I have been to Mission Oak several times for the "Bar Menu" specials. The bar is pretty vibrant and the food is tasty. This review is based on a dining room experience on a Saturday night. We had a table for eight adults, which was very comfortable. The restaurant was very crowded and the staff managed it very well. Our waiter was very attentive and let us "catch up" before asking for drink orders. We ordered a couple of bottles of wine for the table (pricey, but not obnoxious). Appetizers ordered included scallops wrapped in bacon, which were cooked perfectly with a portion size of four, fried calamari, which was tasty and light, shrimp skewers which were also very tasty and fresh. The main courses ranged from petite filets, KC sirloin, ahi tuna to mac n cheese. All meals were nicely presented and appropriately portioned. All of us were very happy with the preparation of our meals from the kitchen. Rare was rare, medium was medium, etc. The dining room is loud, but not unbearable. Our waiter (Darin) was excellent and unobtrusive yet attentive. I am a fan of Mission Oak and will be back often.
(4)
Cassie B.
I was here for a wedding of two people who I love DEARLY and put on a wonderful party; however, the wait staff was so unorganized and blatently rude. It was very upsetting. The couple deserved so much better than what was given on this day. The bar staff failed to mention to any guests ordering what the "hosted" beverages" were. So we ended up paying for a lot of drinks which we did not know were "included" or hosted". When we arrived upstairs for the party, they had failed to move the champagne and many beers/drinks upstairs so after waiting in line for 15 minutes, we were forced to order a different drink for $$. The one girl who was bar tending was not efficient which was causing the line to build up (at a wedding...). The icing on top of the cake (pun intended) was the waiter went around to our table to order our dinner (which we already providing in the invitation response) and he was SO IMPATIENT AND RUDE. A few of the guests at our table were in the wedding party and currently with the bride, so their dates had to order for them.....but he didn't have time to wait patiently apparently. The chicken and steak were both not good. We are not picky eaters and we have been to a lot of weddings. Very disappointing. Wonderful venue in terms of looks, we had so so much fun dancing the night away and with the people at the wedding, but the staff should be ashamed of themselves. This couple deserved way more.
(1)
Jay D.
Cool venue but food is sub par. The ribs (appetizer) were pre cooked, reheated and coated with sauce. Judging by the texture of the meat they were not cooked the same day. Ugh! Entrees were overly salted and the Bearnaise sauce tasted like it came out of a package. I would not spend the money to give this another try.
(1)
Jenna B.
Excellent service. Great selection of food. Beautiful ambiance. I thought the prices were reasonable. Only complaint was meats were slightly over cooked but that wouldn't stop us from going back.
(4)
Laurie M.
Against my better judgment, I gave this place one more try last night. I was with two local friends who had never been and I wanted to treat them to a nice night out. As I said in my last review, the place is beautiful and my friends agreed. Unfortunately, we also agreed that the food was terrible. My swordfish was caked in sauce that could have been delicious (Korean BBQ). They both ordered the steak tips which were overdone and flavorless. And the chowder: It was more like flour stew it was so thick. If you want good seafood and don't care about the decor, eat at Glenn's or, better yet, drive up to Surf or Jumpin Jays in Portsmouth. And if you want to know what good steak tastes like, go to Boston.
(1)
IntricateWeeski O.
My guests and I were very impressed with this restaurant. The food and drinks were excellent. We started with Oysters and Scallops wrapped with bacon. Our meals included a variety of steak and fish dishes which were all cooked to order. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because we waited a while for the waiter to come over to us initially. We will be coming back again.
(4)
Herb Z.
I came there with my wife and I had an amazing dinner and the service was excellent. The place was packed too. Wine list has grown to include many European ones. Same with cordials, and beers. I have no idea what the negative reviews are about, but every time I have been here, it's been amazing. Best steak house on the north shore and beyond.
(5)
Ray A.
We go here often. They have half priced apps every night (but Saturday) from the bar menu. They are open late and serve food late also. Useful for us theater folks for post production chatter. The food is quite good and the servers are friendly and competent. The manager (Hi Kerry!) has been very accommodating. Last week we arrived with no reservation and a party of 15. Kerry set us up on the outdoor patio and helped make it a great night.
(5)
Alexx M.
Terrible, nothing about this place is worth experiencing and they let me down on what was supposed to be my going away dinner with my mother. Thanks a lot we had to find another restaurant to eat at for the night.
(1)
Nicole W.
I have had nothing but great experiences every time I've come to mission oak I had a great drink tonight with prosecco and St. Germain and dessert chocolate pot which I all ready added photos of in the tip section of yelp...I'm always greeted promptly and it is not like I am a regular that comes in all the time so I'm not biased....
(5)
Brian G.
We loved it here! Four of us went to dinner for our birthdays and the experience was overwhelmingly positive. The menu is primarily steak and seafood. The appetizers were plentiful and the soups were delicious. We had the petite filet with scallops and it was portioned perfectly. My wife had a mai tai (kind of random at a steak/seafood place) but it was really good and quite strong. I stuck to beer - they had a decent selection on tap. The atmosphere was dark and cozy. The waitress was top notch. It is a bit pricey so probably will stick to birthday dinners and anniversaries.
Place is going downhill....and fast. Would hate to see the inside with the lights turned on. The springs in the booths are totally shot, the light fixtures are missing pieces, the floor is ick. Worst part is the limited menu. It appears large, but in reality it is limited and NEVER changes. Rarely offer specials and when they do it's always the same thing....which isn't really special now is it? Also, the temperature is always stifling hot....year round.
(2)
Joseph P.
Bartender Kristen was awesome...can't beat the 1/2 price bar food...high quality apps.
(5)
Ryan R.
We drove into town from Burlington MA and were very pleased with the atmosphere and attentiveness of the staff. Very well managed and food was excellent! The Special sangria margarita for Cinco was delicious!
(4)
John M.
You simply can't beat the bar happy hour menu at this place. The food is always consistent and Deliscous! Try the burger or mussels off the pub menu!
(4)
Bethany B.
Love that they offer 1/2 apps! I went there with my husband on a whim. We got several different apps to share! Calamari was great. Swordfish skewers were delicious! The mini slider were also very tasty! I had a delicious glass of wine also. We were still hungry so I had the petite filet! Cooked to perfection! The mushrooms on top paired paired so well with my wine!y husband got the fried fish and chip and the beef fried rice! We could not finish everything so the leftovers were also delicious!
(5)
john s.
Rude employees over priced menu items and overall unfriendly atmosphere. I walked in and waited 10mins while two female employees had a conversation at the podium before even acknowledging me. I then had to say to the host "I've been standing in front of you for 10mins and you haven't even said one word to me" I should have left then. The server was slow and very non responsive the food was decent but overall will not be back.
(2)
Ally H.
wow! my boyfriend and i got a gift certificate for xmas. didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised! i have pan seared tuna with these scallion pancakes that were amazing! Great drinks too! We loved it - can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ann M.
Maybe the restaurant has changed since it first opened. Certainly the executive chef is different now, which could make the following out of date, but still.... I have no impulse to try again. Lovely space, less than mediocre cooking. Added a star as reward for most extensive use of products right off the Sysco truck! I'd rather go to a place with actual, good cooking....
(2)
Amy W.
We came here based on the recommendation of our hotel. This traditional steakhouse delivered. I ordered the mussels as a starter, they were abundant, well-cooked, and interestingly seasoned including fresh ginger. We both ordered the petite filet, and had it prepared Oscar style. The steak was properly cooked and very tender. The lump crab meat was fresh and flavorful. The Bernaise sauce was a great accompaniment. And the asparagus, at the end of the season, was still tender and lightly grilled. The mashed potatoes were only okay. They have a wide wine selection, with something to suit every taste and price range. For dessert, I had the petite pot au chocolate, which is basically a glass of chocolate mousse. I chose a 20 year Port to accompany this. When our check came, that drink was $10 more than it was on the menu. The server quickly corrected the check with no fuss. One of the ways to distinguish five from four stars is in how the venue handles the inevitable error. This place was gracious. As we were leaving, a staff member offered to show us the reception hall upstairs, remodeled from the church sanctuary into a lovely and distinctive place for a wedding or other event. For the not so local--they have a weekday happy hour on appetizers in the bar area. This explains why on our arrival, the bar was packed, but the dining room was practically empty. Next time, I'll know!
I have only come here to write a review after reading a bad review by another Yelper. I can understand, as with any restaurant, that there may be a bad experience every now and then... but to preface this review I just need to establish that I have eaten at Mission Oak about 20 times. The food is top notch, probably the best in the Newburyport area. Tonight two members of my party had the petite fillet mignon which I was able to cut with a fork before it literally melted in my mouth. Once or twice I have eaten the 22 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye; and if you are looking for something special than go no further. This is a REAL piece of meat and the best Grill item on the menu. For something more adventurous I recommend the Moqueca or the Muscles. These guys really do muscles well and I have had them both as a starter and an entree. You should come here if you don't mind paying a little extra for premium food in a unique atmosphere. Good for a date, a business dinner, or a quiet family meal. P.S. Try to get the round table next to the open kitchen for one of the best seats in Newburyport
(5)
Joseph D.
Went to the place on thanksgiving night and day at the bar. The bartender was great and we enjoyed her company and service.. I ordered the lobster stew off of the special thanksgiving menu. The stew was the size of a small ash tray. Even the bartender was shocked. She offered to send it back but I felt bad. Other than this petit entree, the place is great.
(3)
Davide P.
Worth visiting during happy hour for the 1/2 priced apps. Sliders were good.
(3)
Thom K.
I would actually have gone 4.5 stars if that were an option, but still, it was pretty stellar. The only thing that doesn't measure up is the first thing you encounter: the hostess. We (and a number of others) were basically ignored as they, very slowly, got around to asking if we had reservations. Read the other reviews, what they experienced is about right. Disheartening to see an empty dining room and know that you can't sit. It's a terrible setup but seems to be the policy as they conduct it as second nature. We scored seats at the bar relatively quickly, and from then on, the experience was stellar. We were presented with menus and our drink orders taken promptly and in a friendly manner. (Man, the waitress was the spitting image of Valerie Harper!) For apps, the wife had the garlicky broccolini (which was very true to its name) and I had the crab empanadas. Both were very good. The apps came out quickly (though I have to admit, I'd have been pretty pumped if we'd been offered bread). For entrees, she had the steak tips and I had the Brazilian mixed grill. Again, both were excellent. Mine was four types of meat or fish, with a killer sauce (on the side). Deliciously spicy, and all of the meat was a perfect medium, just like I'd ordered. Her steak tips were excellent and the warm smoked potato salad is a MUST have! I wish they'd offer that as a side. We did not wait for drinks and the food was well paced. For dessert, she had the strawberry cheesecake (very good) and I had the Beignets (forget everything else, just get these!!!!). A-freakin'-mazing! You will NOT be disappointed if you order this dessert. We were not rushed to leave, but neither did we have to wait for the check; A+ all around on service (once we were seated). Meal was a bit pricey ($115 for 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and three drinks), but the quality and service were both high. The loan knock was when people were ordering drinks while standing behind us. The seat to the right of my wife was open, but people twice placed their drink order from behind me. That's sort of understandable, people are stupid, and rude. However, they were served the drinks where they had ordered (and the server knew that other seat was open), and that's just not thinking. Not enough to ruin the meal, but certainly something I'd like to see them fix.
(4)
D K.
So , you walk in to the restaurant and everything that's been broken, (doors, glass , light fixtures, benches with no springs) is still there, year after year. The room is so hot in the summer from the open cooking area... the manager will admit it....that people complain it's too hot with limited AC. The cooks are busy microwaving everything from the dull, same menus, year after year. The half price bar menu has smaller and smaller portions every week. When you go to the bathroom you can't wash your face because they are too cheap to supply paper towels.The owner is building a new restaurant in Swampscott and obviously not putting money into this Newburyport location. It's an overpriced dump.
(1)
Kristen D.
I have family that lives in Newburyport and they took us to dinner here last night. We had a reservation at 6, we arrived a few minutes early and got sat right away. A lot of reviews complain about service, but ours was fine-no complaints there. As others have noted, the bread and dipping oil/bean dip was tasty. I ordered the 5 oz petite filet, cooked medium. It was delicious and the perfect size for me. I subbed out the boursin mashed for roasted veggies, which were also great. My bf ordered the bone in rib eye (16 oz?) which he loved and devoured every last bite. I tried the broccolini it was served with, it was garlicky and delicious. Next time, I would order an additional side of it. My aunt ordered the chicken saltimbocca, which she enjoyed and it was a generous portion (looked like 2 large pieces of chicken) and she took home left overs. My uncle ordered the bone in rib eye too, I think, which he also enjoyed. I had 2 glasses of sangria, which were good and not overly strong. We did not have dessert. Ambiance-nice, dark wood. Open kitchen. It was a little dark while looking at the menu, but fine. Would definitely come back when visiting again.
(4)
Don M.
Burgers at the bar were great!
(5)
L W.
Went here for a special occasion (birthday) on Sunday night. Atmosphere is nice but cozy. Our sever was attentive and food came out fast (and there were a decent number of people there for a Sunday night!). Husband had prime rib special and loved it. I had roasted chicken and veggies. I liked that they had a simpler/lighter option on the menu - I wasn't feeling like anything heavy that day. Beer selection was lacking but it's really a wine place, not a beer place. We will be back again!
(4)
Colleen S.
We came in without a reservation and were told the entire dining room was reserved, but we could eat in the bar which was first come, first serve. This was fine for us as there was a perfect high top for 4 available. I will admit to seeing many table sin the DR empty during our time there, thinking that's not the best way to maximize your tables. But we had the same dinner in the bar and the food was fabulous! The service was however slow. Not sure why they had the dining room servers serving bar tables, we could see our server was very busy, but he left us waiting a lot, I didn't even get to order a second glass of wine, then after our food came out we heard another server tell the table next to us the specials, something our server never mentioned! The decor was dark but comfortable. It is an old church, but I believe the upstairs private function room is where you get the stained glass cathedral feel. We will be back, just hoping the service is better next time.
(4)
Ben C.
I had the chili. It was pretty good. It was different from what I'm used to. The smores brownie was good as well. Mine was moist unlike one of the other reviewers.
My husband and I ate here last night. The atmosphere is very pretty. A bit dark but pretty. The hostesses were very pleasant and welcomed us knowing that it was our first time dining here. Everything after that went down hill. Our waiter came over soon after we sat down to fill our water glasses. He didn't come back until about fifteen minutes later to ask if we wanted cocktails. My husband ordered a sangria and I just kept with my water. From here on out everything seemed staged. Our waiter never came back to offer us bread or ask us if we wanted apps. In fact, it was probably twenty minutes before he even came near our table before I flagged him over. When he saw me he responded "are you ready to put an order in for dinner?" I then responded that we would like an app first. We chose the calamari. Which came to us in a matter of 5 minutes by a food runner. Still no sign of our waiter and no bread. About ten minutes later I flagged him again. I asked him for bread and that we were ready to put our dinner orders in. My husband chose the Mac and cheese with chicken and I chose chic saltimbocca. During the time we waited for our dinner to come I heard the waitress at the table across from us read off specials to her guests. Interesting but we were never offered specials????? We finally got our meals and the saltimbocca was good. The Mac and cheese was not. In fact, it was very watery and no chicken. My husband asked for chicken and the waiter blamed it on the kitchen staff. He then came over with chicken breasts not sliced for my husband to add into his meal. After that instance the waiter never asked how our meals were. He avoided us like the plague. Dessert was okay. We ordered the s'mores brownie. The kicker was when we got the bill the waiter still charged us for the chicken. Unreal??? Normally you wouldn't be charged for a waiters mistake. Definitely will not be going back. Stay clear of this place.
(1)
S P.
Stopped in here with a friend for drinks and light dinner (aps). We had the empanadas, scallops in bacon, and crab cakes with prosecco and a wonderful wine. The server we had was awesome. My friend being in the food business (and I being a foodie) the waiter answered every question we had without skipping a beat and his recommendations were spot on with regard to the wine. He went out of his way to allow us to taste a few things before we ordered. (He did not know my friend was in the business.) We were both pleased with what we had and the service we received. The atmosphere is just perfect. I love the classy timeless decor. I had been here previously with my son and feel the same from that experience as well.
(5)
J I.
Food was great as it always is but the service was horrible. Our waiter was missing half of the night had to go to the bar to get another drink.
(2)
Luke A.
Came here on a saturday night, no reservations, at 7:00. Couldn't get seating for two in the dining area so I had to hit up the bar/lounge, which was fine by me. Got a nice high top seat for two and service was prompt considering how one person was running 9 tables at a time. Quick note: The dining room was only half filled, and we were told that there were reservations for the rest of them until 8:30, yet by the time we finished and left at 8, the dining room was still the same, half empty . . . To start, I got myself a nice cheap budweiser and some fries to snack on while waiting for my grub. The focaccia bread and hummus dip was delicious, which seemed to be an upgrade over the traditional bread and butter. The fries were nice, garnished with truffle oil and parmesan cheese with a spicy tangy dipping sauce. Anyways, I ordered the wonderful filet mignon with a nice upcharge for the grilled scallops. Totally worth it, the scallops were moist, tender, and perfectly seasoned. The filet was phenomenal, got it nice and rare (the way its supposed to be) and thus I had savory, juicy bites of meat every time. The seasoning was very simple and the mignon was topped with mushrooms, which didn't hurt at all. I didn't really delve too much into the mashed potatoes that were ridiculously hot in the mini kettle they put them in as I was very full. My wonderful lady got the Motecahsadfahsf thing, I'm sorry but I can't remember if off the top of my head. Sounded very Aztecan, yet was nothing of the sort. It was a delicious stew of seafood consisting of salmon, clams, whitefish (cod), shrimp, mussels, and squid. It also had a mound of risotta drowning in the broth which only made it more enjoyable. The flavors were incredibly robust and well rounded, however, it was such a huge portion (I guess it was to justify the hefty pricetag for it) we couldnt finish amongst the two of us. The ambiance and decor is nice here, but it definitely caters to the 30+ crowd, which is generally what the majority of the population is in Newburyport. While it is a bit pricey, the quality of the food definitely justified it. A wonderful place to eat and have a good time. Thanks.
(4)
Cathy R.
The atmosphere is actually quite lovely, the service is very efficient and friendly, but the food - lackluster at best. Hubby and I went for a romantic dinner on a Saturday night, relatively early in the evening. BOTH of the entrees we wanted (lamb and steak tips) were already sold out. I could understand this at the END of the night, but at 7:30 PM???? Ultimately, we both ordered the petite filet. Hubby's was twice the size of mine and cooked the way we both ordered it. Mine was small and well-done (we both ordered medium rare). When I complained, the waiter did take it back and bring me a freshly cooked new filet that was tender and delicious, but it didn't arrive until after hubby finished eating. Everyone we know who eats there raves about it so we decided to give them another try. Hubby got the lamb and fully a third of it was fatty and inedible, although what he did eat, he said was fabulous. I got the steak tips and what a disappointment. First, they are all different sizes but cooked together, so regardless of how you order them (I wanted medium rare) you get them cooked every which way - small ones are dry and well done, large ones were almost raw. And the rub they use is quite salty. The garlic mashed are okay - nothing special - but a better choice is their boursin mashed. Totally divine. The coffee is excellent, and the desserts are also quite nice. But this is not enough to overcome the problems with the entrees. Son and hubby have gone there several times after Masonic meetings (they are diagonally across the street from the Masonic Lodge on Green Street). They both say the bar menu is OK but feel it is overpriced. So we went one last time, later in the evening, about 9 PM. First, it was nice that they allowed us to order off the bar menu even though we were eating in the dining room. Hubby got the skewers (which he really enjoyed) and escargot (he said they were rubbery). I got chicken wings - nice that they will prepare them different ways, and I had the plain version - and they were delicious but we are talking 7 chicken wing PIECES, not an entire wing! I also got the chopped salad and I have to say, it was delicious... definitely fresh, the tomatoes were sweet, and I really enjoyed it. My guess is that it's hit or miss... but not a place I would rush back to, considering the prices.
(2)
Maura w.
Food was ok overall. But dessert? The creme brule was pitiful. Soupy and cold. Service terrible. Our waiter was clueless. and sweaty... We live in NBPT and come here a bunch. Tonite sucked.. Gotta think hard about a repeat visit... Don't go out of business guys...
(2)
Jen W.
Service was mediocre at best and we were one of three tables in the whole place. My prosecco drink was lacking prosecco (or so it seemed) and my grilled scallops were burnt. Roasted veggie side lacked any kind of flavor. The only saving grace was the petite filet, but for the money, drive and crap service I can get that anywhere.
(2)
Justin H.
Just got back from a dinner for my wife's birthday. Went with the in-laws, so a party of 5. We were seated at the "chef's table" - larger table right in front of the open kitchen. The decor made it one of the nicest places I've been to in quite a while, definitely feels like a special occasional place. I hate when you go somewhere supposedly high end and it just feels like TGI Friday's or the 99 when you get there, not the case here. Even our fellow diners were mostly the classy sort. Finally, someplace without people in Pajamas and kids causing a ruckus. I'll be back for this reason alone. Our reservation was for 7:30, we were seated on the dot. Our server was personable, quick but not rushing with menus, drinks etc. We did wait what felt like an awkward amount of time between apps and our meals, but that may have been my fault as I ordered braised ribs. All 5 of us had something different, and all loved it. Every piece of meat cooked perfectly. Portions weren't as generous as you'd typically find at a place with such a steak-house like menu, but all were satisfied. Having gotten the ribs, I had more meat than anyone else and have just enough left for lunch sometime in the next few days. No one else had anything to take home, except a bone one lucky hound is going to get. Having sat right next to the open kitchen, it was like a non-trashy version of Hell's Kitchen. The kitchen crew was very professional and fun to watch. Every plate coming out of their was a piece of art. I debated going 4 stars just because the pricing seemed a little high for a steakhouse menu, but in retrospect the overall experience was 5 stars.
(5)
Kell B.
Lets start with the pros because they are very limited: -bread was delicious, the dip was ok -nice lightening and decor -baked potato yummy but you can't mess that up can you? -ceasar salad ok cons- -tables are to high for the chairs -booths are to close to the table barely enough room to move around and I'm small -filet mignon was cooked well done when asked for medium rare, it was a terrible cut of meat -steak tips were suppose to be medium rare, some were cooked well and some were cooked rare rare -Now for service, terrible absolutely terrible it took 15 minutes for our wine to come to the table.. our server was awkward and uncomfortable.. and the food took forever as well. No plans on returning in the future
(2)
Craig M.
Similar to other reviews : Food is delicious-service is nowhere near where it needs to be. Served wrong bottle of wine, waited forever for water/drink refills, soups/appetizers took long time and were not served with crackers until requested. This was a Monday and the restaurant was not busy.
(3)
Francesca M.
Tonight my husband and I had a wonderful dinner at the mission oak grill. The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. Contempary and classy. The hostess was super sweet and sat us right away. Our server Darren was wonderful. Very attentive and helpful. The food was FAB! Tuna tartar was fresh and delicious and the bacon wrapped scallops were drool inducing. For dinner a perfectly cooked 22oz rib eye and some good ole mac n cheese really hit the spot. We live in gloucester mass but we will definitely be traveling back here for another wonderful experience.
(4)
Toby W.
Had to write a review after reading one written back in March of this year comparing the food to the 99. Seriously??? Does the 99 serve their fries kissed with truffle oil and grated parmesan? I don't think so. And the fried calamari appetizer with lemon slices fried, skins, rind and all....are wonderful. I once saw a diner order a plate of just the fried lemon slices because they were so unique. The Margherita pizza at the bar is delicious. One will serve two people. The macaroni and cheese at the bar may sound like peasant food but their version is anything but. The large portion is enough to take some home for tomorrow's dinner. Yes they have some pubby choices....on the pub menu. A plate of 3 different beef burger sliders; haddock kabobs; mussels. We sat at a table one night right near where the food comes out of the open kitchen for the waiters to pick up. We were drooling over everything we saw. I've said enough. The last thing I want is for word to spread so it gets so busy I can't get a seat.
(4)
Bos'n H.
I have been here several times over the last few years, and it was always fantastic (maybe because I knew my waiter personally?). My last visit, not so much. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar for a quick glass of wine and dinner. Service: errrr....our bartender was just 'ok'. He was friendly and all when we sat down, but it seems like after we ordered we disappeared to him. Not once did he ask how our food was (and to be honest, it kinda sucked but I'll get to that later) or if we needed anything. He never asked if we wanted another round of drinks or dessert. He just slipped us the check. um, ok. Food: I had a chicken club. It had good flavor, but the bread was not exactly fresh. It crumbled apart when I bit into it. My boyfriend had the sirloin chili. Ho-ly CRAP was it SALTY!!! He had to stop after eating half. I probably would have sent it back (nicely, of course), but again, our bartender never came back to ask us how everything was anyway, so whatevs.
(1)
Deborah A.
Had absolutely delicious and fabulously presented appetizers at the Mission Oak Grill last night. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is lovely. Celine, who served us at the bar was especially wonderful. It is one of the best restaurants in town for sure!!
(5)
Dianna K.
I love this place. They run a great happy hour with food during the week and I heard now on weekends. You can order off the bar menu for half price. I always get the muscles which are delicious. Because it's half price I usually try something else I haven't had before. It's so reasonable you don't feel guilty ordering more than one dish. If you don't finish it you can take it home. It's the best deal in town! Service is fabulous too!!
(5)
Richard W.
I have had dinner at Mission Oak Grill a few times, and enjoyed it very much every time. The atmosphere is very interesting a pleasant, a restaurant in an old church. The Brazilian-fusion cuisine will make any meat-lover happy, can't recommend the Churrasco steak enough. The waitstaff was very attentive and hospitable.
(4)
Martha L.
Appetizers - 5 stars Entrees - 3.5 - maybe 4 stars, ok, I'm being stingy - 4 stars Service - execution 4 stars, attitude, 5 stars Hostess, server and someone who I believe to be a manager, all friendly and professional. Warm, welcoming, interacted when invited to do so, didn't intrude. Focaccia with garbanzo bean dip - really good. DH and I shared everything - why wouldn't we? Appetizers - short rib empanadas with salsa criolla - no idea what that means, but it was delicious! Maybe a relative of mole? Or maybe I'm all wrong, but the beauty of it is the sauce is on the side, so if you don't agree with me, no harm, no foul. Thai style baby back ribs - again, delicious. Crisp, moist, sauce was delicious. It could have been more strongly seasoned, but it wasn't bland or boring, just so good tha t I wouldn't have minded it being more assertive. Special of the evening - sesame seed crusted yellowfin tuna. Tuna was generous, raw-rare, really fresh and delicious. The sesame seeds were a little underseared. I don't love sushi rice no matter what, so I can't judge that. Two sauces - wasabi and I don't remember the other - it was a wonderful flavor, but a little too sweet for my liking. By using it sparingly, it was an enhancement. However, eating just plain tuna makes me perfectly happy! The final touch was pan seared baby bok choy, cooked perfectly. The other entree DH and I shared was the Brazilian mixed grill. Choricio - excellent - shrimp - large, not overcooked, delicious. The skirt steak was cooked as requested, but there was a flavor in the marinade that, to me, conflicted with the beef. Service - to me, for the most part, attitude is more important than details. My only real complaint about the service was attention to our water glasses. It's a common shortcoming in restaurants of all levels, but I wish it weren't. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Jon L.
visited last night 6/20/13 and had the ahi tuna (Amazing) my friend had the shrimp scampi (a lot of food). Everything was amazing and service was great. Will be back
(5)
Jamie P.
Nice little place to eat with a great selection of food and the bar was packed while we were there. The beer selection was disappointingly limited. The steak tips were cooked to perfection. I'd definitely eat here again if we're in the area.
(3)
Ellen D.
Came here last night for a New Years Eve dinner. I was a little hesitant after reading some of the other Yelp reviews but was pleasantly surprised. Highlights: the food was truly fantastic. We started with the Short Rib empanadas. Perfect cooked, the meat inside was so juicy and flavorful. I got the 10 oz filet. The side of potatoes were great and the sauce with the filet was a wonderful compliment. The hubby got a bone in rib eye. He said it was one of the best steaks he's ever had. Both cuts of meat were cooked perfectly. Downsides: Drinks took 15-20 minutes to come to our table. Server was absent. I think she was at our table a total of 4 times. The first 3 was when the place was jamming. Our entrees were served and we did not see her got 30 minutes afterwards. I also understand it was NYE but we felt rushed as well. If your going to pay that much for a meal in my option they should let you enjoy it and take your time. I will be trying this restaurant again with the hopes the service will be better.
(3)
Elle C.
This is the weirdest Yelp review I have ever written. But it's true. A recent Saturday night: We made a late reservation because we wanted to have a quiet dinner. Apparently it wasn't late enough because we were in a packed place! (good for Mission Oak, bad for us) The party next to us was seated at the same time. I hate when places do that to you because then the wait person says the wine list right next to you, and then says it to you. Then they say the specials twice, etc etc. The table next to us even chimed in about a question I asked a question about the wine to the amazing professional waiter. I smiled but I didn't really want their opinion. Anyway, that isn't the Mission Oak grills fault. We chose to slow it down by getting appetizers and drinks before even looking at dinner so we could enjoy our meal in peace. The table on the other side of us was almost done and talking at a normal level so we didn't even notice them. As for the bar menu and drinks, They have really great wine deals, but unfortunately for us everything under $50 was sold out. I ordered "Mommy's Helper" because of the ingredients, and oh man, I am not a mom but I could see how those would help I had two, but I could have had about 10. Flavor wise, I would have been on the ground if I had had 10. Dinner was amazing, and our server was a professional. You should go there. I will go back another time though, because of this plot line: It isn't the mission grills fault, but the people next to us were weird. They were talking loudly enough for us to hear their whole conversation and frankly I think they were having an affair. They were talking their children in ways that I could tell meant they didn't have them together, and there wasn't any pleasant chatter about plans in the past or the future that normally happens with couples who are in a relationships. I've sat next to enough people to know something was off, and my date and I exchanged looks throughout the night when they said weird things. I think they were in the same circle of friends because they talked about people they both knew, but it didn't sound right. We figured they snuck off for a dinner without their spouses who are clearly not from Newburyport since this place was packed! Anyway, maybe this is rude but we were glad when they left, and laughed about it, compared thoughts, and just sighed. The fun of going to dinner, right? We ordered our amazing desserts, and then went to check out the upstairs of the building which is an old church hall. Very amazing, and worth coming back with out of town guests to show. We even made mental plans to come back with guests we have coming this summer. Then I went to the bathroom. Normally this is not anyone's business, but this is related to my previous plot. I thought I was alone in the bathroom, and then became aware that I was not when I heard someone make a noise... and non bathroom related noise. You could clearly see the handicap stall to me, there were men's shoes and a lady's purse in the corner. Gross. My skin crawls just typing it. I got out of there as quickly as I could, and frankly, figured it was our weird dining neighbors. The hostess wasn't at the stand when I walked by, and I'm not sure what I would have said if she was there. The Mission Grill is a classy spot and I hope they finished their business and got out of there. I will go back there, but after I stop being creeped out by how gross some people can be. This isn't a sleazy meet up for out of town affairs...in my opinion! Food is as good as it gets, but frankly, can't keep that story out of my review.
(5)
Brendan F.
The interior/decor here is awesome. Good drink selection, and food is good, but not great. Wish there was better parking options, really inconvenient on a busy night.
(4)
Dan F.
Disclaimer: I try to make my posts as objective as possible and try to be funny without sounding retarded or like I'm forcing it. Some people find Yelp to be a place to waylay places they've had one bad experience at and don't consider the positive aspects of said places. If you are posting reviews for everyone else's sake, post helpful informative reviews, not a string complaints with as many question marks. You look like a bitch. No one likes a bitch. If you have legitimately had an awful experience, or multiple that's another thing together and that's too bad. I have been to Mission Oak Grill on several occasions but the first time in recent years was on Easter 2011. We had a party of 11 and we had a great time. Everyone got a variety of dishes and people raved about the food and drinks. My wife and I both had the Filet Oscar, she had the mini version (5oz) which for her was the perfect size after the appetizers and bread. However we both could have eaten this meal literally for the rest of our lives. This was the best surf and turf dish I have ever had hands down, certainly the best Filet Oscar ever and possibly the best steak meal ever. The crab was cool and melted in your mouth like butter and the steak was cooked to perfection! So were the sides for that matter. Service was attentive and professional and because we had a large party we had two waitresses, one who was definitely a pro and the other was new so the few times she seemed to hesitate or falter are completely understandable. The atmosphere is really cool, lots of dark wood, contemporary and comfortable all at once. The lighting was also quite dim, something I really like because I am sensitive to bright lights and I like a taverny feel even in contemporary settings. This posed an issue for the eldest members of our party (in their 80s), but all turned out fine. Although I think I remember an elderly woman falling at some point during dinner...This could have been somewhere else but I'm 95% sure it was at Mission Oak... Don't worry she sprang up like a boxer after a short count. It is a pretty expensive restaurant but the quality of the food, the atmosphere, professional service, and the fact that it is in Newburyport (it's pricey here, don't come here if you don't like spending money) make it excusable. My wife and I have been back and it continues to be wonderful. The only complaint would be the dim lighting but as mentioned before, I think I'm part bat because I liked it, I just know that many think it's too dark. Go forth and enjoy.
(5)
Andrew G.
Very inconsistent. I have been a few times and had one of the best meals in a while, and other times have been very disappointed. When the food is good though, it is great. I have had both steaks and fish here. Drink is moderately priced for the area. The pub menu is very reasonable as well. The decor is very comforting as well. I just wish it was more consistent. The service leaves something to be desired as well. I have never had a great experience with service. Each time I have gone it has always been busy, but that should not be an excuse. The last time I was there I had one glass of wine. That I ordered with my appetizer, and when my meal came my server dropped off the food and bolted without asking if we needed anything else.
(3)
M L.
A very pretty restaurant in a converted church. Food was good. But service was abominable from start to finish. I made reservations at 6:00 on a Saturday night and when I checked in with the hostess she insisted our reservation was for 6:30, told me the restaurant was full, and our table would not be ready until then. I pulled up the confirmation email on my phone for 6:00 that lo and behold! - a table for us was found. When seating us, however, she told us that she did not have any menus available. Our waitress took forever to come over to us, and when she did asked if she "could start us off with some water." I do not need to be asked if I need water. We asked for menus in addition to water. Long wait time for water and menus. Another long wait for her to return for our drink order. And still another excruciatingly long wait for her to return with drinks and then tried to leave quickly until we grabbed her back and asked if we could order our dinner. We had theater tickets - just a block away - at 8:00 p.m. Our dinner orders were taken about 6:45 and 7:30 our dinners had still not arrived in spite of us asking twice about our meals and reminding our waitress that we had theater tickets. At 7:30 my husband went to talk to the manager about canceling our dinner and our meals arrived while he was gonee. So we rushed through our $30 entrees in 10 minutes flat. Not the leisurely dinner we had hoped for. Food was good but scarfing an expensive meal is never fun. My husband asked for our coats and the hostess brought not only our coats, but two extra coats that did not belong to us. All in all, a really poor experience from start to finish. There are so many great dining spots in Newburyport that this one is now off of our list. Terrible.
(1)
Angela B.
Loved the location and the inside was very trendy but the experience was horrible. I will never go back. I came here with some friends and we were seated in a booth by the bar that had a draft that was ice cold. I don't mean a small annoying draft but a teeth chattering cold breeze like a window was left open. We asked to move and then had to wait a half and hour till a waitress even greeted us and then another 20 minutes till our drinks arrived. If the place was packed I would cut them some slack but it was maybe half full with plenty of staff hanging around. At least give us a water or some bread to keep us content. My husband was beyond pissed and let the waitress know. We waited another ridiculous amount of time for the food, which I think is overpriced, even for Newburyport. My scallops were good but the risotto it came with was oddly sweet and tasted a little off. My husband and friend said the steak was nothing special. Overall our experience there made us decide we would never go back again.
(2)
Thomas A.
The Mission Oak Grill was highly recommended by friends. We were not disappointed. The room is terrific - low lighting, booths and tables set far enough apart to provide for quiet and privacy, and a nice calm mood. The food was exceptional. Our guest had the Ahi Tuna and said it was perfect. She and my wife split a pear salad that they raved about the rest of the evening! My wife had steak and the boursin mashed potatoes (to die for!) - and I had the chicken saltimbocca which is probably the best I have ever had...anywhere. To top of a terrific meal, the service was perfect. Hats off to our wait staff Tony. Mission Oak Grill earns my first 5-Star rating. Well done!!!
(5)
Jennifer D.
Meh.... I went here on a whim. A friend of mine wanted to meet in Newburyport for dinner. We both parked on Green St. and immediately noticed the Mission Oak Grill, checked out the outdoor menu, and decided to give it a go. We walk in and are seated at a booth (upon request), it was nice and cozy, low lighting, would be great for a date/dinner with friends/a group/ or just drinks after work at the bar area. Our server was great, he was very friendly (can't remember his name). Started with the "special empanadas" which were steak and goat cheese filled, on some crispy onion straws and a couple of hot peppers I believe. I didn't try myself but my friend liked them, they looked pretty tasty. I opted for the oysters, they don't state what kind they are (wellfleet, gulf, etc), but anyways I got a half dozen of them. Presented on a round iced platter, with a lemon wedge, and a cup of cocktail sauce with a dollop of horseradish in the middle. They were mediocre at best. They didn't do a good job of cleaning up the shell, I actually got bits of it in my mouth, and they weren't well shucked. They were not subtly sweet either....fail. The entree I wanted they ran out of, but that's ok. It was the rack of lamb and it sounded delish! My friend and I both got the skirt steak with Chimichurri sauce, mission oak fries, I opted to sub out the fries for asparagus. The skirt was not cooked to the medium rare I asked for, but it was tender, although a little fatty. The chimichurri was just ok, I've made it myself over a dozen times and mine TRUMPS IT!!!! LOL. The asparagus was grilled, some were cooked alright, some pieces were straight up burnt! The "mission oak fries," looked completely unappetizing and were like humongous wedges of potatoes....their take on fries apparently. For what this place charges, and for claiming to be "fine dining," they missed the mark BIG TIME. I will not be rushing back. Side note: After realizing what I wanted to order wasn't available, the server did make another suggestion which sounded pretty yummy, I just wasn't in the mood. And people, I write reviews based on food. I'm giving an accurate account of what I ate there tonight, if I went back and ordered something completely different, I will update.
(3)
Audrey I.
Sit at the end of the bar and you get great service and an entertaining view of other patrons!
(3)
Chris D.
Had dinner here with my girlfriend and some friends awhile back. I was slightly confused by their portion and plating as they seem to aim for more of a fine dining concept as they pertain and reflect upon the decor as well however the menu reads like more of a steakhouse so I'm not sure which it is but regardless the food was only slightly memorable. Though I can't recall the details which bothers me when I go to write a review on here I will say that they have a tastefully appointed dining room and I did enjoy their exposed kitchen.
(3)
Christian M.
Really, this is one of the nicest places I have been. From the start, the decor is classy and casual at the same time, nice leather quiet private and intimate. I have never had a bad meal, the Fried Oysters are spectacular, the meals are original and flavorful. The steaks are great, thick and juicy, cooked to perfection. The staff is attentive and so helpful, but is not hovering. If you need a special place or nice night out, it can be any of those. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Also check out their new large table seating area, nice for a group of up to 20.
(4)
Inthe B.
This was my first visit to Mission Oak Grille. My companions and I sat at the bar and although the bartender seemed to be a bit flustered, we received some great service with a smile. The food came out in a timely manor and was absolutely delicious. We had mussels(yum! Garlicky) crab cakes, and spinach salads...nicely done(although we didn't get any bread until we asked toward the middle of the meal). The thing that keeps this review from being 5 star, is that there were some people near the service bar( , whom I think work for the restaurant) with a child, and they were allowing him to grab cherries out of the tray that they garnish patrons drinks with...gross! Thank goodness I only had a glass of wine!
(4)
Rosy R.
Come on people... Offer something decent at bar. Sliders are like over cooked gun shot.spinach salad used to be big, now not enough for 1/2 a person. Nothing but nothing healthy on bar menu..get with the healthy eating program, and serve what you offer well. Grrrrr
(1)
shelly j.
The food was good, portions very small. I have filet with potatos 5oz was size of a nugget. My boyfriend had steak tips that were suppose to be medium and were charred black crispy and bacon potoato salad that tasted like plain boiled potatos. The best part of this whole experience is the bill came to 79 dollars and the server, authorized my creditcard 3 times!!! Which put a hold on my funds for 230 dollars!!! And didnt even tell me!!!! I had to call and the women said it would drop off in 5 to 10 days!!! R u serious??!!! After speaking to manager she took charges off by contacting my bank, but didnt really say anything except sorry, ill tell the server. I will never go back!!!
(1)
Bridgette C.
Great food in a fun location! Definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Elana H.
While the food was great, it could not make up for the awful service we received on Mother's Day. When we arrived, about 15 minutes before our reservation, there was no one at the host/hostess stand to greet us. We stood there for 10 minutes with waitstaff passing us (not even giving a courteous, 'someone will be with you in a moment') before the host appeared. He took our name and found our reservations. He was about to seat us when he saw the people behind us and took their name, and found their reservation, which they were 15 minutes late for. He made us stand there while he sat them first. We were at the table closest to the front door. It was incredibly drafty. I had to wear my coat the entire meal. We had to wait 20 minutes before my husband flagged down a waitress to get us our water (we were apparently in 'no ones' section). Finally they arrived to offer us drinks, we let them know that after a 1/2 hour of waiting, we were ready to order. We received a half-hearted apology towards the end from the waitress who took our table, but not once did management come to soothe any ruffled feathers. The place wasn't even all that busy. Just awful and embarrassing to take the in-laws. We will never go back.
(1)
glenn k.
My wife and I went NBPT for dinner last night and decided to try Mission Oak Grill based on a couple reviews from friends around town. The place was almost full on a Thursday night - a good sign. We sat at the bar. Warm, dark, comfortable and very nice people next to us on both side. The bartender greeted us promptly and served us each a glass of wine (I very much enjoyed the Christine Andrew Chardonnay. She had the Hill & Dale Sauvignon Blanc - decent.). Contrary to many reviews, our service was excellent. Very pleasant, perfectly informative and timely delivery of bread, appetizer and entree. So, 4 stars for ambience and service. On to the food. Okay, I've read several reviews here about how great/flavorful/tasty the food is at Mission Oak Grill. People, do we understand the difference between flavor and salt? Hopefully it was just our meal, and apologies for the expression, but HOLY SODIUM OVERLOAD. I drank a bottle of water on the way home. Mind you, I am one with multiple salt caves and known to not be bashful about seasoning while I cook - maybe even a little too much. This was ridiculous. In order: Focaccia Bread - Liberally seasoned. Light to mild oil (as it should be). Very good. Steamed PEI Mussels - Perfect size (small to med). Sweet, tender, very tasty. However, the broth was so overly salted it was almost undippable ( new word?) with the two well prepared crusty bread slices (also seasoned). Not a concentrated reduction broth - SALT! Lot's of it. Simply Grilled Churrasco (classic Brazilian steak) for me. - A perfectly medium-well cooked marinated flank steak covered with what would be a delicious dark sauce if not for being so salty my lips began to pucker. The Crispy Shoestring fries were perfectly cooked, but again heavily heavily salted. A quick shake or rub off and they were very good. 10oz Filet Mignon for the wife - A well portioned, slightly undercooked medium filet served with mashed potato and the entire plate is smothered in Madeira Demi Glace that was so salty it tasted as if it we spooned from a jar of Better Than Boullion and mixed with a shot of wine and topped with two wilted and burnt broccolini spears (not eaten). The sauce rendered what was otherwise a decent steak and light, fluffy mashed potato utterly inedible. So much so that we were hesitant to even bring home leftover to the dogs (I washed it off). We found the pricing to be on par with what other North Shore restaurants attempting to be similar "fine dining" experiences to be. I do not begrudge any restaurant for pricing. There are too many resources available to get this information before one enters a restaurant. And there is almost always a menu posted or available before entering. If it too pricey for your budget, there is surely an establishment in the area that is not. I prefer to measure price versus quality of the experience in similar establishments in the area. If patrons are foolish enough to continue to pay the price for lesser quality, it is surely not the owners fault. If not, they will adjust accordingly or suffer the same consequence many restaurants do. Final thoughts: I wouldn't say 'Don't go to Mission Oak Grill' as it is a very nice atmosphere. But if you do go, request all sauces on the side and to go a little easy on the salt (blame it on special dietary needs, if necessary). My guess is the actual flavors of the food might be a little better than we experienced. You can always add the sauce and sodium if you like - you just can't take it away.
(2)
Dan P.
Went to Mission Oak Grill mid week with my wife and parents. Atmosphere- friendly hostess and a down to earth personable waitress. Had that classy steak house look to it. Dim lights, red booths and chairs and a nice wood finish. Apps- Mussels. Good portion with a spicy kick to the light tomato sauce. Perfect. Buretta Mozzarella - lighter than Buffalo, sliced with tomato in a delicious light dressing. Perfect Oyster Rockafella- actually baked in a Escargot plate. Easier than eating it out of the shell- perfect flavor and taste. Entree- all 4 of us got Filets. My mother got the petit 5 oz. my wife had the 10oz and my father and I had Oscar style- 10oz with a hollandaise sauce and crab Meat. Wow absolutely perfect. Reason I tried this is because I had a Phantom Gourmet Gift Card. I thought it was a perfect meal and a perfect night. Don't get me wrong you will pay good $$($30+ entree) but it is worth it- especially when you wash it down with 2 bottles of delicious American Cabinet. It's a must try and I can't wait To go again for a special occasion.
(5)
Matt P.
I reluctantly give five stars given that our meal did not start off well. Let me start there. We arrived early for our reservation and had a nice booth ready for us when we arrived. We were given menus when we sat and then we sat and sat... the waiter for the table next to us finally asked us if anyone had been over after we sat there for ten minutes. He then got the ball rolling by getting our cocktails, which made the next five minutes waiting for our server bearable! Once our server showed up, everything was great! We ordered scollaps wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, which was delicious! It was a bit pricey at $14 for just 4 scallops but the flavor was absolutely perfect! Next we each had a cup of clam chowder. The chowder was the best we ever had. It was very creamy and had lot s of flavor. Th entrees that followed were just as exceptional, I had the grillen chicken saltimbocco and my wife has the petite filet mignon. The waitress apologized at the end of our meal for the wait we had endured when we sat down. I appreciated that and even that 15 minutes couldn't take this five star meal to a four star meal- the food is that good and the service was fine after that!
(5)
Ashley K.
I went to Mission Oak Grill on my first trip to Newburyport. The town was amazing and so was this restaurant!! The drinks were great, the steak was amazing, and the people of Newburyport were very welcoming. Although the food took a very long time to come to the table, the waitress made up for it by giving my boyfriend and I tips on all the best places to go visit in the surrounding area. I would make Mission Oak Grill my first stop when I visit again.
(4)
Patty T.
We went to Mission Oak Grill for our anniversary last week. Based on reviews in Yelp, I was pretty sure what I was going to order. Unfortunately, I second guessed myself and now I need to go back and try something else. The sangria was delicious. I had two glasses. Yum. The crab empanada app was the best thing we ate that night. I wish we'd had more of them. Very tasty. For dinner, I had the scallops with risotto and my husband had the rib-eye. The scallops and risotto were good, not OMG good as I was expecting based on many Yelp reviews. I wanted to try the Moqueca but somehow talked myself into the scallops. My husband's rib eye was good but again, not OMG. He talked himself out of the Churrasco so he wants to go back for that. We didn't have dessert but we did join their Loyalty Club and so have a free dessert next time we go. Psyched.
(3)
joana b.
loved this place, will def. be back soon! old church transformed into nice restaurant, away from harbor, but walking distance and worth it. sangria perfectly yummy $9/glass caesar salad, skip it $4 (dinner side) soggy lettuce, runny dressing, just not that pleasing. bread basket with mashed garbarzo beans, olive oil, garlic, pepper ( honey says it was yummy) i passed on the bread. crab empanada $12 great taste, light, with yummy sauce drizzled on plate (beautiful presentation) great waiter, attentive, informative, but kept a good distance, he was available, but not in our face, never rushing us. I called and reserved a "table, not too close to kitchen traffic, and away from main entrance) we had never been here, so didn't know what to ask for. We got a booth near the wine rack, perfect spot:) atmosphere great, dim, dark rich woods. entrees matacquo (SP?) $25 OMGG SO DELICIOUS, i commented to waiter tell the chef, great job, and we want recipe. Chef Christopher came to table, and spoke with us for like 10 minutes, about the meal, the origin of the restaurant, etc. awesome! me and BF spent a while deciphering the flavors married together to make this dish so phenomenal! scallops, gulf bay shrimp, cherrystones, mussels, swordfish, shrimp stock, jasmine rice, coconut milk, cilantro,green onions...just yummy! petite filet oscar $29 5 oz. filet cooked to perfection, melt in mouth crab, yummy aspagus (oven roasted) and mashed potatoes where good, but i would have liked option of truffle fries or something else. didn't think to ask. we skipped dessert/coffee $110 for a phenomenal meal!!! CAN'T RECOMMEND THIS PLACE HIGHLY ENOUGH!!! ENJOY!!!
(5)
Leah R.
After seeing a review of this place on Phantom Gourmet, I made a reservation. What sold me? Some delicious looking chocolate cake with marshmallow center! I don't eat steak but the dessert alone was enough for me. And my boyfriend's a huge carnivore so I figured we'd both be happy. I made my reservation and confirmed with the person I spoke with that the dessert on Phantom Gourmet was still on the menu. I was told it was. We got to the restaurant and had a drink and oysters at the bar. Service here was kind of lacking. We weren't even acknowledged for about 5 minutes, let alone asked what we wanted to drink. No real innovative cocktails and kind of a small wine-by-glass list, but we had no problem finding something to drink. At the table, we ordered dinner. My boyfriend ordered the rib-eye; if it had been socially acceptable, he would've licked the plate. I ordered scallops and they were the biggest I'd ever seen. Finally finished dinner and I was excited for dessert. I asked about the cake and our waitress informed me that all desserts were now being made in-house and the smores cake was now a smores brownie. WHAT??? I don't even like brownies! I ordered it anyway and was sorely disappointed - kinda dry and crumbly and definitely not at all like a cake with a gooey, dripping marshmallow center. The food was good, atmosphere nice and modern. Probably won't drive from Boston to Newburyport for this place again but a nice overall experience.
(4)
Mandy M.
I love the atmosphere here. Dark wood, cool bar, nice booths. It's great. We had friends visiting from SLC and we brought them here - as we're all used to San Francisco restaurants. The first time our waitress was a little much - sort of barging in at all the wrong times and didn't really match the vibe in there - but the second time it was great. I'd like to see a little more diversity on the menu but for the most part - delicious food - particularly the scallops w/risotto and the oysters were straight up YUM town. Cocktails are great, they have honig on the menu (hooray!) and I leave feeling happy every time. Good stuff.
(4)
Scott H.
Went in with the wife today at 5:30. Very quiet since it was early. We sat at the far end of the bar and ordered a couple drinks, which we excellent. When shared two apps - scallops wrapped in bacon with a maple mustard sauce and escargot. Both were excellent. Opted to choose our entrees from the bar menu...my wife had a burger and I had the steak tenderloin sandwich. Both were good, but not the best we've had. We will go back and try the full dinner menu soon. Also, the bartender was very attentive.
(4)
Wendy B.
The food was fine, but... 1) Our waitress barely seemed to work here. She couldn't answer our questions or get anything done on our behalf. 2) It was so dark that it hurt our eyes to strain to see - and we are 31!
(2)
Sarah K.
I love this place! I've been here several times since it opened and it has always been amazing. My favorite is the scallop entree, the scallops are huge and prepared perfectly. I also think they have a very well selected wine list and very cool atmosphere. I love the dark wood, dark leather, dimly lit feel. Very Manhattan. Good place for a date!
(5)
Jeremy M.
Most I have ever spent on a dinner for two: $48.50 What I spent on a dinner for two at Mission Oak: $78.28 *Note: Prices do not include tip or alcohol. What we ordered: Appetizer: Jumbo Scallops Wrapped in Bacon The app. came with 3 large scallops each wrapped in a half strip of bacon. It was very delicious, and presented very well. However, for $12, I would expect 4 scallops. Overall, the app. gets a 4.5 out of 5 Entree 1: Shrimp & Scallops Linguine My wife ordered this for her meal. She asked the kitchen to substitute the shrimp portion for chicken, which they did. However, we were disappointed with the portion when it arrived. There was PLENTY of pasta and grilled vegetables, so the plate size was very generous. However, there was only a small cutlet of chicken breast (4-5 oz. or so) and 2 jumbo scallops. $26 for this plate is a little steep for the small meat portioning. She enjoyed the taste, and even had enough left over to take home for lunch today. Overall, this plate gets a 3.5 out of 5 because it was a pasta dish with a side of protein. We expected a better ratio. Entree 2: Brazilian Mixed Grill This is the kind of dish I would expect from an establishment like this. A generous portion of Flank Steak, a flavorful Sausage and 3 Jumbo Shrimp combine to make this dish a very desirable menu choice. But... it's served with Fries. I would expect a dish of this magnitude to have a baked or redskin mashed potato. I completely missed the "Crispy Fries" notation on the menu and didn't ask for a substitution, so that's what I got. I would give this dish a 5 out of 5, but the fries bring the quality way down to a 3.5 out of 5. I didn't even eat them, save for the 1 bite which confirmed my distaste. The Waiter was very pleasant and attentive. Since the restaurant was nearly empty, we were able to have a nice, quiet dinner without worrying where our food was. The service was excellent, and gets a 5 out of 5. I'm glad we got a booth, though - the tables appeared to be not nearly as comfortable. The lighting is very dim, so the added light from the window next to us was also welcome. So, the atmosphere gets a 4 out of 5, for the poor lighting. Overall, I give a 3.5 out of 5. The prices are just too high for the food portioning ratio (protein-to-starch) and the side street location just isn't as nice as the waterfront options the area has. Altogether, if the bill had come to $65, they would have received a 4 out of 5.
(3)
D M.
I had dinner at this restaurant just last week on Friday night at 6:30. Reservation was for 7:30, but we showed up early and asked if they could seat us and there was no problem. The restaurant wasn't crowded at that time, though it did get busier later in the evening. The waitstaff was excellent, very attentive. The timing of the courses was incredible. I felt so relaxed having the time to sit and enjoy each course rather than feeling rushed out. The drinks were very good. I enjoyed a Poinsettia Martini, my date enjoyed a (warm) Winter Warmer and a (cold) Sangria. He enjoyed the Winter Warmer much more than the Sangria which he thought tasted overwhelmingly of citrus. Though he later remembered he'd squeezed both the lemon and lime garnishes into his drink. (Doh!) Perhaps that explains the overwhelming citrus flavor. I tried both of his drinks and enjoyed the Sangria. I did not like the Winter Warmer as It contained Scotch which I don't personally have a taste for. We ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell as well as a Petite Caesar salad and French onion soup to start. The oysters came with the typical horseradish/cocktail sauce and a sherry sauce. I tried and really enjoyed both. My only complaint is that the person doing the shucking didn't quite hit the mark on my last oyster, I ended up with a piece of the shell and a ton of grit in my mouth. But, aside from that, the oysters were wonderful. The salad was the perfect size for a starter salad. There was plenty of dressing, though I wasn't overwhelmed. The croutons were very good. My date enjoyed the French onion soup. It came to the table piping hot directly out of the oven - the waitress requested that he enjoy with care. The soup was good, the bread and cheese on top were even better and there was plenty of them to last. Though, he did say that he was all "French Onioned out" by the end of the crock it came in, there was quite a bit of the stuff. For our meals we ordered the petite filet and steak tips. We each tried both and were very pleased. The filet was delicious and tender, and the potatoes and broccoli accompanying the meat were also well prepared and delicious. The steak tips were extremely flavorful. They came accompanied with several grilled vegetables and a warm "potato salad" each of which was also quite good. Overall, the Mission Oak Grill has a wonderful atmosphere and delicious food/drinks, but is slightly more than I'd like to spend for just any old night out. It was wonderful for a special occasion.
(4)
Mara R.
Was so excited to head here for my birthday this past December... Since I can't stop thinking about my terrible time... I had to go back and update my rating. I just want to say I was VERY DISAPPOINTED!!! I had the scallops and risotto that I raved about in my last review and it wasn't good.... The risotto was very bland and had no flavor and the scallops were ruined by the fact that they were covered in char from the overcooked "grilled" asparagus. To make our meal even more disappointing, we were FREEZING the entire meal because of the draft coming from the front entrance and our waitress was VERY RUDE and seemed to get defensive when I told her about my dish. When we got our bill we had expected the scallop dish to be comped and it wasn't.... So we asked to speak to the manager and almost 35-40 minutes later (sitting in the freezing cold) she came over and apologized and comped the dish... She did offer to give me a free dessert which I told her I would take a rain check on. Very, very disappointed Mission Oak.!!! What happened??? You used to be one of my favorite places... The ONLY reason I knocked it down to 3 stars and not 2 is because my husband's filet was cooked to temp and was a quality piece of meat.
(3)
Andrew D.
So I like food. To say I live for food ... well some would say that I do ... I mean I have a Bacon Cook Book ... and since I just mentioned Bacon I should tell you that the Clam Chowder at Mission Oak Grill Is some of the best I ever had ... Newburyport is known for Seafood (or at least I think people think that since its a port) and its my opinion that Mission Oak Grill beats most of the tourist traps in town (Michael's Harborside and Starboard Galley as examples). Its not cheap but I think the quality of the meat and seafood is spot on - like any place you need to get the right thing and since this is a Brazilian Steak and Seafood place you should probably stick to those two categories. (By Brazilian - I don't mean they walk around with skewers of meat and carve them at the table.) I might have gives Mission Oak Grill 5 stars but as some other reviews have mentioned service is not spot on and the wait staff should be better for what you are paying. Plus they eliminated take out - I mean like what the hell! But if you go for lunch, arrive before dinner rushes or sit at the bar - I think you'll enjoy your visit. And try the Side Car.
(4)
Melissa R.
Hubby and I ate here for the first time this weekend. We went for a friend's birthday celebration and were pleasantly surprised! To start, we were seated just to the right of the front door. We weren't cold in the slightest. Our server was amazing. Although there were 16 of us on a Saturday night, he never faltered. All the food was served together, drinks were never empty. As others have mentioned, the foccacia with hummus with different and delicious! My husband's petite Cesar was good, but he would have liked a bit more salad dressing on it. I had the pan seared scallops with risottos and asparagus. It could very well be one of my favorite meals ever! The risotto was cooked perfectly, as were the scallops and the asparagus. My husband's churrasco had good flavor, but was a bit fatty in his opinion. Fries were unbelievably good. Cappucino machine wasn't working, so my coffee was missing the foam, but I can forgive that when everything else was so excellent! The bill was a bit steep however, at over $100 for 4 beverages, 2 meals, and a salad, but I would defintely try this place again!
(4)
Ed Ann T.
A special occasion with four friends turned to the worse when a waiter would argue and not admit he was wrong for not listening. On top of that I had to send my filet back to the kitchen because I guess very raw means medium in their definition. No dessert ever offered by the waiter and no apologee for the service means we will not be going back there again. Their loss as well as many friends that I will be telling.
(1)
stephanie b.
I have been to Mission Oak just once otherwise this would be five stars! The staff is focused on providing excellent customer service and does everything to accommodate you. The food is very good and the menu has a varied selection. Although I don't eat meat everyone at my table was gushing over the quality of the meat as was the table next to us. We all had a great nite and can't wait to get back!
(4)
pRiNceSs J.
Very good. Such a nice atmosphere and the open kitchen concept is so comforting to me. Everything stainless and very cozy. The food is excellent. Brought my mom here for mothers day and we got lobster and filet both perfectly cooked and delicious. Will def come Back!
(3)
Jack J.
First off, any restaurant that allows reservations via Open Table gets an immediate thumbs up. We were left kidless mid afternoon and used the opportunity to book a reservation for the same night. The hostess was friendly and chatty, although her younger sidekick could have used some personality lessons. The atmosphere is lively and classy like a good chophouse should be. Service fantastic from well dressed and well groomed (very important) waitstaff. I even observed our neighboring tables and it seemed they were treated as well. The wine list included plenty of great wines by-the-glass. My wife found a nice pino grigio from Italy, I opted for a microbrew draft. The draft selection is rather small though so if you want selection there are plenty of bottles to choose from. We both had garden greens salads first. The "half" is almost full size. Great house dressing. I asked for feta on the side, it came on the salad. Ooops. Even though we were at a steak-house we both opted for seafood. My wife had the salmon. Nicely cooked, good size portion, well presented. Based on another Yelper I went for the seared scallops. They were cooked to perfection, almost creamy on the inside. Served over a mild seafood orzo. The asparagus still had its woody ends. Another oops. By the time we left at 8:00 the place was rocking. The older hostess was friendly on our departure, the younger one still had no personality. I don't mind paying for great atmosphere and service so the $84.00 bill for two wasn't a bummer.
(5)
Joyce H.
I just joined Yelp although my experience at Mission Oak Grill took place last summer. Hopefully the policies have changed since it was not a good experience. We were in Newburyport on a week night with friends. We thought we'd go in for a drink and some appetizers. When we approached the hostess we noticed that there were about 5 people in the restaurant. We asked for a table, explained we were just there for drinks and apps and were told they couldn't accommodate us. It seemed rather odd to turn away paying customers but walk away we did....right down the street to another restaurant.
(1)
Leif H.
Upscale meat and seafood, presented in a darker lounge type environment. My wife and I tried their steamed pei mussels appetizer, which was spot on, two different main courses and desert. We had made reservation, which helped as we were immediately seated during their busy evening. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. We even were able to spot the sommelier presenting several bottles of wine to a larger party. We would definitely go back and request a booth, to be a bit out of the way. It was nice that the kitchen knew how to properly cook food, since only a few nights before we had to send mussels appetizers back to the kitchen several times.
(4)
P S.
Food - very good. Prices - average to high. Waitstaff - friendly & efficient. Atmosphere - very pleasant. Kitchen - very slooooooowwwwww. If they can increase the kitchen output, they could get 5 stars!
(4)
Sarah K.
We went for a special occasion and it was lovely. The 2 sets of doors helped keep the dining room warm. The decor was dark and inviting. We sat at a half-circle bench and had a great view of the whole room. The foccacia with blended chickpea was wonderful, and not too filling. We choose the Scallops wrapped in Bacon for an appetizer. AMAZING!!! I'm not the biggest seafood fan, and these were tender, and not rubbery. The Cesar salads were good, although mine had a little too much dressing. Our main course followed soon after, and he had the steak tips with grilled whole tomatoes (which I kept helping myself too as I love tomatoes). He enjoyed the steak tips, and had a bit of mine too! I had the Bavette Sirloin, which was tender and made me pause after each bite it was that good. It was also very peppery. I did find myself moving some peppercorns around after I inadvertently bit into one. Good thing I like pepper. The mash potatoes are tasty, and he took some when I wasn't looking!. We had the s'mores brownie sunday which was very gooey, and very good. The brownie was fudgy with out being mush, and supported the scoop of graham cracker coated vanilla ice cream . Our wait staff was attentive and unobtrusive. Although the bathroom were down a flight stairs in the front entrance and they were cold since it's still cold out. I would come back for another wonderful and delicious night out.
(4)
John M.
Went there as they were packed in their bar where they were serving half-priced meals - seemed to be too busy to take care of the full paying customers. Had the seared scallops - nothing to shout out about - spouse had salmon: was very good. Service left a lot to be desired. And they charge $2,50 for a soda with no free refills...
(2)
Craig G.
Very good wine selection. I had the petite filet with seared scallops. Wonderful dish as the scallops were very fresh. Caesar salad was average.
(4)
Brendan O.
Great food and interior design. Always packed and has a nice feel. Expensive dinner, odd dessert menu. Service was terrible this time, worse than the few times I have gone before. Go there for the bar or dinner but expect sub-par service.
(4)
jon g.
The last five meals I have had at this restaurant have been fabulous. When the restaurant first opened both meals and service were shaky, but in the last year it has turned into one of the better places to dine in Newburyport. Prices are reasonable, ambiance is great, drinks are a little on the expensive side, but in my opinion worth it. I truly enjoy dining at Mission Oak Grill.
(4)
Steve M.
Had dinner on New Year's Eve, made reservation on OpenTable.com . Took over 40 minutes to get seated, dinner took over two hours. Forgot to bring my salad, fish was waaaay overcooked, server was indifferent. I left comments on OpenTable, and had them forward them to the restaurant about my experience. Never heard a word back. Apparently, they don't need or want my business, so I am happy to oblige. This place seems to be trading on its former reputation--you can do much better in NPort.
(1)
Jessica L.
It's been a long time since I've known where to hang out in Newburyport, so when I was informed this place was a newish restaurant in an old church, I had to try it. I mean, who can resist drinking in a church?!??! I went with 2 friends, one of whom has severe food allergies. Upon being seated, she asked to speak with someone from the kitchen to discuss her options. She was greated by the executive chef and he was very helpful (and patient) with her questions about the menu's ingredients. In addition, I was impressed that they allowed me to make my own entree since I REALLY wanted lobster and there was no single lobster item on the menu. So, they allowed me to create a dish of 2 lobster tails and 2 sides. I thought that was very considerate. There is a short list of wines available by the glass, but of what is available, there are some good options. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't seem too knowledgeable about most of them and was unable to direct us in our wine explorations. As for the food, we skipped the appetizers. My lobster tails were cooked just right, unfortunately they were cold upon arriving to the table. The mashed potatoes were just ehhh and had little flavoring. I was excited for the spinach, but after one bite thought I had inhaled an ocean of salt. For the price I paid, I was underwhelmed. I had much higher expectations to match the high cost. My friends were satisfied, although none of us were blown away by the food or, really, even impressed. I would probably try it again, but not any time soon.
(3)
Peter L.
Another visit (of several) to the Mission Oak, not much new to report. Dining room was sparsely populated for a Friday night in May. Most of the diners were 55+. Other than a flannel- and hoodie-clad teen couple, we were the youngest people in the DR. The bar area was doing better, though, with Bruins playoff action on the TV.
(3)
E. R.
I've only tried some of the bar menu and appetizer choices so I can't say how their steaks are which is the main focus of the menu. The food we did have was good. The mussels and Thai chicken wings were tasty and we'd go back for those things. The service was a bit slow. We sat at the bar and though it was an off night the bar was almost full. There were plenty of waitstaff for a mostly empty dining room who could have bailed the bartender out. He was charging back and forth trying his best to take care of his customers and pour drinks for the rest of the restaurant. It was a bit unsettling while trying to enjoy our meal considering the restaurant really wasn't that busy. As far as the atmosphere is concerned, the place is filled with high quality materials. It has nice furniture, nice woodwork, beautiful granite bar, good flatware/ plates/ etc. but it somehow feels generic and lacks flare.
(3)
Richard C.
Although the food at Mission Oak Grill cannot be faulted, the service has deteriorated and needs vast improvement. My wife and I stopped by for an early dinner on a slow Wednesday and were greeted with a 15 minute wait to place our order and another 15 minutes before our bottle of wine arrived. The excuse was that they couldn't find the manager who had the key to the wine storage! Ordered dessert but after another wait we were informed that they were out of our selection. Check came at last but no doggie bag and it took another 10 minutes to get it. Finally, perhaps indicating management's indifference to their customers, I received no reply to the complaining email I sent them.
(2)
Beach Girl M.
We had such great expectations for this restaurant. The decor is very cool and the wait staff great. The bartender Nick knows how to make a Great Martini- everybody makes them these days but when was the last time you had a great one! The food,well, left great room for improvement. The steaks were ok, but topped with a sauce that tasted like Heinz brown sauce. The portions VERY small. We do not eat large portions of food so this was interesting. The shrimp was so bad, you could smell them from your seated position. How does THAT ever happen if your chef is on top of things? I would definately not return here with the thought of ordering steak. It is not the dream steak house that it professes to be- at best , I heard the burgers were good. If this place wants to rate with the big boys(or stay open past Christmas)- it needs to step up its game. There were a handful of people at the bar when we were there. The management was very nice. It is a lovely restaurant but really no place I would really set out to visit. I could see how it would be a good place for an expensive office party. As far as the greatness of the 'Brazilian" cusine, don't hold your breath- there are many many other great Brazilian restaurants- this not being one of them.
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 Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Charlie R.
I have been to Mission Oak several times for the "Bar Menu" specials. The bar is pretty vibrant and the food is tasty. This review is based on a dining room experience on a Saturday night. We had a table for eight adults, which was very comfortable. The restaurant was very crowded and the staff managed it very well. Our waiter was very attentive and let us "catch up" before asking for drink orders. We ordered a couple of bottles of wine for the table (pricey, but not obnoxious). Appetizers ordered included scallops wrapped in bacon, which were cooked perfectly with a portion size of four, fried calamari, which was tasty and light, shrimp skewers which were also very tasty and fresh. The main courses ranged from petite filets, KC sirloin, ahi tuna to mac n cheese. All meals were nicely presented and appropriately portioned. All of us were very happy with the preparation of our meals from the kitchen. Rare was rare, medium was medium, etc. The dining room is loud, but not unbearable. Our waiter (Darin) was excellent and unobtrusive yet attentive. I am a fan of Mission Oak and will be back often.
(4)Cassie B.
I was here for a wedding of two people who I love DEARLY and put on a wonderful party; however, the wait staff was so unorganized and blatently rude. It was very upsetting. The couple deserved so much better than what was given on this day. The bar staff failed to mention to any guests ordering what the "hosted" beverages" were. So we ended up paying for a lot of drinks which we did not know were "included" or hosted". When we arrived upstairs for the party, they had failed to move the champagne and many beers/drinks upstairs so after waiting in line for 15 minutes, we were forced to order a different drink for $$. The one girl who was bar tending was not efficient which was causing the line to build up (at a wedding...). The icing on top of the cake (pun intended) was the waiter went around to our table to order our dinner (which we already providing in the invitation response) and he was SO IMPATIENT AND RUDE. A few of the guests at our table were in the wedding party and currently with the bride, so their dates had to order for them.....but he didn't have time to wait patiently apparently. The chicken and steak were both not good. We are not picky eaters and we have been to a lot of weddings. Very disappointing. Wonderful venue in terms of looks, we had so so much fun dancing the night away and with the people at the wedding, but the staff should be ashamed of themselves. This couple deserved way more.
(1)Jay D.
Cool venue but food is sub par. The ribs (appetizer) were pre cooked, reheated and coated with sauce. Judging by the texture of the meat they were not cooked the same day. Ugh! Entrees were overly salted and the Bearnaise sauce tasted like it came out of a package. I would not spend the money to give this another try.
(1)Jenna B.
Excellent service. Great selection of food. Beautiful ambiance. I thought the prices were reasonable. Only complaint was meats were slightly over cooked but that wouldn't stop us from going back.
(4)Laurie M.
Against my better judgment, I gave this place one more try last night. I was with two local friends who had never been and I wanted to treat them to a nice night out. As I said in my last review, the place is beautiful and my friends agreed. Unfortunately, we also agreed that the food was terrible. My swordfish was caked in sauce that could have been delicious (Korean BBQ). They both ordered the steak tips which were overdone and flavorless. And the chowder: It was more like flour stew it was so thick. If you want good seafood and don't care about the decor, eat at Glenn's or, better yet, drive up to Surf or Jumpin Jays in Portsmouth. And if you want to know what good steak tastes like, go to Boston.
(1)IntricateWeeski O.
My guests and I were very impressed with this restaurant. The food and drinks were excellent. We started with Oysters and Scallops wrapped with bacon. Our meals included a variety of steak and fish dishes which were all cooked to order. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because we waited a while for the waiter to come over to us initially. We will be coming back again.
(4)Herb Z.
I came there with my wife and I had an amazing dinner and the service was excellent. The place was packed too. Wine list has grown to include many European ones. Same with cordials, and beers. I have no idea what the negative reviews are about, but every time I have been here, it's been amazing. Best steak house on the north shore and beyond.
(5)Ray A.
We go here often. They have half priced apps every night (but Saturday) from the bar menu. They are open late and serve food late also. Useful for us theater folks for post production chatter. The food is quite good and the servers are friendly and competent. The manager (Hi Kerry!) has been very accommodating. Last week we arrived with no reservation and a party of 15. Kerry set us up on the outdoor patio and helped make it a great night.
(5)Alexx M.
Terrible, nothing about this place is worth experiencing and they let me down on what was supposed to be my going away dinner with my mother. Thanks a lot we had to find another restaurant to eat at for the night.
(1)Nicole W.
I have had nothing but great experiences every time I've come to mission oak I had a great drink tonight with prosecco and St. Germain and dessert chocolate pot which I all ready added photos of in the tip section of yelp...I'm always greeted promptly and it is not like I am a regular that comes in all the time so I'm not biased....
(5)Brian G.
We loved it here! Four of us went to dinner for our birthdays and the experience was overwhelmingly positive. The menu is primarily steak and seafood. The appetizers were plentiful and the soups were delicious. We had the petite filet with scallops and it was portioned perfectly. My wife had a mai tai (kind of random at a steak/seafood place) but it was really good and quite strong. I stuck to beer - they had a decent selection on tap. The atmosphere was dark and cozy. The waitress was top notch. It is a bit pricey so probably will stick to birthday dinners and anniversaries.
(5)Jenna S.
My boyfriend and I visited here for dinner after a day at the beach and were very pleased!!! Our server was nice and fairly attentive but left a little to be desired. The food was amazing!!! My boyfriend had the filet with crabmeat and bernaise sauce served with mashed potatoes. His steak was perfectly cooked the presentation was amazing. The bernaise was deliciously creamy and complimented the crabmeat beautifully. The mashed were to die for!!!! I'm a vegetarian, I was very pleased to find a vegetarian dish on the menu so I ordered that. Crispy rice tempura style that was a little bland but the book choy and sauce it came with made the meal!! We had creme brûlée for dessert which was good but a little burnt for my liking. I was also very pleased with the wine selection available. Made for easy wine pairing to our meals. Will definitely be back!
(4)J. K.
Place is going downhill....and fast. Would hate to see the inside with the lights turned on. The springs in the booths are totally shot, the light fixtures are missing pieces, the floor is ick. Worst part is the limited menu. It appears large, but in reality it is limited and NEVER changes. Rarely offer specials and when they do it's always the same thing....which isn't really special now is it? Also, the temperature is always stifling hot....year round.
(2)Joseph P.
Bartender Kristen was awesome...can't beat the 1/2 price bar food...high quality apps.
(5)Ryan R.
We drove into town from Burlington MA and were very pleased with the atmosphere and attentiveness of the staff. Very well managed and food was excellent! The Special sangria margarita for Cinco was delicious!
(4)John M.
You simply can't beat the bar happy hour menu at this place. The food is always consistent and Deliscous! Try the burger or mussels off the pub menu!
(4)Bethany B.
Love that they offer 1/2 apps! I went there with my husband on a whim. We got several different apps to share! Calamari was great. Swordfish skewers were delicious! The mini slider were also very tasty! I had a delicious glass of wine also. We were still hungry so I had the petite filet! Cooked to perfection! The mushrooms on top paired paired so well with my wine!y husband got the fried fish and chip and the beef fried rice! We could not finish everything so the leftovers were also delicious!
(5)john s.
Rude employees over priced menu items and overall unfriendly atmosphere. I walked in and waited 10mins while two female employees had a conversation at the podium before even acknowledging me. I then had to say to the host "I've been standing in front of you for 10mins and you haven't even said one word to me" I should have left then. The server was slow and very non responsive the food was decent but overall will not be back.
(2)Ally H.
wow! my boyfriend and i got a gift certificate for xmas. didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised! i have pan seared tuna with these scallion pancakes that were amazing! Great drinks too! We loved it - can't wait to go back!
(5)Ann M.
Maybe the restaurant has changed since it first opened. Certainly the executive chef is different now, which could make the following out of date, but still.... I have no impulse to try again. Lovely space, less than mediocre cooking. Added a star as reward for most extensive use of products right off the Sysco truck! I'd rather go to a place with actual, good cooking....
(2)Amy W.
We came here based on the recommendation of our hotel. This traditional steakhouse delivered. I ordered the mussels as a starter, they were abundant, well-cooked, and interestingly seasoned including fresh ginger. We both ordered the petite filet, and had it prepared Oscar style. The steak was properly cooked and very tender. The lump crab meat was fresh and flavorful. The Bernaise sauce was a great accompaniment. And the asparagus, at the end of the season, was still tender and lightly grilled. The mashed potatoes were only okay. They have a wide wine selection, with something to suit every taste and price range. For dessert, I had the petite pot au chocolate, which is basically a glass of chocolate mousse. I chose a 20 year Port to accompany this. When our check came, that drink was $10 more than it was on the menu. The server quickly corrected the check with no fuss. One of the ways to distinguish five from four stars is in how the venue handles the inevitable error. This place was gracious. As we were leaving, a staff member offered to show us the reception hall upstairs, remodeled from the church sanctuary into a lovely and distinctive place for a wedding or other event. For the not so local--they have a weekday happy hour on appetizers in the bar area. This explains why on our arrival, the bar was packed, but the dining room was practically empty. Next time, I'll know!
(5)Amy F.
A nice little restaurant in a remodeled church. We had reservations for a Friday night and were seated promptly. Entrées were grilled salmon and the petite filet mignon both cooked and seasoned well. Shared crème brûlée for dessert which was very tasty though just a tiny bit watery. Overall, a good spot.
(4)Simon Z.
I have only come here to write a review after reading a bad review by another Yelper. I can understand, as with any restaurant, that there may be a bad experience every now and then... but to preface this review I just need to establish that I have eaten at Mission Oak about 20 times. The food is top notch, probably the best in the Newburyport area. Tonight two members of my party had the petite fillet mignon which I was able to cut with a fork before it literally melted in my mouth. Once or twice I have eaten the 22 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye; and if you are looking for something special than go no further. This is a REAL piece of meat and the best Grill item on the menu. For something more adventurous I recommend the Moqueca or the Muscles. These guys really do muscles well and I have had them both as a starter and an entree. You should come here if you don't mind paying a little extra for premium food in a unique atmosphere. Good for a date, a business dinner, or a quiet family meal. P.S. Try to get the round table next to the open kitchen for one of the best seats in Newburyport
(5)Joseph D.
Went to the place on thanksgiving night and day at the bar. The bartender was great and we enjoyed her company and service.. I ordered the lobster stew off of the special thanksgiving menu. The stew was the size of a small ash tray. Even the bartender was shocked. She offered to send it back but I felt bad. Other than this petit entree, the place is great.
(3)Davide P.
Worth visiting during happy hour for the 1/2 priced apps. Sliders were good.
(3)Thom K.
I would actually have gone 4.5 stars if that were an option, but still, it was pretty stellar. The only thing that doesn't measure up is the first thing you encounter: the hostess. We (and a number of others) were basically ignored as they, very slowly, got around to asking if we had reservations. Read the other reviews, what they experienced is about right. Disheartening to see an empty dining room and know that you can't sit. It's a terrible setup but seems to be the policy as they conduct it as second nature. We scored seats at the bar relatively quickly, and from then on, the experience was stellar. We were presented with menus and our drink orders taken promptly and in a friendly manner. (Man, the waitress was the spitting image of Valerie Harper!) For apps, the wife had the garlicky broccolini (which was very true to its name) and I had the crab empanadas. Both were very good. The apps came out quickly (though I have to admit, I'd have been pretty pumped if we'd been offered bread). For entrees, she had the steak tips and I had the Brazilian mixed grill. Again, both were excellent. Mine was four types of meat or fish, with a killer sauce (on the side). Deliciously spicy, and all of the meat was a perfect medium, just like I'd ordered. Her steak tips were excellent and the warm smoked potato salad is a MUST have! I wish they'd offer that as a side. We did not wait for drinks and the food was well paced. For dessert, she had the strawberry cheesecake (very good) and I had the Beignets (forget everything else, just get these!!!!). A-freakin'-mazing! You will NOT be disappointed if you order this dessert. We were not rushed to leave, but neither did we have to wait for the check; A+ all around on service (once we were seated). Meal was a bit pricey ($115 for 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and three drinks), but the quality and service were both high. The loan knock was when people were ordering drinks while standing behind us. The seat to the right of my wife was open, but people twice placed their drink order from behind me. That's sort of understandable, people are stupid, and rude. However, they were served the drinks where they had ordered (and the server knew that other seat was open), and that's just not thinking. Not enough to ruin the meal, but certainly something I'd like to see them fix.
(4)D K.
So , you walk in to the restaurant and everything that's been broken, (doors, glass , light fixtures, benches with no springs) is still there, year after year. The room is so hot in the summer from the open cooking area... the manager will admit it....that people complain it's too hot with limited AC. The cooks are busy microwaving everything from the dull, same menus, year after year. The half price bar menu has smaller and smaller portions every week. When you go to the bathroom you can't wash your face because they are too cheap to supply paper towels.The owner is building a new restaurant in Swampscott and obviously not putting money into this Newburyport location. It's an overpriced dump.
(1)Kristen D.
I have family that lives in Newburyport and they took us to dinner here last night. We had a reservation at 6, we arrived a few minutes early and got sat right away. A lot of reviews complain about service, but ours was fine-no complaints there. As others have noted, the bread and dipping oil/bean dip was tasty. I ordered the 5 oz petite filet, cooked medium. It was delicious and the perfect size for me. I subbed out the boursin mashed for roasted veggies, which were also great. My bf ordered the bone in rib eye (16 oz?) which he loved and devoured every last bite. I tried the broccolini it was served with, it was garlicky and delicious. Next time, I would order an additional side of it. My aunt ordered the chicken saltimbocca, which she enjoyed and it was a generous portion (looked like 2 large pieces of chicken) and she took home left overs. My uncle ordered the bone in rib eye too, I think, which he also enjoyed. I had 2 glasses of sangria, which were good and not overly strong. We did not have dessert. Ambiance-nice, dark wood. Open kitchen. It was a little dark while looking at the menu, but fine. Would definitely come back when visiting again.
(4)Don M.
Burgers at the bar were great!
(5)L W.
Went here for a special occasion (birthday) on Sunday night. Atmosphere is nice but cozy. Our sever was attentive and food came out fast (and there were a decent number of people there for a Sunday night!). Husband had prime rib special and loved it. I had roasted chicken and veggies. I liked that they had a simpler/lighter option on the menu - I wasn't feeling like anything heavy that day. Beer selection was lacking but it's really a wine place, not a beer place. We will be back again!
(4)Colleen S.
We came in without a reservation and were told the entire dining room was reserved, but we could eat in the bar which was first come, first serve. This was fine for us as there was a perfect high top for 4 available. I will admit to seeing many table sin the DR empty during our time there, thinking that's not the best way to maximize your tables. But we had the same dinner in the bar and the food was fabulous! The service was however slow. Not sure why they had the dining room servers serving bar tables, we could see our server was very busy, but he left us waiting a lot, I didn't even get to order a second glass of wine, then after our food came out we heard another server tell the table next to us the specials, something our server never mentioned! The decor was dark but comfortable. It is an old church, but I believe the upstairs private function room is where you get the stained glass cathedral feel. We will be back, just hoping the service is better next time.
(4)Ben C.
I had the chili. It was pretty good. It was different from what I'm used to. The smores brownie was good as well. Mine was moist unlike one of the other reviewers.
(4)Xor F.
Review period: 2008 to 2012-Q1. Rating 2.5-3.0 stars by 2012-Q1. Pricing: Upscale ($50-70 for 2 with drinks). Building: Very attractive converted church style. Décor: Soft, modern, somewhat elegant, pleasing. Ambiance: Upscale, modern, pleasant, romantic Seating: Good chairs/booths with full sized tables. Lighting: Indirect with few headache-inducing spotlights. Menu: Broad with heartier meat, fish, and pasta selections. Drinks: Interesting and potent cocktails Service: Best=Acceptable. Worst=Abysmal. Avg=Acceptable. Food: Acceptable to mediocre. Never great. Never fatal. .... Interesting appetizers. Overly rich sauces, greasy meats. Best Time: 2p to 5:30p. Acceptable service. Worst Time: 12p-2p (slow). 6p-8p rush (abysmal). Detail: This is one of those restaurant whose ratings for its different aspects varies widely so it depends on what you expect. We are spoiled by having experienced great eateries in Philly, NYC, Boston, and Montreal. This one's interesting converted church-style building, décor, ambiance and cocktails were interesting and pleasing while it plating and cooking were mediocre. PRICING is definitely upscale and what you'd expect from its décor and menu. Drinks were quite good and potent with interesting cocktails concoctions. AMABIANCE was pleasing with an updated modern décor, good chairs and tables, and a minimum of the blinding lighting which is all-too-common in eateries. MENU selection was reasonably broad with an accent on heartier selections of meat, pasta and fish. However, as we noted, the presentation and food quality has fallen over recent years. DECLINED over the last few years. The drinks were still good, interesting, and strong but the plate presentations were poor and the food quality descending to mediocre, at best. It is as if they were applying the age-old trick of getting you tipsy with potent drinks so you don't care about the food which is far more labor intensive and costly to prepare. INITIALLY it seemed they tried to be upscale upon opening several years back with a good kitchen staff and 3.5 - 3.8 rating but quickly shifted downscale within 1-2 years. Our last few visits in 2011 to 2012-Q1 were disappointing. We don't know if they pulled out of their dive in the last year. FARE: On our last visit was more like a 99 Pub with a much nicer décor. My steak plate was piled high with a mound of large greasy French fries burying the steak which was unevenly cooked with excessive gristle. In response to our answer to the Maître D's obligatory "How was your meal?", we received a classically limp, "Oh, sorry to hear that" as they turned to move on. NOT FUSSY? If you are not fussy, aren't looking for haute cuisine, don't mind some plates being mediocre or pedestrian, don't mind 99 Pub style fare with inelegant plating but enjoy a nice décor with good drinks, you're in luck. For us, however, knowing how it was and what it could be, it's been a disappointment. SERVICE: Ranged from acceptable to very slow, depending on how full it was and was never great. To be fair, even great restaurants seldom are and being in a tourist harbor town doesn't help. We suggest having an early dinner, say 5-6, to avoid the delays. Afternoon service can be erratic since the fuller evening staff will not have arrived yet. One the rush starts, service can be abysmal. Compared to fast food joints, street vendors and the alley restaurants of Newburyport, it is quite good. Compared to what you might expect from an upscale priced restaurant in an interesting building with nice décor, it is disappointing. RETURN? Only if we were hungry, too tired to investigate other eateries, didn't mind the upscale price, and lowered our expectations. Then, we'd try again with a mental expectation of an overpriced 99 Pub or Appleby's but with a nicer décor. IMPROVEMENTS? Unless things have change significantly in the last year (they didn't in the previous 4), we suggest that management take a long hard look at who they are trying to be. Is it Appleby's/99 or a more elegant upscale restaurant with top notch cuisine. You service like the former but look and price like the latter. Once you have decided, review your kitchen prep instructions, cooking and plating to match that target. You already have a great building, décor, ambiance, and bar. The drinks and menu selections are on target but the cooking and plating fall far short of your upscale price. Perhaps you need to hire a consulting chef to straighten things out. If you really want to be Appleby's or 99, then change your look, menu and approach to telegraph that intent so as not to disappoint your audience. However, if 99 is your intent, then you need to revise your pricing significantly downward. You can't have it both ways unless you feel "caveat emptor" is a valid operating principle. ~fin~
(3)Jane B.
My husband and I ate here last night. The atmosphere is very pretty. A bit dark but pretty. The hostesses were very pleasant and welcomed us knowing that it was our first time dining here. Everything after that went down hill. Our waiter came over soon after we sat down to fill our water glasses. He didn't come back until about fifteen minutes later to ask if we wanted cocktails. My husband ordered a sangria and I just kept with my water. From here on out everything seemed staged. Our waiter never came back to offer us bread or ask us if we wanted apps. In fact, it was probably twenty minutes before he even came near our table before I flagged him over. When he saw me he responded "are you ready to put an order in for dinner?" I then responded that we would like an app first. We chose the calamari. Which came to us in a matter of 5 minutes by a food runner. Still no sign of our waiter and no bread. About ten minutes later I flagged him again. I asked him for bread and that we were ready to put our dinner orders in. My husband chose the Mac and cheese with chicken and I chose chic saltimbocca. During the time we waited for our dinner to come I heard the waitress at the table across from us read off specials to her guests. Interesting but we were never offered specials????? We finally got our meals and the saltimbocca was good. The Mac and cheese was not. In fact, it was very watery and no chicken. My husband asked for chicken and the waiter blamed it on the kitchen staff. He then came over with chicken breasts not sliced for my husband to add into his meal. After that instance the waiter never asked how our meals were. He avoided us like the plague. Dessert was okay. We ordered the s'mores brownie. The kicker was when we got the bill the waiter still charged us for the chicken. Unreal??? Normally you wouldn't be charged for a waiters mistake. Definitely will not be going back. Stay clear of this place.
(1)S P.
Stopped in here with a friend for drinks and light dinner (aps). We had the empanadas, scallops in bacon, and crab cakes with prosecco and a wonderful wine. The server we had was awesome. My friend being in the food business (and I being a foodie) the waiter answered every question we had without skipping a beat and his recommendations were spot on with regard to the wine. He went out of his way to allow us to taste a few things before we ordered. (He did not know my friend was in the business.) We were both pleased with what we had and the service we received. The atmosphere is just perfect. I love the classy timeless decor. I had been here previously with my son and feel the same from that experience as well.
(5)J I.
Food was great as it always is but the service was horrible. Our waiter was missing half of the night had to go to the bar to get another drink.
(2)Luke A.
Came here on a saturday night, no reservations, at 7:00. Couldn't get seating for two in the dining area so I had to hit up the bar/lounge, which was fine by me. Got a nice high top seat for two and service was prompt considering how one person was running 9 tables at a time. Quick note: The dining room was only half filled, and we were told that there were reservations for the rest of them until 8:30, yet by the time we finished and left at 8, the dining room was still the same, half empty . . . To start, I got myself a nice cheap budweiser and some fries to snack on while waiting for my grub. The focaccia bread and hummus dip was delicious, which seemed to be an upgrade over the traditional bread and butter. The fries were nice, garnished with truffle oil and parmesan cheese with a spicy tangy dipping sauce. Anyways, I ordered the wonderful filet mignon with a nice upcharge for the grilled scallops. Totally worth it, the scallops were moist, tender, and perfectly seasoned. The filet was phenomenal, got it nice and rare (the way its supposed to be) and thus I had savory, juicy bites of meat every time. The seasoning was very simple and the mignon was topped with mushrooms, which didn't hurt at all. I didn't really delve too much into the mashed potatoes that were ridiculously hot in the mini kettle they put them in as I was very full. My wonderful lady got the Motecahsadfahsf thing, I'm sorry but I can't remember if off the top of my head. Sounded very Aztecan, yet was nothing of the sort. It was a delicious stew of seafood consisting of salmon, clams, whitefish (cod), shrimp, mussels, and squid. It also had a mound of risotta drowning in the broth which only made it more enjoyable. The flavors were incredibly robust and well rounded, however, it was such a huge portion (I guess it was to justify the hefty pricetag for it) we couldnt finish amongst the two of us. The ambiance and decor is nice here, but it definitely caters to the 30+ crowd, which is generally what the majority of the population is in Newburyport. While it is a bit pricey, the quality of the food definitely justified it. A wonderful place to eat and have a good time. Thanks.
(4)Cathy R.
The atmosphere is actually quite lovely, the service is very efficient and friendly, but the food - lackluster at best. Hubby and I went for a romantic dinner on a Saturday night, relatively early in the evening. BOTH of the entrees we wanted (lamb and steak tips) were already sold out. I could understand this at the END of the night, but at 7:30 PM???? Ultimately, we both ordered the petite filet. Hubby's was twice the size of mine and cooked the way we both ordered it. Mine was small and well-done (we both ordered medium rare). When I complained, the waiter did take it back and bring me a freshly cooked new filet that was tender and delicious, but it didn't arrive until after hubby finished eating. Everyone we know who eats there raves about it so we decided to give them another try. Hubby got the lamb and fully a third of it was fatty and inedible, although what he did eat, he said was fabulous. I got the steak tips and what a disappointment. First, they are all different sizes but cooked together, so regardless of how you order them (I wanted medium rare) you get them cooked every which way - small ones are dry and well done, large ones were almost raw. And the rub they use is quite salty. The garlic mashed are okay - nothing special - but a better choice is their boursin mashed. Totally divine. The coffee is excellent, and the desserts are also quite nice. But this is not enough to overcome the problems with the entrees. Son and hubby have gone there several times after Masonic meetings (they are diagonally across the street from the Masonic Lodge on Green Street). They both say the bar menu is OK but feel it is overpriced. So we went one last time, later in the evening, about 9 PM. First, it was nice that they allowed us to order off the bar menu even though we were eating in the dining room. Hubby got the skewers (which he really enjoyed) and escargot (he said they were rubbery). I got chicken wings - nice that they will prepare them different ways, and I had the plain version - and they were delicious but we are talking 7 chicken wing PIECES, not an entire wing! I also got the chopped salad and I have to say, it was delicious... definitely fresh, the tomatoes were sweet, and I really enjoyed it. My guess is that it's hit or miss... but not a place I would rush back to, considering the prices.
(2)Maura w.
Food was ok overall. But dessert? The creme brule was pitiful. Soupy and cold. Service terrible. Our waiter was clueless. and sweaty... We live in NBPT and come here a bunch. Tonite sucked.. Gotta think hard about a repeat visit... Don't go out of business guys...
(2)Jen W.
Service was mediocre at best and we were one of three tables in the whole place. My prosecco drink was lacking prosecco (or so it seemed) and my grilled scallops were burnt. Roasted veggie side lacked any kind of flavor. The only saving grace was the petite filet, but for the money, drive and crap service I can get that anywhere.
(2)Justin H.
Just got back from a dinner for my wife's birthday. Went with the in-laws, so a party of 5. We were seated at the "chef's table" - larger table right in front of the open kitchen. The decor made it one of the nicest places I've been to in quite a while, definitely feels like a special occasional place. I hate when you go somewhere supposedly high end and it just feels like TGI Friday's or the 99 when you get there, not the case here. Even our fellow diners were mostly the classy sort. Finally, someplace without people in Pajamas and kids causing a ruckus. I'll be back for this reason alone. Our reservation was for 7:30, we were seated on the dot. Our server was personable, quick but not rushing with menus, drinks etc. We did wait what felt like an awkward amount of time between apps and our meals, but that may have been my fault as I ordered braised ribs. All 5 of us had something different, and all loved it. Every piece of meat cooked perfectly. Portions weren't as generous as you'd typically find at a place with such a steak-house like menu, but all were satisfied. Having gotten the ribs, I had more meat than anyone else and have just enough left for lunch sometime in the next few days. No one else had anything to take home, except a bone one lucky hound is going to get. Having sat right next to the open kitchen, it was like a non-trashy version of Hell's Kitchen. The kitchen crew was very professional and fun to watch. Every plate coming out of their was a piece of art. I debated going 4 stars just because the pricing seemed a little high for a steakhouse menu, but in retrospect the overall experience was 5 stars.
(5)Kell B.
Lets start with the pros because they are very limited: -bread was delicious, the dip was ok -nice lightening and decor -baked potato yummy but you can't mess that up can you? -ceasar salad ok cons- -tables are to high for the chairs -booths are to close to the table barely enough room to move around and I'm small -filet mignon was cooked well done when asked for medium rare, it was a terrible cut of meat -steak tips were suppose to be medium rare, some were cooked well and some were cooked rare rare -Now for service, terrible absolutely terrible it took 15 minutes for our wine to come to the table.. our server was awkward and uncomfortable.. and the food took forever as well. No plans on returning in the future
(2)Craig M.
Similar to other reviews : Food is delicious-service is nowhere near where it needs to be. Served wrong bottle of wine, waited forever for water/drink refills, soups/appetizers took long time and were not served with crackers until requested. This was a Monday and the restaurant was not busy.
(3)Francesca M.
Tonight my husband and I had a wonderful dinner at the mission oak grill. The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. Contempary and classy. The hostess was super sweet and sat us right away. Our server Darren was wonderful. Very attentive and helpful. The food was FAB! Tuna tartar was fresh and delicious and the bacon wrapped scallops were drool inducing. For dinner a perfectly cooked 22oz rib eye and some good ole mac n cheese really hit the spot. We live in gloucester mass but we will definitely be traveling back here for another wonderful experience.
(4)Toby W.
Had to write a review after reading one written back in March of this year comparing the food to the 99. Seriously??? Does the 99 serve their fries kissed with truffle oil and grated parmesan? I don't think so. And the fried calamari appetizer with lemon slices fried, skins, rind and all....are wonderful. I once saw a diner order a plate of just the fried lemon slices because they were so unique. The Margherita pizza at the bar is delicious. One will serve two people. The macaroni and cheese at the bar may sound like peasant food but their version is anything but. The large portion is enough to take some home for tomorrow's dinner. Yes they have some pubby choices....on the pub menu. A plate of 3 different beef burger sliders; haddock kabobs; mussels. We sat at a table one night right near where the food comes out of the open kitchen for the waiters to pick up. We were drooling over everything we saw. I've said enough. The last thing I want is for word to spread so it gets so busy I can't get a seat.
(4)Bos'n H.
I have been here several times over the last few years, and it was always fantastic (maybe because I knew my waiter personally?). My last visit, not so much. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar for a quick glass of wine and dinner. Service: errrr....our bartender was just 'ok'. He was friendly and all when we sat down, but it seems like after we ordered we disappeared to him. Not once did he ask how our food was (and to be honest, it kinda sucked but I'll get to that later) or if we needed anything. He never asked if we wanted another round of drinks or dessert. He just slipped us the check. um, ok. Food: I had a chicken club. It had good flavor, but the bread was not exactly fresh. It crumbled apart when I bit into it. My boyfriend had the sirloin chili. Ho-ly CRAP was it SALTY!!! He had to stop after eating half. I probably would have sent it back (nicely, of course), but again, our bartender never came back to ask us how everything was anyway, so whatevs.
(1)Deborah A.
Had absolutely delicious and fabulously presented appetizers at the Mission Oak Grill last night. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is lovely. Celine, who served us at the bar was especially wonderful. It is one of the best restaurants in town for sure!!
(5)Dianna K.
I love this place. They run a great happy hour with food during the week and I heard now on weekends. You can order off the bar menu for half price. I always get the muscles which are delicious. Because it's half price I usually try something else I haven't had before. It's so reasonable you don't feel guilty ordering more than one dish. If you don't finish it you can take it home. It's the best deal in town! Service is fabulous too!!
(5)Richard W.
I have had dinner at Mission Oak Grill a few times, and enjoyed it very much every time. The atmosphere is very interesting a pleasant, a restaurant in an old church. The Brazilian-fusion cuisine will make any meat-lover happy, can't recommend the Churrasco steak enough. The waitstaff was very attentive and hospitable.
(4)Martha L.
Appetizers - 5 stars Entrees - 3.5 - maybe 4 stars, ok, I'm being stingy - 4 stars Service - execution 4 stars, attitude, 5 stars Hostess, server and someone who I believe to be a manager, all friendly and professional. Warm, welcoming, interacted when invited to do so, didn't intrude. Focaccia with garbanzo bean dip - really good. DH and I shared everything - why wouldn't we? Appetizers - short rib empanadas with salsa criolla - no idea what that means, but it was delicious! Maybe a relative of mole? Or maybe I'm all wrong, but the beauty of it is the sauce is on the side, so if you don't agree with me, no harm, no foul. Thai style baby back ribs - again, delicious. Crisp, moist, sauce was delicious. It could have been more strongly seasoned, but it wasn't bland or boring, just so good tha t I wouldn't have minded it being more assertive. Special of the evening - sesame seed crusted yellowfin tuna. Tuna was generous, raw-rare, really fresh and delicious. The sesame seeds were a little underseared. I don't love sushi rice no matter what, so I can't judge that. Two sauces - wasabi and I don't remember the other - it was a wonderful flavor, but a little too sweet for my liking. By using it sparingly, it was an enhancement. However, eating just plain tuna makes me perfectly happy! The final touch was pan seared baby bok choy, cooked perfectly. The other entree DH and I shared was the Brazilian mixed grill. Choricio - excellent - shrimp - large, not overcooked, delicious. The skirt steak was cooked as requested, but there was a flavor in the marinade that, to me, conflicted with the beef. Service - to me, for the most part, attitude is more important than details. My only real complaint about the service was attention to our water glasses. It's a common shortcoming in restaurants of all levels, but I wish it weren't. I would definitely go back.
(4)Jon L.
visited last night 6/20/13 and had the ahi tuna (Amazing) my friend had the shrimp scampi (a lot of food). Everything was amazing and service was great. Will be back
(5)Jamie P.
Nice little place to eat with a great selection of food and the bar was packed while we were there. The beer selection was disappointingly limited. The steak tips were cooked to perfection. I'd definitely eat here again if we're in the area.
(3)Ellen D.
Came here last night for a New Years Eve dinner. I was a little hesitant after reading some of the other Yelp reviews but was pleasantly surprised. Highlights: the food was truly fantastic. We started with the Short Rib empanadas. Perfect cooked, the meat inside was so juicy and flavorful. I got the 10 oz filet. The side of potatoes were great and the sauce with the filet was a wonderful compliment. The hubby got a bone in rib eye. He said it was one of the best steaks he's ever had. Both cuts of meat were cooked perfectly. Downsides: Drinks took 15-20 minutes to come to our table. Server was absent. I think she was at our table a total of 4 times. The first 3 was when the place was jamming. Our entrees were served and we did not see her got 30 minutes afterwards. I also understand it was NYE but we felt rushed as well. If your going to pay that much for a meal in my option they should let you enjoy it and take your time. I will be trying this restaurant again with the hopes the service will be better.
(3)Elle C.
This is the weirdest Yelp review I have ever written. But it's true. A recent Saturday night: We made a late reservation because we wanted to have a quiet dinner. Apparently it wasn't late enough because we were in a packed place! (good for Mission Oak, bad for us) The party next to us was seated at the same time. I hate when places do that to you because then the wait person says the wine list right next to you, and then says it to you. Then they say the specials twice, etc etc. The table next to us even chimed in about a question I asked a question about the wine to the amazing professional waiter. I smiled but I didn't really want their opinion. Anyway, that isn't the Mission Oak grills fault. We chose to slow it down by getting appetizers and drinks before even looking at dinner so we could enjoy our meal in peace. The table on the other side of us was almost done and talking at a normal level so we didn't even notice them. As for the bar menu and drinks, They have really great wine deals, but unfortunately for us everything under $50 was sold out. I ordered "Mommy's Helper" because of the ingredients, and oh man, I am not a mom but I could see how those would help I had two, but I could have had about 10. Flavor wise, I would have been on the ground if I had had 10. Dinner was amazing, and our server was a professional. You should go there. I will go back another time though, because of this plot line: It isn't the mission grills fault, but the people next to us were weird. They were talking loudly enough for us to hear their whole conversation and frankly I think they were having an affair. They were talking their children in ways that I could tell meant they didn't have them together, and there wasn't any pleasant chatter about plans in the past or the future that normally happens with couples who are in a relationships. I've sat next to enough people to know something was off, and my date and I exchanged looks throughout the night when they said weird things. I think they were in the same circle of friends because they talked about people they both knew, but it didn't sound right. We figured they snuck off for a dinner without their spouses who are clearly not from Newburyport since this place was packed! Anyway, maybe this is rude but we were glad when they left, and laughed about it, compared thoughts, and just sighed. The fun of going to dinner, right? We ordered our amazing desserts, and then went to check out the upstairs of the building which is an old church hall. Very amazing, and worth coming back with out of town guests to show. We even made mental plans to come back with guests we have coming this summer. Then I went to the bathroom. Normally this is not anyone's business, but this is related to my previous plot. I thought I was alone in the bathroom, and then became aware that I was not when I heard someone make a noise... and non bathroom related noise. You could clearly see the handicap stall to me, there were men's shoes and a lady's purse in the corner. Gross. My skin crawls just typing it. I got out of there as quickly as I could, and frankly, figured it was our weird dining neighbors. The hostess wasn't at the stand when I walked by, and I'm not sure what I would have said if she was there. The Mission Grill is a classy spot and I hope they finished their business and got out of there. I will go back there, but after I stop being creeped out by how gross some people can be. This isn't a sleazy meet up for out of town affairs...in my opinion! Food is as good as it gets, but frankly, can't keep that story out of my review.
(5)Brendan F.
The interior/decor here is awesome. Good drink selection, and food is good, but not great. Wish there was better parking options, really inconvenient on a busy night.
(4)Dan F.
Disclaimer: I try to make my posts as objective as possible and try to be funny without sounding retarded or like I'm forcing it. Some people find Yelp to be a place to waylay places they've had one bad experience at and don't consider the positive aspects of said places. If you are posting reviews for everyone else's sake, post helpful informative reviews, not a string complaints with as many question marks. You look like a bitch. No one likes a bitch. If you have legitimately had an awful experience, or multiple that's another thing together and that's too bad. I have been to Mission Oak Grill on several occasions but the first time in recent years was on Easter 2011. We had a party of 11 and we had a great time. Everyone got a variety of dishes and people raved about the food and drinks. My wife and I both had the Filet Oscar, she had the mini version (5oz) which for her was the perfect size after the appetizers and bread. However we both could have eaten this meal literally for the rest of our lives. This was the best surf and turf dish I have ever had hands down, certainly the best Filet Oscar ever and possibly the best steak meal ever. The crab was cool and melted in your mouth like butter and the steak was cooked to perfection! So were the sides for that matter. Service was attentive and professional and because we had a large party we had two waitresses, one who was definitely a pro and the other was new so the few times she seemed to hesitate or falter are completely understandable. The atmosphere is really cool, lots of dark wood, contemporary and comfortable all at once. The lighting was also quite dim, something I really like because I am sensitive to bright lights and I like a taverny feel even in contemporary settings. This posed an issue for the eldest members of our party (in their 80s), but all turned out fine. Although I think I remember an elderly woman falling at some point during dinner...This could have been somewhere else but I'm 95% sure it was at Mission Oak... Don't worry she sprang up like a boxer after a short count. It is a pretty expensive restaurant but the quality of the food, the atmosphere, professional service, and the fact that it is in Newburyport (it's pricey here, don't come here if you don't like spending money) make it excusable. My wife and I have been back and it continues to be wonderful. The only complaint would be the dim lighting but as mentioned before, I think I'm part bat because I liked it, I just know that many think it's too dark. Go forth and enjoy.
(5)Andrew G.
Very inconsistent. I have been a few times and had one of the best meals in a while, and other times have been very disappointed. When the food is good though, it is great. I have had both steaks and fish here. Drink is moderately priced for the area. The pub menu is very reasonable as well. The decor is very comforting as well. I just wish it was more consistent. The service leaves something to be desired as well. I have never had a great experience with service. Each time I have gone it has always been busy, but that should not be an excuse. The last time I was there I had one glass of wine. That I ordered with my appetizer, and when my meal came my server dropped off the food and bolted without asking if we needed anything else.
(3)M L.
A very pretty restaurant in a converted church. Food was good. But service was abominable from start to finish. I made reservations at 6:00 on a Saturday night and when I checked in with the hostess she insisted our reservation was for 6:30, told me the restaurant was full, and our table would not be ready until then. I pulled up the confirmation email on my phone for 6:00 that lo and behold! - a table for us was found. When seating us, however, she told us that she did not have any menus available. Our waitress took forever to come over to us, and when she did asked if she "could start us off with some water." I do not need to be asked if I need water. We asked for menus in addition to water. Long wait time for water and menus. Another long wait for her to return for our drink order. And still another excruciatingly long wait for her to return with drinks and then tried to leave quickly until we grabbed her back and asked if we could order our dinner. We had theater tickets - just a block away - at 8:00 p.m. Our dinner orders were taken about 6:45 and 7:30 our dinners had still not arrived in spite of us asking twice about our meals and reminding our waitress that we had theater tickets. At 7:30 my husband went to talk to the manager about canceling our dinner and our meals arrived while he was gonee. So we rushed through our $30 entrees in 10 minutes flat. Not the leisurely dinner we had hoped for. Food was good but scarfing an expensive meal is never fun. My husband asked for our coats and the hostess brought not only our coats, but two extra coats that did not belong to us. All in all, a really poor experience from start to finish. There are so many great dining spots in Newburyport that this one is now off of our list. Terrible.
(1)Angela B.
Loved the location and the inside was very trendy but the experience was horrible. I will never go back. I came here with some friends and we were seated in a booth by the bar that had a draft that was ice cold. I don't mean a small annoying draft but a teeth chattering cold breeze like a window was left open. We asked to move and then had to wait a half and hour till a waitress even greeted us and then another 20 minutes till our drinks arrived. If the place was packed I would cut them some slack but it was maybe half full with plenty of staff hanging around. At least give us a water or some bread to keep us content. My husband was beyond pissed and let the waitress know. We waited another ridiculous amount of time for the food, which I think is overpriced, even for Newburyport. My scallops were good but the risotto it came with was oddly sweet and tasted a little off. My husband and friend said the steak was nothing special. Overall our experience there made us decide we would never go back again.
(2)Thomas A.
The Mission Oak Grill was highly recommended by friends. We were not disappointed. The room is terrific - low lighting, booths and tables set far enough apart to provide for quiet and privacy, and a nice calm mood. The food was exceptional. Our guest had the Ahi Tuna and said it was perfect. She and my wife split a pear salad that they raved about the rest of the evening! My wife had steak and the boursin mashed potatoes (to die for!) - and I had the chicken saltimbocca which is probably the best I have ever had...anywhere. To top of a terrific meal, the service was perfect. Hats off to our wait staff Tony. Mission Oak Grill earns my first 5-Star rating. Well done!!!
(5)Jennifer D.
Meh.... I went here on a whim. A friend of mine wanted to meet in Newburyport for dinner. We both parked on Green St. and immediately noticed the Mission Oak Grill, checked out the outdoor menu, and decided to give it a go. We walk in and are seated at a booth (upon request), it was nice and cozy, low lighting, would be great for a date/dinner with friends/a group/ or just drinks after work at the bar area. Our server was great, he was very friendly (can't remember his name). Started with the "special empanadas" which were steak and goat cheese filled, on some crispy onion straws and a couple of hot peppers I believe. I didn't try myself but my friend liked them, they looked pretty tasty. I opted for the oysters, they don't state what kind they are (wellfleet, gulf, etc), but anyways I got a half dozen of them. Presented on a round iced platter, with a lemon wedge, and a cup of cocktail sauce with a dollop of horseradish in the middle. They were mediocre at best. They didn't do a good job of cleaning up the shell, I actually got bits of it in my mouth, and they weren't well shucked. They were not subtly sweet either....fail. The entree I wanted they ran out of, but that's ok. It was the rack of lamb and it sounded delish! My friend and I both got the skirt steak with Chimichurri sauce, mission oak fries, I opted to sub out the fries for asparagus. The skirt was not cooked to the medium rare I asked for, but it was tender, although a little fatty. The chimichurri was just ok, I've made it myself over a dozen times and mine TRUMPS IT!!!! LOL. The asparagus was grilled, some were cooked alright, some pieces were straight up burnt! The "mission oak fries," looked completely unappetizing and were like humongous wedges of potatoes....their take on fries apparently. For what this place charges, and for claiming to be "fine dining," they missed the mark BIG TIME. I will not be rushing back. Side note: After realizing what I wanted to order wasn't available, the server did make another suggestion which sounded pretty yummy, I just wasn't in the mood. And people, I write reviews based on food. I'm giving an accurate account of what I ate there tonight, if I went back and ordered something completely different, I will update.
(3)Audrey I.
Sit at the end of the bar and you get great service and an entertaining view of other patrons!
(3)Chris D.
Had dinner here with my girlfriend and some friends awhile back. I was slightly confused by their portion and plating as they seem to aim for more of a fine dining concept as they pertain and reflect upon the decor as well however the menu reads like more of a steakhouse so I'm not sure which it is but regardless the food was only slightly memorable. Though I can't recall the details which bothers me when I go to write a review on here I will say that they have a tastefully appointed dining room and I did enjoy their exposed kitchen.
(3)Christian M.
Really, this is one of the nicest places I have been. From the start, the decor is classy and casual at the same time, nice leather quiet private and intimate. I have never had a bad meal, the Fried Oysters are spectacular, the meals are original and flavorful. The steaks are great, thick and juicy, cooked to perfection. The staff is attentive and so helpful, but is not hovering. If you need a special place or nice night out, it can be any of those. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Also check out their new large table seating area, nice for a group of up to 20.
(4)Inthe B.
This was my first visit to Mission Oak Grille. My companions and I sat at the bar and although the bartender seemed to be a bit flustered, we received some great service with a smile. The food came out in a timely manor and was absolutely delicious. We had mussels(yum! Garlicky) crab cakes, and spinach salads...nicely done(although we didn't get any bread until we asked toward the middle of the meal). The thing that keeps this review from being 5 star, is that there were some people near the service bar( , whom I think work for the restaurant) with a child, and they were allowing him to grab cherries out of the tray that they garnish patrons drinks with...gross! Thank goodness I only had a glass of wine!
(4)Rosy R.
Come on people... Offer something decent at bar. Sliders are like over cooked gun shot.spinach salad used to be big, now not enough for 1/2 a person. Nothing but nothing healthy on bar menu..get with the healthy eating program, and serve what you offer well. Grrrrr
(1)shelly j.
The food was good, portions very small. I have filet with potatos 5oz was size of a nugget. My boyfriend had steak tips that were suppose to be medium and were charred black crispy and bacon potoato salad that tasted like plain boiled potatos. The best part of this whole experience is the bill came to 79 dollars and the server, authorized my creditcard 3 times!!! Which put a hold on my funds for 230 dollars!!! And didnt even tell me!!!! I had to call and the women said it would drop off in 5 to 10 days!!! R u serious??!!! After speaking to manager she took charges off by contacting my bank, but didnt really say anything except sorry, ill tell the server. I will never go back!!!
(1)Bridgette C.
Great food in a fun location! Definitely worth the visit.
(4)Elana H.
While the food was great, it could not make up for the awful service we received on Mother's Day. When we arrived, about 15 minutes before our reservation, there was no one at the host/hostess stand to greet us. We stood there for 10 minutes with waitstaff passing us (not even giving a courteous, 'someone will be with you in a moment') before the host appeared. He took our name and found our reservations. He was about to seat us when he saw the people behind us and took their name, and found their reservation, which they were 15 minutes late for. He made us stand there while he sat them first. We were at the table closest to the front door. It was incredibly drafty. I had to wear my coat the entire meal. We had to wait 20 minutes before my husband flagged down a waitress to get us our water (we were apparently in 'no ones' section). Finally they arrived to offer us drinks, we let them know that after a 1/2 hour of waiting, we were ready to order. We received a half-hearted apology towards the end from the waitress who took our table, but not once did management come to soothe any ruffled feathers. The place wasn't even all that busy. Just awful and embarrassing to take the in-laws. We will never go back.
(1)glenn k.
My wife and I went NBPT for dinner last night and decided to try Mission Oak Grill based on a couple reviews from friends around town. The place was almost full on a Thursday night - a good sign. We sat at the bar. Warm, dark, comfortable and very nice people next to us on both side. The bartender greeted us promptly and served us each a glass of wine (I very much enjoyed the Christine Andrew Chardonnay. She had the Hill & Dale Sauvignon Blanc - decent.). Contrary to many reviews, our service was excellent. Very pleasant, perfectly informative and timely delivery of bread, appetizer and entree. So, 4 stars for ambience and service. On to the food. Okay, I've read several reviews here about how great/flavorful/tasty the food is at Mission Oak Grill. People, do we understand the difference between flavor and salt? Hopefully it was just our meal, and apologies for the expression, but HOLY SODIUM OVERLOAD. I drank a bottle of water on the way home. Mind you, I am one with multiple salt caves and known to not be bashful about seasoning while I cook - maybe even a little too much. This was ridiculous. In order: Focaccia Bread - Liberally seasoned. Light to mild oil (as it should be). Very good. Steamed PEI Mussels - Perfect size (small to med). Sweet, tender, very tasty. However, the broth was so overly salted it was almost undippable ( new word?) with the two well prepared crusty bread slices (also seasoned). Not a concentrated reduction broth - SALT! Lot's of it. Simply Grilled Churrasco (classic Brazilian steak) for me. - A perfectly medium-well cooked marinated flank steak covered with what would be a delicious dark sauce if not for being so salty my lips began to pucker. The Crispy Shoestring fries were perfectly cooked, but again heavily heavily salted. A quick shake or rub off and they were very good. 10oz Filet Mignon for the wife - A well portioned, slightly undercooked medium filet served with mashed potato and the entire plate is smothered in Madeira Demi Glace that was so salty it tasted as if it we spooned from a jar of Better Than Boullion and mixed with a shot of wine and topped with two wilted and burnt broccolini spears (not eaten). The sauce rendered what was otherwise a decent steak and light, fluffy mashed potato utterly inedible. So much so that we were hesitant to even bring home leftover to the dogs (I washed it off). We found the pricing to be on par with what other North Shore restaurants attempting to be similar "fine dining" experiences to be. I do not begrudge any restaurant for pricing. There are too many resources available to get this information before one enters a restaurant. And there is almost always a menu posted or available before entering. If it too pricey for your budget, there is surely an establishment in the area that is not. I prefer to measure price versus quality of the experience in similar establishments in the area. If patrons are foolish enough to continue to pay the price for lesser quality, it is surely not the owners fault. If not, they will adjust accordingly or suffer the same consequence many restaurants do. Final thoughts: I wouldn't say 'Don't go to Mission Oak Grill' as it is a very nice atmosphere. But if you do go, request all sauces on the side and to go a little easy on the salt (blame it on special dietary needs, if necessary). My guess is the actual flavors of the food might be a little better than we experienced. You can always add the sauce and sodium if you like - you just can't take it away.
(2)Dan P.
Went to Mission Oak Grill mid week with my wife and parents. Atmosphere- friendly hostess and a down to earth personable waitress. Had that classy steak house look to it. Dim lights, red booths and chairs and a nice wood finish. Apps- Mussels. Good portion with a spicy kick to the light tomato sauce. Perfect. Buretta Mozzarella - lighter than Buffalo, sliced with tomato in a delicious light dressing. Perfect Oyster Rockafella- actually baked in a Escargot plate. Easier than eating it out of the shell- perfect flavor and taste. Entree- all 4 of us got Filets. My mother got the petit 5 oz. my wife had the 10oz and my father and I had Oscar style- 10oz with a hollandaise sauce and crab Meat. Wow absolutely perfect. Reason I tried this is because I had a Phantom Gourmet Gift Card. I thought it was a perfect meal and a perfect night. Don't get me wrong you will pay good $$($30+ entree) but it is worth it- especially when you wash it down with 2 bottles of delicious American Cabinet. It's a must try and I can't wait To go again for a special occasion.
(5)Matt P.
I reluctantly give five stars given that our meal did not start off well. Let me start there. We arrived early for our reservation and had a nice booth ready for us when we arrived. We were given menus when we sat and then we sat and sat... the waiter for the table next to us finally asked us if anyone had been over after we sat there for ten minutes. He then got the ball rolling by getting our cocktails, which made the next five minutes waiting for our server bearable! Once our server showed up, everything was great! We ordered scollaps wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, which was delicious! It was a bit pricey at $14 for just 4 scallops but the flavor was absolutely perfect! Next we each had a cup of clam chowder. The chowder was the best we ever had. It was very creamy and had lot s of flavor. Th entrees that followed were just as exceptional, I had the grillen chicken saltimbocco and my wife has the petite filet mignon. The waitress apologized at the end of our meal for the wait we had endured when we sat down. I appreciated that and even that 15 minutes couldn't take this five star meal to a four star meal- the food is that good and the service was fine after that!
(5)Ashley K.
I went to Mission Oak Grill on my first trip to Newburyport. The town was amazing and so was this restaurant!! The drinks were great, the steak was amazing, and the people of Newburyport were very welcoming. Although the food took a very long time to come to the table, the waitress made up for it by giving my boyfriend and I tips on all the best places to go visit in the surrounding area. I would make Mission Oak Grill my first stop when I visit again.
(4)Patty T.
We went to Mission Oak Grill for our anniversary last week. Based on reviews in Yelp, I was pretty sure what I was going to order. Unfortunately, I second guessed myself and now I need to go back and try something else. The sangria was delicious. I had two glasses. Yum. The crab empanada app was the best thing we ate that night. I wish we'd had more of them. Very tasty. For dinner, I had the scallops with risotto and my husband had the rib-eye. The scallops and risotto were good, not OMG good as I was expecting based on many Yelp reviews. I wanted to try the Moqueca but somehow talked myself into the scallops. My husband's rib eye was good but again, not OMG. He talked himself out of the Churrasco so he wants to go back for that. We didn't have dessert but we did join their Loyalty Club and so have a free dessert next time we go. Psyched.
(3)joana b.
loved this place, will def. be back soon! old church transformed into nice restaurant, away from harbor, but walking distance and worth it. sangria perfectly yummy $9/glass caesar salad, skip it $4 (dinner side) soggy lettuce, runny dressing, just not that pleasing. bread basket with mashed garbarzo beans, olive oil, garlic, pepper ( honey says it was yummy) i passed on the bread. crab empanada $12 great taste, light, with yummy sauce drizzled on plate (beautiful presentation) great waiter, attentive, informative, but kept a good distance, he was available, but not in our face, never rushing us. I called and reserved a "table, not too close to kitchen traffic, and away from main entrance) we had never been here, so didn't know what to ask for. We got a booth near the wine rack, perfect spot:) atmosphere great, dim, dark rich woods. entrees matacquo (SP?) $25 OMGG SO DELICIOUS, i commented to waiter tell the chef, great job, and we want recipe. Chef Christopher came to table, and spoke with us for like 10 minutes, about the meal, the origin of the restaurant, etc. awesome! me and BF spent a while deciphering the flavors married together to make this dish so phenomenal! scallops, gulf bay shrimp, cherrystones, mussels, swordfish, shrimp stock, jasmine rice, coconut milk, cilantro,green onions...just yummy! petite filet oscar $29 5 oz. filet cooked to perfection, melt in mouth crab, yummy aspagus (oven roasted) and mashed potatoes where good, but i would have liked option of truffle fries or something else. didn't think to ask. we skipped dessert/coffee $110 for a phenomenal meal!!! CAN'T RECOMMEND THIS PLACE HIGHLY ENOUGH!!! ENJOY!!!
(5)Leah R.
After seeing a review of this place on Phantom Gourmet, I made a reservation. What sold me? Some delicious looking chocolate cake with marshmallow center! I don't eat steak but the dessert alone was enough for me. And my boyfriend's a huge carnivore so I figured we'd both be happy. I made my reservation and confirmed with the person I spoke with that the dessert on Phantom Gourmet was still on the menu. I was told it was. We got to the restaurant and had a drink and oysters at the bar. Service here was kind of lacking. We weren't even acknowledged for about 5 minutes, let alone asked what we wanted to drink. No real innovative cocktails and kind of a small wine-by-glass list, but we had no problem finding something to drink. At the table, we ordered dinner. My boyfriend ordered the rib-eye; if it had been socially acceptable, he would've licked the plate. I ordered scallops and they were the biggest I'd ever seen. Finally finished dinner and I was excited for dessert. I asked about the cake and our waitress informed me that all desserts were now being made in-house and the smores cake was now a smores brownie. WHAT??? I don't even like brownies! I ordered it anyway and was sorely disappointed - kinda dry and crumbly and definitely not at all like a cake with a gooey, dripping marshmallow center. The food was good, atmosphere nice and modern. Probably won't drive from Boston to Newburyport for this place again but a nice overall experience.
(4)Mandy M.
I love the atmosphere here. Dark wood, cool bar, nice booths. It's great. We had friends visiting from SLC and we brought them here - as we're all used to San Francisco restaurants. The first time our waitress was a little much - sort of barging in at all the wrong times and didn't really match the vibe in there - but the second time it was great. I'd like to see a little more diversity on the menu but for the most part - delicious food - particularly the scallops w/risotto and the oysters were straight up YUM town. Cocktails are great, they have honig on the menu (hooray!) and I leave feeling happy every time. Good stuff.
(4)Scott H.
Went in with the wife today at 5:30. Very quiet since it was early. We sat at the far end of the bar and ordered a couple drinks, which we excellent. When shared two apps - scallops wrapped in bacon with a maple mustard sauce and escargot. Both were excellent. Opted to choose our entrees from the bar menu...my wife had a burger and I had the steak tenderloin sandwich. Both were good, but not the best we've had. We will go back and try the full dinner menu soon. Also, the bartender was very attentive.
(4)Wendy B.
The food was fine, but... 1) Our waitress barely seemed to work here. She couldn't answer our questions or get anything done on our behalf. 2) It was so dark that it hurt our eyes to strain to see - and we are 31!
(2)Sarah K.
I love this place! I've been here several times since it opened and it has always been amazing. My favorite is the scallop entree, the scallops are huge and prepared perfectly. I also think they have a very well selected wine list and very cool atmosphere. I love the dark wood, dark leather, dimly lit feel. Very Manhattan. Good place for a date!
(5)Jeremy M.
Most I have ever spent on a dinner for two: $48.50 What I spent on a dinner for two at Mission Oak: $78.28 *Note: Prices do not include tip or alcohol. What we ordered: Appetizer: Jumbo Scallops Wrapped in Bacon The app. came with 3 large scallops each wrapped in a half strip of bacon. It was very delicious, and presented very well. However, for $12, I would expect 4 scallops. Overall, the app. gets a 4.5 out of 5 Entree 1: Shrimp & Scallops Linguine My wife ordered this for her meal. She asked the kitchen to substitute the shrimp portion for chicken, which they did. However, we were disappointed with the portion when it arrived. There was PLENTY of pasta and grilled vegetables, so the plate size was very generous. However, there was only a small cutlet of chicken breast (4-5 oz. or so) and 2 jumbo scallops. $26 for this plate is a little steep for the small meat portioning. She enjoyed the taste, and even had enough left over to take home for lunch today. Overall, this plate gets a 3.5 out of 5 because it was a pasta dish with a side of protein. We expected a better ratio. Entree 2: Brazilian Mixed Grill This is the kind of dish I would expect from an establishment like this. A generous portion of Flank Steak, a flavorful Sausage and 3 Jumbo Shrimp combine to make this dish a very desirable menu choice. But... it's served with Fries. I would expect a dish of this magnitude to have a baked or redskin mashed potato. I completely missed the "Crispy Fries" notation on the menu and didn't ask for a substitution, so that's what I got. I would give this dish a 5 out of 5, but the fries bring the quality way down to a 3.5 out of 5. I didn't even eat them, save for the 1 bite which confirmed my distaste. The Waiter was very pleasant and attentive. Since the restaurant was nearly empty, we were able to have a nice, quiet dinner without worrying where our food was. The service was excellent, and gets a 5 out of 5. I'm glad we got a booth, though - the tables appeared to be not nearly as comfortable. The lighting is very dim, so the added light from the window next to us was also welcome. So, the atmosphere gets a 4 out of 5, for the poor lighting. Overall, I give a 3.5 out of 5. The prices are just too high for the food portioning ratio (protein-to-starch) and the side street location just isn't as nice as the waterfront options the area has. Altogether, if the bill had come to $65, they would have received a 4 out of 5.
(3)D M.
I had dinner at this restaurant just last week on Friday night at 6:30. Reservation was for 7:30, but we showed up early and asked if they could seat us and there was no problem. The restaurant wasn't crowded at that time, though it did get busier later in the evening. The waitstaff was excellent, very attentive. The timing of the courses was incredible. I felt so relaxed having the time to sit and enjoy each course rather than feeling rushed out. The drinks were very good. I enjoyed a Poinsettia Martini, my date enjoyed a (warm) Winter Warmer and a (cold) Sangria. He enjoyed the Winter Warmer much more than the Sangria which he thought tasted overwhelmingly of citrus. Though he later remembered he'd squeezed both the lemon and lime garnishes into his drink. (Doh!) Perhaps that explains the overwhelming citrus flavor. I tried both of his drinks and enjoyed the Sangria. I did not like the Winter Warmer as It contained Scotch which I don't personally have a taste for. We ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell as well as a Petite Caesar salad and French onion soup to start. The oysters came with the typical horseradish/cocktail sauce and a sherry sauce. I tried and really enjoyed both. My only complaint is that the person doing the shucking didn't quite hit the mark on my last oyster, I ended up with a piece of the shell and a ton of grit in my mouth. But, aside from that, the oysters were wonderful. The salad was the perfect size for a starter salad. There was plenty of dressing, though I wasn't overwhelmed. The croutons were very good. My date enjoyed the French onion soup. It came to the table piping hot directly out of the oven - the waitress requested that he enjoy with care. The soup was good, the bread and cheese on top were even better and there was plenty of them to last. Though, he did say that he was all "French Onioned out" by the end of the crock it came in, there was quite a bit of the stuff. For our meals we ordered the petite filet and steak tips. We each tried both and were very pleased. The filet was delicious and tender, and the potatoes and broccoli accompanying the meat were also well prepared and delicious. The steak tips were extremely flavorful. They came accompanied with several grilled vegetables and a warm "potato salad" each of which was also quite good. Overall, the Mission Oak Grill has a wonderful atmosphere and delicious food/drinks, but is slightly more than I'd like to spend for just any old night out. It was wonderful for a special occasion.
(4)Mara R.
Was so excited to head here for my birthday this past December... Since I can't stop thinking about my terrible time... I had to go back and update my rating. I just want to say I was VERY DISAPPOINTED!!! I had the scallops and risotto that I raved about in my last review and it wasn't good.... The risotto was very bland and had no flavor and the scallops were ruined by the fact that they were covered in char from the overcooked "grilled" asparagus. To make our meal even more disappointing, we were FREEZING the entire meal because of the draft coming from the front entrance and our waitress was VERY RUDE and seemed to get defensive when I told her about my dish. When we got our bill we had expected the scallop dish to be comped and it wasn't.... So we asked to speak to the manager and almost 35-40 minutes later (sitting in the freezing cold) she came over and apologized and comped the dish... She did offer to give me a free dessert which I told her I would take a rain check on. Very, very disappointed Mission Oak.!!! What happened??? You used to be one of my favorite places... The ONLY reason I knocked it down to 3 stars and not 2 is because my husband's filet was cooked to temp and was a quality piece of meat.
(3)Andrew D.
So I like food. To say I live for food ... well some would say that I do ... I mean I have a Bacon Cook Book ... and since I just mentioned Bacon I should tell you that the Clam Chowder at Mission Oak Grill Is some of the best I ever had ... Newburyport is known for Seafood (or at least I think people think that since its a port) and its my opinion that Mission Oak Grill beats most of the tourist traps in town (Michael's Harborside and Starboard Galley as examples). Its not cheap but I think the quality of the meat and seafood is spot on - like any place you need to get the right thing and since this is a Brazilian Steak and Seafood place you should probably stick to those two categories. (By Brazilian - I don't mean they walk around with skewers of meat and carve them at the table.) I might have gives Mission Oak Grill 5 stars but as some other reviews have mentioned service is not spot on and the wait staff should be better for what you are paying. Plus they eliminated take out - I mean like what the hell! But if you go for lunch, arrive before dinner rushes or sit at the bar - I think you'll enjoy your visit. And try the Side Car.
(4)Melissa R.
Hubby and I ate here for the first time this weekend. We went for a friend's birthday celebration and were pleasantly surprised! To start, we were seated just to the right of the front door. We weren't cold in the slightest. Our server was amazing. Although there were 16 of us on a Saturday night, he never faltered. All the food was served together, drinks were never empty. As others have mentioned, the foccacia with hummus with different and delicious! My husband's petite Cesar was good, but he would have liked a bit more salad dressing on it. I had the pan seared scallops with risottos and asparagus. It could very well be one of my favorite meals ever! The risotto was cooked perfectly, as were the scallops and the asparagus. My husband's churrasco had good flavor, but was a bit fatty in his opinion. Fries were unbelievably good. Cappucino machine wasn't working, so my coffee was missing the foam, but I can forgive that when everything else was so excellent! The bill was a bit steep however, at over $100 for 4 beverages, 2 meals, and a salad, but I would defintely try this place again!
(4)Ed Ann T.
A special occasion with four friends turned to the worse when a waiter would argue and not admit he was wrong for not listening. On top of that I had to send my filet back to the kitchen because I guess very raw means medium in their definition. No dessert ever offered by the waiter and no apologee for the service means we will not be going back there again. Their loss as well as many friends that I will be telling.
(1)stephanie b.
I have been to Mission Oak just once otherwise this would be five stars! The staff is focused on providing excellent customer service and does everything to accommodate you. The food is very good and the menu has a varied selection. Although I don't eat meat everyone at my table was gushing over the quality of the meat as was the table next to us. We all had a great nite and can't wait to get back!
(4)pRiNceSs J.
Very good. Such a nice atmosphere and the open kitchen concept is so comforting to me. Everything stainless and very cozy. The food is excellent. Brought my mom here for mothers day and we got lobster and filet both perfectly cooked and delicious. Will def come Back!
(3)Jack J.
First off, any restaurant that allows reservations via Open Table gets an immediate thumbs up. We were left kidless mid afternoon and used the opportunity to book a reservation for the same night. The hostess was friendly and chatty, although her younger sidekick could have used some personality lessons. The atmosphere is lively and classy like a good chophouse should be. Service fantastic from well dressed and well groomed (very important) waitstaff. I even observed our neighboring tables and it seemed they were treated as well. The wine list included plenty of great wines by-the-glass. My wife found a nice pino grigio from Italy, I opted for a microbrew draft. The draft selection is rather small though so if you want selection there are plenty of bottles to choose from. We both had garden greens salads first. The "half" is almost full size. Great house dressing. I asked for feta on the side, it came on the salad. Ooops. Even though we were at a steak-house we both opted for seafood. My wife had the salmon. Nicely cooked, good size portion, well presented. Based on another Yelper I went for the seared scallops. They were cooked to perfection, almost creamy on the inside. Served over a mild seafood orzo. The asparagus still had its woody ends. Another oops. By the time we left at 8:00 the place was rocking. The older hostess was friendly on our departure, the younger one still had no personality. I don't mind paying for great atmosphere and service so the $84.00 bill for two wasn't a bummer.
(5)Joyce H.
I just joined Yelp although my experience at Mission Oak Grill took place last summer. Hopefully the policies have changed since it was not a good experience. We were in Newburyport on a week night with friends. We thought we'd go in for a drink and some appetizers. When we approached the hostess we noticed that there were about 5 people in the restaurant. We asked for a table, explained we were just there for drinks and apps and were told they couldn't accommodate us. It seemed rather odd to turn away paying customers but walk away we did....right down the street to another restaurant.
(1)Leif H.
Upscale meat and seafood, presented in a darker lounge type environment. My wife and I tried their steamed pei mussels appetizer, which was spot on, two different main courses and desert. We had made reservation, which helped as we were immediately seated during their busy evening. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. We even were able to spot the sommelier presenting several bottles of wine to a larger party. We would definitely go back and request a booth, to be a bit out of the way. It was nice that the kitchen knew how to properly cook food, since only a few nights before we had to send mussels appetizers back to the kitchen several times.
(4)P S.
Food - very good. Prices - average to high. Waitstaff - friendly & efficient. Atmosphere - very pleasant. Kitchen - very slooooooowwwwww. If they can increase the kitchen output, they could get 5 stars!
(4)Sarah K.
We went for a special occasion and it was lovely. The 2 sets of doors helped keep the dining room warm. The decor was dark and inviting. We sat at a half-circle bench and had a great view of the whole room. The foccacia with blended chickpea was wonderful, and not too filling. We choose the Scallops wrapped in Bacon for an appetizer. AMAZING!!! I'm not the biggest seafood fan, and these were tender, and not rubbery. The Cesar salads were good, although mine had a little too much dressing. Our main course followed soon after, and he had the steak tips with grilled whole tomatoes (which I kept helping myself too as I love tomatoes). He enjoyed the steak tips, and had a bit of mine too! I had the Bavette Sirloin, which was tender and made me pause after each bite it was that good. It was also very peppery. I did find myself moving some peppercorns around after I inadvertently bit into one. Good thing I like pepper. The mash potatoes are tasty, and he took some when I wasn't looking!. We had the s'mores brownie sunday which was very gooey, and very good. The brownie was fudgy with out being mush, and supported the scoop of graham cracker coated vanilla ice cream . Our wait staff was attentive and unobtrusive. Although the bathroom were down a flight stairs in the front entrance and they were cold since it's still cold out. I would come back for another wonderful and delicious night out.
(4)John M.
Went there as they were packed in their bar where they were serving half-priced meals - seemed to be too busy to take care of the full paying customers. Had the seared scallops - nothing to shout out about - spouse had salmon: was very good. Service left a lot to be desired. And they charge $2,50 for a soda with no free refills...
(2)Craig G.
Very good wine selection. I had the petite filet with seared scallops. Wonderful dish as the scallops were very fresh. Caesar salad was average.
(4)Brendan O.
Great food and interior design. Always packed and has a nice feel. Expensive dinner, odd dessert menu. Service was terrible this time, worse than the few times I have gone before. Go there for the bar or dinner but expect sub-par service.
(4)jon g.
The last five meals I have had at this restaurant have been fabulous. When the restaurant first opened both meals and service were shaky, but in the last year it has turned into one of the better places to dine in Newburyport. Prices are reasonable, ambiance is great, drinks are a little on the expensive side, but in my opinion worth it. I truly enjoy dining at Mission Oak Grill.
(4)Steve M.
Had dinner on New Year's Eve, made reservation on OpenTable.com . Took over 40 minutes to get seated, dinner took over two hours. Forgot to bring my salad, fish was waaaay overcooked, server was indifferent. I left comments on OpenTable, and had them forward them to the restaurant about my experience. Never heard a word back. Apparently, they don't need or want my business, so I am happy to oblige. This place seems to be trading on its former reputation--you can do much better in NPort.
(1)Jessica L.
It's been a long time since I've known where to hang out in Newburyport, so when I was informed this place was a newish restaurant in an old church, I had to try it. I mean, who can resist drinking in a church?!??! I went with 2 friends, one of whom has severe food allergies. Upon being seated, she asked to speak with someone from the kitchen to discuss her options. She was greated by the executive chef and he was very helpful (and patient) with her questions about the menu's ingredients. In addition, I was impressed that they allowed me to make my own entree since I REALLY wanted lobster and there was no single lobster item on the menu. So, they allowed me to create a dish of 2 lobster tails and 2 sides. I thought that was very considerate. There is a short list of wines available by the glass, but of what is available, there are some good options. Unfortunately, our waitress didn't seem too knowledgeable about most of them and was unable to direct us in our wine explorations. As for the food, we skipped the appetizers. My lobster tails were cooked just right, unfortunately they were cold upon arriving to the table. The mashed potatoes were just ehhh and had little flavoring. I was excited for the spinach, but after one bite thought I had inhaled an ocean of salt. For the price I paid, I was underwhelmed. I had much higher expectations to match the high cost. My friends were satisfied, although none of us were blown away by the food or, really, even impressed. I would probably try it again, but not any time soon.
(3)Peter L.
Another visit (of several) to the Mission Oak, not much new to report. Dining room was sparsely populated for a Friday night in May. Most of the diners were 55+. Other than a flannel- and hoodie-clad teen couple, we were the youngest people in the DR. The bar area was doing better, though, with Bruins playoff action on the TV.
(3)E. R.
I've only tried some of the bar menu and appetizer choices so I can't say how their steaks are which is the main focus of the menu. The food we did have was good. The mussels and Thai chicken wings were tasty and we'd go back for those things. The service was a bit slow. We sat at the bar and though it was an off night the bar was almost full. There were plenty of waitstaff for a mostly empty dining room who could have bailed the bartender out. He was charging back and forth trying his best to take care of his customers and pour drinks for the rest of the restaurant. It was a bit unsettling while trying to enjoy our meal considering the restaurant really wasn't that busy. As far as the atmosphere is concerned, the place is filled with high quality materials. It has nice furniture, nice woodwork, beautiful granite bar, good flatware/ plates/ etc. but it somehow feels generic and lacks flare.
(3)Richard C.
Although the food at Mission Oak Grill cannot be faulted, the service has deteriorated and needs vast improvement. My wife and I stopped by for an early dinner on a slow Wednesday and were greeted with a 15 minute wait to place our order and another 15 minutes before our bottle of wine arrived. The excuse was that they couldn't find the manager who had the key to the wine storage! Ordered dessert but after another wait we were informed that they were out of our selection. Check came at last but no doggie bag and it took another 10 minutes to get it. Finally, perhaps indicating management's indifference to their customers, I received no reply to the complaining email I sent them.
(2)Beach Girl M.
We had such great expectations for this restaurant. The decor is very cool and the wait staff great. The bartender Nick knows how to make a Great Martini- everybody makes them these days but when was the last time you had a great one! The food,well, left great room for improvement. The steaks were ok, but topped with a sauce that tasted like Heinz brown sauce. The portions VERY small. We do not eat large portions of food so this was interesting. The shrimp was so bad, you could smell them from your seated position. How does THAT ever happen if your chef is on top of things? I would definately not return here with the thought of ordering steak. It is not the dream steak house that it professes to be- at best , I heard the burgers were good. If this place wants to rate with the big boys(or stay open past Christmas)- it needs to step up its game. There were a handful of people at the bar when we were there. The management was very nice. It is a lovely restaurant but really no place I would really set out to visit. I could see how it would be a good place for an expensive office party. As far as the greatness of the 'Brazilian" cusine, don't hold your breath- there are many many other great Brazilian restaurants- this not being one of them.
(2)