Hamersley's Bistro
Boston, MA 02116-6306
Phone: (617) 423-2700
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Clarendon Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm
Editorial Review for Hamersley's Bistro – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
The Hamersleys' labor of love--Gordon is the chef, Fiona the sommelier--combines a French country environment with award-winning cuisine to yield the city's classiest (and priciest) bistro experience. Foodies travel great lengths to sit in the comfy dining room and feast on Gordon's nationally renowned roast chicken, while locals looking for a slightly more casual experience grab a seat in the intimate bar or outdoor patio to share an appetizer or dessert.
The Food
Most of Hamersley's hearty, rustic dishes feature seasonal, local ingredients. The bustling open kitchen churns out an astounding number of chickens--rare is the first-time diner that skips the immensely moist and flavorful bird in favor of crispy duck confit or a grilled quail appetizer that's served with lentil salad and a curried peach. Desserts, including a light lemon custard souffle, are also excellent.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoReservations are essential and should be made well in advance. Or cross your fingers that you'll arrive in time to snag one of the few walk-in tables.
ParkingOn most nights, a search for a nearby parking space leaves you cursing the South End. Use the ($12) valet service instead.
User Reviews for Hamersley's Bistro
05/22/2008 Posted by foodiegirl31
I listened to the hype and dined on the patio at Hamersley's last summer for the 1st time. I found it to be ok but not great. I have since given it 5 more tries to see if it can redeem itself as I now live around the corner from the restaurant. How thrilled I am that all 5 times I have been impressed. I have dined in the bar, on the patio, in the restaurant and have yet to be disappointed. The bartenders are wonderful, the waitstaff is so incredibly professional and the food is executed perfectly. Yes, the prices may be a tad high but if that is the only thing working against this place....long live Hamersley's!
Pros: Food, decor, ambiance, SERVICE
Cons: Price, parking, potentially long waiting list
11/20/2007 Posted by cookwithoutakitchen
I found Hamersley’s bistro to be a vexing and confusing experience. It seems to me that the restaurant is torn between reality and aspiration. Hamersley’s, by all outward appearances and advertisements, aspires to be a four or five star restaurant. In reality it falls well short of this goal on a number of fronts. Upon entrance last Friday night the girls at the door presented themselves as indifferent to our arrival and after informing them of our reservation they seemed generally confused about what the next step was. Our waiter seemed similarly unwelcoming and confused, as a simple wine question took 20 minutes to answer. It should be noted that the wine list is entirely uninspired and doesn’t contain anything you can’t buy on your own so this might not be a focus there. I will say that the food was solid; the kitchen is technically proficient and provided us with above average fare. It is unfortunate that it gets hidden behind the service and general demeanor of the staff. All in all Hamersley’s is a good restaurant, and one worth visiting. But don’t look for an experience that will make you want to move to Boston, a decent restaurant in Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, etc. would be a better use of $200 per couple.
Pros: the food is solid but not amazing
Cons: Wine List
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