MET Back Bay, Boston, MA USA

Ordered at The MET Back Bay just off of Newbury Street in Boston.

Lunch with Bryan – that sounded like a great idea. I was trying to think of a creative spot, but when Bryan asked if I wanted to try the MET Back Bay, I immediately said yes, thinking: “I enjoy the MET in Chestnut Hill; I have yet to try the newer MET Back Bay, let’s do it.”

MET Back Bay is perfectly located right off of Copley Square and more importantly, just a few blocks from my office on Newbury Street. I thought it would be quiet during lunch (their Chestnut Hill “The Metropolitan Club” location is much more of a 5pm onwards destination with a busy after-work bar scene) but I was wrong: there was a line of people waiting as I walked in. Luck was on my side today, and I knew the manager of the restaurant (coincidentally) and he sat us right away. Too easy. I laughed to myself… a little bit of luck, a little bit of good fortune based on my social skills.

… but luck didn’t stop there: the MET Back Bay had a self-titled club sandwich on the menu… and it looked delicious. Good fortune or luck actually? Bah, who cares: like any club sandwich connoisseur would do, I ordered it with a large smile plastered on my face.

Bryan introduced me to the Jawbone UP wristband while we waited, and we discussed the future of what this product might be, while he easily convinced me I needed one. Yes, that will be the afternoon’s activity: convincing Rachel this is a perfect Hanukkah gift for me. But then the MET Club Sandwich arrived, and the UP was put aside.

A solid lunchtime meal was placed before me at the MET Back Bay: there was no doubt in my mind that this club sandwich would fill me up provided it tasted great. And it did.

Overflowing with arugula and bacon, I wasn’t sure which taste would excite my senses the most. The brie? The avocado? The smeet mayo? Even the scali bread? Honestly, it was hard to tell: the flavors worked together magically and the MET Club Sandwich became just that, a sandwich with ingredients that danced well together creating a delicious meal.

The ingredients all tasted fresh, the brie added a nice muted cheese flavor, the sweet mayo was barely noticeable but added a nice creamy moisture to it and blended well with the avocado (although there wasn’t much avocado – but there didn’t need to be). The chicken breast wasn’t anything special, but it was delicious chicken… the poultry could have been a bit juicer.  But the bacon was spot on: crispy and smoky. The arugula, for lack of better words, was just a fantastic touch and I loved this leafy addition. The scali bread held up nicely and added some great extra flavor to each bite.

The potato chips that came along with the sandwich were simple chips; they didn’t add anything to this meal and were a bit of an unhealthy addition, although I did end up eating a few. Fortunately the MET Club Sandwich was a solid meal in itself, so I didn’t have to worry about filling up on a side.

I was happy and satisfied: the MET Back Bay’s Club Sandwich is a great meal and something I’d order again. While I may try the turkey burger next time (which Bryan had), I will not soon forget this club. Yum.

Location