James's Gate

02/05/07

J.P. gem serves up smooth pints with a lack of attitude and a warming fireplace.

by Eric Grossman at Citysearch

The Scene
This bar has everything you want in an Irish pub--dim lighting, a warm fireplace, and a convivial crowd downing copious amounts of Guinness. Of course, this being Jamaica Plain, the crowd is nothing like one you'd find on the Old Sod. Lesbians, working stiffs, and greasy-haired hipsters all congregate around the hearth and the bar.

The Draw
James's Gate features a separate restaurant area in the back, but it's much cozier to order from the bar and eat by the fire. Either way, think Old World comfort food: shepherd's pie, pot roast, and bangers deep-fried in melt-in-your-mouth beer batter. Add this to 19 beers on tap (including the local triumvirate of Harpoon, Tremont and Sam Adams) and a generous selection of single malt scotch and rare cognacs, and you may just find yourself curling up here through winter.

04/19/06

Overrated

by marktotheizzo at Citysearch

This has to be one of the most consistently over-hyped places in JP. The service is often surly (I was once given back the wrong debit card and had to go back there for it, the guy didn't even give a token apology) and the food is not bad, but overrated. If you want to go somewhere with a real atmosphere and friendly service, for god's sake go to Costello's, Doyle's, the Behan, or even the Galway House. The Gate is for JP folks who want to be reminded that they are fortunate enough to live in JP.

09/30/04

Best pub food

by toulio at Citysearch

The James Gate supplies the best pub food in Boston. If you are looking for cheap comfort food the pub menu provides a number of cheaper options than the restaurant menu.

• Pros: Good food, Cozy with fireplace

11/08/03

You must eat here.

by yocomomucho at Citysearch

I've eaten here several times now and it just keeps getting better. I would expect to pay more for food of this caliber, but I'm not complaining! As far as the service goes, I've found it nothing less than fantastic. The servers are always friendly, but not intrusive, and I've never waited any longer than I thought I should. You must eat here. Period.

• Pros: Excellent food, great service, great mixed drinks
• Cons: None

02/17/03

Awesome food,awful service...

by mixie55 at Citysearch

The James Gate has great food for an Irish place,second only to Matt Murphys in Brookline.I'd recommend the mussells and the fish and chips.The bar side is cosy in winter when the fire is lit.Definetly go for dinner but not for lunch/brunch.The restaurant is not open and I was made order at the bar and pick up drinks there when the food arrived even though it wasn't busy.I felt like tipping the bus boy who did most of the work!

• Pros: food, cosy bar area, parking lot
• Cons: unfriendly staff, no table service dayt

01/12/03

gate to great

by francod47 at Citysearch

Jame's Gate has it all, fireplace, diversity, pub food, gourmet food, good drinks. Nobody knows about it, that's how we like it.

08/08/02

Good Eats, if you've got time

by bernzy at Citysearch

Very casual place serving upscale not-your-typical-bar food. Its a great place to get a good meal without the need to dress up, casual as it gets. The menu has many options ranging from seafood to meat dishes. The one bad thing was the service, it took over a half hour for our food to arrive and the place wasn't packed (7pm on a Wednesday night). So definately try this place out and try the specials as they are great!

• Pros: Specials, Variety, Inexpensive
• Cons: Service, Atmosphere