As our group has grown, we decided to expand our footprint and visit restaurants outside Worcester. For our November Foodies gathering, we ventured to The International in Bolton, Mass.
Nestled in the woods of Bolton, a quick 25 minutes from Worcester, The International is known for being a world class golf destination with its own signature restaurant.
When we arrived, everyone was excited to be there. We met in the parking lot and meandered through the tall pine trees toward the unassuming Fireplace Dining Room entrance. The dining room is casual but upscale. The cathedral ceiling with wood beam details along with huge windows revealing a beautiful view of the grounds beside the crackling fireplace created the perfect atmosphere for a pre-meal drink.
The Fireplace Dining Room’s menu is seasonal because the restaurant locally sources many ingredients, which made it hard to select a meal.
I started with a very tasty Field Green Salad with fresh vine tomatoes, English cucumbers, and shaved carrots dressed with a champagne vinaigrette. The salad portion was very large. In fact, it was so large my dining companions commented on how long it took me to finish.
For my entree, I was torn. A friend told me to order the Chilean Sea Bass, but when I saw the roasted pork chop and the sirloin steak on the menu, I knew I would have a difficult time choosing a meal.
Ultimately I ordered the New York, New York Sirloin Steak. When it arrived, it was as expected. They plated the meal beautifully and topped the steak with the right amount of veal demi-glace and charred onions. The rainbow carrots provided an earthy companion to the perfectly cooked medium-rare steak. The potato and mozzarella croquettes added a creamy texture that worked well with the rest of the meal. My only criticism is that the broiled steak lacked the marbling I expected. However, the lean steak was moderately tender with a good chewiness and a robust beefy flavor.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the service. At our end of the table, our team of servers were never very far away. They were always there to answer a question, fill a water glass, or take an order for another drink.
I have golfed and attended many business functions over the years at The International so overall the experience was exactly what I expected. The facility is gorgeous. The Fireplace Dining Room is upscale while still warm and inviting. The food was outstanding. And, the service was excellent. The International is definitely worth the trip.