I wanted to go to Barcelona wine bar with a friend a few months ago and the line was too long so we decided to try fairsted kitchen which is right next door. Although this was my second option I was not disappointed in the slightest. We sat at the bar and ordered the wilted green kale salad and the roasted beets. It was delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and do not rush you out. The bartender made me a white sangria which was not on their menu and it was great! I was very impressed with this restaurant! I will absolutely return! I also loved the decor.
(5)
Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)
Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)
Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)
Joshua M.
It's great to have a place like this in the neighborhood. The menu is small-ish, but the food is always excellent and interesting, the bartenders make awesome cocktails, and service is solid. Small plates can be a whole tapas-style meal or used as apps, entrees are appropriately sized, or the big shared plates are fun for more family-style dining. The lamb ribs are always a favorite, but over many visits I've never had a bad dish.
(5)
Jason L.
"In the day while you were gushing about your process / We were busy making progress..." This is my favorite Centro-Matic moment, and I have to think that whoever had the idea for Fairsted kitchen looked out into the world and had the same thought. In a world of $11 "street food tacos" in Southie, too many southern food concepts by people who have never been to the south or even met a collard green in the wild, gastropub after interminable gastropub, and the abortion that is the new Bukowski in Cambridge, it is refreshing to go to a place that is fully in control of what it is. Fairsted is directly next to the always outrageously mobbed Barcelona tapas chain monstrosity, and when we went in May, we saw people sitting out in the cold with heaters on full blast, wrapped in red blankets, joylessly craming jamon into their maws. Not worth it, especially when Fairsted is literally next door waiting to warmly welcome you. The colors and details inside look like a Victorian living room. The tableware is especially nice, and there's real pleasure in eating off older china, with its intricate patterns and colors. Fairsted is a reminder that, in our not-so-distant past, eating well didn't necessarily mean eating minimally. Whereas dining out now usually involves one or two tone interiors with simple white round plates, medium wood tables and floors, and gentle, muted tones that pass as clean and modern, there was a time when eating well meant the hedonistic luxury of excess. Gold leaf, intricate patterns, and an excess of meticulous detail. The pleasure was in the piling up of excess and detail, not taking it away. Fairsted kitchen doesn't do this -- the place is still rather minimal -- but there are small pieces of the experience that recall a different era of dining. The fine vintage tableware is one of those pieces, a reminder that tickles the primordial part of the brain that enjoys luxury over minimalism. I see that Yelp has Fairsted categorized as "American (New)" and I guess that's right, but everything here seems to be inspired by flavors and spices from the middle east. Lebanese sweetish pickles, Fattoush, meat and spinach pies. All spectacular and worth eating. But honestly, go for the experience. There's nothing quite like this in Boston, with its idiosyncratic confidence in what it is: a Victorian dining room open late, serving middle eastern spiced food.
(5)
O Y.
Excellent food quality and service, tried the appetizers menu... middle eastern twist was awesome. New chef is rocking!
(5)
Kevin J.
Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars Came back after a long trip to Martha's Vineyard and was looking for a place for a late dinner. Fairsted thankfully hit the spot. It was right next to a hopping wine bar, but we happened to stumble in. They have some interesting dishes and they focus on small plates so you should order some to share for the table. The variety isn't huge on the menu but the quality of the dishes is really high and they're unique combinations. It's a mix between mediterranean, american and the locally-sourced ingredients type of feel. I think the portions are a little small for the size so you'll want to order more than just 3 small plates if you have three people. Cocktails and drinks are very plentiful. They have a good offering that you can definitely check out.
(4)
M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)
Tim W.
I've been to Fairstead Kitchen on multiple occasions, sampling whatever peaked my interest off their consistently changing menu (which in itself is something worth noting). However every time I go, they never cease to surprise and amaze me, and after last night's meal, I felt compelled to finally join Yelp and write my first review. After placing our drink order, a local beer for myself and a white wine for the lady, we began parusing the menu. Right off the bat, I notice about 8 items that I am eager to try. After some discussion we decide on the roasted local carrots with goat cheese, the baked oyster topped with hollandaise, and the baby artichoke salad. Let me just say that each of these had amazing qualities and would recommend, but the salad is the one that really floored me. The elements of this dish were combined perfectly, each one playing off the other: the tartness of the artichoke and vinegar, balanced with the savory sesame tahini and then finishing with the sweetness of the candied cashews and fresh citrus fruit. Truly creative and delicious. For our next plate we ordered the Spanish octopus. This was my favorite dish of the night. The octopus, slightly blackened, was tender and flavorful and worked perfectly along side the savory chorizo and spiced potatoes. If the taste wasn't something to highlight, the texture combination alone is something of note. I will be back to eat this for sure. We finished our meal with the coulotte steak. A seasoned cut of sirlion beef, cooked perfectly, and topped with a poached egg. This dish although rich was accompanied by wilted greens and a balsamic glaze, adding the perfect contrast to the steak, and bringing a balance to the plate as a whole. Like I said above, I've been to Fairstead Kitchen multiple times and have never left disappointed. Their creativity, boldness, and versatility will always keep me going back. I tip my hat to the chef and the team. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Noa K.
This was my second time here and I was more impressed than the first time. If possible. Every dish was scrumptious. I wasn't even mad that they didn't have one of the items (because it was out of season!), and loved what we had instead. From the beet ravioli to the lamb Merguez everything was plated perfectly. Also the cocktail were amazing. And of course, a shout out to our server Luke, who was so friendly and attentive. Definitely worth it!
(5)
Lily S.
An a ok place to grab some food but not a joint I would like to linger in for too long. I think price wise the food turned out by Fairsted kitchen is totally reasonable. I've tried a couple things-- the small salmon plate is delicious but a little lacking in salmon. You need at least 3 pieces to cover half a bagel but they only give you 5. That being said, the salmon is delicious and fatty and melt in your mouth good. The blackberry French toast is also delicious and probably even outshines the salmon (and I'm not big on sweets-- but today it definitely hit the spot). The decor is old fashioned and charming. I appreciate the vintage style plates that are all different. The seating could use some work. The patio chairs are downright uncomfortable, sporting a ledge in the back that prevents you from being able to lean back in the seat. The seating inside isn't that much better either. Personally, I prefer a soft cushion, but that's just me.
(3)
Chad G.
Full review by "Chad's Eats"of Fairsted Kitchen Cuisine: Yelp says "American New" which is very broad. In my opinion it was mostly middle eastern influenced tapas Location: Brookline MA, on Beacon Street Parking: We lucked out and got a spot only 100 yards away on the first pass, but that was because we went early which I suggest you do. After 8 PM Street parking is free Monday through Saturday. Sundays and holidays are free. Parking along that stretch of Beacon Street might require a U-turn or two and a little walking so allow time for this. It's a cool neighborhood and there's a lot of lively places you can stop in before or after your reservation. Decor / Ambiance: Simple, rustic, relaxed, home-like. I love the vintage service-ware. The service-ware almost looked like family heirloom-ish. Simple place settings, not stuffy with multiple forks, spoons, knives or glasses. Greeting: During this time of year which is warm you're greeted at the front of the outside seating area. A woman greeted us with a smile and a hello, but we weren't sure if we were in the right spot to check in until she picked up an iPad from the bench to the right of her. Once she verified our reservation she had menus and wine list there as well to bring with us to our table. Maybe a small portable podium is in order? Menu mix: Extremely creative, well thought out flavors, textures and contrasts. For example the beautifully presented hummus came with a sprinkle of fried chickpeas on top which was a delightful touch crunching into those little bits. In my opinion the foods are rooted in middle eastern flavors with a splash of international. The menu starts with small snack plates and then a great variety of hot and cold tapas. There were 4 entrees listed which had all the bases covered (chicken, fish, lamb, beef and I think maybe a vegetarian item?) There were also 2 "Table offerings" which feeds 2 or 3 people. The menu online is not current. The menu has recently had some updates and new additions. Water / Bread service: Water tasted great, served rustic style in milk bottles. I always love this form of service. Bread is available on request but grilled flatbread comes with most of the tapas plates. There is no need to carb up here. I do love that they start you off with a small plate of assorted pickled vegetables. These were wonderful and I could have eaten a whole bowl myself. They're crunchy and bright and really wake up the taste buds. Drink pour: Love the large wine glasses and the wine pour was above "standard". The wines are European so don't expect oaky buttery Chardonnay here. Our server got me a Beaujolais which was perfect. My wife on the other hand was a little picky with the whites, and our server was more than gracious to bring other samples over for a mini tasting. Food quality: Extraordinary! Strong culinary talents and passion abounds in this kitchen. Service: The service was fantastic very relaxed, very accommodating. As I mentioned above, The efforts our server gave in getting my wife into the right white wine was much appreciated. Value: In general whenever you're eating Tapas it always seems to be more economical. You get a wide variety of foods and flavors and when the bill comes you're always pleasantly surprised. We ate plenty, several drinks and split a dessert and I expected the bill to be higher, and again we were pleasantly surprised with the value. Bathrooms: Clean and adequate, could use a new paint job in the men's bathroom. These are single-serve units which is fine for a place the size. Would I return? ABSOLUTELY! Comments & Tips: Again, for this stretch of road in Brookline you need to allow time for parking. Don't plan on showing up right at your reservation time.
(4)
Patrick K.
I can't believe I was eating at the same restaurant as all these people. I started my meal with the watercress and my friend had the Easter Egg potatoes. HOLY SALT LICK, BATMAN! I couldn't take more than one bite of my dish. My friend had a similar problem, though mine was much worse. We wanted to give them an opportunity to make it right, so we stopped eating and waited for the waiter to come back to check how our food was. And we kept waiting. And after 10 minutes we were still waiting. There wasn't enough food on either of these plates to keep someone going for ten minutes. So now our over-salted food is cold, and we're sure our entrees are already being fired. Not interested in having to sample more salty food, we got up and went to see the hostess to explain why we were leaving. I sure hope this was a fluke.
(1)
Meredith D.
Three of us came here on a Friday night. We did not have reservations but at about 645pm they had plenty of open tables. I was surprised that it was not more busy. We were seated immediately. We started with an order of the Potato latkes. They were quite good. We then ordered the cauliflower and Brussels, kale salad, chicken, and salmon. I enjoyed all of the dishes. The Brussels and cauliflower had a different flavor than the typical Brussel sprouts I've been eating out recently which was a nice surprise. The kale salad was also quite good. I enjoyed the chicken and salmon and the sides were decent but I would have preferred something other than barley and farro. I thought the atmosphere was lacking a bit. Towards the end it started to fill up a little more but did not have as much going on as other places on a Friday night.
(4)
Sylvia C.
Love love the outdoor seating ambiance surrounded by light strands. The vintage mix matched plates, serving utensils and martini glasses made it even hipper. We ordered a bunch of small plates to share: Highlights: roasted beets - chick peas - feta - mache - sesame tuile - tahini vinaigrette potato gnocchi - pea - fava - fiddlehead - maitake seared sea scallop* - charred leek - butternut - cashew Lowlights: duck fat fried potato cake - yogurt - paprika crab cakes on romaine lettuce escargots - confit lemon - parsley - tarragon - brioche Service was on point. Server was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Francis W.
We got the opportunity to sit outside which was wonderful. Its a very busy restaurant and i believe due to weather had a lot more walk ins than expected. The food was tasty and farm to table, but our waitress was extremely busy and kitchen was backed up. This made what could have been a top notch experience a little blah. The food is farm to table and exciting, but was sometimes overly complicated without adding any extra flavors or textures. The palate at times was overwhelmed by the mish mosh of flavors and ingredients it was required to intake at one time. All food was very fresh and severed well, but at this price point i would like to see everything come together.
(3)
Sonia N.
My friend and I went here this past Friday to enjoy an al fresco dining experience. Overall, this should be 3.5 stars and -0.5 points is mostly for the food that "missed". The ambiance and service were both top notch. We opted to share a bunch of dishes off their small plate options: Hits: Beet salad - Now I'm partial to beets but something about the combo of the crunchy sesame seeds gave it the extra kick with the unique texture. My friend who dislikes beets ate a little bit of it and also agreed it was very tasty. Scallops - Try the sea scallops. Definitely a hit for us. Pan seared to perfection and melts in your mouth. Potato gnocchi - I had been in the mood for gnocchi for some time and was pleased that they offered it on their menu. It was tasty and fresh but I caution anyone ordering this that the gnocchi itself was much softer than it is normally. Missed: Duck fat fried potato cake - This dish reminded me of a lukewarm potato latke and tasted somewhat bland topped off with more bland yogurt on top. Thumbs down. Escargots - This dish was passable but wasn't great. It also felt as if it was missing an ingredient to finish off the dish. It was also a tad too oily for my usual liking. All in all, it's a nice place to dine but it would've been even nicer if all the dishes lived up to expectations. Barcelona next door is a much better choice if you're in the mood for tapas.
(4)
Brian P.
I had a really nice time eating here. The service and quality is quite a bit above average for the neighborhood. They really put a lot of effort into the experience. Interesting decoration and silverware/plates. The food was very good and had a lot of interesting flavors. I had the artichoke heart appetizer which had a tasty mushroomy flavor. I also had the lamb ribs which were nicely seasoned and very tender. I have eaten at most of the establishments along Beacon street and I would recommend this place before any others.
(5)
David C.
I've oft lamented the lack of good (non-Asian) eateries in my neck of the woods, but restaurants like Fairsted Kitchen and Barcelona Wine Bar have seemingly brought new life to the Brookline dining scene. I am in love with Fairsted's menu, which is divided into snacks and sides, small and large plates, and table-sharing options. A normal, satisfying dining experience could easily consist of a few small plates split amongst a table or two large plates with a snack or small plate to share, but the night I went I was celebrating a tax return winfall and treated my mother and aunt to a veritable smorgasbord of dishes (nevermind that I am a student facing crushing debt and that all that money should probably have gone to paying off my loans). The menu changes often with seasonal ingredients, but given that everything I tried was exemplary, I think you are safe ordering pretty much whatever. Particular highlights for me were the rabbit spatzle appetizer (not enough rabbit on menus these days) and a chicken entree that reminded me just how delicious chicken can actually be. Service was friendly and thoughtful throughout. The dining room is positively tiny, so either show up early or make a reservation. Your taste buds will thank you (your wallet less so, although I think the prices are justified for the quality of the food and ample portion size).
(5)
Lauren F.
Pricey but delicious. I didn't like it the first time we went there, but the food gets better every time we go. The cocktails are super amazing and a nice little treat.
(4)
F L.
The food here is interesting and quite good. Portion sizes, however, are rather small for the price. The service is friendly, though not spectacular. Water was served at room temperature. Go with a group, as dishes are meant to be shared. I enjoyed it and would certainly return. However, I think there are better places at this price point, so will probably not be a regular here.
(4)
Kaveh Z.
Good food and Wine. The staff are very friendly and fast.
(4)
Caitlin M.
I went to Fairsted Kitchen with a group of 6 tonight. We had a reservation but the table was 20 minutes late (it's a pretty small place). We got drinks at the bar and waited, and when we were seated they brought over some complimentary deviled eggs, which was definitely the right thing to do. We had the punch (so-so), the cauliflower/brussels small plate (delish), veal sweetbreads (not my thing), gnocci (good), meatballs (really good), the three men shared the oxtail (very good), I had the chicken (amazing), one friend had the pork, and another the salmon. It was all around a great meal. I would definitely go back. Service was great, too.
(5)
Big S.
this is a nice place in the brookline area. it isn't as expensive as it seems and the food is high quality. tough competition next to barcelona, as that is one of the better tapas restaurants in the city. We had a variety of small plates. The easter egg potatos, beet dip with charred pita, meat pies, artichoke salad, black bass ceviche, and lentils. the potatos and beet dip were our favorite. the ceviche was different than what we are used to. overall nice place. nice staff. worth checking out.
(4)
Jean L.
I wish that the food and service was better at this place. Its our new neighborhood hang and every time we are so disappointed by the 'gourmet' options. Will be back for the fun guys that are there but the too cool gals that 'run' the place need to take a look in the mirror and take a look at the menu! Things must improve!!! Starting with MC. Cha!
(1)
Annie I.
Oh my god. This is one of the best meals I've had in a long time, one of my favorite in Boston. Started with the latkas, which were served with an amazing apple butter and cream sauce, and the mussels. I didn't care for the mussels b/c I like a lighter take, but my GF loved the creamier heartier spin. The gnocchi was excellent as well, and had this strange little tubular that was a cross between an artichoke and a turnip. It was delicious. For me, the two stars of the meal were the roasted chicken with farro and red wine jus and the dessert, a chocolate pot de creme. I was blown away. I don't think I've had a main course that special in a while. I went in expecting a good, solid, delicious meal, but I got something even more special.
(5)
Ayelet R.
We ended up here on something of a fluke, since the wait for Barcelona was too long and this place seemed interesting. I'm so glad we did though, because this was definitely one of the best and most pampering dining experiences I've had in a long time. First off: service was awesome. All of the servers we interacted with, as well as the hostess totally went out of their way to make us feel at home and entertained our many questions about the menu. The charming mismatched china also totally added to the homey decor. Their outdoor seating area is so nice, you hardly notice the cars or the C line going by, and was perfect on a beautiful summer evening like last night was. It felt like going to a friend's house, if that friend just happens to cook really, really well. They have a nice drinks list including a great selection of craft beers. I ended up opting for the No Limits Hefeweizen - I had never heard of it before but it ended up being a fantastic choice. I really like how the menu is so seasonal, and though it's not exactly cheap, prices were definitely reasonable for what we got, especially considering how fresh everything was. We split two appetizers off the "snack" portion of the menu - the wilted kale and the warm beets. The beets were topped with lightly cooked dates and halloumi. Delicately spiced, these made for a wonderful medley of flavors. The kale was equally special - topped with caramelized onions, warm apple slices and pecorino, this was way beyond your typical salad. I took the gnocchi as an entree - although it was listed as "small," I found it to be very filling. The texture was perfect - I'm so used to gnocchi being overfloured, and thereby becoming hard and gummy, but these were so soft and warm they practically melted in my mouth. The mushroom sauce went perfectly with everything on the plate without being too overpowering. What really brought this together was the selection and preparation of the super fresh veggies - peas, fava beans, fiddleheads (my first experience with these, and they were delicious!) and maitake mushrooms. I don't think I can even adequately describe just how good this was - second only to my mom's recipe. For dessert they were offering a blackberry pie and a chocolate pot de creme with a side of creme anglaise, and unable to decide between them, we ended up getting both. The latter was definitely the more interesting dish: not too sweet, a little tart, with a graham cracker base that perfectly complemented the fruit filling. Overall though I think the pot de creme was the clear winner just because of how good the chocolate was - when they say Belgian chocolate, they really mean it. Overall, this place is inventive without being pretentious, unique while still playing to the classics. Everything was prepared with care and so incredibly delicious.
(5)
Lisa K.
The most customer friendly person in the whole place was the busboy!!! The menu was so enticing and the food was good, but the service or lack of made the experience not great.. For such great reviews, my expectations were really high and unfortunately not met.. Best dishes were the mussels, kale, and spaetzle... The staff vibe was very hipstery, which the group I was with and myself are not even close, so maybe that's why? The decor and atmosphere was really cute, but the lifeless staff (female hostess, two male servers) kind of puts a damper on the whole experience. If it were just based on food and decor it would have been a 4 star, one star lost due to unsatisfactory service.
(3)
Greg P.
Could be great... but right now it's only uneven I had heard great things about Fairsted Kitchen from a colleague at work. I decided to give it a try this weekend. Located in Washington Square, it's about 8 months old and a welcome addition to the Brookline dining scene. Parking is plentiful on the street with meters. The ambiance is warm and inviting. One particular standout feature is the china that they use. It's beautiful and looks like vintage fine china. The waitstaff are very nice and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating to our 4 month old daughter. The dinner menu is compact but with reasonable variety. I ordered the seared sea scallops with cruched cashews. They were outstanding with sauces that complimented them perfectly. I tried the beets that my mother-in-law ordered and those were quite good. For dinner, I ordered the smoked duck breast with potato pancake and red cabbage. The smoke flavor was evident although there was not much flavor otherwise. That was actually ok. The duck breast was a bit dry for "medium". Reading other reviews, the dishes at Fairsted do appear to be "spotty" ranging from hits to misses, amazing to fair. They only had two dessert choices. None of them sounded particularly appetizing so we went down the street to Athans Bakery for coffee and pastries. If Fairsted really wants to compete in the Washington Sq dining seen and maybe get traffic from other parts of the city, they have to offer more than just two desserts. Very few places can get away with that limited of an offering. They only had a blackberry pie and a chocolate mousse based dessert. Two niche desserts that don't necessarily appeal to every palate. Overall, the wide range of reviews on Yelp are justified because the experience is inconsistent. Perhaps with time, Fairsted will hit its stride but right now it still just "tripping" here and there.
(3)
Joe S.
Really good experience! Like the authenticity of the place! Very interesting the fact that every plate and each silverware is unique and beautiful. Friendly people ! The drinks were good and tasty. I ordered the Salmon dish! It was a paradise of flavors and the fish was cooked perfectly ! It's worth trying!
(4)
Michelle G.
Definitely a niche restaurant/bar -- pretty hipster. The decoration looks like grandma's house & my sweet potatoes were nothing special. The hostess made some weird comments about seat availability even though there were very few patrons inside. When asking a staff member about one of their dishes they started with: "think of it as....". It's food -- it is what it is, not an approximation of something! That should've been the first hint that the food was not going to be what we expected. My companions liked their dishes more in terms of taste, but thought the presentation & style was still pretty weird. Example: the meat pie was not a meat pie, but more like 3 empanadas. Basically, I don't get this restaurant & don't plan on returning, and I'm an adventurous eater.
(3)
Cassandra H.
Excellent experience. Atmosphere is very good. The cocktail menu is excellent. Food was delicious. We had the pork chop which was delicious and juicy. The lamb riblets were very good and had a lot of flavor. The food has a novel twist to familiar dishes. You must try the lobster beignets. The wait staff far exceeds the Boston standard. The food is expensive however the price is reflected in the quality. I would highly recommended this place.
(5)
An L.
Nice ambiance. Stuffed French toast was good. Service a bit slow here. Omelett was very good.
(3)
Laura B.
Beautiful experience, delicious food. Clearly, every detail of a guest's experience has been thought through at Fairsted Kitchen. Our waiter was well-spoken and knowledgeable about the menu. Fun, local beers on draft, and a yummy shout-out to the neighborhood, the No Sleep Til Brookline got the ball rolling. To start we had a zucchini salad that was a special, the latkes, and the lamb meatballs. All were excellent, but the salad was a standout - if a salad can be "comforting" this one was. For the main course we shared the wagyu steak, and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The finish was an incredible chocolate dessert, a mousse pudding relative.... so good. A perfect date-night, and we will be back!
(5)
Martha J.
I enjoyed this eclectic neighborhood restaurant. It offers a simple but basic menu! The small plates were not that inspiring! Wilted kale and hummus? I can make that a home! . I did enjoy the veal sweetbreads and the halibut was perfection. My son had the chicken and it was excellent! The chocolate dessert was served in a coffee cup! It may look trendy but it took away from the actual vision of the rich dark chocolate! I think a seasonal peach or raspberry dessert would have been a more inviting choice on a summer evening. Servers were great!
(4)
Brandon B.
I really like the vibe of Fairsted. It's got a strange "I just walked into my great grandmother's house in a dream" atmosphere, but I like it. I was just there on Saturday for brunch. I ordered the Criminal cocktail (Cynar, bitters, cream and Cola). Absolutely delicious. We ordered the Eggy Pie, Potato Cake with Salmon Lox and Creme Fraiche, and a side of bacon. Everything was excellent and our server was super attentive and knowledgable too. I come in here at night for drinks too. The bottled cocktails are brilliant and usually super tasty. The fall one with wine and coke was definitely memorable. I'll keep coming back. I really like this place.
(4)
Ashley C.
Best dinner in Brookline by far. Welcomed by the owner as our waiter! We love Steve! Xoxo! Fantastic menu, clever wine list. The seafood (halibut) and rose's are not to be missed. Cannot rave enough about this place. If you have the pleasure of coming to this place, don't miss it! Props to Steve's mom for birthing him and therefore making this place happen!
(5)
Ann G.
I've been to Fairsted Kitchen twice now - once for brunch and once for dinner. Both times I was underwhelmed by the food. I love the idea of a limited menu, with a focus on just a few great dishes, but anyone with any kind of dietary restriction will find the menu VERY limited. Understandable, but difficult. At brunch, I took a look at the menu and nothing jumped out at me, so I had the french toast. Yummy, but small, and not really what I wanted in the end. My partner really enjoyed his egg dish but it was super tiny and he's a big eater so we ended up eating a "second breakfast" at home later. Most notably, my recent dinner involved so much salt in the food that I needed to gulp down water for the next few hours. My friend's tuna poke was so salty she had to send it back. The warm bean salad for me was also very salty but I stuck with it for the bacon. Even the baba ganoush was salty. Hard to stomach! In the end I like the atmosphere, I love the outdoor seating, and I want to support this place but with a limited menu and emphasis on salt I'm not sure I'll go back too soon.
(3)
Jill F.
I have so much love for Fairsted Kitchen (Supper, Libations, Late Night). After flying solo and hitting up the bar one night during their first week, I finally had a proper dinner there last night--it was so delicious and cozy, with an overly kind, genuine staff (and an insanely surprising dessert!). The space itself is approachable, and thoughtful--a wonderfully homey environment. Like a baby Bondir in my opinon. Every single ingredient is of the highest quality, every detail is thoughtful, and every dish was executed with perfection. We tried: -Sumac-Cured Salmon (one of my favorites, cured for days in Sumac, draped atop perfectly cubed potatoes, with mild pink peppercorns) -The Steak Special, I cannot even remember what the description was, but it was incredible. -Rabbit Spaetzle, enjoyed thoroughly. -Cauliflower... definitely a favorite. Roasted and still al-dente, the capers and golden, plump raisins are a wonderful addition. -Duck Fat Potato Cake with Yogurt. Need I say anymore? We loved this. -Pumpkin Custard with Peppermint Cream and Gingerbread Biscotti. AMAZING. Steve told us the chef's brother is helping out and making desserts--what an amazing surprise! Cocktails, Beers, Wines by the glass and bottle... LATE NIGHT FOOD?! Living so close could be dangerous. Or incredible. Bravo!
(5)
Nat G.
The fresh-tasting, house-cured salmon (not really, by tradition, "lox" as written) was nicely balanced between smokiness and saltiness, was properly moist, and was accompanied by mild pickled onions (as desired), capers, herbed cream cheese and superfirm bagel chips. We would have preferred a straight bread option on the menu for this dish and in fact were gratefully presented with French bread upon request for an alternative. The side of "krazy tots" w/caramelized onions, bacon and chicken jus could not have been improved upon. Another side of cheesy, creamy polenta w/ chives was also delicious. Georgian and Loire (rosee) sparklers topped off a very satisfying brunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Sorry, no serious complaints!
(5)
John C.
As my Yelp years have passed, I have written fewer and fewer reviews. Doesn't mean I have stopped using Yelp (because I haven't), but it takes something unique to inspire me to write a review. Fairsted Kitchen meets that criteria. Where to start? For my Chicago friends, think of an excellent restaurant with bartending that reminds me of the Violet Hour. Yes, I said that. Classic bar and extremely well appointed, only the best top shelf liquor. As I said to the first class bartender who was an 'old school' professional at age 25?, this is not a "pretend bar". This is the real deal with creatively thought out cocktails, made with attention to detail, and carefully mixed. I have never seen a bartender shave slivers of fresh lemon rind with such passion and precision. Sounds goofy, but you could tell he really cared about his craft. The food? Love the small plates and approach to trying many tastes. I genuinely would have been happy to try 90% of the menu. Like most people whose reviews I read, my GF and I loved both the kale and the lamb ribs. The ribs were succulent and tasty, and the vinaigrette with which they were served was subtle and really enhanced the flavor of the cumin. To me, the best dish was the scallops. Have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in the last 35-40 years and I have never had better. Perfectly cooked...delicate, light, juicy and oozing with flavor. The two things I liked best about Fairsted, however, were the ambience and the service. Everything is served on old, mismatched china and silverware - no two pieces seemed to match. High ceilings, country style tables, fans and cool light fixtures. And the staff is uber friendly and really, really care about what they are doing. So if your are thinking about whether to go here for dinner, I'd highly recommend the place. See you there.
(5)
Aamir F.
Walked in unbeknown to anything about this place...certainly a place serious about its dishes. Order 3 appetizers, the lamb rib was good but not superb. good charredness from the grill, juicy and how any lamb rib should be. Next was the cabbage with veal. This was Fantastic. the best of the three apps. Flavourful and tender. The final appetizer maitake mushroom was just average and small for $13. Overall, ill go again, discover afew dishes and certainly find 2-3 that ill keep coming back for!
(3)
Leesha Z.
Fairsted is awesome. We discovered it on one of our trips to grab Stacked Donuts, which is Stephanie Cmar's pop up donut shop. The place is really cute inside, really romatic. They have delicious cocktails and friendly service. It's even better with the warmed weather seeing as how they have plenty of seating outside. Last time we were there we just got drinks and our waiter ended up bringing us complimentary hummus and chips. Always a plus! Come check it out although parking might be a bitch.
(4)
Susan R.
so far, I've only had drinks at Fairsted... but I plan to change that soon, since the drinks have all been extremely good. creative, well made, measured. don't expect your drink in 15 seconds.. because they are crafting that mofo... featured cocktails and wine on tap? yes, please. if there are just two of you- get there very early and sit at the bar...
(4)
Kelly O.
Cute place, decent food, but on the expensive side. To begin with, the semi-secluded patio is adorable and romantic (I love the pew seats and string of lights overhead), and the interior of the restaurant also seemed very homey and cozy, complimented by the quaint mismatched china and silverware. Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive, and their cocktails are really interesting (my house bottled/carbonated cocktail was just neat). As for the food, I'm a fan of the small plates idea, and most of it was decently tasty to me (hint: the secret ingredient in most of the dishes seemed to be butter); but the boy was not impressed, nor was our wallet. Between two of us, we tried: -Lamb ribs: pretty yummy, with a great char on the outside and tender, flavorful meat inside, with a great complimentary fishy/vinegary dipping sauce on the side. The dipping sauce really made the dish, for me; the boy is not a fan of fish sauce and so opted out of it, but wasn't really impressed with the sauce-less ribs, so I think it's a pretty key component of this dish. -Wilted kale: I'm not a kale fan generally, but we decided to give it a try here because we wanted to get some greens in our system, and I'm glad we did. The kale was tender and not at all bitter, the pecorino/apples/shallots were tasty additions, and the whole thing smacked of butter (in a great way). Solid veg dish, one that's making me rethink kale. -Potato gnocchi: another butter-drenched dish, the gnocchi tasted heavily of potato (a good thing IMO), with spring-fresh accents of favas, fiddleheads, and maitakes. Good flavor, although a very small portion for the price (common at Fairsted IMO). -Duck-fat fried potato cake: it's hard to find a potato I don't like, and this one had good flavor, although I wished it had been a bit crispier (it was pretty soft). -Crab cake: a solid crab cake, but nothing unique or special. It had very little filler and tons of fresh, sweet crab, atop a nice romesco sauce. Didn't care for the grilled romaine on the side (do people actually like hot lettuce?). -Hummus: not terrible, but not especially unique or delicious either- I prefer my hummus to have much more flavor (more garlic, especially). Skip this. -Pig head lettuce wrap: this was all for the boy so I didn't get to try it, but it wasn't what he was expecting and he was really turned off by the addition of fish sauce (me, I love fish sauce, but to each his own). So most of what I tried was pretty solid/tasty, but it was in really small portions, and for $8 and $13 a pop, that shiz adds up. So, maybe just come here for a cocktail and a snack or two, and save a full-blown dinner for elsewhere?
(3)
Maureen K.
Delicious farm to table cuisine Loved the salmon and spinach infused barley, melt in your mouth brussel sprouts and cauliflower, top notch cocktails and chocolate mousse with almonds dessert Attentive staff and cozy atmosphere Enjoy!
(5)
Brittany T.
I went here for brunch and sat on the beautiful patio. Our server was super nice and knowledgable! The service was great as was the food. I never made it inside but was told it's charming! I would absolutely go back!
(4)
Rajiv R.
Great place! Had a chance to chat with the owners, who were very friendly, attentive, and accommodating of our table's food allergies. High attention to detail in every dish. Definitely not a cheap eat, but if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere. Save this for a nice night out. Wish these guys the best of luck!
(5)
Tom G.
I hate to do this but the food is really just lacking. I've tried a lot of the menu across three trips, mostly through friends wanting to try the new place in our neighborhood, and there are issues in the kitchen. Lowlights: -Gnocchi were grainy and lumpy and, blind tasting, I'd call them dumplings...bad ones at that. -Tuna carpaccio was warm and had blistered grains or something on top. -Potato pancake was not crispy, at all. -Lamb ribs were, again, unevenly cooked (some good, some dry as hell). All were underseasoned - except lamb ribs. High(medium?)lights: -Chicken was again nice. Crispy skin, moist inside. -Hummus was passable but a bit boring. -Cod beignets were flavorful but should never be on a spring/summer menu (too heavy!) The drinks remain the best thing about Fairsted. The bar program remains excellent, with the rotating on-tap cocktail and the bottled cocktails. The wine list remains interesting and has value all over. Not very busy, again, on the weekend. The 4-star average reviews are doing this place a disservice, if management takes that as a sign of "all is good!," as the food is closer to 2-stars and people simply aren't filling the seats.
(3)
Libby M.
Excellent atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly bartenders full of great info about their drinks!!
(5)
Gary C.
A+ on food flavoring. Special of the day veal chops were perfect. Polenta overly salted. Special was way overpriced. Best approach is to order a lot of "smalls" Service was excellent but hovering management will fill your water glass every 5 min even though there is water bottle on table. Decor plain, no decoration, no ambiance. Would have stayed for dessert and coffee but couldn't handle hard chairs and benches any longer.
(4)
amy y.
Outstanding food. Very creative to please even the most skeptical water. Graciously accommodated a person with a lethal seafood and fish allergy. Great meal.
(5)
Yelena Y.
Neighbourhood gem. I had the cumin lamb chops, and they were juicy and tasty. I had the duck for the entree,and it too was amazing. The kale starter was healthy yet yummy. I followed my entree with a slice of pie and it tasted like farmers market pie from back home. I had no trouble finishing it in under 5 minutes. The outdoor seating had a romantic feel. The night was perfect :)
(5)
Stan P.
We live in the neighborhood, so we hit all of the restaurants regularly. They have redone the place nicely, and have a bar scene, something needed to survive around here. The food is good, but if I had to choose a word I would call it "precious," with an emphasis on SMALL in the small plates theme. $13 for less than a whole beet? There are other options within a stone's throw that have food as good, at reasonable prices.
(2)
Das E.
Exquisite in almost every way. The cuisine should be categorized not as new American but as modern provencial French. Excellent menu, excellent wine list, and a decent range of scotches. I wouldn't recommend the rabbit spatzel but would recommend everything else. Can't wait to return. The one draw back concerns the waitstaff. These hipsterish band t-shirt clad know-nothings ought really to be replaced by a respectable staff properly trained in the art of service.
(5)
Ildiko K.
I want this to be a great place. I really do. And even though I had a somewhat mediocre culinary experience, I sense that Fairstead is still establishing itself, is on its way up into the Boston food scene, and perhaps can only get better. I love the location, the size, the decor, lighting, the Olmsted connection, and even the mismatched cutlery. Here's the scene: My partner and I came early on a Friday evening, hoping to get a table for two (without a reservation). It was surprisingly quiet; the entire time we sat, there were only three other parties in-house, a handful of folks at the bar. Polite, unobtrusive, but slightly awkward service. I really dig the laid-back quirkiness of the wardrobe & aprons. I also don't mind the collaborative approach to service- when the food is ready, whoever is available will run it out. If a plate is sitting empty on a table, whoever happens to see it will clear it. It's ok by me to interact with staff who aren't specifically your server- adds to the laid-back / tight-knit vibes of the place. For dinner we had the cauliflower, the carrot salad, the cured salmon, the herb spätzle, and the raw fluke. For dessert- a perfect French press of Barrington coffee and the bread pudding. Cauliflower- PERFECTLY cooked, tender, and roasty but the touch of anchovy seemed like an afterthought and didn't add anything to the dish. Carrot salad- something I would have made at home. But I wouldn't have put so much lemon juice in it. It was really overwhelmingly tart and over the line between "fresh" and "abrasively sour." Herb spätzle- nice rich meaty component, heavenly soft, chewy texture. A bit too much cheese and very, very salty. Some rabbit gristle hanging out in there as well. Salmon- Beautiful, supple slices of house-cured salmon. I wanted to love it. The texture was great, beautiful color and subtle salmon flavor, but nothing else: no sumac, no other curing agents, not even a hint of spice or salt. Came with undercooked cubes of grainy, plain potato, which made me a little sad. The fluke- slightly tough and dry, beautiful on the plate, but too-big sections of lime and too-big slices of very hot pepper made it impossible to create a bite that was a medley of complimentary flavors. Bread pudding- great flavors, delicious, tart fruit, soft bread with a bite to it, caramelly exterior. Should have been much warmer and even a little crisp on the outside. Came out room-temperature and got cold fast. Yes! It's expensive! But for their seriousness, their ambience, and the creative & high-quality direction this restaurant is (hopefully) going in, it's worth it. If people want heaping portions at a lower price they'll have to look somewhere else. Really well-stocked bar and great cocktail/wine list. I'll definitely be back for at least a drink. Got to meet and chat with Steve who made a great impression. Go and check it out- but don't expect perfection, at least not yet.
(4)
Grasz H.
We had wilted greens with nectarine and mangchego cheese, lamb that was crusted in cumin and a dipping sauce that was delicious, as well as beets and 2 desserts, the blueberry pie and chocolate. Everything was terrific and the service outstanding. I can't wait to go back and try the big plates. Everything on the menu looked great. The beautiful china dishes were a plus. Wonderful ambiance.
(5)
Irina R.
I'd give this place 4.5 stars. We went on whim as someone had mentioned it in passing. Loved the gnocchi and escargots! Wished there was more of the scallops to split as they were delicious, while the lamb ribs were good but a bit too crunchy. Great for a summer night.
(4)
George S.
Yes, this place can be a bit on the expensive side (the scallop ceviche my wife and I had was like 6 SLICES of scallop and I believe cost $13), but it it was VERY tasty. With the above said about price, not all the dishes were crazy expensive. We had a wilted kale dish that was quite delicious and made me realize I need to use pecorino cheese with my kale at home. Cost was, I think, $8 The braised oxtail (with vegetables and a salad) we had cost $51 and it was delicious and was more than enough for the two of us. If we hadn't have wanted to try some of the other plates including a bean dish with squid ink, we could have probably just survived quite tastily with the oxtail and maybe the kale or beans. The wine selections by the bottle were nice and the bartender really knew the wines he recommended to us to go with the oxtail. I also had a cocktail that was a hell of a good concoction with gin. The space is nice and cozy, and I second the other recommendations to sit at the bar if you can. I see no need to sit at a table if you are a group of two. I think overall this restaurant knows what it is doing.
(4)
Paula S.
Delicious food. Awesome service. Very nice atmosphere. What more can one ask for?!?! My favorite was the hummus plate and lobster croquette...enjoyed with a glass of Pinot Noir and I was a happy gal!
(5)
Eric F.
I love this place. Very intimate vibe, excellent drinks, and great food. Unfortunately it is a little overpriced and the portions are incredibly small, however, if you want good food and a good experience than this is the place to go. I recommend this place. If you are on a stricter budget there's a great place next door with better prices and great food.
(4)
CW A.
Natural, yummy, fresh and reasonably healthy food. Very nice and attentive staff (we had many servers all asking how we were doing) Nice, calm, quiet atmosphere with outdoor seating And a creative drink menu. Ok, so you pay for quality, and not every dish will hit it ever time, but its worth it to have this gem of a restaurant around.
(5)
Trevor S.
As lame suburbanites scared by the long wait at Barcelona next door, we stumbled into Fairsted Kitchen next door. Naturally, the wait was just as long. But we ordered a bottle of wine and hung out at the bar. I'm glad we did. Inventive, amazing cooking served by people who are actually into what they're doing. This is a hot spot on the rise. The use things like kale and understand that being inventive is about mixing interesting things that work. Too many places just lard things up with enough salt and fat to make Ronald McDonald jealous and call it a dish. Not here. Maitake mushrooms? Kale? Everything was amazing. Chicken? Fluke? We were fighting over the last bites. Great new place!
(4)
Penelope K.
One of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. I ordered the bagel with lox and cream cheese. Simple and easy, right? The bagel was like cardboard - pretty sure it was frozen. Repulsive. They couldn't even bother to toast it - it came out starch white. The lox was dripping in oil, which is offensive. This is actually the first time I've not been able to eat a bagel with lox. I make it better at home with store bought ingredients. Pathetic knowing that zero preparation goes into this dish and they still couldn't execute. My friend got the eggs in tomato sauce. What a disappointment. Sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. Inedible and the eggs were undercooked - no, not soft, just NOT COOKED. Terrible choice for 10 am. Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day to make....what an embarrassment. I am a foodie from NYC and there are some great restaurants in Boston, but this gives them a bad name with all the great press they've gotten. Someone was obviously paid under the table. This restaurant is a joke. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)
Jimmie J.
Dined here repeatedly since I moved into the area. Consistently blown away by the food, staff, drinks, creativity, friendliness and experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Henry N.
Ok so I lied. I DID go back. Full disclosure: one of the owners contacted me with apologies and a stated desire for me to return. I am SO glad I did. Superb food. Great experience. When you taste a dish and the dish yields fabulous and unending surprises to the palate, you know you have experienced true culinary genius. Sound hyperbolic? Come, take, eat. You judge.
(5)
Olivia W.
I love this place. Small, homey, and most importantly, the food is delicious. The menu changes every time we go there( 3 visits so far), and just about everything we have ordered turned out to be great. The interior design and the dishes they use are vintage style. Going there makes us feel like going to a friend's house for dinner who is a really amazing cook. I would recommend make the reservation in advance due to smallish.
(4)
AB H.
All the dishes were pretty good, none great. The croquettes lacked flavor, I didn't even taste the ham hock. The herb spatzle had a good texture and cheesy deliciousness. The skate was a bit chewy. We also had the pig head lettuce wraps and the wagyu zabuton, but I can't remember them. Maybe that says a lot. The drinks are good, too bad the guy helping us couldn't describe them effectively. I liked the UpSouth, but was told it was too sweet. It wasn't. The people who work there are friendly but too eager, not savvy. I'd say the same for the decorations - they are trying to hard and it just misses - items on shelves that are too small to hold them, for example. If this weren't in my neighborhood, I wouldn't go back, but it is, and it's new, so I'll be back to try more dishes.
(3)
nondini n.
I came here for brunch and it was amazing. First of all it wasn't crazy packed and the food is amazing. I had the dirty rice Mexican breakfast and it was truly one of the best things I've had. I'll definitely be back. It's a best kept secret- come for brunch you won't regret it.
(5)
Felix G.
Fairsted was an amazing experience. I mean it. The food was really delicious and I am a real gourmet. The chef knows what he/she's doing. I had a piece of beef that I still dream of once in a while, the pumpkin dessert, although it sounds like we've had enough of these in autumn, was ABSOLUTELY stunning. And the wine selection was great, a little pricy nonetheless. Friendly hipster atmosphere, sweet cutlery and plates on rough wood farm tables. Very cozy, friendly and helpful staff. Really wonderful place in Brookline. Gotta be a must in the Boston Food Scene soon.
(5)
Nick F.
Fairsted Kitchen has the potential to be a top eatery in Boston, but the execution isn't quite there yet. Perhaps other plates are much better than the just OK ones we got: the rabbit spattzle, fluke sashimi style, croquettes, lamb ribs, and beef tongue soup. The food is good, but not special. The service is fine, but not outstanding. I look forward to returning further on down the road and seeing if this place has improved to the type of establishment they are clearly striving for. Or at least going to try their house cured salmon which I hear is amazing. I recommend it if you are in the area, however, it is not on the list of must-go-to places in Boston at the moment.
(3)
Lucas P.
What can I say, this place is just awesome! Friendly staff, delicious food, and amazing cocktails are making this my go-to spot. Brunch and dinner menus are great, I have yet to try anything there that I didn't like. A look at the menu might dissuade some as there are only a handful of entrees, but a few of the smaller plates split between two people can easily make up a meal. A few of my favorites are the duck fat potato pancake, cumin dusted lamb ribs, croquettes, and the wilted kale. The owners Steve and Andrew are always around and making sure everything is to your liking, and the bartenders make a mean cocktail. I recommend the No Sleep till Brookline or the Antigua Plaza off the drink menu, but they also serve up one of the better Manhattan's I have had in the area. It isn't the cheapest place to go for a bite to eat, but I think you get what you pay for.
(5)
Mariam C.
Amazing! So lucky to have such great restaurants in my neighborhood. Great atmosphere, food was impeccable and the drinks were awesome!
(5)
Sarah S.
This place is the best. I've been here several times since it opened and it has yet to disappoint. The food is fantastic as well as the service! The atmosphere is so charming. Definitely a must. The lamb ribs are the most amazing thing I've ever had. They fall off the bone. The kale is fantastic as well as the gnocchi. I can't remember all the names of the plates but the steak for the large plate is delicious!!
(5)
Jacob S.
We had a birthday celebration at the Fairsted last weekend. We were very pleasantly surprised with the great quality of the food. Several dishes blew us away in terms of creative use of spices and flavor. First, the butter they provide for the bread was the best I have tasted in an American restaurant. Very like clotted cream you might get in England. This might be a small thing but reflects the depth of thought they went to in designing the restaurant's food and menu. The monkfish wins a big shout out as it had a great flavor, spiced with the unusual ras al hanout. The cod beignets were light and tasty. A potato/celeriac tart with uni was really interesting and again a good combination. We also had a few veggies including a salad that we couldn't stop eating (fancy that!) and a carrot based slaw type dish that added a bright contrast with the meat dishes. Based on the sommeliers rec, we also had a nice wine that fit well with the food. I am very eager to go back and try either the ox tail or chateaubriand! Or perhaps both!
(5)
J G.
First time here. Great addition to the community. Had brunch. Stuffed French Toast, truffle crepes, and black beans and rice with duck confit were all very good. Dinner menu looks similar. Cocktail list looked creative too.
(4)
Jami B.
Brunch here was a disappointment. Especially when breakfast food is the easiest meal to make. The bacon was flavorless and greasy without any crispiness. The potato cake with sunny egg wasn't a runny egg at all and there was no seasoning present nor available at the table. The Steak sandwich had day old bread which was a little too crusty and the steak a little too grey and not even a hint of pink left in it. The bloody mary came with only a pathetic celery stick (not even a stalk); and they had no clue what lager was or what beer chaser is in relation to a bloody. The coffee--!!!--it's not right to have over 2 inches of grounds steeping for over 20 minutes. Especially when the cream they serve curdles the minute you add it to your coffee sludge. A true disappointment. Also, crowd and waitstaff here is mainly unwashed, unmotivated, bearded hipster millennials. Be warned. Go find a food truck instead.
(1)
Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)
Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Alexis F.
I'm reviewing more for the service than the food, but food is still included! I was disappointed at the slowness of the service and the nonchalant attitude of the staff. The hostess was sitting parties of the same size as ours (3 people, can't make reservations) even though were ahead of them on the waitlist for brunch... when I called her out on it she had zero excuses/reasons why this was happening. To say the least I was pretty pissed (what's the point of having a waitlist when you're not going to abide by it). Then it took about 45-50 minutes for us to get our food, which was ridiculous. Our waitress would only come over to refill our water, but never really checked in on us. The food wasn't anything special to be honest. I did like their house smoked salmon--very good, not too salty like some. After this experience, I'm not all that excited to return.
(3)
RJ P.
I wish every meal was as good as the one I had at Fairsted last night. It's in a great location in Washington Square with a small but open layout inside. The drinks were delicious. They have exclusively Jack's Abby on tap, which certainly isn't a bad thing for a beer lover. The food was fantastic. Highlights include the wilted kale, escargot, gnocchi, braised oxtail, everything really. Can't go wrong. Excited to go back again soon.
(5)
A R.
Write a review or not write a review - hmmm. Writing is respectful of the great job these guys are doing, but NOT writing might mean I can keep sliding in for dinner. Because the food is GREAT: whod'athunk I would get addicted to lamb ribs with vinegar dipping sauce- and the drinks are GREAT: no-sleep-til-Brookline the most perfectly balanced bourbon drink ever. This is a cozy, great acoustic space with an enthusiastic and helpful wait staff.
(5)
Jen S.
Nice outdoor seating and ambiance inside. I give this place 3 stars because I did not really enjoy my meal (I got the gnocchi and thought it tasted overly salty) and thought the mixed drinks were just OK. But the blueberry pie and service were great!
(3)
Michele S.
Gorgeous little room and a cozy, warm place to enjoy a little reunion with a good friend. Server was friendly, competent and knowledgeable. My entree of smoked duck breast was amazing, perfectly cooked and accompanied by red cabbage and a potato pancake, and just the right portion size. We shared a roasted cauliflower appetizer that was substantial and had great flavor, and then a "small plate" of cured salmon that was very small, unremarkable and actually quite bland and overly oily. So 2 out of 3 home runs on the food. Fun cocktails and very interesting wines by the glass. An excellent choice for an intimate meal in a neighborhood with a lot of competition for your dining dollar.
(4)
Sonia T.
A lovely patio, interesting food, and friendly service! For me, "interesting" is a good thing. The pigs head wraps were delicious, the scallops melt in your mouth, and I am definitely going to start roasting figs with sweet potatoes. We got the lamb top to share, and it was delightful. At the end of the day, the prices are reasonable if you're in the mood to relish a long, special meal.
(5)
Sara B.
I heard from some friends that this place wasn't great when it first opened. Since then, they have made a change in the kitchen, and I will say that the Executive Chef and Sous Chef have greatly improved the menu. I brought my father here a few nights ago and he couldn't have been happier with the food. He is a pretty picky eater when it comes to heavy, oily food - he doesn't like it. His loving this food is a great indication that is it light and clean tasting. We started off with the Duck Fat Fried Potato Pancake. It sounds heavy, but it's actually very light and super tasty. Then we had Potato Gnocchi which was fantastic. The gnocchi dish wasn't too big or thick or cheesy, and the sauce was just enough to add wonderful flavor. The kitchen sent us a complementary greens dish which I believe was the Wilted Kale, but there was much more to the dish than kale, shallots, honeycrisp apple, and pecorino. For the next course (and I say "course" lightly, because these are small dishes - which makes it so much more fun to be able to taste many different menu items) we had the Sumac-Cured Salmon and the Seared Sea Scallop. Both were exquisite! Both the salmon and the scallops were seared just enough to get a nice browning with great flavor on the outside. The leek, butternut, and cashew sauce for the scallops was light and very flavorful, with the cashews giving it a nice crunch. Having the herb salad, artichoke, and buttermilk dressing with the salmon complemented the flavors of the salmon (which was not too fishy at all). After all of this, we had definitely had our fill, but I couldn't resist dessert. There isn't dessert on the menu, as I am sure they change it up quite a lot. Instead, the wonderful bartender, I believe his name is Alex, explained that there were two items available for dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Ganache. I am always a chocolate dessert eater, but I couldn't resist ordering the pie, since the last time I had it was 20 years ago when my dad last made it. I hated to admit it to my dad, but the pie was better than his! The crust was thin and cooked to perfection, while the balance of strawberries and rhubarb was kept the pie from tasting too sweet or tart. And of course, the ice cream with a mint leaf was the icing on the cake. All in all, my experience was fantastic. I think the dishes can seem pricey to some, but if you know and appreciate food, then you will understand why it may be a little more expensive than your average restaurant and bar. I highly recommend Fairsted Kitchen. As suggested from other reviewers, it helps to show up early or make sure you have a reservation. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Julie L.
Wow! Amazing food! The decor was adorable, service, impeccable. We will be back again!
(4)
Tara M.
Where to begin? My experience at Fairsted Kitchen last night was phenomenal. It was quite busy for a Monday night, but my friend and I were able to grab a seat at the bar. Danielle, the bartender, was super friendly and gave us great recommendations. I stuck to wine but my friend had the No Sleep Till Brookline which was great. We decided to order a few of the small plates to share. My favorites were the Wilted Kale and the Sumac-cured Salmon. The decor is so homey and the restaurant has a great overall feel. Definitely worth trecking out to Brookline! Fun Fact: They have house made cocktails on tap!
(5)
Sam S.
Awful place. The food was way way too over priced. You barely get any food with the meal. The service was good though. But honestly I don't think 4 or 5 really small appetizers are worth $70. Don't go there! By the way, litterly everything had something that had to do with duck, I'm not going to lie but it was very very weird.
(1)
Cyndi R.
I had dinner at Fairsted Kitchen last week. We had hoped to get dinner at Ribelle, but the place was packed and there wasn't a good space to stand and have a drink while we waited. So we decided to check out Fairsted across the street. From the moment we walked in we were blown away. The decor is really interesting and the hotess was pleasant. We were quoted an hour wait and then told there was a stool at the bar if we wanted to grab a drink in the meantime. I had a teriffic glass of red, my husband an inventive vodka cocktail. The co-owner behind the bar intorduced himself and then introduced us to several other staff. We ordered two appetizers to eat while we waited. Lucky for us, though, we were sat within 25 minutes at a communal table in the center of the room! Our appetizers were delivered to the table and were impressive -- spatzle and a pigs head lettuce wrap. Delicious! In fact, my husband was still raving about the spatzle at our daughter's soccer game the next day. For dinner we ordered one of the meals intended to be shared -- chatueabriand. It was amazing!! The beef was presented to us on a platter along with a salad and then taken back to the kitchen to be sliced. When it re-emerged, the beef was accompanied by a kale and fennel salad and amazing, creamy mashed potatoes. Throughout dinner, Steve, one of the co-owners came by regularly to replenish our wine glasses (the wine list really is unique!). When our meal was over we were offered dessert and individual french press coffees. After some debate, we settled on one dessert and Steve brought us over both! Fairsted is a real treat for the neighborhood. These guys know what they're doing. I can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)
matthew s.
Three of us ate there last night. Called from home and walked over. Table was waiting. Both owners work the front of the room, and the service was top notch and unobtrusive. The food was excellent. We had the oxtail shared three ways and it was sublime. The apps were all very executed, and the cocktails very precise. The link to Olmsted is clever, and I hope they can make more of that. I hope this thrives for years.
(5)
c d.
The food was good, the drinks were great. The waitress was unpleasant which unfortunately affected my experience. Also, they have this eclectic vibe, with mismatched silverware and glasses, etc. It is a nice asthetic but all 4 ppl at our table ordered the same drink and 1 person got a tiny glass while the others get large ones. The server claimed they were all the same pour, but they clearly weren't. It looks pretty, but is annoying when you get the small glass. When they work out the early kinks and improve the waitstaff, it is going to be a great restaurant and I look forward to re-rating it.
(3)
Matt D.
Went to Fairsted Kitchen last night for the first time. I was very excited to try it out out as the menu looked great--I was really ready to love this place. We had a few drinks at the bar before sitting down, the scene was good and the bar had a great, lively feeling to it. The drinks were also well-made and the bar program was inventive and thoughtful. However, when we sat down and started eating, things started going south. First we had the cod beignets, they were very undercooked and raw in the middle. Even if they had been cooked-through, they were exceptionally salty to the point that I think something must have gone wrong in the kitchen. Next up were the spaetzle and autumn vegetables. The spaetzle was the best part of the meal (probably a little over-salted, but nothing compared to the salt bomb beignets). The autumn vegetables were good, and the presentation was excellent, but they weren't otherwise memorable. Finally we had the smoked duck, which was pretty good, but the potato cake that came with it was, again, over-salted to the point that it was inedible. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the service was great, the bar was great and the menu sounded great, but the execution in the kitchen was severely lacking. It's a little odd to say this about a restaurant, but everything but the food was good. I'm hoping that this is just part of working the kinks out of a newly-opened restaurant, and I'll likely be back to give them another shot, but I think I'll probably hold off on a return for a while. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to update this review with a few more stars in the future, but right now, execution in the kitchen is holding it back.
(2)
Margie G.
I'm another person who really wanted to like this restaurant. We had an excellent charming waitress who was extremely helpful. All i can say is the food is tasteless or salty. Those are your choices. Cauliflower was al dente and nicely caramelized but even with raisins and caper fell short on flavor. Cod beignets were pretty good but the marinara needed a jolt if acid to keep the grease from the frying at bay. Gnocchi and duck confit was just salty...no discernible flavor. Cured sumac salmon with crunchy potato stick had potential but had no taste if sumac whatsoever. Don't think I'll return.
(2)
Geoff P.
Always awesome. Pig Head lettuce wrap turns a bad day into a good one. Incredible staff. Incredible craftsmanship.
(5)
E. H.
Awesome place!!!!! Owners are so attentive and want you to have a perfect experience. They let me try 4 wines before I picked one. They made special dishes for my friend with lots of allergies and then pointed out the allergens in everyone else's dish just in case. The food was amazing. The "bites" are actually pretty big. We had the beets scallops chicken and the cheese special and everything was amazing. Just awesome.
(5)
Sara D.
Just had dinner here and loved it. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly and accomodating. Had a cocktail that was similar to a sazerac, but fizzy and lighter, very yummy. The skate and stuffed cabbage were wonderful. The spetzle was also very tasty. Four of us shared a bunch of different things. We left totally stuffed and happy. Will be back!
(4)
nancy k.
The good news: the waitress was fabulous. The bad news: the food -- not so good. Ordered the Cured Salmon, not realizing it was not cooked. looked very attractive, but I don't eat raw fish, and I had to send it back. Ordered cabbage stuffed with ground veal. While waiting, started to eat the wilted kale. The flavor was nice, but not enough to compensate for the fact that the kale was not young, therefore tough, and not cut up fine. It was so tough I could not cut it with knife and fork, and chewing it was a chore. I couldn't eat much of it and let the staff know why. Now the stuffed cabbage -- my only hope. It was good enough, but the veal was chewy -- and veal is noted for its tenderness. Especially odd, because it was ground. The bill came and I was surprised to see the charge for the kale. The owner explained (repeatedly) that it was properly prepared and also that they had been nice enough to take back the salmon, and therefore he would not take the kale off the bill. Oh -- also, the restaurant was chilly, at least where we were sitting. There was a curtain to provide insulation from the cold coming in the door, but people pushed it aside when they came in and did not pull it back. After getting up about 15 times, my friend and I asked the staff if they could please manage the curtain, and they did pretty well. It was 50 degrees out, so I would not want to be there on a normal winter night. Need I say that I will never, never, EVER go to this place again.
(1)
Nick W.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Greater Boston. White beans with squid ink - a brand new look at a seemingly familiar dish. Stuffed cabbage w/ veal, ham croquettes with harissa aoili - great to pair with a No Sleep til Brookline cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, be sure to grab the Vin d'Orange apertif cocktail made by Alex Homans. Whether you see Patrick or Will behind the bar, you will be on good hands in this gorgeous, cozy space.
(5)
Francis B.
My wife, son and I visited the Fairsted on Monday and had a fantastic dinner. The waitress suggested that the best way to enjoy the restaurant was to order and try many things instead of the traditional app, dinner and dessert. We split several "snacks and sides" had a few "smalls" and shared a "large". Our favorites were the pig head lettuce wraps (outstanding - but why do you call it that?), duck fat potato cake and the stuffed cabbage. The Chateaubriand was amazing!!! I really loved the wine list - very eclectic and great prices. Great service too! Sure to return!
(5)
Pamela T.
Really great service in a nice looking room. A very interesting menu and great cocktail list. However, the food really needs some work. The nights special, butternut squash soup, was really bland. It tasted like pureed butternut squash, just plain butternut squash with some undercooked mushrooms floating around on top. The wilted kale was just that, bland, wilted kale in a big bowl. My chicken was cooked beautifully but the zatar rub was totally overpowering. The plate of grains needed some flavor and the smoked duck was odd. I like everything about Fairsted Kitchen except the food. I will try it again after the holidays and hope that the food is better. It is also quite expensive.
(2)
P J.
Service/decor/general vibe: excellent/cozy/inviting Drink: didn't have any cocktails Food: better than I was expecting. Scale of 1-5 (5 being the best): - sea urchin small plate: 4, sea urchin was only flavorful part of this dish, celeriac needs salt (or at least boil in salted water). - kale small plate: 3, slightly underseasoned - spaetzle small plate: 3 (too greasy and lacking flavor) - lamb ribs small plate: 4 (pretty good! esp with the dipping sauce) - duck/latke large plate: 5 (clearly just on point) - choco mousse with cardamom cream dessert: 3-4 (mousse needed more choco flavor to contend with the cardamom) overall: 4/5 price: I think the small plates (esp the vegetarian ones) are a bit overpriced for the quality. The duck large plate was well worth the price.
(4)
Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)
Karen H.
Been to Fairsted 3 times so far. The food was FABULOUS! It's curious that one reviewer felt the food was very salty. We didn't sense that at all. The cod beignets were perfect! The carrot salad was so good, we ordered a second one. We've had the duck, chicken and squid--all delightful. The pumpkin custard was way better than we thought it would be. The chocolate mousse was over-the-top. The waite staff and owners are very solicitous. For a Tuesday night it was busy and a bit noisy, but frankly, we're glad, because it hopefully means the place will be there for a long time.
(5)
Karina M.
Ummm..very little evidence of a four star experience I'm afraid, maybe the B team was cooking tonight. One of the reviews lower down nailed it by describing a disappointingly monotonic experience. Also ordered the lettuce wrap - extremely one-note - a sweet, tart counterpoint to the overly oily and savory taste would have taken it up a notch. The wilted kale covered with cheese was, well wilted and cheesy, nothing to say here - there was no real marriage of flavors. Spaetzle with rabbit was particularly dry and flavorless - a braised onion note might have helped here to relieve the blandness. The smoked duck, potato pancake and red cabbage were mixed. The potato had a reasonable texture but was completely missing any salt. When salt was added it was much better. The duck was OK but rather dry. The red cabbage was OK too but no zinging taste notes, could have done better at home. By this time we were quite depressed (the sparkling rose wine helped to elevate the mood a bit). We sprung for dessert and the pot au creme was the highlight of the meal. Delicious!! Also the service was a bit intense. Felt like we were being rolled up and shoveled outside. So all in all, probably won't be back I'm afraid. Happy about small portions. Don't object to paying for small portions. But need to see a more effective execution. Simply meh.
(2)
Lara G.
We absolutely LOVED Fairsted Kitchen. The wait was a bit long, but it was a Friday night so that is to be expected! The next time we go, we'll definitely make a reservation. When we walked in and went to the bar, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender, Patrick. I can't stand when you want to order a drink and you're standing behind the people who have a seat, and the bartender just ignores you. But Patrick actually walked around the bar and walked up to us to take our order. As soon as a couple stood up from the bar, he made sure that we got the seats. Also, the cocktails were amazing!!! Their bottled cocktail that night was some sort of apple cider carbonated amazingness. Once we got a table, we ordered a few small plates - the pig's head lettuce wrap, wilted kale, roasted cauliflower, duckfat fried potato cake, stuffed cabbage, and white beans (with squid ink). They were all SO delicious! We then ordered the chateaubriand (4 of us left feeling pretty full after all this yummy food) and it was so so good. It was cooked perfectly, and the mashed potatoes that came with it were the best. We will definitely be back soon, and are so happy to have Fairsted in our neighborhood!!
(5)
Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)
Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)
Joshua M.
It's great to have a place like this in the neighborhood. The menu is small-ish, but the food is always excellent and interesting, the bartenders make awesome cocktails, and service is solid. Small plates can be a whole tapas-style meal or used as apps, entrees are appropriately sized, or the big shared plates are fun for more family-style dining. The lamb ribs are always a favorite, but over many visits I've never had a bad dish.
(5)
Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)
Noa K.
This was my second time here and I was more impressed than the first time. If possible. Every dish was scrumptious. I wasn't even mad that they didn't have one of the items (because it was out of season!), and loved what we had instead. From the beet ravioli to the lamb Merguez everything was plated perfectly. Also the cocktail were amazing. And of course, a shout out to our server Luke, who was so friendly and attentive. Definitely worth it!
(5)
Big S.
this is a nice place in the brookline area. it isn't as expensive as it seems and the food is high quality. tough competition next to barcelona, as that is one of the better tapas restaurants in the city. We had a variety of small plates. The easter egg potatos, beet dip with charred pita, meat pies, artichoke salad, black bass ceviche, and lentils. the potatos and beet dip were our favorite. the ceviche was different than what we are used to. overall nice place. nice staff. worth checking out.
(4)
Jason L.
"In the day while you were gushing about your process / We were busy making progress..." This is my favorite Centro-Matic moment, and I have to think that whoever had the idea for Fairsted kitchen looked out into the world and had the same thought. In a world of $11 "street food tacos" in Southie, too many southern food concepts by people who have never been to the south or even met a collard green in the wild, gastropub after interminable gastropub, and the abortion that is the new Bukowski in Cambridge, it is refreshing to go to a place that is fully in control of what it is. Fairsted is directly next to the always outrageously mobbed Barcelona tapas chain monstrosity, and when we went in May, we saw people sitting out in the cold with heaters on full blast, wrapped in red blankets, joylessly craming jamon into their maws. Not worth it, especially when Fairsted is literally next door waiting to warmly welcome you. The colors and details inside look like a Victorian living room. The tableware is especially nice, and there's real pleasure in eating off older china, with its intricate patterns and colors. Fairsted is a reminder that, in our not-so-distant past, eating well didn't necessarily mean eating minimally. Whereas dining out now usually involves one or two tone interiors with simple white round plates, medium wood tables and floors, and gentle, muted tones that pass as clean and modern, there was a time when eating well meant the hedonistic luxury of excess. Gold leaf, intricate patterns, and an excess of meticulous detail. The pleasure was in the piling up of excess and detail, not taking it away. Fairsted kitchen doesn't do this -- the place is still rather minimal -- but there are small pieces of the experience that recall a different era of dining. The fine vintage tableware is one of those pieces, a reminder that tickles the primordial part of the brain that enjoys luxury over minimalism. I see that Yelp has Fairsted categorized as "American (New)" and I guess that's right, but everything here seems to be inspired by flavors and spices from the middle east. Lebanese sweetish pickles, Fattoush, meat and spinach pies. All spectacular and worth eating. But honestly, go for the experience. There's nothing quite like this in Boston, with its idiosyncratic confidence in what it is: a Victorian dining room open late, serving middle eastern spiced food.
(5)
O Y.
Excellent food quality and service, tried the appetizers menu... middle eastern twist was awesome. New chef is rocking!
(5)
Kevin J.
Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars Came back after a long trip to Martha's Vineyard and was looking for a place for a late dinner. Fairsted thankfully hit the spot. It was right next to a hopping wine bar, but we happened to stumble in. They have some interesting dishes and they focus on small plates so you should order some to share for the table. The variety isn't huge on the menu but the quality of the dishes is really high and they're unique combinations. It's a mix between mediterranean, american and the locally-sourced ingredients type of feel. I think the portions are a little small for the size so you'll want to order more than just 3 small plates if you have three people. Cocktails and drinks are very plentiful. They have a good offering that you can definitely check out.
(4)
M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)
Tim W.
I've been to Fairstead Kitchen on multiple occasions, sampling whatever peaked my interest off their consistently changing menu (which in itself is something worth noting). However every time I go, they never cease to surprise and amaze me, and after last night's meal, I felt compelled to finally join Yelp and write my first review. After placing our drink order, a local beer for myself and a white wine for the lady, we began parusing the menu. Right off the bat, I notice about 8 items that I am eager to try. After some discussion we decide on the roasted local carrots with goat cheese, the baked oyster topped with hollandaise, and the baby artichoke salad. Let me just say that each of these had amazing qualities and would recommend, but the salad is the one that really floored me. The elements of this dish were combined perfectly, each one playing off the other: the tartness of the artichoke and vinegar, balanced with the savory sesame tahini and then finishing with the sweetness of the candied cashews and fresh citrus fruit. Truly creative and delicious. For our next plate we ordered the Spanish octopus. This was my favorite dish of the night. The octopus, slightly blackened, was tender and flavorful and worked perfectly along side the savory chorizo and spiced potatoes. If the taste wasn't something to highlight, the texture combination alone is something of note. I will be back to eat this for sure. We finished our meal with the coulotte steak. A seasoned cut of sirlion beef, cooked perfectly, and topped with a poached egg. This dish although rich was accompanied by wilted greens and a balsamic glaze, adding the perfect contrast to the steak, and bringing a balance to the plate as a whole. Like I said above, I've been to Fairstead Kitchen multiple times and have never left disappointed. Their creativity, boldness, and versatility will always keep me going back. I tip my hat to the chef and the team. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Jean L.
I wish that the food and service was better at this place. Its our new neighborhood hang and every time we are so disappointed by the 'gourmet' options. Will be back for the fun guys that are there but the too cool gals that 'run' the place need to take a look in the mirror and take a look at the menu! Things must improve!!! Starting with MC. Cha!
(1)
Annie I.
Oh my god. This is one of the best meals I've had in a long time, one of my favorite in Boston. Started with the latkas, which were served with an amazing apple butter and cream sauce, and the mussels. I didn't care for the mussels b/c I like a lighter take, but my GF loved the creamier heartier spin. The gnocchi was excellent as well, and had this strange little tubular that was a cross between an artichoke and a turnip. It was delicious. For me, the two stars of the meal were the roasted chicken with farro and red wine jus and the dessert, a chocolate pot de creme. I was blown away. I don't think I've had a main course that special in a while. I went in expecting a good, solid, delicious meal, but I got something even more special.
(5)
Chad G.
Full review by "Chad's Eats"of Fairsted Kitchen Cuisine: Yelp says "American New" which is very broad. In my opinion it was mostly middle eastern influenced tapas Location: Brookline MA, on Beacon Street Parking: We lucked out and got a spot only 100 yards away on the first pass, but that was because we went early which I suggest you do. After 8 PM Street parking is free Monday through Saturday. Sundays and holidays are free. Parking along that stretch of Beacon Street might require a U-turn or two and a little walking so allow time for this. It's a cool neighborhood and there's a lot of lively places you can stop in before or after your reservation. Decor / Ambiance: Simple, rustic, relaxed, home-like. I love the vintage service-ware. The service-ware almost looked like family heirloom-ish. Simple place settings, not stuffy with multiple forks, spoons, knives or glasses. Greeting: During this time of year which is warm you're greeted at the front of the outside seating area. A woman greeted us with a smile and a hello, but we weren't sure if we were in the right spot to check in until she picked up an iPad from the bench to the right of her. Once she verified our reservation she had menus and wine list there as well to bring with us to our table. Maybe a small portable podium is in order? Menu mix: Extremely creative, well thought out flavors, textures and contrasts. For example the beautifully presented hummus came with a sprinkle of fried chickpeas on top which was a delightful touch crunching into those little bits. In my opinion the foods are rooted in middle eastern flavors with a splash of international. The menu starts with small snack plates and then a great variety of hot and cold tapas. There were 4 entrees listed which had all the bases covered (chicken, fish, lamb, beef and I think maybe a vegetarian item?) There were also 2 "Table offerings" which feeds 2 or 3 people. The menu online is not current. The menu has recently had some updates and new additions. Water / Bread service: Water tasted great, served rustic style in milk bottles. I always love this form of service. Bread is available on request but grilled flatbread comes with most of the tapas plates. There is no need to carb up here. I do love that they start you off with a small plate of assorted pickled vegetables. These were wonderful and I could have eaten a whole bowl myself. They're crunchy and bright and really wake up the taste buds. Drink pour: Love the large wine glasses and the wine pour was above "standard". The wines are European so don't expect oaky buttery Chardonnay here. Our server got me a Beaujolais which was perfect. My wife on the other hand was a little picky with the whites, and our server was more than gracious to bring other samples over for a mini tasting. Food quality: Extraordinary! Strong culinary talents and passion abounds in this kitchen. Service: The service was fantastic very relaxed, very accommodating. As I mentioned above, The efforts our server gave in getting my wife into the right white wine was much appreciated. Value: In general whenever you're eating Tapas it always seems to be more economical. You get a wide variety of foods and flavors and when the bill comes you're always pleasantly surprised. We ate plenty, several drinks and split a dessert and I expected the bill to be higher, and again we were pleasantly surprised with the value. Bathrooms: Clean and adequate, could use a new paint job in the men's bathroom. These are single-serve units which is fine for a place the size. Would I return? ABSOLUTELY! Comments & Tips: Again, for this stretch of road in Brookline you need to allow time for parking. Don't plan on showing up right at your reservation time.
(4)
Patrick K.
I can't believe I was eating at the same restaurant as all these people. I started my meal with the watercress and my friend had the Easter Egg potatoes. HOLY SALT LICK, BATMAN! I couldn't take more than one bite of my dish. My friend had a similar problem, though mine was much worse. We wanted to give them an opportunity to make it right, so we stopped eating and waited for the waiter to come back to check how our food was. And we kept waiting. And after 10 minutes we were still waiting. There wasn't enough food on either of these plates to keep someone going for ten minutes. So now our over-salted food is cold, and we're sure our entrees are already being fired. Not interested in having to sample more salty food, we got up and went to see the hostess to explain why we were leaving. I sure hope this was a fluke.
(1)
Meredith D.
Three of us came here on a Friday night. We did not have reservations but at about 645pm they had plenty of open tables. I was surprised that it was not more busy. We were seated immediately. We started with an order of the Potato latkes. They were quite good. We then ordered the cauliflower and Brussels, kale salad, chicken, and salmon. I enjoyed all of the dishes. The Brussels and cauliflower had a different flavor than the typical Brussel sprouts I've been eating out recently which was a nice surprise. The kale salad was also quite good. I enjoyed the chicken and salmon and the sides were decent but I would have preferred something other than barley and farro. I thought the atmosphere was lacking a bit. Towards the end it started to fill up a little more but did not have as much going on as other places on a Friday night.
(4)
Sylvia C.
Love love the outdoor seating ambiance surrounded by light strands. The vintage mix matched plates, serving utensils and martini glasses made it even hipper. We ordered a bunch of small plates to share: Highlights: roasted beets - chick peas - feta - mache - sesame tuile - tahini vinaigrette potato gnocchi - pea - fava - fiddlehead - maitake seared sea scallop* - charred leek - butternut - cashew Lowlights: duck fat fried potato cake - yogurt - paprika crab cakes on romaine lettuce escargots - confit lemon - parsley - tarragon - brioche Service was on point. Server was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Francis W.
We got the opportunity to sit outside which was wonderful. Its a very busy restaurant and i believe due to weather had a lot more walk ins than expected. The food was tasty and farm to table, but our waitress was extremely busy and kitchen was backed up. This made what could have been a top notch experience a little blah. The food is farm to table and exciting, but was sometimes overly complicated without adding any extra flavors or textures. The palate at times was overwhelmed by the mish mosh of flavors and ingredients it was required to intake at one time. All food was very fresh and severed well, but at this price point i would like to see everything come together.
(3)
Sonia N.
My friend and I went here this past Friday to enjoy an al fresco dining experience. Overall, this should be 3.5 stars and -0.5 points is mostly for the food that "missed". The ambiance and service were both top notch. We opted to share a bunch of dishes off their small plate options: Hits: Beet salad - Now I'm partial to beets but something about the combo of the crunchy sesame seeds gave it the extra kick with the unique texture. My friend who dislikes beets ate a little bit of it and also agreed it was very tasty. Scallops - Try the sea scallops. Definitely a hit for us. Pan seared to perfection and melts in your mouth. Potato gnocchi - I had been in the mood for gnocchi for some time and was pleased that they offered it on their menu. It was tasty and fresh but I caution anyone ordering this that the gnocchi itself was much softer than it is normally. Missed: Duck fat fried potato cake - This dish reminded me of a lukewarm potato latke and tasted somewhat bland topped off with more bland yogurt on top. Thumbs down. Escargots - This dish was passable but wasn't great. It also felt as if it was missing an ingredient to finish off the dish. It was also a tad too oily for my usual liking. All in all, it's a nice place to dine but it would've been even nicer if all the dishes lived up to expectations. Barcelona next door is a much better choice if you're in the mood for tapas.
(4)
Brian P.
I had a really nice time eating here. The service and quality is quite a bit above average for the neighborhood. They really put a lot of effort into the experience. Interesting decoration and silverware/plates. The food was very good and had a lot of interesting flavors. I had the artichoke heart appetizer which had a tasty mushroomy flavor. I also had the lamb ribs which were nicely seasoned and very tender. I have eaten at most of the establishments along Beacon street and I would recommend this place before any others.
(5)
David C.
I've oft lamented the lack of good (non-Asian) eateries in my neck of the woods, but restaurants like Fairsted Kitchen and Barcelona Wine Bar have seemingly brought new life to the Brookline dining scene. I am in love with Fairsted's menu, which is divided into snacks and sides, small and large plates, and table-sharing options. A normal, satisfying dining experience could easily consist of a few small plates split amongst a table or two large plates with a snack or small plate to share, but the night I went I was celebrating a tax return winfall and treated my mother and aunt to a veritable smorgasbord of dishes (nevermind that I am a student facing crushing debt and that all that money should probably have gone to paying off my loans). The menu changes often with seasonal ingredients, but given that everything I tried was exemplary, I think you are safe ordering pretty much whatever. Particular highlights for me were the rabbit spatzle appetizer (not enough rabbit on menus these days) and a chicken entree that reminded me just how delicious chicken can actually be. Service was friendly and thoughtful throughout. The dining room is positively tiny, so either show up early or make a reservation. Your taste buds will thank you (your wallet less so, although I think the prices are justified for the quality of the food and ample portion size).
(5)
Lily S.
An a ok place to grab some food but not a joint I would like to linger in for too long. I think price wise the food turned out by Fairsted kitchen is totally reasonable. I've tried a couple things-- the small salmon plate is delicious but a little lacking in salmon. You need at least 3 pieces to cover half a bagel but they only give you 5. That being said, the salmon is delicious and fatty and melt in your mouth good. The blackberry French toast is also delicious and probably even outshines the salmon (and I'm not big on sweets-- but today it definitely hit the spot). The decor is old fashioned and charming. I appreciate the vintage style plates that are all different. The seating could use some work. The patio chairs are downright uncomfortable, sporting a ledge in the back that prevents you from being able to lean back in the seat. The seating inside isn't that much better either. Personally, I prefer a soft cushion, but that's just me.
(3)
Stacey G.
I wanted to go to Barcelona wine bar with a friend a few months ago and the line was too long so we decided to try fairsted kitchen which is right next door. Although this was my second option I was not disappointed in the slightest. We sat at the bar and ordered the wilted green kale salad and the roasted beets. It was delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and do not rush you out. The bartender made me a white sangria which was not on their menu and it was great! I was very impressed with this restaurant! I will absolutely return! I also loved the decor.
(5)
Lauren F.
Pricey but delicious. I didn't like it the first time we went there, but the food gets better every time we go. The cocktails are super amazing and a nice little treat.
(4)
F L.
The food here is interesting and quite good. Portion sizes, however, are rather small for the price. The service is friendly, though not spectacular. Water was served at room temperature. Go with a group, as dishes are meant to be shared. I enjoyed it and would certainly return. However, I think there are better places at this price point, so will probably not be a regular here.
(4)
Kaveh Z.
Good food and Wine. The staff are very friendly and fast.
(4)
Caitlin M.
I went to Fairsted Kitchen with a group of 6 tonight. We had a reservation but the table was 20 minutes late (it's a pretty small place). We got drinks at the bar and waited, and when we were seated they brought over some complimentary deviled eggs, which was definitely the right thing to do. We had the punch (so-so), the cauliflower/brussels small plate (delish), veal sweetbreads (not my thing), gnocci (good), meatballs (really good), the three men shared the oxtail (very good), I had the chicken (amazing), one friend had the pork, and another the salmon. It was all around a great meal. I would definitely go back. Service was great, too.
(5)
Ayelet R.
We ended up here on something of a fluke, since the wait for Barcelona was too long and this place seemed interesting. I'm so glad we did though, because this was definitely one of the best and most pampering dining experiences I've had in a long time. First off: service was awesome. All of the servers we interacted with, as well as the hostess totally went out of their way to make us feel at home and entertained our many questions about the menu. The charming mismatched china also totally added to the homey decor. Their outdoor seating area is so nice, you hardly notice the cars or the C line going by, and was perfect on a beautiful summer evening like last night was. It felt like going to a friend's house, if that friend just happens to cook really, really well. They have a nice drinks list including a great selection of craft beers. I ended up opting for the No Limits Hefeweizen - I had never heard of it before but it ended up being a fantastic choice. I really like how the menu is so seasonal, and though it's not exactly cheap, prices were definitely reasonable for what we got, especially considering how fresh everything was. We split two appetizers off the "snack" portion of the menu - the wilted kale and the warm beets. The beets were topped with lightly cooked dates and halloumi. Delicately spiced, these made for a wonderful medley of flavors. The kale was equally special - topped with caramelized onions, warm apple slices and pecorino, this was way beyond your typical salad. I took the gnocchi as an entree - although it was listed as "small," I found it to be very filling. The texture was perfect - I'm so used to gnocchi being overfloured, and thereby becoming hard and gummy, but these were so soft and warm they practically melted in my mouth. The mushroom sauce went perfectly with everything on the plate without being too overpowering. What really brought this together was the selection and preparation of the super fresh veggies - peas, fava beans, fiddleheads (my first experience with these, and they were delicious!) and maitake mushrooms. I don't think I can even adequately describe just how good this was - second only to my mom's recipe. For dessert they were offering a blackberry pie and a chocolate pot de creme with a side of creme anglaise, and unable to decide between them, we ended up getting both. The latter was definitely the more interesting dish: not too sweet, a little tart, with a graham cracker base that perfectly complemented the fruit filling. Overall though I think the pot de creme was the clear winner just because of how good the chocolate was - when they say Belgian chocolate, they really mean it. Overall, this place is inventive without being pretentious, unique while still playing to the classics. Everything was prepared with care and so incredibly delicious.
(5)
Lisa K.
The most customer friendly person in the whole place was the busboy!!! The menu was so enticing and the food was good, but the service or lack of made the experience not great.. For such great reviews, my expectations were really high and unfortunately not met.. Best dishes were the mussels, kale, and spaetzle... The staff vibe was very hipstery, which the group I was with and myself are not even close, so maybe that's why? The decor and atmosphere was really cute, but the lifeless staff (female hostess, two male servers) kind of puts a damper on the whole experience. If it were just based on food and decor it would have been a 4 star, one star lost due to unsatisfactory service.
(3)
Greg P.
Could be great... but right now it's only uneven I had heard great things about Fairsted Kitchen from a colleague at work. I decided to give it a try this weekend. Located in Washington Square, it's about 8 months old and a welcome addition to the Brookline dining scene. Parking is plentiful on the street with meters. The ambiance is warm and inviting. One particular standout feature is the china that they use. It's beautiful and looks like vintage fine china. The waitstaff are very nice and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating to our 4 month old daughter. The dinner menu is compact but with reasonable variety. I ordered the seared sea scallops with cruched cashews. They were outstanding with sauces that complimented them perfectly. I tried the beets that my mother-in-law ordered and those were quite good. For dinner, I ordered the smoked duck breast with potato pancake and red cabbage. The smoke flavor was evident although there was not much flavor otherwise. That was actually ok. The duck breast was a bit dry for "medium". Reading other reviews, the dishes at Fairsted do appear to be "spotty" ranging from hits to misses, amazing to fair. They only had two dessert choices. None of them sounded particularly appetizing so we went down the street to Athans Bakery for coffee and pastries. If Fairsted really wants to compete in the Washington Sq dining seen and maybe get traffic from other parts of the city, they have to offer more than just two desserts. Very few places can get away with that limited of an offering. They only had a blackberry pie and a chocolate mousse based dessert. Two niche desserts that don't necessarily appeal to every palate. Overall, the wide range of reviews on Yelp are justified because the experience is inconsistent. Perhaps with time, Fairsted will hit its stride but right now it still just "tripping" here and there.
(3)
Joe S.
Really good experience! Like the authenticity of the place! Very interesting the fact that every plate and each silverware is unique and beautiful. Friendly people ! The drinks were good and tasty. I ordered the Salmon dish! It was a paradise of flavors and the fish was cooked perfectly ! It's worth trying!
(4)
Michelle G.
Definitely a niche restaurant/bar -- pretty hipster. The decoration looks like grandma's house & my sweet potatoes were nothing special. The hostess made some weird comments about seat availability even though there were very few patrons inside. When asking a staff member about one of their dishes they started with: "think of it as....". It's food -- it is what it is, not an approximation of something! That should've been the first hint that the food was not going to be what we expected. My companions liked their dishes more in terms of taste, but thought the presentation & style was still pretty weird. Example: the meat pie was not a meat pie, but more like 3 empanadas. Basically, I don't get this restaurant & don't plan on returning, and I'm an adventurous eater.
(3)
Laura B.
Beautiful experience, delicious food. Clearly, every detail of a guest's experience has been thought through at Fairsted Kitchen. Our waiter was well-spoken and knowledgeable about the menu. Fun, local beers on draft, and a yummy shout-out to the neighborhood, the No Sleep Til Brookline got the ball rolling. To start we had a zucchini salad that was a special, the latkes, and the lamb meatballs. All were excellent, but the salad was a standout - if a salad can be "comforting" this one was. For the main course we shared the wagyu steak, and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The finish was an incredible chocolate dessert, a mousse pudding relative.... so good. A perfect date-night, and we will be back!
(5)
Martha J.
I enjoyed this eclectic neighborhood restaurant. It offers a simple but basic menu! The small plates were not that inspiring! Wilted kale and hummus? I can make that a home! . I did enjoy the veal sweetbreads and the halibut was perfection. My son had the chicken and it was excellent! The chocolate dessert was served in a coffee cup! It may look trendy but it took away from the actual vision of the rich dark chocolate! I think a seasonal peach or raspberry dessert would have been a more inviting choice on a summer evening. Servers were great!
(4)
Brandon B.
I really like the vibe of Fairsted. It's got a strange "I just walked into my great grandmother's house in a dream" atmosphere, but I like it. I was just there on Saturday for brunch. I ordered the Criminal cocktail (Cynar, bitters, cream and Cola). Absolutely delicious. We ordered the Eggy Pie, Potato Cake with Salmon Lox and Creme Fraiche, and a side of bacon. Everything was excellent and our server was super attentive and knowledgable too. I come in here at night for drinks too. The bottled cocktails are brilliant and usually super tasty. The fall one with wine and coke was definitely memorable. I'll keep coming back. I really like this place.
(4)
Ann G.
I've been to Fairsted Kitchen twice now - once for brunch and once for dinner. Both times I was underwhelmed by the food. I love the idea of a limited menu, with a focus on just a few great dishes, but anyone with any kind of dietary restriction will find the menu VERY limited. Understandable, but difficult. At brunch, I took a look at the menu and nothing jumped out at me, so I had the french toast. Yummy, but small, and not really what I wanted in the end. My partner really enjoyed his egg dish but it was super tiny and he's a big eater so we ended up eating a "second breakfast" at home later. Most notably, my recent dinner involved so much salt in the food that I needed to gulp down water for the next few hours. My friend's tuna poke was so salty she had to send it back. The warm bean salad for me was also very salty but I stuck with it for the bacon. Even the baba ganoush was salty. Hard to stomach! In the end I like the atmosphere, I love the outdoor seating, and I want to support this place but with a limited menu and emphasis on salt I'm not sure I'll go back too soon.
(3)
Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)
Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Alexis F.
I'm reviewing more for the service than the food, but food is still included! I was disappointed at the slowness of the service and the nonchalant attitude of the staff. The hostess was sitting parties of the same size as ours (3 people, can't make reservations) even though were ahead of them on the waitlist for brunch... when I called her out on it she had zero excuses/reasons why this was happening. To say the least I was pretty pissed (what's the point of having a waitlist when you're not going to abide by it). Then it took about 45-50 minutes for us to get our food, which was ridiculous. Our waitress would only come over to refill our water, but never really checked in on us. The food wasn't anything special to be honest. I did like their house smoked salmon--very good, not too salty like some. After this experience, I'm not all that excited to return.
(3)
RJ P.
I wish every meal was as good as the one I had at Fairsted last night. It's in a great location in Washington Square with a small but open layout inside. The drinks were delicious. They have exclusively Jack's Abby on tap, which certainly isn't a bad thing for a beer lover. The food was fantastic. Highlights include the wilted kale, escargot, gnocchi, braised oxtail, everything really. Can't go wrong. Excited to go back again soon.
(5)
A R.
Write a review or not write a review - hmmm. Writing is respectful of the great job these guys are doing, but NOT writing might mean I can keep sliding in for dinner. Because the food is GREAT: whod'athunk I would get addicted to lamb ribs with vinegar dipping sauce- and the drinks are GREAT: no-sleep-til-Brookline the most perfectly balanced bourbon drink ever. This is a cozy, great acoustic space with an enthusiastic and helpful wait staff.
(5)
Jen S.
Nice outdoor seating and ambiance inside. I give this place 3 stars because I did not really enjoy my meal (I got the gnocchi and thought it tasted overly salty) and thought the mixed drinks were just OK. But the blueberry pie and service were great!
(3)
Sara B.
I heard from some friends that this place wasn't great when it first opened. Since then, they have made a change in the kitchen, and I will say that the Executive Chef and Sous Chef have greatly improved the menu. I brought my father here a few nights ago and he couldn't have been happier with the food. He is a pretty picky eater when it comes to heavy, oily food - he doesn't like it. His loving this food is a great indication that is it light and clean tasting. We started off with the Duck Fat Fried Potato Pancake. It sounds heavy, but it's actually very light and super tasty. Then we had Potato Gnocchi which was fantastic. The gnocchi dish wasn't too big or thick or cheesy, and the sauce was just enough to add wonderful flavor. The kitchen sent us a complementary greens dish which I believe was the Wilted Kale, but there was much more to the dish than kale, shallots, honeycrisp apple, and pecorino. For the next course (and I say "course" lightly, because these are small dishes - which makes it so much more fun to be able to taste many different menu items) we had the Sumac-Cured Salmon and the Seared Sea Scallop. Both were exquisite! Both the salmon and the scallops were seared just enough to get a nice browning with great flavor on the outside. The leek, butternut, and cashew sauce for the scallops was light and very flavorful, with the cashews giving it a nice crunch. Having the herb salad, artichoke, and buttermilk dressing with the salmon complemented the flavors of the salmon (which was not too fishy at all). After all of this, we had definitely had our fill, but I couldn't resist dessert. There isn't dessert on the menu, as I am sure they change it up quite a lot. Instead, the wonderful bartender, I believe his name is Alex, explained that there were two items available for dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Ganache. I am always a chocolate dessert eater, but I couldn't resist ordering the pie, since the last time I had it was 20 years ago when my dad last made it. I hated to admit it to my dad, but the pie was better than his! The crust was thin and cooked to perfection, while the balance of strawberries and rhubarb was kept the pie from tasting too sweet or tart. And of course, the ice cream with a mint leaf was the icing on the cake. All in all, my experience was fantastic. I think the dishes can seem pricey to some, but if you know and appreciate food, then you will understand why it may be a little more expensive than your average restaurant and bar. I highly recommend Fairsted Kitchen. As suggested from other reviewers, it helps to show up early or make sure you have a reservation. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Julie L.
Wow! Amazing food! The decor was adorable, service, impeccable. We will be back again!
(4)
Tara M.
Where to begin? My experience at Fairsted Kitchen last night was phenomenal. It was quite busy for a Monday night, but my friend and I were able to grab a seat at the bar. Danielle, the bartender, was super friendly and gave us great recommendations. I stuck to wine but my friend had the No Sleep Till Brookline which was great. We decided to order a few of the small plates to share. My favorites were the Wilted Kale and the Sumac-cured Salmon. The decor is so homey and the restaurant has a great overall feel. Definitely worth trecking out to Brookline! Fun Fact: They have house made cocktails on tap!
(5)
Cyndi R.
I had dinner at Fairsted Kitchen last week. We had hoped to get dinner at Ribelle, but the place was packed and there wasn't a good space to stand and have a drink while we waited. So we decided to check out Fairsted across the street. From the moment we walked in we were blown away. The decor is really interesting and the hotess was pleasant. We were quoted an hour wait and then told there was a stool at the bar if we wanted to grab a drink in the meantime. I had a teriffic glass of red, my husband an inventive vodka cocktail. The co-owner behind the bar intorduced himself and then introduced us to several other staff. We ordered two appetizers to eat while we waited. Lucky for us, though, we were sat within 25 minutes at a communal table in the center of the room! Our appetizers were delivered to the table and were impressive -- spatzle and a pigs head lettuce wrap. Delicious! In fact, my husband was still raving about the spatzle at our daughter's soccer game the next day. For dinner we ordered one of the meals intended to be shared -- chatueabriand. It was amazing!! The beef was presented to us on a platter along with a salad and then taken back to the kitchen to be sliced. When it re-emerged, the beef was accompanied by a kale and fennel salad and amazing, creamy mashed potatoes. Throughout dinner, Steve, one of the co-owners came by regularly to replenish our wine glasses (the wine list really is unique!). When our meal was over we were offered dessert and individual french press coffees. After some debate, we settled on one dessert and Steve brought us over both! Fairsted is a real treat for the neighborhood. These guys know what they're doing. I can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)
Michele S.
Gorgeous little room and a cozy, warm place to enjoy a little reunion with a good friend. Server was friendly, competent and knowledgeable. My entree of smoked duck breast was amazing, perfectly cooked and accompanied by red cabbage and a potato pancake, and just the right portion size. We shared a roasted cauliflower appetizer that was substantial and had great flavor, and then a "small plate" of cured salmon that was very small, unremarkable and actually quite bland and overly oily. So 2 out of 3 home runs on the food. Fun cocktails and very interesting wines by the glass. An excellent choice for an intimate meal in a neighborhood with a lot of competition for your dining dollar.
(4)
Sonia T.
A lovely patio, interesting food, and friendly service! For me, "interesting" is a good thing. The pigs head wraps were delicious, the scallops melt in your mouth, and I am definitely going to start roasting figs with sweet potatoes. We got the lamb top to share, and it was delightful. At the end of the day, the prices are reasonable if you're in the mood to relish a long, special meal.
(5)
Sara D.
Just had dinner here and loved it. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly and accomodating. Had a cocktail that was similar to a sazerac, but fizzy and lighter, very yummy. The skate and stuffed cabbage were wonderful. The spetzle was also very tasty. Four of us shared a bunch of different things. We left totally stuffed and happy. Will be back!
(4)
Matt D.
Went to Fairsted Kitchen last night for the first time. I was very excited to try it out out as the menu looked great--I was really ready to love this place. We had a few drinks at the bar before sitting down, the scene was good and the bar had a great, lively feeling to it. The drinks were also well-made and the bar program was inventive and thoughtful. However, when we sat down and started eating, things started going south. First we had the cod beignets, they were very undercooked and raw in the middle. Even if they had been cooked-through, they were exceptionally salty to the point that I think something must have gone wrong in the kitchen. Next up were the spaetzle and autumn vegetables. The spaetzle was the best part of the meal (probably a little over-salted, but nothing compared to the salt bomb beignets). The autumn vegetables were good, and the presentation was excellent, but they weren't otherwise memorable. Finally we had the smoked duck, which was pretty good, but the potato cake that came with it was, again, over-salted to the point that it was inedible. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the service was great, the bar was great and the menu sounded great, but the execution in the kitchen was severely lacking. It's a little odd to say this about a restaurant, but everything but the food was good. I'm hoping that this is just part of working the kinks out of a newly-opened restaurant, and I'll likely be back to give them another shot, but I think I'll probably hold off on a return for a while. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to update this review with a few more stars in the future, but right now, execution in the kitchen is holding it back.
(2)
Sam S.
Awful place. The food was way way too over priced. You barely get any food with the meal. The service was good though. But honestly I don't think 4 or 5 really small appetizers are worth $70. Don't go there! By the way, litterly everything had something that had to do with duck, I'm not going to lie but it was very very weird.
(1)
Margie G.
I'm another person who really wanted to like this restaurant. We had an excellent charming waitress who was extremely helpful. All i can say is the food is tasteless or salty. Those are your choices. Cauliflower was al dente and nicely caramelized but even with raisins and caper fell short on flavor. Cod beignets were pretty good but the marinara needed a jolt if acid to keep the grease from the frying at bay. Gnocchi and duck confit was just salty...no discernible flavor. Cured sumac salmon with crunchy potato stick had potential but had no taste if sumac whatsoever. Don't think I'll return.
(2)
Geoff P.
Always awesome. Pig Head lettuce wrap turns a bad day into a good one. Incredible staff. Incredible craftsmanship.
(5)
E. H.
Awesome place!!!!! Owners are so attentive and want you to have a perfect experience. They let me try 4 wines before I picked one. They made special dishes for my friend with lots of allergies and then pointed out the allergens in everyone else's dish just in case. The food was amazing. The "bites" are actually pretty big. We had the beets scallops chicken and the cheese special and everything was amazing. Just awesome.
(5)
nancy k.
The good news: the waitress was fabulous. The bad news: the food -- not so good. Ordered the Cured Salmon, not realizing it was not cooked. looked very attractive, but I don't eat raw fish, and I had to send it back. Ordered cabbage stuffed with ground veal. While waiting, started to eat the wilted kale. The flavor was nice, but not enough to compensate for the fact that the kale was not young, therefore tough, and not cut up fine. It was so tough I could not cut it with knife and fork, and chewing it was a chore. I couldn't eat much of it and let the staff know why. Now the stuffed cabbage -- my only hope. It was good enough, but the veal was chewy -- and veal is noted for its tenderness. Especially odd, because it was ground. The bill came and I was surprised to see the charge for the kale. The owner explained (repeatedly) that it was properly prepared and also that they had been nice enough to take back the salmon, and therefore he would not take the kale off the bill. Oh -- also, the restaurant was chilly, at least where we were sitting. There was a curtain to provide insulation from the cold coming in the door, but people pushed it aside when they came in and did not pull it back. After getting up about 15 times, my friend and I asked the staff if they could please manage the curtain, and they did pretty well. It was 50 degrees out, so I would not want to be there on a normal winter night. Need I say that I will never, never, EVER go to this place again.
(1)
Nick W.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Greater Boston. White beans with squid ink - a brand new look at a seemingly familiar dish. Stuffed cabbage w/ veal, ham croquettes with harissa aoili - great to pair with a No Sleep til Brookline cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, be sure to grab the Vin d'Orange apertif cocktail made by Alex Homans. Whether you see Patrick or Will behind the bar, you will be on good hands in this gorgeous, cozy space.
(5)
Francis B.
My wife, son and I visited the Fairsted on Monday and had a fantastic dinner. The waitress suggested that the best way to enjoy the restaurant was to order and try many things instead of the traditional app, dinner and dessert. We split several "snacks and sides" had a few "smalls" and shared a "large". Our favorites were the pig head lettuce wraps (outstanding - but why do you call it that?), duck fat potato cake and the stuffed cabbage. The Chateaubriand was amazing!!! I really loved the wine list - very eclectic and great prices. Great service too! Sure to return!
(5)
Pamela T.
Really great service in a nice looking room. A very interesting menu and great cocktail list. However, the food really needs some work. The nights special, butternut squash soup, was really bland. It tasted like pureed butternut squash, just plain butternut squash with some undercooked mushrooms floating around on top. The wilted kale was just that, bland, wilted kale in a big bowl. My chicken was cooked beautifully but the zatar rub was totally overpowering. The plate of grains needed some flavor and the smoked duck was odd. I like everything about Fairsted Kitchen except the food. I will try it again after the holidays and hope that the food is better. It is also quite expensive.
(2)
matthew s.
Three of us ate there last night. Called from home and walked over. Table was waiting. Both owners work the front of the room, and the service was top notch and unobtrusive. The food was excellent. We had the oxtail shared three ways and it was sublime. The apps were all very executed, and the cocktails very precise. The link to Olmsted is clever, and I hope they can make more of that. I hope this thrives for years.
(5)
c d.
The food was good, the drinks were great. The waitress was unpleasant which unfortunately affected my experience. Also, they have this eclectic vibe, with mismatched silverware and glasses, etc. It is a nice asthetic but all 4 ppl at our table ordered the same drink and 1 person got a tiny glass while the others get large ones. The server claimed they were all the same pour, but they clearly weren't. It looks pretty, but is annoying when you get the small glass. When they work out the early kinks and improve the waitstaff, it is going to be a great restaurant and I look forward to re-rating it.
(3)
P J.
Service/decor/general vibe: excellent/cozy/inviting Drink: didn't have any cocktails Food: better than I was expecting. Scale of 1-5 (5 being the best): - sea urchin small plate: 4, sea urchin was only flavorful part of this dish, celeriac needs salt (or at least boil in salted water). - kale small plate: 3, slightly underseasoned - spaetzle small plate: 3 (too greasy and lacking flavor) - lamb ribs small plate: 4 (pretty good! esp with the dipping sauce) - duck/latke large plate: 5 (clearly just on point) - choco mousse with cardamom cream dessert: 3-4 (mousse needed more choco flavor to contend with the cardamom) overall: 4/5 price: I think the small plates (esp the vegetarian ones) are a bit overpriced for the quality. The duck large plate was well worth the price.
(4)
Karina M.
Ummm..very little evidence of a four star experience I'm afraid, maybe the B team was cooking tonight. One of the reviews lower down nailed it by describing a disappointingly monotonic experience. Also ordered the lettuce wrap - extremely one-note - a sweet, tart counterpoint to the overly oily and savory taste would have taken it up a notch. The wilted kale covered with cheese was, well wilted and cheesy, nothing to say here - there was no real marriage of flavors. Spaetzle with rabbit was particularly dry and flavorless - a braised onion note might have helped here to relieve the blandness. The smoked duck, potato pancake and red cabbage were mixed. The potato had a reasonable texture but was completely missing any salt. When salt was added it was much better. The duck was OK but rather dry. The red cabbage was OK too but no zinging taste notes, could have done better at home. By this time we were quite depressed (the sparkling rose wine helped to elevate the mood a bit). We sprung for dessert and the pot au creme was the highlight of the meal. Delicious!! Also the service was a bit intense. Felt like we were being rolled up and shoveled outside. So all in all, probably won't be back I'm afraid. Happy about small portions. Don't object to paying for small portions. But need to see a more effective execution. Simply meh.
(2)
Lara G.
We absolutely LOVED Fairsted Kitchen. The wait was a bit long, but it was a Friday night so that is to be expected! The next time we go, we'll definitely make a reservation. When we walked in and went to the bar, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender, Patrick. I can't stand when you want to order a drink and you're standing behind the people who have a seat, and the bartender just ignores you. But Patrick actually walked around the bar and walked up to us to take our order. As soon as a couple stood up from the bar, he made sure that we got the seats. Also, the cocktails were amazing!!! Their bottled cocktail that night was some sort of apple cider carbonated amazingness. Once we got a table, we ordered a few small plates - the pig's head lettuce wrap, wilted kale, roasted cauliflower, duckfat fried potato cake, stuffed cabbage, and white beans (with squid ink). They were all SO delicious! We then ordered the chateaubriand (4 of us left feeling pretty full after all this yummy food) and it was so so good. It was cooked perfectly, and the mashed potatoes that came with it were the best. We will definitely be back soon, and are so happy to have Fairsted in our neighborhood!!
(5)
Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)
Karen H.
Been to Fairsted 3 times so far. The food was FABULOUS! It's curious that one reviewer felt the food was very salty. We didn't sense that at all. The cod beignets were perfect! The carrot salad was so good, we ordered a second one. We've had the duck, chicken and squid--all delightful. The pumpkin custard was way better than we thought it would be. The chocolate mousse was over-the-top. The waite staff and owners are very solicitous. For a Tuesday night it was busy and a bit noisy, but frankly, we're glad, because it hopefully means the place will be there for a long time.
(5)
Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
Excellent experience. Atmosphere is very good. The cocktail menu is excellent. Food was delicious. We had the pork chop which was delicious and juicy. The lamb riblets were very good and had a lot of flavor. The food has a novel twist to familiar dishes. You must try the lobster beignets. The wait staff far exceeds the Boston standard. The food is expensive however the price is reflected in the quality. I would highly recommended this place.
(5)
An L.
Nice ambiance. Stuffed French toast was good. Service a bit slow here. Omelett was very good.
(3)
John L.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)
Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)
Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)
Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)
M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)
Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)
Leesha Z.
Fairsted is awesome. We discovered it on one of our trips to grab Stacked Donuts, which is Stephanie Cmar's pop up donut shop. The place is really cute inside, really romatic. They have delicious cocktails and friendly service. It's even better with the warmed weather seeing as how they have plenty of seating outside. Last time we were there we just got drinks and our waiter ended up bringing us complimentary hummus and chips. Always a plus! Come check it out although parking might be a bitch.
(4)
Jill F.
I have so much love for Fairsted Kitchen (Supper, Libations, Late Night). After flying solo and hitting up the bar one night during their first week, I finally had a proper dinner there last night--it was so delicious and cozy, with an overly kind, genuine staff (and an insanely surprising dessert!). The space itself is approachable, and thoughtful--a wonderfully homey environment. Like a baby Bondir in my opinon. Every single ingredient is of the highest quality, every detail is thoughtful, and every dish was executed with perfection. We tried: -Sumac-Cured Salmon (one of my favorites, cured for days in Sumac, draped atop perfectly cubed potatoes, with mild pink peppercorns) -The Steak Special, I cannot even remember what the description was, but it was incredible. -Rabbit Spaetzle, enjoyed thoroughly. -Cauliflower... definitely a favorite. Roasted and still al-dente, the capers and golden, plump raisins are a wonderful addition. -Duck Fat Potato Cake with Yogurt. Need I say anymore? We loved this. -Pumpkin Custard with Peppermint Cream and Gingerbread Biscotti. AMAZING. Steve told us the chef's brother is helping out and making desserts--what an amazing surprise! Cocktails, Beers, Wines by the glass and bottle... LATE NIGHT FOOD?! Living so close could be dangerous. Or incredible. Bravo!
(5)
Nat G.
The fresh-tasting, house-cured salmon (not really, by tradition, "lox" as written) was nicely balanced between smokiness and saltiness, was properly moist, and was accompanied by mild pickled onions (as desired), capers, herbed cream cheese and superfirm bagel chips. We would have preferred a straight bread option on the menu for this dish and in fact were gratefully presented with French bread upon request for an alternative. The side of "krazy tots" w/caramelized onions, bacon and chicken jus could not have been improved upon. Another side of cheesy, creamy polenta w/ chives was also delicious. Georgian and Loire (rosee) sparklers topped off a very satisfying brunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Sorry, no serious complaints!
(5)
John C.
As my Yelp years have passed, I have written fewer and fewer reviews. Doesn't mean I have stopped using Yelp (because I haven't), but it takes something unique to inspire me to write a review. Fairsted Kitchen meets that criteria. Where to start? For my Chicago friends, think of an excellent restaurant with bartending that reminds me of the Violet Hour. Yes, I said that. Classic bar and extremely well appointed, only the best top shelf liquor. As I said to the first class bartender who was an 'old school' professional at age 25?, this is not a "pretend bar". This is the real deal with creatively thought out cocktails, made with attention to detail, and carefully mixed. I have never seen a bartender shave slivers of fresh lemon rind with such passion and precision. Sounds goofy, but you could tell he really cared about his craft. The food? Love the small plates and approach to trying many tastes. I genuinely would have been happy to try 90% of the menu. Like most people whose reviews I read, my GF and I loved both the kale and the lamb ribs. The ribs were succulent and tasty, and the vinaigrette with which they were served was subtle and really enhanced the flavor of the cumin. To me, the best dish was the scallops. Have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in the last 35-40 years and I have never had better. Perfectly cooked...delicate, light, juicy and oozing with flavor. The two things I liked best about Fairsted, however, were the ambience and the service. Everything is served on old, mismatched china and silverware - no two pieces seemed to match. High ceilings, country style tables, fans and cool light fixtures. And the staff is uber friendly and really, really care about what they are doing. So if your are thinking about whether to go here for dinner, I'd highly recommend the place. See you there.
(5)
Aamir F.
Walked in unbeknown to anything about this place...certainly a place serious about its dishes. Order 3 appetizers, the lamb rib was good but not superb. good charredness from the grill, juicy and how any lamb rib should be. Next was the cabbage with veal. This was Fantastic. the best of the three apps. Flavourful and tender. The final appetizer maitake mushroom was just average and small for $13. Overall, ill go again, discover afew dishes and certainly find 2-3 that ill keep coming back for!
(3)
Kelly O.
Cute place, decent food, but on the expensive side. To begin with, the semi-secluded patio is adorable and romantic (I love the pew seats and string of lights overhead), and the interior of the restaurant also seemed very homey and cozy, complimented by the quaint mismatched china and silverware. Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive, and their cocktails are really interesting (my house bottled/carbonated cocktail was just neat). As for the food, I'm a fan of the small plates idea, and most of it was decently tasty to me (hint: the secret ingredient in most of the dishes seemed to be butter); but the boy was not impressed, nor was our wallet. Between two of us, we tried: -Lamb ribs: pretty yummy, with a great char on the outside and tender, flavorful meat inside, with a great complimentary fishy/vinegary dipping sauce on the side. The dipping sauce really made the dish, for me; the boy is not a fan of fish sauce and so opted out of it, but wasn't really impressed with the sauce-less ribs, so I think it's a pretty key component of this dish. -Wilted kale: I'm not a kale fan generally, but we decided to give it a try here because we wanted to get some greens in our system, and I'm glad we did. The kale was tender and not at all bitter, the pecorino/apples/shallots were tasty additions, and the whole thing smacked of butter (in a great way). Solid veg dish, one that's making me rethink kale. -Potato gnocchi: another butter-drenched dish, the gnocchi tasted heavily of potato (a good thing IMO), with spring-fresh accents of favas, fiddleheads, and maitakes. Good flavor, although a very small portion for the price (common at Fairsted IMO). -Duck-fat fried potato cake: it's hard to find a potato I don't like, and this one had good flavor, although I wished it had been a bit crispier (it was pretty soft). -Crab cake: a solid crab cake, but nothing unique or special. It had very little filler and tons of fresh, sweet crab, atop a nice romesco sauce. Didn't care for the grilled romaine on the side (do people actually like hot lettuce?). -Hummus: not terrible, but not especially unique or delicious either- I prefer my hummus to have much more flavor (more garlic, especially). Skip this. -Pig head lettuce wrap: this was all for the boy so I didn't get to try it, but it wasn't what he was expecting and he was really turned off by the addition of fish sauce (me, I love fish sauce, but to each his own). So most of what I tried was pretty solid/tasty, but it was in really small portions, and for $8 and $13 a pop, that shiz adds up. So, maybe just come here for a cocktail and a snack or two, and save a full-blown dinner for elsewhere?
(3)
Maureen K.
Delicious farm to table cuisine Loved the salmon and spinach infused barley, melt in your mouth brussel sprouts and cauliflower, top notch cocktails and chocolate mousse with almonds dessert Attentive staff and cozy atmosphere Enjoy!
(5)
Susan R.
so far, I've only had drinks at Fairsted... but I plan to change that soon, since the drinks have all been extremely good. creative, well made, measured. don't expect your drink in 15 seconds.. because they are crafting that mofo... featured cocktails and wine on tap? yes, please. if there are just two of you- get there very early and sit at the bar...
(4)
Tom G.
I hate to do this but the food is really just lacking. I've tried a lot of the menu across three trips, mostly through friends wanting to try the new place in our neighborhood, and there are issues in the kitchen. Lowlights: -Gnocchi were grainy and lumpy and, blind tasting, I'd call them dumplings...bad ones at that. -Tuna carpaccio was warm and had blistered grains or something on top. -Potato pancake was not crispy, at all. -Lamb ribs were, again, unevenly cooked (some good, some dry as hell). All were underseasoned - except lamb ribs. High(medium?)lights: -Chicken was again nice. Crispy skin, moist inside. -Hummus was passable but a bit boring. -Cod beignets were flavorful but should never be on a spring/summer menu (too heavy!) The drinks remain the best thing about Fairsted. The bar program remains excellent, with the rotating on-tap cocktail and the bottled cocktails. The wine list remains interesting and has value all over. Not very busy, again, on the weekend. The 4-star average reviews are doing this place a disservice, if management takes that as a sign of "all is good!," as the food is closer to 2-stars and people simply aren't filling the seats.
(3)
Libby M.
Excellent atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly bartenders full of great info about their drinks!!
(5)
Gary C.
A+ on food flavoring. Special of the day veal chops were perfect. Polenta overly salted. Special was way overpriced. Best approach is to order a lot of "smalls" Service was excellent but hovering management will fill your water glass every 5 min even though there is water bottle on table. Decor plain, no decoration, no ambiance. Would have stayed for dessert and coffee but couldn't handle hard chairs and benches any longer.
(4)
amy y.
Outstanding food. Very creative to please even the most skeptical water. Graciously accommodated a person with a lethal seafood and fish allergy. Great meal.
(5)
Yelena Y.
Neighbourhood gem. I had the cumin lamb chops, and they were juicy and tasty. I had the duck for the entree,and it too was amazing. The kale starter was healthy yet yummy. I followed my entree with a slice of pie and it tasted like farmers market pie from back home. I had no trouble finishing it in under 5 minutes. The outdoor seating had a romantic feel. The night was perfect :)
(5)
Stan P.
We live in the neighborhood, so we hit all of the restaurants regularly. They have redone the place nicely, and have a bar scene, something needed to survive around here. The food is good, but if I had to choose a word I would call it "precious," with an emphasis on SMALL in the small plates theme. $13 for less than a whole beet? There are other options within a stone's throw that have food as good, at reasonable prices.
(2)
Das E.
Exquisite in almost every way. The cuisine should be categorized not as new American but as modern provencial French. Excellent menu, excellent wine list, and a decent range of scotches. I wouldn't recommend the rabbit spatzel but would recommend everything else. Can't wait to return. The one draw back concerns the waitstaff. These hipsterish band t-shirt clad know-nothings ought really to be replaced by a respectable staff properly trained in the art of service.
(5)
Ildiko K.
I want this to be a great place. I really do. And even though I had a somewhat mediocre culinary experience, I sense that Fairstead is still establishing itself, is on its way up into the Boston food scene, and perhaps can only get better. I love the location, the size, the decor, lighting, the Olmsted connection, and even the mismatched cutlery. Here's the scene: My partner and I came early on a Friday evening, hoping to get a table for two (without a reservation). It was surprisingly quiet; the entire time we sat, there were only three other parties in-house, a handful of folks at the bar. Polite, unobtrusive, but slightly awkward service. I really dig the laid-back quirkiness of the wardrobe & aprons. I also don't mind the collaborative approach to service- when the food is ready, whoever is available will run it out. If a plate is sitting empty on a table, whoever happens to see it will clear it. It's ok by me to interact with staff who aren't specifically your server- adds to the laid-back / tight-knit vibes of the place. For dinner we had the cauliflower, the carrot salad, the cured salmon, the herb spätzle, and the raw fluke. For dessert- a perfect French press of Barrington coffee and the bread pudding. Cauliflower- PERFECTLY cooked, tender, and roasty but the touch of anchovy seemed like an afterthought and didn't add anything to the dish. Carrot salad- something I would have made at home. But I wouldn't have put so much lemon juice in it. It was really overwhelmingly tart and over the line between "fresh" and "abrasively sour." Herb spätzle- nice rich meaty component, heavenly soft, chewy texture. A bit too much cheese and very, very salty. Some rabbit gristle hanging out in there as well. Salmon- Beautiful, supple slices of house-cured salmon. I wanted to love it. The texture was great, beautiful color and subtle salmon flavor, but nothing else: no sumac, no other curing agents, not even a hint of spice or salt. Came with undercooked cubes of grainy, plain potato, which made me a little sad. The fluke- slightly tough and dry, beautiful on the plate, but too-big sections of lime and too-big slices of very hot pepper made it impossible to create a bite that was a medley of complimentary flavors. Bread pudding- great flavors, delicious, tart fruit, soft bread with a bite to it, caramelly exterior. Should have been much warmer and even a little crisp on the outside. Came out room-temperature and got cold fast. Yes! It's expensive! But for their seriousness, their ambience, and the creative & high-quality direction this restaurant is (hopefully) going in, it's worth it. If people want heaping portions at a lower price they'll have to look somewhere else. Really well-stocked bar and great cocktail/wine list. I'll definitely be back for at least a drink. Got to meet and chat with Steve who made a great impression. Go and check it out- but don't expect perfection, at least not yet.
(4)
Grasz H.
We had wilted greens with nectarine and mangchego cheese, lamb that was crusted in cumin and a dipping sauce that was delicious, as well as beets and 2 desserts, the blueberry pie and chocolate. Everything was terrific and the service outstanding. I can't wait to go back and try the big plates. Everything on the menu looked great. The beautiful china dishes were a plus. Wonderful ambiance.
(5)
Irina R.
I'd give this place 4.5 stars. We went on whim as someone had mentioned it in passing. Loved the gnocchi and escargots! Wished there was more of the scallops to split as they were delicious, while the lamb ribs were good but a bit too crunchy. Great for a summer night.
(4)
George S.
Yes, this place can be a bit on the expensive side (the scallop ceviche my wife and I had was like 6 SLICES of scallop and I believe cost $13), but it it was VERY tasty. With the above said about price, not all the dishes were crazy expensive. We had a wilted kale dish that was quite delicious and made me realize I need to use pecorino cheese with my kale at home. Cost was, I think, $8 The braised oxtail (with vegetables and a salad) we had cost $51 and it was delicious and was more than enough for the two of us. If we hadn't have wanted to try some of the other plates including a bean dish with squid ink, we could have probably just survived quite tastily with the oxtail and maybe the kale or beans. The wine selections by the bottle were nice and the bartender really knew the wines he recommended to us to go with the oxtail. I also had a cocktail that was a hell of a good concoction with gin. The space is nice and cozy, and I second the other recommendations to sit at the bar if you can. I see no need to sit at a table if you are a group of two. I think overall this restaurant knows what it is doing.
(4)
Paula S.
Delicious food. Awesome service. Very nice atmosphere. What more can one ask for?!?! My favorite was the hummus plate and lobster croquette...enjoyed with a glass of Pinot Noir and I was a happy gal!
(5)
Eric F.
I love this place. Very intimate vibe, excellent drinks, and great food. Unfortunately it is a little overpriced and the portions are incredibly small, however, if you want good food and a good experience than this is the place to go. I recommend this place. If you are on a stricter budget there's a great place next door with better prices and great food.
(4)
CW A.
Natural, yummy, fresh and reasonably healthy food. Very nice and attentive staff (we had many servers all asking how we were doing) Nice, calm, quiet atmosphere with outdoor seating And a creative drink menu. Ok, so you pay for quality, and not every dish will hit it ever time, but its worth it to have this gem of a restaurant around.
(5)
Trevor S.
As lame suburbanites scared by the long wait at Barcelona next door, we stumbled into Fairsted Kitchen next door. Naturally, the wait was just as long. But we ordered a bottle of wine and hung out at the bar. I'm glad we did. Inventive, amazing cooking served by people who are actually into what they're doing. This is a hot spot on the rise. The use things like kale and understand that being inventive is about mixing interesting things that work. Too many places just lard things up with enough salt and fat to make Ronald McDonald jealous and call it a dish. Not here. Maitake mushrooms? Kale? Everything was amazing. Chicken? Fluke? We were fighting over the last bites. Great new place!
(4)
Penelope K.
One of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. I ordered the bagel with lox and cream cheese. Simple and easy, right? The bagel was like cardboard - pretty sure it was frozen. Repulsive. They couldn't even bother to toast it - it came out starch white. The lox was dripping in oil, which is offensive. This is actually the first time I've not been able to eat a bagel with lox. I make it better at home with store bought ingredients. Pathetic knowing that zero preparation goes into this dish and they still couldn't execute. My friend got the eggs in tomato sauce. What a disappointment. Sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. Inedible and the eggs were undercooked - no, not soft, just NOT COOKED. Terrible choice for 10 am. Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day to make....what an embarrassment. I am a foodie from NYC and there are some great restaurants in Boston, but this gives them a bad name with all the great press they've gotten. Someone was obviously paid under the table. This restaurant is a joke. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)
Jimmie J.
Dined here repeatedly since I moved into the area. Consistently blown away by the food, staff, drinks, creativity, friendliness and experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Henry N.
Ok so I lied. I DID go back. Full disclosure: one of the owners contacted me with apologies and a stated desire for me to return. I am SO glad I did. Superb food. Great experience. When you taste a dish and the dish yields fabulous and unending surprises to the palate, you know you have experienced true culinary genius. Sound hyperbolic? Come, take, eat. You judge.
(5)
Olivia W.
I love this place. Small, homey, and most importantly, the food is delicious. The menu changes every time we go there( 3 visits so far), and just about everything we have ordered turned out to be great. The interior design and the dishes they use are vintage style. Going there makes us feel like going to a friend's house for dinner who is a really amazing cook. I would recommend make the reservation in advance due to smallish.
(4)
AB H.
All the dishes were pretty good, none great. The croquettes lacked flavor, I didn't even taste the ham hock. The herb spatzle had a good texture and cheesy deliciousness. The skate was a bit chewy. We also had the pig head lettuce wraps and the wagyu zabuton, but I can't remember them. Maybe that says a lot. The drinks are good, too bad the guy helping us couldn't describe them effectively. I liked the UpSouth, but was told it was too sweet. It wasn't. The people who work there are friendly but too eager, not savvy. I'd say the same for the decorations - they are trying to hard and it just misses - items on shelves that are too small to hold them, for example. If this weren't in my neighborhood, I wouldn't go back, but it is, and it's new, so I'll be back to try more dishes.
(3)
nondini n.
I came here for brunch and it was amazing. First of all it wasn't crazy packed and the food is amazing. I had the dirty rice Mexican breakfast and it was truly one of the best things I've had. I'll definitely be back. It's a best kept secret- come for brunch you won't regret it.
(5)
Nick F.
Fairsted Kitchen has the potential to be a top eatery in Boston, but the execution isn't quite there yet. Perhaps other plates are much better than the just OK ones we got: the rabbit spattzle, fluke sashimi style, croquettes, lamb ribs, and beef tongue soup. The food is good, but not special. The service is fine, but not outstanding. I look forward to returning further on down the road and seeing if this place has improved to the type of establishment they are clearly striving for. Or at least going to try their house cured salmon which I hear is amazing. I recommend it if you are in the area, however, it is not on the list of must-go-to places in Boston at the moment.
(3)
Lucas P.
What can I say, this place is just awesome! Friendly staff, delicious food, and amazing cocktails are making this my go-to spot. Brunch and dinner menus are great, I have yet to try anything there that I didn't like. A look at the menu might dissuade some as there are only a handful of entrees, but a few of the smaller plates split between two people can easily make up a meal. A few of my favorites are the duck fat potato pancake, cumin dusted lamb ribs, croquettes, and the wilted kale. The owners Steve and Andrew are always around and making sure everything is to your liking, and the bartenders make a mean cocktail. I recommend the No Sleep till Brookline or the Antigua Plaza off the drink menu, but they also serve up one of the better Manhattan's I have had in the area. It isn't the cheapest place to go for a bite to eat, but I think you get what you pay for.
(5)
Mariam C.
Amazing! So lucky to have such great restaurants in my neighborhood. Great atmosphere, food was impeccable and the drinks were awesome!
(5)
Sarah S.
This place is the best. I've been here several times since it opened and it has yet to disappoint. The food is fantastic as well as the service! The atmosphere is so charming. Definitely a must. The lamb ribs are the most amazing thing I've ever had. They fall off the bone. The kale is fantastic as well as the gnocchi. I can't remember all the names of the plates but the steak for the large plate is delicious!!
(5)
Jacob S.
We had a birthday celebration at the Fairsted last weekend. We were very pleasantly surprised with the great quality of the food. Several dishes blew us away in terms of creative use of spices and flavor. First, the butter they provide for the bread was the best I have tasted in an American restaurant. Very like clotted cream you might get in England. This might be a small thing but reflects the depth of thought they went to in designing the restaurant's food and menu. The monkfish wins a big shout out as it had a great flavor, spiced with the unusual ras al hanout. The cod beignets were light and tasty. A potato/celeriac tart with uni was really interesting and again a good combination. We also had a few veggies including a salad that we couldn't stop eating (fancy that!) and a carrot based slaw type dish that added a bright contrast with the meat dishes. Based on the sommeliers rec, we also had a nice wine that fit well with the food. I am very eager to go back and try either the ox tail or chateaubriand! Or perhaps both!
(5)
J G.
First time here. Great addition to the community. Had brunch. Stuffed French Toast, truffle crepes, and black beans and rice with duck confit were all very good. Dinner menu looks similar. Cocktail list looked creative too.
(4)
Jami B.
Brunch here was a disappointment. Especially when breakfast food is the easiest meal to make. The bacon was flavorless and greasy without any crispiness. The potato cake with sunny egg wasn't a runny egg at all and there was no seasoning present nor available at the table. The Steak sandwich had day old bread which was a little too crusty and the steak a little too grey and not even a hint of pink left in it. The bloody mary came with only a pathetic celery stick (not even a stalk); and they had no clue what lager was or what beer chaser is in relation to a bloody. The coffee--!!!--it's not right to have over 2 inches of grounds steeping for over 20 minutes. Especially when the cream they serve curdles the minute you add it to your coffee sludge. A true disappointment. Also, crowd and waitstaff here is mainly unwashed, unmotivated, bearded hipster millennials. Be warned. Go find a food truck instead.
(1)
Brittany T.
I went here for brunch and sat on the beautiful patio. Our server was super nice and knowledgable! The service was great as was the food. I never made it inside but was told it's charming! I would absolutely go back!
(4)
Rajiv R.
Great place! Had a chance to chat with the owners, who were very friendly, attentive, and accommodating of our table's food allergies. High attention to detail in every dish. Definitely not a cheap eat, but if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere. Save this for a nice night out. Wish these guys the best of luck!
(5)
Ashley C.
Best dinner in Brookline by far. Welcomed by the owner as our waiter! We love Steve! Xoxo! Fantastic menu, clever wine list. The seafood (halibut) and rose's are not to be missed. Cannot rave enough about this place. If you have the pleasure of coming to this place, don't miss it! Props to Steve's mom for birthing him and therefore making this place happen!
(5)
Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)
Felix G.
Fairsted was an amazing experience. I mean it. The food was really delicious and I am a real gourmet. The chef knows what he/she's doing. I had a piece of beef that I still dream of once in a while, the pumpkin dessert, although it sounds like we've had enough of these in autumn, was ABSOLUTELY stunning. And the wine selection was great, a little pricy nonetheless. Friendly hipster atmosphere, sweet cutlery and plates on rough wood farm tables. Very cozy, friendly and helpful staff. Really wonderful place in Brookline. Gotta be a must in the Boston Food Scene soon.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Stacey G.
I wanted to go to Barcelona wine bar with a friend a few months ago and the line was too long so we decided to try fairsted kitchen which is right next door. Although this was my second option I was not disappointed in the slightest. We sat at the bar and ordered the wilted green kale salad and the roasted beets. It was delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and do not rush you out. The bartender made me a white sangria which was not on their menu and it was great! I was very impressed with this restaurant! I will absolutely return! I also loved the decor.
(5)Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
(5)Mia S.
Well, the food is very tasty and creative. Definitely a fresher take on farm-to-table. A lot of these restaurants are making all the same food, which makes for a boring dinner out! It's nice to try something new. We had the Spanish octopus, the heirloom tomato salad, the roasted carrots with goat cheese, and the steak. It was all fantastic. Tender octopus, great tomatoes with delicious dressing...all very good. That said, it took a long time for the food to arrive. Nearly three quarters of an hour, which seemed a lot for three small plates and one entrée. I didn't know bread was available upon request; wish it had been offered. Our waters were also never topped off. I was the only one who didn't get a beer/cocktail but was able to pilfer my friend's water after failing to grab our waitresses attention. Generally, the service was underwhelming. I don't like to be babied or anything, but a check up half-way through the meal would've been nice. In short, four stars for food and two stars for service.
(3)John L.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)Joshua M.
It's great to have a place like this in the neighborhood. The menu is small-ish, but the food is always excellent and interesting, the bartenders make awesome cocktails, and service is solid. Small plates can be a whole tapas-style meal or used as apps, entrees are appropriately sized, or the big shared plates are fun for more family-style dining. The lamb ribs are always a favorite, but over many visits I've never had a bad dish.
(5)Jason L.
"In the day while you were gushing about your process / We were busy making progress..." This is my favorite Centro-Matic moment, and I have to think that whoever had the idea for Fairsted kitchen looked out into the world and had the same thought. In a world of $11 "street food tacos" in Southie, too many southern food concepts by people who have never been to the south or even met a collard green in the wild, gastropub after interminable gastropub, and the abortion that is the new Bukowski in Cambridge, it is refreshing to go to a place that is fully in control of what it is. Fairsted is directly next to the always outrageously mobbed Barcelona tapas chain monstrosity, and when we went in May, we saw people sitting out in the cold with heaters on full blast, wrapped in red blankets, joylessly craming jamon into their maws. Not worth it, especially when Fairsted is literally next door waiting to warmly welcome you. The colors and details inside look like a Victorian living room. The tableware is especially nice, and there's real pleasure in eating off older china, with its intricate patterns and colors. Fairsted is a reminder that, in our not-so-distant past, eating well didn't necessarily mean eating minimally. Whereas dining out now usually involves one or two tone interiors with simple white round plates, medium wood tables and floors, and gentle, muted tones that pass as clean and modern, there was a time when eating well meant the hedonistic luxury of excess. Gold leaf, intricate patterns, and an excess of meticulous detail. The pleasure was in the piling up of excess and detail, not taking it away. Fairsted kitchen doesn't do this -- the place is still rather minimal -- but there are small pieces of the experience that recall a different era of dining. The fine vintage tableware is one of those pieces, a reminder that tickles the primordial part of the brain that enjoys luxury over minimalism. I see that Yelp has Fairsted categorized as "American (New)" and I guess that's right, but everything here seems to be inspired by flavors and spices from the middle east. Lebanese sweetish pickles, Fattoush, meat and spinach pies. All spectacular and worth eating. But honestly, go for the experience. There's nothing quite like this in Boston, with its idiosyncratic confidence in what it is: a Victorian dining room open late, serving middle eastern spiced food.
(5)O Y.
Excellent food quality and service, tried the appetizers menu... middle eastern twist was awesome. New chef is rocking!
(5)Kevin J.
Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars Came back after a long trip to Martha's Vineyard and was looking for a place for a late dinner. Fairsted thankfully hit the spot. It was right next to a hopping wine bar, but we happened to stumble in. They have some interesting dishes and they focus on small plates so you should order some to share for the table. The variety isn't huge on the menu but the quality of the dishes is really high and they're unique combinations. It's a mix between mediterranean, american and the locally-sourced ingredients type of feel. I think the portions are a little small for the size so you'll want to order more than just 3 small plates if you have three people. Cocktails and drinks are very plentiful. They have a good offering that you can definitely check out.
(4)M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)Tim W.
I've been to Fairstead Kitchen on multiple occasions, sampling whatever peaked my interest off their consistently changing menu (which in itself is something worth noting). However every time I go, they never cease to surprise and amaze me, and after last night's meal, I felt compelled to finally join Yelp and write my first review. After placing our drink order, a local beer for myself and a white wine for the lady, we began parusing the menu. Right off the bat, I notice about 8 items that I am eager to try. After some discussion we decide on the roasted local carrots with goat cheese, the baked oyster topped with hollandaise, and the baby artichoke salad. Let me just say that each of these had amazing qualities and would recommend, but the salad is the one that really floored me. The elements of this dish were combined perfectly, each one playing off the other: the tartness of the artichoke and vinegar, balanced with the savory sesame tahini and then finishing with the sweetness of the candied cashews and fresh citrus fruit. Truly creative and delicious. For our next plate we ordered the Spanish octopus. This was my favorite dish of the night. The octopus, slightly blackened, was tender and flavorful and worked perfectly along side the savory chorizo and spiced potatoes. If the taste wasn't something to highlight, the texture combination alone is something of note. I will be back to eat this for sure. We finished our meal with the coulotte steak. A seasoned cut of sirlion beef, cooked perfectly, and topped with a poached egg. This dish although rich was accompanied by wilted greens and a balsamic glaze, adding the perfect contrast to the steak, and bringing a balance to the plate as a whole. Like I said above, I've been to Fairstead Kitchen multiple times and have never left disappointed. Their creativity, boldness, and versatility will always keep me going back. I tip my hat to the chef and the team. Keep up the great work.
(5)Noa K.
This was my second time here and I was more impressed than the first time. If possible. Every dish was scrumptious. I wasn't even mad that they didn't have one of the items (because it was out of season!), and loved what we had instead. From the beet ravioli to the lamb Merguez everything was plated perfectly. Also the cocktail were amazing. And of course, a shout out to our server Luke, who was so friendly and attentive. Definitely worth it!
(5)Lily S.
An a ok place to grab some food but not a joint I would like to linger in for too long. I think price wise the food turned out by Fairsted kitchen is totally reasonable. I've tried a couple things-- the small salmon plate is delicious but a little lacking in salmon. You need at least 3 pieces to cover half a bagel but they only give you 5. That being said, the salmon is delicious and fatty and melt in your mouth good. The blackberry French toast is also delicious and probably even outshines the salmon (and I'm not big on sweets-- but today it definitely hit the spot). The decor is old fashioned and charming. I appreciate the vintage style plates that are all different. The seating could use some work. The patio chairs are downright uncomfortable, sporting a ledge in the back that prevents you from being able to lean back in the seat. The seating inside isn't that much better either. Personally, I prefer a soft cushion, but that's just me.
(3)Chad G.
Full review by "Chad's Eats"of Fairsted Kitchen Cuisine: Yelp says "American New" which is very broad. In my opinion it was mostly middle eastern influenced tapas Location: Brookline MA, on Beacon Street Parking: We lucked out and got a spot only 100 yards away on the first pass, but that was because we went early which I suggest you do. After 8 PM Street parking is free Monday through Saturday. Sundays and holidays are free. Parking along that stretch of Beacon Street might require a U-turn or two and a little walking so allow time for this. It's a cool neighborhood and there's a lot of lively places you can stop in before or after your reservation. Decor / Ambiance: Simple, rustic, relaxed, home-like. I love the vintage service-ware. The service-ware almost looked like family heirloom-ish. Simple place settings, not stuffy with multiple forks, spoons, knives or glasses. Greeting: During this time of year which is warm you're greeted at the front of the outside seating area. A woman greeted us with a smile and a hello, but we weren't sure if we were in the right spot to check in until she picked up an iPad from the bench to the right of her. Once she verified our reservation she had menus and wine list there as well to bring with us to our table. Maybe a small portable podium is in order? Menu mix: Extremely creative, well thought out flavors, textures and contrasts. For example the beautifully presented hummus came with a sprinkle of fried chickpeas on top which was a delightful touch crunching into those little bits. In my opinion the foods are rooted in middle eastern flavors with a splash of international. The menu starts with small snack plates and then a great variety of hot and cold tapas. There were 4 entrees listed which had all the bases covered (chicken, fish, lamb, beef and I think maybe a vegetarian item?) There were also 2 "Table offerings" which feeds 2 or 3 people. The menu online is not current. The menu has recently had some updates and new additions. Water / Bread service: Water tasted great, served rustic style in milk bottles. I always love this form of service. Bread is available on request but grilled flatbread comes with most of the tapas plates. There is no need to carb up here. I do love that they start you off with a small plate of assorted pickled vegetables. These were wonderful and I could have eaten a whole bowl myself. They're crunchy and bright and really wake up the taste buds. Drink pour: Love the large wine glasses and the wine pour was above "standard". The wines are European so don't expect oaky buttery Chardonnay here. Our server got me a Beaujolais which was perfect. My wife on the other hand was a little picky with the whites, and our server was more than gracious to bring other samples over for a mini tasting. Food quality: Extraordinary! Strong culinary talents and passion abounds in this kitchen. Service: The service was fantastic very relaxed, very accommodating. As I mentioned above, The efforts our server gave in getting my wife into the right white wine was much appreciated. Value: In general whenever you're eating Tapas it always seems to be more economical. You get a wide variety of foods and flavors and when the bill comes you're always pleasantly surprised. We ate plenty, several drinks and split a dessert and I expected the bill to be higher, and again we were pleasantly surprised with the value. Bathrooms: Clean and adequate, could use a new paint job in the men's bathroom. These are single-serve units which is fine for a place the size. Would I return? ABSOLUTELY! Comments & Tips: Again, for this stretch of road in Brookline you need to allow time for parking. Don't plan on showing up right at your reservation time.
(4)Patrick K.
I can't believe I was eating at the same restaurant as all these people. I started my meal with the watercress and my friend had the Easter Egg potatoes. HOLY SALT LICK, BATMAN! I couldn't take more than one bite of my dish. My friend had a similar problem, though mine was much worse. We wanted to give them an opportunity to make it right, so we stopped eating and waited for the waiter to come back to check how our food was. And we kept waiting. And after 10 minutes we were still waiting. There wasn't enough food on either of these plates to keep someone going for ten minutes. So now our over-salted food is cold, and we're sure our entrees are already being fired. Not interested in having to sample more salty food, we got up and went to see the hostess to explain why we were leaving. I sure hope this was a fluke.
(1)Meredith D.
Three of us came here on a Friday night. We did not have reservations but at about 645pm they had plenty of open tables. I was surprised that it was not more busy. We were seated immediately. We started with an order of the Potato latkes. They were quite good. We then ordered the cauliflower and Brussels, kale salad, chicken, and salmon. I enjoyed all of the dishes. The Brussels and cauliflower had a different flavor than the typical Brussel sprouts I've been eating out recently which was a nice surprise. The kale salad was also quite good. I enjoyed the chicken and salmon and the sides were decent but I would have preferred something other than barley and farro. I thought the atmosphere was lacking a bit. Towards the end it started to fill up a little more but did not have as much going on as other places on a Friday night.
(4)Sylvia C.
Love love the outdoor seating ambiance surrounded by light strands. The vintage mix matched plates, serving utensils and martini glasses made it even hipper. We ordered a bunch of small plates to share: Highlights: roasted beets - chick peas - feta - mache - sesame tuile - tahini vinaigrette potato gnocchi - pea - fava - fiddlehead - maitake seared sea scallop* - charred leek - butternut - cashew Lowlights: duck fat fried potato cake - yogurt - paprika crab cakes on romaine lettuce escargots - confit lemon - parsley - tarragon - brioche Service was on point. Server was friendly and attentive.
(4)Francis W.
We got the opportunity to sit outside which was wonderful. Its a very busy restaurant and i believe due to weather had a lot more walk ins than expected. The food was tasty and farm to table, but our waitress was extremely busy and kitchen was backed up. This made what could have been a top notch experience a little blah. The food is farm to table and exciting, but was sometimes overly complicated without adding any extra flavors or textures. The palate at times was overwhelmed by the mish mosh of flavors and ingredients it was required to intake at one time. All food was very fresh and severed well, but at this price point i would like to see everything come together.
(3)Sonia N.
My friend and I went here this past Friday to enjoy an al fresco dining experience. Overall, this should be 3.5 stars and -0.5 points is mostly for the food that "missed". The ambiance and service were both top notch. We opted to share a bunch of dishes off their small plate options: Hits: Beet salad - Now I'm partial to beets but something about the combo of the crunchy sesame seeds gave it the extra kick with the unique texture. My friend who dislikes beets ate a little bit of it and also agreed it was very tasty. Scallops - Try the sea scallops. Definitely a hit for us. Pan seared to perfection and melts in your mouth. Potato gnocchi - I had been in the mood for gnocchi for some time and was pleased that they offered it on their menu. It was tasty and fresh but I caution anyone ordering this that the gnocchi itself was much softer than it is normally. Missed: Duck fat fried potato cake - This dish reminded me of a lukewarm potato latke and tasted somewhat bland topped off with more bland yogurt on top. Thumbs down. Escargots - This dish was passable but wasn't great. It also felt as if it was missing an ingredient to finish off the dish. It was also a tad too oily for my usual liking. All in all, it's a nice place to dine but it would've been even nicer if all the dishes lived up to expectations. Barcelona next door is a much better choice if you're in the mood for tapas.
(4)Brian P.
I had a really nice time eating here. The service and quality is quite a bit above average for the neighborhood. They really put a lot of effort into the experience. Interesting decoration and silverware/plates. The food was very good and had a lot of interesting flavors. I had the artichoke heart appetizer which had a tasty mushroomy flavor. I also had the lamb ribs which were nicely seasoned and very tender. I have eaten at most of the establishments along Beacon street and I would recommend this place before any others.
(5)David C.
I've oft lamented the lack of good (non-Asian) eateries in my neck of the woods, but restaurants like Fairsted Kitchen and Barcelona Wine Bar have seemingly brought new life to the Brookline dining scene. I am in love with Fairsted's menu, which is divided into snacks and sides, small and large plates, and table-sharing options. A normal, satisfying dining experience could easily consist of a few small plates split amongst a table or two large plates with a snack or small plate to share, but the night I went I was celebrating a tax return winfall and treated my mother and aunt to a veritable smorgasbord of dishes (nevermind that I am a student facing crushing debt and that all that money should probably have gone to paying off my loans). The menu changes often with seasonal ingredients, but given that everything I tried was exemplary, I think you are safe ordering pretty much whatever. Particular highlights for me were the rabbit spatzle appetizer (not enough rabbit on menus these days) and a chicken entree that reminded me just how delicious chicken can actually be. Service was friendly and thoughtful throughout. The dining room is positively tiny, so either show up early or make a reservation. Your taste buds will thank you (your wallet less so, although I think the prices are justified for the quality of the food and ample portion size).
(5)Lauren F.
Pricey but delicious. I didn't like it the first time we went there, but the food gets better every time we go. The cocktails are super amazing and a nice little treat.
(4)F L.
The food here is interesting and quite good. Portion sizes, however, are rather small for the price. The service is friendly, though not spectacular. Water was served at room temperature. Go with a group, as dishes are meant to be shared. I enjoyed it and would certainly return. However, I think there are better places at this price point, so will probably not be a regular here.
(4)Kaveh Z.
Good food and Wine. The staff are very friendly and fast.
(4)Caitlin M.
I went to Fairsted Kitchen with a group of 6 tonight. We had a reservation but the table was 20 minutes late (it's a pretty small place). We got drinks at the bar and waited, and when we were seated they brought over some complimentary deviled eggs, which was definitely the right thing to do. We had the punch (so-so), the cauliflower/brussels small plate (delish), veal sweetbreads (not my thing), gnocci (good), meatballs (really good), the three men shared the oxtail (very good), I had the chicken (amazing), one friend had the pork, and another the salmon. It was all around a great meal. I would definitely go back. Service was great, too.
(5)Big S.
this is a nice place in the brookline area. it isn't as expensive as it seems and the food is high quality. tough competition next to barcelona, as that is one of the better tapas restaurants in the city. We had a variety of small plates. The easter egg potatos, beet dip with charred pita, meat pies, artichoke salad, black bass ceviche, and lentils. the potatos and beet dip were our favorite. the ceviche was different than what we are used to. overall nice place. nice staff. worth checking out.
(4)Jean L.
I wish that the food and service was better at this place. Its our new neighborhood hang and every time we are so disappointed by the 'gourmet' options. Will be back for the fun guys that are there but the too cool gals that 'run' the place need to take a look in the mirror and take a look at the menu! Things must improve!!! Starting with MC. Cha!
(1)Annie I.
Oh my god. This is one of the best meals I've had in a long time, one of my favorite in Boston. Started with the latkas, which were served with an amazing apple butter and cream sauce, and the mussels. I didn't care for the mussels b/c I like a lighter take, but my GF loved the creamier heartier spin. The gnocchi was excellent as well, and had this strange little tubular that was a cross between an artichoke and a turnip. It was delicious. For me, the two stars of the meal were the roasted chicken with farro and red wine jus and the dessert, a chocolate pot de creme. I was blown away. I don't think I've had a main course that special in a while. I went in expecting a good, solid, delicious meal, but I got something even more special.
(5)Ayelet R.
We ended up here on something of a fluke, since the wait for Barcelona was too long and this place seemed interesting. I'm so glad we did though, because this was definitely one of the best and most pampering dining experiences I've had in a long time. First off: service was awesome. All of the servers we interacted with, as well as the hostess totally went out of their way to make us feel at home and entertained our many questions about the menu. The charming mismatched china also totally added to the homey decor. Their outdoor seating area is so nice, you hardly notice the cars or the C line going by, and was perfect on a beautiful summer evening like last night was. It felt like going to a friend's house, if that friend just happens to cook really, really well. They have a nice drinks list including a great selection of craft beers. I ended up opting for the No Limits Hefeweizen - I had never heard of it before but it ended up being a fantastic choice. I really like how the menu is so seasonal, and though it's not exactly cheap, prices were definitely reasonable for what we got, especially considering how fresh everything was. We split two appetizers off the "snack" portion of the menu - the wilted kale and the warm beets. The beets were topped with lightly cooked dates and halloumi. Delicately spiced, these made for a wonderful medley of flavors. The kale was equally special - topped with caramelized onions, warm apple slices and pecorino, this was way beyond your typical salad. I took the gnocchi as an entree - although it was listed as "small," I found it to be very filling. The texture was perfect - I'm so used to gnocchi being overfloured, and thereby becoming hard and gummy, but these were so soft and warm they practically melted in my mouth. The mushroom sauce went perfectly with everything on the plate without being too overpowering. What really brought this together was the selection and preparation of the super fresh veggies - peas, fava beans, fiddleheads (my first experience with these, and they were delicious!) and maitake mushrooms. I don't think I can even adequately describe just how good this was - second only to my mom's recipe. For dessert they were offering a blackberry pie and a chocolate pot de creme with a side of creme anglaise, and unable to decide between them, we ended up getting both. The latter was definitely the more interesting dish: not too sweet, a little tart, with a graham cracker base that perfectly complemented the fruit filling. Overall though I think the pot de creme was the clear winner just because of how good the chocolate was - when they say Belgian chocolate, they really mean it. Overall, this place is inventive without being pretentious, unique while still playing to the classics. Everything was prepared with care and so incredibly delicious.
(5)Lisa K.
The most customer friendly person in the whole place was the busboy!!! The menu was so enticing and the food was good, but the service or lack of made the experience not great.. For such great reviews, my expectations were really high and unfortunately not met.. Best dishes were the mussels, kale, and spaetzle... The staff vibe was very hipstery, which the group I was with and myself are not even close, so maybe that's why? The decor and atmosphere was really cute, but the lifeless staff (female hostess, two male servers) kind of puts a damper on the whole experience. If it were just based on food and decor it would have been a 4 star, one star lost due to unsatisfactory service.
(3)Greg P.
Could be great... but right now it's only uneven I had heard great things about Fairsted Kitchen from a colleague at work. I decided to give it a try this weekend. Located in Washington Square, it's about 8 months old and a welcome addition to the Brookline dining scene. Parking is plentiful on the street with meters. The ambiance is warm and inviting. One particular standout feature is the china that they use. It's beautiful and looks like vintage fine china. The waitstaff are very nice and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating to our 4 month old daughter. The dinner menu is compact but with reasonable variety. I ordered the seared sea scallops with cruched cashews. They were outstanding with sauces that complimented them perfectly. I tried the beets that my mother-in-law ordered and those were quite good. For dinner, I ordered the smoked duck breast with potato pancake and red cabbage. The smoke flavor was evident although there was not much flavor otherwise. That was actually ok. The duck breast was a bit dry for "medium". Reading other reviews, the dishes at Fairsted do appear to be "spotty" ranging from hits to misses, amazing to fair. They only had two dessert choices. None of them sounded particularly appetizing so we went down the street to Athans Bakery for coffee and pastries. If Fairsted really wants to compete in the Washington Sq dining seen and maybe get traffic from other parts of the city, they have to offer more than just two desserts. Very few places can get away with that limited of an offering. They only had a blackberry pie and a chocolate mousse based dessert. Two niche desserts that don't necessarily appeal to every palate. Overall, the wide range of reviews on Yelp are justified because the experience is inconsistent. Perhaps with time, Fairsted will hit its stride but right now it still just "tripping" here and there.
(3)Joe S.
Really good experience! Like the authenticity of the place! Very interesting the fact that every plate and each silverware is unique and beautiful. Friendly people ! The drinks were good and tasty. I ordered the Salmon dish! It was a paradise of flavors and the fish was cooked perfectly ! It's worth trying!
(4)Michelle G.
Definitely a niche restaurant/bar -- pretty hipster. The decoration looks like grandma's house & my sweet potatoes were nothing special. The hostess made some weird comments about seat availability even though there were very few patrons inside. When asking a staff member about one of their dishes they started with: "think of it as....". It's food -- it is what it is, not an approximation of something! That should've been the first hint that the food was not going to be what we expected. My companions liked their dishes more in terms of taste, but thought the presentation & style was still pretty weird. Example: the meat pie was not a meat pie, but more like 3 empanadas. Basically, I don't get this restaurant & don't plan on returning, and I'm an adventurous eater.
(3)Cassandra H.
Excellent experience. Atmosphere is very good. The cocktail menu is excellent. Food was delicious. We had the pork chop which was delicious and juicy. The lamb riblets were very good and had a lot of flavor. The food has a novel twist to familiar dishes. You must try the lobster beignets. The wait staff far exceeds the Boston standard. The food is expensive however the price is reflected in the quality. I would highly recommended this place.
(5)An L.
Nice ambiance. Stuffed French toast was good. Service a bit slow here. Omelett was very good.
(3)Laura B.
Beautiful experience, delicious food. Clearly, every detail of a guest's experience has been thought through at Fairsted Kitchen. Our waiter was well-spoken and knowledgeable about the menu. Fun, local beers on draft, and a yummy shout-out to the neighborhood, the No Sleep Til Brookline got the ball rolling. To start we had a zucchini salad that was a special, the latkes, and the lamb meatballs. All were excellent, but the salad was a standout - if a salad can be "comforting" this one was. For the main course we shared the wagyu steak, and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The finish was an incredible chocolate dessert, a mousse pudding relative.... so good. A perfect date-night, and we will be back!
(5)Martha J.
I enjoyed this eclectic neighborhood restaurant. It offers a simple but basic menu! The small plates were not that inspiring! Wilted kale and hummus? I can make that a home! . I did enjoy the veal sweetbreads and the halibut was perfection. My son had the chicken and it was excellent! The chocolate dessert was served in a coffee cup! It may look trendy but it took away from the actual vision of the rich dark chocolate! I think a seasonal peach or raspberry dessert would have been a more inviting choice on a summer evening. Servers were great!
(4)Brandon B.
I really like the vibe of Fairsted. It's got a strange "I just walked into my great grandmother's house in a dream" atmosphere, but I like it. I was just there on Saturday for brunch. I ordered the Criminal cocktail (Cynar, bitters, cream and Cola). Absolutely delicious. We ordered the Eggy Pie, Potato Cake with Salmon Lox and Creme Fraiche, and a side of bacon. Everything was excellent and our server was super attentive and knowledgable too. I come in here at night for drinks too. The bottled cocktails are brilliant and usually super tasty. The fall one with wine and coke was definitely memorable. I'll keep coming back. I really like this place.
(4)Ashley C.
Best dinner in Brookline by far. Welcomed by the owner as our waiter! We love Steve! Xoxo! Fantastic menu, clever wine list. The seafood (halibut) and rose's are not to be missed. Cannot rave enough about this place. If you have the pleasure of coming to this place, don't miss it! Props to Steve's mom for birthing him and therefore making this place happen!
(5)Ann G.
I've been to Fairsted Kitchen twice now - once for brunch and once for dinner. Both times I was underwhelmed by the food. I love the idea of a limited menu, with a focus on just a few great dishes, but anyone with any kind of dietary restriction will find the menu VERY limited. Understandable, but difficult. At brunch, I took a look at the menu and nothing jumped out at me, so I had the french toast. Yummy, but small, and not really what I wanted in the end. My partner really enjoyed his egg dish but it was super tiny and he's a big eater so we ended up eating a "second breakfast" at home later. Most notably, my recent dinner involved so much salt in the food that I needed to gulp down water for the next few hours. My friend's tuna poke was so salty she had to send it back. The warm bean salad for me was also very salty but I stuck with it for the bacon. Even the baba ganoush was salty. Hard to stomach! In the end I like the atmosphere, I love the outdoor seating, and I want to support this place but with a limited menu and emphasis on salt I'm not sure I'll go back too soon.
(3)Jill F.
I have so much love for Fairsted Kitchen (Supper, Libations, Late Night). After flying solo and hitting up the bar one night during their first week, I finally had a proper dinner there last night--it was so delicious and cozy, with an overly kind, genuine staff (and an insanely surprising dessert!). The space itself is approachable, and thoughtful--a wonderfully homey environment. Like a baby Bondir in my opinon. Every single ingredient is of the highest quality, every detail is thoughtful, and every dish was executed with perfection. We tried: -Sumac-Cured Salmon (one of my favorites, cured for days in Sumac, draped atop perfectly cubed potatoes, with mild pink peppercorns) -The Steak Special, I cannot even remember what the description was, but it was incredible. -Rabbit Spaetzle, enjoyed thoroughly. -Cauliflower... definitely a favorite. Roasted and still al-dente, the capers and golden, plump raisins are a wonderful addition. -Duck Fat Potato Cake with Yogurt. Need I say anymore? We loved this. -Pumpkin Custard with Peppermint Cream and Gingerbread Biscotti. AMAZING. Steve told us the chef's brother is helping out and making desserts--what an amazing surprise! Cocktails, Beers, Wines by the glass and bottle... LATE NIGHT FOOD?! Living so close could be dangerous. Or incredible. Bravo!
(5)Nat G.
The fresh-tasting, house-cured salmon (not really, by tradition, "lox" as written) was nicely balanced between smokiness and saltiness, was properly moist, and was accompanied by mild pickled onions (as desired), capers, herbed cream cheese and superfirm bagel chips. We would have preferred a straight bread option on the menu for this dish and in fact were gratefully presented with French bread upon request for an alternative. The side of "krazy tots" w/caramelized onions, bacon and chicken jus could not have been improved upon. Another side of cheesy, creamy polenta w/ chives was also delicious. Georgian and Loire (rosee) sparklers topped off a very satisfying brunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Sorry, no serious complaints!
(5)John C.
As my Yelp years have passed, I have written fewer and fewer reviews. Doesn't mean I have stopped using Yelp (because I haven't), but it takes something unique to inspire me to write a review. Fairsted Kitchen meets that criteria. Where to start? For my Chicago friends, think of an excellent restaurant with bartending that reminds me of the Violet Hour. Yes, I said that. Classic bar and extremely well appointed, only the best top shelf liquor. As I said to the first class bartender who was an 'old school' professional at age 25?, this is not a "pretend bar". This is the real deal with creatively thought out cocktails, made with attention to detail, and carefully mixed. I have never seen a bartender shave slivers of fresh lemon rind with such passion and precision. Sounds goofy, but you could tell he really cared about his craft. The food? Love the small plates and approach to trying many tastes. I genuinely would have been happy to try 90% of the menu. Like most people whose reviews I read, my GF and I loved both the kale and the lamb ribs. The ribs were succulent and tasty, and the vinaigrette with which they were served was subtle and really enhanced the flavor of the cumin. To me, the best dish was the scallops. Have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in the last 35-40 years and I have never had better. Perfectly cooked...delicate, light, juicy and oozing with flavor. The two things I liked best about Fairsted, however, were the ambience and the service. Everything is served on old, mismatched china and silverware - no two pieces seemed to match. High ceilings, country style tables, fans and cool light fixtures. And the staff is uber friendly and really, really care about what they are doing. So if your are thinking about whether to go here for dinner, I'd highly recommend the place. See you there.
(5)Aamir F.
Walked in unbeknown to anything about this place...certainly a place serious about its dishes. Order 3 appetizers, the lamb rib was good but not superb. good charredness from the grill, juicy and how any lamb rib should be. Next was the cabbage with veal. This was Fantastic. the best of the three apps. Flavourful and tender. The final appetizer maitake mushroom was just average and small for $13. Overall, ill go again, discover afew dishes and certainly find 2-3 that ill keep coming back for!
(3)Leesha Z.
Fairsted is awesome. We discovered it on one of our trips to grab Stacked Donuts, which is Stephanie Cmar's pop up donut shop. The place is really cute inside, really romatic. They have delicious cocktails and friendly service. It's even better with the warmed weather seeing as how they have plenty of seating outside. Last time we were there we just got drinks and our waiter ended up bringing us complimentary hummus and chips. Always a plus! Come check it out although parking might be a bitch.
(4)Susan R.
so far, I've only had drinks at Fairsted... but I plan to change that soon, since the drinks have all been extremely good. creative, well made, measured. don't expect your drink in 15 seconds.. because they are crafting that mofo... featured cocktails and wine on tap? yes, please. if there are just two of you- get there very early and sit at the bar...
(4)Kelly O.
Cute place, decent food, but on the expensive side. To begin with, the semi-secluded patio is adorable and romantic (I love the pew seats and string of lights overhead), and the interior of the restaurant also seemed very homey and cozy, complimented by the quaint mismatched china and silverware. Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive, and their cocktails are really interesting (my house bottled/carbonated cocktail was just neat). As for the food, I'm a fan of the small plates idea, and most of it was decently tasty to me (hint: the secret ingredient in most of the dishes seemed to be butter); but the boy was not impressed, nor was our wallet. Between two of us, we tried: -Lamb ribs: pretty yummy, with a great char on the outside and tender, flavorful meat inside, with a great complimentary fishy/vinegary dipping sauce on the side. The dipping sauce really made the dish, for me; the boy is not a fan of fish sauce and so opted out of it, but wasn't really impressed with the sauce-less ribs, so I think it's a pretty key component of this dish. -Wilted kale: I'm not a kale fan generally, but we decided to give it a try here because we wanted to get some greens in our system, and I'm glad we did. The kale was tender and not at all bitter, the pecorino/apples/shallots were tasty additions, and the whole thing smacked of butter (in a great way). Solid veg dish, one that's making me rethink kale. -Potato gnocchi: another butter-drenched dish, the gnocchi tasted heavily of potato (a good thing IMO), with spring-fresh accents of favas, fiddleheads, and maitakes. Good flavor, although a very small portion for the price (common at Fairsted IMO). -Duck-fat fried potato cake: it's hard to find a potato I don't like, and this one had good flavor, although I wished it had been a bit crispier (it was pretty soft). -Crab cake: a solid crab cake, but nothing unique or special. It had very little filler and tons of fresh, sweet crab, atop a nice romesco sauce. Didn't care for the grilled romaine on the side (do people actually like hot lettuce?). -Hummus: not terrible, but not especially unique or delicious either- I prefer my hummus to have much more flavor (more garlic, especially). Skip this. -Pig head lettuce wrap: this was all for the boy so I didn't get to try it, but it wasn't what he was expecting and he was really turned off by the addition of fish sauce (me, I love fish sauce, but to each his own). So most of what I tried was pretty solid/tasty, but it was in really small portions, and for $8 and $13 a pop, that shiz adds up. So, maybe just come here for a cocktail and a snack or two, and save a full-blown dinner for elsewhere?
(3)Maureen K.
Delicious farm to table cuisine Loved the salmon and spinach infused barley, melt in your mouth brussel sprouts and cauliflower, top notch cocktails and chocolate mousse with almonds dessert Attentive staff and cozy atmosphere Enjoy!
(5)Brittany T.
I went here for brunch and sat on the beautiful patio. Our server was super nice and knowledgable! The service was great as was the food. I never made it inside but was told it's charming! I would absolutely go back!
(4)Rajiv R.
Great place! Had a chance to chat with the owners, who were very friendly, attentive, and accommodating of our table's food allergies. High attention to detail in every dish. Definitely not a cheap eat, but if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere. Save this for a nice night out. Wish these guys the best of luck!
(5)Tom G.
I hate to do this but the food is really just lacking. I've tried a lot of the menu across three trips, mostly through friends wanting to try the new place in our neighborhood, and there are issues in the kitchen. Lowlights: -Gnocchi were grainy and lumpy and, blind tasting, I'd call them dumplings...bad ones at that. -Tuna carpaccio was warm and had blistered grains or something on top. -Potato pancake was not crispy, at all. -Lamb ribs were, again, unevenly cooked (some good, some dry as hell). All were underseasoned - except lamb ribs. High(medium?)lights: -Chicken was again nice. Crispy skin, moist inside. -Hummus was passable but a bit boring. -Cod beignets were flavorful but should never be on a spring/summer menu (too heavy!) The drinks remain the best thing about Fairsted. The bar program remains excellent, with the rotating on-tap cocktail and the bottled cocktails. The wine list remains interesting and has value all over. Not very busy, again, on the weekend. The 4-star average reviews are doing this place a disservice, if management takes that as a sign of "all is good!," as the food is closer to 2-stars and people simply aren't filling the seats.
(3)Libby M.
Excellent atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly bartenders full of great info about their drinks!!
(5)Gary C.
A+ on food flavoring. Special of the day veal chops were perfect. Polenta overly salted. Special was way overpriced. Best approach is to order a lot of "smalls" Service was excellent but hovering management will fill your water glass every 5 min even though there is water bottle on table. Decor plain, no decoration, no ambiance. Would have stayed for dessert and coffee but couldn't handle hard chairs and benches any longer.
(4)amy y.
Outstanding food. Very creative to please even the most skeptical water. Graciously accommodated a person with a lethal seafood and fish allergy. Great meal.
(5)Yelena Y.
Neighbourhood gem. I had the cumin lamb chops, and they were juicy and tasty. I had the duck for the entree,and it too was amazing. The kale starter was healthy yet yummy. I followed my entree with a slice of pie and it tasted like farmers market pie from back home. I had no trouble finishing it in under 5 minutes. The outdoor seating had a romantic feel. The night was perfect :)
(5)Stan P.
We live in the neighborhood, so we hit all of the restaurants regularly. They have redone the place nicely, and have a bar scene, something needed to survive around here. The food is good, but if I had to choose a word I would call it "precious," with an emphasis on SMALL in the small plates theme. $13 for less than a whole beet? There are other options within a stone's throw that have food as good, at reasonable prices.
(2)Das E.
Exquisite in almost every way. The cuisine should be categorized not as new American but as modern provencial French. Excellent menu, excellent wine list, and a decent range of scotches. I wouldn't recommend the rabbit spatzel but would recommend everything else. Can't wait to return. The one draw back concerns the waitstaff. These hipsterish band t-shirt clad know-nothings ought really to be replaced by a respectable staff properly trained in the art of service.
(5)Ildiko K.
I want this to be a great place. I really do. And even though I had a somewhat mediocre culinary experience, I sense that Fairstead is still establishing itself, is on its way up into the Boston food scene, and perhaps can only get better. I love the location, the size, the decor, lighting, the Olmsted connection, and even the mismatched cutlery. Here's the scene: My partner and I came early on a Friday evening, hoping to get a table for two (without a reservation). It was surprisingly quiet; the entire time we sat, there were only three other parties in-house, a handful of folks at the bar. Polite, unobtrusive, but slightly awkward service. I really dig the laid-back quirkiness of the wardrobe & aprons. I also don't mind the collaborative approach to service- when the food is ready, whoever is available will run it out. If a plate is sitting empty on a table, whoever happens to see it will clear it. It's ok by me to interact with staff who aren't specifically your server- adds to the laid-back / tight-knit vibes of the place. For dinner we had the cauliflower, the carrot salad, the cured salmon, the herb spätzle, and the raw fluke. For dessert- a perfect French press of Barrington coffee and the bread pudding. Cauliflower- PERFECTLY cooked, tender, and roasty but the touch of anchovy seemed like an afterthought and didn't add anything to the dish. Carrot salad- something I would have made at home. But I wouldn't have put so much lemon juice in it. It was really overwhelmingly tart and over the line between "fresh" and "abrasively sour." Herb spätzle- nice rich meaty component, heavenly soft, chewy texture. A bit too much cheese and very, very salty. Some rabbit gristle hanging out in there as well. Salmon- Beautiful, supple slices of house-cured salmon. I wanted to love it. The texture was great, beautiful color and subtle salmon flavor, but nothing else: no sumac, no other curing agents, not even a hint of spice or salt. Came with undercooked cubes of grainy, plain potato, which made me a little sad. The fluke- slightly tough and dry, beautiful on the plate, but too-big sections of lime and too-big slices of very hot pepper made it impossible to create a bite that was a medley of complimentary flavors. Bread pudding- great flavors, delicious, tart fruit, soft bread with a bite to it, caramelly exterior. Should have been much warmer and even a little crisp on the outside. Came out room-temperature and got cold fast. Yes! It's expensive! But for their seriousness, their ambience, and the creative & high-quality direction this restaurant is (hopefully) going in, it's worth it. If people want heaping portions at a lower price they'll have to look somewhere else. Really well-stocked bar and great cocktail/wine list. I'll definitely be back for at least a drink. Got to meet and chat with Steve who made a great impression. Go and check it out- but don't expect perfection, at least not yet.
(4)Grasz H.
We had wilted greens with nectarine and mangchego cheese, lamb that was crusted in cumin and a dipping sauce that was delicious, as well as beets and 2 desserts, the blueberry pie and chocolate. Everything was terrific and the service outstanding. I can't wait to go back and try the big plates. Everything on the menu looked great. The beautiful china dishes were a plus. Wonderful ambiance.
(5)Irina R.
I'd give this place 4.5 stars. We went on whim as someone had mentioned it in passing. Loved the gnocchi and escargots! Wished there was more of the scallops to split as they were delicious, while the lamb ribs were good but a bit too crunchy. Great for a summer night.
(4)George S.
Yes, this place can be a bit on the expensive side (the scallop ceviche my wife and I had was like 6 SLICES of scallop and I believe cost $13), but it it was VERY tasty. With the above said about price, not all the dishes were crazy expensive. We had a wilted kale dish that was quite delicious and made me realize I need to use pecorino cheese with my kale at home. Cost was, I think, $8 The braised oxtail (with vegetables and a salad) we had cost $51 and it was delicious and was more than enough for the two of us. If we hadn't have wanted to try some of the other plates including a bean dish with squid ink, we could have probably just survived quite tastily with the oxtail and maybe the kale or beans. The wine selections by the bottle were nice and the bartender really knew the wines he recommended to us to go with the oxtail. I also had a cocktail that was a hell of a good concoction with gin. The space is nice and cozy, and I second the other recommendations to sit at the bar if you can. I see no need to sit at a table if you are a group of two. I think overall this restaurant knows what it is doing.
(4)Paula S.
Delicious food. Awesome service. Very nice atmosphere. What more can one ask for?!?! My favorite was the hummus plate and lobster croquette...enjoyed with a glass of Pinot Noir and I was a happy gal!
(5)Eric F.
I love this place. Very intimate vibe, excellent drinks, and great food. Unfortunately it is a little overpriced and the portions are incredibly small, however, if you want good food and a good experience than this is the place to go. I recommend this place. If you are on a stricter budget there's a great place next door with better prices and great food.
(4)CW A.
Natural, yummy, fresh and reasonably healthy food. Very nice and attentive staff (we had many servers all asking how we were doing) Nice, calm, quiet atmosphere with outdoor seating And a creative drink menu. Ok, so you pay for quality, and not every dish will hit it ever time, but its worth it to have this gem of a restaurant around.
(5)Trevor S.
As lame suburbanites scared by the long wait at Barcelona next door, we stumbled into Fairsted Kitchen next door. Naturally, the wait was just as long. But we ordered a bottle of wine and hung out at the bar. I'm glad we did. Inventive, amazing cooking served by people who are actually into what they're doing. This is a hot spot on the rise. The use things like kale and understand that being inventive is about mixing interesting things that work. Too many places just lard things up with enough salt and fat to make Ronald McDonald jealous and call it a dish. Not here. Maitake mushrooms? Kale? Everything was amazing. Chicken? Fluke? We were fighting over the last bites. Great new place!
(4)Penelope K.
One of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. I ordered the bagel with lox and cream cheese. Simple and easy, right? The bagel was like cardboard - pretty sure it was frozen. Repulsive. They couldn't even bother to toast it - it came out starch white. The lox was dripping in oil, which is offensive. This is actually the first time I've not been able to eat a bagel with lox. I make it better at home with store bought ingredients. Pathetic knowing that zero preparation goes into this dish and they still couldn't execute. My friend got the eggs in tomato sauce. What a disappointment. Sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. Inedible and the eggs were undercooked - no, not soft, just NOT COOKED. Terrible choice for 10 am. Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day to make....what an embarrassment. I am a foodie from NYC and there are some great restaurants in Boston, but this gives them a bad name with all the great press they've gotten. Someone was obviously paid under the table. This restaurant is a joke. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)Jimmie J.
Dined here repeatedly since I moved into the area. Consistently blown away by the food, staff, drinks, creativity, friendliness and experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Henry N.
Ok so I lied. I DID go back. Full disclosure: one of the owners contacted me with apologies and a stated desire for me to return. I am SO glad I did. Superb food. Great experience. When you taste a dish and the dish yields fabulous and unending surprises to the palate, you know you have experienced true culinary genius. Sound hyperbolic? Come, take, eat. You judge.
(5)Olivia W.
I love this place. Small, homey, and most importantly, the food is delicious. The menu changes every time we go there( 3 visits so far), and just about everything we have ordered turned out to be great. The interior design and the dishes they use are vintage style. Going there makes us feel like going to a friend's house for dinner who is a really amazing cook. I would recommend make the reservation in advance due to smallish.
(4)AB H.
All the dishes were pretty good, none great. The croquettes lacked flavor, I didn't even taste the ham hock. The herb spatzle had a good texture and cheesy deliciousness. The skate was a bit chewy. We also had the pig head lettuce wraps and the wagyu zabuton, but I can't remember them. Maybe that says a lot. The drinks are good, too bad the guy helping us couldn't describe them effectively. I liked the UpSouth, but was told it was too sweet. It wasn't. The people who work there are friendly but too eager, not savvy. I'd say the same for the decorations - they are trying to hard and it just misses - items on shelves that are too small to hold them, for example. If this weren't in my neighborhood, I wouldn't go back, but it is, and it's new, so I'll be back to try more dishes.
(3)nondini n.
I came here for brunch and it was amazing. First of all it wasn't crazy packed and the food is amazing. I had the dirty rice Mexican breakfast and it was truly one of the best things I've had. I'll definitely be back. It's a best kept secret- come for brunch you won't regret it.
(5)Felix G.
Fairsted was an amazing experience. I mean it. The food was really delicious and I am a real gourmet. The chef knows what he/she's doing. I had a piece of beef that I still dream of once in a while, the pumpkin dessert, although it sounds like we've had enough of these in autumn, was ABSOLUTELY stunning. And the wine selection was great, a little pricy nonetheless. Friendly hipster atmosphere, sweet cutlery and plates on rough wood farm tables. Very cozy, friendly and helpful staff. Really wonderful place in Brookline. Gotta be a must in the Boston Food Scene soon.
(5)Nick F.
Fairsted Kitchen has the potential to be a top eatery in Boston, but the execution isn't quite there yet. Perhaps other plates are much better than the just OK ones we got: the rabbit spattzle, fluke sashimi style, croquettes, lamb ribs, and beef tongue soup. The food is good, but not special. The service is fine, but not outstanding. I look forward to returning further on down the road and seeing if this place has improved to the type of establishment they are clearly striving for. Or at least going to try their house cured salmon which I hear is amazing. I recommend it if you are in the area, however, it is not on the list of must-go-to places in Boston at the moment.
(3)Lucas P.
What can I say, this place is just awesome! Friendly staff, delicious food, and amazing cocktails are making this my go-to spot. Brunch and dinner menus are great, I have yet to try anything there that I didn't like. A look at the menu might dissuade some as there are only a handful of entrees, but a few of the smaller plates split between two people can easily make up a meal. A few of my favorites are the duck fat potato pancake, cumin dusted lamb ribs, croquettes, and the wilted kale. The owners Steve and Andrew are always around and making sure everything is to your liking, and the bartenders make a mean cocktail. I recommend the No Sleep till Brookline or the Antigua Plaza off the drink menu, but they also serve up one of the better Manhattan's I have had in the area. It isn't the cheapest place to go for a bite to eat, but I think you get what you pay for.
(5)Mariam C.
Amazing! So lucky to have such great restaurants in my neighborhood. Great atmosphere, food was impeccable and the drinks were awesome!
(5)Sarah S.
This place is the best. I've been here several times since it opened and it has yet to disappoint. The food is fantastic as well as the service! The atmosphere is so charming. Definitely a must. The lamb ribs are the most amazing thing I've ever had. They fall off the bone. The kale is fantastic as well as the gnocchi. I can't remember all the names of the plates but the steak for the large plate is delicious!!
(5)Jacob S.
We had a birthday celebration at the Fairsted last weekend. We were very pleasantly surprised with the great quality of the food. Several dishes blew us away in terms of creative use of spices and flavor. First, the butter they provide for the bread was the best I have tasted in an American restaurant. Very like clotted cream you might get in England. This might be a small thing but reflects the depth of thought they went to in designing the restaurant's food and menu. The monkfish wins a big shout out as it had a great flavor, spiced with the unusual ras al hanout. The cod beignets were light and tasty. A potato/celeriac tart with uni was really interesting and again a good combination. We also had a few veggies including a salad that we couldn't stop eating (fancy that!) and a carrot based slaw type dish that added a bright contrast with the meat dishes. Based on the sommeliers rec, we also had a nice wine that fit well with the food. I am very eager to go back and try either the ox tail or chateaubriand! Or perhaps both!
(5)J G.
First time here. Great addition to the community. Had brunch. Stuffed French Toast, truffle crepes, and black beans and rice with duck confit were all very good. Dinner menu looks similar. Cocktail list looked creative too.
(4)Jami B.
Brunch here was a disappointment. Especially when breakfast food is the easiest meal to make. The bacon was flavorless and greasy without any crispiness. The potato cake with sunny egg wasn't a runny egg at all and there was no seasoning present nor available at the table. The Steak sandwich had day old bread which was a little too crusty and the steak a little too grey and not even a hint of pink left in it. The bloody mary came with only a pathetic celery stick (not even a stalk); and they had no clue what lager was or what beer chaser is in relation to a bloody. The coffee--!!!--it's not right to have over 2 inches of grounds steeping for over 20 minutes. Especially when the cream they serve curdles the minute you add it to your coffee sludge. A true disappointment. Also, crowd and waitstaff here is mainly unwashed, unmotivated, bearded hipster millennials. Be warned. Go find a food truck instead.
(1)Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)Alexis F.
I'm reviewing more for the service than the food, but food is still included! I was disappointed at the slowness of the service and the nonchalant attitude of the staff. The hostess was sitting parties of the same size as ours (3 people, can't make reservations) even though were ahead of them on the waitlist for brunch... when I called her out on it she had zero excuses/reasons why this was happening. To say the least I was pretty pissed (what's the point of having a waitlist when you're not going to abide by it). Then it took about 45-50 minutes for us to get our food, which was ridiculous. Our waitress would only come over to refill our water, but never really checked in on us. The food wasn't anything special to be honest. I did like their house smoked salmon--very good, not too salty like some. After this experience, I'm not all that excited to return.
(3)RJ P.
I wish every meal was as good as the one I had at Fairsted last night. It's in a great location in Washington Square with a small but open layout inside. The drinks were delicious. They have exclusively Jack's Abby on tap, which certainly isn't a bad thing for a beer lover. The food was fantastic. Highlights include the wilted kale, escargot, gnocchi, braised oxtail, everything really. Can't go wrong. Excited to go back again soon.
(5)A R.
Write a review or not write a review - hmmm. Writing is respectful of the great job these guys are doing, but NOT writing might mean I can keep sliding in for dinner. Because the food is GREAT: whod'athunk I would get addicted to lamb ribs with vinegar dipping sauce- and the drinks are GREAT: no-sleep-til-Brookline the most perfectly balanced bourbon drink ever. This is a cozy, great acoustic space with an enthusiastic and helpful wait staff.
(5)Jen S.
Nice outdoor seating and ambiance inside. I give this place 3 stars because I did not really enjoy my meal (I got the gnocchi and thought it tasted overly salty) and thought the mixed drinks were just OK. But the blueberry pie and service were great!
(3)Michele S.
Gorgeous little room and a cozy, warm place to enjoy a little reunion with a good friend. Server was friendly, competent and knowledgeable. My entree of smoked duck breast was amazing, perfectly cooked and accompanied by red cabbage and a potato pancake, and just the right portion size. We shared a roasted cauliflower appetizer that was substantial and had great flavor, and then a "small plate" of cured salmon that was very small, unremarkable and actually quite bland and overly oily. So 2 out of 3 home runs on the food. Fun cocktails and very interesting wines by the glass. An excellent choice for an intimate meal in a neighborhood with a lot of competition for your dining dollar.
(4)Sonia T.
A lovely patio, interesting food, and friendly service! For me, "interesting" is a good thing. The pigs head wraps were delicious, the scallops melt in your mouth, and I am definitely going to start roasting figs with sweet potatoes. We got the lamb top to share, and it was delightful. At the end of the day, the prices are reasonable if you're in the mood to relish a long, special meal.
(5)Sara B.
I heard from some friends that this place wasn't great when it first opened. Since then, they have made a change in the kitchen, and I will say that the Executive Chef and Sous Chef have greatly improved the menu. I brought my father here a few nights ago and he couldn't have been happier with the food. He is a pretty picky eater when it comes to heavy, oily food - he doesn't like it. His loving this food is a great indication that is it light and clean tasting. We started off with the Duck Fat Fried Potato Pancake. It sounds heavy, but it's actually very light and super tasty. Then we had Potato Gnocchi which was fantastic. The gnocchi dish wasn't too big or thick or cheesy, and the sauce was just enough to add wonderful flavor. The kitchen sent us a complementary greens dish which I believe was the Wilted Kale, but there was much more to the dish than kale, shallots, honeycrisp apple, and pecorino. For the next course (and I say "course" lightly, because these are small dishes - which makes it so much more fun to be able to taste many different menu items) we had the Sumac-Cured Salmon and the Seared Sea Scallop. Both were exquisite! Both the salmon and the scallops were seared just enough to get a nice browning with great flavor on the outside. The leek, butternut, and cashew sauce for the scallops was light and very flavorful, with the cashews giving it a nice crunch. Having the herb salad, artichoke, and buttermilk dressing with the salmon complemented the flavors of the salmon (which was not too fishy at all). After all of this, we had definitely had our fill, but I couldn't resist dessert. There isn't dessert on the menu, as I am sure they change it up quite a lot. Instead, the wonderful bartender, I believe his name is Alex, explained that there were two items available for dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Ganache. I am always a chocolate dessert eater, but I couldn't resist ordering the pie, since the last time I had it was 20 years ago when my dad last made it. I hated to admit it to my dad, but the pie was better than his! The crust was thin and cooked to perfection, while the balance of strawberries and rhubarb was kept the pie from tasting too sweet or tart. And of course, the ice cream with a mint leaf was the icing on the cake. All in all, my experience was fantastic. I think the dishes can seem pricey to some, but if you know and appreciate food, then you will understand why it may be a little more expensive than your average restaurant and bar. I highly recommend Fairsted Kitchen. As suggested from other reviewers, it helps to show up early or make sure you have a reservation. Bon Appetit!
(5)Julie L.
Wow! Amazing food! The decor was adorable, service, impeccable. We will be back again!
(4)Tara M.
Where to begin? My experience at Fairsted Kitchen last night was phenomenal. It was quite busy for a Monday night, but my friend and I were able to grab a seat at the bar. Danielle, the bartender, was super friendly and gave us great recommendations. I stuck to wine but my friend had the No Sleep Till Brookline which was great. We decided to order a few of the small plates to share. My favorites were the Wilted Kale and the Sumac-cured Salmon. The decor is so homey and the restaurant has a great overall feel. Definitely worth trecking out to Brookline! Fun Fact: They have house made cocktails on tap!
(5)Sam S.
Awful place. The food was way way too over priced. You barely get any food with the meal. The service was good though. But honestly I don't think 4 or 5 really small appetizers are worth $70. Don't go there! By the way, litterly everything had something that had to do with duck, I'm not going to lie but it was very very weird.
(1)Cyndi R.
I had dinner at Fairsted Kitchen last week. We had hoped to get dinner at Ribelle, but the place was packed and there wasn't a good space to stand and have a drink while we waited. So we decided to check out Fairsted across the street. From the moment we walked in we were blown away. The decor is really interesting and the hotess was pleasant. We were quoted an hour wait and then told there was a stool at the bar if we wanted to grab a drink in the meantime. I had a teriffic glass of red, my husband an inventive vodka cocktail. The co-owner behind the bar intorduced himself and then introduced us to several other staff. We ordered two appetizers to eat while we waited. Lucky for us, though, we were sat within 25 minutes at a communal table in the center of the room! Our appetizers were delivered to the table and were impressive -- spatzle and a pigs head lettuce wrap. Delicious! In fact, my husband was still raving about the spatzle at our daughter's soccer game the next day. For dinner we ordered one of the meals intended to be shared -- chatueabriand. It was amazing!! The beef was presented to us on a platter along with a salad and then taken back to the kitchen to be sliced. When it re-emerged, the beef was accompanied by a kale and fennel salad and amazing, creamy mashed potatoes. Throughout dinner, Steve, one of the co-owners came by regularly to replenish our wine glasses (the wine list really is unique!). When our meal was over we were offered dessert and individual french press coffees. After some debate, we settled on one dessert and Steve brought us over both! Fairsted is a real treat for the neighborhood. These guys know what they're doing. I can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)matthew s.
Three of us ate there last night. Called from home and walked over. Table was waiting. Both owners work the front of the room, and the service was top notch and unobtrusive. The food was excellent. We had the oxtail shared three ways and it was sublime. The apps were all very executed, and the cocktails very precise. The link to Olmsted is clever, and I hope they can make more of that. I hope this thrives for years.
(5)c d.
The food was good, the drinks were great. The waitress was unpleasant which unfortunately affected my experience. Also, they have this eclectic vibe, with mismatched silverware and glasses, etc. It is a nice asthetic but all 4 ppl at our table ordered the same drink and 1 person got a tiny glass while the others get large ones. The server claimed they were all the same pour, but they clearly weren't. It looks pretty, but is annoying when you get the small glass. When they work out the early kinks and improve the waitstaff, it is going to be a great restaurant and I look forward to re-rating it.
(3)Matt D.
Went to Fairsted Kitchen last night for the first time. I was very excited to try it out out as the menu looked great--I was really ready to love this place. We had a few drinks at the bar before sitting down, the scene was good and the bar had a great, lively feeling to it. The drinks were also well-made and the bar program was inventive and thoughtful. However, when we sat down and started eating, things started going south. First we had the cod beignets, they were very undercooked and raw in the middle. Even if they had been cooked-through, they were exceptionally salty to the point that I think something must have gone wrong in the kitchen. Next up were the spaetzle and autumn vegetables. The spaetzle was the best part of the meal (probably a little over-salted, but nothing compared to the salt bomb beignets). The autumn vegetables were good, and the presentation was excellent, but they weren't otherwise memorable. Finally we had the smoked duck, which was pretty good, but the potato cake that came with it was, again, over-salted to the point that it was inedible. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the service was great, the bar was great and the menu sounded great, but the execution in the kitchen was severely lacking. It's a little odd to say this about a restaurant, but everything but the food was good. I'm hoping that this is just part of working the kinks out of a newly-opened restaurant, and I'll likely be back to give them another shot, but I think I'll probably hold off on a return for a while. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to update this review with a few more stars in the future, but right now, execution in the kitchen is holding it back.
(2)Margie G.
I'm another person who really wanted to like this restaurant. We had an excellent charming waitress who was extremely helpful. All i can say is the food is tasteless or salty. Those are your choices. Cauliflower was al dente and nicely caramelized but even with raisins and caper fell short on flavor. Cod beignets were pretty good but the marinara needed a jolt if acid to keep the grease from the frying at bay. Gnocchi and duck confit was just salty...no discernible flavor. Cured sumac salmon with crunchy potato stick had potential but had no taste if sumac whatsoever. Don't think I'll return.
(2)Geoff P.
Always awesome. Pig Head lettuce wrap turns a bad day into a good one. Incredible staff. Incredible craftsmanship.
(5)E. H.
Awesome place!!!!! Owners are so attentive and want you to have a perfect experience. They let me try 4 wines before I picked one. They made special dishes for my friend with lots of allergies and then pointed out the allergens in everyone else's dish just in case. The food was amazing. The "bites" are actually pretty big. We had the beets scallops chicken and the cheese special and everything was amazing. Just awesome.
(5)Sara D.
Just had dinner here and loved it. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly and accomodating. Had a cocktail that was similar to a sazerac, but fizzy and lighter, very yummy. The skate and stuffed cabbage were wonderful. The spetzle was also very tasty. Four of us shared a bunch of different things. We left totally stuffed and happy. Will be back!
(4)nancy k.
The good news: the waitress was fabulous. The bad news: the food -- not so good. Ordered the Cured Salmon, not realizing it was not cooked. looked very attractive, but I don't eat raw fish, and I had to send it back. Ordered cabbage stuffed with ground veal. While waiting, started to eat the wilted kale. The flavor was nice, but not enough to compensate for the fact that the kale was not young, therefore tough, and not cut up fine. It was so tough I could not cut it with knife and fork, and chewing it was a chore. I couldn't eat much of it and let the staff know why. Now the stuffed cabbage -- my only hope. It was good enough, but the veal was chewy -- and veal is noted for its tenderness. Especially odd, because it was ground. The bill came and I was surprised to see the charge for the kale. The owner explained (repeatedly) that it was properly prepared and also that they had been nice enough to take back the salmon, and therefore he would not take the kale off the bill. Oh -- also, the restaurant was chilly, at least where we were sitting. There was a curtain to provide insulation from the cold coming in the door, but people pushed it aside when they came in and did not pull it back. After getting up about 15 times, my friend and I asked the staff if they could please manage the curtain, and they did pretty well. It was 50 degrees out, so I would not want to be there on a normal winter night. Need I say that I will never, never, EVER go to this place again.
(1)Nick W.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Greater Boston. White beans with squid ink - a brand new look at a seemingly familiar dish. Stuffed cabbage w/ veal, ham croquettes with harissa aoili - great to pair with a No Sleep til Brookline cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, be sure to grab the Vin d'Orange apertif cocktail made by Alex Homans. Whether you see Patrick or Will behind the bar, you will be on good hands in this gorgeous, cozy space.
(5)Francis B.
My wife, son and I visited the Fairsted on Monday and had a fantastic dinner. The waitress suggested that the best way to enjoy the restaurant was to order and try many things instead of the traditional app, dinner and dessert. We split several "snacks and sides" had a few "smalls" and shared a "large". Our favorites were the pig head lettuce wraps (outstanding - but why do you call it that?), duck fat potato cake and the stuffed cabbage. The Chateaubriand was amazing!!! I really loved the wine list - very eclectic and great prices. Great service too! Sure to return!
(5)Pamela T.
Really great service in a nice looking room. A very interesting menu and great cocktail list. However, the food really needs some work. The nights special, butternut squash soup, was really bland. It tasted like pureed butternut squash, just plain butternut squash with some undercooked mushrooms floating around on top. The wilted kale was just that, bland, wilted kale in a big bowl. My chicken was cooked beautifully but the zatar rub was totally overpowering. The plate of grains needed some flavor and the smoked duck was odd. I like everything about Fairsted Kitchen except the food. I will try it again after the holidays and hope that the food is better. It is also quite expensive.
(2)P J.
Service/decor/general vibe: excellent/cozy/inviting Drink: didn't have any cocktails Food: better than I was expecting. Scale of 1-5 (5 being the best): - sea urchin small plate: 4, sea urchin was only flavorful part of this dish, celeriac needs salt (or at least boil in salted water). - kale small plate: 3, slightly underseasoned - spaetzle small plate: 3 (too greasy and lacking flavor) - lamb ribs small plate: 4 (pretty good! esp with the dipping sauce) - duck/latke large plate: 5 (clearly just on point) - choco mousse with cardamom cream dessert: 3-4 (mousse needed more choco flavor to contend with the cardamom) overall: 4/5 price: I think the small plates (esp the vegetarian ones) are a bit overpriced for the quality. The duck large plate was well worth the price.
(4)Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)Karen H.
Been to Fairsted 3 times so far. The food was FABULOUS! It's curious that one reviewer felt the food was very salty. We didn't sense that at all. The cod beignets were perfect! The carrot salad was so good, we ordered a second one. We've had the duck, chicken and squid--all delightful. The pumpkin custard was way better than we thought it would be. The chocolate mousse was over-the-top. The waite staff and owners are very solicitous. For a Tuesday night it was busy and a bit noisy, but frankly, we're glad, because it hopefully means the place will be there for a long time.
(5)Karina M.
Ummm..very little evidence of a four star experience I'm afraid, maybe the B team was cooking tonight. One of the reviews lower down nailed it by describing a disappointingly monotonic experience. Also ordered the lettuce wrap - extremely one-note - a sweet, tart counterpoint to the overly oily and savory taste would have taken it up a notch. The wilted kale covered with cheese was, well wilted and cheesy, nothing to say here - there was no real marriage of flavors. Spaetzle with rabbit was particularly dry and flavorless - a braised onion note might have helped here to relieve the blandness. The smoked duck, potato pancake and red cabbage were mixed. The potato had a reasonable texture but was completely missing any salt. When salt was added it was much better. The duck was OK but rather dry. The red cabbage was OK too but no zinging taste notes, could have done better at home. By this time we were quite depressed (the sparkling rose wine helped to elevate the mood a bit). We sprung for dessert and the pot au creme was the highlight of the meal. Delicious!! Also the service was a bit intense. Felt like we were being rolled up and shoveled outside. So all in all, probably won't be back I'm afraid. Happy about small portions. Don't object to paying for small portions. But need to see a more effective execution. Simply meh.
(2)Lara G.
We absolutely LOVED Fairsted Kitchen. The wait was a bit long, but it was a Friday night so that is to be expected! The next time we go, we'll definitely make a reservation. When we walked in and went to the bar, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender, Patrick. I can't stand when you want to order a drink and you're standing behind the people who have a seat, and the bartender just ignores you. But Patrick actually walked around the bar and walked up to us to take our order. As soon as a couple stood up from the bar, he made sure that we got the seats. Also, the cocktails were amazing!!! Their bottled cocktail that night was some sort of apple cider carbonated amazingness. Once we got a table, we ordered a few small plates - the pig's head lettuce wrap, wilted kale, roasted cauliflower, duckfat fried potato cake, stuffed cabbage, and white beans (with squid ink). They were all SO delicious! We then ordered the chateaubriand (4 of us left feeling pretty full after all this yummy food) and it was so so good. It was cooked perfectly, and the mashed potatoes that came with it were the best. We will definitely be back soon, and are so happy to have Fairsted in our neighborhood!!
(5)Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)Joshua M.
It's great to have a place like this in the neighborhood. The menu is small-ish, but the food is always excellent and interesting, the bartenders make awesome cocktails, and service is solid. Small plates can be a whole tapas-style meal or used as apps, entrees are appropriately sized, or the big shared plates are fun for more family-style dining. The lamb ribs are always a favorite, but over many visits I've never had a bad dish.
(5)Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)Noa K.
This was my second time here and I was more impressed than the first time. If possible. Every dish was scrumptious. I wasn't even mad that they didn't have one of the items (because it was out of season!), and loved what we had instead. From the beet ravioli to the lamb Merguez everything was plated perfectly. Also the cocktail were amazing. And of course, a shout out to our server Luke, who was so friendly and attentive. Definitely worth it!
(5)Big S.
this is a nice place in the brookline area. it isn't as expensive as it seems and the food is high quality. tough competition next to barcelona, as that is one of the better tapas restaurants in the city. We had a variety of small plates. The easter egg potatos, beet dip with charred pita, meat pies, artichoke salad, black bass ceviche, and lentils. the potatos and beet dip were our favorite. the ceviche was different than what we are used to. overall nice place. nice staff. worth checking out.
(4)Jason L.
"In the day while you were gushing about your process / We were busy making progress..." This is my favorite Centro-Matic moment, and I have to think that whoever had the idea for Fairsted kitchen looked out into the world and had the same thought. In a world of $11 "street food tacos" in Southie, too many southern food concepts by people who have never been to the south or even met a collard green in the wild, gastropub after interminable gastropub, and the abortion that is the new Bukowski in Cambridge, it is refreshing to go to a place that is fully in control of what it is. Fairsted is directly next to the always outrageously mobbed Barcelona tapas chain monstrosity, and when we went in May, we saw people sitting out in the cold with heaters on full blast, wrapped in red blankets, joylessly craming jamon into their maws. Not worth it, especially when Fairsted is literally next door waiting to warmly welcome you. The colors and details inside look like a Victorian living room. The tableware is especially nice, and there's real pleasure in eating off older china, with its intricate patterns and colors. Fairsted is a reminder that, in our not-so-distant past, eating well didn't necessarily mean eating minimally. Whereas dining out now usually involves one or two tone interiors with simple white round plates, medium wood tables and floors, and gentle, muted tones that pass as clean and modern, there was a time when eating well meant the hedonistic luxury of excess. Gold leaf, intricate patterns, and an excess of meticulous detail. The pleasure was in the piling up of excess and detail, not taking it away. Fairsted kitchen doesn't do this -- the place is still rather minimal -- but there are small pieces of the experience that recall a different era of dining. The fine vintage tableware is one of those pieces, a reminder that tickles the primordial part of the brain that enjoys luxury over minimalism. I see that Yelp has Fairsted categorized as "American (New)" and I guess that's right, but everything here seems to be inspired by flavors and spices from the middle east. Lebanese sweetish pickles, Fattoush, meat and spinach pies. All spectacular and worth eating. But honestly, go for the experience. There's nothing quite like this in Boston, with its idiosyncratic confidence in what it is: a Victorian dining room open late, serving middle eastern spiced food.
(5)O Y.
Excellent food quality and service, tried the appetizers menu... middle eastern twist was awesome. New chef is rocking!
(5)Kevin J.
Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 4 Stars Came back after a long trip to Martha's Vineyard and was looking for a place for a late dinner. Fairsted thankfully hit the spot. It was right next to a hopping wine bar, but we happened to stumble in. They have some interesting dishes and they focus on small plates so you should order some to share for the table. The variety isn't huge on the menu but the quality of the dishes is really high and they're unique combinations. It's a mix between mediterranean, american and the locally-sourced ingredients type of feel. I think the portions are a little small for the size so you'll want to order more than just 3 small plates if you have three people. Cocktails and drinks are very plentiful. They have a good offering that you can definitely check out.
(4)M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)Tim W.
I've been to Fairstead Kitchen on multiple occasions, sampling whatever peaked my interest off their consistently changing menu (which in itself is something worth noting). However every time I go, they never cease to surprise and amaze me, and after last night's meal, I felt compelled to finally join Yelp and write my first review. After placing our drink order, a local beer for myself and a white wine for the lady, we began parusing the menu. Right off the bat, I notice about 8 items that I am eager to try. After some discussion we decide on the roasted local carrots with goat cheese, the baked oyster topped with hollandaise, and the baby artichoke salad. Let me just say that each of these had amazing qualities and would recommend, but the salad is the one that really floored me. The elements of this dish were combined perfectly, each one playing off the other: the tartness of the artichoke and vinegar, balanced with the savory sesame tahini and then finishing with the sweetness of the candied cashews and fresh citrus fruit. Truly creative and delicious. For our next plate we ordered the Spanish octopus. This was my favorite dish of the night. The octopus, slightly blackened, was tender and flavorful and worked perfectly along side the savory chorizo and spiced potatoes. If the taste wasn't something to highlight, the texture combination alone is something of note. I will be back to eat this for sure. We finished our meal with the coulotte steak. A seasoned cut of sirlion beef, cooked perfectly, and topped with a poached egg. This dish although rich was accompanied by wilted greens and a balsamic glaze, adding the perfect contrast to the steak, and bringing a balance to the plate as a whole. Like I said above, I've been to Fairstead Kitchen multiple times and have never left disappointed. Their creativity, boldness, and versatility will always keep me going back. I tip my hat to the chef and the team. Keep up the great work.
(5)Jean L.
I wish that the food and service was better at this place. Its our new neighborhood hang and every time we are so disappointed by the 'gourmet' options. Will be back for the fun guys that are there but the too cool gals that 'run' the place need to take a look in the mirror and take a look at the menu! Things must improve!!! Starting with MC. Cha!
(1)Annie I.
Oh my god. This is one of the best meals I've had in a long time, one of my favorite in Boston. Started with the latkas, which were served with an amazing apple butter and cream sauce, and the mussels. I didn't care for the mussels b/c I like a lighter take, but my GF loved the creamier heartier spin. The gnocchi was excellent as well, and had this strange little tubular that was a cross between an artichoke and a turnip. It was delicious. For me, the two stars of the meal were the roasted chicken with farro and red wine jus and the dessert, a chocolate pot de creme. I was blown away. I don't think I've had a main course that special in a while. I went in expecting a good, solid, delicious meal, but I got something even more special.
(5)Chad G.
Full review by "Chad's Eats"of Fairsted Kitchen Cuisine: Yelp says "American New" which is very broad. In my opinion it was mostly middle eastern influenced tapas Location: Brookline MA, on Beacon Street Parking: We lucked out and got a spot only 100 yards away on the first pass, but that was because we went early which I suggest you do. After 8 PM Street parking is free Monday through Saturday. Sundays and holidays are free. Parking along that stretch of Beacon Street might require a U-turn or two and a little walking so allow time for this. It's a cool neighborhood and there's a lot of lively places you can stop in before or after your reservation. Decor / Ambiance: Simple, rustic, relaxed, home-like. I love the vintage service-ware. The service-ware almost looked like family heirloom-ish. Simple place settings, not stuffy with multiple forks, spoons, knives or glasses. Greeting: During this time of year which is warm you're greeted at the front of the outside seating area. A woman greeted us with a smile and a hello, but we weren't sure if we were in the right spot to check in until she picked up an iPad from the bench to the right of her. Once she verified our reservation she had menus and wine list there as well to bring with us to our table. Maybe a small portable podium is in order? Menu mix: Extremely creative, well thought out flavors, textures and contrasts. For example the beautifully presented hummus came with a sprinkle of fried chickpeas on top which was a delightful touch crunching into those little bits. In my opinion the foods are rooted in middle eastern flavors with a splash of international. The menu starts with small snack plates and then a great variety of hot and cold tapas. There were 4 entrees listed which had all the bases covered (chicken, fish, lamb, beef and I think maybe a vegetarian item?) There were also 2 "Table offerings" which feeds 2 or 3 people. The menu online is not current. The menu has recently had some updates and new additions. Water / Bread service: Water tasted great, served rustic style in milk bottles. I always love this form of service. Bread is available on request but grilled flatbread comes with most of the tapas plates. There is no need to carb up here. I do love that they start you off with a small plate of assorted pickled vegetables. These were wonderful and I could have eaten a whole bowl myself. They're crunchy and bright and really wake up the taste buds. Drink pour: Love the large wine glasses and the wine pour was above "standard". The wines are European so don't expect oaky buttery Chardonnay here. Our server got me a Beaujolais which was perfect. My wife on the other hand was a little picky with the whites, and our server was more than gracious to bring other samples over for a mini tasting. Food quality: Extraordinary! Strong culinary talents and passion abounds in this kitchen. Service: The service was fantastic very relaxed, very accommodating. As I mentioned above, The efforts our server gave in getting my wife into the right white wine was much appreciated. Value: In general whenever you're eating Tapas it always seems to be more economical. You get a wide variety of foods and flavors and when the bill comes you're always pleasantly surprised. We ate plenty, several drinks and split a dessert and I expected the bill to be higher, and again we were pleasantly surprised with the value. Bathrooms: Clean and adequate, could use a new paint job in the men's bathroom. These are single-serve units which is fine for a place the size. Would I return? ABSOLUTELY! Comments & Tips: Again, for this stretch of road in Brookline you need to allow time for parking. Don't plan on showing up right at your reservation time.
(4)Patrick K.
I can't believe I was eating at the same restaurant as all these people. I started my meal with the watercress and my friend had the Easter Egg potatoes. HOLY SALT LICK, BATMAN! I couldn't take more than one bite of my dish. My friend had a similar problem, though mine was much worse. We wanted to give them an opportunity to make it right, so we stopped eating and waited for the waiter to come back to check how our food was. And we kept waiting. And after 10 minutes we were still waiting. There wasn't enough food on either of these plates to keep someone going for ten minutes. So now our over-salted food is cold, and we're sure our entrees are already being fired. Not interested in having to sample more salty food, we got up and went to see the hostess to explain why we were leaving. I sure hope this was a fluke.
(1)Meredith D.
Three of us came here on a Friday night. We did not have reservations but at about 645pm they had plenty of open tables. I was surprised that it was not more busy. We were seated immediately. We started with an order of the Potato latkes. They were quite good. We then ordered the cauliflower and Brussels, kale salad, chicken, and salmon. I enjoyed all of the dishes. The Brussels and cauliflower had a different flavor than the typical Brussel sprouts I've been eating out recently which was a nice surprise. The kale salad was also quite good. I enjoyed the chicken and salmon and the sides were decent but I would have preferred something other than barley and farro. I thought the atmosphere was lacking a bit. Towards the end it started to fill up a little more but did not have as much going on as other places on a Friday night.
(4)Sylvia C.
Love love the outdoor seating ambiance surrounded by light strands. The vintage mix matched plates, serving utensils and martini glasses made it even hipper. We ordered a bunch of small plates to share: Highlights: roasted beets - chick peas - feta - mache - sesame tuile - tahini vinaigrette potato gnocchi - pea - fava - fiddlehead - maitake seared sea scallop* - charred leek - butternut - cashew Lowlights: duck fat fried potato cake - yogurt - paprika crab cakes on romaine lettuce escargots - confit lemon - parsley - tarragon - brioche Service was on point. Server was friendly and attentive.
(4)Francis W.
We got the opportunity to sit outside which was wonderful. Its a very busy restaurant and i believe due to weather had a lot more walk ins than expected. The food was tasty and farm to table, but our waitress was extremely busy and kitchen was backed up. This made what could have been a top notch experience a little blah. The food is farm to table and exciting, but was sometimes overly complicated without adding any extra flavors or textures. The palate at times was overwhelmed by the mish mosh of flavors and ingredients it was required to intake at one time. All food was very fresh and severed well, but at this price point i would like to see everything come together.
(3)Sonia N.
My friend and I went here this past Friday to enjoy an al fresco dining experience. Overall, this should be 3.5 stars and -0.5 points is mostly for the food that "missed". The ambiance and service were both top notch. We opted to share a bunch of dishes off their small plate options: Hits: Beet salad - Now I'm partial to beets but something about the combo of the crunchy sesame seeds gave it the extra kick with the unique texture. My friend who dislikes beets ate a little bit of it and also agreed it was very tasty. Scallops - Try the sea scallops. Definitely a hit for us. Pan seared to perfection and melts in your mouth. Potato gnocchi - I had been in the mood for gnocchi for some time and was pleased that they offered it on their menu. It was tasty and fresh but I caution anyone ordering this that the gnocchi itself was much softer than it is normally. Missed: Duck fat fried potato cake - This dish reminded me of a lukewarm potato latke and tasted somewhat bland topped off with more bland yogurt on top. Thumbs down. Escargots - This dish was passable but wasn't great. It also felt as if it was missing an ingredient to finish off the dish. It was also a tad too oily for my usual liking. All in all, it's a nice place to dine but it would've been even nicer if all the dishes lived up to expectations. Barcelona next door is a much better choice if you're in the mood for tapas.
(4)Brian P.
I had a really nice time eating here. The service and quality is quite a bit above average for the neighborhood. They really put a lot of effort into the experience. Interesting decoration and silverware/plates. The food was very good and had a lot of interesting flavors. I had the artichoke heart appetizer which had a tasty mushroomy flavor. I also had the lamb ribs which were nicely seasoned and very tender. I have eaten at most of the establishments along Beacon street and I would recommend this place before any others.
(5)David C.
I've oft lamented the lack of good (non-Asian) eateries in my neck of the woods, but restaurants like Fairsted Kitchen and Barcelona Wine Bar have seemingly brought new life to the Brookline dining scene. I am in love with Fairsted's menu, which is divided into snacks and sides, small and large plates, and table-sharing options. A normal, satisfying dining experience could easily consist of a few small plates split amongst a table or two large plates with a snack or small plate to share, but the night I went I was celebrating a tax return winfall and treated my mother and aunt to a veritable smorgasbord of dishes (nevermind that I am a student facing crushing debt and that all that money should probably have gone to paying off my loans). The menu changes often with seasonal ingredients, but given that everything I tried was exemplary, I think you are safe ordering pretty much whatever. Particular highlights for me were the rabbit spatzle appetizer (not enough rabbit on menus these days) and a chicken entree that reminded me just how delicious chicken can actually be. Service was friendly and thoughtful throughout. The dining room is positively tiny, so either show up early or make a reservation. Your taste buds will thank you (your wallet less so, although I think the prices are justified for the quality of the food and ample portion size).
(5)Lily S.
An a ok place to grab some food but not a joint I would like to linger in for too long. I think price wise the food turned out by Fairsted kitchen is totally reasonable. I've tried a couple things-- the small salmon plate is delicious but a little lacking in salmon. You need at least 3 pieces to cover half a bagel but they only give you 5. That being said, the salmon is delicious and fatty and melt in your mouth good. The blackberry French toast is also delicious and probably even outshines the salmon (and I'm not big on sweets-- but today it definitely hit the spot). The decor is old fashioned and charming. I appreciate the vintage style plates that are all different. The seating could use some work. The patio chairs are downright uncomfortable, sporting a ledge in the back that prevents you from being able to lean back in the seat. The seating inside isn't that much better either. Personally, I prefer a soft cushion, but that's just me.
(3)Stacey G.
I wanted to go to Barcelona wine bar with a friend a few months ago and the line was too long so we decided to try fairsted kitchen which is right next door. Although this was my second option I was not disappointed in the slightest. We sat at the bar and ordered the wilted green kale salad and the roasted beets. It was delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and do not rush you out. The bartender made me a white sangria which was not on their menu and it was great! I was very impressed with this restaurant! I will absolutely return! I also loved the decor.
(5)Lauren F.
Pricey but delicious. I didn't like it the first time we went there, but the food gets better every time we go. The cocktails are super amazing and a nice little treat.
(4)F L.
The food here is interesting and quite good. Portion sizes, however, are rather small for the price. The service is friendly, though not spectacular. Water was served at room temperature. Go with a group, as dishes are meant to be shared. I enjoyed it and would certainly return. However, I think there are better places at this price point, so will probably not be a regular here.
(4)Kaveh Z.
Good food and Wine. The staff are very friendly and fast.
(4)Caitlin M.
I went to Fairsted Kitchen with a group of 6 tonight. We had a reservation but the table was 20 minutes late (it's a pretty small place). We got drinks at the bar and waited, and when we were seated they brought over some complimentary deviled eggs, which was definitely the right thing to do. We had the punch (so-so), the cauliflower/brussels small plate (delish), veal sweetbreads (not my thing), gnocci (good), meatballs (really good), the three men shared the oxtail (very good), I had the chicken (amazing), one friend had the pork, and another the salmon. It was all around a great meal. I would definitely go back. Service was great, too.
(5)Ayelet R.
We ended up here on something of a fluke, since the wait for Barcelona was too long and this place seemed interesting. I'm so glad we did though, because this was definitely one of the best and most pampering dining experiences I've had in a long time. First off: service was awesome. All of the servers we interacted with, as well as the hostess totally went out of their way to make us feel at home and entertained our many questions about the menu. The charming mismatched china also totally added to the homey decor. Their outdoor seating area is so nice, you hardly notice the cars or the C line going by, and was perfect on a beautiful summer evening like last night was. It felt like going to a friend's house, if that friend just happens to cook really, really well. They have a nice drinks list including a great selection of craft beers. I ended up opting for the No Limits Hefeweizen - I had never heard of it before but it ended up being a fantastic choice. I really like how the menu is so seasonal, and though it's not exactly cheap, prices were definitely reasonable for what we got, especially considering how fresh everything was. We split two appetizers off the "snack" portion of the menu - the wilted kale and the warm beets. The beets were topped with lightly cooked dates and halloumi. Delicately spiced, these made for a wonderful medley of flavors. The kale was equally special - topped with caramelized onions, warm apple slices and pecorino, this was way beyond your typical salad. I took the gnocchi as an entree - although it was listed as "small," I found it to be very filling. The texture was perfect - I'm so used to gnocchi being overfloured, and thereby becoming hard and gummy, but these were so soft and warm they practically melted in my mouth. The mushroom sauce went perfectly with everything on the plate without being too overpowering. What really brought this together was the selection and preparation of the super fresh veggies - peas, fava beans, fiddleheads (my first experience with these, and they were delicious!) and maitake mushrooms. I don't think I can even adequately describe just how good this was - second only to my mom's recipe. For dessert they were offering a blackberry pie and a chocolate pot de creme with a side of creme anglaise, and unable to decide between them, we ended up getting both. The latter was definitely the more interesting dish: not too sweet, a little tart, with a graham cracker base that perfectly complemented the fruit filling. Overall though I think the pot de creme was the clear winner just because of how good the chocolate was - when they say Belgian chocolate, they really mean it. Overall, this place is inventive without being pretentious, unique while still playing to the classics. Everything was prepared with care and so incredibly delicious.
(5)Lisa K.
The most customer friendly person in the whole place was the busboy!!! The menu was so enticing and the food was good, but the service or lack of made the experience not great.. For such great reviews, my expectations were really high and unfortunately not met.. Best dishes were the mussels, kale, and spaetzle... The staff vibe was very hipstery, which the group I was with and myself are not even close, so maybe that's why? The decor and atmosphere was really cute, but the lifeless staff (female hostess, two male servers) kind of puts a damper on the whole experience. If it were just based on food and decor it would have been a 4 star, one star lost due to unsatisfactory service.
(3)Greg P.
Could be great... but right now it's only uneven I had heard great things about Fairsted Kitchen from a colleague at work. I decided to give it a try this weekend. Located in Washington Square, it's about 8 months old and a welcome addition to the Brookline dining scene. Parking is plentiful on the street with meters. The ambiance is warm and inviting. One particular standout feature is the china that they use. It's beautiful and looks like vintage fine china. The waitstaff are very nice and knowledgeable. They were very accommodating to our 4 month old daughter. The dinner menu is compact but with reasonable variety. I ordered the seared sea scallops with cruched cashews. They were outstanding with sauces that complimented them perfectly. I tried the beets that my mother-in-law ordered and those were quite good. For dinner, I ordered the smoked duck breast with potato pancake and red cabbage. The smoke flavor was evident although there was not much flavor otherwise. That was actually ok. The duck breast was a bit dry for "medium". Reading other reviews, the dishes at Fairsted do appear to be "spotty" ranging from hits to misses, amazing to fair. They only had two dessert choices. None of them sounded particularly appetizing so we went down the street to Athans Bakery for coffee and pastries. If Fairsted really wants to compete in the Washington Sq dining seen and maybe get traffic from other parts of the city, they have to offer more than just two desserts. Very few places can get away with that limited of an offering. They only had a blackberry pie and a chocolate mousse based dessert. Two niche desserts that don't necessarily appeal to every palate. Overall, the wide range of reviews on Yelp are justified because the experience is inconsistent. Perhaps with time, Fairsted will hit its stride but right now it still just "tripping" here and there.
(3)Joe S.
Really good experience! Like the authenticity of the place! Very interesting the fact that every plate and each silverware is unique and beautiful. Friendly people ! The drinks were good and tasty. I ordered the Salmon dish! It was a paradise of flavors and the fish was cooked perfectly ! It's worth trying!
(4)Michelle G.
Definitely a niche restaurant/bar -- pretty hipster. The decoration looks like grandma's house & my sweet potatoes were nothing special. The hostess made some weird comments about seat availability even though there were very few patrons inside. When asking a staff member about one of their dishes they started with: "think of it as....". It's food -- it is what it is, not an approximation of something! That should've been the first hint that the food was not going to be what we expected. My companions liked their dishes more in terms of taste, but thought the presentation & style was still pretty weird. Example: the meat pie was not a meat pie, but more like 3 empanadas. Basically, I don't get this restaurant & don't plan on returning, and I'm an adventurous eater.
(3)Laura B.
Beautiful experience, delicious food. Clearly, every detail of a guest's experience has been thought through at Fairsted Kitchen. Our waiter was well-spoken and knowledgeable about the menu. Fun, local beers on draft, and a yummy shout-out to the neighborhood, the No Sleep Til Brookline got the ball rolling. To start we had a zucchini salad that was a special, the latkes, and the lamb meatballs. All were excellent, but the salad was a standout - if a salad can be "comforting" this one was. For the main course we shared the wagyu steak, and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The finish was an incredible chocolate dessert, a mousse pudding relative.... so good. A perfect date-night, and we will be back!
(5)Martha J.
I enjoyed this eclectic neighborhood restaurant. It offers a simple but basic menu! The small plates were not that inspiring! Wilted kale and hummus? I can make that a home! . I did enjoy the veal sweetbreads and the halibut was perfection. My son had the chicken and it was excellent! The chocolate dessert was served in a coffee cup! It may look trendy but it took away from the actual vision of the rich dark chocolate! I think a seasonal peach or raspberry dessert would have been a more inviting choice on a summer evening. Servers were great!
(4)Brandon B.
I really like the vibe of Fairsted. It's got a strange "I just walked into my great grandmother's house in a dream" atmosphere, but I like it. I was just there on Saturday for brunch. I ordered the Criminal cocktail (Cynar, bitters, cream and Cola). Absolutely delicious. We ordered the Eggy Pie, Potato Cake with Salmon Lox and Creme Fraiche, and a side of bacon. Everything was excellent and our server was super attentive and knowledgable too. I come in here at night for drinks too. The bottled cocktails are brilliant and usually super tasty. The fall one with wine and coke was definitely memorable. I'll keep coming back. I really like this place.
(4)Ann G.
I've been to Fairsted Kitchen twice now - once for brunch and once for dinner. Both times I was underwhelmed by the food. I love the idea of a limited menu, with a focus on just a few great dishes, but anyone with any kind of dietary restriction will find the menu VERY limited. Understandable, but difficult. At brunch, I took a look at the menu and nothing jumped out at me, so I had the french toast. Yummy, but small, and not really what I wanted in the end. My partner really enjoyed his egg dish but it was super tiny and he's a big eater so we ended up eating a "second breakfast" at home later. Most notably, my recent dinner involved so much salt in the food that I needed to gulp down water for the next few hours. My friend's tuna poke was so salty she had to send it back. The warm bean salad for me was also very salty but I stuck with it for the bacon. Even the baba ganoush was salty. Hard to stomach! In the end I like the atmosphere, I love the outdoor seating, and I want to support this place but with a limited menu and emphasis on salt I'm not sure I'll go back too soon.
(3)Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)Alexis F.
I'm reviewing more for the service than the food, but food is still included! I was disappointed at the slowness of the service and the nonchalant attitude of the staff. The hostess was sitting parties of the same size as ours (3 people, can't make reservations) even though were ahead of them on the waitlist for brunch... when I called her out on it she had zero excuses/reasons why this was happening. To say the least I was pretty pissed (what's the point of having a waitlist when you're not going to abide by it). Then it took about 45-50 minutes for us to get our food, which was ridiculous. Our waitress would only come over to refill our water, but never really checked in on us. The food wasn't anything special to be honest. I did like their house smoked salmon--very good, not too salty like some. After this experience, I'm not all that excited to return.
(3)RJ P.
I wish every meal was as good as the one I had at Fairsted last night. It's in a great location in Washington Square with a small but open layout inside. The drinks were delicious. They have exclusively Jack's Abby on tap, which certainly isn't a bad thing for a beer lover. The food was fantastic. Highlights include the wilted kale, escargot, gnocchi, braised oxtail, everything really. Can't go wrong. Excited to go back again soon.
(5)A R.
Write a review or not write a review - hmmm. Writing is respectful of the great job these guys are doing, but NOT writing might mean I can keep sliding in for dinner. Because the food is GREAT: whod'athunk I would get addicted to lamb ribs with vinegar dipping sauce- and the drinks are GREAT: no-sleep-til-Brookline the most perfectly balanced bourbon drink ever. This is a cozy, great acoustic space with an enthusiastic and helpful wait staff.
(5)Jen S.
Nice outdoor seating and ambiance inside. I give this place 3 stars because I did not really enjoy my meal (I got the gnocchi and thought it tasted overly salty) and thought the mixed drinks were just OK. But the blueberry pie and service were great!
(3)Sara B.
I heard from some friends that this place wasn't great when it first opened. Since then, they have made a change in the kitchen, and I will say that the Executive Chef and Sous Chef have greatly improved the menu. I brought my father here a few nights ago and he couldn't have been happier with the food. He is a pretty picky eater when it comes to heavy, oily food - he doesn't like it. His loving this food is a great indication that is it light and clean tasting. We started off with the Duck Fat Fried Potato Pancake. It sounds heavy, but it's actually very light and super tasty. Then we had Potato Gnocchi which was fantastic. The gnocchi dish wasn't too big or thick or cheesy, and the sauce was just enough to add wonderful flavor. The kitchen sent us a complementary greens dish which I believe was the Wilted Kale, but there was much more to the dish than kale, shallots, honeycrisp apple, and pecorino. For the next course (and I say "course" lightly, because these are small dishes - which makes it so much more fun to be able to taste many different menu items) we had the Sumac-Cured Salmon and the Seared Sea Scallop. Both were exquisite! Both the salmon and the scallops were seared just enough to get a nice browning with great flavor on the outside. The leek, butternut, and cashew sauce for the scallops was light and very flavorful, with the cashews giving it a nice crunch. Having the herb salad, artichoke, and buttermilk dressing with the salmon complemented the flavors of the salmon (which was not too fishy at all). After all of this, we had definitely had our fill, but I couldn't resist dessert. There isn't dessert on the menu, as I am sure they change it up quite a lot. Instead, the wonderful bartender, I believe his name is Alex, explained that there were two items available for dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Ganache. I am always a chocolate dessert eater, but I couldn't resist ordering the pie, since the last time I had it was 20 years ago when my dad last made it. I hated to admit it to my dad, but the pie was better than his! The crust was thin and cooked to perfection, while the balance of strawberries and rhubarb was kept the pie from tasting too sweet or tart. And of course, the ice cream with a mint leaf was the icing on the cake. All in all, my experience was fantastic. I think the dishes can seem pricey to some, but if you know and appreciate food, then you will understand why it may be a little more expensive than your average restaurant and bar. I highly recommend Fairsted Kitchen. As suggested from other reviewers, it helps to show up early or make sure you have a reservation. Bon Appetit!
(5)Julie L.
Wow! Amazing food! The decor was adorable, service, impeccable. We will be back again!
(4)Tara M.
Where to begin? My experience at Fairsted Kitchen last night was phenomenal. It was quite busy for a Monday night, but my friend and I were able to grab a seat at the bar. Danielle, the bartender, was super friendly and gave us great recommendations. I stuck to wine but my friend had the No Sleep Till Brookline which was great. We decided to order a few of the small plates to share. My favorites were the Wilted Kale and the Sumac-cured Salmon. The decor is so homey and the restaurant has a great overall feel. Definitely worth trecking out to Brookline! Fun Fact: They have house made cocktails on tap!
(5)Cyndi R.
I had dinner at Fairsted Kitchen last week. We had hoped to get dinner at Ribelle, but the place was packed and there wasn't a good space to stand and have a drink while we waited. So we decided to check out Fairsted across the street. From the moment we walked in we were blown away. The decor is really interesting and the hotess was pleasant. We were quoted an hour wait and then told there was a stool at the bar if we wanted to grab a drink in the meantime. I had a teriffic glass of red, my husband an inventive vodka cocktail. The co-owner behind the bar intorduced himself and then introduced us to several other staff. We ordered two appetizers to eat while we waited. Lucky for us, though, we were sat within 25 minutes at a communal table in the center of the room! Our appetizers were delivered to the table and were impressive -- spatzle and a pigs head lettuce wrap. Delicious! In fact, my husband was still raving about the spatzle at our daughter's soccer game the next day. For dinner we ordered one of the meals intended to be shared -- chatueabriand. It was amazing!! The beef was presented to us on a platter along with a salad and then taken back to the kitchen to be sliced. When it re-emerged, the beef was accompanied by a kale and fennel salad and amazing, creamy mashed potatoes. Throughout dinner, Steve, one of the co-owners came by regularly to replenish our wine glasses (the wine list really is unique!). When our meal was over we were offered dessert and individual french press coffees. After some debate, we settled on one dessert and Steve brought us over both! Fairsted is a real treat for the neighborhood. These guys know what they're doing. I can't wait to go back again soon!
(5)Michele S.
Gorgeous little room and a cozy, warm place to enjoy a little reunion with a good friend. Server was friendly, competent and knowledgeable. My entree of smoked duck breast was amazing, perfectly cooked and accompanied by red cabbage and a potato pancake, and just the right portion size. We shared a roasted cauliflower appetizer that was substantial and had great flavor, and then a "small plate" of cured salmon that was very small, unremarkable and actually quite bland and overly oily. So 2 out of 3 home runs on the food. Fun cocktails and very interesting wines by the glass. An excellent choice for an intimate meal in a neighborhood with a lot of competition for your dining dollar.
(4)Sonia T.
A lovely patio, interesting food, and friendly service! For me, "interesting" is a good thing. The pigs head wraps were delicious, the scallops melt in your mouth, and I am definitely going to start roasting figs with sweet potatoes. We got the lamb top to share, and it was delightful. At the end of the day, the prices are reasonable if you're in the mood to relish a long, special meal.
(5)Sara D.
Just had dinner here and loved it. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly and accomodating. Had a cocktail that was similar to a sazerac, but fizzy and lighter, very yummy. The skate and stuffed cabbage were wonderful. The spetzle was also very tasty. Four of us shared a bunch of different things. We left totally stuffed and happy. Will be back!
(4)Matt D.
Went to Fairsted Kitchen last night for the first time. I was very excited to try it out out as the menu looked great--I was really ready to love this place. We had a few drinks at the bar before sitting down, the scene was good and the bar had a great, lively feeling to it. The drinks were also well-made and the bar program was inventive and thoughtful. However, when we sat down and started eating, things started going south. First we had the cod beignets, they were very undercooked and raw in the middle. Even if they had been cooked-through, they were exceptionally salty to the point that I think something must have gone wrong in the kitchen. Next up were the spaetzle and autumn vegetables. The spaetzle was the best part of the meal (probably a little over-salted, but nothing compared to the salt bomb beignets). The autumn vegetables were good, and the presentation was excellent, but they weren't otherwise memorable. Finally we had the smoked duck, which was pretty good, but the potato cake that came with it was, again, over-salted to the point that it was inedible. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the service was great, the bar was great and the menu sounded great, but the execution in the kitchen was severely lacking. It's a little odd to say this about a restaurant, but everything but the food was good. I'm hoping that this is just part of working the kinks out of a newly-opened restaurant, and I'll likely be back to give them another shot, but I think I'll probably hold off on a return for a while. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to update this review with a few more stars in the future, but right now, execution in the kitchen is holding it back.
(2)Sam S.
Awful place. The food was way way too over priced. You barely get any food with the meal. The service was good though. But honestly I don't think 4 or 5 really small appetizers are worth $70. Don't go there! By the way, litterly everything had something that had to do with duck, I'm not going to lie but it was very very weird.
(1)Margie G.
I'm another person who really wanted to like this restaurant. We had an excellent charming waitress who was extremely helpful. All i can say is the food is tasteless or salty. Those are your choices. Cauliflower was al dente and nicely caramelized but even with raisins and caper fell short on flavor. Cod beignets were pretty good but the marinara needed a jolt if acid to keep the grease from the frying at bay. Gnocchi and duck confit was just salty...no discernible flavor. Cured sumac salmon with crunchy potato stick had potential but had no taste if sumac whatsoever. Don't think I'll return.
(2)Geoff P.
Always awesome. Pig Head lettuce wrap turns a bad day into a good one. Incredible staff. Incredible craftsmanship.
(5)E. H.
Awesome place!!!!! Owners are so attentive and want you to have a perfect experience. They let me try 4 wines before I picked one. They made special dishes for my friend with lots of allergies and then pointed out the allergens in everyone else's dish just in case. The food was amazing. The "bites" are actually pretty big. We had the beets scallops chicken and the cheese special and everything was amazing. Just awesome.
(5)nancy k.
The good news: the waitress was fabulous. The bad news: the food -- not so good. Ordered the Cured Salmon, not realizing it was not cooked. looked very attractive, but I don't eat raw fish, and I had to send it back. Ordered cabbage stuffed with ground veal. While waiting, started to eat the wilted kale. The flavor was nice, but not enough to compensate for the fact that the kale was not young, therefore tough, and not cut up fine. It was so tough I could not cut it with knife and fork, and chewing it was a chore. I couldn't eat much of it and let the staff know why. Now the stuffed cabbage -- my only hope. It was good enough, but the veal was chewy -- and veal is noted for its tenderness. Especially odd, because it was ground. The bill came and I was surprised to see the charge for the kale. The owner explained (repeatedly) that it was properly prepared and also that they had been nice enough to take back the salmon, and therefore he would not take the kale off the bill. Oh -- also, the restaurant was chilly, at least where we were sitting. There was a curtain to provide insulation from the cold coming in the door, but people pushed it aside when they came in and did not pull it back. After getting up about 15 times, my friend and I asked the staff if they could please manage the curtain, and they did pretty well. It was 50 degrees out, so I would not want to be there on a normal winter night. Need I say that I will never, never, EVER go to this place again.
(1)Nick W.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in Greater Boston. White beans with squid ink - a brand new look at a seemingly familiar dish. Stuffed cabbage w/ veal, ham croquettes with harissa aoili - great to pair with a No Sleep til Brookline cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, be sure to grab the Vin d'Orange apertif cocktail made by Alex Homans. Whether you see Patrick or Will behind the bar, you will be on good hands in this gorgeous, cozy space.
(5)Francis B.
My wife, son and I visited the Fairsted on Monday and had a fantastic dinner. The waitress suggested that the best way to enjoy the restaurant was to order and try many things instead of the traditional app, dinner and dessert. We split several "snacks and sides" had a few "smalls" and shared a "large". Our favorites were the pig head lettuce wraps (outstanding - but why do you call it that?), duck fat potato cake and the stuffed cabbage. The Chateaubriand was amazing!!! I really loved the wine list - very eclectic and great prices. Great service too! Sure to return!
(5)Pamela T.
Really great service in a nice looking room. A very interesting menu and great cocktail list. However, the food really needs some work. The nights special, butternut squash soup, was really bland. It tasted like pureed butternut squash, just plain butternut squash with some undercooked mushrooms floating around on top. The wilted kale was just that, bland, wilted kale in a big bowl. My chicken was cooked beautifully but the zatar rub was totally overpowering. The plate of grains needed some flavor and the smoked duck was odd. I like everything about Fairsted Kitchen except the food. I will try it again after the holidays and hope that the food is better. It is also quite expensive.
(2)matthew s.
Three of us ate there last night. Called from home and walked over. Table was waiting. Both owners work the front of the room, and the service was top notch and unobtrusive. The food was excellent. We had the oxtail shared three ways and it was sublime. The apps were all very executed, and the cocktails very precise. The link to Olmsted is clever, and I hope they can make more of that. I hope this thrives for years.
(5)c d.
The food was good, the drinks were great. The waitress was unpleasant which unfortunately affected my experience. Also, they have this eclectic vibe, with mismatched silverware and glasses, etc. It is a nice asthetic but all 4 ppl at our table ordered the same drink and 1 person got a tiny glass while the others get large ones. The server claimed they were all the same pour, but they clearly weren't. It looks pretty, but is annoying when you get the small glass. When they work out the early kinks and improve the waitstaff, it is going to be a great restaurant and I look forward to re-rating it.
(3)P J.
Service/decor/general vibe: excellent/cozy/inviting Drink: didn't have any cocktails Food: better than I was expecting. Scale of 1-5 (5 being the best): - sea urchin small plate: 4, sea urchin was only flavorful part of this dish, celeriac needs salt (or at least boil in salted water). - kale small plate: 3, slightly underseasoned - spaetzle small plate: 3 (too greasy and lacking flavor) - lamb ribs small plate: 4 (pretty good! esp with the dipping sauce) - duck/latke large plate: 5 (clearly just on point) - choco mousse with cardamom cream dessert: 3-4 (mousse needed more choco flavor to contend with the cardamom) overall: 4/5 price: I think the small plates (esp the vegetarian ones) are a bit overpriced for the quality. The duck large plate was well worth the price.
(4)Karina M.
Ummm..very little evidence of a four star experience I'm afraid, maybe the B team was cooking tonight. One of the reviews lower down nailed it by describing a disappointingly monotonic experience. Also ordered the lettuce wrap - extremely one-note - a sweet, tart counterpoint to the overly oily and savory taste would have taken it up a notch. The wilted kale covered with cheese was, well wilted and cheesy, nothing to say here - there was no real marriage of flavors. Spaetzle with rabbit was particularly dry and flavorless - a braised onion note might have helped here to relieve the blandness. The smoked duck, potato pancake and red cabbage were mixed. The potato had a reasonable texture but was completely missing any salt. When salt was added it was much better. The duck was OK but rather dry. The red cabbage was OK too but no zinging taste notes, could have done better at home. By this time we were quite depressed (the sparkling rose wine helped to elevate the mood a bit). We sprung for dessert and the pot au creme was the highlight of the meal. Delicious!! Also the service was a bit intense. Felt like we were being rolled up and shoveled outside. So all in all, probably won't be back I'm afraid. Happy about small portions. Don't object to paying for small portions. But need to see a more effective execution. Simply meh.
(2)Lara G.
We absolutely LOVED Fairsted Kitchen. The wait was a bit long, but it was a Friday night so that is to be expected! The next time we go, we'll definitely make a reservation. When we walked in and went to the bar, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender, Patrick. I can't stand when you want to order a drink and you're standing behind the people who have a seat, and the bartender just ignores you. But Patrick actually walked around the bar and walked up to us to take our order. As soon as a couple stood up from the bar, he made sure that we got the seats. Also, the cocktails were amazing!!! Their bottled cocktail that night was some sort of apple cider carbonated amazingness. Once we got a table, we ordered a few small plates - the pig's head lettuce wrap, wilted kale, roasted cauliflower, duckfat fried potato cake, stuffed cabbage, and white beans (with squid ink). They were all SO delicious! We then ordered the chateaubriand (4 of us left feeling pretty full after all this yummy food) and it was so so good. It was cooked perfectly, and the mashed potatoes that came with it were the best. We will definitely be back soon, and are so happy to have Fairsted in our neighborhood!!
(5)Judith S.
I had an extraordinary dinner with my family a few days after Christmas. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, and everything we ate was sublime. Brookline is very lucky to have Fairsted Kitchen--this Brooklynite is jealous!
(5)Karen H.
Been to Fairsted 3 times so far. The food was FABULOUS! It's curious that one reviewer felt the food was very salty. We didn't sense that at all. The cod beignets were perfect! The carrot salad was so good, we ordered a second one. We've had the duck, chicken and squid--all delightful. The pumpkin custard was way better than we thought it would be. The chocolate mousse was over-the-top. The waite staff and owners are very solicitous. For a Tuesday night it was busy and a bit noisy, but frankly, we're glad, because it hopefully means the place will be there for a long time.
(5)Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
(5)Mia S.
Well, the food is very tasty and creative. Definitely a fresher take on farm-to-table. A lot of these restaurants are making all the same food, which makes for a boring dinner out! It's nice to try something new. We had the Spanish octopus, the heirloom tomato salad, the roasted carrots with goat cheese, and the steak. It was all fantastic. Tender octopus, great tomatoes with delicious dressing...all very good. That said, it took a long time for the food to arrive. Nearly three quarters of an hour, which seemed a lot for three small plates and one entrée. I didn't know bread was available upon request; wish it had been offered. Our waters were also never topped off. I was the only one who didn't get a beer/cocktail but was able to pilfer my friend's water after failing to grab our waitresses attention. Generally, the service was underwhelming. I don't like to be babied or anything, but a check up half-way through the meal would've been nice. In short, four stars for food and two stars for service.
(3)Cassandra H.
Excellent experience. Atmosphere is very good. The cocktail menu is excellent. Food was delicious. We had the pork chop which was delicious and juicy. The lamb riblets were very good and had a lot of flavor. The food has a novel twist to familiar dishes. You must try the lobster beignets. The wait staff far exceeds the Boston standard. The food is expensive however the price is reflected in the quality. I would highly recommended this place.
(5)An L.
Nice ambiance. Stuffed French toast was good. Service a bit slow here. Omelett was very good.
(3)John L.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)Julian G.
Extremely overpriced! We had the lamb ribs and ricotta gnocchi, each were $13. The lamb ribs came with 4 small very fatty ribs, and the gnocchi came with roughly 8 gnocchis, and some extremely salty duck confit (this coming from someone with a salt tooth). The portions for their small plates were described as appetizer sized, but we're actually tapas sized, again for $13 I found it outrageous. They did poorly at both quantity and quality. They did fine at serving beer tho, but I will not be back.
(1)Alex B.
This place is a bit pricey, and the portions of even the "large plate" items are a bit small, but you cannot beat the taste. My favorite are the cumin dusted lamb ribs. The bar staff is very friendly, so my wife and I prefer to have dinner at the bar when we can. This place is very busy, so if you prefer a table, call and make a reservation in advance.
(4)Lilly N.
Full disclosure - I didn't choose Fairsted - I was in town for a wedding and my friends surprised me with brunch. None of us had ever been there, but they were able to take a large group. There were eight of us, and I think we managed to order everything on the menu. The grilled cheese of brie and peach - I am going to figure out how to recreate that at home, because it was spectacular. We also got french toast and hash, and a few other things. We also ordered coffee all around - great coffee, in french presses. The room was bright and the vibe was perfect for a Saturday morning. The service impeccable and patient as we were catching up while trying to order. It happened to be my birthday and the bar surprised me with a raspberry coffee cordial thing that was DELICIOUS. Brunch was perfect. I will definitely be back when I am next in town - I need more of that french toast in my life. Seriously.
(5)Mia S.
Well, the food is very tasty and creative. Definitely a fresher take on farm-to-table. A lot of these restaurants are making all the same food, which makes for a boring dinner out! It's nice to try something new. We had the Spanish octopus, the heirloom tomato salad, the roasted carrots with goat cheese, and the steak. It was all fantastic. Tender octopus, great tomatoes with delicious dressing...all very good. That said, it took a long time for the food to arrive. Nearly three quarters of an hour, which seemed a lot for three small plates and one entrée. I didn't know bread was available upon request; wish it had been offered. Our waters were also never topped off. I was the only one who didn't get a beer/cocktail but was able to pilfer my friend's water after failing to grab our waitresses attention. Generally, the service was underwhelming. I don't like to be babied or anything, but a check up half-way through the meal would've been nice. In short, four stars for food and two stars for service.
(3)John L.
Brunch Review: 2.5 stars I had ordered the corned beef hash (CBH), which runs an even $15. I was excited to get it, as CBH is the jam, but was disappointed. The dish arrived and I kid you not, there was possibly (at max) a quarter cup of CBH, mixed with (~12) your local Wegmans' tater tots (the ones you buy frozen by the bag and cook in the oven) with one egg and one full slice of toast. The egg was poached (and a hard yolk) and you could taste a bit of vinegar. This type of meal is kind of sad. I think their dinners are supposedly very good, but this time was just a large disappointment.
(3)M K.
Sort of pricey but underwhelming. Food is tasty but you've had a variation of nearly everything on the menu in its exact same form. It's a good restaurant but nothing about the food nor the experience makes me want to come by here again.
(3)Ashley K.
This place was fantastic! Split a bunch of plates with friends: Zucchini Latke Farm Fresh Carrots Meat Pie Holland Eggplant Spanish Octopus Fattoush Salad I absolutely loved everything but I have to say the eggplant dish was my favorite; it had garlic tahini sauce, so good. The flavors of everything were amazing. I also really, really loved the zucchini latke. And the meat pie was fab. I'm so excited to go back and try more on the menu! Also - the dessert was super. There were two options, and we loved both. And the drinks! The drinks were so delicious.
(5)Leesha Z.
Fairsted is awesome. We discovered it on one of our trips to grab Stacked Donuts, which is Stephanie Cmar's pop up donut shop. The place is really cute inside, really romatic. They have delicious cocktails and friendly service. It's even better with the warmed weather seeing as how they have plenty of seating outside. Last time we were there we just got drinks and our waiter ended up bringing us complimentary hummus and chips. Always a plus! Come check it out although parking might be a bitch.
(4)Jill F.
I have so much love for Fairsted Kitchen (Supper, Libations, Late Night). After flying solo and hitting up the bar one night during their first week, I finally had a proper dinner there last night--it was so delicious and cozy, with an overly kind, genuine staff (and an insanely surprising dessert!). The space itself is approachable, and thoughtful--a wonderfully homey environment. Like a baby Bondir in my opinon. Every single ingredient is of the highest quality, every detail is thoughtful, and every dish was executed with perfection. We tried: -Sumac-Cured Salmon (one of my favorites, cured for days in Sumac, draped atop perfectly cubed potatoes, with mild pink peppercorns) -The Steak Special, I cannot even remember what the description was, but it was incredible. -Rabbit Spaetzle, enjoyed thoroughly. -Cauliflower... definitely a favorite. Roasted and still al-dente, the capers and golden, plump raisins are a wonderful addition. -Duck Fat Potato Cake with Yogurt. Need I say anymore? We loved this. -Pumpkin Custard with Peppermint Cream and Gingerbread Biscotti. AMAZING. Steve told us the chef's brother is helping out and making desserts--what an amazing surprise! Cocktails, Beers, Wines by the glass and bottle... LATE NIGHT FOOD?! Living so close could be dangerous. Or incredible. Bravo!
(5)Nat G.
The fresh-tasting, house-cured salmon (not really, by tradition, "lox" as written) was nicely balanced between smokiness and saltiness, was properly moist, and was accompanied by mild pickled onions (as desired), capers, herbed cream cheese and superfirm bagel chips. We would have preferred a straight bread option on the menu for this dish and in fact were gratefully presented with French bread upon request for an alternative. The side of "krazy tots" w/caramelized onions, bacon and chicken jus could not have been improved upon. Another side of cheesy, creamy polenta w/ chives was also delicious. Georgian and Loire (rosee) sparklers topped off a very satisfying brunch. Service was efficient and friendly. Sorry, no serious complaints!
(5)John C.
As my Yelp years have passed, I have written fewer and fewer reviews. Doesn't mean I have stopped using Yelp (because I haven't), but it takes something unique to inspire me to write a review. Fairsted Kitchen meets that criteria. Where to start? For my Chicago friends, think of an excellent restaurant with bartending that reminds me of the Violet Hour. Yes, I said that. Classic bar and extremely well appointed, only the best top shelf liquor. As I said to the first class bartender who was an 'old school' professional at age 25?, this is not a "pretend bar". This is the real deal with creatively thought out cocktails, made with attention to detail, and carefully mixed. I have never seen a bartender shave slivers of fresh lemon rind with such passion and precision. Sounds goofy, but you could tell he really cared about his craft. The food? Love the small plates and approach to trying many tastes. I genuinely would have been happy to try 90% of the menu. Like most people whose reviews I read, my GF and I loved both the kale and the lamb ribs. The ribs were succulent and tasty, and the vinaigrette with which they were served was subtle and really enhanced the flavor of the cumin. To me, the best dish was the scallops. Have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in the last 35-40 years and I have never had better. Perfectly cooked...delicate, light, juicy and oozing with flavor. The two things I liked best about Fairsted, however, were the ambience and the service. Everything is served on old, mismatched china and silverware - no two pieces seemed to match. High ceilings, country style tables, fans and cool light fixtures. And the staff is uber friendly and really, really care about what they are doing. So if your are thinking about whether to go here for dinner, I'd highly recommend the place. See you there.
(5)Aamir F.
Walked in unbeknown to anything about this place...certainly a place serious about its dishes. Order 3 appetizers, the lamb rib was good but not superb. good charredness from the grill, juicy and how any lamb rib should be. Next was the cabbage with veal. This was Fantastic. the best of the three apps. Flavourful and tender. The final appetizer maitake mushroom was just average and small for $13. Overall, ill go again, discover afew dishes and certainly find 2-3 that ill keep coming back for!
(3)Kelly O.
Cute place, decent food, but on the expensive side. To begin with, the semi-secluded patio is adorable and romantic (I love the pew seats and string of lights overhead), and the interior of the restaurant also seemed very homey and cozy, complimented by the quaint mismatched china and silverware. Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive, and their cocktails are really interesting (my house bottled/carbonated cocktail was just neat). As for the food, I'm a fan of the small plates idea, and most of it was decently tasty to me (hint: the secret ingredient in most of the dishes seemed to be butter); but the boy was not impressed, nor was our wallet. Between two of us, we tried: -Lamb ribs: pretty yummy, with a great char on the outside and tender, flavorful meat inside, with a great complimentary fishy/vinegary dipping sauce on the side. The dipping sauce really made the dish, for me; the boy is not a fan of fish sauce and so opted out of it, but wasn't really impressed with the sauce-less ribs, so I think it's a pretty key component of this dish. -Wilted kale: I'm not a kale fan generally, but we decided to give it a try here because we wanted to get some greens in our system, and I'm glad we did. The kale was tender and not at all bitter, the pecorino/apples/shallots were tasty additions, and the whole thing smacked of butter (in a great way). Solid veg dish, one that's making me rethink kale. -Potato gnocchi: another butter-drenched dish, the gnocchi tasted heavily of potato (a good thing IMO), with spring-fresh accents of favas, fiddleheads, and maitakes. Good flavor, although a very small portion for the price (common at Fairsted IMO). -Duck-fat fried potato cake: it's hard to find a potato I don't like, and this one had good flavor, although I wished it had been a bit crispier (it was pretty soft). -Crab cake: a solid crab cake, but nothing unique or special. It had very little filler and tons of fresh, sweet crab, atop a nice romesco sauce. Didn't care for the grilled romaine on the side (do people actually like hot lettuce?). -Hummus: not terrible, but not especially unique or delicious either- I prefer my hummus to have much more flavor (more garlic, especially). Skip this. -Pig head lettuce wrap: this was all for the boy so I didn't get to try it, but it wasn't what he was expecting and he was really turned off by the addition of fish sauce (me, I love fish sauce, but to each his own). So most of what I tried was pretty solid/tasty, but it was in really small portions, and for $8 and $13 a pop, that shiz adds up. So, maybe just come here for a cocktail and a snack or two, and save a full-blown dinner for elsewhere?
(3)Maureen K.
Delicious farm to table cuisine Loved the salmon and spinach infused barley, melt in your mouth brussel sprouts and cauliflower, top notch cocktails and chocolate mousse with almonds dessert Attentive staff and cozy atmosphere Enjoy!
(5)Susan R.
so far, I've only had drinks at Fairsted... but I plan to change that soon, since the drinks have all been extremely good. creative, well made, measured. don't expect your drink in 15 seconds.. because they are crafting that mofo... featured cocktails and wine on tap? yes, please. if there are just two of you- get there very early and sit at the bar...
(4)Tom G.
I hate to do this but the food is really just lacking. I've tried a lot of the menu across three trips, mostly through friends wanting to try the new place in our neighborhood, and there are issues in the kitchen. Lowlights: -Gnocchi were grainy and lumpy and, blind tasting, I'd call them dumplings...bad ones at that. -Tuna carpaccio was warm and had blistered grains or something on top. -Potato pancake was not crispy, at all. -Lamb ribs were, again, unevenly cooked (some good, some dry as hell). All were underseasoned - except lamb ribs. High(medium?)lights: -Chicken was again nice. Crispy skin, moist inside. -Hummus was passable but a bit boring. -Cod beignets were flavorful but should never be on a spring/summer menu (too heavy!) The drinks remain the best thing about Fairsted. The bar program remains excellent, with the rotating on-tap cocktail and the bottled cocktails. The wine list remains interesting and has value all over. Not very busy, again, on the weekend. The 4-star average reviews are doing this place a disservice, if management takes that as a sign of "all is good!," as the food is closer to 2-stars and people simply aren't filling the seats.
(3)Libby M.
Excellent atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly bartenders full of great info about their drinks!!
(5)Gary C.
A+ on food flavoring. Special of the day veal chops were perfect. Polenta overly salted. Special was way overpriced. Best approach is to order a lot of "smalls" Service was excellent but hovering management will fill your water glass every 5 min even though there is water bottle on table. Decor plain, no decoration, no ambiance. Would have stayed for dessert and coffee but couldn't handle hard chairs and benches any longer.
(4)amy y.
Outstanding food. Very creative to please even the most skeptical water. Graciously accommodated a person with a lethal seafood and fish allergy. Great meal.
(5)Yelena Y.
Neighbourhood gem. I had the cumin lamb chops, and they were juicy and tasty. I had the duck for the entree,and it too was amazing. The kale starter was healthy yet yummy. I followed my entree with a slice of pie and it tasted like farmers market pie from back home. I had no trouble finishing it in under 5 minutes. The outdoor seating had a romantic feel. The night was perfect :)
(5)Stan P.
We live in the neighborhood, so we hit all of the restaurants regularly. They have redone the place nicely, and have a bar scene, something needed to survive around here. The food is good, but if I had to choose a word I would call it "precious," with an emphasis on SMALL in the small plates theme. $13 for less than a whole beet? There are other options within a stone's throw that have food as good, at reasonable prices.
(2)Das E.
Exquisite in almost every way. The cuisine should be categorized not as new American but as modern provencial French. Excellent menu, excellent wine list, and a decent range of scotches. I wouldn't recommend the rabbit spatzel but would recommend everything else. Can't wait to return. The one draw back concerns the waitstaff. These hipsterish band t-shirt clad know-nothings ought really to be replaced by a respectable staff properly trained in the art of service.
(5)Ildiko K.
I want this to be a great place. I really do. And even though I had a somewhat mediocre culinary experience, I sense that Fairstead is still establishing itself, is on its way up into the Boston food scene, and perhaps can only get better. I love the location, the size, the decor, lighting, the Olmsted connection, and even the mismatched cutlery. Here's the scene: My partner and I came early on a Friday evening, hoping to get a table for two (without a reservation). It was surprisingly quiet; the entire time we sat, there were only three other parties in-house, a handful of folks at the bar. Polite, unobtrusive, but slightly awkward service. I really dig the laid-back quirkiness of the wardrobe & aprons. I also don't mind the collaborative approach to service- when the food is ready, whoever is available will run it out. If a plate is sitting empty on a table, whoever happens to see it will clear it. It's ok by me to interact with staff who aren't specifically your server- adds to the laid-back / tight-knit vibes of the place. For dinner we had the cauliflower, the carrot salad, the cured salmon, the herb spätzle, and the raw fluke. For dessert- a perfect French press of Barrington coffee and the bread pudding. Cauliflower- PERFECTLY cooked, tender, and roasty but the touch of anchovy seemed like an afterthought and didn't add anything to the dish. Carrot salad- something I would have made at home. But I wouldn't have put so much lemon juice in it. It was really overwhelmingly tart and over the line between "fresh" and "abrasively sour." Herb spätzle- nice rich meaty component, heavenly soft, chewy texture. A bit too much cheese and very, very salty. Some rabbit gristle hanging out in there as well. Salmon- Beautiful, supple slices of house-cured salmon. I wanted to love it. The texture was great, beautiful color and subtle salmon flavor, but nothing else: no sumac, no other curing agents, not even a hint of spice or salt. Came with undercooked cubes of grainy, plain potato, which made me a little sad. The fluke- slightly tough and dry, beautiful on the plate, but too-big sections of lime and too-big slices of very hot pepper made it impossible to create a bite that was a medley of complimentary flavors. Bread pudding- great flavors, delicious, tart fruit, soft bread with a bite to it, caramelly exterior. Should have been much warmer and even a little crisp on the outside. Came out room-temperature and got cold fast. Yes! It's expensive! But for their seriousness, their ambience, and the creative & high-quality direction this restaurant is (hopefully) going in, it's worth it. If people want heaping portions at a lower price they'll have to look somewhere else. Really well-stocked bar and great cocktail/wine list. I'll definitely be back for at least a drink. Got to meet and chat with Steve who made a great impression. Go and check it out- but don't expect perfection, at least not yet.
(4)Grasz H.
We had wilted greens with nectarine and mangchego cheese, lamb that was crusted in cumin and a dipping sauce that was delicious, as well as beets and 2 desserts, the blueberry pie and chocolate. Everything was terrific and the service outstanding. I can't wait to go back and try the big plates. Everything on the menu looked great. The beautiful china dishes were a plus. Wonderful ambiance.
(5)Irina R.
I'd give this place 4.5 stars. We went on whim as someone had mentioned it in passing. Loved the gnocchi and escargots! Wished there was more of the scallops to split as they were delicious, while the lamb ribs were good but a bit too crunchy. Great for a summer night.
(4)George S.
Yes, this place can be a bit on the expensive side (the scallop ceviche my wife and I had was like 6 SLICES of scallop and I believe cost $13), but it it was VERY tasty. With the above said about price, not all the dishes were crazy expensive. We had a wilted kale dish that was quite delicious and made me realize I need to use pecorino cheese with my kale at home. Cost was, I think, $8 The braised oxtail (with vegetables and a salad) we had cost $51 and it was delicious and was more than enough for the two of us. If we hadn't have wanted to try some of the other plates including a bean dish with squid ink, we could have probably just survived quite tastily with the oxtail and maybe the kale or beans. The wine selections by the bottle were nice and the bartender really knew the wines he recommended to us to go with the oxtail. I also had a cocktail that was a hell of a good concoction with gin. The space is nice and cozy, and I second the other recommendations to sit at the bar if you can. I see no need to sit at a table if you are a group of two. I think overall this restaurant knows what it is doing.
(4)Paula S.
Delicious food. Awesome service. Very nice atmosphere. What more can one ask for?!?! My favorite was the hummus plate and lobster croquette...enjoyed with a glass of Pinot Noir and I was a happy gal!
(5)Eric F.
I love this place. Very intimate vibe, excellent drinks, and great food. Unfortunately it is a little overpriced and the portions are incredibly small, however, if you want good food and a good experience than this is the place to go. I recommend this place. If you are on a stricter budget there's a great place next door with better prices and great food.
(4)CW A.
Natural, yummy, fresh and reasonably healthy food. Very nice and attentive staff (we had many servers all asking how we were doing) Nice, calm, quiet atmosphere with outdoor seating And a creative drink menu. Ok, so you pay for quality, and not every dish will hit it ever time, but its worth it to have this gem of a restaurant around.
(5)Trevor S.
As lame suburbanites scared by the long wait at Barcelona next door, we stumbled into Fairsted Kitchen next door. Naturally, the wait was just as long. But we ordered a bottle of wine and hung out at the bar. I'm glad we did. Inventive, amazing cooking served by people who are actually into what they're doing. This is a hot spot on the rise. The use things like kale and understand that being inventive is about mixing interesting things that work. Too many places just lard things up with enough salt and fat to make Ronald McDonald jealous and call it a dish. Not here. Maitake mushrooms? Kale? Everything was amazing. Chicken? Fluke? We were fighting over the last bites. Great new place!
(4)Penelope K.
One of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. I ordered the bagel with lox and cream cheese. Simple and easy, right? The bagel was like cardboard - pretty sure it was frozen. Repulsive. They couldn't even bother to toast it - it came out starch white. The lox was dripping in oil, which is offensive. This is actually the first time I've not been able to eat a bagel with lox. I make it better at home with store bought ingredients. Pathetic knowing that zero preparation goes into this dish and they still couldn't execute. My friend got the eggs in tomato sauce. What a disappointment. Sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. Inedible and the eggs were undercooked - no, not soft, just NOT COOKED. Terrible choice for 10 am. Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day to make....what an embarrassment. I am a foodie from NYC and there are some great restaurants in Boston, but this gives them a bad name with all the great press they've gotten. Someone was obviously paid under the table. This restaurant is a joke. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)Jimmie J.
Dined here repeatedly since I moved into the area. Consistently blown away by the food, staff, drinks, creativity, friendliness and experience. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Henry N.
Ok so I lied. I DID go back. Full disclosure: one of the owners contacted me with apologies and a stated desire for me to return. I am SO glad I did. Superb food. Great experience. When you taste a dish and the dish yields fabulous and unending surprises to the palate, you know you have experienced true culinary genius. Sound hyperbolic? Come, take, eat. You judge.
(5)Olivia W.
I love this place. Small, homey, and most importantly, the food is delicious. The menu changes every time we go there( 3 visits so far), and just about everything we have ordered turned out to be great. The interior design and the dishes they use are vintage style. Going there makes us feel like going to a friend's house for dinner who is a really amazing cook. I would recommend make the reservation in advance due to smallish.
(4)AB H.
All the dishes were pretty good, none great. The croquettes lacked flavor, I didn't even taste the ham hock. The herb spatzle had a good texture and cheesy deliciousness. The skate was a bit chewy. We also had the pig head lettuce wraps and the wagyu zabuton, but I can't remember them. Maybe that says a lot. The drinks are good, too bad the guy helping us couldn't describe them effectively. I liked the UpSouth, but was told it was too sweet. It wasn't. The people who work there are friendly but too eager, not savvy. I'd say the same for the decorations - they are trying to hard and it just misses - items on shelves that are too small to hold them, for example. If this weren't in my neighborhood, I wouldn't go back, but it is, and it's new, so I'll be back to try more dishes.
(3)nondini n.
I came here for brunch and it was amazing. First of all it wasn't crazy packed and the food is amazing. I had the dirty rice Mexican breakfast and it was truly one of the best things I've had. I'll definitely be back. It's a best kept secret- come for brunch you won't regret it.
(5)Nick F.
Fairsted Kitchen has the potential to be a top eatery in Boston, but the execution isn't quite there yet. Perhaps other plates are much better than the just OK ones we got: the rabbit spattzle, fluke sashimi style, croquettes, lamb ribs, and beef tongue soup. The food is good, but not special. The service is fine, but not outstanding. I look forward to returning further on down the road and seeing if this place has improved to the type of establishment they are clearly striving for. Or at least going to try their house cured salmon which I hear is amazing. I recommend it if you are in the area, however, it is not on the list of must-go-to places in Boston at the moment.
(3)Lucas P.
What can I say, this place is just awesome! Friendly staff, delicious food, and amazing cocktails are making this my go-to spot. Brunch and dinner menus are great, I have yet to try anything there that I didn't like. A look at the menu might dissuade some as there are only a handful of entrees, but a few of the smaller plates split between two people can easily make up a meal. A few of my favorites are the duck fat potato pancake, cumin dusted lamb ribs, croquettes, and the wilted kale. The owners Steve and Andrew are always around and making sure everything is to your liking, and the bartenders make a mean cocktail. I recommend the No Sleep till Brookline or the Antigua Plaza off the drink menu, but they also serve up one of the better Manhattan's I have had in the area. It isn't the cheapest place to go for a bite to eat, but I think you get what you pay for.
(5)Mariam C.
Amazing! So lucky to have such great restaurants in my neighborhood. Great atmosphere, food was impeccable and the drinks were awesome!
(5)Sarah S.
This place is the best. I've been here several times since it opened and it has yet to disappoint. The food is fantastic as well as the service! The atmosphere is so charming. Definitely a must. The lamb ribs are the most amazing thing I've ever had. They fall off the bone. The kale is fantastic as well as the gnocchi. I can't remember all the names of the plates but the steak for the large plate is delicious!!
(5)Jacob S.
We had a birthday celebration at the Fairsted last weekend. We were very pleasantly surprised with the great quality of the food. Several dishes blew us away in terms of creative use of spices and flavor. First, the butter they provide for the bread was the best I have tasted in an American restaurant. Very like clotted cream you might get in England. This might be a small thing but reflects the depth of thought they went to in designing the restaurant's food and menu. The monkfish wins a big shout out as it had a great flavor, spiced with the unusual ras al hanout. The cod beignets were light and tasty. A potato/celeriac tart with uni was really interesting and again a good combination. We also had a few veggies including a salad that we couldn't stop eating (fancy that!) and a carrot based slaw type dish that added a bright contrast with the meat dishes. Based on the sommeliers rec, we also had a nice wine that fit well with the food. I am very eager to go back and try either the ox tail or chateaubriand! Or perhaps both!
(5)J G.
First time here. Great addition to the community. Had brunch. Stuffed French Toast, truffle crepes, and black beans and rice with duck confit were all very good. Dinner menu looks similar. Cocktail list looked creative too.
(4)Jami B.
Brunch here was a disappointment. Especially when breakfast food is the easiest meal to make. The bacon was flavorless and greasy without any crispiness. The potato cake with sunny egg wasn't a runny egg at all and there was no seasoning present nor available at the table. The Steak sandwich had day old bread which was a little too crusty and the steak a little too grey and not even a hint of pink left in it. The bloody mary came with only a pathetic celery stick (not even a stalk); and they had no clue what lager was or what beer chaser is in relation to a bloody. The coffee--!!!--it's not right to have over 2 inches of grounds steeping for over 20 minutes. Especially when the cream they serve curdles the minute you add it to your coffee sludge. A true disappointment. Also, crowd and waitstaff here is mainly unwashed, unmotivated, bearded hipster millennials. Be warned. Go find a food truck instead.
(1)Brittany T.
I went here for brunch and sat on the beautiful patio. Our server was super nice and knowledgable! The service was great as was the food. I never made it inside but was told it's charming! I would absolutely go back!
(4)Rajiv R.
Great place! Had a chance to chat with the owners, who were very friendly, attentive, and accommodating of our table's food allergies. High attention to detail in every dish. Definitely not a cheap eat, but if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere. Save this for a nice night out. Wish these guys the best of luck!
(5)Ashley C.
Best dinner in Brookline by far. Welcomed by the owner as our waiter! We love Steve! Xoxo! Fantastic menu, clever wine list. The seafood (halibut) and rose's are not to be missed. Cannot rave enough about this place. If you have the pleasure of coming to this place, don't miss it! Props to Steve's mom for birthing him and therefore making this place happen!
(5)Vivian C.
Fairsted Kitchen is located across from the Star Market on Beacon Street and shares a block with its neighboring competition, Barcelona Wine Bar. In the warmer months, their seating is considerably doubled with the addition of their patio along the sidewalk. Bread is only served upon request. My recommendation - request it! The toasted slice (yes, they brought out one slice per diner) was yummy slathered with the mystery spread. We sampled a number of plates, and found them on the whole to be rather small, but tasty and well prepared. For similar food quality, however, the nod goes to Barcelona with their slightly larger portions for the price tag. smoked trout - melted beet - pickled scallion - 13 spring vegetables - lentils - patty pan - fava - cauliflower vinaigrette - 11 salmon conserva - garlic scape - yoghurt - baharat - 8 jerusalem artichoke - herb marinade - wild mushroom blend - 10 spanish octopus - spiced potato - celery salad - 14 pierogi -potato & cabbage - smoked pear - 12 meat pie - short rib - feta - kale - ras el hanout - 15 grilled quail - apricot - date - pine nut - 16 cornish game hen - marinated fennel - za'atar - 21
(3)Felix G.
Fairsted was an amazing experience. I mean it. The food was really delicious and I am a real gourmet. The chef knows what he/she's doing. I had a piece of beef that I still dream of once in a while, the pumpkin dessert, although it sounds like we've had enough of these in autumn, was ABSOLUTELY stunning. And the wine selection was great, a little pricy nonetheless. Friendly hipster atmosphere, sweet cutlery and plates on rough wood farm tables. Very cozy, friendly and helpful staff. Really wonderful place in Brookline. Gotta be a must in the Boston Food Scene soon.
(5)