Locke-Ober

03/07/2008 Posted by MattBray

Yesterday my wife and I went to Locke Ober. It was magical. We walked in and were immediatly taken care of. The beautiful coat girl took our coats, the Maitre D' escorted us inside the main dining room to the most beautiful table. I had never seen such a magestic old Boston venue. The atmosphere was perfect! My wife and I enjoyed some Cabernet Sauvignon while the waiters addressed our every need. I ordered the Steak with Calamari, while the wife dinned had the Veal - And they both were cooked to perfection. And then for dessert we had flamming baked alaska. OMG!!! My wife and I went back home and celebrated our romantic evening. Believe the hype - this place is 5 star quality. Ive been around the world and I have yet to visit a restuarant so magical.

Pros: Everything!

Cons: It ended too quickly

12/04/2007 Posted by mrrocki

You can't get more "old Boston" than this downtown dowager located off an alley near Downtown Crossing. The glass and woodwork is magnificent, the real essence of turn-of-the-century Boston. Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream). The wine list is extensive and expensive (as in many fine restaurants). As for the food, there is no excuse for some of the sky-high prices for entrees that are often rather mediocre. If they would lighten up some of the dishes and better train the staff this would be an excellent restaurant. As it is, it is a one-time visit ... then try some of Boston's truly great restaurants.

Pros: A great room

Cons: Overpriced and over-righ food

06/11/2007 Posted by aajay

Correction to the review below. My computer screen was partially covered when I originally filled it out and I meant to give "highly recommended" to most attributes. Sorry. My memory of my one time at Locke-Ober. My friend and I had come into the city to shop and I had brought a small rolling suitcase to carry home my purchases. We were little old ladies in sensible shoes and respectable outfits. We had meant to go to Maison Robert but on an impulse decided on the famous Locke-Ober. The gentleman receptionist greeted us politely (we expected to be told there were no empty tables) and offered to check my suitcase. He almost concealed his surprise as he lifted it and obviously realized it was empty. We speculated that he might have thought we were after the silver. Anyway, everyone was very kind and polite. I felt I got my own back when the expensive item on the menu which I ordered was not available. However the roast beef hash was excellent. The wall-to wall silver on the buffet was impressive and we were treated like "grandes-dames"

Pros: Great food, considerate service

Cons: Expensive, once in a lifetime experience

03/24/2007 Posted by secondofficer

It is always amusing, instructive and even pleasing to read a negative review of a place one loves. THose of us who are Locke-Ober devoteees don't mind calumny hurled at the old girl but we of course want the place to do well else it be closed. What amuses is the extent to which someone can miss the point of the place. Of course, it is sad if someone has been rudely treated but experience shows that often(not always) the treatement has been coaxed out of the staff. Two sad trends have developed in Restaurant Reviews: the first is the resentment of dress codes. Denim of any kind should not be allowed in any restaurant of merit nor should pants suits, leisure suits or other abominations. respect for the older places and the people around one are important(As Grace Kelly rebuked her daughhter's dress one day, "_I_ have to _look_ at you.") A little self-respect and respect for the place goes a very, very long way. The second problem is the complaint that an old restaurant is not exciting, or serving, as we have learned to say, "cutting edge" food or, more bloviatedly, "cuisine>" Locke-Ober serves its traditional fare and some dressed up items that Shire has wisely put on the menu to compete. One goes there for continuity and cream---and butter. Shad Roe were magnificent there last trip, the salads were nice if a little frou-frouy. THe place should not be condemened for not being something. And try the steak tartare...not as of yore (would that it were...it was a great pile of chopped ,meat with all the goodies..now it is a smaller, streamlined version but still excellent.) Coffee is nothing to scream about, though, at least not to aging New Orleanians outside their hunting grounds.

Pros: Tradition, elegance, rich, straightforward food

Cons: Patrons who don;' behave

03/14/2007 Posted by kammal

We had a reservation at L.Ober for a business dinner with an international client. Upon arrival we were told 2 of the people in our party would not be allowed to enter the main d.room because they were wearing denim; even though they were also wearing blazers and dress shoes with a very tasteful pair of denim pants. And we were not given any dress requirement upon making the reservations. The hostess told our clients they could go home and change, they explained home was far away so then the hostess tells them there is a store around the corner and they can go "buy a pair of pants". We were offered the lounge area for seating, which we took since we did not think it would be possible to wait less than an hour anywhere else. In an effort to try and salvage the evening we ordered a very nice and expensive bottle of wine for our guests. Rather than decant the bottle at the table, it was taken away and brought back to the table already out of the bottle. When we asked to see the manager, we were told to leave. When we tried to explain to the manager that a bottle of wine should be decanted at the table, we were again told to leave. The staff was rude and obnoxious from the moment we walked in, with no respect for anyone in our party. An indivdual in our party was charged for the bottle of wine that we never drank, and he was told by the manager the very nice bottle of wine would be enjoyed by the staff at his expense. Fortunately, we found a great restaurant near Copley Square called Abe&Louies. The staff was unbelievably pleasant and although they were full with reservations, they accomodated us the next night for a last minute reservation for another business dinner of 9 people (since we cancelled our 2nd reservation at L.Ober due to our experience that night). After our experience it was no wonder the d.room of L.Ober was fairly empty and the dining room of Abe&Louies was full.

02/22/2007 Posted by jkevinm80

In the early 1970's, while a student at Boston College, I developed a personal tradition of going to Locke-Ober's oince per year, by myself, as an elegant treat. I would save my money all year to make this pilgrimage. Later, after I married, I introduced my wife to the wonderful amibience and food that made Locke-Ober one of my most consistent stops when in Boston. Through the 80's, though the food failed somewhat, the atmosphere and service made the trip worthwhile. I have not been able to visit for at least 10 years, but this editorial and my advancing years, have made a trip to this restaurant a firm target for 2007. It sounds as though the new staff has restored a terrific experience and I look forward to visiting in the near future to see if all is as wonderful as I remember.

Pros: WOnderful for that once a year outing

Cons: Bring your second mortgage or Money Market cards

02/17/2007 Posted by jactu

My fiance and I had dinner here recently and it was WONDERFUL! The restaurant is gorgeous. It takes you back into time a bit and is a nice refreshing change from all the other restaurants in town. The service was impeccable and the food was out of this world! It is warm and very comfortable inside too. Locke Ober is a true gem in Boston.

Pros: Service, Food, Wine, Valet, Gorgeous Restaurant...

11/15/2006 Posted by ojoyal

Now.. I never do this but.....I went to Locke ober and I experienced ..or had the pleasure to watch and be served(?) by one of the greats....really I found out her name by asking the couple next to me.. Carah ....(they spelled it) A bartender like it should be done.....this gal knows her stuff...and it is an art....wonderful to watch...a pleasure.....How many nights do you just go out and order a drink? Don't ... go here when she is working an order something classic,enjoy it, and remember what having a cocktail is all about.........truly a joy....

Pros: carah

02/08/2006 Posted by 330xidriver

Among the posh and stuffy dining room, the service was not in your face which is a plus for this type of establishment, the waiter had provided us with the right answers to the questions with not much detail, but enough. The food has remained classic while having sort of an asian twist to it...which was really suprising. The lobster savannah is still worth the $62...wine overpriced, but goes along with the feel of the whole restaurant. Basically if you wanna spend alot of money, look fabulous doing it, eat fabulous things this is one of teh best places to do it in boston.

Pros: Menu, service, Valet parking

Cons: dessert, expensive, location

11/15/2005 Posted by boadicea2

Reception staff lacks manners. Granddaughters dressed formally for lunch---unfortunately, one had misplaced her shoes, wore sneakers with her suit. The female receptionist whispered to the Maitre' D-- a rudeness itself to whisper in front of guests-- sneakers. He, with delight, told us we would not be permitted in DR bc of sneakers. He offered us places in the lounge, by the bar crowd. BC of our granddaughter, who was on the verge of tears because she saw herself at fault, we accepted. (Woman Bartender was GREAT.) Leaving, I noted 4 adults leave the formal DR with SNEAKERS on. I can only think your reception staff does not like children, not even civilized children;does not know good judgment; needs instruction on the fundamentals of courtesy/good business. Lastly, your bartender should be running the reception desk; the well-suited duo should be put back in the kitchen, washing the dishes. B

Pros: The Bartender

Cons: Impolite Receptionist