roasted garlic spinach | Mass Food & Wine

The Cast Iron Swordfish at The International

The International in Bolton, Mass. first seems to be in the middle of nowhere; to get to this gem of a restaurant in the winter, you will need to take some fairly dark country roads. Do not be deterred, this drive is well worth it. There is a very large, but cozy, bar with a great room that serves as the dining room.

The dining room overlooks the golf course. We arrived in the evening but for a little bit I could see the gorgeous view through the enormous windows that surrounded me. I’m curious to go back and see the beautiful pine trees in the light of day.

When I asked the waitress what her favorite item on the menu was she really couldn’t tell me. She went on to say that this was the first restaurant she’s worked for where she can’t pick out a favorite because every item on the menu is so delicious.

To start, I ordered the Classic Caesar Salad with anchovies. The ample portion and the creamy dressing made this salad delicious. It was a traditional Caesar with romaine, croutons, and shaved parmesan.

For my main course, I ordered the Cast Iron Swordfish. The menu mentioned that it would come blackened, but I didn’t find this to be the case. Either way, the seasoning was fantastic. The fish melted in my mouth. The white cheddar polenta, roasted garlic spinach, roasted tomatoes, and crunchy corn niblets added great flavor and texture. I especially liked the crunch of the corn. The bottom line is that the meal was amazing and I will return to order it again.

I found the servers to be excellent as well as knowledgeable about the food. I also found the ambiance lovely. I can see myself returning to this place for a special occasion.

Cast Iron Swordfish From The Fireplace Room at The International

The International in Bolton, Mass. is a world class golf destination with its own signature restaurant tucked away in the middle of nowhere. I knew about the location, but I never knew the restaurant was open to the public. When I arrived, I walked into the rich-looking dining area called The Fireplace Room. I immediately noticed the comfy and spacious restaurant’s spectacular view of its immaculate grounds.

I began my dinner with the Classic Caesar Salad without the optional anchovies. This Caesar, my favorite type of salad, did not disappoint. The portion was large for a pre-dinner salad. Fresh romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, large shavings of Parmesan, and a delicious dressing came together to make an excellent starter.

For dinner, I chose the Cast Iron Swordfish. This blackened swordfish steak with white cheddar polenta, roasted garlic spinach, San Marzano tomato, and sun-dried corn was cooked to perfection. It pretty much melted in my mouth. The char and smokiness didn’t taste overpowering either. The crunch of the sun-dried corn provided a nice texture to the dish too. I’m not a polenta fan, but the white cheddar polenta was fantastic. The slightly cheesy flavor and creamy consistency of complemented the swordfish perfectly. The garlic spinach also provided a flavorful punch. I will certainly return to have this amazing dish again.

I found the service to be very attentive and knowledgeable, but I don’t think they were ready to handle our group of 18. We also arrived around the same time as another large party so our food took quite a while to arrive. While waiting, the waitstaff was very quick to refill water, snag drink orders, and keep us updated. Even though the service was slow, I understood why and still thought the servers were outstanding.

The Fireplace Room combines quality food, attentive service, and a beautiful location to create a wonderful overall dining experience. Despite the distance, it’s a trek I plan to take again and again.