Union Bar & Grille

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1357 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118

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(617) 423-0555
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Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Union Bar & Grille - Boston, MA
Reviews
( 26 )
( 10 )
( 4 )
( 2 )
( 1 )

Best

I'm a longtime resident of the South End and I have to admit that I didn't set foot into Union until just a few months ago. The food is simply amazing and the Tuna (my favorite d...

Worst

I remember when this place opened, I loved it. I hadn't been there in about a year, and when I returned I was disappointed to see that the menu is so similar to the past ones. ...

Great place for brunch! 7/6/2010

The first time I experienced The Union, it was for their grande opening which was great! I typically frequent The Union for their Sunday brunches and I must say, they have been consistently good in terms of service and quality from the hostess to the wait staff. Their service is very attentive and professional. My brunch mate did notice that maybe some plates should be replaced given the rest of the decor and appeal the interior had, but overall a great place to have brunch with friends without feeling rushed! Pros: Excellent Service and drinks Cons: Some customers can be pretentious more
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Editorial review from GrubHub 11/30/2008

Food was great, but DELIVERY was 30 minutes late with NO call ahead warning, and when the delivery person came to the door and I told him about his latenesws, he feigned total ignorance telling me that they had "just" told him to do thepick up--an hour and a half after the order was placed. Laughable.\r \r Food was ice cold. Very bad DELIVERY service; the restaurant is terrific--contracting out to Dining In is really bad--that's why I went to Grub Hub--Dining In delivery is horrid--with staff that take lying to an art form. more
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Get 10K Tuna for less than 30 bucks! 11/5/2008

I'm a longtime resident of the South End and I have to admit that I didn't set foot into Union until just a few months ago. The food is simply amazing and the Tuna (my favorite dish) is to die for. The complimentary corn bread that is served in a hot iron skillet is also a real treat. Aside from the food, the decor is quite swanky and something that I believe that 30-something year old Sinatra would be quite comfortable in if time travel was possible. The service is also top notch. While I am not a wine expert, it seems that there is always an experienced sommelier available to make great recommendations. Definitely a South End favorite. Pros: Food, service, and ambiance is all wonderful Cons: Parking may be difficult for some more
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same old same old 4/10/2008

I remember when this place opened, I loved it. I hadn't been there in about a year, and when I returned I was disappointed to see that the menu is so similar to the past ones. Pros: Knowledgable and friendly staff Cons: Stagnant menu more
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Scrumptious Meal 3/25/2008

On a second visit to Boston, I dined at Union Bar & Grill with my husband. We both enjoyed the experience thoroughly. The atmosphere was very chic and both the food and the servers were well seasoned. We tried some of the local favs and particularly loved the sweet corn risotto, the 10k tuna and the lamb. Having relocated to a sleepy suburb in the southeast, we feel Union is just the type of eatery we sorely miss! I greatly appreciated the Union staff for taking such great care of us. We look forward to stopping by again on our next trip to Beantown! Pros: Great atmosphere and food more
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Not great. Not terrible. 12/11/2007

Trying to be cool, but missing it by a bit. THe food's good but not memorable. WIne list is solid. Not a top 3 for NYC dining experience in the mid-sized format. Pros: Nothing comes to mind Cons: Nothing comes to mind. more
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Affordable lunch 11/19/2007

I went to Washington Street to try to do some Christmas shopping and found the store were way too expensive. So I was happy to find this deal for brunch. Our waitress was very friendly, but sort of dissapeared after we got our meal. I think it was because they were closing at 3. So, maybe it's better to get there earlier. The prix fixe brunch was worth it though. My smoked salmon scrambled eggs stayed hot throughout the meal and the potatoes were great. I saw someone with the giant French toast and I will go back just to try that. Pros: Prix fixe brunch Cons: Somewhat slow service more
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good, affordable and reliable brunch 11/13/2007

A sure bet for brunch in the south end. They are consistent, they take reservations (and seat you at the time that you reserved for) and the food is quite good. The crab cakes are excellent as is the burger and fries and the eggs bennedict are also good. One missing piece that I cannot understand is that they serve homemade granola (which is good) but do not have any yogurt available to go with it. I have mentioned this to the staff, but it is still not available. The setting is nice and the staff are decent, but can be inconsistent, sometimes giving great service and at other times being quite slow and inattentive. Overall a good option for brunch. Pros: brunch Cons: service more
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nice, relaxed weeknight dinner 9/3/2007

My husband and I had dinner at Union to celebrate his birthday. We went on a Tuesday night. It was quiet when we arrived but filled up quickly (not sure if this is the case every Tuesday night or not; it was Restaurant Week). We were seated early and relaxed with a cocktail until we were ready to order. Service was great and our waiter let us take our time...we didn't feel rushed at all. He also gave us great drink recommendations. We shared a gnocchi appetizer (the gnocchi was a bit too soft, but the flavor was excellent), I had steak (very good), and my husband had duck (cooked as he ordered it, and not fatty). The cornbread, brought out before our appetizer in its own cast iron pan, was excellent--moist with good flavor. We shared banana cream pie for dessert, which was also very good. The atmosphere was trendy but not off-putting. The manager brought over a birthday card that was signed by the staff. Pros: service, cornbread more
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A Renaissance? 6/22/2007

My wife and I have always been at least moderately impressed with Union (and all the other restaurants owned by Seth Woods and Jeff Gates). The food is always tasty and approachable, the staff amiable and polite and our greeting at the front door warm and friendly. But where we have never been sold are on any of the wine lists at any of the restaurants (with the exception of Aquitaine which we've always enjoyed browsing). However, this all changed on our last visit! As usual we were perusing the wine list for ANYTHING new and out-of-the-ordinary when our server (Jesse, who is one of the best!) asked if he could help with a selection. When he realized our questions were out of his league he sent over a rather sharply-suited young man who we were informed was the company ""wine guy"". We didn't know that the group had a ""wine guy"" unless they had kept him rather well hidden. My wife was interested to see what this youngster could do for us and after giving him the 3rd, 4th and 5th degrees she was satisfied with his knowledge-level and allowed him to guide us to something we had never had (and which was not even on the list yet). For the life of me I can't remember what he poured for us (Italian, something to do with Barolo?) and it was stunning. We have never felt more taken care of and hope that this young man, whose name we forgot to even ask, will help Union and the rest of Chef Gate's restaurants rise to the heights we know they can achieve. Pros: NEW WINE GUY! IMPROVED WINE LIST! Killer service, impeccable warmth Cons: Can be loud, lots of regulars so tables go fast, only romantic if you can get a corner banquette more
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Eat here! 6/21/2007

I'm surprised so few people we've talked to have heard of Union! I took some work associates here for dinner early in the month and we had a wonderful time. Despite arriving for our 7:00 reservation 25 minutes late we were still seated right away AND at a reasonably quiet table, making it possible for my colleagues and I to get work done without shouting. Our server was well-spoken and personable and answered all of our questions thoughtfully. The restaurant's young, but very knowledgeable sommelier (I had to look up how to spell it) gave us a wide range of options for wine and after really taking time to talk us through our likes and dislikes helped us to settle on a bottle of pink champagne from Alsace and a zinfandel from Elyse, which none of us had ever heard of. The food was amazing, all served hot, at the temperatures we ordered and the oysters and accompanying sauces were particularly good (don't miss the Imperial Eagles). A great night was had by all complete with a fantastic bread pudding and a warm smile as we left. We shall return! Pros: decor, servers, wine list Cons: too few bathrooms more
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unimpressed 4/26/2007

As a visitor to Boston, we had very high expectations after reading all the great reviews. We made our weekend reservation way in advance, requesting a 7:30 seating, but opting for a 6:00 seating because they informed us that there were no other later reservations for two available. When we arrived, the hostess staff was not very welcoming or polite, they rather chatted amongst themselves. To our surprise, the restaurant was 80% empty. It filled up as the night went on, but only to 75% capacity. I'm sure we could have had a 7:30 seating after all. The decor was uninviting, rustic charm meets martini lounge, quite unmatched. The tables for two were very close together, making it uncomfortable being next to other couples. (Ask for a window seat if you end up going.) The wait staff wore jeans. For the price you pay, I would have expected better service, better dressed servers, and larger portions. Overall the night was a bomb. After Union, we went back to the hotel and ordered room service. Pros: location Cons: decor, wait staff dress, small portions, reservations ""unavailable for desired time"", although many empty tables more
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Fresh Fish and Great Atmosphere 4/26/2007

Great service, great atmosphere, and the food was incredible. I could eat here every night. The cornbread and WILD Alaskan King Salmon made me feel like I was back on the Alaskan cruise we took last summer! more
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Excellent food in Boston without the stuffiness 4/25/2007

I love Union!!!! I come here probably twice a year with the significant other and we are always pleased with whatever we order. I also ordered the haddock and absolutely loved it (better than Legals). Our server was professional without the fake accent and snottiness of other fine dining establishments in the area. Pros: Phenomenal food. Cons: Street parking is limited, so you have to cough up money for valet most of the time. more
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Wonderful dining experience 3/2/2007

My boyfriend and I had the opportunity to eat at Union for our 2 year anniversary. Everything about the meal was wonderful. The waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, the food was prepared nicely with amazing flavor and the atmosphere created a romantic yet inviting experience. We especially loved the interesting cocktail menu and the wine selection. Unlike other ""trendy"" restaurants fellow customers were extremely friendly and at no time did we feel like we didn't belong. Although the menu is alittle of the pricey side, the restaurant is a wonderful choice for a fun night out with a group or a romantic meal for two. This is by far my favorite place to dine in Boston. Pros: Food, ambience, service, cocktail menu more
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Excellent food, funky setting 1/23/2007

This is my first time message but I just had to compliment Union. I went here last night for my anniversary & couldn't have been more pleased! They brought complimentary champagne to our table, the food (apps to dessert) was excellent (best haddock I've tasted in my life - haddock is generally a boring fish but they found a way to make it exciting and great) & the wine was delicious. Our server was very personable & on the ball & the setting was very cool ---- definitely a must try! Pros: food, ambience, service Cons: the building next door is under construction - which is a little off putting more
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My Favorite 11/2/2006

Union is out of my way but I make it a point to go whenever I get the chance. The food is always tasty as well as their cocktails. I love their martinis! Union is always my suggestion when people are looking to enjoy a nice dinner. I still go in jeans and sneakers because I don't care and neither does Union. It's my favorite! more
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Great service, superb ambiance and delicious food! 9/26/2006

First time out to Union and enjoyed every bit of it. Our server was very pleasant made wonderful recommendations which we all enjoyed. The wine list was extensive. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere. This was a pleasant experience. union had all the vital compotents of an outstanding establishment. Pros: everything! more
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Amazing food and wonderful space! 9/16/2006

A good friend brought me here on a Thursday night. We had a fantastic meal. The cocktails are large (and expensive) and the food portions are reasonable for the price. I had the scallop special with mushrooms, root veggies and a beure rouge; my friend had a delicious salmon entree. After you order, the waiter brings out a small cast iron skillet with fresh corn bread - SO YUMMY! The room is beautiful, as is the bar, and the waitstaff is super friendly. Some of the waiters there are incredibly CUTE as well. I highly recommend this spot. Pros: Great food, drinks, eye-candy Cons: on the expensive side more
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User review by soendfoodie 4/6/2006

I am always excited to have new restaurants in the area and went to check this one out last weekend. The duck confit appetizer was the highlight. The rest of the food was good but not outstanding. I was unimpressed with our waiter who seemed genuinely annoyed he had to wait on us and it was approximately 95 degrees in the restaurant making it very uncomfortable to be there. It is obviously a hot spot and people watching was cool- but at these prices I would prefer Hammersely or Aquaitaine. Pros: people watching Cons: wait staff, climate control more
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Menu for Union Bar & Grille


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Editorial

  • Well-dressed singles congregate in Union's ultra-trendy bar area to nibble on designer finger food and pomegranate martinis. A glass partition separates the bar's hum from one of the city's most...

  • 8/1/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sunday To Wednesday From 05:30 PM To 11:00 PM Thursday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 12:00 AM Saturday To Sunday From 10:00 AM To 03:00 PM Sunday To Wednesday From 05:30 PM To 12:00 AM Thursday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 01:00 AM
  • Payments: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: South End, Harrison Lenox
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