Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star XV Beacon has no shortage of Boston attractions within walking distance — Granary Burying Ground and Boston Common can be reached in five minutes from the property’s front door — but the tastiest spot, Mooo, actually sits right on property.
Mooo is like that one friend you have who might come off a bit standoffish to strangers at first but, the moment the music cranks up and a few spirits are downed, opens up to a world of conversation. So, don’t let the lowly lit dining room intimidate you too much; when the warm host guides you to your seat, things should take a decidedly relaxed turn.
The sort of place that proves perfect for celebrating a 20th wedding anniversary or simply a beautiful Wednesday, the beloved Mooo could probably collect an admission fee at the door if its staff wasn’t so preoccupied with serving some of the juiciest steaks you’ve ever eaten.
Mooo is like that one friend you have who might come off a bit standoffish to strangers at first but, the moment the music cranks up and a few spirits are downed, opens up to a world of conversation. So, don’t let the lowly lit dining room intimidate you too much; when the warm host guides you to your seat, things should take a decidedly relaxed turn.
The sort of place that proves perfect for celebrating a 20th wedding anniversary or simply a beautiful Wednesday, the beloved Mooo could probably collect an admission fee at the door if its staff wasn’t so preoccupied with serving some of the juiciest steaks you’ve ever eaten.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- As the steakhouse’s name none-too-modestly hints, Mooo prides itself on serving meals that center around the choicest cuts of beef — and we’re talking at breakfast, lunch, dinner or even during brunch.
- Thanks to strong relationships with some of the finest purveyors in the land, such as Oregon’s Painted Hills and Kansas’ Creekstone Farms, Mooo chef and owner Jamie Mammano’s team is able to live up to any heightened expectations.
- The Boston restaurant prides itself on offering a wine list of more than 325 labels, ranging from local treats (Rhode Island’s White Lotus Gewürztraminer) that could accompany your Cornish game hen to exquisite imports (Tuscany’s Sassicaia) to perfectly pair with your rib eye.
- Customer service knows no limits at Mooo. The very second you sit down, a member of the waitstaff will greet you and fill your water glass or take your bottled water order.
- The bar area at Mooo is one of the highlights of the restaurant. Anchoring the front of the space, the bar fills up almost every night of the week with people dining barside and quaffing cocktails before they're seated in the main dining room.
Things to Know
- Lunch is offered Monday through Friday, and even though Mooo’s main dining room is not open for lunch on the weekends, you can still enjoy bites at the bar.
- The going dress code at Mooo is business casual (with a few flashes of glamour thrown in here and there), but you’ll also see lots of suits and business attire on the diners here. But don’t worry — jeans are perfectly acceptable with a nice top and blazer.
- Reservations are easy to come by at Mooo; simply book online or call the hotel directly. Guests of XV Beacon hotel (where the restaurant is housed) can also ask the concierge to secure reservations.
The Food
- Choice steak selections include a tender 12-ounce filet mignon and 24-ounce, bone-in Delmonico that almost laughs at the thought of needing a knife.
- Side items, which range from perfectly whipped potatoes to creamed spinach and roasted cauliflower so good a toddler would ask for seconds, are exquisite.
- And if you’re a fan of clams or Maine lobster, you will be thankful for the kitchen’s ingenuity and the restaurant’s proximity to the water. The super-fresh grilled branzino is also delightful.
- When soft-shell crabs are in-season (during the early summer months), executive chef Mauricio Luna does miraculous things with the small crustaceans. If soft-shell crab is the special of the night, we recommend you put down the menu and simply order it.
The Bar
- Mooo’s bar is one of Boston’s hot spots and is especially popular with the neighborhood’s business execs and legislators looking for a way to unwind after a long day.
- The bar is a good size, offering 16 comfy bar stools. For more privacy — plus a great view of the action happening on Beacon Street — grab one of the booths that line the area’s front wall.
- The bar menu is available from lunchtime to close and offers a wide range of choices including a grilled chicken club, a lobster roll, a New York sirloin (with a side of Mooo's delicious truffle fries) and oyster stew.
- Few things go better with a dry-rubbed sirloin than a dry gin martini; but if you want something with a little more pizzazz, the cocktail menu at Mooo is more than up to the challenge.
- Try The Pink Panther, a combination of Belvedere Pink, St. Germain, grapefruit and lime The Spice and Ice is made with Don Julio Banco, mango puree, ginger and jalapeño syrup, and fresh lime.
Amenities
Bar
Breakfast
Brunch
Business casual
Dinner
Kid friendly
Lunch
Private dining
Self-parking
Takeout
Valet parking
Getting There
Stories
