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Name: Grill 23 & Bar
Address: 161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA, 02116
Telephone: (617) 542-2255
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.85

Grill 23 & Bar

161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA, 02116

(617) 542-2255
Store is closed

Grill 23 & Bar Menu

Appetizers

Caesar Salad

Simple Green Salad

Baby Iceberg

Chopped Salad

New England Shellfish Chowder

Steak Tartare

Tuna Tartare

Burrata

Fried Calamari

Crab Cake
Farm Raised

Beef Tenderloin

Steak Frites

Epic Pot Roast

Meatloaf

Brick Pressed Chicken
Dayboat Seafood

Local Daily Catch

Sweet Chile Glazed Salmon

Sashimi Quality Tuna

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Diver Sea Scallops
Raw Bar

Shrimp Cocktail

Crab Meat Cocktail

Lobster Tail

Scallop Ceviche

Cotuit Oysters

Shellfish Sampler For Two

Grand Sampler For Four
A La Carte

Filet Mignon

Twin Filet Mignon

Bone-in New York

Dry-aged New York

100 Day Aged Ribeye

Bone-in Ribeye

Kobe Cap Steak

Porterhouse

Veal Loin Chop

Lamb Loin Chops

Swordfish Steak

Maine Lobster 2lb
Sides

Mashed Potatoes

Hash Browns

French Fries

Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Onion Rings

Roasted Mushrooms

Baby Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Cauliflower

Asparagus

Grill 23 Tots

Ruby Red Beets

Spinach
New England Crafted Cheeses

Champlain Valley Triple Creme Vergennes Vt

Rawson Brook Chevre Monterey Ma

Cabot Clothbound Cheddar Peacham Vt

Berkshire Blue Great Barrington Ma
Desserts

Famous Coconut Cake

Caramel Profiteroles

Warm Bread Pudding

Valrhona Chocolate Layer Cake

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée

Hot Fudge Sundae

Caramel Lava Cake

S’mores De Crème

Concord Grape Sorbet

Healthy Meal suggestions for Grill 23 & Bar

Appetizers

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Simple Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Iceberg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New England Shellfish Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burrata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Farm Raised

Beef Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Frites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Epic Pot Roast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brick Pressed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dayboat Seafood

Local Daily Catch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Chile Glazed Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Quality Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diver Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Bar

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Meat Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cotuit Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shellfish Sampler For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grand Sampler For Four [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
A La Carte

Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twin Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bone-in New York [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dry-aged New York [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

100 Day Aged Ribeye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bone-in Ribeye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kobe Cap Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Porterhouse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Loin Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Loin Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swordfish Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Lobster 2lb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hash Browns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac ‘n’ Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Onion Rings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Brussels Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grill 23 Tots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ruby Red Beets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
New England Crafted Cheeses

Champlain Valley Triple Creme Vergennes Vt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rawson Brook Chevre Monterey Ma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cabot Clothbound Cheddar Peacham Vt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Berkshire Blue Great Barrington Ma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Famous Coconut Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Profiteroles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Valrhona Chocolate Layer Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Fudge Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Lava Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

S’mores De Crème [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Concord Grape Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Aria v.

Last weekend = weekend in Bahston (that's how they say it). Last weekend = Beantown jaunt (pretty place). Last weekend = seafood and steak (best of both land and sea). 5th stop -- Grill 23 Food: At first it was Capital Grille, but we can get that in NYC. Then it was Court House, but that's a chain. Then Oceanaire, but that wasn't classy enough. I brought the classic 80s little black dress with my 4 inch heels and diamonds, so we needed a good steakhouse where I could get some seafood and not look overdressed doing it. So Grill 23 it was. And it was a delectably good choice. From the get go, the menu looked good and the wine selection was outstanding. I always feel intimidated by wine books with tables of contents, like I need to take more wine classes to learn more. In cases like this, I gravitate towards that I know: a Spanish rioja, Marques de Riscal, 2001 reserva. 2001 was sold out, so we got a 2002. Very dry, the 2001's a fuller vintage, but once it opened up it was good. (See! I know some, but only about wines I drink often enough to have learned the differences.) For starters I went standard, a ceasar salad. I always feel a restaurant can be judged by how good their ceasar is. The salad was crisp, croutons not too crunchy and the dressing wasn't overpowering but with a good bite. We also got the ravioli app, which was good, but there wasn't a lot in it. More dough than filling, a whole bite with the sauce and the ravioli was tasty. There just wasn't that much there. I was in a seafood mood, so I went with the salmon. Very well cooked, seared on the outside so it was delectably crunchy. The NY strip got ordered too, and it was interesting. Apparently, it's wet-aged, instead of dry-aged. It wasn't too fatty, and seasoned just right. A nice bite of that with the broccoli gratin was oh so yummy. However, the mashed potatoes? Oh my god so good. Like, I ate almost the whole bowl of the side good. I'll admit, choosing what to eat was hard, everything looked delicious. Our choices were good, but there might be some better ones on the menu. We also got dessert, a fresh fruit sorbet that was interesting. Kumquats and tangerines were the main flavors, and a great light finishing to the meal. I wasn't entirely impressed by the selection of the dessert menu, it was pretty simple, but I'm sure delicious nonetheless. After dinner drinks weren't had at Grill 23, but they had a nice, and very reasonably priced, list of cognacs and bourbons. Venue: A big, old, boy's club of a restaurant. Two floors, open kitchen, mahogany bar. You don't see restaurants like this in NYC anymore, real estate's too valuable, so it's great to see a true steakhouse at it's finest. Waiters in their whites, coat check and gold banisters, it's a real sight to behold and makes you feel welcome. Our server, I can't remember her name, was such a sweetie. She made our dinner experience go very smoothly. Appropriately inquisitive and suggestive, she offered up the steak as a dinner choice, and we took it. Compared to our dessert waiter, she was a bubbling personality, where as he didn't say a word that didn't need saying. Overall it was a fantastic evening, but shy of five stars for me. The food was delicious, but this side of wowing. There wasn't an over-the-top feel, but I was in an over-the-top outfit, so I was a bit disappointed by that. I know Boston's a big city too, but I felt like it was NYC prices when it needn't have been. Still highly recommended. 4.5 if I could!
(4)
Tyler H.

Old school appeal with great steaks. There is something utterly simple and delicious about a good piece of meat, cooked to perfection with an ample side of pomme frites. A little pricey, but if you are in the mood for a great steak, you really can't go wrong.
(5)
Maggie H.

Could not have had a better evening. I made a dinner reservation for my boyfriend and I for a Friday night to celebrate our three year anniversary. I had read many reviews and requested a table on the second (quieter) floor along with candles on the table, and also included that this was a special occasion dinner. As soon as we arrived and checked in we were immediately brought upstairs to a private room with 5 tables. It was such a beautiful place to eat! Our server could not have been more polite, pleasant, and professional. We never felt rushed or bothered but quite the opposite. We always had what we needed and if not, the wait staff was eager to anticipate our needs. My boyfriend ordered the 100 day aged 18oz rib eye and I ordered the 10oz filet. Both cooked perfectly. You really get what you pay for here, including both the food and atmosphere. I felt like a queen and was overwhelmed with emotion when our server brought a complimentary dessert with a sweet message written in chocolate to wish us a happy anniversary. I am already looking forward to another special reason to return to Grill 23 & Bar!
(5)
Brian L.

Very good meal but under impressed based on the reviews and the price. Steak didn't blow us away and was a bit salty. Was expecting a bit more juiciness out of the twin fillets. We did ask to sit upstairs based on previous reviews and the noise level up there was not so bad. We did enjoy the oysters and were the best we ever had.
(3)
Julie B.

I came here on Valentine's Day, granted, but come on, you should have brought your A game Grill 23! We made reservations weeks in advance, and they sat us in the VERY VERY back of the restaurant - my boyfriend even made a joke to the hostess about wishing he had taken the shuttle. The service was meh, and so was the food. I was hoping this would be on par with Smith & Wollensky's or even Morton's, but it just wasn't - people around us were wearing flannel shirts, and I saw a couple waiting for a table wearing jeans and North Face fleeces. I should have gone to Capital Grille.
(3)
tae k.

My friend and I both ordered the "kobe" steak. It was so salty in was almost unedible.
(1)
Nate R.

Went here for Valentines Eve. and had a great time. The mysterious huge piece of bread in the pictures above was kind of fun with the really hot spices. The service here is really top notch, the service alone makes coming here a nice experience. The steak was great! Not the best in town but it was cooked perfectly and was extremely juicy. I had the dry aged strip which I would recomend to anyone pay a visit to Grill 23. We sat upstairs which was a little cold. This is truly a great place and I am not sure why I am only giving it 4 stars but I feel like something was missing to give the Grill 23 5 stars. I would give it a 4.5 if it were available. Wine selection was great too. They don't leave your bottle at your table if you are limited with table space. The waiter never let our glasses stay empty for more than a second or two. Pretty impressive.
(4)
Stephanie P.

I went to Grill 23 last night with a cousin who was in town for business. I ordered the halibut because even though I don't really like fish that much, I am trying to like it. OMG it was INCREDIBLE. Seriously, it was so amazing. We also had two great wines, although I can't remember either of their names, the truffle tater tots (delicious!) and an awesome waiter named Jeff. However, as mentioned in previous reviews, this place is very loud, we were completely squished at our table, they took the bread basket away before the meal came, and I did not like my dessert (rhubarb crumble with ginger ice cream. ) The worst part of dinner is that I'll never be able to afford to go here on my own.
(4)
Bassel A.

My favorite Steakhouse in Boston Very attentive service, huge wine list, AMAZING steaks cooked exactly how you like it. A bit pricey but well worth it for a special night out. I can't say enough about this place. Note - show up early and get drinks at the bar. They give you complimentary homemade chips that are awesome. They are still hot and loaded with seasoning. Really good!
(5)
Sarah F.

My husband and I judge a fine steak restaurant by, what else, the steak, and I had high hopes after reading about the origin of the beef on the website and menu. I ordered the twin fillets (8oz) and my husband had the single fillet mingnon (10oz). The steaks were good overall, we'd probably put them in 2nd place for Boston (3rd in a longer list with additional cities). One of my filletts was overcooked, but they replaced it quickly with a properly seared piece. The winelist is impressively long, but no one offered to help us navigate it and when we made our first selection, our server gave us a look that said "are you sure you want to do that?", so I took the wine list back to look again (again, no help or suggestions offered). I finally settled on another wine and then they brought the wrong bottle to the table (another vineyard), which they quickly removed once I noticed the mistake (before it was opened). Finally, with the right bottle in hand, we were ready to wait for the food, which we did--not an unreasonably long time, but definitely a leisurely pace. We started with oysters, which were delicious, and also had blue cheeese mashed potatoes with our steaks, which was unremarkable. Finally, we decided to end the night with a shared creme brulee. This dessert is one of my favorites in part because of the fun of cracking the burnt-sugar top, but unfortuntely this creme brulee did not have a crust at all, it was just cooked custard, which tasted good, but was also very disappointing. Finally, it was our 2nd wedding anniversary, so I noted that on our opentable.com reservation, as well as requesting a quiet, private table (after reading other reviews that talked about the noise level of this place), We were sat in the upstairs section, which was quieter than the racous (and under-dressed) downstairs, but there was nothing special about the table location itself--between 2 other couples. There was no mention made of the Anniversary occation until the very end of the meal ("Happy Anniversary" written on chocolate, came with our soggy creme brulee), but no comped glass of champagne or dessert or anything. Not that it's expected, but always a nice touch when fine restaurants acknoweledge special celebrations. Overall, I think we're going to continue our quest for the best Steak in Boston, but I wouldn't be opposed to giving Grill 23 one more chance with adjusted expectations.
(3)
Michael C.

This is one of the most over rated restaurants in Boston. We had reservations for 8 Saturday at 8PM. Arriving a few minutes early, we were told it would be just a few minutes to clear the table. Well getting seated at 8:30 is a more than a few minutes. Worse, the only place to wait is either the entry way or the bar. In either area the din makes it impossible to hold a normal conversation. As you probably can tell but this time I am not a happy camper. Finally seated at 8:30, our waiter hands out menus and promptly disappears for five minutes. After she returned to take our order for cocktails, things improved slightly. Service during dinner was solid. The food however does not live up to reputation. Skirt steak with frites was a nice piece of steak with a bunch of frites dumped on the slide. The presentation was very poor. Vegetable sides were much like the main meal, ok but uninspired. Finally, they did live up to one part of their reputation. Price. Bring your wallet, you'll need it for this place.
(2)
Frank S.

I came here on a Thursday night for a closing dinner with my colleagues and the client. We had reserved a private room upstairs for all 12 of us. I guess you could say it wasn't a small party but it was a great way to get to know everybody. Needless to say I had no issues ordering anything on the menu since the bill was covered. I always thought this place would be more stuffy and pretentious than what it appeared to be inside. One of my friends used to live on Berkeley and I would always pass by this place. Everytime I saw people come in and out it would normally be an older couple who deinitely had some type of means because of their clothing and the cars they drove. I mean yes the average age at this place was 40+ and most likely they were very successful individuals in their own respect. However, I didn't feel out of place and could definitely see myself coming back here with a few friends or a date. The ambiance of this place was very welcoming, spacious and nicely decorated. The portraits on the wall were very eloquently placed. Now for the food. For an appetizer I had the Steak Tartare which was very good but by far not one of the best I have tried in Boston. One of the client contacts had ordered oysters and they looked absolutely mouth watering and very fresh. So I would probally recommend the oysters to start off with. For dinner I had the Bone-In Delmonico (and I still have dreams about this steak!). It is absolutely perfect in every way! It was a pretty big steak (20oz) and very well cooked all around. Hands down probably the best steak in Boston! I have tried pretty much all the steak restaurants and in my personal experience I think Grill 23 and Abe & Louie's come out as top notch winners. To finish it off I had the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee which was just delicious. Also, one of my coworkers had the Milk Chocolate Pave and it literally looked like it came from heaven. Overall, the food was oustanding and definitely worth any price you would pay for food. Definitely one of the best steakhouses in Boston. If you love steak and haven't tried this place yet I would recommend coming here on your next craving for steak!
(5)
Steve T.

I've had a mission lately of visiting a fancy steakhouse once a month, and since I've started my conquest, Grill 23 has been the best yet. The meal started off pretty weak. We ordered a couple of steak tartares and were disappointed when they arrived with buttered wonderbread, instead of the more traditional toast or crackers. The meat was fantastic, though, so we let it slide. The Steak course was very strong. I got the steak au poivre, which I cannot say enough good things about. Half of our group got bone-in filets, and they all agreed they were good, but blah. One said that his wife's non bone-in filet was actually better, so you may want to go that route if you're eyeing filets. We were disappointed to not find creamed spinach as a side. We usually try to get at least one green, but I think there were only 2 greens on the menu and none jumped at us. We ended up with mushrooms (delicious), blue mashed potatoes (blue cheese, fantastic), and truffle tots (outstanding). For the price, though, you don't get much sides at all compared to similar steakhouses. We always blow out on dessert, and this time was no different, ordering five of the nine available items for the six of us. The group agreed that for $11, the chocolate chip cookies did not live up to the hype they're getting on here. The creme brule was decent, but was totally upstaged by the cookies served on top of it. The chocolate layer cake was just that, nothing special, but not bad either. The sticky toffee pudding with caramelized bananas came in a strong second, and I'd have to say the profiteroles took first place. Service was very attentive, maybe even overly attentive once or twice. The steak knives were very interesting. The were basically modeled after switchblades, but for your safety and mine (mostly mine) they are not fold able. After a shaky start out the gates with the wonderbread accompanying the tartare, Grill 23 pulled it together real fast and gave us an enjoyable meal with no nonsense. Well done.
(4)
Diana P.

My company had our holiday party here on the 20th and it was fabulous. We rented a private room and it was decorated very nicely for the holidays. As soon as the first person arrived their staff greeted us and got our drink order right away. The staff was great, very friendly and accomodating. This place is huge and it was completely packed, every table, every seat on a Monday night. The seafood chowder, filet and creme brule were fabulous. I highly recommend Grill 23 for special night out or a private function where you want to show your guests a good time, good service and great food.
(5)
Bob Z.

Great wine list. The Darioush Caravan was delicious. Worst crabmeat cocktail ever. Take a page from the Palm and serve colossal lump crab. Worst mushrooms ever. Had the 100 day aged rib eye and it was one of the best steaks ever. Sauteed spinach...eh.
(4)
Gary L.

We went there with some friend that live in Boston. This is a first rate steak house. The service was flawless and the food was perfect!!
(5)
Eric B.

My wife and I were celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. A friend of mine recommended Grill 23 which is his favorite restaurant in Boston. After enjoying a bottle of wine at our hotel (woo hoo) we arrived on a rainy night at Grill 23. We were a little early for our reservation (and the restaurant was empty) so we enoyed a cocktail at the bar upstairs. The staff were very friendly and the bar was very nice. The homemade potato chips at the bar are good but are a bit spicy. We then were seated at our table upstairs and were seated next to the window and also with a view into the kitchen (kinda cool). We really had a lovely spot. A couple came in to be seated next to us and they made a big fuss since that table was next to the busboy station (mind you, no dirty dishes, etc). The manager came up to speak to the guest and he got an earful. The "guest" was rude and we were glad that he was seated elsewhere. Our server was Daniel and he was very attentive. Since this was our anniversary, this meal was a big night out for us and the service was up for the challenge. We started by sharing the crab cake which was great. No filler or breading. Just crab. fantastic. My wife loved it. The app was followed by a salad (mixed greens). Daniel confirmed that sharing the salad was okay so we went for it and the portion was perfect. Salad was delicious. My wife is not a meat eater so she needed some help with the menu and Daniel was very helpful making suggestions, etc. My wife ordered the tenderloin and I had the Steak Au Poivre. W-O-W is really all that i can say. The steak was expertly prepared. Slightly charred on the outside and Medium on the inside. Fantastic. I ate so slowly as to enjoy every bite. Hot fudge Sundae was a great splurge. My wife said it was her favorite course ! Daniel had a piece of chocolate decorated with "Happy 23rd Anniversary" Classy touch. We loved it. We left and spoke to the manager and thanked him for tossing out the rude couple (which of course he didnt do) but we thanked him nevertheless. For a really special meal/night out, I highly recommend Grill 23
(5)
Rob C.

came here for Restaurant Week, service was not bad. plenty of street parking.
(4)
Antoinette M.

My friend took me here for my birthday on 10/20...when she made the reservations and mentioned it would be my birthday...they said to her "when you come in introduce yourself and the person who is having a birthday" she did just that. We sat at the bar because we were early, they had the most amazing potato chips I have ever had. We then were taken to our table....we ordered the Caesar salad and the baby iceberg salad (claims to be stuffed with bacon and Gorgonzola cheese, two pieces of bacon on the plate not stuffed into lettuce), they were good then ordered filet Mignon w/ creamed spinach and mac and cheese as sides, everything was delicious. For dessert we had the creme brulee and the hot fudge sundae...creme brulee was good, hot fudge sundae was served with warmed chocolate sauce. Overall the meal was excellent...however my friend was very disappointed that they didn't acknowledge my birthday at all, because of that they only get 4 stars....
(4)
David K.

the 100-day aged rib-eye is the best steak in Boston. period.
(5)
Andrew T.

I've been to enough steakhouses now to form what I think are pretty educated opinions about their respective positives, negatives, and what have you's, and my position remains that Grill23 is the undisputed steak king amongst Boston steak houses. However, this is the place I'd lean towards for a client dinner, while maybe seeking out Capital Grille for something more intimate. That said, some things to note about dining at Grill23. * DO, as previously mentioned, go here when your company is footing the bill. It's a power place, and a go-to for client dinners without question. * DO still check it out with family, or on a date, or whatever, just sit upstairs and get away from the buzz of the suits on the first level. * DO ask for specials and off-menu items, and DO ask for things how you want them to be. A restaurant at this level will cater to most reasonable needs. * DO NOT get a fillet "well done" or even "medium well". I don't care if you like it that way, just try it medium rare, it's worth it. And if you aren't sure how a particular cut of meat should be cooked, ask the waiter. This is their job, they will take care of you. If you live in Boston and like steak houses, you owe it to yourself to eat here at least once. I understand there are a lot of choices for steak in Boston (too many if you ask me), but this is where it's at.
(4)
Amy H.

I'm a Texan, and there is nothing I love more than a great steakhouse. This place was great, but not the best there is. Food: the expression, "When in Rome..." applies here. I had a great steak. My husband had fish that was just ok. Also, their creamed spinach wasn't creamy enough. It was just like steamed spinach. Needs more butter. Dessert and drinks were great. Service: Really good. The waiters all have on white jackets; classic. Atmosphere: Also excellent--dark wood and gas lights. I didn't like the open kitchen, however. I like things a little cozier. So there you have it. I also have to mention that I was next to a table full of old Boston Brahmin ladies, and they were very drunk and amusing in their Beacon Hill snottiness.
(4)
Michael C.

I have eaten here many times. It has a great steak. It has great service. Its very noisy when you sit down stairs. I recommend asking for a table upstairs.
(4)
David L.

Definitely a place for special occasions (for me, anyway) but ended up here last week and wow, what a place! Ordered the dry-aged ribeye and the sushi tartare appetizer. Both were fantastic but the steak really took the cake! The ribeye is absolutely my favorite cut of meat and Grill 23 did not disappoint, cooking the steak medium-rare just as I asked (Seems difficult for a lot of other restaurants sometimes, I don't mean medium/well-done!). My only complaints were that the steak was over-seasoned in small sections and that the downstairs dining room can get very loud. Other than that, I'll definitely try to be back!
(4)
maria m.

I was there for my birthday in June 2012. I had an amazing experience and I'm going back for my 4th year anniversary in December 2012. The service was excellent, it is definitely the best steakhouse in Boston!! The steak was tender and the sides were delicious. I spent $400 for food, 1 bottle of wine and a couple of glasses of wine. Grill 23 is perfect for a romantic night or a big gathering.
(5)
Hazel S.

one of the best steak houses around........well worth the trip, everything is top notch and worth the price..........
(5)
Ryan L.

This is not my normal kind of place to dine at, probably because it costs more than $10 for a meal. But since it was a special event (the day I was brought into this world) I figured what the hey, you only live once. Plus having dined at Del Frisco's in NY a few year's ago, this place can't possibly be more expensive than Del Frisco. Well pricewise it's not as expensive as Del Frisco's but it's not really that far off. I had a $13 bowl of shellfish chowder which was pretty good, but for half the price I would take the Legal's clam chowder over it. As for my main entree, I had a whopping 20 oz bone-in Delmonico steak medium rare and well, this was one food item that was worth the $$. It was delicious in it's bloody glory and on par with some of the high end steak shops I've been to (Smith and Wollensky's, Del Frisco's). The cajun tater tots were ok, nothing special but the meat itself really made me forget about the price. The service was prompt and friendly and parkingwise I got lucky with one of the metered spots nearby. A good experience overall.
(4)
Meghan K.

We came here for my husband's birthday two years ago. Definitely the best steak meal we've ever had. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable. I can't remember what we had for apps - but they were excellent. For our entrees, we both had the dry aged bone in steak. Delicious! Definitely the best steak I've had - melted in your mouth.We also had asparagus and blue cheese mashed potatoes as sides which were excellent as well. Pricey, but worth it! Definitely coming back!
(5)
L P.

Went there the first time for their amazing truffled tater tots. Went there the second time for raw oysters in this memorable mint-cucumber dipping sauce. I hate to give it only 3 stars because the wait staff is very attentive and the atmosphere definitely has that gentleman's club feel, but I have to say that every time I've been there my friends and I eventually make the same comment - that for a place that serves primarily steaks we've had better steaks elsewhere. The first time I had the kobe steak. Maybe it's me or that cut of beef, but it didn't melt in my mouth like I've heard that kobe should. The second time I had the steak au poivre. The sauce was a bit on the salty side so I asked for the bernaise sauce instead, which was very good. My friend had the New York strip, she thought it was a little tough. She liked their filet mignon though. I like their sides and the sorbets come in unusual fruit flavors. It's a place worth taking someone to for the atmosphere and that special occasion, but the steaks can be hit or miss.
(3)
Aim M.

This place was a definite disappointment. It's been around about 20 years, and is definitely old school. While the wait staff was excellent, the food was ho-hum and very chinsy -- who ever heard of having to order an entree and the side dishes separately (for an additional price). It felt like they were nickel and diming us! Despite that, the taste of the food was nothing to write home about. For a place that is supposed to be somewhat of a Boston institution, I was sadly disappointed.
(2)
Jungmin L.

Their steaks (Porterhouse, Delmonico, NY, Rib eyes were on the table) were on the more-cooked side. I ordered a medium rare and got a medium. The chicken is forgettable. The scallops get a thumbs-up. The seafood platter is waaayyy over priced! Almost a hundred dollars for what we got...platter is more for two people. The desserts, however, are quite well done. The Sundae looked nice, very down-low, and so did the creme brulee. The profiteroles are extremely good, as good as Mistral's and much better than Robert Bistro's.
(3)
Matt P.

So after visiting many great steak houses across these United States, Grill 23 has won the distinction (if it even means anything, haha) as Matt's number 1 steakhouse of choice! Number 2? Emeril's Delmonico in Las Vegas... but that's a story for another time. For me what makes Grill 23 the standard in the Hub is (in this order) steaks, service and atmosphere. Before visiting Grill 23, I had yet to dine at a steak house that has perfected all of the above mentioned. When you get around to visiting i'd go with anything Kobe for an entree, and you can't go wrong with the truffle mac and cheese. Enjoy!
(5)
Greg W.

It is without hesitation that I recommend Grill 23 & Bar of Boston, MA! The service is top notch and the food is fantastic. There are other steak restaurants in Boston but only one I would assign Yelp's highest rating. Make a reservation and get to the restaurant early enough to enjoy the atmosphere of the bar and some house potato chips.
(5)
Tracy K.

Living in NY and having many steak houses where you order by the number of people in your party it was nice to have an option to each have a different cut of beef, which was delicious!! The seasoning and sauces on the beef were right on-not too much, not too little. The service was great. Helpful when needed but not to in your face, allowing us to enjoy the meal. Try the Mac and Cheese, just do it!
(4)
Jonathan G.

Returned to Grill 23 after being away from Boston and was reminded of why I love it so! The service was absolutely outstanding, our waiter was extremely helpful not only with our steak selections but also good wines to go with it. If you're in Boston, and want some amazing steak, you can't go wrong here!
(5)
Mike K.

Not too much for me to say here. I've been to all the top Steak Houses in Boston. If you want the best cut of Filet, go to Grille 23. End of story. Excellent ambience as well.
(5)
Jae L.

What kind of a review can i give a place that 1. Forgot my oysters 2. Gave me a steak rare when i ordered medium rare what to do...oh whaaattt to do... I'll give this place 4 stars beucase of their mac and cheese..their salmon and beef carrrrrrrr:::still rollin':::rrrrpaciooooo..and becuase i got to drink a lot of kentucky burbon...woodford reserve... I think the service was a little discombobulated this evening but then again so am i...and i rate myself pretty freakin highly...
(4)
Kevin D.

My personal favorite steak restaurant in Boston. The bartenders are always great. Occasionally the waiter you get will be top notch, other times melancholy. That's unfortunate because you're paying for the experience as much as the food. As with so many restaurants that are one large room, it gets really loud and hard to hear sometimes.
(4)
Shannon S.

Dear god, I can't believe the reviews for this restaurant are so good. Are we all even talking about the same restaurant? Russ and I went here recently. We made a reservation on open table. When we got there we were sat immediately, so far so good. Coat service? Awesome. Our waiter was very nice and attentive, also a plus. Admittedly The decor was a little lackluster, but steakhouse doesn't exactly mean romance. There were a lot of executive types and miserable looking families around us (it was freezing out). To start, I ordered the jumbo crab claws and Russ ordered the Duck Confit Ravoli. The ravoli was unusual and sweet, but good, maybe not $18-dollars good, but we were off to a fairly good start. My jumbo crabclaws were a bit lacking. First of all I wasn't provided a claw-cracker and the fork they gave me was to big to fit into the claw given. I had to wrestle a bit to get it out, and the sauces served with it -- a typical cocktail sauce and a wasabi mustard just weren't doing it for me. Our entrees came out not too much longer. I got the sea scallops with foie gras legos. Yeah, I'm not sure that was such a good choice because what came out was a little too literal. 6 plum sea scallops and yup, liver colored "Legos" of duckliver. Wow. Just wow. I didn't want to eat them. They were just too....strange. My scallops were pretty salty and I eventually found them unpalatable. I wasn't impressed, so I just stopped eating them after awhile. In the same vein, Russ's rib eye was also overly salty and uncomfortably chewy. We couldn't bring ourselves to order desert since we assumed it would also be unpalatable. Overall, I'll give it two stars because of the service which was very nice, but just avoid the Grille 23 altogether. Great location, miserably blah and salty food. In the end the damage wasn't too bad here (our bill came out to $160 but my father had given Russ a $125 gift certificate) However, had I paid full price, I would have been very disappointed.
(2)
Elisa T.

The quality of the food and service at Grill 23 & Bar is superb. I have to give it 5 stars because I truly had an amazing dining experience. I have never had better service in the Boston area; here you literally feel treated like royalty. I dined in the "Wine Room" for my boyfriends graduation, where the level of privacy made us feel as though no one else was in the restaurant. I'd say about 15 people could probably fit in this room. The regular dining area looked very nice as well, but as we walked through it it did seem rather loud. We were a group of 12 and did the pri fixe menu. I would recommend this, but then again I'm sure ordering off the general menu is fine. Try the crab cake appetizer, it was outstanding! I also had the diver scallops as my entree, which was delicious, but those around me who ordered meat enjoyed theirs as well. (As far as I know the restaurant is known for it's steak) Would recommend this restaurant for a nice night out, special occasion, etc. On the pricey side, but very well worth it! In addition, the wine selection is extensive and there are many good choices.
(5)
Debbie T.

One of the best steaks I've ever had. The twin filets was delicious. I also had the chilled lobster tail for appitizer and it was great just small.
(4)
Chris S.

First place I ate in Boston after relocating to the area for a spell. A friend and I ate big--each our own lobster and we split a twin steak. The lobster was superb. Unshelled and presented with the full body (including head and antennae!). The steak was yummy but I've had better. The recommended bottle of wine (a $110 CA Pinot Noir--forgot the label) was excellent. On the downside we were seated at a table right next to a big poll in a corner when there were much more desirable tables available (we should have asked for a different table--lesson learned). The service was acceptable but I'd expect more when spending so much cash (a little bending over backwards, please!). Lastly, the entire experience seemed rushed. Fantastic food, not an exceptional dining experience.
(3)
Karl R.

I have eaten at all of the high end steak houses in Boston yet I keep coming back to Grill 23 time and time again. For the most part a high end steak is a high end steak is a high end steak - it's the service that really sets apart a fine steak house. I have always found the service to be top notch. I still remember the first time I dined here in 1997. I accidently dropped a fork, and a waiter seemed to appear out of the wood works to provide a new one before I even had a chance to lean over. In 2000 I brought my wife. We were enjoying a special bottle of wine and holding our glasses up the the light and discussing the color. A sommelier suddenly appeared asking if everying was ok with our wine. But in addition to the usual steaks, Grill 23 always has some interesting appetizers, salads, sides, deserts as well. It's the perfect place for a business dinner or a date.
(5)
Stacy K.

Wow! I have rarely felt more pampered than I did when I ate here. I've been here twice, both times on someone else's dollar, so I can't really complain about the one downside of this glorious restaurant, the expense. I'm actually not even a steak-eater, but the swordfish was amazing, as were the sides salads, desserts, etc. Really classy ambiance, too. Every time I stepped away from the table someone rushed over to fold my napkin, and when I returned they hurried back to pull out my chair. Great wine selection, as well. All in all, I was a very satisfied customer!
(5)
Julie R.

I came here for a Pre-Valentine's night dinner. The place was packed and getting a reservation wasn't easy. We were brought to the second floor and down a long hallway to our table. We were seated in the back of the restaurant in what probably was a private room at times cause you could see the air wall dividers. We were greeted by a friendly waitress and put drink orders in. An exceptional bread basket was brought over. I loved the rosemary bread. It was dense and moist. The flat bread with red pepper flakes was also addicting. I had to stop myself from eating it to save room for dinner. A scan of the the menu and we decided on crab cakes and Caesar salad for appetizers, I chose the tenderloin entree which came with mashed potatoes, my boyfriend chose the flat iron entree which came with a ham and cheese croquette. The appetizers arrived very fast. The presentation of the crab cakes surprised me. They looked like they were made by the Gortons fisherman. Breaded just like fish sticks with the orange colored crumbs and greasy on the outside. After breaking through the crisp coating, it revealed some lump but too much filler. At $18 I was disappointed they were not more substantial or even hand made looking. I guess you can say I prefer the kind that go right on the grill with the lump meat and you can see what you getting. The Caesar salad was great. They added extra anchovies at my boyfriends request. The portion was large enough to share. They were jamming the whole time with people coming and going. The steaks too a bit longer to come out. When they did I noticed mine was cooked perfectly but it was not trimmed well. There was a huge chunk of grizzle hanging off the side and all the corners had excess fat. If I had been ordering another cut I probably would of let it go but with the tenderloin, I did not expect this. They also cut it into many pieces around the plate, when I would of rather it been left whole and I can cut in as I like, so the juices didn't drain everywhere. The server came over and I brought to her attention my concerns with the fat chunks hanging around it. I hated having to complain about it but when your paying big bucks for a fancy steakhouse you shouldn't have to deal with overlooked trimming. The waitress was super nice about it and offered to bring another. Cause my boyfriend was enjoying his, and the wait for our food was a bit, I said I would just work my way around it. The mashed potato side on the plate was good. My boyfriends flat iron au poive was enjoyable. He was contemplating the rib eye but there was only one cut a la carte for $46 so he decided for an entree version steak instead. The ham croquette was very good on the side. We passed on dessert since we had plans to walk around and get it elsewhere. The server mentioned she spoke to the manager and comped my steak. I was pleased they took my complaint seriously. We had spent good money otherwise and their attitude was compassionate. The atmosphere of the place was very corporate upstairs. When you walk in it looks to be a better place to sit cause its got soaring ceilings, hardwoods, a beautiful staircase and a more attractive scene. Rather, we were upstairs in a section that seemed a little back of the house, for corporate events probably, with drop ceilings, dividers and all. The fake orchids along with windows were a bit tacky. At the price people are dropping per dinner, they could certainly afford real ones. I was expecting this experience to be 4-5 stars before going, I will round it up to an OK for some good, including the service. I will still put Capital Grill or Ruth's Chris at the top of my Boston steakhouse preference.
(3)
Rebecca Y.

We loved it. The service was impeccable. Our waiter even delivered Red Sox score updates when he came by. The food was superb. I had the sirloin and the truffled tater tots. Chris had the filet and the mashed potatoes. We split the cookies and warm milk for dessert. Some steakhouse aren't worth the hype, but I think Grill 23 definitely lived up to its reputation.
(5)
Tony L.

Good food but it will definitely break the entertainment budget. My company will no longer support the per head costs...oh well it was fun when we were able to do dinners here.
(3)
Cristina L.

I went here for NYE dinner a few nights ago and it was absolutely perfect. The food and service was obviously amazing as any 5 star steakhouse in the area should be. The greatest thing about the night was that they had a live band and dance floor set up for the special occasion. We went to Morton's the year before and did have a great meal, but it did not compare as far as atmosphere for this entertaining night.
(5)
Mike D.

Don't be stupid like me. Do order the porterhouse. I always get smaller steaks and have to beg bites of porterhouse off my number one food buddy. Yes, it's a big hunk of food, and you may not finish it, but it really is probably the best steak I've had. That said I'm usually three sheets to the wind before I'm properly anesthetized against the pain of paying for a meal here, so I may have had better but I couldn't tell you when. Too much nutmeg in the creamed spinach though. Oh yeah, and the waiter spilled food buddy's wife's glass of wine all over the table last night and didn't offer to comp us anything. Being three sheets to the wind I took it in stride, but thought that was odd.
(4)
Ferit U.

great oysters, environment, owner, music
(4)
Nam T.

Grill 23 is one of those restaurants that I believe is driving strictly on they're reputation and exclusiveness per say. A steak will run you around 30 to 40 without sides. I ordered the fillet and my friend had herself the veal. Her veal was by far the better choice. My deal with Grill 23 isn't the that they serve bad food. I just feel that for the money you should get a lot more. The quality of steak that I got here is no better than Ninos in Hingham which is a GREAT steakhouse if you're in the area. Atmosphere in Grill 23 tends to be more social than I would like. It is not a great place to take a date because the cathedral ceiling can cause the place to get quite loud. I would say if you are looking for a great steak, head toward mortons or abe & louie's
(3)
Darcy P.

best filet I've ever had. bone-in is way to go. just amazing and a huge portion. we actually share it and get a side (may sound cheap but whatever, it works). sun and mon select bottles of wine are $23 so those are the days to go. also pretty place with nice atmosphere; not nearly as stuffy as some steakhouses. great place to go!
(5)
Angela A.

Oh, my ears! The noise level in this place on a Monday night is enough to keep me away. We went for a drink at the upstairs bar first. Upstairs is quieter, and a little more romantic. The bartender was nice and helpful. Once we were seated at our table downstairs, I started to shout at my husband. No, we weren't fighting - it was the only way for him to hear what I was saying over the din. The food was good. I had shrimp cocktail for a starter, and my husband had the clam chowder. Both were good - I loved my shrimp. For dinner, I ordered a Kobe steak (for the first time), and I guess I was expecting more, for a $59 piece of meat. My husband also ordered the Kobe steak. It was not cooked properly, so they immediately took it back, and the GM brought the steak out to him and apologized. We had a nice bottle of wine from an extensive wine list, but decided to head over to Cafe Vittoria for a cappuccino and cannoli (and their cappuccino can't be beat!).
(3)
Alyssa S.

Forgive me for the sports metaphor, but I'm in college basketball withdrawal. If you consider the restaurant to be a sports team: they would be Duke. Expensive. Technically perfect. The apple of every commentator's eye. And completely uninteresting unless you are a Duke fan. That's what this restaurant was to me. I had the swordfish, which was fine but not great. I had a salad which was fine but not great. I had mashed potatoes which were...you get the idea. And yet, I paid more for this meal than anywhere else I ate in Boston. So if I were a spectator, and this were a Duke game, I would be chanting "OVER-RATED *clap-clap-clapclapclap*"
(2)
Rema A.

i've heard a lot about this place from others and finally got a chance to go. i had the new york strip which was super flavorful, i'd definitely recommend it. we also ordered a few sides: mashed potatoes (pretty good, nothing too special though), broccoli gratin and the truffle tots. we liked the tots the best. overall, the food was really good, but you definitely pay for it. don't think we'll be going back unless maybe for a special occasion. definitely worth trying though.
(4)
George F.

Absolutely the best steakhouse. I've been to Del Frisco's, S&W, Post House, Primehouse, Luger's, Spark's and I can say that this was the most perfectly cooked steak put in front of me. The starters we selected were the calamari, the tomatoes with Chevre and the salad quarters. I would, in retrospect, not get the salad because there is too much food. The rest of the starters were great. I agree with many of the posts that suggest getting the aged cuts- i will go one further and say to get the aged sirloin.Yes, the prime rib is great, and the porterhouse too, but the sirloin is nothing short of spectacular. Some folks might say that the Sirloin is salty, but i would say that for such a thick cut of meat, if you get a nice cross section, it all balances out. They serve the steaks with grilled onions which are chilled(not cold!). Some found that confusing, but i liked the contrasts. As to sides, definitely the truffle tater tots(you have to ask for them), and the mac n cheese are two that are top of the list. I would not recommend the Broccoli Gratin- not that its bad, its just not good enough to let the belt out another notch if you're having everything else. The service is also great- we had Benjamin, a really god guy who guided us in the selection of courses(my wife wanted the meatloaf and he wisely convinced her otherwise) and was always there without being intrusive. The timing of the food was perfect as well- they could not have dovetailed each course better. Over all, I would say it was a great experience. We were a party of three and with 2 starters, 1 salad, 3 premium steaks, 2 desserts and 1 beer the total came to $335. I have paid more at Capital Grill for a much lesser quality of meal and dining experience. All hail Grill 23!
(5)
Nick Z.

No complaints about a thing. Our reservation was for 7:30pm on a Friday, we got right in, were immediately seated and began looking through the drink and wine list. Our server was Jeffrey who was phenomenal! He had all the answers and amazing recommendations. I had the "100 days steak" I believe it was called and received a background on how the steak was prepared, cooked and even how to eat it! (working from the outside in.) The side dishes were delicious, asparagus with hollondaise, the whipped potatoes and a risotto all paired with a decent chianti, couldn't have aske for anything better. The prices were a bit high but it was worth every penny. I would recommend this place to anyone going out for a special event or amazing steal dinner.
(5)
Audrey B.

I love the traditional steakhouse vibe...busy dining room, waiters in white coats. I've had more than one wonderful dinner here with friends! Definetly a top choice for date night, catching up with friends and everything in between!
(5)
Justin Gwailo H.

I'd been here twice. I ordered filet mignon, as always, which was ok. Not a big fan of sitting downstairs as it was noisy and lots of echo. Upstairs was quieter, as long as you don't sit near the bar.
(3)
jenilee p.

Beef has so many forms. The different cuts, smoking it in the tradition of southern barbecue, eating it raw like a crazed daredevil, or indulging in those pricey imported chunks of decadent Kobe. I've had all of the above...and yes, I concur, they're all different and worth traveling any distance on foot through the snow. But not all that recently, according to many a food writer, food network personality, or just your average psycho foodie, no form of beef exemplifies the "you have arrived" special occasion dinner, like that of a thick cut of dry aged American steak. Grill 23 is one of the few institutions in New England where you can experience a dry aged steak from a respected American cattle ranch/farm. After many recommendations (and warnings of the price tag) from coworkers, writers, and friends, my bigger half and I decided to make a reservation for an anniversary dinner. Upon walking through the door and wondering whether or not it is a good idea to check one's jacket...I really like that jacket...we were seated in a rather grand room with high ceilings dark wood, brass virtually everywhere, and a tapestry along one wall that would make the MFA feel a little bit of penis envy. The dining room was grand, to say the least, but far from intimate. Other dinners included some seriously under-dressed noobs, a whole bunch of old money Bostonians, and suits upon suits upon suits. It was loud, but obviously boisterous due to numerous patrons partaking in copious amounts of vino from a most impressive wine list. After selecting our own wonderful glasses of Malbec and cab franc to go with the meat-fest to follow, we spoke to the waiter and placed our order. The Cotuit oysters were a duh, and so, we thought, would also be the hash browns as steakhouse hash browns are supposed to be a thing of beauty. (See Ruth Reichl's Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise.) However, our waiter, ever so subtly recommended that we select another side. Why? Pray tell. "Because they're not very good. I tire from bringing back orders to the kitchen." Now, I don't know about you, but I'm always glad to hear a server make recommendations, and though this is the first time it has ever happened, I'm equally as happy when he saves me like superman from disappointment. I guess the moral of this story is: a) listen to your server b) don't order the hash browns c) go to this restaurant for the steak, not the sides. A bread basket arrived, as did the oysters - delicious, make sure to try the cucumber mignonette. and so also followed the steaks. Now, there are a few dry aged steaks on the menu. Of course, please make sure to order one of the dry aged steaks... otherwise what's the point of coming here and dropping the big big money? But I would generally recommend the strip steak or the ribeye. Cooked to a perfect medium rare, my strip steak tasted of concentrated beef flavor: grassy, juicy, and deeply savory with every chew. Likewise, the ribeye was delicious, with a bit more of the prime rib flavor that one expects. To cut to the quick, they were truly special steaks. Though the sides weren't fantastic, as warned by our server, one goes here for the dry aged beef... worth at least a once in a lifetime indulgence, or if you are truly a follower of naturally raised beef, dry aged despite ants in your pants anticipation, in the setting of a fine dining institution, then this might become more of an annual destination. I enjoyed Grill 23, right down to that big-ass tapestry.
(4)
Ayon J. R.

I really enjoyed the steaks. But, I enjoyed the breads even more :-)
(4)
Brendan B.

I've heard so many good things about this place that I had to try it out. First off, the place has a very a classy decor. I was very impressed when I walked in. On to the food... the first thing my date and I had was the bread. Usually, when a place has good bread that they serve in the beginning, it's usually a good sign. The bread was great; your typical fancy squaw bread and sour dough combination. OK, so that's good and I'm expecting a fantastic meal at this point in time. The Caesar salad I had was light and refreshing which was exactly what I wanted for an appetizer. The dressing wasn't too "anchovy-ish" and the crutons were very tasty. I wasn't impressed at all with my date's filet mignon. However, my Kobe Cap steak was pretty amazing. I would easily come back here just for that particular steak. I would NOT come back here for anything else though. The dessert we had was the chocolate cake which was so-so. I wasn't impressed with this at all and have had better elsewhere. Overall, Grill 23 is overrated. The food is good, but not for the price I'm paying. My experience there ended up being around $110/person for an appetizer, glass of wine, main course, and dessert. It's good food, don't get me wrong, but there are better steak houses across the US that I'd rather go to.
(3)
Apolinaras S.

Service was definitely great. Server helped my wife pick out a GREAT dry-aged NY strip. It was perfect. They seem to have trained their boys right. Now warning, I am a steak snob. An absolute steak snob. I HATED my Porterhouse. HATED IT. I asked for rare (I always do, I like my dinner still moving :-) ) and the steak came with charred tips and it was rare, but not the proper all over rare I am used to. It looked like an f-in T-bone, not Porterhouse. Capitol Grill prices, but not the same level of meats. Mac'n'Cheese nothing to write home about. Asparagus was OK. Ginger Peach Crumble - nothing even remotely close to what my wife makes. Beers are priced right, martinis $3-$5 too much for the quality and creativity.
(3)
Janna H.

I took my boyfriend here on his birthday tonight and was very impressed. Service was impeccable. Our waiter was helpful with the wine choice, and fun and easy to talk to. Not overbearing. Absolute plus. We both ended up ordering the Kobe Cap Steak, which was phenomenal. Definitely glad we ordered. In the end, we got a bottle of wine, the two steaks and three sides, the blue mashed, the creamed spinach, and mac n' cheese. So all in all, it was nice experience, especially given the birthday boy's approval, and I'd definitely visit another time.
(4)
Heather E.

This is one of the best steakhouses I've been too. It's in my top 5. The steaks are aged and cooked to perfection! The servers are at the top of their game. Extremely personable and professional. Dining at this restaurant is an "experience". It's beautiful inside and has an old money country club ambience. This place is expensive so save it for a special occasion;)
(5)
R R.

Pricey but well worth the cost (I usually spend about $250 to $300 on dinner for two including tip and two or three glasses of wine). When we first went I got the Kobe Cap steak and my wife got the Fillet Mignon...she never made that mistake again! If you have never had Kobe beef before Google it and when you stop drooling head on over to the Grill 23.
(5)
Kara B.

I have been to Grill 23 about 14 or 15 times over the last 2.5 years. Its the place for special occasions and treating family and guests from out of town. Our service is always excellent. We've had one less social waiter but personality aside, service is always excellent. the service at the bar is always top notch. The bartenders are very knowledgeable - even about juice. The food: The usual starting dish is a split Caesar salad with anchovies. I think you'd agree that you need a good base of greens before you dive into the delicious steak that you come here for. The salad is too large for one person if you'd like to enjoy your dinner fully. As far as my meal, I always go with a la-carte items; who can resist the delicious tater totes! I've had the twin fillets which are always cooked medium rare like I like them. I've also tried some other cuts, but the twins are always enough. After enjoying a leisurely meal - especially when you're a large group on a weekend, its time to take a little breather while enjoying the people watching that you are sure to witness. From the businessmen groups that discuss privileged information too loudly to the under dressed families that are eating in awkward silence to the oblivious couples in love. You can't miss dessert here. In fact, you can have your meal elsewhere (somewhere a bit more affordable if you're trying to not break the bank) and come back here for dessert. The dessert prices rival the affordable places in price but they surpass them in quality. The last time I went to Grill 23, their menu boasted 2 pastry chefs! But I digress here. The not to miss dessert is the Valrhona chocolate cake. This is true sin: chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousee with dark chocolate sauce - 7 or 8 layers - never took the time to count them all. It is perfectly presented on your plate with hardened candy pieces that add to the texture. I warn you now: if you have this cake you will never be able to enjoy those other places masquerading their imperfect cake as chocolate cake. This one is moist, delicious, dark, sweet all at once. I'm in love with Grill 23. I will definitely go back. Here's to hoping I never have a bad experience.
(5)
J C.

The steak here is the best. It will bring you to tears it's so good. I can also recommend the Big Crush cocktail- amazing. We also recommend the cold seafood platter- very frsh and amazing.
(5)
Jasmine C.

Would totally recommend Grill 23 if you are looking to for a night out of dine and wine. We went there for a little pre-xmas dinner, expecting to blow our pockets. It's pricey but it's also super yummy. 3 of us, with wine, apps, deserts (we shared) was about $250 total but totally worth it. Service was good. Steak is definitely the choice of meat here and its super tender, juicy and tasty. Might be a little too tasty for some but I think overall it was really good. Def a place for a special evening
(4)
Richard T.

I came here for a Valentine's night dinner. The place was packed for a Sunday. The service started out well during the evening but wine special looked intriguing but was was not so great. For my main course I had a Dry-aged rib-eye (medium) along with the truffle tatter tots. The streak looked well prepared when I cut into it but for my first taste it was salty! I spoke with the waiter and it was promptly fixed. What suprised me was that they put so much butter on the steak. I was completely suprised that a steak house would use that much butter for something should be high caliber in the first place. I may be reluctant on going here again. I should've spoke with the manager about it. Oh well.
(2)
Alessandra H.

My favorite steakhouse in the city!
(4)
Pat R.

Hands down best steak in boston. Don't get me wrong, Capitalle Grille is excellent too, but I find their steaks to be more "decorated" if you will. If you want just a pure, can-cut-it-with-a-butter-knife kind of steak that is no muss, no fuss, Grill 23 wins out. Plus I find the wine selection to be a bit superior in comparison as well. All in all, I don't even care about how expensive it is when I go here; if I just finished a meal here and died, I would die happy...and full. Mouth is watering as we speak.
(5)
Bret C.

Grill 23 is fantastic. Fantastic room and fun but not crazy atmosphere. Great bread basket and great service. Kind of neat to watch them reset tables - the person that does it is almost like a magician in his own way! Steak was delicious. Grill 23 is just awesome.
(5)
Denise B.

This place is amazing at Christmas time. They have lights and decor all going and it's beautiful. The food is absolutely delicious. The best steak I have ever had. It's very expensive so it's more of a once a year for a special occasion type place but it's worth the price for a nice night out. Best kept secret here: the creme brule. Amazing!
(5)
Yvette S.

Was walkn round town lookn for new place to try found grill 23. The food was amazing but wow over $100 for two people. I should have known when there where no prices on the menu. Sooooo worth the experience
(5)
Jenna L.

Sexy crowd, great steaks, great sides and great atmosphere. A fun night out. My husband is a steak guy and votes Grill 23 hands down Boston winner. I am happy to go even if I don't have the steak as the fish selections have not disappointed me yet. The staff is more than helpful, and claimed to remember our group - which even if they didn't was a nice touch. The wine selection is super, and the staff is all for lending a hand in choosing good bottle. Try to sit upstairs as downstairs can GET A BIT LOUD
(5)
Andrew J.

Having sampled a fair portion of the menu, I can't give this place more than three stars. The service was stuffy bordering on rude, and the offerings were bland, overpriced, with poorly chosen sides and toppings. The "chicken under a brick" sounds interesting but was as white and tasteless as the clientele. Decent, but just barely.
(3)
Scott T.

I thought this place was OK. Its really hard for me to not compare to other Steakhouses being from Chicago where the Standard is so high. All the Steaks were good. They were cooked a little more than most of us would have liked. My other friend got the Swordfish and it was fantastic. This is a nice old school place that serves up good food and drinks. For me it didn't blow me away but it was good. A little overpriced for what it was. The service was also good.
(3)
Jim E.

The best steakhouse in Boston. Abe & Louie's is a very close second. Food here always top knotch, meat superb. Service can be a little spotty. A great place for an "event" meal with friends or family.
(4)
R F.

Very expensive, fancy, upscale place. Steaks are delicious, juicy and flavorful and worth it. The staff aren't overly friendly, but they're not annoying. They are attentive and fast, but not interruptive, and the dining experience is pretty laid back and chill. I felt slightly out of place (with the loud older business buddies everywhere) but I didn't care, I had just come from getting a facial and a massage at Etant and I was just looking to continue the day of spoiling myself. Grill 23 did just that for me...
(4)
Byron M.

Grill 23 is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The quality of the food (steaks especially) and the service is excellent. The staff is very attentive. The only draw back is if you want a quiet place to eat, go upstairs or go somewhere else. It is very busy and sometimes a bit noisy because of the crowd. I have been here many times and each time had a wonderful dining experience.
(5)
Chuck S.

Fabulous. Great service, great food, and great cocktails. Worth every penny.
(5)
Jeff B.

Fancy plans and pants to match. Grill 23 is the best steakhouse in Boston - easily on par with Peter Luger, Old Homestead in NYC. Lube up with a few drinks at Cuff's across the street and head over for a memorable experience. The wine list goes on for days and the menu is outstandingly standard. The staff is as well seasoned as the food, as well polished as the silverware and glasses, but way more friendly than all three combined. I'd rate this location above Smith and Wollensky, Ruth's Chis, and Capital Grill. Steakhouses shouldn't be chains anyway. Splurge here, you owe it to yourself.
(5)
AJ F.

Good!!...Great place to go with your GF, date, etc.... On the quiet site in terms of atmosphere but still a good scene. As you can expect with the upper echelon steak houses...$$$$ Never had a bad experience here!...service is Ok.
(5)
Megan H.

Went here for Valentines Day...I'm not one for the hokey, lovey-dovey romantic stuff on V-Day, but this was right up my alley. My boyfriend and I both got steaks (which goes without saying!) Everything was delicious. The service was great as well-known even though the place was packed to the brim with couples, we never felt rushed or ignored. We got there a bit early than our reservation, and were able to sit at the bar for a drink which was nice for people watching. The place is huge, and its even bigger once you go upstairs. I would highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you are a big meat eater!
(5)
sairah r.

The best dry aged steak I have ever had. The service is always extremely good. The appetizers could be better but every time I visit, I am very pleased.
(5)
Wendy L.

The steak was so great - everything from the sides to the wine were all fabulous. It is pricey but worth it...
(4)
Michelle P.

My experience here was a few years ago - caveat, caveat, caveat - but I haven't been back since because of it! For a restaurant that was so ungodly expensive, I expected to really enjoy the luxurious treat of being taken out to dinner here! Instead, the service was so pushy we had our appetizers ordered, delivered and eaten 15 minutes after we sat down. Now, we may have been younger than their average crowd but we were over 21 and dressed appropriately. By the time dessert came around I realized we were being pushed out, so we sent waiters away 3 or 4 times before placing a dessert order. I would never go back here on principle. In addition, I thought the steak was nothing special. Morton's or Abe & Louie's are much better!
(1)
Ashley V.

ah yum! we came for dinner last week and it was so mmmmm delicious! pros: huge place business casual-dressy clean bathrooms coat check! fresh water kobe beef is the best! they double check on you to see if the meat is cooked to your liking cons: can get crowded not much room to walk between tables (doesn't accommodate if you are larger than average size, good luck trying to walk all the way to the bathroom) tables are so closely packed near each other people at other tables might bump you ran out of prime rib when i went! :( so sad i had to order something else... waiters took forever (at times) $$$$$$$$ super bank. altogether i had an amazing meal. service was ok... nothing stand out or spectacular. they're not too welcoming when you walk in but once they realize that you have money, they treat you better. food was great (it better be for that price right?!) and i'm sure you'll enjoy it when you go. two thumbs up if you have the cash. if not, don't worry you'll still live.
(4)
Allison S.

What an amazing place to enjoy some great steak! Although it was very crowded, loud, and a little cramped, what lacked in conversation was made up for in food. The service was excellent and my petit filet was perfectly cooked. A little pricy, but definitely worth it - especially for a special occasion, or just a super amazing piece of steak.
(4)
johnny b.

great food; better service. my favorite eatery in boston.
(5)
Christopher N.

Nothing like going into a great steakhouse and ordering fish (we are not big meat eater). I had heard the place was upscale but didn't catch the steakhouse bit. Regardless, we laughed nonstop and I must say; the Maine Lobster was great. My cohort had the Swordfish. Both were amazing and I am quite sure that covers their seafood selection on the menu. The sides are great! Blue Cheese Mashed and Buttered Asparagus (minus the butter) were perfect. To start the evening off, we started with the Shellfish Sampler. So really, we went to a fine steakhouse to have seafood. That is probably a crime in some areas but the wait staff assured us that we were not the first to do so.
(4)
Robert O.

One of the best restaurants in Boston, a consistently excellent experience. Their steak is perfect, their swordfish is excellent. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and courteous. The atmosphere is classy but not stuffy like other steakhouses. Highly recommend.
(5)
Anais G.

We went for my Boyfriend birthday and honestly the huge smile on his face when he saw his gigantic dry-aged steak and when he took his first bite was worth a million. He said it was the best steak of his life and the grilled asparagus on the side were also deliciously prepared. I am vegetarian and took the vegetarian risotto ( the only vegetarian option besides salad, it is a grill!! I was prepared!!) and it was very very good, really a five stars. I was surprised a steak restaurant was doing such a good job at vegetarian friendly food. The service was awesome and very friendly, our server recommended the risotto for me and wine as well. ( Huge wine list!! Very good selection.) The caramel-cajou nuts tart is really a killer, and their scotch selection is quite impressive. Even if a bit pricy, I think it a great place to take you BF on a special date to meet his meat craving or just if you want to hang out in a very classy and warm atmosphere and get a delicious and expertly served dinner.
(5)
Josh C.

This is my favorite place for a nice Filet mignon. I normaly order it with mashed potatoes and a port stilton reduction. A few weeks ago I ordered the sliced tenderloin on the specials list, but had to send it back. For some reason it tasted like roast beef. This is the 1st time I have ever done this, every thing is normally perfect. The server was very helpfull and brought me out a different steak. This one was The best steak I have ever had. The glaze tasted like a dijon with vidalia onions and it was cooked to perfection. hummmm... I might go there tonight!
(5)
Clinton C.

I have been going to this establishment for years and for me the most important quality is consistancy and excellant service. Grill 23 provides both at a reasonable price for the quality of food they serve.
(5)
LaSha G.

Ok, so I've decided to not let my first impression cloud my entire dining experience. When I walked in, there were a lot of old white guys in suits patting each other on the back in the bar area, guffawing very loudly and sipping small shots of brown liquor. Let's just say the restaurant seemed a bit pretentious and stuffy. I also felt a bit overly attended to...we seemed to be only table that the water boy was assigned to that night. I like water but I'm really not that upset when my glass is 3/4 full -- I can wait. The menu was pretty standard/boring, so I ordered the clam chowder for an appetizer and it was bland and flavorless. And I have such high expectations for clam chowder in the New England area! I ordered the chicken dish with a applewood bacon celery sweet sauce that was great and a side of slightly mashed garlic red potatoes that were tasty. My friend had the beef medallions and thought it was pretty good. So although my entree was pretty good, my dissapointing appetizer, the too attentive service, overpriced food, and pretentious atmosphere bumped this rating down to about 3 1/2 stars for me. I like fancy restaurants as much as the next person, but not so much as to where they make me feel uncomfortable.
(3)
BARRY G.

As restaurants go and especially steakhouses, this place is topnotch
(5)
larry m.

There on business with a group of 11 and everyone enjoyed the experience. Good wine list. Good beef...try the hash browns.
(4)
Lex B.

It's been a while, so I will graduate the 23 to five stars once I go again (in the near future) experience permitting. I do recall them having some of the best crabcakes I have ever had. Ambiance is just really cool...and manly...but it's fine.
(4)
Marie B.

The filet was the best I have ever had. Phenomenal. Mashed potatoes and asparagus for sides rounded out my meal. Got the lobster tail and crab cake (singular...) for apps and could have just saved the 44 bucks...other than that I had a great first experience at Grill 23 and will definitely be back!
(4)
Matt G.

An old friend brought me here a few nights ago. This is not the kind of place I would usually go. Its a little out of my price range. Our bill was about $220.00 for 2. That being said I got the Kobe beef and it was beyond my expectations. I might have ruined all food for the rest of my life. It was by far the best thing I have ever ate in my life. I wont be back for a long time, but I will be back!
(5)
Andrew T.

A group of us (4) had dinner there last night. Considering the price I would not return. The Good: 1. The steaks were very good. 2. The sides were ordinary and did not compliment the steaks well. 3. The desserts were excellent. The Bad: 1. Service was OK, but not great. It was difficult to find our server when we need something. 2. One member of our group ordered a steak medium rare and it was over cooked (medium to medium well). They replaced it no questions asked. 3. Our biggest complaint was the noise level. We were there on a Saturday night , but the place was not packed (there were empty tables near us). It was difficult to hear one another and we were sitting at a table for four. Do not go there is you want to have a conversation while you eat.
(3)
Ryan V.

Fan-phukn-tastic! The hotel concierge actually recommended Grill 23 and hooked up the reservation - it was well worth taking her advice! The food was excellent, the atmosphere is exceptional, and even though I didn't feel I was dressed up enough compared to a few of the other patrons (but didn't feel so bad when a young kid sporting a polo and hat walked in with his date), the staff didn't make me feel any less than the best. Well taken care of throughout the evening and they didn't miss a beat - the second my glass got below halfway, it was refilled ... Before I could think of asking for some more bread, it was placed on the table ... The mere thought that I might need just a little more dressing on the side for my salad, it appeared ... I'm almost amazed I actually opened my mouth to order my meal ... It was a spectacular evening and one of the best experiences I've had in fine steakhouse ...
(5)
Stephen M.

bottom line: best steakhouse in boston. well, i haven't been to moo, but any place that has a name like that is trying to make up for it's lack of substance with a cutesy name. so, why not 5 stars? simple, all three of our sides were mediocre. so, though it sucks to be a steakhouse and knock it out of the park in the steak and lobster department only to get held back because of side dishes, that's life. the house salads were excellent and the bread was very good. didn't get any appetizers, so can't speak to them. the steak... i had a dry aged ribeye and it was perfect. they cooked it to med rare perfection and it was moist, tender and very flavorful. another of us had dry aged ny strip which was cooked just as well and very moist and tender, though not as flavorful. solid A for the steaks. the steamed lobster was also excellent. it was fresh and they did most of the extraction work for you, so very user-friendly. only good things to say about this stuff. the side items get a B- in my book. we had the creamed spinach, blue mashed, and mac n cheese. i didn't really like any of them. the cheese component to the mashed potatoes was overwhelming. the creamed spinach seemed too runny and, again, cheesy. the mac n cheese is just silly. this wouldn't seem so bad if not for peter lugers in nyc totally kicking their ass in the side item department. back to good news, the carmel profiteroles is an awesome dessert! make sure to get it. we also had the creme brulee and some peach and pear thing that were both good, but just paled in comparison to the profiteroles! (more of a compliment to the latter than an insult to the former). our server, rob, was awesome! he and his helpers were very attentive without being overly present. overall top notch service. i loved the ambiance. there's plenty of room and the main dining area feels quite grand like a nice steakhouse should.
(4)
Gary G.

I dined last night at Grill 23. I was expecting to be blown away. The way some of the reviews had been pumping up this place. You would think I was going into a Hall of Fame of steakhouses. We arrived about 10 minutes before our reservation and of course they told us to go to the bar and get a drink and someone would come and grab us when our table was ready. That's all good in all. However, I noticed there was plenty of empty tables. So, obviously this is a scam they have been running for years. I will say the drinks are strong. I caught a buzz off one drink. Yes, I am not big a drinker. However, when I saw my tab for 2 drinks was $25. I better catch a buzz. I did not like the table they sat me and my wife at. Yes, it was just the 2 of us. We noticed all the tables around us had big parties. So, we felt like were at the kids table at a wedding. Our waiter came over and was very nice. I think this is where this restaurant earns major points. The service was excellent. The bread they start you with is very good. You get at least 6 rolls. So, be careful you do not fill up on the bread. We started out with fried goat cheese. This dish was AWESOME. I think it was the best thing I ate all night. Then we split a Caesar salad. Nothing special. Disappointed actually because so many people raved about it on yelp. I got the Kobe steak. Why, I am not sure. Supposedly this is the holy grail of steaks. This is my 2 time messing with the Kobe. I am not that impressed. I should of got the sirloin. Wifey got the twin fillets. She described it as good not the best though. The only thing that saved our meal was the dessert. We got the Smore's. Nice and chocolaty. Here is with my beef comes in with Grill 23. Drop about $250.00 and then 1 hour after eating I feel like I need to go the emergency room. I feel like ass people. All that food in my belly was not a good mix. I slept like crap. I wake up with a food hangover. So, this is where I have doubts about this place. Why spend all that money to feel bad. The one thing I will say I noticed they like to use salt. I swear I tasted salt crystals on everything. Also, the crowd was 40 +. A lot of these people think they are cool too. I saw a lot of 40 year old women wearing clothes that an 18 year old would wear. There were about 6 other items on the menu that intrigued me. So, I would probably go back. Am I a sucker for punishment. We will find out.
(3)
Michael T.

The best steak in Boston, by a lot. Consistently excellent food, preparation, service. Room is great, bar is great. Try the tartare for starters, it is sublime.
(5)
M M.

Took my father, boyfriend and brother in law here for Father's Day. They had no specials, hardly any worthy appetizers to choose from. My steak was over cooked and it wasn't even that good. It was average steak, over priced for being just okay.
(2)
Lili M.

There is a reason is has been voted best steak in Boston so many times. It just is. Try it out and you will see...
(5)
Diem M.

Our dinner reservation was at 7pm on a Sunday night. The crowd was average. The wait staff was very friendly and took our drinks order right away. My review: ordered a medium-rare filet with a side of asparagus. The filet was tender but it was burnt on the outside. I cut out the outside of the steak and ate what is tender.... I had better filet at other steak restaurants. The side asparagus was cooked just right. My boyfriend's review: The 2nd plate of choice was the dried age ribeye with the side of frites. From such high reviews, it was much of a disappointment for the steak itself. It lacked the sweet and nutty taste I was expecting out of a dried aged steak. High ratings from yelp, zagat, and voted by Bostonian as best steakhouse of the city had me coming in with high hopes. Cooked perfectly but yet dry and bland. The high point were the thinly cut and seasoned frites, but mostly the Sunday $23 wine list. So overall, we wanted to give a rating of 2 1/2 star but we picked 3 instead.
(3)
Francheska A.

This place is huuuuge and very good. I went there a for a business dinner in November and couldn't believe how big it is and it was completely packed. Apparently, its very popular with local professionals and I can see why. Regardless of the crowd, their service and food were superb. My party was pretty big, (approx. 50 people) and we had a separate room, among the many I saw. We had passed hors d'oervres of lamb, crabcakes, pate, and others that were all delish. It was a prefixed menu so I was forced to order four courses...delish!
(4)
Corey Z.

If I were paying for the dinner, I would've given it 4 stars instead. Dinner came out to about $100/person, but it was worth it! My Kobe steak was cooked perfectly as you'd expect from an elite steakhouse and all the sides were delicious. I especially liked the mushrooms. If I had to give one criticism it would be that what I had wasn't technically kobe beef. Kobe beef can't be imported, but rather should have been called "Kobe style". That being said, by the time I finished it I was so happy that they could have called it cat tongue and I wouldn't have cared!
(5)
Jessica K.

the stake taste awesome!!!!
(5)
Dan S.

An embarrassment for a high end steakhouse. Significantly worse than all other steakhouses in the city, even the crappy chains like Mortons. Also, as expensive or more expensive than all the others. What loser keeps getting this crapshack voted #1 steakhouse in Boston? Are the people at Boston Magazine or the Improper so stupid and lazy, or are they being paid off? Steaks were served lukewarm to cool on cold plates, and were so salty as to be almost inedible. This is USDA prime? give me a break! The delmonico tastes and looks like a slim jim. I simply don't understand it...I've had ribeyes at every other high end steakhouse in the city and I have a certain expectation for how the cut is usually presented; I am not against being surprised, but why is the delmonico at Grill 23 thin and wrinkly?!!? If you don't believe me, here is a link to a photo: arthurhungry.com/pictureâ€¦ Are they pounding their ribeyes down with a meat tenderizer or something? Whatever it is, the thing had such an overpowering salt surface that I could barely choke it down. I sent it back and got a decent filet in its place that was, at least, hot. Do yourself a favor and avoid at all costs. ALL high end steakhouses are complete ripoffs, but for the money you should at least get a killer steak. For that, you're way better off at Ruth's Chris in the Old City Hall building, or, if you just can't abide chains, Abe and Louis or the Oak Room in the Back Bay. Honestly, I'd rather go to the Outback or Longhorn than waste another dime at Grill 23. MEMO TO THE CHEF: a crabcake is not supposed to taste like a corndog.
(1)
Beth L.

My boyfriend took me here to celebrate a special occasion a few weeks ago. My steak was wonderfully prepared, although I felt bad because my boyfriends was burned too much on the outside (yet he ordered it med-rare). The service was attentive - and I had a absolutely wonderful martini (although quite pricey I must say!). The problem with this place was that I made the reservation a week ahead of time, we were seated in the middle of the restuarant near a very loud group. For the price we were paying and the occasion we were celebrating, it was a bit disappointing that our table wasn't even conducive to conversation. The dinner also felt a bit rushed which I'm not really crazy about.
(3)
Victoria B.

Like this place a lot. The food is great and so are the drinks. It is expensive, but sometimes a person likes to treat himself to a nice dinner. I had lobster the last time I went and it was great. The service was great too. I'D GIVE IT A 4.5! But I don't have that option.
(4)
william b.

thanks fro nothing last nigth!! ordered $1300 dollars of schit, and waited 30 minutes --after all guests got food for my phucking salmon. which you blew away 3 times. medium phucking rare 3 times ha! kindly go suck a sherbert. heading to abe and louie's tonight and forever, there after. phew that feels good. later - b
(2)
Meg M.

Okay, so as you can tell from my last review of this place I love it. I heard about the new bar bites menu and the 23 dollar wine list they offer on Sundays and Mondays so my boyfriend and I hitup the upstairs bar this past monday. We go to Grille 23 alot and love the regular menu, but we figured we'd try it out mostly for the wine list. We sat in our usual spot in the usptairs bar and had Josephine as our bartender again. She is really sweet and knows just when to chat with us and when to let us enjoy our meals. Having been a bartender I always find this is a great quality to have. We ordered a bottle of Sangiovese off of the 23 dollar bottle menu and it was delicious. Such a great deal. We then asked her for the bar bites menu and ordered quite a few things. The deviled eggs topped with Jonah Crab meat were delicious. We also ordered Grille23's version of a corn dog with a nice remoulade sauce to dip in. It was delicious as well. The best thing we orederd was the pulled pork slider topped with wonderful homemade coleslaw on a mini brioche mmm could have eaten a couple of those. My boyfriends favorite was the mini arrancinis (rice balls) with truffle and cheese inside. They are small portions but when you order a bunch like we did it is enough. However, we could not feel complete without getting a steak so we ordered the twin filet to split with a side of their mac n cheese (my favorite thing). My filet was cooked perfectly although Tim's was slightly more cooked than he usually likes. I didnt notice to be honest I was too busy loving my filet and mac n cheese. We finished off the night with Bourbon (masterfully poured by Josephine) and the caramel profiteroles- it was our first time trying this one and YET AGAIN we were finishing off our meal really really happy and full. We escaped for about 110 total bill for ALL OF THAT. Delicious. GO GO GO on a monday and see Jospehine. I really cannot say it enough... This place is amazing. The 14 oz filet began out courtship and their additions of the bar bites and the 23 dollar wine menu on mon and sun will continue our love affair. Have fun in back home in Ireland Josephine! We will be back to see you soon!
(4)
Ryan J.

I'm kind of in the "a good steakhouse is a good steakhouse is a good steakhouse" group, but I don't toss around the phrase good steakhouse much. I've only been here once and it was great. No complaints at all other than maybe it isn't very intimate in environment and atmosphere. It's up there with Mortons and Capital Grille as my favorites, but I haven't been to many of those exclusive to Boston.
(5)
Louis P.

I really liked Grill 23. Their food was great and service was very attentive as well. I would definately recommend their filet... Wasn't too crazy on their appetizers or their desserts.... Although it's on a pricey range, it's definately worth it for special occasions... I'd definately recommend here...
(4)
Sam N.

I had amazing filet mignon here!! My boyfriend got the 100 day aged ribeye, and we both got the bÃ©arnaise sauce with our steaks. It was such a great meal! All the side dishes were really great too, we got sautÃ©ed mushrooms, potatoes and asparagus. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back
(5)
Noelle L.

Unbelievably well run kitchen and front of house. After just finishing culinary school, I was interested to watch the kitchen run... so I sat myself facing the small part of the kitchen that is open for the dining room to see. So many chefs and waiters hustling in controlled chaos! It was so fun to watch. I am not a steak eater.. so I had the sashimi tuna, bok choy, and mushrooms. It tasted out of the world. We had Caesar salad and creme brule as well. We sat with a party of about 25 people and were seamlessly served drinks, apps, dinner, dessert for 2 hours. A+ OH! and I tried my fiance's truffled tater tots. THOSE are heaven in a fried little ball.
(5)
Jordan P.

All the steaks are on point, but the Kobe Cap is on top of its game. A go-to when in Boston.
(5)
Diane M.

We recently went here for the first time and it was simply amazing. From the valet to the waiter and everyone in between the service was impeccable. We arrived early for our reservation and were shown right to our table. The hostess readily accommodated our request for a quieter table, too! We ordered Tuna and Salmon Tartares and Fried Calamari for appetizers and both were fantastic. I had the twin filet with Mac and cheese and roasted mushrooms. The steak was perfectly seasoned and was a flawless medium rare. My fiancÃ© order the 100 day Aged Prime Ribeye which was also perfectly seasoned and cooked. We highly recommend Grill 23!
(5)
Jon E.

Big fan of the second floor bar, the bone-in sirloin and the selection of French wines.
(4)
Amanda J.

This is hands down my favortie restaurant, not just steakhouse, anywhere. I consider myself a well traveled (and well fed) gal. I have been here for work lunches & dinners, private parties, and just plain ole dinner with friends and have NEVER been disappointed. I love the old school steakhouse feel of the place. I always stick with the Kobe and never flinch at the $60 price tag b/c it is worth every single bite. I've learned to skip the apps so that we can fully enjoy our meals and it has turned out to be a great strategy. Their wine list is incredible, try the Flowers Pinot Noir and the Cakebread Chardonnay. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Soni a.

I've had a lot of great steaks. This Kobe steak however, surpassed them all. 10 oz. of juicy, tender, extremely flavorful beef was worth the relatively high price tag. And with a $23 bottle of wine special on Sun and Mon, you can totally justify it. Mmm yummy!
(5)
Cosmo X.

Nice steak place. Tv's upstairs watch the game have a steak!
(4)
Marshall S.

Great steaks and drinks and wine. The sides need improving. The valet gave me the wrong keys-- otherwise a great night out.
(4)
Lulu C.

I went to Grill 23 last week with a group of 13. The service was fantastic and the food was really amazing. I agree with the previous post about ambiance. Probably not the coziest place for a date, but great for a group of couples or friends. I had swordfish last week and I've been craving it ever since!! I've been to Grill 23 multiple times and have always left with a smile!
(4)
Matthias J.

I came here for a business dinner and can't but agree with the general tenor of the previous reviews: The Delmonico steak was great, perfectly cooked to specs and tasty. The oysters I had as an appetizer were huge and although I don't tend to have high expectations for desert in steakhouse, their Valrhona layered chocolate cake was among the best deserts I have had this year. Their beer selection was a bit meager, while the wine selection is impressive. Service was a bit rough on the edges. Solid 4 stars.
(4)
Chris B.

Dry aged New York steak! That's all I have to say. Well, that and one of the best wine lists I've seen outside of San Francisco. Thanks to these two excellent parts of my meal, I'm giving this five stars. Since I don't actually live in Boston, I don't know how the prices compare to your average business dinner or date spot, but definitely save this for a special occasion or a special expense account night, and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lilia G.

Amazing food, good service, warm ambiance.
(5)
CARLOS G.

I was in Boston last night. After going with a friend to see the opening of Cats (Colonial Theater), we went walking to Grill 23. My first time ever, It was not crowded, since we arrived arround 10 pm (they close the kitchen at 10:30). Let me tell you all : The VERY BEST EVER Pepper Steak I have eaten. The service is superb, the wine list is extense. Somewhat pricey but worth every penny. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)
Peter S.

Located at the corner of Berkeley and Stuart Streets in Boston's Back Bay area, Grill 23 & Bar is a premier dining experience. Executive Chef Jay Murray prepares a fine menu that is highlighted by their signature Kobe Beef cap steak. Again, it is highly recommended that you do not order your Kobe Beef warmer than medium-rare. It is nice to know that in a city full of Seafood restaurants there are still places to get a great steak. But don't worry, Grill 23 & Bar has a full menu of seafood items as well. It is a very versatile dinner destination. The meal is more expensive than some places, but the food, wine, wait staff and experience were worth it. The meal will be $50+ per person if you do drinks and appetizers and the dress is business casual to business professional. It is a good setting for business dinners, dates or even a good meal with friends. The next time I am in Boston I will have a hard time struggling between going back to Grill 23 & Bar or trying someplace new. The restaurant was suggested to me by the front desk at my hotel when I asked for a good steakhouse to which I would take a client. When traveling anywhere, for any reason, I always recommend you ask the concierge where to eat rather than picking something out of the air.
(4)
Sara T.

I really liked Grill 23. I am not a huge fan of steak but thought this was excellent. I order the petit fillet and it was cooked perfectly. Grill 23 offers your typical steak-house sides but what I thought was most impressive was the desserts - the dessert menu was suprisingly good!. I would recommend this place over a steak-house chain. The waitstaff was attentive and polite and the food was excellent.
(4)
Havana F.

Again I don't see the appeal... Everything OK... I want better than OK
(3)
Marissa P.

There are plenty of good steak places in Boston, including this one. Seeing, however, that beef does not often impress me, I'll refrain from reviewing the meat at Grill 23, and instead, will leave you with three magical words: Valhrona. Chocolate. Cake. A wonderfully sinful, divine dessert that is perched in a pool of malted creme anglaise, surrounded by sprinkles of pecan praline. Looooove it.
(4)
John R.

One of the best Steak houses in Boston. I was there in 83 right after they opened for the first time and go there on special occasions when ever I get the chance. I love it because i can order a steak without all the fancy sauces or garnishes just the way a steak is meant to be eaten.
(5)
Ariela M.

Everything was wonderful except the steak - which would normally be acceptable but seeing as this is a steak restaurant - this is a problem. I went there to celebrate my anniversary with my boyfriend. We arrived about 20 minutes early, and they had a table ready almost immediately. I had requested a quiet table upstairs, which they did for us. We ordered cocktails - I had the espresso martini which was AMAZING - the best I've had (including the ones at finale). The bread basket was great as well :) Like other reviewers I was a little surprised they did not offer the chance to speak with the somellier to choose a wine, but since we didn't get wine that was all right. I ordered the twin filet mignons and my boyfriend had the porterhouse. We also got the mac-n-cheese and the mashed potatoes. I like my steak really well done (no pink!) and this was what I got - unfortunately they were not able to do this without making my steak extremely dried out. I've had great steaks at Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille where they were able to give me my steak without pink but also not dried out - so I was VERY disappointed. I had even told them that if they needed to butterfly the steak to avoid it being pink or getting dried out they could - and they did NOT do this (which they should have). Also, since they cooked it so much, the steaks were TINY by the time I got them - about the size of a plum each. The mac-n-cheese was all right but not great, as were the mashed potatoes - and everything was very salty. Dessert, and the icewine we got along with it, was fabulous. The chocolate cake was amazing! The waitress and hostess were both very nice, and the service was great - they did not bug us but were quick and efficient about water refills, cleaning the table between courses, etc. Overall - fun atmosphere, great service, great drinks and dessert but the meal itself was NOT up to par. I would go back for the bar but not to the restaurant itself. Would suggest Ruth's Chris for a romantic meal, or Capital Grille for a business meal instead.
(3)
Stephanie C.

This review is not about the food, because we didn't stay long enough to try it. We made reservations, dressed the part, and were treated rudely the minute we walked in the door. We were seated at the worst table in the restaurant, and when we sat down the hostess just stood there and stared at us instead of giving us out menus. For some reason I had to have my hands above the table before I was allowed to look at it. We asked to be moved (I hate doing that but this was right near the door and freezing) and were immediately shoved off the side. So we left when we realized that you didn't have to be ripped off to get good food. We got Lucky Garden delivered instead.
(1)
Tiffany D.

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! I had the Kobe Cap Steak and it, literally, melted in my mouth!!! Go here for the most delicious cut of steak you can get around here!!!
(5)
jeannie v.

my favorite steakhouse in boston. mouthwateringly delicious and *simple* cuisine. impeccable service. delicious cocktails. and always an abundance of dashing young professionals. what more do you need?
(5)
David H.

I have eaten over thirty dinners at Grill 23 and the Steak is the most consistent in Boston. The atmosphere is upscale with two bars and two dining rooms. The main dining room downstairs is noisy and very large and open; the upstairs is more intimate and the bar area is more club like. The servers are all professional and polite. I regularly order the Rib Eye, Sirlon, Prime Rib, Filet, Baked Potato, Tater Tots, If you eat the bar they seve homemade potato chips. The wine list is one of the best in the city. You should definitely make a reservation on the weekends. Parking is difficult unless you valet and its expensive. If you bring a date I suggest getting a table upstairs where it is quiter. If going with a group either dining room is fine. They also have nice private dining rooms for large groups. Definitely good for a big family dinner.
(4)
Alexander W.

Obviously a nice place if you want a high-end grill, but in terms of decor, it seems to be best suited to an older crowd I don't yet belong to. It felt like a place where older men go to smoke cigars and drink brandy . . . eh. Service was appropriate and the staff was nice enough not to rush a large party even though it ran long and after their standard closing time.
(3)
Kristin S.

Two words - not impressed. For such a classy and expensive place, it was surprising to see a diner in the late evening wearing a turquoise hooded sweatshirt. There needs to be some semblance of a dress code. To their credit, the table was ready at the 7:30 reservation time and they were kind enough to allow us to warm up at the bar and delay our seating for 10 or so minutes. The service was friendly and knowledgeable about the food and pairings with wine. However the food was mediocre at best. The fried calamari appetizer had no special spicing and was served on a very thin layer of what I assume was tartar sauce - not nearly enough to spread on each piece of calamari, so the majority of it was basically plain breaded squid. The crab cake appetizer was as crunchy as a falafel - I don't know if this was the intended preparation, but a good crab cake to me is moist and flakey. Not to mention the crab cakes were topped with some chopped pickled vegetable and again served on a thin layer of mustard sauce not nearly enough to mask the taste of "pickled". The steaks everyone in the party ordered were all very good, but they damn well better be! We ordered the sides of garlic spinach, asparagus, and bleu cheese mashed potatoes and they were all good but nothing to write home about. For dessert I had the profiteroles which were again very good but nothing special. I would recommend Grille 23 only for very special occasions and only for the simple fact that you can say you ate there. But if you're more concerned with good food, this is definitely not the best steak house around. I'll take Flemmings over Grille 23 any day of the week.....and that says a lot.
(3)
Mariko W.

Come on... now that's some good meat. Service is fantastic. And again, that's some good meat.
(5)
Jenny L.

Sigh...I was very disappointed by what is suppose to be the best steakhouse in Boston. I took my bf here for his birthday and was hoping for some great steak. His filet mignon came out burnt and crispy on the outside. My medium rare prime rib came out medium well and when I sent it back it came back raw. The mac and cheese was good...and I would recommend staying away from the tater tots...they sounded much cooler than they actually taste. While the waiter was nice and made a good wine recommendation, the overall dining experience was disappointing and not worth the price. There are definitely better steakhouses in Boston than this!
(2)
Ross K.

Great steakhouse with great sides. The bleu cheese mashed potatoes were excellent and my steak was cooked to perfection. The waitstaff was alright but not as prompt as I would expect from such a classy place. I liked the building and atmosphere a lot. The drinks were great as well but I would not recommend this as a good bar scene.
(4)
Chance X.

Yeah, the $$$$ sign is really right. My friend and i easily dropped 100 + here. The service was great. Very attentive waiters. I love how they put spinach and mashed potato in spring rolls. It's a pretty fun twist and tasty, especially the spinach spring roll. Steak was good but i don't think it is too spreacial though. I had great steak at Abe&louis. They r cheaper and as excellent. This place is pretty grown up i think. My friend and I were sitting on the second floor and ppl on the first flook were all in suits.
(4)
Casey B.

A friends dad was in town and took a bunch of us here for a very dad-like dinner. I prefer the Palms over this place but they were very similar. Lots of business men talking over fancy dinners in suit jackets and khaki pants that don't fit so well, and a few old ladies scattered around. I guess it is good if you like steak (i don't) but they get fresh fish every morning and i did enjoy my small salmon and side veggies. Come here on a business lunch/dinner or with parents but i think there are more creative places to dine if you are willing to spend the money.
(3)
Sean D.

The staff was friendly and efficient. The table service was great, second to none. He timed the courses perfectly and checked on us enough that we knew he had us covered. And that's why Grill 23 earned One Star. We started with the oysters and then moved onto their wedge salad and seafood chowder. Everything tasted fabulous. Looking back, I wish we asked for our check. I ordered the dry-aged ribeye for my main course which had great flavor and was cooked perfectly (I have tasted better for comparable money, namely Double R Ranch Northwest kobe). I selected the shoestring onion rings and truffle tots for my sides. Upon first taste of these lovely $9 add-ons, my mouth was instantly assaulted. They were so over-salted that they burned my taste buds. Fortunately, our nice waiter had comp'ed us with a mac-n-cheese side, which was creamier than out-of-the-box, but still over-salted. My wife ordered the steak au poivre, which was utterly inedible. It was completely over-peppered to the point that she flipped it over and ate the other side (leaving the seasoned side for the dogs). It was surrounded by a croque monsieur-type ham and cheese. I couldn't tell if the chef was trying to be creative or was just having a bad day. Either way, there is no way that this disaster should be served to anyone. It was essentially a mouth-destroying salt-wash that tasted like it came from the bottom of the Dead Sea. As I washed back the flavor with my $15 grey goose on the rocks, I wish I had spent my $250 somewhere else. Next time, I will.
(1)
David D.

I'm sorry, but when I need a meat fix this is still the place to go. Fantabulous dry aged New York steak. I especially love it when someone else is buying because it is very expensive. Everything is a la carte. Everything is also very, very good. Classy atmosphere with a neveux riche clientele. Save room for dessert because there are lots of great choices. Forget them all and go for the chocolate cake.
(4)
Peanuts The Guinea Pig B.

The one thing that keeps this from 5 stars is every so often you get a meal that is EXTREMELY salty. With the fact that most of the bloated on-the-verge-of-my-third-cardiac-arrest executives probably shouldn't be eating this stuff to begin with, the chefs aren't helping their cholesterol by adding two more pounds of salt to the steak. I've eaten here 7 times and I must say the food is excellent and very filling portions. Order the baked potato and secretly look underneath it for the label of the BioTech lab that is responsible for morphing it into the size of an adult cat.
(4)
Dave C.

I went for my 4th anniversary yesterday because we had to use the gift certificate given to us at the wedding. My wife made it a point that I wear a 'jacket,' and would'nt you know...when we got there, there were some diners wearing jeans, sneakers and t-shirts. The menu looked impressive (especially the prices,) however the service was lacking. The tuna tartare was unexciting (three pieces of ORDINARY maguro that you pay $5 for at a sushi restaurant but 23 charges $19 for,) but the seared foie gras made up for it. I had the rib-eye, and for medium rare, the damn thing was practically mooing, and it was salty as hell. My wife ordered the 10 oz filet mignon that was cut it with a fork tender, but that too was salty as hell. For the price of admission ($180.00) we expected a much better dining experience than what we got.
(2)
Nick S.

Don't go here unless money is no object. However, if that is the case, you will not be disappointed. Old school steaks and seafood, deferential waitstaff adorned in white, rich, sumptuous and totally decadent fare. I went here to entertain clients on the company's nickel, and it was pretty much perfect. Crab, steaks, red wine, an iceberg salad wedge drowning in bacon and blue cheese. Uh, yum? This is a place where you can spill your glass of red wine on the white tablecloth and revel in how spectacular the spill is, instead of feeling guilty, embarassed, or like you wish you were the guy next to you (editor's note - this did not occur during my dining experience, but had it happened there would have been nothing wrong with it.).
(4)
Kya F.

This my brother's all time favourite restaurant, so I was expecting more. The steaks are good, but nothing spectacular. The service was good, but again, not spectacular. We went for an early dinner with the princesses, and I was impressed that I never felt uncomfortable there with them, even when the baby started to cry and I had to nurse her.
(3)
lisa g.

My husband and I went here for a nice Valentine's Day dinner, though we should have known not to stray from the reliable steak houses like The Capital Grill and Abe & Louie's. We started with a couple of salads and my Caesar salad tasted like it was dressed with straight mayonnaise but that is tolerable since what we were there for was a top of the line steak. I ordered an aged NY Sirloin cooked medium after confirming with the waiter that medium was a warm pink, no red, center throughout the steak. Our steaks came out and mine was very red, rare to say the least. We sent all the food back so we could do what we intended to do which was enjoy a Valentine's Day meal together. The food came out again and it was the same thing, the only difference being that the outside looked more black which just means it would taste like recooked steak. I called the waiter over and told him I no longer wanted the steak as a third chance would just make the steak taste like microwaved meat. My husband could not, in good conscience, enjoy his meal while sitting across from me and my empty plate. They took all the food off the bill and we left there hungry and irritated that a nice, planned night out had been completely ruined. It was basically a waste of time and energy and not that we cared but we were still on the hook for the valet parking and the waiter's tip. So we dropped about $60 on absolutely nothing, which only irritated us in principle. We would be more than happy to spend $300 for a nice meal and an enjoyable occasion. One more side note is that the tables were so close together that we felt like we were dining with the couple next to us which takes away from a nice, intimate Valentine's dinner. The only redeeming quality here was our waiter who was very understanding and did the right thing in not charging us and was sympathetic to how rare my steak was. I would not waste my time and energy returning to the Grll 23.
(1)
George K.

The best steak in Boston. One of those places you take your wife or girlfriend on a special occasion. You'll really see what top notch service and perfectly cooked steaks are all about.
(5)
G W.

Service was good, albeit slow. I was surprised how loud it was rendering polite dinner conversation impossible. My wife ordered the halibut but receieved the salmon. My steak was great, but I've had better. I suppose if you want to impress out of town clients with whom you don't want to talk, then this is your place. Again, the food was good, service was slow (though our waiter was vey nice and tried hard). Not really a place to take a date, at least the night we were there.
(3)
dan w.

At the few expensive restaurants that I have been to, I have found that most of what you are paying for is the atmosphere and the wait staff. To me, the food never really reaches the level of the higher bill. Grill 23 was an exception. This was hands down the best steak I had ever tasted and my girlfriend agreed. We were also pampered by what seemed like choreographed waiters. One grabbed our salad plates and walked away as the next replaced our forks. as he left the waters were being refilled and the 4th person brought our main course all in less then 30 seconds. The bottom line is if you take someone here, they will be impressed and the money will be well spent.
(5)
Debbie M.

Grill 23 has the reputation of being the best steak in Boston, and the food did not disappoint. I had the NY Strip medium. I didn't like that the menu didn't provide any detail on the various ways in which a steak could be prepared. I asked the waiter if they had any type of spicier sauce, and he recommended the peppercorn treatment and pepper sauce and it was absolutely amazing. It wasn't super spicy but it was extremely tasty. We also had the pomme frites and the macaroni and cheese which were both delicious if you aren into the comfort food type of sides. We skipped appetizers to save room for dessert. We tried the chocolate layer cake and the profiteroles. The profiteroles were absolutely amazing I may go back just for these - they had awesome praline crunch around the plate that was scrumptious. I wanted to take a few orders home with me. We each had steak and shared two sides, two desserts, a bottle of wine and a couple of drinks and our bill was about $200. The waiter was recommending the more expensive bottles of wine so the bill would have been more if I had listened to him... I also had a cocktail with Chambord that was amazing. enjoy!
(5)
Michel R.

If you are looking for one of the best steakhouses in Boston, this definitely is a sure bet. A little bit on the expensive side, it would be a great choice if you are taking a client for dinner or if you are going on a hot date. The beef is phenomenal, the wine list exceptional and the chocolate soufflet is to die for. Of course, keep in mind that nice things come at a price
(5)
Paul M.

grill 23 is a trendier, leaner, pricier version of the capitol grille. the atmosphere is a bit uptight, laden with executive types looking to impress their clients and/or "assistants." the steaks are slightly subpar for the money and the waiters cop attitude.
(3)
Robert G.

Just got home from Grille 23. It had certainly been billed as THE steak house to go to in Boston. It was good, but I have to say I was underwhelmed. Let's start with the good points: great service, very attentive waiter. Hash browns (awesome), and a table for 4 that was the size of a table for 6 elsewhere. The Miso Tuna was excellent, as well as the bread. Surprisingly generous wine-by-the-glass portion. Now, the underwhelming: I ordered the 12 oz. NY Strip and it was cooked just right, but had too much gristle for a $40 steak, and was WAY too salty. One of the other diners with us commented as well on the saltiness. The creamed spinach was drenched with sauce. As was the salad. The dessert (profiteroles) came with a chocolate sauce that was basically Hershey's syrup. And what self respecting bar (Bar is part of the restaurant's title) doesn't offer Malibu rum? And really, the most disappointing thing is the noise. It's overwhelming. From the time you enter, the noise is just too much to really fully enjoy the restaurant, or engage in conversation. "Huh?" "Sorry, what did you say?" It's OK to drop $400 at a fine restaurant, but with the auditory ambiance of a mall food court? So while this is certainly a fine restaurant with good food and great service, if I want steak in Boston, I'll go back to Morton's, where I've been twice this year and which has been a genuine dining delight in all facets, both times.
(3)
Anuj S.

Okay, so this place might break the bank, but it's definitely worth it. I've had the filet mignon and the dry aged New York. Definitely get the dry aged New York if you end up going. The portions definitely are enough. I've been to Mortons and Capital Grill, and I think Grill 23 trumps both of them. All-in-all, you won't be let down. I've had the oysters and the calamari for appetizers. Both were really good, but I think the calamari was a better choice. In few visits there so far, I've made my way through all the sides, but the truffle tots have been a go to each time.
(5)
Sam C.

For me, Grill 23 is as good as it gets. I've eaten here a few times but just recently enjoyed a great night at the upstairs bar. I could have downed that entire basket of their homemade potato chips, but held back after eating about half of them. I had a great sample of 5 oysters, a wedge salad, and the twin filets. All excellent, including the dirty martini (didn't know there could be so much variation in a dirty martini, but theirs stands above and beyond anything else I've tried), and the bottle of wine we drank. I could eat here every night. Ok, maybe if money were no issue.
(5)
Nick L.

I'm giving this place a 3 which is the lowest rating I've given yet. Yeah the food is good, but not really worth the dough you fork out. I like the aesthetics of the place, but the first waiter we had was really rude, questioned the legitimacy of my ID. If I'm gonna fork out $50 for steak and another $50 for wine do you really think i'm under 21? And even if i was, would you question me about it?
(3)
Vanessa M.

Excellent dining experience! The food was delicious and the staff was great! The meats were perfectly cooked, the tater tots are amazing! Great wine list. Best steakhouse in Boston. Would highly recommend it
(5)
Special E.

When it's all said, paid and tipped for, plan on spending roughly a $100 per meal here. For that amount I would have expected my waiter to remember that I ordered a cocktail, that my daughter's $50 steak not be rare when ordered medium, and that the vegetable side dish of asparagus not be luke warm. As for first impressions, the night was doomed when we were escorted to the worst table in the main floor dining room. This despite having made a reservation the day before. There were several more desirable tables in the main dining but we were instead escorted upstairs to a a table next to six boisterous businessman. There were other open tables in this second floor dining area but I felt as I had already inconvenienced the host when I requested a quieter table. The steaks were good and had excellent flavor. The wine list was substantial and the wine steward quite knowledgeable but the price point for even entry level bottles was so high that you are looking at $250 or more for a couple to dine here. If you hate your money and insist on disposing of it then dine here often. On my next trip to Boston I'll stick to the seafood houses, Italian in the north end, and other international foods. My recommendation is to wait til you visit Chicago for your over the top chop house experience.
(3)
Josh F.

Great place to eat an excellent quality steak, if you're not paying. Last time I went I had the filet mignon, which was tasty, but a little over cooked. Others at the table had the steak and some thought it was too salty. The waiter told us that other customers had complained about the very same thing. Uhmm...ok. We were also told that anything "prime" on the menu would be cooked well done. Sketchy. The portions are huge for both main courses and sides. Massive mounds of mashed potatoes. Excellent wine selection and a few good beers on tap. The dining area is one big room that can become quite noisy if packed.
(4)
Ebrahim B.

Love the steaks. Prices are a bit on the high side, but then again when have you ever had a cheap good steak right? I would recommend the Porterhouse or if your feeling more flavorfull the Kobe Beef Steak, you probably won't enjoy another steak for some time though so be warned.
(5)
Anonymous P.

Luckily, I was taken out to dinner here--all courses, several different wines, including dessert wines and champagne. I'm not going to say that the food was bad. It just wasn't very good, and at these prices the food has to be very good. I have Pizzeria Uno rated higher, and obviously money aside I'd take my chances at Grill 23. But mediocre attempts at upscale fare with correspondingly high prices do not deserve a high rating.
(2)
Jesse N.

This is doubtlessly one of the most expensive restaurants I've ever eaten at. I don't know about my friends, but I thought it was worth it. Then again, I wasn't the one who payed the bill! I vaguely recalled ordering a seafood platter on ice as an appetizer...It was full of mussels, pieces of lobster, cocktail shrimp, and other shellfish...It was very delicious! After that I got their filet mignon what was very tasty and tender. The best part of that night however, was dessert: A chocolate crumb cake full of warm fudge on the inside. I'll tell you in all frankess it was the best chocolate dessert I've ever had in my life.
(5)
Lynda M.

I am having a tough time with this one. We arrived early for our reservation and were promptly seated with a smile. The dining room was packed so normal conversation was impossible. Our server was very polite and prompt. I noticed a very lax dress code amongst the guests, I was under the impression this place was a more formal place to eat, but I guess not! My fiance ordered the $54 Kobe steak and I ordered the chicken. The meal was ok--nothing spectacular. The blue cheese mashed potaoes very yum. The wine list was excellent, and the desserts looked good. They seem to handle large parties well, and I got the feeling this is a great place to take mom and dad, or to go with your male golf buddies. Was this place bad? no---but something was missing with the atmosphere and decor (seems liked a very expensive Fridays to me). I didnt feel any warmth or cool vibe off this place. I doubt we will be back--unless someone else foots the bill!
(3)
Thomas W.

I came in with such enthusiasm for Grille 23 after having visited other great steakouses in Boston. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is the greatest element in Grill 23 is the AMBIANCE. The food (especially the steak) is NOT as good as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and, for the price, the presentation of the food is underwhelming. We had the 100 day old steak, medium well (it came burned and charred on the edges). THe flavor was somewhat lacking and didn't have the mouth watering taste that places such as Ruth's Chris offered us (a few months prior). The waiter was friendly but failed to engage us. If you really want Steak and are looking for great food - try Ruth's Chris FIRST and do this ONLY for the ambiance (second to none in that)
(2)
Eric S.

Holy Tater Tots Cooked in Truffle Oil, Batman!! Grill23 is AWESOME!! First, thanks to my friend, who chose me to share a $200 gift certificate she won in a drawing...! Everything was absolutely magnificent. I grew up dining in a lot of fancy restaurants, perhaps even long before I could fully appreciate some of them, but I fully appreciated Grill23. In a nutshell, 1. Their food was cooked to perfection. I was especially fond of the NY Dry Rubbed Sirloin and the Tater Tots cooked in Truffle Oil. The latter was just tongue heaven! 2. The waiter was friendly and there was never any lull in service as they have a "roving" manager who continually notices when the waiter has been away for a bit and checks to see if everything is ok. 3. Dessert was spectacular -- Key Lime pie and Profiteroles. Melted in your mouth. 4. The interior has a nice spacious feel to it with a nice artsy flare. I noticed, in several places, where they could have removed a piece of display furniture and jammed another 1-2 tables in for their own profit yet they left it, as is, which prevented any sense of crowding in the dining area. We never saw the bar but, all in all, if your budget's ok with expensive dining, Grill23 is definitely now tops on MY list. ps. They bake all their desserts ON the premises and some people refer to them as a steakhouse because they have a lot of REALLY great cuts of steak available. Worth every dime!
(5)
Bill D.

My sister and brother in law took the whole family here for dinner tonight it was one of the best dinner experiences I have ever had. Let's start with a+++ Service. I ordered a Caesar salad and split it with my wife it was dressed perfectly and tasted so good. For dinner I ordered the aged nystrip cooked well which was cooked correctly and was out of this world. All of the family style sides were excellent and the creme brÃ»lÃ©e was the best I've ever had.
(5)
Chase W.

I've had to downgrade my rating of G23 after Saturady night's debachle... Birthday dinner? Ruined. You make a reservation at a so called 5-star restaurant, and you better have a table at the appointed time. Epic Fail #1- we had to wait 45 mintues to sit down while the manager sat unreserved richy-rich guests ahead of us right infront of our very eyes. Awesome. Issue 2 and Epic Failure numero dos. Bring me what I ordered, not something else. Filet is Filet. Sirloin is Sirloin. Please don't confuse them and pretend like I misremembered my misordering. Epic Fail numero Tres??? Rare means Rare, not charcoal briquette. Thanks, I could have screwed up that meal on my own weber at home. Really, I mean it. Thanks. Rounding things out for Epic Fail number 4? You friggin bring out Asparagus. I ordered broccoli. Yes, they are both green. Yes, children detest both. No, I don't want to switch my order. Bring me the friggin vegetable I ordered. With so many options for steaks in town, there's no reason for me to ever go back to G23. As Micheal said to Fredo.... Grill 23, you're nothing to me now. You're not a brother, you're not a friend. I don't want to know you or what you do. I don't want to see you at the hotels, I don't want you near my house. You broke my heart!
(1)
Panos A.

So my wife and I were very excited to try what seems to be the best steak house in Boston. I can't say we were blown away. Perhaps we just did not get what we were expecting. We did have reservations but still had to wait for two glasses of wine until we were seated which was fine at the time but taken as a whole just adds to the disappointment. The table we had was out in the open right by the kitchen so there were constantly servers rushing by which makes it hard to relax. The steak was OK and cooked to perfection but just seem uninspired and the mashed potatoes were dry and flavorless which is a big minus our book. Service was just so-so but I could tell that they were very busy and there seemed to be a lot of activity (we could see it all from out vantage point). I made the mistake of asking for ketsup or aioli after I had tried my truffled potato balls and was looked at like I had three heads and argued with. I understand that the truffle oil should stand on its own but if a customer wants to have an occasional dip of a condiment or even bathe in it, there really should not be much of an argument. Also waitress had to be flagged down to get our check. Overall we had an itch for a great steakhouse and we have yet to scratch it as I would call this more of an overpriced brasserie. I had almost brought a work party here and am now somewhat relieved that we had to cancel. We are going to try Mooo and see how that turns out.
(2)
Arun L.

Came here for a bachelor party - great ambiance if you like an open bustling place. I ordered the dry-aged delmonico, medium-rare. It came to me medium +...like very warm pinkish center. So I say to myself, if you're paying $50 for a steak, it might as well be perfect. So I called the waiter over and told him it was overcooked. He profusely apologized and immediately took the plate away. While I waited for my next steak, 5 separate people, including the manager, came over to apologize and give me an update on my meal. When it finally arrived, it was hot with a crisp outside, and a nice red/pink center. While it's an absolute tragedy that they tried to serve me the first piece of meat, I was very impressed with how politely they rectified the situation. At the end of the day, I immensely enjoyed the meal.
(4)
Clive V.

Excellent service and ambience plus the best steak. A must go to steakhouse as good as any in Texas! An extensive wind list to match.
(5)
Reza H.

You can't have two drinks at the same time, said the bartender when I went there last Friday evening. I accepted this statement (with grace, I think) and moved on to finish my drink, when my friend notices the gentleman two stools away from us had two glasses of wine front of him. Disclosure: I don't usually go here for steak (Boston has better options), Last time I was here for food I sent my steak back two times. But ever since my favorite bartender from Cleo moved here, I drop by for a drink and say hi. Alas he's no longer there, so that's the end of that. To our bartender, you told my friend that I had too much to drink. if you're so concerned about my welfare (more likely restaurant's liability), why serve me my 2nd order of whiskey? All was not lost though, the *two* drinks I ordered were well made. My only regret is that in my "drunken" state I left the bartender a 20% tip.
(2)
Keith O.

I have professed my love of a good steak many times here on Yelp and 23 does not disappoint. The food is always solid - I cannot knock it except when I have been there in large groups and my rare steak came more medium. When I am there with 1-3 other people everything has been great. The place can get REALLY noisy on a busy night. The downstairs is basically one bug room and the acoustics are terrible so you find yourself yelling to be heard. That is basically the reason they lose a star from me. There is also an upstairs where things are a little quieter. If you are looking for romantic or to be able to hold a conversation I think you should request a table up there. The bar is small downstairs and can get busy quick - A little know secret is that there is another bar upstairs. It is not large but the perfect thing when you want to slip in have some great food and slip out without having to deal with the pseudo-business set after work.
(4)
John D.

Extremely pricey. Not my cup of tea.
(3)
Jim L.

The best steakhouse in Boston. It looks like some of the reviews taper off during Restaruant Week -- that may be true, but the other 351 days of the year you're not going to do better than Grill 23. Sides are a la carte (the unfortunate reality of fine steakhouses these days), but that means that everyone can have the pleasure of ordering the Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
(5)
Dan S.

Go for an old-school, super high quality martini, meat-fest and great wine dinner adventure. Pay a lot and get every pennies worth from the unparalleled selection of great steaks. Skip the mashed potatoes for truffled tater tots.
(5)
Alex M.

$70 for the Kobe Cap Steak is $70 well spent.
(5)
Jorge C.

Not a bad option but for the price you can get so much better food and ambiance at Abe & Louie's or the Capital Grille. Hate the open, cafeteria-style seating as opposed to booths/more intimate settings. It's also pretty bright, once again, in contrast with what I expect from a steakhouse. Our meal was pleasant, arrived a bit rushed but we got there towards the end of the night which I can understand. Had the filet mignon medium rare which was a bit over cooked but still very tasty. Sides were good and plentiful. The wine list is just a joke: It just seems as one upsmanship trying to say my wine list is bigger than anybody's... Overall it was an ok meal but at almost $100 per person I can definitely recommend better spots.
(2)
Todd K.

I popped into Grill 23 for dinner over the weekend and wasn't all that impressed. Although the space is very nice, with high ceilings, a nice central stair w/ a landing overlooking dining room, and a cool, formal feel to the restaurant as a whole, the food was not all that memorable. PROS - Greatly seasoned homemade snacking chips at the bars (worth stopping in just for the chips), awesome cheese bread, nice looking crowd, excellent wine selection, and great service.. CONS -Food is good, not great (the fillet was cooked nicely but was not as tender as I was hoping and it tasted rather bland and unseasoned), prices are too high for the quality of food, both bars are on the small side and aren't very well separated from dining rooms. All in all the place was good, but certainly not nearly the best steak I've had.
(4)
Josh O.

I don't know what more to say about this place other than that it's the best steak house I've been to, edging out my previous favorite, Tulio Ristorante in Seattle. They have fantastic steak, amazing service, a great selection of wines and whiskeys, and I've never thought twice about paying their admittedly high prices.
(5)
Peter C.

Went with a large group of friends and was very unimpressed. My steak au poivre was a train wreck of a dish; I still don't get the sautÃ© of bread crumbs. Two members sent their over cooked steaks back and one had to send it a second time. The Tobacco onions were greasy and undercooked; the mashed potatoes were bland. The only thing I enjoyed was the shell fish sampler; the prices just didn't reflect the quality, but the service was great.
(2)
Billy Su B.

don't go to abe and louie's. silly, silly thing to do when Grill23 is so close by and so not as cheesy.. there's something sexy about this place.. it's sophisticated, dressy, old fashioned..and the food is definately great. not great in a clever or surprising way, but just great. the steaks are ridiculous, and i don't even like steak very much.. i like the bar scene a lot, the upstairs bar. it's a fun place to come with friends afterwork to have a solid meal and a solid drink. really classy spot. four strong stars. good for friends, family, business hangout, everything really.. a simple and good decision for dinner.
(4)
Lauren V.

Everything you want from a steakhouse - exceptional service, delicious food, great wine. I went on Saturday with my boyfriend while in Boston for the weekend. While I've only been to a few steakhouses in Manhattan, my boyfriend has been to almost all of them and considers himself a bit of a New York steakhouse snob. He wasn't expecting the amazingness that was Grill 23. We got there a little early so had a drink at the bar. Both the host and the bartender were a little on the snooty side, something I've sadly come to expect at nice restaurants, and we were slightly underwhelmed with our cocktails but once we sat down at our table, everything was perfection. A great bread basket is an amazing way to start a meal, and they have some awesome bread at Grill 23. One thing that would have made it better is some olive oil and balsamic, but it was delicious nonetheless. We started with the calamari, which was hands down the freshest, most melt-in-your-mouth calamari I've ever had. The bf was thrilled to be able to order a personal porterhouse (I'm told that most steakhouses only serve a porterhouse for 2) and I ordered the twin filets. We got the duckfat tots and broccoli gratin as our sides and a bottle of Rioja. While the duckfat tots were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, I don't know if the duckfat made a tasteable difference. The broccoli gratin was fantastic - fresh, green broccoli in a perfect cream and cheese sauce with the right about of crunch on top. I couldn't stop eating it. I finished with the sticky toffee pudding, which was just enough sweet to end the meal. Somehow I wasn't uncomfortably stuffed after eating all this deliciousness. There were 2 things that pushed us over the edge to write a review. First, when the busboy filled our water glasses, he held a napkin around the side so no water splashed on me or the menu. I mean, come on! Never seen that done before. Second, I ordered my steak medium, knowing that there would be a little bit of meat too red on the inside for my comfort level, but the outside would be just the way I like it. When our waiter, Alfonso, saw me showing my boyfriend the red inside that I was soon going to be feeding to him, he came over and asked if the steak was cooked to my liking. I insisted it was fine, and he assured me that if it wasn't he would take it back. No attitude or irritation. He was definitely one of the best waiters I've had in a long, long time. Our meal and experience was everything I hoped it would be and more. I'd give it six stars if I could!
(5)
Michael F.

We were the first reservation of the night, 5:30PM on a Sunday. My sister had her very well behaved 2 year-old with us. The giant restaurant was empty when we arrived, and they sat us RIGHT next to a busboy closet. Literally, I could have reached into it from my seat. We asked for a new table and they let us pick. Other than that the food and service were both fantastic, but they get 2 stars for starting the night off on such a rude note.
(2)
Ash T.

Bravo to Boston's truly local steakhouse.
(5)
James G.

Simply the best steak house experience in Boston. Been a loyal customer for over twenty years and they still have the "formula".
(5)
Kelly C.

Mmmmmm. Yum. My first time dining on an expense account, and we went for the best. Loved the warm atmosphere. For such a big place, I felt pretty cozy. We sat at the upstairs bar, and I usually HATE the stools/high chairs, but these were worn soft leather, and very comfy, with foot rests at the perfect height. There were some home made chips at the bar that were addicting, and the bread basket was unique, with a red peppered flat bread, an onion and cheese type foccacia, some type of brown bread with raisins (I didn't try it) and another type of roll. The kicker was crunchy salt in the butter. YUM I had a delicious Riesling (I love sweet wine) My dinner was the dry aged strip, so good. Ask for spinach if you like it, its not on the menu but they have it. and its good! We also had the Organic truffle tater tots. Pretty much any tater tot is a good thing, but these were heavenly. The bartenders were super friendly, very prompt and kept our drinks filled. Pretty much the most amazing service I've had. And seeing as I'll probably never eat there again, I'll always remember it fondly and recommend it to anyone who is looking for an awesome experience
(5)
DC K.

Great steak restaurant! I've been several times and have left quite satisfied each time. I cannot comment on other entrees but the steaks have always been fantastic. In comparison to Capital Grille, Mortons and Abe & Louis which are all perfectly fine, my personal preference is Grill 23. It's a noisy restaurant and therefoore is not ideal for a quiet dinner.
(4)
Michael S.

After a disappointing first visit a few months ago on what looked like a particularly busy night, , we decided to try Grill 23 again. I am so glad we did! It was really a perfect evening. Our group of 4 started with the seafood sampler- a delicious mammoth tower of lobster tails, shrimp, oysters and Jonah crab claws. It came with several sauces which complemented the seafood very well. 3 of us had lobsters which were conveniently cracked open and expertly prepared. I had the lamb chops which were the absolute best I have ever tasted - moist with a nice char on the outside and just melted in my mouth. The service was excellent, attentive and friendly. We would definitely go back again. Thank you Ralph and Jason for a great night.
(4)
Roger S.

Grill 23 was understated excellence. In all the Boston rants and raves about excellent dining, I rarely see much about Grill 23. The steak was wonderful, they had an amazing macaroni and cheese as a side dish and their wine list is excellent. It can be loud, given the expansive dining area and the bar can be bustling, but overall - superb.
(5)
zack t.

The place for a great Steak is Grill 23, hands down... The standart is set. Oh yeah, what a great martini they serve
(5)
Jonathan S.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Grill 23. But when you're paying $46 for a piece of meat and another $9 for a bowl of broccoli, don't you want something more? A complimentary amuse bouche? A lap dance? A pair of Grill 23 logo socks? Something. My filet mignon was exactly as I expected: perfectly tender, seasoned, and broiled. But... $46? No piece of meat is that delicious. That's what she said. The highlight of the experience was the diverse and delicious bread basket.
(3)
S R.

hands down best steaks. however, must give 'the best filet mignon' to MOOO in beacon hill near park street station. atmosphere is great and is perfect for dates or business dinners or if you just feel like splurging on yourself. be warned: there's a dresscodei think jeans are okay (i may be mistaken)? but probably can't show up in your old college-wear (i.e. sweats and a hoodie)...
(4)
Michael S.

Grille 23 is an excellent steakhouse. I would venture to say it is better than Ruth's, Smith & Wolenskys and Morton's. My steak, the dry aged sirloin, was cooked to perfection, between m/r and rare. The sides were innovative and delicious. Ginger carrots and Blue mashed were both fantastic. The tobacco onions were not impressive, however. More like glorified onion strings. They had a great drink selection with a couple of very good tasting martinis. They also had a great wine list to pair with the extensive steak offerings. I went with a large party and we started with the seafood platter. It was fantastic and came with some good dipping sauces for the lobster, crab, shrimp and oysters. Overall, this was a terrific experience. The downfall, we had a wonderful waiter to start and then he seemed to disappear and reappear at times, with some other waiter taking over in between. They did not communicate well with one another. What made up for that and pushed it up to 4.5 was that we were the last party there and never felt rushed and were even asked if we wanted another round.
(4)
Andrew A.

To begin, Wow, Amazing. There are very few steakhouses I have ever been to better than this. For one the restaurant is HUGE. Despite its size, it has a cozy feel with very nice decor. The service is excellent and attentive, though you never realize they're there, and the meals are very well spaced. As for the food, incredible. I like my steak Rare, and most places overcook, not Grill 23. The steak was well aged, the sides were well portioned and delicious. All in all, Fabulous fantastic, and any other f word that describes this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Emily M.

Let me start of by saying- the food was outstanding. The crab claws were fresh and the meat was cooked perfectly. However, I will not be returning. We went on a Thursday evening to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We even went on the ealrier end at 630. We were seated downstairs at a table for 4. By 7:00, it was so loud we couldn't hear each other speak. We asked the waitress if it was every quiet and she basically said no. We had to wait almost 15 minutes to pick our car up from the valet and it was raining. Too bad. If I was basing this on food alone- I'd absolutely come back, but unfortunately the atmostphere ruined it.
(2)
L C.

The oysters were fantastic - they'd get 4 stars if that's all I had. Another reviewer mentioned the SALT. That ruined my experience. Salty chips, salty butter (tho delish), salty bread, salty onion rings and my fillet had a burnt salty crust on it. I had to eat the center of it only. 2/3rds into my entree I was overwhelmed by salt and my taste buds were asking for mercy. I had drank abut 4 glasses of water over the course of the meal as well as bubbly champagne, but it did no good. Also my ears were tired - it was really noisy. Too bad. The wait staff was good.
(2)
Claudio D.

Steaks four stars. Side orders (onion rings,potato tarts, and beets) were of average quality. My wife's Cassoulet (priced as an excellent choice by our waiter) was simply inedible, an almost solid and dry mix of beans with a sausage and an obscure duck leg on top (even though the menu described it as duck confit). The dish was returned and she shared the steaks that the rest of us ordered. Service was dismal. Waiter at times seemed to be in a hurry to finish (even though the restaurant was less than half full), at other times he was subtly rude. The manager was very apologetic at the end and polietly asked us why we did not complained during the dinner so he could have amended it. i learned in life never to upset the staff handling your food and don't return to a restaurant where you have a bad experience (even if next dinner is complimentary) They are (very well) paid to do it right the first time, especially in a pricey restaurant rated by some among the best in Boston.
(2)
Marcel W.

Great food; had the Kobe Cap Steak. One star less for the acoustics - it's loud downstairs. Great service, great wine.
(4)
Robert W.

Was sat about 30-40 mins after our reservation, then it took the server about 5 mins to come to our table. Overall the service was just NOT GOOD....Food was just ok. Def not worth it for the price.
(2)
Erin V.

Steak done right. The aged NY strip was one of the most flavorful I've ever sunk my chops into. My side of blue mashed potatoes was incredible. For appetizers, the steak tartare and ravioli (with gorgonzola, swiss chard, and braised duck) are oh so tasty. Great atmosphere for a business meeting or date.
(5)
Jimmie L.

I had been looking forward to going to Grill 23 for some time. I just was waiting for someone to invite me. Well, thank you clients ! There were 7 of us that went, and we sat at a table right in the middle of the floor. Definitely will ask for a round table next time, for a dinner with clients, it is imperative that you are able to see and hear everyone at the table - and the long table we were at didn't allow for that. That being said...the food was really good. I had the crab cake appetizer - and I would have thought for the money that they would have been bigger and had a little more crab flavour. They were good, but they didn't 'wow' me. Appetizer gets 3 stars. I ordered the New York Aged steak - cooked to the chef's discretion - which was medium rare. The steak was probably the best steak I've ever eaten. I didn't order any sides, even though I would have been happy ordering JUST sides...I wanted to use all the space in my stomach for the steak. I'm glad I did. AWESOME. Entree gets 5 stars. I went with the S'more de Creme, based on a Yelpers' review...it was interesting - very rich. The three small marshmallows on top were darkened as if they were warm and soft, but they were hard and cold - if it had come to me with warm gooey marshmallows, I would have enjoyed the dessert quite a bit more. Dessert gets 3 stars - tasted great, looked nice, but missed on execution. The wine list was 70+ pages long, had a varied selection. The wines were picked by the person paying, so they weren't my taste, but paired nicely with the steak and the chocolate, so no big complaints. Wine gets 4 stars. There were a good number of movers and shakers of the Boston business scene there last night, but there were the occasional family with kids in jeans and sneakers, so that detracted a bit from the atmosphere. Also - and this is important - this place is noisy. Looks are one thing, but the noise factor was a bit much. Coulda been because we were sitting in the middle of the room... Atmosphere gets 3 1/2 stars. Overall - food quality pushes Grill 23 from a 3 to a 4star. I look forward to going back !
(4)
Daniel P.

Like many of the people on this review, I have found this to be the best steakhouse in the area. I have been to a number of them including smith and wollensky, the palm, flemings, capitol grille, and mortons, and this is the best. Their ribeye is cooked to perfection. If you have an appetite, go with their porterhouse.
(5)
Brian A.

Grill 23 has pretensions about being a great steakhouse but has no idea what that really means. We came early, before a show, and in a mostly empty restaurant they seated us next to a server station. I asked to be moved away from it and they moved us across the restaurant....next to a different server station. The waiter poured the first glass of water so sloppily that the water ran over onto the tablecloth. (Same thing happened with the fresh ground pepper.) They were attentive to refilling the water, to the point of doing so as I was lifting the glass. Another server stood close by our table eavesdropping on our conversation. The steaks were good and the sides decent. The exception was the mashed potatoes which had the wet, grainy quality of a mix. For this kind of money, the service was well below expectations and the overall experience sub-par.
(1)
Busy L.

Best steakhouse in Boston. This is based on me eating at the following high end steakhouses in Boston: Ruth's Chris, Fleming's, Morton's, Abe & Louie's, Oak Room and Capital Grille. Bread basket had a nice assortment of pumpernickel bread, crusty roll, foccacia and flatbread with seasoned butter. Decided not to do any appetizers or salads and do more sides and enjoy the steak. Good idea... Got the dry aged NY strip which was excellent and my rep got the dry aged ribeye. We both thought it was best steak we had in Boston, hands down!!! We got the asparagus, truffled potato tots and mac & cheese. Portions are smaller than the competition. Asparagus was slightly undercooked and nothing special. Tater tots were fried mash potatoe balls which had good flavor. Mac & cheese were small shells that had an alfredo/white cheddar type sauce. Good but nothing memorable. I think if sides were better I would've given this place 5 Stars. Service was very attentive without being obnoxious. White jacket waiters that were professional and attentive.
(4)
Nicole B.

i cannot imagine having a bad meal here. it was perfect. just perfect! service was impeccable. very professional and helpful. the food...wow! there are no words that can describe how wonderful the beef tenderloin was. the sauce and the potatoes that came with it were a dream. i sampled my grandfather's girlfriend's new york strip and that was wonderful as well. i wish i had room in my stomach for both dinners. it'll be hard to go back and have to decide between those two. my only complaint was the strawberry sorbet (house made). it was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY too sweet. there was a serious overload of sugar in the sorbet. maybe it was a bad batch, maybe it's always too sweet. but just a sugar orgy was taking place here. i'm willing to look past this however. the rest of the deserts at the table were wonderful and enjoyed by all.
(5)
Aaron M.

My wife and I had dinner here with 3 other people. Everything was fantastic - including the service. The most important thing I want to note here is that my pregnant wife asked if they had lemonade. The server said they didn't, so she just ordered water. The server came back with the water, but he said they had enough lemons that he could make fresh lemonade for her. She accepted his offer, and he returned with great tasting, freshly made lemonade. We thought that was so nice of him, and a great way to start the evening. The food was phenomenal. My wife and I shared a caesars salad which was great. A bit large for one person, so I would suggest sharing if you can. I ordered the dry aged New York steak. It may have been the best steak I have ever had. It was unbelievable. My wife ordered the Shetland Island Salmon - also wonderful. As a table, we ordered virtually every side. One of their sides is literally tater tots, like you had when you were a kid, but these were again probably the best tater tots I have ever had. They were incredible. We also ordered the hash browns which were honestly just average compared to all of the other great sides. I would maybe suggest skipping that one. One thing to note also is that if you are valet parking, it is $16. We will definitely be back!!
(5)
Jessica L.

Great food, drinks and atmosphere. The service is always top notch. It's kind of pricey but well worth it...
(4)
Tim F.

Went with three other people on a monday night. Sat at the bar waiting for all parties to arrive, the bartender was not in a good mood and abrupt but no big deal. We were seated promptly and there was a decent crowd. The waiter took our order and brought our drinks. We did not order any apps so were waiting a bit for the entrees. I finished my drink and the busboy took the glass. Another member finished his drink and the waiter took his glass without asking us if we wanted another drink. We waited and finally had to flag down the waiter to order more. He was very inattentive and it was not that busy. I ordered the steak au poivre, it came with what amounts to a ham&cheese sandwich. The sandwich was ok but lacked a lot of flavor and was luke warm. The steak was luke warm as well but cooked well. Given the order I expected a peppery taste but found quite a bit of salt on the steak. au Poivre does not call for salt, especially the sea/kosher salt they used. The sauce was very runny and light in taste. The food was ok but given the cost a bit disappointing. The service was very disappointing and was reflected in the tip we left. Given the large number of steak places in Boston there are better choices to spend your money at.
(2)
Andrea S.

After 140 reviews, there's probably little i can say that hasn't been said. I've lived here an embarrassingly long time before i was able to convince my boyfriend to take me. We pass grill 23 everytime we walk from the t to my apartment. so finally, he did. Everything was perfect. Morgan, the wine manager, was spunky, knew her stuff, and was really friendly. My waiter, whose name I'm completely blanking on, was funny, attentive, and smart. We had 2 appetizers, the shrimp which they split on two plates for us, and the sashimi. The sashimi was excellent. My scallops were on the salty side, but delicious (if you are a veggie, remember to ask for no bacon). I hope it doesn't take another 6 years for me to make it back.
(5)
Jodi K.

For our first wedding anniversary after moving to Boston, we chose Grill 23. I made a reservation and requested a quiet table. The restaurant is fairly open and well-lit, so it was obvious when we arrived that this wasn't going to be the most romantic or private dining experience we'd ever had - I'm not sure the place has a private or quiet table in it. The table next to us was celebrating a graduation (as was the majority of the restaurant - our anniversary is in prime graduation season), and I could barely hear my husband talking to me across the table over the noise of the restaurant in general and the table next to us in particular (who gulped down several bottles of wine while we were there). We ordered wine to start. The low end of the wine list is around $75 a bottle, which is expected at a high-end restaurant, but I also expect a sommelier in that price range. There is no sommelier at Grill 23, and patrons must choose wine based on their own knowledge or rely on their waitstaff. For an appetizer we chose the steak tartare. Words cannot describe the amazingly soft texture and wonderfully rich flavor of the beef. This stands out as the absolute highlight of the evening. We ordered entrees, not realizing that they come with substantial sides, so we ordered sides, too. Our waiter did not point this out to us, so we ended up with way too much food, and much of it got thrown away. I ordered the slow-roasted beef tenderloin, which was a bit more well-done than I like my meat (being a roast, I couldn't specify a cooking temperature). The mashed potatoes and sauce were good, but about as good as I've had at generic chain restaurants. My husband had the steak frites, which was more flavorful than my tenderloin, but still something I can make almost as well at home for a lot less than $29. Neither meal was bad by any means - but neither was phenomenal, either. Worse than the food, the service was downright disappointing. Our waiter did not offer much of an opinion on ordering wine or food when asked. While an overly-attentive server is no good, I do expect somebody to check on me once to make sure things are OK. The only other time we saw our waiter after the main course arrived was to deliver the bill. If that wasn't bad enough, a different server delivered the dessert menu while we were still working on our meals. We took the hint that they needed the table and we didn't stick around for desserts or drinks. At almost $300 for dinner for two, I expect much, much more than what Grill 23 delivered.
(2)
Ben S.

I went here for Restaurant Week and I will definitely come back. It's an upscale steakhouse and for the most part everything is pretty standard for that category. Things that help them stand out from the crowd; Exceptional service Great knives (small but important detail) Valet Reasonably priced items in addition to $80 steaks. If you wanted to you could probably eat here for as low as $40/person----or as much as $400+ PP (wine included)
(5)
Marco M.

When we sat down to dinner we noticed the glasses and dinnerwear on the table were not completely clean (still had lipstick on my wine glass.) Basic steak house menu, great presentation with the food but, flavor lacks. I just don't see why this place should get anything more than three stars. Service was carbon copy to Outback steakhouse, "Check ya and smell ya later."
(3)
Dorian G.

oh, i'm kinda disappointed. i've always wanted to try grille 23 and my husband surprised me by taking me there for valentine's day. we arrived right on time for our reservation and they took us right to our table. when we first entered the restaurant, i couldn't help but think it was one of the noisiest restaurants i'd ever been in, but our table was upstairs, tucked away near the bar, so it was a bit quieter. since we are notorious for filling up on the appetizers and then not eating our dinner, we went light on the apps. hubby had the nantucket clam chowder and i had the caesar salad (hold the anchovies and light on the shaved cheese, please). the chowder was different. much lighter than your typical new england variety. a nice light appetizer. the salad was nice and big. not the heavy on the dressing (which caesar's can be sometimes) and the croutons were actaully slices of french bread, very thinly sliced. but a little too salty. for dinner, we both had the delmonico steak. i DETEST it when hubby and i order the same thing but they were out of the prime rib that he originally ordered. HOW IS A STEAKHOUSE OUT OF PRIME RIB??????? the waiter suggested the delmonico in its place. the steaks melted in our mouths. i con't know when i had such a good steak. perfectly cooked and not too thick that even the smallest bite is a mouthful. for sides we ordered the asaparagus (steamed, not buttered) and the mac and cheese. the asaparagus was crunchy and delicious. the mac and cheese was a little gloopy and i didnt like the cheese they used. something in it made me wince. and it wasn't baked. but in their defense, the menu didn't say "baked mac and cheese." we skipped dessert since we were so full. we are also notorious for not leaving room for dessert. will i got back? prob not. while the steaks were great, $150 for 2 people (including ONE glass of wine, since hubby doesn't drink) is hardly a deal for a good steak, no matter where you are.
(2)
Brandy S.

Great restaurant - the food was well executed (as everyone else mentioned, the steaks are superb), and the service is unbeatable. Often times it seems that if you are young and you go to these type of restaurants, the servers treat you as if you are two years old. The service was attentive but not obtrusive, and they made our evening very special.
(5)
J B.

If you're looking for a great steak but don't really wanna head to a a "chain", i.e. Mortons, Smith & Wollensky's, Abe & Louie's, Capital Grille, this is a great option. Really good food, service, and ambiance. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Jane T.

YUMMM Grill 23. So expensive, but fantastic for a date or when your parents are in town. Everything I had there was fantastic. You have to order sides separately. Oh, and dress up, they won't refuse to let you in...but you'll feel really awkward, and they might hide you in the back.
(5)
Steve N.

good solid food and service. in the top 5 for Boston. however, the room can get VERY loud, like, really too loud.
(3)
Jason R.

If I could give this steak House more stars I would. If you want great food whether it is steak to seafood Grill 23 is your place. It is a step up from casual but won't feel stuffy. I highly recommend Grill 23 and wouldn't eat steak anywhere else in town.
(5)
Mandi M.

Crazy good. When we first walked in it was pretty stuffy atmosphere with a lot of much older business folks but as it got later the crowd got a little younger and livelier. The prices were much higher than I generally like to pay for a dinner but I was surprised to find that they were actually worth it. I only like my steak cooked well-done which generally takes a lot of the flavor and tenderness out but this steak was still juicy and the most tender I have ever had. The sides are good too and big enough to share. The service was incredible they were so attentive but without being annoying. Like they were always paying attention to what we needed without interrupting us. We split the smores dessert. I was a little skeptical when I read the description but it was amazing. I also recommend getting some espresso to finish off the meal because it was the best tasting espresso ever. Very strong, not bitter at all, and perfect amount of foam. All in all- great place if you're trying to be fancy for the night and get a fabulous meal. Not the best spot for a first / early-on dating because the stuffy atmosphere could lead to uncomfortable quiet dining.
(5)
Clara N.

really great food, but i thought the atmosphere was a little too business-like for a college student. if i were older, i think i'd like it more. i'ts just not age-appropriate. GREAT FOOD THOUGH
(5)
Jamie H.

I went with a large group of friends last night for my 2nd time eating at Grill 23. First of all everyone had steak and all of them were not cooked to the requested level. Secondly I had read some other reviews here that talked about the steaks being salty. I can confirm that as I had the Kobe Cap Steak and it was very salty. Also the Kobe was good but not worth the hype. Also a few people ordered bernaise sauce and it was very thin, runny and not very good. Lastly though the Valhrona Chocolate Cake was out of this world good. So the experience was good but I was expecting more.
(3)
Brandon L.

Kobe steak, Kobe Steak, Kobe Steak... was one of the best steaks I ever had. But for some reason this restaurant puts too much salt on their steaks. Euro style career male waiters in their long white uniforms were not too friendly but very helpful if asked any questions. Dry aged steak was also pretty good and again...too much salt rubbed on it. Sides, wines were excellent, perhaps one of the best wine menus in Boston. It would have been perfect if they brought the bread hot. Oh, it's very pricey and tables are too close to each other in a relatively noisey dining hall. Ask for 3 things ahead of time: Quiet table, not too much salt on steaks and if you're a hot food fantatic like myself, then make sure they bring your steak right off the grill because large steakhouses like this are notorious for bringing the medium rare steaks late to the table. As far as the quality of the meat, this place will impress your date.
(4)
Ame k.

i love the food there. dont mind to go there again.
(4)
Angela L.

Holy. Cow. Came here with probably at least 12 people for a combined birthday dinner so we were ready to ball out. We got some wine, some appetizers, steak, and sides. For all of us, we were able to spend less than $100, which I thought was quite impressive. They start you off with a wide assortment of breads-- which are all equally delicious. Some crisp breads to the soft ones. I'm a sucker for soft breads so I ate that stuff up!! Of course, don't get stuck on just eating the bread, you'll want to make room for your meal. We got calamari for the table, and it was pretty good, but I feel as though I've had better calamari elsewhere - places that specialize in seafood. But anyways..... I split with 2 friends the 100 Day Aged Prime Ribeye and the American Kobe Cap Steak. I think I am still dreaming about the Kobe steak. Probably the best steak I've had. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper was all it needed. And cooked to exactly how I wanted it to be, medium rare. The ribeye was a little tougher compared to the Kobe steak, but still delicious. The Kobe really just melted in your mouth. Definitely a must try if you do go. The sides were delicious. We got the sweet potato tots, the asparagus, and the cauliflower. I think I could eat those sweet potato tots forever. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. And don't get me started on the dessert. Creme brÃ»lÃ©e and the Caramel Profiteroles..... The creme brÃ»lÃ©e was nice and creamy on the inside with that perfect crunch when you cut into it with your spoon. The caramel profiteroles: The coffee ice cream was our little pick me up so we wouldn't go into food coma. It was so delicious and the almonds were a great crunch. I definitely recommend this place. Get dressed up for this place, I wouldn't recommend going casual. The place is fancy and right in the Back Bay Area. There are a lot of servers, so don't be intimidated-- just wine and dine and have fun with your group! Servers are real nice :)
(5)
Patrick D.

We have been lucky to dine at Grill 23 twice. Knocked our socks off both times; absolutely fantastic!! The service is impeccable and the waiters constantly make sure the restaurant is exceeding your expectations. The inside is beautifully adorned with marble pillars, centerpieces, and classical paintings. The restaurant is huge, but always packed so we definitely recommend making a reservation far in advance (especially near a holiday or on the weekend). Our meals, on both occasions, confirmed that Grill 23 is our favorite steakhouse in Boston. On the most recent occasion, P started with the steak tartare and got the 100 Day Aged Dry Prime Rib as his entree. P is normally hesitant at where he orders steak tartare, but he knew that Grill 23 would come through. P's prime rib was perfectly marbled and seasoned. A started with the clam chowder and got a seafood special as her entree that included scallops, swordfish, and veggies in a thick white wine broth. The seafood special was the best decision A could have made; the scallops melted in her mouth and she was pretty upset after the last bite. We split cream spinach as a side and washed the meal down with a Cabernet Sauvignon (reasonably priced for where you are). To end our wonderful meal, we somehow made room for caramel profiteroles, which come with ice cream and candied almonds mmmm!! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jennifer D.

Soooo....where to start...if I am being honest I would give 3 1/2 stars. So my mother and I went here last week after her and my father had a terrible experience at their establishment for their 35th anniversary about two weeks prior. My brother and myself had gotten my parents a gift card to Grill 23 to celebrate, and we were SOOOOO excited for them! Well.... my mom got steak that she had to butcher to get off the grizzle, and my dad got overcooked scallops...that is the short version :). My mom wrote a review on opentable (an online service which allows you to make reservations) and another review on Yelp. The manager Peter went above and beyond! He actually made a personal phone call to my parents house to discuss what happened and they sent them a gift card in the mail for the same amount!!!! This was really unexpected and appreciated, clearly they wanted my parents to come back and have a wonderful experience the second time around. My dad decided not to go, so I very happily accepted the invitation of course!!!! :). We arrived and were greeted very warmly and then seated to.....the EXACT same table they had lol. I really enjoyed the ambience and beautiful floral arrangement upon entering the restaurant. I started off with the Cotuit oysters which were delicious (sans some oyster shell pieces in my mouth), my mother had the himachi...OOOOH MY GOD that was flawless, like literally one of the best app's I have had in ages. I would come back just for that one item in a heartbeat. I will add that our server David, was so sweet and attentive, while allowing us a leisurely dining experience. For our entrees: My mom got the porterhouse and I opted for the aged rib eye. They arrived at our table and looked amazing. My mother loved hers and I really enjoyed mine as well, we both agreed they weren't the best we've had, but still very good. It tasted as if they had melted a compound herb butter on top of the steaks while resting, very tasty. Why the 3 1/2 stars you ask? This is a STEAK HOUSE yes? Yes it is, but there are better establishments in the Boston area? I mean to shell out $60.00 for a piece of meat....it should be close to perfection, it simply, was not. I will not mention names of course. I will not frequent this restaurant in the future. p.s. My mom and myself were taking cute pics of us sipping Proseco (Italian champagne), when I overheard a server say something to the effect of "Look, they are taking pictures of drinking champagne." While this could have been an innocent observation, it made me feel self conscious and I noted the laughing faces and glances..... kinda off putting to say the least... *I heard you* thanks :)
(4)
John G.

Went and had the Filet with 4 others to the upper, loved it and place was a terrific spot for a business meetings. Food was great to all eight of us and even managed to keep 5 high dollar attorneys quiet for a hour, IMPRESSIVE! My filet was cooked perfect and everything was perfectly seasoned, everyone got their drinks in less than 4 minutes - waitress was beyond perfect and worth the 25% tip here!
(5)
Michelle T.

I stayed at a hotel not too far from here so decided to walk to this place for dinner. The inside is historic and beautiful. Open kitchen concept with lots of seating. High ceilings and great ambiance. I had the 100 dry aged rib eye with a side of mashed potatoes. The steak was seasoned very well and the marbling was great. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and delicious I stuffed myself silly. My waiter was very friendly and attentive. Great historic steakhouse.
(4)
Kristian P.

We enjoyed our entire meal at Grill 23. The ambience was amazing, the service was spot on, and the food was delicious. I had a wonderful cut of meat, the 100 day aged ribeye, which was one of the best tasting steaks that I've ever eaten. The sides we ordered were the twice baked potato, and the grilled beets. Both were very good, although neither was noteworthy. We added a bottle of Borolo, a very nice Italian red wine. All of us were too full for dessert, as the portions were more than adequate. Meal with wine and gratuity for 2 adults and 3 kids came out to $360.
(5)
Jane L.

I visited here for my birthday dinner, which was for the perfect occasion. I am a steak lover and appreciate good steak. I got the ribeye and it was great. But the most impressive dish was the chocolate dessert. Highly recommended restaurant for a special occasion.
(5)
Michelle C.

The 100 day dry aged rib eye is the best piece of meat I have eaten in my entire life. The filet mignon was great as well. The shellfish sampler platter had very fresh seafood with a variety of unique sauces. Definitely would visit again.
(5)
ArikKatzenberg K.

This is undoubtedly one of Boston's better steakhouses - and Ive been to them all. The smell of fresh baked bread hits you right away upon entering the airy, open dining room. The decor is traditional steakhouse, an American take on the classic French inspired bistro, lots of plush leather seating, brass, white tablecloths, soft hue lighting, oak wood paneling, waiters in white jackets. Chef Jay Murray is quickly building for himself a legacy in Boston with his A La Carte dinner menu. The 100 day aged prime rib is a must-try. The slightest hint of rock salt will blow your mind. The meat is so tender you can cut it with your butter knife. The wait staff is attuned to your table without needing to alert them, which makes this a full immersion experience. The Israeli caviar is the best I've ever had - including in Israel! The upstairs lounges, replete with their own bars and fireplaces make this an ideal location to steal away to for a date or just to watch the game on a lazy sunday. I strongly recommend reservations, especially for large parties.
(5)
Hannah H.

Lobster - amazing! Oysters - amazing! Fish - amazing! Can it really get much better? I know it's so typical to give a five star review to a good and upscale seafood restaurant, but Grill 23 deserves it. They have an extensive scotch menu to go with their steak and seafood, and literally everything I had here, you couldn't go wrong. A restaurant that can crank out this much good seafood deserves it.
(5)
Alex M.

Excellent dining and food experience. Filet mignon was best steak I've ever had. The scallops were interesting, not that many but surprisingly filling. If you're here, I'd mainly recommend getting the steak. It was the perfect amount of food. Overall, the place is kind of loud/active so it's more appropriate for business meetings or people out of town. We wanted a more intimate experience, but overall pretty satisfied.
(5)
Melissa R.

What a meal!! Not only was all of the food we were served delicious but the service itself was outstanding. Our waiter was Gerardo but all the staff worked so well together like a well oiled machine. We made a reservation online and were promptly seated upon arrival. My husband and I both had great cocktails and then he had the chowder appetizer. It had huge chunks of lobster in it! Our meals were filets (both cooked to perfection of how we ordered) with the tots and risotto sides! Heaven. For dessert we had coffee profiteroles and ice cream sundae. I hope we get to go back sooner than later, worth every penny!
(5)
Simon L.

Grill 23 represente un sÃ©rieux trou dans mon travail. Here it be fixed. Seriously sublime cuts of meat. The bone in ribeye, grilled medium rare is a cut above. Trimmed to the perfect amount of fat, the meat next to the bone is just warm. The loin corner is medium magenta in color and full of juicy, marbled fat. Seasoned nicely. Any side will do - creamed spinach is a favorite. The seafood tower is extravagant but one gets what one pays for - fresh seafood chilled and shelled perfectly on ice. Deep martinis. Excellent wine. Service can be spotty but is mostly professional and polite. White table clothes and deep wood make this refined spot a great spot to drop several c notes.
(5)
Marisue G.

It was a cold afternoon and hubby made a reservation because it was known to serve the best clam chowder and steak in Boston. We arrived and was taken to our table immediately but the guy who sat us down looked like he was in a hurry and didn't even gave us time to take off our jackets, we were in the process though but he just handed us our menus told us our server will be with us shortly and then walked away,so what we did was put the large menus on top of our table so we could finish taking our jackets off and situate ourselves; now that was a total ZERO star in the beginning.... Now why the 5 stars? Our server named Josh totally changed the atmosphere. He was jolly, nice, and professional. He was fast and consistently checks on us to see how we are doing and if we're enjoying our time. Me and hubby shared the clam chowder soup and it was great! it has this lobster taste and some mussels in it. Our server was fast to ask if i need a refill for my pineapple juice but i asked for a Merlot instead for my steak. Our steak was awesome and this time instead of ordering well-done, we ordered it to be medium-well so it still has some pink in it. Steak was great also but mine was a huge serving so i was not able to finish it. The side asparagus was great also, it has some additional seasonings on it which added to the flavor so the taste was not bland or the usual steamed asparagus taste. It was a good idea to share the clam chowder because i was soooo full but still have some space for desserts LoL, i had the small plate ice cream with choco fudge and hubby had the cheesecake, both tasted great also. We were happy with the service we received from our server and happy with our food so overall it was worth the $$$. The ambiance is business to semi formal so plan your attire accordingly. I noticed a lot of people or most of them wear suits (after work hangout place maybe? Fancy....) LoL but don't worry since we came here on a Friday i was just wearing business casual and i didn't felt out of place. If you happen to visit Boston, check it out and try the food especially the clam chowder.
(5)
Gigi D.

If you're willing to spend your life savings on dinner, this restaurant is for you! Let's just say you won't be getting a Lobster Roll for $7 here... In fact, I'm not even sure anything is priced on the menu that low. Aside from wallet battery though, this restaurant was pretty wonderful. The service was very accommodating (they let us switch tables without a blink of an eye when we realized more people were joining us) and listened intently to all meal modifications. Let me take you through our food maze: Tuna & Salmon Tartar: tasty, but salty and small portion for the price. Hamachi Sashimi: very mouth-pleasing albeit a tad salty as well. A la Carte Lobster: oh! Crowd pleasing! I would have no problem stripping down named and running through the restaurant if I got these 2 pounds free! Oysters: very fresh! Market Fish: Striped Bass special. Scrumptious! Seared Tuna Sashimi Grade: aw ya! I could eat 5 pounds for sure! Steak Frites: two people ate this in about 2 seconds, one of which is a VERY VERY PICKY EATER!!!!! That's saying something! Asparagus: I ordered two plates & wolfed them. Spinach: I ordered one side & someone else ordered another.... Yet, I ate the other order before anyone knew it was even there and then I ordered another for dessert! You tell me if I thought it was good? Sorbet: yes please! Chocolate Sundae: a legit sundae here! If you can, save room! Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e: the very picky eater devoured this! Jump in if you're all about the sugar and vanilla! If I were to visit Boston again, I'd come back, however, I need to smash open 1000 piggy banks!
(4)
Thomas C.

Great service. The $23 bottles of wine on Monday night are a great deal. I had the 100 day aged steak. Note that it is WET AGED not DRY AGED. However, the steak was flavorful. My wife had the wagyu cap steak, which is more or less, the best part of the rib eye (the outside part). That was killer. The do have a dry aged sirloin for those who wish to go that route. The truffle tots were a bit of a let down after the build up on Yelp. I guess I just prefer my good old fashioned Tater Tots from the freezer like grandma used to make. The creamed corn was excellent. The caramel profiteroles? AWESOME! Again, I reiterate, the service was impeccable.
(4)
Addie R.

I finally went here! For dessert. Creme brulee and chocolate cake, but I felt so underdressed; seems everyone here dresses to the nines and no one told me. Oh well, we went later in the night and I don't think anyone cared but I felt a little self-conscious. Overall good experience and I'll come back for the steaks when I've got some more cash to burn.
(4)
Grace D.

Best steak I've ever had. Worth every penny. All the sides were also the best I've ever had. Best service I've had in Boston. So worth it. Everything is perfect.
(5)
Justin K.

Grille 23 is a world class steakhouse and a can't miss in Boston. It's location in the city is perfect, it's decor is perfect, and the food is second to none. Grille 23 is fine dining at its best and a real treat to experience.
(5)
Margaret C.

Steak: 5 stars. Other Food: 3 stars. Decor: 5 stars. Noise: What? I couldn't hear you. Service: 4 stars. Cost: STFU. Went here with a business dinner. When booking, I specifically asked if we could be guaranteed a spot on the first floor with no stairs as one in our party had mobility concerns. I was told yes, but was NOT told that there was a special handicapped elevator for entrance, separate from the main entrance, and so that guest painfully struggled with the stairs in, and then down to our table. Not. Cool. I regret coming here with a client. After a full day of meetings we were all practically hoarse already, and the environment was *deafening*. It's just the acoustics; no particularly rowdy tables or anything. But especially with a client who was not a native English speaker, this was really tough. Steaks were admittedly amazing. Gorgeously seasoned, perfectly cooked to temp. Apps and sides were on the whole....meh. Caesar salads had--and I am not exaggerating--about 10 whole anchovies per plate. Thanks? The burrata was divine, but served with a really weirdly textured pistachio puree. Mushrooms were awesome, well cooked and flavorful. Tater tots were not very traditional (kind of like light whipped mashed potatoes, deep-fried), but yummy. Wait service was super friendly but occasionally slow, and as we had a car service coming at an appointed time I got nervous when I requested the check and it hadn't come ~15 minutes later. Sommelier provided an excellent recommendation, and the wine list is of course substantial. Front desk was nice enough but in a place this size and expense, are you KIDDING me that I have to pick up my own coat before leaving?? (There's a little coat room window; bit of a line when I went to leave, and tip jar on counter.) Not classy at all. I was not impressed with the table layouts, which were awkward to navigate among and yet there didn't seem to be that many of them. Also didn't care for the bathrooms, which did not have the lux touches you might expect (and I, at least, want) at a high end place. Not nice soap, utilitarian decor, etc. I agree with the other reviews that say this place is overrated as an overall dining experience. Still, it's probably the best steak I've had in Boston, so if I'm having a serious craving and am in the mood to splurge, might come back.
(3)
Mike G.

Had a great meal overall, but they forgot my friends salad. Would have given 5 stars, but when you pay $60 for a steak the waiters shouldn't forget anything. I had the 18oz ribeye and it was cooked perfectly. My friend ordered his steak medium rare and thought it was #overcooked. I particularly enjoyed the shellfish tower and the sauces the accompanied it. FYI they do accept AMEX.
(4)
Nicky F.

The steak was alright, we had veal loin chop. A few of the appetizers we ordered were the oysters, shrimp cocktail, and lobster tail. It wasn't that great either for its price. However my friend who ordered the filet mignon said it was great. I would recommend anyone to just order that instead of the veal loin chop. Atmosphere was great, not too noisy and the waiters were alright. I would say they are not really attentive.
(3)
Wayne C.

Fantastic! For me, the act of eating out is just as much about the food as it is the experience. I really enjoy the ambiance and the theatrics of a well-orchestrated restaurant that runs smoothly with good management and well-prepared staff. Grill 23 is one of the those places. I enjoyed my steak tremendously, but I enjoyed the general atmosphere and the service more. At one point the restaurant was so busy that the entire service team seemed to be running. Yet, they all had smiles on their faces and were courteous to the dinner guests. It was really fun to watch. Now to the food - I perseverated about which steakhouse to visit on my recent trip to Boston. I looked at the reviews and went back-and-forth for a good twenty minutes before I finally decided on Grill 23. All of this is to say - I went with the express intent of eating a steak; and Grill 23 did not disappoint. The steak was cooked to perfection, with a wonderfully favored char-grill exterior and a delicately moist interior. The french fries were fantastic and came to the table on a plate the size of a small satellite dish. Yes - that's awesome. Finally, there was an amazing wine list that seemed to be as big as the NYC phone book. I wanted to stay for more time just to imbibe in another glass of wine. For certain, the next time I am in Boston - I will be eating at Grill 23. It is awesome.
(5)
Elly W.

Went here for Dine Out. The place is Very clean and So high class. The staff are super polite and friendly. I love the bread basket with variety of bread, from crispy to soft. I ordered the meatloaf sliders. I Thought it would be one, but came in two. Very moist meat and beautiful flavor. The entree I had was prime beef bologanese with polenta. Very Good meat flavor and the polenta was made perfectly. Dessert was coconut pie, this was OK. I Thought it would be actual pie crust, but it was Just chocolate. I Did love the dark chocolate sauce. Also ordered a side of hash brown fried in duck Fat. Didn't quite taste the duck Fat, Nothing special. Overall I'd be back to try the actual menu.
(4)
Roxana F.

I came here on a Wednesday night as my friend was in town and he really enjoys a good steak. I had heard good reviews of Grill 23 so I figured we'd give it a try over some of the other chain options in Boston. Boy, are we glad we chose this place! From the food, to the service, to the atmosphere, Grill 23 is killin it. I had expected a quiet night but this place was huge, and PACKED. Not a bad thing! The energy was intense and, despite being filled pretty much to capacity (damn holiday parties) our server was outstanding. Benji provided phenomenal service, from cracking some jokes, explaining the menu options, etc., all with a HUGE smile on his face. Basically, I want to be best friends with Benji. They have a pretty extensive offering for a steakhouse, and a very long winelist. I had identified several affordable bottles to have with dinner, but I wanted white and he wanted red so we went with individual drinks. He started with a martini which, despite the bar and the rest of the restaurant being packed, came out pretty quickly. Most wines by the glass were a couple dollars more expensive than they are at most Boston restaurants, but still generally affordable. My friend ordered the prime porterhouse with a side of greenbeans and mashed potatoes. I ordered the local daily catch, which was pan seared monkfish in, from what I understand (it was loud), was a spicy tomato sauce with some sort of large bean (kinda looked like an oversized fava bean) and potatoes. We also shared the bread pudding with boozy raisins and apples for dessert. HOLY YUM. All of our food was superb and perfectly cooked! I'm not the hugest fan of steak, but the porterhouse was outstanding and my fish was divine. Yes, this place is expensive and yes, they can get really busy but I definitely, definitely would come here again. Also, all you single ladies: this place is packed with men. JUST sayin! :P
(5)
Orly R.

Best steak place I have ever been to! Both the staff and service were amazing. I ordered the steak frite and I enjoyed every bite. I would definitely go back! :)
(5)
Fiona H.

Ate here with my family for a graduation dinner. We made a reservation on OpenTable and it was an easy process. Restaurant atmosphere is amazing and beautiful. The place was spacious and we were easily seated. Food was on point and came out quickly. We had the steaktartar? as an appetizer and it was absolutely delicious. It melted in your mouth and had the perfect spices and marination. For my entree I had the filet mignon. It was one of the best steaks I've had in boston. The center was absolutely perfect! Super tender and melted in your mouth. The edges of the steak however, was kinda dry but I guess it had to be to create the perfect center. Overall this is a great place to dine in. I will be back.
(4)
Erica S.

Big foodie & I know a good steak. Appetizers mediocre @ best - wedge salad OK, bisque soup good but not very hot. Steaks were great (100 day dry aged ribeye & filet) but the ribeye was not on the bone which was disappointing. Truffle tots amazing and a must try. Main complaint about this place is it is an institution that seats over 700 people. Second floor is a glorified catering hall and feels like it when you are there. The second floor spans about a city block. Doesn't have that steakhouse feel. Overall good food though. Wouldn't tell people they MUST try it but it's def. a good meal.
(4)
Toshifumi O.

I was invited by a local to this steakhouse, and from a first bite I understood why. A yellowtail appetiser was impressing, even for a sashimi person like me. Their porterhouse was juicy tender and flavorfully tasty. The servers were cheerful and friendly in Bostonian ways. I must come back here again if I'm in Boston. I'll try Wagyu next time, not an American Kobe beef. :D
(5)
Jon S.

Sorry but $14 for a titos and soda is absolute highway robbery. Never again. That is a $0.75 drink you greedy pigs.
(1)
Sara P.

Hello coconut cake! Where have you been all my life? We went to Grill 23 for dessert and ordered the coconut cake. Let me just say it was absolutely delicious! The serving size was extremely generous. The cake is served with an amazing sorbet and is dusted with toasted coconut. This is a must try! Coconut cake- 5 stars
(5)
Jimmy B.

Shrimp Cocktail - 4.5 Stars Lobster Cocktail - 4 Stars Calamari - 5 Stars Mac & Cheese - 4.5 Stars Service - 4.5 Stars I had the 100 Day Dry Aged Ribeye, which we were all looking forward to from the moment we saw the menu... It was good, but left a lot to be desired... In terms of Dry Aged Ribeyes, I'd have to give it a 3 out of 5. Others ordered the Kobe Cap Steak and raved about it.... I should have gone in that direction.
(4)
Marc H.

Tasty steak but sides were not the best. Food was out within 5 minutes (literally) so we felt rushed even though the the restaurant was relatively empty.
(4)
Jeff L.

Whenever I think of a proper steakhouse in Boston, Grill 23 is at the top of my list. I've been there for birthdays, work functions, hosted events, dinner with friends and colleagues. Upon entering it looks like a very formal place, but everyone who works there is courteous, friendly, and above all a true professional. I'd say the decor is classic, but brightly lit. I love what they've done with the bar area in the past year or so, moving it from what used to be an awkward spot perched over the dining room to its current spot directly facing the large windows. It feels like a great spot to grab a drink or watch a game now, whereas in the past it seemed like an afterthought. Grill 23 has classic steakhouse fare without too many creative flourishes but almost always perfectly executed. I say "almost always" because the last two times I've been for dinner, my steak has come out overcooked. I love my steak as rare as it can be safely done, but the last two times, my steak has come out medium rare. Not the end of the world, but for those prices, it's disappointing. When I was last there about a week ago, the server (also named Jeff) was excellent and immediately realized that 2 out of the 3 steaks at our table had been overcooked. He immediately sent them back and not only brought us new steaks but also new sides in order for everything to be fresh. It was a much appreciated move from a place that always provides exceptional service and strives to make sure guests have a first rate experience. The Prime NY Strip, which I had, was perfect when brought out the second time (as was my friend's medium-rare steak), and I've also very much enjoyed the Ribeye as well as the Kobe Cap, which is totally worth the higher price tag. It's probably the best cut of steak I've had in Boston. Sides are pretty standard, the highlights for me are the creamed spinach, truffled tater tots, and mac & cheese. I've never been hungry enough to order dessert, but the plates that have gone to other tables look great. The wine list is encyclopedic, with the standard steakhouse California Cabs and Bordeaux wines and a range of prices from reasonable to stratospheric, but also a selection of many other types of other wines. When I last went, we ordered Italian wines, and while I'm certainly no expert of Italian wines, one of my friends who is quite knowledgeable was excited about the selection and prices of the bottles that we ended up ordering. Overall, it's a great steakhouse that takes care of its guests in the right way. I'm hoping that the two recent overcooked steaks I got were an exception, and given how busy they always are, I'm guessing that it was. I always look forward to going back to Grill 23.
(4)
Della G.

We were there for dinner this past Saturday night, and never have we been disappointed. As usual, our table was ready for the time of our reservation, the servers were professional and performed with pride, and the charming dining room speaks for itself. Grill 23 is a top notch, real-deal, exceptional steak house. Well appointed in all directions. The menu has just enough options, the wine list is extensive enough and the sommelier knows his stuff. The prices are pricey but there is no compromising, Grill 23 knows exactly what to do and how to do it.
(5)
June D.

So my husband and I ate here recently to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Our extremely thoughtful and generous children had given us a giftcard. We were excited to try a new place, celebrate our anniversary and have a wonderful meal! Things started off really well. Brian, our waiter, brought over a bread basket with an assortment of fresh baked breads, very good. We both ordered the fish chowder - it was delish! Bits of lobster, red potatoes and an extremely flavorful broth. 2 thumbs up! We split a Caesar salad, and although the ingredients were fresh, I think the chef forgot to put on any dressing - totally dry and bland. What a goof, totally unacceptable. On to the entrees. Hubby ordered the panko crusted scallops served with a wine sauce. He doesn't drink wine, so Brian suggested a lemon butter sauce instead, which was appreciated. The scallops arrived with a deep brown color, so it was a dead giveaway they were overcooked. Again, unacceptable. I ordered the New York steak cooked medium rare. The steak came rare to raw in parts. WHAT??? This is an upscale, totally pricey steakhouse, and the chef can't cook the steak properly. And I had to cut off parts of gristle. The steak should have been perfectly trimmed. I've gotten better quality steaks at Costco. We split creme brulee that was good, but I think you have to try really hard to screw that dessert up. All in all, it was a huge disappointment, and I know our kids were bummed because they put a lot of thought and research into selecting Grill 23. My advice is if you want a great meal at an upscale steakhouse, stick to the tried and true like Capital Grille, Mooo and Morton's and you won't be disappointed, PS - A gentleman on one of the other tables sent his meal back, probably because his steak wasn't cooked properly.
(2)
Dan R.

I'm going to keep this fairly short and sweet. I will preface, I work in a steakhouse in Boston that offers Prime steaks. Their steaks: as good as it gets. 100 day aged ribeye is not to be missed. During restaurant week we chose to pay the $10 supplement for a dry-aged ribeye which was one of the best steak experiences I've ever had. Their sides: Le sigh. I wish they were better. Truffle tots are good, but you're putting truffle oil on friend potato so yea. Mac and cheese is pretty solid but I've had better at steakhouses. The mushrooms made me sad. They weren't too flavorful and texturally were a miss. All of the appetizers I've had were great. Hamachi tartare, potato soup (restaurant week), and steak tartare. Wine list is amaaaaaaazing. I absolutely love it. It's massive and they have just about everything you could every need. The wine director recommended a fantastic value of a bottle for us to start when we couldn't decide on one. Service of course gets an A
(4)
Martin V.

There can be only one 'best' steakhouse in town, and Grill 23 gets my nod. I've been going there for years, and the level of service differentiates the restaurant from their competition in Boston. Whether it's treating a single diner just as well as a full table, to the timing of the meal, they have never disappointed. Perfect example. I asked if the kitchen could prepare fried oysters. Not only was it not a problem, they were excellent! I made the same request at "another" high end steakhouse (on Boylston near the Marathon finish line) and they declined. Now, you have oysters and you have fried calamari on the menu, how hard is it? It's the little things, and Grill 23 knows that.
(5)
Clark O.

Absolutely loved the Lobe Cap Steak. Their steaks are definitely one of my top favorites and if I ever feel like having steaks, I'll always come here. However, don't expect the same quality for the sides though, which I find disappointing, perhaps it's because the steaks were so good that they made the sides "eh"? As a true wine lover, I certainly enjoyed their wine. They have just about every wine you'll need and the wine director is professional and knowledgeable. Yes I would come back here for sure.
(4)
Brad C.

Great potential, but... Wanted a steak place for out of town family from Ireland. Meals were very average, nothing spectacular. My biggest issue, nothing came out hot... I ordered an elk dish cooked medium, so I knew it would cool off quick. Sides of sautÃ©ed spinach and truffle oil tater tots were tepid at best. Service was very capable, but we mentioned we were celebrating my sister in-laws birthday... No acknowledgement, and no follow up as to how the food tasted or how it was cooked. Overall experience was 3 stars at best! Should have gone to Capital Grill :(
(3)
Alex G.

Love this place. The steak is always perfectly done and the appetizers are delicious. Love the ambiance, if you are looking to go for a boys night out and want to start the night off right you cant go wrong with grill 23.
(5)
Lindsey S.

Delicious filet mignon! And the fresh chocolate chip cookies for dessert were incredible. Really enjoyed dinner and would definitely like to there again the next time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Katherine D.

I've got to start by echoing many other reviewers and remarking that here, it really is all about the steak. Of all my steak house experiences the actual meat here was the best. I got a perfectly cooked 100 day aged rib eye that was my preferred medium rare with a nice sear all over. I'd like to go back and straight up just get steak so I could eat that incredible slab of beef again without breaking the bank. We went for Valentine's day. The ambience was nice, with a classic Boston feel. The host staff was a little frazzled, but that was to be expected. We were seated upstairs by the kitchen, which I always like. It was much quieter in this back room, and I was surprised by how large the restaurant really is. Service was pretty great the whole time. Again, V-Day is probably not the best day to evaluated since that place was packed, however, we had no issues with our server. He showed up when we needed him (mostly) and then went about his business. I was hoping for a little more personal service, with maybe some suggestions with the menu or something nice, but he did well enough. To start we ordered shrimp cocktail and crab claws. I thought the shrimp cocktail was puny for the price, but hey, thats what he wanted and I wasn't paying. My crab claws were sweet and ice cold, and my favorite part of the meal beyond the steak. He got a stuff iceberg wedge and his eyes lit up when it arrived, I'm not a salad eater, but he said it was exceptional. For sides we got the mashed potatoes, broccoli gratin, and mac and cheese. I was overall disappointed with sides. The mac and cheese was good, the broccoli was just OK, and the mashed were just bad. After being spoiled by the incredible sides at KO Prime (and the broccoli cheese side at Sweet Cheeks!) the bar was set too high and they really fell flat. For dessert we ordered the coffee profiteroles and chocolate cake. As a Southcoast girl I fancy myself a coffee ice cream connoisseur and this was more like espresso ice cream, too bitter, not subdued and sweet enough. I did appreciate the presentation with a generous portion of fudge being poured over the top at the table. His cake was super rich. It was good, but I couldn't really handle more than one bite. If you a chocoholic it is probably for you, but I'm not. Overall it was a great night. Nice ambience, nice service, incredible steak and OK accompaniments round Grill 23 out to a 4.
(4)
Stephanie C.

Food was exceptional. The seating is tight but got some great dinner entertainment from the couple fighting less than 6 inches away from us. Not awkward at all.
(4)
Stefan A.

Wonderfull meat, sides and wines, great service.
(5)
Albert B.

I had an awful experience last night that I wanted to share. Wine was spilt on my pants upon arrival of my entree, it was a mistake on the waiters part and I forgave him. The staff took my steak away because broken glass was everywhere. I was without my entree. Meanwhile, my friend cut into his steak that he ordered "medium" and it was extremely rare, so he sent it back (after the staff had acknowledged it was very undercooked). His steak and a new steak for me were brought out, both were extremely overcooked, as in very "well done". The staff acknowledged this and took the steaks back once again. At this point we were disappointed, but seeing that it was almost 11pm we wanted to wait for the steak because we were very hungry. At last, the steaks came out again, this time delivered by the manager, and they were severely undercooked- acknowledged again by the staff as unacceptable. The manager said they were unable to cook another steak at that time, but they would try to make our latest steak right. We were fed up and had lost our appetite. We left without eating dinner and our night subsequently ruined. All of this time, we hadn't a single visit by the manager until we asked. We were served 4 times and every time the steak was severely over or undercooked. The customer service was awful, we were left sitting round waiting for answers. I will say our waiter was extremely nice, the only positive from our entire experience. I expect a certain level of service and was VERY disappointed with Grill 23. Candidly, I'm not sure I've ever has that bad of an experience at a restaurant. I will not ever be dining at this establishment again. Ridiculous and unacceptable.
(1)
Katherine B.

Highly recommend this steakhouse. I have been to my share of steakhouses, and this by far is superior. We were expertly served by Bobby. He could not have been more attentive. Don't understand how people are complaining about the service and to complain about not getting ketchup....................really?? In this kind of place ketchup is a sin. Anyway, the steaks we all had were the best we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly and so full of flavor. Get the Grill 23 tots as a side. So very good. Our wine and water glasses were never empty and never had to ask for a thing. Excellent meal.
(5)
Man M.

Both service and food were excellent. The ambiance is fantastic. This is one of my favorite steak houses. The meat is not your shitty CHOICE but it is prime USDA. This place knows steak!
(5)
Cathleen S.

An amazing steakhouse in Boston! The ambience is very cool. I've sat at the bar both times I've come here, and enjoyed a delicious cocktail mixed perfectly by the expert bartenders. The filet mignon was amazing, cooked perfectly, and very flavorful. My bf had a bone-in ribeye, and raved about it. We started with Oysters and Shrimp Cocktail...the Oysters were great, the Shrimp Cocktail was not the best I've ever had... a bit disappointing...hence the 4 star review. I look forward to returning here to sit in the dining room, and enjoy more of the atmosphere here.
(4)
Naoto U.

Excellent steak and seafood. I enjoyed very much visiting this place. It is bit pricy but you will enjoy the dry-aged beef. Seafood samples is worth ordering. I will go again. The place is worth a visit when you are in Boston.
(4)
Jonny C.

The good first, because the steak was so amazing that it gets top billing: I had the Delmonico. It was perfect as it should be at that price point; marbled, a bit gamey, rich, cooked perfectly (medium rare leaning toward rare) Wifey had the steak frites and asserted that it was the best she had ever had. If you are going to do the frites, rest assured that their will be no need to order another side of fries, as the amount they give is ample for 2 others. The mac and cheese was amazing as well, but the other sides were nothing special (broccoli au gratin, asparagus) In retrospect, I should have done the truffle tots. Voluminous wine list, literally thousands of vintages. Pricey, cheapeast bottle is about $55 for a fairly pedestrian domestic. The chocolate cake we shared was huge and definitely enough to share. Delicious. The shrimp cocktail was average, 4 huge shrimp on ice with minimal presentation, pass on this and go for the oysters instead if you are wanting a fresh seafood prior to the artery stuffer. Great salad (iceberg wedge, bacon, onion, blue cheese) Again, shareable. The space is classic old American steak house, rich tones, spiral staircase, lots of wood and brass. Wear whatever you want, the dress code states "jacket preferred" but jeans and a pair of Vans is acceptable, if not the norm. Wait staff was perfect, informed, patient, and pleasant..... The hostess was another story, total beyach who was generally unhelpful and unapologetic for us being seated 45 mins after reservation. They were so packed that the downstairs bar was like Mumbai light rail status, over capacity. When i next go, Im doing the classic. Oysters. A la carte steak. Shared truffle tots. Bottle of red. Allow me to reiterate, the steak is absurd.
(4)
Dave C.

This is the best steakhouse in Boston. I've been to them all. Capital is a close second. The filet is always grilled to perfection and has an amazing seasoning flavor. The cocktails are superbly prepared and the wine list is beyond expansive. I only manage to go about once a year and every time I'm blown away. I highly recommend the mac & cheese side dish along with beats. The mac & cheese is off the charts good and I don't normally like mac & cheese. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable and shows up just the right amount of time. Awesome!
(5)
meg p.

Amazing for a big birthday celebration (60!). We told them ahead of time it was a special occasion and they gave us this beautiful table right in front of the window. The steaks were amazing and the waiter was so attentive and gave great suggestions! Like the hash browns, yum! My entire group said it was the best meal they have ever had anywhere! I got the filet meal with gravy and potatoes, while they all got individual cuts of beef and side dishes. He accidentally dropped one hash brown in my 3/4 empty champagne glass and he brought me a brand new one, filled up!, within seconds and gave us a free dessert! Considering, I had not been splashed at all, and my entire group thought it was so funny, he really went about and beyond. Yes, it is pricy. but you get what you pay for!
(5)
Ben W.

Traditional Steakhouse, but dont expect much else... My wife and I had Saturday reservations and were seated promptly on arrival. The interior is classic wood paneled old school like you would imagine. There is a main dining room, with open high ceilings and tends to be a bit loud. The bar area is a part of that main room, and looked to be pretty packed. Our reservations were in a small dining alcove with about 4 other tables in a more cozy atmosphere. It was quieter than the main dining room but you are still at the mercy of the other tables. One lady was yaking away on her cell phone and being a general bitch to the staff. There is also an upstairs dining room that I didnt get a look at, but would make reservations for next time. Service was sufficient and polite, but not anything that was above average. Started with the iceberg wedge salad, which is really hard to screw up. Basic half of a lettuce head with a bunch of bleu cheese and some bacon. Not bad, I ordered the Dry aged NY Sirloin, and was very happy with it. Excellent flavor and cooked perfectly. Definitely the highlight of my meal (as it should be). The side orders were underwhelming. Broccoli gratin was bland and the truffle tater tots were just so-so as well. My wife had the Beef tenderloins with mashed potatoes and holy hell, the mashed potatoes were quite possibly the best I have ever had. Damn good!! Dessert was pretty disappointing. My wife had the chocolate sundae, which quickly turned into a soupy mess of syrup and whipped cream. I ordered the Pistachio cake. It sounded like something traditional and simple. Something that would be similar to carrot cake except with pistachios, right?? Wrong! It was a piece of pistachio cake (which was similar to a bannana bread, but tasted good alone) but it was topped with these two scoops of italian ice type tart fruit slushy. Odd... And then there was this rectangular gelatinous block of a lemon jello stuff, except harder, served on the side. Verdict: I would go back, but only order steak and mashed potatoes.
(3)
Pamela K.

This steak house was recommend by the concierge at two different hotels and didn't disappoint. We went on a Friday night at 5:15pm and were one of the only people in the restaurant. The plus side is that we got great service and our food came out very quickly. By 6:30pm it was completely packed both upstairs and downstairs. We both ordered the twin filets with blue cheese on top. The steak was cooked to perfection and tasted fantastic! We ordered the mushrooms, hashbrowns and onion rings as the sides. The mushrooms were okay, the hashbrowns were great but the onion rings were a bit disappointing as they were soggy and not crisp. I would definitely return.
(5)
Doreen D.

Normally one of my favorites in Boston for steak but surpised this visit by my Steak Frites. Ordered Steak Frites and got a plate of Fries and a tiny butter filled Steak. $30. Disappointing to say the least. On a good note- Bartender was great and they make one of the best Sidecars in town. Aim for a different cut of meat.
(3)
R K.

Dining is about the experience as much as the food and this place is clearly riding the coattails of a time long past for both. Pretty sure Boston can do better. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere.
(1)
Jen B.

It is not difficult to understand why Grill 23 is considered by most to be Boston's best steakhouse. The dining experience will most certainly leave you wanting to come back for more. Upon entering the restaurant, you could easily think that you had entered a country club in Pinehurst. The dining room evokes a feeling of old school grandeur - dark wood furnishings, heavy brass fixtures, high ceilings with intricate molding held by large marble columns. Start the evening off with a cocktail at the congested bar - perhaps a "Du Barry", a dry vermouth martini spiced up with the essence of orange and anise and complemented by a touch of bitters. Fittingly, the two bartenders on duty maintain an attitude that allows no rush to service the mass of smartly dressed and commonly attractive 30-somethings surrounding the bar area. To begin your dinner, choose a wine from the most extraordinary wine list I have seen in a long time. Over 900 bottles, extending 41 pages, fill the wine menu focused on American, French and Italian wines. This is not a place for the faint of heart wine-drinker - most bottles cost in excess of $75, with the range extending well into hundreds of dollars per bottle. Starters range from salad and soup to a strong selection of seafood delicacies, including tuna sashimi - a fusion twist, served with olive oil, tzatziki, white pepper and chives - or crab cakes - hearty, meaty and bursting with flavor. Mains are offered in traditional entr'e style, or la carte. Try the Grill 23 Meatloaf - a hearty yet chic version of the classic dish - a rounded form of prime meats settled within a rich mushroom sauce and accompanied by a creamy mash. A la carte options offer choice cuts of meat in various sizes and may be complemented by a wide array of side dishes. I chose a 32-oz. portion of grilled lamb - three very large pieces of meat lightly attached to the bone, marinated in a delicate blend of rosemary and thyme and served with deeply caramelized onions and a few sprigs of watercress. The meat was tender, cooked to perfection, and flowing with juices. The side of spinach, lightly saut'ed with slivers of browned garlic, added nicely to the meal. After this very healthy serving of food, we opted to end the meal without dessert.
(4)
Lily G.

I have been to numerous steakhouses throughout the country. Capital Grille was my favorite up until the day I went to Grille 23, and since then I will only go to Grille 23 if I want high quality steak. Also, on the plus side, the drinks are nice and strong!
(5)
Jeff M.

This Boston 'institution' seriously disappointed me. The worst part about my experience at Grill 23 was the extremely slow (20 + minutes to greet the table) and inattentive service. The people dining here were pretty interesting. I saw people wearing athletic wear all the way to a jacket. This just added to my confusion of how Grill 23 built is reputation of being a higher end joint. I always rate my reviews on the food, and the food here was nothing you could not get at some where like Fleming's. The raw bar with only one type of oyster did nothing to excite me. (I'd go to Eastern Standard for a raw bar, or even Legal Seafood) The lettuce in the Cesar salad was completely limp. The beef tenderloin was prepared perfectly but did nothing to excite me. Steak au poivre was nothing above average. The truffled tots were however delicious. (I love truffles). In its class Grill 23 is not worth more than 2/5 stars. I don't know if I'll ever go back (or even check out Harvest or Post 390). I feel like this place is for people who aren't in touch with the real local dining pulse of Boston and Cambridge.
(2)
Kelly O.

I've been here a few times now, always on the parents' dime and usually for some kind of special occasion (graduation, birthday), and it's consistently great. As a non-cow eater, I stick to the seafood here, which is always fresh and well-prepared. Salmon is my go-to entree, a large 10 oz. fillet cooked to perfection. The shrimp cocktail app- 4 huge pieces- is tasty as well (pricey at $17, but what isn't pricey here?). Favorite sides include the hash browns and the brocolli gratin, decadent and delicious. I've heard raves about the tenderloin and the veal, so check those out if that's your thing. The sticky toffee pudding with torched bananas and creme fraiche ice cream is to die for, I highly recommend ending your meal with it. Service is always exceptional, cocktails are well made, and the wine list is so ridiculously overwhelming (60+ pages) that you're better off asking for reccs. The bottom floor tends to get a bit loud, I prefer the upper floor. The atmosphere is old-world steakhouse, but you get a mixed crowd here (from families with babies to business meetings to dates, and everything in between). I don't know that I would ever come here on my own dime- I prefer to spend my own hard-earned $ at places like Oleana and Ten Tables-, but I'm perfectly happy coming here when someone else picks up the check- it's definitely a solid choice for a steakhouse.
(4)
Paula H.

We went for restaurant week. I personally did not participate, but ordered off normal menu. We all sampled each others food and everything was delicious. Our waiter, Josh, was very polite and prompt. I'd go back just for his hospitality, which was limited at most restaurants in comparison with the south
(4)
Arnold C.

This is NOT the best steak that I have had, hands down. Food was subpar. When I go to a steakhouse, I expect the steak to be cooked masterfully. Grill 23 fell short of expectation. Way short. My 18 oz porterhouse steak was overcooked. I had requested medium but it came out well done. I find that a BIG disappointment if a steakhouse cannot even get how to make a steak right. Perhaps, the biggest disappointment was the scallops. It was advertised as a place for seafood, aka 'the best in boston," as touted in some magazine. My girlfriend ordered the scallops and they were just mediocre, bland and poorly presented. It was not grilled enough for that smokey taste. It tasted bland. Even the pea blintz dish tasted better and we would be better had those been her entree. Service is attentive. Bread serving is good. BTW, there are very few street parking slots in Back Bay. There is no validation for garage parking, only Valet, which costs $16. I would not come back again. This place is overhyped.
(2)
Tony B.

Absolutely hands down best steaks and service ever!!! I've eaten in steak houses in just about every carnivorous city in the U.S. and nothing comes close to G23. Their steaks are like desserts and the wine list ;along with their resident genius Braum as head sommelier guarantees perfect pairing and great value across the palette spectrum. The service is truly like you're eating with friends and the ambiance is decedent but not over stated. Start with the Caesar salad with just the right amount of zesty dressing and move to a rich flavorful Kobe Steak, complimented with their truffle hush puppies and asparagus - you won't be the same. Go. Eat. Drink. You'll be hooked.
(5)
Jeremy H.

My steak was porterhouse was very good (but I expected excellent). Strange thing about the steak was that the fat wasn't that good to eat. You can tell a really good steak, IMHO, by whether the fat itself is good to eat. Don't get me wrong, the dish overall was good, but a quarter of the porterhouse is fat, and the fat was not good. But the real problem came when my guest ordered his steak "medium-plus". The steak came out completely well done. The next steak they cooked as a replacement came out medium-minus (if that's even a word). You would think they would watch the 2nd steak like a hawk, but that wasn't the case. My guest let it fly, and pretended it was fine, but I could see it wasn't. Basically, we had to find other things to enjoy OTHER than our steaks (our wine), and that's not what you want to be doing at a steak house. I don't know if I'll be willing anytime soon to drop a lot of money here, just to see if my experience was a fluke. Tater Tots were great, service was pretty good, host was pretty good, decor is boring (puts you to sleep while the hard chairs keep you awake)
(2)
Robyn R.

Classy, top-notch service and one of the best steaks I've ever had. Grille 23 is on point and provides an experience unlike anywhere else. No over the top trendy decor, music, or menu/drink items - they don't need it. It's a classic steak house with white glove service and teh food....oh the food! Friends suggested Capitol Grille, I said no and took them to grill 23. It was my first time, and not my last - everyone thanked me over and over. Much better food, experience and service than capital, abe and louies and other steak houses by 100%. Started with martinis, perfectly made and generous portions. THe bread basket is amazing, I couldn't stop eating those salty rolls - oh my. Started with the lobster tail, which was the only thing I could have left out - very small portion for $25, but it was fine. Friend and I split the delmonico and asparagas, and savored every single last bite - plenty of food and flavor exploding, perfectly cooked! Tried some other sides - mac n cheese was delectable, rich and perfectly done - had some great sharp cheese flavors, yum! Great for sharing as sides are family style. Steaks are pricey, but worth every penny. For real. And dessert - had the caramel pecan tart and basically licked my plate. Sweet and salty, perfect ending to a perfect dinner. Service was impeccable, non-intrusive, quick and not one flaw. We ate a lot, had 2 martinis each and only spent $85 pp....well, well worth it. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jack M.

5 stars, all the way. The ambiance, the service, the food. This is the ultimate Boston restaurant. It's in an older section of town, the woodwork and design of the place is very "Boston", the serivce is just top-notch, the food is impeccable. Expensive, but absolutely worth it. I enjoyed the service quite a bit. Well-dressed waiters who swoop in quietly to clear your plates or refill your water. If you touch the wine menu, a woman will swoop in to ask if you have any questions. I swear they all have radar here. We each had a dirty martini, which was good - the 99 day old dry aged steak was amazing. So perfectly cooked but with a lovely char to it and it had some kind of wonderful rub on it. It was perfection! Deserts are not only excellent, but CHEAP (considering)! The banana cream cake thing (OK I forget the name) was incredible. The creme brulee was some of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this place - I'm going again when I need to "WOW" someone. Please, do yourself a favor and eat here before you die!
(5)
East West Coast Girl C.

I'm underwhelmed like one of the other reviewers. Service was rushed which is unforgivable when dropping that kind of dime on dinner. Service was non existent when you actually needed it. Shrimp cocktail app was good as was the beet salad. They whisked my plate away before I finished chewing my last bite. As I swallowed my last bite, my dinner was placed in front of me. Filet Mignon perfectly cooked but asparagus was pretty much raw and had only a chunk of garlic on top. No other sauces? Were we supposed to ask? Signature coconut cake arrived so chilled it was hard and tough it break into. For $12 per slice, it should make you coffee. One last comment which involves the ladies room. One of the toilets was flooding. Really? People, for the prices you charge, everything and I mean EVERYTHING should be perfection. No excuse for that one. Grill 23, please refer to Keen's Chophouse in New York for an example of a high end steak house that does EVERYTHING right....and charges the same prices BTW.
(2)
Chris K.

Every time I come here for dinner, I always leave very satisfied with the high quality of food, service, and ambiance. This restaurant is consistent in serving the best steaks and side dishes....can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)
David F.

Staying directly across the street at the Back Bay hotel, we met a locally based friend for dinner here. The atmosphere was fantastic, the wine list awesome but the steaks, oh my, the steaks were simply fantastic. I had the 16oz ribeye, medium rare to perfection with fries and we shared a light Chardonnay to go with it. My dinner companions split a 'surf and turf' combo and declared it not only excellent but more than enough for two. Our guest settled on a Caesar salad which I thought was a waste in such a place. It's not cheap, bill for 4, 3 starters, mains and desserts, cocktails and one bottle of wine came to $250. Definitely special occasion or expense account only territory. That said, we waddled back to our hotel, replete and mighty satisfied.
(4)
Sean C.

Service is very good, but the steak isn't worth for that price. The steak is over-cook. We order for middle, but it comes middle well plus burning on the side. I won't go back again for sure, I rather go to Cheese cake factory.
(3)
V N.

Boston fine dining at its best. If you have the chedda, Grill 23 doesnt get much bedda. Ive gotten the 'epic pot roast' here a couple of times and the name does not lie - it IS epic. If the food alone doesnt statisfy your appetite for steak, the service is flawless and will make you feel like a celebrity. Managers are friendly and very accomendating. The one from France is also eye candy.
(5)
Hogger K.

Food 4/5 Service 4.5/5 Ambience 4/5 Why go to Grill 23 & Bar? They do a very good job at preparing the food and getting it to the diners at the right time. Someone wondered if this place is anti-Asian. I can tell you that this is not the case. I went there with my friend's Dad who is Asian and he wasn't exactly dressed like most of the people there (i.e. he wasn't wearing a button down shirt and a dress jacket). But our waiter David was courteous and attentive without being overbearing or deprecating. Some people may not like the idea of naming waitstaff, but I think it's critical. The reason is that you know someone at the restaurant is going through the reviews, and great servers should be rewarded and bad ones either needed to be re-educated or fired. Some people have commented that the service is a little confusing because although you have the primary waiter, much of the food is served by other people. This doesn't bother me, and it definitely allows for food to be served simultaneously for larger parties. The only problem is that when one of the other waiters does something stupid (e.g. a secondary waiter who took away my salad plate mid-stream without asking me if I was finished with it), it's tough to give a single score to any one waiter. As for the food: The Kobe Cap Steak is as good as people say it is. There are a couple of caveats about it. The first is that if you are someone who doesn't like a lot of salt on your steak, then you need to tell the waiter ahead of time. Second, if you're going to order a steak like this, you need to slow down your eating speed. I (as well as many people) eat too fast. I devoured the first half of the steak, but didn't really enjoy it. However, when I forced myself to slow down my eating speed, that's when the amazing taste and texture of the beef came to the forefront. The lamb loin chops were also great. They definitely give you your money's worth. The sides were irrelevant. The quantities of the sides we ordered were good, but when you're spending $59 for a steak, it's far better to take the time to enjoy the steak and not have its taste adulterated by the sides. Also, I thought that the sides were okay but not stunning. Grill 23 Tots are a slightly upgraded version of those tater tots you used to get at lunch in elementary school, and the onion rings were also okay. The decor of the place is beautiful, but the one big drawback is the noise level. When I went there, the place was only 1/3 full and the noise level was tremendous. I felt like I was back in the old Boston Garden. The problem is that all of the hardwood setting causes sound to get bounced around. Combine that with a lot of guys in suits who are bragging about the latest hot stock tip or in our case we were seated next to a large table where one guy was telling his white-collar buddies about how his wife had no idea of the affair he was having with an exotic dancer at a well-known Boston stripclub. It's tough to keep secrets when everyone has to speak really loudly just to get heard. It's one reason I like a place with booths, but that wouldn't work so well in this restaurant. Now I'm going to say something that might confuse people. Some other reviewers have commented that the food is okay but not great. I'm wondering if the noise level has something to do with it. People always say that you first eat a dish with your eyes. Well, I'm going to take that one step further and say that you also eat with your ears. The sound of something sizzling on a hot pan is enticing. But also when you are trying to focus on your food in a really noisy place, it causes sensory interference. I've noticed this several times in the past. It's the reason why sports bars keep the food simple: because those places are so noisy that customers won't really be able to fully focus on the food and detect subtle nuances. It's also the reason I avoid noisy Persian restaurants (because the food has a lot of amazingly subtle flavors that are much easier to enjoy in a quiet restaurant). So, if you thought the food here was not so great, go at an earlier time when it's less noisy. After reading several of the recent reviews, people either love the service or hate the service. If you are one of the haters, you should include your server's name in the review, and then you should plan on going back to this place. As far as steak is concerned, this is one of the best steak places I've gone to. So, it's worth a second chance. What about price? The bill was $100+ per person, but we also ordered a lot of food. We had several appetizers, two of the most expensive entrees on the menu, and several sides. If you limit a couple of apps, no sides, no wine, and pick one of the less expensive entrees on the menu, you could get the bill down to about $50. But if you're going to a great steak place like this, are you really going to cheap out and get the $27 meatloaf or the $27 brick pressed chicken? Methinks not. Splurge.
(4)
Christine G.

I came here as part of a business dinner which was held in one of the private upstairs rooms. I hadn't hopped on Yelp before dining here. After eating at Grill 23, I'm not quite sure I understand the gushing reviews. Granted, the atmosphere is elegant and inviting. The service was also exceptional. Our waitstaff were polite, friendly and efficient. They earn straight As. I was not, however, impressed by the food. I started with the calamari appetizer, which was the standout winner of the evening. The light and crisp fried coating was perfect for the fresh-tasting, pleasantly chewy calamari. Unfortunately, it was downhill from there. I opted for the spring greens salad, which consisted of a pile of greens topped with unattractive blobs of goat cheese. That's it. No tasty tomatoes, red onions, or other accompaniments. Very blasÃ© . The scallop entree also failed to delight. The scallops were fine, but the fingerling potatoes were overcooked and tough. The mushrooms didn't add anything to the dish, except for the fact that they turned the liquid on the plate a totally unappetizing brownish, brackish color. The chocolate layer cake I chose for dessert was very rich (just the way I like my cake), and I suspect they used a bit of coffee or espresso in the batter to bring out the richness of the chocolate. Yummy. Overall, though, this steakhouse is nothing to get excited over. Maybe I made some poor dish selections, so if I'm ever privileged enough to give them another shot, I certainly will offer another review. For now, the review I offer is two stars for the food, supplemented by an extra star for the service.
(3)
Ali G.

Recommended by brother in law for a good steak. Overall excellent steaks, lamb, and chicken. Not all of the dishes had the touch of excellence and the service was busy. We were all surprised by how busy it was during a week night. Appetizers and side dishes - Calamari - we finished all of this, excellent Berrata (crispy eggplant with cheese) - Good although maybe it needed more salt or something to bring it alive. Overall we found this to be bland Clams on the half shell - Excellent Ceaser Salad - skip this one, it was the worst item of our meal. I have had much better salads at other restaurants. Maybe they should have made a fresh ceaser with anchovies and romaine lettuce from scratch. It was basically a plate of large pieces of iceberg lettuce, crutons, and parmesean cheese. Mac and Cheese - Yummy! Cheesy and flavorfull Tater Tots - Skip this one as well. It's exactly what it sounds like. Not very good consistency. We got it for our kids, but they wouldn't eat it either. Brussel Sprouts - Someone should have warned me this had rosemary in it. I hate rosemary, it pretty much overpowers everything you eat. I had to ..cleanse my pallete a few times to get the taste out. Rissoto Special - this was al dente beyond belief. Someone should have tasted before it was brought to our table. Raw rice should never be served to customers. main courses - Porterhouse -Excellent, you can believe how many steak houses i've been to that screw this steak up. It was cooked perfectly and extremely tasty. NY Steak - Excellent Lamb Chops - My wife ordered this and loved it. These lamb chops are big Brick Chicken - Crispy on the outside and juciy on the inside - Excellent Desert - We ordered the profiterole and the coconut cake, both were excellent If someone from Grill 23 is reading this, Thanks! :o) We had a great steak in Boston
(4)
Stephen L.

Best slab of meat in town hands down. I have been going here for years and I have NEVER had a bad meal nor have anyone who has been with me.
(5)
Lisa A.

Grill 23 was our pick for Valentine's Day this year and it was grossly unsatisfying. While it's a huge restaurant, with rich dark woods and a lovely winding staircase in the middle, the bright lighting made everything look harsh, and it was as loud as a train station. Even though we had made reservations long in advance we were seated directly next to the bathroom, which was also across from the kitchen and a high traffic path from the bar to the dining room for servers. Not exactly intimate or romantic. We started with a martini each while we started looking through the menu, but it was ages before they finally arrived at our table, to the point where I almost said something. I started with the crabcakes while my boyfriend ordered the fish chowder, which took less time to get to the table than the drinks did. The chowder was excellent, and we consider ourselves to be chowder aficionados. The crabcakes, however, were almost inedible. They were extremely overcooked, even slightly blackened on the outside and totally dry and bland. The wine list is IMMENSE, but thankfully our server was well versed in their selection and helped us pick something suitable for our meal selection. For dinner we ordered ala carte, lamb for me and New York strip for him, along with mashed potatoes, pommes frites with truffle oil and asparagus on the side to share. Wow, what a waste, the sides were bigger than our meals, you'd think they might mention something like that. The New York was pretty good, cooked the way it was ordered, but still no better than a million other places you could get it. The lamb, like the crabcakes, were overcooked (I just couldn't catch a break!), and really not that tasty. Lamb is one of my all time favorite foods and I want it to taste like lamb, the added sauces and spices should complement the flavor not conquer it. For dessert we got one crÃ¨me brulee to share, another favorite of mine that I order everywhere I find it. It was just your basic vanilla flavor with berries, completely uninteresting and lacking in the sugar department. Overall very blasÃ©. The one saving grace was the service. It was very formal, but not pretentious at all. Our server was a very funny guy, with a sharp dry wit and entertaining personality which helped us stomach the food. They replaced my boyfriend's napkin when he went to the bathroom, marked everything properly and crumbed as needed, but that should only be expected in an establishment like this. I'm paying for more than just good conversation here though, and Grill 23 didn't offer me anything else. There is too much competition for steakhouses out there and they fell very short. Overall it was overpriced, overcooked, overly bright, overly loud and completely disappointing.
(2)
nomo c.

One of my favorite Steakhouses. We often go here for celebrations. Steaks - all good Extensive wine list Truffle Tator Tots is a must have!!!! It gets pretty loud in here since its always busy so sometimes its hard to have an 'intimate' dinner. But the food speaks for itself.
(5)
Anthony L.

Surprisingly very large venue, can seat a lot of people. I obviously ordered steak, I think the table got at least 5 different types of steak and all were amazing. My only complaint is service is a bit slow. Service is good, but could have been faster, it was difficult to flag down or get the attention of our waiter
(4)
Kathy Y.

Another Birthday Dinner I had was here. Now this was a total splurge. The atmosphere was nice, and old feeling, but it was inviting. We pretty much almost walked in, we called maybe 30 minutes ahead to reserve a table for 2. We were both getting off a long day at work so this was a treat for the both of us. We had an excellent Rioja Red Wine. We both had the Calamari - this was good. 100 Day Ribeye 18oz, it was cooked perfectly, medium rare. - this was excellent for me, for ribeye is one of my favorite cuts. It was so amazing i finished the whole entire thing. 18 oz is alot of a small person like me! We shared 2 sides - truffle tater tots and broccoli gratin. These were both very good. the broccoli grain was a tad heavy though. Towards the end of the meal we ordered dessert, we shared 2: Caramel Profiteroles -coffee ice cream, candied almonds and the Vanilla Creme Brulee. The waitstaff dressed up with creme brulee with a sheet of chocolate that said happy birthday and it came out with a candle. That was a nice surprise. Both desserts were very good. This was another one of the steakhouses I've been dying to try. So it was an excellent first experience. I would recommend this for groups. I feel like this is geared more toward business/client with the high noise level.
(5)
Zach B.

In Boston, there's around 5 all-star quality steakhouses. Grill 23 is among them. If you go to any of these steakhouses, expect great food, service and atmosphere. What distinguishes Grill 23 from its peers is the Kobe steak. I don't know of another restaurant in Boston serving it, and it's cooked to perfection. Next to you go, make sure you try it.
(5)
Sam S.

great
(5)
Andrew L.

Excellent steak. Appetizers were amazing. Steaks done perfectly. Don't believe the sporadic negative reviews. This place is 5 star. Don't miss it.
(4)
Rufus G.

I had the 100-day aged Ribeye steak and was probably one, if not the best steak I have ever had. I can't wait to go back while in Boston.
(5)
Daniel Y.

One of the best in Boston if not America. Exceptional dry age steaks and professional service.
(5)
Kristen M.

So I had been dying to try this restaurant for awhile. I had heard it came close to outdoing capital grille. They were wrong! The interior of the restaurant is beautiful especially around Christmas time. Our table for two was quite small and crowded in between two close parties. Luckily the ambiance was loud which made it less awkward. Our waiter Benjamin seemed extremely rude at first. Half way through our meal Ben lightened up a little. It was strange that we had two waiters I'm not sure who the other guy was but he was a little more polite. For my meal I had the 10 oz filet mignon a la carte and my friend had the most expensive steak on the menu the Kobe. Both were amazing. The sides however were just bland. We ordered the mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and grill 23 tots. The tots were mediocre. The other two just weren't good. Overall I would say my experience at Grill 23 was a huge disappointment. I love to fine dine. This specific occasion was for my birthday and it didn't live up to my expectation whatsoever needless to say it was a HUGE waste of money and extremely over priced.
(2)
Rob D.

All I can say is WOW! What an amazing steak dinner!!! Peter Luger's...who's that? I ordered the bone-in ribeye. Oysters were great. Dirty martinis were really really good too, thanks to Adam at the bar. My friend had the filet mignon and the shrimp cocktail. Filet was great, but she wasn't too pleased about the shrimp. The shrimp were pretty small for the price paid IMHO. I really look forward to going here again.
(4)
Le N.

Terrible service, decent/good food. The kobe beef was one of the best piece of steak I've ever had! And that piece of meat comes with a price tag! The scallops and the filet were okay, nothing out of the ordinary. Service was lacking on the rainy weeknight that I came here. For a place that is so pricey, I expected more. I felt neglected and had to wait awhile to flag someone down for my ketchup and bill. No one came by to refill my water either.. =( Will I return here in the future? Maybe. Anytime soon? Probably not. For the amount of money I spent at this establishment, I could probably spend it somewhere else in the Boston area where management cares about my existence..
(2)
Deann M.

Oh yes. I am a meat girl and Grill 23 has lotsa meat. Hamburger - love it. Kalbi - live for it. Rib Eye - oh heck yah. Porterhouse - bring it on! All in all, however, I typically prefer grilling at home so a steakhouse has got to be damn good for me to want to go again and again. I've been to Grill 23 twice now - once for dinner with the fam and the other for my brother's graduation where we sat in a private area. Both visits were pretty memorable (yeah rolling out due to stuffing yourself is considered memorable)... Think classy, yet comfy. Dark wood. Huge wine list. Lively atmosphere without the kids and frat boys. If you want to throw a party or have an intimate dinner, there are a few options for private rooms...just be sure to call ahead (few weeks at least). Pardon my not remembering anything about the sides except that they were likely quite yummy, but I try to keep focused when I'm at a steakhouse...on the meat that is. I'm sure that you'll enjoy most of anything that you have at Grill23 unless you're a healthy loser and opt for seafood at the place that is known for their grilled meats (no, shrimp doesn't qualify as meat). I can personally vouch for these two dishes: DRY-AGED RIBEYE 16OZ (46) KOBE CAP STEAK 10OZ (59) Both were fabulous. You will enjoy the rich, juicy-ness of the ribeye and the creaminess of the kobe cut. If you're more of a NY person then these might be too fatty for you - but I can promise that it'll melt in your mouth. So, if you're looking for a place to grab a couple cocktails before sitting (great bar in the entrance), have a nice meal and a glass of wine (or two), try Grill23. Great alternative to Ruth Chris, Morton's or Smith/Wollensky. Expect around the same prizes and service to match.
(4)
Brian M.

Sadly disappointed... The wife and I went out for our first date sans-baby in about 6 months, and I had a hankering for a good steak. It was short notice, and Grill 23 had an opening at ~9pm. The decor was beautiful, the bar was nice, and they were pouring the bourbon healthily. I had the bone-in filet mignon and my wife had the chicken. We also ordered the fries and mac & cheese. The Good: Fries: delicious Mac & cheese: excellent... a hint of gorgonzola added some depth to a simple side The bad: Filet: I had ordered it medium rare (which I have always believed to be the correct way to order such meats) and it came out on the well side of medium. The server agreed. Normally, I wouldn't have minded, but given the occasion and the fact that it was a $40 steak, I sent it back. When a replacement came out 15 minutes later it was good, but for a high end place with the word "Grill" in the name, you expect them to get this right on the first try. The Ugly: Chicken: Dry Dry Dry DRY! My wife doesn't eat red meat, so I always feel bad bringing her to steakhouses, but come on! At least have one quality meal for people who aren't drawn to the red meat. Dry & flavorless with a side risotto that even a generous helping of salt couldn't help. Kind of like adding a can of campbells vegetable soup to instant rice. Not good. The saving grace... the wait staff was fantastic. They handled the situation perfectly and were very gracious about the whole issue. They comped the chicken and threw in a free dessert... so we tipped on what the bill should have been. So anyway... I'm assuming/hoping that this was a just a bad night for the kitchen there, but unfortunately, restaurants like this only really get one chance with us considering how infrequently we can get out to eat.
(2)
Chris P.

Grill 23 We were in Boston on vacation in October (for my birthday) and wanted to do one BIG Dinner night out that I got to pick and I went with Grill 23 and I am happy I did. The restaurant was amazing!!!! Everything was great - food, service, drinks... The atmosphere wasn't stuffy or dark & quiet. More lively and fun. Our table was running a little late so we had to wait 15 minutes or so which we spent at the bar. We had drinks at the bar that were strong and reasonably priced (at least what was expected). We started with salads and their yummy bread. I had never had Kobe Beef so I got that and the GF got the Dry Aged Ribeye. Both were fantastic! We got the asparagus as our side but I wish we would have done the truffle tots. We had a kick ass waiter that was very helpful and attentive. The wine list is extensive (and somewhat overwhelming) but there was a top-notch sommelier working there. Great time and would recommend it to anyone visiting Boston.
(5)
Kunal M.

I no longer eat steak BUT when I did I considered this the best steakhouse in Boston!
(5)
Jon H.

There are a lot of places that you can get a top notch steak in Boston, and G-23 is no exception. If you do come here though, I would urge you to fight the temptation on ordering a steak (I've had the dry aged NY Strip, the Prime Rib, the Kobe cap steak, and the Rib Eye, which were all delicious) and order the lamb chops. You will be hard pressed to find better lamb chops anywhere else. I was disappointed to find that they have changed the way they serve their wedge salads. In the past, they used to serve a small wedge of iceberg, with a creamy blue cheese dressing smothered over a slice of blue cheese and a small slab of bacon. The wedge is now a standard version, with the lettuce, blue cheese dressing and bacon bits all served on top of each other. Like most steak houses, the sides and starters are also great, but the creamed spinach and tots deserve a special mention. The dining room is full of marble and hard wood with high ceilings and can be loud, so if you're hard of hearing or don't feel like yelling across the table, call ahead and ask for the upstairs dining room, which is smaller, and is carpeted which absorbs the sound bouncing around the main dining room.
(5)
John S.

Food was fantastic, dry aged beef was superb. The tableside experience was lackluster. I was never offered pepper on my salad and they spilled red wine on the tablecloth multiple times, and almost always spilled water when refilling the glasses. In a restaurant with this high a price tag, I don't think blunders like that are acceptable. I would have went under on the tip, but because of a party of 8 gratuity was included.
(3)
Anna L.

We had a small private room here upstairs. Before dinner, I had drinks with a few folks in the bar area. Those potato chips at the bar are salty and peppery. I don't recommend unless you have a glass of water next to you. The pre-set menu dinner was just okay? I was content but not uber pleased with my caesar salad, twin mini-filet mignons, and chocolate layer cake. It was heavy and satisfying but nothing to write home about? My friend had the pepper steak and it was like an inch of pepper and like a few millimeters of steak. I doubt I'd come back here.
(2)
Eric R.

Eric's birthday - Part twelve. Valerie wanted to do something extra special for her amazing boyfriend Eric, and consulted her colleague Ann and Ann's sister, Ellen, for some advice (after yelp-ing, of course). Ellen recommended Capital Grille or Morton's, but Valerie wanted to try something neither of them had experienced before. Enter Grill 23. Even though it was a Sunday night, Valerie wanted to be sure they had a table so she made a reservation (which was simple to do online through open-table). The restaurant gave us a cozy table in one of the quieter sections of the restaurant (which was helpful because Eric's ADD was in control and away from the street-facing window). Like many of the other yelp-ers have written, this place does have a "gentlemen's club" type of feel. There is dark wood paneling, large tapestries, and scattered oil paintings. The white table linens were pristine and it was nice to see them changed in between every seating (especially since Eric made a little bit of a mess when trying to share his steak with Valerie). There wasn't any music, which was good because the high ceilings made even the quietest chatter from the table next to us loud. Our waitress, Heather, came by a few minutes after we were seated. She didn't introduce herself, which we found odd, and we had to get her name from the receipt. She brought with her a basket full of amazing assorted breads and what tasted like homemade butter. We quickly ordered two glasses of the pinot grigio (the wine list is literally over 30 pages long) while we decided which entrees we would be having. After narrowing down the options for entrees, we ordered a Caesar salad that we split before the main course. The salad was absolutely delicious, with a perfectly created caesar dressing and parmasean flakes sprinkled over the top of the salad. We quickly cleared our plates of the salad, and placed our order for our main course. We decided to go with two different cuts of beef so that we might have a chance to taste the other's dish as well as our own. Eric chose to go with the twin filets, which amounted to about 8 oz. of meat, while Valerie chose the New York strip, which was 12 oz.. As a side, we ordered the mashed potatoes. While Valerie is agnostic, Eric had no issue with comparing the meal to the heavens. As he cut into his perfectly cooked (medium) filet, the tender meat melted over his tongue like butter. The meat was perfectly seared with a salty crust, and neither salt nor pepper needed to be added to supplement the delicious flavor cooked into the filet (for those of you who don't know Eric's relationship with salt...this says something). The mashed potatoes were equally as good. Eric described them as God having placed potato-flavored clouds into a bowl, and handed them to the chef at Grill 23. Valerie's steak was also cooked to perfection, although was charred a little bit too much in Eric's opinion. Both of the steaks were $35 each. Throughout the meal, our water glasses were meticulously refilled by one of the bus boys. Eric found it refreshing that even when the staff didn't have tables to serve, they always found things to do instead of just standing around. While we ate our dinner, we also had the opportunity to observe some of the other member of the waitstaff interact with their customers, all of whom were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, particularly the expansive wine list. Grill 23 had a decent dessert menu, but we were both too full to indulge. Heather quickly brought us our check (almost too quickly, Valerie still had a third of her glass of wine left) and we took off for the evening, passing the open kitchen and bread table on the way out, things we could not enjoy looking at from our seat in the corner. The service here was very good. Things came quickly and it seemed as though if we had questions about the menu items they could have been easily answered. Our waitress, Heather, was cordial, but not the friendliest server we have ever encountered. She appeared more open with a few of her other tables, and we think this may have been because we were two of the youngest patrons in the restaurant and weren't ordering a $200 bottle of wine. As much as we'd like to say the service wasn't what we expected, Heather was able to joke with Eric about the fact that every time she came to the table, Valerie's mouth was full of the delicious food. In short...for a heavenly steak or a special occasion in the Back Bay, try out Grill 23!
(4)
Jang David K.

I won a bet with my friend and had the privileged of finally experiencing Grill 23's steak for the first time in my 10 years here in Boston. I've done my homework: read many of the reviews on the "boston's top steak" articles and yelped countless hours the night before the big day. When I walked in, the atmosphere wasn't your typical 4 star restaurant. It was classy, business casual but not out-of-this-world high end steak house. Service was great. Quick and friendly. Probably one of the best aspects of this steak house. I know I know....you guys are wondering what about the food???? For apetizers, we had the crab cakes...i would rate this sucker 4 out of 10. Stop and Shop's frozen crab cakes could most def. compete with this guy. We both had the dry-aged ribeye for our cut, because we are in love with ribeyes.....oh yes.... It was probably the second most expensive dish after kobe beef. hmm....let see...a bit salty...i can imagine all you yelpers screaming at me. But you know what? It was a good quality meat for sure. I won't deny that. And it was BEAUTIFULLY cooked. But let me tell you, if you mess up on the seasoning, it's like ordering the best pizza in NYC and dipping it in soy sauce. Is it the best ribeye I've ever had? I can think of at least two steakhouses on top of my head that offers a better seasoned ribeyes. At the end, Grill 23, I also became one of the many who got suckered into your hype. You win.
(3)
Jay B.

Best Kobe steaks ever! Tender and actually not that filling! We decided to share a pineapple upside down cake which was pretty good too.
(5)
Michelle S.

Grill 23 is at the top of our favorite restaurants list. The steaks are some of the best to be had. My partner always gets the dry aged NY Strip as she's addicted to the dry aged taste and Grill 23 prepares it perfectly. I tend to try different items in the Entrees section (which come with sides usually and some sort of sauce as opposed to the a la carte steaks that are just the naked steak). This trip I got the au poivre flatiron with a reduction sauce and gruyere croutons. It was a super tender, very flavorful steak and a nice change from the usual filet that's au poivred. We couldn't have been happier with the steaks and our sides were perfect as well - mac and cheese and onion straws. The appetizers were phenomenal as well - steak tartare that was topped with an addictive mushroom and blue cheese duxelle and served with tiny truffled deviled eggs and crostini and the Jonah crab claws. An incredible way to start an incredible meal. If I could give 4.5 stars, I would but the one set back was the dessert. In the past, the desserts have been over the top but this time, mine fell short. I got the pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream. The cake was dry which I don't understand and the ice cream was anything but coconutty. I only had a few bites and was kicking myself for not finishing my steak to leave room for the dessert. My partners dessert was the chocolate layer cake which she enjoyed but didn't like the sauce that it sat in so she only ate the top few layers in order to escape it. We will be back for sure.
(4)
Dave A.

This review goes back a few years, but I had to review it as it could possibly be the best steak I have ever had! The only competition comes from the Morton's steak house in Minneapolis where I dined about a year ago. I will start off by saying that at the time, there is no way I could have afforded this meal at this restaurant and still kept up with student loan payments.....but you've gotta love and take advantage of company provided meals! I definitely took advantage of this opportunity by getting the most expensive steak on the menu (approx $75). I wish I could remember the name of it, but unfortunately I cannot. The steak that ended up in front of me was one of the most religious experiences I have ever had with food. This steak will be on my bucket list, as an experience that I need to encounter again. The steak was amazing, the staff was excellent, the beer on tab was fresh and cold, and the ambiance was very nice. The prices are definitely not for the faint of heart, but definitely worth tucking away part of your paycheck for a few weeks. I will also add that at the time I was relatively new to the area and had never even heard of the restaurant before, so I had no expectations as I gave my keys to the parking attendant and walked in the door. I also plan on saving up a little coin, and taking my parents there next time they visit. If my next experience at Grill 23 is anything like the last one, I just might have to put this as the best restaurant in Boston! P.S. As this is in Back Bay, parking is extremely difficult to find, so expect to pay for the valet.
(5)
Emily O.

Beautiful, huge space that is perfect for celebratory dinners. My boyfriend and I came here with our big bad families (read: 11 of us!!) and had an amazing graduation dinner. Dry-aged NY took the cake as everyone's favorite. Steak frites and chicken under a brick were close seconds. Somehow, even though the place was teeming with people, we were able to have a conversation without shouting at each other. Decor is fabulous, with elegant oak touches and wood paneling. Highly recommended!
(4)
Frank B.

Wonderful atmosphere and excellently trained staff. This restaurant understands what people expect for high class service. At the same time it is hard for me to understand how a steak can cost $50-$70, or a single crab cake appetizer can cost $21, when there are so many places in Boston that provide more creative and better prepared food. My steak was ok, but that is the most I can say about it, and the rest of the entrees and appetizers were the same. Even the $21 crab cake was boring.
(2)
Joanna C.

This place is amazing and worth every penny!! Actually... I've never had to pay for a meal myself... but I'm so happy to have been treated out on more than one occasion to Grill 23. I must confess that I prefer the sides and creme brulee served at Smith and Wollenski's just a few blocks away... But the steaks are just so good! The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable, but not snooty at all. I've had the fillet (good), the rib eye (great) and a taste of the porterhouse (fantastic!)... all of which were chased down with one of the best extra dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives I've ever had. Delish!!
(5)
Dave M.

i've had great steak before so i know grill 23's filet was just ok. oysters were fresh and service was good.
(3)
alison k.

After enlisting fellow yelpers in my search for the best steak in Boston to celebrate Hubs and my first year here, we decided to suck up the cost and go to Grill 23. I want to say I loved it, in fact, there were many excellent aspects to it - but I can honestly say that it was just OK. The best bits: 1. I cannot fault the quality of the meat and the cooking of the meat - 5 stars hands down. Fillet mingon cooked to perfection - rare and hubby's dry age strip was perfectly medium rare (and medium enough that the fat had melted a bit and was just delish). 2. I also think that the atmosphere was great - ok, not really romantic, but we took the advice of "karate chop" Meg and booked upstairs which was a good move as it was really noisy downstairs. The atmosphere was what I would call a traditional american upmarket steakhouse, more like the sort of place i have been to in san fran rather than in Boston. Bright, airy and shiny and bustling - totally oldschool which was a cool new experience. 3. The breads were awesome, as were my profiteroles and the truffle tater tots - yummm. Oh and I would say that the sides were plentiful. We had the broccoli, asparagus and tater tots between 2 and we had more than enough. So why only give it 3 stars you may ask? 1. SALT ahoy. Man the seasoning on the steak and on the asparagus and on pretty much everything was getting to the unbearable stage by the end of the meal. At the start it was just really salty but tasty, but by the end of the meal Hubs felt it a real struggle to eat the rest of the steak, not because of the cooking - as said above, that was flawless - but the salt. NOT nice. I was also relishing the inside bits of the steak to to take a breather from the battering my tongue and upper pallete took. 2. The little touches weren't there. hubs is allergic to nuts, and we did mention this to our server, but most of the deserts come with some nut based aspect to the dish. We ordered creme brulee which came with an almond biscotti. We asked it to come without the biscotti and it came just like that. Which obviously was fine, but when paying $300 for dinner it would be nice if a little dollop of ice cream or something had been added to replace it. 3. Temperature - it was FREEZING. I was wearing a LBD and had really dressed up, but I had to keep my cardigan on all night. I mentioned it to the server and he just said "I know" Man I was FREEZING goose pimples and everything! 4. Price of drinks. Now I know I should expect to pay a premium for drinks at a place like this. I do expect to pay more and I don't really grudge it, it's all part of the experience BUT $21 for a tom collins and a gin and tonic? come on - that's way more than top of the hub! Can't even reallycall a g and t a cocktail and lets face it a tom collins - gin, simple syrup and soda - hardly creative mixing there. so $25 incl tip seemed rather steep. Related to that, they wouldnt let us put the drinks onto our table - we would have tipped the barman, I don't see why they had to make us pay there and then - but that's just a ninor aside. All in all we had a lovely night, but I was left feeling really disappointed. The meat was some of the best I had EVER tasted, but was just spoilt but the heavy handed use of salt. Unfortunately I will have to say just A-OK and save up to try another establishment later.
(3)
Danielle B.

Yet another Yelp find on my recent trip to Boston. My family and I came here after we went to a ballgame at Fenway. We were EXTREMELY under-dressed, but they treated us just the same. Trust me, I was looking to see if we got any bad looks. What proceeded was a picture perfect meal with myself and 8 family members. Everything was so seemless that I almost don't even remember the server being there at all (in a good way)..and that's how it should be. I ordered the scallops (again, I'm not a meat eater) which were fantastic..And the lobster mac n cheese? O.M.G GET TWO or THREE! Truffle tots were awesome, as were all of the other sides, deserts, and wines.. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Also went to Del Friscos on this trip and Grill 23 trumps Del Friscos in every way,,from the food to the service to the tables even. Grill 23 was very cozy without being cramped. This was the most memorable meal of our trip! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Andrew K.

A very nice upscale steakhouse. I got the bone in delmonico which is a bone in rib eye. i got it medium rare and it was very good but it was slightly saltier than I like and there was alot of butter on top but it was still tasty. We also go tthe tater truffles which was a fancier tater tot made with truffle oil. The asparagus was also very good. I also tried the clam chowder soup which was kind of small and tasted really fancy but I wasn't a big fan of it. For the dessert, we got the creme brulee which was good but I would have liked it more if it was flamed in front of you like some fancy restaurants. It was still a good experience and a tasty steak.
(4)
John M.

DELICIOUS is all i have to say. i didn't give it a 5 star because the wait was very long but overall very good place.
(4)
Noah R.

We've eaten here twice and both dinners exceeded our expectations! I always had steak and both pieces - the aged NY strip and the Porterhouse - were cooked perfectly and were well seasoned. My wife had a scallop dish last fall with a pumpkin puree that was the best scallop dish we had ever had! Last time she got the brick chicken which was good but not great. The sides are mostly very good too. Escarole and Mac and Cheese rock! The tater tots were just fried mashed potatoes and a little disappointing. They were accommodating when we brought our son but it's not really a kids place. Expect it to be loud, fun, and expensive and you'll have a great visit.
(5)
Rosie Z.

Very elegant and classy restaurant. A perfect place to take your parents or other older friends when they are in town. Came here for a work dinner and was in the "Wine Room" - A private dining room surrounded by wine racks and look like you are inside a wine cellar in Napa Valley. Service was excellent (or probably because we ordered 6 bottles of Chimney Rocks). My crab cakes and scallops were cooked to perfection despite being at a corporate dinner. Overall, was most impressed by the decor of the place, would definitely come back for a special event.
(4)
Alexandra C.

I am not big on steakhouses or this type of thing but the food was reallllly good. I was here on a mon night so it was pretty quiet and not very busy. i was torn between getting seafood and steak but ended on steak since it's a more rare occasion for me. rare...HA! the filet mignon was pretty amazing. the flatiron steak that i got was very good as well, although i found the pepper/mustard sauce a little overpowering. if you're going to have really good quality meat i feel like you shouldn't overwhelm it with such strong flavors. it came with this crazy potato/bacon/cheese gratin stack thing that was really delicious but with the steak it was a little much, i thought. the malbec i had was fine, nothing extraordinary. i realllllly wanted to get dessert b/c it all looked and sounded so good but i was way too stuffed. FaiL. i may have to come back just for dessert =P
(4)
Matt L.

I ate here last weekend with my girlfriend. The meal was solid from start to finish. Great wine selection along with high quality steaks. I will def be back again.
(4)
Eric F.

Just got back from Grill 23 for a post-exam celebratory dinner and the food definitely met my expectations! Amongst us, we had: -Dry-Aged New York Sirloin 14 oz (medium rare) -Our Famous Meatloaf -Prime Flatiron Steak Au Poivre (medium) -Chicken Under A Brick -Grilled Swordfish 12 oz -New York Strip 12 oz (rare) -Mashed Potatoes, Mushrooms, and Asparagus sides I got to try a bit of each and was impressed with the exceptional flavors and textures. The swordfish was the easily the moistest of the swordfish steaks I've had (including Legal Sea Foods and Atlantic Fish Company) and for once it was actually worth the sizeable chunk of change. My friend noted that the chicken was comparably moist as well. Despite being medium, the flatiron was surprisingly tender and the peppercorn provided a sharper initial kick which quickly blended in with the beef's flavor thereafter. The strip steak was great and classic melt-in-your-mouth quality. My sirloin, however, was just AMAZING. It was my first time trying dry-aged beef and, suffice to say, it's worth every penny. The flavor was phenomenal and texture was truly unique though hard to describe - not at all grainy/gritty with an other-worldly balance of tenderness and firmness. My only bit of advice would be to order it rare as the edges were a little more cooked than I would've liked. As for the sides, they were some of the better ones I've tried with the mashed potatoes being especially creamy and fluffy. To complement the meal, I ordered a bottle of the 2005 Edmeades Zinfandel and was thoroughly impressed. It started off having a smooth crispness and well-balanced, dry finish and then gradually opened up with an increasingly fruity character that I really enjoyed. After letting it breath a bit, it actually came quite close to the 2006 Hartford Zinfandel, one of my personal favorites =D I also tried the 2007 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir which similarly improved as it opened up. I didn't like it much at all at first as it had a noticeable tobacco-y nose to it with a rough finish, but it really softened up after I gave it some time. Now the food was excellent and worth coming back for, no question about it. BUT, I found the ambiance to be pretty disappointing. First, there's a noticeable "old person vibe" with the vast majority of the clients being in their 30s-50s. Second, it was MAD noisy. It was beyond annoying having as much trouble as I did carrying a conversation - I had to repeat myself several times to my friend sitting right next to me... Honestly, it felt at times like a more upscale Cheesecake Factory in there @_@ So if you're looking for a nice meal and good conversation in an intimate setting, this is one of the last places you want to consider. In the restaurant's defense, it's prime time on a Friday night, but I'd much rather not have to shout for a couple hours. As for the service, it wasn't too bad. Our server was professional and courteous, but sluggish with checking in on the table. In general, the wait staff always seemed rushed having to service multiple tables and this gave off a somewhat impersonal and "disconnected" feel - as if you're just there to get your food, eat, and leave. Overall, Grill 23 offers some top notch food though at the cost of less than stellar dining environment and service.
(4)
dominique l.

First of all, the reason why you come to Grill 23, the meat. I had the kobe cap and it truly was outstanding and perfect sized for me. A delicious, micro fatted, crisped exterior, morsel after morsel. So good it didn't even need the steak house trick of over seasoning to perk up the meat. Spot on. In my opinion, the bread does not get enough attention. The chile studded cracker and soft, chewy rye deserve special praise, as does the crystalline salted butter. After each of us looked at the wine menu for a total of five minutes, the sommelier arrived out of nowhere and guided us to a delicious wine. This time, the uber smooth mashed potatoes beat out the truffled tater tots...barely. The service was very professional and attentive without hovering. The only negative was being squeezed together on the first floor so that a private party could have the second floor. We really didn't feel too squeezed, though, but the tray stand for the tables in our area was located right next to our table, perhaps a little too close. I had to watch my son like a hawk to make sure he didn't reach over to snatch another table's steaks. You need to pace yourself as all the flavors (including the forkful of my husband's pistachio pesto I snagged from his burrata dish) come together to hit you right between the eyes sometime between the superfluous (but oh, so tasty) desserts and the check arrival. I recommend walking home, or at least partways, to savor the lingering taste and begin to walk off your culinary transgressions.
(5)
Emily L.

My favorite steakhouse house in Boston. Their kobe steak just melts in your mouth! My next favorite is the 100 day aged ribeye. Can't get enough of their steak. Always seasoned and cooked to perfection. For the sides you can't go wrong with creamed spinach and tater tots. The onion rings were a bit oily but the aioli was really good.
(5)
Kristen D.

We have dined here a handful of times since my first review. Prior to our last experience, this was my fiance's favorite steakhouse in Boston because of the kobe cap steak. It's #3 on my list. Del Frisco's is #1, Abe and Louie's, #2. Our most recent experience this past Saturday night, was a comedy of errors, and it's very likely that we will never return here to celebrate a special occasion again. We arrived promptly for our 6:30 pm reservation and were brought to our table, on the 2nd floor, right away. The table was a series of 2 tops and one seat was swooshed up against the wall and the other was right against the back of another diner's seat. It was uncomfortable, to say the least, so we politely asked for a different table, which was accommodated. We were then sat at a roomy 4 top and Gino was our server. Things went downhill with Gino. My FI ordered a Chopin dirty martini w olives. After the first sip, he said he tasted no olive juice in the drink. When Gino came back to take our dinner order, he asked if it was a dirty martini, to which Gino said no. He took the drink and brought him a new, over brined martini, which was perfect. For apps, he ordered a half dozen oysters and I, the Caesar salad. On our last visit, in Sept, I ordered the Caesar salad and it had a lot of anchovies on it, which I loved, and is why I ordered it again on this visit. When I started eating the salad, which was very difficult, because they didn't chop up the romaine leaves at all, I saw that there were no anchovies on it. I really loved the anchovies and didn't want to keep eating the salad until I had some. My FI had finished his oysters, and a busboy came to clear his plate, so I asked about the anchovies. Gino came to the table and I told him about the lkast time I had the salad and he told me that since "most people don't like anchovies, they don't put them on the salad unless they're requested." Strange, since the last time, I didn't have to ask for them and I got a lot of them. I finally got a side of anchovies after a good 15 minutes had passed. I was putting one of the last bites in my mouth as a busboy snatched the plate away, because our steaks were ready. I ordered the petite filet (two, 4 oz filets) cooked med rare and FI ordered his usual kobe cap steak, cooked medium. I ordered mine MR, anticipating a Med temp, as past visits I've ordered Med and they were slightly overcooked. As anticipated, they were cooked to a perfect Med temp. When F/I first cut into the center of his steak, it was cooked Med, as requested. As he was eating, the steak was actually bloody pink and rare. He didn't want to send the steak back, in fear of it being tampered with, so he left almost half of the $85 steak on his plate. When Gino saw we were finished, he agreed that the steak was not cooked correctly and offered to re fire it, but it was too little, too late at that point. We were both still hungry, so we ordered the coconut cake for dessert. WOW, that cake was SO good, clearly the best part of the meal. I found the pineapple sherbet to be a perfect complement to the cake. When Gino brought the dessert over he said, "this is on the house." It was insulting that to compensate for all of the service hiccups and raw steak, that we got a $10 dessert. Based on our past experiences and a $200 bill, we expected more. My FI emailed the GM, Peter, when we got home that night, but so far no response has been received. *UPDATE 3/10-The GM, Peter, emailed back. His email was long, rambling and filled with grammatical wrrors. Embarassing that he clearly did not care to articulate a response. There was no resolution or compensation given, therefore, we will NOT return to Grill 23.
(3)
Marli E.

For such an expensive steakhouse I thought the steak would actually be better. Tried the Beef Tenderloin ($36) and the Grand Sampler ($115) I ordered the Beef tenderloin, medium, and unfortunately all pieces were cooked unevenly and honestly tasted kind of bland.. Although I will say that the meat was at least tender. It came with garlic mash potatoes, i didn't really taste the garlic or even a nice amount of butter.. It too was pretty bland What I will say was great was the Grand Sampler.. It brought clams, oysters, shrimp and lobster.. It was amazingly fresh and delicious.. I highly recommend it. My boyfriend's dad ordered the Prime Porterhouse ($57) from the a la carte menu and he was a little disappointed with it as well.. Said it was bland and the size seemed smaller than what they claimed to offer. The service was good and the environment clean.. Honestly I could just go to costco, but a shitload of meat and have a delicous BBQ for a quarter of the price that was spent that night.. But it was all in the experience of Boston.
(3)
Leyani L.

Personally I think this is the Best, local steakhouse in Boston. The food is always excellent, not only their steaks but their seafood as well and the service is impeccable. Joe was our waitress and he was funny, attentive, and pushy because even though we were full from the appetizer and the entree he did not let us get up from our table until we had tried dessert; which it was the best decision we had made because those desserts were amazing. I will come back, and of course I will recommend everyone I know.
(5)
Alex H.

Heavenly clam and lobster chowder (voted best in Boston recently), 10 oz Filet perfectly cooked and seasoned, sides (mac and cheese, tomatoes) delicious. Very busy although with reservations no delay in seating whatsoever. Service was exemplary. Beautiful surroundings with comfortable seating and white linen table cloths. I would definitely return if I wished to impress clients.
(4)
T. S.

We had an incredible meal here. The ceviche was perfect and the Nobility cocktail (housemade ginger tequila, apple syrup, honey-saffron simple syrup, apple conserve) was one of the best i've ever had; the flavors balanced each other perfectly. I'm craving one now! The truffle tater tots were also out of this world. I actually kept eating them until i was too full for dessert! I will dream about them. One star deduction because of the climate control issue near the front of the house. People are constantly walking in and out and being there in February it was absolutely freezing to the point we weren't enjoying our meal. We finally had our server move us to a better table as our steaks were being served. The whole thing was a hassle but the staff was accommodating and handled it very well.
(4)
Deidred A.

Overrated. And the decor at this point is very, very dated. Scuffed wood floors. Frayed menus. It just all looks old. And the meal was nothing special. Their "best" steak that costs $54 was exceptionally fatty. Risotto was under cooked. With all the great new restaurants in Boston they need to step up before people in the suburbs find out.
(2)
MacKenzie D.

I made reservations here for my roommate, my mom and I before my roommate left for London for a month. It was our holiday dinner (right before Christmas) I had heard the decor there for the holidays is one of the best in Boston (and that the food was great) So I was excited. I will start with the positive: The food is good. I had the swordfish steak (we shared a side of mashed potatoes, asparagus, and something else I can't remember) my roommate and mom both god steaks- they both enjoyed them thoroughly. Other than that- NOT a good experience. First of all, we made reservations and yet waited for about 30 minutes for a seat (mind you it was a cluster uck of people at the front desk- there must have been like ten managers working?) And they avoided us as we awkwardly stood off to to the side because there were no seats for waiting available.. they could see we were annoyed, and obviously messed up the reservations, so there solution was to just not make eye contact? We finally got a seat... it took the waiter maybe twenty minutes to come to our table... then we ordered drinks... another twenty minutes. IT WAS excruciating how long everything took. You are paying so much money for dinner, you expect for the service to reciprocate that... and it DID NOT at all. The waiter was just terrible, had long surfer hair (just incase you get him/ ask to switch). For the remainder of night he took forever. I asked him if a friend of mine was working- he said he would go check... yeah, never got a response to that. What annoyed me the most was the fact that no ONE manager came to check on our table- my boyfriend has been a GM of a nice steak house/ thats just what comes with the ambiance of a steak house. There are far better/ nice/ friendlier steak houses in Boston- avoid this one.
(2)
David G.

This place is the real deal. How do you quantify that feeling, when you're having your aged, grass fed, ribeye and you feel like it's the best steak you've ever had? What is that? I've had some good, high-end steaks in my life. Certainly it has to be an "in the moment" judgement, right? Doesn't matter. At the tme, it was the best steak I've ever had. Furthermore, the service was spot on. Among other things, one of our party spilled a full glass of wine and I don't know how they did it but a sqaudron of servers descended on our table immediately and had the situation handled, expertly and seamlessly. Looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Michelle S.

Grill 23 provides a perfectly fine eating experience. The ambiance is classically upscale steakhouse but can be a bit loud. I had cod atop a chowder with bacon and it was delightfully smokey and robust....so much so that at the end the flavor was a bit too rich. The sides of mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach were also high quality and well-made - exactly what you would expect from this type of establishment but overall the food was a little short of wowing.
(4)
Laurie C.

Been here twice, once 6 years ago, once today. Both times amazing, great food and excellent service!!
(5)
Jessica L.

When I initially made the reservation here for a birthday dinner, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I kind of anticipated a cheesy old school steakhouse. Grill 23 completely exceeded our expectations. The service is impeccable. Per my request, they lead us to a quiet corner of the restaurant. Every single waiter, bus boy, and hostess we passed as we walked through the restaurant greeted us. Our waiter definitely seemed to be a career waiter; he was fantastic in subtly encouraging us to try the appetizers and main courses he thought the restaurant did best. We ended up ordering the duck fat hashbrowns, creamed spinach, and onion rings, as well as the dry rubbed rib eye. The duck fat hash browns were delicious, the creamed spinach excellent, and the onion rings were amazing--- lightly battered and served with a homemade dip on the side. The cocktails were excellent; yes, they are a bit pricy, but they are pretty generous goblets. We had ordered the steak medium rare and it arrived somewhat well done. With only a gesture, our waiter immediately understood the steak was overcooked, whisked it away, and returned a bit later with a medium rare, buttery steak cooked to perfection. I was so impressed with how our waiter handled it in such a classy way, and it really ensured a perfect birthday dinner. To cap off our evening, we were given a complimentary creme brulee. We were stuffed to the brim but couldn't help ourselves and demolished the creme brulee. Overall, a fantastic evening. Truly top notch service. Already looking for an occasion to return.
(5)
Nathan G.

The food was good. The service was great. The noise level is very high as is the price. Started with the himachi tuna. It was ok. Not much flavor. Then had the rib eye and roasted mushrooms. The steak was good just not spectacular as I was expecting for the price. I had to add a lot of salt which I rarely do. The mushrooms were great. I finished with the vanilla bean creme brulee and that was really good. Yeah I mean it was good but I'm not in any hurry to return.
(4)
Wilson L.

Came here with a group of 4. My meal started of meh...Had the smoked and braised pork belly, and really didn't like it. I thought it was actually going to be real pieces of pork belly but instead it was small chopped pieces of it (wished they said something about that on the menu). Also the bacon brown vinaigrette was too salty I didn't want any hassle so when our waiter came over I said I enjoyed the appetizer but second time he came over he noticed that it was barely touched so he took it off the bill. Because I'm not a big fan of steak I had the brick pressed chicken. The chicken was cooked perfectly and when I cut into it, it was perfectly moist. The risotto that came with it was a little too earthy for my taste. Also had to add salt and pepper to my chicken to bring out some flavor. Desert was where grill 23 really shined. It was one of our group members birthdays and she got cake flavored ice cream and we separately ordered the vanilla creme brÃ»lÃ©e. I think the ice cream might be made in house or something because the texture was very smooth and creamy. The vanilla creme brulee was the right amount of sweetness and good way to end the meal. Overall it was a decent meal considering this is $$$$ restaurant. Service deserves 6 stars, extremely attentive and engaging.
(3)
Jeff K.

I really enjoyed eating here. Food was fresh tasting, presentation was good and the service was pretty much on point. I ordered the salmon which was awesome and the parsnips and leeks were insanely good. The risotto was awesome and every vegetable in it tasted fresh and delicious. The dessert was pretty good, but I'd probably pass next go around..Had the coconut cake. The prices are definitely high and quite frankly I thought for somethings very inflated. This is the kinda place you'd go to for a special occasion..unless you make the kind of coin where it doesn't break your bank account.
(4)
genevieve r.

We went there for the 3rd or 4th time and the food and service has gone downhill. Probably be our last. First off. It was a busy night and there was a lot of energy..that is a good thing,,until they led us upstairs and down a long hall to a corner room with few tables. (Most likely a small function room) I mean really?! It was ridiculously far away and I felt like evryone could hear our conversation. They had the few tables a little close together and I had to scoot my chair so the waiters could get by every time they were bussing and serving the table next to us. Far too many times. Food and wine: Didnt get offered to test the wine...weird They no longer serve tater tots which was still on the menu. No biggie. We changed it to hashbrown potatoes. Can anyone even make a good hashbrown?? I know I can !!! It was very greasy, only a little crispy in spots and very thick with raw like greasy potato in the middle. I do not recommend. Who doesnt like a crispy hashbrown? The steaks were ok. Not memorable ...and the 100 day aged rib eye was fatty.. Mushrooms were also oily ...very much sitting in a pool of grease. The other steaks at our table were also not so great. Understandably it was the holidays and it was probably very busy throughout the whole restaurant but wasn't an outstanding experience. My husband is yelling at me because we gave a 20 percent tip..not worth it I will say one good thing about this restaurant it made damn good dirty martini. Thats about it.
(2)
Rachael P.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here over the weekend. To say we were disappointed is an understatement; if you are looking for a good steakhouse while celebrating something special...go to Capital Grille instead (where we had a wonderful anniversary experience previously). First, they brought us upstairs to a tiny table and we were so close to couples on the right and left of us that we often found a waiter or someone's backside in our face, not to mention that we knew what both of the other tables were talking about at all times (Capital Grille had given us a large table in a private nook of the restaurant and had even sprinkled the table with rose petals). Our salads and bread basket were the best parts of the meal. Everything else, it seemed as though we ordered salt...with a side of food. I got the filet and yes it was salty but it was also very dry and overcooked (more like medium well than medium rare). The macaroni and cheese was nothing special nor were the mashed potatoes. The onion rings were probably the worst ones that I have ever had. They were VERY salty and I found that I could only take a couple bites out of my first one and then I just couldn't eat any more of them. In summation it was not the romantic, delicious meal we were hoping to celebrate our anniversary with and I don't see us going back.
(2)
Ingrid C.

From the poor service of the bartender who finally took my order after spending most of the time talking to his friends, we ordered a few app's one being the baratta, well thank goodness My boyfriend had the first bit because it had very very small sprinkles of peanuts on it (which was NOT) on the menu, when we asked the bartender he had to look it up on a paper next to the register and returned with just a simple "yes". When I asked what I thought was the manager why this important fact was not even an astric on the menu, he said "your right it should be" and that was it. We left with most of the food not even touched but we paid the full amount including the baratta. Never again. So disappointed.
(2)
Dana W.

Came here for dinner with my nephew who is at a local University. It came highly recommended by a local in an area where there are numerous chain Resturaunts. It was fantastic and our waiter, Brett, couldn't have been more service oriented and friendly. My nephew had the steak frites, which he devoured, and I had the Halibut on Brett's recommendation. It was delicious, light and wonderfully flavored. We also splurged and had to try desert. The caramel profiteroles are fantastic. By the time we left, the place was packed. I will eat here again next time I'm in Boston
(5)
Janice K.

We ate dinner here after my daughter's graduation. We arrived 15 min early but were seated promptly. We ordered the NY steak (medium well), swordfish, and seared tuna. The steak was over cooked but still tasty. The swordfish and tuna were excellent. The service was efficient and the timing of the meal was fast (much to our liking). The ambiance was also very pleasant with high ceilings and good decor. This is a solid American food restaurant offering traditional steaks and seafood options. We would be happy to return here.
(4)
Matt L.

Another spectacular meal here start to finish. It had been a while since I visited here, but it never disappoints. From the drinks to the delicious steaks to the truffle oil potato puffs to the dessert, it is one of the better meals in Boston. Don't go here expecting a quick meal however. This is a place you will want to sit and savor every bite and the service stretches it out enough so you can enjoy your experience. You also should not go into this place without bringing your wallet, since you won't get out of here without spending a few hundred for two let alone 4 or 6. This place is the epitome of decadence and it is one of the higher class places in Boston. The one thing about this place, the food never disappoints and the staff are friendly and welcoming.The steak selections are exceptional. Highly recommend!
(5)
Jay S.

There is no other steakhouse that compares. The Kobe cap, dry aged sirloin and the 100-day old ribeye are the three best steaks served in the city. My preference is the ribeye but they are all outstanding. The beef is Brandt beef which is humanely raised, grass fed and cared for better than anything else. The service is impeccable and willing to care for you in any way you ask, including staying open as long as you take to finish drinks and dessert while relaxing by the bar. The desserts are insane, ice cream sundae and profiteroles are off the charts. Start you meal with a seafood tower and the iceberg wedge salad, order sides like hash browns, asparagus or tater tots and you have had the ultimate dinner in Boston.
(5)
Lamont C.

Outstanding, "You get what you pay for", from Service , food, decor, Filet Mignon that did melt in your mouth cooked as ordered, never looking for a waiter, waiter never hovered allowing us to enjoy the meal, and conversation. If you asked a server in passing where the restroom was he escorted you there. I have been to Capital Grille, Abe and Louis, and Mortons, all very good Steak Houses; Grill 23 is right there with them. Wife loved it we will return.....
(5)
Celia C.

This is by far, the best service, the food, we've had. We like to go, and try different restaurants, friends told me about this place, we passed it several times, we definitely love this place! The service with Brian, he was awesome! The food, we both ordered steak, fillet mignon it was cooked perfectly, it was to die for! And I'm not being exaggerated, it really was, cooked to perfection, We will come back! Oooh! The martini was delish!!!! Everything.... Totally recommended
(5)
Kristina C.

What a great spot. I was really in the mood for steak and just found this restaurant on yelp. I had a filet and oysters and they were awesome. I will be back. Kris
(5)
Honey J.

Cold mashed potatoes and overly salty steak. Made a special request for an important dinner that the host confirmed but the server clearly had no idea. The table across from us enjoyed their wine in a decanter, but we were never even offered the option with our full bottle. We had to ask multiple times and were provided multiple excuses, while waiting for what seemed like a life time. This place does not cater to the young with the disposable income to enjoy a nice dinner. Find a better steakhouse.
(1)
Andy H.

Having had the pleasure of dining at some of the best steak houses in the Country (Gibsons, Chicago Chop House, Smith & Wollensky), I have to say Grill 23 was, well, ok. Nothing spectacular but not terrible either. We started out with an appetizer of Stone Crab for (a ridiculous) $85 per pound which I thought was way over priced, but my boss insisted on ordering this so we did. Not enough bang for the buck if you ask me, too much (very hard) shelling and not enough meat as a reward. For the main course, I had the porterhouse with creamed spinach. She had the filet mignon with some type of tasteless red beets. My porterhouse had a weird texture to it, but it tasted delicious, and the creamed spinach was loaded with cheese and very heavy. The filet was delicious as well. For the $300 I feel we could have done a little better, but all in all, not too bad for a Steak house not located in New York or Chicago.
(3)
Marine T.

Nice restaurant to enjoy steak and sea food! Service is good, though pricy. Place to enjoy nice time with coworkers
(5)
Mark W.

Back again with a group of six like what they did with the bar very classy don't like what they didn't do with the dinning area specifically the rickety old chairs I actually got a splinter from pulling the chairs out to sit and the chair leg was wobbly. Service was a slow space (3.5 hours from start to finish) $80 bottle of wine was sour which was quickly taken back but with no apologies. All steaks, lamb and veal plates were way over salted. Having just been to CG a few weeks back Grill 23 is more expensive with less of a wow factor.
(1)
Nicole P.

Was not impressed at all...servive was slow...ny strip came out burnt on top...will not be back anytime soon...very disappointe!
(2)
KaidashRoy W.

Steaks are absolutely delicious, service is impeccable, and good times will be had here. Just one piece of advice...get the Wagyu for dessert...it's that good.
(5)
Mitch S.

Came here as part of group of 35, so sat upstairs in private dining room. Appetizers of crab cakes, little pizzas and a fe other things were average. Then it took about 30 minutes to get our salads. After another long wait, the entree arrived. I had a Delmonico ribeye, which was cooked appropriately, but just not that tasty. Food seemed very average and service was very slow. Would not come back. E back.
(2)
Kerri C.

I need to start off this review by saying that when you are presented with the big bowl of breads, do yourself a favor and start with the crispy flatbread style one with butter (or honestly you don't even need the butter). Seriously amazing to the point that I've been thinking about it since I came here on Thursday. Moving on- very nice restaurant. Definitely for the wealthier folk, but fake it till you make it, right? My friend and I got a few drinks here as well as their shrimp cocktail and steal tartare which were both delicious. Every staff member we encountered was very pleasant and attentive. Side note- I really like the bathroom situation. Rather than multiple stalls in 1 room, they provide multiple mini bathrooms so you will never be in the bathroom with a million other people. I dug it.
(5)
Mana K.

I came here last night for a business dinner. We had around 30 people in a private dining room with 4 servers and everything was well prepared and on time. I had a course menu starting from crab cake, herb salad with goat cheese, lamb chops, and creme brÃ»lÃ©e. Everything was exceptionally outstanding. I definitely recommend you to pick meat for your main dish because they are superb in the grilled meat sector.
(5)
Elizabeth M.

Traveling and trying steakhouses is one of my hobbies and this place was definitely top 3 as far as the food goes. Valet - Very courteous. However, there was a $16 fee and we gave him a $20 and waited for change and apparently we were tipping him $4 upon arrival. I usually tip $3 upon departure and as the customer I think it is supposed to be up to me to decide when and how much of a tip I am going to give somebody. Host - We walked into a beautiful building with a very polite host and I gave him the name for my reservation and we were offered the opportunity to check our coats and seated immediately. Table - We were given the table near the front that most people have been complaining about but given that there were only 2 of us I didn't bother to request a better and larger table. Drinks - I ordered a glass of wine and didn't really peruse the menu because my bf doesn't drink wine so why bother. I was considering ordering a cocktail but they were around $20 and even the alcoholic in me thought that was a tad excessive. The Menu - We do not eat seafood so there really wasn't much to start off with and I don't particularly care for salads loaded with cheese or heavy creamy dressings so we just got right down to business and thank god we did because I had room for dessert. I had the veal chop and he had the dry aged prime new york. Both were absolutely melt in your mouth phenomenal. Some have mentioned the steaks being too salty. I noticed pleasant sea salt but found it to be delicious, not overwhelming. He had the twice baked potato and thought it was great. I was looking forward to the hash browns with duck fat. They were good. They were not amazing or note worthy. I repeat, they were good. We were unsure about ordering the mushrooms with cognac and beef butter because sometimes people can go overboard with heavy flavors and ruin something but it was a very delicate flavor and I was pleased with them but I prefer more exotic mushrooms at a steakhouse. The one complaint I actually have about the entree is that it came with a decorative pile of caramelized onions which were very sweet and were pooling under a part of my steak and they were incredibly sweet. I had to be extremely careful about not getting that on the chop because it was very unpleasant. I have very strong feelings about putting anything on a perfectly good piece of meat. Like I actually want to punch people in the face when they want steak sauce, so it's possible that I'm slightly overreacting to the pile of sweet onions on my plate. Dessert - O. M. G. It was so difficult to choose one because more than half of them sounded amazing but I finally settled on the chocolate bisteeya for $11. It had sour cherry sauce, linden tea ice cream, fig compote, and candied almonds. I had been watching some desserts going by and they seemed overwhelmingly large and when the plate was placed in front of me my first thought was, I paid $11 for this? Where's the rest of it. That went right out the window when I tasted it. That was absolutely the best dessert of my life. The chocolate was so dark and creamy and rich. Absolutely sinful. The amazing part? It was like it just evaporated in your mouth. It didn't have that heaviness that you would expect from something so right. And the flavors complimented each other so well. I do not share food. I especially do not share delicious tiny food. This was soooooooo good that I actually made my bf try it because it was something that nobody should miss. Service - I thought everybody was great and I hate everybody I meet so that kind of says a lot.
(4)
C C.

I feel really bad leaving a review this crappy, because the food is really good, and I've had a good experience there before... but those are why this is two stars instead of one. We went there for my graduation dinner a week ago, and we had to deal with two things that sucked: 1. crappy service, and 2. a valet that put us in a gypsy cab. The food was great, as it has been both times I've been there. The great food was why we went back. And the service was great the first time, when we went for my fiance's graduation last year. But this time... we had two servers originally assigned to us, I guess. They did OK bringing drinks and whatnot early on, but as the night went on, they were doing more flirting with each other than taking care of us. It took forever to get the check, and several members of our party left. I'm pretty convinced we could have walked out without paying, and no one would have noticed or stopped us. We didn't do that because who does that (right?), but it was indicative of how inattentive the service really became. I mean, we only got to finish our bottle of wine because my fiance specifically asked the guy to come finish pouring it -- I'd assumed we'd killed it because it had been nearly an hour since the guy had been by to top me off. Imagine my surprise when there was a whole glass left. But OK, when we complained to the manager, the manager dealt with it graciously enough and comped our desserts, which was nice of him, but it still took forever for the server (we were down to one at this point) to bring the bill. After that, as we went outside, we asked the valet folks to hail us a cab. Almost immediately, a minivan pulls up at the curb, and the valet starts trying to usher us in. I said, "Um, is this a cab?" The valet said, "Oh, he's got his hack license -- and livery plates!" My dad is not from Boston and wasn't paying attention, and he started to get in. The valet said, "Oh, and he only takes cash." I said, "Dad, you heard that, right? He only takes cash?" hoping my dad would get the message. Nope. So I suppose it's my fault for not stopping things right there... but suffice it to say (because my review of the odyssey home doesn't belong here) that I expect MUCH better from what purports to be one of the nicest steakhouses in Boston. Your customers won't come back if they have harrowing and potentially deadly rides home. When we called the restaurant back to complain about what had happened and warn them that their valets were putting customers in a gypsy cab, and honestly, we felt blown off. The restaurant said, "Oh, that's the valet company -- they're separate from us." Right. But again, your customers deserve better, and it reflects REALLY POORLY on you as a restaurant. I can't say I'd be excited to go back. Which is a shame. I'd be excited to have the food again, but this was a distinctly unpleasant experience for what was supposed to be a happy celebration.
(2)
So Cal J.

Ordered my meals medium well and they came out charred. Not impressed with the food for what I paid. A $200 meal should knock me off my feet. This meal did not live up to the hype and price
(1)
Josh W.

3-Stars is "A-OK," which I think sums up my experience... I mean, "meh, I've experienced better" for sure, but I feel compelled to leave 3 stars. Perhaps if I choose to visit again, I'll update my review. I dined here on a jam-packed Wednesday evening. My concierge recommended it, so I walked over and figured I'd give it a shot. Given how busy it was, I was able to be seated right away (kudos to the warm, friendly host staff). I sat for quite some time before being acknowledged by a server, but forgave the tardiness due to the volume of people in the restaurant. The wine list is pretty impressive. I knew I was in the mood for wine and had plenty of time to make my selection before my server arrived. Bread came to the table shortly thereafter and was wholeheartedly... unimpressive. Was it stale? Was it supposed to have that texture? I couldn't tell. I had a half piece and waited to order my appetizer. In fairness, I previously had a cocktail at the Capital Grille on my way over and sampled some of their seafood from their bar menu. I ordered more seafood as my appetizer at Grill 23 because I was there to have a steak. The tasting of tartares was interesting: decently presentation dressed with a little bit of soy(?) (upon having dug to the bottom of the little blue shot glasses). **Now, here's my main gripe about the entire experience. If I'm paying $49 for ONE 10oz. piece of beef, I REALLY want it to be cooked the way I want it. My medium rare request arrived medium-plus to medium-well. I wasn't asked to check the temperature upon delivery, but I checked it anyway. My server had gone to take care of some other business before I had a chance to slice into it to verify. It would've been fine should he have checked back to ask how everything was progressing, but that didn't happen until the majority of my steak had been consumed (what could I say at that point?). I was also rather upset that my $12 twice-baked potato was thoroughly cooked to the mini-skillet in which it was served, and that the fried skins were dry. Again, maybe it was to blame the volume. It could've been an off night for the kitchen or my entire order could've just been left to cook too long. Either way, after paying almost $150 for my own meal, inclusive of tax and 20% gratuity, I expected a bit more.
(3)
J S.

Overpriced and over rated. Waiter unattendative .Steak temperature was horrible. Cold sautÃ©ed onions served on every plate - gross, just gross !
(1)
Tamara G.

5 stars- Ahh I had a lovely dinner here. Obviously experience is what takes this over the top. Starting from the nice vallet. To the woodsford reserve to finish dinner it was a great time. Oysters- delicious. Fresh. Mouth watering Shared the porterhouse and it melted like butter in my mouth. I'm getting excited just typing this -_- We shared the tots and the asparagus. I was disappointed with the asparagus which is sad but the tots and steak allowed me to forgive. Nice 2008 Argentinean Malbec complimented the meal. I've seen complaints about the price but being from New York is was nothing off par. Go, take a date and get ready for foodgasms
(5)
Mike S.

I am very disappointed with the management dealing with a issue I had on 1/23/15. dinner was ok, not worth the money, there a much better places to eat in Boston the same price level. My real issue is with the Valet service. when I pick up my vehicle, something was off, the valet decide it was a good idea to ransack my glove box, arm rest area, and console area for I don't know what. the even broke my latch on the console. I contact the restaurant and I was told a manager would call back. its now 4 days later, and no one really cares. you would hope your personal items are safe when valeting. maybe someone could call me.
(1)
Jenn Z.

Excellent steak and wine. The truffle tatter tots were also worth a try. The restaurant itself was a little noisy though
(4)
Laurel C.

It was our first visit to Grill 23. From the moment we walked in, the attention to details and our needs were met immediately. The server (awesome!) and everyone who interacted with us at the table were the perfect mix of friendly, discreet when needed, andl knowledgeable about the menu more so than most restaurants. The pot roast I had, the Filet Mignon my friend had, and the accompanying sides were perfectly prepared. This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had at a restaurant and I can't recommend Grill 23 highly enough.
(5)
Jennifer S.

My coworkers and I came here for dinner last night and had a great experience. It had been years since I was at Grill 23 and it was just as good as I remembered. I shared a caesar salad with a coworker, thoroughly enjoyed my salmon with peach sauce, the spinach, risotto and hash brown sides and the bread pudding and coconut cake that our group shared. This place is always busy and the service is impeccable. Most certainly one of the best places to entertain clients and enjoy great steak and seafood in Boston!
(4)
Steve O.

Made reservations here for Valentine's Day and the experience was outstanding. The staff was super attentive and professional. The food was absolutely fantastic and the drinks were just as good. We ordered the crab cake and shrimp cocktail for appetizers and the quality was fresh and full of flavor, I also had the 14oz Dry Aged Prime New York and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant and I can't wait to dine here again.
(5)
Ryan W.

Love it! Highly recommend the Koby beef steak... Pricey but totally worth it. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Melissa C.

Let me first start by saying this is my first time writing a review on yelp. I don't have unrealistic expectations for restaurants, but there are a few non negotiables in my opinion: one would be dining with mice. The first sighting was while we were having our first round of drinks, a little grey mouse scurried across the floor of the very busy dining room. We quietly told our waiters, trying not to make a scene, to which we were blatantly ignored. We proceeded to see little mice run around next to us a half dozen times throughout our dinner. At the end of our meal, and after we spent upwards of $600 between the 4 of us, I decided to let the manager know about our experience. I privately approached him, telling him I understand this is a city, but it's not acceptable to see mice running around the floor next to you, especially when you are paying $150 per person. The part that really got me was his response: thanks for letting me know; this is the first time I'm hearing about them tonight. There was zero apology or any offers to try to rectify our situation. To add insult to injury, a second manager came over to us as we were walking out and said, "I heard you saw something, how was your experience otherwise?" This is unacceptable and plain disgusting. The ironic part about this is when we were initially sat at our table, I said the lights are really bright for a steakhouse. Maybe if they worked on their atmosphere, we never would've seen our fury guests. Needless to say we will never come back.
(1)
Eugi H.

Grill 23 was rated best steakhouse in Boston for 2013, so that's where we went to celebrate my brother's birthday. I certainly hope it isn't really the best steak Boston has to offer, because that would be pretty disappointing then. I will admit I'm not a crazy meat lover, but I can appreciate a good steak. My brother ordered the ribeye medium rare and I the ny bone-in medium rare. The quality of the meat itself was great, and they came cooked as ordered. However, the au jus and caramelized onions were grossly over salted, and since the au jus was poured all over the steak already when it came, it made the steak far too salty. You couldn't appreciate the meat flavor really with all that salt there. I had ordered a side of Brussel sprouts and hoped that would help cut the salt, but it ended up being a bit salty too. That and it wasn't roasted as crisp as I would have liked. The rest of our party got the meatloaf, beer battered hake, and brick pressed chicken. The presentation of the foods was impressive, so I hope their food was as good as it looked, they did not have any complaints during the meal about the food so I think it was good. The staff were excellent at topping off out waters whenever it was more than a quarter empty, which was nice, but otherwise was pretty slow in all other regards. It is the week of dine out Boston though, so they were pretty busy. The decor had an old fashioned luxe feel to it, and the staff were very pleasant to us the entire meal, despite the fact we probably seemed out of place since everyone was quite a bit older than us. I would give this place another try on a less busy week, and see if it was just an off day for our meal. But overall I wasn't impressed.
(3)
Jeff K.

Tired of writing reviews that spell out every freaking detail about the chair legs, the table cloth color, looks that don't look right blah blah blah blah blah. My last meal on earth with be a steak. Every time I go to the hospital for a check up, a minor surgery be it out patient or overnight... I dine out and eat steak the night before. Life is short and it could be my last meal in life. The filet was amazing, glass of red wine perfect and the cauliflower mix was a perfect accompaniment for my possible last dinner. Prices are a little more expensive than other steak houses in the area and not sure why, they're all pretty equal believe it or not. Try this one tonight, Flemings tomorrow, Abe and Louis the next, Capital Grille and Ruths Chris's next. All good.
(4)
Dave Y.

Amazing. 100 day aged rib eye was cooked to perfection The truffle tots and creamed spinach were also well done. Beets had a little too much fill in them. Great service
(5)
Axel D.

The overall experience here was just amazing. The place itself is so clean and welcoming. The atmosphere was everything from upscale casual to romantic private dining. The service was very attentive, and the menu was well explained. The food, portion wise, was as expected, and the taste was just absolutely delicious all around. Dessert was so decadent definitely a must. The four star rating is because I ordered my filet well done, and it was served with noticeable pink throughout the center. Great experience start to finish and will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Sara M.

This is one of my favorite steakhouses in Boston as the quality is consistently excellent. I have been here several times and usually sit downstairs but this last visit we were upstairs for a team dinner. I love the armchairs but felt very low and we were right by the bar so it was hard to hear. Our server was very professional and would walk around to serve the ladies first, then walk back for the gentleman in our party. Butter magically reappeared without our asking. He didn't rush us and silently retreated when he saw we were exchanging gifts. I wish I remembered his name. My Whistle Pig Rye Manhattan with Luxardo cherries was well-made. The Caesar salad was presplit on two plates, which I love, and was freshly crisp. My medium-rare bone-in ribeye was cooked a little on the more medium side and it got a little chewy in the middle. Still delicious but could have been better. We had four sides - truffle tots, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower. Pretty standard with no standouts. The coconut cake was moist for the most part and quite large. The cookies with milk evokes memories of being a child and is a comfort dessert. When they have Pappy van Winkle 20 year, I always get a glass neat. I love that this place is not a chain but delivers consistently.
(4)
Mizzez W.

Went here last night and when I made the reservation a few days prior, I specifically said it was my mother's 67th b day and her first time there. I had been previously for my wedding anniversary. What is disheartening is the service does not match the price point. No one even acknowledged my mother at all. The food: Steak was good, not great. Side of mashed potatoes was ordered and my daughter said I cooked better at home. Mac and cheese was tasty but big bacon chunks was a bit much. All and all I was very disappointed and regret not going to Capital Grille instead but I will never make that mistake again.
(2)
theresa d.

I got steak wasted.
(4)
Evaldo P.

Great atmosphere and better food. Price is what is expected from a high class steak house. Plus really good portions for your money.
(5)
Ken L.

I really had fond memories of this steakhouse. I had not been back there In 5 or 6 years. Now I recall why! The food sucked and it was empty on a busy Boston weekend. The service was robotic and the food was consistently mediocre except for a deconstructed Steak Tartare with May I think and a very interesting mix of charred onions and a tapanade I wish the overlooked lamb loin chops had some flavor....not and the rib eye Not a smile in this place avoid!!!!!!!
(1)
Patrick M.

I went here the night before brain surgery, what more do you need to know? I thought if I was to choose a last meal, this would be it. My seafood chowder, shrimp cocktail, Kobe Cap steak, and Our Manhattan were all excellent. I sat at the upstairs bar area alone and the service was excellent. I'm normall a Ruth's Chris loyal, but if I'm looking for a more local spot with less melted butter, this is my choice.
(5)
Lindsay S.

Every time I have come here, it has not been crowded. I'm not sure why, but this time we were the only ones seated in the restaurant, unless you count the patrons in the bar upstairs. This is definitely a place where you WILL spend at least $300 for dinner. My husband I love to go here when we are celebrating something special and want to pretend like we're rich even though we're on a beer budget. We started upstairs at the bar - a manhattan and a vesper martini. Upstairs has a old school vibe - with portraits hanging on the walls and corner booths facing the street. After enjoying a cocktail, we went down the long staircase (note: even after one cocktail, you have to concentrate going down the stairs as you could easily trip and fall) to our table. We started out with calamari and a tuna tartar appetizer. The calamari was crispy and light, the octopus being unusually tender. My husband loved how the tuna tartar melted in your mouth. For a main course we had the aged New York steaks with sides of mac n' cheese and brussels sprouts. The steaks were perfectly cooked: Juicy, tender, and cooked the way we wanted them. The service was attentive, although we felt like they were watching us the whole time since we were one of the only tables in the restaurant. We will definitely come back when we have saved enough for a special occasion.
(5)
Matthew C.

Very unhappy this evening. Party of 10 and 5 steals had to be sent back twice. To make matters worse we have ordered serval bottles of "not you average" wine and they screwed up on one of the vintages. They certainly stepped up and comped 5 dinners but in my opinion when you come to an establishment of this caliber and pay the prices that they demand, the service and product should be seamless and flawless. For whatever reason they were not on their game tonight. There is no room for error Oman establishment of this caliber.
(1)
Mark S.

Don't fall for the taxi scam! Let's start with the food. It's solidly mediocre. The steak is rubbery and the bread is cold. There are many better places to have steak in the city. But, to top everything off, when you walk out, you'll be asked if you want a taxi. Don't say yes. Hail one yourself. Because if you do, there will be an unmarked black car waiting for you. The driver will be fawning and obsequious, but a five minute ride will be met with "It's $16, flat rate, anywhere" (even though he just told you about a $120 ride he took someone on) Really, I'm not sure why I even gave this place 2 stars.
(2)
Tanya G.

Oh my goodness!! From start to end, best steak my husband and I have ever had! He had the 100 day aged ribeye and I had the dry aged New York strip! I can't say enough how perfect they were. Our waiter, David, was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and wary. One of the best servers we've ever had actually! The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the bar in the front looks really inviting. As for the ambiance, it was great. The only thing this place needs is a water view! I don't usually comment on valet services, but it was awesome as well! We just texted to get our car back. Everything about this place is catered to convenience and making you feel tended to. I love it!
(5)
Jack D.

Probably one of the worst restaurant meals that I have had anywhere, anytime. Bad food and way overpriced Went there last night with one of my customers. While his swordfish was very good, my tartare was totally inedible. I'm a student of steak tartare, and have had some of the best in the world. This was bland, had zero taste, was chewy in a bad way and accompanied with a selection of other inedible "things". The only good news was my customer's swordfish, the service, and the fact that they took the tartare off my bill, which was still $120 with one glass of wine
(1)
Mary S.

Filet and lobster were amazing. My husband had the 100-day aged ribeye and loved it. Incredible wine list. Brad (sommolier) clearly is passionate about his career and was able to recommend a perfect bottle of wine to suit our taste and compliment our meal. Cannot wait to return.
(5)
Jason T.

utterly disappointing. I'll preface my review saying that I hold this restaurant to the standards of its price point and to similar charging restaurants in boston. my date and I arrive on a Friday night and had a reservation, we were seated. The restaurant was very busy and loud. first comes a basket of bread and my first complaint. I noticed right away they were all cold. I'm paying upwards of 200-300 hundred, the bread should be warm. attention to detail comes with this price point. even a 40 dollar meal at cheesecake factory guarantees warm bread. second, the butter was nice and whipped but I noticed LARGE chunks of salt mixed in it, and a lot of it. Both me and my date didn't have much of the bread at all cause of this. the appetizer was fried calamari. it may have been undercooked as i never really had slimy wet calamari. it wasnt very good at all, and it didnt pack a punch in terms of flavor/seasoning. date and I didn't finish the dish. I ordered the porterhouse steak and mashed potatoes. date ordered brick chicken and tater tots. I ordered my steak medium rare...it came well done towards the edges and medium well by the bone. did I just pay 70 bucks for an improperly cooked steak? yeah. also, salt seemed to be the only seasoning. that maybe some people's thing but not mine, I expected some black pepper or a more imaginative rub. The mashed was underwhelming, and had the consistency of cafeteria mashed potatoes you get in elementary school, maybe powder mix or mashed to hell in some sort of industrial machine. my dates tater tots were disappointing. dry, hardly any seasoning, no sauce, no spice. very unimaginative and plain honestly. my dates chicken was pretty dry, once again it was VERY plain...she later asked for ketchup to dip it in cause it was so bland and unimaginative. I didn't try the risotto it came with, but she mentioned it was pretty good. bus boy later comes by and cleans our table, knocks my dates water over and spills it all over. ok fine, ***t happens I guess. But honestly it was probably because he was in such a rush. The place was very busy, and this is honestly a "churn" em out restaurant. everything we got was mass produced, or felt mass produced. paying this much, we did not feel special. The food was unimaginative, bland, over cooked, improperly seasoned. staff was rushed and overwhelmed it seemed. spend your money at other 4 dollar restaurants in boston if you're looking for a special night. I've had many many many better experiences both in taste and service at 2-3 dollar restaurants than grill 23.
(1)
Emily W.

Went to Grill 23 for Dine Out Boston (Restaurant Week) and had a great meal. Dine Out Boston was a great deal and for $38 I had a 3 course meal - Caesar wedge salad, chicken schnitzel, lemon tart for dessert. My dining companion had the meatloaf sliders (so good!), steak, and the lemon tart as well. There was an unadvertised Dine Out wine special too - $38 for a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon - which rounded out a delicious and affordable night out at a great restaurant!
(4)
Chris R.

The food here was excellent. Jeffrey needs some training. I still left a good tip, but only because of the food.
(3)
Thomas K.

Sunday right at 5:30 when they opened. Had my parents, my wife and my son in the group. Not crowded at the time as you would expect. Very good server. Attentive, but not overbearing. Wife liked her mixed drink (KettleOne w Lagavulin splash) and when my dad and I received the wrong beers they were immediately replaced them on the house as we finished the other ones. Calamari is different. Cooked well, with some onions and a mayonnaise type sauce on the bottom of the plate. Spicy. If you like flavor, we do, you got it. Good stuff, but I can see how some might not like it if they are looking for more traditional and less spice. Steaks. By accident four of us chose the NY strips medium. One the twin filets medium. Did not get the prime cut specials. Cooked perfectly, big cut, very, very solid. A lot of flavor rubbed with something very salt heavy, or probably just a decent amount of salt, but not to meat's detriment. Mushroom side perfect compliment along with the fries. Creamed spinach was OK....weakest part of meal. Everyone happy. Coconut cake huge and excellent. Can share with the whole table. Blueberry crisp was solid. Again, everyone happy and no complaints. As a guy who spent most of his young adult life in Manhattan eating out 5 days a week, and who worships Peter Lugar's and all the quality steak options NY offers, Boston has always disappointed. Pretty much gave up steak when we moved here 5 years ago. Maybe we should have tried here first. Our expectations were not super high and recommendations of locals never panned out....when it came to steak, but spot on all other times. Well, the Mexican in Boston is horrific also. This was a solid meal, with a nice piece of meat, cooked perfectly. Pretty damn happy. It ain't Lugar's but it is now a legit option. Very good job overall. Well done Grille 23. Oh yeah, elegant, old world place. Actually a nice change from all the casual modern hip joints out there now.
(5)
Kevin W.

The Good: Its a great restaurant to celebrate your special life events with family and friends. When you think of Grill 23 you automatically think steak and rightfully so. The steak is the best in Boston. Although once you get past the restaurant address, ambience, and steak it becomes nothing more then a nostalgic family pilgrimage and or tradition. The Bad: The service was comically inaccurate, the waiter's service with one of the guest at our table was continually and curiously wrong ? Example: Guest would order a martini and the waiter would place and pour a beer -or- the dinner ordered was 100 day aged ribeye but tuna steak diane was served....I witnessed this fiasco from appetizers to dessert....it was crazy ? The Ugly: Whatever you want to call it Conspicuous, Invidious Consumption or even Aggressive Ostentation ? A large majority of guest to this fine establishment sling it around from one degree of Glory to another. The clothes a person wears may include indications of the person's income, occupation and social class although incorrectly perceive the extent to which these factors apply to the person observed. When the restaurant dress code interpretation differs from the guest dress code of communication, misinterpretation follows. The innuendos of the hosting staffs Indirect or evasive practice of publicly judging guest on appearance is wrong and is deeply ugly, inhuman and pernicious. I witnessed this practice both in our party and in others parties while waiting to be seated ? Time for a new Tradition
(2)
Cyrus W.

This place was fantastic! Service was outstanding, food was incredible, and the whole experience was amazing. We chose this place to do a family dinner to celebrate our wedding, and had a party of 11. We thought we'd booked a quiet round table upstairs, but were initially seated downstairs (which is plenty nice). The downstairs area is a little more lively, and we were looking for a more intimate experience, so I asked the maitre 'd if they could move us to a round table upstairs. Apparently they were all booked, so they moved us into one of the wine rooms! It was perfect. Intimate, beautiful setting, incredible food, and the staff gave us plenty of time to make our toasts and chat and enjoy the moment. We were there for almost five hours! It was one of the most memorable moments of my life, and I really appreciate the staff of this great restaurant for accommodating us!
(5)
M A.

The Steaks are the best. Having said that the Acoustics are terrible in this place. It is way too loud, unlike any other restaurant we have been too! The rest of the food was ok and the service was terrible. We got there at 530pm and by 700pm was practically being pushed out the door. Our waiter was so pushy, and when we did decided to leave, he said "Thanks, you know its so busy, there are people waiting at the front." We paid $500+ and have never been pushed out like this at a high end restaurant. Will not be going back.
(2)
Jennifer F.

Food was good but pricey. $25 for a cocktail, thats a bit much.
(4)
Diane B.

I was at this restaurant as a speaker for a corporate dinner. Service was EXCEPTIONAL! Everyone that was a part of the team did such a great job of taking care of our clients and taking care of all of our requests. The food was delicious as well. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Sydney M.

Amazing hands down
(5)
Stephanie B.

My date and I dined at Grill 23 for Dine Out Boston. Had a really great experience. The steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I am not sure if the pork schnitezel is a regular item on the menu, but I wouldn't recommend it. Very bland, and disappointing. The truffle potato tots were just amazing. Could not stop eating them. Our server was very nice and attentive. I would defintiely return to this restuarant for dinner, except they are very pricy.
(4)
Ben F.

Excellent service, great food. The steaks are fantastic, crab cakes are to die for. Calamari is one of the best appetizers. Restaurant was beautiful inside very clean. Had a look that was rich and expensive yet the prices were very reasonable. The bread is made on location and they gave you several choices inside the basket. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Shaina P.

Not sure why I thought this place was going to be like contemporary and clubby .. prob coz I made the mistake that it would be on the same street as Brahmin and Red Lantern. Haha, do not make the mistake I did! Could have been worse... could have shown up in the dress I originally put on. Glad I went business casual conservative since, well that's the type of restaurant this was. Dark wood finishes, Lots of corporate folks and mid-aged group birthday celebrations were happening this other night, my husband's birthday. It's funny coming here just with a date; it doesn't seem meant for romanticizing. Nonetheless, we wanted a steak. I wanted a Shaina classic: a dirty beefeater martini up, a ribeye, and delicious red wine. Got it. Check on the martini. Check on the ribeye (a 100 day dry aged ribeye, cooked medium rare + = juuuuuust about perfect). Check minus on the wine. Didn't hit the nail on the head with that glass, but I'm pretty picky. Dave ordered the dry aged new york steak a medium rare. Both steaks were very tender. Dave's had a thick fat edge with some sinew still attached, which is kind of a bummer when you're paired with a Laguiole knife that just wants to slice gorgeously through everything (even the fat, which has an awesome beef flavor and grill char and tastes great with a tender hunk of meat), except sinew... Mine was extra tender and juicy thanks to fat marbled through. So, you kind of have to have a love of fat for this type of cut. Again, mine had some strings of gristle still attached in places. Bummber.. But both were cooked perfectly to our liking. Other qualms: inconsistently seasoned hash brown (essentially a shredded potato cake), which was cooked in "seasoned duck fat." Oversalted duck fat? The sauteed onions on the side of our steaks was colder than room temperature. Not sure if that was intended - to be honest I was embarrassed to ask - but cold onion is not pleasant with grilled steak, in my opinion. Overall, really great steak for typical steakhouse pricing and served a la carte ($52 aged ribeye, $52 aged NY) with a la carte sides (avg $12), and not a terrible selection of wines by the glass ($12-26 per). Not romantical on the main floor. But worth trying.
(3)
Kert S.

We had high expectations based on previous reviews. The setting and waitstaff were outstanding. The food was OK but not justified by the price. The fried food was heavily breaded and greasy. There was nothing interesting in the sauces or side dishes. The grilled swordfish and tuna were excellent. The desserts were generally good, the coconut cake was terrific
(3)
Kenny C.

I'm thinking I didn't order the right thing. To be fair, I was a bit inebriated after a holiday party, but still. I expected the tenderloin to be a lot better (especially for the price). Instead, it was a bit tasteless and was overcooked (I ordered it medium, and got medium well. Another person at my table sent their steak back because it was overcooked.) The sides and apps were delicious though. The shrimps in the shrimp cocktail are so fresh and substantial. The mac and cheese was also quite good. Staff is great and the space is large. Be sure to make a reservation if it's a weekend though, because this place gets packed!
(3)
Tanya A.

The best thing I ate for dinner here was the butter. Seriously. The butter that came with the bread was perfectly salted, had great flavor, and actually vastly improved the filet mignon, which was underseasoned and otherwise pretty commonplace. We go to fancy steakhouses expecting fantastic steak, and this one just didn't measure up. And don't even get me started on the "Shrimp and scallops" entree, which cost $37 and came with exactly three shrimp and two scallops. And a crouton. The shrimp were overcooked. We also ordered the hamachi crudo appetizer (tasted like it was a much oilier fish than hamachi usually is, but the accompanying smoked buttermilk panna cotta was nice), and a Caesar salad (standard, nothing wrong with it). We were unimpressed enough that we didn't stay for dessert, though I saw a diner next to us order the coconut cake with pineapple sherbet and coconut dulce de leche, and it looked pretty good. We left the restaurant disappointed, and I hate to say it, but we would've been disappointed even if the meal had been half the price. As it was, while the atmosphere was very nice, the food was only mediocre. Not a place we'll be frequenting again.
(2)
Diane G.

Aside from the initial awkward moment of getting handed a menu that had been drawn all over (the guest before us literally took a pen and wrote notes saying what was good and bad) we had a great experience here. My family was in Boston for my sisters graduation and we ate at a handful of amazing restaurants, this was definitely one of them.
(4)
Dennis N.

Great food and great service from waiting at the bar before getting seated to the actual dinner.
(4)
Daniel C.

Great food! Great service! Awful acoustics. Went there for dinner on a Thursday. We didn't even sit in the bar area and with six people I couldn't hear someone directly across the table from me. When I got in my car after dinner I felt like I had been to a loud concert. Everything sounded muffled. I wasn't the only person in my group who noticed this either. I'd do it again for the food, but unlikely to go back ever as a result of not being able to hold a normal conversation, which let's face it...that's why we humans eat and drink together.
(3)
Louis F.

Possibly the worst dine out offering !! The food was bland. 2 diners dinners included hairs!!!!! The duck bolognese was boring bland and cold. Had to b sent back. Overall very very very disappointing!!!!
(1)
William S.

I have been here for a private party and it was amazing. Returned hoping for a good experience at a table and the service was beyond subpar. And subpar service at that price is absolutely inexcusable. Someone's medium rare steak came out well done, returned it and it came back too rare to even think about eating. Truly unique for a steak house like this in Boston. The waiter did not fill up our wine and hid the bottles we ordered somewhere so we could not do it ourselves. My food was good so I'll keep it at 2 stars but the service was just terrible. Also, the bus boy came at the end and was whipping through the table almost knocking things over and just completely ruining any mellow atmosphere that was left intact. I will not return, private party or not.
(2)
Silvia V.

I treated the hubby for his birthday to dinner at Grill 23. We had reservations at 8:30PM, the restaurant was buzzing with Restaurant Week diners. I'm not sure what was going on acoustically at the restaurant but it was so loud that we had to shout to hear each other. They have a nice selection of wines. They brought us bread and we ordered some oysters (they were pretty good) and tuna tartare (nothing special). The birthday boy ordered a Kobe Cap Steak and I ordered a bone-in ribeye medium rare. The steaks were excellent. We also had asparagus and the Grill 23 Tots. The tots tasted like they came from Costco. I would never order them again. Not sure why everyone's raving about them. For dessert we shared profiteroles with coffee ice cream and chocolate sauce. I was not impressed by Grill 23. I mean we had a nice dinner, but when I spend $300+ on dinner for two, I expect top notch service. Our waiter never cleared the crumbs off the table. He didn't offer sparkling water, he just took our orders and brought our food. I'm not sure if service was so mediocre due to Restaurant Week, but I won't be rushing back for steaks here any time soon. I think Ruth's Chris has far more superior service, which makes special occasion dinner experiences memorable.
(4)
Nina O.

I debated giving either a 2 or 3 stars. I did not try the Filet and that usually tells me a lot about a restaurant's food. However, I thought this restaurant would be upscale and classy with great food to boot. It is not. It looks very nice, but in the winter time you will freeze in your seat due to the gusty door. The wait staff are all frantically running around, they pour water into your glasses and spill it all over the table in the process without a care, and they reach through the people at the table to pick up your plates and remove them so quickly I feared I would get hit in the head (each time). I scanned the room and it was the same over the whole restaurant. Our main waiter was nice, but was fairly slow at taking and serving the orders. I tried the 100 day aged rib-eye, and the steak frites. The frites were too thin and crispy for this dish and the steak was thin and fatty. The 100 day rib-eye was okay. Sides of hash browns was good (fairly oily), and I've had better mac and cheese out of a box. One example of the price of the wine - buy it yourself $15, at Grill 23 you get half that bottle at $65...WHAT?! I would pay even more than this restaurant charges for a higher class of quality.
(2)
Roger T.

Delicious steakhouse. Certainly one of the best in the city. VERY VERY pricey but certainly a nice special occasion restaurant. The Kobe ribeye was outstanding. Pretty much no parking but valet and good luck getting in without a reservation.
(4)
Olivia P.

I was in Boston for a few days and wanted to bring my dad to a good steakhouse. We have been to Fleming's in Boston and were blown away by the quality of the steak, so we were up for trying another of Boston's highly rated steakhouses. There were 4 of us and between us, we had 2 bone in ribeyes and 2 100 day aged ribeyes. All of us found the steaks too salty to finish and overdone. My medium came medium well and the guys' medium rares came close to medium well. For sides we had the creamed spinach and roasted mushrooms - nothing special. For dessert we shared the Valrhona Chocolate Cake. The praline crumble was the nicest part about it, but it was extremely rich and sweet. We could not finish it despite sharing so it is a dessert I would only recommend for sharing, but even so, I would recommend trying another dessert on the menu and giving this a miss. On the service end, we went on a Saturday night and this place was packed to the brim. However, I don't see that as a reason for service to be slightly lacking for a higher end restaurant. It was usually quite a chore getting a hold of our server, and he took quite long to serve us after we were seated. While he wasn't rude, he didn't come across as pleasant, but instead, indifferent. After this experience, I can safely say that Fleming's is a better steakhouse than Grill 23 & Bar. It serves up steak that is cooked closer to perfection and boasts better service (I've been to 2 Fleming's in different cities and had excellent service and food on both occasions) within a similar price range.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

If you go to Grill 23 and do not get the Kobe Cap Steak, the joke is on you. Yes it's the most expensive thing on the menu. Yes it's worth it. Waiter says order it medium. No problem. That image they have on the dinner menu on their site? The juicy red/pink center that teases how packed that baby is with flavor? That's the cap steak. I was disappointed it was not enormous. And then it was so rich, I was full and there was still so much steak to go. And then I finished the whole thing. Suckers. I tried the Dry Aged New York. It was good. Everyone who ordered it raved that it was the best steak in the world. But that's only because I didn't let them try mine.
(4)
Ryan S.

Decent restaurant with decent seafood. A little on the fishy side with the salmon, but the clams were good. I would go back. Had a good drink from the bar. It was a frozen drink with fruit, strong but tasted fresh. I enjoyed the bread. It was really good. It was very busy when we were here. Still had good service. My girlfriend liked the steak. Not too salty and cooked just right.
(3)
Christina P.

This place is one to mark for a special occasion. Lots of big parties here celebrating one thing or another. The ambiance is good - I felt like I was in a really nice place as soon as I walked in. But - the light's were WAY too bright. They need to dim them down a bit. Food was excellent and while some really nice places tend to go a bit far, in my opinion, when it comes to the menu and being 'over the top', Grill 23 is spot-on. I knew what everything was and it was delicious. Dont leave before you devour the profiteroles either ;)
(4)
Danae K.

Amazing! Excellent food, service, quality of food.
(5)
Michelle S.

Ive been to grill 23 a million times and it is usually excellent. However it has recently gone south. Last Friday I went to grill 23 with my family after the holidays and it was one of the worst experiences I have ever had. The restaurant was so cold that I had to go get my coat from the coat check (it was unbearable) and others in the restaurant had done the same. Our appetizers came out and they weren't cooked properly. The calamari was barely warm and was bordering on being cold. I ordered the filet which is my go-to there which I order medium. It came out beet red. I'm okay with a rare meat but others in my family are not. Three of the five people sent their steaks back to the kitchen because they were either under cooked or the order was completely wrong. Overall, it was really just terrible and not what you except for a $700 tab. If you want a great steak and a great experience head to The Capital Grille on Boylston. Grill 23 used to be amazing and its far from average these days.
(1)
HT A.

Simply a great venue. Easy check in, and pleasant escort to the table. Try to sit downstairs for the full experience of a bustling steakhouse . Start with a wedge salad. Dry aged sirloin is the way to go here.. better than the 100 day aged ribeye which is wet aged. Add in hashbrowns, asparagus and mushrooms and you have the perfect meal. Finish with coconut cake and realize you have arrived!!
(5)
Jeremy K.

AAAAAAAA! never reviewed/review mysteriously removed.... yelp is about reviewing current patronage, i know, i get it. I havent been to 23 in years, but lets face it, it has a zillion reviews, the majority 4 or 5 and there is a reason, top shelf all the way. the specials and seasonals change, but the experience is status quo. to those privy to this, give it a shot if you have the means.
(4)
Frederic M.

I have been to Grill 23 two times in the last couple of weeks, and the food is amazing. It is one of these places where meat tastes the way it should - and the chefs know how to get the cooking right. Sure, with prices for main dishes mostly around 30-40 dollars, it is not a cheap place. But if you are a fan of a nicely cooked filet mignon or a good-old steak frites, this is the place to be! The interior is nice and very bistro-like, as is the general feeling you have when eating here. Grill 23 tends to be louder than the average restaurant and is therefore more suited for dinners in groups than for a romantic night out with the misses. If not a fan of too much noise, try to avoid busy weekend evenings. Overall a great restaurant! Enjoy!
(4)
Boris N.

The restaurant has a nice location and ambiance, however the food does not live up to expectation. The pork belly appetizer was good, however the steak frites were very small with enormous portion of overcooked fries, which were disproportionate for the restaurant of this time. The salmon entree was tiny and the vegetables were uneatable. The oysters that came with the dish were over fried with no flavor and almost black in color. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant - Mistral right next door would be a much better experience.
(2)
Mana F.

Wonderful restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. The foods delicious and the ambiance is great! I've been to this restaurant twice and I've enjoyed the food and service here. However, the reason why I'm not giving this restaurant 5 stars is because of my last experience here. I came here two nights ago with my friend and her parents who flew in from Japan. It was 5 people at a table and we ordered a lot- 4 alcoholic beverages, 5 appetizers, a bottle of red wine, 5 entrees, 2 sides, 4 desserts, and 3 coffees. The total came up to about $700 and towards the end of the meal, we felt really rushed. (I think they wanted to seat people at our table.) However, the food is delicious. I never tried their steak because I'm like seafood a lot more than meat but the catch of the day I had that day was delicious. It was fluke prepared in an Asian fusion type of way. It reminded me of Roy's! I definitely recommend the shrimp cocktail for the appetizer! All in all though, this is a really nice restaurant for special occasions.
(4)
Jess I.

Living in Boston and hadn't tried this place yet, despite all the big hype. I had a late dinner last night and decided to try it. Valet was attentive as we drove up. My friend and I had to wait for about 10 minutes which was understandable because it was somewhat busy. The atmosphere was fabulous, everyone looked superb, especially all the men in suits(gotta love it!). I ordered the salmon, the portion was perfect. I really dislike big portions because I feel obligated to eat it all. We also got a bottle of red cabernet which was perfect, not too strong. We had two servers, one of them was more attentive than the other. Reason I gave 3 stars is because it didn't WOW me.. nothing special. The atmosphere and the design of the restaurant was the best part, I loved all the details from the ceilings to the walls, gorgeous.
(3)
Ned K.

Went here with my girlfriend for a nice post-theater dinner. First of all, the atmosphere is with all of the exposed wood walls and the open kitchen is authentic and stays true to an upscale steakhouse. The setting was perfect for two people and the service was prompt and the waiter was extremely informative and answered all of our questions about the different types of steak. We started with an appetizer to split and went with the tuna tartare which was refreshing and was a great way to get a little bit of seafood in with our meal. I got the 100 day aged steak and my girlfriend go the Kobe cap steak. The cap steak was definitely the better one as it was moist and tender and cooked perfectly. My steak was much fattier but was still delicious. We ordered sides of asparagus, mashed potatoes and the truffle tots (we really only needed 2). While the meal was expensive, it was definitely the best meal I've had in downtown Boston and the atmosphere and location was certainly worth the price for a night out and a special occasion. I would highly recommend.
(5)
Vivian W.

We had an amazing dinning experience at this restaurant. We have ordered a 100 days aged rib steak and 100 days aged new york striploin, the beef tartar, chopped salad, the seafood paella (they have a different name). Although the server made a mistake, the tartar did not come out, and the rib steak was over cooked, they have offered to bring it out and also make us a new one, but because we didn't want the other guests to have to wait for us, we declined the offer. At the end, the server sent the manager over to apologize again, and also took care of the steak and two desserts for the table. I do want to take off one star for making two mistakes in one night, but the service of our waitress had compensated for that, plus we really liked the New York striploin and the desserts and the chopped salad, these three things are highly recommended if you visit this restaurant. For the dessert we have ordered the VERY FAMOUS coconut cake and the chocolate mouse, both excellent!
(5)
Leona Y.

Start with the seafood sampler! The shellfish sampler for 2 was enough to share with 4 people though so I recommend going with that if you don't want to be stuffed before your main dish comes out. The filet mignon was delicious! I got the 8oz twin and that was plenty especially since you have to order sides separately. Choose the roasted beets if you like those and the famous truffle tots were great as well. The sautÃ©ed spinach wasn't too garlicky or salty which was nice. These three sides were plenty for 4 people. We even had some left over to take home. For dessert I recommend sharing the strawberry sorbet or the coconut cake. Neither of them are too sweet and they are both large enough to share with 3-4 people. The sorbet came with 4 scoops and the coconut cake was tall and comes with a scoop of pineapple sherbert which paired nicely with the coconut. The service was great and we didn't feel rushed at all. As someone stated, I would recommend sitting upstairs if possible since it was quieter.
(5)
C. A.

First time here and it was great. The aged steaks were real good. I had the Prime New York steak with a salad. It was very tasty. The only minor complaint was that it took over 1 hour to get our food after we ordered. Other than that, I recommend this place.
(4)
Nicole V.

Enjoyed a great dinner with 4 friends to celebrate a birthday. We started out with the Crab Meat, Littlenecks, Tuna & Salmon Tartare, Calamari, and Steak Tartare. Oysters were awesome and I couldn't get enough of the Tuna & Salmon Tartare. My only gripe with the appetizers was that the Calamari had significantly more onions than calamari. Dinner. Holy shit. American Kobe Cap Steak. Enough said.
(5)
M K.

5 Stars, because ... The host took us to our table as soon as we entered, although the restaurant was packed ! Our server Jennifer was very professional and flexible in accommodating our special requests, that was much appreciated. Steaks are great, side orders were amazing (you can't get any side wrong). Coconut cake , The grand finale !
(5)
jennifer m.

I have to remember that 3 stars is still good. I admit that I am not giving it 4 stars but can see why others would. I love the cow. And while the rib eye was good (a good cut of meat can be overdone and still tasty) I did ask for medium rare and received medium to medium +. In full disclosure, it was Valentine's Day and the place was packed. Service was a bit slow but again, I am grading it on a sliding scale because of the holidays. Sides were really good, giant bread baskets filled with options was nice to snack on while waiting and the chocolate cookies with vanilla infused milk at the end of the meal was delightful. Huge chocolatey, gooey cookies. Oh and to quote one at the table, this is a mug of Manhattan. The biggest one ever seen served anywhere.
(3)
Kerri S.

I went here for dinner on a Saturday night with a party of 8. As a celiac I have to avoid gluten. I was pleasantly surprised by all of my options. Our waiter even understood how certain items(ie fried) could have cross contamination. The highlight of my meal was the impeccable crab cake. As a Celiac it is extremely rare for me to find a restaurant where I can order one. The one at Grill 23 has no fillers and tasted of delicious crab.
(4)
A. L.

Not going to pontificate... Food: sub par, service: sub optimal... Let's put it this way, expected excellence, got Sizzler. Oh, walked in bathroom, trash.. Overflowing on to floor.. REALLY?
(1)
Lewis C.

Great place for a work dinner in Boston. Lives up to it's stellar reputation. Starters, entrees and dessert were all outstanding. Service also excellent. If you've heard that this place is worth trying - you heard correctly.
(4)
Bob A.

Awesome all around Old time steak house, no Chain Pricey buy worth it Highly recommend
(4)
Janice D.

New bar is better, but not great. Bartender , tall gentleman, slow as can be and condescending to boot. Waited 15 minutes to get a menu.....btw bar was not crowded. We were the only people standing. There are just too many options in Boston to put up with bad service.. Go elsewhere.
(1)
Catie F.

Underwhelmed. Came for restaurant week, having heard nothing but great things. All-in-all a good dining experience but I'm not certain it's worth the hype or the price. Our server was great, but the overall server atmosphere was a little too much for me. I never really felt comfortable here. The inside kind of feels like a library or a bank that was quickly converted to serve food. Food - again, okay to good, but not impressive. I had the pea soup to start which tasted mostly like peas and had one tiny deviled ham onion in the center. My boyfriend had the navajo bread/brisket salad which I think was the best thing we had. For mains I had the beef tenderloin with chimichurri which was GOOD but nothing special. (My favorite steak to-date is still Ruth's Chris). Boyfriend had hot and sour swordfish which was a TINY portion, especially for what you pay. Everything at the table seemed "pretty good." Same for desserts. Would I come again? Definitely! ... if someone else is paying.
(3)
Chas K.

Grill 23 was a favorite of mine for celebrating big events back in grad school and my "starting out" years. This was the early 90s -- before the remodel; when a proper meal ended with a fine cigar served and smoked at your table; when people used their "inside voices" in restaurants; and when NO ONE would consider dining there in a track suit, no matter who they were (or thought they were) or what designer label was on it (Talkin' to you with Juicy Couture on your butt. You know it makes your ass look huge, right?). My last meal there was 10 years ago. My wife and I were practically house bound for two years with our 2-year-old son because we had no family to relieve of us of duty. When a babysitter volunteered to give us time off, we jumped at the opportunity. We knew exactly where we wanted to go: Grill 23. I put on my favorite suit; my wife donned the black lace dress I loved so much, and off we went. While the meal and service were great, the overall experience was not. We were so off-put with the under-dressed, over-modulated de classe party next to us and overall din and down-market feel of the dining room that we never returned. Grill 23 no longer seemed special. Fast forward to earlier this week. I returned for a business dinner and was pleased to find that the crowd looked and behaved a lot more like the good ol' days. The food was stellar and the service was fantastic. Plates, glassware and flatware were high quality (love the Languiole knives - that's what I use at home). I knew I was at a top notch steak house, not a Longhorn in the suburbs. Prices were typical for a high-end steakhouse, but they also had an interesting selection of 5-7 creative entrees in the $30s. Wine prices were reasonable. There were many great glasses available in the $12 - $15 range. Many bottles were on offer for a reasonable mark-up. For example, a 2010 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon was $101. The bottle retails for about $50, so this is a great price. Contrast this to the $25/GLASS I was charged for that same wine and vintage at the Boston steak house where I ate last week (at 6 glasses/bottle that's $150 equivalent). Grill 23 is back in my good graces. In a city replete with steak houses, restaurateurs need to bring their A game every night. Grill 23 seems to be back in true form. Please let me know what you think of this review by clicking a button below. Thanks!
(4)
Matt D.

Up there with one of my favorite steak houses I've visited. I think those carmelized onions made my dinner. So good. Next time I come back to Boston I will be coming back here
(4)
Jessica B.

Our dinner at Grill 23 & Bar was quite the mixed bag last night. The food was great, but the experience left a bit to be desired. I think the over-arching issue is the management because the whole flow of the restaurant was not working. Between 7:30 (our reservation) and 8, half the tables in the restaurant were empty while over a dozen people were crammed into the entry way waiting for tables. We decided to go over to the bar to wait. They have a policy that was new to me. If you want to sit at a bar stool, apparently you have to tell the bartender and you will be seated at his whim. I've seen reserved tables in a bar, but never bar stools. If I had known this was the deal it would have been fine, but how would someone know that? There were two bartenders having trouble keeping up and so I don't even know how I would have fought through the line 2-3 people deep around the bar to say I wanted a stool. ANYWAY! I was talking to some people, they got up to leave, and I sat in one of their seats. The bartender BARKED at me to get up because he was saving it for someone. When he realized that person had already found a seat he begrudgingly allowed me to stay, but didn't serve me. Eventually the other bartender did. Eventually, we were seated. The dining room is completely lacking in ambiance. It's sparse and a bit worn looking. The wood floors have an unfortunate resemblance to some fake wood paneling my parents used to have in their basement in the 70s. It's also quite loud. So... onto the food. Our waiter was perfectly nice. The service was competent but not outstanding. We split the Shellfish Sampler for Two. It was extremely tasty, especially the oysters. The whole thing was a bit unstable on our tiny two-top table and one of the sauces took a header off its icy throne onto the table, but it was good overall. I had the Twin Filet Mignon, which was delicious. I ordered it medium rare and it came out nice and bloody on the inside. I really enjoyed it. We split the Baby Brussels Sprouts and the Grill 23 Tots, which were amazingly good. For dessert we split a piece of Valrhona Chocolate Layer Cake. I will be at the gym every day next week. Everything we ordered was great. The drinks are strong. There's valet parking. I do think the dining room needs a makeover. Were it not for the huge crush in the doorway and weird scene at the bar, I would have had a nicer time.
(3)
Terence G.

This was, without a doubt, one of the best steaks I have ever had. I had the 100 day aged prime ribeye, and it was simply spectacular. My companion had the filet mignon, and it was very nice as well. In addition, we ordered the fried asparagus, cauliflower, Mac and cheese and the twice baked potato. Of those for sides, the potato and asparagus knocked our socks off, while the other two were good, simply not the best we'd ever had. We topped the night off with the caramel cheese cake and vanilla bean creme Brule, which were both really good as well. The staff were all really nice, timely with water refills and all of the little details that make a dining experience worthwhile. However, this review loses a star, because for some reason, our waiter was really upset, pissed off really, about something. Not with us, but every time he stepped to the station where his register, water, silverware was, he'd be obviously agitated in the way he spoke to the busboy. It was just a bit of a turn off. Lastly, as has been mentioned in other reviews, this place is going to cost you. Everything I mentioned above plus one drink, set me back 270, including tip, for two. It was worth it for the experience, but obviously not anything I can do on a regular basis, haha. Oh and one other thing, while we ordered four sides, it was too much food in the end. Each dish was shareable, and two would've been more than enough.
(4)
Shiri Y.

I think it was the best steak of my life. We sat at the bar which was very comfortable and the bartender was very attentive. The price is very steep but it's worth it for an occasional indulgence
(5)
Zach S.

This was my first visit to Grill 23 and it won't be my last. The restaurant is very large, this being said you do feel like you are on top of the table next to you. Also the ambient noise level is very high, not easy to have a conversation. That being said, the food was amazing. I had the aged Ribeye and it was cooked perfectly(rare) and tasted amazing. My date had the Tuna steak entree and loved it, although the apple tart on the plate didn't really make any sense with the dish. We split a side of the Mac & Cheese, which was very good. Three cheeses, bacon, and cooked with wine; couldn't ask for anything better. Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great steak, but if you are looking for an old school steak house with a little more privacy this is not the place
(4)
Patrice C.

Dinner out at Grill 23 was a lot of money for average food. The menu looked okay online (I don't eat seafood, which can be a problem in Boston). I was a bit daunted by the price, but I had heard good things about Grill 23 and thought it would be worth it. It wasn't. The restaurant was crazy noisy. My husband and I had to almost shout at each other to be heard, and this was at 9PM. The waiter ignored us for a long time, but once he engaged, he was friendly and efficient. I ordered the garden salad, which was good, and my husband got the seafood chowder, which he liked. My main course was the chicken, which was dry and boring. It came with "risotto," but it was really just wild rice with onions. I got a side of macaroni and cheese, and it was by far the best thing served for our main course. My husband's tuna had too much pepper and was disappointing, but the beat salad was good. Things improved with dessert. The coconut cake was absolutely divine, and there was enough for two people. The chocolate cake was just a typical flourless cake, good but not unique. Bottom line: there are a lot of good restaurants in downtown Boston. Take the money you would spend at Grill 23 and go to one of them and enjoy a much better meal.
(2)
Mike D.

The best steak you will have in Boston hands down. If you are looking for a great romantic grille, there is nothing better around. I have been eating in Boston for 15 years now. I laugh when people say they have had the best steaks of their lives at the Capital Grille, that is pure ignorance. If you want a fine dining experience paired with outstanding steaks complimented by luxurious wine, this is the place for you.
(5)
CB B.

Solid option for Boston steakhouse and nice that it's not a chain. Certainly better than the Smith & Wollensky's at castle and Ruth Chris. Meat is good but not best in town although service is generally excellent. I generally go to upstairs bar, which is quieter and good place to watch game, talk over a good meal.
(3)
Jazz T.

The 100 day aged dry rubbed rib eye was absolutely delicious. It was juicy, flavorful and not overpowered by seasonings. We had mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, and brussel sprouts as sides but could've done without the sprouts. They tasted a bit bitter and bland. Otherwise everything was great.
(4)
Sarah J.

We love coming here for any special occasion. The service is always superb and steaks are always amazing. This time we ordered the Kobe and the porterhouse and two sides: mashed potatoes and asparagus. The steaks were cooked to perfection and the veggies were delish. The carmelized onions that come on the side of the steaks are a perfect combo with the meat. They are sweet and chilled but have a fresh taste to balance out the heavy steak. The porterhouse was huge 24oz and made a whole meal for lunch the next day! Recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves a really good quality steak!
(5)
Vicky H.

I came here for restaurant week with a friend and my daughter (coming any other time is just out of my price range). This by far was one of the best places I've gone. Excellent food and even better table service than I've experienced. The waitstaff was very attentive, coming around to ensure food quality and refilling our drinks on a timely manner. We were never at any point felt rushed. The place was filled with people but yet, the noise level was low so you don't have to yell across the table or lean in to hear what your friends are saying. The facility is extremely clean and odor free. I was completely amazed. One of the best experiences I've had.
(5)
John G.

The Steak Au Poivre was amazing and the service the Best
(5)
Timothy B.

Took my staff for a night out in Boston on a Monday and found this place thru Yelp. Service was top notch and prices were fair. Some of the food was outstanding but there were a few things that would prevent me from coming back. Two of us ordered our steaks MR. Mine was cooked medium but was tasty and I was totally happy with it. Another steak at the table came out well done and was sent back. The manager came over to apologize and the next one that came out (quickly) was up to par. Two of the five side orders that we ordered were not edible. The desserts and cheese plate were fantastic. As a group, we left happy but certainly not overly impressed.
(3)
Dale B.

Overall food was good except for the raw veal chop they served us. Waiter did not handle correctly!
(3)
TinoX T.

Delicious Food,Good price,Nice Staff. I'm a Fan
(3)
Biko T.

I ate here for my b day and I was impressed...the ambiance was impeccable...service impeccable...affordable valet service for your car...I had the bone in ribeye and it was excellent
(4)
Punam R.

I had a great dinner here last night. They have a great wine list. I ordered the oysters to start which tasted amazing. For my dinner, I had the twin filers which were cooked to medium rare perfection. I took of one star as my sides came out like warm - they were delicious, but seemed like they say out for a little bit before being served. I would definitely recommend and hope to visit again.
(4)
Sarah P.

Amazing. The steak was easily the best I've ever had! I chose the Filet Mignon and the boyfriend went with the Kobe Cap Steak and they were both to die for. The Filet was lean and the Kobe was melt in your mouth, and both had this beautiful flavor that made every bite an absolute treat! Counter to many of the other reviews, I also thought the service was very good although it may have something to do with the restaurant not being full. Regardless, they were attentive without being overbearing. They automatically split our appetizer salad, made great dinner recommendations, and never let our glasses empty. A few pointers worth reiterating: upstairs is definitely better seating and less noisy, the Kobe is worth every penny, and it's a good idea to go light on appetizers because the steak is AMAZING!!!
(5)
Eva W.

So this review is kind of biased as I was here as part of a wedding reception, so the service was great. There was an amazing seafood bar with oysters, lobster tail, clams, shrimp - all quite fresh and tasty. The hors d'oeuvres were pretty good too, especially the truffle mushroom one. For appetizers, the chowder was delish, the crab cake was okay but a bit lacking in flavor. For main, the rib eye was the size of my face. Seriously. Though it was also fattier than I'm used to. The filet was decent. Good drinks too, though it took a while for my whiskey sour to arrive. The boys seemed to have oodles of fun swirling their scotches..
(4)
Jo Ann S.

The food is excellent and the service is mostly superb-from the valet to the servers. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is I requested a quiet table when I made my reservation and when I arrived. The place is uncomfortably loud. While they have private areas, I was told they were not open. The restaurant was full and the bar was packed with people having a great time. I don't understand why they wouldn't want to offer this accommodation. I was intending to conduct business and it was not possible. I had to sit uncomfortably close to my dining partner just to hear. I will not come back for business and I must say, I will miss the steak and fries. If you like really loud noise and great steaks-this is the place.
(3)
Conor S.

Relax, eat slow, enjoy yourself, and make an evening of it. This place is great! The waitstaff was by far the most attentive I've ever encountered. We couldn't get our wine glasses below 3/4 full before someone would come to top us off. Our waiter also straight answers when asking for recommendations (a surprisingly rare quality). As for the food, don't be a fool: get the beef. Don't let the fish distract you from the main attraction. Also be sure to explore their sides, which are served in separate dishes. Made it real easy to share around the table. The mac and cheese was outstanding and is one of the most memorable things of the meal.
(5)
Eunice E.

Don't make the same mistake I did when coming to one of the best steak restaurants in Boston by ordering... salmon. *Facepalm* The steak here, though, is definitely just as good as everyone says it is. The drinks are well-crafted, strong, and tasty. I got the "Sweet Dream" (Grey Goose L'Orange, Chambord, Lemon, and Lime), and it was one of the finest citrus cocktails I've tasted to date. The service is great. The ambiance is rustic yet elegant. Definitely a nice treat. But, goodness, order the steak. Anything else will just be a big (expensive) disappointment.
(4)
Ann C.

Went to grill 23 for my birthday WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! For starters, the salad, or lack there of was terrible. I ordered Petite Filet, (medium) it was hard as a rock and way overcooked. Please do yourself a favor and GO somewhere else. Grill 23 is way over rated and WAY over priced!!!!!
(1)
Diane H.

Maybe it's because it was restaurant week..but nothing about the food really WOWED me. My steak was nice, it was medium rare, but my friend who ordered the same thing as me ..well let's say not all steaks are cooked the same, but she liked it and that's what matters~ The tuna tartare is one of worsts i've had. It wasn't that good..just boring.. They had a RW wine special, red wine, was quite nice i guess, but i'm not wine expert so who knows! Our server was soo weird. She should like be a doctor or something..trying to the take the bill away before we even split the check just because she saw us touching it -.-
(3)
Crystine W.

My first steakhouse in Boston was at Umbria Prime and they did not impress me very well, which left me thinking Boston just wasn't the place to do steak.. Then I gave the filet mignon a try at Grill 23 & Boston has fully redeemed itself. Service was top-notch, very clean & classy environment, 2 levels of group and private seating available. Oh, and they have bathrooms everywhere! I loved the glass-cased in kitchen on the second floor. You can clearly see that your food is being prepped in a clean environment. Heirloom Beets appetizer - I wish I had ordered this as my "side" instead ... so good and healthy too! The combination of flavors worked so well together - can't pin it down to just one flavor that stood out, it was just everything working together to create this explosion of yum in your mouth. Filet mignon - it was a good steak.. Not the best I've had, but comes pretty close. Tender and juicy, medium prepared, just the way I like it. I ordered their tots and grilled asparagus as our shared sides and the tots were different. Their tots were supposed to impress me something amazing based on all the reviews, but they were only average in my book. I really look forward to the itty-bitty bites of potato inside once I move past the crunchy exterior of a tater tot and these tots had an almost mashed-potato type of center. The asparagus was nothing special, just tossed on a grill and then sprinkled with some fresh garlic. Definitely could've done without this side. We ordered the creme brulee and proliferoles for dessert. The flaky almond cookies that came alongside my creme brulee made my day and left me smiling for the next 24 hours. Proliferoles ... Mehhh ... let's just leave it at, I preferred my creme brulee much more. In rating the full experience, I loved it and would absolutely return for future dining trips. Good place for business dinners, dates, celebrations ... they know their audience and who they are talking to. Just give them a call and they will work with you.
(4)
Alan H.

Probably one of the worst experiences I have ever had in my life!!!!!! Brought over my steak cooked incorrectly then they noticed they actually gave one of the other people at the table my steak and I had his. They gave him my steak and took the one he was eating back to the kitchen. Upon returning to the table they gave me my steak which was the actual steak the other person had already been eating, on a fresh plate. They then tried to correct it and brought out another undercooked steak. They then brought that back and proceeded to char it so badly a dog wouldn't eat it. The waiter was useless, disappearing for long periods of time and paying no attention to us at all. They actually thought it was good of them to then not charge me for the steak I never ate. To add to the horrible night they also took away our appetizers before they were finished and the horrible waiter was reaching across us to grab plates/glasses off the table with not so much as an apology. The place is so loud and crowded and the quality of service so poor it is a wonder they stay in business. I wouldn't go there if it were free. So many better choices in this city, no need to ever go to this over priced disgusting place. Everyone from the manager to the bartender was rude and nasty. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DUMP!!!! Read their information on the cities website and notice their poor track record for being clean. cityofboston.gov/isd/heaâ€¦ If you could find the older inspections they are even worse.
(1)
June O.

I've been here twice, and both times I've had a wonderful experience! I've yet to eat something off the regular menu, since the first time I was here was for Restaurant Week. The meal we had then was, as one would expect, superb. My five star rating of Grill 23 & Bar is for: The Bar. On our first visit, we were a little early for our reservation, and we waited at the bar. The bartender was courteous, quick, and made a cosmo that was strong, yet not overwhelming, and not too sweet! The second visit, however, is what drove this rating up to five stars! We went in as a group of six on a Friday night around 10pm. We were dressed to kill, but had nowhere to go! I was so sure that Grill 23 & Bar would be packed, but when we walked in, it was very quiet. We sat down immediately at the bar, and I greeted our bartender, Brett, with the words "I am SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!!" (I'd been in my new killer heels for about 4 hours by that time) We quickly ordered drinks, then changed our orders, then asked questions. Brett laughed at our indecisions and showed zero impatience! He was very accommodating, funny, and had that perfect balance of interacting with us and our jokes, yet not talking to us nonstop! He definitely made our night! The absolutely best part of Grill 23 is how nice the staff is. You'd think that a place where entrees are average $40/plate would have staff with their noses so stuck up they'd drown in a heavy rainstorm, but it's never been the case for me at Grill 23! If there's a place that I want to go back to for a great and relaxed night on the town, it'll definitely be with Brett!
(5)
Shanna C.

World class kobe steak. Did you hear me? WORLD CLASS KOBE STEAK. I don't know what they did to that steak when they cooked it, but it was A-Mazing. It had a delightfully crunchy outside and perfectly cooked inside. Don't think I could have asked for more in a $60 steak. Best whiskey sour our AA group had ever tasted. Other reivews had mentioned that you should sit upstairs because it gets loud downstairs. I could see that being the case, even though the night we went it wasn't loud. The server was spectacular and we couldn't have asked for better service. Great place, will be back next time I am in Boston!
(4)
Elizabeth K.

I would give Grill 23 and Bar 2.5 stars. I went to this place for my birthday in September with my BF and other family members. I chose this place based on reviews on Yelp and I wanted to experience another steak restaurant in Boston. I have experienced Morton's, Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris. On the positive side we had very good service and we were seated in a nice location. The flowers that my family had ordered for me were waiting for me at the table when we got there. The steak I ordered had a lot of gristle. For the price that we paid for this, I would have expected that my first three bites of steak would not involve me taking it out of my mouth at all, much less three times. My BF's steak was ordered medium and came out medium well and dry. My family members liked their choices of steak. The sides we ordered were bland and not up to expectations (roasted potatoes, asparagus, and macaroni and cheese.) For the price I would have expected much more flavor and better quality steaks. I would try other steak restaurants before going back to Grill 23.
(2)
Corey L.

The owner of Grill 23 (and w other restaurants) gave free meals for a weekend to medical personnel in Boston after the Marathon bombing. Which is awesome, even if it is a tax write-off. So I went with my lady friend and our waiter helped us to estimate that 99% of the patrons were also medical personnel. Again, really great of the owners. My overall review is: really great food, really great service, and I was pleasantyl surprised to find that while it was pretty expensive (with a cheap but tasty bottle of wine, appetizers, meals, and desserts came out to $170) they did not skimp on the food. I really felt like we got what we paid for - not only with quality, but also quantity. Started with a Barbera d'alba $23 wine (every Sunday and Monday they offer a pretty solid list of $23 bottles of wine) - which was a nice fruity (not that dry) bottle of red wine. Quite tasty. They also started us with a bread basket containing a variety of breads: a good salty/spikey bread, an okay flat cheesy/spicy one, and another okay flavored one - all of which tasted good with the butter. Appetizers: -Chopped salad: no lettuce - just a bowl of cucumber, egg, feta, salami finely chopped in a dressing - good size, quite tasty, and NOT low calorie -Calamari: a big plate of quite tasty calamari in a nice sauce Entrees: -Pot roast: tender, sweet but not overpowering sauce, with cauliflower, broccoli, and potato slices that took up the flavor nicely -Dry aged New York steak: cooked medium rare, was SOOO tender, melting in my mouth, very flavorful. Really great. Carmelized onions were sweet. -side of Mac'n'cheese: bacon, 3 cheese: thick and good, but not incredible (I like sweet - if you love cheese, you'll love it) Desserts: -Coconut cake: HUGE, tasted like coconut through and through, very sweet, really moist, incredible -Caramel profiteroles: looked like creme puffs with ice cream inside - but they were of substinence. Our server poured chocolate over then - and with the sweetened almond slices, it was incredible - much better than I expected (I'm an idiot I think - how could it not be incredible?) Our server was Rob, he was the best. Very attentive, nice, charming, and gave great suggestions for calamari leftovers
(5)
James D.

It is good, but not as good as the other steakhouses in Boston. My wife and I ate here recently. We requested a table downstairs and as soon as we arrived we were greeted by a person who was not overly friendly and sat us upstairs. Upstairs ended up being fine but it was clear this person did not look at our request which is very surprising for a place like this. There were plenty of tables available downstairs and even if there weren't at the very least this person should have acknowledged our request. This was rather surprising and perhaps part of the reason it was not packed on a Saturday night when I am sure the other steak spots in town were like they are every Saturday night. Onto the meal - The steaks were as good as other places in town which you would expect paying this price. The side portions were smaller than the others however which was a negative. Our server and the service in general were very good. Overall, when you go to a steakhouse like this, you expect certain basic levels of service, such as acknowledging a simple table request. When that doesn't happen it is hard to leave feeling like it was worth the price you paid for the dinner. Especially when there are tons of other choices for a nice night out for a steak dinner in Boston.
(2)
Rajiv K.

Came here over PAX East 2013 weekend with our company. After a long day of work, our boss wanted to take us to a fancy dinner at Grill 23 because we read great reviews. What we received was probably the most ridiculous excuse of service and food I've ever met. When we were trying to order drinks, our waiter wouldn't finish the whole group before turning his back and running off. The bus boy ARGUED with one of our party to say he didn't order something that we all heard he clearly asked for (it was a PEPSI). The steaks were the saddest excuse of cuts I've ever eaten and not even cooked well. Everything tasted like it was powerwashed in salt water. To top it off, when we asked for the bill, the waiter and bus boy thought we were trying to get out of our VERY EXPENSIVE bill, but we insisted they keep every penny on so we could air our grievances with the pathetic excuse of service and food they offered. I would highly advise against visiting and wasting your precious time and money at this pathetic excuse of a restaurant.
(1)
Mike Z.

The lady and I had a reservation at 8:00pm, but we arrived 30 minutes early and were seated right away. I'd recommend being seated upstairs (tell them when you make the reservation) if you want more peace and quiet because it is extremely noisy on the lower level. Get the Kobe Cap Steak and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. I had the Dry-Aged NY Strip and the lady had the former and there was a clear difference in the tenderness, flavor, and texture. I mean, the NY Strip was a perfectly good piece of cow, that is if nobody at the table orders the Kobe Cap Steak and ruin it for everybody. Though, we came across hiccup #1 with the so-called Kobe (misleading name as it isn't real Kobe beef), it was ordered medium rare, but a sizable portion of the center was quite rare. It worked out in my favor because what happened was that we actually switched steaks since she absolutely loathes a rare steak. Win, thanks babe. For a high-end steakhouse, though, it shouldn't have happened. We didn't want to have the steak sent back because it would have been too much hassle to wait and have the food go cold. The tots and mac & cheese sides were good. There's a $23 wine list for Sundays and Mondays only. The lady's birthday fell on a Monday. Win. Thanks babe x2. Hiccup #2 is the service. Our server didn't seem particularly excited, like one would come to expect at a steakhouse of this caliber, she seemed rather indifferent. Essentially, she took our orders and brought the food efficiently, but that was it. There wasn't anything wrong with the service per se, but at $100 a head, one expects to be treated a little...more special. She wasn't knowledgeable about the wine list either nor did she flag down a sommelier. Oh well. All in all, Grill 23 was great, but fell short of my expectations by just a bit.
(4)
Sheekha D.

Our son is in Boston and he loves to eat steak. During our visit to Boston we took him and his friends to this place. It was first time for us at this restaurant, ourserver was vety helpful. Great menu, great food, Great service!
(5)
Andrew M.

I took my family here for my Dad's birthday. He has an extensive list of food allergies and I e-mailed the GM and chef and they were very helpful and actually curated a special menu for him that met all of his needs. I was very happy with their service. The food is good, I wouldn't say it's amazing, but it's very good and their menu is pretty diverse for a steakhouse.
(4)
Henry S.

Well, I told the travel agent I wanted Austin...and instead landed in Boston. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy great company and a really nice meal at Grill 23. The restaurant has apparently renovated by moving the bar away from the street window and opening it up to bar seating. Overall the place is nicely decorated, gets good natural light and feels larger than it actually is. It's quiet enough for a social occasion dinner, but not so quiet that it feels like a tomb. One of our party is a wine enthusiast and complimented the selections several times. Many steakhouses I've been to will shorten the wine list (and rightly so) but will inevitably leave the same type of wine at three different price points. Thus we're either going for the $40 bottle of cabernet, the $70 bottle or the $100+ bottle...of essentially the same wine. Not so at Grill 23. There were several good selections depending on your food pairing. Onto the food. We were a relatively large group of seven, so we actually ordered most of the popular sides: asparagus, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and spinach. All the sides were fine if not a little bland. I think the chef may have lost his/her panache on the sides. The only Boston corollary I can come up with is Bob Kraft and Bill Belichik talking about building the roster around Tom Brady. You aren't drafting the left guard or weakside linebacker to make the Hall of Fame when you've got Tom Terrific. The complimentary players should do their job, not make errors and get out of the way! Needless to say, the side dishes meandered their way around the table a few times - looking sheepish. Finally I took pity and scooped some instant potatoes and limp asparagus onto my plate. Neither struck me as impressive. I ordered the petite filet - medium. Upon further review, I should have probably ordered medium well. In fact, it was such a trend around the table that I chalked it up to being a busy night and the grillmaster probably just rushed these steaks onto a grill that hadn't reheated properly from the last steak. From the crust, it was obvious the grill was "cool". Medium for such a thick cut of filet left the outside looking a little less than crusty and the inside was practically still mooing. The beef itself was fine and that's why I enjoyed the steak immensely. The seasoning was nice and subtle. Also, what's with the onion and garnish hanging all over that steak like a stripper short on rent money? Man get that stuff away from the star of the show! Overall, it was fine but I can't help but wonder what that filet had been like on a hotter grill (better crust) and left on another 90 seconds (firmer middle). I think Grill 32 was an excellent choice for our dinner. We were seven pals having a semi-business/semi-ball-busting dinner with drinks and good food. If you're looking for the ultimate romantic dinner or a quiet date night, you're probably going to wish you'd spent that much money somewhere else.
(4)
Becca H.

This is one of my most favorite restaurant in Boston! I have never not had a meal here and not thought it was absolutely amazing! My favorites at Grill 23 are the Scallops and the Mac n Cheese. The Mac n Cheese is very rich so you cannot always have a lot of it but as a side order it is perfect. I could go on and on about how fresh the fish is and how the service is always very good. But it is not just the food that is good at Grill 23 the ambiance is historic feeling with the dark wood and high ceilings. Hands down if you have not been to Grill 23 yet you have to go...I promise you will not be disappointed.
(5)
David C.

Grill 23 might have the best steaks around, but I wouldn't know that based on their Restaurant Week menu, which featured a beef tenderloin so bland that it bordered on flavorless. The beef tataki with tomato soy dressing had the opposite problem, saturated as it was with an overwhelmingly spicy mystery ingredient. I enjoyed the vanilla bean cheesecake with cranberry compote that I had for dessert, but there was nothing remarkable about it in the slightest. It was simply good cheesecake. My roommates felt similarly about their meals, so it was basically a disappointing experience all around. I don't expect too much out of restaurants participating in RW, but I do expect ones of this caliber to at least try a little harder. If the food had lived up to the flawless service or incredible ambiance, this would have been a dinner to remember.
(2)
Ldy G.

We had a 8pm reservation on a Friday night, we ended up getting there 45 minutes early & they had no issue seating us. We were on the first floor, so yea it was quite noisey, the hustle & bustle of the restaurant wasn't an issue, but the EXTREMELY loud woman at the table seated next to us was quite annoying, as well as the man who bathed in cologne at another table seated near us. The complimentary bread basket was dangerous! Beware - you may want to eat it all and ask for seconds and get full before you dinner arrives. They had an herb bread that was so yummy. A mushroom & cheese bread that was excellent. A pumpernickle bread with golden raisens, and a large flatbread/cracker covered in cheese and red pepper flakes. All the breads were wonderful. My husband ordered the 10oz Filet Mignon which was excellent as well as VERY filling it was approx the size of a small grapefruit. I ordered the 10oz Kobe Cap Steak that was OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD!!! Extremely tender and full of flavor, perfectly seasoned. Both of our steaks came with a handful of sauteed onions, but honestly you didn't even need the onions, the steak was so good. We ordered the French Fries with Sea Salt & Gremolata (Parsley, Lemon & Garlic).... and the Mac n' Cheese with 3 cheeses, bacon and white wine. The Fries were addictive and it was a very large portion. The Mac n' Cheese wasn't that big, I ended up letting my husband eat the majority and I only had 1 spoonfull to sample it. The portions of food were nice and large, I was afraid we were going to spend a ton of money on a couple of tiny plates of food. I'd say the food was well worth the price. We ABSOLUTELY plan on returning to this restaurant. It was a wonderful meal that I truly enjoyed. (We parked a block away in the public lot, $12 for approx 1 hour parking... not too bad)
(5)
Larry S.

Took my son out to a special dinner celebrating graduation from College. Yes, it was expensive but the food was great and service outstanding!
(4)
Mike M.

I always prefer a nice grilled steak from home. Meat Spot in Watertown Square usually has a great cut steak. Even Shaw's carries a great selection of cuts of steak to season and marinade and grill up. But I never really venture out to a steak house. I been to a few here and there, and am never really that impressed. Steak is a delicate meat. Like a fine woman, you gotta treat it right. So a few weeks back we decide to make a reservation here and looked forward to a nice meal. Our reservation was for 7:30, but didn't get seated till just before 8. Who am I to come into this place and bitch and complain about waiting. The host and server were nice. The server knew her shit. Explaining this wine and that wine and the specials and a few other notes I couldn't quite follow. My girlfriend isn't a big wine drinker. I am a big fan of Pinot or a nice Savingon. But I was convincing and we got the Pinot Grigio Volpe Pasini Grivo', Friuli. It was one of their special wines, and one the f'n cheapest. I have never paid more than $20 something for a bottle. Too cheap. I stick to Oyster Bay or Cupcake or some form of those cheap bottles. The wine was good. Nice and light and had a nice and peachy like taste to it. Being in a classy joint with my squeeze I couldn't drink fast which I normall do. If I was into red wine, they let us try this nice French win and it wasn't half bad. We got a appetizer, calamari. Simple and easy. I've had better, but it was still good. The cream sauce, peppercorn was nice. Felt a little jipped on the portions, but i could stand to miss a few meals here and there. My girlfriend was a fan as well. Better of been. I got all flustered when trying to figure what type of steak to get. I read the menu and reviews for days before. But as always I find it tough to decide what I want. I went for the porter house cut, and she got the lamb special. Both were pretty hearty and tender. I like my steak a nice medium. Son of a bitch chef cooked it medium rare, and I will say was not at all that. A little too much pink for me, but I didn't wanna be that guy, plus I have see the movie 'Waiting...' too many times. The place was very busy and the bar was full. There is some sort of seating at the bar but didn't bother checking it out. We were too full for desert and we left it at that. Took a little while for the server to come back, figure with the wait we would of been rushed out of there. I saw a server there I met at a Stir! even last fall. Pretty sure she told me she was a teacher. Second job perhaps, or full of shit. If your a steak guy this place is for you. I might go back, I enjoyed it. Service was top notch and everything went good. Perhaps if you wanna screw over a former ex, take her there and stiff her with the bill.
(3)
Sonia E.

The steak is fantastic. Service is great. The waiter went out of his way to find out where exactly in Italy the wine we had ordered was from.
(4)
Suzee L.

Grill 23 is the kind of place where you take your dad for father's day, steak and potatoes, somewhat conservative, you know, old school style. I've been here a couple of times when I was in college a long time ago and my parents were visiting me from SoCal but I never really appreciated it like I am now. Glad it's still here.
(4)
Debra L.

When a place has been reviewed this many times, I pretty much think it's pointless for me to review it. Everyone knows if you go here you will have one of the best (if not the best) steaks you can get in Boston. Everyone (or at least everyone who is bold enough to try it) knows that the side of Macaroni & Cheese is the equivalent of sex in a ramekin. Everyone knows you could make a meal out of the bread basket it's so amazing. The wine list is ridiculous (in a good way) and there are Bourbon's here that are so special they aren't even on the menu. Service is impeccable. Honestly, it's about as good as it gets. What everyone DOESN'T know is how much fun Grill 23 is for New Year's Eve dinner! There was a live band and dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. A night out with good friends for a fabulous, bank-breaking meal is always pretty special. But, throw in the New Year's Eve celebratory vibe and atmosphere on top of incredible food and it's an absolute win! Make your reservation early and start saving your pennies now.
(5)
Melissa F.

I went to Grill 23 for a pharmaceutical dinner after work and I was so impressed. It had been on my list of restaurants to try for quite some time. The place itself is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't see much downstairs, but there was a bar and it seemed like the more casual part of the restaurant to grab some apps or drinks. We went upstairs and I was surprised how big the place was. I also loved the large windows even though it was a rainy night when I went. The dining area was beautiful and sectioned off so it wasn't one big space. We kept walking and ended up sitting in the Wine Room (I was very happy) Since it was a private event we didn't have the whole menu to order from, but it was pretty damn close. I started with the Crisp Native Calamari ($14). It was lightly breaded, crispy and not greasy at all. I would have had the whole thing if I wasn't also going to eat steak and dessert. For my main course I had the 10oz Filet Mignon ($48) with sauteed spinach and mushrooms with pesto. I don't even like mushrooms but it all them all! The filet was cooked to perfection just how I asked for it. I was already pretty full from all that food but since dessert was included I said why not. Ordered the Chocolate Layer cake ($11) and had an omg moment. It was one of if not the best chocolate cake I have ever had, and they give you a huge piece! Everyone at the table was happy happy with what they ordered and I didn't hear any complaints. This is definitely towards the top of my best restaurants list and I hope to return soon. It is pricey, yes, but unlike some other expensive places, it's so worth it to come here
(5)
Deniz H.

One of my favorite steakhouses in Boston. Great food.
(4)
Matt F.

I'm hoping to make a return visit to Boston, so I can re-rate this to a higher level. I honestly think my experience was average, only because of what I ordered, but we'll get to that ... Had reservations for a Saturday night after a late afternoon Yankees/Red Sox game, so it was a packed house. Arrived about 20 minutes early to grab a drink at the bar. Bartender was very friendly and engaging. While sitting at the bar, noticed it was a very open and well-lit restaurant, unlike some of the other steakhouses in town (Abe & Louie's, Flemings, Smith & Wollensky, etc.). However, when we were taken to our table on the 2nd floor, it then fit the mold of the aforementioned steakhouses, with a much darker atmosphere. Took a minute for the waiter to arrive at our table, but we didn't have to flag him down or anything. Ordered the clam chowder and lobster tail as an appetizer. The clam chowder had wayyy too much bacon flavor to it, and I couldn't even finish it. Of the 3 or 4 clam chowders I had all weekend, this was the most disapointing. The lobster tail was ... well, a lobster tail, so it was tasty, but nothing to write home about. For my entree, I ordered the lamb (med rare) and a side of their special Grill 23 tots. The lamb seemed cooked to perfection when I cut into it, but it was wayyyy too charred, and I did not enjoy it at all. The Grill 23 tots, however, were the best part of the entire meal ... next time I might just order these as my entree! The flavor is indescribable ... it's crispy/salty texture on the outside and moist potato-ey interior are perfected by the folks at Grill 23. Finally, capped the night off with a hot fudge sundae, which was amazing. The hot fudge sauce came in it's own little "gravy boat", so you could pour as much as you wanted to on the ice cream. The thing I remember most about this dessert is the nuts, which gave each bite a little crunch. In summary, I would definitely return to Grill 23, only to give them another shot at a better rating. Next time, however, I would skip out on the clam chowder and order a ribeye instead of the lamb.
(3)
Jayde D.

Oh my gosh this is the best restaurant I've ever been to in my entire life! I took my boyfriend there for his birthday dinner and boy of boy we highly enjoyed the drinks, bread, dinner and cake. Our servers was Bryan he was very helpful at recommending different entrees he never made us feel rushed he was perfect! He gave us his business card so we hope the next time we go he's our waiter!
(5)
stephanie b.

it is 4 stars on flavor, but 3 on part of the service. We showed up early and were seated immediately, it was this past Sunday night so I'm assuming most restaurants were slow that night. Appetizers were good - I got the crab cocktail which I did not expect to come with some mayo and spices and no sauce. What I received I would have called crab salad regardless of the beautiful presentation. My husband and our business companion received almost exactly what they expected and all flavors, including mine, were fantastic. After eating fish all weekend we all went with steak which was cooked perfection for each of us regardless of cut. My only issue was that I do not eat a lot of oil and absolutely no butter - it makes me sick. The server OFFERED to steam the cauliflower for me versus the roasting and sauce covered side on the menu. I was so happy and thankful until the cauliflower arrived. It was drenched in butter and even though I could see it, I tasted it just in case I was wrong - a girl can wish right? No such luck. I didn't complain because we had the beets but really, in a place of this caliber, don't offer if you can't deliver. Dessert was a cheese plate that was divine and our companion got the sorbet which he adored. I wouldn't go back as a couple due to the lack of ability to follow through on their offer to customize food, they didn't have a great chardonnay and for having so many open tables we were in a tight spot. For business this is a good place to take clients/customers without food restrictions. The specialty is steak so stick with that!
(4)
Ellen H.

Grill 23 smells like old money, in a good way. Good service from entrance to exit. Superb mojitos - just strong enough without being too much. Seats upstairs were SO uncomfortable. They put the "old" in my previous "old money" statement. Service at the table was really great - lots of attention without being overbearing. Menu choices were as expected, same with the prices. Potatoes were off the charts; even the breadbasket was good. I find that everything at Grill 23 is what you'd expect from a restaurant with this reputation. It's not super-cool, or unique in a way that makes you make it a repeat destination, but for a date or a special occasion it's a perfect spot.
(4)
Beth M.

This is the place I like to go with my parents when they visit. The drinks are delicious and VERY strong. But most importantly this is the first place I had steak tartare. It is delicious.
(5)
Brian M.

Mains for 2 out of 4 were 10 minutes late
(2)
Joseph C.

Abe and Louie's, Morton's, Flemming's, and Moo can't hold this places jock strap. Service impeccable. Very nice if you are with a party of 4 or more you have numerous waitstaff assisting you. Great place for a romantic dinner or a business outing. You owe it to yourself to try it and I recommend the Aged NY Strip. Can't beat it.
(5)
Isabel A.

Excellent. Extensive wine selection, ceviche & 10oz filet was out of this world, good service. Expensive but worth it
(5)
Greg L.

Definitely expected more. The service was absolutely amazing but our steaks were unbelievably salty - couldn't even finish half of it. Dessert was great, as were the sides. 3 stars since it is a steakhouse and the steak was just ok. Will go back, maybe just an off night.
(3)
Julie F.

Overrated ! I heard so many positive things about this restaurant that I was very excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, what I got was a rude host and waiter, a too noisy atmosphere, an average at best crabcake appetizer, and a NY Strip that was decent--but for the price they charge, it should be amazing. I was disappointed to say the least. This place is average at best and no better than an Abe & Louie's/Morton's.
(2)
Julie C.

Had a pretty fabulous meal here on a very quiet Sunday evening. The dining room upstairs was bare except for a few patrons and the bar and maybe 2 tables with patrons. We had no one around us and it was like sharing a meal in our home. very romantic, if that's the mood you are looking for. We were seated upstairs in the corner by the window next to the fireplace but I don't think it was on, not sure if its even a real one. Service was great and attentive and came over to us just enough that it wasn't annoying. Since the dry aged steak was awesome last time, thats what both of us ordered. Yum! it was cooked to our preference, though my steak was a little more rare than I prefer in some parts but overall, it was excellent. The mashed potatoes and asparagus sides we ordered accompanied the steaks well. To start, we ordered the tuna tartare which was delicious. Really melts in your mouth, though I wish they gave us more crackers but we were able to pair with with some things int he bread basket. They have a pretty nice $23 bottle wine list for Sunday & Monday dining only. this was an awesome deal for us. We had a really nice Zinfandel that had a nice peppery finish. It went really well with our meal. You have to save room for dessert. The caramel profiteroles is divine. the coffee ice cream and candied almonds=yum! It was the perfect ending to our meal. Grill 23 is excellent and I would highly recommend it for that special occasion or if you are just in the mood for a nice steak meal.
(5)
Champagne C.

I should be more specific...our server knew his wines and cocktails very well. He was courteous and friendly without being intrusive. He was attentive and available. Appetizers - 1 order of local oysters with 2 different "cocktail" sauces (from the Cape but, sorry, I can't remember where) and a shrimp cocktail. Both were very fresh and bright. I had the tenderloin with port and gorgonzola reduction. Cooked and served perfectly with accompaniments. We cleaned our plates!
(5)
Smedley B.

Had dinner there again last night. We sat at the bar. As usual, everything was perfect. The service from the bartender was impeccable, as it is anywhere you sit. The home made, complimentary chips, the best bread basket in Boston, the perfectly cooked food and the expertly mixed cocktails. Yes, it's pricey, but this place ALWAYS proves the adage that 'you get what you pay for'. Grill 23 has never let me down.
(5)
R and K B.

I really meant to give 3.5 stars. I took R here for his birthday (old man, hehe) and It is quite a treat to dine at a real deal steakhouse so I was quite excited when R chose this as his birthday dinner. The food was excellent. I ordered the dry-aged ribeye and pretty much devoured the entire thing. It has tons of flavor and was cooked exactly the way I wanted. As my side I had ordered mushrooms, but our server (who ruined our grill 23 experience) instead brought out mashed potatoes. It was weird since he clearly didn't listen to my order, but I wasn't upset because as soon as the potatoes were put on the table, I realized I actually wanted them instead of mushrooms! R ordered grill 23's surf and turf dish and also cleaned the plate. We split the wedge salad which was average and over-priced and we also split goat cheese croquettes as appetizers. The croquettes were perfectly made, very yummy, warm and gooey and tasteful although a third and dare i say even a fourth would have been nice as the dish only came with two rather small ones. For dessert we ordered the milk chocolate cheesecake which was tasty, but I think the cheesecake factory could have done the exact same cheesecake. Not to mention it was served a tad frozen which made it tough to fork. Cheescake of that nature needs to be served a bit closer to room temp and not straight out of the freezer. We loved our meals, but the service (which is contrary to what most yelpers have said about this place and why I'm dissapointed) was pretty crappy. Our waiter has absolutely no personality what-so-ever. He barely spoke and barely even made eye contact with either of us. Don't get me wrong, the service was very prompt, but geez, make me feel welcome in your restaurant! When our server did speak he was also barely audible and it was a freaking Monday night, so not very loud in the restaurant at all! We also were seated in a crappy area, next to two ladies who were on their Blackberry's the entire time and kept swearing. I mean I curse with the best of them, but it was a bit over-done with these two. I suppose we could have asked to be seated somewhere else, but our server may have bit my head off! Plus I didn't feel like being a snobby brat! Overall, I would definitely dine here again, but hope for a better server next time! oh, and bring your checkbook. 2 person meal with desert and wine will easily run in the 150-200$ range.
(4)
Jason B.

Best Steak other than the $100 Kobe Filet @ the Oak Room! Great bar and ambiance as well!
(5)
Chris F.

My buddy and I absolutely killed it here. We had $500 to blow on a dinner. Long story. Anyway, we got martinis, tartare, oysters, kobe filet, truffle tots, great bottle of wine, some johnnie blue and scotch. And some dessert I can't remember. Best place in Boston to blow damn near $500. No doubt.
(5)
Jonathan H.

Have to drop the score again unfortunately. I've been back 3 times since my last review and my steaks have still been consistently overcooked (for those counting, that makes 5 times in a row). And the last time we received absolutely horrible service. We showed up early for our reservation and had to wait far too long for our table. Once we were seated, we waited 10 minutes for bread and another 10 minutes before someone took our order (clearly in a hurry). Overall a very unpleasant dining experience and makes me wonder why I keep going back.
(2)
Marc A.

I apologize for taking so long to follow up on this review. After a little apprehension about accepting the GMs offer to re-do our experience with his establishment. my friends and I tried it again. Completely improved experience. The GM personally sat us and offered his direct service . Thereafter, our server was spectacular. He was friendly, polite, professional, thorough, attentive (I could go on but you get the idea.) We assumed the offer to return as complimentary guests would include dinner equivalent to that which we ordered the first time around and thought that was more than fair. We actually all ordered the same thing as the first visit because those were our preferred dishes (hence ordering them initially). The GM included additions and upgrades we hadn't requested and provided suggestions that enhanced our experience tenfold. We ordered our preferred wine and spirits. The food was phenomenal as it had been the first time. This time around the service was phenomenal, as well. To our pleasant surprise,when the check came the GM had taken care of our entire experience. We left a generous tip to our server and left 100% satisified. I have been back several times since without any of the staff being aware of my first two experiences or yelps and received the same primo service which assures me this five star treatment is more the norm than my first experience. I highly recommend Grill 23.
(5)
Josh R.

Simply put, this is the best steak I've had in Boston! I've been there only twice but both my meals were amazing. I'd suggest going easy on the appetizers because the steak is already plenty in itself and the sides are both tasty and plentiful. I give a bonus point for both our waiters who were very helpful with the (rather long) wine list. Let's face it, this place is pricy, but the way I see it you're paying the assurance of an amazing steak and a full stomach. In my opinion, the huge weakness of this place is the acoustic of its main room. Hence only 4 stars... When I went there on a busy night with my parents we literally had to scream to hear each other, and we got out with a slight headache. If you've got a strong voice (and a solid stomach), you're all set!
(4)
Stephanie A.

Horrible service not by server, but from kitchen quality and management. First steak WAY over cooked, second one WAY under cooked. On a date, so the guy was so polite to try and wait and all of our other food went cold. Management did ZERO except offer more food we didn't need. I will never come here again. Btw, I eat Mastros, Ruth Chris, Capital Grille, and this place is BAD service.
(1)
Sarah C.

I cannot believe I didn't write a review after my first experience! I went to update it after my second trip and...nothing to update! Well, here you go... I've eaten at only a select few steakhouses in the area (Smith + Wollensky, Mooo, maybe a couple others) and this is hands down my favorite. Coming from a friend who has probably eaten at them all multiple times, and previously called Fleming's his favorite, Grill 23 has now usurped that spot as he says it's by far the best steak he's had in Boston. Here's the deal, though. While Grill 23 gets an A+ for the food - both choices and quality - they get an A+++ for service. This is THE BEST SERVICE I have had at any restaurant in my life - and I've eaten at some high end places, probably the most being Le Bernardin, and still this place tops it. They make you feel at home, while treating you like a King/Queen. They monitor your table carefully and make sure you have everything you need, without making you feel like they are stalking you. They are courteous, friendly, well trained, and knowledgable. Ugh I wish I could remember our most recent server's name so I could give him a shout out, but alas... For those who say it's noisy, they've likely sat on the lower level. It's definitely more congested and the acoustics aren't as nice (in terms of maintaining quiet) as upstairs - upstairs is a little more secluded, romantic - so make sure you specify when you make a reservation if it matters to you. The food is just - just - so, so, so good. The bread basket is a plethora of options, while the drink list is sure to please (though beware, if you think it might be too sweet, it likely will be). The sides are huge and awesome (creamed spinach, onion strings, beets, etc) and the steaks - oh the steaks. They know how to cook 'em too, as they should! My favorite was that after each person specified how they wanted it cooked, our server took a moment to confirm that we knew what the restaurant took that to mean, so there would be no confusion if someone ordered medium and it wasn't as pink or as done as they wanted. I could go on - I can't say enough about this place - I might actually call soon to find out our server's name and tell his boss how great he was. GO!
(5)
Sasha B.

I have been to many NYC steak houses and Grill 23 ranks with all of them. The seafood is great - raw bar or for an entree. Great wine list, great service, good bar scene.
(5)
Tom A.

Let me start by saying save you money and go to a chain steakhouse..the food would be better and you'll save a ton of money. Having recently been to other very high quality steakhouses that I can compare to this one I was really shocked how bad this place is. I don't even know where to begin so I'll break down each of the courses.. Appetizer- Shrimp Cocktail $19 and crab cake $24. We ordered the shrimp cocktail which consisted of 4 small rock hard shrimp served on a huge bed of ice. The cocktail sauce wasn't fresh and tasted like it was out of a bottle from the supermarket. The crab cake was terribly salty and wasn't fresh either, you could tell it was defrosted. Both were just bad and there was no excuse for serving frozen crab cake.. Mains- 100 day aged Ribeye approx $49 & skirt steak $29. I'm just going to say this..the Ribeye was a piece of meat from your run of the mill supermarket. There was no way this was aged more then a day... It wasn't even cooked to our preference. How a steakhouse that states they are one of the best can't even cook to your requested temperature is beyond me. As for the skirt steak ..well I should say the steak I had with my french fries because there was a tiny piece of meat and more then 3 quarters of the plate was french fries. The skirt steak itself had no flavor besides the butter they drowned it in. A skirt steak is one of the most flavorful steaks there is how this one had no flavor raised an eyebrow. Dessert- Didn't bother to stay for that...really why would we? Service- Our waiter was very well informed..it was a shame what he described wasn't served. I did make mention to the poor food to the manager who said the next time I'm in town to email him and he'd make sure he would correct the experience. So basically he did nothing for us..why would I come back after having such a bad dinning experience, because I won't. Folks there are other much better steakhouses right around the corner from Grill 23...try those establishments and avoid this one at all costs.
(1)
Tom G.

Edit: Received an email from another Yelper (with a mysteriously low number of reviews who took my review very, very personally...) accusing me of lying in my review and stating that Grill 23 has not one, but three sommeliers on staff. Well, I asked my server and he stated no sommelier was available and certainly no one came over at any point during the meal to ask about the wine I selected. That said, the food still wasn't cooked properly, no sommelier was made available, the server wasn't great, and I've been to many steakhouses that do what G23 tried to do, but much better. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------------------------------------ Very...meh. Sides are below par, even by steakhouse standards. Steaks are fine but my medium rare came medium. My girlfriend's medium came medium rare, bordering on rare. The cocktails were fine. Not the best example of a Negroni but passable. Truffled tots were what I expected: fried tater tots doused in truffle oil. Publick House does truffle + potato better at half the price. Would only return on the corporate Amex.
(3)
Jennifer S.

I was craving a nice steak for awhile and hadn't had the chance to go to a steakhouse in awhile so I was really really looking forward to this meal. Bf and I had pretty high expectations with the good reviews on yelp and zagat. However, our friend warned us that this place was mediocre but we decided to give it a chance anyways. We should've listened... the meal overall was very disappointing. The 100 day aged ribeye was initially pretty good. The filet mignon was ok. The biggest issue was that the dining room was very cold so our steaks got cold half way through the meal. We also ordered some sides. Hash browns seem to have really good reviews here but maybe the kitchen was having a bad day, it really wasn't anything special. Just ordinary hash browns you can get at any diner. The downfall was that the sides came out already cold. Our waitress was very nice but spending a lot of $$ we expect more than good service. I'd like a really good steak as well but unfortunately, we didn't get that here.
(3)
Chad T.

Supposedly this is the best steak house in Boston. I live in NYC and I'm just coming from a trip to Iowa, so steak has a pretty high bar to clear at the moment. I would not go so far as to say that this is the best steakhouse I've ever been to. In fact, first impressions were not so great. It drives me crazy when fancy restaurants have a bar area but nobody serving up cocktails. You gotta push your way to the crowded bar to get your order in. And to top it off their beer selection stinks... how can you be in Boston and not even have Sam Adams? -1 for the bar. Honestly I'd probably give this place 4 stars based on the experience and the quality of the steak. Don't get me wrong, the steak was solid, but like I said the bar is high and I wouldn't call it "out of this world". HOWEVER. Dessert saved the day. They have a plate of warm-gooey-chocolate cookies with "vanilla-infused milk for dipping". I love when restaurants taking something simple that mom used to make and then make it something worthy of a fancy restaurant. Extremely good. It's worth going here just for the cookies, if you're looking to take a date somewhere for dessert. Trust me on this. 5-stars.
(5)
Opinion B.

Ordered steak medium. Came rare. Waited and watched my buddy eat for about ten minutes before my steak came back. Bunk. When high end steak joints do this, they should offer some sort of compensation: half off, dessert, drink ect. I got nothing. But what really sucks is there 200%+ wine mark up. Never again. Jesse James used a gun...
(2)
Brian W.

Well, this was surprising. I've heard amazing things about Grill 23 and it wasn't exactly easy to get a reservation when I wanted to either. Cliff notes: Their steak is the best in the city of Boston but the service was seriously lacking for the price. I decided to celebrate my anniversary with my wife (then fiancee) at what someone described as the "best steak" he had in Boston. He was right. My steak was excellent and much better than what I've had in this city so far. It's not Mastro's in Beverly Hills, CA, but it's a little hard to visit LA these days. The problem we had with our visit is Grill 23 employs some of the snobbiest, and rudest people I've dealt with at a restaurant. Unless Asians aren't welcomed (we were the only ones there that night), there was no reason to treat me and my wife any differently from the other customers that night. First let's start with the pair hostesses. I arrived 5 mins before our reservation and let them know we arrived. The brunette glanced at me quickly with annoyance, told me OK and to wait on the side. Right then, I knew this would be fun. In my line of work, attitude and customer service is part of what makes you successful and gains repeat customers. Obviously, Grill 23 workers could care less as it didn't stop with just the first hostess. About 25 mins later, I politely checked with the second hostess to see what was taking so long as we saw countless others check in and be seated quickly. The second girl snapped "We're busy tonight" and just looked away. Wow, a simple "I'm sorry for the wait, but we're trying to attain a table for you soon" would have sufficed. It's not like I was rude or I dressed like a bum either. My wife is beautiful and I was better dressed than most of the other customers. I can't imagine how they would have treated me if I wasn't wearing my nicely fitted E.Zegna suit and Ferragamos... About 35 mins after our reservation, we were finally seated at a table right next to the bathroom. Great. Each time someone passed me to visit the toilet, I would have to lean over a little just not to get bumped. They were probably so busy, they put up extra tables wherever they could, hoping the inspectors wouldn't pop their heads in to close the restaurant down for being overly crowded and creating fire hazards. Now to the waiter. He was impatient for the most part. Never smiled and my wife said "He treated us like peasants." Since it was our first visit, he suggested some things and we decided to take his advice on the appetizers. We had the shrimp cocktail and calamari, which were both good, but not amazing. The shrimp was very fresh and I would order it again if I came back. The fried calamari could be had elsewhere in Boston for much cheaper and most likely taste better. I had the bone-in ribeye (rare) and my wife had the filet mignon (medium rare). Both were very good and that's the saving grace for this restaurant. If the experience was great, I probably would have gone on about how great the steaks were. But food just doesn't taste the same when you're in a bad mood, am I right? Dessert consisted of their hot fudge sundae which was good as well. In all honesty, I kept postponing this review since I really do think they have good food. I didn't want to give them a 1 star because of the bad service we received that night. Way too many reviewers do that today and good businesses can suffer from those reviews, regardless of the quality of the product/service. I started with a 5 star rating because their food was that good. I deducted 2 stars because their service was that bad. I feel that is being fair and the restaurant shouldn't be penalized because of 3 terrible employees. Employees come and go and as long as the food is good, there is hope that others will give this place a 5 star review. Again, maybe everyone I dealt with was having a really bad day and my next visit will be amazing. That is, if I ever decide to go back again...
(3)
Michael C.

One of the best steak houses in Boston. Don't be fooled by the seafood on the menu, the beef is the main attraction. I ordered the 100 Day rib eye medium rare minus, which was cooked to perfection. Probably the best steak I've ever had. Atmosphere is more suitable for a business dinner or maybe that was because we went during the week. Prices are expensive, but when someone else is paying this place is tough to beat. I'm not sure that I'd be back if I had to pay as you are looking at $150 per person with drinks. If you are coming here, you probably know the prices.
(5)
John H.

Top notch steak house! The dont care who or how you are dressed. My wife and I always have issues going to a fancy restaurant because we look young, but not here. Our waiter (Rob Hall) was courteous and gracious. Try the dry aged steak!
(5)
Travis D.

Three words ... "Kobe Cap Steak". I'm a meat eater; much to my wife's dismay at times, I really don't enjoy seafood, so I frequent a number of the Boston-area steakhouses often. Grill 23 has always been a top 3 favorite of mine, but this past Saturday, while my wife surprised me for a weekend get-away in the city, we had dinner here and tried the Kobe Cap Steak for the first time. What was I thinking not having this plate sooner??!!??!? The $10+ premium over many of the other dishes was worth it. Simply the best steak I've had in at least 10 years. You must try it. My wife ordered the same thing and she too was gushing over this dish. Everyone else's reviews covers this place quite well and I could say more, but why bother - if you've resigned yourself to going to Grill 23 (which I highly recommend anyway), get the Kobe Cap ... you will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Kitty C.

My top 3 places for steak, the parking and ambiance is only okay but the food is amazing. Fire grilled with a slight charring for the smoky perfection of medium rare.
(5)
Jason B.

There is nothing negative I can say about this place, except the name. "Grill 23" just doesn't do it justice. If they renamed it "Fort Awesome" it might be closer to describing what goes on in here. My better half took me here for my birthday, we arrived seperately on a stormy Friday. When I ducked in out of the rain, a nice girl took my umbrella and checked it for me, leaving me free to go and get a scotch at the beautiful hard wood bar. Along the way I noticed the vaulted ceilings, the mediterranean frescoes on the alabaster walls, the immaculate placesettings, the effortless flow of servers through the house...I knew I was in for a treat. Scotch at the bar, warming my insides while my outsides dried...nothing better. We sat, and were breaded and watered immediately; our different waiters brought us different things. Specials were recommended, wines were paired with foods, the whole process was just effortless. The food was unimaginably good. I had a NY Strip, which was tender, flavorful...think of any cliche that's been used to describe a good steak, this was it. The sides were a great compliment: caramelized onions, bleu cheese mashed potatoes, broccoli au gratin...It was mah birfday so calories and fat be damned. I wish I could tell you what my girlfriend ordered, but I can't. I just don't recall because I was so goddamn interested in my food. Dessert was a lovely slice marscapone cheesecake. They even brought a little candle and sang a very quiet happy birthday, which usually I hate, but I couldn't bring myself to hate anything after a meal like that. If you like steak, and you want a great one, there are plenty of places in Boston to go. Try them all, but be assured, you're going to have a hard time finding a better one than Fort Awesome...er...Grill 23.
(5)
Anna H.

If I were just judging on the food, it would be five stars. I had the sea scallops and pumpkin glazed gnocchi, which was fantastic. My grandfather had the steak with the fries. They weren't skimpy with the fries, and they were skinny and crispy and wonderful. My grandfather said it was one of the best steaks he had ever had. My big complaint, though, was how noisy it was. Conversation was strained because everyone had to talk so loudly. Maybe if we had been seated upstairs, it would have been different. But be prepared for a very loud setting if you eat here.
(4)
Matthew D.

By far my favorite steakhouse around!! I've been here on many occasions and have nothing but exceptional things to say of this restaurant. I'm a firm believer that every steak I've ordered rom here has been more than worth the cost of of the meal. With that being said, once I've finished my meal at this restaurant I am already looking forward to the next time I will be here to enjoy another meal. The first time I went here I ordered the Filet Mignon and thought it was great. I found it comparable to the Filet's that I had at the Capital Grille, Morton's, etc. I thought it lived up to what a good Filet was supposed to be. After going here a couple of times I really wanted to try a new cut. So I ended up trying the "New York Strip". I thought it was another good steak, but I did not feel it really had the flavor I was looking for. Next time i tried the dry aged NY Strip, and this is where I was really impressed. All arguments aside about Aged & Dry Aged having no real differences, this Dry Aged Sirloin is forever the steak I will order from here. That's where I stand on the steaks. Regarding the appetizers and side dishes those I wouldn't complain about either. The chowder was great, I'm particular to a lot of potatoes in the chowder, so I got lucky and had plenty of them. I also had a fried calamari appetizer that was flavored very well. I couldn't get enough of it. For side dishes, I'm usually with a few picky eaters so I generally have to keep it simple. Mashed potatoes are good. Their tobacco onions are good. Hash browns are good, and the asparagus was just as most asparagus is. Aside from the food on the menu, the wine menu was pretty large. Most bottles were pretty pricey, with fewer that were on the low end range. I think each bottle I've ordered from here was around $80.00. Which nobody really wants to spend on a bottle when you know the actual cost of the wine, but whatever. Another nice thing to share is that if you do spill something the staff gets right on it. My younger brother accidentally knocked over a bottle and 4 people came out of the woodwork and cleaned the table, changed the linens, and cleaned his clothing of any stains from the wine. Besides that the servers are very knowledgeable about what they are selling/serving to customers. On top of all those good things, here is yet another positive experience about this restaurant. A friend that dines at this restaurant maybe 10 times a year had gone for dinner with his family one night. They ordered the foods they usually order and ate everything without any big issues. When asked how the meal was, he stated that he thought compared to most of his experience at the restaurant it wasn't as good. The server apologized and shortly after the manager came over and said that the entire meal was on the house this evening, and he apologized as well. My friend had no intention of trying to get his meal comped, and didn't want the server to feel that way either so he ended up tipping the server what the cost of the meal would have been plus what he would have tipped. To me, it shows they do care about pleasing their guests, and that is huge to me. This isn't really a downside, but to me I think if you're looking for a quieter romantic environment I don't really consider this the restaurant for that. I'm not saying it isn't romantic, but some other restaurants in the city would be better choices for that.
(5)
Madison S.

The Bad: They do not appreciate loyalty. On a few of the many occasions I have gone there I have received rude and unapologetic behavior from the staff. The Good: It's just really good.
(4)
Cat M.

I went to Grill 23 for a business dinner in the private wine room. Before the dinner, our group had a comfortable spot by the bar where everyone could mingle but we were crowded enough that no one could be left out. The private room was the perfect decor and ambiance for a meeting of financial professionals. We had three dedicated servers for our group of 20, and they did a fantastic job keeping the food and bev moving without disturbing the presentation. They put together a menu for us with 5-ish choices for an appetizer, entree, and three choices for dessert. I had the market lettuce and herb salad, which wasn't that special except for the scoop of chevre on top. Yum. I abandoned my vegetarianism for the French Onion Steak Au Poivre and IT WAS WORTH IT. So flavorful and moist and spicy. The accompanying bread salad soaked up all the juices from the meat and caramelized onions. So so so good. Dessert was the only disappointment. I had the chocolate layer cake and felt that something about it was off. I wish I could put my finger on it but it just didn't taste as chocolaty as I expected. Grill 23 is a good choice for corporate events, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and anything else where you need a private room.
(4)
S K.

I've been a regular at Grill 23 for years and I would have to say that my experience at dinner during my past visit was definitely one of my worst. The cocktails were excellent and the shellfish platter was amazing. My dry aged NY sirloin was overcooked and doused in salt. My friends' bone-in ribeye was a better choice. The place was super busy and so from the moment I stepped in the door to the minute I ordered dessert, I definitely felt rushed. Now, being a loyal customer for years and having dropped at least $300 each time I've visited, I find this unacceptable. I hadn't even had a sip of my coffee and I was asked for my valet ticket. When I go out to eat at Grill 23, I expect to have a great experience, being wined and dined. This time, however, was more of a disappointment. I have to say that this past experience has put into question whether I will be returning or not. Perhaps another restaurant will value my $300 tab? I
(2)
Liz C.

Took my boyfriend here for a special birthday dinner. I will say that the food was delicious. Despite this being a steakhouse, I wasn't really in the mood for steak. I decided to chance the chicken and risotto and it was amazing! We had the tuna tartar for an appetizer and this was also fantastic. My boyfriend ordered the beef tenderloin and was quite pleased. Extensive wine list and delicious cocktails! Now to the negatives...they asked me if I wanted a quiet romantic table with a candle. Unfortunately this was not the case when we arrived as we sat in a corner close to the bar and kitchen. In addition to this disappointment, the leather seat cushions were filled with stains, yuck! At a nice restaurant like this, couldn't they at least invest in cleaning the seats?! Overall, OK experience, but likely won't return.
(3)
Michelle B.

Four stars is for food and service but the atmosphere was kind of off-putting to me so it loses a star there. A group of 9 of us went out for my friend's birthday on NYE. The staff was absolutely great, particularly since the birthday girl was a little tipsy. Our waiter, Tim, was helpful with the menu, with handling my friend's constant whispers of "Tim... Tim... TIM!" when she wanted something, and with keeping our meal moving. We were going to a party after dinner, so I didn't want to order a ginormous steak. Instead, a friend and I shared the pork belly (omg delicious), the tartare (pretty good; the herbed ricotta and fresh english muffins made this) and the crab cakes (too much filler, weird cold potatoes beneath the cakes). This was still a pretty big amount of food, and it was all good to excellent. I tried some of the Kobe cap steak and it was the best steak I've ever had. It was, however, slightly too salty on the crust for me. But the meltingly perfect rare made up for it. The whole set up kinda kills me though; we were in a huge booth (which, ps, restaurateurs: booths where everyone has to get up to let people from the middle get up is a bad idea) and right next to our booth - sitting close enough to literally rub elbows with one of my friends, is a tiny table for two. We were way too close to other parties and it took away from some of the enjoyment of the evening when I can hear these random people on my left side better than I can hear my friends across the table.
(4)
Will S.

I've been in Boston for close to 5 years now, and ever since year 1 Grill 23 has been my go to for a nice steak dinner. From an atmosphere standpoint, it's very versatile. The downstairs area is great for a guys night--very lively ambiance. The upstairs area is a little bit quieter and ideal for a date or a dinner with parents when they come to town. The food is awesome--I always get the ribeye (no bone) or the dry aged New York Strip, both of which are delicious and always cooked to my liking (medium rare). The sides are great as well--I recommend the tobacco onions and bleu cheese mashed potatoes. The seafood tower is also solid if you have a big group. The bar does a great job as well. The drinks are top notch. I'm not much of a wine drinker, so I can't really comment on the wine list. The service staff is also very pleasant and highly knowledgable. All in all, it's a great experience and my favorite spot for steak in Boston. I will advise, however, if you prefer a very quiet, low-key meal go elsewhere because it can get loud in there. The atmosphere is one of the things I really like about it but it's not for everyone.
(5)
Patrick B.

Grill 23 is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston has been for years because of its consistency. Everything on the menu is exceptional. Great steaks! This place is always busy, always fresh. A must go if in Boston! Service is always excellent cant think of a complaint.
(4)
Emily F.

Best steak ever ? Possibly; it was really good. Sides were so-so; we had carrots, broccoli au gratin, and hash browns. My steak was "rare +", so not black and blue, instead warmed a little in center, yum yum. The problem was the staff. Though the bar staff and host seemed pleasant, we suffered 2 waiters that were both impatient jerks. If I'm going to pay $150 for dinner, I should feel I can sit and enjoy it, and not be rushed! It was insulting. I think the first waiter sensed our annoyance and waited a long time before sending his buddy over instead. Will I go back? Only if I'm not paying and I'm guaranteed a new server.
(2)
J R.

I went for restaurant week... and with restaurant week the quality goes down? Definitely, the cheapest cut of meat and chicken... Still $55 bucks for a meal. Nice, but not fancy.
(3)
Matt C.

From a purely steak standpoint, I'm not sure you'll ever have a better piece of meat than Grill 23's dry-aged New York strip. I've never experienced more flavorful perfection on any cut of meat. It was, frankly, nothing short of magical. The fried goat cheese appetizer was spot-on. The array of sides was fantastic as well, especially the mushrooms and the asparagus. The desserts left something to be desired, but after finishing my steak I didn't want to ruin the taste in my mouth with dessert anyways. The service is excellent, as you would expect at one of Boston's finest dining establishments, and the decor just screams prestige and elegance. The wine list is expansive, and their cocktails are stiff. All things considered, a truly unforgettable meal.
(5)
Bethany M.

Classic a la carte steakhouse -- the sides were nice, the steaks were prime and therefore tasty (if somewhat under-seasoned). I did not care for the creamy sauce that they ladle over the steaks prior to service. Reminded me of thousand island dressing. The one sour note: the service. Took 20 minutes to get our drinks, and then another 20 minutes just to put our order in the with the waiter. Moreover, the waiter had no clue where the beef for the restaurant was sourced from -- "somewhere in California." Hmm, really? Unacceptable -- he should have been able to provide details re: the region, farm, diet, etc. for the cattle, especially at these prices. The lackluster service takes this review from a 4 to a 3; the quality of the food is very good, but the service not so much. UPDATE: good news -- a Grill 23 manager, Mr. Babb, got in touch re: our experience there on Saturday. We'll give Grill 23 another shot when we're in town. Hopefully this recent experience was a fluke.
(3)
Peter N.

Very poor showing. Worst seats in the house. Waiters contantly bumping the back of my seat. Had to duck to avoid serving trays flying overhead. Steak was ok, not super. Service, poor. Dinner for three $400. At the price point I expected much much better.
(2)
Maria C.

The atmosphere is nice and the food is good. I had the most amazing pot roast the first time I visited Grill 23, but this time around it wasn't on the menu so I had halibut w/wasabi peas. Not the best fish I've had, but I guess that's why it's a steak house. The steak frittes were not very good either, rather dry, but the steak tartar was amazing!
(4)
Katharine P.

If there's anything I love, it's a good steakhouse with a great wine list. The wine list here has a table of contents. Very cool in my book. The food? The service? Not so cool. We booked a table of 6 on Friday night to celebrate our friend's move out west for grad school. Our server was about as unenthusiastic as you could get, soft-voiced in a loud but beautiful restaurant. She didn't know the wine list very well and suggested two bottles of wine, a sparkling and a red, each priced under $50. The sparkling was wonderful but the red was average. Even more disappointing? The red wine, I know for a fact, retails for less than $15, so pricing it at $46 is uncalled for. In addition, two members of our group ordered standard rum & cokes, and the restaurant ran out of not one but TWO top-shelf rums. On a Friday night? Kiss of death. Onto the meals. Two members of our group ordered steak frites, and each one said that the frites were phenomenal but the steak was tough as shoe leather. One member enjoyed her scallops. One member said his steak was just "OK" and one member of our party said his steak was a little undercooked - he ordered it medium rare and the steak was just about mooing halfway in. My salmon was average, I've had better salmon at less expensive restaurants. We chose to split three sides: mac & cheese, broccoli gratin and mashed potatoes. I am sorry to report that the mashed potatoes were FROM A BOX!!! I don't mind spending that kind of money on mashed potatoes, but if I want mashed potatoes from a box, I can buy about 10 boxes for the price we paid! The broccoli and mac & cheese were also sub-par, like the chefs were using white Velveeta cheese back there instead of real cheese. The only good thing about this restaurant was the desserts. We ordered creme brulee, lemon-pistachio pound cake, peanut butter cheesecake, and chocolate cake. Each one was divine, and we all agreed that if we EVER come to this restaurant again, it would only be for wine and dessert. That being said, I don't think I'll ever come to this restaurant again. There are far too many better steakhouses in Boston to come to this one again - Abe & Louie's and KO Prime come to mind. If the bill had come to $250 instead of $500, I'd give this restaurant 10 stars happily. As it stands, this place gets 1 star, and I don't plan on ever heading back. I'm tired of restaurants sitting on their laurels.
(1)
Danielle H.

Ah the season has started for holiday parties! I came on Friday night with a large group from work. The reserved private dining room was on the 2nd floor, and it was a fantastic space for a group. Warm, spacious, and nicely lighted. First of all, I guess I should say that I didn't order steak at what is arguably the best steakhouse in Boston, but I wasn't in the mood for red meat so decided to go seafood. However, I will say that mostly everyone in my party had a steak and were raving about it. I got the yellowtail carpaccio to start, and it was everything raw seafood should be... super fresh and flavorful accompanied by an spicy avocado salad and some yummy sauce. For my entree, I had the seared tuna and again this was absolutely wonderful. The portion was just right, and the tuna was just delicious. I ended the night with apple cider sorbet....yummy. I finished every little morsel of each of my dishes, which I found to be all top-notch. The 4 $s for this place is right on, but you definitely get what you pay for at Grill 23!
(5)
Wendy C.

My favorite steak house in Boston. The bone-in-delmonico steak is my recommendation along with the truffle tater tots.
(5)
DJ R.

Very dissapointing food. Terrible side dishes. Ok steak but for what it costs it should of been GREAT! Much better food at Smith and Wollensky if you really want to pay a lot of money for steak. Also, more modern. This place is not keeping up w/the booming restaurant scene in Boston with either atmosphere or decor. Very good service though.
(2)
J S.

Incredibly.....................slow...............Â.......service................. For the kind of money they charge I expect top notch service, with someone within reach at any given time. Not the case, our experience was far from it. Our server was absent most of the evening. Food was ok but overpriced. My steak was slightly overcooked but I didn't bother to say anything because I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for another one. Menu was pretty limited in terms of sides and salads. Only one soup on the menu. We will not return.
(3)
Marikym T.

Where we were seated it was extremely loud. I felt that our seating was in such close proximity to the neighboring tables that I wasn't sure who I was having conversation with - my fiance, or the strangers next to me. I know it's a steakhouse... and the appropriate thing would have been to order a nice sirloin or something along those lines. However, I was in the mood for meatloaf... meatloaf and mac 'n' cheese that night. Those are the exact things I sampled, and it was good enough, and the carbs filled me up. I had a few bites of my fiance's steak, and it was good. However, I'm not a huge steak eater, so it all seemed to taste the same to me. The ambiance did nothing to help my mood as I felt a bit cramped like a sardine. However, I very much enjoyed my molton chocolate cake and Reisling! It is your standard upscale steakhouse - and the hype that surrounds it may need my reinvestigation:)
(3)
Stephanie R.

The service and food are excellent. The only thing I did not enjoy there was the Tuna tartar.
(4)
Justine C.

They have their every drink really cool and amazing. Can't explain but there's something about this place that I liked so much. Maybe the atmosphere and the music isn't so loud it's so smooth played by the dj.
(4)
Maggie M.

Told I had to try Grill 23 while in Boston. Food was good, as expected, but service sub par and atmosphere pretty lacking - just feel like you're thrown in a big overcrowded mess hall. Nothing blew my mind here, and lack of service was pretty big turn off. Think you'd do better in a Capital Grille or elsewhere.
(2)
Insun M.

Why do I always crave the heartiest foods when its past midnight? I'm writing this because I have the biggest craving for a grill 23 bone-in filet...not the petit cut..but the full portion. Hell yes. This place is absolutely my favorite place for meat. Hands down. Some people complain that their meat is too salty but I'm a salt over sugar kind of girl so I have no complaints. Out the the multiple times I've been here I have never left feeling less then 100% satisfied. Although it is on the pricey side (probably averages at least $5 a bite), it is money well spent! Apps: - crab cake: VERY SMALL. I like my crab cakes with large lumps of crab. Here they mash up the crab absolutely killing it. Skip it. - calamari: mediocre. There is no "wow" factor. I believe they no longer offer this... Entrees: - Bone in Filet Mignon: Phenomenal. Melts in your mouth. My #1 option. - Bone in delmonico: I go for this option when I don't think a filet will cut it. More flavor then the filet and not as "melt in your mouth" tender but it does the job. - Filet Mignon: 10oz of heaven. Don't order the "twin cut" because you'll regret it. - Dry Age New York: I got this because the waiter said it was his favorite. Its not my favorite. Perhaps my palette hasn't matured enough to handle a tougher cut of meat. Sides: - Mashed potato: Standard creamy potatoes. I prefer my mashed potatoes stiff while eating steak but no complaints. - Blue Mashed: If you like blue cheese opt for this instead of the standard mashed. Fantastic compliment to your steak, and not too overwhelming in the cheese. - Mushrooms: On the oily side but I need mushrooms no matter what with my steak. - Asparagus: Only got these once but they were too overcooked for me so never tried them again. - Mac n cheese: I always thought it was odd that steakhouses offered mac n cheese as a side but i goes well. I wish they offered lobster in it... The service here is exactly how I like my restaurant experiences. Attentive to my needs and no hovering over me and scowling if I choose to not order a drink or app for the night. My ONLY bad memory of here was when I was (not very nicely) asked for my ID on Valentines Day. I know I look young for my age but really? First time I've ever been ID'ed at any "nicer" restaurant in years. If he was polite about it then sure, I understand but his tone and body language put a damper on what was supposed to be a nice evening.
(5)
F A.

Came here for a birthday celebration for a steaklover. He ordered a rib eye and I ordered the pot roast. Pot roast was delicious, but very rich. Overall enjoyed the food and atmosphere.
(4)
Larry G.

Yannick, a manager, genuinely seemed to care, in the end, about my experience. The general manager, Jason, has reached out to me. I will refrain from writing Ken, Chris and Himmel Hospitality marketing/PR team. I hope our server does not take the fall for what issues arose during our entire experience with G23. The company, from my p.o.v., needs service training modeled on Del Frisco's or Mastro, company people passionate about their job, hospitality and the product. I will return solely due to the care, concern and empathy of Yannick (apologies if spelling error). I never even managed a cuisine review. Next time.
(2)
xw m.

I took my newly-wed friend and his wife, and my girlfriend here for a celebration dinner. The atmosphere and service was about whats expected for a top-tier steakhouse. The winelist is extensive and quite stellar. The reason why this place gets three and not four or five stars is because the steaks were not properly cooked. While they tasted great, they were not quite cooked to the level we had specified. They were slightly off. Anywhere else, that would get a pass, but at a steakhouse, it should be perfect every time. The desserts are awesome though. The layer chocolate cake was excessively delicious and extravagant. I'd still probably come here again to try some different cuts of steak and desserts, give them another chance.
(3)
Benjamin B.

I have a problem common to many Bostonians, I have friends who are not from, but currently live in New York. When these people come to Boston to visit me, I am often subjected to discussions centering around high finance, how unbelievably cheap Boston real estate is and restaurants whose names consist of only a single word (Tao, Maze, Nobu etc.). I find all of this nauseating. I love New York as much as the next guy, however restaurants are best judged by their constitution and not by the number of models or recipients of TARP funds who happen to dine there. On many occasions where I am charged with entertaining these people in my city, I will choose Grill 23 as the place to dine. Grill 23 has everything necessary to satisfy their high-risk mortgage derivative funded desires- 25-year-old Macallan, Kobe beef, 2lb lobsters, Magnums of Krug etc. All of these things leave New Yorkers terribly impressed and suddenly Boston returns to relevancy, separating itself (at least from a culinary perspective) from the likes of Tampa Bay, Indianapolis & Sacramento. For those of us whose means are a result of hard work in a field less apt to bring the global economy to its knees, Grill 23 is also a fantastic place for a meal. It is expensive; however expertly cooked, dry aged beef always is. The steaks are obviously the stars, but I would submit that the sides are equal in quality. Truffle tater tots, Tobacco onions, Mac & Cheese and Creamed spinach all rank amongst the best I have ever had any high-end steakhouse. The food in concert with excellent service, a great bar and a lively dining room make Grill 23 one of my all time favorite restaurants.
(5)
Jason G.

The Five stars I have given is based on food and service. Atmosphere is a toss-up. It depends where you are seated, but this is going to be the loudest steakhouse you've ever been in. It draws larger crowds to its' bars (one on the first floor, one on the second) than either Smith & Wollensky or Abe & Louie's. If that's your thing you will love it, if noise really bothers you (i.e., enough noise that you can't hear the person sitting across from you) then you will hate it here. Ignoring the noise, the food at Grill 23 is amazing. It is among the best 3, if not the top steak in the city. We were a party of 9. Two had the salmon and thought it was delicious; three had chicken and thought it was great. So there are options besides the steak if you have a non-red meat fan in your party. For those eating steak, the Porterhouse is cooked to perfection. It's full 24 ounces goes down easily. My girlfriend ordered the Bacon-wrapped Sirloin, and you could think there may be a couple pieces of bacon, but it was literally wrapped completely with bacon. It was as if the steak was a present wrapped inside (I guess you only get this outlook from being a big meat-eater). For sides, we had the asparagus (a little hard for my taste), the mushrooms, sauteed onions, mashed potato, and truffle tots. The tots were great and literally melted in your mouth. This is a must-try, but you might want earplugs!
(5)
Jeffrey L.

Grill 23 offers some great selections and the food is good however it's not up to par for the price and expectations. They like to charr their steaks no matter which way you order them but the service is outstanding. I see why people like it but the noisy atmosphere with the average food doesn't do it for me. I still prefer capital grills delmonico.
(3)
Nelson C.

Decent place but sometimes the wait is crazy! I have also had some bad service in here. I think it isn't bad once in a while but not a place I would go to on a regular basis.
(2)
Caroline K.

Came here with my best a while ago. She and I had a great time, few hours over dinner. We had whatever the special appetizers were, we had steak, stone crab, wine, champagne, the works. Everything we ordered was great, the service was quick and the waiters were really friendly, or they were hitting on us the entire time, and the bill wasn't horrible. I'd say 300 for the 2 of us for the works. If I visit Boston again, I will probably return at some point. As a New Yorker, I was impressed.
(5)
Jay G.

On my son's birthday we go out for the best Porterhouse steaks we can find, over the years we have had some great meals Wolfgangs and Keen's in NYNY, this year we visited Grill 23, very nice room, great steak, great service.
(4)
Michelle T.

More like 3.5 honestly. It was good but not the best steak I've ever had, probably not even in the top 5. I will say that the service was great and I did appreciate the Monday wine special which is a list of $23 bottles of wine but I guess based on the reviews I expected more. The bread basket was good, there was what I think was a foccacia bread with cheese that was really good. Also the butter was nice and soft, there's nothing worse than when you get really good bread and then hard butter. For an appetizer we ordered the French Onion Dumplings. These were good but a bit heavy considering they weren't so much dumplings as empanadas. It was a thick, fried dough filled w/beef and onion. It did taste exactly like french onion soup but beware if you're looking for something light. For the main entree I ordered the dry-aged New York Strip and the bf got the Bone-In Delmonico. We also oredered the truffle tots. The truffle tots were delicious, creamy and you could actually taste the truffle. Definitely a must try if you come here. I was a bit disappointed in my steak. I ordered it medium and it came out luke warm and more on the rare side. The waiter did send it back to the kitchen however and they did fix it. The problem was that there was really nothing special about it, the flavor didn't wow me. I've had much better steaks elsewhere. My bf's Delmonico was delicious though. Very, very tender and had a great flavor to it. Maybe it's the cut of meat I ordered, who knows but I would definitely recommend the Delmonico over the dry-aged strip steak. Overall it's nice atmosphere with great service however I feel the food is a little overhyped, I would have probably preferred the Capital Grille.
(3)
Winston G.

This is hands down the best steakhouse in Boston. I've been to Capital Grille, Mortons, Smith and Wollensky, Abe and Louies, Ruth Chris, and probably some others that I don't remember, but I always come back to Grill 23 whenever I'm looking for a great porterhouse to eat. The service is expected for an upscale restaurant, and the prices are also pretty standard for a prime steakhouse. I recommend the Poterhouse or the Dry Aged NY Strip- both are amazing. Steak is always cooked to perfection, and probably compares most to Morton's in terms of cooking method. It comes on a plate also with sweet onions that go great with the steak. The bread selection is also great, and the sides are good- get the lazy suzy mashed, and the mushrooms. I don't recommend ordering from the section of the menu that is NOT a la carte- stick with the a la carte menu and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
S. M. S.

Such a class act compared to the chain restaurant mediocrity of Capital Grill or the good-ol-boy meathead mentality at Abe and Louie's. I should have listened to a friend who told me how great Grill 23 was a few years ago...
(4)
Joanna L.

Great steak restaurant. Tip: sit on the first floor, where the energy and ambience are the best and most fun. Food is good here, and seafood appetizer platters are impressive. Perfect place for power lunches or dinners, and large groups looking to spend a lot for a great dinner. Service is good. Steaks are well seasoned and cooked, and portions are generous. Though it's not my favorite steakhouse in Boston, it's certainly a high-end treat for a night out.
(4)
May W.

Came for their seafood, but only after did I realize they are known for their steaks. The seafood platter was really delicious, filled with raw oysters, shrimp, clams, lobster, etc. I also had a beet salad, which was delicious... but nothing special. Great service though. Loved their bread basket.
(3)
Kimberly S.

Classic steakhouse. Stellar service.
(4)
Hiro T.

I'm going to start off by saying that my review maybe biased due to eating off of the restaurant week menu. That being said, the place has an amazing selection of wines, unfortunately few to none of these are affordable by students. These are some serious wines! I have to say that I enjoyed the ambiance and the service was very attentive and helpful. I don't know if they serve the restaurant week dishes on a regular basis, but I probably wouldn't get the beef tenderloin or the beef tzatziki sliders ever again. I'm sure if I had ordered the steak the place would easily be 4 stars considering I'm willing to give up 3 stars pretty much for the experience, the atmosphere, and I suppose the mediocre restaurant week menu. Hopefully one day I can return, eat some steak, and update this review. Oh, and there's a seafood platter appetizer that also LOOKED amazing. Unfortunately, another item that was financially out of reach, I would think of most students.
(3)
Daniel F.

Very extensive wine list, nice oysters, tasty appetizers, perfectly cooked medium steaks and a great service from Patrick. Highly recommended. Lots of nice private rooms too.
(5)
Carri A.

My friends and I decided to go all out for our first night in Boston. The food is spectacular - Bacon-wrapped crab, salmon-wrapped scallops, super jumbo shrimp cocktails, entire Maine lobsters, perfect creme brulee, superb fruit tarts. The service is helpful, charming and professional. The bathrooms are spotless. The decor is luxurious. The location is convenient. The prices are high, no doubt. But this is a fancy place. It's supposed to be expensive because you're getting what you're paying for - a bomb ass meal.
(4)
Andrew M.

I returned to Grill 23 one year later, and it was even better than the first time. Here's what I got: Shrimp Cocktail Dry-aged New York Strip Blue-Cheese Mashed Potatoes Chocolate Cake HUGE difference between the dry-aged and the standard cuts. You could really taste the meat, the flavor was just outstanding. Last time I got the standard Porterhouse which was great too, but the flavor really shines in the dry-aged variety. Once again, the steak was perfectly cooked and the service was impeccable. Our glasses never got more than half-empty. Another thing I love about Grill 23 is the atmosphere, you get treated like royalty but without that stuffy, blue-blood, old-world feel of other steakhouses I've been to. It's a bit more modern and forward than those old relic steakhouses, just warmer and more welcoming I think. It's hard to explain, perhaps it's the good lighting, the lack of dark-wood paneling, jovial staff that provide incredible service with a smile, I guess it's a combination of all of the above. I highly recommend Grill 23 once again. Keep it simple, have a beer or glass of wine, get a steak (please don't get it well done!) get one side, and I'm confident you'll come away with an experience similar to mine.
(5)
Erin P.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. Great corner seat along the street. Good people watching. Excellent service. We started off with the crab cake which was delicious. We both ordered the fillet mignon. I loved it but my boyfriend felt that his fillet wasn't juicy enough. Overall, I loved the restaurant and would def. come back. The ambiance can be romantic but it can also feel like an after work spot with so many business men in their suits.
(4)
Kirk F.

Back when I was a young consultant and lived in Boston, Grill 23 was opened. For an office of young guys with a little money, we thought we had found Shangri-La. To sit at the Grill 23 bar after work, with a Glenfiddich single malt and a Sam Adams beer (kind of a yuppie boilermaker), we thought we were the coolest guys to hit Boston since Cy Young. Coming back to Grill 23 mumbly mumbly years later and mumbly mumble years older, it's still a cool place. Polished service, great meat perfectly cooked, classy bar. It can be crazy busy, and the reception can be a little snobby, but the food and the place still says, 'hey you have made it, my man!' Good place for a straightforward, high end night out. One thing that I had not remembered--this place is LOUD. I think when I was 25 we could not care less, we all were loud. I think now, though, any group larger than 4, and you are not going to be able to talk to more than 2 of the people at your table. Crazy.
(4)
Brandon O.

Was brought here by some VCs so you know we balled it up... Got some expensive wine and was looking forward to a savory, tender marbled steak... Unfortunately this place did not deliver. Steak was overcooked and tough. The actual restaurant and people are that enjoyable to be with. If you aren't dressed in a suit they don't treat you well.
(2)
Heather G.

There is nothing explicitly wrong with Grill 23. The food's fine, the wine list is good, the seafood tower is definitely the hilight of my dining experience here. I love the chips they serve at the bar, they're so delicious. The steak is fine, but not AMAZING for the price you're paying, and I have felt this way every time i've gone for a dinner. The service is what you'd expect in a nice restaurant, but I think the decor needs a bit of a facelift...it feels old and stuffy, not elegant at all. If i'm paying, i'd go to Ruth's chris or Capital Grille. These chains blow G23 out of the water.
(2)
Vivian W.

What I remember most from dinner here is feeling incredibly stuffed. The food was good, what you'd expect from an expensive steakhouse. We ordered the grand sampler which had oysters, shrimp, lobster, etc. I had the maine lobster, which was a huge portion and very good. But I have to say that I went down to Cape Cod two days later for a lobster boil and I much preferred that. Overall, a good choice for a work dinner, especially since we had a private room which meant we had a quieter meal than other Yelp reviewers may have.
(3)
Alex Z.

My favorite place to sneak away by myself and have a steak at the bar upstairs out of sight. Very cozy and always amazing, love the shrimp cocktail!
(4)
Tim S.

Our company had an "achievers dinner" here this past winter. I've surprisingly never heard of the place, but the buzz in the office was it was one of the best steakhouses in Boston. I am writing this review about 5 months later, and all I remember was the incredible steak I had. I thought long and hard about time in my life where I had a better steak, and I couldnt think of one. It was that good. If you love steak, its worth going here just for that reason.
(5)
Drew S.

Great job on the new bar! It's gorgeous and the burger rocked too. Great to see other young people like us in jeans hanging at the bar, huge winner!
(4)
Steven C.

I've been coming here for 20 years and still find it the best combination of great steak and atmosphere in the city. For the main course, I went with my stand by Rib Eye. It was well marbled and prepared exactly how I asked for it. We went with asparagus and pomme frits as our sides. My date had the lamb chops and we shared plates. I have never ordered these here but they were amazing. Three generous thick cut chops done to perfection. The staff was fantastic. Our server was well versed on the menu and alternate preparations. We were ordering wine by the glass and she provided great suggestions for pairings. The only downside is that as a party of two, you can feel like your eating with the party next to you. Great place.
(4)
Phil N.

Dry aged 100 day ribeye. Life changing steak. This steakhouse is a top one in the country. Expensive, but worth all the pennies.
(5)
Anne W.

Headed to Grill 23 for a luxurious treat to myself with a few friends. We found some parking on the street as this place did not have valet. I know.. I was shocked to find this out. Although the decor isn't modern, there is an open kitchen.. wood fixtures and captain chairs. Big dining room... I had the bone-in delmonico as I figured we were at a steak place. It comes with onions.. so, that made it more delicious. They are cold for some reason though. This steak was juicy at the edges but in the center was a little more overcooked than I would care for. The side dishes available are a bit boring.. they have six types of potatoes. I think their hash browns were good.. very crispy. The mushrooms with pesto was meh.. and the beets were interesting but nobody really liked it that much. Wine selection was okay... typical steakhouse prices. Dessert was also good sized.. I wasn't overly impressed with the chocolate cake although most people liked it. I tried the rhubard as well.. it was nice.. nothing I would say it amazing but I also do not have a sweet tooth. I didn't try their steak tartare although I did hear it was amazing. Someday I will have to go back just for that. I did try somebody's lamb and it was pretty good... the name kidney lamb should be changed on the menu. Big portions for the lamb.
(3)
Lea C.

Grill 23 reminds me why I hate steakhouses. Everyone I know has raved about this place, so I decided to appease the bf's carnivorous side with a trip here for a Friday-night dinner recently. It was not money well spent. First, the decor is...like Frank Sinatra's rec room in 1956. The staircase is beautiful, but that's about it. Wood-covered walls, weird uncomfortable wooden chairs from Betty Draper's kitchen set... Not a fan. We were seated between the bar and the kitchen, and the noise in that place was nightclub-level. We were shouting at the each other all night and the waiter couldn't hear us. Since it's a steakhouse, we expected gargantuan proportions, so we took it easy on the appetizers and instead split a Caesar salad. It was the blandest Caesar I have ever tasted. I don't even think it was dressed. Bald romaine lettuce with shredded, bagged parmesan cheese in it. Gross. The bf had the Delmonico and I had the steak frites and broccoli gratin. The bf won't eat broccoli, so the frites were my attempt at balancing the side dish disparity as nothing else on the menu called to him. The food was served with an obvious disregard for plating or presentation. Not in a chic, minimalist sort of way. Just a steak on a plate. That's kind of offensive when I'm paying over $100 for dinner. The bf loved his steak. It was 20 oz, and probably 1.5 inches thick, which is surprisingly thin for a steakhouse of this calibre. It came with a small mound of caramelized onions, which turned out to be my favorite thing of the night. It was cooked to his liking. The waiter told us that all the beef is grass fed. I don't know if I believe that. As another poster mentioned, my steak frites were really frites with a side of steak. The steak was small and cooked to my liking. It was not well-seasoned, however, and I needed steak sauce to eat it. The frites were the thin variety served in a comically large proportion on the plate. They were cold and way overcooked to the point that they were tough and stale-tasting. They were described as being tossed in gremolata. Gremolata my ass. They tasted of nothing but salt. No lemon, no garlic. LOTS of salt. Wayyyy too much salt. The bf hated them, and I had only a few bites. The broccoli gratin was similarly lackluster. It was fairly bland, there was very little cheese, and the gratin top was more like borderline burnt grated, bagged (again) cheese of an undeterminable origin. I could do this better at home, by a mile. It was also the smallest portion of anything we were served at about 1/4 the size of my portion of frites. The waiter was nice, but the service was slow and not very attentive. Definitely not the level of service I would expect for that price point. That plus a couple cocktails was about $130. That's not toooo bad for a steakhouse but super overpriced for the quality. I won't be coming back. You know who does everything better than Grill 23? Mooo... Go there.
(2)
George H.

Food and service were excellent. Sunday and Monday nights they feature numerous bottles of wine for only $23. Jared was our server. We followed his recommendations for the wine, appetizers, meat temperature, sides and dessert. It seems he knew what we liked beforehand. He was so good that I felt compelled to leave a 30% tip. He could not have done anything else to improve his service to us. The food: shrimp cocktail and prosciutto appetizers were excellent. The 100 day aged ribeye (med rare) was melt-in-your-mouth good. The 10oz filet (medium) actually came out nearly rare, but was very, very tender and delicious. Sides were tots (excellent!) and asparagus (very good). For dessert, Jared brought a hot fudge sundae (to die for!) and a strawberry tart. Both were excellent. Visit this place...and ask for Jared!
(5)
Morgan H.

The boyfriend brought me here to celebrate a work related success (namely, the finishing of a grant I sent off to the NIH, not quite a success in my mind, but to him it meant I would stop complaining non-stop about it, so yes, a success to him). Normally I hate stuffy rich-people-type eateries, but the service here was super awesome. Our server, Lori, was friendly, sweet and knowledgable. The steaks, though pricey, were SO worth the money. I had the "twin filet mignon" which was 8 oz of heaven, and my boyfriend had the 100-day aged Ribeye steak. He's 'in the biz,' so to speak, but there was not one question he asked of the servers that they couldn't readily answer. My recommendation - skip on the sides, because you will NOT want to eat asparagus when you have delicious steaks in front of you. They serve the steaks with a heap of caramelized onions which was so great, because I just LOVE onions, especially with steak. We had the heirloom beets appetizer which was to die for - ask them to plate it separately for two and they will give you each a very generous portion. For dessert, we did the caramel profiteroles and HELLO BEST DESSERT I have ever eaten. We will definitely return just for this dessert, if nothing else - it was incredible!
(5)
Ryan D.

Excellent steak, good service. But noisy, overcrowded and overpriced. It wants to feel a bit (deliberately) stuffy and old-school, but in reality seems a bit of a moneyed jeans-and-sweatshirt crowd despite the Yelp designation as "dressy." Can't knock the food much, though, even if a more *interesting* meal can be had elsewhere.
(3)
Steven B.

Went on a Saturday night. This is my second experience there. As last time, the service was great, very attentive. The sides were delicious. However, the porterhouse steak this time was not nearly as good as last. They put a distinctive sauce on it that was made the steak taste very salty. The other members in the group had the rib eye, which I tasted and thought was delicious. In sum, everything was great except I was a bit disappointed with the porterhouse. I would try another place before going back.
(3)
Narin N.

Went here for my 3 year anniversary with my girlfriend everything was 5 stars, service, food, drinks. I ordered the 100 day aged ribeye with a merlot, she had the kobe cap steak and some blueberry cocktail note: i assumed it wasn't true Kobe steak because of the price point, the server confirmed it is American Wagyu beef, Kobe was not legally available again in the US until september of 2012 and even then a 10-12oz portion goes for well over $300, like Chapagne or Congac it designates where it originates, Kobe beef must be from Hyogo prefecture but laws in the US don't govern the usage so any place can call American wagyu Kobe, although it should be called Kobe-style /rant) it was still the best steaks I've ever had, Boston or anywhere else. medium-rare was perfect. the merlot and sides were a perfect compliment. ordered calamari and truffled tator tots which were also awesome. We skipped dessert for Max Brenners after, but they gave us some concord grape sorbet with a chocolate piece that wrote "Happy Anniversary", and it was complimentary. I would recommend this to anyone looking for the best steak in Boston. I've been to the others (Mortons, Moo..etc) this is much better. another note, the clientele isn't the most diverse (we were the only minorities there lol) maybe the weekends are a bit more diverse :)
(5)
Jim M.

My meal started out shakey: I ordered the crab cakes appetizer and they came out quick but cold. It then took the waitress quite a while to check on me and my barely eaten app. Finally she came over, asked me how everything was, and I told her that this was the cold side of warm. She took it back and brought me a new one, fully cooked, about 15 minutes later. At this point, I'm enjoying the relaxed but unstuffy atmosphere, but extremely disappointed by the meal and service. Then, bam: it all turned around! My filet and Truffle Oil Tater Tots came and we're absolutely unreal. Full of flavor and cooked perfectly. On top of this, I got 2 more servers coming over ensuring everything was good, filling my water, getting me more wine, etc. Really pampering me. After I gorged myself on meat and potatoes, I decided to splurge and get dessert. The Caramel Profiteroles were DELICIOUS and not overly rich. Very refreshing, like a dessert should be. Grille 23 turned around a potentially lousy experience and turned it into a fine, memorable meal. I think I'd give G23 a slight edge over Abe and Louie's. The relaxing ambiance alone is better, but I do think the steak and tots blow anything on Abe's menu away.
(4)
Stephen Y.

Best. Steaks. Ever. Pricey, but worth every penny. I'm also fascinated by the $4,000 bottles of wine, too bad I don't have enough cash to try those.
(5)
Alex N.

My husband and I dined here for the first time last night. We had reservations and were seated immediately. I didn't realize how big this restaurant was, with a second floor with lots of seating available that you don't even see when you walk in. Unfortunately we didn't get the best table. We were led upstairs, past the bar, and basically cut through a part of the kitchen to get to the room farthest in the back. We had a table for 2 situated next to a fireplace (not a working one) and in between two large (and very loud) groups. Our table was adjacent to the doorway leading to the hallway and kitchen, so there was constant traffic going past us. We started with some wine and Caesar salads. My husband did not enjoy the salad, as the dressing was fishier than the average Caesar dressing. The bread on the table was pretty good but I didn't try much in order to save room. I knew I wanted the 100 day aged steak, but immediately noticed it was 18 oz which is just massive. When I asked the server if it was a serving for two, she indicated that when hungry she could easily finish it. So we each got our own steak, along with a side of the hash browns which are sautÃ©ed in duck fat. The server was quite right with the steak. It did not have the bone in and there wasn't much fat, but I managed to eat all but 4-6 oz of it. My husband polished his off. We ordered medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. The flavor was fantastic and I particularly enjoyed the crust on top which was sooo freakin good. The hash browns, on the other hand, were unimpressive. First off, they came out burnt and while I typically like a little char, I thought it was weird that they would even serve it to us looking like that. The flavor was decent, but certainly not worth $9 for burnt hash browns. I've had better at McDonalds. The service wasn't bad, wasn't fantastic. Our bread and salad plates sat in front of us for too long. They didn't bother cleaning the crumbs off the table, which I would expect at a place like this. We each had two glasses of wine, and with the two salads, two steaks and hash browns the total came to $206 before tip. I think the steaks were worth the cost, but the salads and sides didn't appear that great at all, which was disappointing. Next time I will try different sides but will definitely get the 100 day steak again, it was well worth it!
(4)
Suzie H.

My boyfriend and I went to Grill 23 to celebrate. It was fantastic! The wait staff was very accomodating. The perfect mix of attentive, informative, while also giving us space. The decor of the restaurant was beautiful. It was very well decorated for the holidays with wreaths and garland. We started off the meal with Oysters, which surpassed our expectations. I ordered the fliet mignon and asparagus, while my boyfried ordered the 100 day aged ribeye and brussel sprouts. Both of us were delighted by the presentation and taste of our meals. The portions are very large! For dessert we had the smores which was fun. The chocolate was very rich - but delicious. Overall - great experience. It was a little loud in the dining area, but not loud enough that you couldn't hear your own conversation. I would definitely recommend going to anyone interested in having a really nice steak dinner in Boston! I definitely hope to go back again soon!
(5)
Suzie L.

This place is not a good choose for restaurant week. 4 of us went, my son was the only one who liked the food. The portions were small and not filling at all. The lamb kibbeh sliders were not well prepared and did not taste like lamb.The Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin tasted liked it was smothered in A-1 steak sauce. The swordfish came in a creamy sauce with baby shrimp not a tasty combination. The bread was the best part of the meal. The cheesecake was good but I've had better. The service was excellent. It's a very noisy and loud restaurant, upstairs is a little quieter but still loud.
(2)
Susan J.

Be warned. Do not get anything but red meat- steak when you visit this great restaurant. Nothing will stand up to your dry aged beef selection. The service is outstanding and the atmosphere is very romantic. WE enjoyed our two filets and I think that the bread is amazing. I have to stop myself from filling up on it before the salad, entree and deserts come. (You must save room for desert!) I have not been let down here and I have been here about 4 times now. It always exceeds what I expect.
(5)
Jeffrey K.

This place is stellar. I attended this restaurant during a client Christmas party and we had a private room with various food stations. The waiters were on the point and professional. The food was amazing, I enjoyed everything I tasted. If I dine here again I would like to sit at a table so I can take in the ambiance and a select item of choice. The prices are a little out of my range of justification but for a special occasion I would love to go back.
(4)
Mike H.

Ask for Daniel, outstanding service, ask for Sofia, most informative sommelier we've had in a while. Asked pertinent questions once we gave her a budget, and came up with a wonderful gem of a Syrah from Washington. Sofia brought us the label mounted and date din a card to take home, nice touch. We shared a dozen Cotuit oysters - fresh, tasty, perfect appetizer for a steak. We both then had their special 100 day aged ribeye, with garlic mashed and asparagus. Each of our steaks was cooked perfectly (medium-rare and one Pittsburgh rare). The steak was just the right amount of flavor, fattiness, and moistness.
(5)
David M.

Grill 23 managed to do what no other restaurant could - inspire me to write my first yelp review. I will preface by saying that I have been to Grill 23 before and I thought it was fine, if a bit overrated. The occasion for my latest visit was a birthday dinner for a friend we had a reservation for 9 people. First the good: The food was pretty good, if overpriced. I got the 100 day aged ribeye and it was cooked perfectly but wasn't quite as flavorful as I would have hoped. A good steak for sure - but not as good as steaks I have had at other high end steakhouses such as Del Frisco's and Capital Grille. Too bad because I would always prefer to go to a non-chain if possible. Salads were good, sides ok, and desserts excellent. Now the bad: 1. 8pm reservation, seated at 825. Annoying but somewhat excusable as it was a very busy saturday night. 2. Seated in a small isolated back room on the 2nd floor. Too bad as the rest of the place was crowded and lively. 3. Took 20 minutes to take wine order. Took another 20 minutes for waiter to come back and tell they were out of the wine we ordered. Ordered again, and took 20 more minutes to bring us the 2nd wine we ordered. So, we got wine at 945pm, almost 2 hours after our original reservation. Inexcusable. 4. Ordered some sides with dinner. One of them they were sold out of. Course they didn't tell us that until they brought out our steaks. First of all, how do you sell out of a side when you have a total of 10 on the menu? Secondly we should be informed before the main courses come out so we can order something else. 5. As we were finishing up gave the waiter our valet stub and he said he would have our car pulled around. Got outside about 15 minutes later, no car. Waited 10 minutes, asked valet about the car. Said they never got the ticket and did I remember the #. Umm...yeah buddy I remember the 6 digit valet #. Took them another 15 minutes to go get the car. Any of the problems on their own could be excused. But put it all together and it is complete incompetence. And no one really seemed to care at all and everyone blamed someone else for the issues. No accountability. I did get heated at the end and the manager said someone would get back in touch with me - we'll see.
(1)
Jeremy H.

Was in town for work and wanted to go to Abe and Louie's which had a long wait so we walked down to this place. I had the filet and would say it is the best steak i have had this year so i will give them 5 stars. the staff and food were excellent.
(5)
Sarah R.

I'm really sad to have to come back and write another review of Grill 23, but our second visit last night was like dining in a completely different restaurant from our previous visit. I've just looked over my previous review, which I began by saying I couldn't fault the restaurant in any way - well, unfortunately, last night there was plenty to find fault with. We booked a table for 8.30, which was a little later than we hoped for, but not a problem. We arrived about 8.15, hoping they might be able to squeeze us in - they very politely apologised that they couldn't fit us in early, and suggested we have a drink at the bar. This was fine - we could see they were very busy, and were happy to wait. They assured us they would come and find us as soon as our table was ready. We went up to the bar upstairs, which was quite busy, but we found space to stand and ordered a couple of drinks. Once we reached 8.30 (the time our table was booked for), I started looking around for the host, but to no avail. We saw the host pass us several times, but he never stopped to speak to us. This wasn't a big problem, we were enjoying our drinks, and although we would have appreciated an update, we were ok to wait for a little bit. However, the time ticked on, and still no sign of a host or a table. My husband finally went to speak to someone about 15 minutes after our table was supposed to be ready. She said she would check on it and let us know, but never came back. About 5 minutes after this, I managed to catch the host we'd originally spoken to, who promised to come back immediately with news. Again - he never returned. In the midst of this, another group at the bar were receiving star treatment - I can only assume they included rich and/or famous people because a huge fuss was made over getting their table ready, which seemed to be taking up a lot of the host's time, and was irksome as we had been waiting such a long time. Finally, at 9pm, I went downstairs to speak to someone again as I was so fed up of waiting for people to come back as promised. I was then told (by another host) that they were waiting to seat us because we wanted to sit upstairs - which was just untrue! At this point I think we would have sat on the street if it meant we could have some food, we were so hungry! So, finally we were shown to a table downstairs. I'm not sure what was going on to make it so busy on a Monday night, but honestly, it was like a zoo. The waiters were doing their best, but it was chaos. We sat at our table for a good 5-10 minutes before anyone came to speak to us - although thankfully someone brought bread, so at least we had something to eat!! Our waiter was nice and trying his best - but just seemed so rushed off his feet that there was none of the attention to detail we had enjoyed so much before. To be fair, the steaks we had were exceptional - and this really saved the evening. Our friend who was visiting said it was the best steak he'd ever had, and I can see why. They also have a great deal on wine on a Sunday or Monday evening, with several bottles available for 23 dollars, which is great. We had a lovely Barbera d'alba. I still can't fault the food - it was wonderful. And of course, it's not the restaurant's fault that they were so busy - I can see it would be unexpected on a Monday. However, I thought they handled it extremely badly, and we left feeling like second class citizens. We never received an apology for such a long wait, for instance, which just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Honestly, it was like a different restaurant, and I have mixed feelings about going back.
(2)
Grant E.

Last Friday I went to Grill 23 because we couldn't get into Capital Grill. I went in without any expectations, but I left as a big fan of the place. We started off in the bar, which is rather small and was certainly crowded at 8 PM. When I got my drink, I was given a very generous pour of top-shelf bourbon. In fact, every drink I had that night was very generous and I was more than a little buzzed by the time we left. When we were seated (a little later than we had been told), our server was attentive and knowledgeable. We started with the seafood tower, and I had the brick chicken for my entrÃ©e. Delicious! Probably the best chicken I have ever had. Yes, I had chicken, due to the wacky diet I am on. Check this place out - you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Marie B.

The service was excellent, the ambiance was fun though loud, the drinks were great. But our food was disappointing. Good food, just not the best meal I've ever had. In fact, it was a little bland. Do not feel it was worth the price.
(3)
Zach D.

We have frequented this restaurant on numerous occasions and have never had a bad experience. We have only sat upstairs and I would recommend requesting this if you wish to have a quieter meal. While waiting for a table, the downstairs usually is packed and quite loud. We have been able to sit in the private dining room upstairs which made for an even better dining experience. As for the food, I would recommend the shellfish chowder or the crab cake. Both are delicious and packed with large pieces of lobster or crab. We have tried the filet, porterhouse, and the strip. All of which have been excellent. Perfectly cooked, no frills, and just a great steak overall. The sides are pretty large so you can get one to split between two people or really enjoy yourself and get one each. I would highly recommend the the Grill 23 tots or the mac'n'cheese. I probably could have just eaten those as my meal and been completely satisfied. They have a pretty complete wine list which offers a lot of variety which you would expect from such an institution in Boston. They offer options on the cheaper side and bottles that you may have to sell a kidney for. Lots of options and the staff has been excellent upon each visit. They are always helpful, always courteous, and extremely knowledgable with all questions. This restaurant is a must if you want to enjoy a traditional steakhouse experience.
(5)
Nikhil P.

I don't think there's a way to give a place like this any less than 4 stars. Really. When you enter a place like this, you almost feel like the same people who are paying the property taxes are grabbing your phone and throwing in the Yelp review for you. The night I went for a work function, the place was literally crawling in "suits," expensive bottles of wine were flowing, and there was a very Gordon Gekko kind of air to the place. The steak was delicious, and the portion sizes were huge, but the sheer swankiness almost makes you want to just go home and have a good wash. There's a time and place for Grill 23, but if it's an intimate atmosphere with a cozy vibe, that kinda time it is not. The food is really delicious though, but it's a bit impersonal. On the plus side, if you're on a date with a gold-digger, you'd have her convinced you're money if you came here. (That was weird, right?)
(4)
Kristy E.

Truffle tater tots.. get them! :) Came here a few weeks ago. Was a pretty busy Friday night, we had reservations but I noticed not every table was full so maybe with a bit of a wait you could come here without them. The place is huge! There's downstairs seating, upstairs seating and plenty of options on both floors. Started off dinner with a chilled seafood array. Can't remember but I think we made our own or asked for no oysters.. something like that. It was ok, but seemed previously frozen. Even the look of it wasn't entirely moist. I posted a pic of the dish itself and one of the lobster tails. There aren't a lot of starter options so if you're looking to start with something, I'd say it's an ok dish but don't expect too much. The pre dinner bread was fine. Basket of buns and flat breads/crackers. The buns were fairly large. Dinner took forever to get to the table so I guess the big mounds of bread could come in handy. For dinner two of us ordered the filet. Honestly it was one of the better steaks I've had! I was shocked. Seeing the appetizer we chose was just so so. The steak was incredibly juicy and flavorful. Go with the filet because one of us got the steak au poivre and strongly disliked it. She said it was very dry and tough, and said the sauce wasn't very good. It was a "flat iron" steak so I myself wouldn't have ordered it. Not exactly a great cut of meat. I've also found the entree steaks in steak houses to often be disappointing. Steaks that come with sauce and other additions usually come like that to make up for a blah steak. For sides we had mashed potatoes which were very good and organic truffle tots, which were fantastic. No doubt high in fat and calories but totally worth it. Perfectly sized little morsels of flavor and texture! Even though service dragged and we were worried we'd have to wait forever we still chose to order dessert. Maybe it was to make up for the lackluster beginning. One of chose the caramel profiteroles, another chose sorbet and I had a tart. I didn't try anyone else's but my tart was delicious, I would definitely get it again if I ever came back. I noticed people have voted Grill 23 as "dressy" and "not good for kids". I don't agree. I saw a varied mix of people there. Some in tees and jeans, some dressed up. It seemed to be a mix of locals and tourists. I also saw other tables with children, including my own. Which isn't too say it's not an upscale place, it's simply not uptight. Very traditional looking setting and certainly a white table cloth style restaurant, but fine to take your child. Service wasn't anything to applaud, things moved a bit slow but the food made up for that.
(4)
Joseph M.

I haven't been here for years, but wanted to give them another try. The addition of their 100 day (70 wet, 30 dry) aged Prime Rib Eye really just puts them at the top. My son had the 30 day Dry Aged New York Sirloin. Both were moist, cooked perfectly, and because of the excellent cut and the Dry aging, unbelievable tender and flavorful. Definitely 5 stars. I don't know how people can rate them 4 star because of their price? Best steaks I have had in years.
(5)
Cari P.

While visiting Boston, my husband wanted to have a great steak. Lots of steakhouses from which to choose, but we waited too long for a reservation on a Saturday night. After trying both Abe & Louie's as well as Capital Grille, we were able to secure a reservation for 8 at Grill 23. The restaurant is quite large, which explains the reason for us getting one on the same day at a reasonable time. Atmosphere was standard steakhouse with tables slightly close together, rather loud and with dark wood, etc. Quite a beautiful building. Food was very good (I got the twin filets and could almost use just a fork to cut it). But per the usual, prices are crazy. Again what we expected (and knew going in), I just personally have a hard time paying $36 for 8 oz twin Filet with nothing else (side are ala carte and run $10-$16, each), though my husband doesn't mind. A glass of run of the mill Pinot Noir was $12, my Hendricks gin & tonic, though strong, was $14. In addition to our 2 entrees (husband got rib eye at $44), 2 sides, 2 glasses of red and a gin & tonic, we also got an order of oysters ($18). Oysters were very good and fresh. Our bill with tax and tip was $215. Food was excellent, service attentive (after it took a little while to order our oysters) without being overbearing. Got right in at the time of our reservation on a Saturday night. Again, prices high, but this is to be expected in a steak house.
(4)
anne c.

I don't usually give a 5 star rating but the evening was absolutely perfect! We had a drink at the bar and relaxed --the drinks were prepared just the way we like them! Then we were seated for dinner and Matthew was one of the best waiters we have ever had . Attentive but not smothering! We both had the twin filets and they would melt in your mouth. We also ordered a side of mac n cheese with bacon and sauteed mushrooms--both spectacular! There was no rush and when we casually mentioned we were in town for our anniversary, Matt brought us a little cream puff dessert! There are a thousand restaurants in Boston and we have been to several, but this is one we will definitely return to!
(5)
Oz L.

We have dined at Grill 23 a couple of times now and the experience is always wonderful. But I enjoyed the being seated at the tables upstairs a bit more because the ambiance is a bit more quiet and romantic than on the main dining room floor. During the last visit we had the crab cake and tuna tartare app, the 18 0z rib eye entree which was absolutely amazing and a few sides of veggies... I must say that Grill 23 and Abe and Louie's are our favorite steakhouses in Boston!
(4)
Darryl L.

Stick to Capitol Grille for a good meal. The staff run like anxiety ridden animals through the place which makes you feel like the world is about to end or something. The food was akin to Applebee's sorry to be harsh. Steaks were SO NOT cooked to specification, risotto was more like wallpaper paste, mashed potatoes were as dry as a desert. Bad for this level of restaurant. The waiter asked how everything was practically as soon as it arrived and never again. When he knew we weren't happy he pretty much disappeared. My plate looked almost the same as when it was placed and never asked if there was a problem. LAME. We couldn't get out if there fast enough we were so disgusted. This is what you consider a high quality steakhouse?? That's funny. Someone should inform the chef that HIS/HER job is to cook the food the way the paying customer requests! I don't know if they are aware of that detail. The dining room was kept at a subzero temp and our table was rickety like something in a busted up bar. Honestly we should've been paid for that experiment in tortuous dining.
(1)
Kristin W.

what was good about it? i had high expectations after dining at abe and louies the previous night but the service was absolutely horrific at grill 23. It started while i was at the bar waiting for my table. The bartender ignored me for a while and when he finally made eye contact, he told me to wait althoughI did not even say anything. Thr $20 glass of wine was subpar and hearing the bartender tell a older couple that rhe crowd at the resturant was " younger" ( in a diagusting way) due to resturant week. I almost walked out upon hearing that since I am a younger person. Upon arriving at my table for dinner, it was extremely loud and the waitor was quite cold. The $49 steak tasted like roast beef although I ordered medium rate and the side of mashed potatoes was simply blah and pretty much unappettizing. It was easy seen that I did not touch the side dish and the waitor failed to even ask if it was ok! It was overpriced for the quality and the staff was nothing but snobby and rude... definitely will not return.
(1)
Meka A.

In a world full of hyperbole, what I am about to say is not one - Grille 23's expensive signature Kobe Cap Steak is literally THE. BEST. STEAK. I've ever had. I thought it might be a fluke and ordered it again weeks later and my taste buds were once again overwhelmed with happiness. No one else ordered the little slice of heaven, but everyone else's meals were prepared to perfection. Nothing good comes cheap though, so expect a hefty bill by the end of the night. Needless-to-say, it's worth every penny.
(5)
Kevin B.

Had a perfect steak dinner here. Classy atmosphere, excellent service and perfect steaks. Some of the sides were a bit odd, didn't love the hash browns.
(4)
Jeff F.

There's a lot of people that claim that this is the best steak in Boston - those people are mistaken. Don't get me wrong, it's unquestionably a great steak house, but I can't say it's in my Boston top 3. - Simple Maine Crab Cakes - ok, but oddly underwhelming - Berkshire Pork Belly - expected something different which was my mistake - take a pass here - Scottish Loch Duart Salmon w/ some lentils in a hallowed out pumpkin - Filet - cooked perfectly, great steak - Pommes Frites - just good, nothing more, nothing less - Valrhona Chocolate Layer Cake - ridiculous Based on food alone, it would have been 3 stars since both the appetizers and the fries were disappointments.Bobby's service and the setting/atmosphere pushed it up to 3.5 stars, but I don't think I could give 4 stars based on the fact that I'm looking to get back there - I am looking to get back to my top 3 below. Recommended if you've already hit Moo, Abe & Louie's and Ruth Chris (yeah Ruth...I know, I know... trust me, worth it).
(3)
A C.

Bottom Line: A very, very good steak place - but not quite the mecca my friends make it out to be. Apps: Shrimp cocktail was a total bust. $4 shrimp for $18, and there was nothing remarkable about them. $18 yellowtail sashimi was okay. $13 Chowder was very, very good, with lobster and crab. Entree: Ranges from $22 to $34 A la Carte: Steaks range from $42 to $59. Both the dry-aged ribeye and new york were cooked perfectly as requested. Wonderful flavor that really pops out when you take a bite. This is the part of the dinner that it's all about, and it didn't disappoint. Sides: $7-8 Broccoli Gratin was very good, Cajun tots were pretty good, and the mashed potatoes were good. Deserts $10-$11. Milk Chocolate Pave tasted like a big piece of fudge. I'd save your money from desert, and use that extra $10 to upgrade your steak. Service was pretty good -- the ancillary waitstaff was pretty attentive. The pacing was a bit off, at points. Nothing really wrong with the service, although one can argue, for a $250 bill, perhaps they should strive for being better than "pretty good." I think for most people, the price tag on this restaurant makes it a special occasion place. If you're looking for that kind of special restaurant, I'd recommend Sorrellina or L'Espalier. As for steak places, I was more impressed with overall food and experience at Capital Grille (Boston). I've been to Grill 23 four times now, and feel confident in that recommendation. FYI: The valet, not associated with the Grill 23, banged up my car. A total drag. So valet with caution.
(4)
Ai B.

Came here on 8/20/13 after work for Restaurant week with my family. I was excited after reading all the good reviews. Let me just state that the entire meal was terribly disappointing. I had high expectations. I got the beef tosquitos, blue fish and coconut ice cream. The coconut ice cream was not too too bad. I feel cheated and upset. What a bad experience, would not recommend or going back! Save your money. I make better food at home.
(1)
Erik K.

The absolute worst steakhouse experience of my life!!! I am not even sure where to start as the whole experience was so bad and it just kept getting worse. It ruined our annual holiday dinner. It was a combination bad chef, no attention to detail, & horrible customer service. It started by the waiter spilling a full glass of wine onto my friend's steak that just arrived. It was really no big deal mistakes happen and I had ordered the same thing and I could very easily cut my steak and half give it to my friend while they cook a new one. I immediately cut into my steak and it was RAW on the inside. Not rare, not medium rare but raw. I ordered Medium for the record. It was prompted sent back to the kitchen. Next up the same steak that I ordered came back this time is was WELL done and charcoaled on the outside. I was in shock. The reason we went to this steak house was because we thought it was known for quality steaks. We were wrong! Here is where it gets weird. My friend who had his steak doused in wine and broken glass also received a steak cut in half. Where did this magical already cut steak come from? Who's steak was it? Was it the wine doused steak with potential broken glass in it? Not sure? So, we sent this hockey puck of steak back to the kitchen and asked to have the manager bring the next steak out. Ten minutes later or so the manager Jacob arrived with two steaks and asked me to center cut them. We both did only to find another very rare steak. The manager agreed that it was clearly not medium and mine was RARE. He then asked me if it was ok? I almost felt like he didn't want deal with this situation and hoped that I would just take it so he could move on. I said NO it was not ok it wasn't even close. So, they took the steak back. At this point our wives already already finished dinner. So we decided the give up and leave... 45 minutes of steak mishap had already occurred and we had enough. The took care of our meal so that was one positive. But, they didn't offer us desert so we had to walk down the street to Finale. Plus, they left us sitting there at the table for 10 minutes before they came over and told us that the meal was free. We actually had to ask a passing waiter to get the manager....so we knew what to do. It's customer service 101. ..take care of the customer first. Don't leave them wondering. So, our holiday dinner was ruined. If you are a quality steak house Grill 23 claims to be...you expect them to at least be able to cook a steak to the temp you asked. I understand sometimes med rare in some places are med in others. But, this was not even close. It was an embarrassment to the craft of steak cooking. I love an occasional steak but I think i will stick with Mortons, Capital Grill, or Smith and Wollensky's. I have a lot of concerns about quality control if this is the kind of experience we are having. DON"T WASTE YOUR MONEY AND STAY CLEAR!!!!! Erik
(1)
M.J. C.

Such a disappointment especially having high expectations from other reviewers. Upon entering the restaurant and heading toward the hostess area, my husband and I were not greeted right away. Our table was upstairs and we had requested a quiet area to celebrate my birthday and were seated next to a table of 2 men, one who's elbow would have been in my husband's face and next to them a party of 10 men. We relocated one table away and the host that seated us needed to 'check if it was ok'. He walked 15 feet away, didn't speak to anyone and came back to hand us the menus with a snarky comment. The waiter was non-existent when we needed him and lacked any personality or customer service skills; he delivered a martini with extra olives without a pick. And then brought 10 toothpicks over 15 min after we asked for one. The Food: recommend the tuna tartar, it was the best item we ate. The salmon: completely overcooked oozing with white goop from being cooked at too high a temp and salted so much it was sent back and taken off the bill. The brussel sprouts, pass. Totally soggy and missed the mark on roasted and crispy. The beets were edible but I think they were coated in a sugar glaze. The tots, cold, lacked any of the flavor from the ingredients they listed. The bone in ribeye steak was the better entree. The hostess did take the tartar off the bill in addition to the salmon.
(2)
Collins F.

Eh not my favorite. It doesn't have anything on Ruth Chris. Food was salty and no real flavor. We had a big group - about 14 people so I will give the server credit.
(2)
Ken W.

Very good service, however we sat in a area that was a major waiter route. I've never seen waiters hustle to the point of almost running. It just seemed to rush the whole experience. The shrimp cocktail was very good. The Caesar salad had very little flavor, It was served on a small flat plate that made eating it very difficult. Our three steaks were ok but not the quality steaks we have in Texas. Desserts were good. The restaurant was packed, and loud. Three diners $350.00 with tip, and no drinks. Not worth the money!
(3)
Mike G.

at recent fab dinner, had what menu calls "epic pot roast". it sure lived up to billing with sauce to rival the best bÅ“uf bourguignon (with out-rageous bread for sopping up). also had fried calamari and fennel (that even umbelliferous herb averse Andrea B. & David C. will like) dressed with crema pepperoncini which has to be the best i've had in Boston yet. was too stuffed for dessert but server bragged about pumpkin ice cream (served w/ the bread pudding) being homemade and special, so asked for a scoop of just that. it was like real good p i e.
(5)
E H.

Apps, steaks, drinks, deserts, all perfect! My favorite? Seafood sampler, baby iceberg, beef tenderloin and any dessert on their list! Nice environment. Four stars due to twice having waitstaff that acted as if they were doing diners a favor for serving them.
(4)
Alie A.

So..I'm not even going to go into the fine details. This place doesn't even need the ego boost. Just please tell me that you will order a steak with a dirty martini, and I will die happy. Thanks.
(5)
Chelsea R.

I came here for dinner recently as my second time returning and once again walked away stuffed, happy, and counting down the days until I return! Last night our party of three split the calamari and shrimp cocktail apps. Calamari- heavenly. The thin strips of onion mixed in with the aoli on the bottom was perfect! Had a little bite to it which was just enough. The shrimp cocktail were on another level of colossal. They did not disappoint! I had the iceberg salad which was heavenly...had a lot of dressing which, for me, more the merrier so I was thrilled. For our entrees, my father had the fluke special which was delicious and melted in your mouth. My mom had the 100 say aged which she said was the best steak she's EVER had. I got the same thing with Oscar style on top which was accompanied by a buttery breadcrumb and accompanied the meat great...I had the leftovers for breakfast ha! Sides were creamed spinach and mashed potatoes- best accompaniment for steak in my opinion! Hot fudge sundae for dessert was heavenly- Belgian chocolate syrup- amazing. Basically- my mouth is watering again. Grill 23 is a must if you haven't already been there!
(5)
Angel B.

Another long overdue review. My hubby and I went here for date night back in November '11. The place was packed and although we had a reservation and requested a intimate spot we were seated on the main floor which was noisy. Our waiter was ok, but I recall not being super impressed with him. The saving grace here is the food. My DH had the99 day-aged steak which was a nice size piece of meat. It wasn't only great that night, but amazing the next day. If you love mash potatoes then you must try them here. I still don't think I've had them better anywhere else.
(4)
Raul G.

Went to Grill 23 a few months after I heard they were voted the best in Boston. So, I had to see what the commotion was about. Well, my wife and I were not disappointed. Very bright and inviting main dining area. The wait staff is highly attentive and will make your night perfect. We started out with a grilled eggplant/tomato appetizer that was really good. We both otdered filets; mine was cooked perfectly, but I must say her's was a little overdone. Forgiveable, since everything else was truly delicious, even the sides (don't skip the mushrooms!). It was a great experience and I would happily return.
(5)
Leilani D.

Went here for my boyfriends birthday, and WOW was it amazing! The cap strak was to die for as anyone would believe but our friend ordered the bone in rib eye and would not stop raving! All of our appetizers (shrimp cocktail, seafood chowder, caesar salad) were delicious. Ambience was warm, noise levels were great, lighting was romantic but not to dark. Great job on the decor! Definitely pricey, but perfect for a special occasion.
(5)
Dante B.

Amazing resteraunt. Ive been here plenty of times before. Here's our experience. My father, my girlfriend and I each had different meals. I had the bone in rib eye, she had the veal chop, and my old man had the lamb chops. All 3 were amazing
(5)
Samantha G.

I say 4.5 stars on service alone! What a difference from Miami! Anytime I travel I always always go to any city's well known steakhouses. However my gf isn't a steak eater; so we found a menu that satisfied both of us and grill 23 right by our hotel was it. To begin with the space was gorgeous and the waiters were " white glove service" making and keeping the reservation on time was also correct and we sat at 930 on the dot! The staff went above and beyond, I mean really... As the rest of my review will unfold and display We sat down and began with drinks, I swore I ordered some cocktail with st germain and champagne... When it arrived in a martini glass I assumed vodka was in it and I asked and I was right (I'm allergic to vodka; I know I drink tequila!) so graciously with no dirty or annoyed look our waiter replaced it with my choice of tequila and sprite...basically we started off trying not to be the annoying picky Miami girls...only to avoid the disdain and possible food tampering in a unknown city..however slowly but surely we became them and STILL had an amazing meal So my companion only eats chicken and not chicken on the bone. We ordered the brick oven chicken, a filet, and asparagus to share. The chicken arrived and my gf was wary because she thought it was chicken breasts; but it was a half portion of the chicken with the breast area. Finally she tried it and it was the most delicious tender juicy tasted like fried chicken ever!!! So that was a big win. They also only charge us for the half portion... On to my steak A couple bites in I really thought the meat was delicious but whatever sauce and it was only a small amount was just too salty and I like salt. I was a bit tipsy but then so I was just gonna eat it....until my friend reminded me bloat and price... I told the waiter could I have the steak re-done no sauce and he said its not the first time someone's requested that.... It came back and it was absolutely delicious. Tender and tasty; I don't know why the chef puts the sauce but he does not need it the quality of the beef spoke for itself. After all that two send backs; a scared waiter who watched my gf pick and pick her chicken till she devoured it and he still constantly checked on us. After all that our nice waiter kept trying to get us to have dessert. I was so full and tempted but couldn't. When the bill came he comped the side and stated they really wanted us to enjoy our meal. Normally in a Miami eatery a waiter would be dying for us to leave. Boston overall was such a classy nice city. The back Bay Area is comparable to the brickell area and they certainly acted and provided service the way I wish Miami would.
(4)
Christina L.

An amazing experience... Everything here was top notch. Our bartender Chris gave us amazing service and made delicious drinks. He was extremely helpful with choosing our steaks and always attentive with our dishes and beverages. Appetizers: Crab cakes and lobster tail. I just wish these dishes would last forever. Main Course: Steak Delmonico, Bone-in Filet, Truffle Oil Tater Tots, Creamed Spinach. I have never had a steak cooked so perfectly and such a large portion before. The steak was so tender and so flavorful, I wish I had a larger stomach. We ordered two sides along with the meat, but our eyes were so much bigger than our stomachs. This was truly the best steak i've ever had. Overall: Now that I've discovered this place, I will go nowhere else for steak. Amazing.
(5)

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Address : 161 Berkeley St
Boston, MA, 02116
Phone (617) 542-2255
Website https://grill23.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Grill 23 & Bar

161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA, 02116

Grill 23 & Bar Menu

Appetizers

Farm Raised

Dayboat Seafood

Raw Bar

A La Carte

Sides

New England Crafted Cheeses

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Grill 23 & Bar

Appetizers

Farm Raised

Dayboat Seafood

Raw Bar

A La Carte

Sides

New England Crafted Cheeses

Desserts

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