This is a wonderful restaurant with great scenery and a fantastic gluten-free menu. I went with my friend who is does not follow a GF diet but he ordered off the gluten-free menu and we were both very satisfied with the meal! The staff was friendly and tolerant of my celiac status and my friend's shellfish allergy. We ate some kind of homemade bbq chicken and a vegetable polenta and they were both fantastic! Highly recommended!
(5)
Joel M.
Great location for summer drinks with a view of the Charles. Met a friend for apps + 2 glasses of wine + 4 beers = $80+ tab... Not exactly a great value choice, though that's the price you pay for location. Though the scallop app was indeed delicious it was quite small. Ditto for the cheese plate, which had miserly portions of 5 cheeses. Service was great all around, though it was a weeknight and not terribly busy.
(3)
LI NY Foodie R.
A nice place to eat, but a little pricey for what it is. The food is good, but they are trying to put on a real trendy atmosphere with "fancy" bar food. I have been here twice. I had a burger and a lobster roll. Both were good, but not amazing. The atmosphere is modern, and the place is well kept and clean. It's a good choice is you want a bite to eat if you are staying at the hotel (Royal Sonesta). It has a patio section outside, but I have only visited here during the winter.
(3)
Mary C.
The patio area is superb for a summer night. I went to ArtBar for the raw bar happy hour. And it tastes like garbage! I'm not sure the oysters were being shucked properly or he wasn't cleaning them properly, but all i could taste in my mouth were crunchy shells while i was eating them. They definitely could do a better job on the presentation also, there's no ice under the oysters they literally just lay them on the plate. After about 5 minutes of those things sitting in the sun, it pretty much belongs in the trash, it's not cold, just mushy, shelly, and gross. I liked our waitress she was very polite, never rude, but what I didn't understand is how we ordered food and it never came out, but it was still on our bill?? And she looked confused when we told her it never came out. Plus the error being charged on my card. The bill was split amongst 6 people at $44's a pop and somehow I was charged $237's! Very confused and annoyed by this point. Too many better options to ever go back to this place.
(2)
A Z.
Their Irish Hot Chocolates are pretty decent and if you get there early, you can take advantage of the couches they have inside. Also a good place to work because they have wi-fi. Around 11 or so, they kick you outside to use the outdoor bar, which is when I walk across the hotel to Dante instead.
(3)
Laura D.
I really like this restaurant. I would give it a 4.5 if that was an option. I've been here 3 separate times. Interestingly- once for breakfast, once for lunch, and once for dinner. For breakfast I had the pancakes and bacon. Pancakes are perfect, bacon is thick and high quality. For lunch I had the turkey BLT, and for dinner I had the lobster mac n cheese ravioli. When we came for dinner we also got dessert- I had the smores cheesecake and my husband had the chocolate cake. My husband has had the french toast, clam roll, clam chowder, a burger, and the chocolate cake. Out of all these meals, the real star was the lobster mac n cheese ravioli for me. They are unreal, just perfect. He loved the clam chowder, and he samples chowder everywhere. The cheesecake was just ok, the marshmallow topping needs some work. But the chocolate cake... we still talk about the chocolate cake! Very strong restaurant with great choices. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jon P.
One star for the view, this place has potential but the signs of poor management are glaring. Not organized and POOR service!! Not even busy, the hostess took 15 minutes to seat us outside and wad confused, waited 5 min for menu, had to ask for drink menu waited another 10 min, then ordered drinks waited 10 minutes, so far we waited close to 30 minutes for a drink. Waited for the second drink and the waitress was missing, got up from the table to sit at the bar in hopes of better service, but bartender told us she couldn't transfer the tab with an attitude, didn't ask us if we wanted a drink, and then walked away from the bar area. We waited again for a second drink which was now approaching 20 min drink-less and at the bar!! We then decided to leave, went to the Cheesecake Factory, not a huge fan but at least the service was attentive and we didn't have to beg for a drink. Too bad because I live near Art Bar and will never go back... nothing worse than bad service at a place that is selling itself as upscale with the appearance and prices.
(1)
Ellen G.
If I had all the money in the world and time to eat out, I would eat at either ArtBar, or its next door neighbor Dante, every night during the summer when the weather is nice. Spacious and relaxing with an incomparable view, it's what summer is all about--eating outdoors in the fresh air. The food is surprisingly good considering the review by the Boston Globe, although I only tried the ArtBar burger (with maitake mushrooms, cheese, and a special sauce) and the marinated olive appetizer, so I can't comment on the rest of the menu. There was no attenuation of flavor--the burger tasted juicy and delicious until the last bite--a real plus. The wine list was on the expensive side with nothing less than $44/bottle, so I'd stick to non-alcoholic beverages such as water!
(4)
Philippa Q.
First thing..the view from the patio is probably one of the best views in/of Boston. Seriously, if you have out-of-towners visiting and want to impress take them here on a nice summer afternoon. You will be treated to an awesome view of Beacon Hill and downtown Boston from across the Charles river. The drinks are, I guess, a bit on the pricy side but I've always stuck to beer and wine here and it's comparable to most other places. The food is surprisingly good for a restaurant connected to a hotel lobby. It's a great place to come after work for a drink and some nibblies. I think I've only had a meal (lunch) here once and I really enjoyed it but I don't know that it qualifies me to give a proper review. That being said, I had one of the BEST lobster rolls here. I am a lobster roll purest, my favorite place on earth for a lobster roll is the Eagle's Nest diner in Brewer, Maine. A pound of lobster meat tossed with a conservative dollop of mayo on a buttered and toasted hot dog bun. Nothing more to say. So I was skeptical about the Art Bar roll, especially since it seems they tried to upscale it (lemon-tarragon aioli??) But as it was on the prix fixe $20 lunch special I figured why not....I got two (two!) very generous lobster rolls, on the perfect buttered toasted hot dog buns, nothing but lobster and a bit of aioli (aka mayo in this case) and you know what?.....that tarragon tasted really good with the lobster. I've been dreaming of that lobster roll since then.... oh yeah, the other stuff... service has always been good, bar snacks tasty, sandwiches very good, atmosphere very nice, modern and stylish,desserts ok/average
(4)
David B.
We tried out this place for lunch. Although the food was pretty good we had some of the worst service ever. We walked in and the sign said to wait to be seated, so we stood there and waited, and waited, and waited. Nobody came over to greet us. Every now and then we saw a server scoot by in the back but they completely ignored us. After standing there for at least 5 minutes, one of the customers, I guess feeling sorry for us, got up from her table and told us that when they came in they were told to just take a seat anywhere. So we sat down at a table and waited another 5+ minutes until someone came over to wait on us. Really unacceptable. In a normal situtation I would have left, but my friend was really hungry and didn't want to walk around anymore.
(2)
Kris S.
I searched all over Boston for a restaurant that has a great view of water, and also serves food that is local and/or sustainably made. Artbar was the perfect match! We ate outside on the terrace, with cocktails and taking meals one course at a time. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was good (try the lobster roll, and hazelnut pot du creme), and the waitstaff were down to earth and attentive.
(4)
Faith N.
I'm surprised there are only 2 reviews for this place! I had some drinks here a few weekends ago and really enjoyed it. The bar is really nice, the whole atmosphere is very chic, upscale but not snooty. Just a very nice ambiance overall especially with the view. The drinks were also delicious! My mojito was perfectly made.. not too strong but with a wonderful kick. I would LOVE if ArtBar was a certified green restaurant.. the green restaurant works with restaurants and bars to become more sustainable.. it would be amazing if ArtBar was added to this list.. Love ArtBar! =)
(4)
Hassan A.
The cinnamon french toast was fantastic.
(5)
Kimberley S.
Went here for Valentine's day and it was nothing special really. There was a pre-fixe menu. My boyfriend got a grilled pear salad that he didn't care for. I got the oysters with beans, pancetta, and saffron. I had never had oysters and I LOVE saffron and this was so delicious. For dinner we both got the lobster risotto. It had a ton of lobster and veggies, which is good, but it didn't taste very lobster-ey. It tasted overwhelmingly cheesey and not very special. We got a special valentine's day medley for dessert. It was beautiful (hearts all over it) and so romantic, but so sweet and decadent that it was almost inedible. It's a smaller place than I anticipated, but I loved the decor.
(3)
Kathleen M.
At first glance, it was a "no sweets with savories", mushroom hater's nightmare--most of the salads had fruit, over half of the entrees had fungus, and, being here for a work-related dinner, there was no option to bail and go to Dante. What's a girl to do? Hunker down, place an order, and hope that the fungus flavor does not pervade the entire dish. The result? Pleasant surprise! I sampled the clam chowder, which was fantastic--nice thickness, not too potatoey, with the addition of bacony goodness, For an entree, I took a risk with the crab-stuffed cod--explicit mention of fungus = risky! What arrived was delicious with some additions that were not mentioned on the menu--the cod was nicely cooked, moist and delicious; the rock crab was tasty, but being an MD snob, nothing can compete with blue; this atop appropriately crunchy asparagus and a kind of sundried kind of not tomato that had a fantastic, intense tomato flavor; finished off with some super tasty truffle mashed potatoes and a delectable champagne cream. This dish was fantastic and I had to resist the urge to empty the bread basket and sop up all of the deliciousness from my plate. A girl needs to keep up some decorum in front of the coworkers. Others at the table had a delicious-looking steak, a nice caesar salad, and the seafood stew--messy with it's half lobster, but looked fantastic. All were satisfied with their meals. Food is a bit pricey, but portions are large. I was too full for dessert, but liked that they offered some $3 dessert "bites" in addition to their full-sized desserts. I have no idea how big these are, but it is nice to have a small option if you just want a taste of sweetness at the end of your meal or want to try a few things. Coffee was quite delicious. Reasonably priced wines. A glance at the cocktail menu suggests that things are more creative down the hall at Dante. Ambiance is funky, but chill. A little less uptight than Dante, and probably has a fantastic river view in the summer. Seems like a great place to have an after work drink (I'll let you know...) and a good place to have a delicious meal!
(4)
Dana B.
Went here tonight with a friend of mine for restaurant week. I chose this place because I liked the menu that they were offering. Let's break this down: Food: First Course: Butternut Squash Bisque with pumpkin seeds and fig syrup. Delicious. Highlight of the meal! The portion of bisque was huge and it was a very filling and warm way to start the meal. Second Course: Filet Mignon. The presentation on this was lovely. The filet itself was delicious and cooked to my liking. The vegetables that surrounded it were good, but were more fitting for pot roast. Dessert: Chocolate cake and ice cream. This has a fancier and more detailed name, but right now it escapes me. The small portion on this was perfect since the cake is so rich. Overall, the food was very good. Service: The service here was very good. We were seated promptly at a table of our choosing. Our server took good care of us and was always visible and walking around. Atmosphere: This is where it loses it's two stars. It is located in the Royal Sonesta hotel and it is the size or a living room. The windows lining the wall face out to a tree covered view of the Charles River. The entrance is the size of a mall store and the coordidor echoes. For a bar called Art Bar, there was a lack of Art. The only real art was the table settings. The placemats looked like four rows of old seat belts. The plates were simple and white, but shaped differently to enhance presentation. This place has so much potential to be a really great place to go out and have a meal, but for right now, it's just ok.
(3)
Tio P.
Great food, The only place that I have ever seen to have a "flight" of cocktails. Craft cocktails, barrel aged cocktails. The fries come with three fabulous off the wall sauces. HOWEVER!!, take in mind that this place is essentially a Hotel Resto/Bar, and most of the clientele will be there from their office trip. additionally to go to the bathroom, you will have to go walk out and use the hotel bathroom. And the view is hard to see at night. ALSO don't bother coming by train via lechmere, as you will have to run across highway and dirty sidewalk to get there. But the free range chicken was awesome!
(3)
Elizabeth Y.
Artbar is a hidden gem. To be clear, this review is for Artbar's food quality, not their value. If you are a foodie, you should check out this place. If you're looking for a value dinner place, this is not it. Appetizer: the pork ribs were fantastic. The meat falls right of the bone, super tender. Excellent. Easily one of the best pork ribs I've ever had. In fact, we found this place, because of their participation in the ribs festival in East Cambridge earlier in the summer. It comes with 4 ribs and a small cornbread on the side, which was equally amazing if not more so. Main course: Scallops. Scallops in general are extremely hard to cook. But, they were able to get this to the T. I loved the creativity of the risotto that comes with it. But again, you only get 4 scallops, so this is not going to fill most people. Lobster roll. Their lobster roll was creative and fairly tasty, but I thought it was a bit on the heavy-side. I've had lighter tasting lobster rolls (e.g. less mayo), so this was a slight disappointment. Dessert: Creme brulee mini. Excellently done. This place pays attention to food detail. Everything is so excellently cooked. I thought the service was fantastic despite the other reviews. There wasn't a wait at all on a Saturday night. I would definitely come back again and might even come back to try one of their tasting menus, which they have only on Saturdays.
(5)
Kevin O.
I've been to ArtBar several times for dinner and company events and have been impressed every time! The food is fantastic and the staff is extremely friendly. The location is prime set right on the Charles with an awesome view of the city (with an awesome patio). Definitely worth a visit, I've sent many friends there and never been let down.
(5)
Amy C.
My boyfriend and I had breakfast here while we were staying at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, so this review is for breakfast only. Seating was comfy with plush suede couches and chairs. Our waitress was friendly, although she gave us the check right after we got our food and I never like that because it makes me feel like they're trying to rush us out. I ordered the classic eggs benedict and my boyfriend ordered the lobster benedict. Both would have been perfect except the hollandaise sauce was too tart.
(3)
Cat E.
Last night my husband and I went to ArtBar for dinner on the patio. It was a great night to be outside and admire the city views. I have wanted to go here for a while and was hesitant due to all of the negative reviews. Those negative reviews prompted me to want to go and see for myself. We were seated immediately and well tended to. When a table opened up closer to the river, I asked if we could be moved and they took care of it. I ordered the pea soup and my husband orders the sweet potato tater tots to start. Both were tasty and the presentation was fun. For dinner I had the scallops and he had the pork tenderloin. Again, both were full of flavor and the presentation was creative and attractive. I had a question about my scallops and the server had the GM sent over quickly. He was very helpful and got the answer for me. Overall the location is great, our food and wine were tasty and a touch unique and we had a great date!
(4)
Mimio G.
Been here many times with both small and large groups of people. Service is usually crap. Food and drinks are usually good. The staff here just don't care about anything and I've been overcharged for food and tips repeatedly. There are better places to eat in this area. Find them.
(1)
Kaitlin C.
Love the ArtBar! Beautiful views of the Charles River through nice windows, or in nice weather in the summer on the patio. Live music Thursday-Sunday, and brunch on the weekends. The menu is nice with a little something for everyone. Amazing clam chowder, beautiful salads, an array of appetizers from ribs (that won #2 at the Smoke This RibFest! Fun knowledge from my server.) to scallops or a cheese plate, and beautiful dinners. If you want a burger, there isn't a better one, or maybe you want some delicious pasta or salmon - Check! The drink menu is one to be reckoned with. The wine selections are incredible, the liquors are world class, and the cocktails? You won't see anything like this anywhere else in Boston. What a great ambience, and the perfect way to unwind after a long day of work. Service is always right on, and everyone is warm, friendly and helpful. I could come here every week!!
(5)
ali g.
Came for lunch on a gorgeous sunny day and sat outside on the patio overlooking the Charles. Was told to order the gazpacho, and I am so glad I did. The yellow tomato soup was one of the best I'd had. Also ordered the Lobster Cobb which combines two of the best foods: Lobster and bacon. How can you go wrong? Delicious. I'll be coming back for cocktails after work this summer, most definitely.
(4)
Lynne S.
The Art Bar patio is a fantastic place to eat on a nice, sunny Boston afternoon. The service is great and the menu is short, but packed with several delicious sounding options for lunch. I opted for the seared ahi tuna sandwich served on rosemary focaccia with wasabi aioli, asian slaw and sweet chili. For $14 it comes with either fries or a side salad and a pickle. The tuna was cooked perfectly and the accompaniments made for a very flavorful combination. I thouroughly enjoyed every bite.
(4)
Becky D.
Loved this place. The bartender was adorable and very friendly. He mixed me up a French martini which was amazing and I shared a cheese plate with my companion. I wish we would have eaten dinner here as well.
(5)
Cheryl M.
Nice views, slow service. Dinner was just ok but the mac& cheese egg rolls were the highlight. Wouldn't rush back here, sorry.
(2)
Annie B.
Great for sitting outside when you have nice weather. Excellent gazpacho!
(4)
ryan c.
I went here because I received a "Half Off Sliders" coupon in the mail. The location is great, we ate outside next to the river.. but that was just about the only positive thing about this place. The food, despite being half off, was ridiculously overpriced. And the sliders were nothing special, in fact I thought they were pretty gross. Also, and I'm not making this up, there were rats running around outside. RATS! Our waitress was nice though.
(1)
Ben L.
Good food, and a good cheese plate as well -- it should be on the dessert menu!
(4)
Anna G.
View is great, Drinks are good, food is mediocre.
(3)
Megan E.
I really liked this place. My boyfriend and I went here for Valentine's day. I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that it was in a hotel, but once we were there, it really wasn't a big deal. The restaurant was also a lot smaller than I expected. And yes, as per the other reviews, the food was a bit expensive, but totally worth it! I mean-we had a bottle of wine (great prices on the wine), an appetizer, two entrees, a latte, and two complimentary chocolate covered strawberries for $100. We shared the blue cheese and walnut gnocchi as an appetizer and it was AMAZING! I really can't say enough about it. My entree was delicious as was my boyfriends. The service was also awesome-extremely friendly waiter. Plus, the art on the walls was great. Huge, fun pieces that definitely added a fun ambiance to the room. I will definitely go back and recommend it to others.
(4)
Nicole G.
I always dine here at least once when in town. The food is good, the views outside great. The service is only average, but you can't beat the location if you're staying at the hotel, or across the street at the Marlowe.
(4)
Ann M.
Sometimes I wonder if I go to the same restaurants as everyone else... I stayed at the Royal Sonesta during a work trip, and I had several opportunities to eat at the Art Bar during my time in Boston. The ambience was lovely, the staff was stellar, and I had no problems with the cleanliness or decor. I think the biggest problem that I could pinpoint is that the cooking at Art Bar tends to stand out the simpler the food is, and their dishes can get overcomplicated. Let me break it down with three very different experiences: Night One: I hadn't eaten all day and wanted a nice meal, without having to leave the hotel (it had been a long day). I popped down to Art Bar and decided to go for their Restaurant Week offerings. FIrst of all, the service was fabulous. My waiter, Matt, was incredibly attentive and charming, which made the meal all the better. My appetizer was the Heirloom Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Napoleon, which was slightly disappointing - the tomatoes were really mushy, but the balsamic reduction was well done, as was the crostini that accompanied the dish. The Lobster and Pecan-Crusted Scallops was my entree, and again, I was not overly enthusiastic. The lobster was tough, and while the scallops were cooked perfectly, the pecan crust was so finely ground that it felt like coffee grounds. However, the salad underneath was perfectly wilted by the heat of the scallops, and the roasted fingerling potatoes were perfection. Dessert was advertised as a plum tart, which was sweet, sour, a nice light finish to the meal. Overall, I wasn't terribly impressed, but I was hopeful for better things. Meal #2 was after a day off, when I decided to partake in their five dollar appetizer selections. Wanting to keep it simple, I ordered a bowl of their clam chowder and a bowl of mussels in chardonnay and butter. This was a complete one-eighty from what I had eaten previously. The clam chowder was smooth, creamy, rich and smoky - absolutely delicious. The mussels were ideally prepared - not a smidgen of sand, and a broth so tasty that I ate it straight with a spoon, rejoincing when I found cloves of roasted garlic hiding in its depths. These dishes were simple, unpretentious, and absolutely perfect. Ditto for the final meal I ate at Art Bar - I popped in for a Saturday night cocktail and snack. The Kobe beef slider was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, and it came with a side of tarragon sprinkled crispy fries. Paired with an Electric Lemonade, it was an ideal late night treat. On both of these occasions, Steven was my waiter, and he was absolutely attentive, friendly and charming. I don't know if this is a restaurant to drive out of your way to visit, but if you are in the area, skip the Cheesecake Factory and CPK at the mall across the street and stop in to try some of their simpler fare. It's a choice well worth making.
(4)
Gray c.
Best pancakes ever - they are served with warmed maple syrup service is ok
(4)
R A.
I had the banana pancakes for brunch and was surprised to also find banana slizes inside the pancakes and not just on top. They were thick and tasted better than your processed Ihop variety. My friends cream for his coffee seemed bad and did so even after requesting a new one. Other than the cream, the food and atmosphere was clean and well presented. Syrup came in sealed personal size glass jars (which were heated up) and water was served in a bottle (even though I am convinced it was just from the tap). You can sit outside and overlook the Charles river which I thought was nice. It was pretty expensive though and for what you got it was overpriced.
(3)
Leta H.
My husband and I received several recommendations to try the restaurant, after having spent a week at the Hotel Marlowe (across the street). Arrived on a Friday evening, around 6:15pm and we were directed to an outside table. Service was slow and we were surprised by the extremely limited menu. The food was tasty (we both ordered clam chowder and the grilled chicken), but for the price paid, we expected more. They are charging for the view, not much else.
(2)
Richard C.
Located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Art Bar somehow landed on my "master burger list." I say somehow because I've completely lost track of the origins of these suggestions, but one way or another, someone told me to check it out and so I did, with the infamous Mike Isman. It's a $14 burger and I don't know why, maybe because there's Art on the walls? Food I get, but art is a world I know nothing about, combine the two in a restaurant setting and I can't quite piece it together. It's snobby, but no less so than The Four Seasons, the type of place that very well could have a good burger, but sadly does not. It's a $14 burger disguised as a $7 burger, as they use the dreaded combination of ground Sirloin and Brioche, two automatic fails in my mind. Unmelted American cheese tops the patty (seriously, how can you not melt American cheese?) that at least looks promising, but looks can be deceiving. The meat, which of curse is too lean, is completely over-packed, and is tough, unpleasant to chew and lacking identity. It's seasoned, but not necessarily tasting like beef, meaty perhaps, but not tasting of a cow, if that makes any sense at all. The fries taste pretty good too, but a little too pale in color to take on any substantial crunch, and far too few grace my plate, especially for the cost. In the competitive world of burgers in Boston, Art Bar fails to distinguish itself in any way. It's okay, I'm certainly not offended, but in many ways it's just another day at the office for the humble hamburger, which too often is plain, boring, and lackluster. But it's still a burger, and even if it's not the best or even anything worthwhile, I love the hunt, the quest, and the desire to find the best, and the search must go on.
(2)
Sally L.
Popped in for a drink with some Mainer friends. Beautiful place, very exciting. Very nice bartender who treated us well. It was the end of the night and there was only one other couple at the bar with us. I had a Corona- you cant mess that up but the bartender mixed up something fruity for my picky friend and she loved it. Great place to chill out for the start or end of the night. Great "screw" art pieces by the bar. Neat sofas in the lobby. I plan on googling the hotel to see if it is as neat as the bar/ restaurant.
(4)
Maggie R.
We went for restaurant week and I don't think I would go back. Reason for the first star is that it is easy to get to and parking was easy. Reason for the second star: My boyfriend got the lobster rolls which he said were good. The reasons they don't get any more stars: I got the steak sandwich which was bad. It was overcooked and tough. The place was really dirty and there was food all over the floor.
(2)
Chris S.
It was lovely to sit outside on the patio in view of the marina. However, the food was very precious in that the portions were micro-sized. Small portions for the appetizer diver scallops(2), crab cake(1) and even the gazpacho was not generous. We chose a number of appetizers and left hungry. Noticed that the hamburger at other tables was regular-sized so if we came back for the view on another evening we would stick to the basic burger and be happy!
(3)
molly f.
Very underwhelming. We visited Art Bar recently with out of town guests in hope of a great view of the Charles since nearby Dante's patio was closed for brunch. unfortunately, the restaurant wasn't quite prepared for the sudden heat-wave in Boston & the inside was scorching hot...too hot to comfortably eat. The service at Art Bar was good - our waiter was friendly & extremely attentive, but the rest of the experience...meh at best. I also was extremely disappointed with how un-eco friendly the restaurant was. Everything- literally from sodas, to syrup, to ketchup, was individually packaged...they even had mini tobasco's! The amount of excess waste that creates in terms of individual packaging is just insane. Completely unnecessary and irresponsible as far as I'm concerned. The skillet omelette & the french toast were good...but again, not good enough to outweigh many, many negative aspects of this place. I'll take a pass.
(2)
Kay H.
Definitely planning on going back. I was introduced to ArtBar thanks to Dine Out Boston week. I had the clam chowder as an appetizer. It was creamy and hot upon arrival. I also enjoyed the lobster roll which was incredibly packed with lobster. It was so meaty! I had sweet potato tater tots on the side which was crispy and war,. Everything was Delicious. Not sure why they're getting bad reviews. I also had the house malbec / merlot, can't remember. I went with someone else, I tried the scallops which was fresh and succulent. The view of downtown from the patio, dope. Parking costs $12 when validated, try parking down the street if you have the flexibility.
Overall experience eh. Food was just good, service was very pushy for our order then completely inattentive. Empty water glasses & no one asked if we'd like another drink, we had to catch her on the fly. And it was the very start of service. Some apps & drinks cost almost $150 which was ridiculous. Cocktails & wine are priced on a NYC level and they didn't even have a rose in the middle of summer. We way over tipped (just under 30%) our waitress Alissa not because of her stellar service but because my husband ran home for his forgotten wallet and we felt we were there a little longer than expected (though there were tables to be had and we walked out 2hr5mins after arriving.) She barely thanked us as we were leaving. Also for what they charge for food. When I ask to wrap something up I don't expect to-go containers & a bag dropped at my table so I can self serve. That's a diner move. If it hadn't been for the lovely view & good company I'd probably give 2 stars.
(3)
Inês L.
Thanks, Yelp! Went here with my bf and parents for some drinks and apps. They got the double lobster roll and two clam chowders. And we got three beers, came out to $74 without tip. So, not cheap. The view IS good but it's not incredible. I guess because between you and the water there's a street and a running/walking path so it's weird. I expected this place to be higher up. Service was okay but slow. Everyone said the food was delicious. Nothing to eat as a vegan but I did sneak some of the sweet potato tater tots that came with the lobster rolls and those were SO GOOD. Why are tater tots not a "thing"? Should be. Anyway, the view is nice - plenty of boats and on a blue sky kind of day, I'd probably go again for a beer or two but it is sort of out of the way.
(3)
O Y.
Restaurant week in Boston had this featured. Food and service were fair, we expected more for the price. Seating outside on porch and the Charles view were delightful. Nice place to come for an beer and appetizer with a date.
(3)
Yelena W.
We went to the restaurant on Saturday night and had a table in the Patio. The view of Boston and Charles River was fantastic. We told our server, Alyssa, that we are not sure if we would order the food and she immediately told us that we can't sit at the Patio without ordering food even though a place was almost empty. We got our beers and then Alyssa totally ignored us and NEVER come back to us at all. We wanted to order a Salmon meal but she never appeared at all. We never even got our check. After 45 minutes we gave up, left money for drinks on the table and left . The minute we left, we saw how Alyssa went to a table to pick up cash and empty glasses. The Salmon entree looked great on the table next to us but unfortunately we had to go to the North End and had a lobster instead of salmon. :(
(1)
Bridget M.
Food was ok. Very limited menu for 5 pm on a Sunday in August. Service spotty -- lots of attention till we ordered and then, not so much interest in us. Nice view.
(2)
L T.
Don't waste your time or money. The service is horrendous and the food is sub par for what you pay. I just paid $26 for a lobster roll that was mostly mayo and is half of the lobster that you would get anywhere else. I've had the lobster from here twice before and it was not what was served today. We just spent $85 for two people and we didn't even have drinks. While I have no problem paying that much for good food and service, this was not the case. I feel robbed. Either our waitress had no clue what she was doing or she was completely dishonest. I've been here twice before and had a great time so this was very disappointing. We will not be coming back.
(1)
David G.
Went again, but this time for breakfast. The view of the Charles River is excellent. I had a custom omelet which was cooked to perfection, and the lady had the hash. The hollandaise sauce made her dish fun and tasted great. This is a great spot for breakfast on a summer morning.
(5)
Rena M.
I would have given this place 5 stars if it was a little less pricey, but it's in a fancy hotel overlooking the water, so the prices are understandable I guess. It's a cute little place overlooking the Charles River with weird, abstract artwork hanging up on the walls. It's nice to sit outside in the summer on a pleasant day. My roommates and I love coming here for Sunday brunch- I've never actually had any other meal here, so my 4 stars are all for the delicious brunch! The sweet potato tots with banana ketchup are a must try. I didn't like the banana ketchup at first, but it has grown on me more and more every time. I also love the corned beef hash- perfect meal for everyone who likes meaty, savory breakfast entrees, and it comes with poached eggs too!! I'm kinda sad that they took the chicken and biscuits off the brunch menu though- I wish they'd bring it back!
(4)
Maddy S.
Pretty frustrated with my experience at Art Bar since I had been looking forward to it so much. I went during my hour long lunch break with a few friends and while our waiter was nice he was not attentive and we ended up waiting about 45 minutes for our food to arrive. He never came back to offer water or apologize for the wait and we had to basically shout to get his attention. Due to our tight schedule we had to ask for boxes as soon as he put the food down (and even then he had mixed up my side dish) so we barely got to try the food while it was hot. Still, it was good, which is why Art Bar gets two stars instead of one. Although we complained we weren't offered any sort of discount and were just told that next time we came back they'd "take care of us" which doesn't do much good since we won't be coming back.
(2)
Margaret M.
We recently stayed at the Royal Sonesta before an early AM flight the next day and enjoyed breakfast both days at Art Bar. They have both a breakfast buffet and a la carte - of which I preferred the a la carte. The service was fast & friendly, food came out quickly & everything was hot (nothing I hate more than cold breakfast food). I had eggs & potatoes one day and french toast the next - both were great. Husband had eggs Benedict and a breakfast burrito of which he preferred the burrito. Best part was definitely the coffee which was piping hot with great flavors. Didn't try the place for lunch or dinner but both days it was busy during our stay. Plus they have a great patio overlooking the water, so on a warm sunny day I imagine it's a great place to dine & enjoy a cocktail.
(3)
Madhumita N.
Went for brunch with a couple colleagues. Perfect place to get to know each other. There were only 3-4 other tables full when we got there. Okay service, they got my order wrong (put bacon on my croissant sandwich when I specifically asked for broccoli instead of bacon). Would love to go back for a late lunch/early dinner and sit outside by the water!
(4)
Steve T.
This place was recommended by the hotel staff for seafood, they had scallops and salmon on the menu, not the selection i was hoping for. I sat on the patio, the atmosphere was very nice. There is s view of the Boston skyline right along the river. I ordered the scallops, the portion was adequate. But the scallops were over cooked as well as the broccoli. Service was a little slow, the restaurant wasnt packed so no excuse for that, the waitress was very friendly, there are other resaurants in the area i would ho first
(3)
Gloria C.
The pickles were outstanding. That's where this good review ends (and why I was able to give 2 instead of 1 stars.) I get it. 4th of July festivities around the Charles make for a scene (even though you all had plenty of seats available.) But the first clue should have been the dirty, well used bathroom cups that you brought my vetliner in. I'm sitting indoors....could we have sprung for a glass? Service was sadly lacking. No one really cared about the diners....I watched 3 waiters pick up our meals (now sitting behind us on a tray) and set it back down before walking away. The manager came over to us 3 times to apologize but for what I'm not sure. I don't think she knew either. The meal was unremarkable at best. Presentation was awful, my SO's burger was about as well done as you can get (he asked for medium rare) and the vat of gazpacho that came out was a really nice play on Campbell's tomato soup in a can (wait. Was it?) I get the hotel restaurants aren't gourmet experience, but come on guys. You would have been better off setting up the breakfast buffet and letting us have at it if you didn't care about your patrons.
(2)
Lynn J.
Note: this review is only for one item on the menu. The meal in a glass bloody mary is a must have hangover cure! You get a burger slider, a Jumbo shrimp, a sausage, cheese, vegetables... And, of course, a Bloody Mary. The deal: don't wait for New Years Day to try this tempting treat and "hangover helper." (Hey... That is a great name for a drink!) Every hangover is bloody mary worthy.
(4)
Laura P.
I have been here a few times but this is my first review. I would have thought the food was average (3 stars), but my last visit was really good and makes me look forward to my next trip. I had the ARTburger, it was fantastic! Can't remember all the ingredients but the bacon, fried onion strips and cheese were incredible. It was cooked perfectly and it came with tasty sweet potato tots, yum! I believe it was $18 or so which is quite pricy for a burger in my opinion. But I can't complain because I thought it was delicious.
(4)
Cindy W.
Had a rough day at work? Just want to celebrate the Monday blues? This place is a GREAT place to drink after work. The door patio is a AWESOME touch to this upscale in the city lounge. My favorite apps here are lobster fritters and sweet potato tots. Lunch here is good as well but 90% of my visits here have been for drinks with co workers and friends. So Cheers to you and I hope you guys like.
(3)
Johnny Q.
I like this place. I like the outdoor seating when the weather is nice. it has an ok view of the river, kindof blocked by trees, but it is right on the river and you can take a nice walk before or after your visit. The food has never disappointed me, i have tried most things on the menu, it is a small menu. I eat here quite often. prices are reasonable. decent place to sit outside and have a drink or food.
(4)
Denise F.
We were in Boston on a cold, windy Black Friday. Regina Pizzeria had a line outdoors that made us wonder if they were giving away free iPhones, and the food court at the Galleria Mall was so packed that it appeared that the masses would soon begin to turn on one another for nourishment, so we decided to go back to our hotel for a late afternoon snack. It turned out to be an excellent choice. We decided to get cocktails and split an ARTbar burger with mixed greens. Mine was called a Boston Tea Party. It was basically iced tea with lemon and vodka. It is definitely not a sweet drink, but I liked it. My friend thought it was a little bitter. He ordered a Bloody Mary. It was very tasty-- definitely a step above the norm, with hints of celery and other vegetables layered in with the tomato. The burger was, in a word, epic. Thick and juicy, with a delicately toasted bun, crispy bacon, perfectly melty cheese, and a generous helping of fried onion piled on top, it was a masterful achievement. The waiter was kind enough to ensure that it was cut in half and served on separate plates. The salad, a nice assortment of greens with balsamic dressing, and a fresh, crunchy garlic dill pickle were also divided onto our plates. I can't say enough nice things about our experience. The waiter was outstanding, the ambience was peaceful (a welcome change after a very nerve-jangling day), and the food was out of this world. I have eaten many hamburgers in my life, and this one easily ranks in the top 1%. The ARTbar would be worth the trip even if I were staying across town.
(5)
Ms. P.
Food is decent , I can't complain about that . It would have been 4 stars had the service been better . Ordered to go food , they took my order after having me repeat it multiple times . Go to pick it up and find out they don't even have half of it . I would have cancelled the order had I known but they couldn't even call to tell me. They seem confused about their own menu . On top of that ,they didn't even offer a discount for basically tricking me into going there .and giving half my order plus I had to wait to order something else . Having been to places with better service I expected a discount or free item . Come on art bar , you are trying to be a classy place , get it together treat your customers better.
(3)
CW A.
We ran a big event here last night for my wife's 40th birthday, outside on the terrace at the ArtBar. I am NOT a party planner, but the team there was incredible. Particularly restaurant manager Kevin Khem, who helped me plan out a great night, helped me navigate a second option for a pending rainstorm, and had his entire team working hard on our behalf through the night. They did a fantastic job, end-to-end, greeting my guests, moving things around as the rain arrived, helping to accommodate the party. For anyone looking for a nice place to have an outdoor cocktail event, I would recommend the terrace at the Art Bar (great view of Boston too!)
(5)
Dorothy W.
Just adding that the outdoor space here is totally fabulous, with a view that is unparalleled in Cambridge. But the service is still ridiculously amateurish and quirky, and the food is still horribly overpriced for what you get. I was dining alone after a casual meeting with some co-workers who were staying at this hotel, and when I arrived at the outdoor space, they said in a very aloof fashion that I could not sit at a table. Despite the fact that all of the tables were empty, they said I had to sit at the bar, but they did not say why. I tried to clarify several times and tried to understand it it...but no go. They told me all of the tables were reserved. Okay. To the bar it is. But, there is no bar menu. No smaller bites. Art Bar....you need a bar menu. I was told to order a specific side, which I did, and it never came with my 25$ scallop dish. The five seared scallops and a small peach/ arugula salad on the side provided a little distraction, as did a charming man on my left who was from Milwaukee. Not bad. Not great. When I left, only one of the tables was occupied and the people there were only drinking. So why couldn't I sit at one of the others, as there are about 30 of them? What was that about? A single diner getting the run around? The food is strictly hotel type food. You are paying for the view and the setting. That's it. Sadly, my co-workers and I are done with this spot despite the lovely location.
(2)
Raisa S.
I come here for my lunch break during the work day sometimes. My favorite thing is the outdoor patio. The food is definitely good, it's a little pricey for lunch for sure considering a lot of the menu is basic sandwiches. The drinks are also good, but also a little pricey. The water view is amazing and the service is consistently good. Don't really have many complaints I've had a positive experience every time I have gone.
(3)
Mini K.
Honestly, I'm having my fourth glass of wine as we speak. The ambience is probably one of the best (if you like outdoors). There are small 'sparrow-like flying things' going around which is a bit unnerving. Overall, absolutely peaceful, if u can ignore that stuff. Not cheap though, I need to pay probably around $40+. However worth it if you want to get completely alone and just get effin drunk.
(3)
Lauren S.
We stopped by for a drink and something to tide us over till dinner. It was a neat place and our appetizer was good, but it was a bit pricey for what it was. If you have the money to spend, it's a good choice. But for us it was just not enough for what we paid.
(3)
Roque M.
Wish the hotel GM and restaurant manager had better sense of customer service to resolve issues on the spot. I parked in the garage while construction was going on around the street. I was told by the restaurant staff that parking would be validated and taken care of. Well validated meant a discounted rate. When I told them that their own staff was misleading customers they said they would retrain but would not reverse my parking fee. Had I known I would have gone to one of the many other restaurants and bars in the area.
(1)
Ngan T.
If you are served by Gabriel, request another waiter unless you particularly enjoy slow and inattentive service. Food was below/average. I ordered chicken and polenta, the polenta came out with the liquid separated and pooling on my plate. It probably drained from the center because digging right into the middle, I found an absolutely dry and cold chunk of cornmeal. The chicken was cooked well but everything was underseasoned. The crisp pork belly sprinkled on my plate was good but it's hard to go wrong with chunks of crispy fat. The lobster roll was tiny and fries oversalted (both the regular fries and the sweet potato taters). My manfriend didn;t like his caesar salad. I'd like to think of him as a salad expert since he eats them like a cow so I'll trust his judgment on this one. He also asked for his steak blue and bleeding...it came out at best medium rare. The burger was flavorless and dry. One thing the table did agree on was they had a pretty good clam chowder. As for Gabriel--I only remember his name because we had to call for him quite a few times for refills. A different waiter ended up coming over to help us and did an excellent job to make up for it. Don't come here. If you must, just order soup....and pork belly EVERYWHERE...:D
(2)
Ursula B.
My family and I had dinner at the Art Bar a while ago. We were a total of nine, children and our two cousins from Portugal and we wanted to get a table at their beautiful outdoors patio. First the hostess sat us at a table inside the restaurant where we had no view other than a blunt wall. After that we asked the manager for a better table outside. She was extremely kind and told us she will find something. After 10 minutes my children and my family were sitting comfortably at a large table overseeing Charles river. The dinner was a success. Their burgers were top quality, the boston bibb salad was amazing and my children were happy with the kids menu the restaurant has available. Our server, Gabriel was fantastic. He was very attentive with service, quick in bringing our drinks at the table and he was sweet enough to take for us more than 10 photos at the end of our dinner. My family from Portugal was extremely happy.
(5)
Lindsay M.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner a few days ago. Our friend started working there and we were told it was a nice spot, so we decided to venture out that way and try it out! I have to say, it was a little humid at night, but the view was spectacular! We sat on the patio and had a nice view of the water. Not too loud, and not too many people were there, it was just a stunning. Our waiter, Mike was really nice, and got us our drinks and food right away. My boyfriend ordered a burger with fries and he said it was to die for. I got the lobster risotto and honestly, I'd have to say it was ok. The lobster was cooked just right and so was the risotto, but there was an unnecessary amount of lemon in the dish. I really felt like someone went a little too 'lemon happy' and sprinkled a lot in. We also got the sangria and Allagash for drinks and the sangria was not that good. It didn't have any fruity taste and the wine didn't really taste too well. Overall, it was a nice location and the service was great, but the food was just okay.
(3)
Vivian C.
I liked our waitress - she was friendly, willing to give suggestions, and a pleasure to interact with. When it took nearly 30 minutes for our first courses to show up (which I didn't particularly notice since our party was busy chatting), she came by to let us know that our order had unfortunately fallen through the cracks in the kitchen, but she had followed up on it and the apps would be out shortly, and she apologized for the inconvenience. At her recommendation, I had ordered the Deep Fried Macaroni and Local Cheese, Truffle Fondue $10. I hadn't realized it would be wrapped up in a skin like an eggroll, but the extra crisp of the shell added a dimension to the appetizer that the soft macaroni and cheese would have lacked if it had been simply breaded and deepfried without it. The four pieces it arrived as was also convenient for our party of 4. The out-of-towner amongst us ordered the Clam Chowder, New England-Style with Apple Wood Smoked Bacon $9 and announced that it was really good. The presentation was kind of cool too, as it was poured into the dimple of the soup bowl right at the table. Portion-wise it may have been a cup or perhaps 10 ounces, but that's just an eyeball guesstimation. For my entree, I selected the Lobster Roll, Lemon-Tarragon Aioli (Single - 14) Twin - $23. As my accompanying side, I requested the sweet potato tots, which arrived quite cutely in a metal fryer basket. Those were tasty little balls. I would have preferred them fried crisper, but still it was hard to stop at just one. And they were plenty to share with the rest of my table. I didn't particularly notice the lemon tarragon flavors of the aioli lightly dressing the lobster chunks, whether in taste or in presentation, but the roll arrived toasted, the crustacean pieces chunky and plentiful enough, so I considered it a good basic lobster roll in my book. Having sampled a few of the other entrees from around the table, I found everything to be pretty good. The polenta, however, that had come with the Spring Vegetable "Stew," Baby Vegetables, Lentils, Parmesean Crusted Polenta, Pea Greens $19, deserves a special call out. It was quite homey and warming; I really enjoyed it. The prices are a tad high for the portion - particularly for the appetizers at least, if not as much for the entrees - but with the discount we managed to obtain in pre-planning our meal, it was a reasonable deal, and a good night was had. The bar at the Artbar seemed to fill up as the night went on. Bathrooms are located out in the hotel.
(4)
Sylvia C.
The place was pretty dead on a friday evening. Not sure why especially seeing they have decent reviews. Definitely had higher expectation for this place...very limited drink and food menu. Though, the food menu was limited - it was good little plates with drinks. It's not really my kind of scene - that's why I'm giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Ariel Z.
Ditto about this place being a hidden gem. Fantastic upscale atmosphere. Highlights: 1. Wine pairings (nice whites). 2. Mac & Cheese Rolls (a little lacking in flavor). 3. Sweet Potato Tots w/ Banana Ketchup (sweet with a little kick). 4. Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto (creamy and interesting flavors).
(4)
Stephanie G.
My boyfriend took me here for a date night and it was decent. My only complaint was the herd of drunk middle-aged women sitting at the oversized table yacking away. The salmon and duck were great, and our waiter was attentive.
(4)
Jerry M.
Arriving at our hotel in Cambridge Thanksgiving night, I didn't have high expectations as to the restaurants that would be open. I had already stuffed my face earlier in the day, so I prepared myself to fall asleep on a half-ish full stomach. We were told Art Bar was open, and upon finding out that it was in a hotel, I immediately lowered my expectations. I've really never enjoyed myself at a hotel restaurant, unless it happens to be one that mainly operates for the benefit of non-hotel patrons. They were serving their "Thanksgiving Dinner" but also had a select number of regular menu items to order. We started with the beer battered Brussels Sprouts and the hummus with naan bread. As an entree, I ordered the Art Bar Burger. Damn....I was shocked and totally wrong about this place. The Brussels Sprouts, while lacking flavor themselves, had the perfect crispy outside and were accompanied by a Sriracha Aioli which had the ideal amount of spice. I could have eaten an entire bucket of these with this sauce. The hummus with naan bread was good, nothing special. The bread was warm and the hummus tasted relatively fresh. They gave the perfect amount of bread based on the amount of hummus, something I very much appreciate. The burger was really outstanding. The meat was cooked and seasoned perfectly, the bun was toasted to that picturesque golden brown, and the onion strings added a lovely crunch. It was truly a spectacular burger, and that's not something I say often. Along with the burger, I got the sweet potato tots. While they were a little on the soggy side, it was a welcome change from the typical side of fries. Had these been prepared on the fresher side, I'm sure they would have been great. Art Bar left me impressed. It was yet another restaurant that reminded me never to judge a book by its cover.
(4)
Kelly O.
We went here last night for a cocktail class ("Beyond the Hot Toddy"), which in itself was awesome and an excellent value at $20, and I highly recommend keeping your eyes open for future classes (especially by Troy Clarke, who unfortunately just left ArtBar but is in talks to continue his classes- I hope he does, he was such a great teacher). I realize a special class may not be the basis for an accurate review, but I think we still got a decent sampling of what ArtBar has to offer. Each staff member we encountered was nothing but pleasant and helpful. Beyond the solid content of the class itself, the cocktails we made/tasted were really well-crafted and delicious, and based on that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of ArtBar's seasonal hot drinks, or any cocktails really (they seem to have some great mixologists here who know what they're doing, and are really passionate about what they do). We also got to try some food from the regular menu: the mac & cheese spring rolls were tasty (especially with the accompanying dipping sauce), the duck pate crostini was excellent (coming from a person who usually doesn't like pate, that's a high compliment), and the sweet potato tots with spicy banana ketchup were just perfect. I can see that the entree prices are definitely on the high side, and there are some complaints about service... but given how great the apps and drinks are, I think this has potential for being a great snacks-and-drinks type of spot, especially in summer with the outdoor patio with the awesome Boston skyline views.
(4)
Eunice E.
I've been to ArtBar several times now--for appetizers/drinks, dinner and dessert, as well as a private event, and it's been a great experience each and every time. This is a spectacular venue (their outdoor patio, with brand new couches and umbrellas, is uber relaxing and luxe, and right by the Charles!), but their food and drinks are impressive as well, which makes ArtBar an absolute 5-star. If you haven't yet tried their sweet potato tater tots, you absolutely should ASAP. I had some for the first time at our event yesterday, and I'm actually considering going back in the very near future just to get some of those and a glass of wine! All the food I've tried here has been very tasty and well-crafted. The bruschetta (with shrimp and squid and loads of those amazing yellow and red pear mini heirloom tomatoes... oh, no, drooling as I type!), the fried mac&cheese (kind of like an eggroll, with cheese dipping sauce accompanying it), the lobster roll (yum), the Cuban (really yum), and the fries with the garlic parmesan aioli... they've all been delicious. And their desserts are really good, too. I can't say enough about the professionalism of their managers, with whom I've had to work closely over the last few months for this work event. They're all very helpful, and helped make our summer outing memorable. Everything was flawless, from the food to the drinks to the atmosphere. Even the weather cooperated, and it really did feel like we were sitting in Miami Beach while out on the patio. I'd highly recommend ArtBar for any kind of event, as well as a nice meal with your girlfriends or a date. I know I'll definitely keep coming back!
(5)
Cody C.
Beautiful views and an attractive space. Decent wine list...had a nice sauvignon blanc... but a bit overpriced on the per glass prices. Got a lobster roll with the tots... A lamb slider and a fried Oyster slider. Both of the sliders were ridiculously good. Most of the time when you order an Oyster slider. .. it is actually one tiny Oyster swimming in a bun.... but this slider had three big juicy oysters and a delicious sauce!! Lamb was tasty. And these were both pretty big too... you could make 3 or 4 of them. The cons.... only an okay lobster roll with bland sweet potatoe tots. Would return in the summer to take advantage of the patio for sure.
(3)
Paul L.
I went to their $25 Christmas brunch. I have had better free brunches in other hotels. The scrambled eggs barely tasted like eggs. The variety of foods was the most limited I've ever seen. The price was great, but next time I will spend more and get a real brunch.
(1)
Sarah B.
I have always had good experiences at Art Bar - both with the service and the menu - and of course the view. I like their cocktails as well as their wine list; I had the lobster roll and sweet potato tots during this past visit and they were even better than I expected. The lobster roll had big chunks of lobster and the bun was not over buttered, which can happen at some of our local restaurants. My friend tried the vegetable stew, which looked up amazing and the rest of the table enjoyed burgers that were loaded and big enough to share. The menu has options ranging from small plates to a full entree and appeared to have something for everyone. Our server was attentive, friendly and super patient with our table (we were all over the place). This is one of my under utilized Cambridge drink spots for sure.
(4)
Josephine L.
The service is utterly atrocious, the decor is bland and forgettable and the food is so incredibly lackluster, they should be arrested for robbery for the prices they charge. Let's start with the food and work our way backwards. My friend, Kelsey C., and I ordered the pork cheek tacos to start. It's very hard to screw up tacos. As long as you cook the meat thoroughly, have a decent tortilla and add some kind of sauce, you're bound to get a tasty dish. ArtBar found a way to screw it up. The tacos, which took at least 15 minutes to arrive, were COA: Cold On Arrival. Not "Oh, they're still somewhat warm, I can live with this" cold. "I've been sitting on a cold, metal counter for a loooong time" cold. The meat had toughened because of that and was bizarrely placed at the side of the plate, requiring us to assemble the tacos ourselves. Que? Did the chef get tired of the 15 extra seconds it would have taken to scoop the meat out onto the tortillas? Because it sure seemed that way. My friend had the Lobster Roll as her entree and I got the Game Hen. There was absolutely nothing special about the lobster rolls. Just lobster pieces covered in mayo. The lobster portion wasn't particularly generous, the buns were forgettable and it was just mayo, mayo, mayo throughout. That's fine. Lobster rolls are pretty set in how they're made. The Game Hen on the other hand. What was that? Really tough pieces of chicken stuffed with what I can only determine to be salted, julienned vegetables. The accompanying "potato cakes" were just thin slices of way-too-salty potatoes. For dessert, we got the Almond Streusel Cake which was decent but nothing remarkable. For drinks, I had the Vernon, which was utterly forgettable. For a place that's supposed to be known for its cocktails, I found the selections boring. Next, the decor. The restaurant is dark, not in an ambient way, but in a "We're too cheap to pay for more lighting" kind of way. The decor is sleek and soulless, the standard hotel restaurant/bar decor with no signs of personality added. And finally, the service. The reviews citing long wait times weren't exaggerating. It took at least 15-20 min to receive any of our dishes. Considering the restaurant was at best 1/5th full, there was absolutely no excuse for the long wait times. Our waiter looked bored and was unfriendly. When I asked him to recommend a sweet cocktail, he pointed to one that had gin. When I told him I wasn't a fan of gin and asked for another recommendation, he got huffy and claimed none of the other cocktails were sweet. Which was just wrong because I could tell from looking at the ingredients that there was at least one other cocktail that would taste sweet. Don't come here. If you must eat in this area, go cheap at one of the Cambridgeside Galleria chains or go pricey at Dante, which has better service, decor and food.
(1)
Megan J.
Things to note: 1. Brunch here begins at 11a, and after this point, you can no longer get just two eggs any style with toast. 2. They have sweet potato tater tots here. ORDER THEM. 2b. The homefries that come with breakfast dishes are so-so at best. 3. Contrary to the menu's exact wording, the veggie and cheese omelette does not come with cheese; it costs $1 extra; unless, of course, you say you don't want cheese anyway, and then it will come with copious amounts of cheese. 4. The number of staff is indirectly proportionate to the speed of service. Remember this.
(2)
Meredith a.
I ate outside witha friend for lunch at Art Bar today. The food eas excellent. Great burgers, and the sweet potato tater tots were awesome! Also, the desserts were fabulous. I have the cappucino brownie ice cream sandwich with caramel sauce, and my friend had the triple fudge cake that came with chocolate dipped cherries. The view of the Charles was also lovely. Unfortunately, the experience was marred by the fact that we got an awful waitress. She was not very polite when she did talk to us, and ignored us the rest of the time. She took forever to bring our desserts after our leftovers had been packed up, until I finally walked over to her when I was able to catch a glimpse of her, and asked her if we could have our desserts. She was rather brusque about it. By the time she brought it I was quick to ask if I could have more water, since I was nearly out and she had never come by to refill it, and I asked then if I could have the bill. I didn't want to have to try to find her again to get anything I needed! If I had had a decent server this would have been a five star review.
(3)
Sarah G.
Lobster roll for brunch with sweet potato tater tots for $15? Yes please! It is hard to find a lobster roll for that price that comes with anything on the side besides just a pickle or something like that, and the fact that this is a hotel restaurant, and it comes overflowing with lobster and a side of tasty and almost addicting tater tots, it was a steal I thought. Was it the best lobster roll ever? No, definitely not, but for the price and being able to sit out on the patio and eat it, it was a pretty nice option. We also got their namesake ArtBar Burger which was good but we ordered it medium rare and it took FOREVER for our food to come, which is probably why we ended up with a burger that was not medium rare at all. And for it being their namesake burger, it really wasn't anything that special we thought. We also got a bowl of their chowder which also took almost 30 minutes to come out---not sure what was going on with service that day. The chowder was good, but not something I would race back for. And then since we had a groupon thing we were using, they ended up charging us twice by accident! So we had to call later to get one of the charges canceled.... So ya...it was nice to sit on their patio (even with the road that separates you from the river ha ha) but I can see why people don't race to come here too often...But if you are in the neighborhood it is definitely a better option than going to CPK or cheesecake or some other chain in the area!
(3)
Aaron K.
Had a great classic New England dining experience here last Saturday evening. Plentiful seafood at very reasonable prices. We started with the raw bar which had $1 blue point oysters. These were tasty and a steal on a Saturday! (Raw bar only 4-7PM) We also had a really tasty calamari salad from the raw bar which had a great sauce on it. The calamari serving was large for 5$. Twin lobster rolls at 25$ provided me a massive amount of lobster in 2 delicious little toasted buttered buns. These were the perfect classic lobster roll. Basic and delicious, just the way you would want them. You really can't do better value wise in the city. In my opinion the lobster roll is better than island creek's because of the basic roll versus the rosemary one at ICOB. If you get the twin order here you will also get significantly more lobster. I had the sweet potato tots which were addictive. I was full before finishing but could not resist finishing these! My wife had the burger which was just decent in my opinion (nothing could compare to my lobster roll at the time). Atmosphere is great with the patio available overlooking the charles. Inside the dining room is modern and just fine. Service was just average. The staff is young and doesn't seem to be experienced. They act like they don't want to be there. The service is not up to par with the food prices. We did notice a manager walking around and making sure the young staff were doing their job well and that all customers were taken care of. That was really nice to see. I will be back when I'm looking for that classic new england lobster roll and a good cheap raw bar to match.
(4)
Joe I.
Two bar options in this hotel. My vote is for the other one. Found a neat beer on tap here however, which was a treat.
(2)
Alli B.
Great food. Somewhat over priced but definitely tasty. I had the pancakes. More than enough for one sitting... Made SUPER leftovers. Local Syrup from Vermont. A+ My husband enjoyed the unique Lobster Benedict. ($17) Loaded with fresh lobster!! Great deal for a $17 benedict. Great view of the Charles River. ] Located in a hotel so a little difficult to find but the hotel staff was very informative.
Good classy place to bring a date, especially if the weather is good and you can sit on the patio overlooking the river. The food is good and light, the prices won't break the bank, and the patrons are more business-y, tourist-y, which I find creates a better feel than student crowds. I've never sat indoors so I don't know what the indoor acoustics are, but the patio is a good place for private conversations. One star got deducted because the staff can, sometimes, seem a little befuddled. One person I was with ordered a decaf coffee, but it was, in fact, caffeinated -- a bad thing if you are very sensitive to caffeine. Hopefully this doesn't happen often, but it's not ideal.
(4)
Eleonora P.
Burgers are good and the sweet potatoes are really good, but the service is slow and extremely sloppy. We.received the wrong order two times in a raw and the plate was taken away while I was still eating.
(3)
Irv N.
Had lunch today, food was very good. Service was disappointing. After our food was served, we had to wait for too long for the server to bring napkins and utensils, and only after asking. I thought this should be service 101.
(3)
Adriana T.
I have been to Art Bar a few times now. The crowd is a little bit older but it's a very nice and relaxed atmosphere. Last night we had a couple of drinks each and some appetizers. The food was amazing!!! We got the spiced pork belly sliders - they were different than the sliders I am used to; the buns were replaced by slices of bread which at first I was like ewwww but I was wrong - it tasted delicious!! It was cooked to perfection. The second appetizer was the daily charcuterie board basically natural meats and local cheese platter - it was very delicious as well!!! It came with spicy mustard, grilled bread and jam. The service was great (we sat at the bar). I love Art Bar!! I am definitely going to return.
(5)
Jillian D.
Went here for Restaurant Week Boston this year, It was very good. The people we went with did not have high expectations but all in all it was GREAT. Trendy place to hang out, food was wonderful, service was great. It made for a very wonderful evening. They even validated parking... If you are in the area and want a high quality meal and a fair price (for fine dining) this is a good place to stop in.
(4)
Leah E.
There are always those hidden gems in Boston that make you wonder why others haven't figured out how awesome this is yet. ArtBar is certainly one of those spots. Kevin and Ryan are the managers and every time I go for dinner one of them is there with a smile and a hello. The space is small but comfortable. I'm a person who enjoys dining at the bar when I dine solo but I'm also someone who doesn't really drink much alcohol (I get the Asian reds). It's a strange combo to be someone who enjoys bar dining but doesn't drink and it's not something that always viewed or treated very well by bartenders etc. But never once when I dine at the ArtBar bar am I made to feel unwelcomed because of my non-drinking status. I'm always warmly greeted when I saddle up to the bar and infact there is always an awesome non-alcoholic offering for me to try. Last time I was there I got this raspberry, citrus sparkling drink that was refreshing and not too sweet. So perfect! I like the food quite a bit and usually go with a salad and entree. I like dessert but honestly I've found their desserts to be meh. Last time I was there I got a warm salad of figs, ham and blue cheese (perhaps not a salad but I'm calling it that so I can feel a little healthier about eating it) and it was amazing. The lobster rolls are huge (two is too much, definitely go with one) and the fries are crisp and hot! Service is important to me and I've always found the staff at ArtBar to be down to earth, genuinely happy to see me and aiming to please. Definitely a hidden gem if there every was one!!!
(5)
Sonia D.
What a nice hidden gem located on Memorial Drive!!! I had brunch on Sunday during the 85 degree October day. I mean the views were amazing and the live jazz band was a little perk to my brunch. I ordered plain buttermilk pancakes with a side of roasted homefries and my friend ordered corned beef hash. I wasn't in the mood to try anything fancy and wanted the old fashioned breakfast and it was pretty satisfying. I wouldn't say they were the best I've had but they did what they needed to do. My friend enjoyed her meal as well. The wait staff was great and didn't bother us after we paid the bill which was great because we were able to enjoy the weather. I will definitely come back soon and have drinks and dinner inside because unfortunately the summer is over and won't be sitting outside anymore. Perks to this place - Close to the Galleria Mall which is great and can always come for a drink after a long day of shopping. In walking distance from the green and red lines and also you can always find parking on the street (well at least i always do!!) Check this hidden gem out....you will not be upset!
(4)
Saira K.
This restaurant was convenient during a conference when it was too cold/wet to venture outside. On day 1, I had the lobster roll with a side salad for lunch. Exceptional - huge serving of fresh, buttery lobster meat. I sat at the bar, and service was good. In the next 2 days, my 5 star experience went down, down, down. The spring pea soup was nothing special. The clam chowder was disgusting and the smallest portion possible (made the lobster a better deal money-wise!)! Literally 5 tablespoons of soup in the tiniest bowl possible. The waiter was also very rude. View is nice, but find a better place to eat around here.
(2)
Julie B.
First of all, I love walking into a hotel to get to a bar. I think it's because it makes me feel like I'm on vacation... I have come to Art Bar a few times for happy hour in the past couple of months. The first time I ordered beers and loved that I was asked by the waiter if I wanted a "chilled glass" to drink my beer out of. Swoon! The beer selection isn't too great but I'm always happy to order some Harpoon IPA. The setup is pretty cool and swanky and the chairs are really comfortable! I didn't order any food but some of my coworkers ordered off the half price menu. One person ordered a mini burger and fries that looked delicious and cost something like $3-$4 dollars! The second time I came as part of an official work happy hour. You know what that means - free food and drinks!! I went all out this time and ordered myself a pomegranate martini which was delicious and refreshing. We probably ordered every appetizer on the menu for the table and I loved pretty much everything. I didn't get to actually look at the menu, but some of my favorites were some type of beef on a stick, fried calamari, and a plate of dips that had something with artichokes and some bruschetta type thing. If you work in the area I'd definitely come here for happy hour - great drinks, service and specials!
(5)
Mike O.
Can't get a drink within twenty five minutes on the patio, with only three tables to serve? Really??? FAIL.
(2)
christina P.
GREAT view.... Terrible service....I mean, downright awful. The people act like they are inconvenienced by your presence. The swordfish tasted like imitation meat. It was so bad, I almost want to terminate my interest in swordfish permanently. This place has some serious problems. I'm sure there are plenty of good chefs and waitstaffers who would be happy to have such a beautiful spot to work with. What a shame.
(1)
Adam M.
Since we were staying in the hotel, we hit this place up a cpl times. It's really trendy, upscale and a tad pretentious but hey we're used to NYC and we're not gonna let a little smug stop us...if you have warhol art in your establishment you better be ready to deal with ex-NY clubkyds n village rats or you should just lock your doors :D First time we went for breakfast.....not very busy. French Toast was good, poached eggs over hash was really good. We sat inside and the look of the place is nice. Second time we went for lunch on our way out and got the lobster rolls. Pretty good, very buttery, but Im sure quite a few native New Englanders would prolly disagree. lol second time we sat outside since the weather was so nice, it was also a bit busier, mostly w dudes in suits, but w/e there was a big convention for novartis going on (and none too pleased having to deal w a rogue pharmer telling them how it is w the FDA and to spare their banter outside). Overall it was ok, but not the kinda deal to be pretentious over. lol. It seemed like they do the room service for the hotel, so we'll prolly have stuff from here again, dunno about going downstairs tho when we can have it in room.
(3)
Lisa G.
This place goes down as having the worst service EVER! The place was not crowded, however I had to wait several minutes for a hostess to show up. After being seated I waited 5 minutes for a server. The server was lazy and obviously unhappy with her day. I ordered an overpriced bowl of lukewarm warm clam chowder, which was full of bits of sand. The iced tea was just OK and I was never offered a refill. I was planning to order more food but after this lousy service I changed my mind. I asked for my check and my server never returned. After waiting over 5 minutes I went inside to get my bill. My server was standing at the bar doing absolutely nothing. Because of this restaurant I have decided to never tip for poor service again!
(1)
Matt P.
I stayed at the Royal Sonesta the week on business and pretty much ate here as it was convenient given the long work days. The place is comfortable. The staff, for the most part, are friendly and helpful. The food, at least the small plates and appetizers, were very good. That said there are several down sides that makes the overall experience only a 2 star rating. The wine per glass price is way out in Pluto some place. The service is very inconsistent. One night it was great, another night it was slow and one it was non-existent. When this place gets busy its service definitely takes a hit. Bottom line is it is a convenient place if you are staying at the hotel. If not, I would maybe look elsewhere for find a nice glass of wine or eats.
(2)
Shaina P.
Situated in the Royal Sonesta, Art Bar is a perfect place for an alfresco lunch on the refurbished patio or for drinks after a long day at work. The happy hour menu includes half price apps, a great deal and atmosphere for a mature relaxing experience. The fries are crispy and not too thick with an addicting flavor and texture. And the prices aren't cheap but aren't too bad, either. Soups and salads run under $10 while sandwiches and entrees cost $12-20, and include lobster salad, whole bellied clam rolls, flank steak, chicken, and burgers, featuring fresh recipes of the season. Lunch was awesome with the sun right above. In the heat of the summer, there will be umbrellas and the option of dining undercover by the bar. The view isn't bad either: Cambridge Yacht Club and the Charles.
(4)
Abigail P.
Boring menu, over priced ... I had a salad that must have cost them 20c and I paid $9. Skimpy salad, no apparent dressing. Disinterested service. And the view is only good if you get up from the table and walk across the road. My advice, date the French way, a baguette, great cheese, and sit on a park bench overlooking the gorgeous Charles. It will be cheaper, way more romantic, and the food will be tastier.
(1)
Beth K.
Things I love: art, bars, sweet potato fries, and kittens. How does this apply to ArtBar you ask? Well...the art was cool. The bar was okay. They make sweet potato TOTS (tater tots beat out fries, hands down, and so sweet potato tater tots are basically a dream come true). Oh, and they thankfully do not allow kittens to run around in the place. (Cat hair burgers anyone?!). Nonetheless, the place misses that spark. That "wow" factor. No matter how hard they might be trying to be something else, they are still a hotel bar/restaurant and it FEELS like you are in a hotel bar/restaurant. However, amazing food, drink and service could potentially overcome this. So let's discuss. The service was very friendly, unlike what other reviewers have written. My husband and I were waiting for a friend who was running late, so our waiter brought us some delicious toasted almonds...yay! It seems like they don't automatically bring them out, so ask for them, okay?! We were not offered bread until after we ordered our food. We passed since we knew it would be just a tish until the food arrived. Thanks ArtBar for reducing my carb intake! We were with a friend who is insanely particular about his food and wine. Like annoyingly so. I forgot to do my wine research prior to picking a restaurant. Turns out they have a very very small bottle list for wines. If you are looking for a vast list of wines, this is not your place. Our friend was none too pleased by the bottle offering. However, I am not a wine snob and found both their Malbec and their Red Zinfandel quite tasty. We ended up ordering a bottle of the Red Zin and I was very pleased! In fact, I am I on the hunt for that wine (Earthquake Red Zin...let me know if you know where I can find a bottle). Their beer offerings are limited, especially if you are into craft beers. Smuttynose IPA might be the best localish beer offered. I know they are known more for their cocktails, so perhaps you should give those a shot when you go there. The food. It was good. My hubby got the monkfish and I got the scallops. Our friend got the lobster rolls with sweet potato tater tots. Those tater tots were absolutely dream worthy, in case you didn't pick up on that in the beginning of this review. I would go back just for the tots* *On Tuesdays, you can get those sweet potato tots for 1/2 price. GO! I can't really say that our food was mind-blowing, but it definitely was good. The monkfish was in an overly buttery broth, but was cooked well. However, the potatoes in the monkfish dish were not so good. Undercooked and under-seasoned (in my opinion, of course!). My scallops were tasty. I am a scallop fanatic! The only way to screw up a scallop is to overcook it, and they did not do such a crime:) The plating of the dishes were lovely and were what you would find in a high end restaurant. Our buddy didn't complain or rave about the lobster rolls (Oh, I forgot to mention that you get TWO lobster rolls with your order). They looked DELISH. Okay, so what I probably could have written at the beginning of this review, but did not because I wanted you to read the whole thing (hehe), was that we will not return here for a meal indoors. Wha???? Sorry, that might be confusing. They have an amazing patio that overlooks the river and I am already thinking of a happy hour filled with fun cocktails and those AH-mazing sweet potato tots! cheers.
(3)
Aboud Y.
Good, not great. Breakfast/brunch is exorbitantly priced for what you get (not a great value).This place is at its best for coffee/drinks or apps on the patio in the summer. All in all this spot is ok in my book under the right circumstances.
Perhaps the best - and only - restaurant view of Boston's skyline from alongside the Charles River. Art Bar is a great pit stop while biking by on the adjacent bike path because it has ample outdoor seating on its patio. I was pleased with the vegetarian offerings, and my wife enjoyed her burger. While tasty, my veggie lentil stew lacked seasoning. We will probably visit again on a summer evening, more so for the venue than for the food.
(3)
Chu H.
The service is poor. We arrived at the restaurant by like 8PM and ordered our meals. The food didn't arrive until like 1.5 - 2 hours later. The waitress assumed everyone was done with their meals, but a couple of my friends were still working on their food. That was just rude. Everybody would be done with drinking their water, and she didn't even come back around to check up on us. The restaurant was not even busy and there weren't many customers. I didn't understand why it took the food such a long time to be cooked and brought out. I didn't understand why everything was just so slow!! Also, the food didn't taste good. I definitely would never return to this restaurant. They overprice their food and it is not good quality. They are also not environmentally friendly. Their take out box is so huge to put a slice of cake in. We decided to take our desserts to go since it took them forever to bring out the food. ...I definitely would recommend people to go anywhere else but here....
(1)
Alexandra D.
I read all the bad reviews but still the desire to be outside and waterfront on a nice day overwhelmed. We ended up leaving seventy minutes after sitting down, excruciatingly slow service, dirty wine glasses, waitstaff that didn't know the menu, it was all too much. The manager said he just started, we felt bad for him, and hope he gets it under control. We would begin by firing the bartenders, and the waitstaff. The apps that came were ok, it's worth mentioning we came with low expectations for the food, we just wanted a nice view, decent service, and to enjoy ourselves, shouldn't be too much to ask. Why does it take over thirty minutes to pour a glass of wine? Rule number one is get everyone their drinks, they will be happier and more forgiving of your shortcomings. I am curious which management company runs this hotel.
(1)
soylinduh O.
Hello readers! It's been a while. I apologize for my absence but I began putting all my efforts into my main blog, Musings of an Unemployed MBA Grad. Take a look there for tips how to spend free time and for tips in regards to all things job search related. Well, I digress. Recently a few of us girls got together for our monthly Girls Night Out. We decided we'd meet up by the Charles River for some yoga and then head over to Art Bar in Cambridge. I had always been curious about this place but was never able to stop in, as I was always jogging past it. After a wonderful yoga session with Marta Minnetyan we headed over to Art Bar with our mats in hand. We were worried we might get turned away, since we were in shorts and basic t's, but luckily no one even batted an eye. We were seated outdoors on the patio overlooking the Charles. After being offered some complimentary water and delicious bread we all dived into the drink menu and ordered some fancy drinks. Once I saw that they had caipirinha's I had to order one, if for no other reason than to reminisce about my great trip to Brazil. The drink was everything I had hoped for and made my fantastic Caesar salad that much more enjoyable.
(4)
You F.
Sometimes, for business meetings I end up here with people who've been staying at the Sonesta. The place is grimly hostile with a wait staff that simply barks orders and ignores any request, instead responding with a recitation of what's on the menu. Except for one extraordinarily competent and efficient waitress who seems to work weekends, the staff's faces change regularly, indicating the place is as nasty for the help as it is for the sorry victims who end up eating or drinking here. If you just want to enjoy the view of the river and get beer at the outdoor bar, you're all set, however, as it does have a nice space across from the yacht club near the locks. If you really want to eat or have a working business lunch, grab a cab or walk to the Cambridge Brewing Company in Kendall Square.
(1)
Sarah G.
"There are so many things that look really good," said the man catty-cornered from me. His words perfectly matched my thought, one that was equally overwhelmed as I attempted to make a hungry decision. You can't help not be while perusing the lunch menu at ArtBar, a fine little nook part of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. An intimate ambience combined with the restaurant's alluring menu make this place a worthy trip. The American cuisine is a collection of seasonal dishes featuring lots of ingredients native to New England. On this particular cold, cloudy day, I only wished there would have been warm sunshine welcoming me to the restaurant's patio, where one can sit and dine by the adjacent Charles River. But, the weather was far from inviting a outside seat. So, naturally, I did what anyone would have: ordered piping hot soup. Brought forth was a small bowl of Butternut Squash bisque, each spoonful invading my palate with a silky smooth perfectly blended flavor. It was absolutely delicious, and a solid start to part one. On to part two, a grilled chicken sandwich. Alright, I gotta be straight. Grilled chicken seems boring, like watching baseball or staring at a white wall at the doctor's office. This particular grilled chicken sandwich, however, was out of the ordinary. There must have been a secret something in the dish well beyond it's vibrant and delicious appearance. A top tangled watercress rested a perfectly sliced vine-ripe tomato that cushioned what looked like the juiciest, most tender well-seasoned piece of poultry. And it got even better. Plastered between two slices of toasted seven-grain bread was a creamy complement: Vermont goat cheese. It was the kind of sandwich you'd daydream about. The ingredients were perfectly balanced and hearty. Served with an oversized pickle and a house salad with drinkable balsamic dressing, I'd absolutely return to ArtBar just for this lunch delight.
(4)
Rob T.
The ArtBar is an interesting place. It's a restaurant that happens to be attached to the Royal Sonesta Hotel. As such, the experience was a mixed bag for me. The restaurant is very classy and upscale, which is a bit odd in my opinion due to its location. Many patrons of the restaurant were guests at the hotel. This usually meant they were dressed very casually, which did not fit with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Perhaps the nightlife brings a different crowd, but it's odd nevertheless. I ordered a western omelette, while my two friends ordered french toast and pancakes respectively. We all agreed that the food was tasty, but not tasty enough to justify the high prices. $12 for 3 regular sized pancakes? Yikes! After all was said and done, our bill came to $46 with 18% gratuity already included. That's pretty steep for what was basically diner food with a premium price tag. Would I eat here again? Perhaps if I was a guest at the hotel, and I didn't feel like leaving the premises. However, there are other choices within walking distance that offer the same food at a fraction of the cost. I would recommend trying those options first.
(2)
Denise C.
Came with a group of 7 for their oyster happy hour. I've gone to a couple of places to try out their oyster HH and this falls to the bottom of the list. I don't even want to include is on the list. Nothing went right during our 2 hours here. Let me walk you through what happened: 1. One person arrived person to get a table, was seated but not acknowledged by a waiter for 15 mins. 2.Once most of the group arrives we order 2 dozen of the $1 oysters. It comes on a plate with no ice. For those not familiar with ordering raw oysters, they are served over a bed of ice to keep them cool and also prob to keep them from spoiling. We were seated outside and it was HOT day in August so it would have made sense to put them over ice. 3. The oysters were so pathetic looking and there was so much broken shell. Seemed like the shucker hacked away a the oyster and didn't bother trying to clean it. 4. Ordered a glass of wine and wanted to order the bottle but they ran out of the bottle because they got the wrong shipment. Not really their fault but still... 5. Ended happy hour 10 mins early! And lied about not having any more shrimp when in one of our earlier orders they made an effort to go to the back and get more shrimp. 6. Didn't receive 2 orders of crab salad. 7. Received the bill to have the bottle of wine they didn't have in stock on our bill as well as the missing orders of crab. 8. Adjusted the check but tip still stayed the same. So we just calculated the tip ourselves and adjusted the bill. 9. Credit cards were asked to be charged the same amount but one credit card came back with half the bill charged to it. Follow directions much? 10. Couldn't get out of there fast enough. Our server was very nice but a bit slow and could have used the help of the 10 other servers hanging out inside prob because of the AC. If this doesn't turn you off then go try for yourself and come back to YELP and give it your own 1 star review.
(1)
Jessica L.
I stopped in here for brunch while in town for a conference. The tiny bar was packed and they initially told me there was no room, but I pointed to a lot of space at the bar, and was promptly seated. The waitress was very friendly and attentive throughout my visit. I couldn't help but order the Lobster Eggs Benedict. That's just an indulgence that I couldn't pass up, despite it's HIGH price tag. As often happens when expectations are high, it was a let-down. The lobster was tough and overcooked and lacked any real flavor. The poached eggs were also overcooked, so there was no runny goodness. And, the hollandaise sauce was bitter and overly acidic. I know not to expect much from a hotel restaurant, but this really crushed my spirit....
(2)
Saba N.
Although I have already reviewed ArtBar for lunch, and I decided to update my review based on the awesome experience I had there last night. ------------------------------ ArtBar is a fantastic spot for a private event! We threw a graduation party for my brother last night - nothing fancy, just cocktails and apps.. and it was awesome! The food was really good, and everyone loved the drink selection (they have a drink with champagne and ICE CREAM! heaven). We met with the events planner "Z" a few times prior to the event. He is wonderful. So responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly. My mom and I aren't the easiest to deal with! He did an amazing job planning everything and came through with every promise. He made the process really easy and I could not have asked for a better manager. All in all, I think the guests had a great time. You should definitely consider having an event here - you won't be sorry!
(5)
Cory M.
I have mixed feelings about this place. I went to the Art Bar with a large group pf people from my work. I had been to Dante (which is also in the hotel) before and I liked. I ordered an espresso martini (which was great) but it was a little pricey at $13. Needless to say, I drank it slowly. But, it was very very good. We sat outside on their beautiful patio, which over looks the river. The view was so beautiful and relaxing, that it almost made up for my drink. We also ordered food which was equally as pricey. Overall, it is a great place to go for a special occasion. The inside is very modern and the view of the river is spectacular. The drinks and food were also good. But the prices are too high, for me anyway, to go there on a regular basis.
(3)
Josh R.
It has a nice view of the Charles, hip decor, and good menu options. I opted for the burger, and it was tasty. The place is nothing special, and it has a captive audience by virtue of being inside the hotel. I'd give it 3.5 stars; it's slightly overpriced.
(4)
Roberta G.
The best burger ever ! Grass fed beef, crispy apple smoked bacon . On the small side ... for me perfect. Best flavor ever!
(5)
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Address :40 Edwin H Land Blvd
Cambridge, MA, 02142
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lisa B.
This is a wonderful restaurant with great scenery and a fantastic gluten-free menu. I went with my friend who is does not follow a GF diet but he ordered off the gluten-free menu and we were both very satisfied with the meal! The staff was friendly and tolerant of my celiac status and my friend's shellfish allergy. We ate some kind of homemade bbq chicken and a vegetable polenta and they were both fantastic! Highly recommended!
(5)Joel M.
Great location for summer drinks with a view of the Charles. Met a friend for apps + 2 glasses of wine + 4 beers = $80+ tab... Not exactly a great value choice, though that's the price you pay for location. Though the scallop app was indeed delicious it was quite small. Ditto for the cheese plate, which had miserly portions of 5 cheeses. Service was great all around, though it was a weeknight and not terribly busy.
(3)LI NY Foodie R.
A nice place to eat, but a little pricey for what it is. The food is good, but they are trying to put on a real trendy atmosphere with "fancy" bar food. I have been here twice. I had a burger and a lobster roll. Both were good, but not amazing. The atmosphere is modern, and the place is well kept and clean. It's a good choice is you want a bite to eat if you are staying at the hotel (Royal Sonesta). It has a patio section outside, but I have only visited here during the winter.
(3)Mary C.
The patio area is superb for a summer night. I went to ArtBar for the raw bar happy hour. And it tastes like garbage! I'm not sure the oysters were being shucked properly or he wasn't cleaning them properly, but all i could taste in my mouth were crunchy shells while i was eating them. They definitely could do a better job on the presentation also, there's no ice under the oysters they literally just lay them on the plate. After about 5 minutes of those things sitting in the sun, it pretty much belongs in the trash, it's not cold, just mushy, shelly, and gross. I liked our waitress she was very polite, never rude, but what I didn't understand is how we ordered food and it never came out, but it was still on our bill?? And she looked confused when we told her it never came out. Plus the error being charged on my card. The bill was split amongst 6 people at $44's a pop and somehow I was charged $237's! Very confused and annoyed by this point. Too many better options to ever go back to this place.
(2)A Z.
Their Irish Hot Chocolates are pretty decent and if you get there early, you can take advantage of the couches they have inside. Also a good place to work because they have wi-fi. Around 11 or so, they kick you outside to use the outdoor bar, which is when I walk across the hotel to Dante instead.
(3)Laura D.
I really like this restaurant. I would give it a 4.5 if that was an option. I've been here 3 separate times. Interestingly- once for breakfast, once for lunch, and once for dinner. For breakfast I had the pancakes and bacon. Pancakes are perfect, bacon is thick and high quality. For lunch I had the turkey BLT, and for dinner I had the lobster mac n cheese ravioli. When we came for dinner we also got dessert- I had the smores cheesecake and my husband had the chocolate cake. My husband has had the french toast, clam roll, clam chowder, a burger, and the chocolate cake. Out of all these meals, the real star was the lobster mac n cheese ravioli for me. They are unreal, just perfect. He loved the clam chowder, and he samples chowder everywhere. The cheesecake was just ok, the marshmallow topping needs some work. But the chocolate cake... we still talk about the chocolate cake! Very strong restaurant with great choices. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Jon P.
One star for the view, this place has potential but the signs of poor management are glaring. Not organized and POOR service!! Not even busy, the hostess took 15 minutes to seat us outside and wad confused, waited 5 min for menu, had to ask for drink menu waited another 10 min, then ordered drinks waited 10 minutes, so far we waited close to 30 minutes for a drink. Waited for the second drink and the waitress was missing, got up from the table to sit at the bar in hopes of better service, but bartender told us she couldn't transfer the tab with an attitude, didn't ask us if we wanted a drink, and then walked away from the bar area. We waited again for a second drink which was now approaching 20 min drink-less and at the bar!! We then decided to leave, went to the Cheesecake Factory, not a huge fan but at least the service was attentive and we didn't have to beg for a drink. Too bad because I live near Art Bar and will never go back... nothing worse than bad service at a place that is selling itself as upscale with the appearance and prices.
(1)Ellen G.
If I had all the money in the world and time to eat out, I would eat at either ArtBar, or its next door neighbor Dante, every night during the summer when the weather is nice. Spacious and relaxing with an incomparable view, it's what summer is all about--eating outdoors in the fresh air. The food is surprisingly good considering the review by the Boston Globe, although I only tried the ArtBar burger (with maitake mushrooms, cheese, and a special sauce) and the marinated olive appetizer, so I can't comment on the rest of the menu. There was no attenuation of flavor--the burger tasted juicy and delicious until the last bite--a real plus. The wine list was on the expensive side with nothing less than $44/bottle, so I'd stick to non-alcoholic beverages such as water!
(4)Philippa Q.
First thing..the view from the patio is probably one of the best views in/of Boston. Seriously, if you have out-of-towners visiting and want to impress take them here on a nice summer afternoon. You will be treated to an awesome view of Beacon Hill and downtown Boston from across the Charles river. The drinks are, I guess, a bit on the pricy side but I've always stuck to beer and wine here and it's comparable to most other places. The food is surprisingly good for a restaurant connected to a hotel lobby. It's a great place to come after work for a drink and some nibblies. I think I've only had a meal (lunch) here once and I really enjoyed it but I don't know that it qualifies me to give a proper review. That being said, I had one of the BEST lobster rolls here. I am a lobster roll purest, my favorite place on earth for a lobster roll is the Eagle's Nest diner in Brewer, Maine. A pound of lobster meat tossed with a conservative dollop of mayo on a buttered and toasted hot dog bun. Nothing more to say. So I was skeptical about the Art Bar roll, especially since it seems they tried to upscale it (lemon-tarragon aioli??) But as it was on the prix fixe $20 lunch special I figured why not....I got two (two!) very generous lobster rolls, on the perfect buttered toasted hot dog buns, nothing but lobster and a bit of aioli (aka mayo in this case) and you know what?.....that tarragon tasted really good with the lobster. I've been dreaming of that lobster roll since then.... oh yeah, the other stuff... service has always been good, bar snacks tasty, sandwiches very good, atmosphere very nice, modern and stylish,desserts ok/average
(4)David B.
We tried out this place for lunch. Although the food was pretty good we had some of the worst service ever. We walked in and the sign said to wait to be seated, so we stood there and waited, and waited, and waited. Nobody came over to greet us. Every now and then we saw a server scoot by in the back but they completely ignored us. After standing there for at least 5 minutes, one of the customers, I guess feeling sorry for us, got up from her table and told us that when they came in they were told to just take a seat anywhere. So we sat down at a table and waited another 5+ minutes until someone came over to wait on us. Really unacceptable. In a normal situtation I would have left, but my friend was really hungry and didn't want to walk around anymore.
(2)Kris S.
I searched all over Boston for a restaurant that has a great view of water, and also serves food that is local and/or sustainably made. Artbar was the perfect match! We ate outside on the terrace, with cocktails and taking meals one course at a time. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was good (try the lobster roll, and hazelnut pot du creme), and the waitstaff were down to earth and attentive.
(4)Faith N.
I'm surprised there are only 2 reviews for this place! I had some drinks here a few weekends ago and really enjoyed it. The bar is really nice, the whole atmosphere is very chic, upscale but not snooty. Just a very nice ambiance overall especially with the view. The drinks were also delicious! My mojito was perfectly made.. not too strong but with a wonderful kick. I would LOVE if ArtBar was a certified green restaurant.. the green restaurant works with restaurants and bars to become more sustainable.. it would be amazing if ArtBar was added to this list.. Love ArtBar! =)
(4)Hassan A.
The cinnamon french toast was fantastic.
(5)Kimberley S.
Went here for Valentine's day and it was nothing special really. There was a pre-fixe menu. My boyfriend got a grilled pear salad that he didn't care for. I got the oysters with beans, pancetta, and saffron. I had never had oysters and I LOVE saffron and this was so delicious. For dinner we both got the lobster risotto. It had a ton of lobster and veggies, which is good, but it didn't taste very lobster-ey. It tasted overwhelmingly cheesey and not very special. We got a special valentine's day medley for dessert. It was beautiful (hearts all over it) and so romantic, but so sweet and decadent that it was almost inedible. It's a smaller place than I anticipated, but I loved the decor.
(3)Kathleen M.
At first glance, it was a "no sweets with savories", mushroom hater's nightmare--most of the salads had fruit, over half of the entrees had fungus, and, being here for a work-related dinner, there was no option to bail and go to Dante. What's a girl to do? Hunker down, place an order, and hope that the fungus flavor does not pervade the entire dish. The result? Pleasant surprise! I sampled the clam chowder, which was fantastic--nice thickness, not too potatoey, with the addition of bacony goodness, For an entree, I took a risk with the crab-stuffed cod--explicit mention of fungus = risky! What arrived was delicious with some additions that were not mentioned on the menu--the cod was nicely cooked, moist and delicious; the rock crab was tasty, but being an MD snob, nothing can compete with blue; this atop appropriately crunchy asparagus and a kind of sundried kind of not tomato that had a fantastic, intense tomato flavor; finished off with some super tasty truffle mashed potatoes and a delectable champagne cream. This dish was fantastic and I had to resist the urge to empty the bread basket and sop up all of the deliciousness from my plate. A girl needs to keep up some decorum in front of the coworkers. Others at the table had a delicious-looking steak, a nice caesar salad, and the seafood stew--messy with it's half lobster, but looked fantastic. All were satisfied with their meals. Food is a bit pricey, but portions are large. I was too full for dessert, but liked that they offered some $3 dessert "bites" in addition to their full-sized desserts. I have no idea how big these are, but it is nice to have a small option if you just want a taste of sweetness at the end of your meal or want to try a few things. Coffee was quite delicious. Reasonably priced wines. A glance at the cocktail menu suggests that things are more creative down the hall at Dante. Ambiance is funky, but chill. A little less uptight than Dante, and probably has a fantastic river view in the summer. Seems like a great place to have an after work drink (I'll let you know...) and a good place to have a delicious meal!
(4)Dana B.
Went here tonight with a friend of mine for restaurant week. I chose this place because I liked the menu that they were offering. Let's break this down: Food: First Course: Butternut Squash Bisque with pumpkin seeds and fig syrup. Delicious. Highlight of the meal! The portion of bisque was huge and it was a very filling and warm way to start the meal. Second Course: Filet Mignon. The presentation on this was lovely. The filet itself was delicious and cooked to my liking. The vegetables that surrounded it were good, but were more fitting for pot roast. Dessert: Chocolate cake and ice cream. This has a fancier and more detailed name, but right now it escapes me. The small portion on this was perfect since the cake is so rich. Overall, the food was very good. Service: The service here was very good. We were seated promptly at a table of our choosing. Our server took good care of us and was always visible and walking around. Atmosphere: This is where it loses it's two stars. It is located in the Royal Sonesta hotel and it is the size or a living room. The windows lining the wall face out to a tree covered view of the Charles River. The entrance is the size of a mall store and the coordidor echoes. For a bar called Art Bar, there was a lack of Art. The only real art was the table settings. The placemats looked like four rows of old seat belts. The plates were simple and white, but shaped differently to enhance presentation. This place has so much potential to be a really great place to go out and have a meal, but for right now, it's just ok.
(3)Tio P.
Great food, The only place that I have ever seen to have a "flight" of cocktails. Craft cocktails, barrel aged cocktails. The fries come with three fabulous off the wall sauces. HOWEVER!!, take in mind that this place is essentially a Hotel Resto/Bar, and most of the clientele will be there from their office trip. additionally to go to the bathroom, you will have to go walk out and use the hotel bathroom. And the view is hard to see at night. ALSO don't bother coming by train via lechmere, as you will have to run across highway and dirty sidewalk to get there. But the free range chicken was awesome!
(3)Elizabeth Y.
Artbar is a hidden gem. To be clear, this review is for Artbar's food quality, not their value. If you are a foodie, you should check out this place. If you're looking for a value dinner place, this is not it. Appetizer: the pork ribs were fantastic. The meat falls right of the bone, super tender. Excellent. Easily one of the best pork ribs I've ever had. In fact, we found this place, because of their participation in the ribs festival in East Cambridge earlier in the summer. It comes with 4 ribs and a small cornbread on the side, which was equally amazing if not more so. Main course: Scallops. Scallops in general are extremely hard to cook. But, they were able to get this to the T. I loved the creativity of the risotto that comes with it. But again, you only get 4 scallops, so this is not going to fill most people. Lobster roll. Their lobster roll was creative and fairly tasty, but I thought it was a bit on the heavy-side. I've had lighter tasting lobster rolls (e.g. less mayo), so this was a slight disappointment. Dessert: Creme brulee mini. Excellently done. This place pays attention to food detail. Everything is so excellently cooked. I thought the service was fantastic despite the other reviews. There wasn't a wait at all on a Saturday night. I would definitely come back again and might even come back to try one of their tasting menus, which they have only on Saturdays.
(5)Kevin O.
I've been to ArtBar several times for dinner and company events and have been impressed every time! The food is fantastic and the staff is extremely friendly. The location is prime set right on the Charles with an awesome view of the city (with an awesome patio). Definitely worth a visit, I've sent many friends there and never been let down.
(5)Amy C.
My boyfriend and I had breakfast here while we were staying at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, so this review is for breakfast only. Seating was comfy with plush suede couches and chairs. Our waitress was friendly, although she gave us the check right after we got our food and I never like that because it makes me feel like they're trying to rush us out. I ordered the classic eggs benedict and my boyfriend ordered the lobster benedict. Both would have been perfect except the hollandaise sauce was too tart.
(3)Cat E.
Last night my husband and I went to ArtBar for dinner on the patio. It was a great night to be outside and admire the city views. I have wanted to go here for a while and was hesitant due to all of the negative reviews. Those negative reviews prompted me to want to go and see for myself. We were seated immediately and well tended to. When a table opened up closer to the river, I asked if we could be moved and they took care of it. I ordered the pea soup and my husband orders the sweet potato tater tots to start. Both were tasty and the presentation was fun. For dinner I had the scallops and he had the pork tenderloin. Again, both were full of flavor and the presentation was creative and attractive. I had a question about my scallops and the server had the GM sent over quickly. He was very helpful and got the answer for me. Overall the location is great, our food and wine were tasty and a touch unique and we had a great date!
(4)Mimio G.
Been here many times with both small and large groups of people. Service is usually crap. Food and drinks are usually good. The staff here just don't care about anything and I've been overcharged for food and tips repeatedly. There are better places to eat in this area. Find them.
(1)Kaitlin C.
Love the ArtBar! Beautiful views of the Charles River through nice windows, or in nice weather in the summer on the patio. Live music Thursday-Sunday, and brunch on the weekends. The menu is nice with a little something for everyone. Amazing clam chowder, beautiful salads, an array of appetizers from ribs (that won #2 at the Smoke This RibFest! Fun knowledge from my server.) to scallops or a cheese plate, and beautiful dinners. If you want a burger, there isn't a better one, or maybe you want some delicious pasta or salmon - Check! The drink menu is one to be reckoned with. The wine selections are incredible, the liquors are world class, and the cocktails? You won't see anything like this anywhere else in Boston. What a great ambience, and the perfect way to unwind after a long day of work. Service is always right on, and everyone is warm, friendly and helpful. I could come here every week!!
(5)ali g.
Came for lunch on a gorgeous sunny day and sat outside on the patio overlooking the Charles. Was told to order the gazpacho, and I am so glad I did. The yellow tomato soup was one of the best I'd had. Also ordered the Lobster Cobb which combines two of the best foods: Lobster and bacon. How can you go wrong? Delicious. I'll be coming back for cocktails after work this summer, most definitely.
(4)Lynne S.
The Art Bar patio is a fantastic place to eat on a nice, sunny Boston afternoon. The service is great and the menu is short, but packed with several delicious sounding options for lunch. I opted for the seared ahi tuna sandwich served on rosemary focaccia with wasabi aioli, asian slaw and sweet chili. For $14 it comes with either fries or a side salad and a pickle. The tuna was cooked perfectly and the accompaniments made for a very flavorful combination. I thouroughly enjoyed every bite.
(4)Becky D.
Loved this place. The bartender was adorable and very friendly. He mixed me up a French martini which was amazing and I shared a cheese plate with my companion. I wish we would have eaten dinner here as well.
(5)Cheryl M.
Nice views, slow service. Dinner was just ok but the mac& cheese egg rolls were the highlight. Wouldn't rush back here, sorry.
(2)Annie B.
Great for sitting outside when you have nice weather. Excellent gazpacho!
(4)ryan c.
I went here because I received a "Half Off Sliders" coupon in the mail. The location is great, we ate outside next to the river.. but that was just about the only positive thing about this place. The food, despite being half off, was ridiculously overpriced. And the sliders were nothing special, in fact I thought they were pretty gross. Also, and I'm not making this up, there were rats running around outside. RATS! Our waitress was nice though.
(1)Ben L.
Good food, and a good cheese plate as well -- it should be on the dessert menu!
(4)Anna G.
View is great, Drinks are good, food is mediocre.
(3)Megan E.
I really liked this place. My boyfriend and I went here for Valentine's day. I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that it was in a hotel, but once we were there, it really wasn't a big deal. The restaurant was also a lot smaller than I expected. And yes, as per the other reviews, the food was a bit expensive, but totally worth it! I mean-we had a bottle of wine (great prices on the wine), an appetizer, two entrees, a latte, and two complimentary chocolate covered strawberries for $100. We shared the blue cheese and walnut gnocchi as an appetizer and it was AMAZING! I really can't say enough about it. My entree was delicious as was my boyfriends. The service was also awesome-extremely friendly waiter. Plus, the art on the walls was great. Huge, fun pieces that definitely added a fun ambiance to the room. I will definitely go back and recommend it to others.
(4)Nicole G.
I always dine here at least once when in town. The food is good, the views outside great. The service is only average, but you can't beat the location if you're staying at the hotel, or across the street at the Marlowe.
(4)Ann M.
Sometimes I wonder if I go to the same restaurants as everyone else... I stayed at the Royal Sonesta during a work trip, and I had several opportunities to eat at the Art Bar during my time in Boston. The ambience was lovely, the staff was stellar, and I had no problems with the cleanliness or decor. I think the biggest problem that I could pinpoint is that the cooking at Art Bar tends to stand out the simpler the food is, and their dishes can get overcomplicated. Let me break it down with three very different experiences: Night One: I hadn't eaten all day and wanted a nice meal, without having to leave the hotel (it had been a long day). I popped down to Art Bar and decided to go for their Restaurant Week offerings. FIrst of all, the service was fabulous. My waiter, Matt, was incredibly attentive and charming, which made the meal all the better. My appetizer was the Heirloom Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Napoleon, which was slightly disappointing - the tomatoes were really mushy, but the balsamic reduction was well done, as was the crostini that accompanied the dish. The Lobster and Pecan-Crusted Scallops was my entree, and again, I was not overly enthusiastic. The lobster was tough, and while the scallops were cooked perfectly, the pecan crust was so finely ground that it felt like coffee grounds. However, the salad underneath was perfectly wilted by the heat of the scallops, and the roasted fingerling potatoes were perfection. Dessert was advertised as a plum tart, which was sweet, sour, a nice light finish to the meal. Overall, I wasn't terribly impressed, but I was hopeful for better things. Meal #2 was after a day off, when I decided to partake in their five dollar appetizer selections. Wanting to keep it simple, I ordered a bowl of their clam chowder and a bowl of mussels in chardonnay and butter. This was a complete one-eighty from what I had eaten previously. The clam chowder was smooth, creamy, rich and smoky - absolutely delicious. The mussels were ideally prepared - not a smidgen of sand, and a broth so tasty that I ate it straight with a spoon, rejoincing when I found cloves of roasted garlic hiding in its depths. These dishes were simple, unpretentious, and absolutely perfect. Ditto for the final meal I ate at Art Bar - I popped in for a Saturday night cocktail and snack. The Kobe beef slider was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, and it came with a side of tarragon sprinkled crispy fries. Paired with an Electric Lemonade, it was an ideal late night treat. On both of these occasions, Steven was my waiter, and he was absolutely attentive, friendly and charming. I don't know if this is a restaurant to drive out of your way to visit, but if you are in the area, skip the Cheesecake Factory and CPK at the mall across the street and stop in to try some of their simpler fare. It's a choice well worth making.
(4)Gray c.
Best pancakes ever - they are served with warmed maple syrup service is ok
(4)R A.
I had the banana pancakes for brunch and was surprised to also find banana slizes inside the pancakes and not just on top. They were thick and tasted better than your processed Ihop variety. My friends cream for his coffee seemed bad and did so even after requesting a new one. Other than the cream, the food and atmosphere was clean and well presented. Syrup came in sealed personal size glass jars (which were heated up) and water was served in a bottle (even though I am convinced it was just from the tap). You can sit outside and overlook the Charles river which I thought was nice. It was pretty expensive though and for what you got it was overpriced.
(3)Leta H.
My husband and I received several recommendations to try the restaurant, after having spent a week at the Hotel Marlowe (across the street). Arrived on a Friday evening, around 6:15pm and we were directed to an outside table. Service was slow and we were surprised by the extremely limited menu. The food was tasty (we both ordered clam chowder and the grilled chicken), but for the price paid, we expected more. They are charging for the view, not much else.
(2)Richard C.
Located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Art Bar somehow landed on my "master burger list." I say somehow because I've completely lost track of the origins of these suggestions, but one way or another, someone told me to check it out and so I did, with the infamous Mike Isman. It's a $14 burger and I don't know why, maybe because there's Art on the walls? Food I get, but art is a world I know nothing about, combine the two in a restaurant setting and I can't quite piece it together. It's snobby, but no less so than The Four Seasons, the type of place that very well could have a good burger, but sadly does not. It's a $14 burger disguised as a $7 burger, as they use the dreaded combination of ground Sirloin and Brioche, two automatic fails in my mind. Unmelted American cheese tops the patty (seriously, how can you not melt American cheese?) that at least looks promising, but looks can be deceiving. The meat, which of curse is too lean, is completely over-packed, and is tough, unpleasant to chew and lacking identity. It's seasoned, but not necessarily tasting like beef, meaty perhaps, but not tasting of a cow, if that makes any sense at all. The fries taste pretty good too, but a little too pale in color to take on any substantial crunch, and far too few grace my plate, especially for the cost. In the competitive world of burgers in Boston, Art Bar fails to distinguish itself in any way. It's okay, I'm certainly not offended, but in many ways it's just another day at the office for the humble hamburger, which too often is plain, boring, and lackluster. But it's still a burger, and even if it's not the best or even anything worthwhile, I love the hunt, the quest, and the desire to find the best, and the search must go on.
(2)Sally L.
Popped in for a drink with some Mainer friends. Beautiful place, very exciting. Very nice bartender who treated us well. It was the end of the night and there was only one other couple at the bar with us. I had a Corona- you cant mess that up but the bartender mixed up something fruity for my picky friend and she loved it. Great place to chill out for the start or end of the night. Great "screw" art pieces by the bar. Neat sofas in the lobby. I plan on googling the hotel to see if it is as neat as the bar/ restaurant.
(4)Maggie R.
We went for restaurant week and I don't think I would go back. Reason for the first star is that it is easy to get to and parking was easy. Reason for the second star: My boyfriend got the lobster rolls which he said were good. The reasons they don't get any more stars: I got the steak sandwich which was bad. It was overcooked and tough. The place was really dirty and there was food all over the floor.
(2)Chris S.
It was lovely to sit outside on the patio in view of the marina. However, the food was very precious in that the portions were micro-sized. Small portions for the appetizer diver scallops(2), crab cake(1) and even the gazpacho was not generous. We chose a number of appetizers and left hungry. Noticed that the hamburger at other tables was regular-sized so if we came back for the view on another evening we would stick to the basic burger and be happy!
(3)molly f.
Very underwhelming. We visited Art Bar recently with out of town guests in hope of a great view of the Charles since nearby Dante's patio was closed for brunch. unfortunately, the restaurant wasn't quite prepared for the sudden heat-wave in Boston & the inside was scorching hot...too hot to comfortably eat. The service at Art Bar was good - our waiter was friendly & extremely attentive, but the rest of the experience...meh at best. I also was extremely disappointed with how un-eco friendly the restaurant was. Everything- literally from sodas, to syrup, to ketchup, was individually packaged...they even had mini tobasco's! The amount of excess waste that creates in terms of individual packaging is just insane. Completely unnecessary and irresponsible as far as I'm concerned. The skillet omelette & the french toast were good...but again, not good enough to outweigh many, many negative aspects of this place. I'll take a pass.
(2)Kay H.
Definitely planning on going back. I was introduced to ArtBar thanks to Dine Out Boston week. I had the clam chowder as an appetizer. It was creamy and hot upon arrival. I also enjoyed the lobster roll which was incredibly packed with lobster. It was so meaty! I had sweet potato tater tots on the side which was crispy and war,. Everything was Delicious. Not sure why they're getting bad reviews. I also had the house malbec / merlot, can't remember. I went with someone else, I tried the scallops which was fresh and succulent. The view of downtown from the patio, dope. Parking costs $12 when validated, try parking down the street if you have the flexibility.
(5)Jessica W.
It's bad. It was cold and windy yesterday and I didn't want to be seated near the outside door where there would be a draft. The waitress said okay and took me to the table right beside the door.. I asked for anywhere else and she pointed to a table directly across from that one. I said no unsure if I had been clear with "not beside the door" and suggested another table for myself. Beyond that I then waited for exactly 11 minutes after I ordered my drink to receive it. It was not a full day for them, or even a little full. There were under 10 tables being serviced. I was ready to order within a few minutes of ordering my drink, but the bartender delivered my drink not my waitress so I waited .... And waited... And waited... Finally I out my order in for a cup of clam chowder. It came out right away and was very delicious, creamy, chunky, flavorful, peppery etc. I ordered the pulled pork BBQ sandwich for an entrée with sweet potato tots on the side and I took maybe 3 bites of each and pushed it away. Meantime I've witnessed 2 staff members arguing, constant staff gossip, and kitchen staff coming out with food because the wait staff didn't get it. When my BBQ gets to me I instantly regret it. It has way too much sauce, the menu said "pickles" but I thought that meant on the side not on the bread. The pickles made the bottom the of sandwich soggy. The sweet potato tots I had on the side were strange. They look great on the outside but when you bite into them.. It's like little pieces of undercooked hash. Nasty. Would have been better if they just puréed the sweet potato blend. I got the order in a to-go box because I didn't want to be rude. A different waiter gave me my check and it was just a copy of what I had and its total- not a regular ticket where you have the option to add gratuity. Plus they charged me for a bowl of chowder not the cup like I asked. The guy seemed so busy I didn't want to disturb him... But after a while of having the payment book on the edge of the table .. I decided to ask for a pen and just write that I wanted this meal billed to my room and left. This place was a train wreck- kind of a waste because the location is beautiful.
(1)Sarah F.
Overall experience eh. Food was just good, service was very pushy for our order then completely inattentive. Empty water glasses & no one asked if we'd like another drink, we had to catch her on the fly. And it was the very start of service. Some apps & drinks cost almost $150 which was ridiculous. Cocktails & wine are priced on a NYC level and they didn't even have a rose in the middle of summer. We way over tipped (just under 30%) our waitress Alissa not because of her stellar service but because my husband ran home for his forgotten wallet and we felt we were there a little longer than expected (though there were tables to be had and we walked out 2hr5mins after arriving.) She barely thanked us as we were leaving. Also for what they charge for food. When I ask to wrap something up I don't expect to-go containers & a bag dropped at my table so I can self serve. That's a diner move. If it hadn't been for the lovely view & good company I'd probably give 2 stars.
(3)Inês L.
Thanks, Yelp! Went here with my bf and parents for some drinks and apps. They got the double lobster roll and two clam chowders. And we got three beers, came out to $74 without tip. So, not cheap. The view IS good but it's not incredible. I guess because between you and the water there's a street and a running/walking path so it's weird. I expected this place to be higher up. Service was okay but slow. Everyone said the food was delicious. Nothing to eat as a vegan but I did sneak some of the sweet potato tater tots that came with the lobster rolls and those were SO GOOD. Why are tater tots not a "thing"? Should be. Anyway, the view is nice - plenty of boats and on a blue sky kind of day, I'd probably go again for a beer or two but it is sort of out of the way.
(3)O Y.
Restaurant week in Boston had this featured. Food and service were fair, we expected more for the price. Seating outside on porch and the Charles view were delightful. Nice place to come for an beer and appetizer with a date.
(3)Yelena W.
We went to the restaurant on Saturday night and had a table in the Patio. The view of Boston and Charles River was fantastic. We told our server, Alyssa, that we are not sure if we would order the food and she immediately told us that we can't sit at the Patio without ordering food even though a place was almost empty. We got our beers and then Alyssa totally ignored us and NEVER come back to us at all. We wanted to order a Salmon meal but she never appeared at all. We never even got our check. After 45 minutes we gave up, left money for drinks on the table and left . The minute we left, we saw how Alyssa went to a table to pick up cash and empty glasses. The Salmon entree looked great on the table next to us but unfortunately we had to go to the North End and had a lobster instead of salmon. :(
(1)Bridget M.
Food was ok. Very limited menu for 5 pm on a Sunday in August. Service spotty -- lots of attention till we ordered and then, not so much interest in us. Nice view.
(2)L T.
Don't waste your time or money. The service is horrendous and the food is sub par for what you pay. I just paid $26 for a lobster roll that was mostly mayo and is half of the lobster that you would get anywhere else. I've had the lobster from here twice before and it was not what was served today. We just spent $85 for two people and we didn't even have drinks. While I have no problem paying that much for good food and service, this was not the case. I feel robbed. Either our waitress had no clue what she was doing or she was completely dishonest. I've been here twice before and had a great time so this was very disappointing. We will not be coming back.
(1)David G.
Went again, but this time for breakfast. The view of the Charles River is excellent. I had a custom omelet which was cooked to perfection, and the lady had the hash. The hollandaise sauce made her dish fun and tasted great. This is a great spot for breakfast on a summer morning.
(5)Rena M.
I would have given this place 5 stars if it was a little less pricey, but it's in a fancy hotel overlooking the water, so the prices are understandable I guess. It's a cute little place overlooking the Charles River with weird, abstract artwork hanging up on the walls. It's nice to sit outside in the summer on a pleasant day. My roommates and I love coming here for Sunday brunch- I've never actually had any other meal here, so my 4 stars are all for the delicious brunch! The sweet potato tots with banana ketchup are a must try. I didn't like the banana ketchup at first, but it has grown on me more and more every time. I also love the corned beef hash- perfect meal for everyone who likes meaty, savory breakfast entrees, and it comes with poached eggs too!! I'm kinda sad that they took the chicken and biscuits off the brunch menu though- I wish they'd bring it back!
(4)Maddy S.
Pretty frustrated with my experience at Art Bar since I had been looking forward to it so much. I went during my hour long lunch break with a few friends and while our waiter was nice he was not attentive and we ended up waiting about 45 minutes for our food to arrive. He never came back to offer water or apologize for the wait and we had to basically shout to get his attention. Due to our tight schedule we had to ask for boxes as soon as he put the food down (and even then he had mixed up my side dish) so we barely got to try the food while it was hot. Still, it was good, which is why Art Bar gets two stars instead of one. Although we complained we weren't offered any sort of discount and were just told that next time we came back they'd "take care of us" which doesn't do much good since we won't be coming back.
(2)Margaret M.
We recently stayed at the Royal Sonesta before an early AM flight the next day and enjoyed breakfast both days at Art Bar. They have both a breakfast buffet and a la carte - of which I preferred the a la carte. The service was fast & friendly, food came out quickly & everything was hot (nothing I hate more than cold breakfast food). I had eggs & potatoes one day and french toast the next - both were great. Husband had eggs Benedict and a breakfast burrito of which he preferred the burrito. Best part was definitely the coffee which was piping hot with great flavors. Didn't try the place for lunch or dinner but both days it was busy during our stay. Plus they have a great patio overlooking the water, so on a warm sunny day I imagine it's a great place to dine & enjoy a cocktail.
(3)Madhumita N.
Went for brunch with a couple colleagues. Perfect place to get to know each other. There were only 3-4 other tables full when we got there. Okay service, they got my order wrong (put bacon on my croissant sandwich when I specifically asked for broccoli instead of bacon). Would love to go back for a late lunch/early dinner and sit outside by the water!
(4)Steve T.
This place was recommended by the hotel staff for seafood, they had scallops and salmon on the menu, not the selection i was hoping for. I sat on the patio, the atmosphere was very nice. There is s view of the Boston skyline right along the river. I ordered the scallops, the portion was adequate. But the scallops were over cooked as well as the broccoli. Service was a little slow, the restaurant wasnt packed so no excuse for that, the waitress was very friendly, there are other resaurants in the area i would ho first
(3)Gloria C.
The pickles were outstanding. That's where this good review ends (and why I was able to give 2 instead of 1 stars.) I get it. 4th of July festivities around the Charles make for a scene (even though you all had plenty of seats available.) But the first clue should have been the dirty, well used bathroom cups that you brought my vetliner in. I'm sitting indoors....could we have sprung for a glass? Service was sadly lacking. No one really cared about the diners....I watched 3 waiters pick up our meals (now sitting behind us on a tray) and set it back down before walking away. The manager came over to us 3 times to apologize but for what I'm not sure. I don't think she knew either. The meal was unremarkable at best. Presentation was awful, my SO's burger was about as well done as you can get (he asked for medium rare) and the vat of gazpacho that came out was a really nice play on Campbell's tomato soup in a can (wait. Was it?) I get the hotel restaurants aren't gourmet experience, but come on guys. You would have been better off setting up the breakfast buffet and letting us have at it if you didn't care about your patrons.
(2)Lynn J.
Note: this review is only for one item on the menu. The meal in a glass bloody mary is a must have hangover cure! You get a burger slider, a Jumbo shrimp, a sausage, cheese, vegetables... And, of course, a Bloody Mary. The deal: don't wait for New Years Day to try this tempting treat and "hangover helper." (Hey... That is a great name for a drink!) Every hangover is bloody mary worthy.
(4)Laura P.
I have been here a few times but this is my first review. I would have thought the food was average (3 stars), but my last visit was really good and makes me look forward to my next trip. I had the ARTburger, it was fantastic! Can't remember all the ingredients but the bacon, fried onion strips and cheese were incredible. It was cooked perfectly and it came with tasty sweet potato tots, yum! I believe it was $18 or so which is quite pricy for a burger in my opinion. But I can't complain because I thought it was delicious.
(4)Cindy W.
Had a rough day at work? Just want to celebrate the Monday blues? This place is a GREAT place to drink after work. The door patio is a AWESOME touch to this upscale in the city lounge. My favorite apps here are lobster fritters and sweet potato tots. Lunch here is good as well but 90% of my visits here have been for drinks with co workers and friends. So Cheers to you and I hope you guys like.
(3)Johnny Q.
I like this place. I like the outdoor seating when the weather is nice. it has an ok view of the river, kindof blocked by trees, but it is right on the river and you can take a nice walk before or after your visit. The food has never disappointed me, i have tried most things on the menu, it is a small menu. I eat here quite often. prices are reasonable. decent place to sit outside and have a drink or food.
(4)Denise F.
We were in Boston on a cold, windy Black Friday. Regina Pizzeria had a line outdoors that made us wonder if they were giving away free iPhones, and the food court at the Galleria Mall was so packed that it appeared that the masses would soon begin to turn on one another for nourishment, so we decided to go back to our hotel for a late afternoon snack. It turned out to be an excellent choice. We decided to get cocktails and split an ARTbar burger with mixed greens. Mine was called a Boston Tea Party. It was basically iced tea with lemon and vodka. It is definitely not a sweet drink, but I liked it. My friend thought it was a little bitter. He ordered a Bloody Mary. It was very tasty-- definitely a step above the norm, with hints of celery and other vegetables layered in with the tomato. The burger was, in a word, epic. Thick and juicy, with a delicately toasted bun, crispy bacon, perfectly melty cheese, and a generous helping of fried onion piled on top, it was a masterful achievement. The waiter was kind enough to ensure that it was cut in half and served on separate plates. The salad, a nice assortment of greens with balsamic dressing, and a fresh, crunchy garlic dill pickle were also divided onto our plates. I can't say enough nice things about our experience. The waiter was outstanding, the ambience was peaceful (a welcome change after a very nerve-jangling day), and the food was out of this world. I have eaten many hamburgers in my life, and this one easily ranks in the top 1%. The ARTbar would be worth the trip even if I were staying across town.
(5)Ms. P.
Food is decent , I can't complain about that . It would have been 4 stars had the service been better . Ordered to go food , they took my order after having me repeat it multiple times . Go to pick it up and find out they don't even have half of it . I would have cancelled the order had I known but they couldn't even call to tell me. They seem confused about their own menu . On top of that ,they didn't even offer a discount for basically tricking me into going there .and giving half my order plus I had to wait to order something else . Having been to places with better service I expected a discount or free item . Come on art bar , you are trying to be a classy place , get it together treat your customers better.
(3)CW A.
We ran a big event here last night for my wife's 40th birthday, outside on the terrace at the ArtBar. I am NOT a party planner, but the team there was incredible. Particularly restaurant manager Kevin Khem, who helped me plan out a great night, helped me navigate a second option for a pending rainstorm, and had his entire team working hard on our behalf through the night. They did a fantastic job, end-to-end, greeting my guests, moving things around as the rain arrived, helping to accommodate the party. For anyone looking for a nice place to have an outdoor cocktail event, I would recommend the terrace at the Art Bar (great view of Boston too!)
(5)Dorothy W.
Just adding that the outdoor space here is totally fabulous, with a view that is unparalleled in Cambridge. But the service is still ridiculously amateurish and quirky, and the food is still horribly overpriced for what you get. I was dining alone after a casual meeting with some co-workers who were staying at this hotel, and when I arrived at the outdoor space, they said in a very aloof fashion that I could not sit at a table. Despite the fact that all of the tables were empty, they said I had to sit at the bar, but they did not say why. I tried to clarify several times and tried to understand it it...but no go. They told me all of the tables were reserved. Okay. To the bar it is. But, there is no bar menu. No smaller bites. Art Bar....you need a bar menu. I was told to order a specific side, which I did, and it never came with my 25$ scallop dish. The five seared scallops and a small peach/ arugula salad on the side provided a little distraction, as did a charming man on my left who was from Milwaukee. Not bad. Not great. When I left, only one of the tables was occupied and the people there were only drinking. So why couldn't I sit at one of the others, as there are about 30 of them? What was that about? A single diner getting the run around? The food is strictly hotel type food. You are paying for the view and the setting. That's it. Sadly, my co-workers and I are done with this spot despite the lovely location.
(2)Raisa S.
I come here for my lunch break during the work day sometimes. My favorite thing is the outdoor patio. The food is definitely good, it's a little pricey for lunch for sure considering a lot of the menu is basic sandwiches. The drinks are also good, but also a little pricey. The water view is amazing and the service is consistently good. Don't really have many complaints I've had a positive experience every time I have gone.
(3)Mini K.
Honestly, I'm having my fourth glass of wine as we speak. The ambience is probably one of the best (if you like outdoors). There are small 'sparrow-like flying things' going around which is a bit unnerving. Overall, absolutely peaceful, if u can ignore that stuff. Not cheap though, I need to pay probably around $40+. However worth it if you want to get completely alone and just get effin drunk.
(3)Lauren S.
We stopped by for a drink and something to tide us over till dinner. It was a neat place and our appetizer was good, but it was a bit pricey for what it was. If you have the money to spend, it's a good choice. But for us it was just not enough for what we paid.
(3)Roque M.
Wish the hotel GM and restaurant manager had better sense of customer service to resolve issues on the spot. I parked in the garage while construction was going on around the street. I was told by the restaurant staff that parking would be validated and taken care of. Well validated meant a discounted rate. When I told them that their own staff was misleading customers they said they would retrain but would not reverse my parking fee. Had I known I would have gone to one of the many other restaurants and bars in the area.
(1)Ngan T.
If you are served by Gabriel, request another waiter unless you particularly enjoy slow and inattentive service. Food was below/average. I ordered chicken and polenta, the polenta came out with the liquid separated and pooling on my plate. It probably drained from the center because digging right into the middle, I found an absolutely dry and cold chunk of cornmeal. The chicken was cooked well but everything was underseasoned. The crisp pork belly sprinkled on my plate was good but it's hard to go wrong with chunks of crispy fat. The lobster roll was tiny and fries oversalted (both the regular fries and the sweet potato taters). My manfriend didn;t like his caesar salad. I'd like to think of him as a salad expert since he eats them like a cow so I'll trust his judgment on this one. He also asked for his steak blue and bleeding...it came out at best medium rare. The burger was flavorless and dry. One thing the table did agree on was they had a pretty good clam chowder. As for Gabriel--I only remember his name because we had to call for him quite a few times for refills. A different waiter ended up coming over to help us and did an excellent job to make up for it. Don't come here. If you must, just order soup....and pork belly EVERYWHERE...:D
(2)Ursula B.
My family and I had dinner at the Art Bar a while ago. We were a total of nine, children and our two cousins from Portugal and we wanted to get a table at their beautiful outdoors patio. First the hostess sat us at a table inside the restaurant where we had no view other than a blunt wall. After that we asked the manager for a better table outside. She was extremely kind and told us she will find something. After 10 minutes my children and my family were sitting comfortably at a large table overseeing Charles river. The dinner was a success. Their burgers were top quality, the boston bibb salad was amazing and my children were happy with the kids menu the restaurant has available. Our server, Gabriel was fantastic. He was very attentive with service, quick in bringing our drinks at the table and he was sweet enough to take for us more than 10 photos at the end of our dinner. My family from Portugal was extremely happy.
(5)Lindsay M.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner a few days ago. Our friend started working there and we were told it was a nice spot, so we decided to venture out that way and try it out! I have to say, it was a little humid at night, but the view was spectacular! We sat on the patio and had a nice view of the water. Not too loud, and not too many people were there, it was just a stunning. Our waiter, Mike was really nice, and got us our drinks and food right away. My boyfriend ordered a burger with fries and he said it was to die for. I got the lobster risotto and honestly, I'd have to say it was ok. The lobster was cooked just right and so was the risotto, but there was an unnecessary amount of lemon in the dish. I really felt like someone went a little too 'lemon happy' and sprinkled a lot in. We also got the sangria and Allagash for drinks and the sangria was not that good. It didn't have any fruity taste and the wine didn't really taste too well. Overall, it was a nice location and the service was great, but the food was just okay.
(3)Vivian C.
I liked our waitress - she was friendly, willing to give suggestions, and a pleasure to interact with. When it took nearly 30 minutes for our first courses to show up (which I didn't particularly notice since our party was busy chatting), she came by to let us know that our order had unfortunately fallen through the cracks in the kitchen, but she had followed up on it and the apps would be out shortly, and she apologized for the inconvenience. At her recommendation, I had ordered the Deep Fried Macaroni and Local Cheese, Truffle Fondue $10. I hadn't realized it would be wrapped up in a skin like an eggroll, but the extra crisp of the shell added a dimension to the appetizer that the soft macaroni and cheese would have lacked if it had been simply breaded and deepfried without it. The four pieces it arrived as was also convenient for our party of 4. The out-of-towner amongst us ordered the Clam Chowder, New England-Style with Apple Wood Smoked Bacon $9 and announced that it was really good. The presentation was kind of cool too, as it was poured into the dimple of the soup bowl right at the table. Portion-wise it may have been a cup or perhaps 10 ounces, but that's just an eyeball guesstimation. For my entree, I selected the Lobster Roll, Lemon-Tarragon Aioli (Single - 14) Twin - $23. As my accompanying side, I requested the sweet potato tots, which arrived quite cutely in a metal fryer basket. Those were tasty little balls. I would have preferred them fried crisper, but still it was hard to stop at just one. And they were plenty to share with the rest of my table. I didn't particularly notice the lemon tarragon flavors of the aioli lightly dressing the lobster chunks, whether in taste or in presentation, but the roll arrived toasted, the crustacean pieces chunky and plentiful enough, so I considered it a good basic lobster roll in my book. Having sampled a few of the other entrees from around the table, I found everything to be pretty good. The polenta, however, that had come with the Spring Vegetable "Stew," Baby Vegetables, Lentils, Parmesean Crusted Polenta, Pea Greens $19, deserves a special call out. It was quite homey and warming; I really enjoyed it. The prices are a tad high for the portion - particularly for the appetizers at least, if not as much for the entrees - but with the discount we managed to obtain in pre-planning our meal, it was a reasonable deal, and a good night was had. The bar at the Artbar seemed to fill up as the night went on. Bathrooms are located out in the hotel.
(4)Sylvia C.
The place was pretty dead on a friday evening. Not sure why especially seeing they have decent reviews. Definitely had higher expectation for this place...very limited drink and food menu. Though, the food menu was limited - it was good little plates with drinks. It's not really my kind of scene - that's why I'm giving it 3 stars.
(3)Ariel Z.
Ditto about this place being a hidden gem. Fantastic upscale atmosphere. Highlights: 1. Wine pairings (nice whites). 2. Mac & Cheese Rolls (a little lacking in flavor). 3. Sweet Potato Tots w/ Banana Ketchup (sweet with a little kick). 4. Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto (creamy and interesting flavors).
(4)Stephanie G.
My boyfriend took me here for a date night and it was decent. My only complaint was the herd of drunk middle-aged women sitting at the oversized table yacking away. The salmon and duck were great, and our waiter was attentive.
(4)Jerry M.
Arriving at our hotel in Cambridge Thanksgiving night, I didn't have high expectations as to the restaurants that would be open. I had already stuffed my face earlier in the day, so I prepared myself to fall asleep on a half-ish full stomach. We were told Art Bar was open, and upon finding out that it was in a hotel, I immediately lowered my expectations. I've really never enjoyed myself at a hotel restaurant, unless it happens to be one that mainly operates for the benefit of non-hotel patrons. They were serving their "Thanksgiving Dinner" but also had a select number of regular menu items to order. We started with the beer battered Brussels Sprouts and the hummus with naan bread. As an entree, I ordered the Art Bar Burger. Damn....I was shocked and totally wrong about this place. The Brussels Sprouts, while lacking flavor themselves, had the perfect crispy outside and were accompanied by a Sriracha Aioli which had the ideal amount of spice. I could have eaten an entire bucket of these with this sauce. The hummus with naan bread was good, nothing special. The bread was warm and the hummus tasted relatively fresh. They gave the perfect amount of bread based on the amount of hummus, something I very much appreciate. The burger was really outstanding. The meat was cooked and seasoned perfectly, the bun was toasted to that picturesque golden brown, and the onion strings added a lovely crunch. It was truly a spectacular burger, and that's not something I say often. Along with the burger, I got the sweet potato tots. While they were a little on the soggy side, it was a welcome change from the typical side of fries. Had these been prepared on the fresher side, I'm sure they would have been great. Art Bar left me impressed. It was yet another restaurant that reminded me never to judge a book by its cover.
(4)Kelly O.
We went here last night for a cocktail class ("Beyond the Hot Toddy"), which in itself was awesome and an excellent value at $20, and I highly recommend keeping your eyes open for future classes (especially by Troy Clarke, who unfortunately just left ArtBar but is in talks to continue his classes- I hope he does, he was such a great teacher). I realize a special class may not be the basis for an accurate review, but I think we still got a decent sampling of what ArtBar has to offer. Each staff member we encountered was nothing but pleasant and helpful. Beyond the solid content of the class itself, the cocktails we made/tasted were really well-crafted and delicious, and based on that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of ArtBar's seasonal hot drinks, or any cocktails really (they seem to have some great mixologists here who know what they're doing, and are really passionate about what they do). We also got to try some food from the regular menu: the mac & cheese spring rolls were tasty (especially with the accompanying dipping sauce), the duck pate crostini was excellent (coming from a person who usually doesn't like pate, that's a high compliment), and the sweet potato tots with spicy banana ketchup were just perfect. I can see that the entree prices are definitely on the high side, and there are some complaints about service... but given how great the apps and drinks are, I think this has potential for being a great snacks-and-drinks type of spot, especially in summer with the outdoor patio with the awesome Boston skyline views.
(4)Eunice E.
I've been to ArtBar several times now--for appetizers/drinks, dinner and dessert, as well as a private event, and it's been a great experience each and every time. This is a spectacular venue (their outdoor patio, with brand new couches and umbrellas, is uber relaxing and luxe, and right by the Charles!), but their food and drinks are impressive as well, which makes ArtBar an absolute 5-star. If you haven't yet tried their sweet potato tater tots, you absolutely should ASAP. I had some for the first time at our event yesterday, and I'm actually considering going back in the very near future just to get some of those and a glass of wine! All the food I've tried here has been very tasty and well-crafted. The bruschetta (with shrimp and squid and loads of those amazing yellow and red pear mini heirloom tomatoes... oh, no, drooling as I type!), the fried mac&cheese (kind of like an eggroll, with cheese dipping sauce accompanying it), the lobster roll (yum), the Cuban (really yum), and the fries with the garlic parmesan aioli... they've all been delicious. And their desserts are really good, too. I can't say enough about the professionalism of their managers, with whom I've had to work closely over the last few months for this work event. They're all very helpful, and helped make our summer outing memorable. Everything was flawless, from the food to the drinks to the atmosphere. Even the weather cooperated, and it really did feel like we were sitting in Miami Beach while out on the patio. I'd highly recommend ArtBar for any kind of event, as well as a nice meal with your girlfriends or a date. I know I'll definitely keep coming back!
(5)Cody C.
Beautiful views and an attractive space. Decent wine list...had a nice sauvignon blanc... but a bit overpriced on the per glass prices. Got a lobster roll with the tots... A lamb slider and a fried Oyster slider. Both of the sliders were ridiculously good. Most of the time when you order an Oyster slider. .. it is actually one tiny Oyster swimming in a bun.... but this slider had three big juicy oysters and a delicious sauce!! Lamb was tasty. And these were both pretty big too... you could make 3 or 4 of them. The cons.... only an okay lobster roll with bland sweet potatoe tots. Would return in the summer to take advantage of the patio for sure.
(3)Paul L.
I went to their $25 Christmas brunch. I have had better free brunches in other hotels. The scrambled eggs barely tasted like eggs. The variety of foods was the most limited I've ever seen. The price was great, but next time I will spend more and get a real brunch.
(1)Sarah B.
I have always had good experiences at Art Bar - both with the service and the menu - and of course the view. I like their cocktails as well as their wine list; I had the lobster roll and sweet potato tots during this past visit and they were even better than I expected. The lobster roll had big chunks of lobster and the bun was not over buttered, which can happen at some of our local restaurants. My friend tried the vegetable stew, which looked up amazing and the rest of the table enjoyed burgers that were loaded and big enough to share. The menu has options ranging from small plates to a full entree and appeared to have something for everyone. Our server was attentive, friendly and super patient with our table (we were all over the place). This is one of my under utilized Cambridge drink spots for sure.
(4)Josephine L.
The service is utterly atrocious, the decor is bland and forgettable and the food is so incredibly lackluster, they should be arrested for robbery for the prices they charge. Let's start with the food and work our way backwards. My friend, Kelsey C., and I ordered the pork cheek tacos to start. It's very hard to screw up tacos. As long as you cook the meat thoroughly, have a decent tortilla and add some kind of sauce, you're bound to get a tasty dish. ArtBar found a way to screw it up. The tacos, which took at least 15 minutes to arrive, were COA: Cold On Arrival. Not "Oh, they're still somewhat warm, I can live with this" cold. "I've been sitting on a cold, metal counter for a loooong time" cold. The meat had toughened because of that and was bizarrely placed at the side of the plate, requiring us to assemble the tacos ourselves. Que? Did the chef get tired of the 15 extra seconds it would have taken to scoop the meat out onto the tortillas? Because it sure seemed that way. My friend had the Lobster Roll as her entree and I got the Game Hen. There was absolutely nothing special about the lobster rolls. Just lobster pieces covered in mayo. The lobster portion wasn't particularly generous, the buns were forgettable and it was just mayo, mayo, mayo throughout. That's fine. Lobster rolls are pretty set in how they're made. The Game Hen on the other hand. What was that? Really tough pieces of chicken stuffed with what I can only determine to be salted, julienned vegetables. The accompanying "potato cakes" were just thin slices of way-too-salty potatoes. For dessert, we got the Almond Streusel Cake which was decent but nothing remarkable. For drinks, I had the Vernon, which was utterly forgettable. For a place that's supposed to be known for its cocktails, I found the selections boring. Next, the decor. The restaurant is dark, not in an ambient way, but in a "We're too cheap to pay for more lighting" kind of way. The decor is sleek and soulless, the standard hotel restaurant/bar decor with no signs of personality added. And finally, the service. The reviews citing long wait times weren't exaggerating. It took at least 15-20 min to receive any of our dishes. Considering the restaurant was at best 1/5th full, there was absolutely no excuse for the long wait times. Our waiter looked bored and was unfriendly. When I asked him to recommend a sweet cocktail, he pointed to one that had gin. When I told him I wasn't a fan of gin and asked for another recommendation, he got huffy and claimed none of the other cocktails were sweet. Which was just wrong because I could tell from looking at the ingredients that there was at least one other cocktail that would taste sweet. Don't come here. If you must eat in this area, go cheap at one of the Cambridgeside Galleria chains or go pricey at Dante, which has better service, decor and food.
(1)Megan J.
Things to note: 1. Brunch here begins at 11a, and after this point, you can no longer get just two eggs any style with toast. 2. They have sweet potato tater tots here. ORDER THEM. 2b. The homefries that come with breakfast dishes are so-so at best. 3. Contrary to the menu's exact wording, the veggie and cheese omelette does not come with cheese; it costs $1 extra; unless, of course, you say you don't want cheese anyway, and then it will come with copious amounts of cheese. 4. The number of staff is indirectly proportionate to the speed of service. Remember this.
(2)Meredith a.
I ate outside witha friend for lunch at Art Bar today. The food eas excellent. Great burgers, and the sweet potato tater tots were awesome! Also, the desserts were fabulous. I have the cappucino brownie ice cream sandwich with caramel sauce, and my friend had the triple fudge cake that came with chocolate dipped cherries. The view of the Charles was also lovely. Unfortunately, the experience was marred by the fact that we got an awful waitress. She was not very polite when she did talk to us, and ignored us the rest of the time. She took forever to bring our desserts after our leftovers had been packed up, until I finally walked over to her when I was able to catch a glimpse of her, and asked her if we could have our desserts. She was rather brusque about it. By the time she brought it I was quick to ask if I could have more water, since I was nearly out and she had never come by to refill it, and I asked then if I could have the bill. I didn't want to have to try to find her again to get anything I needed! If I had had a decent server this would have been a five star review.
(3)Sarah G.
Lobster roll for brunch with sweet potato tater tots for $15? Yes please! It is hard to find a lobster roll for that price that comes with anything on the side besides just a pickle or something like that, and the fact that this is a hotel restaurant, and it comes overflowing with lobster and a side of tasty and almost addicting tater tots, it was a steal I thought. Was it the best lobster roll ever? No, definitely not, but for the price and being able to sit out on the patio and eat it, it was a pretty nice option. We also got their namesake ArtBar Burger which was good but we ordered it medium rare and it took FOREVER for our food to come, which is probably why we ended up with a burger that was not medium rare at all. And for it being their namesake burger, it really wasn't anything that special we thought. We also got a bowl of their chowder which also took almost 30 minutes to come out---not sure what was going on with service that day. The chowder was good, but not something I would race back for. And then since we had a groupon thing we were using, they ended up charging us twice by accident! So we had to call later to get one of the charges canceled.... So ya...it was nice to sit on their patio (even with the road that separates you from the river ha ha) but I can see why people don't race to come here too often...But if you are in the neighborhood it is definitely a better option than going to CPK or cheesecake or some other chain in the area!
(3)Aaron K.
Had a great classic New England dining experience here last Saturday evening. Plentiful seafood at very reasonable prices. We started with the raw bar which had $1 blue point oysters. These were tasty and a steal on a Saturday! (Raw bar only 4-7PM) We also had a really tasty calamari salad from the raw bar which had a great sauce on it. The calamari serving was large for 5$. Twin lobster rolls at 25$ provided me a massive amount of lobster in 2 delicious little toasted buttered buns. These were the perfect classic lobster roll. Basic and delicious, just the way you would want them. You really can't do better value wise in the city. In my opinion the lobster roll is better than island creek's because of the basic roll versus the rosemary one at ICOB. If you get the twin order here you will also get significantly more lobster. I had the sweet potato tots which were addictive. I was full before finishing but could not resist finishing these! My wife had the burger which was just decent in my opinion (nothing could compare to my lobster roll at the time). Atmosphere is great with the patio available overlooking the charles. Inside the dining room is modern and just fine. Service was just average. The staff is young and doesn't seem to be experienced. They act like they don't want to be there. The service is not up to par with the food prices. We did notice a manager walking around and making sure the young staff were doing their job well and that all customers were taken care of. That was really nice to see. I will be back when I'm looking for that classic new england lobster roll and a good cheap raw bar to match.
(4)Joe I.
Two bar options in this hotel. My vote is for the other one. Found a neat beer on tap here however, which was a treat.
(2)Alli B.
Great food. Somewhat over priced but definitely tasty. I had the pancakes. More than enough for one sitting... Made SUPER leftovers. Local Syrup from Vermont. A+ My husband enjoyed the unique Lobster Benedict. ($17) Loaded with fresh lobster!! Great deal for a $17 benedict. Great view of the Charles River. ] Located in a hotel so a little difficult to find but the hotel staff was very informative.
(4)Kelsey C.
When I first heard of a place called ArtBar, I pictured tasteful décor, artisan alcohol, and a positively picturesque palette of veritable culinary wonder. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. I have always harbor a true appreciation for places that work hard for my food, but in the time it took to get the Pork Cheek Tacos, they could have hunted, shot, and killed a wild pig! And they must have brought it back from that forest because it was cold by the time we got it AND we had to assemble it ourselves. The Lobster Roll was tasty, but the sweet potato tots were by far the best part of my meal. My friend had the Game Hen which was actually just terrible. Not much flavor in the chicken, nothing but salt in the veggies. The Almond Streusel Cake with carmel poached peaches was also nothing to write home about. I didn't dislike it, but it's the masterpiece of a mediocre master. So if you're not getting any younger, or time is money, or if you just want your food the same day you ordered it, ArtBar should be artfully avoided.
(3)R. M.
Good classy place to bring a date, especially if the weather is good and you can sit on the patio overlooking the river. The food is good and light, the prices won't break the bank, and the patrons are more business-y, tourist-y, which I find creates a better feel than student crowds. I've never sat indoors so I don't know what the indoor acoustics are, but the patio is a good place for private conversations. One star got deducted because the staff can, sometimes, seem a little befuddled. One person I was with ordered a decaf coffee, but it was, in fact, caffeinated -- a bad thing if you are very sensitive to caffeine. Hopefully this doesn't happen often, but it's not ideal.
(4)Eleonora P.
Burgers are good and the sweet potatoes are really good, but the service is slow and extremely sloppy. We.received the wrong order two times in a raw and the plate was taken away while I was still eating.
(3)Irv N.
Had lunch today, food was very good. Service was disappointing. After our food was served, we had to wait for too long for the server to bring napkins and utensils, and only after asking. I thought this should be service 101.
(3)Adriana T.
I have been to Art Bar a few times now. The crowd is a little bit older but it's a very nice and relaxed atmosphere. Last night we had a couple of drinks each and some appetizers. The food was amazing!!! We got the spiced pork belly sliders - they were different than the sliders I am used to; the buns were replaced by slices of bread which at first I was like ewwww but I was wrong - it tasted delicious!! It was cooked to perfection. The second appetizer was the daily charcuterie board basically natural meats and local cheese platter - it was very delicious as well!!! It came with spicy mustard, grilled bread and jam. The service was great (we sat at the bar). I love Art Bar!! I am definitely going to return.
(5)Jillian D.
Went here for Restaurant Week Boston this year, It was very good. The people we went with did not have high expectations but all in all it was GREAT. Trendy place to hang out, food was wonderful, service was great. It made for a very wonderful evening. They even validated parking... If you are in the area and want a high quality meal and a fair price (for fine dining) this is a good place to stop in.
(4)Leah E.
There are always those hidden gems in Boston that make you wonder why others haven't figured out how awesome this is yet. ArtBar is certainly one of those spots. Kevin and Ryan are the managers and every time I go for dinner one of them is there with a smile and a hello. The space is small but comfortable. I'm a person who enjoys dining at the bar when I dine solo but I'm also someone who doesn't really drink much alcohol (I get the Asian reds). It's a strange combo to be someone who enjoys bar dining but doesn't drink and it's not something that always viewed or treated very well by bartenders etc. But never once when I dine at the ArtBar bar am I made to feel unwelcomed because of my non-drinking status. I'm always warmly greeted when I saddle up to the bar and infact there is always an awesome non-alcoholic offering for me to try. Last time I was there I got this raspberry, citrus sparkling drink that was refreshing and not too sweet. So perfect! I like the food quite a bit and usually go with a salad and entree. I like dessert but honestly I've found their desserts to be meh. Last time I was there I got a warm salad of figs, ham and blue cheese (perhaps not a salad but I'm calling it that so I can feel a little healthier about eating it) and it was amazing. The lobster rolls are huge (two is too much, definitely go with one) and the fries are crisp and hot! Service is important to me and I've always found the staff at ArtBar to be down to earth, genuinely happy to see me and aiming to please. Definitely a hidden gem if there every was one!!!
(5)Sonia D.
What a nice hidden gem located on Memorial Drive!!! I had brunch on Sunday during the 85 degree October day. I mean the views were amazing and the live jazz band was a little perk to my brunch. I ordered plain buttermilk pancakes with a side of roasted homefries and my friend ordered corned beef hash. I wasn't in the mood to try anything fancy and wanted the old fashioned breakfast and it was pretty satisfying. I wouldn't say they were the best I've had but they did what they needed to do. My friend enjoyed her meal as well. The wait staff was great and didn't bother us after we paid the bill which was great because we were able to enjoy the weather. I will definitely come back soon and have drinks and dinner inside because unfortunately the summer is over and won't be sitting outside anymore. Perks to this place - Close to the Galleria Mall which is great and can always come for a drink after a long day of shopping. In walking distance from the green and red lines and also you can always find parking on the street (well at least i always do!!) Check this hidden gem out....you will not be upset!
(4)Saira K.
This restaurant was convenient during a conference when it was too cold/wet to venture outside. On day 1, I had the lobster roll with a side salad for lunch. Exceptional - huge serving of fresh, buttery lobster meat. I sat at the bar, and service was good. In the next 2 days, my 5 star experience went down, down, down. The spring pea soup was nothing special. The clam chowder was disgusting and the smallest portion possible (made the lobster a better deal money-wise!)! Literally 5 tablespoons of soup in the tiniest bowl possible. The waiter was also very rude. View is nice, but find a better place to eat around here.
(2)Julie B.
First of all, I love walking into a hotel to get to a bar. I think it's because it makes me feel like I'm on vacation... I have come to Art Bar a few times for happy hour in the past couple of months. The first time I ordered beers and loved that I was asked by the waiter if I wanted a "chilled glass" to drink my beer out of. Swoon! The beer selection isn't too great but I'm always happy to order some Harpoon IPA. The setup is pretty cool and swanky and the chairs are really comfortable! I didn't order any food but some of my coworkers ordered off the half price menu. One person ordered a mini burger and fries that looked delicious and cost something like $3-$4 dollars! The second time I came as part of an official work happy hour. You know what that means - free food and drinks!! I went all out this time and ordered myself a pomegranate martini which was delicious and refreshing. We probably ordered every appetizer on the menu for the table and I loved pretty much everything. I didn't get to actually look at the menu, but some of my favorites were some type of beef on a stick, fried calamari, and a plate of dips that had something with artichokes and some bruschetta type thing. If you work in the area I'd definitely come here for happy hour - great drinks, service and specials!
(5)Mike O.
Can't get a drink within twenty five minutes on the patio, with only three tables to serve? Really??? FAIL.
(2)christina P.
GREAT view.... Terrible service....I mean, downright awful. The people act like they are inconvenienced by your presence. The swordfish tasted like imitation meat. It was so bad, I almost want to terminate my interest in swordfish permanently. This place has some serious problems. I'm sure there are plenty of good chefs and waitstaffers who would be happy to have such a beautiful spot to work with. What a shame.
(1)Adam M.
Since we were staying in the hotel, we hit this place up a cpl times. It's really trendy, upscale and a tad pretentious but hey we're used to NYC and we're not gonna let a little smug stop us...if you have warhol art in your establishment you better be ready to deal with ex-NY clubkyds n village rats or you should just lock your doors :D First time we went for breakfast.....not very busy. French Toast was good, poached eggs over hash was really good. We sat inside and the look of the place is nice. Second time we went for lunch on our way out and got the lobster rolls. Pretty good, very buttery, but Im sure quite a few native New Englanders would prolly disagree. lol second time we sat outside since the weather was so nice, it was also a bit busier, mostly w dudes in suits, but w/e there was a big convention for novartis going on (and none too pleased having to deal w a rogue pharmer telling them how it is w the FDA and to spare their banter outside). Overall it was ok, but not the kinda deal to be pretentious over. lol. It seemed like they do the room service for the hotel, so we'll prolly have stuff from here again, dunno about going downstairs tho when we can have it in room.
(3)Lisa G.
This place goes down as having the worst service EVER! The place was not crowded, however I had to wait several minutes for a hostess to show up. After being seated I waited 5 minutes for a server. The server was lazy and obviously unhappy with her day. I ordered an overpriced bowl of lukewarm warm clam chowder, which was full of bits of sand. The iced tea was just OK and I was never offered a refill. I was planning to order more food but after this lousy service I changed my mind. I asked for my check and my server never returned. After waiting over 5 minutes I went inside to get my bill. My server was standing at the bar doing absolutely nothing. Because of this restaurant I have decided to never tip for poor service again!
(1)Matt P.
I stayed at the Royal Sonesta the week on business and pretty much ate here as it was convenient given the long work days. The place is comfortable. The staff, for the most part, are friendly and helpful. The food, at least the small plates and appetizers, were very good. That said there are several down sides that makes the overall experience only a 2 star rating. The wine per glass price is way out in Pluto some place. The service is very inconsistent. One night it was great, another night it was slow and one it was non-existent. When this place gets busy its service definitely takes a hit. Bottom line is it is a convenient place if you are staying at the hotel. If not, I would maybe look elsewhere for find a nice glass of wine or eats.
(2)Shaina P.
Situated in the Royal Sonesta, Art Bar is a perfect place for an alfresco lunch on the refurbished patio or for drinks after a long day at work. The happy hour menu includes half price apps, a great deal and atmosphere for a mature relaxing experience. The fries are crispy and not too thick with an addicting flavor and texture. And the prices aren't cheap but aren't too bad, either. Soups and salads run under $10 while sandwiches and entrees cost $12-20, and include lobster salad, whole bellied clam rolls, flank steak, chicken, and burgers, featuring fresh recipes of the season. Lunch was awesome with the sun right above. In the heat of the summer, there will be umbrellas and the option of dining undercover by the bar. The view isn't bad either: Cambridge Yacht Club and the Charles.
(4)Abigail P.
Boring menu, over priced ... I had a salad that must have cost them 20c and I paid $9. Skimpy salad, no apparent dressing. Disinterested service. And the view is only good if you get up from the table and walk across the road. My advice, date the French way, a baguette, great cheese, and sit on a park bench overlooking the gorgeous Charles. It will be cheaper, way more romantic, and the food will be tastier.
(1)Beth K.
Things I love: art, bars, sweet potato fries, and kittens. How does this apply to ArtBar you ask? Well...the art was cool. The bar was okay. They make sweet potato TOTS (tater tots beat out fries, hands down, and so sweet potato tater tots are basically a dream come true). Oh, and they thankfully do not allow kittens to run around in the place. (Cat hair burgers anyone?!). Nonetheless, the place misses that spark. That "wow" factor. No matter how hard they might be trying to be something else, they are still a hotel bar/restaurant and it FEELS like you are in a hotel bar/restaurant. However, amazing food, drink and service could potentially overcome this. So let's discuss. The service was very friendly, unlike what other reviewers have written. My husband and I were waiting for a friend who was running late, so our waiter brought us some delicious toasted almonds...yay! It seems like they don't automatically bring them out, so ask for them, okay?! We were not offered bread until after we ordered our food. We passed since we knew it would be just a tish until the food arrived. Thanks ArtBar for reducing my carb intake! We were with a friend who is insanely particular about his food and wine. Like annoyingly so. I forgot to do my wine research prior to picking a restaurant. Turns out they have a very very small bottle list for wines. If you are looking for a vast list of wines, this is not your place. Our friend was none too pleased by the bottle offering. However, I am not a wine snob and found both their Malbec and their Red Zinfandel quite tasty. We ended up ordering a bottle of the Red Zin and I was very pleased! In fact, I am I on the hunt for that wine (Earthquake Red Zin...let me know if you know where I can find a bottle). Their beer offerings are limited, especially if you are into craft beers. Smuttynose IPA might be the best localish beer offered. I know they are known more for their cocktails, so perhaps you should give those a shot when you go there. The food. It was good. My hubby got the monkfish and I got the scallops. Our friend got the lobster rolls with sweet potato tater tots. Those tater tots were absolutely dream worthy, in case you didn't pick up on that in the beginning of this review. I would go back just for the tots* *On Tuesdays, you can get those sweet potato tots for 1/2 price. GO! I can't really say that our food was mind-blowing, but it definitely was good. The monkfish was in an overly buttery broth, but was cooked well. However, the potatoes in the monkfish dish were not so good. Undercooked and under-seasoned (in my opinion, of course!). My scallops were tasty. I am a scallop fanatic! The only way to screw up a scallop is to overcook it, and they did not do such a crime:) The plating of the dishes were lovely and were what you would find in a high end restaurant. Our buddy didn't complain or rave about the lobster rolls (Oh, I forgot to mention that you get TWO lobster rolls with your order). They looked DELISH. Okay, so what I probably could have written at the beginning of this review, but did not because I wanted you to read the whole thing (hehe), was that we will not return here for a meal indoors. Wha???? Sorry, that might be confusing. They have an amazing patio that overlooks the river and I am already thinking of a happy hour filled with fun cocktails and those AH-mazing sweet potato tots! cheers.
(3)Aboud Y.
Good, not great. Breakfast/brunch is exorbitantly priced for what you get (not a great value).This place is at its best for coffee/drinks or apps on the patio in the summer. All in all this spot is ok in my book under the right circumstances.
(3)Jennifer C.
My husband and I were staying at Royal Sonesta hotel and went to dinner at ArtBar with our 3 year old daughter and 5 year old son. It was a Sunday night in early August. Luckily the rain stopped about 30 minutes prior, so we were able to eat out on the patio. The restaurant was nearly empty at this time. Earlier in the day and the next morning, we saw many families eating breakfast there, which looked great. The friendly hostess greeted us right away and took us to a table on the patio overlooking the Charles River. She gave the kids children's menus and clay to keep them occupied. I loved this! The kids had a great time making the items shown on the menu throughout our entire meal. I was glad we had good weather and could eat outside. Always a plus with kids! The view from the patio of the river and Boston was great. The interior of the restaurant was a little dark at night, but looked nice during the day when the sunlight was shining in the windows. Our waiter was courteous and knowledgeable about the menu. I was torn between a few items and he described each one in detail for me, so I was able to decide. He recommended the Art Burger, but I had just eaten a burger for lunch, so I didn't go with his suggestion. We ordered a bottle of wine off of their extensive wine list, as well as appetizers to start. Both were served quickly. The children's meals include an appetizer, entrée, drink and dessert for $8.95. Both of my kids ordered the fruit salad appetizer, which was good. My son ordered chicken fingers and my daughter had pasta with marinara sauce. The chicken was good, but my daughter didn't like the pasta. When the waiter cleared the plates after the meal, he made a comment about her not eating it and she said it wasn't good. He didn't offer to replace it with anything else, just ignored the comment. As previously mentioned, the meal was supposed to come with dessert, but the waiter didn't ask if they wanted dessert and we forgot that it was included. My husband and I both ordered the Shrimp Cocktail. This was the best part of the meal for me. There were 5 or 6 huge shrimp with a delicious cocktail sauce. My husband ordered the Grilled Sirloin, which he said was good. I ended up ordering the Lobster Risotto. There where large pieces of lobster, which were great, but the Risotto wasn't cooked well. For dessert my husband had the chocolate layer cake which he loved. I ordered the baked banana wontons. They were not what I was expecting. The outside was not crisp, but actually very chewy. I didn't eat them. The prices are high, but I believe they are average for that type of restaurant in that area. The total for the meal, including tip was a little over $200.00. I expect a higher quality meal for that price. If I was staying at the hotel during the spring or summer months, I would probably eat there again, mostly for the view and the clay for the kids. Next time, however, I will order the ArtBar Burger, as recommended by the waiter. This review is based on a complimentary dinner at the ArtBar. I received no other compensation and the opinions are entirely my own.
(3)M L.
Perhaps the best - and only - restaurant view of Boston's skyline from alongside the Charles River. Art Bar is a great pit stop while biking by on the adjacent bike path because it has ample outdoor seating on its patio. I was pleased with the vegetarian offerings, and my wife enjoyed her burger. While tasty, my veggie lentil stew lacked seasoning. We will probably visit again on a summer evening, more so for the venue than for the food.
(3)Chu H.
The service is poor. We arrived at the restaurant by like 8PM and ordered our meals. The food didn't arrive until like 1.5 - 2 hours later. The waitress assumed everyone was done with their meals, but a couple of my friends were still working on their food. That was just rude. Everybody would be done with drinking their water, and she didn't even come back around to check up on us. The restaurant was not even busy and there weren't many customers. I didn't understand why it took the food such a long time to be cooked and brought out. I didn't understand why everything was just so slow!! Also, the food didn't taste good. I definitely would never return to this restaurant. They overprice their food and it is not good quality. They are also not environmentally friendly. Their take out box is so huge to put a slice of cake in. We decided to take our desserts to go since it took them forever to bring out the food. ...I definitely would recommend people to go anywhere else but here....
(1)Alexandra D.
I read all the bad reviews but still the desire to be outside and waterfront on a nice day overwhelmed. We ended up leaving seventy minutes after sitting down, excruciatingly slow service, dirty wine glasses, waitstaff that didn't know the menu, it was all too much. The manager said he just started, we felt bad for him, and hope he gets it under control. We would begin by firing the bartenders, and the waitstaff. The apps that came were ok, it's worth mentioning we came with low expectations for the food, we just wanted a nice view, decent service, and to enjoy ourselves, shouldn't be too much to ask. Why does it take over thirty minutes to pour a glass of wine? Rule number one is get everyone their drinks, they will be happier and more forgiving of your shortcomings. I am curious which management company runs this hotel.
(1)soylinduh O.
Hello readers! It's been a while. I apologize for my absence but I began putting all my efforts into my main blog, Musings of an Unemployed MBA Grad. Take a look there for tips how to spend free time and for tips in regards to all things job search related. Well, I digress. Recently a few of us girls got together for our monthly Girls Night Out. We decided we'd meet up by the Charles River for some yoga and then head over to Art Bar in Cambridge. I had always been curious about this place but was never able to stop in, as I was always jogging past it. After a wonderful yoga session with Marta Minnetyan we headed over to Art Bar with our mats in hand. We were worried we might get turned away, since we were in shorts and basic t's, but luckily no one even batted an eye. We were seated outdoors on the patio overlooking the Charles. After being offered some complimentary water and delicious bread we all dived into the drink menu and ordered some fancy drinks. Once I saw that they had caipirinha's I had to order one, if for no other reason than to reminisce about my great trip to Brazil. The drink was everything I had hoped for and made my fantastic Caesar salad that much more enjoyable.
(4)You F.
Sometimes, for business meetings I end up here with people who've been staying at the Sonesta. The place is grimly hostile with a wait staff that simply barks orders and ignores any request, instead responding with a recitation of what's on the menu. Except for one extraordinarily competent and efficient waitress who seems to work weekends, the staff's faces change regularly, indicating the place is as nasty for the help as it is for the sorry victims who end up eating or drinking here. If you just want to enjoy the view of the river and get beer at the outdoor bar, you're all set, however, as it does have a nice space across from the yacht club near the locks. If you really want to eat or have a working business lunch, grab a cab or walk to the Cambridge Brewing Company in Kendall Square.
(1)Sarah G.
"There are so many things that look really good," said the man catty-cornered from me. His words perfectly matched my thought, one that was equally overwhelmed as I attempted to make a hungry decision. You can't help not be while perusing the lunch menu at ArtBar, a fine little nook part of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. An intimate ambience combined with the restaurant's alluring menu make this place a worthy trip. The American cuisine is a collection of seasonal dishes featuring lots of ingredients native to New England. On this particular cold, cloudy day, I only wished there would have been warm sunshine welcoming me to the restaurant's patio, where one can sit and dine by the adjacent Charles River. But, the weather was far from inviting a outside seat. So, naturally, I did what anyone would have: ordered piping hot soup. Brought forth was a small bowl of Butternut Squash bisque, each spoonful invading my palate with a silky smooth perfectly blended flavor. It was absolutely delicious, and a solid start to part one. On to part two, a grilled chicken sandwich. Alright, I gotta be straight. Grilled chicken seems boring, like watching baseball or staring at a white wall at the doctor's office. This particular grilled chicken sandwich, however, was out of the ordinary. There must have been a secret something in the dish well beyond it's vibrant and delicious appearance. A top tangled watercress rested a perfectly sliced vine-ripe tomato that cushioned what looked like the juiciest, most tender well-seasoned piece of poultry. And it got even better. Plastered between two slices of toasted seven-grain bread was a creamy complement: Vermont goat cheese. It was the kind of sandwich you'd daydream about. The ingredients were perfectly balanced and hearty. Served with an oversized pickle and a house salad with drinkable balsamic dressing, I'd absolutely return to ArtBar just for this lunch delight.
(4)Rob T.
The ArtBar is an interesting place. It's a restaurant that happens to be attached to the Royal Sonesta Hotel. As such, the experience was a mixed bag for me. The restaurant is very classy and upscale, which is a bit odd in my opinion due to its location. Many patrons of the restaurant were guests at the hotel. This usually meant they were dressed very casually, which did not fit with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Perhaps the nightlife brings a different crowd, but it's odd nevertheless. I ordered a western omelette, while my two friends ordered french toast and pancakes respectively. We all agreed that the food was tasty, but not tasty enough to justify the high prices. $12 for 3 regular sized pancakes? Yikes! After all was said and done, our bill came to $46 with 18% gratuity already included. That's pretty steep for what was basically diner food with a premium price tag. Would I eat here again? Perhaps if I was a guest at the hotel, and I didn't feel like leaving the premises. However, there are other choices within walking distance that offer the same food at a fraction of the cost. I would recommend trying those options first.
(2)Denise C.
Came with a group of 7 for their oyster happy hour. I've gone to a couple of places to try out their oyster HH and this falls to the bottom of the list. I don't even want to include is on the list. Nothing went right during our 2 hours here. Let me walk you through what happened: 1. One person arrived person to get a table, was seated but not acknowledged by a waiter for 15 mins. 2.Once most of the group arrives we order 2 dozen of the $1 oysters. It comes on a plate with no ice. For those not familiar with ordering raw oysters, they are served over a bed of ice to keep them cool and also prob to keep them from spoiling. We were seated outside and it was HOT day in August so it would have made sense to put them over ice. 3. The oysters were so pathetic looking and there was so much broken shell. Seemed like the shucker hacked away a the oyster and didn't bother trying to clean it. 4. Ordered a glass of wine and wanted to order the bottle but they ran out of the bottle because they got the wrong shipment. Not really their fault but still... 5. Ended happy hour 10 mins early! And lied about not having any more shrimp when in one of our earlier orders they made an effort to go to the back and get more shrimp. 6. Didn't receive 2 orders of crab salad. 7. Received the bill to have the bottle of wine they didn't have in stock on our bill as well as the missing orders of crab. 8. Adjusted the check but tip still stayed the same. So we just calculated the tip ourselves and adjusted the bill. 9. Credit cards were asked to be charged the same amount but one credit card came back with half the bill charged to it. Follow directions much? 10. Couldn't get out of there fast enough. Our server was very nice but a bit slow and could have used the help of the 10 other servers hanging out inside prob because of the AC. If this doesn't turn you off then go try for yourself and come back to YELP and give it your own 1 star review.
(1)Jessica L.
I stopped in here for brunch while in town for a conference. The tiny bar was packed and they initially told me there was no room, but I pointed to a lot of space at the bar, and was promptly seated. The waitress was very friendly and attentive throughout my visit. I couldn't help but order the Lobster Eggs Benedict. That's just an indulgence that I couldn't pass up, despite it's HIGH price tag. As often happens when expectations are high, it was a let-down. The lobster was tough and overcooked and lacked any real flavor. The poached eggs were also overcooked, so there was no runny goodness. And, the hollandaise sauce was bitter and overly acidic. I know not to expect much from a hotel restaurant, but this really crushed my spirit....
(2)Saba N.
Although I have already reviewed ArtBar for lunch, and I decided to update my review based on the awesome experience I had there last night. ------------------------------ ArtBar is a fantastic spot for a private event! We threw a graduation party for my brother last night - nothing fancy, just cocktails and apps.. and it was awesome! The food was really good, and everyone loved the drink selection (they have a drink with champagne and ICE CREAM! heaven). We met with the events planner "Z" a few times prior to the event. He is wonderful. So responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly. My mom and I aren't the easiest to deal with! He did an amazing job planning everything and came through with every promise. He made the process really easy and I could not have asked for a better manager. All in all, I think the guests had a great time. You should definitely consider having an event here - you won't be sorry!
(5)Cory M.
I have mixed feelings about this place. I went to the Art Bar with a large group pf people from my work. I had been to Dante (which is also in the hotel) before and I liked. I ordered an espresso martini (which was great) but it was a little pricey at $13. Needless to say, I drank it slowly. But, it was very very good. We sat outside on their beautiful patio, which over looks the river. The view was so beautiful and relaxing, that it almost made up for my drink. We also ordered food which was equally as pricey. Overall, it is a great place to go for a special occasion. The inside is very modern and the view of the river is spectacular. The drinks and food were also good. But the prices are too high, for me anyway, to go there on a regular basis.
(3)Josh R.
It has a nice view of the Charles, hip decor, and good menu options. I opted for the burger, and it was tasty. The place is nothing special, and it has a captive audience by virtue of being inside the hotel. I'd give it 3.5 stars; it's slightly overpriced.
(4)Roberta G.
The best burger ever ! Grass fed beef, crispy apple smoked bacon . On the small side ... for me perfect. Best flavor ever!
(5)