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Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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Been hearing about this place for years, and since I moved down the road and my bro was in town, decided to hit it up for dinner.
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food (I had terrifying flashbacks of the dreadful Red Bones when I saw their BBQ menu items but do not be alarmed, the BBQ at ECG is legit...too legit...).
Had a brisket platter which was excellent and filling, and tried a hot rib as an appetizer. Will definitely come back and try more BBQ. My broseph had the fried chicken which was excellent as well.
Bonus points go to this place for the little touches that make a good meal experience a great one: waitress was super nice; employees said bye and thanks as we were leaving; and during the meal the manager asked about the food and if everything was ok.
Bottom line: this place warrants the hype.
I always hear great things about East Coast and finally tried it last night. The restaurant is an interest combination of seafood (including raw bar) and bbq. Suffice it to say I was underwhelmed at best. I ordered the Trio platter thinking I would try a variety of their bbq meats - the pulled pork was so, so, brisket was not bad, ribs also so so. I had a really terrible glass of sangria as well. It had no body whatsoever.
The truly positive thing about this place is that they take their hot sauce seriously. Unlike the "hot" sauce you get at many other bbq or even Asian restaurants, theirs will warm up your heart, your face, your entire mouth and make you shed a tear or two (and this is coming from someone married to a chili aficionado that has a crop of ghost chili's, habaneros and scotch bonnets on the balcony - jalapenos are for woooses).
I definitely would like to come back here for Hell Night and I also heard great things about their brunch, with a make your own bloody marry bar. but doubt I will return for a regular meal.
Service was good.
My boyfriend and I, silly hotheads with loads of vacation hours and a passion for consuming hellfire, have participated in East Coast Grill's Hell Night festivities multiple times now even though we live 6+ hours away, and we always have a blast. Last night being the most recent visit, was no exception. Huge thanks to the chef, staff, Dr. Pepper, and the glorious chilies that made the night such a special treat for us.
I'm sure ECG is a lovely restaurant the other 350-odd nights of the year, but I wouldn't know about that: this review concerns only Hell Night dinners.
First off, make your reservation in ADVANCE.
You're free to dress up in novelty chili shirts, sashay in dressed as a devil, sport ties with dancing peppers, heck, even paint your face and stick leaves in your hair(?). The staff does this and more, the 'centerpiece' of the staff being Dr Pepper, the night's mascot, dispensing wisdom and release forms while decked out in any number of wild get-ups. Everyone is jazzed up, grinning widely, and terribly excited to be there; there's no need for discretion or prudence or shame. (That is, unless you order "The Antidote". Then you will be shamed)
Be prepared to have your neighboring table stare at your dishes with wonderment, just as you will be staring right back at theirs. Invariably conversations pop up between groups of strangers, all bound together by the giddy joy that comes from scorching your bowels with outlandishly hawt peppers.
Some random tips: Appetizers always seem to be hotter than the entrees, and the bomb scale isn't necessarily on-target. I've had a 3 bomb appetizer that was hotter than a 6 or 7 bomb entree. Everything is delicious, though...last night I had Folsom Prison Chili as an appetizer and a Cajun swordfish dish as an entree. The chili was scrumptious and rich (and spicy!) and my swordfish perfectly grilled...PERFECTLY! It was one of the best fish-dishes I've ever had.
The only dish that does -not- taste good is the dreaded Pasta From Hell. In fact, I think they undercook it on purpose so that you have to...chew...it a little, making the pain all the more excruciating. It's essentially like trying to eat undercooked pasta topped with molten lava. I do not recommend it at all, in fact, it might ruin your night ;-)
However, I highly recommend Hell Night to all. We'll certainly be back!
Yum! Fun! This place makes my heart super happy!
Where else can you order an exquisite seafood meal and a PBR tallboy? All the drinks were garnished with little plastic trinkets in the shapes of monkeys, elephants, etc! A complimentary starter of pickled veg, although awkward to eat, whets the appetite.
Normally, I don't take to fusion food. However, try starting with the Creamy Clam and Corn Chowder with Chiles & Sweet Potatoes. Creamy, tangy, new style comfort food. Huzzah! For the main course, I had the Seared Extra Large Shrimp & New Bedford Scallops ... with Ginger - Garlic Noodles & Sesame - Chile Spinach. Delicious! My initial mistake was not mixing everything up to evenly distribute the spicy seasoning but caught on quickly enough.
And the dessert...gurgle! Chocolate drizzled pecan pie! Whoa!
My only regret is that they are not open for lunch. Unfortunately for me, this place is so popular that it doesn't need to be! Definitely a good sign.
Anyone that gives this place less than five stars is Crazy with a capital C.
It may be the perfect restaurant and certainly my favorite in Boston & Cambridge.
The East Coast Grill rolls up seafood and BBQ with a Latin flair. It's top notch food with a casual vibe. Go elsewhere for the white tablecloth, but come here for great food and a good time. Anyone that visits Boston, this is the first place I insist on taking them to.
And for the love of god, order the PBR for the cooks. They deserve it.
East Coast Grill, more than anything, is fun. And not cheesy fun, but awesome foodie fun. From the BBQ-shack meets funky diner meets upscale bar atmosphere to the pint-sized giant margaritas to the $13 "kitchen appreciation special" of 6 PBR tallboys destined for a cheering group of chefs, East Coast Grill delivers.
I've been here for both regular meals and last night for the infamous Hell Night, and in either case it's been really fun stuff. Hell night sees the restuarant all decked out with caution tape, the waitstaff clad in leather and bandanas, and the open kitchen filled with chefs wearing surgical masks. And it's not like you get the sense these people are grudgingly decking themselves out with "flair," as you might expect, but that everyone on staff there is really just out to have (and to show you) a good time with some great grub.
The food isn't superlative, but it's pretty damn good - I think the thing that stands out the most for me is the raw bar -- fresh, tasty oysters and clams, and great shrimp. If you go, check out the raw bar platter which is about the perfect size for a two-person app. Mmm..
I've been to east coast grill twice. Once on a normal night and once on hell night. I'd rate the normal night 2 stars and hell night 4.5 stars. This averages to a 3 star review.
Start with the normal night. Nothing was special. Everything was average to below average. I had the BBQ platter. Everything was on the dry side. The best part of the meal was the wings in the ghost chile oil. Clearly East Coast Grill does best with heat.
On Hell Night this really stood out. I had the roulette deviled eggs challenge, the hell fries, the crab dip and an indian type dish. oh and the pasta. Everything was amazing. The pasta is worth the try, even if you can only stomach a few bites. The atmosphere was fun too and I enjoyed chanting "wimp" to the suckers who ordered the "antidote" (creamsicle)
Overall a great place...if you go on hell night. On any other night its pretty average.
This review is for HELL NIGHT only. I will say the food is great and an ever changing menu is appreciated and is generally spot on(5 Hell nights and counting), Hell nights are very busy and the wait staff and host/hostess are really good with such a load of people so no complaints. I only wish I could give ECG 5 stars. I have had truly outstanding meals but twice out of five visits my entire parties or the majority of was way off, from incorrect temps on meats to items delivered cold or not delivered, and believe it or not the hell pasta, the Pièce de résistance, was delivered as a glob all stuck together like a pasta baseball, all was rectified when brought to servers attentions,but it still leaves me wondering about every next time I come to a Hell night. I want to upgrade this rating!!!
A great Sunday Brunch! Make your own Bloody Mary Bar is so tasty. The food is mexican and very unique. Great fun atmosphere on Sunday AMs. If you want conversation, sit further away from the open kitchen, it can get a little noisey.
It's been 3 weeks since Hell Night. Three weeks since I plopped my butt into a seat in a small back room of this joint and scoffed at the challenge laid in front of me.
It seemed easy enough - a menu outlining each dish with a corresponding "bomb" level next to it. Two bombs was pretty wimpy - 9 bombs was the limit and reserved for a single dish. And not just any dish, the most evil, blisteringly hot dish, called Pasta From Hell. Supposedly coated with a sausage bolognese sauce that was also infused with about 6 different kinds of peppers, including habaneros, serranos and ghost chiles (bhut jolokia). Well, if there was sausage hiding in there, I never found it. Seriously folks, this pasta is no joke. I can take ridiculously high amounts of heat and this was *almost* too much for me. You know its bad when you can actually feel the sauce continually burning your esophagus and into your stomach. (Yeah, Stomach was mad for the next few hours, but it took the beating OK in the end.) If I can give you any description of how it felt eating this it would probably be how a wildfire rips through a forest and leaves nothing in its wake.
My one problem with the dish is that it really didn't taste like anything, except for the pepper. Now maybe this is because once you get to a certain spice level that's all you are able to taste, but I don't think so. I think East Coast needs to go beyond just a gimmicky plate of food and actually make it delicious. It can be done, I have faith!
Considering the other things we ordered that were friggin fantastic...the 2 pieces of shrimp with the Detroit Diesel Horseradish Sauce, delish! The Curried Shrimp & Sweet Potato Samosas with Fatali Cucumber Relish, Mango Chutney & Minted Yogurt - drool worthy. Andy M had an order of chili along with the "Wings of Ass Destruction" Phuket Style (Brined, Smoked, Fried Chicken Wings with Ghost Chile Oil, Nuoc Cham & Aromatic Herbs) and those were absolutely exquisite.
East Coast Grill, thank you. There is nothing that even comes close to this experience over in wimptastic Chicago. I cant wait for the next Hell Night - you guys kick ass!
Neon lights, seafood and BBQ. That's what East Coast Grill offers. I've been to ECG more than a dozen times - but only for dinner. I always try to order at least one new thing each time I go. But it isn't the selection of food that brings me to ECG. And I'm not an oyster / clam lover so I don't eat at the raw bar. In fact, the only thing that I LOVE about ECG is their mussels. They're heavenly.
Cooked in a coconut milk broth (get the grilled bread for dipping), the PEI mussels are succulent - almost crying out for you to chow them down... 'Eat me, eat me' I hear echoing out of their shells. And so I do. The grilled bread (smothered in butter) is perfect for soaking up all that delicious coconut milk broth.
Of course, I can't complain about the excellent pickles served at the beginning of the meal, and the corn bread is nice too. But to be honest, I haven't really had an entree here that I've enjoyed. All the entrees I've had are just average - not bad, but not great either. Their ribs aren't bad, but if I want BBQ I'll go to Red Bones. And don't even get me started on their 'Hell Night' (all heat, little flavor - I like my spicy food as much as the next guy, but I should at least be able to taste the food).
For me, I think I'll keep going to ECG just for their mussels. I'll close my eyes, and enjoy hearing that faint 'eat me' as I pop another mussel into my mouth.
Amazing food. I often come here with my family for Sunday brunch. We are picky eaters and neither one of us has ever been disappointed. Each dish I've tried here has always been delicious. The nachos are drool-worthy, resembling more a fondue with sausage and guacamole than your standard melted cheddar faire. Also, the make-your-own bloody mary bar always piques my interest to try new combos. The decor complements the food -- aquamarine walls and mounted fish make me feel like I'm in Key West. One of my favorite restaurants, hands down.
If loving Hell night is wrong, I don't want to be right. My fiance and I traveled almost 1,000 miles for Hell Night and it was everything that we hoped that it would be.
Let's start with the interior. The Staff at the East Coast Grill went all out for Hell Night. It was half restaurant, half Haunted House. Our server was awesome. He took the time to take us through all of the items on the Hell Night Menu and tell us what to expect.
The food was amazing. Let's start out with the mildest of the items.
The Chile from hell: It was cooked in a wonderful black bean sauce, with generous helpings of steak and a spice that had my mouth on fire.
Wings from hell: These may have been the best Chicken Wings that I have ever tasted. Were they hot? Hell yes they were, but they were also delicious. They are cooked in a honey, pepper sauce that was wonderful, but also had the roof of my mouth on fire to the point of being numb.
Pasta from hell: This stuff is insane. The staff makes you sign a waiver, and with good reason. This stuff could wake the dead. When you order the Pasta from hell, you instantly become a side show. The staff, and other diners anxiously await your reaction to your first bite. There were at least ten people that ordered the Pasta from hell and the reaction varied from person to person. I saw people in pain, crying, sweating and stooped over in agony. I was only brave enough to take two bites of this dish of evilness. The first one felt like it was burning my mouth on the inside and outside. The second one had me crying like a spinster watching the Bridges of Madison county. But my brave fiance came to the rescue. She took on the Pasta from hell and kicked it's evil ass. Yes, there were tears, and yes, there was pain, but she braved it all to beat the Pasta from Hell.
The bottom line is this. Hell night at the East Coast Grill is a wonderful experience. Not only is the staff top notch, but they really seem to love what they do. Dr. Pepper is a wonderful guy who really makes the Hell Night faithful feel at home. I can't wait to go back ,not only for the wings, but for the wonderful people who make the East Coast Grill a special place.
Hadn't been to East Coast Grill in a while, and wasn't disappointed. Crowded rainy Friday night; the only table available was next to the open kitchen. We were fine with that. Ordered drinks and food, waitress was helpful.
A few minutes into the meal, the expediter gives us a plate of fried plantains. "The kitchen is noisy tonight, so here's some plantains to make up for it." Unnecessary but very thoughtful, and a few bucks added to the tip.
Friend had the raw bar platter and finished it all. I had the beet salad - yum - and the mahi mahi - well cooked, good sides. Margaritas hit the spot as well.
Fun atmosphere and great night overall.
I've only been here once but i would love to come back. The food was straight up good. They have a good selection of different things and everything i tried was worth the price. I'm not gonna say it was amaaaaazing but it was definitely better than average food.
I had whatever their margarita special was, and it was okay if possibly a little light on the hard stuff. No big deal, i wanted a margarita and they brought me a margarita, in fact i drank 2 of them.
For food i had the taco special which was 2 pork tacos with slaw and some citrus sauce on it. These were fantastic. Pork tacos are maybe my favorite food and these did not dissappoint. I also had the mussels, which were kind of strange but very good. The sauce they were served in was really rich, kind of peanutty? I don't remember how they were described on the menu so i don't know it really was, but i know i liked it. My date had a bbq platter with ribs and dirty rice. The ribs were tasty and the rice was pretty good for what it was; i've never been to a restaurant that makes dirty rice the way i always had it growing up and i'm always dissappointed by that, but that's really my own issue. They give you some awesome pickles when you sit down too.
So yeah, i liked the food. i would go back for the food definitely. I just want to give a few extra words for the service. Me, i don't need a lot of attention and hand-holding at a restaurant, so i don't really notice service much unless it's completely horrible. But i really have to say the waiter in our section was fantastic at his job. Next to us was a family who were really pleasant, but had a million questions for the waiter about the restaurant itself and the menu and the history etc. He seemed happy to answer anything she threw at him and even offered to show her their kitchen/smoker when she expressed an interest. On our other side was a large table full of people who were complaining before they even sat down. If you've ever worked in the service industry you've dealt with people like this, who are always on the lookout for a reason to not have a good time. The waiter was awesome with them and accomodated every substitution and nitpicking thing they demanded of him while maintaining a friendly and helpful attitude the whole time. I wish i remembered what his name was because he represented the business very well.
Anyway: good food, decent margarita, and at least one great waiter.
Three words: Fresh squeezed margarita
This is a really good restaurant. I live a skip away, and dropped by for a meal with my visiting parents.
The menu is pretty eclectic. You can get bbq items, lots of seafood, and a few sandwiches and stuff. Since the folks were treating, and oddly encouraged me to do so, I went for the steepest fish item on the menu, a locally caught freshwater bass, blackened cajun style. It came with a sweet potato salad and some other odd ...stuff... that was very tasty. The fish was really exceptional.
Good arnold palmer too. They put a little plastic monkey on the rim of the glass, which irked me. I know someone has to give jobs to Chinese day laborers, but that sort of thing just makes me mad about wasted plastic.
Server was a pro, efficient and paced the meal properly. Atmosphere was fine, quirky enough to be sufficiently Inman without going over the top.
Everyone else had fried shrimp. Boring!
Just bring a full wallet, and you're very likely to have an enjoyable experience.
Wow, I heard about this place from Man versus Food, so I had to try it.
I'm a wimp. I had a bone of their special tonight and my face went numb. This spice is not for the faint of heart. I'm from NYC, so their MILDEST spice was like taking a hit of viagra and redbull combined. x_x
For the heat+meat+fish lovers out there, this is your Xanadu. All Hail.
Was out with my dude after visiting the Gardner museum and he suggested this place. Evidently waaaaay back he lived in the Inman Sq. area and used to go there with his caveman buddies - and they loved it. Figured that it would be decent and I was craving BBQ - so away we went.
First - WHAT is up with the parking situation? You have to PAY to park in their lot across the street? Really? Folks, this place ain't cheap by any means so one would think that after dropping well over $60 (for two of us!) that the parking would be free. Anyway...
Place was busy (usually a good sign, no?) so we had to wait at the bar - they had some interesting beers/cocktails. Raw bar looked fabulous, but being a South Shore gal, the prices were kinda high for it. Decor was cute - trying very hard to be Cambridge-trendy and succeeding quite well! Seemed to be a lot of fish on the menu, (which I love) but unfortunately I opted for BBQ as I just wasn't feeling the fish that night. BIG mistake!
Now, I've had the BEST BBQ - been to Memphis, Texas, the Carolinas, etc. so I know darn well what's good and what's not. That said, I'm not a big fan of anything too spicy, and told the waitress this right up front and asked her for suggestions. My companion was ordering the pulled pork Carolina style but she said that was "too hot" (uh, no it wasn't hot at ALL - I sampled his - it was just a bland vinegar taste). I got the ribs with the "sweet BBQ sauce" - asking her first (even though the menu says it is "sweet" if the ribs were hot - she says no). When they arrived they were covered in this hot, spicy rub and the "sauce" was on the side in a container smaller than a shot glass. Ok, I coulda asked for more sauce, sure. But the damn RUB was HOT and I couldn't scrape it off! I couldn't eat it - at all.
This wouldn't have been the end of the world, but then they gave me an attitude about it! The server actually rolled her eyes when I said that the rub was hot.. Uh, somebody has a short memory as I had told her I didn't want anything spicy. So I tried to eat the rest - waste of calories quite frankly. The beans that it came with were - eh - nothing special. The cornbread was nasty (no flavor). Ordered a side of sweet potato fries...they were the thickness of 2-3 of my fingers and all mushy inside. Yuck.
Oh well. What was I thinking - BBQ in Cambridge of all places! Shoulda ordered the damn fish, I guess. Given the price and parking, I highly doubt I'll be going back...if the dude wants to, he can make that a boys night out!
Ambiance= Funky and cool decor with fish everywhere
Service= Friendly and attentive bartenders
Big Gulp Margarita= Big, strong and yummy
Asian Oysters= Fresh and tasty
PEI Mussels cooked in Coconut Milk = Flavorful and fantastic
Chile Crusted Black 'n Blue Tuna Taco= Deliciousness in every bite
Chocolate Pecan Pie a la mode= Amazing!
Value= Pricey but good quality and fresh seafood
Overall experience= Very happy Deanna =)
I will definitely be back!!
Ok so I wrote a review last night after eating at hell night...I said the food tasted sooooo good. And other than the pasta nothing was truly that spicy in my opinion. The pasta was really spicy, but your mouth burning isn't the worst part....your stomach burning the next day is....oh yea and having to go the bathroom like all day....hmm maybe two stars is being nice.
I mean...I just can't give this place a good review even if hell night was FUN because I was in HELL the next day.
ANDDDD their non spicy food SUCKS. Sorry people of East Coast Grill. Everyone that works there is so nice, but I'm from Missouri and I LOVE BBQ and East Coast Grill's...well its just AWFUL.
Great chicken with mac & cheese as well as other
terrific food. Service staff great.
Take it in .
This place is fabulous! Every single thing we ordered was absolutely delicious! They have the most unique clam chowder with sweet potatoes and cornbread croutons. YUM! Dumpling appetizer, seared tuna taco appetizer, Asian shrimp and scallops with noodles, white pepper crusted tuna. Those who ate oysters LOVED them. It was quiet when we got there at 6 but by the time we left at 7:30 people were waiting for tables--it was Monday! A truly great place and we will most definitely go back again!
Oh, and the caramelized banana split with mango ice cream....need I say more?
Hell Night is NO FREAKING JOKE!!!!!
I had the pasta from hell, on a bet with one of my friends. He bet me $100 that I couldn't finish that tiny bowl of pasta. I finished the whole bowl, I was the big Asian guy dying in the corner on a warm Friday night. Every bite was literally HELL. These guys live up to their name. There is no restaurant in or around this area that makes anything even remotely that hot. THEY MADE ME SIGN A WAIVER for god's sakes. I spent the whole night twisting and turning cause the peppers would come into contact with the lining of my stomach. Every time I breathed, the peppers would burn my insides. To those who think they're brave enough to eat the "Pasta From Hell", you're not. If you finish it like I did, you're just stupid. Like me. If you want to experience the Pasta from hell just take a blowtorch and put it in your mouth and light. It's NO JOKE.
Good place. The brunch has unique meals like Breakfast plater with 3 Eggs any style, Black Beans 'n Rice, Mango-Avocado-Hearts of Palm Salad, Fried Plantains, Rojo & a Warm Flour Tortilla or Grits with a Molasses Grilled Banana, Pina, Jalapenos, Toasted Pecans & House Smoked Bacon...both were so good. And the french toast - b/c I always have to have sugar with breakfast - was excellent too.
The dinners are good too. Anything BBQ (way better than some not to be named popular place) and their corn chowder I liked a lot too.
Prices are on their website. I guess the reason not 5? Hm...
I came here with my coworkers on a Wednesday night and we each decided to try the hell bone for $3 per piece, just because it sounded interesting. They ended up giving us extras because they were nice. However, we didn't finish them because they were tremendously spicy, habanero sauced ribs. We had to down a lot of water. For my entree, I got the blue fish with gumbo and fried onions. It was very tasty - the fish was skilleted and came with tartar sauce, but it was seasoned and cooked in a way that the sauce was unnecessary. My coworkers got the mahi mahi and some gigantic meat platter with braised beef, etc, etc. and they were satisfied with their meals as well. Sounds like they liked it so much that they went back to the restaurant later that week.
I loved this place. Friends from California took us here - they had to come because he's been grilling and making sauces from chef Chris Schlesinger's cookbook for the last decade. We snacked at the bar while waiting for our table. Our bartender was awesome, friendly and skilled, and managed to keep up service even with a busy bar. Take or leave the buffalo shrimp, but don't miss the spicy Asian wings. Planters punch was delicious, but the dark and stormy with ginger beer a bit too caustic for me.
Mains - I think we all had fish dishes. Bf loved the seared tuna off the menu, and those of us who got specials were happy as well. Desserts - too rich and sweet, but I always think that. Great fun atmosphere to reconnect for a long dinner with old friends. I plan to be back for Hell Night.
East Coast Grill, located in Inman Square, is an all around great restaurant. The menu seemingly has something for everyone. Raw bar? Check. BBQ? Check. Seafood? Check. Vegitarian? Check. Great Cocktails? Check, check, and check.
The food itself is prepared and presented in a way that will make you think you are in a stuffy high end eatery. However, the atmosphere of the Grill and attitude of the staff spell a different feel entirely. It feels like you're eating in someone's kitchen (albeit with many of your closest friends!).
My only complaint would be the price tag. While I have never been less then pleased with my meal, my wallet has. That is not to say that it is worth every penny however, and I have never felt like I have been cheated or skimped. Just don't expect a cheap date here. A word of advice to the frugal: get several apps and split them. Not only to you get to try a myriad of taste, but it will also be a bit easier on the wallet (freeing up more cash for an excellent Margarita, or perhaps some Christina's Ice Cream).
Bottom line, if you are a foodie, and find yourself in Inman Square, check out the East Coast Grill. Also, buy a six pack for the kitchen staff (it's on the menu) they appreciate it.
Came here for brunch Sunday, after a truly epic July 4th party. Was seated at a table overlooking the open kitchen, which was cool as I enjoy watching people cook things. My waitress was incredibly kind and down-to-earth and relaxing - just her voice made me feel comfortable. I dunno, I don't normally think of waitresses as doing that but this one did. It was nice.
Ordered the fried plantains and cornmeal-encrusted french toast. The french toast was delicious, light and fluffy and good with syrup. The plantains weren't as crispy as I was expecting, but were amazing with the ricotta and the fruit sauce/compote they came with. The fruit cup that came with the toast was the low point - some of the fruit was under-ripe. Mango shouldn't be hard, people! Still, pretty good food and at a decent price. Was also impressed by their make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, which I would have done, if I actually liked Bloody Marys.
Love the no fuss attitude and neon lights. Servers are always friendly and down to earth. I have been here a dozen times at least and have had a great time on each occasion, which ranged from friend date, group outing, birthday celebrations, etc.
Standouts: pickles made in-house to munch on while waiting on your orders, my fav! oysters from the raw bar, Raw Tuna #1 when it's on the menu (sometimes they change their apps menu), New Orleans shrimp with the most amazing fried polenta, and trusty ol' ribs when you want to satisfy that carnivorous urge (great coleslaw with the bbq entrees! not usually a fan of coleslaw because it's too mayo-y).
I've had dishes from all over their menu and it has never disappointed! Beware of the things that are hellishly spicy, like "Inner Beauty" hot sauce.... they're not kidding around :) Once a group of friends and I ordered one plate of wings, so we each ended up having one or two wings (and we are a group that can handle our spicy food--or apparently not?) and we were forced to order cornbread to soothe our burning mouths.
East Coast Grill Review # 208: An early afternoon round of Clue®
The players.... Their weapons......
Mrs. White a make-your-own bloody mary paired w/ steak
Colonel Mustard sweet potato fries with a seriously spicy sauce
Miss Scarlet cornbread crusted french toast w/ a side of fruit
Mr. Green house special scallops and a sangria
Location: The lava room. ("real" volcano ftw)
Our host for the evening, erm, early afternoon: a snappy young, self-proclaimed Steward of Brunch.
Mrs. White was caught in the lobby enjoying her bloody mary, a combination of BM mix, tomato juice, a pepper-rimmed glass, and a few tufts of some spicy red pepper flakes.
Colonel Mustard retired to the lounge, where he noshed on tasty sweet potato wedges, served with a seriously spicy yellow sauce that burned going down-- we were forewarned. The Colonel also enjoyed a free side of the hash browns (? or the closest thing)-- sauteed potatoes and onions in a delightfully smooth and mellow bath of seasoning.
Miss Scarlet bit her nails in indecision in the hall as the cornbread crusted french toast triumphed over the southern-style breakfast combo of eggs, beans, salsa, plantains (!). All was washed down with a pulpy mimosa that left her feelin' groovy to face the sunny afternoon ahead.
Mr. Green boldy commanded a sangria, sipped it thoughtfully, and chose to have his menu-special caliber scallops served to him in the conservatory. Seems our waiter missed the tab explaining the lounge to the conservatory was a mere jump across the board, but he and the manager apologized for any delay.
We left unsure who had truly triumphed, but all left satiated, happy, and with a fuller wallet than expected, given the gluttonous circumstances.
A friend hooked me up with a gift certificate from East Coast Grille. It was about to expire and she wasn't going to be able to redeem it.
This is the only reason why I went...and probably will not return.
The food was not horrible.. but.. I just wasn't impressed.
It's a seafood joint and also has some BBQ options. The menu prices are kinda pricey.. it's not for a cheap night out. I got a burnt edge beef brisket sandwich for about $9..not bad. But that honestly was probably one of the only cheaper things on the menu. It was very tasty.. but do expect the burnt flavor... it was really strong.
My hubby got a half roasted chicken which came with some potatoes and roasted corn on the cob. He almost licked his plate. He loved it.
I thought his chicken had too much pepper...but now I'm sounding like a picky eater. lol
The food was good.. I'm not a huge seafood eater..which I've heard is what this restaurant is all about. So I guess I probably won't be coming here again.
Go here. Get the mussels. Thank me later.
I have had so much good food at ecg that I don't even know where to start. Their tuna steak is probably the best I've ever had. The desserts are incredible. Their margaritas? Good lord they're strong... and DELICIOUS. Love the atmosphere. Hate the wait. Make a reservation if you're going on a busy night. Definitely don't miss this place.
This is hands down the best restaurant (in it's price range) in the Boston/Cambridge area.
The chef is creative; the menu is playful and always throws up a few surprises. The fish is *always* cooked very well. The barbeque is pretty good as well. In general, everything is flavorful -- including the interesting pickle served as a starter and the mixed drinks concocted at the bar.
And of course; on Hell's night; ECG is just something else -- an experience you cannot replicate anywhere else in the NorthEast.
The hazards of sitting in front of the raw bar:
1. The first row is the splash zone.
2. The person taking your order will be the person manning the raw bar, and thus insanely busy, so it may take a while for you to be noticed when you want to order something.
3. The seats are pressed even more closely than at the main part of the bar.
4. Your credit card may be returned in a more covered-in-horseradish-y state than desired.
The place also struck me as quite expensive, even for a seafood restaurant.
Those minor complaints aside, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The seafood is top-notch: The raw oysters were perfect little morsels, and the bluefish was wonderfully tasty. They seem to have pretty good options for drinks, too, the Fisherman's Brew went well with my food selections.
Went to the East Coast Grill last monday. Atmosphere is funky and casual.... but not super comfy (wood chairs etc).
Food was excellent. We got a margarita $10.50 and a rum punch $8 both strong but pricey. For apps we had buffalo shrimp $13.50 and spicy shrimp and sweet potatoe empanadas.... both super delicious and super spicy. Main coarses were scallop and shrimp with garlic noodles $26 (not a lot of seafood unfortunitely) and bbq beef $16.50 (we substituted the slaw and beans for garlic mashed and roasted vegis which was a good decision). The sides were actually very very good whereas the beef was just ok.
We thought the service and food were both great. Price was a little much for the atmosphere and portions. Next time would definitely get the empanadas again, try a different seafood and leave out the beef all together. The garlic mashed and roasted vegis were some of the best sides that we have had in a long time. Our total bill came to $91 plus tip.
Great place to relax and have a good time! It feels like going on vacation, but nearby and with great food!
To start, we went to the bar and I shared a "Flaming erupting volcano." This drink was a lot of fun because the bartender lit the center on fire (it comes in something that looks like a huge sombrero) and it featured little plastic animals all hooked on the side! Oh, and it had every kind of alcohol imaginable in it.
Dinner was a lot of fun mainly because the grill is semi-open and right in the seating area basically. You can watch the guys cooking your fish and they'll even throw you little samplers here and there (we got some free ribs from the grill...YUM!)
Finally, the food itself was fantastic! The fish was spicy and delicious, not to mention very fresh. I thought it was a little expensive, but not enough to keep me from going back again. Definitely check it out if you appreciate a good piece of grilled fish and a really fun, casual dinner experience.
Took my parents here for a pre-graduation dinner. This place is low-key, low-maintenance, but serves amazingly high-quality food. The fish is the standout section of the menu. All the fish specials I tasted (we shared) - the mackerel, bluefish, and cod - were incredibly fresh and brightly and interestingly flavored. The blackened bluefish in particular was cooked to perfection, and arrived steaming hot, right off the grill.
Service is friendly, efficient, no-nonsense. Only the vaguely 70s Tiki room atmosphere (neon, light-animated volcano) leaves something to be desired. They are apparently going for an island theme. If you can make me food this good, I really don't care how you look.
This review is for Hell Night.
Even if you're not a fan of super hot food, this is a must-see for anyone in Cambridge that appreciates good food and general hilarity.
From the moment you walk in the door, it is apparent that even those suffering from the wrath of their 87th habanero of the night are enjoying themselves. They smile widely as perspiration drips down their face mixing with their tears of joy. This is not meant to be overly dramatic; the food really is that good and that hot. If you're not crying, your tongue may in fact actually be a Brillo Pad. The entire place is decorated with warnings, skulls and bones, and the color red. The cooks are all wearing gas masks, not as a joke, and the waitresses wear bandanas over their noses and mouths to prevent excessive inhalation of the fumes. There is no doubt that you are in for some serious heat.
I went with seven friends, which was a great environment to encourage people to get things hotter than we wanted. The hot food is ranked in bombs, from 1-6 for the normal menu. The Pasta from Hell, which requires a waiver and was featured on the Travel Channel, is eight bombs. Though none of us tried the infamous Pasta from Hell (a possibility in the future), everyone tasted something in the five-six bomb range. Some of our friends started with the "Wings of Ass Destruction" (quite clever) and it was immediately apparently that people were in for something new.
Within minutes, all of us were giggling uncontrollably as the capsacin opened our pores and adrenaline glands wide open. I tried the Bloody Mary from hell, which was impossibly spicy despite its cold temperature. My friend got a habanero margarita that trumped my drink and left a singing burn in the lips. However, it turns out that free-flowing adrenaline and alcohol make for excessive giddiness, which made the evening that much more fun. Amongst the seven of us, we tried chicken, ribs, oysters, sausage, salmon, and fries; everyone tried some of everything and everyone agreed that everything was delicious and impossibly hot. The waitresses, even moving at breakneck speed, could barely keep up with our water chugging rate. We averaged a glass for every few bites.
After we left, we went to Christina's to find some much needed relief for stomach and tongue. This was easily one of the most fun nights that my friends and I had shared together and it is definitely all thanks to East Coast Grill.
A funky place with food that's anything but bland and never disappoints. My fave is the scallops & shrimp with garlic noodles.
I go there for the seafood but think it's cool they offer a BBQ menu, too. I'm always torn about what to choose. The baby backs are tender, the sauce is smoky & just the right amount of sweet & vinegar.
$4 Well Drinks
Neighborhood: Waterfront
Bargain Specials
Boston, MA
Neighborhood: Inman Square
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Waterfront
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: North End
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Inman Square
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Inman Square
Category: Latin American
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