Novel
(617) 536-5660
700 Boylston St (Boston Public Library)
(at Dartmouth Street)
Boston,
MA
02216
42.3495
-71.0793
Neighborhoods: Back Bay, Black Bay East
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Price:
$
What People Are Saying About Novel
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
High ceilings, elaborate window dressings and gorgeous courtyard views create a comfortably upscale experience inside the BPL's McKim building. Area workers, bookworm-y students and hungry tourists enjoy a never-ending lunch buffet. Friendly waitresses dutifully execute the classy afternoon tea service, ensuring patrons never have to top off their cups. The neighboring Map Room Cafe offers light bites for on-the-go types who can't spare the hour-plus to appreciate Novel's leisurely pace.
The Food
Sebastian's, a local catering firm, supplies Novel and the cafe with a wide range of super-fresh lunch fare. The buffet, which features a generous assortment of salads, sandwiches and entrees, is frequently replenished and changes daily. Buffet patrons get their money's worth, devouring trays of applewood-smoked BLTs and roasted salmon with papaya salsa. In the late afternoon, the buffet is replaced by large pots of top-quality tea and plates of scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd.
User Reviews
donchoi
September 12, 2003
The ambiance is very nice, with a maproom-style theme. Much more upscale-looking than I expected, but casual in feel. It was very quiet and subdued when I went (I guess it IS a library, after all). There is an Au Bon Pain-style cafe with an attached room that offers lunch buffet. The lunch buffet offers steak and other goodies, but is not worth the $16 price tag. However, for this first month (September 2003), it's 2-for-1. Sandwiches and pasta are fresh, but not especially tasty.
read full reviewThe Details on Novel
Know Before You Go:
Any reading material has to be brought from home, as patrons aren't allowed to bring library materials into the cafe or restaurant.
When to Go:
While browsing the library's aisles during the week, don't forget that the lunch buffet ends at 2pm, and that afternoon tea runs from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
Look Good:
While Novel leaves morning visitors out in the cold, the Map Room Cafe sells freshly baked breakfast items starting at 9am (except on Sundays).
Category:
Payment Methods:
Gift Certificate, American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
Family-Friendly Dining, Quiet, Hidden Find, Historic Setting, View Dining, Buffet
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
