The burger here is unique and tasty. The fries are plentiful, and their raw bar is also good and fresh. It is a tad on the pricy side, but so is everything in Washington Square that is comparable. I'd visit again.
(4)
Meg V.
YUM! We came here for brunch of my boyfriend's birthday and it was awesome. Everything we had - from the bread to our after-meal coffee drinks - was delicious! The prices were a bit high but this isn't a breakfast diner or Eagle's Deli... so it shouldn't be shocking to see $10+ items on the menu. I highly recommend and can't wait to go back and order those gingerbread waffles again!
(5)
Kathleen C.
Conundrum. Really cute spot with great atmosphere (5) and delicious food (4). However, the prices were very high for the food (2) and I wasn't happy with the price-value ratio. The servers were somewhat friendly, but not overly so (3) - to start, they put us in a table right near a main walkway - and didn't take our reservation off of open table. The portion size on the appetizers was generous. The entree sizes were ok, but nothing spectacular. The restaurant was packed - so, I assume this is a popular spot. I would visit again, I just would probably eat an appetizer for dinner.
(3)
Joanna F.
New favorite restaurant? I came in with some friends and my boyfriend on a Friday night armed with a Groupon. We were seated immediately thanks to our reservation. This in itself impressed me considering lately I've noticed a disturbing trend of having to wait even if a reservation is made. I love the atmosphere here. It's so cozy yet modern and obviously the fireplace is a nice touch. The service was also impeccable. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. The wine list was impressive and they had some interesting beers on tap also. And the menu was amazing. Everything looked so good and I was pretty torn about what to get. We settled on the steak tips with horseradish cream and arugula for an appetizer and I decided on the scallops and pork belly confit for my entree. All of the food was amazing. The food was arranged beautifully on the plate, and everything was cooked perfectly (which is occasionally hard to do with scallops). I don't like carrots, but the roasted carrots, rutabaga and turnips on the side were spectacular. The pork belly was a little too rich for me, but that's no fault of the restaurant. We liked the meal so much that we decided to split dessert. My boyfriend and I split the chocolate cake. Served warm, it was absolutely delicious. Very rarely do I go to a restaurant where absolutely everything is done perfectly and every morsel I eat is great. This was a five star experience and it wasn't super expensive either. My only complaint is that I wish this restaurant was closer to where I live!
(5)
Sarah K.
The recent change in weather reminded me of this place. I haven't been up to Boston in a while, but I used to live walking distance from The Fireplace. I never had anything here that I didn't think was tasty. I remember the roast chicken was pretty terrific. The drinks were always lovely as well. The first time I came here was for drinks for a friend's birthday, and I was glad she picked it since I had been wanting to try it out. It's nice place to go on a date, sip drinks with friends, or even take your parents. Everyone will enjoy it. I love that the menu is seasonal as well. Guarantees everything will be that much more delicious.
(4)
Gabriele C.
Hubby took me here for belated birthday dinner. We were seated right next to the fireplace - toasty warm but not overwhelming. Dining area is open and spacious, high ceiling, yet cozy feeling with warm colors and soft lighting. Jazz in the background was present but not too loud. Started with a cheese plate (featuring Weston wheel and Tarentaise, complimented very nicely by chutney and marinated fruit) and beautiful pear & pomegranate salad. He had house-aged rib eye - generous portion of rich, flavorful beef cooked to perfection (medium-rare) with hearty mushroom bread pudding and roasted Brussels sprouts & cauliflower. I had the pan-seared scallops - almost crispy outside and juicy just-done inside - with toasty lobster hash. The winter shandy cocktail paired well with the cheese plate. The grape vine cocktail was very herbal - maybe a little heavy on the chartreuse? - but the toasty flavors and caramelized glaze of my dish stood up to it pretty well. Looking forward to trying other seasonal offerings here in the future!
(5)
Jessie C.
I finally made it to the Fireplace! Yay! I've heard a variety of reviews on the place - good and bad but I was still excited to try it. A friend of mine had a groupon for it so we decided that dinner would be a good idea. I arrived a little early and everyone was super nice. They were understanding when my friend was running a little late and didn't give our table away or anything. Although it was a tuesday night... Anyways, once we were seated, our waiter(s) came right over. She was training and her trainer was near-by. She did a great job. Both were very friendly, answered all of our questions and didn't rush us or anything. I ordered the risotto which was fantastic! they really give you a big portion so you get your money's worth. My friend ordered the half chicken and it was a HUGE portion which was awesome as well. Overall we had a good experience. I'd be happy to go back anytime.
(5)
Shea D.
The Fireplace's Thanksgiving take-out deals saved our Thanksgiving! A few weeks ago I asked Margot G. what our plans were for Thanksgiving since I opted to come up and keep her company while she studied. She somewhat inaudibly said something about Chinese food. Me: *blank stare* (through a cell phone by the by, not easy to do...) Me: "Um, excuuuuuse me?!? No no no no. Let me handle this." The nice people on the Boston Talk threads directed me towards The Fireplace over the Whole Foods option, and I'm very thankful they did (see what I did there?). Unlike other Thanksgiving take-out deals, you can pick and choose what you want from the Fireplace's menu. I opted for the following: 1 pound of turkey (white & dark meat): $12 1 pint of cornbread and bacon stuffing: $9 1 pint of turkey gravy: $6 1 pint of butternut squash bisque: $10 My only criticism is that the items were a little expensive for the amount that you get. However, even after the "reheating" process, everything was delicious and totally made our Thanksgiving a good one. Next year, if you're planning on doing something like this, I would say do what I did: buy the items that take an insanely long time to prep from The Fireplace, and then make the secondary items yourself (biscuits, rice, dessert, etc.).
(4)
Ken L.
I base my expectations for a restaurant on the food costs. The higher the cost, the more I expect. Entrees here were over $30 with a good, but not so special, Caesar salad costing $10. I spent $42 for a bottle of wine which was at the low end of the scale. I guess I should have gone to the $50-$60 level. The first thing I notice is a tacky cardboard triangle sitting on the table advertising their catering services. I expect this type of thing in a place with $12 meals, not in an upscale restaurant. They served each of us one roll. The rolls were good, but we were never asked if we would like another roll. The silverware provided consisted of one knife and one fork. After I finished my salad, I removed both from the plate. Two others at my table left their silverware on the salad plates. When the plates were cleared, my silverware remained, but the silverware from the plates were taken away. The entrees were later delivered with no additional silverware. We had to wait and ask someone for some silverware so we could begin eating our entrees. When I ordered my Duck, I was asked by the waitress how I would like it done. I told her medium. The portion was of a reasonable size. The duck was sliced and stacked so I had to start eating from the left side of the stack. I found the duck doneness rare to medium rare. I didn't want to spoil the situation for others at the table (who had picked the restaurant) so I figured I could eat it as it was. However, the further I got to the left, the rawer the meat got until by the time I got to the last two pieces, they were completely raw. I'm not sure if the chef deliberately hid the raw pieces under the the others or it just happened that way. When we were done eating, a water came over and asked if we wanted any of the remaining food boxed up to take home. Because there was a short discussion about the answer to his question, the water got impatient and left before we could answer his question. Finally came the end where I ordered decaf coffee. They provided cream, but no sweetener. I had to wait to ask for some. When I tasted the coffee, the temperature was just a bit higher than room temperature. I was never asked if I wanted a refill. I feel that I definitely did not get my money's worthy at this restaurant. I see no reason to give them another chance.
(2)
Elizabeth S.
This restaurant is pure class. I came here for my birthday, and the bartender was delightfully kind and made me feel very special on the occasion. I was carded (in this lovely state of Massachusetts, I'm sure I'll be carded when I'm 40) and the bartender looked at the date on my ID and wished me a happy birthday. I ordered a strawberry-mint martini, which he generously comped. It was delicious. He also made special off-the-menu libations for my friends, including tasty raspberry mojitos. The food is lovely. I wouldn't go here all the time, but it's great for a celebration, a special date, or a dinner with the parents. While the restaurant is hardly a party place, it does feature live music every now and then - pretty cool.
(5)
Allie M.
Really cool space, great menu. The cheese plates are really good! Definitely get one when you come here! Three stars because the award winning burger was just a burger and pretty pricey for what it was. Also, the wait staff was attentive but not very nice or friendly.
(3)
Mike H.
I lived up the street from The Fireplace, and for the longest time, I wanted to go there for a nice classy dinner. The location of it in Washington Square is totally top notch, situated right on the corner of Washington & Beacon, and when I finally got to go there, I was beyond excited. Maybe I had hyped it up too much in my mind, maybe I went on a wrong night, or maybe my stomach actually wanted something else, but no matter what the reason was, upon leaving, I did not leave with the yummy-yummy-in-my-tummy feeling that I thought I would have, and walked home (and I think ordered Chinese food). Upon sitting down, I realized quite quickly that what waitstaff there were on duty that night were pandering to this large table that I'm assuming had already gone through about 8 bottles of wine. As a former waiter, I understand: big tables means big tips, especially if they're putting the wine away like there's no tomorrow, but really, come on. There's no need to basically spoon feed them when there are other people in the restaurant. My friend and I asked for rolls and the server came back and more or less just threw them down on our table and walked back to the big table. At this point, I was determined to get the experience since I had waited so darn long to come here. Once the food came though, everything was forgotten for the time being. I put away the Fireplace Rib-eye which was cooked exactly how I wanted it. My friend ordered the Pan Seared Scallops which were also delectable. The food was overall very good and we also had a bottle of Pinot Grigio that the table next to us recommended since they were having the exact same meal. (They were more help and personable than the waiter who was non-existent). Overall, I'd say go for the food, but don't expect stellar service if there is another party that looks like they're going to blow money there.
(3)
Cybil W.
Fireplace, Fireplace, first off i live down the street and each time i pass you by i was so curious as to what you had to offer. So i finally gave you a chance, my love's birthday was this past Tuesday and figured what a fitting place that is both close to home and also one that we have not tried yet. The service was nothing special, in fact at one point we already had our bottle of distilled water but this waitress came up and poured iced water into my boyfriend's glass. What is the point in that? She definitely should have paid attention and saw that we had bottled water hence there was no need for her to come up with iced water. Maybe she was on autopilot oh well, anyways we ordered a bunch of food, i must say the lobster mac and cheese was awesome we got that as a small app, my boyfriend got the ribeyesteak and i got the scallops and the sauce was just perfection. Portions are pretty filling without making you feel like an overstuffed huge bear. No desert because i bought this huge cake already .. Ohhh and for drinks i got the brookline blossom and my bf got the one above that. Pretty tasty, brookline blossom is definitely a strong drink but that how i like them.
(4)
Florina K.
The service was very good here. The mini lobster rolls - lobster didn't taste fresh..and was a bit dried.... The steak - the quality of the meat wasn't bad.... But the sauce they covered it with really killed it completely....and the edges of my steak were hard as rock because they were so charred. I finally tried this place because of groupon, not sure if I will come back... The French fries with truffle oil were also good!! Too bad they got mixed up with the steak's funky sauce...
(3)
Catie F.
I really like the food here, but the prices are WAY TOO HIGH. If you don't have a Groupon or a discount, prepare to empty your wallet. Cocktails are great - I love the fancy, fun menu. Bread is amazing with brunch or dinner, one of my fave things there and they give you a big warm piece. :) Brunch menu I loved, crispy duck hash and french toast were our hands-down favorites. The cornmeal waffles were pretty good. Came for restaurant week dinner also, which I don't recommend. Portions are downsized and the menu just isn't as good as normal. The swordfish was the only plate worth getting but it was delicious and served with lots of veggies on the side (peppers, artichoke, tomato). Ravioli had literally six tiny ones on the plate. Desserts offered were off-menu. The on-menu ones looked much better. Much better. The ones we had were not impressive at all, sadly. Do not order the johnny cakes if you like a sweet dessert. Advice: come with a sugar daddy or sugar momma, and order off the real menu.
Bottom line: The 2-star rating is more a reflection on "bang for your buck." I don't think with the prices, you can truly call it a "neighborhood" restaurant. Apps are around $12, and Entrees range from $23 to 35, with most entrees upwards of $30. For those prices, I would really expect a great meal. And when compared to the prices and quality of food at other restaurants (Petit Robert, Gaslight, or Hungry Monther) Fireplace doesn't even compare. The quanity of food is tremendous - the scallops and pork belly ($29)were plentiful. The pan-roasted duck and duck confit ($33) was also a sizable dish. The food was pretty good -- not great, just good. My duck was supposed to be medium rare and was definitely overcooked. The service was pretty good and I have no complaints. There were two minor details I found to be annoyances -- the chairs are wooden chairs and quite uncomfortable. Also, being at the major intersection of Washington and Beacon, a lot of headlights flash through the main entrance, and are a bit annoying. It would be nice if they could just close the curtain they have by the door at night. So, not a bad restaurant, great portions and good food. But given the prices, I think you can get much better meals for your money elsewhere.
(2)
Brian W.
I guess I shouldn't have been expecting too much going to a place called "The Fireplace" in the middle of August, but this place failed to meet even lowered expectations. The place is smaller than it looks inside, which is never a good sign, but the ambiance is pretty good and the tables are just far enough apart and at different angles so you don't feel like you're on a double date with strangers. What really hurt my opinion of this place is the absolutely terrible service. After we ordered our entrees we only saw our waitress again when she handed us the check. We had to ask the dude filling up our water glasses to help locate our missing gluten free bread, to give us missing condiments, and eventually to give us our check. I really hope that our slightly over 10% tip went directly to this overworked bus boy. This lousy service left a bad taste in our mouth despite the fact that the actual food we ordered was quite good. The "humble offering" breaded pork cutlets were tasty (but dry) and for $20 they were a steal. They have an extensive gluten-free menu and pretty good bread (if you can track it down). We won't be back until our favorite bus boy gets promoted to the waiter position he deserves.
(2)
Caitlin R.
My boyfriend and I went to The Fireplace last week and walked out confused about the service. Our food was incredible and the ambiance was great but we didn't feel like our service was all that great. Rather than just complain on Yelp, I emailed the restaurant to explain my concerns from the previous night. Not only did the GM get right back to me, but she addressed our concerns and couldn't have been nicer. I'd highly suggest The Fireplace to anyone looking for quality, fresh local food and excellent commitment to the customer.
(4)
Puma E.
We hunted down the fireplace and made reservations with open table ahead of time. The place was cozy and ridiculously loud! (I actually ventured over to 7/11 for tylenol before the check came.) Our waiter was awesome. Gluten free menu had a TON of options, and this place definitely claims to handle allergies well. My food was just okay. They offer house-made gluten free bread that might be likened to a cracker/cardboard pancake, but at least they're trying. I'd rather see them serve awesome Udi's gluten free rolls. Soup arrived with gluten containing cheese, so had to be sent back, but the correct one was good. Chicken, which is their signature dish, was just okay ... maybe it was cooked for lunch and reheated for our dinner? Eh. Duck salad was pretty good. Burger was a-ok, but nothing special, and entirely too big for the english muffin it was served on. Epically long service. Epic. Overpriced for quality. I was so excited thanks to their gluten free menu, but I was pretty bummed it wasn't better.
(3)
Harvey F.
I was there last night (11-27). It was a truly enjoyable time. We were seated on time, the food was great, the service was fine, and we all really enjoyed the experience. The place was very busy, but there was no stress evident anywhere. Bravo!
(5)
Josephine L.
This is only a review for their Fireside Chat, as I haven't had a full meal here. I came for the June 26 Fireside Chat featuring Cool Summer Cocktails. 4 cocktails + 3 app-sized food pairings. And they were all good! The first cocktail, the Parisian Kiss, was my absolute favorite. It tastes sweet and refreshing and is so easy to make (they had a list of the cocktails and their ingredients for everyone to look at)--St. Germain (elderflower liquer) and sparkling rose. That was it. Other cocktails were the cucumber martini (surprisingly refreshing, considering I don't really like cucumber cocktails), a super-sweet cocktail with pineapple whose name I can't remember but was too sweet for me, and a raspberry/pomegranate infusion that the host said he'd just made up. Aside from the last one, I think the others are actual Fireplace cocktails and would highly recommend the Parisian Kiss. Because who doesn't like being kissed by a gorgeous French person? The food pairings were interesting. I really like the oyster Rockefeller and didn't mind chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. Portions were enough for a small meal and everything was good enough to warrant a second visit back to try a full meal. The restaurant is also super-cute. Love the unique, almost eclectic decor.
(5)
p z.
Food is excellent. Order got a bit delayed but was worth the wait and staff more than made up for it. We were with good company and didn't mind anyway. Great cheese plate with fruit marinated in wine. Steak was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Good desserts.
(5)
Tim C.
Sunday brunch here scored a solid, "Meh." Gazpacho was run-of-the mill, like you might expect in a hospital cafeteria. In August, the height of tomato season, I was expecting a lot more. And I had to wait for a spoon, since spoons weren't part of the table service. Our tea-drinking pal said, "What the heck, a fork works ok," to stir honey into his tea. Two in our party had the burgers for which The Fireplace evidently has a reputation and they said they were good. The burgers came with nice-looking, and reported tasty, French fries. But I had the veggie burger. It was served with a large mound of sweet potato fries. The burger was a huge patty, largely flavorless, that tasted like not-so-good, roughly mashed potatoes, though by its texture I'm guessing beans were part of the mix, too. It was nothing like a burger, just a big flabby unappealing blob. The only saving grace was the brioche roll which was very good. I took a few bites of the burger-roll-tomato-lettuce-red onion package but it wasn't worth eating. The sweet potato fries were limp and utterly uninteresting. I nibbled on a few trying to find one that wasn't soggy but I soon gave up. I felt bad wasting so much food but it just wasn't good enough to eat. Service was enthusiastic if a bit slow. The house-made lemonade was nicely balanced between sweet and tart.
(2)
John S.
The Fireplace is dressed like Old Money, but dances like Young Hotness. The menu is inventive, the service is excellent, and the food is executed very well. There wasn't one think I ate that I didn't like there and would happily go back when next I'm in the area. I suggest you do the same.
(5)
Michelle L.
fancy prices for very unfancy food. ordered a gin gin mule - a glass supposed to be rimmed with crystallized ginger. no rim of crystallized ginger. i took a sip, and it was literally a glass of fresh-squeazed lemon juice. have you ever tried plain lemon juice? it's insanely acidic. lemonade is not just lemon juice! it's watered down and sweetened for a reason. this was $6 and inedible! then i had what i thought was going to be TWO jumbo kobe hot dogs. well, there were two, but they were put in ONE bun and i really wanted to give one to my date! the apple slaw was nice, (no mayo, thankfully), and the fries w/ cheddar and truffles were good, but the potato hashbrown thing was so chilly, it had clearly been sitting a while. this was $24 my date had a bourbon and a wheat beer, and the braised beef which came with potatos and broccoli. there was very little meat (there was a huge piece of tendon), the potatos were tough to eat and the sauce over the plate and broccoli reminded me wayyyy too much of chinese beef & broccoli! the plate was $36. i don't remem. how much his drinks were. we got the check and it wasn't ours - it had only two items and was about $50. so, being nice, we told our waiter he'd given us the wrong slip (even though everyone else dining had left). our total was $83. we left a $15 tip. service was slow. i'm giving it two stars b/c they allow dogs to join you if you eat outside, and even though we didn't bring ours, this was a thoughtful perk. we won't be returning, though.
(2)
Jennifer N.
Remember that line from Jerry Maguire that everyone loved -- "you had me at hello"? Well, The Fireplace lost me at hello. Literally. I walked into the restaurant on Friday night at 7:30 and said to the hostess "Hi, I have a reservation for 2." As she was escorting me to my table, she smiled and said "just so you know, we have a big party coming at 9:30 and we want to seat them here." I said, "Oh, well, if we're still eating, I guess you'll have to find somewhere else." And she said, "We have a lovely bar. You could always sit at the bar." I said, "I didn't make reservations for the bar, sweetie." So, within the first thirty seconds of entering the Fireplace, I was pretty much convinced that the staff was rude -- I mean, if I make a reservation for 7:30, I can sit there until 10:30 if I want to. I'm a paying customer, right? And isn't it the restaurant's job -- not mine -- to figure out how to space reservations? Along comes our waiter (I'll call him UW, short for unfriendly waiter). He was obviously disgruntled, and completely uninterested in doing anything service-oriented. This is a man who should be shouting "Tall espresso at the bar!" This is not a man who should be working in a supposedly nice restaurant. Here's an example: my friend says "what would you recommend?" He says "Uh. Everything." Or when we ask what's in the cookie plate (a dessert option-- I'll return to the disastrous cookie plate later), he turns and -- I swear -- shouts to some guy in the kitchen "What's in the cookie platter?" It made me feel like I was ordering a tall no-foam latte at Starbucks, not an $8.50 cookie platter. The food: we kept it simple- which is really the only option given how ridiculously overpriced and deeply old school the menu is. When I say "old school," I mean that everything is heavy (included what's listed under "lighter fare" -- steak, haddock, and chicken. Since when is steak "lighter fare"?!) Not only that, but the prices are just insane: scallops for $32? Really?! I had the caeser salad with roasted chicken, which was absolutely fine though the chicken had a kind of maple glaze which didn't complement the tanginess of the salad at all. (Sidenote- the salad was $18. In my mind, an $18 salad should be so good that it makes drool spill from the corners of my mouth. Needless to say, I wasn't spilling drool). My dearest friend had the pear salad, which she really enjoyed, and the shrimp cocktail appetizer, which was simple and good but nothing extraordinary, particularly refined, or deeply exciting. Of course, simple is fine, but again -- the prices here are high enough (the entrees are between $28-$38) that the food should really be much, much better than it is. Other awkward things happened: we ended up staying past 9:30, as did a number of other tables that were seated in our section, so Fireplace was scrambling to find a place for its "large" (about 10 people) party. Tables were moved leaving strange gaps in the dining space. Then the tables were moved back to their original location only to be moved again. It was like one big game of musical tables. Then came the true disaster of the evening - dessert. We asked UW to tell us about the cookie plate. He said "It's cookies. Sugar, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip- mixed together." Now, I'm not an English teacher, but "mixed together"? Is it one big mixed up cookie? Or is it three cookies on one plate? My friend asks "is it three cookies?" He says "it could be. Or it could be 2." If it's sugar, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip, how could it be 2? You can imagine our confusion. Nonetheless, we went ahead and ordered the aforementioned cookie plate. As we were waiting, the table next to us received a cookie plate (which looked good - from a distance) and we saw them curiously poking it. It turned out they received our cookie plate which our waiter, upon realizing his error, tried to give us -- the lovely woman at the next table said "Actually, I touched those cookies!" and our waiter said "Oh, I guess I'll have to get you a new cookie plate." (Um. Obviously. The woman at the next table looked really clean, but we're not eating cookies she fondled). The cookie plate that he ended up bringing us was literally half the size of the one he took away. Not only that, but -- and here I'm quoting my dear friend -- the cookies could be weapons of mass destruction. They were small bricks. Those cookies were virtually indestructible and, of course, inedible. Think day old Au Bon Pain cookies (and I almost feel I'm being unfair to Au Bon Pain by making this comparison). And guess what? When UW came back, and we had left the cookie plate virtually untouched, it didn't even occur to him to say "is everything OK with the cookies?" He just threw down the check like he didn't give a sh*t. All of this to say one simple thing: Fireplace, get your act together or your ship will sink.
(1)
Deb a.
Hostess is rude and abrasive. Food is good. Service is good. Price for dinner I'd higher. Price for lunch is reasonable.
(3)
Adam B.
Had some seriously good food, but the service was terrible! So slow. Kinda ruins the meal if you wait so long you forget what you ordered. Also, the hostess took 10 mins just to tell me how long the wait would be (the place was empty and I even had to remind her what she was doing). Go for the food, nothing else.
(3)
Jas L.
this isn't a bad place, but there really isn't much that you can adore. the food is decent/good. they have some twists on some basic items. The space is cute, small, and I'd reckon a good spot for that first date, because it's not very expensive, but it has a good charm appeal and your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner etc will really relax around the close and comfortable setting. I took the EGG SANDWICH and it was sorta shrugs... i mean you really can't screw this one up, or shouldn't. I went for brunch. you won't find many brunch options around these parts, and that makes it especially inviting for those wanting to eat after early/noon graduations/parties.
(3)
Fred R.
The high point of Fireplace is the food which is very well prepared. Having said that, the prices are very high when compared to other comparable restaurants in the area. There were a few low points to our evening: we had a reservation but waited for 1/2 hour to get seated and the special cocktail I ordered (which was supposed to contain pear, pomegranate and grapefruit flavors) tasted like Bourbon on the rocks.
(3)
Dan C.
This place is absolutely disgusting. The place is dirty, the wait staff is horrible, and the food stinks. Everything about the place, upon taking a closer look, was absolutely gross and dirty. If I went at night, I probably wouldn't have noticed. The wait staff I had was pretty bad and completely non-attentive. The food is worse than any low end cafeteria - I considered myself lucky nobody in my party got sick. I don't even want to talk about the food because it's that bad. Honestly, I have no idea how or why people go here considering the solid options in the area. It's a great location and looks cool from outside (real wood burning fireplace) but that's it. Everything else about this place screams stay away.
(1)
Amanda B.
I think I need to go back to The Fireplace for another meal. A small group of us went for brunch a couple of weeks ago to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a nice time! Not froo-froo or too fancy, but cozy and nice. The food was pretty straightforward. I ordered a breakfast basic: two eggs (over hard), bacon and homefries. The eggs were cooked perfectly! The homefries were good and cooked with veggies like peppers and onions which gave them a bit more flavor even if I didn't eat all of the veggies. I also had a yummy mimosa. I had been deciding between a cup of soup and an interesting-looking salad and in retrospect, perhaps I should have ordered that instead. It's just hard for me to pass up breakfast food!! My friends all seemed to enjoy their food and would definitely come back. The service was really good. The waitress was very on top of things and made sure everyone had plenty of coffee. You wish it cost less (yes, a common theme in my Yelping). Despite the cost, I do hope I make it back to The Fireplace!
(3)
B Y.
Went here 2 months ago with my boyfriend. Just didn't have time to write a review. We went here for lunch. It wasn't that busy, but they were clearly understaffed. We got seated at a table in the back and then got neglected for at least 10 minutes. I had to ask another server for water and then he realized that our server never got to us. She finally came out an apologized, but then she got our order wrong. She didn't adjust our bill even though we pointed out her mistake to her multiple times. Only saving grace was that the food was delicious. Service needs to be better.....a lot better!!
(3)
Vivian C.
"This could have been a *good* meal!" I lamented softly to myself, to my dining companion, to the air, as we walked back to the car... It started off well - the hostess was welcoming and our table was ready for us despite the fact that we were a bit early for our reservation. The waiter who greeted us above the din offered (all on his own!) to see about a quieter table for us since the upper floor was rather occupied by a range of parties heartily enjoying their conversations. He ended up finding us a corner table downstairs, and released our business to one of the waitresses that covered that area. Our waitress was there when we needed her, provided us with the correct utensils for each course (sharp knifes with entrees, spoons with dessert) in a timely manner. So in my opinion the service was much improved over our first visit. Oh, and the bread was served (slightly) warm from a basket with softened butter pats! However, I had returned to The Fireplace for two specific items (and I had even checked the online menu to make sure they were still being offered) - 1) Butternut Squash Bisque with Great Hill Blue Cheese & Crispy Pumpkin Seeds $10 Bowl, $5 Cup... just as yummy as I remembered! Creamy, not too sweet. And this time I could taste the Blue Cheese - it was in the creamy white swirl! 2) Butterscotch Bread Pudding with Rum Drunken Raisins and Fresh Whipped Cream $8.50 - I'll talk more about this one later... For entrees, I decided to try something new, so I selected the Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cheesy Cornmeal Porridge & Garlicky Broccoli $30. It was SO GOOD! The meat - which arrived on two large flat bones - was so tender! The flavor was yummy. The cornmeal mush cheesey tasty. The garlicky broccoli, which looked rather plain at first glance, turned out to be so wonderfully garlicky. (can you tell I like cheese and garlic?) Everything was yummy individually as well as together! I also ordered a side of sauteed spinach $4 for some additional green to my meal; it was good, but not as stand-out as the broccoli in my opinion. I tasted my friend's special of the day, (which in layman's terms was) sliced lamb covered with ground pepper, a shredded potato cake, and baby zucchini for $29 - tasty, but loved mine more! With a deliciously warming appetizer, a wonderful comforting entree, and acceptable service behind me, I was looking forward to a re-run of their swoon inducing butterscotch bread pudding... but when it arrived... Huh? What happened? Instead of a repeat of two yummy disks of butterscotch goodness, I was served a single (smaller?) hockey puck garnished with raisins and whipped cream. I could not help but to express my disappointment (also, I figured I'd give them the chance to do something about it, instead of just Yelping without giving them a chance - can you tell that I read that article inc.com/magazine/2010020… from the Yelp board?) to both the dessert server and our waitress. (Half the portion at a higher cost? That's just wrong.) But the fellow who brought out the plates said he couldn't do anything but would mention it to our waitress (he also commented that the circle shape was new, that they used to slice the pudding), while the waitress asked when my last visit was (Oct 2009) and stated that oh, that was the fall menu, it is a different dessert now! Um... no. It had made a deep impression on me so I remember (not to mention, I yelped it, and photographed it) and the verbal description on the menu was exactly the same (I copied and pasted the names of the dishes from their online menu when I wrote each review). [ps - I suspect there was a different dessert plater in the kitchen than on our first night, since the strawberry wasn't decoratively sliced this time and the plating was quite different... but shouldn't portion sizes remain the same no matter the plater?] Then I tasted it... good, but definitely not swoon-worthy. So sad! The Cranberry Pear Crisp with Brown Sugar Oat Crumble & Cinnamon Ice Cream $8.50 was still good, but the Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie with Toasted Almond Espresso Brittle & Coffee Cream $8.50 which arrived as a pair of pies, each larger than my individual butterscotch puck, was unfortunately a bit dry (the cake) and would have been better off with more of the chocolate sauce which decorated the plate. (I would have asked for more sauce, but no one checked on us until it was time for the bill.) With such a miss for the final course, I unfortunately cannot give the fourth star (the fan star) I had hoped to be able to offer after the experience with my entree. I would have been better off ending my meal with another serving of that soup! Tip - there's a small lot (entrance on Washington St) just behind the restaurant, shared by the businesses on the block. *** 6/2010 *** A revisit of the Braised Beef Short Ribs entree was sadly a miss. Consistency does not seem to be their middle name.
(3)
Mark B.
Went here with a Living Social deal. Great live jazz music. Excellent food all around. The maple chicken was perfection. Great for a nice night out on a busy fun street!
(4)
Jen D.
I can't say enough good things about the Fireplace. This is one of my regular spots for drinks, food, and jazz. I've always had great service, delicious food (a bit pricey, but worth it if you can spend the cash), and tasty cocktails. I've almost always gone in the evening/nighttime, but I had brunch here once and it was so tasty. I've gone to one of their Halloween parties and Fireside chats and had a great time. It's a nice place, but relaxed and comfy. The bartenders are so friendly, as is the owner. The bread is worthy of salivating. They also provide their services to NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusett's annual fundraiser. Any business that supports women's rights is aces in my book.
(5)
Wendy L.
This is a cozy spot in Washington Square. I've been here twice for dinner on weekdays and never had to make a reservation before 7. Their steak is really good here and cooked very well. I like medium rare steak and a lot of places tend to overcook it but The Fireplace does a decent job. We started off with Mini Lobster Rolls with Apple Slaw. I was a little surprised that the lobster was actually warm. I assume they mixed lemon juice with the lobster because there was a tangy taste to it. This was a decent size starter and was pretty filling. $22 is on the pricer side though...I've gotten an entire lobster roll with more lobster at that price. I had the Signature Fireplace Rib Eye Steak because I remembered it being really good last time. I LOVE the steak sauce on this dish, the hash potato, wild mushroom, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. It has a lot of flavor and I really enjoy the sides that come with this dish. The steak itself was a little more charred than I like but it was cooked well. I had a bite of the Bavette Steak as well and I actually think that is a more tender cut. However, that dish lacks the delicious sauce that comes with the Fireplace Ribeye. Overall, this place is pricey but the steak is pretty good. Four stars for their steak definitely. The service could be better though and they really cramp the tables around the fireplace. Perhaps it was because they had a private event at the other part of the restaurant.
(4)
Robert V.
The food at fireplace is fine, but for the money, I would expect something more. Basically, the food is kind of boring, stuff you could (almost) make at home. Service and ambience is fine, just doesn't seem worth the price.
(3)
SunnyDay D.
UGH--would not go back if it were the LAST place to eat in Boston. Honestly, I wouldn't. In fact, I don't even walk / pass by thinking, "oh, i wish i had a better experience". Went with a friend for brunch--first visit and BOY were we disappointed. NONE of our food was cooked well (raw sausage patty, under cooked hashbrowns.. you get the picture). The worst part was all the "water bottles" (which are vintage milk bottles) we could see from table to table (the restaurant wasn't' full) were FILTHY--FILTHY... you could see the food stuck inside, and I'm pretty sure the bottle on our table had a spot of mold in the bottom. ICK. so needless to say, after all that I can't see myself ever going back.... sad, so sad a neighborhood hotspot crossed off my list.
(1)
Anonymous H.
I went to The Fireplace for the first time last night and had a great experience. Our waiter, Javier, had been there since the place opened (in 2001). They have an excellent wine selection and we had a great bottle of Cabernet. Their bread is very good and we also started off with a cheese and sausage plate that was delicious. I had the braised beef short ribs and my boyfriend had their famous burger - both meal were excellent. Needless to say, we will be going back!
(4)
william g.
Had a 7pm RESERVATION on a Monday night, sat outside, waited 20 minutes before we were even offered the opportunity to order a drink, then we were brought the wrong bottle of wine, one double the price of what we had ordered, then waited another 25 minutes, still, no wine, finally went inside and mentioned this to hostess, our server, WAY UNDER-TRAINED, finally took our order, STILL, no sign of anything but water glasses on our table now 50 minutes from when we sat down. A manager should have been at our table at least making an excuse, at best an apology, but nope. Finally, we informed the hostess that we were leaving. With entrees upwards of $36.00, this is completely unacceptable service. TGI Friday's? Yes, Fireplace? No. And back to the prices, they are WAY out of line with reality. A lamb shank for $36, seriously? ITS A LAMB SHANK, It's a low cost, tough, sinewy, fatty piece of meat, that's why it needs to be braised! Must be using one hell of an expensive red wine in that braising liquid or hand picking the ultimate Heritage wool ball from Mary's 'salad bar' sheep spa in Vermont's version of the Shenandoah valley A SIDE ORDER of Lobster mac and cheese for $18?? With so may other outstanding restaurants respecting value in this economy, the menu prices at Fireplace are the most out of line with reality that I have seen in Boston for an establishment with such casual (or non-existent) service.
(1)
Larisa T.
This review is for brunch only, and I'm from NYC, so you probably don't want to hear my opinion anyway, but here goes: I came here for a Saturday brunch with 3 friends. My friend wanted to go and support the super hunger brunch. My friends ordered off the pre fix menu, but I didn't want to pay $25. I got the smoked salmon eggs Benedict and it was delightful! The smoked salmon was generously portioned, the English muffin well toasted, and the poached eggs fresh and runny. The dish came with a nice leafy salad as well. The place has a nice ambiance and the staff is very friendly.
(4)
R B.
I would give this a 3 for ambiance/service, but the prices and lack of anything approaching creativity regarding the food drag it down to a 2. There was nothing wrong with it, but $160 for 2 people, who don't drink, for a dinner I could have made myself (and probably made a little more interesting)...gets a "meh", sorry. If you don't/can't/won't cook and like straight-ahead presentation (grilled meat, roasted veg, etc.) in a nice, lively environment, it may be worth the high price. It was packed, so that's obviously fine with most diners. Good!
(2)
Kay B.
I went into the Fireplace on a Friday night - food was amazing. I ordered the half chicken, it was so delicious. The only problem I would say about this place is that it takes a while for everything to come out. We sat at the bar and the bartender was great. My fiance got the burger and was very satisfied as well.
(4)
Ellie W.
We went to The Fireplace for a friend's birthday, and I wasn't at all impressed with the food here. It was alright, but I don't think I'll return. When I can probably make better food in my kitchen, I don't think it's really worth paying $40 for dinner at a place where the food is kind of sub-par. Overall, I think The Fireplace isn't anything special--food isn't really memorable and their menu is also somewhat limited.
(2)
Noy And Alan T.
This review is quite a delayed one but better late than never. I have been here 3 times. The first two time was good (I'd say 3.5 stars). I like this place because they have outdoor seating for my party plus a dog. I made a reservation online requesting outdoor seating because I wanted my dog to join us. We got there about 30 minutes prior to our reservation and I emphasized to them that I really wanted outdoor seating. They told me that it may be a long wait...at least another 30-45 minutes since they are limited on tables outside. I totally understood that. An hour later passed, and there were still no available seats. At this point I was getting impatient. What's the point of making reservations? I went in to speak to the hostess and she said that a table is leaving soon. Ok. Excellent. During this time, a random couple walked by and asked another hostess for a table. Surprisingly, that hostess asked if they wanted a seat outdoors and they said yes. So, yes, they gave away our table to a couple that only had to wait 2 minutes without a reservation! At this point I was livid! I stormed in asking what the hell was going on? The hostess apologized. I asked to speak to the manager, and she said that the manager was actually the one who gave away my table. WTH?! The manager blamed it on miscommunication but I was clearly there when I kept going in asking about the our table. I asked if there could be something done with the bill, perhaps maybe a free appetizer or something for the wait. She said to not worry. The boyfriend ordered the Crispy Duck in Port Cherry Sauce, Roasted Turnips, Parsnips, Rutabaga & Carrots with Cornmeal Johnnycake Wrapped Duck Confit & Bok Choy. He was not impressed. I had gotten this dish before and I swear it wasn't as bad as that day. It was very bland and the presentation was not great. I had to braised beef and I also thought this was bland. No taste and our dishes were cold when it came out. That day was also during restaurant week but regardless, service and food should never be that bad no matter how busy they may be. When we got the bill, I realized nothing was comped. I spoke to the manager again, and she blamed it on the waitress that she should've known to have brought the bill to her. It was a blame game but really she was the one who was at fault to begin with. Horrible service & less than mediocre food = 1 star. If I could, I would give them 0 stars.
(1)
Jane S.
I was not impressed with this restaurant. When I came here one night with my family, none of the hosts even acknowledged us as we walked in. We were asked to wait even though we had a reservation, but there was no space to wait in such a small restaurant. As for our meal, none of us were particularly pleased. After reading so many great reviews, I think we came with pretty high expectations (and hungry bellies). But unfortunately, we left with a bitter taste in our mouths. Overall, the service is terrible and the food is mediocre.
(2)
Emily O.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our first anniversary I loved the layout of the restaurant...it was very open, yet cozy. The food was outstanding and the service was pretty good. My husband got the steak and it was cooked perfectly, the sides were amazing. We also shared a salad, the roasted butternut squash soup and the lobster mac n cheese...definitely a decadent treat! We would certainly come here again for a special occasion or just for dinner.
(4)
Alice C.
I've passed this place a million times before since I live up the street and have always wanted to try it out. My husband caught the living socials deal which offered an appetizer and two entrees of any price all for $38! Obviously, we were very excited but when we went there for dinner tonight, I had one of the worst dining experiences EVER!!! Now, this is not because of poor service or horrible food. To be fair, their food was excellent and the waiter was very nice. So what happened was, my husband and I were in the middle of our entrees (he ordered the dry-aged steak and I the lobster heaven) and from the corner of my eye, I saw something dash along the wall. I didn't see anything the first couple times I noticed the movement, but shortly after, I saw the mouse. Now, I know there are many people out there, especially those who've worked in restaurants before, who are not afraid of them and don't think twice after seeing a mouse. But, I have an extreme phobia towards them and I flipped out! (modestly). I informed a staff and she promised to take care of it immediately, but after about 10 minutes nobody came to address this problem. Meanwhile, the mouse is still running around the bottom of that corner table and even underneath some customers' chairs. Luckily, they either didn't know or didn't care. But then a hostess continued to bring customers to that area where the mouse was hiding and I just couldn't bear knowing it and not telling those poor patrons. So I told the hostess and the girls who were about to get seated there thanked me multiple times for warning them. The hostess eventually brought those girls to another section of the room but after that, another hostess brought the next party of guests to that same corner where the mouse was at! I tried to tell her again but she stopped me by saying "the manager is coming" before I could say anything to warn those people. Now I understand how hard it is to keep a restaurant clean and rodent-free and I know they must apply strict standards, so what bothers me was not the sanitation level of their food and environment, but the fact that they continued seating customers there without saying anything?! Who knows what kind of reactions they might have if they see (or feel!) the mouse under their seats? If the restaurant is lucky, the patrons might not be as terrified as i am, but on the other hand, what if people sitting there happens to share this phobia and scream or jump onto their seats or whatever?! Wouldn't this be even more damaging to the restaurant's image than closing off that section for the night? But I must mention that the waiter was very understanding and relocated us (par our request) to a different part of the restaurant and the manager came to apologize and explain. It was also generous of her to not take money from us after this experience, but I still feel bad for people who had to see that or, even more, for people who don't know what's underneath their chair...... We do have 2 more livingsocial coupons to use up, but next time, I'm sitting at the bar on the high chairs!!!
(2)
Tiffany T.
Been here for dinner and lunch...both meals were delicious and fresh. Perfect portions here. Great, warm bread, gluten free options as well as a whole gluten free menu. Chef uses ingredients from all over New England. Options for everyone!
(5)
Chase B.
My experience with The Fireplace restaurant was quite positive; the service was a little lacking for the price of the food, but it wasn't bad enough to spoil our evening. My partner and I started with some mulled wine before we ordered, which was good enough to warrant a second glass with the meal. We then had the skewered steak bites as an appetizer; they were absolutely fantastic. The steak was wonderfully seasoned and very tender without being mushy. I ordered the Crispy Duck with a port cherry glaze. The duck wasn't crispy as the name implied, but overall the dish was very good. It was my first encounter with duck, so I may not be the best judge of a quality duck dish, but again, I enjoyed it quite a bit. My partner ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which he enjoyed thoroughly. We both decided we wanted to have the Apple Donuts for dessert. The donuts were excellent, being a heavy, cake-variety rather than the airy yeast type. They came with three dipping sauces: Caramel, Cider, and Chocolate; the caramel and cider being the best. As to my comment on service, I felt that it could be improved. We had to ask for silverware once for our entree and again for dessert. We also had to request bread, even though it had been given to the tables next to us without any request for it. Although I felt that the service was lacking for the price of the food, doubt was cast in observance of it being a relatively busy night. Our server was extremely pleasant and was willing to make some suggestions on menu items. Overall, I look forward to returning.
(4)
Mindy L.
Ok...I have to swallow my pride and admit that I might have been a little harsh on this place. I still think that another fireplace would be a nice touch...however...the food this time around was absolutely delicious. We ordered the goat cheese plate to start. I don't remember their artisan cheese selections before - this might be new - and if it is - great idea! The plate comes with your choice of a cheese ($8.00) and each additional cheese you choose is $5.00. The plate comes with yummy pita chips, julienned green apples, wine soaked grapes, candied walnuts and an apricot compote. It was yum. I then ordered the short ribs which were cooked to perfection. I can't get enough of short ribs lately (which I'm sure isn't a good thing) and I've been ordering them everywhere. These were near the top...moist, fork-tender and well-seasoned. They were served with some sort of cheese side dish and I can't remember what it was. It was a gelatinous dish (sort of if you overwhip potatoes...that kind of consistency). The taste was good...I just can't remember what it was called. There was also a side of "Garlicky Broccoli." The BF got the Maple Glazed Chicken and really enjoyed it. I tried a bite and will say that it was very juicy - not dry at all and had a great maple syrupy (but not too sugary) glaze. Last, we decided to share the vanilla something-or-other cheesecake. It was served with a tangy berry sauce to offset the creamy sweetness of the cake itself. There were pomegranates, blackberries and blueberries swimming in the sauce as well. All in all, a great dinner last night...so an extra star is awarded to The Fireplace.
(4)
Barry A.
Three foodies went here mid-week, the last week of March. We decided to go Dutch, as we take each other out often and infuse lots o' cash into fine dining establishments, over the last 20 years. One of us is a gourmand, who follows the restaurant scene in Boston and New York, the other a wine sniffer and swirler. I am a devoted, trusting, moderately overweight friend, who appreciates haute cuisine, as well as, a good PB & J on soft white bread with a banana. Here, my dinner companions enjoyed their duck and pork chop, but neither were totally impressed over all. We shared a $50 bottle of red, which was delicious. Mac and Lobster is popular right now, in lots of places; the concept being - comfort food while our planet implodes. The Mac was described as a blend of four savory artisan cheeses, a creamy Vermont Cheddar and a fine blue, which I thought could be interesting (I forgot the other two.) It was not. And for the price of $34 for Mac and cheese, I thought maybe a lobster claw or two, maybe even a tail. Nope. Only a few small bite-sized chunks of lobster. But that was not the worst. The Mac was overcooked and dry, with each elbow (yep, elbow macaroni for $34) living in its own universe. But, the worst was the accompanying "caramelized cauliflower." I loved the idea. But it was both limp, and burnt black. I am talking black! And limp. Together! How does that happen? I know caramelized and this was not it. And each piece was arranged on the plate so that the soot black charcol side was facing down on the plate, as if I wouldn't notice eating savagely incinerated cauliflower? In the end, with no bottled water or dessert (we had had enough) my portion of the bill alone was $70. And I left 3/4ths of the meal on the plate. In fairness to this business, I should have just said "no way." But being a former waiter, way back when, I know what can occur in a restaurant when a customer draws a line in the sand, even politely. I don't mind fair money for fine food, but this just can't happen twice.
(2)
Sara M.
So I am a huge online menu reader and saw that they have this Humble Offerings deal Sunday-Thursday. It listed delicious things like bacon-wrapped meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, mac and cheese, etc. We decided to go there purely on that menu since we were looking for something cheaper but still quality on a random Tuesday night. We actually got to sit in front of the fireplace and I'm thinking, this is going to be an amazing experience with my hearty meal. Our server, who was not very friendly and seemed to have sized us up in a negative light as soon as he spoke with us, failed to mention this menu. When he came back with our drinks, I asked about it and he said oh...yeah...we have grilled cheese with tomato soup for $17. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. No sir! I had my heart set on bacon wrapped meatloaf and they totally bait-and-switched me. It was too late to walk out so we ended up eating there anyway. The total bill came to over $100 with tip when I was looking to spend way less. Now, husby and I have done a random Capital Grille Tuesday night dinner for over $200 without batting an eye so money is not the issue. It honestly was the principle and it didn't make it any better that our server totally wrote us off after I asked about that special menu. Step it up, Fireplace - get rid of your snotty servers and be more clear/honest on your website about your specials.
(1)
Jason G.
Happily surprised by the high level cuisine and service. We ordered a whole bunch of tapas that were delicious! Though it was a little expensive the food was tremendous and the service was great. Will go back.
(4)
Kelly O.
3.5 stars. I finally returned to Fireplace for a "Fireside Chat", which is basically a 3 course tasting menu paired with libations presented by purveyours/reps, depending on that week's theme (they run about twice a month on Saturday afternoons). Our theme was bourbon, so we had reps from Bully Boy and Whiskey Pig walking us through 4 tastings of their whiskey, paired with some really tasty treats from the kitchen. The event itself was really fun; part informative, part delicious, definitely a worthwhile experience for a Saturday afternoon. It was interesting to hear from the reps how their companies got started, and what we were tasting, and other interesting info about their liquors. I definitely recommend checking out the Fireside Chat schedule if you're into learning about alcohol, or just like food/drink pairings. The food deserves a shout-out, and is the main reason why I'm adding 1.5 stars to my previous rating; it was a 180 from what I'd experienced here before. First course was a cheese plate with Vermont cheddar and a hard nutty Parmesan-like cheese (can't remember the name), with fruit compote on homemade garlic crackers. I normally hate cheese plates and the only cheese I tend to like 'raw'/on its own is fresh mozzarella, but this plate totally made me see what the fuss was all about... the cracker and compote were both delicious, and those cheeses (especially the nutty one) were the perfect accompaniment. I was shocked I actually enjoyed it. Second course was steak/mashed potatoes/brussels sprouts, but the waiter was kind enough to ask for any needed substitutions at the beginning of the meal, and because I don't eat steak, the kitchen whipped up some pesto/beet/asparagus ravioli for me (bonus points for accommodating). The flavors were spot on, although for my taste, I thought the ravioli could have been cooked about 30 seconds more (a bit too al dente). Last course was a maple ginger whoopie pie, and I could have eaten a whole tray of these and not be sorry one bit; it was excellent. For a tasting menu, we felt pretty satisfied with the amount of food we got, and didn't even need to eat a full dinner a few hours later. I thought the price of $30 for all of the food/liquor/learning was really reasonable, and I'll definitely return for another of these Chats. (Also, did you know The FIreplace is a dedicated/certified Green restaurant? Another plus.)
(3)
Mindy M.
Oh- I get it now...there's a dinner menu and it is my kind of thing! Don't miss the cheese course and salami. We had clam fritters, too. I'm from fritter territory (down South) and I would have to say these are some of the best. It's likely that I will keep going back until I've had everything on the dinner menu but we didn't make it past the bread, salad and appetizers tonight. Might have to put a bread strategy in place to accomplish this goal. Smuggle it home for breakfast so I can make it to an entree course, perhaps. Oh but it is so warm, fluffy and good. Is it soda bread, a biscuit? I pretended to investigate as I snarfed the entire slab. Nice wine selection. As for the claim that it was too hot in my last review- I think I'd been running too many errands that day- especially to the running shoe store on this same block.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
Seating might not be the best here, as you're very close to other tables. Service is ok, friendly but maybe inexperienced. But the food is amazing. Burger was fantastic, maple half chicken was BOMB, even the bread was amazing. This place is for an older crowd, but we enjoyed it and there was no wait on a Saturday night.
(5)
Jen O.
I wish I had the opportunity to give 3.5 stars. This place could be a 4.5 if not for the prices. The bread is always delicious. Unlike other reviewers, I have found the servers very friendly and patient. The wait is sometimes a bit long from the kitchen, but they are always generous with the bread and attention. More than once, however, I have driven over there and meter-parked only for the entire restaurant to be rented for a private event. The first time, I didn't check the Web site - my fault. The subsequent times, not so much my fault. I learned just to attempt to make a reservation (silly for lunch on a Saturday), as that will show the blocked times if the main page is not updated. The wine list is not deep, but it's solid if you're into American wines. I hate the nonsense of buying the better wines by the bottle. I often like a leisurely lunch by myself on a weekend. I'm not going to down a whole bottle. The entrees can be good to spectacular, depending on the choice. They are always well-seasoned with fresh ingredients. I've never had a bad meal here. I just think the prices don't match the food - especially for the "just good" entrees. I also once tried to swap the chicken for salmon on the Cobb salad. I expected an upcharge but not the entire published cost of adding salmon to a salad without any reduction for the removal of the chicken that was supposed to be on the dish. C'mon. Work with your customers. $3-$4 upcharge should suffice - not $11! I must sound so cheap, and that's not the case. I pay quite willingly for great meals and great wine. I just had more than one experience here in which I felt cheated. It's a shame because the food itself is quite palatable. I am a bit sad to hear that ownership is closing at the end of 2014.
(3)
Chappy B.
I am a huge fan of this place. Within walking distance to my apartment I decided I needed a late night meal with a friend. The staff was super friendly, we came in when most people were leaving but the bartender (Raffi?) encouraged us to sit down and take our time. We had quite a few glasses champagne. The restaurant was beautiful, sat on a quiet corner on Beacon Street. Raffi was kind enough to have the kitchen make us a little platter with goat cheese, bread, different fruits soaked in wine. Delicious. We shared the steak bites appetizer and it was the perfect amount of food for the two of us. Breakfast pictures look great, I will be back.......
(5)
Mark L.
We went to the fireplace this past weekend to try it out. Great local dining option in Brookline. Luminated a very cozy and warm feeling and the menu had great options! Not the cheapest place to dine ($30-50) per entree, but worth a shot if you are looking for a place to dine on a friday night!
(4)
Big S.
we came here for brunch. it was really crowded which is always a good thing. the menu is a bit expensive for what it is. the bread they serve is very good, some of the best bread around. the food was ok, nothing spectacular or worth the cost. the bacon is chewy, and the duck hash doesnt have much duck. the challah french toast would have been a better option as it looks great. nice place, decent atmosphere, just a bit expensive for what they offer. maybe its better for dinner.
(3)
Kelsey C.
It is impossible not to love something at Fireplace. Their menu deals no disappointment and offers so many choices, there's no way you won't find at least 5 things you love. Sorry to start on a sour note, but the Grilled Artichoke Tart was the one (and only!) thing I didn't love. The sheer volume of lemon drowned out the sharp cheese, which in turn drowned out the lighter artichoke. A pity because it had to much potential... The Braised Beef Short Rib was the first good short rib I've had, and it was phenomenal. The tender meat fell off the bone and a couple of chews got you a mouthful of juice. The cornmeal porridge may have been my first visit to heaven. The Fireplace Burger is obviously epic. I had to dislocate my jaw to fight through all that smoky bacon. The Vermont cheddar was a tasty topper, and the English muffin added a touch of novelty. I'll never forget this burger, and it turns out no other Bostonians forgot this grass-fed patty either. It won People's Choice for Boston's Best Burger. The Carrot and Feta Ravioli is perfect. The arugula pesto pure genius, and the dish is brought together with a polish that makes it entirely too good to be true. I really can't even describe how awesome this dish is. There are no words! I almost cried at the dessert menu. I really wanted another helping of the Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie., but they stopped making it despite my pleas. So I "settled" for the Maple Fudge on a cookie complete with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce instead. They ran out of vanilla so I substituted espresso ice cream instead. I want them to run out of vanilla every night. I'm still not over the fact that Fireplace is named for a miniscule fixture that is cute yet hardly a defining feature. But here, it's not about the size of the fireplace, it's about how hot the fire burns.
(5)
Matt B.
This place is THE WORST shit hole on planet earth. I'm not exaggerating (much) when I tell you I'd rather eat out of a dumpster in Mumbai than eat here again. Was stoked Pepe's was moving in, now I learn this shit hole, semi-poisonous eye-sore is staying? As bad as bad can be. Wanted to give negative stars, but not an option.
(1)
Melisa C.
I came here with my boyfriend and a friend during restaurant week. I ordered the arugula salad to start, and they ordered the butternut squash soup. The salad was pretty good overall, whereas the soup was tasty but came in a very small bowl (restaurant week?!). For our main entree we ordered 1 each of the 3 available options: the pasta dish, the chicken, and the short ribs. The pasta was good, but nothing extraordinary. The short ribs were done well, except the sides that it was served with made it kind of a mushy plate. My friend enjoyed the chicken and it was the largest of the 3 dishes--my boyfriend and I were envious of his large portion. We weren't that excited about the dessert options: peanut butter cheesecake or the poached pear and toasted almond tart served with ginger ice cream. I wasn't crazy about the tart, whereas the peanut butter cheesecake was okay. Overall, the atmosphere of this place is pretty nice, but the food isn't that amazing. I wasn't wowed enough to want to come back for a second try.
(3)
Eric F.
A cozy restaurant indeed! The fireplace near the front lent much to this feel and, combined with the seating and interior, contributed much to a seriously tasty meal. Dinner started off with freshly baked potato bread - a fluffy mass that whet my appetite nicely. My Crispy Duck was delicious and generously portioned. The port cherry sauce matched the perfectly medium rare meat very well and the accompanying cornmeal-wrapped duck confit offered up even more proteinacious goodness. Similarly, my friend's House-Aged Rib Eye had a great char and loads of savory flavor. With my LivingSocial coupon, the dinner was an absolute steal for the exceptional cooking. At regular price though, the dishes are very much on the pricey side with the majority of them in the low 30's and up. The Fireplace isn't a place easily able to be frequented on a regular basis, but it'd be a great pick for a special occasion.
(4)
Tom G.
Nice space, underwhelming food. There are so many great food spots in this general area that I'd be remiss in recommending Fireplace over any of those others (Publick House, Barcelona, Washington Square Tavern, Ribelle, etc.). The food was generally well-prepared but really smacked of casual (read: lower priced) family restaurant. It is priced to match the decor, however. I'm not a cheapskate by any means but I loathe paying $25-35 for entrees I could easily replicate at home. The wine list has a lot of common, Cali-heavy labels you'll find at similar places (Jordan, Silverado, Stag's Leap, La Crema, etc.). Mostly 2-3x retail. They have a reserve wine list that is mostly just single vineyard versions of the above labels, again at 2-3x retail. They have the delicious 2006 Hartford Court Arrendell Vineyard Pinot on the list ($130 ). It's one of the better priced bottles on the list (although Wash. Square has it on their list, too, for about $40 less).
(3)
Laura W.
My friend and I went for after-work drinks. It was both of our first times at The Fireplace. We ended up ordering the charcuterie plate, which doesnt really have a description in the menu. We assumed that it would be some assortment of dried/cured meats with some cheese or nuts. It included fois grois, rilette, and some sort of sausage head cheese.. According to someone I asked, this is a more typical French charcuterie, but I definitely would not have ordered this if it had been described in the menu. I wanted proscuitto, sopresatta, etc. Essentially it was far too "fancy" and not very tasty. Good service and beautiful ambiance though.
(3)
Amy G.
I brought my 80-something mother here for an early Christmas dinner today & it was just perfect! Delicious food -- we had a number of smaller things vs. one big meal. (Our menu included crab cakes, butternut squash soup, beet and goat cheese salad, broccolini. and Christmas cookie tray with coffee). Along with the super tasty food, our server was helpful and warm, and as an added bonus, we fell into a great conversation with the table next to ours. Thanks, Fireplace! We may well make this a tradition.
(5)
Jessica L.
Love this place!!!! The Fireplace has become my favorite restaurant in the Coolidge Corner/Washington Square area, and it's perfect if you want a nice brunch/lunch/dinner and don't feel like going downtown. Unlike a lot of other restaurants in the area, it's easy to get a reservation and the service is really solid (ie, no uppity swaitresses/waiters). It's so refreshing to actually be able to just walk into a restaurant and sit down these days, rather than putting your name on a list and waiting an hour while you're starving at an insanely crowded bar. It's also relatively quiet (but not too quiet), so it's easy to talk with everyone in your party and you don't have to shout over the din. The food here is excellent as well; I don't think I've ever gotten a bad dish here. The white bean salad was delicious, as was the Toscana appetizer. The soups always look fantastic. My absolute favorite dish is the braised short rib--- it is absolutely PERFECT. Delicious, braised meat falling off the bone, with cheesy porridge and carrots. I don't even tend to order heavy entrees and every time I come here I have to order the braised short rib. The rib eye, scallops, and other dishes are excellent as well, but the braised short rib is outta this world! I'm not much of a dessert person, either, but the desserts here are amazing!!!! The three cider donuts with assorted dipping sauces was soooo good and fun to share. And the homemade raspberry s'mores are irresistible--- one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had!!!! Drinks are also great, too! Great selection of spirits, nice drink menu (though cinnamon in the sangria was a bit unexpected by some in our prty), and excellent dirty martini. Love coming here and it's a neighborhood fixture! Absolutely perfect for a fun night without having to go downtown! I've been here for everything from birthdays to dinners with family to date night, and I've always had a great time.
(5)
Robin G.
Excellent waitstaff, renovating which is due. The staples...burger,salmon and chicken never disappoint. Ravioli was ok...not quite special enough. Still quite enjoyable,
(4)
Carlos R.
Went for dinner last week. A friend told me about it and I've been meaning to try it. We had the head cheese, beet salad, Lamb chops and scallops. Everything was delightful. The scallops were rich and delicate. The service was quick and attentive. We asked both the bartender and server for suggestions and they did not disappoint!
(5)
Mikhail H.
I was happy to finally get to eat here - the restaurant is not huge so make a reservation if you want to go here for dinner. We had lunch which was quite good - interesting menu with a good selection of different items no matter your preference. I ordered salmon which was cooked to perfection and even the sides with it were perfectly paired. I also was pleased that the prices were not as bad as I was led to believe from other reviews.
(4)
Lilee N.
ask to sit next to the fireplace! good cocktails, highly recommend the cheese platter to share (salami is delicious!). we ordered the salmon dish with kale and fingerling potatoes for both entrees and shared the pumpkin bread pudding. Go for the chocolate cake if they still have it on the dessert menu and didnt run out.
(4)
Cody G.
After recently moving to Washington Square, it has been my girlfriend and my prerogative to visit each and every restaurant in the bustling two block arena of culinary explosion....so...where to start? After an almost flawless performance by The Abbey, and an equally breathtaking adventure in Spanish culture at Barcelona, we found ourselves eagerly awaiting a chance at experiencing what The Fireplace had to offer. Needless to say, we left with an empty taste in our mouth, and an even emptier space in our wallets... Now, just to give a bit of background on how I'm going to go about reviewing places on Yelp, let's start with the following rankings: 1. Taste and presentation: are by far the most important aspect of a meal. If we're going to spend our time and money for someone else to cook our food, then it is our every hope that it comes out far better than what we could perform in our (mediocre) kitchen. 2. Service: Nothing turns a "great" meal into a "good" meal faster than poor service. We should find a correlation between knowledge and respect; palate and portrayal. Great service can range anywhere from a friendly and attentive waitress at a neighborhood burger joint to a smartly dressed and knowledgeable server at a renown steakhouse. 3. Atmosphere: Atmosphere can turn a 3 star into a 4 star, just by being a place where you can have a good time; or, if their atmosphere follows their cultural theme, this can earn serious brownie points. 4. Price: Price is the last thing on our list. Food should match the price, and if the food exceeds the price, you're getting an extra star. The phrase: "You get what you pay for." is a good representation of what you should expect going in. As a whole, we all know that the middle-american restaurants are losing their customer base (I'm talking your run of the mill Olive Gardens, Red Lobsters, 99 Steakhouse, etc.). This is because people either want a 'high-end' experience or just something to take out and enjoy. That being said, from our experience, The Fireplace teeters devastatingly close to the edge of the "middle American" taste levels. I, being a burger fiend, had their so-called "best burger in Boston", and was utterly dismayed after my first bite. It was a sad experience to have such high hopes fall flat as the lack of seasoning and immensely disproportionate soggy-onion-to-delectable-burger, ratio, left me not even wanting to finish. The first thing I said after nomming on the $16 dollar behemoth of disappointment was "I miss Tastyburger already." Yes, Tastyburger, the magicians behind the $5.50 slam fest of flavor, were way ahead of what The Fireplace touted as the best. If you're going to tout a Burger as "best" then it better be able to stand up to Duke's of Chicago, or Brio's in New York City...or hell...I dunno...the $5 burger in Fenway... Ok...enough of my burger rant...though it wasn't amazing....I've had worse...moving on... Thinking...'oh, the rest of the meal can't be that bad', I decided to share with my girlfriend...once again...woefully upsetting experience. Her Orange Glazed Salmon was straight up dry. It was so dry, that when she stuck a fork in it, the insides flaked. I even encouraged her to churn it in the glaze that dripped off the top, but alas, that did nothing to curry favor with either of our taste buds. If you're going to make yourself out to be a high-end "esque" type restaurant, with a twist, you need to do a better job of tasting your own food. Aside from the food, the service and decor were average and by average I mean slow and outdated. Pick up the slack, Fireplace. Your front is as boring and outdated as the clientele at Old Country Buffet on a Sunday afternoon. Couple that with the higher-than-average prices and the aforementioned poor food while adding a dash of mediocre wine, and you've got yourself a 2 star review.
(2)
Basil S.
We had a phenomenal time at the Fireplace. The new manager, Matthew, greeted us an ensured we had a good time. Our server was hilarious and did a good job of being attentive while giving my date and I some space. Definitely will come back.
(5)
Priscilla T.
Awesome place!! I just wish I'd discovered it before my last night in Boston. It's a great spot for a cozy catchup - lively but not deafening. And the food... So, so good! Had a great seasonal salad and split a delightful herb crusted fish and a pasta with the bf. We had fun trying the stinging nettles as a side dish. It was like lightning in your mouth. The rhubarb crisp was more like a soup but the bf still ate it all and I got the ricotta pie. Odd but I still ate it all! Try this place!
(4)
Vanessa G.
I've been to the Fireplace a few times and have always enjoyed it. I am particularly a fan because they have a very extensive GF menu. But last night I was kind of disappointed. Maybe it was my mood or my high expectations but I was underwhelmed. The GF was a bit misleading. I got very excited that there was lobster MAC AND CHEESE on a gf menu, only to find out that was a mistake. And a lot of the things that were listed as GF the way they are actually had to be modified. So I got all excited about a dish only to find out it would be modified to something less exciting. And the GF rolls were dry and dense and barely warmed up. (They would have been a million times better if they were served hot, as with most GF bread). Our server, who was quite delightful herself, seemed distracted and like she had tables all over the restaurant and outside. We had to wait for silverware for each course. The food was ok. I left full but less than satisfied. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing and I just wasn't feeling it. I will definitely go back, hopefully with a bigger appetite.
(3)
Susan P.
I went here for a graduation dinner with a party including a gluten-free vegetarian with coconut and peanut sensitivities (moi), and a gluten-free vegan. It was some of the best food I've had in Boston, they had a separate gluten free menu, amazing mocktails, and I never felt like our many questions
(5)
A L.
Used to be one of my favorite places with great bar service and high-quality food but lately it seems to be taking a turn. Not sure if there is new management or not, but the food quality has slipped and the new bar staff doesn't seem to know what they're doing. Plus, I've been in there twice where people have been seated at the bar with kids. One of those times, the owner actually suggested the family sit there. I know this isn't against the law but I don't go to an upscale restaurant to sit at a bar with children and knowing the owner doesn't do anything to draw the line is disappointing. I also expect to get a well-poured drink for the prices they're charging. Last night, my shrimp were rubbery, the cocktail sauce was watery, and the shredded apples on the cheese plate were soggy. Left unsatisfied and much lighter in the wallet. Hoping they were just having an off night.
(2)
Ashley S.
Such a wonderful experience! We started off with a cheese platter which was delicious- would highly recommend the Cabot cheddar cheese (came with a nice array of fruits which all paired well with the cheese we chose) We ended up getting the GF steak Mac and cheese which was absolutely AMAZING!!!! Highly recommend ordering that- the broccoli that comes with it is like no other. My boyfriend got the pan seared scallops with lobster hash which he describes as " rich and elegant ".. Therefore we highly recommend this place!
(4)
Christine D.
Had a restaurant week lunch and tried out their gluten free menus. Key word is menu(s). Not only did the have a 4 page regular GF menu, but also two restaurant week GF menus. Choose the 3-course $20.13 option ( all GF). Watercress soup was excellent. Chicken salad was a bit dry, although very nice chicken and seasonings, just needed a bit more EVDO or similar. The dessert was 3 cute mini-cupcakes. Delicious. I've been to The Fireplace many times for dinner. It is always a favorite. This was my first lunch experience. The Fireplace will remain a favorite, that we will return to again and again.
(4)
Dalya N.
Seating was an issue but we ended up sitting by the bar. Food was good, service was also good.
(4)
Mike S.
Lobster Mac and cheese for $36.00. Showed up in two tiny dishes, about 8oz of pasta and less than a quarter lb of lobster. No claw meat, little tiny pieces of meat. I'm disappointed because the menu looked outstanding, but charging $36.00 for that meal was criminal.
(2)
Sara H.
I've been here twice. Once for brunch and once for a regular lunch. It's been a really long time, but I believe I had a chicken salad for the lunch. For the brunch, last weekend, I had a melon soup and eggs Benedict with lobster. The atmosphere is perfect for a date or a get together with friends. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I don't remember the chicken salad well enough to comment, unfortunately, but my mother will not stop talking about it! My melon soup was a cold bisque. Delish! It had tarragon, I think, and I believe roasted leeks on top. The combination was delicious. The eggs were perfectly runny in the Benedict. The sauce wasn't overpowering and the lobster was chunky and fresh. (Best part is the bread, but I didn't mention this....)
(5)
Alison D.
The Fireplace is a warm, comfortable place to dine. During warmer months, there are a few tables by the street if you prefer people watching outdoors. There is free parking in the back, which makes it easy to access. Service has always been wonderful. The food is above average, and I appreciate the high quality ingredients they use. I've never ordered anything off the menu that blew my mind, but I always leave with a smile on my face.
(4)
Diana V.
Let me start by saying that I've been searching ALL over Boston for an amazing burger, and I thought maybe that search was over after seeing their huge sign boasting the "best burger in Boston"... I finally got around to trying it out last weekend and the best thing I can say is that it was underwhelming. The restaurant itself is very nice, and I'm sure they have a lot of amazing dishes, but the "best burger" was a gigantic letdown. There wasn't anything wrong with it, and had the sign not been in their window, I might not be giving such a negative review. It's FINE, but nowhere close to BEST. We went during brunch, and also ordered the eggs norwegian, which was very tasty, and a cocktail with tequila and jalapeno and that was also really good. Similarly, the service was efficient and polite. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this restaurant, and I would certainly go back, I just wouldn't order the burger.
(3)
Matt D.
I've been to the fireplace four or five times and each time it seems to be worse than the time before. The restaurant seems like its a run-of-the-mill casual dining spot trying to dress up as something more refined and inventive. Lately, it feels as if they decided to revive their menu by increasing the prices and trying to trick people into thinking the food tasted better because it's expensive. I've never had an awful meal here, but I've also never had a particularly good meal either. Overall, my relationship with The Fireplace is over. I would much prefer to go to every other restaurant in Washington Square over this place.
(2)
John T.
OVERHYPED!!! I've been here many times and the food is pretty good but TOTALLY OVERPRICED!! That alone would have given this place a 3-4 stars BUT I marked it down further because of the SNOOTY FACTOR!! The wait staff is OK but the people at the host/hostess counter has always been snooty and rude...ESPECIALLY if you bring kids in the place--they treat you like a second class citizen. Fine, you don't like kids, that's fine, but heaven forbid you come in there at the same time as a "regular"/friend of the resturant--you are thrown to the back of the line and forgotten about. I've had this experience multiple times here so its pretty discouraging and it seems to be a trend. Also, they say they have the best burger in Boston--NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! If you want a much better burger (for cheaper) go 5 doors down on Beacon to the PUBLIK HOUSE---they are always kind there (even with kids) and their burgers ROCK (way better than the Fireplace). I really wanted to like The Fireplace, but they have just let me down way too many times and they are SOOO OVERPRICED, its just not worth my money or angst!! Very disappointing...
(2)
Christopher S.
I have eaten at The Fireplace and had wonderful meals every time. I particularly like their local cheese and charcuterie plates. The entrees are memorable too. If it is crowded, which it often is, eating at the bar can be a pleasure. The Fireplace is lively, but not too noisy. The staff is welcoming and helpful, without being overbearing. It is nice for a couple, and they can accommodate a larger group.
(5)
Phil O.
I've been here for brunch three times, and each of my experiences have been great. It's definitely worth it over the line you'll have to wait in for Zaftigs. Prices are more reasonable than I expected too.
(4)
Carolyn M.
I really enjoyed this place when i first moved to Washington square, but I think as I tried the other really great restaurants in the area, this one just isnt so great for how much you pay. The servers are nice, but I think the sections must be too big, because its hard for them to get to all of the tables it seems. I tried to go there today for a quick lunch and was not acknowledged at all by the server, who seemed to have ALL the tables in the upstairs room. I walked out after about 15 minutes. If my review were based on today, it would be zero stars. The food is decent, but not for the price. They have many gluten free options, which initially drew me to the restaurant, but the staff knowledge is iffy--fries are specifically listed on the gluten free menu, but they are apparently not gluten free, according to one server. I still have no idea if they are gluten free, but i guess i appreciate the server erring on the side of caution. I think a lot of the issues here can be traced back to management that does not support their staff. They should be able to see what tables are obviously waiting for their server if they take a look at the dining room, but i think ive only ever seen a manager once in the 4 times ive dined there.
(3)
Mary B.
Will come back! Came here one evening with my husband and enjoyed the appetizers, entree and dessert! They also make ginger beer which is a refreshing beverage. What I recommend: butternut squash soup topped with pumpkin seeds and the salmon dish. The environment is very romantic, but just be prepared to sit close to the next table. The one good thing about sitting close to people is that you can get ideas for what to order ;) Great service too.
(4)
Gregory S.
I've been here for drinks a few times and have always had good experiences at the bar so I went here on a date a couple of weeks ago and we left less than satisfied with our experience. The server was either in a very poor mood, or was just blatantly rude to us for fun...it took a while to get any drinks, and then they sat empty for a while. Overall service was lackluster and not what I would expect from someplace charging what they're charging. The food was slightly above average, and very pricy. They did have a nice wine/beer list and the atmosphere is great. Maybe I'll try it again someday, just not anytime soon.
(3)
Alissa K.
After wanting to go to the Fireplace for sometime, we finally went for the first time during restaurant week (which we weren't aware of). That was the first mistake. My policy has become to not go to restaurants during RW because basically, the food and service just aren't as good; AND the prices aren't even becoming much cheaper. We did not order off the RW menu. We ordered a cheese plate and a salad as an appetizer (I think it was the Honeymoon salad). For dinner, we got a burger, the chicken, and the short ribs. The food was delicious, HOWEVER, was served lukewarm, if not cold. We were not the only ones with this problem, as the four people at the table next to us all sent their food back. I'm not sure what was going on here. We then ordered dessert of the chocolate fudge cake, which I'm sorry to say was dry and not tasty. Overall, I would definitely go back as the food was good and there were other things on the menu I wanted to try. But, not during restaurant week. Hopefully that will resolve the issue.
(4)
Borris C.
Prices are even higher now. They've recently updated their lunch menu, so that the "ladies who lunch" are paying $16+ for lunch these days. The quality of food has declined as well. It's too bad - I really liked this place and there aren't a lot of good places for a working lunch or special treat sit-down lunch in the area.
(1)
Maya T.
Atmosphere is very nice and romantic. We went here with a groupon which I'm glad we did because the food is pricey but was delicious. I would recommend it. The waitress was nice and friendly and checked on us the right amount of times. We got the cheese plate for an appetizer which was good. We got the hamburger and roasted chicken-both huge portions and it was delicious. I would go back.
(4)
Mairead N.
I came here with my friend for a little bite at the bar. I really like this place. The bartender was really attentive and when we were unsure of what we wanted to drink, he gave us little samplings of what he thought we were looking for, love that! The place itself is nice, the fireplace was not on because it was summer. I bet it looks nice on a chilly winter evening after a long week of working... We shared a burger and french fries and it was really delicious. I want to come here again and be a little more adventurous with the menu and see what it's like on a busy night. 3 stars for now and hopefully more for later :-) UPDATE - April 2013 The bartender here is a totally amazing mixologist of alcohol. She remembered me from a few weeks back and made me the same drink that we mixed together on the fly. She is a total gem and I can't wait to come here again for some more martini fun! Extra star just for the drinks!
(4)
Bansi V.
I'm a little surprised by the low reviews for this restaurant... I took my husband there for his birthday and he LOVED it (and he's hard to please!). I will start by saying I am one of those granola crunchy hippies that loves everything local, organic, sustainable, etc. That being said The Fireplace is perfect given that everything is locally sourced and made fresh onsite. We made reservations and luckily so, they were fully booked on Halloween night. We were promptly greeted by a friendly and attentive waitress who provided us great service even though she was overbooked. She brought us warm bread and water to start as we looked over the menu. We started with a plate of goat cheese (Madonna) which was accompanied with an assortment of wine/port soaked fruits and homemade garlic pita chips followed by the pear and pomegranate salad. Both of which were absolutely delicious, my husband suggested we stop by Trader Joes after dinner to see if we can buy the ingredients to recreate the deliciousness! For the entree we both ordered one the daily special which was a lasagna filled with fresh ricotta and red sauce topped with perfectly wilted spinach. Oh man, it was SOOO good. For something so ordinary it tasted divine, my husband told the chef it was better than the North End! What a wonderful experience and dinner. We were lucky enough to get seated right in front of the fireplace after trekking through the rain - I would recommend asking for this seating preference when making reservations! Overall, definitely go! Support local businesses supporting our farmers and dairy farms!
(5)
Sarah A.
Classy establishment, delicious food, great service. It all merits five stars in my book. The Fireplace is located on Beacon Street in Washington Square in Brookline. There's plenty of parking along the street and at the meters abutting the T tracks. It's also easily accesible from the Washington Square stop on the C line. The restaurant is split over two levels. When you enter there is the bar to your right and a small seating area overlooking the street to your left. Raised above this area by a few short steps is a more formal dining area with a view of the open kitchen. We arrived for an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and chose to sit on the upper level. The mood of the restaurant is classy, yet also welcoming. Our waiter was friendly and allowed us to linger over our meal and coffee. I had the pan seared lemon basil scallops with sunchoke and red pepper, celery root, fava bean and onion saute. This was delicious. Seriously, one of the best meals I've had in some time. I had to inquire with the waiter about what exactly was sunchoke (it's the stalk of a sunflower, which, in this dish, is prepared mashed to result in a somewhat lighter take on mashed potatoes). The portion was definitely quite ample and included lots of scallops cooked to perfection. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the fava beans. At first I thought this was an unusual pairing, but they complemented the dish quite nicely. I also sampled some of the big American salad Nicoise topped with sesame crusted tuna. The tuna was excellent, and again, the portion was quite generous. When we visited the weather did not favor outdoor seating, but they have a number of patio tables on Beacon Street overlooking Washington Square. I really enjoyed dining here and look forward to checking out The Fireplace again. I've heard great things about their Fall menu (apparently heavy on turkey and pumpkin dishes) from my friends. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
(5)
Mykal D.
I'm not one to give out 5 star reviews often, but a place like this deserves it. I'm a food-first kinda restaurant guy, and the food at this place is spectacular. I've been here a few times and tried a variety of the menu and based on that, I'd recommend a couple things. 1. The Burger - amazing! Second only to the SDLT burger as one of the best I've ever had. The onions really put it on another level. 2. The Duck - fantastic. 3. They have a cocktail variation of an apple jack (called an apple jack) that is fantastic. Would have had 3, but I drove there. Ok, so maybe that's 3 (and one more than a couple, unless you're into open-relationships like that, not judging). Lastly, I noticed someone mentioned that they only gave one piece of bread. That's because they aren't trying to fill you up on it. that said, the one piece is huge, triangular and 5" long on its longest side (roughly a 3-4-5 right triangle for us nerdy types), and its pretty tasty. I wish they'd offered whipped butter though. All in all, this is a great date kinda place with spectacular food and a cozy atmosphere. Also, they occasionally offer deals and restaurant week fixed price, so be on the lookout for that.
(5)
Thomas L.
We received a gift certificate from a friend as a gift at our wedding. Not to say that we hadn't planned on checking this place at some point, there was just some added motivation. The food was ok. The ambience was very nice and relaxing. Service was so-so. My wife went with the short ribs and I had a rib eye, which had a very generous helping of fat on it. At the end of our dinner, our waitress - who definitely wanted to be somewhere else - asked if we wanted dessert. We politely declined and asked for the check. 10 minutes later she returns with two dessert menus along with a memorized delivery talking up the cheesecake and how the proceeds go to the Special Olympics or something along those lines. I'm sure she was just following orders, but this was annoying as we had already declined dessert and now we were being pressed. And while this is unrelated to my dining experience, I think it's annoying and bandwagon-ish for them to offer 'gluten free' menu items. I hadn't realized that many people in Brookline had been diagnosed with Celiac disease. Next thing you know they will be telling us that their menus are 'green' and all of the kitchen help is 'legal'.
(2)
J. H.
On a recent Sunday morning, I went with a group of gals to The Fireplace for brunch. The decor was nice and the food was really good. I had the duck hash and loved it. However, our service was appalling. It took over 10 minutes for the waitress to bring coffee after it was ordered. And at one point we got a sigh and attitude when one of us asked if she could please have butter for her toast. It is not as if the restaurant was terribly busy and we weren't being rude or ridiculously demanding. I may try to go back for brunch another time to see if that service was a one time thing.
(3)
Doug S.
I have to say that the Fireplace is one of my favorite places to go when i'm in the city (even if it is in Brookline). I used to live not to far away and would visit all the time. Love the entertainment on Wednesdays and Thursday's. The atmosphere is great and what a restaurant should be like. Always been a fan of the spit roasted chicken with mashed. Also a big fan of the Duck. Hopefully with fall coming, they bring back the butternut squash bisque!
(5)
Whitney A.
This is a real treat for small tables like 4 friends or a date place. I love the warmth. Reminds me of Vermont because it feels cozy like a cabin stocked with micro brews PLUS it's the best farm to table store in Beantown. You cannot stray from menu, you'd hear Ummm no ...pause... but if u really want me to ask the chef I will. So the menu is seasonal and everything on it is a HomeRun! I just want to lean over the open kitchen and watch how they magically make veggies so absolutely delish! Enjoy!
(5)
Andrew K.
The food is good, but definitely over priced. There wasn't anything special about this place, except for the fireplace in the corner.
(3)
Deborah H.
The first thing that stood out about this place was its warm decor and the friendliness of the staff. Every person working at this restaurant greeted us with a smile, which is, unfortunately, a very hard thing to come by these days. We were seated quite easily at 1PM on a Sunday afternoon. My friend ordered the Challah French Toast and I settled on the Corn Waffles. The food isn't quite comparable to the price, though very well presented (I've uploaded a picture of the Corn Waffles). However, I was so thoroughly impressed with the service that I gave 5 stars. Our waters were filled three times, and I noticed the manager going from inspecting food in the kitchen, to picking up random trash on the floor, to going from table to table and asking us how we were enjoying our brunch. It sounds a little overboard when I'm writing about it, but it wasn't overbearing, and I certainly felt that the owner/manager was concerned about the feel of the restaurant. I feel that he set an important precedence for the rest of the staff, who were equally as attentive and friendly. Though the menu is fancy, we were dressed kinda drab because we were planning to go kayaking afterwards, and didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I probably would dress a little nicer for dinner though.
(5)
Andrew T.
Solid spot in Washington Square, Brookline. Good, simple food like roast chicken, grilled fish, etc., all prepared beautifully in a nice cozy space with open kitchen and (you guessed it!) a fireplace! Service is on point, location is right off of the Washington Square T stop on the C line, and the food and drink is elegantly accessible and well done. They recently added an outdoor seating area along the sidewalk on Washington Street as well for the summer, but I haven't done much more than walk by it on my way to other spots in the area. I would give this place 4 stars, but it loses one for the price...which is a bit steep for the area.
(3)
Tori G.
This is a great little place in Washington Square. My friend and her fiancee live across the street so we walked there with a group including a friend visiting from out of state. We went (hungover) for brunch on a Sunday and we were all pleasantly surprised with the decor, and upscale selection of brunch options. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. Our waiter was very nice, attentive and he gave us great advice on what to order, but it did take a little too long to finally get our meals. Would definitely go back again and maybe see what they offer for dinner options.
(4)
Carolyn M.
This place is a nice little spot for a date. The food is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because there are better restaurants in Boston.
(3)
Michael K.
Truly terrible service can be found at the Fireplace. I just called to ask about purchasing a gift certificate. I was told over the phone they offered gift certificates and I responded that I would be coming over. I walked over and I was told that I could not purchase one, because the owner was not available. I told the hostess that I had just called and was told that it would be no problem. She snapped back asking if I had talked to owner. I could not believe that she somehow expected that I would check with owner about purchasing a gift certificate. I'm pretty annoyed about wasting my lunch to deal with people who offer a service and then fail to deliver.
(1)
Shannon S.
My group of friends and I went here for the New Years Day Pajama brunch. I was a little disappointed more people didn't show up in their pajamas since my friends and I were all decked out, but no matter. We got there on time and were seated right away. My first impression of the place was--hey this isn't so bad. It was a comfortable more upscale restaurant--medium-sized. The decor was nothing spectacular but then again spectacular would seem really out of place in Washington Square. I liked the open kitchen so you could see the cooks preparing the food. Our waiter came out after we had looked at the menus and he was refined and nice- he wasn't offensive nor overly personal--just efficent. My friends ordered the duck hash, some ordered the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup. I also chose to get the Lobster Bisque on the special brunch menu. The bisque was quite good--roasted corn, a delicious cream soup--very tasty and appealing. I agree that the coffee was really bland--it also had a kind of bitter taste to it? Our meal took awhile to come out and when it did, the food looked great--loved the duck hash--great taste but the Crispy Corn waffle was soggy. I was expecting a crunch taste and instead it tasted like they let it sit for 30-40 minutes--which was unfortunate. It wasn't awful exactly just not wowing either. After we ate, we all agreed it was just ok. I also think that the price didn't match the flavor or the size of the dish. Then, we didn't see our waiter for about 45 minutes. I actually stood up and looked for him and saw he was working the bar, so I sat down and while we were waiting--the manager came up. Nice guy. He talked to us for a little while and told us to enter a contest to win a gingerbread house. However, we still didn't have our bill. Finally! He appeared again and we paid and got the heck out of there. We had our brunch at 1:30 and didn't get out of there until 4pm if that tells you anything about the service on a full/busy day. I had a great time with my friends but I probably wouldn't go back here again without lots and lots of encouragement.
(3)
Christine N.
What a wonderful place to dine! We came here for brunch and we had such a fantastic meal! The food was great and very fresh. The menu was so appetizing, I wanted to order it all. We all decided to get something different so we could try as much as possible. Our server was very sweet and extremely attentive. At one point I was joking that I needed a steak knife to cut my Eggs Benedict and a buss boy over heard me and was back in a flash with nothing less than a steak knife! It was great. The bloody mary left something to be desired, but the mamosa's were great. Wish I could go here every Sunday.
(5)
Angie P.
I've been here twice. Once about a year ago for dinner which is now a distance memory and then I went for brunch last weekend. Staff was friendly and attentive. It wasn't too loud inside and the restaurant was spacious enough that we weren't sitting on top of another table. 3 of us had scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries. No complaints! They do offer cheese mixed in with your scrambled eggs - but I passed. Damn new years resolutions of trying to eat healhier! A HUGE plus to the fireplace is the free parking right behind the building. I'd suggest trying to make a reservation if you're going to be with a larger party.
(4)
jennifer g.
I'd always heard good things about The Fireplace. The brunch menu looked delicious. I was very excited to bring a group of friends there for brunch today after a long, fun night out. ....yeah. I don't think our experience could've been worse. First, we didn't have a reservation and were begrudgingly told we could sit down as long as we were out by 12:30. Not a good start. Then came the food.... My own food, I have to say, was perfect. I had corn waffles and a side of bacon. All yummy. My friends, however, had ordered omelettes with cheese in them, eggs with cheese on top, and dry toast. The omelettes came without cheese (all of them). The eggs came done the wrong way. The toast came untoasted. When we expressed concern, and asked for some cheese on the side or to have the cheese taken off the bill, the waitress got defensive and rolled her eyes. Another waitress came over and said there was a mistake with the computer, to not blame the server. The service from that point on was just rude. The bus boys were awesome, though, so props to them. All in all, the food tasted good and I might give it another try for a different meal....but there are so many better restaurants in the area that I think I'll just skip it.
(2)
Ralph K.
Only been there once, but I was impressed -- except for the actual fireplace, which is no big deal. Broccolini was braized to perfection and best I've ever had. Bluefish (seasonal) was thick with a light tasty char on the outside. I guess I like the way they blast things in the oven just a bit. The bread was really good and beer fresh. No dessert this time.
(5)
Pablo S.
This was my first time here and I was very disappointed with everything, the place was almost empty and the bartender seems to be in a rush to get us out, no hostess or anyone to greet us so we sat at the bar but that was a mistake, for $120 not again.
(2)
Suzanne C.
Visited The Fireplace for the first time last night for the Living Social voucher. I quite liked that they had a tastings meal already set aside for those with the voucher so you didn't have to sit there and try to figure out what stays within your budget or not. For my boyfriend who is not a fish eater they were able to substitute the appetizer and entree at no extra charge which I really appreciated. Service was pretty good although it took a while for the initial "hello, can I start you off with some drinks". Our waiter was great but every once in a while another guy would swing by with bread or to pick up our dishes and that guy was very abrupt, not friendly at all like we were inconveniencing him. All the food we had was great. They had a great wine selection but we did not indulge, simply stuck to our favorite beers. We dressed up but the attire seemed pretty casual. Parking was easy to find on a Sunday so I was happy about that! I would definitely go here again if I had the voucher, or just feeling rich :)
(3)
Bryanne R.
"Have you ever had waffles before?" This was the response when I asked what the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup was like. Yes, I know what waffles are. Ohh, you say they're cut into two triangles? Ohhh. OK. That helps. NO. What I want to know is what are all the sauce and extras like? Rum on my waffles? Needless to say, I think the waitress was confused as to why I was asking her about the waffles. After that awkward encounter, she bounced right back to her bouncy super-peppy self. So bouncy she managed to knock a few things around on our table. Enough criticism. The food here was wonderful. My "first" waffle experience was delicious, and I give them major props for the Crispy duck hash with fried eggs & toast. Mmm mmm good. Word also has it that the eggs Benedict was good too. All in all this was a great place for brunch. Relaxed and warm atmosphere. Interesting breakfast foods that are fairly priced for what you're getting. Don't be thrown off if you get a nutty waitress. It'll at least give you some funny conversations at the table. Oh PS...their coffee isn't that good. Hold out for the 'Bucks across the street.
(4)
Jesse A.
One star food, with an extra star for fine service and pleasant outdoor seating. Came here for a light"ish" lunch, so didn't try any true entrees, but after the lunch experience, I'm not inclined to find out what dinner has to offer. Soggy, cold buffalo wings; stringy, greasy crabcake pan-fried beyond recognition and tasking like mystery meat. No "lump" in this lump crabcake. Clean, fresh salad, but nothing spectacular and salmon overcooked and overspiced.
(2)
Gil G.
I came here for Christmas dinner last night and had a pretty terrible experience. I found the food incredibly overpriced for what we got (I expected it to be overpriced for Christmas, but still! $18 for extremely bland lobster bisque was NOT what I was expecting). It was very crowded and claustrophobic. We witnessed the manager YELLING at various patrons (right in front of us) and generally freaking out the whole time (angrily cleaning tables, yelling at waitstaff, etc...). This made the dinner extremely uncomfortable for us. I sat with my back to the staircase, which made me feel like I could tip backwards at any time. There were a bunch of people waiting for tables standing along the staircase, and one of them was leaning on my chair for most of the dinner. My husband's chair was slammed into for most of the meal. We had a 6:30 reservation, and by the time we were seated (almost 7pm, which was fine and I expected that on Christmas), they had run out of the lamb AND the steak. Everyone working there seemed extremely harried (especially the psycho manager) and discombobulated. They hadn't planned well at all. I read somewhere that it was voted "most romantic" restaurant, which quite frankly, shocked the hell out of me (even if it WASN'T crowded). There WAS a fireplace, but as previously mentioned, it was right next to the front door, and cold. I & my family had a terrible time, and I REALLY wish I had picked somewhere else to go on Christmas. I would never go back.
(1)
B C.
Its a solid neighborhood restaurant serving "stick to your ribs comfort food". Its a wonderful place to be on a chilly New England night when you want some hearty fare. The flavors are strong, but it can become too much before you finish your order. This chef is known for big flavors, it is my opinion that proper restrain needs to be applied when several strong flavors are on one dish. One example is the Seared Sea Scallops with BBQ Pulled Pork, Corn Pure & Corn Nuts appetizer. It is delicious on the first few bites, but since all three of the main ingredients are rich and high in oil content, it became too filling. I do not consider this place as a fine dining establishment, but rather a very high end diner.
(3)
Rebecca H.
Okay... 3 1/2 stars. The Fireplace makes a pretty good attempt at the whole gourmet brunch thing. However, nothing can satisfy me like a Zaftigs brunch can. So, unfortunately, this place will have to move down the bench. Brunch was quite pricy. Almost stupidly so. I ordered the omlette ($9!) and it was pretty good-- standard. Nothing too flashy. Didn't come with ANYTHING though. C'mon people, throw a few homefries on there. Not that you care, but I was GOING to order the corn waffles, but the idea of rum whilst suffering from a massive hangover was definitely not a good life decision. So, IF I go back (which, you know... I might), I'll order that. The decor, however, was TRES ROMANTIQUE! I can just imagine this place at night. Slinking over to a booth by the fire, cooing in your lover's ear as you both down bottles of wine and feed each other oysters... ugh. So, in summation-- good for a night of romance, not good for hanging out with the buds. The Publick House (next door) is the place to be if the latter is your only option. ALSO!!: Just an FYI, the place doesn't open until 11 am on Saturdays. So, yeah, my friend and I spent a good 15 minutes standing awkwardly outside...
(3)
bettina c.
Food: B+ Service: C- Great food. We were all happy with our meals. My brunch dish wasn't as tasty as the others but it was still good. The service is the main reason for my mediocre rating. Warning to all parents: They are not baby friendly! We came in with a snap-and-go stoller and acted like it was a huge inconvenience! Why? All in all, really good food but blah service, especially if you have babies.
(3)
Rebecca S.
The drinks are fantastic. The food is great. But the service is not always the best. It can take a long time (45 minutes) to get your food. So just plan accordingly.
(3)
Patrick K.
Great place. Cool atmosphere for a date. Reserve the table next to the Fireplace, it is quite romantic. Food was solid and service was awesome.
(5)
Sarah M.
I am so on the fence about this place. The food is great and the atmosphere is pleasant, so I keep going back and giving it another chance--5 chances now in fact. But every time I go, something weird happens. The service is off somehow. The wait staff is not as knowledgeable as you would expect. And after very prompt service through dinner, they left us sitting forever before asking if we wanted dessert. I want to give them a higher rating but something strange happens every time we go there.
the fireplace is fantastically inconsistent. their brunch food is pretty good, but the service fluctuates from fairly good to frustratingly bad. today, for instance, my boyfriend and i had a great waitress until two parties of 5 showed up shortly after we placed our order. i swear i could see the dollar signs in her eyes, and she literally abandoned us for the entirety of our meal. we would have liked to order more bloody marys, not to mention the opportunity to ask for more water, if she had taken 30 seconds to check with us. instead we ate without any beverages at all, never to hear from her again until it was time for the check. on top of that, this place is crazy overpriced. go to the cognac bistro for brunch instead of this place, their bloody mary is better and the service is, too.
(2)
Kara S.
Best eggs benedict I have ever had, such a perfectly poached egg and deliciously lemony sauce.
(5)
Rad B.
We had a night out and decided to go to The Fireplace mid-week. I won't go into detail about the prices, my wallet did not get out unscathed and we didn't have alcohol, but the food and service was great. We were a little early for dinner, we got there about 6:00 and had no trouble with seating. I have a thing about rude hosts and hostesses so it was pleasant to see that this hostess did not treat us if we were contagious. We started with the cheese plate their selection of cheese, we had a Great Hill Blue and Bonne Bouche, was very good and the plate had plenty of other little garnishes to go with it. I had the shrimp and haddock chowder and my wife had the Maine crab and artichoke salad, both excellent. I had Beef Stroganoff in Puff Pastry which was perhaps the best stroganoff I've had and my wife had the Chatham Cod which she loved as well. Our server was excellent, he provided great advice when asked and stopped by enough to let us know that he was paying attention without hovering. Based on our experience, I'd give The Fireplace 5 stars!
(5)
Dara C.
I've only been once, but I quite enjoyed my dinner and service was okay, if not great. I would go again, but only for brunch (I've heard things about the crispy duck hash that make it sound better than sex, or drugs, or sex on drugs.) I ate at Fireplace in the fall, and of course had some sort of autumn salad (with the ubiquitous arugula, walnuts, and cranberries, something that I must have had twelve times in the past six months) but it was better-than-average with a pomegranate-type dressing ... nice and tart, made the sweetness of the salad not so cloying. A decent-sized portion, too; I was told that portions were doll-sized here, but it was fine. Slightly more disappointing was my haddock; I don't even remember its prep or garnishes, but it involved something that was far too onion-y and overpowering. (I had onion breath all night; so, thanks, Fireplace, I didn't get laid because of you ...) I found myself scraping stuff off the top of my fish, and I felt like I was playing with my food like a 5 year old. Dessert was a sweet bread pudding that I liked, although again, the accompanying sauce (chocolatey?) was a bit overpowering and had to be removed a bit. Ambiance was lovely; I'm not from Boston so I'm a whore for New England kitsch: fireplaces, brick, scrawly script, dim lighting, even baked beans which I do not eat. The food was worth 3.5 stars, the ambiance 5. Bothersome, and the reason this review is only 3 stars, was the service. It took forever for our table to be bussed, and I'm not a rushy type of diner ... I just hate sitting and staring at dirty dishes for a while. It makes me want to bus them myself ... Our bread was a while as well, and it was stale when it came. Surely not the server's fault ... but when we asked for replacement bread, it took at least 5-10 minutes while other tables were breaded before us. Service just seemed disjointed, at times sloppy, and the timing of the meal was off (entrees arrived too soon after our apps, dessert took forever, check was dropped while we were barely done eating.) It WAS very busy but all restaurants get busy and not all restaurants have timing problems ... maybe this should be addressed. I do want to return for brunch and that aforementioned duck hash. Thinking about it makes me feel a little happier to be alive, and glad that Fireplace is literally around the corner.
(3)
Lisa E.
I have only been to The Fireplace for brunch - I think it is overpriced for dinner - but I enjoyed it. I thought the food was really the best part, no one in my party of 7 had any bad dishes. I ordered the cornmeal waffles, which were topped with berries and a fresh blueberry whipped cream that was incredible. The restaurant itself is tasteful and comfortable, and I appreciated that they seated my large group at a round table, that makes conversation so much nicer! My only complaint is a couple service gaffs. One person had lint in their water glass, and another's coffee left a huge chunk of grinds in the bottom of the cup. The waiter fixed each problem quickly but still, at a place that's supposed to be that nice, those kinds of things aren't really acceptable.
(3)
Sheri G.
It's taken me some time to warm up to the Fireplace, no pun intended. The first few times I went, I was underwhelmed by the food and impassive about the atmosphere. But as time has gone by, the food has made a dramatic improvement and I've grown very fond of the cozy dining room. I actually think that, based on my most recent meals, their food is possibly the best I've had in Brookline. I've always found the service to be friendly and very accommodating and the food usually comes quickly. The produce is especially good, and the kitchen folks know their way around a vegetable (which is sometimes less common than you might think). I also find their menu to offer lighter, healthier choices, which I really appreciate. Although several people have indicated that this isn't a place to bring kids, I have been here with very young children and had a lovely meal. They had a high chair, and were happy to have us. My only piece of advice is to ask for a table upstairs on a cold night, rather than opting to sit near the fireplace. Every time the door opens, the lower part of the dining room gets blasted with icy air. Not fun.
(4)
Alex H.
I offer this review with a major caveat -- we didn't eat a thing. Instead, we enjoyed outstanding, if pricey, cocktails. The friendly bartender fixed a delicious mash of bourbon, mint and citrus before moving on to one of the more complex hot toddies I've had in years: honey, whiskey, cinnamon, cloves and ginger beer, heated to perfection. Considering the long, cold walk on a wintry night, it was an ideal drink. The restaurant itself is appropriately cozy for a hearth-themed establishment, with high ceilings and a glowing fireplace that instantly creates a couple of "best seats in the house." I was intrigued by the menu, which was full of hearty, well-balanced seasonal dishes, though I could instantly tell that dinner for two would run past $100 in a blink. I look forward to returning for a special occasion meal in the future, especially on a similarly chilly evening.
(4)
Abby L.
It was kind of expensive, and although the food was good, it wasn't so memorable that I'll be racing back. It's regular American fare done well. I really enjoyed the roasted chicken, and the mashed potatoes were good, although I could have had half the butter in them and been happy (no, I'm not fat phobic - it was REALLY over the top butterwise). Great baked beans. This place is good, no doubt. The service was good, too. It just wasn't unique enough for me to feel the price was worth too many repeat visits.
(3)
Lester H.
3 1/2 Stars from me, too...So I'll go with 4 to even out the review below. Well, some friends and I were attempting to go to Publick house at 3 pm on a Sunday. The joke was on us, as it doesn't open until 4. So, in the spirit of good spirits, we plopped down at the Fireplace bar and had a round...or 4. The service was excellent and I was impressed by the bourbon selection, which I deem important. Not only did I have a glass of Knob Creek on the rocks, they were kind enough to give me more than a "shot." Sweet. The bread was delicious, as was the calamari. It was a great pit stop for the hour we had to kill. It was, un/fortunately, the start of an unintentionally very long day! No food service at Publick until 5 and we were off to the races. It didn't help that we followed the beerfest with cigars and drinks at Cigar Masters. It was a great, but long Sunday...Monday was not fun.
(4)
Katharine O.
Hands down the best meal I have had in a long long time. Absolutely all of the food was excellent, although we didn't get dessert. I can not wait for their Restaurant Month because the menu looks fantastic and it's going to be a great deal! The only complaints I had were: The service, our waitress was so impersonable, she walked away mid-conversation and was straight up rude. Luckily you don't deal with your particular server that frequently as they have runners that bring the food out. The seating, we were put in the corner of the room, which my boyfriend loved because I wasn't people watching, but I hated because I couldn't! The drinks...my drink was really good but my boyfriends was not. The wine list was fairly decent though so next time we may just stick with drinks you can't screw up and a bottle of wine.
(4)
Sithembile X.
I used to only go to the fireplace for their mussells......and they are the greatest I have ever tasted......but after trying their eggs benedict, I always look for an excuse to go there. The ambiance at night is great and also their Lating Thursdays are great! I recomment this place to anyone that is looking to try something great but also not too pricey. :)
(5)
Michael L.
I've been here a few times now and had a positive experience each time. Great food. Nice atmosphere.
(4)
Robyn L.
This place has classy written all over it. (Classy, not stuffy.) It's a beautiful restaurant with, of course, a fireplace. There's a good-size bar to the right of the entrance, which is the perfect spot for a more casual dinner setting. The main dining area is up a flights of stairs and seems a bit dressier -- not that there's a dress code. The bartender is excellent here. He makes a mean espresso martini (we each had three!) and he seems to know a good gazpacho when he sees it -- though the best gazpacho is apparently not at The Fireplace. It is a refreshing appetizer if you're not looking for an extra zippy, extra cold version. For an entree, the seafood dishes were perfectly cooked and more than enough to feel full (I couldn't finish mine there was so much food on the plate), especially with the yellow corn pudding! Man was that good...
(4)
Elizabeth w.
The Fireplace is a wonderful restaurant, with delicious food and a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. For a large brunch the morning after my son's wedding, the menu was imaginative and unforgettable. Working with Jim was a real pleasure as he proposed and designed a menu that fit our specifics--seasonal and some Southern tastes, all vegetarian, tasty brunch beverages--and the variety of choices offered to guests was outstanding. I am still hungry for the wild mushroom bread pudding and small corn souffles, not to mention the delicious desserts and great egg dishes. And the friends and family that were there came away with a wonderful last memory to top off a happy wedding weekend.
(5)
Carrie M.
I went here with my boyfriend a few weeks ago to use our buywithme coupon. I didn't realize how expensive this place was until I got there. Our bill was over $80. We each had a glass of wine (very good!), soup and a dinner entree. My boyfriend had the butternut squash soup which was great. I had the clam chowder which I didn't care for as it was very watery and I like creamy clam chowder. The bread they give you is amazing! so yummy! I had the squash ravioli for my meal and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the chicken with sweet potatoes and he really enjoyed his meal as well. Overall, a great cozy restaurant in Brookline right on Beacon Street. I would definitely return again.
(4)
Lee R.
The food here is pretty good, but definitely not worth the prices that are charged. You can get a much better meal elsewhere in the city. We had the ricotta gnocchi and the maple-glazed half chicken. The gnocchi was tasty, but the chicken was just...chicken ($26 chicken, to be exact). We ordered a bottle of wine, and after the initial pour, our server never refilled our glasses or checked to see if we'd like another bottle. I'm amazed that the Fireplace is still in business after 10 years...
(3)
Brie M.
I had to re-write my review on this restaurant. I had a bad experience about a month or so with the Fireplace. I tweeted and wrote a yelp review. I was contacted by the owner and head chef to ask what went wrong. He then wanted to make it up to me by sending a gift certificate. I was sent a very generous gift certificate and had an excellent experience. The staff and food was great. I would definitely recommend the lamb shank. It was one of the best that I ever had!
(4)
Kristen F.
Cute and nice inside and the fire does create a cozy atmosphere and glowing ambiance. The menu is interesting... I got something like "Roasted Half Chicken with mashed potatoes & sage brown butter" thinking that it would be those things, yet separate... but it's all infused together. Disappointed until I took a bite and... amazing!! Would never think to put some of these things together but they have, and they've done it well. Food is a little pricey... probably would go back for a special occasion or a nice date. If you haven't been here before, you should try it.
(4)
Nicole K.
Had dinner there on a Saturday night after waiting for over an hour at the Washington Square Tavern. We walked in and were seated right away. The meal started out ok. The waitress came over multiple times to take our order even though we were not quite ready but that was ok. We ordered our drinks and 1/2 dozen oysters *delicoius* and split a bowl of smoked shrimp/haddock chowder. The drinks came as our oysters arrived. We ordered our dinner, I had the braised short ribs and my boyfriend had duck. Then the waitress dissappeared. I would have liked another glass of wine and my boyfriend wanted a beer. Our dinner was served about 20 minutes later by a bus boy or food runner, still no waitress in sight. Finally she came to check on our meal and my bf got his beer, I wasn't feeling another glass of wine at that point. My meal was good, very tender meat and delicous 'cheesy semolina porridge'. The vegetables were quite vinegary *if this is a word* but still tasty. My bf's meal was a disaster. He got the pan roasted duck which should have been called candy duck. The duck was SO sweet and barely editable. The 'roast' duck was sliced on top of basically a candied duck confeit pancake on top of super sugary sweet mashed sweet potatoes. He was VERY dissapointed with his meal and felt like he had desert for a meal. She return with the beer and then once again, gone. The bus boy packaged up my leftovers and we asked for the check. Well 15 minutes later she showed up. Took our card 10 minutes later. We waited 5 more minutes while we saw her hanging out with other employees. Then finally got the card and left. Long story short, food was mediocre and the waitress was awful. One the bright side, the bus boys provided nonstop water which was nice as it was the only service we had all night.
(2)
Katie W.
I met a two of my friends for lunch at the Fireplace mainly because the location was convenient for us. It was very impressed by the meal. I ordered a chicken ceaser salad and it was delicious! The chicken was so tender, I couldn't get enough. The wine by the glass list offered great selections at reasonable prices. I will definitely go back!
(4)
George K.
This was definitely our special place in Boston. Great food, welcoming staff and HUGE martinis kept us coming back time and time again. They ended up booking quite a bit of good music here too on week nights which was a nice change of pace. I highly recommend this spot as one of Brookline's best. We used to finish here after 2 martinis each, bottle of wine, and cognac and head to Anam Cara next door for vodka drinks. Nights to remember! Best way to keep warm in the cold Boston winter.
(5)
Jonathan S.
Went here late last night after driving around aimlessly trying to decide on a place to grab a quick dinner. Extra points for serving the full dinner menu until 11. Service was great, and food was at the least an average effort. Caesar salad was overdressed and over-cheesed (this has become a pattern of criticism for me, apparently), and the "signature" chicken was very good, albeit somewhat small in portion. For dessert, the chocolate fudge cake was pretty much exactly the same as every other 'molten' cake on the block. There's definitely nothing wrong with The Fireplace. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. It just doesn't stand out for me... at all. It's like a 3-series BMW with an automatic transmission. By all means a good car, but there are LOTS of others around for the same or less money that you might enjoy even more.
(3)
sunny n.
My dining experience was quite pleasant....to start we ordered the New England Artisanal Cheeses, Homemade Garlic Crackers, and Tasty Little Garnishes.....mmm very very yum..and certainly warmed up an appetite with our wine... I was dissapointed to hear they only served american wine....upon asking if they served only american..my waiter..who was a complete douche for the remainder of the evening..was ..like "ohhh no ...we ooonly serve American"...unh wait did I offend someones patriotism....honestly wateva....I tried to stay content and happy with some great company of friends..and the food...TheGrilled Lamb Steak & Fig Demi Sauce, Served with Garlicky Wilted Spinach and Golden Brown Red Bliss Potatoes...seemed to be a popular choice at the table..and was quite good...very tender....although could have used a little more ummph... I definately like the atmosphere..warm..inviting..the fireplace is definately romantic n cozy...we need more venues in Boston with a fireplace...seriously...brings in that New England charm during the winter....I felt the menu was a little overpriced..and my waiter was such a boob...otherwise..id tick this at least fourstars...!!
(3)
Morgan H.
I really, really wanted to like The Fireplace. The food was solid and enjoyable. A little overpriced, but easily overlooked if everything else had been a great experience. However, the service was HORRIBLE. The waitress was pleasant, knowledgeable, and I don't think the issue lies with her, but with management. We were celebrating a birthday, had presents on the table, and were easily looking forwards to a 3-4 rounds of drinks and a pleasant evening. We barely got two drinks in and didn't want to spend another hour waiting for dessert. We were seated at our reservation time, great. But then it took 15 minutes before the waitress said hi and asked for drinks. Then another 15 minutes before drinks were served and we were asked for our orders. My dining companion, the birthday girl hissed at me, "You better make up your mind and order; I'm not waiting another 20 minutes." We split the tuna tartare: good fish, not overwhelming with oils and spices allowing the tuna to shine. At this time, we finished our cocktails. So, after 45 minutes since seated, with empty cocktail glasses, we were asked about another round and ordered, what we thought, our first round of wine. Wine arrived after an hour of being seated. Dinner arrived at the 1:20 mark. The food was hot, was tasty and no complaints besides being large servings and not quite up to the quality one would think for the price we were paying. When our food was served, the birthday girl was almost out of wine, and sensing a pattern, ordered a third glass. It arrived after we had finished our meals, another 20 minutes later. We spent over two hours with two courses and two (three for the birthday girl) rounds of drinks. After the waitress left us our check, and we inserted our credit cards, it was promptly picked up by a manager, but then we waited another 10 minutes before our credit cards were returned to us and we could pay and leave. After our dinner and before we left, I tried to flag down a manager to discuss our issues, but I could never grab one. Our bill, for two people, came to $139. One appetizer, four drinks, two entrees. For that much, I would have expected a lot BETTER service, and maybe a question or mention about the presents on the table and a "are you celebrating anything tonight?" inquiry. Never were we welcomed, or told about the specials, or any of the other little pleasantries I now take for granted at other places. I will be calling the management tomorrow to discuss what happened.
(2)
Richard C.
After a string of mediocre to poor burgers over the past month, I declared my expectations would be low from now on, secretly hoping that would make my burger experiences more enjoyable. Well it seemed to work, or the burger was just pretty good anyhow (more likely) on a trip to The Fireplace in Brookline. Not hearing much about the restaurant before I went, certainly hearing even less of the burger, I had the pleasure of having an unexpected moment of satisfaction upon the first bite. I pretty much know the verdict on a burger within the first bite or two, and was pleasantly surprised at how juicy and salty (in the good way) this burger was immediately. It fooled me, really, kind of a "where the hell did that come from" moment. Admittedly, a few past burgers have been good because I wasn't expecting much. Common Ground, Highland Kitchen, and Washington Square Tavern all come to mind. Ultimately they were good because they were good, not because of any preconceived notions. Good beefy flavor and seasoned nicely, the burger at The Fireplace costs $10, $12 if you want cheese. I still say cheese should be included, whereas something like bacon should probably be an additional fee. But what do I know about running a restaurant? The bacon, maple smoked in this case, is kind of a turn off, much too sweet for my tastes and is more chewy than crispy. It's a straightforward burger, no ace up it's sleeve if you will, but I'm okay with that. It's cooked a perfect medium rare from start to finish, and is juicy and flavorful throughout. The trendy Vermont Cheddar is fully melted, but not enough cheese on this burger for a $2 surcharge methinks. January tomato and lettuce come along, as do some underwhelming pickles that are neither good or bad. The bun is the only aspect that is really a let-down, even then it's not a deal breaker. Too toasty and basically too stale to be effective, it is the proper size for the perfectly sized beef patty. Over-toasting does it no justice though, as it crumbles into nothingness bite after bite, failing to benefit this sandwich in the slightest. The fries are crispy and done just right, seasoned fairly well, simply done, and respectable. How a French Fry becomes respectable is anybody's guess.
(3)
Twinkletoes S.
I flipping love this place! It never fails to satisfy and I love the menu. Every time. Brunch, lunch, dinner, you name it. I just can't say enough great things about this place. It's that comforting home-made meal.
(5)
Rebecca C.
We really weren't impressed with the Fireplace. We ordered the pear/goat cheese salad, which was ok, but pretty much had no flavor that stood out. Nothing unique whatsoever. We also got the pumpkin bisque, which was good, but honestly was the only part of the meal that was in line with the pricing. The sirloin was fatty and chewy, and for a $30 entree, I expect more. The mashed potatoes and broccoli were good, but the main part of the dish should have been better. Molten chocolate cake was mediocre, if that's possible for chocolate to be mediocre. It really wasn't anything to write home about. Not impressed in the slightest. The best part of the meal was the drinks. Scary.
(2)
Jorel F.
It was crowded because of restaurant week, but our server was on point and made it seem like we were all by ourselves. The food was good, and I especially like the Green/sustainable focus!!! Again, our server was good... and we all know how rare that is.
(4)
Erik D.
There's a curtain blocking your way when you walk in, but I like the effect when you walk through the door. We were 15 minutes late for our reservation on valentine's day, but they were totally accommodating and sat us right away and got drinks for us right away. We got oysters as an appetizer, and they were EXCELLENT! the drinks were very good! I got the surf and turf special - the swordfish was skewered, but tasted only so-so, it just tasted kind of bland. however the lamb that came with it was absolutely delicious, and it was presented in a very asthetically pleasing way. the waiter was pefectly paced and talked in a weird soothing voice... kind of creeped me out a little, but he was perfect for a waiter. even after we finished, the owner came over to us to ask us how our meal was and if everything was satisfactory - but he did this as a hint that we needed to leave, because we were just sticking around talking at the table, and they were waiting to sit people. he was totally polite about it, and it was no problem at all, as we had been there for almost 2 hours on valentine's day. overall the place was great, we weren't sat to close to anyone or anything. the bench seats with the tables kind of suck a little though because you sink down into them, so if you're a guy and doin't want to look like you're only 4'11'' tall, use the hard seat. the ambience of the place was right on. the only reason i take only one star off is because i haven't given a 5 star review yet.
(4)
Tim G.
The Fireplace does everything well--the food, the vibe, the service--but nothing, except maybe the still warm bread--knocked us over. Think of it as a Volvo--well-made and reliable but definitely not flashy. You could go 50 times and never have a truly memorable meal but also never have a bad one. My one caveat would be that it's priced like a place that should be more memorable, ie, that should have at least something that really stands out. As an appetizer, I ordered the fig, peach and apple salad, which would've been excellent if the Granny Smith apples hadn't so outnumbered the figs and peaches as an appetizer. Likewise, as an entree, I had the salmon, which is hard to ruin unless you overcook it, and the Fireplace didn't. My sides--green beans and quinoa--were swimming in butter, which I don't like. That was noted nowhere on the menu--maybe I should've asked. For a place that specializes in locally sourced, "new" New England cuisine, I also found the Freplace's beer list a little uninspiring. I had Harpoon IPA, which while good enough, is available in plenty of places with neon Budweiser signs and blaring TVs.
(4)
cath e.
Fabulous unique drinks - great food - am a foodie Love NYC restaurants and can say this food is well done-Anyone who complains is a nut case- Friendly happ y place people waiting so GO_but make reservations :)
(4)
ron k.
Pretty good food, but for the price I think I could get better. Nice atmosphere for a quiet romantic night out.
(3)
Lindley E.
Fueled by the matrons of Brookline...The Fireplace has beaten the odds and just keeps going and going. I don't really get it, but that's nothing new. I can't ever remember what I ate there because amnesia sets in every time. It is always fine -- no better, no worse...standard upskeevy restaurant fare. I wouldn't go out of my way for a meal here.
(3)
Kathleen O.
Oh the Fireplace how I love you...... when I'm doing ok with the dough flow that is. Obviously I have not been able to indulge myself as usual due to the Dow but a lovely place like this deserves a nice review from me. It is a great place for a special occasion of any kind. A very friendly staff, not because "you are paying for it" (i.e. fake nice) I do imagine they are well taken care of in that department, but because they are nice folks who can make you feel comfy in those fancy shoes. I mean they don't talk down to you for wanting to sit at the bar with a cheese plate and a raspberry mule (try it- you will die of refreshing drunken happiness! ) or for not knowing some ingredients. I will say during the winter you wont regret ordering the spit roasted Chicken- OMG OMG OMG- so amazingly tender juicy and full of flavor! I also love a place that uses the expensive white plump anchovies in a salad... oh hell yea the fire place is where it's at weather you are graduating and family is in town, it's turkey day and no one want's to cook, or you just NEED a raspberry mule and some damn cheese!
(4)
Kristine M.
Very, very disappointing. I went there for brunch once and ordered waffles. The waffle was quite good, HOWEVER, it was not a full waffle! It was HALF a waffle artfully arranged on the plate. I left hungry. I should not be hungry after brunch. I won't go back there. There are better options for brunch in and around Boston where I could get a FULL waffle for the price that I got a mere half at The Fireplace.
(2)
Jenny N.
My parents are super picky eaters. They like food that is recognizable and comforting, but I wasn't about to take them to Applebee's for Mother's Day (nevermind that Applebee's and Chili's are like tops on my dad's favorite dining list). Fireplace did the trick though. There was a good mix of seafood, red meat, and greens. For once, my dad went out on a limb and ordered the duck prepared 3 ways (confit, pate, and in a tart). I got the hangar steak (nicely charred); mom had yellowfin tuna, sister got quail salad, and boyfriend had duck & chicken pot pie. Everybody (except the boyfriend) was happy with their entrees, and I wasn't too unhappy about the check. Yeah, it's pricey, but after a couple of well-mixed cocktails, it's pretty much smooth sailing... My main complaint was the seating. I nearly tipped over in my seat because the floor was uneven! At first I thought it was the chair, so I got a replacement. Too bad the second chair had a broken leg as well.... But seating woes aside, we had an enjoyable meal and left too stuffed for dessert. Fireplace may not be hip exactly, but they do comfort food with a nice twist. If you are looking for a trendier dining destination, step across the street to Washington Square Tavern.
(4)
Katharine S.
Delicious! Went here on a date and had a really nice meal. I loved the duck with mashed sweet potato. Staff was especially attentive. Yes, it is slightly overpriced, but it's Brookline. Are you surprised? Nice wine list as well.
(4)
Aubrey G.
I came here for my birthday this year and had a terrible experience. First of all the place is way overpriced. It looks pretty, but the food is nothing special. So while I was seated I got to enjoy the conversation of the owner and a patron - they were talking about growths on their body!!!!!!!! It was disgusting! This conversation went on for about 30 minutes. Then the owner went to another table and talked to a patron about the delivery of his goods. Then he was dealing with an angry patron and did not try to fix and move on from the situation, he just stood there and watched them eat and then talked about another visit he has with a doctor! This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, but the owner was rude, loud and just unacceptable. If you want to make nice with the people you are feeding, talk about the weather or how tasty the overpriced chicken was. Service was terrible - we waited forever.... I started writing this with 3 stars, but my anger has resurfaced and I'm making it 2!
(2)
Han K.
The Fireplace used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area to have a nice sit down meal for a special occasion. It's always been good but over the years it's just become less and less appealing, the food doesn't seem to be as good as I first remember, and the prices seem to be going up for less. I'm still a fan and would go back if someone on the menu really intrigued me, but so far lately it's just hasn't been doing it for me. I give if 4 instead of 3 stars because I really dig that they use 888 products, by far my favorite distiller in the world, to make their cocktails with.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
We went to The Fireplace restaurant for my 40th birthday dinner and expected it to be a special dinner for a special night, but it was a giant disappointment. First of all, the service was not very good. We waited a long time for our drinks and our food and the restaurant wasn't even full. The biggest disappointment of all was that my brother had called ahead and purchased a bottle of champagne that they were to bring out to surprise us with and they never brought it. My brother had even called earlier in the day to confirm that they had the bottle and that the payment had been made. When he found out that they never gave it to us he was really upset and called to complain and make sure that they didn't charge him for the bottle and the person he talked to didn't even apologize. What a disappointment and terrible service. The food was good (not great, but solidly good) but I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Kate P.
I love The Fireplace -- I'd say it is the best restaurant in Brookline. It has inventive dishes and has an excellent variety of things to choose from, especially for non-meat eaters, which is unusual. It also has a great bar and makes top-notch cocktails. In addition, the owner, Jim Solomon, is incredibly generous when it comes to supporting local charities -- another reason to give The Fireplace business!
(4)
Sasha R.
Washington Square has so much potential, and is shamefully underused by businesses, overshadowed by the glamor of Coolidge Corner. I was excited that a cool eclectic restobar was open in the area. But I was disappointed. The atmosphere is cozy, and the wine list is decent, but the food was so so, and very expensive. I still go back, but stick to the bar area and the tasty mixed drinks.
(3)
Kirby M.
I've been intrigued by The Fireplace for quite sometime and when my family and my co-worker's family was in town I saw that as the perfect opportunity to settle my curiosity. We walked in and just smelled like New England. I spend a lot of time in NH during the winter and it just brings me back to winter nights at a ski lodge by the fire. To my, and my co-worker's, delight, the bartenders were incredibly cute and friendly. I'm sorry, but it is hard to knock a place that has good eye candy. Overall I think everyone was satisfied with their meals, however, I didn't get that sense of "wow." But my theory is as long as something wasn't totally inedible and the rest of the pieces are up to par (such as the ambiance, service, drinks, etc) then I don't mind paying a little extra money. And see, when I say I don't mind paying, obviously it was my parents' treat so I mind even less. However, I will go back again, maybe even just to grab some drinks and hit on the bartenders. ;) Oh yeh, and P.S., because of the actual fireplace that's in the restaurant, my clothes smelt like I just left one of the bonfires parties we'd have in the middle of the woods during HS. Just want you to know that.
(4)
K M.
DECADENT COMFORT FOOD: This has to be my favorite restaurant locally. The food is phenomenal, but be warned: it's rich, filling, and quite expensive. But this is the perfect place to wow a date some chilly, snowy evening.
(5)
T L.
a restaurant called the fireplace has to be good right? actually it wasnt bad... it was pretty packed so it was tough to get a decent seat so the waiter crammed us into the little section right in front of the fireplace (they actually have one here); lots of old people on dates here, must be the spot for acquard dates, but it kinda of too loud for any sort of real convo; they have a crappy little bar area; so we went with 2 of the waiter recommended dishes, grilled frank steak which was alright but the serving size was for a 5yr old kid but mashed potatoes were good; we also had the "signature" rotisserie chicken with greens, mashed pototatoes and sage brown butter sauce - no joke, this was really damn tasty, perfectly cooked chicken and the sauce makes it work (would get this again in a heartbeat) ; we went the molten chocolate cake for desert which was good small restaurant, so make reservation for a good seat 7 out of 10
(4)
melissa c.
i've lived in the area for a number of years now and this is one of my go to places for a nice dinner or to bring my out of town guests. they are always impressed so it's my safe bet for a nice dinner. i've had their brunch, lunch, and dinners many times and have always been satisfied with my selections. the wait staff is very friendly and their service is top notch. sometimes i go for a sit down dinner and other times i'll grab dinner at the bar with a friend. the bartenders are great and have good recommendations. everyone is super friendly which always impresses me. the atmosphere is intimate and even if there's a wait it's not too bad and worth the wait. i like that they switch the menu up from time to time and always offer a lighter fare or larger meal. i'm a big fan. oh, and what i like the best is that i've had several conversations with jim soloman the owner. he's a very friendly guy thats out on the floor interacting with his guests. he's a good guy and it's nice to see his restaurant doing so well.
(4)
Colin N.
I went there on Sunday night for my birthday dinner with my girlfriend. Her mom had given me a gift certificate, but we have both been there prior and had great experiences. It was a little quiet on Sunday in the main restaurant, but the bar area had some life when we left at around 10:00. I was unfamiliar with the wine on the menu, and the waiter suggested a fantastic cabernet. The calamari starter was excellent, but a little large for 2 people. I ordered the sirloin with asparagus and mashed potatoes for my main. It was fantastic! The meat was medium (as I had requested) and the mashed potatoes were really tasty. If you like great, upscale comfort food, The Fireplace is a wonderful restaurant.
(5)
Ann C.
i wasn't really impressed. maybe it was because they took something simple like a reuben and tried make it into something special and too much. let's not over do a basic good. at least, their bisque was good.
(3)
Susan J.
A delightfully comfortable and upscale restaurant in Washington Square - great for a date or out of town company. Entres are a bit pricey, but the salads are large enough (and tasty enough) to eat as an entre. The cheese tart is a great appetizer, too. Loved the decor (and the waiters as eye-candy); however, service was a tad slow.
(5)
Andrea G.
Way overrated. I thought this place was very overpriced for the type of food they're serving, and the food wasn't even that special. Our busser was atrocious, knocking into us and getting her fingerprints all over the silverware. Minor pluses: I did have an excellent strawberry mint martini, and dessert was yummy. Not enough to bring me back, though.
(3)
Jay and Jenn O.
Went here for restaurant week last year and it was ok. Not that great of a place if its pricey and just ok.
(2)
Meera S.
I visited this place for the first time last night despite it being literally just round the corner, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised! Great atmosphere inside, lovely and cosy, and the service was impeccable. The courses were nicely paced and we didn't feel rushed or hassled, and they brought out extra plates for us to share our courses without being asked. The menu has a good range of options, from lighter options for those with smaller appetites to bigger places. It is pricey, but the food was absolutely fantastic - really great flavours and beautifully presented. The cocktails we also ordered were great. The one thing that would definitely keep me coming back is the Bread and butter pudding with drunken raisins. Drunken raisins - what an absolutely genius idea. I am a bread and butter pudding obsessive, and this is the best one I have ever tasted. Even the waitress was drooling in envy. This would be a great spot to come for a special occasion or a date!
(5)
Tom N.
I've eaten here several times and likely will not be going back any time soon: the reason--some total "d-bag" "a-hole" decided to take his shoes and his socks off while seated in the outdoor patio area having dinner (with a date no less!) to the extreme consternation of all in the immediate environment (and I'm sure the traffic on Beacon St. as well). The offending shoes and socks were deposited squarely on the ground in painful plain view of all! Management: where were you on this? The food is generally very good (although somewhat overpriced for the quality/quantity of the servings). I would give 3 /12 stars for the food and the (somewhat spotty) service, but management does bear a level of responsibility to ensure that patrons paying top dollar for dinner are not totally grossed and skeeved out by ignorant, classless morons. And it was a busy Saturday night no less. Call it barefoot on Beacon Street in Brookline!
(2)
Kevin C.
Very Romantic setting with delicious food. Menu is very easy to order from with staples such as chicken, steak and pork. Restaurant is lit up with candles and the service was first class. Good selection of wine and cocktails.The prices are high but well worth it if you want to impress a special someone for an important occassion.
(4)
Lynda M.
You have to love comfort food with a flair to love this place. Upscale yet casual, the menu will suit meat eaters as well as vegetarians. Their "simple grills" choices are the best. I prefer to come here in the winter because of the fireplace, but the summer outdoor dining is nice as well. I have never had a bad experience here and I have been coming here often since the post 911 restaurant benefit in 2001. My friends and boyfriend love it, and it is a great place to dine on New Years to ring in the new year!
(5)
Lemuel L.
A nice place with nice food. I like the bar the best. They need to improve their Caesar salad but they're trying very hard to please. Worth a visit with a date.
(3)
Robert B.
was back for my b day-- scallops with figs were the bomb--- can't wait to come back again (home spiced rum was awesome!!!)
(5)
Chris O.
the food was good, and it has a nice atmosphere, we went with a group of people, somehow our waitress overheard some portion of our conversation (lord only knows what) and assumed we were talking about her (we weren't, i know that for sure) and apparently refused to serve us anymore and the manager helped us for the rest of our meal, we had no idea of the change until we left and saw her practically crying and talking to another staff about how she couldn't believe we said that about her, who knows what it was, we certainly don't, it definitely was not about the staff!!
(3)
Rebecca Y.
I've only been for brunch, but it was delightful. Opens at 1100am on Sundays. Creative, upscale dining, but you can wear more casual clothes to brunch on Sundays. We had been chatting with our waitress about the no booze before Noon rule and prompty at Noon she came over to tell the bar was now open and asked if we'd still like our Bloody Marys. Um, wait, YES! You can't beat that kind of service.
(4)
Timmy S.
Any establishment that proudly puts chicken livers on their menu is alright by me. The Fireplace is kind of like putting on a tie to go eat in the comfort of your own living room; sure, you might get marinara on your oxford cloth, . . . but it's so fun to dress up.
(4)
Ali O.
The seating was crammed and booth-style a la upscale McDonald's. Almost no veg. options except for house salad, an appetizer and a pasta dish. The food was not very flavorful and slightly over priced. Decent meal, but not stellar
(2)
darcy d.
This place is wayyyy out of my budget. As things stand, I rate this restaurant a 1 for atmosphere. It does have a fireplace, which looks nice and romantic, despite the fact that they cram lots of tables around it to squeeeeze everybody in there. (The majority of tables, however, are away from the fireplace... so it's lucky for them that i got to sit near it or else they may have gotten an even worse review!) The prices are high, and the portions are French, as in petite. They basically rob you. My boyfriend ordered a lamb special that consisted of 2 chunks of lamb on a plate with a couple of vegetables. THE PLATE LOOKED BARE; i'll put it that way. And, when i ordered a salad for dinner the waitress, giving me an attitude, said 'is that ALL you'll be having??' the service was the worst... except for the fact that we waited about 2 minutes to be seated in what seemed to be a pretty busy place. Oh, and we decided to spring for a near-$20 pitcher of sangria (which isn't too expensive)-- but it tasted like blueberry juice and selzer water. So I asked the waitress if it had anything besides juice and selzer water in it and she didn't like that, but was kind enough to put some more wine in there, not that i could tasted it but she SAID that's what she did. I hear the other drinks there are fabulous, though... for about $10 a piece. If i was a billionaire i would call the fireplace a mediocre restaurant, but as it stands I just call it awful.
(1)
L S.
What. Happened?! This used to be my go-to. Hadn't been in a while and returned to find prices up and portions shrunk. Even the once amazing bread was half the size and rock hard (warm but rock hard). Burger is tiny but most importantly does not live up to the "best burger in Boston" which may have been voted once over 10 years ago. Everything that we ordered was over salted as well. Bummer.
(2)
April Y.
A little pricey, but worth it. Went in for lunch, split a sandwich and salad with my boyfriend. Both the Cobb salad and the smoked turkey club were great. That sandwich comes wrapped in a johnnycake instead of heavy bread, which we both loved. Cranberry mayo was a perfect complement and all the flavors were well-balanced. Fries were just okay; not bad, but if we go again I'd like to try the potato salad instead. Service was prompt and friendly, and when I let them know we were sharing, both our items came out split evenly on two plates.
(4)
Janet H.
Came here during restaurant week, and the food was just so-so.. I thought overall the food was on the bland side, and I was so disappointed in their bass... I'm a huge sea bass fan -- when cooked right, they're so buttery, flaky, and flavorful. Fireplace's sea bass was rubbery and was lacking flavor. So sad. Their appetizer (kale quinoa salad) was also quite flavorless. On the other hand, their dessert was amazing and devoured within seconds. Chocolate lava cake a la mode? Heavenly perfection. Despite their lackluster food, their service is fantastic. Servers were attentive and fun, and also really knew their food/wine. Major kudos to allowing us split the restaurant week menu! They were really generous with portions (geez, I don't know how one person could eat all of that) and they kindly split everything into two. I'm not sure if I would come back. The server was raving about the lobster roll, which we sadly could not order because we were too full.
(3)
Lauren F.
Overpriced for the food, service, and atmosphere. I have been in a couple of times and we have had horrible service. The food was okay but that is where it stops. Every time I have went in, I keep hoping I will have a better experience, but this hasn't been the case. I would recommend Washington Square Tavern or Barcelona over the Fireplace if you are in the Washington Square area.
(2)
Katharine P.
5 stars for the service alone! We went for after dinner drinks and dessert last night after eating at the Publick House. Our waiter (Javier?) was so attentive, had excellent recommendations, and never made us feel rushed. The thing that prompted me to write a review was that I ordered a decaf coffee. They didn't have any ready, but instead of coming back and going through the whole back and forth of what do you want instead, he pulled an incredible decaf americano, brought it over, and asked if it would be ok instead. I so appreciate that kind of anticipation and initiative! Side note: that was the best americano (or even cup of coffee) I've had in Boston yet. I'll be back just for that. $50 for four desserts, a cocktail, and a coffee.
(5)
Brenda N.
Received a $100 gift card, and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food! We started with the drinks, I ordered the creamsicle soda. It reminded me of eating a creamsicle popsicle as a child. My mother got an interesting drink that had included ginger beer. She really liked it. For appretizers, we ordered the stuffed chicken wing and the New England Artisanal Cheeses. They were great dishes. On to Entrees, I got the fireplace burger. I believe that the bacon is homemade, if not it tastes homemade. I loved the pickles (which were also homemade). My mother got the Halibut, and it didn't have that fishy smell that comes with most seafood dishes. For desserts, it came with a little bit of everything. Vanilla ice cream, seriously light lemon cake, chocolate fudge cake, and donuts. It was really enjoyable, and I would return.
(5)
Stacey G.
Came here for dinner with my mom. The menu is limited especially for a vegetarian like myself. I had the small buttercup squash for my entree. It was delicious. Very flavorful! I would have loved to try the kale soup but the waiter said it was made with chicken stock... Bummer My mom had the maple glazed half chicken. She said it was moist and tasted really good. It was very juicy, cooked perfectly. It's a very large portion so you will have left overs. The mashed potatoes were very under seasoned. Very nice staff. I will definitely return!
(4)
Jenn S.
I am still a fan but I must say that the lobster roll I have gotten the last couple times has been really, really over buttered and the lobster has been less abundant. Definitely not as good as the first time. We started off with shrimp cocktail and it had little ice cups filled with cocktail sauce. Also ordered the Salmon with potatoes and kale and it was absolutely delicious!
(4)
Chase S.
An institution for sure but a few hang-ups that prevent me from giving it rave reviews. The good: Incredible short rib -- one of the few places that prepares it well and clearly excellent ingredients. Green restaurant. Quarky feel to the restaurant. The bad: Awkward waiting area -- tons of people always huddled at the front when the hostess table is in the middle of the restaurant. If you sit in the front, be prepared to have lots of confused people huddling around you. Host/hostess generally aren't super directive and often are confused about who's who on the reservations, as well. Somewhat pricey compared to surrounding establishments. Brunch is a meh for me -- generally regular fare that's pricey/often mimicking Wash Sq Tavern but not as delicious or generous in portion.
(3)
Sonia N.
I've been to The Fireplace twice so far and the food and ambience is...wow 5 stars. I knocked off that last star for the service as it can be hot or cold depending on the time you visit. With the many options, do yourself a favor and order the grilled squid and their sweet potato fries. Guaranteed not to disappoint your taste buds. The squid had this intense smoky mesquite flavor that was unique from the usual squid/calamari/octopus dishes I've had in other restaurants and we could taste the sweet potato in our fries in each and every bite. We also had their raw bar (oysters, clams and shrimp) and mussels. The cocktail shrimp weren't as large as we're accustomed to but no other compliants as it was very fresh nonetheless. We will definitely be back soon to try some of their other delectable choices!
(4)
Jill S.
Overpriced, "traditional" New England fare (read: boring and unimaginative). This is a place to take your grandparents when they visit.
(2)
Martha J.
Service and food were very good! Enjoyed the Caesar salad and Muscles. My husbands hamburger looked delicious too! The decor is very dated! Cluttered knick knacks, dried flowers and American flags decorate this two level space! A fresh coat of paint and some modern colors would give Fireside a new look! I like the open kitchen! Always good to see where your food is being prepared!
(3)
Sylvia C.
Gave this place another try for dinner....and guess who was our server...Chris. Wondered if he remembered our episode a few months back. Regardless, there was a drastic improvement in his service. He was attentive, quick and friendly. He even gave a good recommendation on the bottle of wine - Bread & Butter pinot noir. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share - the highlights were definitely the grilled squid and sweet potato fries. The squid was perfectly grilled with a smokey finish. You can actually taste the sweet potato in the sweet potato fries and it was not overly fried. We wrapped up our evening with the snicker cheesecake - which was a nice balance of salty and sweet.
(4)
Joanie L.
Hadn't been to the Fireplace in a long time but had an amazing Easter brunch there last weekend. High marks across the board for the food; regular and salmon eggs benedict, cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon & ham, excellent lamb, chicken, salmon, mushroom bread pudding, grilled asparagus, green beans w/ bacon, a couple salads. I ate most of the above and it was all very good. French toast was the only thing I didn't care for. Desserts of a very chocolaty little cake and a nice mini lemon cheesecake were great. Service was all right, could have been a little quicker and more on top of things. But the food made up for it.
(4)
Julie J.
My boyfriend and I went during restaurant week because the regular menu looked so interesting. We were really disappointed in the restaurant week menu options so we ended up ordering off of the regular menu. Our dinner was really good - I got the honey maple roast chicken and he got the burger. Chicken was absolutely DELICIOUS and had tons for leftovers. Enough for lunch and dinner the next day. The burger had tons of yummy toppings. I was really disappointed by the pickle plate. The actual pickles in the bowl were really good, but the pickled vegetables were AWFUL. Whatever they used as pickling liquid was pink and tasted like black licorice. Terrible after-taste. We also got the charcuterie platter to start which was fine.. came with a few pita chips so we ended up asking for more bread for the pate. Typically when you get a platter with meats on it the waiter or waitress will tell you what's on there when they drop it off. Not the case. They just kind of dumped it on our table and walked away. We were left confused by the congealed looking white stuff and the very dark (blood?) sausage. We finally realized that under the congealed white stuff was the pate. I am a HUGE fan of pate and I get it pretty regularly. I have never in my life seen the fat separate like that. Not sure if it was on purpose.. but again, would've helped if they had actually told us what was on the platter put in front of us. Overall, our main course was delicious, the atmosphere was fine, and we would consider going back. There are just a lot more interesting restaurants in the area I would try first before returning.
(3)
Keith C.
I came here recently with a gluten-free Meetup group, and was quite happy with it. The gluten-free brunch options are among the best you'll find in the area, but I have to knock them for the price. I'm willing to pay premium for quality gluten-free since it is so rare, however the rest of the non-gluten-free meals were good, but overpriced. Perhaps that is the area, perhaps it is just they know they can charge it, I don't know, but it just felt overpriced for what you get from here. That being said, I would 100% recommend this place if you have gluten intolerance. You won't regret it.
(4)
A S.
I went here for Christmas dinner with my mom and husband we arrived early and waited at the bar. The bartender was so good with a full busy bar he was able to accommodate a specialty drink. The service was quick and food arrived quick once we ordered. We each ordered something different and upon tasting each others food we loved everything. My husband does not like salmon but after trying mine he said he would order it!!!!!!! This was a great Christmas restaurant and I cannot wait to return.
(5)
Kathryn G.
Came here for dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday. The food was just fine. We didn't get our bread until after we had finished our meal. Service was incredibly slow. I wouldn't come back.
(2)
Ingrid C.
I want to love this place but every time I come here they give me a reason to hate it. :( Three starts because the wine was good, other then that pleas lay off the butter on the lobster roll (way way to much). And as a former Resturant manger I know you have semi no control of the pest, but it's a little crazy.
(3)
K B.
I was excited to try the Fireplace with my husband since I had heard so many good things about it... So I made an 8 pm Saturday reservation and requested to sit by the fireplace (since I was celebrating just being married the night before.) When we arrived the hostess told us that a table was being made up and that it would be a few minutes. We were first offered a table that was in direct line of the very cold doorway and we declined it since it was a frigid night and lots of people were coming in and out of the busy restaurant. So we continued to wait for a better table. When a table opened up right in front of the fireplace I was excited and asked my husband to request that table since we were next in line to be seated. Unfortunately, the hostess told him that she had given the table away to someone else (she gave it to a couple that had taken the table we initially declined and were already seated but decided they wanted a better table... These people came in after us and didn't even have a reservation, but somehow managed the best seat in the house.) Finally at 8:20 (20 mins after our reservation) we were seated.... in the WORST possible place in the restaurant... Right next to a beam and sandwiched between 4 other tables. Needless to say we crammed in that place like sardines. People kept bumping into us, and I couldn't even take my jacket off without hitting someone with it. Service and the food was good... Our server was attentive and the entrees were done well. I wouldn't recommend the dessert though, as ours wasn't prepared correctly, and the cookie included was so hard that when we tried to cut into it with out spoons, cookie pieces went flying toward another table and hit one of the other guests seated near us. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met at this restaurant, and I won't be going back anytime soon. I think the owner needs to reevaluate how many tables are appropriate for the space because there is a difference between cozy and crammed, and I think that the hostess needs to be trained as to the best way to seat guests.... Especially ones that have made reservations.
(2)
Michaelina D.
Consistently excellent food, and the seasonal cocktails are always spot on. The half chicken is a classic and can always be counted on, as well as the fireplace burger. My personal favorite, however, are the crab cakes. The decor, for the most part, is quite nice. The fireplace, when lit, adds a fantastic charming touch. The atmosphere is relatively quiet, especially in comparison the Publick House nearby. My one complaint is the use of paper table covers in one of the sections; I want a real tablecloth, the papers detract from the ambience.
(4)
Richard H.
We attended a business mixer at the Fireplace last night and were treated to some very yummy appetizers. As usual the service was excellent, the atmosphere was great, and the flavors were spot on. Everytime we have eaten here we have always had a great experience. The food quality is very high and the staff is just great.
(5)
Carissa W.
I had heard a lot of great things about The Fireplace. It's right in my neighborhood so I thought it was time to give it a shot. I went this week (Restaurant Week) which included a prix fixe menu. The broccoli and cauliflower salad was amazing! But I wasn't quite as pleased as my meal went on. I ordered the Pork Loin and it was so incredibly salty. It looked beautiful, and the potato/apple/brussels sprout combination it was served with was great, but I couldn't understand how the pork could be THAT salty. I couldn't even finish half of it. To top it off, the prix fixe menu had a choice of two desserts, but they had run out of the one I wanted, even though it was only 7PM on a Monday. On the plus side, the place is beautiful. It's warm, inviting, there's an actual fireplace that is delightful. I also have to say the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. So, overall, I think the place was nice. But the availability of the things I wanted and the quality of the entree left me disappointed. Hopefully everyone else's restaurant week experience was better.
(3)
Erin W.
A variety of gluten free menu options for brunch, lunch and dinner. I would definitely recommend The Fireplace Burger. The Kale chips were a nice touch, great flavor! The staff was knowledgeable about the wine and food menu items. The manager was courteous and polite, stopping by to ask how things were going. I saw at the bar which was perfect for a quick lunch stop.
(5)
Denys A.
Great Place, I recommend you visit. Had the Half Chicken and it was tasty and delicious. The server was very friendly and provided excellent service. If you like a little spicy - Try the "Cherry Cherry Bang Bang". The Sriracha gives it this drink a great taste. Reminded me of a similar drink I had in Miami during the summer. Price wise a bit high but for the food you get it is worth it. There is parking in the back or meters outside the location. I will be back to visit this place again!
Eh. I mean, people talk with great reverence about this place, and they've received all sorts of accolades in the press, and they have a really interesting menu. But, eh. I took my fiancee for a "it's almost 6 months until we get married" dinner. She got the lobster mac, which she described as "eh," and I got the burger medium rare, which I would also describe as "eh," although in the interest of full-disclosure, I didn't actually say "eh," at the time. If this was the best burger in Boston as of 2012, that's a pretty damning review of hamburgers in the city. Fundamentally, it's just all so average. The service is attentive, but not particularly quick. The burger was cooked well, but wasn't particularly flavorful. The pickles were a mix of good (the standard pickles), okay (brussels and beans), and bad (tomatoes), so average on the whole. The dessert tart was good, the accompanied ginger ice cream bad, so again, average. I just expected more, you know?
(3)
Guillermo M.
I give this place three stars mainly because of value, not necessarily for having bad food. It is an expensive restaurant for what you get in food and service. We came as a small group an we ordered a bunch of small plates. Some good, some just ok and with some of them we were disappointed by the portions. The best part were the ribs and the ice cream, the oysters were good, the duck, soft shell crab and the Mac and cheese were just ok. The crab cake portion was too small for the price. Service was slow and they took a long time to bring the oysters and any food. They even brought the oysters after some hot plates. I normally don't mention service, but based on the fact that this place is expensive you end up caring about it. If I came back I would just have a hamburger and ice ream.
(3)
Avery N.
So good. The staff is consistently fabulous, they have a great scotch selection, their food comprises a fantastic variety, the cocktail menu (rotates by season) has always blown me away despite me not usually being a cocktail person, it's rarely crowded, and I needed to be rolled out of there the last time we went for dinner. Great for all meals, by the way, and particularly weekend brunch! I can't give all 5 stars because I had some low-quality (and undercooked) fish in my fish and chips about a month ago. Usually a bad meal puts me off a place forever but everything else I have enjoyed here has been great and I sincerely believe the bad fish was a fluke (ha!). Plus, my soup, a shared appetizer, and dessert that night left me happy in spite of the fish oversight. Come hungry!
(4)
Erin D.
The food was good. Nothing that really wowed me. The chicken was good and a very large portion with good sides. The spring pea ravioli was good. The one thing that I thought was above par was the blue line cocktail. Service was lacking. They weren't busy at all, yet our server was absent and not very personable. The prices are a bit high.
(3)
Christine J.
3.5 stars??? Was an avg experience.... Don't remember much it's been a while, so I guess not so memorable?
(3)
David C.
A couple weeks ago, I visited The Fireplace for brunch and had what might have been the worst restaurant omelet I've ever eaten in my life. It was as if the eggs and ingredients were simply thrown into a frying pan and left to sit until they congealed and grew dry and crusty. When I can make food better than a restaurant, you know they're not doing too hot. My dining companion had the burger, praised for being one of the Best in Boston, and winner of some kind of cook off award. What was served to us was an unevenly cooked patty (pink on one side, gray on the other) and completely lacking in flavor. The accoutrements were nice, but the burger itself left a lot to be desired. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is warm, but neither of those things will get you very far in my book when the food is no good.
(2)
K W.
To be fair, the food was excellent. However, the experience was thoroughly soured by our server, who was incredibly snobby and rude. As a group of college-aged kids, I got the feeling that the waiter didn't expect us to tip well, and therefore was immediately resentful of our presence. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.
(2)
Annie K.
Super bummed this place is closing! Awesome food, location, and fantastic bartender, Rachel really knows her stuff!! Everything I have had from here is delicious. The food is fresh, local, and delightfully prepared. Great dishes for splitting, too!! I've only sat at the bar because I find the dining room stuffy. When you get the right service (see above) it's great but otherwise it can be slow and terse. While I'm sure the brunch food is great, the wait is always ridiculous so I would recommend going for dinner! Go before it closes at the end of the year!!
(4)
Jolene S.
I came in here (after 10pm on a Mon-Wed weeknight) and the kitchen was closed but the waitress was good enough to ask the kitchen to bag me a dessert. Having had a very tasty strawberry rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream to go, I decided to bookmark this place and keep it in mind for the future. * So I finally went back in the wintertime for a sit-down dinner. The service was great and the duck special (entree) was tasty. Basic caesar was done well and the bread was good. Good option for formal dining in this area--very close to the Washington Sq (C line) T stop and Athan's (which is open late, if you want other (cookies, baklava, or chocolate) dessert options).
(4)
Marilyn M.
Right off the T at Washington Square, a great find. On Saturday early afternoon, they had a wonderful and very affordable brunch. We decided to go for the burger, which won "Best Burger of Boston in 2012". It was a great pick, good food, good fries. Creative, in a english muffin bread, it was a little different than your typical burger. Very good, I was not mind blown, but very good. I was blown away by the bread they serve: How amazing basket of bread ! It's quality food, good price, nice setting: try it ! I took off one star because in the afternoon the fireplace is not on :( bummer and the restaurant was kind of cold, you feel like putting your jacket on.
(4)
Landon C.
I came here with my family and friend that happens to have a toddler. We sat outside to help keep the toddler interested and less of a distraction to others. The potato rolls served at the beginning of the meal are fantastic. However, the service was quite slow. This may have been due to our outdoor location, but still shouldn't be an excuse. I ordered the salmon, which was a bit overcooked, but everyone else seemed to really enjoy their meals. I was about ready to trade with the toddler's grilled cheese though - that honestly looked really good. Overall, the food was pretty good and it has a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful, but she might have had a lot of tables to serve. I think I need to try again with less people and a seat inside to have the best assessment.
(3)
Sarah W.
We enjoyed a fun and delicious dinner at the sidewalk tables of Fireplace. Our group shared several appetizers, and the artichoke salad and pork belly were outstanding. The oysters on the half shell were very fresh. The rolls are almost biscuit-like and addictive! The garlicky squid was excellent, and I would return for more squid! The wine list was very good. The service was mediocre but perhaps bc were outside and a group of 6.
(4)
Lynette S.
Did I just spend $80 on dinner (w app, drinks & dessert)? Holy crap, I did! The food was very, very good. The bread alone was worth $10...Definitely a nice albeit very special occasion destination. Check it out. Many dishes were a unique spin...
(4)
Molly B.
Food is not an issue. Tonight service was the issue. Sat at the bar and it took 30 minutes to get half a dozen oysters and never got to order dinner. We left after sandy oysters. And for dinner elsewhere.
(1)
lizzie b.
My friend was raving about their New England cobb salad, so we gave it a try. I asked for salmon on it instead of chicken with different cheese and dressing on the side. They messed up my order and gave me the original one from the menu. I sent it back, and they undercooked the salmon. Good thing I didn't get sick. Sent it back, and it was okay. I'm shocked they didn't take it off the bill. These people don't want to keep a customer.
(1)
Dennis M.
I've been to the fireplace a number of times . The food is a bit overpriced but usually pretty good. The atmosphere is great, and the bartender is friendly an makes good drinks. But last night I had a miserable experience. Started off with the oysters, which were fresh and only $2 each. Not the best in Boston, but pretty good. Then I decided to go with my favorite dish - the duck. I've been to a lot of fine dining establishments in Boston, and you can usually find premo duck for 25-35 dollars. This was a $40 duck so i was expecting to be floored. Well my duck arrived, and it was TERRIBLE. Char grilled and over cooked to destruction. If you ever order a good duck, it will be finely sliced, medium-rare, and juicy. This was charred burned and tasted like old chicken. A $40 duck shouldn't taste like burned chicken. I will never be back.
(1)
Jt B.
I've only been here for brunch and it is great. Delicious food! The benedicts are quite tasty and the drinks are good too. Their beer selection is small but great. They also have a separate gluten-free menu, which always scores some extra points. The waitstaff is very attentive and friendly. It is a little pricey so its only a "once-in-a-while establishment." Also, make sure to make reservations for brunch. It tends to get busy.
(4)
Jamie H.
i went to the fireplace with my husband and his family, and we thought the overall experience was excellent. the waitstaff was extremely friendly, sincere, and accomodating, the food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was bright but relaxing at the same time. the wine list is comprehensive and appropriate for the price range, and those of us that ordered wine enjoyed it. collectively we tried three cocktails, and they were seasonal, fresh, and strong enough to feel it without overwhelming dinner. my favorite was the grape vine, which was slightly fruity with a strong herb base. we were each given a piece of a doughy ciabatta roll, which was warm out of the oven and had a nice herb flavor. for appetizers, we started with the wellfleet oysters, which were delicous and fresh. the mignonette sauce was different from the norm, and seemed to have a fruity or red wine base that i really enjoyed. i had the beet salad, and it had more of a cobb presentation with the eggs and cashews, but it was very good. the cauliflower and brussels sprouts were delicious, and i loved the horseradish cream sauce and caramelized onions included with it. i think it is silly for my husband and i to both order the same dish, and we both wanted the scallops and the lobster hash. he won on the rocks, paper, scissors, so i went for the arctic char special with a rhubarb strawberry glaze, potatoes, and spinach. the arctic char was a bit sweet due to the glaze, but the fish did balance it out somewhat. the scallops were absolutely amazing, and i was lucky that i even got one before my husband finished them. we also had the short ribs, which were described as "melt in your mouth" delicous, and the small portion of the duck risotto. before i get into the dessert, it is worth mentioning that most of the dishes can come as either an appetizer or entree portion. this is a great option, and allowed us to try many more dishes than we might have otherwise. we finished up the meal with the cider donuts and pear tart. the donuts were perfect - light and cakey on the inside, and crispy on the outside. they came with a caramel dip and a vanilla cream dip that were both addictive and delicious. the pear tart and ice cream was paired with a slightly herby flavor to balance the sweetness, and the cinnamon crust on the tart was the perfect finish. the pace of the meal was perfectly timed, and i noticed the waiter coming by at times to check in, but he never disturbed us when we were deep in conversation. the check was delivered quietly, but timely.
(5)
Stu A.
If polled, the other folks with us would likely rate this meal with 4 or 5 stars, but I came away a touch underwhelmed. The mussels in a licorice/shallot/fennel sauce tasted like the mussels were simply steamed open and then placed on the sauce so in the end the flavors were separate and not as one. The burger while good, was not at the award winning level As mentioned in the menu. And maybe it is me but enough with the kale! Here it is in soup form, chips and even in the ceasar salad. That said, service was very attentive but not obtrusive, and the wine selection was good. I would come back to Fireplace for a second try, but I think I'll order something else.
(3)
Kate L.
WOW. I could not have asked for a more perfect location for a cold winter night. If you reserve a table you can request to be right in front of a gorgeous fire that they tend to very well. Service was great - bartender who waits on the tables in that area was not SUPER knowledgable about wine but nice and attentive. The bread is one of the best I have had. They serve you one roll so you don't end up eating the whole basket. The brussel sprout cauliflower salad is reallly yummy and rich with a horseradish creamy drizzle which is to die! Not too horseradishy at all. The pumpkin risotta is super yummy and rich too. Order the smaller sizes - portions are enormous! Cookies for dessert were just soso even though they were fresh. Very reasonably priced menu overall!
(5)
Michele H.
I've been here twice and had good experiences. Both times were during the Fall season, and both times I had soup. Their butternut squash soup with gorgonzola is wonderful--the perfect sharpness to complement the slightly sweet squash. I also had the goat cheese and beet salad, which was almost as good as Za's. Hazelnuts would have been a nice addition. The fireplace itself is especially nice on a cold day. If you go during an off-time, you might end up cozied up next to the fire, with nearly the whole place to yourself. Pricy, but a great place to sate your autumn or winter craving for homemade soup.
(4)
Chris M.
We had a great meal here last night. Good, warm ambience on a cold night (as the name implies), and friendly/competent/efficient/knowledgable bartender and waiter. Highlight for me was the steak bites, and my wife loved the burger. Would definitely come back based on this experience.
(4)
A P.
What happened to this place? Half empty on a friday night. No one greeted us when we walked in. Unprofessional staff. Food was not good...no one wants a burger on a corn-english muffin. Chewy squid...drinks just ok. Go to abbey or barcelona instead...worth the wait!
(1)
Shir L.
Update: Xavier (the manager who recognized us ) and Raffy (the bartender) are the best workers ever, they deserve a raise! They handled my stolen phone situation in the best way that they could. 100% customer service satisfaction!!! (If you would like to read the whole story, khaoslife.blogspot.com/2… ) I'm a loyal customer now. Your customer service is amazing and the past few times ive been here, the food just keeps getting better and better since my first visit here. Even though i've only been here about 10 times, your food and service keeps improving. Dishes to try (seasonal menu) Appetizer Mussels Confit summer tomato risotto - one of there summer dishes Rhode island ricotta and sweet corn ravioli - i couldn't stop eating it, so good! Pan seared scallops - divine! would order again. The fireplace burger is always a favorite of mine!!! Donuts - which is a FALL seasonal thing (coming back in october, can't wait) Truffled vermont cheddar fries Other dishes that I've tried Cool watermelon & rhode island feta salad - good and refreshing Grilled peach salad - good but probably wouldn't order again Heirloom tomato salad - refreshing but would try something else. Cheesy Cornmeal Porridge - sweeter, rather than savory. Lobster mac and cheese - yummy but it wasn't the best i've ever had. House-aged rib eye - delicious but nothing out of the ordinary. Steak bites - it was good, but kind of disappointed, had higher expectations Boston baked beans and brown bread - too sweet and the bread was very dense, not a fan.
(5)
Paige O.
I have been to the Fireplace many times before and figured it would be a good place for my family and I to have Thanksgiving when they were in town. We made a reservation and still had to wait a decent amount of time before sitting, we were ok with that. Once we were seated, we waited at least 20 minutes until we grabbed the attention of the bus boy we would like some water. A little later the waitress finally greeted us we put in our order and ordered a bottle of wine. The wine glasses arrived, our appetizers arrived and then still no wine. So had to get the attention of someone else to bring us a bottle that we wanted to purchase. Overall the food was just ok, nothing spectacular. I know there was talk of the Fireplace closing/new owners so I am not sure if that happened. The staff was friendly but definitely understaffed for a holiday.
(2)
Joe S.
Average in almost every way. A solid 3 star but just....not exciting at all. If you need an ok meal in a pinch it'll do. The entrees were poorly executed and uninspired. They attempted to be "fancy" for no reason and with no real concept. A C student. Extremely overpriced.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
A great place to dine. Great Beefeater martini to start, amazing butternut squash soup, rich and creamy, striped bass cooked perfectly with tasty melt in your mouth dumplings. The stems of the greens could have been tossed, but the meal was excellent. Definitely a place to go back to!
(5)
Justin S.
Went here recently for brunch. Granted, we had a big party of 12, but the food took an hour and all came out ice cold. In the end I had an expensive, cold, boring Eggs Benedict. The other diners in my party had similar complaints.
(2)
Danny B.
I went here years ago, and loved it. I was excited to go back...and sad that I did. The ambiance was still fine and quiet, which is what I was looking for. But the pear and pomegranate salad tasted uninspired, though I did enjoy it enough. But for the lack on anything else that seemed fantastic (other than the carrot ravioli, which another in my party got, which was indeed good), I went for the burger, which was advertised as having won the Best of Boston burger in 2012. Was excited to try this award winner. WOW, I was disappointed! Honestly, the worst burger I have had in my memory. The patty, supposedly cooked to medium, was dry and tasteless. But the real clincher was the bun. They described it as a "house-made English muffin." It was more like a brick of dry, stale, chalky bread. I could only finish 2/3 of the burger. Not joining the clean-plate club with a burger on my plate, is extremely rare! I will say that the fries were good, as were the pickles on the burger! :-)
(2)
Ignacio B.
I came here for brunch the food is awesome all made on the grill. I had the egg sandwich, with thick cut bacon fried egg, and hash browns was delocious! We paid $20 per person, the place has very good background music and is very classy.
(5)
Scott G.
Went there with a friend on NYE. We searched and searched for a special place to eat and settled on The Fireplace after seeing the online menu and Yelp reviews. The first thing that concerned us a bit was the decor, which is kind of cheesy and not homey like you'd expect from a place called The Fireplace. We decided on the filet mignon bites and the foie gras appetizers. The steak was overcooked and underseasoned, with a horseradish sauce that needed more horseradish, not memorable at all. The foie gras was much better. It was pan seared over a grilled corn cake with a nice fruit compote. I would get that again, if i ever return. There were plenty of delicious sounding entrees, but we both decided on the duck. The duck had a nice crispy skin and a yummy cherry sauce. We also enjoyed the roasted vegetables. The problems were: the portion size was huge. There must have been 1lb of duck on the plate. It became a chore to eat after awhile. There also was a big crepe filled with duck confit and bok choy on the plate. That added nothing to the dish, seemed out of place and just wasn't that tasty. The dish was $36, which isn't cheap, but I don't need a ton of food to feel I had value, I just want a delicious dish. The two of us had 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine. With tip we paid $218. I don't have a problem paying that for a special, well executed meal, but we were not really impressed and probably will not return.
(3)
Laura A.
Terrific grass-fed burger. Delicious, juicy and cooked just right. Also love the fries. Esteemed by both foodies and just plain hungry folk. My husband and I are very particular about our meat, but we also bought these burgers for our hired moving crew and they agreed they were some of the best burgers in the area.
(4)
Hayley B.
This place is just average. I have only been here once on a Saturday night with my two girlfriends and none of us were impressed or completely happy with our meal. I ordered the carrot soup which was actually very good, but it is also pretty hard to mess up good carrot soup. I then ordered the vegetarian "tart." This is where things went wrong. Do you know that thing that happens to a casserole with cheese on it after 3 days? The cheese gets hard, right? Well that is what I got when I ordered the vegetarian tart. It was basically a 3 day old casserole cut into tiny squares, all of which were really not good at all. My roommates food was pretty good though. She had the pulled pork. The food was wildly overpriced in my opinion and the waitress we had was really flustered when we asked her to split the check 3 ways. I would eat here again maybe because I am pretty forgiving and I am always happy to try things twice, but this was was just average overall.
(3)
L M.
Came here for dinner last night with family. Service was excellent -- very attentive without being obtrusive. Apps and entrees were also excellent. Will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Kelly D.
My husband and I love The Fireplace. We typically go there for special occasions since it's a little pricier than our average dinner out, but we both feel like it's well worth it. I recommend reservations. It's always crowded. We've enjoyed everything we've ever had there. We've gone for brunch, dinner, and the Fireside Chat about scotch, which was fantastic and tons of fun. I eat fish but do not eat meat and always find that I have many delicious options to choose from. Some of our favorites are the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon for brunch, and the burger and the scallops for dinner. The fish entrees are always delicious. So are their cocktails. We love that the menu is always changing based on what's in season and available locally. It's a favorite of ours for sure!
(5)
Erica B.
Local food in a classy environment. We had the table right by the fireplace which was beautiful! They have everything I needed for a fine dining experience: a local cheese platter a variety of vegetarian meals and nice white wine
(5)
Emily S.
Just not as good as I was expecting after glancing at the reviews and the prices. First of all, for a place called the Fireplace I was expecting something cozy and romantic. The decor was more modern than I was imagining which was a little disappointing. Secondly, the food was underwhelming. I am using that word after reading Tom Gs review because I think it is the perfect word to use. The food was by no means bad, but it was very unimpressive considering how much your are paying for it. If I went to an ordinary pub and got the same food I would have been satisfied but I had higher expectations for the Fireplace. The service was great with the exception of our own waiter who struck me as being very pretentious. I may give them another chance in the future but next time I'll just go to the Washington Square Tavern next door.
(3)
Sam N.
Amazing gluten free food!! I recommend if you have celiac disease to come here and eat. You can't even tell your meal is gluten free! They have buns, flat bread and rolls!
(5)
C C.
The Yelp description of 2 stars is "Meh. I've experienced better." I'm pretty sure I said exactly those words exiting this restaurant last night. Don't go here for special occasions. It isn't special. At all. We went here for our anniversary, and I'm kind of sad we wasted the experience here. We had reservations, and when we entered, there were a glut of people just inside the door -- it was hard to identify who to speak to about our table (no host/hostess stand). After a short wait, we were seated, but our table was kind of crammed into a high-traffic space. I couldn't cross my legs without tripping waiters squeezing past our table. It was a solid 10min before someone asked us if we wanted drinks, which then took a while to arrive. The wine list is also not particularly special (nor was my fiance's Old Fashioned, which he was bizarrely asked whether he wanted on the rocks or not). Just sort of Meh. Everyone here seems to rave about the bread. It was way too doughy/yeasty not to be served with something to dip, like olive oil and pepper. It didn't work well with butter. To start, we had the Duck 2 Ways and the Crab Cakes. Our server did warn us the crab cakes were small, so we got the larger portion rather than the smaller portion, but we went with the smaller portion of the duck. The smaller portion of the duck was appropriately sized for two people splitting two appetizers, but the dish itself had issues. The meat in the duck crepe was really flavorless, and the crepe itself was no great shakes. The other preparation came with a great sauce, and I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the meat more. Dipping the bread in the sauce on that part of the dish might have been the best use of the bread. The crab cakes were pretty good, very light and fluffy, and with decent flavor, but too small for the cost. For dinner, I had the -- wait, wow. Sitting here trying to write this, I can't even remember what I had. My fiance had a steak, and it was OK, but he ordered it medium rare and what he got was very very rare. We weren't going to send it back, though, because it took soooooo long to come out that we were afraid we'd never see it again if we sent it back. Also pretty low on flavor there, too. Oh wait, i know what I had. I had the Lobster Mac'n'Cheese (smaller portion) with the smaller size of the Grilled Peach Salad. The Mac'n'Cheese was pretty good, better than Regal Beagle's for sure. The salad was really disappointing, though. The peaches were flavorless, which grilled peaches really shouldn't be. (Sensing a theme yet?) If you can't get good peaches this time of year, it shouldn't be on the menu. For dessert, we ordered the Espresso S'more thing. Not bad, but not good, and soooo small. We went to JP Licks afterward. The restaurant was overcrowded and loud, and the servers seemed frantic and distracted despite the fact that there were more than enough of them to handle the tables. Our server had no interest in talking to us and seemed put out that he had to deal with us. OK, sure, that's how some restaurants roll, but I wish I'd gone somewhere else. So... yeah. "Meh. I've experienced better." And I wouldn't go back, even for a less special occasion. I don't want to pay that much for food that was that low on flavor and service that was that low on, well, service.
(2)
Bret C.
Perfect neighborhood restaurant with average service. It's the kind of place that's great for any type of meal - casual or more formal. Really convenient if you live in Brookline or Brighton and don't want to travel far for a sit down dinner. For burger lovers, this is one of the better burgers in the area!
(4)
Louis G.
My wife and I had a terrific dinner here. We were early for our reservation so we sat at the bar (which we enjoy doing anyway) and were able to chat with the bartender and manager during the evening. The food was delicious and portions large. We're looking forward to returning soon for their acclaimed Sunday brunch!
(4)
Jen L.
Meh. Every time we trek out this way, the hubs & I say "hey, that place looks cute, we should try it!" So, for Restaurant Week, we did. The service was indifferent, the food was bland, the overall experience incredibly disappointing. Sometimes you get that when you order off the RW menu, but we added a cheese course, cocktails and wine, so the bill was still pretty hefty. I would have been disappointed at half the price, but for these prices and this neighborhood, I expected much better. I will say that my cocktail (the Whistlin' Dixie) was yummy, but it was tiny (even by Boston standards) and took forever to appear. Oh, and the potato bread was good. But a cocktail and a bread basket isn't enough to entice me back. Next time, we won't hesitate to pass it by. PS- I left a note on the receipt regarding our less-than-stellar experience-- I honestly felt that it was so bad that it wasn't worth complaining to anyone, since no one seemed to care about our experience. They emailed us (stupid opentable, giving out our contact info), asking for elaboration and offering us a gift certificate. But a crummy free meal is still a crummy meal.
(2)
Jason F.
probably liked the atmosphere and the actual fireplace the most out of this place. we started off with the goat cheese plate and the steak bites, both of which were great. i got the famous fireplace burger, which recently won some competion. that was also very good, and very large. loved the fries, they seems freshly cut! great service, waitress was there, but not all up in your face. i think its a little pricey, but everything was great!
(4)
David R.
Just one of the best restaurants around. Full disclosure, I live very close so I might be a bit partial. Then again, I'm very close to Golden Temple and I DO NOT see their claim to fame. But I digress, this review is about the awesomeness that is The Fireplace. I've eaten here countless times over the last 10 years and have just never been disappointed. You really can't go wrong here but one dish that just blew me away was the lamb shank with cheesy cornmeal porridge. Just perfection!
(5)
Morgan R.
So to be fair, my boyfriend and I went here on Valentine's Day so we expected to spend some dough. Both of our meals were delicious and I probably could have eaten mine...everyday....for a solid month! We shared a bottle of sparkling wine which was infused with blackberry currants. We wanted to try something new and had never seen that option before. Wasn't the best pairing with the meal but it worked out. I had the apple cider risotto which was AMAZING! The purple cabbage was still crunchy enough to add something to the tender risotto and the hints of cider went perfectly with the other flavors. My boyfriend got the filet mignon and he said it was super juicy and smooth with great flavor. I would definitely recommend this place for a fancier dinner out. Prices are high but the food is worth it!
(5)
Kelsey F.
I was looking for a good brunch spot this morning in walking distance to my apartment. The outside seating drew us to the Fireplace. There were open tables and so we sat right down. Our waiter was nice and we were served really quickly. They came around with warm potato bread to start so that was a nice treat. I then ordered the vegetable hash. I never usually order hashes because I don't particulary like poached eggs and their runniness (?) but the server told me they can make the egg over hard - perfect! It ended up being deeelish! It came with potatos, white beans, red peppers, and carmelized onions. Then the eggs were cooked well done and drizzled with hollandaise...scrumptious. My date got the salmon eggs benedict. He really enjoyed that as well. During our meal it started to drizzle. The manager came out and asked if we were all okay with the rain and told us they had empty tables inside. I thought that was nice and made me like the service even more! I will definitely be back to The Fireplace for brunch and will have to try their dinner too!
(4)
Sheri O.
I used to come to the Fireplace a lot when I lived in Brookline, so when I was meeting a friend who recently moved to Washington Sq, I was looking forward to heading back for brunch. I guess time changes things! This place looks terrible--totally run down. The service was SLOW to non-existent (the only guy who worked hard and seemed to be efficient was the guy who passed out the bread from the basket and re-set the tables). It took over 45 minutes for an omelet to arrive (and the restaurant was may 1/4 full). I had to ask 2 different waiters and finally the manager to check on it. The food was terrible. My omelet smelled literally like vomit, and it was overcooked and disgusting. The toast was also gross. And it was $14! Seriously?! The prices are high, the portions small, the food nasty, and the decor overdone, but worn out. Why would anyone come back here? I certainly won't.
(1)
Kerry T.
We were seated right in front of the fireplace and our service was excellent. Their espresso martinis were great. I had the burger. While it was good, I would not consider it to be one of the best burgers I have ever had. The scallops and steaks looked wonderful. Overall, it was tasty and I would go back.
(4)
Al G.
In terms of the food, my wife's salad and my nouveau pizza was excellent. Her Cobb salad was well made and tasted wonderful. My salmon-farmer's cheese pizza was delicate, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once. The service was horrendous. I'm a pretty easy going customer, however she visited my table very few times for drink or to ask about the food. The waitstaff seem to chitchat in the alcove at the top of the stairs while their customer's looked for their waiter. We ended up being there for a brunch-lunch period. I ended up chasing down my waitress and paying for the check at the counter as I didn't think "getting the check" should take half-an-hour. Sadly, I would like to go back because I think the owner/chef makes decent food with his wood-fire oven. I would like to go with less-than-high hopes about the waitstaff. (Only because my co-worker is wheelchair bound) The entrance for the wheelchair is on the second floor (top of the stairs); the bathroom is at the bottom of the stairs. If you're in wheelchair at the Fireplace, you should learn how to hold it.
(2)
Brian G.
It was time for me to use a Groupon since I'm now plan on going on a Tour De Groupons of Boston. I was lucky enough to get a mini tour of Brookline from a friend who helped me get started. After some drinks came The Fireplace. This place has the decor of a log cabin or a restaurant you'd expect next to a ski mountain rather than in Brookline which was pretty interesting. The food was outstanding and the staff was pleasant and accommodating. The only reason it's getting 4 stars rather than 5 is because it's pricey and I expect good food for the price. So sitting at the bar enjoying nice Honeyed Caipirinha I started reading over the menu which sounded great. As tempted as we were to try the mini lobster rolls ($19) we jumped straight to dinner. I had a crusted cod dish that was cooked to flaky perfection on a bed of lemon spinach and black lentils. The other great dish was the lobster mac and cheese which came with a nice amount of lobster and also wasn't overly dry or extremely cheesy. It hit the hard balance perfectly of a nice crust on top with the perfect amount of cheese inside. This is much harder than it seems if my past experiences mean anything. Overall this place is great for a well cooked innovative menu when your willing to pay the price. I'll be back when the occasion comes around.
(4)
Heather F.
I recently went here for brunch. I'm a vegetarian who hates eggs, so brunch options can be kinda hard to find. The menu here was great, and my pancakes and cranberry martini were great. However, when my companion and I went to pay, we requested separate checks. Despite being given the correct checks, the waitress managed to ring our order in incorrectly (wrong person to a given bill) four different times before getting it right. This seemed excessive to me, so I may not return.
(3)
H. G.
I really have trouble getting over the dichotomy between the decor and prices here. I'm patriotic and all, but what's with all the American flags? And why is this place so well lit? And why does it look like a log cabin in the woods of New Hampshire? And why is your burger ($23) more expensive than the one at Craigie? And why is your steak ($36) as expensive as Grill 23? But you have a gluten free menu, which I am begin to appreciate more and more.... and your maple glazed chicken with lemony mashed potatoes is fantastic and absolutely humongous (easily shareable for two normal adults)... and your Rye Mash drink is one of my favorites in the city... and... you get 3 stars. Lower your prices!
(3)
Matthew H.
I know this restaurant quite well...in fact, I used to work there. So, while I certainly may have some personal biases at play in this review, I am very familiar with the overall quality of the food, atmosphere, and service. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a higher-priced restaurant. While the decor is nice, it has a stuffy, pretentious, New-England feel to it that doesn't exactly put you at ease. The management and head chef are to blame for this, as their personalities pretty much set the tone for the uptight atmosphere of the restaurant. As for the service itself, it's pretty good. Now, on to the food. They certainly use high-quality ingredients at The Fireplace, but somehow the sum is less than the parts. The food is very basic, uninspired New England fare, and is not worth anywhere close to the $25-$30 per entree that this restaurant charges. For that kind of money, you should be getting phenomenal food. The Fireplace provides merely adequate food at exorbitant prices.
(1)
LeAnn H.
after our recent saturday night dinner here, my boyfriend and i both agreed it was the best date night dinner spot we've ever been to. the ambiance was exactly what we were looking for - cozy, intimate yet fairly full crowd. we had a table right next to the fireplace, and that was such a great touch. our server (and i really wish i could remember his name) was social, friendly, attentive but not over-bearing. he was well-versed in the cheese plates and helped us choose a great vermont cheese that we loved. i'm quite surprised to read the reviews that refer to or suggest underwhelming food. our meal - start to finish - was simply amazing. the cheese plate, which comes coupled with soaked pear and cinnamon apples and a fruit chutney was a great light starter, perfectly sweet and savory. our meals (salmon w/ kale, and steak) were both equally tasty & well-prepared. im a stickler for service, and my boyfriend is fairly opinionated about what constitutes 'good food'. we both left extremely pleased on both accounts, and look forward to returning.
(5)
Claire N.
great menu selection, ambience is quiet and cozy, good for conversations, food was fairly good...
(3)
Victoria R.
After all the hype about the Fireplace, I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but I had this general feeling of "meh" about the experience. The service was phenomenal and the staff was clearly very well versed on the intricacies of both the food and wine. The food was very well prepared but not necessarily "out of this world", and it just felt slightly overpriced. I had the bucatini with pesto, leeks, heirloom tomatoes and lemon ricotta, and I would highly recommend it - especially for anyone looking for a vegetarian friendly option. As a classy and intimate restaurant, I feel that the Fireplace doesn't do enough to set itself apart from other Boston-area restaurants in the same category to pull me back in for another visit. I'm glad I went once for the experience, but I definitely won't rush back.
(3)
Laura B.
Had a great, although slightly inconsistent, meal at the Fireplace. Menu highlights included the butternut squash bisque with blue cheese (incredible), scallops, rib eye, and apple doughnuts with 3 dipping sauces. We also had the artichoke tart appetizer and fudge/cookie dessert; these were just fair. Restaurant is very cozy and service is good. Not sure if I am a fan of all of the Halloween decorations they had up (the place was covered in them), but I suppose it was festive.
(4)
Jacob G.
I've been to Fireplace twice, both in the last 6 months for dinner. The first time was on a Saturday night with a group of 10. It was a great time, the food was awesome, our waiter was super attentive. Everything went off without a hitch. Personal note was that their bread basket was truly incredible. Since there were 10 of us we got a pretty large selection of apps and entrees between us all and everyone was very satisfied. The second time was more recently and was on a Monday night so obviously much slower. The food was still good but not as extraordinary as the first time. The wait staff was till great so that's a plus. It's a shame tho because for the price I would expect more consistency. That being said, I would definitely recommend Fireplace as a nice place to go on any night of the week whether it's a special event or just some last minute decision. It's also one of the few places in Brookline with an expansive menu that is american food.
(4)
Victoria G.
I've eaten here several times throughout the years. They have food all day so it's convenient, and during the fall and winter i love the burning fireplace. The food used to be just okay, always overpriced. Now it is really bad food and ridiculously overpriced. Very small portions. I can in no way justify $12 for a tiny, tiny salad. Even though they support local farms, that's just way too much. The mussels were just okay, also very overpriced. The cocktails and wines by the glass are extremely overpriced.
(1)
Julie R.
I've always wanted to check this place out. I can thank Groupon for giving me the opportunity to finally get there. On a Friday night the place was packed. A good sign for a neighborhood joint. We made a reservation in advance but still waited a few minutes. The table was on the lower level near the fireplace, they were a little close together down there but at least it had a nice view. I had looked at the menu in advance and had a few items in mind. Our server was Stefanie, who was very accommodating and easy to deal with the whole evening. We started off with some drinks but the soda must of been bad and she gladly exchanged them for something else. The sangria was very light. It was like a spritzer. I prefer one richer but this one was OK. We got an appetizer of tuna tartare and a side of oysters. The tuna was nicely presented along with pita chips. I thought it could of used more flavor. The portion was very large for $15. The oysters were awesome and properly shucked. I was going back and forth between the scallops and signature maple chicken as my entree. The girl sitting next to me had the chicken and it looked fantastic so I went with that. My fiance had the bavette steak off the lighter fare menu. The bread they brought over was awesome! Careful not to fill up on it before your entree cause its so good! Entrees arrived in a reasonable time frame. The chicken looked great. The portion of mashed potatoes under neath was heavy. I thought the chicken could of been moister. The breast part of it was dry. I was glad there was extra maple sauce on the plate. This dish is large with a whole half chicken. There was no way I was finishing it. I would recommend even splitting it. Since the steak was coming off the lighter fare menu we expected something tiny, well what came out was a gigantic steak that took up half the plate. My fiance did not complain! The meat was nicely charred on the outside but cooked to med rare nicely inside. I would suggest this steak over the chicken. We were too full for dessert but the menu looked tempting. Even with the $50 Groupon we still spent $100 with tip. It's pricey but offers great service in a unique atmosphere.
(4)
Ellis C.
Good food, but for the price, I was hoping to be wowed, and I wasn't. The mussels were really good. Wonderful broth, excellent grilled bread for soaking up the liquid. I thought the salmon cakes were just ok, although my partner thought they were great - complex and delicious, and felt that they were made with love and gusto. We both thought the portion was small for the price. It came with a big pile of arugula, nicely dressed, but overall, there was something lacking in the presentation. The chicken was really good, on a very tasty bed of mashed potatoes, buttery and flavorful. I thought the mashed potatoes were just a smidgen watery, although my partner thought they were perfect. The side of garlic broccoli was really weird. It was actually undercooked, but we originally thought it was overcooked because of the weird appearance and texture. After I mentioned it to the waitress, she took it off the bill, but still, this is something that a good kitchen should catch before it goes out the door. Our waitress was very pleasant, and the service was excellent. I like the ambiance of the place; we sat in the lower area by the fireplace, which was very nice, especially since the place was not particularly busy. So overall, the food was good, but just way too pricy. My girlf thought they deserved a 4, but overall, I'm sticking with a 3.
(3)
Ken M.
Alright, The Fireplace gets an additional star for atmosphere and food. The service on this occasion left a little to be desired. I started with a cup of scallop chowder. It was freaking fantastic. Nice smoky bacon, perfectly cooked scallops, herbs and spices, and well seasoned buttery broth. Joanna had the duo of gaspacho. The spicy one was a little weird, but she really liked the regular one. Andy had a "salad" that was romaine, eggs, and TONS of bacon. It was delicious. For my entree I got the appetizer of crab cakes with sides of broccoli and fries. The crab cakes were good, if not a bit salty. The fries were great. The broccoli fine. Brian got one of the presidential entrees (I think lambchops) and he cleaned his plate. Andy and Joanna also enjoyed their entrees. We didn't have room for dessert. Probably because we each had two rolls each. The host stand was not with it last night and the service was just disjointed, it took a long time for the starter course to come and then for the entrees too and they didn't come all at the same time. Pretty inexcusable considering the place was half-full (we were there early). They also had trouble discerning who each dish went to. The waitresses were pleasant and personable though.
(4)
Tara G.
Really excellent meal. We had the Kobe Beef Burger, which was charred to perfection upon request, and the cod crusted in chives and lemon. The best thing on either plate was these insane black lentils. I've never had lentils like that before. Full hit of flavor, and cooked toothsome (but not crunchy) in a way I've never had lentils before. We got to sit outside and enjoy the millieu. The only detractors were that we discovered from someone else's server that there were specials that we were never offered, and the service was a bit informal relative to the prices. The prices are high but since I felt we got our money's worth I don't think it's a reason to ding the establishment. But... for the people who want more of a fireplace: how large of a fireplace are you thinking? Like raging inferno? A fireplace to which more than 2-4 tables could be placed adjacent would be some serious fuego diablo. How you gonna air condition that?
(4)
Jessica L.
The food here is phenomenal. Also, you can't beat the atmosphere -- it's warm, cozy, perfect for a first date, and the service is impeccable. Not to mention the owner is APPLAUDABLE in his involvement in making Brookline a better place, supporting other businesses, embracing any/all customers, and spearheading the green movement and corporate responsibility of Brookline businesses.
(5)
Ted L.
I have eaten dinner and had drinks at the Fireside Restaurant many times; I also know Jim Solomon, but I write this review because I know how important it is to Jim. Jim goes the extra mile with his-only know how to make this as if you are in your living room, and a catered dinner or personal attendee bartender; the fireplace works and with the music (live) sometimes, it is somewhat the experience; if you really want to impress someone dine at the fireplace...Ted Lewis
(5)
Cassie H.
The food is delicious, perfect home-cooked meals with large portion sizes. The price, however, does make you wince a little bit...
(3)
Trish H.
I went to the Fireplace with my boyfriend on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 7pm. We had reservations so were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated and in particular they have the most beautiful drapes. We ordered drinks and they took a few minutes to arrive and then we ordered the crab cakes which were tiny but absolutely DIVINE. So incredibly good. For dinner my BF and i ordered the burger which has apparently been judged as the best burger in Boston. Perhaps it could have been had it been cooked as requested. I requested mine cooked medium and my BF ordered his medium well, both came out well done. Ok, this happens however i waited about 10 minutes for our waiter to check on us but he didnt come back to our table at all. I was really disappointed as this place is not cheap. We ordered the blueberry tart for desert and it was amazing. I wouldnt be in a hurry back as i dont like to pay high prices for poor service although the app and desert were really great.
(3)
Matthew M.
Excellent bar service. Nice Decor. The food is consistently good, but not blowing my socks off (possible exception is the duck, which was darn good). Think new american with a new england twist. It's a cozy local joint and I'll likely be back.
(4)
Peter T.
There are two parts to this review, the first part is for the food, the second for the service. First the food: It's good, really good, even food that i would think wouldn't be great, like bluefish, was good. they have an amazing group of chefs working there, and these chefs all clearly have a desire to put out food that is worth the money that they charge. Second the service: You are probably wondering why this review is good for 1 star after I've just spent a few sentences singing praise for their food. Well, the service was ok, but they overcharged me by $191.06. I would have let even that slide, if they had fixed it when i went in the next morning and showed them a printout of my bank statement. Instead, the manager tried to explain to me how even though it's processing, i haven't actually been charged. Now, charged or not, there is 191 dollars that i can't use because of the insane way that they rang up my payment. I have given them a hard deadline of Tuesday 12/20/2011 to have the money refunded. If they manage to meet that deadline, this review will go up to three stars. If they had fixed it this morning, it would have been four stars, and if they hadn't made the mistake in the first place it would have been five. Make no mistake, the food is good, great even. It's the best restaurant, in terms of quality, in the washington square area. However, i'd rather eat at American Craft or even Public House, then ever take the risk of eating here again.
(1)
Lindsay B.
I've been to the Fireplace twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. Both times were great - good drinks, good service, good food. The spinach salad was my lunch choice and it was really great. For dinner I had the rainbow trout, which was also great (buyer beware, I knew the fish came whole, but they left the head on which freaked me out so they were nice enough to cut it off for me!!) A good go-to when you're looking for a good meal at decent prices (for Boston, anyhow!)
(4)
The K.
After having eaten here nearly half-a-dozen times over the years, my vote is finally in. It has been a see-saw experience. The first dinner I had there was the short rib and it impressed. Steaks thereafter less so and salads even less so. The service is strangely casual, not in the Danny- Meyer-midwestern charm way but unusually perfunctory and not matched to the prices on the menu. Some restaurants try too hard, throwing everything they can think of on the menu. Other restaurants, like The Fireplace don't seem to try hard enough; they seem settled in their corner spot, letting inflationary pressure (or perhaps more likely we-will-because-we-can) push their entree prices higher without the concomitant rise in service or in the quality or creativity of its food. Perhaps the neighborhood has been too kind over the years, providing a steady stream of well-heeled patrons who want a "nice meal" without it being boorishly fancy. Fair enough, but the prices make you wonder if things have gone too far and for far too long. Shouldn't a restaurant aspire for more? Shouldn't we?
(2)
Susan K.
My friend and I wanted to have lunch around the Washington Square area and we both decided on The Fireplace since we both haven't tried it. I've always wanted to try this place since I moved into the area. Since I had my puppy with me, I requested us to be seated outdoors. The host was very polite and was able to fulfill my request. So, I can't tell you much about what the inside of the place looked like but a plus for fulfilling my request to be seated outdoors for my little puppy. The waitress was very friendly and professional. I ordered a sandwich. I forgot the specific name of it but it was very similar to a cuban sandwich. It was good but not extraordinary. Just like any other cuban-like sandwich I had. The side salad was good...I don't know what dressing they use but it was good. The best was the potato bread. You don't think much about the bread but this bread was good. I would like to come back during dinner time and sit indoors to get the full experience. The place isn't cheap...so may be this place could be a potential date spot?? Of course as long as, he pays. :)
(3)
Florencia G.
The food is amazing, and they have the most interesting wine list. They are always featuring different american wines. In addition to the excellent food and drinks they offer every Wednesday and Thursday live music so it is always a fun place to go. The restaurant has it own parking and the T stop is just crossing the street. In the summer you can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather, and in the winter you can sit near to the fireplace that they have inside. I is definitely my favorite restaurant from Brookline/Boston
(5)
Meagan M.
My husband and I ate here last night to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. It was certainly a good choice. The food was well portioned and delicious. I had the feta and carrot ravioli and my husband had the rib eye. Before the meal, I had a cup of the gazpacho and my husband had the crab cakes. We shared the apple dowdy for dessert. The atmosphere was wonderful. We liked that it was quiet and we could enjoy a nice conversation. The waitress was attentive without stopping by a lot (which always annoys me). The restaurant was full, but we enjoyed a nice long dinner without feeling rushed. The food was a bit pricey, but on par with a nice restaurant. We will definitely be back, but will reserve this restaurant for a special occasion.
(5)
Anna W.
I liked it, but can't say that it was one of the better dining experiences I've had. The restaurant is located in busy Washington Square in Brookline. The area is bustling with restaurants and other businesses. There is plenty of parking around, but depending on the day and time you go there, parking may be incredibly difficult. The restaurant is smaller than I thought. It has a bar on the "lower" level and a few tables, and then some more tables on the "higher" level, as well as an open kitchen. The ambiance is nice, and the tables were arranged in a way that you weren't intruding upon other diners. That's always a plus for me. The service was good. All our servers were incredibly polite, and this may be one of the few places I've ever been to where they constantly float around to fill your water glass and accommodate any other requests that you have. The menu has an OK selection, but not extensive. I felt that the prices were a tad high for the quality of food and portion size. I would say the average entree is between $25-30. If you like cheese, they have a make-your-own cheese platter. I believe it's $8 for the first cheese and $5 for additional cheeses. You get a 2 ounce wedge (I thought it sounded small at first, but it was enough for three people to share) along with some crackers and fruit. Very cute, but I'm not a big cheese fan. I got the bravette (sp?) steak, which they described as a smaller skirt steak. It was served with some broccoli rabe and mashed potatoes. The steak is cooked to the right temperature, but it wasn't really a skirt steak. The cut was a lot thicker, which made the outside a tad charred and the middle bloody (I didn't mind though). The portion size is decent -- not small, but not overwhelming either. The experience was enjoyable enough, but given the long drive, parking situation, and prices, I don't see myself coming back here again unless it was for a special occasion.
(3)
Kerry M.
Quiet & upscale. Bring a date or your parents.
(4)
Pamela T.
I avoided the Fireplace for years based on stories about bad service, noise and food that did not impress. Then I went, and went again and still again. At lunch their chicken BLT is outstanding as are the mussels. Their Ceasar salad is no slouch either. My niece is in love with their sloppy joes and two crab cake lovers pronounced their crab cakes the best in Boston. I went for dinner last week with a party of six - great food and great service. I am glad I finally went. It isn't inexpensive but I felt I got my money's worth.
(4)
Meghan M.
I love the Fireplace all year long. In the winter it is such a cozy atmosphere, and in the summer there is outdoor seating. What could be better? The Fireplace brunch is very good, nice mixture of lunch and breakfast items. The caesar salad with Fireplace's spit-roasted chicken is amazing, and the homemade rolls (you only get one though!) are to die for. Brunch/Lunch is relatively affordable, but dinner (while delicious) is definitely special occasion pricey.
My cousins and I took our moms here for mother's day brunch. It is definitely on the pricey side for what it is. Of course for a special occasion I am happy to spend more than I would for a normal brunch. The nice part is that the buffet is set up on the counter at the kitchen, so the cooks are constantly placing hot and newly cooked food out. You can tell the food is fresh and hasn't been sitting there for a long time. I particularly enjoyed the mushroom tart and the homemade granola. If you enjoy dessert this is not the buffet for you, as desserts are extremely limited. Now on to the service. Yikes. Slow service and no one came to our table for quite a while to take drink orders or welcome us to the restaurant. I actually had to go back to the hostess to ask for a waiter to visit our table. For a party of 9 (of which 8 ordered coffee) we were given two tiny pitchers of cream and then two tiny dishes of butter. Is there a dairy shortage that I'm unaware of? The biggest issue was with our table. I made reservations for 9 over a month ago, so they have known we were coming. We were seated in a back corner table, ok. Well, 5 people were seated on the banquet along the wall, and the window was on one side so they all had to get up and down on one end of the table. My mom stated "Well, at least it's not a buffet so we won't be getting up and down!" My response: "Ummm actually is IS!!!" Five adults with only one way to get up and down for a buffet?? Talk about musical chairs. Come on Fireplace, you have so much potential. Get your act together.
(3)
Nicole M.
this place is a JOKE. truly the worst restaurant management in the city. we made a 35th birthday reservation for a large party back in january for march. 10 people was the final count. we show up to our table and it's a table for 6 with 10 place settings and 10 chairs SQUEEZED together. could not move and there was no way any dinner plates would fit. the guy filling our water glasses was literally laughing as we were complaining. finally get the manager over, and he's such an uptight jerk. making excuses when he should have been apologizing and fixing it. thank god the waitress was nice and we just ended up drinking for quite a while as we waited for the table next to us to finish so we could add it to the end of ours (by the way, they had just been seated when we got there - how dumb). they did send us some plates of apology cheese but the damage had been done. then the food - i absolutely do not know how they can justify their prices. do not order the scallops unless you like home fries for dinner. menu said it came with lobster hash - i should have asked what this was. just a fancy plated pile of diced potatoes, onions and peppers with a few measly pieces of lobster thrown in. the scallops were the smallest i've ever seen. absolutely not worth the money. the only thing that was decent was the wine pour - quite generous - which i definitely needed to get through this god-awful dinner.
(1)
Liz M.
NOT WORTH IT. This place is not 5th Avenue or Park Slope of Newbury St. It's Washington Square in Brookline. It's cute and the decor is nice, but the food -- no thanks. Challah French Toast -- soggy french toast and very soggy apples -- I don't even think they were fresh! Other times I've had their salads and other food of substance (meats)-- nothing to remember and nothing much to really write home about. "Fresh Bread" -- it was warm but also WET. I mean -- is mold wet? Is warm bread .....usually wet? What gives this place two stars? Mimosas and Water. What's more -- its expensive. I guess it's convenient if you want to spend money on New American food and don't want to worry about parking and like decor, but to fill your tummy with something yummy? Go to Coolidge Corner, keep a few bucks in your pocket and gorge on The Upper Crust.
(2)
Tamar A.
This place is all the cuddliness and coziness of a good New Hampshire fall personified. The crackle of the titular fireplace as you're squinting to read a menu that is the exact same color as the warm brick, coppery tabletops, and dim, soft lighting only reinforces the need to fill that belly with the culinary equivalent of a hug. An expensive hug. A schmancy ski lodge where the pillows are all embroidered and the cocoa is made with real milk hug. A hug replete with small slivers of fine cheese and their proper wine pairings, with small plates of cured meats and a "healthy alternative" menu that boasts steak. My boyfriend was in heaven with each bite of his prime rib, although my fish was a smidge overcooked and swimming in some unnecessary ratatouille. I don't really understand the propensity towards the tomato that the Fireplace and others of its ilk have fallen victim to lately, but, hey, at least I'm getting my lycopene. The one thing that a New Hampshire fall isn't, however? Is a New Hampshire summer. Please take down those gaudy bandstand banners--the America that I love does not include its smocked flag in my hugs.
(4)
Dave C.
For some odd reason, my wife kept this place in the back of her mind, just waiting for the right occassion to pull it out for a night of good 'comfort' food. Well, after seeing that Taberno de Haro was packed to the gills, we opted for the Fireplace. After being seated, the evening started off on the wrong footing, as it took over 10 minutes for anyone to notice us, and it was because I grabbed the busboy and demanded to know who our waiter was! Our waiter, Dana, announced himself and said that he would be with us in one moment. Strike one. The menu was highly uninteresting. My wife had the sea scallops ($32.00) and I had the braised shortribs ($30.00.) After starting out with the caesar salad and mussels, our dinners came out, looking..... just plain. Strike two. In the course of the evening, I had to run to the restroom twice. It could have been the mussels, or it might have been that Dana, our waiter, didn't appreciate me being brusque with him for leaving us unattended to at the beginning. Strike number mother effing three! But regardless, we will not be going back to the Fireplace anytime soon, because if if I'm spending $100 plus dollars, I would like better service and food that doesn't act as a diarrhetic. I think I'm regular enough without it.
(1)
Adriana A.
Great Food & atmosphere, plus everybody there is very professional. Also the owner does a lot to give back to the community so I'm happy to spend my money there. In addition they have some great little things going on like tastings, live music, some festivals, etc. The Fireplace is great!
(5)
Ashling C.
Went with a living social deal last weekend for a real treat and had a fabulous meal. We started with the mussels which were nice and two pieces of the potato bread they offer (truly, may have been the best part of the meal). For entrees we had the ravioli which came in a mint pesto that was expertly created not too overpowering, like I would have expected) and the short ribs, cooked very well and delicious, but a bit heavy. The atmosphere is very romantic and service is fine. I generally prefer a more outgoing menu but from what I can tell, the things they offer are made well. A bit overpriced for my grad school budget, but definitely a really nice treat!
(4)
Rich M.
Good food. The service was terrific. Very pricy for lunch.
(4)
Dave R.
Had the oven roasted chicken last night. Was amazing. Best chicken I have ever had. Sides are good too. Good little place with nice atmosphere
(5)
Christy M.
Absolutely delicious food. Have been here twice before. Fresh warm bread to start. This time tried the 'honeymoon salad' and the short ribs. The short ribs melted in your mouth and the cheesy porridge was very complimentary. Have also tried the half chicken which was good but no short ribs! Very good size portions, could not finish my meal either times. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that we put a credit card and some cash in the bill and she took it away without asking us what to do - put the whole amount on the card and took the cash. Very presumptous and gave herself a $4 extra tip than we planned. So rude.
(4)
Steve E.
I have eaten at The Fireplace off and on for the past 8 years and never had a bad meal here. I stopped in for a business lunch last week after not having visited for a while, I remembered why I really enjoy coming here. Food done really well. Great textures, nuanced flavors, reasonably priced. Its a quiet restaurant, attentive wait staff, small bar with top shelf beverage choices. Most of all, excellent food and definitely worth a visit. It's a nice destination in an area that doesn't have a lot of reason to visit except if you lived in the area. Mostly neighborhood type support businesses ( bank, liquor store, cleaners ect...) It's too bad cause its a great location, but it could really use some art galleries, book stores, antiques type businesses, but those certainly aren't reasons not to visit The Fireplace for an excellent meal.
(4)
Damien S.
See the picture for this spot? See the fireplace? That's The Fireplace. See the space right in front of the fire? That's our table. See the right side of my face? Me neither. It melted. Which is fine, it's cold outside. It was World AIDS Day that brought my date and I to The Fireplace. They take part in a restaurant campaign that delivers proceeds to the AIDS Action Committee of Boston. Little did we know it was only for a specialty drink and not the entire menu. You've won this round, Fireplace. Two please. Reservation for 8:30 - parked in the private lot at 8:35. They were running a bit behind, but perhaps we'd like a drink at the b.. yesplz. She had the Pomegranate Blackberry Margarita, and I went with the Macintosh Apple. Both had freshly muddled fruit and top shelf spirits. Good form. Table's ready - fireside. Looking around, I see couples and business acquaintances and first dates and Dasher and Dancer. Romantic, cozy, rustic. Surprised to find the walls stagskull-free. Not complaining, just saying. The menu is impressive and adventurous. We started with savory Cape Cod mussels in a garlic almond broth. Two slices of grilled toast. Toss the silver to the side; we dug in hands first and used the bread to soak up the love jus. Main courses were picked even before we got there - Sea scallops in a caramel-corn glaze with corn puree and corn-riddled mashed potatoes. Served on a maize plate with a shot of sour mash whiskey. Microwave on HIGH for 2-2 1/2 minutes or until 2 seconds between pops. I'm now somehow related to Orville Redenbacher. Speaking of: youtube.com/watch?v=Fcn4… He died in 95. -shudder- The other plate consisted of fried ricotta gnocchi with an army of roasted tomatoes and garlic cloves. Both entrees were corn delicious but the flavor corn of the scallops triumcornphed. The service lived up to expectations, which Yelp recon set pretty low. The bartender seemed perturbed and our server had an in-your-face enthusiasm coupled with reckless nonchalance. "You done there?" Still nuzzling the ice cubes. "Ok man, keep nuzzling." "Done now or still nuzzling?" - stone face - Later he referred to the dessert cocktails as "chick drinks." Not offensive, per se, just out of place and slightly abrasive. Speaking of! She slurped her white chocolate martini while I nuzzled my hot mulled cider. Inner fire - flame on. All in all, a pleasant experience and a delicious meal. The service could use some stoking (!) for the full five. That aside, add this joint to your List of winter dinner dates.
(4)
David H.
[I'd like to give 3 1/2 stars, but that's not an option] OK, so here's the 211th review of this place... We live a few blocks away, and wind up at The Fireplace about once a year - most recently last night. The food here is consistently good, but not spectacular given the menu prices. If it were in a chic downtown location rather than in Brookline they might be justified in charging an average of $30 for an entree - but they're not. Having said that, the food yesterday was in general quite excellent - the flounder special, served with bits of lobster & mussels, was very fresh & not overwhelmed by the light cream sauce. Their soups (chowder and squash bisque) were nicely prepared , as was the cranberry tart dessert. The suprisingly mediocre exception was their 'signature' chicken dish, which was not crisp and slightly over-salted, as were the accompanying mashed potatoes. There is one really exceptional area at The Fireplace - the bar. Over the years we have been so impressed that we have often requested the recipes for the innovative drinks created there. Last night's twist on a caipirinha was really excellent, and at $8.50 was reasonably priced. Overall I concur with other reviewers. Lower prices would mean greater value and higher ratings. Although, given the consistent crowds, I suspect that's unlikely to happen.
(3)
Catherine S.
Fireplace is great for the winter since, of course, there's a nice warm fireplace and a cozy atmosphere. I do think the food is a little overpriced though; I'm perfectly comfortable paying that level, but it didn't quite match what was on my plate. I had the salmon, which was very good, but not exactly far beyond what I can get at any other restaurant. The bar looks like a nice little place to hang out though, and I'd still recommend it to anyone in the area. Just know what to expect!
(4)
EricaLynn J.
I wound up here after my impatient crew did not want to wait to eat at Publick House and Washington Square Tavern down the block.... oh, I was mumbling obscenities under my breath as I really and truly didn't understand why we couldn't just wait for the good food at the other places... why we would submit to a sub-par restaurant simply due to less wait time! I begrudgingly sat at the bar with my friends and we ordered our meals. Them, a meat dish. Me, a pasta dish. And then a small portion of food came on a rather large plate, and I groaned and moaned and made some more sarcastic comments. And then I ate my food. Oops. That'll teach me to be bitchy! Sometimes it pays to be impatient. I would have never found this place otherwise and I'm glad I did. The food was delightful, the service even more so, and my friends and I had a great experience. Cheers.
(4)
Aboud Y.
Had an excellent New Year's brunch here. The food and service were both outstanding! Just about everything we ate here was delicious: oysters, bloody mary's, corn meal waffles, sausage patties, and eggs benedict. It was all good. Oh and the service was fantastic. Our waitress was fast, courteous, and knowledgeable. Plus I tend to like chef-owned restaurants (everything was honest and well-presented). Not sure if this would be a place I would visit regularly (I'll probably save it for special occasions. Anyhow...big thumbs up.
(4)
Sara S.
Came here for Christmas Dinner... OMG, yumtastic! Tremazing!! The Fireplace is a great holiday place because their menu is reflective of the season and uses local ingredients whenever possible. The atmosphere is festive, especially for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. While it's not casual, it's not stuffy and super-formal. Great cocktails (seasonal and traditional), and a downright awesome menu. My mom loved her Canton, dark rum, and lemon martini while I really enjoyed my spiced pumpkin, apple, nutmeg, and cinnamon dark rum. I typically avoid roasted chicken, but seeing as it's Fireplace's signature dish, I couldn't turn it down. This is the best roast chicken I've ever had. Even better than Hungry Mother. The chicken itself was brined for two days, buttery, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The portion was ginormous. I got sweet potato mash rather than regular, and it, again, was some of the best sweet potatoes I've had. Not lumpy but not pastey. Sweet but not too sweet. It was the perfect compliment to my chicken! I must come back for their mac and cheese, scallops, and risotto, though! I couldn't turn down the chocolate peanut butter whoopie pie for dessert, served on coffee cream. It's actually TWO whoopie pies, so I took one home! The whoopie pie cake itself is chocolate, which sandwiches vanilla frosting and peanut butter brittle. To die for. Given the quality of food, service, easy parking, price (not cheap but not ridiculous, especially since we brought home leftovers), this was probably the best non-ethnic holiday meal I've ever had dining out, ever. I can't wait to come back. Also, their bread is ridiculous. Eat lots of it.
(5)
C B.
The food is a bit overpriced and the service is really terrible! We sat outside with only two other tables and the entire lunch took about an hour and fifteen minutes! Let's see here, we had a couple cups of soup and a salad--this doesn't justify over an hour of lunchtime. The gazpacho soup was pretty good and did taste fresh, but this was second choice after not having the most pleasing looking thing on the menu: corn and scallop chowder. We had some lemonades, which truly tasted like freshly squeezed lemon juice and water, with no sugar. They charge $2.50 for this? C'mon! Just wasn't impressed at all.
(3)
Mary P.
I gave it a 3.5 stars actually, but I don't think it's an option. You ask why...well, location is great, the restaurant's set-up is really nice, service was average (and that was sitting at the bar), but I was just not happy with the food. I had heard this place was really good so I was really excited to finally make it into the place after many times running by it. I had the burger, requested for it to be cooked medium. It was cooked medium, but it was bland and not juicy and tender at all. I thought I was going to choke every time I took a bite. The fries definitely tasted like they were frozen, and then poorly fried because it was soggy. The place wasn't busy, so why did it seem like my food was rushed?!?! I'll definitely give it another try...for dinner instead of brunch. I'm hoping I will be able to change my review:)
(3)
Chaya G.
The Fireplace is one of my favorite restaurants. Food is delicious every time for lunch or dinner. I am giving it four stars because the service is lacking with their follow up skills. You practically have to scream across the restaurant to get someone's attention for more water.
(4)
Garrett B.
Let's start with the food. For the brunch/lunch menu, there are many options to suit any taste. I was craving breakfast and ordered the pancakes with Berries, Banana, and Peanut Butter. It was really good, but the portion most certainly did not justify a $15 price tag. Everyone else at my table enjoyed their meals which included the French Toast, Chicken Salad, and Maple Braised Chicken Sandwich. The service was kind and attentive. Overall, we had a nice relaxing lunch. I have two problems with this place. I do not quite get the atmosphere. It's half hunting lodge half-contemporary. It's almost like the Fireplace does not know what type of restaurant it is. My second issue was with the music. The entire meal the speakers played Country music, quite loudly at times. Country music in Brookline?? Really?
(4)
Oren G.
Had the burger here twice, just to make sure the first time wasn't a fluke. Not very impressed, especially given the large 'best in boston' sign inviting my initial attention. Grass fed beef is nice, but was lacking in taste here (overcooked both times) and toppings did not mesh well at all for my more traditional burger preference. Fries were under cooked, greasy and tough. For close to $15 this did not work out well.
(2)
Saba N.
I have only had lunch here but I was pleasantly surprised. People have told me it is very overpriced. I found my lunch to be very reasonable (although the entrees did look a little steep, not horrible though). Portions were a little small, but with the bread I was full. The service was great and the atmosphere is cute. I think it's a really perfect brunch spot!
(3)
Nathan R.
C'mon Fireplace- turn up the heat. My breakfast was subpar- at best. The place wants to be good, but wanting and being are really far apart. For lunch- I've had the pumpkin bisque which tasted like warmed pumpkin water...I was tempted to throw the soup in the fireplace.
(2)
Tess G.
The brunch was not your average brunch food, it was amazing. I got the omelette that was good, but I have to say my Dad got the hash with duck and a fried egg. When I go again, I'm going to definitely go with that. The waffles also looked great.
(4)
K C.
This is a great spot if you're in the Brighton/Brookline area! I can't say I would go far out of my way to dine here, but it is good food. I experienced excellent service, the wait staff was very attentive to the small details, which I like to see. The menu is simple and offers a nice range of dishes. It's all in all a nice spot! I'd recommend it and I'll probably go back.
(4)
Katya D.
It's possible that this review is a bit biased, seeing as I come here at least once a week and have been doing so for over a year, but there must be a reason that I do, right? That reason is that the Fireplace is killer. I've only eaten here twice. The first time was when I was in the band and they gave us food during our break - the classic roast chicken, which is one of those chickens that makes you re-think chicken in the best of ways. The other time was with a few friends, on a night other than my usual night (which is Wednesday, to be explained shortly), and a friend and I shared the steak bites. Delicious little morsels, and the perfect amount. Now, to Wednesdays: I moved to Brookline in July 2009, and quickly discovered that the Fireplace has free live jazz every Wednesday night. Awesome? I thought so. Then we add the fabulous bartender, who not only makes super delicious and moderately destructive drinks (in the best way) but also seems to revolutionize the concepts of friendly, competent, and efficient. He knows nearly everyone at the bar by name, and if he doesn't know your name when you come in, he'll know it by the end of the night. One thing that I don't understand is everyone's complaint about the service being too slow. Perhaps it's because I'm usually just drinking here, but when did going out to a fancy dinner become a rush job? Don't you _want_ to spend time with the people with whom you are eating? Perhaps I simply don't understand the concept of "fine service," and of course you don't want to be given a dish that's been sitting out for half an hour, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people complain of "slow" service. To end on a positive note: I recommend this place with the utmost respect, as everyone who works there, as well as all of my friends, know. You should want to come here, if only for the drinks, the atmosphere, and the cozy feeling of sitting around a fireplace with the people you love most. The fabulous food makes coming a necessity.
(5)
Nicolas F.
Food is so-so. This is a restaurant in our neighborhood and despite my better judgement, I have gone several times for both lunch and dinner hoping that the last time was just a fluke bad experience. The service, while friendly, has always been on the slow side and the food overall is not good. Every now and then there are good dishes - it is true the burger is quite good, but it is just a burger - but on the whole the experience always leaves me frustrated.
Swanky brunch place to make your parents take you to when they're in town visiting. It's more expensive than I'm going to spend unless it's a special occasion, especially since there's not a lot of vegetarian options. They do get points for trying though; they usually one vegetarian special and everything I have had is delicious. My girl likes their duck hash too, for the meat-eaters out there.
(4)
Marilyn T.
Some friends and I went for a late Saturday brunch today, and we were pleasantly surprised. My friend had tried their pork dish at the Taste of Elegance event and was drawn to the restaurant. Parking was relatively easy, as there are many metered spots out front, and I heard there's a parking lot. we had a reservation and were seated right away, though quite a few people without reservation were still waiting, even at almost 2pm. We started with soft, warm bread with a flaky outside. It helped calm my hungry stomach, and it was nice with salt and pepper. There is a good number of wines by the glass, all of which are available as "tastes" or "glasses," so you can try a couple of different ones if you like. For brunch, I had the New England Cobb, which had well grilled yet still juicy chicken pieces over shredded romaine with fresh diced tomato, peas, crisp smoky bacon, and blue cheese. It was a pretty large portion with a good amount of chicken, and it definitely hit the spot. A friend got the Winter pear salad with pomegranate seeds and seemed to enjoy the pomegranate walnut vinaigrette. Another got the challah french toast with an interesting almond apricot cheese in the center, and the other had the corn waffles with rum and bananas, which she was raving about. Prices at brunch were very reasonable - about $10-12 for most things. I definitely prefer this to the greasy diner breakfast, and the ambiance is much nicer. The crowd is a bit older, but it's not stuffy at all. People started coming in for the fireside chats that are done every other week, and I'd like to come back for that sometime. Service was polite and pretty quick, considering they were pretty busy. The host was very friendly and apologetic when two waiting patrons sat down at our booth because they were tired from standing while waiting. We thought it was a bit awkward, since they were basically sitting at our table, but we didn't think much of it, since they seemed old and both had walkers/canes. The host politely guided them to other seats, and he came back and apologized profusely to us and the adjacent table. It was kind of funny, but we appreciated his attention. I had a really good time - I didn't expect much, but it ended up being surprisingly satisfying and a good deal for a Boston brunch. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Richard P.
The food was great and the atmosphere was elegant. It's a bit on the pricey side when it's not during Restaurant Week. Now, I know this is no fault of the establishment, but the last time I went, I didn't have the most pleasant dining experience. I think it was the food/wine pairing. It did not settle very well.. a shame too, because I would have had a great time otherwise.
(3)
Bailey R.
This is a wonderful restaurant in Washington Square. The food selection and variety is wonderful, and it is clear that The Fireplace truly values quality, appearance, and customer satisfaction. Their drink menu is also amazing the sangria and pomegranate martinis are my favorite. The cozy environment makes The Fireplace a perfect date spot, place to catch up with friends, or place to grab a quick bite right at the bar. The bartenders are always friendly and entertaining. The Fireplace locals also make the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable. No matter where you live in Boston, making the trip to The Fireplace is definitely worth it.
(5)
Jeremy H.
I have been here a few times, and only the first time about 6 years ago was good. I do not remember what I got, but I told myself I had to go back....too bad they disappointed. The second time I went with friends the food was good, but nothing to write home about. The dish that stood out was the house special roasted chicken. I went again about 2 years ago with a cousin who wanted to try the place. It was just plain bad. My cousin and I had the chicken...it was about as juicy as jerky. his wife got some pasta dish that tasted awful...I remember that the pasta was cooked uneven (too much in a pot so some was overcooked and some was undercooked) and the sauce was a salty disaster on a plate. Well a few months ago i heard that they had an amazing brunch. Since the interior was phenomenal and the place had not been put out of business I decided it must have a redeeming quality, so I went. Boy was I surprised. brunch Kicked ass. the duck hash, the eggs Benedict, and the potatoes were all outstanding. Then I got the bill, and I was floored when I realized I had not looked at prices until this point. i mean come on $14 for eggs Benedict that was just eggs, ham, English muffin, and a side of greens....of course we ordered more food, we were still hungry. So the bottom line is the only reason to go here is that you could careless about how much a meal costs, and you want a good (but not near the best you can get) brunch on the weekend.
(2)
Emily S.
No doubt amazing. Expensive, but if you've got the money, this is easily one of the best restaurants around Boston. Blew my mind.
(5)
Lainey M.
This is a review of the "Fireside Chats". Excellent! The wine and food were excellent. We were seated at communal tables and really enjoyed meeting the other guests. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
(4)
J R.
The crispy potato gnocchi with roasted tomato basil sauce, sauted spinach, asiago cheese & toasted pine nuts was fantastic. My broiled sea bass with a green pea puree, porcini mushrooms & garlic confit emulsion was outstanding. For drinks we went with a simple Finger Lakes Riesling, and I had a Whales Tale IPA. Our server was polite, responsive and genuinely funny without being overbearing. Overall - a pleasant experience.
(4)
Sari D.
I would rate the drinks an A. Great variety, the bartender gave us recommendations and samples. The Apps... an A. Goat cheese makes us weak in the knees. The service a combined grade of A-. Our waitress would get about a B- on her own, but the bartender was great and the manager went above and beyond to find a wine for my friend. (She was waiting for me at the bar and had mentioned to him she was frustrated b/c none of the local stores carried this wine she loved). He actually called a couple stores in the area to find the bottle she was looking for and brought the info over while we were eating! The entrees get a C+. The scallops were cold by the time they got the table and the carrot ravioli came in the very heavy sweet cream sauce they was gross. We made reservations weeks in advance and as we were having wine after dinner the staff proceeded to take away all the tables around us on the first floor and set up for a band. We were rather rudely dismissed. If I didnt have another groupon, I wouldn't return.
(3)
Molly W.
The Fireplace is a date night kind of place. I'm guessing the owners wanted it to be "an accessible, fancy restaurant". One where, your husband doesn't need to were a jacket and tie, yet you wouldn't feel comfortable letting him wear a hoody there either. It's like, an after work spot or something. I don't know.... so while this wasn't a problem for me and my friend for our "girls night out"... I'm pretty sure my hubs would not enjoy himself there simply because he wouldn't know how to dress. Foodwise - they have a great looking menu. We couldn't decide what to get! An appetizer and two entrees? A cheese plate, a salad, and a split entree? So many decisions! And so expensive! The cheese plate is $8 for One kind of cheese and $5 for every additional cheese. Isn't that expensive? I mean - these are Local cheeses - they're cheddars from VT! Why would I pay $8 for a hunk of cheddar when I know that other cheeses are more expensive? The whole concept frustrates me. Just serve me a GD cheese plate and charge me $15 for it already. Needless to say, we did not order the cheese plate (and that's like - "our thing"!) The food we did order was pretty good. It was like... a B. In the end it was the lack of attention to detail that kind of killed it for me. Here's a quick example: Kobe Burger. Delicious. Cooked perfectly. But the fries were soft and undercooked and the broccoli, while garlicky, we concluded must have been sauteed at a high heat because the florets were overcooked and the stems were undercooked. Nit-picky? Maybe... but when you're paying top dollar, you expect the best. I will say the service was excellent. Our waitress was honest about the food (the pork medallions are actually pork belly, and lamb round is the ass of a lamb) so we appreciated her help in choosing entrees. The drinks we had were yummy - also our waitress's suggestion, and she was really patient while we caught up with one another. We didn't feel rushed, and in the end, we had a very nice night. Tips: Go here with another girl, or make your match.com date take you here for dinner. Use a Groupon to get $50 off. And don't be temped to over order - it's a LOT of food.
(3)
Claudia M.
Went here for dinner with work mates and was not really impressed. Maybe my expectations were too high as I have heard wonderful things about this place but was not blown away and at $80 p/p it was a let down. The portions are huge but the flavors were somewht lacking. My veggies were also overcooked and greasy - hate this!
(3)
Steven E.
Just re-visited the Fireplace, as I was invited and did not have to pay. The person who invited me had a gift certificate to this place, and did not have to pay either. The prices are still expensive, even more so than a year ago. The quality of the food improved drastically. It is now excellent. If you have a few bucks $150 for two people to spend, this is a good place to do it at.
(4)
Evan L.
The Fireplace: 50 tables, 2 by the fire. As far as haute cuisine goes, the restaurant really didn't deliver. The food was very good by normal standards but within the price range it was average. The chicken was over-cooked and dry unfortunately and the duck was slightly undercooked. We did enjoy our salmon cake appetizers but 2 tiny cakes were $15. The service was this restaurant's saving grace. Both hostess and waiter were what you should expect. The restaurant is loud and was full. The setup was very strange. We had reservations for a week for a special occasion and they tried to seat us in the lower level where literally 15 people were waiting for seats standing around your table (no exaggeration--1 foot away from you). Bad ambiance. I would have given it 3 stars but I would go back to a 3 star restaurant and this one just wasn't good enough for me to go back to.
(2)
Kate F.
What a new year's bummer. The Sig O and I braved the freezing cold and made last minute dinner plans here for New Year's Eve - since we moved to Brighton we've had our eye on this place and couldn't wait for an excuse to try it out. We slipped and slid down Beacon to make our reservation on time...and the place was nearly empty. The fire kept petering out all evening, and the warm, rustic decor was inexplicably spotted with sports paraphernalia. We were seated by a harried maître d' who whisked our coats away and told us to find him when we were leaving and he'd direct us to them...one guess as to whether or not we could find him when we were ready to leave. The wine selection was delightful on the page, but my chardonnay was served icey cold - the same for the Sig O's pinot grigio. I ordered pumpkin soup and the menu mentioned hazelnuts...I'd have welcomed them crushed and as a garnish, but I had to crunch my way through the soup. My autumn salad was doused in oily, flavorless dressing even though I requested it on the side. The Human Eating Machine consumed every last morsel of the ravioli on his plate, but his reaction afterward was "meh". $64 later and not a "wow" - I can't say we'll be heading back.
(2)
wendy g.
OMG!!! Let me repeat OMG!! We had the five course tasting meal with our coupon from living social. First course was a dense and delicious lobster bisque. Course two was a fabulous pear and arugula salad. Then a goose confit on sweet potato mash. YUMMMY!! really Yummy!!! The main course was my favorite, rack of lamb with potato cake (latkes for Passover) Can you tell that we had a great time. Dessert was a perfect creme brulee. The wine we chose was called syrah- a California light red. If you want a truly great meal- this was it. Oh for the uninitiated- their lunches are the best soup and sandwich for the money in town- i.e. reasonable. Dinner will cost!
(5)
Sean D.
I've been here several times and it doesn't disappoint. A bit pricey, but worth it for a strong meal that perfectly combines a little creative dishmaking with the warmth of good comfort food. Extensive wine list with some good and reasonably priced glasses and bottles. Cocktails generous and priced about average for an upper end restaurant. Very accommodating hostess who managed to fit in a 4 person walk-in party on a Saturday night. Most meals seem to have primarily local (or relatively local) ingredients and the menu is seasonal. Cheese course is a nice touch. Highly recommended for dates or gathering of friends looking for a good meal.
Went on Friday night. Glad we had a reservation because it was very crowded. Mussels were good and came quickly. Waitress was very good. One major downside was that out entrees took 65 minutes to come after we placed the order. Our waitress came over to apologize twice but it still seemed like forever. We were very hungry. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was outstanding but pretty good. The steak was a little tough but had decent flavor. The ribs were very tender. I probably won't go back as the wait time was very long, we felt crammed in surrounded by people waiting for tables and the value didn't seem all that great. Perhaps it was an off night.
I came here for dinner a few weeks ago, and I have a mixed bag of feelings regarding this restaurant. The ambience is amazing here. I love the dim lighting. Very comfortable spot to enjoy dinner and drinks with a friend, or a date. The waitstaff was friendly and fairly accomodating. That said, I tried the burger which was noted as being considered the best burger in boston. I have to say it was not the best burger I have ever had. I am not a huge fan of english muffin as a bun, but I figured I would try it anyway. It was hard to hold the gigantic burger on a thin english muffin and everything sort of fell apart as I was taking my first bite. The juices were also coming out of the burger which is a sign that they did not let it rest, and thus many of the juices were not actually inside the burger at the time of consumption. It made for a dry burger. I very much enjoyed the meat and cheese platter, which came with flatbread crackers and other accoutrements. The drinks were good, but the dessert drinks were incredibly strong, to the point where I could not finish more than 1/4 of a large dessert beverage because all I could taste in my mouth was spiced rum. This could very well be my fault in not reading the descriptions of the drinks, and I take responsibility for that. I just don't understand how anyone would ever want to drink something that is 100% alcohol.
(3)
Katherine D.
I went here for an anniversary dinner. Its pricey, but definitely worth it for a special night. I had the duck and he had the sirloin. He is super hard to please but enjoyed everything. I have to say my favorite part was the pomegranet blackberry margarita, it was delicious and I might be back for drinks!
(5)
Ken B.
I recently went to The Fireplace with some friends for brunch. It was my first time there and I quite enjoyed it, although I wouldn't reccomend going here for dinner. Dinner items are VERY pricey, and frankly, if you're going to pay $30 per plate for a dinner you can do better. Brunch was great. Reasonably priced and a great selection. I got a delicious 3 egg omlett with tomatoes, brocolii, and cheddar cheese melted on top. Everyone else at the table loved their food as well, from simple bacon and eggs to delicious waffles topped with a homemade blueberry whipped cream. The service was very good, however, we did have a few sanitary issues. My water glass had lint floating in it (I'm glad I noticed!) and someone else at our table had a very dirty spoon (and I'm glad she noticed!). The wait staff was quick to apologize though and I think it was just an anomally. All in all, I would go back for brunch as there are more items on the menu I want to try!
(3)
Allie G.
So many Yelpers already offer details about The Fireplace, I won't bore you with rehashings of their iffy prices, questionable ambiance, etc. It *is* good, and the staff are friendly and professional, but it's also a little overpriced--and a smidge too trendy--for me. (Not every dish calls for candied nuts--just saying.) *BUT* there's a definite trick to ensuring a 4- or even 5-star experience at the FP. 1) Go on a beautiful afternoon. 2) Grab an outside table. 3) Order from the brunch or lunch menu (about $10-14 per person). Options are great--chicken salad, great Cobb salad, omelettes, Belgian waffles, roti BLT, etc. 4) Enjoy!
(4)
Trish F.
Nobody puts Trishie in a corner. Well, maybe The Fireplace does. And what a cold corner it was. I went to The Fireplace during Restaurant Week. My friend and I came earlier than our reservation and we were promptly seated. Our table was in the corner right by the stairs that lead to the elevated dining area. It probably had the worst lighting in the place.. not romantic candlelit dim like emerging from the cave dim. And even though we were right by the fire, I was freezing.. and I'm not one of those chicks that's easily cold. Our waitress was cute. Bubbly, helpful, and generally nice. The bus boy/helper waiter/water guy was also pretty awesome.. checking our table frequently, but not disturbing conversation. For some reason, I got a strange vibe from the rest of the wait staff, I don't know. There was a guy going around greeting people and asking how they were and he never made it to our table. Meh On to the food. The soup was a mushroom something or other? Served warm.. it may have cooled off quickly due to my chilly seat. It was pretty good, probably would have been better hot. The main dish.. was beef brisket with a sort of polenta. AMAZING. The dessert was a pound cake sandwich with mulled dried fruits. Hmmm.. wasn't really digging it. Not really my taste and too heavy. At the end of the meal, my friend and I regretted our restaurant week menu decision. We should have just ordered the beef! Oh well. The Fireplace is a green restaurant (has recycling, doesn't use styrofoam etc). They have jazz and latin nights weekly, so maybe I'll stop back in if I'm in the area. We shall see. As for atmosphere, the place reminds me of a lodge with the fire going and the seating. The walls are adorned with pictures of Boston basketball/baseball teams. Seems like a strange mish mash to me. OH and I almost forgot. An extra star because either the owner or one of the chefs stopped by one of the fundraisers I was involved with last fall. He offered to throw a dinner party in someone's home. Then when the bidding reached a lull, he threw in a scotch tasting! We got a couple thousand from that. It was supremely generous and very classy of him. Scotch = classy. Always.
(4)
Susie A.
The Fireplace is one of my go-to restaurants in Brookline, especially for their brunch. No matter how many times I've been, I ALWAYS order the eggs benedict because it's SO good. But I've heard the crispy duck hash is also delish as is the challah french toast. I've only been once for dinner and don't remember what I had remember being really, really impressed. They also have really, really good mojitos. I love the blueberry one! I think I just really enjoy the atmosphere of this place and the waitstaff is always super friendly.
(4)
Alixandria F.
This place has some good food. I've only ever gone for brunch, which I'd say is a good time to go. Especially when it gets cold out. Its so cozy and a perfect place to share a delicious meal with friends. The New England Cobb is delicious. I know I know its just a cobb, but its really not. Whatever dressing they use is heavenly and I'd do unmentionable things to get a bottle of it. 4 stars because the hostesses are always bitchy. I mean really? You're a hostess, don't cop attitude with me
(4)
Webster M.
How does it go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Yeah, I'm giving it two stars since the food is at least edible. Nothing here is outstanding, and the service was the worst. There will not be a third time.
(2)
Ria B.
I am still beaming from the fantastic time we had at the fireplace last night. We were a table of 10 celebrating a Birthday and the whole evening went by very smoothly. While waiting for the rest of the group we enjoyed a couple drinks by the bar... I took the suggestion of some Yelp reviewers and tried the pomegranate blackberry margarita. Wow.. refreshing and punchy! It definitely set me in a good mood for the rest of the night :) When the rest of my pals arrived we were seated immediately and were well attended during the length of the meal. The bread is delicious by the way... a warm biscuity type that required no buttering in my opinion. For appetizers I highly recommend the mussels. They are sizable, succulent, and extremely savory. The cheese platter is a great appetizer as well.. we picked the Camembert from column a and I cannot recall the cheese from column b... though I know it ends in '-doodle.' Good quality cheese with a perfect cracker and fruit accompaniment. The entrees were terrific as well. For filling portions, order their signature maple glazed half-chicken dish or the porterhouse porkchop. Sea scallops were the special that night and they were delicately seared to perfection. After two bottles of wine and all that food we unfortunately did not have room for dessert, so I can't comment on that. I will definitely try out the sweets on my next occasion there.
(4)
Zoe L.
Service was terrific! Food was soooooo delicious that I ate every bite, which rarely happens. We will be back!
(4)
Vera S.
The Fireplace is awesome. Everything about it was great - even the bread that they serve to you pre-meal. I went there for lunch and had a great experience. They hand-cut their fries themselves, and they taste amazing. My water glass was refilled before being close to empty. My sandwich was awesome. This is a great, high class establishment. Every peice of your meal is treated with the utmost care. I loved it, and will go for dinner if I ever can afford it.
(5)
Liv K.
I came here for my anniversary dinner with my husband recently. He had made reservations a week in advance, and right before we were getting ready to leave it started absolutely pouring outside- I mean, it was like a monsoon. Since I had just perfected my hair and makeup, there was no way I wanted to go outside in that, since it seemed like just a passing storm. So we called the restaurant to tell them we'd be late and asked them to hold our reservation for us, and they gladly obliged. When we finally got there a half hour after our original reservation time, they had a table waiting for us right by the fireplace. Although it took quite a while for anyone to bring us water and (delicious) bread (upwards of 20 minutes), we ended up having a great dinner. For an appetizer we ordered the heirloom tomato salad which came with delicious goat cheese. For our entrees, he ordered the grilled bavette steak, and I ordered the special of the night- flank steak with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Both meals were cooked perfectly and very flavorful.
(4)
F L.
I have been here several times because it's just around the corner from where I live. The food is always okay, but the entrees (e.g. scallops) tend to be heavier than you expect and on the salty side. Their burger is stuffed with cheese (inside the meat) and served with an English muffin bun. It is delicious for the first several bites, but then you start to feel a bit sick to your stomach because it is so heavy. The ambiance is nice, the service is friendly, and they're pretty accommodating with large parties and children which I why I keep coming back. For the quality of the actual food you get, however, their menu is way overpriced...upwards of $30 for a typical dinner entree. You can get much better and more interesting food elsewhere for the same price, and to be perfectly honest I don't think I would go out of my way to come here if it weren't so convenient to where I live.
(3)
Kate S.
This place is named the Fireplace because there is a fireplace right as you walk in. Because my favorite ambiance always includes coziness, I give it 5 stars just for the way you feel when you walk in the door. The food is great! Not so great as other places I've been in Boston (some of my food-snob friends have snubbed this place), but I think that it will satisfy most people. It is pricey, but is really the only place in the area of its sort. So if you are looking for a relatively fancy place in the area, this is where you should go.
(5)
Duchess C.
This is a great little restaurant serving better-than-good food and a great selection of wine and cocktails. Instead of overreaching into the unknown, the kitchen here really seems to have mastered the art of cooking standard dishes with delicious and creative twists (instead of lox and bagels, there is a pizza with lox and capers on it, challah French toast, rice pilaf with lots of lentils and a brown butter sauce, the list goes on). A great place to meet for brunch, get cocktails with the girls, lunch with the family or dinner with close friends or a date.
(5)
Nelle C.
Excellent menu (had a tough time narrowing my choice), very good service. It's pricey, though. Had the Honeymoon salad with shrimp - delicious. Bring a sweater.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I don't know. I don't mind going. If I'm with my parents. I don't like the open kitchen, because the cooks are CREEPY, and seriously just stare at me and whisper crap. COOK THE DAMN FOOD. The Gnocci is solid. Which means really good. For those who don't know. OH, but they really need to get rid of the table that is DIRECTLY IN FRONT of the fireplace. Even when it's cold outside.... I don't need to be 2 feet from a fire. Until the day I die, when my friends and I are partying it up downstairs... hm..
(3)
Ina C.
Good: The wine-tasting that was going on while I was there for the mid-day menu seemed really cool. Bad: The mid-day menu seems like a good value, but the pizza I ordered was completely mediocre and extremely salty. Good: The quahog (another word for clam, I discovered) chowder is to die for! Bad: I can't think of another bad thing. But I had a pattern going, so... Good: It's a very romantic restaurant!
(3)
pete k.
I LOVE this place. It is my newfound favorite brunch spot, in fact. Dinner is great, from the atmosphere to the food and drinks. Unfortunately it does get busy and you might have to wait. Its not as expensive as you'd think, and the locally sourced food is all outstandingly fresh. And the beer selection - top notch. They have Cisco Whale's Tale on tap.. love it. Brunch though - oooh man. "Crispy Duck Hash". These words bounce around my head constantly, and I constantly look for reasons to go eat it. There are other great things on the menu as well - from eggs benedict to spit roasted chicken BLTs and crispy french toast.. but whatever - give me DUCK with fried eggs on top and you have won my heart. Service is generally good - however sit at the bar on the weekends and hang out with the best bartender I've encountered in the city. Great guy and he knows not just the drinks, but the food as well. Oh, and the owner is likely to swing by, too - nice guy. The bathroom is pretty cool too - worth a visit if only to wash your hands.
(5)
Judy P.
The food was fantastic! Our server was very attentive and knowable with the menu. We bought a couple of groupons and I am so glad that I found this place. Will definitely go back for a special occasion!
(4)
Katia M.
Went here for brunch after fantasizing about corn waffles for weeks. I didn't get the corn waffles because there was an omelet on the menu that sounded even better. First off, the bread they came around with --biscuits? Popovers? Whatever it was, it was flaky, fresh, warm, and delicious. We went through two baskets before I was like, okay, we actually have real food coming. My omelet was amazing, as expected, and the bite or three I had of said waffles was good, if a bit sweet for my starch-lovin' palate. A bit pricy, yeah, but oh, it is so tasty.
(4)
Amy C.
Ok so my husband gave this place one star and so do I. This was my second trip (I gave it the old college try again)... and sorry I did.... Strike #1 - For the price that you pay... you should have memorable food and good service. After you have been seating 10 minutes, when you have to ask for your waiter you know you are in trouble. I made eye contact with the assistants filling water, passing bread to the tables around us. Nothing. Strike #2 - Which I never mentioned to my husband..... WHO puts brown wilted romaine on a plate and passes it off as salad. I can understand 1 or two leaves that slip by mistakenly... but no, clearly they were using old lettuce and pass it on to the customer...again for the price of the salad... bring out the fresh produce please.... Strike #3 - The food does not match the price you paying. Our main dishes were ok.... but so not worth $32. I don't know how the restaurant keeps a following... I gave it two tries and am sorry I did. I hope this review helps people make informed decisions.
(1)
Sara L.
I ate here on Christmas Day, for dinner, and it was great. I was bringing someone from the airport, so we were nearly an hour early, but they still seated us, and right next to the huge fireplace. The service was spectacular, and so was the food. We had salmon cakes, baked beans, and the filet, and everything was cooked to perfection. It tasted wonderful, and the atmosphere was toasty and cozy, perfect for the holiday. The drinks were amazing as well -- I had a raspberry cocktail, and it actually had raspberries in it. So nice!
(5)
Wade S.
The food here is very good, make no mistake, but things get confusing, and confused. There are two menus, a wine list and the regular meal menu, but the meal menu contains many drink items and duplicates some of the choices. The artisanal cheese offerings are very good, but overall the menu is hard to read with a too-scriptlike font and narrow spacing. The wine list also seems over-priced and/or skewed to the upper ranges and a bit narrow. Waitstaff on our visit was largely inattentive, even though it was a slow night there, and a bottle of wine we had ordered did not arrive. We were forced to cancel it, as we had already dug into our entrees and attempts to hail our waitress were fruitless. Kudos for having a parking lot, albeit small. Stairs to the main dining area. Their website claims to be offering Restaurant Week during all of August, but that was not offered to us.
(3)
Erik F.
All the criticism I've read here is accurate. That said, I ate at fireplace at least a dozen times while my boyfriend lived up Washington St. The food is simple. This will bother some people because of the prices, which are paying for local sources, excellent service, a gorgeous atmosphere, and some really fantastic cooking. Everyone I've eaten with has been impressed by dinner entrees. Fireplace is very vegetarian friendly - the pick for vege-dinner is whatever seasonal ravioli is available. My personal favorite is a special I've had twice, bacon-wrapped meatloaf with mashed potatoes and garlicky broccoli, which is simply amazing. Classic comfort food, prepared as real cuisine. Squash bisque with blue cheese is probably the most noteworthy starter. Tuna tartare special was divine though. Brunch is much more hit-or-miss. I hated the duck hash, it's just to bland to wake up to. I think the sweet breakfast options are much better: Cornmeal waffles or the heavier cinnamon-apple Challah French toast. My lunch pick is the good old turkey wrap - served with cranberry mayo on a RI johnny-cake (essentially a cornbread crepe, if you're not from around here). My last warning is the Brookline 40th-Birthday or Bridal Brunches. While it is a great place to hold such an event, I'd steer clear if there's a group of ladies with Mimosas at the front tables. 3.5 stars, because I have had not-so-satisfying meals, and it is pricey. The benefit of the doubt for 4 since I was a regular because of all the good stuff.
(4)
TJ G.
Brunch is excellent. Usually not crowded, portions just right, delicious plates & good service. I've had: * Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict * Crispy Duck Hash * Poached Egg Dinner is quite different. The service is extremely slow. Ambiance can be very noisy & crowded if you are seated lower level. DO NOT ORDER SEAFOOD! Stick with chicken or Pan Roasted Duck or Maple Glazed Chicken. I had the Lobster Mac & Cheese. It contained one piece of lobster meat and that was it. Nothing else mixed in. It was basically a $36 mac and cheese. For a consistent Lobster Mac & Cheese I recommend Max and Dylans in the Financial District. I never addressed the issue to our waitress. Service was so horrendous, I just wanted to get the f out.
(3)
Stephanie Y.
I've been to this place twice. The first time the clams and the roasted chicken were great, but the waitress ignored us most of the time and forgot to give us bread. The second time the service was friendly, but the entrees (roasted chicken and haddock) were unimpressive, especially the haddock, which was extremely bitter with a strange aftertaste. However, if you're looking for a place with good appetizers and salad, this is a good place.
(3)
J L.
We were there recently and what stood out for me was the service which could have been far better. Our waiter was aloof and hurried, we had to ask for bread and silverware which had been forgotten. The food was average but priced well above avarage. We got one bread roll per person, apparently they're made with potato flour but looked half cooked, reminded me of a big gnocchi, you only got one pat of butter per person. Then there was an empty bottle on the table which I couldn't understand? My $36.00 rib eye was charred on the outside and rare on the inside despite my instructions to have it cooked medium, just sloppy in the kitchen. The Lobster Mac and cheese was great but had very little Lobster for $18.00 Poor value for pasta and cheese which it was mostly. The dessert was the best part of the meal! Their bread pudding was awesome, could have been a bit looser in texture but loved the poached multi-color rasins!
(2)
Sharee P.
I attended The Fireplace over the weekend, and let me say although it was a scorcher outside, I was in a kool heaven of great seafood, and fresh veggies! When we arrived it wasn't too crowded, but that soon changed;-) once 2pm arrived. The air soon filled with the smell of yummy salmon seared on a wooden cedar plank. My friend ordered the steak and a salad, but once I saw the seared salmon at the table across My Mind Was Made Up! LOL Great foo, Great customer service & the head chef Jim A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The pricing wasn't too bad given the awesome location and quality. *Well worth it*
(4)
joshua m.
Holy Mackerel, what a disaster. 1. You pay far too much for far too little. I personally don't care if the menu is "new". That doesn't make the items within worth more money. We are not talking about cars here. 2. We waited 30 minutes for bread. 3. We waited another 10 before hearing that they were sold out of what I ordered. 4. Ten minutes later we decided to leave. The whole time, I saw the owner, Jim, walking around bussing tables and looking very depressed. It was not busy. Sad experience. They gave us our cheese plate for free and offered brunch on the house, but no thanks... we live far too close to the Centre Street Cafe to be wooed by potential brunch experiences.
(1)
Abby M.
Went here last winter for a father-daughter date. I thought it was a bit overpriced and would probably not come back again unless someone else was footing the bill (thanks dad!). That said, we were both thoroughly happy with our choices-- I got the risotto, which was incredibly filling and provided some tasty leftovers. It seems to be a recurring complaint that the food is a bit too rich, and I'd definitely agree with that. Still, it was a lovely atmosphere and we got a table right in front of the fireplace. Probably a good place to go for a special date.
(3)
Phil B.
I had a $50 Groupon, for which I paid $25, so I went there for dinner last night. While checking out their menu online before buying the deal, I took notice of a Kobe beef burger regularly priced at an over-the-top $23 for a thick burger with caramelized onions, avocado, and cheese, plus fresh-cut fries and broccoli on the side. Being a stickler for pink and red, rather than gray, beef, I told the waitress that I wanted the burger cooked medium rare and noted that the reason why burgers are most-frequently overcooked is that the cook waits too long to put the cheese on during the cooking process, so that by the time the cheese melts, the burger has been overcooked. I should have saved my breath, because it didn't help. The overly-dry burger was cooked to somewhere between medium and medium-well. Some of the burger's interior was very pale pink, although the grayness and lack of flavor predominated. (I understand that Kobe beef may be leaner than the beef usually used for burgers around here, but the overcooking must have also contributed to the dryness and lack of flavor.) Their fresh house-cut french fries were outstanding, however. It's a shame that there wasn't beef fat from a correctly-prepared medium-rare burger dripping down on those fries. With $50 to burn on the Groupon, I also got a side of lobster mac & cheese. On the upside, there were huge chunks of lobster in the dish. On the downside, this is not creamy mac & cheese; like the burger, it was overly dry. Also, the cheese blend used in the dish lacked the expected sharp cheddary notes contained within most mac & cheese recipes. The base reminded me more of the Swiss family of cheeses than cheddar/jack/american. The fruit crisp I had for dessert was nothing special, but the very small scoop of butter walnut ice cream on the baked crisp was wonderful. I asked the server where they get their ice cream from, and they don't get their ice cream from one of the local parlors. Someone who makes ice cream in their home sells it directly to them. I could see myself returning here for a plate of fries and dish of ice cream, but that's about it.
(2)
Dorothy B.
I have enjoyed dinner at The Fireplace about once a month for the last year. The food is always delicious and the service is always good. The menu has good variety whether you want a full meal or something lighter. I like eating at the bar or at a cozy table. Its a great neighborhood spot.
(5)
Meghan W.
I went for brunch this past weekend and was pretty underwhelmed. The service was good although our party of 7 was extremely crowded at the table we were seated at. We ordered a wide variety of items from the menu and no one seemed blown away by what they ate at the end of the meal. I had the chicken caesar salad, and while the chicken was moist and tasty, the salad dressing was a bit overwhelming. Others said they're meals were a little greasy or had a slightly odd taste. I would try coming back for lunch or dinner, but I think there are far better places for brunch in the area.
(2)
Romulo R.
This place is a little more lively and little more 'posh' than the tavern accross the street. I did not try the food, but the bartender was very personable and a great conversionalist. The place was a little quiet, so it was possible to have a conversation, but they do have live music on some nights, which is something to look forward to . Overall, I had a nice time and intend to go back.
(4)
Marisa W.
Delicious food. Excellent service. A little on the pricey side, but worth it for a special evening out.
(5)
Rob K.
I was really excited to try this place and we had decided to go for an early Valentine's day dinner. We arrived a 1/2 hour early and were seated right away, which was nice. The hostess was very pleasant and accomodating as well. Once seated, our waitress came to greet us. She seemed nice enough but had no real personality to make the experience. We ordered out drinks and then our food. My turkey dinner, which sounded amazing, was dry and rather flavorless. The chicken that my other half ordered was actually quite good. The people next to us had an issue with their waiter and called the manager over so that they could give him an earful, as they were everyone else in the place. Loud talkers... Anyhow, they were complaining about their coffee and the fact that this was their 3rd time there etc.... The waiter said something that made it seem as if he was just brushing off their complaint. Ok, none of our business, but the manager obviously did not make it any better by arguing with them over the coffee and not addressing the issue regarding the waiter's attitude. Which, we heard him with another table and it was obvious he did not know when to shut his mouth talking about his intolerance to rich deserts (enough said). It continued to escalate and we then had to witness all the waiters and other staff was doing nothing mulling about talking about it. It made for some entertainment however was not condusive for a nice dinner date. The staff did not live up to the atmosphere. Oh yeah, our waitress maybe visited us twice and when it was time to pay the bill she perked up. It's too bad because I was looking so forward to eating there. Oh well, I won't go back unless I hear that the staff got some customer service training.
(2)
Jessica N.
We came here for our pre holiday brunch with the fam. The service was good, the bread was so awesome. I think after we finished our basket of bread and tricked the bus boy into giving us each another piece they got a little grumpy, but I wouldn't spread that bread around either- I would keep it all locked up for myself..... Anyway, most of the food was super good. My caper and salmon pizza was kind of intense for me. And who really think a Bellini is made with peach schnapps? It was a cute place with easy parking and a nice way to relax in Bean town with the fam.
(4)
Jerry J.
Great lighting, great service, but I hate, hate, hate cheapo-deluxe ultra-super-hydrogenated oil slathered on meat while it's grilling. Makes people smell funny and the meat has an after taste. Everything else was ok, price was a little high for what it was, even if it weren't ruined with soybean oil, but the service was pretty hip.
(2)
Layla P.
We went here with a big party - about 30 people and kudos to Fireplace for being able to accommodate us (with ample notice of course). The french toast was a little better than average, definitely good thick and fluffy bread and caramelized fruit on top, but still not something I would go back for. The eggs were OK and potatoes quite good. All in all, not something i would trek all the way to Washington square for, but a decent choice.
(3)
Angela S.
The food was not very good, it was overcooked. Our waitress was very nice but the host staff and the bartender were terrible. I would not go back to this place.
(2)
Sarah S.
I'm inching towards a dozen visits to this place, and I think it's great. I came here several times over the summer because: a) I bought three Groupons b) I like to sit outside with my dog They've always been totally sweet to my pup, and have a good outdoor seating vibe. I find the food to be fairly good, if a little overpriced. The bread they bring out is insanely good, and they always have a great oyster selection. The menu changes frequently, which I appreciate. The last time I was there I had the pomegranate and pear salad, which sounds simple but was somehow very complex and delicious. Their steak bites are solid as an appetizer or added to any salad. Also, their raspberry mule signature cocktail is FANtastic. Otherwise, they have an interesting selection of beer and wine, so the drink menu tends to be an overall crowd-pleaser. This most recent visit was the first time actually sitting inside the place. We grabbed a spot by the fireplace itself, which made for a cozy (if a bit overly toasty) experience!
(4)
Rhea B.
I have had wonderful meals here over the years. Love their menu choices, preparations, and service!
(4)
Hungry B.
I've only been to the Fireplace a few times, but its been excellent each time. Its a little pricier than my usual Friday night but the food is really great. Most recent visit was 11/2010 - I had scallops with pork belly and roasted vegetables - outstanding. My gf had the lobster mac and cheese which was great too. Had an app and some salad to start which were both nice - nothing was "just ok", it was all really nice. Our waitress was both friendly and attentive for a busy weekend evening.
(5)
Bernadette S.
Yesterday afternoon my girlfriend and I went to the Fireplace for their twice monthly events called Fireside Chats. We were very excited because yesterday's Fireside Chat was all about New England microbrews paired with small plates of food. My girlfriend loves beer - that's why we picked this particular Fireside Chat. The atmosphere was great and we were seated by the fireplace, and very much looking forward to our experience. I love the warm paint colors, layout and large, yet cozy atmosphere. Then we noticed that the beers they were putting out were all Sam Adams varieties. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I love Sam Adams beer and think they're a great company. But I live a five minute walk from their brewery and also happen to get free Sam Adams products fairly regularly through one of my clients. I think the Fireside Restaurant was cheating by making "New England Microbrews" all about Sam Adams when that's a Boston-based company with a local tour, and there are a trillion other New England Microbrews that most of us haven't sampled. So, all this to say that we left before our Fireside Chat began and did not taste the food or sample the beer. We're going back for the Reisling Fireside Chat in July and I'll edit then.
(3)
Ivan C.
Pricey but the food is great. They have a very unique menu with great flavors.
(4)
Cynthia S.
I went to the Fireplace with three other people and we all enjoyed our meals. One of the guests in our party has a gluten allergy and the staff was wonderful. This is a great place to take out-of-towners for a special treat.
(5)
Ben H.
The atmosphere is nice, and the staff is really friendly. I got the salmon, which I really enjoyed, although everything else on the plate was average. The corn ravioli was really good - it was in a delicious sauce. The salads were all great too.
(4)
Chillin G.
This place is okay for food but is wayy overpriced... A little buttered spinach for $9.
(2)
Julie T.
I went there on a Wednesday Night and the place was pretty packed. The food was decent. A little pricey, but it's a really cozy atmosphere. A good place for a date, but not great. The tables are pretty close together so you can definetly hear other peoples conversations. On wednesday they have live jazz there after 9:30.
(3)
Joscelyn A.
The food was absolutely amazing. I had the half chicken on bed of mashed potatoes and it was the most delicious meal I've ever had. Hands down
(5)
Greg P.
A great dining option in Washington Square The Fireplace is located in the heart of Washington Square. Specializing in American and New England cuisine, it's menu changes seasonally. The ambiance is warm and spacious. The servers are very helpful and nice. My wife and I have dined there several times and have always had a good experience. The bake their bed fresh daily and it's a great way to start the meal, crunchy but soft and warm. The Fireplace offers terrific appetizers including salads and seasonal bisques. Entrees that have stood out for us include the roasted duck which is served with wild rice and a cherry sauce and the hanger steak which is cooked perfectly and not overly seasoned. The desserts are also excellent. One particular standout dessert was the spiced cider donuts which came hot with three different sauces (apple cider syrup, caramel, and raspberry) for dipping. Although, with drinks, you can expect to pay a bill similar to what you would expect from a glitzy downtown Boston restaurant, the food is worth it. Overall, the Fireplace is a great dining option for those looking for a fine-dining experience without trekking all the way downtown!
(4)
Kim N.
Delicious drinks and food! We usually sit at the bar whenever we go -- the bartenders all provide good service and chill conversation!
(4)
Kevin R.
My girlfriend and I went to the Fireplace last night and we had a great time. Conveniently located right at Washington square, the service was very friendly from the bartender to the waitress and even the bus boy. The decor was great. My girlfriend enjoyed the ambience, the hanging lights in the windows created. They sat us right in front of their wood fireplace, their centerpiece, which was a blessing on such a cold day in February. We had a special appetizer that night which was a cod dip served with pita chips. It was amazing and I would definitely recommend this appetizer if they continue to serve it. She had the swordfish which she loved and I tasted and as well and thoroughly enjoyed. I had the half chicken which was very tasty to. Juicy, served with a side of glazed carrots which was mouth watering. We had the meal with a bottle of Bread and Butter wine, which I suggest to anyone, and it paired with our meals perfectly. Lastly, we finished with the apple caramel doughnuts. These were very tasty and did not feel overly heavy which one tends to feel after having desert after a full meal. The pricing was fair, though not the cheapest place to go, the food is worth every penny. The only thing that keeps this place from having a fourth star is how crowded the seating is especially in front of said fireplace, but if you're looking for a nice place to go, hop on the C train and head over to Washington Square and have a nice meal. It's worth it.
(3)
V M.
I went to The Fireplace with high expectations after a co worker recommended them. Sadly I was disappointed. Service was 5 star, very pleasant and informative. Meal was only 3 star, as it was eh and very expensive for what was on the plate. I had the tuna and monkfish with potatoes and roasted vegetables. Fish was decent, veggies were delish and the potatoes were way undercooked. For $33 I expected much more. I have no issue spending $33 on an entree but it better be 5 star!
(3)
Nancy T.
Food was fine. Service seemed very inexperienced. Among other things, server left a long blond hair on the table each time she stopped by. 3x. i suppose if i had a hair fetish this wouldve added instead of subtracting a star.
(2)
Paola M.
This USED to be one of my favorite places to have dinner but not after what happened today!!!! I walked in around 3:30pm to have lunch. I walked in with my emotional support animal INSIDE a travel bag. I motion to the hostess if I can sit at the bar and she agrees. I sit at the bar, there is a guy sitting about three seats away, the restaurant is nearly empty and I place my comfort animal on the ground out of view. The man sitting at the bar starts RUDELY and LOUDLY starts stating that animals are filthy and how disgusted he is and therefore wants the check. Surprisingly, I get KICKED out of the restaurant and they refuse to provide me with service. FYI it is ILLEGAL to segregate someone and/or refuse them service . The fireplace has infringed and violated the AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT. They did not even offer to seat me outside I was just told to leave.
(1)
GJ N.
I've had two meals here, they were each 3 STAR. The bar, atmosphere and service deserve a higher rating. Careful if Dean is bar tending... he makes the drinks strong. While I was dating he made my date super strong Cosmo's, and I had to drag her home. I held her hair back while she vomited into her toilet for 20 minutes, then carried her to her sofa. I went into the bathroom to clean it up for her, then headed out the door when I was confronted by her, stumbling, and naked. "C'monnnnn and f*** me ass****, I know thhhhat's (hiccup!) allllll you wannn." Then she threw her titanic bra at me - it wrapped around my neck, and I scooted out the door with my souvenir. The Yoko Miwa Trio plays here most Thursday nights, which makes for a delightful atmosphere. Sitting before the fireplace is really lovely on rainy or cold winter nights.
(5)
Jessi E.
This is my first negative update, and I feel kinda bad - but the last few times I've been here, it has been disappointing. The entrees have really gone up in price in the past year. Previously most dishes were in the low $20 range, now I think the only dish under $25 is the signature roasted chicken and a veggie entree. Most are $28-35 now, and considering the quality has stayed the same - I think they're overpriced now. Still a great ambiance, my only guess is business must be lacking. We'll still be back though.
(3)
Brian A.
Great brunch with a good variety of meals. Our table of 4 all tried something different- crispy duck hash, smoked salmon egg's benedict, pancakes with country sausage and the burger. Everyone left full and satisfied. The waitstaff was attentive (we had 2 servers, 1 of them was training) and friendly. Definitely not the cheapest brunch in town, but a nice treat to have every so often.
(4)
AJ S.
I was truly suprised at how lackluster our exerience at The Fireplace was. The ambience is great, albeit a bit loud. But the food and the service were really sub-par. I had wanted to try this place for about a year as I drive by it constantly and always think that it looks great. So, my wife and I gave it a shot. Food - The chicken was dry and tasteless. My wife's steak was overdone. I can't recall what we had as a starter - Clearly it was forgettable. Wine - the server wasn't particularly interested in offering wine recommendations, so we picked blindly. 1 hit, 1 miss between my wife and I. Service - I know the expectations in Boston are pretty low for service, but there are actually places with pleasant waitstaff in the Boston area. Given the pleasant ambience of the location/decor, the staff here could stand to be a lot more cheery. Bottom line - save yourself the trouble and head across the street to Washington Square Tavern. The food there is phenomemal and the service is friendly.
(2)
Michael K.
came here for brunch one sunday morning. there was only a 10min wait which was good. had the vermont burger which was decent. but i didn't like that i had to pay an extra $1.50 for a slice of cheese. paying $0.35 at mcdonalds for extra cheese doesn't sound so bad afterall. ordered a bloody mary and asked for extra spicy. came out regular. didn't taste like any vodka was in there. we were thinking about dessert, but didn't want anything too sweet. we were told by the waitress that donuts were good so we ordered them. problem was grease oozed out with every bite. couldn't have more than 2 bites. i would give fireplace another try for dinner.
(2)
Jessica L.
Having heard mixed reviews on the place I decided to go here last week for a pre-Valentines day dinner with my boyfriend. With a 7PM reservation we made it there a few minutes early, greeted warmly and sat in front of the fireplace. That made it a very warm and enjoyable meal. But there was something kinda of cheesy about the decor overall. Don't get me wrong it was nice, but it was kind of... mismatched? Odd? Trying to hard to be cool maybe? I don't know. Enough about the decor though - because I would sit in the nastiest greasy spoon if the eats made it worth it. The problem here wasn't that the food was bad - the duck was actually amazing! - it was that everything had a sweetness to it. While I enjoyed the heirloom radish salad, with candied cashews, and I liked the duck served with sweet potato, everything on the menu seemed to have a sugar theme. Overall - good place, would I go again? Maybe.
(3)
Lee H.
The Fireplace. Even the name evokes images of a comfy room, a crackling fire. So why is much of the food undercooked? We went to the Fireplace twice with Groupon coupons. I had barbeque chicken and flank steak, my wife had carrot ravioli and a Napolean. The chicken was some kind of baked chicken (made in a convection oven?) slathered with some barbeque sauce. No evidence of being near an open flame ever. The steak was good, although rather tough. The ravioli was very good, but the Napoleon was very undercooked. No finish under the broiler. The vegetables and salads were very tasty. Desserts were mixed. A butterscotch brownie sunday was excellent. The apple tarte was very good, but again somewhat undercooked. Cookies were unexciting. The service was very good. Prices (salads are $10-12) are somewhat high considering the quality. Parking is reasonable. More flame on the food would have resulted in a higher score.
(3)
Nancy S.
Let me just say that we've been all over the city of Boston trying some of the more noted "Gluten-free" friendly restaurant. We went to Flour and Meyers +Chang. Nebo was closed, Sunday night. Only to be somewhat disappointed with the gluten-free options (the regular food was outstanding). As we drove out of Boston, we stopped by the Fireplace for lunch, our favorite in Brookline, with ample parking I might add, for those of us driving suburbans and toting around 4 kids. Hands down the BEST GLUTEN FREE options around. We ate with great delight, dinner rolls, pizza, brownies, sandwiches (on bread) - all gluten free!! My 7 year-old was delighted, finally something besides rice, salad and protein. Whooo whoo! Thank you to the Fireplace for making my son feel like he could eat "normal" food while we were out. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Denise B.
This place is really good for brunch. There is occasionally a small wait but it's nothing compared to Zaftig's, which is probably their main competition for brunch in the area. Brunch is more affordable since (usually) there are no drinks involved. Dinner is extremely delicious but can add up after a few drinks a piece. I've always had really good food here. One complaint is if they sit you right near the fireplace you can burn up. The heat is really overwhelming that close by. When someone tries to sit us there, we wait for another table because it's too much.
(4)
chaju J.
I love this place!!!! Last night, my main squeeze and I used our Living Social Deal to try this place out and boy were we pleased. We had a reservation for 7:30pm but showed up a little early. We were immediately greeted by a friendly hostess and seated within two minutes even though the place was packed and there was an hour wait...nice!! I was worried about our seating because it looked like a bad spot but it turned out to be great because we were near the bar and the greatest server/bartender/who knows what else. When our server approached us I gave him the Living Social Deal coupon and we told him what we wanted. My boyfriend wanted to try their award winning burger but the server said that we would get more bang for our buck if we tried the steak...nice!!! Our appetizer (salmon sliders w/out buns) came out promptly and were delicious. The gentleman who brought our appetizers and meal was so professional, funny, and friendly and assured us that it contained no shellfish (after checking with the kitchen). Now onto the meal....I ordered the maple glazed chicken with mashed potatoes. Can you say D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.????? The chicken was tender and flavorful...oh so yummy. I'm getting flashbacks as I type this. And my boyfriend's steak was heavenly and perfectly cooked and seasoned. I rarely give a restaurant five stars but I must admit this dining experience set the bar high for other places in terms of the perfect marriage of customer service and quality food and great prices. The decor was romantic but I don't care for such things. I can't wait to go back! Hope this helps!!!
(5)
Roxana W.
My fiance were staying at a great little B&B in Brookline and decided to make reservations at Fireplace for a romantic dinner. The menu looked good online and coworkers said it had a nice atmosphere. That should have been a red flag - they said nothing about the food. We get there and the host/hostess pedestal is half way into the restaurant up some stairs...we had to awkwardly walk in and then wait for 10mins in a half empty restaurant for our table that we had reserved several days before (through Open Table). I ordered the duck and my fiance the halibut. Both were dry and under seasoned, the sides left something to be desired and were also very bland. Both meals were grossly over-priced and the only good thing was the bread that we munched on until we received our entrees 25mins after ordering. Not worth the time or money. We were hungry afterward and went to J.P. Licks.
(1)
Jace F.
My girlfriend and I love this spot for a few reasons. The first is that it is a Certified Green Restaurant. After reading some of the other reviews for the Fireplace, I didn't notice any mention of this certification. I guess not many people notice, but its a great thing to know, but also a great thing that the restaurant is doing. Only restaurants that have taken steps to make every facet of their business sustainable get certified. It's a good thing that the food is good too! My girlfriend often gets the beet salad and i usually go for the ravioli or risotto. It isn't the cheapest meal in town, but on special occasions this place is high on my radar. Keep up the great work!
(4)
Caroline T.
Came here for Restaurant Week and don't get me wrong, the restaurant itself is lively and inviting (the actual fireplace is pretty fantastic - try and get a seat by it if you can), the service is excellent, but the food was just OK. My boyfriend and I are on somewhat of a best of Boston burger quest (I am a Boston Burger Blog fanatic), so with all of the accolades for The Fireplace burger, I was expecting to be more then pleased by it. It came on an English muffin, the presentation was pretty decent, but there was just no pizzazz to it. The meat quality was good, though they did overcook my medium-rare order a little bit, but the bun was not toasted enough and I couldn't even taste the cheese. It was just far too dry with the English muffin. Not sure if it was an off night, but If you're coming here solely for the burger, I would advise you to spend those burger dollars on Back Bay Social Club or Craigie on Main. Do get the butternut squash bisque though, that was delicious.
(3)
Stephen S.
God I'm so conflicted about this place. I've gone a few times and always enjoyed my meal. I've mainly stayed with the safe choices, glazed chicken and fish (usually tuna). Everything is done correctly but i've never had my mind blown (by the flavors or the presentation) you know? I suppose I expect a little more when the bill is circa $55 a person (w/o alcohol). The service is meh but I could deal with that if I really enjoyed the place (read: Washington Sq Tavern). I may as well go to Stella or Teatro.
(3)
Erin C.
So I've been to the Fireplace only twice even though I live right down the street. I'm just not wowed by the food for the price. The drinks were ok, the food was ok and the service was ok. I don't know about you, but I'm not paying more money than usual for "ok". My peeps and I ran across the street to drown our sorrows of a disappointing meal at Washington Sq. Tavern. Much better option for the night!
(3)
Rebecca P.
We used a Groupon to go to brunch. The place is very pretty and we liked the comfy booth. A large group came in and sat beside us. That is fine, but it was *very* loud. We were hoping for a nice chat, but that was impossible given the noise level. Still, that is not the restaurants fault that a large group shows up. It did distract the waitress a bit, but she was pleasant as were the other servers and the hostess. The were good about keeping our water glasses full, which I appreciate. I can't say the food was bad - it was very good - but the portions were VERY small. I had the waffles. They came with a small dollop of blueberry whipped cream and maple syrup. My husband had a veggie omelet. That is all you get with your entree - no sides. I am glad that we added potatoes as a side because we would have been hungry otherwise. I asked my husband if he would go again and he said no. The price was too much for the portion size. We had a much better breakfast at this diner called Easter Country Kitchen in Weymouth, and we had lots of food to take home for the same price.
(3)
Maggie R.
We went here for dinner and it was good. I was a little cautious after reading some of the reviews but was happily surprised. We started with a round of drinks beer for the BF and a honeyed caipirinha for myself. I have had many caipirinha and this was one of the best in Boston. The BF is from Brazil and he absolutely loved it. First course was the cheese plate which was disappointing. We had some cheddar and salami. There was not enough cheese on the plate. There was plenty of salami, bread, and apples but just a small piece of cheddar. The amount of cheese was not worth $8. Second course I had the roasted chicken which was delicious. The meat was very moist and the mashed potatoes were really good. The BF had the duck which he absolutely loved. The molasses sauce went great with the duck and the mashed sweet potatoes. Final course was the chocolate cake which was really good. It was a little bitter but is expected from that kind of chocolate. Overall it was a great experience.
(4)
Nicole C.
The bread was the best part of this meal. Seriously. The crab cakes were made from the nastiest crab meat probably canned. They were so stringy it was hard to get down. I had the chicken and my husband had the tuna. Both could have used a lot more flavor. For the price they charge I usually except to have a decent meal. This was far from decent it was probably just above subpar. The waiter was really nice! Extra star for him. :)
(2)
Sally F.
What's that? You have a gluten-free menu? This place is right around the corner from me and I met up with a Celiac support group once here to order from their GF menu. I was impressed by the number of options! I ended up with the lamb and it was tasty, but a bit on the pricey side compared to my usual haunts. However, knowing that I can eat out with no worries=priceless. Highly recommended for celiacs and people with gluten allergies. It's also probably a good place to take parents if they're in town, too, because it's classy and clean, also, they'll likely pick up the tab!
(4)
Zach P.
Okay, so I finally made it back to the fireplace this past weekend. What a different experience. We went for breakfast/brunch this past saturday and it was awesome. The bloody mary alone was one of the best I've had in boston, and I was tempted to have a second at 11 AM. We ordered the red flannel turkey hash and the 2 eggs. The turkey hash was amazing. It was a real pity when I was finally finished with an extremely generous portion, because, as full as I was, I wanted more. We were happy to have returned and had a really positive experience and will likely be back in the future.
(5)
Ken M.
Having heard a lot of good stories (not online reviews, but from friends), I expected a nice Valentine's day dinner. Fortunately, I enjoyed the dinner very much. I ordered a glass of dry Martini, salad, "Surf & Turf - Pan Seared Scallops with Black Truffle Hollandaise" and a fudge cake with ice cream as a dessert. Martini was a little too "sweet", but OK. The scallops were huge and grilled well: the surface was crisp while the inside was juicy. Lamb was very tender and flavorful. The bread was very delicious. (I think it was better than the dessert...) Only down side was that the place was too packed. It was Valentine's day, so I expected many people. Yet, the number of tables was not suitable for the floor space they've got.
(4)
Dimitri L.
Went to The Fireplace on a Monday night and it was packed. So much so that my party stood and waited ten minutes for a table even though we had a reservation. But hey, I'm not bitter. About that, at least. The restaurant is elegant, small, and minimalist inside. There is a beautiful stone fireplace, two tiers of seating, and an open kitchen. The 3 star rating is based on the overall dining experience. If their prices are half what they are, this is a 4 star rating. The beer selection is modest but you can find craft offerings from Allagash and Brooklyn Brewery on draught. The food is good, although very good is a stretch. We had the mussels ($14) to start which were surprisingly plentiful. The lemon garlic broth comes off a bit tart and a bit acidic. Good, not great. The butternut squash bisque ($4.5/cup)was very good, not quite as sweet as pumpkin pie filling but recalling it with every mouthful. The Dijon & Chive Crusted Cod ($28) is also very good. The fish itself was a small portion and not particularly flavorful but worked extremely well in unison with the "lemony spinach" and black lentils, which added a pleasant and necessary saltiness to the whole. I sampled the Maple Glazed Brown Chicken with Mashed Potatoes ($25) and found the chicken to be rather bland (neither guest found their leftovers worth wrapping). The potatoes were light and creamy and in flavor tasted to me nearly identical to Boston Market mashed potatoes. Hey, maybe my palette is unsophisticated. Either way, those are some damn expensive potatoes. And the expensiveness is the major problem with The Fireplace. It is a nice restaurant with nice food and, for Washington Square one and for the quality two, astronomical prices. If money is no object, then do dine here. But if it is, spend it somewhere else. And don't get the coffee. It is dishwater. Pure dishwater.
(3)
Michelle L.
Really great food. They make the best cheeseburger and fries in town!
(5)
Lauren P.
Did not even get a chance to try the food because no one came to our table! We came in at night to get dessert. The hostess sat us. No one was in the restaurant. We sat there for 15 mins then left. The inside is really nice and cozy but probably wont be back.
(2)
Hillary S.
We went here for dessert, and I was disappointed. I had butterscotch bread pudding and my husband had a pear tart (forget the details of it). Both tasted only OK. The ambiance was also just OK -- with these weird, out-of-place American flag buntings and lights that were too bright. Our waitress was also the bartender, and while she was perfectly friendly and nice, she was very slow. Overall, it was just a ho-hum experience; not the special one we were looking for. Neither of us finished our desserts (which we almost always do). I will not go back or recommend.
(2)
Jess K.
The only reason I don't give this restaurant 5 stars is because of the price. If I felt like I was getting more than I paid for I would bump it up but it really does hurt your wallet. Although it is certainly worth it. I ordered the The Fireplace Signature Spit-Roasted Half Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Sage Brown Butter. Who doesn't love mashed potatoes covered in butter? I also had a side of Mushroom Bread Pudding. Okay, I am a pig! I know! My friend ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Arugula, Orange Segments, Mashed Potato & Vanilla-Citrus Sauce and a Mixed Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes & Malt Vinaigrette. Neither of us offered to share with the other because we were enjoying our meals too much! I must say, it was the perfect meal. I loved every moment of it. Also, I used a coupon from restaurant.com so our bill went from $80 to $55 (We also had wine). Much more reasonable! Also, I love the atmosphere. Our waiter was so nice AND cute! It's not a pretentious type of restaurant even though the food is top quality and the prices are fairly high. I didn't feel self conscious having an animated conversation and enjoying a good meal like I might in a more snooty establishment. I recommend this restaurant 1) if you have a restaurant.com coupon 2) if your parents are paying or 3) if you have something to celebrate and money isn't an issue. Or I guess just if you have money in general. Ha!
(4)
Albert B.
Menu had an impressive selection. Staff was attentive to my friends infant, allowing us to sit in a corner seating area (storable space for the stroller). Our drinks took roughly 20 minutes to arrive after being ordered, which was slightly perturbing. Convenient location to the T. I'd recommend trying this place out, and if you happen to go during brunch, get the Eggs Benedict.
This has become one of our favorites! First all easy parking and cute, welcoming atmosphere. Staff is always friendly- from the hostess to the managers, everyone is inviting. The cheese plate is FANTASTIC. best in Boston!!! No doubt about it. It has the most selection of cheeses I've seen and comes with tons of accompiants, not one tiny piece of bread. It's so good! My boyfriend always starts with some sort of seafood and inhales it! The salads are amazing and I know a good salad! The maple dressing it crave worthy! We've never had a bad soup there. The other night we had a squash pumpkin soup which was so good! The steak my boyfriend had was big with a generous amount of sides, definatly worth the price. The deserts are to die for! My mouth is watering thinking about the warm beach and apple cobbler we had. Last year we did the Easter brunch buffet, omg it was amazing! More on the fine dining side and only 40ish a person. The only complaint I may have is it is not good for groups, even four people is pushing it but it's the perfect date place! The menu slightly changes time to time which is good too. Make a reservation and go!!! You'll leave full and happy.
Had lunch at this place today and had their chicken salad with apples, grapes, walnuts...etc. It was delicious! Food was resonably priced and the food around the table looked wonderful too. I would love to come back and try something else! Wait staff was friendly and restaurant had a nice ambience.
(4)
Afshan K.
Don't get me wrong - the food was amazing and the service was superb! Why do I give this place 2 stars then? Well we went there for hubby's birthday and it was kind of a perfect atmosphere, until towards the end of the evening, this dude who seemed like the owner, walked out of the kitchen and started lacerating his employees in front of us - not just once, but twice. He was rude, loud, obnoxious and totally unprofessional. It not only killed the evening for us, but I don't think we, personally, can go back to a place where employees are not respected. I'm sure it's the case in most places, but now that we've seen it, we're not going again.
(2)
Arleen A.
We have been going to The Fireplace since a friend introduced me to the restaurant in 2006 for lunch. I have returned with my husband and family consistently over the years for brunch, lunch, and dinner and have never been disappointed. It's where we take guests for a special celebration or for a hamburger when we are out and about. We love that they are always serving food, even in mid-afternoon. Their service is impeccable, the food delicious and the atmosphere is perfect. Once in a while it feels cramped when you sit in an aisle set on the second level on a very busy Saturday night. The food always trumps the crowd though. It still feels like a "family run" restaurant and not like one of the chains that seem to be getting worse in quality. Just recently I had my annual lunch with a dear out of town friend who called me ahead to make sure we were still going to The Fireplace and to please reserve "our" table by the fireplace. My salmon on salad and her tenderloin tips were perfect, as was the dessert sampler and cappuccino! Keep it up Fireplace. You've got a loyal fan base in my family.
(5)
Nicole M.
I wish there were half stars, because I'd give it 3.5. Came here with some friends on a Saturday night. I was dumb and didn't really realize it was kind of a fancy place, nor did I realize how pricey it was. Duh. A note on the atmosphere.. the setup is just weird. While the fireplace is down there and very atmospheric, I wouldn't want to eat on that lower level because the bar is on top of it, not to mention all the people waiting for their tables. We were seated in the upper level, right near the door that's not in use. Holy draft, it felt like the a/c was on, and this was mid-November when it was raw and raining and cold out. A place as cozy as Fireplace is supposed to be, with the comfort food about to enter my belly, I wanted to feel the same amount of warmth. But I didn't. We were all uncomfortably chilly throughout the meal. My margarita tasted like water, with a cheap tequila finish. Blech. The blueberry mojito was delicious although a bit too sweet. All in all, it seems like they need to pay attention a bit more to the quality of their mixed drinks. Nice wine selection though, and holy ginger on the menu, that was pretty incredible! I wish I had known about the bread. Then I wouldn't've ordered as if I was about to eat my last meal. I ordered: cup of butternut squash bisque, the special butternut squash and feta ravioli, with a side of green beans, as well as sweet potato mash for the table. Yes, I love me some sweet potatoes/butternut squash/yams. As if you couldn't tell. My friends ordered the classic caesar salad, scallops, turkey, and beef brisket. My soup was really good, but as expected kind of heavy. Then the bread came out. Holy CRAP. It smelled divine, and I made a comment as such. Then my friend said - wait till you put it in your mouth - and oh dear I nearly died. It felt like a 3lb weight in my stomach but hot shit it was delicious! Needless to say, after that, there wasn't much room for the rest of the food, so I picked a lot. The raviolis were excellent, as was the salad that came on top of it. The green beans were cooked to perfection with almonds grazing them, and the sweet potato hash was damn good. My friends all seemed to enjoy theirs as well. Next time, I will save plenty of room for that heavenly bread. And I will make sure that it is served to me hot out of the oven. Also, from what I hear - I think I need to come back for brunch, but let's face it, if I'm coming out to Brookline for brunch, I'll probably go to Zaftigs!
(3)
P'raka ..
I've only been here once for a Valentine's day pre-fixe menu. I have to say, it was absolutely phenomenal. I got scallops in some amazing sauce. I've seriously never had such a flavorful dish anywhere else. It was fantastic. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Sarah P.
My fiance and I went here for lunch on a Sunday. It was late afternoon and the place was pretty quiet which was nice. I had the Fireplace burger with bacon and blue cheese and my fiancee had the chicken BLT. Both the burger and the sandwich were alright, although the hamburger bun was a little stale. Also, the blue cheese they served on the burger was very good. I was really excited to see that they served large pickle spears with the burgers and sandwiches too--until I tasted it. The pickle tasted more like a cucumber with salt sprinkled on it than a pickle. The service wasn't great either. We waited at the host station for a while because the host was MIA and our waiter forgot to bring me lemons for my water and wasn't very good with the refills....or eye contact. Overall I wasn't that impressed but I would give The Fireplace another try if I found myself in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)
Francesca R.
We went here for brunch and it was just OK. That's it. Perhaps it is better suited to the winter, when the earthy decor and eponymous fireplace would create a warm, cozy environment. But in the summer it was just stodgy. Service was excellent all round. The cheerful hostess got our non-reservation-having part of five a table pretty quickly, and kept us up to date on the status of the party that was leaving while we waited. Our server was gregarious and all the food and drinks came out in a timely manner. But the food...kind of disappointing. The cornmeal waffles with fruit and blueberry whipped cream were really good, but the serving size was pathetic. There were two wee quarters of waffle and seriously less than half a strawberries worth of fruit. It was delicious, but I think they should knock the price down from $12 to $8, or give a hell of a lot more fruit. The two eggs, homefries and maple-smoked bacon was dire--totally bland and the bacon had been cooked to within an inch of it's life. You could use it to shiv someone in the kidneys, it was so crisp. So, generally--just OK. It's convenient from our place so we may swing by again but it's not going in the regular rotation.
(3)
Elena T.
We had lunch on New Year's Day. It was packed, aromatic and the friendly staff was wearing pajamas. We got the pumpkin hazelnut and vanilla soup, ravioli, the house burger, and cappuccinos. Everything was incredibly tasty. They messed up my order bringing lobster bisque instead of the pumpkin soup. If I wasn't allergic to shell fish I would have welcomed the change (the chef knows best!). Luckily we caught it in time, drama avoided. The manager was obviously distressed. He promptly made his staff to repeatedly apologize. They quickly brought the right stuff and at the end he didn't charge us for the soup. We joked amongst ourselves whether to put the lawyer business card on the table but they were so embarrassed about it we decided to let it go. We laughed at the most unusual conversations (couldn't help over hearing the staff comments...everything was so tight) like: "You don't want to see his esophagus" and "You should get to your lowest weight". In the half an hour it took to get our food we delighted ourselves with possible conversation scenarios that may prompt such an ultimatum. Try it, it's fun. Plus: * Delicious flavorful and filling food * Attentive service * Make your own bloody Mary - popular with the college crowd (especially after New Year) * Jazz Nights on Wednesdays and Latin on Thursdays. Minus: * Long wait, 30 minutes to get food * Crammed seating, literally touched my neighbor's back If you're wondering around Cambridge or lodging in the Brookline area, The Fireplace is worth checking out. For lunch at least. Bon Appetite!
(3)
Jillian Y.
When it snows in mid-October, there is no better place to watch it fall (and sip on a few delicious cocktails) than The Fireplace. I'm turning into a serious fangirl. Best of all? They stock Domaine de Canton, yelp friends. I know you want it.
(5)
Scott F.
Sunday mornings are tricky in ol' Brookline. You want to brunch; no, you need to brunch, but where? Everyplace is super busy 'round 10 or 11 AM, and they tend to wedge the people in. More seats, more turns, more money. Screw that. And really, no egg is worth waiting an hour for. The Fireplace doesn't open 'til 11 AM on Sunday which is fine by me. I strolled in with a friend, got a nice comfy table (whoever bitched about the velvet benches, please ... move along ... ), and had a first rate, wonderfully served brunch. It might've been 'cuz they just opened, but our server came right over, took our orders and brought the requisite coffee. She was also really good about refilling/warming our continually emptying cups. We were also served an extremely large breakfast roll/bread that was somewhere between a buttermilk biscuit and a hearty country bread. It was served warm, and really tasty. I did notice that the table next to us (a party of 7) got the same treatment, but their "biscuits" were half the size of ours. Maybe we were special? Maybe they weren't? Who knows... Brunch itself, the meal, was a crispy duck hash. If you read the other reviews I've written, I'm kind of a hash head. And yeah, I know how ridiculous that sounds. But when you get it right, hash is awesome. This was beyond awesome. Cooked just right, seasoned perfectly, and the portion was exactly enough. Two poached eggs on top were all runny inside and exquisite. It was savory and flavorful, cooked with obviously fresh ingredients, and I can't say enough good things. The potatoes were browned and crispy, the duck wasn't at all dry. My buddy had the eggs benedict, but being a vegetarian, he subbed out the ham for spinach. I'm guessing it was good, 'cuz it didn't last 5 minutes on his plate. The prices were very reasonable, about $12-15 per plate. Tax, tip, coffee, etc. ended up around $20/person. Totally reasonable for what we were served. 4 stars for The Fireplace. 5 when I get around to trying dinner ....
(4)
Matt C.
Fireplace, what sorcery has though wrought in thy kitchen? Does that even make sense? It doesn't? Okay, hopefully this is a bit more articulate: The mussels arrived smelling not unlike the Delaware River, that great body of water separating New Jersey's vibrant factory coastline from Delaware's voluptuous landfill. Upon further examination (via both taste and sight), we noticed that one mussel consisted entirely of a black-ish sandy sludge, mixed in with mussel sinew and tendon. This was undoubtedly the matter from which Alien from Alien v. Predator was conceived. Our entrees arrived not soon after we pushed the rogue crustaceans aside, and again, our stomachs were filled not with satisfaction, but disappointment and regret. The only exception to this was the goat cheese/walnut tart, mysteriously served on a bed of McDonald's salad. The roasted vegetable farfalle would've been excellent had they stopped at roasted vegetables and farfalle and decided not to add that half a container of heavy whipping cream and half barrel of Morton's salt, a recipe found in the 1954 edition of "Keeping up with how Mrs. Jones Cooks Terribly." Redeeming The Fireplace is the live jazz on Wednesdays, and the excellent wine and cocktail list. Come for the tunes, pour some wine, but vote no on the food.
(2)
Anas Q.
A wonderful place to hangout with friends or go for a fancy dinner. The atmosphere is exquisite and the actual fireplace gives a cozy and homey feeling to the place. The food is really really good and the staff is fast and friendly. whether you want to sit at a table or chill at the bar, The Fireplace is a great destination for going out.
(4)
Ben G.
I came here about or 4 years ago for my birthday and didn't really enjoy it. A few years had pasted by and I heard it had changed hands or they got a new chef or something had changed, so I decided to give the fireplace a try again. But I am not one to forget, so I took some precautionary measure. I went for brunch. I mean brunch is pretty safe. Right? Actually the brunch at the Fireplace is proper. It's never really crowded and the food is pretty quality. They give you a healthy portion and while the price is a little high, I'd rather pay more to eat a better breakfast than visit a greasy spoon and regret it 45 minutes later. I don't know why you usually go out for breakfast, for me I typically make my own breakfast unless, I'm hung-over. So I usually rate breakfast spots on how well they cured my hangover. The Fireplace has a solid 3 part cure for any hangover. The first part is a solid starch to start soaking up that booze that's still lingering. Once you're seated you get this little roll/ biscuits that are amazing. And the staff knows the importance of carbs after a night of solid boozing. They keep the bread coming. The fireplace also has outstanding beverages, which are the second part of they're cure for the common hangover. They have great coffee, fresh squeezed juices, a never ending cup of water and most importantly, more cocktails. From mimosa's to belinis, to the infamous bloody Mary, its truly a hair of the dig cure here. Outstanding breakfast cocktails! The third and probably the most important part of the cure for my hangover is the food at the fireplace. It's quality all the way. I usually go with the Egg Benedict (a personal favorite). The hollandaise is out of this world. Also I don't really like hash browns (it's a personal preference). Along with the English muffin, the bacon, and the softly poached toped with some buttery hollandaise, there is a small side salad which has some great dressing on it. I've also had outstanding omelets, burgers and sausage pizza. But I need to make special note of the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup. Those are really good too. Come to the Fireplace to eat bread, drink something tasty, eat some more and kiss that hangover goodbye
(4)
Mary R.
The first time I visited was over 2 years ago with a large group and I remember the food being really good, especially the duck salad they had at the time. So when 2 friends and I arrived for brunch on Sunday I was immediately drawn to the duck hash and eggs. I wasn't disappointed -- the food was great. The service that day wasn't great though -- our waitress forgot the side we ordered, but all is forgiven. It was Sunday. It was busy. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone in the area.
(4)
Marieke V.
Consistently delicious, friendly, and wonderful. One of the few quality places in the area that respects local cuisine and the history that makes Boston special.
(5)
Kylie B.
We went to The Fireplace for their Restaurant Week menu. I had the apple, spinach, and endive salad, the butternut squash risotto, and the Johnny Cake with fruit. The food: The appetizer and dessert were delicious;the dessert was really large, made for sharing! The blue cheese on the salad was creamy and pungent and the apples were crisp and sweet/sour. The fruit was spectacular on top of the dessert, too, but I think I may have gotten a French fry baked into one side of my Johnny Cake--interesting, huh? What about the main course? I've never had risotto before, but I love butternut squash, so I was excited. In the end, though, I couldn't taste any butternut squash at all and my risotto was grainy and got stuck in my teeth (gross). I think it may have been undercooked but I didn't say anything because I thought it may have their "interpretation." It was actually hard to finish and Ross had to take big bites with me. Ross was extremely happy with his dishes and I tasted his pork loin and it was really great, especially with the kale. He had Indian pudding for dessert and that was absolute molasses-y goodness. The waiter: Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, a bit of a wait between courses, but the place was really busy. The atmosphere: Fun twinkle lights, intimate tables, big windows looking out onto Beacon, and open kitchen. I loved how this place looked and felt. Not too dressy, either, a nice pair of jeans and blouse fit this place perfectly. Honestly, I wish I could give this place 4 stars, but my risotto was really bad and I don't think Gordon Ramsey would've let them serve that in Hell's Kitchen.
(3)
Shanna R.
Me and my boyfriend did not feel this place, at all, last Thursday. The actual fireplace is nice, but when you sit in front of it you're also getting a blast of the cold air coming through the front door every time someone walks in/out so it's actually needed and I feel it loses its decor points for that. Other than that, the atmosphere is very average. The food was sooo mediocre for the prices. I paid $31 for tasteless cod over even more tasteless black lentils. The boy was less than impressed with his ravioli. The bread, tho, was very good. It was the best part of the meal. Our server was very sweet and efficient but we noticed she was alllll over the place. One table behind us sat down and waited 10 minutes for her to greet them, no water, drinks, bread nothing...we felt bad for them. The table next to us had apparently been waiting for their entrees to come so long they decided to cancel the food and peace. And another table near us had to have the manager come and take one of their dishes off their bill because they were so displeased. And I can see why- the food is totally not worth it. He was pissed because he'd been here before and had been let down and wanted to give it another try. Sadly, no more. We went to Joe's in Dedham the next night and had 10x better food and service than this place at half the price. Don't think we'll be returning.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Joe J.
The burger here is unique and tasty. The fries are plentiful, and their raw bar is also good and fresh. It is a tad on the pricy side, but so is everything in Washington Square that is comparable. I'd visit again.
(4)Meg V.
YUM! We came here for brunch of my boyfriend's birthday and it was awesome. Everything we had - from the bread to our after-meal coffee drinks - was delicious! The prices were a bit high but this isn't a breakfast diner or Eagle's Deli... so it shouldn't be shocking to see $10+ items on the menu. I highly recommend and can't wait to go back and order those gingerbread waffles again!
(5)Kathleen C.
Conundrum. Really cute spot with great atmosphere (5) and delicious food (4). However, the prices were very high for the food (2) and I wasn't happy with the price-value ratio. The servers were somewhat friendly, but not overly so (3) - to start, they put us in a table right near a main walkway - and didn't take our reservation off of open table. The portion size on the appetizers was generous. The entree sizes were ok, but nothing spectacular. The restaurant was packed - so, I assume this is a popular spot. I would visit again, I just would probably eat an appetizer for dinner.
(3)Joanna F.
New favorite restaurant? I came in with some friends and my boyfriend on a Friday night armed with a Groupon. We were seated immediately thanks to our reservation. This in itself impressed me considering lately I've noticed a disturbing trend of having to wait even if a reservation is made. I love the atmosphere here. It's so cozy yet modern and obviously the fireplace is a nice touch. The service was also impeccable. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. The wine list was impressive and they had some interesting beers on tap also. And the menu was amazing. Everything looked so good and I was pretty torn about what to get. We settled on the steak tips with horseradish cream and arugula for an appetizer and I decided on the scallops and pork belly confit for my entree. All of the food was amazing. The food was arranged beautifully on the plate, and everything was cooked perfectly (which is occasionally hard to do with scallops). I don't like carrots, but the roasted carrots, rutabaga and turnips on the side were spectacular. The pork belly was a little too rich for me, but that's no fault of the restaurant. We liked the meal so much that we decided to split dessert. My boyfriend and I split the chocolate cake. Served warm, it was absolutely delicious. Very rarely do I go to a restaurant where absolutely everything is done perfectly and every morsel I eat is great. This was a five star experience and it wasn't super expensive either. My only complaint is that I wish this restaurant was closer to where I live!
(5)Sarah K.
The recent change in weather reminded me of this place. I haven't been up to Boston in a while, but I used to live walking distance from The Fireplace. I never had anything here that I didn't think was tasty. I remember the roast chicken was pretty terrific. The drinks were always lovely as well. The first time I came here was for drinks for a friend's birthday, and I was glad she picked it since I had been wanting to try it out. It's nice place to go on a date, sip drinks with friends, or even take your parents. Everyone will enjoy it. I love that the menu is seasonal as well. Guarantees everything will be that much more delicious.
(4)Gabriele C.
Hubby took me here for belated birthday dinner. We were seated right next to the fireplace - toasty warm but not overwhelming. Dining area is open and spacious, high ceiling, yet cozy feeling with warm colors and soft lighting. Jazz in the background was present but not too loud. Started with a cheese plate (featuring Weston wheel and Tarentaise, complimented very nicely by chutney and marinated fruit) and beautiful pear & pomegranate salad. He had house-aged rib eye - generous portion of rich, flavorful beef cooked to perfection (medium-rare) with hearty mushroom bread pudding and roasted Brussels sprouts & cauliflower. I had the pan-seared scallops - almost crispy outside and juicy just-done inside - with toasty lobster hash. The winter shandy cocktail paired well with the cheese plate. The grape vine cocktail was very herbal - maybe a little heavy on the chartreuse? - but the toasty flavors and caramelized glaze of my dish stood up to it pretty well. Looking forward to trying other seasonal offerings here in the future!
(5)Jessie C.
I finally made it to the Fireplace! Yay! I've heard a variety of reviews on the place - good and bad but I was still excited to try it. A friend of mine had a groupon for it so we decided that dinner would be a good idea. I arrived a little early and everyone was super nice. They were understanding when my friend was running a little late and didn't give our table away or anything. Although it was a tuesday night... Anyways, once we were seated, our waiter(s) came right over. She was training and her trainer was near-by. She did a great job. Both were very friendly, answered all of our questions and didn't rush us or anything. I ordered the risotto which was fantastic! they really give you a big portion so you get your money's worth. My friend ordered the half chicken and it was a HUGE portion which was awesome as well. Overall we had a good experience. I'd be happy to go back anytime.
(5)Shea D.
The Fireplace's Thanksgiving take-out deals saved our Thanksgiving! A few weeks ago I asked Margot G. what our plans were for Thanksgiving since I opted to come up and keep her company while she studied. She somewhat inaudibly said something about Chinese food. Me: *blank stare* (through a cell phone by the by, not easy to do...) Me: "Um, excuuuuuse me?!? No no no no. Let me handle this." The nice people on the Boston Talk threads directed me towards The Fireplace over the Whole Foods option, and I'm very thankful they did (see what I did there?). Unlike other Thanksgiving take-out deals, you can pick and choose what you want from the Fireplace's menu. I opted for the following: 1 pound of turkey (white & dark meat): $12 1 pint of cornbread and bacon stuffing: $9 1 pint of turkey gravy: $6 1 pint of butternut squash bisque: $10 My only criticism is that the items were a little expensive for the amount that you get. However, even after the "reheating" process, everything was delicious and totally made our Thanksgiving a good one. Next year, if you're planning on doing something like this, I would say do what I did: buy the items that take an insanely long time to prep from The Fireplace, and then make the secondary items yourself (biscuits, rice, dessert, etc.).
(4)Ken L.
I base my expectations for a restaurant on the food costs. The higher the cost, the more I expect. Entrees here were over $30 with a good, but not so special, Caesar salad costing $10. I spent $42 for a bottle of wine which was at the low end of the scale. I guess I should have gone to the $50-$60 level. The first thing I notice is a tacky cardboard triangle sitting on the table advertising their catering services. I expect this type of thing in a place with $12 meals, not in an upscale restaurant. They served each of us one roll. The rolls were good, but we were never asked if we would like another roll. The silverware provided consisted of one knife and one fork. After I finished my salad, I removed both from the plate. Two others at my table left their silverware on the salad plates. When the plates were cleared, my silverware remained, but the silverware from the plates were taken away. The entrees were later delivered with no additional silverware. We had to wait and ask someone for some silverware so we could begin eating our entrees. When I ordered my Duck, I was asked by the waitress how I would like it done. I told her medium. The portion was of a reasonable size. The duck was sliced and stacked so I had to start eating from the left side of the stack. I found the duck doneness rare to medium rare. I didn't want to spoil the situation for others at the table (who had picked the restaurant) so I figured I could eat it as it was. However, the further I got to the left, the rawer the meat got until by the time I got to the last two pieces, they were completely raw. I'm not sure if the chef deliberately hid the raw pieces under the the others or it just happened that way. When we were done eating, a water came over and asked if we wanted any of the remaining food boxed up to take home. Because there was a short discussion about the answer to his question, the water got impatient and left before we could answer his question. Finally came the end where I ordered decaf coffee. They provided cream, but no sweetener. I had to wait to ask for some. When I tasted the coffee, the temperature was just a bit higher than room temperature. I was never asked if I wanted a refill. I feel that I definitely did not get my money's worthy at this restaurant. I see no reason to give them another chance.
(2)Elizabeth S.
This restaurant is pure class. I came here for my birthday, and the bartender was delightfully kind and made me feel very special on the occasion. I was carded (in this lovely state of Massachusetts, I'm sure I'll be carded when I'm 40) and the bartender looked at the date on my ID and wished me a happy birthday. I ordered a strawberry-mint martini, which he generously comped. It was delicious. He also made special off-the-menu libations for my friends, including tasty raspberry mojitos. The food is lovely. I wouldn't go here all the time, but it's great for a celebration, a special date, or a dinner with the parents. While the restaurant is hardly a party place, it does feature live music every now and then - pretty cool.
(5)Allie M.
Really cool space, great menu. The cheese plates are really good! Definitely get one when you come here! Three stars because the award winning burger was just a burger and pretty pricey for what it was. Also, the wait staff was attentive but not very nice or friendly.
(3)Mike H.
I lived up the street from The Fireplace, and for the longest time, I wanted to go there for a nice classy dinner. The location of it in Washington Square is totally top notch, situated right on the corner of Washington & Beacon, and when I finally got to go there, I was beyond excited. Maybe I had hyped it up too much in my mind, maybe I went on a wrong night, or maybe my stomach actually wanted something else, but no matter what the reason was, upon leaving, I did not leave with the yummy-yummy-in-my-tummy feeling that I thought I would have, and walked home (and I think ordered Chinese food). Upon sitting down, I realized quite quickly that what waitstaff there were on duty that night were pandering to this large table that I'm assuming had already gone through about 8 bottles of wine. As a former waiter, I understand: big tables means big tips, especially if they're putting the wine away like there's no tomorrow, but really, come on. There's no need to basically spoon feed them when there are other people in the restaurant. My friend and I asked for rolls and the server came back and more or less just threw them down on our table and walked back to the big table. At this point, I was determined to get the experience since I had waited so darn long to come here. Once the food came though, everything was forgotten for the time being. I put away the Fireplace Rib-eye which was cooked exactly how I wanted it. My friend ordered the Pan Seared Scallops which were also delectable. The food was overall very good and we also had a bottle of Pinot Grigio that the table next to us recommended since they were having the exact same meal. (They were more help and personable than the waiter who was non-existent). Overall, I'd say go for the food, but don't expect stellar service if there is another party that looks like they're going to blow money there.
(3)Cybil W.
Fireplace, Fireplace, first off i live down the street and each time i pass you by i was so curious as to what you had to offer. So i finally gave you a chance, my love's birthday was this past Tuesday and figured what a fitting place that is both close to home and also one that we have not tried yet. The service was nothing special, in fact at one point we already had our bottle of distilled water but this waitress came up and poured iced water into my boyfriend's glass. What is the point in that? She definitely should have paid attention and saw that we had bottled water hence there was no need for her to come up with iced water. Maybe she was on autopilot oh well, anyways we ordered a bunch of food, i must say the lobster mac and cheese was awesome we got that as a small app, my boyfriend got the ribeyesteak and i got the scallops and the sauce was just perfection. Portions are pretty filling without making you feel like an overstuffed huge bear. No desert because i bought this huge cake already .. Ohhh and for drinks i got the brookline blossom and my bf got the one above that. Pretty tasty, brookline blossom is definitely a strong drink but that how i like them.
(4)Florina K.
The service was very good here. The mini lobster rolls - lobster didn't taste fresh..and was a bit dried.... The steak - the quality of the meat wasn't bad.... But the sauce they covered it with really killed it completely....and the edges of my steak were hard as rock because they were so charred. I finally tried this place because of groupon, not sure if I will come back... The French fries with truffle oil were also good!! Too bad they got mixed up with the steak's funky sauce...
(3)Catie F.
I really like the food here, but the prices are WAY TOO HIGH. If you don't have a Groupon or a discount, prepare to empty your wallet. Cocktails are great - I love the fancy, fun menu. Bread is amazing with brunch or dinner, one of my fave things there and they give you a big warm piece. :) Brunch menu I loved, crispy duck hash and french toast were our hands-down favorites. The cornmeal waffles were pretty good. Came for restaurant week dinner also, which I don't recommend. Portions are downsized and the menu just isn't as good as normal. The swordfish was the only plate worth getting but it was delicious and served with lots of veggies on the side (peppers, artichoke, tomato). Ravioli had literally six tiny ones on the plate. Desserts offered were off-menu. The on-menu ones looked much better. Much better. The ones we had were not impressive at all, sadly. Do not order the johnny cakes if you like a sweet dessert. Advice: come with a sugar daddy or sugar momma, and order off the real menu.
(3)Kim K.
I went to The Fireplace once years ago and didn't remember anything about it. Cut to like 5 years, and one Groupon, later, the fiance and I headed out to Brookline for a celebration dinner (he just got in to his top two MBA programs!). The menu was diverse! Evvvvverything looked amazing. I opted for the Warm Baby Spinach Salad with Manchester Goat Cheese, Hard Cooked Eggs & Smoked Bacon Mustard Dressing to start. My god, this salad was so gorgeous and delicious I am STILL thinking about it. In fact, I recreated it at home for dinner all this week because it was that impressive to me. For dinner I got the Dijon & Chive Crusted North Atlantic Cod on Lemony Spinach & Black Lentil Sauté. Everything was cooked perfectly - the fish, lentils, and spinach. Three things to easily mess up! The service was good. The place was packed so we weren't doted on but I didn't feel ignored or anything. Portions are huge and the price for quality and quantity was very fair and reasonable. The restaurant is cozy and quanity, very lively too since you can see in to the kitchen. My only gripe was that we made a reservation and got stuck in the waaaaay back corner next to a banquet table full of the BC track team. Not fun.
(4)A C.
Bottom line: The 2-star rating is more a reflection on "bang for your buck." I don't think with the prices, you can truly call it a "neighborhood" restaurant. Apps are around $12, and Entrees range from $23 to 35, with most entrees upwards of $30. For those prices, I would really expect a great meal. And when compared to the prices and quality of food at other restaurants (Petit Robert, Gaslight, or Hungry Monther) Fireplace doesn't even compare. The quanity of food is tremendous - the scallops and pork belly ($29)were plentiful. The pan-roasted duck and duck confit ($33) was also a sizable dish. The food was pretty good -- not great, just good. My duck was supposed to be medium rare and was definitely overcooked. The service was pretty good and I have no complaints. There were two minor details I found to be annoyances -- the chairs are wooden chairs and quite uncomfortable. Also, being at the major intersection of Washington and Beacon, a lot of headlights flash through the main entrance, and are a bit annoying. It would be nice if they could just close the curtain they have by the door at night. So, not a bad restaurant, great portions and good food. But given the prices, I think you can get much better meals for your money elsewhere.
(2)Brian W.
I guess I shouldn't have been expecting too much going to a place called "The Fireplace" in the middle of August, but this place failed to meet even lowered expectations. The place is smaller than it looks inside, which is never a good sign, but the ambiance is pretty good and the tables are just far enough apart and at different angles so you don't feel like you're on a double date with strangers. What really hurt my opinion of this place is the absolutely terrible service. After we ordered our entrees we only saw our waitress again when she handed us the check. We had to ask the dude filling up our water glasses to help locate our missing gluten free bread, to give us missing condiments, and eventually to give us our check. I really hope that our slightly over 10% tip went directly to this overworked bus boy. This lousy service left a bad taste in our mouth despite the fact that the actual food we ordered was quite good. The "humble offering" breaded pork cutlets were tasty (but dry) and for $20 they were a steal. They have an extensive gluten-free menu and pretty good bread (if you can track it down). We won't be back until our favorite bus boy gets promoted to the waiter position he deserves.
(2)Caitlin R.
My boyfriend and I went to The Fireplace last week and walked out confused about the service. Our food was incredible and the ambiance was great but we didn't feel like our service was all that great. Rather than just complain on Yelp, I emailed the restaurant to explain my concerns from the previous night. Not only did the GM get right back to me, but she addressed our concerns and couldn't have been nicer. I'd highly suggest The Fireplace to anyone looking for quality, fresh local food and excellent commitment to the customer.
(4)Puma E.
We hunted down the fireplace and made reservations with open table ahead of time. The place was cozy and ridiculously loud! (I actually ventured over to 7/11 for tylenol before the check came.) Our waiter was awesome. Gluten free menu had a TON of options, and this place definitely claims to handle allergies well. My food was just okay. They offer house-made gluten free bread that might be likened to a cracker/cardboard pancake, but at least they're trying. I'd rather see them serve awesome Udi's gluten free rolls. Soup arrived with gluten containing cheese, so had to be sent back, but the correct one was good. Chicken, which is their signature dish, was just okay ... maybe it was cooked for lunch and reheated for our dinner? Eh. Duck salad was pretty good. Burger was a-ok, but nothing special, and entirely too big for the english muffin it was served on. Epically long service. Epic. Overpriced for quality. I was so excited thanks to their gluten free menu, but I was pretty bummed it wasn't better.
(3)Harvey F.
I was there last night (11-27). It was a truly enjoyable time. We were seated on time, the food was great, the service was fine, and we all really enjoyed the experience. The place was very busy, but there was no stress evident anywhere. Bravo!
(5)Josephine L.
This is only a review for their Fireside Chat, as I haven't had a full meal here. I came for the June 26 Fireside Chat featuring Cool Summer Cocktails. 4 cocktails + 3 app-sized food pairings. And they were all good! The first cocktail, the Parisian Kiss, was my absolute favorite. It tastes sweet and refreshing and is so easy to make (they had a list of the cocktails and their ingredients for everyone to look at)--St. Germain (elderflower liquer) and sparkling rose. That was it. Other cocktails were the cucumber martini (surprisingly refreshing, considering I don't really like cucumber cocktails), a super-sweet cocktail with pineapple whose name I can't remember but was too sweet for me, and a raspberry/pomegranate infusion that the host said he'd just made up. Aside from the last one, I think the others are actual Fireplace cocktails and would highly recommend the Parisian Kiss. Because who doesn't like being kissed by a gorgeous French person? The food pairings were interesting. I really like the oyster Rockefeller and didn't mind chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. Portions were enough for a small meal and everything was good enough to warrant a second visit back to try a full meal. The restaurant is also super-cute. Love the unique, almost eclectic decor.
(5)p z.
Food is excellent. Order got a bit delayed but was worth the wait and staff more than made up for it. We were with good company and didn't mind anyway. Great cheese plate with fruit marinated in wine. Steak was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Good desserts.
(5)Tim C.
Sunday brunch here scored a solid, "Meh." Gazpacho was run-of-the mill, like you might expect in a hospital cafeteria. In August, the height of tomato season, I was expecting a lot more. And I had to wait for a spoon, since spoons weren't part of the table service. Our tea-drinking pal said, "What the heck, a fork works ok," to stir honey into his tea. Two in our party had the burgers for which The Fireplace evidently has a reputation and they said they were good. The burgers came with nice-looking, and reported tasty, French fries. But I had the veggie burger. It was served with a large mound of sweet potato fries. The burger was a huge patty, largely flavorless, that tasted like not-so-good, roughly mashed potatoes, though by its texture I'm guessing beans were part of the mix, too. It was nothing like a burger, just a big flabby unappealing blob. The only saving grace was the brioche roll which was very good. I took a few bites of the burger-roll-tomato-lettuce-red onion package but it wasn't worth eating. The sweet potato fries were limp and utterly uninteresting. I nibbled on a few trying to find one that wasn't soggy but I soon gave up. I felt bad wasting so much food but it just wasn't good enough to eat. Service was enthusiastic if a bit slow. The house-made lemonade was nicely balanced between sweet and tart.
(2)John S.
The Fireplace is dressed like Old Money, but dances like Young Hotness. The menu is inventive, the service is excellent, and the food is executed very well. There wasn't one think I ate that I didn't like there and would happily go back when next I'm in the area. I suggest you do the same.
(5)Michelle L.
fancy prices for very unfancy food. ordered a gin gin mule - a glass supposed to be rimmed with crystallized ginger. no rim of crystallized ginger. i took a sip, and it was literally a glass of fresh-squeazed lemon juice. have you ever tried plain lemon juice? it's insanely acidic. lemonade is not just lemon juice! it's watered down and sweetened for a reason. this was $6 and inedible! then i had what i thought was going to be TWO jumbo kobe hot dogs. well, there were two, but they were put in ONE bun and i really wanted to give one to my date! the apple slaw was nice, (no mayo, thankfully), and the fries w/ cheddar and truffles were good, but the potato hashbrown thing was so chilly, it had clearly been sitting a while. this was $24 my date had a bourbon and a wheat beer, and the braised beef which came with potatos and broccoli. there was very little meat (there was a huge piece of tendon), the potatos were tough to eat and the sauce over the plate and broccoli reminded me wayyyy too much of chinese beef & broccoli! the plate was $36. i don't remem. how much his drinks were. we got the check and it wasn't ours - it had only two items and was about $50. so, being nice, we told our waiter he'd given us the wrong slip (even though everyone else dining had left). our total was $83. we left a $15 tip. service was slow. i'm giving it two stars b/c they allow dogs to join you if you eat outside, and even though we didn't bring ours, this was a thoughtful perk. we won't be returning, though.
(2)Jennifer N.
Remember that line from Jerry Maguire that everyone loved -- "you had me at hello"? Well, The Fireplace lost me at hello. Literally. I walked into the restaurant on Friday night at 7:30 and said to the hostess "Hi, I have a reservation for 2." As she was escorting me to my table, she smiled and said "just so you know, we have a big party coming at 9:30 and we want to seat them here." I said, "Oh, well, if we're still eating, I guess you'll have to find somewhere else." And she said, "We have a lovely bar. You could always sit at the bar." I said, "I didn't make reservations for the bar, sweetie." So, within the first thirty seconds of entering the Fireplace, I was pretty much convinced that the staff was rude -- I mean, if I make a reservation for 7:30, I can sit there until 10:30 if I want to. I'm a paying customer, right? And isn't it the restaurant's job -- not mine -- to figure out how to space reservations? Along comes our waiter (I'll call him UW, short for unfriendly waiter). He was obviously disgruntled, and completely uninterested in doing anything service-oriented. This is a man who should be shouting "Tall espresso at the bar!" This is not a man who should be working in a supposedly nice restaurant. Here's an example: my friend says "what would you recommend?" He says "Uh. Everything." Or when we ask what's in the cookie plate (a dessert option-- I'll return to the disastrous cookie plate later), he turns and -- I swear -- shouts to some guy in the kitchen "What's in the cookie platter?" It made me feel like I was ordering a tall no-foam latte at Starbucks, not an $8.50 cookie platter. The food: we kept it simple- which is really the only option given how ridiculously overpriced and deeply old school the menu is. When I say "old school," I mean that everything is heavy (included what's listed under "lighter fare" -- steak, haddock, and chicken. Since when is steak "lighter fare"?!) Not only that, but the prices are just insane: scallops for $32? Really?! I had the caeser salad with roasted chicken, which was absolutely fine though the chicken had a kind of maple glaze which didn't complement the tanginess of the salad at all. (Sidenote- the salad was $18. In my mind, an $18 salad should be so good that it makes drool spill from the corners of my mouth. Needless to say, I wasn't spilling drool). My dearest friend had the pear salad, which she really enjoyed, and the shrimp cocktail appetizer, which was simple and good but nothing extraordinary, particularly refined, or deeply exciting. Of course, simple is fine, but again -- the prices here are high enough (the entrees are between $28-$38) that the food should really be much, much better than it is. Other awkward things happened: we ended up staying past 9:30, as did a number of other tables that were seated in our section, so Fireplace was scrambling to find a place for its "large" (about 10 people) party. Tables were moved leaving strange gaps in the dining space. Then the tables were moved back to their original location only to be moved again. It was like one big game of musical tables. Then came the true disaster of the evening - dessert. We asked UW to tell us about the cookie plate. He said "It's cookies. Sugar, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip- mixed together." Now, I'm not an English teacher, but "mixed together"? Is it one big mixed up cookie? Or is it three cookies on one plate? My friend asks "is it three cookies?" He says "it could be. Or it could be 2." If it's sugar, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip, how could it be 2? You can imagine our confusion. Nonetheless, we went ahead and ordered the aforementioned cookie plate. As we were waiting, the table next to us received a cookie plate (which looked good - from a distance) and we saw them curiously poking it. It turned out they received our cookie plate which our waiter, upon realizing his error, tried to give us -- the lovely woman at the next table said "Actually, I touched those cookies!" and our waiter said "Oh, I guess I'll have to get you a new cookie plate." (Um. Obviously. The woman at the next table looked really clean, but we're not eating cookies she fondled). The cookie plate that he ended up bringing us was literally half the size of the one he took away. Not only that, but -- and here I'm quoting my dear friend -- the cookies could be weapons of mass destruction. They were small bricks. Those cookies were virtually indestructible and, of course, inedible. Think day old Au Bon Pain cookies (and I almost feel I'm being unfair to Au Bon Pain by making this comparison). And guess what? When UW came back, and we had left the cookie plate virtually untouched, it didn't even occur to him to say "is everything OK with the cookies?" He just threw down the check like he didn't give a sh*t. All of this to say one simple thing: Fireplace, get your act together or your ship will sink.
(1)Deb a.
Hostess is rude and abrasive. Food is good. Service is good. Price for dinner I'd higher. Price for lunch is reasonable.
(3)Adam B.
Had some seriously good food, but the service was terrible! So slow. Kinda ruins the meal if you wait so long you forget what you ordered. Also, the hostess took 10 mins just to tell me how long the wait would be (the place was empty and I even had to remind her what she was doing). Go for the food, nothing else.
(3)Jas L.
this isn't a bad place, but there really isn't much that you can adore. the food is decent/good. they have some twists on some basic items. The space is cute, small, and I'd reckon a good spot for that first date, because it's not very expensive, but it has a good charm appeal and your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner etc will really relax around the close and comfortable setting. I took the EGG SANDWICH and it was sorta shrugs... i mean you really can't screw this one up, or shouldn't. I went for brunch. you won't find many brunch options around these parts, and that makes it especially inviting for those wanting to eat after early/noon graduations/parties.
(3)Fred R.
The high point of Fireplace is the food which is very well prepared. Having said that, the prices are very high when compared to other comparable restaurants in the area. There were a few low points to our evening: we had a reservation but waited for 1/2 hour to get seated and the special cocktail I ordered (which was supposed to contain pear, pomegranate and grapefruit flavors) tasted like Bourbon on the rocks.
(3)Dan C.
This place is absolutely disgusting. The place is dirty, the wait staff is horrible, and the food stinks. Everything about the place, upon taking a closer look, was absolutely gross and dirty. If I went at night, I probably wouldn't have noticed. The wait staff I had was pretty bad and completely non-attentive. The food is worse than any low end cafeteria - I considered myself lucky nobody in my party got sick. I don't even want to talk about the food because it's that bad. Honestly, I have no idea how or why people go here considering the solid options in the area. It's a great location and looks cool from outside (real wood burning fireplace) but that's it. Everything else about this place screams stay away.
(1)Amanda B.
I think I need to go back to The Fireplace for another meal. A small group of us went for brunch a couple of weeks ago to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a nice time! Not froo-froo or too fancy, but cozy and nice. The food was pretty straightforward. I ordered a breakfast basic: two eggs (over hard), bacon and homefries. The eggs were cooked perfectly! The homefries were good and cooked with veggies like peppers and onions which gave them a bit more flavor even if I didn't eat all of the veggies. I also had a yummy mimosa. I had been deciding between a cup of soup and an interesting-looking salad and in retrospect, perhaps I should have ordered that instead. It's just hard for me to pass up breakfast food!! My friends all seemed to enjoy their food and would definitely come back. The service was really good. The waitress was very on top of things and made sure everyone had plenty of coffee. You wish it cost less (yes, a common theme in my Yelping). Despite the cost, I do hope I make it back to The Fireplace!
(3)B Y.
Went here 2 months ago with my boyfriend. Just didn't have time to write a review. We went here for lunch. It wasn't that busy, but they were clearly understaffed. We got seated at a table in the back and then got neglected for at least 10 minutes. I had to ask another server for water and then he realized that our server never got to us. She finally came out an apologized, but then she got our order wrong. She didn't adjust our bill even though we pointed out her mistake to her multiple times. Only saving grace was that the food was delicious. Service needs to be better.....a lot better!!
(3)Vivian C.
"This could have been a *good* meal!" I lamented softly to myself, to my dining companion, to the air, as we walked back to the car... It started off well - the hostess was welcoming and our table was ready for us despite the fact that we were a bit early for our reservation. The waiter who greeted us above the din offered (all on his own!) to see about a quieter table for us since the upper floor was rather occupied by a range of parties heartily enjoying their conversations. He ended up finding us a corner table downstairs, and released our business to one of the waitresses that covered that area. Our waitress was there when we needed her, provided us with the correct utensils for each course (sharp knifes with entrees, spoons with dessert) in a timely manner. So in my opinion the service was much improved over our first visit. Oh, and the bread was served (slightly) warm from a basket with softened butter pats! However, I had returned to The Fireplace for two specific items (and I had even checked the online menu to make sure they were still being offered) - 1) Butternut Squash Bisque with Great Hill Blue Cheese & Crispy Pumpkin Seeds $10 Bowl, $5 Cup... just as yummy as I remembered! Creamy, not too sweet. And this time I could taste the Blue Cheese - it was in the creamy white swirl! 2) Butterscotch Bread Pudding with Rum Drunken Raisins and Fresh Whipped Cream $8.50 - I'll talk more about this one later... For entrees, I decided to try something new, so I selected the Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cheesy Cornmeal Porridge & Garlicky Broccoli $30. It was SO GOOD! The meat - which arrived on two large flat bones - was so tender! The flavor was yummy. The cornmeal mush cheesey tasty. The garlicky broccoli, which looked rather plain at first glance, turned out to be so wonderfully garlicky. (can you tell I like cheese and garlic?) Everything was yummy individually as well as together! I also ordered a side of sauteed spinach $4 for some additional green to my meal; it was good, but not as stand-out as the broccoli in my opinion. I tasted my friend's special of the day, (which in layman's terms was) sliced lamb covered with ground pepper, a shredded potato cake, and baby zucchini for $29 - tasty, but loved mine more! With a deliciously warming appetizer, a wonderful comforting entree, and acceptable service behind me, I was looking forward to a re-run of their swoon inducing butterscotch bread pudding... but when it arrived... Huh? What happened? Instead of a repeat of two yummy disks of butterscotch goodness, I was served a single (smaller?) hockey puck garnished with raisins and whipped cream. I could not help but to express my disappointment (also, I figured I'd give them the chance to do something about it, instead of just Yelping without giving them a chance - can you tell that I read that article inc.com/magazine/2010020… from the Yelp board?) to both the dessert server and our waitress. (Half the portion at a higher cost? That's just wrong.) But the fellow who brought out the plates said he couldn't do anything but would mention it to our waitress (he also commented that the circle shape was new, that they used to slice the pudding), while the waitress asked when my last visit was (Oct 2009) and stated that oh, that was the fall menu, it is a different dessert now! Um... no. It had made a deep impression on me so I remember (not to mention, I yelped it, and photographed it) and the verbal description on the menu was exactly the same (I copied and pasted the names of the dishes from their online menu when I wrote each review). [ps - I suspect there was a different dessert plater in the kitchen than on our first night, since the strawberry wasn't decoratively sliced this time and the plating was quite different... but shouldn't portion sizes remain the same no matter the plater?] Then I tasted it... good, but definitely not swoon-worthy. So sad! The Cranberry Pear Crisp with Brown Sugar Oat Crumble & Cinnamon Ice Cream $8.50 was still good, but the Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie with Toasted Almond Espresso Brittle & Coffee Cream $8.50 which arrived as a pair of pies, each larger than my individual butterscotch puck, was unfortunately a bit dry (the cake) and would have been better off with more of the chocolate sauce which decorated the plate. (I would have asked for more sauce, but no one checked on us until it was time for the bill.) With such a miss for the final course, I unfortunately cannot give the fourth star (the fan star) I had hoped to be able to offer after the experience with my entree. I would have been better off ending my meal with another serving of that soup! Tip - there's a small lot (entrance on Washington St) just behind the restaurant, shared by the businesses on the block. *** 6/2010 *** A revisit of the Braised Beef Short Ribs entree was sadly a miss. Consistency does not seem to be their middle name.
(3)Mark B.
Went here with a Living Social deal. Great live jazz music. Excellent food all around. The maple chicken was perfection. Great for a nice night out on a busy fun street!
(4)Jen D.
I can't say enough good things about the Fireplace. This is one of my regular spots for drinks, food, and jazz. I've always had great service, delicious food (a bit pricey, but worth it if you can spend the cash), and tasty cocktails. I've almost always gone in the evening/nighttime, but I had brunch here once and it was so tasty. I've gone to one of their Halloween parties and Fireside chats and had a great time. It's a nice place, but relaxed and comfy. The bartenders are so friendly, as is the owner. The bread is worthy of salivating. They also provide their services to NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusett's annual fundraiser. Any business that supports women's rights is aces in my book.
(5)Wendy L.
This is a cozy spot in Washington Square. I've been here twice for dinner on weekdays and never had to make a reservation before 7. Their steak is really good here and cooked very well. I like medium rare steak and a lot of places tend to overcook it but The Fireplace does a decent job. We started off with Mini Lobster Rolls with Apple Slaw. I was a little surprised that the lobster was actually warm. I assume they mixed lemon juice with the lobster because there was a tangy taste to it. This was a decent size starter and was pretty filling. $22 is on the pricer side though...I've gotten an entire lobster roll with more lobster at that price. I had the Signature Fireplace Rib Eye Steak because I remembered it being really good last time. I LOVE the steak sauce on this dish, the hash potato, wild mushroom, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. It has a lot of flavor and I really enjoy the sides that come with this dish. The steak itself was a little more charred than I like but it was cooked well. I had a bite of the Bavette Steak as well and I actually think that is a more tender cut. However, that dish lacks the delicious sauce that comes with the Fireplace Ribeye. Overall, this place is pricey but the steak is pretty good. Four stars for their steak definitely. The service could be better though and they really cramp the tables around the fireplace. Perhaps it was because they had a private event at the other part of the restaurant.
(4)Robert V.
The food at fireplace is fine, but for the money, I would expect something more. Basically, the food is kind of boring, stuff you could (almost) make at home. Service and ambience is fine, just doesn't seem worth the price.
(3)SunnyDay D.
UGH--would not go back if it were the LAST place to eat in Boston. Honestly, I wouldn't. In fact, I don't even walk / pass by thinking, "oh, i wish i had a better experience". Went with a friend for brunch--first visit and BOY were we disappointed. NONE of our food was cooked well (raw sausage patty, under cooked hashbrowns.. you get the picture). The worst part was all the "water bottles" (which are vintage milk bottles) we could see from table to table (the restaurant wasn't' full) were FILTHY--FILTHY... you could see the food stuck inside, and I'm pretty sure the bottle on our table had a spot of mold in the bottom. ICK. so needless to say, after all that I can't see myself ever going back.... sad, so sad a neighborhood hotspot crossed off my list.
(1)Anonymous H.
I went to The Fireplace for the first time last night and had a great experience. Our waiter, Javier, had been there since the place opened (in 2001). They have an excellent wine selection and we had a great bottle of Cabernet. Their bread is very good and we also started off with a cheese and sausage plate that was delicious. I had the braised beef short ribs and my boyfriend had their famous burger - both meal were excellent. Needless to say, we will be going back!
(4)william g.
Had a 7pm RESERVATION on a Monday night, sat outside, waited 20 minutes before we were even offered the opportunity to order a drink, then we were brought the wrong bottle of wine, one double the price of what we had ordered, then waited another 25 minutes, still, no wine, finally went inside and mentioned this to hostess, our server, WAY UNDER-TRAINED, finally took our order, STILL, no sign of anything but water glasses on our table now 50 minutes from when we sat down. A manager should have been at our table at least making an excuse, at best an apology, but nope. Finally, we informed the hostess that we were leaving. With entrees upwards of $36.00, this is completely unacceptable service. TGI Friday's? Yes, Fireplace? No. And back to the prices, they are WAY out of line with reality. A lamb shank for $36, seriously? ITS A LAMB SHANK, It's a low cost, tough, sinewy, fatty piece of meat, that's why it needs to be braised! Must be using one hell of an expensive red wine in that braising liquid or hand picking the ultimate Heritage wool ball from Mary's 'salad bar' sheep spa in Vermont's version of the Shenandoah valley A SIDE ORDER of Lobster mac and cheese for $18?? With so may other outstanding restaurants respecting value in this economy, the menu prices at Fireplace are the most out of line with reality that I have seen in Boston for an establishment with such casual (or non-existent) service.
(1)Larisa T.
This review is for brunch only, and I'm from NYC, so you probably don't want to hear my opinion anyway, but here goes: I came here for a Saturday brunch with 3 friends. My friend wanted to go and support the super hunger brunch. My friends ordered off the pre fix menu, but I didn't want to pay $25. I got the smoked salmon eggs Benedict and it was delightful! The smoked salmon was generously portioned, the English muffin well toasted, and the poached eggs fresh and runny. The dish came with a nice leafy salad as well. The place has a nice ambiance and the staff is very friendly.
(4)R B.
I would give this a 3 for ambiance/service, but the prices and lack of anything approaching creativity regarding the food drag it down to a 2. There was nothing wrong with it, but $160 for 2 people, who don't drink, for a dinner I could have made myself (and probably made a little more interesting)...gets a "meh", sorry. If you don't/can't/won't cook and like straight-ahead presentation (grilled meat, roasted veg, etc.) in a nice, lively environment, it may be worth the high price. It was packed, so that's obviously fine with most diners. Good!
(2)Kay B.
I went into the Fireplace on a Friday night - food was amazing. I ordered the half chicken, it was so delicious. The only problem I would say about this place is that it takes a while for everything to come out. We sat at the bar and the bartender was great. My fiance got the burger and was very satisfied as well.
(4)Ellie W.
We went to The Fireplace for a friend's birthday, and I wasn't at all impressed with the food here. It was alright, but I don't think I'll return. When I can probably make better food in my kitchen, I don't think it's really worth paying $40 for dinner at a place where the food is kind of sub-par. Overall, I think The Fireplace isn't anything special--food isn't really memorable and their menu is also somewhat limited.
(2)Noy And Alan T.
This review is quite a delayed one but better late than never. I have been here 3 times. The first two time was good (I'd say 3.5 stars). I like this place because they have outdoor seating for my party plus a dog. I made a reservation online requesting outdoor seating because I wanted my dog to join us. We got there about 30 minutes prior to our reservation and I emphasized to them that I really wanted outdoor seating. They told me that it may be a long wait...at least another 30-45 minutes since they are limited on tables outside. I totally understood that. An hour later passed, and there were still no available seats. At this point I was getting impatient. What's the point of making reservations? I went in to speak to the hostess and she said that a table is leaving soon. Ok. Excellent. During this time, a random couple walked by and asked another hostess for a table. Surprisingly, that hostess asked if they wanted a seat outdoors and they said yes. So, yes, they gave away our table to a couple that only had to wait 2 minutes without a reservation! At this point I was livid! I stormed in asking what the hell was going on? The hostess apologized. I asked to speak to the manager, and she said that the manager was actually the one who gave away my table. WTH?! The manager blamed it on miscommunication but I was clearly there when I kept going in asking about the our table. I asked if there could be something done with the bill, perhaps maybe a free appetizer or something for the wait. She said to not worry. The boyfriend ordered the Crispy Duck in Port Cherry Sauce, Roasted Turnips, Parsnips, Rutabaga & Carrots with Cornmeal Johnnycake Wrapped Duck Confit & Bok Choy. He was not impressed. I had gotten this dish before and I swear it wasn't as bad as that day. It was very bland and the presentation was not great. I had to braised beef and I also thought this was bland. No taste and our dishes were cold when it came out. That day was also during restaurant week but regardless, service and food should never be that bad no matter how busy they may be. When we got the bill, I realized nothing was comped. I spoke to the manager again, and she blamed it on the waitress that she should've known to have brought the bill to her. It was a blame game but really she was the one who was at fault to begin with. Horrible service & less than mediocre food = 1 star. If I could, I would give them 0 stars.
(1)Jane S.
I was not impressed with this restaurant. When I came here one night with my family, none of the hosts even acknowledged us as we walked in. We were asked to wait even though we had a reservation, but there was no space to wait in such a small restaurant. As for our meal, none of us were particularly pleased. After reading so many great reviews, I think we came with pretty high expectations (and hungry bellies). But unfortunately, we left with a bitter taste in our mouths. Overall, the service is terrible and the food is mediocre.
(2)Emily O.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our first anniversary I loved the layout of the restaurant...it was very open, yet cozy. The food was outstanding and the service was pretty good. My husband got the steak and it was cooked perfectly, the sides were amazing. We also shared a salad, the roasted butternut squash soup and the lobster mac n cheese...definitely a decadent treat! We would certainly come here again for a special occasion or just for dinner.
(4)Alice C.
I've passed this place a million times before since I live up the street and have always wanted to try it out. My husband caught the living socials deal which offered an appetizer and two entrees of any price all for $38! Obviously, we were very excited but when we went there for dinner tonight, I had one of the worst dining experiences EVER!!! Now, this is not because of poor service or horrible food. To be fair, their food was excellent and the waiter was very nice. So what happened was, my husband and I were in the middle of our entrees (he ordered the dry-aged steak and I the lobster heaven) and from the corner of my eye, I saw something dash along the wall. I didn't see anything the first couple times I noticed the movement, but shortly after, I saw the mouse. Now, I know there are many people out there, especially those who've worked in restaurants before, who are not afraid of them and don't think twice after seeing a mouse. But, I have an extreme phobia towards them and I flipped out! (modestly). I informed a staff and she promised to take care of it immediately, but after about 10 minutes nobody came to address this problem. Meanwhile, the mouse is still running around the bottom of that corner table and even underneath some customers' chairs. Luckily, they either didn't know or didn't care. But then a hostess continued to bring customers to that area where the mouse was hiding and I just couldn't bear knowing it and not telling those poor patrons. So I told the hostess and the girls who were about to get seated there thanked me multiple times for warning them. The hostess eventually brought those girls to another section of the room but after that, another hostess brought the next party of guests to that same corner where the mouse was at! I tried to tell her again but she stopped me by saying "the manager is coming" before I could say anything to warn those people. Now I understand how hard it is to keep a restaurant clean and rodent-free and I know they must apply strict standards, so what bothers me was not the sanitation level of their food and environment, but the fact that they continued seating customers there without saying anything?! Who knows what kind of reactions they might have if they see (or feel!) the mouse under their seats? If the restaurant is lucky, the patrons might not be as terrified as i am, but on the other hand, what if people sitting there happens to share this phobia and scream or jump onto their seats or whatever?! Wouldn't this be even more damaging to the restaurant's image than closing off that section for the night? But I must mention that the waiter was very understanding and relocated us (par our request) to a different part of the restaurant and the manager came to apologize and explain. It was also generous of her to not take money from us after this experience, but I still feel bad for people who had to see that or, even more, for people who don't know what's underneath their chair...... We do have 2 more livingsocial coupons to use up, but next time, I'm sitting at the bar on the high chairs!!!
(2)Tiffany T.
Been here for dinner and lunch...both meals were delicious and fresh. Perfect portions here. Great, warm bread, gluten free options as well as a whole gluten free menu. Chef uses ingredients from all over New England. Options for everyone!
(5)Chase B.
My experience with The Fireplace restaurant was quite positive; the service was a little lacking for the price of the food, but it wasn't bad enough to spoil our evening. My partner and I started with some mulled wine before we ordered, which was good enough to warrant a second glass with the meal. We then had the skewered steak bites as an appetizer; they were absolutely fantastic. The steak was wonderfully seasoned and very tender without being mushy. I ordered the Crispy Duck with a port cherry glaze. The duck wasn't crispy as the name implied, but overall the dish was very good. It was my first encounter with duck, so I may not be the best judge of a quality duck dish, but again, I enjoyed it quite a bit. My partner ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which he enjoyed thoroughly. We both decided we wanted to have the Apple Donuts for dessert. The donuts were excellent, being a heavy, cake-variety rather than the airy yeast type. They came with three dipping sauces: Caramel, Cider, and Chocolate; the caramel and cider being the best. As to my comment on service, I felt that it could be improved. We had to ask for silverware once for our entree and again for dessert. We also had to request bread, even though it had been given to the tables next to us without any request for it. Although I felt that the service was lacking for the price of the food, doubt was cast in observance of it being a relatively busy night. Our server was extremely pleasant and was willing to make some suggestions on menu items. Overall, I look forward to returning.
(4)Mindy L.
Ok...I have to swallow my pride and admit that I might have been a little harsh on this place. I still think that another fireplace would be a nice touch...however...the food this time around was absolutely delicious. We ordered the goat cheese plate to start. I don't remember their artisan cheese selections before - this might be new - and if it is - great idea! The plate comes with your choice of a cheese ($8.00) and each additional cheese you choose is $5.00. The plate comes with yummy pita chips, julienned green apples, wine soaked grapes, candied walnuts and an apricot compote. It was yum. I then ordered the short ribs which were cooked to perfection. I can't get enough of short ribs lately (which I'm sure isn't a good thing) and I've been ordering them everywhere. These were near the top...moist, fork-tender and well-seasoned. They were served with some sort of cheese side dish and I can't remember what it was. It was a gelatinous dish (sort of if you overwhip potatoes...that kind of consistency). The taste was good...I just can't remember what it was called. There was also a side of "Garlicky Broccoli." The BF got the Maple Glazed Chicken and really enjoyed it. I tried a bite and will say that it was very juicy - not dry at all and had a great maple syrupy (but not too sugary) glaze. Last, we decided to share the vanilla something-or-other cheesecake. It was served with a tangy berry sauce to offset the creamy sweetness of the cake itself. There were pomegranates, blackberries and blueberries swimming in the sauce as well. All in all, a great dinner last night...so an extra star is awarded to The Fireplace.
(4)Barry A.
Three foodies went here mid-week, the last week of March. We decided to go Dutch, as we take each other out often and infuse lots o' cash into fine dining establishments, over the last 20 years. One of us is a gourmand, who follows the restaurant scene in Boston and New York, the other a wine sniffer and swirler. I am a devoted, trusting, moderately overweight friend, who appreciates haute cuisine, as well as, a good PB & J on soft white bread with a banana. Here, my dinner companions enjoyed their duck and pork chop, but neither were totally impressed over all. We shared a $50 bottle of red, which was delicious. Mac and Lobster is popular right now, in lots of places; the concept being - comfort food while our planet implodes. The Mac was described as a blend of four savory artisan cheeses, a creamy Vermont Cheddar and a fine blue, which I thought could be interesting (I forgot the other two.) It was not. And for the price of $34 for Mac and cheese, I thought maybe a lobster claw or two, maybe even a tail. Nope. Only a few small bite-sized chunks of lobster. But that was not the worst. The Mac was overcooked and dry, with each elbow (yep, elbow macaroni for $34) living in its own universe. But, the worst was the accompanying "caramelized cauliflower." I loved the idea. But it was both limp, and burnt black. I am talking black! And limp. Together! How does that happen? I know caramelized and this was not it. And each piece was arranged on the plate so that the soot black charcol side was facing down on the plate, as if I wouldn't notice eating savagely incinerated cauliflower? In the end, with no bottled water or dessert (we had had enough) my portion of the bill alone was $70. And I left 3/4ths of the meal on the plate. In fairness to this business, I should have just said "no way." But being a former waiter, way back when, I know what can occur in a restaurant when a customer draws a line in the sand, even politely. I don't mind fair money for fine food, but this just can't happen twice.
(2)Sara M.
So I am a huge online menu reader and saw that they have this Humble Offerings deal Sunday-Thursday. It listed delicious things like bacon-wrapped meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, mac and cheese, etc. We decided to go there purely on that menu since we were looking for something cheaper but still quality on a random Tuesday night. We actually got to sit in front of the fireplace and I'm thinking, this is going to be an amazing experience with my hearty meal. Our server, who was not very friendly and seemed to have sized us up in a negative light as soon as he spoke with us, failed to mention this menu. When he came back with our drinks, I asked about it and he said oh...yeah...we have grilled cheese with tomato soup for $17. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. No sir! I had my heart set on bacon wrapped meatloaf and they totally bait-and-switched me. It was too late to walk out so we ended up eating there anyway. The total bill came to over $100 with tip when I was looking to spend way less. Now, husby and I have done a random Capital Grille Tuesday night dinner for over $200 without batting an eye so money is not the issue. It honestly was the principle and it didn't make it any better that our server totally wrote us off after I asked about that special menu. Step it up, Fireplace - get rid of your snotty servers and be more clear/honest on your website about your specials.
(1)Jason G.
Happily surprised by the high level cuisine and service. We ordered a whole bunch of tapas that were delicious! Though it was a little expensive the food was tremendous and the service was great. Will go back.
(4)Kelly O.
3.5 stars. I finally returned to Fireplace for a "Fireside Chat", which is basically a 3 course tasting menu paired with libations presented by purveyours/reps, depending on that week's theme (they run about twice a month on Saturday afternoons). Our theme was bourbon, so we had reps from Bully Boy and Whiskey Pig walking us through 4 tastings of their whiskey, paired with some really tasty treats from the kitchen. The event itself was really fun; part informative, part delicious, definitely a worthwhile experience for a Saturday afternoon. It was interesting to hear from the reps how their companies got started, and what we were tasting, and other interesting info about their liquors. I definitely recommend checking out the Fireside Chat schedule if you're into learning about alcohol, or just like food/drink pairings. The food deserves a shout-out, and is the main reason why I'm adding 1.5 stars to my previous rating; it was a 180 from what I'd experienced here before. First course was a cheese plate with Vermont cheddar and a hard nutty Parmesan-like cheese (can't remember the name), with fruit compote on homemade garlic crackers. I normally hate cheese plates and the only cheese I tend to like 'raw'/on its own is fresh mozzarella, but this plate totally made me see what the fuss was all about... the cracker and compote were both delicious, and those cheeses (especially the nutty one) were the perfect accompaniment. I was shocked I actually enjoyed it. Second course was steak/mashed potatoes/brussels sprouts, but the waiter was kind enough to ask for any needed substitutions at the beginning of the meal, and because I don't eat steak, the kitchen whipped up some pesto/beet/asparagus ravioli for me (bonus points for accommodating). The flavors were spot on, although for my taste, I thought the ravioli could have been cooked about 30 seconds more (a bit too al dente). Last course was a maple ginger whoopie pie, and I could have eaten a whole tray of these and not be sorry one bit; it was excellent. For a tasting menu, we felt pretty satisfied with the amount of food we got, and didn't even need to eat a full dinner a few hours later. I thought the price of $30 for all of the food/liquor/learning was really reasonable, and I'll definitely return for another of these Chats. (Also, did you know The FIreplace is a dedicated/certified Green restaurant? Another plus.)
(3)Mindy M.
Oh- I get it now...there's a dinner menu and it is my kind of thing! Don't miss the cheese course and salami. We had clam fritters, too. I'm from fritter territory (down South) and I would have to say these are some of the best. It's likely that I will keep going back until I've had everything on the dinner menu but we didn't make it past the bread, salad and appetizers tonight. Might have to put a bread strategy in place to accomplish this goal. Smuggle it home for breakfast so I can make it to an entree course, perhaps. Oh but it is so warm, fluffy and good. Is it soda bread, a biscuit? I pretended to investigate as I snarfed the entire slab. Nice wine selection. As for the claim that it was too hot in my last review- I think I'd been running too many errands that day- especially to the running shoe store on this same block.
(4)Elizabeth P.
Seating might not be the best here, as you're very close to other tables. Service is ok, friendly but maybe inexperienced. But the food is amazing. Burger was fantastic, maple half chicken was BOMB, even the bread was amazing. This place is for an older crowd, but we enjoyed it and there was no wait on a Saturday night.
(5)Jen O.
I wish I had the opportunity to give 3.5 stars. This place could be a 4.5 if not for the prices. The bread is always delicious. Unlike other reviewers, I have found the servers very friendly and patient. The wait is sometimes a bit long from the kitchen, but they are always generous with the bread and attention. More than once, however, I have driven over there and meter-parked only for the entire restaurant to be rented for a private event. The first time, I didn't check the Web site - my fault. The subsequent times, not so much my fault. I learned just to attempt to make a reservation (silly for lunch on a Saturday), as that will show the blocked times if the main page is not updated. The wine list is not deep, but it's solid if you're into American wines. I hate the nonsense of buying the better wines by the bottle. I often like a leisurely lunch by myself on a weekend. I'm not going to down a whole bottle. The entrees can be good to spectacular, depending on the choice. They are always well-seasoned with fresh ingredients. I've never had a bad meal here. I just think the prices don't match the food - especially for the "just good" entrees. I also once tried to swap the chicken for salmon on the Cobb salad. I expected an upcharge but not the entire published cost of adding salmon to a salad without any reduction for the removal of the chicken that was supposed to be on the dish. C'mon. Work with your customers. $3-$4 upcharge should suffice - not $11! I must sound so cheap, and that's not the case. I pay quite willingly for great meals and great wine. I just had more than one experience here in which I felt cheated. It's a shame because the food itself is quite palatable. I am a bit sad to hear that ownership is closing at the end of 2014.
(3)Chappy B.
I am a huge fan of this place. Within walking distance to my apartment I decided I needed a late night meal with a friend. The staff was super friendly, we came in when most people were leaving but the bartender (Raffi?) encouraged us to sit down and take our time. We had quite a few glasses champagne. The restaurant was beautiful, sat on a quiet corner on Beacon Street. Raffi was kind enough to have the kitchen make us a little platter with goat cheese, bread, different fruits soaked in wine. Delicious. We shared the steak bites appetizer and it was the perfect amount of food for the two of us. Breakfast pictures look great, I will be back.......
(5)Mark L.
We went to the fireplace this past weekend to try it out. Great local dining option in Brookline. Luminated a very cozy and warm feeling and the menu had great options! Not the cheapest place to dine ($30-50) per entree, but worth a shot if you are looking for a place to dine on a friday night!
(4)Big S.
we came here for brunch. it was really crowded which is always a good thing. the menu is a bit expensive for what it is. the bread they serve is very good, some of the best bread around. the food was ok, nothing spectacular or worth the cost. the bacon is chewy, and the duck hash doesnt have much duck. the challah french toast would have been a better option as it looks great. nice place, decent atmosphere, just a bit expensive for what they offer. maybe its better for dinner.
(3)Kelsey C.
It is impossible not to love something at Fireplace. Their menu deals no disappointment and offers so many choices, there's no way you won't find at least 5 things you love. Sorry to start on a sour note, but the Grilled Artichoke Tart was the one (and only!) thing I didn't love. The sheer volume of lemon drowned out the sharp cheese, which in turn drowned out the lighter artichoke. A pity because it had to much potential... The Braised Beef Short Rib was the first good short rib I've had, and it was phenomenal. The tender meat fell off the bone and a couple of chews got you a mouthful of juice. The cornmeal porridge may have been my first visit to heaven. The Fireplace Burger is obviously epic. I had to dislocate my jaw to fight through all that smoky bacon. The Vermont cheddar was a tasty topper, and the English muffin added a touch of novelty. I'll never forget this burger, and it turns out no other Bostonians forgot this grass-fed patty either. It won People's Choice for Boston's Best Burger. The Carrot and Feta Ravioli is perfect. The arugula pesto pure genius, and the dish is brought together with a polish that makes it entirely too good to be true. I really can't even describe how awesome this dish is. There are no words! I almost cried at the dessert menu. I really wanted another helping of the Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie., but they stopped making it despite my pleas. So I "settled" for the Maple Fudge on a cookie complete with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce instead. They ran out of vanilla so I substituted espresso ice cream instead. I want them to run out of vanilla every night. I'm still not over the fact that Fireplace is named for a miniscule fixture that is cute yet hardly a defining feature. But here, it's not about the size of the fireplace, it's about how hot the fire burns.
(5)Matt B.
This place is THE WORST shit hole on planet earth. I'm not exaggerating (much) when I tell you I'd rather eat out of a dumpster in Mumbai than eat here again. Was stoked Pepe's was moving in, now I learn this shit hole, semi-poisonous eye-sore is staying? As bad as bad can be. Wanted to give negative stars, but not an option.
(1)Melisa C.
I came here with my boyfriend and a friend during restaurant week. I ordered the arugula salad to start, and they ordered the butternut squash soup. The salad was pretty good overall, whereas the soup was tasty but came in a very small bowl (restaurant week?!). For our main entree we ordered 1 each of the 3 available options: the pasta dish, the chicken, and the short ribs. The pasta was good, but nothing extraordinary. The short ribs were done well, except the sides that it was served with made it kind of a mushy plate. My friend enjoyed the chicken and it was the largest of the 3 dishes--my boyfriend and I were envious of his large portion. We weren't that excited about the dessert options: peanut butter cheesecake or the poached pear and toasted almond tart served with ginger ice cream. I wasn't crazy about the tart, whereas the peanut butter cheesecake was okay. Overall, the atmosphere of this place is pretty nice, but the food isn't that amazing. I wasn't wowed enough to want to come back for a second try.
(3)Eric F.
A cozy restaurant indeed! The fireplace near the front lent much to this feel and, combined with the seating and interior, contributed much to a seriously tasty meal. Dinner started off with freshly baked potato bread - a fluffy mass that whet my appetite nicely. My Crispy Duck was delicious and generously portioned. The port cherry sauce matched the perfectly medium rare meat very well and the accompanying cornmeal-wrapped duck confit offered up even more proteinacious goodness. Similarly, my friend's House-Aged Rib Eye had a great char and loads of savory flavor. With my LivingSocial coupon, the dinner was an absolute steal for the exceptional cooking. At regular price though, the dishes are very much on the pricey side with the majority of them in the low 30's and up. The Fireplace isn't a place easily able to be frequented on a regular basis, but it'd be a great pick for a special occasion.
(4)Tom G.
Nice space, underwhelming food. There are so many great food spots in this general area that I'd be remiss in recommending Fireplace over any of those others (Publick House, Barcelona, Washington Square Tavern, Ribelle, etc.). The food was generally well-prepared but really smacked of casual (read: lower priced) family restaurant. It is priced to match the decor, however. I'm not a cheapskate by any means but I loathe paying $25-35 for entrees I could easily replicate at home. The wine list has a lot of common, Cali-heavy labels you'll find at similar places (Jordan, Silverado, Stag's Leap, La Crema, etc.). Mostly 2-3x retail. They have a reserve wine list that is mostly just single vineyard versions of the above labels, again at 2-3x retail. They have the delicious 2006 Hartford Court Arrendell Vineyard Pinot on the list ($130 ). It's one of the better priced bottles on the list (although Wash. Square has it on their list, too, for about $40 less).
(3)Laura W.
My friend and I went for after-work drinks. It was both of our first times at The Fireplace. We ended up ordering the charcuterie plate, which doesnt really have a description in the menu. We assumed that it would be some assortment of dried/cured meats with some cheese or nuts. It included fois grois, rilette, and some sort of sausage head cheese.. According to someone I asked, this is a more typical French charcuterie, but I definitely would not have ordered this if it had been described in the menu. I wanted proscuitto, sopresatta, etc. Essentially it was far too "fancy" and not very tasty. Good service and beautiful ambiance though.
(3)Amy G.
I brought my 80-something mother here for an early Christmas dinner today & it was just perfect! Delicious food -- we had a number of smaller things vs. one big meal. (Our menu included crab cakes, butternut squash soup, beet and goat cheese salad, broccolini. and Christmas cookie tray with coffee). Along with the super tasty food, our server was helpful and warm, and as an added bonus, we fell into a great conversation with the table next to ours. Thanks, Fireplace! We may well make this a tradition.
(5)Jessica L.
Love this place!!!! The Fireplace has become my favorite restaurant in the Coolidge Corner/Washington Square area, and it's perfect if you want a nice brunch/lunch/dinner and don't feel like going downtown. Unlike a lot of other restaurants in the area, it's easy to get a reservation and the service is really solid (ie, no uppity swaitresses/waiters). It's so refreshing to actually be able to just walk into a restaurant and sit down these days, rather than putting your name on a list and waiting an hour while you're starving at an insanely crowded bar. It's also relatively quiet (but not too quiet), so it's easy to talk with everyone in your party and you don't have to shout over the din. The food here is excellent as well; I don't think I've ever gotten a bad dish here. The white bean salad was delicious, as was the Toscana appetizer. The soups always look fantastic. My absolute favorite dish is the braised short rib--- it is absolutely PERFECT. Delicious, braised meat falling off the bone, with cheesy porridge and carrots. I don't even tend to order heavy entrees and every time I come here I have to order the braised short rib. The rib eye, scallops, and other dishes are excellent as well, but the braised short rib is outta this world! I'm not much of a dessert person, either, but the desserts here are amazing!!!! The three cider donuts with assorted dipping sauces was soooo good and fun to share. And the homemade raspberry s'mores are irresistible--- one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had!!!! Drinks are also great, too! Great selection of spirits, nice drink menu (though cinnamon in the sangria was a bit unexpected by some in our prty), and excellent dirty martini. Love coming here and it's a neighborhood fixture! Absolutely perfect for a fun night without having to go downtown! I've been here for everything from birthdays to dinners with family to date night, and I've always had a great time.
(5)Robin G.
Excellent waitstaff, renovating which is due. The staples...burger,salmon and chicken never disappoint. Ravioli was ok...not quite special enough. Still quite enjoyable,
(4)Carlos R.
Went for dinner last week. A friend told me about it and I've been meaning to try it. We had the head cheese, beet salad, Lamb chops and scallops. Everything was delightful. The scallops were rich and delicate. The service was quick and attentive. We asked both the bartender and server for suggestions and they did not disappoint!
(5)Mikhail H.
I was happy to finally get to eat here - the restaurant is not huge so make a reservation if you want to go here for dinner. We had lunch which was quite good - interesting menu with a good selection of different items no matter your preference. I ordered salmon which was cooked to perfection and even the sides with it were perfectly paired. I also was pleased that the prices were not as bad as I was led to believe from other reviews.
(4)Lilee N.
ask to sit next to the fireplace! good cocktails, highly recommend the cheese platter to share (salami is delicious!). we ordered the salmon dish with kale and fingerling potatoes for both entrees and shared the pumpkin bread pudding. Go for the chocolate cake if they still have it on the dessert menu and didnt run out.
(4)Cody G.
After recently moving to Washington Square, it has been my girlfriend and my prerogative to visit each and every restaurant in the bustling two block arena of culinary explosion....so...where to start? After an almost flawless performance by The Abbey, and an equally breathtaking adventure in Spanish culture at Barcelona, we found ourselves eagerly awaiting a chance at experiencing what The Fireplace had to offer. Needless to say, we left with an empty taste in our mouth, and an even emptier space in our wallets... Now, just to give a bit of background on how I'm going to go about reviewing places on Yelp, let's start with the following rankings: 1. Taste and presentation: are by far the most important aspect of a meal. If we're going to spend our time and money for someone else to cook our food, then it is our every hope that it comes out far better than what we could perform in our (mediocre) kitchen. 2. Service: Nothing turns a "great" meal into a "good" meal faster than poor service. We should find a correlation between knowledge and respect; palate and portrayal. Great service can range anywhere from a friendly and attentive waitress at a neighborhood burger joint to a smartly dressed and knowledgeable server at a renown steakhouse. 3. Atmosphere: Atmosphere can turn a 3 star into a 4 star, just by being a place where you can have a good time; or, if their atmosphere follows their cultural theme, this can earn serious brownie points. 4. Price: Price is the last thing on our list. Food should match the price, and if the food exceeds the price, you're getting an extra star. The phrase: "You get what you pay for." is a good representation of what you should expect going in. As a whole, we all know that the middle-american restaurants are losing their customer base (I'm talking your run of the mill Olive Gardens, Red Lobsters, 99 Steakhouse, etc.). This is because people either want a 'high-end' experience or just something to take out and enjoy. That being said, from our experience, The Fireplace teeters devastatingly close to the edge of the "middle American" taste levels. I, being a burger fiend, had their so-called "best burger in Boston", and was utterly dismayed after my first bite. It was a sad experience to have such high hopes fall flat as the lack of seasoning and immensely disproportionate soggy-onion-to-delectable-burger, ratio, left me not even wanting to finish. The first thing I said after nomming on the $16 dollar behemoth of disappointment was "I miss Tastyburger already." Yes, Tastyburger, the magicians behind the $5.50 slam fest of flavor, were way ahead of what The Fireplace touted as the best. If you're going to tout a Burger as "best" then it better be able to stand up to Duke's of Chicago, or Brio's in New York City...or hell...I dunno...the $5 burger in Fenway... Ok...enough of my burger rant...though it wasn't amazing....I've had worse...moving on... Thinking...'oh, the rest of the meal can't be that bad', I decided to share with my girlfriend...once again...woefully upsetting experience. Her Orange Glazed Salmon was straight up dry. It was so dry, that when she stuck a fork in it, the insides flaked. I even encouraged her to churn it in the glaze that dripped off the top, but alas, that did nothing to curry favor with either of our taste buds. If you're going to make yourself out to be a high-end "esque" type restaurant, with a twist, you need to do a better job of tasting your own food. Aside from the food, the service and decor were average and by average I mean slow and outdated. Pick up the slack, Fireplace. Your front is as boring and outdated as the clientele at Old Country Buffet on a Sunday afternoon. Couple that with the higher-than-average prices and the aforementioned poor food while adding a dash of mediocre wine, and you've got yourself a 2 star review.
(2)Basil S.
We had a phenomenal time at the Fireplace. The new manager, Matthew, greeted us an ensured we had a good time. Our server was hilarious and did a good job of being attentive while giving my date and I some space. Definitely will come back.
(5)Priscilla T.
Awesome place!! I just wish I'd discovered it before my last night in Boston. It's a great spot for a cozy catchup - lively but not deafening. And the food... So, so good! Had a great seasonal salad and split a delightful herb crusted fish and a pasta with the bf. We had fun trying the stinging nettles as a side dish. It was like lightning in your mouth. The rhubarb crisp was more like a soup but the bf still ate it all and I got the ricotta pie. Odd but I still ate it all! Try this place!
(4)Vanessa G.
I've been to the Fireplace a few times and have always enjoyed it. I am particularly a fan because they have a very extensive GF menu. But last night I was kind of disappointed. Maybe it was my mood or my high expectations but I was underwhelmed. The GF was a bit misleading. I got very excited that there was lobster MAC AND CHEESE on a gf menu, only to find out that was a mistake. And a lot of the things that were listed as GF the way they are actually had to be modified. So I got all excited about a dish only to find out it would be modified to something less exciting. And the GF rolls were dry and dense and barely warmed up. (They would have been a million times better if they were served hot, as with most GF bread). Our server, who was quite delightful herself, seemed distracted and like she had tables all over the restaurant and outside. We had to wait for silverware for each course. The food was ok. I left full but less than satisfied. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing and I just wasn't feeling it. I will definitely go back, hopefully with a bigger appetite.
(3)Susan P.
I went here for a graduation dinner with a party including a gluten-free vegetarian with coconut and peanut sensitivities (moi), and a gluten-free vegan. It was some of the best food I've had in Boston, they had a separate gluten free menu, amazing mocktails, and I never felt like our many questions
(5)A L.
Used to be one of my favorite places with great bar service and high-quality food but lately it seems to be taking a turn. Not sure if there is new management or not, but the food quality has slipped and the new bar staff doesn't seem to know what they're doing. Plus, I've been in there twice where people have been seated at the bar with kids. One of those times, the owner actually suggested the family sit there. I know this isn't against the law but I don't go to an upscale restaurant to sit at a bar with children and knowing the owner doesn't do anything to draw the line is disappointing. I also expect to get a well-poured drink for the prices they're charging. Last night, my shrimp were rubbery, the cocktail sauce was watery, and the shredded apples on the cheese plate were soggy. Left unsatisfied and much lighter in the wallet. Hoping they were just having an off night.
(2)Ashley S.
Such a wonderful experience! We started off with a cheese platter which was delicious- would highly recommend the Cabot cheddar cheese (came with a nice array of fruits which all paired well with the cheese we chose) We ended up getting the GF steak Mac and cheese which was absolutely AMAZING!!!! Highly recommend ordering that- the broccoli that comes with it is like no other. My boyfriend got the pan seared scallops with lobster hash which he describes as " rich and elegant ".. Therefore we highly recommend this place!
(4)Christine D.
Had a restaurant week lunch and tried out their gluten free menus. Key word is menu(s). Not only did the have a 4 page regular GF menu, but also two restaurant week GF menus. Choose the 3-course $20.13 option ( all GF). Watercress soup was excellent. Chicken salad was a bit dry, although very nice chicken and seasonings, just needed a bit more EVDO or similar. The dessert was 3 cute mini-cupcakes. Delicious. I've been to The Fireplace many times for dinner. It is always a favorite. This was my first lunch experience. The Fireplace will remain a favorite, that we will return to again and again.
(4)Dalya N.
Seating was an issue but we ended up sitting by the bar. Food was good, service was also good.
(4)Mike S.
Lobster Mac and cheese for $36.00. Showed up in two tiny dishes, about 8oz of pasta and less than a quarter lb of lobster. No claw meat, little tiny pieces of meat. I'm disappointed because the menu looked outstanding, but charging $36.00 for that meal was criminal.
(2)Sara H.
I've been here twice. Once for brunch and once for a regular lunch. It's been a really long time, but I believe I had a chicken salad for the lunch. For the brunch, last weekend, I had a melon soup and eggs Benedict with lobster. The atmosphere is perfect for a date or a get together with friends. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I don't remember the chicken salad well enough to comment, unfortunately, but my mother will not stop talking about it! My melon soup was a cold bisque. Delish! It had tarragon, I think, and I believe roasted leeks on top. The combination was delicious. The eggs were perfectly runny in the Benedict. The sauce wasn't overpowering and the lobster was chunky and fresh. (Best part is the bread, but I didn't mention this....)
(5)Alison D.
The Fireplace is a warm, comfortable place to dine. During warmer months, there are a few tables by the street if you prefer people watching outdoors. There is free parking in the back, which makes it easy to access. Service has always been wonderful. The food is above average, and I appreciate the high quality ingredients they use. I've never ordered anything off the menu that blew my mind, but I always leave with a smile on my face.
(4)Diana V.
Let me start by saying that I've been searching ALL over Boston for an amazing burger, and I thought maybe that search was over after seeing their huge sign boasting the "best burger in Boston"... I finally got around to trying it out last weekend and the best thing I can say is that it was underwhelming. The restaurant itself is very nice, and I'm sure they have a lot of amazing dishes, but the "best burger" was a gigantic letdown. There wasn't anything wrong with it, and had the sign not been in their window, I might not be giving such a negative review. It's FINE, but nowhere close to BEST. We went during brunch, and also ordered the eggs norwegian, which was very tasty, and a cocktail with tequila and jalapeno and that was also really good. Similarly, the service was efficient and polite. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this restaurant, and I would certainly go back, I just wouldn't order the burger.
(3)Matt D.
I've been to the fireplace four or five times and each time it seems to be worse than the time before. The restaurant seems like its a run-of-the-mill casual dining spot trying to dress up as something more refined and inventive. Lately, it feels as if they decided to revive their menu by increasing the prices and trying to trick people into thinking the food tasted better because it's expensive. I've never had an awful meal here, but I've also never had a particularly good meal either. Overall, my relationship with The Fireplace is over. I would much prefer to go to every other restaurant in Washington Square over this place.
(2)John T.
OVERHYPED!!! I've been here many times and the food is pretty good but TOTALLY OVERPRICED!! That alone would have given this place a 3-4 stars BUT I marked it down further because of the SNOOTY FACTOR!! The wait staff is OK but the people at the host/hostess counter has always been snooty and rude...ESPECIALLY if you bring kids in the place--they treat you like a second class citizen. Fine, you don't like kids, that's fine, but heaven forbid you come in there at the same time as a "regular"/friend of the resturant--you are thrown to the back of the line and forgotten about. I've had this experience multiple times here so its pretty discouraging and it seems to be a trend. Also, they say they have the best burger in Boston--NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! If you want a much better burger (for cheaper) go 5 doors down on Beacon to the PUBLIK HOUSE---they are always kind there (even with kids) and their burgers ROCK (way better than the Fireplace). I really wanted to like The Fireplace, but they have just let me down way too many times and they are SOOO OVERPRICED, its just not worth my money or angst!! Very disappointing...
(2)Christopher S.
I have eaten at The Fireplace and had wonderful meals every time. I particularly like their local cheese and charcuterie plates. The entrees are memorable too. If it is crowded, which it often is, eating at the bar can be a pleasure. The Fireplace is lively, but not too noisy. The staff is welcoming and helpful, without being overbearing. It is nice for a couple, and they can accommodate a larger group.
(5)Phil O.
I've been here for brunch three times, and each of my experiences have been great. It's definitely worth it over the line you'll have to wait in for Zaftigs. Prices are more reasonable than I expected too.
(4)Carolyn M.
I really enjoyed this place when i first moved to Washington square, but I think as I tried the other really great restaurants in the area, this one just isnt so great for how much you pay. The servers are nice, but I think the sections must be too big, because its hard for them to get to all of the tables it seems. I tried to go there today for a quick lunch and was not acknowledged at all by the server, who seemed to have ALL the tables in the upstairs room. I walked out after about 15 minutes. If my review were based on today, it would be zero stars. The food is decent, but not for the price. They have many gluten free options, which initially drew me to the restaurant, but the staff knowledge is iffy--fries are specifically listed on the gluten free menu, but they are apparently not gluten free, according to one server. I still have no idea if they are gluten free, but i guess i appreciate the server erring on the side of caution. I think a lot of the issues here can be traced back to management that does not support their staff. They should be able to see what tables are obviously waiting for their server if they take a look at the dining room, but i think ive only ever seen a manager once in the 4 times ive dined there.
(3)Mary B.
Will come back! Came here one evening with my husband and enjoyed the appetizers, entree and dessert! They also make ginger beer which is a refreshing beverage. What I recommend: butternut squash soup topped with pumpkin seeds and the salmon dish. The environment is very romantic, but just be prepared to sit close to the next table. The one good thing about sitting close to people is that you can get ideas for what to order ;) Great service too.
(4)Gregory S.
I've been here for drinks a few times and have always had good experiences at the bar so I went here on a date a couple of weeks ago and we left less than satisfied with our experience. The server was either in a very poor mood, or was just blatantly rude to us for fun...it took a while to get any drinks, and then they sat empty for a while. Overall service was lackluster and not what I would expect from someplace charging what they're charging. The food was slightly above average, and very pricy. They did have a nice wine/beer list and the atmosphere is great. Maybe I'll try it again someday, just not anytime soon.
(3)Alissa K.
After wanting to go to the Fireplace for sometime, we finally went for the first time during restaurant week (which we weren't aware of). That was the first mistake. My policy has become to not go to restaurants during RW because basically, the food and service just aren't as good; AND the prices aren't even becoming much cheaper. We did not order off the RW menu. We ordered a cheese plate and a salad as an appetizer (I think it was the Honeymoon salad). For dinner, we got a burger, the chicken, and the short ribs. The food was delicious, HOWEVER, was served lukewarm, if not cold. We were not the only ones with this problem, as the four people at the table next to us all sent their food back. I'm not sure what was going on here. We then ordered dessert of the chocolate fudge cake, which I'm sorry to say was dry and not tasty. Overall, I would definitely go back as the food was good and there were other things on the menu I wanted to try. But, not during restaurant week. Hopefully that will resolve the issue.
(4)Borris C.
Prices are even higher now. They've recently updated their lunch menu, so that the "ladies who lunch" are paying $16+ for lunch these days. The quality of food has declined as well. It's too bad - I really liked this place and there aren't a lot of good places for a working lunch or special treat sit-down lunch in the area.
(1)Maya T.
Atmosphere is very nice and romantic. We went here with a groupon which I'm glad we did because the food is pricey but was delicious. I would recommend it. The waitress was nice and friendly and checked on us the right amount of times. We got the cheese plate for an appetizer which was good. We got the hamburger and roasted chicken-both huge portions and it was delicious. I would go back.
(4)Mairead N.
I came here with my friend for a little bite at the bar. I really like this place. The bartender was really attentive and when we were unsure of what we wanted to drink, he gave us little samplings of what he thought we were looking for, love that! The place itself is nice, the fireplace was not on because it was summer. I bet it looks nice on a chilly winter evening after a long week of working... We shared a burger and french fries and it was really delicious. I want to come here again and be a little more adventurous with the menu and see what it's like on a busy night. 3 stars for now and hopefully more for later :-) UPDATE - April 2013 The bartender here is a totally amazing mixologist of alcohol. She remembered me from a few weeks back and made me the same drink that we mixed together on the fly. She is a total gem and I can't wait to come here again for some more martini fun! Extra star just for the drinks!
(4)Bansi V.
I'm a little surprised by the low reviews for this restaurant... I took my husband there for his birthday and he LOVED it (and he's hard to please!). I will start by saying I am one of those granola crunchy hippies that loves everything local, organic, sustainable, etc. That being said The Fireplace is perfect given that everything is locally sourced and made fresh onsite. We made reservations and luckily so, they were fully booked on Halloween night. We were promptly greeted by a friendly and attentive waitress who provided us great service even though she was overbooked. She brought us warm bread and water to start as we looked over the menu. We started with a plate of goat cheese (Madonna) which was accompanied with an assortment of wine/port soaked fruits and homemade garlic pita chips followed by the pear and pomegranate salad. Both of which were absolutely delicious, my husband suggested we stop by Trader Joes after dinner to see if we can buy the ingredients to recreate the deliciousness! For the entree we both ordered one the daily special which was a lasagna filled with fresh ricotta and red sauce topped with perfectly wilted spinach. Oh man, it was SOOO good. For something so ordinary it tasted divine, my husband told the chef it was better than the North End! What a wonderful experience and dinner. We were lucky enough to get seated right in front of the fireplace after trekking through the rain - I would recommend asking for this seating preference when making reservations! Overall, definitely go! Support local businesses supporting our farmers and dairy farms!
(5)Sarah A.
Classy establishment, delicious food, great service. It all merits five stars in my book. The Fireplace is located on Beacon Street in Washington Square in Brookline. There's plenty of parking along the street and at the meters abutting the T tracks. It's also easily accesible from the Washington Square stop on the C line. The restaurant is split over two levels. When you enter there is the bar to your right and a small seating area overlooking the street to your left. Raised above this area by a few short steps is a more formal dining area with a view of the open kitchen. We arrived for an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and chose to sit on the upper level. The mood of the restaurant is classy, yet also welcoming. Our waiter was friendly and allowed us to linger over our meal and coffee. I had the pan seared lemon basil scallops with sunchoke and red pepper, celery root, fava bean and onion saute. This was delicious. Seriously, one of the best meals I've had in some time. I had to inquire with the waiter about what exactly was sunchoke (it's the stalk of a sunflower, which, in this dish, is prepared mashed to result in a somewhat lighter take on mashed potatoes). The portion was definitely quite ample and included lots of scallops cooked to perfection. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the fava beans. At first I thought this was an unusual pairing, but they complemented the dish quite nicely. I also sampled some of the big American salad Nicoise topped with sesame crusted tuna. The tuna was excellent, and again, the portion was quite generous. When we visited the weather did not favor outdoor seating, but they have a number of patio tables on Beacon Street overlooking Washington Square. I really enjoyed dining here and look forward to checking out The Fireplace again. I've heard great things about their Fall menu (apparently heavy on turkey and pumpkin dishes) from my friends. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
(5)Mykal D.
I'm not one to give out 5 star reviews often, but a place like this deserves it. I'm a food-first kinda restaurant guy, and the food at this place is spectacular. I've been here a few times and tried a variety of the menu and based on that, I'd recommend a couple things. 1. The Burger - amazing! Second only to the SDLT burger as one of the best I've ever had. The onions really put it on another level. 2. The Duck - fantastic. 3. They have a cocktail variation of an apple jack (called an apple jack) that is fantastic. Would have had 3, but I drove there. Ok, so maybe that's 3 (and one more than a couple, unless you're into open-relationships like that, not judging). Lastly, I noticed someone mentioned that they only gave one piece of bread. That's because they aren't trying to fill you up on it. that said, the one piece is huge, triangular and 5" long on its longest side (roughly a 3-4-5 right triangle for us nerdy types), and its pretty tasty. I wish they'd offered whipped butter though. All in all, this is a great date kinda place with spectacular food and a cozy atmosphere. Also, they occasionally offer deals and restaurant week fixed price, so be on the lookout for that.
(5)Thomas L.
We received a gift certificate from a friend as a gift at our wedding. Not to say that we hadn't planned on checking this place at some point, there was just some added motivation. The food was ok. The ambience was very nice and relaxing. Service was so-so. My wife went with the short ribs and I had a rib eye, which had a very generous helping of fat on it. At the end of our dinner, our waitress - who definitely wanted to be somewhere else - asked if we wanted dessert. We politely declined and asked for the check. 10 minutes later she returns with two dessert menus along with a memorized delivery talking up the cheesecake and how the proceeds go to the Special Olympics or something along those lines. I'm sure she was just following orders, but this was annoying as we had already declined dessert and now we were being pressed. And while this is unrelated to my dining experience, I think it's annoying and bandwagon-ish for them to offer 'gluten free' menu items. I hadn't realized that many people in Brookline had been diagnosed with Celiac disease. Next thing you know they will be telling us that their menus are 'green' and all of the kitchen help is 'legal'.
(2)J. H.
On a recent Sunday morning, I went with a group of gals to The Fireplace for brunch. The decor was nice and the food was really good. I had the duck hash and loved it. However, our service was appalling. It took over 10 minutes for the waitress to bring coffee after it was ordered. And at one point we got a sigh and attitude when one of us asked if she could please have butter for her toast. It is not as if the restaurant was terribly busy and we weren't being rude or ridiculously demanding. I may try to go back for brunch another time to see if that service was a one time thing.
(3)Doug S.
I have to say that the Fireplace is one of my favorite places to go when i'm in the city (even if it is in Brookline). I used to live not to far away and would visit all the time. Love the entertainment on Wednesdays and Thursday's. The atmosphere is great and what a restaurant should be like. Always been a fan of the spit roasted chicken with mashed. Also a big fan of the Duck. Hopefully with fall coming, they bring back the butternut squash bisque!
(5)Whitney A.
This is a real treat for small tables like 4 friends or a date place. I love the warmth. Reminds me of Vermont because it feels cozy like a cabin stocked with micro brews PLUS it's the best farm to table store in Beantown. You cannot stray from menu, you'd hear Ummm no ...pause... but if u really want me to ask the chef I will. So the menu is seasonal and everything on it is a HomeRun! I just want to lean over the open kitchen and watch how they magically make veggies so absolutely delish! Enjoy!
(5)Andrew K.
The food is good, but definitely over priced. There wasn't anything special about this place, except for the fireplace in the corner.
(3)Deborah H.
The first thing that stood out about this place was its warm decor and the friendliness of the staff. Every person working at this restaurant greeted us with a smile, which is, unfortunately, a very hard thing to come by these days. We were seated quite easily at 1PM on a Sunday afternoon. My friend ordered the Challah French Toast and I settled on the Corn Waffles. The food isn't quite comparable to the price, though very well presented (I've uploaded a picture of the Corn Waffles). However, I was so thoroughly impressed with the service that I gave 5 stars. Our waters were filled three times, and I noticed the manager going from inspecting food in the kitchen, to picking up random trash on the floor, to going from table to table and asking us how we were enjoying our brunch. It sounds a little overboard when I'm writing about it, but it wasn't overbearing, and I certainly felt that the owner/manager was concerned about the feel of the restaurant. I feel that he set an important precedence for the rest of the staff, who were equally as attentive and friendly. Though the menu is fancy, we were dressed kinda drab because we were planning to go kayaking afterwards, and didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I probably would dress a little nicer for dinner though.
(5)Andrew T.
Solid spot in Washington Square, Brookline. Good, simple food like roast chicken, grilled fish, etc., all prepared beautifully in a nice cozy space with open kitchen and (you guessed it!) a fireplace! Service is on point, location is right off of the Washington Square T stop on the C line, and the food and drink is elegantly accessible and well done. They recently added an outdoor seating area along the sidewalk on Washington Street as well for the summer, but I haven't done much more than walk by it on my way to other spots in the area. I would give this place 4 stars, but it loses one for the price...which is a bit steep for the area.
(3)Tori G.
This is a great little place in Washington Square. My friend and her fiancee live across the street so we walked there with a group including a friend visiting from out of state. We went (hungover) for brunch on a Sunday and we were all pleasantly surprised with the decor, and upscale selection of brunch options. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. Our waiter was very nice, attentive and he gave us great advice on what to order, but it did take a little too long to finally get our meals. Would definitely go back again and maybe see what they offer for dinner options.
(4)Carolyn M.
This place is a nice little spot for a date. The food is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because there are better restaurants in Boston.
(3)Michael K.
Truly terrible service can be found at the Fireplace. I just called to ask about purchasing a gift certificate. I was told over the phone they offered gift certificates and I responded that I would be coming over. I walked over and I was told that I could not purchase one, because the owner was not available. I told the hostess that I had just called and was told that it would be no problem. She snapped back asking if I had talked to owner. I could not believe that she somehow expected that I would check with owner about purchasing a gift certificate. I'm pretty annoyed about wasting my lunch to deal with people who offer a service and then fail to deliver.
(1)Shannon S.
My group of friends and I went here for the New Years Day Pajama brunch. I was a little disappointed more people didn't show up in their pajamas since my friends and I were all decked out, but no matter. We got there on time and were seated right away. My first impression of the place was--hey this isn't so bad. It was a comfortable more upscale restaurant--medium-sized. The decor was nothing spectacular but then again spectacular would seem really out of place in Washington Square. I liked the open kitchen so you could see the cooks preparing the food. Our waiter came out after we had looked at the menus and he was refined and nice- he wasn't offensive nor overly personal--just efficent. My friends ordered the duck hash, some ordered the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup. I also chose to get the Lobster Bisque on the special brunch menu. The bisque was quite good--roasted corn, a delicious cream soup--very tasty and appealing. I agree that the coffee was really bland--it also had a kind of bitter taste to it? Our meal took awhile to come out and when it did, the food looked great--loved the duck hash--great taste but the Crispy Corn waffle was soggy. I was expecting a crunch taste and instead it tasted like they let it sit for 30-40 minutes--which was unfortunate. It wasn't awful exactly just not wowing either. After we ate, we all agreed it was just ok. I also think that the price didn't match the flavor or the size of the dish. Then, we didn't see our waiter for about 45 minutes. I actually stood up and looked for him and saw he was working the bar, so I sat down and while we were waiting--the manager came up. Nice guy. He talked to us for a little while and told us to enter a contest to win a gingerbread house. However, we still didn't have our bill. Finally! He appeared again and we paid and got the heck out of there. We had our brunch at 1:30 and didn't get out of there until 4pm if that tells you anything about the service on a full/busy day. I had a great time with my friends but I probably wouldn't go back here again without lots and lots of encouragement.
(3)Christine N.
What a wonderful place to dine! We came here for brunch and we had such a fantastic meal! The food was great and very fresh. The menu was so appetizing, I wanted to order it all. We all decided to get something different so we could try as much as possible. Our server was very sweet and extremely attentive. At one point I was joking that I needed a steak knife to cut my Eggs Benedict and a buss boy over heard me and was back in a flash with nothing less than a steak knife! It was great. The bloody mary left something to be desired, but the mamosa's were great. Wish I could go here every Sunday.
(5)Angie P.
I've been here twice. Once about a year ago for dinner which is now a distance memory and then I went for brunch last weekend. Staff was friendly and attentive. It wasn't too loud inside and the restaurant was spacious enough that we weren't sitting on top of another table. 3 of us had scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries. No complaints! They do offer cheese mixed in with your scrambled eggs - but I passed. Damn new years resolutions of trying to eat healhier! A HUGE plus to the fireplace is the free parking right behind the building. I'd suggest trying to make a reservation if you're going to be with a larger party.
(4)jennifer g.
I'd always heard good things about The Fireplace. The brunch menu looked delicious. I was very excited to bring a group of friends there for brunch today after a long, fun night out. ....yeah. I don't think our experience could've been worse. First, we didn't have a reservation and were begrudgingly told we could sit down as long as we were out by 12:30. Not a good start. Then came the food.... My own food, I have to say, was perfect. I had corn waffles and a side of bacon. All yummy. My friends, however, had ordered omelettes with cheese in them, eggs with cheese on top, and dry toast. The omelettes came without cheese (all of them). The eggs came done the wrong way. The toast came untoasted. When we expressed concern, and asked for some cheese on the side or to have the cheese taken off the bill, the waitress got defensive and rolled her eyes. Another waitress came over and said there was a mistake with the computer, to not blame the server. The service from that point on was just rude. The bus boys were awesome, though, so props to them. All in all, the food tasted good and I might give it another try for a different meal....but there are so many better restaurants in the area that I think I'll just skip it.
(2)Ralph K.
Only been there once, but I was impressed -- except for the actual fireplace, which is no big deal. Broccolini was braized to perfection and best I've ever had. Bluefish (seasonal) was thick with a light tasty char on the outside. I guess I like the way they blast things in the oven just a bit. The bread was really good and beer fresh. No dessert this time.
(5)Pablo S.
This was my first time here and I was very disappointed with everything, the place was almost empty and the bartender seems to be in a rush to get us out, no hostess or anyone to greet us so we sat at the bar but that was a mistake, for $120 not again.
(2)Suzanne C.
Visited The Fireplace for the first time last night for the Living Social voucher. I quite liked that they had a tastings meal already set aside for those with the voucher so you didn't have to sit there and try to figure out what stays within your budget or not. For my boyfriend who is not a fish eater they were able to substitute the appetizer and entree at no extra charge which I really appreciated. Service was pretty good although it took a while for the initial "hello, can I start you off with some drinks". Our waiter was great but every once in a while another guy would swing by with bread or to pick up our dishes and that guy was very abrupt, not friendly at all like we were inconveniencing him. All the food we had was great. They had a great wine selection but we did not indulge, simply stuck to our favorite beers. We dressed up but the attire seemed pretty casual. Parking was easy to find on a Sunday so I was happy about that! I would definitely go here again if I had the voucher, or just feeling rich :)
(3)Bryanne R.
"Have you ever had waffles before?" This was the response when I asked what the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup was like. Yes, I know what waffles are. Ohh, you say they're cut into two triangles? Ohhh. OK. That helps. NO. What I want to know is what are all the sauce and extras like? Rum on my waffles? Needless to say, I think the waitress was confused as to why I was asking her about the waffles. After that awkward encounter, she bounced right back to her bouncy super-peppy self. So bouncy she managed to knock a few things around on our table. Enough criticism. The food here was wonderful. My "first" waffle experience was delicious, and I give them major props for the Crispy duck hash with fried eggs & toast. Mmm mmm good. Word also has it that the eggs Benedict was good too. All in all this was a great place for brunch. Relaxed and warm atmosphere. Interesting breakfast foods that are fairly priced for what you're getting. Don't be thrown off if you get a nutty waitress. It'll at least give you some funny conversations at the table. Oh PS...their coffee isn't that good. Hold out for the 'Bucks across the street.
(4)Jesse A.
One star food, with an extra star for fine service and pleasant outdoor seating. Came here for a light"ish" lunch, so didn't try any true entrees, but after the lunch experience, I'm not inclined to find out what dinner has to offer. Soggy, cold buffalo wings; stringy, greasy crabcake pan-fried beyond recognition and tasking like mystery meat. No "lump" in this lump crabcake. Clean, fresh salad, but nothing spectacular and salmon overcooked and overspiced.
(2)Gil G.
I came here for Christmas dinner last night and had a pretty terrible experience. I found the food incredibly overpriced for what we got (I expected it to be overpriced for Christmas, but still! $18 for extremely bland lobster bisque was NOT what I was expecting). It was very crowded and claustrophobic. We witnessed the manager YELLING at various patrons (right in front of us) and generally freaking out the whole time (angrily cleaning tables, yelling at waitstaff, etc...). This made the dinner extremely uncomfortable for us. I sat with my back to the staircase, which made me feel like I could tip backwards at any time. There were a bunch of people waiting for tables standing along the staircase, and one of them was leaning on my chair for most of the dinner. My husband's chair was slammed into for most of the meal. We had a 6:30 reservation, and by the time we were seated (almost 7pm, which was fine and I expected that on Christmas), they had run out of the lamb AND the steak. Everyone working there seemed extremely harried (especially the psycho manager) and discombobulated. They hadn't planned well at all. I read somewhere that it was voted "most romantic" restaurant, which quite frankly, shocked the hell out of me (even if it WASN'T crowded). There WAS a fireplace, but as previously mentioned, it was right next to the front door, and cold. I & my family had a terrible time, and I REALLY wish I had picked somewhere else to go on Christmas. I would never go back.
(1)B C.
Its a solid neighborhood restaurant serving "stick to your ribs comfort food". Its a wonderful place to be on a chilly New England night when you want some hearty fare. The flavors are strong, but it can become too much before you finish your order. This chef is known for big flavors, it is my opinion that proper restrain needs to be applied when several strong flavors are on one dish. One example is the Seared Sea Scallops with BBQ Pulled Pork, Corn Pure & Corn Nuts appetizer. It is delicious on the first few bites, but since all three of the main ingredients are rich and high in oil content, it became too filling. I do not consider this place as a fine dining establishment, but rather a very high end diner.
(3)Rebecca H.
Okay... 3 1/2 stars. The Fireplace makes a pretty good attempt at the whole gourmet brunch thing. However, nothing can satisfy me like a Zaftigs brunch can. So, unfortunately, this place will have to move down the bench. Brunch was quite pricy. Almost stupidly so. I ordered the omlette ($9!) and it was pretty good-- standard. Nothing too flashy. Didn't come with ANYTHING though. C'mon people, throw a few homefries on there. Not that you care, but I was GOING to order the corn waffles, but the idea of rum whilst suffering from a massive hangover was definitely not a good life decision. So, IF I go back (which, you know... I might), I'll order that. The decor, however, was TRES ROMANTIQUE! I can just imagine this place at night. Slinking over to a booth by the fire, cooing in your lover's ear as you both down bottles of wine and feed each other oysters... ugh. So, in summation-- good for a night of romance, not good for hanging out with the buds. The Publick House (next door) is the place to be if the latter is your only option. ALSO!!: Just an FYI, the place doesn't open until 11 am on Saturdays. So, yeah, my friend and I spent a good 15 minutes standing awkwardly outside...
(3)bettina c.
Food: B+ Service: C- Great food. We were all happy with our meals. My brunch dish wasn't as tasty as the others but it was still good. The service is the main reason for my mediocre rating. Warning to all parents: They are not baby friendly! We came in with a snap-and-go stoller and acted like it was a huge inconvenience! Why? All in all, really good food but blah service, especially if you have babies.
(3)Rebecca S.
The drinks are fantastic. The food is great. But the service is not always the best. It can take a long time (45 minutes) to get your food. So just plan accordingly.
(3)Patrick K.
Great place. Cool atmosphere for a date. Reserve the table next to the Fireplace, it is quite romantic. Food was solid and service was awesome.
(5)Sarah M.
I am so on the fence about this place. The food is great and the atmosphere is pleasant, so I keep going back and giving it another chance--5 chances now in fact. But every time I go, something weird happens. The service is off somehow. The wait staff is not as knowledgeable as you would expect. And after very prompt service through dinner, they left us sitting forever before asking if we wanted dessert. I want to give them a higher rating but something strange happens every time we go there.
(3)Mystic S.
Jazz music playing not quite my "cup of tea". I didn't mind so much after a few glasses of wine. Although our reservations were for 6pm and it was basically empty at that point (party of 2), we were not seated by The Fireplace. Besides the fireplace, ambiance is nothing special ~ Christmas lights hanging in the windows ~ semi sub-terranian level to street. Owner (or manager) came to speak to people he knew - We thought it would have been nice if he also spoke to people he didn't know. The bar is small; however, it was quite lively. Beer selection is sufficient. Wine list is ample, ($6.50- $16.00 a glass) although most wines are offered by the bottle. Wine is also offered by the taste ($2.50 - $5.50). To the point though, the food, although on the expensive side (entrees reg. $21 - $33), was really good and distinctive. I had the butternut squash bisque with vanilla cream and toasted pumpkin seeds. I thought it would be a bit too "autumn-ish" for this time of year; however, it was perfect with the rainy weather that night. I also got the BBQ pork tenderloin over a cornmeal johnnycake, maple braised cabbage & onion rings. That's no jiffy cornbread, it was great, and I loved the consistency. The tenderloin was delicious, it only could have used a bit more sauce, but no complaints. I finished off with a great vanilla pound cake with lemon whip cream and cider mulled fruits, again, I loved the consistency, it was thin but dense and covered in fruit. My husband had a salad that you would think would be very tart, however they managed to make it very smooth. It was apple/carrot & baby spinach with endive, blue cheese, toasted pine nuts with honey champaign vinaigrette dressing. Then I was surprised he ordered the sole which was with herbed carrot risotto, sautéed spinach and tomato caper sauce. He really liked it, however, it was not enough for him, luckily for him, I did not finish my BBQ pork ;-] For dessert, he got the Indian Pudding with an obvious home-made, delicious vanilla bean whipped cream. There was nothing left of the either.... Kids menu available $5-$7.
(3)Ken V.
the fireplace is fantastically inconsistent. their brunch food is pretty good, but the service fluctuates from fairly good to frustratingly bad. today, for instance, my boyfriend and i had a great waitress until two parties of 5 showed up shortly after we placed our order. i swear i could see the dollar signs in her eyes, and she literally abandoned us for the entirety of our meal. we would have liked to order more bloody marys, not to mention the opportunity to ask for more water, if she had taken 30 seconds to check with us. instead we ate without any beverages at all, never to hear from her again until it was time for the check. on top of that, this place is crazy overpriced. go to the cognac bistro for brunch instead of this place, their bloody mary is better and the service is, too.
(2)Kara S.
Best eggs benedict I have ever had, such a perfectly poached egg and deliciously lemony sauce.
(5)Rad B.
We had a night out and decided to go to The Fireplace mid-week. I won't go into detail about the prices, my wallet did not get out unscathed and we didn't have alcohol, but the food and service was great. We were a little early for dinner, we got there about 6:00 and had no trouble with seating. I have a thing about rude hosts and hostesses so it was pleasant to see that this hostess did not treat us if we were contagious. We started with the cheese plate their selection of cheese, we had a Great Hill Blue and Bonne Bouche, was very good and the plate had plenty of other little garnishes to go with it. I had the shrimp and haddock chowder and my wife had the Maine crab and artichoke salad, both excellent. I had Beef Stroganoff in Puff Pastry which was perhaps the best stroganoff I've had and my wife had the Chatham Cod which she loved as well. Our server was excellent, he provided great advice when asked and stopped by enough to let us know that he was paying attention without hovering. Based on our experience, I'd give The Fireplace 5 stars!
(5)Dara C.
I've only been once, but I quite enjoyed my dinner and service was okay, if not great. I would go again, but only for brunch (I've heard things about the crispy duck hash that make it sound better than sex, or drugs, or sex on drugs.) I ate at Fireplace in the fall, and of course had some sort of autumn salad (with the ubiquitous arugula, walnuts, and cranberries, something that I must have had twelve times in the past six months) but it was better-than-average with a pomegranate-type dressing ... nice and tart, made the sweetness of the salad not so cloying. A decent-sized portion, too; I was told that portions were doll-sized here, but it was fine. Slightly more disappointing was my haddock; I don't even remember its prep or garnishes, but it involved something that was far too onion-y and overpowering. (I had onion breath all night; so, thanks, Fireplace, I didn't get laid because of you ...) I found myself scraping stuff off the top of my fish, and I felt like I was playing with my food like a 5 year old. Dessert was a sweet bread pudding that I liked, although again, the accompanying sauce (chocolatey?) was a bit overpowering and had to be removed a bit. Ambiance was lovely; I'm not from Boston so I'm a whore for New England kitsch: fireplaces, brick, scrawly script, dim lighting, even baked beans which I do not eat. The food was worth 3.5 stars, the ambiance 5. Bothersome, and the reason this review is only 3 stars, was the service. It took forever for our table to be bussed, and I'm not a rushy type of diner ... I just hate sitting and staring at dirty dishes for a while. It makes me want to bus them myself ... Our bread was a while as well, and it was stale when it came. Surely not the server's fault ... but when we asked for replacement bread, it took at least 5-10 minutes while other tables were breaded before us. Service just seemed disjointed, at times sloppy, and the timing of the meal was off (entrees arrived too soon after our apps, dessert took forever, check was dropped while we were barely done eating.) It WAS very busy but all restaurants get busy and not all restaurants have timing problems ... maybe this should be addressed. I do want to return for brunch and that aforementioned duck hash. Thinking about it makes me feel a little happier to be alive, and glad that Fireplace is literally around the corner.
(3)Lisa E.
I have only been to The Fireplace for brunch - I think it is overpriced for dinner - but I enjoyed it. I thought the food was really the best part, no one in my party of 7 had any bad dishes. I ordered the cornmeal waffles, which were topped with berries and a fresh blueberry whipped cream that was incredible. The restaurant itself is tasteful and comfortable, and I appreciated that they seated my large group at a round table, that makes conversation so much nicer! My only complaint is a couple service gaffs. One person had lint in their water glass, and another's coffee left a huge chunk of grinds in the bottom of the cup. The waiter fixed each problem quickly but still, at a place that's supposed to be that nice, those kinds of things aren't really acceptable.
(3)Sheri G.
It's taken me some time to warm up to the Fireplace, no pun intended. The first few times I went, I was underwhelmed by the food and impassive about the atmosphere. But as time has gone by, the food has made a dramatic improvement and I've grown very fond of the cozy dining room. I actually think that, based on my most recent meals, their food is possibly the best I've had in Brookline. I've always found the service to be friendly and very accommodating and the food usually comes quickly. The produce is especially good, and the kitchen folks know their way around a vegetable (which is sometimes less common than you might think). I also find their menu to offer lighter, healthier choices, which I really appreciate. Although several people have indicated that this isn't a place to bring kids, I have been here with very young children and had a lovely meal. They had a high chair, and were happy to have us. My only piece of advice is to ask for a table upstairs on a cold night, rather than opting to sit near the fireplace. Every time the door opens, the lower part of the dining room gets blasted with icy air. Not fun.
(4)Alex H.
I offer this review with a major caveat -- we didn't eat a thing. Instead, we enjoyed outstanding, if pricey, cocktails. The friendly bartender fixed a delicious mash of bourbon, mint and citrus before moving on to one of the more complex hot toddies I've had in years: honey, whiskey, cinnamon, cloves and ginger beer, heated to perfection. Considering the long, cold walk on a wintry night, it was an ideal drink. The restaurant itself is appropriately cozy for a hearth-themed establishment, with high ceilings and a glowing fireplace that instantly creates a couple of "best seats in the house." I was intrigued by the menu, which was full of hearty, well-balanced seasonal dishes, though I could instantly tell that dinner for two would run past $100 in a blink. I look forward to returning for a special occasion meal in the future, especially on a similarly chilly evening.
(4)Abby L.
It was kind of expensive, and although the food was good, it wasn't so memorable that I'll be racing back. It's regular American fare done well. I really enjoyed the roasted chicken, and the mashed potatoes were good, although I could have had half the butter in them and been happy (no, I'm not fat phobic - it was REALLY over the top butterwise). Great baked beans. This place is good, no doubt. The service was good, too. It just wasn't unique enough for me to feel the price was worth too many repeat visits.
(3)Lester H.
3 1/2 Stars from me, too...So I'll go with 4 to even out the review below. Well, some friends and I were attempting to go to Publick house at 3 pm on a Sunday. The joke was on us, as it doesn't open until 4. So, in the spirit of good spirits, we plopped down at the Fireplace bar and had a round...or 4. The service was excellent and I was impressed by the bourbon selection, which I deem important. Not only did I have a glass of Knob Creek on the rocks, they were kind enough to give me more than a "shot." Sweet. The bread was delicious, as was the calamari. It was a great pit stop for the hour we had to kill. It was, un/fortunately, the start of an unintentionally very long day! No food service at Publick until 5 and we were off to the races. It didn't help that we followed the beerfest with cigars and drinks at Cigar Masters. It was a great, but long Sunday...Monday was not fun.
(4)Katharine O.
Hands down the best meal I have had in a long long time. Absolutely all of the food was excellent, although we didn't get dessert. I can not wait for their Restaurant Month because the menu looks fantastic and it's going to be a great deal! The only complaints I had were: The service, our waitress was so impersonable, she walked away mid-conversation and was straight up rude. Luckily you don't deal with your particular server that frequently as they have runners that bring the food out. The seating, we were put in the corner of the room, which my boyfriend loved because I wasn't people watching, but I hated because I couldn't! The drinks...my drink was really good but my boyfriends was not. The wine list was fairly decent though so next time we may just stick with drinks you can't screw up and a bottle of wine.
(4)Sithembile X.
I used to only go to the fireplace for their mussells......and they are the greatest I have ever tasted......but after trying their eggs benedict, I always look for an excuse to go there. The ambiance at night is great and also their Lating Thursdays are great! I recomment this place to anyone that is looking to try something great but also not too pricey. :)
(5)Michael L.
I've been here a few times now and had a positive experience each time. Great food. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Robyn L.
This place has classy written all over it. (Classy, not stuffy.) It's a beautiful restaurant with, of course, a fireplace. There's a good-size bar to the right of the entrance, which is the perfect spot for a more casual dinner setting. The main dining area is up a flights of stairs and seems a bit dressier -- not that there's a dress code. The bartender is excellent here. He makes a mean espresso martini (we each had three!) and he seems to know a good gazpacho when he sees it -- though the best gazpacho is apparently not at The Fireplace. It is a refreshing appetizer if you're not looking for an extra zippy, extra cold version. For an entree, the seafood dishes were perfectly cooked and more than enough to feel full (I couldn't finish mine there was so much food on the plate), especially with the yellow corn pudding! Man was that good...
(4)Elizabeth w.
The Fireplace is a wonderful restaurant, with delicious food and a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. For a large brunch the morning after my son's wedding, the menu was imaginative and unforgettable. Working with Jim was a real pleasure as he proposed and designed a menu that fit our specifics--seasonal and some Southern tastes, all vegetarian, tasty brunch beverages--and the variety of choices offered to guests was outstanding. I am still hungry for the wild mushroom bread pudding and small corn souffles, not to mention the delicious desserts and great egg dishes. And the friends and family that were there came away with a wonderful last memory to top off a happy wedding weekend.
(5)Carrie M.
I went here with my boyfriend a few weeks ago to use our buywithme coupon. I didn't realize how expensive this place was until I got there. Our bill was over $80. We each had a glass of wine (very good!), soup and a dinner entree. My boyfriend had the butternut squash soup which was great. I had the clam chowder which I didn't care for as it was very watery and I like creamy clam chowder. The bread they give you is amazing! so yummy! I had the squash ravioli for my meal and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the chicken with sweet potatoes and he really enjoyed his meal as well. Overall, a great cozy restaurant in Brookline right on Beacon Street. I would definitely return again.
(4)Lee R.
The food here is pretty good, but definitely not worth the prices that are charged. You can get a much better meal elsewhere in the city. We had the ricotta gnocchi and the maple-glazed half chicken. The gnocchi was tasty, but the chicken was just...chicken ($26 chicken, to be exact). We ordered a bottle of wine, and after the initial pour, our server never refilled our glasses or checked to see if we'd like another bottle. I'm amazed that the Fireplace is still in business after 10 years...
(3)Brie M.
I had to re-write my review on this restaurant. I had a bad experience about a month or so with the Fireplace. I tweeted and wrote a yelp review. I was contacted by the owner and head chef to ask what went wrong. He then wanted to make it up to me by sending a gift certificate. I was sent a very generous gift certificate and had an excellent experience. The staff and food was great. I would definitely recommend the lamb shank. It was one of the best that I ever had!
(4)Kristen F.
Cute and nice inside and the fire does create a cozy atmosphere and glowing ambiance. The menu is interesting... I got something like "Roasted Half Chicken with mashed potatoes & sage brown butter" thinking that it would be those things, yet separate... but it's all infused together. Disappointed until I took a bite and... amazing!! Would never think to put some of these things together but they have, and they've done it well. Food is a little pricey... probably would go back for a special occasion or a nice date. If you haven't been here before, you should try it.
(4)Nicole K.
Had dinner there on a Saturday night after waiting for over an hour at the Washington Square Tavern. We walked in and were seated right away. The meal started out ok. The waitress came over multiple times to take our order even though we were not quite ready but that was ok. We ordered our drinks and 1/2 dozen oysters *delicoius* and split a bowl of smoked shrimp/haddock chowder. The drinks came as our oysters arrived. We ordered our dinner, I had the braised short ribs and my boyfriend had duck. Then the waitress dissappeared. I would have liked another glass of wine and my boyfriend wanted a beer. Our dinner was served about 20 minutes later by a bus boy or food runner, still no waitress in sight. Finally she came to check on our meal and my bf got his beer, I wasn't feeling another glass of wine at that point. My meal was good, very tender meat and delicous 'cheesy semolina porridge'. The vegetables were quite vinegary *if this is a word* but still tasty. My bf's meal was a disaster. He got the pan roasted duck which should have been called candy duck. The duck was SO sweet and barely editable. The 'roast' duck was sliced on top of basically a candied duck confeit pancake on top of super sugary sweet mashed sweet potatoes. He was VERY dissapointed with his meal and felt like he had desert for a meal. She return with the beer and then once again, gone. The bus boy packaged up my leftovers and we asked for the check. Well 15 minutes later she showed up. Took our card 10 minutes later. We waited 5 more minutes while we saw her hanging out with other employees. Then finally got the card and left. Long story short, food was mediocre and the waitress was awful. One the bright side, the bus boys provided nonstop water which was nice as it was the only service we had all night.
(2)Katie W.
I met a two of my friends for lunch at the Fireplace mainly because the location was convenient for us. It was very impressed by the meal. I ordered a chicken ceaser salad and it was delicious! The chicken was so tender, I couldn't get enough. The wine by the glass list offered great selections at reasonable prices. I will definitely go back!
(4)George K.
This was definitely our special place in Boston. Great food, welcoming staff and HUGE martinis kept us coming back time and time again. They ended up booking quite a bit of good music here too on week nights which was a nice change of pace. I highly recommend this spot as one of Brookline's best. We used to finish here after 2 martinis each, bottle of wine, and cognac and head to Anam Cara next door for vodka drinks. Nights to remember! Best way to keep warm in the cold Boston winter.
(5)Jonathan S.
Went here late last night after driving around aimlessly trying to decide on a place to grab a quick dinner. Extra points for serving the full dinner menu until 11. Service was great, and food was at the least an average effort. Caesar salad was overdressed and over-cheesed (this has become a pattern of criticism for me, apparently), and the "signature" chicken was very good, albeit somewhat small in portion. For dessert, the chocolate fudge cake was pretty much exactly the same as every other 'molten' cake on the block. There's definitely nothing wrong with The Fireplace. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. It just doesn't stand out for me... at all. It's like a 3-series BMW with an automatic transmission. By all means a good car, but there are LOTS of others around for the same or less money that you might enjoy even more.
(3)sunny n.
My dining experience was quite pleasant....to start we ordered the New England Artisanal Cheeses, Homemade Garlic Crackers, and Tasty Little Garnishes.....mmm very very yum..and certainly warmed up an appetite with our wine... I was dissapointed to hear they only served american wine....upon asking if they served only american..my waiter..who was a complete douche for the remainder of the evening..was ..like "ohhh no ...we ooonly serve American"...unh wait did I offend someones patriotism....honestly wateva....I tried to stay content and happy with some great company of friends..and the food...TheGrilled Lamb Steak & Fig Demi Sauce, Served with Garlicky Wilted Spinach and Golden Brown Red Bliss Potatoes...seemed to be a popular choice at the table..and was quite good...very tender....although could have used a little more ummph... I definately like the atmosphere..warm..inviting..the fireplace is definately romantic n cozy...we need more venues in Boston with a fireplace...seriously...brings in that New England charm during the winter....I felt the menu was a little overpriced..and my waiter was such a boob...otherwise..id tick this at least fourstars...!!
(3)Morgan H.
I really, really wanted to like The Fireplace. The food was solid and enjoyable. A little overpriced, but easily overlooked if everything else had been a great experience. However, the service was HORRIBLE. The waitress was pleasant, knowledgeable, and I don't think the issue lies with her, but with management. We were celebrating a birthday, had presents on the table, and were easily looking forwards to a 3-4 rounds of drinks and a pleasant evening. We barely got two drinks in and didn't want to spend another hour waiting for dessert. We were seated at our reservation time, great. But then it took 15 minutes before the waitress said hi and asked for drinks. Then another 15 minutes before drinks were served and we were asked for our orders. My dining companion, the birthday girl hissed at me, "You better make up your mind and order; I'm not waiting another 20 minutes." We split the tuna tartare: good fish, not overwhelming with oils and spices allowing the tuna to shine. At this time, we finished our cocktails. So, after 45 minutes since seated, with empty cocktail glasses, we were asked about another round and ordered, what we thought, our first round of wine. Wine arrived after an hour of being seated. Dinner arrived at the 1:20 mark. The food was hot, was tasty and no complaints besides being large servings and not quite up to the quality one would think for the price we were paying. When our food was served, the birthday girl was almost out of wine, and sensing a pattern, ordered a third glass. It arrived after we had finished our meals, another 20 minutes later. We spent over two hours with two courses and two (three for the birthday girl) rounds of drinks. After the waitress left us our check, and we inserted our credit cards, it was promptly picked up by a manager, but then we waited another 10 minutes before our credit cards were returned to us and we could pay and leave. After our dinner and before we left, I tried to flag down a manager to discuss our issues, but I could never grab one. Our bill, for two people, came to $139. One appetizer, four drinks, two entrees. For that much, I would have expected a lot BETTER service, and maybe a question or mention about the presents on the table and a "are you celebrating anything tonight?" inquiry. Never were we welcomed, or told about the specials, or any of the other little pleasantries I now take for granted at other places. I will be calling the management tomorrow to discuss what happened.
(2)Richard C.
After a string of mediocre to poor burgers over the past month, I declared my expectations would be low from now on, secretly hoping that would make my burger experiences more enjoyable. Well it seemed to work, or the burger was just pretty good anyhow (more likely) on a trip to The Fireplace in Brookline. Not hearing much about the restaurant before I went, certainly hearing even less of the burger, I had the pleasure of having an unexpected moment of satisfaction upon the first bite. I pretty much know the verdict on a burger within the first bite or two, and was pleasantly surprised at how juicy and salty (in the good way) this burger was immediately. It fooled me, really, kind of a "where the hell did that come from" moment. Admittedly, a few past burgers have been good because I wasn't expecting much. Common Ground, Highland Kitchen, and Washington Square Tavern all come to mind. Ultimately they were good because they were good, not because of any preconceived notions. Good beefy flavor and seasoned nicely, the burger at The Fireplace costs $10, $12 if you want cheese. I still say cheese should be included, whereas something like bacon should probably be an additional fee. But what do I know about running a restaurant? The bacon, maple smoked in this case, is kind of a turn off, much too sweet for my tastes and is more chewy than crispy. It's a straightforward burger, no ace up it's sleeve if you will, but I'm okay with that. It's cooked a perfect medium rare from start to finish, and is juicy and flavorful throughout. The trendy Vermont Cheddar is fully melted, but not enough cheese on this burger for a $2 surcharge methinks. January tomato and lettuce come along, as do some underwhelming pickles that are neither good or bad. The bun is the only aspect that is really a let-down, even then it's not a deal breaker. Too toasty and basically too stale to be effective, it is the proper size for the perfectly sized beef patty. Over-toasting does it no justice though, as it crumbles into nothingness bite after bite, failing to benefit this sandwich in the slightest. The fries are crispy and done just right, seasoned fairly well, simply done, and respectable. How a French Fry becomes respectable is anybody's guess.
(3)Twinkletoes S.
I flipping love this place! It never fails to satisfy and I love the menu. Every time. Brunch, lunch, dinner, you name it. I just can't say enough great things about this place. It's that comforting home-made meal.
(5)Rebecca C.
We really weren't impressed with the Fireplace. We ordered the pear/goat cheese salad, which was ok, but pretty much had no flavor that stood out. Nothing unique whatsoever. We also got the pumpkin bisque, which was good, but honestly was the only part of the meal that was in line with the pricing. The sirloin was fatty and chewy, and for a $30 entree, I expect more. The mashed potatoes and broccoli were good, but the main part of the dish should have been better. Molten chocolate cake was mediocre, if that's possible for chocolate to be mediocre. It really wasn't anything to write home about. Not impressed in the slightest. The best part of the meal was the drinks. Scary.
(2)Jorel F.
It was crowded because of restaurant week, but our server was on point and made it seem like we were all by ourselves. The food was good, and I especially like the Green/sustainable focus!!! Again, our server was good... and we all know how rare that is.
(4)Erik D.
There's a curtain blocking your way when you walk in, but I like the effect when you walk through the door. We were 15 minutes late for our reservation on valentine's day, but they were totally accommodating and sat us right away and got drinks for us right away. We got oysters as an appetizer, and they were EXCELLENT! the drinks were very good! I got the surf and turf special - the swordfish was skewered, but tasted only so-so, it just tasted kind of bland. however the lamb that came with it was absolutely delicious, and it was presented in a very asthetically pleasing way. the waiter was pefectly paced and talked in a weird soothing voice... kind of creeped me out a little, but he was perfect for a waiter. even after we finished, the owner came over to us to ask us how our meal was and if everything was satisfactory - but he did this as a hint that we needed to leave, because we were just sticking around talking at the table, and they were waiting to sit people. he was totally polite about it, and it was no problem at all, as we had been there for almost 2 hours on valentine's day. overall the place was great, we weren't sat to close to anyone or anything. the bench seats with the tables kind of suck a little though because you sink down into them, so if you're a guy and doin't want to look like you're only 4'11'' tall, use the hard seat. the ambience of the place was right on. the only reason i take only one star off is because i haven't given a 5 star review yet.
(4)Tim G.
The Fireplace does everything well--the food, the vibe, the service--but nothing, except maybe the still warm bread--knocked us over. Think of it as a Volvo--well-made and reliable but definitely not flashy. You could go 50 times and never have a truly memorable meal but also never have a bad one. My one caveat would be that it's priced like a place that should be more memorable, ie, that should have at least something that really stands out. As an appetizer, I ordered the fig, peach and apple salad, which would've been excellent if the Granny Smith apples hadn't so outnumbered the figs and peaches as an appetizer. Likewise, as an entree, I had the salmon, which is hard to ruin unless you overcook it, and the Fireplace didn't. My sides--green beans and quinoa--were swimming in butter, which I don't like. That was noted nowhere on the menu--maybe I should've asked. For a place that specializes in locally sourced, "new" New England cuisine, I also found the Freplace's beer list a little uninspiring. I had Harpoon IPA, which while good enough, is available in plenty of places with neon Budweiser signs and blaring TVs.
(4)cath e.
Fabulous unique drinks - great food - am a foodie Love NYC restaurants and can say this food is well done-Anyone who complains is a nut case- Friendly happ y place people waiting so GO_but make reservations :)
(4)ron k.
Pretty good food, but for the price I think I could get better. Nice atmosphere for a quiet romantic night out.
(3)Lindley E.
Fueled by the matrons of Brookline...The Fireplace has beaten the odds and just keeps going and going. I don't really get it, but that's nothing new. I can't ever remember what I ate there because amnesia sets in every time. It is always fine -- no better, no worse...standard upskeevy restaurant fare. I wouldn't go out of my way for a meal here.
(3)Kathleen O.
Oh the Fireplace how I love you...... when I'm doing ok with the dough flow that is. Obviously I have not been able to indulge myself as usual due to the Dow but a lovely place like this deserves a nice review from me. It is a great place for a special occasion of any kind. A very friendly staff, not because "you are paying for it" (i.e. fake nice) I do imagine they are well taken care of in that department, but because they are nice folks who can make you feel comfy in those fancy shoes. I mean they don't talk down to you for wanting to sit at the bar with a cheese plate and a raspberry mule (try it- you will die of refreshing drunken happiness! ) or for not knowing some ingredients. I will say during the winter you wont regret ordering the spit roasted Chicken- OMG OMG OMG- so amazingly tender juicy and full of flavor! I also love a place that uses the expensive white plump anchovies in a salad... oh hell yea the fire place is where it's at weather you are graduating and family is in town, it's turkey day and no one want's to cook, or you just NEED a raspberry mule and some damn cheese!
(4)Kristine M.
Very, very disappointing. I went there for brunch once and ordered waffles. The waffle was quite good, HOWEVER, it was not a full waffle! It was HALF a waffle artfully arranged on the plate. I left hungry. I should not be hungry after brunch. I won't go back there. There are better options for brunch in and around Boston where I could get a FULL waffle for the price that I got a mere half at The Fireplace.
(2)Jenny N.
My parents are super picky eaters. They like food that is recognizable and comforting, but I wasn't about to take them to Applebee's for Mother's Day (nevermind that Applebee's and Chili's are like tops on my dad's favorite dining list). Fireplace did the trick though. There was a good mix of seafood, red meat, and greens. For once, my dad went out on a limb and ordered the duck prepared 3 ways (confit, pate, and in a tart). I got the hangar steak (nicely charred); mom had yellowfin tuna, sister got quail salad, and boyfriend had duck & chicken pot pie. Everybody (except the boyfriend) was happy with their entrees, and I wasn't too unhappy about the check. Yeah, it's pricey, but after a couple of well-mixed cocktails, it's pretty much smooth sailing... My main complaint was the seating. I nearly tipped over in my seat because the floor was uneven! At first I thought it was the chair, so I got a replacement. Too bad the second chair had a broken leg as well.... But seating woes aside, we had an enjoyable meal and left too stuffed for dessert. Fireplace may not be hip exactly, but they do comfort food with a nice twist. If you are looking for a trendier dining destination, step across the street to Washington Square Tavern.
(4)Katharine S.
Delicious! Went here on a date and had a really nice meal. I loved the duck with mashed sweet potato. Staff was especially attentive. Yes, it is slightly overpriced, but it's Brookline. Are you surprised? Nice wine list as well.
(4)Aubrey G.
I came here for my birthday this year and had a terrible experience. First of all the place is way overpriced. It looks pretty, but the food is nothing special. So while I was seated I got to enjoy the conversation of the owner and a patron - they were talking about growths on their body!!!!!!!! It was disgusting! This conversation went on for about 30 minutes. Then the owner went to another table and talked to a patron about the delivery of his goods. Then he was dealing with an angry patron and did not try to fix and move on from the situation, he just stood there and watched them eat and then talked about another visit he has with a doctor! This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, but the owner was rude, loud and just unacceptable. If you want to make nice with the people you are feeding, talk about the weather or how tasty the overpriced chicken was. Service was terrible - we waited forever.... I started writing this with 3 stars, but my anger has resurfaced and I'm making it 2!
(2)Han K.
The Fireplace used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the area to have a nice sit down meal for a special occasion. It's always been good but over the years it's just become less and less appealing, the food doesn't seem to be as good as I first remember, and the prices seem to be going up for less. I'm still a fan and would go back if someone on the menu really intrigued me, but so far lately it's just hasn't been doing it for me. I give if 4 instead of 3 stars because I really dig that they use 888 products, by far my favorite distiller in the world, to make their cocktails with.
(4)Elizabeth M.
We went to The Fireplace restaurant for my 40th birthday dinner and expected it to be a special dinner for a special night, but it was a giant disappointment. First of all, the service was not very good. We waited a long time for our drinks and our food and the restaurant wasn't even full. The biggest disappointment of all was that my brother had called ahead and purchased a bottle of champagne that they were to bring out to surprise us with and they never brought it. My brother had even called earlier in the day to confirm that they had the bottle and that the payment had been made. When he found out that they never gave it to us he was really upset and called to complain and make sure that they didn't charge him for the bottle and the person he talked to didn't even apologize. What a disappointment and terrible service. The food was good (not great, but solidly good) but I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Kate P.
I love The Fireplace -- I'd say it is the best restaurant in Brookline. It has inventive dishes and has an excellent variety of things to choose from, especially for non-meat eaters, which is unusual. It also has a great bar and makes top-notch cocktails. In addition, the owner, Jim Solomon, is incredibly generous when it comes to supporting local charities -- another reason to give The Fireplace business!
(4)Sasha R.
Washington Square has so much potential, and is shamefully underused by businesses, overshadowed by the glamor of Coolidge Corner. I was excited that a cool eclectic restobar was open in the area. But I was disappointed. The atmosphere is cozy, and the wine list is decent, but the food was so so, and very expensive. I still go back, but stick to the bar area and the tasty mixed drinks.
(3)Kirby M.
I've been intrigued by The Fireplace for quite sometime and when my family and my co-worker's family was in town I saw that as the perfect opportunity to settle my curiosity. We walked in and just smelled like New England. I spend a lot of time in NH during the winter and it just brings me back to winter nights at a ski lodge by the fire. To my, and my co-worker's, delight, the bartenders were incredibly cute and friendly. I'm sorry, but it is hard to knock a place that has good eye candy. Overall I think everyone was satisfied with their meals, however, I didn't get that sense of "wow." But my theory is as long as something wasn't totally inedible and the rest of the pieces are up to par (such as the ambiance, service, drinks, etc) then I don't mind paying a little extra money. And see, when I say I don't mind paying, obviously it was my parents' treat so I mind even less. However, I will go back again, maybe even just to grab some drinks and hit on the bartenders. ;) Oh yeh, and P.S., because of the actual fireplace that's in the restaurant, my clothes smelt like I just left one of the bonfires parties we'd have in the middle of the woods during HS. Just want you to know that.
(4)K M.
DECADENT COMFORT FOOD: This has to be my favorite restaurant locally. The food is phenomenal, but be warned: it's rich, filling, and quite expensive. But this is the perfect place to wow a date some chilly, snowy evening.
(5)T L.
a restaurant called the fireplace has to be good right? actually it wasnt bad... it was pretty packed so it was tough to get a decent seat so the waiter crammed us into the little section right in front of the fireplace (they actually have one here); lots of old people on dates here, must be the spot for acquard dates, but it kinda of too loud for any sort of real convo; they have a crappy little bar area; so we went with 2 of the waiter recommended dishes, grilled frank steak which was alright but the serving size was for a 5yr old kid but mashed potatoes were good; we also had the "signature" rotisserie chicken with greens, mashed pototatoes and sage brown butter sauce - no joke, this was really damn tasty, perfectly cooked chicken and the sauce makes it work (would get this again in a heartbeat) ; we went the molten chocolate cake for desert which was good small restaurant, so make reservation for a good seat 7 out of 10
(4)melissa c.
i've lived in the area for a number of years now and this is one of my go to places for a nice dinner or to bring my out of town guests. they are always impressed so it's my safe bet for a nice dinner. i've had their brunch, lunch, and dinners many times and have always been satisfied with my selections. the wait staff is very friendly and their service is top notch. sometimes i go for a sit down dinner and other times i'll grab dinner at the bar with a friend. the bartenders are great and have good recommendations. everyone is super friendly which always impresses me. the atmosphere is intimate and even if there's a wait it's not too bad and worth the wait. i like that they switch the menu up from time to time and always offer a lighter fare or larger meal. i'm a big fan. oh, and what i like the best is that i've had several conversations with jim soloman the owner. he's a very friendly guy thats out on the floor interacting with his guests. he's a good guy and it's nice to see his restaurant doing so well.
(4)Colin N.
I went there on Sunday night for my birthday dinner with my girlfriend. Her mom had given me a gift certificate, but we have both been there prior and had great experiences. It was a little quiet on Sunday in the main restaurant, but the bar area had some life when we left at around 10:00. I was unfamiliar with the wine on the menu, and the waiter suggested a fantastic cabernet. The calamari starter was excellent, but a little large for 2 people. I ordered the sirloin with asparagus and mashed potatoes for my main. It was fantastic! The meat was medium (as I had requested) and the mashed potatoes were really tasty. If you like great, upscale comfort food, The Fireplace is a wonderful restaurant.
(5)Ann C.
i wasn't really impressed. maybe it was because they took something simple like a reuben and tried make it into something special and too much. let's not over do a basic good. at least, their bisque was good.
(3)Susan J.
A delightfully comfortable and upscale restaurant in Washington Square - great for a date or out of town company. Entres are a bit pricey, but the salads are large enough (and tasty enough) to eat as an entre. The cheese tart is a great appetizer, too. Loved the decor (and the waiters as eye-candy); however, service was a tad slow.
(5)Andrea G.
Way overrated. I thought this place was very overpriced for the type of food they're serving, and the food wasn't even that special. Our busser was atrocious, knocking into us and getting her fingerprints all over the silverware. Minor pluses: I did have an excellent strawberry mint martini, and dessert was yummy. Not enough to bring me back, though.
(3)Jay and Jenn O.
Went here for restaurant week last year and it was ok. Not that great of a place if its pricey and just ok.
(2)Meera S.
I visited this place for the first time last night despite it being literally just round the corner, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised! Great atmosphere inside, lovely and cosy, and the service was impeccable. The courses were nicely paced and we didn't feel rushed or hassled, and they brought out extra plates for us to share our courses without being asked. The menu has a good range of options, from lighter options for those with smaller appetites to bigger places. It is pricey, but the food was absolutely fantastic - really great flavours and beautifully presented. The cocktails we also ordered were great. The one thing that would definitely keep me coming back is the Bread and butter pudding with drunken raisins. Drunken raisins - what an absolutely genius idea. I am a bread and butter pudding obsessive, and this is the best one I have ever tasted. Even the waitress was drooling in envy. This would be a great spot to come for a special occasion or a date!
(5)Tom N.
I've eaten here several times and likely will not be going back any time soon: the reason--some total "d-bag" "a-hole" decided to take his shoes and his socks off while seated in the outdoor patio area having dinner (with a date no less!) to the extreme consternation of all in the immediate environment (and I'm sure the traffic on Beacon St. as well). The offending shoes and socks were deposited squarely on the ground in painful plain view of all! Management: where were you on this? The food is generally very good (although somewhat overpriced for the quality/quantity of the servings). I would give 3 /12 stars for the food and the (somewhat spotty) service, but management does bear a level of responsibility to ensure that patrons paying top dollar for dinner are not totally grossed and skeeved out by ignorant, classless morons. And it was a busy Saturday night no less. Call it barefoot on Beacon Street in Brookline!
(2)Kevin C.
Very Romantic setting with delicious food. Menu is very easy to order from with staples such as chicken, steak and pork. Restaurant is lit up with candles and the service was first class. Good selection of wine and cocktails.The prices are high but well worth it if you want to impress a special someone for an important occassion.
(4)Lynda M.
You have to love comfort food with a flair to love this place. Upscale yet casual, the menu will suit meat eaters as well as vegetarians. Their "simple grills" choices are the best. I prefer to come here in the winter because of the fireplace, but the summer outdoor dining is nice as well. I have never had a bad experience here and I have been coming here often since the post 911 restaurant benefit in 2001. My friends and boyfriend love it, and it is a great place to dine on New Years to ring in the new year!
(5)Lemuel L.
A nice place with nice food. I like the bar the best. They need to improve their Caesar salad but they're trying very hard to please. Worth a visit with a date.
(3)Robert B.
was back for my b day-- scallops with figs were the bomb--- can't wait to come back again (home spiced rum was awesome!!!)
(5)Chris O.
the food was good, and it has a nice atmosphere, we went with a group of people, somehow our waitress overheard some portion of our conversation (lord only knows what) and assumed we were talking about her (we weren't, i know that for sure) and apparently refused to serve us anymore and the manager helped us for the rest of our meal, we had no idea of the change until we left and saw her practically crying and talking to another staff about how she couldn't believe we said that about her, who knows what it was, we certainly don't, it definitely was not about the staff!!
(3)Rebecca Y.
I've only been for brunch, but it was delightful. Opens at 1100am on Sundays. Creative, upscale dining, but you can wear more casual clothes to brunch on Sundays. We had been chatting with our waitress about the no booze before Noon rule and prompty at Noon she came over to tell the bar was now open and asked if we'd still like our Bloody Marys. Um, wait, YES! You can't beat that kind of service.
(4)Timmy S.
Any establishment that proudly puts chicken livers on their menu is alright by me. The Fireplace is kind of like putting on a tie to go eat in the comfort of your own living room; sure, you might get marinara on your oxford cloth, . . . but it's so fun to dress up.
(4)Ali O.
The seating was crammed and booth-style a la upscale McDonald's. Almost no veg. options except for house salad, an appetizer and a pasta dish. The food was not very flavorful and slightly over priced. Decent meal, but not stellar
(2)darcy d.
This place is wayyyy out of my budget. As things stand, I rate this restaurant a 1 for atmosphere. It does have a fireplace, which looks nice and romantic, despite the fact that they cram lots of tables around it to squeeeeze everybody in there. (The majority of tables, however, are away from the fireplace... so it's lucky for them that i got to sit near it or else they may have gotten an even worse review!) The prices are high, and the portions are French, as in petite. They basically rob you. My boyfriend ordered a lamb special that consisted of 2 chunks of lamb on a plate with a couple of vegetables. THE PLATE LOOKED BARE; i'll put it that way. And, when i ordered a salad for dinner the waitress, giving me an attitude, said 'is that ALL you'll be having??' the service was the worst... except for the fact that we waited about 2 minutes to be seated in what seemed to be a pretty busy place. Oh, and we decided to spring for a near-$20 pitcher of sangria (which isn't too expensive)-- but it tasted like blueberry juice and selzer water. So I asked the waitress if it had anything besides juice and selzer water in it and she didn't like that, but was kind enough to put some more wine in there, not that i could tasted it but she SAID that's what she did. I hear the other drinks there are fabulous, though... for about $10 a piece. If i was a billionaire i would call the fireplace a mediocre restaurant, but as it stands I just call it awful.
(1)L S.
What. Happened?! This used to be my go-to. Hadn't been in a while and returned to find prices up and portions shrunk. Even the once amazing bread was half the size and rock hard (warm but rock hard). Burger is tiny but most importantly does not live up to the "best burger in Boston" which may have been voted once over 10 years ago. Everything that we ordered was over salted as well. Bummer.
(2)April Y.
A little pricey, but worth it. Went in for lunch, split a sandwich and salad with my boyfriend. Both the Cobb salad and the smoked turkey club were great. That sandwich comes wrapped in a johnnycake instead of heavy bread, which we both loved. Cranberry mayo was a perfect complement and all the flavors were well-balanced. Fries were just okay; not bad, but if we go again I'd like to try the potato salad instead. Service was prompt and friendly, and when I let them know we were sharing, both our items came out split evenly on two plates.
(4)Janet H.
Came here during restaurant week, and the food was just so-so.. I thought overall the food was on the bland side, and I was so disappointed in their bass... I'm a huge sea bass fan -- when cooked right, they're so buttery, flaky, and flavorful. Fireplace's sea bass was rubbery and was lacking flavor. So sad. Their appetizer (kale quinoa salad) was also quite flavorless. On the other hand, their dessert was amazing and devoured within seconds. Chocolate lava cake a la mode? Heavenly perfection. Despite their lackluster food, their service is fantastic. Servers were attentive and fun, and also really knew their food/wine. Major kudos to allowing us split the restaurant week menu! They were really generous with portions (geez, I don't know how one person could eat all of that) and they kindly split everything into two. I'm not sure if I would come back. The server was raving about the lobster roll, which we sadly could not order because we were too full.
(3)Lauren F.
Overpriced for the food, service, and atmosphere. I have been in a couple of times and we have had horrible service. The food was okay but that is where it stops. Every time I have went in, I keep hoping I will have a better experience, but this hasn't been the case. I would recommend Washington Square Tavern or Barcelona over the Fireplace if you are in the Washington Square area.
(2)Katharine P.
5 stars for the service alone! We went for after dinner drinks and dessert last night after eating at the Publick House. Our waiter (Javier?) was so attentive, had excellent recommendations, and never made us feel rushed. The thing that prompted me to write a review was that I ordered a decaf coffee. They didn't have any ready, but instead of coming back and going through the whole back and forth of what do you want instead, he pulled an incredible decaf americano, brought it over, and asked if it would be ok instead. I so appreciate that kind of anticipation and initiative! Side note: that was the best americano (or even cup of coffee) I've had in Boston yet. I'll be back just for that. $50 for four desserts, a cocktail, and a coffee.
(5)Brenda N.
Received a $100 gift card, and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food! We started with the drinks, I ordered the creamsicle soda. It reminded me of eating a creamsicle popsicle as a child. My mother got an interesting drink that had included ginger beer. She really liked it. For appretizers, we ordered the stuffed chicken wing and the New England Artisanal Cheeses. They were great dishes. On to Entrees, I got the fireplace burger. I believe that the bacon is homemade, if not it tastes homemade. I loved the pickles (which were also homemade). My mother got the Halibut, and it didn't have that fishy smell that comes with most seafood dishes. For desserts, it came with a little bit of everything. Vanilla ice cream, seriously light lemon cake, chocolate fudge cake, and donuts. It was really enjoyable, and I would return.
(5)Stacey G.
Came here for dinner with my mom. The menu is limited especially for a vegetarian like myself. I had the small buttercup squash for my entree. It was delicious. Very flavorful! I would have loved to try the kale soup but the waiter said it was made with chicken stock... Bummer My mom had the maple glazed half chicken. She said it was moist and tasted really good. It was very juicy, cooked perfectly. It's a very large portion so you will have left overs. The mashed potatoes were very under seasoned. Very nice staff. I will definitely return!
(4)Jenn S.
I am still a fan but I must say that the lobster roll I have gotten the last couple times has been really, really over buttered and the lobster has been less abundant. Definitely not as good as the first time. We started off with shrimp cocktail and it had little ice cups filled with cocktail sauce. Also ordered the Salmon with potatoes and kale and it was absolutely delicious!
(4)Chase S.
An institution for sure but a few hang-ups that prevent me from giving it rave reviews. The good: Incredible short rib -- one of the few places that prepares it well and clearly excellent ingredients. Green restaurant. Quarky feel to the restaurant. The bad: Awkward waiting area -- tons of people always huddled at the front when the hostess table is in the middle of the restaurant. If you sit in the front, be prepared to have lots of confused people huddling around you. Host/hostess generally aren't super directive and often are confused about who's who on the reservations, as well. Somewhat pricey compared to surrounding establishments. Brunch is a meh for me -- generally regular fare that's pricey/often mimicking Wash Sq Tavern but not as delicious or generous in portion.
(3)Sonia N.
I've been to The Fireplace twice so far and the food and ambience is...wow 5 stars. I knocked off that last star for the service as it can be hot or cold depending on the time you visit. With the many options, do yourself a favor and order the grilled squid and their sweet potato fries. Guaranteed not to disappoint your taste buds. The squid had this intense smoky mesquite flavor that was unique from the usual squid/calamari/octopus dishes I've had in other restaurants and we could taste the sweet potato in our fries in each and every bite. We also had their raw bar (oysters, clams and shrimp) and mussels. The cocktail shrimp weren't as large as we're accustomed to but no other compliants as it was very fresh nonetheless. We will definitely be back soon to try some of their other delectable choices!
(4)Jill S.
Overpriced, "traditional" New England fare (read: boring and unimaginative). This is a place to take your grandparents when they visit.
(2)Martha J.
Service and food were very good! Enjoyed the Caesar salad and Muscles. My husbands hamburger looked delicious too! The decor is very dated! Cluttered knick knacks, dried flowers and American flags decorate this two level space! A fresh coat of paint and some modern colors would give Fireside a new look! I like the open kitchen! Always good to see where your food is being prepared!
(3)Sylvia C.
Gave this place another try for dinner....and guess who was our server...Chris. Wondered if he remembered our episode a few months back. Regardless, there was a drastic improvement in his service. He was attentive, quick and friendly. He even gave a good recommendation on the bottle of wine - Bread & Butter pinot noir. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share - the highlights were definitely the grilled squid and sweet potato fries. The squid was perfectly grilled with a smokey finish. You can actually taste the sweet potato in the sweet potato fries and it was not overly fried. We wrapped up our evening with the snicker cheesecake - which was a nice balance of salty and sweet.
(4)Joanie L.
Hadn't been to the Fireplace in a long time but had an amazing Easter brunch there last weekend. High marks across the board for the food; regular and salmon eggs benedict, cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon & ham, excellent lamb, chicken, salmon, mushroom bread pudding, grilled asparagus, green beans w/ bacon, a couple salads. I ate most of the above and it was all very good. French toast was the only thing I didn't care for. Desserts of a very chocolaty little cake and a nice mini lemon cheesecake were great. Service was all right, could have been a little quicker and more on top of things. But the food made up for it.
(4)Julie J.
My boyfriend and I went during restaurant week because the regular menu looked so interesting. We were really disappointed in the restaurant week menu options so we ended up ordering off of the regular menu. Our dinner was really good - I got the honey maple roast chicken and he got the burger. Chicken was absolutely DELICIOUS and had tons for leftovers. Enough for lunch and dinner the next day. The burger had tons of yummy toppings. I was really disappointed by the pickle plate. The actual pickles in the bowl were really good, but the pickled vegetables were AWFUL. Whatever they used as pickling liquid was pink and tasted like black licorice. Terrible after-taste. We also got the charcuterie platter to start which was fine.. came with a few pita chips so we ended up asking for more bread for the pate. Typically when you get a platter with meats on it the waiter or waitress will tell you what's on there when they drop it off. Not the case. They just kind of dumped it on our table and walked away. We were left confused by the congealed looking white stuff and the very dark (blood?) sausage. We finally realized that under the congealed white stuff was the pate. I am a HUGE fan of pate and I get it pretty regularly. I have never in my life seen the fat separate like that. Not sure if it was on purpose.. but again, would've helped if they had actually told us what was on the platter put in front of us. Overall, our main course was delicious, the atmosphere was fine, and we would consider going back. There are just a lot more interesting restaurants in the area I would try first before returning.
(3)Keith C.
I came here recently with a gluten-free Meetup group, and was quite happy with it. The gluten-free brunch options are among the best you'll find in the area, but I have to knock them for the price. I'm willing to pay premium for quality gluten-free since it is so rare, however the rest of the non-gluten-free meals were good, but overpriced. Perhaps that is the area, perhaps it is just they know they can charge it, I don't know, but it just felt overpriced for what you get from here. That being said, I would 100% recommend this place if you have gluten intolerance. You won't regret it.
(4)A S.
I went here for Christmas dinner with my mom and husband we arrived early and waited at the bar. The bartender was so good with a full busy bar he was able to accommodate a specialty drink. The service was quick and food arrived quick once we ordered. We each ordered something different and upon tasting each others food we loved everything. My husband does not like salmon but after trying mine he said he would order it!!!!!!! This was a great Christmas restaurant and I cannot wait to return.
(5)Kathryn G.
Came here for dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday. The food was just fine. We didn't get our bread until after we had finished our meal. Service was incredibly slow. I wouldn't come back.
(2)Ingrid C.
I want to love this place but every time I come here they give me a reason to hate it. :( Three starts because the wine was good, other then that pleas lay off the butter on the lobster roll (way way to much). And as a former Resturant manger I know you have semi no control of the pest, but it's a little crazy.
(3)K B.
I was excited to try the Fireplace with my husband since I had heard so many good things about it... So I made an 8 pm Saturday reservation and requested to sit by the fireplace (since I was celebrating just being married the night before.) When we arrived the hostess told us that a table was being made up and that it would be a few minutes. We were first offered a table that was in direct line of the very cold doorway and we declined it since it was a frigid night and lots of people were coming in and out of the busy restaurant. So we continued to wait for a better table. When a table opened up right in front of the fireplace I was excited and asked my husband to request that table since we were next in line to be seated. Unfortunately, the hostess told him that she had given the table away to someone else (she gave it to a couple that had taken the table we initially declined and were already seated but decided they wanted a better table... These people came in after us and didn't even have a reservation, but somehow managed the best seat in the house.) Finally at 8:20 (20 mins after our reservation) we were seated.... in the WORST possible place in the restaurant... Right next to a beam and sandwiched between 4 other tables. Needless to say we crammed in that place like sardines. People kept bumping into us, and I couldn't even take my jacket off without hitting someone with it. Service and the food was good... Our server was attentive and the entrees were done well. I wouldn't recommend the dessert though, as ours wasn't prepared correctly, and the cookie included was so hard that when we tried to cut into it with out spoons, cookie pieces went flying toward another table and hit one of the other guests seated near us. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met at this restaurant, and I won't be going back anytime soon. I think the owner needs to reevaluate how many tables are appropriate for the space because there is a difference between cozy and crammed, and I think that the hostess needs to be trained as to the best way to seat guests.... Especially ones that have made reservations.
(2)Michaelina D.
Consistently excellent food, and the seasonal cocktails are always spot on. The half chicken is a classic and can always be counted on, as well as the fireplace burger. My personal favorite, however, are the crab cakes. The decor, for the most part, is quite nice. The fireplace, when lit, adds a fantastic charming touch. The atmosphere is relatively quiet, especially in comparison the Publick House nearby. My one complaint is the use of paper table covers in one of the sections; I want a real tablecloth, the papers detract from the ambience.
(4)Richard H.
We attended a business mixer at the Fireplace last night and were treated to some very yummy appetizers. As usual the service was excellent, the atmosphere was great, and the flavors were spot on. Everytime we have eaten here we have always had a great experience. The food quality is very high and the staff is just great.
(5)Carissa W.
I had heard a lot of great things about The Fireplace. It's right in my neighborhood so I thought it was time to give it a shot. I went this week (Restaurant Week) which included a prix fixe menu. The broccoli and cauliflower salad was amazing! But I wasn't quite as pleased as my meal went on. I ordered the Pork Loin and it was so incredibly salty. It looked beautiful, and the potato/apple/brussels sprout combination it was served with was great, but I couldn't understand how the pork could be THAT salty. I couldn't even finish half of it. To top it off, the prix fixe menu had a choice of two desserts, but they had run out of the one I wanted, even though it was only 7PM on a Monday. On the plus side, the place is beautiful. It's warm, inviting, there's an actual fireplace that is delightful. I also have to say the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. So, overall, I think the place was nice. But the availability of the things I wanted and the quality of the entree left me disappointed. Hopefully everyone else's restaurant week experience was better.
(3)Erin W.
A variety of gluten free menu options for brunch, lunch and dinner. I would definitely recommend The Fireplace Burger. The Kale chips were a nice touch, great flavor! The staff was knowledgeable about the wine and food menu items. The manager was courteous and polite, stopping by to ask how things were going. I saw at the bar which was perfect for a quick lunch stop.
(5)Denys A.
Great Place, I recommend you visit. Had the Half Chicken and it was tasty and delicious. The server was very friendly and provided excellent service. If you like a little spicy - Try the "Cherry Cherry Bang Bang". The Sriracha gives it this drink a great taste. Reminded me of a similar drink I had in Miami during the summer. Price wise a bit high but for the food you get it is worth it. There is parking in the back or meters outside the location. I will be back to visit this place again!
(4)Jswizzle S.
Just had a wonderful Birthday dinner in honor of my fiancé's big 30th. This wasn't our first time at the Fireplace as we had brunch there twice before. It was however our first dinner service. The menu is small (in comparison to most other places) but full of variety and flavor. I had such a hard time determining what to eat. Luckily, our waiter/bartender was PHENOMENAL. He suggested the short ribs with mashed potatoes and broccoli, it was so yummy, SPOT ON COMFORT FOOD on a cold New England evening. My fiancé had the award winning burger and it was also tasty. What sets the Fireplace apart is the QUALITY of the food and the fantastic service. I wish I could remember our waiter/bartender's name, he was wonderful. He offered really great suggestions without being pushy, offered tastings/samples of beers, he EVEN gave my fiancé a beer on the house in honor of his birthday--now that's service. I'm so happy that the Fireplace is around to celebrate these milestones. Thanks chef Solomon for continuing to serve your patrons with superb food and a fantastic staff! Still so happy from dinner :D
(5)Marcus M.
Eh. I mean, people talk with great reverence about this place, and they've received all sorts of accolades in the press, and they have a really interesting menu. But, eh. I took my fiancee for a "it's almost 6 months until we get married" dinner. She got the lobster mac, which she described as "eh," and I got the burger medium rare, which I would also describe as "eh," although in the interest of full-disclosure, I didn't actually say "eh," at the time. If this was the best burger in Boston as of 2012, that's a pretty damning review of hamburgers in the city. Fundamentally, it's just all so average. The service is attentive, but not particularly quick. The burger was cooked well, but wasn't particularly flavorful. The pickles were a mix of good (the standard pickles), okay (brussels and beans), and bad (tomatoes), so average on the whole. The dessert tart was good, the accompanied ginger ice cream bad, so again, average. I just expected more, you know?
(3)Guillermo M.
I give this place three stars mainly because of value, not necessarily for having bad food. It is an expensive restaurant for what you get in food and service. We came as a small group an we ordered a bunch of small plates. Some good, some just ok and with some of them we were disappointed by the portions. The best part were the ribs and the ice cream, the oysters were good, the duck, soft shell crab and the Mac and cheese were just ok. The crab cake portion was too small for the price. Service was slow and they took a long time to bring the oysters and any food. They even brought the oysters after some hot plates. I normally don't mention service, but based on the fact that this place is expensive you end up caring about it. If I came back I would just have a hamburger and ice ream.
(3)Avery N.
So good. The staff is consistently fabulous, they have a great scotch selection, their food comprises a fantastic variety, the cocktail menu (rotates by season) has always blown me away despite me not usually being a cocktail person, it's rarely crowded, and I needed to be rolled out of there the last time we went for dinner. Great for all meals, by the way, and particularly weekend brunch! I can't give all 5 stars because I had some low-quality (and undercooked) fish in my fish and chips about a month ago. Usually a bad meal puts me off a place forever but everything else I have enjoyed here has been great and I sincerely believe the bad fish was a fluke (ha!). Plus, my soup, a shared appetizer, and dessert that night left me happy in spite of the fish oversight. Come hungry!
(4)Erin D.
The food was good. Nothing that really wowed me. The chicken was good and a very large portion with good sides. The spring pea ravioli was good. The one thing that I thought was above par was the blue line cocktail. Service was lacking. They weren't busy at all, yet our server was absent and not very personable. The prices are a bit high.
(3)Christine J.
3.5 stars??? Was an avg experience.... Don't remember much it's been a while, so I guess not so memorable?
(3)David C.
A couple weeks ago, I visited The Fireplace for brunch and had what might have been the worst restaurant omelet I've ever eaten in my life. It was as if the eggs and ingredients were simply thrown into a frying pan and left to sit until they congealed and grew dry and crusty. When I can make food better than a restaurant, you know they're not doing too hot. My dining companion had the burger, praised for being one of the Best in Boston, and winner of some kind of cook off award. What was served to us was an unevenly cooked patty (pink on one side, gray on the other) and completely lacking in flavor. The accoutrements were nice, but the burger itself left a lot to be desired. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is warm, but neither of those things will get you very far in my book when the food is no good.
(2)K W.
To be fair, the food was excellent. However, the experience was thoroughly soured by our server, who was incredibly snobby and rude. As a group of college-aged kids, I got the feeling that the waiter didn't expect us to tip well, and therefore was immediately resentful of our presence. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.
(2)Annie K.
Super bummed this place is closing! Awesome food, location, and fantastic bartender, Rachel really knows her stuff!! Everything I have had from here is delicious. The food is fresh, local, and delightfully prepared. Great dishes for splitting, too!! I've only sat at the bar because I find the dining room stuffy. When you get the right service (see above) it's great but otherwise it can be slow and terse. While I'm sure the brunch food is great, the wait is always ridiculous so I would recommend going for dinner! Go before it closes at the end of the year!!
(4)Jolene S.
I came in here (after 10pm on a Mon-Wed weeknight) and the kitchen was closed but the waitress was good enough to ask the kitchen to bag me a dessert. Having had a very tasty strawberry rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream to go, I decided to bookmark this place and keep it in mind for the future. * So I finally went back in the wintertime for a sit-down dinner. The service was great and the duck special (entree) was tasty. Basic caesar was done well and the bread was good. Good option for formal dining in this area--very close to the Washington Sq (C line) T stop and Athan's (which is open late, if you want other (cookies, baklava, or chocolate) dessert options).
(4)Marilyn M.
Right off the T at Washington Square, a great find. On Saturday early afternoon, they had a wonderful and very affordable brunch. We decided to go for the burger, which won "Best Burger of Boston in 2012". It was a great pick, good food, good fries. Creative, in a english muffin bread, it was a little different than your typical burger. Very good, I was not mind blown, but very good. I was blown away by the bread they serve: How amazing basket of bread ! It's quality food, good price, nice setting: try it ! I took off one star because in the afternoon the fireplace is not on :( bummer and the restaurant was kind of cold, you feel like putting your jacket on.
(4)Landon C.
I came here with my family and friend that happens to have a toddler. We sat outside to help keep the toddler interested and less of a distraction to others. The potato rolls served at the beginning of the meal are fantastic. However, the service was quite slow. This may have been due to our outdoor location, but still shouldn't be an excuse. I ordered the salmon, which was a bit overcooked, but everyone else seemed to really enjoy their meals. I was about ready to trade with the toddler's grilled cheese though - that honestly looked really good. Overall, the food was pretty good and it has a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful, but she might have had a lot of tables to serve. I think I need to try again with less people and a seat inside to have the best assessment.
(3)Sarah W.
We enjoyed a fun and delicious dinner at the sidewalk tables of Fireplace. Our group shared several appetizers, and the artichoke salad and pork belly were outstanding. The oysters on the half shell were very fresh. The rolls are almost biscuit-like and addictive! The garlicky squid was excellent, and I would return for more squid! The wine list was very good. The service was mediocre but perhaps bc were outside and a group of 6.
(4)Lynette S.
Did I just spend $80 on dinner (w app, drinks & dessert)? Holy crap, I did! The food was very, very good. The bread alone was worth $10...Definitely a nice albeit very special occasion destination. Check it out. Many dishes were a unique spin...
(4)Molly B.
Food is not an issue. Tonight service was the issue. Sat at the bar and it took 30 minutes to get half a dozen oysters and never got to order dinner. We left after sandy oysters. And for dinner elsewhere.
(1)lizzie b.
My friend was raving about their New England cobb salad, so we gave it a try. I asked for salmon on it instead of chicken with different cheese and dressing on the side. They messed up my order and gave me the original one from the menu. I sent it back, and they undercooked the salmon. Good thing I didn't get sick. Sent it back, and it was okay. I'm shocked they didn't take it off the bill. These people don't want to keep a customer.
(1)Dennis M.
I've been to the fireplace a number of times . The food is a bit overpriced but usually pretty good. The atmosphere is great, and the bartender is friendly an makes good drinks. But last night I had a miserable experience. Started off with the oysters, which were fresh and only $2 each. Not the best in Boston, but pretty good. Then I decided to go with my favorite dish - the duck. I've been to a lot of fine dining establishments in Boston, and you can usually find premo duck for 25-35 dollars. This was a $40 duck so i was expecting to be floored. Well my duck arrived, and it was TERRIBLE. Char grilled and over cooked to destruction. If you ever order a good duck, it will be finely sliced, medium-rare, and juicy. This was charred burned and tasted like old chicken. A $40 duck shouldn't taste like burned chicken. I will never be back.
(1)Jt B.
I've only been here for brunch and it is great. Delicious food! The benedicts are quite tasty and the drinks are good too. Their beer selection is small but great. They also have a separate gluten-free menu, which always scores some extra points. The waitstaff is very attentive and friendly. It is a little pricey so its only a "once-in-a-while establishment." Also, make sure to make reservations for brunch. It tends to get busy.
(4)Jamie H.
i went to the fireplace with my husband and his family, and we thought the overall experience was excellent. the waitstaff was extremely friendly, sincere, and accomodating, the food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was bright but relaxing at the same time. the wine list is comprehensive and appropriate for the price range, and those of us that ordered wine enjoyed it. collectively we tried three cocktails, and they were seasonal, fresh, and strong enough to feel it without overwhelming dinner. my favorite was the grape vine, which was slightly fruity with a strong herb base. we were each given a piece of a doughy ciabatta roll, which was warm out of the oven and had a nice herb flavor. for appetizers, we started with the wellfleet oysters, which were delicous and fresh. the mignonette sauce was different from the norm, and seemed to have a fruity or red wine base that i really enjoyed. i had the beet salad, and it had more of a cobb presentation with the eggs and cashews, but it was very good. the cauliflower and brussels sprouts were delicious, and i loved the horseradish cream sauce and caramelized onions included with it. i think it is silly for my husband and i to both order the same dish, and we both wanted the scallops and the lobster hash. he won on the rocks, paper, scissors, so i went for the arctic char special with a rhubarb strawberry glaze, potatoes, and spinach. the arctic char was a bit sweet due to the glaze, but the fish did balance it out somewhat. the scallops were absolutely amazing, and i was lucky that i even got one before my husband finished them. we also had the short ribs, which were described as "melt in your mouth" delicous, and the small portion of the duck risotto. before i get into the dessert, it is worth mentioning that most of the dishes can come as either an appetizer or entree portion. this is a great option, and allowed us to try many more dishes than we might have otherwise. we finished up the meal with the cider donuts and pear tart. the donuts were perfect - light and cakey on the inside, and crispy on the outside. they came with a caramel dip and a vanilla cream dip that were both addictive and delicious. the pear tart and ice cream was paired with a slightly herby flavor to balance the sweetness, and the cinnamon crust on the tart was the perfect finish. the pace of the meal was perfectly timed, and i noticed the waiter coming by at times to check in, but he never disturbed us when we were deep in conversation. the check was delivered quietly, but timely.
(5)Stu A.
If polled, the other folks with us would likely rate this meal with 4 or 5 stars, but I came away a touch underwhelmed. The mussels in a licorice/shallot/fennel sauce tasted like the mussels were simply steamed open and then placed on the sauce so in the end the flavors were separate and not as one. The burger while good, was not at the award winning level As mentioned in the menu. And maybe it is me but enough with the kale! Here it is in soup form, chips and even in the ceasar salad. That said, service was very attentive but not obtrusive, and the wine selection was good. I would come back to Fireplace for a second try, but I think I'll order something else.
(3)Kate L.
WOW. I could not have asked for a more perfect location for a cold winter night. If you reserve a table you can request to be right in front of a gorgeous fire that they tend to very well. Service was great - bartender who waits on the tables in that area was not SUPER knowledgable about wine but nice and attentive. The bread is one of the best I have had. They serve you one roll so you don't end up eating the whole basket. The brussel sprout cauliflower salad is reallly yummy and rich with a horseradish creamy drizzle which is to die! Not too horseradishy at all. The pumpkin risotta is super yummy and rich too. Order the smaller sizes - portions are enormous! Cookies for dessert were just soso even though they were fresh. Very reasonably priced menu overall!
(5)Michele H.
I've been here twice and had good experiences. Both times were during the Fall season, and both times I had soup. Their butternut squash soup with gorgonzola is wonderful--the perfect sharpness to complement the slightly sweet squash. I also had the goat cheese and beet salad, which was almost as good as Za's. Hazelnuts would have been a nice addition. The fireplace itself is especially nice on a cold day. If you go during an off-time, you might end up cozied up next to the fire, with nearly the whole place to yourself. Pricy, but a great place to sate your autumn or winter craving for homemade soup.
(4)Chris M.
We had a great meal here last night. Good, warm ambience on a cold night (as the name implies), and friendly/competent/efficient/knowledgable bartender and waiter. Highlight for me was the steak bites, and my wife loved the burger. Would definitely come back based on this experience.
(4)A P.
What happened to this place? Half empty on a friday night. No one greeted us when we walked in. Unprofessional staff. Food was not good...no one wants a burger on a corn-english muffin. Chewy squid...drinks just ok. Go to abbey or barcelona instead...worth the wait!
(1)Shir L.
Update: Xavier (the manager who recognized us ) and Raffy (the bartender) are the best workers ever, they deserve a raise! They handled my stolen phone situation in the best way that they could. 100% customer service satisfaction!!! (If you would like to read the whole story, khaoslife.blogspot.com/2… ) I'm a loyal customer now. Your customer service is amazing and the past few times ive been here, the food just keeps getting better and better since my first visit here. Even though i've only been here about 10 times, your food and service keeps improving. Dishes to try (seasonal menu) Appetizer Mussels Confit summer tomato risotto - one of there summer dishes Rhode island ricotta and sweet corn ravioli - i couldn't stop eating it, so good! Pan seared scallops - divine! would order again. The fireplace burger is always a favorite of mine!!! Donuts - which is a FALL seasonal thing (coming back in october, can't wait) Truffled vermont cheddar fries Other dishes that I've tried Cool watermelon & rhode island feta salad - good and refreshing Grilled peach salad - good but probably wouldn't order again Heirloom tomato salad - refreshing but would try something else. Cheesy Cornmeal Porridge - sweeter, rather than savory. Lobster mac and cheese - yummy but it wasn't the best i've ever had. House-aged rib eye - delicious but nothing out of the ordinary. Steak bites - it was good, but kind of disappointed, had higher expectations Boston baked beans and brown bread - too sweet and the bread was very dense, not a fan.
(5)Paige O.
I have been to the Fireplace many times before and figured it would be a good place for my family and I to have Thanksgiving when they were in town. We made a reservation and still had to wait a decent amount of time before sitting, we were ok with that. Once we were seated, we waited at least 20 minutes until we grabbed the attention of the bus boy we would like some water. A little later the waitress finally greeted us we put in our order and ordered a bottle of wine. The wine glasses arrived, our appetizers arrived and then still no wine. So had to get the attention of someone else to bring us a bottle that we wanted to purchase. Overall the food was just ok, nothing spectacular. I know there was talk of the Fireplace closing/new owners so I am not sure if that happened. The staff was friendly but definitely understaffed for a holiday.
(2)Joe S.
Average in almost every way. A solid 3 star but just....not exciting at all. If you need an ok meal in a pinch it'll do. The entrees were poorly executed and uninspired. They attempted to be "fancy" for no reason and with no real concept. A C student. Extremely overpriced.
(3)Elizabeth B.
A great place to dine. Great Beefeater martini to start, amazing butternut squash soup, rich and creamy, striped bass cooked perfectly with tasty melt in your mouth dumplings. The stems of the greens could have been tossed, but the meal was excellent. Definitely a place to go back to!
(5)Justin S.
Went here recently for brunch. Granted, we had a big party of 12, but the food took an hour and all came out ice cold. In the end I had an expensive, cold, boring Eggs Benedict. The other diners in my party had similar complaints.
(2)Danny B.
I went here years ago, and loved it. I was excited to go back...and sad that I did. The ambiance was still fine and quiet, which is what I was looking for. But the pear and pomegranate salad tasted uninspired, though I did enjoy it enough. But for the lack on anything else that seemed fantastic (other than the carrot ravioli, which another in my party got, which was indeed good), I went for the burger, which was advertised as having won the Best of Boston burger in 2012. Was excited to try this award winner. WOW, I was disappointed! Honestly, the worst burger I have had in my memory. The patty, supposedly cooked to medium, was dry and tasteless. But the real clincher was the bun. They described it as a "house-made English muffin." It was more like a brick of dry, stale, chalky bread. I could only finish 2/3 of the burger. Not joining the clean-plate club with a burger on my plate, is extremely rare! I will say that the fries were good, as were the pickles on the burger! :-)
(2)Ignacio B.
I came here for brunch the food is awesome all made on the grill. I had the egg sandwich, with thick cut bacon fried egg, and hash browns was delocious! We paid $20 per person, the place has very good background music and is very classy.
(5)Scott G.
Went there with a friend on NYE. We searched and searched for a special place to eat and settled on The Fireplace after seeing the online menu and Yelp reviews. The first thing that concerned us a bit was the decor, which is kind of cheesy and not homey like you'd expect from a place called The Fireplace. We decided on the filet mignon bites and the foie gras appetizers. The steak was overcooked and underseasoned, with a horseradish sauce that needed more horseradish, not memorable at all. The foie gras was much better. It was pan seared over a grilled corn cake with a nice fruit compote. I would get that again, if i ever return. There were plenty of delicious sounding entrees, but we both decided on the duck. The duck had a nice crispy skin and a yummy cherry sauce. We also enjoyed the roasted vegetables. The problems were: the portion size was huge. There must have been 1lb of duck on the plate. It became a chore to eat after awhile. There also was a big crepe filled with duck confit and bok choy on the plate. That added nothing to the dish, seemed out of place and just wasn't that tasty. The dish was $36, which isn't cheap, but I don't need a ton of food to feel I had value, I just want a delicious dish. The two of us had 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine. With tip we paid $218. I don't have a problem paying that for a special, well executed meal, but we were not really impressed and probably will not return.
(3)Laura A.
Terrific grass-fed burger. Delicious, juicy and cooked just right. Also love the fries. Esteemed by both foodies and just plain hungry folk. My husband and I are very particular about our meat, but we also bought these burgers for our hired moving crew and they agreed they were some of the best burgers in the area.
(4)Hayley B.
This place is just average. I have only been here once on a Saturday night with my two girlfriends and none of us were impressed or completely happy with our meal. I ordered the carrot soup which was actually very good, but it is also pretty hard to mess up good carrot soup. I then ordered the vegetarian "tart." This is where things went wrong. Do you know that thing that happens to a casserole with cheese on it after 3 days? The cheese gets hard, right? Well that is what I got when I ordered the vegetarian tart. It was basically a 3 day old casserole cut into tiny squares, all of which were really not good at all. My roommates food was pretty good though. She had the pulled pork. The food was wildly overpriced in my opinion and the waitress we had was really flustered when we asked her to split the check 3 ways. I would eat here again maybe because I am pretty forgiving and I am always happy to try things twice, but this was was just average overall.
(3)L M.
Came here for dinner last night with family. Service was excellent -- very attentive without being obtrusive. Apps and entrees were also excellent. Will definitely be coming back!
(5)Kelly D.
My husband and I love The Fireplace. We typically go there for special occasions since it's a little pricier than our average dinner out, but we both feel like it's well worth it. I recommend reservations. It's always crowded. We've enjoyed everything we've ever had there. We've gone for brunch, dinner, and the Fireside Chat about scotch, which was fantastic and tons of fun. I eat fish but do not eat meat and always find that I have many delicious options to choose from. Some of our favorites are the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon for brunch, and the burger and the scallops for dinner. The fish entrees are always delicious. So are their cocktails. We love that the menu is always changing based on what's in season and available locally. It's a favorite of ours for sure!
(5)Erica B.
Local food in a classy environment. We had the table right by the fireplace which was beautiful! They have everything I needed for a fine dining experience: a local cheese platter a variety of vegetarian meals and nice white wine
(5)Emily S.
Just not as good as I was expecting after glancing at the reviews and the prices. First of all, for a place called the Fireplace I was expecting something cozy and romantic. The decor was more modern than I was imagining which was a little disappointing. Secondly, the food was underwhelming. I am using that word after reading Tom Gs review because I think it is the perfect word to use. The food was by no means bad, but it was very unimpressive considering how much your are paying for it. If I went to an ordinary pub and got the same food I would have been satisfied but I had higher expectations for the Fireplace. The service was great with the exception of our own waiter who struck me as being very pretentious. I may give them another chance in the future but next time I'll just go to the Washington Square Tavern next door.
(3)Sam N.
Amazing gluten free food!! I recommend if you have celiac disease to come here and eat. You can't even tell your meal is gluten free! They have buns, flat bread and rolls!
(5)C C.
The Yelp description of 2 stars is "Meh. I've experienced better." I'm pretty sure I said exactly those words exiting this restaurant last night. Don't go here for special occasions. It isn't special. At all. We went here for our anniversary, and I'm kind of sad we wasted the experience here. We had reservations, and when we entered, there were a glut of people just inside the door -- it was hard to identify who to speak to about our table (no host/hostess stand). After a short wait, we were seated, but our table was kind of crammed into a high-traffic space. I couldn't cross my legs without tripping waiters squeezing past our table. It was a solid 10min before someone asked us if we wanted drinks, which then took a while to arrive. The wine list is also not particularly special (nor was my fiance's Old Fashioned, which he was bizarrely asked whether he wanted on the rocks or not). Just sort of Meh. Everyone here seems to rave about the bread. It was way too doughy/yeasty not to be served with something to dip, like olive oil and pepper. It didn't work well with butter. To start, we had the Duck 2 Ways and the Crab Cakes. Our server did warn us the crab cakes were small, so we got the larger portion rather than the smaller portion, but we went with the smaller portion of the duck. The smaller portion of the duck was appropriately sized for two people splitting two appetizers, but the dish itself had issues. The meat in the duck crepe was really flavorless, and the crepe itself was no great shakes. The other preparation came with a great sauce, and I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the meat more. Dipping the bread in the sauce on that part of the dish might have been the best use of the bread. The crab cakes were pretty good, very light and fluffy, and with decent flavor, but too small for the cost. For dinner, I had the -- wait, wow. Sitting here trying to write this, I can't even remember what I had. My fiance had a steak, and it was OK, but he ordered it medium rare and what he got was very very rare. We weren't going to send it back, though, because it took soooooo long to come out that we were afraid we'd never see it again if we sent it back. Also pretty low on flavor there, too. Oh wait, i know what I had. I had the Lobster Mac'n'Cheese (smaller portion) with the smaller size of the Grilled Peach Salad. The Mac'n'Cheese was pretty good, better than Regal Beagle's for sure. The salad was really disappointing, though. The peaches were flavorless, which grilled peaches really shouldn't be. (Sensing a theme yet?) If you can't get good peaches this time of year, it shouldn't be on the menu. For dessert, we ordered the Espresso S'more thing. Not bad, but not good, and soooo small. We went to JP Licks afterward. The restaurant was overcrowded and loud, and the servers seemed frantic and distracted despite the fact that there were more than enough of them to handle the tables. Our server had no interest in talking to us and seemed put out that he had to deal with us. OK, sure, that's how some restaurants roll, but I wish I'd gone somewhere else. So... yeah. "Meh. I've experienced better." And I wouldn't go back, even for a less special occasion. I don't want to pay that much for food that was that low on flavor and service that was that low on, well, service.
(2)Bret C.
Perfect neighborhood restaurant with average service. It's the kind of place that's great for any type of meal - casual or more formal. Really convenient if you live in Brookline or Brighton and don't want to travel far for a sit down dinner. For burger lovers, this is one of the better burgers in the area!
(4)Louis G.
My wife and I had a terrific dinner here. We were early for our reservation so we sat at the bar (which we enjoy doing anyway) and were able to chat with the bartender and manager during the evening. The food was delicious and portions large. We're looking forward to returning soon for their acclaimed Sunday brunch!
(4)Jen L.
Meh. Every time we trek out this way, the hubs & I say "hey, that place looks cute, we should try it!" So, for Restaurant Week, we did. The service was indifferent, the food was bland, the overall experience incredibly disappointing. Sometimes you get that when you order off the RW menu, but we added a cheese course, cocktails and wine, so the bill was still pretty hefty. I would have been disappointed at half the price, but for these prices and this neighborhood, I expected much better. I will say that my cocktail (the Whistlin' Dixie) was yummy, but it was tiny (even by Boston standards) and took forever to appear. Oh, and the potato bread was good. But a cocktail and a bread basket isn't enough to entice me back. Next time, we won't hesitate to pass it by. PS- I left a note on the receipt regarding our less-than-stellar experience-- I honestly felt that it was so bad that it wasn't worth complaining to anyone, since no one seemed to care about our experience. They emailed us (stupid opentable, giving out our contact info), asking for elaboration and offering us a gift certificate. But a crummy free meal is still a crummy meal.
(2)Jason F.
probably liked the atmosphere and the actual fireplace the most out of this place. we started off with the goat cheese plate and the steak bites, both of which were great. i got the famous fireplace burger, which recently won some competion. that was also very good, and very large. loved the fries, they seems freshly cut! great service, waitress was there, but not all up in your face. i think its a little pricey, but everything was great!
(4)David R.
Just one of the best restaurants around. Full disclosure, I live very close so I might be a bit partial. Then again, I'm very close to Golden Temple and I DO NOT see their claim to fame. But I digress, this review is about the awesomeness that is The Fireplace. I've eaten here countless times over the last 10 years and have just never been disappointed. You really can't go wrong here but one dish that just blew me away was the lamb shank with cheesy cornmeal porridge. Just perfection!
(5)Morgan R.
So to be fair, my boyfriend and I went here on Valentine's Day so we expected to spend some dough. Both of our meals were delicious and I probably could have eaten mine...everyday....for a solid month! We shared a bottle of sparkling wine which was infused with blackberry currants. We wanted to try something new and had never seen that option before. Wasn't the best pairing with the meal but it worked out. I had the apple cider risotto which was AMAZING! The purple cabbage was still crunchy enough to add something to the tender risotto and the hints of cider went perfectly with the other flavors. My boyfriend got the filet mignon and he said it was super juicy and smooth with great flavor. I would definitely recommend this place for a fancier dinner out. Prices are high but the food is worth it!
(5)Kelsey F.
I was looking for a good brunch spot this morning in walking distance to my apartment. The outside seating drew us to the Fireplace. There were open tables and so we sat right down. Our waiter was nice and we were served really quickly. They came around with warm potato bread to start so that was a nice treat. I then ordered the vegetable hash. I never usually order hashes because I don't particulary like poached eggs and their runniness (?) but the server told me they can make the egg over hard - perfect! It ended up being deeelish! It came with potatos, white beans, red peppers, and carmelized onions. Then the eggs were cooked well done and drizzled with hollandaise...scrumptious. My date got the salmon eggs benedict. He really enjoyed that as well. During our meal it started to drizzle. The manager came out and asked if we were all okay with the rain and told us they had empty tables inside. I thought that was nice and made me like the service even more! I will definitely be back to The Fireplace for brunch and will have to try their dinner too!
(4)Sheri O.
I used to come to the Fireplace a lot when I lived in Brookline, so when I was meeting a friend who recently moved to Washington Sq, I was looking forward to heading back for brunch. I guess time changes things! This place looks terrible--totally run down. The service was SLOW to non-existent (the only guy who worked hard and seemed to be efficient was the guy who passed out the bread from the basket and re-set the tables). It took over 45 minutes for an omelet to arrive (and the restaurant was may 1/4 full). I had to ask 2 different waiters and finally the manager to check on it. The food was terrible. My omelet smelled literally like vomit, and it was overcooked and disgusting. The toast was also gross. And it was $14! Seriously?! The prices are high, the portions small, the food nasty, and the decor overdone, but worn out. Why would anyone come back here? I certainly won't.
(1)Kerry T.
We were seated right in front of the fireplace and our service was excellent. Their espresso martinis were great. I had the burger. While it was good, I would not consider it to be one of the best burgers I have ever had. The scallops and steaks looked wonderful. Overall, it was tasty and I would go back.
(4)Al G.
In terms of the food, my wife's salad and my nouveau pizza was excellent. Her Cobb salad was well made and tasted wonderful. My salmon-farmer's cheese pizza was delicate, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once. The service was horrendous. I'm a pretty easy going customer, however she visited my table very few times for drink or to ask about the food. The waitstaff seem to chitchat in the alcove at the top of the stairs while their customer's looked for their waiter. We ended up being there for a brunch-lunch period. I ended up chasing down my waitress and paying for the check at the counter as I didn't think "getting the check" should take half-an-hour. Sadly, I would like to go back because I think the owner/chef makes decent food with his wood-fire oven. I would like to go with less-than-high hopes about the waitstaff. (Only because my co-worker is wheelchair bound) The entrance for the wheelchair is on the second floor (top of the stairs); the bathroom is at the bottom of the stairs. If you're in wheelchair at the Fireplace, you should learn how to hold it.
(2)Brian G.
It was time for me to use a Groupon since I'm now plan on going on a Tour De Groupons of Boston. I was lucky enough to get a mini tour of Brookline from a friend who helped me get started. After some drinks came The Fireplace. This place has the decor of a log cabin or a restaurant you'd expect next to a ski mountain rather than in Brookline which was pretty interesting. The food was outstanding and the staff was pleasant and accommodating. The only reason it's getting 4 stars rather than 5 is because it's pricey and I expect good food for the price. So sitting at the bar enjoying nice Honeyed Caipirinha I started reading over the menu which sounded great. As tempted as we were to try the mini lobster rolls ($19) we jumped straight to dinner. I had a crusted cod dish that was cooked to flaky perfection on a bed of lemon spinach and black lentils. The other great dish was the lobster mac and cheese which came with a nice amount of lobster and also wasn't overly dry or extremely cheesy. It hit the hard balance perfectly of a nice crust on top with the perfect amount of cheese inside. This is much harder than it seems if my past experiences mean anything. Overall this place is great for a well cooked innovative menu when your willing to pay the price. I'll be back when the occasion comes around.
(4)Heather F.
I recently went here for brunch. I'm a vegetarian who hates eggs, so brunch options can be kinda hard to find. The menu here was great, and my pancakes and cranberry martini were great. However, when my companion and I went to pay, we requested separate checks. Despite being given the correct checks, the waitress managed to ring our order in incorrectly (wrong person to a given bill) four different times before getting it right. This seemed excessive to me, so I may not return.
(3)H. G.
I really have trouble getting over the dichotomy between the decor and prices here. I'm patriotic and all, but what's with all the American flags? And why is this place so well lit? And why does it look like a log cabin in the woods of New Hampshire? And why is your burger ($23) more expensive than the one at Craigie? And why is your steak ($36) as expensive as Grill 23? But you have a gluten free menu, which I am begin to appreciate more and more.... and your maple glazed chicken with lemony mashed potatoes is fantastic and absolutely humongous (easily shareable for two normal adults)... and your Rye Mash drink is one of my favorites in the city... and... you get 3 stars. Lower your prices!
(3)Matthew H.
I know this restaurant quite well...in fact, I used to work there. So, while I certainly may have some personal biases at play in this review, I am very familiar with the overall quality of the food, atmosphere, and service. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a higher-priced restaurant. While the decor is nice, it has a stuffy, pretentious, New-England feel to it that doesn't exactly put you at ease. The management and head chef are to blame for this, as their personalities pretty much set the tone for the uptight atmosphere of the restaurant. As for the service itself, it's pretty good. Now, on to the food. They certainly use high-quality ingredients at The Fireplace, but somehow the sum is less than the parts. The food is very basic, uninspired New England fare, and is not worth anywhere close to the $25-$30 per entree that this restaurant charges. For that kind of money, you should be getting phenomenal food. The Fireplace provides merely adequate food at exorbitant prices.
(1)LeAnn H.
after our recent saturday night dinner here, my boyfriend and i both agreed it was the best date night dinner spot we've ever been to. the ambiance was exactly what we were looking for - cozy, intimate yet fairly full crowd. we had a table right next to the fireplace, and that was such a great touch. our server (and i really wish i could remember his name) was social, friendly, attentive but not over-bearing. he was well-versed in the cheese plates and helped us choose a great vermont cheese that we loved. i'm quite surprised to read the reviews that refer to or suggest underwhelming food. our meal - start to finish - was simply amazing. the cheese plate, which comes coupled with soaked pear and cinnamon apples and a fruit chutney was a great light starter, perfectly sweet and savory. our meals (salmon w/ kale, and steak) were both equally tasty & well-prepared. im a stickler for service, and my boyfriend is fairly opinionated about what constitutes 'good food'. we both left extremely pleased on both accounts, and look forward to returning.
(5)Claire N.
great menu selection, ambience is quiet and cozy, good for conversations, food was fairly good...
(3)Victoria R.
After all the hype about the Fireplace, I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but I had this general feeling of "meh" about the experience. The service was phenomenal and the staff was clearly very well versed on the intricacies of both the food and wine. The food was very well prepared but not necessarily "out of this world", and it just felt slightly overpriced. I had the bucatini with pesto, leeks, heirloom tomatoes and lemon ricotta, and I would highly recommend it - especially for anyone looking for a vegetarian friendly option. As a classy and intimate restaurant, I feel that the Fireplace doesn't do enough to set itself apart from other Boston-area restaurants in the same category to pull me back in for another visit. I'm glad I went once for the experience, but I definitely won't rush back.
(3)Laura B.
Had a great, although slightly inconsistent, meal at the Fireplace. Menu highlights included the butternut squash bisque with blue cheese (incredible), scallops, rib eye, and apple doughnuts with 3 dipping sauces. We also had the artichoke tart appetizer and fudge/cookie dessert; these were just fair. Restaurant is very cozy and service is good. Not sure if I am a fan of all of the Halloween decorations they had up (the place was covered in them), but I suppose it was festive.
(4)Jacob G.
I've been to Fireplace twice, both in the last 6 months for dinner. The first time was on a Saturday night with a group of 10. It was a great time, the food was awesome, our waiter was super attentive. Everything went off without a hitch. Personal note was that their bread basket was truly incredible. Since there were 10 of us we got a pretty large selection of apps and entrees between us all and everyone was very satisfied. The second time was more recently and was on a Monday night so obviously much slower. The food was still good but not as extraordinary as the first time. The wait staff was till great so that's a plus. It's a shame tho because for the price I would expect more consistency. That being said, I would definitely recommend Fireplace as a nice place to go on any night of the week whether it's a special event or just some last minute decision. It's also one of the few places in Brookline with an expansive menu that is american food.
(4)Victoria G.
I've eaten here several times throughout the years. They have food all day so it's convenient, and during the fall and winter i love the burning fireplace. The food used to be just okay, always overpriced. Now it is really bad food and ridiculously overpriced. Very small portions. I can in no way justify $12 for a tiny, tiny salad. Even though they support local farms, that's just way too much. The mussels were just okay, also very overpriced. The cocktails and wines by the glass are extremely overpriced.
(1)Julie R.
I've always wanted to check this place out. I can thank Groupon for giving me the opportunity to finally get there. On a Friday night the place was packed. A good sign for a neighborhood joint. We made a reservation in advance but still waited a few minutes. The table was on the lower level near the fireplace, they were a little close together down there but at least it had a nice view. I had looked at the menu in advance and had a few items in mind. Our server was Stefanie, who was very accommodating and easy to deal with the whole evening. We started off with some drinks but the soda must of been bad and she gladly exchanged them for something else. The sangria was very light. It was like a spritzer. I prefer one richer but this one was OK. We got an appetizer of tuna tartare and a side of oysters. The tuna was nicely presented along with pita chips. I thought it could of used more flavor. The portion was very large for $15. The oysters were awesome and properly shucked. I was going back and forth between the scallops and signature maple chicken as my entree. The girl sitting next to me had the chicken and it looked fantastic so I went with that. My fiance had the bavette steak off the lighter fare menu. The bread they brought over was awesome! Careful not to fill up on it before your entree cause its so good! Entrees arrived in a reasonable time frame. The chicken looked great. The portion of mashed potatoes under neath was heavy. I thought the chicken could of been moister. The breast part of it was dry. I was glad there was extra maple sauce on the plate. This dish is large with a whole half chicken. There was no way I was finishing it. I would recommend even splitting it. Since the steak was coming off the lighter fare menu we expected something tiny, well what came out was a gigantic steak that took up half the plate. My fiance did not complain! The meat was nicely charred on the outside but cooked to med rare nicely inside. I would suggest this steak over the chicken. We were too full for dessert but the menu looked tempting. Even with the $50 Groupon we still spent $100 with tip. It's pricey but offers great service in a unique atmosphere.
(4)Ellis C.
Good food, but for the price, I was hoping to be wowed, and I wasn't. The mussels were really good. Wonderful broth, excellent grilled bread for soaking up the liquid. I thought the salmon cakes were just ok, although my partner thought they were great - complex and delicious, and felt that they were made with love and gusto. We both thought the portion was small for the price. It came with a big pile of arugula, nicely dressed, but overall, there was something lacking in the presentation. The chicken was really good, on a very tasty bed of mashed potatoes, buttery and flavorful. I thought the mashed potatoes were just a smidgen watery, although my partner thought they were perfect. The side of garlic broccoli was really weird. It was actually undercooked, but we originally thought it was overcooked because of the weird appearance and texture. After I mentioned it to the waitress, she took it off the bill, but still, this is something that a good kitchen should catch before it goes out the door. Our waitress was very pleasant, and the service was excellent. I like the ambiance of the place; we sat in the lower area by the fireplace, which was very nice, especially since the place was not particularly busy. So overall, the food was good, but just way too pricy. My girlf thought they deserved a 4, but overall, I'm sticking with a 3.
(3)Ken M.
Alright, The Fireplace gets an additional star for atmosphere and food. The service on this occasion left a little to be desired. I started with a cup of scallop chowder. It was freaking fantastic. Nice smoky bacon, perfectly cooked scallops, herbs and spices, and well seasoned buttery broth. Joanna had the duo of gaspacho. The spicy one was a little weird, but she really liked the regular one. Andy had a "salad" that was romaine, eggs, and TONS of bacon. It was delicious. For my entree I got the appetizer of crab cakes with sides of broccoli and fries. The crab cakes were good, if not a bit salty. The fries were great. The broccoli fine. Brian got one of the presidential entrees (I think lambchops) and he cleaned his plate. Andy and Joanna also enjoyed their entrees. We didn't have room for dessert. Probably because we each had two rolls each. The host stand was not with it last night and the service was just disjointed, it took a long time for the starter course to come and then for the entrees too and they didn't come all at the same time. Pretty inexcusable considering the place was half-full (we were there early). They also had trouble discerning who each dish went to. The waitresses were pleasant and personable though.
(4)Tara G.
Really excellent meal. We had the Kobe Beef Burger, which was charred to perfection upon request, and the cod crusted in chives and lemon. The best thing on either plate was these insane black lentils. I've never had lentils like that before. Full hit of flavor, and cooked toothsome (but not crunchy) in a way I've never had lentils before. We got to sit outside and enjoy the millieu. The only detractors were that we discovered from someone else's server that there were specials that we were never offered, and the service was a bit informal relative to the prices. The prices are high but since I felt we got our money's worth I don't think it's a reason to ding the establishment. But... for the people who want more of a fireplace: how large of a fireplace are you thinking? Like raging inferno? A fireplace to which more than 2-4 tables could be placed adjacent would be some serious fuego diablo. How you gonna air condition that?
(4)Jessica L.
The food here is phenomenal. Also, you can't beat the atmosphere -- it's warm, cozy, perfect for a first date, and the service is impeccable. Not to mention the owner is APPLAUDABLE in his involvement in making Brookline a better place, supporting other businesses, embracing any/all customers, and spearheading the green movement and corporate responsibility of Brookline businesses.
(5)Ted L.
I have eaten dinner and had drinks at the Fireside Restaurant many times; I also know Jim Solomon, but I write this review because I know how important it is to Jim. Jim goes the extra mile with his-only know how to make this as if you are in your living room, and a catered dinner or personal attendee bartender; the fireplace works and with the music (live) sometimes, it is somewhat the experience; if you really want to impress someone dine at the fireplace...Ted Lewis
(5)Cassie H.
The food is delicious, perfect home-cooked meals with large portion sizes. The price, however, does make you wince a little bit...
(3)Trish H.
I went to the Fireplace with my boyfriend on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 7pm. We had reservations so were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated and in particular they have the most beautiful drapes. We ordered drinks and they took a few minutes to arrive and then we ordered the crab cakes which were tiny but absolutely DIVINE. So incredibly good. For dinner my BF and i ordered the burger which has apparently been judged as the best burger in Boston. Perhaps it could have been had it been cooked as requested. I requested mine cooked medium and my BF ordered his medium well, both came out well done. Ok, this happens however i waited about 10 minutes for our waiter to check on us but he didnt come back to our table at all. I was really disappointed as this place is not cheap. We ordered the blueberry tart for desert and it was amazing. I wouldnt be in a hurry back as i dont like to pay high prices for poor service although the app and desert were really great.
(3)Matthew M.
Excellent bar service. Nice Decor. The food is consistently good, but not blowing my socks off (possible exception is the duck, which was darn good). Think new american with a new england twist. It's a cozy local joint and I'll likely be back.
(4)Peter T.
There are two parts to this review, the first part is for the food, the second for the service. First the food: It's good, really good, even food that i would think wouldn't be great, like bluefish, was good. they have an amazing group of chefs working there, and these chefs all clearly have a desire to put out food that is worth the money that they charge. Second the service: You are probably wondering why this review is good for 1 star after I've just spent a few sentences singing praise for their food. Well, the service was ok, but they overcharged me by $191.06. I would have let even that slide, if they had fixed it when i went in the next morning and showed them a printout of my bank statement. Instead, the manager tried to explain to me how even though it's processing, i haven't actually been charged. Now, charged or not, there is 191 dollars that i can't use because of the insane way that they rang up my payment. I have given them a hard deadline of Tuesday 12/20/2011 to have the money refunded. If they manage to meet that deadline, this review will go up to three stars. If they had fixed it this morning, it would have been four stars, and if they hadn't made the mistake in the first place it would have been five. Make no mistake, the food is good, great even. It's the best restaurant, in terms of quality, in the washington square area. However, i'd rather eat at American Craft or even Public House, then ever take the risk of eating here again.
(1)Lindsay B.
I've been to the Fireplace twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. Both times were great - good drinks, good service, good food. The spinach salad was my lunch choice and it was really great. For dinner I had the rainbow trout, which was also great (buyer beware, I knew the fish came whole, but they left the head on which freaked me out so they were nice enough to cut it off for me!!) A good go-to when you're looking for a good meal at decent prices (for Boston, anyhow!)
(4)The K.
After having eaten here nearly half-a-dozen times over the years, my vote is finally in. It has been a see-saw experience. The first dinner I had there was the short rib and it impressed. Steaks thereafter less so and salads even less so. The service is strangely casual, not in the Danny- Meyer-midwestern charm way but unusually perfunctory and not matched to the prices on the menu. Some restaurants try too hard, throwing everything they can think of on the menu. Other restaurants, like The Fireplace don't seem to try hard enough; they seem settled in their corner spot, letting inflationary pressure (or perhaps more likely we-will-because-we-can) push their entree prices higher without the concomitant rise in service or in the quality or creativity of its food. Perhaps the neighborhood has been too kind over the years, providing a steady stream of well-heeled patrons who want a "nice meal" without it being boorishly fancy. Fair enough, but the prices make you wonder if things have gone too far and for far too long. Shouldn't a restaurant aspire for more? Shouldn't we?
(2)Susan K.
My friend and I wanted to have lunch around the Washington Square area and we both decided on The Fireplace since we both haven't tried it. I've always wanted to try this place since I moved into the area. Since I had my puppy with me, I requested us to be seated outdoors. The host was very polite and was able to fulfill my request. So, I can't tell you much about what the inside of the place looked like but a plus for fulfilling my request to be seated outdoors for my little puppy. The waitress was very friendly and professional. I ordered a sandwich. I forgot the specific name of it but it was very similar to a cuban sandwich. It was good but not extraordinary. Just like any other cuban-like sandwich I had. The side salad was good...I don't know what dressing they use but it was good. The best was the potato bread. You don't think much about the bread but this bread was good. I would like to come back during dinner time and sit indoors to get the full experience. The place isn't cheap...so may be this place could be a potential date spot?? Of course as long as, he pays. :)
(3)Florencia G.
The food is amazing, and they have the most interesting wine list. They are always featuring different american wines. In addition to the excellent food and drinks they offer every Wednesday and Thursday live music so it is always a fun place to go. The restaurant has it own parking and the T stop is just crossing the street. In the summer you can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather, and in the winter you can sit near to the fireplace that they have inside. I is definitely my favorite restaurant from Brookline/Boston
(5)Meagan M.
My husband and I ate here last night to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. It was certainly a good choice. The food was well portioned and delicious. I had the feta and carrot ravioli and my husband had the rib eye. Before the meal, I had a cup of the gazpacho and my husband had the crab cakes. We shared the apple dowdy for dessert. The atmosphere was wonderful. We liked that it was quiet and we could enjoy a nice conversation. The waitress was attentive without stopping by a lot (which always annoys me). The restaurant was full, but we enjoyed a nice long dinner without feeling rushed. The food was a bit pricey, but on par with a nice restaurant. We will definitely be back, but will reserve this restaurant for a special occasion.
(5)Anna W.
I liked it, but can't say that it was one of the better dining experiences I've had. The restaurant is located in busy Washington Square in Brookline. The area is bustling with restaurants and other businesses. There is plenty of parking around, but depending on the day and time you go there, parking may be incredibly difficult. The restaurant is smaller than I thought. It has a bar on the "lower" level and a few tables, and then some more tables on the "higher" level, as well as an open kitchen. The ambiance is nice, and the tables were arranged in a way that you weren't intruding upon other diners. That's always a plus for me. The service was good. All our servers were incredibly polite, and this may be one of the few places I've ever been to where they constantly float around to fill your water glass and accommodate any other requests that you have. The menu has an OK selection, but not extensive. I felt that the prices were a tad high for the quality of food and portion size. I would say the average entree is between $25-30. If you like cheese, they have a make-your-own cheese platter. I believe it's $8 for the first cheese and $5 for additional cheeses. You get a 2 ounce wedge (I thought it sounded small at first, but it was enough for three people to share) along with some crackers and fruit. Very cute, but I'm not a big cheese fan. I got the bravette (sp?) steak, which they described as a smaller skirt steak. It was served with some broccoli rabe and mashed potatoes. The steak is cooked to the right temperature, but it wasn't really a skirt steak. The cut was a lot thicker, which made the outside a tad charred and the middle bloody (I didn't mind though). The portion size is decent -- not small, but not overwhelming either. The experience was enjoyable enough, but given the long drive, parking situation, and prices, I don't see myself coming back here again unless it was for a special occasion.
(3)Kerry M.
Quiet & upscale. Bring a date or your parents.
(4)Pamela T.
I avoided the Fireplace for years based on stories about bad service, noise and food that did not impress. Then I went, and went again and still again. At lunch their chicken BLT is outstanding as are the mussels. Their Ceasar salad is no slouch either. My niece is in love with their sloppy joes and two crab cake lovers pronounced their crab cakes the best in Boston. I went for dinner last week with a party of six - great food and great service. I am glad I finally went. It isn't inexpensive but I felt I got my money's worth.
(4)Meghan M.
I love the Fireplace all year long. In the winter it is such a cozy atmosphere, and in the summer there is outdoor seating. What could be better? The Fireplace brunch is very good, nice mixture of lunch and breakfast items. The caesar salad with Fireplace's spit-roasted chicken is amazing, and the homemade rolls (you only get one though!) are to die for. Brunch/Lunch is relatively affordable, but dinner (while delicious) is definitely special occasion pricey.
(4)Dave B.
Came here for brunch last Saturday. It was an overall positive experience. I started with a cup of coffee and a bloody mary, which I ordered with "extra horseradish." It was a great bloody, and they definitely gave me extra horseradish. I was a little disappointed that it came without an edible garnish...no celery, no olives, nothing but a slice of lemon. Oh well. The coffee was pretty good, I had to flag down the waiter whenever I wanted a refill but after I asked he was quick to respond. There were four of us. I ordered the Crispy Cornmeal Waffles with Fresh Fruit; Blueberry Whipped Cream & Vermont Maple Syrup. My girlfriend ordered Challah French Toast with Sautéed Apples & Cinnamon in a Rum-Raisin Sauce. Her sister ordered Crispy Duck Hash with Fried Eggs & Toast. Our friend ordered Two Eggs, Home Fries & Maple Smoked New Hampshire Bacon, and started with Clam Chowder. My waffles were delicious, the blueberry whipped cream is a nice touch and the cornmeal gave it a very light texture and great flavor. I sampled my girlfriend's french toast, which was nearly perfect but just slightly overdone. The crispy duck hash that came with her sister's meal was OUT OF THIS WORLD, although I think "pulled duck" would be more accurate than "duck hash." Our friend reported that his meal was very good as well, although I didn't try it. Service was very good, although we arrived just as they were opening so it wasn't busy. Our waiter appeared to be a little out of is (as if he'd been out late the night before), but he was courteous and he got our orders right, so no complaints there. So here's why I only give 3 stars instead of 4: my own dish was too small. My three companions were all served plates overflowing with piles of delicious food, and all I got was one measly little waffle. It was delicious, but it's not a pleasant feeling to see your own meal pale in comparison to everybody else's at the table.
(3)Laura D.
My cousins and I took our moms here for mother's day brunch. It is definitely on the pricey side for what it is. Of course for a special occasion I am happy to spend more than I would for a normal brunch. The nice part is that the buffet is set up on the counter at the kitchen, so the cooks are constantly placing hot and newly cooked food out. You can tell the food is fresh and hasn't been sitting there for a long time. I particularly enjoyed the mushroom tart and the homemade granola. If you enjoy dessert this is not the buffet for you, as desserts are extremely limited. Now on to the service. Yikes. Slow service and no one came to our table for quite a while to take drink orders or welcome us to the restaurant. I actually had to go back to the hostess to ask for a waiter to visit our table. For a party of 9 (of which 8 ordered coffee) we were given two tiny pitchers of cream and then two tiny dishes of butter. Is there a dairy shortage that I'm unaware of? The biggest issue was with our table. I made reservations for 9 over a month ago, so they have known we were coming. We were seated in a back corner table, ok. Well, 5 people were seated on the banquet along the wall, and the window was on one side so they all had to get up and down on one end of the table. My mom stated "Well, at least it's not a buffet so we won't be getting up and down!" My response: "Ummm actually is IS!!!" Five adults with only one way to get up and down for a buffet?? Talk about musical chairs. Come on Fireplace, you have so much potential. Get your act together.
(3)Nicole M.
this place is a JOKE. truly the worst restaurant management in the city. we made a 35th birthday reservation for a large party back in january for march. 10 people was the final count. we show up to our table and it's a table for 6 with 10 place settings and 10 chairs SQUEEZED together. could not move and there was no way any dinner plates would fit. the guy filling our water glasses was literally laughing as we were complaining. finally get the manager over, and he's such an uptight jerk. making excuses when he should have been apologizing and fixing it. thank god the waitress was nice and we just ended up drinking for quite a while as we waited for the table next to us to finish so we could add it to the end of ours (by the way, they had just been seated when we got there - how dumb). they did send us some plates of apology cheese but the damage had been done. then the food - i absolutely do not know how they can justify their prices. do not order the scallops unless you like home fries for dinner. menu said it came with lobster hash - i should have asked what this was. just a fancy plated pile of diced potatoes, onions and peppers with a few measly pieces of lobster thrown in. the scallops were the smallest i've ever seen. absolutely not worth the money. the only thing that was decent was the wine pour - quite generous - which i definitely needed to get through this god-awful dinner.
(1)Liz M.
NOT WORTH IT. This place is not 5th Avenue or Park Slope of Newbury St. It's Washington Square in Brookline. It's cute and the decor is nice, but the food -- no thanks. Challah French Toast -- soggy french toast and very soggy apples -- I don't even think they were fresh! Other times I've had their salads and other food of substance (meats)-- nothing to remember and nothing much to really write home about. "Fresh Bread" -- it was warm but also WET. I mean -- is mold wet? Is warm bread .....usually wet? What gives this place two stars? Mimosas and Water. What's more -- its expensive. I guess it's convenient if you want to spend money on New American food and don't want to worry about parking and like decor, but to fill your tummy with something yummy? Go to Coolidge Corner, keep a few bucks in your pocket and gorge on The Upper Crust.
(2)Tamar A.
This place is all the cuddliness and coziness of a good New Hampshire fall personified. The crackle of the titular fireplace as you're squinting to read a menu that is the exact same color as the warm brick, coppery tabletops, and dim, soft lighting only reinforces the need to fill that belly with the culinary equivalent of a hug. An expensive hug. A schmancy ski lodge where the pillows are all embroidered and the cocoa is made with real milk hug. A hug replete with small slivers of fine cheese and their proper wine pairings, with small plates of cured meats and a "healthy alternative" menu that boasts steak. My boyfriend was in heaven with each bite of his prime rib, although my fish was a smidge overcooked and swimming in some unnecessary ratatouille. I don't really understand the propensity towards the tomato that the Fireplace and others of its ilk have fallen victim to lately, but, hey, at least I'm getting my lycopene. The one thing that a New Hampshire fall isn't, however? Is a New Hampshire summer. Please take down those gaudy bandstand banners--the America that I love does not include its smocked flag in my hugs.
(4)Dave C.
For some odd reason, my wife kept this place in the back of her mind, just waiting for the right occassion to pull it out for a night of good 'comfort' food. Well, after seeing that Taberno de Haro was packed to the gills, we opted for the Fireplace. After being seated, the evening started off on the wrong footing, as it took over 10 minutes for anyone to notice us, and it was because I grabbed the busboy and demanded to know who our waiter was! Our waiter, Dana, announced himself and said that he would be with us in one moment. Strike one. The menu was highly uninteresting. My wife had the sea scallops ($32.00) and I had the braised shortribs ($30.00.) After starting out with the caesar salad and mussels, our dinners came out, looking..... just plain. Strike two. In the course of the evening, I had to run to the restroom twice. It could have been the mussels, or it might have been that Dana, our waiter, didn't appreciate me being brusque with him for leaving us unattended to at the beginning. Strike number mother effing three! But regardless, we will not be going back to the Fireplace anytime soon, because if if I'm spending $100 plus dollars, I would like better service and food that doesn't act as a diarrhetic. I think I'm regular enough without it.
(1)Adriana A.
Great Food & atmosphere, plus everybody there is very professional. Also the owner does a lot to give back to the community so I'm happy to spend my money there. In addition they have some great little things going on like tastings, live music, some festivals, etc. The Fireplace is great!
(5)Ashling C.
Went with a living social deal last weekend for a real treat and had a fabulous meal. We started with the mussels which were nice and two pieces of the potato bread they offer (truly, may have been the best part of the meal). For entrees we had the ravioli which came in a mint pesto that was expertly created not too overpowering, like I would have expected) and the short ribs, cooked very well and delicious, but a bit heavy. The atmosphere is very romantic and service is fine. I generally prefer a more outgoing menu but from what I can tell, the things they offer are made well. A bit overpriced for my grad school budget, but definitely a really nice treat!
(4)Rich M.
Good food. The service was terrific. Very pricy for lunch.
(4)Dave R.
Had the oven roasted chicken last night. Was amazing. Best chicken I have ever had. Sides are good too. Good little place with nice atmosphere
(5)Christy M.
Absolutely delicious food. Have been here twice before. Fresh warm bread to start. This time tried the 'honeymoon salad' and the short ribs. The short ribs melted in your mouth and the cheesy porridge was very complimentary. Have also tried the half chicken which was good but no short ribs! Very good size portions, could not finish my meal either times. Only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that we put a credit card and some cash in the bill and she took it away without asking us what to do - put the whole amount on the card and took the cash. Very presumptous and gave herself a $4 extra tip than we planned. So rude.
(4)Steve E.
I have eaten at The Fireplace off and on for the past 8 years and never had a bad meal here. I stopped in for a business lunch last week after not having visited for a while, I remembered why I really enjoy coming here. Food done really well. Great textures, nuanced flavors, reasonably priced. Its a quiet restaurant, attentive wait staff, small bar with top shelf beverage choices. Most of all, excellent food and definitely worth a visit. It's a nice destination in an area that doesn't have a lot of reason to visit except if you lived in the area. Mostly neighborhood type support businesses ( bank, liquor store, cleaners ect...) It's too bad cause its a great location, but it could really use some art galleries, book stores, antiques type businesses, but those certainly aren't reasons not to visit The Fireplace for an excellent meal.
(4)Damien S.
See the picture for this spot? See the fireplace? That's The Fireplace. See the space right in front of the fire? That's our table. See the right side of my face? Me neither. It melted. Which is fine, it's cold outside. It was World AIDS Day that brought my date and I to The Fireplace. They take part in a restaurant campaign that delivers proceeds to the AIDS Action Committee of Boston. Little did we know it was only for a specialty drink and not the entire menu. You've won this round, Fireplace. Two please. Reservation for 8:30 - parked in the private lot at 8:35. They were running a bit behind, but perhaps we'd like a drink at the b.. yesplz. She had the Pomegranate Blackberry Margarita, and I went with the Macintosh Apple. Both had freshly muddled fruit and top shelf spirits. Good form. Table's ready - fireside. Looking around, I see couples and business acquaintances and first dates and Dasher and Dancer. Romantic, cozy, rustic. Surprised to find the walls stagskull-free. Not complaining, just saying. The menu is impressive and adventurous. We started with savory Cape Cod mussels in a garlic almond broth. Two slices of grilled toast. Toss the silver to the side; we dug in hands first and used the bread to soak up the love jus. Main courses were picked even before we got there - Sea scallops in a caramel-corn glaze with corn puree and corn-riddled mashed potatoes. Served on a maize plate with a shot of sour mash whiskey. Microwave on HIGH for 2-2 1/2 minutes or until 2 seconds between pops. I'm now somehow related to Orville Redenbacher. Speaking of: youtube.com/watch?v=Fcn4… He died in 95. -shudder- The other plate consisted of fried ricotta gnocchi with an army of roasted tomatoes and garlic cloves. Both entrees were corn delicious but the flavor corn of the scallops triumcornphed. The service lived up to expectations, which Yelp recon set pretty low. The bartender seemed perturbed and our server had an in-your-face enthusiasm coupled with reckless nonchalance. "You done there?" Still nuzzling the ice cubes. "Ok man, keep nuzzling." "Done now or still nuzzling?" - stone face - Later he referred to the dessert cocktails as "chick drinks." Not offensive, per se, just out of place and slightly abrasive. Speaking of! She slurped her white chocolate martini while I nuzzled my hot mulled cider. Inner fire - flame on. All in all, a pleasant experience and a delicious meal. The service could use some stoking (!) for the full five. That aside, add this joint to your List of winter dinner dates.
(4)David H.
[I'd like to give 3 1/2 stars, but that's not an option] OK, so here's the 211th review of this place... We live a few blocks away, and wind up at The Fireplace about once a year - most recently last night. The food here is consistently good, but not spectacular given the menu prices. If it were in a chic downtown location rather than in Brookline they might be justified in charging an average of $30 for an entree - but they're not. Having said that, the food yesterday was in general quite excellent - the flounder special, served with bits of lobster & mussels, was very fresh & not overwhelmed by the light cream sauce. Their soups (chowder and squash bisque) were nicely prepared , as was the cranberry tart dessert. The suprisingly mediocre exception was their 'signature' chicken dish, which was not crisp and slightly over-salted, as were the accompanying mashed potatoes. There is one really exceptional area at The Fireplace - the bar. Over the years we have been so impressed that we have often requested the recipes for the innovative drinks created there. Last night's twist on a caipirinha was really excellent, and at $8.50 was reasonably priced. Overall I concur with other reviewers. Lower prices would mean greater value and higher ratings. Although, given the consistent crowds, I suspect that's unlikely to happen.
(3)Catherine S.
Fireplace is great for the winter since, of course, there's a nice warm fireplace and a cozy atmosphere. I do think the food is a little overpriced though; I'm perfectly comfortable paying that level, but it didn't quite match what was on my plate. I had the salmon, which was very good, but not exactly far beyond what I can get at any other restaurant. The bar looks like a nice little place to hang out though, and I'd still recommend it to anyone in the area. Just know what to expect!
(4)EricaLynn J.
I wound up here after my impatient crew did not want to wait to eat at Publick House and Washington Square Tavern down the block.... oh, I was mumbling obscenities under my breath as I really and truly didn't understand why we couldn't just wait for the good food at the other places... why we would submit to a sub-par restaurant simply due to less wait time! I begrudgingly sat at the bar with my friends and we ordered our meals. Them, a meat dish. Me, a pasta dish. And then a small portion of food came on a rather large plate, and I groaned and moaned and made some more sarcastic comments. And then I ate my food. Oops. That'll teach me to be bitchy! Sometimes it pays to be impatient. I would have never found this place otherwise and I'm glad I did. The food was delightful, the service even more so, and my friends and I had a great experience. Cheers.
(4)Aboud Y.
Had an excellent New Year's brunch here. The food and service were both outstanding! Just about everything we ate here was delicious: oysters, bloody mary's, corn meal waffles, sausage patties, and eggs benedict. It was all good. Oh and the service was fantastic. Our waitress was fast, courteous, and knowledgeable. Plus I tend to like chef-owned restaurants (everything was honest and well-presented). Not sure if this would be a place I would visit regularly (I'll probably save it for special occasions. Anyhow...big thumbs up.
(4)Sara S.
Came here for Christmas Dinner... OMG, yumtastic! Tremazing!! The Fireplace is a great holiday place because their menu is reflective of the season and uses local ingredients whenever possible. The atmosphere is festive, especially for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. While it's not casual, it's not stuffy and super-formal. Great cocktails (seasonal and traditional), and a downright awesome menu. My mom loved her Canton, dark rum, and lemon martini while I really enjoyed my spiced pumpkin, apple, nutmeg, and cinnamon dark rum. I typically avoid roasted chicken, but seeing as it's Fireplace's signature dish, I couldn't turn it down. This is the best roast chicken I've ever had. Even better than Hungry Mother. The chicken itself was brined for two days, buttery, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The portion was ginormous. I got sweet potato mash rather than regular, and it, again, was some of the best sweet potatoes I've had. Not lumpy but not pastey. Sweet but not too sweet. It was the perfect compliment to my chicken! I must come back for their mac and cheese, scallops, and risotto, though! I couldn't turn down the chocolate peanut butter whoopie pie for dessert, served on coffee cream. It's actually TWO whoopie pies, so I took one home! The whoopie pie cake itself is chocolate, which sandwiches vanilla frosting and peanut butter brittle. To die for. Given the quality of food, service, easy parking, price (not cheap but not ridiculous, especially since we brought home leftovers), this was probably the best non-ethnic holiday meal I've ever had dining out, ever. I can't wait to come back. Also, their bread is ridiculous. Eat lots of it.
(5)C B.
The food is a bit overpriced and the service is really terrible! We sat outside with only two other tables and the entire lunch took about an hour and fifteen minutes! Let's see here, we had a couple cups of soup and a salad--this doesn't justify over an hour of lunchtime. The gazpacho soup was pretty good and did taste fresh, but this was second choice after not having the most pleasing looking thing on the menu: corn and scallop chowder. We had some lemonades, which truly tasted like freshly squeezed lemon juice and water, with no sugar. They charge $2.50 for this? C'mon! Just wasn't impressed at all.
(3)Mary P.
I gave it a 3.5 stars actually, but I don't think it's an option. You ask why...well, location is great, the restaurant's set-up is really nice, service was average (and that was sitting at the bar), but I was just not happy with the food. I had heard this place was really good so I was really excited to finally make it into the place after many times running by it. I had the burger, requested for it to be cooked medium. It was cooked medium, but it was bland and not juicy and tender at all. I thought I was going to choke every time I took a bite. The fries definitely tasted like they were frozen, and then poorly fried because it was soggy. The place wasn't busy, so why did it seem like my food was rushed?!?! I'll definitely give it another try...for dinner instead of brunch. I'm hoping I will be able to change my review:)
(3)Chaya G.
The Fireplace is one of my favorite restaurants. Food is delicious every time for lunch or dinner. I am giving it four stars because the service is lacking with their follow up skills. You practically have to scream across the restaurant to get someone's attention for more water.
(4)Garrett B.
Let's start with the food. For the brunch/lunch menu, there are many options to suit any taste. I was craving breakfast and ordered the pancakes with Berries, Banana, and Peanut Butter. It was really good, but the portion most certainly did not justify a $15 price tag. Everyone else at my table enjoyed their meals which included the French Toast, Chicken Salad, and Maple Braised Chicken Sandwich. The service was kind and attentive. Overall, we had a nice relaxing lunch. I have two problems with this place. I do not quite get the atmosphere. It's half hunting lodge half-contemporary. It's almost like the Fireplace does not know what type of restaurant it is. My second issue was with the music. The entire meal the speakers played Country music, quite loudly at times. Country music in Brookline?? Really?
(4)Oren G.
Had the burger here twice, just to make sure the first time wasn't a fluke. Not very impressed, especially given the large 'best in boston' sign inviting my initial attention. Grass fed beef is nice, but was lacking in taste here (overcooked both times) and toppings did not mesh well at all for my more traditional burger preference. Fries were under cooked, greasy and tough. For close to $15 this did not work out well.
(2)Saba N.
I have only had lunch here but I was pleasantly surprised. People have told me it is very overpriced. I found my lunch to be very reasonable (although the entrees did look a little steep, not horrible though). Portions were a little small, but with the bread I was full. The service was great and the atmosphere is cute. I think it's a really perfect brunch spot!
(3)Nathan R.
C'mon Fireplace- turn up the heat. My breakfast was subpar- at best. The place wants to be good, but wanting and being are really far apart. For lunch- I've had the pumpkin bisque which tasted like warmed pumpkin water...I was tempted to throw the soup in the fireplace.
(2)Tess G.
The brunch was not your average brunch food, it was amazing. I got the omelette that was good, but I have to say my Dad got the hash with duck and a fried egg. When I go again, I'm going to definitely go with that. The waffles also looked great.
(4)K C.
This is a great spot if you're in the Brighton/Brookline area! I can't say I would go far out of my way to dine here, but it is good food. I experienced excellent service, the wait staff was very attentive to the small details, which I like to see. The menu is simple and offers a nice range of dishes. It's all in all a nice spot! I'd recommend it and I'll probably go back.
(4)Katya D.
It's possible that this review is a bit biased, seeing as I come here at least once a week and have been doing so for over a year, but there must be a reason that I do, right? That reason is that the Fireplace is killer. I've only eaten here twice. The first time was when I was in the band and they gave us food during our break - the classic roast chicken, which is one of those chickens that makes you re-think chicken in the best of ways. The other time was with a few friends, on a night other than my usual night (which is Wednesday, to be explained shortly), and a friend and I shared the steak bites. Delicious little morsels, and the perfect amount. Now, to Wednesdays: I moved to Brookline in July 2009, and quickly discovered that the Fireplace has free live jazz every Wednesday night. Awesome? I thought so. Then we add the fabulous bartender, who not only makes super delicious and moderately destructive drinks (in the best way) but also seems to revolutionize the concepts of friendly, competent, and efficient. He knows nearly everyone at the bar by name, and if he doesn't know your name when you come in, he'll know it by the end of the night. One thing that I don't understand is everyone's complaint about the service being too slow. Perhaps it's because I'm usually just drinking here, but when did going out to a fancy dinner become a rush job? Don't you _want_ to spend time with the people with whom you are eating? Perhaps I simply don't understand the concept of "fine service," and of course you don't want to be given a dish that's been sitting out for half an hour, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people complain of "slow" service. To end on a positive note: I recommend this place with the utmost respect, as everyone who works there, as well as all of my friends, know. You should want to come here, if only for the drinks, the atmosphere, and the cozy feeling of sitting around a fireplace with the people you love most. The fabulous food makes coming a necessity.
(5)Nicolas F.
Food is so-so. This is a restaurant in our neighborhood and despite my better judgement, I have gone several times for both lunch and dinner hoping that the last time was just a fluke bad experience. The service, while friendly, has always been on the slow side and the food overall is not good. Every now and then there are good dishes - it is true the burger is quite good, but it is just a burger - but on the whole the experience always leaves me frustrated.
(2)Bridget A.
I highly recommend the ravioli and creme brûlée! The place has a nice ambiance with friendly service. My only complaint is it's too pricey.
(4)Eve L.
Swanky brunch place to make your parents take you to when they're in town visiting. It's more expensive than I'm going to spend unless it's a special occasion, especially since there's not a lot of vegetarian options. They do get points for trying though; they usually one vegetarian special and everything I have had is delicious. My girl likes their duck hash too, for the meat-eaters out there.
(4)Marilyn T.
Some friends and I went for a late Saturday brunch today, and we were pleasantly surprised. My friend had tried their pork dish at the Taste of Elegance event and was drawn to the restaurant. Parking was relatively easy, as there are many metered spots out front, and I heard there's a parking lot. we had a reservation and were seated right away, though quite a few people without reservation were still waiting, even at almost 2pm. We started with soft, warm bread with a flaky outside. It helped calm my hungry stomach, and it was nice with salt and pepper. There is a good number of wines by the glass, all of which are available as "tastes" or "glasses," so you can try a couple of different ones if you like. For brunch, I had the New England Cobb, which had well grilled yet still juicy chicken pieces over shredded romaine with fresh diced tomato, peas, crisp smoky bacon, and blue cheese. It was a pretty large portion with a good amount of chicken, and it definitely hit the spot. A friend got the Winter pear salad with pomegranate seeds and seemed to enjoy the pomegranate walnut vinaigrette. Another got the challah french toast with an interesting almond apricot cheese in the center, and the other had the corn waffles with rum and bananas, which she was raving about. Prices at brunch were very reasonable - about $10-12 for most things. I definitely prefer this to the greasy diner breakfast, and the ambiance is much nicer. The crowd is a bit older, but it's not stuffy at all. People started coming in for the fireside chats that are done every other week, and I'd like to come back for that sometime. Service was polite and pretty quick, considering they were pretty busy. The host was very friendly and apologetic when two waiting patrons sat down at our booth because they were tired from standing while waiting. We thought it was a bit awkward, since they were basically sitting at our table, but we didn't think much of it, since they seemed old and both had walkers/canes. The host politely guided them to other seats, and he came back and apologized profusely to us and the adjacent table. It was kind of funny, but we appreciated his attention. I had a really good time - I didn't expect much, but it ended up being surprisingly satisfying and a good deal for a Boston brunch. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Richard P.
The food was great and the atmosphere was elegant. It's a bit on the pricey side when it's not during Restaurant Week. Now, I know this is no fault of the establishment, but the last time I went, I didn't have the most pleasant dining experience. I think it was the food/wine pairing. It did not settle very well.. a shame too, because I would have had a great time otherwise.
(3)Bailey R.
This is a wonderful restaurant in Washington Square. The food selection and variety is wonderful, and it is clear that The Fireplace truly values quality, appearance, and customer satisfaction. Their drink menu is also amazing the sangria and pomegranate martinis are my favorite. The cozy environment makes The Fireplace a perfect date spot, place to catch up with friends, or place to grab a quick bite right at the bar. The bartenders are always friendly and entertaining. The Fireplace locals also make the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable. No matter where you live in Boston, making the trip to The Fireplace is definitely worth it.
(5)Jeremy H.
I have been here a few times, and only the first time about 6 years ago was good. I do not remember what I got, but I told myself I had to go back....too bad they disappointed. The second time I went with friends the food was good, but nothing to write home about. The dish that stood out was the house special roasted chicken. I went again about 2 years ago with a cousin who wanted to try the place. It was just plain bad. My cousin and I had the chicken...it was about as juicy as jerky. his wife got some pasta dish that tasted awful...I remember that the pasta was cooked uneven (too much in a pot so some was overcooked and some was undercooked) and the sauce was a salty disaster on a plate. Well a few months ago i heard that they had an amazing brunch. Since the interior was phenomenal and the place had not been put out of business I decided it must have a redeeming quality, so I went. Boy was I surprised. brunch Kicked ass. the duck hash, the eggs Benedict, and the potatoes were all outstanding. Then I got the bill, and I was floored when I realized I had not looked at prices until this point. i mean come on $14 for eggs Benedict that was just eggs, ham, English muffin, and a side of greens....of course we ordered more food, we were still hungry. So the bottom line is the only reason to go here is that you could careless about how much a meal costs, and you want a good (but not near the best you can get) brunch on the weekend.
(2)Emily S.
No doubt amazing. Expensive, but if you've got the money, this is easily one of the best restaurants around Boston. Blew my mind.
(5)Lainey M.
This is a review of the "Fireside Chats". Excellent! The wine and food were excellent. We were seated at communal tables and really enjoyed meeting the other guests. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
(4)J R.
The crispy potato gnocchi with roasted tomato basil sauce, sauted spinach, asiago cheese & toasted pine nuts was fantastic. My broiled sea bass with a green pea puree, porcini mushrooms & garlic confit emulsion was outstanding. For drinks we went with a simple Finger Lakes Riesling, and I had a Whales Tale IPA. Our server was polite, responsive and genuinely funny without being overbearing. Overall - a pleasant experience.
(4)Sari D.
I would rate the drinks an A. Great variety, the bartender gave us recommendations and samples. The Apps... an A. Goat cheese makes us weak in the knees. The service a combined grade of A-. Our waitress would get about a B- on her own, but the bartender was great and the manager went above and beyond to find a wine for my friend. (She was waiting for me at the bar and had mentioned to him she was frustrated b/c none of the local stores carried this wine she loved). He actually called a couple stores in the area to find the bottle she was looking for and brought the info over while we were eating! The entrees get a C+. The scallops were cold by the time they got the table and the carrot ravioli came in the very heavy sweet cream sauce they was gross. We made reservations weeks in advance and as we were having wine after dinner the staff proceeded to take away all the tables around us on the first floor and set up for a band. We were rather rudely dismissed. If I didnt have another groupon, I wouldn't return.
(3)Molly W.
The Fireplace is a date night kind of place. I'm guessing the owners wanted it to be "an accessible, fancy restaurant". One where, your husband doesn't need to were a jacket and tie, yet you wouldn't feel comfortable letting him wear a hoody there either. It's like, an after work spot or something. I don't know.... so while this wasn't a problem for me and my friend for our "girls night out"... I'm pretty sure my hubs would not enjoy himself there simply because he wouldn't know how to dress. Foodwise - they have a great looking menu. We couldn't decide what to get! An appetizer and two entrees? A cheese plate, a salad, and a split entree? So many decisions! And so expensive! The cheese plate is $8 for One kind of cheese and $5 for every additional cheese. Isn't that expensive? I mean - these are Local cheeses - they're cheddars from VT! Why would I pay $8 for a hunk of cheddar when I know that other cheeses are more expensive? The whole concept frustrates me. Just serve me a GD cheese plate and charge me $15 for it already. Needless to say, we did not order the cheese plate (and that's like - "our thing"!) The food we did order was pretty good. It was like... a B. In the end it was the lack of attention to detail that kind of killed it for me. Here's a quick example: Kobe Burger. Delicious. Cooked perfectly. But the fries were soft and undercooked and the broccoli, while garlicky, we concluded must have been sauteed at a high heat because the florets were overcooked and the stems were undercooked. Nit-picky? Maybe... but when you're paying top dollar, you expect the best. I will say the service was excellent. Our waitress was honest about the food (the pork medallions are actually pork belly, and lamb round is the ass of a lamb) so we appreciated her help in choosing entrees. The drinks we had were yummy - also our waitress's suggestion, and she was really patient while we caught up with one another. We didn't feel rushed, and in the end, we had a very nice night. Tips: Go here with another girl, or make your match.com date take you here for dinner. Use a Groupon to get $50 off. And don't be temped to over order - it's a LOT of food.
(3)Claudia M.
Went here for dinner with work mates and was not really impressed. Maybe my expectations were too high as I have heard wonderful things about this place but was not blown away and at $80 p/p it was a let down. The portions are huge but the flavors were somewht lacking. My veggies were also overcooked and greasy - hate this!
(3)Steven E.
Just re-visited the Fireplace, as I was invited and did not have to pay. The person who invited me had a gift certificate to this place, and did not have to pay either. The prices are still expensive, even more so than a year ago. The quality of the food improved drastically. It is now excellent. If you have a few bucks $150 for two people to spend, this is a good place to do it at.
(4)Evan L.
The Fireplace: 50 tables, 2 by the fire. As far as haute cuisine goes, the restaurant really didn't deliver. The food was very good by normal standards but within the price range it was average. The chicken was over-cooked and dry unfortunately and the duck was slightly undercooked. We did enjoy our salmon cake appetizers but 2 tiny cakes were $15. The service was this restaurant's saving grace. Both hostess and waiter were what you should expect. The restaurant is loud and was full. The setup was very strange. We had reservations for a week for a special occasion and they tried to seat us in the lower level where literally 15 people were waiting for seats standing around your table (no exaggeration--1 foot away from you). Bad ambiance. I would have given it 3 stars but I would go back to a 3 star restaurant and this one just wasn't good enough for me to go back to.
(2)Kate F.
What a new year's bummer. The Sig O and I braved the freezing cold and made last minute dinner plans here for New Year's Eve - since we moved to Brighton we've had our eye on this place and couldn't wait for an excuse to try it out. We slipped and slid down Beacon to make our reservation on time...and the place was nearly empty. The fire kept petering out all evening, and the warm, rustic decor was inexplicably spotted with sports paraphernalia. We were seated by a harried maître d' who whisked our coats away and told us to find him when we were leaving and he'd direct us to them...one guess as to whether or not we could find him when we were ready to leave. The wine selection was delightful on the page, but my chardonnay was served icey cold - the same for the Sig O's pinot grigio. I ordered pumpkin soup and the menu mentioned hazelnuts...I'd have welcomed them crushed and as a garnish, but I had to crunch my way through the soup. My autumn salad was doused in oily, flavorless dressing even though I requested it on the side. The Human Eating Machine consumed every last morsel of the ravioli on his plate, but his reaction afterward was "meh". $64 later and not a "wow" - I can't say we'll be heading back.
(2)wendy g.
OMG!!! Let me repeat OMG!! We had the five course tasting meal with our coupon from living social. First course was a dense and delicious lobster bisque. Course two was a fabulous pear and arugula salad. Then a goose confit on sweet potato mash. YUMMMY!! really Yummy!!! The main course was my favorite, rack of lamb with potato cake (latkes for Passover) Can you tell that we had a great time. Dessert was a perfect creme brulee. The wine we chose was called syrah- a California light red. If you want a truly great meal- this was it. Oh for the uninitiated- their lunches are the best soup and sandwich for the money in town- i.e. reasonable. Dinner will cost!
(5)Sean D.
I've been here several times and it doesn't disappoint. A bit pricey, but worth it for a strong meal that perfectly combines a little creative dishmaking with the warmth of good comfort food. Extensive wine list with some good and reasonably priced glasses and bottles. Cocktails generous and priced about average for an upper end restaurant. Very accommodating hostess who managed to fit in a 4 person walk-in party on a Saturday night. Most meals seem to have primarily local (or relatively local) ingredients and the menu is seasonal. Cheese course is a nice touch. Highly recommended for dates or gathering of friends looking for a good meal.
(4)Julia F.
I went to The Fireplace this year with one of my friends/coworkers with whom I've eaten many a good meal. We have a pact to make it to as many as possible during RW. We called and made a reservation, 7:30. We were early, and took our time getting in there. We were seated immediately at the back of the restaurants at a partial booth, smack in the middle of two couples that seemed not to enjoy our arrival all that much. We decided to do the wine tasting with the pre fixe - good choice, in my opinion. I started with the endive salad with goat cheese and really tasty vinaigrette. I wish I had noticed it was made with nuts cause that meant I couldn't eat all that much of it - as I am mildly allergic. I am usually more attentive to the menu, but I guess I just got caught up in the anticipation of being ready to order when our waiter came to the table - not that he took too long, you can just never be sure about service, I wanted to be ready for him when he came. I then had the risotto, which had chicken, tomato and a whole bunch of veg in it. It promised to be "lightly smoked" but I found it really smoky tasting, not that that was bad - just surprising. This was not your ma's risotto. I finished with the Blueberry Lavender sorbet, which I found to be very funny tasting... Like licking perfume? I only knew what a mistake I had made when I tasted my friend's Butterscotch Bread Pudding - A-MA-ZA-ZING. We were speechless. Then we began a lengthy discussion with our very nice waiter as to how we could get this crazygood bread pudding again. Sadly, he told us it was no longer going to be on the menu, but though it was also his favorite he told us he couldn't say anything bad about the other bread puddings they have during different seasons. Whew! The décor is nice, too dark to really tell what is going on, but it was clean and had good colors. I found the kitchen to be oddly visible. The entry and the bar (also the bathrooms?) are kind of cordoned off from the dining room. Our waiter was really nice. He served very well, up to the point where he served the girl (MOI!) first every time and always made care to at the very least make eye contact with us to see if we needed anything else. And for that we tipped him as nicely as we could.
(4)David C.
Went on Friday night. Glad we had a reservation because it was very crowded. Mussels were good and came quickly. Waitress was very good. One major downside was that out entrees took 65 minutes to come after we placed the order. Our waitress came over to apologize twice but it still seemed like forever. We were very hungry. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was outstanding but pretty good. The steak was a little tough but had decent flavor. The ribs were very tender. I probably won't go back as the wait time was very long, we felt crammed in surrounded by people waiting for tables and the value didn't seem all that great. Perhaps it was an off night.
(2)Julie W.
I used my Living Social deal ($70 for dinner for two including Appetizer, Salad, Entrée, Side, and Dessert for The Fireplace and was able to make reservation on "Open Table" (always a nice thing). The food, ambiance and service were all excellent and I will definitely be returning. It's more upscale and fancy (I probably wouldn't recommend bringing children). They have a small parking lot out back (shared with other stores) or you can take the C line to Washington Square.
(5)Lynn W.
I came here for dinner a few weeks ago, and I have a mixed bag of feelings regarding this restaurant. The ambience is amazing here. I love the dim lighting. Very comfortable spot to enjoy dinner and drinks with a friend, or a date. The waitstaff was friendly and fairly accomodating. That said, I tried the burger which was noted as being considered the best burger in boston. I have to say it was not the best burger I have ever had. I am not a huge fan of english muffin as a bun, but I figured I would try it anyway. It was hard to hold the gigantic burger on a thin english muffin and everything sort of fell apart as I was taking my first bite. The juices were also coming out of the burger which is a sign that they did not let it rest, and thus many of the juices were not actually inside the burger at the time of consumption. It made for a dry burger. I very much enjoyed the meat and cheese platter, which came with flatbread crackers and other accoutrements. The drinks were good, but the dessert drinks were incredibly strong, to the point where I could not finish more than 1/4 of a large dessert beverage because all I could taste in my mouth was spiced rum. This could very well be my fault in not reading the descriptions of the drinks, and I take responsibility for that. I just don't understand how anyone would ever want to drink something that is 100% alcohol.
(3)Katherine D.
I went here for an anniversary dinner. Its pricey, but definitely worth it for a special night. I had the duck and he had the sirloin. He is super hard to please but enjoyed everything. I have to say my favorite part was the pomegranet blackberry margarita, it was delicious and I might be back for drinks!
(5)Ken B.
I recently went to The Fireplace with some friends for brunch. It was my first time there and I quite enjoyed it, although I wouldn't reccomend going here for dinner. Dinner items are VERY pricey, and frankly, if you're going to pay $30 per plate for a dinner you can do better. Brunch was great. Reasonably priced and a great selection. I got a delicious 3 egg omlett with tomatoes, brocolii, and cheddar cheese melted on top. Everyone else at the table loved their food as well, from simple bacon and eggs to delicious waffles topped with a homemade blueberry whipped cream. The service was very good, however, we did have a few sanitary issues. My water glass had lint floating in it (I'm glad I noticed!) and someone else at our table had a very dirty spoon (and I'm glad she noticed!). The wait staff was quick to apologize though and I think it was just an anomally. All in all, I would go back for brunch as there are more items on the menu I want to try!
(3)Allie G.
So many Yelpers already offer details about The Fireplace, I won't bore you with rehashings of their iffy prices, questionable ambiance, etc. It *is* good, and the staff are friendly and professional, but it's also a little overpriced--and a smidge too trendy--for me. (Not every dish calls for candied nuts--just saying.) *BUT* there's a definite trick to ensuring a 4- or even 5-star experience at the FP. 1) Go on a beautiful afternoon. 2) Grab an outside table. 3) Order from the brunch or lunch menu (about $10-14 per person). Options are great--chicken salad, great Cobb salad, omelettes, Belgian waffles, roti BLT, etc. 4) Enjoy!
(4)Trish F.
Nobody puts Trishie in a corner. Well, maybe The Fireplace does. And what a cold corner it was. I went to The Fireplace during Restaurant Week. My friend and I came earlier than our reservation and we were promptly seated. Our table was in the corner right by the stairs that lead to the elevated dining area. It probably had the worst lighting in the place.. not romantic candlelit dim like emerging from the cave dim. And even though we were right by the fire, I was freezing.. and I'm not one of those chicks that's easily cold. Our waitress was cute. Bubbly, helpful, and generally nice. The bus boy/helper waiter/water guy was also pretty awesome.. checking our table frequently, but not disturbing conversation. For some reason, I got a strange vibe from the rest of the wait staff, I don't know. There was a guy going around greeting people and asking how they were and he never made it to our table. Meh On to the food. The soup was a mushroom something or other? Served warm.. it may have cooled off quickly due to my chilly seat. It was pretty good, probably would have been better hot. The main dish.. was beef brisket with a sort of polenta. AMAZING. The dessert was a pound cake sandwich with mulled dried fruits. Hmmm.. wasn't really digging it. Not really my taste and too heavy. At the end of the meal, my friend and I regretted our restaurant week menu decision. We should have just ordered the beef! Oh well. The Fireplace is a green restaurant (has recycling, doesn't use styrofoam etc). They have jazz and latin nights weekly, so maybe I'll stop back in if I'm in the area. We shall see. As for atmosphere, the place reminds me of a lodge with the fire going and the seating. The walls are adorned with pictures of Boston basketball/baseball teams. Seems like a strange mish mash to me. OH and I almost forgot. An extra star because either the owner or one of the chefs stopped by one of the fundraisers I was involved with last fall. He offered to throw a dinner party in someone's home. Then when the bidding reached a lull, he threw in a scotch tasting! We got a couple thousand from that. It was supremely generous and very classy of him. Scotch = classy. Always.
(4)Susie A.
The Fireplace is one of my go-to restaurants in Brookline, especially for their brunch. No matter how many times I've been, I ALWAYS order the eggs benedict because it's SO good. But I've heard the crispy duck hash is also delish as is the challah french toast. I've only been once for dinner and don't remember what I had remember being really, really impressed. They also have really, really good mojitos. I love the blueberry one! I think I just really enjoy the atmosphere of this place and the waitstaff is always super friendly.
(4)Alixandria F.
This place has some good food. I've only ever gone for brunch, which I'd say is a good time to go. Especially when it gets cold out. Its so cozy and a perfect place to share a delicious meal with friends. The New England Cobb is delicious. I know I know its just a cobb, but its really not. Whatever dressing they use is heavenly and I'd do unmentionable things to get a bottle of it. 4 stars because the hostesses are always bitchy. I mean really? You're a hostess, don't cop attitude with me
(4)Webster M.
How does it go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Yeah, I'm giving it two stars since the food is at least edible. Nothing here is outstanding, and the service was the worst. There will not be a third time.
(2)Ria B.
I am still beaming from the fantastic time we had at the fireplace last night. We were a table of 10 celebrating a Birthday and the whole evening went by very smoothly. While waiting for the rest of the group we enjoyed a couple drinks by the bar... I took the suggestion of some Yelp reviewers and tried the pomegranate blackberry margarita. Wow.. refreshing and punchy! It definitely set me in a good mood for the rest of the night :) When the rest of my pals arrived we were seated immediately and were well attended during the length of the meal. The bread is delicious by the way... a warm biscuity type that required no buttering in my opinion. For appetizers I highly recommend the mussels. They are sizable, succulent, and extremely savory. The cheese platter is a great appetizer as well.. we picked the Camembert from column a and I cannot recall the cheese from column b... though I know it ends in '-doodle.' Good quality cheese with a perfect cracker and fruit accompaniment. The entrees were terrific as well. For filling portions, order their signature maple glazed half-chicken dish or the porterhouse porkchop. Sea scallops were the special that night and they were delicately seared to perfection. After two bottles of wine and all that food we unfortunately did not have room for dessert, so I can't comment on that. I will definitely try out the sweets on my next occasion there.
(4)Zoe L.
Service was terrific! Food was soooooo delicious that I ate every bite, which rarely happens. We will be back!
(4)Vera S.
The Fireplace is awesome. Everything about it was great - even the bread that they serve to you pre-meal. I went there for lunch and had a great experience. They hand-cut their fries themselves, and they taste amazing. My water glass was refilled before being close to empty. My sandwich was awesome. This is a great, high class establishment. Every peice of your meal is treated with the utmost care. I loved it, and will go for dinner if I ever can afford it.
(5)Liv K.
I came here for my anniversary dinner with my husband recently. He had made reservations a week in advance, and right before we were getting ready to leave it started absolutely pouring outside- I mean, it was like a monsoon. Since I had just perfected my hair and makeup, there was no way I wanted to go outside in that, since it seemed like just a passing storm. So we called the restaurant to tell them we'd be late and asked them to hold our reservation for us, and they gladly obliged. When we finally got there a half hour after our original reservation time, they had a table waiting for us right by the fireplace. Although it took quite a while for anyone to bring us water and (delicious) bread (upwards of 20 minutes), we ended up having a great dinner. For an appetizer we ordered the heirloom tomato salad which came with delicious goat cheese. For our entrees, he ordered the grilled bavette steak, and I ordered the special of the night- flank steak with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Both meals were cooked perfectly and very flavorful.
(4)F L.
I have been here several times because it's just around the corner from where I live. The food is always okay, but the entrees (e.g. scallops) tend to be heavier than you expect and on the salty side. Their burger is stuffed with cheese (inside the meat) and served with an English muffin bun. It is delicious for the first several bites, but then you start to feel a bit sick to your stomach because it is so heavy. The ambiance is nice, the service is friendly, and they're pretty accommodating with large parties and children which I why I keep coming back. For the quality of the actual food you get, however, their menu is way overpriced...upwards of $30 for a typical dinner entree. You can get much better and more interesting food elsewhere for the same price, and to be perfectly honest I don't think I would go out of my way to come here if it weren't so convenient to where I live.
(3)Kate S.
This place is named the Fireplace because there is a fireplace right as you walk in. Because my favorite ambiance always includes coziness, I give it 5 stars just for the way you feel when you walk in the door. The food is great! Not so great as other places I've been in Boston (some of my food-snob friends have snubbed this place), but I think that it will satisfy most people. It is pricey, but is really the only place in the area of its sort. So if you are looking for a relatively fancy place in the area, this is where you should go.
(5)Duchess C.
This is a great little restaurant serving better-than-good food and a great selection of wine and cocktails. Instead of overreaching into the unknown, the kitchen here really seems to have mastered the art of cooking standard dishes with delicious and creative twists (instead of lox and bagels, there is a pizza with lox and capers on it, challah French toast, rice pilaf with lots of lentils and a brown butter sauce, the list goes on). A great place to meet for brunch, get cocktails with the girls, lunch with the family or dinner with close friends or a date.
(5)Nelle C.
Excellent menu (had a tough time narrowing my choice), very good service. It's pricey, though. Had the Honeymoon salad with shrimp - delicious. Bring a sweater.
(4)Jennifer K.
I don't know. I don't mind going. If I'm with my parents. I don't like the open kitchen, because the cooks are CREEPY, and seriously just stare at me and whisper crap. COOK THE DAMN FOOD. The Gnocci is solid. Which means really good. For those who don't know. OH, but they really need to get rid of the table that is DIRECTLY IN FRONT of the fireplace. Even when it's cold outside.... I don't need to be 2 feet from a fire. Until the day I die, when my friends and I are partying it up downstairs... hm..
(3)Ina C.
Good: The wine-tasting that was going on while I was there for the mid-day menu seemed really cool. Bad: The mid-day menu seems like a good value, but the pizza I ordered was completely mediocre and extremely salty. Good: The quahog (another word for clam, I discovered) chowder is to die for! Bad: I can't think of another bad thing. But I had a pattern going, so... Good: It's a very romantic restaurant!
(3)pete k.
I LOVE this place. It is my newfound favorite brunch spot, in fact. Dinner is great, from the atmosphere to the food and drinks. Unfortunately it does get busy and you might have to wait. Its not as expensive as you'd think, and the locally sourced food is all outstandingly fresh. And the beer selection - top notch. They have Cisco Whale's Tale on tap.. love it. Brunch though - oooh man. "Crispy Duck Hash". These words bounce around my head constantly, and I constantly look for reasons to go eat it. There are other great things on the menu as well - from eggs benedict to spit roasted chicken BLTs and crispy french toast.. but whatever - give me DUCK with fried eggs on top and you have won my heart. Service is generally good - however sit at the bar on the weekends and hang out with the best bartender I've encountered in the city. Great guy and he knows not just the drinks, but the food as well. Oh, and the owner is likely to swing by, too - nice guy. The bathroom is pretty cool too - worth a visit if only to wash your hands.
(5)Judy P.
The food was fantastic! Our server was very attentive and knowable with the menu. We bought a couple of groupons and I am so glad that I found this place. Will definitely go back for a special occasion!
(4)Katia M.
Went here for brunch after fantasizing about corn waffles for weeks. I didn't get the corn waffles because there was an omelet on the menu that sounded even better. First off, the bread they came around with --biscuits? Popovers? Whatever it was, it was flaky, fresh, warm, and delicious. We went through two baskets before I was like, okay, we actually have real food coming. My omelet was amazing, as expected, and the bite or three I had of said waffles was good, if a bit sweet for my starch-lovin' palate. A bit pricy, yeah, but oh, it is so tasty.
(4)Amy C.
Ok so my husband gave this place one star and so do I. This was my second trip (I gave it the old college try again)... and sorry I did.... Strike #1 - For the price that you pay... you should have memorable food and good service. After you have been seating 10 minutes, when you have to ask for your waiter you know you are in trouble. I made eye contact with the assistants filling water, passing bread to the tables around us. Nothing. Strike #2 - Which I never mentioned to my husband..... WHO puts brown wilted romaine on a plate and passes it off as salad. I can understand 1 or two leaves that slip by mistakenly... but no, clearly they were using old lettuce and pass it on to the customer...again for the price of the salad... bring out the fresh produce please.... Strike #3 - The food does not match the price you paying. Our main dishes were ok.... but so not worth $32. I don't know how the restaurant keeps a following... I gave it two tries and am sorry I did. I hope this review helps people make informed decisions.
(1)Sara L.
I ate here on Christmas Day, for dinner, and it was great. I was bringing someone from the airport, so we were nearly an hour early, but they still seated us, and right next to the huge fireplace. The service was spectacular, and so was the food. We had salmon cakes, baked beans, and the filet, and everything was cooked to perfection. It tasted wonderful, and the atmosphere was toasty and cozy, perfect for the holiday. The drinks were amazing as well -- I had a raspberry cocktail, and it actually had raspberries in it. So nice!
(5)Wade S.
The food here is very good, make no mistake, but things get confusing, and confused. There are two menus, a wine list and the regular meal menu, but the meal menu contains many drink items and duplicates some of the choices. The artisanal cheese offerings are very good, but overall the menu is hard to read with a too-scriptlike font and narrow spacing. The wine list also seems over-priced and/or skewed to the upper ranges and a bit narrow. Waitstaff on our visit was largely inattentive, even though it was a slow night there, and a bottle of wine we had ordered did not arrive. We were forced to cancel it, as we had already dug into our entrees and attempts to hail our waitress were fruitless. Kudos for having a parking lot, albeit small. Stairs to the main dining area. Their website claims to be offering Restaurant Week during all of August, but that was not offered to us.
(3)Erik F.
All the criticism I've read here is accurate. That said, I ate at fireplace at least a dozen times while my boyfriend lived up Washington St. The food is simple. This will bother some people because of the prices, which are paying for local sources, excellent service, a gorgeous atmosphere, and some really fantastic cooking. Everyone I've eaten with has been impressed by dinner entrees. Fireplace is very vegetarian friendly - the pick for vege-dinner is whatever seasonal ravioli is available. My personal favorite is a special I've had twice, bacon-wrapped meatloaf with mashed potatoes and garlicky broccoli, which is simply amazing. Classic comfort food, prepared as real cuisine. Squash bisque with blue cheese is probably the most noteworthy starter. Tuna tartare special was divine though. Brunch is much more hit-or-miss. I hated the duck hash, it's just to bland to wake up to. I think the sweet breakfast options are much better: Cornmeal waffles or the heavier cinnamon-apple Challah French toast. My lunch pick is the good old turkey wrap - served with cranberry mayo on a RI johnny-cake (essentially a cornbread crepe, if you're not from around here). My last warning is the Brookline 40th-Birthday or Bridal Brunches. While it is a great place to hold such an event, I'd steer clear if there's a group of ladies with Mimosas at the front tables. 3.5 stars, because I have had not-so-satisfying meals, and it is pricey. The benefit of the doubt for 4 since I was a regular because of all the good stuff.
(4)TJ G.
Brunch is excellent. Usually not crowded, portions just right, delicious plates & good service. I've had: * Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict * Crispy Duck Hash * Poached Egg Dinner is quite different. The service is extremely slow. Ambiance can be very noisy & crowded if you are seated lower level. DO NOT ORDER SEAFOOD! Stick with chicken or Pan Roasted Duck or Maple Glazed Chicken. I had the Lobster Mac & Cheese. It contained one piece of lobster meat and that was it. Nothing else mixed in. It was basically a $36 mac and cheese. For a consistent Lobster Mac & Cheese I recommend Max and Dylans in the Financial District. I never addressed the issue to our waitress. Service was so horrendous, I just wanted to get the f out.
(3)Stephanie Y.
I've been to this place twice. The first time the clams and the roasted chicken were great, but the waitress ignored us most of the time and forgot to give us bread. The second time the service was friendly, but the entrees (roasted chicken and haddock) were unimpressive, especially the haddock, which was extremely bitter with a strange aftertaste. However, if you're looking for a place with good appetizers and salad, this is a good place.
(3)J L.
We were there recently and what stood out for me was the service which could have been far better. Our waiter was aloof and hurried, we had to ask for bread and silverware which had been forgotten. The food was average but priced well above avarage. We got one bread roll per person, apparently they're made with potato flour but looked half cooked, reminded me of a big gnocchi, you only got one pat of butter per person. Then there was an empty bottle on the table which I couldn't understand? My $36.00 rib eye was charred on the outside and rare on the inside despite my instructions to have it cooked medium, just sloppy in the kitchen. The Lobster Mac and cheese was great but had very little Lobster for $18.00 Poor value for pasta and cheese which it was mostly. The dessert was the best part of the meal! Their bread pudding was awesome, could have been a bit looser in texture but loved the poached multi-color rasins!
(2)Sharee P.
I attended The Fireplace over the weekend, and let me say although it was a scorcher outside, I was in a kool heaven of great seafood, and fresh veggies! When we arrived it wasn't too crowded, but that soon changed;-) once 2pm arrived. The air soon filled with the smell of yummy salmon seared on a wooden cedar plank. My friend ordered the steak and a salad, but once I saw the seared salmon at the table across My Mind Was Made Up! LOL Great foo, Great customer service & the head chef Jim A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The pricing wasn't too bad given the awesome location and quality. *Well worth it*
(4)joshua m.
Holy Mackerel, what a disaster. 1. You pay far too much for far too little. I personally don't care if the menu is "new". That doesn't make the items within worth more money. We are not talking about cars here. 2. We waited 30 minutes for bread. 3. We waited another 10 before hearing that they were sold out of what I ordered. 4. Ten minutes later we decided to leave. The whole time, I saw the owner, Jim, walking around bussing tables and looking very depressed. It was not busy. Sad experience. They gave us our cheese plate for free and offered brunch on the house, but no thanks... we live far too close to the Centre Street Cafe to be wooed by potential brunch experiences.
(1)Abby M.
Went here last winter for a father-daughter date. I thought it was a bit overpriced and would probably not come back again unless someone else was footing the bill (thanks dad!). That said, we were both thoroughly happy with our choices-- I got the risotto, which was incredibly filling and provided some tasty leftovers. It seems to be a recurring complaint that the food is a bit too rich, and I'd definitely agree with that. Still, it was a lovely atmosphere and we got a table right in front of the fireplace. Probably a good place to go for a special date.
(3)Phil B.
I had a $50 Groupon, for which I paid $25, so I went there for dinner last night. While checking out their menu online before buying the deal, I took notice of a Kobe beef burger regularly priced at an over-the-top $23 for a thick burger with caramelized onions, avocado, and cheese, plus fresh-cut fries and broccoli on the side. Being a stickler for pink and red, rather than gray, beef, I told the waitress that I wanted the burger cooked medium rare and noted that the reason why burgers are most-frequently overcooked is that the cook waits too long to put the cheese on during the cooking process, so that by the time the cheese melts, the burger has been overcooked. I should have saved my breath, because it didn't help. The overly-dry burger was cooked to somewhere between medium and medium-well. Some of the burger's interior was very pale pink, although the grayness and lack of flavor predominated. (I understand that Kobe beef may be leaner than the beef usually used for burgers around here, but the overcooking must have also contributed to the dryness and lack of flavor.) Their fresh house-cut french fries were outstanding, however. It's a shame that there wasn't beef fat from a correctly-prepared medium-rare burger dripping down on those fries. With $50 to burn on the Groupon, I also got a side of lobster mac & cheese. On the upside, there were huge chunks of lobster in the dish. On the downside, this is not creamy mac & cheese; like the burger, it was overly dry. Also, the cheese blend used in the dish lacked the expected sharp cheddary notes contained within most mac & cheese recipes. The base reminded me more of the Swiss family of cheeses than cheddar/jack/american. The fruit crisp I had for dessert was nothing special, but the very small scoop of butter walnut ice cream on the baked crisp was wonderful. I asked the server where they get their ice cream from, and they don't get their ice cream from one of the local parlors. Someone who makes ice cream in their home sells it directly to them. I could see myself returning here for a plate of fries and dish of ice cream, but that's about it.
(2)Dorothy B.
I have enjoyed dinner at The Fireplace about once a month for the last year. The food is always delicious and the service is always good. The menu has good variety whether you want a full meal or something lighter. I like eating at the bar or at a cozy table. Its a great neighborhood spot.
(5)Meghan W.
I went for brunch this past weekend and was pretty underwhelmed. The service was good although our party of 7 was extremely crowded at the table we were seated at. We ordered a wide variety of items from the menu and no one seemed blown away by what they ate at the end of the meal. I had the chicken caesar salad, and while the chicken was moist and tasty, the salad dressing was a bit overwhelming. Others said they're meals were a little greasy or had a slightly odd taste. I would try coming back for lunch or dinner, but I think there are far better places for brunch in the area.
(2)Romulo R.
This place is a little more lively and little more 'posh' than the tavern accross the street. I did not try the food, but the bartender was very personable and a great conversionalist. The place was a little quiet, so it was possible to have a conversation, but they do have live music on some nights, which is something to look forward to . Overall, I had a nice time and intend to go back.
(4)Marisa W.
Delicious food. Excellent service. A little on the pricey side, but worth it for a special evening out.
(5)Rob K.
I was really excited to try this place and we had decided to go for an early Valentine's day dinner. We arrived a 1/2 hour early and were seated right away, which was nice. The hostess was very pleasant and accomodating as well. Once seated, our waitress came to greet us. She seemed nice enough but had no real personality to make the experience. We ordered out drinks and then our food. My turkey dinner, which sounded amazing, was dry and rather flavorless. The chicken that my other half ordered was actually quite good. The people next to us had an issue with their waiter and called the manager over so that they could give him an earful, as they were everyone else in the place. Loud talkers... Anyhow, they were complaining about their coffee and the fact that this was their 3rd time there etc.... The waiter said something that made it seem as if he was just brushing off their complaint. Ok, none of our business, but the manager obviously did not make it any better by arguing with them over the coffee and not addressing the issue regarding the waiter's attitude. Which, we heard him with another table and it was obvious he did not know when to shut his mouth talking about his intolerance to rich deserts (enough said). It continued to escalate and we then had to witness all the waiters and other staff was doing nothing mulling about talking about it. It made for some entertainment however was not condusive for a nice dinner date. The staff did not live up to the atmosphere. Oh yeah, our waitress maybe visited us twice and when it was time to pay the bill she perked up. It's too bad because I was looking so forward to eating there. Oh well, I won't go back unless I hear that the staff got some customer service training.
(2)Jessica N.
We came here for our pre holiday brunch with the fam. The service was good, the bread was so awesome. I think after we finished our basket of bread and tricked the bus boy into giving us each another piece they got a little grumpy, but I wouldn't spread that bread around either- I would keep it all locked up for myself..... Anyway, most of the food was super good. My caper and salmon pizza was kind of intense for me. And who really think a Bellini is made with peach schnapps? It was a cute place with easy parking and a nice way to relax in Bean town with the fam.
(4)Jerry J.
Great lighting, great service, but I hate, hate, hate cheapo-deluxe ultra-super-hydrogenated oil slathered on meat while it's grilling. Makes people smell funny and the meat has an after taste. Everything else was ok, price was a little high for what it was, even if it weren't ruined with soybean oil, but the service was pretty hip.
(2)Layla P.
We went here with a big party - about 30 people and kudos to Fireplace for being able to accommodate us (with ample notice of course). The french toast was a little better than average, definitely good thick and fluffy bread and caramelized fruit on top, but still not something I would go back for. The eggs were OK and potatoes quite good. All in all, not something i would trek all the way to Washington square for, but a decent choice.
(3)Angela S.
The food was not very good, it was overcooked. Our waitress was very nice but the host staff and the bartender were terrible. I would not go back to this place.
(2)Sarah S.
I'm inching towards a dozen visits to this place, and I think it's great. I came here several times over the summer because: a) I bought three Groupons b) I like to sit outside with my dog They've always been totally sweet to my pup, and have a good outdoor seating vibe. I find the food to be fairly good, if a little overpriced. The bread they bring out is insanely good, and they always have a great oyster selection. The menu changes frequently, which I appreciate. The last time I was there I had the pomegranate and pear salad, which sounds simple but was somehow very complex and delicious. Their steak bites are solid as an appetizer or added to any salad. Also, their raspberry mule signature cocktail is FANtastic. Otherwise, they have an interesting selection of beer and wine, so the drink menu tends to be an overall crowd-pleaser. This most recent visit was the first time actually sitting inside the place. We grabbed a spot by the fireplace itself, which made for a cozy (if a bit overly toasty) experience!
(4)Rhea B.
I have had wonderful meals here over the years. Love their menu choices, preparations, and service!
(4)Hungry B.
I've only been to the Fireplace a few times, but its been excellent each time. Its a little pricier than my usual Friday night but the food is really great. Most recent visit was 11/2010 - I had scallops with pork belly and roasted vegetables - outstanding. My gf had the lobster mac and cheese which was great too. Had an app and some salad to start which were both nice - nothing was "just ok", it was all really nice. Our waitress was both friendly and attentive for a busy weekend evening.
(5)Bernadette S.
Yesterday afternoon my girlfriend and I went to the Fireplace for their twice monthly events called Fireside Chats. We were very excited because yesterday's Fireside Chat was all about New England microbrews paired with small plates of food. My girlfriend loves beer - that's why we picked this particular Fireside Chat. The atmosphere was great and we were seated by the fireplace, and very much looking forward to our experience. I love the warm paint colors, layout and large, yet cozy atmosphere. Then we noticed that the beers they were putting out were all Sam Adams varieties. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I love Sam Adams beer and think they're a great company. But I live a five minute walk from their brewery and also happen to get free Sam Adams products fairly regularly through one of my clients. I think the Fireside Restaurant was cheating by making "New England Microbrews" all about Sam Adams when that's a Boston-based company with a local tour, and there are a trillion other New England Microbrews that most of us haven't sampled. So, all this to say that we left before our Fireside Chat began and did not taste the food or sample the beer. We're going back for the Reisling Fireside Chat in July and I'll edit then.
(3)Ivan C.
Pricey but the food is great. They have a very unique menu with great flavors.
(4)Cynthia S.
I went to the Fireplace with three other people and we all enjoyed our meals. One of the guests in our party has a gluten allergy and the staff was wonderful. This is a great place to take out-of-towners for a special treat.
(5)Ben H.
The atmosphere is nice, and the staff is really friendly. I got the salmon, which I really enjoyed, although everything else on the plate was average. The corn ravioli was really good - it was in a delicious sauce. The salads were all great too.
(4)Chillin G.
This place is okay for food but is wayy overpriced... A little buttered spinach for $9.
(2)Julie T.
I went there on a Wednesday Night and the place was pretty packed. The food was decent. A little pricey, but it's a really cozy atmosphere. A good place for a date, but not great. The tables are pretty close together so you can definetly hear other peoples conversations. On wednesday they have live jazz there after 9:30.
(3)Joscelyn A.
The food was absolutely amazing. I had the half chicken on bed of mashed potatoes and it was the most delicious meal I've ever had. Hands down
(5)Greg P.
A great dining option in Washington Square The Fireplace is located in the heart of Washington Square. Specializing in American and New England cuisine, it's menu changes seasonally. The ambiance is warm and spacious. The servers are very helpful and nice. My wife and I have dined there several times and have always had a good experience. The bake their bed fresh daily and it's a great way to start the meal, crunchy but soft and warm. The Fireplace offers terrific appetizers including salads and seasonal bisques. Entrees that have stood out for us include the roasted duck which is served with wild rice and a cherry sauce and the hanger steak which is cooked perfectly and not overly seasoned. The desserts are also excellent. One particular standout dessert was the spiced cider donuts which came hot with three different sauces (apple cider syrup, caramel, and raspberry) for dipping. Although, with drinks, you can expect to pay a bill similar to what you would expect from a glitzy downtown Boston restaurant, the food is worth it. Overall, the Fireplace is a great dining option for those looking for a fine-dining experience without trekking all the way downtown!
(4)Kim N.
Delicious drinks and food! We usually sit at the bar whenever we go -- the bartenders all provide good service and chill conversation!
(4)Kevin R.
My girlfriend and I went to the Fireplace last night and we had a great time. Conveniently located right at Washington square, the service was very friendly from the bartender to the waitress and even the bus boy. The decor was great. My girlfriend enjoyed the ambience, the hanging lights in the windows created. They sat us right in front of their wood fireplace, their centerpiece, which was a blessing on such a cold day in February. We had a special appetizer that night which was a cod dip served with pita chips. It was amazing and I would definitely recommend this appetizer if they continue to serve it. She had the swordfish which she loved and I tasted and as well and thoroughly enjoyed. I had the half chicken which was very tasty to. Juicy, served with a side of glazed carrots which was mouth watering. We had the meal with a bottle of Bread and Butter wine, which I suggest to anyone, and it paired with our meals perfectly. Lastly, we finished with the apple caramel doughnuts. These were very tasty and did not feel overly heavy which one tends to feel after having desert after a full meal. The pricing was fair, though not the cheapest place to go, the food is worth every penny. The only thing that keeps this place from having a fourth star is how crowded the seating is especially in front of said fireplace, but if you're looking for a nice place to go, hop on the C train and head over to Washington Square and have a nice meal. It's worth it.
(3)V M.
I went to The Fireplace with high expectations after a co worker recommended them. Sadly I was disappointed. Service was 5 star, very pleasant and informative. Meal was only 3 star, as it was eh and very expensive for what was on the plate. I had the tuna and monkfish with potatoes and roasted vegetables. Fish was decent, veggies were delish and the potatoes were way undercooked. For $33 I expected much more. I have no issue spending $33 on an entree but it better be 5 star!
(3)Nancy T.
Food was fine. Service seemed very inexperienced. Among other things, server left a long blond hair on the table each time she stopped by. 3x. i suppose if i had a hair fetish this wouldve added instead of subtracting a star.
(2)Paola M.
This USED to be one of my favorite places to have dinner but not after what happened today!!!! I walked in around 3:30pm to have lunch. I walked in with my emotional support animal INSIDE a travel bag. I motion to the hostess if I can sit at the bar and she agrees. I sit at the bar, there is a guy sitting about three seats away, the restaurant is nearly empty and I place my comfort animal on the ground out of view. The man sitting at the bar starts RUDELY and LOUDLY starts stating that animals are filthy and how disgusted he is and therefore wants the check. Surprisingly, I get KICKED out of the restaurant and they refuse to provide me with service. FYI it is ILLEGAL to segregate someone and/or refuse them service . The fireplace has infringed and violated the AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT. They did not even offer to seat me outside I was just told to leave.
(1)GJ N.
I've had two meals here, they were each 3 STAR. The bar, atmosphere and service deserve a higher rating. Careful if Dean is bar tending... he makes the drinks strong. While I was dating he made my date super strong Cosmo's, and I had to drag her home. I held her hair back while she vomited into her toilet for 20 minutes, then carried her to her sofa. I went into the bathroom to clean it up for her, then headed out the door when I was confronted by her, stumbling, and naked. "C'monnnnn and f*** me ass****, I know thhhhat's (hiccup!) allllll you wannn." Then she threw her titanic bra at me - it wrapped around my neck, and I scooted out the door with my souvenir. The Yoko Miwa Trio plays here most Thursday nights, which makes for a delightful atmosphere. Sitting before the fireplace is really lovely on rainy or cold winter nights.
(5)Jessi E.
This is my first negative update, and I feel kinda bad - but the last few times I've been here, it has been disappointing. The entrees have really gone up in price in the past year. Previously most dishes were in the low $20 range, now I think the only dish under $25 is the signature roasted chicken and a veggie entree. Most are $28-35 now, and considering the quality has stayed the same - I think they're overpriced now. Still a great ambiance, my only guess is business must be lacking. We'll still be back though.
(3)Brian A.
Great brunch with a good variety of meals. Our table of 4 all tried something different- crispy duck hash, smoked salmon egg's benedict, pancakes with country sausage and the burger. Everyone left full and satisfied. The waitstaff was attentive (we had 2 servers, 1 of them was training) and friendly. Definitely not the cheapest brunch in town, but a nice treat to have every so often.
(4)AJ S.
I was truly suprised at how lackluster our exerience at The Fireplace was. The ambience is great, albeit a bit loud. But the food and the service were really sub-par. I had wanted to try this place for about a year as I drive by it constantly and always think that it looks great. So, my wife and I gave it a shot. Food - The chicken was dry and tasteless. My wife's steak was overdone. I can't recall what we had as a starter - Clearly it was forgettable. Wine - the server wasn't particularly interested in offering wine recommendations, so we picked blindly. 1 hit, 1 miss between my wife and I. Service - I know the expectations in Boston are pretty low for service, but there are actually places with pleasant waitstaff in the Boston area. Given the pleasant ambience of the location/decor, the staff here could stand to be a lot more cheery. Bottom line - save yourself the trouble and head across the street to Washington Square Tavern. The food there is phenomemal and the service is friendly.
(2)Michael K.
came here for brunch one sunday morning. there was only a 10min wait which was good. had the vermont burger which was decent. but i didn't like that i had to pay an extra $1.50 for a slice of cheese. paying $0.35 at mcdonalds for extra cheese doesn't sound so bad afterall. ordered a bloody mary and asked for extra spicy. came out regular. didn't taste like any vodka was in there. we were thinking about dessert, but didn't want anything too sweet. we were told by the waitress that donuts were good so we ordered them. problem was grease oozed out with every bite. couldn't have more than 2 bites. i would give fireplace another try for dinner.
(2)Jessica L.
Having heard mixed reviews on the place I decided to go here last week for a pre-Valentines day dinner with my boyfriend. With a 7PM reservation we made it there a few minutes early, greeted warmly and sat in front of the fireplace. That made it a very warm and enjoyable meal. But there was something kinda of cheesy about the decor overall. Don't get me wrong it was nice, but it was kind of... mismatched? Odd? Trying to hard to be cool maybe? I don't know. Enough about the decor though - because I would sit in the nastiest greasy spoon if the eats made it worth it. The problem here wasn't that the food was bad - the duck was actually amazing! - it was that everything had a sweetness to it. While I enjoyed the heirloom radish salad, with candied cashews, and I liked the duck served with sweet potato, everything on the menu seemed to have a sugar theme. Overall - good place, would I go again? Maybe.
(3)Lee H.
The Fireplace. Even the name evokes images of a comfy room, a crackling fire. So why is much of the food undercooked? We went to the Fireplace twice with Groupon coupons. I had barbeque chicken and flank steak, my wife had carrot ravioli and a Napolean. The chicken was some kind of baked chicken (made in a convection oven?) slathered with some barbeque sauce. No evidence of being near an open flame ever. The steak was good, although rather tough. The ravioli was very good, but the Napoleon was very undercooked. No finish under the broiler. The vegetables and salads were very tasty. Desserts were mixed. A butterscotch brownie sunday was excellent. The apple tarte was very good, but again somewhat undercooked. Cookies were unexciting. The service was very good. Prices (salads are $10-12) are somewhat high considering the quality. Parking is reasonable. More flame on the food would have resulted in a higher score.
(3)Nancy S.
Let me just say that we've been all over the city of Boston trying some of the more noted "Gluten-free" friendly restaurant. We went to Flour and Meyers +Chang. Nebo was closed, Sunday night. Only to be somewhat disappointed with the gluten-free options (the regular food was outstanding). As we drove out of Boston, we stopped by the Fireplace for lunch, our favorite in Brookline, with ample parking I might add, for those of us driving suburbans and toting around 4 kids. Hands down the BEST GLUTEN FREE options around. We ate with great delight, dinner rolls, pizza, brownies, sandwiches (on bread) - all gluten free!! My 7 year-old was delighted, finally something besides rice, salad and protein. Whooo whoo! Thank you to the Fireplace for making my son feel like he could eat "normal" food while we were out. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Denise B.
This place is really good for brunch. There is occasionally a small wait but it's nothing compared to Zaftig's, which is probably their main competition for brunch in the area. Brunch is more affordable since (usually) there are no drinks involved. Dinner is extremely delicious but can add up after a few drinks a piece. I've always had really good food here. One complaint is if they sit you right near the fireplace you can burn up. The heat is really overwhelming that close by. When someone tries to sit us there, we wait for another table because it's too much.
(4)chaju J.
I love this place!!!! Last night, my main squeeze and I used our Living Social Deal to try this place out and boy were we pleased. We had a reservation for 7:30pm but showed up a little early. We were immediately greeted by a friendly hostess and seated within two minutes even though the place was packed and there was an hour wait...nice!! I was worried about our seating because it looked like a bad spot but it turned out to be great because we were near the bar and the greatest server/bartender/who knows what else. When our server approached us I gave him the Living Social Deal coupon and we told him what we wanted. My boyfriend wanted to try their award winning burger but the server said that we would get more bang for our buck if we tried the steak...nice!!! Our appetizer (salmon sliders w/out buns) came out promptly and were delicious. The gentleman who brought our appetizers and meal was so professional, funny, and friendly and assured us that it contained no shellfish (after checking with the kitchen). Now onto the meal....I ordered the maple glazed chicken with mashed potatoes. Can you say D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.????? The chicken was tender and flavorful...oh so yummy. I'm getting flashbacks as I type this. And my boyfriend's steak was heavenly and perfectly cooked and seasoned. I rarely give a restaurant five stars but I must admit this dining experience set the bar high for other places in terms of the perfect marriage of customer service and quality food and great prices. The decor was romantic but I don't care for such things. I can't wait to go back! Hope this helps!!!
(5)Roxana W.
My fiance were staying at a great little B&B in Brookline and decided to make reservations at Fireplace for a romantic dinner. The menu looked good online and coworkers said it had a nice atmosphere. That should have been a red flag - they said nothing about the food. We get there and the host/hostess pedestal is half way into the restaurant up some stairs...we had to awkwardly walk in and then wait for 10mins in a half empty restaurant for our table that we had reserved several days before (through Open Table). I ordered the duck and my fiance the halibut. Both were dry and under seasoned, the sides left something to be desired and were also very bland. Both meals were grossly over-priced and the only good thing was the bread that we munched on until we received our entrees 25mins after ordering. Not worth the time or money. We were hungry afterward and went to J.P. Licks.
(1)Jace F.
My girlfriend and I love this spot for a few reasons. The first is that it is a Certified Green Restaurant. After reading some of the other reviews for the Fireplace, I didn't notice any mention of this certification. I guess not many people notice, but its a great thing to know, but also a great thing that the restaurant is doing. Only restaurants that have taken steps to make every facet of their business sustainable get certified. It's a good thing that the food is good too! My girlfriend often gets the beet salad and i usually go for the ravioli or risotto. It isn't the cheapest meal in town, but on special occasions this place is high on my radar. Keep up the great work!
(4)Caroline T.
Came here for Restaurant Week and don't get me wrong, the restaurant itself is lively and inviting (the actual fireplace is pretty fantastic - try and get a seat by it if you can), the service is excellent, but the food was just OK. My boyfriend and I are on somewhat of a best of Boston burger quest (I am a Boston Burger Blog fanatic), so with all of the accolades for The Fireplace burger, I was expecting to be more then pleased by it. It came on an English muffin, the presentation was pretty decent, but there was just no pizzazz to it. The meat quality was good, though they did overcook my medium-rare order a little bit, but the bun was not toasted enough and I couldn't even taste the cheese. It was just far too dry with the English muffin. Not sure if it was an off night, but If you're coming here solely for the burger, I would advise you to spend those burger dollars on Back Bay Social Club or Craigie on Main. Do get the butternut squash bisque though, that was delicious.
(3)Stephen S.
God I'm so conflicted about this place. I've gone a few times and always enjoyed my meal. I've mainly stayed with the safe choices, glazed chicken and fish (usually tuna). Everything is done correctly but i've never had my mind blown (by the flavors or the presentation) you know? I suppose I expect a little more when the bill is circa $55 a person (w/o alcohol). The service is meh but I could deal with that if I really enjoyed the place (read: Washington Sq Tavern). I may as well go to Stella or Teatro.
(3)Erin C.
So I've been to the Fireplace only twice even though I live right down the street. I'm just not wowed by the food for the price. The drinks were ok, the food was ok and the service was ok. I don't know about you, but I'm not paying more money than usual for "ok". My peeps and I ran across the street to drown our sorrows of a disappointing meal at Washington Sq. Tavern. Much better option for the night!
(3)Rebecca P.
We used a Groupon to go to brunch. The place is very pretty and we liked the comfy booth. A large group came in and sat beside us. That is fine, but it was *very* loud. We were hoping for a nice chat, but that was impossible given the noise level. Still, that is not the restaurants fault that a large group shows up. It did distract the waitress a bit, but she was pleasant as were the other servers and the hostess. The were good about keeping our water glasses full, which I appreciate. I can't say the food was bad - it was very good - but the portions were VERY small. I had the waffles. They came with a small dollop of blueberry whipped cream and maple syrup. My husband had a veggie omelet. That is all you get with your entree - no sides. I am glad that we added potatoes as a side because we would have been hungry otherwise. I asked my husband if he would go again and he said no. The price was too much for the portion size. We had a much better breakfast at this diner called Easter Country Kitchen in Weymouth, and we had lots of food to take home for the same price.
(3)Maggie R.
We went here for dinner and it was good. I was a little cautious after reading some of the reviews but was happily surprised. We started with a round of drinks beer for the BF and a honeyed caipirinha for myself. I have had many caipirinha and this was one of the best in Boston. The BF is from Brazil and he absolutely loved it. First course was the cheese plate which was disappointing. We had some cheddar and salami. There was not enough cheese on the plate. There was plenty of salami, bread, and apples but just a small piece of cheddar. The amount of cheese was not worth $8. Second course I had the roasted chicken which was delicious. The meat was very moist and the mashed potatoes were really good. The BF had the duck which he absolutely loved. The molasses sauce went great with the duck and the mashed sweet potatoes. Final course was the chocolate cake which was really good. It was a little bitter but is expected from that kind of chocolate. Overall it was a great experience.
(4)Nicole C.
The bread was the best part of this meal. Seriously. The crab cakes were made from the nastiest crab meat probably canned. They were so stringy it was hard to get down. I had the chicken and my husband had the tuna. Both could have used a lot more flavor. For the price they charge I usually except to have a decent meal. This was far from decent it was probably just above subpar. The waiter was really nice! Extra star for him. :)
(2)Sally F.
What's that? You have a gluten-free menu? This place is right around the corner from me and I met up with a Celiac support group once here to order from their GF menu. I was impressed by the number of options! I ended up with the lamb and it was tasty, but a bit on the pricey side compared to my usual haunts. However, knowing that I can eat out with no worries=priceless. Highly recommended for celiacs and people with gluten allergies. It's also probably a good place to take parents if they're in town, too, because it's classy and clean, also, they'll likely pick up the tab!
(4)Zach P.
Okay, so I finally made it back to the fireplace this past weekend. What a different experience. We went for breakfast/brunch this past saturday and it was awesome. The bloody mary alone was one of the best I've had in boston, and I was tempted to have a second at 11 AM. We ordered the red flannel turkey hash and the 2 eggs. The turkey hash was amazing. It was a real pity when I was finally finished with an extremely generous portion, because, as full as I was, I wanted more. We were happy to have returned and had a really positive experience and will likely be back in the future.
(5)Ken M.
Having heard a lot of good stories (not online reviews, but from friends), I expected a nice Valentine's day dinner. Fortunately, I enjoyed the dinner very much. I ordered a glass of dry Martini, salad, "Surf & Turf - Pan Seared Scallops with Black Truffle Hollandaise" and a fudge cake with ice cream as a dessert. Martini was a little too "sweet", but OK. The scallops were huge and grilled well: the surface was crisp while the inside was juicy. Lamb was very tender and flavorful. The bread was very delicious. (I think it was better than the dessert...) Only down side was that the place was too packed. It was Valentine's day, so I expected many people. Yet, the number of tables was not suitable for the floor space they've got.
(4)Dimitri L.
Went to The Fireplace on a Monday night and it was packed. So much so that my party stood and waited ten minutes for a table even though we had a reservation. But hey, I'm not bitter. About that, at least. The restaurant is elegant, small, and minimalist inside. There is a beautiful stone fireplace, two tiers of seating, and an open kitchen. The 3 star rating is based on the overall dining experience. If their prices are half what they are, this is a 4 star rating. The beer selection is modest but you can find craft offerings from Allagash and Brooklyn Brewery on draught. The food is good, although very good is a stretch. We had the mussels ($14) to start which were surprisingly plentiful. The lemon garlic broth comes off a bit tart and a bit acidic. Good, not great. The butternut squash bisque ($4.5/cup)was very good, not quite as sweet as pumpkin pie filling but recalling it with every mouthful. The Dijon & Chive Crusted Cod ($28) is also very good. The fish itself was a small portion and not particularly flavorful but worked extremely well in unison with the "lemony spinach" and black lentils, which added a pleasant and necessary saltiness to the whole. I sampled the Maple Glazed Brown Chicken with Mashed Potatoes ($25) and found the chicken to be rather bland (neither guest found their leftovers worth wrapping). The potatoes were light and creamy and in flavor tasted to me nearly identical to Boston Market mashed potatoes. Hey, maybe my palette is unsophisticated. Either way, those are some damn expensive potatoes. And the expensiveness is the major problem with The Fireplace. It is a nice restaurant with nice food and, for Washington Square one and for the quality two, astronomical prices. If money is no object, then do dine here. But if it is, spend it somewhere else. And don't get the coffee. It is dishwater. Pure dishwater.
(3)Michelle L.
Really great food. They make the best cheeseburger and fries in town!
(5)Lauren P.
Did not even get a chance to try the food because no one came to our table! We came in at night to get dessert. The hostess sat us. No one was in the restaurant. We sat there for 15 mins then left. The inside is really nice and cozy but probably wont be back.
(2)Hillary S.
We went here for dessert, and I was disappointed. I had butterscotch bread pudding and my husband had a pear tart (forget the details of it). Both tasted only OK. The ambiance was also just OK -- with these weird, out-of-place American flag buntings and lights that were too bright. Our waitress was also the bartender, and while she was perfectly friendly and nice, she was very slow. Overall, it was just a ho-hum experience; not the special one we were looking for. Neither of us finished our desserts (which we almost always do). I will not go back or recommend.
(2)Jess K.
The only reason I don't give this restaurant 5 stars is because of the price. If I felt like I was getting more than I paid for I would bump it up but it really does hurt your wallet. Although it is certainly worth it. I ordered the The Fireplace Signature Spit-Roasted Half Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Sage Brown Butter. Who doesn't love mashed potatoes covered in butter? I also had a side of Mushroom Bread Pudding. Okay, I am a pig! I know! My friend ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Arugula, Orange Segments, Mashed Potato & Vanilla-Citrus Sauce and a Mixed Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes & Malt Vinaigrette. Neither of us offered to share with the other because we were enjoying our meals too much! I must say, it was the perfect meal. I loved every moment of it. Also, I used a coupon from restaurant.com so our bill went from $80 to $55 (We also had wine). Much more reasonable! Also, I love the atmosphere. Our waiter was so nice AND cute! It's not a pretentious type of restaurant even though the food is top quality and the prices are fairly high. I didn't feel self conscious having an animated conversation and enjoying a good meal like I might in a more snooty establishment. I recommend this restaurant 1) if you have a restaurant.com coupon 2) if your parents are paying or 3) if you have something to celebrate and money isn't an issue. Or I guess just if you have money in general. Ha!
(4)Albert B.
Menu had an impressive selection. Staff was attentive to my friends infant, allowing us to sit in a corner seating area (storable space for the stroller). Our drinks took roughly 20 minutes to arrive after being ordered, which was slightly perturbing. Convenient location to the T. I'd recommend trying this place out, and if you happen to go during brunch, get the Eggs Benedict.
(3)Jen H.
I had been meaning to try this place for for-ev-er.... but Brookline was just "so far away" from my every day hustle and bustle, I just never could convince myself (and others) to make it out there. Enter Groupon. Hrm.... groupon to The Fireplace... done deal. This will be the motivation I need to get me out there for sure! Well... it still took me awhile to go there, and BOY am I KICKING myself in the butt for taking so long! It was my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted to do something nice for him. Sure, I bought him some gifts, and even made him some too... but I wanted to share a nice meal together for his birthday as well. We have visited an assortment of establishments since we've started dating. Some fancy-schmancy, some over priced, some bargain deals... and we've had some fantastic (and one not so fantastic) experiences. I was hoping that The Fireplace was going to live up to the great reviews that I had read... and let me tell you... IT DID. I had made a reservation a few weeks in advance, and called to confirm the reservation the night before. When we arrived our table (downstairs by the fireplace) was ready and waiting for us. Our waitress was kind, gracious, on point, and knowledgeable about the menu and their offerings. I was inquiring about their "Interesting and Aromatic Whites" options and she helped steer us towards a bottle of 2007 Bridlewood, Viogner, Central Coast, CA. There were very nice apricot hints to this wine, and we both enjoyed it very much. It was nice to try something a little bit different from my normal Riesling while still having some sweeter notes to the wine. To begin our flavorful feast, we were given a piece of their potato bread. Can I just tell you... this was fresh out of the oven, warm and mouth watering. To start, I had the Baby Arugula Salad with Crispy Duck, Dried Apricots, Red Onion, Almonds, Mossend Blue Cheese and Cranberry Vinaigrette and my boyfriend had the Pear & Pomegranate Salad with Shaved Fennel, Arugula & Pine Nuts with Pomegranate Vinaigrette with Roasted chicken. Now these were not just a small side salad. They were just about enough for a full meal, or if you weren't that hungry... they would suffice for a meal. (Quite impressed with the serving portions!) For entrees, my boyfriend had the Salmon (no surprise to anyone who's been following my reviews from when we go out... as this is what he ALWAYS orders -- what can I say, the boy loves his salmon). It was served with Organic Brown Rice, Baby Carrots & Mushroom Ragu. Now, I told you he likes his salmon... well, he LOVED this one. He was talking about how well prepared it was, and how the flavors of the side dishes just came together so nicely. I was glowing on the inside (and most likely the outside) at how much he was liking his birthday meal. I opted to try the Acorn Squash & Sheep Milk Cheese Ravioli in a Brown Butter Sage Light Cream Sauce w/ Sautéed Greens, Shaved Fennel, Asiago & Crushed Hazelnuts. I might as well have died and gone to food heaven. Hello flavors! This dish woke up taste buds that I didn't even know I had! It was one of those meals where you're full... but there's a few bites left and you just can't imagine not eating them... even if that means you might have a bit of a tummy ache from being so full later. Yes, it was that good. To wrap things up, we each decided to have the lemon sorbet for dessert. Our waitress knew (from a comment I made in the beginning of the night) that it was his birthday, so his sorbet arrived with a candle in it -- how cute! The sorbet was a perfect way to end the meal - sweet, tart, cool, refreshing, and just the right amount of 1 scoop. All around great evening... I wouldn't change a thing! **Side note -- Our wine, 2 salads, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts total came to $140 before tip. Now if you're looking for something less expensive - opt for a cocktail or just a glass of wine, salad and soup or just an entree would be plenty to eat (the only reason we fit all that food was b/c we skipped lunch and were ravenous upon arrival). Don't think that this place has to break the bank, there are affordable options.... or go for a special night and splurge. Either way, I am fairly certain you will be more than satisfied!
(5)Peachy L.
This has become one of our favorites! First all easy parking and cute, welcoming atmosphere. Staff is always friendly- from the hostess to the managers, everyone is inviting. The cheese plate is FANTASTIC. best in Boston!!! No doubt about it. It has the most selection of cheeses I've seen and comes with tons of accompiants, not one tiny piece of bread. It's so good! My boyfriend always starts with some sort of seafood and inhales it! The salads are amazing and I know a good salad! The maple dressing it crave worthy! We've never had a bad soup there. The other night we had a squash pumpkin soup which was so good! The steak my boyfriend had was big with a generous amount of sides, definatly worth the price. The deserts are to die for! My mouth is watering thinking about the warm beach and apple cobbler we had. Last year we did the Easter brunch buffet, omg it was amazing! More on the fine dining side and only 40ish a person. The only complaint I may have is it is not good for groups, even four people is pushing it but it's the perfect date place! The menu slightly changes time to time which is good too. Make a reservation and go!!! You'll leave full and happy.
(5)Chris C.
No alcohol before 12! I came here for brunch with Tracy C., after 2 disappointing tries to eat elsewhere. I had the French toast with cinnamon apples. It was extremely sweet. I understand that French toast isn't the most savory dish, but this was too much. The dish came with the jam enveloped within the two thick toasts and syrup already poured onto the plate with 5 soggy cinnamon cubed apples on the side. Of course they had to add the "touch" of powdered sugar on top which didn't help with the level of sweetness. Flavors were pretty average, cinnamon with apples with toast, not a bad combo but not innovative by all means. I did have to wait after 12 for a mimosa. If you like pulpy mimosas, this is one for you. My mimosa had major orange pulp-ness. The atmosphere and service was just ok. The music wasn't too loud and the décor/atmosphere is family friendly. If you're coming for the food, this is a no go.
(2)Emily K.
Had lunch at this place today and had their chicken salad with apples, grapes, walnuts...etc. It was delicious! Food was resonably priced and the food around the table looked wonderful too. I would love to come back and try something else! Wait staff was friendly and restaurant had a nice ambience.
(4)Afshan K.
Don't get me wrong - the food was amazing and the service was superb! Why do I give this place 2 stars then? Well we went there for hubby's birthday and it was kind of a perfect atmosphere, until towards the end of the evening, this dude who seemed like the owner, walked out of the kitchen and started lacerating his employees in front of us - not just once, but twice. He was rude, loud, obnoxious and totally unprofessional. It not only killed the evening for us, but I don't think we, personally, can go back to a place where employees are not respected. I'm sure it's the case in most places, but now that we've seen it, we're not going again.
(2)Arleen A.
We have been going to The Fireplace since a friend introduced me to the restaurant in 2006 for lunch. I have returned with my husband and family consistently over the years for brunch, lunch, and dinner and have never been disappointed. It's where we take guests for a special celebration or for a hamburger when we are out and about. We love that they are always serving food, even in mid-afternoon. Their service is impeccable, the food delicious and the atmosphere is perfect. Once in a while it feels cramped when you sit in an aisle set on the second level on a very busy Saturday night. The food always trumps the crowd though. It still feels like a "family run" restaurant and not like one of the chains that seem to be getting worse in quality. Just recently I had my annual lunch with a dear out of town friend who called me ahead to make sure we were still going to The Fireplace and to please reserve "our" table by the fireplace. My salmon on salad and her tenderloin tips were perfect, as was the dessert sampler and cappuccino! Keep it up Fireplace. You've got a loyal fan base in my family.
(5)Nicole M.
I wish there were half stars, because I'd give it 3.5. Came here with some friends on a Saturday night. I was dumb and didn't really realize it was kind of a fancy place, nor did I realize how pricey it was. Duh. A note on the atmosphere.. the setup is just weird. While the fireplace is down there and very atmospheric, I wouldn't want to eat on that lower level because the bar is on top of it, not to mention all the people waiting for their tables. We were seated in the upper level, right near the door that's not in use. Holy draft, it felt like the a/c was on, and this was mid-November when it was raw and raining and cold out. A place as cozy as Fireplace is supposed to be, with the comfort food about to enter my belly, I wanted to feel the same amount of warmth. But I didn't. We were all uncomfortably chilly throughout the meal. My margarita tasted like water, with a cheap tequila finish. Blech. The blueberry mojito was delicious although a bit too sweet. All in all, it seems like they need to pay attention a bit more to the quality of their mixed drinks. Nice wine selection though, and holy ginger on the menu, that was pretty incredible! I wish I had known about the bread. Then I wouldn't've ordered as if I was about to eat my last meal. I ordered: cup of butternut squash bisque, the special butternut squash and feta ravioli, with a side of green beans, as well as sweet potato mash for the table. Yes, I love me some sweet potatoes/butternut squash/yams. As if you couldn't tell. My friends ordered the classic caesar salad, scallops, turkey, and beef brisket. My soup was really good, but as expected kind of heavy. Then the bread came out. Holy CRAP. It smelled divine, and I made a comment as such. Then my friend said - wait till you put it in your mouth - and oh dear I nearly died. It felt like a 3lb weight in my stomach but hot shit it was delicious! Needless to say, after that, there wasn't much room for the rest of the food, so I picked a lot. The raviolis were excellent, as was the salad that came on top of it. The green beans were cooked to perfection with almonds grazing them, and the sweet potato hash was damn good. My friends all seemed to enjoy theirs as well. Next time, I will save plenty of room for that heavenly bread. And I will make sure that it is served to me hot out of the oven. Also, from what I hear - I think I need to come back for brunch, but let's face it, if I'm coming out to Brookline for brunch, I'll probably go to Zaftigs!
(3)P'raka ..
I've only been here once for a Valentine's day pre-fixe menu. I have to say, it was absolutely phenomenal. I got scallops in some amazing sauce. I've seriously never had such a flavorful dish anywhere else. It was fantastic. Definitely recommend.
(5)Sarah P.
My fiance and I went here for lunch on a Sunday. It was late afternoon and the place was pretty quiet which was nice. I had the Fireplace burger with bacon and blue cheese and my fiancee had the chicken BLT. Both the burger and the sandwich were alright, although the hamburger bun was a little stale. Also, the blue cheese they served on the burger was very good. I was really excited to see that they served large pickle spears with the burgers and sandwiches too--until I tasted it. The pickle tasted more like a cucumber with salt sprinkled on it than a pickle. The service wasn't great either. We waited at the host station for a while because the host was MIA and our waiter forgot to bring me lemons for my water and wasn't very good with the refills....or eye contact. Overall I wasn't that impressed but I would give The Fireplace another try if I found myself in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)Francesca R.
We went here for brunch and it was just OK. That's it. Perhaps it is better suited to the winter, when the earthy decor and eponymous fireplace would create a warm, cozy environment. But in the summer it was just stodgy. Service was excellent all round. The cheerful hostess got our non-reservation-having part of five a table pretty quickly, and kept us up to date on the status of the party that was leaving while we waited. Our server was gregarious and all the food and drinks came out in a timely manner. But the food...kind of disappointing. The cornmeal waffles with fruit and blueberry whipped cream were really good, but the serving size was pathetic. There were two wee quarters of waffle and seriously less than half a strawberries worth of fruit. It was delicious, but I think they should knock the price down from $12 to $8, or give a hell of a lot more fruit. The two eggs, homefries and maple-smoked bacon was dire--totally bland and the bacon had been cooked to within an inch of it's life. You could use it to shiv someone in the kidneys, it was so crisp. So, generally--just OK. It's convenient from our place so we may swing by again but it's not going in the regular rotation.
(3)Elena T.
We had lunch on New Year's Day. It was packed, aromatic and the friendly staff was wearing pajamas. We got the pumpkin hazelnut and vanilla soup, ravioli, the house burger, and cappuccinos. Everything was incredibly tasty. They messed up my order bringing lobster bisque instead of the pumpkin soup. If I wasn't allergic to shell fish I would have welcomed the change (the chef knows best!). Luckily we caught it in time, drama avoided. The manager was obviously distressed. He promptly made his staff to repeatedly apologize. They quickly brought the right stuff and at the end he didn't charge us for the soup. We joked amongst ourselves whether to put the lawyer business card on the table but they were so embarrassed about it we decided to let it go. We laughed at the most unusual conversations (couldn't help over hearing the staff comments...everything was so tight) like: "You don't want to see his esophagus" and "You should get to your lowest weight". In the half an hour it took to get our food we delighted ourselves with possible conversation scenarios that may prompt such an ultimatum. Try it, it's fun. Plus: * Delicious flavorful and filling food * Attentive service * Make your own bloody Mary - popular with the college crowd (especially after New Year) * Jazz Nights on Wednesdays and Latin on Thursdays. Minus: * Long wait, 30 minutes to get food * Crammed seating, literally touched my neighbor's back If you're wondering around Cambridge or lodging in the Brookline area, The Fireplace is worth checking out. For lunch at least. Bon Appetite!
(3)Jillian Y.
When it snows in mid-October, there is no better place to watch it fall (and sip on a few delicious cocktails) than The Fireplace. I'm turning into a serious fangirl. Best of all? They stock Domaine de Canton, yelp friends. I know you want it.
(5)Scott F.
Sunday mornings are tricky in ol' Brookline. You want to brunch; no, you need to brunch, but where? Everyplace is super busy 'round 10 or 11 AM, and they tend to wedge the people in. More seats, more turns, more money. Screw that. And really, no egg is worth waiting an hour for. The Fireplace doesn't open 'til 11 AM on Sunday which is fine by me. I strolled in with a friend, got a nice comfy table (whoever bitched about the velvet benches, please ... move along ... ), and had a first rate, wonderfully served brunch. It might've been 'cuz they just opened, but our server came right over, took our orders and brought the requisite coffee. She was also really good about refilling/warming our continually emptying cups. We were also served an extremely large breakfast roll/bread that was somewhere between a buttermilk biscuit and a hearty country bread. It was served warm, and really tasty. I did notice that the table next to us (a party of 7) got the same treatment, but their "biscuits" were half the size of ours. Maybe we were special? Maybe they weren't? Who knows... Brunch itself, the meal, was a crispy duck hash. If you read the other reviews I've written, I'm kind of a hash head. And yeah, I know how ridiculous that sounds. But when you get it right, hash is awesome. This was beyond awesome. Cooked just right, seasoned perfectly, and the portion was exactly enough. Two poached eggs on top were all runny inside and exquisite. It was savory and flavorful, cooked with obviously fresh ingredients, and I can't say enough good things. The potatoes were browned and crispy, the duck wasn't at all dry. My buddy had the eggs benedict, but being a vegetarian, he subbed out the ham for spinach. I'm guessing it was good, 'cuz it didn't last 5 minutes on his plate. The prices were very reasonable, about $12-15 per plate. Tax, tip, coffee, etc. ended up around $20/person. Totally reasonable for what we were served. 4 stars for The Fireplace. 5 when I get around to trying dinner ....
(4)Matt C.
Fireplace, what sorcery has though wrought in thy kitchen? Does that even make sense? It doesn't? Okay, hopefully this is a bit more articulate: The mussels arrived smelling not unlike the Delaware River, that great body of water separating New Jersey's vibrant factory coastline from Delaware's voluptuous landfill. Upon further examination (via both taste and sight), we noticed that one mussel consisted entirely of a black-ish sandy sludge, mixed in with mussel sinew and tendon. This was undoubtedly the matter from which Alien from Alien v. Predator was conceived. Our entrees arrived not soon after we pushed the rogue crustaceans aside, and again, our stomachs were filled not with satisfaction, but disappointment and regret. The only exception to this was the goat cheese/walnut tart, mysteriously served on a bed of McDonald's salad. The roasted vegetable farfalle would've been excellent had they stopped at roasted vegetables and farfalle and decided not to add that half a container of heavy whipping cream and half barrel of Morton's salt, a recipe found in the 1954 edition of "Keeping up with how Mrs. Jones Cooks Terribly." Redeeming The Fireplace is the live jazz on Wednesdays, and the excellent wine and cocktail list. Come for the tunes, pour some wine, but vote no on the food.
(2)Anas Q.
A wonderful place to hangout with friends or go for a fancy dinner. The atmosphere is exquisite and the actual fireplace gives a cozy and homey feeling to the place. The food is really really good and the staff is fast and friendly. whether you want to sit at a table or chill at the bar, The Fireplace is a great destination for going out.
(4)Ben G.
I came here about or 4 years ago for my birthday and didn't really enjoy it. A few years had pasted by and I heard it had changed hands or they got a new chef or something had changed, so I decided to give the fireplace a try again. But I am not one to forget, so I took some precautionary measure. I went for brunch. I mean brunch is pretty safe. Right? Actually the brunch at the Fireplace is proper. It's never really crowded and the food is pretty quality. They give you a healthy portion and while the price is a little high, I'd rather pay more to eat a better breakfast than visit a greasy spoon and regret it 45 minutes later. I don't know why you usually go out for breakfast, for me I typically make my own breakfast unless, I'm hung-over. So I usually rate breakfast spots on how well they cured my hangover. The Fireplace has a solid 3 part cure for any hangover. The first part is a solid starch to start soaking up that booze that's still lingering. Once you're seated you get this little roll/ biscuits that are amazing. And the staff knows the importance of carbs after a night of solid boozing. They keep the bread coming. The fireplace also has outstanding beverages, which are the second part of they're cure for the common hangover. They have great coffee, fresh squeezed juices, a never ending cup of water and most importantly, more cocktails. From mimosa's to belinis, to the infamous bloody Mary, its truly a hair of the dig cure here. Outstanding breakfast cocktails! The third and probably the most important part of the cure for my hangover is the food at the fireplace. It's quality all the way. I usually go with the Egg Benedict (a personal favorite). The hollandaise is out of this world. Also I don't really like hash browns (it's a personal preference). Along with the English muffin, the bacon, and the softly poached toped with some buttery hollandaise, there is a small side salad which has some great dressing on it. I've also had outstanding omelets, burgers and sausage pizza. But I need to make special note of the Crispy corn waffles with rum, bananas, brown sugar & apple cider syrup. Those are really good too. Come to the Fireplace to eat bread, drink something tasty, eat some more and kiss that hangover goodbye
(4)Mary R.
The first time I visited was over 2 years ago with a large group and I remember the food being really good, especially the duck salad they had at the time. So when 2 friends and I arrived for brunch on Sunday I was immediately drawn to the duck hash and eggs. I wasn't disappointed -- the food was great. The service that day wasn't great though -- our waitress forgot the side we ordered, but all is forgiven. It was Sunday. It was busy. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone in the area.
(4)Marieke V.
Consistently delicious, friendly, and wonderful. One of the few quality places in the area that respects local cuisine and the history that makes Boston special.
(5)Kylie B.
We went to The Fireplace for their Restaurant Week menu. I had the apple, spinach, and endive salad, the butternut squash risotto, and the Johnny Cake with fruit. The food: The appetizer and dessert were delicious;the dessert was really large, made for sharing! The blue cheese on the salad was creamy and pungent and the apples were crisp and sweet/sour. The fruit was spectacular on top of the dessert, too, but I think I may have gotten a French fry baked into one side of my Johnny Cake--interesting, huh? What about the main course? I've never had risotto before, but I love butternut squash, so I was excited. In the end, though, I couldn't taste any butternut squash at all and my risotto was grainy and got stuck in my teeth (gross). I think it may have been undercooked but I didn't say anything because I thought it may have their "interpretation." It was actually hard to finish and Ross had to take big bites with me. Ross was extremely happy with his dishes and I tasted his pork loin and it was really great, especially with the kale. He had Indian pudding for dessert and that was absolute molasses-y goodness. The waiter: Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, a bit of a wait between courses, but the place was really busy. The atmosphere: Fun twinkle lights, intimate tables, big windows looking out onto Beacon, and open kitchen. I loved how this place looked and felt. Not too dressy, either, a nice pair of jeans and blouse fit this place perfectly. Honestly, I wish I could give this place 4 stars, but my risotto was really bad and I don't think Gordon Ramsey would've let them serve that in Hell's Kitchen.
(3)Shanna R.
Me and my boyfriend did not feel this place, at all, last Thursday. The actual fireplace is nice, but when you sit in front of it you're also getting a blast of the cold air coming through the front door every time someone walks in/out so it's actually needed and I feel it loses its decor points for that. Other than that, the atmosphere is very average. The food was sooo mediocre for the prices. I paid $31 for tasteless cod over even more tasteless black lentils. The boy was less than impressed with his ravioli. The bread, tho, was very good. It was the best part of the meal. Our server was very sweet and efficient but we noticed she was alllll over the place. One table behind us sat down and waited 10 minutes for her to greet them, no water, drinks, bread nothing...we felt bad for them. The table next to us had apparently been waiting for their entrees to come so long they decided to cancel the food and peace. And another table near us had to have the manager come and take one of their dishes off their bill because they were so displeased. And I can see why- the food is totally not worth it. He was pissed because he'd been here before and had been let down and wanted to give it another try. Sadly, no more. We went to Joe's in Dedham the next night and had 10x better food and service than this place at half the price. Don't think we'll be returning.
(2)