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Eastern Standard Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Nightlife Bars Lounges American (New), Lounges [Edit]
528 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02115
(617) 532-9100
- Nearest Transit:
-
Kenmore Station Busway (19, 193, 57, 57A, 60, 65, 8, 9)
Kenmore Station - Outbound (Green Line)
Kenmore Station - Inbound (Green Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
The Rattlesnake opened its doors in the Back Bay in 1990, occupying the small second floor and rooftop patio at 384 Boylston Street. Within three years,… read more »
686 reviews for Eastern Standard Kitchen
Review Highlights
"Baked Rigatoni + Butterscotch Bread Pudding = HEAVEN."
(in 40 reviews)
"...food is always fantastic from the moules to the bone marrow."
(in 40 reviews)
"loved the duck ravioli and foie gras."
(in 28 reviews)
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686 reviews in English
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Review from Olivia v.
Cambridge, MA
1/30/2012
Try. The. Burger.
Try it rare.
I've been here loads, mostly for late-night menus and drinks, and this place has never disappointed me. When I get a drink I don't like, I ask them to alter it, and they do, and it comes out amazing, and I thank them with a good tip.
Drinks: try the vin amer fizz, not too sweet and not too dry. I did the ES Flip the other night and I had to have them tone it down because it was outrageously sweet. My fault for ordering a dessert drink.
Anyway, Saturday was my first taste of their burger. I've been on a search for the best burger around town, and I wish that Craigie on Main and other famous burger spots like O'Sullivans and FIrebrand etc. would just take a class at ES Kitchen.
BURGER. Burger burger. -
Review from Aly W.
Brookline, MA
2/9/2012
I came here years ago for brunch and I recently came in with a friend for a late lunch. For a lunch, their menu delivers. Just because it is lunch, who said you cant have an omletter? or a nice hearty hanger steak?? My friend and I came in to chat and catch up on each others lives, so it was nice that our waiter wasn't pressuring us to order. When we finally ordered, everything was so good!
Standard Omlette: obv comes with the omlette but you get a mini salad and french fries. who doesnt like french fries??
Mushroom pasta: SO GOOD. creamy alfredo like sauce, tossed in spinach and mushrooms. oooh im drooling already.
we shoudnt have got dessert because we were so full, but we couldnt resist. I should have went with my gut and got the lemon tart, but we asked the waiter and ended up getting the warm pear. It wasnt horrible, but i think it could have been ..warmer and softer. but none the less, it was flavorful.
I definately want to come back for dinner and a drink, their bar looks awesome and their cocktail list even better! -
Review from Michael P.
Cambridge, MA
1/28/2012
+ DON ZOMBIES!!! Perfect cocktail for a night poor decisions and lost memories. Suggest limited of 2 per visit. "Don's Zombie circa 1934, made with five rums, lime, cinnamon, falernum and absinth" Taste-wise, it reminds me of a dark herbal tea with a hint of sweetness. More deadly than a long island. If you don't feel like a zombie by the end of the night, wait until the morning.
For some reason they took it off their cocktail menu(?) but if you ask for it, they'll still make you one -
Review from Shawn S.
Boston, MA
2/7/2012
Swanky place in a college neighborhood! Will definitely be a regular here if I stay in the Fenway neighborhood. Try the bread pudding, it's Devine!!!!
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Review from Sara M.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is probably my new favorite restaurant for now.
We finally got the chance to eat here on date night and I enjoyed myself immensely. We were seated at the end of a booth, which was a bit chilly due to the windows but our cocktails warmed us up quickly. I got one with prosecco, house rose vermouth, and egg whites - delicious.
Our server, Jessica was one of the best I have ever had. She was very knowledgeable, professional, pleasant, and even laughed at Husby's jokes. We will remember to ask for her when we come back.
For our appetizers, we ended up getting the bone marrow and charcuterie. I loved scooping out the bone marrow onto the toast for a meaty, rich, wonderfully gamey treat. The assemblance of various headcheese, sliced meats, and mousse were pungently delightful.
Main courses were the pork chop and the ribeye. Both were juicy, tender, cooked well, and had good sides. It was very hard to decide with all the delicious choices. We each got a different wine picked by our extremely capable server that we liked a lot.
Dessert was of course the butterscotch bread pudding, which was as flavourful and fight-causing for bites as everyone else described. I had the hot buttered rum as well, which was delightful.
I wouldn't have changed anything about this experience and am very much looking forward to coming back for many more meals. -
Review from Sara C.
Boston, MA
2/5/2012
Only had brunch here so far, but it was one of the best brunches I've had in Boston. You definitely should make a reservation but it will be well worth it. To start we had the breakfast breads, which were a large amount of home made muffins, breads, sticky buns, etc with home made butter and jam. They were so amazing, we keep wanting to go back just to get that! Everyone loved their main meals as well and the atmosphere was really nice. Can't wait to go back when it is nice out to sit outside. Brunch is a great way to go to a more expensive restaurant at a very reasonable price. There is a reason this place is always named on the lists of best brunch in Boston.
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Review from Cait S.
1/10/2012
A group of us came here for dinner on Christmas. We sat at a table in the bar which we reserved in advance so people could either chose the prix fixe meal or chose something off the menu without getting the full meal. I choose to order from the raw bar, I had some Duxbury oysters and shrimp. I also started with the grassroots cocktail and ended the meal with a hot buttered rum that was the best part of my meal. I had never tried real buttered rum just candy with that flavor, the genuine article was exceptionally good and it's heat made it the perfect drink for a cold night.
The staff were warm, attentive and did a great job with our large group. Eastern Standard beats any of the other options of places that are open Christmas day, it is pricier but worth it.Listed in: Christmas Free (or close to…
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Review from M W.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
ES has always been a fabulous place to meet up to sample their classic and signature cocktails around their beautiful expansive bar.
My first Brunch here was amazing!
The quiche of the day was a mushroom, spinach, and feta quiche served with a fresh arugula salad. The crust was thick but flaky and buttery.
The slow roasted brisket hash was delightful! Tender portions of brisket, home fried potatoes, roasted red bell peppers, in a light jus with a poached egg atop. This dish was great! It was served in a small skillet.
My companion had the pancakes and cheddar omelet with bacon on the side, which he seemed to enjoy.
With our meals, we had brunch cocktails from either side of the spectrum. He, with a classic Irish Coffee (just Jameson, no Baileys and of course no whipped cream). Me, with a modern cocktail called the Corio Coupe described as an aperitif cocktail of apricot vodka & bubbles. It had a nice kick and beautiful color, garnished with a slice of apricot.
We both finished with classic whiskey smash (bourbon muddled with mint and lemon garnished with a sprig of mint).
The hostess and wait staff were fantastic as per usual.
I recommend adding Eastern Standard to your list of favorite Boston brunch spots as I have! -
Review from Joanna F.
1/15/2012
I've been to Eastern Standard three times and I can officially say this place is amazing. I'm not a huge cocktail person, but their cocktail list is extensive and their wine list is spectacular. They also have a fair amount of beers on draft.
Most recently we hosted my friend's bachelorette party at Eastern Standard. Every step of the way, service was impeccable. Making a reservation was easy. I arrived about 15 minutes early and was seated immediately. Our waitress took time with each person to discuss wines and drink choices. She spent a significant amount of time helping us pick out bottles for the table.
The food was amazing. I've gotten a fish dish every time I've gone in and the fish is always cooked absolutely perfectly. I also tried the calamari last night which was light and crisp... some of the better calamari I've had.
The staff allowed us to remain at our table having drinks for about an hour after we finished dinner, which was amazing of them. They also brought out a complimentary dessert for the bachelorette. I cannot recommend Eastern Standard highly enough for any big occasion, but it's affordable enough to go in regularly. -
Review from Jenelle J.
Boston, MA
1/22/2012 5 Check-ins Here
If you've been looking for 'that place' in Beantown to bring some classy out of town friends, or just grabbing chic drinks after work, look no further. I've been here a number of times, and pretty much anything on the menu is reasonably well put together. Not to mention that the ambiance provides just the right je ne sais quois to provoke fun banter over the meal.
Pro tip: Just remember to avoid the place on Sox days - then it gets absolutely mobbed.
A "must" for a Boston experience! -
Review from Noshii R.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 1/14/2012
Wooohooo...great again. They did raise the price on their Steak & Frits...but hey its still good.
I miss the Etteca Grenach vino but their new wine menu is decent...could be better but overall still an excellent spot.
AND BOB IS BACK!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/1/2011
I go there like 3 times a week...during the summer that is.
Just a great spot w/a lively crowd void… Read more »
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Review from Peter D.
New York, NY
2/8/2012
I was just in town this past weekend, and my girlfriend and I decided to have brunch at the Eastern Standard. Boy was it great! The staff were polite and wonderful, and our meal was excellent. I had eggs Benedict, and she had Nicoise salad. Eggs Benedict is always a favorite, and this version had homemade flaky rolls instead of English muffins, and her salad had fresh seared tuna! delicious! We were so impressed we came for a late night bite at the bar that very night after watching my beloved Patriots lose at the Cask n' Flagon. This is where it became just amazing...I was thrilled to see roasted bones w/ marrow on the menu! i ordered that along with local Mass oysters, steak tartare and escargot in puff pastry casserole. The food was spectacular. And the bar makes elegant sexy drinks. I would say the mixologist that night was spot on, and we had a grand time, and it eased the pain of our football loss. I highly recommend the Eastern Standard, and in fact, I will assuredly be back next time i go home to visit family!
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Review from Victoria M.
Houston, TX
1/6/2012 5 photos
We started Christmas day with brunch at Eastern Standard. Their patio is always full, and the casualness of the outside hides a sleeker interior. The space is large, with a dining room, bar area, and lounge. The dinner menu looks tasty for another time, but we had a simple breakfast.
Scrambled Eggs, homefries, sausage, toast, side of bacon
Vermont Cheddar Omelette, homefries, toast
Both plates of eggs were very fluffy and light. Homefries had just enough char on the outside with creamy potato inside. Just a nice, solid breakfast. Good coffee as well.
It will probably take a dinner visit to see if they warrant more stars :) -
Review from Daenerys T.
Boston, MA
1/6/2012
This is a long over due review. We went to Eastern Standards for our 12th year anniversary.
Upon entering, I checked in with the hostess for our reservation. Her only response was, "OK" and that was it! I didn't get any form of decent response, something general, something along the lines like say "please give us a moment" or "we'll call you when your table is ready"! We were left wondering what to do with ourselves. Should we just stand here or get comfortable at the super crowded bar? I guess the bar it is. Who knows how long we were going to wait because again, our hostess neglected to even give us the courtesy of even pleasing us with a lie. Also on the off chance that our hostess might forget about us I made it a point to let her know where we'll be standing should our table be ready. 1 star deduction.
We waited quite a while but once we were seated, every thing went very smoothly. We ordered a 3 course meal and wine. We started off with the mussels in white wine sauce and bone marrow as appetizers. It was perfect. The mussels were perfect! The bone marrow's texture was of soft butter. Melt in your mouth goodness. For our entrees, I had the salmon and the Mr. ordered the swordfish and ended the night with a dozen Island Creek oysters, which btw, are the most crisp and clean oysters I have EVER had. The flavor is like an explosion of clean ocean in your mouth. Sort of like melted snow. I loved it! Also, the moments between each courses were timed just right. Enough time for you to converse but not stretched out long enough for you to get bored after discussing so many topics.
What should definitely be noted is the superb waitstaff team! Yes, a team. Executed precisely like a math algorithm. Seriously. Our tables were promptly cleared after every course and new utensils and plates promptly laid out. It was extremely busy that night and despite the hectic atmosphere, they remained, attentive, cool, calm, and cheery through out. So yes, they saved the day.
I have to say though despite our annoyance with the hostess's lack of attention and interest, we were very satisfied with our meal. So all in all, it turned out to be a great night. -
Review from tavia m.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/22/2011
I've been to Eastern Standard 3 times since it has opened. Never have I had a "wow" experience. Don't get me wrong, their food is good, if not overpriced. They have some crazy stuff on the menu that adventurous people love, so that's cool. I just have not had a great or even good experience.
This last trip was the WORST. Our waiter clearly could not give two shits about our table. He was never around, and therefore, service was S.L.O.W.! We waited about 10 minutes before he even came over to acknowledge us. Granted, the restaurant was very busy, but still. Holy hell.
One of my coworkers ordered the mussels, which were undercooked. Undercooked mussels, disgusting. Not that our waiter knew anything about this since he didn't come back to check that things were ok. We had to flag down another server.
I've had various items from the raw bar, which were all good. I've tried appetizers and mixed drinks, some more successful than others. This past time, I had the nicoise salad, which was YUM. Tried some desserts, all of which were tasty.
I'll never come back here when it's busy. I have had ok experiences on off-hours, however. The service is aloof, if not absent, which makes me dislike the joint. -
Review from Regan C.
Cambridge, MA
1/11/2012
Sat at the bar with a friend and got dinner the other night. First off, the service was nice and friendly. The bartender was pretty good at offering a nice wine choice, but I ended up landing on the rose champagne which was really yummy.
Secondly, the food was delicious. I got the beet salad and mushroom crepes as my meal. The beet salad was plated beautifully and was very tasty. It was something nice and refreshing to start out the meal. The mushroom crepes were just missing a little bit of salt in my opinion, but I thought that the balsamic reduction was a nice addition.
I didn't end up getting dessert, but the bread pudding sounded delicious, and I definitely want to go back and try it.
The bar was a great place to catch up with an old buddy, but I would recommend the dining room for a date for sure. Maybe something before the Red Sox game perhaps... -
Review from Kathleen F.
Somerville, MA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went to ESK for my friend's birthday the other night. I was really glad that even after we were told we might have to split into 2 tables due to the size of the party when I made the reservation, they were able to take us all together! I had my ES fave drink an extra dirty martini and it was delish as always. Our waitress was really sweet and very accommodating of the group of rowdy opinionated women. We decided to share a bunch of stuff, and I thought it was great that when we did say we were sharing they would split stuff into smaller plates for us which was really sweet.
I highly recommend the winter beet salad with prosciutto, tried that out and it was so refreshing and flavorful, something I would definitely try again! My friend ordered a mixed green salad as an app and there was some confusion with it and it wound up coming out late, so the waitress took it off our bill which I thought was really nice of her. We also told her it was our friend's birthday so they brought over a piece of cake with a candle in it.
This is definitely the perfect, classy experience to come and celebrate someone's birthday in style. We will be back! -
Review from p'raka ..
Brighton, MA
1/12/2012
Went here for the first time last night for dinner/drinks. Atmosphere was nice, service was pleasant but the food was really lacking. Mushroom crepes were just so-so - 2 mushroom rolls served wrapped in blintz-style dough with some goat cheese. It just seemed to be missing something. We also got the bouillabaisse (wednesday night special) which was really underwhelming. Some calamari rings, a bit of white fish, 3 clams, 4 or 5 mussels of which two mussels were missing! I understand that this is probably scooped out of a common bowl - but how can you not notice that the two mussel shells sitting on top of the dish are EMPTY. Really poor presentation. I've had a similarly priced bouillabaisse at Petit Robert Bistro (when it was Jacky's Table) that was a million times better in both flavour and presentation in addition to being generously portioned. Eastern Standard really fell short on this dish.
Also, we were not super hungry so we split a salad, appetizer, entree and dessert. As I mentioned the appetizer was only two rolls and the entree was actually quite small. A good waiter/waitress would have mentioned the portion sizes but ours did not. Thankfully we were not starving so the small portions were actually good. I've gotten better food (for about the same amount of $$) elsewhere so I don't think I would come here again for dinner. -
Review from Mike K.
Allston-Brighton, MA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here once recently as this seemed to be the only place that would serve oysters in the area. The food was good and the the setting was very nice - we were outside by the heat lamps.
Now, a bit about the service. When we placed our order they forgot to put in our appetizer (or the kitchen lost it - not sure). When the time came they just carried out our entrees and when we asked where are our calamari, they looked very confused. Obviously when asked whether we still want them at the end, we said no. Later they did try to make up for the mistake by offering us a complimentary desert drink, which is why this review gets 4 stars and not 3. Otherwise, the service was good and prompt, but a mistake like that is hard to overlook when you pay $100 for dinner.
The food was fresh and everything tasted good, especially the fresh pasta. The prices were what you'd expect for this type of food in a prime location. -
Review from Mary M.
Somerville, MA
1/22/2012
I went to a 30th Birthday dinner at Eastern Standard last night and have a great time! A very spacious place with great energy and busy-ness. After walking in I instantly thought "what a fun place!" Had drinks by the bar to start then a long delicious dinner. They definitely stretched out the meal so my girlfriend's birthday dinner was an event and we were able to really enjoy our time there. Our waitress was very helpful and sweet. The calamari app was good but my entree the Rigatoni with lamb sausage was DELICIOUS!! Really great overall experience. I will definitely be back.
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Review from Ryan W.
Updated - 12/9/2011
This is one long-overdue update, as Eastern Standard and I have both grown up since our first meeting. Over the years, ES has become an institution within the food industry, and thus within my circle of friends. You can always depend on ES to serve you your first drink on a Sunday morning on the patio, and your last drink at 1:59am on an out-of-control Tuesday night, with equal panache and class. The food's a bit expensive for what you get, but the drinks--ohhhh, the drinks--are well worth every penny, for a huge amount of effort, love and imagination goes into each one (even if the drink menu's a bit short on description). The soundtrack's usually awesome but unobtrusive (think Flaming Lips or funk music on a Saturday night). And the brunch is excellent, every single time (be sure to order the Bloody Mary).
We've made so many memories in this place. I had my first Fernet-Branca here with a charming Albanian waiter (served in a rocks glass with an ice cube, NOT as a shot). I spied my first cow-tongue-as-entree with a visiting writer from Austin. I chatted with diplomats under the palms on the heated front patio. I cured my now-boyfriend's cold with a plate of oysters and a hot toddy on a December afternoon. I ordered my mom her first craft cocktail (delivered on the house, as by this time, I'd become a regular and the staff wanted to make me look cool). I took my graduating class of teachers here for a midday cocktail celebration after we got our TEFL certificates from the nearby Boston Language Institute. And before I left Boston to teach abroad, I held my birthday-slash-going-away party here.
In fact, ES has become a place my friends and I refer to as "our own personal Chuck E. Cheese," as we've celebrated half a dozen other birthdays and special occasions here, always with amazing results. There's no pizza or clowns (unless you count the awesome food industry folks who pile in post-shift around 1am), but there's a back room that can be reserved, or you can just take over the bar and rub elbows with the other awesome patrons that frequent ES. And there's always bubbly to be had, as you should, with a plate of local oysters and a side of fries. DO IT.
Everything about this place is just good. Five stars forever, ES.Listed in: Good for Groups, Customer Service is #1, Good Libations, Calgon, Take Me Away, Five Stars for Atmosphere
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2007
This is a highly irresponsible and potentially irrelevant review because:
1) I just attended a… Read more »
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Review from Adam C.
12/8/2011
Just reviewing the bar since I've never eaten here. Gorgeous place and beautiful, imaginative cocktails. But my goodness, they have to do something, anything, about the bar space. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a drink that I was really thrilled about and had it splash over onto myself and companions.
The culprit isn't inebriation or clumsiness but rather inevitability. It's too crowded in the narrow space between the bar and the high tables, and servers are constantly running food through this "canal of doom". So, bottom line, if you're ever here when it's not empty, expect to be jostled. As far as I can tell there are at least four possible solutions:
1. Renovate the space to provide some breathing room, and take away the tables that are closest to the bar. This could prove moderately costly and if I was running ES I wouldn't want to shut the place down for any length of time. But I can't imagine who even really wants to eat at those tables as opposed to the main dining room ones.
2. Don't let as many people in. Yeah, this is draconian and doubtless hurts the business bottom line, but it would make for a vastly superior experience. I only feel this way because the drinks here deserve better than to be sloshed about.
3. OK, how about don't let anyone in sporting Red Sox gear? Hard and fast rule, and improves the chances of not being rudely hip checked by dude that's already 8 'Gansett tall boys deep.
4. No more serving drinks "up". No champagne coupes, no martini glasses. Everything is served down in a chilled tumbler. The hardcore cocktail nerd throws a fit ("this isn't not how they served it pre-prohibition!"), but you can absorb one or two body blows without suffering a liquid casualty.
So barring these, the mandate for a good time is come here on a Tuesday at 5:00 (non-Sox game night) and enjoy some of the best drinks in Boston in luxurious comfort. -
Review from Julie B.
11/7/2011
How I spent six year in Boston without coming here I really do not know. With 600+ reviews there's not too much else to say about Eastern Standard but I felt it deserved another 5 stars.
They have a heated patio out front which was fantastic. Service was great -- our waitress was cute and appropriately attentive. We started with the clams appetizer. It was on the smaller side but really delicious, especially the surprise pieces of pork belly -- ESK mayyy have converted me into a pork belly fan. I ordered the bake rigatoni for my entree which came out smoking hot and was filled with very tender pieces of lamb. I managed to take some of it home and was very tempted to eat my leftovers the next morning for breakfast! Yep, it was that good.
They have a nice beer/wine menu and some pretty interesting cocktails. I will definitely be going back to try more on the menu. -
Review from Nic B.
Boston, MA
1/22/2012
Their service last Thursday night deserves a review. Went there for the first time with a friend. We had reservations for 8:30, arrived at 8:20 and weren't seated until around 9:00. Turns out the couple at our table - even though they had paid and asked for their coats - were holding up traffic. The hostess with extremely apologetic, the manager brought us our choice of wine while we waited, and we weren't charged for our order of oysters once seated.
In addition, our waitress and food was great. Especially the oysters! I'll definitely go back. -
Review from Jason M.
11/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Holy crap. Sometimes hyperbole really is the best thing ever.
It's classy. It's sophisticated. It's delicious.
I also get the distinct impression the food and drinks are made with love.
Rewind for a second...
The place will be packed. It's impossible to sit at the bar (which is best described as elegant) no matter how cool it looks.
The place will be loud. I'm not certain there is music playing in the background.
You're going to want reservations. It's kind of a pain... but the quality of food and drink makes up for the annoyances.
Standouts are all over the menu. The pork porterhouse is delicious. I would rub the steak tartare all over my body. I would do inhuman things to the grilled flat iron steak.
Your cocktails are lovely throwbacks.
Get the whiskey mash. It's not going to get any better than that.
Except for one of the Flips. Don't freak out over the raw egg... it gives the drink a wonderful velvet texture and richness. Drinking a flip sounds scary... but trust me. I'm the guy who just rubbed steak tartare all over my body. -
Review from S D.
Boston, MA
1/14/2012
The service here is great and so are the drinks. The whiskey smash + mac and cheese = amazing. Get it, but save some for me please and thank you.
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Review from Jade R.
Boston, MA
12/13/2011
Well, YUM.
Mouthwatering drinks ( I'm making it a goal to try every one...)
Great food.
Amazing atmosphere.
Attentive and educated service.
We started with the shrimp cocktail (HUGE shrimp), beet salad and mushroom crepes.
For entrees, we had the swordfish, tortelloni, ny strip steak, and pork. I personally had the mushroom crepes and the swordfish, which were both delicious, everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal as well (especially my boyfriend with his pork!) And then... the butterscotch bread pudding... a must.
A wonderful experience, definitely will be back! -
Review from Jen V.
Boston, MA
1/15/2012
Get the bone marrow appetizer, it was phenomenal. Best part of my 3-course meal!!
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Review from David R.
Boston, MA
1/16/2012
Overall: Food very good, Service: excellent, Interior: great.
Food: new American.
Service: friendly
Interior: generous, clubby booths, nice bar, great hang out spot, outside seating.
Eastern Standard has really great food, drinks, brunch and is all around my fave. American food lounge spot.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. -
Review from James B.
Boston, MA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here twice now for brunch and once for dinner.
Dinner was great, especially the charcuterie plate my group got as an appetizer. We left stuffed. Great liquor/cocktail list too, and the servers are quick with recommendations. In general, great food and service, and attention is paid to detail in both.
Brunch seemed like a throwaway here. I ordered an egg and sausage breakfast sandwich on an English muffin -- the bottom bread was so greasy and soggy that I had to eat the sandwich with a knife and fork. And then the hostess came by before we were done with our meal to place a "reserved" sign on our table for the next party, pretending that we weren't there.
I'll be back for dinner, not for brunch though. -
Review from Thomas S.
Phoenix, AZ
10/6/2011
Hanging with my besties, doesn't matter what time zone you're in or what the name of the restaurant is. But here we were. Standing by the bar, sipping cocktails ("someone" was throwing back chilled Patron like there was no tomorrow I might add...hmm...) and waiting for our table.
And because I hang with the cool kids, we were specifically waiting for a bar table as they prefer that over the dining room. Hey. I'm the new kid just lucky to hang with the "plastics". I'm happy just to be at any table.
Instantly my Bostonian Buddies started asking all the proper oyster questions...what do you have, where are they from...yadda yadda yadda....I put them in complete control and soon we had a huge iced platter of illustrious oysters and prawns. Those silky oysters were like a big stick of buttah sliding down my throat. And because my mom reads my reviews I will hold off on the sliding down my throat joke just waiting to leap from my fingertips to the keyboard.
I continued with broiled lobster with drawn butter and seared tuna. Hell. I don't even remember what the others ordered! My food was sea lishes!
Eastern Standard is located in the historic Commonwealth Hotel and has some kick ass photography on the second level where the restrooms are located. I visited the second level several times.
Damn Patron.Listed in: Boston, I Promise Never to…
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Review from Paul S.
Boston, MA
10/29/2011
I went here for lunch with my friend and we had the Mac and Cheese and the roast beef sandwich. We split the food up which was a great idea to taste both items.
The service was fabulous, super helpful, and knowledgeable about any of the dishes.
The mac and cheese was served with guanciale, which is pork cheek. It was sooo delicious and rich. I recommend this for sure.
The roast beef sandwich was served with crispy onions, and this horseradish mayo, which was also super flavorful. Make sure to get an extra side of the mayo because it's yummy!
Prices weren't too bad either for lunch. I would highly recommend this if you are in the Kenmore area. -
Review from Nessa M.
Brookline, MA
1/12/2012
Good burgers and steaks and drinks and waitstaff. The only annoying part of it are all the college students who come in like they own the place when really their parents are paying all the bills. But whatever it's a cool place and the drinks really are some of the best in Boston
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Review from Hungry C.
Medford, MA
12/3/2011
We have been to ESK over 10 times and love it. These guys nail all aspects Atmosphere,Service & Food/Drinks. Some of our favs are the Steak Tartare,Mac'n cheese, Porter House Pork, Swordfish and the one thing you NEED to order is the butterscotch Bread Pudding..
Solid beer selection and killer cocktails.
The room has amazing energy and great decor. Good place for date night or business dinners.
Parking can be tough so we often valet.
GO HERE!!!! -
Review from Mirabelle T.
Boston, MA
1/7/2012
I haven't tried the food here, but Eastern Standard is my favorite place for a drink or two. The cocktails are amazing! All girls would definitely enjoy their Blueberry Thrill, it's refreshingly sweet and delicious!
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Review from Bruce e.
Boston, MA
1/28/2012
I've now been to Eastern Standard 3 times . Good experiences, pleasant and fun, but not spectacular . The food is good, and they are cocktail focused, but probably a bit over the top there. They have some unusual listings on the menu, but they don't need to try so hard. Too many chefs get culinary hernias these days trying to be so over the top. Keep it simple, don't muddy up quality ingredients. Service is aedequate for a casual scene. Its a good place to go with a small , younger group.
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Review from Howe L.
Cambridge, MA
12/17/2011
Good place for brunch and people watching. Too crowded at night. And hence, slow service and food. Albeit, the food's tasty. Fits in with the swanky atmosphere.
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Review from Rachel K.
12/6/2011
Eastern Standard is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. It's always reliable for an outstanding meal. They offer some of the best cocktails in the country (don't believe me? google it). They offer types of drinks you will not find anywhere else, including an *entire section* with egg whites...oddly phenomenal! Their appetizers, entrees, and deserts are exquisite but are in small portions, so make sure to order one of each if you come with a full appetite. Best clams linguine I've had anywhere, and one of the best ahi tuna salads. Has a great patio in the summer OR winter thanks to some incredible heat lamps. Great location in Kenmore Square near Fenway. I'm a huge fan of the old rustic yet elegant decor. This restaurant will be a Boston staple for years to come.
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Review from Karisa D.
Alexandria, VA
10/22/2011
Eastern Standard is by far one of my favorite restaurants/bars in Boston. It is the kind of place that you can go for a meal or a drink at the bar, or both. It maintains a classy yet relaxed atmosphere no matter what time of the day, which I enjoy. It is also a nice change of pace from the other restaurants that surround Fenway which are similar in food and atmosphere. The bartenders are attentive and friendly and know how to make a delicious cocktail. The food is amazing and I get something different every time I go. Their calamari is one of my favorites! It's crispy and full of flavor.
Eastern Standard should be on your list of places to try while in Boston. -
Review from Tucker H.
9/25/2011
We met some friends here for lunch before a Sox game, and it was a decent enough experience, but a bit of a mixed bag. The restaurant itself is very nice inside, despite being right around the corner from Fenway they clearly are aiming for a more upscale clientele than just fans in jerseys.
The food was hit or miss unfortunately. The mac and cheese looked delicious, but I felt bad for my vegetarian friend who ordered it; he didn't realize that the guanciale listed as an ingredient is actually a form of bacon, and they did not skimp on it! The rest of the dishes our group had were all fine; the nicoise salad had plenty of good-quality tuna, and the burger was certainly better than your typical bar food.
If I had it to do over again, I would have gone with the mac and cheese instead of my veal saltimbocca, which was a disappointment. The veal seemed to just be a repurposed weiner schnitzel, and the breading got instantly soggy in the wine sauce. On top of that, it came with eight (8) pieces of penne; that's like leaving a waiter a $2 tip, you didn't forget, you're just a jerk. Either give me a decent serving of pasta, or don't give me any...
