Restaurant Review: Chef Colin Lynch’s Black Lamb Is Comfortable and Classic

One of Boston’s top chefs launches a fourth South End restaurant. Can he keep the hits coming?

The most memorable experience I had at Black Lamb, chef-owner Colin Lynch’s highly anticipated fourth project in the South End, involved shot glasses and free booze. I was tucked into a velvety leather bar seat when the bartender noticed my dining mate and me chatting about an upcoming birthday; to celebrate, he poured four gratis shots of bitter, malty amari—one for each of us, including himself and an amiable server at his side. A complimentary drink for a special occasion is a delightful gesture unto itself. But that our bartender thought to include his team taught me much about the inviting spirit of Black Lamb: This digestif wasn’t just to commemorate the end of a happy dinner—rather, it was offered as a small act of shared celebration, one that makes clear Black Lamb’s ambition to be a comfortable, friendly neighborhood spot. Given all of the hype surrounding the restaurant’s opening, that’s a pleasant and humble surprise.