I was in Boston recently and found a delightful lunch spot: The Courtyard Restaurant in the beautiful old Boston Public Library. It’s an elegant setting in a room just off the imposing Italianate arched courtyard. The room is decorated in soothing tones of plum with crisp, white tablecloths. The service was attentive and friendly. When my waitress presented the specials, I stopped her at the quiche and salad and I wasn’t disappointed.
Before the quiche arrived, another server slipped a serving “book” in front of me with two delectable amuse-gueules (amooz gul), or tasty little nibbles. The spinach and chèvre quiche had the difficult-to-achieve combination of a crisp crust and a creamy, moist center. I wished I had time for dessert, too, but I had to leave for my meeting. Next time. Their hours are fairly limited, Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 2:30 for lunch and for afternoon tea on Wednesday to Friday from 2:00 to 4:00. Bon appétit.










Serving amuse-gueules on a book is clever. It’d be even more clever if it were the cookbook with the recipe!
Or if they printed the recipe on a bookmark you could take along!