Union Bar & Grille

(617) 423-0555

1357 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118 42.3416 -71.0693

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Neighborhoods: South End, Harrison Lenox

UNIONRESTAURANT.COM

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

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.09.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Fine Dining, Brunch, People Watching, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Union Bar & Grille

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

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 stylish dining rooms, where well-dressed South Enders sit in circular black banquettes. Strategically placed mirrors and wrought-iron chandeliers add to the darkly fashionable vibe. Knowledgeable, personable waiters help patrons navigate an intricate, all-American wine list. A noteworthy menu of American cuisine lives up to its pedigree (the owners also masterminded Aquitaine and Armani Cafe). From the…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
There's no dress code, but skip worn jeans and sneakers for black pants and shoes, or run the risk of sticking out in the crowd.
Save Time:
If there's a long wait for a table, try to grab a seat at the bar, where you can order off the dinner menu.
When to Go:
Popular weekend brunch is served from 10am-3pm, with a $9.95 prix-fixe menu available all day Saturday and until 11am on Sunday.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Great service, great atmosphere, and the food was incredible.”
  2. “The waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, the food was prepared nicely with amazing flavor and the atmosphere created a romantic yet inviting experience.”
  3. “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.”
  4. “The ambiance of the place is great.”
  5. “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.”
  6. “Great ambiance, place for drinks and a date spot.”
  7. “Union provided a great dining experience -- impressive food, decor and service.”
  8. “Great service, superb ambiance and delicious food!”
  9. “truly enjoyed the atmosphere.”
  10. “Great decor, nice wait staff and the food was delicious.”
dessert
80.0% positive
  1. “Their speciality desert, a banana cream pie, was also mediocre and, again, was very small in portion size.”
  2. “The crab cakes are excellent as is the burger and fries and the eggs bennedict are also good.”
  3. “Everything from the appeteizer to the dessert, (including the birthday candle), were wonderful.”
  4. “From the attentive service, the incredible food (we had steaks, and the best calmari we've ever had), right down to the dessert (they have a great sampler if you can't decide!)”
  5. “Only a few small issues might have made the experience even better; for one, the yellowtail flounder, while just as delicious as the other fish options on the menu, comes in a portion far smaller than do the $10K tuna or the salmon; and, while the dessert”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Great wine list.”
  2. “The food is sumptuous, the cocktails magnificent, the wine list is quite good but above all the service is just unbelievably good.”
  3. “Yummy food, EXCELLENT drinks, and flawless service.”
  4. “The room is beautiful, as is the bar, and the waitstaff is super friendly.”
  5. “We especially loved the interesting cocktail menu and the wine selection.”
  6. “While I am not a wine expert, it seems that there is always an experienced sommelier available to make great recommendations.”
  7. “Additionally, the wine service was impeccable.”
  8. “Great wine list,attentive service by multiple staff members and nice people-watching.”
  9. “The food is always tasty as well as their cocktails.”
  10. “The cocktails are large (and expensive) and the food portions are reasonable for the price.”
  11. “Great ambiance, place for drinks and a date spot.”
food quality
92.08000183105469% positive
  1. “Great setting, attentive and polite service (not focused on rushing things along, contrary to the review in the Improper), good values for exquisitely prepared and delicious food.”
  2. “Great service, great atmosphere, and the food was incredible.”
  3. “Great decor, nice wait staff and the food was delicious.”
  4. “Excellent Service, Good food.”
  5. “The food is simply amazing and the Tuna (my favorite dish) is to die for.”
  6. “After a wonderful meal and service I can see why they are packed.”
  7. “Our waitress was very friendly, but sort of dissapeared after we got our meal.”
  8. “Union provided a great dining experience -- impressive food, decor and service.”
  9. “The food is always tasty and approachable, the staff amiable and polite and our greeting at the front door warm and friendly.”
  10. “Food was delicious.”
  11. “They are consistent, they take reservations (and seat you at the time that you reserved for) and the food is quite good.”
  12. “Only a few small issues might have made the experience even better; for one, the yellowtail flounder, while just as delicious as the other fish options on the menu, comes in a portion far smaller than do the $10K tuna or the salmon; and, while the dessert”
  13. “THe food's good but not memorable.”
  14. “Great scene, good food”
  15. “came back with friends in August for a 3 course price fixed meal which was horrible.”
  16. “Everything about the meal was wonderful.”
  17. “had the scallop special with mushrooms, root veggies and a beure rouge; my friend had a delicious salmon entree.”
  18. “Amazing food and wonderful space!”
  19. “The cocktails are large (and expensive) and the food portions are reasonable for the price.”
  20. “We tried some of the local favs and particularly loved the sweet corn risotto, the 10k tuna and the lamb.”
  21. “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.”
  22. “The crab cakes are excellent as is the burger and fries and the eggs bennedict are also good.”
  23. “Great service, superb ambiance and delicious food!”
  24. “From the attentive service, the incredible food (we had steaks, and the best calmari we've ever had), right down to the dessert (they have a great sampler if you can't decide!)”
  25. “All things considered, however, given its excellent food, great experience, and surprisingly reasonable prices, Union has to be considered one of Boston's best restaurants.”
  26. “The waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, the food was prepared nicely with amazing flavor and the atmosphere created a romantic yet inviting experience.”
  27. “After you order, the waiter brings out a small cast iron skillet with fresh corn bread - SO YUMMY!”
  28. “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.”
  29. “Yummy food, EXCELLENT drinks, and flawless service.”
  30. “went there during Restaurant Week and had a good meal, but went back for Sunday brunch and didn't like the food or se.”
  31. “My smoked salmon scrambled eggs stayed hot throughout the meal and the potatoes were great.”
  32. “The bread is outstanding, hot, cooked for each table.”
  33. “The food is always tasty as well as their cocktails.”
  34. “The corn bread that they serve in a iron skillet is very, very good and a nice way to start the meal.”
  35. “Despite our best efforts to diversify, everything we ate had a similar spicy flavor.”
  36. “We had a fantastic meal.”
  37. “Best bacon cheeseburger around.”
  38. “Overall, if you are a foodie and looking for a terrific meal, you're better of going elsewhere.”
  39. “had a delicious, although rather pricey meal meal one night.”
  40. “The food is sumptuous, the cocktails magnificent, the wine list is quite good but above all the service is just unbelievably good.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “We especially loved the interesting cocktail menu and the wine selection.”
  2. “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.”
  3. “Only a few small issues might have made the experience even better; for one, the yellowtail flounder, while just as delicious as the other fish options on the menu, comes in a portion far smaller than do the $10K tuna or the salmon; and, while the dessert”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is probably my favorite restaurant in the South End.”
  2. “Simply my favorite restaurant in Boston”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Food was good (not great) - although promising, I will definitely go back to try it agian.”
service
96.87999725341797% positive
  1. “The food is sumptuous, the cocktails magnificent, the wine list is quite good but above all the service is just unbelievably good.”
  2. “Great service, superb ambiance and delicious food!”
  3. “Great service, great atmosphere, and the food was incredible.”
  4. “Great setting, attentive and polite service (not focused on rushing things along, contrary to the review in the Improper), good values for exquisitely prepared and delicious food.”
  5. “After you order, the waiter brings out a small cast iron skillet with fresh corn bread - SO YUMMY!”
  6. “The waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, the food was prepared nicely with amazing flavor and the atmosphere created a romantic yet inviting experience.”
  7. “The room is beautiful, as is the bar, and the waitstaff is super friendly.”
  8. “After a wonderful meal and service I can see why they are packed.”
  9. “The waitstaff was very attentive and provided great, nondisruptive service.”
  10. “Great wine list,attentive service by multiple staff members and nice people-watching.”
  11. “Additionally, the wine service was impeccable.”
  12. “Unlike other "trendy" restaurants fellow customers were extremely friendly and at no time did we feel like we didn't belong.”
  13. “Yummy food, EXCELLENT drinks, and flawless service.”
  14. “have to say the service was EXCELLENT.”
  15. “greatly appreciated the Union staff for taking such great care of us.”
  16. “The food is always tasty and approachable, the staff amiable and polite and our greeting at the front door warm and friendly.”
  17. “Great decor, nice wait staff and the food was delicious.”
  18. “Our waitress was very friendly, but sort of dissapeared after we got our meal.”
  19. “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.”
  20. “Union is always my suggestion when people are looking to enjoy a nice dinner.”
  21. “I've been there at least 5 times and each time had a different server who was just perfect - so much so that I had no qualms about tipping at least 30% each time.”
  22. “Union provided a great dining experience -- impressive food, decor and service.”
  23. “From the attentive service, the incredible food (we had steaks, and the best calmari we've ever had), right down to the dessert (they have a great sampler if you can't decide!)”
  24. “Our server was very pleasant made wonderful recommendations which we all enjoyed.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Great setting, attentive and polite service (not focused on rushing things along, contrary to the review in the Improper), good values for exquisitely prepared and delicious food.”
  2. “went to Washington Street to try to do some Christmas shopping and found the store were way too expensive.”
  3. “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.”
  4. “All things considered, however, given its excellent food, great experience, and surprisingly reasonable prices, Union has to be considered one of Boston's best restaurants.”
  5. “highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is willing to meet the price range!”
  6. “had a delicious, although rather pricey meal meal one night.”
  7. “came back with friends in August for a 3 course price fixed meal which was horrible.”
  8. “good, affordable and reliable brunch”
  9. “The cocktails are large (and expensive) and the food portions are reasonable for the price.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “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.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/06/10

Great place for brunch!

by celeste s at Citysearch

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/05/08

Get 10K Tuna for less than 30 bucks!

by jinkitee at Citysearch

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
2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/10/08

same old same old

by Timothy56 at Citysearch

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.

Enough with the 10K tuna, and fried calamari, and does the buyer know of any other sausage besides chorizo?

Desserts have gone down hill, and the over all atmosphere has become pretentious.

Woods was great with the old Metropolis and original Aquataine, he needs to do something on his own again.Less time with his publicist and more time cooking and creating with his staff.

  • Pros: Knowledgable and friendly staff
  • Cons: Stagnant menu
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/25/08

Scrumptious Meal

by dms1976 at Citysearch

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
3 Star Rating: Average

12/11/07

Not great. Not terrible.

by palazzino at Citysearch

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.

The Details on Union Bar & Grille

Place Categories:

  • good the food
  • great service
  • great dining experience
  • terrific meal
  • polite wait staff
  • favorite restaurant
  • affordable brunch
  • truly enjoyed great atmosphere
  • great decor
  • outstanding corn bread
  • favorite place
  • wonderful everything
  • great new spot
  • recommend highly
  • nice setting
  • very friendly waitress
  • great recommendations
  • especially loved interesting cocktail menu
  • very attentive waitstaff
  • knowledgeable waiter
  • great ambiance
  • mediocre banana cream pie
  • nice dinner
  • mediocre speciality desert
  • amazing flavor
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