EDITORS’ CHOICE
Old School
Pellana Prime Steakhouse
Tradition, great steaks, and a phenomenal wine list make Pellana the best choice for steak year after year. Chef Memo Guzman is a master when it comes to preparing Pellana’s impeccable dishes. A classic steak house through and through, Pellana’s steaks come from Midwestern cattle. All the beef is wet-aged which provides a “clean” flavor. The cooking process is a quick broiling over high heat followed by at least 20 minutes of rest. Sides and apps such as lobster mac and cheese and clam casino hit the spot. Pellana’s philosophy is simply “At a steak house, it’s expected that two people dine for two and a half hours. You shouldn’t ever leave without feeling like you had a memorable experience.”
9 Sylvan St., Peabody, 978-531-4800, pellanarestaurant.com
New School
The Bancroft
In the sea of eateries in Burlington, a newcomer stands out among the crowd. The Bancroft, with its urban chic atmosphere, is an American steak house and craft cocktail lounge, opened just over a year ago by the Webber Restaurant Group. James Beard-nominated chef Mario Capone sears steaks to perfection while bartenders serve divine cocktails in a sophisticated and inviting setting.
The Bancroft marries farm-to-table sensibilities with cutting-edge, contemporary cuisine to create a dining experience that goes beyond the traditional white tablecloth American steak house. Sourcing much of its produce from the Webber Group’s own Gibbet Hill Farm in Groton, the ingredients are fresh and local.
In addition to the finest cuts of prime and dry-aged beef prepared to order, chef Capone creates inventive main dishes, such as charcoaled salmon with creamed potatoes, snap peas, and pressed beat vinaigrette; and Colorado lamb chops with roasted eggplant and mint raita. The chef offers a selection of sauces, butters, and salts to go with the mouthwatering beef. The house steak sauce is divine, and pairs perfectly with the rib eye.
Equally impressive is the dining room, which is intimate yet on trend. The dark natural wood furnishings, high ceilings, white marble, and industrial steel catwalk and mezzanine—housing a 300-bottle wine collection—couldn’t be more modern. From mid-century modern prints to vintage Parisian flea market finds, the design and art of The Bancroft creates a uniquely intriguing aesthetic.
15 Third Ave., Burlington, 781-221-2100, the-bancroft.com