Hello. Has anyone been to Brownstone on Dartmouth? I was thinking about going for drinks and apps. It looked like a neat new place to try for after work.
BackBayGirl
Feb 20, 2007 07:02PM
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CHOW Pick, posted November 18, 2008
Food Media, posted November 19, 2008
Green, posted November 18, 2008
Wine and Drinks, posted November 18, 2008
I've been there. We went thinking we would eat dinner there, but were unimpressed with the menu and the service was extremely slow and the waitress charged us for a few extra drinks that we didn't have. That being said they had just recently opened and seemed to be trying to work out the kinks. We did order two appetizers that were pretty good and the crowd was a little bit more mature than the Clerys crowd next door. I did like the bar for drinks, it has a cozy feel.
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Eh, just so-so. Unremarkable food and wine when compared to the wealth of outstanding choices looming only a block or so away. It could be that it's just one of those location cursed with perpetual mediocrity, such as the spot on St. Botolph formerly known as a million different versions of St- Botolph's something or other.
Skip ahead to the Delux, the Franklin, or the Butcher Shop.
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Food was just okay, nothing great but the service was so bad that I doubt I'd go back (and I'm pretty forgiving having worked in restaurants for years). We were sat and after 10 minutes had to ask the hostess if our server was aware that we had been seated. The restaurant was not busy (maybe 6 other tables and the wait staff was standing around the bar talking to each other). Our server came over to our table and JUST STOOD THERE looking at us. No "Sorry for the wait", "Good evening", or "Can I get you a drink?" My partner wanted to get up and leave right then but we stayed. I'm sorry I can't remember what we ordered but I recall that we really enjoyed our appetisers but were less impressed with our entres.
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Food was mediocre. Service was pretty poor. Our waitress, who was training another waitress, mispronounced the appetizer special duck confit (said "fit" instead of "feet"). I didn't find this offensive, but thought it was pretty funny. It turned out, the confit was the highlight. Bread probably would have been good three days ago. At a price point about $5 lower, it wouldn't be bad. This place will survive merely on overflow from neighboring Clery's (same ownership).
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You're not supposed to pronounce the T at all in confit.
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Not trying to be snooty here, just to set the record straight. It's pronounced con-fee not con-feet. The "t" is silent. The "n" is barely pronounced as well. Maybe that's what you meant, but thought I'd chime in, if not.
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I actually went there totally unexpectedly w/ a friend for an after work drink (her suggestion not mine). I whole heartedly agree w/ you all. Thanks for not steering me wrong. When I go out after work on Monday, I'm NOT going there!!!
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Obviously this place isn't popular here, but I actually have had three really good experiences at Brownstone, and really good food each time. That's the draw for me because I had Michael McEwen's food at West on Centre in West Roxbury and went to Brownstone to see what he was doing now, and I love the creativity mixed with comfort food. Our service was decent, nothing stellar, but always friendly and timely. I think it's worth another try, they actually just got a really good review today in the Herald as well.
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My own experience of the food at West on Centre when McEwen was there was not that impressive; in fact, a lot of it was pretty bad. I expected better from the folks behind the Blarney Stone.
Brownstone is a Glynn Hospitality Group venue, along with the Black Rose, Coogan’s, Clerys, Dillon’s, Hurricane O’Reilly’s, José McIntyre’s, and the Purple Shamrock. To me, that suggests badly-poured Guinness, cheap crappy highballs, and barely-acceptable pub grub.
I was surprised by the Herald's rave today, but there's no way I'm checking this one out without some serious raves from local Chowhounds who have steered me right before.
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http://theedge.bostonherald.com/dinin...
fyi;
Check out Matt Shaffer's review of Brownstone in yesterday's Boston Herald.
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To compare Brownstone, somewhat, to the Franklin makes Mat's reviews dubious. The only similarity is the prices. The place is trying to have serious food but what it has is an inexperienced staff with mediocre food. Granted I was there in the first few weeks but would not go back unless I started hearing great reviews. A good back-up on a Fri. or Sat. when other places in the area are full.
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I have to disagree with most of the posts. I've found the food to be consistently good, and the service to be friendly and prompt. Maybe it depends on when you go and what your expectation is. I'm a local person, and live in the neighborhod, so I go regularly. I tend not to go when it's very busy, but more when it's mellow and not too crowded. I think some of the dishes I've had, like the roast chicken (always a good gauge for a restarurant), the chicken lollipops and the inventive cranberry-studded white meat turkey burger are really good, and have a nice little twist to them. Definitely a cut above your average pub food.
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Are there any other places in the neighborhood that you like and consider comparable values, Southendkahuna?
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