Ironwood (Hingham) is Literally Buzzing
With a fresh new look and a gorgeous farm-to-table menu, Ironwood (Hingham, MA) is literally buzzing.
Located inside the South Shore Country Club, this hidden gem is a reinvention of the original restaurant space – but, with an innovative, fresh new twist. The ownership trifecta featuring Executive Chef, Tina Conte, General Manager, Danielle Barnes, and Director of Events & Marketing, Jessica McInnis, has transformed the dining room into a much brighter, lighter space and the menu into a daily celebration of the very best local ingredients and true culinary talent.
Tina owns an organic farm (Garden to Garnish in Hanson, MA), is a bee keeper, and has family ties to several top notch local purveyors (including Rocky Neck Fish Company). Everything that comes out of the kitchen is scratchmade and the lunch and dinner menus have been thoughtfully curated to appeal to diners of all ages, craving anything from a fresh salad to gorgeous steak dinner.
I tried several things on the menu and these are my personal recommendations to satisfy culinary curiosity, comfort-food cravings, and options that are just so delicious, colorful and fun that you need them on your table.
Tina’s Sausage & Rigatoni (pictured above) with homemade ricotta is one of Chef Tina’s specialities (so, you have to try it). The half portion is a very satisfying meal but, I would get a full portion for the table so everyone can dig in and try it. It’s rich with a ton of flavor and the ricotta adds the creaminess to balance out the acidity and sweetness from the homemade ragu. SO good.
The French Onion Soup at Ironwood is something you will probably, literally, dream about (and crave it often!). This might be my favorite thing on the lunch menu (it’s on the dinner menu too so, you could have it twice every day…). It takes Chef Tina 3 days days to make a batch and I hear it is already become one of the most requested menu items.
The Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl is another front-runner and a “must try” on the Ironwood menu. Chef Tina’s “stunt double” in the kitchen (official title), Chef Alison Hearn, is clearly adding her culinary mastery to this menu and the Poke Bowl is a stunner. With fresh Ahi Tuna coming in from Rocky Neck Fish Company, it’s super fresh and a delicious, lighter alternative to the richer menu items like the French Onion Soup.
If you are looking for classic entrees the entire family will love, the Ironwood Burger (Wagyu beef with house steak sauce, homemade cheese sauce, pickles and crispy shallots), Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Nashville Hot style), and the Garlic Butter Steak Tips (HUGE portion with mashed potatoes, honey roasted carrots & spinach) are all winners. My family was with me as we sampled the Ironwood dinner service and the feeling was unanimous (in other words, your kids might skip “Chipper” to come with you to Ironwood).
The Southern Snacking Board is what we are getting when we meet at Ironwood and take over the little “living room” area to the right of the bar (the wallpaper over there reminds me of a place in Charleston, SC so this plan is entirely apropos). The homemade deviled eggs, Andouille sausage w/Creole mustard, pimento cheese, homemade pickles, and Ritz crackers offers a really fun deviation from the typical charcuterie board situation (hint: they also have homemade biscuits and focaccia bread…I would sneaky-ask if a side of homemade bread or biscuits could be possible, too). The cocktail list is really fun and would be a perfect addition to your living room Southern Snacking Board.
I love a cozy spot that feels like home. The new look, new menu, and new vibe at Ironwood has 100% understood the assignment.
Grab some friends, bring the kids, or make a date night plan to come experience, what just might become, your new favorite local place.
*** LUNCH MENU UPDATE ***
I was able to sneak away for lunch a couple of times and sample a few additional items that I spied on other tables when we were there for dinner during Opening Weekend. The Short Rib Arancini with tomato-smoked paprika aioli (honestly, this is why I was dying to try this – a good homemade aioli that is light & bright and not heavy & thick is a unicorn) did not disappoint. I might ask for a side of this aioli for everything now.
I went back the first time specifically for the French Onion Soup (because, of course – it’s amazing) and also had the Ironwood Caesar. The homemade dressing is delicious and I personally love smaller torn homemade croutons and the pop from the pickled red onion (a great contrast to the creamy dressing and Parmesan cheese). I would absolutely order this as an entree topped with salmon or black pepper shrimp, too.
Okay, I think we must have a lunch date here! The arancini and Caesar are calling my name!!!