Blue on Highland
882 Highland Ave, Needham, MA, 02492
Blue on Highland Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Needham for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Needham for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Needham for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
882 Highland Ave
Needham, MA, 02492 - Phone (781) 444-7001
- Website https://www.blueonhighland.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Laney S.
Ummmm... outstanding! ! Seriously even tho there are only two people working, with a nearly full lunch crowd, we got served right away and the food is AWESOME! Im eating the grilled chicken focaccia, my bf got the vermonter (burger). Both fantastic. And our bartender is professional, courteous, and super attentive. Well worth the thirty five minute drive to "eat outside "!!
(5)Howie B.
Had been there many times, but first since the restaurant's re-design. Simply put, we liked it better in it's previous incarnation when it was warm and sophisticated. Now it feels like a Wild Willy's. Really! (I'll get back to the re-design.) Best part of this visit was our server, Chris, who was friendly and professional and very attentive. However, there were several issues that did not sit well with us or -- in two cases -- really ticked us off. First, the food. We live around the corner and had been there many times. This time, although my wife liked her salmon, my short rib seemed under-seasoned and it's presentation was lacking. The meat looked pale and could have benefitted from a little caramelization which would have added taste and a bit of texture. The mashed potatoes were gluey and had a funky taste; hard to put my finger on, may have been the seasoning. Strangely, the broccolini was the best part of the dish. We split a Caesar salad which was just OK; if a little wilted. The wine list, which offered limited selection and limited price options was puzzling. There was only one wine at the low level ($23.), otherwise the limited selections jumped from the $40's to just under $100., seemingly overpriced for the restaurant and for Needham. The issue that pissed me off was that the $23 wine appeared as $32 on the bill. An inattentive (or dyslexic) customer might just pay this. I felt this was not a simple error; it felt duplicitous (we felt not the fault of the waiter.) Additionally, we had a $30 Yelp Deal. When presented to the waiter he took the code and had to speak with the Manager. Upon returning, he said the Manager called the General Manager and said the code was expired. I showed him the deal on my phone and that it did not expire until Dec. 2015. He again went back to the Manager and the deal was finally applied to our check. Back to the re-designed space. We actually liked the industrial feel of the bar area with the exposed white-painted brick. It was bustling and happening. However, the dining area was way too bright, felt too open and warehouse-y and literally felt like the Wild Willy's that had been located in Needham years ago. It had tall, light-colored country-Western-style wood behind black naugahyde banquets. It felt an odd juxtaposition with the bar area. Also, the bar area was moved to the front (against Highland Ave.) and, although visible from the street, it makes the dining room feel cut-off. We liked the bar in it's prior location against the side wall. Would have rated two stars were it not for the excellent service of our waiter, Chris! Overall, our visit this time made us feel like we would not want to return; in fact, it made us "blue."
(3)Kelsey B.
Blue was recently remodeled (summer 2015), so I was excited to see what changes were made. I really like the new set-up and other's must have as well, because it was crowded on a Tuesday Night. There was a wait for a table, but we ended up sitting at the bar and ordering dinner there. The bar area seems like a fun spot for a girls night out, etc.. The new set-up makes me think it would be a great space for a private party. We started with the simple and fresh arugula salad and balanced it out with the delicious parmesan fries. Then we had the sausage & pepperoni pizza. The pizza was SO good. The crust is thin and the sauce is really sweet. Ordering a pizza is a must at blue. I'm looking forward to trying one of the many burgers next time!
(4)Patsy P.
I went here with my girlfriend for lunch recently . She wanted to try it as she had just moved to needham. I thought hostess was crazy trying to seat us in the back area which is dark and blah as far as decor. The place was empty and she was trying to give us the worst seat in the house. We both decided on a salad as we we not that hungry. Good thing as the dishes were really tiny. It cost us $15 each with nothing else but lettuce. She wanted me to say something to the waitress or manager but i told her it didnt matter. We were never coming back. A rip off.
(1)Dee H.
Very nice place for a business lunch. The place is classy, with high ceilings. The service was very good. I had the shrimp tacos, quite decent. The windows which we sat by opens up to the outside during good weather. I would come here for the ambiance. A perfect place to talk over lunch. I parked at the free for 2 hours parking lot behind the restaurant.
(4)C B.
I'm a bit surprised I can't email the restaurant directly about my experience. It's too bad, because I do have a lot of praise for the establishment, though a couple of critiques that would only help their business. Food was incredible! The wine list was small but it had some solid standouts. We went with, what we thought was a 2009 Balletto Pinot Noir from the Russian River. I grew up in Napa, so I know it's a great area for Pinot. Great wine! Although my complaint was that it said it was a 2009, but it ended up being a 2010. I let the server know and he was surprised, almost in doubt, I was right. Sure enough, I was. The wine needed another year on it. The 09 would have been excellent. We had the cheese plate for an app. It was HUGE for the price! 3 large pieces of cheese accompanied by hummus, flatbread, grilled read, honeycomb and olives. All excellent! My complaint...no one knew what the cheeses were!!! Obviously there was a blue cheese (gee, thanks for that observation) and two others the server (nor the food runner) knew. WTF? The server said an aged cheddar, umm...no, not even close and a taleggio, which could have been right, but with his uncertainty it almost seemed he pulled it out of nowhere. For dinner we had the steak frites and the duck. Both solid. Cooked perfectly and the portions were pretty big. The steak melted in my mouth! FOr dessert we shared the butterscotch pudding. It tasted pretty good, but almost a bit "gritty" for pudding. It also had a really odd color. When I think of butterscotch I think of a dreamy orange color, but this was an off-putting medium brown color. They say you eat with you eyes, so just make sure to close them. :)
(4)Monica M.
Blue on Highland has some awesome menu choices. The risotto is always absolutely delicious- the best risotto I've ever tasted. It changes each day but I usually end up with a shrimp and asparagus combination. Delightful. The grilled salmon is awesome as well, and usually comes with some interesting sides. They cook it perfectly and it is a large piece. Expected for $23. The ambiance at Blue isn't ideal. The decor is tacky and boring. Service is standard. Overall, I think Blue needs to focus on a niche, and tailor its menu and experience to that. Since their seafood risotto and other seafood I've tried is great (and the name "Blue"), maybe a stronger seafood menu would add more interest. Also, add some more Blue to the decor...right now when I think of Blue, I think of beige and sparkly wall art. As of now, I just can't figure out what makes Blue stand out (other than the risotto).
(3)Rick B.
Sunday brunch at Blue on Highland is a very nice experience. They have live jazz, and both times I have had brunch here the music has been very enjoyable. In the nice weather, they open up the big doors. For brunch they serve standard brunch fare (like eggs Benedict, omelettes and french toast) as well as burgers and such. The food was fine - nothing spectacular, nothing awful. Just a real pleasant way to start a Sunday if you want to sip on a Bloody Mary and coffee, have a nice meal and listen to live jazz..
(3)Sara J.
Agree with the reviews. Wonderful staff, mediocre new American fare. Slightly uninspired menu. Yummy cucumber cocktail. Nice to have in the neighborhood.
(3)JoBeth U.
The eggs Benedict is to die for! The jazz brunch gives it a fun vibe and ambience as well.
(5)Michael S.
Unforgivably weak. We went their for brunch, and they couldn't even reach the bar for competent for the easiest meal of the day. My omelette was lacking in all of its ingredients, and the spinach should've been sauteed beforehand. The hash browns were of the totally lazy let's-just-throw-some-chopped-potatoes-in-the-Âfryer-and-call-em-hash-browns school....and they had been sitting out for probably an hour. The bacon was overdone to the point of cracker-esque and had also been sitting out. My son's grilled cheese was the most perfunctory I've ever seen, with wonder-bread-like-bread (redundant, I know), flavorless cheese, and WAY too much butter. His fries were the mass-produced, bought-frozen variety. If this food were served in a diner, it would be a sin...in a restaurant with pretensions to being good, it's just pathetic.
(1)R K.
We have been occasional customers of Blue and consistent supporters of the Needham restaurant scene. Blue has a limited menu that has changed little in years. The meals range from below average to sometimes very good. We have seen the quality slip over the past year. Hostess service always excellent and with strong effort to accommodate even when busy. Wait service fair - staff seems strained. Most recent visit I was counting onto my second hand the loud tray crashes and dropped dinnerware. They switched out the brownie in our favorite sundae dessert with something you'd find in a plastic wrapper at a gas station. We want this place to spring awake, rework the menu and take advantage of its potential.
(2)Sasha B.
The space and service is fine but the food is not. Not sure what this place is trying to be but it's trying too hard. The portions are oversized and simply have too many ingredients that simply do not jive together. Blue cheese and panko atop a sirloin? What is the purpose? Scale down portions and improve quality of ingredients.
(2)R B.
Really don't get this place, or the hype. It must be the open windows, the nice decor, because otherwise, this is totally Your Average Joe's. I think people like places where their SUV doesn't need to leave town, and they can pretend they're on Newbury Street. That's the only appeal I can find; it can't be the food.
(2)Emily C.
I came here for their Sunday Jazz Brunch and the place was only about half full. Took longer than it should have for our waitress to come greet us and food service was VERY slow. After waiting far too long for our food, one of the four orders was wrong. When they came back with it 10 min later, it was clear that they had taken the toast from the incorrect plate because it was completely cold. My french toast was very tasty though the portion was fairly small (as were the rest of the portions). The blueberry butter was good but ice cold. I couldn't slather my french toast with that deliciousness! 2 people in our group got bloody marys and only drank half of them. I was told they were too chunky and couldn't even be sipped through the straw. Looked more like gazpacho to me. We split a brownie sundae for dessert. The ice cream was good but something was up with the brownie. Either the brownie itself or the molten chocolate in the middle was very granular and unappetizing. When 3 people can't finish a brownie sundae, you know something is wrong. The experience was 2 star but the tasty food gave it another star. Considering how slow the service was here on a non-busy day, I'd hate to see it when it's packed!
(3)Katie P.
Ideally, I'd give this place 2.5 stars. To begin, the place feels a bit "funny" when you walk in; there's an airy and light feel to it that kind of feels like a coffee shop and the first thing you see is the bar. It feels very casual upon entry and then you turn to face the dining area/host. This is where things get interesting. The huge windows in the dining room are really beautiful and the decor is upscale/modern with tablecloths, clean white plates, and decent silverware. As you dine, however, you start staring at the sparkly artwork on the wall and ask yourself, "WTF?" Things just felt strange and I was scratching my head trying to figure out what the restaurant was trying to be - it seemed to be in the gawky pimple adolescent phase where it's a mish mash of child mixed with adult. I was slightly confused by the menu. It just had too much of everything on the menu where I couldn't tell which items would be done well. When I see a menu with chicken soup or beef barley soup, I don't expect to also see $25.00 entrees. What I will say though is that the restaurant did have a solid wine list and their wines by the glass are also good. Our server, Karen C., was nice and attentive. First, the parmesan fries - yum yum yum! So delicious and awesome. My dining companion and I finished these very quickly. I got the arugula salad with the lemon vinegarette, which wasn't anything special but I enjoyed it. The dressing was simple and paired well with the greens. The huge deli slice style slice of parmesan cheese on top was totally unnecessary. Still, I had no complaints at all. This is where things started to get disappointing. I finished my salad and our entrees came out. The person who brought our entrees out was not our server and she gave me this look as if to say, "My hands are full - move your salad plate out of the way for me." While this isn't a big deal, it's not something I expected when I'm being charged upscale prices for entrees. She also walked away without taking the empty salad plate. My grilled salmon entree was really dissatisfying. The salmon was served on top of soggy jasmine rice and overcooked wilted chewy asparagus on the side. Everything seemed to be missing something; namely salt. But in general, the flavors were underwhelming and bland. My dining companion ordered the filet. He asked for medium rare and got it exactly as he ordered. It looked like it was going to be really tasty. Unfortunately, much like my entree, his meal was bland and also needed salt. He was underwhelmed with his meal as well. His cut of beef came swimming in bernaise sauce; he wound up slathering his cut of meat in all of it because he just couldn't enjoy his steak at all without it. It also came with unseasoned roasted potatoes and a weird sauteed spinach loaf thing that looked interesting, but didn't offer anything in the way of flavor. All in all, it wasn't great but wasn't bad. I think if I were ever to return (likely won't), I'd stick to the bar food style menu items.
(2)Aboud Y.
Blech. Don't really enjoy coming here for many reasons. Though I must concede that it isn't a bad spot in the summer when they open their doors and allow their patrons to take in the beautiful highland ave. ambiance.
(2)Ave H.
I had heard less that stellar reviews of this establishments so my hopes were not high. However, i was very pleasantly surprised. The decor is great, and food and service was even better. They also must have changed the menu, as the majority of items (especially desserts) being mentioned in other reviews were not on the menu when I was there. I had the center cut sirloin (comes with potatoes and asparagus) 'oscar' sty;e which was GREAT. I was really impressed because I ordered it medium rare, and it arrived perfect. Often times restaurants cook the medium rare heavily on the medium side, but this one was excellent. I was even more impressed because the waitress wanted to make sure that I tried it and it was cooked to my liking. I got the sense that had it not been to my liking they would have taken it back and fixed it happily. Bread basket was also good, and comes with a small tray of butter, oil, and hummus. They also have affordable wine options (I had a Malbec for about 8 bucks). Also worth noting that when sharing the specials with us the waitress also mentioned their prices. I really dislike when I order a special and am later 'surprised' by the price. I will def. return!
(5)Rick B.
Really lovely meal, nice staff. Lost one point for having several pits in the so-called pitted olives. Wife nearly chipped a tooth. Otherwise very nice.
(4)Judy G.
We were seated at 5:15pm with the acknowledgement that they needed our table at 7pm for another reservation. We were near the window and the angle of the sun had as fairly toasty, and half of us were squinting to see, but the hostess refused to close the windows and shades; upon leaving the restaurant, we stopped briefly in the restrooms and upon exiting, found that all of the windows and shades had been closed for the next guests; it was 6:53pm. At the beginning of dinner, we had to wait a while to place our orders. The drinks were not served to the ladies first, in particular, to the most senior lady for whom we had mentioned had a birthday. The lasagna was not piping hot, the middle was in fact only luke-warm. The crabcakes were stringy and the accompanying succotash lacked flavor. The children's slider option proved a winner (after we removed the cheese, which wasn't mentioned on the menu), however the children's chicken fingers were overly salty.
(2)p c.
These guys have really good food and a good bar selection (for Needham). Burgers are about average, but some of the more upscale dishes like the shrimp and mushroom risotto are really good. Oddly enough they have a good personal pizza option as well. A group of co-workers and I usually stop by on Friday nights for a couple drinks and an appetizer. They serve parmesan seasoned fries with a white truffle sauce that is one of the guilty pleasure apps that you have to try.
(4)Carol W.
Definitely worth a try. There were four of us, and we tried chicken, a vegetarian, a fish and a beef dish. Each was prepared to our satisfaction and a great dinner was proclaimed by all. The steak frites is a skirt cut, and was happily not burnt to a crisp or rife with fat as some other "better " restaurants have presented to the reviewer.
(4)Lauren V.
I might be inclined to give three and a half stars, but Blue on Highland left me feeling pretty indifferent. Blue on Highland (pretentious name alert!) occupies an open and airy space in Needham. The muted colors and light wood make the restaurant seem inviting, relaxing and cool at first glance. A more focused look around the room will reveal garish glittery artwork quickly overpowering the initial austere element. Out with a group of coworkers for dinner, we found ourselves nestled into the front corner, parallel to the picture window overlooking the picturesque commuter rail station. Our server was knowledgeable, adeptly answering our inane culinary questions. She was also quick to serve drinks which is always appreciated. The food itself is standard new American fare. I sampled the parmesan fries, calamari, and pumpkin tortelloni as the wave of appetizers. The parmesan fries were a bit overly-salted, the calamari a bit overly-breaded and the tortelloni a bit overly-doughy. The flavors I was expecting were essentially drowned out. For my meal I opted for mussels and an arugula salad. The mussels were standard, served in a white wine and garlic broth with tomatoes. The sauce did offer a weak hint of spice, but all in all, they were very... normal. The arugula salad boasted some more salty parmesan chunks, with the earthiest-tasting arugula I have ever tasted. Generally a dressing minimalist, I could barely detect the lemon-vinaigrette although the overall taste was pleasing. As a "team-building exercise" (i.e.: excuse to eat dessert) a coworker and I opted to split the brownie sundae. The server was considerate enough to halve the portion in order to serve us each our own bowl, but somewhere in the cutting the rich chocolate flavor I was expecting must have leaked out. The brownie almost tasted carob-like and the vanilla ice cream was insipid. It tasted suspiciously like some sort of "health food dessert" although it was not billed as such on the menu. All in all, it was a satisfactory experience but not necessarily one I would care to repeat. Apparently, the windows open in the warmer months and there is a bar scene on weekends, but that is too far a drive for an (almost) open-air drink.
(3)Ron A.
Blue on Highland is a nice little local restaurant on Needham. It's practically the only place to grab a drink in town outside of Needham Center, which gives it a little bit of an advantage. The lunch is good. I especially appreciate the Cuban sandwich which is solid. I rarely eat dinners here, as it is usually pretty packed, but their fries are a big favorite of myself and the crew.
(4)Alison C.
Blue is a casual restaurant serving in a classy atmosphere. The lunch clientle is very upscale, Needham-ish and/or business-oriented. The diners enjoy terrific service and reasonable prices. The lunch menu consists of various salads, burgers, and entrees. The restaurant also offers a full bar that apparently has a great happy hour and is a superb place to watch a sporting event. My lunch meal started with a delicious fluffy olive roll. I then enjoyed a large Salmon salad, which consisted of miso-glazed salmon over a bed of mixed greens, mandarian oranges, and edanemme, all with an Asian dressing. The salad had a bit too much dressing, making it rather soggy. The salmon had a salty crisp to it, just how I like it. The flavors all blended well together, however I wish there were more orange slices to add a bit more of kick. All in all, the food is above average and the environment is great. Blue is definitely worth a visit.
(4)Richard C.
Sometimes all I want is a normal burger; but the line between simple and boring can be hard to detect. It's not difficult to go from promising to adequate to disappointing. But, many past burger successes has been attributed to keeping it low-key, nailing the beef and letting the supporting cast do what they do best. The burger on the menu at Blue on Highland in Needham is fairly straightforward, and after cooking for some of our clients in the neighborhood, lunch was in order. I pretty much had zero expectations prior, but sometimes that's when I end up pleasantly surprised. Nestled into a soft, Kaiser type roll, the roughly half pound burger fits the bun accordingly. Fully melted cheddar is a nice surprise, as it encompasses most of the surface of the patty. Although cooked a few shades past medium-rare, the meat is juicy but has that optimal feature that actually keeps the juices inside the burger and not gushing all over the plate. It has an average crust but is very well seasoned, as bits of salt tickle my taste buds and overall it has a commendable, if not over-the-top beefiness to it. The fries work and don't work all at the same time. Upgrading to Truffle Parmesan Fries (an extra $2), they were a little under-seasoned despite being covered in an obscene amount of Parmesan. Ultimately though it's the choice of the pre-grated, kinda phony Parmesan that is its undoing, devoid of the authentic good stuff, all it needed was actual salt to make it more enjoyable. Also absent was the promised truffle flavor, which seemed to be missing from the fries themselves, instead barely making their way into a creamy, yet lackluster mayo-based dipping sauce. Reminiscent of some of my favorite burgers in the city, Highland Kitchen and Miracle of Science as examples, the Blue on Highland burger is a fine option. Forget about the suburban burger versus the city burger, this is a very solid and very good burger no matter the location, and one I would happily return to.
(4)Dave Z.
Blue is a neighborhood restaurant that does certain things very well--their sliders, burgers, pizza are very good. Their salads are good, their entrees + desserts are genuinely above average. Friendly + accommodating waitstaff, very good atmosphere + a lively bar where neighborhood regulars like to hang out.
(4)Melisa C.
I went here one day for drinks and appetizers. I ordered the bellini, and we all shared some appetizers such as: shrimp cocktail, mussels, fries, and guac and chips. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, and overall the food is pretty good. I would go back.
(4)Saoirse i.
Thai Steak salad starter - ample and very good. Lamb chops? What a mistake- no grill marks, thin, no seasoning BORING. Ice tea in a Ball Jar was great. Service was good
(2)Allison C.
After reading some of the reviews on Yelp, we were a little concerned about keeping our reservation. However, we had a very positive experience. The restaurant is spacious and attractive. Though the restaurant was filled, it wasn't noisy. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive. The food was good. I usually hate calamari, but I loved their calamari appetizer. The gnocci were light and heavenly. The veal and swordfish entrees were yummy. The prices for the entrees were average, most in the low to mid 20s. I would definitely return.
(4)Tony G.
Server was nice! Faro Risotto was only good because of the duck glaze being mixed into it. OK! That was it on the good!! This place lost all credibility with me. They have a pumpkin Tortoloni with foie butter which you cannot even taste. No Seasoning such as salt and pepper on any of the food from the Asparagus to the Duck to the Salmon. We went all out. The Chablis tasted like garbage, If your going to have a wine menu taste the wine before you serve it, don't say it is to opinion if most cooking Chablis taste better then your Pino Grigio. Complete garbage for food and wine. The risotto from the meal goes all over the table because of poor plating designs. It happens so much the server has a table brush on her at all times. Common sense would be to change the plate up. Then the salmon came out and was boring . 1) Who put Mayo/ Aoili on a hot entree? 2) Think you can season your proteins 3) Pictures of nice presentation on the website are misleading because they put no care on the design or flavor and it is just a trap to get you in the door. Tipped the Server well because I had extra money from the free parking, though let it be known this is the last time I go to this place.
(1)Jobin T.
I went to Blue recently for their Jazz Brunch. The huge open window blew in warm summer air and the Jazz band was first class. I sipped the Raspberry/Pomegranate Cosmopolitan (which was fantastic) and ordered the Spinach/Tomato omelet. The omelet itself was rich in flavor and very filling. The potatoes on the side were dry and flavorless, but the bagel was fluffy and tasty. For a second drink I had the Bloody Mary which was honestly awful. It had no spice what so ever, and seemed to be aimed at more of a lemony "fresh" taste. That failed and it was almost undrinkable. The waitress was very nice and I would be happy to eat there again.
(3)Joel M.
I am quite surprised at the average ratings this establishment garnered. Contrary to those reviews, I had the occasion of perhaps arriving on the right night -- because my dinner certainly was heavenly! I was with friends. I ordered a blue martini, ate off someone else's order of parmesan truffle fries with garlic dipping sauce (fingerlickingly good!) . Regretted not ordering a bowl myself. And had a taste of the panzanella salad (very good). Even their bread presented with a trio of dippings (olive oil, red pepper hummus, butter) was very good. What's not to like? IMHO, nothing. Good food in an an ecru/wood minimalist chic dining room with floor to ceiling windows. A winner in my book!
(3)Michele B.
This would be a great place to impress stodgy in-laws on a budget. The room is really nice and the service is good. There is a range of prices, with some entrees as low as $10, which is a lot cheaper than you would expect given how nice the decor is. That part was all great. However, I am only giving it three stars because the food is very, very plain. I found it boring (noticeably boring) but some people like food like that. So look at the menu. If there's something you might like you should go.
(3)Katharine O.
Mkay sooo we decided to venture here for dinner last night and were actually pretty pleased with the place. To start we had the scallops appetizer-which only has 2 scallops and definitely should have 4. It was really, very good. For dinner I had the spinach salad with chicken, it was just the right size and was summery and what I had wanted. My fiancé had a porkchop with apples.........which confused both of us because it's such an autumn meal. He said it sounded good so he ordered it and it was good-but again, this is June not September or October. The menu had a little bit of everything, but didn't seem to have any particular theme or culinary specialty, if you will. For dessert we split the belgian waffle sundae which was absolutely delectable and just the right size. Our drinks were ok....for something like a Long Island or Manhattan I would think that bartending school makes you master those, but they were either too weak or too strong (no complaining about that though!)...not really consistent. Their signature cocktails were well made. Only complaint is the blinds....they're like 5 dollar blinds so they're kind of an eyesore and the hostess was playing with them all night so that the sun wasn't in anyone's eyes....then they opened the windows around 7:30, which was nice, except your'e looking at a Shell station, and again, they were playing with the blinds because the sun was in someones eyes so they couldn't open half the windows....so that was just kind of ...I don't know, annoying? weird? tasteless? There has to be a better way to deal with that. Also our waitress was pleasant enough but could have stood to be a bit more attentive, we had to ask for more drinks instead of her offering them. All in all, the food was worth going back for so we'll probably be back.
(4)Fanya B.
A great place to grab a drink and a small plate of standard American fare. And while the atmosphere is all over the place (as some have pointed out) - it's "posh" enough, yet cozy to be a good alternative for a drink or two in the Needham area. Both the buffalo" chicken stack and the parmesian fries were good, but not outstanding.
(3)Laura S.
I went here last night for my birthday dinner with my mom.. It was pretty good. My only complaint is that it's really loud in there... I had to sit next to my mom in order to hear her. I got the steak frites which was pretty good... Tender and easy to eat.. The sauce was good as well. My mom got the roast chicken. Since it was my birthday i got the bread chocolate pudding. That was pretty good as well. I wont come here all the time because it's expensive but i do recommend it
(4)Gloria C.
My husband and I ate at Blue last night and were very disappointed. They need to remove the cavatelli pasta dish they currently have on the menu. It is so bland, the combo of ingredients is aweful. When I told our server I did not care for the dish she did not even offer to get me something else nor did she take it off the bill. My husband ordered the steak frites, the fries were mushy and under seasoned. The steak was overlooked. Would not go back.
(2)Sue G.
We went for a special lunch, however it was anything but! The decor is appealing, but that is where it stopped. The food was overpriced and fair at best. I had a chicken Cobb salad - the chicken was overcooked and dried out. My friends had Cesar salad with 4 of the smallest shrimp I have ever seen, and turkey meatloaf with sweet potato fries. (The bread and the fries were great, but not good enough to return) The server was pleasant when she chose to appear, and was not attentive to anything. We asked for a refill on our coffee, and 10 minutes later she returned to say they were brewing a fresh pot, but someone took it so there was none left unless we wanted to wait another 15 minutes. Not worth the trip - over $50 for 3 for lunch without any drinks, apps or dessert.
(2)Abigail M.
Met two best friends I had not seen in 35 years here - my first time at Blue. Our reserved table was ready and our waitress spoiled us with lots of time to talk and as much attention as we needed. Wait staff was excellent. Food was fabulous- pumpkin bisque, seared scallops, grilled salmon, steak and salads. Everything was perfect and the atmosphere lively, fun and not overwhelming. I would definitely recommend Blue and will go again!
(5)Laura M.
This place is okay. I found it kind of overpriced, but it does a good job of being casual/upscale, and the food was pretty good. I enjoyed my chicken scalloppine. Some of the pizzas are weird -- they do the whole "let's top your pizza with a salad!" thing that I never got. To me it wasn't SO fancy that it's worth making it a special night out, nor is it cheap and comfy enough to be a regular dinner destination.
(3)Veronica M.
This would be a great place to catch up and have drinks and maybe an appetizer. The atmosphere is kind of cool, and the service was great. The food was OK, at best. I was disappointed. We ordered the lobster ravioli, salad, and for dessert the apple crumb with ice cream. It didn't taste fresh or have any real flavor to it. We had a great server and tipped her well, since she was great and attentive.
(2)B R.
Love this place. Great atmosphere. Good food. Parmesan fries are sinfully good.
(4)Beantown B.
Went for my daughter's B-Day (her choice). they did take reservations for 5 at 7:30 on a Saturday. Several disappointments. House white wine was $12 for what looked like barely 4 ounces. I ordered the duck breast rare and it arrived medium with just a hint of pink. My wife ordered the halibut special. The portion was generous, but the fish was WAY overcooked. I didn't mention either to the waitress nor did she check to see if everything was okay. Either the wait staff needs to pick up their orders promptly or the chefs (cook?) needs to back off on the heat. I live in the town and will think twice about recommending and going back.
(2)Erin M.
Update on the last review: we were going to go here for another family birthday (my mom this time). She called to make her birthday reservation, having been told that reservations were recommended last time. She was treated to snotty service over the phone. Rather than nicely and apologetically telling her they only take reservations for 5 or more (which she didn't know, because it was unclear both from their website and from what they specifically told us the last time), the hostess was simply rude. This establishes that their poor service is routine. And they keep doing it on our family birthdays! Their food is still good, but I don't think I'll be coming back.
(3)Ali B.
I have eaten lunch here a few times but never dinner. Too pricey for dinner for my liking. The parmesan truffle fries are the best thing here. Also, they usually have a special of some sort of risotto and they always do a good job with their risotto. On my last trip there I couldn't order the Thai steak salad because they were waiting for the produce to be delivered. I thought that was a little strange, but at least the produce was going to be fresh for later! Last time I ordered a special strawberry biscuit dessert (part of the proceeds went to charity) but I found it to be very bland and unappealing. My friend got the pomegranate sorbet which was kind of icy. This place is always packed at lunchtime. Overall I would recommend it though I do think the prices are a little high (esp. for Needham). Lunch for two of us (with NO alcohol), including one appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, plus tax and tip was 64 dollars!!
(3)Dean C.
Blue is probably the best place in Needham for dinner or drinks. Hard to believe this was once a pharmacy. Blue has transformed the space into a sleek, modern restaurant complete with windows that open like doors in the North End to the street in the summer. Food quality has been consistent. I've eaten in and ordered out many times and have never been dissapointed. Some of the wait staff has been there since it opened and really know how to do their job. Even the new staff appears well trained. Some of my favorite items on the menu (which changes frequently) are the lamb meatballs, fresh fish, and they also have great burgers. They have a decent wine list and if it's just the 2 of you or by yourself, grab a spot at the bar and you'll quickly meet people to have a conversation with. It can get busy on weekend nights (and a bit lively) so it's best to make a reservation. The manager, Matt, is a great guy and goes out of his way to make sure you are enjoying the Blue experience.
(4)A B L.
I love the idea of this place...great location, fun atmosphere, windows that open up during the nice weather. Unfortunately, the love ends here. Despite the other reviews, I had high hopes for this place...quazi-shwank outside of Boston. No dice. The drinks were meh, and the food was incredibly bland. I've heard this same review from nearly everyone I've talked to here in Needham. Some like the drinks/bar (I'm sure it's a fun scene), but nobody has raved about the food. If you're looking for this type of a scene, head to Chiara over in Westwood or Blue Ginger in Wellesley or someplace in Newton (still exploring that area). Until the food improves, I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Robyn L.
I can't tell what this place wants to be, but it was good. On one side you have a big bar with large screen plasmas playing ESPN. On the other side is a wide open space of tables and booths topped with white tablecloths, nice tableware and cocktail/wine menus. It feels kinda like a fancy restaurant, but with that early-bird-special sort of feel. Not sure why I get that impression, especially considering it was a mixed crowd of families and young professionals. Maybe it's the carpeting in the dining area. The menus have everything from your basic apps, to hearty soups and salads, to pasta dishes and upscale entrees (roast duck with pumpkin gnocci) -- and even burgers and pizzas. Again, can't tell what this place wants to be. . . but the prices range anywhere from $6 (soup) to $24 (duck or haddock). The roast chicken with mashed and green beans was excellent, so was the cheese, bread and fruit plate, and the chocolate lava cake with raspberry and fudge drizzled over it. The only thing that bothered me -- and this is a pet peeve of mine in general -- was that the waitress wouldn't leave us alone when we first sat down (it took my friend and I a while to order since we hadn't talked in a month), but once we had our food she was nowhere to be found. No return for drink refills, no checking in on how the food has been. . . We had to keep flagging her down. It wasn't a huge deal, just a little aggravating. Note: Returned in December and the place was hoppin! Blue is probably the closest thing you'll find to a Needham hot spot. Sit in the bar area if you want a more fun, casual dinner.
(4)Billy Su B.
how one produces chicken piccata that is entirely void of flavor is far, far beyond me. blue must have special equipment for this. silly place. wait staff was very polite, but unknowledgeable. cocktails were just not good. high ceilings, loud dining room, odd and vacuous space and rather unattractive decor' :\
(1)Colin G.
I have only been during lunch and it is good. many salad options. food is good not amazing and a little pricey. But everything is decent. the art work is cool and is always being changed and updated.
(4)Bill D.
It was a rainy Saturday night, it was loud and very crowded waiting at the bar. I felt like I was in Boston. We started with the "Blue" martini which was a little too fruity (pineapple) for me but my wife loved it. There wasn't room to stand or sit so we were in the flow between the bar stools and the bar tables. We got to our table under the advertised 40 minute wait time. Our waitress was so friendly. She was always there when you needed something without hovering. The menu is small with only 7 entrees but they had two specials (one was Stingray) We started with the southwestern Lobster tail - nice corn and black bean salsa. I had the Steak Frites and my wife had the Salmon. Both were large portions and very tasty. The deserts are meant to be shared but we each had one. The cheesecake is super creamy - like you get in New York. The 'one pound chocolate' cake was moist and the frosting was creamy. We bough home the rest of the cake and our two teenage children couldn't finish all of the cake - it was that big. There is a wide range of people young (20s) to old (60s) and couples to large parties of 10. You should go once if you are in the area.
(3)Diane D.
I went here for the first time on Sunday night when a friend was visiting from Seattle to meet up with some other college friends we hadn't seen in a couple years. It was convenient, since I live in Newton and the other girls live in Needham. Overall, I was impressed. I think this place is best for exactly what we were there for - a light dinner and some drinks. The bar area didn't look very large, I'd say a table is the way to go! The white sangria was really yummy - one person got it, we all tried it, and then we all got one! The salads are excellent. I had the spinach salad and for less than $10 was satisfied and thought it tasted great. The other main dishes looked good, but kind of pricey for a night out in Needham... The ambiance of the interior is nice, although it doesn't seem to fit in any particular category. If you need a place for some light fare in the Newton/Needham area, I'd recommend Blue.
(4)Jonathan D.
I came here with some colleagues on Tuesday and definitely had a positive experience. Given the wide variety of restaurants in the Needham/Dedham/Canton area, this place by far stands out amongst the crowd. Sure, the prices are above average, but if you are looking for a quality meal with great service, check this place out.
(4)Matt L.
This is a new spot in a small city becoming crowded with restaurants. It is a good size place with a trendy decor and actually pretty nice inside. An open dining room and a nice bar. The crowds that are drawn to the place are probably because it is new. The menu is a nice blend of different foods, various selections, the appetizers were pretty good and creative. The service was some of the slowest I have seen with half the waitresses not know what they are doing and mixing up orders. When we finally got our food, I wasn't impressed. It was okay, but not what I expected from a place that looked like this. I think it lacked spice or taste and was just not that good compared to the appetizers. The desserts were just run of the mill and lacked creativity as well. Looks like it will be a place that is good for drinks but not good for dinner. Can't really say I will recommend this spot to anyone.
(2)Amy W.
The food made both my husband & myself sick for the next few days. Steak frites & roasted chicken were average but was not worth the price we paid while being sick. Sorry Blue. Can't recommend you at all. Too stuffy a place & service was okay.
(1)Kevin R.
Notice that all the reviewers mentioned that it was crowded. That's because people like being there! The decor is modern, the bar is hopping and the menu is very diverse. You can get anything from a pizza or burger to a great steak or seafood. And the prices are right. There are always "specials". Excellent choice for a Tuesday, a Saturday or any night of the week. When they open the windows, you feel that you are dining al fresco.
(4)Andrew P.
Food is consistent. We find the the bar staff very inconsistent almost rude. I want a good drink without the bartenders bad attitude and lack of attention. Someone should enlighten the staff that when you work for tips you should at least pretend you care. A good neighborhood place. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
(3)cristin o.
i loved the food here! i wasnt expecting much and its right across the street from me! the food was delightful and so yummy i got the truffle oil pizza and my man got the roasted chicken and it was so flavor packed. the art could use a little help but the gen. environment was good.
(4)sandra m.
I have been to Blue on 3 occasions in the past 6 weeks. I think it is a very nice compromise between Boston and Needham dining. Service has been excellent and the food mostly very good. I do think the place is too noisy but could easily be helped with soft treatments on large windows and lowering ceiling panels. The noise complaint seems to be a recurring theme so my guess is it will be dealt with soon. Let's give them a chance. Spinach salad was very good, lobster risotto fabulous, salmon fresh and well prepared. Only complaint at our table was the very ordinary and over done french fries that accompanied several entrees. At lunch I did think the Butternut bisque was bland but calamari and Caesar salad were exceptionally good. Desserts were good, especially the lemon tart. Several raved about the chocolate lava cake. A very refreshing suburban spot.
(4)Liz B.
I so wanted to like this place, but alas, I don't! My significant other and I went to Blue for a late dinner on a Saturday night (around 9:30). The ambiance was nice; high ceilings, dim lighting, nice table settings. The food, unfortunately, wasn't as nice. I ordered the fish special, which the waitress recommended (she described it as a mild fish); unfortunately, by "mild" she meant "unbelievably bland and boring." Seriously--I've never had a more bland entree in my entire life. My husband was nice enough to trade entrees halfway thru the meal; his dish wasn't as bland, but it was pretty uninteresting. If they could kick up their menu a notch, I'd be willing to give Blue a second try. Until then, Blue is a bust in my book.
(1)Big S.
This is a nice restaurant for Needham. It is well priced, and has a bar with alcohol! It gets crowded and is a bit more fancy inside. The staff is nice, a bit slow for a big party. The drinks are good, we had a few different margaritas and they have a nice beer selection. We had a few different items, the pizzas are pretty good. The short rib was great, the salmon was good, the duck special was good as well. Nothing incredible, but you likely won't have a bad meal here.
(3)Tiffany C.
I really like this place despite what other reviewers rated this place in the last few reviews below. I think it depends on what you order. I've tried numerous things on the menu and its a hit or miss. I would recommend staying AWAY from the salads and soups (overpriced for the taste & what you get overall) and go for the main courses. I came here for brunch and lunch on separate occasions. I would recommend getting the Eggs Benedict from their brunch (They have love jazz music played too during this time)! Its pretty delicious. And from their lunch menu I would recommend their blackened salmon wrap (OMG to die for) Sooooooo yummy. Best I've ever had (in a wrap). And the devilishly scrumptious parmesan chive roasted fries with truffle sauce. Mmmmm. Although it's on the heavy side, it's not a side dish one should pass up. Try the scallops too if you get the chance. They're always cooked to perfection! Just remember to avoid the salad + chicken soup and I'm sure you'll love it here. Ooh! Make SURE to try their cocktails if you get the chance. They're made very well & creatively. Very girly tasting which is exactly what I like. I love getting my morning drinks on! Try this place you won't regret it.
(4)Christine C.
Went to Blue on Highland the other night and it was a series of hits and misses. I'll cut to the chase. Appetizers: the cheeseburger sliders were excellent... Not overly done or dry...they were perfect and we enjoyed them very much. The caramelized onions were a nice touch. The calamari, however, was a complete train wreck. What was served to us was a congealed ball of grease with thin rings of calamari stuck to it. So overdone/over fried and poorly executed. This app was a huge disappointment. On to entrees: sirloin strip perfectly cooked and tasty! Nicely prepared and enjoyed by my dining companion. Chicken piccata was also pretty well executed and done well. Thumbs up! Now for the bad news... I ordered the crab cake dinner...and was served something the likes of a cod fish cake. Please, either execute this dish properly or just remove it from your menu. This offering is an insult to those of us who really enjoy well prepared crab cakes. I expected a beautifully sautéed crab cake with visible chunks of lump crab meat. What I was served was nothing but an overly breaded and macerated mess! There was not ONE visible solid piece of lump crab meat present. It was more like a a crab scented croquette. ( crab, no doubt being from a can ) My feedback....If you can't get fresh Lump crab meat ( blue crab) then don't offer it on your menu. What was served was not a true crab cake, by anyone's standards.
(3)Jenn S.
We recently moved to Needham and have heard wonderful reviews of Blue on Highland, and a few not-so-great reviews. Since we have a baby, we haven't been able to eat-in at Blue yet, but we did order takeout one night. My husband went to pick it up, so it wasn't super hot when he got home (despite it having just come out of the oven). We both got burgers & fries - and there were a lot of fries! We both felt the burgers were perfectly cooked to our preferences and were quite tasty. We have a gift card and still have a good amount on there, so the prices wasn't too bad. I am looking forward to eating in and experiencing the ambiance...
(4)Johanna G.
Medicare food. I had salmon with risotto - risotto was flavorless and thick and gummy. My husband had chicken piccata he said it was solid but not great. Loud. Good, not great service. Nothing to rave about for sure. Recently renovated , the place was lively and full. Will not run back any time soon.
(3)Kelli M.
Overall nice decor and setup inside, food was decent but drinks were overpriced. Hostess was friendly, bartender was not-felt like we were bothering him, never even smiled. Probably won't go back.
(2)JB C.
I recently went and thought that the redesign was find. I was very disappointed that the windows weren't open since that was one of the main reasons we had chosen to go. I had a burger which was quite good and a lot better than the food the last time I had come. The reason for the 3 stars was the service. I had to ask for everything multiple times and that was when I was able to catch our waitress's attention. It was a wednesday night and somewhat crowded but not so much that she couldn't check in or actually follow through on what we'd asked.
(3)Sondra S.
My family and I came here to celebrate a special occasion, and ordered a bottle of wine before dinner. The waitress brought out our wine glasses and they were honestly filthy. It was not just a few water spots, they were covered in murky blotches. I hate giving servers a hard time, but when we're paying for an overpriced bottle of wine and several entrees, I don't think clean glasses is too much to expect. It seemed ridiculous that my mom was sitting there wiping out the glasses with her napkin so that we could drink out of them. The waitress did not apologize, just took the glasses away. She wiped out a few glasses herself and after several minutes brought them over. At this point I was not feeling confident about eating out of their dishes, but we were too hungry and tired to leave at that point. I looked at the new glasses she brought over and they were not much better. On closer inspection of mine there was no joke, A LINE OF PINK LIPSTICK on the rim of my glass. I brought it to the waitress' attention and she just grabbed the glass and took it away, no apology. My mom then wiped out the remaining glasses herself. There was no apology from anyone at the restaurant for this disgusting snafu. I thought about asking for the manager, but what's the point? I had to overcome my nausea to get my dinner down. I will say that the food was good though. However, cleanliness at a restaurant should not be optional and the hospitality was nonexistent.
(1)Carmen L.
Very good service. Food was okay. I ordered the risotto special and the rice was overcooked and not at all creamy the way risotto should be. The vegetables were a bit large and clunky in the dish. On the other hand, tried the braised short-rib sandwich and it was delicious. The meat was cooked and seasoned beautifully. Given the mixed experience gave the restaurant 3 stars and will try it again soon.
(3)Bill Y.
Much needed atmosphere in Needham, but this restaurant misses the mark. Food is subpar, lighting is off, and manager seems to want you out the door / closeup sooner than later.
(3)Alden G.
Beautiful Lobster Roll. Meaty, attractive and satisfying. Paired it with Moscow Mule in a copper mug, upgraded with Grey Goose. That is how we enjoy a bit of summer seafood in wintery New England this evening. Friendly staff is proud of the food. Right on.
(5)Beantown J.
Only in a pinch. I live in Needham so I go here occasionally. Good place for a beer and a snack at the bar. Food is just ok. Wine selection is poor. Staff is marginal for the $ you pay. Kids menu stinks. They have a beautiful place - could be a rival to Newbury street with the open windows-but food and prices are out of whack. Fix the average food ...and bring prices into alignment OR have high prices but have outstanding food. Unfortunately this place knows people will come no matter what -- but other choices are starting to pop up! Try the Biltmore or O'hara's
(2)Michelle B.
Bread was nice - dipping items could be jazzed up a bit - plain olive oil? I got the shrimp tacos - not impressed at all. Corn taco shells could have been heated a little longer. A little more slaw (perhaps slightly cooked) in the taco would have been nice - and something other than cabbage. A softer homemade taco shell is what I expected. Side salad - a lot of the greens were limp, as mentioned in other reviews. For lunch, price was a bit steep for the quality.
(3)Joe S.
Good atmosphere, food was good, portion size was acceptable. Prices were a little to high for certain dishes and food took to long to come out. I would give it another chance if I was in the area.
(3)Ron J.
I've been to Blue on Highland many times and a recent visit confirms that this restaurant remains excellent -- great food and great service delivered in high comfort. In fact, I love this room -- warm and lively with great people watching yet a moderate noise level. As for the negative reviews here, I honestly don't understand them. All I can say is if you don't like where you're seated, ask to be moved. If you think something tastes off or is incorrectly prepared, then send it back. If you don't think you've been treated right, then talk to the manager. I've always had a great all around experience at Blue on Highland and will return there soon.
(5)B L.
Since we heard they had recently revamped the menu and the interior, we thought we would give it a try since it had been a while since our last visit. The new interior did not impress. It was loud, very industrial and felt like a cafeteria. The wood walls, no linens on the tables and all the hard surfaces just made it feel very unwelcoming. Even sitting in a booth with walls to the ceiling, it was not cozy! The lighting was awful too. I think the addition of some art, mood lighting and some soft surfaces would help. Bottom line, it now has a cafeteria vibe! So we focused on the food. I had 2 appetizers for my entree and the portions were very generous -one would have been plenty. The lamb lollipops were yummy with a salad and balsamic syrup. The fish tacos, while having generous portions also, were served with fried fish which was not mentioned on the menu. While good, I would have preferred the fish grilled. My husband ordered the NY Strip only to find that they didn't have any so he ordered the rib eye without blue cheese. It arrived with blue cheese and was very tough. He is not a picky eater but did not like his meal. Unfortunately, I do not think we will be returning to the updated Blue on Highland.
(2)Eugene S.
Core menu selections and attentive staff. Food was good and the portions rightly sized.
(4)Greg P.
Good food in Needham Center Blue on Highland is located in Needham just minutes from Route 128. My wife and I dined there for Sunday Brunch recently. The ambiance is simple and warm. The bar area was vibrant for a Sunday during the day. The menu is somewhat limited for brunch but there was likely something for everyone. My wife ordered the potato leak soup which was fairly good although with a bit too much onion flavor. Then she had the frittata wrap which she loved. It came with delicious roasted homefries (a nice healthy offering). I ordered the cheeseburger which came with parmesan fries (less healthy but delicious). It was flavorful and well cooked. The food was quite good and so was the price! Blue on Highland is definitely good value (at least for brunch). I should mention that the waitstaff seemed a bit thin and it took a little while for the waiter to get to us. But once we told him that we had to get back to a class that we were taking, he did a good job of getting us on our way. Overall, Blue on Highland is a very nice brunch option in Needham.
(4)Mike P.
Expensive camping food. I'm beginning to believe that the entirety of Boston Metro has bad food. The service here was bad. Ordered wine, "What wine?" Ha! To this moment we have no idea what wine was purchased. My Seafood Pasta was nothing more than chewy squid in a warm bowl of butter. The simple pizza we ordered was soft on half and blackened on the other. I'm done with restaurants in New England. I cook far better than they do.
(2)Danielle P.
This restaurant is better than these reviews show. Great atmosphere, good drink selection. I was also very impressed with the service which was attentive, quick and friendly. Had southwest eggrolls to start, then Salmon and risotto. My boyfriend had steak. Everything was good but the steak was the standout. It had some kind of butter sauce that was really exceptional. My only regret was that we didn't leave room for desert. We will definitely go back and would recommend it to our friends!
(4)Wayne C.
I really wanted Blue on Highland to be so much more . . . but it is just . . . underwhelming. The place is in a great location. The general "feel" for the restaurant is quite nice - with an open floor plan and a really well apportioned dinning room. The service is - honestly here - just okay. The really underwhelming part - the food. I took my staff to a lunch meeting. I wanted to bring them someplace that was nice, but not too pretentious. The physical atmosphere of Blue on Highland is great. Nice large plate windows, an open bar feel, a busy (but comfortable) vibe. The food - well, let's just say it lack a certain pizzazz. The service - wow, they need some help. I think there is hope for Blue on highland, I think they just need a bit more quality control and a higher standard for the front-end of the restaurant. Service truly is the key for any restaurant and Blue could take a few plays from other (well established and frequented) places in the Needham/Newton area.
(2)Chaya B.
Awesome! When you walk in the Ambience: transforms you to a New York City restaurant. Family night checked at the side walk. No screaming kids! Great place for a date. Service was right on point!
(3)Holly K.
I have been waiting to go to the Live Jazz Brunch here for quite some time! Although the breakfast items at the brunch are quite overpriced I figured it would be worth it since my boyfriend loves live jazz music. We could make a morning out of it! I went over to their website clicked on the Live Jazz Brunch banner they had on their homepage and made my reservation. When we got there we def. didn't need a reservation but o well better safe than sorry. I didn't see a place for a band to set up which I thought was odd. My boyfriend asked the waitress when the band would be arriving and she informed us that last week was the band's last week until September. Ugh, are you kidding me?! It is advertised on your homepage and nowhere did I see anything about it not happening in July and August. I heard the three other tables ask the same question! Clearly no one was in the know about this. It was really disappointing because had we known there was no live jazz we would have walked to our usual breakfast place and paid a quarter of the price for a better breakfast.
(1)Steve S.
Had lunch here twice about two months apart from visits. This is really a nice place at a great location right in the heart of Needham Center. You'll want a reservation even for lunch as the place isn't that big and does fill up quickly. Food is good, solid American fare. Not fancy, but better than average too. Good prices. Very comfortable and nice vibe. Wait staff are attentive, friendly, professional and polite. Ask for a curved booth in the middle of the room just past the bar area. I don't come this way often, but when I do, I'll be sure to visit Blue on Highland again. Oh, and don't forget quarters for the metered street parking.
(4)Barbara N.
To say that we dine here very often is an understatement. It's our regular "go to" place for either lunch or dinner. I love that we eat there so frequently, I almost do not have to tell the waitresses which cocktail to make for me and which way I like it. The food is very good and the place has a busy and cosmopolitan atmosphere that makes it fun, especially when you consider that we are in the middle of suburbia. I know that I will enjoy what I order and the wait staff is friendly and professional. Two suggestions: One, I would like to see a little more variety on the menu and my biggest suggestion? Change the artwork on the walls. Seriously. The tacky sparkle paintings have to go!
(5)Ken S.
Meh. Wait, you went to a place where people were lined up for tables on a Friday night and all you can say is 'Meh?' Yeah, sorry. Well, the meh would be better if Blue were in an airport or an area not known for really good food. While the place is quite nice, I couldn't find much to recommend here. Guacamole was acceptable, but not a treat. I added plenty of salt and pepper to give it some flavor. Ditto for the arugula salad. It had arugula and sheets of parmesan cheese, but not much else. Salmon was drizzled with some yellow sauce like some cupcake, but was not memorable. The accompanying asparagus and rice pilaf seemed to come off a hospital tray. Same for the chicken ceasar salad. That being said, the staff seems nice enough and they keep things moving. Maybe it was an off night. Maybe the menu needs a spark. In the meantime, move along folks, there's plenty to see down the road.
(2)Keith M.
Caesar salad with grilled chicken. Parmesan fries too (can't go wrong). Ice tea that came in a ball jar!? This place is a little toward "fancy" - you know cloth napkins and such, so the site of a ball jar on the table was strange. Food and service were as good as always.. Parking is getting a bit harder since there was permit or something needed in that lot behind it.
(3)Tamika H.
I am really shocked at the rating for this place. I have eaten here at least 4 times over this year, and have had good experiences, and the food is reasonably priced. The staff is very attentive and the food is delicious. The calamari is amazing. I also recommend the pizzas, which are very good.
(4)Jimmy B.
The manager Scott totally took care of me in recommending the chicken sandwich during a lunch visit. It was unbelievably great! I'll stop back when I'm in the area.
(5)Kaele V.
The food was horrible. Our waiter addressed us with "what's up my ladies" and there were flies swarming everywhere. Our mistake, we stopped by without looking up yelp.
(1)Katie W.
Blue is a nice lunch/dinner spot when you're looking for a fancier, yet reasonably priced place in the suburbs. The decor is inviting (the windows open up in the summer) and presentable enough for corporate meals. It's also frequented by the housewives of Newton. Food is average, selection is limited. The burger is decent, but I'm a fan of their parmesan fries, risotto special (with roasted peppers, shrimp or lobster), and brownie sundae. The brownie is served warm and gooey, it just melts in your mouth.
(3)Brian M.
Bottom Line: They didn't honor an advertised special. I discovered this place a while back because they are directly across from the Commuter Rail. After dropping off my girlfriend's car at a nearby repair shop, we went by here and had a great dinner. The food was really good. So, good, that we agreed to get on the email list when the waitress asked us. This was over a year ago. So, in one of the emails, they advertised a "Red White and Blue" special for the 4th of July. It said to click on the site for more information. Right below that on the site, there was a Burger and a Beer special for $12.99. It included a Harpoon beer. It said Mon-Thurs throughout July. I had seen this special before and had been tempted. We decided to go for it, because it was too hot to cook and it sounded pretty good. Here is the special: blueonhighland.com/events When we got there, the waitress said that was only going to be *after* the 4th. We said, hmm ok, we'll get our waters and bread or whatever. In the meantime, my GF went to their site on her smartphone. She found the offer and pointed out that it said ALL of July. The waitress got a manager, who came over huffing, "what's the problem." We described the situation and she, also, refused to honor it. The kicker is, the burger is always on the menu. Just throw in the beer!! And have happy customers. It's not that the customer is always right, we were just plain right. We said, if that's the case, we'll just leave. The manager just shrugged her shoulders and that was it.
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