Stephanie's on Newbury

Stephanie's on Newbury Restaurant Review:

Location, location, location has always been a strong point for Stephanie's. It is more or less the hub of activity on Newbury Street, with a bustling streetside patio that reigns supreme when it comes to people-watching in the warm weather months. What the interior lacks in chic it makes up for in comfort, much like the modern American eats. Start with enormous salads that can easily be shared between two guests or hearty appetizers like the baked spinach and artichoke dip, ricotta gnocchi stuffed with duck confit or pan-sautéed crab cakes topped with lemon rémoulade. Classic three-cheese mac ‘n’ cheese, meatloaf stuffed with cheddar, and overflowing chicken potpie have something of a cult following, while other guilty pleasures include the creamy rigatoni Bolognese, Irish beef stew and Cuban sandwich. Try a signature pineapple Doli martini or a draft beer like Nantucket's Cisco Brewers Whale's Tale Pale Ale. In the afternoon, consider simple standards like a fried chicken or shaved Black Forest ham and Brie sandwich. Finish lunch or dinner with sticky toffee pudding or ice cream profiteroles.