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Ashmont Grill
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
555 Talbot AvePeabody Square
(between Argyle St & Dorchester Ave)
Dorchester, MA 02124
Neighborhood: Dorchester
(617) 825-4300
- Nearest Transit:
-
Talbot Ave @ Dorchester Ave (22, 23, 26, 45)
Dorchester Ave @ Talbot Ave (18, 191, 215)
Dorchester Ave @ Dracut St (15, 18, 191, 215)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
171 reviews for Ashmont Grill
Review Highlights
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"the mac and cheese was yum yum yum." In 24 reviews -
"The Monday night wine club tastings are great." In 3 reviews -
"I chose the frozen key lime pie which was out of this world..." In 3 reviews
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171 reviews in English
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Review from Paul Z.
Boston, MA
2/24/2012
I am a bit partial to the Ashmont Grill. Their burgers are the one thing I usually end up falling back on. Their other entrees are good, too (and a bit pricier, admittedly), but that burger is really nice.
Kudos too for their patio as well in the warmer weather or in the fall (with one of those big portable heaters) - it's really nice out there and makes for a pleasant evening.
Also, try their wine night every Monday. A nice treat of apps/entrée samples with a wine pairing. A good way to start off the week.
Not the biggest fan of their drinks (their appletini isn't great, but their Long Island Ice Tea is passable), but they have a nice blueberry beer when it's in season on draft (not a lot of draft picks, but one can't have it all I guess (Update - 3/29 - they have a "Pineapple infused Cosmo" - TASTY cocktail - try it!).
Service is fine.
It attracts a nice diverse crowd as well, which is a plus. Good food is something everyone can relate too. :) -
Review from Andrew H.
Somerville, MA
2/21/2012
Hostess was kooky in a somewhat endearing way. She seemed to be having an ink spill problem and saw fit to make a fairly public spectacle of it. However, she did give me good advice to snag a table sooner rather than later, which I appreciated.
Server was friendly, patient, and seemed to take my dining companion's barking a drink request at her in stride. I was hoping my look of shock at his aggressive 'tude towards her would be enough to communicate what I was thinking: "Tuck the claws away, fellow homosexual diner". She was attentive and I appreciated that. Would like to have her again...so long as said homosexual dining companion is on a leash/shock-collar device.
Food was tasty - I had the pork (the $22 thing, not the $11 sandwich, which my companion had - it looked good). I think they could've done more to dress up the $22 dish - the pork itself was delicious. Very flavorful. However, everything else on the plate looked sad, which made me think "I paid $22 for 7 well-prepared pork medallions." I'd say keep the bread (in the "bread for the table") warm too. So some little improvements and some less little improvements would go a long way.
A nice thing I liked: the kitchen staff directed me to additional bathrooms. I guess they get that puzzled look a lot, but I appreciate their friendliness and willingness to help big time. Another nice thing I liked: there weren't just gay people there. I mean there were definitely gay people there, but there were also families there (I saw 2 or 3 with little itty bitty babies) and straight couples (or guys and girls posing as straight couples).
I would definitely go back and give it another shot hoping to give them a 4th star. -
Review from Christia P.
Quincy, MA
1/27/2012
It's true, Ashmont Grill has steep prices for American fare. But do not let that deter you from having a legitimately good American meal with good staff. Having gone to the Grill twice this month, I honestly can say that I have neither been disappointed with the staff nor with the food during a Saturday brunch and a weeknight dinner.
Once you enter the restaurant, the environment breathes modernity with the chandelier composed of old kitchen utensils, exposed roof structures, and enlarged photos of unique kitchen-esque views. Greg, the host, was charming and amicable. Colleen, the waitress, was a wealth of answers, since she had been with the Grill for awhile. We learned that the Chef specializes in lamb and duck, which can be nicely tasted in the wood grilled lamb sliders on focaccia. For brunch, I had the Chile Quiles and Midnight Mimosa; the Chiles Quiles with the shredded tortillas was tastefully eggy, but I needed to add more hot sauce. For dinner, I had a medium rare steak frites and a dark + stormy; the steak wasn't the greatest part of the beloved cow, where the meat just melts in your mouth.
All in all, the food may not fully equate with the price you're paying, but you shouldn't discount Ashmont Grill totally from your radar. The staff was welcoming and the ambience was delightfully suave, tasteful and casual. It's also in Dorchester, where not a lot of people give credit to its hidden culinary jewels.
Ashmont Grill change their menu every 4 months, so until then, my American fare buds will just have to wait. -
Review from C D.
Boston, MA
5/19/2012
A very cute place with an an interesting and innovative menu and a good cocktail list. I have been here a few times and have liked everything that I ordered but find the portions to be on the small side and the menu a bit pricey for the neighborhood.
Listed in: The Dirty Dot
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Review from Mariana R.
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good brunch... I ordered the hamburger and it was ok. My boyfriend had the chilaquiles and they were better than my hamburger, but nothing incredible. I think the best of this place is the bloody mary. Even when I am not a big fan of this drink, I must admit it is good in this place!. Also, the mimosas are great too. And the service is very friendly. This place is not the best I've ever been, but is not the worst. It is just OK... Maybe I will go back there if I have to, but I am not a big fan.
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Review from Katherine D.
Seattle, WA
1/20/2012
I stopped in for a quick solo brunch while I was in the neighborhood. Service was friendly enough, but nothing special. The decor is fun, and I imagine during the night time hours it gets lively in there. I ordered a smoothie newly added to the menu, and while it did not list banana as an ingredient there was definitely hints of my least favorite fruit. It was a little chalky with an uneven consistency as well. I ordered eggs benedict, as it is a brunch staple for me. I was very disappointed. The eggs were each cooked differently, with one being close to perfect (medium set white with a nice runny thick yolk) and the other cooked fully through so I got no perfect yellow ooze. The hollandaise was used very sparingly. The ham was clearly processed deli ham. The home fries were also pretty gross.
This restaurant is not so bad that it deserves one star, but it is so bad that I do not plan on returning.
*Disclaimer: they put a comment card in with the bill, and I was as honest with them then as I am being right now -
Review from Chortipsukontar M.
Boston, MA
4/12/2012
I am very impress that ashmont grill has some delicious food, and good service. foods are taste seasoning of some spice.
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Review from Kim P.
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am a bit surprised I haven't Yelped the Ashmont given it's my local neighborhood restaurant. I've been a fan for years but I recently noticed that they've upped the prices. A lot. While the menu has some great additions (like now they have three different versions of the Trainwreck, so there's something for everyone), things have gotten more pricey. I think $14 for a cheeseburger is steep--I don't care how organically raised the beef is. For just $10, you can trot on down to the Harp and Bard and get a burger that I think is just as good--if not better. Also, they've cut out free refills on soda. Maybe a minor thing, but, again, when you've grown accustomed to enjoying complimentary refills, you can ring up a tab if you keep knocking them back.
STILL, I continue to frequent the Ashmont. I've consistently had good service, and I always feel welcome. Given my other horrendous experiences with same in Dorchester, I'll keep giving the Ashmont my money. However, as with anything that one loves, I critique not out of anger, but in the hopes that perhaps the prices will return to more practical levels. Isn't there a recession going on, Chris Douglass?!
I'll end with faves:
-go to the wine club--they'll fill your glass all night long and, at $35, that is perhaps the BEST deal going
-Buck a shuck oysters and shrimp cocktail (also a dollar) on Thursdays
-I heard Kirby's been making Bacon Bloody Mary's on Sundays
-the burger is good if you're willing to drop $14-$15
-trainwreck fries are decent, though they'd be amazing with some chili
-dessert, dessert, dessert; the sticky toffee pudding is famous (well, famous enough for the Cake Boss to come visit) and the carrot cake is the perfect, overly-indulgent end to an evening -
Review from Alyssa S.
4/17/2012
My friends and I came here to celebrate my best friend's birthday. It was a Thursday night, and I was more than excited when I saw that the day's special included $1 oysters-- woohoo! I had the Wood Grilled Pork Tenderloin ($22), which included a "chestnut puree, butternut squash bread pudding, bacon-braised kale, and apple-cabbage slaw" with my pork. My boyfriend had the Black Back Flounder en Persillade ($24), which included a "celery root puree, roasted fingerling potatoes, sauteed broccoli rabe, and pink peppercorn sauce" with his fish. Other entrees around the table included signature burgers, the seabass special, and beef bolognese. Personally, I thought that my pork was not cooked "medium," and I regretted not requesting it to be cooked medium-rare. I was disappointed when my pork was dry and unexciting. My boyfriend's flounder was mediocre, but I think we may be just very harsh critics...Everyone else at our table l-o-v-e-d their food, and I'd be willing to give it another try on a different occasion. Other than the food, our drinks were well-made, and our server was very nice. It was a busy night; so I'm not sure if her attention wavered because she was busy or because that's just the way she was. Nonetheless, it was a fun night that ended with the Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert. :)
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Review from Vinny M.
Boston, MA
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
The turkey burger was delicious; perfectly spiced and well-complimented by the avocado puree and cranberry relish. I did find the prices to be a bit on the high side, and the service was only average, but the food was delicious and well-prepared. The beer menu was adequate and the ambiance was tastefully upscale while remaining casual enough to be inviting.
I was stuck between a 3 and 4, but because I'm a picky eater I'll give Ashmont the benefit of the doubt and see what a return visit brings. -
Review from Ana R.
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Friday night at 7pm, we waited 15 minutes for a table for two. We gladly waited near the bar, where we checked out the signature cocktail menu, and ended up getting two very well made drinks of our own choice.
At our table, we were brought a basket with various breads (the brown bread was so so good) and butter. We ordered the scallop ceviche appetizer and it was delicious! Baby scallops with cranberries, parsley, jalapenos, served on a scallop shell.
For an entree, I had the pulled pork sandwich, which came with hand cut fries and coleslaw. The pork was sweet and tangy, the fries were very crispy, though cut very short.
My date had the flounder, which I tasted. It was incredibly light and flaky, and whatever it was served with had a very earthy taste that complemented the fish nicely.
Our waitress was great, the food came in a timely manner, but my vodka tonic was taken away from me before I was done with it!
Would love to go again. -
Review from Matt O.
Boston, MA
9/6/2011
After having lived in Dorchester for several years, I figured it was time to see what the commotion was over this place. While we waited on the patio wall (they must have just brought in the tables and chairs to prevent losing them to TS Irene), I tried the Boston Bully, a white whiskey cocktail. It was the first cocktail I've ever had that improved over time; the first sip was wicked boozy, but after the ice melted a bit, it mellowed out and was actually pretty tasty. Kind of different.
We chose to accept the offer for a high top in the bar rather than wait for a table in the dining room, which was cozy without feeling like we were heaped on top of the other tables. This could be chalked up to the fact that our neighbors were friendly, talkative and hilarious. If you want an intimate experience, you might want to hold out for a table away from the bar. Service was handled by the bartender, who was both attentive and entertaining.
For an appetizer, my wife and I split the Trainwreck Fries and though tasty, the portion was enormous. It would be a good plate to split with a large table, fortunately we were hungry and had little trouble finishing it.
For a main, my wife chose the bolognese, which she was very happy and I had the leg of lamb, which was juicy and delicious.
We saved some room for dessert and she chose sticky toffee pudding after being sold on it by our neighbors at the next table and our server. I chose the frozen key lime pie which was out of this world delicious.
Overall, I was pleased with my experience here and can't wait to go back for brunch and the bloody marys, which I hear tell are amazing. -
Review from Matthew B.
Boston, MA
2/27/2012
I'm disappointed to have to give this spot a bad review. I came here for brunch and ordered the fried chicken and biscuits. The fried chicken was dry and uninspired, as were the biscuits. The gravy, (a whole two tablespoons worth,) was bland and unsatisfying. A huge miss! I'd give this place one more chance due to their sponsorship of fall softball leagues. Although the bloody mary's were well made, they could not compensate for my dry and uninspired meal.
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Review from Seth M.
Dorchester, MA
9/18/2011
I thought I had experienced terrible eateries before, but then I experienced the Ashmont Grill.
After reading many positive ratings on Yelp and across the internet my roommates and I decided to walk down there on a Sunday evening for a light dinner and a drink. One of my roommates had raved about it and said that it used to be a great place which he hadn't been to in years but was definitely worth it. His opinion changed.
The wait staff are best described as pricks. It seemed like the entire time the waiter wasn't busy creeping on us he was spending his time trying to impress us with how fancy the place apparently is and how they're too good to serve chicken wings.
The menu selection is very limited, and unless you get one of the entree's for over $24 dollars you're not likely to be very happy. The portion sizes are sickeningly small for the prices (an order of fries which we were told would feed four would barely count as an appetizer to one starving person) and the quality of food was honestly enough to make me go home wishing I could vomit because it might actually taste better going back up.
Their appetizers were overcooked and dry, and their meals (aside from being overpriced) were questionable at best. Perhaps we should have ordered the lamb's leg as recommended, but for $24 that's not happening. I got a quesadilla for $12 (no chicken or shrimp - (seriously, shrimp?) for an extra $5) and I can honestly say I love quesadillas. I will never classify what I got as a quesadilla, however. It was eggplant in between a tortille without ANY cheese whatsoever. I was under the impression that a quesadilla was a cheese-based food and that's why it was a delicious thing to have. My friend who got a burger didn't enjoy his either, and it's almost impossible to ruin a burger when you cook it how the customer asks.
As far as the drinks go, the cocktail menu was short and rather unimpressive, and the beer was absolutely watered down - either that or their tap lines haven't been cleaned in the past decade and they've been mixing in Natty Light with their $6 beer to save a buck. Just disgusting.
Last but not least, the door to exit has a handle, the sort of handle you pull, instead of a flat surface for which one would push against to open a door. However, this door does not pull open it pushes open. One would think that even someone with a severe intellectual handicap would be intelligent enough to design a door that is clearly existed and entered through with as little confusion as possible.
Overall this place sucks. I'd love to go into more detail but my stomach doesn't want to think about this place any longer. Unless you're some sort of ultra-rich snob who only wants to eat one or two things on a menu, be treated like you're in a stuck-up otherworldly commune for your dining experience and drink watered-down beverages while eating quesadillas with frickin eggplant in them then avoid at all costs. I am seriously considering going back and editing any other one-star reviews I've ever left on Yelp to read two stars because nothing compares to how crap this establishment is as a whole. -
Review from N B.
North Bay, CA
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
LOVE their wine night! On Mondays they offer a four course dinner with a wine pairing for $35 per person. The wines (and food, of course) vary from week to week, and reservations are required. It's communal seating, which is lots of fun--the wine night folks are usually grouped together at one long table or several smaller tables, and it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with folks from all over town that you might not otherwise get the chance to meet.
I can't speak to the rest of the menu, but if you are an adventurous eater and don't mind putting yourself in the chef's hands every once in a while, I highly recommend trying the wine pairing dinner.
PS -- they were very good about accommodating dietary requests for the prix fixe when I was there. -
Review from Chris D.
Boston, MA
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'll give four stars for a good neighborhood restaurant, but this is *my* good neighborhood restaurant, so it gets all five.
Ashmont Grill is a small place, next to the Ashmont T station. It's mostly populated with locals - some settled at the bar, some families at the larger tables, and mostly couples and trios deep in conversation around the room.
The food is fantastic. Whatever is on the special board, order it. The chef / kitchen staff keep it local and seasonal. Recently I had a brilliant acorn squash entree. The booze list is enlightened. -
Review from Irene R.
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've read so many good reviews about this place I figured it might be good to check it out.
Upon entering I could tell they were grilling in the back and not in a good way. In a the wood is burning and there is smoke in my eyes sort of way. Service was fast and friendly. They got the fries out to us quickly so my toddler had something to munch on. I think they were the best food of the evening.
My husband got the pulled pork sandwich and said it was dry, but he didn't get the sauce or mustard that go on it. I got the vegetable quesadillas with shrimp. I would have liked a little more cheese and less vegetable. It just wasn't a good balance and it was more like vegetables in a toasted tortilla.
Dessert was the chocolate flan. Disappointing. It tasted like regular flan and there was barely a hint of chocolate. Like the flan saw chocolate across the room, thought she was really nifty but could never work up the courage to go over and talk to her.
The food was...ok. But way overpriced for what it was. -
Review from E P.
New York, NY
9/29/2011 10 photos
Lots of great veg options: creamy Mac and cheese; crisp vegetable tempura; watermelon and feta salad; sauteed green beans; decent fries. The red sangria was great too.
Also lived the high ceilings, roomy booths and fun vibe. -
Review from Romney D.
6/29/2011
Decided to come here for brunch on Fathers Day/My Sisters Bday...and boy what an experience! My bro in law loves GOOD food and I've heard great things about this place so I thought we both would be in for a treat. Unfortunately I was wrong.
The waitress came over to bring us our menus and my brother asked her what were the non alcoholic options, because it wasn't listed on their menu. The waitress responds "What would you like?" It was like the record stopped and we all gave her a look like "please just tell him what you have!" So he said something like sweetened iced tea, well of course they didn't have that and he tells her "this is why I asked for your options so I don't start naming things you don't have." Welp, next thing I know the waitress starts naming drinks extra fast & with an attitude.
My bro in law, like myself, is HUGE on service. At that point I thought we were going to get up and leave on his cue, but he asked for some mango something juice she mentioned. Boy was that whole situation awkward...
3 of us ordered the Apple Pie French Toast and my sister got the Steak & Eggs. The waitress completely "forgot" about the juice ordered by my brother and my sister had to go and kindly ask her about it.
The food came and I was not impressed. My french toast was burnt, the roasted apples & streusel just looked like a glob of apple sauce. For $12 it surely didn't taste that great. I've had MUCH better for way under $12 and it even came with sides!
I honestly gave my sisters steak & eggs the side eye for the small portions.
All in all, my brother in law made it known that he would never be returning and quite frankly I don't plan to either. -
Review from Erin M.
Quincy, MA
9/3/2011
We've passed Ashmont Grill quite a few times but honestly the neighborhood had us questioning the restaurant. And I am so sorry that we didn't go earlier because it is definitely one of my favorite restaurants south of Boston and we had the best time at dinner last night.
Walking into Ashmont Grill you automatically realize that this isn't your local pub or run down restaurant, not that I was expecting either, honestly I had no idea what to expect. Anyways, as you can see above the space is quite large with tall ceilings with a beautiful orange glow giving off a friendly and open atmosphere. On the far wall there are beautiful black and white photo canvases that have beautiful brush strokes of paint on them that really give the restaurant an edgy, modern feel.
Since the dining room was full we found a spot at the end of the bar and had a great view of the entire restaurant. I always like sitting at the bar, watching the bartenders run around making drinks is so entertaining and it provides you with something to watch while you drink good beer and eat good food.
Right when we sat down we ordered beer and fries. After a 4.6 mile run I was HUNGRY and was dying for fries. And let me tell you, the fries were amazing! Simply perfect, hand cut, tasty fries.
As a vegetarian I find that ordering off a menu is a fun challenge especially when they don't have the quitensential veggie burger. So last night I went with the hummus plate with crispy pita and olives alongside tempura veggies with a dipping sauce. Josh had the burger and fries.
Dinner was so good I didn't speak for a good 20 minutes. I just sat there and slowly ate giving myself time to enjoy the different flavors and textures. Seriously, amazing food. The tempura vegetables were a mixture of carrots, zucchini and summer squash and were soft on the inside but crispy on the outside - the best tempura veggies I have ever had. The hummus, which was home-made, was a mixture of oven roasted tomato and rosemary, was purely delicious. Josh devoured his burger and nodded in agreement that everything was wonderful.
Honestly I can't wait to go back!
http://www.creativesou... -
Review from Dan M.
Dorchester, MA
3/8/2012
I wanted to love this place, but it's just meh. I love seasonal menus, but theirs is currently stuck in the last autumn. The menu had lots of butternut squash this and pumpkin that type of dishes. C'mon folks, we're well past fall.
As for the food, I was not impressed. Everything took FOREVER to come out of the kitchen. Granted it was a Saturday night and it was fairly busy, but more than twenty minutes to put out two Caesar salads and a salmon carpacchio? And for the price, the Caesar salads were very bland and uninspired. I will say the bread was good. And thank God because I was so hungry I almost started gnawing on the table. About forty minutes later, the entrees arrived. My flat iron steak ordered medium, was more like rare, but it was good as opposed to the table. The fries that came with it were limp, soggy and cold. Fries are hard to get wrong. Bummer
Lastly, the service was sub-par. The waiter was attentive but very reserved. I get that they're going for the whole urban-hip vibe, but I'm a little put off by a waiter who hasn't shaved in three days, dons a ratty black t-shirt and looks like he just rolled out of bed. He needs some Waitering 101. If a patron wants an extra plate to share something, it should not require an act by the state legislature. Do not deliver beverages with your fingers wrapped around the edge of the glass - handle all glassware from the bottom. I don't want your fingers where my lips are about to go. Please don't use the table to stack everyone's dishes. Take them away and scrape them elsewhere, please. And don't reach over other people to serve and clear. If it were a booth I'd understand, but we were at a free standing table and you might want to take a few extra steps and avoid hovering your armpit in my face-space, serving from the left and clearing from the right.
I'll probably give this place a second chance, as I'm not a proponent of giving up on a place based on one experience. On the contrary, I'm a big supporter of small independent businesses. My hope is that the owner will see this and make some tweaks. Kudos on the beer list! Pretty Things is one of my favorites. -
Review from Steve B.
I came for the "buck-a-shuck" $1 raw bar tonight, but left disappointed. I appreciate that Chef/Owner Chris Douglass has brought something new and different to my neighborhood, but theres just something missing.
Two friends and I came in last night and the place was packed. Apparently they had a Groupon out there that was about to expire, so everyone was there to use it. We sat at the bar and planned to have a bite and a few drinks. The bar service was friendly, but slow...not really the bartenders fault, since she had little to no help with a bar 2-3 people deep. While I was waiting for my seat, I also had the extremely rude hostess (her name is "butterfly", so that should tell you something) behind me who kept asking "is someone sitting there" every time someone from the bar went to the bathroom or anything. I was half expecting her to sit a party of two in the barstool I had been eyeing since I walked in! Several of my friends have had run-ins with this woman before as well...not really sure why Douglass keeps her around.
Oysters took nearly 20 minutes to come out, apparently because they were being counted? Not sure if they only have oysters on Thursday nights or what. Either way, by the time I got my dozen, I was unimpressed. These were small, lukewarm, bottom of the barrel oysters. One of my friends, who had some of they oysters last night, has been throwing up all morning today, and I believe these oysters are the culprit. There is a reason that oysters are ALWAYS served over ice! The shucker didnt even cut the abductor muscle on some of them!
Anyways, after the oysters I was still hungry, so we ordered the Train Wreck Fries. When AG first re-opened a few years ago, these were one of the hot menu items. Now they are often spoken of on Phantom Gourmet, which is the culinary equivalent to the Sports Illustrated Curse. The fries were soggy, and the toppings (bacon, green onion, cheese) were sparse. A friend and I also split a hot dog, and I indulged in the Tahitian Vanilla Bean Cheesecake for dessert. These items earned AG the 2nd star. The hot dog was good, and the cheesecake was phenomenal. Bravo to the pâtissier.
It had been about a year since my last visit to AG, and I suspect it will be at least a year until I return, even for a $1 raw bar. -
Review from Bobby C.
Updated - 8/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Took my mentee to dinner to catch up before his graduation. Hostess was very professional and friendly when she greeted us.
We were seated right behind the hostess station. I would avoid that table if possible. There were two large parties. The waitstaff would try to sneak through the tight area. Our server was ok. I was actually a bit disappointed compared to our server last time. Our server took our order, checked in on us but with a stoic or emotionless manner. I did appreciate the server's honesty when I had a hard time deciding between two dishes. The server said one of them was amazing but could not comment on the other personally.
For an app, we ordered the Grilled & Chilled Calamari. I wasn't a huge fan of the dish. It was tangy but also spicy. For my entree, I had the Panko Crusted Cod Filet. It was very bland. The crispy spaetzle gave the dish some saltiness which helped.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/7/2011
I did not know what to expect considering the location of Ashmont Grill. Had dinner here during a… Read more »
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Review from Angela F.
Boston, MA
3/19/2011
Over the years I have come to know this place as a friendly and great place to go to when I am hungry and I want a place that is close to home or a place that is inviting.
My last two visits have been extremely disappointing to the point that I have almost cried because of the quality of service. I have felt disrespected and unwanted in this establishment. My comment is that overall the food is very good however my experience is that the staff tends to be inconsistent with customer service. Example, I went in to order brunch started to order what I wanted the person taking my order then picked up the phone and started changing the television channels. He did not explain what he was doing he just left me there wondering what was happening. Then to make matters worse he complained to other customers about me and I was watching him as he was doing this.
I have other experiences like this here and now I am overwhelmed with this treatment and wanted to share.
If you don't mind this type of service this is a great place to attend. The atmosphere is casual and a great place to meet people and talk and have decent conversations, however my experience is that I have gone through this now at least twice as far as the customer service and I feel that if I am spending money for a service and product I deserve to be respected as well as treated appropriately. I am saddened and will take some time to process this but I will not allow myself to be abused. As he started talking about me to other patrons I paid my bill asked for my breakfast to be wrapped and left a full drink which I paid 8 dollars for.
No one deserves to be treated this way. I did nothing to deserve this and am very hurt. -
Review from Heath M.
5/22/2011
After a week with pneumonia that finally subsided when Sunday morning came, I was a bit antsy. Truth be told I was dying to leave the house. Just as the codeine hangover was finally wearing off from my Saturday night slumber (or more aptly put, death-sleep) and my Special K hit the bowl, my husband quietly muttered "I want brunch." I dropped the milk and said "let's go, now."
I had been meaning to go to the Ashmont Grill for weeks, as Kirby from Mote Mountain fame had recently begun a Sunday brunch bartending gig. Knowing he creates a fun atmosphere and an even more fun cocktail, we made the trek out of East Boston and down 93 to Dorchester.
There are 2 sorts of brunchers: those who truly believe it's a meal option that mixes breakfast and lunch, and those who rightly think it's an early-afternoon (or late morning, if you're so inclined) social affair breakfast accompanied by cocktails. I fall in the latter camp and I was pleased to see there was an ample selection of Bloody Mary and Mimosa options from which to choose on their menu. I chose the spicy version (though the Wasabi Mary was tempting, I am a man of basic tastes).
Kirby of course mixed one hell of a Bloody Mary. After I alternated between sips of the zingy (and antioxidant rich) concoction and their strong brew of coffee, I was finally able to focus on the menu. The first entry was the Apple Streusel French Toast.
Sold.
Ryan ordered the Eggs Benedict after Kirby professed it to be the real deal, "they make a white wine reduction for the Hollandaise and everything." We also ordered a side of bacon and a side of sausage -- no meat, no meal, as some say.
Not knowing a basket of baby banana bread slices and mini scones were coming our way, we also ordered a piece of blueberry buckel to share. Having not had a blueberry coffee-cake like pastry that didn't come from the case at Starbucks, I was pretty happy with how moist and dense it was. I was even happier with the generous amount of streusel on top. Delish.
But it was french toast that truly blew me away. I don't give five stars often, but that dish could have been served with a sneer in a dingy basement and I wouldn't have cared one bit. It was on point.
All french toast starts with bread, theirs just happened to be nearly one inch thick. I should point out that I don't usually french toast in restaurants because a lot of chefs (and my own mother) are too exuberant with the egg, causing the bread to lend itself to an unappealing custardy slop. I was pleased to see Ashmont Grill didn't go this route, the bread was firm and lightly coated with a beautiful golden brown color, altogether perfect. What made it more perfect were the bits of the very same crumb topping that I was enamored with from the buckel along with large, crisp caramelized apples. I got more comfortable with every bite of that comfort food, so much so that I couldn't stop eating it even after I was full and I'd barely touched my bacon.
Peering over to Ryan's plate were two perfectly poached eggs of his eggs benedict and a hollandaise that Ryan confirmed was in fact "very good."
All and all, Ashmont's worth a trip to Dorchester on a Sunday morning. The service was excellent, even as the place filled up. Just be sure to try that french toast. It will make you happy. -
Review from Boston N.
Boston, MA
1/12/2012
I love the interior of this place as well as the food! It has a beautiful outdoor patio and outdoor bar in back. The only drawback is the prices are on the steeper side.
Perks: a great selection of wine and drinks and the wait staff is good at suggesting wines that complement certain entrees. Suggestions: you must try the train wreck fries! They are divine and I always secretly begrudge whoever gets the last fry! Another stand-out option is their mac n' cheese! This is not the glowy orange stuff you ate as a kid. It is very cheesy with multiple types of cheese and sun dried tomatoes to give it a fine dining twist. The cool artsy interior makes this a fun spot for drinks with your friends! -
Review from J M.
Campbell, CA
8/2/2011
I wanted to like the Ashmont Grill, and based on reviews and the way the ambiance was out on the back patio, my evening started out rather well. I dined here with my family and here is what we ordered:
Spaghetti Bolognese, Beet Salad, Calamari app, a few glasses of wine and watermelon gimlets. ($12 a piece for a cocktail in Dorchester, I thought, this better be delicious for that price)
Salads were excellent, very fresh. Watermelon cocktail was ordered sans simple syrup, but arrived full of that sugary stuff anyway. The Bolognese was a let down, absolutely a complete lack of flavor in the sauce. I should have known better not ordered the dish since as I recall, the Bolognese is just as bland and boring at Tavolo (same owners). Calamari app, although fresh and innovative was missing something too, a note of citrus or other fresh ingredient could have helped. It's hard to make a bland calamari dish, but that's what we got.
The final straw was when our waiter disappeared, and another gentleman came (upon our request) to clean the table and bring us the check. He knocked over my extra sugary half drunk gimlet which spilled through the mesh metal table and onto my brand new shoes. To top it off, he was hardly apologetic and brought me....another napkin to fix the problem.
Big disappointment of an evening. I could be persuaded to try this place again, since the back patio was so nice, but wouldn't recommend it based on this one experience. Next time I'll be wearing flip flips, just in case. -
Review from Kristin G.
Quincy, MA
4/18/2011
Like, Alexandra S., I really wanted to love this place since I've been meaning to check it out for so long.
My sister and I went on a Friday around 5:30pm- we wanted to avoid a crowd. We were seated immediately @ the far end of the restaurant, near the kitchen. I love the decor- local photography on the walls, exposed brick- I'm a fan. Oh, and this place is TINY. So it got loud. If that bothers you, keep it in mind. As the bar got crowded, we literally could hear 5-6 conversations.
The cocktails were well-mixed and tasty. No complaints there!
The food was absolutely great. I got the herb chicken with roasted potatoes and it was cooked perfectly. My sister ordered the turkey burger and loved it- she wasn't a huge fan of the sweet potatoes though- too soft for her- but I liked them. NO complaints about the food.
The only negative thing I have to say about this place is regarding the service. Our waiter was SUPER friendly and made awesome suggestions- but was not very attentive. I love it when a server backs off and allows people to enjoy a meal without hovering and checking in every 10 seconds- but after our food came out he was gone. He was bartending (??) as well, so I get that he was busy- but we asked to see a dessert menu and then NO ONE checked on us for 25 minutes, which was a bit excessive.
That being said, I will DEFINITELY be back here. It's a cute place, the food was awesome and the cocktails were great. I'm hoping the 25 minute dessert wait was just a fluke. -
Review from Soda Pop C.
Boston, MA
2/6/2011
BREAKFAST REVIEW ONLY
I HATE leaving a breakfast place still hungry- that, to me, is like the ultimate insult.
The food at Ashmont Grill is good and I can tell that it's carefully prepared but there's just not enough of it. It was affordable but not a cheap breakfast place.
The restaurant itself is nice and sunny with a lot of seating.
I'd just rather go elsewhere for breakfast.
I hear they do good cocktails though and the back patio is lovely. -
Review from Alexandra S.
Hingham, MA
I wanted to love this place because I've heard such good things about it and have wanted come check it out for so long. All in all while the food was good, the experience overall was somewhat disappointing.
Things were certainly hopping when we arrived around 8:30PM on Saturday night. We put our names on the list and were told the wait was about 30-45 minutes. There were no seats at the bar either but no problem; we just ordered drinks and chatted as we took a look around. The aesthetic is very much my style, old building with exposed brick walls, exposed duct work and the whole refurbished 19th century re-purposed factory look.
The furniture had clean, modern lines and there were interesting light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. I liked many of the pieces of art on the walls some of which looked to be original as opposed to mass produced.
The quarters are tight so as we stood waiting with our drinks we felt a little bit in the way as servers rushed about delivering plates to tables.
We wandered past the bar through the kitchen where to our delight we found a perfectly charming outdoor patio where lo and behold a wedding reception was taking place. It was an extremly pretty space and I would definitely have enjoyed sitting out there. They used propane heat lamps to keep everything toasty on what was otherwise a chilly autum evening.
When our table was ready I sat down as my husband paid the bar tab. He later told me that the bartender took his cash and never returned with his change... Did he assume perhaps that it was he, the bartender who should decide how much his tip should be? This provided nothing but an awkward moment for hub as we both happen to be excellent tippers. The bartender would have been left a tip to be happy about without just keeping the change. So a word to the bartender: Just make the change on whatever you are given and let the customer give you the tip.
Our waiter came to our table and informed us that they were out of many entrees. There was an entire board hanging up listing the specials all of which they were out of already. There were also a couple of menu items they were out of as well including the fish and chips hubby was hoping to order. They were even out of bread! We'd heard the bread here was good but we were left to gaze around longingly at the pretty bread baskets every other table seemed to have. Not sure who's doing the provisions ordering here but something feels amiss when so many items are gone and the restaurant was no where near closing time.
I ordered the wild mushroom and leek tart which came with a butternut squash "shooter" on the side. While the tart was delicious it was small; it was most certainly not what I would call an entree sized portion. The flavors of the leeks, wild mushrooms and fontina cheese in a flaky pastry crust were divine however measly it was. The butternut squash shooter actually came in a demitasse cup and was a tasty, well-seasoned couple of dabs of soup.
There was some frisee atop the tart and I'm thinking if they had just made a small frisee salad and placed it aside the tart, the dish would have felt more like an entree.
Hub recouped from his disappointment at not getting the fish and chips and ordered the mac and cheese which we had heard was excellent. And indeed it was. This dish came out in gargantuan size. Looking at my teeny tart plate against this mound of mac and cheese was really kind of funny. Half the mac and cheese came home with us.
At the table, I tried a glass of their Fall Sangria. I didn't love it. As much as I enjoy cinnamon and nutmeg, there was too much of both spices in this particular concoction.
We rarely order dessert but we ordered two of them tonight. We shared the sticky toffee pudding (my choice) and the carrot cake (hub's choice.)
While the carrot cake was good, the sticky toffee pudding was spectacular. There is really nothing toffee flavored that I have ever disliked but this was quite exceptional in all it's sticky, toffee, gooey goodness. This too came in a small portion but in this instance it made total sense as it was incredibly dense and sweet. A little goes a long way.
After our disappointment at all the missing menu items, we did overall, enjoy our meals. Our server could have been friendlier and less frenetic.
He had a tendency to plop things on the table with a clang and a splat. He and all the servers seemed to be moving at high speed all night. It's a small space so I'm not sure what all the hubbub is about.
Don't think I'd go back again on a Saturday night...this might be a better spot for a weekday night and maybe there would even be a better chance that they wouldn't run out of things.
There is a nice neighborhood feel to this place. If I lived in Dorchester, I'm certain I'd be sitting at the bar pretty regularly. But for a weekend night out, it was just okay.Listed in: It's an ROTD morning!
-
Review from Lynette S.
Roslindale, MA
1/14/2011
hm...i thought for a while about what to rate this place.
Very small parking lot, about 7 or 8 spots. They also said you could park on the street or across the street at the church.
There are over 100 reviews and I read the first 40 reviews before adding my own experiences.
The food and wines are good quality (sustainable, biodynamic, organic, locally-sourced etc). However, some of the foods were dissapointing.
I loved the arugula salad (w/ feta, hazelnuts and small sliced cranberries) and the turkey burger. As other reviews have mentioned, the wood grill makes the food cooked on it taste incredible.
However, the sweet potato wedges were thick and soft instead of thin and crispy (personal preference). Also, the pear and cherry tart was bland. Both fruits were tasteless. In hindsight, I should have sent it back. I would not recommend that dessert. The coffee was so so.
The food and drink menus were both really small. The only reisling was the Chateau St. Michelle; which everyone has.
The service was at the bar was fine. Everyone else seemed to know each other. I was the newbie. -
Review from Nam L.
Dorchester, MA
11/22/2010
I love the food here, but find it hard to consider going back, considering how poor the service was last time I was there. Great food deserves great service, and the service component just isn't there yet. I've been here several times, and at best, the service has been average. The last time was beyond awful though. The server was so inattentive. She didn't seem to like us because we were ordering $1 oysters, yet we still got several entrees and appetizers, and the total ended up to be more than we usually spend at Ashmont Grill, which would ensure a great tip...except for the extremely poor service.
About the food: it's excellent. Anything coming off their wood grill is delicious. Their flavors are a revelation for the Dorchester area, and what you'd expect coming from South End chefs. But the service, dare I say it, is below Dorchester standards.
I would have liked to order more too, but it just wasn't happening between our MIA server and the growing disgust of my dining companions. Because I am a bleeding heart, I tipped 15% anyway, but I really wanted to put a note on the receipt: "I almost always give 20%, but you worked really hard to get this instead." I live really close, so I'd love to have a place to frequent regularly, but this ain't it. I will probably be dragged in here again sometime with friends wanting to try the oysters, but it's going to be against my protests. -
Review from connie l.
Boston, MA
3/16/2011
Ventured here several times for dinner with my boyfriend because he teaches at a school nearby.
It's a great neighborhood restaurant- the hostess has always been cheerful, pleasant and remembers your name throughout the evening!
We recently discovered the $1 oysters on Thursdays, and they are yummy! They have different specials every day- I just can't keep track of what is when! We also love the trainwreck fries app (fries covered with cheese, bacon, jalepenos, sour cream, and scallions), and surprisingly, don't feel miserable after scarfing those down.
For entrees, the mac n cheese, turkey pot pie, burger, and pulled pork sandwiches have been solid! Last time, I saw a couple people get the rigatoni bolognese, and it looked sooo good- I want to try it next time.
Onto dessert, the carrot cake was delicious!!! Neither my boyfriend and I are huge dessert people, but we were both craving something sweet to end the night with - the carrot cake was perfect. Not too sweet, but very satisfying and delicious. Overall, prices are reasonable, though I understand if people think it's a little too pricey compared to other places in the area.
Waitstaff service has generally been good. Sometimes, they may be on the slower side, but the restaurant seems to always be busy (for example, last time, it was a 30-45 minutes wait at 6:30pm on a Thursday night) -
Review from Evan G.
Boston, MA
3/8/2012
I love this place, but it's a bit pricey. They have the best dessert i've ever tasted......sticky toffee pudding. Seriously, the best. There lam sliders and mussels are really good for appetizers. You can try going on Thursdays for the shuck a buck. It's clams, oysters and shrimp for a buck each. Pretty good deal....
-
Review from Raheem P.
Boston, MA
2/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I suggest anyone in the Dorchester giving this place a shot . If i could have afforded it i would've gone back the very next night for dinner( not that this place is expensive i just have a budget ). I suggest trying the Short Rib entree which may be the best thing on the dinner menu and Butter Toffee Bread Pudding for dessert.
Cool Vibe ...Great Food...Delicious desserts ...Tasty Cocktails -
Review from Denise M.
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
My favorite place to go when I visit my friends. Ive been here at least four times and the food is always good. There are a lot of locals who frequent the bar and the staff are friendly but if you take too long, their gonna offer nicely to come back. Just busy is all. Don't take offense. The wine list is not all that great. I wish they would up the quality. Hint, hint, hint...try a taste before you buy or order a beer or mixed drink.
The trainwreck fries are fun for a group and the tenderloin was perfectly done. This is a great place to come if in the area. -
Review from Julie R.
9/9/2010
I've always heard good things about this place. I had been holding onto a Groupon for a while which made it an easy dinner choice. On a warm evening we were offered a seat on the back patio. From the front of the place you would never expect a serene area back there, as its on a busy intersection. The patio was awesome! You could tell they put a lot of work into it. It was very organic with water features, a fire pit and stone walls. I even saw a raccoon walking along the top of the wall. OK on to the food...
My fiance and I ordered a bunch of items to share:
Steak tartare: this was a newer menu item. Fresh, flavorful, good quality. The portion was large for only $10. This would be a good item to split.
Mussels: A generous portion in a flavorful broth.
Hoagmans platter: This could of used more meat on it. The cheese cuts were enough but only a few slices of meat were given. The salad on the side was a nice accompaniment.
Grilled calamari: Very good. I've only had it fried, this way brought out better flavors.
Mac and cheese side: This was large for a side, it could of served as a meal for me. The cheeses were not too bold but it was a good basic version to enjoy.
Smores sundae: This came out with a charred marshmallow on top of vanilla ice cream over a brownie and the whole nine yards. A really good way to end the meal. Brownie was dry though.
Service was super. Our guy served us like we were friends of his. He had personal suggestions and spoke highly of the place. All the servers worked well together, helping each other out as necessary.
This place is a great value and we really enjoyed our dinner. We will definitely be coming back here!! -
Review from Farrah K.
12/30/2010
Trendy, friendly and delicious. Everything here impresses me. I love to bring people to this spot especially if they have an elitest attitude towards Dorchester. I think this place changes their minds. GREAT spot.
The wood grill makes the entire restaurant smell divine. Worth a visit! -
Review from Matt C.
Hanson, MA
1/8/2012
This is my first review online of any venue. Ashmont Grill was really disappointing. We decided to go there with another couple at their suggestion. It was the first visit for both of us. Parking is tight and the bar area is tiny. You have to dodge the waitstaff (and they you) at every turn. The night didn't start well. We waited an hour for a table (at our choice), the hostess then came us to let us know our table was ready, it was a two top high table. We asked her if 4 people could fit at it and she just repeated her previous statement. I asked her if she was putting two tables together and for some reason she kept dodging the question. It was very awkward. Then another person came over, spoke to the hostess and we were put at their table, which was a four person table. We are easy going so no big deal.
After we sat, the waitress came over and filled our glasses with water. What was odd is that she poured the water from a height, over our table, of about a foot and half above the glass. This caused her not only to miss the glass with water, but as ice cubes came out of the pitcher, what she did hit of the glass was splashed all over our table, including some ice cubes! I expected her to say "sorry about that" and clean it up, she didn't and just walked away. I wondered if we did something wrong because I had never been to place where a wait person did that. It was odd and she did the same thing every time she poured water. It became our entertainment for the night..
Next we ordered, I had the Ceasar ($5) with chicken (an extra $6) as an app. and I ordered the 10oz sirloin ($26). After waiting about an hour and 20 minutes, the salads came out. It looked okay, but I looked closer at the chicken and it was red and raw. I worried about that because it was obvious by the time we waited the kitchen was really behind and I'm sure they were under pressure to get food out. The place was really busy. The waitress came back and I let her know. She took it back and said she was sorry and "that there's no way we would pay for that, I'll take it off your bill", as if she was doing me a favor. I thought, thanks, I don't expect to pay for food I can't/won't eat or that could make me ill. She did offer to have it cooked and bring it back, but I declined. One of the other people eating with us sent his back too, as the sight of raw chicken ruined his appetite for chicken. No manager came over to apologize. I have to say, if you get raw food at restaurant, the manager/GM/someone in charge should come over and at least apologize and offer some concession. The waitress did offer free drinks, to just two of us...that was a diet coke and a glass of wine.
Dinner came about 30 minutes after the salads. Listen, the steak is steak and this isn't the Oak Room. I understand that. But jesus the steak was real small and really overpriced. I guess I didn't realize 10oz was that small.
The bill was about $130 for 4 people, although two weren't drinking. Too much for such poor place. I won't be back which is too bad because I had heard a lot of good things about it. It was a waste of money and time... -
Review from Calvin F.
Cambridge, MA
8/12/2010
Every time I see this place's name, I hear the T operator announcing, "Ashmont Grill! Ashmont!"
I have to say, it was a mixed bag, but I think I liked it overall.
The Good:
- Ambiance. Cool little place, and it's nice that it's right near the Ashmont T stop.
- The food. Oh my god, the food. Out of this world. My ex and I shared a grilled calamari, a fish & chips, and the entree mac & cheese. We're fans of fried calamari, so this grilled appetizer wasn't what we were expecting, but the flavors were delicately balanced just right. The fish was melt-ey, the tartar sauce was like nothing I've had, and the fries had that hearty homemade quality. And then the mac & cheese. Wow. I probably ate a whole day's worth of calories just in that one dish, but the combination of savory, sweet, and just a touch of bitter made me eat until I was stuffed.
The Bad:
- Service. Our hostess was very nice, but our waiter was *flaky*. The hostess actually came over multiple times to do things (like refilling water and providing ketchup) that the waiter neglected to do. We're lucky she was working, or it would have sucked.
The Ugly:
- Flies! Buzzing everywhere! Indoors!! We had to shoo them away from our table repeatedly. It was kind of disgusting.
We went here with a Groupon, which made it a good deal. The prices aren't cheap, but considering you get generous portions of exquisite food, it's not unreasonable for a nice night out. The place definitely has room for improvement, but the food was so good that I would definitely consider braving the service roulette again to have some more.
