Lala Rokh

03/22/09

Very disappointing

by josef617 at Citysearch

The food was good, but the overall experience was lacking - particularly given the cost.

It took more than 20 mins to leave my car with the valet (a requirement on Beacon Hill) - at one point, cars were stacked 4 deep on Charles St. The management didn't seem to care.

At one point, the owner actually yelled at some of us in our party (5 couples - check over $800) when we questioned the bill.

Good to see they don't care about repeat business in this economy. We won't be going back to Lala Rokh.

• Pros: Food was unique and good
• Cons: valet parking took forever, service/management poor

09/10/08

Some interesting dishes

by scottieb3 at Citysearch

I liked Lala Rokh, but didn't find it out of this world as some other reviewers claim. First off, the food was decent but not sensational. I had game hen, and it was cooked well but a tad dry. The grilled vegetables stole the show actually, I normally avoid most vegetables, but here I cleaned them off my plate and the plates of some of my dining companions. The service was decent, we seemed to have every waiter at some point during our meal. This sounds nice (who hasn't sat in a restaurant wondering if they'll ever get to place an order?) but it become a tad obnoxious when we had to turn down dessert three times and wait for the RIGHT waiter to place an order. As for atmosphere, the restaurant was cozy and comforting, despite it's location it was more trendy than quaint. As tourist, it took some helpful directions from a random Bostonian to find the place.

I'd go back, but not before trying a number of other Boston suggestions first. And definitely order something different.

• Pros: Simple atmosphere, constant service
• Cons: A little overhyped

07/14/08

A whole new experience for the palate

by delacuadra at Citysearch

My experience at Lala Rokh was exceptional. I went with my husband to celebrate our first anniversary. We were going for the weekend to Boston and it was hard to decide were to go for a special dinner. The idea of Persian food on Beacon Hill sounded very good to me and it was really more that we both expected. To start the atmosphere was very "tranquil" and sober, and at the same time romantic and relaxed. Service was excellent too. They were very efficient, gave us good descriptions about the food and advice in what to order. The food was very different, tasty and aromatic, a whole new experience for the palate. I recommend it a 100% and will be taking friends and going back because I defintely want to try their whole menu. Can't go without trying the "Fezenjen".

• Pros: Good location, nice athmosfere, great service, delicious food
• Cons: Being a small place I think is best to make reservations to avoid waiting

06/21/08

Wow was this place bad

by tobiasfunke at Citysearch

I typically love this type of food, but not this place. Wow was it bad. Everything was overcooked. Their attempt at subtle flavors actually means flavorless food. Service may have been the worst I've ever had at a higher end restaurant in Boston. People talk about this place like it's something special. My guess is they've never actually had good persian food, because this was NOT it. I could go on but what's the point? Trust me, I know good food. This is not it. Don't go here, ever.

• Pros: ???
• Cons: Bad meal, Bad service, Bad ambience, Overpriced....but otherwise terrific

12/27/07

Overrated

by hartzdog at Citysearch

The food they serve is generally bland - not what I expect when patronizing a middle eastern restaurant - and often overcooked. The ambiance is below average; too many families with kids really detract from the atmosphere. And let's be honest, the restaurant's interior is just plain ugly. At these prices there are many, many other places at which one can have a better meal in a better location.

• Pros: Average service
• Cons: Bland food, poor atmosphere

12/26/07

This Place Sucked!

by daberk at Citysearch

I am not going to write a long drawn out review, but this place sucked. Simply put - the service was terrible, the food was overpriced and the decor was lame. There is nothing that I found there that I couldn't find at a food stand. There are lots of other choices in around Boston to go to.

09/27/07

You have to try this

by farid1222 at Citysearch

I have been coming to this restaurant since it opened a dozen years ago and continue to be astonished by the quality of the food. It's the only restaurant to offer the entire range of Persian cuisine (other Iranian restaurants, particularly in California--just as in Iran itself--only serve kebabs with one or two additional dishes). The food is extremely subtle, the original "slow food," made with an array of herbs and spices many of which are not available outside of Iran. The cuisines of Armenia and Aghanistan, both of which are essentially provincial Persian cooking, have much less complexity and sophistication then this food, especially since the family which owns the restaurant hails from Azerbaijan, the main seat of royal Iranian cooking of the last thousand years. Having travelled extensively in that part of the world for the past 25 years I know of no better place than this to experience authentic home-cooking of one of the oldest cuisines in the world, surrounded by an incredible collection of original, museum-quality Persian art. The knowledgeable staff makes it easy to become familiar with an unfamiliar cuisine: it's definitely worth the experiment if you don't know it already. And if you are familiar with it, you'll love it. Amazing!

• Pros: Everything about it is great
• Cons: Not sure what to say

09/21/07

Take it from a Persian... great!!!!!

by mghazimo at Citysearch

I am honestly surprised to see anything but positive reviews! I lived in Boston for about 6 years and went to La La Rokh (no joke), close to 50 times. Seriously, I estimated this once. I always appreciate good Persian food and I have to say - La La Rokh has an amazing selection on their menu. They don't fall into the trap that many persian places do by just offering say, kababs. They have so much on their menu to truly give a good overall idea of persian food. The taste - I think out of the 50 times I went there, there was only ONE night that did not meet my expectations. The others were fabulous. Always tasty, they don't make the dishes bland like a lot of other places tend to do. Everything from their appetizers (I love the Mirza Ghasemi), to the main dishes (Morgh and Ghormeh Sabzi being my faves) are incredible. And dessert of course! They just got their full liquor license a couple years back and so that has been a nice addition as well. I've always gotten the warmest welcome, as have all my friends who have accompanied me.

Also the atmosphere is great! It looks smaller and quaint (and it is), but it actually has a few rooms tucked away. :-) I definitely miss it... it's the next best thing to my mom's home made dishes.

• Pros: TASTY food, variety on the menu, friendly service, great atmosphere
• Cons: I really can't think of any?

05/05/07

Overrated

by lolo64 at Citysearch

I've heard so much about this place and I've been craving persian food for a while--so my friends and I were very excited. The eggplant appetizer was very good and flavorful. The same with the saffron ice cream.

The entrees were good, but not amazing.

The place was also a bit too swanky and $$ for what it was.

Have defnitely had much much better persian food....but I guess this is how Beacon Hill does ethnic.

• Pros: Decent Food
• Cons: paying too much for what it is

01/01/07

bland, unimaginative food--HORRIBLE service

by dewey24 at Citysearch

How people think this is a good restaurant is beyond me. Among the worst dining experiences of my life, and I eat out a lot. Where to begin? First of all, food just isn't very good....bland and boring.....heard such good things but this place is WAY OVERATED. Amazingly -the bland food was the best part of my meal. Ambience is terrible....a dank windowless basement. I've also never been in a restaurant that seemed to care less about it's customers. Hostess/Manager was rude on the phone and in person. People all around us were being rushed to order and leave. Entrees were brought out while people were still eating salad...bussers kept trying to take people's plates while there were still food on them. Our waiter was AWFUL....kept checking his watch all night, and was doing sidework while we were wating for stuff to be brought out. Shrimp app was bland - shrimp were puny, and chewy. Lamb was tough and flavorless, like there wasn't once spice added...hello??? try some salt maybe. Ordered medium rare - came out med-well. told the waiter and he suggested that I try eating it the way it was. After some serious eye rolling - he took the food back - and brought out another order that was completely cooked through. When I told him about it - he asked me if i wanted to wrap it up and take home. Manager never came by at any point in the meal. I was charged for the Lamb. Have two Iranian friends who told me that this was barely passable persian food. Ignored their warnings, and went anyway. Never again!!!

• Pros: i didn't get sick
• Cons: bland, no ambience, HORRIBLE service