Polished Meets Personable at 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill

For diners looking for a new date spot or a place to meet friends for drinks and dinner, 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill grants the perfect collision of classy and relaxed.

"What we try to do is provide upscale cuisine in a stylish yet casual atmosphere," said John Collings, the restaurant's general manager.

88 Wharf opened July 26, 2009 in a cozy location that over looks Milton Landing and the Milton Yatch Club. The restaurant, which sports a large patio and a hip indoor décor, boasts a contemporary American menu.

The menu is the work of Chef Robert Fecteau, who joined the staff in March. The cuisine represents a range from elegant to classic favorites with items like steak, pasta, seafood and pizza. The raw bar items are particularly popular this time of year.

"It's quite a good balance," Collings said of the menu. "I think we hit our goal of having something for everyone."

There are also special deals each day from 5 to 6 p.m. on 88 Wharf's Social Hour Menu, which includes a list of one dollar bar favorites like rosemary bar nuts and truffled potato chips. There are also oysters and pineapple glazed chicken wings for a dollar each and half priced pizzas.

Collings said the Social Hour Menu is a twist on the traditional happy hour that gives patrons a place to come after work.

There are also specials throughout the week at 88 Wharf. On Sunday, kids eat free and the restaurant holds riverfront brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Monday evenings feature a special three-course meal for $25 and a "bring your own wine" option with no corkage fee. Each Thursday, live jazz music adds to the atmosphere.

The special items are all part of 88 Wharf's efforts to be a balanced establishment.

"We wanted to have the restaurant be a neighborhood restaurant and a place for occasion dining," said Collings.

Just outside the restaurant's large patio is a small park and paths along the Neponset River. Collings applauded the development of the area, which was capped off last summer with the opening of 88 Wharf.

"It brought life to an otherwise unknown Yatch Club area," Collings said. "We just added to it."

A six-member investment group that includes Ken Casey, lead singer/bassist of the Dropkick Murphys and HGTV's Taniya Nayak who designed the restaurant's interior, owns the grill.

On May 12, Casey, a Milton native, hosted Celebrity Oysterfest as a benefit for his charity the Claddagh Fund.  The event, which was attended by over 150 people, included famous faces from sports, media and, of course, the Dropkick Murphys. A live auction and raffle were also held to raise money for the foundation, which is dedicated to children, veterans and their families and alcohol and drug recovery.

Collings said the fundraiser was the largest event the restaurant has hosted to date and believes it will become an annual summer kick off.