Nestled away in the heart of Allston, Fields West is a hidden gem that has undergone a stunning transformation to offer a vibrant new concept in dining and drinking. “We love Allston. The city itself has been an inspiration for our overall concept and menu,” Dennis Dobbins, General Manager, told us. “Our namesake, Fields West, pays homage to Cambridge artist Washington Allston whom the city of Allston is named after. Our walls are currently a rotating art gallery for local artists, and we aspire to expand our brand into all types of artistic and creative facets.”

Discover Allston’s Hidden Gem: Fields West Outside Boston

With an emphasis on social dining, the menu is designed for sharing, ranging from globally inspired small plates to heartier mains that cater to all taste buds and dietary needs. “We are trying to prioritize items that seem to be missing from the local restaurant scene,” Dobbins explained. “Our menu of globally inspired small plates is meant for sharing in addition to our heartier mains. We wanted to make sure we also had something for everyone and appealed to all palettes and dietary limitations. Meat lovers, vegetarians, gluten adverse, and even vegans can get along at Fields West.”

The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere with brick walls, a timbered ceiling, Brazilian cherry floors, and elegant crown molding. “Its namesake, Fields West, borrows a page from local history paying homage to Cambridge artist Washington Allston whom the Allston community is named after,” Dobbins said of Fields West’s design. “Despite suffering a fire in 2012, this hidden gem was first constructed in 1922 and maintained its structural and architectural elegance with the façade featuring arched brickwork infilled with expansive storefront windows that provide natural lighting within. Inside, much of its original integrity remains intact from reclaimed brick walls, an original timbered ceiling, Brazilian cherry floors and robust crown molding. The space gives off an inviting and genuine warmth with its bar and low-top seating.”

Let’s not forget about the drinks—with 29 draught lines and locally sourced offerings, there’s something for every palate. “Our Beverage Menu is a testament to the quality and variety produced by our local New England partners, including a strong representation from the Greater Boston breweries,” Dobbins told us. “22 out of our 33 draft lines are already dedicated to local vendors. We want to have our menu be somewhat of a tribute to our community and promote products that are right in our backyard. Our menu consists of familiar beers that patrons will recognize and lesser-known fun stuff for people to try. Whether you are a seasoned beer enthusiast or a casual sipper, our beverage program offers something for everyone, including our made-from-scratch mocktails.”

But the fun doesn’t stop there—Fields West also doubles as an art gallery, showcasing rotating exhibits from local artists that are available for purchase with proceeds going to charity. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or a romantic evening, Fields West is the perfect destination for all your dining, drinking, and artistic needs. “Because Allston has such a vibrant artist community, there’s never enough space to showcase them!” Nick Grieco, AGM & Art Director, told us. “Since we are aiming to be a more community-oriented location with regular events, multiple forms of entertainment, and a lot of utilizable wall space, it gives us a great opportunity to give local artists a ton of consistent exposure. As we are curating regular exhibits without taking any cut from the art sales, we’re doing everything we can to put more money directly into the artists’ pockets. In addition, we have a dedicated rotating exhibit by Edward Boches, the proceeds of which will go entirely to selected local arts charities. All the art will be rotated on a quarterly basis so that we are constantly diversifying the type of artwork we’re showing and coordinating events for every exhibit.”

“Now that our first collection of artwork is entirely installed and we are open, we will be announcing a gallery opening event very soon to feature the first round of artists. We have also discussed Beer/Wine-focused events due to our extensive selections for both,” Grieco continued. “Our space lends itself to a wide variety of event types, so we are weighing all our options and fully intend to try many new things in the near future. Currently, we are looking forward to working with other local businesses to host collaborative “Sip+Shop” nights, local Beer and Wine pairing dinners, and vendor markets with potential local sponsors.”

Fields West plans to be part of the restaurant and art scene for quite some time. “Down the line, we are aspiring to be a staple for much more than just the dining scene. We are starting simple, knowing that we have a beautiful bar and good products with so much room to grow and expand our potential,” Grieco told us. “Our team is very tapped into multiple entertainment industries, so we will always be looking for ways to be a hub for the local creative workforce. We aim to have a live entertainment license and to expand our programming to eventually host daily events of all kinds.”