Dining Out: City Landing

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When I got the news that one of my favorite downtown restaurants, Sel de la Terre, was closing, I was devastated. I'd had so many great meals there, celebrated meaningful occasions and appreciated that it was a two minute walk from my office. When I read that the space was being taken over by a new restaurant, I was hesitant. After many positive reviews from friends I decided it was time to make peace with the closing of Sel de la Terre and make room for a new possibility. That new possibility is named City Landing.

The night I headed to City Landing I walked from my office across the Greenway. The beautiful water feature at State Street was dancing in the sunset and it was so beautiful I had to take a picture.

As you walk by the fountain you can see City Landing and its black awning peaking over the rock wall.

The sign for CIty Landing lights the sidewalk on Atlantic Ave and from the street you can see the cozy dining room inside.

On the Aquarium side City Landing has a small outdoor patio that is perfect for after work drinks and people watching.

City Landing's dining room has the same warmth I came to expect from Sel del la Terre. The most noticeable change is the celedon banquettes.

When the hostess seated us she handed each of us a menu. The cocktail menu had libations named after the neighborhood attractions: the Long Wharf Fizz, the Docksider and the Greenway.

Each table had a flickering candle and a single white flower blooming out of a tea pot shaped vase.

We each ordered a glass of wine and our waitress offered us either a six ounce or a nine ounce portion. Apparently six ounces in the standard pour, but City Landing offers their own version of "super sizing."

Our wines were delivered in glass beakers which reminded me of high school chemistry class. Throughout the meal our waitress kept returning and topping off our glasses.

We all arrived starving that night and ordered a round of appetizers. The first plate to arrive was the trio of spreads - white bean and roasted garlic, truffle herb goat cheese and artichoke tapenade. The spreads were served with warm pita bread and crispy pita chips. This is a great dish for sharing.

The ladies also ordered the mini lobster roll appetizer. Traditionally it comes with two rolls, but the girls requested three and our waitress said, "No problem. Three it is!"

The girls shared with me that the lobster rolls were perfect. Fresh lobster meat, lightly toasted buns and a sea of butter on the plate.

For dinner one of my friends ordered the baby lola salad which came topped with candied pecans, blue cheese and raspberry vinaigrette. She said she was underwhelmed.

Next to me a friend ordered the Caesar salad and opted to add salmon. The cut of fish was enormous and covered nearly the entire bowl. She said, "It was way too much fish. I just felt like I couldn't get past that part of the dish."

Two of us decided to order the same dishes, starting with the yellow tomato bisque. The presentation was gorgeous! It was almost too stunning to eat!

The bisque was delicious and had a similar consistency to butternut squash soup. A great choice on a cool fall evening.

We also ordered the toy box tomato salad. They had me at tempura asparagus. The salad came in a delicate arrangement that was so pretty everyone at the table stopped to photograph it.

As if we hadn't ordered enough food, we decided to order a side of mac and cheese. This mac and cheese was like an upscale version of the Velveeta. It was so rich, decadent, creamy and comforting.

The food at City Landing is thoughtful, artfully presented and delicious. Though the girls who ordered salads were disappointed, two of us were thrilled and left totally stuffed.

Though the food and decor were great, the servers at City Landing are over eager to the point of disruptive. Our waitress returned to our table so often that on most occasions I'd only take one or two bites since her last pop by. We also had two different managers come by to ask about our evening. They came off as disingenuous and cheesy. Next to us, a man was trying to dine alone in peace and our waitress continued to badger him with questions. She even went so far as to say, "Sir, I see you're dining alone, would you like some reading material?" How insulting!

If you find yourself in the Financial District or near the Aquarium definitely consider City Landing for lunch, dinner or drinks. Just be prepared to fend off your server.