Boston's Fort Point is a neighborhood that's rapidly filling with restaurants that draw in office workers for after-hour libations and crowds of diners from near and far seven nights a week. But family-friendly options were missing from the mix – until Pastoral came onto the scene.
The first Neapolitan pizza joint in the area, Pastoral has made waves with local diners, who return regularly for a taste of the savory items that stream from Chef/Owner Todd Winer and his kitchen.
Guests both large and small feel welcome in this chic eatery, where the pies are some of the best you'll find in the city.
Pastoral's pizza — Photo courtesy of Pastoral
Ideal for eats that even the hippest food-loving moms and dads will approve of, Pastoral's lunch crowd is a cross-section of the area's inhabitants and visitors, including Children's Museum visitors and the area office crowd.
When the museum closes for the day, parents seeking an early dinner will find themselves among the happy hour crowd, where everyone will share in the experience of Chef Winer's delights.
One bite is all you need to understand why this eatery wins rave reviews and it's quickly won frequently returning fans – whether it's the crisp crust with just the right amount of chew, topped delicately so as not to overwhelm the yeasty goodness that's the true star of the dish, or the salty sausage knots that are entangled with meat and ricotta before being cooked to pull-apart perfection.
The Clam Knot at Pastoral — Photo courtesy of Pastoral
Winer's kitchen prowess goes beyond his training in Neapolitan pizza-making to include tangy seasonal salads, specialty pasta plates, snacks and meat-forward meals. Dine family style, and taste it all.
Start with the sausage knots for the table; add an order of hummus with fried veggies to dip and a pizza to pass around (Veal meatball, funghi and razor clam are unique options.); pick a pasta like the tiny ricotta dumplings or the candy wrappers; add an order of sweet baby peppers; and then top all that off with a smallish dish like the cod collar "la pizza" or hanger steak to act as a main.
Whatever you order, you're in for a meal filled with Italian treats!
A look inside Pastoral — Photo courtesy of Pastoral
Kids can eat as you do or enjoy a pick from their personal menu. Included on the list are Italian classics like cheese and pepperoni pizza, pasta and grilled cheese. And going the extra mile to keep up with current dietary needs, Winer also offers the choice of gluten-free crust or pasta.
Aiming to create a communal dining experience, Pastoral's tables are set up to allow for mingling with groups of friends as well as friends you'll meet during the night of your visit.
The trendy, industrial decor focuses on copper accents and exposed brick to keep it warm and inviting; you'll feel at home at any of the booths, bar or high-top tables scattered about while digging into Winer's delights.
And if you're pressed for time, order online and grab a taste of Pastoral to go.
