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Bourbon’s Kitchen & Cocktail-Unassuming Quality

The ribeye from Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktails.

A few months back, my neighbor was telling me about a new restaurant in Framingham that I should try. “It’s called Bourbon’s, and the food is excellent,”  he said. I told him I would look into it, and truth be told, I forgot all about it. Not to be deterred, he recently asked again if I had visited Bourbon’s, and since I had not, I assured him that I would not only visit – I’d compensate for my delay by writing a profile of Bourbons for Mass Foodies.

When you first arrive, do not be turned off by the exterior of the building. Give it a chance, as I believe you will be impressed with the feel of the interior. Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktail opened in 2016 with a strong country-bourbon concept. This includes oak barrel covers used on an accent wall and a general oak theme with tables and chairs. Just to clarify, bourbon whiskey is aged in oak barrels as are most wines. The restaurant staff know the menu well; do not be afraid to ask them for a drink recommendation. They can likewise guide you through your bourbon selection based on the food you order or your personal preferences.

Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktails is like no other restaurant in Framingham, in that the menu is built around the more than forty-five different bourbon offerings. This is accomplished by offering hearty dishes that can stand up to the smooth, yet robust flavors of bourbon whiskey. I began my meal with a signature Cherry in the Rye cocktail, made with Old Overholt Rye, cherry liqueur, and vanilla bitters, served in a chilled glass. My appetizer, or “shareable,” consisted of crispy truffles with truffle aioli and parmesan cheese. Other “shareable” options included the candied bacon, pork belly tacos, and buffalo cauliflower, as well as numerous other options to suit all diners. The main course was a fourteen-ounce ribeye steak served with a basket of truffle fries and topped with parmesan cheese. The steak was well prepared, and the fries exceeded my expectations. The menu also included options such as handmade gnocch and several signature pizzas.

A visit to Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktail is a must for anyone that is looking for a dining experience away from the more well known restaurant chains in the area. I look forward to my next visit, and I hope to see you there. Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktail is located at 47 Beacon Street, Framingham, MA 01701, and is open Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-close. I will also note that the website is well designed and does an excellent job of capturing the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant.

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#SundayFunday: Mac & Walt’s – The Unexpected Burger Joint

The buttermilk chicken breast sandwich can always be upgraded at Mac & Walt’s.

Traveling for a food adventure has become the highlight of most weekends but in our #SundayFunday column, we look to expand the gastronomic pleasures of travel to feature some of Massachusetts’ most underrated food destinations.

#SundayFunday is the hashtag flooding Twitter streams and Instagram photo grids. It’s the one that sets the tone for the rest of the week and lets your followers know that you’ve enjoyed every last minute of the weekend – all the way up to Sunday night. A typical #SundayFundaymight start out with mimosas and bloody marys, but here at Mass Foodies, we want to expand that definition by highlighting some of the lesser known options where you can eat and travel in Massachusetts to close out the weekend. We’re going to give you a whole new understanding of what it means to have a #SundayFunday.

A burger and beer flight from Mac & Walt’s in Norton, Massachusetts
A burger and beer flight from Mac & Walt’s in Norton, Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts – the town of farms and Bog Iron Brewing – has a special treat in store for those looking to get into adventurous eating. If you’re a fan of Man vs. Food, then your cravings will be satisfied at Mac & Walt’s – an eatery of burger, beers and bourbon. From designing your own burger to indulging in the specialty of the day (usually so over the top, that it can only remain available for 24 hours), Mac & Walt’s packs its menu with popular dishes tailored with a twist.

An ordinary buttermilk chicken breast sandwich can always be upgraded at Mac & Walt’s with items like fried pickles, avocados, Chipotle Aioli, Bourbon maple sauce, fried onion rings, pepper jack cheese, and of course, bacon. With approximately 38 add-on options like sliced andouille sausage and Pine Valley Farm duck egg, burger and chicken sandwich perfection is possible with a little imagination.

But, before you pour a little brain power into your “create-a-burger” meal, ask about the daily specials. And if they mention the Mac & Cheese burger, order it. This special burger is a beef patty burger topped with string fried onion rings, candied bacon, ale cheese sauce and placed in between two mac and cheese buns. Yup, that’s right. This burger doesn’t call for your average bread buns, instead, this burger is epically placed between fried mac and cheese.

With over 40 bourbons to choose from and 12 craft beers on tap – including a constant rotation to incorporate newcomers – it may be hard to decide on just one beer; but, not to worry, this rustic, industrial style bar and grill gives customers exactly what they want: an epic beer flight featuring all of the beers on tap. Talk about #SundayFunday tradition!

#sundayfunday 🍔 SPECIAL … Candied bacon, onion strings and ale cheese sauce on a MAC & CHEESE bun! what!!!!

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