In the Kitchen Jen and Josh Ziskin, who own and operate La Morra in Brookline, wanted to open a second restaurant and were looking at potential locations when they learned that the Sherborn Inn was for sale. They drove out to Sherborn, saw the center-of-town location, and walked through the late 1700s structure, which was originally a house. “It was everything we wanted,’’ Jen Ziskin said. They spent several months renovating before opening Heritage of Sherborn in June 2015. The gastropub opened first, focused on fresh, locally sourced cuisine. A companion restaurant in two main dining areas is also planned and will feature a finer dining experience. Area farms are providing ingredients, including Dowse Orchards and another local farmer, who brought boxes of produce to the Ziskins during renovations to show what the farm could offer. At one point, the farmer reached among the boxes in his car and “pulled out a baby duck,’’ Jen said. (The duck eggs will be used in salads.)
The Locale The pub is separated from the main dining areas by a short hallway. It has a vaulted ceiling with wide, pine beams and a large, working fireplace. The bar runs along one side of the room while more than a dozen tables fill the interior. The atmosphere is warm, comfortable, and somewhat rustic. The inn is near the center of town in Sherborn on Route 16, also known as North Main Street. The restaurant has ample free parking in the back of the building.
On the Menu I stopped in for an early dinner on my first visit. Even at 5 p.m., the pub filled quickly, including two large tables with several children. The menu features child-sized versions of some of the more kid-accessible foods, and it’s pretty clear the restaurant has found an audience with families. The chicken wings appetizer ($12) comes with barrel-aged hot sauce, not the typical barbecue sauce. The kale and chicken nachos ($10) is a lighter, crispier version of traditional nachos. I started my meal with an arugula salad ($12), a fresh, generous pile with stems attached, topped with thick shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, along with fennel and crimini mushrooms. The grilled flat-iron entree ($24) was perfectly cooked medium and cut into medallions that were tender and juicy. The dish is served with delicious chunks of roasted potatoes, which I later learned are roasted in a chicken fat to secure the crispy outer layer. I came back for Sunday brunch a few weeks later, choosing a seat at the bar this time. The mimosa ($11) came with sections of blood oranges as garnish and looked amazing. The burger ($15) was very juicy, topped with a homemade tomato jam, a fluff of arugula, and melted Apple-Knocker cheddar from a cheese shop in Wellesley. On both my visits, the waitstaff was very welcoming, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive. The pub is open daily for lunch and dinner, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on weeknights, until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 p.m. Sundays. It serves a brunch menu on Sundays as well. It is accessible for people with mobility disabilities.
Heritage of Sherborn, 33 N. Main St., Sherborn. 508-655-9521, www.heritageofsherborn.com.
Mary MacDonald can be reached at marymacdonald3@aol.com.
