06/28/09

Love this place always

by ellieo

never ever regret landing here.

• Pros: quiet but great atmosphere
• Cons: quiet

12/06/08

Another case of the missing/very spacey waitor

by walle52

After reading the review about the missing waitress, I had to comment on a recent dinner at Les Zygomates. Waitor was prompt with first drink request but then went missing for a while prior to checking in to take our order. We awaited our apps and about 10 minutes later the waitor came back and apologized that he was having a really busy night and needed to take our order again!! He seemed quite scattered. So much so that he failed to bring one of the apps. Food was average with highlights being the hanger steak frites and the rabbit. The food was just okay and combined with the service will not pull me back any time soon with so many other options within a short walk. Busboy was very attentive and like other reviews even had to get the waitor for us. Bus boy service 5 stars, waitor 1 star!

10/25/08

The strange case of the disappearing waitress...

by MaxMurphy

Went there with friends last night. The French hostess was fabulous and made a lot of effort to seat us a great table. She was really nice and very professional. Prompt service initially for wine and apps but then our waitress seemed to just disappear at one point. We were all engrossed in a good conversation so at first no one noticed but then one of my dinnermates said "Hmmm... what happened to the waitress? We haven't ordered our entrees yet." More time passed, we finally had to ask the busboy to send someone over to take our order. After another wait, a new waitress appeared and took out orders. Food was served quickly and it was all very good but the second bottle of wine took forever to get to our table. So who knows, maybe the first waitress got sick or had an emergency and had to leave. We would definitely go back -- loved the jazz... food was very good... service was a little off.

08/01/08

Bistro fare and friendly wines elicit grins all around at "lay zee-go-MOTT"--French for the muscles that create a smile.

by Eric Grossman

The Scene
Flavored vodka cocktails may be on the rise, but this casual wine bar/bistro keeps the faith for grape lovers. Artists, coders and other hip Leather District cognoscenti come to sip, sup and listen to live jazz. Suburbanites drop by for steak frites before catching the commuter rail, while neighborhood night owls slip in later for music. Top-flight waiters can explain any dish.

The Food
Expect straightforward, well-executed bistro fare: Sliced smoked-duck breast and toothy green lentils add complexity to fresh, tangy salad and sliced potato and sausage give an earthy balance to greens in salade Lyonnaise. Light vegetarian asparagus/mushroom/truffle oil risotto is as carefully crafted as veal sweetbreads with potato galette, squash and brussels sprouts (a round robin of flavors best capped with light red wine). If drinking red, end with warm chocolate cake and Boston's best bittersweet-caramel sauce; if white, Tarte Tatin.

07/20/08

Wonderful for Wedding!

by edavic

Our daughter and son-in-law chose Les Zygomates for a small, intimate wedding reception for 60. The food was excellent, the atmosphere perfect, and guests are still raving about it all!

We arrived a little earlier than expected yet found everything ready and set beautifully. The hors d'ovres were arranged nicely on table in front by window as well as served continuously until dinner. Guest had their choice of three appetizers and three entrees. Probably 3/4 or more of the guests ordered lamb yet the kitchen delivered with no problem. Not a single guest had a problem with their meal and all three entrees (lamb, chicken, and steak) were reported to be delicious!

We had the jazz side including private room. While planning the event, I was worried that the division of spaces would be awkward. The private room was mostly family with bridal party just inside open doors along the wine wall. Younger guests and friends were seated in the front. All mingled in bar area and even outside during cocktails. Even during dinner, people moved around freely. It never felt crowded.

Melissa Thunburg was very helpful in all aspects of the planning, especially considering neither the bride and groom nor their parents live in Boston or even the state of Massachusetts!. She was readily available through email and phone as needed. Her recommendation of Yoyo Miwa Trio was perfect! They were fabulous!

We are completely satisfied and wish to thank everyone at Les Zygomates for an exquisite evening that was just what the bride and groom wanted!!! It was perfect!

• Pros: Great food, wonderful atmosphere, fun location, helpful staff.
• Cons: Dividing guests between front and back, but it did work just fine.

03/20/08

Great food, terrible service

by TerryBoston

Went for lunch with a friend on 3/20/08. We had a reservation, but as soon as we sat down, we were being rushed to order, then getting our first course took about 25 minutes (a lot when we wanted to be in and out and were ordering 3 courses). When we got our first course, we were rushed through it by the waitress and bus boy who kept asking if we were done... while I was chewing. Then the entree came while still finishing my soup, we were then rushed through that and our plates were taken away before we were done. Then it took about 20 mintues to get dessert that was ordered at the beginning of the meal. The waitress never looked at us except to aknowledge that we had the bill ready (I guess she just wanted her money), leaving us thirsty and wondering if our food had been forgotten. Other than the service, the food was very good; the best french onion soup! Too bad I'll never go back!

• Pros: excellent french onion soup
• Cons: the worst service I've ever seen in Boston

09/06/07

Great parisian food, wonderful music, delightful coffee

by karma79

One of my favorite places to dine or have a cocktail in Boston. Tucked away in the leather district this place offers either dining and drinks in the non-music side which is equipped with a bar and TVs to watch games or dining and drinks on the music side with a live jazz band and bar. Seating is pretty prompt on the week days as the business men and women from the financial district typically make up the patronage. The restaurant offers a prix fix menu with tastings from their appetizer, entree, and dessert menus.

I've been here a couple of times and the food has never disappointed. The escargot is very rich and served in the traditional garlic butter sauce. The tarragon chicken is delicious. Everything is very rich and never disappointing. The coffee is served with the typical accoutrements but Les Zygomates adds a little flair with chocolate bits. If you are looking for a low key place mid-week with great live music and wonderful food this is the place to go. Also, great for dates.

• Pros: Great food, great music
• Cons: Parking may be difficult on the weekends but there is valet

08/08/07

Boston's Best Lamb

by wmcnr

I've been visitng Les Zygomates now and then ever since it opened circa 1994 and have always enjoyed it as a wine bar opining that it's Boston's Best Wine Bar, but, recently, I've become increasingly impressed by the meals that I've enjoyed there. As a matter of fact, during the last month I've ordered the Lamb both at Clio, reputed to be one of the best restaurants in Boston, and at Les Zygomates. Les Zygomates' Lamb is better, much better! I've always been impressed by their pate, but expected it to be excellent, after all Les Zygomates is a French Bistro. But, I never expected Les Zygomates to out perform Clio when it comes to Lamb. Well done!!

03/19/07

Everything Other Boston Restaurants Are Not

by hlady

I just finished reading over some of the reviews posted by other users and frankly, I'm shocked. This is my absolute favorite restaurant. I've eaten here over 10 times in the past 2 years and every single time I am blown away. There is no pretention--the staff is always professional and seem actually happy to be working there. I don't get that from other restaurants at all. I've done the wine tastings several times and not only is it better than Sel de la Terre (by a long shot), but the last review posted was ridiculous. $30 for a wine tasting (they give you 4 high-end wines) plus paired food is very competitive when you look elsewhere in the city. I've tried--

The food is always on the mark-great fish, great pate, excellent steak frites and the wine list is the best in value in the city.

Granted, these are all just my opinion, but when I read some of the other postings, it just makes me realize how many dumb people live in this city--

Keep rockin' Les Zyg!!!

• Pros: Cozy and cool ambience, service, food and wine list

03/15/07

A waste of a Tuesday night (actually any night)!

by scorpio8

Granted there is not much else going on Tues nights;but truthfully anything(Taxes,working,to ANYTHING) would have been better than my experience at Les Zygomates(french for the muscle that makes you smile).I went to Les Zygs' Tuesday night wine tasting w/ much anticipation.They were pouring Riesling.The tasting was to begin @7.It started@7:50.No one bothered with an explanation or anything to eat.Finally the Les Zyg rep. starts the tasting.I guess my assumption that the individual was going to have knowledge of Riesling was idealistic.The man?s fortes:Italian wine&rambling about nothing.I heard more about his Bolognese w/ Barbera then about Riesling.I can understand why he stayed clear from the topic at hand.The wine was terrible=bland. Riesling is supposed to explode w/tropical fruit while inticing you w/ its? acidity.Yes, it can be that good.The wine that was poured-not so much.You would think that if you are spending $30 for a wine tasting(pours=1 sip)you would be able to get:A)good wineB) wine education and/or C)good food. Apparently Les Zyg does not live by that philosophy.The funny thing is that many wine stores offer FREE wine tastings that are much better.So, I had resigned that this was the worst wine tasting event I had ever been to.I hoped for something to alleviate my hunger.Finally(8:45pm),the chef came in & proceeded to do a cooking demo.Would have been nice if it started 1 hr ago!Despite my jaded opinion,I thought the chef could redeem some of the evening.Silly rabbit.15 minutes later, we received was 1 oyster (size=quarter).My party walked out.Unfortunately,we were starving(our car was w/ valet)thus we unwisely chose to eat dinner at Les Zyg.I am @a loss as to why I cont'd to punish myself. We ordered a bottle of wine. It took the staff 25mins to find it.The food was mediocre considering the $.The evening = $100+.Maybe the restaurant should consider changing its? name to ?Les Depressor Anguli Oris??the muscle known for making you frown.

• Pros: The concept of the restaurant i.e. a hip wine-bar
• Cons: The fact that they can not execute their concept. Terrible service.