Biltmore Bar and Grille

Here’s something you don’t know about me: when I was a kid, my favorite food was fried chicken.

I started as early as 2 years old (I know because my mom tells stories of me eating fried chicken from my high chair). I loved fried chicken. I loved my nanny’s friend chicken. I loved my grandmother’s fried chicken. I even loved Kentucky Fried Chicken. Then as I grew older and I discovered other wonderful things to eat, my love for fried chicken diminished.

I also consciously lessened my consumption of fried chicken. You’d think it’s because I’m concerned about my health and yes, I am, but the bigger reason is I have this fear that if I eat too much fried chicken, that I might develop an allergic reaction to it (don’t laugh; it happened to my mom). So anyway, my point is that now, I very rarely eat fried chicken. I don’t even remember ever making it myself. But there are days when I crave it, and the craving is strong and deep and coming from my gut. It’s a craving I do not want to ignore. Last weekend, that craving was satisfied by the Biltmore Bar and Grille.

The Biltimore in Newton Upper Falls started out as a speakeasy. Don’t know what a speakeasy is? A speakeasy is an establishment that sold alcohol during the Prohibition era, when it was illegal to sell, make, and transport alcoholic beverages. The Biltmore opened in 1921, which means it has been around for a looonnnnggg time. And while alcohol is now legal (whew!), the Biltmore continues to serve beers and craft cocktails in its dark and cozy tavern.  Today the Biltmore Bar and Grille is a well-loved restaurant in a Newton suburb, offering local charcuterie, cheeses, organic poultry and grass-fed meats. It also boasts an impressive beer selection and vintage-inspired libations. And of course, it serves fried chicken.

aahhh, my childhood love

One of the Biltmore’s specialties is actually chicken and waffles but I don’t like waffles with savory things so the appetizer portion without the waffle, called Bubba’s Fried Chicken, was perfect. It was simple: brined, fried, served with hot sauce. The chicken was juicy and the skin – oh, the skin! – was crispy, salty, with each bite giving a wonderful crunch. It was the fried chicken I’ve always loved.

I’ve been to the Biltmore a couple of times and while I really enjoyed my meals, I haven’t been back since last year because it just seems so far from where I live. It’s also not very accessible by public transportation. However last weekend, I made the trek with some of my friends for Erica’s birthday celebration. Erica is a foodie like me and I am so glad she chose the Biltmore because aside from placating my craving for fried chicken, the rest of our dinner was simply astounding.

I started with a white sangria - very refreshing and summery

our table also got some hog wings - grilled pork shanks with BBQ sauce

my friends ordered the beer flight, too

this is the beer can game hen (so cute)

this is what I remember liking the most from my last meal at the Biltmore: the brussells sprouts and chorizo salad

this is one of the night's special: a softshell crab sandwich on rye bread rounds

this is the frozen strawberry souffle - strawberries, orange zest, amaretto, and fresh cream, topped with almonds (so good)

and this is the birthday girl

I may or may not have had the same reaction as Erica when the fried chicken arrived…

I was really happy with our dinner at the Biltimore. I like the Prohibition-era decor, I like the cocktails, I like the food. I especially like how it satiated my craving for my childhood favorite :)

And here are two more things you don’t know about me:

when I was little, I really liked cake

I also really liked sandwiches

Oh wait, you already knew that.

Do you like fried chicken? What childhood favorites do you still love today?

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