Great place to stumble upon (there was one restaurant next door, and everything else were flats). The inside was beautifully serene, with low light and quiet music - felt a little like something out of a Miyazaki film (specifically Spirited Away, when Sen's on the train). We got the brussels sprouts and eggplant dip (sadly they didn't have sweet potato dumplings...), as well as some local beers. The waitress was very nice and helped us choose what would pair well with our courses. The pan-roasted brussels sprout were quite delicious! I'd come back here. :)
(5)
Matthew R.
High quality food. High quality service. And 2 casks of ale on the counters... This man knows what he's doing.
(5)
Meghan P.
I can't say enough good things about this place! The beer selection was amazing. The food was perfection. The owner and bartender were so hospitable, you felt like you were over an old friend's place for dinner. I would recommend The Glenville Stops to anyone. It is impossible to not enjoy yourself here.
(5)
Iris J.
we ordered salmon, steak, mushroom baguette, sticky pork, choloate cake, and cheese cake. The steak was overcooked, salmon was ok, overall the food here is okay, if u r looking for some place to chat and have dinner, this is a decent place to go. However, the service here was below avg, we asked three times for the waiter to bring us bread to start with, and he forgot for two times. When we were still eating dessert, he gave us the bill. Later he came back again ask if the bill was ready when we were still eating. Overall, ok food, poor service. Don't order the steak. The second worst steak I've ever had in Boston.
(3)
Sam S.
Extensive beer and wine menu. The food is rather pricey but is definitely well-made. The physical interior is brand spanking new and looks pretty classy to boot. My only hang up is the location. Why open this kind of establishment here in the middle of college town on a block where at any given time only say, 10% of residents can legally drink here? This seems more fit for Brighton, Brookline or parts closer to Fenway. Otherwise it's a classy hipster restaurant and I would recommend it to the right crowd.
(4)
Vanessa T.
Allston is always hit or miss for me. Whether it be the crowd, atmosphere, or service. Its hard to find restaurants that have interesting menus. I am a huge fan of "bar bites" and any place that thinks outside of the box. I love honey and Glenville has a few items they paired nicely. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Like many new businesses that open, sometimes the wait is a little longer for food/service. It takes time to balance out the staff with the crowd and its to be expected. Well worth the wait. Since they do have bar bites, many dishes came out with little wait. We only had to wait a little longer for one dish due to a rush of people. No big deal, it was Sunday-Funday! My friend and I ordered: Bar Bites: Faroe Island Lox - this was fresh and cooked perfectly. Griddled Cheese - Very different concept and far from a normal grilled cheese. Duxbury Oysters, 1/2 / dozen - Fresh and served with chive and normal sides. Drunken Goat Cheese - FAVORITE. Paired with Mango, Honey, Almonds, Toast Points that were TO DIE FOR and drizzled with honey. Main meals: Confit Chicken Sandwich - Good size sandwich on ciabatta bread with plenty of fries for us to share. Caesar Salad - two people could share this! Huge portion with ample croutons and cheese. Dessert: Cathy's Cheesecake - with passion fruit sauce and strawberries. Personally I thought this would be wonderful without the passion fruit sauce. This is made by the owners wife! We will be back for sure. Too bad this places wasn't around when I lived on Park Vale Ave! :)
(4)
JO. C.
The Glenville Stops is a nice place for couples, friends, and family to visit! They serve nice wines, appetizers, and creative dishes with no disappointments. What's more, the interior design is very delicate. You will find out they have hanging lamp with very different decorations; also the luxury speakers are just hanging on the ceiling. It is an amazing place!
(4)
Michael C.
Came in to Glenville Stops on a cold snowy night around opening. The staff was friendly and we were able to grab a seat quickly at the bar. The free bread and eggplant tahini dip it came with was definitely the highlight of the meal, I had to ask for seconds. Quick Seared Shrimp - The shrimp were large and well flavored with garlic and oil. If you are a shrimp fan then these are a must get item. Pork Riblets - I really enjoyed the glaze on these. If you don't like eating around the bone then these might not be for you. Otherwise they were pretty tasty Avocado Tamarind - Simple and flavorful. Sliced avocado with a peanut type sauce, it was a tasty combo Mussels - Another classic and simple dish, if you like mussels then you will enjoy these. I especially liked the bread that accompanied the dish
(3)
Alexander K.
Awesome place !! Excellent choice of beers and food is amazing !! In an old neighborhood as used to live there many years back, this was very catchy not to visit and reviews were good as well !! Definitely a must Stops !! Just last Thur.12/4 with friends visited .., worth every moment !! Parking can be difficult so plan accordingly !! No TV, no loud music, super clean, great service, awesome to conversation, and/or attention to your date !! Just good atmosphere !! Very relaxing !! Go Go Go !! Do visit !!
(5)
Victoria P.
Came here for dinner on a week night and there was only one other table seated when we arrived. My boyfriend and I ordered the roasted beets, grilled squid, and the stops burger. The roasted beets did not match the description and was plated over a thick spread that tasted like a terrible cheese. The squid was masked in a pool of what tasted like canned chili and had no grilled taste whatsoever. The burger was just okay, but lacked salt and was extremely greasy. I also ordered a downeast cider with dinner and I've never had this particular cider before, but it tasted terrible and flat. I had only two sips and left it sitting for the rest of the meal. Not only did the waitress not ask me how my drink was or offer to substitute it for another, she charged me for two ciders on the final bill. While she did correct this after I mentioned it, I still paid for a terrible drink that I hardly drank. Overall, it was a terrible experience. I do not recommend this place.
(1)
Abbie M.
Brunch the Sunday of a bachelorette weekend is a very important meal. You're recapping the events of the weekend, nursing a tumultuous tummy and battling any vestiges of dehydration. You want coffee, water, bacon and deliciousness and you want it now. The brunch menu is on the slender side but they cover all the classics - eggs with toast, eggs benny, pancakes, etc. They even offer a few unusual things like black pudding and fried slice, for those of you missing the UK. Most of our table ordered the eggs benedict because we're classic like that. The food itself was impressively delicious. An excellent hollandaise and the yolks were perfectly runny. Their "homefries" were really fried potato medallions, like an incredibly obese potato chip or a french fry cut the other way. The breakfast burger was enormous and purportedly fantastic. It's important to point out that their side of bacon was worth every cent - the plate even had to be shared because there was such a generous portion! And it was the good bacon! They have a great bar area and weirdly enough we each noticed the interesting ceiling fans. It would definitely be a top choice for a weekend drink. Service on this particular day is my only sticking point. I don't know who was in charge this Sunday, but it didn't seem like anyone was. The place was very quiet when we arrived right as they opened, our table of 9 was the first to sit down and others came in after. Our waiter was nice but slow. The other waitress was equally nice and equally slow. We ordered some coffees and juices, and it was about 15 minutes after ordering before we all had our beverages. The coffee was delicious, so it helped. After we ordered our food, it was a loooong wait and then the entrees began to come out one by one. Even on the Ark they were two by two! The bride waited at least 15 minutes after the first food came out, to be served. Our food was absolutely to die for. The ambiance was cool. I will definitely be back if I'm in the area!
Anything less than 5 stars would be unbefitting, as the food at Glenville Stops is truly delicious. Their free-range, half-chicken dish is easily the best chicken that I have ever had at a restaurant; never have I had such moist, melt-in-your-mouth chicken before. For red meat lovers, their burger is equally as delicious & juicy. In addition to wonderful food, Glenville Stops has a pleasant & attentive waitstaff. My waiter periodically checked up on me & made sure that my water glass never got too low. If you find yourself in the Allston area, I highly recommend stopping by Glenville Stops. Tidbits: -The food is reasonably priced, with entrees ranging from $15-$25 (the free-range, half-chicken plate costs $16). If you order a burger or sandwich, the food is even more affordable, with a price tag of $11-$13. -Glenville Stops is located on a side street off of Allston Street, so it has a more local, less college student feel to it than many restaurants in Allston. -You can make reservations online or on your phone via OpenTable.
(5)
Joseph D.
I should pay it forward more often. This place is incredible! The pork riblets are incredible and even with a smaller portion size for the cheese and honey I love just about anything here! Allston is coming up thanks to Glenville Stops!
ATMOSPHERE: 4.5 Still can't believe these were crappy offices. Gorgeous interior. Reminds me of my local Elk's lodge, and not in a bad way. Honestly, I think that it works, and really takes you far away from Allston. BEVERAGES: 4 Great beers, but on the expensive side. Loved the cask ale that night. SERVICE: 3 Service was nothing short of gracious, but extremely spotty. Not many people were there the night we went, and at one point I had to go up to a waiter and ask for help. That was super awkward. FOOD: 3 Most of the food was between 3-4 stars, the exception being the chocolate cake dessert which tasted a lot like Little Debbie brownies. This could be a good or a bad thing. You decide.
(4)
Sarah W.
A hidden gem right near Packards Corner and Brookline. The food is delicious and they offer a gluten fee, lactose free menu at a nice price. The bartender is British and can tell you the charming story behind the name of the locale. The bar lights are Tiffany inspired lamps which just adds to the charm. There are no TVs which is a breath of fresh air, allowing you to talk or just zone out over a nice glass of wine or beer from the extensive list (they even have a gluten free one from Spain). It is a very friendly environment and I would highly recommend taking a stroll over and giving it a try.
(5)
Jessica L.
Is this place a mirage in the desolation that is Allston? The Glenville Stops is the perfect cozy restaurant with an insane beer tap and wine selection, as well as great menu. My favorite menu item is the beet and feta salad (perfect for a light dinner on its own), and the burger is awesome, too. Great as a pick-me-up on a Monday night, or to meet with friends over the weekend. It's a godsend to have such a great neighborhood restaurant like this in Allston.
(5)
Rekha W.
Wow! Our first time here was simply amazingly! Riblets were to die for! Scallops good. Burger very good. Octopus was killer. Can't wait to come back. Can't believe we have lived near here for years and haven't found this place. Save yourself the trouble and come here quickly! Also, Mike at the bar and Sarah were great at service.
(5)
Kay H.
This place has 4.5 stars?! Spent $66 on a glass of shandy, wine and mussels, ribs, scallops, and chocolate cake. This is Allston Bruh. Walked in on a Friday night, wasn't too busy, took 3 min to be acknowledged to be seated. Slow service in general. Mussels were fresh but seemed farm raised. Could be wrong or I'm not familiar with different species sizes. They seemed a bit large. Tasted fresh for the most part. I ordered the Riesling, meant the $9 one, the first listed on the menu, was charged for the $11 one, wasn't asked which one I preferred. Didn't put up a stink about it, just took off the tip. The ribs were good but it wasn't paired with anything. Flavoring was good. The scallops were cooked well, the bed of corn was interesting. Doubt I would try it again. The chocolate cake was okay, the mint smelled fresh. I'll find some place else to eat in the future.
(2)
James H.
The food is excellent. It's a substantial cut above a lot of other places at the price-point. Dish in point: baklava with ginger icecream and basil cream. BASIL cream. It's genius. This ain't your grandpa's dessert. These little touches were everywhere through the dishes. Jicama in the coleslaw with the scallops. Little knots of walnut through the carrot soup. The only miss out of the dozen+ dishes I've tried is the buffalo meatloaf... I guess it's hard to make exciting meatloaf. Oh well. Try literally everything else instead. Dishes in general are really good variations - enough to make dishes comfortable to people, but also enough to differentiate from the expected versions. Wine list: short but well populated. Beer list: excellent. Service: fine. I've been twice now. Will go again.
(5)
Julie T.
I haven't written a Yelp review in about a year but decided to come back just to write a one about my new fave restaurant in Allston. What a lovely hidden gem! I've yet to try something here that I did not enjoy. Everything is so f@#$*^% delicious. My personal favorite items: - Confit Chicken Sandwich (*mouth orgasm*) - Roasted Beets (which is weird because I never liked beets before?) - Lamb Meatballs - Cathy's Cheesecake (A+ Cathy, A+) Also, their beer/wine menu is outstanding. If you're into reds, I always get the Noble Vines 181 Merlot and it doesn't disappoint. This place is the perfect date spot; its warm ambiance and attentive service always makes me feel right at home. It's obvious that the owners took a lot of time into perfecting every detail of this restaurant - and it paid off. You're gonna love it here.
(5)
Kim B.
I was shocked and impressed when learning of Glenville stops for many reasons, both good and bed. If you want the short and sweet, my impressions equaled out to positive (hence, the positive review). I was shocked first, as I hadn't heard of this. It opened in about April 2014, and Greg and i found it in October. It is hidden on the backstreets of Allston, in the midst of a neighborhood you wouldn't expect a classy restaurant such as this to be. However, Allston NEEDS more places like this! I wish there was 100 places like this! I was also impressed with the ambience. The decor was definitely lacking, but they had funky lamps, dark lighting, and a seductive, wine bar feel that swooned me. They do need a makeover with art and decor, but besides that, the ambience is on par. There are lots and lots of wine/beer options, and even having wine on tap! If anything, this is an amazing place to come for drinks! I can picture cozying up to the bar on a snowy day and chatting over wine.... not to say that hasn't happened! The food is very impressive, but it is way beyond the norm for anyone who is used to eating in Allston (compared to the surrounding venues... this is 5 star gourmet!). We ordered a few small apps, and were pleased with the taste, flavors, presentation, and overall quality of the food. I do wish they had more... "normal" and less "Adventerous" items on the menu, but then again, there are lots of other places to go in Allston for normal food.... so I like the adventure my taste buds go on with the menu here.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Husband and I went here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Yes, it's a little out of the way... but holy moly is it worth it. The owner is amazingly nice, they have an awesome selection of beers and the food was pretty darn tasty. I got the veggie burger option with a beef pattie and it was AMAZING. Run, don't walk.
(4)
Richard S.
Had a wonderful birthday meal. My justification for a 5+ star experience: Excellent quality food in abundance. Great fresh-tasting beef burger, on the + side of 1/2 pound. Crispy fries that I devoured prior to eating anything else. The greenest green salad I have ever had. Prices so reasonable that I was a bit concerned that the plates would be tiny or the quality would be way off. Not even close. One of the best curated wine lists I've ever seen. Certainly best in any pub.With alcohol %-ages. Facilities so clean, yes I didn't need a plate! Appreciate it though. Global-quality service. By this I mean ... attentive without being overbearing. No need to ask every 5 minutes if "everything is ok with my meal." Clearly the bartender and waiter have a lot vested in the restaurant and they are the owners. But Mike, the Proprietor, went above and beyond. Very knowledgeable about the wines and gave us a preview of our next visit. I cannot overstate this enough. I am a frequent visitor to Europe and must say that they (Europeans) really know how to host. Service is a life's work. Satisfaction is a passion. For extra credit, walking distance to my apartment. So, in the mood for a great meal or a bottle of wine in a dignified yet down home environment, that will not blow the budget. You cannot go wrong here. Now I have trouble believing such a glowing review too. To be real, the owners should consider blocking the bright light from the kitchen. It can help create an even more sensual experience.
(5)
Jenn S.
I wish I could give this a 3.5. I wasn't blown away at first and I think I need to go back and try it again. FOOD: We ordered lots of different stuff. Started out with the Shrimp, Salt Cod, Chicken Livers and Griddled Cheese smaller plates. The cheese was not what I think I wanted. It was just cheese on some toast and it didn't have any taste at all. The cod was good when you got some of the fish but there was a VERY small amount in there and lots of other stuff. However the Shrimp was SOOOO good. I would definitely recommend that. We all ordered burgers, veggie burgers and chicken sandwiches. The veggie burger was nice that it tasted home made and I heard the Asian burger and regular one were pretty good. The chicken sandwich only had a few pieces of chicken on it so it was A LOT of bread. Fries were really fresh... I don't usually have any problem with a fry! ATMOSPHERE: I know they are still really new but they definitely need to add some character it is SOOOO plain. The ceiling looks awesome with the exposed wood they should just give it an identity so it doesn't seem like a waiting room. STAFF: Our waiter was awesome and the manager that was walking around was really nice too. Overall I want to go back and try more. Our experience was just ok so I want to feel great about this place because I love that it is hidden on a back street!
(3)
Rebecca W.
Food is delicious and wine bar has plenty of good choices. Glenville Stops is a pleasant surprise for the area. Great spot for young adults who want to stay away from the college scene. We started with a caprese salad and scallops. Both had a different twist to the presentation and flavor. The Asian Style Stops burger is a must have. My boyfriend always orders this! Glenville Stops would have received 5 stars if the service was better. The servers aren't very attentive and we had to ask them if they would take our order.
(4)
Joaquin X.
I've been in to this spot several times but haven't eaten the food yet. I look forward to doing that soon. My review and rating are based on my experience of sitting at the bar on several occasions and enjoying a drink in a relaxing environment. There are so many options here for good beer and wine. The lighting is dim to my appreciation. The music is chosen by the owner Mike, who provides a very friendly (if not harmlessly vampiric) presence from behind the bar. The music tends to lean heavily "Brit" (as the owner is) with a mix of 80s new wave, afro pop, folk and light instrumental music. All of which works with the relaxed mood. There is nothing loud about the place at all, as there is no TV and the taps display a unified style of name-plate titles and standard tap handles (versus loud and multi-heighted logo-shaped handles). It's even on a relatively quiet side street in a residential section of urban apartment buildings. I always get what I need when I come to this place. I look forward to trying the food soon.
(4)
Steven S.
I was impressed. I liked the upscale but homey ambiance. That combined with the location definitely gave the feel of a local dive but with a lot more class. The menu was varied and everything looked good. I sat with a table of six and between us, and I tried the Griddled Cheese, Lamb Meatballs, dumplings, and Buffalo Meatloaf. All were excellent. The Lamb Meatballs and Buffalo Meatloaf were particular highlights. I absolutely loved the beer selection. I could spend a week there getting through the whole list, and the breadth of style is great - you won't just find 100 different hoppy IPAs. The location is definitely not one you'd expect, but it adds to the quiet and cozy sort of atmosphere. I'll be coming back here.
(4)
Nils K.
Food was great but service was very slow, even though the place was not busy at all. Main meals came out one by one, with the last meal significantly later than the others.
(3)
Jeff S.
The bottom line: Good eats, friendly staff, spotty service. The ball and chain and I had a good experience here! There were plenty of seats available at 7 on a Saturday night. We started with the griddled cheese which was small, but delicious. Good beer and wine selections available. For the main course we split the spot burger and some chicken confit sandwich. Both were very good. I was surprised by the burger. It had some really good spices on the meat. And a pickle! I love when burgers have pickles. It reminds me of my childhood. Anyway, both were awesome. Fries were medium...I like them thin and crispy and these were more of a medium-thin and not very crispy but had some good seasoning. The only real drawback was the service. The staff was friendly, but somewhat inattentive. As I mentioned, it wasn't that crowded, but took us a while to order each phase. Would recommend you give it a try!
(4)
Wendy K.
One of my favorite local spots! They have an amazing beer selection (including a cask ale) plus tasty food- a great, simple burger as well as more adventurous dishes. They change the menu up a bit every few months so there has been something new to try pretty much every time I've been here. It's a great date spot- not too loud, you can order little plates to share, ambience is nicer than most nearby spots especially at this price point. They just started serving brunch (this week I think!) which prompted me to get around to writing a review. We ordered the omelette (cheese/bacon/tomato) and a "Full Monty" aka full English breakfast. Omelette was fluffy and tasty but the homefries were what really stood out- crisp without being burnt, and with the fresh parsley that they also put on their french fries, which I really like. The Full Monty was an impressive plate! We both liked the black pudding (neither of us had tried it before).
(5)
Stephen T.
Great service. Great food. Great ambiance. The lamb meatballs and brussel sprouts are so good. The eggplant Tahiti spread is amazing also. I would definitely come again.
(5)
Elissa S.
I have been to the Glenville Stops over and over again. When you walk in, it feels like you are stepping into a different era in time. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive to our needs. I think the menu is very innovative and exciting. Something as simple as the griddled cheese, which is essentially a piece of cheese on a crouton, can overwhelm your taste buds with incredible flavor. The presentation of the food is always beautiful. I have had several conversations with the owners and the chef. They are such kind people who have put a lot of love and hard work into making this such an enjoyable place to eat. This is a hidden gem! Some of my favorite dishes so far are: Griddled Cheese Mexican Street Corn Day Boat Scallops and Roasted Beets
(5)
Isabelle B.
My boyfriend and I tried this place for the first time today for Sunday brunch. The place has a great atmosphere: light and open, and a great sound system that blends into the background. We had the French press coffee, buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, and the breakfast burger. Everything was DELICIOUS: super fresh, high quality, cooked perfectly. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Samantha B.
Off the beaten path, but a nice walk from the Harvard Ave. T stop (Green Line - B). Sit at the beautiful bar. Atmospheric with lots of wood. Good selection of draft and bottled beers with a rotating cask. Bread is served with a unique eggplant tahini. Smoky and creamy, what a treat! Good to eat even without the bread. The creamy carrot soup displays a fresh take on a bisque. Full of flavor with strong elements of cumin. Bits of cauliflower and walnuts add crunch and texture. Raw honey is blended in to provide color and a smooth finish. The charred octopus, with gigante bean salad, masa seca, and queso fresco was vibrant with a mediterranean flair. A modest portion of octopus and enough for a small meal. The buffalo meatloaf was presented in three medallions. The mushroom and couscous complemented the slightly salty meatloaf perfectly. Will be back to try the burger. Saw many coming out of the kitchen and looked intriguing.
(4)
Lily W.
When I turned onto Glenville Ave, I was surprised that anyone would choose to have their restaurant so tucked away in a residential neighborhood. But the Glenville Stops is warm and inviting, with lots of woodwork and wood-based decor. It's all fireplaces and candles and soft winter evenings (not that it actually has fireplaces, I don't think, but that's the impression I got). I was told to find a seat anywhere by the lovely server, who was extremely nice and brought me a basket of bread even though I informed her that I was actually waiting for three other people. She also offered some excellent beer recommendations when I, overwhelmed by the sheer choice of delicious-looking drafts, asked. The food menu isn't extensive by any means--but I usually take this as a mark of a good restaurant, because what dishes it has, I've come to expect them to be done well. It is separated into Bar Bites, Salads/Soups/Sandwiches, Small Plates, Large Plates, and desserts. We shared the: Day Boat Scallops--2 scallops beautifully seared on a chocolate mole sauce Grilled Squid--this was my favorite--they were extremely flavorful Salmon Escabeche--not gonna lie, didn't know what escabeche was, so I didnt expect it to be served cold as it was, but this was also delicious Lamb Meatballs--4 meatballs, wonderfully seasoned The drinks I had were the Enlightenment Illumination, a glass of Chardonnay, and the Left Hand Milk Stout (the server described this as "basically dessert beer"--if you get this and you like Guinness and other stouts, this is for you--I loved this, a sweet and thick beer). The service was also on point. It wasn't very busy on an early Tuesday evening, so I can't say how the restaurant is like when it gets packed, but we had our bread refilled every time we asked, and we never once felt that we were being rushed. I've love to return again to try some more beers, as well as to sample some of the large plates.
(5)
Andrew D.
Party of 8 went here for brunch yesterday. Loved it ... everyone of us. I had The Full Monty English Breakfast and it brought me back to England with every bite. The people I was with had never seen me savor each bit like this before. I didn't want to die, but if I had, I would have died happy. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Cory G.
Absolutely fantastic food and a great addition to the neighborhood. The best chocolate cake I've ever had. Amazing service.
(5)
Ships A.
We love this spot, very close to home. Great chill environment inside and great servers/staff. They have a really quality beer choice and wine on tap. The food is interesting, seasonal and really great. Last night we had grilled haloumi cheese, avocado with tamarind and fennel, sweet potato dumplings and a beet salad. The beets were really true star on a bed of whipped feta. Great spot overall! Check out the photo of the beets dish.
(4)
J p.
Service keeps going south or should I say it now STINKS. It's most unfortunate because the food is good but incompetence is rife... How or rather where on earth does one get such lousy wait staff - this is the service industry so ... Alas as much as I like the food and very much appreciate the active/responsive owner I will not be back. For those tolerant of rubbish service: Try the ceviche, lamb meatballs, beet salad and chicken confit sandwich. From my past visits I can confirm that most of the menu items are great and I can also confirm that the service sucks. Good luck getting bread, drinks or a waiter checking in on you. Sadly they appear 'overwhelmed' when they aren't even packed to capacity so how does one scale? Note to owner - PLEASE address the service, you have a hidden gem with great food and great drinks selection. The neighbourhood needs a higher end business with matching service and you are halfway there - in my opinion.
(1)
Lucile B.
Very nice place for a weekday dinner. Awesome tapas and sandwiches. Most of the times I've been there was later at evening, i.e. after 8pm and I can easily get a table which is great but after a while it usually gets empty. I should come back on a weekend!
(4)
Big S.
this is a great find. one of the better restaurants in area. they have great food options, many of which you wouldn't expect to find on glenville street in the middle of a small neighborhood. the chicken confit sandwich is great. they have great beer selections. we also got the masa burger, the buffalo meatloaf, the riblets and the fried cheese. everything was great The place is nice inside. The price is right, nothing overly expensive. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Katherine B.
I was so excited to visit this restaurant, which is walking distance from my apartment, so we made reservations to have dinner here on my birthday. Although we were right on time for our reservation, there was no table ready and we were asked to wait at the bar. There were no seats available there so we waited nearby and ordered drinks. That was fine, really no complaints thus far. We were seated 45 minutes later, which wouldn't have bothered me had we actually received a table for four. Instead they squeezed the four of us into a table meant for two. My brother's girlfriend was practically in the lap of the folks at the next table, her jacket brushing up against their food, and there wasn't room on the table when our two appetizers came out. Other groups of four had two of the same sized tables pushed together, so double the amount of space. I requested a larger table because it was physically impossible for all of us to eat at that one tiny table. To their credit they did move us as our entrees were coming out. However, they dropped the entrees before we got there, and we all had ordered burgers of varying temperatures. Obviously, we couldn't tell which was which by just looking. The waiter carted the meals away to try to figure it out only to find out that two of them were completely wrong anyway. They comped two burgers and brought a free dessert (that wasn't very good, but it was the thought that counts I guess). Overall, they seemed like they were trying (although not very hard) but it was such a disappointing disaster from start to finish. There are so many other options for eating in the city that I'll probably never go back here.
(2)
Chrizzle D.
Amazing food selection, wonderful atmosphere, and beautiful bar. First off, their food options are interesting AND delicious. I honestly feel like some places go out of their way to make interesting dishes for the sake of making interesting dishes. The Glenville Stops just makes interesting dishes because the Chefs are classically trained and have all worked at high scale bars and restaurants in Boston. Secondly, their wine selection is off the hook! Since I'm not in my early 20s anymore, I like something a little more fulfilling (sorry, Yellow Tail). They have a selection that I would welcome into my own home bar. I'm so glad The Glenville Stops is here. My boyfriend and I look forward to adding this place to our mix. Welcome to the neighborhood!
(5)
Lauren K.
Glenville Stops is a truly phenomenal restaurant. We were met upon our arrival by the head chef, who seated us and talked with us about the restaurant and their philosophy. The kitchen staff arrives at 11am to prep nearly 100% of the menu from scratch (alas, their bread isn't baked in-house) for their dinner service, which is their only service. The small menu is curated with care, populated with equal parts vegetarian, surf, and turf selections. The rest of the menu (which spans 8 pages) is their wine and beer selection(!). Yum! Our server recognized our group, which was back for the second time, and even remembered where we sat and what we had ordered. We split some small plates for appetizers and ordered sandwiches/burgers for dinner. The hand cut French fries are a must-have. Highly recommended!
(5)
Arthemis L.
Neighborhood gastropub that puts great care into their food and service! Brunch was spectacular. Can't wait to try dinner menu next time in town.
(4)
Paula L.
I picked this restaurant for Mothers Day brunch based on reviews I read. Frankly, I was having no luck getting a reservation in Boston elsewhere. Now I'm glad it worked out that way. The reviews were accurate. Service was very friendly and efficient, food was delicious, and the atmosphere very comfortable and not rushed at all. Highly recommend it, and will plan on returning to check out dinner next time we're up on Boston.
(4)
Emily W.
Simply summarized: you must go. I hate long reviews and will keep it short. - The food was great. I split the brussel sprouts and the chicken sandwich with a friend and it was plenty of food. - The place is beautiful. - If there's something bad to say, they served water in what looked like a 2 ounce glass. But I sat at the bar and that water glass kept getting re-filled so what do I have to complain about?
(5)
Matthew L.
Service was terrible; first app came out after we were half way through our meal. No big deal, but we declined the apps. Second app came out as we were finishing, and they kind of made a deal out of the fact that we didnt want it. They forgot the condiments several times, so I just got them myself. No offer to refill drinks, bread came about 15 min after we ordered. We waited 20 min for check before I left cash. Food was good, but the place was a hot mess. Disappointing given the stellar reviews.
(1)
Tristan H.
Down a winding Allston backroad on the wrong side of the tracks, you find... a beautiful perfectly designed gastropub with awesome food, dozens of beers on tap, and one of the most well-curated wine lists on this side of the river? What? I walk out of this place every time (6 or 8 meals now) with a look of incredulous delight on my face. Why this place? Why here? Why *so good?* You wouldn't choose this location for any restaurant unless you knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you had something special, that location didn't matter for you, and the right people would find you and keep coming back. And that's what Glenville Stops is. It is, quite literally, a diamond in the rough, more special for its odd placement and the surrounding environment. The food has that elegant ideal execution that's neither pretentious nor too simple: combinations of flavors from across the spectrum are used in modern ways in dishes that might otherwise be boring in any other pub; but here are just delightful. Scallops with mole sauce (?) and grilled mango (?!), Heirloom tomatoes with a simmered tomato balsamic reduction (I call it "wow sauce" and I want to know how to make it), Pan-roasted brussels sprouts with peanuts and olives (!), Lamb meatballs with... oh I don't care what's on them, they're delicious. Everything is delicious. Haven't had a single thing that hasn't been immensely satisfying, including the sandwiches and entrees. The menu has a nice balance between small plates and large meals (an approachable 3 plate choices, how refreshing). And if nothing else, this is a bar that should be enjoyed -- 40 taps and many awesome bottle selections, many wines by the glass carefully selected, and a huge wrap-around bar with a really impressive and classy vibe. (Side note -- hat tip to whomever designed the ceiling audio system in this place, it's really really well thought out and put together). Great service and people who clearly care about their employees and their customers. Just excellent all around. Glenville Stops has made living in Allston for another year almost tolerable. Definitely worth the ride on the B line (and I don't say that lightly). Thank you guys.
(5)
Buzz G.
I've only been once, but that will change, as I will go back whenever the opportunity presents itself. An interesting space, lovingly put together and a nice simple menu. Service couldn't have been better... Helpful when needed, attentive but not at all intrusive. I had a simple "Gem" salad (fresh ingredients, interesting flavor combinations and a healthy portion) and the Stop burger which was very good. Homemade pickles, thin sliced red onion, nicely cooked and presented. There are much more interesting things on the menu and an extensive draft selection, obviously carefully curated. Go!
(4)
Tenzin C.
Went there sunday night. My friend and i sat at an extremely clean bar top. We went straight through their drinks list. By then we already fell in love with this place. Amazing selections of craft beers, list was long and selection just fascinate me and my friend. Lots of local beers on bottles & tap. Wine list is just a mind blowing!! We Order few small bites. The Salt Cod, Griddle cheese, Fluke civeche with avocado grapefruit vinaigrette & my fav The lamb meat ball!!! For the main course we shared Whole fish soaked in tea with fried yucca. So delicious we ate to the bone. Last we had chocolate cake that was one of the best chocolate cake i'd in a long time. Everything came out so beautiful, flavorful, creative use of different spices & the presentation was phenomenal. Going back in a week with some relative & friends.
(5)
Robert C.
A totally unexpected pleasure--a cozy neighborhood-style Allston restaurant/gastropub with exceptional small and large plates from chef Nester Guerra, and a beer and wine list that can hold its own anywhere. Twenty-one taps, a rotating cask-conditioned ale (British-style, basement temperature) and an casual ambience make this a perfect date spot, too. We visited on a cold, snowy evening, and as I pulled up looking for parking, the barkeep stood in his shirtsleeves to hold a spot in front of the restaurant for five minutes while I circled around the block. Can't say I've ever had that happen in Boston! While we eagerly sampled the delicious eggplant tahini dip, I sipped an Enlightenment Illumination ale, something I've not seen on tap in a Boston restaurant. It was then that we noticed the extraordinary sound system. I'm not an audiophile, but the music had incredibly pure highs, a wonderful midrange, and a deep, tight bass--something I can't ever remember hearing in a restaurant before. Looking up, I noticed that there was a cabinet containing a midrange speaker and a tweeter suspended several feet from the ceiling over nearly every table. It was as if every diner had a personal sound system. On top of that, the resulting acoustics allowed you to hear the music clearly while also being able to converse at almost a whisper. The conversations at other tables were virtually inaudible. Yet, at the same time, the bar area had a great energy and lively vibe. When we asked our server about the system, he brought Michael Chapman, one of the co-owners, over to explain it. Turns out Mike was also the barkeep who had stood shivering in the cold to hold our space when we first arrived. An academic prior to opening the restaurant a year ago, Mike is truly a polymath, designing not only the sound system, but the many details of the restaurant himself. That would have been enough to make our evening, but just then the food arrived from the kitchen, visible from one side of the bar. The presentation was fantastic--my wife ordered from the small plates menu--a creamy carrot soup with cauliflower and crumbled walnuts and swirls of raw honey garnishing the top. The lamb meatballs with tzatziki, toasted bulgur and harissa oil were outstanding, as was my large plate pan-seared Faroe Island salmon, served with braised tomatoes over a crispy skin in a light broth of fabada beans and just barely wilted spinach. A decadent chocolate cake perfect for sharing and an espresso made for a perfect finish. Throughout, we felt like every detail had been perfectly attended to. The decor is beautiful, and everything is maintained as if it had just been opened yesterday. Great service, food and drink--really, this spot should be on everyone's must visit list.
(5)
Michael G.
The only bar in Brighton without a television screen, and what a difference does that detail make! For a restaurant still getting on its feet, it's excellent. The menu focuses on food pairings for wine and craft beer. The menu is not for those with bland palates, and rewards those who appreciate rich foods and even richer aromas off the drink menu. The atmosphere is enhanced by a specialized sound system, which aids in dispersing the din, allowing conversation without shouting, and maintaining light background music. Try the lamb meatballs! They are excellent!
(5)
Miranda B.
The Quick-Seared Shrimp was awesome! The ambiance was very pleasant... But everything else was subpar. The Stop Burger, Asian style was missing something, the Baby Scallops were good but the creamed mushroom was overpowering, and service was inattentive and unenthusiastic... The Mead was good too
(3)
AB H.
I arrived for my 7 PM reservation and the place was totally empty. Completely. That made me nervous. But as soon as I was seated, a few other people came in. I then was annoyed because I went to the bathroom to look in the mirror, and I couldn't see in it from my wheelchair because it was hung too high (where are the laws?). And the decor is off - the building has beautiful bones, you can see the beams overhead, but they added a lot of details that looked cheesy. Then we tasted the food: the two of us had five small plates: the salmon (which is served cold), the sweet potato dumplings, the lamb meatballs, the beets and the goat cheese plate (served with peanuts, honey, and crunchy mango). They were all solid dishes. I'd go back to try other dishes, and I'd also hope to see the menu change. And the server was very nice. Parking can be a challenge because it's mostly resident only. And the one way streets make it annoying to 'circle the block'. There are some two hour visitor parking spots right out front, and they 'hold' one by parking their car in it. If you ask, they will move it so you can park there.
(3)
Sam B.
I've gone here for first dates, anniversaries, friends outings, and just for a drink. Good food at a great price, with super friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Be sure to try their Bar Harbour mussels with coconut milk, lemon grass, and ginger. They're delicious
(5)
Lauren W.
I have been coming to this place since they opened earlier this year, and I absolutely love it. The beer selection is extensive, and the noms selection manages to be extremely unique yet not so strange as to be unapproachable. My only fear is that their menu rotation may one day separate me from my beloved Quick-Seared Shrimp. If that day were to come, I may have to kidnap the owner's cat... Or something.
(5)
Ann S.
I came here on a date recently and I was really pleased with everything. The food was really good and they had a good menu selection. There was something for everyone. I really liked that the servers gave great service but didn't feel the need to check up on us all the time. The ambiance was really nice. The lighting and the interior design felt really comfortable. It was a great place for a date and for a big group of friends. I would highly recommend the scallops!
(5)
Taylor D.
Very nice restaurant, not typical of all the other Allston restaurants. Quiet environment and amazing food! I'm very glad this gem popped up in the neighborhood. Great for dates.
(5)
Chris C.
My Dinner group of 8 went to the Glenville Stops on a recent August Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 3.7 Decor: 3.1 Service: 3.1 Overall: 3.5 SUMMARY REVIEW The majority of the group was very pleased with the food overall. Most felt the menu was limited and should be expanded. The selection of wine and beer was ample and the group enjoyed their libations very much. What needed improvement was the decor and the service as both were lacking in regards to quality and expectations Parking is a bit of an issue so it's advisable to take the T to get there. Overall the group enjoyed their experience at the Glenville Stops enough to want to return again the future. BEVERAGES: -My Nektar Black Fang Mead cider was a perfectly mellow blend of blackberry, clove and orange as described. -A very extensive selection of premium beers and ciders organized by lagers, stouts, ale's, etc - in bottles or on draft. Both of the beers that I tried were delicious. -The apple cider was a great complement to wash the burger and fries. -Nice selection of beers, and the servers were somewhat knowledgeable about which beers were worthwhile. -I ordered a mandarin and Seville orange tonic soda. It was so good I could have had two of them. FOOD: -The meatballs were perfectly spiced, and the tzatzaki complimented the meat well. The greens helped add a nice texture to the balance of meat and sauce. Beets were flavorful and roasted to the perfect texture - not too firm and not too soft. The dill sauce gave the vegetables a wonderful zing that didn't over power the beets. -The food was very tasty and the presentation was excellent - much more than I was expecting given the simple, clean decor of the restaurant. I had the statelier chicken which came with a braised bean stew and wild rice. Chicken was perfect. I- had a mixed food experience with the Mexican Street Corn and the Burger. The corn was grilled well, but the sauce fell down. What should have been a spicy- cheesy delicious start to the meal was corn with mayonnaise. The Burger, however delivered in a big way. Cooked exactly to order, adequately juicy, and just done very well. The fries that came with the burger were crispy and delicious. I had the Bar Harbor Mussels and the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they were a tad undercooked. -While my beet app was delicious (beets cooked perfectly, and the accompanying whipped feta and crispy bits of shoestring potato was both very tasty, and a great textural counterpoint), and my crispy chicken was extraordinarily well done (really was crispy, and the accompanying rice, confit and bean stew was super good). -Regarding the food, I was pleasantly surprised with The Granville Stops. I had a very delicious burger that was well cooked and quite flavorful. I am deducting a star because I found the menu to be surprisingly limited. If you weren't in the mood for a burger (there were at least 3 variations) or some other meaty item, you were out of luck. -I found the food to be very tasty. I started with the mixed field greens salad. It was pretty good with a nice amount of buttermilk dressing. However, I did feel that it had a little too much arugula in the greens so it was slightly bitter. For my entree I chose the confit chicken sandwich. It was amazing with an amarillo aioli, herb salad, turnips, and hand cut fries. SERVICE: -The server was pleasant and seemed to be knowledgeable about the menu and drink selection. It would have been nice of him to offer us more bread while we waited for the food which took a bit longer than expected to arrive. The waiter was obviously also handling tables on the other side of the restaurant so I think that prevented him from being as attentive as he could have otherwise been if he was only covering our section. - While the wait staff were all very friendly, they seemed to be working out the kinks in their model for this new venue. One of the diner's apps was missed entirely, and they don't seemed to have worked out a system for matching food coming out of the kitchen with diners' orders. - The service was ok though they struggled a bit with the large group. The staff is very nice, lots of smiles, you can tell that all of staff is very proud of where they work. - The service through friendly was in a word inept. My app never came out (until i asked where it was), and there was a lot of fumbling in general (the staff may be finding their feet DECOR - The decor actually detracted from my enjoyment of the meal, because we were on the closed off area to the far side of the bar, i felt like redheaded step children. And since it was a gut reno, they had a chance for a really cool modern space, but inexplicably went for a generic old lady's living room look heavy on moldings and cheap -looking stained glass sconces. - The atmosphere seemed a bit sterile, though that might be due to the new car smell. - Decor was the only real misstep for me.
(4)
James G.
Great service! We called and said we were having a hard time finding a spot and they said there was a spot in front of the restaurant that just opened up and had someone stand in it and hold it for us. Although the difficulty parking is a big negative. I got Mexican street corn, lamb meatballs, and gridled cheese. They were all very good. If I was only going to get one I would go with the lamb. Big beer selection. I got the beer on cask which was made by Ipswich. It was good but nothing special.
(5)
Sofiane D.
Hidden gem of Allston describes it best. It's a very welcomed change from the atmosphere you get from all the sports bars around. The food is excellent. We had the burgers, the corn appetizer and the passion fruit moose for desert. I feel like the quality of a burger says a lot about the restaurant that serves it and those burgers say it all. They are juicy, pleasant to look at and all the flavors they bring out whisper promises of all the other dishes I have yet to try. The grapefruit passion fruit mouse delivered as promised! It was everything a grapefruit and passion fruit mouse lover could ask for! My only problem was in my excitement to try it out, I forgot that I hated grapefruit with a passion. They even have a wide selection of botanically brewed soda! I have no idea that is (soda brewed in a garden??), but I liked it! If you're in the neighborhood, check it out! Even if you're not, go out of your way and try it out anyways. You won't regret it.
(5)
Julie C.
Move over drunken college students and noisy bars, Allston is growing up! Hidden away from the busy, dirty, noisy main road of Allston is a quiet neighborhood. Here you will find an amazing gastropub with a great menu, offering a variety of food ranging from roasted MExican Corn bar bites, to ceviche small plates, and main courses ranging from burgers to mussels. The beer and wine selection is extensive and well curated. Don't expect cocktails. I had the Asian Stops Burger, which is actually one of the best Asian fusion burgers I've had. Very juice, full of flavor. It was so hard to choose which appetizers I wanted, but ended up with the corn, smothered in seasonings. For dessert I had the passion fruit mousse, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy, light enough to finish off the meal. The server was very friendly and appropriately attentive, giving great beer suggestions. Agree with the other reviews in terms of ambiance. It's a new place with great potential in its space. Exposed wood ceilings, stained glass light fixtures and wonderful warm, classy bar, but the walls seem a bit bare like they're waiting for something. Really they could have no walls and exposed wires and I'd still recommend this place enthusiastically. The Glenville Stops is an amazing gastropub, and a better alternative to Regal Beagle in Coolidge Corner!
(5)
Jenessa C.
Big beer list, small wine list, small food list. The wine wasn't all that great here- if you like red bold wines. Sweet & light you should be fine. If you are hungry the food isn't bad, it is just expensive for tavern food I thought. Also not a great place for vegetarians, as the selection was limited. But, the staff are great & accommodating, making the experience enjoyable.
(3)
Steiner H.
What a surprise. Located in the midst of a residential neighborhood is this terrific little restaurant. A friend had recommended it so we tried it on a Friday summer night. The beer and wine selection was quite extensive with lots of choices for the well versed. We sampled a wide array of plates from the garlic okra, fried cheese, mexican corn, octopus and lamb balls. The food was quite tasty and the service from Dave was excellent. We'll definitely go back.
(5)
Cece H.
Love Glenville Stops! Executive Chef Juan Pedrosa worked under Jody Adams of Rialto/Trade fame for years and the elevated, farm-to-table influence is clear. We go through four helpings of his eggplant spread every time we're there. So good! Service is excellent/super-friendly and the family-owned, father-son management is awesome, too. This restaurant is great for our neighborhood and even better for our taste buds! So much better than the offerings on Harvard and Brighton Ave--make the trek over to Glenville! To the GS team: My only complaint is the lighting. What's with the Applebee's lamps? Everything else is so cute! Take a page from LuLu's or DeepEllum down the street and update those lights for an ambiance that matches your great food. :)
(5)
Josh C.
Great new place behind Comm Ave. I can't think of any other place quite like it in Allston, which is surprising with the glut of interesting food choices around. Lo menu, the carrot soup and the goat cheese plate were delicious, and the beer/cider/mead draft menu was pretty extensive. I'm glad it's there, and will definitely go back!
(5)
Carl H.
I don't normally leave reviews on yelp, but I love this place so much that I just had to. It's definitely a hidden gem. It's on a residential street tucked away between apartment buildings and a corner store - not a place you'd expect to find a nice pub. The owner is from Great Britain (I met him), and built the entire restaurant himself. Everything about the decor of the place is in sync, and I love the use of hardwood. I shared a bottle of wine with my date, and we both ordered the Asian Stops Burger. We sat at the quiet bar and just talked the night away.
(5)
Josh K.
My girlfriend Lena A. and I saw a flyer for this restaurant right in our neighborhood this afternoon. I wanted to give it a try especially since I saw that it was a father and son entrepreneurial venture just starting in the area. Every father and son foodie family (as in our case), always dreams about opening a restaurant together and you could just see the passion this team brings to the beer, food and service from the flyer, website and in person. The location is a challenge to get foot traffic because it's on a side street between Commonwealth Ave. and Harvard Ave. but this hidden gem is worth the search party. The meal started great with delicious bread and an eggplant dip that had me asking for seconds. The small plate lamb meatballs were delicious and the tzatziki and cucumbers on top were a nice touch. The ceviche was possibly the star of the meal, very flavorful with a perfect mix of avocado and grapefruit vinaigrette. I was also a huge fan of the Asian-style burger. I can't remember the last time I had a burger without cheese but for this nicely seasoned burger, cheese would be an unnecessary addition. The hand cut fries were also really good. This place is definitely worth a stop, just bring a flashlight and explore the menu.
(5)
Courtney R.
I was so impressed by Glenville Stops. The evening started out with my husband and I driving around Alston for a full half hour looking for parking before we gave up and called to cancel our reservation. When we called he told us to drive on up and he would move his car to give us his spot! The staff were so friendly and I immediately felt like I was a regular in a neighbor pub. Anyway, the beer selection was great, the drunken goat cheese appetizer was amazing, and the brussel sprouts were bomb!
(5)
Julia C.
Talk about a hidden gem! My boyfriend suggested this place a few weeks ago. I was surprised to start walking down a side street in Allston in order to get to it, but when you walk in, it's the caliber of a cool city bar that you would find on a major Boston street. The place was initially empty when we arrived (about 8PM), but was completely full by 9/10PM. I think it's owned by a family based upon the care and service they provide. Their wines and beers are great and they offer for you try anything/everything you want before ordering a drink. Their appetizers are very small, but tasty. A lot of places give huge portions these days, so it was actually nice to have smaller dishes to pick from. We ended up sitting at the bar all night! Their cheese plate with mango is fantastic- we almost ordered a second one. The minute the cheese plate arrived, the couple next to us started talking about how much we were going to like it! The crowd was a mix of old and young, which I think is due to the location. Great spot and we will be visiting again.
(5)
Chris O.
Stopped in here on a whim on a Saturday evening for dinner and walked away pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be going back. Two of us sat at the bar and had excellent service. Everyone working there was friendly. The food was excellent, we had the chicken confit, beets, and grilled cheese. I'm a big beer drinker and was impressed by their beer selection, they even had one beer in cask which was welcomed. I will definitely be stopping back soon to continue trying their menu and beers.
(5)
Luis P.
Who knew this was here? Great place! I mean they made Carrot soup great! Love the lamb meatballs. Worth coming here!
(5)
Joe H.
My burger was really good. I ordered it medium rare and they strategically placed the perfectly cooked patty on lettuce so that the juice didn't sog up the bun. My girlfriend's salad was delicious and nutty. The beer and wine selection is excellent. The interior of the place is really classy. the ceiling looks perfectly aged. The owner actually came to my party to greet us. I mentioned the ceiling and he told me that the ceiling is original and was burnt from the fire and scrubbed down to have a nice patina. The wait was pretty long but it was opening night and it was busy. I'm not going to knock on a place for doing well. I was happy to be at the bar and drink while waiting for a seat. It is pretty big place and their host was working as efficiently as possible. This place certainly isn't your typical Allston "bro" bar and it caters to the various professionals in the area which a place like this can be hard to find. The menu is small but that's how it should be when a chef masters his menu instead of throwing a bunch of options out there just to see what sticks. The only recommendations I would have are to get bigger water glasses and offer fountain sodas.The fancy sodas were nice but small. I was designated driver and found myself parched after I cut myself off beer. Bigger water glasses would avoid having to refill as often and refillable fountain sodas would be nice. I will definitely be back to enjoy this restaurant and to support a growing business that thought outside of the box given the area.
(5)
Zachery T.
If you're looking for a mixed drink - don't come here. If you're looking for a massive traditional Allston bar food menu, complete with 15 different burgers all of which are the same burger featuring slightly different topping combinations - don't come here. If you're looking to watch the game or just bask in the glow of 50 LED TV's - don't come here. There are a dozen other Allston bars within a mile radius that have all those things and likely some dubstep to match - you should go there. Okay, now that we've got that out of the way, if you're looking for an extremely classy, grown-up tavern with a great beer and wine selection, courteous bartenders, and a food menu that feels like it takes the less-is-more approach and does it well - this is your place. Their beer selection was comparable to a place like the Publick House in Brookline - it has clearly been curated with some thought. It's not a mile and a half long like Sunset Grill, but it's also has a little something for everyone. I'm not a wine drinker, but my girlfriend who is had no problem finding something and enjoying it. The food menu takes a similar approach in that it's clearly had a lot of thought put into it and doesn't try to be everything to everyone. For the food, I had the asparagus and a burger and it was all delicious. The hand cut fries were also incredible. Definitely worth the $13. The atmosphere of this place is really the icing on the cake. You won't find anything like it in Allston. I'm hoping that this differentiation gives it some staying power in an area that's mostly populated with bro-bars or divey hipster joints. There is a level of class to this place unmatched by anything similar in this area. It is a very grown-up bar staffed by people that clearly value service above all else. In Allston, I'm used to going to bars that feel like they are trying to everything to everyone - this place clearly knows what it is and what it is not - and that's refreshing. There's a lot dark wood, some great looking ceilings, tavern-style lighting, and a somewhat Spanish vibe to top the whole thing off. The taps are all uniform and don't feature massive, brewer-specific handles - don't see that too often. Oh, and really clean bathrooms to boot. If I had to criticize anything about this place (and this is really nit picky) I'd say that the water glasses are really small. I'm someone that adheres to the 1 beer, 1 water rule and it was difficult when I was drinking 4oz of water for every 16oz of beer. I'm sure there are still some growing pains to work out, but this is a place that I can look forward to taking friends to when they come out to visit.
(4)
Josh K.
Hole in the wall in Allston. Odd location but great food and drink options (think the menu might have some Thai inspirations along with classic American/French). Prices are reasonable for the quality and variety of food. Highly recommend if you are in the area (and the waiting line is not too long).
(5)
Drew W.
Great! Owner is very knowledgeable!
(4)
Adam L.
Absolutely a hidden gem! The atmosphere is great, friendly and polite service that goes above and beyond, and fantastic food and drinks. My mother ordered a beer flavored with lemon and ended up a little dissatisfied with her choice, one of the proprietors noticed from the bar, came over to our table and offered alternative suggestions. My mom ended up with a beer she loved! Great service! We had the lamb meatballs and brussel sprouts to start. Divine. We ordered the mussels, two burgers, and the confit chicken sandwich. Everything tasted great and the creative flavor pairings were delicious and inspired. Finished with the chocolate cake which was, again, out of this world. We will be back!
(5)
Snowdrops C.
Great beer selection =] The food is absolutely delicious. It's a cute tucked-away place that is definitely worth the visit.
Really cool spot. Seems a little out of place but once you are in it starts to make sense. The food is top notch and they have a really good beer selection. The British bartender is really cool. I'm going to be back soon; this not your typical Allston bar, it is much better.
(5)
Michael Z.
We have gone to Glenville Stops twice now, and enjoyed it a lot both times. The food is quite reasonably priced and very tasty. Soup, salad, small dishes, all well-prepared with fresh ingredients. The selection of beers on tap is very good, as are the wines by the glass. If this restaurant were in Washington Square, Brookline, prices would be much higher, and it would be packed every night. It is a real treat at an affordable price. We just worry that not enough people will go because it is tucked away on a little traveled side street in Allston. Go!
(5)
Bob L.
Pros: Good food, reasonably priced, attentive waitstaff, relaxed atmosphere, full-size bar with plenty of seating. Cons: Parking limited, no signage identifying the business. We drove by the restaurant twice before asking for directions.
(4)
Ro M.
I visited on opening weekend so I am going to cut them a little slack. The Saturday night dinner crowd was greater than expected so service was really slow. Their dinner menu consisted of 3 tiers: bites, small plates and shared plates. Some of those "bites" are literally bites (think amuse-bouche) while others (like the burgers) were full meals. Each of the dishes were really flavorful. My party was just taken aback at the size of the servings. Looking back on it, we probably should have used the price of each dish to figure out the size of the serving. Highlight on the menu for me had to be the lamb meatballs. Those meatballs were amazing! As an Allston-ian, I welcome the addition of a non-sports bar restaurant to the neighborhood. They still have some kinks to work out, mostly with service. They seated our party of 5 at a table that may comfortably seat 2 or 3. We had to ask to be moved to another table that could comfortably fit our party. We were there for over 2 hours because service was so slow. There was a table of 4 behind us that had the waitress' attention all night. I guess they were more valuable customers than the other 3 tables near ours that were also getting neglected. If I am taking time to dine in a restaurant, the level of service should match the quality of the food. That's all I'm saying.
(3)
Phoebe C.
Excellent find. Everything was delicious and shareable. Highly recommend the griddles cheese. Parking was an issue but this is a residential college neighborhood, so what do you expect. Be prepared to drive around or brave the B line.
(5)
Michael S.
If you eat or drink here and do not feel compelled to come back for more, you do not deserve to live.
(5)
C D.
We came here for dinner a few weeks ago. The service and food were outstanding. It also wasn't too loud so it was easy to talk even when the place was fairly busy. Great beer selection. We were already talking about when we could go back before we had even paid the check.
(5)
Michael H.
Really great selection all around. I stopped in for a quick beer and ended up having a meal and two more pints simply because of the selection. I've already been back, gonna make regular appearances for sure. Cheers!
(5)
Jesse T.
Tucked away on Glenville Ave in Allston, this place serves up really good food with a solid beer, wine and cocktail list. Just go.
(4)
Jesse K.
Ceviche, ceviche, and more ceviche ... Charred octopus is a favorite second, followed by the salt cod pancakes (can't remember the actually name of the dish). Those are my top 3 dishes. I've been a fan since the day they open their doors. Whether I'm unwinding after a long day of work, just snuggling up to the bar having friendly banter with Mike, or going in for dinner with my one year old toddler (who also loves their food), this is a neighborhood gem. Every time I go in, I learn something new about a wine or beer. Love this place.
(5)
Mike M.
Griddled cheese, Eggplant baba ganoush w/ bread, passion fruit mousse beer selection all amazing. Cant go wrong here if you want to get away from the college crowd. Good atmosphere, great food and friendly owners.
(5)
Johnson T.
This place is a real hidden gem. Someone who is a restaurant manager referred me to Glenville Stops -- and when restaurant folks - who tend to be VERY picky about these things, recommended it, I decided to give it a try. As others have said, parking is a challenge, but the restaurant staff is helpful in terms of guiding patrons on options. First, the restaurant has been nicely designed. The bar - where we did not sit - is beautiful and the overall ambiance is great. It could work as a "date night" stop of dinner with family and friends. The food was outstanding - burgers are fantastic, but the other dishes were also exceptional. Our table had the carrot soup, beets, and octopus - all were great. The service was excellent as well. They have beer and wine but no mixed drinks or sodas. I wanted a soft drink but they did not have them. I asked if it was OK if I went next door to get one. The waiter - who was attentive and thoughtful - said he would check. When I turned around, he was serving a soft drink to me - instead of arguing with me, he went next door, bought a coke, poured it is a nice glass and made it happen. As silly as this may sound, this was big for me and one of the reasons I am taking my valuable time to write this review - they earned the 5 stars with great food and service. Try it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lauren D.
This is a new restaurant that is tucked in a residential neighborhood. I've been here 3-4 times and both service and food have been ok. The best appetizer is the charred octopus. Usually octopus is chewy, but this was so tender and unlike any other octopus dish I've had before. The bread is served with a pretty good hummus dip. The gem lettuce salad is ok...nothing special really, but you get a good sized portion. My boyfriend has gotten both the stops burger and the asian burger and both times it was overcooked when he asked for it medium rare. I'm glad this restaurant is here because it adds another dining option that is nearby, but if I moved I wouldn't miss this place.
(3)
Jacob K.
Great service. Nice atmosphere. Food was delicious (we got the muscles and stops burger.) reasonably priced, and it wasn't busy on Friday night at 6:30.only knock is the parking is limited, but T is nearby, and for anyone who lives in the area, you can walk or ride your bike. One of the better burgers I've had in Boston.
(5)
Paul B.
Great beer and wine selection. More upscale dining/drinking. Since the place is so new, it's a bit sterile inside, but I imagine that will change with time. Girlfriend and I each ordered the burger--hers the 'Asian style' and mine the original. Both were good! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to get away from the grunge/student scene so common in Allston.
(4)
S O.
I didn't really order food, besides a chocolate cake, but the food looked amazing. This place is a diamond in the rough. Beautiful newer location. Very high-end vibe with lower prices. The beer and wine selections are wonderful! I highly recommend trying it out!
(5)
Eric L.
Been going here for the past few months, averaging once every 2-3 weeks. It has become my new watering hole. Good beer selection (25+ on tap) and 1 cask beer selection. I don't know why people are complaining about the wine selection: I can recall at least 30 different wines by the glass. The menu, while small has all been top notch in taste: the charred octopus is amazing and the confit chicken sandwich tastes great and is a great value for Boston price standards. Finally, the cheese plate we had was a good selection, albeit the abundant portion sizing erred on the side of excessive and was practically a meal in itself. I can only speak about the service at the bar as that is where I always sit. Mike, the general manager, has always been behind the bar when I've been there and is friendly while maintaining a professional demeanor. He attentive without invading your privacy and is quick to respond when you need something. I disagree with many on the ambiance of the venue: the exposed bricks, wood pillars, and stained glass light fixtures gives the place a nostalgic vibe while the clean (some say empty) walls gives acknowledgement to modernist decor. All-in-all I think the decor gives the tavern a note of elegance and class. The background music is of a good volume: loud enough to hear if you want to listen, but quiet enough so that you can have a conversation with your dinner party without raising your voice. In short, every time I've been here I have enjoyed all of the restaurant's aspects of drink, food, service, and ambiance. As I wrote at the beginning of this review that this has become my new watering hole. I don't expect this to change any time soon.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Food here is delicious. Tucked away on a back road but worth the trip. Awesome beer selection and good food.
(5)
Adam H.
This is the spot! Not too crowded, great service, amazing food (try the pan roasted Brussels sprouts), and a great drink selection. Best place in Allston for a nice dinner.
(5)
Lenny S.
This is quite the hidden gem, way way over the top for this block. As noted, the tahini dip is to die for. The carrot soup was a nice dinner sized portion. The Asian burger and the regular burger were great. The Chicken sandwich was large and delish. All rated highly by the group. Menu is interesting, small but eclectic enough to warrant a return tasting trip. The room is nicely done, as is the frontage. Big windows and lots of glass, both dining rooms were quite cozy. A wonderful space. My one concern is the wine list. It is off the charts high. Plenty of reasonable wines by the glass, and they;ll split any bottle to sell by the glass with a divide by 4 to the list price. But the bottles are all over 40 bucks and higher. $60 average?? The place does not command that kind of number anywhere else, and the location - students and young adults - seems like a bad idea price-wise. Could not believe there was nothing in the $20's at all. Beer was reasonably sane on the $$ amount. So that's my particular peeve, other than that this place deserves high praise.
(5)
Rebecca W.
Remarkable hidden gem. I had the shrimp "bar bites", the lamb meatballs and the octopus. Normally am suspicious of octopus but the bartender/owner recommended it and it was amazing! Not at all rubbery. i wonder how they do that. Also had an extremely tasty glass of Verdejo, and an outstanding glass of Malbec. Friendly and efficient service. I'll be back.
(5)
Veronica H.
We went here Saturday night. Overall, the place has great potential, but clearly they're still working out some growing pains and getting their footing, so I'll cut them some slack. The exterior is clean, urban-modern (altho there were 2 doors and we weren't sure which one to use) and the inside features dark woods, warm colors and lower (but not too low) lighting. There was no host stand ... so we were not quite sure what to do when we walked in. A kitchen worker who happened to be near the bar said we could sit wherever we wanted. Our server was friendly, attentive and encouraged our honest feedback. The menu was interesting but a bit confusing -- and not for someone with an overly timid palate. We had to ask our server to explain the differences between the menu sections (1 person? 2 people? more than 2 people? is it a sidedish? is it like tapas? actual entree plates? somewhere in between?) As a rule, I feel a menu should more or less speak for itself, and not require the server to decode it. Glenville does not have a full bar, so as someone who doesn't drink beer or wine, I was pretty much out of luck as far as adult bevies go. (I do drink hard cider, but the Blackthorn Cider was underwhelming) My friends were satisfied with the beer choices. I started with the carrot soup ... very good! and had the ribeye for my dinner. I ordered it rare, but it came out in the medium rare/medium range. They quickly got me a new steak without a fuss. The 2nd steak was good, the small sides were tasty, but I think the plate was overpriced. The rest of my party had burgers. The meat burgers were said to be good, but the veggie burger was a little bland and mushy. Overall, we had a good experience, but it was clear the staff was still trying to figure out what to do and when ... including the manager, who came across as awkward and unsure. (He leaned against the wall next to our table when he asked us about our meals --standing perpendicular to the wall, shoulder pressed against it-- it was so odd) I think the menu could use some tweaks to streamline and better define it. It may also be worthwhile to add some simpler dishes to attract a broader customer base. Pickier eaters probably won't give it a try, and larger groups with pickier eaters may also look elsewhere. We'll give Glenville some time to figure itself out and give it another try.
(3)
Stacie R.
This is a pretty nice place in Allston. I want to return to try a few more things on the menu. I had the carrot bisque and a beet salad. The only downside was no cocktails, just beer and wine. Our server was nice and even chased after me with my umbrella.
(3)
Brian G.
This is the best discovery I've made in the Brighton/Allston area. It's quiet (but you don't feel the need to keep your voice down, it's just a nice relaxed place) nice but not overly fancy, fantastic food and wine list, nicely priced (and unlike a lot of places that charge $10 for small plate appetizers, here you get FED), and incredibly easy to get to. The music was great, and unlike most places around here it is spacious and you don't have to contort yourself oddly to get from your seat to the bathroom. What a fantastic place!
(5)
Mark B.
Mussels were very good. Pleasant staff made good recommendations. They should warm their chocolate cake.
(4)
Anna B.
Have been twice and am planning to go back to introduce friends to my newest neighborhood pub. The place still has that "new paint" feel and hasn't really developed a lot of character yet but what matters most is the food and drinks. The mussels, artichokes, lamb meatballs, veggie burger, shrimp and chocolate dessert were all tasty and the menu provided healthier options than other local pubs. I left feeling full but not gross. They only serve beer and wine but there were a lot of great options (yay!). Prices are slightly high for the neighborhood but in my humble opinion they're in line with the food. This is one of those reviews where you almost don't want to post because you want to keep this place a neighborhood place and you don't want it to get so popular you have to wait for tables... but of course I want them to thrive, so here goes....
(5)
Heidi G.
Welcome to the 'hood! And so great to have you! My friend and I ventured to The Glenville Stops shortly after it opened. And we really loved it. They have THE tastiest burger in Boston! And cooked to perfection, medium rare in my case. The menu is well thought out and has a nice blend of typical saloon eats AND more creative and mouth watering combinations. A little tapas, a little fritter action, some sumptious mussels... you get the picture. All in all they offer up a well rounded assortment of great eats. I've been back 3 times since. For takeout too!
(5)
David K.
A hidden gem in Allston. Great food, reasonable prices, excellent beer choices, and extremely nice, friendly, welcoming staff. I keep coming back to introduce friends to this place.
(4)
Vicky K.
If you're familiar with Tavern in the Square, and love it, this place isn't for you. It is the antithesis of the Allston Bro Bar, and as a lady resident of Allston (with some classier male friends who feel the same), I really appreciate having a place like this nearby. I went on opening night expecting to have some issues with service/food because they would be working out the kinks and I was with a larger group. I could not have been more wrong in my expectations. Immediately got a seat at the bar and a great recommendation on a Sauvignon Blanc (Tohu) from the owner/barman, and I am hard to impress with new Sauvs. Seating for dinner took a little longer given our group size (8 people), but we got a table within 45 minutes (and a few more excellent glasses of wine), which was good for a large group walk-in on opening night. The food was everything we'd hoped for given the pre-opening advertising for the restaurant. I went with mostly women given the restaurant's reputation as a refuge from the bro-tastic bars of Allston, and was so pleased to find that the food lived up to its classy advertisements. We got the mushroom baguette and the Stops Burger regular style, and the food was out quickly and was delicious. The burger in particular was mouth-watering good, and I'm actually not a burger person. I can't wait to go back for their full menu this weekend. Definitely one of my new favorite spots in Boston.
(5)
Amberly W.
So good! Burgers are good, but small plates are where it's at. Ceviche is a little too small, but flavor is unreal. It's off the beaten path, which sounds funny to say in Boston/Allston. Good drink selection too.
(5)
Tara R.
Apparently this little gem just recently opened. It's a great spot to come for happy hour and enjoy a large wine and beer selection & even have a few tapas. I came here for dinner with some friends. Being from out-of-town, I left it to them to pick a spot to go. The waitstaff were quite attentive and friendly. The ambiance is something I would expect to see in southern CA, which is where I am from.... Classy & upscale with a casualness to it. The food was outstanding. The asparagus plate was really well crafted. My favorite was the bread with eggplant tahini sauce... that tahini sauce is addicting! It looks like hummus but tastes 100 times better... and I love hummus. We ended up going with the burgers and chicken sandwiches and everyone enjoyed their meals. If you are like me and like to read about a location, take note of the history blurb on the back of the menu. I had to ask if we could take a peek before we left if we could see the 10,000 year old glacier deposited rocks and the manager obliged. Really cool! Thanks for a great experience!
(5)
Matt F.
Seems out of place for the area, but worth checking out. Excellent food and a really good beer selection!
(5)
Cait E.
Great atmosphere, friendly service and fantastic food! We had the griddled cheese, sticky pork riblets, and mussels and each dish was better than the next.
(5)
Corey S.
Excellent service and excellent food. The owner, is very friendly with customers at the bar and helpful suggesting drink pairings. The chef, Juan, has created an excellent menu, and the ceviche is killer. Ambience is perfect. Great date spot or just to have great food, drinks, and conversation with friends. Super close to the green line. Highly recommended!
(5)
D V.
So so so good. I've been here a couple of times now and I can't wait to go back already. It's a low-key place but slightly more upscale than other bars in the area. The food is fantastic. If you're someone who likes lamb, you definitely need to try the lamb meatballs. I had those and the Asian style burger. Both were great. Check out their menu online. There are some intriguing options on there that aren't the normal bar food choices. I was especially impressed with the beer selection. On my most recent visit, the bartender (who I believe was also the owner) let us try a couple of the beers before we decided on one. But they were all so good that I had a hard time deciding. I ended up going with the cask beer. If you are not familiar with cask beers, they are intentionally kept warm and flat but still manage to be delicious. If that doesn't sound like your type of thing, there are plenty of other options. If wine is more your thing the wine list looked pretty extensive as well. Each option on the menu even has little descriptions of the flavor. I tend to be skeptical when I see a lot of 5 star reviews for a place but this one is legit. It's strange for a place like this to be in Allston, especially on an out-of-the-way street. Totally worth the trip, though. People that are dismissing this place because it's in Allston are definitely missing out.
(5)
Rosey N.
Solid drink selection (beer and wine only) with an interesting menu. Come here with a group you're willing to share with! I recommend the mussels and the burger.
(4)
Dina H.
Servers were knowledgable, friendly and prompt! We had the lamb meatballs, scallops and a few apps. All wonderful. So flavorful. The beer and wine selection was pretty large. Atmosphere was so warm and homey. I will definitely be back
(5)
Mitesh A.
It's a hidden gem/misfit in the heart of Allston. The food is awesome! Grilled cheese is a delight, grilled octopus was the best, and mussels are great too. Will definitely come back to try more.
(4)
Carolyn S.
Tucked behind Commonwealth Avenue in a largely residential section, The Glenville Stops is away from the hustle and bustle. There were only a couple of tables and bar stools occupied on a Thursday night but I'm glad it wasn't representative of the service and food. While waiting for a friend to arrive, I had a chance to chat with the owner, Mike, who is courteous and friendly. The beer selection is ample, wine selection is pretty good (not a lot of hearty reds but maybe it's because of the season?) and the menu, while not large, has something for everyone. I didn't see a cocktail list or liquor in the bar so this could be a deterrent for some. Mike was patient in answering my questions about apps vs small plates and ease of sharing. My friend and I were offered bread with an eggplant spread, ordered the Mexican corn, griddled cheese, beet salad with whipped feta, sticky riblets and fries. Everything arrived quickly, was really tasty, and well executed. Portions were good, although I think two griddled cheese per plate is not enough for me (it's delicious especially when washed down with a beer). I hope to make it back soon for the service, food, and ambiance.
(5)
Nick R.
Way better than expected. A hidden restaurant with a cool atmosphere, great beer list and even better menu.
(5)
Erica J.
We've been here many times & have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, staff & decor :-D
(5)
Michele C.
Worth going through the hassle of finding parking just for the charred octopus dish and lamb meatballs. You can tell this chef has talent!
(4)
James H.
Had a great meal tonight! Very comfortable and modern. Nice big glass windows facing the street give the place an open feel. Terrific service, great beer selection. A really good addition to All-Bri options, will be back.
(5)
Joan C.
Just got home from dinner at the Glennvile Stops and had to write a review! From the outside it's very understated, inside exposed brick, and very charming. The staff is very nice, lots of smiles, you can tell that all of staff is very proud of where they work. I had the Bar Harbor Mussels and the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they were a tad undercooked. The broth and toast points were excellent. Their drink selection was VERY impressive, with beers, ales and wines from all over the world. I had the B. Nektar Fang Mead, (which was a blackberry cider) one word: Delicious. One tiny complaint, the way we were seated put a very large desk directly behind me so in order for the waitress to serve to the person on my right, she kept reaching in front of me and over me. Kind of annoying. Overall it was a lovely night with really good food, which is the whole reason for going out to dinner, right? I would absolutely go back, and highly recommend.
(4)
Tara R.
Cant wait to go here again. One of the chefs, Juan is amazing. I had his food when he worked at Trade and I am so excited to see what he accomplishes here. The 3-Star reviews with pretty much zero complaints are obnoxious! This place is amazing, delicious food, fun sexy ambiance, and great staff:)
(5)
Bean C.
We were very disappointed with our meal, and our experience.Which is too bad, since we're excited they're in the neighborhood. The place itself is ok. A little spare, but I liked the bar area look. When we arrived, they had just put the music on, VERY LOUD. We couldn't hear the server, even though she was practically shouting. I asked if the music could be turned down a little. She said to me, "well, the bartender is very particular about the music." Are you kidding me? I'm coming in as a paying customer, and I'm immediately given the impression that we will all be at the whim of the bartender. They did turn the music down, which we appreciated. The server was a little too eager, which was a little awkward. She did give very excellent suggestions for the wine to go with our dinners. Too bad the food wasn't good to go with the wine. The mussels broth was absolutely tasteless, as were the mussels. The grilled bread was very good. The ribeye was a very poor cut of meat, and it was not flavorful. They don't have steak knives! This wasn't melt in your mouth steak, one needed a steak knife. Also, at $28, it was wildly overpriced compared to the other entrees. I recommend the mussels at the Abbey in Brookline. The broth should be worthy of eating with a spoon. Can't say that about what I had at The Glenville Stops.
(2)
Faye W.
Great place to catch a lunch/dinner! they just open a month so few people come but they really have great food!!!!!
(5)
anne S.
We went here for the first time last week, totally at the last minute with no background whatsoever. What reeled me in was the octopus and ceviche. What kept me was the bacalaito. Both owners were on hand and incredibly hospitable. The wine and beer lists were really thoughtful, with lots of unusual but tasty selections. Very family friendly, but plenty of "dates" sitting at the bar. The food is really great. The service is great, too. I do hope they can make a go of it.
(4)
Enzo M.
I came here last night with a party of 9 (my girlfriends family was in town for her graduation) and all I can say was I was amazed at finding this place in the location it's at. We were all pleasantly surprised when we walked in as the neighborhood around the place is very residential as well as not the greatest. The service here was speedy and very nice. Although they messed up my order they told me I could order anything else and it would be on the house. The manager/owner was there the whole time we were at the restaurant (also apologized for the mix up) and it seems is there at all times as well as his father is also a co-owner and barkeep. Their presence makes you feel more comfortable as you can deal with the face of the business if you have any concerns/ideas (we spoke to them in depth about other beers). Speaking of beer there is a great selection here especially if you like belgian/german beers. They are also the first place I've seen to have weihenstephaner on tap. They have a selection around ~40 and as a beer lover this was great for me. The food was great (grizzled cheese as a snack is excellent as are the lamb meatballs). Their entrees section is small but it seemed everything we ordered from there (cod and mussels) came out great. I definitely intend on coming back here and recommend it.
(5)
Emma-Jean W.
The food here was fabulous. I arrived with my mom and though it definitely still feels like a new restaurant, we had a fabulous time. She is VERY picky about food, and I can be too, but we were both so satisfied. The service was great - we had a lovely, conversational waitress. We ordered the artichokes, the asparagus, the octopus and the lamb meatballs. It was all amazing, especially the artichokes and the meatballs. The wine was also delicious, as was the chocolate cake. So pleased to have a nice place like this in Allston. I'm sure we'll become regulars!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Christine K.
Great place to stumble upon (there was one restaurant next door, and everything else were flats). The inside was beautifully serene, with low light and quiet music - felt a little like something out of a Miyazaki film (specifically Spirited Away, when Sen's on the train). We got the brussels sprouts and eggplant dip (sadly they didn't have sweet potato dumplings...), as well as some local beers. The waitress was very nice and helped us choose what would pair well with our courses. The pan-roasted brussels sprout were quite delicious! I'd come back here. :)
(5)Matthew R.
High quality food. High quality service. And 2 casks of ale on the counters... This man knows what he's doing.
(5)Meghan P.
I can't say enough good things about this place! The beer selection was amazing. The food was perfection. The owner and bartender were so hospitable, you felt like you were over an old friend's place for dinner. I would recommend The Glenville Stops to anyone. It is impossible to not enjoy yourself here.
(5)Iris J.
we ordered salmon, steak, mushroom baguette, sticky pork, choloate cake, and cheese cake. The steak was overcooked, salmon was ok, overall the food here is okay, if u r looking for some place to chat and have dinner, this is a decent place to go. However, the service here was below avg, we asked three times for the waiter to bring us bread to start with, and he forgot for two times. When we were still eating dessert, he gave us the bill. Later he came back again ask if the bill was ready when we were still eating. Overall, ok food, poor service. Don't order the steak. The second worst steak I've ever had in Boston.
(3)Sam S.
Extensive beer and wine menu. The food is rather pricey but is definitely well-made. The physical interior is brand spanking new and looks pretty classy to boot. My only hang up is the location. Why open this kind of establishment here in the middle of college town on a block where at any given time only say, 10% of residents can legally drink here? This seems more fit for Brighton, Brookline or parts closer to Fenway. Otherwise it's a classy hipster restaurant and I would recommend it to the right crowd.
(4)Vanessa T.
Allston is always hit or miss for me. Whether it be the crowd, atmosphere, or service. Its hard to find restaurants that have interesting menus. I am a huge fan of "bar bites" and any place that thinks outside of the box. I love honey and Glenville has a few items they paired nicely. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Like many new businesses that open, sometimes the wait is a little longer for food/service. It takes time to balance out the staff with the crowd and its to be expected. Well worth the wait. Since they do have bar bites, many dishes came out with little wait. We only had to wait a little longer for one dish due to a rush of people. No big deal, it was Sunday-Funday! My friend and I ordered: Bar Bites: Faroe Island Lox - this was fresh and cooked perfectly. Griddled Cheese - Very different concept and far from a normal grilled cheese. Duxbury Oysters, 1/2 / dozen - Fresh and served with chive and normal sides. Drunken Goat Cheese - FAVORITE. Paired with Mango, Honey, Almonds, Toast Points that were TO DIE FOR and drizzled with honey. Main meals: Confit Chicken Sandwich - Good size sandwich on ciabatta bread with plenty of fries for us to share. Caesar Salad - two people could share this! Huge portion with ample croutons and cheese. Dessert: Cathy's Cheesecake - with passion fruit sauce and strawberries. Personally I thought this would be wonderful without the passion fruit sauce. This is made by the owners wife! We will be back for sure. Too bad this places wasn't around when I lived on Park Vale Ave! :)
(4)JO. C.
The Glenville Stops is a nice place for couples, friends, and family to visit! They serve nice wines, appetizers, and creative dishes with no disappointments. What's more, the interior design is very delicate. You will find out they have hanging lamp with very different decorations; also the luxury speakers are just hanging on the ceiling. It is an amazing place!
(4)Michael C.
Came in to Glenville Stops on a cold snowy night around opening. The staff was friendly and we were able to grab a seat quickly at the bar. The free bread and eggplant tahini dip it came with was definitely the highlight of the meal, I had to ask for seconds. Quick Seared Shrimp - The shrimp were large and well flavored with garlic and oil. If you are a shrimp fan then these are a must get item. Pork Riblets - I really enjoyed the glaze on these. If you don't like eating around the bone then these might not be for you. Otherwise they were pretty tasty Avocado Tamarind - Simple and flavorful. Sliced avocado with a peanut type sauce, it was a tasty combo Mussels - Another classic and simple dish, if you like mussels then you will enjoy these. I especially liked the bread that accompanied the dish
(3)Alexander K.
Awesome place !! Excellent choice of beers and food is amazing !! In an old neighborhood as used to live there many years back, this was very catchy not to visit and reviews were good as well !! Definitely a must Stops !! Just last Thur.12/4 with friends visited .., worth every moment !! Parking can be difficult so plan accordingly !! No TV, no loud music, super clean, great service, awesome to conversation, and/or attention to your date !! Just good atmosphere !! Very relaxing !! Go Go Go !! Do visit !!
(5)Victoria P.
Came here for dinner on a week night and there was only one other table seated when we arrived. My boyfriend and I ordered the roasted beets, grilled squid, and the stops burger. The roasted beets did not match the description and was plated over a thick spread that tasted like a terrible cheese. The squid was masked in a pool of what tasted like canned chili and had no grilled taste whatsoever. The burger was just okay, but lacked salt and was extremely greasy. I also ordered a downeast cider with dinner and I've never had this particular cider before, but it tasted terrible and flat. I had only two sips and left it sitting for the rest of the meal. Not only did the waitress not ask me how my drink was or offer to substitute it for another, she charged me for two ciders on the final bill. While she did correct this after I mentioned it, I still paid for a terrible drink that I hardly drank. Overall, it was a terrible experience. I do not recommend this place.
(1)Abbie M.
Brunch the Sunday of a bachelorette weekend is a very important meal. You're recapping the events of the weekend, nursing a tumultuous tummy and battling any vestiges of dehydration. You want coffee, water, bacon and deliciousness and you want it now. The brunch menu is on the slender side but they cover all the classics - eggs with toast, eggs benny, pancakes, etc. They even offer a few unusual things like black pudding and fried slice, for those of you missing the UK. Most of our table ordered the eggs benedict because we're classic like that. The food itself was impressively delicious. An excellent hollandaise and the yolks were perfectly runny. Their "homefries" were really fried potato medallions, like an incredibly obese potato chip or a french fry cut the other way. The breakfast burger was enormous and purportedly fantastic. It's important to point out that their side of bacon was worth every cent - the plate even had to be shared because there was such a generous portion! And it was the good bacon! They have a great bar area and weirdly enough we each noticed the interesting ceiling fans. It would definitely be a top choice for a weekend drink. Service on this particular day is my only sticking point. I don't know who was in charge this Sunday, but it didn't seem like anyone was. The place was very quiet when we arrived right as they opened, our table of 9 was the first to sit down and others came in after. Our waiter was nice but slow. The other waitress was equally nice and equally slow. We ordered some coffees and juices, and it was about 15 minutes after ordering before we all had our beverages. The coffee was delicious, so it helped. After we ordered our food, it was a loooong wait and then the entrees began to come out one by one. Even on the Ark they were two by two! The bride waited at least 15 minutes after the first food came out, to be served. Our food was absolutely to die for. The ambiance was cool. I will definitely be back if I'm in the area!
(4)Nathan O.
I wanted to love this place, but expectations easily fell short. Sunday brunch, 1:30 PM, 1:5 tables sat = nearly 20 minute wait before even a drink order was placed. It's brunch, I was thirsty... The food was great, and presentation was spot on. It's really too bad the service didn't match the chef's attention to detail. Should you find yourself in attendance for brunch, save the $ and avoid the grapefruit brûlée...it's merely an overpriced grapefruit.
(3)Julia M.
Anything less than 5 stars would be unbefitting, as the food at Glenville Stops is truly delicious. Their free-range, half-chicken dish is easily the best chicken that I have ever had at a restaurant; never have I had such moist, melt-in-your-mouth chicken before. For red meat lovers, their burger is equally as delicious & juicy. In addition to wonderful food, Glenville Stops has a pleasant & attentive waitstaff. My waiter periodically checked up on me & made sure that my water glass never got too low. If you find yourself in the Allston area, I highly recommend stopping by Glenville Stops. Tidbits: -The food is reasonably priced, with entrees ranging from $15-$25 (the free-range, half-chicken plate costs $16). If you order a burger or sandwich, the food is even more affordable, with a price tag of $11-$13. -Glenville Stops is located on a side street off of Allston Street, so it has a more local, less college student feel to it than many restaurants in Allston. -You can make reservations online or on your phone via OpenTable.
(5)Joseph D.
I should pay it forward more often. This place is incredible! The pork riblets are incredible and even with a smaller portion size for the cheese and honey I love just about anything here! Allston is coming up thanks to Glenville Stops!
(5)Sophie P.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall, the fact that it's stuck next to a residential neighborhood and by a quick-e mart, but not because once you see Glenville Stops it sticks out like a sore thumb. The restaurant is very modern, clean, and contrasts sharply against the surrounding area. This is definitely a nicer, upscale dining option in the Allston area, which is primarily Asian and quick food. The menu is pretty limited, but I think they do try and focus on the extensive beer and wine menu, and having the food items complement the drinks. FOOD - Lamb meatballs (+): My favorite by far of the night. There were four meatballs that came on the plate with tzatziki sauce, and it was very flavorful. I could definitely eat this every time I come back here. - Pan roasted Brussels sprouts: I have noticed that Brussels sprouts are on more restaurants' menus. After having this dish several times, I think they could have been sautéed a little bit more, because they were very chewy. - Stops burger, Asian style (+): We got the burger medium, and it was dripping with flavor. There were crispy onions, Asian pickles, and the bun was toasted perfectly. The burger size looked a little flat and small, but the taste was so strong that it really didn't matter about the size ;) The fries were also perfectly crispy and seasoned very well. Their beers are also really good. I tried my friend's and enjoyed both our beers. I would recommend getting a bottled beer, as they bring the bottle with your glass and you definitely get more than through the draft. PARKING If you have trouble with parking, you can call the host and let them know you need a spot. They will take one of the cars by the meters directly in front of the restaurant and make a spot for you there by taking a car to the back parking lot. It's like free valet! Also, you can tell the quality of any home (or restaurant) by their toilet paper. The restaurant's bathroom was very clean AND had Charmin-thick toilet paper. So you know this place is serious about their business if they have thick Charmin toilet paper. I'll be back!
(4)Harri S.
ATMOSPHERE: 4.5 Still can't believe these were crappy offices. Gorgeous interior. Reminds me of my local Elk's lodge, and not in a bad way. Honestly, I think that it works, and really takes you far away from Allston. BEVERAGES: 4 Great beers, but on the expensive side. Loved the cask ale that night. SERVICE: 3 Service was nothing short of gracious, but extremely spotty. Not many people were there the night we went, and at one point I had to go up to a waiter and ask for help. That was super awkward. FOOD: 3 Most of the food was between 3-4 stars, the exception being the chocolate cake dessert which tasted a lot like Little Debbie brownies. This could be a good or a bad thing. You decide.
(4)Sarah W.
A hidden gem right near Packards Corner and Brookline. The food is delicious and they offer a gluten fee, lactose free menu at a nice price. The bartender is British and can tell you the charming story behind the name of the locale. The bar lights are Tiffany inspired lamps which just adds to the charm. There are no TVs which is a breath of fresh air, allowing you to talk or just zone out over a nice glass of wine or beer from the extensive list (they even have a gluten free one from Spain). It is a very friendly environment and I would highly recommend taking a stroll over and giving it a try.
(5)Jessica L.
Is this place a mirage in the desolation that is Allston? The Glenville Stops is the perfect cozy restaurant with an insane beer tap and wine selection, as well as great menu. My favorite menu item is the beet and feta salad (perfect for a light dinner on its own), and the burger is awesome, too. Great as a pick-me-up on a Monday night, or to meet with friends over the weekend. It's a godsend to have such a great neighborhood restaurant like this in Allston.
(5)Rekha W.
Wow! Our first time here was simply amazingly! Riblets were to die for! Scallops good. Burger very good. Octopus was killer. Can't wait to come back. Can't believe we have lived near here for years and haven't found this place. Save yourself the trouble and come here quickly! Also, Mike at the bar and Sarah were great at service.
(5)Kay H.
This place has 4.5 stars?! Spent $66 on a glass of shandy, wine and mussels, ribs, scallops, and chocolate cake. This is Allston Bruh. Walked in on a Friday night, wasn't too busy, took 3 min to be acknowledged to be seated. Slow service in general. Mussels were fresh but seemed farm raised. Could be wrong or I'm not familiar with different species sizes. They seemed a bit large. Tasted fresh for the most part. I ordered the Riesling, meant the $9 one, the first listed on the menu, was charged for the $11 one, wasn't asked which one I preferred. Didn't put up a stink about it, just took off the tip. The ribs were good but it wasn't paired with anything. Flavoring was good. The scallops were cooked well, the bed of corn was interesting. Doubt I would try it again. The chocolate cake was okay, the mint smelled fresh. I'll find some place else to eat in the future.
(2)James H.
The food is excellent. It's a substantial cut above a lot of other places at the price-point. Dish in point: baklava with ginger icecream and basil cream. BASIL cream. It's genius. This ain't your grandpa's dessert. These little touches were everywhere through the dishes. Jicama in the coleslaw with the scallops. Little knots of walnut through the carrot soup. The only miss out of the dozen+ dishes I've tried is the buffalo meatloaf... I guess it's hard to make exciting meatloaf. Oh well. Try literally everything else instead. Dishes in general are really good variations - enough to make dishes comfortable to people, but also enough to differentiate from the expected versions. Wine list: short but well populated. Beer list: excellent. Service: fine. I've been twice now. Will go again.
(5)Julie T.
I haven't written a Yelp review in about a year but decided to come back just to write a one about my new fave restaurant in Allston. What a lovely hidden gem! I've yet to try something here that I did not enjoy. Everything is so f@#$*^% delicious. My personal favorite items: - Confit Chicken Sandwich (*mouth orgasm*) - Roasted Beets (which is weird because I never liked beets before?) - Lamb Meatballs - Cathy's Cheesecake (A+ Cathy, A+) Also, their beer/wine menu is outstanding. If you're into reds, I always get the Noble Vines 181 Merlot and it doesn't disappoint. This place is the perfect date spot; its warm ambiance and attentive service always makes me feel right at home. It's obvious that the owners took a lot of time into perfecting every detail of this restaurant - and it paid off. You're gonna love it here.
(5)Kim B.
I was shocked and impressed when learning of Glenville stops for many reasons, both good and bed. If you want the short and sweet, my impressions equaled out to positive (hence, the positive review). I was shocked first, as I hadn't heard of this. It opened in about April 2014, and Greg and i found it in October. It is hidden on the backstreets of Allston, in the midst of a neighborhood you wouldn't expect a classy restaurant such as this to be. However, Allston NEEDS more places like this! I wish there was 100 places like this! I was also impressed with the ambience. The decor was definitely lacking, but they had funky lamps, dark lighting, and a seductive, wine bar feel that swooned me. They do need a makeover with art and decor, but besides that, the ambience is on par. There are lots and lots of wine/beer options, and even having wine on tap! If anything, this is an amazing place to come for drinks! I can picture cozying up to the bar on a snowy day and chatting over wine.... not to say that hasn't happened! The food is very impressive, but it is way beyond the norm for anyone who is used to eating in Allston (compared to the surrounding venues... this is 5 star gourmet!). We ordered a few small apps, and were pleased with the taste, flavors, presentation, and overall quality of the food. I do wish they had more... "normal" and less "Adventerous" items on the menu, but then again, there are lots of other places to go in Allston for normal food.... so I like the adventure my taste buds go on with the menu here.
(4)Lindsay D.
Husband and I went here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Yes, it's a little out of the way... but holy moly is it worth it. The owner is amazingly nice, they have an awesome selection of beers and the food was pretty darn tasty. I got the veggie burger option with a beef pattie and it was AMAZING. Run, don't walk.
(4)Richard S.
Had a wonderful birthday meal. My justification for a 5+ star experience: Excellent quality food in abundance. Great fresh-tasting beef burger, on the + side of 1/2 pound. Crispy fries that I devoured prior to eating anything else. The greenest green salad I have ever had. Prices so reasonable that I was a bit concerned that the plates would be tiny or the quality would be way off. Not even close. One of the best curated wine lists I've ever seen. Certainly best in any pub.With alcohol %-ages. Facilities so clean, yes I didn't need a plate! Appreciate it though. Global-quality service. By this I mean ... attentive without being overbearing. No need to ask every 5 minutes if "everything is ok with my meal." Clearly the bartender and waiter have a lot vested in the restaurant and they are the owners. But Mike, the Proprietor, went above and beyond. Very knowledgeable about the wines and gave us a preview of our next visit. I cannot overstate this enough. I am a frequent visitor to Europe and must say that they (Europeans) really know how to host. Service is a life's work. Satisfaction is a passion. For extra credit, walking distance to my apartment. So, in the mood for a great meal or a bottle of wine in a dignified yet down home environment, that will not blow the budget. You cannot go wrong here. Now I have trouble believing such a glowing review too. To be real, the owners should consider blocking the bright light from the kitchen. It can help create an even more sensual experience.
(5)Jenn S.
I wish I could give this a 3.5. I wasn't blown away at first and I think I need to go back and try it again. FOOD: We ordered lots of different stuff. Started out with the Shrimp, Salt Cod, Chicken Livers and Griddled Cheese smaller plates. The cheese was not what I think I wanted. It was just cheese on some toast and it didn't have any taste at all. The cod was good when you got some of the fish but there was a VERY small amount in there and lots of other stuff. However the Shrimp was SOOOO good. I would definitely recommend that. We all ordered burgers, veggie burgers and chicken sandwiches. The veggie burger was nice that it tasted home made and I heard the Asian burger and regular one were pretty good. The chicken sandwich only had a few pieces of chicken on it so it was A LOT of bread. Fries were really fresh... I don't usually have any problem with a fry! ATMOSPHERE: I know they are still really new but they definitely need to add some character it is SOOOO plain. The ceiling looks awesome with the exposed wood they should just give it an identity so it doesn't seem like a waiting room. STAFF: Our waiter was awesome and the manager that was walking around was really nice too. Overall I want to go back and try more. Our experience was just ok so I want to feel great about this place because I love that it is hidden on a back street!
(3)Rebecca W.
Food is delicious and wine bar has plenty of good choices. Glenville Stops is a pleasant surprise for the area. Great spot for young adults who want to stay away from the college scene. We started with a caprese salad and scallops. Both had a different twist to the presentation and flavor. The Asian Style Stops burger is a must have. My boyfriend always orders this! Glenville Stops would have received 5 stars if the service was better. The servers aren't very attentive and we had to ask them if they would take our order.
(4)Joaquin X.
I've been in to this spot several times but haven't eaten the food yet. I look forward to doing that soon. My review and rating are based on my experience of sitting at the bar on several occasions and enjoying a drink in a relaxing environment. There are so many options here for good beer and wine. The lighting is dim to my appreciation. The music is chosen by the owner Mike, who provides a very friendly (if not harmlessly vampiric) presence from behind the bar. The music tends to lean heavily "Brit" (as the owner is) with a mix of 80s new wave, afro pop, folk and light instrumental music. All of which works with the relaxed mood. There is nothing loud about the place at all, as there is no TV and the taps display a unified style of name-plate titles and standard tap handles (versus loud and multi-heighted logo-shaped handles). It's even on a relatively quiet side street in a residential section of urban apartment buildings. I always get what I need when I come to this place. I look forward to trying the food soon.
(4)Steven S.
I was impressed. I liked the upscale but homey ambiance. That combined with the location definitely gave the feel of a local dive but with a lot more class. The menu was varied and everything looked good. I sat with a table of six and between us, and I tried the Griddled Cheese, Lamb Meatballs, dumplings, and Buffalo Meatloaf. All were excellent. The Lamb Meatballs and Buffalo Meatloaf were particular highlights. I absolutely loved the beer selection. I could spend a week there getting through the whole list, and the breadth of style is great - you won't just find 100 different hoppy IPAs. The location is definitely not one you'd expect, but it adds to the quiet and cozy sort of atmosphere. I'll be coming back here.
(4)Nils K.
Food was great but service was very slow, even though the place was not busy at all. Main meals came out one by one, with the last meal significantly later than the others.
(3)Jeff S.
The bottom line: Good eats, friendly staff, spotty service. The ball and chain and I had a good experience here! There were plenty of seats available at 7 on a Saturday night. We started with the griddled cheese which was small, but delicious. Good beer and wine selections available. For the main course we split the spot burger and some chicken confit sandwich. Both were very good. I was surprised by the burger. It had some really good spices on the meat. And a pickle! I love when burgers have pickles. It reminds me of my childhood. Anyway, both were awesome. Fries were medium...I like them thin and crispy and these were more of a medium-thin and not very crispy but had some good seasoning. The only real drawback was the service. The staff was friendly, but somewhat inattentive. As I mentioned, it wasn't that crowded, but took us a while to order each phase. Would recommend you give it a try!
(4)Wendy K.
One of my favorite local spots! They have an amazing beer selection (including a cask ale) plus tasty food- a great, simple burger as well as more adventurous dishes. They change the menu up a bit every few months so there has been something new to try pretty much every time I've been here. It's a great date spot- not too loud, you can order little plates to share, ambience is nicer than most nearby spots especially at this price point. They just started serving brunch (this week I think!) which prompted me to get around to writing a review. We ordered the omelette (cheese/bacon/tomato) and a "Full Monty" aka full English breakfast. Omelette was fluffy and tasty but the homefries were what really stood out- crisp without being burnt, and with the fresh parsley that they also put on their french fries, which I really like. The Full Monty was an impressive plate! We both liked the black pudding (neither of us had tried it before).
(5)Stephen T.
Great service. Great food. Great ambiance. The lamb meatballs and brussel sprouts are so good. The eggplant Tahiti spread is amazing also. I would definitely come again.
(5)Elissa S.
I have been to the Glenville Stops over and over again. When you walk in, it feels like you are stepping into a different era in time. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive to our needs. I think the menu is very innovative and exciting. Something as simple as the griddled cheese, which is essentially a piece of cheese on a crouton, can overwhelm your taste buds with incredible flavor. The presentation of the food is always beautiful. I have had several conversations with the owners and the chef. They are such kind people who have put a lot of love and hard work into making this such an enjoyable place to eat. This is a hidden gem! Some of my favorite dishes so far are: Griddled Cheese Mexican Street Corn Day Boat Scallops and Roasted Beets
(5)Isabelle B.
My boyfriend and I tried this place for the first time today for Sunday brunch. The place has a great atmosphere: light and open, and a great sound system that blends into the background. We had the French press coffee, buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, and the breakfast burger. Everything was DELICIOUS: super fresh, high quality, cooked perfectly. Definitely coming back.
(5)Samantha B.
Off the beaten path, but a nice walk from the Harvard Ave. T stop (Green Line - B). Sit at the beautiful bar. Atmospheric with lots of wood. Good selection of draft and bottled beers with a rotating cask. Bread is served with a unique eggplant tahini. Smoky and creamy, what a treat! Good to eat even without the bread. The creamy carrot soup displays a fresh take on a bisque. Full of flavor with strong elements of cumin. Bits of cauliflower and walnuts add crunch and texture. Raw honey is blended in to provide color and a smooth finish. The charred octopus, with gigante bean salad, masa seca, and queso fresco was vibrant with a mediterranean flair. A modest portion of octopus and enough for a small meal. The buffalo meatloaf was presented in three medallions. The mushroom and couscous complemented the slightly salty meatloaf perfectly. Will be back to try the burger. Saw many coming out of the kitchen and looked intriguing.
(4)Lily W.
When I turned onto Glenville Ave, I was surprised that anyone would choose to have their restaurant so tucked away in a residential neighborhood. But the Glenville Stops is warm and inviting, with lots of woodwork and wood-based decor. It's all fireplaces and candles and soft winter evenings (not that it actually has fireplaces, I don't think, but that's the impression I got). I was told to find a seat anywhere by the lovely server, who was extremely nice and brought me a basket of bread even though I informed her that I was actually waiting for three other people. She also offered some excellent beer recommendations when I, overwhelmed by the sheer choice of delicious-looking drafts, asked. The food menu isn't extensive by any means--but I usually take this as a mark of a good restaurant, because what dishes it has, I've come to expect them to be done well. It is separated into Bar Bites, Salads/Soups/Sandwiches, Small Plates, Large Plates, and desserts. We shared the: Day Boat Scallops--2 scallops beautifully seared on a chocolate mole sauce Grilled Squid--this was my favorite--they were extremely flavorful Salmon Escabeche--not gonna lie, didn't know what escabeche was, so I didnt expect it to be served cold as it was, but this was also delicious Lamb Meatballs--4 meatballs, wonderfully seasoned The drinks I had were the Enlightenment Illumination, a glass of Chardonnay, and the Left Hand Milk Stout (the server described this as "basically dessert beer"--if you get this and you like Guinness and other stouts, this is for you--I loved this, a sweet and thick beer). The service was also on point. It wasn't very busy on an early Tuesday evening, so I can't say how the restaurant is like when it gets packed, but we had our bread refilled every time we asked, and we never once felt that we were being rushed. I've love to return again to try some more beers, as well as to sample some of the large plates.
(5)Andrew D.
Party of 8 went here for brunch yesterday. Loved it ... everyone of us. I had The Full Monty English Breakfast and it brought me back to England with every bite. The people I was with had never seen me savor each bit like this before. I didn't want to die, but if I had, I would have died happy. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Cory G.
Absolutely fantastic food and a great addition to the neighborhood. The best chocolate cake I've ever had. Amazing service.
(5)Ships A.
We love this spot, very close to home. Great chill environment inside and great servers/staff. They have a really quality beer choice and wine on tap. The food is interesting, seasonal and really great. Last night we had grilled haloumi cheese, avocado with tamarind and fennel, sweet potato dumplings and a beet salad. The beets were really true star on a bed of whipped feta. Great spot overall! Check out the photo of the beets dish.
(4)J p.
Service keeps going south or should I say it now STINKS. It's most unfortunate because the food is good but incompetence is rife... How or rather where on earth does one get such lousy wait staff - this is the service industry so ... Alas as much as I like the food and very much appreciate the active/responsive owner I will not be back. For those tolerant of rubbish service: Try the ceviche, lamb meatballs, beet salad and chicken confit sandwich. From my past visits I can confirm that most of the menu items are great and I can also confirm that the service sucks. Good luck getting bread, drinks or a waiter checking in on you. Sadly they appear 'overwhelmed' when they aren't even packed to capacity so how does one scale? Note to owner - PLEASE address the service, you have a hidden gem with great food and great drinks selection. The neighbourhood needs a higher end business with matching service and you are halfway there - in my opinion.
(1)Lucile B.
Very nice place for a weekday dinner. Awesome tapas and sandwiches. Most of the times I've been there was later at evening, i.e. after 8pm and I can easily get a table which is great but after a while it usually gets empty. I should come back on a weekend!
(4)Big S.
this is a great find. one of the better restaurants in area. they have great food options, many of which you wouldn't expect to find on glenville street in the middle of a small neighborhood. the chicken confit sandwich is great. they have great beer selections. we also got the masa burger, the buffalo meatloaf, the riblets and the fried cheese. everything was great The place is nice inside. The price is right, nothing overly expensive. Would highly recommend.
(5)Katherine B.
I was so excited to visit this restaurant, which is walking distance from my apartment, so we made reservations to have dinner here on my birthday. Although we were right on time for our reservation, there was no table ready and we were asked to wait at the bar. There were no seats available there so we waited nearby and ordered drinks. That was fine, really no complaints thus far. We were seated 45 minutes later, which wouldn't have bothered me had we actually received a table for four. Instead they squeezed the four of us into a table meant for two. My brother's girlfriend was practically in the lap of the folks at the next table, her jacket brushing up against their food, and there wasn't room on the table when our two appetizers came out. Other groups of four had two of the same sized tables pushed together, so double the amount of space. I requested a larger table because it was physically impossible for all of us to eat at that one tiny table. To their credit they did move us as our entrees were coming out. However, they dropped the entrees before we got there, and we all had ordered burgers of varying temperatures. Obviously, we couldn't tell which was which by just looking. The waiter carted the meals away to try to figure it out only to find out that two of them were completely wrong anyway. They comped two burgers and brought a free dessert (that wasn't very good, but it was the thought that counts I guess). Overall, they seemed like they were trying (although not very hard) but it was such a disappointing disaster from start to finish. There are so many other options for eating in the city that I'll probably never go back here.
(2)Chrizzle D.
Amazing food selection, wonderful atmosphere, and beautiful bar. First off, their food options are interesting AND delicious. I honestly feel like some places go out of their way to make interesting dishes for the sake of making interesting dishes. The Glenville Stops just makes interesting dishes because the Chefs are classically trained and have all worked at high scale bars and restaurants in Boston. Secondly, their wine selection is off the hook! Since I'm not in my early 20s anymore, I like something a little more fulfilling (sorry, Yellow Tail). They have a selection that I would welcome into my own home bar. I'm so glad The Glenville Stops is here. My boyfriend and I look forward to adding this place to our mix. Welcome to the neighborhood!
(5)Lauren K.
Glenville Stops is a truly phenomenal restaurant. We were met upon our arrival by the head chef, who seated us and talked with us about the restaurant and their philosophy. The kitchen staff arrives at 11am to prep nearly 100% of the menu from scratch (alas, their bread isn't baked in-house) for their dinner service, which is their only service. The small menu is curated with care, populated with equal parts vegetarian, surf, and turf selections. The rest of the menu (which spans 8 pages) is their wine and beer selection(!). Yum! Our server recognized our group, which was back for the second time, and even remembered where we sat and what we had ordered. We split some small plates for appetizers and ordered sandwiches/burgers for dinner. The hand cut French fries are a must-have. Highly recommended!
(5)Arthemis L.
Neighborhood gastropub that puts great care into their food and service! Brunch was spectacular. Can't wait to try dinner menu next time in town.
(4)Paula L.
I picked this restaurant for Mothers Day brunch based on reviews I read. Frankly, I was having no luck getting a reservation in Boston elsewhere. Now I'm glad it worked out that way. The reviews were accurate. Service was very friendly and efficient, food was delicious, and the atmosphere very comfortable and not rushed at all. Highly recommend it, and will plan on returning to check out dinner next time we're up on Boston.
(4)Emily W.
Simply summarized: you must go. I hate long reviews and will keep it short. - The food was great. I split the brussel sprouts and the chicken sandwich with a friend and it was plenty of food. - The place is beautiful. - If there's something bad to say, they served water in what looked like a 2 ounce glass. But I sat at the bar and that water glass kept getting re-filled so what do I have to complain about?
(5)Matthew L.
Service was terrible; first app came out after we were half way through our meal. No big deal, but we declined the apps. Second app came out as we were finishing, and they kind of made a deal out of the fact that we didnt want it. They forgot the condiments several times, so I just got them myself. No offer to refill drinks, bread came about 15 min after we ordered. We waited 20 min for check before I left cash. Food was good, but the place was a hot mess. Disappointing given the stellar reviews.
(1)Tristan H.
Down a winding Allston backroad on the wrong side of the tracks, you find... a beautiful perfectly designed gastropub with awesome food, dozens of beers on tap, and one of the most well-curated wine lists on this side of the river? What? I walk out of this place every time (6 or 8 meals now) with a look of incredulous delight on my face. Why this place? Why here? Why *so good?* You wouldn't choose this location for any restaurant unless you knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you had something special, that location didn't matter for you, and the right people would find you and keep coming back. And that's what Glenville Stops is. It is, quite literally, a diamond in the rough, more special for its odd placement and the surrounding environment. The food has that elegant ideal execution that's neither pretentious nor too simple: combinations of flavors from across the spectrum are used in modern ways in dishes that might otherwise be boring in any other pub; but here are just delightful. Scallops with mole sauce (?) and grilled mango (?!), Heirloom tomatoes with a simmered tomato balsamic reduction (I call it "wow sauce" and I want to know how to make it), Pan-roasted brussels sprouts with peanuts and olives (!), Lamb meatballs with... oh I don't care what's on them, they're delicious. Everything is delicious. Haven't had a single thing that hasn't been immensely satisfying, including the sandwiches and entrees. The menu has a nice balance between small plates and large meals (an approachable 3 plate choices, how refreshing). And if nothing else, this is a bar that should be enjoyed -- 40 taps and many awesome bottle selections, many wines by the glass carefully selected, and a huge wrap-around bar with a really impressive and classy vibe. (Side note -- hat tip to whomever designed the ceiling audio system in this place, it's really really well thought out and put together). Great service and people who clearly care about their employees and their customers. Just excellent all around. Glenville Stops has made living in Allston for another year almost tolerable. Definitely worth the ride on the B line (and I don't say that lightly). Thank you guys.
(5)Buzz G.
I've only been once, but that will change, as I will go back whenever the opportunity presents itself. An interesting space, lovingly put together and a nice simple menu. Service couldn't have been better... Helpful when needed, attentive but not at all intrusive. I had a simple "Gem" salad (fresh ingredients, interesting flavor combinations and a healthy portion) and the Stop burger which was very good. Homemade pickles, thin sliced red onion, nicely cooked and presented. There are much more interesting things on the menu and an extensive draft selection, obviously carefully curated. Go!
(4)Tenzin C.
Went there sunday night. My friend and i sat at an extremely clean bar top. We went straight through their drinks list. By then we already fell in love with this place. Amazing selections of craft beers, list was long and selection just fascinate me and my friend. Lots of local beers on bottles & tap. Wine list is just a mind blowing!! We Order few small bites. The Salt Cod, Griddle cheese, Fluke civeche with avocado grapefruit vinaigrette & my fav The lamb meat ball!!! For the main course we shared Whole fish soaked in tea with fried yucca. So delicious we ate to the bone. Last we had chocolate cake that was one of the best chocolate cake i'd in a long time. Everything came out so beautiful, flavorful, creative use of different spices & the presentation was phenomenal. Going back in a week with some relative & friends.
(5)Robert C.
A totally unexpected pleasure--a cozy neighborhood-style Allston restaurant/gastropub with exceptional small and large plates from chef Nester Guerra, and a beer and wine list that can hold its own anywhere. Twenty-one taps, a rotating cask-conditioned ale (British-style, basement temperature) and an casual ambience make this a perfect date spot, too. We visited on a cold, snowy evening, and as I pulled up looking for parking, the barkeep stood in his shirtsleeves to hold a spot in front of the restaurant for five minutes while I circled around the block. Can't say I've ever had that happen in Boston! While we eagerly sampled the delicious eggplant tahini dip, I sipped an Enlightenment Illumination ale, something I've not seen on tap in a Boston restaurant. It was then that we noticed the extraordinary sound system. I'm not an audiophile, but the music had incredibly pure highs, a wonderful midrange, and a deep, tight bass--something I can't ever remember hearing in a restaurant before. Looking up, I noticed that there was a cabinet containing a midrange speaker and a tweeter suspended several feet from the ceiling over nearly every table. It was as if every diner had a personal sound system. On top of that, the resulting acoustics allowed you to hear the music clearly while also being able to converse at almost a whisper. The conversations at other tables were virtually inaudible. Yet, at the same time, the bar area had a great energy and lively vibe. When we asked our server about the system, he brought Michael Chapman, one of the co-owners, over to explain it. Turns out Mike was also the barkeep who had stood shivering in the cold to hold our space when we first arrived. An academic prior to opening the restaurant a year ago, Mike is truly a polymath, designing not only the sound system, but the many details of the restaurant himself. That would have been enough to make our evening, but just then the food arrived from the kitchen, visible from one side of the bar. The presentation was fantastic--my wife ordered from the small plates menu--a creamy carrot soup with cauliflower and crumbled walnuts and swirls of raw honey garnishing the top. The lamb meatballs with tzatziki, toasted bulgur and harissa oil were outstanding, as was my large plate pan-seared Faroe Island salmon, served with braised tomatoes over a crispy skin in a light broth of fabada beans and just barely wilted spinach. A decadent chocolate cake perfect for sharing and an espresso made for a perfect finish. Throughout, we felt like every detail had been perfectly attended to. The decor is beautiful, and everything is maintained as if it had just been opened yesterday. Great service, food and drink--really, this spot should be on everyone's must visit list.
(5)Michael G.
The only bar in Brighton without a television screen, and what a difference does that detail make! For a restaurant still getting on its feet, it's excellent. The menu focuses on food pairings for wine and craft beer. The menu is not for those with bland palates, and rewards those who appreciate rich foods and even richer aromas off the drink menu. The atmosphere is enhanced by a specialized sound system, which aids in dispersing the din, allowing conversation without shouting, and maintaining light background music. Try the lamb meatballs! They are excellent!
(5)Miranda B.
The Quick-Seared Shrimp was awesome! The ambiance was very pleasant... But everything else was subpar. The Stop Burger, Asian style was missing something, the Baby Scallops were good but the creamed mushroom was overpowering, and service was inattentive and unenthusiastic... The Mead was good too
(3)AB H.
I arrived for my 7 PM reservation and the place was totally empty. Completely. That made me nervous. But as soon as I was seated, a few other people came in. I then was annoyed because I went to the bathroom to look in the mirror, and I couldn't see in it from my wheelchair because it was hung too high (where are the laws?). And the decor is off - the building has beautiful bones, you can see the beams overhead, but they added a lot of details that looked cheesy. Then we tasted the food: the two of us had five small plates: the salmon (which is served cold), the sweet potato dumplings, the lamb meatballs, the beets and the goat cheese plate (served with peanuts, honey, and crunchy mango). They were all solid dishes. I'd go back to try other dishes, and I'd also hope to see the menu change. And the server was very nice. Parking can be a challenge because it's mostly resident only. And the one way streets make it annoying to 'circle the block'. There are some two hour visitor parking spots right out front, and they 'hold' one by parking their car in it. If you ask, they will move it so you can park there.
(3)Sam B.
I've gone here for first dates, anniversaries, friends outings, and just for a drink. Good food at a great price, with super friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Be sure to try their Bar Harbour mussels with coconut milk, lemon grass, and ginger. They're delicious
(5)Lauren W.
I have been coming to this place since they opened earlier this year, and I absolutely love it. The beer selection is extensive, and the noms selection manages to be extremely unique yet not so strange as to be unapproachable. My only fear is that their menu rotation may one day separate me from my beloved Quick-Seared Shrimp. If that day were to come, I may have to kidnap the owner's cat... Or something.
(5)Ann S.
I came here on a date recently and I was really pleased with everything. The food was really good and they had a good menu selection. There was something for everyone. I really liked that the servers gave great service but didn't feel the need to check up on us all the time. The ambiance was really nice. The lighting and the interior design felt really comfortable. It was a great place for a date and for a big group of friends. I would highly recommend the scallops!
(5)Taylor D.
Very nice restaurant, not typical of all the other Allston restaurants. Quiet environment and amazing food! I'm very glad this gem popped up in the neighborhood. Great for dates.
(5)Chris C.
My Dinner group of 8 went to the Glenville Stops on a recent August Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 3.7 Decor: 3.1 Service: 3.1 Overall: 3.5 SUMMARY REVIEW The majority of the group was very pleased with the food overall. Most felt the menu was limited and should be expanded. The selection of wine and beer was ample and the group enjoyed their libations very much. What needed improvement was the decor and the service as both were lacking in regards to quality and expectations Parking is a bit of an issue so it's advisable to take the T to get there. Overall the group enjoyed their experience at the Glenville Stops enough to want to return again the future. BEVERAGES: -My Nektar Black Fang Mead cider was a perfectly mellow blend of blackberry, clove and orange as described. -A very extensive selection of premium beers and ciders organized by lagers, stouts, ale's, etc - in bottles or on draft. Both of the beers that I tried were delicious. -The apple cider was a great complement to wash the burger and fries. -Nice selection of beers, and the servers were somewhat knowledgeable about which beers were worthwhile. -I ordered a mandarin and Seville orange tonic soda. It was so good I could have had two of them. FOOD: -The meatballs were perfectly spiced, and the tzatzaki complimented the meat well. The greens helped add a nice texture to the balance of meat and sauce. Beets were flavorful and roasted to the perfect texture - not too firm and not too soft. The dill sauce gave the vegetables a wonderful zing that didn't over power the beets. -The food was very tasty and the presentation was excellent - much more than I was expecting given the simple, clean decor of the restaurant. I had the statelier chicken which came with a braised bean stew and wild rice. Chicken was perfect. I- had a mixed food experience with the Mexican Street Corn and the Burger. The corn was grilled well, but the sauce fell down. What should have been a spicy- cheesy delicious start to the meal was corn with mayonnaise. The Burger, however delivered in a big way. Cooked exactly to order, adequately juicy, and just done very well. The fries that came with the burger were crispy and delicious. I had the Bar Harbor Mussels and the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they were a tad undercooked. -While my beet app was delicious (beets cooked perfectly, and the accompanying whipped feta and crispy bits of shoestring potato was both very tasty, and a great textural counterpoint), and my crispy chicken was extraordinarily well done (really was crispy, and the accompanying rice, confit and bean stew was super good). -Regarding the food, I was pleasantly surprised with The Granville Stops. I had a very delicious burger that was well cooked and quite flavorful. I am deducting a star because I found the menu to be surprisingly limited. If you weren't in the mood for a burger (there were at least 3 variations) or some other meaty item, you were out of luck. -I found the food to be very tasty. I started with the mixed field greens salad. It was pretty good with a nice amount of buttermilk dressing. However, I did feel that it had a little too much arugula in the greens so it was slightly bitter. For my entree I chose the confit chicken sandwich. It was amazing with an amarillo aioli, herb salad, turnips, and hand cut fries. SERVICE: -The server was pleasant and seemed to be knowledgeable about the menu and drink selection. It would have been nice of him to offer us more bread while we waited for the food which took a bit longer than expected to arrive. The waiter was obviously also handling tables on the other side of the restaurant so I think that prevented him from being as attentive as he could have otherwise been if he was only covering our section. - While the wait staff were all very friendly, they seemed to be working out the kinks in their model for this new venue. One of the diner's apps was missed entirely, and they don't seemed to have worked out a system for matching food coming out of the kitchen with diners' orders. - The service was ok though they struggled a bit with the large group. The staff is very nice, lots of smiles, you can tell that all of staff is very proud of where they work. - The service through friendly was in a word inept. My app never came out (until i asked where it was), and there was a lot of fumbling in general (the staff may be finding their feet DECOR - The decor actually detracted from my enjoyment of the meal, because we were on the closed off area to the far side of the bar, i felt like redheaded step children. And since it was a gut reno, they had a chance for a really cool modern space, but inexplicably went for a generic old lady's living room look heavy on moldings and cheap -looking stained glass sconces. - The atmosphere seemed a bit sterile, though that might be due to the new car smell. - Decor was the only real misstep for me.
(4)James G.
Great service! We called and said we were having a hard time finding a spot and they said there was a spot in front of the restaurant that just opened up and had someone stand in it and hold it for us. Although the difficulty parking is a big negative. I got Mexican street corn, lamb meatballs, and gridled cheese. They were all very good. If I was only going to get one I would go with the lamb. Big beer selection. I got the beer on cask which was made by Ipswich. It was good but nothing special.
(5)Sofiane D.
Hidden gem of Allston describes it best. It's a very welcomed change from the atmosphere you get from all the sports bars around. The food is excellent. We had the burgers, the corn appetizer and the passion fruit moose for desert. I feel like the quality of a burger says a lot about the restaurant that serves it and those burgers say it all. They are juicy, pleasant to look at and all the flavors they bring out whisper promises of all the other dishes I have yet to try. The grapefruit passion fruit mouse delivered as promised! It was everything a grapefruit and passion fruit mouse lover could ask for! My only problem was in my excitement to try it out, I forgot that I hated grapefruit with a passion. They even have a wide selection of botanically brewed soda! I have no idea that is (soda brewed in a garden??), but I liked it! If you're in the neighborhood, check it out! Even if you're not, go out of your way and try it out anyways. You won't regret it.
(5)Julie C.
Move over drunken college students and noisy bars, Allston is growing up! Hidden away from the busy, dirty, noisy main road of Allston is a quiet neighborhood. Here you will find an amazing gastropub with a great menu, offering a variety of food ranging from roasted MExican Corn bar bites, to ceviche small plates, and main courses ranging from burgers to mussels. The beer and wine selection is extensive and well curated. Don't expect cocktails. I had the Asian Stops Burger, which is actually one of the best Asian fusion burgers I've had. Very juice, full of flavor. It was so hard to choose which appetizers I wanted, but ended up with the corn, smothered in seasonings. For dessert I had the passion fruit mousse, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy, light enough to finish off the meal. The server was very friendly and appropriately attentive, giving great beer suggestions. Agree with the other reviews in terms of ambiance. It's a new place with great potential in its space. Exposed wood ceilings, stained glass light fixtures and wonderful warm, classy bar, but the walls seem a bit bare like they're waiting for something. Really they could have no walls and exposed wires and I'd still recommend this place enthusiastically. The Glenville Stops is an amazing gastropub, and a better alternative to Regal Beagle in Coolidge Corner!
(5)Jenessa C.
Big beer list, small wine list, small food list. The wine wasn't all that great here- if you like red bold wines. Sweet & light you should be fine. If you are hungry the food isn't bad, it is just expensive for tavern food I thought. Also not a great place for vegetarians, as the selection was limited. But, the staff are great & accommodating, making the experience enjoyable.
(3)Steiner H.
What a surprise. Located in the midst of a residential neighborhood is this terrific little restaurant. A friend had recommended it so we tried it on a Friday summer night. The beer and wine selection was quite extensive with lots of choices for the well versed. We sampled a wide array of plates from the garlic okra, fried cheese, mexican corn, octopus and lamb balls. The food was quite tasty and the service from Dave was excellent. We'll definitely go back.
(5)Cece H.
Love Glenville Stops! Executive Chef Juan Pedrosa worked under Jody Adams of Rialto/Trade fame for years and the elevated, farm-to-table influence is clear. We go through four helpings of his eggplant spread every time we're there. So good! Service is excellent/super-friendly and the family-owned, father-son management is awesome, too. This restaurant is great for our neighborhood and even better for our taste buds! So much better than the offerings on Harvard and Brighton Ave--make the trek over to Glenville! To the GS team: My only complaint is the lighting. What's with the Applebee's lamps? Everything else is so cute! Take a page from LuLu's or DeepEllum down the street and update those lights for an ambiance that matches your great food. :)
(5)Josh C.
Great new place behind Comm Ave. I can't think of any other place quite like it in Allston, which is surprising with the glut of interesting food choices around. Lo menu, the carrot soup and the goat cheese plate were delicious, and the beer/cider/mead draft menu was pretty extensive. I'm glad it's there, and will definitely go back!
(5)Carl H.
I don't normally leave reviews on yelp, but I love this place so much that I just had to. It's definitely a hidden gem. It's on a residential street tucked away between apartment buildings and a corner store - not a place you'd expect to find a nice pub. The owner is from Great Britain (I met him), and built the entire restaurant himself. Everything about the decor of the place is in sync, and I love the use of hardwood. I shared a bottle of wine with my date, and we both ordered the Asian Stops Burger. We sat at the quiet bar and just talked the night away.
(5)Josh K.
My girlfriend Lena A. and I saw a flyer for this restaurant right in our neighborhood this afternoon. I wanted to give it a try especially since I saw that it was a father and son entrepreneurial venture just starting in the area. Every father and son foodie family (as in our case), always dreams about opening a restaurant together and you could just see the passion this team brings to the beer, food and service from the flyer, website and in person. The location is a challenge to get foot traffic because it's on a side street between Commonwealth Ave. and Harvard Ave. but this hidden gem is worth the search party. The meal started great with delicious bread and an eggplant dip that had me asking for seconds. The small plate lamb meatballs were delicious and the tzatziki and cucumbers on top were a nice touch. The ceviche was possibly the star of the meal, very flavorful with a perfect mix of avocado and grapefruit vinaigrette. I was also a huge fan of the Asian-style burger. I can't remember the last time I had a burger without cheese but for this nicely seasoned burger, cheese would be an unnecessary addition. The hand cut fries were also really good. This place is definitely worth a stop, just bring a flashlight and explore the menu.
(5)Courtney R.
I was so impressed by Glenville Stops. The evening started out with my husband and I driving around Alston for a full half hour looking for parking before we gave up and called to cancel our reservation. When we called he told us to drive on up and he would move his car to give us his spot! The staff were so friendly and I immediately felt like I was a regular in a neighbor pub. Anyway, the beer selection was great, the drunken goat cheese appetizer was amazing, and the brussel sprouts were bomb!
(5)Julia C.
Talk about a hidden gem! My boyfriend suggested this place a few weeks ago. I was surprised to start walking down a side street in Allston in order to get to it, but when you walk in, it's the caliber of a cool city bar that you would find on a major Boston street. The place was initially empty when we arrived (about 8PM), but was completely full by 9/10PM. I think it's owned by a family based upon the care and service they provide. Their wines and beers are great and they offer for you try anything/everything you want before ordering a drink. Their appetizers are very small, but tasty. A lot of places give huge portions these days, so it was actually nice to have smaller dishes to pick from. We ended up sitting at the bar all night! Their cheese plate with mango is fantastic- we almost ordered a second one. The minute the cheese plate arrived, the couple next to us started talking about how much we were going to like it! The crowd was a mix of old and young, which I think is due to the location. Great spot and we will be visiting again.
(5)Chris O.
Stopped in here on a whim on a Saturday evening for dinner and walked away pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be going back. Two of us sat at the bar and had excellent service. Everyone working there was friendly. The food was excellent, we had the chicken confit, beets, and grilled cheese. I'm a big beer drinker and was impressed by their beer selection, they even had one beer in cask which was welcomed. I will definitely be stopping back soon to continue trying their menu and beers.
(5)Luis P.
Who knew this was here? Great place! I mean they made Carrot soup great! Love the lamb meatballs. Worth coming here!
(5)Joe H.
My burger was really good. I ordered it medium rare and they strategically placed the perfectly cooked patty on lettuce so that the juice didn't sog up the bun. My girlfriend's salad was delicious and nutty. The beer and wine selection is excellent. The interior of the place is really classy. the ceiling looks perfectly aged. The owner actually came to my party to greet us. I mentioned the ceiling and he told me that the ceiling is original and was burnt from the fire and scrubbed down to have a nice patina. The wait was pretty long but it was opening night and it was busy. I'm not going to knock on a place for doing well. I was happy to be at the bar and drink while waiting for a seat. It is pretty big place and their host was working as efficiently as possible. This place certainly isn't your typical Allston "bro" bar and it caters to the various professionals in the area which a place like this can be hard to find. The menu is small but that's how it should be when a chef masters his menu instead of throwing a bunch of options out there just to see what sticks. The only recommendations I would have are to get bigger water glasses and offer fountain sodas.The fancy sodas were nice but small. I was designated driver and found myself parched after I cut myself off beer. Bigger water glasses would avoid having to refill as often and refillable fountain sodas would be nice. I will definitely be back to enjoy this restaurant and to support a growing business that thought outside of the box given the area.
(5)Zachery T.
If you're looking for a mixed drink - don't come here. If you're looking for a massive traditional Allston bar food menu, complete with 15 different burgers all of which are the same burger featuring slightly different topping combinations - don't come here. If you're looking to watch the game or just bask in the glow of 50 LED TV's - don't come here. There are a dozen other Allston bars within a mile radius that have all those things and likely some dubstep to match - you should go there. Okay, now that we've got that out of the way, if you're looking for an extremely classy, grown-up tavern with a great beer and wine selection, courteous bartenders, and a food menu that feels like it takes the less-is-more approach and does it well - this is your place. Their beer selection was comparable to a place like the Publick House in Brookline - it has clearly been curated with some thought. It's not a mile and a half long like Sunset Grill, but it's also has a little something for everyone. I'm not a wine drinker, but my girlfriend who is had no problem finding something and enjoying it. The food menu takes a similar approach in that it's clearly had a lot of thought put into it and doesn't try to be everything to everyone. For the food, I had the asparagus and a burger and it was all delicious. The hand cut fries were also incredible. Definitely worth the $13. The atmosphere of this place is really the icing on the cake. You won't find anything like it in Allston. I'm hoping that this differentiation gives it some staying power in an area that's mostly populated with bro-bars or divey hipster joints. There is a level of class to this place unmatched by anything similar in this area. It is a very grown-up bar staffed by people that clearly value service above all else. In Allston, I'm used to going to bars that feel like they are trying to everything to everyone - this place clearly knows what it is and what it is not - and that's refreshing. There's a lot dark wood, some great looking ceilings, tavern-style lighting, and a somewhat Spanish vibe to top the whole thing off. The taps are all uniform and don't feature massive, brewer-specific handles - don't see that too often. Oh, and really clean bathrooms to boot. If I had to criticize anything about this place (and this is really nit picky) I'd say that the water glasses are really small. I'm someone that adheres to the 1 beer, 1 water rule and it was difficult when I was drinking 4oz of water for every 16oz of beer. I'm sure there are still some growing pains to work out, but this is a place that I can look forward to taking friends to when they come out to visit.
(4)Josh K.
Hole in the wall in Allston. Odd location but great food and drink options (think the menu might have some Thai inspirations along with classic American/French). Prices are reasonable for the quality and variety of food. Highly recommend if you are in the area (and the waiting line is not too long).
(5)Drew W.
Great! Owner is very knowledgeable!
(4)Adam L.
Absolutely a hidden gem! The atmosphere is great, friendly and polite service that goes above and beyond, and fantastic food and drinks. My mother ordered a beer flavored with lemon and ended up a little dissatisfied with her choice, one of the proprietors noticed from the bar, came over to our table and offered alternative suggestions. My mom ended up with a beer she loved! Great service! We had the lamb meatballs and brussel sprouts to start. Divine. We ordered the mussels, two burgers, and the confit chicken sandwich. Everything tasted great and the creative flavor pairings were delicious and inspired. Finished with the chocolate cake which was, again, out of this world. We will be back!
(5)Snowdrops C.
Great beer selection =] The food is absolutely delicious. It's a cute tucked-away place that is definitely worth the visit.
(5)Jessi A.
Had birthday dinner here the other night with my fiancé. The food was delicious and also less pricey than I would have expected. That could just be due to the smallish portions though. The "Bar Bites" are just that -- bites. Be aware, if you order the Mushroom Baguette, you will receive one slice of a baguette with mushrooms piled on it...which, while quite tasty, looked sad on the plate all by itself. But do not leave this earth without having eaten their griddled cheese. With prices in the $4-9 range, the portion sizes of the Bar Bites were not too outlandishly small. They just tasted so good that I could have eaten much more. For our main course we ordered the Grilled Bavette Steak and Bar Harbor Mussels. The steak was good, but nothing to really write home about. Also a little on the small side, but this is a quality-over-quantity kinda deal. The meat itself was great. The mussels were outstanding and I would order them again for sure. Our server was friendly, could have been a little more attentive but he also appeared to be the only FOH staff on duty at the time besides the bartender so I'll cut him some slack for that. Overall our experience was great and we will definitely be back!
(4)Peter B.
Really cool spot. Seems a little out of place but once you are in it starts to make sense. The food is top notch and they have a really good beer selection. The British bartender is really cool. I'm going to be back soon; this not your typical Allston bar, it is much better.
(5)Michael Z.
We have gone to Glenville Stops twice now, and enjoyed it a lot both times. The food is quite reasonably priced and very tasty. Soup, salad, small dishes, all well-prepared with fresh ingredients. The selection of beers on tap is very good, as are the wines by the glass. If this restaurant were in Washington Square, Brookline, prices would be much higher, and it would be packed every night. It is a real treat at an affordable price. We just worry that not enough people will go because it is tucked away on a little traveled side street in Allston. Go!
(5)Bob L.
Pros: Good food, reasonably priced, attentive waitstaff, relaxed atmosphere, full-size bar with plenty of seating. Cons: Parking limited, no signage identifying the business. We drove by the restaurant twice before asking for directions.
(4)Ro M.
I visited on opening weekend so I am going to cut them a little slack. The Saturday night dinner crowd was greater than expected so service was really slow. Their dinner menu consisted of 3 tiers: bites, small plates and shared plates. Some of those "bites" are literally bites (think amuse-bouche) while others (like the burgers) were full meals. Each of the dishes were really flavorful. My party was just taken aback at the size of the servings. Looking back on it, we probably should have used the price of each dish to figure out the size of the serving. Highlight on the menu for me had to be the lamb meatballs. Those meatballs were amazing! As an Allston-ian, I welcome the addition of a non-sports bar restaurant to the neighborhood. They still have some kinks to work out, mostly with service. They seated our party of 5 at a table that may comfortably seat 2 or 3. We had to ask to be moved to another table that could comfortably fit our party. We were there for over 2 hours because service was so slow. There was a table of 4 behind us that had the waitress' attention all night. I guess they were more valuable customers than the other 3 tables near ours that were also getting neglected. If I am taking time to dine in a restaurant, the level of service should match the quality of the food. That's all I'm saying.
(3)Phoebe C.
Excellent find. Everything was delicious and shareable. Highly recommend the griddles cheese. Parking was an issue but this is a residential college neighborhood, so what do you expect. Be prepared to drive around or brave the B line.
(5)Michael S.
If you eat or drink here and do not feel compelled to come back for more, you do not deserve to live.
(5)C D.
We came here for dinner a few weeks ago. The service and food were outstanding. It also wasn't too loud so it was easy to talk even when the place was fairly busy. Great beer selection. We were already talking about when we could go back before we had even paid the check.
(5)Michael H.
Really great selection all around. I stopped in for a quick beer and ended up having a meal and two more pints simply because of the selection. I've already been back, gonna make regular appearances for sure. Cheers!
(5)Jesse T.
Tucked away on Glenville Ave in Allston, this place serves up really good food with a solid beer, wine and cocktail list. Just go.
(4)Jesse K.
Ceviche, ceviche, and more ceviche ... Charred octopus is a favorite second, followed by the salt cod pancakes (can't remember the actually name of the dish). Those are my top 3 dishes. I've been a fan since the day they open their doors. Whether I'm unwinding after a long day of work, just snuggling up to the bar having friendly banter with Mike, or going in for dinner with my one year old toddler (who also loves their food), this is a neighborhood gem. Every time I go in, I learn something new about a wine or beer. Love this place.
(5)Mike M.
Griddled cheese, Eggplant baba ganoush w/ bread, passion fruit mousse beer selection all amazing. Cant go wrong here if you want to get away from the college crowd. Good atmosphere, great food and friendly owners.
(5)Johnson T.
This place is a real hidden gem. Someone who is a restaurant manager referred me to Glenville Stops -- and when restaurant folks - who tend to be VERY picky about these things, recommended it, I decided to give it a try. As others have said, parking is a challenge, but the restaurant staff is helpful in terms of guiding patrons on options. First, the restaurant has been nicely designed. The bar - where we did not sit - is beautiful and the overall ambiance is great. It could work as a "date night" stop of dinner with family and friends. The food was outstanding - burgers are fantastic, but the other dishes were also exceptional. Our table had the carrot soup, beets, and octopus - all were great. The service was excellent as well. They have beer and wine but no mixed drinks or sodas. I wanted a soft drink but they did not have them. I asked if it was OK if I went next door to get one. The waiter - who was attentive and thoughtful - said he would check. When I turned around, he was serving a soft drink to me - instead of arguing with me, he went next door, bought a coke, poured it is a nice glass and made it happen. As silly as this may sound, this was big for me and one of the reasons I am taking my valuable time to write this review - they earned the 5 stars with great food and service. Try it, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Lauren D.
This is a new restaurant that is tucked in a residential neighborhood. I've been here 3-4 times and both service and food have been ok. The best appetizer is the charred octopus. Usually octopus is chewy, but this was so tender and unlike any other octopus dish I've had before. The bread is served with a pretty good hummus dip. The gem lettuce salad is ok...nothing special really, but you get a good sized portion. My boyfriend has gotten both the stops burger and the asian burger and both times it was overcooked when he asked for it medium rare. I'm glad this restaurant is here because it adds another dining option that is nearby, but if I moved I wouldn't miss this place.
(3)Jacob K.
Great service. Nice atmosphere. Food was delicious (we got the muscles and stops burger.) reasonably priced, and it wasn't busy on Friday night at 6:30.only knock is the parking is limited, but T is nearby, and for anyone who lives in the area, you can walk or ride your bike. One of the better burgers I've had in Boston.
(5)Paul B.
Great beer and wine selection. More upscale dining/drinking. Since the place is so new, it's a bit sterile inside, but I imagine that will change with time. Girlfriend and I each ordered the burger--hers the 'Asian style' and mine the original. Both were good! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to get away from the grunge/student scene so common in Allston.
(4)S O.
I didn't really order food, besides a chocolate cake, but the food looked amazing. This place is a diamond in the rough. Beautiful newer location. Very high-end vibe with lower prices. The beer and wine selections are wonderful! I highly recommend trying it out!
(5)Eric L.
Been going here for the past few months, averaging once every 2-3 weeks. It has become my new watering hole. Good beer selection (25+ on tap) and 1 cask beer selection. I don't know why people are complaining about the wine selection: I can recall at least 30 different wines by the glass. The menu, while small has all been top notch in taste: the charred octopus is amazing and the confit chicken sandwich tastes great and is a great value for Boston price standards. Finally, the cheese plate we had was a good selection, albeit the abundant portion sizing erred on the side of excessive and was practically a meal in itself. I can only speak about the service at the bar as that is where I always sit. Mike, the general manager, has always been behind the bar when I've been there and is friendly while maintaining a professional demeanor. He attentive without invading your privacy and is quick to respond when you need something. I disagree with many on the ambiance of the venue: the exposed bricks, wood pillars, and stained glass light fixtures gives the place a nostalgic vibe while the clean (some say empty) walls gives acknowledgement to modernist decor. All-in-all I think the decor gives the tavern a note of elegance and class. The background music is of a good volume: loud enough to hear if you want to listen, but quiet enough so that you can have a conversation with your dinner party without raising your voice. In short, every time I've been here I have enjoyed all of the restaurant's aspects of drink, food, service, and ambiance. As I wrote at the beginning of this review that this has become my new watering hole. I don't expect this to change any time soon.
(5)Jennifer C.
Food here is delicious. Tucked away on a back road but worth the trip. Awesome beer selection and good food.
(5)Adam H.
This is the spot! Not too crowded, great service, amazing food (try the pan roasted Brussels sprouts), and a great drink selection. Best place in Allston for a nice dinner.
(5)Lenny S.
This is quite the hidden gem, way way over the top for this block. As noted, the tahini dip is to die for. The carrot soup was a nice dinner sized portion. The Asian burger and the regular burger were great. The Chicken sandwich was large and delish. All rated highly by the group. Menu is interesting, small but eclectic enough to warrant a return tasting trip. The room is nicely done, as is the frontage. Big windows and lots of glass, both dining rooms were quite cozy. A wonderful space. My one concern is the wine list. It is off the charts high. Plenty of reasonable wines by the glass, and they;ll split any bottle to sell by the glass with a divide by 4 to the list price. But the bottles are all over 40 bucks and higher. $60 average?? The place does not command that kind of number anywhere else, and the location - students and young adults - seems like a bad idea price-wise. Could not believe there was nothing in the $20's at all. Beer was reasonably sane on the $$ amount. So that's my particular peeve, other than that this place deserves high praise.
(5)Rebecca W.
Remarkable hidden gem. I had the shrimp "bar bites", the lamb meatballs and the octopus. Normally am suspicious of octopus but the bartender/owner recommended it and it was amazing! Not at all rubbery. i wonder how they do that. Also had an extremely tasty glass of Verdejo, and an outstanding glass of Malbec. Friendly and efficient service. I'll be back.
(5)Veronica H.
We went here Saturday night. Overall, the place has great potential, but clearly they're still working out some growing pains and getting their footing, so I'll cut them some slack. The exterior is clean, urban-modern (altho there were 2 doors and we weren't sure which one to use) and the inside features dark woods, warm colors and lower (but not too low) lighting. There was no host stand ... so we were not quite sure what to do when we walked in. A kitchen worker who happened to be near the bar said we could sit wherever we wanted. Our server was friendly, attentive and encouraged our honest feedback. The menu was interesting but a bit confusing -- and not for someone with an overly timid palate. We had to ask our server to explain the differences between the menu sections (1 person? 2 people? more than 2 people? is it a sidedish? is it like tapas? actual entree plates? somewhere in between?) As a rule, I feel a menu should more or less speak for itself, and not require the server to decode it. Glenville does not have a full bar, so as someone who doesn't drink beer or wine, I was pretty much out of luck as far as adult bevies go. (I do drink hard cider, but the Blackthorn Cider was underwhelming) My friends were satisfied with the beer choices. I started with the carrot soup ... very good! and had the ribeye for my dinner. I ordered it rare, but it came out in the medium rare/medium range. They quickly got me a new steak without a fuss. The 2nd steak was good, the small sides were tasty, but I think the plate was overpriced. The rest of my party had burgers. The meat burgers were said to be good, but the veggie burger was a little bland and mushy. Overall, we had a good experience, but it was clear the staff was still trying to figure out what to do and when ... including the manager, who came across as awkward and unsure. (He leaned against the wall next to our table when he asked us about our meals --standing perpendicular to the wall, shoulder pressed against it-- it was so odd) I think the menu could use some tweaks to streamline and better define it. It may also be worthwhile to add some simpler dishes to attract a broader customer base. Pickier eaters probably won't give it a try, and larger groups with pickier eaters may also look elsewhere. We'll give Glenville some time to figure itself out and give it another try.
(3)Stacie R.
This is a pretty nice place in Allston. I want to return to try a few more things on the menu. I had the carrot bisque and a beet salad. The only downside was no cocktails, just beer and wine. Our server was nice and even chased after me with my umbrella.
(3)Brian G.
This is the best discovery I've made in the Brighton/Allston area. It's quiet (but you don't feel the need to keep your voice down, it's just a nice relaxed place) nice but not overly fancy, fantastic food and wine list, nicely priced (and unlike a lot of places that charge $10 for small plate appetizers, here you get FED), and incredibly easy to get to. The music was great, and unlike most places around here it is spacious and you don't have to contort yourself oddly to get from your seat to the bathroom. What a fantastic place!
(5)Mark B.
Mussels were very good. Pleasant staff made good recommendations. They should warm their chocolate cake.
(4)Anna B.
Have been twice and am planning to go back to introduce friends to my newest neighborhood pub. The place still has that "new paint" feel and hasn't really developed a lot of character yet but what matters most is the food and drinks. The mussels, artichokes, lamb meatballs, veggie burger, shrimp and chocolate dessert were all tasty and the menu provided healthier options than other local pubs. I left feeling full but not gross. They only serve beer and wine but there were a lot of great options (yay!). Prices are slightly high for the neighborhood but in my humble opinion they're in line with the food. This is one of those reviews where you almost don't want to post because you want to keep this place a neighborhood place and you don't want it to get so popular you have to wait for tables... but of course I want them to thrive, so here goes....
(5)Heidi G.
Welcome to the 'hood! And so great to have you! My friend and I ventured to The Glenville Stops shortly after it opened. And we really loved it. They have THE tastiest burger in Boston! And cooked to perfection, medium rare in my case. The menu is well thought out and has a nice blend of typical saloon eats AND more creative and mouth watering combinations. A little tapas, a little fritter action, some sumptious mussels... you get the picture. All in all they offer up a well rounded assortment of great eats. I've been back 3 times since. For takeout too!
(5)David K.
A hidden gem in Allston. Great food, reasonable prices, excellent beer choices, and extremely nice, friendly, welcoming staff. I keep coming back to introduce friends to this place.
(4)Vicky K.
If you're familiar with Tavern in the Square, and love it, this place isn't for you. It is the antithesis of the Allston Bro Bar, and as a lady resident of Allston (with some classier male friends who feel the same), I really appreciate having a place like this nearby. I went on opening night expecting to have some issues with service/food because they would be working out the kinks and I was with a larger group. I could not have been more wrong in my expectations. Immediately got a seat at the bar and a great recommendation on a Sauvignon Blanc (Tohu) from the owner/barman, and I am hard to impress with new Sauvs. Seating for dinner took a little longer given our group size (8 people), but we got a table within 45 minutes (and a few more excellent glasses of wine), which was good for a large group walk-in on opening night. The food was everything we'd hoped for given the pre-opening advertising for the restaurant. I went with mostly women given the restaurant's reputation as a refuge from the bro-tastic bars of Allston, and was so pleased to find that the food lived up to its classy advertisements. We got the mushroom baguette and the Stops Burger regular style, and the food was out quickly and was delicious. The burger in particular was mouth-watering good, and I'm actually not a burger person. I can't wait to go back for their full menu this weekend. Definitely one of my new favorite spots in Boston.
(5)Amberly W.
So good! Burgers are good, but small plates are where it's at. Ceviche is a little too small, but flavor is unreal. It's off the beaten path, which sounds funny to say in Boston/Allston. Good drink selection too.
(5)Tara R.
Apparently this little gem just recently opened. It's a great spot to come for happy hour and enjoy a large wine and beer selection & even have a few tapas. I came here for dinner with some friends. Being from out-of-town, I left it to them to pick a spot to go. The waitstaff were quite attentive and friendly. The ambiance is something I would expect to see in southern CA, which is where I am from.... Classy & upscale with a casualness to it. The food was outstanding. The asparagus plate was really well crafted. My favorite was the bread with eggplant tahini sauce... that tahini sauce is addicting! It looks like hummus but tastes 100 times better... and I love hummus. We ended up going with the burgers and chicken sandwiches and everyone enjoyed their meals. If you are like me and like to read about a location, take note of the history blurb on the back of the menu. I had to ask if we could take a peek before we left if we could see the 10,000 year old glacier deposited rocks and the manager obliged. Really cool! Thanks for a great experience!
(5)Matt F.
Seems out of place for the area, but worth checking out. Excellent food and a really good beer selection!
(5)Cait E.
Great atmosphere, friendly service and fantastic food! We had the griddled cheese, sticky pork riblets, and mussels and each dish was better than the next.
(5)Corey S.
Excellent service and excellent food. The owner, is very friendly with customers at the bar and helpful suggesting drink pairings. The chef, Juan, has created an excellent menu, and the ceviche is killer. Ambience is perfect. Great date spot or just to have great food, drinks, and conversation with friends. Super close to the green line. Highly recommended!
(5)D V.
So so so good. I've been here a couple of times now and I can't wait to go back already. It's a low-key place but slightly more upscale than other bars in the area. The food is fantastic. If you're someone who likes lamb, you definitely need to try the lamb meatballs. I had those and the Asian style burger. Both were great. Check out their menu online. There are some intriguing options on there that aren't the normal bar food choices. I was especially impressed with the beer selection. On my most recent visit, the bartender (who I believe was also the owner) let us try a couple of the beers before we decided on one. But they were all so good that I had a hard time deciding. I ended up going with the cask beer. If you are not familiar with cask beers, they are intentionally kept warm and flat but still manage to be delicious. If that doesn't sound like your type of thing, there are plenty of other options. If wine is more your thing the wine list looked pretty extensive as well. Each option on the menu even has little descriptions of the flavor. I tend to be skeptical when I see a lot of 5 star reviews for a place but this one is legit. It's strange for a place like this to be in Allston, especially on an out-of-the-way street. Totally worth the trip, though. People that are dismissing this place because it's in Allston are definitely missing out.
(5)Rosey N.
Solid drink selection (beer and wine only) with an interesting menu. Come here with a group you're willing to share with! I recommend the mussels and the burger.
(4)Dina H.
Servers were knowledgable, friendly and prompt! We had the lamb meatballs, scallops and a few apps. All wonderful. So flavorful. The beer and wine selection was pretty large. Atmosphere was so warm and homey. I will definitely be back
(5)Mitesh A.
It's a hidden gem/misfit in the heart of Allston. The food is awesome! Grilled cheese is a delight, grilled octopus was the best, and mussels are great too. Will definitely come back to try more.
(4)Carolyn S.
Tucked behind Commonwealth Avenue in a largely residential section, The Glenville Stops is away from the hustle and bustle. There were only a couple of tables and bar stools occupied on a Thursday night but I'm glad it wasn't representative of the service and food. While waiting for a friend to arrive, I had a chance to chat with the owner, Mike, who is courteous and friendly. The beer selection is ample, wine selection is pretty good (not a lot of hearty reds but maybe it's because of the season?) and the menu, while not large, has something for everyone. I didn't see a cocktail list or liquor in the bar so this could be a deterrent for some. Mike was patient in answering my questions about apps vs small plates and ease of sharing. My friend and I were offered bread with an eggplant spread, ordered the Mexican corn, griddled cheese, beet salad with whipped feta, sticky riblets and fries. Everything arrived quickly, was really tasty, and well executed. Portions were good, although I think two griddled cheese per plate is not enough for me (it's delicious especially when washed down with a beer). I hope to make it back soon for the service, food, and ambiance.
(5)Nick R.
Way better than expected. A hidden restaurant with a cool atmosphere, great beer list and even better menu.
(5)Erica J.
We've been here many times & have always enjoyed the food, atmosphere, staff & decor :-D
(5)Michele C.
Worth going through the hassle of finding parking just for the charred octopus dish and lamb meatballs. You can tell this chef has talent!
(4)James H.
Had a great meal tonight! Very comfortable and modern. Nice big glass windows facing the street give the place an open feel. Terrific service, great beer selection. A really good addition to All-Bri options, will be back.
(5)Joan C.
Just got home from dinner at the Glennvile Stops and had to write a review! From the outside it's very understated, inside exposed brick, and very charming. The staff is very nice, lots of smiles, you can tell that all of staff is very proud of where they work. I had the Bar Harbor Mussels and the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because they were a tad undercooked. The broth and toast points were excellent. Their drink selection was VERY impressive, with beers, ales and wines from all over the world. I had the B. Nektar Fang Mead, (which was a blackberry cider) one word: Delicious. One tiny complaint, the way we were seated put a very large desk directly behind me so in order for the waitress to serve to the person on my right, she kept reaching in front of me and over me. Kind of annoying. Overall it was a lovely night with really good food, which is the whole reason for going out to dinner, right? I would absolutely go back, and highly recommend.
(4)Tara R.
Cant wait to go here again. One of the chefs, Juan is amazing. I had his food when he worked at Trade and I am so excited to see what he accomplishes here. The 3-Star reviews with pretty much zero complaints are obnoxious! This place is amazing, delicious food, fun sexy ambiance, and great staff:)
(5)Bean C.
We were very disappointed with our meal, and our experience.Which is too bad, since we're excited they're in the neighborhood. The place itself is ok. A little spare, but I liked the bar area look. When we arrived, they had just put the music on, VERY LOUD. We couldn't hear the server, even though she was practically shouting. I asked if the music could be turned down a little. She said to me, "well, the bartender is very particular about the music." Are you kidding me? I'm coming in as a paying customer, and I'm immediately given the impression that we will all be at the whim of the bartender. They did turn the music down, which we appreciated. The server was a little too eager, which was a little awkward. She did give very excellent suggestions for the wine to go with our dinners. Too bad the food wasn't good to go with the wine. The mussels broth was absolutely tasteless, as were the mussels. The grilled bread was very good. The ribeye was a very poor cut of meat, and it was not flavorful. They don't have steak knives! This wasn't melt in your mouth steak, one needed a steak knife. Also, at $28, it was wildly overpriced compared to the other entrees. I recommend the mussels at the Abbey in Brookline. The broth should be worthy of eating with a spoon. Can't say that about what I had at The Glenville Stops.
(2)Faye W.
Great place to catch a lunch/dinner! they just open a month so few people come but they really have great food!!!!!
(5)anne S.
We went here for the first time last week, totally at the last minute with no background whatsoever. What reeled me in was the octopus and ceviche. What kept me was the bacalaito. Both owners were on hand and incredibly hospitable. The wine and beer lists were really thoughtful, with lots of unusual but tasty selections. Very family friendly, but plenty of "dates" sitting at the bar. The food is really great. The service is great, too. I do hope they can make a go of it.
(4)Enzo M.
I came here last night with a party of 9 (my girlfriends family was in town for her graduation) and all I can say was I was amazed at finding this place in the location it's at. We were all pleasantly surprised when we walked in as the neighborhood around the place is very residential as well as not the greatest. The service here was speedy and very nice. Although they messed up my order they told me I could order anything else and it would be on the house. The manager/owner was there the whole time we were at the restaurant (also apologized for the mix up) and it seems is there at all times as well as his father is also a co-owner and barkeep. Their presence makes you feel more comfortable as you can deal with the face of the business if you have any concerns/ideas (we spoke to them in depth about other beers). Speaking of beer there is a great selection here especially if you like belgian/german beers. They are also the first place I've seen to have weihenstephaner on tap. They have a selection around ~40 and as a beer lover this was great for me. The food was great (grizzled cheese as a snack is excellent as are the lamb meatballs). Their entrees section is small but it seemed everything we ordered from there (cod and mussels) came out great. I definitely intend on coming back here and recommend it.
(5)Emma-Jean W.
The food here was fabulous. I arrived with my mom and though it definitely still feels like a new restaurant, we had a fabulous time. She is VERY picky about food, and I can be too, but we were both so satisfied. The service was great - we had a lovely, conversational waitress. We ordered the artichokes, the asparagus, the octopus and the lamb meatballs. It was all amazing, especially the artichokes and the meatballs. The wine was also delicious, as was the chocolate cake. So pleased to have a nice place like this in Allston. I'm sure we'll become regulars!
(5)