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Evenfall
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants American (New) Lounges, American (New) [Edit]
8 Knipe RdHaverhill, MA 01835
(978) 521-7550
- Hours:
Mon 5 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for Evenfall
Review Highlights
"The Kobe beef hanger came with truffled mashed potatoes."
(in 5 reviews)
"Substantial wine list with all the usual suspects."
(in 8 reviews)
"I love the round paper lanterns."
(in 4 reviews)
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55 reviews in English
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Review from changun s.
Methuen, MA
10/20/2011
Why: we found a coupon in a local magazine
What we ordered:
(1): Spice Rubbed Pulled Pork Quesadilla,
baby spinach, smoked cheddar, roasted jalepeno creme fraiche, BBQ sauce
(2): Our Epic Ten Napkin Chicken Burger
pan seared and asian spiced, pea shoots, Maine tomatoes, slaw, spicy hoisin, bacon, fontina cheese, pickles, vidalia onion rings, with a side of house cut fries
(3): Two Pan Seared Kobe Burgers
homemade bao buns, spicy hoisin sauce, pea shoots, asian slaw, house cut fries
Positives:
~great service (nice, attentive waitress)
~free home made bread (different varieties)
~good atmosphere (decor, noise level not too loud)
~fair price
~food: good flavor and generous portions
Negatives:
~can't think of any
Conclusion: will go back!
:0 :o -
Review from Linda B.
North Andover, MA
Updated - 12/19/2011
As you see it has been 2.5 years since my initial review. And that review would have stood the test of time, if it were not for the unfortunate experience of brunch yesterday. I have been a solid fan since Evenfall took over the old 'George's site'. But my serious suggestion is that they go back to being closed on Sundays or they open at 4pm for dinner/bar menu. I will not return for brunch; and due to being miffed at the sub-par service and food presentation...it may take me a while to return for dinner. I believe brunch service began back in October, so I gave them time to sort out the new food items. Yesterday I had a 2pm reservation for 4 (not needed, there were two tables leaving and a few at the bar...otherwise EMPTY). I think perhaps they'd cleaned up for their 3pm service end-time.
The waitress was 'off', she asked if we wanted drinks but offered nothing (not coffee, juice, drink menu, nor did she mention the Bloody Mary bar until she came back a 2nd time and we asked for a drink menu).
We waited a bit for the food (longer than one would expect when you are the only occupied table in the restaurant), and when it arrived it was barely warm. Grilled sour dough toast with no butter. By the time butter and S&P, were delivered to the table it was impossible to melt the butter on the cold / hard bread (which was more like blah white bread). Condiments must have all been stowed away; waitress had to find S&P for us from the Bloody Mary bar.
My dish (which I'd anticipated all week), the Griddled Apple Croque Madame - grilled local apples, sage, black forest ham, gruyere cheese, griddled sour dough $7 + Add a fried egg with demi $4......sounded creative but was the skimpiest, driest, flavorless thing I've ever had at Evenfall or elsewhere. The barely-discernable slice of gruyere was not even slightly melty! Apple was skimpy, ham was dry! This should have been an up-scale grilled ham & cheese, all warm & melty....it was NOT.
I will give them this credit, my BF had Hangar Steak and Eggs - caramelized vidalia onions, two eggs your style $9....and the steak did look delicious....but frankly that goes back to their dinner roots.
I can't imagine the brunch chef is the same person who cooks on Friday & Saturday evenings; such a big difference in quality. Or maybe someone was filling on December 18th and this is not their typical presentation.
Or maybe they are not getting much brunch patronage, and the whole idea is petering out. My family walked out, all of us disappointed with this lame brunch experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/11/2009
We live nearby and try to go once a month (sometimes more); it is a gem we love it. Steak and frites… Read more »
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Review from Mike M.
North Reading, MA
2/2/2012
We have been here several times and it is usually a very good experience. On Sunday 1/29/2012 we went for brunch and it was very disappointing. We were seated and given menus and then waited 20 minutes before they took our order. Then ordered drinks and placed our order. We waited 15 minutes for the drinks and then another 30 minutes on top of that for our order to arrive! My wife ordered the "Eggs Benedict w/Prosciutto, sweet potato pork belly hash" and when it arrived we noticed that they used honey ham instead of prosciutto and just plain potato instead of the hash! When we asked the waitress about the honey ham she advised that they were out of prosciutto, never mentioning anything about the hash which when asked she said that they were out of that also! Now... The brunch started at 11 and we had 12:30 reservations so it is not like we came at the tail end of the serving. Also if you are a waitress and you make a substitution for whatever reason you should advise the party that ordered the meal! More over if the customer asks about a substitution you should not have to be asked about every item on the plate that was substituted! You should say "we were also out of the hash". They did give us a 5.00 credit on a 50.00 bill but at this point it was too little too late.
I hope this was just one very bad day at Evenfall....... -
Review from Clayton M.
Essex, MA
6/25/2011
Went to Evenfall last night for the first and last time with my wife and son. The night started out fine, but rapidly went downhill. There is a summary at the bottom if you don't feel like reading the long story.
We made reservations online on the way there just in case they were busy. We arrived, were welcomed and then seated. We started out with cocktails, I had Makers Mark on the rocks and the wife had a Velvet Hammer (their creation - damn tasty too) and the kid had a Shirley Temple. We also ordered a bottle of wine with dinner which thankfully arrived before we were abandoned by the staff.
Next we had our apps. The wife and son shared the cheese plate while I had the flash fried calamari. Both were very good although the calamari was not as hot as it could have been. This was also the moment the night failed. Our waitress stopped by for the final time to check on us. After that, the only thing we got was our food. For our main course, I had the Scottish Salmon and the wife and son shared the Italian Trofie Pasta. We were assured when we first ordered that if we wanted, we could order the Kobe Burgers for the kid should he not like the pasta or want his own plate. If only we could have... he left hungry and we stopped at the grocery store on the way home to make our own dessert.
While we waited for the possibility of desserts and after dinner drinks we saw the other tables around us being ignored equally well. The table at my back actually had to get up to get their own drinks. It seems like their drink order was taken, and improperly at that, but never delivered.
After waiting over 30 minutes for someone to offer us dessert menus, after dinner drinks or even a check, I got up to try and find anyone to pay as I was done and ready to leave. Walked around and was still ignored. When I stood up my napkin fell next to the table. Finally the busser stopped to pick it up and I got his attention and asked if I could just pay. The waitress in the section next to ours came over and asked who was taking care of us. My wife briefly described her (and she -the waitress - was staring at us from the bar now) to the new person. The new waitress left with my credit card as I was not waiting for a bill when I finally had a person in front of me and returned with my credit card, a detailed bill, and the credit card slip to sign.
After following these guys on twitter and seeing their seasonal menu I was really excited about going here for the first time. Their food appears to be creative, their wine list is decent and their cocktails are inventive and good. Sadly I probably will never be going back.
Summary:
Food is good but the service is non existent. If you want to go and pay a lot of money to be left wanting and ignored then this place is for you. otherwise go anywhere else. -
Review from Holly B.
Merrimac, MA
1/7/2012
Dined at Evenfall a few years ago a couple of times. Went back tonight, Saturday about 7:30 pm. There was no wait. A lot of the restaurants in the area were on 45-90 minute waits. The waitress was not very helpful and although she was all smiles wasn't very attentive and was not very busy. We had to ask for Salt and Pepper, not sure why there wasn't any on the table. She came over to ask how we were doing and when we said, OK... she started to walk away. Our water glasses were empty as well as our cocktails. I had to ask for more water.
The salads were very good. There are only 2 choices, about $10 each and we got both. One was a Caesar variation and the other was arugula and goat cheese. The dressing on the arugula was too vinegary. The Caesar salad was excellent. The bread with oil for dipping was nice. We got the onion rings, $6 which were really good. We shared the Filet Mignon and Shrimp Scampi which is one 6oz filet and should come with the scampi served over. But we ordered them on the side. There were 3 shrimp which were just ok. The filet was not the best quality and had no flavor... probably because the scampi was on the side, so the server perhaps should have suggested something to give it some flavor or the chef might have been smart enough to spice it up himself. Ordered Med Well ( I know... way to kill the beef but hate sending it back if it's too rare when ordered Med) It was def more on the Well Done side. It came with about 7 green beans and a large scoop of mashed potatoes. They were just ok.
The decor has changed to a blah brownish/ beige color which is quite a disappointment since the original atmosphere was fun and sorta classy/trendy.
Such a letdown... especially for the huge bill and the stomach ache. -
Review from Leah H.
Plaistow, NH
6/16/2011
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars but I think 3 is fair, especially based on recent visits.
They just renovated so the bar is now in the main dining room. It's fine but I think not as elegant as maybe it used to be - the booths are kind of low in height so they don't feel as cosy. The lanterns in the ceiling are cute though. If you're on a table in the middle of the room with your back to the bar it might feel a bit weird.
Excellent cocktails. Fairly good wine selection.
The crispy baby back ribs are delicious, awesomely crispy and just the right amount of sweet, salty, spicy - super yum.
Years ago I had one of the most amazing pasta dishes ever at Evenfall - some kind of wild mushroom, arugula, goat cheese parpadelle - it was amazing - I still dream of that pasta....
So earlier this week I tried the Italian Trofie pasts with asparagus (really tiny pieces), English peas (fresh or frozen? my guess is frozen, they didn't have that wonderful fresh look or taste) in a creamy bacon sauce (which was very tasty but frankly looked kind of like a brown gravy). It was pleasant and we ate most of it. Probably wouldn't get it again. But fine.
The espresso machine was broken.
The service was great although they frankly seemed kind of rushed off their feet. The host has gone and the two/three people seemed to be waiting the bar, running food, waiting tables etc. Maybe that's why they moved the bar in? To cut down on staff?
It looks kind of blah from the outside (it's right on 125 just before 495) but if you haven't been you'll probably be surprised (in a good way) when you enter. They also have a couple of rooms for private parties and dinners. It's a good little restaurant, my last visit wasn't as good a previous but I'll give it another go. You could also check out Keons in Haverhill... -
Review from Veronica P.
Bradford, MA
8/2/2011
This has been my favorite MA restaurant for a few years, but I was less than impressed with my last visit. They re-did the decor, previously it has been this lovely, stylish ethereal palette of blue and white with big hanging moon-like paper lanterns. Now it has a lot more brown, and looks a lot more like a standard New England Restaurant, I really hope someone re-considers this.
Previously, everything I ordered or tried was fantastic, I loves the scallops, their steak and frites, and their cheese plate is heaven. I've never had a bad meal there, but the last time I was a little disappointed to find the meal great, but not spectacular. The service was a little slow as well.
I hope that last visit was fluke, rather than a trend. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Lowell, MA
11/8/2011
We had our rehearsal dinner here. It was a perfect night. The staff was friendly, polite and attentive. They allowed us a TON of flexibility with the menu and the floor pan. We've been for dinner several other times and had an equally enjoyable experience. We're looking forward to trying Sunday brunch soon.
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Review from lella b.
Marlborough, MA
7/16/2011
I am seriously in love with this place! 3 of us had dinner tonight. It does not have a chic decor, yes, the outside does not set up the dinner that awaits but the lesson of "judging books by covers" applies!
We started off with the ribs: others have described, crispy with a great seasoning. Lovely side slaw.
Grilled Filet Mignon Medallion: medium - rare ordered and served. 5 jumo shrimp. I couldn't try it b/c of a shellfsih allergy, but 2 dining partners loved.
Grilled Hangar Steak: Medium rare ordered and served. A stunning parsley chimichurri. And the onion rings to die for! I'd go back just for the parsley chimichurri.
One Pound Steak & Frites: rare ordered/served. I am not a rare meat eater, this was cooked perfectly which is harder said than done. Salad was lovely. Fries were the only thing not eaten - they were ok. Just with everything else? They didn't stand out.
Berry Mojito? Go dink Mojitos in Evanfall in the area. To die for. Reminds me of the Brazen Bean in Portland Oregon.
Chocolate Martini: Oh the perfect dessert drink. I'd go back for this.
Coffee with Corviser and Irish Cream. Not on the menu, made on request.
Creme Brulee: tops. perfect cool custard with warm sugar topping.
This is worth the drive from far west for a meal. We will be back. Evenfall is one of those true gems.Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 7/16/2011
It was a pleasure hosting you, thanks for visiting! More » -
Review from Jason H.
Haverhill, MA
1/24/2011
Decided to go to Evanfall for my birthday after a friend recommended this place. I checked the online menu to make sure that there was something on the menu my husband likes to eat (sort of a pickey eater). Since there was a entree he'd eat, I made a reservation for a Thursday evening.
We got to the restaurant and there was only 1 other party in the place. We ordered our drinks, and checked out the menu. Lo and behold, they had changed the menu, but did not update the website. I asked the server when they changed the menu, and she let me know it was changed 3 days prior, but when I had checked their website that morning, it had not changed. Since it was my birthday, we decided to make the best of it and stay. My hubby ordered the Kobe Steak entree and ordered the Red Snapper, which was the featured fresh fish dish of the day.
We waited over half an hour before we got our meals, which I thought was strange since there was only 1 other couple in the restaurant. When we got our order, my hubby's mashed potatoes were cold and the pasta in my dish was not cooked all the way through and stuck together in a pile. Needless to say, we didn't stay for a birthday dessert.
When I got home I checked their website, and the menu had still not been updated.
I will definately not go back to this place. -
Review from Dennis K.
Lowell, MA
12/27/2010
I never go to an out-of-the-way or off-the-beaten-path or too-damn-far-to-friggin-travel-to-be-dsappionted restaurant unless i have heard at least two unconnected people say good things about it. Such was the case with Evenfall. Thankfully I was not disappointed. It didn't look like much from the outside i have to say and i actually thought it might have been closed when i drove in to the 1/4 filled parking lot. Nevertheless when we stepped inside all my preconceptions twighlighted. It seemed to have this rustic appearance softened by a low-lit asian-like decor and ambiance. When i say asian-like i mean there are no specific indications (lettering, symbols, art or prints) of anything asian expect the decor itself. Like a Japanese restaurant minus the Japanese...um... In the words of Steve Martin: I think you know what i'm trying to say.
If one does not get the asian influence right away they certainly will when they see the menu. The chef has some very creative dishes with an obvious Japanese influence. Again the menu is like Japanese with the chef's own american twist. So what is sushi is not really sushi. I know what i ate was raw salmon yet i cant say it was "sushi". I cant really do justice by telling you what i ate i can only attest the the quality of the chef's work. I feel that creative chef's are the best chef's because they put the most time and care in to what they cook. Such is the case here. Anyway, for you traditionalists not willing to follow the chef down the creative-brick-road it has all the usual american fixings if you're feeling more country mouse than city mouse. I guess that's the point really. Rustic elegance. -
Review from tavia m.
Jamaica Plain, MA
8/3/2010
I was so disappointed in this establishment. I recently went here on a weekend night. I thought the atmosphere and decor was pleasant and the menu had a lot of choices. I was excited to try my drink and some of their drinks.
After we placed our drink orders the night went downhill quickly. The theme of the evening was "waiting." As in waiting and waiting for our waitress to bring us our drinks, our food, refill our water/drinks, etc. We waited quite a while for the waitress to even take our order. Finally we placed it all and waited and waited. We were served two of our cold entrees (we had also ordered two hot entrees). After a while, those who ordered the cold entrees ate them and finished them. The waitress came to clear our plates and asked if we wanted dessert.....NO, we want our damn hot entrees!!!!
Fifteen minutes later, they were brought out. Then we waited and waited for our check. No apologies, no acknowledgment that were were forgotten or anything of the sort. I was appalled.
Overall the food was hit or miss. The deconstructed panzanella salad was a hit. The hot and cold crab salad was ok. There was nothing hot involved. The pan seared kobe burgers were RUINED by the overpowering sauce covering them.
I will not be going back here even though some of their other menu items look good. We were forgotten and ignored. Terrible service. A terrible way to run a business. BOO!Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 8/24/2010
I can only say that this is as far from the experience that… More » -
Review from Luke B.
East Watertown, MA
11/19/2010
Went there on a Saturday night; busier than the waitstaff could handle, with a small wedding reception in the side room. The hostess apologized a lot which is simply annoying, not helpful. When we were seated, the main dining room was incredibly loud for a little barn room, and we could barely make out conversation across the table. Overall the staff was very disorganized, taking ten minutes to take our orders. We got our apps pretty quickly, the crispy ribs, and they were quite tasty, I recommend them.
Then more waiting... finally some bread came out (after the apps?). "Fresh-baked" french bread, but definitely cold and mushy in the middle. No way was this fresh-baked, maybe stuffed in a freezer early in the shift. More whirling around from the waitstaff, seriously they were running across the dining room. Finally the entrees come: the salmon, the steak+frites. The steak "&" frites were not bad, but not classic steak-frites, not enough garlic in the sauce, but overall decent. The salmon was bland, with some uninspired veggies. Should have gone with the fish special, I think.
How this place is "romantic", I'm not sure. Perhaps on a slow night, but not on a Saturday. A little overpriced as well. -
Review from Ian W.
3/22/2008
I was here for the unofficial NH/MA Yelp event held on Thursday night. This review is based only on the restaurant. In the lounge, the decor was colorful and tasteful, but the lighting was way too dim. To read the menu in the lounge, I needed to rely on a flashlight provided by a friend. Initially, our Yelp group was huddled around a small high top table in the lounge, which was a full house. We were moved to the dining room, where we could have conversations without crowd noise. The dining room had a high ceiling with exposed beams and round lantern lights. The lighting in the dining room wasn't too bad, even though I had to raise the menus up towards the nearest light just to read it. Some others in the group used flashlights.
The staff gave us the option to order off the pub menu in the dining room. Evenfall also has a regular dinner menu and a prix fixe menu. None of us really cared for a high end meal, so everyone ordered off the pub menu. For appetizers, the Smoky Pulled Pork Quesadilla with sour cream dip, Pan Seared Sesame Crusted Tuna, and Vegetable Spring Rolls were all very good starters, nicely presented. Loved the chopsticks for the spring rolls!
For dinner, I had the Duck Confit Sandwich (tangy & tender meat, rhubarb jam, gruyere cheese on grilled brioche) which was excellent, served with house cut fries and a spicy housemade ketchup dip. For dessert, I had the Torched Alaska (chocolate cake, banana ice cream, chocolate sauce, bruleed bananas), which was very sweet and went well with a decent cup of coffee.
The service was very attentive throughout our visit, both in the lounge and in the dining room with reorders on drinks offered often and frequent check ups and water refills given as needed. Overall, great food and presentation on the pricey side, attentive service, nice decor, but the lighting is too dark. -
Review from Jeffrey H.
Washington, DC
5/9/2007 1 photo
Talk about a hidden gem in Haverhill! My friend Tori G. and I have always loved the bars in Boston for their more high class atmosphere, but alas the Haverhill area doesn't offer much more than drunk jocks stabbing each other downtown. And making it to Boston sometimes is just too tiring, so we longed for a nicer place near North Andover.
Evenfall, is that place. It offers a couple lounge bars as well as a full service dining room. The lounge is very stylish with couches, ottomans, coffee tables, and bar tables all around. The lighting is dim with candles accenting the magenta and grey walls. There is a variety of artwork and sculptures around the place that can't help but grab your attention.
The food is great! Never had dinner in the dining room, but ordering from the late night menu in the bar is a great idea! I recommend the pulled pork quesadilla! Grab a few plates of food and share with friends or check out the specials they frequently have in the dining room! Sign up on their e-mail list to keep up-to-date on what they have to offer.
Drinks are also fantastic--from martinis to mojitos--you'll find something you like! The Raspberry Mojito is my favorite drink, but there are many other great drinks as well!
Evenfall's staff is great. Letza and Jenny are wonderful behind the bar and always treat the customers great. The owner, Spiro, is always making an effort to make sure people are having a good time.
Overall, Evenfall is a great place to hang out up North when driving into Boston is just too much. It's a great place to spend a Friday night or just grab drinks after work sometime during the week. Food is great, drinks are great, atmosphere is great, staff is great. Check it out! -
Review from Tori G.
North Andover, MA
5/4/2007 6 photos
LOVE this place! There are two different lounge on either side of you when you walk through the front door, each with different decor and vibe to them. Both have some couches and other various seating. You never know the crowd your going to get here though, it always varies, and has a lot of regulars.
The staff is great, Spiro, the owner, is always around making sure everyone is happy and joking with the patrons, very nice guy. And the bartenders Jenny and Letza are great! Very attentive and knowledgeable, whenever you ask them for their opinion for a meal or drink choice, they're always right on.
Letza is the one that turned me onto their Asian Pear Martini's, they're WONDERFUL!! And their spicy pulled pork quesadillas, AMAZING. And in the summer it comes with a piece of grilled watermelon on the side which is unexpectedly good.
My friends and I always have a good time here, it's somewhere that we'll start the night out and then go out to the bars in Haverhill usually. Or, somewhere to go when you want a low-key night out with good food and great drinks. I highly recommend Evenfall to anyone!!
*Update* Evenfall is now open at 11 for lunch. They have a very reasonably priced lunch menu with lots of yummy options. They also have free WiFi!
*Update #2* Went here with my family to celebrate my parents 25 years of wedded bliss. The 5 of us got a great round table in the dining room which I've never eaten in before. There's a whole different menu here and it was GREAT just like their cocktails and late night/bar menu.
I had the Jumbo Seared Scallops with silky corn sauce, patty pan squash, crispy zuke fries, and parley lemon aioli for $25. INCREDIBLE.
My scallops were seared perfectly and the corn sauce was delicious. I was dipping the excellent homemade foccia bread in it at one point.
GO TO EVENFALL!! EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS WONDERFUL!!Listed in: My Neighborhood, The Places I Go Out, Top Restaurants
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Review from Corey S.
Lowell, MA
3/28/2011
After numerous recommendations, I decided to try this place out. As soon as we got into the parking lot, I almost turned around. The intent was a romantic dinner, and from the outside, this looks like an old Elk's Lodge or something with a massive, ugly parking lot. It's located essentially in the middle of an industrial park. There is a huge sign on the outside, windowless wall advertising cheap domestic drafts.
Inside, it doesn't get all that much better. The dining area has some bizarre barn theme while the shutters are pulled tight to keep out the lights from cars bombing down 125.
While the food was quite good and well presented (had the spring rolls appetizer, the duck for dinner, and the fondue for dessert), it was not outstanding - perhaps my duck was a tad dull and the wine list, at least by the glass, was pretty minimal. However, the portions were just about perfect and the wait staff was friendly enough.
Basically, we found it to be not worth the price and didn't live up to the hype. Too expensive and pretentious to be a townie joint to pick up a quick dinner, and not exceptional enough in food, and certainly not in ambiance, to be a good "special treat" kind of place. -
Review from Yui K.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2008
I have never experienced the phrase "melt-in-your-mouth good" until I tasted the Duck Confit Sandwich at Evenfall. I was WOWed.
The pork quesadilla app was amazing too. Spring rolls and tuna were very decent as well. Overall I loved the food. Totally didn't expect it!
One gripe I do have is the lighting. I understand "mood lighting" and all that jazz, but it borders ridiculous when you're unable to READ the menu. Do they want us to order or what? It's worse in the lounge than the dining area.
Staff was attentive and refilled water everytime they saw it low (and that was often). I loved their wall art. If I could I would buy one, or two. Lantern balls of all different sizes "lit up" the ceiling and provided the only lighting, aside from tiny tea lights. Self coat check is nicely unpretentious. -
Review from Don W.
3/21/2008
An unenthusiastic 4 stars. First, I want to point out that this is a review of the food, drink, and atmosphere at Evenfall. This is not a review of the really fun unofficial Yelp event that brought 8 of us here.
Starting with the lounge - it's dark. Red walls, black ceiling, hardly any lights... you get the picture. Service was friendly and never far away. By the time we were up to 6 people standing around a small table, the lounge was full and they were turning people away, so they moved us into the dining room. There was another empty lounge, but it looked like they didn't have the staff for it and it never opened.
The restaurant was okay, but it was still too dark to read the menu. My wife happened to have a small flashlight with her and it got a lot of use. Atmosphere was reasonable, and it was pretty empty so we could all talk and hear each other. The food was okay but somehow all the great reviews left me expecting more. We split a bunch of appetizers and they were all tasty. Some of the entrees were better than others, though no one got anything fancy or expensive. My pizza was a little more dry and burnt than I would have liked, but it was also bigger than I expected and I ate the whole thing. The Duck Confit sandwiches were very good, though my wife was expecting something more than basic white bread. Hard to complain about this, but it's like I was saying about my expectations after reading all of the glowing reviews - I expected more. Desserts were okay.
Service was reasonable (the waitress even brought us a flashlight), but the chairs were horrible. By the end of the night Matthew and I were both sore & ready to move around. And the flashlight that the waitress brought had an Evenfall logo printed on it but sadly, a dead battery.
I'd come back if someone else suggested it. As a place to sit & talk, this was a better choice than The Peddler's Daughter because it was quieter. I don't see myself trying to bring other people here, though. So should I really give it 4 stars? It's a 3.5, but the company was awesome and it made the experience much nicer. -
Review from Jackie D.
Somerville, MA
3/28/2010
ATMOSPHERE
I would like to start my review by praising EF for their outside renovations. The changes in the awnings, new sign and "patio" have made a drastic change in the appearance.
I love the lounges here. There are hooks for your purse under the bar. A few high tops, comfy stools and cozy chairs around a coffee table in the corner. Sometimes AJ is in the other corner singing...I'll get to his review later.
I hardly frequent the dining room here. I like the bar/lounge menu better and you can order off the dinner menu too. Also, the dining room was recently renovated...and I STRONGLY dislike the window coverings. I've never seen them up too close, but from the dining room entrance (which is close enough), they look like they were finger painted and are way too Fall-like. It's a deal breaker for me. P.S. I DO understand how crazy that sounds.
FOOD
The french fries. I just don't get it. Why are they so good? And the two sauces that come with them, what is in them?
Grilled thin crust pizza: basil, tom sauce, mozzarella, chopped tom, and parm-reg. It was good but kind of bland for EF. It is a good choice for you picky eaters and I would get it again. I guess I'm just shocked that it's so simple...but again, not complaining it was good as is.
ABOUT THAT TAB...
I feel the need to talk about the pricing of EF, they have a bad rap for being pricey. It is easy to run up a tab here, no doubt. However, they have added some bonus features that can help cut it. For example, Mondays you can get $1 bar bites and/or a freshly muddled mojito for $4 (definitely get the raspberry one). And on Fridays they offer 50% off the entire bar menu. Another deal is their sox special, I believe it was a beer and burger with fries for $10 on game days...sure do hope that comes back this year. Except maybe with a Portobello or veggie burger please??
The $1 bar bites are usually shrimp, an oyster, different types of sliders, and a rangoon. They haven't changed much and they do not offer any vegetarian options. I'm a fishetarian but do not like raw bar or salmon so I'm bumming on this deal! Except maybe the rangoon...gotta try that.
Also, the whole Friday 50/50 thing, it's only from 5-6pm. Luckily for me I work nearby and can make it there by 5:05, but stinks for all you city commuters who would never make it by 6. And they open at 5, I hate to feel like I'm opening the place, ya know?
AJ, SWEET SWEET AJ
As previously mentioned, sometimes AJ is in the corner of the lounge with his guitar belting out some acoustic tuneage. He's so cute and I know it is dark in there but I could swear sometimes AJ and I lock eyes as he sings his sweet nothings. It's like the three of us are alone in the room; just AJ, me and my agave negro. Oh yea, get the agave negro to drink, it's fab!
MY POINT IS...
Go to EF and see for yourself. I could see how there's mixed reviews but it's worth the experience. -
Review from Denise L.
North Andover, MA
11/3/2009
My husband and I enjoy great food and were very excited to try Evenfall for a celebration dinner. We recently moved from D.C., a great foodie city, and are looking for excellent restaurants north of Boston. Unfortunately, Evenfall will not make our list. Though some of the fare was excellent, at least as much was fair.
The bar offerings are representative. The wine list, at least by the glass, is terrible. The glass wines are cheap quality - no value wines, no gems. The martinis, however, are fantastic. The mojito was the best we've had outside of the islands.
Each of us started with a salad. The Caesar was average, the mixed greens were excellent. The grass-fed ribeye was terrific. The "shrimp scampi" - shrimp ravioli served with large shrimp - was just not good. The shrimp were overcooked and rubbery. The ravioli were decent, though two of the four had so much citrus zest in it as to make them inedibly bitter. The dish was ladeled with a nicely-flavored, though watery, sauce. On the side, we ordered truffled mashed potatoes, which were tasty, but served cold.
Desserts were tiny, and not nearly sumptuous enough to compensate for their size.
Our waitress was great, as was the hostess.
Evenfall aspires to be a foodie restaurant, but misses. If you go, perhaps get the server's recommendation on the best dishes. -
Review from Maeve R.
Topsfield, MA
9/13/2007
We were really suprised to find a decent restaurant in Haverhill, as we normally try to avoid this area....
That being said, Evenfall was great, even though my boyfriend can be a pretty picky eater. We've been here twice, and both times he's ordered the kobe beef hanger steak; not a great cut, but its kobe beef - do you think he's going to order something else? They also have some great side options to add to your meal - lobster mac and cheese, yukon gold mashed potatoes, lobster garlic mashed potatoes.... I could go on. And their drink menu was great - the first time we went here I didn't know where to start! Definitely reccommended, but don't go too hungry, because their appetizers need some work (if you're not an adverturous eater, that is). -
Review from B L.
Methuen, MA
2/14/2011
Came here on Valentine's Day weekend and the food was BLAND. Tried to be high end but service was amateur hour and servers were running around like chickens with their heads cup off. Could not handle a busy (not packed) night. I'm guessing their normal weekends are not very busy! Table was dirty with only dishes removed and needed to be wiped when we sat down. No silverware or linen after we sat. No bread after it was offered and we said yes. Bottom line, you will get a better meal for less at Not Your Average Joe's, Burton's Grill, etc.
Started with the calamari which were OK but the aioli had no flavor. Jar of Hellmann's mayonnaise had more flavor. The asian soy sauce was just soy sauce with a little sugar and rice vinegar. Nothing exciting. The oysters 2 way was nothing exciting. Raw had some sauce on it that was fruity and casino was panko with bacon. Tiny oysters too...No dishes were on the table so we had to wait before we could start on the appetizers.
Entree was again bland and varied in temperature. Steak Frites was bleeding which meant they cut it too soon and lukewarm. Fries were hot but soggy. Lamb with gnocchi garnish was sad and again not hot. Gnocchis were terrible.
Tried to order dessert but waitress left dessert menu and walked around with no clue. Rather than take multiple orders of nearby tables, she would take 1 order, go to enter it, pick up a drink then go to another table. She was out of breadth every time she came by if we wanted anything. After sitting at our table for 15 minutes with dessert menu we decided to call it a night. Lost sales... -
Review from Rebecca O.
Haverhill, MA
2/19/2008
Update 3/21/08
I also took part in the unofficial yelp event this month at Evenfall.
This time we ate off the bar menu and I was not as enamored as I was the first time. The food was only ok. The fries were seasoned with rosemary and the flavor was so overwhelming I think I ate three of them. Not to mention that they make their own ketchup which seems to be some special sauce? Yikes. That said, some of my yelp friends LOVED their meals and the prices were certainly good for what I would call an upscale bar menu. A good representation of food choices and price points.
Based on my second experience, I've dropped my review to four stars, but don't let that fool you. As Don says, it is a solid four stars.
Original Review 2/14/08
We decided to make this our 2008 Valentine's Day restaurant.
1. They still had openings when we finally got around to making reservations.
2. They had Kobe beef on the VDay Menu which we've been dying to try.
Not sure what this location was before hand, but you walk into a reception /hostess area. There are different bars to the right and left. Both have tables in them. In the back to the left is the main dining room.
One side comment: you can hang up your own coat. This is something I really like. I believe in paying for services I need and I don't need to pay someone a few bucks to hang up my coat for me. It is not about the money; its about the need. When I dine at the Ritz, they can check my coat. Otherwise, I'm perfectly able and happy to hang it myself.
Anyway...
The tables were packed in tight but that may have been a VDay thing. There was one very large center round table in the middle. The lights are Chinese lanterns of various sizes. I would describe the atmosphere as mellow but sophisticated.
The food was very good. We had the tuna to start, the kobe beef for dinner and the fondue for dessert. My only gripe is the wine parings were expensive and the prices were not listed. If you are going to provide me a wine paring list, I am going to assume (unless you tell me otherwise) the wines are mid-priced given what you see on the regular wine list.
The location was easy to find and there was plenty of parking.
Evenfall's website offers an email list you'll want to join if you live locally. They offer very reasonable price fixe menus on weekdays and have discounts listed. -
Review from Melissa M.
Salem, NH
5/12/2008
I went here yesterday with my parents for Mother's Day. I liked the open airy, almost beachy feel to the dining room. I love the round paper lanterns. The wait staff was friendly & fairly fast. The bread basket & roasted garlic olive oil dip was delicious. I had the asparagus bisque to start. I loved it! My parents spilt the caesar salad.
The waitress & kitchen staff were very accomadating. I'm a vegetarian & there wasn't a vegetarian entree on the menu so they made up a veggie plate for me which consisted of risotto with onions & peas, spinach sauteed with garlic, pureed carrots with ginger, lemony asparagus spears, & green beans. Everything was perfectly seasoned & very tasty. My parents both had some find of fish & they devoured their food too.
For dessert we split the smores profiteroles. The puff pastry shells (you get 3 of them) were stuffed with fresh home made chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips & marshmallows & dusted with graham cracker bits. The whole thing was drizzled with chocolate sauce & served with 2 toasted marshmallows on toothpicks. It was awesome! -
Review from Erik K.
Boston, MA
5/10/2011
Not cheap, but near excellent. Only issue I have is the menu is constantly changing. Very nice and elegant place for a hardworking town.
Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 5/10/2011
Thanks for the review, we appreciate the feedback. As a… More » -
Review from Nikki C.
Lawrence, MA
6/6/2010 4 photos
Evenfall had been on our list of recommended restaurants in the Haverhill area for some time. Our thoughts overall were the food was great, innovative flavors and great menu variety. A few of the side pairings missed the mark (bland ricotta gnocchi with kobe beef). The decor was fantastic, something like a rustic elegant wedding.
Overall, a great place for apps, drinks and casual food.Things to try:
Portobello Fries
Cheese Plate
Fresh bread & rosemary olive oil -
Review from steve n.
Haverhill, MA
11/21/2010
stopped in for a drink last night. after i was told they couldn't make my first two selections from their cocktail list i had the bartender make me a Bitter Truth (http://newyork.grubstr...) as i knew they had all the ingredients for that. the bartender did a fairly good job with my drink but even though on the three times i described the drink i specifically said "strained into a CHILLED rocks glass" she just grabbed a warm glass off the shelf which made me sad.
the bar was nice, modern and cozy but the menu was not too impressive and little weird with only two seafood entree offerings.
i'll be back to try a few apps and hang out in the bar pretty soon and i'll update my review then.
also, parking seems to be at a premium and people were parking on the side of the street quite a ways from the resto, but there may have been a function going on.Listed in: Haverhill Haunts
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Review from Kristen W.
Boston, MA
12/22/2007 2 photos
This place is such a gem outside of the city to us suburbanites!
The atmosphere at Evenfall is hip but welcoming. More cozy and accessible than its "sister" restaurant Glory - but without the live music in the bar on weekends. More of a walk-in atmosphere.
I enjoy bringing friends to the lounge for a light bite & drinks (had a crowd join us for my husband's 31st birthday here in late 2006). Friends who trekked out here that night from Boston & the immediate surrounding towns like Somerville & Arlington have been back since then both with & without us.
When I am feeling like we need a little treat, we like to come here for quiet dinners. We also have made it tradition to take our parents here when they are visiting.
Do take the time to come here and venture beyond the bar / lounge (which does offer some great menu options - very upscale bar food & salads) and into the dining room.
In the dining room - chocolate stained exposed beams in the dining room set off pale blue walls. Giant paper lanterns hang from the rafters, not only offering light but making the room more cozy.
The art on the walls seems semi-permanent as some of the sculptures have changed from time to time... But it is always interesting to look at.
The dinner menu changes often within the season and is always inventive. There is usually a fish dish, 2 or 3 beef dishes, chicken, a vegetarian, and a pork dish called "The Pig" - all of which change to include and highlight seasonal items. Portions are great for carnivores but the pasta based dishes (usually featuring pappardelle or ravioli) leave me feeling like I need another course before dinner.
The a la carte steaks are cooked perfectly and seasoned in such a way as I have rarely tasted. Try the truffle butter for an accompaniment!
Special event menus are always seductive here - my husband and I even ventured out in the 2007 Valentines day snowstorm to keep our reservation and partake in the romantic special dinner for 2 menu (surf & turf for 2 - lobster tails, fillet Mignon, steamed mussels, and more - YUM). Be sure to join the email list to get updates & for reminders about events. I have been on this list for a while and the owner, Spiro, is always inviting members to Evenfall for special tastings, promotions, or most recently, a holiday party for patrons.
Mid-week a prix fixe menu offers an unbelievable value for only $28 per person for 3 courses (as of 12/07) OR Prix Fixe for 2 - 2 courses each & a bottle of wine (from a select list) for $55. Really, this is unbeatable and usually the prix fixe menu offers something so sumptuous it takes your eye away from the main menu.
Many items have lobster accents - what food isn't improved by lobster?
The only negative comment I have is that the paper lanterns in the dining room really need a good dusting!
*** Edit as of 1/11/08 - someone got up on a ladder because the lanterns are no longer at all dusty! ***
Take a hike up north and try Evenfall - you will add it to yor repertoire, I promise. -
Review from Paul S.
North Andover, MA
2/13/2011
Perhaps it was because we went on Valentine's Day weekend (busy), but thought it was just slightly above average. Service was extremely spotty (felt like we were at a Friendly's vs. a "nice" restaurant)...took way too long to get drinks, the wrong order came to our table etc. I would go again because the food was good and I'm willing to give them another chance but was hoping for more.
Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 2/13/2011
Paul, We were the busiest we have ever been last night,… More » -
Review from Matthew A.
Salem, NH
Updated - 2/28/2009 9 photos
We came here for a Friday evening meal. Our 2nd time here, the 1st being with some other yelpers.
This time, just Dennis and I. We sat in the dining room and ordered from the dining room menu.
Started with the beet salad with cheese. It was beautifully presented. With a mountain of bitter arugula salad green, 4 cubed towers of purple and orange beets, which accompanied some mild soft cheese.
The flavors were mild and subtle. I almost wish the beets were left whole, as there was not that many.
The bread and oil is delicious. The bread was heavily salted, as well as the oil.
For din-din, I had the beef short rib on top of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Stunning presentation. I felt I was a judge on Top Chef.
Dennis had the steak and frites. Steak was cooked perfectly. His frites were over salted and had an salted herbs on them.
Extensive wine list. I had a $6 glass of Italian Chianti to go with my meal.
Perfect.
I will keep this place on my top 10 restaurants list for the area.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2008
A group of us "Yelpers" took Evanfall by storm and had us another unofficial event one weekday… Read more »
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Review from Tim D.
Boston, MA
6/25/2008
Stopped by here for a few drinks and appetizers on Monday, and I was impressed. I'm not usually a fan of lounge-type places, but Evenfall changed that.
We started off with a $4 mojito, which was well done. From there, I moved to a Manhattan, and ordered some $1 bar appetizers. Organic salmon Mini-burgers, oysters, salmon rangoon, and meatball sliders. Each more delicious than the next. Salmon mini-burgers were the all stars of the bunch.
I closed the night with an organic local microbrew, which was pretty tasty. One of my friends tried to mimic my order, only to find mine was the last one.
I was slightly disappointed there wasn't a draft beer menu, but I suppose one doesn't go to a lounge for a beer. Their only fault.
The waitress and bartender were both friendly and accommodating.
Great spot, check it out if you're in the neighborhood. Might even be worth the trip. -
Review from Michael K.
North Andover, MA
4/26/2011
Very good bistro. Will cater to allergies and the menu is always changing.
Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 4/26/2011
Thanks for the review, we most definitely will accommodate… More » -
Review from Jennifer M.
Andover, MA
1/16/2010
I like the feel and the food. The bar and lounge are perfect for girls night or a group and the dining room is quiet, comfortable - a good date spot.
The menu changes but always offers an interesting selection of nicely presented delicious meals. I've had the scallops, salmon, Kobe, short ribs. The Caesar is good and for apps I like the tuna and calamari.
Good martinis. Substantial wine list with all the usual suspects. -
Review from Alan L.
Haverhill, MA
8/9/2009
My girlfriend and I went to Evenfall around Dec of 08 and it was horrible. This has to be one of the worst experiences that I have with restaurants. My girlfriend ordered salmon and I ordered lamb. The salmon has some funny smell to it and my was so so considering it was $25.
The service was bad, the waitress didn't come over once after the meals were delivered.
For $120, I rather go to Hill Street Grille in N. Andover.Comment from Spiro P. of Evenfall 11/3/2009
Alan, thank you for your interesting comments, all of them… More » -
Review from RJ K.
Boxford, MA
7/20/2008
I have eaten here a few times, now, and have been deeply impressed with the quality of food. From the outside, it looks like an old converted roadhouse, which it may well be.
The atmosphere inside is fine--two separate bar rooms and a large dining room. I would say that it is "nice" but that they really focus their attention on the food and the service...both of which are excellent.
In our last visit, I ordered a shrimp appetizer that was very good. Then, I had the Caesar salad and my wife had the baby greens. Their wine selection was solid, and we ordered a bottle of something red and tasty. She had the steak & frites and I ordered the hangar steak for our main course.
We were too stuffed for dessert this trip (we had their chocolate Bavarian yum=yum last time), but finished up with some coffee.
The meal wasn't cheap, but was so good and well-resented that it was worth every penny, and we tipped accordingly. -
Review from Thomas A.
Andover, MA
3/2/2011
Without qualification...outstanding!!! We prefer eating in the bar with warm and inviting atmosphere. Food is out of this world - our recommendation include steak & pomme fredes, appetizer pizza, & salmon. You'll have to go a long way to find better food, better service, or a more pleasant atmosphere.
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Review from Mike C.
Arlington, MA
7/23/2011
I have dined at this place a few times and also had a cocktail at the bar. The menu is interesting and all choices are well prepared. Service is solid. The bar service is prompt and attentive
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Review from Susan B.
Haverhill, MA
7/27/2010
There is only one problem with this restaurant and it's a big one: atmosphere. There really isn't any. And it's a darn shame because the food is wonderful. It's not that the atmosphere is objectionable or noisy, it's just that you feel like you've entered a motel dining room in Dayton. As to the food, they often have specials that include wine that are a good deal plus early bird appetizers/oyster specials on certain nights. The food is upscale country fare that's always satisfying and surprisingly inventive. The service has always been satisfactory. Eat, drink, and be merry and close your eyes. Atmosphere in the lounge is better.
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Review from Joyce K.
Bradford, MA
6/23/2010
We've driven by Evenfall ever since it opened and never felt like going there. Maybe it was because it is right next to a busy, pothole ridden route 125 in a nondescript building or because Joesph's is right on the other side of the street.
Well, we went to Evenfall for dinner last night. Overall it was a great experience. The food was the highlight. Husband had egg battered sole and loved it. I had the sliced Kobe beef which was perfectly cooked as I ordered. The presentations were excellent and the service was very good. I can see why they have so many good reviews.
I should point out that their Kobe beef isn't the "real" Kobe beef inported from Japan. It is American "Kobe-style" beef from the same (Wagyu) type of cattle. In Japan, the Wagyu cattle used for Kobe beef are supposed to have a daily beer while they get their butts massaged. Probably good for husbands also.
I am giving Evenfall four stars because on a Tuesday night with storm clouds approaching, the large, dark, almost unoccupied dining room seemed dismal and spooky. The interior is heavy with dark wood. Maybe if the lighting was a little brighter or we had gone on a more crowded weekend, I would have a different feeling.
But whether I give it four or five stars, our meals were excellent and the prices right in line with similar area restaurants (Georges, Keons, Joesphs).
On the way out we noticed their very attractive bar area. It appeared a little more active in there.
