Whether you’re planning the office outing or midday holiday gathering, or just need a break from all that shopping, two Back Bay favorites, Excelsior and Grill 23 & Bar, add special, seasonal lunch menus to their offerings this time of year. On weekdays from Monday, December 11th through Friday, December 22nd both restaurants will be serving menus chock full of the fare that’s made them such popular dinner destinations. Over at Excelsior, chef Eric Brennan has a $48 three-course prix fixe menu all mapped out with courses like lobster and sweet potato bisque; and Cedar River beef sirloin paillard with grilled red onion-watercress salad and crumbled bleu cheese. Chef Jay Murray lures lunchers to Grill 23 & Bar with an a la carte menu that includes options like Nantucket-style clam chowder with linguica and Portuguese bread croutons; and Grill 23 signature meatloaf with Lazy Susan mashed and onion crisps. Pastry chef Molly Hanson, who oversees pastry operations at both restaurants, adds finishing touches that are well worth saving room for. Call Excelsior at 617.426.7878 or Grill 23 at 617.542.2255 to book you table.
