Worden Hall officially opens for lunch today at 11:30, so if an artisan 'dog, like heritage pork bratwurst with onion jam, sounds good to you, or a deep-dish margherita, or perhaps a house-smoked ham and brie spuckie, belly up to its penny-topped bar.
Zagat has the new Southie restaurant's full opening menu, which elevates the pub fare guests may expect, knowing Worden Hall is the latest venture from the restaurant group behind Five Horses Tavern in Davis Square and the South End. Owner Dylan Welsh aimed to "raise the bar" in terms of food at the new restaurant, and he brought Tim McQuinn (Craigie on Main, The Merchant) and Bill Nurse (Metropolis) on to help. But it will be approachable.
The seasonal, opening menu includes hors d'oeuvres like lamb ribs from the in-house smoker, burrata crostini with stone fruit, and fluke crudo, along with entrees such as baked heirloom tomato, seared scallops, and roasted beef teres major. It also includes more playful items, such as a selection of three chef-driven "hot dogs"; a menu of "spuckies," Worden Hall's take on the traditional Boston sub; house-made chicken nuggets with a coconut crust; and a selection of deep-dish pizzas. The kitchen is open until 11:30 p.m. nightly.
The 28-seat bar overlooks an impressive tap tower and shelves of whiskey. Zagat notes an old-fashioned library ladder is poised to help the bartenders reach all the bottles. The opening draft list — there are 40 rotating lines — includes pours from Night Shift Brewing, Backlash, Singlecut, Boulevard, and more.
Located at 22 West Broadway, directly across from the Red Line MBTA station, Worden Hall is open daily from 11:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. (2 a.m. Thursday - Saturday).