The Café, Taj Hotel, Boston, MA USA

Ordered at The Cafe Restaurant at The Taj Hotel Boston where the old Ritz Carlton used to be.

Finishing up the work week enjoying lunch with my grandmother – the plan sounded perfect for a Friday afternoon. Yaya, as we call her, was visiting for the month from Palm Beach and staying at the Taj Hotel in Boston on Arlington Street. Due to my traveling, I hadn’t seen her for over a year, so it would be great to share some laughs and catch up over lunch.

There was no decision making process when it came to where we were eating: “To the downstairs restaurant,” Yaya proclaimed as I entered her hotel room. This was Yaya’s normal lunch spot and everyone there already knew who she was – this was apparent as we walked in and the host immediately came over.

We sat at a table for two by the window – a perfect people watching view right at the beginning of Newbury Street, bathed in sunlight and well positioned so I could enjoy the sights while still focusing on my grandmother… a great combo.

“Will you be having the usual, Mrs. Stern?” the host asked as he began to pass us menus.

“We don’t need menus,” Yaya replied, pushing them away.

Prior to this, Yaya had mentioned the Club Sandwich was “decent” here and that she had eaten it last week, which translated to “one of the more acceptable lunch menu items, you should definitely order this.” And so I told her I would.

“I would like my usual chicken salad and my boyfriend, Evan, will have the club sandwich.” Ah yes, the joys of being Yaya’s lunch date… always flattering.

Without looking at the menu or knowing what was inside, I had committed myself to the Taj Hotel Club Sandwich, and I was alright with that. This club had to be good – I was confident – and not just because of my grandmother’s review, but also because of their brand image and my previous experience dining with them. Before The Taj Hotel Boston closed their concierge floor, I had been there several times. It was always empty and absolutely overflowing with food. I had eaten many of their mini sandwiches before; I was ready for the full version.

Because I didn’t get a chance to look at the menu, I had no idea what would be on this club sandwich. But as it was placed before me, I could easily see what this club was made of.

Roast turkey, sliced to perfection, nestled between the two bottom slices of bread and holding onto the bacon tightly, made up the majority of this club sandwich. The other half held the crisp lettuce, ripe thin and almost unnoticeable tomato, and the tiniest amount of avocado you could imagine – this was definitely a meat vs produce club sandwich, with the meat winning in power and the produce adding the moisture to each bite. The swiss cheese was hardly present, and I honestly didn’t even notice it until there were only scraps of bread left. As for presentation, I like the thought that was put into this classy appearance, but it didn’t compete with similar classy hotel preparations I had seen in Boston… plus I think they went a little too big on the toothpicks! Fries were yummy but standard, nothing special there. I did very much enjoy my Arnold Palmers though – and the chicken salad across from me was delish.

I actually went back to The Taj Hotel Boston for lunch a week later, but skipped the club sandwich and went for the burger. Club sandwich was better than the burger, definitely. Next time I will try the lobster roll – and after that, I’ll have a pretty solid understanding of how this club sandwich compares to The Taj Boston’s other lunchtime selections.

Location