We went during the week for lunch and while we were there right when they opened, don’t let the empty seats in the photos fool you, by noon time there wasn’t a free seat! I love the decor inside, the lighting fixtures, the tall ceilings and the wine taps.

Branch Line offers Green Circle chickens (if you haven’t heard about them, read the NYT article here). I’m pretty sure that these chickens eat better than I do – four star restaurant veggie scraps – and they roam free. If you can’t make it in, you can get take out, half birds are $19 and whole birds are $36. It seems like a high price when you hear the number, but once you taste the chicken, you’ll think it’s totally worth it.

Everything on the menu sounds delicious, so we have to contain ourselves….we order a half chicken to split and some tasty small plates just so we can try a little of everything.

We started off with the fried cheese ($6) which looks to not be on the menu anymore. Tasty bites to get our appetites in gear.

Snap peas ($11) mushrooms ($8) half chicken ($19). You MUST have the snap pea salad, not only is it pretty to look at, but there is just something really special about the flavors here, and I can’t quite put my finger on it.  It comes with a marcona almond vinaigrette, mint and ricotta cheese. YUM! The grilled mushrooms are served in CHICKEN DRIPPINGS….let the salivating begin. So super tasty. The chicken itself is served in “house sauce” and is so tender and flavorful.

Branch Line

321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA

http://www.branchlinearsenal.com/

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A couple of friends and I met up at Shake Shack in Chestnut Hill to check out their new chicken sandwich. The “chick’n shack” ($6.95) is 100% all natural cage free chicken served on a non GMO bun.  It’s crisped up and served with lettuce, pickles and a buttermilk herb mayo. Mayo isn’t my thing, so I skip that part – and you know what? The sandwich tastes delicious without it! The chicken is well seasoned with black pepper and the texture is just right, perfectly juicy on the inside and light and crisp on the outside. Pair the sandwich with fries and a lemonade (or a shake) for the perfect meal!

If you’re planning on dining in, I suggest coming here at off peak times (or during the week) to avoid waiting (hovering) for a table. We were there at 11:30 and it was starting to pick up.

Shake Shack

49 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA

www.shakeshack.com

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