When I heard The Palm steakhouse was shutting its doors nearly two years ago and relocating from his Copley Square location to an undisclosed spot, I anxiously awaited its reopening. The new property opened this past spring at One International Place to much fanfare in the Financial District. Not only has the restaurant increased in size but the brand has also refreshed its entire look nationwide with new paper menus, modern uniforms for its wait staff and even contemporary tableware.
Despite all these changes, The Palm’s philosophy remains the same: Treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations. While the traditional staples that made its name famous over the years like enormous lobsters and high-rate steaks remain, new dishes, including antipasti complete with authentic Italian meats and cheeses, round out the menu.
A step inside this gorgeous restaurant reveals 30-foot ceilings, a modern yet serious dining room with marble columns, red leather banquettes, and the famed wall of local caricatures opposite a massive wall of windows that overlook the Rose Kennedy Greenway. There is also an enclosed three-season outdoor patio and two private dining rooms.
We visited the Boston location recently and were quickly greeted a friendly and knowledgeable server. She got us started with a nice strong gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives and perfectly tart ultimate margarita. For an appetizer, the jumbo fresh shrimp cocktail came served with a side of fiery horseradish sauce alongside the sesame seared and sliced ahi tuna with a delicious side of seaweed salad, pickled ginger, wasabi and soy vinaigrette.
The server helped navigate the extensive wine list and led us to a bottle of Kuleto Estates India Ink cabernet to complement the steaks. There are numerous Italian specialties as well on the menu but we couldn’t resist the bone-in rib eye and bone-in filet mignon. The massive well marbled rib eye was cooked medium-rare while the filet was so tender it could have been cut with a butter knife.
Side dishes are designed to be shared and are à la carte such as the creamed spinach, creamy au gratin potatoes and mushrooms dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Be sure to save some room for dessert and try the enormous seven-layer carrot cake. Every Sunday through Friday from 5-7 p.m. The Palm offers their Bar Bites menu, which includes half off menu items like their prime steak burger sliders, chicken meatball sliders, mini broiled crab cakes and lobster and bacon fondue.
