Pantry

Pantry Restaurant Review:

Pantry, a hip and trendy restaurant situated inside The VERVE in Natick, boasts one of the most happening locations west of Boston. A visit in the morning hours will yield hearty breakfast fare like stacks of pancakes, steel-cut oatmeal, brioche french toast, corned beef hash and classic eggs Benedict. For lunch and dinner, chef Alastair McLean has fun with menu items like the "confused" wings, an opposite twist on the traditional take on Buffalo wings (think chicken wings tossed in blue cheese aïoli and blue cheese powder with Buffalo sauce on the side). There's no need to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy the season's best fare --- he offers a turkey popover starter made with braised turkey potpie topped with a cranberry glaze. The burger bar menu features all things juicy, like an eight-ounce Wagyu beef patty or the not-to-be-missed scallop burger finished with spicy mayo. Main dishes include fall-off-the-bone smoked St. Louis ribs, a rich pot roast, mussels with a coconut curry broth (that pairs nicely with a glass of Pinot Grigio), and wild mushroom pappardelle in a white wine cream sauce. For dessert, choose the Key lime pie.