Locke-Ober

Some of the classic menu items are pretty good but you cant get past the wretched location, pompous staff and drole pricing. There are much better experiences in Boston.

Pros: Older classics

Cons: Insufferable pricing, staff

Posted 05/25/09

My husband and I were very disappointed with the food and the atmosphere at Locke Obers. We decided to go for a special dinner on a Friday night as it was our anniversary. It was nothing like we had expected. The outside of the restaurant is tired and worn with cracked windows. The inside is very dark and gloomy. The wait staff acted as if it was still 1870 and it was a priviledge to be there. There were very few patrons there and I now know why. The restaurant reminded me of an 80 year old person who is trying to be young and "happening". The food was just fair and the price was rediculously high. We could have gotten a better meal at a franchise restaurant for a fraction of the cost.
On another note, the building is very historical and the mahogany wood work is stunning. It should become an ice cream parlor where ther is an admission fee to come see a historic building and get a cone.

Posted 09/19/08

Yesterday my wife and I went to Locke Ober. It was magical. We walked in and were immediatly taken care of. The beautiful coat girl took our coats, the Maitre D' escorted us inside the main dining room to the most beautiful table. I had never seen such a magestic old Boston venue. The atmosphere was perfect! My wife and I enjoyed some Cabernet Sauvignon while the waiters addressed our every need. I ordered the Steak with Calamari, while the wife dinned had the Veal - And they both were cooked to perfection. And then for dessert we had flamming baked alaska. OMG!!! My wife and I went back home and celebrated our romantic evening. Believe the hype - this place is 5 star quality. Ive been around the world and I have yet to visit a restuarant so magical.

Pros: Everything!

Cons: It ended too quickly

Posted 03/06/08

You can't get more "old Boston" than this downtown dowager located off an alley near Downtown Crossing. The glass and woodwork is magnificent, the real essence of turn-of-the-century Boston. Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream). The wine list is extensive and expensive (as in many fine restaurants). As for the food, there is no excuse for some of the sky-high prices for entrees that are often rather mediocre. If they would lighten up some of the dishes and better train the staff this would be an excellent restaurant. As it is, it is a one-time visit ... then try some of Boston's truly great restaurants.

Pros: A great room

Cons: Overpriced and over-righ food

Posted 12/03/07

Correction to the review below. My computer screen was partially covered when I originally filled it out and I meant to give "highly recommended" to most attributes. Sorry.

My memory of my one time at Locke-Ober. My friend and I had come into the city to shop and I had brought a small rolling suitcase to carry home my purchases. We were little old ladies in sensible shoes and respectable outfits. We had meant to go to Maison Robert but on an impulse decided on the famous Locke-Ober. The gentleman receptionist greeted us politely (we expected to be told there were no empty tables) and offered to check my suitcase. He almost concealed his surprise as he lifted it and obviously realized it was empty. We speculated that he might have thought we were after the silver. Anyway, everyone was very kind and polite. I felt I got my own back when the expensive item on the menu which I ordered was not available. However the roast beef hash was excellent. The wall-to wall silver on the buffet was impressive and we were treated like "grandes-dames"

Pros: Great food, considerate service

Cons: Expensive, once in a lifetime experience

Posted 06/10/07

It is always amusing, instructive and even pleasing to read a negative review of a place one loves. THose of us who are Locke-Ober devoteees don't mind calumny hurled at the old girl but we of course want the place to do well else it be closed. What amuses is the extent to which someone can miss the point of the place. Of course, it is sad if someone has been rudely treated but experience shows that often(not always) the treatement has been coaxed out of the staff. Two sad trends have developed in Restaurant Reviews: the first is the resentment of dress codes. Denim of any kind should not be allowed in any restaurant of merit nor should pants suits, leisure suits or other abominations. respect for the older places and the people around one are important(As Grace Kelly rebuked her daughhter's dress one day, "_I_ have to _look_ at you.") A little self-respect and respect for the place goes a very, very long way. The second problem is the complaint that an old restaurant is not exciting, or serving, as we have learned to say, "cutting edge" food or, more bloviatedly, "cuisine>" Locke-Ober serves its traditional fare and some dressed up items that Shire has wisely put on the menu to compete. One goes there for continuity and cream---and butter. Shad Roe were magnificent there last trip, the salads were nice if a little frou-frouy. THe place should not be condemened for not being something. And try the steak tartare...not as of yore (would that it were...it was a great pile of chopped ,meat with all the goodies..now it is a smaller, streamlined version but still excellent.) Coffee is nothing to scream about, though, at least not to aging New Orleanians outside their hunting grounds.

Pros: Tradition, elegance, rich, straightforward food

Cons: Patrons who don;' behave

Posted 03/23/07

We had a reservation at L.Ober for a business dinner with an international client. Upon arrival we were told 2 of the people in our party would not be allowed to enter the main d.room because they were wearing denim; even though they were also wearing blazers and dress shoes with a very tasteful pair of denim pants. And we were not given any dress requirement upon making the reservations. The hostess told our clients they could go home and change, they explained home was far away so then the hostess tells them there is a store around the corner and they can go "buy a pair of pants". We were offered the lounge area for seating, which we took since we did not think it would be possible to wait less than an hour anywhere else. In an effort to try and salvage the evening we ordered a very nice and expensive bottle of wine for our guests. Rather than decant the bottle at the table, it was taken away and brought back to the table already out of the bottle. When we asked to see the manager, we were told to leave. When we tried to explain to the manager that a bottle of wine should be decanted at the table, we were again told to leave. The staff was rude and obnoxious from the moment we walked in, with no respect for anyone in our party. An indivdual in our party was charged for the bottle of wine that we never drank, and he was told by the manager the very nice bottle of wine would be enjoyed by the staff at his expense.
Fortunately, we found a great restaurant near Copley Square called Abe&Louies. The staff was unbelievably pleasant and although they were full with reservations, they accomodated us the next night for a last minute reservation for another business dinner of 9 people (since we cancelled our 2nd reservation at L.Ober due to our experience that night). After our experience it was no wonder the d.room of L.Ober was fairly empty and the dining room of Abe&Louies was full.

Posted 03/13/07

In the early 1970's, while a student at Boston College, I developed a personal tradition of going to Locke-Ober's oince per year, by myself, as an elegant treat. I would save my money all year to make this pilgrimage. Later, after I married, I introduced my wife to the wonderful amibience and food that made Locke-Ober one of my most consistent stops when in Boston. Through the 80's, though the food failed somewhat, the atmosphere and service made the trip worthwhile. I have not been able to visit for at least 10 years, but this editorial and my advancing years, have made a trip to this restaurant a firm target for 2007. It sounds as though the new staff has restored a terrific experience and I look forward to visiting in the near future to see if all is as wonderful as I remember.

Pros: WOnderful for that once a year outing

Cons: Bring your second mortgage or Money Market cards

Posted 02/21/07

My fiance and I had dinner here recently and it was WONDERFUL! The restaurant is gorgeous. It takes you back into time a bit and is a nice refreshing change from all the other restaurants in town. The service was impeccable and the food was out of this world! It is warm and very comfortable inside too. Locke Ober is a true gem in Boston.

Pros: Service, Food, Wine, Valet, Gorgeous Restaurant...

Posted 02/16/07

Now.. I never do this but.....I went to Locke ober and I experienced ..or had the pleasure to watch and be served(?) by one of the greats....really I found out her name by asking the couple next to me.. Carah ....(they spelled it) A bartender like it should be done.....this gal knows her stuff...and it is an art....wonderful to watch...a pleasure.....How many nights do you just go out and order a drink? Don't ... go here when she is working an order something classic,enjoy it, and remember what having a cocktail is all about.........truly a joy....

Pros: carah

Posted 11/14/06

Among the posh and stuffy dining room, the service was not in your face which is a plus for this type of establishment, the waiter had provided us with the right answers to the questions with not much detail, but enough. The food has remained classic while having sort of an asian twist to it...which was really suprising. The lobster savannah is still worth the $62...wine overpriced, but goes along with the feel of the whole restaurant. Basically if you wanna spend alot of money, look fabulous doing it, eat fabulous things this is one of teh best places to do it in boston.

Pros: Menu, service, Valet parking

Cons: dessert, expensive, location

Posted 02/07/06

Reception staff lacks manners. Granddaughters dressed formally for lunch---unfortunately, one had misplaced her shoes, wore sneakers with her suit. The female receptionist whispered to the Maitre' D-- a rudeness itself to whisper in front of guests-- sneakers. He, with delight, told us we would not be permitted in DR bc of sneakers. He offered us places in the lounge, by the bar crowd. BC of our granddaughter, who was on the verge of tears because she saw herself at fault, we accepted. (Woman Bartender was GREAT.)
Leaving, I noted 4 adults leave the formal DR with SNEAKERS on. I can only think your reception staff does not like children, not even civilized children;does not know good judgment; needs instruction on the fundamentals of courtesy/good business. Lastly, your bartender should be running the reception desk; the well-suited duo should be put back in the kitchen, washing the dishes.

B

Pros: The Bartender

Cons: Impolite Receptionist

Posted 11/14/05

My husband and I spent a romantic evening dining at this historic establishment and the memories provided by the wonderful staff and food are priceless. The ambiance will never be matched and the service was impeccable. Even with the dining room at full capacity we felt as if we were the only ones in the room. The food is truly as classsic as the building itself and will keep us coming back for special occasions!

Pros: service, ambiance, service

Cons: price

Posted 06/05/05

The reason to go Locke Ober is that the setting is magnificent. There are many places to go in Boston for dining before this one. To begin, our hostess was surprisingly rude. While polite and friendly, our waiter was not knowledgable about wine, cocktails or the menu.

The food could have made up for all of this, but it was average for fine dining. My dry aged steak was not especially well-marbled and slightly overdone. The appetizers were so-so. The three others I dined with agreed that the food was okay, but nothing to write home about. At these prices and with that type of service, that's not good enough.

Pros: Setting, Fresh ingredients

Cons: , Poor Service, Rude

Posted 12/13/04

I've heard such great things about this restaurant. When I went this past Friday, I was immediately enthralled by the decor; however, my excitement quickly turned into frustration and almost anger when the hostess was shockingly rude to my party. I have eaten all over Boston and at all sorts of places - this spot I thought would be above par with service. Unfortunately, it was not. The hostess made the dining experience less enjoyable and even overshadowed the great waiter we had. Not to mention, my food was only average.

Pros: great decor, nice waiter , delicious apps.

Cons: , food average, stuck up environment

Posted 12/12/04

The food was nothing short of fantastic. The only problem I had was that the helpings were so big I couldn't finish my entree when I got to it. The JFK lobster stew had enough meat in it to fill me. Our waiter was wonderful and courteous. Also, courses came quickly - almost no waiting between them, a big plus for me.
It was very expensive, but sometimes you get what you pay for.

Pros: Large servings, Great food, Courteous staff

Cons: Expensive

Posted 11/09/03

Memory lane called me on my last visit to Boston in March 2003. I had drinks, bisque, & oysters at Locke-Ober's bar. Had my 21st birthday there and many happy times over the years. Food is great, worth the $$$$...

Pros: Fresh food

Cons: Very expensive

Posted 05/17/03

As a long-standing institution that helps define the essence of Boston, Locke-Ober is a restaurant you simply must visit... at least once. I've been several times and plan to go many more. The food is beyond reproach--always fantastic--and the service, while cool, is always professional and will happily warm up to you if you invite them to do so. Try the Lobster Savannah (it's a signature dish that's to die for), and polish off your meal with the Baked Alaska. You'll have a meal to remember for years to come... which is about as long as it'll take you to pay the credit card bill, but it'll be worth it.

Pros: Fantastic Food, Great Service, Unequaled ambiance

Cons: Sound carries--noisy, somewhat pricy

Posted 05/06/03

Being only 21, I'm frequently not accorded the same type of respect that more mature diners are offered when I enter an upscale establishment. But the service at Locke-Ober was some of the most pleasant, respectful, and knowledgeable that I've had (thank you robinson). It will take me a month of work to pay off this one meal, but I'll definitely be back.

Pros: service, food, ambience

Cons: expense

Posted 03/07/03

I was wary of trying this updated classic. Could Ms. Shire refine and not destroy? The answer is a definte yes. My entree was a the classic schnitzel a la Holstein, and it was superb. Yummy appetizers and salads. The service attentive and pleasant, although the woman who seated us was a bit surly and very full of herself. The bartender at the exterior bar was amazingly friendly and made a first class martini. With apologies to Elaine Noble, this is still very much a "guy's" restaurant.

Pros: The room, The food, The wait staff

Cons: The Maitre D, The wine list

Posted 12/12/02

I have always experienced nothing but the best at Locke's!!!!

Posted 06/06/02