If you haven't been to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston recently, you may not even realize there are three restaurants to choose from after visiting an exhibit.  The Galleria Cafe located on the first floor is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite or for an even more relaxed atmosphere, be sure to check out the Courtyard Cafe.
 
We visited Bravo, the newest restaurant at the MFA after viewing Ralph Lauren's car collection one evening.  The dining room, which was recently remodeled by renowned restaurant designer Peter Niemitz, features rotating museum pieces, including newly acquired work by Claudio Bravo. 
 
The eclectic menu blends the flavors of local cuisines through seasonally inspired New England ingredients.  "We want every aspect of the Museum experience to be of the highest quality," said Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund, Director of the MFA.  "Bravo presents sumptuous food and exquisite desserts in a sophisticated, artful and art-filled space."
 
We started our evening with a bottle of Testarossa Palazzio Pinot Noir 2002, which was a delightful complement to our Amish cheddar cheese selection, which was served with oatmeal biscuits, apricot chutney, dates and toasted pecans.  The seared tuna appetizer was delicious, topped with Moroccan spices, chickpeas, fingerling potatoes and cilantro. 

We also shared the lobster stew, a smooth and lightly creamy combination of spplewood bacon, lobster meat and a large country cracker.
 
The entrees here should not be missed.  Since they were out of the wild salmon entree, our server promptly suggested the seared diver scallops, which could be prepared with the same accompaniments as the salmon.  I took her suggestion and it was declared the winner of the evening, served along with fingerling potatoes, asparagus salad with pistachio basil butter and orange dressing. 
 
My husband sampled the roasted Kurabuta pork chop served with snap peas and cherry tomato salsa.  He enjoyed his dinner tremendously and was happy to sample the last remaining scallops on my plate.
 
Bravo is a truly unique experience that should not be missed.  For reservations or more information, call 617-369-3474 or visit the Museum online at www.mfa.org

Bravo
at the Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA

Phone: 617-369-3474.

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Kellie K. Speed is a freelance travel writer and restaurant reviewer. Her features have been published in various publications including The Boston Globe, Cahners’ Industrial Distribution and Graphic Arts Monthly magazines and Reno Air Approach.

Kellie has reviewed numerous first-class hotels and travel destinations, including Hawaii, California, Arizona, Bermuda and Mexico, to name a few. She has also traveled internationally to Ireland, England, France, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Next year, she is planning a trip to Tahiti.

Since she is from Massachusetts, she will be providing reviews of local restaurants for Travel-Watch.

If you would like to email Kellie any suggestions or comments, please do so at kkspeed@aol.com.