Exciting Fall 2015 Menus Roll Out In Boston

With all that Boston has to offer in the fall, from perfect apple picking to the red, orange, and yellow leaves on the trees, it could indeed be Bean Town's best season — and we haven't even mentioned the culinary changes to menus we're seeing in the area. The following are some great spots to enjoy fall in Boston's true local flavor.

Bastille Kitchen
With fall in full swing, you'll want to surround yourself with warm colors, dishes wafting with delicious, comforting scents, and just perhaps a touch of classic French culture. If this sounds like a recipe for success, make a reservation with Bastille Kitchen in Fort Point. Executive chef Adam Kube updates his menu by featuring all things butternut squash: butternut squash bisque; butternut squash agnolotti, or "ménage à squash:" whipped goat cheese mousse layered between roasted butternut and spaghetti squash encompassed by roasted zucchini slices. For something slightly less orange, their lobster fricassee paired with the kitchen's famous Parisian gnocchi with freshly-shucked local lobster, rich chanterelle mushrooms, and house-made vanilla butter is to die for. Tis the season after all!

Beacon Hill Bistro
No neighborhood is more picturesque during the fall than Beacon Hill. Mere minutes away from the public gardens, plan to make a stop at Beacon Hill Bistro for chef Luca Sousa's fall menu changes. Enjoy new dishes like Maple Brooks Farm burrata with Lacinato kale, Granny Smith apple, spiced walnuts, pickled mustard seeds, and apple cider vinaigrette; crispy duck confit roasted grapes with Brussels sprouts, walnut butter, and rutabaga maple purée. For something more substantial, a new spiced duck breast, brined for 24 hours in a spiced honey brine, will quickly have you stating autumn is your favorite season after all. Order a la carte or enjoy a five-course tasting menu for $60 — it's a win, win, win.

Haru
Lucky for us, sushi in Boston is a year round indulgence. Haru ramps things up for the fall with a couple of beet-inspired specials. Think colors of fall with golden and red beets, wakame, and Asian-influenced seasoning. On the roll side, yellow beets top layers of nori and avocado and yellowtail all inside a sushi roll. For something with a bit more heft, but still just as delicately prepared, go for their Ra-Yu short rib topped with daikon and carrot salad — the meat is so tender it'll separate with the slightest chop stick pressure. Haru also presents two new seasonal cocktails; the black cherry Manhattan or cucumber gimlet pairs well with all of the above food menu offerings. Either way, Haru will take care of your more Asian-inspired cravings from the October 13 through January 12.

Pastoral
This Italian-leaning neighborhood restaurant in Fort Point comes to you from industry veterans George Lewis and chef Todd Winer,and they certainly know a thing or two about Boston's culinary trends. Check out their spot on Congress Street to sink your teeth into some of their fall menu updates: zucchini and eggplant with lemon, pignoli, tomato, and mint; short rib "juicy" ravioli with rock shrimp, corn silk and tendril pasta; Calabria street corn with roasted garlic, lemon-thyme, and farm cheese and tiny ricotta dumplings with local tomatoes, corn, pesto come immediately to mind. Of course, any of their pizzas are always a must have, and the simpler the better — try their classic Melanzane Neapolitan pizza with eggplant, basil-stained onion, provolone, tomato. With prices ranging from $7 (small plates) to $20 (specialty pizzas and pastas), it's a perfect spot to enjoy a meal on the fly, with a date, or to take the family.

Pier 6
Enjoy the best views in Charlestown at Pier 6 along with their just launched fall menu. Fall mixed greens with pears, pumpkin seeds, and asiago cheese; warm beet salad; or grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes and charred scallion vinaigrette take care of the starters. Then there's pumpkin risotto with butternut squash, sage, and Parmiggiano-Reggino and the pan seared scallops with turnips and butternut squash puree for your mains, and something sweet like their maple pear tart or olive oil cake with rosemary ice cream present you with a panoply of different options. Don't miss out on your chance to see the colors of the fall through the floor to ceiling windows during their dinner service from 5 to 10 p.m. every night.

Rosa Mexicano
A fall roundup wouldn't be complete without a mention of Rosa Mexicano's Dia de los Muertos celebration running from the October 30 to November 2. Available during dinner only, celebrate and honor loved ones with the following dishes: guacamole with pomegranate and toasted pumpkin seeds, enchiladas de mole blanco with beef and white corn and pine nut mole sauce. End your meal with deep fried vanilla ice cream coated in cinnamon buñuelo crust and keep your margaritas coming all night long...perhaps with a guajillo chile-salted rim for extra spice.

Taj – Boston
What better way to welcome fall in New England than with a touch of Indian heritage at the Taj – Boston. Located steps away from the changing of the leaves in the Public Gardens, the Taj celebrates fall through its dual identity. India and New England come together in the most delectable ways dishes like their pickled beets with lime yogurt, frilly mustard, and sesame granola or tuna sashimi with coconut-kaffir, lime, and pineapple. Try some of their Indian classics like stir fried marinated potatoes, coconut chutney, and mango slaw (Malabari Aloo), or naan bread with mint and butter. For your second course, pick between blue cod with butternut, tea, and mushrooms; organic chicken with Brussels sprouts and fennel-whipped potatoes; or a Snake river pork chop with gala apple butter and broccoli. Or again, go Indian-style with slow cooked chickpeas with pomegranate, dry mango, and spices (Amritsari chole aur kulche); clay oven chicken tikka (murgh tikka makhani); or lamb with lamb mince and onion tomato gravy (rara ghost). Clearly, the menu will have your head spinning, but whatever you end up choosing is sure to leave you impressed, satisfied, and fully into fall. Head in for dinner or lunch to experience the Taj!