Lala Rokh

The food was good, but the overall experience was lacking - particularly given the cost.\r \r It took more than 20 mins to leave my car with the valet (a requirement on Beacon Hill) - at one point, cars were stacked 4 deep on Charles St. The management didn't seem to care. \r \r At one point, the owner actually yelled at some of us in our party (5 couples - check over $800) when we questioned the bill. \r \r Good to see they don't care about repeat business in this economy. We won't be going back to Lala Rokh. Pros: Food was unique and good Cons: valet parking took forever, service/management poor more

I liked Lala Rokh, but didn't find it out of this world as some other reviewers claim. First off, the food was decent but not sensational. I had game hen, and it was cooked well but a tad dry. The grilled vegetables stole the show actually, I normally avoid most vegetables, but here I cleaned them off my plate and the plates of some of my dining companions. The service was decent, we seemed to have every waiter at some point during our meal. This sounds nice (who hasn't sat in a restaurant wondering if they'll ever get to place an order?) but it become a tad obnoxious when we had to turn down dessert three times and wait for the RIGHT waiter to place an order. As for atmosphere, the restaurant was cozy and comforting, despite it's location it was more trendy than quaint. As tourist, it took some helpful directions from a random Bostonian to find the place.\r \r I'd go back, but not before trying a number of other Boston suggestions first. And definitely order something different. Pros: Simple atmosphere, constant service Cons: A little overhyped more

My experience at Lala Rokh was exceptional. I went with my husband to celebrate our first anniversary. We were going for the weekend to Boston and it was hard to decide were to go for a special dinner. The idea of Persian food on Beacon Hill sounded very good to me and it was really more that we both expected. To start the atmosphere was very ""tranquil"" and sober, and at the same time romantic and relaxed. Service was excellent too. They were very efficient, gave us good descriptions about the food and advice in what to order. The food was very different, tasty and aromatic, a whole new experience for the palate. I recommend it a 100% and will be taking friends and going back because I defintely want to try their whole menu. Can't go without trying the ""Fezenjen"". Pros: Good location, nice athmosfere, great service, delicious food Cons: Being a small place I think is best to make reservations to avoid waiting more

I typically love this type of food, but not this place. Wow was it bad. Everything was overcooked. Their attempt at subtle flavors actually means flavorless food. Service may have been the worst I've ever had at a higher end restaurant in Boston. People talk about this place like it's something special. My guess is they've never actually had good persian food, because this was NOT it. I could go on but what's the point? Trust me, I know good food. This is not it. Don't go here, ever.\r Pros: ??? Cons: Bad meal, Bad service, Bad ambience, Overpriced....but otherwise terrific more

The food they serve is generally bland - not what I expect when patronizing a middle eastern restaurant - and often overcooked. The ambiance is below average; too many families with kids really detract from the atmosphere. And let's be honest, the restaurant's interior is just plain ugly. At these prices there are many, many other places at which one can have a better meal in a better location. Pros: Average service Cons: Bland food, poor atmosphere more

I am not going to write a long drawn out review, but this place sucked. Simply put - the service was terrible, the food was overpriced and the decor was lame. There is nothing that I found there that I couldn't find at a food stand. There are lots of other choices in around Boston to go to. more

I have been coming to this restaurant since it opened a dozen years ago and continue to be astonished by the quality of the food. It's the only restaurant to offer the entire range of Persian cuisine (other Iranian restaurants, particularly in California--just as in Iran itself--only serve kebabs with one or two additional dishes). The food is extremely subtle, the original ""slow food,"" made with an array of herbs and spices many of which are not available outside of Iran. The cuisines of Armenia and Aghanistan, both of which are essentially provincial Persian cooking, have much less complexity and sophistication then this food, especially since the family which owns the restaurant hails from Azerbaijan, the main seat of royal Iranian cooking of the last thousand years. Having travelled extensively in that part of the world for the past 25 years I know of no better place than this to experience authentic home-cooking of one of the oldest cuisines in the world, surrounded by an incredible collection of original, museum-quality Persian art. The knowledgeable staff makes it easy to become familiar with an unfamiliar cuisine: it's definitely worth the experiment if you don't know it already. And if you are familiar with it, you'll love it. Amazing! Pros: Everything about it is great Cons: Not sure what to say more

I am honestly surprised to see anything but positive reviews! I lived in Boston for about 6 years and went to La La Rokh (no joke), close to 50 times. Seriously, I estimated this once. I always appreciate good Persian food and I have to say - La La Rokh has an amazing selection on their menu. They don't fall into the trap that many persian places do by just offering say, kababs. They have so much on their menu to truly give a good overall idea of persian food. The taste - I think out of the 50 times I went there, there was only ONE night that did not meet my expectations. The others were fabulous. Always tasty, they don't make the dishes bland like a lot of other places tend to do. Everything from their appetizers (I love the Mirza Ghasemi), to the main dishes (Morgh and Ghormeh Sabzi being my faves) are incredible. And dessert of course! They just got their full liquor license a couple years back and so that has been a nice addition as well. I've always gotten the warmest welcome, as have all my friends who have accompanied me. \r \r Also the atmosphere is great! It looks smaller and quaint (and it is), but it actually has a few rooms tucked away. :-) I definitely miss it... it's the next best thing to my mom's home made dishes.\r Pros: TASTY food, variety on the menu, friendly service, great atmosphere Cons: I really can't think of any? more

I've heard so much about this place and I've been craving persian food for a while--so my friends and I were very excited. The eggplant appetizer was very good and flavorful. The same with the saffron ice cream. \r The entrees were good, but not amazing. \r \r The place was also a bit too swanky and $$ for what it was. \r \r Have defnitely had much much better persian food....but I guess this is how Beacon Hill does ethnic.\r \r Pros: Decent Food Cons: paying too much for what it is more

How people think this is a good restaurant is beyond me. Among the worst dining experiences of my life, and I eat out a lot. Where to begin? First of all, food just isn't very good....bland and boring.....heard such good things but this place is WAY OVERATED. Amazingly -the bland food was the best part of my meal. Ambience is terrible....a dank windowless basement. I've also never been in a restaurant that seemed to care less about it's customers. Hostess/Manager was rude on the phone and in person. People all around us were being rushed to order and leave. Entrees were brought out while people were still eating salad...bussers kept trying to take people's plates while there were still food on them. Our waiter was AWFUL....kept checking his watch all night, and was doing sidework while we were wating for stuff to be brought out. Shrimp app was bland - shrimp were puny, and chewy. Lamb was tough and flavorless, like there wasn't once spice added...hello??? try some salt maybe. Ordered medium rare - came out med-well. told the waiter and he suggested that I try eating it the way it was. After some serious eye rolling - he took the food back - and brought out another order that was completely cooked through. When I told him about it - he asked me if i wanted to wrap it up and take home. Manager never came by at any point in the meal. I was charged for the Lamb. Have two Iranian friends who told me that this was barely passable persian food. Ignored their warnings, and went anyway. Never again!!! Pros: i didn't get sick Cons: bland, no ambience, HORRIBLE service more

I planned a B-Day Party for 12 people. Waiter-good, Food-bland. I got their duck special, the sauce hid the skimpy piece of duck they gave me. I tasted a vegetarian dish which was better than mine and another chicken dish that was ok. Entrees 17-23, Wine 10 glass. We brought a cake in, when we received the bill they charged us $2.75 person. I told the Owner that we werent told about the surcharge beforehand. He argued that were actually saving money since he charges us $8 a dessert ,did the math calculated it costs us $6 per person. He then said what do you want to pay and I was reasonable and said lets split it. He said no way and wouldnt budge. In all my years of going out to a restaurant Ive never met an owner who doesnt put the customers first. Overall 6.5 out of 10 Pros: Service, Group Friendly Cons: Owner, Value, Food more

So despite the fact it was cold outside, it was broiling inside. Of the three people who waitted on us, one couldn't be bothered to even look at our table as he told us the specials and only returned once to pour us another glass of wine, leaving us to fend for ourselves. However, the food was quite good, with perfect sized portions. If they dialed down the thermostat, it would have been quite a romantic night. Pros: location, ambience, food Cons: service more

I came to Lala Rokh for restaurant week, which is a time when I thought restaurants were to put their best foot forward, I am sad to say that Lala Rokh did not meet my expectations. The food was ok, but for $30 we certainly did not get much and the service was rather poor. There are too many great restaurants in the Beacon Hill area to waste your time at this one. Very disappointing, I will not be going back. more

I just had dinner for the first time at La La Rokh and the the food was excellent! I would highly recomend this place for anyone who wants to try something different and new. Being the first time I have tried the food I was a little unsure what to order, I told my waiter this and he was very helpfull in making segestions. I plan to return and would tell anyone I know to try it you wont be disappointed. Pros: helpfull staff more

A friend suggested I try Lala Rokh, so based on her enthusiasm, I went. I went not knowing what to expect, but left feeling entranced by the entire experience. For a Friday night without reservations we were seated rather quickly and the hostess was super attentive while we waited. We sat in the back room (this place is much larger than it appears) and were immediately immersed in Persian culture with the gorgeous museum-like items displayed throughout. We had the kashk-e bademjan (eggplant) and borani garsh (mushrooms) for appetizers, which were incredible alone and even better together. For our entrees, we shared the sultani and loubia- both were unlike anything I've had before. The staff was beyond knowledgable of the menu and even the antiques throughout the restaurant. We almost felt like we were our server's only table. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely be returning. Pros: excellent service, beautiful atmosphere more

I was so excited to try out Lala Rokh, based on the great reviews it received in Zagats. However, I was so disappointed with the food and the ambience. The atmosphere is anything but romantic. We were seated in one of the back rooms and it felt like we were in someone's cramped, windowless basement. We ordered a few appetizers, and unfortunately, could not tell at all which one was which, as they did not resemble the description on the menu. One of the appetizers resembled a mango chutney and was more sour than a raw lemon. My entree left even more to the imagination. The portion was small and the presentation was horrible. Very unimaginative. The side of potatoes that I received tasted very strange and after having my boyfriend sample them, we both agreed that they had been cooked previously, frozen, and simply reheated. Cons: Small portions, Unimaginative display more

It was like eating in somebody's basement! The food was bland, and there was no vegetarian selection at all...at least not in the main courses. We did not have the same waiter once the whole night. It was expensive, and the opposite of romantic! There is nothing romantic about having gas and tasting that meal over and over again that night! Pros: clean, good bread Cons: overpriced, no vegetarian dishes more

I went for lunch during the Beacon Hill Garden Tour. What appauling service! We were seated quickly, but given dinner menus because they had run out of lunch menus. Weren't they expecting a large lunch crowd on such a big day on Beacon Hill? I ordered a salad with grilled salmon - more like grilled salmon w/ garnish of greens. A poor value and very unimaginative - and smothered in a rich dressing. I asked the waitress if I could have something else, she told us that she didn't have the authority to do that. Shouldn't a waitress have the ability to please her customer? The Manager told me she could bring me a new dish, but she would have to ""charge me a second time"". I have NEVER received a response like that in a restaurant. It was rude and unprofessional. I will likely never return. more

a great date spot, really a romantic place, great food as well, use the valet service more

I found the food to be incredible and not that expensive. I had the beef kabobs and they were wonderful, with the cucumber yogurt sauce. The restaurant was well appointed and our waiter was incredibly attentive. I would certainly return, and not only for special occasions. The best food for the money I've had in a long time. Pros: wonderful service, great wine list Cons: parking more