Pops Restaurant

I've been a fan of this restaurant since they opened, and I love the fact they are aware of the stress the economy is putting on us and issueing Pops Dollars. Most entrees are under $20, so it's a big bonus to also get a discount towards my next visit. I also like the decor and the sun room in the back.

Pros: Cute decor

Cons: Mediocre service

Posted 02/18/09

We were a group of 5, made a reservation and were seated promptly for dinner on a quiet Sunday night. Nice wine by the glass selection, as well as a dozen or so microbrew/import beers. Restaurant had a nice vibe to it, looked like a lot of locals enjoy this restaurant. Everybody in our group enjoyed their meals. Favorites were the lamb, cassoulet, gnocchi mac n' cheese, and the meatloaf. Waitress was very accomodating to our zillion questions about the eclectic menu. The waitstaff in general were having fun and helpful.
If you're looking to speed through a meal, this probably isn't the place for you. Nice place to sit, chat with friends over some drinks, and take your time.
It's a small dining room, so make reservations if you're a large group.
Pops is now on my short list of places to go on my business trips to Boston.

Pros: Ambience, service, interesting menu, good wine by the glass selection

Posted 09/21/08

Based on a friend's recommendation, my family and I recently had a great experience at Pops. We were seated in the "Greenhouse" room, which was tastefully decorated and looked onto the rear courtyard. Our server was attentive but did not hover. Each of our meals was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the Kobe meatloaf which melts in your mouth. All around, we had a fabulous dining experience, and I would highly recommend Pops!

Pros: Valet Parking, Ambience

Cons: Limited seating - be sure to make reservations

Posted 05/04/08

I went here for lunch with co-workers on a Tuesday. The service was good, but it was a little slow. We were the first ones there and the kitchen was just opening up. The tomato basil soup smelled great and my co-worker loved it. I ordered the half order of spicy lamb bolognese. It was amazing. It was spicy enough to make my nose run a bit and the lamb tasted really fresh. I got to try my co-worker's italian sandwich, which was also good. I can't wait to go back when the weather is nice to sit out back.

Pros: Half order sizes

Cons: Slow start to lunch

Posted 03/26/08

Although I was amongst the many who attended "Training Night" in this establishment, I can attest to the owners integrity in maintaining customer satisfaction. Furthermore, I am amazed how he has integrated the experience of top notch dining on a mid to high range menu selection in such a pricy neighborhood of competitors. Food quality and taste were great. Great job Felino. You were great to work for and a good person outside the business as well. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my trade.

Readers of this review, bear in mind that this business is still in its infancy for the most part. You are not dining at a place that is looking for acclaim that requires Wolfgang Puck to be their Chef. Its like getting in the passengers seat of a friends Classic American Musclecar. You don't critique to much about it or its driver. "Get in, sit down, buckle up, shut up, and enjoy the ride.

Pros: Good eats at reasonable fare. Top notch Spirits and Coffee variables

Cons: Parking

Posted 03/16/08

POPS is great. Period. I have been there about a dozen times since they've been open and while it hasn't always been flawless, overall, its been truly great in both service and food. If you are looking for a place thats "hip" and new without the crazy, fussy food, then this is it. POPS is a Twenty First Century Diner and everyone who I have brought there has loved it.
I feel I must add that I had been in the restaurant industry for many years and the prior "bad" reviews regarding this restaurant don't ring true for several reasons. And thats not to say that those Reviewers didn't have a bad or not-so-great experience at POPS - that may have been the case. But when Reviewers start to get downright nasty and mean-spirited, it makes me believe there is something more going on. Perhaps a disgruntled employee? I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that there is a much better and easier way to get your point across without being ugly.
The whole point of this forum is for everyday people to look up a restaurant and see what other everyday folks thought of it - the good and the bad - in a constructive sense. So, when the nasty comes out in a review, Reader Beware - there is something else brewing.

Pros: Genuine Service, Great, Easy Food, Great Price

Cons: no valet, no cheap parking

Posted 11/28/07

Went to Pops last night. We did not have reservations but then again they claim to want to keep the "neighborhood walk-in feel", therefore they seated our party of 4 and everything was off to a good start. The waiter was great and the food was delicious. We were looking forward to finishing off with a yummy dessert, however that never came to fruition. As we were reviewing the dessert menu, the manager (I am assuming), came over and basically made us feel guilty for even considering ordering dessert. Requested if we could pay our bill and leave because he had a reservation show up and wanted to seat them at our table. I still had a full glass of wine I was hoping to finish with my dessert. Instead I had to chug it down and leave. After that experience I will not go back. How can you treat a patron in such a way. It was a very disappointing way to end the dinner.

Pros: Good food, somewhat reasonable prices for the city.

Cons: Parking, service.

Posted 10/19/07

This place has the greatest bloody mary in Boston. The service was friendly and accommodating; the food left a lot to be desired of. Maybe pick a dish and stick to it. The place and location is great, we'll go back but try something different.

Pros: Location and decor

Cons: some dishes

Posted 09/14/07

I was so excited to try this new South End place. I did love the decor and that was it. The service was very slow and the place wasn't even busy. We ordered a BBQ Chicken sand and half of it was grissle. We also ordered the panzenella salad that was basically a cup of grilled vegetbles that took up 1/4 of the plate. It looked pathetic and it cost $16!!! Don't bother!! There are WAY too many amazing restaraunts in the SE.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Food, Price, Drinks,Cost

Posted 06/25/07

Wow! I can't believe how harsh some people are but I think Pops is excellent. I have never had bad service or bad food. (Probably people who were fired from the place!) I absolutely love the decor and the staff. It is very close to home and I love the value of the upscale style food. My favorite things are the burger, they have a great new dinner salad, and the daily market fish are very creative for $20. I'm actually on my way to dinner there now. Judge for yourself...but I think Pops will do very well!!!!!

Pros: great staff, value

Cons: small bar

Posted 05/17/07

I'm astonished by some of the other reviews and feel like we could not have been dining at the same place. I've been to POPS 4 times in the last 2 months and the place is awesome. The worst thing I can say is that it could get really smoky from the open kitchen but apparently they just closed for a week to fix that problem. To close down so soon after opening is pretty risky and I think it shows that the management/ownership at POPS really listens to their guests. And the rest of the service I have found to be refreshingly genuine which is a rareity. The food has always been so well done and so cheap! Of all the new places that have opened over the last few years, POPS is the best value by far.
Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the other negative reviews and decide for yourself. I think its a gem.

Pros: Food, Price, Service

Cons: There's not one in the Suburbs (yet?)

Posted 05/07/07

I have visited Pop's quite a few times since its opening in February and I must say that though there are still some newbie kinks to be worked out, I always find a reason to go back. Whether it's the inventive cordials, intriguing wine list, reasonably priced food or unique ambiance, something keeps bringing me back through that door. Over the past few months there have been quite a few menu improvements, so if you haven't been recently or weren't impressed before, it's worth another try or at least a quick stop to look at the menu outside. On my most recent visit last Saturday night, I tried the lamb sausage with giant white beans. It was great and something I have not seen in other restaurants and would not think to make at home. I also tasted the new cumin braised pork (which replaced the less exciting pork that another patron complained about in one of the earlier citysearch reviews). That dish was excellent and I loved the tasty black lentils that came with it. During that visit, I too was complaining about the ventilation problem, but the manager informed me the restaurant will actually be closed for a few days this week while a new hood is installed. Hopefully that will clear the air for some of the naysayers in the reviews below.

Pros: Unique atmosphere, exciting (but not strange) food

Cons: Parking

Posted 05/06/07