Hometown Macomb

This has been my go to place Fridays after work for years now. Everyone might not know your name but it feels like it. You do get recognized and greeted after you've been there a few times. It has the feel of an old fashioned pub, dark wood paneling, a great bar with three tv screens behind covering all sports, orginal artwork on the walls-- no fireplace but the glowing fire in the pizza oven, visible from the bar seats has a similar effect. If the tables or booths are filled in the three seating sections, you can always eat at the bar or at the high tables with stools in the bar section. Maybe it's something about the place but people here seem to be open and friendly (unusual in Boston)-- my wife and I were invited once to share a table by two women we didn't know but who noticed we had been waiting for a table. We ended up having a great conversation well into the evening. And you are as likely as not to get into an interesting conversation at the bar while you are waiting to order. Clientele is about as diverse as you will find in Boston, young JP and Rozzie residents, artists, city workers, families with young kids, out of towners. I wouldn't come here expecting high cuisine but it is above average pub grub. The pizza's are original and tasty. You won't wonder about the large cans on the table when they set the hot pizza tray on it. Clever idea. The main reason I go is for the live music on the weekends-- usually a singer/guitarist set up in the middle room-- and the great burgers & fries (for under $10). And for the beer selection, on tap and bottled, tho it varies. The place appears to be staffed and managed almost entirely by women and obviously a lot of attention is paid to detail and providing a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. A place like this doesn't happen by accident. Would I recommend it? I do, often, and it's the first place we take out of town friends. more

The rudest service, I have ever seen in my life. In fact, a shocking lack of service, not at all hospitable. And the kicker is, it's due to the surly, arrogant, ego-maniacal dog-faced manager. Read the other reviews, you will see that I am not alone in my assessment. Irrational treatment of paying customers, bad business and awful- awful- awful service. Don't go in. Period. A lousy experience is all but guaranteed for any who do not heed my warning. Make another choice for your patronage, or you will be patronized. Not worth the trouble. more

I live in jp an love to eat bar food. This place has the best ribs in boston! Not to mention killer buffaloe wings, and the best margaritas for only seven bucks. Its clean and I love the decor. The tomatoe sauce cans keep ur food off the table and the staff are all trendy and attentive. Spent 37 bucks and left tipsy and full. Me and a friend. more

Dogwood is okay - we have been there a few times and it's never been terrible but never terrific either. The Dogwood mostly stays in business because it's the only halfway decent place to eat unless you take the T or walk up to Centre Street. The beer is unnecessarily expensive but the pizza is pretty good. The $1 takeout fee still irks me - you can get delivery from Same Old Place and just tip instead, so what's the point? Pros: Only place to get a beer in walking distance! Cons: Disinterested service, additional takeout fees more

Horrible. I have been a loyal customer of Dogwood for the past year. Evening beers with friends, Sunday brunches, last minute dinners. No more. The Dogwood has lost a loyal customer. When I was told I would be charged twice if I sent my breakfast scramble back I asked to speak to the manager. Never once was I rude or out of line, I was kind and kept a smile on my face the entire time. The manager was rude and condescending. I explained to her that, I eat here all the time, and I always order the same thing. I didn?t even look at the menu, so I didn?t remember cheese being an ingredient. I can?t eat cheese I explained to her. Too bad, pay for a second one without cheese or eat this one (which was undercooked) with cheese. I was shocked. The things that until now I have let slide: Slow service, dirty silverware, cleaner being sprayed close enough to taste it while I tried to eat, cold veggie burgers, no menu substitutions, and undercooked food. I am shocked at the disrespect. I will spend my money someplace where the service is good and the manger is respectful to me and my community. more

Good food and pleasant atmosphere near Forest Hills. The only drawback is that the service, and to a lesser degree, the quality of the food can vary enormously from visit to visit. Pros: food, location, bar Cons: inconsistency more

I had dinner at the Dogwood last night and it was delish! We were seated at the hightops by the bar which gave it a relaxing feel. I had their veggie burger and opted for mashed potatoes instead of french fries since our server mentioned how good they were and boy were they! My friend had the special pork tacos which she seemed to enjoy to the point of eating every bit but one last bite. Our server was pleasant and knowledgable of the menu, just the right amount of attentiveness and very prompt when catering to our needs and requests. This is great considering how close it is to my house! more

The food is decent... but the service is lacking. Also what is the deal with having huge unopenned cans of tomated sauce on the table.. looks like a mexican joint. Also Beware.. they scam people and charged them $1 Dollar for a pizza box... whether you pick it up to go or asked for a box to go.. they sneak it in the price.. Sneaky policy... beware... Unacceptable. Also rude managers. and the bar smells. more

I like everything about this place. The bar has is clean and comfortable with good beers. The atmosphere is warm with interesting artwork. The food is high quality and reasonably priced. Nice for a couple or even larger groups. Pros: Cozy Cons: None more

My fiancee and I eat out a lot, and we like to try new places. We headed out to the Dogwood Cafe last Friday hoping for a quiet night out. We were very happy with our visit there. We ordered a large pizza, an appetizer and two glasses of wine and the bill came out to a very reasonable $35. Service was patient yet attentive, and the ambiance was way beyond expectations with the comfortable heavy wood decor and candles. The icing on the cake was the live music - it was one guy singing with a guitar. It's a tough balance between having live music and allowing the place be not so loud as to douse a pleasant dinner conversation. It was really well done. The only minus to the Dogwood Cafe is the availability of street parking - although we did not explore the possibility of parking in the several nearby lots. All in all this place won't wow you with the food or the wine list but it's a great choice for a very reasonably priced, comfortable meal. Pros: Service, value, atmosphere Cons: Food was good, not great. more

I like the dogwood becasue it is child firendly, except not all people teach thier children how to behave in public. The food is always wishy washy, sometimes its good, and sometimes not. if you find something you like, STICK TO IT, dont try other menu items. Sometimes the pizza is cooked all the way through sometimes not. One time my friend waited a half hour for a clean fork, and had to eat her salad with a knife finally. Sometimes the bartenders are so busy giggling with each other they dont notice you have seated yourself DIRECTLY in front of them for ten minutes! I dont know why we keep going there, convenience maybe? now this is an honest review. Pros: kid friendly, oven pizza Cons: undercooked food, BAD service, SLOW service more

Dogwood offers jamaica plain a great alternative for fantastic food and beer. As opposed to doyles just down the street, dogwood has really excellent food and a great selection of good beers. Atmosphere is usually good (sometimes a folk singer is booked which can be annoying if seated too close to). All in all, i would highly recommend folks to try this place out. Pros: food, great beer, parking more