The Tree offers a new hangout spot with smoked drinks, communal tables

BRAINTREE – With three restaurants in Boston, David Ferrando said he and his business partners had been keeping their eyes out for some time, looking for the right location to open a new spot on the South Shore.

Ferrando, who co-owns the Causeway Restaurant and Bar, the 4th Wall and Alma Cantina, all in Boston, said the group has had their eye on 1177 Washington St., which was formerly Lychee Bistro, an Asian fusion restaurant, for more than a year. They jumped at the opportunity to take the space over when the owner decided to sell.

The business partners, seven in total, recently opened the Tree Bar and Lounge, a play on Braintree, after what Ferrando called a "facelift" of the space. Two of the owners, Tim and Sam McCasland, live in Braintree, and Ferrando said they knew the town could use a new gathering spot.

"I like the family atmosphere and there's more of a sense of community," Ferrando, of Norwell, said. "I feel like I know half of Braintree already."

The space is divided into a large bar area with several communal tables and a dining room and lounge area with leather couches, stools along the wall and televisions that encourage people to stay a while, watch a game or just have cocktails and food with friends.

"It's definitely a cozy feel. People keep saying they're really comfortable here," Ferrando said. "We say it's the coziest bar Braintree didn't know it needed."

The menu is American and includes small plates for sharing, Wagyu smash burgers and bowls, like the poke tuna rice bowl. Some of the favorites on the menu include fried provolone ‒ which Ferrando insists is "so much better" than mozzarella ‒ meatballs and tuna bites for appetizers. For entrees, he said customers have been loving all of the burgers, pistachio-crusted salmon and tenderloin medallions.

The Tree also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with a menu that includes cinnamon swirl monkey bread, cookies 'n' cream pancakes and chicken and waffle sliders.

As for cocktails, Ferrando said anything smoked is a big hit, such as the Roots, which has Woodford Reserve bourbon, pineapple and orange bitters in a smoked glass – or infusing the drink with smoke, typically from wood chips.

"It adds a good flavor to it," he said. "I don't go to a lot of places where I see a drink and think, 'I really want that,' so we got creative."

Ferrando said the communal tables and shared plates help make the community feel they were going for.

"It's a spot for people to come hang out together," he said, adding that the restaurant has live acoustic music on Fridays and Saturdays. "It's a fun feel."

Ferrando said they hope to add a patio for the summer, and potentially even a roof deck.

The Tree

Location: 1177 Washington St., Braintree

Hours: 10 a.m. to close Saturday and Sunday, noon to close Monday through Friday.

Contact: 781-848-1231 or www.thetreebarandlounge.com

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: A look inside new Braintree restaurant that replaced Lychee Bistro