Maybe you’re noticing a theme here? Yup, that’s right… Poutine twice in one week. You might be thinking it’s a little indulgent, and I’m going to be completely cliché here but YOLO! What’s the point of the hours spent in the gym or out on the roads if you can’t have a dip into the indulgence pond? Last night I absolutely jumped right into the indulgence pond, and the water was nice. I have spent a few nights in my Boston lifetime at numerous spots in the South End, Myers and Chang (expect a post soon!), Boston Chops, Franklin Cafe, Cinquecento, and have a number of spots yet to try. But there has been one that I’ve only had incredibly craft cocktails at but have never savored the food, and that my dear readers is The Gallows. I have always heard great things and that the food is carefully created, but had yet to experience it myself so when it was suggested last night I gladly gave up my thoughts of pizza.
The Gallows, on Washington St. in the South End, provided an amazing place for a quiet Tuesday night both with fantastically prepared food but also a warm and inviting interior. You walk in and just immediately feel at home. As per usual, we decided that we should probably share a few things because again, that’s how you get to sample as much as possible and eat a lot without actually looking like you are. I indulged in a Dogfish Head 60 minute, and then the food fest began.
We started with the Housemade Pickles, the Scotch Egg, and the simple poutine as well as their burger. The pickles came first and were the right start to the dinner, they had just the right amount of acid, and a touch of sweetness, with a strong variety of vegetables that you wouldn’t typically picture as pickles. I was a fan. We also had the Scotch Egg, I don’t even know where to start here. I have been wanting to try a Scotch Egg for quite a while and if I had to pick one to be my first? The Gallows wins. A soft boiled egg enveloped in crispy pork sausage? Where do I sign up? The pork almost had a hint of fried chicken in the flavor with absolutely exceptional seasoning. Not too salty, not over-peppered, just clean and simple. I could have eaten two more. Don’t judge me!
The poutine came next, the cheese curds were farm more the standard than the previous poutine which provided a change, and there could have been a touch more salt on the fries. But the gravy really completely the dish for me with just the right amount of flavor and silky texture. Following was the burger… Now, I love burgers and they’re another food group that I can’t live without as long as they’re done well. And by well I don’t mean the temperature, I prefer mine mid-rare. The Gallows does their far more well done that I would typically order, and they don’t give you a choice. Ordinarily this would be a deal breaker for me, but then I tried it. The house made ketchup was a burst of tomato and smoke, coupled with the homemade pickles, grilled onions, American cheese, and my favorite lettuce for a burger. Iceberg. What on this is not to love? You put grilled onions on anything and it tastes better (I remember being threatened as a child of liver and lima beans should I misbehave, but I always would inquire whether or not there was the option of grilled onions). You put all of this on a buttered, toasted bun and it was was burger ecstasy…
So I know in my first post I encouraged you all to let out your inner fat kid. Well last night I did just that, we didn’t stop there. When dessert was suggested in the privacy of our company I just could not contain my excitement, my eyes lit up like the fireworks at my parents’ 4th of July party and I think I might have squealed a little. So with little coaxing from our server (who was incredibly attentive without going overboard), we opted for the one dessert which he described as a toasted marshmallow with chocolate ganache, peanut butter and bananas. Right, as if you would have said no to that?! When it came out to the table I worried it wasn’t big enough for the two of us, but we pretty much dominated that. It was definitely rich, but the flavor of toasted marshmallow is something I can eat heaping spoonfuls of all night. The ganache touched the right amount of sweet and bitterness with chocolate, the peanut butter gave it a creamy and smooth addition, and the bananas really finished off the sweet treat with a hit of texture and happiness. When all was said and done, I tapped out and threw in the spoon.
All in all, it was exactly what I was hoping for an expecting and I left feeling elated and completely sated. I would highly recommend making an appearance but you MUST order the Scotch Egg. And if you were wondering why there was a random crane on Washington last night? That was me being hoisted out.
Bon Appetit!