Radius

Recommends

rushrush

Joined 7 years ago

Major Disappointment and Expensive. I recently decided to try Radius again as it had been a few years since I last dined there.

Both the service and the food were less to be desired. Dinner for two with wine cost close to $200. The restaurant has been open for close to 8 years (or more?_ and you can see the age in some of the decor and the wear and tear of the restaurant and some of the staff. Perhaps we were there on an exceptional night but I disagree with the recent review the restaurant received. Perhaps it is because I wasn't a recognized food reviewer. I will not hurry to return.

Recommends

runner0382

Joined 8 years ago

Substance AND Swankiness. I have to admit, eating at this restaurant as one of a party of three was a leap of faith, even moreso after entering the door. All too often in the restaurant industry these days (especially in Los Angeles and New York), the newest and hottest places just don't deliver the goods. Radius impressed in every way possible in a contemporary environment without any attitude.

We all chose to have the tasting menu without wine pairings and it was a delight. Their tasting menu is "blind" in that one does not know the next course and they are presented at your table right after plating. Starting off with hawaiian grouper sushi with ponzu and kumquats to fennel-encrusted halibut over caramlized onions with a small bit of orange reduction to perfectly-cooked lamb, a cheese course, and finishing with surprisingly inventive (and fantastic) desserts, this meal rates as one of the most interesting and outstanding dining experiences in quite a long time.

Everything was cooked to perfection including our vegetarian's Meyer lemon glazed salmon substituted during our lamb course. The desserts deserve a bit of mention - the special carrot cake for the night - dense, with just a hint of sweetness - with pickled carrots, mascarpone cream and chopped almonds was a fantastic pairing of flavours, but the handmade ice cream, chocolate cake (I'm not a chocolate-lover) and goat cheese cheescake were highly enjoyable, not overly rich by any stretch of the imagination, inventive, and fun.

The only downside to the evening would honestly be the portions! While I have often come away from various tasting menus still hungry, Radius' portions were a bit too large and we ended the meal engorged. This may be our doing - omit the optional cheese course and for the average eater, the four course size should be perfect.

Like my Los Angeles Valentino review from this evening, service here was as good as service can be - napkins were folded and/or replaced upon returning to the table, recommendations/ommissions/substitutions handled with grace and professionalism, and presentation of the dishes was confident but not gladhanded.

The proof's in the pudding, so the cliche goes, and the food here was a delight - for what we received, one would be hard-pressed to find a better meal. Each course was memorable in its own right, and while a bit random (except for the repeated use of micro greens and kumquat), it provided great, albeit expensive, experience to remember.

Recommends

ontime

Joined 7 years ago

User review by ontime. We experienced very slow bar service on the night we were there before sitting in the dining room. We had a waiter who had some attitude. I prefer the food and service at No. 9 Park.

Recommends

culinarian4398

Joined 7 years ago

great food, phenomenal service. The food here was pretty good. I was impressed that venison was offered, but our table had the tasting menu on this occasion as the other people I was with preferred. The tasting was a little heavy on fish, but overall the flavors were nicely complex without being too fussy.

The atmosphere is very clean and refined feeling but too stark to be called warm and inviting.

Our server, however, made up for it with a very genuinely friendly and gracious demeanor. He took time to discuss the tasting menu and a number of dishes with us. Service throughout the meal was fantastic--there when we needed something, watchful but unobtrusive otherwise. I wish I had caught his name so we could request him when we go back. He had big black-rim glasses and mentioned that he was from Texas.

I'll be back for the venison and the service!

Recommends

10125

Joined 7 years ago

Delectable food, impeccable service. 2nd time there - loved it! Must say that it's the best service I've ever had in a Boston restaurant. The staffs are willing to bend over backwards to please you. Trendy but not over the top with loud background music and such. Great place to take one's time to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Not recommended for a quick bite as food could take a while to prepare. Pricey but that comes with the territory given the high quality of food and service. Overall highly recommended!

Recommends

sgourmandp

Joined 10 years ago

Still a Winner But Could be better. I love the chef at Radius, but it is clear he is not there that often and his menu shows it. It was daring and innovative at first and now others in town have followed his lead. There is no doubt the restaurant has the best service and ambience the city has to offer and many other restaurants could and should set the bar as high. Chef Schlow is a master at bringing out the best of flavors and I just wish he would come back to the kitchen to remind of us his talent.

Recommends

justanoldman

Joined 8 years ago

Missed the "hype" in all areas. I was really looking forward to a special Saturday out. Radius' rep had set my expectations very high. Sadly they missed on almost every point. The drinks were at best so so (pineapple in a french martini?) The wine list was limited and not up to the hype. The service was adequate for this price point but slow and inattentive. Over fifteen minutes to get a first drink. My lamb was NOTHING special, nor was the seafood soup. Good points. The salad was superb. Excellent breads and my appetizer was quite good. All in all I was disappointed, very disappointed. Neither I nor my companion will be going back anytime soon.

Recommends

mcotler

Joined 8 years ago

My Favorite Place!!!!. This is the spot that you go to for any special occasion or for no special reason at all. I have lived in Boston for 7 years and have designated radius as the place I go to celebrate something important....an anniversary...graduation...birthday...etc. The service...food...ambience...and flare is like no other in Boston. There is alot of attention to detail and it's a one of a kind place. I can't imagine going there and not having the most incredible evening! It's the kind of place that you can order ANYTHING on the menu and not be disappointed. Get an apple martini it's the bomb!

Recommends

cw0902

Joined 8 years ago

great decor, yucky food. ive been to almost all the top restaurants in boston - and this one is so not worth the $. everything was bad, from appetizer, entree to dessert - YUCKKKK. i was so dissapointed.

Doesn't Recommend

kspindle

Joined 8 years ago

Not what you might think.... I was looking forward to my lunch at Radius during restaurant week. I have heard they are well known for Vegetarian fare, so I had high expectations. I was impressed with the service, but the food was a big dissapointment. The corn soup was bland and lukewarm, although the presentation was unique. The salmon did not taste fresh and the consistency was actually a little slimy. The blueberries in the angel food cake dessert still had stems, and had obviously not been cleaned. Defintely not worth the price or hype!