209 Boston

I was revolted by the service. After waiting 45 minutes for a table (when I had made reservation 3 weeks in advance), the host and the manager were far from apologetic. In fact they directly insulted my friends when we expressed our displeasure. Had it not been a Saturday night, we would have left and gone elsewhere. Meanwhile, our server was new and incapable of refilling our drinks, and the food, especially the sweet potato gnocchi, was chewy, over-cooked, and tasteless. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. Pros: the scenery Cons: service, food, THE SERVICE! more

Been here twice this month. The food is definitely different from all the descriptions on here. Each time I've been here I've had the same cocktail, a Sidecar, and each time it was perfectly mixed, which is a rare drink for a bartender to get right. Last time I dined at 209 I had a kind of East-meets-Southwest Tuna sashimi dish. Very tasty with super fresh fish and a delightful black bean sauce. Very flavorful. I also had pumpkin ravioli that were the BEST ravioli I've ever had. Our server, Louis, said they were handmade, which was obvious because I've never tasted anything like them before. I would recommend this dish to anyone. On previous occasion I had pasta (linguini, perhaps) with clams, which was also very good, but a tiny bit too salty. I also had a chicken dish that was very tender, juicy, but with a super-crispy skin that had, again, a whole lot of flavor. Delicious. Also a dessert that was a kind of sweet appley cheesecake tart of some kind. Tasty. The wine we ordered was something I could have picked up at a discount wine store. I honestly don't remember it at all other than it was a white. The service both times was slow, considering the place was half empty. But it was nice to sit and watch the Red Sox on the TV and not feel rushed through our meal. I recommend this place with 4 stars because it is friendly, casual, but with really good seasonal food on the menu. Like you can have a 4 star meal and your jock boyfriend can have a burger and nachos. Also, even though this is a well-known gay place, it is very neighborhoodly and straight-friendly. All they need is a couple of good waiters and it will be even better. Pros: Cocktails, Tuna Sashimi, Pumpkin Ravioli!!!, Chicken, Entrees good in general Cons: Service slow and a bit clumsy, Wine list is tired more

This restaurant went though a radical change last fall season. Seemed to be doing quite well. From what I experienced, the new young chefs brought some flair to the cuisine and the space was warm and inviting. Service seemed to have upgraded. There was one girl in particular who was a superstar waitress, hot, with glasses and then disappeared. A few sub-par staffers also vanished. There was a major turnover in staff. And then I noticed that the restaurant seemed suffer a dry spell. The food is decent and the early bird pre-fixes are enticing. What is going on with this space. I know Club Cafe is next door and all, but many straight people from the neighborhood dine here, too. Time to change the 'label' and stop advertising this venue to the gay community...the owner is doing himself a disservice by doing so. Pros: Back Ground dining music, Ambience, food Cons: Service, attitude, and unnecessary drama from patrons... more

...but it quickly went downhill. My partner and I tried this place for restaurant week, since it was one of the few places we were interested in trying that had a last minute reservation (the place was empty at 8:30). Our server (Adam) was really nice and very accommodating. My partner ordered the Hamachi appetizer which was stunningly delicious. I had the native corn soup which had popcorn in it, but NOT the promised crunchy corn-nuts. Too bad. We both ordered the lamb loin (since they were out of the duck, leaving only two choices for the prix-fixe). It was prepared nicely, and the kalamata olive emulsion was very tasty - but the accompanying polenta was way too greasy. It tasted good, if you like butter (or lard?) dusted with some corn flavoring. We had trouble finding wine to go with our meals, and were eventually unhappy with our choices. (Although Adam was more than happy to let me try a wine that I was curious about.) Dessert was definitely the low point of the meal. The flourless chocolate cake was like a brick, although it had passable flavor. The peaches and cream was a total flop. Overall we were very disappointed - wasting our one night out for restaurant week on this place to which we will never return. Pros: Cool space, good service Cons: Food uninteresting more

I just want to say that this was the worst New Year's Eve dinner and celebration I have ever had!!1 I paid the cover for the 5 course meal and champagne and got a value of less than $10.00. Pros: Lots of fun GLBT people Cons: Below average food and wait staff (dropped things many times) and ran out of things we wanted more

I have been going to this eatery for many years, I loved the southwest and comfort foodprevious to this menu. But this new look is horrible! Seems that the owner needs to retire since he does not know what he wants. I st bear the kitchen and heard the chef yell at the kitchen staff and waitstaff and using derogatory terms on them. I was appalled and dissapointed that you would treat people like this!! I have yet to see another chef treat his staff in such a manner. The food was okay but nothing to write home to mom about.. My partner agrees with me on all of this. Truly the owner needs to retire or take a long look at what he wants. How many times can you reinvent yourself??? Just give up! And find a Chef with talent Pros: The bar Cons: The owner and chef with overpriced food more

This restaurant is going through a change--for the better. The space is warm and inviting and caters to a diverse clientele. The new Executive Chef and Sous Chef have worked extra hard to create a new & Pros: Great ambience- unpretentious service Cons: n/a more

Horrible service and staff, this place is just amature hour gone bad, reminiscent of a high school production gone awry. Pros: N/A Cons: Food, Service, Staff more

Bad wine list, uneducated selection too. Wait staff over managed or underpaid? Who knows why the service lacked? Maybe the staff is way too young. Cons: get real on the food more

If you are like me and you are so tired of eating the same old food day after day and you need a dictionary to understand what you are eating. Then you will love this place. They go as far as to accomadate my diets and allergies and to top it off the chef came out to discuss what he can make for me personally! The foodis not good but the Best! I know that I am sounding like a commercial but this place has a reutation as just being a great gay bar but I came in with my girlfriend and this is a real hot spot for everyone and the family!! That is just my opinion though. Pros: Inexpensive, Professional, Variety more

one quick look around reveals that none of the boys in here left the house without preparing for at least an hour. although i'm a little ashamed to admit it, i know that i did the same thing. and i think there was a payoff- i got quite a few stares. the problem with the crowd here was that their chins were so high up in the air that i couldn't clearly tell whether i was getting good or bad looks- were these men jealous of my stunning appearance, ashamed to be anywhere near me because i didn't look cliché enough, or just pleasantly pleased to see me? the answer to that one was perhaps a little enigmatic. one thing is for sure, though. club cafe is the perfect place to film an express men commercial. a walk around the corner to the eagle put me in much better spirits. Cons: stuffy, crowded, clicky more

This is my favorite Boston hangout. Friendly staff, great Martini's and terrific food. I also enjoy the singles scene in the Moonshine Bar. Great Videos and Video music. Pros: Service, Drinks, Atmosphere more

Great place to take your gay or lesbian lover to dance and for drinks. There are mostly gay men at this bar/club, yet on Thursday nights there are a few women. I always have a great time here. Everyone is nice. The atmosphere is jubiliant. My favorite neighborhood haunt! :) more

My favorite gay bar so far, relaxed atmosphere, is like a trendy neighborhood bar. Pros: well located, not a meat market, relaxed but trendy more

This place is great for a romantic dinner or a place to have a drink after work with friends. The place packs out on Thursday through Saturday nights, with videos playing in the back lounge. This makes for a good place to catch videos, meet up with friends, and cruise. more