I'm not sure why the bad reviews, maybe because folks with kids in a rush want this place to be like Olive Garden. I thought everything was well done. Upon arrival you realize that the restaurant is in a residential building taking up most of the first floor. There is a separate entrance for the restaurant which is great. The bar opens up before you as you walk in, and since all of the stools are taken I assume it's with the folks living upstairs (because that would be me!) The hostess sat us, the restaurant wasn't crowded but not empty either, comfortable. Our server came and ran down the two specials which were in addition to the limited but well rounded menu (6 or 7 apps, 6 entree). Drinks order placed, it did take maybe 5 minutes for the drinks but that's not horrible. Apps order placed and came out fairly quickly, entree orders placed and came out with good timing (enough time between but not so that you are wondering if the food is still being killed). Calamari Appetizer was awesome, Tuna tartar good but it's been done. Steak Frites cooked to perfection, tender tasty and the fries hot and fresh. We opted for no dessert, because portions were spot on (not skimpy but not plate O Food). With a bottle of wine and two cocktails, about 140 (I didn't pay) is reasonable. Go, try, don't expect fine dining, expect a nice meal in what is essentially the local bistro.
(4)
Keith D.
I heard that the restaurant and kitchen are under new management, so I decided that it was worth a try for something new. It's only a short drive away, so why not? Simply "pleased" wouldn't be proper justice to the chef. Tuna tartare was great (top quality tuna), $1 oysters tasted like a fresh bite of the ocean (sans salt), and the braised short rib was so tender that it didn't even require a knife. The food was excellent, and I only wish I had room for the cheesecake. I'll have to try that when I come back!
(5)
Francisca W.
have mixed emotions about this place. the location is a bit "weird", it being on the G/F of a 5-story luxury apartment building. but the ambience is great both indoor and outside; just have to get used to staring at people's windows as they try to watch some tv. the outdoor area where we sat was surprisingly quiet, even with the other 4-5 tables there. it's serene yes, but we were now afraid being the noisy bunch, what with our occasional LOLs. was a bit taken aback by the limited selections on the menu, with no more than 6 or 7 items in each category -- i'm sure they change it periodically. however, EVERYTHING we picked from drinks to entrees was of very high calibre, which is what counts. most pleased that the bread came warm AND soft - we left none going back to the kitchen. dessert fell a little flat with the puff pastry on the Napoleon bordering on soggy, but the ingredients were fresh. our server Jenn was gentle yet attentive, not snooty at all as I would almost expect some to behave in a place like this. overall, a very satisfying dining experience throughout -- which I'm not always fortunate to enjoy, especially lately. bonus: take a stroll on the promenade before/after meal, it shouldn't disappoint. I didn't get to personally check it out due to nightfall (ie. mosquitos coming out for happy hour), so I can't say about the view. but it being right next to a body of water, and people paying good money to live there...I wouldn't expect a junk yard scenery. even with groupon (and including the price we paid for the groupon), damage came to $40 each. one drink and entree, and shared appetizer and dessert. not bad, all things considered.
(4)
Tim B.
Yikes!!! Such a shame for such a beautiful location, and outdoor dining. The Service was friendly and decent but took pretty long. The bread and salad was good.The food was pretty bad. My calamari wasn't fried long enough and tasted like batter. The cod tasted like NOTHING. It was over cooked and dry as a bone. Brussel sprouts were literally soaked with lemon, and I couldn't eat them. We skipped dessert thinking it was a bad idea. I won't go here again.
(2)
Robin R.
Where do I begin. First, our reservation was for 5pm. We get there at 4:50 and the hostess comes out and says, we open and 5, ok then less than 5 minutes later she lets us in. Second, she sat us in the middle of restaurant, we asked to sit near the window, she said NO they were full. That is funny, we were the only one's in there. Then another couple comes in and asks for there seats to be changed to near the window and she did.Third, I heard that the crab cakes were good, well they do not sell crab cakes anymore so, I ordered the chicken picata, it was very dry.I will not be going back.
(1)
patricia g.
New menu is not at all appealing. I will not return until they get a better menu.
(2)
Karl V.
Nice Food & decor. Food, service & drinks ok. Not worth the $$. Too many nice places to eat. Don't waste your time or money. Too bad. This used to be a great place. Haddock was old, fries were oily. I eat Asparagus all the time, they had no taste.
(2)
Karlis B.
88 Wharf, almost but not quite. 88 Wharf is a beautifully designed restaurant with a fantastic view of the Neponset River (which you can't see at all if you go at night, but remember this for the spring and summer). And free valet is noteworthy feature. When you walk in and see all the tables filled, you expect a good meal. And that expectation will leave you wanting more. Husband and I gave up drinking for Lent so we were unable to try any cocktails, but my guess would be that if we had, they would have been highlight of the meal. We reallocated our drinking money to appetizers (see pictures). The beet & blue salad was decent. There were greens, beets and blue cheese... The artisan plate was a joke quite frankly. The grilled zucchini and squash were quite good. The hummus seemed homemade and was very flavorful. But the cheese was literally sliced deli cheese: pepper jack, swiss, yellow cheddar. Thick, cold slabs of cheese that belong on a deli sandwich, not an "artisan plate." As my husband said "I would not serve that cheese to unannounced guests at my own house." Until the restaurant can procure better cheese, would suggest not including cheese at all or leaving this item off the menu. After that, we were not looking forward to our meals at all. I had a tough time deciding but wound up with the nestled tenderloin, normally served with truffle fries, but I substituted for cous cous. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and as I ordered it. It had a nice bark on the outside and tender center. But there was no flavoring, not even a hint of salt. Even with the au jus I was looking for steak sauce. The cous cous suffered the same problem - a complete lack of flavor. Husband got the pork special: two 7 oz. loins, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The description of the apple garnish to accompany this dish must have been for another restaurant because we just got sliced apples on top of the pork. The asparagus was underdone because it was just grilled - no marinating, no blanching, just put on the grill so only the tips were edible. The mashed potatoes were good. As we were eating our entrees, we were doing what we could to not talk about the food. Talking about the food would have made us face our disappointment in the meal we just paid good money for and we didn't want to do that. The saving grace of the night was the two scoops of ice cream we got for desert (only gluten-free option available). 88 Wharf has potential. The space is modern with a great view. But until the food gets better, I will not be returning.
(2)
Sylvia C.
Used to frequent this restaurant when it first opened but haven't gone for over a year and half. Their Groupon deal got my attention. I have to say - generally it's better when they have the raw bar happy hour (found out they only offer that in the summer). The menu is pretty limited but decent (nothing to wow about). The free valet is a plus.
(3)
Jessica G.
Ok all you haters. Time to give 88 Wharf another try. They recently got a new chef and a completely new menu. I went this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised! The new menu lets you choose your meat, two sides, and a sauce. I had the grilled shrimp with the potato puree (which is basically fancy mashed potatoes, and was amazing) and the roasted brussel sprouts. Everything was great! I also went with four other people and they all raved about their meals as well. I always liked the Wharf but now it's even better!
(5)
Lorelle C.
I visited 88 Wharf with my fiance tonight and it was so amazing that I could not wait a second longer to write a review here. Our waitress was kind and prompt. The ambiance couldn't be better on an 80 degree partly cloudy evening overlooking the river. Bugs weren't a nuisance, conversation was a quiet hum. The menu was short and the food was spectacular. For the record, I would much rather go to a restaurant with 10 entrees that are all exquisite than a place with a catalog of entrees where I am forced to quiz the waitress on what she recommends.... I ordered the haddock and chose the horseradish cream sauce as my sauce, and broccoli rabe and mushrooms for my sides. My fiance got the salmon with asparagus and spinach. We barely said a word as we ate except to pause and say, "wow, this is really really good." We visited Granite Links recently (horrible) and I frequently dine out around Boston but I must say this was the best meal I have had in months. The fish was perfectly cooked, a tiny amount of crumbs on top (thank God, I HATE when the cover the fish in crumbs and butter!) And the mushrooms were flavorful fresh and perfectly cooked. I haven't had rabe in a long time but I loved the kick the seasoning had. We cleaned our plates and got more bread. They have that yummy foccacia type bread with the EVOO dipping sauce that's loaded with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, etc etc. The waitress said they have a new chef, I think she said his name was Ray, but I told her to give him our compliments... In a nutshell, we LOVED the entire experience and do not have a single criticism... not even a suggestion. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Kelley L.
I went here with some friends on the early side of a Saturday night - we enjoyed great drinks outside overlooking the water. When I mentioned to the waitress that I have celiac, she brought the CHEF out. He was amazing - he went over the entire menu to let me know what was safe. Ultimately he ended up making something for me ON THE FLY. It was amazing. Service and food were fantastic. Definitely coming back here again!!!!
(5)
Laura B.
This restaurant was a great choice for our date night. We are somewhat fussy eaters, and the option to choose a main course, a sauce (or two), and two vegetables was perfect for us. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the wines were well-chosen. Our server was friendly and helpful, and the somewhat secluded location by the riverfront gave us a chance for a post-dinner stroll. Luxury at a reasonable price.
(5)
Jenny P.
Not sure what was going on there last night!! After two hours and not having our meal served, we told the waiter that we were leaving to go somewhere else. he was new and not trained at all. Not his fault, but something was going on in the kitchen. The drinks were served after 45 minutes, and oddly served in the wrong style glass for the appropriate drink. We were told that they ran out of martini glasses?!! Will not return until new management has the program down, and wait staff and bartenders are trained.
(1)
Chris F.
Wow, where to start? We hadn't been here in a while, and last couple of times were pretty good. We grabbed a Groupon and when we had some family in town went over to 88 Wharf. This place is so truly poorly run I would be embarrassed to work there- manager stop food running and train your people and have some pride in yourself. Ordered drinks, 10 minutes later nothing has shown up- no water, no drinks, no nothing. If I hadn't bought that stupid Groupon I would have walked out at that point (and saved a ton of aggravation), instead I got up found the waitress who was struggling to open a bottle of wine near the bar with several other servers not doing much of anything. Several minutes later we get water and a couple minutes later drinks. So I had ordered a martini- out comes a rocks glass filled with piss warm gin with olives thrown in, gross. My mother had ordered a Bourbon Sour (odd I know, but she likes them) vile concoction comes out with no resemblance whatsoever to any sour mix and bourbon, vile. At least the wine for my wife and Shirley Temple for our niece was OK. We order food. The takes a while, but at this point I was expecting nothing good. Wife's Beet and Blue Cheese Salad was not horrible, but they really treated Blue Cheese like it was truffles by how little was on the plate. Sister in-law had a pretty good chopped salad. For mains my wife ordered the mussels which were pretty good, sister in law had a breaded scallop App that was really pretty good. At this point I wanted to go for something that they couldn't mess up a good old Cheeseburger. Of course Medium Rare came out Medium Well and my mother's Duck two ways was like shoe leather. Overall- horrible service (although the waitress was nice, just not at all trained or managed), food hit or miss at best, and truly incompetent management. Icing on the cake- no soap or towels in the bathroom on the way out. Never ever going back there again.
(1)
Spencer D.
I WROTE THIS TWO YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN A NEW CHEF WAS HIRED AND THE FOOD IS NOW (2014) GREAT. TRY the whole clam sliders. Wonderful! / remainder of this review was in 2012 and thankfully is no longer true... //Came for the Monday night oysters. Oddly, they were unable to serve horseradish with them! The chef must be from another planet since the oysters came with nothing but lemon wedge, ketchup, and a bizarre vinegar onion drizzle sauce. Vinegar on fresh, sweet oysters? NO-O-O!!! That is just WRONG! We shared a pizza, "grinder" meat version, and it was flavorless even though it presented well. Seems to be a pattern here... Even though we ordered arugula salad along with the pizza, the salad did not come until we asked for it 15 minutes later, and then it took another 10 minutes at least. We are local and have seen the management change twice and the chef change like 4 times. The first was the best (upon opening and for the first year). Each time since then it has taken a turn for the worse. It has a good bar but it is small. The view downriver is still wonderful. Advice to the management: Simplify the food, season it more and better, give the customer choices about what comes along with the meal or on the side for condiments and flavorings. Oh yeah, and how about a salt and pepper shaker that actually dispenses the product? Even the butter I use at home (Cabot, from Vermont) tastes far better than what was served with the bread tonight. It feels bad to have to pan our local establishment, but this place needs to shape up! I can make a more interesting meal for less than half the price at home. And that's just sad.
(4)
Dan N.
Our monthly date was at 88 Wharf this month. I'd give it five stars except they were out of the salmon, bread and something else. We read about the bread , with EVOO & was looking forward to it. We shared a beet salad which was very good. The Calamari and sauce for app was good. It was lightly battered , and did not come with all the peppers and junk. The dipping sauce was very good. We each had the haddock and it was excellent. We had the horseradish dipping sauce and enjoyed it. For sides we had asparagus & spinach that were cooked just right. Our waitress was superb! We wanted outdoor seating on the patio, but it was full. They don't take reservations for the patio. It is first come, first served. Inside seating was fine with large windows. Seats had opened after we had dinner so our waitress recommended we move out for our cheesecake dessert, which we did. The cheesecake was good too, served with strawberries and whipped creme on the side. We had two bottles of house Pinot Grigio and our bill was under $140. We learned after the chef had a personal issue and had to leave this night, but we would have never known that if a patron next to us did not tell us. That's a sign of a well trained staff! I would not say this is fine dining, but it is a very good local spot with great ambiance & a great staff. We will be back!
(4)
Erica M.
Saturday night at 7pm. Nice looking place on the water, but 45 minute wait for two entrees...and counting...after complaining the manager comped us. When the food finally did arrive, the rice was undercooked and had some clumps of rice, the duck and ribeye were extremely fatty, the green beans were hardly cooked at all, and the ribeye that was supposed to me medium-well was medium-rare! Very disappointing. Wanted to like this place, but they need to raise the standards on what they are willing to let leave the kitchen. Their excuse was that they had a function this morning and have been working since 7am. Don't think that is a sufficient excuse for this kind of poor quality. Why should the evening diners lose out because the restaurant had a morning event? Only good parts of the meal - the bread and butter they brought upon request after half an hour, the brownie/ice cream dessert, and that we were comped. Our waitress was good. Not her fault the food took so long.
(3)
Beak E.
I'd probably give this place 2 1/2 stars if Yelp allowed that, but it doesn't, so they're getting 2. That's all I can realistically offer them, because, to be quite frank, that's about all they offered me. I might have even given them 3 stars, out of pity, had they not served my wife a cheeseburger with two bottom buns. My steak was fine, but I could honestly make a better one at home. Even a boring steak is still a steak, I guess. The mashed potatoes were actually pretty good, though. I'll give them credit for that much. The asparagus, however, could use a little work. I just wasn't feelin' it. They didn't really seem to know what they were doing. It almost seemed like whoever opened this place went to the Fat Cat three our four times, thought they got the hang of things, and decided they'd give it a whirl. Sadly, this didn't work out. I went here because Groupon was offering a 50% off voucher. I'll never understand why my mind can't retain the simple fact that it's always the struggling businesses that opt for a Groupon ad, not the places like the Fat Cat, which don't require half-assed advertising campaigns to fill their establishments. Places like this are popping up left and right. And it really sucks that people like me are spending their hard-earned money finding out how bad they are. Also, this place is located about sixty yards away from a thin strip of the Neponset River. The fact that they use "Wharf" in their name is ridiculous. There were three boats docked in the somewhat visible distance, and they were so small you could barely even drink on them.
(2)
Jessica B.
I went here on a Thursday evening at 7:30 and had I issues with good service, there were 7 of us total including 1 child and everyone enjoyed their meals. I thought it was a great place, nice atmosphere and very accommodating.
(5)
James R.
Really fantastic food and service. I have been to brunch but tonight's dinner was flawless. Wow. We will be back. Great waiter, Joe. Perfect strip steak and shrimp. Nice to park 20 feet from the door too for free. I even tried my daughter's kids spag and it was incredible.
(5)
Joanie L.
Had a really nice time at 88 Wharf, looks like everyone either has a great time or a horrible one here. As with many others, I had a groupon. We ate at the bar and had decent service. She forgot about us a bit here and there but nothing horrible. I asked for a twist on one of the cocktails and she did it well and made sure it was what I wanted. Friend enjoyed his whiskey smash. The menu *does* seem a bit limited and boring, no specials last night. That said, food was done really well. The crab cakes were not overly bready and the pork w/ mushrooms was excellent. Like a great schnitzel w/ mushroom gravy, thinly sliced potatoes and a caprese salad which is an odd side for an entree like this but with tomatoes in season, why not. Seafood pasta was good. The desserts were fairly boring but the brownie sundae was large and tasty. With two cocktails, one app, two entrees and one dessert (with an extra side of ice cream), it came to about $85 before discount. It's a nice space w/ a good sized bar and great outdoor patio (altho those mosquitoes can attack), I like it.
Hello, This place is beautiful and looks great and the staff is pleasant. The staff seems to keep changing quickly. I was there a week ago and sat at the bar which use to be full by 6pm and it was dead. They have taken away the early bar menu that was discounted and got people in the door. Also the prices keep going up and the portions and the food is going down. I had a pizza that had very little meat on it and was bland in flavor. the entree dish I had was beef and it was over cooked and nothing special for over 20 bucks. We also had calamari that was very forgettable, When they first opened the food was great and prices were not cheap but matched the level of food your were getting.. this is a nice place but if they don't re think the food and the prices they are going to stay dead this summer. I will not be going back unless they bring back that bar menu specials and the food really improves. at least the drinks are a good size.
(2)
Danielle M.
88 Wharf has potential though the overall experience leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I dined here one evening several months ago using a groupon. Waitress was friendly and attentive, and we were seated with a scenic view of the water. I enjoyed a decently prepared cocktail though my boyfriend lamented at the lackluster beer offerings. The food itself, unfortunately, was the low point of the evening. Both the appetizers and entrees were bland and just not that palatable. The decor and ambience of the venue could use a face lift as well. Probably will not be back unless the menu and interior have a major overhaul.
(2)
Lynette S.
I read all 12 reviews before adding my own blah, blah, blah... I thought 88 Wharf was comfortable and yummy. I went for an early dinner on a Thurs. night b/c I had to be somewhere later. The service was only so-so/lukewarm at best but, ya know, that can happen anywhere and if it were to happen again, I do think I'd speak up. The cab sauv $8 was a pretty good compromise since there was no Riesling by the glass (or at all as far as i remember). The thai curry shrimp was 100 % delicious and plentiful. Ya know, enough for lunch the next day :) love that! It was a lil spicy but not too much to scare this wimp away. I question the parking situation when this place is packed though. It's a bottle-neck of a little area so I would call and ask about this. PS They seemed reservation-obsessed even though it was a thurs night.
(4)
Stephanie W.
My husband and I had dinner again tonight. Our second visit. We have no negative reviews. Great location! A hidden gem. Very clean restaurant. Servers are OUTSTANDING!!! Some of the other staff jumped in to fill in... refilled water glasses and asked if we needed anything. Have never seen that at any other restaurant. Now to the food. Tonight there were no specials ( we were hoping to have swordfish special from last visit), but that was ok. Had shrimp and bacon pizza for appetizer. Then to lobster rolls. Sub some of the sides with no problem. Everything was very good. Also, cocktail menu is great too. My husband is a beer snob and sangria snob. Rates their sangria in the top 3. Their cosmos' are great. View is outstanding. Like I said earlier...a hidden gem.
(5)
Mandy S.
We've tried 88 wharf twice now. First visit was worse than our second. In our first visit, our food was either undercooked (hard risotto) or overcooked (pork was like leather), but the service and atmosphere was great. But yea, the food stunk. Our second visit, our food was amazing. My chicken was good perfectly- some of the best chicken breast I've ever had. My husband got pizza, so not exactly a culinary feat there, but either way- good. The service the next time wasn't good. She tried hard, but wine service was just all kinds of wrong, along with a few other ( albeit forgivable) kinks. I'll go back, as there are not that many "upscale casual" restaurants this close to home. I hope they start to be a bit more consistent.
(4)
Edward M.
Generic Menu and average service. Great location, just wish they would make the menu more interesting. If you are in the area try it out but don't expect too much.
(3)
Cameron B.
I took 2 friends to this place in hopes of impressing them. I didn't. The service was, to put it charitably, indifferent. One friend ordered a bottle of wine. Now what does it take to bring out a bottle of wine? Time dragged on until I felt we were being ignored. Not a good way to start a meal. The corn soup for starters was indeed excellent. The excellence stopped there. The fish I ordered could have been served in a middling cafe. It was overdone and surrounded by limp vegetables. One of my friends was from Virginia and I told him to order lobster, a New England treat. When it arrived, the 3 of us looked at it disbelief. It was a heap of grayish something-or-other. Totally unappetizing! My friend could barely disguise his disgust. I kept thinking, 'How does a restaurant like this w/such poor service and terrible food stay in business? How?' It's a mystery and I suggest u don't try to solve it. Go just down the way to Steele & Rye instead, a real restaurant--if a little expensive.
(1)
Kathleen M.
The area itself is beautiful, very intimate. The food on the other hand, could be better. Went here for an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend and it was our first time coming here. It was very dimly lit which I didn't mind but its a little on the depressing side. I forgot what I ordered but it was a chicken dish. I was expecting chicken with a side of rice and vegetables. Instead it came out looking like soup. It had a weird tangy taste that I wasn't prepared for. The chicken was delicious though, the soupy rice and vegetables, wasn't. Next time I think I'll get the burger haha....I still have high hopes for this place, maybe my next experience will be better. P.S. My boyfriend got me a chocolate brownie with ice cream which was on the dessert menu and that made everything better!!!! It was a big portion and delicious!
(3)
Michael W.
We went to 88 Wharf through a Groupon 50% off.. We figured it was near our house and we should give it a try. The place was average to below average. Started with the meatball lolipops, not horrible they were eatible, but not good either. Went on to the Scallop dinner for me. The scallops were grilled very unevenly, and were so salty that you puckered when eating them. The other entree was just as average! For Desert had the chocolate cake, pretty sure they picked it up from Shaws earlier that day. The waitstaff was great, friendly, and attentive, probably why we didn't send the scallops back, plus the other entree was not good so we figured we would cut our losses. Again great waitstaff it is sad the food wasn't better.
Lovely open air dining beautiful view of water and sunset. The food was very good filet mignon and seafood pasta was excellent! Crab cake appetizer was good too! Will be back soon!
(4)
Kristin N.
The only thing I remember about this restaurant was how unbalanced the price-to-taste ratio was. Our dishes were, "okay" but certainly nothing to make me want to go back. You could say you're paying for the view, but all in all, the view is not that spectacular. Dinning on the patio is nice if the bugs leave you alone and if your table isn't wobbling throughout the meal. My favorite part of the whole experience was the hot-to-trot Milton residents who thought they were at the Hamptons. Uncomfortable much?
(2)
Tina M.
I was pleasantly surprised given the mediocre reviews here on Yelp. Like some others, I had bought a Groupon without reading the reviews, but figured I had it, I was going to use it. My fiance and I started with the smoky mac and cheese, which was quite yummy (cheese and bacon make everything taste good!). We both had the rib-eye, both pieces were cooked as requested, and were very tender. Someone else had complained that the green beans were hardly cooked, but I LOVED them! I often ask for my veggies raw because so many places overcook them to the point I can't eat them, and I was happy to see how crunchy these were. We shared the brownie dessert, which we both enjoyed. It was a generous size brownie and it wasn't overcooked like some can be. Our waitress was nice, and all our food was served in timely manner.
(3)
Julie R.
I visited this place after work to check it out and see if I liked it to take some family in town to for dinner. I walked around and was impressed by the modern vibe. The outdoor patio was spacious. I spoke to the hostess about making a reservation for 4 people later in the evening. She said she could only make reservations for 5 or more but had the manager come out to ok it. I asked specifically for the patio and they said I should be ok. We arrived a few hours later for dinner. The place was hopping. Within a few minutes our outside table was ready. It was very dark out there, another light or two would of helped. With a full moon and the water it was nice. The server brought over a couple extra candles for the table. We decided to split a dozen oysters and the calamari. The island creek oysters were great. They were cut nicely with the natural juices. The calamari was my favorite. I think it was the best I ever had. It had a spicy lemon pepper taste to it. For my entree I got the steak frites. It was cooked perfectly. The fries on the side were hand cut. My boyfriend got the rack of lamb. He wished it was a larger size. The portion was petite (about 3 small chops), it also was cooked more medium. He would not order it again. The other diners had the shrimp and scallop linguine and the short ribs. The short ribs were prepared more like a stroganoff which the diner wasn't expecting but she still liked it. They both finished their plates. I had the peach sangria which was tasty. The wine list had some good reasonable choices. Our server was very good. With her and the help of the bus people the table did not lack any attention. We passed on dessert cause we were full. I encourage people to come from Boston to try this place out. It's completely brand new with a nice contemporary build out. The prices for entrees are mostly in the high teens. At least try to get on the patio before it gets too cold! Tons of free parking!
(4)
Joseph M.
My wife had the Steak Tips. She asked for medium well, but they over cooked it. I had the Haddock. No creative cooking at this place--that's for sure!!! The fish came with CousCous, and Broccolini. Literally bland food. Because of the Steak mistake, they offered us a huge slice of Suede cake. This thing must had been hanging around the kitchen for a few days, as it was dry, and bland. Basicly, it tasted like cardboard. The frosting was definitely out of a can. Needless to say, after one bite each, my wife and I shoved it aside. The Arisan plate was a joke. The hummus had no taste, and the little slivers of cheese was a joke, considering what you pay.
(1)
Dan S.
I enjoy 88 Wharf as much as I do any other Milton restaurant. The service is always very good prompt and courteous. LIke all the other local Milton restaurants I wish the men was a bit more varied. I love sitting at the bar here...and in the summer definitely enjoy the outdoor dining.
(4)
Toni T.
Well, this was my 2nd visit to Wharf 88 and since I enjoyed it the first time (2 years ago), I thought I'd defy most of the recent reviews & give it another shot. The ambiance is still very nice, the restaurant still pretty, and the waitstaff still friendly, but our meals were so BLAH! I went with a friend who had never been and he ordered the fish & chips and thought it was too salty. I ordered the summer pasta dish and felt it didn't have any flavor at all. The best I could do was add a few dashes of salt and pepper as well as some crushed red pepper that I asked the waitress to bring over and voila...FLAVOR! I should have asked her to bring a little basil, fresh mozzarella and garlic, and I could have really hooked it up. Sadly, the next time I go to Wharf 88, it will probably be just for a drink.
(2)
Jim M.
Limited parking out front, however across the street there is additional free parking. Menu is not large, and waiter could use more polish. We had two interruptions while reading the menu to ask if we were ready to order, and three interruptions while eating our meal to see if everything was okay. Two from the waiter and one from the manager. I would prefer no interruptions, as an adult, if we need the waiter we would would look in his direction and upon making eye contact would signal for attention. These interruptions spoil the conversation and appear amateurish. Also, when one person is still eating, it feels like we are being rushed out of there when they try to start clearing plates. Not a great experience having dinner, however, with a different management style, this place could be a jewel.
(2)
John R.
My wife and I went to 88 Wharf last night based on recommendations concerning much improved food and service. We are joining the bandwagon by saying the food and service was excellent. Eric, the manager, Kaitlin our bartender and Nick our waiter all did a super job making us very comfortable with great suggestions for dinner. The Skirt steak was superb as was the short ribs both cooked to perfection. Along with a large selection of very tasty vegetables our praise goes out to the chef also. Overall if you have had doubts about trying 88 Wharf or had bad experiences in the past give it a shot again as we did and I think you will love the place and put it on your list as a restaurant to consider for a great dining out evening.
(5)
Evie K.
This place wants to be an upscale dining experience but executes like a cut rate version of Capital Grill. From the valet who handed me my keys and told me that my car was parked at the "far end" of the lot, to the drinks served in mini beer mugs, to the waiter who announced that the special appetizer was 8 meatballs, 8 bucks, to the live musician who had to try to drown out the elevator music piped in on the dining room sound system... The whole experience was as mediocre and tasteless as the maître d's 20 yr old suit.
(2)
Erlo K.
This place shot itself in the foot. Went here with my wife on a lovely Saturday evening and wanted to sit on the deck. It was a little bit of a wait but we sat at the bar while we waited and had a drink. We both tried different specialty drinks and enjoyed them. We did notice that as people were coming in they were being seated on the deck ... whoops ... forgot about us! We needed to remind the hostess that we were still waiting for a seat. Not a big deal. When we were seated outside it was very awkward seating. It was as if everyone was sitting at tables in a big circle ... weird. They waitress came over and let us know the kitchen was running slow, but we didn't mind as we were in no rush. We ordered clam cakes and chips and guacamole for an appetizer. Not only did it take an hour to get the food, it was down right awful. The crab cake was mostly bread and the guacamole looked like it came out of a can, the chips were also cold and chewy. Yuck! We placed orders for our meals, both getting the filet. After waiting another 30 minutes the sun was down and we started getting attacked by mosquitos. Also the only light we had was from a street lamp in the parking lot which was really weird. We asked if we could move inside, which the waitress was more than happy to accomodate. We waited another 20-25 minutes and our 'filets' came out. These were not filets, but more like sirloins. Delicious, but not what we ordered. Frustrated and disappointed we made our way to the valet as we had valeted our car. There was no valet outside(maybe he was getting someone else car or parking someone's car?). We waited (and I even timed it) 20 minutes and still no one was outside to get our car. We finally just found the key box (unlocked and on the ground) and grabbed our keys. We went down the street hitting the alarm button until we could locate our car. Amazing how we essentially had to steal back our car to get out of the place. All in all, a horrible experience. I do not recommend this place at all, and I hope they do something to make this place better otherwise I do not see this restaurant lasting very long.
(1)
Bam M.
Use the groupon 1/2 off. Enjoyed the food chicken was very tender. Staff and atmosphere was excellent.
(4)
Ellen C.
We've been to 88 Wharf many times. Love the ambience but the menu leaves a lot to be desired. I had salmon that had 3 things against it , the 1st it was served skin side up - very unappealing - 2nd it had no taste, 3rd it was served with Italian style vegetables - not what I think goes with salmon. My husband settled for Fish and Chips even though he did not want fried food. The place is otherwise great and good for the town but if they don't improve the menu they're going to loose people. Maybe they should get a new chef!
(2)
Beth M.
I so want to like this place, eating outside is lovely and the staff is generally pleasant and attentive. But... Time after time the food just disappoints. Tonight it was the bluefish which was fishy and dry. Served with rice that had pieces that were crunchy and some corn that was obviously of te frozen variety. My husband ordered pork but was served sirloin. Just a disappointing meal all around.
(2)
Chris M.
I went to 88 wharf when it opened a few years ago and thought it was good. Took my mother there last night for her birthday, there were 5 of us. The place needs Gordon Ramsey to whip it into shape, I would not go there again. 4 out of 5 meals were not good. -Swordfish was medium rare and had to be returned, the waiter said it supposed to be that way (hey bro, its not tuna) -some type of shrimp fettucini pepper sauce thing had so much pepper that it was unedible. manager said people either love it or hate it. odd statement. -rack of lamb.. poor mom who eats lamb said it tasted funny desserts were good, grey goose vodka was fantastic and bud in the bottle was to die for. if you do go.. just drink at the bar, do not eat here.
(2)
Alexis V.
I love this restaurant for three reasons: 1) The views are beautiful! You can sit outside and overlook the Neponset River. Inside, the decor and atmosphere are beautiful too. 2) There is always room to sit and enjoy drinks or dinner. You can find something to eat no matter how hungry or full you feel coming in. 3) The bartenders and waiters are SO friendly. One time, when I was having a bad day, the bartender gave me a basket of homemade truffle-oil flavored potato chips, and they were amazing. Another time, I came in to eat and read alone. The server saw I was taking notes in the margins of my book, so he brought out real paper for me to take notes on! The service is EXCEPTIONAL. Their bread basket comes with homemade hummus - best hummus I've had in Boston. I love the Arugula, Gorgonzola and Walnut pizza with truffle oil. It's so tasty. I also love their salads. And their drinks. I think some of the bad reviews might be from when they had bartenders who no longer work there? Because the bartenders now are wonderful. We moved and I will really miss this place.
(5)
Kerri S.
Dined here with friends Sat night. We had a lovely table by the window and the view was gorgeous. Would love to come back in the summer and dine outside on the patio. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is very nice-somewhat upscale. The service was good-our server was a little bit ditzy, but otherwise we really enjoyed our experience here and will be back.
(4)
Allegra M.
88 Wharf has a menu that is somewhat uninspired. You will probably find your self glancing over their offerings several times trying to decide what you want - not because everything looks so good, but because everything looks relatively average. Nothing really stands out or seems original to this restaurant - grilled salmon, half roasted chicken, duck breast, steak. I'm not exaggerating either. The ambiance is laid back elegant, but the "waterfront view" is probably best enjoyed during the day or on the patio. With $13 for a burger and $11 for a Cubano sandwich, this probably isn't somewhere you go on a whim. Dinner will run you close to $50 for a couple of burgers and some cokes. If you are interested in trying 88 Wharf, splurge on the $25 Weekday Prix Fixe and go from there. Like I said, its not bad...but a pretty good average.
(3)
Sarah M.
Many people start off posts like these with the phrase "I wish I COULD give a better review" but I don't. End of sentiment. Went out with my mom to celebrate a raise, as we're of the working class ilk, looking forward to an upscale evening (though I'd consider myself a non-bougie-foodie). In brief - the clientele were snotty, we were seated at the bar and I was amazed at how LITTLE attention the bartender paid to us. Our drinks (martinis) were mixed in the same receptacle as the previous client's drinks, and there was mint all up in there which he proceeded to REMOVE WITH HIS FINGER right in front of us. Food was alright, nothing to write home about. Steamed mussels: broth was very good, but the mussels were obviously not fresh. The prosciutto-wrapped scallops were amazing, however, and that is the only thing that saves this review from being completely in the tank. At the end of the meal, we got coffee, my mom some version with baileys etc. The coffee was spilled all over the plate and I had to clean it up myself. No attention to detail -sloppy sloppy, and the drink was disgusting, way too overpowering. In sum - really apathetic, inattentive bartenders and servers (unless you're a regular, bank-rolling type) ambiance leaves much to be desired, spartan and sparse with a new-agey-contemporary feel that does not translated into a welcoming atmosphere, and the food was mediocre at best. As someone who loves to do numerous culinary tours around Boston, I was very, very disappointed. But the real kicker was - we were made to feel like second class citizens. Will absolutely never come again, and will not recommend to any other folks I come across.
(1)
Sarah R.
My family and I took my mom there for mother's day and although half the table liked their meal, I would say that mine was severely lacking taste. I had the arugula salad that barely had any aruugla in it. It consisted of huge chunks of pickled beets, a few leafs and huge chunks of cheese. It did not blend well together and had no taste. I followed that up with duck and risotto. The duck was dry and tasteless and the risotto tasted like it was cooked hours before just waiting to be served. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice, but for the price I expected something if not great at least good.
(2)
Niamh D.
Milton is about as suburban as it gets as far as places to eat, so when I heard that my hometown had actually opened an upscale restaurant with a full bar, I was very curious. I tried this place recently with my Mom on a beautiful summer evening. We sat out on the patio, which had a lovely view overlooking the boats docked at Milton Landing. The service was prompt and professional. Food was just so-so for the price. I agree with the previous reviews describing the menu as "uninspiring". I tried the peach sangria, which was very tasty and refreshing. I also had the lobster risotto for my main course. There was a generous amount of lobster on the plate, but the risotto was not the best I've ever had. It was a bit salty and almost tasted like something out of a box. My Mom had the shrimp and scallop dish and really enjoyed it. She also commented that there was a good helping of seafood in it. It's probably good for families to note that kids eat free on Sundays (1 kid's meal per adult entree). No cooking for you hardworking parents! I will definitely come here again. I really like what they've done with this area of Milton. However, it will be the location more than the food that will bring me back.
(3)
pim l.
Had a Groupon for tonight. The food was mediocre at best. Meatball lollipops(appetizer) were hardly edible- nothing worse than a tough meatball... Ordered a cocktail off the menu and asked if it was straight up and was told it was, but it came on the rocks. Ordered water, too, but nothing came for at least 15 minutes even though bartender was standing around doing nothing. Finally appetizers came and I asked for our water, but the manager, who was helping serve, snapped at me that we didn't get water unless we asked for it. I said we did ask for it and that we had ordered drinks as well but we hadn't received them either. He again snapped at me that we don't get water or bread unless we ask. What a bully! Another waitress brought us water. Our drinks arrived eventually. I want to say that the pork entree was cooked very well and the mashed potatoes were tasty, but the green beans were raw. Won't be returning to this place!
(1)
Grace S.
We tried 88 Wharf for the first time last night. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed. I must preface this review by saying our server was very nice. He had nothing to work with so I wouldn't blame it on him... Bottom line, our reservation was at 7:30 p.m. and they were out of everything on the menu when we arrived. It is a Saturday night!!! No catch of the day, out of mussels, out of scallops, etc. It wasn't just the food. They were out of Corona and out of the blood orange cocktail. I refuse to believe that they ran out of everything in two and a half hours. The manager should likely be 86'ed, along with all the food. The food came out so slow... I would never eat here again. Too bad, it is a cool spot and nice view.
(1)
Art F.
Went here on a Saturday night after picking up guests at the airport. Flying all day to get here, they were hungry. We looked for place outside the city with no wait. We wound up here for dinner and drinks in the dining room. Only had Guiness on tap, served wet with foam. Shared small mussel appetizer with white wine which had a good broth. Meals, fish and chips, bluefish and salmon were good, but not special. All in all it was a bit overpriced for the quality of the food. Server was very attentive without being intrusive. Setting along the river was very nice.
(3)
Karen M.
88 Wharf is a good restaurant with all the elements of being a great one with just a few more touches. Something for everyone: the menu has inexpensive basics like pizza and burgers as well as fancier things like salmon tartare and lobster risotto, so you can eat for anywhere from $12 to $30 per entree and as plain or fancy as you're in the mood for. Too salty: agree with other reviewers on this. They totally ruined my beet salad with gorgeous greens that I love, it was almost in a salt crust it was so salty. Drinks: stick with wine or beer here, it goes well with the food. The Peach sangria was a good idea but very watery. I think it must have been sitting at room temperature in a pitcher of ice and the ice melted into it? It tasted like watery peach juice and needed an acidic kick such as maybe some wine. Entrees: Mussels were nice with an interesting light yet creamy fennel sauce. Toast was charred however. Do not like any blackness on my toast, that is a carcinogen! But I ate it because I had to soak up that sauce! Also kudos for the special, codfish with quinoa and hazelnut. The nut combined very well, the quinoa did not taste like cardboard, and it's a really healthy dish. Overall: Bravo for not falling into the mediocre-food-in-huge-portions trap that so many other restaurants try to sucker us into. Moderate yet delicious is how I love to eat. Atmosphere is nice, not too dark not too light, friendly vibe. Good for dates, groups, families. Service: excellent, neither slow nor rushed. There are TVs in the bar if you need to follow the game. Free valet parking is a nice touch. It's never really free because of the tip but anyway that is not a big expenditure. A little work on the food and drink and this place would be a perfect go to restaurant for all occasions.
(3)
Nate T.
Great atmosphere! The trout was very flavorful and the chard tasted just like greens. Many restaurants in the area are hit or miss on seasoning, but this one is just right. It's great that it's right next to the trolley stop because parking is a little bit of a challenge.
(4)
Michelle L.
We came in for the second time last night. I am definitely a fan of 88 Wharf. We live just around the corner so it's nice to have a classy restaurant nearby. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress (but it was around 6pm we sat on the deck near the door, she had dark hair) she was great. Very attentive and knowledgeable, I ordered the Steamed Mussels as an entree and she even offered more toast before I had the chance to realize I wanted it! She recommended my fiance's entree and he was not disappointed! The risotto on his pork was unfortunately a bit underdone in parts, but the flavor was really there. We tried the truffle potato chips were MIND BLOWING! [serve those next to the fantastic burger and you'll take it to the next level!!!] While things are a bit pricey, entrees from 18-25 (a glass of wine for $10!?!? =( ) the view and service was well worth it!
(4)
Kathy Y.
I went here for a friend's birthday party, so we had quite a few people. We had about 14 people in our party. Service was still pretty good though. We were a little bit late, but didn't run into problems or anything and the waitress was very attentive toward us. The atmosphere was very nice. They even have outdoor seating which I would like to come back another day just to relax. They have free valet service. However, I drove my car up and they did not know how to drive my car because it was a manual. So they told me where to park the car and I had to park it myself. I guess better to let me know then to mess up my car. We had a few appetizers, but these were the only ones I could remember: Truffled Potato Chips - Don't taste the truffle. They taste like homemade chips, not bad. Oysters - they are raw, can't really go wrong with them. For my entree I had: 12oz ribeye steak with Truffled smashed potatoes and White Asparagus. - this was amazingly cooked. The steak was so tender. but my steak was in 2 pieces while my friends was 1 whole piece in tact. The potatoes were okay I didn't really taste the truffle oil at first. The white asparagus was a nice color that topped off the dish. The dish was huge, so I obviously took it home - the truffle taste was more potent after I reheated it. My friend ordered Lobster Risotto - this was pretty good too, packed with flavors. I would definetley come back to this restaurant to try out their other dishes. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. The food is worth it.
(4)
ells w.
Up front......Management deserves half a star. Got that? Evidenced in the surprisingly great meal, great outdoors and a very good server. But management...you're squeezing nickels out of this place instead of putting pennies into it. Expeditors bring out basics and take away dishes allowing for the wait person to take orders, sell product and smoooze making the customer 'king'. Maybe they were out for the night...but, on a weekend? Back to our waitress......five stars. Food four stars.....I'll be back NOW ... two years later, you may have a Mercedes SUV but; your f***** customers have to wait for the bread, for the food, for the information about the product, and the quality food. DO YOU NOT READ yelp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!? yelp is here to help you ... clearly, you only want to help YOURself. We're out. You're out! But ahhhhh, the view on a summer eve...we won't be back.
(1)
Helena S.
Really enjoyed!! Nice spot for a lil date night! Wine was yummy!
(5)
R. K. S.
I usually go here when I want a nice quite spot to have a drink or a meal. The restaurant is comfortable, and in the summer the patio is one of the nicest in Boston. Tonight - wow. My first thought was that the menu was very, very limited. I ended up ordering a burger - something I don't like very much. Then the drinks and food took a very long time to arrive. My drink order was wrong, but I had waited so long I accepted it. The table next to me was wondering if they should go to the bar to get their own drinks. Eventually a woman arrived and mentioned she heard that no one had helped this table and was "stealing" the table to help them. I heard a waiter explaining with and edge to his voice to a third table that they were wrong, they heard him incorrectly when reviewing the specials. He told another table they would have to wait for water -they had a glass shortage. My food eventually arrived. A tasteless burger was placed in front of me and the guy ran off before I could ask for mustard and catsup. The shoe-string fries were limp, cold, and greyish-brown (my friend at this meal liked them, maybe I'm being harsh). The nicest parts were the unexpected, wonderful company of the neighboring tables, and our waitress who was a gem. I'll go back for a beer, not for dinner or anything else that required any sort of preparation.
(1)
Kitty M.
Definately Out of the Rotation I went to 88 Wharf around 6:15 on Friday night. I know, early for dinner, but I was with my elderly mom. Although the dining room was virtually empty (there were about 3 parties seated), they refused to seat us, claiming that they had reservations that kept the to maximum capacity and could not accomodate us until 8 PM, but we were welcome to sit at the bar. Since we didn't have till 8 PM to wait, and no plan B, we ate some mediocore (and that's being generous) food in uncomfortably high seats in the bar area, which was also pretty noisy, and watched as the dining room "filled" with 3 additional parties until we left at 7:15. There were over 10 empty tables, just sitting there. So it made a lot of sense that the made us sit at the bar. Definately not worth it. I was completely underwhelmed.
(1)
David D.
Food was great and the place is quite cool. The prices seemed appropriate. The menu listed BYOB Monday - Wednesday, not sure if that's a permanent thing, but we will certainly take advantage of it. The bartenders were beyond slow however, and they broke multiple bottles and glasses, twice. We (party of four) ordered a round at the bar while waiting for our table (even though we had reservations, we had a half hour wait). It took way too long for the bartender to make one mixed drink. I can't wait to check this place out in the summer to dine on their patio. Free valet was a plus as well.
(3)
Michele C.
This place is awful. Overpriced & pretentious. Tthe food took forever. Two managers on duty on a busy Saturday night seemed more interested in socializing with customers at the bar than running their restaurant. Actually overheard a sever teliing the manager (John?) that a customer was complaining that his steak took 45 mins and then came out overcooked. Server asked if manager wanted to talk to the customer. Manager replied in a bored tone " No - just take it off the bill." Really? He didn't even care enough about his customer or restaurant to apologize and try to smooth things over. Poor management, & mediocre food. I will stick with Abby Park, which is right down the street and much, much better.
(1)
Michael A.
Came here with my cousins one night for dinner and discovered a good reason to come to Milton. Ambiance: Perfect lighting compliments the modern decor and accents and very clean. It's also on the river, and I'll definitely come back in the spring to enjoy their outdoor patio for dinner and drinks. Food: Calamari - not bad; lightly fried which is best but the dip was mayonnaise (I think) and doesn't compliment the pallet. Cheese burger - Also good and was cooked as I asked (medium). Sides (lettuce, tomatoes) were very fresh. Burger was tasty but the bulky roll just didn't do it, just too much bread for the size of the burger. The Fries were awesome and lightly salted even though they looked overcooked. Overall I'd say it's average and a good local alternative to others places. I definitely plan to come again to try some of their signature dishes and take advantage of the water front. Did I mention they have entertainment? Check there site for details. And for a local spot, I'd say its a good place to bring a date.
(3)
Justin C.
The great, chic indoor space and lovely outdoor patio do not match up with the very underwhelming food here. Everything tasted thrown together and cheap without exception; I doubt they are making anything from scratch here. The particulars: Corn Fritter app: We asked if these were gluten free and they didn't know, i.e., they obviously came from a box. They tasted like bland corn bread. Spare rib app: These were OK, not appalling, but dry and unflavorful and tasted like they had been coated in a store bought BBQ sauce. Hanger steak: Asked for medium rare, got medium well, and the meat was more like steak tips; there were four or five little strips of meat. The fries were wilted and just bad. A companion's lobster risotto was not fresh tasting, and rather gloppy. Our server was pleasant and we liked the place, the consensus was that the food has a long way to go - like the whole way - if they are to survive. $90 for a party of 3 was absolutely out of hand for such fare. Disappointing, and a missed opportunity unless they figure the food out fast.
(2)
Bassel A.
Menu is ok, Service is ok, decor is ok, Food is ok and the bar tenders are awful. Made reservations and had a drink at the bar before being seated. I ordered a Guinnes and I think they were brewing on order cause it took the guy 12 minutes to serve. It was something else watching him trying to pour this, I almost cancelled the drink. The menu doesn't have a lot of choices so you would expect they would do well with the few choices, but thats not the case. Food wasn't bad but nothing stood out. There was free valet but thats only because its tough to park the car yourself. Overall I wasn't discouraged, but I wouldn't go back here
(2)
barrie g.
Salt, salt, salt is the best way to describe the food served at this cute, clean, new to us restaurant. Unfortunately we were not able to eat outside since the weather was typical New England. To enjoy their outside dining would be the only reason we would go back. Waitress was good but the food was inedible due to way too much salt, or the food (pizza) was tasteless. The french fries were good . The menu was quite limited. We expected more than 1 special to be offered for Father's Day. Our other guests have liked this place in the past but they agreed the food was awful--too bad since it was father's day !
(1)
James H.
A one word summary would be 'LOUD'! It looked like rain so we chose to eat inside but it was so loud inside that we could not even have a conversation. If you don't mind texting to your friends while at the table, instead of talking-- it might have been ok. As our salads came, we decided we had to risk eating outside even if we got soaked. Fortunately, our waiter was amenable to moving to the patio. The patio was beautiful. We watched the sky knowing any minute we could be soaked but we did not care-- we were free. Food was good. My husband loved his salmon. I had the ravioli which was very good though the sauce was watery. Desserts were excellent. All-in-all, we had a great time with friends. It did not rain.
(2)
Vanessa M.
This review is for the bar only, as I haven't been for dinner yet. A coworker of mine is a regular here and she introduced me. I was very pleasantly surprised! The place is beautiful, lots of dark wood and dim lighting makes for a cozy and classy atmosphere. We sat at the bar and stuck to wine, a nice Malbec, and had nibbles from the "Social Hour" menu. Mon-Fri from 5-6pm they have a bar menu of $1 appetizers. I was expecting teeny little bites, but the portion size of these $1 apps was pretty impressive. We each ordered the bruschetta of the day (last night it was bluefish with arugula and a zingy vinaigrette) and shared an order of truffled potato chips, rosemary bar nuts, olives, and an order of onion rings. Not the healthiest dinner but it sure was tasty on a cold, rainy night. 88 Wharf is located inside the Milton Landing condo building on a quiet side street, next to the river. They have seating out on the patio overlooking the water... In good weather I'm sure it's beautiful. I am looking forward to going back and trying the dinner menu.
(4)
Jahan M.
The service was stellar. And the menu was very creative. It also is reinvented pretty frequently. I know its probably a hit or miss for most people, but I thought they do a good job of trying to provide a classy dinning experience with some real interesting menu options. It's not the best fine dining, but it's pretty damn good for Milton.
(4)
Barbara O.
Everyone and everything was delightful. We enjoyed our meals and look forward to returning soon.
(4)
Tony B.
Went there on valentines day this past year. First time there. The atmosphere was nice, service was excellent. Menu was a little small, but maybe that was due to the holiday. Prices were ok. I could see myself going there again, maybe in the summer time to sit on the patio.
(4)
Karen S.
I've tried to like this place, I really have -- Milton sorely needs an upscale eatery and bar. The location is lovely and the decor is very nice, and the people are very friendly, but sadly, the food is consistently under-whelming, every time. I have dined here 8-10 times in the past 2 years. I think last night was my 'last night' unless I hear about drastic changes to the menu. I ordered the sole, which came with cauliflower, and a starter of calamari. While it wasn't horrible, it was no better than a frozen, micro-wave entree, or something from a fast food place. Absolutely no flavor, heavy, fried and just blah. It was really pretty terrible. Sorry.
(1)
David D.
Hate to be Blunt... If your a true "Foodie"...skip this place and spend you money elsewhere.
(1)
Jennifer A.
Like most others, we visited with our 50% coupon. It is a nice cozy ambiance, but nothing special. The food was fair. We has the artisanal cheese plate....it was nothing more than slices of cracker barrel, a dollop of hummus and a few pieces of pita bread. The salad was very good. We all had steak, cooked to temperature, but boring and unseasoned. It was supposed to be in a nest of fries with truffle jus. It was a plain sliced up steak with a side of fries a bunch of undressed mesclun mix and a side of flavorless clear thick liquid. Sadly it took about 30 minutes to arrive. The warm brownie and ice cream were good, but it would have been helpful if we were give spoons and plates. Service was not good. She seemed bored and uninterested, forgot bread, water, etc. and was terrible at describing the food. The special app was described as "something that begins with ch that I can't pronounce, but it's meat on a plate and things pickled in juices here" the dessert "suede cake...kind of like red velvet, but we don't put red dye in it.". On the plus side, the company was good, the drinks were delicious, we didn't have to cook and it was cheap.
(2)
BART W.
I went here without expectationss and it was so not good. The service was not very nice,, but the food was awful and I am glad I went because with the little Milton has to offer as far as restaurants this proved it.
(2)
Michael C.
It would be a great place to have a drink in the summer. The food was a little pricey for what it was. It was just ok. Service was adequate, food was adequate, menu was limited. Nothing bad to say
(3)
Lisa B.
I paid $22 for a piece of shepherds pie on a chipped plate! My first impression would of been fabulous with free valet and a nice interior! We were seated and no waiter after 5 minutes a few more minutes passed and he came over with water and bread, we could of ordered at this time but he was in too much of a rush to get out to his next table. 20 minutes later he returned to take our order( the restaurant was not that busy I could count six open tables). We ordered fried Mac and Cheese bites and our dinners. I hate to say it but tgifridays makes much better fried Mac and cheese. This was an undercooked pile of shells mixed with tasteless cheese then fried till it tasted like a pasty mess! Dinner arrives and my piece of shepards pie was served on a plate with chipped off edges! For the price of the meal this was rediculous! But we didn't see the server again till the end of the meal so enraged I said nothing My food was over cooked and tough. My husband had a seafood risotto and said it tasted undercooked and it was served in soppy liquid not what he expected. My mother in laws pork chop was just so so! We opted out of dessert as I was holding back. Save yourself some money and go somewhere else not worth the amount of money you will spend!
(2)
Okie M.
After my second trip to this restaurant, I'm compelled to inform others that 88 Wharf is simply not worth a visit. The primary driver of my miscontent? The food. While I cannot recall what I ordered on my first trip, I do recall a general dissatisfaction. On my most recent trip, just last night, I ordered the following: a raspberry mojito, the mussels appetizer, a glass of the house cabernet sauvignon, and the fettucine shrimp. The raspberry mojito tasted like (and had the consistency of) melted raspberry sorbet with rum poured over the top; the mussels were actually the high point of the meal though, given the price of mussels, the portion was disappointing; the cab was so-so; and the fettucine shrimp was nearly non-edible. The fettucine sauce was almost maple-y sweet, despite our waitress' admonition that we should expect it to be spicy. My tablemates ordered the statler chicken breasts, which too were not great, the main complaint being that they were well overcooked.
(2)
Meghan M.
The white tablecloths and valet parking were clever moves to deter the Dorchester and Mattapan clientele. But to sum it up, this place is mediocre at best. First red flag - Stella and Guinness on tap only. If you had only two choices for tap selections, Stella and Guinness? We sat at the bar as we do not "do" white tablecloths on a Friday night after work. Arancini with pomodoro sauce was very good. We split the steak and potato pizza. We thought we were skipped on the potato as there were plenty of helpings of steak and mushrooms, but no potato? It was SO bland we requested salt. After a few shakes, we realized it was a mashed potato base. Dear chef, please learn how to season. I'm sure we will try this place out again, but maybe during the summer when we can catch a glimpse of the "waterfront".
(2)
Nik N.
As a fine dining deprived Miltonian, my initial inclination is to wax positive about 88 Wharf's "great potential". But after my first visit, I'm afraid that might be a bit of a stretch. 88 Wharf is one of two new full service "fine dining" restaurants in Milton (Abby Park in East Milton being the other) and it's lovely location overlooking the Neponset River at Milton Landing is at first sight both impressive and inviting. Though we were there on a rainy evening, they usually have what appears to be a rather expansive patio open for seasonal outdoor seating. The decor is clean, chic and modern - well executed with quality craftsmanship. The table arrangement (and perhaps this was because of the patio being closed) seemed a bit sparse and awkwardly laid out within the medium smallish dining room. 88 Wharf only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more, but we had no trouble walking right in and getting a table for three (and a baby) at 6pm on a Saturday night. The hostess and servers were very friendly and accommodating, gladly setting up a high chair for our baby. Our waitress, Paula, was very nice and attentive, with exception of a long wait for the cocktails. The menu seemed enticing with a well thought out blend of traditional and slightly more inventive takes on New American cuisine. Sadly the food did not meet expectations set by "said" menu, which was apparently constructed above the competency level of the kitchen staff. Our rather pricey cocktails finally arrived and fell flat from their descriptions - unbalanced and watery. The Peach Sangria was the exception here - it was fruity, light, and delicious. The appetizers followed shortly after and were a mixed bag. The seared (but obviously braised first) pork ribs were delicious, and literally fell right off the bone. I don't put a lot of stock in braised ribs, because I figure if Tommy Floramos can do tender "fall off the bone" ribs, anyone should be able to. That said, they were easily the highlight of the meal. The corn fritters sorely disappointed, and were more reminiscent of rock solid, yellow golf balls than the moist, fluffy hush puppies I had hoped for. The entrees were a let down as well. My lamb was terribly over cooked (not anywhere near the medium rare I ordered it at) and had been unevenly butchered (with messy frenching) too thin and then seared on a grill, a preparation that almost guarantees a medium well to well done internal temp. When I mentioned the lamb being over cooked, Paula, was kind enough to whisk it away without questioning and assured me that she'd bring another rack, medium rare, out to me momentarily. The second rack arrived and was only fractionally more rare than the first, but I chocked it up to inexperienced kitchen staff and forged on. The currant "reduction" was watery thin and too tart, more like an anemic "jus" than a gastrique. My sister's lobster risotto was well cooked, but under seasoned and uninspired, lacking acidity and salt. My wife's halibut was overcooked, dry, under seasoned and lacking the "summer vegetables" promised on the menu, unless they thought a few cherry tomatoes and some arrugula equaled "summer vegetables". There was narry a hint of the tarragon vinaigrette with the fish, and the pearl cous-cous tasted dry and overly al dente, as if it had been cooked the day before and refrigerated without any oil or dressing. After our meal, it didn't seem worth it to stick around for dessert. Overall, I'd recommend waiting a while for the kinks in the kitchen to be ironed out before heading to 88 Wharf. At least before eating there - though, if you go for the bar, steer clear of the martinis. I have a feeling this restaurant has fallen victim to the classic case of restrauteurs opening a "big city, fine dining" type place in the suburbs without the sufficient "big city, fine dining" type kitchen staff to pull it off. With an infusion of talent in the kitchen, 88 might become a local eatery worth bringing family and friends to. I'll check back in a few months.
(2)
Erin H.
Since my earlier review the dollar menu has changed (wings for a dollar each don't seem like as a good of deal to me) and it's over by 6:00pm now... Went their for brunch and was very disappointed. The food took a very long time to come out (and there was no bread or rolls to sustain you during the very long wait) and our coffee and drinks went dry well before we got our bill (which was also when we were asked if we needed more coffee.) The food was decent, but not good enough to make up for lack in service, especially with other area restaurants serving up a great brunch!
(2)
Rosaly Q.
Do you like great service? How about ambiance? More importantly do you like good food? Well you will find all of these and more at 88 Wharf in Milton. We where seated promptly at our table which we reserved for 7:30 p.m. the bar was jam packed with happy customers that where either waiting for their table or where just happy to be out in this wonderful river front grill. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Every morsel of food was better than the last. And their dirty martinis rocked! This is a special place, to pick up ones spirit or celebrate birthdays or special occasions. I also noticed that they started serving Brunch on Sundays 10:30 to 5! I am looking forward to the next time.
(5)
RF N.
what is it with restaurants that keep you waiting while they have empty tables going begging? and a snotty hostess who asks, do you have a reservation? and then when you say no, telling you you have a 1/2 wait, with no place but the bar to wait!
(1)
P T.
I have to say that, based on the other reviews, we went to 88 Wharf with low expectations. But we had a wonderful evening there. The restaurant is well situated in a quiet and pretty spot; even though it was a winter night, we had a nice view of a pretty snow field leading down to the water's edge. The lighting is subdued and restful, the ambience just loud enough for a buzz of activity but not so loud as to be annoying, as it is in too many restaurants. Tables were nicely spaced so as to afford privacy for everyone. Our waitress was terrific. She gave us a very truthful (and accurate!) rundown on the entire menu and recommended a number of dishes for us, as this was our first time. Despite its being a busy night, we never felt rushed. But she was right there, just as we needed her. She was very clearly enthused about the place and spent some time chatting about their "social hour" on weekdays and jazz night on Thursdays. The meal began with bread and a few items to spread (hummus, butter, oil). This was a little uninspired, but fine. For dinner I had the burger, which was wonderful, tasty and juicy. I asked for a mashed potato side instead of fries. They were good, nice and hot, nothing out of the ordinary. My husband had the hangar steak, which is what was recommended, and it was terrific - tender and flavorful. The coffee that followed was freshly brewed and very generous. For desert we had the bread pudding, which was more of a muffin with ice cream on top. Not quite the way I think of bread pudding, but delicious anyway. Portions were very generous. The bill came to about $50, which I think was a pretty good price considering I had wine, we had two very good (and very filling) meals, and a dessert with coffee too. All in all, a nice time. I am sure we will be back.
(5)
Suzette C.
Very disappointed. My husband bought a Groupon for our second visit there. We weren't thrilled with our first meal there, but it was a while ago, figured they would have improved. WRONG! Cesear salad was "the worst I've ever had" by my husband. No parmesan cheese on the top, very little dressing, and very fishy taste. Way too much anchovy paste or whatever they used. I had the beet and blue salad. Was I wrong to expect some type of vinegerette? I got beet juice! When I asked for some dressing, he brought more beet juice! The duck duo had duck fried rice which my husband liked. The duck breast was the fattiest and blandest duck he's had. Sorry, he's a duck snob. Pigalle and Mistral in Boston. I had crumbed haddock with "buerre citron". I don't speak french, but thought that was a lemon butter sauce of some type. Nothing lemon on the plate. Very dry fish, and no seasoning. The Israili couscous excited me, but did not deliver. Again, very bland. Also, the manager came over to see how we were and realized my husband was missing the sauce on his duck. Either a new chef, or someone who didn't care. Both entrees were sauceless. No offer of dessert, no bread with dinner. Overall, very disappointing meal. As I read the other similiar reviews, I wish I had read them BEFORE we bought the Groupon. Will not be back.
(2)
Diana C.
The atmosphere is great but the menu is small and pricey. I purchased a groupon a while back to try it out, but I am not sure that I will return for dinner. I may return to sit outside on a nice day because the option is available. The food wasn't anything special. The portions were relatively small for the price. Hopefully the menu expands soon.
(3)
christine f.
Another (3rd) update, and I'm sad to say it's going in the wrong direction. Brought the kids for brunch - it used to be kids eat free Sunday but we learned now it's only Sunday nights. Rightly so kids eat free at night - I think most things on the kids menu - and we're talking your standards like hot dog and mac and cheese, are $10. Anywho, had lovely seating outside but the service was just so-so and the food left room for more to be desired. THe worst was my daughter's pancakes came out and they had *just* realized they were out of maple syrup. She waited 10 minutes for a manager to come back from the local grocery store with more. Ironically, about 3 weeks later I saw a server from the restaurant at the supermarket up the street and she was buying 10 loaves of Italian (and not good Italian) bread - very likely that was going to be served at the restaurant too based on her conversation with the cashier (I was behind her in line) Ug.
(2)
Patrick O.
Nice venue, bland food. Went to 88 Wharf last night. We were immediately welcomed by the host and seated. The waiter was prompt and the overall service was very good. But it is a restaurant, and its reputation relies on the quality of the food, and sorry, it just was not good. In lieu of a salad that she usually orders, my wife ordered the "artisinal" plate; a plate of grilled vegetables (that were mushy), a small hunk of blue cheese, two slices of other cheese (cracker barrel?), pita bread points (stale), and hummus. I had the French onion soup which was flavorless. For dinner, my wife had the shrimp scampi which was awful; lukewarm, a few chewy shrimp, too many tomatoes, lots of pasta, in a bowl of watery broth. Simply, no flavor. I had the baked haddock which came with broccolini and squash risotto. The fish was a little dry but otherwise the entree was OK. No dessert or coffee. We desperately want to like this place. It is in a wonderful location, especially in the summer. But we have been there four times and the food is just not good.
(2)
Andrew M.
What can you say about a restaurant where the only potato you can order are "hand cut" french fries. That's right; no baked and no mashed to go with your hanger steak; whatever part of the steer that comes from. The food here is thoroughly mediocre at best and when combined with the painfully noisy dining room is not at all a pleasant experience. Many establishments that choose to offer a very limited menu such as the one the 88 Wharf has at least provide offerings that are inspired and somewhat creative with high quality ingredients. Sadly; this is not the case here.
(1)
Jackie S.
Had an 8:30 reservation for 2 on a Sat night but didn't get seated until after 9:30. Then it was another 10 minutes before anyone came to offer us water or get us a drink. Appetizers arrived at 10 (mind you this is for an 8:30 resrvation so by then we wre famished). My salad was good (but how could ryou really mess it up since I asked for dressing on the side) but my husband had the crabcake and said it was awful - like deep fried sawdust. Our entries were also a split review - I had the plain pizza and it was delightful; at the suggestion of thw waiter he had the beef stroganoff. He said it was remniscent of catfood - he got the feeling they didn't even prepare the beef there but used canned meat . we didn't bother with dessert. Wouldn't recommend based on our experience - a waste of money AND time and a shame since wereally wanted to like our new local restaurant.
(2)
Robert D.
With quality restaurants non-existent in Milton until this month (Abby Park having also launched) 88 Wharf is a thoroughly welcome and competent, if slightly under-inspired, addition to the area. The room is lovely - a blend of traditional and modern design touches, with a dining room looking out onto an open patio, overlooking the Neponset River. Fit and finish of the dining room, bar, bathrooms and patio are top-notch. In summer, the lush plantings around the building, patio and river walk are the real star - gauzy wild grasses, loads of blooms, and well-crafted bluestone and granite make for a gorgeous setting.) Warning: at low tide, the water level in the river/estuary can be low, and the mud bottom can give off an aroma of the estuary bottom. But don't let that deter you - just sample the air for yourself at low tide, and if it's too tangy for your taste, sit inside. Servers are not high-school kids masquerading as waiters. Service was efficient, polite and knowledgeable. We got bread and pepper-spiced olive oil quickly on being seated, though on an uncrowded Sunday night drinks from the bar were a bit slow in coming. No problem tasting wine by the glass first, which I'd recommend if you opt for sauvignon blanc, as the wine served is a semillon mix, which for my wife and I is like stirring mustard into your wine. There's a nice fume blanc but at $12/glass, it's a pricey way to bypass the $8 sauv blanc. Our food was all competent but some was a trifle light on flavor. Oysters were good, briny and fresh. A tomato and fresh mozzarella salad was basic, the ingredients speaking for themselves. The seared tuna appetizer was cooked well, with a nice sear and red, raw center, with a bit of salad with a mild but tasty citrus dressing. The tuna itself, however, was bland. A little more salt and pepper before the sear, or a splash of an interesting dressing would have added some punch to the bland fish. The pizza was generously sized and had a nice thin crust, the way I like it best - though next time I will ask them to leave it in the oven another minute or two. Don't get me wrong - it was cooked completely - I've just grown to like a few black spots on the bottom. (Somewhere between what was served at 88 Wharf and the pie people stand in line for at John's of Bleecker Street, if you know what I mean.) Kids were well taken-care of at our table, with an off-menu "children's menu" that included the pasta with butter our guys like right now. A special request for some green beans on the side was no problem, and the burger and fries were rated highly by our ten year old, who is starting to experiment off the kid's menu these days. No room for dessert... another time. Final verdict? It's so great to be able to have a reasonably high-quality meal out in Milton, 88 Wharf will likely survive minor shortcomings gracefully. (Though I might have expected a bigger crowd on a summer Sunday night.) That said, if the food went up a notch -mostly in the little touches that add flavor and sparkle - it would be the kind of restaurant Miltonians would tell friends about in outlying communities, and who knows - with the stunning setting, 88 Wharf (and Lower Mills) might become a bit of a destination? A place to show off to our friends from out of town?
(3)
karen n.
I've been to 88 Wharf 3 or 4 times and was so excited when this restaurant opened it doors in 2010. I must say, however, that I've been incredibly disappointed by the poor, uninspired cooking. The interior is very nice and the views are lovely but the quality of the food simply doesn't match up to the decor. 88 Wharf recently made a big announcement about its new chef so I went back there this weekend to try the food again. The brunch menu was unbelievably limited and the new dinner menu was, once again, utterly uninspired. I ordered an omelette and my mom ordered pancakes. My omelette was decent but the bacon was incredibly greasy and undercooked. My mother's pancake had uncooked batter inside (YUCK!!!) and, on the side of her pancakes were 5 little strawberries -- and three out of the five strawberries were brown and rotten. Come on! It's not that difficult to properly cook a pancake and/or to pick a few good strawberries. This place is desperately in need of someone who can whip the kitchen staff into shape and who can actually put together a decent menu that tastes as good as it sounds. If 88 Wharf ever figures out how to serve truly great food, they'll have a real gem on their hands. If not, they'll just continue to be another mediocre restaurant that can't seem to keep it customers from going elsewhere.
(2)
Chris B.
This restaurant as a new chef that has pumped new life into the menu. The pork chop is wonderful. Food is much improved. I will visit again soon.
(4)
Amy G.
I've been here once. I live next door. They need vegetarian items besides a pizza -- I'd rather go to Tino's.
(1)
Greg N.
This is a very nice restaurant and a welcome addition to the horrendous food selection in Milton. Menu is inspired but yet has some comfort food selections. Service and decor are both above average. This gets 5 star in the summer since it is few places around with nice outdoor seating.
(4)
R O.
I heard this place was horrible but then a friend told me it had gotten better so I gave it a shot. Went late on a Sunday and sat in the bar area. Our waiter was great, gave some good suggestions from the menu as well as some tips on some of the dishes. The food was better than expected, the service was a bit slow, but may have been due to the light staff since it was late on a Sunday. Only big complaint was the people at the bar having mind numbingly stupid conversation, but making sure everyone cold hear them. Would come back before going back to Ledge.
(4)
Jackie S.
Really like it every time I come here. The food is excellent and the service is good. I like the price because the food is so good. I especially recommend the Beet Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad - the citrus vinegarette dressing is awesome and the Mushroom Bianco Pizza is SO GOOD. It has truffle oil on it and is just delicious. I definitely will keep going back!
(4)
jess m.
Its so great to finally have restaurants in Milton! I really enjoyed our experience at this restaurant. Very friendly staff, great food, and excellent cocktail selection. I noticed there is an outdoor patio, so can't wait to try that out this summer!
(5)
Kimberly M.
No reason not to give 5 stars. The setting was beautiful outside. The service was perfect. The hand made fries and truffle potato chips were great. My fathers lamb was tender and tasty. Everything was good and well seasoned. A little expensive maybe. As good as the Ashmont Grill . I am very picky with food and know when something is good but my parents and partner also thought it was great.
(5)
Leslie M.
some things have been great - some overcooked. Can't go wrong with the oysters and loved the roasted chicken. Had a good pizzas there too. Fish is consistently overcooked. We always sit at the bar tables and have had good service there- but just know... the lighting there is so dark - it can be hard to read the menu there.
(3)
Miss M.
Beautiful location great patio. Loud and too dark. Unlike other reviewers did not find parking easy or well laid out. Food was less than so-so especially for the prices. Service started out okay but got less attentive as night wore on. Waited over an hour for food only to be underwhelmed.
(2)
Marina M.
Beautiful location right on the river. Prices were reasonable for the type of restaurant/quality of the food. I loved the swordfish and my crab and corn chowder was awesome. Service left a little to be desired, and it seemed like they're still working out some kinks with the chef and menu change (they were out of a bunch of items, it seemed like a really big deal to switch asparagus for spinach, etc.). I'd definitely go again though, despite the small issues.
(4)
Alee G.
I reached out to 88 Wharf about potentially hosting a private event there. I got a response at first, telling me that someone would be in contact with me in a week. A week goes by, nothing. So I send a follow up email and... nothing. How unprofessional. If you are swamped or in transition or whatever, make sure you take the necessary actions to prevent leaving a bad taste in a customer's mouth. Simply remove the "contact us" form on the website until you get your stuff together. Nothing is more irritating than trying to connect with a business only to be ignored. Not a good look 88 Wharf.
(1)
Connie O.
I have heard about this place for awhile but haven't had a chance to visit until recently. I had envisioned the water view to be different. I was not impressed since I see a great water view each night at work. 88 Wharf's water view isn't impressive at all. The word Swampy comes to mind. We went for dinner & our server seemed frazzled and overwhelmed. It took forever for her to get us drinks & when the wine arrived it had cork floating in it. I don't understand how the bartender couldn't see it in the white wine. I'd also asked if their lemonade was fresh & homemade..was told yes but tasted like horrible juice concentrate (like from those plastic lemon bottles). Couldn't drink it & the soda was flat. The mussels were ok but very under seasoned & needed salt & pepper to help it. The recommended side of roasted mushrooms were a disappointment (only realized that as I'm writing this, overcharged by $3 than the menu price) The highlight was the delicious fish tacos. The house made brownie sundae was ok but definitely nothing to write home about. The heavy taste of oil stayed on our tongues. Definitely were not impressed.
(2)
Alexandra M.
We sat at the bar and got a drink and some apps. Service was great and very attentive (it wasn't busy either). I had the blood orange cocktail which was hard not to drink all at once because it was so delicious. I recall not liking artichokes. But then I had their dip and I love them now! I've tried artichokes several ways before and there's always been something about them that I don't like, but not this time. Very creamy. Maybe that's why I liked it. But I was going for the chunks of artichoke... We also got fries which were so salty (in a good way). Had to keep going back for more.
(5)
Brittany M.
Great atmosphere. It was somewhat busy, but it was not loud at all. Our waiter was friendly, and the service was fast. The food was delicious. I had chicken picatta. Tho chicken was really juicy. It was served over mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. My husband had the filet mignon which was also delicious. We will definitely be back.
(5)
JJ K.
Was pretty excited to try this place but I will not be returning. The service was pretty horrible. The hostess wasn't very friendly or welcoming. Our waitress kept forgetting things, even though we asked for them several times and was distracted, spending most of her time at a table that appeared to be either friends or regulars. Our apps and food took forever to come out even though it wasn't busy. One of our meals was cold. Other plates were very hot, so maybe they were sitting under the heating light for too long? Really pretty area but the food was mediocre and the service was a turn off.
(2)
Lauren M.
Delish! The mussels!!!! Waiter was well informed on food. But in a hurry. The lobster roll was good. A warm one! Otherwise if your living or working in suburbia south of Boston come visit 88 Wharf!!
(5)
Alicia L.
They advertised a hamburger special and 5 of us made the trip in to meet up and have dinner. We got there at 7:30 and were told they were sold out of burgers. We asked the waitress Andrea if there was a substitution and she said no. She didn't even bother to check with anyone. Such a big disappointment. We left. Just didn't feel like this was a place I wanted to spend my money. Andrea never even tried to make the experience better. If you don't mind a place with zero customer service enjoy. The atmosphere was nice and in the warmer weather the back patio would have been a nice place to have a drink but I'll head someplace else in the future.
(1)
Brian O.
Great location and the food is OK. Service is why I am giving only one star. We waited 45 minutes for our food, and another 30 minutes for a drink. When you are with kids this is not acceptable. The waitress did not help the situation by disappearing. I keep giving the wharf a chance and keep being disappointed. I hope they get it right
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Maura M.
This place is amazing! The food is fabulous and the owner is a riot! I recommend this place to anyone! The drinks are fabulous and the food is delicious! They have a fairly new chef and he is wonderful! The sautéed mushrooms are to die for! I highly recommend this place!
(5)John C.
I'm not sure why the bad reviews, maybe because folks with kids in a rush want this place to be like Olive Garden. I thought everything was well done. Upon arrival you realize that the restaurant is in a residential building taking up most of the first floor. There is a separate entrance for the restaurant which is great. The bar opens up before you as you walk in, and since all of the stools are taken I assume it's with the folks living upstairs (because that would be me!) The hostess sat us, the restaurant wasn't crowded but not empty either, comfortable. Our server came and ran down the two specials which were in addition to the limited but well rounded menu (6 or 7 apps, 6 entree). Drinks order placed, it did take maybe 5 minutes for the drinks but that's not horrible. Apps order placed and came out fairly quickly, entree orders placed and came out with good timing (enough time between but not so that you are wondering if the food is still being killed). Calamari Appetizer was awesome, Tuna tartar good but it's been done. Steak Frites cooked to perfection, tender tasty and the fries hot and fresh. We opted for no dessert, because portions were spot on (not skimpy but not plate O Food). With a bottle of wine and two cocktails, about 140 (I didn't pay) is reasonable. Go, try, don't expect fine dining, expect a nice meal in what is essentially the local bistro.
(4)Keith D.
I heard that the restaurant and kitchen are under new management, so I decided that it was worth a try for something new. It's only a short drive away, so why not? Simply "pleased" wouldn't be proper justice to the chef. Tuna tartare was great (top quality tuna), $1 oysters tasted like a fresh bite of the ocean (sans salt), and the braised short rib was so tender that it didn't even require a knife. The food was excellent, and I only wish I had room for the cheesecake. I'll have to try that when I come back!
(5)Francisca W.
have mixed emotions about this place. the location is a bit "weird", it being on the G/F of a 5-story luxury apartment building. but the ambience is great both indoor and outside; just have to get used to staring at people's windows as they try to watch some tv. the outdoor area where we sat was surprisingly quiet, even with the other 4-5 tables there. it's serene yes, but we were now afraid being the noisy bunch, what with our occasional LOLs. was a bit taken aback by the limited selections on the menu, with no more than 6 or 7 items in each category -- i'm sure they change it periodically. however, EVERYTHING we picked from drinks to entrees was of very high calibre, which is what counts. most pleased that the bread came warm AND soft - we left none going back to the kitchen. dessert fell a little flat with the puff pastry on the Napoleon bordering on soggy, but the ingredients were fresh. our server Jenn was gentle yet attentive, not snooty at all as I would almost expect some to behave in a place like this. overall, a very satisfying dining experience throughout -- which I'm not always fortunate to enjoy, especially lately. bonus: take a stroll on the promenade before/after meal, it shouldn't disappoint. I didn't get to personally check it out due to nightfall (ie. mosquitos coming out for happy hour), so I can't say about the view. but it being right next to a body of water, and people paying good money to live there...I wouldn't expect a junk yard scenery. even with groupon (and including the price we paid for the groupon), damage came to $40 each. one drink and entree, and shared appetizer and dessert. not bad, all things considered.
(4)Tim B.
Yikes!!! Such a shame for such a beautiful location, and outdoor dining. The Service was friendly and decent but took pretty long. The bread and salad was good.The food was pretty bad. My calamari wasn't fried long enough and tasted like batter. The cod tasted like NOTHING. It was over cooked and dry as a bone. Brussel sprouts were literally soaked with lemon, and I couldn't eat them. We skipped dessert thinking it was a bad idea. I won't go here again.
(2)Robin R.
Where do I begin. First, our reservation was for 5pm. We get there at 4:50 and the hostess comes out and says, we open and 5, ok then less than 5 minutes later she lets us in. Second, she sat us in the middle of restaurant, we asked to sit near the window, she said NO they were full. That is funny, we were the only one's in there. Then another couple comes in and asks for there seats to be changed to near the window and she did.Third, I heard that the crab cakes were good, well they do not sell crab cakes anymore so, I ordered the chicken picata, it was very dry.I will not be going back.
(1)patricia g.
New menu is not at all appealing. I will not return until they get a better menu.
(2)Karl V.
Nice Food & decor. Food, service & drinks ok. Not worth the $$. Too many nice places to eat. Don't waste your time or money. Too bad. This used to be a great place. Haddock was old, fries were oily. I eat Asparagus all the time, they had no taste.
(2)Karlis B.
88 Wharf, almost but not quite. 88 Wharf is a beautifully designed restaurant with a fantastic view of the Neponset River (which you can't see at all if you go at night, but remember this for the spring and summer). And free valet is noteworthy feature. When you walk in and see all the tables filled, you expect a good meal. And that expectation will leave you wanting more. Husband and I gave up drinking for Lent so we were unable to try any cocktails, but my guess would be that if we had, they would have been highlight of the meal. We reallocated our drinking money to appetizers (see pictures). The beet & blue salad was decent. There were greens, beets and blue cheese... The artisan plate was a joke quite frankly. The grilled zucchini and squash were quite good. The hummus seemed homemade and was very flavorful. But the cheese was literally sliced deli cheese: pepper jack, swiss, yellow cheddar. Thick, cold slabs of cheese that belong on a deli sandwich, not an "artisan plate." As my husband said "I would not serve that cheese to unannounced guests at my own house." Until the restaurant can procure better cheese, would suggest not including cheese at all or leaving this item off the menu. After that, we were not looking forward to our meals at all. I had a tough time deciding but wound up with the nestled tenderloin, normally served with truffle fries, but I substituted for cous cous. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and as I ordered it. It had a nice bark on the outside and tender center. But there was no flavoring, not even a hint of salt. Even with the au jus I was looking for steak sauce. The cous cous suffered the same problem - a complete lack of flavor. Husband got the pork special: two 7 oz. loins, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The description of the apple garnish to accompany this dish must have been for another restaurant because we just got sliced apples on top of the pork. The asparagus was underdone because it was just grilled - no marinating, no blanching, just put on the grill so only the tips were edible. The mashed potatoes were good. As we were eating our entrees, we were doing what we could to not talk about the food. Talking about the food would have made us face our disappointment in the meal we just paid good money for and we didn't want to do that. The saving grace of the night was the two scoops of ice cream we got for desert (only gluten-free option available). 88 Wharf has potential. The space is modern with a great view. But until the food gets better, I will not be returning.
(2)Sylvia C.
Used to frequent this restaurant when it first opened but haven't gone for over a year and half. Their Groupon deal got my attention. I have to say - generally it's better when they have the raw bar happy hour (found out they only offer that in the summer). The menu is pretty limited but decent (nothing to wow about). The free valet is a plus.
(3)Jessica G.
Ok all you haters. Time to give 88 Wharf another try. They recently got a new chef and a completely new menu. I went this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised! The new menu lets you choose your meat, two sides, and a sauce. I had the grilled shrimp with the potato puree (which is basically fancy mashed potatoes, and was amazing) and the roasted brussel sprouts. Everything was great! I also went with four other people and they all raved about their meals as well. I always liked the Wharf but now it's even better!
(5)Lorelle C.
I visited 88 Wharf with my fiance tonight and it was so amazing that I could not wait a second longer to write a review here. Our waitress was kind and prompt. The ambiance couldn't be better on an 80 degree partly cloudy evening overlooking the river. Bugs weren't a nuisance, conversation was a quiet hum. The menu was short and the food was spectacular. For the record, I would much rather go to a restaurant with 10 entrees that are all exquisite than a place with a catalog of entrees where I am forced to quiz the waitress on what she recommends.... I ordered the haddock and chose the horseradish cream sauce as my sauce, and broccoli rabe and mushrooms for my sides. My fiance got the salmon with asparagus and spinach. We barely said a word as we ate except to pause and say, "wow, this is really really good." We visited Granite Links recently (horrible) and I frequently dine out around Boston but I must say this was the best meal I have had in months. The fish was perfectly cooked, a tiny amount of crumbs on top (thank God, I HATE when the cover the fish in crumbs and butter!) And the mushrooms were flavorful fresh and perfectly cooked. I haven't had rabe in a long time but I loved the kick the seasoning had. We cleaned our plates and got more bread. They have that yummy foccacia type bread with the EVOO dipping sauce that's loaded with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, etc etc. The waitress said they have a new chef, I think she said his name was Ray, but I told her to give him our compliments... In a nutshell, we LOVED the entire experience and do not have a single criticism... not even a suggestion. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Kelley L.
I went here with some friends on the early side of a Saturday night - we enjoyed great drinks outside overlooking the water. When I mentioned to the waitress that I have celiac, she brought the CHEF out. He was amazing - he went over the entire menu to let me know what was safe. Ultimately he ended up making something for me ON THE FLY. It was amazing. Service and food were fantastic. Definitely coming back here again!!!!
(5)Laura B.
This restaurant was a great choice for our date night. We are somewhat fussy eaters, and the option to choose a main course, a sauce (or two), and two vegetables was perfect for us. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the wines were well-chosen. Our server was friendly and helpful, and the somewhat secluded location by the riverfront gave us a chance for a post-dinner stroll. Luxury at a reasonable price.
(5)Jenny P.
Not sure what was going on there last night!! After two hours and not having our meal served, we told the waiter that we were leaving to go somewhere else. he was new and not trained at all. Not his fault, but something was going on in the kitchen. The drinks were served after 45 minutes, and oddly served in the wrong style glass for the appropriate drink. We were told that they ran out of martini glasses?!! Will not return until new management has the program down, and wait staff and bartenders are trained.
(1)Chris F.
Wow, where to start? We hadn't been here in a while, and last couple of times were pretty good. We grabbed a Groupon and when we had some family in town went over to 88 Wharf. This place is so truly poorly run I would be embarrassed to work there- manager stop food running and train your people and have some pride in yourself. Ordered drinks, 10 minutes later nothing has shown up- no water, no drinks, no nothing. If I hadn't bought that stupid Groupon I would have walked out at that point (and saved a ton of aggravation), instead I got up found the waitress who was struggling to open a bottle of wine near the bar with several other servers not doing much of anything. Several minutes later we get water and a couple minutes later drinks. So I had ordered a martini- out comes a rocks glass filled with piss warm gin with olives thrown in, gross. My mother had ordered a Bourbon Sour (odd I know, but she likes them) vile concoction comes out with no resemblance whatsoever to any sour mix and bourbon, vile. At least the wine for my wife and Shirley Temple for our niece was OK. We order food. The takes a while, but at this point I was expecting nothing good. Wife's Beet and Blue Cheese Salad was not horrible, but they really treated Blue Cheese like it was truffles by how little was on the plate. Sister in-law had a pretty good chopped salad. For mains my wife ordered the mussels which were pretty good, sister in law had a breaded scallop App that was really pretty good. At this point I wanted to go for something that they couldn't mess up a good old Cheeseburger. Of course Medium Rare came out Medium Well and my mother's Duck two ways was like shoe leather. Overall- horrible service (although the waitress was nice, just not at all trained or managed), food hit or miss at best, and truly incompetent management. Icing on the cake- no soap or towels in the bathroom on the way out. Never ever going back there again.
(1)Spencer D.
I WROTE THIS TWO YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN A NEW CHEF WAS HIRED AND THE FOOD IS NOW (2014) GREAT. TRY the whole clam sliders. Wonderful! / remainder of this review was in 2012 and thankfully is no longer true... //Came for the Monday night oysters. Oddly, they were unable to serve horseradish with them! The chef must be from another planet since the oysters came with nothing but lemon wedge, ketchup, and a bizarre vinegar onion drizzle sauce. Vinegar on fresh, sweet oysters? NO-O-O!!! That is just WRONG! We shared a pizza, "grinder" meat version, and it was flavorless even though it presented well. Seems to be a pattern here... Even though we ordered arugula salad along with the pizza, the salad did not come until we asked for it 15 minutes later, and then it took another 10 minutes at least. We are local and have seen the management change twice and the chef change like 4 times. The first was the best (upon opening and for the first year). Each time since then it has taken a turn for the worse. It has a good bar but it is small. The view downriver is still wonderful. Advice to the management: Simplify the food, season it more and better, give the customer choices about what comes along with the meal or on the side for condiments and flavorings. Oh yeah, and how about a salt and pepper shaker that actually dispenses the product? Even the butter I use at home (Cabot, from Vermont) tastes far better than what was served with the bread tonight. It feels bad to have to pan our local establishment, but this place needs to shape up! I can make a more interesting meal for less than half the price at home. And that's just sad.
(4)Dan N.
Our monthly date was at 88 Wharf this month. I'd give it five stars except they were out of the salmon, bread and something else. We read about the bread , with EVOO & was looking forward to it. We shared a beet salad which was very good. The Calamari and sauce for app was good. It was lightly battered , and did not come with all the peppers and junk. The dipping sauce was very good. We each had the haddock and it was excellent. We had the horseradish dipping sauce and enjoyed it. For sides we had asparagus & spinach that were cooked just right. Our waitress was superb! We wanted outdoor seating on the patio, but it was full. They don't take reservations for the patio. It is first come, first served. Inside seating was fine with large windows. Seats had opened after we had dinner so our waitress recommended we move out for our cheesecake dessert, which we did. The cheesecake was good too, served with strawberries and whipped creme on the side. We had two bottles of house Pinot Grigio and our bill was under $140. We learned after the chef had a personal issue and had to leave this night, but we would have never known that if a patron next to us did not tell us. That's a sign of a well trained staff! I would not say this is fine dining, but it is a very good local spot with great ambiance & a great staff. We will be back!
(4)Erica M.
Saturday night at 7pm. Nice looking place on the water, but 45 minute wait for two entrees...and counting...after complaining the manager comped us. When the food finally did arrive, the rice was undercooked and had some clumps of rice, the duck and ribeye were extremely fatty, the green beans were hardly cooked at all, and the ribeye that was supposed to me medium-well was medium-rare! Very disappointing. Wanted to like this place, but they need to raise the standards on what they are willing to let leave the kitchen. Their excuse was that they had a function this morning and have been working since 7am. Don't think that is a sufficient excuse for this kind of poor quality. Why should the evening diners lose out because the restaurant had a morning event? Only good parts of the meal - the bread and butter they brought upon request after half an hour, the brownie/ice cream dessert, and that we were comped. Our waitress was good. Not her fault the food took so long.
(3)Beak E.
I'd probably give this place 2 1/2 stars if Yelp allowed that, but it doesn't, so they're getting 2. That's all I can realistically offer them, because, to be quite frank, that's about all they offered me. I might have even given them 3 stars, out of pity, had they not served my wife a cheeseburger with two bottom buns. My steak was fine, but I could honestly make a better one at home. Even a boring steak is still a steak, I guess. The mashed potatoes were actually pretty good, though. I'll give them credit for that much. The asparagus, however, could use a little work. I just wasn't feelin' it. They didn't really seem to know what they were doing. It almost seemed like whoever opened this place went to the Fat Cat three our four times, thought they got the hang of things, and decided they'd give it a whirl. Sadly, this didn't work out. I went here because Groupon was offering a 50% off voucher. I'll never understand why my mind can't retain the simple fact that it's always the struggling businesses that opt for a Groupon ad, not the places like the Fat Cat, which don't require half-assed advertising campaigns to fill their establishments. Places like this are popping up left and right. And it really sucks that people like me are spending their hard-earned money finding out how bad they are. Also, this place is located about sixty yards away from a thin strip of the Neponset River. The fact that they use "Wharf" in their name is ridiculous. There were three boats docked in the somewhat visible distance, and they were so small you could barely even drink on them.
(2)Jessica B.
I went here on a Thursday evening at 7:30 and had I issues with good service, there were 7 of us total including 1 child and everyone enjoyed their meals. I thought it was a great place, nice atmosphere and very accommodating.
(5)James R.
Really fantastic food and service. I have been to brunch but tonight's dinner was flawless. Wow. We will be back. Great waiter, Joe. Perfect strip steak and shrimp. Nice to park 20 feet from the door too for free. I even tried my daughter's kids spag and it was incredible.
(5)Joanie L.
Had a really nice time at 88 Wharf, looks like everyone either has a great time or a horrible one here. As with many others, I had a groupon. We ate at the bar and had decent service. She forgot about us a bit here and there but nothing horrible. I asked for a twist on one of the cocktails and she did it well and made sure it was what I wanted. Friend enjoyed his whiskey smash. The menu *does* seem a bit limited and boring, no specials last night. That said, food was done really well. The crab cakes were not overly bready and the pork w/ mushrooms was excellent. Like a great schnitzel w/ mushroom gravy, thinly sliced potatoes and a caprese salad which is an odd side for an entree like this but with tomatoes in season, why not. Seafood pasta was good. The desserts were fairly boring but the brownie sundae was large and tasty. With two cocktails, one app, two entrees and one dessert (with an extra side of ice cream), it came to about $85 before discount. It's a nice space w/ a good sized bar and great outdoor patio (altho those mosquitoes can attack), I like it.
(4)Tom S.
Occasionally my wife and I like to be adventurous and go out to eat at someplace we have never been. While this can be risky, particularly if we have not idea about how vegan friendly a place is, it recently turned out amazingly well. Our wedding anniversary was on July 6th (3 years and going strong!) and we chose to wait until the weekend to go out to dinner. Michelle had a gift certificate to a place called 88 Wharf in Milton, MA that looked really fancy so we checked out the menu. There were a couple of things that we thought we could easily veganize so we went for it. The place is much fancier than we are used to which made it perfect for an anniversary dinner, they even had valet parking. The setting is beautiful, there are huge windows that overlook a river where boats are docked. There is outdoor seating but we sat inside. When our server came over we let her know that we were vegan and thankfully she knew what that meant (this is not always the case). Initially she seemed a little concerned that we would not be able to get too much off of the menu but she went back to talk with the chef. Much to our surprise she came back and told us that the item we initially thought we could veganize, pizza, was made with eggs and cheese in the dough, this was a bit of a let down. Instead the chef was offering to get creative and make us a entrée of his own design using a quinoa salad was used in another dish. When a chef offers to get creative it is both excited and worrisome, what if he doesn't know exactly what vegan is? We were assured that there were in fact two vegans working in the kitchen that had our backs. So, the chef was gonna get creative for us, in the mean time we had salads that tasted very fresh. We also munched on warm bread and a dip of white bean puree and olive oil that was delicious. When the entrée came out I was taken aback, it was a beautiful presentation and it looked like it was going to be very tasty. It consisted of toasted black quinoa with ribbons of cucumbers and celery, roasted cherry tomatoes, some parsley greens, and dehydrated carrots on top. Delicious is an understatement, there were so many different textures going on, the quinoa was both soft and crunchy which worked perfectly with the soft cucumbers and the crispy dehydrated carrots. The roasted cherry tomatoes were amazing, somehow they got the skins to be crispy while leaving the insides juicy. Overall an amazing dish considering we left the house thinking we were gonna get basic cheese-less pizza. We ended our meal with a passionfruit sorbet that was smooth and satisfying. The chef's name was Ryan and we discovered that he was the sous chef, but since the head chef was out on vacation he was taking the reins. He came out and spoke with us after our meal, we thanked him for the dish, he seemed proud to be able to do something special for us. Ryan explained that he has a lot of friends with dietary restrictions (for the record we don't think of being vegan a dietary restriction) and he is always cooking for them. He also explained that if it had been a busier night he may not have had the time to be so creative and make us a special entrée. I would advise calling ahead to ask if something vegan could be prepared for you that evening, but 88 Wharf was a very surprising treat for us. AHealthyVegan.com
(4)G. M.
Hello, This place is beautiful and looks great and the staff is pleasant. The staff seems to keep changing quickly. I was there a week ago and sat at the bar which use to be full by 6pm and it was dead. They have taken away the early bar menu that was discounted and got people in the door. Also the prices keep going up and the portions and the food is going down. I had a pizza that had very little meat on it and was bland in flavor. the entree dish I had was beef and it was over cooked and nothing special for over 20 bucks. We also had calamari that was very forgettable, When they first opened the food was great and prices were not cheap but matched the level of food your were getting.. this is a nice place but if they don't re think the food and the prices they are going to stay dead this summer. I will not be going back unless they bring back that bar menu specials and the food really improves. at least the drinks are a good size.
(2)Danielle M.
88 Wharf has potential though the overall experience leaves something to be desired. My boyfriend and I dined here one evening several months ago using a groupon. Waitress was friendly and attentive, and we were seated with a scenic view of the water. I enjoyed a decently prepared cocktail though my boyfriend lamented at the lackluster beer offerings. The food itself, unfortunately, was the low point of the evening. Both the appetizers and entrees were bland and just not that palatable. The decor and ambience of the venue could use a face lift as well. Probably will not be back unless the menu and interior have a major overhaul.
(2)Lynette S.
I read all 12 reviews before adding my own blah, blah, blah... I thought 88 Wharf was comfortable and yummy. I went for an early dinner on a Thurs. night b/c I had to be somewhere later. The service was only so-so/lukewarm at best but, ya know, that can happen anywhere and if it were to happen again, I do think I'd speak up. The cab sauv $8 was a pretty good compromise since there was no Riesling by the glass (or at all as far as i remember). The thai curry shrimp was 100 % delicious and plentiful. Ya know, enough for lunch the next day :) love that! It was a lil spicy but not too much to scare this wimp away. I question the parking situation when this place is packed though. It's a bottle-neck of a little area so I would call and ask about this. PS They seemed reservation-obsessed even though it was a thurs night.
(4)Stephanie W.
My husband and I had dinner again tonight. Our second visit. We have no negative reviews. Great location! A hidden gem. Very clean restaurant. Servers are OUTSTANDING!!! Some of the other staff jumped in to fill in... refilled water glasses and asked if we needed anything. Have never seen that at any other restaurant. Now to the food. Tonight there were no specials ( we were hoping to have swordfish special from last visit), but that was ok. Had shrimp and bacon pizza for appetizer. Then to lobster rolls. Sub some of the sides with no problem. Everything was very good. Also, cocktail menu is great too. My husband is a beer snob and sangria snob. Rates their sangria in the top 3. Their cosmos' are great. View is outstanding. Like I said earlier...a hidden gem.
(5)Mandy S.
We've tried 88 wharf twice now. First visit was worse than our second. In our first visit, our food was either undercooked (hard risotto) or overcooked (pork was like leather), but the service and atmosphere was great. But yea, the food stunk. Our second visit, our food was amazing. My chicken was good perfectly- some of the best chicken breast I've ever had. My husband got pizza, so not exactly a culinary feat there, but either way- good. The service the next time wasn't good. She tried hard, but wine service was just all kinds of wrong, along with a few other ( albeit forgivable) kinks. I'll go back, as there are not that many "upscale casual" restaurants this close to home. I hope they start to be a bit more consistent.
(4)Edward M.
Generic Menu and average service. Great location, just wish they would make the menu more interesting. If you are in the area try it out but don't expect too much.
(3)Cameron B.
I took 2 friends to this place in hopes of impressing them. I didn't. The service was, to put it charitably, indifferent. One friend ordered a bottle of wine. Now what does it take to bring out a bottle of wine? Time dragged on until I felt we were being ignored. Not a good way to start a meal. The corn soup for starters was indeed excellent. The excellence stopped there. The fish I ordered could have been served in a middling cafe. It was overdone and surrounded by limp vegetables. One of my friends was from Virginia and I told him to order lobster, a New England treat. When it arrived, the 3 of us looked at it disbelief. It was a heap of grayish something-or-other. Totally unappetizing! My friend could barely disguise his disgust. I kept thinking, 'How does a restaurant like this w/such poor service and terrible food stay in business? How?' It's a mystery and I suggest u don't try to solve it. Go just down the way to Steele & Rye instead, a real restaurant--if a little expensive.
(1)Kathleen M.
The area itself is beautiful, very intimate. The food on the other hand, could be better. Went here for an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend and it was our first time coming here. It was very dimly lit which I didn't mind but its a little on the depressing side. I forgot what I ordered but it was a chicken dish. I was expecting chicken with a side of rice and vegetables. Instead it came out looking like soup. It had a weird tangy taste that I wasn't prepared for. The chicken was delicious though, the soupy rice and vegetables, wasn't. Next time I think I'll get the burger haha....I still have high hopes for this place, maybe my next experience will be better. P.S. My boyfriend got me a chocolate brownie with ice cream which was on the dessert menu and that made everything better!!!! It was a big portion and delicious!
(3)Michael W.
We went to 88 Wharf through a Groupon 50% off.. We figured it was near our house and we should give it a try. The place was average to below average. Started with the meatball lolipops, not horrible they were eatible, but not good either. Went on to the Scallop dinner for me. The scallops were grilled very unevenly, and were so salty that you puckered when eating them. The other entree was just as average! For Desert had the chocolate cake, pretty sure they picked it up from Shaws earlier that day. The waitstaff was great, friendly, and attentive, probably why we didn't send the scallops back, plus the other entree was not good so we figured we would cut our losses. Again great waitstaff it is sad the food wasn't better.
(2)Catie C.
First impression was enticing. Nice decor and patio seating next to the bay/riverwalk. The menu was 2 pages. A selection of appetizers, salad and pizza. Entrée were 1 item from each meat category. The server didn't seem to know what she's talking about when she was introducing menu items - it was everything but what she said it was. We had a scallop appetizer which tasted like it was doused in salt. It was way too salty for our taste buds. We also tried a calamari which was also on the salty side. We were informed that the portions were generous and can be shared. Certainly that was a joke as non of the guys were full after licking off their entree plates clean. Certainly, if the server didn't say much about the portion, we wouldn't be disgruntle. Some of them ordered the special of the day - bass. That was supposively skinless. Sorry, but every order had skin on them that was the size of my fist - 4oz maybe. The service was slow as a turtle - over 2 hrs to have dinner on a slow night of Independence Day. We made the reservation past Tuesday so they should know better to put another person on staff when there's a reservation of 21. The server forgot my glass of red that I ordered to come with my lamb dinner. My dinner was OK in portion and taste but nothing worth noting. She did apologize after I was done with dinner that she forgot. She did apologize to me again for whacking my shoulder with a bunch of empty plates as she was leaving the table. I should've screamed and fell on the floor! It did hurt; but I'm a tough gal and sucked it up leaving a red line across the front of my shoulder for the next few hours. Another baffle was that the server came over with a knife placed in a container of boiling hot water when she was about to serve the cake. It was not an ice cream cake so we were all puzzled. Maybe it was technique to get the cream off the knife after we were all done serving? Who knows! All in all, we did not want to pay the 18% gratuity charge since she did not provide the 18% worth of service on a tab that was over $800.
(1)K M.
Lovely open air dining beautiful view of water and sunset. The food was very good filet mignon and seafood pasta was excellent! Crab cake appetizer was good too! Will be back soon!
(4)Kristin N.
The only thing I remember about this restaurant was how unbalanced the price-to-taste ratio was. Our dishes were, "okay" but certainly nothing to make me want to go back. You could say you're paying for the view, but all in all, the view is not that spectacular. Dinning on the patio is nice if the bugs leave you alone and if your table isn't wobbling throughout the meal. My favorite part of the whole experience was the hot-to-trot Milton residents who thought they were at the Hamptons. Uncomfortable much?
(2)Tina M.
I was pleasantly surprised given the mediocre reviews here on Yelp. Like some others, I had bought a Groupon without reading the reviews, but figured I had it, I was going to use it. My fiance and I started with the smoky mac and cheese, which was quite yummy (cheese and bacon make everything taste good!). We both had the rib-eye, both pieces were cooked as requested, and were very tender. Someone else had complained that the green beans were hardly cooked, but I LOVED them! I often ask for my veggies raw because so many places overcook them to the point I can't eat them, and I was happy to see how crunchy these were. We shared the brownie dessert, which we both enjoyed. It was a generous size brownie and it wasn't overcooked like some can be. Our waitress was nice, and all our food was served in timely manner.
(3)Julie R.
I visited this place after work to check it out and see if I liked it to take some family in town to for dinner. I walked around and was impressed by the modern vibe. The outdoor patio was spacious. I spoke to the hostess about making a reservation for 4 people later in the evening. She said she could only make reservations for 5 or more but had the manager come out to ok it. I asked specifically for the patio and they said I should be ok. We arrived a few hours later for dinner. The place was hopping. Within a few minutes our outside table was ready. It was very dark out there, another light or two would of helped. With a full moon and the water it was nice. The server brought over a couple extra candles for the table. We decided to split a dozen oysters and the calamari. The island creek oysters were great. They were cut nicely with the natural juices. The calamari was my favorite. I think it was the best I ever had. It had a spicy lemon pepper taste to it. For my entree I got the steak frites. It was cooked perfectly. The fries on the side were hand cut. My boyfriend got the rack of lamb. He wished it was a larger size. The portion was petite (about 3 small chops), it also was cooked more medium. He would not order it again. The other diners had the shrimp and scallop linguine and the short ribs. The short ribs were prepared more like a stroganoff which the diner wasn't expecting but she still liked it. They both finished their plates. I had the peach sangria which was tasty. The wine list had some good reasonable choices. Our server was very good. With her and the help of the bus people the table did not lack any attention. We passed on dessert cause we were full. I encourage people to come from Boston to try this place out. It's completely brand new with a nice contemporary build out. The prices for entrees are mostly in the high teens. At least try to get on the patio before it gets too cold! Tons of free parking!
(4)Joseph M.
My wife had the Steak Tips. She asked for medium well, but they over cooked it. I had the Haddock. No creative cooking at this place--that's for sure!!! The fish came with CousCous, and Broccolini. Literally bland food. Because of the Steak mistake, they offered us a huge slice of Suede cake. This thing must had been hanging around the kitchen for a few days, as it was dry, and bland. Basicly, it tasted like cardboard. The frosting was definitely out of a can. Needless to say, after one bite each, my wife and I shoved it aside. The Arisan plate was a joke. The hummus had no taste, and the little slivers of cheese was a joke, considering what you pay.
(1)Dan S.
I enjoy 88 Wharf as much as I do any other Milton restaurant. The service is always very good prompt and courteous. LIke all the other local Milton restaurants I wish the men was a bit more varied. I love sitting at the bar here...and in the summer definitely enjoy the outdoor dining.
(4)Toni T.
Well, this was my 2nd visit to Wharf 88 and since I enjoyed it the first time (2 years ago), I thought I'd defy most of the recent reviews & give it another shot. The ambiance is still very nice, the restaurant still pretty, and the waitstaff still friendly, but our meals were so BLAH! I went with a friend who had never been and he ordered the fish & chips and thought it was too salty. I ordered the summer pasta dish and felt it didn't have any flavor at all. The best I could do was add a few dashes of salt and pepper as well as some crushed red pepper that I asked the waitress to bring over and voila...FLAVOR! I should have asked her to bring a little basil, fresh mozzarella and garlic, and I could have really hooked it up. Sadly, the next time I go to Wharf 88, it will probably be just for a drink.
(2)Jim M.
Limited parking out front, however across the street there is additional free parking. Menu is not large, and waiter could use more polish. We had two interruptions while reading the menu to ask if we were ready to order, and three interruptions while eating our meal to see if everything was okay. Two from the waiter and one from the manager. I would prefer no interruptions, as an adult, if we need the waiter we would would look in his direction and upon making eye contact would signal for attention. These interruptions spoil the conversation and appear amateurish. Also, when one person is still eating, it feels like we are being rushed out of there when they try to start clearing plates. Not a great experience having dinner, however, with a different management style, this place could be a jewel.
(2)John R.
My wife and I went to 88 Wharf last night based on recommendations concerning much improved food and service. We are joining the bandwagon by saying the food and service was excellent. Eric, the manager, Kaitlin our bartender and Nick our waiter all did a super job making us very comfortable with great suggestions for dinner. The Skirt steak was superb as was the short ribs both cooked to perfection. Along with a large selection of very tasty vegetables our praise goes out to the chef also. Overall if you have had doubts about trying 88 Wharf or had bad experiences in the past give it a shot again as we did and I think you will love the place and put it on your list as a restaurant to consider for a great dining out evening.
(5)Evie K.
This place wants to be an upscale dining experience but executes like a cut rate version of Capital Grill. From the valet who handed me my keys and told me that my car was parked at the "far end" of the lot, to the drinks served in mini beer mugs, to the waiter who announced that the special appetizer was 8 meatballs, 8 bucks, to the live musician who had to try to drown out the elevator music piped in on the dining room sound system... The whole experience was as mediocre and tasteless as the maître d's 20 yr old suit.
(2)Erlo K.
This place shot itself in the foot. Went here with my wife on a lovely Saturday evening and wanted to sit on the deck. It was a little bit of a wait but we sat at the bar while we waited and had a drink. We both tried different specialty drinks and enjoyed them. We did notice that as people were coming in they were being seated on the deck ... whoops ... forgot about us! We needed to remind the hostess that we were still waiting for a seat. Not a big deal. When we were seated outside it was very awkward seating. It was as if everyone was sitting at tables in a big circle ... weird. They waitress came over and let us know the kitchen was running slow, but we didn't mind as we were in no rush. We ordered clam cakes and chips and guacamole for an appetizer. Not only did it take an hour to get the food, it was down right awful. The crab cake was mostly bread and the guacamole looked like it came out of a can, the chips were also cold and chewy. Yuck! We placed orders for our meals, both getting the filet. After waiting another 30 minutes the sun was down and we started getting attacked by mosquitos. Also the only light we had was from a street lamp in the parking lot which was really weird. We asked if we could move inside, which the waitress was more than happy to accomodate. We waited another 20-25 minutes and our 'filets' came out. These were not filets, but more like sirloins. Delicious, but not what we ordered. Frustrated and disappointed we made our way to the valet as we had valeted our car. There was no valet outside(maybe he was getting someone else car or parking someone's car?). We waited (and I even timed it) 20 minutes and still no one was outside to get our car. We finally just found the key box (unlocked and on the ground) and grabbed our keys. We went down the street hitting the alarm button until we could locate our car. Amazing how we essentially had to steal back our car to get out of the place. All in all, a horrible experience. I do not recommend this place at all, and I hope they do something to make this place better otherwise I do not see this restaurant lasting very long.
(1)Bam M.
Use the groupon 1/2 off. Enjoyed the food chicken was very tender. Staff and atmosphere was excellent.
(4)Ellen C.
We've been to 88 Wharf many times. Love the ambience but the menu leaves a lot to be desired. I had salmon that had 3 things against it , the 1st it was served skin side up - very unappealing - 2nd it had no taste, 3rd it was served with Italian style vegetables - not what I think goes with salmon. My husband settled for Fish and Chips even though he did not want fried food. The place is otherwise great and good for the town but if they don't improve the menu they're going to loose people. Maybe they should get a new chef!
(2)Beth M.
I so want to like this place, eating outside is lovely and the staff is generally pleasant and attentive. But... Time after time the food just disappoints. Tonight it was the bluefish which was fishy and dry. Served with rice that had pieces that were crunchy and some corn that was obviously of te frozen variety. My husband ordered pork but was served sirloin. Just a disappointing meal all around.
(2)Chris M.
I went to 88 wharf when it opened a few years ago and thought it was good. Took my mother there last night for her birthday, there were 5 of us. The place needs Gordon Ramsey to whip it into shape, I would not go there again. 4 out of 5 meals were not good. -Swordfish was medium rare and had to be returned, the waiter said it supposed to be that way (hey bro, its not tuna) -some type of shrimp fettucini pepper sauce thing had so much pepper that it was unedible. manager said people either love it or hate it. odd statement. -rack of lamb.. poor mom who eats lamb said it tasted funny desserts were good, grey goose vodka was fantastic and bud in the bottle was to die for. if you do go.. just drink at the bar, do not eat here.
(2)Alexis V.
I love this restaurant for three reasons: 1) The views are beautiful! You can sit outside and overlook the Neponset River. Inside, the decor and atmosphere are beautiful too. 2) There is always room to sit and enjoy drinks or dinner. You can find something to eat no matter how hungry or full you feel coming in. 3) The bartenders and waiters are SO friendly. One time, when I was having a bad day, the bartender gave me a basket of homemade truffle-oil flavored potato chips, and they were amazing. Another time, I came in to eat and read alone. The server saw I was taking notes in the margins of my book, so he brought out real paper for me to take notes on! The service is EXCEPTIONAL. Their bread basket comes with homemade hummus - best hummus I've had in Boston. I love the Arugula, Gorgonzola and Walnut pizza with truffle oil. It's so tasty. I also love their salads. And their drinks. I think some of the bad reviews might be from when they had bartenders who no longer work there? Because the bartenders now are wonderful. We moved and I will really miss this place.
(5)Kerri S.
Dined here with friends Sat night. We had a lovely table by the window and the view was gorgeous. Would love to come back in the summer and dine outside on the patio. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is very nice-somewhat upscale. The service was good-our server was a little bit ditzy, but otherwise we really enjoyed our experience here and will be back.
(4)Allegra M.
88 Wharf has a menu that is somewhat uninspired. You will probably find your self glancing over their offerings several times trying to decide what you want - not because everything looks so good, but because everything looks relatively average. Nothing really stands out or seems original to this restaurant - grilled salmon, half roasted chicken, duck breast, steak. I'm not exaggerating either. The ambiance is laid back elegant, but the "waterfront view" is probably best enjoyed during the day or on the patio. With $13 for a burger and $11 for a Cubano sandwich, this probably isn't somewhere you go on a whim. Dinner will run you close to $50 for a couple of burgers and some cokes. If you are interested in trying 88 Wharf, splurge on the $25 Weekday Prix Fixe and go from there. Like I said, its not bad...but a pretty good average.
(3)Sarah M.
Many people start off posts like these with the phrase "I wish I COULD give a better review" but I don't. End of sentiment. Went out with my mom to celebrate a raise, as we're of the working class ilk, looking forward to an upscale evening (though I'd consider myself a non-bougie-foodie). In brief - the clientele were snotty, we were seated at the bar and I was amazed at how LITTLE attention the bartender paid to us. Our drinks (martinis) were mixed in the same receptacle as the previous client's drinks, and there was mint all up in there which he proceeded to REMOVE WITH HIS FINGER right in front of us. Food was alright, nothing to write home about. Steamed mussels: broth was very good, but the mussels were obviously not fresh. The prosciutto-wrapped scallops were amazing, however, and that is the only thing that saves this review from being completely in the tank. At the end of the meal, we got coffee, my mom some version with baileys etc. The coffee was spilled all over the plate and I had to clean it up myself. No attention to detail -sloppy sloppy, and the drink was disgusting, way too overpowering. In sum - really apathetic, inattentive bartenders and servers (unless you're a regular, bank-rolling type) ambiance leaves much to be desired, spartan and sparse with a new-agey-contemporary feel that does not translated into a welcoming atmosphere, and the food was mediocre at best. As someone who loves to do numerous culinary tours around Boston, I was very, very disappointed. But the real kicker was - we were made to feel like second class citizens. Will absolutely never come again, and will not recommend to any other folks I come across.
(1)Sarah R.
My family and I took my mom there for mother's day and although half the table liked their meal, I would say that mine was severely lacking taste. I had the arugula salad that barely had any aruugla in it. It consisted of huge chunks of pickled beets, a few leafs and huge chunks of cheese. It did not blend well together and had no taste. I followed that up with duck and risotto. The duck was dry and tasteless and the risotto tasted like it was cooked hours before just waiting to be served. The service was good and the atmosphere is nice, but for the price I expected something if not great at least good.
(2)Niamh D.
Milton is about as suburban as it gets as far as places to eat, so when I heard that my hometown had actually opened an upscale restaurant with a full bar, I was very curious. I tried this place recently with my Mom on a beautiful summer evening. We sat out on the patio, which had a lovely view overlooking the boats docked at Milton Landing. The service was prompt and professional. Food was just so-so for the price. I agree with the previous reviews describing the menu as "uninspiring". I tried the peach sangria, which was very tasty and refreshing. I also had the lobster risotto for my main course. There was a generous amount of lobster on the plate, but the risotto was not the best I've ever had. It was a bit salty and almost tasted like something out of a box. My Mom had the shrimp and scallop dish and really enjoyed it. She also commented that there was a good helping of seafood in it. It's probably good for families to note that kids eat free on Sundays (1 kid's meal per adult entree). No cooking for you hardworking parents! I will definitely come here again. I really like what they've done with this area of Milton. However, it will be the location more than the food that will bring me back.
(3)pim l.
Had a Groupon for tonight. The food was mediocre at best. Meatball lollipops(appetizer) were hardly edible- nothing worse than a tough meatball... Ordered a cocktail off the menu and asked if it was straight up and was told it was, but it came on the rocks. Ordered water, too, but nothing came for at least 15 minutes even though bartender was standing around doing nothing. Finally appetizers came and I asked for our water, but the manager, who was helping serve, snapped at me that we didn't get water unless we asked for it. I said we did ask for it and that we had ordered drinks as well but we hadn't received them either. He again snapped at me that we don't get water or bread unless we ask. What a bully! Another waitress brought us water. Our drinks arrived eventually. I want to say that the pork entree was cooked very well and the mashed potatoes were tasty, but the green beans were raw. Won't be returning to this place!
(1)Grace S.
We tried 88 Wharf for the first time last night. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed. I must preface this review by saying our server was very nice. He had nothing to work with so I wouldn't blame it on him... Bottom line, our reservation was at 7:30 p.m. and they were out of everything on the menu when we arrived. It is a Saturday night!!! No catch of the day, out of mussels, out of scallops, etc. It wasn't just the food. They were out of Corona and out of the blood orange cocktail. I refuse to believe that they ran out of everything in two and a half hours. The manager should likely be 86'ed, along with all the food. The food came out so slow... I would never eat here again. Too bad, it is a cool spot and nice view.
(1)Art F.
Went here on a Saturday night after picking up guests at the airport. Flying all day to get here, they were hungry. We looked for place outside the city with no wait. We wound up here for dinner and drinks in the dining room. Only had Guiness on tap, served wet with foam. Shared small mussel appetizer with white wine which had a good broth. Meals, fish and chips, bluefish and salmon were good, but not special. All in all it was a bit overpriced for the quality of the food. Server was very attentive without being intrusive. Setting along the river was very nice.
(3)Karen M.
88 Wharf is a good restaurant with all the elements of being a great one with just a few more touches. Something for everyone: the menu has inexpensive basics like pizza and burgers as well as fancier things like salmon tartare and lobster risotto, so you can eat for anywhere from $12 to $30 per entree and as plain or fancy as you're in the mood for. Too salty: agree with other reviewers on this. They totally ruined my beet salad with gorgeous greens that I love, it was almost in a salt crust it was so salty. Drinks: stick with wine or beer here, it goes well with the food. The Peach sangria was a good idea but very watery. I think it must have been sitting at room temperature in a pitcher of ice and the ice melted into it? It tasted like watery peach juice and needed an acidic kick such as maybe some wine. Entrees: Mussels were nice with an interesting light yet creamy fennel sauce. Toast was charred however. Do not like any blackness on my toast, that is a carcinogen! But I ate it because I had to soak up that sauce! Also kudos for the special, codfish with quinoa and hazelnut. The nut combined very well, the quinoa did not taste like cardboard, and it's a really healthy dish. Overall: Bravo for not falling into the mediocre-food-in-huge-portions trap that so many other restaurants try to sucker us into. Moderate yet delicious is how I love to eat. Atmosphere is nice, not too dark not too light, friendly vibe. Good for dates, groups, families. Service: excellent, neither slow nor rushed. There are TVs in the bar if you need to follow the game. Free valet parking is a nice touch. It's never really free because of the tip but anyway that is not a big expenditure. A little work on the food and drink and this place would be a perfect go to restaurant for all occasions.
(3)Nate T.
Great atmosphere! The trout was very flavorful and the chard tasted just like greens. Many restaurants in the area are hit or miss on seasoning, but this one is just right. It's great that it's right next to the trolley stop because parking is a little bit of a challenge.
(4)Michelle L.
We came in for the second time last night. I am definitely a fan of 88 Wharf. We live just around the corner so it's nice to have a classy restaurant nearby. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress (but it was around 6pm we sat on the deck near the door, she had dark hair) she was great. Very attentive and knowledgeable, I ordered the Steamed Mussels as an entree and she even offered more toast before I had the chance to realize I wanted it! She recommended my fiance's entree and he was not disappointed! The risotto on his pork was unfortunately a bit underdone in parts, but the flavor was really there. We tried the truffle potato chips were MIND BLOWING! [serve those next to the fantastic burger and you'll take it to the next level!!!] While things are a bit pricey, entrees from 18-25 (a glass of wine for $10!?!? =( ) the view and service was well worth it!
(4)Kathy Y.
I went here for a friend's birthday party, so we had quite a few people. We had about 14 people in our party. Service was still pretty good though. We were a little bit late, but didn't run into problems or anything and the waitress was very attentive toward us. The atmosphere was very nice. They even have outdoor seating which I would like to come back another day just to relax. They have free valet service. However, I drove my car up and they did not know how to drive my car because it was a manual. So they told me where to park the car and I had to park it myself. I guess better to let me know then to mess up my car. We had a few appetizers, but these were the only ones I could remember: Truffled Potato Chips - Don't taste the truffle. They taste like homemade chips, not bad. Oysters - they are raw, can't really go wrong with them. For my entree I had: 12oz ribeye steak with Truffled smashed potatoes and White Asparagus. - this was amazingly cooked. The steak was so tender. but my steak was in 2 pieces while my friends was 1 whole piece in tact. The potatoes were okay I didn't really taste the truffle oil at first. The white asparagus was a nice color that topped off the dish. The dish was huge, so I obviously took it home - the truffle taste was more potent after I reheated it. My friend ordered Lobster Risotto - this was pretty good too, packed with flavors. I would definetley come back to this restaurant to try out their other dishes. It wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. The food is worth it.
(4)ells w.
Up front......Management deserves half a star. Got that? Evidenced in the surprisingly great meal, great outdoors and a very good server. But management...you're squeezing nickels out of this place instead of putting pennies into it. Expeditors bring out basics and take away dishes allowing for the wait person to take orders, sell product and smoooze making the customer 'king'. Maybe they were out for the night...but, on a weekend? Back to our waitress......five stars. Food four stars.....I'll be back NOW ... two years later, you may have a Mercedes SUV but; your f***** customers have to wait for the bread, for the food, for the information about the product, and the quality food. DO YOU NOT READ yelp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!? yelp is here to help you ... clearly, you only want to help YOURself. We're out. You're out! But ahhhhh, the view on a summer eve...we won't be back.
(1)Helena S.
Really enjoyed!! Nice spot for a lil date night! Wine was yummy!
(5)R. K. S.
I usually go here when I want a nice quite spot to have a drink or a meal. The restaurant is comfortable, and in the summer the patio is one of the nicest in Boston. Tonight - wow. My first thought was that the menu was very, very limited. I ended up ordering a burger - something I don't like very much. Then the drinks and food took a very long time to arrive. My drink order was wrong, but I had waited so long I accepted it. The table next to me was wondering if they should go to the bar to get their own drinks. Eventually a woman arrived and mentioned she heard that no one had helped this table and was "stealing" the table to help them. I heard a waiter explaining with and edge to his voice to a third table that they were wrong, they heard him incorrectly when reviewing the specials. He told another table they would have to wait for water -they had a glass shortage. My food eventually arrived. A tasteless burger was placed in front of me and the guy ran off before I could ask for mustard and catsup. The shoe-string fries were limp, cold, and greyish-brown (my friend at this meal liked them, maybe I'm being harsh). The nicest parts were the unexpected, wonderful company of the neighboring tables, and our waitress who was a gem. I'll go back for a beer, not for dinner or anything else that required any sort of preparation.
(1)Kitty M.
Definately Out of the Rotation I went to 88 Wharf around 6:15 on Friday night. I know, early for dinner, but I was with my elderly mom. Although the dining room was virtually empty (there were about 3 parties seated), they refused to seat us, claiming that they had reservations that kept the to maximum capacity and could not accomodate us until 8 PM, but we were welcome to sit at the bar. Since we didn't have till 8 PM to wait, and no plan B, we ate some mediocore (and that's being generous) food in uncomfortably high seats in the bar area, which was also pretty noisy, and watched as the dining room "filled" with 3 additional parties until we left at 7:15. There were over 10 empty tables, just sitting there. So it made a lot of sense that the made us sit at the bar. Definately not worth it. I was completely underwhelmed.
(1)David D.
Food was great and the place is quite cool. The prices seemed appropriate. The menu listed BYOB Monday - Wednesday, not sure if that's a permanent thing, but we will certainly take advantage of it. The bartenders were beyond slow however, and they broke multiple bottles and glasses, twice. We (party of four) ordered a round at the bar while waiting for our table (even though we had reservations, we had a half hour wait). It took way too long for the bartender to make one mixed drink. I can't wait to check this place out in the summer to dine on their patio. Free valet was a plus as well.
(3)Michele C.
This place is awful. Overpriced & pretentious. Tthe food took forever. Two managers on duty on a busy Saturday night seemed more interested in socializing with customers at the bar than running their restaurant. Actually overheard a sever teliing the manager (John?) that a customer was complaining that his steak took 45 mins and then came out overcooked. Server asked if manager wanted to talk to the customer. Manager replied in a bored tone " No - just take it off the bill." Really? He didn't even care enough about his customer or restaurant to apologize and try to smooth things over. Poor management, & mediocre food. I will stick with Abby Park, which is right down the street and much, much better.
(1)Michael A.
Came here with my cousins one night for dinner and discovered a good reason to come to Milton. Ambiance: Perfect lighting compliments the modern decor and accents and very clean. It's also on the river, and I'll definitely come back in the spring to enjoy their outdoor patio for dinner and drinks. Food: Calamari - not bad; lightly fried which is best but the dip was mayonnaise (I think) and doesn't compliment the pallet. Cheese burger - Also good and was cooked as I asked (medium). Sides (lettuce, tomatoes) were very fresh. Burger was tasty but the bulky roll just didn't do it, just too much bread for the size of the burger. The Fries were awesome and lightly salted even though they looked overcooked. Overall I'd say it's average and a good local alternative to others places. I definitely plan to come again to try some of their signature dishes and take advantage of the water front. Did I mention they have entertainment? Check there site for details. And for a local spot, I'd say its a good place to bring a date.
(3)Justin C.
The great, chic indoor space and lovely outdoor patio do not match up with the very underwhelming food here. Everything tasted thrown together and cheap without exception; I doubt they are making anything from scratch here. The particulars: Corn Fritter app: We asked if these were gluten free and they didn't know, i.e., they obviously came from a box. They tasted like bland corn bread. Spare rib app: These were OK, not appalling, but dry and unflavorful and tasted like they had been coated in a store bought BBQ sauce. Hanger steak: Asked for medium rare, got medium well, and the meat was more like steak tips; there were four or five little strips of meat. The fries were wilted and just bad. A companion's lobster risotto was not fresh tasting, and rather gloppy. Our server was pleasant and we liked the place, the consensus was that the food has a long way to go - like the whole way - if they are to survive. $90 for a party of 3 was absolutely out of hand for such fare. Disappointing, and a missed opportunity unless they figure the food out fast.
(2)Bassel A.
Menu is ok, Service is ok, decor is ok, Food is ok and the bar tenders are awful. Made reservations and had a drink at the bar before being seated. I ordered a Guinnes and I think they were brewing on order cause it took the guy 12 minutes to serve. It was something else watching him trying to pour this, I almost cancelled the drink. The menu doesn't have a lot of choices so you would expect they would do well with the few choices, but thats not the case. Food wasn't bad but nothing stood out. There was free valet but thats only because its tough to park the car yourself. Overall I wasn't discouraged, but I wouldn't go back here
(2)barrie g.
Salt, salt, salt is the best way to describe the food served at this cute, clean, new to us restaurant. Unfortunately we were not able to eat outside since the weather was typical New England. To enjoy their outside dining would be the only reason we would go back. Waitress was good but the food was inedible due to way too much salt, or the food (pizza) was tasteless. The french fries were good . The menu was quite limited. We expected more than 1 special to be offered for Father's Day. Our other guests have liked this place in the past but they agreed the food was awful--too bad since it was father's day !
(1)James H.
A one word summary would be 'LOUD'! It looked like rain so we chose to eat inside but it was so loud inside that we could not even have a conversation. If you don't mind texting to your friends while at the table, instead of talking-- it might have been ok. As our salads came, we decided we had to risk eating outside even if we got soaked. Fortunately, our waiter was amenable to moving to the patio. The patio was beautiful. We watched the sky knowing any minute we could be soaked but we did not care-- we were free. Food was good. My husband loved his salmon. I had the ravioli which was very good though the sauce was watery. Desserts were excellent. All-in-all, we had a great time with friends. It did not rain.
(2)Vanessa M.
This review is for the bar only, as I haven't been for dinner yet. A coworker of mine is a regular here and she introduced me. I was very pleasantly surprised! The place is beautiful, lots of dark wood and dim lighting makes for a cozy and classy atmosphere. We sat at the bar and stuck to wine, a nice Malbec, and had nibbles from the "Social Hour" menu. Mon-Fri from 5-6pm they have a bar menu of $1 appetizers. I was expecting teeny little bites, but the portion size of these $1 apps was pretty impressive. We each ordered the bruschetta of the day (last night it was bluefish with arugula and a zingy vinaigrette) and shared an order of truffled potato chips, rosemary bar nuts, olives, and an order of onion rings. Not the healthiest dinner but it sure was tasty on a cold, rainy night. 88 Wharf is located inside the Milton Landing condo building on a quiet side street, next to the river. They have seating out on the patio overlooking the water... In good weather I'm sure it's beautiful. I am looking forward to going back and trying the dinner menu.
(4)Jahan M.
The service was stellar. And the menu was very creative. It also is reinvented pretty frequently. I know its probably a hit or miss for most people, but I thought they do a good job of trying to provide a classy dinning experience with some real interesting menu options. It's not the best fine dining, but it's pretty damn good for Milton.
(4)Barbara O.
Everyone and everything was delightful. We enjoyed our meals and look forward to returning soon.
(4)Tony B.
Went there on valentines day this past year. First time there. The atmosphere was nice, service was excellent. Menu was a little small, but maybe that was due to the holiday. Prices were ok. I could see myself going there again, maybe in the summer time to sit on the patio.
(4)Karen S.
I've tried to like this place, I really have -- Milton sorely needs an upscale eatery and bar. The location is lovely and the decor is very nice, and the people are very friendly, but sadly, the food is consistently under-whelming, every time. I have dined here 8-10 times in the past 2 years. I think last night was my 'last night' unless I hear about drastic changes to the menu. I ordered the sole, which came with cauliflower, and a starter of calamari. While it wasn't horrible, it was no better than a frozen, micro-wave entree, or something from a fast food place. Absolutely no flavor, heavy, fried and just blah. It was really pretty terrible. Sorry.
(1)David D.
Hate to be Blunt... If your a true "Foodie"...skip this place and spend you money elsewhere.
(1)Jennifer A.
Like most others, we visited with our 50% coupon. It is a nice cozy ambiance, but nothing special. The food was fair. We has the artisanal cheese plate....it was nothing more than slices of cracker barrel, a dollop of hummus and a few pieces of pita bread. The salad was very good. We all had steak, cooked to temperature, but boring and unseasoned. It was supposed to be in a nest of fries with truffle jus. It was a plain sliced up steak with a side of fries a bunch of undressed mesclun mix and a side of flavorless clear thick liquid. Sadly it took about 30 minutes to arrive. The warm brownie and ice cream were good, but it would have been helpful if we were give spoons and plates. Service was not good. She seemed bored and uninterested, forgot bread, water, etc. and was terrible at describing the food. The special app was described as "something that begins with ch that I can't pronounce, but it's meat on a plate and things pickled in juices here" the dessert "suede cake...kind of like red velvet, but we don't put red dye in it.". On the plus side, the company was good, the drinks were delicious, we didn't have to cook and it was cheap.
(2)BART W.
I went here without expectationss and it was so not good. The service was not very nice,, but the food was awful and I am glad I went because with the little Milton has to offer as far as restaurants this proved it.
(2)Michael C.
It would be a great place to have a drink in the summer. The food was a little pricey for what it was. It was just ok. Service was adequate, food was adequate, menu was limited. Nothing bad to say
(3)Lisa B.
I paid $22 for a piece of shepherds pie on a chipped plate! My first impression would of been fabulous with free valet and a nice interior! We were seated and no waiter after 5 minutes a few more minutes passed and he came over with water and bread, we could of ordered at this time but he was in too much of a rush to get out to his next table. 20 minutes later he returned to take our order( the restaurant was not that busy I could count six open tables). We ordered fried Mac and Cheese bites and our dinners. I hate to say it but tgifridays makes much better fried Mac and cheese. This was an undercooked pile of shells mixed with tasteless cheese then fried till it tasted like a pasty mess! Dinner arrives and my piece of shepards pie was served on a plate with chipped off edges! For the price of the meal this was rediculous! But we didn't see the server again till the end of the meal so enraged I said nothing My food was over cooked and tough. My husband had a seafood risotto and said it tasted undercooked and it was served in soppy liquid not what he expected. My mother in laws pork chop was just so so! We opted out of dessert as I was holding back. Save yourself some money and go somewhere else not worth the amount of money you will spend!
(2)Okie M.
After my second trip to this restaurant, I'm compelled to inform others that 88 Wharf is simply not worth a visit. The primary driver of my miscontent? The food. While I cannot recall what I ordered on my first trip, I do recall a general dissatisfaction. On my most recent trip, just last night, I ordered the following: a raspberry mojito, the mussels appetizer, a glass of the house cabernet sauvignon, and the fettucine shrimp. The raspberry mojito tasted like (and had the consistency of) melted raspberry sorbet with rum poured over the top; the mussels were actually the high point of the meal though, given the price of mussels, the portion was disappointing; the cab was so-so; and the fettucine shrimp was nearly non-edible. The fettucine sauce was almost maple-y sweet, despite our waitress' admonition that we should expect it to be spicy. My tablemates ordered the statler chicken breasts, which too were not great, the main complaint being that they were well overcooked.
(2)Meghan M.
The white tablecloths and valet parking were clever moves to deter the Dorchester and Mattapan clientele. But to sum it up, this place is mediocre at best. First red flag - Stella and Guinness on tap only. If you had only two choices for tap selections, Stella and Guinness? We sat at the bar as we do not "do" white tablecloths on a Friday night after work. Arancini with pomodoro sauce was very good. We split the steak and potato pizza. We thought we were skipped on the potato as there were plenty of helpings of steak and mushrooms, but no potato? It was SO bland we requested salt. After a few shakes, we realized it was a mashed potato base. Dear chef, please learn how to season. I'm sure we will try this place out again, but maybe during the summer when we can catch a glimpse of the "waterfront".
(2)Nik N.
As a fine dining deprived Miltonian, my initial inclination is to wax positive about 88 Wharf's "great potential". But after my first visit, I'm afraid that might be a bit of a stretch. 88 Wharf is one of two new full service "fine dining" restaurants in Milton (Abby Park in East Milton being the other) and it's lovely location overlooking the Neponset River at Milton Landing is at first sight both impressive and inviting. Though we were there on a rainy evening, they usually have what appears to be a rather expansive patio open for seasonal outdoor seating. The decor is clean, chic and modern - well executed with quality craftsmanship. The table arrangement (and perhaps this was because of the patio being closed) seemed a bit sparse and awkwardly laid out within the medium smallish dining room. 88 Wharf only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more, but we had no trouble walking right in and getting a table for three (and a baby) at 6pm on a Saturday night. The hostess and servers were very friendly and accommodating, gladly setting up a high chair for our baby. Our waitress, Paula, was very nice and attentive, with exception of a long wait for the cocktails. The menu seemed enticing with a well thought out blend of traditional and slightly more inventive takes on New American cuisine. Sadly the food did not meet expectations set by "said" menu, which was apparently constructed above the competency level of the kitchen staff. Our rather pricey cocktails finally arrived and fell flat from their descriptions - unbalanced and watery. The Peach Sangria was the exception here - it was fruity, light, and delicious. The appetizers followed shortly after and were a mixed bag. The seared (but obviously braised first) pork ribs were delicious, and literally fell right off the bone. I don't put a lot of stock in braised ribs, because I figure if Tommy Floramos can do tender "fall off the bone" ribs, anyone should be able to. That said, they were easily the highlight of the meal. The corn fritters sorely disappointed, and were more reminiscent of rock solid, yellow golf balls than the moist, fluffy hush puppies I had hoped for. The entrees were a let down as well. My lamb was terribly over cooked (not anywhere near the medium rare I ordered it at) and had been unevenly butchered (with messy frenching) too thin and then seared on a grill, a preparation that almost guarantees a medium well to well done internal temp. When I mentioned the lamb being over cooked, Paula, was kind enough to whisk it away without questioning and assured me that she'd bring another rack, medium rare, out to me momentarily. The second rack arrived and was only fractionally more rare than the first, but I chocked it up to inexperienced kitchen staff and forged on. The currant "reduction" was watery thin and too tart, more like an anemic "jus" than a gastrique. My sister's lobster risotto was well cooked, but under seasoned and uninspired, lacking acidity and salt. My wife's halibut was overcooked, dry, under seasoned and lacking the "summer vegetables" promised on the menu, unless they thought a few cherry tomatoes and some arrugula equaled "summer vegetables". There was narry a hint of the tarragon vinaigrette with the fish, and the pearl cous-cous tasted dry and overly al dente, as if it had been cooked the day before and refrigerated without any oil or dressing. After our meal, it didn't seem worth it to stick around for dessert. Overall, I'd recommend waiting a while for the kinks in the kitchen to be ironed out before heading to 88 Wharf. At least before eating there - though, if you go for the bar, steer clear of the martinis. I have a feeling this restaurant has fallen victim to the classic case of restrauteurs opening a "big city, fine dining" type place in the suburbs without the sufficient "big city, fine dining" type kitchen staff to pull it off. With an infusion of talent in the kitchen, 88 might become a local eatery worth bringing family and friends to. I'll check back in a few months.
(2)Erin H.
Since my earlier review the dollar menu has changed (wings for a dollar each don't seem like as a good of deal to me) and it's over by 6:00pm now... Went their for brunch and was very disappointed. The food took a very long time to come out (and there was no bread or rolls to sustain you during the very long wait) and our coffee and drinks went dry well before we got our bill (which was also when we were asked if we needed more coffee.) The food was decent, but not good enough to make up for lack in service, especially with other area restaurants serving up a great brunch!
(2)Rosaly Q.
Do you like great service? How about ambiance? More importantly do you like good food? Well you will find all of these and more at 88 Wharf in Milton. We where seated promptly at our table which we reserved for 7:30 p.m. the bar was jam packed with happy customers that where either waiting for their table or where just happy to be out in this wonderful river front grill. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Every morsel of food was better than the last. And their dirty martinis rocked! This is a special place, to pick up ones spirit or celebrate birthdays or special occasions. I also noticed that they started serving Brunch on Sundays 10:30 to 5! I am looking forward to the next time.
(5)RF N.
what is it with restaurants that keep you waiting while they have empty tables going begging? and a snotty hostess who asks, do you have a reservation? and then when you say no, telling you you have a 1/2 wait, with no place but the bar to wait!
(1)P T.
I have to say that, based on the other reviews, we went to 88 Wharf with low expectations. But we had a wonderful evening there. The restaurant is well situated in a quiet and pretty spot; even though it was a winter night, we had a nice view of a pretty snow field leading down to the water's edge. The lighting is subdued and restful, the ambience just loud enough for a buzz of activity but not so loud as to be annoying, as it is in too many restaurants. Tables were nicely spaced so as to afford privacy for everyone. Our waitress was terrific. She gave us a very truthful (and accurate!) rundown on the entire menu and recommended a number of dishes for us, as this was our first time. Despite its being a busy night, we never felt rushed. But she was right there, just as we needed her. She was very clearly enthused about the place and spent some time chatting about their "social hour" on weekdays and jazz night on Thursdays. The meal began with bread and a few items to spread (hummus, butter, oil). This was a little uninspired, but fine. For dinner I had the burger, which was wonderful, tasty and juicy. I asked for a mashed potato side instead of fries. They were good, nice and hot, nothing out of the ordinary. My husband had the hangar steak, which is what was recommended, and it was terrific - tender and flavorful. The coffee that followed was freshly brewed and very generous. For desert we had the bread pudding, which was more of a muffin with ice cream on top. Not quite the way I think of bread pudding, but delicious anyway. Portions were very generous. The bill came to about $50, which I think was a pretty good price considering I had wine, we had two very good (and very filling) meals, and a dessert with coffee too. All in all, a nice time. I am sure we will be back.
(5)Suzette C.
Very disappointed. My husband bought a Groupon for our second visit there. We weren't thrilled with our first meal there, but it was a while ago, figured they would have improved. WRONG! Cesear salad was "the worst I've ever had" by my husband. No parmesan cheese on the top, very little dressing, and very fishy taste. Way too much anchovy paste or whatever they used. I had the beet and blue salad. Was I wrong to expect some type of vinegerette? I got beet juice! When I asked for some dressing, he brought more beet juice! The duck duo had duck fried rice which my husband liked. The duck breast was the fattiest and blandest duck he's had. Sorry, he's a duck snob. Pigalle and Mistral in Boston. I had crumbed haddock with "buerre citron". I don't speak french, but thought that was a lemon butter sauce of some type. Nothing lemon on the plate. Very dry fish, and no seasoning. The Israili couscous excited me, but did not deliver. Again, very bland. Also, the manager came over to see how we were and realized my husband was missing the sauce on his duck. Either a new chef, or someone who didn't care. Both entrees were sauceless. No offer of dessert, no bread with dinner. Overall, very disappointing meal. As I read the other similiar reviews, I wish I had read them BEFORE we bought the Groupon. Will not be back.
(2)Diana C.
The atmosphere is great but the menu is small and pricey. I purchased a groupon a while back to try it out, but I am not sure that I will return for dinner. I may return to sit outside on a nice day because the option is available. The food wasn't anything special. The portions were relatively small for the price. Hopefully the menu expands soon.
(3)christine f.
Another (3rd) update, and I'm sad to say it's going in the wrong direction. Brought the kids for brunch - it used to be kids eat free Sunday but we learned now it's only Sunday nights. Rightly so kids eat free at night - I think most things on the kids menu - and we're talking your standards like hot dog and mac and cheese, are $10. Anywho, had lovely seating outside but the service was just so-so and the food left room for more to be desired. THe worst was my daughter's pancakes came out and they had *just* realized they were out of maple syrup. She waited 10 minutes for a manager to come back from the local grocery store with more. Ironically, about 3 weeks later I saw a server from the restaurant at the supermarket up the street and she was buying 10 loaves of Italian (and not good Italian) bread - very likely that was going to be served at the restaurant too based on her conversation with the cashier (I was behind her in line) Ug.
(2)Patrick O.
Nice venue, bland food. Went to 88 Wharf last night. We were immediately welcomed by the host and seated. The waiter was prompt and the overall service was very good. But it is a restaurant, and its reputation relies on the quality of the food, and sorry, it just was not good. In lieu of a salad that she usually orders, my wife ordered the "artisinal" plate; a plate of grilled vegetables (that were mushy), a small hunk of blue cheese, two slices of other cheese (cracker barrel?), pita bread points (stale), and hummus. I had the French onion soup which was flavorless. For dinner, my wife had the shrimp scampi which was awful; lukewarm, a few chewy shrimp, too many tomatoes, lots of pasta, in a bowl of watery broth. Simply, no flavor. I had the baked haddock which came with broccolini and squash risotto. The fish was a little dry but otherwise the entree was OK. No dessert or coffee. We desperately want to like this place. It is in a wonderful location, especially in the summer. But we have been there four times and the food is just not good.
(2)Andrew M.
What can you say about a restaurant where the only potato you can order are "hand cut" french fries. That's right; no baked and no mashed to go with your hanger steak; whatever part of the steer that comes from. The food here is thoroughly mediocre at best and when combined with the painfully noisy dining room is not at all a pleasant experience. Many establishments that choose to offer a very limited menu such as the one the 88 Wharf has at least provide offerings that are inspired and somewhat creative with high quality ingredients. Sadly; this is not the case here.
(1)Jackie S.
Had an 8:30 reservation for 2 on a Sat night but didn't get seated until after 9:30. Then it was another 10 minutes before anyone came to offer us water or get us a drink. Appetizers arrived at 10 (mind you this is for an 8:30 resrvation so by then we wre famished). My salad was good (but how could ryou really mess it up since I asked for dressing on the side) but my husband had the crabcake and said it was awful - like deep fried sawdust. Our entries were also a split review - I had the plain pizza and it was delightful; at the suggestion of thw waiter he had the beef stroganoff. He said it was remniscent of catfood - he got the feeling they didn't even prepare the beef there but used canned meat . we didn't bother with dessert. Wouldn't recommend based on our experience - a waste of money AND time and a shame since wereally wanted to like our new local restaurant.
(2)Robert D.
With quality restaurants non-existent in Milton until this month (Abby Park having also launched) 88 Wharf is a thoroughly welcome and competent, if slightly under-inspired, addition to the area. The room is lovely - a blend of traditional and modern design touches, with a dining room looking out onto an open patio, overlooking the Neponset River. Fit and finish of the dining room, bar, bathrooms and patio are top-notch. In summer, the lush plantings around the building, patio and river walk are the real star - gauzy wild grasses, loads of blooms, and well-crafted bluestone and granite make for a gorgeous setting.) Warning: at low tide, the water level in the river/estuary can be low, and the mud bottom can give off an aroma of the estuary bottom. But don't let that deter you - just sample the air for yourself at low tide, and if it's too tangy for your taste, sit inside. Servers are not high-school kids masquerading as waiters. Service was efficient, polite and knowledgeable. We got bread and pepper-spiced olive oil quickly on being seated, though on an uncrowded Sunday night drinks from the bar were a bit slow in coming. No problem tasting wine by the glass first, which I'd recommend if you opt for sauvignon blanc, as the wine served is a semillon mix, which for my wife and I is like stirring mustard into your wine. There's a nice fume blanc but at $12/glass, it's a pricey way to bypass the $8 sauv blanc. Our food was all competent but some was a trifle light on flavor. Oysters were good, briny and fresh. A tomato and fresh mozzarella salad was basic, the ingredients speaking for themselves. The seared tuna appetizer was cooked well, with a nice sear and red, raw center, with a bit of salad with a mild but tasty citrus dressing. The tuna itself, however, was bland. A little more salt and pepper before the sear, or a splash of an interesting dressing would have added some punch to the bland fish. The pizza was generously sized and had a nice thin crust, the way I like it best - though next time I will ask them to leave it in the oven another minute or two. Don't get me wrong - it was cooked completely - I've just grown to like a few black spots on the bottom. (Somewhere between what was served at 88 Wharf and the pie people stand in line for at John's of Bleecker Street, if you know what I mean.) Kids were well taken-care of at our table, with an off-menu "children's menu" that included the pasta with butter our guys like right now. A special request for some green beans on the side was no problem, and the burger and fries were rated highly by our ten year old, who is starting to experiment off the kid's menu these days. No room for dessert... another time. Final verdict? It's so great to be able to have a reasonably high-quality meal out in Milton, 88 Wharf will likely survive minor shortcomings gracefully. (Though I might have expected a bigger crowd on a summer Sunday night.) That said, if the food went up a notch -mostly in the little touches that add flavor and sparkle - it would be the kind of restaurant Miltonians would tell friends about in outlying communities, and who knows - with the stunning setting, 88 Wharf (and Lower Mills) might become a bit of a destination? A place to show off to our friends from out of town?
(3)karen n.
I've been to 88 Wharf 3 or 4 times and was so excited when this restaurant opened it doors in 2010. I must say, however, that I've been incredibly disappointed by the poor, uninspired cooking. The interior is very nice and the views are lovely but the quality of the food simply doesn't match up to the decor. 88 Wharf recently made a big announcement about its new chef so I went back there this weekend to try the food again. The brunch menu was unbelievably limited and the new dinner menu was, once again, utterly uninspired. I ordered an omelette and my mom ordered pancakes. My omelette was decent but the bacon was incredibly greasy and undercooked. My mother's pancake had uncooked batter inside (YUCK!!!) and, on the side of her pancakes were 5 little strawberries -- and three out of the five strawberries were brown and rotten. Come on! It's not that difficult to properly cook a pancake and/or to pick a few good strawberries. This place is desperately in need of someone who can whip the kitchen staff into shape and who can actually put together a decent menu that tastes as good as it sounds. If 88 Wharf ever figures out how to serve truly great food, they'll have a real gem on their hands. If not, they'll just continue to be another mediocre restaurant that can't seem to keep it customers from going elsewhere.
(2)Chris B.
This restaurant as a new chef that has pumped new life into the menu. The pork chop is wonderful. Food is much improved. I will visit again soon.
(4)Amy G.
I've been here once. I live next door. They need vegetarian items besides a pizza -- I'd rather go to Tino's.
(1)Greg N.
This is a very nice restaurant and a welcome addition to the horrendous food selection in Milton. Menu is inspired but yet has some comfort food selections. Service and decor are both above average. This gets 5 star in the summer since it is few places around with nice outdoor seating.
(4)R O.
I heard this place was horrible but then a friend told me it had gotten better so I gave it a shot. Went late on a Sunday and sat in the bar area. Our waiter was great, gave some good suggestions from the menu as well as some tips on some of the dishes. The food was better than expected, the service was a bit slow, but may have been due to the light staff since it was late on a Sunday. Only big complaint was the people at the bar having mind numbingly stupid conversation, but making sure everyone cold hear them. Would come back before going back to Ledge.
(4)Jackie S.
Really like it every time I come here. The food is excellent and the service is good. I like the price because the food is so good. I especially recommend the Beet Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad - the citrus vinegarette dressing is awesome and the Mushroom Bianco Pizza is SO GOOD. It has truffle oil on it and is just delicious. I definitely will keep going back!
(4)jess m.
Its so great to finally have restaurants in Milton! I really enjoyed our experience at this restaurant. Very friendly staff, great food, and excellent cocktail selection. I noticed there is an outdoor patio, so can't wait to try that out this summer!
(5)Kimberly M.
No reason not to give 5 stars. The setting was beautiful outside. The service was perfect. The hand made fries and truffle potato chips were great. My fathers lamb was tender and tasty. Everything was good and well seasoned. A little expensive maybe. As good as the Ashmont Grill . I am very picky with food and know when something is good but my parents and partner also thought it was great.
(5)Leslie M.
some things have been great - some overcooked. Can't go wrong with the oysters and loved the roasted chicken. Had a good pizzas there too. Fish is consistently overcooked. We always sit at the bar tables and have had good service there- but just know... the lighting there is so dark - it can be hard to read the menu there.
(3)Miss M.
Beautiful location great patio. Loud and too dark. Unlike other reviewers did not find parking easy or well laid out. Food was less than so-so especially for the prices. Service started out okay but got less attentive as night wore on. Waited over an hour for food only to be underwhelmed.
(2)Marina M.
Beautiful location right on the river. Prices were reasonable for the type of restaurant/quality of the food. I loved the swordfish and my crab and corn chowder was awesome. Service left a little to be desired, and it seemed like they're still working out some kinks with the chef and menu change (they were out of a bunch of items, it seemed like a really big deal to switch asparagus for spinach, etc.). I'd definitely go again though, despite the small issues.
(4)Alee G.
I reached out to 88 Wharf about potentially hosting a private event there. I got a response at first, telling me that someone would be in contact with me in a week. A week goes by, nothing. So I send a follow up email and... nothing. How unprofessional. If you are swamped or in transition or whatever, make sure you take the necessary actions to prevent leaving a bad taste in a customer's mouth. Simply remove the "contact us" form on the website until you get your stuff together. Nothing is more irritating than trying to connect with a business only to be ignored. Not a good look 88 Wharf.
(1)Connie O.
I have heard about this place for awhile but haven't had a chance to visit until recently. I had envisioned the water view to be different. I was not impressed since I see a great water view each night at work. 88 Wharf's water view isn't impressive at all. The word Swampy comes to mind. We went for dinner & our server seemed frazzled and overwhelmed. It took forever for her to get us drinks & when the wine arrived it had cork floating in it. I don't understand how the bartender couldn't see it in the white wine. I'd also asked if their lemonade was fresh & homemade..was told yes but tasted like horrible juice concentrate (like from those plastic lemon bottles). Couldn't drink it & the soda was flat. The mussels were ok but very under seasoned & needed salt & pepper to help it. The recommended side of roasted mushrooms were a disappointment (only realized that as I'm writing this, overcharged by $3 than the menu price) The highlight was the delicious fish tacos. The house made brownie sundae was ok but definitely nothing to write home about. The heavy taste of oil stayed on our tongues. Definitely were not impressed.
(2)Alexandra M.
We sat at the bar and got a drink and some apps. Service was great and very attentive (it wasn't busy either). I had the blood orange cocktail which was hard not to drink all at once because it was so delicious. I recall not liking artichokes. But then I had their dip and I love them now! I've tried artichokes several ways before and there's always been something about them that I don't like, but not this time. Very creamy. Maybe that's why I liked it. But I was going for the chunks of artichoke... We also got fries which were so salty (in a good way). Had to keep going back for more.
(5)Brittany M.
Great atmosphere. It was somewhat busy, but it was not loud at all. Our waiter was friendly, and the service was fast. The food was delicious. I had chicken picatta. Tho chicken was really juicy. It was served over mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. My husband had the filet mignon which was also delicious. We will definitely be back.
(5)JJ K.
Was pretty excited to try this place but I will not be returning. The service was pretty horrible. The hostess wasn't very friendly or welcoming. Our waitress kept forgetting things, even though we asked for them several times and was distracted, spending most of her time at a table that appeared to be either friends or regulars. Our apps and food took forever to come out even though it wasn't busy. One of our meals was cold. Other plates were very hot, so maybe they were sitting under the heating light for too long? Really pretty area but the food was mediocre and the service was a turn off.
(2)Lauren M.
Delish! The mussels!!!! Waiter was well informed on food. But in a hurry. The lobster roll was good. A warm one! Otherwise if your living or working in suburbia south of Boston come visit 88 Wharf!!
(5)Alicia L.
They advertised a hamburger special and 5 of us made the trip in to meet up and have dinner. We got there at 7:30 and were told they were sold out of burgers. We asked the waitress Andrea if there was a substitution and she said no. She didn't even bother to check with anyone. Such a big disappointment. We left. Just didn't feel like this was a place I wanted to spend my money. Andrea never even tried to make the experience better. If you don't mind a place with zero customer service enjoy. The atmosphere was nice and in the warmer weather the back patio would have been a nice place to have a drink but I'll head someplace else in the future.
(1)Brian O.
Great location and the food is OK. Service is why I am giving only one star. We waited 45 minutes for our food, and another 30 minutes for a drink. When you are with kids this is not acceptable. The waitress did not help the situation by disappearing. I keep giving the wharf a chance and keep being disappointed. I hope they get it right
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