Lenox Hotel revamps its three Back Bay restaurants
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The Lenox Hotel is launching a major culinary overhaul Friday with three new restaurants to replace a trio of old favorites.
Why it matters: It's a complete revamp for the popular spots at the historic hotel in the heart of the Back Bay, set near the Boston Public Library and Marathon finish line.
- S贸l谩s Irish Pub and the lobby-side City Bar are no more, with sibling City Table due to close next year.
Who's cooking: Veteran chef Daniel Kenney, who's done stints at the Liberty Hotel and Boston Harbor Hotel is launching the three new eateries inside the Lenox: a new Irish pub called Sweeney's on Boylston, a shareable plates and pizza spot called The Irving and a yet-unnamed restaurant set to open in the old City Bar space next year.
Meet Sweeney's: The new pub has replaced S贸l谩s' old-school Irish bar food menu with elevated takes on classics inspired by Kenney's own travels around Ireland.
- Expect familiar favorites like Guinness beef stew, corned beef and cabbage and a "ploughman's" lunch platter with upgraded flair.
- On the weekends, dig into a full Irish breakfast, tomato and all.
- It'll still be the most casual, sports-friendly spot in the hotel.
City Bar becomes The Irving.
- It features an extensive whiskey and wine selection with new signature shareables like a Fresno chili-seared tuna and cold water mussels.
City Table is staying open through the end of the year, with renovations coming in early 2025.
- The new concept will bring an "innovative culinary approach and refreshed interior" to the space, according to a statement from Saunders Hotel Group, which owns the Lenox.
Flashback: The Lenox has been around a lot longer than any of its current restaurant concepts.
- First opened in 1900, it was once the tallest building in Boston at 11 stories.
- Rich guests could pull their private rail cars right up to the hotel until the 1960s.
- Judy Garland, the namesake of one of the hotel's suites, was a resident for three months in 1965, according to the hotel's website.
馃憢 Deehan's thought bubble: I've spent a lot of time upstairs at S贸l谩s, especially given its proximity to the BPL, and I'll be happy to check out Sweeney's.
- But if the Guinness is over $10 a pint, I'm walking over to Bukowski's.