Radius

08/19/09

only the wine list still shines at radius

by flamsteadman at Citysearch

i remember so well just a few years ago when getting into radius was a challenge worth the struggle. for years radius had been one of our regular haunts with always impressive service and wonderfully creative culinary focus. no more.

we started to see the signs of wear and tear physically in the restaurant during the past year. its not good when you can see dark stains seeping from under the bar onto the lounge floor. when you frequent a restaurant you notice things that wear out and dont get replaced. then we seemed to experience more service you would categorize as "sorry i'm new here" than true polished service.

finally the food started to go south. many of the menu choices got boringly old and then we actually had a "bad" meal.

during restaurant week we mistakingly went in for a quick meal forgetting it was restaurant week. we watched as full of themselves bartmaids tried to act as though radius still could command the $200 dinner prices we had been willing to pay in the past. i watched as the manager came out and chatted with a friend at the bar; even he was tried and worn.

fine dining restaurant managers are taught as soon as they start their career that they must look the part. this poor lad looked as though he had been wearing the sam e old pair of shoes since the day he was hired.

so as sad as i am to say this radius is but a glimmer of its former self. like the qb who refuses to retire someone needs to tell the chef and the owners its time to either close for good or give the old girl one hell of a face lift and redo. either way i'll move down the street to a fresher face until then.

chow

• Pros: the wine list and the coffee
• Cons: service and the (gulp) food

06/21/09

Great food, excellent service, make your evening special

by vc_boston at Citysearch

My buddy and I chose this place to plan a surprise birthday for our wives, as both ladies turned 30.

Radius did an excellent job in making their evening special. The hostess was well prepared with a plan in place for the surprise and staff did a fine job coordinating everything.

We were a group of 8 with one kid. Everyone loved their entree. The appetizers, main course and dessert were consistently good. Unlike other high end restaurants, the staff was polite, friendly, and accommodating.

Will highly recommend for special occasions or even just a romantic night out.

• Pros: consistently delicious food, warm welcoming staff
• Cons: none

05/26/09

Godd place for couple

by DeeB at Citysearch

This place is one of the top restaurant in the city, my opinion. I had lunch last week with friends here and we had great time. The food is great and so delicious. I had nothing to complain about this restaurant, but the price. I think its price is high, but if you go as a dating couple, then your man is the one, whose knows how to treat a lady.

• Pros: Great food and services
• Cons: Price

02/12/09

4 stars?! Past it's prime...

by CandySpelling at Citysearch

I went there last month and had the lamb. The entire menu is OUTRAGEOUSLY priced and the portions offensively small. I cannot believe that a 3 oz piece of lamb can cost $46.00. With it comes braised lamb shank, which sounded promising until I took a bit and it was nothing but cold gristle.

I also had the gnocchi which was bland! Again, sounded good but failed to impress.

I have to say, I'm no stranger to acclaimed restaurants. Prices don't scare me but I don't want to feel like I'm getting screwed. This was my third time dining there and this time I was fed up and had to write about it. In a city filled with remarkable restaurants (o ya, clio, l'espalier, scampo), don't waste your time or money going to a place that is as delusional about their prices and cuisine as they are about the condition of the space. Walls are chipped and scratched, the floors look like someone took a chainsaw to them and they often have dead, spray-painted flowers in broken vases. The big communal table that everyone talks about is so warped and chipped, I once got a splinter!

The service was good. We wanted to order a bottle of wine and the wine steward came to help us pick one out. He was young and nice enough, I guess, but what a slob! His suit was filthy, his hair was a disaster, his tie/collar were all over the place and then my husband pointed out that his suit pants were not hemmed. They were about 6 inches too long and all frayed. I don't mean to sound petty but a restaurant that positions itself to be one of the best in the country should not tollerate anyone being so unkempt.

I don't know. In an economy such as this, for most people going out to dinner is a special treat. So unless you want to waste a ton of money on mediocre food (at best) go somewhere else.

• Pros: They had valet
• Cons: Everything from the front door beyond

02/05/09

Best fine dining experience!

by radiusgirl at Citysearch

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I had the duck and by far the best yet! The service was great! Everyone was very friendly . Most definitely recommend it. I have been to Top of the Hub various times and the service does not compare at all...Radius was by far much better dining!

07/29/08

WTF!!! Bad Review. Radius is awesome!

by wmaffei at Citysearch

Stevessel, give me a break!!! Why would you go to Radius and complain about not getting out in an hour and a half? You should be going to FRIDAYS!!!

• Pros: All I have to say is James Beard... oh yeah he left..
• Cons: Nothing

01/22/08

I almost didn't go out...

by kdogcritic at Citysearch

I almost didn't go out when a few friends wanted to have drinks. Wow am I glad I did. We had drinks at the bar at Radius and looked around for all the "beautiful people" that we have heard so much about. Well, okay, they were there, from the front door to the person who filled my water glass. The bar staff was warm and funny, and made great recommendations on wine (even when we just wanted to eat the tempura and fries). Because of this experience, I took a client to Radius a few nights later. I have never felt so well taken care of. We did a chef's tasting which in short was one of the best food experinces I ever had. Our server was attentive, but did not hover. She was professional but not stiff. If you listen to people out there who say not to try this place, you are truly missing out. Those people probably don't understand the concept of "fine dining". I did not leave hungry, this wasn't a "pea on a plate" type place. The food was innovative and interesting and prepared in ways I never imagined in my own kitchen. The sommelier was delightful and funny and the dessert sent me over the edge. Don't hesitate to try it. Stop wasting time reading reviews and just go.

01/22/08

Great spot for business dinners and lunches

by AnnA75 at Citysearch

My company uses Radius quite frequently for business meetings and the staff never fails to meet our expectations. Whether it is a strict time frame that we need to be out by or getting late guests their meal, the team at Radius makes it seem effortless. We have tried other spaces, but always return because they do it the best.

Oh... make sure you try the prime rib eye if you get the chance. Amazing!

• Pros: Service and Staff
• Cons: Parking

01/22/08

Outstanding.

by savvybostondiner at Citysearch

I handle private events for our firm all over the United States. I have never been more relaxed at an event with our top clients as I was when I had my event at Radius. The staff was outstanding, the food delicious and appropriate for the group. (nothing messy, bite-sized) All in all it was a perfect venue for impressing the powers that be. I would trust this restaurant with any event, be it a small dinner for two or a buyout for 200.

09/27/07

Huge dis-aapontment

by melikegoodfood at Citysearch

Having been in the food business for the past 30 years, I found Radius to be quite disappointing. Service was rushed from the minute we were seated. Appetizers were forgetable, gnochi and ahi, and entrees were mediocre at best. Desserts were a huge disapointment. Cepe Ice cream, Fennugreek Ice Cream? They have managed to take the "Dessert" out of Dessert!! Best part of the meal was the dinner rolls, and the over-priced wine. I doubt I will return,

• Pros: Rolls
• Cons: Reputation