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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: South EndUnion Park St (Silver)
Back Bay (Orange)
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I came to Boston for a convention and was told Boston was not a food place. Friends from both SF and NY told me not to expect much. But on a recommendation, I came here was was absolutely amazed!
We started with the smoked salmon (they ran out of the cod) and was amazed at how flavorful, but not overpowering the smoking was. Definitely a great way to start the meal!
Next we had the pate which i kept shoveling into my mouth even after the bread was gone. Did I mention the bread they brought to the table, was this amazing cheesy fluffy focaccia-style bread that I ate two slices of even before starting on the dishes?!
I had the spicy halibut and clam roast which I thought was very well seasoned with these amazing white beans and mushrooms. My friend had the roasted lobster with sweetbreads which I couldn't stop stealing bites from..
We could have ended there, but had to try dessert to see how that faired compared to the amazing dinner dishes. We opted for the pumpkin bread pudding with ginger ice cream. The pudding was not too sweet or heavy, and the ice cream was like eating pure ginger mixed and frozen with some cream - drool! I was the perfect way to end the meal!
And to those SF and NY foodies who don't think Boston has anything comparable to offer, you obviously haven't come here!
I've had a couple of great meals at Hamersley's. This restaurant is definitely a bit pricey, but it is well worth the money. As many have written, their signature roasted chicken is amazing. It's not often that a chicken entree really shines, but this one does. I've also had a great salmon dish. Desserts are also excellent, though a little inconsistent. The chocolate hazelnut tart I had was overly sweet, while the last dessert I had (which was basically coconut french toast with cream cheese ice cream) wasn't sweet enough.
I've had great experiences with the wait staff. They are incredibly courteous and know just when to pay attention to you and when to leave you in peace with your meal. They also are very knowledgeable about wines and other things. Lastly, the wait for your food is always reasonable, even when the place is packed.
Highly recommended!
Starting from the first moment I stepped into Hamersley's with my parents, I could feel that it'd be a good good night.
The service was absolutely amazing, and even my parents, who came from the other side of this world, felt welcome and taken care of, as if they have been dining there for years. The bread selection is quite a yummy start to the dinner, and the half bottle of wine I ordered definitely put us in a good mood.
For appetizer, we shared 2 salads between 3 people, the portions are big and the vegetable was fresh and tasty. I think it was just the right amount to get us into our entree.
For entree, the Lamb w/ mushroom risotto n asparagus was phenomenal. The steak my father ordered was perfectly cooked and flavored, although we didn't love the polenta that came with it. My mother went with a fish dish on the pre-fix menu, and she was absolutely delighted by the big piece of fresh juicy fish (I think it was the Skate) and vegetable that came with. Although I had a great dinner, I really regret that none of us ordered the famous roast chicken. One person at the table next to us did, and it smelled and looked divine.
I personally think this is one of those fine dining experience that's worth your every penny.
Service was friendly and attentive.
I recommend the chicken entree.. the server even brought extra gravy without being asked. I normally wouldn't order a chicken main dish but we saw (and smelt) the roasted chicken and couldn't resist. The server told us that it was the restaurants signature dish and we were hooked. The "bistro" cioppino was rather small but the broth was great.
Seating was a little tight packed. We were seated (with reservations) at a table snuggly between two other two tops and had to listen to their verrrry interesting conversations.
T
he wine list was a little pricey...which in general I think is a little pretentious but not untypical of a French restaurant. That being said...even on the cheaper end of the wine list the Malbec was great!
I have been to Gordon's place many times - Most of the time I sit at the bar or outside (in season) the chicken is spectacular and of course it is his signature dish. I also love the Skate if it is on the menu.
The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly - they make a great pear martini. Many times if you hang out after closing Gordon comes out and has a drink and you can chat him up.
I visited Hamersley's back in January, but I am a lazy procrastinator so it took me this long to write a review. Lucky you.
So my boyfriend and I visited Hamersley's on the coldest night of the past 21 years. His sister recommended the restaurant and after some research we decided to go to celebrate our end of winter break blow out extravaganza to cure the seasonal depression.
We get out of the cab, run inside, and are immediately greeted. Our table is almost ready, so we patiently wait while we defrost. The atmosphere was nice and inviting. We are seated at four top in a smaller room to the right of the door. Our waitress come over and happens to be a super cool funky bohemian black chick who apparently did yoga before working a Saturday night. Bad Idea? Naw
Blah blah we chat blah blah then we order wine, apps, and dinner. My boyfriend ordered the Chicken (the chefs specialty) and I ordered the other signature, the Halibut. His chicken was deliciousssssss! But of course I'm not allowed to order the same thing (some man rule I guess?), so I had the fish. It was cooked very well, but I wasn't wild about the spices that it was encrusted in. My boyfriend tried and said he loved it, so I am just going to assume it is another defect in my body that I wasn't aware of. Any who, everything was really delicious and we shared.
So we order another bottle of wine, the waitress assures us that it will taste better than the first. As it "always does". She was right. Needless to say, I "think" we got dessert......I am assuming it was good because everything else was. The numerous walks to the bathroom were long and enduring but worth the public scrutiny of being hammered in a restaurant.
Point being; we had a great time. I would love to go back. The food was excellent, service was wonderful (our waitress kicked ass, as shown in her tip), atmosphere was inviting, and the wine list was grand. I hope for another post frog pond end of winter break blow out extravaganza in the near future.
At first glance, you may think that Hamersley's Bistro has a sparce menu, but everything is done to perfection. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated (not modern, but has that timeless old-money feel).
I'm pretty sure the menu options change seasonally, but we ordered a salad, entree and a side each from the summer menu. We were all so pleased-- it was an eye-opening experience for us about the possibilities of fine cuisine.
I got the summer greens salad and it was delicious-- for the entree, I ordered the roasted chicken, and it was a revelation. the mashed potatoes and green beans were also delicious compliments, they come in separate dishes and could be shared with others at the table (think capital grille).
This place is expensive, but well worth it. Wine selections were amazing too. I would come here for special occasions or business dinners, when the company is paying ;) Also, we came here with 9 people (granted, at about 10 pm) and were seating immediately-- so I think that the high prices make seating large groups less problematic for them than other area restuarants.
This bistro has, by far, the best wait staff in Boston! Super fabulous!! I loved our waitress at this establishment.
The food is good, but it is pricey. I have had better meals elsewhere, but the service was to die for.
Located in the South End of Boston, this place is situated in a great spot, with a great outside patio to eat at. I've only heard the best things about this place so my expectations were high.
They had a great wait staff, everybody was really nice and the service was excellent. I had a salad with goat cheese that was incredible. They made the cheese into a block or something like I had never seen. I had some fish for dinner which hit the spot. Very tender and fresh tasting, highly recommended.
I've been to Hamersley a couple of times now, all for dinner. And I believe, being as loopy as I am, I've been putting off this review because like a lot of things in life, there usually is a fatal flaw.......
but I cant seem to find one in Hamersley, so I give in, and give it the 5 star review it deserves!
The most recent time I visited the restaurant, I tried their famous roast chicken. oh dear god. I see why it's the most popular item on the menu, and I fully comprehend why regulars would throw a fit if it was taken off. Words cannot describe the roast chicken here. It was simply prepared with garlic and some herbs, but at the same time, full of flavor, and incredibly moist.
Other than the roast chicken, I love how their menu changes periodically, and there's always something new to try on the menu. Their fish dishes are usually very well cooked and extremely fresh. The freshness of the fish shines through, and the seasoning is usually perfection.
Hamersley, here's your well deserved 5 stars.
Hamersley's. Just the name by itself resounds classic Boston. From its trendy neighborhood to the comfortable and elegant interior to the refined menu, your dining experience here is sure to be an absolute gastronomic pleasure.
We arrived early on a beautiful Sunday evening and there was no line at all (for the inside). However, the outside dining area was packed. A word to the wise: come extra early if you want to score a table outside on a nice night. You'll be sorely disappointed otherwise.
I ordered the grilled Portuguese sardines for my appetizer and the ever famous roast chicken as my entree. The sardines were very tasty but the several bones left in the fish made it a bit cumbersome to eat. I noticed a gentleman at the table adjacent to mine who ordered the same thing and he had the most difficult time eating it and ended up sending it back because of the bones. However, the much hyped about chicken is no joke. That is perhaps one of the finest prepared and delicious roast chickens I have ever tasted. Period. Unbelievably tender, moist and flavorful, I have nothing but praise for that masterpiece of a dish. I rounded off the meal with the lemon pudding cake with blueberry compote. It was the perfect ending to an almost perfect meal.
Prices are actually reasonable here for an upscale restaurant. Our server was efficient, but she lacked a bit of personality and charm. When you're paying good money at such a famous restaurant, you expect to be wowed by the service. Not so much here. At least with our waitress this evening.
They offer an extensive wine collection, but I'm more of a beer guy and they didn't offer such a great variety. No biggie. I'd come again without question. Despite the little nuisance of the boney sardines, it was that glorious roast chicken that left the great lasting impression.
Oh that chicken!
i had never had sweet breads so i had to try the lobster, andouille sausage, and sweet breads dish. it was pretty great and i would definitely recommend.
girlfriend got the lemon garlic chicken dish and it was good, not great. tasted like.........chicken. i know that is their signature dish but maybe that got our hopes up.
This place is terrific. If you want Euro-American food in Bostn for a moderate (not cheap) price this is your place.
If I ever need to leave NYC and have a choice of where to live next, Boston will be on the top of the list, because of places like this. The food (I think I had scallop and duck dishes it was in 2005) is fantastic, service is good, decor is nice and it is an excellent value.
This review is for Sunday Brunch.
I had high expectations for Hamersley after reading the dinner reviews. I wasn't sure how the brunch was going to be so I gave it a try. I got the eggs benedict and the poached eggs came out all the way cooked. The flavors were standard, nothing wow. Execution was average minus the eggs.
My coworker and I sat outside in the enclosed garden-like atmosphere. i really loved the setting, with vines and flowered fencing plus the wide overhead umbrella to keep cool. If you want to keep cool and want to sit outside, I felt that Hamersley was a good place to do that. It wasn't too loud, which was a big plus! Make use of the outside atmosphere when summer is here, definitely worth the vibe.
Food mediocre 3 star but because of the atmosphere plus one star.
3.5 stars. The service is great, the wine list is affordable and pretty inclusive, and of course the chicken is wonderful. But...I just expected a little more. Perhaps I would feel differently if I hadn't been coming down off my Hungry Mother high from the previous evening, but most of the dining options just seemed pretty standard to me.
I get the sense that the clientele here skews a little old and fussy. You know, the types who freak out if you mess with the menu or get a little creative? So, I understand the need to cater to these types of people. I just could have used a little more creativity. That being said, I will return soon, try the halibut and sit on the patio, and I may be able to bump my rating up to 4 stars.
Not what it used to be.
I've eaten at Hamersley's a handful of times over the years-- not nearly as often as I would have liked, but enough to get a fair impression. It seems that as the neighborhood has flourished, Hamersley's has become less of a destination than it was. I've always found the service to be a touch frosty, and while I have no problem with formality (as odd as it may seem in a "bistro" setting), my last visit a few days ago bordered on unpleasant.
We started out with wine, and every few seconds, we were pestered by our waitress, who was less doting, and more insistent. Finally, when we relented after the 4th visit in 5 minutes, and ordered, it was more or less the end of our waitress, and the beginning of a long string of pleasant and attentive bussers, food runners, and backwaiters.
The bread basket was mixed; the crusty wheat was terrific, but the cheese-crusted olive bread was just too wet; it ended up feeling kind of plasticky.
The flavors were spot-on; well seasoned, balanced, but intense flavors, and well-thought-out dishes. Texture was another story.
My pork was dessicated. The dish was lovely, the components all worked, but the meat itself was inedible, literally, I could not put more in my mouth and chew. If the waitress had checked back within 20 minutes or so, I would have told her this. Unfortunately, no such luck.
Dessert was definitely good, but the bottom of the lemon pudding was a little burnt. Not a lot, though, just a little, and it was definitely tasty.
Not to be entirely negative, the wine list is terrific, the charcuterie well-executed, the decor is classic, and my special request was handled with aplomb.
Overall, though, I'm not sure I would choose to go back anytime soon. Whereas once it would have been near the top of my list for any special occasion, for the prices that are charged, I'd rather take a chance on a new place than go to an old favorite that has lately been a disappointment.
OUTDOOR SEATING IN THE SUMMER IS OUTSTANDING
Nice patio, ringed in christmas lights, lanterns on the table.
Food was very good. Probably closer to 4/4.5 stars for the food alone but the service was very good and, as stated, the outdoor patio made for a great night. Stroll over to the Beehive after for some drinks.
notes -
Nice wine list with a good selection of sub-$40 bottles.
Duck confit app was outstanding.
Spicy halibut was very very good, just a touch salty but the cut and flesh were perfect.
Desserts were good, nice mix of after-dinner drinks on the menu too.
Hamersley's is a great spot - good atmosphere, great service, awesome ingredients. What hurts here is really the price point. To me, I feel like you can get comparable if not better quality food for a LOT less than here. In fact, I'd prob opt for Picco or even head over to Izzy's in cambridge for some home-cooked fair.
That being said, this is still a really great restaurant. The service is damn good, constantly asking if you like your dishes, open to talking about the pros/cons of dishes...stuff like that. Started off with the mushroom sandwich, which basically is a ton of sauteed mushrooms over some toast. Seriously, avoid eating the mushrooms alone, as they are wayy too salty - but with the toast its actually a perfect blend. For main course we had the pork loin and the haddock. The haddock was really moist and fresh, served with a sweet/salty tomato sauce and some roasted potatoes. The pork loin was well done and spiced to perfection - however I didn't like how the watermelon was soaked in balsamic vinegar...kindof ruined it for me.
But I don't know how often I can drop $100 for an app, two dishes, and two beers. But still, can't hate on Hamersley's.
I have wanted to eat here since I moved to Boston.... and it was worth it!
Service was great! The food was great! I had a yummy Mushroom & Garlic appetizer, the Roasted Chicken for dinner and shared the Blueberry & Nectarine tart.... all Just perfect.
Love this place!
Sorry, but if you're going to get $27 for half a chicken, it better be a pretty plate of food and be served with some decent background music. Hamersley's is boring and reminds me of an overrated hotel restaurant in a touristy destination (Carmel, CA is a perfect example). If my mom would love it, it's just not my kinda place. I thought the chicken (and the one soggy potato wedge that came with it) was greasy. What's with the frickin' pile of parsley tossed on top of the overpriced bird???? Talk about hotel food!
I recently went to Hamersley's Bistro for a family birthday dinner - and we were certainly not the only people there for a special occasion. I think we heard "Happy Birthday" sung four time throughout the night! Even with the busy scene, our service was impeccable, so the waitstaff certainly deserves some thanks.
I'm not sure why everyone's raving about the chicken. I had it. I've had better. The ratatouille is what you should be talking about! That was a dish I'll be remembering for quite a while. That and the strawberry shortcake with rhubarb ice cream.
The downside: If you eat inside, it is very noisy! At a small table of 5 people, we were straining to hear each other. They've obviously made efforts to muffle the sound, but something isn't quite working. Doesn't take away from the food, but maybe the romance, if that's what you're there for.
I love food. I'm a big fat guy and think there is nothing better than an indulgent French meal. Sometimes, however, bistro food just falls a bit short of what I expect for a few hundred dollars.
Forgive me for saying, but the concept of Peasant Food being sold at high-end restaurants is silly, and while any chef will insist on their crowning place in European cuisine, I find that much of it just tastes a bit...eh. Boring.
C had the famous roast chicken and I had the Cassoulet - and honestly, if you had put a blindfold on me and fed me a bit of each, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. They both tasted like gravy to me. And everything here is brown! Brown, brown brown. Say it with me.
The service was nice, but the restaurant lacked the fun and youthfulness of some of the other restaurants in the area. They should implement more color on their walls or furniture, because the food certainly doesn't offer much.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my meal, but feel that they're resting on their laurels as the stodgy rich uncle of the South End restaurant scene, and aren't going to risk offending their silver-haired clientle by taking any chances with their image or menu.
We came here for my graduation, and the food was excellent. We did wait half an hour despite having a reservation, but the meal made it worth the wait. Despite the recommendations that I have the chicken, I went for the lamb chops, which were excellent. Well presented and delicious. The bread was also fantastic.
The meal was quite expensive - probably better for a special dinner than for just any old night out. But there are probably some high rollers out there who aren't fazed by a $35 entree.
I just went here for my boyfriend's birthday. I'd heard great things about the place, and since my boyfriend wanted to try a new bistro, it seemed like a good choice. And it was! We'll definitely be going back.
Service: the service was attentive and very polite, though not all that warm or friendly. Nothing to complain about, though, in my opinion.
Drinks: the Hendricks dirty martinis we had were well blended. The server was knowledgeable about the wine list, and helped us each choose a glass that went well with both our appetizers and entrees. My boyfriend had the pinot noir that came by the glass, and I had the Les Baux de Provence rose, a crisp and light rose.
Food: The bread was nice, though it could have been warm. The sourdough was nice and tangy with a good chew, and the focaccia was rich and tasty. My boyfriend started with the pates: a duck liver mousse and a pate de campagne which were both flavorful, rich, and perfect in texture. He loved them. I started with the goat cheese and thyme honey with marcona almonds, a small plate rather than an appetizer. It was a lovely, creamy, fresh goat cheese, tangy but not funky, and the accompaniments were heavenly.
For an entree, he got the mixed grill. He said that the chicken sausages were pleasantly spicy. I tried the oysters (perfectly cooked), and the sweetbreads. Those were wonderfully flavorful and perfect in texture, much better than I'd expected. The chimichurri sauce that came with the grill was delicious, with a touch of tarragon. I got the famous roast chicken. I've heard that you can tell a really good restaurant by how good their chicken is. A mediocre restaurant will turn out mediocre chicken. It takes a very good restaurant to elevate a simple roast chicken into something truly special. This was special indeed. The gravy was rich and lemony, and perfectly set off the juicy, crispy-skinned bird. The roasted garlic and onion that accompanied it were a sweet and savory flavor compliment to the citrus. I could only eat the breast and wing, and I took the leg quarter home.
We also split both the ratatouille and the green beans with marcona almonds. The ratatouille was tasty and rather light for that dish. It was a nice accompaniment to the meal, though maybe not the best example I've had of the dish. The green beans were crisp-cooked, and the almonds were yummy.
For dessert, I got the peach turnovers with ginger ice cream. The pastry was flaky, and the peaches warm and flavorful and juicy. The ginger ice cream was the star of the dish, though, with its intensely warm-sweet flavor. My boyfriend got the strawberry shortcake. He's very picky about this dish, and he enjoyed it greatly. He said that the biscuit, while slightly fluffier than your average southern-style buttermilk biscuit, was great.
Price: 2 higher-end cocktails, 2 glasses of wine, 2 starters, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, and a decaf espresso cost us about $170 plus tip. The cost of the cocktails and glasses of wine would probably get you a decent bottle of wine instead, if you don't do cocktails.
Went here for my wife's birthday with a table of friends and had a terrific dinner. Hamersley's Bistro is one of the most comfortable restaurants left in Boston. The dining room is sophisticated yet cozy at the same time. The wait staff was extremely efficient and pleasant....without introducing themselves, please!
And .... now for the food. I had their 20 year old garlic chicken, which we've never let them take off the menu, and it was cooked to perfection. Our guests had the braised brisket, scallops and steak tartar which the devoured. Everything is prepared with a great attention to detail without being pretentious. Always, an overall fantastic experience worthy another star.
But, we missed Fiona?
Had a really good brunch here - I would definitely come back. I had the omelet with goat cheese and herbs, and it was AWESOME! Really good coffee too, which is very important to me. I sat outside with a friend and we took our time, didn't feel rushed at all. Great people watching and good food. Our server was really friendly and on top of things.
This place is pretty pricey for brunch, but if you're in the mood for a treat, this is definitely work it.
When I think Boston classics, I think of Hamersley's. Living in the South End, I always walked by and wanted go in, especially since I heard it was a favorite of Julia Child. From what I hear, much of it has gone unchanged quality and service-wise, and it's nice to have a reliable classic place in Boston. The decor is light and casual while very elegant, and the interior feels very pristine without being to fancy at all. The atmosphere is surprisingly light and casual despite the overall classy feel to it. We saw plenty of large groups and also families out celebrating special occasions. I wish we had been able to experience the patio, but it was a cold evening.
Service was very attentive and informative, and pacing of everything was appropriate.
My boyfriend and I couldn't decide between 3 entrees, so we got all 3. I wanted to try the risotto with fresh vegetables, and it was filled with many different seasonal vegetables (this was in the fall). It was light yet hearty. We also wanted to try the famous roast chicken, which was moist and flavorful, on par with but not extraordinary compared to some other roast chickens I've had (like at Oleana). We also had the seared scallops, which were pretty standard but definitely well executed.
My only regret is not getting the grilled mushroom sandwich, but you can only eat so much in one meal. It's great that there's a vegetarian pre fixe option, as Boston has become very vegetarian friendly over the years.
It's nice to have a very reliable place like Hamersley's in South End, and it's refreshing to have French cuisine with a California twist that goes beyond the typical bistro style dishes.
another fine day in Boston. and wanted to brunch somewhere with a terrace. very hungry and wanted to try lots, so shared the...grilled salmon with summer salad, burger with blue cheese butter & slaw and roast pork loin with melon&greens. wanted to order more of the goodlooking dishes being served at other tables, but sadly, i was full. have to wait for next weekend.
after tasting a friend's roast chicken at my first visit, i had to come back for my own. this is… Read more »
This is a great place! Delicious drinks - especially the watermelon margarita which tastes like a watermelon warhead candy. The halibut was perfectly cooked and was accompanied with an amazing sauce. The swordfish dish and quail dish were also scrumptious. They even had a pretty good stuffed zucchini vegetarian option. Our waiter was attentive and helpful but tended to sometimes interrupt conversations...you know not standing back and waiting for a lull. But it was great, I would go back!
Me and my girlfriend went here for her birthday and had a terrific dinner. Hammersley's Bistro is the most comfortable romantic restaurant I have ever been to. The dining room is sophisticated yet cozy at the same time. The wait staff was extremely friendly and pleasant.
And now for the food. I had the spicy halibut which was cooked beautifully. My girlfriend had the braised brisket, which she really enjoyed. Everything is prepared with a great attention to detail without being pretentious. An overall fantastic experience.
We had a pretty nice experience here with a party of 10 on a Saturday night. Their decor and ambiance - kind of a farmhouse nouveau type of feel, blending an Old New England quality with touches of modern falir - were both thoroughly enjoyable. The service and food were also pretty great, but the restaurant was too hot; I'd consider a 5 star rating if it weren't for the uncomfortably hot temperature.
I had an extremely rich 3 courser - the game bird pate, casoulet, and fallen chocolate souffle with creme fraiche ice cream. The pate, made of pheasant and a little duck, was extremely rich and succulent, and came accompanied with some toast and some cheese crackers. A lot of people at the table went for the duck confit appetizer, which was also good; I thought a pheasant pate was pretty unique, and while it was pretty great, it wasn't that distinct from other pates I've had.
The chef had incorporated duck confit, homemade garlic sausage, and slow raost pork into the white bean casoulet, and that was the truly unique and exceptional item of the meal. The flavor suggested a nice, slow stewing process, as the beans were perfectly soft and the meat just fell apart with a fork. Top marks for that. Others tried the shank and rack of lamb combo - I wasn't too crazy about that, and thought the lamb lacked some flavor - and the cinnamon smoked filet, which garnered a lot of praise. Their signature roast chicken is as good as advertised, too.
Desserts were exquisitely presented and delicious. the souffle was indeed fallen, and didn't have the overwhelmingly chocolatey flavor this dish can, and I wondered whether that had been done on purpose. The peanut butter and chocolate marjolaine was essentially a cookie brownie cake hybrid - really good.
I'd definitely come back here, the menu apparently rotates seasonally, and there were some winter menu items that I didn't ordered that look good.
I have visited the restaurant twice and both times, I was overly impressed. My spicy halibut was flawless. There was absolutely nothing to complain. The same goes with my cousin's order of lobster. The desserts tend to be on the sweeter side, but the banana bread pudding was absolutely delish. I still reminisce about it. The service was excellent as well. It is a pricey place, but worth every penny. I look forward to my next visit.
Probably my favorite restaurant in Boston. Fantastic menu, nice atmosphere, great service, and within walking distance of home or work. All ingredients for success.
Much of the menu is seasonal, too. The first time I was there, in winter, I had cassoulet, which was an amazingly delicious combination of several meats (duck confit, pork, and sausage, I believe) cooked perfectly with white beans. When I went back recently, the summer menu featured duck confit with roast peaches and mint; I also had the roast chicken with garlic and lemon, which is apparently one of their specialties - as it should be.
And it doesn't feel like you're getting ripped off. For the quality of the food, everything is priced right, with most of the entrees I'd order within the $25-35 range. Great wine list with some really good value bottles. The servers I've had have been very knowledgeable about the wine list and made excellent recommendations.
Judging by the other reviews, it seems to also be amazingly consistent. Part of that might have to do with the chef being there. If you're looking, he's the older guy wearing a Red Sox hat who could pass for a washed-up surfer. In the best sense.
Hamersley's: South End Hopping stop #3.
We'd heard about the roast chicken, so we stopped in for a bite. Here were my favorite things about our visit to Hamersley's:
1. Our server. She was funny, warm, and she added a personal touch to her recommendations and comments instead of serving our food like a robot.
2. The chicken, of course! I wondered how roast chicken, usually a boring selection on a menu, could be assessed and evaluated as the best in the city, but now I see. The seasoning is complex and really robust, and the portions are very generous! The roasted garlic and potato wedge were also a nice touch, and went perfectly with the chicken.
3. The atmosphere. It was a bit too warm to sit on the beautiful, beautiful patio, so we got to experience the dining room that's comfortable, classy, romantic, simple and elegant. Perfect for a date.
4. The chocolate caramel custard tart. There was a LAYER of caramel on the tart and a crazy squiggly sugary thing coming out of it! Perfectly rich and decadent, but light enough to be able to eat the whole thing and still want more!
Hammersley's is okay, not fantastic dining, at heart stopping prices. So, why bother, honestly? I could easily name a dozen places around Boston that have food that equals or exceeds Hamersley's, but are far more reasonably priced.
I used to work with a guy, who besides being a pathological liar, seemed to think I would be impressed if he kept telling me that he ate dinner there.
Well, lah-dee-fricking-dah!
Actually, he kind of sums the joint up. Hamersley's is the type of place that caters to folks who will piss money away, so they can later impress folks by telling them that they ate there. Bore!
I will say the roast chicken is really good, but nothing my Dad can't make better.
The space and decor are really lovely, though. I will give them that.
I really wanted to like this place.
My boyfriend and I had dinner reservations last night for 830, and we somehow managed to get the worst seats in the house. I'd think by then, there would be other places to put two people besides being shoved up in a corner near the server station- but okay. Not to mention we were the youngest people in the place.
So, we order our food and as the waiter places my boyfriend's app down- he asks if he has a nut allergy. Wouldn't that be something to ask at the time of ordering? Duh? Not when you are placing it down in front of a customer? Whatever- apparently the pate was delicious and actually the highlight of the experience there.
For entrees, I ordered the stuffed artichoke which much to my dismay was literally one, roasted artichoke stuffed with feta for $25. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that artichokes are not in season but if you are paying $25 for an artichoke it better be something I cannot make myself. I was so disappointed. The artichoke was terribly done, half burnt and had practically no stuffing! My boyfriend ordered the halibut which he said was way overseasoned and overcooked. I really expected the food to be phenomenal-- but it was hardly that.
We decided to skip out on dessert since our experience was not going as planned. Upon which our waiter promptly brought our bill, waited, we signed and he picked up before we had even left the table! Not only was the bill steep for two god awful meals, the service was pushy and not at all professional.
Needless to say, I will not be returning to Hamersley's. Live and learn.
I dined at Hamersley's for the first time last night, and it was pretty good. It didn't knock my socks off. But it was pretty good.
I appreciate the fact that they have a vegetarian/vegan menu. I got the whole roasted artichoke stuffed with spinach, hazelnuts, and feta, and while (expectedly) difficult to eat, it was good. The boy got the roasted mushroom and garlic sandwich, and I enjoyed that too - the mushrooms had lots of flavor. We shared the garlicky potato cake. That too, was good, but not unlike the 'no place like homefries' at Soundbites, and yet 4 times more expensive.
They had iced tea that was to my satisfaction, and the beer list was ok too (Allagash White was on there, but at $7.25 per bottle!!!!!!!). After tax and tip, our bill was over $80. I'm not sure it was worth that much. Service was fine; everything was fine. But nothing was amazing, and when I spend that much money, I'm looking for amazing.
My husband and I walk by this place all the time as it's in our 'hood. So tonight we stopped by and gave it a whirl.
We sat at the bar and ordered two glasses of wine. Excellent.
I got the shrimp and gazpacho -- amazing.
He got the roasted chicken. Let's just put it this way: this dish is practicually a sexual experience. I'm not kidding.
I really don't think anything else needs to be said beyond that.
This place was so good that I still fantasize about the food there. The restaurant definitely felt more upscale, so I felt out of place with my backpack but it was soon forgotten when they brought out my skate wing. Wow, that fish was so tender and the sauce was perfection. We also got the chocolate trio of desserts which was so scrumptious.
The food is great and the wait staff excellent. It is located in the ultra hip South End, yet had none of the pretension.
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