Restaurant L
(617) 266-4680
234 Berkeley St
(at Newbury Street)
Boston,
MA
02116
42.3518
-71.0734
Neighborhoods: Black Bay East, Back Bay
Reviews & Ratings for Restaurant L
10 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 10 reviews
Inventive, Asian-tinged modern cuisine combines with a sleek atmosphere to yield Boston's most stylish culinary experience.
by Eric Grossman
June 05, 2007
The Scene
Located inside Louis, Boston's mecca of all things fashionable, L successfully caters to the boutique's moneyed, well-dressed clientele. The main dining room maintains a chic atmosphere with dim lighting and stark, minimalist color scheme. Come summertime, lunching ladies fill the outdoor patio's sun-splashed tables for fantastic views of bustling Newbury Street. When not delivering selections from the bar's impressive wine and beer lists, impeccably groomed waiters and busboys practice their modeling techniques.
The Food
L's forward-thinking menu succeeds by featuring wildly offbeat flavors (lime risotto, salmon cured with ginger and sake) and textures (halibut's crisp Japanese bread-crumb coating rests atop a square of silky tofu). Playful amuse bouches like cocoa-dusted cotton candy keep patrons on their toes. Typical of the ever-changing menu is a tender, oven-roasted free-range chicken entree with baby bok choy and tangy pummelo jam. Leave room for intricate desserts like creamy chocolate-peanut butter mousse.
Best Eating Experience in Back BAY
by jbribakoff
December 28, 2005
One of the best culinary journeys I have ever been on. I was in with my father and best friend, after noticing it would be impossible to only select one or two items from this incredible menu, I asked the GM if the chef would prepare a tasting for us. I was wowed. Chef Pino Maffeo created a five course tasting, with wine pairings that were out-of-this-world delicious. They made a regular out of me and I can't wait to tell my friends, and bring everyone I know. YOU SHOULD DO THE SAME!!!
- Pros: Knowledgeable Servers, Great Wine List, Delicious Food
- Cons: Absolutely None
a unique culinary experience
by slb3440
September 22, 2005
We've dined at Restaurant L twice, for dinner and lunch. Both times, we were very impressed with the food. The menu offered food I find nowhere else in Boston, and truly delivered on flavor. We had the lobster with mini gnocchi and the salmon wrapped in bacon, and both were excellent. The servers were attentive and friendly, withour making us feel rushed in any way. When we left, it felt like we had more than just dinner; we had an event. We were warned about the high prices. However, for all that we got in the meal, it felt like one of the best food deals in town.
- Pros: food, attentive staff, parking
- Cons: finding it
Not recommended
by marfese
August 15, 2005
I went to Restaurant L with some friends who were from out of town because I heard the food was great. When I arrived I was embarrassed because the bartender who was also the manager no only insulted my friend while she was looking over the drink menu, but he continued to bad mouth her to the customers at the bar while we were seated at our table (he didn't see us). When we told our waiter of the incident and asked to speak to the manager, he informed us that the bartender was the manager and not to take his insults to heart. What an unprofessional establishment. I will never eat here again!
- Pros: parking, food
- Cons: management
A Royal Treat!!!!
by hitwoman007
July 23, 2005
This was my 3rd dining experience at "L" and guaranteed not to be my last. The food is absolutely delectible! We were treated to an assortment of the exquisite cuisine, all of which dazzled our palates! The service is outstanding and the General Manager chose the perfect wine companions for each course! The chef prepared every selection with pure love, evident in both the presentation and the flavor! A truly delightful experience!!!!
- Pros: Unique Cuisine, Incomparable Service, Great Ambiance
Appalling!!!!!!!
by stm
June 29, 2005
Lunch today was the most disapponting meal I have had in Boston at a restaurant that has received excellent reviews. We were seated immediately and handed menus. After 25 minutes we had to ask for a server to come to our table to take our order. The server did not ask for a drink order. We had to stop him in his exit from the table to order wine. The daytime manager was dressed inappropriately and at one point came to our table to grab the salt grinder for another table. But we were usng it. He eventually brought us a dish of salt. I have never been treated as poorly at a "highly rated" restaurant in Boston. And for just ok food. I will never recommend this restaurant.
- Pros: parking, design, bread
- Cons: service, service, manager
restaurant L wonderful - outstanding
by live8
June 28, 2005
just fabulous - go there and find out for yourself/ it's not your old 1980's 90's louis cafe it's the only cutting edge eating establishment in New England
Wonderful!
by stefz41
May 24, 2005
We went to L to celebrate. From begining to end, we couldn't have asked for more. The ambiance is asian enspired with stark simplicity that somehow still creates a warm elegance. The food was excellent, we tried the duck -amazing and the scallops - perfect. We both had the endive and stilton salad - delicious. The only slight disappointment was the tuna tartar, the cumin was slightly overpowering, but still very good. The most memorable part of the evening was our waiter, Josh, who tended to every need without being asked. Our wine glasses were always full and he was full of knowledge about the items on the menu. He was dead on about the Peanut Butter and Jelly Dessert which was just decadent! Michael, the manager, was wonderful and between he and Josh they made our evening memorable. We will certainly return!
- Pros: Parking, Excellent Service
Excellent Food, BAD service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by luvthebest
April 15, 2005
Truly, the food was GREAT enough to cover other weaknesses, however, for me, BAD service which doesn't match to the food bothered me sooooo much. At first, the waitress who took charge of us, didn't show up until we said to another staff that we were ready to order ( it took about 20min until then) and then she didn't give us breads. We even had to wait for a long time between appetizers and entrees. Of course, she didn't ask us how things were.
If you wish good food, I recommend this place but NOT FOR SERVICE..
- Pros: good food, good parking
- Cons: bad servie, bad service
It's getting better...
by mamateli
February 23, 2005
I've been to Restaurant L a couple of times, both for lunch and dinner, and I've noticed quite a change in the service. The menu hasn't changed much over the last few months, but my service has improved dramatically. I highly recommend "L" to anyone who wants a dining experience that is both fun and "technically correct."
- Pros: Service, Management, Wine List
