Absolutely Fabulous
454 Main St, Melrose, MA, 02176
Absolutely Fabulous Menu
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Address :
454 Main St
Melrose, MA, 02176 - Phone (781) 620-0940
- Website https://abfab-melrose.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Mary O.
This place is such a cute little restaurant in Melrose. A friend recommended it to me so my boyfriend & I decided to go there for Valentine's Day dinner. The service was great & the food was even better. I ordered a filet mignon & I loved it. I never really liked steak but since they had a special menu that was a lot smaller than the normal one I didn't really see anything else I liked. This was my first time ever ordering a steak & I loved it! We will definitely be back soon
(4)Nate D.
Went there for a St. Valentine's Day dinner. I had high expectations as it was recommended by some local friends. Unfortunately this place is exaggerated. Food is more American then Italian. I had marinara meatballs which was not cooked with olive oil and the meat was not so great either. The lobster meal we ordered was nice however it didn't have much lobster in it despite of its $45 price. Service was average except that angry old lady who served water. If they didn't pretend to be a cool place I'd give 3 but they are getting a penalty for overpricing and pretending.
(2)Suzanne S.
Absolute Dud is what this place should be called. I am surprised by all the recent positive reviews. I was here about a month ago with a friend for dinner. As a resident of Melrose, I am constantly disappointed with the restaurants downtown (with the exception of Turner's). We gave it a try mid-week. We were seated right away. At the next table the owner (assuming...she was old and had white hair) was sorting through mail and I think also bills...whatever she was sorting through I found it completely inappropriate to do so during (what should be) peak dinner hours. I'm placing our order and all of a sudden she (assumed owner) comes out of no where holding two drinks, raising her voice at our pleasant waitress saying "WHO'S DRINKS ARE THESE?! THEY'VE BEEN SITTIN THERE." I wanted to leave. The waitress did not apologize but was very flustered by that woman's behavior. Toasted ravs tasted frozen, calamari was rubbery (not fresh) and the salad was alright. FLASH FORWARD to today: My dad insisted on looking at the menu in the window even though I told him it was not good. A stranger walked by and said, "It is awful there." I like to support local businesses, but I will never go back.
(1)Markiyan M.
Probably been here 20+ times. Place is my absolute favorite place for a drink and dinner with the wife. Have yet to have a bad meal here. Chicken parm is huge and delicious. The chicken broccoli penne is awesome. Cod puttanesca and stuffed meatballs are a must try too. The martinis are great and they have a good sized beer selection. Just a great place to hit up on a Friday night after a long week to get great food and drunks. I suggest sitting in the back bar and enjoy the live band.
(5)Pattie D.
Very disappointed to find out that Absolutely Fabulous has been shut down! Not sure what happened, but they are closed by the Commonwealth of Mass. Hope whatever it is get's resolved and they reopen soon. Beyond that, I love this restaurant, the food is amazing! I sincerely hope they reopen.
(4)Beantown S.
SUPER disappointing because I really want to give a great rating but the service was mediocre at best. I'll make this simple: Food: Stellar Ambiance: Quite Good Service: VERY friendly but we spent half the time of my birthday dinner at the table waiting for her to pay us any mind. Lemonades took 20 min (without warning us it was being made 'fresh' until 1 minute before it finally came) and we waited another 35 at the end to get a check. It was bordering begging us to walk out on the tab it took so unbelievably long to just pay for the darn meal. Definitely almost ruined the evening.
(3)Tom D.
Sometimes the urge to Yelp is brought on by a marvelous experience, but then there are those times when things go sour and you sit down to write a buyer beware review. This review actually began as one of the latter after a not so good outing to this restaurant, and I had all intentions of leaving a two star review detailing all the shortcomings of the experience, but sitting down to pound out the review got me reflecting on all the other visits I've had here and what wonderful food and service I received, and so, I'm going to put that one night in the fluke file and go with my aggregate assessment of four stars. A lot of Yelpers complain about reviews based on one visit and I'm glad I'm not writing this one having had just that one visit to go on, as AbFab really is a good restaurant and I intend to keep going back. Save one less than stellar server we had on our last visit, I've always found the service here to be excellent. Servers offer helpful suggestions, are knowledgeable about the menu, and engage in just the right amount of friendly banter for the upscale casual vibe they have going on. The one critique I'd say is that it can take a little long to get drinks from the bar, but that's it. The menu here is mainly Italian with a few twists thrown in. The veal cavatelli with goat cheese sauce was good, and the filet has been just right every time I've ordered it, but I think I'm faithful to one dish here now and will cry if they ever take it off the menu. If you're a seafood person I highly recommend the cod puttanesca. I've ordered this dish several times now, and I'm still rave about it each time to anyone who will listen. The sauce...oh the sauce... Thick and hearty with olives and capers abounding, and with two sizable slabs of cod and crispy gnocchi in there, this is sure to fill you up. With all those olives and capers, you might find the dish very salty, but I happen to really enjoy it. Just stay hydrated eating this one. I tend to stick to my standard cocktail choices of vodka or gin martinis or wine, but the cocktail list here is intriguing. On my last visit I braved being judged and ordered what they call a "girl's night out" that was made with tea vodka. Very refreshing but goes down way too easily. I find the the whole cocktail menu seems kind of geared towards chickie-poos, but hey, the restaurant is called Absolutely Fabulous, which is itself, pretty chickie-poo-ish. To summarize, as my seventh grade English teacher would have me do, upscale casual Italian with flair, tasty drinks, good service. Great addition to the growing suburban dining scene. (To anyone reading this that made it this far, I'm sure you're curious what was so bad about the last visit and rather than taint my four star review with details about it, I'll just say that all issues on that visit were centered on our server and hopefully he has moved on to a job he enjoys more.)
(4)Elizabeth M.
Appetizer was good: steak and cheese bruschetta was very good, fried ravioli was ok, not to my taste but good, according to my mates. My dinner was ok (filet with foie gras), would have been better if it wasn't overcooked. Mate had basically spaghetti and meatballs, he said they were very good. Drinks were well made, propers to the bartenders. Only three beers on tap but it's a martini bar so no trouble there. Two stars because we went for trivia and was made to feel uncomfortable the whole night. Quizmaster was not very friendly, kind of rude. May have thought himself funny but even with our laid back group, he missed the mark. I've had good trivia and bad trivia but hardly ever trivia where I really, really wanted it to end. Dude needs to be nicer to new comers and waaaay less high school clicky with the regulars. That's how you get more regulars.
(2)Amanda P.
Yum! I really liked it here. I had the cioppino, which was so good. My friend had the chicken francese (sp?) and loved it. I had a bite and would definitely have that as well. The mixed drinks were really good. The atmosphere in the bar area is nice. It was cozy, clean and stylish. It was open mike night which seemed like it would be fun.
(5)Kerry S.
Great food, great service-terrible TERRIBLE entertainment. Dear god, make it stop. We are here, everything is great except for the live music. Horrendous 80's cover band. There is NO way I'm coming back here on live music night. This level of entertainment belongs in a dive bar.
(4)Joslyn L.
So much hype...and not that great of food or service. One of my girlfriends and I went in for an early dinner around 6PM and it was not crowded at all. However they put us in a seat right by the kitchen and at the next table there was a group of the staff that were eating but being very rambunctious and not very courteous. The mussels were sandy - the pasta was way too heavy. I would not go back again. Upsetting because it is so close to our apartment and I love Italian food :/
(2)Tanya G.
Loved it! The food was delicious! Hubby had the NY strip and I had the halibut special which was superb! Service was wonderful and swift and sitting near the bar was the best! Live entertainment just makes a place feel so welcoming and lively. We literally live down the street and we are so mad at ourselves for never having been! Amazing night out! :) I can't want to go back!
(5)erin s.
I've been here a few times now to try the drinks and appetizers, so the 5 stars are only for those options! The bartenders have always been amazing, offering suggestions and to tweak drinks to my liking. We got the meatballs and springrolls on different occasions for appetizers, both were very yummy. I look foward to going back for more!
(5)Alicia B.
Had I sat down to write this review yesterday morning, AbFab would have easily received 3 or 4 stars. My husband and I are regulars at this restaurant. Our love affair with the appetizers, entrees & cozy atmosphere began when we stumbled upon Absolutely Fabulous after hearing that a band we liked was playing there. At the time, we lived about 5 minutes down the street, so it became our go-to spot for Italian fare. We almost always started our meal with the Stuffed Meatballs, and though I always told myself I would branch out and try something new, Lori's Famous Chicken, Broccoli & Penne was always in my rotation (hint: ask to sub out the penne for cavatelli - well worth it!) Service from the bar has always been on the slower side, and often they mess up your drink orders. The waitstaff is always very courteous and attentive however and will fix any problems you may have from the bar. Since moving to Boston, we only visit AbFab once a month or so now. Last night, I was craving my go-to dish, so we checked their website for restaurant hours (4-10pm) and made the 30 minute trek to Melrose. We arrived shortly before 5 and went right in. We saw some customers in the bar area, but per usual at that time, the front of the restaurant was empty. The hostess came right up to us and said, "Can I help you?" and we told her, "2 for dinner." She then informed us that they were closed for a private party and weren't open on Sundays. I said to her that their website indicated that they were open on Sundays and she replied with a half-hearted, "oh yeah, we've been meaning to change that," and didn't even apologize. My husband then asked if he could use the bathroom before we left (since we had been in the car for half an hour) and she refused. Seriously? We just drove 30 minutes out of our way to eat in your restaurant and you won't even let him use your bathroom? Won't be coming back here anytime soon.
(2)Stephen M.
This review is about my experience at their weekly trivia night on Wednesdays. It started about 45 mins late and after seeing how much appetizers ($10-$15) and entrees ($20-$30) cost I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable by the fact that we were taking up prime real estate and only buy a few $5 beers. The service was pretty slow, even for the "high rollers" (people who got food). We got water and bread right away, but it took about half an hour for someone to take even our drink order. The table was also wobbly... I liked that the chef came out multiple times to check on things and greet customers, but I got this weird feeling (at least in the bar area where trivia was held) that you had to order everything at once and then just coast through trivia. I felt like I was at a function. Anyway, I liked the way trivia was run. There were 5 rounds with 6 or 7 back to back questions in each, all within a specific category. Our server, who also doubled as the trivia host, was pretty sassy and entertaining. I don't understand how we came in last place though? The mostly older crowd must have somehow known the premise of Hannah Montana and that one of the Jonas Brothers was having a baby?!? After the game ended, our server asked if we were new and told us to come back another time when it would be less hectic. Apparently a server had called out and they were a little backed up. I'd definitely give it another try and look forward to writing an updated review!
(3)Stephanie B.
Took a chance on a Saturday night with no rezzies anywhere (girls, if you want to do it right you have to do it yourself.. sigh -- what is it with boys and their utter inability to plan?) and called up Ab Fab on the fly and got right in. Plenty of veg options, live music, drinks and wine! The hostess really was ab fab, as was our wonderful waitress, loved the space, but young and inexperienced bartending, combined with the silly pre-teen obnoxious to the max girl sitting next to us.. did not for an awesome experience make. Maybe our seats were just too close together. He had a mushroom tortelloni and I had a squash rav, both really good, but that nasty mojito sure gave the Cuban concoction a bad name! He didn't finish his Beez Kneez, either. We had some forgettable wine with dinner. The flavorless mousse cake was served with a *rotten* strawberry. And that was that.
(2)Marie c.
was planning on going to turners, arrived at 8PM to find that place so LOUD you could hardly hear yourself think...and a 45 min wait. So we left and wandered down the street and saw this restaurant, way less busy but with an interesting menu. Decided to give it a try. Glad we did. Food was great! Had antipasto-delicious...it was enough for the 2 of us; great introduction. Husband had ciopinno; it was fantastic, all fresh fish, nothing previously frozen - he said it was very tasty. He's from Maine, knows his seafood and we just returned from San Fran where this dish is king...and he was very happy with the version served here. Thumbs up. I had chicken with lemon tarragon sauce, mash. potatoe and roasted veggies; Originally I thought the serving to be too small, but it was not. It was perfect-size and it was delicious! The chicken was very tasty, cooked just right and the sauce was delicious! The mashed potatoes were yummy too! absolutely homemade. All in all, the food was excellent and it was an unexpected treat. The waitress had her hands full, as she was attending to most of the customers, herself-so she was busy but attentive. Fresh bread, wonderful olive oil to accompany...all in all, a great meal. Really, nothing negative to say - it was a thumbs up - night.
(4)kelly m.
My husband and I have had dinner here twice and both times had excellent meals and service! It's a quaint setting with unique artwork--very pleasant ambience. We'd highly recommend and will definitely be back!
(5)Timothy D.
We have eaten more than a handful of times at both locations. I enjoyed the prior location for it's rustic eating with friends feel and the new place for its suburban attempt at hipness. It may actually be hip - but I am too un-hip to appropriately comment. The food has been uneven ever since we have gone. Strangely, my wife seems to order badly and I end up with great meals. She has had a chicken dish with the chicken overcooked to the point of being trash worthy. I have had short ribs that were worthy of a last meal on earth. She had a roast of chicken that was rubber, I had osso buco that was ethereal. Is there a trend? Order the heartier meals and stay away from the quick preparations. BTW, the chicken livers are delicious!
(4)Theresa M.
I'm hesitant to write such a glowing review because part of me wants to keep this little gem of an establishment all to myself. I went here for the fist time this past weekend on a whim after my original plans did not work out. OMG I was so glad that my friends and I wound up here. I had heard of it before and wanted to go, but had not had the chance. Very cute place located in downtown Melrose. From the outside it looks pretty quiet, but inside there was an eclectic, cozy, welcoming environment waiting for us...not to mention some of the best martini's I have ever had! I like interesting martini's that are made well....oh and that don't cost $15. Absolutely Fabulous is reasonably priced. I tried to "Key Lime Pie" martini which was AMAZING!!! My friend had a Caramel Apple martini that I took a sip of and that was also yummy...however they could use a little caramel sauce on the rim of the glass to really jazz it up. We looked at the menu which had some interesting offerings. If you're looking for generic "bar food" then go elsewhere. We ordered the toasted ravioli's and they were delicious as well...next I want to try the Steak and Cheese Appetizer or the Stuffed Meatballs...it all sounded yummy. Personally I'm going to stay away from the Pan Seared Chicken Livers, but if that's your thing...well they have it there for you!!! Last but not least there is LIVE MUSIC. The band was GREAT and played a fabulous selection of songs...not the overdone "Mustang Sally" and badly played "Lady Gaga" that seem to be happening at other similar establishments in the area. The bartender was very nice and attentive. Also the place was clean and there is plenty of parking around. Needless to say I will be back ASAP....oh and I like calling this place by its nickname..."AbFab!!!"
(5)Mark A.
My wife and I have been there a few times more recently, and they've improved their service and decor. I increased my rating from 3 to 4 stars to reflect this improvement.
(4)Katie C.
Got the fettuni carborara. It will good, but there were huge chucks of pepper in it. Ever bit down on a chuck of pepper? Not a pleasant experience. It is cold in the front because of the windows. Service was great.
(2)Vicky W.
Avoid. AbFab charges prime Boston prices and the food is reasonable - but the service is downright terrible. We're Melrose residents and the choices here are limited - but after having had several bad experiences with service - we've decided to avoid AbFab in the future. We're not alone in this and several neighbors (some of whom used to visit every week in old location) have stopped going as well. For one thing - service gets *very* slow when the place is busy. Second and worse, if you don't like a dish served to you (or even have the wrong order served to you!) - you're stuck with it. Your waiter likely won't care and certainly won't take the dish back. I think AbFab owner needs to understand that service is critical to the restaurant business and if you treat a customer poorly - not only do you lose that customer but several others via word-of-mouth.
(2)Jennifer M.
Tried Absolutely Fabulous last week and was pleasantly surprised. The front of the restaurant gives the impression of a spot my grandma might enjoy. We were please to find the little room in the back with a bar and additional seating. A bit more lively if that's what you're in the mood for or sit up front for a quieter evening. Apparently there is entertainment Thurs-Sat - we left before they started, but looking forward to checking out some of the live music. On the food front, we had duck wontons - delicious! I had the seafood cioppino (though they don't call it this). The portion was huge and it was soooo good - just enough kick to the broth and plenty of delicious fresh fish. My fiance had the bacon wrapped scallops over pomegranate risotto. He loved it. We had left overs for days. In general the menu is inventive and the portions are plentiful. The service was also fantastic. Reserving 5 stars for a second visit.
(4)Gaye D.
I dined at this establishment for the first time Friday night. It was great. The atmosphere was pleasant. The noise level was low, even when the band started playing in the back. The service was excellent and the food was, well the food was Fabulous. It was a great evening, with great food. I will definitely go back again and will recommend it to my friends!
(5)Sharon D.
Appropriately named! Intimate, friendly and yummy food! We went on a Saturday night, got there early, was immediately seated and was treated well right from the start! Barbara at the front was lovely, friendly, pleasant, and gracious. We ordered delish drinks, a hurricane off the drink special and a Girl's Night Out martini to sip with our perfectly prepared fried calamari and warm fresh baked bread with olive oil. Then came the main courses of seafood Fra diablo and fetuccini alfredo to continue with the yum. The portions were plentiful! We were stuffed and passed on dessert. A great value - 3 drinks, an app and 2 entrees for $85. We were told about the wine cabinet rentals, which is a nice touch. We will definitely be back!
(4)Ruby W.
Great place to have an intimate dinner or even just a coffee It looks quaint from the outside however it's a long and narrow structure and you wouldn't realize that there was even a bar in the back unless you walked through to the rest room at some point. The food is fantastic, started with very fresh bread. I started with an antipasto plate the was to share and to share and enjoyed a carbonara style pasta with chunks of prosciutto. I am excited to try some of the other dishes on the menu now! I will definitely be back when I'm next in town. Rubyritalikes Absolutely Fabulous.
(4)Cristina V.
We had Absolutely Fabulous cater our press party recently and they were AMAZING. The food was phenomenal! All of our guests commented on how great the passed hors d'oeuvres were (both hot and cold) and the staff that they provided were friendly and professional. We will definitely use them for any future events we need catered and would recommend them to anyone looking for catering for an event.
(5)Frank P.
This is gonna be harsh. I've gone to AbFab 5 times in the last 2 years with my wife (who loves it BTW). Of those 5 times, I have had exactly 1 meal that I enjoyed (a lamb shank). Every other dish has been very disappointing, including the Cod Puntanesca I had last night. Both the cod and the clams that come with it were under cooked. The clams in particular were almost raw, which I would have preferred much more than semi-cooked. As they were, they were gross. The meal was absolutely swimming in sauce and the very few gnocchi it came with were dry and unflavorful. Other dishes I've had previously were equally disappointing. The pasta in the Seafood Fra Diavolo is equally unflavorful and the dish is again is swimming in sauce. The escargot (which seems to have left the menu) was basically a butter delivery mechanism with no other flavor. The portions are generally huge, which I guess is how they justify the over-priced nature of pretty much everything on the menu. When you read the descriptions it all sounds really good, but it seems that the chef doesn't have the chops to pull most of these dishes off properly. Then there's the staff. Each time I've been there they've appeared to be under staffed. It seems like they only have one waitress on duty, with another person that fills water glasses and brings bread. It's a small place, but when the waitress doesn't even have time to check on how your food is and is slow to get to you to take your order, clear your plates and deliver the check, it shows. With last night's experience, we weren't even told the specials; I only learned that there even were any when I heard them described to other tables after we had already received our food. When they came over to take our drink order, my wife put in an order and I hadn't decided on what I wanted yet, but was never queried again about it so I stuck with water (there's a lost sale!). Once we were done and the waitress finally came over to get our plates, she asked what was wrong with my food since I had only eaten half and didn't want to take the rest home. I told her about the under-cooked nature of the fish and clams and she explained that's just how they make their clams (she didn't say anything about the cod). They would have known well before we were done that I didn't like it if they actually had the staff to check in on their customers. No attempt was made to "make things right" by offering a free dessert or taking some money off the bill, but that's fine since I'm not gonna go back there again anyway. It's a shame. I want to like this place. My wife still does, but I've told her that she'll need to take her friends cuz I won't go again. With better management and food this place might actually become the mid-scale place that it's atmosphere fools you into believing that it is. Perhaps it's better as a bar since their lounge area usually is pretty hopping and they have a large cocktail menu, but for dinner it's a fail. If you want a proper restaurant experience with good food and attentive staff (while maybe not as "upscale"), do yourself a favor and go across the street to Mexico Lindo.
(1)Eric S.
My family and I ate here on a Thursday night, and we loved our meal and experience. I've lived in Melrose for over a year, and although we'd had Absolutely Fabulous on our list of places to try, we just recently made the trip. Now that we have, I'm sad when I think about all the great meals I've missed by not coming here earlier and repeatedly! My wife ordered a delicious Almond Joy martini (they have a long list of intriguing options). She originally planned to try another, but the first was so strong she decided to stick with one- they're obviously not skimping on the vodka! I had the pomegranate prosciutto shrimp, which came with risotto on the side. The shrimp was as good as I hoped, but the risotto was perhaps even better- it was delicious and had a depth of flavor that had me tasting something new with each bite. My wife's entree was the traditional pasta with peas/prosciutto/cream sauce, which was also outstanding. Although she would have liked a bit more prosciutto, the peas were very fresh and tasty and the dish was overall terrific. Our server was very pleasant and took good care of us. Time from ordering until the food arrived was longer than some might expect, but given that they make each dish to order, it was well worth it.
(5)Ellen S.
Wanted to update this to include a HUGE thank you and a plug for catering from Ab Fab. We had our son's baptism gathering at our house. With the baptism so close to Thanksgiving and expecting close to 40 people, I knew I could not cook for both so quickly thought of our favorite Absolutely Fabulous. All of our guests RAVED about the food and I was thrilled that we over-ordered so now we have leftovers ; ) Terrific chicken parm and their asiago cheese stuffed meatballs are THE BOMB!!! Without a doubt I know where we will turn for future catering needs. Thanks so much to Chef Lori and Lena on a job well done!!
(5)A B.
AbFab... The food is high quality and everything is definitely home made. The apps are great and I don't think people should be let down by their entrees. Asiago stuffed meatballs with a combo of red sauce and pesto as an app was wonderful. The big issue here is that you basically are paying North End prices for a mid-grade food experience well outside of the city. Melrose does not have an abundance of options and this is still a good one but for the price its a little much. I enjoy the experience but when my girlfriend and I order an entree each, salad each, an app, and 2 glasses of wine and with tip that will set you back 80-100 $ without trying. To me that makes this an occasion restaurant, not something that you regularly go to. The "free" bread here needs a big upgrade, it is just beyond bland. All the critical comments aside the food itself is still very good - you do get great service and I really like seeing that one of the servers (older woman) who makes the meatballs interacting with customers.
(3)jonathan u.
Delightful....just plain delightful. On a date night we came to this fine establishment in order to avoid heading into Boston on a cold as Saturday night for dinner for non chain restaurant Italian. We made reservations and were a few minutes late which the hostess gave me a slightly snotty retort, but oh well. We sat down and were greeted by an older waitress who was obviously in the weeds (industry term meaning extremely busy) The bread was awesome and I love me some good bread, and we waited patiently for our meals. Relatively speaking the food came out very fast, and was for the most part was spot on (she forgot our soup, but the food came out so quick it didn't matter). I had a Drambuie glazed NY sirloin with mashed potatoes and green beans and it was frigging awesome. My lady friend had chicken parm because a. she likes it and b. shes boring. The food itself was top notch. Overall the service was excellent and the food was even better, oh and whole bill was only like 45 bucks (please note that neither of us drank). I definitively recommend!
(5)Barbara M.
I went to dinner with a friend for the first time.The menu offered a nice variety. We had something from every course. We shared most of the courses and enjoyed all of them.I liked that what they offered was different than anything I had had before. Although the restaurant was crouded we did not have a long wait and the seating was comfortable.
(4)Julie S.
Excellent food & atmosphere. My husband & I love the bands that come here. We love to sit just outside the bar area, so we can hear the music, but still have a private table. The place does not seem to take reservations & is a bit small. I've never sat in the bar area. but it looks like it gets packed. Best to come with 2-4 people. Again, food is great. Many of the appetizers are half portions of the entrees, which is great because my husband & I can share a few of them or order entrees and take the other half home.
(5)A M.
Many of the dishes and appetizers are wonderful - we especially love the escargot. The big problem here is the service/wait. We have been here both when it is half empty and when it is crowded, and both times it took 2 hours for my husband and I to order and eat. This is completely unacceptable, especially for people with young children who are paying a babysitter so they can go out. I am giving it 3 stars because the food is pretty good and it is a nice addition to downtown Melrose.
(3)Jennifer W.
First time dining here and it was "ok." First impression- the space is not very warm or comfortable. It is kind of an odd set up. I was with 3 friends. To start, 2 of them got bowls of soup, which they said didn't really have much flavor. I shared an order of calamari, which was pretty chewy. Our meals were good. I got a special which was lobster stuffed haddock and there was a TON of lobster in it. My friends got steak, chicken, ziti and brocolli and another special - mushroom tortelini. I didn't like the fact that they don't have prices for their wines by the glass. I am not sure about the rest of the drink menu, but I think it is tacky to not post prices, especially in a little casual place in the burbs. It is something I'd expect from a downtown hotel bar... and I still wouldn't like it. The service was a little slow and for lack of a better word, strange. I'd give it another try at some point in the future.
(3)George G.
Having been to the restaurant that formerly occupied this space, I was a little apprehensive to go, but relented when sufficient coercion was applied by my dinner date. The decor is smart and modern, with tables tightly packed together but not to the point of suffocation. We went on a Wednesday night a little after 8pm. There were maybe 6 other people in the place. Not a good sign, I thought to myself. We were greeted promptly and given our choice of table by a pleasant member of their staff. Our drink order was taken in a fair amount of time, and warm bread and dipping oil arrived shortly after. The menu choices were solid but not outstanding. We started with the chicken liver appetizer, which was very tasty, but I doubt they were actually chicken livers. Either that or they have somehow managed to find a species of monster chickens I'm unaware of, given their size. I had a chicken special with prosciutto and mozzarella sandwiched in between. I'd never tried the "double down" sandwich, but this is what I'd imagine it to be. That being said, it was quite tasty. My date had a veal chop that was Flintstonian in proportions, complete with a bone that would keep Dino busy for days. She thoroughly enjoyed her food and had enough left over for lunch the next day. All in all, the food was better than I expected. If the service was a little more attentive, it would have gotten 4 stars instead of 3. I would be willing to give it another try, but don't feel a strong urge to return.
(3)Sharon H.
We moved to Melrose this summer and just hadn't had the chance to try Absolutely Fabulous until last night. I can't say enough about our experience. The place was packed, but Barbara (hostess) was very pleasant and seated us within 5-10 min. Our waitress - Lena (sp?) was so sweet and fun! She made excellent recommendations from bar to dessert. Everything was scrumptious and the staff made the night special. Our new favorite place for a nice dinner.
(5)Seth R.
This is our favorite place in Melrose. Great live music on Fridays as well.
(5)Dominic Y.
A great restaurant on the Main Street of Melrose! We were greeted by the owners who do so much to keep their place looking amazing and tasting "Absolutely Fabulous"! They really care about your experience and make you feel at home right away. They have a great space for private functions and have been so accommodating and flexible in our planning process. The food looks beautiful and comes in very hearty portions. Stuff yourself all you want and you'll still have more for the road :)
(5)Jeff G.
I agree with most of the reviews here. The food and ambiance is great, but service can be rocky. Also, I have a big problem with the name. The only reason I didn't go with the 5 stars is that I can't, with any dignity, tell my friends about a restaurant called "Absolutely Fabulous."
(4)C A.
I just had a lovely night out with my wife and 5 year old son at this great little spot. We lucked out and walked in right before the deluge of Friday evening diners and had no trouble getting a table. Our waitress, Stephanie, was very pleasant and friendly and didn't make us feel like bad people for bringing our kid to a restaurant on a Friday night. The place had a nice homey feel and we were very comfortable the whole time. While we waited for our food, I took my son to he back room to watch the quartet setting up for the night and they took a second to say hello to him- those little things that make the night a little nicer. Wife had an Italian sausage, spinach and polenta dish that we all stole from her at regular intervals- awesomeness. I had a Cod and Putanesca dish that was a serious knock out. It was literally one of the best meals I've ever had in a restaurant. The only slight negative is that the espresso machine was broken and that it took ages to get desert once we ordered it. I wasn't blown away by the canolis, but my wife and son liked them.We will definitely be returning, but I'm afraid it will be quite difficult to get me to try anything else on the menu. That Putanesca sauce has been haunting my dreams!
(4)Tom X.
This was one of our frequent visits and I can only add that once again the food and service was great as expected. I do have one complaint though (and I truly hope the managers see this), The Lobster and crab duo. If I were the manager(s), I would do a couple of things differently. For one, change the description in the menu as you're not getting a shelled lobster, what we got was a half of a small, overcooked lobster tail and a crab cake. This should be made clear. And secondly, the price should be about $6 cheaper to reflect the small portion of lobster, For the price, I expected at least a whole lobster tail if not the actual shelled lobster described in the menu. Otherwise the meal was awesome. The Scallop appetizer was insane! And I loved the Chicken Cordon Bleu!! Can't wait to try some other stuff on the new menu very soon!!
(5)Meghan T.
Being from Melrose originally this place is an improvement over the Blues Diner,which used to be in the spot it now occupies on Main Street. Having said that doesn't mean this place is much good. Went there for brunch... Service was terrible! Waitress would have been bad at Friendly's, downright rude and acted like she was doing us a huge favor by getting us salt and pepper and syrup with our waffles(which took 5 minutes from the time the waffles were brought to us). My sisters meal was brought out a full 10 minutes before the rest of ours because"it was easiest". My bloody mary had maybe a teaspoon of vodka in what tasted like regular tomato juice for $8.00 a glass. Food itself was tasty,hence the 2 stars, but way over priced. Buffet looked very underwhelming for $18 a person. If you don't have your sh*t together on Sunday Morning, don't open for brunch.
(2)Anastasia L.
Now a little fish in a big pond? No longer the quirky weekends-only joint, this place has to step up to the plate. Still, I think it's my favorite Main Street restaurant, if we're comparing to Turner's, the Bistro, and Mexico Lindo. We finally got to the new location and I don't understand why other people had a problem with the ambiance, it's a bit dark in the back but I liked the tables and decor fine. The food is about the same. The spicy marinara remains one of my favorites, and I have no complaints about portion size-- it's called leftovers. I did try another marinara sauce on the menu, which I found too sweet (probably the marinara Mary S had, with "too much tomato paste"). One thing about the menu at the new place-- they seem to have added all the previous rotating specials to the main menu. The menu would benefit from being pared down, allowing the kitchen to focus on its strong points. NOT everything is worth trying. Service remains rocky, including the hostess. Upping the ante on the service would do wonders for this place. I love that they brought out pasta for the tot soon after we were seated, but then we had to wait for the grown-up mains to actually concluce the meal, and said tot lost his patience. Now they have a full liquor license and yes, as previous reviewers mentioned, the prices are rather high. FYI Brunch is no more. From the reviews it looks like that was a smart decision.
(4)Cosmo X.
It's decently good ...went down hill since they moved into the newer place.. No more repeat visits...
(3)Karla M.
Ab Fab is one of my fav restaurants for many reasons. #1-the owner (Lori) is a local resident of Melrose; #2-the food is FANTASTIC; #3-Lori offers up the restaurant to host fundraiser events on Tuesdays; #4-BEST bartender ever; Michelle!; #5-excellent wait staff, and lastly; #6 - Did I mention the BEST food EVER! A++++++++++++ to Ab Fab!
(5)Paige A.
Can be pricey but the portions are generous. Great scallops and salads.
(4)E P.
Here is a tip for the waitstaff....write down the orders. I ordered the salmon and we even inquired whether it was farm raised. I was served swordfish. Another tip...charge the customer the lesser of the two, not the higher priced entree I didn't order or the higher priced entree I didn't get. Finally, offer the customer some compensation for their screwup, like a free dessert or drink. The swordfish itself was flavorful and well presented, but I prefer swordfish as a thick steak, not as medallions. That is one reason I didn't order it in the first place.
(3)Caitlin N.
I do not know why Absolutely Fabulous would get anything less than a 5! Went there on my birthday for a special Sunday Paint Nite! Drinks were amazing - awesome selection and very strong. We stayed afterwards for food. Oh my gosh! Delicious. I am a vegetarian, but everyone else at the table who ate the meatballs said they were the best they ever had. I had a gnocchi dish and it was literally amazing. I would defiantly go back! They also offer trivia and open mic, so maybe I will stop in then!!
(5)Jean-Marie M.
This is my first Yelp review, but with all the negatives around, I wanted to say how much we enjoyed our meal today. My husband and I had a rare kid free evening and decided to walk to downtown Melrose and go to Turners. When told there was an hour and 45 minute wait, we changed our mind and walked a little further to AbFab! We were so glad we did. We had the Creamy polenta appetizer, it was wonderful! The sausage tasted fresh and the brocolli rabe was cooked to perfection, not overly bitter like it can be. My husband had for dinner a huge piece of Sirloin steak with a massive amount of mashed potatoes. He said it was really good. I had a little more adventurous meal of pancetta wrapped shrimp with butternut squash risotto. It was decent, I am not sure I will get that again, but I wasn't unhappy with it. Typically we don't get dessert, but I was in the mood for it, so we tried the coconut rice pudding with homemade caramel. The caramel was more savory than sweet and had a dark chocolate type flavor to it. Not bad, but i was expecting sweet. My husband enjoyed it though. Overall though, we had a great time, the atmosphere was great, the live music was an excellent touch we did not expect and our waiter was amazing. We will definitely be back!
(4)Matthew A.
The menu here is creative and impressive. Prices are a bit steep for the area but be Conservative with your appetite. Mostly Italian menu selections, everything came out fresh with fine presentation. It's BYOB, however I will minus 1 star for charging a $5 "corking fee" which I am not sure if it is even legal.
(4)Jeff B.
Absolutely Rude. We will never attempt to eat here again.
(1)Andrew M.
Been there a few times had some good exp but my last was horrifing. 1st off dont plan to be treated with gratitude. If you go to the open mics and you want to get a table and not be insulted you have to get dinner and rack up a large bill or youre not concidered a customer - youre in the way even if you get 2 or 3 drinks and an app. Absoulutely Horrible! Not friendly before the incident, canceled reservations on my group table a few times before that as well! Food is good but the staff and owners need a total attitude adjustment!!! Rude! Rude! Rude!
(1)Karen L.
Love the ambiance. The noise level is low enough that you can hold a conversation with your dining partners. Food is delicious and served promptly. Very friendly and attentive staff. Original artworks on the wall. Not always to my taste, but nice to see someone (the artist) getting exposure.
(5)Boston D.
The name of the place looks and sounds like a sarcastic joke. Now, after my dinner in "fabulous" I understand why the small Mexican restaurant was overbook and people were patiently were waiting for their table and the Fabulose was semi full. The service was awful,. From thevall lists of wine I was just 1 cabernet was unopened. Waitress didn't know how to open a bottle an what and adhere she should give them to taste. Food was not tasty, greasy and our dog finished it. They certainly have to do something about the service and meal
(1)Debbie C.
Fun atmosphere, and my dinner was amazing! Lobster ravioli in a delicious cream sauce - YUM!
(4)Steve C.
Absolutely Fabulous at Cedar Park is the best restaurant we've been to in the Melrose/Stoneham area. I'm actually hesitant to write a Yelp review because I don't want to make this place even more crowded than it currently is (much deserved, though). My wife and I went here last Friday after hearing some good things about the restaurant from some fellow Melrose residents. When we pulled up, it didn't look like much, just a tiny cafe on a quiet street next to the train station. We were welcomed nicely by the hostess, who, I guess, is also the co-owner of the restaurant. I can go on and on about the excellent service, the amazing food, and the fun atmosphere. The service: 4.5 stars It was like eating at a friend's house. We were instantly welcomed by the hostess, and she definitely gave us a personal touch. Although the server forgot to get us the soup we had ordered, she apologized profusely and genuinely, and gave us a free dessert to make up for it. Just incredibly great and friendly service all around. The chef even came out to greet the guests at one point. The food: 5+ stars I got the Chicken Napoli and my wife got the swordfish special. She said her fish was the best she's had in the area- a generous portion, well-prepared and fresh-tasting. As for my dish, it was like eating a plate of heaven. It was chicken with broccoli rabe covered in mariana and pesto sauces. The (free) dessert was something like an apple pie on phylo dough, also very good. The atmosphere: 4 stars Although it was a bit cramped, the ambiance was very nice with the subdued lighting, white tablecloths, and fun pictures and other stuff on the walls. It felt like I was in a friend's dining room. Drinks: We brought our own wine. Didn't love the corking fee, but I was grateful not to have to spend the usual 1000% markup on restaurant wine. Overall, this truly lives up to its name- Absolutely Fabulous. We will definitely be back next month for another great, gut-busting meal. :o)
(5)Todd S.
Dinner on a Friday night before Hurricane Irene, not crowded, great location with a seat in front nest the windows. Shared the special salad with my wife, field greens with strawberries and candied walnuts covered in a citrus vinaigrette to start. Pork chops with stuffing and potatoes, awesome. Seafood fra diavolo was also well done. Service was good and waitress attentive. Definitely going back!
(5)Roseann C.
This is my second visit here, first review. The experiences were vastly different as the first time there was a quiet weeknight, with the restaurant virtually empty. I recall liking my food on that occasion, though my dining companion did not. He ordered shrimp scampi that didn't look very shrimp scampi-esque (I don't eat it and even I could tell). It was quite watery. He did like my outfit, though - I was dressed just like Pat Benatar from her video from 'You better Run!' Or, you know, a pirate, some might say. Anyway, onto the recent visit which was on 10/8 . . . It was pretty lively in the joint - Friday night, around 7:30, this is to be expected. We were pleased to be seated right away, because as usual, we were "fungry." We opted to be seated in the back room, near the bar and near to where the musicians set up. Mind you, if you haven't been to Absolutely Fabulous or its predecessor, the Blues Grille, it is an oddly laid out place. It's a very long rectangle. The high tops in the window seem like a nice spot to sit, but they were taken, and far from the live music as well, which I wanted to hear. Plus, to sit there means everyone coming and going walks right by. Upon our being seated, it did take some time for our server to approach us. He seemed a little in the weeds to me which might have been due to the fact that the computers went down (we found this out later). When he did arrive, he was personable, funny and accommodating (if a little sweaty). But my DC and I enjoyed bantering with him. He pointed out some recent menu changes which was helpful; the menu is quite varied and seems to have something for everyone. We ordered cocktails (what kind of tails?) and mine was called the Bee's Knees which I LOVED. Vodka, lemon juice and honey. YUMMMMMMY. I don't recall what my DC ordered because, frankly, mine was sooooo much better than his! I think it was a Nutty something? Very fitting for him. : ) We split a salad which had plenty of gorgonzola, pears and walnuts on it - VERY large portion, intended to be shared for sure. My DC loved the bread, and I thought it was good, too, but only had a bite of it despite wanting to gobble it all down. I ordered the tomato bisque which was served in the most ginormous bowl. My companion ordered somewhat off the menu, a request that was easily accommodated by the waiter (he wanted fettuccine alfredo but with cavatelli instead). If you read my other reviews, you will know that my DC OFTEN does this - he orders like Sally in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" which he swears not to have seen. Anyhow, I digress. The waiter even suggested the addition of mushrooms to my DC's meal, which was very considerate and totally up his alley. I tried the cavatelli alfredo and it was quite tasty. My soup was tasty as well but could have used some sort of crostini or something for garnish, especially being served in such a large vessel. During our meal, the band was entering in through the side door and passed by our table with the equipment to set up. It didn't bother us too much that night, but it might in the winter. The music they played was eclectic (zydeco, reggae, some latin music), and even though we're not necessarily fans of such music, it added to the convivial ambiance we were experiencing (though maybe we were tipsy)? We enjoyed some more funny banter with the waiter again, who was hilarious (though maybe we were tipsy)? I requested for the rest of my soup to be wrapped to go and instead of giving me my own leftover soup, our server gave me a whole new soup which was awfully nice of him. And little did he know, he provided my DC with his karaoke alias later on that night (Paco). We also benefited further from the computer snafu as the waiter inadvertently failed to charge for one of our cocktails. We left plenty of money in recognition of this. The verdict - I'm glad we went back on a night with actual customers and music - it made all the difference in the world. We would go back again, I think, and I look forward to ordering something other than an appetizer.
(4)Brian N.
absolutely bad..don't wast your time or money and don't believe good reviews..place reminds me when your a kid and you play restaurant ..i ordered the raviolis and was warned by the hostess the portions are so big watch out ! when it came there were 5 raviolis count them 5 ! ha ha ..that comes out to 3$ a ravioli SO sad ..i should have complained but my girlfriend was kind enough to give me some of her chicken dish ..it was slow when we went and they said there was supposed to be entertainment but it never happened. i have no reason to lie.. just trust me and go to a real place..
(2)jJohnna D.
Food was fantastic as well as the martini and service. It looks like a cheesy little store front, but it is quite large. My only complaint is the lack of windows, it's a bit Claustrophobic but once you start eating you forget you can't see outside.Really enjoyed the meatball app.
(4)Susie B.
Gosh darn! I talked my husband into trying AF again last week after a mediocre meal there a few years ago. The hostess brought us back to the same table next to the computer/entry to the kitchen where we sat the last time. Do I have a big "L" on my forehead? We started with wine and shared a salad which could have been delicious were there not so much heavy dressing on it. We were looking forward to our entrees while we watched numerous dinners coming from the kitchen (I could see right in there and watch everything). 30 minutes after finishing our salad, we were still waiting. One of the owners came by without saying hello and rested her water pitcher on our table while she entered some information into the computer. I thought she would be refilling our glasses, but she didn't. Call me a snob, but I think that's bad manners! Our waiter/manager was friendly, but it's awkward when you're trying to have a nice dinner and he's standing there at the computer beside us much of the time. Finally, the entrees arrived. The pasta was undercooked! I like it al dente, but it was just not cooked nearly enough. We just ate it anyway, paid and left. I won't be trying to talk my husband into going there again.
(1)Jay L.
I am torn between a 3 and 4. This was my third or fourth time to Ab Fab. This night was inconsistent. My wife and I sat at the bar. The bartender was pleasant and attentive and our food came quickly. We ordered the stuffed meatballs, which we've had before. I found that they lacked taste. They were also barely warm, meaning the cheese in the middle was not melted, which probably contributed to the lack of taste. I ordered the squash ravioli, a dish I've had before. The broth it was served in was very salty for my taste and I usually have a high tolerance for saltiness. The dish otherwise was good. My wife and I had martinis from the long list of specialty martinis they serve. We both enjoyed them.
(4)mike D.
More of the same. the food itself actually wasn't bad, but not worth anywhere close to what they charge. Our server was a borderline moron. He didn't know what the wines were, nor did he know the specials. Our appetizers were good, but took over an hour to come out. Our dinners took another 45 minutes to come out after that. once the food hit the table we NEVER saw our server again. Well, actually that's a lie...we did...but he was at the table towards the front of the restaurant with the rest of the staff eating. If you're looking for a nice dinner where you can enjoy yourself, this isn't the place. It's overpriced, and there's something about the owner walking around all night with a glass of wine in her hand that really turns you off from the whole experience. unfortunately this restaurant is probably destined for the same outcome as the previous places that existed in this space
(2)Jenna D.
I went to their Main St location and was pleasantly surprised. It is nice to find more creative menu items in the land of Rte 1 chain food. Butternut Ravioli was great.
(4)Miss T.
NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL!!!!!! Hostess --- where was she ???????? IT's pricey - - 3 meatballs over $10 plus the bartender/waiter did not want to go back to get our bread that came with the meal for dipping into the sauce. LAZY!!!! It took him at least 15 + minutes to bring us the menus & more time for the drinks since he kept conversating with the customers at the bar. Then trying to order - he went out a few times for his cig breaks thats impressive since he wasnt lazy.....As you can tell the service was NOT GREAT & WE DONT RECOMMEND at all!! THE COST for Few beers, 2 apps - almost $50 for two people. Rather spend that elsewhere especially at a nicer place where the service is better. NOT this place that looks nice but certainly LOW KEY for a bar/rest. The music was LOUD!!!
(1)Laurie P.
This was my first time dining here and I can say without any doubt that this place lives up to its name! The food was delicious and the service was very friendly and attentive. They also have a great martini menu, I highly recommend the Asian pear martini if you're looking for something on the sweeter side. We stayed after dinner to have a few drinks at the bar so we could listen to the live music, which was a lot of fun. Service at the bar was just as friendly as well. I definitely recommend Absolutely Fabulous if you're looking for Italian in the Melrose/Wakefield area (do yourself a huge favor and skip going to Artichokes in Wakefield - they are beyond stuck up and rude to their patrons). This place is definitely on my list to go back to!
(5)Greg Z.
Recently visited for the first time on a crowded Saturday night. We waited longer than the hostess had suggested but she and several other staff members were extremely attentive -- we weren't forgotten. We enjoyed both of our meals - portions were actually too large. Our one complaint was the chef's heavy hand with salt -- it was almost too salty -- next time I would would request less salt on my meal as it was distracting at times. We will return.
(4)Mike J.
Extremely good food. Great option for those who want north end style food but don't want to go into town. Very friendly staff.
(5)Mike S.
I have a friend who has been raving about Absolutely Fabulous. On a whim last night we decided to give the place a try. As we were driving there, we read some of the Yelp reviews to get a feel for the place. First off, the atmosphere is nice. Plus they have live music playing which was an added treat. We did have to wait an unusually long amount of time before someone noticed we had walked to be seated. However, the waitress was pleasant and attentive. We ordered the Italian Wedding Soup, Butternut Squash Ravioli appetizer and drinks. Both Apps were amazingly good. For the entrees we order the Shrimp wrapped in prosciutto over risotto and the sausage over ziti with the spicy marinara sauce. Both were extremely delicious and served in a timely manner. The portions are extremely big, so be prepared to bring a doggy bag home. I highly recommend AF and will definitely go back soon.
(5)Crystal l.
I love this place!! It's actually much bigger than it looks from the street. They have a full bar and they serve you bread and oil!! win win!!! my boyfriend and I never had mussels before and figured we'd try it here, we're hooked now! The staff is so friendly and the environment is classy and romantic. Great place for a date or dinner with the girls. The homemade pasta was simply amazing as well. 5 stars all the way!!
(5)Deb R.
Loved it!! We went to AbFab on a Tuesday, early evening for drinks, apps and dinner. Apparently, they just recently started opening on Tuesday. The waiter Jimmy was excellent. He was attentive, funny, and just down home nice. Lena (owner) was also very gracious and attentive to all of the customers. She game over to our table and introduced herself and asked how everything was and actually stayed to chat for a while. The restaurant was full! Very nice touch. We started with Red and White wines and a Pear and walnut salad that was so huge we had to split it. Our Lobster stuffed Haddock with Asparagus and mashed yams was FABulous! We had to take it home and have for lunch the next day! yum! I'm looking forward to going back to try other things on the menu!
(5)Ken L.
Went there a couple weeks ago and were very pleased. I had the seafood stew and it was absolutely terrific. Service was good - I've heard this was an issue when they first opened, but I've also heard they've been working hard at fixing this. The night we went, we were one of only 3 or 4 parties so the service wasn't tested in that sense - but the woman who waited on us was great. I'm kind of a nut for having my water glass filled, and it was, but not as often as I'd like. That said, I drink too much water anyway. I recommended Ab Fab to friends and am looking forward to going back. For a suburban restaurant, this place is two thumbs up IMO
(4)Michael L.
Arguably Mediocre. Went on a Wednesday evening... no wait, C- service, huge portions, okay food, gigantic bill. (this review is the "454 Main Street" incarnation) The wine is 2.5 times the liquor store price - in other words, they do what the "Restauranteurs for Dummies" book recommends. The food is ~$18/entree, which is about the same as Turner's or the other "italian-american big portion" places in the area.... They could distinguish themselves with a small menu and a few fresh ingredients done really well, or with lower prices, or by not marking the wine up so much. They do none of these, which is why there is nothing to distinguish "AbFab" from any other "italian-american big portion" place in the area. Unfortunately, unless something changes this place seems destined to fail. Service: Didn't know the wines, didn't know the menu, couldn't recommend an entree or a wine, slow to bring entrees & brought them 5 minutes apart. Bill w/ credit card (please let us pay!) sat on table for 25 minutes while waitress was completely MIA.... yes, we timed it.
(2)stephen s.
Went to "ab fab" for a drink and some apps.. I had the Italien Wedding Soup..It was different.... But was very good.. Was only luke warm.I like my soups piping hot!!! I would order it again... I then had the steak and cheese app.. Absolutely Fabulous.. It was so good I almost ordered a second round... Was a great app..Look forward to going back and trying a main course.. And the steak and cheese again...
(4)Gary R.
Heard a good review on phantom gourmet and i am allways up for going to a restraunt i havent been to. I went with my fiance and we requested to sit at a table in the back by the bar. The bar area is nice and the bartender acts as your waitress. They had many interesting app's and i decided to try the stuffed meatball's. They were big and delicious, im sure ill allways get them. For the entre i decided to go with my usual choice of chicken parm, which i get a mojority of the time at different places. When it arrived, on top of your choice of pasta , it looked great and was large. The marinara was the best i have had and the chicken was expertly done. I really was shocked that i have finally found the best chicken parm i have ever had. My fiance had lobster ravioli which she loved. the meal also came with fresh baked rolls. We ordered a couple martini's which were delicious as well. I couldnt resist and had the chocolate lava cake for desert. It wasn't as big as i had expected , but really good (morton's of chicago has the best). There were many other menu chioces that i cant wait to go back and try. Most things were a couple bucks more than i expected (chicken parm $18) but with the quality and quantity it is sooooo worth it.Not a place for kids or if your looking for a hamburger.
(5)Amy L.
The food was good not great, a little pricy for the quality. The service was bad, she did not know the menu and was not very attenative.
(2)John J.
- This review is based on the treatment and horrible service as opposed to the food itself, which wasn't awful (but not spectacular either). The service was soo bad, that i won't even add an extra star for the food. - I love food,so when i find a hole in
(1)Michael W.
My wife and I came last weekend. Despite having reservations, we were made to wait an hour. It was another 20 minutes before our server came over, and we had to ask for water and bread. We both ordered an appetizer and entree. The chicken liver pate was the consistency of cat food, extremely mealy and came with only enough crackers to eat 1/4 of it. The polenta was runny and completely immersed in a puddle of inch thick oil. The chicken was very dry and the short ribs were overcooked and also saturated in oil. My wife ordered a cocktail which was very well done, the highlight of the evening actually. Our experience took 3 hours, was overpriced and under delivered. The worst thing about it is that my wife and I so desperately wanted to love this place. We were excited all week, and practically giddy. We eat out quite often, and love the adventure of trying a new place. Sadly, based on our experience, we probably won't be returning.
(1)Claire R.
This is the third restaurant I've been to lately where the service just didn't live up to the beautiful decor. After waiting for someone to realize we were standing in the front we were seated, when the waitress came to tell us the specials she tossed her writing pad on the table and read off of it, I don't require anyone to memorize specials, i rarely did as a waitress, but this was so unprofessional, later at the table next to us, another waitress had borrowed our waitress's specials list and was trying to make out her handwriting while reading it to the guests. My soup came with spoon already in it, so she had to get me a new one as it had fallen almost all of the way in and i couldn't hold it without getting dirty so she takes it out of my bowl and puts her hand under it so it doesn't drip on the way to the kitchen. The phone rang and it was way too loud, they had to search for the portable which was on one of the empty tables and later our waitress walked passed talking on her cell phone with a personal call. So the service wasn't great, especially in contrast with the high class setting. The food was fine, my steak was a little underdone but if i cared enough it would have been easily fixed, it tasted good. I don't eat out much in Melrose so I can't compare it to the local fare but it was fine.
(2)Anthony V.
Very good Italian beyond the typical red sauce kind of places you see a lot of in this area. American sized plates (i.e. enormous) with real great wait staff. Small bar tends to get packed quick and tough to get a spot. Don't let the goofy name fool you, it's worth a try.
(4)Joanna F.
I was pleasantly surprised by my current trip to Absolutely Fabulous. I had heard both positive and negative things and I was interested in trying for myself. I ended up getting the sea bass special. The fish and the chard were great, but my risotto cake on the side was insanely lemoney and otherwise kind of flavorless. My co-diners got eggplant rollotinis which looked good and my husband got the risotto special which he really enjoyed. We all got some fancy drinks also. I ordered a dirty martini which was definitely light on the olive juice, heavy on the vodka which I don't necessarily love. After dinner, we went back to the lounge to have a few more drinks. I LOVED it back there. There was live music, the place was full of regulars and an interesting mix of people. It was just a good, old fashioned fun time. Long story short, I'm fairly sure I'll be back here at some point when I want a night out on the town in Melrose.
(4)Ken H.
We used Absolutely Fabulous catering recently for a work event. There was an unforeseen circumstance and the food we had ordered didn't show up, to the disappointment of our office. I received a phone call a few days later from Lori, who explained the reason for the no-show and was incredibly apologetic for the incident. She promised to make it right by us, and a few days later brought a fully catered lunch to our office. We have over 80 people in the office, and everyone was well-fed with plenty of leftovers. The food was absolutely delicious, and \the office raved about it. While I wasn't happy about the incident, Lori made a great effort to right the wrong. Based on the food she brought, I'm looking forward to eating at the restaurant soon.
(4)Heather S.
You can't come to Absolutely Fabulous and not try their meatballs! First of all, they're HUGE. And they're stuffed with cheese... amazing. And the sauce is fantastic! Don't forget to save some of the warm bread for dipping... but if you eat it all beforehand, which we usually do, just ask for a second basket! I've never been disappointed!
(5)Arleigh K.
The place is closed with a big sign no trespassing because it was seized by the government. It would be nice if they updated their website or Facebook page to reflect this so people did not drive here to find this out.
(1)Brian D.
We've jokingly taken to calling Absolutely Fabulous 'Av. (Averagely) Fab' vs. 'Ab. Fab'. This place is actually, pretty average - but please don't take that to mean bad! Please, please take that to literally mean average. In fact, I'm becoming a bit of a fan. First off, this place is fun. There is a whole little bar area in the back that gets pretty wild on the weekends. Cover bands play here and the bartenders are not afraid to pour you a hefty cocktail. Considering it is really the only 'bar' or 'nightclub' spot in Melrose, it gets the job done. Then there is the menu. You know. If you want a pretty decent piece of steak or a pasta plate, you won't be disappointed. The portions are good. The meals are not terrible, not super creative or inventive but also not bad. I've dined a number of times now and I really can't complain about anything, nor do I rave about anything. Average but once again, don't take that as bad. Av Fab is the runner up to Turners' in Melrose for 'what to do tonight'. Turners will probably almost always win. That being said, Av Fab will probably almost always win for post Turners drinks and maybe even dessert. Stay Av, Ab Fab, and we'll keep coming back!
(3)Melissa M.
My husband and I had some friends from out of town visit this weekend and we really wanted to try something new. My neighbors raved about AbFab so I looked at the menu online and was sold. Good variety and creations. But then naturally I went to the reviews and some weren't so favorable. But we just said we'll have to try it out for ourselves. Saturday night, 8:30pm no wait but most of the tables were filled. Live music was coming from the lounge in the back. We instantly loved the atmosphere and our server was friendly and gave us good recommendations. I have to say it was FREEZING in there - the party next to us had their jackets on. I had mine on until my second glass of wine. I asked them if they could put on the heat but they said it was because of the door. Well the door had a curtain that I'm guessing was supposed to block the cold. It wasn't working.. so dear AbFab, please turn on the heat when it's in the 40s out! Anyways, we got two bottles of wine. Both were reasonably priced and tasty. We got meatballs and steak & cheese crostinis for appetizers, in addition to the free bread and oil, all were very delicious. The two men at our table got pasta dishes, one chicken and one veal. I tried them both. I love garlic and it was SO garlicky. My husband and I didn't mind but our friend was having a little trouble with it. My girlfriend and I both got salads. She got the special with salmon and it literally had about 2lbs of salmon on it! I got the beet salad with shrimp. It was delicious but the shrimp could've been salted/seasoned a little more, We were too full to get dessert. But overall it was a good experience and we will definitely go back in the near future.
(4)