James Beard-nominated Mario Capone helms the kitchen at ?the new steak house and cocktail lounge.
In the ever-burgeoning sea of eateries on the North Shore, a newcomer stands out among the crowd. The Bancroft, a modern American steak house and craft cocktail lounge located in Burlington, was recently opened 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.
For starters, dive into a whole roasted artichoke with charred squid, ricotta and mushroom ravioli, or steak tartare with pickled shallots. The raw bar is equally impressive with succulent local oysters, lobster and shrimp cocktail, and Wellfleet clams. 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; Colorado lamb chops with roasted eggplant and mint raita; and charcoaled salmon with creamed potatoes, snap peas, and beet vinaigrette. 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.
The Bancroft also takes a precision approach to mixing its cocktails. Beverage director Dave Werthman’s extensive list of nostalgic elixirs, such as Old Pal, or newfangled libations, (the Queen Crimson mixes house rhubarb soda, Tito’s vodka, zucca, lime, grenadine, and orange flower water), along with fizzes, flips, and smashes are tantalizing. The bar scene is lively and comfortable and a great place to drop in after work or on date night.
Equally impressive is the dining room, which is intimate yet on trend. The dark natural wood furnishings, high ceiling, and white marble reflect the atmosphere of a traditional steak house, but an 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