorite haunts. It’s been called “Boston’s living room” thanks to its comfortable atmosphere and ideal location right at the Boston Public Gardens and Boston Common. It’s where you can literally watch the city walk by on any given day. All that said, there are a few must-knows about The Bristol Lounge.
1. Separate bar area. The bar area at The Bristol Lounge is in the same room as, but in a separate area from, the main dining room, and it can get fairly noisy on busy nights. The bar has its own separate menu, featuring a few of the favorites from the main dining menu, and is a local favorite for the after-work crowd.
2. Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays. The Bristol Lounge likes to host small events and gatherings for its guests. One of the newest meet-and-greets is Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays, at which, for $35, you can choose from four variations of the famous Bristol burger — original, montrachet, croque madame, and grand cru — paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines selected by the restaurant’s wine director.
3. Afternoon tea. The Bristol Lounge wears many hats, including a proper and sophisticated one. Its legendary afternoon tea is a Boston tradition, served every Saturday and Sunday from 3-4:15 p.m. Because of the tight time frame, reservations are strongly recommended for afternoon tea.
4. Sunday breakfast buffet. Brunch is an art form in Boston and the Bristol Lounge has perfected it. Every Sunday, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the restaurants hosts a full breakfast buffet of hold and cold items, as well as a Bloody Mary Bar, featuring spicy sauces and garnishes. Reservations for Sunday brunch are highly recommended, especially during high-volume.
5. Kid-friendly. The Bristol Lounge loves guests of all ages, and despite being known as a sophisticated spot, the restaurant does a great job catering to kids. There are kids’ menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the kitchen is happy to cook up anything to please the little ones.
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The Bristol Lounge, located in the Four Seasons Boston, exudes the same elegance and sophistication as its hotel home. It’s a favorite place for power-lunches, family dining and after-work crowds. Decked out in rich red, black and brown tones, it casually channels the cigar-bar-martini-lunch era, and easily goes from casual day meals to sexy evening affairs with the dim of a light and change of music. The 127-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. During the daytime hours, The Bristol Lounge is light and casual, appealing to families needing a kid-friendly location and nearby business execs hosting lunches, who want a casual place to impressive clients. At night, The Bristol Lounge dims the lights and the space turns from bright to dramatic. The low lights against the dark red booths in the bar and the cherry wood tables in The Bristol Lounge make for an intimate atmosphere for diners and intriguing environment for bar-goers. Bonus: The people watching is second-to-none at this Boston institution, so we recommend you get there early and grab a good seat.
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Prices and portion size vary at the Bristol Lounge, depending on the meal you’re having. The restaurant serves a hearty breakfast, and full lunch and dinner menus, and makes meals a full-on affair. On average, you can expect to pay around $30-$40 per person at the Bristol Lounge, without alcohol, tips and taxes. Dinner is the most popular time of day at the Bristol Lounge, and you’ll find something for everyone in your party on the menu. Appetizers range from $10-$20, pasta prices out between $25-$25, and the dry-rubbed steaks made-to-order to your liking are between $33-$52. Sides are $9, and the Bristol favorites (meatloaf, fish and chicken) generally range between $20-$40. For those wanting to try something a little different, the Bristol Lounge hosts Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays, where you can choose one of four burgers to be paired with two tastings of wine for $35. Desserts will run you $12 per item, and cocktails start at $15 at the Bristol Lounge.
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Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge.
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For general reservations (not large groups), there is no set cancellation policy. The Bristol Lounge does request that you contact the restaurant as soon as you know you have to cancel, or make a change to your party, so they can adjust their reservations systems appropriately and make room for other diners. If you’re hosting a private event or group dinner at Bristol Lounge, you might be asked for a deposit at the time of reservation and will be subject to specific cancellation policies, based on the size of your party. For groups larger than eight, you’ll be asked to work directly with the restaurant to make reservations (e.g., you can’t book online at OpenTable), and will likely be asked for a credit card to hold the table.
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Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, is easy to use and very tourist-friendly. The MBTA station stops nearest the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Bristol Lounge are the green line (any train) at Boylston stop or Arlington Street stop. If you get off the train at Boylston Street, walk through the Boston Common toward the Public Gardens, and the hotel will be immediately on your left side at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets. If you arrive from Arlington Street station, exit the station toward the signs reading “Public Gardens” and the hotel and restaurant will be one block down from the train station exit on your right side.
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The Bristol Lounge offers a complete menu for kids at each meal. For breakfast, kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. For lunch, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, and burgers are favorites. At dinner, kids love the ants on a log (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins), pinwheel wraps (made with tomato, turkey, ham or any variation), pizza, burgers and hot dogs. Desserts are a delight for kids, especially when there’s s’mores and brownie sundaes on the menu. There are plenty of healthy items on the menu, too, including egg-white scrambles and salads. If there’s something specific your child wants, just ask. There’s little the restaurant won’t do to accommodate the taste buds of budding foodies.
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There is no age requirement for dining at Bristol Lounge. In fact, the kitchen at Bristol Lounge often goes out of its way to make kids feel at home at the restaurant. There are specific kids menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bristol Lounge. For breakfast, kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. For lunch, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, and burgers are favorites. At dinner, kids love the ants on a log (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins), pinwheel wraps (made with tomato, turkey, ham or any variation), pizza, burgers and hot dogs. Desserts are a delight for kids, especially when there’s s’mores and brownie sundaes on the menu. When you make a reservation at the Bristol Lounge, just be sure to let the restaurant know of any allergies or favorite foods so the kitchen can create something perfect for your child’s palate.
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The Bristol Lounge is what you make of it. It can be a trendy hotspot for friends who want to catch up after a long day of work, or a romantic spot for couples looking for an intimate night out. The Bristol Lounge’s dining area (as opposed to the bar) is generally better for the latter, especially during the winter months when Bristol Lounge has its wood-burning fireplace roaring, and you can watch the snow fall in Boston Public Gardens from your table. If you have a special engagement to celebrate, make sure to let The Bristol Lounge know ahead of time so they can secure a special table for you.
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The Bristol Lounge boasts a few different personalities. During the breakfast hours, it’s generally full of family and business folk, and caters to young palates and big group tables craving everything from French toast to egg white omelets. The lunch crowd is generally business-oriented, with local execs hosting power lunches over the Bristol’s famed clam chowder and Bristol burgers. At night, however, The Bristol Lounge shifts moods and becomes more intimate. The bar at the Bristol Lounge is a great spot for dates, thanks in most part to the bar’s layout and shareable menu items. We also suggest grabbing one of the Bristol’s booths so you can get your know your date a little better by sitting closer to together.
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The wine list at The Bristol Lounge, while extensive, doesn’t promote any rare or special wines. When we asked what’s unique in the cellar, we learned that there are still some leftover reserve wines from the days of Aujourd’hui (the hotel’s erstwhile fine dining restaurant that served notable French food and a wine list to match). If you want to see the reserve list, simply ask. The restaurant staff will be happy to accommodate your urge to splurge.
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When you’re parched at the Bristol Lounge, quench your thirst with bottled flat or sparkling water. The Bristol Lounge serves Pellegrino sparkling water and Evian flat water to guests with refined water tastes. When you sit down for your meal at Bristol Lounge, your water glasses will be filled with filtered tap water, unless you specifically ask your waiter for bottled water service.
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.
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The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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The main focus of Bristol Lounge is on the food, but if you’re looking for something special from the bar, the Bristol Lounge has a few specialty pours that might interest you. The Remy Martin Louis XIII and Hennessy Richard cognacs are available for $170 a pour. The bar also serves Johnnie Walker Blue Label for $48 and a Macallan 25 year scotch for $78.
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Illy coffee is brewed fresh at The Bristol Lounge and served throughout the day in the bar and in the main dining room. Regular coffee, espresso, and lattes can be made, and a variety of loose-leaf teas are also served. If you’re in the mood for coffee but don’t want all the caffeine, try one of The Bristol Lounge dessert cocktails, like the Irish coffee or espresso martini, also made with Illy coffee.
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It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
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“Artistic” is the best word to describe the food presentation at Bristol Lounge. Chef Brooke Visoka and his team enjoy adding a bit of flare to the sophisticated comfort food the restaurant serves. Tuna taco appetizers are served three in a row, perfectly placed on a plate and fitted with even drops of guacamole on each taco and a perfectly placed piece of lettuce cradling the bottom of the taco. Pasta dishes are served in a poetic display of colors inside white pasta bowls, and steaks are placed in the center of plates drizzled with juices that create their own pattern on the white porcelain canvas.
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Ben Sweeney leads up the wine team at The Bristol Lounge. His focus, according to the restaurant, is on the wine program for special events, as well as on the restaurant and catered events. If you’re looking for a special reserve wine, or plan on hosting a private event at The Bristol Lounge, Sweeney (along with the rest of the kitchen staff focused on your catering needs) will help find the wines that fit your menu and event needs. Sweeney also helps pair the burgundies with burgers for The Bristol Lounge’s signature “Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays.” Every Wednesday for $35, you can choose one of four burgers from The Bristol Lounge menu and Sweeney pairs them with two different tastes of Burgundy.
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Chef Brooke Visoka adds lots of seasonal dishes to the menu at Bristol Lounge, depending on what’s fresh and available. During the winter months, you’ll see more pastas and pot pies on the Bristol Lounge menu, while summer brings more salads, fresh vegetable dishes and of course, the fresh lobster roll. Chef Visoka spends his free time working with local farmers and harvesters to determine what’s new and in-season as the weather changes in New England. It’s likely you’ll see a variety of different sides, in addition to seasonal main menu items, on the Bristol Lounge menus as the seasons shift.
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When chef Brooke Visoka and his team at Bristol Lounge want to test out a new menu item or food concept, they take it to the tables. From time to time, your meal might start with a surprise gift from the kitchen in the form of an amuse bouche, which offers a bite-sized taste of something new the kitchen is working on. While there are no formal special gifts from the chef, The Bristol Lounge has been known to acknowledge birthdays and special celebrations with something tasty from the pastry kitchen.
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One of our favorite things about The Bristol Lounge comes after the meal — dessert. Pastry chef Tim Fonseca takes desserts to a new level (at a reasonable cost). The caramelized apricot tart, vanilla bean creme brulee and dark chocolate praline ‘candy bar’ are a few of our favorites for $12. The ‘Let’s Spilt It’ is a table favorite for $24 — a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and creme de cacao that serves up to four people. What we love most about dessert at The Bristol Lounge, however, is the full dessert buffet complete with fondues and mini cheesecakes, which the restaurant lays out on Friday and Saturday nights. Chef Fonseca also shakes things up a bit with his sundae bar. No simple presentation, they’re offered on Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight, and feature a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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The Bristol Lounge doesn’t offer petit fours or mignardise in the traditional sense, but on occasion you might get a special gift from the chef at the start of your meal. We’re told by The Bristol Lounge management that when chef Brooke Visoka and his team are working on new items and testing new concepts, they take it to the diners for their reactions by way of amuse bouche at the beginning of your meal. So if a special course arrives at your table during your dining experience at The Bristol Lounge, we say speak up and tell the staff your thoughts. Who knows, if the item is a hit it just might end up on the menu later on.
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If dessert is your favorite part of the meal (and you don’t mind sharing a few bites with your dining companions), the signature option on the menu is the ‘Let’s Spilt It.’ Ringing in at $24, the dessert is a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and crème de cacao that serves up to four people. There is also Sundaes on Saturday at Bristol Lounge, which takes place from 9 p.m. to midnight and features a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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If allergies cause you to have a complicated time eating at restaurants, you’ll be happy with the menu items at Bristol Lounge. The Bristol Lounge menu offers plenty of gluten-free dishes, including their dry-rubbed steaks, which can be served without butter and sauces for a true gluten-free dish. In September, the restaurant began highlighting their gluten-free options on the menu, so you won’t have to ask for specifics or have the kitchen create something to meet your needs. Chef Brooke Vosika decided to include items on the menu that highlight gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options after he received requests from diners on a regular basis. If you don’t see something you like, just consult with your server and they’ll work with the kitchen to create a dish that works for your dietary needs.
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Salads, pastas and potato dishes are some of the more popular vegetarian items on the menu at Bristol Lounge, and starting in September the restaurant started calling out root-based dishes on the menu. The kitchen at Bristol Lounge has historically accommodated all requests for vegan and vegetarian diners, but starting this fall the menu began highlighting specific vegan and vegetarian options, so those with dietary restrictions won’t have to search around for the right dish. The vegetarian and vegan options are offered on all menus, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and of course, the kitchen will be happy to accommodate any other special requests.
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While most cheese courses are served as part of the dessert course, Bristol Lounge mixes things up a bit by placing a cheese plate as part of the appetizer. The cheese plate offers four different kinds of artisanal cheeses, chosen from the kitchen and based on what’s in season, and is served for $23 with a side of nuts and breads.
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Fresh bread makes it way to your table before each menu, but according to The Bristol Lounge there is no “special” bread service to highlight. The Bristol Lounge gets its bread from Chabaso Bakery, a bread shop based in Connecticut. You’ll find the majority of fresh pastries on the dessert menu, courtesy of pastry chef Tim Fonseca.
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The bar menu at Bristol Lounge features all the favorites from the main menu, as well as a few items meant for sharing among friends. The truffled flatbread pizza and avocado fries are a few favorites that always seem to find their way to the tables at the bar. There is a raw bar menu available at the bar from 5 to 11 p.m. that includes oysters ($3 each), crab claws ($4 each), little neck clams ($18 per dozen) and lobster cocktail (steamed, cracked and split for $33). You can also order the famous Bristol burger from the bar menu or enjoy some homemade pasta or crab chowder. During our visits to The Bristol Lounge, it was possible to order off the main dining room menu if you were seated at the bar, but given the heartiness of those plates we think they’re best reserved for a table in the dining room. Meanwhile, what we love most about the bar menu comes in liquid form. The creative cocktail menu is divided up into drinks hat are herbal, fruity, savory, fizzy, aromatic and non-spirited concoctions. Most cocktails are $15, and the non-alcoholic drinks are $7 and $8.
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The Bristol Lounge is Four Season Boston’s only restaurant and bar, which are within the same room but are set apart by a low wall. The bar offers plenty of seating options. You can order from the bar menu or main menu in the comfort of one of the dark red leather booths, at a corner table or from a bar seat. There are two TVs behind the bar for those who want to catch up on the news of the day. The bar menu, which includes Bristol favorites such as the Bristol burger and crab chowder is available Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 to 12:30 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Our suggestion: Try the truffle flatbread pizza and tuna tacos from the bar menu, or if you’re craving something substantial, The Bristol burger is the best in town.
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The menus at Bristol Lounge include American favorites that have been tweaked to embody a bit of comfort food fantasy. The breakfast menu includes everything from oatmeal and assorted pastries to buttermilk pancakes and New England crab cake benedict (perfect with a Bloody Mary following a long night). Kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. Chef Brook Visoka breakfast specialties and Boston favorites, include the New England crab cake benedict, lemon ricotta hot cakes and croissant French toast, served with vanilla bean maple syrup. Lunch and dinner are equally epic at Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Boston. The restaurant is known for its Bristol burger, consistently rated one of the best burgers in Boston (and served with a side of killer truffle fries). If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try chef Brooke Visoka’s crab chowder (a sweeter spin on the traditional New England clam chowder, served with house-made oyster crackers ) or the tuna tartare, one of the most popular dishes in the restaurant. The hand-rolled pasta is a house specialty, and changes seasonally to include some native accompaniments (fresh vegetables in the summer and heavy sauces and meats in the winter). The dry-rubbed steaks at The Bristol Lounge (aged in-house) are a huge favorite. Each steak is served a la carte and comes seasoned with herb butter and your choice of sauce. The menu at The Bristol Lounge, while impressive and extensive, can be catered to even the most discerning eater. If you can’t find what you want on the menu, or just want to make a few changes to what you see, simply ask your server and the kitchen will create your favorite dish.
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While Bristol Lounge exudes elegance and comfort, the restaurant leaves the focus on the food. While the staff is educated to recommend a glass or bottle to accompany your meal, there are no formal wine pairings programs or special wine courses in place. However, Bristol Lounge recently introduced Burgers and Burgundy Wednesday, where you can choose from four variations of the famous Bristol burger — original, montrachet, croque madame, and grand cru — paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines selected by the wine director. The price of this burger and Burgundy pairing is $35 per person.
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Chef Brooke Vosika says that when it comes to his food, his main goal is perfection. Whether creating dishes for an intimate dinner or an event with upwards of 1,000 attendees, Vosika’s team of 65 cooks always strives to create the best dining experience for their guests. His love for local, seasonal, and artisanal products serves as the foundation for the sophisticated comfort food that adorns the menus at The Bristol Lounge. As far as chef Vosika is concerned, every guest should leave their meal remembering a favorite part of their dish, and wanting more.
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Brooke Vosika, the executive chef at The Bristol Lounge, has been with the Four Seasons Hotel Boston for 28 years and oversees menu development for The Bristol Lounge, as well as banquet functions and in-room dining. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he began his culinary career as a line cook at Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C. He held posts at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle (when it was the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel), Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, and Four Seasons Hotel New York. Over the course of his career, Vosika has received nods from esteemed colleagues in the culinary world, including awards from Bocuse d’Or and the James Beard Foundation. Chef Vosika’s creations have been featured at food and wine festivals throughout the country such as Epcot, Foxwoods, Nantucket, and Tanglewood. He’s even cooked for such discerning celebrity palates as Martha Stewart, Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon, Gérard Boyer, Paul Bocuse, and Presidents Reagan, Clinton and Bush.
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The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini.
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Executive pastry chef Tim Fonseca oversees all the development, creation and execution of breads, pastry and desserts for The Bristol Lounge, in-room dining and banquet events at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Fonseca is known for his dessert buffets in the restaurant, which feature everything from chocolate fondue to miniature puff pastries and full ice cream sundae bars. Fonseca began his career at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge before moving on to the Jalouise Plantation Resort in St. Lucia, West Indies and Wildflower Bakery in Providence, Rhode Island before finding his home at The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. New to Chef Fonseca’s concepts this year is “Sundaes on Saturday,” where for $18 you’ll get to make your own dessert from liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, exotic sauces and frozen pops. The sundae fun day happens every Saturday from 9 p.m. until midnight.
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As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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The Bristol Lounge’s 27 tables are spread out across the restaurant and bar, providing plenty of space between each table so you are sure to enjoy a meal without being distracted by nearby table conversation. Our favorite tables are set along the window wall of the restaurant that overlooks Boylston Street and the Boston Public Garden. If you’re here during the winter months, you can also request a table near the restaurant’s fireplace toward the back of the room, which really turns the Bristol Lounge from an elegant restaurant to a comfortable living room. Adding to that cause even more are the red leather chairs at each table, which are comfortable and easy to get cozy in.
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Chef Brooke Vosika is as much as institution at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston as The Bristol Lounge is. His 28-year tenure with the Four Seasons has earned him some serious stripes among the staff, and when Vosika boasts that he knows his diners, he’s not kidding. The menu at Bristol Lounge is consistently being altered or added to based on customer feedback, which chef Vosika learns himself by visiting the tables during the dining experience. Don’t be surprised if chef Vosika makes an appearance at your table, especially if you’ve ordered one of his specialties or newer menu items. He loves chatting with guests and learning more about their fine dining experiences, and we love hearing that chef Vosika is up to in the kitchen.
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Bristol Lounge has earned its stripes as “Boston’s living room” over the years, thanks to its great cocktail and wine lists, and seriously sophisticated comfort food. It’s likely you’ll be enjoying your meal with a few other people during your visit (the restaurant is one of Boston’s most popular spots for business lunches and after-dinner drinks ), but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy table conversation in the dining area. The bar area at Bristol Lounge may get noisy on busy nights, but the restaurant remains at an intimate hush level throughout the day. And the way the space was designed, those seated in the dining room will rarely be disturbed by those living it up in the bar area.
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One of the best views in Boston happens right outside the Bristol Lounge’s windows. The tables along the window wall in the restaurant offer views of the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street, making people watching an entertainment-meets-performance art experience at the restaurant. During the winter months, a seat at one of the window tables at the Bristol Lounge will seem like you’re sitting inside a snow globe. When the flakes fall in Boston on a cold winter night, there’s almost no better place to be than at the Bristol Lounge, near the restaurant’s fireplace, with unparalleled views of the Boston Public Gardens as it turns from a city garden to a winter wonderland.
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The music at Bristol Lounge sets the mood as the day goes on. During the day you’ll hear calm, classical music as you dine on club salads and lobster rolls. As day turns into night, the music goes from an upbeat classical blend to smooth jazz, setting the mood for an intimate affair at Bristol Lounge. The music isn’t too loud that you’ll even notice it, or have a hard time chatting with your dining guests over the background noise. In fact, during our visit to Bristol Lounge we even had to ask what was playing. In other words, the restaurant does a great job of weaving its music in without making it a focal point.
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The Bristol Lounge uses Schott Zwiesel glasses, which only adds to the decadence of your chosen wine for the night. The glass company is known for placing pristine crystal in luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. The Bristol Lounge also mixes things up a bit every now and then with Riedel glasses. Either way, you’ll be picking up a vessel worth its pour in these glasses.
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Red leather placements are set on the black tables at the Bristol Lounge, providing an elegant look for night (that quickly turns to casual in the day when the placemats are flipped to reveal a yellow-gold color). Every table is set with one course setting at each seat: a white plate is adorned with a white napkin, flatware is placed on either side of the plate, and a water glass and wine glass round off the table settings. Before your meal is served, your place setting is removed to make room for the first course, and a new wine glass is brought to the table based on whether you’ve picked a crisp white or dense red.
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Walk into the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Boston, and stroll to the far left corner. There you’ll find a table in the window, that is slightly separated from the rest of The Bristol Lounge and bar (simply because of its corner location) and in our opinion, the most romantic spot in the hotel. Even on a busy night at the Bristol Lounge, this table provides a good amount of privacy, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer pristine views of the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street. On a snowy night, there’s nothing more romantic than scoring this table, enjoying homemade pasta dishes and a bottle of wine, and watching the snow fall over the towering trees and flickering gas lamps in the Boston Public Garden.
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The bar at The Bristol Lounge is one of the city’s most frequented hotel bars — thanks in part to its spectacular people watching, but mostly because of its creative cocktail menu and tasty bar eats. If you have a reservation in the main dining room, get here a little early and enjoy a cocktail in the trendy bar area. The bar menu features a good variety of eats labeled ‘For Sharing’ and ‘Bristol Favorites,’ so you can choose your food based on your mood. Great items to share include the avocado fries (fried avocado served with cilantro dipping sauce) and truffled flatbread pizza. The ‘Bristol Favorites’ menu feature the favorite items from the main Bristol Lounge dining menu, including the Bristol burger and the crab chowder. Or, save your appetite for the main event and just indulge in one of The Bristol Lounge’s cocktails or wines by the glass. We suggest asking for A Mule in Paris, made up of Michtner’s Rye, Plymouth sloe gin, lemon, honey, absinthe and rosemary.
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Prices and portion size vary at the Bristol Lounge, depending on the meal you’re having. The restaurant serves a hearty breakfast, and full lunch and dinner menus, and makes meals a full-on affair. On average, you can expect to pay around $30-$40 per person at the Bristol Lounge, without alcohol, tips and taxes. Dinner is the most popular time of day at the Bristol Lounge, and you’ll find something for everyone in your party on the menu. Appetizers range from $10-$20, pasta prices out between $25-$25, and the dry-rubbed steaks made-to-order to your liking are between $33-$52. Sides are $9, and the Bristol favorites (meatloaf, fish and chicken) generally range between $20-$40. For those wanting to try something a little different, the Bristol Lounge hosts Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays, where you can choose one of four burgers to be paired with two tastings of wine for $35. Desserts will run you $12 per item, and cocktails start at $15 at the Bristol Lounge.
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Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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The Bristol Lounge is one of Boston’s favorite haunts. It’s been called “Boston’s living room” thanks to its comfortable atmosphere and ideal location right at the Boston Public Gardens and Boston Common. It’s where you can literally watch the city walk by on any given day. All that said, there are a few must-knows about The Bristol Lounge.
1. Separate bar area. The bar area at The Bristol Lounge is in the same room as, but in a separate area from, the main dining room, and it can get fairly noisy on busy nights. The bar has its own separate menu, featuring a few of the favorites from the main dining menu, and is a local favorite for the after-work crowd.
2. Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays. The Bristol Lounge likes to host small events and gatherings for its guests. One of the newest meet-and-greets is Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays, at which, for $35, you can choose from four variations of the famous Bristol burger — original, montrachet, croque madame, and grand cru — paired with tastings of two Burgundian-style wines selected by the restaurant’s wine director.
3. Afternoon tea. The Bristol Lounge wears many hats, including a proper and sophisticated one. Its legendary afternoon tea is a Boston tradition, served every Saturday and Sunday from 3-4:15 p.m. Because of the tight time frame, reservations are strongly recommended for afternoon tea.
4. Sunday breakfast buffet. Brunch is an art form in Boston and the Bristol Lounge has perfected it. Every Sunday, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the restaurants hosts a full breakfast buffet of hold and cold items, as well as a Bloody Mary Bar, featuring spicy sauces and garnishes. Reservations for Sunday brunch are highly recommended, especially during high-volume.
5. Kid-friendly. The Bristol Lounge loves guests of all ages, and despite being known as a sophisticated spot, the restaurant does a great job catering to kids. There are kids’ menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the kitchen is happy to cook up anything to please the little ones.
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Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge.
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The Bristol Lounge, located in the Four Seasons Boston, exudes the same elegance and sophistication as its hotel home. It’s a favorite place for power-lunches, family dining and after-work crowds. Decked out in rich red, black and brown tones, it casually channels the cigar-bar-martini-lunch era, and easily goes from casual day meals to sexy evening affairs with the dim of a light and change of music. The 127-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. During the daytime hours, The Bristol Lounge is light and casual, appealing to families needing a kid-friendly location and nearby business execs hosting lunches, who want a casual place to impressive clients. At night, The Bristol Lounge dims the lights and the space turns from bright to dramatic. The low lights against the dark red booths in the bar and the cherry wood tables in The Bristol Lounge make for an intimate atmosphere for diners and intriguing environment for bar-goers. Bonus: The people watching is second-to-none at this Boston institution, so we recommend you get there early and grab a good seat.
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Bristol Lounge has 27 tables in total, which vary in size, making it easy for the restaurant to accommodate parties of all sizes. Those 27 tables include the smaller tables in the bar area, however not the sofas and booth sections that line the entrance of the restaurant. These red-leather sofas can seat around 6-8 people, and include low-lying tables at which you can enjoy dinner and drinks.
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Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, is easy to use and very tourist-friendly. The MBTA station stops nearest the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Bristol Lounge are the green line (any train) at Boylston stop or Arlington Street stop. If you get off the train at Boylston Street, walk through the Boston Common toward the Public Gardens, and the hotel will be immediately on your left side at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets. If you arrive from Arlington Street station, exit the station toward the signs reading “Public Gardens” and the hotel and restaurant will be one block down from the train station exit on your right side.
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If you’re not a guest of Four Seasons Hotel Boston and you plan to drive in for a meal at The Bristol Lounge, you have a few options (none of which include free street parking). There is valet at the hotel who will park your car for a fee at various times during the day. A flat $21 is charged for breakfast visits; for lunch, expect to pay $16 for the first two hours Monday through Friday ($4 for every additional hour); dinner guests Monday through Thursday and Sunday get charged $25 for two hours, $29 for three to six hours, $36 for six-24 hours and $47 for 24 hours. Alternatively, the Boston Common Garage, located just a few steps from The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, has slightly lower rates (but you’ll have to walk a bit farther). Weekdays are $10 for one hour, $14 for up to two hours, and $23 for up to 10. A maximum charge for weekdays is $28. On the weekends, if you enter the garage after 6 a.m. and exit by 8 a.m. the next morning you’ll only pay $11. For evenings, a flat fee of $11 will be collected for those entering the garage after 4 p.m. (a steal if you’re having dinner at The Bristol Lounge and don’t mind the walk).
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It’s next to impossible to go hungry if you’re seeking something to eat at The Bristol Lounge. The sprawling, first-floor restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll find something scrumptious to eat here on Sundays from 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Monday-Thursday from 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Friday from 6:30-12:30 a.m.; and Saturday from 7-12:30 a.m. The bar is open Sundays from 11 a.m.-midnight; Monday-Saturday from 11-1 a.m. The Bristol Lounge hosts an elaborate Sunday brunch from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and their famous (and exquisite) afternoon tea service is held from 3-4:15 p.m.
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The Bristol Lounge’s location in Boston’s Back Bay makes it an easy congregating point for business executives, tourists and locals. The standard dress code at Mooo is “smart casual,” but you’ll see a lot of suits and business attire on diners (especially during the dinner crowd). Jeans are perfectly acceptable with a nice top and blazer, but we’d refrain from showing up in anything you’d wear on the pool deck or at the beach. Kids can get away with just about anything, except showing up in pjs (or the Four Seasons Boston’s kid-sized hotel robes). Keep it simple and classic and you’ll fit right in for dinner or a drink at the bar.
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For general reservations (not large groups), there is no set cancellation policy. The Bristol Lounge does request that you contact the restaurant as soon as you know you have to cancel, or make a change to your party, so they can adjust their reservations systems appropriately and make room for other diners. If you’re hosting a private event or group dinner at Bristol Lounge, you might be asked for a deposit at the time of reservation and will be subject to specific cancellation policies, based on the size of your party. For groups larger than eight, you’ll be asked to work directly with the restaurant to make reservations (e.g., you can’t book online at OpenTable), and will likely be asked for a credit card to hold the table.
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Reservations are normally easy to come by at Bristol Lounge, although during busy weeks and holidays, it tends to book up far in advance. You can book online via OpenTable.com or by calling the hotel directly. Guests of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston can also ask the hotel concierge to secure reservations. As for those busy weeks (like Restaurant Week, school vacations and college graduation in the spring), the Bristol Lounge is usually packed with locals celebrating. So it’s a good idea to make reservations at least a few weeks ahead if you plan to dine during these periods.
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Reservations are often not required for The Bristol Lounge, and during most weeknights are not necessary (depending on how busy a time of year it is). The restaurant accepts walk-ins, and you can relax in the bar area if your table isn’t yet available. During big travel weeks, however, like the Boston Marathon and graduation week, it’s smart to make a reservation if you want a table in the dining room. Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year are usually pretty busy at peak hours (7-8:30 p.m.), regardless of whether or not there’s something to celebrate, so unless you plan to dine in the bar we suggest making reservations with the restaurant. Brunch at The Bristol Lounge is an elaborate affair, and if you plan to indulge in the grand buffets and Bloody Mary bars, you should make a reservation in advance.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
1. Known as Boston’s living room, the restaurant is a favorite among guests and locals alike, bustling seven days a week during all meal periods.
2. The vibrant Bristol Lounge Bar is a favorite after-work destination, serving craft cocktails and an extensive menu of raw bar items and “For Sharing” dishes perfect for group and casual get-togethers.
3. The Bristol Lounge features an array of seating options to suit all guest needs and preferences — from plush fireside couches to leather banquettes, bar stools and window tables. There is something for everyone in this comfortable, welcoming restaurant.
4. The Bristol Lounge is known for mouthwatering cuisine, but it has gained particular fame with the Bristol Burger, which is repeatedly voted “Best of Boston” and has been the champion of the Boston Burger Bash since its inception. The restaurant is also know for dry aged steaks aged in house to perfection and prepared in a 1,600-degree broiler, as well as for its fresh, handmade gourmet pastas.
5. Every Wednesday night, The Bristol Lounge hosts Burgers & Burgundy Wednesdays, which offers four varieties of the famous Bristol Burger paired with two tastings of Burgundian style wines for just $35. The restaurant also features afternoon tea on weekends, a Sunday breakfast buffet, and “Sundaes on Saturdays,” a Saturday night liquid nitro ice cream buffet. -
Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge. -
Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Dinner for two is estimated at $150 plus per person, inclusive of appetizer, main course, dessert and one drink each. For the dinner meal period, appetizers range from $10 to $20, entrees range from $21 to $52 and desserts are $12. Wines by the glass span from $10 to $24. -
One of the best views in Boston happens right outside the Bristol Lounge’s windows. The tables along the window wall in the restaurant offer views of the Boston Public Garden and Boylston Street, making people watching an entertainment-meets-performance art experience at the restaurant. During the winter months, a seat at one of the window tables at the Bristol Lounge will seem like you’re sitting inside a snow globe. When the flakes fall in Boston on a cold winter night, there’s almost no better place to be than at the Bristol Lounge, near the restaurant’s fireplace, with unparalleled views of the Boston Public Gardens as it turns from a city garden to a winter wonderland.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
There is no age requirement in The Bristol Lounge. Families are welcome and great attention is offered to the young guests. -
Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, is easy to use and very tourist-friendly. The MBTA station stops nearest the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Bristol Lounge are the green line (any train) at Boylston stop or Arlington Street stop. If you get off the train at Boylston Street, walk through the Boston Common toward the Public Gardens, and the hotel will be immediately on your left side at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets. If you arrive from Arlington Street station, exit the station toward the signs reading “Public Gardens” and the hotel and restaurant will be one block down from the train station exit on your right side.
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For general reservations (not large groups), there is no set cancellation policy. The Bristol Lounge does request that you contact the restaurant as soon as you know you have to cancel, or make a change to your party, so they can adjust their reservations systems appropriately and make room for other diners. If you’re hosting a private event or group dinner at Bristol Lounge, you might be asked for a deposit at the time of reservation and will be subject to specific cancellation policies, based on the size of your party. For groups larger than eight, you’ll be asked to work directly with the restaurant to make reservations (e.g., you can’t book online at OpenTable), and will likely be asked for a credit card to hold the table.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
1. Known as Boston’s living room, the restaurant is a favorite among guests and locals alike, bustling seven days a week during all meal periods.
2. The vibrant Bristol Lounge Bar is a favorite after-work destination, serving craft cocktails and an extensive menu of raw bar items and “For Sharing” dishes perfect for group and casual get-togethers.
3. The Bristol Lounge features an array of seating options to suit all guest needs and preferences — from plush fireside couches to leather banquettes, bar stools and window tables. There is something for everyone in this comfortable, welcoming restaurant.
4. The Bristol Lounge is known for mouthwatering cuisine, but it has gained particular fame with the Bristol Burger, which is repeatedly voted “Best of Boston” and has been the champion of the Boston Burger Bash since its inception. The restaurant is also know for dry aged steaks aged in house to perfection and prepared in a 1,600-degree broiler, as well as for its fresh, handmade gourmet pastas.
5. Every Wednesday night, The Bristol Lounge hosts Burgers & Burgundy Wednesdays, which offers four varieties of the famous Bristol Burger paired with two tastings of Burgundian style wines for just $35. The restaurant also features afternoon tea on weekends, a Sunday breakfast buffet, and “Sundaes on Saturdays,” a Saturday night liquid nitro ice cream buffet. -
Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge. -
Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Dinner for two is estimated at $150 plus per person, inclusive of appetizer, main course, dessert and one drink each. For the dinner meal period, appetizers range from $10 to $20, entrees range from $21 to $52 and desserts are $12. Wines by the glass span from $10 to $24. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
There is no age requirement in The Bristol Lounge. Families are welcome and great attention is offered to the young guests. -
Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, is easy to use and very tourist-friendly. The MBTA station stops nearest the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and The Bristol Lounge are the green line (any train) at Boylston stop or Arlington Street stop. If you get off the train at Boylston Street, walk through the Boston Common toward the Public Gardens, and the hotel will be immediately on your left side at the corner of Charles and Boylston Streets. If you arrive from Arlington Street station, exit the station toward the signs reading “Public Gardens” and the hotel and restaurant will be one block down from the train station exit on your right side.
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Groups will find dining at the Bristol Lounge similar to being in the big kitchen of a good friend. For groups under 15 people, the restaurant can set tables together near the back of the restaurant, so groups have what seems like their own private section of the restaurant. (The large round table at the restaurant can hold 10 people, and is reminiscent of something King Arthur might have dined at with his men.)
Meanwhile, there are also 18 conference rooms and meetings rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that guests can reserve and have catered meals from the Bristol Lounge. -
Private events at the Four Seasons Boston typically don’t take place in The Bristol Lounge, but in the hotel’s other areas dedicated to functions. The Aujourd’hui event room is located on the second floor, and is one of the most elegantly designed rooms in the Four Seasons Boston. Its dark wood, chandeliers and murals set the mood for an elegant and intimate evening, perfect for receptions and special events. In addition to Aujourd’hui, there are 17 other conference and meeting rooms at the Four Seasons Boston, all that will cater to private events with the menu from Bristol Lounge. You can also work with the chef to create custom menus, and there is a separate Kosher kitchen at the hotel for those with dietary restrictions. Each of the private rooms have a different decor and view. Whichever room you choose to host your dinner is completely up to you and your needs.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Dinner for two is estimated at $150 plus per person, inclusive of appetizer, main course, dessert and one drink each. For the dinner meal period, appetizers range from $10 to $20, entrees range from $21 to $52 and desserts are $12. Wines by the glass span from $10 to $24.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge provides a comfortable setting for dining and conversation any time of day. Tables offering views of Boston Public Garden line the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a fireplace warms the spacious room during the winter. The color schemes are deep red and yellow, reflecting a warm and contemporary bistro feel. -
Bristol Lounge has 27 tables in total, which vary in size, making it easy for the restaurant to accommodate parties of all sizes. Those 27 tables include the smaller tables in the bar area, however not the sofas and booth sections that line the entrance of the restaurant. These red-leather sofas can seat around 6-8 people, and include low-lying tables at which you can enjoy dinner and drinks.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
All tables are considered the best, depending on the guests’ purpose for dining and the number of people in the group. For couples, the window tables are often the most coveted due to their sweeping views of the beautiful Boston Public Garden. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge has informal seating upon entering the restaurant, ideal for waiting for a table and sipping a cocktail before sitting down for your meal. There are also ample couches, benches and chairs in the Four Seasons Hotel Boston lobby. -
The Bristol Lounge uses Schott Zwiesel glasses, which only adds to the decadence of your chosen wine for the night. The glass company is known for placing pristine crystal in luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. The Bristol Lounge also mixes things up a bit every now and then with Riedel glasses. Either way, you’ll be picking up a vessel worth its pour in these glasses.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Tables boast contemporary black opaque tops that are set with red leather placemats in the evenings and yellow leather placemats during the day. The tabletops otherwise are very clean, set just with necessary cutlery, salt, pepper and sugar. -
The music at Bristol Lounge sets the mood as the day goes on. During the day you’ll hear calm, classical music as you dine on club salads and lobster rolls. As day turns into night, the music goes from an upbeat classical blend to smooth jazz, setting the mood for an intimate affair at Bristol Lounge. The music isn’t too loud that you’ll even notice it, or have a hard time chatting with your dining guests over the background noise. In fact, during our visit to Bristol Lounge we even had to ask what was playing. In other words, the restaurant does a great job of weaving its music in without making it a focal point.
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Bristol Lounge has earned its stripes as “Boston’s living room” over the years, thanks to its great cocktail and wine lists, and seriously sophisticated comfort food. It’s likely you’ll be enjoying your meal with a few other people during your visit (the restaurant is one of Boston’s most popular spots for business lunches and after-dinner drinks ), but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy table conversation in the dining area. The bar area at Bristol Lounge may get noisy on busy nights, but the restaurant remains at an intimate hush level throughout the day. And the way the space was designed, those seated in the dining room will rarely be disturbed by those living it up in the bar area.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Tables are arranged in a way that is comfortable and spacious. There is ample room between each table. -
As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
With fireside dining in the winter and beautiful, sweeping Public Garden views during every season, there is no better spot for a romantic evening a deux. The twinkling city lights, dim Bristol Lounge lighting and sultry jazz music creates the perfect ambience for a date night. There are also special dishes created just for sharing to enhance the couples’ experience. -
The Bristol Lounge boasts a few different personalities. During the breakfast hours, it’s generally full of family and business folk, and caters to young palates and big group tables craving everything from French toast to egg white omelets. The lunch crowd is generally business-oriented, with local execs hosting power lunches over the Bristol’s famed clam chowder and Bristol burgers. At night, however, The Bristol Lounge shifts moods and becomes more intimate. The bar at the Bristol Lounge is a great spot for dates, thanks in most part to the bar’s layout and shareable menu items. We also suggest grabbing one of the Bristol’s booths so you can get your know your date a little better by sitting closer to together.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge provides a comfortable setting for dining and conversation any time of day. Tables offering views of Boston Public Garden line the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a fireplace warms the spacious room during the winter. The color schemes are deep red and yellow, reflecting a warm and contemporary bistro feel. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
All tables are considered the best, depending on the guests’ purpose for dining and the number of people in the group. For couples, the window tables are often the most coveted due to their sweeping views of the beautiful Boston Public Garden. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge has informal seating upon entering the restaurant, ideal for waiting for a table and sipping a cocktail before sitting down for your meal. There are also ample couches, benches and chairs in the Four Seasons Hotel Boston lobby. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Tables boast contemporary black opaque tops that are set with red leather placemats in the evenings and yellow leather placemats during the day. The tabletops otherwise are very clean, set just with necessary cutlery, salt, pepper and sugar. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Tables are arranged in a way that is comfortable and spacious. There is ample room between each table. -
As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
With fireside dining in the winter and beautiful, sweeping Public Garden views during every season, there is no better spot for a romantic evening a deux. The twinkling city lights, dim Bristol Lounge lighting and sultry jazz music creates the perfect ambience for a date night. There are also special dishes created just for sharing to enhance the couples’ experience. -
The Bristol Lounge boasts a few different personalities. During the breakfast hours, it’s generally full of family and business folk, and caters to young palates and big group tables craving everything from French toast to egg white omelets. The lunch crowd is generally business-oriented, with local execs hosting power lunches over the Bristol’s famed clam chowder and Bristol burgers. At night, however, The Bristol Lounge shifts moods and becomes more intimate. The bar at the Bristol Lounge is a great spot for dates, thanks in most part to the bar’s layout and shareable menu items. We also suggest grabbing one of the Bristol’s booths so you can get your know your date a little better by sitting closer to together.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge provides a comfortable setting for dining and conversation any time of day. Tables offering views of Boston Public Garden line the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a fireplace warms the spacious room during the winter. The color schemes are deep red and yellow, reflecting a warm and contemporary bistro feel. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
All tables are considered the best, depending on the guests’ purpose for dining and the number of people in the group. For couples, the window tables are often the most coveted due to their sweeping views of the beautiful Boston Public Garden. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge has informal seating upon entering the restaurant, ideal for waiting for a table and sipping a cocktail before sitting down for your meal. There are also ample couches, benches and chairs in the Four Seasons Hotel Boston lobby. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Tables boast contemporary black opaque tops that are set with red leather placemats in the evenings and yellow leather placemats during the day. The tabletops otherwise are very clean, set just with necessary cutlery, salt, pepper and sugar. -
As you make your way toward the Bristol Lounge from the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, you’ll be welcomed at various points by hotel staff, until you’re met by the restaurant host, who will gladly show you to your seat or find you the perfect spot at the bar. The service once you’re in the restaurant is every bit as friendly and welcoming as what you experienced when you first arrived at the Bristol Lounge’s front doors. The staff is attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. According to restaurant management, the servers at Bristol Lounge are real "foodies," and that attitude certainly comes through over the course of your meal. Servers know everything about the menu, including the spices in their favorite dishes, and are able to help pair wines with any meal. They can also answer just about any question you have, and even work with the kitchen staff to create a dish that is perfect for you — either because of your specific dietary needs or just because you’re in the mood for something different.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
With fireside dining in the winter and beautiful, sweeping Public Garden views during every season, there is no better spot for a romantic evening a deux. The twinkling city lights, dim Bristol Lounge lighting and sultry jazz music creates the perfect ambience for a date night. There are also special dishes created just for sharing to enhance the couples’ experience.
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Chef Brooke Vosika is as much as institution at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston as The Bristol Lounge is. His 28-year tenure with the Four Seasons has earned him some serious stripes among the staff, and when Vosika boasts that he knows his diners, he’s not kidding. The menu at Bristol Lounge is consistently being altered or added to based on customer feedback, which chef Vosika learns himself by visiting the tables during the dining experience. Don’t be surprised if chef Vosika makes an appearance at your table, especially if you’ve ordered one of his specialties or newer menu items. He loves chatting with guests and learning more about their fine dining experiences, and we love hearing that chef Vosika is up to in the kitchen.
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The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini. -
Brooke Vosika, the executive chef at The Bristol Lounge, has been with the Four Seasons Hotel Boston for 28 years and oversees menu development for The Bristol Lounge, as well as banquet functions and in-room dining. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he began his culinary career as a line cook at Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C. He held posts at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle (when it was the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel), Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, and Four Seasons Hotel New York. Over the course of his career, Vosika has received nods from esteemed colleagues in the culinary world, including awards from Bocuse d’Or and the James Beard Foundation. Chef Vosika’s creations have been featured at food and wine festivals throughout the country such as Epcot, Foxwoods, Nantucket, and Tanglewood. He’s even cooked for such discerning celebrity palates as Martha Stewart, Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon, Gérard Boyer, Paul Bocuse, and Presidents Reagan, Clinton and Bush.
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Chef Brooke Vosika says that when it comes to his food, his main goal is perfection. Whether creating dishes for an intimate dinner or an event with upwards of 1,000 attendees, Vosika’s team of 65 cooks always strives to create the best dining experience for their guests. His love for local, seasonal, and artisanal products serves as the foundation for the sophisticated comfort food that adorns the menus at The Bristol Lounge. As far as chef Vosika is concerned, every guest should leave their meal remembering a favorite part of their dish, and wanting more.
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Executive pastry chef Tim Fonseca oversees all the development, creation and execution of breads, pastry and desserts for The Bristol Lounge, in-room dining and banquet events at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Fonseca is known for his dessert buffets in the restaurant, which feature everything from chocolate fondue to miniature puff pastries and full ice cream sundae bars. Fonseca began his career at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge before moving on to the Jalouise Plantation Resort in St. Lucia, West Indies and Wildflower Bakery in Providence, Rhode Island before finding his home at The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. New to Chef Fonseca’s concepts this year is “Sundaes on Saturday,” where for $18 you’ll get to make your own dessert from liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, exotic sauces and frozen pops. The sundae fun day happens every Saturday from 9 p.m. until midnight.
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The menus at Bristol Lounge include American favorites that have been tweaked to embody a bit of comfort food fantasy. The breakfast menu includes everything from oatmeal and assorted pastries to buttermilk pancakes and New England crab cake benedict (perfect with a Bloody Mary following a long night). Kids will love the French toast fingers and chocolate chip silver dollar pancakes. Chef Brook Visoka breakfast specialties and Boston favorites, include the New England crab cake benedict, lemon ricotta hot cakes and croissant French toast, served with vanilla bean maple syrup. Lunch and dinner are equally epic at Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Boston. The restaurant is known for its Bristol burger, consistently rated one of the best burgers in Boston (and served with a side of killer truffle fries). If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try chef Brooke Visoka’s crab chowder (a sweeter spin on the traditional New England clam chowder, served with house-made oyster crackers ) or the tuna tartare, one of the most popular dishes in the restaurant. The hand-rolled pasta is a house specialty, and changes seasonally to include some native accompaniments (fresh vegetables in the summer and heavy sauces and meats in the winter). The dry-rubbed steaks at The Bristol Lounge (aged in-house) are a huge favorite. Each steak is served a la carte and comes seasoned with herb butter and your choice of sauce. The menu at The Bristol Lounge, while impressive and extensive, can be catered to even the most discerning eater. If you can’t find what you want on the menu, or just want to make a few changes to what you see, simply ask your server and the kitchen will create your favorite dish.
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If allergies cause you to have a complicated time eating at restaurants, you’ll be happy with the menu items at Bristol Lounge. The Bristol Lounge menu offers plenty of gluten-free dishes, including their dry-rubbed steaks, which can be served without butter and sauces for a true gluten-free dish. In September, the restaurant began highlighting their gluten-free options on the menu, so you won’t have to ask for specifics or have the kitchen create something to meet your needs. Chef Brooke Vosika decided to include items on the menu that highlight gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options after he received requests from diners on a regular basis. If you don’t see something you like, just consult with your server and they’ll work with the kitchen to create a dish that works for your dietary needs.
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Salads, pastas and potato dishes are some of the more popular vegetarian items on the menu at Bristol Lounge, and starting in September the restaurant started calling out root-based dishes on the menu. The kitchen at Bristol Lounge has historically accommodated all requests for vegan and vegetarian diners, but starting this fall the menu began highlighting specific vegan and vegetarian options, so those with dietary restrictions won’t have to search around for the right dish. The vegetarian and vegan options are offered on all menus, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and of course, the kitchen will be happy to accommodate any other special requests.
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Fresh bread makes it way to your table before each menu, but according to The Bristol Lounge there is no “special” bread service to highlight. The Bristol Lounge gets its bread from Chabaso Bakery, a bread shop based in Connecticut. You’ll find the majority of fresh pastries on the dessert menu, courtesy of pastry chef Tim Fonseca.
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While most cheese courses are served as part of the dessert course, Bristol Lounge mixes things up a bit by placing a cheese plate as part of the appetizer. The cheese plate offers four different kinds of artisanal cheeses, chosen from the kitchen and based on what’s in season, and is served for $23 with a side of nuts and breads.
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One of our favorite things about The Bristol Lounge comes after the meal — dessert. Pastry chef Tim Fonseca takes desserts to a new level (at a reasonable cost). The caramelized apricot tart, vanilla bean creme brulee and dark chocolate praline ‘candy bar’ are a few of our favorites for $12. The ‘Let’s Spilt It’ is a table favorite for $24 — a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and creme de cacao that serves up to four people. What we love most about dessert at The Bristol Lounge, however, is the full dessert buffet complete with fondues and mini cheesecakes, which the restaurant lays out on Friday and Saturday nights. Chef Fonseca also shakes things up a bit with his sundae bar. No simple presentation, they’re offered on Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight, and feature a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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The Bristol Lounge doesn’t offer petit fours or mignardise in the traditional sense, but on occasion you might get a special gift from the chef at the start of your meal. We’re told by The Bristol Lounge management that when chef Brooke Visoka and his team are working on new items and testing new concepts, they take it to the diners for their reactions by way of amuse bouche at the beginning of your meal. So if a special course arrives at your table during your dining experience at The Bristol Lounge, we say speak up and tell the staff your thoughts. Who knows, if the item is a hit it just might end up on the menu later on.
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If dessert is your favorite part of the meal (and you don’t mind sharing a few bites with your dining companions), the signature option on the menu is the ‘Let’s Spilt It.’ Ringing in at $24, the dessert is a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and crème de cacao that serves up to four people. There is also Sundaes on Saturday at Bristol Lounge, which takes place from 9 p.m. to midnight and features a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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When chef Brooke Visoka and his team at Bristol Lounge want to test out a new menu item or food concept, they take it to the tables. From time to time, your meal might start with a surprise gift from the kitchen in the form of an amuse bouche, which offers a bite-sized taste of something new the kitchen is working on. While there are no formal special gifts from the chef, The Bristol Lounge has been known to acknowledge birthdays and special celebrations with something tasty from the pastry kitchen.
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“Artistic” is the best word to describe the food presentation at Bristol Lounge. Chef Brooke Visoka and his team enjoy adding a bit of flare to the sophisticated comfort food the restaurant serves. Tuna taco appetizers are served three in a row, perfectly placed on a plate and fitted with even drops of guacamole on each taco and a perfectly placed piece of lettuce cradling the bottom of the taco. Pasta dishes are served in a poetic display of colors inside white pasta bowls, and steaks are placed in the center of plates drizzled with juices that create their own pattern on the white porcelain canvas.
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It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
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Chef Brooke Visoka adds lots of seasonal dishes to the menu at Bristol Lounge, depending on what’s fresh and available. During the winter months, you’ll see more pastas and pot pies on the Bristol Lounge menu, while summer brings more salads, fresh vegetable dishes and of course, the fresh lobster roll. Chef Visoka spends his free time working with local farmers and harvesters to determine what’s new and in-season as the weather changes in New England. It’s likely you’ll see a variety of different sides, in addition to seasonal main menu items, on the Bristol Lounge menus as the seasons shift.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston offers an extensive menu for kids and teens. Some of the favorites include the Leaning Tower of Grilled Cheese, Bristol Kids Burger and of course the classics: chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly with bananas. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Executive chef Brooke Vosika frequently visits the tables. He is a fixture in The Bristol Lounge, and also the most tenured Four Seasons Chef worldwide. Vosika has made a tremendous name for himself in and around Boston. -
The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Executive chef Brooke Vosika is coming up on a record 30 years with the company, making him the most tenured Four Seasons chef. Vosika’s career began in 1982 as a line cook at Four Seasons Washington D.C. Vosika was quickly promoted through the ranks, graduating to senior positions at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in Seattle. In 1997, Vosika earned the title of executive chef at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, and in 2001 he moved into that role at Four Seasons Hotel New York. Over the course of his career, Vosika has received high profile awards including from the prestigious Bocuse d’Or and the James Beard Foundation. Vosika’s talents have also been showcased in food and wine festivals throughout the country such as Epcot, Foxwoods, Nantucket, and Tanglewood. In Boston, Vosika has won countless accolades for The Bristol Lounge; among them: “Boston’s Best Burger” at the annual Burger Battle (2010 and 2011) and “Best Power Dining Lunch and Dinner” (Improper Bostonian). Vosika is also actively involved with The Greater Boston Food Bank. -
Chef Brooke Vosika says that when it comes to his food, his main goal is perfection. Whether creating dishes for an intimate dinner or an event with upwards of 1,000 attendees, Vosika’s team of 65 cooks always strives to create the best dining experience for their guests. His love for local, seasonal, and artisanal products serves as the foundation for the sophisticated comfort food that adorns the menus at The Bristol Lounge. As far as chef Vosika is concerned, every guest should leave their meal remembering a favorite part of their dish, and wanting more.
-
If allergies cause you to have a complicated time eating at restaurants, you’ll be happy with the menu items at Bristol Lounge. The Bristol Lounge menu offers plenty of gluten-free dishes, including their dry-rubbed steaks, which can be served without butter and sauces for a true gluten-free dish. In September, the restaurant began highlighting their gluten-free options on the menu, so you won’t have to ask for specifics or have the kitchen create something to meet your needs. Chef Brooke Vosika decided to include items on the menu that highlight gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options after he received requests from diners on a regular basis. If you don’t see something you like, just consult with your server and they’ll work with the kitchen to create a dish that works for your dietary needs.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Desserts vary with each menu change to reflect local, seasonal tastes and fresh fruits and berries. Dessert options match every palate — from créme brûlée and tiramisu to chocolate cake and gourmet ice cream. -
It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
-
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston offers an extensive menu for kids and teens. Some of the favorites include the Leaning Tower of Grilled Cheese, Bristol Kids Burger and of course the classics: chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly with bananas. -
The Bristol Lounge offers quite a menu for diners. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here, and executive chef Brooke Vosika uses local seasonal ingredients to create the upscale comfort food the Bristol Lounge is known for. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the following:
1. Bristol burger. The Bristol burger consistently gets nods as one of the best burgers in Boston. The burger is grilled and comes with housemade pickles and aged Vermont cheese on a toasted roll. On the side are to-die-for truffle fries.
2. Crab chowder. One of chef Vosika’s specialties, the crab chowder is a favorite starter. Set in a creamy broth, much like a typical New England clam chowder, the crab chowder is just a bit sweeter and is accompanied by housemade oyster crackers.
3. Ahi tuna tartare. While tuna tartare can likely be found almost everywhere in Boston, The Bristol Lounge’s take on it has people coming back again and again. It’s accompanied by avocado and grilled scallions, and is a perfect appetizer for sharing or as meal on your own.
4. Homemade pasta. All of the pastas at The Bristol Lounge are made in-house, so if you’re craving carbs, this is the place to be. Our tip: save the bread basket for your pasta dish so you can sop up the homemade sauce from your pasta.
5. Organic cocktails. The Bristol Lounge rolls out a cocktail concept in the bar area that features specialty mixed drinks with fresh juices and organic ingredients. There is no set drink menu for this; the bartender works with you to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a concept as refreshing as the drinks it yields ,and is a nice alternative to the standard martini. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Executive chef Brooke Vosika is coming up on a record 30 years with the company, making him the most tenured Four Seasons chef. Vosika’s career began in 1982 as a line cook at Four Seasons Washington D.C. Vosika was quickly promoted through the ranks, graduating to senior positions at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in Seattle. In 1997, Vosika earned the title of executive chef at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, and in 2001 he moved into that role at Four Seasons Hotel New York. Over the course of his career, Vosika has received high profile awards including from the prestigious Bocuse d’Or and the James Beard Foundation. Vosika’s talents have also been showcased in food and wine festivals throughout the country such as Epcot, Foxwoods, Nantucket, and Tanglewood. In Boston, Vosika has won countless accolades for The Bristol Lounge; among them: “Boston’s Best Burger” at the annual Burger Battle (2010 and 2011) and “Best Power Dining Lunch and Dinner” (Improper Bostonian). Vosika is also actively involved with The Greater Boston Food Bank. -
One of our favorite things about The Bristol Lounge comes after the meal — dessert. Pastry chef Tim Fonseca takes desserts to a new level (at a reasonable cost). The caramelized apricot tart, vanilla bean creme brulee and dark chocolate praline ‘candy bar’ are a few of our favorites for $12. The ‘Let’s Spilt It’ is a table favorite for $24 — a chocolate devil’s food cake tower layered with truffle ganache, vanilla butter cream and creme de cacao that serves up to four people. What we love most about dessert at The Bristol Lounge, however, is the full dessert buffet complete with fondues and mini cheesecakes, which the restaurant lays out on Friday and Saturday nights. Chef Fonseca also shakes things up a bit with his sundae bar. No simple presentation, they’re offered on Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight, and feature a buffet of liquid nitrogen ice cream, toppings, sauces and frozen pops for $18 per person.
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It’s hard to find the low-calorie option in comfort foods, but Bristol Lounge has a way of making it work. Aside from the salads and vegetable plates that you’ll find on the menu, the kitchen will happily adjust any menu item to meet your low-cal requirements. Simply ask for your dish to be prepared without butter and place sauces on the side, and let your server know you’re counting calories, and the kitchen will create a plate that takes in all the classics of comfort food, without all the calories.
-
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston offers an extensive menu for kids and teens. Some of the favorites include the Leaning Tower of Grilled Cheese, Bristol Kids Burger and of course the classics: chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly with bananas.
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The Bristol Lounge is Four Season Boston’s only restaurant and bar, which are within the same room but are set apart by a low wall. The bar offers plenty of seating options. You can order from the bar menu or main menu in the comfort of one of the dark red leather booths, at a corner table or from a bar seat. There are two TVs behind the bar for those who want to catch up on the news of the day. The bar menu, which includes Bristol favorites such as the Bristol burger and crab chowder is available Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 to 12:30 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Our suggestion: Try the truffle flatbread pizza and tuna tacos from the bar menu, or if you’re craving something substantial, The Bristol burger is the best in town.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The extensive bar menu features a wide array of “For Sharing” dishes and raw bar items plus a selection of Bristol favorites such as the Bristol Burger, the crab chowder and the garganelli bolognese. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Every Wednesday, The Bristol Lounge is home to “Burgers & Burgundy,” which pairs four varieties of the famous Bristol Burger with two new tastings of Burgundian style wines as selected by our wine director — all for $35. -
Ben Sweeney leads up the wine team at The Bristol Lounge. His focus, according to the restaurant, is on the wine program for special events, as well as on the restaurant and catered events. If you’re looking for a special reserve wine, or plan on hosting a private event at The Bristol Lounge, Sweeney (along with the rest of the kitchen staff focused on your catering needs) will help find the wines that fit your menu and event needs. Sweeney also helps pair the burgundies with burgers for The Bristol Lounge’s signature “Burgers and Burgundy Wednesdays.” Every Wednesday for $35, you can choose one of four burgers from The Bristol Lounge menu and Sweeney pairs them with two different tastes of Burgundy.
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The main focus of Bristol Lounge is on the food, but if you’re looking for something special from the bar, the Bristol Lounge has a few specialty pours that might interest you. The Remy Martin Louis XIII and Hennessy Richard cognacs are available for $170 a pour. The bar also serves Johnnie Walker Blue Label for $48 and a Macallan 25 year scotch for $78.
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The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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Illy coffee is brewed fresh at The Bristol Lounge and served throughout the day in the bar and in the main dining room. Regular coffee, espresso, and lattes can be made, and a variety of loose-leaf teas are also served. If you’re in the mood for coffee but don’t want all the caffeine, try one of The Bristol Lounge dessert cocktails, like the Irish coffee or espresso martini, also made with Illy coffee.
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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The wine list at The Bristol Lounge, while extensive, doesn’t promote any rare or special wines. When we asked what’s unique in the cellar, we learned that there are still some leftover reserve wines from the days of Aujourd’hui (the hotel’s erstwhile fine dining restaurant that served notable French food and a wine list to match). If you want to see the reserve list, simply ask. The restaurant staff will be happy to accommodate your urge to splurge.
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.
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When you’re parched at the Bristol Lounge, quench your thirst with bottled flat or sparkling water. The Bristol Lounge serves Pellegrino sparkling water and Evian flat water to guests with refined water tastes. When you sit down for your meal at Bristol Lounge, your water glasses will be filled with filtered tap water, unless you specifically ask your waiter for bottled water service.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
The extensive bar menu features a wide array of “For Sharing” dishes and raw bar items plus a selection of Bristol favorites such as the Bristol Burger, the crab chowder and the garganelli bolognese. -
- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Every Wednesday, The Bristol Lounge is home to “Burgers & Burgundy,” which pairs four varieties of the famous Bristol Burger with two new tastings of Burgundian style wines as selected by our wine director — all for $35. -
The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.
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- Brooke Vosika
- The Bristol Lounge
- Executive Chef
Every Wednesday, The Bristol Lounge is home to “Burgers & Burgundy,” which pairs four varieties of the famous Bristol Burger with two new tastings of Burgundian style wines as selected by our wine director — all for $35. -
The Bristol Lounge bar mixes up traditional martinis and cocktails, and makes one of the best dirty martinis in the city. For those who want something sweeter, the bar’s sidecar and fruit-infused martinis will suit your taste. Earlier this year, The Bristol Lounge bar created a new cocktail menu entirely of organic ingredients and fresh juices. Imagine a cosmopolitan with real fruit juice instead of a mix, and cucumber martinis made from real cucumbers and house-infused vodka.
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The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston has an extensive wine list, suitable for all levels of wine drinkers. By the glass, enjoy various bubblies, including a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin for $25. White wines offered by the pour include a Russian Jack sauvignon blanc from New Zealand for $12, and a 2008 Pouilly Fuissé chardonnay for $20. Red wines we love include the 2008 Morey-Coffinet pinot noir for $19 and a 2007 Paso Robles cabernet sauvignon for $12. Wines by the bottle are organized according to whether they are American whites, French whites, global whites, rose, American reds, French reds, Italian reds, Spanish reds or global reds. There is also a dessert wine list for those seeking a sweet after-dinner drink. Wines by the bottle at The Bristol Lounge start at around $40 and go as above $800 for vintage bottles, such as Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol, ’82 ($900), Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, ’83 ($800) and a Domaine Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru ($900).
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Mocktails at Bristol Lounge don’t play second fiddle to the cocktails. The bar at Bristol Lounge takes pride in all of its cocktail creations, including the non-alcoholic ones. So if you’re looking for something fun without all the spirits, let the bartenders at Bristol Lounge now and they’ll whip up just about anything for you. A few favorites include the ‘Standing on a Beach’ (cranberry juice, almond and ginger beer), ‘Public Garden’ (muddled green pepper and cucumber, elderflower syrup, and soda) and the ‘Crimson Berry Iced Tea’ (crimson berry tea, elderflower syrup and fresh mint). Non-alcoholic cocktails range from $5-$10.