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Audubon Circle Restaurant Bar
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Nightlife Bars Lounges American (New), Lounges [Edit]
838 Beacon St(between Munson St & Arundel St)
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 421-1910
- Nearest Transit:
-
Park Dr @ Beacon St (47, 57, CT2)
Commonwealth Ave Opp Granby St (193, 57)
Park Dr @ Mountfort St (47, 57, CT2)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 1 am
Sat-Sun 11 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
227 reviews for Audubon Circle Restaurant Bar
Review Highlights
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"The white bean dip is awesome and comes with crispy toast." In 16 reviews -
"For my entree I had the tomato bisque and grilled cheese." In 5 reviews -
"We also tried the Kobe beef hot dog which was definitely..." In 3 reviews
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227 reviews in English
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Review from Binh L.
4/2/2012
I got the pan seared atlantic salmon, savory spaetzle and brussel sprouts. Absolutely cooked to perfection. WARNING NON-PORK EATERS! There is pork in this dish as they cut up bacon pieces along with the spaetzle and sprouts. This should probably be indicated on the menu.
Back to me drooling about the food, this place is pretty fantastic. The shrimp appetizer was delicious. Not too salty, juicy and fresh, and not too saucy (important). I don't even like shrimp and I stole as many as I could from my unsuspecting friend.
The decor is sharp, clean lines, wooden/dark/leather furnish. The bar is a little overwhelming like other reviews have stated. This would probably be annoying on a busy night. Try to ignore this and just push your appetizer plate towards your date - this will distract them.
Audubon Circle, you're so chic. You probably think you're cooler than me.Listed in: Date Places
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Review from Alicia W.
Boston, MA
4/11/2012
Two stars for a few reasons:
1. The food was forgettable as were the drinks
2. The atmosphere was terrible
3. And most of all because the hostesses are either complete idiots or the seating arrangment is just absurd. There are a number of two tops along the perimter of the restaurant with the inside seating being a booth. My boyfriend and I were sat at a two-top where I sat on the booth. The hostess then immediately sat table of four at the two-top next to us. This not only meant that one person from this party had his chair backed up against our table (with his jacket actually ON our table), but that me and the person on the other side of their table was complete blocked in. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it's f'n ridiculous, and I cannot fathom why a hostess would think that was a comfortable and appropriate seating arrangement for all 3 tables involved. The best part about this was that when I asked to be moved to a different table for precisely this reason...the waitress sat a four top next to us again only this time just asked everyone to "squeeze" in rather than adding chairs. This meant one person from the table next to us was basically sitting at my table with me and my boyfriend.
I will never go back nor will I recommend this place to anyone. -
Review from Margaret C.
Middlesex, MA
3/31/2012
I wouldn't call this a destination spot, but if you find yourself in the Fenway/Kenmore area and want something classier than fast food but perhaps not quite so classy as the Eastern Standard, this is reliably good. Drinks on the pricey side, but they're quite good; limited beer choices. I actually appreciate that they keep their food menu short, and everything on it is decent. The apps are generously-portioned to share, or in some cases make up a small meal in themselves.
Potsticker box is a killer app. Best thing I have ever had, hands down, is a new addition there: a kale salad with both fresh and crispy kale, roasted butternut squash, and ground almonds. Gorgeous. The service tends to be efficient but not that friendly, and the ambience is weirdly stuck somewhere between upscale and sports bar. I will also never understand the big table in the middle of the dining room that has an end so pointy I am shocked drunk people don't regularly impale themselves upon it. -
Review from Rani P.
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mussels and beer. This is what a night at Audubon Circle means to me. The mussels are cooked in an AMAZING garlic, tomato sauce that will be all over your fingers, bread, napkin, and face. An additional plate of toasty, warm (grilled) bread to sop up every last drop will happen- and you won't feel the least bit guilty. The waiter/waitress will simply smile and understand as he/she goes back to get you more. The beer menu will make the craft brewers and non-brewers (like me) proud. Just don't let the triangle-shaped table (with a discomforting point at one end) located awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant stand in your way of ordering a few glasses with the very friendly bar staff.
Listed in: All Time B-Town Favorites
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Review from Jillian O.
Boston, MA
5/20/2012
A cute little spot in BU's south campus. It's a bit pricier than the average college student's budget but it's a good choice for special occasions. The skirt steak tacos app ($9) came as two small tacos. A little messy as they both fell apart as soon as I picked them up, but they were pretty tasty. The turkey chili ($6 for small, $8 for large) was OK; it was definitely lacking in flavor. All in all, I enjoyed the atmosphere more than the food.
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Review from Jenn S.
3/9/2012
Ever since reading Amanda L's awesome blog review of Audubon Circle, I've been wanting to try. Never realizing it was a restaurant (whenever I saw the sign, I thought it was the bike shop!), I have been missing out on this place for years.
I met a colleague there Wednesday night. Neither of us was super hungry, so we decided to split some appetizers (I LOVE apps).
Based on Amanda's review, I wanted to get the cheese plate, but my fellow dinner wasn't feeling it, so we went for another of Amanda's recommendations: the white bean purée with grilled bread. The slices of bread, with beautiful grill marks, were super crunchy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. The purée was very nice. I enjoyed this, but it wouldn't be my first choice in the future.
We took a while to decide between the audubon potsticker box and the basket of steamed veggie dumplings. We decided on the potstickers because in the past, I haven't liked steamed veggie dumplings. They came out in a Chinese takeout box, and it took us several minutes of searching through some (delicious) veggies before we found the potstickers! I actually said "are there any potstickers in here??" We finally found them (I think there were only 5, but thought the waiter said there were 6) and they were DELISH. They are pan-fried, but so lightly. They were basically the perfect potsticker (gyoza, NOT dumpling) - the skin was thin but did not fall apart, and the pork filling was flavorful and tender. They were somewhat oily, as were the red peppers, peapods, water chestnuts and radishes (I think?) that accompanied them. But not in a gross, greasy way.
To end, we HAD to split the chevre cheesecake with an oreo crumb. How could we not? This is WORTH the calories, and that is exactly what I told the couple next to us, when they asked what exactly we were eating and was it as delicious as it looked. Yes, it was.
Our waiter was SO nice and patient. He came over 2 times before we even looked at the menus and each time he said "take your time" and slipped away.
My colleague told me they own Cambridge 1 too, which I could totally see in the decor.
I would love to come back to Audubon for dinner - and brunch, now that they serve it! -
Review from C.M. M.
Quincy, MA
4/3/2012
Best food I've had since moving to Boston. Fabulous.
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Review from Miguel R.
Boston, MA
2/4/2012
This place does so much with so little.
The space is small, but cozy; ambient, but lively; noisy, but not in the least bit distracting.
The food is surprisingly good and moderately priced for a place where the bar scene overwhelms the sitdown area. I'm not much of an expert at critiquing bars, but they had Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada on draft, which was enough to make me happy.
It's close enough to Kenmore and Fenway to hop on and off the T too. -
Review from Tess G.
Brookline, MA
1/9/2012
I've been here a few times and had a great experience every time. My most recent visit was with an old friend in town visiting for the weekend. It was the perfect place to catch up and talk without blasting music. I think The National even played while we were there and it was commented on how they were playing some good tunes.
Our group tried the white bean dip, grilled shrimp and potsticker box. The winning app as voted on my the table was the potstickers. For dinner I had the turkey ruben-y panini with Asian slaw. It was wonderful. Along with all the food, I was sipping on white wine. -
Review from Sarah G.
9/10/2011
Grilled cheese with bacon and warm tomato bisque. Pretty much a perfect comfort food combo that could warm anyone's soul.
Well the bisque definitely was that. It was amazing actually. The perfect consistency and the perfect balance of flavor, that bisque was just awesome.
But the grilled cheese that came with it was small and was basically bread....there was hardly any cheese in it and I paid $1 extra for bacon and there wasn't really that much bacony goodness either. I was expecting more from melted cheese on carbs, but Audobon, you fell a little short there.
Good thing our waitress was hilarious. She joked around with us and was super nice, so that's a plus. Matt J. also very much liked his mozzarella eggplant sandwich served with a side salad, Neil C. said his duck on his duck salad was cooked to perfection too. Anna B. got their turkey sandwich panini which she loved the bread, but picked around the cabbage in her side salad, plus they forgot to add the lettuce in her sandwich like she asked.
Really a 3.5 star place, but rounded down for not making a good enough grilled cheese ha But the place itself is cute, dimly lit and has a nice overall style to it, so I would say try it out. -
Review from Taylor A.
11/10/2011
Great combination of hip surroundings, spot-on food, and snobby/pretty waitresses earn this place 4 stars. If the prices were a little more reasonable they'd be at 5 stars pretty easily.
They were mostly accommodating with our large party (half of which arrived a bit late). A few where-the-hell-is-the-rest-of-your-party stares, but that's too be expected in a place with limited seating. I was just happy to be back in almost-Boston with friends I hadn't seen in a long time, so the attitude was easily forgotten.
I'd put this place on your date-list and stop by soon. It's already popular so call ahead. -
Review from Lyle W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/9/2012
Great lunch spot after touring Fenway. As tourists, we had to see Fenway, even though the Sox were out of town. Walking out of the stadium @ 2 pm, we realized we were starving and had no idea where to go. Sure, there was the beer/restaurant across the street but that place smelled like sponges. So I tried my Yelp app and it pointed us in the direction of Audobon. A short walk later my wife, kids and I were seated in a clean, cool-looking, minimalist restaurant (and yes, bar) with great personal service. The kids ordered off the kids' menu, my wife and I had sandwiches/soup/chili and it was all delicious. Very fairly priced, too. When the bartender/waiter learned we were from LA, he was shocked -- supposedly only locals know about this place b/c the owner doesn't put much into advertising. So thank you, Yelp -- you provided yet another great find at mealtime. And whoever owns Audobon -- you've got a great place there. Put some of your profits into advertisting -- it's the best investment you can make!
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Review from Marc T.
Stamford, CT
3/1/2012
First class establishment. Sadly, we watched our food sit under the heat lamps for about 5-minutes before it was brought out. I'll be back for a do-over just because of the menu! Drink service was awesome.
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Review from Victoria M.
Houston, TX
9/4/2011 2 photos
Stopped in for a quick lunch on a Saturday afternoon. This place has a great look (I'm loving those gigantic wooden cabinets and slate tables) and I can see the potential for a nice hang out. There was only one other table there, and the bf noted that he always thought it was strange that the place wasn't packed. We talked to the waitress about it and she mentioned that it's really a word of mouth place that you'd totally miss if someone didn't tell you about it. Very true - we almost walked right by it.
So we only had 2 things but both were fresh and tasty and would warrant future visits.
Grilled shrimp with citrus dipping sauce - good quality shrimp grilled for a nice crunch on the outside, glazed and topped with sesame seeds. The citrus in the dipping sauce was not overpowering.
Lobster roll w/ chips and slaw - cold roll (not the hot buttered kind, but they let you know in advance in case that's not what you want) filled with chunks of lobster in a light mayo and celery dressing. Something slightly reminiscent of Asian food or sushi in there but I can't quite put my finger on it. The slaw had a pleasant bitterness to it and kettle cooked chips (I don't think they make these) offered a nice contrast.
Good look, good service, good music (straight from the 90's! Paperboy anyone?) good food. -
Review from Piqui B.
Brighton, MA
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Loved the appetizers mussels were great loved the sauce
ribeye was good except they cut it in slices
kobe hot dog was good
salmon was awesome
white bean puree wasn't my thing
edamame? wtf why did someone at my table love this? -
Review from El C.
4/5/2012
I used to live down the street and would come here often for drinks/bites. I'm not a huge fan of the entrees (although I've only eaten a full meal there twice) but the cocktails and appetisers are perfect. There is a pepper jelly dish that is to die - I asked them where I could buy it and they said they make it on site and would not tell me how! Rude.
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Review from meredith k.
Boston, MA
10/21/2011
Audubon always gets it right. I used to live in the area and ate there at least twice a month. I went again last night for the first time in almost two years. Although the menu is still very similar (if not the same), it has something for everyone. I started with the white bean dip, which is a must, and had the roast chicken for dinner. The chicken was perfect, I mean perfect.
The staff was friendly and helpful, as usual. I love this place! -
Review from Santiago A.
Cambridge, MA
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had a great burger here for lunch. Love the atmosphere and the food. The staff was very friendly.
But the best part was the cocktail. I had the Acrb tea party. Very good. -
Review from Josh D.
Cambridge, MA
8/19/2011
Ate here last night - great atmosphere, but the food was less than mediocre. Drinks were OK, but I would stick to what you normally like, and not their 'special' offerings.
It feels/seems like they're overreaching- stick to good quality burgers and salads? -
Review from Nicole V.
4/6/2011
Have I seriously never reviewed Audubon Circle? That seems just so.... wrong
First off, I live across the street. That makes this place criminally easy for me. If I didn't love to cook I would be a happily intoxicated regular. I still probably end up here at least once every three weeks but it's pretty hard not to.
Second is going to be the drinks. Mixed drinks are delicious and stiff which happens to be just the way I like them. I don't mind paying $10 when I can taste the liquor in my drink. Mr. Audubon Circle Bartender, I like your style. For non-liquor drinkers, tap beers are only $5. Certainly not bad in the state of no drink specials (I seriously want to review the entire state of MA and give it 0 stars just for that... but that rant shall be saved for another day).
Third: ambiance and overall "cool" setting. I dare you to describe this place any other way. I love the whole setting; if I had high ceilings and an unlimited budget, this is how I would want my kitchen/dining room to look. See also: effortlessly, simplistically, cool. Yup, I just used the word cool twice. With the weather about to turn back around (again - thank you for your moodiness mother nature) I definitely recommend the outdoor seating in the back. It's highly underused and tranquil. I love it.
Best for last: food. I love the food here. My favorite is still the gazpacho (can't wait for that to be back in season) or the mussels. I asked the waitress once if she would judge me if I drank the sauce the mussels were in. She laughed and walked away. I was just about to do it when she came back with extra grilled bread and a spoon. Easily +349820348 points in my book. The white bean dip, cucumber/tom/mozz salad, pot sticker box, burger, and grilled sandwiches shouldn't be missed either. I've pretty much loved everything and don't think you can go wrong. I personally think ordering lots of little plates and splitting with someone is the best way to go.
Conclusion: Thank you Audubon Circle for being my fantastic "go to" bar. Double thanks for being so awesome that people offer to come back. The effortlessness on my behalf is phenomenal. If only I could be as cool as you...Listed in: Out of Towners..., My 'hood
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Review from David R.
Boston, MA
1/16/2012
I like this sister restaurant of The Miracle of Science in Cambridge.
Really good drinks, food and a nice interior. It's a little off the beaten path but I like that about it.
I HIGHLY recommend it. -
Review from Ben S.
10/14/2011
I have never had a bad meal here, a disappointing drink pour, an unfriendly encounter, or a reason to complain in the slightest about Audubon Circle. The layout is favorable, airy, and hip. The drink selection is pleasing to a wide variety of patrons. The staff is courteous, helpful, and frequently very good-looking. AC is proximate enough to be walkable to Fenway without being overly congested...and the game will be on in the corner if you don't have a ticket. Plus, it's most definitely a year-round spot, and not simply for the fair-weather seasons.
But let's talk about the food now. Refined offerings of simple food, presented beautifully, consistently, inexpensively - this is the hallmark of Audubon service, and a reason to try once and return repeatedly.
The potsticker box, the grilled shrimp with citrus dipping sauce, the crab cakes - excellent. The soups and salads - all are crisp, fresh, and bright with flavor. I turn least frequently to their full plates, but find happiness every time I order the pappardelle bolognese or bbq boneless chicken with potato salad and house-made biscuits and pickles. However, now i must pause for a moment - if I'm on death row, awaiting my last meal, there are a few options rolling around in my head - one of them is Audubon's pressed turkey, bacon, and Swiss sandwich with a side of Asian slaw. It's mouth-watering, elegantly simple, avant garde-ly shaped like Audubon's own island seating area, and just the right portion of perfect, with the sharpness of the side of Asian slaw and dipping mustard providing a salivation-inducing counterpoint to this wolf-in-chic-clothing comfort food. I'm neither stuffed, nor in need of more - in all facets, this simple plate is JUST right. Even in garishly, notoriously, sometimes obnoxiously expensive Boston, this seminal treat is ten dollars...as it should be - there is something wholesome, smart, basic, fulfilling, and original about this meal, and those same words can describe parts of Boston's charm (on a clear day) to some degree as well. No, this is not the dish you need to get if you have only one touristy meal to experience Boston - but your taste buds might thank you even more for this gem than for many other "top" offerings. Just sayin'.
I've been here with friends, with my parents, with my wife - and in all phases, everyone has been pleased, impressed, and happy. I wish for you the same experience at Audubon, and I feel confident you'll get it. -
Review from Morgan J.
Nashville, TN
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife and I went here for lunch. She had the tomato bisque & grilled cheese, and found it tasty, but said that the grilled cheese should have had 2 slices of cheese for the thickness of the bread. I had the pork schnitzel, which was a tad over-sauced. I would have preferred the sauce (some kind of tartar-esque white sauce) on the side. The oil to used to fry the schnitzel may have been on the verge of turning, but it was hard to tell with the overabundance of sauce. The salad was fresh and a welcome addition to the dish. I did clean my plate, though, and the prices weren't out of hand...for Boston.
Good beer list. Long bar and standing bar. Attractive menu -
Review from Maya H.
Brookline, MA
8/2/2011
I really don't have anything negative to say about Audubon. The staff are always friendly and the service is fantastic! I haven't had a drink or meal there that I haven't enjoyed and I've tried pretty much everything on the menu. I definitely recommend the saint germain cocktail and the crab cakes or the pot stickers!
I haven't been there for brunch yet but I'm excited to give it a try! -
Review from Idora S.
Mattapan, MA
12/15/2011
If you're looking for a low-key place to grab a drink and/or bite with friends, Audubon is a great spot.
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Review from T S.
Brookline, MA
6/10/2011
I finally dined at this place after usually only stopping in for a drink on other occasions.
The mussels are good, although not my favorite in town. (I've had mussels all over this city because I can't get enough of them.) The appetizer portion is plentiful - big enough for a meal. It come with 4 pieces of crusty bread, which is great for dipping into the sauce. The sauce is red with some onions, touch of cream, and a couple of kalamata olives thrown in that definitely added a little something extra.
My friends got the roasted potatoes (which were delicious and the ketchup that accompanied them was fantastic!) and the pressed caprese panini (which was flavorful and tangy).
Now, onto the major disappointment. The pork schnitzel. I bought this and brought it home for my other half and it was essentially tasteless. When he said it was somewhat bland, I wasn't sure how that could be the case... until I tasted it. These thin pieces of meat had no seasoning whatsoever - the entire experience was essentially all about texture because it was just that tasteless. The tartar sauce (?) that came with the meal helped give at least some taste to it - but not by much. He also had the gratin, which was also bland, but had more taste than the schnitzel - would not recommend that either.
I'll be back to try some other things. The service was wonderful, the drinks were great, and I was happy with the ambiance, food that I had, and my experience overall. If you happen to stop in, take it from me and don't order the schnitzel because it'll likely leave a bad taste in your mouth. Pun intended. -
Review from Snuffles B.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2010 1 photo
Burger Binge, Part III. The 3rd one I've had in the past week or so on my quest to for Boston's best (purported) burgers.
- Beef Shin Quesadilla - Meat was juicy, a shade salty, crip tortilla , needed more cheese and more acid for contrast.
- Cheeseburger - I asked for medium rare and it came to me just tinkering on the edge of of well done. The flavor was good, but it was dry. The portabello on top was also a bit dry. I liked the crisp bun and the cheese was nicely melted. I liked that they offered about 6 different cheese options. The potatoes were flavorful but a bit mushy.
- Babyback Ribs - My friend's dish - was falling of the bone (good sign) and she thought it tasted pretty good, not amazing, but enough to finish what was a pretty huge portion.
I really like the venue - dark wood, spacious clean lines, very sophisticated looking for a sports bar. The price is pretty darned good - most entrees around $8-14. Our waiter was very nice but lost track of us at the end of our meal when he got distracted at the bar. I really want to like you Audubon circle, but your food and service are pretty average, so I will be hamburgling elsewhere. -
Review from B.Kiddo K.
Boston, MA
3/23/2011
This place is often forgotten which probably IS why I like it. Although it does get packed, it is usually a very normal crew that isn't putting their tush in your face if you are at a table or yelling. The staff is also very nice and really does not push you to bounce.
I always take friends there if I need to catch up, want some good food and do not want to be rushed. I also take family there.
The food is delish and they have won awards for their burger in the past although pretty much everything is delish.
Beer: great selection! nothing to complain about
Price: super reasonable
pkng: medium issues -
Review from Ashley M.
Boston, MA
4/11/2011
This place is GREAT! I pretty much am here 4 nights a week. (that's what working across the street will do) The bartenders are all AWESOME! the food is always great and super reasonable. i recommend this place to most of my clients.
definitely go and make sure you eat the mussels -
Review from Marti V.
Haverhill, MA
3/2/2011
I ate here for the first time today - and everything was delicious. We started with the grilled shrimp. They were covered in sesame seeds and had a delicious dipping sauce. For my entree I had the tomato bisque and grilled cheese. The soup had a bite to it, which really set it apart from your average tomato soup. I guess the sandwich could have had a little more cheese, but that would be my only criticism.
My dining partners also seemed to greatly enjoy their beet salad, chicken salad (I don't remember more about it), and chicken sandwich - which had a huge slice of melted cheese and roasted tomato on it with a side of potatoes, which were apparently delicious because one kept stealing potatoes from the other.
The menu is short, but the options are varied and each one looks delicious.
As far as service and ambience goes, it should be noted that I ate in the middle of the afternoon. The bartender/waitress was attentive without being overbearing. However, I can see how it might get crazy during the dinner rush because the tables are very close together. Something to keep in mind if you want to have a secret conversation, I guess?
The restaurant is beautiful - original wood floors, the bar is on an angle, the rafters in the ceiling are exposed with a part that... juts up? (I don't know how to word that) with windows to let in more natural light.
Just a beautiful space with delicious food. -
Review from georgia marie l.
Boston, MA
7/16/2010
I'm going to level with you: Audoban is, quite frankly, the shit! I live right across the street and hop over here whenever I'm in the mood for a stellar meal and a stiff drink.
I've tried everything on the menu and let me tell you, it's all good. The crabcakes? Dear god, save me from myself. The white bean dip is awesome and comes with crispy toast. The edamame is done just right.
My favorite thing on the menu, by far, the fucking burger- and I don't even eat red meat. The beef they use must come from royal cows and the pepper jack and ketchup adds a bit of a spicy twist. Granted, it comes with roasted potatoes and not french fries but they are still absolutely delish.
A few times the staff has been slightly 'salty,' if you will, with me when I've asked for a table but promptly apologized.
Also, they have a craft beer menu that rotates on the regular.
In the summer, there's a back patio that's secluded and charming.
Dude, as your friend, you've gotta try this spot. -
Review from Pam S.
8/14/2008
So I was driving home last night, listening to a self-made CD, and up came "Naked Eye" by Luscious Jackson...and it always makes me think of Audubon Circle.
Many moons ago, I was dating a GREAT guy. Good looking, in awesome shape, very intelligent, and knew all the right things to say and do. The night I met him, he was wearing a turtleneck sweater, which is kind of a turn on for me. Of all my conquests when I lived in Boston, he was one of the better ones...but he was Jewish and I am not, so it kind of died.
Our first real "alone" date, he took me to Audubon. I couldn't get over what a good vibe it had. I noticed that Boston can be a town of pretentious eateries, all of them cockier than the next, trying to outdo each other in exotic food/decor/patrons.
Audubon is definitely tries, but not offensively so. I adored their burgers with brie, and found that any date would look good with the lighting and decor. The staff was usually friendly...taking the time to help me remember the song playing that I couldn't remember by Luscious Jackson. -
Review from Jeffrey H.
Washington, DC
9/12/2008
The backyard patio provided the destination for a dinner date with my heterosexual life partner. I really enjoyed the mixture of zen garden and urban setting as the bamboo lining met with the brick of surrounding buildings.
The food was decent - I ordered myself a pressed turkey sandwich which was served with some Asian slaw and mustard on the side. The sandwich was nothing more than what I could make myself with the George Foreman I don't have. The slaw was good - I always enjoy a good slaw.
One thing to note was the speed of the service - so fast it was as if I had just handed the menu back over to the waitress as she was placing my sandwich in front of my pie hole - nicely done. For dessert we ordered some cheesecake which was drizzled with a raspberry sauce - the cake tasted like it had been recently frozen and the sauce was a bit too tart for my liking - dessert fail.
The interior was dimly lit with clean and modern styling - a very romantic date spot I would say. But beware while you exit, if Ms. Ligaya hadn't pointed out the extremely sharp triangular table lurking in the darkness, my tummy would have made a collision impact leaving me looking like this... http://nicolemagne.com...Listed in: Always a bridesmaid, never a…, Take it outside!
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Review from Damon I.
Boston, MA
5/12/2008
I was skeptical due to Fenway proximity. With no immediately discernible flat screen for "the game," (a Boston ubiquity) the personality of Audubon Circle puts the rowdy sports scene out of site and out of mind.
Dim lighting, design austerity and seductive wood paneling carve out a cave of hip repose. Not too loud, testosterone fueled, or trying too hard, mildly creative cocktails and gossippy whisperings about the immediate randoms are without better vessel in Kenmore.
Possibly great for a first date or simply to avoid sports, Audubon Circle has all the stuff that turns off the Sox jocks and turns on the relaxation aficionado. -
Review from Tom E.
2/19/2007
I like this bar - a lot. I first saw it when I was a visitor and thought it looked like it might cost an arm and a leg to eat at. But all those months later I turned up here for a lunch date and was pleasantly surprised to find good food, great service and a wonderful atmosphere that is anything but snooty and everything but uncool. Also the burger here is probably the best I've had yet in my months in Boston - it was damn damn good.
So a month goes by and another date tells me she wants to take me to somewhere good I've not been before and she suggests Audubon...
Me: "I've never been to Audubon - what is it?" (lying through my email teeth)
And so I got my second bite at the Audubon cherry and it's just as good in the evenings. Potstickers and cocktails - me like. -
Review from Kristina B.
Somerville, MA
2/22/2009
Very Miracle of Science-esque (which makes sense given that it's under the same ownership), down to the consistency of the burger bun and quality of the burger itself.
4.5 stars for impeccable execution:
1) The handwriting on the chalkboards is the perfect elementary school teacher style.
2) The medium rare burger actually comes out medium rare.
3) The roasted potatoes that come out with the burger are delish.
4) The cheese options for the burger include asiago and blue.
5) Beer & wine selection = solid. -
Review from Bridget L.
Charlotte, NC
4/28/2011
Found this place when we were waiting on a tour of Fenway Park. Definitely do that tour even if you are not a baseball fan! Terrific.
The business looks beautiful and love the patio outside. I bet on a warm day/evening it would be packed! It's the kind of place my husband said he'd like to hang out. Great vibe and loved the contemporary wood decor.
We were there for lunch. Service was excellent. We were one of two groups at that time of day - 1-2 pm. Food presentation was excellent. I had the Turkey Chili and it was full of flavor. My hubby chose tomato bisque and grilled cheese and said it was really bland. One son chose the turkey, bacon and Swiss sandwich and it looked gorgeous, but tasted pretty blah. Other son chose a barbeque plate. What a yucky looking dish. We asked what he'd ordered, and he said, "cat food" and it really looked like it. He wasn't happy with the flavor either. One out of four were happy.
Might be a wonderful place to get a drink and hang out though. -
Review from Hana T.
Boston, MA
3/3/2008
It just seemed funny that the first thing the waitress said to my (Indian) dining companion when he asked about the Texas chili is "It's not spicy."
Yeah, that killed it for us.. errr... him more.
This is one of the first places I bookmarked on Yelp and have been meaning to go here for a long time now. Reading about the delicious sandwiches so much, I finally got a green apple pressed sandwich with green salad on the side.
The sandwich- it's not amazing, but I like it. It could use some more fillings [green apples] definitely, because when you pressed pressed sammies, things get compacted down. With little fillings to begin with, it practically wilted down to a miniscule amount.
My suggestion: Scoop up your green salad INto the sandwich, instead of having on the side. Trust me, it'll taste a lot better.
Overall: not a dining destination, but stop by if you're in the neighborhood for lunch. The other vegetarian burger (a beanie one) i tried was okay too, but still not great.
.............................. (3.5 Stars) -
Review from Dylan J.
Boston, MA
3/17/2011
Audubon... How do I love thee? let me count the ways.
1) Your wonderful atmosphere. I have an affinity for long bars as it it, but this one is superb with dark wood and a black top. It doesn't hurt that most of the people behind the bar are fun to look at.
2) The delicious drinks I get to imbibe when sitting at superb, long bar. I love bourbon to begin with, but they have a vanilla infused bourbon used for their Manhattans. Delicious.
Numbers 3 - 7 are all food...
3) Kobe Beef Hot Dog: which I believe is 3 or 4 dollars and massive.
4) Cheese Plate: yummy jam, almonds, cheese... what could be wrong?
5) Mussels: Spicy, garlicy, tomatoy.... wonderful.
6) Veggie Burger: home made and delicious. It come with some sort of spicy mayo - devine. I practically lived on this last summer.
7) Chevre Cheesecake: which I got for free on my birthday last year - oreo crust is awesome.
8) Backyard patio in the summer.
I used to live across the street and would probably go to Audubon twice a week. We would partake in what I called the Beacon St. Pub Crawl - classy beginnings at Audubon, followed by messier endings at An Tua Nua across the street.
All in all about Audubon - delicious atmosphere, food, and bartenders. -
Review from Kirsten J.
Boston, MA
4/24/2011
Audubon tries hard to evoke a modern decor, but it tends to come off as an ambiance seemingly inspired by Ikea.
With that being said, the items on the menu are actually tasty (grilled chicken salad, white bean puree, pappardelle bolognese, pressed caprese, pressed italian). The only gripe food-wise I have is that I haven't seen the menu updated with any new dishes in about 3 years. If there were more variety I'm sure I would visit much more regularly.
