Banq Restaurant--CLOSED

I guess I had big expectations, but I found the wood ceiling weirdly restictive. It was so dead inside and we were the only people dining there and still we had bad service. I'd rather get a good meal at The Buttery or Pho Republique. Cons: bad service, cold ambiance, mediocre food more

Last Monday Banq, the fabulous Boston restaurant in the former Penny Savings Bank Building, celebrated being named “Best New Restaurant” at the Wallpaper* Design Award 2009. I had barely enough time in Boston last week for brunch and a stroll around town, but my local fashionista friends insisted that I had to check it out. \r \r This restaurant is gorgeous (and the food is pretty good too). The Penny Savings Bank building is a 1917 Classical Revival design, the type of edifice that Banks used to build before the days of subprime lending and collateralized debt obligations. Nowadays, with bankers having to account for their operating expenses in front of congressional committees, we may see a lot more fancy Bank buildings converted to fine restaurants. Maybe that’s not so bad.\r \r Walk inside the door of Banq, and all semblance of a traditional bank building melts away. Rich layers of curved white birch climb the walls and soar across the ceiling, forming a dense ‘tree’ canopy that makes this vast space feel intimate and inviting. Designed by the Boston firm of Office da, which also won an interior architecture award for its effort, the dining room at Banq is an inspiring space to showcase an innovative cuisine.\r \r Chef Ranveer Brar has created a menu that draws from his classical French training as well as his work and travels in Asia. Put it all together and you get things like Eggs Benedict with wasabi hollandaise or crepes with anise spiced bananas and mango sauce. My Eggs Benedict was superb, and the parmesan home fries were fantastic. My dining companion fancies himself a breakfast potato connoisseur (he flies to Los Angeles for his favorite hash browns), and he loved them!\r \r And now a request. I was in and out of Boston so fast last week that I did not get to dine at Banq for dinner. If you have been to Banq in the evening please click on comments below and let me know how it is. The menu is intriguing and I’m very curious. They have a char grilled duck breast on the menu with Kaffir lime scented celery root au gratin and orange shiso sauce that sounds like the most amazing take on a traditional duck a l’orange. I’d love to hear from someone who has tried it. \r \r \r You can read more about our interesting dining experiences on TravelsinTaste...\r Pros: Eggs Benedict, Home Fries, Decor Cons: Didn't get to stay for dinner... more

Visited BanQ for Sunday brunch and was super impressed the moment we walked in the door. The decor is definitely modern and fun and the staff was friendly and attentive. I had a hard time deciding off the brunch menu because everything sounded so good, but finally settled on the signature French Toast with Kahlua marscapone, stewed cherries and lavendar honey - and was so glad I did. Although the portions were a little small (I could've used one more ""triangle"" of french toast), every bite melted in my mouth like pure joy. The parmesan hash browns were also to die for. Every bit had a burst of flavor and I wanted to lick my plate when they were gone. \r \r The service was fantastic, the price was very reasonable and the decor was stunning. I'd highly recommend BanQ for Sunday Brunch. I'll definitely be back to check out dinner. Pros: Great food, great service, great atmosphere Cons: Parking more

I really like this restaurant though some of my friends say they have had mixed experiences. I've been there about 6 times for brunch, a dozen times for dinner and a couple dozen times for drinks, and I've always had a great experience. Maybe they didn't order the right things. I like the Spice menu. These dishes have a bit more of the Indian flavor that I had always expected. It was lacking in the earliest versions. \r \r I think the service has always been on point except for one brunch when I had a server that must have been new. The design of the place is simply amazing. It has the feel of the coolest restaurants in London or Barcelona. \r \r The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I'm saving those for a few very special restaurants. Pros: Amazing room and very good food Cons: crowds on popular nights more

ok...now I had average expectations going into this place. I knew the decor was gonna be great, which was def the case, so 5 stars for that...I knew it was trendy, so I assumed the food would be either really great or so so..as most places as this are. Onto the meal. Went for dinner on a Friday night. Wasnt busy and was immediately seated in a nice corner booth. Menu is very small, with limited selection. If you don't like fish/seafood, consider the appetizers a no go. The entrees were priced as I expected, anywhere from 20-40 dollars. My GF got a scallop appetizer, she really liked it. The presentation was pretty solid. She ordered the filet special and I got the braised short rib from an entree with a side of green beans. Here is where things get a little ehhhhhhhh. Mine was a little cold, and for some reason they try to jam like 18 different flavors into one dish. I am a rather simple guy so I dont need 18 different contrasting tastes in a bite. It hits your tongue sweet, then you get a bit of spice. For me its not a good thing. Its almost overwhelming. The green beans were chili topped or something and the initial taste is almost too much to handle. I am really picky about food, my gf is not, and even she had a hard time with the food. We finished with chocolate lava type cake, which was very good... All in all if your one for an explosion of taste, you will more then likely this place. If your not, then it will vary case by case, person by person. I myself, prob wouldnt go back but I would def recommend to at least go and try it for yourself cuz every body likes different things... more

Best bloody mary in town. The food was creative and delicious. We had some spicy egg dish that was wonderful. Love the cieling, the minimal design more

My wife and I recently made our way to Banq for brunch and we were extremely impressed. We ordered the french toast and the wild boar burger...and both were excellent. To be honest, the french toast was one of the best I've ever had. Simply amazing. The burger and fries were top notch as well. \r \r The price was reasonable. The atmosphere was cool. The staff hovered around a little too much...but they definitely were responsive. We will definitely come back to try the full menu. Pros: Brunch, French Toast, Boar Burger, Drink Menu more

I have now dined at Banq on four different occasions. The food is nothing short of genius. The composition of each dish is so beautifully crafted. At one minute, you taste sweet, then hot, then the freshest of herbs and seasonings come thru. The staff has been especially nice and consumate professionals on each visit. The room is a beautifully designed space that one must experience in person. It is my new favorite restaurant in Boston after my old standby Teatro which is always superb. \r You will be delighted with the incredibly delicious food inspired by French, Indian, and Asian cuisines It is the most unique menu available in Boston for the most discerning palates. I brought three equally fussy friends on my last visit and they were wowed. The very delightful manager, Michael gave me an umbrella on my second to last visit so my guest and I would not get wet from the rain on our walk to our car. The short ribs done with lemongrass and cumin are sensational, as are the Vietnamese shrimp. Run don't walk to this epicureans delight! Pros: Menu, Food, Ambience, Staff more

I am a long-time resident of the South End and am always excited when a new restaurant opens up. This one however, has been a disappointment from the start. I have been 3 times, once for dinner in the dining room, once for cocktails at the bar and once for drinks and dessert in the dining room. The hostess/host staff each time has looked at me with an air of contempt. I was ignored by the bartenders on a very busy night once but then treated extremely well on a night when the bar was half-empty so maybe they just need to learn how to better handle a full bar. The waitstaff was also not consistent. The evening we went for dinner, the waiter was great up until we had an issue with our meals. The evening we went for dessert, the waiter was overall just average. The manager seems to know his stuff and truly care about the clientele. The food is creative but average and the space is very unique but can feel a bit empty. I'll keep hoping they get better and maybe try back in 6 months. Pros: Unique space, creative food and cocktails Cons: Poor service, average food/cocktail execution more

When talking about this restaurant the first thing that must be said it is going to suprise you in everyway. Surprise is a positive word in this case. The chef coming directly from stints from other countries has definately found a way for us Americans to forget about cheesburgers for a minute and rely on foods uniquely un-American. The veal breast croquettes and the vietnanmese shrimp are appetizers I couldn't go back without ordering them again. Try the Cod dusted with morels for an entree. It will leave your mouth watering! Now to the decor. Nothing in Boston or any other city will match the visual spectacle that hangs from the ceiling. Like the food, it is unique and amazing. Pros: Food, decor, service Cons: Parking. Valet is expensive. Street parking is available if you have patience looking. more

The atmosphere is amazing. The hostess was less impressive; perhaps she misconstrued her position as branch manager instead of teller. After asking us twice if she could take our coats and 4 times when our reservation was, we were finally seated. Our server was cordial but our appetizers came out in 1 minute, 30 seconds. Can't complain though, they were right on the money. After asking the server about the entrees and ordering according to his suggestion, our meals came out right away. They were somewhat different from what was explained to us but I guess that's what a good broker is for. Good thing 1/3 of our wine was left for dessert, offering the best ROI of the night. Overall I'd recommend trying this restaurant, but diversifying is key. Pros: Ambiance Cons: Inexperienced Staff more