We were a party of six on New Year's Eve at the Conomo Cafe in Essex which is next door to Tom Shea's on Route 133. I was very impressed. Despite a packed house for the biggest party night of the year, everything came out extremely well. The grilled lobster for $ 29 is actually a bargain. The grill marks are visible on the shell and it's a generous 2 pounder I would estimate. The steak was delicious. In fact, I enjoyed this large sirloin much more than a steak I had a few weeks ago at the Capitol Grille in Newton. It was topped with a heavy sauce which was a perfect accompaniment. We split up 5 appetizers for the table which included a wild mushroom medley; a salad with fresh goat cheese and grilled pears (yes, I said grilled fruit which tasted better than it sounds); oysters fried in a very delicate batter. We told the waitress to bring us what she thought were the best appies and we were not dissapointed. Actually, the appetizers were so filling we really could have forgone the entrees--but I'm glad we didn't. The wine list was decent but could use a bit of broadening. A reserve chardonnay and a few merlots were very good. I had not been to this place for several years since when they first opened they had a very obnoxious maitre d. (he looked a little bit like Wally Cleaver). Happily, he is history. Well, I've got to tell you. The creativity at Conomo Cafe is up there with some of the best places in Boston. John Gallagher
Massachusetts