The Biltmore Bar and Grille

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Linda Clark

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Consider the Biltmore a neighborhood-centric joint that’s inarguably historic (it opened in 1921), yet thoroughly progressive. Fitttingly apt for a Prohibition-era establishment, bygone ephemera like petrol pumps, product ads and cocktail memorabilia canvas tobacco-brown walls. The menu is studded with familiar, comforting pub-grub classics, like huge De Agave organic chicken wings slathered in a spicy tequila infused sauce (hence the name) and served with Great Hill blue cheese from western Massachusetts. The menu boasts organically raised fowl and meats and plenty of local produce. Breads are sourced from a nearby Needham family bakery, too.

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BostonBurgerBlog

Joined 3 years ago

good suburban food. Based on a friend's recommendation, our quest begins with The Biltmore, an-upscale pub of sorts that prides itself on using mostly local ingredients, which I love and value very much as a local chef. Why local? To avoid any prolonged rant, I'll simply say food tastes better when it travels a shorter distance, not to mention the environmental benefits and support for local farms and purveyors. Back to the burgers. In consideration of starting this blog, we didn't want to make this a full on restaurant review, sure certain aspects would affect the rating (service, atmosphere, value, etc.) but this search is all about the burger, and ultimately the best tasting burger will prevail. The intangibles for The Biltmore were solid, great setting, clean, and quiet, a place you'd want to eat. The service was adequate, we'll leave it at that. Since there were three of us, we decided to sample the three burger options on the menu. (sorry, but veggie and turkey don't cut it, this site is all about the beef) We equally divided the Biltmore Burger, (with crispy onion strings, gruyere and a house-made Bistro sauce) The Au Poive Burger (peppercorn crust, portobello demi, and boursin cheese) and the Royale with cheese. (fried egg, cheddar, applewood bacon)

Let's start with the Biltmore Burger: Great beef flavor, enjoyed the Bistro sauce, very juicy. On the downside, the crispy onions were anything but, as they became soggy from too much sauce. The bread to burger ratio was okay, in my mind the perfect burger becomes one with the bun, the brioche bun on all the burgers was a bit too much, possibly a little on the stale side as well.

On to the Au Poive, and I realize that pepper is the main ingredient here, but it probably could have benefited from a little pre-toasting, as the pepper completely overpowered the rest of the burger, too much raw pepper here. There was supposedly a mushroom demi here, but there was no such mushroom flavor whatsoever. Again, very juicy, like a burger should be, but not perfectly executed by any means.

Finally the Royale with cheese, which I was most excited about. This was the only burger where I could actually taste the cheese, which isn't a knock on the others because I didn't totally miss it, but still. I love the idea of a fried egg, but if you're not going to serve to yolk runny, why bother, and no, that's not just a personal preference, the whole point of serving a fried egg on a burger is to have to runny, yolky goodness and add another level of fat and flavor to the beef. Once again, great idea, poor execution.

I also have to mention the perfection that were the french fries. Perfectly cooked, crispy and salty, the way they should be. Overall, the burgers were solid, great beef flavor (from John Dewar) and very very tasty. But they missed the mark with the add-ons. While they sounded great on paper, most of the toppings failed to deliver, notably the portobello demi, fried egg and soggy onions and bacon. They could have been seasoned a bit better and all three were slightly over-cooked. The Biltmore may be more successful by simplifying, we may be hard pressed to find better tasting beef and juicier burgers, and at $20 per person it's more on the expensive side. The search will continue.

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Banna 123

Joined 3 years ago

Love this place. Adore this place. Service has always been tops. Beer selection on tap is VERY extensive - in a delicious way. Mixed drinks are scrumptious as well. Love the food especially the mac & cheese.

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karpaydm

Joined 3 years ago

My Favorite Bar. I love the Biltmore. Every time I go I am amazed at how great their food is, whether it be a pub burger, apps, or a special. The staff is as friendly as can be and the beer selection is one of the best around. Since the remodel earlier this year the main bar room is great, with numerous TVs, great music (live and/or jukebox), and fun crowds.

I highly recommend the Biltmore Bar and Grille.

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Locadanil

Joined 3 years ago

SOOOOO GOOOOODDD!!! YUM. I showed up "not too hungary" but ended up eating about 3 different things as the menu looked so appetizing. I stuffed myself because it was all so tasty. I was excited to have an opportunity to to try many different beers and it was helpful that my bartender REALLY knew her stuff and was able to make suggestions based on what I normally drink. Overall this place ROCKS!

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shipmanbirds

Joined 3 years ago

Best Food and Drink of the New Year. The food, drink, and service are amazing. We were happy with all of our dinner choices. The calamari, burgers, and hog wings were all excellent. The best part was the bees knees cocktail I got from the best bartender. She made such terrific drinks that I am home now trying to replicate it. You have to try the bees knees!!

Doesn't Recommend

1aquamaureen

Joined 4 years ago

Horrible. I wasn't familar with this place. on the sign it says a neighborhood family restaurant. My daughter husband and I went for an early dinner. My daughter wanted a cup of chowder. They brought it to her in a coffee mug that said "I LOVE INTERCOURSE, PA". Unfortunately the PA was in tiny writing and the I love Intercourse in huge letters. Completely inappropriate and disgusting. Also, the price for this miserable experience was outrageous.

Doesn't Recommend

bettyboop1

Joined 4 years ago

Don't waste your money. We have been there a couple of times and not only is the food not great, service stinks; we were actually seated after 9:00 for the entertainment and asked by the person seating us if we were going to be eating and we said no and then she sat us. Then the manager guy comes up and says if we are not eating than we cannot sit there. So we ordered something just to keep the seats. But we have eaten there a couple of times and the food is just awful, the only good thing is the cheesburger. Pricing is outrageous and it is just not the right atmosphere for that location. I think they are trying to be Newbury Street in Newton. Think again !! That is why The Biltmore or "Daddys" did so well there for 50 some odd years !!

Doesn't Recommend

YFK

Joined 4 years ago

TERRIBLE service, below average meal. I had an unpleasant experience with my family at this restaurant yesterday - which was a Sunday. My mother-in-law took us to dinner with my husband and three children. We walked in at 5 pm and were the first group seated in their back room. We ordered and then waited.... and waited. Three other groups were served before we were. When we asked why so long, the waitress told me :"you ordered the roast chicken and that generally takes from 25-30 minutes to prepare." I said if "I had known that I never would have ordered that - we have three small children with us". I asked her to please bring out the rest of the food, not to hold it all up for my order. She offered no apology, instead implying that I should have known that my chicken would have taken that long! The childrens' ravioli came out at 5:45 and then mine at 6. It was underdone, even! Then she had the audacity to include a 20% gratuity b/c it was a party of 6!!!! (3 adults and 3 children). She was not only a poor waitress (and I used to be one) she was sneaky too! In hindsight, I should have insisted that my mother-in-law not pay the gratuity. I spoke to the manager who was apologetic but offered nothing. We left soon after that. We live less than 10 minutes away so it is a shame that we will not be returning. It is DEFINITELY not worth it.