Dustin Todd "madyago" R.'s Profile

My boyfriend and I ate here last night after a shopping trip and a decision to bypass downtown crossing eateries and head either to North End or the waterfront.  We opted for waterfront and wanted to see what all the fuss was about at SDLT.  

Things started off right by being seated immediately (albeit in the bar after an exchange with the host wherein we were pretty much asked to sit in the bar, despite having open seating in the dining room, perhaps it was our jeans and sweater apparel or our abundance of shopping bags?)  But the seating was comfortable (some of the bar lounge chairs are pretty low, my boyfriend was about a foot tall, it was like eating with a toddler).  

The waiter seemed confused that we wanted the truffle macaroni and cheese and the cauliflower soup as starters instead of something from the starters menu.  They seemed the most appetizing of what wasn't an entree, so we wanted to start there.

The truffled mac and cheese WAS the highlight of the evening, so glad we started it off right.  The cauliflower soup was grainy at best and it was so hot I couldn't eat it for about ten minutes.  The flavor was nice, but more like a good cauliflower with cheese sauce, which I would have preferred, really.

Our entrees came out (from some sort of general manager, not our waiter) before the starters were done and as the table was so small, we looked around nervously as to what to do with two huge plates, two small plates, a serving dish and a giant bowl of soup, an empty bread basket, two waters and two drinks on about 2 square feet of eating space.  Then the waiter dropped by to ask if it was too soon.  Well the food was there already, so it would be hard to then ask for it to be returned to food warmers.

The ribeye was great.  Not sure if they were going for steak frites here, because it was served with HEAVILY ROSEMARIED pomme frites (So strong I couldn't eat them, they were almost nauseating), but the steak was cut only once rather than in a few slices as would constitute a steak frites dish.  Perhaps they were annoyed that I asked for it to be cooked medium well (my unruly digestive tract can't take anything less).  Who knows.

Boyfriend seemed happy with his duck.  

We didn't see the waiter for quite awhile longer, both of our drinks needed refilling and no one came to remove any of our empty dishes or get a cocktail order or anything really.  After being done eating for about 35 minutes, a busboy started taking our main dishes away.  I asked him to remove the other dishes first in case we were still eating the entree.  Then he came right back for them at which point I just had them boxed to go.  We waited another approximately 25 minutes for our waiter who was nowhere, or really anyone to come near enough to ask for a check.  

For a $100 "quick bite" on our way home after shopping we spent almost two hours and alot of grief (the only source of intrigue came with the 60 something year old first date to the right of us having a very public first date fight).  

The food had potential, but the service is awful awful awful.  The nice gen manager kind of lady seemed eager to please when she brought out our food and commented on wishing she had had the truffled mac and cheese for lunch, but other than that, service was pretty awful and therefore made the whole experience off-putting.

This was a bizarre night.

First, this was a sixth stop in a long line of crappy restaurants that weren't still serving food at 11pm.  We finally saw this place was still "hoppin" and dove right into some seats by the front windows.

We saw that they had 3 for $1 wings.  I've never really seen such a good deal anywhere, so we had to try them out.  My honey BBQ were spicy enough, but the other guys got full blown spicy ones.  My eyes were just watering from the idea of them and from the super strong smell!

Cocktails were pretty weak and our waitress started off really surly, but eventually loosened up and was pretty helpful with the beer menu.

I'd certainly come back for wings night and maybe to check out their other nightly deals.  

Overall, pretty impressed for our back up of a back up plan.

I wasn't particularly pleased with my experience at S&W.  I arrived at 1pm for a pre birthday lunch to treat myself.  

Upon entering, the host hollered "yo you got peoplez" to the waiter.  It was completely empty save for two rumpled businessmen finishing up a liquid lunch.  I chose my seat and ordered.  I got the dry, aged sirloin for $27 from lunch menu.  I ordered it medium well at it was bloody and red inside, not even half brown/half pink which borders medium.  I ate the cooked parts and the mashed potatos were fine.  

All of their desserts are set up for two people, and since I wasn't a duo, I asked for a smaller portion, specifically to just got a bowl of the blood orange sorbet that was mentioned along with the 6 sorbet shooters.  Well apparently that wasn't possible.  The waiter apologized for this though he seemed slightly annoyed at being sat earlier in the lunch, and further annoyed when I said I wanted no water, just a diet coke.  

The decoration is beautiful and I love the traditional charm that it presents itself as.  The bartender was sniffing old whiskeys and all waiters and bar staff were watching a baseball game rather than taking superior care of my as a diner.  

I won't be back because the menu lacks originality, and it you plan to do traditional food at astronomical prices, it had better be tasty.  

My cocktail was scarce on alcohol.  

Moreso than sending my food back which I will never do after having worked in the restaurant industry, I just expected better.  When you have such an established name and price on your menu you shouldn't have these issues, even during a dead early week lunch rush.  

I won't return and suggest others follow suit.

Another day, another trip to Sonic.

So the first time at this location I had food brought to me at work, but finally, last time as a pre birthday treat I went all the way to Peabody to see the spectacle for myself.  Having grown up with a Sonic in my back yard practically, it's fascinating to see everyone so enamored of a location.  

It was nippy out, but after seeing the still giant long line to sit in a drive in spot, we decided to park and eat at the center tables.  After some confused attempts at my name they decided it was "Bustis" which is the only negative experience I encountered and that really only served as comic relief.  

I ordered a corn dog and the Extra long cheese coney combo meal with onion rings and an Ocean water as a drink.  

Ocean water is coconut flavoring and Sprite and is super delicious.  The corn dog was very tasty...their batter is sweet like a hush puppy.  The extra long cheese coney is superb.  I mean...it's a hot dog related food so it's not going to be this gourmet dish...but the hot dog was all beef as advertised the chili is bean free which is my favorite kind and the cheese is sprinkled on...not sure to the confused reviewer who called it nasty cheese sauce, because that is highly inaccurate.  It was pure cheddar as you can see by the beads of sweat after melting.  

My date had the burger toaster sandwich sans Hickory sauce which is just smoky bbq sauce.  He got cheese tots which were cold, but then again it was barely 50 degrees outside.  

We got a Butterfinger blast and a Cherry limeade to go and were all the more happy.  

God, I love this place!

Well, I never!

Never what?  Never will return to this catastrophe.

I'm from quite near the south and love the idea of chicken and waffles.  It's what I grew up with.  Southern fried tradition and charm.  I have seen this place for over a year standing as a cute little beacon out by South Bay Shopping center on my late night runs to Target and Home Depot.  

Well after so long, you just have to check a place out.  I was in a Zipcar and had some extra time, so I parked the car in some strange sidewalk, parking lot as there is no parking for this establishment that appears to be actual, legal parking.  

We pop in around 8:40pm on a Sunday night.  Before the first of us even plants a foot inside the door we hear a deafening "GET OUT WE ARE CLOSED!!!!  THIS GUY HERE IS THE LAST CUSTOMER!!!!"

I was so startled I jumped back and the door shut.  I tried to open again to say, "oh I thought the sign said til 9pm and we just want take out" but before I even open my mouth a heavy-set, short, African American woman literally comes at us at a half gallop, shooing us away and out the door.  

I have experienced some TERRIBLE customer service before, but this was exceptionally inappropriate, unwarranted and completely stupid on the part of this restaurant staff during a recession.

Not only will I never return under any circumstance to this place, I will go out of my way to warn friends and other Yelpers, and really trash-talk Hen House to anyone I meet where talk about food or customer service comes up.

I honestly cannot believe the audacity of the three people behind the counter.  If a man is still ordering his food and we just want take out, or even to sit for the remaining twenty minutes you are open, we have a right and it is truly your loss.  

Also, your restaurant smelled like a wet dog.  Someone should probably look into that as well.  The two times I attempted to enter your restaurant, if your negative service hadn't shoo'd me out the door, the smell, undoubtedly, would have.

I would love to speak with a member of management about the level of your late night, Sunday service.  This review will be sent to all contact for your restaurant.

This is the type of place I'd love to shop at.  But I won't: unless I'm in a bind.

The lines here are horrendous.  I've waited upward of 30+ minutes to get a sandwich.  I've waited upward of 15 minutes in the check out line when there were only three people ahead of me, each with less than five items.  Stop flirting with anorexic hipster girls about their band and their sweet tatts long enough to finish with your customers, or if you insist on flirting with them at least quickly ring them up and have them stand to the side so you can complete your job.  It's rude to the other people in line.  No one goes to a local store to grab a few things and wait in line until bedtime.  People have places to go and stuff to do with the items they are buying here.

Also, why is it so expensive?  I don't mean that fair trade crap piled up in the front with the insect infested lettucey looking stuff.  I mean, why is, say, cocoa powder nearly three times the amount it is at a stop and shop where it is already overpriced?  

The store boasts a large selection of organic produce.  I've never seen a piece of produce fit to eat.  Everything looks smushed, and as mentioned above, insect infested.  

The soda fountain tastes stale as though all the syrup bags have expired.  I brought this up to the espresso girl once and she scoffed and said I should have bought a coffee.  

I was also eating my sandwich there once for less than ten minutes overal and had just finished when I was asked to leave because several mommies and strollers showed up.  That was the final straw.  

Also, your sandwich of the day about 8 months ago (awhile ago yes, but the memory is still burned into my stomach) which had maple syrup with green apples and honey ham was a terrible choice.  I brought it back and said I thought something was wrong with it.  The guy at the counter said no one had complained so it must be okay and the guy making sandwiches wouldn't even come look at it.  It tasted like hot dumpster garbage at the beach on a humid 95 degree day.  They wouldn't make me something else or refund my money so I left the sandwich (minus two tentative bites) splayed on the counter for my troubles.

I hate grocery shopping in the city.  You always overbuy, then you're "that guy" on the subway or bus with 18 full bags of groceries, veggies rolling down bus aisles, meat blood leaking on the seat next to you...  But if I have to shop, I'll do it here.

This location isn't clean or mannerly or 100% organized.  The bathrooms make me dry heave from the stench of urine, there are always twenty items on the floor, but it's the only Stop and Shop near me, right on bus and subway lines and that'll have to do.

Here are some reasons why I do love this place and why it deserves its four star review staying "yay, I'm a fan!"

1.  I was in a major pinch decorating a huge toddler birthday party.  My helium tank for 300 balloons got a pinched something and refused to blow up balloons after getting 2/3 of the way into it.  I rushed to the store and they blew up the rest for a very small fee and were super fun and chatty there in the floral station.  They bagged them for me so they wouldn't fly away and offered to have someone help me to my car.  So sweet.

2.  I primarily use the baking needs section at this store and it is fully stocked.  They always have plenty of deals on cake mixes and decorating supplies for my part time catering business.  

3.  They have at least four self serve checkouts.  If anyone isn't into having a teenager or old woman check them out, head over to the self serve, you're probably better off with your nasty attitude and yourself anyway.  I've done both self serve and the check outs when it's not too busy.  

4.  They have a large selection of fresh produce.  It is catered to the specific culinary genre of spanish and island cooking, yes, but the selection is plentiful and fresh.  Always.  If you are looking for unique or specialty items, I suggest you call your local grocery store before heading over.  This isn't the best place to assume they are going to have an item that not all stores would carry.  

Overall, I really enjoy my shopping experiences here and its close proximity to mass transit.

I'm a pretty big fan of this place, mostly for its proximity to my occasional work place down the street.  When I find a sandwich that is super good, like the glorified BLT sandwich with arugula and sort of a texas toast bread I get excited.  Also the turkey club-esque sandwich is very good.  

I love their side dishes including the pasta salad,w hich seems to change every now and then to be a different pasta or include different bits of veggies.  I also love the garlic knots.  I would prefer if they weren't so burnt on the bottom as I like a nice, light and flakey crusty garlic knot rather than a heavy, biscuity burnt one, but the flavors are right on and they are a pretty good price.

The prices are higher than all of their competition, but then again the place is set up nicer than those quick fast food in and outs next door.  So it's your call....quality and higher price or convenience and lower price?

Wow, these reviews are sort of shocking. I had an awesome time here.

To clear up some misinformation in other reviews:

1) The wine is house wine. It's pretty much the option. If you don't like it, you're out what, $5? It's HOUSE WINE. In European, etc custom you drink what the restaurant serves unless it is a special occasion. They probably didn't let you taste the house vodka or the house coffee first before they poured, right? Because that's how it is. That's not a "rookie mistake."

2) The jazz and other music are because Russian dinners are festive occasions like parties. It's not to interest and entice Americans. That's silly to say.

3) Most often, especially Thursday through Sunday there is going to be one party going on upstairs or down and they will seat you around that party. If there isn't a party it is going to be quite empty, but the food is super fresh and yummy either way.

On to the good stuff people are overlooking.

The food is truly amazing. The night I was there was with a party with a sort of three hours straight of family styled trays of food. It started with pre set cold appetizer style food. Lots of chilled vegetable salads like: carrot/raisin/garlic salad (strange sounding but tasty), radish salad, beet salad, etc. There was also table rolls, a meat tasting of tongue, pork and some other cheeses and a little sauce thing. Then came some warm appetizers including the amazing mushroom cheese thing baked in a little ramekin.  There were probably another ten warm appetizer things that I just can't remember right now because that's when the vodka kicked in, but the main course was a giant kebab plate.  Half chicken, half pork.  They were encrusted in a peppery and herby rub and had peppers, onions and several other veggies served with them.  There was a tomato sauce to accompany them, but I preferred without.  We brought our own dessert, but I have had their Napolean cake before while preparing for this event.  

The servers and hosts and owner were truly gracious and it's a pleasure to have had the event there.  The style and decor is European modern and they have tableaus of Russian culture on the walls, which are a little cartoony, but nostalgic and interesting to look at.  I prefer the decor downstairs as it is a little more elegant and refined, but the upstairs skylight is beautiful.  This is an awesome place to gather a handful of your friends to celebrate a fun night out.

Even though there were 20 people in our party and one other seated couple not with us, the music was still bumpin' and went all night.  I think our final group from the party left after 3am.  What a crazy and wild night!

100% wheelchair accessible!  There is even a little elevator to go upstairs and ramps to the very spacious bathrooms.  I was impressed.

This is the holy mecca of douchebaggery in Boston.  Here is a way to tell if you are currently at 29 Newbury:

a) I am a 60 year old man
b) I am the 19 year old BU freshman asian girl in slut heels that the man is leering at
c) I am a European and it was the closest restaurant to the Four Seasons that looked "funky fresh"
d) I wanted some brews with my brah before we took a cab to the game because we are too fancy to take public transportation
e) I am a cougar
f) I am one of the few normal people in Boston that get dragged here because it's on Newwwwwbuuurrrrrryyyyy, it must be alright

I was the latter and regretted every minute.  Waiting at the bar was a huge mistake for drinks.  If you don't have lady lumps and a visible lady business hanging out your dress, you aren't getting served.