The Regal Beagle

The Regal Beagle Restaurant Review:

The Regal Beagle takes the concept of a neighborhood restaurant to a new level in Brookline, an area known primarily for funky sushi joints and taquerias. It draws a cross-section of diners --- young twosomes on dates, moms with strollers, older couples grabbing a quiet bite. From the wide-ranging menu, we recommend the rich appetizer of pork belly with honeyed fig, duck confit served atop a mushroom and sage waffle, and beet gnocchi with hazelnut and horseradish. Consider, too, the bacon-spiked deviled eggs and vegetable frito misto. Specialty cocktails are all creatively named after "Three's Company" characters: For Shonny, The Girl Next Door and so on. Portions are generous. Our sole complaint is acoustics. Wooden tables are pushed quite close together, and there's not a lot of room to stretch out and relax. It wouldn't be a problem if the Beagle weren't consistently packed with diners lining up for dishes like seared duck, braised short ribs and pan-roasted chicken. But, alas, it is. And rightly so. The food is uniformly tasty and service is unfailingly friendly. Save room for the cider donuts with whiskey maple glaze.