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(617) 262-3023
774 Boylston St
(Fairfield Street)
Boston,
MA
02199
42.3488
-71.0814
Neighborhoods: Prudential / St. Botolph, Back Bay
What People Are Saying About L'Espalier
The Editor
Christine Liu
Citysearch
One of Boston's most storied establishments for immaculate, no-holds-barred high-end dining at its former location on Gloucester Street, L'Espalier mesmerizes diners anew in its second location in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Chef Frank McClelland ringeads everything from "seasonal degustations" to prix-fixe lunches, all sporting fresh and luxurious local ingredients. The cheese program, led by Louis Risoli, is unparalleled in the city and is not to be missed be anyone who can remotely tolerate lactose. The lounge-like, cushy-chaired salon is an ideal perch to look out onto the street with a…
09/06/09
Nice ambience but doesn't live up to the expectation
by sparrowwithabell at Citysearch
We went in a group of 3. Service was reasonably good, the space/ambience made us feel comfortable. Choices of menu, there is cheap, medium, expensive choice, but unless you can persuade all your parties to go for the next 2 levels, you are not allowed to order it which I find a bit unpleasant.
The food in general is good, some interesting ingredients and creative ways of cooking, but it doesn't live up to the *wow* expectation.
The drinks are reasonable and not overly over-priced.
I think for duck, cheaper cut of tenderloin, striped bass, not matter how you prepare them, it's just doesn't worth the price they charge ... somehow I think I'm better off for e.g. Kobe beef or first grade sashimi in OIshii.
- Pros: Nice ambience, food is reasonably creative
- Cons: Not quite worth the money
The Details on L'Espalier
When to Go:
Contact the restaurant to learn about its weekly "Wine Monday" and monthly "Cheese Tuesday" schedules. Both novices and experts enjoy the events, which focus on a particular season, region or varietal.
Know Before You Go:
Everyone at a table must agree on either a la carte or degustation menus, but tasting-menu diners are free to substitute courses from the standard menu.
Parking:
With area parking scarce, the majority of patrons use the restaurant's valet service ($17).
