The Haven
Tucked into the heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, there’s a place where the spirit of Scotland is alive and well, pouring from the taps, coming out of the kitchen, and filling the room with warmth.
The Haven isn’t just a pub, it’s a full-on Scottish experience.
Inside, the space is made up of several distinct dining experiences, from high tops in “The Highlands” to traditional tables decked in blue tartan. Scottish charm is all around.
That charm comes from owner Jason Waddleton, who drew on his family roots to bring Boston its only Scottish restaurant more than 16 years ago.
That mix of classic and creative Scottish dishes starts with the appetizers.
The Haven offers a traditional mac n cheese, but they add a delicious touch by topping it with a bacon marmalade with caramelized onions, adding a rich depth of flavor.
The bridies are a nod to the quintessential Scottish hand pie. They are flaky puff pastry, traditionally filled with whatever ingredients were on hand back home.
The Cullen skink is a staple in Scotland. It’s a potato and cream-based soup with smoked haddock, and Jason says it may have even inspired New England’s most famous dish.
But, if you’re going Scottish, you have to get the Scotch egg. It starts with a hard-boiled egg, wrapped in ground pork, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep fried to a golden brown.
The entrees at The Haven also keep tradition alive.
Like the fish supper with flaky, beer-battered haddock, chunky fries, minted mushy peas, and a housemade tartar sauce. You get the crunch of the fish, the earthy flavor of the peas, all balanced by that tangy tartar sauce.
The Prince Edward Island mussels are cooked in a beer broth with scallions, garlic, and lime, served with a side of toast so you don’t miss any of that delicious broth.
Salmon is a staple of the Scottish diet, and here, they stick to their roots.
Blending American and Scottish flavors is the Highlander pizza.
It’s basically a steak and blue cheese pie with sliced sirloin, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, and a balsamic glaze that perfectly complements the salty, savory blue cheese.
The award-winning Haven Burger is piled high with a fresh-ground chuck patty, bacon-onion marmalade, pickle sauce, lettuce, tomato, and served with those chunky fries.
If you know anything about Scottish cuisine, you may be asking yourself, “Do they have haggis on the menu?”
Well, the answer is yes, but I gotta be honest… this thing is pretty hardcore. It’s a Scottish thing.
To finish off your meal, you have to get the deep-fried Mars Bar, coated in batter and topped with butter and maple whipped cream. It’s sweet, melty, and the kind of delicious, indulgent dessert Scotland is known for.
