1/4/14

Cuisine:
Japanese

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Service:

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Overall:

1 Harrison Av, Boston
617-338-8283
Downtown Crossing

Diner Comments: First Friday attendees found the food to be " fresh and plentiful," and that the "Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another." However, one attendee found the lamb to be "fattier than I remember." Service ranged from "fine" to "good," with one review stating he wished "there was more explanation from the waitstaff." Reviewers also found Shabu Shabu to be "a lot nicer than most shabu places." Multiple respondents said they would return for "a relaxed and casual dinner" or that they would return with "people from out of town." $$ [36] [All Comments]

2/614**

Cuisine:
Asian

Food:

Service:

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725 Boyston Street
617-859-8181
Copley / Back Bay

Diner Comments:Typhoon Asian Bistro was squarely middle of the road, with some diners very satisfied, while others were left wanting for more. One of the issues with an Asian Fusion restarauant is whether it can deliver across the board when it comes to food genres, and given the reviews, Typhoon seems to have come up short. While on the one hand, some diners felt that Typhoon has "consistently raised the quality of the food and atmosphere," with high praise for the dragon maki, spicy crab and calamari, and crispy chicken entree. The pho, pineapple fried rice and striped bass were described as either lacking flavor, or only tasting like ginger, to the exclusion of all else. The cocktails were also a steady mixed blend. The decor and service fared better, with a comfortable interior that wasn't overdone, and only a few hiccups with dealing with our medium/large group. Unfortunately, without coming through on the food quality, some felt that this restaurant couldn't overcome it's Boylston street location as more of a Tourist Trap.$$ [33] [All Comments]

3/7/14

Cuisine:
Gastropub

Food:

Service:

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48 Temple Place, Boston
617-426-0048
Downtown Crossing

Diner Comments: Diners "really like Stoddard's a lot" for its "personality and quirky charm" and " very good cocktail program:amd
a "perfectly done...chicken pot pie" with service that's "patient and unintrusive." It all adds up to "a solid choice all around" where we have" never had a bad experience.". $$$ [50] [All Comments]

5/2/14

Cuisine:
Mexican

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

30 Gloucester St (in Alley), Boston
617-536-4341
Hynes

Diner Comments: While one called the food "uber-tasty", most felt the food was "neither stellar, nor horrible" and "inconsistent", but they had "delicious" cocktails, and we liked the "cheesy, hyper-Mexicana interior, " but it was "painfully noisy." "Service was atrocious," as they tried to cram us at a "too-small table", told us we have a "[time-limit] of two hours" and the "owner not thanking us". Many would come back on a weeknight "when it's quieter." $$$ [46] [All Comments]

6/6/14

Cuisine:
American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

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26 Chandler Street, South End
617-482-3450
Back Bay, 43 Bus

Diner Comments: Most commented that the food and drinks were good but lacked inventiveness. One diner felt "underwhelmed." Service seemed to slow to most despite being friendly. There was high praise across the board for the quality of the renovation with several mentions praising the brightness and high quality lighting design $$$ [40] [All Comments]

7/6/14**

Cuisine:
Pub

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

170 Milk Street, Financial Dist.
617-536-4341
South Station

Diner Comments: The hip, rustic interior and floor-to-celing windows couldn't make up for slow service, lack of A/C on a sweltering day and food that was "just ok". Overall, Food was decent, but not amazing. Diners seemed to have more luck with the lunch menu as opposed to the brunch menu. A huge, well-dressed blue cheese salad got high marks as did lunch items like the lobster roll. Biscuits and gravy on the other hand were slopped on a plate, cafeteria-lady-style and sans garnish leading one diner to remark that "frankly, it looked like someone puked over someone's eggs" (but to be fair, it's difficult to make beige-on-beige look appetizing.) Other items like sausage came burnt The stand-out brunch dish was definitely the chicken and waffles. Diners said the chicken was seasoned well, and fried to perfection, leaving the outside crunchy, yet the inside moist and delicious. The waffles were light, yet dense enough to soak up the butter, maple syrup and chicken juice that sat atop it. Cocktails like bloody marys and refreshing sangria are safe bets and Granary does boast a decent craft beer list and some inventive ones on tap. The service started off well, but when it was time to go, the waitress was nowhere to be seen. The bottom line? Stick to the chicken and waffles and a bloody for a solid brunch experience." $$ [33] [All Comments]

8/1/14

Cuisine:
American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

87 Glenville Av, Allston
617-903-3638
Griggs Rd. (B-Line)

Diner Comments: The majority of the group was very pleased with the food overall. Most felt the menu was limited and should be expanded. The selection of wine and beer was ample and the group enjoyed their libations very much. What needed improvement was the decor and the service as both were lacking in regards to quality and expectations Parking is a bit of an issue so it's advisable to take the T to get there. Overall the group enjoyed their experience at the Glenville Stops enough to want to return again the future. $$ [35] [All Comments]

9/5/14

Cuisine: Pub

Food:

Service:

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59 JFK Street, Cambridge
617-491-9851
Harvard

Diner Comments: Diners were impressed with the food and service here. The generously sized appetizers are perfect for passing around, and made sure no one went home hungry. Aside from one isolated complaint about an Arnold Palmer "tasting like it was made with coffee" the drink selection and taste were very satisfying. Including a delicious vodka cocktail was topped with a skewer of three petite homemade dark maraschino cherries. The house special “Crispy Mussels starter…did not disappoint”. The warm lobster and crab dip starter was very satisfying. The “Slow Roasted Brisket with ginger sauce and a braised peach was exceptional”. The decor here is like a warm woody den and very inviting despite being at basement level with low ceilings. The elevated “noise level near the end of the meal ” due to the packed restaurant made to a a bit difficult to converse. Service was excellent, no long waits for food or beverage and the staff attentive. Overall a good value for some creative and tasty food.$$$ [47] [All Comments]

10/3/14

Cuisine:
American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

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90 N Washington St
617-823-4478
N Station / N Station

Diner Comments:First Friday diners LOOOOOOVE Ward 8. "IIt is definitely firing on all cylinders." Service was patient" with our large group and latecomers were "quickly caught up to speed" with drinks and apps. The maple chili duck wings were "sweet, meaty and falling-off-the-bone tender." The fried cheese steak "won-lings(Wontons/Dumplings)" were full of "crispy texture and cheesy goodness". The sliced steak chopped salad was not the "[healthy] compromise that was expected," but a "delicious blend of fresh veggies" and " perfectly cooked"/seasoned steak. The Chicken and Polenta Fry Poutine " definitely [needed] some additional gravy for the fries. The "dollhouse-sized chairs" rubber tips made it impossible "to slide in and out without the fear of toppling over." There was also some "interesting" grammar [errant qoutes] on menu. The decor is "industrial and a little NYC-hipster", but at the same time, "warm".. "A comfortable, delicious" plaec which is "great for groups, dates, drinks with friends" make it a FF Favorite! $$$$ [54] [All Comments]

11/7/14

Cuisine: Beer Hall

Food:

Service:

Decor:

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4 Cambridge Ctr, Cambridge
617-714-4372
Kendall

Diner Comments: This "convenient to Kendall T" beer hall's strengths are it's "clean" and "simple decor" and "amazing beer list", not it's "lackluster" service,entrees and cocktails that "did not deliver" making it best to stick to "beer and bar snacks." .$$$ [47] [All Comments]

12/5/14

Cuisine:
Asian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

520 Columbus Av
617-421-9405
Prudential / Mass Av

Diner Comments: Mixed reviews for the food ranging from " outstanding"bibim bap and "the best General Gao's I have ever eaten" to "average to disappointing” sushi , and drinks from "icy cold, refreshing and well-balanced" grapefruit martini a "barely drinkable" mai tai. Service ratings also ranged from “responsive”, “attentive and friendly” to "a little lacking”. There was general agreement that the decor was “old and not [stylish]” and "frigid air blowing right on us and the wonky lights" detracted even more.. Still, most say most say they’d "go back for the Chinese food" standards.$$$ [41] [All Comments]