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Categories: Bars, Restaurants [Edit]
200 Boylston StBoylston (Green, Silver)
Chinatown (Orange, Silver)
Park Street (Green, Red)
Mon-Fri. 6:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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I'm giving this 3 stars for our experience at the dessert buffet.
The buffet itself is fun--it looks great and it's fun to try different things, plus they have a station where they can make dessert to order. Oddly, the bread pudding was a standout for me.
The buffet is a nice late night option and the lounge itself is super cozy and a great place to people watch.
However, the service was abysmal for such a swanky place. Our waiter barely paid any attention to us once he learned we wanted to buffet. My champagne and my mother's Irish coffee took 10 minutes to arrive. My dad never got a refill on his coffee. Once we had our drinks we never heard from him again. Also he corrected my pronunciation on my champagne which was obnoxious. Just not warm or friendly--more cold, condescending and annoyed. So that rained on our enjoyment.
Also, total side note--there was a woman walking around in a see through lace bustier with a denim jacket, spandex hot pants that barely covered her asscheeks, and sneakers. I was suprised she wasn't asked to leave.
Anyway, I'll be back, and just hope for better service next time. It was truly atrocious.
So a friend and I recently read the Improper article about the rise of the $18 (or was it $20?) burger and decided that we were going to try each of the burgers listed in the article.
We started with lunch at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. To begin with, the burger is called "The Famous Bristol Burger," which seems unnecessary and slightly lame. I'm already in your restaurant, you don't have to sell me. Strike One.
The waiter asked if I wanted my brioche bun toasted or untoasted. I went with toasted of course. I liked having the option. Ball One.
Anyway, I ordered mine medium rare, my friend ordered his medium well (he should get a strike for that as a friend). We cut them in half and mine was medium to medium well and his was absolutely charred (I didn't have much pity for him though). Strike Two.
I tried the fries. They were crispy and delicious. Ball Two.
So we tried the burger and it was just plain mediocre and just plain plain. There was nothing special about it (the Radius burger, for example, has crispy onions and horseradish sauce). And, in my view, the brioche bun doesn't make sense with a burger. The bun is always too oily on the outside and doughy on the inside. Strike Three.
Next stop: Craigie on Main...
It was 11am on Halloween when my friend and I walked into the bar at the Four Seasons. I arrived in Boston just a few hours earlier, having taken a red-eye from the west coast. I had been up for more than twenty-four hours and was a little loopy.
The bartender was just starting to set up the bar, and we were the first two people to take seats. As it was before noon, we both ordered vodka-based cocktails. Brown-booze isn't acceptable until 3pm.
The drinks were perfect, and our bartender was both knowledgeable and friendly. I may have been a little loud and a tiny bit inappropriate, but the service was top-notch, and the experience perfect... considering I was sleep-deprived and drinking at 11am.
After about half a drink, another person joined us at the bar. He was having breakfast and turned out to be industry folk. He was funny and nice and gave us a dinner recommendation: Via Matta. We took his advice and had an amazing meal that night. So. Thank you Blade.
Kudos to the bartender for tolerating/humoring/serving/educating us.
And the mixed nuts were nice.
Before I had Afternoon Tea at the Bristol Lounge, I always walked pas the Four Seasons fantasizing about the lovely time people must be having as they sat by the bay-view window, sipping on their tea in the precious china, overlooking the garden.
Once I've had Afternoon Tea at the Bristol Lounge, I now walk pass the Four Seasons wondering if those people are pretending to be having a good time because they don't want the pedestrians to think that like me, they were fooled by the stacked gold-rimmed plates of scones and sandwiches.
The interior of the Bristol Lounge is definitely less than what it may seemed through those bay-view windows on Boylston. The selection teas were disappointing, and the quality was average. The scones were dry and crumbly--but not the kind of dry and crumbliness a good scone has. The cucumber sandwiches came in horribly stale toast that made me wonder how long they have been sitting around. The experience didn't match up to the price and the reputation.
I was in town for a few days and met up with my cousin and her 3 year old daughter at Bristol Lounge for lunch. The service was great, very attentive and everyone stopped by to chat with the 3 year old. I opened up the menu and was a little worried what to order. Average sandwich price was ~$18. I got The Hanover (turkey, pancetta, provolone, arugula, and tomato on focaccia bread). The amount of turkey layered on the sandwich made the initial price shock ease. Either way I left feeling full and satisfied. My sandwich was good. My cousin had the Spiced Ahi Tuna sandwich which she enjoyed as well.
Bristol lounge is one of my top favorite places in Boston. I love to come and relax after a long day or start my day off with breakfast. It doesnt matter the time or occassion, its always perfect. I have had alot of fun winter nights watching the snow fall outside and sitting by the fire. Its very cozy, clean and the service is never ever a let down. Always consistent, the familiar staff for years is always very welcoming too. I love the couchs sometimes too. My only peeve is the seemingly increasing number of people who wear light washed wrangler jeans to dinner, wtf. I know its ok to be casual but lets not go crazy people.
I used to live around the corner from the Bristol so I would frequent it I think because of location and when the occasion permitted the red leather couches in the foyer I secretly covet.
The food is good but not amazing. I've been for brunches, lunches, dinners and even the late night dessert buffet.
Day service is much more dependable and the kitchen is awake. Lunch is good. Brunch buffet is too over the top for me but some may like that. Dinner is spotty. Between wait staff that you have to chase down for a drink or the kitchen not preparing your order to your specifications gets really annoying. Forget the late night dessert buffet. Yes it looks amazing but once you put something your mouth it is just average. I would much rather have one amazing chocolate truffle vs. a bunch of average pastries.
I have never really been impressed with the Bristol. I think the location is the draw. I have high expectations the Four Seasons associates itself with and for the life of me I do not see how the Bristol meets the standards of the Four Seasons.
If you really want to go, do lunch. Late night is only good for drinks and very light fare that the kitchen can't mess up. If your waiter is MIA don't be shy to make your displeasure clear when drinks do arrive. Don't forget to order your next round then.
Aujourd'hui was amazing. Very upset it closed.
My experience at the Bristol Lounge was excellent. My husband and i made reservations to go for our 2 year anniversary. We wanted an upscale buy low-key dinner, which is exactly what you get here. i made my reservation using http://OpenTable.com and requested we get a nice quiet seat because it was our anniversary. Upon arrival, they wished us a happy anniversary and brought us to a great spot along the windows overlooking the park.
The waiter was very attentive, our food was fabulous. My husband got the famous burger - loved it. The truffle fries were amazing. I got the seared scallops which were also delicious. To top it off, they brought us out a dessert with "happy anniversary" written in chocolate around a delicious piece of cake. They nearly had to roll us out of the place we were so full.
The prices were totally reasonable - even considering the fact that we were at the Four Seasons...4 cocktails, 1 appetizer and 2 dinners for $112. That is actually pretty cheap for Boston.
They even wished us a happy anniversary again when we left the restaurant. Couldn't have asked for a better evening. We'll definitely be repeat customers.
I'm having a hard time to fairly rate this place:
1. The atmosphere does not cater to my age group whatsoever.
2. The prices are out-of-this-world overkill.
3. 'Will you "require" anything else?' x 10 -- enough already
But the reason I found myself at Bristol Lounge was its claim to fame: Bristol Sirloin Burger. Best quality meat, fresh ingredients. But it's a burger. In an over-priced, older demographic, stuffy environment...poor unfortunate burger. If I were to judge this burger by the cover, it would be cruel and unfair judgment to the cow, which produced the burger meat... because I thought the burger was fantastic!!
MY BURGER (4.5 stars for quality and proportion)
Proportions good. Meat juicy and high quality enough to undercook (and overcook). Big patty held together by an even bigger brioche-y bun helping to reduce the grease-dripping-down-arm potential. Melty cheese (didn't add a ton of flavor). Typical toppings of tomato, lettuce, onion, mustard, pickles, and ketchup. Layered together provides layers of crunchy texture, sweet, and hot dijon in harmony around the featured meat, but lacked the love (cow used solely to provide a high quality burger to high quality customers = no love).
But never will I ever return to Bristol Lounge for that same delicious burger as there are other places that provide delicious and more interesting burgers (did somebody say Miracle of Science?). Money can't buy you love. But good burgers sold at the right place for the right price CAN = love.
I have only come for drinks with the boyfriend. He loves it here and is willing to shell out for the $15 cocktails, so it's a-okay with me. I'm actually a big fan as well. The drinks are generally very good (and strong) and it's a nice break from the usual Boston bars. Very swanky and old school with the leather couches and the old men in suits (sans cigars thank god). Of course the service is always top notch and I love the bar nuts they bring to the table.
I'd say it's worth the splurge for a drink or two or maybe dessert for a special occasion.
My husband and I thought we would try the dessert buffet for Valentine's Day.
We called TWO times before-hand (two weeks prior) to look into reservations. Both times, we were told reservations would not be needed and that the price would be $18.
When we arrived, all tables were still reserved for dinner guests. We ended up having to wait an hour and a half and didn't sit down until 10:30pm (the buffet starts at 9pm). The buffet had more pastries and cakes than we would have liked... too much of the same thing. We ended up going up twice to fill our teeny plates b/c we were tired of what they had. To top it off, the buffet was $24 and not $18 as we were told!
The only perks were that staff was amazingly friendly.
Dropped in Saturday afternoon for lunch with a couple of friends.
Service was great, and everyone was very personable and friendly.
This was my first meal of the day, so I asked if they could make me pancakes (which werent on the menu). They did, but they didnt turn out as good as I was hoping they'd be--they were thin and not fluffy.
Im an orange juice snob and they're orange juice was really good! It has my approval. Freshly squeezed, pulp and all!
This is a great place to people watch. A lot of interesting characters dine here.
What can you say? It's the Four Seasons.
We came here one evening after dinner at PF Changs. There were about ten of us and we were surrounded by a small army that catered to us and pampered us like we were the only people in the place. It was late in the evening and aside from a few people that looked like retired admirals and exiled grand duchesses, we were still able to people-watch. There was a blonde gold-digger all cozied up in a corner w/some bloke, involved in a VERY heavy petting session. They didn't think anybody saw them, but we did!
Apparently I am a madame. Or at least that's how they address me in this establishment. Perhaps it was due to my handsome and distinguished dining companion because on my own, I've never been madame'd.
A few things I found odd. While they require reservations, they don't necessarily have a table or space for you to sit upon arriving for your reservation. While Bristol Lounge is trying to be a living room space, you can't just sit yourself down where you'd like. The waitstaff was not terribly professional. No cocktail napkins. Forgetting items you request. Handing you silverware- hand to hand. It was surprising.
On the upside. The shrimp were large and firm. They can make you a greek salad upon request. The gnocchi and lobster dish was original, albeit the gnocchi a bit mushy for my preference. And the creme brulee was perfect-- a nice glass sugar top that cracked nicely when you tapped your spoon on it.
While my visit was nice, it could have been much much better. If it weren't for the company, which is part of the dining experience, I'd give this place a star less.
Nice place - doesn't really feel like a hotel restaurant if you get a table in the back.
Service is very friendly and good.
Food is good. Had the "Sunday Special" which was a tomato basil soup and pasta dish (some long tube pasta that I have never heard of) with pheasant and spinach and other veggies. It was $34 (included coffee or tea as well) - which for a restaurant like this was a pretty good deal. The soup had a touch of lemon that I wasn't a fan of but other than that was a good soup. The pasta was good - a little rich but good.
The caesar salad was good - not too cheesy, not too anchovy-y.
The boston creme pie looked like a stick of butter covered in chocolate. Then we cut into it, and it looked like some boring yellow cake, but OH MY GOODNESS, there's some magic in that. Delicious. Absolutely delicious.
Overall - a tad pricey, but good, interesting food - which you normally don't get at a hotel restaurant. I'd go back but more because I like the lounge/restaurant feel and service and boston creme pie.
"The drinks were 13 bucks and pretty delicious, but I still think the Last Hurrah at Omni Parker is better for cheaper and stronger martinis...on a silver platter no less!"
This line from another Yelper pretty much sums up the Bristol Lounge and its relationship to other hotel bar's around the Boston Common.
This place is lovely, classy and elegant!
I have been there so many times...always had great experience.
From afternoon tea to dessert buffet, food was great, service was terrify.
Even sitting at the bar for couple glasses of martini, while someone playing the piano .... it was so romantic.
Well, it's Four Seasons.... you will get what you expect for sure!
My coworkers recently threw me a surprise going away party here. It was a late lunch/ early dinner type thing, but the only way they could get a reservation for 4pm was by saying we were doing afternoon tea. We were running late so we called the restaurant to let them know. They were not too upset but when we showed up, the host did ask where the rest of our party was (we were 2 out of 4). So of course, I thought that meant the place must be packed. We walk in and it's ridiculously empty! I understand that it's disrespectful to be late, but we did call and the place didn't fill up the whole time we were there.
Anywayyyy, it was a really nice time. The waitstaff didn't seem to mind we weren't really all doing tea since we ordered up enough food to feed a small country. The cheese sampler was delicious as well as some of the desserts. The drinks were very disappointing though. I had to return my sangria (tasted like plain red wine with 1-2 pieces of fruit floating around. I have made better myself!) . . . and the New-Berry martini was pretty bland too.
The funny thing is our waitstaff kept changing throughout our 2+ hours there so we never knew who to flag down. One server, Keith, did read on our reservation that it was a farewell party for somebody and overheard that we wanted the chocolate layer cake so he later bought a complimentary piece over, which was REALLY nice and shows how attentive they are here. The weird part is that he did mention that it was courtesy of him once or twice . . . guess he wanted a good tip or for us to tell his boss!?!?
Anyway, the nibbles we had were pretty good, but I can't wait to come back to try more of their food such as the burger or brunch both of which I hear are good. My friends have done the dessert bar which looks divine but too decadent for me.
I deducted a star because this place often treat itself as if it's SUCH an exclusive place. My boss, clients, and I were kicked out of here once because our party exceeded the size of the table we were seated at . . . the kicker is that our client had over 400 guests staying at their swanky hotel. Sheesh!
Disappointing. This was billed as 'Boston's Living Room' but to me felt nothing more than 'Boston's Airport Lounge' - modern building, sparse layout and a complete lack of individual style. Snooty attitude from the condescending and overbearing staff and the overwhelming stench of business people everywhere.
I actually came here with a fellow Yelper to try out the Afternoon Tea which at 25 dollars is not cheap (but cheap compared to London). It didn't feel all too relaxing and was certainly not like a living room but it was still better than a kick in the teeth. Scones with lemon curd and Devon cream were wonderful and so were the mini creme brulee cakes and cranberry bread. The savouries - bite-size cucumber, salmon or egg sandwiches were well-presented, tasty and very traditional. The tea selection was sadly very mediocre and came in plain steel teapots like in a canteen. Not good, a bad touch.
So... good cakes, bad tea, annoying service and a real lack of atmosphere. The last one of these is really the key point. Afternoon Tea should feel relaxing and inviting - something you do with the village vicar after a long game of croquet or an afternoon watching the cricket and doing the crossword. But somehow it never works when it is in a big expensive modern hotel. Sometimes I just HATE hotel dining, it feels like eating in a shopping mall.
This is a nice place to come for a relaxing special lunch. The dinning room is off the main lobby and is outfitted in club chairs and couches. Service, as you would expect from the Four Seasons is great. Following up lunch with a walk in the Public Garden makes for a nice afternoon.
Classy, comfortable setting.
Went there a few times, specifically for Sunday afternoon tea. Great atmosphere providing a feeling of having tea somewhere in Britain. The selection of tea sandwiches and pastries is rich and satisfying. Definitely check it out for a special occasion.
The service is quick and polite. We were even sent a delicious piece of cake with "congratulations" written on top (was there for a graduation party). It was a gift of the chef.
Yes, it is pricy but come on now- it is Four Seasons on Boston Commons.
One of my favorite places for brunch in the city. I just love it here.
It's swanky and fancy inside (after all you are in the four seasons) and some of the seats have a nice view of the public garden. Plus like I said you're in the four seasons so the service is excellent.
I've come here for lunch, Sunday brunch, and dinner - every time it's been nothing short of fabulous! You will definitely pay for it, but I think it's worth it. And honestly I like it better than Aujourd'hui upstairs - Bristol still has excellent food at a better price and has less over the top flourishes. For me there was too much fabric on the tables upstairs - I felt like I was drowning in fabric at my table trying to eat my meal.
Terrific service in an elegant, yet informal, setting. I have been to the Bristol for a romantic date, a business luncheon, high tea with friends and a small office party - it was a perfect choice for each of those occassions. My favorite thing on the menu is the cheeseburger - it is ridiculously expensive, but I think worth it! It is an ideal pre-theatre gathering spot, also.
I hate dressing up, so the fact that I can wear jeans to dinner is a huge plus for me!
Went there on a Sunday night looking to decompress from finals and work with a glass of wine, only to find the bar a complete mess when we got there and the service terrible. There was one small group that the bartender was helping, but we had no idea where to sit since there were empty glasses and napkins all over the place. We sat and waited only to be ignored by the bartender when even a simple "hey guys, I'll be right with you" would have sufficed. It was just us and the small group at the bar, and no one else. We decided to leave after waiting a few minutes for the bartender to acknowledge us to no avail. Only after we had grabbed our coats and were walking out did she come by to say hi.
We mentioned this to the host only to receive a low effort "I'm sorry". I thought this was the Four Seasons? Sunday nights apparently are not their forte for service.
Go here when it snows, you will see Childe Hassam "Boston Common at Twilight. See attached photo
Open for drinks until after midnight. But if you're here late with your 80 year old aunt, you can get food.
Only sit at the window or maybe in front of the fireplace.
The sunday buffet is one of the better I've had but EXPENSIVE. I once went with my stepdaughter for a cup of tea and a muffin. I thought might as well get the buffet, how much can it cost? Good thing I had a credit card on me. But because we only had tea and a muffin or two, they changed the check.
Tea in the afternoon with your daughter is memorable if you sit in the window. You don't have to talk which is a plus if you're with a teenager. The view fills up the spaces.
It's a classy end to a classy evening if you do go to the opera. Which I do once a year when I take my mother and my aunt. It's great to take my 80 year Aunt out for coffee/plus and pastry at midnight. And this is such a perfect place to do so.
I love this place. I love it a lot. The drinks are incredible. I usually stagger in there after concerts at the Orpheum. I'm bleary-eyed and underdressed, and no one says a thing. Love that...
And yeah, it's the Four Seasons. This is not a bargain establishment, and it can be a little stuffy. Know that it's an act, and the people behind that bar have plenty in common with you .... and you'll do just fine :)
Yes, the $17 burger is worth it. Take it from me-- I'm a total carnivore and burger-lover. The appetizer was some sort of cool lobster dish with saffron and Gorgonzola foam (yes, foam) whose name escapes me right now. it was amazing.
The only time I had something questionable there involved the buttermilk chicken fingers-- they were a little on the burnt side (and I was too hungry to bother to send them back to the kitchen).
Not too out of the normal price range to keep me away when I have something special to celebrate. (As long as you don't go overboard and order the steak and lobster at the same time).
Drinks are yummy and creative. The service was impeccable. I've never had so many details seen to-- from making sure I had enough water, to cleaning crumbs off the table before dessert-- nothing was overlooked.
The setting was perfect for that winter night, as there are plush couches and fireplaces to take away the chill. I've had the good fortune of being able to stay in the fab Four Seasons and was not kicked out of the Bristol Lounge (no one was wasted, just having a fun time chatting with friends) until way after they stopped serving.
Damn, I was supposed to make this my 20th review, but for some reason, I blanked and did the Flour Bakery one before this...
...anyways, now that it's lost some of its luster, how fitting that for my TWENTY FIRST review, I'd be reviewing a restaurant from the Four Seasons Hotel Boston.
This restaurant was great. The host was amazingly accommodating, the inside was schnazzy yet pretty comfortable and intimate, and there was a great view of the public garden from where we sat.
The wine list was wonderful, and the food was amazing -- some recommendations would be the chowdaH, the lemon sole (this was so good that it almost made me cry), and the lemon panna cotta for dessert.
It was a very ROMANTICAL (yes, that is my favorite word) evening, and the waiting staff was very very good.
My only complaint was that for the PRICE, you didn't necessarily get the full bang for your buck. I guess you're paying for the name, view, and service, but still, the food was a bit lukewarm when it came out, and might not have been worth the full price....but did I mention, the lemon sole was absolutely incredible?
Get the lemon sole. Go out for a schwanky date. Go to The Bristol Lounge.
Had to go for the famous $17 burger. Went with my mother and her husband before seeing a show at the Colonial Theatre.
The place itself was very nice and I could have fallen asleep on the couch I was sitting there it was so comfortable. The drinks were good but small.
All three of us ordered the burger and fries because we had heard so much about it and all three of us ordered it medium. It came back completely raw. Now, I can eat rare (just don't prefer it), this, however, was well beyond rare...it was raw. I don't consider myself a picky eater and I do not ever recollect having to send food back, but this time I had to. There was no getting around it. They apologized but we were not compensated for our inconvenience. Maybe we should have made more of a fuss.
When they finally came back they were pretty good but I'm not sure I'd rush back to pay that much for a burger. There are other places just as good out there. I wouldn't mind trying something else on the menu (as long as it was cooked).
The atmosphere of the Bristol Lounge feels like some old man's den, all dark wood and random weighty knickknacks. I kind of loved it.
We had originally wanted to go to Aujourd'hui for dinner, but after a little bit of a nap time warp, we ended up just going here for a glass of wine and some appetizers before heading out for further drinking. We had ahi tuna tartare, green been casserole and a crabcake. The ahi tuna was delicious and the green beans, which were covered in I think fried onions, were freaking amazing. The crabcake was a little too fishy and dry for us, not nearly among the best I've had. The people watching was good here, a lot of older men with trophy wives and awkward pickup attempts. Oh, and the bathrooms were nice too, though when I went they were filled with a bevy of obnoxious 15 year old girls with shrill voices. I think if I lived in Boston I would come here once in a while for drinks, but it wouldn't be a staple.
My Afternoon Tea was doomed from the start. There were signs.
1. My date wore red!
2. He snuck up from behind- our first meeting!
3. Snotty-haughty service, beginning with the receptionist. So what? We didn't make a reservation.
4. In terms of value- not that much food, small sized too. Some were delightfully tasty, but not all.
5. Staff interrupted too many times with minor services, more than necessary. Very stuffy.
6. The Bristol Lounge- dubbed "Boston's living room," but "casual elegance is preferred" here for an attire. How many of us really dress like that to go out into the living room? Uninviting, empty atmostphere.
7. Pushy staff to get us outta there. Couldn't linger around to relax and enjoy, isn't that what afternoon tea is about?
The good things......
1. Mini Creme brulee. mmmm... I can pop a few of these in my mouth.
2. Scones with lemon curd & Devonshire Cream.
3. View of Boston Common, though at only street level, but still very nice.
4. Jokes & stories from my fellow Yelper friend. Ehhh.... meeting him wasn't as dreadful as I imagined it to be. j/k :P
I went here for a celebratory lunch with a co-worker. We ran into our CEO. This is a place for those on a CEO's budget!
While the atmosphere offers a very nice blend of lounge-friendly and elegance with excellent service, the prices are just not worth it.
My date and I both ordered salads off the appetizer menu and each enjoyed a refreshing cocktail. I think the bill came to about $50. Fortunately what filled us was the complimentary bread basket.
If you do happen to earn a large salary, please call me! No, seriously- then you should check out the Bristol for a meal. Otherwise, stop in for ONE drink and a little gossip time in the lounge and then go somewhere else to fill up your tummy.
One of my favorite places for a burger!! And they are open late and super casual!!
TRY IT!! YOU WILL NOT be underwhelmed.
For less expensive options, try Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square. YUM!
If you enjoy high tea, bristol is a great option. Oh their berry tarts and scones are delicious. (And I don't enjoy sweets, pastries, etc.).
So, is the dubious title of having the best burger in Boston valid? Just check out my profile for your answer :)
I'm not sure who made the claim, but it's a damn good burger to be certain. Everything is very fresh and oozes of inappropriate attention for a burger platter. I guess this is to be expected as the Bristol is pretentious, but hell, it's at the Four Season's, what do you expect!? Maybe even better than the burger are the truffle oil drenched frenchfries dusted with paremesan cheese. Oh my Lord, I'm drooling just thinkin about it!
As far as what to expect inside? Depends on the night; around the holiday's or certain Thurday nights, the bar can become very crowded. Other times it's very dead and you can take your pick of where you want to sit. The decor is a little tired and to be honest could use an updating as the appolstry is getting beat up and threadbare, but it does still feel like a high end spot.
In short, this might not be the best burger in town, but I'm pretty impressionable and I think its pretty damn good- So deal with it :)
i was really not impressed at all with my visit to the bristol lounge. i came here to celebrate my grandma in law's birthday - we were going to have a special lunch for her. although we were dressed up and some other tables were here as well, the majority were tourists wearing jeans and stuff -- kind of kills the ambiance. i think that was because the lounge itself is under construction so they were serving people upstairs in the aujourd'hui dining room, which must be used by hotel guests or something.
the service was probably the least impressive part. not enough water glasses, napkins, or silverware for the table, and our table was right next to where the waiters kept everything so they were clanging around our entire meal. the food was just okay..nothing impressive..and certainly nothing to merit the costs.
the nicest parts were: when the waiter volunteered out of nowhere that the soup of the day was vegan (when does THAT ever happen??); the delightful little arrangement of tampons and pads discreetly covered up with a napkin in the over-the-top ladies' room. how genteel!
Skip it AJ 's not there anymore!
This place was great! Thanks to the attention of AJ the awsome bartender....it was a great… Read more »
Haven't been here since before the holidays... but was there again recently... it's a funny place. Definitely old-world Boston without trying so hard (like I feel the Fed does sometimes), and the bar and bartenders are excellent (hello Shannon!). Drinks are well made, a lot of care given. The wine list by the bottle is excellent, by the glass....eh. It's like they are opening up the overstocks.
Kudos for the way the lounge is set up - cozying up on a couch is a great way to sit out the nasty Bostonian weather we are currently experiencing...and the wait staff does not ignore you or forget that you are lounging on the cushions.
The food is fine - not great, just fine. A little fussy. (It's a crab cake, kids, not foie gras, get a grip on the presentation and the pricing, ok?) And, for as much I have heard the praises sung about the $17 burger, I have had much better $17 burgers. (I've had better $6 burgers.)
...remind me to tell you my "I bumped into Martin Scorsese in the men's room at the Bristol" story someday. (I would have said "hello" or something else witty like that, but I got tangled up in his eyebrows and careened into the wall. Man, was THAT embarrassing!)
In my experience at this place, the service (as should be expected from somewhere like the Four Seasons) is outstanding.
A lovely place for afternoon tea or a late lunch, the view of the Boston Commons only adds to the old-world elegance that emanates from the Bristol Lounge. The couches in the "sofa style" seating are ridiculously comfortable, and really make you want to sink in and enjoy a late, lazy meal.
And the food itself - some dishes are excellent, while others not so much. Sandwiches can be dry, but the salads (specifically the organic greens) are incredibly fresh and doused with the perfect amount of zingy balsamic vinaigrette. The burger seems like it could be fantastic if cooked as medium, but disappointing if over-done. And the spaghetti is delicious - the plum tomatoes create a rich in flavour but definitely not overwhelming sauce, and the smoky bacon pieces are the perfect complement to the pasta. A little bit heavy, but overall, yum! It's somewhere you wouldn't feel overly decadent, but rather appropriate for having some champagne with your lunch!
I wouldn't neccessarily make this place one of my regular stops - if I were to pick anywhere in the Four Seasons for this, it'd be Aujourd'hui for their fabulous Sunday brunch - but it is a great place to go to get dressed up, and relax in a beautiful, classic atmosphere.
Never going back. A.J. doesn't work there anymore. Bastards!
My friend and I spent a very long afternoon here while I was visiting her in Boston. We had just… Read more »
Once in a great while it's ok
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: Hotels
Westwood, MA
Category: Mediterranean
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: Tea Rooms
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