Let me start by saying that The Westland management team (general manager, bar manager, and executive chef) are all women, and we are all about women supporting women! Located on Westland Ave. right near Boston’s Symphony Hall, The Westland is a classic American Tavern serving food, cocktails, and a delightful brunch.

Walking into The Westland, you will find the bar to your left and the dining area up a couple of stairs taking up the remainder of space. It was earlier in the day, so there were still tables left in the front of the restaurant where the sun was shining through a series of tall windows. Needless to say, I brunch a lot – and sometimes I find myself getting a bit bored of traditional brunch options. I was craving something different the morning I visited The Westland and was so happy to mix it up.

I started the experience with a yogurt parfait and a coffee. The parfait was topped with fresh fruit, cocoa nibs, and pieces of bread pudding. Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts and I am a topping lover, so I thought the crumbles of bread pudding on top were absolutely heavenly. The vanilla bean yogurt was sweet and the serving of berries was generous. I also ordered a Belgian waffle to share with my boyfriend, Richie. The waffle was dense and browned and again, the serving of berries was plentiful!

I was a little indecisive while looking at the list of cocktails but ultimately decided on a “Boston proper” and Richie chose the “goodmorning, sunshine.” The Boston proper had a base of sparkling rosé with house-made white peach cordial and Aperol. It was slightly bubbly and the Aperol reminded me of a summer spritzer. The goodmorning sunshine was refreshing and had a great mix of sweet and citrus flavors. I surprisingly could not taste the Maker’s Mark bourbon or the Allagash White beer because the drink was so smooth. I have never had a cocktail topped off with beer but it really lightened how bold the bourbon flavor was.  I will be ordering the next time I visit The Westland.

Not only did I have trouble choosing a drink, but the brunch offerings had me wishing I could choose quarter portions of four of them. I had my eyes on the salmon and avocado toast, the crab cakes Benedict, the quinoa bowl, and the prosciutto and melon pizza. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and am a fan of a beautiful artisan pizza, so I skipped the “normal” brunch options and went with something I have not seen anywhere else.

The pizza dough was flat, slightly crispy, and piled high with pistachio, mascarpone, arugula, cantaloupe, and fig preserve. I loved the mix of savory and sweet flavors. The mild slices of melon and sweet pieces of fig paired together to provide an abundance of flavor and the mascarpone was easily spread across the entire dish.

The brunch burger that Richie ordered combined a 6 oz Black Angus patty with bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onions, sunny side egg, and secret sauce. The crispy onions and multiple pieces of bacon were a flavorful addition to the juicy burger. It was plated with some home fries and was filling enough to hold Richie over until dinner. So if you are looking for something to enjoy before a day of exploring, this burger would be a fabulous choice.

While we enjoyed our entrées, I sipped on a mimosa and “the huntress” that Richie ordered. I loved that the mimosa had a full strawberry frozen inside a piece of ice, I am always amused by a small decorative touch! The huntress was a wonderful combination of citrus vodka, elderflower liqueur, house-made blackberry cordial, pressed lemon, and Prosecco. I loved the taste of elderflower and blackberry together. The Prosecco kept this drink light and refreshing, there is no question why this is one of The Westland’s most popular cocktails. I want to thank Angela and The Westland team for hosting us for a wonderful meal with excellent service.

The bitches say: five champagne flutes!

The Westland’s craft cocktails, yogurt parfait, and artisan pizza will elevate your expectations for brunch and have you returning for more.

The Westland is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.