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Banq - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Asian Fusion Asian Fusion [Edit]
1375 Washington St(between Union Park St & Waltham St)
Boston, MA 02118
Neighborhood: South End
(617) 451-0077
- Nearest Transit:
-
Washington St @ Union Pk (191, SL4, SL5)
Washington St @ Union Pk (191, SL4, SL5)
W Dedham St @ Washington St (10, 170)
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
99 reviews for Banq
Review Highlights
"...desert I had the coconut ice cream drizzled with lavender..."
(in 4 reviews)
"the tofu steak was AMAZING."
(in 6 reviews)
"For dinner, I chose the short ribs which melted in my mouth."
(in 9 reviews)
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Haley C.
Boston, MA
9/21/2009
After dining next door at Union, we stopped in to Banq for an after-dinner drink. I was thoroughly impressed with the ambiance, service, and most importantly the cocktails!
Our bartender (although I don't recall his name, his hair style was extremely unique and appeared to be dyed in a leopard print pattern) made 2 of the best drinks (mojito &chocolate martini) I have ever tasted! My husband's mojito was excellent-unlike many Boston bars- the mojito at Banq was created with the perfect proportion of rum, mint, and sugar cane- not simply a sugary watered down version of the popular Cuban drink. For me, the bartender prepared a mouth watering chocolate martini, topped off with exactly the right amount of cocoa.
We definitely made the right call to pass on dessert in exchange for Banq's delicious cocktails! -
Review from Josh R.
Jamaica Plain, MA
2/16/2008 ROTD 11/13/2008
Blue Cheese under the Banyan Tree
The SE has a great new restaurant, and one that doesn't quite fit the typical Boston mold. Thank God. I'll be back, often. 4.5 stars overall, but I'll kick a little extra Yelp love their way with 5 out of 5 for exceeding my expectations.
At first glance, Banq's striking interior looks like either a well-lit cave or a "made-by-Ikea" whale skeleton, with slices of precision cut blonde wood hanging in undulating waves from the ceiling, but it's actually supposed to be a banyan tree, with a wine room hidden inside the "trunk". The zebrawood floors, tables and banquettes rise up to meet it, encapsulating diners in a cozy lagoon that is relatively quiet and private, despite the relatively large size of the dining area.
A party of four, we were seated at probably the worst table in the house at first blush - right next to the bathrooms and in view of a service station - but as the dinner progressed it was actually a lot of fun to keep tabs on the still-wet-behind-the-ears but very attentive staff (and the well-heeled clientele.) The manager seated us and gave us a little background and some delicious detail - just the sort of personal attention that any new restaurant needs to help it over the chaos of the first few weeks.
Our server (can't remember his name) was excellent - spot on with the menu and though he wasn't perfect with the wine list, he ran to the bar several times to ferret out a perfect pinot for us. I didn't look at the wine menu personally, but Banq has some interesting coctails.
The first section of the pan-asian/french fusion menu is Asian Amuse'. Though our waiter and the manager suggested that they're simply a single bite for our pre-dinner amusement, they were slightly more substantial (2 bites!) We tried the beets (sweet and golden) and a few other items that were simply perfect.
The appetizers followed promptly and were spot on. I don't actually remember everything we had - too lost in conversation - but I remember everyone loving their selections, especially the the duck & date "cigars" with a "shot" of something absolutely delicious.
Two of us had the tofu entree, which was an amazingly creamy blend of subtle spices - Indian-inspired comfort food - and one of us had the cod, which was cooked perfectly over a bed of greens, though a little less warm overall than we would have liked. The only disappointment was the pork shoulder, which came out a little tough and fatty. Our waiter took it off the bill and the manager came by to apologize, but we ended up discussing the finer points of braising various cuts of pork. Educational as well as engaging!
Of course, we had to try the desserts, but held to just two: the creme brule and the pineapple wontons with chocolate sushi and blue cheese ice cream. The creme brule was presented in two small cups, and though one was slightly frozen in the middle (?) they were quite good, but nothing compared to the pineapple wonton. The blue cheese ice cream scoop was sweet and heavenly, the wasabi ice cream was sweet and spicy, and the entire dish had the four of us clashing spoons and shooting each other dirty looks as we polished off the final bits.
Banq definitely rates a look-see, but you should stay for the food. I can't wait to go back and try out the rest of the menu, and sit at the bar for a few drinks to soak up the ambiance. Though young, it has a lot of potential and didn't exhibit any of those "just opened" jitters. I can only hope they keep up the level of enthusiasm and professionalism we saw last night. -
Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
8/9/2009
Think that banQ is out of your price range? Think you'd have to win the lottery, get a raise or get a second job to get your nosh on here?
Well, common misconceptions be damned, because banQ has devised an economically sound solution to get more consumers in the door without sacrificing the sheer level of chic that is central to their image.
Stop into banQ on any given Thursday and get yourself a $5 mojito, snacks from their $5 bar menu and even help yourself to a very moderately priced tarot card reading.
As for the ever-concerning cliché "you get what you pay for," banQ's Thursday nights are an anomaly. The bar food is generous in portion, the mojitos are fantastic and the front bar is not so crowded that you can't get a good spot with friends to sit, sip, savor and generally just enjoy a nice night out that's easy on the other bank in your life. -
Review from Mcslimj B.
Boston, MA
2/12/2008
South End French-Asian fusion with a lot of style and surprisingly good food.
You will hear endlessly about this place's interior design. I personally think it's original and great-looking.
I had expected a Mantra knockoff for several reasons: one principal here was involved with Mantra's opening; it's in a former bank building; there's an eye-catching interior design; the concept is French/Asian fusion, etc. But the analogy falls down once you taste the food and pay the much more modest check. The menu isn't just French/Indian fusion, which is mostly what Mantra is doing. Banq draws fusion elements from all over Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan), mostly pretty successfully, but it isn't Myers+Chang: it's Western, read French, fine dining with an Asian fusion slant.
Starting with the Big Caveat that it hasn't even been open two weeks, I'll say:
* Prices are better than I expected for a fancy South End place. $4-6 small plates, $10-12ish apps, entrees mostly around $20-25 (a useful contrast with Mantra's moslty $30-40 entrees).
* They have at least one bartender, Steven, who knows what he's doing. The cocktail menu doesn't wow me, but at least muddles some fresh fruit and herbs, and doesn't lean too heavily on flavored vodkas. The bar space itself feels a bit cramped, especially in the corners. This is one spot where the demands of the design trumped comfort and space efficiency.
* The dining room is very attractive, soaring ceilings, pretty hardwoods (a lot of zebra wood), well-spaced booths. I'm frankly amazed the room isn't, like, Via Matta Loud, given all the hard surfaces. Soundtrack is that by-now-utterly-cliched series of Hotel Costes compilations.
* The wine list is a nice surprise, not overloaded with $100+ bottles. It's got geographic range, doesn't pander with a lot of familiar, overpriced Cali wines, and has plenty to choose from for under $50. Serving temperatures are currently a problem (underchilled whites).
* The complimentary "bread of the day" is a great idea: I had a couple of different Indian flatbreads with superb spreads. I'd pay for these if they put them on the menu.
* The food is mostly very good, few outright misses. They need to start preheating the soup bowls; mine wasn't, which led as it invariably does to cold soup before you're finished. That's a simple oversight to fix.
* Service is still finding its feet, to be expected in Weeks One and Two.
Overall, a pleasant surprise so far. I'll be watching to see how they fine-tune the menu (I really enjoyed almost everything I tried, only tasted a dish or two I wouldn't order again) and burnish the service. I'll also be hawking the prices; they're attractive now, but it wouldn't take a big bump-up for me to question the value. -
Review from Bryan S.
Roslindale, MA
5/2/2008
Decor - A+; service - A+; menu - enticing, varied (a bit pretentious, but hey...)... dining at Banq is a VERY nice experience. The staff know their shi(z) and the food is great. The Amuse portions are teeny tiny... scallop means scallop, not 2 scallops... but, we aren't going to Banq for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Great wine list.
Men's room is tiny for such a large establishment (and shared by the kitchen staff?).
If you have friends visiting from NYC or London or Tokyo, bring them to Banq to show them that 'lil ole Boston IS a cutting edge Metropolitan city. -
Review from Sara S.
Boston, MA
7/23/2009
THURSDAY EVENING REVIEW
$5 mojitos and a $1 per minute tarot card reader, who was so spot-on I was nearly crying? Yeah, this is an awesome place to go for Thirsty Thursday, when your tastes in alcoholic beverages may have transitioned from Bud and Miller Lite and questioning the future may come into play. banQ is THE place to come! It's low key and downright fun and unique all at the same time!
The mojitos were some of the best I've had in Boston, and they offer many different kinds using fresh fruit purees, although I stuck with the traditional variety.
Service was great and we never had an empty glass! This is going to be my hangout on Thursdays, and no doubt am I going to indulge in their delicious-sounding bar bites!Listed in: South End Exploration
-
Review from Morgan F.
San Francisco, CA
3/23/2008
5 STARS FOR
1. HUGE and SUPER WELL PRICED Wine List :)
2. Veggie options that were sooo yummy! The noodles under the Tofu steak were great! Not to mention the meal itself.*
3. The decor. The walls reminded me of those things you build as a kid
4. Service - our waiter did not know everything, but sent over the gm to help with wine etc. Everyone was super friendly and helpful
5. Our seats - I was told we had one of the best seats in the house, an l-shaped booth that overlooked the entire room! It was great people watching!
I am hoping they will add some more options to the dinner list or rotate it every so often, I can't wait to go back!
*We were told the chef is awesome and if you are vegan will cook an entire vegan meal for you!! -
Review from Pallavi J.
Boston, MA
2/11/2009 ROTD 6/26/2009
BanQ should get 4 stars off the bat just for the decor. Loved the stalactite-y wood hanging off the ceiling, which make me think of dinosaur skeletons (in the best way possible).
Drinks:
Cha-ching gets the award in my book for tasting like liquid sunshine. It was very light and refreshing, and not overly sweet.
Something that tastes like Pumpkin Pie was good, but only if you really like pumpkin pie.
The mojito was ok.
I didn't get any food, but my friend got the moong dal crepe, which he liked. Overall, pretty good. I'll be back! -
Review from Erin M.
8/16/2009
Fact: The sound end is classy.
Fact: The south end is pricey.
Fact: The south end on Thursdays is inexpensive, delicious, yet still classy...if you head over to Banq.
Wait...what?
With an open window/door front bar area and friendly staff you immediately feel welcome in Banq. The decor is gorgeous, the Sox game will play in the background without being the main focus, and groups can gather easily for a leisurely night out (but don't worry, your service will be friendly and prompt).
Fact: Thursday nights play host to a fabulous $5 menu that offers large portions of savory appetizers that will end up being your meal and flavored, well-crafted mojitos. Go then. Get there early. It won't be crowded. Why? No idea. It should be packed!
Soy ginger lamb spring rolls? Yes, get them. They are heavenly. Warm, crisp, filled with flavor and a light, but ever-present ginger taste to them.
Garlic truffle mashed potatoes? Yes, get them too. They are on the side dish menu but still $5 (every day!). The portion is huge, made from Yukon gold potatoes, and topped with a large, but not overwhelming amount of truffles.
Mojitos? Do you need to ask? They are $5 and come in many fresh fruity flavors.
Eat up and drink up...without breaking the Banq (oh, funny!).Listed in: Stuff Me Silly!, South End, not Southie
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Review from kwala t.
San Diego, CA
12/15/2008
We went here for a celebratory dinner with a couple friends, one of whom is from the area and strongly recommended the restaurant. It was an almost entirely pleasant experience, but for the money and time spent it left us a little under-whelmed. Let me explain.
First, and as noted in many other reviews, the design and decor are definitely interesting without being distracting. It's nice to know the place uses sustainable and recycled materials. But the ambiance, in all honesty, was a little blase and even cheesy (think obnoxious crowd and piped-in house music)....made even worse by the fact that our service was pretty bad for such a high-end joint. Our section wasn't very full, so we couldn't tell if the server just didn't like us or didn't care about being attentive and helpful. In any case, it is no fun to splurge for the first time in months and feel as if your presence is annoying the one person controlling your evening.
But more importantly, the food. When they say Asian fusion, they mean it. These plates are going for some diverse wasabi-crusted-thai-spice-polenta-elk-steak concoction that at times delivers and other times just feels cluttered, taking the globalization charge a little too seriously. For example, naan bread in a dim sum basket with a sundried tomato dip. Tasty, but there was something so trendy about the whole experience it left me wondering about the restaurant's identity.
Nonetheless, my mussels were superbly selected and steamed in a nice ginger lemongrass broth, and the shortribs were delicious. The duck was also great, and while I didn't love the scallop-cantaloupe-arugula-goat cheese appetizer, my man certainly did.
We ended up spending quite a bit of money, as each of us got a couple drinks, so it wasn't a cheap meal, but the entrees fall in the mid-twenties range and the portions definitely keep you very well-fed. However, as many other reviewers have critiqued, Banq strikes me as more gimmick than quality, and I was left mostly satisfied and partly longing for a better overall experience. Especially due to the service - I've worked in food service for many years, and it's really not that hard to at least *pretend* that you care. -
Review from Colleen H.
South End, Boston, MA
9/26/2008
The food here is fantastic! I came here with five other people and everyone was thrilled with their dish. (My brother came, and he's one of the most unexperimental eaters, but with a little help he was on his way to heaven!)
Here's what we ordered:
Appetizers:
Flash Seared Shrimp
Pan Seared Scallops
Ginseng and Lemongrass Scented Mussels (YUM)
Entrees (we ended up ordering doubles):
Chargrilled Sirloin (my brother LOVED this)
Pan Seared Yellow Back Flounder (One of my favorite dishes EVER)
Pan Seared Haddock (I usually find haddock boring, but this was great)
I got the Hazelnut and Chocolate Parfait for dessert and it was VERY good.
Overall, my favorite part was the presentation. It's just gorgeous when they place it down in front of you. The cocktails were delicious, and so was the wine! The interiors (designed by Office dA) were incredible, especially for anyone in the design industry. I definate hot spot, if you haven't been! I STRONGLY suggest it.Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
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Review from Gina H.
Newton, MA
8/12/2008
I came here a few months back- and just thought about writing a review now.
why? You ask, because I am dying to go back!!!!!!
I LOVED IT HERE :) Every thing from the entrance to the exit was excellent! The restaurant is really so amazing from The ceiling that is made from a birch wood cut into curvaceous panels, giving Banq an oceanic and sexy vibe. The booths feel private and in some cases are in a totally separate room with a sheet-like divider.
The food, described as "asian fusion" is just that. Braised shortribs, Char-grilled haddock, flash-seared Vietnamese shrimp, tender lamb and a salty soy-ginger seasoning, petite spring rolls.... and that is just a sample!
Wines by the glass range from $7-10. I think they have a very good selection too. The bottles are a much better choice if you are 3 or more (for price)
I loved banq.... and cannot wait to go back!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Andrew T.
Boston, MA
12/3/2008
Whenever someplace has a gimmick (like the interior at Banq), you have to ask yourself "if they didn't have [insert gimmick here], what would I think of this place?". So that is how I am looking at Banq....sans sweeping wood slat ceiling-wall stuff. Which albeit cool, doesn't color my review one way or another.
That said, the food was very good. Sort of a French meets New Asian thing going on, with lots of great flavors and interesting combinations.
They did start us with a small amuse of soup, which is something I always love, and think ALL restaurants should do.
From there, we went with the veal cheek salad, which sort of had a bit of an Alpo look to it, but was super tasty. And at $12.50, seemed a bit disproportionately priced (higher) compared to the entrees which were in the low $20's. For entrees, we had the snapper and the tuna, both of which were simple and well executed...though my tuna was a little on the lukewarm side...more than it should have been.
Overall, a solid entry into the South End dining scene, but nothing to write home about. Service was vaguely snooty, space was nice, food was solid, and the bar looked pretty understated and nice. However, can we just leave the tvs out of nice restaurant bars already? If you have a slick bar, a nice lounge vibe, etc...do we need a 42" tv showing the Bruins game? I don't think so... -
Review from Jon H.
3/16/2009
Alrite, the much sought after 5-star review has been rewarded to BanQ from me. Why? Because not only did they hook it up with the private dining room, but the food was tasty and unique, the services was very friendly, and the decor was blow your mind good.
Our table ordered a mix of pretty much everything on the brunch menu. The prices were very decent for nice food, averaging about $9 a plate. I ordered up the Eggs Benedict with Wasabi Hollandaise, served with a side of Parmesan hash browns. We also had the french toast with fresh fruit, the banq fries with lemongrass mayo, and the masala omelet.
the french toast was incredible. semi-sweet, soft and melting inside with the proper amount of toasting and just a slight dash of Cinnamon. we found it so perfectly seasoned that we ACTUALLY SKIPPED the syrup. yeah, i know, that is almost ridiculous.
the masala omlet was both spicy and delicious, delivering an indian tasting goodness to a traditional breakfast dish. simply awesome.
the benedict, although i've had better, was served without any surprises. at first i had thought that my english muffin had been over-toasted, but then i realized that slight flavor difference from traditional senses was the wasabi...this i did not enjoy, but then again, it was my own adventurous decision. next time, ill go for the classic.
the fries, perfectly fried served with a very flavorful lemongrass spicy mustard/mayo. perfect compliment.
the parm has browns: lets focus on these. SERIOUSLY might be a top 3 way to have hash browns (the other great way would be with crumbled bacon and cheese). The cheese adds a great texture difference, balancing the crispy potatoes with a mushy soft cheese that lends a flavor that has you saying "ill pass on any salt....or ketchup....or hotsauce, these things are good on their own".
Decor? Awesome decor, filled with wood paneling built wavy and along the walls, creating a sense of being inside of the hull of a boat, as you are whisked away from the traditional thoughts of brunch foods into truly fusion brunch. Seriously, whodathunkit? -
Review from Bo W.
Somerville, MA
3/26/2008
I was very pleasantly surprised by Banq. To be honest, when I heard "new", "South End", "Mantra", "fusion", "hip interior", I said holy shit, this place is on a one-way trip to Ass Island.
The food is more traditional than fusion, though, the interior is actually beautiful and not as cavernously loud as I feared, the cocktails are great, and the service was surprisingly good considering how recently the joint had opened. It's also very, very reasonably priced, which was another pleasant surprise. The wine list is extensive and doesn't have an obnoxious markup. Our server suggested some very good pairings.
All in all, thumbs-up to Banq. It's not at a five-star level just yet, but it's on the way.
EDIT: Can't believe I forget to mention the hole in the wall above the men's urinal, which looks into the ladies' room (but not in such a way that you could see anything. Perv.) You can try to wing quarters into the ladies' toilets while taking a whizz. -
Review from Says L.
Boston, MA
3/11/2008
The 5 stars represent:
1. Flavorful Food...entices your taste buds
2. Imaginative Cocktails
3. Warm Hospitality and Attentive Service
4. Stylish Decor
5. Reasonably Priced
A restaurant you would want to keep visiting and the bar, after-work hours -
Review from S S.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2008
If you want to feel what it's like to be right in the middle of a real, live topographical map -- check out this spot!
I knew from the site that I'd love the decor. It's modern, stylish and looks eco-friendly.
The location in the old Penny Savings Bank is cool. I love to see how old buildings can be repurposed and turned into something so brand new.
There was something really bizarre playing in the bathroom ... I could barely hear it, but it was like some sort of audio art thing ...
Negative: I was completely turned off right away by our waiter who decided to explain to us that the amuse-bouche were really small and wouldn't suffice as appetizers to share. NO SHIT. That seemed really tacky. Yes, we were a table of 20somethings, but that doesn't mean we don't know what an amuse is (anyone who watches Top Chef should know that!! haha). But really, it came across as him trying to get us to order more because he was worried we would be cheapskates or something (which I must say I don't think we look like we would be!). And when we decided to order 1 of each of amuse AND appetizers AND entrees AND 3 bottles of wine AND dessert AND after-dinner drinks ... I think he relaxed. haha
The report: I would skip the amuse. Wasn't thrilled by any of them. However, the appetizers and the entrees were cooked and presented beautifully. I think that most places overcook things but all of our dinners here were done so well - so moist they just melted in your mouth. -
Review from Kate P.
Boston, MA
10/27/2008
My family and I ate at BanQ on Saturday night for my Mom's birthday. I picked the restaurant based on the fabulous reviews it has received on yelp and by word of mouth. I was a little uneasy and unsure about my restaurant selection when everyone picked up their menus and my sister and Dad started in with the,
"what's kale?"... "it's like cabbage"... "oh, eww"
"what does porcini mean?"... "it's a mushroom"... "why don't they just say mushroom?"
"this place looks like dinosaur bones"
So I'm thinking oh no, I've totally picked a place that's above their heads and no one is going to like what they ordered and it's going to ruin Mom's birthday! However to our rescue our waiter was great! We said, what's your favorite item on the menu? He said, the Filet special and the braised short rib. Done and Done. Here's how it went down.
Appetizers
Mom loved her mussels
Dad and Sister loved their scallops
My house salad was standard, nothing to write home about
Entrées
I got the braised short rib, out of this world amazingly delicious!! I joined the clean plate club!
Everyone else filet special, they all liked it, but weren't raving like I was. Dad ate some of my dish and agreed it was the best!
Dessert
Mom liked her chocolate cake
Sister said the pumpkin cheese cake was the best dessert she has ever had
Dad and I shared the apple tart, it was standard but the cinnamon ice cream was very good!
By the end of the meal everyone agreed they had a great time and it was a good pick for Mom's birthday, phew! Thanks BanQ for making it a special night! I would recommend this place for a special night out and it would be a great place to go with a group. -
Review from Kate I.
Boston, MA
1/22/2009
Everything at BanQ tastes like sparkles. Added my regular rotation. Loved everything about it.
That capitalized Q really rubs me the wrong way, but you can't have it all, can you? -
Review from Marilyn T.
Palo Alto, CA
3/10/2009
The decor is definitely the coolest thing about the restaurant, and every wall and ceiling area is something interesting to notice. Even the bathrooms look cool.
Service was spotty, and the waiter actually came back to clarify our tipping to make sure he got what he thought he deserved, which I thought was pretty rude. We actually tipped 18%, too, and he was mistaken and pretty upset about it.
The small bites are fun to try. The single scallop was my favorite, and it stood out over the others. Fish was done well, and I prefer the chef's style to the typical fusion places that just use soy sauce and sugar and curry in everything. Portions won't leave you stuffed, but you won't be left hungry either. The prices seem to have come down a bit since they first opened. The wine selection and desserts were decent but not extraordinary.
I really wanted to like the place because I thought the interior was very unique, and it was cool that it's located in an old bank, but I was really put off by the service, or lack thereof. -
Review from yana v.
Somerville, MA
5/18/2008
Great design, reminds me of a bare hull of a ship. The service was very friendly, although after taking our order and us waiting for a good 30 minutes the server returned informing us that they've run out of one of the dishes ordered. hmmmm where they trying to figure this out the entire time?
So as I understood it, the restaurant is supposed to be French Asian fusion, but what is French (other then the fact that they served duck) and what is Asian (other then the Vietnamese rolls) about this place I honestly can not tell you. Why was there naan on the table, I do not know. Lets just say that the dishes were confused. There was no theme to any of the plates. Not to say that the food was not good, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I think the only thing that's saved the dining experience was that fact that the meal was not too over priced (although I don't think I would be coming back).
Over all I was left with a sort of emptiness inside. A void perpetrated by the lack of anything memorable in this dinner. In any case the over hyped experience left a lot to be desired. -
Review from kerry a.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2008
Absolutely stunning inside, no doubt about it one of the most beautiful places in all the Boston bar/restaurant scene, the space is artistic and exciting, interesting yet soothing. Chic beyond belief, and a martini menu to match, but not the crowd to, nor the bar staff.
Bartender made us the wrong drink, and only sort of offered to make us the right one, but never did, and still charged us for it. --This is not a $7 martini either. Crowd was rude and obnoxious, as were the waitstaff.
Just because you're gorgeous doesn't mean you can be so rude Banq. -
Review from julia r.
Brooklyn, NY
5/29/2008
T as in Tasty. BanQ totally delivered on the comida. It was a bit crowded as we entered the bar area because the Mayor was there, but the restaurant itself was calm and relaxed. It was also pretty much empty, but I think that was because we were so early.
My mom and I came here pre-theatre. We were both overwhelmingly satisfied with our food: i got the encrusted cod and she got the cornish hen. My mom is as loquacious as they come, but even she was silenced by her incredible meal. My cod was cooked to perfection, the pok choy was richly delish, and the lotus root was a nice crunchy touch. Also, we loved that instead of a traditional bread basket we received a basket of mini naan that came with a yummy Indian sauce. Get the brulee of the day - ours came with a mint sorbet. Yum!
The service was outstanding and again, the food was so amazing. Apparently the chef trained in all sorts of tasty places in Asia and India. I would totally come back here to sit up front near the open doors and order off the appetizer menu...everything looks so good! -
Review from Desiree S.
Boston, MA
7/28/2008
First impression: you automatically feel cool as soon as you step into the restaurant because of all the pretty people and all the hip decor. However, we had to wait 20 minutes for our table, even though we made a reservation. Not too cool. But I digress.
On to the food. Honestly, I thought EVERYTHING we ordered was supremely delicious. Being with 3 of my favorite people (and consequently being in super high spirits) may have added to the enjoyment of my meal, but I honestly couldn't find anything I didn't like.
My favorite app was the pan-seared scallops, which was garnished with an oddly yummy wasabi-soaked cantaloupe slice. The ginseng lemongrass mussels were also very tasty.
Onto entrees. Being with 3 good friends, I sampled all their orders, of course. My yellow-back flounder cooked very well, but I think I would order the haddock if I went back and was still in the mood for seafood. As a nod to her recent return from Lyon, France, my girlfriend had the Cotes-du-Rhone braised shortribs -- they were delicious!! They were delightfully tender and slid right off the bone; the sauce was to die for. The pork tenderloin was also very good.
And finally, for desert I had the coconut ice cream drizzled with lavender honey. Oh so yummy! The sorbet with ladyfingers was also very refreshing.
All in all, a great night of great food & great friends. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal & good atmosphere in Boston. -
Review from Sue M.
Boston, MA
2/19/2009
This is a hard one for me because I WANTED to love it. The inside is so amazingly well done and the atmosphere is trendy and fun.
Aside from that however the place is MEH. The wines by the glass are terrible. The service is un-noteworthy and the food just really isn't that good especially for the price. It's like every course is missing something. Nothing pops when it should very bland.
I would go for a drink just to look cool (unless you love your wine) and then go eat at Union next door but that's it. -
Review from Katie V.
Boston, MA
8/5/2009
I liked Banq a lot! I had the "Hot Mess" to drink, a very unusual blend of grapefruit vodka, white cranberry, almond, sambal paste (a type of chili), and coconut. It was very interesting and I'm glad I tried it, but it was too spicy to ever become a favorite for me. It's great if you're in the mood for something new!
For dinner I ordered the ginger steak, which was alright. The best part in my opinion was dessert. I got the flourless chocolate cake, which was served warm with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. The cake was excellent; dense and rich but not at all sickening.
The service throughout was excellent. There was a small mix-up in that we received slightly different menus, but they sorted it out very efficiently. Though the restaurant was full the food arrived very quickly and everything was admirably smooth. And the place looks great! -
Review from chase w.
Suffolk, MA
4/16/2008
Banq? Vault? Restaurant in a former bank tittled after something banky!? Done before?
I don't know, kinda bothered me that the Vault (though now more bar than blue blooded restaurant) had already broken this bank/pun/restaurant world-order wide open back in the nineties.... and now Banq was following suit. Maybe I'm just a loser and the only person that thinks of these things.
Anyways, I was, and perhaps have never been as impressed with a dining room as I was with Banq. Very cool- I almost felt like I wasn't in Boston. I feel like (while I love our little city) we have fairly bland restaurants and funky/hip/Cool design-phobia. Banq breaks these boundaries, and I couldn't find any thing I didn't like about the dining room. Also, you should note that the Bar was also very open and was dark, but had an inviting feel to it. Not somewhere I'd come every day, but not a bad idea to stop in and have a drink with a date or something.
The service was equally good; our waiter knew the entire bar menu by heart, bottle by bottle. The Hostess took my coat and checked it almost intuitively without me having to finish my sentence. Service was quick and attentive, but not rushed even though it was a Tuesday night and our reservation was on the later side.
I would have liked to see a few more options for entre's, but I will admit, it was varied enough that there should be something for everyone, but it seemed a little weird that there were more options for apps and starters than there were for the main course-
My (super, super, super pretty) girlfriend had the sirloin, and I had the duck after starting with the mussels; the mussels were good, but not as good as Union's take next door. The duck was unbelievable though; very good cuts, with not a lot of fat, which is tough to do- my only gripe was her sirloin was a bit overcooked. It was flavorful, but it was cooked gray in the middle and was overly seared on the exterior. Typically, that would have ruined the night for me, but the overall experience, service, and wine list made up for it and I'm chalking it up to be an unfortunate fluke.
Overall, a great experience, but the food was really only decent. I don't' think I'll become a regular, with union right next door but will definitely stop in at the bar from time to time to have a few apps and cocktails!
So in short- a must for a one time dining experience, but probably not somewhere you'd want to check out a few times a month. -
Review from Daren M.
Boston, MA
5/27/2008
The restaurant is like the inside of a prehistoric whales body, as depicted by a minimalist Japanese architect. Very chic, spacious, loud and almost anonymous; it could be a spot in midtown Manhattan. You're likely to spend probably 10 minutes staring around at how interesting the space is.
Though the portions were paltry, the flavors were rich and tasty enough to offset what you think you are missing. It took forever to get our courses though, and rather than apologize and take responsibility, our waiter passed-the-buck and blamed the chef, who graciously came out with the manager, and served us a complimentary appetizer. That was very nice and appropriate, but still the main courses took a seemingly long time.
I'd definitely come back here to check out the bar, but I hope they improve their professionalism and wait time before my next visit for dinner. -
Review from Erin C.
8/20/2009
We marked off BanQ during restaurant week this week. Most of my group started off with the scallops appetizer and I went for the mung bean crepe. Who knew that mung beans could be so tasty?!
Everyone enjoyed their entrees. It was a nice mixture of cod and braised shortribs at the table. We all agreed that the food was cooked perfectly, clean flavors, and nice presentation.
By the time dessert came we were pretty stuffed but I managed to stuff down the coconut ice cream. I'm glad I did because it was the perfect mixture of sweetness and texture.
Unlike some of the previous Yelpers we had a great service and all of our courses came out on time.
Next up...trying out BanQ's $5 deal on Thursdays! -
Review from Kevin M.
Boston, MA
5/14/2008
I've only been here for drinks, so can't comment on the food. However, in my opinion booze is more important than food anyway....
The drinks were good and moderately priced. Our server was attentive and polite, and was able to make suggestions on the drink menu.
LOVED the decor. Very different and sexy/metropolitan feel.
Worth a trip... -
Review from Neha Y.
Boston, MA
4/11/2009
Nestled in the south end, I initially chalked a lot of the hype up to location but the bamboo laden, eco chic decor makes for a fun vibe that is both, infectious and immediate. The unique menu is a welcome and refreshing change from the usual. A difficult choice but I opted for the mung bean and mushroom crepe, which Ive been trying to find a way to replicate at home!
And last but certainly not least - ask for Mike. He's phenomenal. -
Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2009
Is this place a secret? Is it hidden to the public?
I just could not figure out why this beautiful place was empty on a weekend.
The food was just amazing
The decor was jaw dropping
and the service was attentive
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banq won the best new restaurant award 2009 in wallpaper magazine!
"Designed by Office dA, in Boston's former Penny Savings Bank, Banq sets the senses swirling with its banyan tree-inspired aesthetic. Curved layers of birch form an abstract wooden canopy above recycled bamboo tables where chef Ranveer Brar offers up a menu spanning India, Vietnam, Thailand and France."
The world may never know.Listed in: Top Restaurants, My Boston
-
Review from Abby M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
6/12/2009
My friend took me here for my birthday, and it was a real treat. The first thing that grabs you is the decor-- really incredible. The ceilings are the main feature, but even the bathroom is cool. I would tell people to go there just for that.
I don't remember what I got as an appetizer (although I assure you, it was good), because all else was eclipsed by the zucchini tofu steak. Best. Meal. Ever. The flavors were totally new, the textures were incredible, and I had to pace myself to make it last as long as possible.
Which brings me to one of two down points of this restaurant: portions are tiny. Which is ok and healthy and all, except for #2 detraction....the prices. I appreciate that it felt like a special night out, but honestly I haven't been back because it hurts to pay so much for so little food!
The waitstaff was well trained-- which is what I would expect at such a pricey restaurant. It was also nice to receive a little taster from the chef (coconut and squash soup or something, yummmm).
I only went that once but I keep telling friends, because it was a really wonderful meal. -
Review from kate s.
Newton, MA
8/18/2008
Absolutely great!!
Front the moment we walked in the door until we left it was such a great dining experience. It has honestly been way too long since I have felt this way and the whole party of four I was with felt entirely the same way.
We were greated nicely, seated quickly, and have tremendous service. The naan that was given is so delicious and it's served with sun dried tomato dip that you can't get enough of. Our appetizers were great- my husband got the scallops which were recommended and he said they were the best he's ever had.
For dinner, I chose the short ribs which melted in my mouth. Oh my god, it was great! My husband loved his flounder and didn't leave a drop on the plate.
Also, the tofu steak which my two friends got was great. They said it was amazing, so good for vegetarians.
Overall, great food from start to finish and the presentations were just perfect as well. The decor is cool and feels like you're in a cave. Our server, Fizel, was so nice and even recommended places for us to go afterwards in the area.
Five starts all the way!! I will definitely go back and want to try their brunch as well. -
Review from Mariko W.
Brighton, MA
1/1/2009
We had 12 people in our party. The service was great.
Cocktails were OK. Wine list was good.
I had a filet mignon which was very good.
I would like to try to go there again with a smaller crew. I think it's a very nice place for a romantic or more intimate dinner. -
Review from Jonathan L.
Manhattan, NY
2/16/2008
I went to Banq on Friday night, just a few days after the restaurant initially opened. Patrons are immediately greeted with a modern and trendy bar & cocktail tables to mingle and socialize. The atmosphere and interior are certainly inviting; your eyes, oddly enough, are attracted to the ceiling which is a compilation of whimsical, light colored woodwork.
The wait staff was friendly & accommodating. Chairs were pulled out before being seated and our waiter provided helpful menu/plate/restaurant commentary.
Drinks:
My date ordered a Watermelon Mojito, but was told that the bar had run out of Watermelon mix; a traditional Mojito was given to him and was subsequently a disappointment. The cocktail menu had creative drink combinations which were a bit intimidating because of my lack of familiarity with the ingredients. Despite the Mojito mishap, the drinking experience was fine...
Food:
It was really good! Much like the drinks, main courses were creative. The ingredients were non-traditional but certainly added to the overall character, taste and quality of the main course which we ordered (steak and fish). Main courses came in small portions with a focus on presentation.
To break it all down, if you are looking for an upscale dining experience that will massage your palate with exciting and inspired gourmet flavors...go for it!
Happy Dining... -
Review from Jamie G.
Boston College, MA
6/13/2009
My friend (who is an interior designer) came to visit-
We picked Banq on the interior alone ( I know how shallow .... just going for looks hahah)
Open table had really mixed reviews - so we were uncertain of how the actual food would be:
It ended up being pretty good:
We split 3 appetizers (shirp, scallops, cornish hen) & split a an entree (sirloin steak) - Perfect way to test out a new place....
Overall a good experience: staff friendly , ambiance is cool (you kind of feel like as though you are sitting under the skeleton of a ship)-
I had the Honey something drink... might avoid next time as it tasted like Burt's Bees lip balm-
she had the Caparinia - AWESOME!
definitely worth a go--- just won't become a regular spot or fave -
Review from Frank K.
Somerville, MA
2/22/2009
Totally agree with Sue M's review below - wanted to love it but the place is so "MEH".
My wife and I went for Valentine's day and here's what happened
i) There was no Valentine's day menu - but hey no biggie
ii) The waitress was wearing jeans and didn't make us feel special
iii) Somehow the lights in our area were turned off leaving us in the dark and 2 minutes later were turned back on FULL BLAST
iv) The servers bringing our appetizers got them the wrong way around
v) They then got the MAIN COURSES wrong too
vi) They brought us a dessert we never ordered
vii) The dessert we did order was very blah - I could have gotten better at Whole Foods.
The food was nothing remarkable either. Just as Sue M said - "Go for a drink and then eat at Union next door". -
Review from Rachael K.
Arvada, CO
1/3/2009
I booked a table at BanQ for the boyfriend's birthday. I was looking for a place that had really cool ambiance and the ceilings totally hit the mark.
We arrived early for our Sunday night 7:30 reservation and were promptly seated in the 1/4 full dining room (I worry about how loud it would have been if the restaurant had been full). While I was impressed by the extensive wine list (Crios Malbec is amazing), the boyfriend was a little disappointed that they only had three kinds of beer.
We started off with the scallops, which were HUMONGOUS and very tasty and we snacked on their bread (little pitas with hummus, it was good but for a place like this I expected better). For dinner I went with the steak dish and the boyfriend ordered the Fillet Mignon. Both were "I don't want to share" good.
The waitress was attentive and helpful, we would definitely go back for another special occasion! -
Review from Robert Z.
Boston, MA
7/21/2009
100th Review!! - This is for my recent Brunch experience 7/19/09 only.
Well it's was lovely summer day here in town on sunday and I wanted to spend it outdoors on a patio. The only problem for me is there were none available at any other places and I had a friend unexpectedly pop in to town for a visit.
Not to worry. I had been wanting to try Banq for quite awhile and we had made plans to do the SOWA markets so I figured sure why not.
I'm sooooo glad we did! We were greeted by a very friendly hostess and everything everyone says about looks being decieving are true! You enter in this lovely lounge area but have no clue what awaits you until you're taken back in to the main dining area. What a treat and since the sun was starting to get a little hot, it was a nice oasis to enjoy some food and conversation.
First and foremost. The service here is outstanding. I mean when I usually ask for iced coffee at other places and it's not on the menu I usually get blank stares from my server du jour. Not this time! Our server said "No problem, I can makes some for you." WOW!
We shared a bowl of fruit to start which at $5.00 was more than generous when it came to all the fresh fruit we could share between us. Yummmy!
My friend had the Three Eggs and a side of bacon, (the side of bacon was gi-normous and perfectly done). Complete with some lovely potatos and rye toast. And the butter was nice and soft, not those hard mini bricks some places can give you.
I seriously want Eggs Benedict wherever I decide to brunch somewhere and Banq was no exception. What I loved was you could kinda build your own here. Classic Hollandais or Wasabi Hollandais then add in Salmon or Shrimp. Talk about custom eggs benedict! I opted for Wasabi + Salmon and it was good. Not stellar hence the minus 1 star but really good none the less.
There is no dessert menu and their brunch menu is fairly specific. By that I mean not super extensive but that's fine. The menu they do offer is more than adequate.
Service - 5 Stars +
Ambiance - 5 Stars
Food - 4 Stars (but only because I'm an Eggs Benny snob.) ;-)
If you're looking for a place off the beaten path and not in to the enormous lines for Acquitane, Metropolis and the like. You'll enjoy it. We certainly did!
