The 4 stars is ONLY for the steak. This was my restaurant week treat. They had what I thought was the stingiest menu - apps were either soup or iceberg lettuce salad. The steak didn't even come with potatoes or beans or anything (which I know is standard for the real steakhouses, but this was Restaurant Week!). We ordered mashed potatoes which were runny. The dessert was nothing to write home about. But the steak... cooked to perfection. And the S&W steak sauce is the best I've ever had. I'm wondering if they sell it. Besides that, the castle/armory is a fun place to sit and have dinner at least once. I'm not going back, though. I think there are plenty of places that serve good steak with amazing tasting sides.
(4)
Austin E.
The BEST service I have ever received at a restaurant. You get what you pay for.
(5)
E D.
So far the best steak I've had has been at Capital Grille in Philadelphia. However this steak was also up there. My steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and sides were very tasty. The atmosphere in this places is really cool. The outside resembles a castle and the guy bringing is to our table told us that it was built in Boston at a time when there was a lot of gang-related strife similar to what was portrayed in the movie, Gangs of New York...which is how he described it. The inside has big staircases, wood floors and huge ceilings. It genuinely feels like a place where you would want to sit and eat a steak and smoke a cigar with tasty Scotch afterward. The waitstaff was pleasant and I didn't feel rushed....a steakhouse like this is one place where I don't mind waiting a bit and enjoying good conversation over a few drinks before I place my order. Our waitress must have been relatively new because she seemed nervous, but I still thought she did a good job. Even so, she gave us free dessert because we had been so patient with her....at the end of our meal she brought over a huge piece of chocolate cake and coconut cake. Both were delicious...at least the bite or two that I could fit in after my huge steak dinner. I love steakhouses like this. It's definitely my choice to go to on a special occasion. This one was a close second behind the Capital Grille in Philadelphia.
(4)
Natalie T.
If I hadn't been here for a business meal, I probably wouldn't have ever set foot in this place because dinner here would cost me a whole day's salary *tear*. But hey, if I was racking up the dough, I'd definitely be a regular. Hypotheticals aside, the food was amazing. I had the rack of lamb and could have pretty much died happy then and there. The tiramisu was awesome because it was more on the rum-my side, which is fine with me! And of course, the Bordeaux was excellent, too. But how can you go wrong with Bordeaux?!
(4)
Will S.
What a waste of time/money for an avergage meal with lousy service. Granted, I went for the first time when the were first opening up and may have been working out some kinks, but still cmonn.. Try Wollensky's Grill in NYC and you will see how much this Boston reincarnation sucks in comparison, I don't care if it's in a castle - I could get better service from a bum on the streetcorner.
(2)
Jeffrey W.
Ever eaten in a castle? This was originally built for the army corp of cadets. Their job was to guard the governor. Now the building has been turned into one of the best steakhouses in Boston. The food is great though pricey, but the surroundings are the best.
(4)
Sarah S.
Maybe it's the Texan in me, but this steak place was pretty ho-hum. And I know my steak, people...
(3)
Jay and Jenn O.
Great steakhouse in a really cool setting. The T Bone was huge and flavorful. Jenn likes getting fish here because they serve it in a big fish plate.
(4)
Erin G.
I tried Smith & Wollensky's for the first time during 06 Restaurant Week. My assistant team had scheduled lunch for 7 at 1PM. (allocated a long lunch of 1.5 hours) The location is great and the atmosphere of the castle is charming and warm. We arrived about 10-15 minutes early and were seated right away. We were on the busy first floor, but there were at least six suited waiters rolling carts around to the loud lunch tables. we were seated in the round of a turret and waited for our server. we saw him bustling about to other tables, he acknowledged us with a nod as he passed by, but didn't actually get to us for about 10 minutes. we ordered our drinks and RW menus, and chatted as we waited for our first course. it took him another 10 minutes to bring our sodas, forgetting that two people asked only for water, and left us high and dry. as he poured water for an adjacent table i had to lean over and beg for a round at ours. another 10 minutes passed before our first course came. In short, the service was friendly but excrutiatingly slow. we didn't get to leave until 3 pm! the Tuna Nicoise Salad was delicious, absolutely no one had a bad word to say about anything we ate, but be forewarned that this is not speedy, or even reasonably paced service standard.
(3)
P C.
I been dying to knock this place.. First off.. This place blows.. I don't know how often some of the reviewers frequent "upscale steak houses" but this fails in comparison to Morton's around the corner or even the 99.. I had the worst experience here. I went here with the intentions of having a grand old time. I valeted the car, they stole my quarters, i ordered a steak medium rare it came well done, i sent it back they forgot about it, i tried to get a glass of wine they didn't have the two that were on the menu i ordered. The waiter gave me the biggest attitude compared to that of a PMS'ing 16 year old girl. I'm sure lots of you have had great experiences but for a place that carries this name and "reputation" I would hardly expect to ever have this type of experience here. My opinion.. Save your money and go someplace else.
(1)
Shannon C.
I visited for dinner and I was totally unimpressed. The seared ahi was good, but the steak was charred on the outside, still breathing on the inside. Upon leaving, my coat was recovered from the coatroom floor...thanks, guys. For the prices they charge, I expect a much more impressive dining experience...boo for the fact that it's a CHAIN.
(3)
C S.
S&W should get 3.5 stars. We went here for Restaurant Week and got a salad, filet mignon, and dessert for $33. I expected to get a good piece of steak, and that's exactly what I got. The service was excellent and the armory is quite a pretty place for a restaurant (although I would hate to see how much their rent is-- that place is huge!). I'll come back here again when I'm jonesing for a piece of steak.
(3)
Brandy S.
OK, it is a chain, but still worth a mention because it is one of the best steakhouses in Boston. Don't expect anything fancy - it will be your age old steak house fare with creamed spinach, yummy mashed potatoes, and well executed, juicy steaks. The service is steller - friendly, but unobtrusive, and the setting is unique. I would go for special occations and when you have an expense account.
(5)
Robert A.
This restaurant is located in the "castle" in the Back Bay. There are 4 floors of dining space and the decor reminds me of an old library. They start you off with a bread basket of various breads: sourdough, corn bread, sweet bread, etc. As an appetizer, I had the mixed greens salad. It's basically mixed greens with a couple slices of radish and a vinaigrette dressing. For the main dish, I had the 10oz. filet mignon, oyster style, which is crab meat and asparagus topped with a bordellaise sauce. The entrees are a la carte, so we ordered a side of truffled macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach, asparagus and hash browns. The filet was a bit dry for medium-rare but the crab and bordellaise sauce helped with the chewing and taste. The asparagus was overcooked but I didn't mind it at all. The hash browns and truffled macaroni and cheese were my favorite sides. The creamed spinach was bland. For dessert I had the vanilla creme brulee, it was good, but it's creme brulee. Overall, I would give the food 7/10 and 9/10 for service. The waiter and server were very friendly and polite. Though it's only restaurant week, I still prefer Fleming's Steakhouse and Morton's Steakhouse.
(5)
Scott B.
this place is friggin horrible - i wouldnt go there again on a bet. i would rather have a turkey sandwich from starbucks. at least that way i would only feel moderately ripped off and not be totally grossed out
(1)
Sandee S.
Ok, so the atmosphere is cool (you ARE eating in a castle) and the rooms are bright and big. The service is wonderful. But as for the food, you can find much more interesting and savory dishes at smaller named restaurants. It is very pricey, but the fried calamari is worth every penny! I was full from it ~ and it was just the appetizer! The fish was overcooked, but the dessert was the largest peice of chocolate cake I have ever seen in my life. I will be eating it for days.
(3)
Alex S.
Went here for Restaurant Week on Sunday. While we both had great meals, not sure that they quite stacked up against the hype. My girlfriend got a great caesar salad, perfectly cooked salmon, and one giant piece of chocolate cake. I got a nice mixed salad, a filet that was cooked too rare (which was interesting, because the manager actually came out and said it had been delayed because he didn't think the way they cooked it the first time was up to par - maybe it was too well done the first time, who knows), and a damn tasty creme brulee. And we ordered off the regular menu to share the truffled macaroni and cheese - it was good, but there were many different types of mushrooms in the mix so the truffle taste got a little lost. The waitstaff was definitely friendly and attentive. I ordered a Patron Margarita off of their cocktail menu, but it took forever to get it, because they were apparently out of the tequila. However, our dynamic waitstaff duo (I got a little confused as to which person was actually our server) kept me well-informed and apologized profusely. The atmosphere was unique for sure and very interesting, but not the most romantic. Still it made for a great night out at quite the expensive place for a much lower price.
(4)
Carolina L.
This is one of the best steakhouse in Boston.. The food is great and the experience as well.. you are eating in a castle that has been preserved since the soldiers lived there and its amazing.. you can also take a tour around the building so you can see the different rooms and floors.. but that is not the only thing about the restaurant the food is amazing all of it and the desserts as well.. the chocolate one is HUGE!! the only bad thing about this restaurant are the prices... but good things are expensive..
(4)
K D.
I am not a steakhouse gal, and I really enjoyed my filet. Dinner was very tasty - - but I am here to talk about the truffle mac & cheese - delish! The room was cold, but the old castle ambiance was intriguing. Pleasantly surprised
(3)
Allison S.
Great steakhouse and atmosphere! Their meats are delectable and their sides are wonderful too. Great wine list and the service was amazing - they knew every cut of meat, which wine was best with each meat and how eat meat should be cooked. I'd definitely go back - if I had the funds.
(4)
Kim N.
Ordered a prime rib here (not really a steak, but still) and it was as big as my head! Loved every bite and would come back for it. The restaurant has a medieval feel, which I think is cool. The room we were in was really loud with all the guests and it was hard to hear each other, which turned out to be a problem because the server misheard my friend when she ordered her steak medium as well done. Service was excellent.
(4)
Michel R.
I was honestly disappointed with my experience at Smith & Wollensky. I did not think the food was that good, but most of all, I felt in a college dining hall. I don't dislike college dining halls, but they also don't charge 40$ a steak. In addition, the whole medieval castle was I thought a bit of overkill. I would definitely choose Capital Grille or Grill23 for that caliber of steakhouses
(2)
Nick M.
This is one of the most overpriced places I have ever been to period. The quality of the food is good, but the prices should literally be halved. I got Wild Alaskan Salmon which was delicious and is hard to find fresh in most restaurants, but it cost $40- about a 200-400% markup. The most memorable part was the bread basket. This place isn't bad and the environment is like an old school steak house, but can you say R-I-P....
(3)
Evie U.
WARNING: 4 Stars rating only applies to the steak!! S & W serves the best cuts of dry aged beef. Their portions are enormous (26 oz bone-in porterhouse, for example). Do not be afraid when you look at the prices of the steaks ($39 - $45) because they are large enough for two people. Just order two sides for $9 each and a steak and you will be more than full!! They cook the steaks perfectly. Definitely order medium rare, you can trust them. And now for the bad news... I was disappointed in the asparagus and crab salad ($14), which was lacking in acid and seasoning. A salad like that should be made with delicate baby asparagus rather than massive overcooked stalks 1" in diameter. Also, we arrived at 8pm for our 8pm reservation, and we were not seated at our table until 8:35pm ... this was on a Wednesday night, mind you. However, the host comped our drinks because of the inconvenience, so that was cool. Yes, comp the drinks , get us liquored up and improve our moods :) The decor is like ...heavy.... I mean, big American flags in heavy oak picture frames, big heavy tables, big heavy menus (again, set in heavy picture frames), and big heavy steak knives that would be the perfect tool for gutting a deer or some other large mammal. Heck, even the waiters are big and heavy at this restaurant. I would be too, if I got to sit down at 4pm for a bone-in porterhouse and a side of truffled mac & cheese before every shift! The bottom line: go here, especially if you are a dude who likes steak and alcohol.
(4)
Ellen L.
Was not happy with the quality of the steak. I felt like I was eating at outback.
(2)
Erin N.
Generous portions and extremely attentive service -- all of our steaks were cooked perfectly. Highlights included an enormous well-seasoned crab cake with oodles of flaky meat, while my personal favorite was a creamy truffled macaroni and cheese. Definitely worth every penny.
(4)
Paul M.
Recently attended a large party at S&W. It was held on the 4th floor in one of their function rooms. I was with the host of the party when he went to meet the function manager the first time to evaluate the space. One of the statements the function manager made was that she "never had anyone leave their function hungry." She said that if the party required more food, it would be out within a short period. Well honey, I can tell you the whole room left hungry. There were supposed to be passed appetizers all night and everyone I spoke to hardly saw a shred of food. What a rip off! The three hors d'oeuvres I had all night sucked. One was on stale bread and another was supposed to a mini beef wellington. You would never know that by tasting it. Also, beware that if you need to have electrical equipment, there are no outlets in this room. S&W never upgraded the electrical in this room. Keep looking - you can do much better.
(2)
Julie B.
i wish i could live in this place - it's gorgeous. that being said, i do prefer morton's, but they still do have excellent steak and sides, and the waitstaff is always very professional. my only gripe is that i ordered a steak au poivre and got it plain (which wasn't that big of a deal b/c it was still awesome). very nice though.
(4)
Jack N.
While the steak was good (probably a 7 out of 10), I expect much more out of a place that charges $75 / lb for beef, and then makes you spend another $10 for potatoes on the side (by the way, the potatoes and mac 'n cheese sides were MUCH better than the steak; I may go back and just get sides ;) ). The atmosphere was terrible - loud and dark. Too much wood made the sound reverberate from all angles, and you could hear about 30 conversations at once, so you had to yell just to talk to the person across the table from you. They squeezed our party of 6 into a short, fat, very oddly shaped table, so we were shoulder-to-shoulder with the person next to you, but about 4 feet from the person across. OVERALL: like many high-end restaurants in Boston, I expect more than just the average experience, but at nearly $100 per person, I think I should.
(2)
Patrick K.
We came here on a Saturday night and we were not disappointed. Parking was available right next to the restaurant for $15, not bad for 2 hours in Boston on a Saturday night. Though I'm no sommelier, their wine list was impressive, if a bit overwhelming for the casual sipper. However the waitress was very helpful and attentive, and made great suggestions for our wine choice. As far as the meal, I had the sirloin cooked rare, and boy was it rare. That was my own mistake, not S&W's. My girlfriends filet mignon was just perfect - cooked to perfection and tender enough to melt in your mouth. The menu's a la carte, and we shared creamed spinach, which was nothing special. But the a la carte side items are certainly made for two to share. The dessert cart gave you sugar-shock from just walking by and smelling the items. We didn't partake, and for that I'm sorry. Definitely a formal place suited well for an upscale dining experience.
(4)
Havana F.
Nothing out of this world.. Food good, service ok..
(2)
Lackadaisical N.
bleh they only get a star for being in a building that's a castle, and another for wine week (sep 21-25 this yr) and their generous dessert portions. the sommelier during wine week was very helpful, answered all our questions abt the wines, briefed us on all 10 different wines, and comped us a half bottle of dessert wine. i was very impressed w/ the service that time; but a few months later we had a sourpuss waiter who wasn't pleased abt working the day shift i guess. the steaks - for this money, are definitely not worth it. go to Fleming's instead, for a much nicer cut, or Grill 23, Oak Room drinks - a little stingy - and they don't have stuffed olives for dirty martinis. what kind of old school establishment is this? you're charging $13 for a mini martini w/ mini olives, from a can. i don't mind spending on a nice meal, and checking out what is supposed to be one of THE places to eat in boston is a hobby. but when the steak is rubbery and dry, and drinks not strong, the waiter grumpy - the experience is completely ruined. i have made much nicer steaks at home w/ cuts from shaw's, and much better drinks.
(2)
April I.
Oh bone-in ribeye how I love thee!!! Went to S&W the other night with the other half and couldn't resist ordering the bone-in ribeye. What a great decision. Perfectly cooked piece of beef, juicy and tasty. They offered me Smith & Wollensky branded steak sauce which I politely declined. Why would you want to ruin a perfectly cooked piece of meat with steak sauce?!! The other half got the 10 oz. filet au poivre cooked medium well and butterflied. I had a bite. It was good, but not as good as the ribeye. We split a side of the truffled mac n' cheese and were swilling back gin martinis. The service was great, very attentive, yet not intrusive. The waiter paced our food delivery well so we were able to linger a bit and chat but not wait and wait for our food. We opted to split the coconut cake which was creamy and moist with fresh coconut abound. What a lovely dinner and of course the price matched. This isn't a place you go out to every night, but it sure is good.
(5)
Jenny N.
I'd only eat here on someone else's dime because it's SUPER overpriced for a slightly better than average meal (hopefully my gracious hosts aren't reading this...). Don't get me wrong--I LOVE steak, especially filet mignon, but this place ain't all it's cracked up to be...I think the food is a bit hit or miss, as I've had a good filet cooked to perfection at medium-rare, as well as an overdone filet that was ordered medium-rare and cooked dry. I do have to say though that the "seafood bouquet" is an impressive creation (a tower of crab, shrimp, lobster tail, oysters, mussels and clams on ice!) and the massive block of chocolate cake is pretty great too. While the portions are large overall, the food presentation is pretty bare bones (think steak on a plate w/o so much as a parsley garnish) and I still get sticker shock every time I look at the menu. The restaurant is housed in a castle, which is cool, but I think the atmosphere overall is too stuffy for me. And what's with all the "flair" (pins) that they make the waiters wear on their lapel? We know it's a chain, so do you really have to point out that there is an S&W in every major U.S. city every time you walk by? It's definitely a masculine restaurant made for power lunches and client dinners.
(3)
Jen R.
Expensive but worth the prices. Amazing to eat in a castle. The restaurant just recently came to Boston so its worth a visit. The steaks were comparable to Capital Grille.
(4)
Marcell S.
The only thing I liked about this place was the setting and the Smith & Wollensky blend glass of wine. The fireplace was awesome and the room we ate in was very unique but the food wasn't worth the price at all. I started with the Smith & Wollensky salad then had a 10oz butterfly-style filet mignon cajun with a side of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. The steak was just ok, the mashed potatoes tasted like the fake box potatoes and the creamed spinach was cold. We finished with creme brulee which was ok but nothing to write home about. Needless to say if I want a steak I will NOT be returning to S&W I will mosey on down to Capital Grille or Grille 23. And I know I mentioned it before but it was ridiculously overpriced.
(2)
Zachary A.
Place sucks. Only thing nice is the building it's in...other than that I'd suggest going to Abe & Louies. Place is lousy, food is lousy, help is lousy.
(1)
Michael C.
I take back my original review of 3 stars for Smith and Wollenky as it has improved substantially since it opened. The service here is top notch and have accomidated both large and small parties of mine with the utmost courtesy. I recommend the Filet, Mashed Potatoes, Crab Cakes, Cheesecake and espresso. Soooo good.
(5)
Helen L.
Very upscale atmosphere. Most expensive steak ever. It was really really good, but it was the size of my face. I guess a $44 should be pretty big. However, who in their right mind can eat the entire thing? It made me too full afterwards...I feel like portions this big isn't always a good thing. If you like steak, go to Longhorns or somewhere where it's only $15 bucks for a decent size and you don't feel like you just ate an entire cow afterwards.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No 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 Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
P M.
The 4 stars is ONLY for the steak. This was my restaurant week treat. They had what I thought was the stingiest menu - apps were either soup or iceberg lettuce salad. The steak didn't even come with potatoes or beans or anything (which I know is standard for the real steakhouses, but this was Restaurant Week!). We ordered mashed potatoes which were runny. The dessert was nothing to write home about. But the steak... cooked to perfection. And the S&W steak sauce is the best I've ever had. I'm wondering if they sell it. Besides that, the castle/armory is a fun place to sit and have dinner at least once. I'm not going back, though. I think there are plenty of places that serve good steak with amazing tasting sides.
(4)Austin E.
The BEST service I have ever received at a restaurant. You get what you pay for.
(5)E D.
So far the best steak I've had has been at Capital Grille in Philadelphia. However this steak was also up there. My steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and sides were very tasty. The atmosphere in this places is really cool. The outside resembles a castle and the guy bringing is to our table told us that it was built in Boston at a time when there was a lot of gang-related strife similar to what was portrayed in the movie, Gangs of New York...which is how he described it. The inside has big staircases, wood floors and huge ceilings. It genuinely feels like a place where you would want to sit and eat a steak and smoke a cigar with tasty Scotch afterward. The waitstaff was pleasant and I didn't feel rushed....a steakhouse like this is one place where I don't mind waiting a bit and enjoying good conversation over a few drinks before I place my order. Our waitress must have been relatively new because she seemed nervous, but I still thought she did a good job. Even so, she gave us free dessert because we had been so patient with her....at the end of our meal she brought over a huge piece of chocolate cake and coconut cake. Both were delicious...at least the bite or two that I could fit in after my huge steak dinner. I love steakhouses like this. It's definitely my choice to go to on a special occasion. This one was a close second behind the Capital Grille in Philadelphia.
(4)Natalie T.
If I hadn't been here for a business meal, I probably wouldn't have ever set foot in this place because dinner here would cost me a whole day's salary *tear*. But hey, if I was racking up the dough, I'd definitely be a regular. Hypotheticals aside, the food was amazing. I had the rack of lamb and could have pretty much died happy then and there. The tiramisu was awesome because it was more on the rum-my side, which is fine with me! And of course, the Bordeaux was excellent, too. But how can you go wrong with Bordeaux?!
(4)Will S.
What a waste of time/money for an avergage meal with lousy service. Granted, I went for the first time when the were first opening up and may have been working out some kinks, but still cmonn.. Try Wollensky's Grill in NYC and you will see how much this Boston reincarnation sucks in comparison, I don't care if it's in a castle - I could get better service from a bum on the streetcorner.
(2)Jeffrey W.
Ever eaten in a castle? This was originally built for the army corp of cadets. Their job was to guard the governor. Now the building has been turned into one of the best steakhouses in Boston. The food is great though pricey, but the surroundings are the best.
(4)Sarah S.
Maybe it's the Texan in me, but this steak place was pretty ho-hum. And I know my steak, people...
(3)Jay and Jenn O.
Great steakhouse in a really cool setting. The T Bone was huge and flavorful. Jenn likes getting fish here because they serve it in a big fish plate.
(4)Erin G.
I tried Smith & Wollensky's for the first time during 06 Restaurant Week. My assistant team had scheduled lunch for 7 at 1PM. (allocated a long lunch of 1.5 hours) The location is great and the atmosphere of the castle is charming and warm. We arrived about 10-15 minutes early and were seated right away. We were on the busy first floor, but there were at least six suited waiters rolling carts around to the loud lunch tables. we were seated in the round of a turret and waited for our server. we saw him bustling about to other tables, he acknowledged us with a nod as he passed by, but didn't actually get to us for about 10 minutes. we ordered our drinks and RW menus, and chatted as we waited for our first course. it took him another 10 minutes to bring our sodas, forgetting that two people asked only for water, and left us high and dry. as he poured water for an adjacent table i had to lean over and beg for a round at ours. another 10 minutes passed before our first course came. In short, the service was friendly but excrutiatingly slow. we didn't get to leave until 3 pm! the Tuna Nicoise Salad was delicious, absolutely no one had a bad word to say about anything we ate, but be forewarned that this is not speedy, or even reasonably paced service standard.
(3)P C.
I been dying to knock this place.. First off.. This place blows.. I don't know how often some of the reviewers frequent "upscale steak houses" but this fails in comparison to Morton's around the corner or even the 99.. I had the worst experience here. I went here with the intentions of having a grand old time. I valeted the car, they stole my quarters, i ordered a steak medium rare it came well done, i sent it back they forgot about it, i tried to get a glass of wine they didn't have the two that were on the menu i ordered. The waiter gave me the biggest attitude compared to that of a PMS'ing 16 year old girl. I'm sure lots of you have had great experiences but for a place that carries this name and "reputation" I would hardly expect to ever have this type of experience here. My opinion.. Save your money and go someplace else.
(1)Shannon C.
I visited for dinner and I was totally unimpressed. The seared ahi was good, but the steak was charred on the outside, still breathing on the inside. Upon leaving, my coat was recovered from the coatroom floor...thanks, guys. For the prices they charge, I expect a much more impressive dining experience...boo for the fact that it's a CHAIN.
(3)C S.
S&W should get 3.5 stars. We went here for Restaurant Week and got a salad, filet mignon, and dessert for $33. I expected to get a good piece of steak, and that's exactly what I got. The service was excellent and the armory is quite a pretty place for a restaurant (although I would hate to see how much their rent is-- that place is huge!). I'll come back here again when I'm jonesing for a piece of steak.
(3)Brandy S.
OK, it is a chain, but still worth a mention because it is one of the best steakhouses in Boston. Don't expect anything fancy - it will be your age old steak house fare with creamed spinach, yummy mashed potatoes, and well executed, juicy steaks. The service is steller - friendly, but unobtrusive, and the setting is unique. I would go for special occations and when you have an expense account.
(5)Robert A.
This restaurant is located in the "castle" in the Back Bay. There are 4 floors of dining space and the decor reminds me of an old library. They start you off with a bread basket of various breads: sourdough, corn bread, sweet bread, etc. As an appetizer, I had the mixed greens salad. It's basically mixed greens with a couple slices of radish and a vinaigrette dressing. For the main dish, I had the 10oz. filet mignon, oyster style, which is crab meat and asparagus topped with a bordellaise sauce. The entrees are a la carte, so we ordered a side of truffled macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach, asparagus and hash browns. The filet was a bit dry for medium-rare but the crab and bordellaise sauce helped with the chewing and taste. The asparagus was overcooked but I didn't mind it at all. The hash browns and truffled macaroni and cheese were my favorite sides. The creamed spinach was bland. For dessert I had the vanilla creme brulee, it was good, but it's creme brulee. Overall, I would give the food 7/10 and 9/10 for service. The waiter and server were very friendly and polite. Though it's only restaurant week, I still prefer Fleming's Steakhouse and Morton's Steakhouse.
(5)Scott B.
this place is friggin horrible - i wouldnt go there again on a bet. i would rather have a turkey sandwich from starbucks. at least that way i would only feel moderately ripped off and not be totally grossed out
(1)Sandee S.
Ok, so the atmosphere is cool (you ARE eating in a castle) and the rooms are bright and big. The service is wonderful. But as for the food, you can find much more interesting and savory dishes at smaller named restaurants. It is very pricey, but the fried calamari is worth every penny! I was full from it ~ and it was just the appetizer! The fish was overcooked, but the dessert was the largest peice of chocolate cake I have ever seen in my life. I will be eating it for days.
(3)Alex S.
Went here for Restaurant Week on Sunday. While we both had great meals, not sure that they quite stacked up against the hype. My girlfriend got a great caesar salad, perfectly cooked salmon, and one giant piece of chocolate cake. I got a nice mixed salad, a filet that was cooked too rare (which was interesting, because the manager actually came out and said it had been delayed because he didn't think the way they cooked it the first time was up to par - maybe it was too well done the first time, who knows), and a damn tasty creme brulee. And we ordered off the regular menu to share the truffled macaroni and cheese - it was good, but there were many different types of mushrooms in the mix so the truffle taste got a little lost. The waitstaff was definitely friendly and attentive. I ordered a Patron Margarita off of their cocktail menu, but it took forever to get it, because they were apparently out of the tequila. However, our dynamic waitstaff duo (I got a little confused as to which person was actually our server) kept me well-informed and apologized profusely. The atmosphere was unique for sure and very interesting, but not the most romantic. Still it made for a great night out at quite the expensive place for a much lower price.
(4)Carolina L.
This is one of the best steakhouse in Boston.. The food is great and the experience as well.. you are eating in a castle that has been preserved since the soldiers lived there and its amazing.. you can also take a tour around the building so you can see the different rooms and floors.. but that is not the only thing about the restaurant the food is amazing all of it and the desserts as well.. the chocolate one is HUGE!! the only bad thing about this restaurant are the prices... but good things are expensive..
(4)K D.
I am not a steakhouse gal, and I really enjoyed my filet. Dinner was very tasty - - but I am here to talk about the truffle mac & cheese - delish! The room was cold, but the old castle ambiance was intriguing. Pleasantly surprised
(3)Allison S.
Great steakhouse and atmosphere! Their meats are delectable and their sides are wonderful too. Great wine list and the service was amazing - they knew every cut of meat, which wine was best with each meat and how eat meat should be cooked. I'd definitely go back - if I had the funds.
(4)Kim N.
Ordered a prime rib here (not really a steak, but still) and it was as big as my head! Loved every bite and would come back for it. The restaurant has a medieval feel, which I think is cool. The room we were in was really loud with all the guests and it was hard to hear each other, which turned out to be a problem because the server misheard my friend when she ordered her steak medium as well done. Service was excellent.
(4)Michel R.
I was honestly disappointed with my experience at Smith & Wollensky. I did not think the food was that good, but most of all, I felt in a college dining hall. I don't dislike college dining halls, but they also don't charge 40$ a steak. In addition, the whole medieval castle was I thought a bit of overkill. I would definitely choose Capital Grille or Grill23 for that caliber of steakhouses
(2)Nick M.
This is one of the most overpriced places I have ever been to period. The quality of the food is good, but the prices should literally be halved. I got Wild Alaskan Salmon which was delicious and is hard to find fresh in most restaurants, but it cost $40- about a 200-400% markup. The most memorable part was the bread basket. This place isn't bad and the environment is like an old school steak house, but can you say R-I-P....
(3)Evie U.
WARNING: 4 Stars rating only applies to the steak!! S & W serves the best cuts of dry aged beef. Their portions are enormous (26 oz bone-in porterhouse, for example). Do not be afraid when you look at the prices of the steaks ($39 - $45) because they are large enough for two people. Just order two sides for $9 each and a steak and you will be more than full!! They cook the steaks perfectly. Definitely order medium rare, you can trust them. And now for the bad news... I was disappointed in the asparagus and crab salad ($14), which was lacking in acid and seasoning. A salad like that should be made with delicate baby asparagus rather than massive overcooked stalks 1" in diameter. Also, we arrived at 8pm for our 8pm reservation, and we were not seated at our table until 8:35pm ... this was on a Wednesday night, mind you. However, the host comped our drinks because of the inconvenience, so that was cool. Yes, comp the drinks , get us liquored up and improve our moods :) The decor is like ...heavy.... I mean, big American flags in heavy oak picture frames, big heavy tables, big heavy menus (again, set in heavy picture frames), and big heavy steak knives that would be the perfect tool for gutting a deer or some other large mammal. Heck, even the waiters are big and heavy at this restaurant. I would be too, if I got to sit down at 4pm for a bone-in porterhouse and a side of truffled mac & cheese before every shift! The bottom line: go here, especially if you are a dude who likes steak and alcohol.
(4)Ellen L.
Was not happy with the quality of the steak. I felt like I was eating at outback.
(2)Erin N.
Generous portions and extremely attentive service -- all of our steaks were cooked perfectly. Highlights included an enormous well-seasoned crab cake with oodles of flaky meat, while my personal favorite was a creamy truffled macaroni and cheese. Definitely worth every penny.
(4)Paul M.
Recently attended a large party at S&W. It was held on the 4th floor in one of their function rooms. I was with the host of the party when he went to meet the function manager the first time to evaluate the space. One of the statements the function manager made was that she "never had anyone leave their function hungry." She said that if the party required more food, it would be out within a short period. Well honey, I can tell you the whole room left hungry. There were supposed to be passed appetizers all night and everyone I spoke to hardly saw a shred of food. What a rip off! The three hors d'oeuvres I had all night sucked. One was on stale bread and another was supposed to a mini beef wellington. You would never know that by tasting it. Also, beware that if you need to have electrical equipment, there are no outlets in this room. S&W never upgraded the electrical in this room. Keep looking - you can do much better.
(2)Julie B.
i wish i could live in this place - it's gorgeous. that being said, i do prefer morton's, but they still do have excellent steak and sides, and the waitstaff is always very professional. my only gripe is that i ordered a steak au poivre and got it plain (which wasn't that big of a deal b/c it was still awesome). very nice though.
(4)Jack N.
While the steak was good (probably a 7 out of 10), I expect much more out of a place that charges $75 / lb for beef, and then makes you spend another $10 for potatoes on the side (by the way, the potatoes and mac 'n cheese sides were MUCH better than the steak; I may go back and just get sides ;) ). The atmosphere was terrible - loud and dark. Too much wood made the sound reverberate from all angles, and you could hear about 30 conversations at once, so you had to yell just to talk to the person across the table from you. They squeezed our party of 6 into a short, fat, very oddly shaped table, so we were shoulder-to-shoulder with the person next to you, but about 4 feet from the person across. OVERALL: like many high-end restaurants in Boston, I expect more than just the average experience, but at nearly $100 per person, I think I should.
(2)Patrick K.
We came here on a Saturday night and we were not disappointed. Parking was available right next to the restaurant for $15, not bad for 2 hours in Boston on a Saturday night. Though I'm no sommelier, their wine list was impressive, if a bit overwhelming for the casual sipper. However the waitress was very helpful and attentive, and made great suggestions for our wine choice. As far as the meal, I had the sirloin cooked rare, and boy was it rare. That was my own mistake, not S&W's. My girlfriends filet mignon was just perfect - cooked to perfection and tender enough to melt in your mouth. The menu's a la carte, and we shared creamed spinach, which was nothing special. But the a la carte side items are certainly made for two to share. The dessert cart gave you sugar-shock from just walking by and smelling the items. We didn't partake, and for that I'm sorry. Definitely a formal place suited well for an upscale dining experience.
(4)Havana F.
Nothing out of this world.. Food good, service ok..
(2)Lackadaisical N.
bleh they only get a star for being in a building that's a castle, and another for wine week (sep 21-25 this yr) and their generous dessert portions. the sommelier during wine week was very helpful, answered all our questions abt the wines, briefed us on all 10 different wines, and comped us a half bottle of dessert wine. i was very impressed w/ the service that time; but a few months later we had a sourpuss waiter who wasn't pleased abt working the day shift i guess. the steaks - for this money, are definitely not worth it. go to Fleming's instead, for a much nicer cut, or Grill 23, Oak Room drinks - a little stingy - and they don't have stuffed olives for dirty martinis. what kind of old school establishment is this? you're charging $13 for a mini martini w/ mini olives, from a can. i don't mind spending on a nice meal, and checking out what is supposed to be one of THE places to eat in boston is a hobby. but when the steak is rubbery and dry, and drinks not strong, the waiter grumpy - the experience is completely ruined. i have made much nicer steaks at home w/ cuts from shaw's, and much better drinks.
(2)April I.
Oh bone-in ribeye how I love thee!!! Went to S&W the other night with the other half and couldn't resist ordering the bone-in ribeye. What a great decision. Perfectly cooked piece of beef, juicy and tasty. They offered me Smith & Wollensky branded steak sauce which I politely declined. Why would you want to ruin a perfectly cooked piece of meat with steak sauce?!! The other half got the 10 oz. filet au poivre cooked medium well and butterflied. I had a bite. It was good, but not as good as the ribeye. We split a side of the truffled mac n' cheese and were swilling back gin martinis. The service was great, very attentive, yet not intrusive. The waiter paced our food delivery well so we were able to linger a bit and chat but not wait and wait for our food. We opted to split the coconut cake which was creamy and moist with fresh coconut abound. What a lovely dinner and of course the price matched. This isn't a place you go out to every night, but it sure is good.
(5)Jenny N.
I'd only eat here on someone else's dime because it's SUPER overpriced for a slightly better than average meal (hopefully my gracious hosts aren't reading this...). Don't get me wrong--I LOVE steak, especially filet mignon, but this place ain't all it's cracked up to be...I think the food is a bit hit or miss, as I've had a good filet cooked to perfection at medium-rare, as well as an overdone filet that was ordered medium-rare and cooked dry. I do have to say though that the "seafood bouquet" is an impressive creation (a tower of crab, shrimp, lobster tail, oysters, mussels and clams on ice!) and the massive block of chocolate cake is pretty great too. While the portions are large overall, the food presentation is pretty bare bones (think steak on a plate w/o so much as a parsley garnish) and I still get sticker shock every time I look at the menu. The restaurant is housed in a castle, which is cool, but I think the atmosphere overall is too stuffy for me. And what's with all the "flair" (pins) that they make the waiters wear on their lapel? We know it's a chain, so do you really have to point out that there is an S&W in every major U.S. city every time you walk by? It's definitely a masculine restaurant made for power lunches and client dinners.
(3)Jen R.
Expensive but worth the prices. Amazing to eat in a castle. The restaurant just recently came to Boston so its worth a visit. The steaks were comparable to Capital Grille.
(4)Marcell S.
The only thing I liked about this place was the setting and the Smith & Wollensky blend glass of wine. The fireplace was awesome and the room we ate in was very unique but the food wasn't worth the price at all. I started with the Smith & Wollensky salad then had a 10oz butterfly-style filet mignon cajun with a side of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. The steak was just ok, the mashed potatoes tasted like the fake box potatoes and the creamed spinach was cold. We finished with creme brulee which was ok but nothing to write home about. Needless to say if I want a steak I will NOT be returning to S&W I will mosey on down to Capital Grille or Grille 23. And I know I mentioned it before but it was ridiculously overpriced.
(2)Zachary A.
Place sucks. Only thing nice is the building it's in...other than that I'd suggest going to Abe & Louies. Place is lousy, food is lousy, help is lousy.
(1)Michael C.
I take back my original review of 3 stars for Smith and Wollenky as it has improved substantially since it opened. The service here is top notch and have accomidated both large and small parties of mine with the utmost courtesy. I recommend the Filet, Mashed Potatoes, Crab Cakes, Cheesecake and espresso. Soooo good.
(5)Helen L.
Very upscale atmosphere. Most expensive steak ever. It was really really good, but it was the size of my face. I guess a $44 should be pretty big. However, who in their right mind can eat the entire thing? It made me too full afterwards...I feel like portions this big isn't always a good thing. If you like steak, go to Longhorns or somewhere where it's only $15 bucks for a decent size and you don't feel like you just ate an entire cow afterwards.
(3)