Barb K.

I had been here a few times before. Was in the mood to come back and was again pleased. Traveling on business and dining alone it's nice when the bartenders don't ignore you. They are wonderful here. I had the mussels and a side of shrimp and grits with chorizo. Both were excellent however there was a little grease from the chorizo that I could have done without. Even chatted up some locals who sat next to me. Very friendly place good food. Give it a try.

Kate M.

The macaroni and cheese is amazing! Once when we ordered the chicken mac & cheese without the bacon and it came with bacon, not only did they replace the order but they credited us back for the original order. Great service and great food!

Len B.

Last night we were plenty surprised that the kitchen was open til 1130 We arrived at 1115 and I ordered the classic burger...local meat with bacon and gluten free bun. It was delicious. The French fries were home and awesome!! My girl friend / lover ordered a lighter fare. Because she's silly:). She had the salmon and quinoa which was good. She also had a delicious glass of Mercedes red wine. They have a good amount of beer on tap! I had the angry orchard

Igor S.

I came expecting a decent meal and a good time. I left bloated with the best macaroni and cheese that I have ever had in my life (mushroom and truffle with garlic bread crumbs). The service and atmosphere did not disappoint, and this restaurant made my day. (My son wrote this review.)

Lauren C.

I haven't even left the restaurant and posting 5 stars. Tomato Basil flatbread is to die for, wonderful creative cocktail, fast and super friendly service. Not the first visit and definitely not my last I love this place.

Chris M.

Been here a few times. The cocktails are creative and tasty, especially the Cubano. I've only had apps here, but everything is very salty. Not sure why that's the dominating seasoning. The service is hit or miss as both times I've been here, the servers seem to disappear when it comes time to pick up the check.

Jenny B.

My friends and I love coming here for drinks and food is great too. It is a very friendly and warm environment, almost like the fictional Cheers bar. I strongly recommend this place to all.

Cameron L.

Ordered the steak tips and fries. Asked for and got them cooked medium. The tips were perfect, the fries thin with occasional bit of skin were nice as well, but occupied 3/4 of the plate! Doesn't quite seem right with the dish classified as "big" and approaching $20. I made a pointed inquiry to the server; she brushed off my concern saying that others have similarly complained about the burgers being served that way as well. All in all really enjoyed the tips, just wanted a lot more than the 1/4 plate I was served.

Brian W.

Best burger I've had in a LONG time and that's saying a lot. We always end up going to Paddy's Pub instead of this place, but that's about to change. The service was awesome and they were extremely accommodating of my wife's gluten allergy. Great beers on draft and good drink options. The ambiance is really nice with dark wood and a classy pub feel. We'll definitely be back. Soon I hope.

Pete M.

We had a great experience at the Local tonight. We had a bit of a wait (25 min) for two, but were able to get tasty cocktails and sit on one of their benches by the window while we were waiting. Once we got seated we had the kale salad with goat cheese to start. Amazing! Dressing was super good and the crispy chickpeas added good texture to the salad. My fiance had the homemade gnocci special (appetizer size) and it was perfect. She said it had amazing flavor and that the roasted fennel was a great addition. I had the tuna and the wings (both small plates) as my "main" and enjoyed both. We didn't feel overly stuffed (in a good way) so we decided to order the flourless chocolate cake and I'm glad we did! It was basically like a gooey brownie sundae, but with a richer flavor. Absolutely delicious. The service was also great and the place had good atmosphere. We will definitely be back!

Alex G.

Went here during a weekend trip to Boston for brunch. They have a little bit of everything for decent prices. I went with the Huevos Rancheros - they were good, not great. Service was kind of slow too. Main mistake was not getting the lobster roll. Luckily two friends got them and were willing to share. Solid. Bumped the rating from 3 to 4 stars.

Chris P.

Went for dinner ended up getting two apps and a few drinks. Apps were decent and the drinks were good. Menu is limited for dinner options. Got a non alcoholic drink and they charged us $8 which is ridiculous. We will return but likely not for dinner. B-

Eme M.

I would have given 4 stars if it weren't for our initial interaction with a less than pleasant young brunette hostess when entering The Local... Myself and two girlfriends went to The Local Saturday evening around 7:30pm in search for some tasty mussels and gluten free options...When we walked in the Hostess didnt even acknowledge us when we finally got her attention she seemed aggravated we were there. She informed us then, that it would be a 25 minute wait ( the place didnt appear to be overly busy...but whatever..) regardless of the long wait we decided to stay and grab a glass of wine at the bar till a table opened which seemed to aggravate her even more, honestly if we didnt have our hearts set on a few things on the menu we would have walked right out of there because of her rude attitude. We grabbed some glasses on wine and waited by the bar and were seated in 10 minutes or less...NOT 25 as the girl had initially told us. When we sat our waitress filled our waters took our app order and gave us a while to catch up and chat with one another which we totally appreciated! We shared the truffle fries which were AMAZING. My gluten free friend ordered one of the pizza options, which she loved, then we ordered two orders of mussels which were just what we were looking for. I will say that when we left a new hostess had taken the stand, a woman with very short curly hair and she was very pleasant as we left. All in all we got what we came there for... with a little unwanted sass on the side.

Peter W.

I've been here during the busy dinner rush and also late at night at the bar. The food and drinks are very good both times. Service is a bit slower during dinner but that is to be expected. The bar staff are very friendly and attentive. One or two more televisions would help near the bar area.

Lila S.

Great place to go! Their food is all gourmet and fresh! Fraser is excellent and their parmasian fries are amazing!

Arden W.

This is a solid spot for a drink or a quick bite--yes the portions are a bit small but I prefer lots of "little things" (as they put it) over one big dish so their menu works for me and anyone who's with me! The atmosphere is fun and fresh--but it's not overly trendy at all. The Local definitely brings in a diverse crowd--even on say a Friday night you'll find groups of twenty-somethings, middle aged couples and even some families with young kids. Expect a wait but why not get tipsy and more hungry while waiting? My only real complaint is the spotty service, especially since the prices sort of are on the higher side. The wait staff could have had a lot to handle but it should have never taken that long for my boyfriend and I to be attended to or even acknowledged at first....Also, side note: my mother went a few weeks ago with a friend and said the bartender "ignored her because she was old" (lol). Although this is coming from my Mom who tends to be a harsh critic and enjoys making snap-judgements, I do agree that the effort could be stepped up a bit in both the bar and the dining room. Recommendations: try the special/signature cocktails--strong & delish, if you are feeling indulgent get the Lobster Mac & Cheese it's to dieeee, and any of the fried fish or seafood is really good especially with their homemade tartar sauce!

Leonard J.

The ice water in a large glass pitcher was the best part of the meal. The waiter kept it filled and was very pleasant. She disappeared after bringing the disappointing entrees. Oily & too sweet Hong Kong noodle dish. Strangely seasoned and hard to eat half of it. Turkey tips & fries were not much better. Tough turkey. No sides but fries. And they could have been more crispy. Wonder how they got so many high ratings. Was my experience a rarity? Not going to give it a 2nd try. Not worth it.

Jason H.

dependable menu, especially flat breads and great servers only word of caution is that there aren't a ton of restaurants in west newton so on a Friday or Saturday night from 6-9pm you should be prepared to wait

Beth C.

This place has delicious food and a great beer selection (baby tree and alagash white!) The waitstaff are friendly and professional. I personally love the Mac n cheese and the fries. The desserts are great. I recommend the peanut butter cheesecake and the chocolate chip cookies.

Mary B.

This place has a cool vibe, but the parking is not ideal and the food is nothing special. It gets crowded so I recommend making a reservation or be prepared to wait. My order came to me wrong but I didn't bother complaining because the waitress was too busy. I will give this place another chance...

Kurt S.

The local is a wonderful restaurant. The food is always good and dependable and sometimes quite delicious. The mixed drinks are creative and very tasty. The beer selection is definitely way above average. It's a happening kind of place. I think almost anything you order here is going to be a winner. I should know-I've eaten almost everything off of that menu. The burger always gets great reviews and I will continue that tradition. The medium rare burger is nice and juicy and the fries that come with it are always perfectly cooked. I am so puzzled when I read about the rude staff because my experience with every waiter and every bartender has been nothing but positive. The food comes out at a pretty quick pace-it needs to, because the place is always so busy! For me and my family and friends, this restaurant is a go-to sure thing for your pre-or post-movie meal. I'm sorry others have not had a great experience I have; give it another try.

Maya T.

Went here on a recommendation from a friend who is a foodie who visited a few months ago from Dallas. I'm glad I took his advice and went to the Local! Went on a Friday night, so it was busy, but the wait didn't seem too long. They were busy, but our waitress was attentive to us. We got the mac & cheese and pizza. The pomegranate martini was delicious. Will definitely go back.

Maria M.

Loved the ambiance. Had dinner last night with two friends and we had a cozy little corner. Wasn't in the best mood, but the old school motown music and the food were just what I needed. My friends had been here before and recommended the fried pickles and shrimp and they were amazing - - worth every calorie with that delicious spicy mayo. I ordered the pan seared salmon which was cooked perfectly, but didn't love the eggplant mix it was served with (too salty). My friends ordered the short ribs and the chicken - - both delicious. Would definitely come back for the mood, music, food, and friends.

Angie B.

Mussels were A delight. Flatbread pizza was crispy. Easy parking next door in the courthouse lot after 5pm. The place was jumping and that's always a good sign.

Lily D.

Oh, how I miss thee, "The Local" of 2009. The girls from work and I go to the local about once every six months. Not all the time, but enough to be very familiar with their menu and prices. I'm sad to say that in the last year or so, our experience keeps getting worse with every visit. The prices keep going up, the portions keep getting smaller and things just don't taste as good as they used to. Next time we're thinking about where to go after work to blow off some steam, I won't be suggesting The Local. It's too bad. Back in the day, I used to go out of my way to go there...

Erin C.

I've added a star because The Local has never failed me in MANY visits. I love the food, the drinks are decently priced and the service is satisfactory. Overall, a great addition to the neighborhood!

Donna M.

This place is a great "local" place that has really good food. We live right around the corner, so we come here quite a bit for dinner and drinks. The fried pickles are incredible and are served with a spicy mayo sauce which is good, although verrrrrry spicy. The homemade, handcut potato chips are also awesome and something you must try. As for entress, I really enjoy the sauteed chicken with garlic mashed and my boyfriend loves the shortribs. They also have daily specials which are usually very appetizing too. Downsides: -- prices are a little high, but are probably standard at this type of restaurant. If it were a little cheaper, we probably would come here even more often. It's hard to get a $5 app, $12 cocktail (or two) and then an entree can be up to $25 or so. Maybe it's just me being a broke college student though :) -- service is a little spotty. Never have had anything overly bad, but most of my visits it hasn't been anything super notable. Our last visit our waitress was nice but barely made eye contact with us. Positives: -- food comes out fast! Almost too fast. Sometimes we aren't even done with our appetizers when our entrees come out. -- cool, low-key, but modern environment. A good spot to come for a Friday/Saturday night but also any day during the week. You'll fit in if you're casually dressed or nicely dressed.

Luis M.

Excellent restaurant. The food was great. Amazing Fried pickles. I recommend this restaurant!

Kristina B.

This is my fav spot in Newton. They have a great staff, all super friendly. The food is amazing! Sausage & kale flatbread, mussels, fried pickles...I could go on and on. Diana is a great bartender! Love this place!

Nick M.

I ask myself if I would go out of my way to come here, and although it's definitely not bad, there are better options I prefer nearby (Cherry Tree, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Fiorellas, Sweet Tomatoes). The food isn't by any means bad, but it's not great either. The service is alright, nothing to write home about, but the menu is limited for what you'd expect at a restaurant in Newton, as is the seating (it's on the smaller side). I can't say I wouldn't mention it to someone in the area looking for a meal, but I wouldn't rave about it either. Not taking reservations is weak in my opinion unless you're constantly line out the door type busy, and I don't get the sense this place is. It's more bar than restaurant, there is definitely more seating at the bar than at most of the restaurant, so if you're looking for a drink in Newton, you're not likely to find a better spot for it than that. But for food, I'd say it's average. It's also an adventure finding parking if you're not from the area, which is worth noting if you're meeting friends there.

Tom B.

Went there specifically because they advertise a late night menu. Walked in at 10:15pm and was told the kitchen was closed. Will never return.

Julie B.

I took my boyfriend here for a surprise date night and it was great! This was the first time we had been there and minus the snobby middle aged Newtonite clientele, everything was enjoyable. A word to this wise, if you are going out at 7:30 on a Saturday night to a restaurant that does not take reservations, be prepared for a decent wait and don't be rude to the hostess. The people taking longer at their tables are enjoying their meals, just like you want to. The food came out very fast even though it was a busy Saturday night. We got the chicken wings to starts and they were great. He got the steak tips which were classic and delicious. I got the Mac and Cheese with chicken, chives, and bacon. While this is deemed a "smaller" item, it was jam packed with flavor. I actually ended up taking some of it home. To cap it all off, we got the special dessert: Vanilla bread pudding with bourbon caramel, walnuts, and vanilla ice cream. This was impeccable!

Lindsey H.

Probably my favorite restaurant of all time. I don't even want to write a review because this place is already so popular. It can be tough to get a spot at the bar even on a weeknight. They have a great selection of beers on tap including Cisco whales tale. All the wines are $7 a glass and they are great and the pours are generous. The menu isn't huge but everything is delicious. Steak tips and fries are great, as is their burgers. I didnt love their Asian noodle dish but everything else I've had has been amazing. Pizzas are sized for one and have a nice thin crust. The small plates are $5 a piece and are generous considering the price. My favorites are the mussels, fried pickles, Caesar salad, and hummus. Service here is always good in the dining area but the bar service is excellent - very friendly, they won't rush you if you go in and read a book, and have topped off my wine more than once. But please don't go here. It's mine.

Melissa D.

Great gathering place for the suburbanites! Menu items great for sharing and love the ever changing beer and wine menu, it's kind of a choose your own adventure book everytime I come here. My go to are the Fried Pickles! I can have two servings of these all on my own. Also, the name speaks for itself as it serves local, New England beers, REPRESENT! I like the bar a lot but it gets packed very easily. My other fave entrees are the mac and cheese, the bucket o'shrimp and their flatbread pizzas. Servers are always accommodating, friendly and always there to help you choose a nice beer or wine.

Anna M.

I got to come here with my friend who has called Boston her home for the past 5 years during her medical school training and I'm glad I was able to check out her stomping grounds. She mentioned eating here a couple times over the years and we made it her last stop in Newton before she moved out of state. I ordered the burger and a cocktail (I can't remember the name) and was very pleased. The atmosphere is nice and it seemed pretty busy for a weekday afternoon. I can see why she frequented this spot. The truffle fries were...amazing.

Bill S.

Torn with my review Pros: Very good food Nice Atmosphere Decent drinks Cons: Staff is completely rude (take a lesson in customer service, if you are rude, I won't want to go there. Ok morons?) Food variety is limited (no chicken on the menu really) So there you go, 3 stars

Leah C.

Went for Sunday dinner around 5pm to ease the time change. We were sorely disappointed on a few points: 1) menu seems to be disjointed and rather lack luster. Not enough "big things" in order to have choices of a filling entree and frankly they seemed like bar food or Applebee's on its finest day. As far as lack luster the dishes are boring and it seems they are all very average of the new "gastro pub" trend however the Local is missing some identity. 2) pickle chips are too thick and the coating too dry. The accompanying sauce does not pair well and when asked for a different sauce they charged us $0.50 - are you kidding me? It was blue cheese dressing!! 3) service was poor. The waitress was caring for 5 tables and it took forever to order or get any additional service. Our plates were never even cleared from the table. I actually had to push aside my plate to pay the bill - poor, poor service. We tried The Local because we were excited to hear they will be opening one in Wellesley, but we won't even bother after our visit in Newton.

Catherine W.

Enjoyed the chill, unpretentioius atmosphere. Wide ranging age of crowd. Food was decent. Had the fish and chips and truffle fries (so-so). Good selection of beers and spirits. The T lot is across the street and is small - I had to pay $4. Otherwise, few parking options.

Mike S.

That girl Leah is drunk. This place is bomb.com ! Great menu and nice beer selection. A must try if you're in the area. P.S. APPLEBEE'S SUCKS!

jeff s.

the local is a step up from the other pubs around newton, better food, better ambiance, so I go fairly often. HOWEVER, last night. I went with 9 people , checked in with the hostess and said," hello, we are 9 for dinner" her reaction was great sadness. she repeated : Nine????? I said yes 9 she rolled her eyes and looked at her co host, and said " we have a 9, they both rolled their eyes, I asked if this was a bad thing? she said, oh I am sure we will be able to find something, ( the place was about 70 percent full) this went on for about 10 minutes the 2 woman walking around looking at tables, , lots of exasperation on her part, then we were seated, once that was over with: the waitress was VERY nice and the food was good. Too bad the first impression is so less than and sad. it is as if they are doing you a favor. I have experienced trouble with them before as when you are finishing up, they always come around the dining room looking for people who are finishing up and stare at them,because they want them to leave so they can sit another party, I have heard other people complain about this before, I always leave because its uncomfortable, and I dont take long to eat or finish

Melissa R.

We live in West Newton and this is our favorite local spot. I love the truffled mac and cheese and fried pickles. The beer and wine menu is also great and always changing. It can get packed, so arrive early or plan to hang out at the bar. Parking can also pose an issue on weekend nights.

Jeff B.

One of my favorites. I reccomend Truffle fries and an El Burro. The specials are often great as are the Spicy Hong Kong noodles.

Lee J.

We love The Local, have been going here for years. But no matter what night of the week you go, be prepared to wait. The food is delicious, the price is good. The one complaint I have is the female bartender. Forgive me, I do not know her name but every time we go, she has an attitude and I have never once seen her smile. That is, unless she is complaining about the clientele to her coworker. Love this place, Dave is a wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable bartender and the other gentleman is nice too. The waiters/waitresses are always friendly and attentive and the food comes out very quickly. We won't stop going here but it definitely ruins the whole experience when you're greeted with such an attitude.

Nina F.

I absolutely love the local. The food is pub-y but upscale and delicious. the truffle fries are out of control good. The flatbread pizza is TDF. The service is always friendly. The beer selection is great. The prices are so reasonable for how good the food is! I am so excited for the Wayland location to open - it's closer to my home, and i have really high hopes!

J Scott C.

Fried pickles were awesome. Good ham sandwich, with tasty fries. And a nice IPA from Maine. I liked it!

Alexandra Z.

Fried pickles!!!!! Everybody needs to try the fried pickles! so good! The burger is pretty good, lacks a little flavor. Fried are really good, very well seasoned. I'll definitely come back for some more!

Amy R.

I have been to the Local many times and have never been disappointed. My last trip was a couple of nights ago. Now, this place is usually jammed up after work, regardless of the day of the week, so I was surprised when I was able to score a couple of seats at the bar. They have a pretty decent beer selection, which I didn't tap into since I was in a Guinness mood the other night, and an added bonus to their cocktail repetoire is that if you chose to have a glass of wine, all glasses are $7.00. Yeahhh. A former co-worker of mine and I ended up splitting the parmesan truffle fries to nosh on while we guzzled on our beers and caught up on old office gossip. The fries were superb... they were oozing with truffley/cheesy goodness. Spot on. For dinner, I had the buffalo chicken w/ blue & gorgonzola cheese pizza. It was delicious. My friend got the "Godfather of Meat" burger... this sandwich was UGE. He let me have a bite and I have to say, it was one of the tastiest burgers I've had in awhile. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. Mmmm... Other notable items that I've enjoyed in the past is their hummus plate, the mussels (I prefer the tomato, pinot grigio and garlic butter broth), the iceberg wedge w/ the grilled chicken, the mac & cheese w/ truffle oil & chives, and their amazeballs steak tips. If you decide to venture into the Local... get there as early as you can, seats in the bar and restaurant side fill up very quickly!!

Debra L.

I have been here a few times and I like the food and the atmosphere. There's always a crowd but it never feels "crowded". I've never been on the weekend though. Service was excellent (and we were a bit annoying in that we had someone arrive unexpectedly and our 6-top became a 7-top). I would also like to point out that we were a table of 7 but they did not automatically add a tip - it's not that kind of place. Also, when we were finished we lingered a bit. We are all former co-workers who don't see each other often so it was hard to actually leave the table. No one gave us a hard time about it though and we left once we saw the place start to fill up and knew they'd want our table. We tipped generously for being table hogs. They have a pretty good beer on tap selection and most folks were happy with that. A few of us had the house appetizer that night which was homemade guacamole with fried pita chips and vegetables. The guacamole was delicious but the dish itself was awkward. I like to dip fresh veggies in certain things, but guacamole is not one of them. And the pita chips were oily and too big. I would have been thrilled if the guacamole was served with some warm, salty tortilla chips. For my entrée I had the Spicy HongKong noodles with Wok Fried Vegetables. It was lovely. Nice amount of spice, lots of fresh peanuts on top, and it was served in a great bowl, with chopsticks (which was a nice touch since this is not an Asian restaurant). My mistake was opting to add chicken (the menu provided the option of adding chicken, steak or shrimp). I should have left well enough alone. The chicken was not cooked with the noodles or veggies. Rather, it was added on to the top of the dish after the fact. It was basically chopped up, grilled chicken breast and it was pretty bland. It had none of the flavor of the rest of the dish since it was an add-on. It wasn't terrible - it just didn't add to the dish in any way. My fellow diners all enjoyed their meals of pork chop, short rib, tuna tartare and flatbread pizza. The mushroom and truffle pizza looked and smelled amazing. I had a little bit of food envy.

Sofia B.

I'm always sober when I arrive and leave, so I *know* the food is good. Is it pub food? Or is it just fantasy? They have terrific mac and cheese (yes, I've enjoyed all three kinds: chive, truffle, and lobster + original!), grilled cheese, truffle fries, and iceberg wedge salad with grilled chicken are awesome. It's really a must-go-to place.

Lea C.

About a month back, I saw a Ruelala special for this establishment. Although my quasi-in-laws live in the neighborhood, I didn't even know this place existed. I perused the menu, liked what I saw, and went ahead with my purchase. Moments later, I got an email from my quasi-MIL telling me about the same deal, mentioning that this was my quasi-SIL's fav spot in town. It was like a food prophecy. So after a grueling work week, we decided to stop by for a night of not cooking yesterday. Since we came in early, around 6:00, I figured it wouldn't be too busy...hahahahaha. Joke's on us! This place was SLAMMED. It was a 45ish-minute wait for a table, and the hostess literally tried to talk us out of leaving ("you know, by the time you drive somewhere else, find a place to park, get another table..."). Given how busy this place apparently is, I don't know why they don't just make their lives easier by taking reservations. We figured that we might be able to find a place at the ridiculously oversized bar, so we stayed and ordered drinks. After I paid the outrageous sum of $8 for a Sam Adams and a ginger ale, we waited and watched the bar patrons like vultures. Many people had dragged their small children here for dinner, which seems odd to me given that this is a gastropub, not Chuck E. Cheese, so we had to try not to knock them over. The layout is not great. The bar is way too large for the space, which leaves the hostess, waiting area, and dining room in awkward positions. The window seats are a nice touch, though. It was crazy loud, so we had to shout to have a conversation. All the patrons looked the same, which was creepy--all white people, late 20s to early 50s, mostly couples, the ladies all had straight, shoulder-length highlighted hair and huge rocks on their left hands, all the guys had the same haircut... The stars here are all for food. There were a ton of things on the menu that looked great, so it was difficult to just pick a couple. We started with the fresh chips and onion dip and a Caesar salad. The chips and dip were amazing. Fresh chips are always great, but I never knew fresh onion dip could be soooo good. My only criticism is that the herbs on the chips (maybe rosemary?) clashed with the chives in the dip, and it was sometimes a bit unpleasant. The bf liked his Caesar, but the large crouton on top was very difficult for him to break up and eat, which necessitated stabbing the salad repeatedly. I thought the dressing has a nice, mild flavor. For entrees, I ordered the special after the waitress told us there was only one left, the chef's take on stroganoff, and the bf had the mushroom truffle oil flatbread. The couple next to us had ordered the stroganoff as well and assured me that I'd made a good choice. You see, I love me some stroganoff, and I have found that it is a dish that's either really good or really bad--you can easily screw it up, so I wasn't entirely sold until it came out. It was really presented more like Swedish meatballs: pork and beef meatballs with farfalle pasta, a brown sauce, and a dusting of parmesan cheese and scallions. It also came with large garlic croutons, which I promptly set aside. Well, our restaurant neighbors didn't lie--that stroganoff was BANGIN. The portion was huge, so I ate about half of it and boxed the rest up for a midnight snack. The meatballs were, no exaggeration, the best meatballs I have ever had in my life. The meat was really well ground, so the inside was smooth, juicy, and super flavorful. OMG. I wish I could just eat a plate of those meatballs. They should seriously put them on the regular menu. The sauce was good, the combination was fab. It was a great dish overall. The bf's mushroom flatbread was also huge and delicious. The truffle oil really added something, the crust was great, and the mushrooms tasted very fresh. We wanted dessert, as the choices looked amazing but were way too full. All told, the bill was about $50. Some of the dinner options seemed overpriced, and some just right (EX: $5 chips and dip= good; $10 green salad= bad). Luckily, with our Ruelala groupon, it only cost us about $30. If one of those ever comes up again, I'd buy 10. I'm sure I'll be coming back. Maybe on a Tuesday or some other day that I don't have to fight for a table.

Steve S.

What is a Gastropub, exactly? I am not sure if the term is distracting or refreshingly different. At the time, I guessed restaurant/bar and The Local is a nice, open place with a bar and two rooms for seating. The space is warm and inviting. I have always been mindful of surburban eateries and have tempered my expectations accordingly. I would need no such tempering at The Local. My friend and I split the hummus platter with homemade chips and copious(love that word) amounts of veggies. Really nice dish. I then pushed my luck and ordered salmon. Salmon preparation must be almost perfect. Two minutes either way, and you have a ruined fish Salmon was perfect with homemade gnocchi and spinach. Another very likeable dish. My friend had the lobster roll with tons of fries. It looked very good. I like The local. It is city food in the burbs...Shout out to the hostess and the waitress staff. Kudos for the good service

Danielle F.

I have been here a couple times and always enjoyed my meal. My only issue was the service, could be better, but the food taste is great and beer selection is awesome

K H.

Great pub and great place for local food. We dine here often.

Kate L.

Didn't know there were hot spots in Newton - but there are! Come early for a seat at the bar. Great wines. Loud and fun. Hummus plate was yummy and all food looks amazing. Would def go back! And free parking in lot next door although not advertised.

Carolyn V.

Went on a weekday for an early dinner, so it wasn't too busy yet. The mussels were delicious (an app), and the mushroom truffle pizza was both large and well seasoned. One person ordered the fish special, and it was ok, but not spectacular. Each of us (four people) ordered a cocktail, and three were average-tasting. The Farm House fizz had apple wine and was delicious, but it was awfully small for a $10 cocktail. Overall good service and good food, with room for improvement.

C M.

Great restaurant. Cold beer,Nice appetizers and delicious entrees. (((Terrible clientele !! )))The people who eat here gawk at you incessantly, have king sized chips on their shoulders, and will treat you with the contempt, and disgust you so obviously deserve for being seated next to them. The scum of the Earth. And I can say that because I eat here at least twice a week. They really need to institute an IQ prerequisite in order to dine here.

Jacquelyn M.

I really like it here. It's always busy, so I wish they took reservations, but it's worth the wait every time. The truffle mac and cheese is phenomenal, and the fried pickles are the best I've ever had.

Jason K.

Another good spot in Newton (on the newton/waltham border) for a cocktail or food. I've never sat in the dining room, only at the bar, but my experience was great either way. It's not too too crowded and there's two levels to the bar, so it breaks up the flow of the space. The Service- Everyone is friendly and quick to ask what you'd like to drink. Drinks are strong but not overbearing and the craft beer selection is good as well. Wine changes from time to time, but it's always something good on the blackboard. The Food- So i think of this place as having a kitchen full of swanky grandmothers, and i saw that not to reference the speed of the kitchen, rather the comfort and love that goes into the food. There's nothing like a grilled cheese and great crusty bread, with a tomato and basil soup after a heard days work! If you like fried food they have that too, like wings and pickles, and the mains are right on par as well. All in all i love this place and I would have given it 5 stars, the only reason i didn't is because i haven't eaten in the dining area like i said before, otherwise it would have been 5 stars for sure!

Lisa O.

"I dare you to let me be yoooooouuuuurrrr one and onllllllyyyy..." I've had Adele in my head all morning and it just makes total sense that I would be singing an over-the-top love ballad to The Local. BECAUSE I LOVE IT. This is the perfect neighborhood bar, but it's not in my neighborhood, which makes me pretty sad. It is only 5 minutes away from my office though, and I predict I will be here weekly for apres-work drinks. They have HARPOON CHOCOLATE STOUT. Um, yum. Crispy chicken and BACON flatbread is obviously not the healthiest choice, but BACON so to hell with that. Chive and truffle oil mac and cheese managed to be both super creamy and had stringy cheese. Besides, anywhere that serves truffle oil mac and cheese gets two thumbs up in my book. "I promise I'm wooooooorrrrrrttttthhhhhhhyyyy...." The Local: The first bar to which I have ever sung a love song. It's just that good.

Lisa W.

I agree with previous Yelper..."I miss the Local of 2009"...This used to be my favorite spot but they have definitely gone downhill. - Was at the bar recently and one of only 4 people in the place and it took a half hour to get my burger. The bartender didn't apologize or offer any explanation - They upcharge for little things now. My friend has a gluten allergy and they upcharge a dollar for this. Not a lot of money but I have never seen this at any other restaurant. I was also up charged for vegetables vs. fries on my dish. - The water carafe was filthy which makes me wonder how often they're washed I like their food, but it runs hot and cold. Their seasonal dishes like beef short ribs are excellent but their burgers are just ok. Bottom-line note to the Local: Address your service problems and stop nickle-and-diming your customers.

Chris K.

I'm def. a big fan of The Local. The food is always spot-on, the drinks are high quality (the cheap stuff at other places gives me a bad headache) and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I will def. be back!

Laura S.

We came for lunch today, our first visit and found our experience to be quite good! We started with fried pickles at the recommendation of many on Yelp and enjoyed them, if you're a fried pickle fan you will like these. For lunch I had the apple & cheddar salad and the chive/truffle oil mac and cheese (also due to the Yelp recommendations). My dining companions had the mussels and the steak tips. The apple and cheddar salad had a refreshing quality to it, the greens were nicely dressed, fresh, and delicious. I enjoyed this salad. The mac and cheese, was, as other have mentioned, stringy and also creamy. It had a strong truffle oil taste while still having a nice cheesy taste. I notice that at many places the cheese is too mild of the creaminess is overpowering that you can't taste the flavor of the cheese, this is not the case at The Local. The cheese is great. The only thing that would make it better would be to add breadcrumbs or mushrooms. I'll have to try that next time. The mussels were great, this batch was not salty as others have suggested. We had the beer sauce which was also really nice (I would've poured it over my mac and cheese, it was that good). Steak tips were enjoyed, and the fries had a rosemary flavor which was a good touch. There was a seasonal Irish Red beer that we loved. We didn't get dessert this time because the three choices for dessert didn't sound that great, they were three ice-cream type desserts, nothing that wowed us. We will be back.

Barry G.

good... not great... but good.. So I do like the food there. I really like the atmosphere and Vibe.. The downside is, a lot of other people like it as well. If you go in on a Friday or Saturday night after 7, expect to wait and expect a crowd. So the food has some unique takes. The fries get a lot of attention, but well, to me they tasted like soggy french fries Some of the other things I have tried have been good, from seared ahi tuna and seaweed salad to salmon sliders Not your normal 'pub' food, but was a nice switch from burgers and fries and such The downside, well, the drinks. Jamison and Ginger.. $9.. really? $7 for a tall beer. Well, it is Newton, and it is a bar... but still, a little surprised. Although it did keep me from drinking to much! So if you are relatively local, and it is relatively convenient, stop by to try it for something different than the 'norm' Bu, in my opinion, it is not a destination place, and if you want to go for a few drinks, there are more economical options. Park across the street if possible, but watch out, when it gets busy, parking is not always available!

Rachel S.

I went here with 2 friends a few days ago for drinks after work, and was quickly seated at a table. The waitress kept asking us if we wanted food, and when we said we only were there for drinks - she had her manager come over and tell us we needed to move! He said we could move to the bar, but didn't help us find another seat or anything. The bar was full, and so essentially we were kicked out. I understand there were people waiting to sit down and my 2 friends and I are fairly young, but we were dressed appropriately and well-behaved. As a result, I'm never going back. I might have made this place my after-work dinner & drinks spot since I work nearby, but not after the experience I had. I'll have to find somewhere else. The hostess should have asked us when we walked in if we were there for dinner or drinks.

Kimberly O.

I love the food here, but the location, parking, and no-reservation policy make it hard for me to give it more than a 4. As I said, the food is wonderful. I love the truffle fries, the mac and cheese (any variety), the steak tips, the tomato soup and grilled cheese on the lunch menu, etc. However, if you go at a peak time, parking is very difficult. There is a small lot across the street, but it is not adequate for the restaurant during a peak period. My husband and I always feel like we are battling for parking. There are also spots on the street, as well as other small lots in the neighborhood, but again, at peak time, it's nearly impossible to get one. I can certainly understand why the restaurant does not take reservations, as they clearly don't need to given how many people show up, but it's very frustrating on weekend nights, especially if you don't want to be waiting in the bar area, which I never like doing. Perhaps if they had even a call-ahead system that would be enormously helpful. But honestly, the food is worth the wait and the parking hassle!

Christopher S.

I have read a lot of mixed reviews about "The Local" and decided to go there for lunch today with my girlfriend and see for myself. I enjoyed my visit and would go back again without hesitation. I arrived at opening and there were a few other customers already seated. With only one waiter on the floor I wasn't expecting fast service. We were welcome to sit anywhere and were told the waitress would be at our table in couple minutes. She arrived with a flask of water and took our order. Within 5 minutes she returned with our drinks and the cup of clam chowder I ordered for an appetizer. It was one of the better cups of chowder I've eaten. A nice medium body, creamy, smooth with a well balanced amount of clams vs potatoes. Interestingly, it had a unique garnish of parsley oil on the top in the shape of a "O." It was so tasty my girlfriend begged me to let her have the last few spoonfuls. Our meals arrived a few minutes after that: Kobe Burger and Mac & Cheese with Ham & Peas. My burger was cooked to my liking (medium-well) with a very generous amount of hand-cut fries on the side. The patty was slightly smaller than the bun it rested on but it didn't hurt the overall juicy taste. Each bit was full of flavor and did not leave my bun a soggy mess. A huge plus in my book! The serving of fries were tasty but a little too fried up for my liking; however, I did end up eating them all. I tried a bit of the mac & cheese and it was a nice twist on an every day favorite. Not too heavy and all the pasta was evenly cooked. The portion could have been a bit bigger but my girlfriend was not complaining when it was gone. I did not have room for dessert but it's a good excuse to go back for another meal to "The Local." I think it would be a good place to take friends or have a family meal. I have not experience the place on a Friday or Saturday night but would assume it would be a place that fills up fast. My thoughts: give it a shot!

Marisa F.

It was packed at the Local last night, but despite that, my friends and I never wanted for anything. Our bartender was efficient yet personable; I was surprised at how quickly we received attention, considering how full the bar was. Our server was always there when we needed him, but never intrusive or annoying. And the food was excellent. I've often heard the menu here referred to as "upscale pub food," but really, it's better than that. The short rib I ordered was mouthwateringly good, as were the truffle fries and the lobster mac and cheese. My ginger margarita was divine...refreshing, tart, sweet, yet boozy (just the way I like it). We left happy and full, and now that I live in West Newton, I'm looking forward to becoming a regular!

Rene' Y.

Great beer selections, most of the time we sat in the bar area. The bar tenders are friendly but it is always packed on the weekend nights. My favorite is the Truffle Parmesan fries, no kidding, it melts in your mouth. The Mushroom pizza is also delicious as well. I was also there with a friend girl one Saturday night, had the full course of dinner with couple of bottles of wine. The price is reasonable, and the ingridents of the meal are fresh. I love this restaurant and it is on my facebook.

Doug B.

This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The food, drinks and atmosphere are terrific. In particular, I recommend the fried pickles to start and a martini to wash them down. The best in Boston! It can be quite crowded, but it is worth the wait.

Sarah C.

This place is fine. One of the reasons it's so popular is because it seems to be the only place of it's kind in Newton (outside of Union Sq. in Newton Center), so it gets packed, but don't mistake that for it being amazing. Got there at 7pm on a Friday - it would have been a 45 minute wait for a table of two, but I snagged a couple of seats at the bar for me and my friend when I saw a group get up to sit at a table. They have big screen TVs in the bar area, but don't expect to be able to watch a game if you sit at a table. One nice thing is that the acoustics are pretty good, so while it was PACKED with people and there was music playing, I could still hear my friend sitting next to me pretty easily. The bar staff wasn't particularly friendly, but they were busy so I forgive them. My friend and I both got the burger with parmesan truffle fries. The fries are pretty awesome. The burger was fine. It was cooked medium, as I had asked, but for $11 (i added cheddar) it was definitely overpriced. I've had MUCH better burgers for that cost. This burger was more like a $7 or $8 quality at most. We ordered the berry crumble for dessert which was disappointing. It was basically a bowl of berries with MAYBE a tablespoon of "crumble". It was fine, but not what we were expecting. All in all this place is fine (seems to be the overall descriptive word) if you want to try someplace new and you live in the area and don't want to go far, but I wouldn't go out of your way to go there and I probably won't go back, mainly because of the prices. I know many places I can go with better food for the same cost.

Chris N.

Have been there twice now and the service is terrible. From the hostess at the front door (who is beyond pretentious). No hello, how are you? Just "30-45 minutes." Sorry? "Do you want to wait 30-45 minutes?" Not with that attitude. The bartenders had a full bar but I shouldn't be waiting 15 minutes for me to order one drink while I'm waiting. the wait staff who checked in on us once during our entire meal. It's like they couldn't even by bother with us. Really disappointing considering the good things I've heard about this place. I would have given this place one star but the food is good. I really enjoyed the lobster roll and my girlfriend had the turkey cutlets. Still the front of house girl needs an attitude adjustment and the service needs to improve or I will never be going back.

Claudia M.

Really want to give this place 3.5 stars but I will be generous! The food was good - although over the several times that we have gone the mussels seem to get saltier and saltier - used to be my favorite but not anymore. I love the truffle mac n cheese and the ham and peas mac n cheese - yummy! The place gets crowded but turn over is pretty good.

Steve L.

I've only ever sat at the bar, and I tend to stick with the same things sooo... hooray, for fried pickles that resemble dill flavored chips and hooray for truffle mac-n-cheese (very creamy, not baked). Draft beer selection is descent, although nothing too adventurous here (reason for 4 instead of 5 stars). Also, they've just expanded their dining area.

Cyndie B.

So many friends suggested an pretty good Yelp reviews I figured ok it's my turn. Three of us headed over and wow someone pulled out as we pulled up - easy parking - good sign! Friendly hostess tells us 40 minute wait so we sit at the bar order a couple of beers from their fairly good list of drafts and bottles. Weird guy sitting at the bar decides we are botherable but no big deal. About half hr later we get seated. The staff is great and the place feels very PUB and food matches. Nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either. Other people have almost swooned about the food and honestly I'm not getting that but I would go back for wings and good beer. Bring your friends, have a couple of beers and hang out!

Maurice H.

So I am in the area at lunchtime with an hour to kill , what a find. Live Simple, Eat Local !

Ben G.

If been to the local twice recently and I have to say I'm pretty happy with both experiences there. For those whom have never been, it's a small gastropub with excellent prices(cheap) The decor is simple and straightforward. But the food is the real reason to go. Most, if not all entrees are in the teens. Options like short rib pizza, asian noodles, and lobster rolls really exemplify the diversity available at the local. All around, an great cheap place to grab dinner with food that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Kristin M.

this place is AWFUL! A-W-F-U-L I went here with my boyfriend on a friday night, granted it was early maybe 6 and there was definitely an older crowd- fine by me not looking to pick anyone up. I ordered the truffle rosemary fries and the fish tacos with a sprite. my boyfriend ordered a burger- ordered medium (remember that fact) my sprite was hardly carbonated. my fish tacos consisted of fried fish nuggets. just imagine gumball sized deep fried fish nuggets piled on a plate with two small taco shells. the truffle fries were ok... nothing i'd go back for. throw some truffle oil and shake on parmesan to any fries and you've got the same thing. my boyfriends burger was a brick. it was well done, bordering charred. i think they used leftover veggies from the night before to dress the burger. the bun was falling apart, no amount of ketchup could save this culinary catastrophe. everything was overpriced, luckily I had a rue la la coupon deal. even with that i overpaid. oh and lucky for us! the daily special that day included a hot dog. a $15 hot dog. who do they think they are? so heed my warning. do not waste your energy with this place.

Lindsay C.

Perfectly battered fried pickles with spicy mayo dipping sauce? Check. Shaved filet mignon sandwich on grilled naan bread with horseradish cream, bacon and cheddar cheese? Check. Truffled-parmesan fries? Check. Delicious cocktail with random ingredients that don't sound like they should go together? Check. I liked this placed a lot more than I thought I would. We had great service, unlike some of the other yelpers. The prices were extremely reasonable and everything listed above was fantastic...although I never thought I would say this, but there was almost too much truffle going on in the fries. Other than that, fantastico.

Jim K.

I normally rarely come out this way, however I was pleasantly surprised at this place. Parking kind of sucks, however there's a free lot across the street that you'll miss if you blink (and if you're in the wrong lane). Inside was really cool. Sleek, clean, good atmosphere of the local Dockers and Keds type (I went on a weeknight for dinner). Barkeeps were attentive and professional and the 20-oz. brews are a crowd pleaser. Food was also the big winner, as the steak tips were excellent as well as the caesar salad and fries. Service was also top notch. Attentive, friendly, but knew when to leave us alone and when to refill. I'd come back if I'm ever in the area again.

Kristie Lynn K.

I've been here many times and always have a good experience. The drinks are strong, the food is solid, the staff is friendly, and it's always clean. My favorite things: chicken wings (VERY good), mussels, mac and cheese, truffle fries, gin gimlet, and the dirty martini. Yum.

Jay W.

Good location, spot, food, the like....parking can be tough though, and the one page menu can dry up if you go regularly, but they put out great product and it is certainly recommended.

G P.

There aren't enough good things to say about this place. After thinking about checking this place out for weeks, my boyfriend and I finally decided to give it a shot. The Yelp reviews that we read before coming here were a little wishy washy but I can't stress enough how I disagree with all of the negative comments. We arrived around 5:30. We've heard that this place can get pretty crowded pretty fast and that was definitely right. We prefer sitting at the bar and we got two of the last seats together. Within a half hour the place was packed and hopping with people waiting for seats at the bar and tables. Our bartender was immediately attentive, took our drink orders and provided us with menus within moments of us sitting down. I drank 3 glasses of wine over the course of the night and the pour I received from each bartender was very generous. We started off with the parmesan truffle fries. They were completely out of this world amazing. I honestly haven't had a more delicious fry in my life. They were piping hot and the truffle oil flavor was prominent without being overwhelming. They were seasoned with the perfect amount of parmesan. For entrees I got the lobster roll with a salad and my boyfriend got the burger with onion strings. The lobster roll was served in a hot dog roll and was packed with lobster meat. There was definitely no skimping or unnecessary fillers. The salad was a nice mixed green with some tomatoes and a balsamic dressing. The burger (ordered medium rare) was cooked perfectly. Anyone who complained that the burgers here are too rare don't know how to order a burger. If you want an overcooked hockey puck, order it medium well. If you order medium rare you're going to get some pink color in your burger, hence the use of the word "rare". It was juicy and delicious and the onion strings were crunchy, thin and perfectly salted. We didn't have room for any dessert but I'm sure it would also have been great. We left there planning to keep going back so we could try everything on the menu. I'll be coming back here again many times over.

Maggie S.

If I give The Local four stars, does that make me a middle class, middle aged boring person? Well, sign me up because I really like The Local. Their Parmesan truffle fries are delish. I like the ambiance there too. My minor whining relates to the fact that the street parking can be a bitch and it can be crowded there!

Jason H.

Once again this place failed us. Waited about 8 months before coming back, and learned their burger is still garbage (but it was nice that the 3rd one actually wasn't purple, after asking for medium-well all 3 times). The lemon half-chicken my girlfriend tasted one bite of was unbelievably flavorless and under cooked. They are no decent restaurant, gastro-pub, bar, whatever- they fail on all levels. Maybe its a subruban thing, I dunno.This place just can't get food right, I'm sorry. And on top of it, they actually believe they make great food, judging by the prices. To be honest, the place probably deserves less than 2, but I'm in a good mood.

John J.

We've been twice now, and have enjoyed both visits very much. It's a 3-minute walk from the West Newton Cinema, so both times we've gone to a 4pm-ish movie on a Sunday and then walked over to The Local for a bite & a couple of drinks. We didn't really hang-out in the bar, but it looks roomy and clean. Actually, the whole place seems neat & clean, and the bathrooms were also clean. We were fortunate on both visits to get in the door before 6pm and got seated right away both times. Within a 1/2 hour, the bar & the waiting area were both crowded with hopeful diners. Drinks were pretty reasonable. Good beer selection, with 16oz/20oz options, generally for $5/$6. My wife's lemon-drop martini was $8, and her glass of red was $7. On our first visit we got the fried pickles and the fresh potato chips & dip. Both were phenomenal. We skipped having a starter on our 2nd visit. My wife had the mushroom flatbread (pizza) 1st time around and it was very tasty. I had a perfectly-cooked med-rare burger with cheddar on the 1st visit and while the burger was very good, the fries are the standout. Fresh-cut, fried to crispy perfection. Even 10 minutes after the plates hit our table, the fries were still crispy. The burger & fries were so good that we each got the same thing yesterday for visit #2. Both burgers cooked perfectly. I agree with an earlier sentiment that perhaps the burger could be seasoned a bit more, but overall, it was a juicy meaty delight. Service was solid. No goofs, no unusual delays, no disappearing acts. We've got plenty of dining options locally here in Norwood, but we'll definitely make a point of hitting a movie in West Newton followed by a satisfying meal at The Local every couple of months.

Jeannie H.

ATMOSPHERE - A neat and clean bar that's tastefully decorated, doesn't smell of vomit, and has tolerable food. These are all good things. However, I wouldn't go as far as to call this a gastropub. SERVICE - We went at an off hour so the waitress wasn't overwhelmed. FOOD - Truffle Parmesan Fries - The fries had amazing flavour but were incredibly grease-laden. They were also soggy and not fried well. At the bottom of the heap, there was a layer of oil which contributed to the soggyness. I like my fries super crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. Mac & Cheese (Truffle and Chive) - This was yummy. It was nice and gooey with a subtle hint of truffle flavour. Crock of Bubbling Cheese, Crispy Pita and Toasted Baguette - This dish was gross. The cheese was clumpy rather than smooth with the grease layering out of the cheese. The pita and baguette were essentially smothered in butter then fried. Prime Burger from The Godfather of Meat John Dewar and Hand Cut Fries - The burger could use a little more seasoning but otherwise, it was a solid burger. Overall, I think this is a decent place. Since I'm not a bar person, it's nice to come to a place that serves solid chow with good service while my friends can grab a drink.

Carolyn C.

I went here with my husband during lunch time. We came out of here STUFFED! We liked the fried pickles, truffle parmesan fries, and the crispy onion things. We also enjoyed the mussels and would come back because of them. I ordered the chicken but was unable to finish it because I was full from the other foods that we had ordered. My husband had the fish tacos. He said they were good. We ended up taking a lot of food home. Overall, I would come back here again. The food all tasted good. The ambiance was good but parking can be a little tough.

Matt M.

I was amazed when I walked in and saw The Local had 3 TVs around the bar area. I had surfed the website before my visit and did not get the impression I would be able to catch the Bruins game. Don't let me give you the impression that the Local is a sports bar, it's not. But it's always nice to watch a game while dining or waited for a table. I went on a holiday season evening, it was very busy. My friend and I were seated in the amount of time quoted by the hostess. I was taken back by how small the menu selection was but what was on there was Delicious. They have some spectacular house cocktails with in-house made ingredients, along with a large selection of brews. I had a wedge salad, which is pretty basic. For the main course I enjoyed the steak tips which were cooked to order and were very tasty. The fries were thinner than my normal liking but still enjoyable. The table next to us got burgers and they looked great, I think that's what I will try next time! Ample parking across the street.

T L.

Disappointing. The prices have gone up, the friendliness has gone down, and the food isn't as exciting or as good as it was when it opened. Although the burger is still amazing, the fries were greasy, and they charged us .50 for goddamn mayo for the burger - and did not tell us that they were going to. I've had it with this place, and won't be going back.

C. D.

Hostess and waitress (same person) was completely rude, went on Sunday at around noon. She checked on us once the entire time we were there. Steak tips were tasty but cold, my girlfriend ordered the sausage, mushroom, and truffle oil pizza, looked great but tasted awful, couldn't get through one piece. She likes truffle oil, but not a whole bottles worth on the pizza. When we mentioned the pizza was not good she replied by saying, "well you ordered it". Would never go back even with the good reviews

Mystery Z.

My girlfriend and I only got drinks late at night on a Saturday, so I can't speak for the food. Some of the other customers near us ordered food which looked delicious, and they seemed happy; if their food is half as good as their drinks they must be in good shape! We came in fairly late and were greeted with good live music and friendly staff members. The host / doorman was prompt and courteous and our waitress was very attentive. We were very happy to hear reggae music playing in the bar when the acoustic guitar player took a break! It was a fun way to spend an evening. The other patrons seemed similarly happy and the staff were very attentive to our needs. The drinks were strong and tasty, moderately priced, and served quickly. Even though my relatives live only a few blocks away we had never even noticed the bar before this visit, so I was very happy to find a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a few alcoholic libations in the neighborhood. It was definitely a nice find and a great place to tie one on!

Reid F.

I've tried this place 3 times at the urgings of others. The food is merely mediocre, and not good enough to justify the prices.

Allyson M.

Went to the Local last night for the 3rd time. 1st time was a Saturday night and I went with friends that had their baby with us. We had to leave as there was a long wait and it would have been too much for the little one. Went for drinks last weekend, had a nice chill mellow time. Didn't get to try any food because we had a huge dinner like an hour earlier. Brings me to last night... Again went there with my husband, and our friends with the baby...thinking that on a Thursday we wouldn't have trouble getting a table - WRONG! The wait was about 30 minutes, not terrible, but too long for the bebe. So what did we do?? We sent our husbands home with the little one and Mommy and Auntie Ally stayed for a dinner for 2!! My friend has been talking about the fried pickles here for a while, since she saw them in some magazine, so our husbands, being the awesome guys they are, wanted us to get to try them at long last. So we sat immediatly and got to checking out the menu. I literally wanted everything. No joke, it all looked amazing. Actually, backing this up, we sat, got our menus and before we even opened them we ordered us some fried pickles. We couldn't wait any longer! Then came the hard part, picking what was to come next. Usually I try to be "good/healthy" when I pick a meal, esp if I get an app that's a "treat" like the FP's. BUT all bets were off last night. We ended up getting the Wedge Salad, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and the Spicy Hong Kong Noodles, all to share. OMGGGG - FP's were, as everyone has been saying, amazing. Perfect pickle to batter ratio, and the sauce was delicious. I am not a fan of the wedge salad in general, but bc my friend is I figured why not try this one- so glad we did, the bacon, the think sliced onions, the blue cheese dressing... Fresh crisp lettuce and tomatoes...yummmm. perfect combo. The Lobster Mac and Cheese was creamy goodness, but surprisingly my least favorite of the things we tried. I would have preferred a hardier noodle than the tiny ditalini. Cavatappi would be prefect. Anyways, I woudl totally eat it everytime I came in and be perfectly happy, I'm just being nit picky bc everything was so good but I want to try to stay objective. Lastly we had the Spicy Hong Kong Noodles with Shrimp, SOOOOO good. Super spicy, plump shrimp,- just a bowl of spicy noodle goodness topped with peanuts. So yeah, it was well worth the couple hours I will have to spend at the gym today to work off all the extra calories. And the staff was so awesome too, our server was sweet and attentive, food came out perfectly timed, and the hostess was a doll. Couldn't have been better... well that's kind of mean.. would have been nice if our husbands could have joined us - but we did bring them leftovers!!!!

Aboud Y.

Fried pickles, potato chips, mac n cheese. All tasty but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. The mussles stole the show anyhow. Plus I liked visiting this place the first time better...when its called The Biltmore!

Olga S.

love this place. People complain about it being crowded i kinda like that. It reminds me of the NYC tiny restaurants that are so popular among local people and tourist are so lucky to discover such a place.The food is always great, last night i had a thin crust pizza and it was simply delicious.

Cindy K.

Came here for lunch over the weekend after hearing rave reviews about this place. Not sure why there are some pretty bad reviews but we thought the restaurant had great food. I love how everything is sourced locally and I think it really makes a difference in how the food tastes. We started off with the mussels which were soo good - mussels were really fresh and the leftover broth was delicious! I had to stop myself from getting more bread to dip it in. And at $5, you can't go wrong with an appetizer. We shared buffalo wings and the mushroom flatbread pizza. Buffalo wings were good (nothing too special but it was good). The Mushroom flatbread pizza was really good! Since everything is locally sourced, the mushrooms really were much more flavorful than what you'd get at your local pizza shop. Plus it was loaded with all different types of mushrooms. Delish! Other patrons had burgers and fries and the fries looked amazing! Will def have to come back to try that.

Lisa K.

This is a great neighborhood place. It's usually crowded and a bit expensive, but you can find things on the menu that are more moderate too. One night we wanted a good burger and decided on the Local, and we were really happy with the burgers. The hong kong noodles on another night were good as well. We'll keep going back.

M S.

I really like the local. First of all the food is consistantly good. They have a wide range of options on the menu and all of it is good. They also have an excellent beer selection (any place that carried Whales Tale Pale Ale on Tap can't go wrong in my book). The bar scene is kind of an over 30's crowd which is a good thing imo so it's a great place to sit at the bar and actually be able to hear the person you are with. The people at the bar and the bartenders tend to keep to themseleves so it's not the type of place you'd go to by yourself but it's nice for friends, a date or a night out with your significant other.

Beth G.

The Local is what Tempo in Waltham SHOULD be. We don't go on weekends for the most part because it is always so crowded, but we've driven by on Friday & Saturday nights and it makes me happy to see it so packed. I hope this place is around forever. Or, at least for as long as we live a few streets away :o) On the weeknights that we head over there, we almost always sit at the bar, enjoy a mushroom & truffle oil flatbread or some lobster mac & cheese...or some Hong Kong noodles...or really anything. I feel like we've tried at least 3/4 of the menu and everything has been delicious. Every time we've brought friends with us, we've felt like they've been happy with the experience as well. It's one of the few places in the neighborhood where is staff is pleasant, the food is fantastic and the wine makes us smile. I do agree with other commenters though, the times we've brought friends and had to wait for a table, it seems like chaos. The hostess is always really nice and I don't think it's her fault, it's more like just squeezing too many people (who all probably know how awesome that mushroom flatbread is...) into a tiny space.

Libby L.

Will give this place another try. The waiter was a bit lame and the food was so-so. Warm Potato Chips & French Onion Dip: - The Chips were as hard as rocks and they were definitely NOT warm. The "French Onion" Dip was NOT oniony at all - more mayo-ie than not. The Special Hangar Steak with French Fries: - For the cost of this steak, they could've marinated it or something to give it some more flavor - VERY BLAND. Spicy Hong Kong Noodles: - Pretty good until you get to the bottom where all the spice was. WAITER: - He was very lame. Asked if there was sweetened iced tea and he said yes - we got unsweetened and when we asked again - he said that we didn't. So we asked for simple syrup. Sorry we can't give it out unless I take the glass back. HELLO... - Order the Mussels - never came with the apps. Asked about them and he said that oh I'll check - came back a few minutes later and said they ran out. HELLO - you could've told us instead of us waiting.

Jason F.

good food, good times! we got there around 7 on a friday night expectiing a wait, and it was about 20 minutes. no worries, we actually waited less than that. we ordered mac and cheese and the pizza that was on the specials, it was ham and other meats, really good thin crust. they also have lots of craft beers and a nice drink menu, we will be back. the service was great too, our waitress was really nice and attentive, even though it was really busy.

Peggy S.

I recently moved from W. Newton to NYC, and came back to Newton a few weeks ago. I had the opportunity to go to The Local a few times when I was back. I miss The Local and the great staff and friendly atmosphere. Although there have been a few changes to the place since I left (expansion) it was nice to see that the great staff (Stacy) has not changed. Stacy is wonderful Her ability to manage the crowd and still make you feel comfortable and not rushed is amazing. It was nice going home and seeing friendly and welcoming people at The Local. I am still looking for my Local in NYC, but I know I won't have the same wonderful and friendly crew that I met at The Local.

Ms. Review S.

I'd give this place four stars, but the waitress was harshing my mellow. She was on the ball, but it was way too intense. As soon as half of our party was seated, she was trying to take our orders. The menus weren't even cracked yet. Despite the intensity, she was prompt to take care of everything, which was appreciated. Now, the food. I thought the food was great and the fact that they had fried pickles, made me even happier! I ordered the salad with the caramelized pears and goat cheese, a good choice. (My first choice was the Salmon, but they ran out!) I tried the pork and it was pretty good too. Overall, a decent experience. I'd go back.

Julie M.

holy deliciousness! the chicken wings had this tangy sauce that made my mouth water while i was eating it. my girlfriend ordered steaktips, which i am normally leary of, and they were done just right. they were tender, juicy and perfectly seasoned. the fries had thyme on them, which gave the meal a unique twist. our waitress, carol, was a doll. she wrote detailed directions for us on a slip of paper when she found out we were heading out of town.

Michael D.

Bearing in mind this is a simple joint, I rate it 5 stars. The food is excellent - top notch burger, delicious lobster roll, unique appetizers such as the hummus and vegi platter, and the fried pickles (no kidding, they're real good). Oh, and cheap. New additions to the menu often - such as the hot italian sausage sliders. Holy smokes! These thingsare ridiculous. Pizza at the bar is killer - particularly the extra virgin olive oil and pecorino cheese pizza - I've eaten my fair share thru the years and this is awesome. If you're thinking Papa Ginos or even Upper Crust, drive by. This place is unique. The burger is ultra tasty - the beef comes from top butcher John Dewar. None better. My favorite entree these days is the Chicken Milanese. So good. Ginger margaritas are tasty. Love having the choice of 16 or 20 ounce brews...I suggest the 20. Order two and you've got your own 40 ounces to freedom going. I note that there are some negative entries - such as "AWFUL AWFUL" - I have eaten and drank here 30 times in the past 2 years. Never a disappointment. Bartenders are salt of the earth folks, too.

Kristine M.

Sorry, The Local, but I am docking you a star. 1) The wait is always very long, and there's really no good place to hang out while you're waiting if it's crowded. It also seemed really disorganized there, like there was zero management. 2) The hostess seemed stoned out of her mind, and when our name was finally called, she showed our party of THREE to a table for TWO. So we wound up having to wait for a while longer. 3) All three of our water glasses had lipstick on them. 4) For dessert, I got a brownie sundae. I thought they could have at least heated the brownie up before serving. My husband got cookies and ice cream, and I also thought his cookies would have been warmed up and softer. It's definitely a bit expensive and since we had to wait so long, we were ravenous which is why we got appetizers and desserts. I do love the truffle and chive mac and cheese and the homemade potato chips were delicious. I'll go back because I like the food, but is it worth an hour wait? Nah. It just gets so crowded and on top of the long wait and the crowd, it seems very disorganized. In the future, I'd probably go during an off time.

Courtney L.

A friend and I needed a good spot between the city and the suburbs to meet and randomly selected this spot due to some solid reviews. We were immediately seated when we arrived on a busyThursday night and ordered drinks and the fried pickles to start. Fried pickles were fabulous and had a nice kick with the sauce. I had a great glass of NZ Sauvignon Blanc and my friend ordered a delicious blueberry Mai Tai. Both of our meals were also delicious-pan seared salmon and the sautéed chicken. Our waitress was incredibly patient, as my friend and I had not seen each other in a very long time, and we were very slow to order and our overall meal took quite some time. She did not rush us one bit and was respectful of us wanting to take out time. The local is an overall great spot-food was wonderful, atmosphere is fun, and the staff is nice/helpful, but not at all overbearing!

Jude M.

Overpriced, Everything is greasy, dirty plates & silverware, I gave it one star because the chicken wings were at least edible. This is NOT a "Gastro-pub" unless it's Gastrointestinal distress your after. Skip this place and hit Paddy's right around the corner, or drive across town to the Biltmore - FAR BETTER FOOD !!

Rick S.

I have been to The Local several times and have found it to be of two minds. The good news is that the food is always of amazing quality. I have had the lobster roll and the pizza but my most recent trip confirmed for me that hamburger is the way to go. The meat is cooked perfectly and the french fries are amazing! Don't let the color fool you they are real fries not sweet potato. The only down side is that, unless you are lucky, the wait staff at The Local is unfriendly at best. It took 3 tries to get the soda I ordered but they still managed to bill me for 3 separate drinks. Also, condiments were totally lacking and we were halfway through the meal before salt, pepper and ketchup showed up. Great food just don't expect superior service.

Remco T.

We went to the The Local before as a couple living around the corner and we had a decent experience. So, a true convenience experience albeit that their prices a slightly inflated. But we all have a business to run. Last weekend, we decided to take our 3 kids there on a Sunday afternoon, around 12:30 after a trip to the Zoo. The kids were tired and we were looking for a quick meal, again close by. In and out. The experience was not very good. Their menu, as we realized is not set up for kids *at all*. But usually we improvise and we are alright. The waitress did not recognize that we were there for a leisure lunch and took her time. Considering that the place was near empty and that it was her 2nd day on the job, it was a bit annoying. They announced that they do not have whole wheat bread on Sundays; bizarre. So, we got the kids cheese melts on burger rolls along with two "buckets" of fries. See... we care about what our kids eat. We ordered the "infamous" truffle fries for ourselves, but they messed that up too. And no chocolate milk either. They need to work on having 'something' interesting for kids. So, the long story short is: They are not set up for kids *at all* and do not help improvising and make it work very much either. Along with the inexperienced and unmotivated waitress, not a good experience. I hope the couple next to us, also equipped with kids, had a better experience.

Ira H.

3.5 stars but.. it's in Newton and I want it to stay there. Came in on a Wed eve. No hostess was there and there was a short wait until someone showed up. A busy waitress sat us. She was kind but sort of a lost soul. Not engaging etc. Ginger Margarita was great. We had mussels, wings and the sausage pizza. The mussels are a great deal and tasty. The wings are marginal. Nowhere near a buffs pub wing. The pizza was interesting. I like spicy but the red pepper cheese/mayonnaise squirted on the pizza added too much grease. All in all, next time I'd try one of the salads instead of the wings. I will try it again.

Jo-Elle M.

We came here early on a Sunday evening, and while busy, it was not too crowded. Service was attentive and accurate. I had the fish and chips. Oh my goodness. Yummm! The fish and chips was one large piece of fried fish. It was not all greasy and the breading had a great flavor. The fries were their thin fries and very addicting. I am looking forward to coming back next time I'm in town!

JOHN C.

After two trips to the Local, I'm seriously disappointed. Especially since I live nearby and there isn't a good "pub" in the area. I've got two main issues with the local: 1) The food is not good at all. While the burger looks okay, the rest of the food looks like it rolled off the Sysco truck. Salad was ice cold, including the plate and tomatoes, which tells me they make them in advance and leave them sitting in a fridge (they're also wilted...). Yet, the place has a "steak of the day" (why?) and a "reserve wine list" when this is a Yellow Tail / Bud kind of place. Plus, the food is just bland and uninspired, with messy presentation (e.g. the "pot pie" which is a bowl of gruel with crappy biscuits on top) only making matters worse. 2) Service. As other people have mentioned, the hostess & staff are out to lunch. Got left sitting at our table for 10+ minutes after we were done while our waitress had a chat with a guy who is presumably the manager. Look buddy, hit on your staff on your own time (oh, and she's too young for you anyway)! Needless to say I won't be going back to this place....

Alexis K.

Get the LOBSTER MAC & Cheese. So so so good.

Eddie W.

To start things off I love that they have a craft beer section. Allagash, Cisco, Ithaca, and the glorious Ommegang that's all I need to make me happy. Throw in the truffle and chive mac 'n cheese and things went from happy to ecstatic. The salmon was average but the smoked bacon in the ragout was phenomenal, the stand out of the entire dish. There is no desert menu but get the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. I'm not going to explain why other than I went from ecstatic to having my mind blown away. Just trust me on this one. Get them. Get them now.

Dave M.

The best part of The Local was the service which was right on top of things. We didn't have to wait to place drink orders, and they happily sat us even though our whole party wasn't there yet. As the last three people showed up one at a time, the waitress quickly came over for their drink orders. We ordered the mussels which were solid but nothing special. They were more quantity over quality - the bowl was overfilled, and the sauce was about average. The entrees left a lot to be desired. I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and without hesitation she told me the steak tips were their most popular item. I asked about the "American Kobe Beef Burger" and she said that I should order the tips. Bad choice. I could name half a dozen pubs off the top of my head that serve better steak tips - for cheaper and in greater quantity. My 6 small chunks of steak looked like stew stock beef, and cut just a little better. The fries were good though! My friend got the seared tuna which was a 3" x 1" x 1" block on top of some greens... I guess you get what you pay for at $11 per plate. Good beer list, iffy food. I might go back for an after work drink and apps, but I'll go to Blue Ribbon if I'm in the area for dinner again.

Colleen B.

The third star is for the hummus plate that was exceptional. Chock full of veggies, seemingly homemade hummus & pita. Also, for some other great apps like the pot 'o cheese. The two stars is for the "rush 'em in, rush 'em out service" (I mean I get everyone wants to go home, but sweeping & constantly checking on us was more than a little off-putting, it was only 8:30 on a Sunday) and the servers overall, could have used some refining. I agree with the other yelpers about the odd age mix of the clientele, though no cougars were spotted. The rest of the food was good. Mac and cheese with peas & ham was oh so cheesey and a little on the spicy side. Not sure if that was the ham? Great attempt on the fries. Could have been slightly less greasy, but I'm splitting hairs on that one cuz they were good. In summary, I think this place is still redefining itself and what it wants to be. They could also stand to add more of a beer selection & polish up the servers delivery. Would go back based on overall decent/good tasting food and average prices.

maria m.

I have been reading many reviews about how small the food portions are! They are not small, they are NORMAL portions!!!This is not like Cheesecake Factory where they give you huge portions of food and stuff your face! The local is very classy and perfect for a romantic dinner! I've been going there for a while now and I am always satisfied! If you decide to go, you have to be ready to wait for about half an hour, they are busy! While waiting we usually have a nice glass of wine and enjoy the atmosphere! The food is delicious!! The service very good! They were on Phantom Gourmet recently too!

J H.

My family has been eating here since it opened (post RJ Crowley's, which was horrible) and have never been disappointed. Great beer and wine list; excellent bistro-style pub food. Reasonably priced (most items). We know the menu by heart, and even though they add/subject a few items every 6-8 weeks, they keep some of their best items on the menu year round. Our faves? * Any flatbread * Steak tips w/truffle fries * any mac & cheese dish * Burger * Fish & Chips (seasonal) Friendly staff. While they don't have a kids menu, they do offer kid-like items, but the selection is small, so if you have a picky eater, go around the corner. Our little one loves the steak tips, so they will do a half order for $8.00 Not a bad deal. Wish they woudl actually print a kids menu. They have high chairs and lidded cups w/straws for kids, so clearly they are prepared to serve them, just wish they'd create a small menu for the buggers.

Wally C.

Amazing food, not your average pub food, worth the trip!!! Try it people, and have the fried pickles with chipotle mayo...

E J.

This was my third time hitting up the local while in town from NY and have yet to be disappointed. It was early into service on a Sunday afternoon so there was no problem getting a table. We started out with the Parmesan Truffle Fries and the Bubbling Crock of Cheese. The fries were well seasoned and lived up to their name. The Crock o Cheese was simple and served with delicious fresh bread. Deciding to continue on with the lunch of cheese, we split a flat bread for our entree. The crust was perfectly crisp and the cheese bubbling. The service was great and the prices are reasonable and they have great beers on tap. This place is always one of my first stops when in town for business.

Billy Su B.

JUMBO glasses of nice wine for SEVEN dollars. now if that's not a great reason to drink your socks off i don't know what is. i mean it- these glasses are huge! they should just cut the crap and serve it in a bucket. hilarious. it was a slow afternoon. it had been a bit since i'd hung with my sis.. so we were feeling a little overly enthused, shall we say. after that it was like.. osmosis. how else can you explain 5 guiness, 2 pinot gris, 1 tempranillo, 1 harpoon, and a literal trough of the best damn macaroni and cheese i've had in ages. peas and ham, hot damn! rich, creamy, flavorful cheese- with a delicate edge. it wasn't too trashy or heavy. i highly recommend! ...did i mention the plate full of chicken wings WHICH they served plain JUST for me, perfectly salted and peppered. i am a FAN! finally, a place where i can walk to, drink in, and stumble home from. that's quality. magic.

Lee H.

The Local seems to invoke strong feelings either for or against. I'm definitely for. For lunch we started with potato chips and fried pickles. Both were very good, especially the chips. Great dipping sauce, nice chunks of mild onion. The pickles were also good, but they're pickles so they're salty. Perhaps better for a larger group where everyone can have a few. I had clam chowder, my wife had a caesar salad. There must be two chefs, because my wife's caesar was quite tangy, not bland at all. My chowder was quite good, lots of clam chunks. The oyster crackers were stale - too late, they were in the soup. Dessert was chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream. Very good. Service was very good. Friendly and just attentive enough. Parking across the street is free. Everywhere else is meters. Recommended.

Joe B.

I'm not sure why there are so many bad reviews since my fiance and I always seem to leave pretty satisfied on a Friday night. The food has always been up to snuff for me. My fiance and I usually grab one of the ridiculously large (I'm not complaining!) glasses of wine, accompanied by some truffle fries and a flatbread pizza. On one occasion we splurged for a steak and it didn't disappoint. I can't comment on the burgers/pickles that a lot of people complain about, but when we're there, everyone seems to talk about how good their burgers were. The funniest part about this place is the dopey hostess and the amount of cougars present. This particular hostess always looks like she took a few bong hits before driving over to the local - whatever works, I guess. The wine pours attract every cougar in a fifteen mile radius, and generally contribute to the place sounding like a hen house on steroids. This is great if you're on a cougar hunt, but can be pretty annoying if you're forced to wait in the bar for a table and don't want to hear women talk like they should be on "The Real Housewives of Newton." Overall, be ready to wait for a table, but you'll be satisfied. The Local has good food, a decent beer selection and huge wine pours.

Jen F.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one, but the 3 star description of "A-Ok" best fits my feelings on The Local. I had dinner at The Local on Saturday night with two friends, as we all live in Newton and wanted to try something new. We were seated right away around 7, but it looked like we barely beat out the dinner rush. I enjoyed my large $7 glass of Riesling - there is a nice selection of affordable wines by the glass. We started out sharing an order of the homemade potato chips with onion dip; they were good, but I kept thinking to myself "we just paid $5 for the equivalent of a small bag of potato chips." I had the mac and cheese with peas and ham for dinner - it's a "smaller plate" on the menu and was served in a small crock. It was good but a little bland (it needed salt), but I liked it enough to bring home my leftovers. I wasn't super hungry that night, so it was the perfect size; had I been starving though, it probably would have left me still hungry. My dinner companions had the Kobe Burger with Fries and the Fish and Chips - they both liked their entrees, especially the truffle fries. Two of us tried the dessert special - a cream cheese brownie with vanilla ice cream and caramel - which was good, but I know I have made those same brownies with a Betty Crocker mix. My other friend had the chocolate chip cookies with ice cream (on a recommendation from the server) and was a bit underwhelmed with the bland cookies. The service was friendly and prompt, a water jug is left on the table which we loved, and we didn't feel rushed despite it being a busy Saturday night. The walls are a bit dark, but The Local has a cozy feel to it. I'm intrigued by The Local - the food was good, the atmosphere was good, and I love supporting local businesses in my town. I wasn't overwhelmed by the meal, but I liked the laidback atmosphere and plan on returning to sample some more of the menu.

Clare M.

Love this place. The food is great and unpretentious. Parking isn't great, but still a 5 in my book b/c food is so good.

Scarlett G.

Very satisfying food, casual atmosphere. Went here for V-day with a friend, sat at the bar, which is elevated above the dining area for people watching. There were a fair number of families there, which I guess is expected in Newton. The crowd in general was older than anticipated, er well maybe just older than me! The beer selection was interesting and service was just OK. Ordered the Parmesan Truffled Fries for an app, which were awesome! The menu is cute and divided into "snack things" and "bigger things" and "flatbread things." Went with a flatbread thing, just OK, pretty greasy and seemed pre-made and had this funky spicy mayo sauce drizzled all over it. Friend ordered a salad, which was MUCH prettier to look at, and definitely more interesting to taste. Think I will stick to the snack things and beer next time, or go all out for a dinner.

Mindi s.

WOW! In the name of Joey Lawrence WOW! ,yes I know his tag line was " LIke Whoa!" but the meaning still remains. So we had all of the faves; potato chips with sour cream dip, truffle parmesan fries, fried pickles and seriously fried food rules but these were not greasy, they were wonderful, so wonderful that we had calamari too! We also had the mac n cheese with ham and peas, cuz you have to have a veg in there somewhere, and everything was AMAZING. (I wish I had a bigger vocabulary). Apparently we were at our table too long and there was a wait but after the hostess asked us to move on behalf of the owner he bought us drinks he introduced himself and told us a brief story of how this Utopia came to be. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT. The food was exemplary, the service was overly attentive, and the owners were on site. FANTASTICLE!!!!

Jeremy P.

I'm really tired of these overpriced white bread vanilla type bar restaurants that cater to middle class, middle aged boring people. One may as well instead eat at an old age home with the faint odor of urine in the air coupled with the dull moan of the elderly being abused by illegal alien Haitian nurses aids. Open arrival we were sat swiftly by an waddling obese woman to the nearest table to her, by the window. Likely she did not want to exert any energy by seating us elsewhere, but all in all this was one of the better tables available. We were immediately given a chafer of iced water and two well used drinking glasses. The waitress serving tables a few feet away gleefully poured her guests water, but our waitress did not. What am I, a Pigmy? My partner enjoyed a bountiful mixed green salad appetizer. For dinner and I had an under portioned Caesar salad, hardly worth the bloated cost in terms of size, presentation or quality. There was an elderly lady next to us of whom we struck up a conversation with. Her fried fish dinner was horrible. The fried fish piece sat on a bed of wet shredded iceberg lettuce. She said it had little flavor and was wet on the bottom. The fries on her plate were cold, non-crispy and looked as if they had been dunked in the fryolator a half dozen times, then placed far away from the heat lamp before serving. Her meal did not come with the New England customary coleslaw. They gave her lemon wheels instead of lemon wedges. Have you ever tried squeezing a lemon wheel? You can't, it folds onto its self. Lemon wheels are for cocktails or plate decoration. The old lady then asked for horseradish, which they said they did not have. I imagine this was to dip her soggy fish or fries in. When the old lady complained to the waitress, she got the 'hmm hmm yeah yeah' eye roll treatment. As if to say "you're old and crabby and your option is annoying me". The old lady got up to leave and in her departure announced to the obese hostess/manager and waitress that she was not going to pay for her meal due to the poor quality. Good for her!

Laura G.

I really enjoy the food and atmosphere at the local, the first time I came here I got the steak tips which were amazing. After reading some 4square reviews I tried the lobster mac & cheese for my second visit, however I wasn't too impressed with it, but thats okay the killer fried pickles made up for whatever it was the mac & cheese was lacking. Will definitely be back!

matt m.

Great place to sit at the bar, have some well crafted cocktails and some good food. Who doesn't like fried pickles or homemade potato chips? We've also had the chicken mac and cheese, the italian sausage flatbread and the stir fried noodles all of which I would recommend.

Cecilia T.

Loved the bar and general overall restaurant. The staff were awesome and very friendly. I was disappointed with the food. Salad had too much dressing and my mushroom pizza was really salty (maybe I have forgotten what Pub food is like). Friends were pleased with their soup and Mac & Cheese.

Eric H.

Always good fun and not your typical bar food menu

Lamont C.

Tried this joint again thinking maybe it was me. Absolutely horrible again my chicken was cold, tasteless, and the waitress sounded unconcerned snapping her gum as I explained the situation. The manager arrived a half hour later while it was well past dinner and into desert and did nothing to ingratiate himself ; and offered no compensation for yet another horrible meal. Do not get me started on the restrooms stunk to high heaven looked liked they had not been cleaned in a week. Never again.

Ana B.

The only bad thing I can say about this place is that it is not near my home. But the trip to West Newton is so worth it. They serve some of the best french fries in the Greater Boston area - hand cut, shoestring and always crispy. My favorite entrees are the lobster roll (a steal at $15), the mushroom flatbread, and the lobster mac and cheese. Not the place to go if you are counting calories. However, I once ordered the fish tacos and it was mediocre - this is the only item on the menu that has disappointed. The snacks and appetizers are all fabulous and the prices are super reasonable. So, please, open a Local in or near Jamaica Plain. Pretty please ...

P L.

This place keeps it simple and cheap. All Beers $5; all wine $7; all Martinis $8; all Apps $5. Told you it was simple and cheap. Food is really damn good. This is definitely a gastropub! Mussels to start, followed by a delectable American Kobe burger ($10) is fan-f'n-tastic and rivals the burger at the Spotted Pig in NYC with the brioche bun, and rosemary match stick fries. Mouth is watering again .. Atmosphere is a little "new" for a pub. It just didn't feel cozy. Give it time, and I'm sure it will get a little scratched up. My one picky as hell downside: the bar staff, while friendly, were so bloody busy that they kept forgetting my beer order (4 times in 2 hours). I don't blame them, I blame management for understaffing the poor buggers. Oh yeah, park across the road in the free lot. Awesome.

David G.

Excellent food and service. We had to wait an hour for table friday but manager took care of us.

Shari J.

We met up with friends here for a little catch-up dinner. Arrived at 7:30pm and the place was completely packed. Mostly 30s-40s crowd and a couple of cougars. We were told about a 45 minute wait--no problem, grab a beer and watch the game. 45 minutes comes and goes, so we patiently order a couple of apps from the bartender (who looks like a young Jason Varitek!). The warm potato crisps and dip are delicious, hopelessly addicting, but incredibly salty. Like blood pressure x 3 salty! 8:30 and the place is noticeably more quiet. No table though. We inquire with the hostess and apparently, they "were" clearing a table for us 4, but then decided to make it a table for 6 and give it to the party of 6 (who had been waiting all of 10 minutes). Umm, sorry not cool. After giving the look of death, we were finally seated around 9pm. I'm sorry, I don't wait 2 hours for mediocre food. So we sit down, immediately notice another empty table next to us (huh?!) and order. Everything is so, so salty! Fried pickles set my mouth on fire and my fiance's fries were completely inedible. I had a caesar salad that was decent enough, no great shakes. The boys felt the same way about their pork and steak tips. Meh. I don't care how "hip" this place thinks it is, I'd rather go to Union Street and be seated within 20 minutes and have an outdoor patio!

Jay and Jenn O.

First time in my life I have had to return food to the kitchen twice and not get to eat my main course. The only thing they serve well here is a nice full pour of wine and a water. The food is terrible. The fried pickles sounded appealing, but they used sour and they had a lot of spice to it and the taste was awful. Caesar salad- the most under seasoned Caesar salad I have ever had. It was barely Caesar. Jenn's lobster roll- lots of lobster, I'll give them that. But again- very under seasoned, it was just Lobster. A little mayo and some lemon would have been nice. And here we go- the burger. I asked for medium. They burnt it. I was going to eat it and I showed the waitress that it was burnt, she insisted she bring it back and get right. I said OK. It comes back burnt on the outside, raw on the inside. She said I'm so sorry, can I get you anything else. I said nope, I'm done. Since I live near by I'll give this place 1 year to change...if they are still around by then.

Will C.

Poor service and rude bartender. There are much better restaurants like this right around the area, save your money and go to The Baltimore.

Julianna G.

I guess we went here on a pretty good night bc I think this place is great! Our waitress was on it, she remembered our drinks and was always around to check our section. Atmosphere is nice too, little small but fine. I thought all the food was great, we sampled a lot of things and were both happy. It seems like the busier they get the worse the reviews. Go try it on a week night, I bet you will be surprised.

Alla Z.

I loved this place so much that I decided to write my first Yelp review. Although it took a while to get seated on a Friday night because the place was packed, once we actually did sit down the service was amazing. Our waitress was not only fast and attentive, but also hilarious. We really like to be sarcastic and joke around, and she totally played into and even made fun of my friend, which was awesome! The ambiance was great too, and just added to the evening. Aside from the great service, the food was just delicious! We had the muscles for appetizer, and they were done perfectly with an amazing sauce. I also tried the tuna sashimi which just melted in my mouth. Then for dinner most of us got the amazing kobe hamburger, and boy was it good. It was juicy and cooked to order. Many others have already reviewed the burger, and I must heartily agree. If you want to spend a relaxed, incredibly yummy, after-work evening with your friends, go here!

Jillian Q.

My husband and I decided to give The Local another shot this past weekend for lunch. I'm still going with a solid 3.5 rating though even after this latest trip. We sat at the bar and the service was great, much better than when we had sat at a table. They weren't serving my favorite Long Trail Hefeweizen *gasp* but I had an Allagash which was a pretty decent substitute. We split the truffle & chive mac & cheese and I actually really, really liked it, although the portion was very small even as one person's entree. My husband stuck with the spicy Hong Kong noodles with steak like before but I opted for the American Kobe burger with parmesan truffle fries. The burger was just "eh" for me but I am definitely addicted to those fries - and they give you a good portion of them too. (Note: I was was practically in a truffle-enduced coma after all of that although it was worth it.) It's still just a little bit pricey for me to make a regular habit out of coming here though.

Liz C.

Living in Auburndale, our pickings are slim unless we head down Moody St. The Local is exactly what the neighborhood needed. I love their cocktails and go back and forth between the Bourbon and Basil and the East Meets West. So good. The food is amazing and very well priced. Good selections, presentation is perfect. They are really good with the kids but don't cater to do them. We stop in and get the mussels to go a lot and take them home and make our own creations with them. They are very good. The atmosphere is great, food is excellent, it is definitely a Local spot that is much nicer than the after work softball crowd.

Eric S.

Hot potato chips with French Onion dip?!?!?! Whoa, soooo good!

Frank B.

Great !!! This place gets it right.. First visit was as good as it gets,the place was full,yet plenty of space to be comfortable.Has a decent selection of beers and wine, fairly priced. Seems to have a good friendly vibe. For appitizers we chose two, mussels and hummus/with veggies and pita bread. Both great choices and again fairly priced. The entrees we tried the spicey Hong Kong noodle bowl and the roasted salmon,both great choices. I don't know how but found room for dessert chocolate cake,again very good. Our server "Melissa" awsome Hope to make this a regular spot for us.Great work Good luck!!

The Local is a brand new restaurant in newton that we only found out about due to being reviewed on TV. A bunch of us went here last night. I had reservation when looking at the menu due to not really specifiying in single cuisine, they had kobe burgers, crispy chicken, hong kong noodles, with side such as truffle oil french fries. The gernal rule is when your starting out, lead with some thing simple. Howver everything, well almost everything was fantastic. I had a kobe burger on a brioche bun, which was extremely good. another person had the hong kong noodles, which apparently were great, and some of us even started with some deep fried pickles. The decor was sleek, dark wood and well spaced. Everything smelt new. The boast having one beer from every state in new england on tap. I have a pint of the Cisco Whale's tale, which was a very good amber larger. The only let down of the night was one of the dishes order was a lobster rolll. It was served on a brioche roll which was a little to firm for the lobster, which sort of just sat on top, this all rescricted the amount of lobster that could be put in their. This coupled with slight slow service, are things that are to be expected with a new place, and im sure there will be some customer suggestions, and The local will become a very good neighbourhood restaurant in the coming months

Alex B.

This place is fantastic, I've had several items on the menu, and have visited 5 times, and every time has been great. Highly suggest this place.

Alyssa S.

My boyfriend and I were having such bad luck finding a place to eat before catching a movie at West Newton Cinema. We were so happy to randomly walk by The Local, and we left with a great first impression! The bartender was so friendly and helpful, and he was understanding of the fact that we were in a rush to catch our movie. For my entree, I had the Penne Pasta with Seared Chicken, which included tiny tomatoes, baby spinach, and Gorgonzola cream ($18). My pasta was delicious, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Gorgonzola sauce. My boyfriend had the Slow Braised Beef Short Rib with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts with braising jus ($19). He LOVED his meal and was absolutely charmed with the flavors and how it was cooked. With such great food and a friendly atmosphere (due to the bartender, other customers, and great bar set-up), we are hoping to return again soon!

Suzy D.

The Local is just a walk away for me. It is pretty excellent - good drinks, good food, nice atmosphere. You can stop in for dinner or make it a stop on a Friday-night Newton pub crawl. I'm a student, so it can seem like a little more than I want to spend at times, but I'm never disappointed by it. The menu never really changes and the specials are pretty meh, which is my only complaint. But if you want a nice dinner for a variety of occasions (starving to death, late romantic dinner, rounding kids up, etc etc), go for it. Fair warning: It gets SO BUSY here any day in the evening. I recommend a late dinner here.

Jay B.

Ok, I don't know what all the talk is about middle-aged boring folk. This place has reasonably (for the area) priced food and awesome (for any area?) fried pickles, along with a decent beer/drink selection. I've gone twice and had a nice bartender as well as a good server. The last time I went I accidentally left my take out, and when I came back about five minutes later they had tossed it. (My fault for forgetting it, no big deal..) Multiple people apologized and offered (without any prompting from me) to re-fire the dish, which was very nice. I'll be back.

Thomas B.

Once a week since this place opened I love to get a spot at the bar and for Brian and his sidekicks to pour the very reasonable wines and bring something off the great menu. Tuna Sashimi and Edamame is a favorite as is almost everything at one time or another. Unusual three meat meatloaf is excellent. To die for Mac and cheese options on a cold winter night. Great specials. Never wait long and rarely have to sit anywhere else but at the bar though they do a brisk business. A gem.

Brian B.

The food was fantastic. The service was pretty piss poor. First, let me say I am generally a very reserved and accommodating guy; this was pretty bad. We were seated quickly and the waiter came over shortly and took our drink order. Returned promptly and took our dinner order. And that was the last we ever saw him. Someone else dropped our meals off and by then our drinks were dry. We finished our meals and the water and waited and waited. It was at least 15 minutes before the waiter came by to take our plates. When he asked if we are wanted another drink, I told him we did want another round - when we got our food. He was unapologetic, claiming they were understaffed. He did have time to set up 2 other tables and disappear in the back for 10 min before he came by: there was no wait for tables by the way. I don't mean to trash the restaurant for one crappy server , but they make the difference between coming back and not. A sincere apology or a heads up when we were seated would have kept us happy. But 2 stars is what they get.

Rob W.

Great meal! Food seems to keep getting better each time I go. Hong Kong Noodles are great (w/ chicken), Pizza looked good as well. Decent beer selection as well.

Rebekah B.

The food was great! I had the salmon and my friend had the lobster mac and cheese. Perfect portion sizes left us with just enough room for some sorbet for dessert. I found out about The Local through a Ruelala.com special and I'm very glad we made the drive down for a late lunch :-)

Peggy M.

My husband and I went to the Local for dinner tonight for the first time and were definitely underwhelmed. My impression was of a place designed to be more of drinking place with snacks than a restaurant. The dinners were not cheap but were indifferently prepared. I got the roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. The gravy was watery, so of course the potatoes were also watered down as a result. My husband got the lobster roll (just ok); his fries were tasty but were super greasy. We will not go back.

Naner B.

Yum! I love this place. Good service, good food.

Carol L.

My friend suggested this for a bite before our movie at the W. Newton Cinema. At 6:00 on a Thurs. night we were hoping to get in and out quickly. She said the place is packed later and on weekends. We were seated immediately and there were plenty of tables. Nice decor. I wanted a table away from the window since I was chilly and they had no problem accommodating. Service was quick and friendly. We both ordered the flatbread pizza, mine had mushrooms and garlic, tuffle oil, 4 cheeses. My mouth is already watering describing it. Hers was roasted tomato I think. Both yummy. The pizzas are 10 inches so enough to take home for leftovers, which we both did. My friend had a glass of red wine which was affordable and I assume satisfactory. We were able to get in and out in 45 minutes, amazingly enough. I will definitely go back to support this Newton business that uses local produce.

Melissa C.

I went with a group of late 20-somethings on a Sunday evening. Generally, it was a good experience. First, there were a few vegetarian friendly items to choose from (fries of many kinds, hummus plate, flatbread pizzas, salads, pasta dishes). Veg dishes are often overlooked at gastropubs. Furthermore, there aren't many bars like it in the area. We didn't have to wait, the food came out at the same time and quick, waitstaff was fairly attentive, but there were a few odd things: 1) We were the youngest people there. 2) The menu is upscale, supposedly, but I found it a bit over seasoned, like they were compensating for poor quality of base ingredients. 3) The beer is watery. I had the apricot wheat ale, some friends got Bass, others got some kind of white ale. All agreed the beer was a bit dilute. 4) The waitress whisked away our truffle fries even though we were still picking at them. She didn't even inquire as to whether we were finished or not. A big disappointment, as these were the highlight of the menu. Other things sampled: chive and truffle mac n' cheese (okay, a bit overseasoned and not baked in its serving dish, so there were no crunchy edges), kobe burgers (an overcooked disappointment, according to my carnivorous hubs), parmesean truffle fries (stonking great), homemade potato chips (crisp, fresh, good ranch dip), buffalo wings (the friend eating those was pleased with the amount of heat and juiciness), goat cheese salad (bigger portion than you'd expect and fresh). I may be back on an off-night for drinks and dinner since it's convenient to where I live, but I wouldn't want to fight a crowd to come here.

Liz M.

I have been to The Local many times. I have yet to be disappointed by the food, beer selection, or service. I am stuck on the mushroom flat bread with truffle oil. It is the best! All the other food looks amazing, but I can't break away. I have also had the fried pickles and crispy onion rings, both delicious. My fiance is a huge fan of the mussels and the clam chowder. I think I will try the truffled Mac and cheese on my next visit! The portions are generous and well worth the money. The atmosphere is casual, but slightly upscale. The Local is definitely in my top five favorite restaurants!

Lauren L.

LOVE this place. Great spot to meet friends for drinks. Nice little wine list with generous pours and great appetizers. My husband loves the kobe burger and the lobster roll. I love the hummus platter and a nice glass of wine or a cocktail. Truffle fries are amazing!

J N.

Newton is pretty much a restaurant wasteland with a few exceptions. This probably explains why the Local is packed most weekend nights despite the average and overpriced food. I have visited the local 3 times and this place is permanently out of the rotation. The Good: -Beer/bar: Nice bar and a pretty good decent selection of beers (for Newton) -mac & cheese: I have tried the Lobster and peas/ham version and both are pretty damn good. Very good flavor and texture, I especially enjoyed the peas/ham version because the flavor was really infused into cheese. Good dish, poorly executed: -Flatbread: I really wanted to like the mushroom and truffle oil flatbread. The fresh mushrooms, truffle oil, and cheese gave the dish a nice balance. I loved the mushroom flavor but they went BP on the truffle oil, it was pooled on top of the pizza and soaked through the crust, not very appetizing. The Bad: -Fried Pickles/Fries: These guys need some work on the fryolator, both these dished were soggy and verging on disgusting. The fried pickles had a decent spicy mayo dipping sauce but the pickles lacked seasoning and any real crunch. -Burger: By calling it a kobe burger and charging $11, it better be good. It wasn't, lacked any real flavor, was pretty dried out, and they were closer to medium well than medium rare. -Fish/Chips: Back to the fryolator, the fish was chewy and the batter was not seasoned at all, probably the same stuff on the pickles. This dish was a big disappointment. -Dessert: Well i kind of blame myself for ordering dessert, but i had a gift certificate to spend. The cheesecake was underwhelming, it was served at room temperature and it was worse than the Costco version, which is my measuring stick. My normal recommendation at the Local would be to stick to the regular pub fare, but that isn't even safe. So, if you go, hit the bar for a few drinks then walk to Blue Ribbon next door.

Anon L.

Love this place! Fantastic food and drinks, always a lively scene and the best fried pickles in Boston!!! :)

Max G.

This bar has a great feel to it. Very laidback. I ate the chicken and Broccoli pizza. It was possibly the best pizza I have ever eaten. It had a spicey sacuce drizzled over the top of the pizza.The drinks are a little pricey, but that should be expected when you are at a bar in a mid-upscale neighborhood. Overally 4 stars.

Kevin K.

The food and waitstaff are really great. The Mac and cheese is very good. The only downside is the wait that can be hours long and the bar is really loud. But once seated you don't really hear it. It's just while waiting to sit down, it can be loud and there is no place to stand. Everyone I have taken here has loved the food.

Kate F.

Every thing that I have put in my mouth at The Local has been delicious. The salmon with the mustard sauce is usually what I keep going for, the truffle Parmesan fries are to die for, and the hummus plate is amazing. The martini was pretty good. The downside is the wait. No reservations are taken and sometimes it seems like a lot of tables sit open while they shuffle things around. There is also a lot of space between the tables - which is nice if you are having a conversation, but annoying if you are told there is an hour wait.

Doug W.

While I didn't have a bad experience at The Local, I probably won't be back. It is what it is: a pub that serves slightly higher end fare (and more expensive) than what you would find at any of the Beer Garden/Tavern in the Square restaurant/bars that can be found throughout Boston and Cambridge. The food was good. My group started with the onion things (basically a bucket of onion strings) and the iceberg wedge. The onion things were fine, although a little bit underseasoned. The iceberg wedge was better- delicious blue cheese, and just the right amount of red onion, crisp bacon and baby tomatoes. For entrees, we had the lobster mac and cheese, the wild mushroom and truffle oil flatbread, and the fish and chips. Of the three, the flatbread was probably the best, with a nice crispy crust and a tasty combination of mushrooms and cheese. The fish and chips were fine- the fish was cooked well although could have used more seasoning. It was served with flavorful, well done fries (which isn't always the case everywhere, so I appreciated that). As a devout mac and cheese lover, I was eager to try their take on lobster mac, but was somewhat disappointed in the result. The short, round half-penne noodles were overcooked and a little mushy, and there wasn't much in the taste of the three cheese blend or lobster pieces to really give the dish any layers of flavor. It was a little one-note compared to other, better versions of mac and cheese I've had elsewhere (The Publick House and Green Street are both exceptional). The drinks were good- the Ithaca Apricot Wheat beer was delicious, and my Hendricks Cucumber Gimlet was perfectly tangy. The service and ambience both needed work- our waitress seemed a little scattered, and had an annoying habit of not being there when we needed something, but then checking in afterwards seemingly every few minutes. As far as the setup, all of the tables near the door (where we were seated) would get crowded very quickly when the crowd waiting for a table moved in, and the bar area wasn't able to contain the flow of people particularly well. All in all, not a bad experience, but probably not a spot I would actively encourage others to check out. I appreciate their attempts to get a little more creative with their menu than what you would find at any old pub, but other areas still need some work.

wash r.

I LOVE the food at the Local- I ususally eat here at least once a week because of the food. With that being said....I only give it 3 stars because of the SERVICE. We always sit at the bar because we like a more casual atmosphere. I don't understand why the bar staff is so terrible. Very abrupt and not friendly AT ALL. Looks as if she does not want to be there, and everything we ask for is a big inconvience for her. I am a very generous tipper, and we continue to get the same horrific service each time!! I think they need an overhaul of their bar staff to bring a more positive, friendly vibe!

Stacey M.

I've been to the Local a couple of times now, and have to say I'm a fan. The prices are good, staff is friendly, and the food is satisfying. I could make a dinner out of the apps alone. The second time we went we brought our 3 year old and arrived 6:30 and the place was packed with families, which I didn't expect, but was good for us. As we left, the place was filling up with a more adult crowd. There is a nice big bar and the beer selection is good, and beer and wine portions are big. So waiting for a table isn't that much of a hardship.

Steve W.

I've been meaning to try this place for months, as I watched its transformation from Crowley's take place during my visits to the gym (I go to the BSC that's a half-block away). Yesterday, I finally did. We stopped in early because we hadn't had lunch, so by 5:00 we were ready for an early dinner. We sat at the bar, which wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. When we left at 6:30, there was a good crowd at the bar (not packed, but pleasingly full) and I heard the hostess tell an arriving couple that the wait for a table was about 20 minutes. I was pleased to see a decent number of taps, but I thought I remembered reading in the Newton paper that the idea here was to feature beers from all 6 New England states. That's certainly not the case, and there were only two that I would really consider microbrews, but as one of them was Cisco's Whale Tale, I was happy. Yum. Beers are offered in both 16 & 20 oz glasses (and the glasses were not warm from the dishwasher - a star for that alone). What makes no sense to me is that the less expensive beers are the same cost per ounce whether you order a 16 or a 20 oz glass (so if you're drinking one of them, get the smaller glass - your beer will be fresher & colder). Only the beers considered Premium by The Local (including the Whale Tail) are slightly less expensive per ounce in the 20-oz. size than the 16. Premium beers are $5/$6 for the 16 & 20 oz sizes, respectively (31.25 cents per oz/30 cents per ounce) and regular beers are $4/$5 for the 16 & 20 oz. sizes, respectively (25 cents per oz regardless of size). On to the food. We tried a couple of appetizers. Even though we knew they weren't healthy choices, the fried pickles & parmesan truffle fries sounded too good to resist. They were. The pickles were sliced (I'm accustomed to seeing fried pickles in strips), hot, lightly battered and delicious. The spicy aioli mayo served with them, though, is a real mismatch. It's too thick & too spicy. They're served very hot (temperature-wise) and are already salty because they're dill pickles. Something cooling & a bit savory would be ideal. We asked for ranch dressing, but they don't have any on hand. Why do so many restaurants not have ranch? It's an ideal dipping sauce for many things and would be terrific with these pickles. One other note on the pickles - the portion is WAY too big for 2 people. If you have fewer than 6 people in your party, you will have a lot left over. The parmesan truffle fries were astoundingly good. Wow wow wow!! I could have made an entree of these alone. A sizable tin bucket of them (apps are served in cute galvanized buckets with little handles) was only $5 and they were delicious. We did everything but lick the bucket. The fries are shoestring, perfectly seasoned and well fried - they're not greasy. For entrees, we had the lobster roll & steak tips and shared them. The lobster roll was overflowing with chunks of sweet, tender lobster and there was just enough mayo and seasoning to hold it together perfectly. As a lobster roll should be, it was served in a New England style, lightly toasted hot dog roll. It wasn't the best lobster roll I've ever had (come on - there's Maine in the summer, right?) but it was darned good. The steak tips were better than R.J. Crowley's, the restaurant that used to occupy this space, and that's saying something. They were superb. Tender, perfectly seasoned, and prepared as ordered, which happens with tips all too infrequently. The Local is a welcome addition to Newton's restaurant scene. I live in the Centre, so it's on the other side of town from me, but I'll make the trip to enjoy its offerings. Definitely an improvement over Crowleys, and after reading other reviews on here, there are additional menu items I'm eager to try.

Quyen C.

I've been here a few times and overall the food is solid and consistent but nothing to write home about. It's a neighborhood pub/restaurant after all. I might go if I was in the neighborhood but I don't think I'd seek it out for food especially after our last family dinner here. The last time we came we had the kids in tow. The restaurant is family friendly and if you eat dinner at 6 you'll see there's a lot of other families eating here too. The prices are moderate with most appetizers $5-8 and entrees hovering between $12-16 but beware the items not written up. They didn't have a written kids menu so the server just told us what they offered. We ordered buttered pasta and plain mac and cheese for the kids. The portions were decent sized for the kiddies but we were stunned that each dish was $7 (You've got to be kidding b/c their food cost for each item couldn't have been more than 50 cents). Then when we got dessert, the same thing happened again. When they first opened they didn't even offer dessert but now there are a few options but again no written menu. There were 2 or 3 dessert choices. We ordered the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Our server warned us that the portion was really small. We were ok with that but she wasn't kidding when she said it was really small. The cake was barely palm sized and I've got small hands! The dessert was also $7. Some highlights of the menu include: -lobster mac and cheese -mussels -parmesan fries -baby greens with sliced steak Note - the kobe beef burgers are ok but I don't think they really hit the spot (must be american kobe). Our family meal with two appetizers, two adult entrees, two kid entrees, mixed drink, soda and dessert ended up being a whopping $85 (incl tax and tip) for a neighborhood restaurant. Aside from the food, there's always a lot of action at the bar especially on Thursday nights when the after work crowd comes in. I've never come here just to have a drink but I think I might judge the place differently if that was all I was looking for. The inside is all dark wood, warm and casual so I think it would be a good spot to kick back a few with some friends.

Kate G.

We will not be returning to The Local for another meal. Horrible service, so-so food, a limited menu and kind of pricey for the quality. When the waitress first approached to take our drink order, I asked if they had any cider. Her response was a curt "No," and after I ordered water, she walked away without asking my dining companion what he wanted to drink. Drink nightmares continued later in the meal when I ordered a Diet Coke and was served a Diet Pepsi without any mention from the waitress. A personal pet peeve of mine... The food was alright. Parmesan truffle fries were generous and tasty, but there was a fruit fly in our ketchup, which arrived 5 min after the fries did. DC's burger was delicious, but my pea and ham mac and cheese was just alright. The best thing about it was the leftovers I brought home for a quick weeknight dinner. Desserts looked tasty, but we didn't get that far. Should have just gone to Blue Ribbon instead.

Karen K.

"Gastropub," my ass. If Cambridge1 and Applebee's had a child, it would be this place. I think we have more of a beef with the person who reviewed this place for the Globe, since we went in with such high expectations. Strictly suburban.

Erica C.

This is my absolute go-to spot for food and drinks. I only live a few minutes away, so it is extremely convenient. However, I would recommend to anyone outside of Newton as well; it's worth the drive. Delicious hefty poured COLD wine and 20 oz. local draughts keep me coming back. I have also never had a bad meal here. Isn't the saying, "stick to what you know?" Well, the Local is what I know and what I like. Why would you gamble anywhere else where you could have a less than memorable meal/experience? All appetizers/"snack things" are solid. I particularly enjoy the huge mussels in the choice of two broths and the fried pickles. I tend to order the salmon because it is cooked perfectly every time, crispy on top and cooked medium in the middle. The hubby loves the steak tips which are served with fries. Be warned of the fries, you will never enjoy another fry better and are great for nibbling off your date's plate. Basically, good food, good drinks, and a lively joint make me a happy girl! Thanks Local!

Queen V.

i would really give them 2.5 stars... we went to the local for the first time this past tuesday evening. we were sat right away which gets a check in the positive column. the wait for our server after we were sat was another thing...it took almost 10 minutes for him to come to our table (check - negative column). all we wanted was dessert and he seemed a tad bit annoyed with that (check - negative). we were limited to 3 choices (warm chocolate chip cookies & milk, bread pudding & pound cake). all were good but the bread pudding was my favorite. at $7 each, i feel that the pudding & cake were worth it, not so for the cookies. i would go back to the local to try an actual meal. we looked at the menu and the prices were reasonable. but for dessert...i think i would have been just as satisfied, or even more, with hitting the bakery at stop & shop

Eric S.

Cool vibe, good eats. Name says it all: the Local.

Jess G.

We just went here for my friends birthday dinner, and we all really liked it! They have awesome cocktails for $8.00, and the prices for the apps and meals were all legit. We ordered the Chips and French Onion Dip for an appetizer...AWESOME! For dinner I had an appetizer special, which was Crab Cakes for $8.00 and I got 2 huge ones...they were a perfect size and filling! My friends got the Hong Kong Noodles with veggies...those were awesome too. It's a nice casual place to have a relaxing meal with friends or family. Our waitress was really nice and pleasant.

Walt M.

A pleasant surprise! I ate at The Local because it showed up in my idine rewards program, so I got some miles for trying it out. The have a good beer selection. I got the 1/2 roasted chicken, my partner got the steak tips. Both were quite good. The server was pleasant. The cost was good the food was good. Nothing exceptional, yet nothing to complain about either. Just good food and beer at fair prices.

Christine M.

While nothing was really bad here, nothing knocked me out. The food was pretty good, I had salmon, nothing to write home about. The service, after we got our own menus because no one gave us any, was quite good. Wine was very good, big glass and tasty. Place was crowded, with a lot of largeish (4+) parties that looked like baby or wedding showers (this was a Thursday night) and several sets of late 30s/early 40ish couples at tables having a night out. My main complaint is that we were sitting near the door, and every time it opened we got a blast of Arctic Boston air ; you guys need to buy one of those curtains that encircles the door. I heard a guy several tables away, further from the door, also whooping at the icy blast .

James M.

In fairness and with full disclosure I have to admit that I know one of the owners. Doesn't matter. Awesome martini( $10.50 I think), Nice bartender, he chilled the glass with ice prior to serving(nice touch not done everywhere), and the fried pickles and the mussels were great. I'm looking forward to going back Thurs. nite.

MetroWest X.

This place didn't excite me or upset me. The wait is pretty decent on a Saturday night, and the prices were par for the course in Newton. The food was fine, the drinks were fine, but I don't think I'd spend an hour waiting to be seated again. The waitress was kind of rude and short with us - I'm not easily offended and it wouldn't prevent me going back again - but her attitude was very noticeable.

Pamela D.

Love the convenience & ambiance of this eatery in the context of its Newton neighborhood. It isn't fine cuisine - it's a few notches above great bar food. But it fits the bill for an easy comfortable evening out for a great martini, luscious truffle macaroni & cheese, flat bread pizza and salad. Service is pleasant and efficient. It's enough of a bar that it isn't really a family place & there are usually very few children. The atmosphere & fare feel a bit more special and have a little more flair than the "pubs" in the area. All without having to travel very far. I like to think of it as my neighborhood joint. If I had traveled more that a couple of miles I'd probably give 3 stars but I give the Local an extra star for being local and a cut above the others.

Megan D.

The Local has become one of my new favorites! I have been there twice in the last month and I really can't say enough great things about the service and food! It is a very casual atmosphere and it is comfortable for a variety of people whether you are in business suits or jeans and a t-shirt. One thing I love about the menu is that it is accessible from a variety of price points. You can go and share apps and entrees and easily get out with a $30 bill for two. Or, you could have a delicious lobster roll or entree that is a bit more expensive. It is one of those places where you could go a couple of times a week and have a completely different dinner each night. I love the snack things. In my two trips, we have shared the mussels, parmesan truffle fries, and the warm chips and onion dip. ALL ARE FANTASTIC! The mussels are particularly memorable and I have had them on both visits. On one visit, we shared a garlicky flatbread, which was good but not great. 2nd trip I tried the Kobe Burger and it was absolutely delicious. The best burger I have had in the area and with a healthy portion of super crispy fries. I can't wait to go again!

Tim G.

My wife and I have been seeking "our regular place." Here, I think we've found it. Nothing on the menu seemed particularly inventive; the menu lists a chef but I'd call him a really good cook and mean no offense by that. But what we had--salad and salmon, burger and fries--was well prepared. And who'd have thought you could impress with fries--they had, we think, a hint of rosemary. The beer selection--about a dozen on tap--was, like the food, solid, if a little unadventurous. Some of it was "faux micros" like Sam Adams and Harpoon. But it does include Whale's Tail and Long Trail and a couple of other less common pours. I gather that the schtick is to lean heavily on local brews, which make sense given the place's name. But, Sorry Sam, brewing is a not field in which New England thrives. So if I were The Local, I'd relax that stricture and introduce a few Pennsylvania or California beers to my draft lineup. Our server, Jesse, was friendly and funny, a bonus. He managed to hit that hard to reach place of neither rushing us nor making us wait around. He also accommodated, without even a momentary look of confusion, the needs of our disabled son. For that alone, I'd have probably given The Local four stars.

Jeremy B.

I had the misfortune of dining at the Local this evening. I was hoping it might live up to all the hype, but it did not even come close. I remember the bar that was here before, and after tonight, I def. miss the old bar. And the old bar was nothing special at all. The service was not good at all....and to say it was slow would be complimenting slow people. Took forever to get a seat. Took forever to get a beer. Well, it too forever to do anything here. If you have 6-7 hours to eat then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, if you like mediocre food then this is also the place. The "fancy" menu actually thinks it is better than it should be. This is W. Newton for Petes sake. Seriously, I wish I had something good to say...oh! Hmm, nevermind...nothing good at all.

Eric G.

I love The Local. It has truly become my favorite local spot. The menu offers, while not very extensive, offers creative and yummy options in various sizes and categories. The flat things are awesome as are their homemade chips with dip. I have yet to have a disappointing dish or visit. The wait staff are friendly and helpful. Love it!

Jeanne B.

Great local restaurant! I went for the first time on a Friday night around 8pm. The wait was only about 15 minutes for a table for two, but two seats opened up at the bar beforehand so we sat there. The bartenders were very nice. I overheard them discussing that it wasn't very busy, but they seemed to be busy to me so I'm not sure how crowded the place can get. My boyfriend and I shared the hummus plate appetizer and each got the lobster roll. Sooo good! The lobster rolls were overflowing with lobster meat and the buns were delicious and toasted. The hand cut fries were phenomenal! Good beer selection - not your typical beers on tap but I enjoy trying smaller breweries' selections. Prices are typical for the area, but the lobster roll was a steal at around $15.

Kristen M.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I live about 10 minutes away and my boyfriend and I love to go there and get drinks and dinner on a weeknight because the food is different than any other place in the area. Technically it's a gastropub, which I think is like a pub atmosphere with a bit more upscale food? I went there a few weeks ago for my birthday and my server's name was Christine. When she checked my ID she saw it was my brithday and was very kind the whole night. I've also had Carol as my server before, and she is really sweet and funny. They have a baby greens salad that is absolutely to die for, with apples and sunflower seeds. It's by far my favorite salad I've ever had. The dining area is fairly small, which can make wait times high sometimes, but the new addition behind the bar cuts down on that. I also think that some of the clientel there can be high maintenance, and stay way longer than they should. In response to a few of the bad reviews I've seen, it is NOT a gourmet restaurant, so don't act like it is. The staff is very efficient at trying to move people along so that other customers aren't kept waiting, and they are also knowledgable about the menu which makes it worth going to.

Jesse N.

My boyfriend and I went here an=bout a month ago. It was kind of dead when we got there and then all of a sudden it was crowded. I don't think that they were ready for the crowd because clearly they were under-staffed, but they were really friendly and pretty accomodating. They had initially put us in seats that were in a spot that had us completely blinded by the sunlight- to the point where it was totally intolerable. They moved us with no problem. My boyfriend got the kobe beef burger and loved it. I got the mac & cheese with lobster and while it did taste good, I would never pay $14 again for this because there wasn't so much as a HINT of lobster in it. I was very upset by this. The fried pickles and the home made potato chips with onion dip were fantastic. My boyfriend even tried the fried pickles and that boy doesn't TOUCH vegetables. It was pretty amusing. We definitely agreed to go back again at some point.

Robert D.

The food was great and had great presentation. I especially enjoyed the Tuna Shashimi with seaweed salad. The Espresso martini is good too. Moderate prices. The wait staff was very nice and attentive.

J F.

this place is exactly what west newton needed.Its perfect for what it is, a local bar. Food is pretty good, service has always been wonderful. $5 apps, pizzas, burgers,salads are always reliable. I do have to say the lobster roll was not very good, but I also know if you want a good lobster roll you go to the right place for it. I would ignore the awful reviews and check it out of you are in the area. Its not the place you would leave the city for but if you are out here check it out.

K R.

I could have cried my food was so good! Close to home, plenty of parking, and the Food is unreal. I really have nothing but praise for this place, I can't wait to go back!!!

Vito C.

Economic woes do not seem to affect this place. Glad we waited the 40 minutes on this Saturday night. Very neat, cool old style pub meets contemporary decor. Best part is the music not deafening like many bars, TVs turned down as well. Small comfort food menu ( steak tips, fish/chips), but very good nonetheless. Apps were cheapo at $5. Beer usual price. Hand cooked chips with what seems like homemade onion dip very good. Clam chowder okay, not "clammy" enough and low on salt. Dipping chips in chowder much better. Next table over had Buffalo chicken wings and the flavor was wafting to my table. Smelled really good and really hot. Lobster roll good, not the best I've had, not swimming in mayo either. Semolina fried cod was pretty good, tested fresh, also needed salt. Served with homemade tartar sauce which was very good because had more bitter than usual. Fried fish is usually coated with a thick and tough outer skin, but not this fish. This coating is very thin and easily removed if you want to save on calories. Thin homemade fries very crispy, very tasty, very good and comes with several entrees. Too stuffed for dessert, but they looked like normal brownies and ice cream. Overvall, pleasantly surprised. I may have a new pub style restaurant in Newton. I will definitely be back again.

Eileen G.

A great local restaurant. Parmesan truffle fries are definitely one of the best appetizers on the menu. The wine and beer selection is very sufficient and well-priced. My favorite is the Apricot Wheat brewed by the Ithaca Beer Company. The menu is a bit limited, but has portion sizes to satisfy any hunger level and allows you to try several options. They have smaller appetizer portions, flatbread pizzas and larger entrees. Mixing and matching is a culinary adventure. I've had a great salad here topped with cherries, goat cheese, a house vinaigrette and steak (which was done just how I requested it to be done). I've also had the fish and chips, which was not remarkable, but satisfying. The service is always high-quality and friendly, and the place has a neighborhood vibe to it. It's a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxing casual meal or a good date place. Haven't visited in the summer yet, but given their focus on local foods, I expect some stellar produce and seafood dishes from them come warmer times here in New England. I'll be back to try it out.

Barbara S.

We go to the Local at least once every two weeks. The food is incredibly good pub food. The mussels are delicious and an exceptional value. The salads are delicious. I happen to love the hamburger and my husband loves the specials. We love to sit at the bar. The service is friendly and efficient.

Chris R.

We decided to give the local a try on our way to the BC hockey game yesterday afternoon. It's located a few doors down from Blue Ribbon BBQ in W. Newton Square. Plenty of parking available in the muni lot opposite the bar. We had the truffle fries which were very good but the buffalo wings were great. Just the right amount of crispiness and heat so I could share them with my wife. I'm sure they would be happy to juice them up if you ask. Nice beer selection as well. We didn't try anything else due to time constraints but we'll be back. ( the couple across the bar had the lobster roll and the kobe beef burger and I didn't see anything left on their plates) Good spot to watch a game with 3 large lcd's at the bar.

Richard C.

Something just isn't right about The Local, a "Gastropub" that has been open for roughly a year in West Newton. There seems to be an identity crises with this place, they call themselves a Gastropub, meaning pub food that has been escalated to another level, and they claim to specialize in local, seasonal ingredients. How cliched. I can barely notice the Gastropub claim, I mean sure, you don't see Tuna Sashimi in pubs everyday, but maybe for good reason. What you do find are burgers, Iceberg salads with blue cheese dressing and chicken wings. Wait, The Local has all these things? What am I missing? Maybe they take the traditional and make them better you say, well, based on our meal there, not a chance. The chef here is the same chef from Isabella's in Dedham, and if you take a look at that menu, it's eerily similar. Uninspired, redundant, and uninteresting. Everything about this place screams pub, a local hangout, but on a Thursday night there is a 45 minute wait, as told by the not-so-friendly hostess, who gives me a small window to exit, stressing it could be even longer, giving the vibe that it's not worth the wait. But it's way too nice on the interior to be just a pub, kind of like a Not Your Average Joe's vibe, but a little classier. You come in expecting good, solid grub, but once you sit down, you feel like maybe the food will be better, the service top notch. After all, the wait was this long, the decor is nice, the music is not too loud, but there's the menu again, dumbed-down with word like: "small things, flatbread things, and bigger things." But we're here for burgers, and maybe some deep-fried pickles. The pickles are a disaster, fried they are not, battered they are not, but warm? Sure, they've been warmed, but that's it. Great, $5 for hot pickles and a poor attempt at a spicy mayo. The burgers are just okay, the bread is awkward, the cheese, once again is not melted, not even close, a huge block of white cheddar sits atop the charred burger, not even melted in the slightest. Am I in the minority here? Are there people who prefer unmelted cheese on a burger? The burger is juicy though, and has decent smoky flavor, which, as we discuss at the table, only masks the lack of flavor everywhere else. The beef is unseasoned and is typical pub fare, it's a burger you've had a million times and it's boring. It's supposed to be American Kobe but I call their bluff, and at $10, I know there's no way it could be. You want real American Kobe? Go to Lucky's Lounge and get back to me, you'll taste the difference. The fries are bad too, heavily greased yet somehow undercooked. Limp, pale, and just plain egregious, about a quarter of them are actually seasoned properly and about four of them have bits of parsley sprinkled over them. I'm not a huge shoestring potato guy either, just a preference maybe, but I find them impossible to eat, to small to grab with fingers, I always end up using a fork, and you can forget about dipping them in ketchup, which is no easy feat. There's no salt and pepper on the table, on any table for that matter, which I wouldn't have a huge problem with, unless the food was seasoned properly, which it is not. But seasoning is the least of the problems for The Local, which just doesn't know what it wants to be, kudos to them for packing it in on a Thursday night, but time will tell if they will survive

Nancy O.

This is a great addition to the neighborhood. The Local focuses on local, fresh ingredients. The menu has three sections - Appetizers, Small things, and Big things, so you can go in with any appetite you want. My husband and I brought our 18 month old and he had the hummus appetizer. Which sounds basic, but was unlike those tubs of hummus we all are so familiar with, and served with what seemed like homemade pita bread. Outstanding. For dinner we had the steak tips and pork chop, both of which were delicious. We will definitely be back and are glad to have a local food restaurant in the hood. Of course, I don't want to give the impression this place is at all crunchy - it is not. It has a nice pub atmosphere. As the cold months come on, we will be there more and more. Definitely worth checking out.

Agent Q.

Maybe I am not a huge fan of the imitation "gastro-pub" scene (taken from the UK), but The Local was...ok. I didn't dislike it, I didn't love it, but I found it hard to give the restaurant 4 stars which is telling. We went in around 6:00 on a Saturday night - sat right down and was greeted promptly by our server; who always looked very busy even though the restaurant was mostly empty. The beer list had some good craft beers but not as many as I expected for a "gastro-pub" which had a lot of domestic stampes on the menu. Nonetheless, the beers were a great value, many were $5 for a pint and $6 for a blockbustering 20oz, though guiness was $6,$7 respectively. I ordered the Mayflower Porter and was very happy. The cocktails were more expensive at $8-$9, but the large espresso Martini proved to be a great dessert and worth the price. They also claimed to make their own Falernum, and if they actually do, I would be impressed. I am going to head back for that one. As for the food, The fried shrimp were good, the Caeser was ok and the steak tips were cooked correctly and may have been finished with garlic butter which eliminated the need for steak sauce, which came to our table after reminding our waiter a few times. The steak tips rang in at a pricey $15 and they were one of the lesser expensive items. I can't believe the pork chop would have been worth $18 so I didn't bother to get it. We did spy some fantastic looking flatbread pizza dishes being delivered to some other tables and they were $10 - not bad. Lastly, I have a real problem with a restaurant putting the words "American Style Kobe Beef" Hambuger ($10) on their menu. There is nothing American about Kobe in either style or lineage. Perhaps some rougue cattle jumped ship in Japan and swam their way across the Atlantic to raise a family, but I doubt it is anything close to Japanese Kobe or Australian Wagyu (the next best thing). It's a hamburger, for 10 bucks nontheless, any type of Kobe worth it's weight would be $25 a burger, and then why would you eat Kobe beef in burger form anyway??? To sum it up, I liked the food, the service was ok, and the drinks were good. I am going to head back for the rum drink con homemade Falernum to see if it is indeed homemade, so I'll give it another shot.

Stacia R.

After watching the Phantom Gourmet on Saturday morning, my fiance' and I decided to try something new. So, about 4pm that afternoon, we tried The Local. We were seated right away, near the window which was nice. The waiter came over right away with an ice cold decanter of water and glasses, asked if we wanted a beverage and gave us a few minutes to peruse the menu. There was not anyone else dining yet, but the bar was pretty full, and people were watching sports on the TV. We ordered the bucket of Fried Pickles and Spicy Mayo...ooh, yummy! The give you quite alot of them too. Then my fiance' had the Kobe Beef Burger and fries, unfortunately, after asking for it to be well-done, it was still kind of mooing...not so good. I had the Lobster Mac 'n' Cheese...this was super-yummy! I was a little disappointed that there was no crunchy topping like when it's baked in the oven, but it was well worth the $14.00 price tag in my opinion. I even had leftovers to enjoy later that evening. When it started to get a little dark, the lights were slightly dimmed, and out came little lit candles on the table, which I thought was sweet. Our waiter came over once to check on us, so thankfully he didn't hover, which I do not like. When he noticed us not eating for about 5 minutes, he came over and asked if we wanted coffee and dessert, which we declined as we were quite full. Overall, I am really happy that we tried a new place, and were quite pleased with The Local.

Rick S.

We went there on a Friday night at about 7. We were seated immediately and ordered a bottle of their very reasonably priced white wines (every bottle is 28 bucks). We got the quesadillas which were good, not great, the ham and pea mac and cheese (very good, smoky ham and a nice sauce) and the steak tips (tender, very nice flavor, great fries). The service was great and the crowd was a mix of old and young. Pretty nice beer selection. Would certainly go back.

Andrew P.

I will keep it short and sweet. Server was very slow.. Recommended foods were blah to say the best.....Beer was cold, but took forever to get it......

Christina V.

I've only been here for lunch. I work within walking distance. Everything from salads to sandwiches have all been good. I've actually never had anything bad here. Service hasn't disappointed either. My office has also had Lunch & Learn seminars there about hearing loss. Those have always been successful. I'm looking forward to trying one of their cocktails, they have a fun drink list.

Shawna L.

Was in town for business and found the Local - couldn't be more pleased. We didn't make a reservation on a Saturday night so when we arrived at about 7pm we were told there would be a short wait. No problem, grabbed seats at the bar - and were seated about two minutes after we got our drinks. The ambience is cozy but hip. The food (bucket o'shrimp, short ribs and the pasta special of the day, dessert of the day) was fantastic; good portions and excellent flavors. I'd give five stars but the service was a little slow - we couldn't find our server and he didn't check with us at all throughout the meal. He was friendly enough, just not super attentive.

Sean R.

Poor service and so, so food.... We were really looking forward to checking this place out, it being in the neighborhood and offering a green fare. But we couldn't have been more disappointed. The meal started off well--a very good green salad with goat cheese, cherries, and candied walnuts. We also had the mussels which were in a tasty dijon broth. But it was all down hill after that. My girlfriends martini was way too strong and tasted of nothing but vodka (I know...it's a martini!). Worse yet...there was a lovely little critter nesting in the bottom. We promptly sent that back--the waitress offered a half hearted apology but neglected to offer us another drink at the time. Next disappointment...the prime rib. We asked for it medium rare and it came out well past medium. We told the waitress it was over cooked and she offered no solace for this--only suggesting that this is how it is prepared!! Well if she knew that, why didn't she say something when we asked for it MR? They did not have horseradish sauce either so there was really no saving it or disguising it's overcooked flavor (it was like chewing on liver). The final disappointment was the lobster mac & cheese. I thought it would be difficult to screw up comfort food, but the Local succeeded in doing this as well. It came out in a bowl of gloppy cheese with a fair amount of lobster, but I think the texture left much to be desired. They should have finished it in the oven to firm it up more. It seemed like they just stirred it in a pot with lot of cheese and butter, hoping that would satisfy us. Come on Local...we should have went to Lumiere which was a half a block away. It's pricier but much more satisfying.

David V.

Dined here for the first time today for lunch. The restaurant is very nice and clean and the service was excellent. I had the Local Burger with fries and I was happy with my dish. The burger was cooked perfectly and the hand-cut fries were amazing. Actually, I think the fries were my favorite part! I think the prices are a little high, but then again, it is Newton. My burger and fries was $12 (plus another $2 for the added bacon). While I found the food to be delicious, I don't know that the price justifies it. However, I had a positive experience overall.

Kevin L.

Just your typical modern American pub with some fusion menu options. Food was not great, but it wasn't terrible. Best dish of the night was probably their Mac n' cheese with mushrooms and truffle oil. Overall the place was okay, but probably won't be coming back very often.

Manwe S.

Good food. Good beer. The fries especially. I liked the beer selection, although all the beers had pretty high ABV. The vegetarian options could be improved though, maybe add a garden burger to the menu. I liked the ambience. Relatively quiet for a Friday evening around 10.

Dan R.

Four of us had a very enjoyable lunch here today. The Local is pretty big -it has a good sized dining room on the left, a big bar with lots of seating, and a downright huge dining room on the right. Everything was right on point- the atmosphere, the food, and the service. Our server Jennifer was absolutely terrific, full of smiles, very attentive and polite, but never hovering or intrusive. We started with some of the Small Plates - Roasted Garlic Hummus with Garden Vegetables, olive oil, and grilled pita wedges for $9 and Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Smoked Bacon, Dijon, and toasted garlic crumbs for $8. They both were great choices! I loved the pita and hummus and the Brussels Sprouts were excellent. Our entrees were a Caesar with chicken ($11), Stuffed Squash ($16), Lobster Mac and Cheese ($17), and a Sausage Flatbread ($14). I cannot possibly describe how happy I was with the Stuffed Squash. It was absolutely terrific. Half a squash was stuffed with a huge mound of quinoa, blue cheese, spinach, and topped with a spicy sweet maple drizzle. I didn't add chicken or shrimp, and I really didn't need to. The dish was freaking terrific just by itself. I sampled the Lobster Mac and saw it had a lot of lobster in there. I ogled the very meaty sausage flatbread and saw it had a lot of meat on it. Our food bill ran $75 and it was worth every penny.

Ama R.

My friend and I wanted to try something new so we headed over to West Newton and tried The Local! We were very excited to see a menu that had a unique but comfortable take on traditional dishes. Our server was excellent. I had the JP's Blackberry Smash- perfection. We shared a small dish of hummus which was wonderful. For entrees I had the Local Stuffed Squash (sans blue cheese) with tofu and it was delicious. A pleasant blend of sweet and spicy. It was nice to see quinoa being used in such a creative way. He had the Short Ribs and was very happy saying the Brussels sprouts were the best he'd ever had (I'll try not to be too offended as I've made them for him on countless occasions). Atmosphere was clean, cozy, and comfortable. We will be back!!

Dee T.

Parmesan Truffle Fries are a must with a nice cold beer! I usually order the fries, fried pickles, the chicken mac and one of the flatbreads. Went in the other night and felt sick after having the garlic roasted mushroom flatbread but it wont stop me from coming in and having the fries

Amanda G.

The quinoa and spinach stuffed squash is INSANE good. I had it with the crunchy tofu and my taste buds were buzzing- awesome! Service wasn't what it could have been- but we caught them when they were prepping for dinner, so they were preoccupied a bit. Nice atmosphere, and though we weren't there at night, seems like the bar is usually pretty hopping.

jenny d.

This place used to be great. I don't know what happened. Went last night.. Ordered carrot sticks veggie app for my daughters. The carrots were old. I sent them back hoping to get fresh ones & they came back still old and freezing. Maybe they were previously frozen. Yuck. The salmon on my salad was tiny and the kale salad was bare very little toppings, cheese. My husband ordered the burger & it never got eaten. For the money you'd hope this was much, much better. I won't be back.

Lindsey M.

If you want to go out to get a nice drink and some good food go here! I've been to the Local a few times, my last time only being about two weeks ago. We came on a Friday night around 7:30 pm. The wait was not long (about 15 minutes for two) and we got a drink while we waited. The local is very impressive when it comes to cocktails and beers. They have over 20 beers just on tap and many more in bottle form. I really really really like the bar here, but I've never been able to sit at it! From 5:00 pm and later the bar area is always packed! I do not recommend sitting in the bar area if you are sensitive to noise or cannot hear well. It can get very loud in that area during peak times. The past three times I've been to the Local I've always been seated at tables in the back rooms. Although these tables are on the smaller side, I do like that the area is quiet so you can have a conversation with your party and not have to scream. The food at the Local is pretty good bar food. I really enjoy their appetizers as well as their specials. Last time we went we got the fried ravioli special as an appetizer and then I got the mustard chicken special. Everything was excellent and we left full. The staff at the Local from the hostesses, bartenders and waitresses are excellent. Each time I come in here I am impressed with the service and how nice everyone who works here is! One thing that prevents me from coming here more often is the parking situation. Parking is very limited and hard to find after 5pm. With the crazy amount of snow we recently had, parking is just so much more limited. We had to drive around a few times (damn you Mass Pike!) but did find a spot a few blocks down the street. There is a little parking lot across from the Local, I've never been lucky enough to get a spot.

Jessica B.

I've been living in West Newton for nigh on eight years and had never been to The Local. I've been in twice in a week since discovering it. So. Much. Win. Great atmosphere. Nice, dark, and modern. Friendly, attentive, but unobtrusive service. This isn't a kiddie bar, er, gastropub, and I really like it. Outstanding Lobster roll. You can substitute a salad for the fries. Drool for days. The rest of the menu looks good too, but I haven't been able to move off the lobster roll yet. Small, but nicely curated beer list sometimes including one of my faves, Pretty Things. I would feel totally comfortable eating or drinking here alone and if I had to, it would be a short walk home. There is limited street parking, but this is West Newton, just drive a couple of blocks in back and there are metric tons of parking.

Kathleen M.

Fantastic gluten-free menu! I had mussels and the truffle mac and cheese, and both were outstanding. I would definitely recommend this place for a casual night with great food.

J S.

Was in town for a conference and came here twice. Got the gluten free lobster mac n cheese. Oh...my...yum!! Got the gluten free lobster roll the second time. The bread was frozen then microwaved. Halfway into it, I couldn't gnaw my way through the bread...but the insides were tasty!!!!

Kyle L.

Atmosphere was good and the place was packed but the food was subpar. I'm not sure if this is normal routine at a restaurant but they would not sit two people at any four tops. We had to wait for a table to open while there were four top tables sitting empty. They would sit groups of three before the groups of two who had been waiting longer. My wife ordered the crispy Brussel sprouts and they were good! However, the rest of the meal was underwhelming. The caesar salad was a little warm and the dressing didn't have much flavor. The Cajun salmon was cooked well but there wasn't enough of the Cajun seasoning to offset the really sour apple/lime topping. The corn risotto wasn't creamy and not really a "corn risotto" it was more of a rice dish with random pieces of corn mixed in. The steak tips were well seasoned but undercooked and a little too stringy. The side order of fries were really good! Overall, I'm not sure we would come back unless it is for a drink at the bar.

H M.

Good atmosphere and great drinks - perfect for a neighborhood hangout. The food is okay - but definitely better than having to cook!! My kids love the steak tips and I love the bang bang cauliflower.

Dee O.

I recently returned home from a 2 week trip to Massachusetts...Newton was one of the places I've stayed and HANDS DOWN The Local stole my heart! (And stomach and soul) LOL! I literally ate here everyday after my first taste and EVERYTHING I ordered was off the damn chain!! (Pics will be included) My first trip I ordered the Short Rib Grilled Cheese-RIDICULOUS! I'm salivating at the thought now! It came with hand-cut fries and I got a cup of roasted/stewed tomato soup...best tomato soup I've ever eaten. I'd also like to note that I paid less for all that than I did a sandwhich & large iced tea from Panerea Bread! Next trip I had the lobster hand roll...pretty sure that's an entire lobster on that sandwich and delicious! Then I had the marinated steak tips & roasted brussel sprouts...PERFECT! The demi glacé was delicious. Same with the short rib & stone ground grits...pure perfection! I also had their blackened tuna sashimi and it was 100% sushi grade and I'd eat the building if I could LOLOL! Clearly I can go on for days cuz this place is down right delicious!! The Local can have allllll my money! #Pimpin I'll be back in a few months!

Kate W.

This place has one of the best gluten free menus I have seen. I went straight for the comfort foods I've been missing. My husband and I split gluten free mac and cheese with lobster and a bacon cheeseburger on an Udi's bun with Caesar salad on the side. Was just what I needed. Only downside- their fryer is NOT GF only so fries were out. Strongly recommend for those who are GF!

Lyndsey C.

I enjoyed this place. Parking was ok, menu was pretty diverse, food was yummy and fresh, place had a good atmosphere, service was a little good and a little bad... some were pleasant and others were a bit offputting... overall a good experience.. yummy food.. nice variety on the menu.

Aaron G.

Not just a fluke, this place is the real deal! Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.

Cassie W.

When I was invited to a place called "the local" in a town outside of boston, I assumed one thing...townie bar. How wrong was I? The restaurant is trendy anf casual. The service was great as we were served right away having arrived around 7pm. The salmon! Oh my gosh the salmon! This salmon deserves a moment of silence. This is by far the best salmon I have ever had from a restaurant. The restaurant served the salmon medium rare, so it is still pink on the inside but seared on the outside. The salmon is served with a corn risotto and the salmon is served on top of apples and fennel ($20). My date ordered the stuffed local squash which comes with quinoa, blue cheese, spinach and spicy maple drizzle ($16). Although not something I would have ordered something I ended up eating half of. Cheese and maple....where can you go wrong?!?!? The squash was heavenly, perfectly cooked with a hint of maple, nothing too overbearing. The squash filled him up but if you want more substance meat or tofu can be added.

East Coast C.

Perfectly cooked food from apps to desert to wine service! This place has wonderful food and service. Every little thing was spot on perfect. We had mussels, seared Tuna and Salmon. Delicious!

Francine C.

I love The Local! Tricky to get in to get a table or spot at the bar because it can get so busy. The service is friendly and the food is delish. Love their fried pickles and their fries are yum. The bar area has lots of seats and great to grab a drink or have a nice dinner out.

Bob A.

Visited once a few weeks ago for dinner. The restaurant has a nice bar area and would be fun to drop by if I lived in the area. We had a party of 5 and the service was good for a busy time with the tables all full. I would like to say the food was great for the 'local food' concept, but it was pretty typical fare. Salads didn't seem outstanding for what should be the peak season in New England. I had the Chicken Mac and it was good enough. Not saying the food is bad, but I guess I expected a step up and it was pub typical. I would say 'try it if you are in the area'.

Big S.

great spot, there is a reason this place is always crowded. we came for brunch and sat right down. We both got bloody mary's which were very good. The food was great. Truffle fries were tasty, We got the bagel and cream cheese special and the mushroom mac and cheese. Both dishes were great, and we would like to go back. Great place!

Michael A.

My wife and I had a very good meal here the creel soup was quite good and I used to live in Louisiana so I know what I'm talking about. Brooke our waitress was extremely helpful at what she does she absolutely has the hospitality gene. We will be back

Jay K.

The food was excellent, the service was fast and staff was attentive. Portions could have been a little bigger, but that's the only small thing I'd change. Truffle fries were amazing, steak tips were perfection.

Sean R.

3 3/4 star review... Not a three because it was better than average and I will definitely return because I live in the area. Can't quite justify a full 4 because all I got was a grilled cheese and tomato soup which is pretty basic. Need to go back and collect more data. The tomato soup was average, but the grilled cheese was pretty good with crusty grilled bread and Vermont cheddar. The lady got the steak tips which were quite good and cooked perfectly. French fries were crisp and seasoned well too. She was a little disappointed that they took one of her favorites off the menu (mustard chicken), but I can respect a restaurant that changes their menu occasionally. They have an expansive beer/wine/cocktail menu including daily specials. Nifty bar area in the center of the restaurant would be a cool place to hang for some drinks. Service was great, and the prices were more than reasonable for an upscale gastropub type place. This place has some real potential and I will be going back; updated review to follow...

Julianne C.

I stopped by the local for dinner with a friend who lived nearby. Atmosphere is comfortable and casual. I had the truffle Mac and cheese and it was absolutely fantastic. Their cocktails are worth a try as well!

Ellen F.

Simply excellent. Great menu and equally outstanding food. Innovative, delicious and fun. Highlights include fried pickles, brussel sprouts app. Mushroom Garlic Flatbread and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Service, beer and atmosphere were just fantastic. Glad we tried it.

Marlana Y.

The atmosphere and service - I would give it a 5! You would never think that a cool hip place that you normally see on Boston would be in west newton. I thought it was romantic enough for a date but still casual enough for a group of friends. The waitstaff was pleasant and always refilling out waters. We weren't too hungry and just bought a bunch of little sides and an entree. We ordered crispy potato chips with French onion dip, Parmesan truffle fries, and the fried pickles and spicy mayo ($5 each) along with the Hong Kong spicy noodles ($16) with crispy tofu (+$4-about 4-5 pieces of square tofu). I've had fried Pickles before and they tasted like any other establishment, so compared with other reviewers I thought it wasn't something to rave about. I really did enjoy the potato chips and truffle fries! The chips were crispy enough and not oily at all. The Hong Kong noodles just had a hint of spicy to them and I enjoyed the crispy tofu but I feel the noodles weren't worth the price. There was something about them that made me not want to finish it. We also had one of the specials, the strawberry shortcake for dessert. It sounded better than it tasted. The shortcake was overly dry and tasted slightly doughy that even the ice cream, whip cream, and fresh strawberries couldn't fix.

Samuel H.

My mother is a big fan of this place. I've been once, very trendy, very ok. Not the best place in the world but if you're looking for decent healthy food you can feel "responsible" about look no further.

Rebecca W.

Sooo yummy once again went here last night and got one of the best desserts EVER! it was an amazing chocolate ganache cake...our waitress, Megan was also so amazing, she really helped--and went out of her way-- to make sure we had a wonderful dining experience!

Jason L.

I think I found the coolest bar in Newton, not that it means much. As usual I had finished a long day of work and was looking for somewhere to get a beer and some food while avoiding rush hour traffic. I stepped in and the staff greeted me in a very friendly manner, but I plopped myself at the last bar stool available. I quickly ordered a beer and then the fish and chips. As I waited for my food, I tried to assess my surroundings. Next to me were two middle-aged men apparently hitting on two 30ish women. They were using pick up lines such as "you're in financial services too?" and "do you think (whatever) is a good investment?" I was unsure what to think about this scene at first, but as I looked around, I quickly understood what I was witnessing was more the norm here than not. Just not my scene. The food came out pretty quickly and it was good, if not very traditional. One giant hunk of fish with a nice thin, crispy breading, and a mountain of very tasty herb-y fries underneath. Although it was nearly $20 for this, I didn't mind so much. Finally, I decided to order a bourbon-based cocktail. It was expensive, but I've never seen such an incredible pour before: and entire glass filled with booze. Holy crap! Ambiance was nice enough, kind of upscale but just a little bit hip. My parents would probably like it. Four stars for food and drink, but I had to knock one off for the clientele. Sure, it is Newton, but c'mon guys -- you financial services jerks ruined our economy in 2008 and we still haven't recovered. You don't get to use it as a pick up line.

Barbara A.

I finally got to go here after my third try ... I guess the key is to go at 5 before it gets too busy. I like the spot and it did fill up fast. We started off with the fried pickles with the spicy mayo and the crispy onion things. At first my daughter (the onion ring fiend) saw the thin onion rings and wanted nothing to do with them but she warmed up and now she thinks they are "off the charts" delicious. The fried pickles were also yummy. The two of us could not finish the apps because they are ample, fair warning. We split the marinated steak tips with hand cut fries. They split it in the kitchen so we did not have to fight over the tip selection. Considering we got 2 apps, the meal was more than enough to fill us.

Bean C.

I was absolutely thrilled with The Local. We were there quite early, but by the time we left, it was quite filled and the vibe was energetic. We shared the kale salad, very fresh. Great way to start the meal. They have different sized items. I had the "small thing" of Shrimp & Grits, with chorizio. It was the perfect size for me. My dc had the burger, on a brioche bun. He said it was v. good. I had some of his fries, we liked 'em. My other dc had the stuffed butternut squash. It was stuffed with quinoa and veggies. You have a choice of steak, crispy tofu, I forget what else. Likely chicken. This dish was amazing! I loved the stuffed squash. I want to get back there soon to have that!

Abby R.

Just fine to grab a beer. The bartender was Welsh, maybe? He was very friendly and quick getting our drinks and check and had us in and out in a jiffy. Didn't try the food, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if I was in the area.

Ashley A.

Stopped by here for dinner with a friend the other night, and I am already looking forward to my next visit. We arrived and were promptly seated. The staff was extremely friendly, which is always a bonus. We ordered a couple of cocktails, both of which were amazing. We shared an order of brussels sprouts, truffle fries, and a plain mac and cheese. Holy delicious! I couldn't believe how amazing everything tasted. We couldn't finish all of the food we had ordered, and it was so reasonably priced. The brussels sprouts were crispy and amazing; same for the truffle fries. The mac and cheese was an excellent blend of creamy and crispy, with the crumbled topping. I should probably avoid eating here too often, because I'd hate to know how many calories I consumed in just a half order of the mac and cheese, but I can see myself going here whenever I need to eat my feelings..soo..weekly? But seriously, I look forward to my next visit!

Jeremiah T.

It was a busy weekday night when we came in. The wait was reasonable and while loud (mostly patrons), the restaurant had a friendly, welcoming vibe. For dinner we had spinach and artichoke dip that was excellent, a mixed green salad with grilled chicken and the chicken, bacon and chive mac and cheese. We loved it all and were very satisfied with the whole experience.

Rebecca M.

Had to wait only 20-25 minutes on a Friday night -- which is okay with me. The Local was super busy, which surprised me that the wait was so short. Our waitress was extremely friendly, didn't make us wait long to order at all. Amazing food! My boyfriend and I shared the fried pickles, and there were enough that filled us before our meals arrived. I ordered a burger with cheddar cheese. I actually asked for some of the spicy sauce that comes with the fried pickles to put on the burger. He ordered a lobster roll, which was also great! The dessert options looked too good. But I was stuffed at that point and couldn't think to slug down a slice of peanut butter pie or something after eating an appetizer and the entree. I'll have to try the flatbread things next time, they looked really good too. Thanks for the great experience Local. I will definitely be back :)

Bita ..

Great quality food, very gluten friendly! They have a dedicated gluten free menu including pasta/Mac n cheese, salads and *drum roll* a burger with a gluten free bun!!!! (FINALLY a burger not wrapped in lettuce) They even brought out my burger with a salad instead of a side of fries (since normally GF can't have cross contamination) but I had asked for fries since I'm not that sensitive and the guy brought me out a side of fries, with no hesitation! And those fries tasted AMAZING! Whatever added seasoning they use is perfection. My friend enjoyed the lobster roll and we shared the mushroom Mac n cheese - again all great food. To top it all off they had a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on top... A gluten-free person's heaven!!!!

Julia W.

Great food and ambience. Food pairing is thoughtful and creative. Service is also excellent, courteous and attentive. I would give them 4.5 stars if it was possible. My only critique is dessert was slightly disappointing.

Tony S.

Just to clarify my rating: the service is 4 1/2-stars. The cocktails are 4-star. The food is 3 1/2 stars. Love the ambience. Spacious, warm colors, casual, and comfortable. Every staff member that saw a customer enter the establishment during lunch greeted or acknowledged the person. I love that. 4-stars for cocktails means that the drinks are standard. It's a good rating, and the best I give to any place that doesn't do craft cocktails. My group had several different dishes, from the edamame, to some spicy fried shrimp appetizer, and different combos of steak and Hong Kong noodles. Not sure if you'll understand what I mean when I describe the food as "comfortable". It isn't comfort food. It's.... hmm..... "heartfelt" food. I like that some thought was put into the menu items. However, it tastes more like something my best friend, who is a creative and highly enthusiastic chef (we all have a friend like that somewhere), could do, but not exactly gourmet gastro pub. The food isn't bad. It's decent. I'll definitely come back again as I now frequent the neighborhood for work, and I'm sold enough to become a regular.

R S.

Great drinks and pretty good food. Love the atmosphere!

Holly C.

I visited on 10/24. Here's a quick synopsis but details are below. Atmosphere- not bad, dark, busy Service- not good, we sat at the bar and I felt very much like I was in college trying to sway the bartender to pay attention to us. Food - bad. My reco would be to go to one of the other 100 bars, restaurants, pubs in the newton area. Ok here are the details: we stopped here as a recommendation of a friend. I am now questioning my friends standards. Service: it was busy and the bar is small (for the bartenders) so it's impossible for them to get any help behind the bar without literally stepping on one another. But expect to be ignored for awhile before legitimately having to grab them to get served, order food, reorder drinks. Food: so there was a special charterurie plate - which they called it that on the menu but then called it pate when hunting down its owner. There are usually more than one type of cured meat - however they delivered a piece of 'meat' that looked like head cheese (Google it if you don't know what that is). I typically would stay away from those pieces understand there is other meats to eat. Nope. So I tried it - Nope. I ate the little pickles and bread. Not worth $12. We also had truffle fries - no truffle oil. But who can screw up a fry? Those were ok, despite no truffle. I live in the newton area - I'll be going elsewhere. Check this one off the 'We should have known better' list.

Crystal P.

One of my favorite restaurants in the area! Great food, great beers, and great ambiance. My favorite dishes from here are the Parmesan truffle fries, mushroom and truffle flatbread or the sausage flatbread, PEI mussels, all of the Mac and cheeses, fried pickles, or the goat cheese salad!! Everything on their menu is amazing!

Brian S.

Unfortunately I was really disappointed. I was told The Local had a very nice spread and the restaurant brags about their burger. So I got it. The burger was definitely perfectly round (I.e. Frozen). Lacked taste and the bun was breaking in pieces as I ate the burger. Glad the fries were decent. I was really let down.

Jeff V.

I came here with a couple friends on a Friday night. Finding a parking spot was absolutely maddening, and much of the reason for only average scoring. The host seemed a bit overwhelmed as he rushed around--too busy to give us much of a greeting anyway. We were seated after a brief wait. I couldn't help but notice that there wasn't a ton of space between tables--so much so that a young boy with his parents who was up well past his bed time leaned back in his chair and whacked my friend's seat. Aside from that, though, the atmosphere was nice (strangely casual yet classy if that makes any sense), and our waiter was friendly and attentive. We each had a drink from the menu. Pretty decent standard stuff, though getting a drink pushed the price range per person from $$ to $$$. And the food itself was quite tasty. I had a great cheese burger and my two accomplices had steak tips which they each raved about. I tried them and they were okay, but a little overcooked for my liking (both ordered medium well). I would come back for sure, but only if it wasn't during a busy time... that mini parking lot across the street was easily filled and the restaurant is on a one way street that sends you on an enormous loop if you have to pass it.

Tullu N.

This place was amazing, our food was cooked perfectly, and times just right. Highly recommend the fried pickles which are a great sharing portion... I had the mushroom truffle mac and my boyfriend had the short rib Benedict and both of couldn't have been happier with our orders. Most importantly, our waitress, Kerry was spectacular! She provided recommendations, knew the menu well, timed everything perfectly and was personable and friendly. I can't wait to go back!

Chris C.

Kind of the outskirts of West Newton, it's definitely a good relaxing place to sit and have a meal. The food here is very good, I have been here twice and I've had the Lobster roll which was delicious and the turkey club which is stacked with high with turkey meat. The fries are also very crispy and can cause one to salivate. I would recommend this place if you are looking for some good eats at a decent price.

Michelle S.

Let me start by saying the service was a 2 and everything else was a 4. Two of my friends and I sat at the bar on a pretty busy Thursday night for beers and dinner. The bartender who was serving us knew we were getting dinner, but it took her about 15 minutes to follow through and actually get us menus. We ended up grabbing some from the bus boy. I'm not sure why, but she spent the entire time we were at dinner being completely cold to us. Reaction-less and lacking any warmness or service courtesy. We got steak & frites, the swordfish, and the burger. All were fantastic. The Local also has a great choice of beers on tap, including a few locals like Pretty Things. Food came on time, but she took forever to get any services from. I couldn't get her attention nor would she check on us. I'll come by The Local again and if the service is better next time, I'l consider my first experience an anomaly and upgrade my review to a 4.

Doron A.

Was there yesterday after a movie. Had the Tuna sashimi. Poor quality of fish and preparation.

Frank B.

Great !!! This place gets it right.. First visit was as good as it gets,the place was full,yet plenty of space to be comfortable.Has a decent selection of beers and wine, fairly priced. Seems to have a good friendly vibe. For appitizers we chose two, mussels and hummus/with veggies and pita bread. Both great choices and again fairly priced. The entrees we tried the spicey Hong Kong noodle bowl and the roasted salmon,both great choices. I don't know how but found room for dessert chocolate cake,again very good. Our server "Melissa" awsome Hope to make this a regular spot for us.Great work Good luck!!

John J.

We've been twice now, and have enjoyed both visits very much. It's a 3-minute walk from the West Newton Cinema, so both times we've gone to a 4pm-ish movie on a Sunday and then walked over to The Local for a bite & a couple of drinks. We didn't really hang-out in the bar, but it looks roomy and clean. Actually, the whole place seems neat & clean, and the bathrooms were also clean. We were fortunate on both visits to get in the door before 6pm and got seated right away both times. Within a 1/2 hour, the bar & the waiting area were both crowded with hopeful diners. Drinks were pretty reasonable. Good beer selection, with 16oz/20oz options, generally for $5/$6. My wife's lemon-drop martini was $8, and her glass of red was $7. On our first visit we got the fried pickles and the fresh potato chips & dip. Both were phenomenal. We skipped having a starter on our 2nd visit. My wife had the mushroom flatbread (pizza) 1st time around and it was very tasty. I had a perfectly-cooked med-rare burger with cheddar on the 1st visit and while the burger was very good, the fries are the standout. Fresh-cut, fried to crispy perfection. Even 10 minutes after the plates hit our table, the fries were still crispy. The burger & fries were so good that we each got the same thing yesterday for visit #2. Both burgers cooked perfectly. I agree with an earlier sentiment that perhaps the burger could be seasoned a bit more, but overall, it was a juicy meaty delight. Service was solid. No goofs, no unusual delays, no disappearing acts. We've got plenty of dining options locally here in Norwood, but we'll definitely make a point of hitting a movie in West Newton followed by a satisfying meal at The Local every couple of months.

Jeannie H.

ATMOSPHERE - A neat and clean bar that's tastefully decorated, doesn't smell of vomit, and has tolerable food. These are all good things. However, I wouldn't go as far as to call this a gastropub. SERVICE - We went at an off hour so the waitress wasn't overwhelmed. FOOD - Truffle Parmesan Fries - The fries had amazing flavour but were incredibly grease-laden. They were also soggy and not fried well. At the bottom of the heap, there was a layer of oil which contributed to the soggyness. I like my fries super crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. Mac & Cheese (Truffle and Chive) - This was yummy. It was nice and gooey with a subtle hint of truffle flavour. Crock of Bubbling Cheese, Crispy Pita and Toasted Baguette - This dish was gross. The cheese was clumpy rather than smooth with the grease layering out of the cheese. The pita and baguette were essentially smothered in butter then fried. Prime Burger from The Godfather of Meat John Dewar and Hand Cut Fries - The burger could use a little more seasoning but otherwise, it was a solid burger. Overall, I think this is a decent place. Since I'm not a bar person, it's nice to come to a place that serves solid chow with good service while my friends can grab a drink.

Carolyn C.

I went here with my husband during lunch time. We came out of here STUFFED! We liked the fried pickles, truffle parmesan fries, and the crispy onion things. We also enjoyed the mussels and would come back because of them. I ordered the chicken but was unable to finish it because I was full from the other foods that we had ordered. My husband had the fish tacos. He said they were good. We ended up taking a lot of food home. Overall, I would come back here again. The food all tasted good. The ambiance was good but parking can be a little tough.

Matt M.

I was amazed when I walked in and saw The Local had 3 TVs around the bar area. I had surfed the website before my visit and did not get the impression I would be able to catch the Bruins game. Don't let me give you the impression that the Local is a sports bar, it's not. But it's always nice to watch a game while dining or waited for a table. I went on a holiday season evening, it was very busy. My friend and I were seated in the amount of time quoted by the hostess. I was taken back by how small the menu selection was but what was on there was Delicious. They have some spectacular house cocktails with in-house made ingredients, along with a large selection of brews. I had a wedge salad, which is pretty basic. For the main course I enjoyed the steak tips which were cooked to order and were very tasty. The fries were thinner than my normal liking but still enjoyable. The table next to us got burgers and they looked great, I think that's what I will try next time! Ample parking across the street.

T L.

Disappointing. The prices have gone up, the friendliness has gone down, and the food isn't as exciting or as good as it was when it opened. Although the burger is still amazing, the fries were greasy, and they charged us .50 for goddamn mayo for the burger - and did not tell us that they were going to. I've had it with this place, and won't be going back.

C. D.

Hostess and waitress (same person) was completely rude, went on Sunday at around noon. She checked on us once the entire time we were there. Steak tips were tasty but cold, my girlfriend ordered the sausage, mushroom, and truffle oil pizza, looked great but tasted awful, couldn't get through one piece. She likes truffle oil, but not a whole bottles worth on the pizza. When we mentioned the pizza was not good she replied by saying, "well you ordered it". Would never go back even with the good reviews

Mystery Z.

My girlfriend and I only got drinks late at night on a Saturday, so I can't speak for the food. Some of the other customers near us ordered food which looked delicious, and they seemed happy; if their food is half as good as their drinks they must be in good shape! We came in fairly late and were greeted with good live music and friendly staff members. The host / doorman was prompt and courteous and our waitress was very attentive. We were very happy to hear reggae music playing in the bar when the acoustic guitar player took a break! It was a fun way to spend an evening. The other patrons seemed similarly happy and the staff were very attentive to our needs. The drinks were strong and tasty, moderately priced, and served quickly. Even though my relatives live only a few blocks away we had never even noticed the bar before this visit, so I was very happy to find a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a few alcoholic libations in the neighborhood. It was definitely a nice find and a great place to tie one on!

Reid F.

I've tried this place 3 times at the urgings of others. The food is merely mediocre, and not good enough to justify the prices.

Allyson M.

Went to the Local last night for the 3rd time. 1st time was a Saturday night and I went with friends that had their baby with us. We had to leave as there was a long wait and it would have been too much for the little one. Went for drinks last weekend, had a nice chill mellow time. Didn't get to try any food because we had a huge dinner like an hour earlier. Brings me to last night... Again went there with my husband, and our friends with the baby...thinking that on a Thursday we wouldn't have trouble getting a table - WRONG! The wait was about 30 minutes, not terrible, but too long for the bebe. So what did we do?? We sent our husbands home with the little one and Mommy and Auntie Ally stayed for a dinner for 2!! My friend has been talking about the fried pickles here for a while, since she saw them in some magazine, so our husbands, being the awesome guys they are, wanted us to get to try them at long last. So we sat immediatly and got to checking out the menu. I literally wanted everything. No joke, it all looked amazing. Actually, backing this up, we sat, got our menus and before we even opened them we ordered us some fried pickles. We couldn't wait any longer! Then came the hard part, picking what was to come next. Usually I try to be "good/healthy" when I pick a meal, esp if I get an app that's a "treat" like the FP's. BUT all bets were off last night. We ended up getting the Wedge Salad, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and the Spicy Hong Kong Noodles, all to share. OMGGGG - FP's were, as everyone has been saying, amazing. Perfect pickle to batter ratio, and the sauce was delicious. I am not a fan of the wedge salad in general, but bc my friend is I figured why not try this one- so glad we did, the bacon, the think sliced onions, the blue cheese dressing... Fresh crisp lettuce and tomatoes...yummmm. perfect combo. The Lobster Mac and Cheese was creamy goodness, but surprisingly my least favorite of the things we tried. I would have preferred a hardier noodle than the tiny ditalini. Cavatappi would be prefect. Anyways, I woudl totally eat it everytime I came in and be perfectly happy, I'm just being nit picky bc everything was so good but I want to try to stay objective. Lastly we had the Spicy Hong Kong Noodles with Shrimp, SOOOOO good. Super spicy, plump shrimp,- just a bowl of spicy noodle goodness topped with peanuts. So yeah, it was well worth the couple hours I will have to spend at the gym today to work off all the extra calories. And the staff was so awesome too, our server was sweet and attentive, food came out perfectly timed, and the hostess was a doll. Couldn't have been better... well that's kind of mean.. would have been nice if our husbands could have joined us - but we did bring them leftovers!!!!

Aboud Y.

Fried pickles, potato chips, mac n cheese. All tasty but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. The mussles stole the show anyhow. Plus I liked visiting this place the first time better...when its called The Biltmore!

Olga S.

love this place. People complain about it being crowded i kinda like that. It reminds me of the NYC tiny restaurants that are so popular among local people and tourist are so lucky to discover such a place.The food is always great, last night i had a thin crust pizza and it was simply delicious.

Cindy K.

Came here for lunch over the weekend after hearing rave reviews about this place. Not sure why there are some pretty bad reviews but we thought the restaurant had great food. I love how everything is sourced locally and I think it really makes a difference in how the food tastes. We started off with the mussels which were soo good - mussels were really fresh and the leftover broth was delicious! I had to stop myself from getting more bread to dip it in. And at $5, you can't go wrong with an appetizer. We shared buffalo wings and the mushroom flatbread pizza. Buffalo wings were good (nothing too special but it was good). The Mushroom flatbread pizza was really good! Since everything is locally sourced, the mushrooms really were much more flavorful than what you'd get at your local pizza shop. Plus it was loaded with all different types of mushrooms. Delish! Other patrons had burgers and fries and the fries looked amazing! Will def have to come back to try that.

Lisa K.

This is a great neighborhood place. It's usually crowded and a bit expensive, but you can find things on the menu that are more moderate too. One night we wanted a good burger and decided on the Local, and we were really happy with the burgers. The hong kong noodles on another night were good as well. We'll keep going back.

M S.

I really like the local. First of all the food is consistantly good. They have a wide range of options on the menu and all of it is good. They also have an excellent beer selection (any place that carried Whales Tale Pale Ale on Tap can't go wrong in my book). The bar scene is kind of an over 30's crowd which is a good thing imo so it's a great place to sit at the bar and actually be able to hear the person you are with. The people at the bar and the bartenders tend to keep to themseleves so it's not the type of place you'd go to by yourself but it's nice for friends, a date or a night out with your significant other.

Beth G.

The Local is what Tempo in Waltham SHOULD be. We don't go on weekends for the most part because it is always so crowded, but we've driven by on Friday & Saturday nights and it makes me happy to see it so packed. I hope this place is around forever. Or, at least for as long as we live a few streets away :o) On the weeknights that we head over there, we almost always sit at the bar, enjoy a mushroom & truffle oil flatbread or some lobster mac & cheese...or some Hong Kong noodles...or really anything. I feel like we've tried at least 3/4 of the menu and everything has been delicious. Every time we've brought friends with us, we've felt like they've been happy with the experience as well. It's one of the few places in the neighborhood where is staff is pleasant, the food is fantastic and the wine makes us smile. I do agree with other commenters though, the times we've brought friends and had to wait for a table, it seems like chaos. The hostess is always really nice and I don't think it's her fault, it's more like just squeezing too many people (who all probably know how awesome that mushroom flatbread is...) into a tiny space.

Libby L.

Will give this place another try. The waiter was a bit lame and the food was so-so. Warm Potato Chips & French Onion Dip: - The Chips were as hard as rocks and they were definitely NOT warm. The "French Onion" Dip was NOT oniony at all - more mayo-ie than not. The Special Hangar Steak with French Fries: - For the cost of this steak, they could've marinated it or something to give it some more flavor - VERY BLAND. Spicy Hong Kong Noodles: - Pretty good until you get to the bottom where all the spice was. WAITER: - He was very lame. Asked if there was sweetened iced tea and he said yes - we got unsweetened and when we asked again - he said that we didn't. So we asked for simple syrup. Sorry we can't give it out unless I take the glass back. HELLO... - Order the Mussels - never came with the apps. Asked about them and he said that oh I'll check - came back a few minutes later and said they ran out. HELLO - you could've told us instead of us waiting.

Jason F.

good food, good times! we got there around 7 on a friday night expectiing a wait, and it was about 20 minutes. no worries, we actually waited less than that. we ordered mac and cheese and the pizza that was on the specials, it was ham and other meats, really good thin crust. they also have lots of craft beers and a nice drink menu, we will be back. the service was great too, our waitress was really nice and attentive, even though it was really busy.

Peggy S.

I recently moved from W. Newton to NYC, and came back to Newton a few weeks ago. I had the opportunity to go to The Local a few times when I was back. I miss The Local and the great staff and friendly atmosphere. Although there have been a few changes to the place since I left (expansion) it was nice to see that the great staff (Stacy) has not changed. Stacy is wonderful Her ability to manage the crowd and still make you feel comfortable and not rushed is amazing. It was nice going home and seeing friendly and welcoming people at The Local. I am still looking for my Local in NYC, but I know I won't have the same wonderful and friendly crew that I met at The Local.

Ms. Review S.

I'd give this place four stars, but the waitress was harshing my mellow. She was on the ball, but it was way too intense. As soon as half of our party was seated, she was trying to take our orders. The menus weren't even cracked yet. Despite the intensity, she was prompt to take care of everything, which was appreciated. Now, the food. I thought the food was great and the fact that they had fried pickles, made me even happier! I ordered the salad with the caramelized pears and goat cheese, a good choice. (My first choice was the Salmon, but they ran out!) I tried the pork and it was pretty good too. Overall, a decent experience. I'd go back.

Julie M.

holy deliciousness! the chicken wings had this tangy sauce that made my mouth water while i was eating it. my girlfriend ordered steaktips, which i am normally leary of, and they were done just right. they were tender, juicy and perfectly seasoned. the fries had thyme on them, which gave the meal a unique twist. our waitress, carol, was a doll. she wrote detailed directions for us on a slip of paper when she found out we were heading out of town.

Michael D.

Bearing in mind this is a simple joint, I rate it 5 stars. The food is excellent - top notch burger, delicious lobster roll, unique appetizers such as the hummus and vegi platter, and the fried pickles (no kidding, they're real good). Oh, and cheap. New additions to the menu often - such as the hot italian sausage sliders. Holy smokes! These thingsare ridiculous. Pizza at the bar is killer - particularly the extra virgin olive oil and pecorino cheese pizza - I've eaten my fair share thru the years and this is awesome. If you're thinking Papa Ginos or even Upper Crust, drive by. This place is unique. The burger is ultra tasty - the beef comes from top butcher John Dewar. None better. My favorite entree these days is the Chicken Milanese. So good. Ginger margaritas are tasty. Love having the choice of 16 or 20 ounce brews...I suggest the 20. Order two and you've got your own 40 ounces to freedom going. I note that there are some negative entries - such as "AWFUL AWFUL" - I have eaten and drank here 30 times in the past 2 years. Never a disappointment. Bartenders are salt of the earth folks, too.

Kristine M.

Sorry, The Local, but I am docking you a star. 1) The wait is always very long, and there's really no good place to hang out while you're waiting if it's crowded. It also seemed really disorganized there, like there was zero management. 2) The hostess seemed stoned out of her mind, and when our name was finally called, she showed our party of THREE to a table for TWO. So we wound up having to wait for a while longer. 3) All three of our water glasses had lipstick on them. 4) For dessert, I got a brownie sundae. I thought they could have at least heated the brownie up before serving. My husband got cookies and ice cream, and I also thought his cookies would have been warmed up and softer. It's definitely a bit expensive and since we had to wait so long, we were ravenous which is why we got appetizers and desserts. I do love the truffle and chive mac and cheese and the homemade potato chips were delicious. I'll go back because I like the food, but is it worth an hour wait? Nah. It just gets so crowded and on top of the long wait and the crowd, it seems very disorganized. In the future, I'd probably go during an off time.

Courtney L.

A friend and I needed a good spot between the city and the suburbs to meet and randomly selected this spot due to some solid reviews. We were immediately seated when we arrived on a busyThursday night and ordered drinks and the fried pickles to start. Fried pickles were fabulous and had a nice kick with the sauce. I had a great glass of NZ Sauvignon Blanc and my friend ordered a delicious blueberry Mai Tai. Both of our meals were also delicious-pan seared salmon and the sautéed chicken. Our waitress was incredibly patient, as my friend and I had not seen each other in a very long time, and we were very slow to order and our overall meal took quite some time. She did not rush us one bit and was respectful of us wanting to take out time. The local is an overall great spot-food was wonderful, atmosphere is fun, and the staff is nice/helpful, but not at all overbearing!

Jude M.

Overpriced, Everything is greasy, dirty plates & silverware, I gave it one star because the chicken wings were at least edible. This is NOT a "Gastro-pub" unless it's Gastrointestinal distress your after. Skip this place and hit Paddy's right around the corner, or drive across town to the Biltmore - FAR BETTER FOOD !!

Rick S.

I have been to The Local several times and have found it to be of two minds. The good news is that the food is always of amazing quality. I have had the lobster roll and the pizza but my most recent trip confirmed for me that hamburger is the way to go. The meat is cooked perfectly and the french fries are amazing! Don't let the color fool you they are real fries not sweet potato. The only down side is that, unless you are lucky, the wait staff at The Local is unfriendly at best. It took 3 tries to get the soda I ordered but they still managed to bill me for 3 separate drinks. Also, condiments were totally lacking and we were halfway through the meal before salt, pepper and ketchup showed up. Great food just don't expect superior service.

Remco T.

We went to the The Local before as a couple living around the corner and we had a decent experience. So, a true convenience experience albeit that their prices a slightly inflated. But we all have a business to run. Last weekend, we decided to take our 3 kids there on a Sunday afternoon, around 12:30 after a trip to the Zoo. The kids were tired and we were looking for a quick meal, again close by. In and out. The experience was not very good. Their menu, as we realized is not set up for kids *at all*. But usually we improvise and we are alright. The waitress did not recognize that we were there for a leisure lunch and took her time. Considering that the place was near empty and that it was her 2nd day on the job, it was a bit annoying. They announced that they do not have whole wheat bread on Sundays; bizarre. So, we got the kids cheese melts on burger rolls along with two "buckets" of fries. See... we care about what our kids eat. We ordered the "infamous" truffle fries for ourselves, but they messed that up too. And no chocolate milk either. They need to work on having 'something' interesting for kids. So, the long story short is: They are not set up for kids *at all* and do not help improvising and make it work very much either. Along with the inexperienced and unmotivated waitress, not a good experience. I hope the couple next to us, also equipped with kids, had a better experience.

Ira H.

3.5 stars but.. it's in Newton and I want it to stay there. Came in on a Wed eve. No hostess was there and there was a short wait until someone showed up. A busy waitress sat us. She was kind but sort of a lost soul. Not engaging etc. Ginger Margarita was great. We had mussels, wings and the sausage pizza. The mussels are a great deal and tasty. The wings are marginal. Nowhere near a buffs pub wing. The pizza was interesting. I like spicy but the red pepper cheese/mayonnaise squirted on the pizza added too much grease. All in all, next time I'd try one of the salads instead of the wings. I will try it again.

Lamont C.

Tried this joint again thinking maybe it was me. Absolutely horrible again my chicken was cold, tasteless, and the waitress sounded unconcerned snapping her gum as I explained the situation. The manager arrived a half hour later while it was well past dinner and into desert and did nothing to ingratiate himself ; and offered no compensation for yet another horrible meal. Do not get me started on the restrooms stunk to high heaven looked liked they had not been cleaned in a week. Never again.

JOHN C.

After two trips to the Local, I'm seriously disappointed. Especially since I live nearby and there isn't a good "pub" in the area. I've got two main issues with the local: 1) The food is not good at all. While the burger looks okay, the rest of the food looks like it rolled off the Sysco truck. Salad was ice cold, including the plate and tomatoes, which tells me they make them in advance and leave them sitting in a fridge (they're also wilted...). Yet, the place has a "steak of the day" (why?) and a "reserve wine list" when this is a Yellow Tail / Bud kind of place. Plus, the food is just bland and uninspired, with messy presentation (e.g. the "pot pie" which is a bowl of gruel with crappy biscuits on top) only making matters worse. 2) Service. As other people have mentioned, the hostess & staff are out to lunch. Got left sitting at our table for 10+ minutes after we were done while our waitress had a chat with a guy who is presumably the manager. Look buddy, hit on your staff on your own time (oh, and she's too young for you anyway)! Needless to say I won't be going back to this place....

Alexis K.

Get the LOBSTER MAC & Cheese. So so so good.

Eddie W.

To start things off I love that they have a craft beer section. Allagash, Cisco, Ithaca, and the glorious Ommegang that's all I need to make me happy. Throw in the truffle and chive mac 'n cheese and things went from happy to ecstatic. The salmon was average but the smoked bacon in the ragout was phenomenal, the stand out of the entire dish. There is no desert menu but get the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. I'm not going to explain why other than I went from ecstatic to having my mind blown away. Just trust me on this one. Get them. Get them now.

Dave M.

The best part of The Local was the service which was right on top of things. We didn't have to wait to place drink orders, and they happily sat us even though our whole party wasn't there yet. As the last three people showed up one at a time, the waitress quickly came over for their drink orders. We ordered the mussels which were solid but nothing special. They were more quantity over quality - the bowl was overfilled, and the sauce was about average. The entrees left a lot to be desired. I asked the waitress what she would recommend, and without hesitation she told me the steak tips were their most popular item. I asked about the "American Kobe Beef Burger" and she said that I should order the tips. Bad choice. I could name half a dozen pubs off the top of my head that serve better steak tips - for cheaper and in greater quantity. My 6 small chunks of steak looked like stew stock beef, and cut just a little better. The fries were good though! My friend got the seared tuna which was a 3" x 1" x 1" block on top of some greens... I guess you get what you pay for at $11 per plate. Good beer list, iffy food. I might go back for an after work drink and apps, but I'll go to Blue Ribbon if I'm in the area for dinner again.

Colleen B.

The third star is for the hummus plate that was exceptional. Chock full of veggies, seemingly homemade hummus & pita. Also, for some other great apps like the pot 'o cheese. The two stars is for the "rush 'em in, rush 'em out service" (I mean I get everyone wants to go home, but sweeping & constantly checking on us was more than a little off-putting, it was only 8:30 on a Sunday) and the servers overall, could have used some refining. I agree with the other yelpers about the odd age mix of the clientele, though no cougars were spotted. The rest of the food was good. Mac and cheese with peas & ham was oh so cheesey and a little on the spicy side. Not sure if that was the ham? Great attempt on the fries. Could have been slightly less greasy, but I'm splitting hairs on that one cuz they were good. In summary, I think this place is still redefining itself and what it wants to be. They could also stand to add more of a beer selection & polish up the servers delivery. Would go back based on overall decent/good tasting food and average prices.

maria m.

I have been reading many reviews about how small the food portions are! They are not small, they are NORMAL portions!!!This is not like Cheesecake Factory where they give you huge portions of food and stuff your face! The local is very classy and perfect for a romantic dinner! I've been going there for a while now and I am always satisfied! If you decide to go, you have to be ready to wait for about half an hour, they are busy! While waiting we usually have a nice glass of wine and enjoy the atmosphere! The food is delicious!! The service very good! They were on Phantom Gourmet recently too!

J H.

My family has been eating here since it opened (post RJ Crowley's, which was horrible) and have never been disappointed. Great beer and wine list; excellent bistro-style pub food. Reasonably priced (most items). We know the menu by heart, and even though they add/subject a few items every 6-8 weeks, they keep some of their best items on the menu year round. Our faves? * Any flatbread * Steak tips w/truffle fries * any mac & cheese dish * Burger * Fish & Chips (seasonal) Friendly staff. While they don't have a kids menu, they do offer kid-like items, but the selection is small, so if you have a picky eater, go around the corner. Our little one loves the steak tips, so they will do a half order for $8.00 Not a bad deal. Wish they woudl actually print a kids menu. They have high chairs and lidded cups w/straws for kids, so clearly they are prepared to serve them, just wish they'd create a small menu for the buggers.

Wally C.

Amazing food, not your average pub food, worth the trip!!! Try it people, and have the fried pickles with chipotle mayo...

E J.

This was my third time hitting up the local while in town from NY and have yet to be disappointed. It was early into service on a Sunday afternoon so there was no problem getting a table. We started out with the Parmesan Truffle Fries and the Bubbling Crock of Cheese. The fries were well seasoned and lived up to their name. The Crock o Cheese was simple and served with delicious fresh bread. Deciding to continue on with the lunch of cheese, we split a flat bread for our entree. The crust was perfectly crisp and the cheese bubbling. The service was great and the prices are reasonable and they have great beers on tap. This place is always one of my first stops when in town for business.

Billy Su B.

JUMBO glasses of nice wine for SEVEN dollars. now if that's not a great reason to drink your socks off i don't know what is. i mean it- these glasses are huge! they should just cut the crap and serve it in a bucket. hilarious. it was a slow afternoon. it had been a bit since i'd hung with my sis.. so we were feeling a little overly enthused, shall we say. after that it was like.. osmosis. how else can you explain 5 guiness, 2 pinot gris, 1 tempranillo, 1 harpoon, and a literal trough of the best damn macaroni and cheese i've had in ages. peas and ham, hot damn! rich, creamy, flavorful cheese- with a delicate edge. it wasn't too trashy or heavy. i highly recommend! ...did i mention the plate full of chicken wings WHICH they served plain JUST for me, perfectly salted and peppered. i am a FAN! finally, a place where i can walk to, drink in, and stumble home from. that's quality. magic.

Lee H.

The Local seems to invoke strong feelings either for or against. I'm definitely for. For lunch we started with potato chips and fried pickles. Both were very good, especially the chips. Great dipping sauce, nice chunks of mild onion. The pickles were also good, but they're pickles so they're salty. Perhaps better for a larger group where everyone can have a few. I had clam chowder, my wife had a caesar salad. There must be two chefs, because my wife's caesar was quite tangy, not bland at all. My chowder was quite good, lots of clam chunks. The oyster crackers were stale - too late, they were in the soup. Dessert was chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream. Very good. Service was very good. Friendly and just attentive enough. Parking across the street is free. Everywhere else is meters. Recommended.

Joe B.

I'm not sure why there are so many bad reviews since my fiance and I always seem to leave pretty satisfied on a Friday night. The food has always been up to snuff for me. My fiance and I usually grab one of the ridiculously large (I'm not complaining!) glasses of wine, accompanied by some truffle fries and a flatbread pizza. On one occasion we splurged for a steak and it didn't disappoint. I can't comment on the burgers/pickles that a lot of people complain about, but when we're there, everyone seems to talk about how good their burgers were. The funniest part about this place is the dopey hostess and the amount of cougars present. This particular hostess always looks like she took a few bong hits before driving over to the local - whatever works, I guess. The wine pours attract every cougar in a fifteen mile radius, and generally contribute to the place sounding like a hen house on steroids. This is great if you're on a cougar hunt, but can be pretty annoying if you're forced to wait in the bar for a table and don't want to hear women talk like they should be on "The Real Housewives of Newton." Overall, be ready to wait for a table, but you'll be satisfied. The Local has good food, a decent beer selection and huge wine pours.

Jen F.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one, but the 3 star description of "A-Ok" best fits my feelings on The Local. I had dinner at The Local on Saturday night with two friends, as we all live in Newton and wanted to try something new. We were seated right away around 7, but it looked like we barely beat out the dinner rush. I enjoyed my large $7 glass of Riesling - there is a nice selection of affordable wines by the glass. We started out sharing an order of the homemade potato chips with onion dip; they were good, but I kept thinking to myself "we just paid $5 for the equivalent of a small bag of potato chips." I had the mac and cheese with peas and ham for dinner - it's a "smaller plate" on the menu and was served in a small crock. It was good but a little bland (it needed salt), but I liked it enough to bring home my leftovers. I wasn't super hungry that night, so it was the perfect size; had I been starving though, it probably would have left me still hungry. My dinner companions had the Kobe Burger with Fries and the Fish and Chips - they both liked their entrees, especially the truffle fries. Two of us tried the dessert special - a cream cheese brownie with vanilla ice cream and caramel - which was good, but I know I have made those same brownies with a Betty Crocker mix. My other friend had the chocolate chip cookies with ice cream (on a recommendation from the server) and was a bit underwhelmed with the bland cookies. The service was friendly and prompt, a water jug is left on the table which we loved, and we didn't feel rushed despite it being a busy Saturday night. The walls are a bit dark, but The Local has a cozy feel to it. I'm intrigued by The Local - the food was good, the atmosphere was good, and I love supporting local businesses in my town. I wasn't overwhelmed by the meal, but I liked the laidback atmosphere and plan on returning to sample some more of the menu.

Clare M.

Love this place. The food is great and unpretentious. Parking isn't great, but still a 5 in my book b/c food is so good.

Scarlett G.

Very satisfying food, casual atmosphere. Went here for V-day with a friend, sat at the bar, which is elevated above the dining area for people watching. There were a fair number of families there, which I guess is expected in Newton. The crowd in general was older than anticipated, er well maybe just older than me! The beer selection was interesting and service was just OK. Ordered the Parmesan Truffled Fries for an app, which were awesome! The menu is cute and divided into "snack things" and "bigger things" and "flatbread things." Went with a flatbread thing, just OK, pretty greasy and seemed pre-made and had this funky spicy mayo sauce drizzled all over it. Friend ordered a salad, which was MUCH prettier to look at, and definitely more interesting to taste. Think I will stick to the snack things and beer next time, or go all out for a dinner.

Mindi s.

WOW! In the name of Joey Lawrence WOW! ,yes I know his tag line was " LIke Whoa!" but the meaning still remains. So we had all of the faves; potato chips with sour cream dip, truffle parmesan fries, fried pickles and seriously fried food rules but these were not greasy, they were wonderful, so wonderful that we had calamari too! We also had the mac n cheese with ham and peas, cuz you have to have a veg in there somewhere, and everything was AMAZING. (I wish I had a bigger vocabulary). Apparently we were at our table too long and there was a wait but after the hostess asked us to move on behalf of the owner he bought us drinks he introduced himself and told us a brief story of how this Utopia came to be. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT. The food was exemplary, the service was overly attentive, and the owners were on site. FANTASTICLE!!!!

Jeremy P.

I'm really tired of these overpriced white bread vanilla type bar restaurants that cater to middle class, middle aged boring people. One may as well instead eat at an old age home with the faint odor of urine in the air coupled with the dull moan of the elderly being abused by illegal alien Haitian nurses aids. Open arrival we were sat swiftly by an waddling obese woman to the nearest table to her, by the window. Likely she did not want to exert any energy by seating us elsewhere, but all in all this was one of the better tables available. We were immediately given a chafer of iced water and two well used drinking glasses. The waitress serving tables a few feet away gleefully poured her guests water, but our waitress did not. What am I, a Pigmy? My partner enjoyed a bountiful mixed green salad appetizer. For dinner and I had an under portioned Caesar salad, hardly worth the bloated cost in terms of size, presentation or quality. There was an elderly lady next to us of whom we struck up a conversation with. Her fried fish dinner was horrible. The fried fish piece sat on a bed of wet shredded iceberg lettuce. She said it had little flavor and was wet on the bottom. The fries on her plate were cold, non-crispy and looked as if they had been dunked in the fryolator a half dozen times, then placed far away from the heat lamp before serving. Her meal did not come with the New England customary coleslaw. They gave her lemon wheels instead of lemon wedges. Have you ever tried squeezing a lemon wheel? You can't, it folds onto its self. Lemon wheels are for cocktails or plate decoration. The old lady then asked for horseradish, which they said they did not have. I imagine this was to dip her soggy fish or fries in. When the old lady complained to the waitress, she got the 'hmm hmm yeah yeah' eye roll treatment. As if to say "you're old and crabby and your option is annoying me". The old lady got up to leave and in her departure announced to the obese hostess/manager and waitress that she was not going to pay for her meal due to the poor quality. Good for her!

Laura G.

I really enjoy the food and atmosphere at the local, the first time I came here I got the steak tips which were amazing. After reading some 4square reviews I tried the lobster mac & cheese for my second visit, however I wasn't too impressed with it, but thats okay the killer fried pickles made up for whatever it was the mac & cheese was lacking. Will definitely be back!

P L.

This place keeps it simple and cheap. All Beers $5; all wine $7; all Martinis $8; all Apps $5. Told you it was simple and cheap. Food is really damn good. This is definitely a gastropub! Mussels to start, followed by a delectable American Kobe burger ($10) is fan-f'n-tastic and rivals the burger at the Spotted Pig in NYC with the brioche bun, and rosemary match stick fries. Mouth is watering again .. Atmosphere is a little "new" for a pub. It just didn't feel cozy. Give it time, and I'm sure it will get a little scratched up. My one picky as hell downside: the bar staff, while friendly, were so bloody busy that they kept forgetting my beer order (4 times in 2 hours). I don't blame them, I blame management for understaffing the poor buggers. Oh yeah, park across the road in the free lot. Awesome.

David G.

Excellent food and service. We had to wait an hour for table friday but manager took care of us.

Shari J.

We met up with friends here for a little catch-up dinner. Arrived at 7:30pm and the place was completely packed. Mostly 30s-40s crowd and a couple of cougars. We were told about a 45 minute wait--no problem, grab a beer and watch the game. 45 minutes comes and goes, so we patiently order a couple of apps from the bartender (who looks like a young Jason Varitek!). The warm potato crisps and dip are delicious, hopelessly addicting, but incredibly salty. Like blood pressure x 3 salty! 8:30 and the place is noticeably more quiet. No table though. We inquire with the hostess and apparently, they "were" clearing a table for us 4, but then decided to make it a table for 6 and give it to the party of 6 (who had been waiting all of 10 minutes). Umm, sorry not cool. After giving the look of death, we were finally seated around 9pm. I'm sorry, I don't wait 2 hours for mediocre food. So we sit down, immediately notice another empty table next to us (huh?!) and order. Everything is so, so salty! Fried pickles set my mouth on fire and my fiance's fries were completely inedible. I had a caesar salad that was decent enough, no great shakes. The boys felt the same way about their pork and steak tips. Meh. I don't care how "hip" this place thinks it is, I'd rather go to Union Street and be seated within 20 minutes and have an outdoor patio!

Jay and Jenn O.

First time in my life I have had to return food to the kitchen twice and not get to eat my main course. The only thing they serve well here is a nice full pour of wine and a water. The food is terrible. The fried pickles sounded appealing, but they used sour and they had a lot of spice to it and the taste was awful. Caesar salad- the most under seasoned Caesar salad I have ever had. It was barely Caesar. Jenn's lobster roll- lots of lobster, I'll give them that. But again- very under seasoned, it was just Lobster. A little mayo and some lemon would have been nice. And here we go- the burger. I asked for medium. They burnt it. I was going to eat it and I showed the waitress that it was burnt, she insisted she bring it back and get right. I said OK. It comes back burnt on the outside, raw on the inside. She said I'm so sorry, can I get you anything else. I said nope, I'm done. Since I live near by I'll give this place 1 year to change...if they are still around by then.

Will C.

Poor service and rude bartender. There are much better restaurants like this right around the area, save your money and go to The Baltimore.

Julianna G.

I guess we went here on a pretty good night bc I think this place is great! Our waitress was on it, she remembered our drinks and was always around to check our section. Atmosphere is nice too, little small but fine. I thought all the food was great, we sampled a lot of things and were both happy. It seems like the busier they get the worse the reviews. Go try it on a week night, I bet you will be surprised.

Alla Z.

I loved this place so much that I decided to write my first Yelp review. Although it took a while to get seated on a Friday night because the place was packed, once we actually did sit down the service was amazing. Our waitress was not only fast and attentive, but also hilarious. We really like to be sarcastic and joke around, and she totally played into and even made fun of my friend, which was awesome! The ambiance was great too, and just added to the evening. Aside from the great service, the food was just delicious! We had the muscles for appetizer, and they were done perfectly with an amazing sauce. I also tried the tuna sashimi which just melted in my mouth. Then for dinner most of us got the amazing kobe hamburger, and boy was it good. It was juicy and cooked to order. Many others have already reviewed the burger, and I must heartily agree. If you want to spend a relaxed, incredibly yummy, after-work evening with your friends, go here!

Jillian Q.

My husband and I decided to give The Local another shot this past weekend for lunch. I'm still going with a solid 3.5 rating though even after this latest trip. We sat at the bar and the service was great, much better than when we had sat at a table. They weren't serving my favorite Long Trail Hefeweizen *gasp* but I had an Allagash which was a pretty decent substitute. We split the truffle & chive mac & cheese and I actually really, really liked it, although the portion was very small even as one person's entree. My husband stuck with the spicy Hong Kong noodles with steak like before but I opted for the American Kobe burger with parmesan truffle fries. The burger was just "eh" for me but I am definitely addicted to those fries - and they give you a good portion of them too. (Note: I was was practically in a truffle-enduced coma after all of that although it was worth it.) It's still just a little bit pricey for me to make a regular habit out of coming here though.

Liz C.

Living in Auburndale, our pickings are slim unless we head down Moody St. The Local is exactly what the neighborhood needed. I love their cocktails and go back and forth between the Bourbon and Basil and the East Meets West. So good. The food is amazing and very well priced. Good selections, presentation is perfect. They are really good with the kids but don't cater to do them. We stop in and get the mussels to go a lot and take them home and make our own creations with them. They are very good. The atmosphere is great, food is excellent, it is definitely a Local spot that is much nicer than the after work softball crowd.

Eric S.

Hot potato chips with French Onion dip?!?!?! Whoa, soooo good!

The Local is a brand new restaurant in newton that we only found out about due to being reviewed on TV. A bunch of us went here last night. I had reservation when looking at the menu due to not really specifiying in single cuisine, they had kobe burgers, crispy chicken, hong kong noodles, with side such as truffle oil french fries. The gernal rule is when your starting out, lead with some thing simple. Howver everything, well almost everything was fantastic. I had a kobe burger on a brioche bun, which was extremely good. another person had the hong kong noodles, which apparently were great, and some of us even started with some deep fried pickles. The decor was sleek, dark wood and well spaced. Everything smelt new. The boast having one beer from every state in new england on tap. I have a pint of the Cisco Whale's tale, which was a very good amber larger. The only let down of the night was one of the dishes order was a lobster rolll. It was served on a brioche roll which was a little to firm for the lobster, which sort of just sat on top, this all rescricted the amount of lobster that could be put in their. This coupled with slight slow service, are things that are to be expected with a new place, and im sure there will be some customer suggestions, and The local will become a very good neighbourhood restaurant in the coming months

Alex B.

This place is fantastic, I've had several items on the menu, and have visited 5 times, and every time has been great. Highly suggest this place.

Alyssa S.

My boyfriend and I were having such bad luck finding a place to eat before catching a movie at West Newton Cinema. We were so happy to randomly walk by The Local, and we left with a great first impression! The bartender was so friendly and helpful, and he was understanding of the fact that we were in a rush to catch our movie. For my entree, I had the Penne Pasta with Seared Chicken, which included tiny tomatoes, baby spinach, and Gorgonzola cream ($18). My pasta was delicious, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Gorgonzola sauce. My boyfriend had the Slow Braised Beef Short Rib with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts with braising jus ($19). He LOVED his meal and was absolutely charmed with the flavors and how it was cooked. With such great food and a friendly atmosphere (due to the bartender, other customers, and great bar set-up), we are hoping to return again soon!

Suzy D.

The Local is just a walk away for me. It is pretty excellent - good drinks, good food, nice atmosphere. You can stop in for dinner or make it a stop on a Friday-night Newton pub crawl. I'm a student, so it can seem like a little more than I want to spend at times, but I'm never disappointed by it. The menu never really changes and the specials are pretty meh, which is my only complaint. But if you want a nice dinner for a variety of occasions (starving to death, late romantic dinner, rounding kids up, etc etc), go for it. Fair warning: It gets SO BUSY here any day in the evening. I recommend a late dinner here.

Brian B.

The food was fantastic. The service was pretty piss poor. First, let me say I am generally a very reserved and accommodating guy; this was pretty bad. We were seated quickly and the waiter came over shortly and took our drink order. Returned promptly and took our dinner order. And that was the last we ever saw him. Someone else dropped our meals off and by then our drinks were dry. We finished our meals and the water and waited and waited. It was at least 15 minutes before the waiter came by to take our plates. When he asked if we are wanted another drink, I told him we did want another round - when we got our food. He was unapologetic, claiming they were understaffed. He did have time to set up 2 other tables and disappear in the back for 10 min before he came by: there was no wait for tables by the way. I don't mean to trash the restaurant for one crappy server , but they make the difference between coming back and not. A sincere apology or a heads up when we were seated would have kept us happy. But 2 stars is what they get.

Rob W.

Great meal! Food seems to keep getting better each time I go. Hong Kong Noodles are great (w/ chicken), Pizza looked good as well. Decent beer selection as well.

Rebekah B.

The food was great! I had the salmon and my friend had the lobster mac and cheese. Perfect portion sizes left us with just enough room for some sorbet for dessert. I found out about The Local through a Ruelala.com special and I'm very glad we made the drive down for a late lunch :-)

Carol L.

My friend suggested this for a bite before our movie at the W. Newton Cinema. At 6:00 on a Thurs. night we were hoping to get in and out quickly. She said the place is packed later and on weekends. We were seated immediately and there were plenty of tables. Nice decor. I wanted a table away from the window since I was chilly and they had no problem accommodating. Service was quick and friendly. We both ordered the flatbread pizza, mine had mushrooms and garlic, tuffle oil, 4 cheeses. My mouth is already watering describing it. Hers was roasted tomato I think. Both yummy. The pizzas are 10 inches so enough to take home for leftovers, which we both did. My friend had a glass of red wine which was affordable and I assume satisfactory. We were able to get in and out in 45 minutes, amazingly enough. I will definitely go back to support this Newton business that uses local produce.

Anon L.

Love this place! Fantastic food and drinks, always a lively scene and the best fried pickles in Boston!!! :)

Max G.

This bar has a great feel to it. Very laidback. I ate the chicken and Broccoli pizza. It was possibly the best pizza I have ever eaten. It had a spicey sacuce drizzled over the top of the pizza.The drinks are a little pricey, but that should be expected when you are at a bar in a mid-upscale neighborhood. Overally 4 stars.

Kevin K.

The food and waitstaff are really great. The Mac and cheese is very good. The only downside is the wait that can be hours long and the bar is really loud. But once seated you don't really hear it. It's just while waiting to sit down, it can be loud and there is no place to stand. Everyone I have taken here has loved the food.

Melissa C.

I went with a group of late 20-somethings on a Sunday evening. Generally, it was a good experience. First, there were a few vegetarian friendly items to choose from (fries of many kinds, hummus plate, flatbread pizzas, salads, pasta dishes). Veg dishes are often overlooked at gastropubs. Furthermore, there aren't many bars like it in the area. We didn't have to wait, the food came out at the same time and quick, waitstaff was fairly attentive, but there were a few odd things: 1) We were the youngest people there. 2) The menu is upscale, supposedly, but I found it a bit over seasoned, like they were compensating for poor quality of base ingredients. 3) The beer is watery. I had the apricot wheat ale, some friends got Bass, others got some kind of white ale. All agreed the beer was a bit dilute. 4) The waitress whisked away our truffle fries even though we were still picking at them. She didn't even inquire as to whether we were finished or not. A big disappointment, as these were the highlight of the menu. Other things sampled: chive and truffle mac n' cheese (okay, a bit overseasoned and not baked in its serving dish, so there were no crunchy edges), kobe burgers (an overcooked disappointment, according to my carnivorous hubs), parmesean truffle fries (stonking great), homemade potato chips (crisp, fresh, good ranch dip), buffalo wings (the friend eating those was pleased with the amount of heat and juiciness), goat cheese salad (bigger portion than you'd expect and fresh). I may be back on an off-night for drinks and dinner since it's convenient to where I live, but I wouldn't want to fight a crowd to come here.

Liz M.

I have been to The Local many times. I have yet to be disappointed by the food, beer selection, or service. I am stuck on the mushroom flat bread with truffle oil. It is the best! All the other food looks amazing, but I can't break away. I have also had the fried pickles and crispy onion rings, both delicious. My fiance is a huge fan of the mussels and the clam chowder. I think I will try the truffled Mac and cheese on my next visit! The portions are generous and well worth the money. The atmosphere is casual, but slightly upscale. The Local is definitely in my top five favorite restaurants!

Lauren L.

LOVE this place. Great spot to meet friends for drinks. Nice little wine list with generous pours and great appetizers. My husband loves the kobe burger and the lobster roll. I love the hummus platter and a nice glass of wine or a cocktail. Truffle fries are amazing!

Alexandra Z.

Fried pickles!!!!! Everybody needs to try the fried pickles! so good! The burger is pretty good, lacks a little flavor. Fried are really good, very well seasoned. I'll definitely come back for some more!

Catherine W.

Enjoyed the chill, unpretentioius atmosphere. Wide ranging age of crowd. Food was decent. Had the fish and chips and truffle fries (so-so). Good selection of beers and spirits. The T lot is across the street and is small - I had to pay $4. Otherwise, few parking options.

Mike S.

That girl Leah is drunk. This place is bomb.com ! Great menu and nice beer selection. A must try if you're in the area. P.S. APPLEBEE'S SUCKS!

J N.

Newton is pretty much a restaurant wasteland with a few exceptions. This probably explains why the Local is packed most weekend nights despite the average and overpriced food. I have visited the local 3 times and this place is permanently out of the rotation. The Good: -Beer/bar: Nice bar and a pretty good decent selection of beers (for Newton) -mac & cheese: I have tried the Lobster and peas/ham version and both are pretty damn good. Very good flavor and texture, I especially enjoyed the peas/ham version because the flavor was really infused into cheese. Good dish, poorly executed: -Flatbread: I really wanted to like the mushroom and truffle oil flatbread. The fresh mushrooms, truffle oil, and cheese gave the dish a nice balance. I loved the mushroom flavor but they went BP on the truffle oil, it was pooled on top of the pizza and soaked through the crust, not very appetizing. The Bad: -Fried Pickles/Fries: These guys need some work on the fryolator, both these dished were soggy and verging on disgusting. The fried pickles had a decent spicy mayo dipping sauce but the pickles lacked seasoning and any real crunch. -Burger: By calling it a kobe burger and charging $11, it better be good. It wasn't, lacked any real flavor, was pretty dried out, and they were closer to medium well than medium rare. -Fish/Chips: Back to the fryolator, the fish was chewy and the batter was not seasoned at all, probably the same stuff on the pickles. This dish was a big disappointment. -Dessert: Well i kind of blame myself for ordering dessert, but i had a gift certificate to spend. The cheesecake was underwhelming, it was served at room temperature and it was worse than the Costco version, which is my measuring stick. My normal recommendation at the Local would be to stick to the regular pub fare, but that isn't even safe. So, if you go, hit the bar for a few drinks then walk to Blue Ribbon next door.

Cameron L.

Ordered the steak tips and fries. Asked for and got them cooked medium. The tips were perfect, the fries thin with occasional bit of skin were nice as well, but occupied 3/4 of the plate! Doesn't quite seem right with the dish classified as "big" and approaching $20. I made a pointed inquiry to the server; she brushed off my concern saying that others have similarly complained about the burgers being served that way as well. All in all really enjoyed the tips, just wanted a lot more than the 1/4 plate I was served.

Brian W.

Best burger I've had in a LONG time and that's saying a lot. We always end up going to Paddy's Pub instead of this place, but that's about to change. The service was awesome and they were extremely accommodating of my wife's gluten allergy. Great beers on draft and good drink options. The ambiance is really nice with dark wood and a classy pub feel. We'll definitely be back. Soon I hope.

Lila S.

Great place to go! Their food is all gourmet and fresh! Fraser is excellent and their parmasian fries are amazing!

Doug W.

While I didn't have a bad experience at The Local, I probably won't be back. It is what it is: a pub that serves slightly higher end fare (and more expensive) than what you would find at any of the Beer Garden/Tavern in the Square restaurant/bars that can be found throughout Boston and Cambridge. The food was good. My group started with the onion things (basically a bucket of onion strings) and the iceberg wedge. The onion things were fine, although a little bit underseasoned. The iceberg wedge was better- delicious blue cheese, and just the right amount of red onion, crisp bacon and baby tomatoes. For entrees, we had the lobster mac and cheese, the wild mushroom and truffle oil flatbread, and the fish and chips. Of the three, the flatbread was probably the best, with a nice crispy crust and a tasty combination of mushrooms and cheese. The fish and chips were fine- the fish was cooked well although could have used more seasoning. It was served with flavorful, well done fries (which isn't always the case everywhere, so I appreciated that). As a devout mac and cheese lover, I was eager to try their take on lobster mac, but was somewhat disappointed in the result. The short, round half-penne noodles were overcooked and a little mushy, and there wasn't much in the taste of the three cheese blend or lobster pieces to really give the dish any layers of flavor. It was a little one-note compared to other, better versions of mac and cheese I've had elsewhere (The Publick House and Green Street are both exceptional). The drinks were good- the Ithaca Apricot Wheat beer was delicious, and my Hendricks Cucumber Gimlet was perfectly tangy. The service and ambience both needed work- our waitress seemed a little scattered, and had an annoying habit of not being there when we needed something, but then checking in afterwards seemingly every few minutes. As far as the setup, all of the tables near the door (where we were seated) would get crowded very quickly when the crowd waiting for a table moved in, and the bar area wasn't able to contain the flow of people particularly well. All in all, not a bad experience, but probably not a spot I would actively encourage others to check out. I appreciate their attempts to get a little more creative with their menu than what you would find at any old pub, but other areas still need some work.

wash r.

I LOVE the food at the Local- I ususally eat here at least once a week because of the food. With that being said....I only give it 3 stars because of the SERVICE. We always sit at the bar because we like a more casual atmosphere. I don't understand why the bar staff is so terrible. Very abrupt and not friendly AT ALL. Looks as if she does not want to be there, and everything we ask for is a big inconvience for her. I am a very generous tipper, and we continue to get the same horrific service each time!! I think they need an overhaul of their bar staff to bring a more positive, friendly vibe!

Peggy M.

My husband and I went to the Local for dinner tonight for the first time and were definitely underwhelmed. My impression was of a place designed to be more of drinking place with snacks than a restaurant. The dinners were not cheap but were indifferently prepared. I got the roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. The gravy was watery, so of course the potatoes were also watered down as a result. My husband got the lobster roll (just ok); his fries were tasty but were super greasy. We will not go back.

Naner B.

Yum! I love this place. Good service, good food.

Steve W.

I've been meaning to try this place for months, as I watched its transformation from Crowley's take place during my visits to the gym (I go to the BSC that's a half-block away). Yesterday, I finally did. We stopped in early because we hadn't had lunch, so by 5:00 we were ready for an early dinner. We sat at the bar, which wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. When we left at 6:30, there was a good crowd at the bar (not packed, but pleasingly full) and I heard the hostess tell an arriving couple that the wait for a table was about 20 minutes. I was pleased to see a decent number of taps, but I thought I remembered reading in the Newton paper that the idea here was to feature beers from all 6 New England states. That's certainly not the case, and there were only two that I would really consider microbrews, but as one of them was Cisco's Whale Tale, I was happy. Yum. Beers are offered in both 16 & 20 oz glasses (and the glasses were not warm from the dishwasher - a star for that alone). What makes no sense to me is that the less expensive beers are the same cost per ounce whether you order a 16 or a 20 oz glass (so if you're drinking one of them, get the smaller glass - your beer will be fresher & colder). Only the beers considered Premium by The Local (including the Whale Tail) are slightly less expensive per ounce in the 20-oz. size than the 16. Premium beers are $5/$6 for the 16 & 20 oz sizes, respectively (31.25 cents per oz/30 cents per ounce) and regular beers are $4/$5 for the 16 & 20 oz. sizes, respectively (25 cents per oz regardless of size). On to the food. We tried a couple of appetizers. Even though we knew they weren't healthy choices, the fried pickles & parmesan truffle fries sounded too good to resist. They were. The pickles were sliced (I'm accustomed to seeing fried pickles in strips), hot, lightly battered and delicious. The spicy aioli mayo served with them, though, is a real mismatch. It's too thick & too spicy. They're served very hot (temperature-wise) and are already salty because they're dill pickles. Something cooling & a bit savory would be ideal. We asked for ranch dressing, but they don't have any on hand. Why do so many restaurants not have ranch? It's an ideal dipping sauce for many things and would be terrific with these pickles. One other note on the pickles - the portion is WAY too big for 2 people. If you have fewer than 6 people in your party, you will have a lot left over. The parmesan truffle fries were astoundingly good. Wow wow wow!! I could have made an entree of these alone. A sizable tin bucket of them (apps are served in cute galvanized buckets with little handles) was only $5 and they were delicious. We did everything but lick the bucket. The fries are shoestring, perfectly seasoned and well fried - they're not greasy. For entrees, we had the lobster roll & steak tips and shared them. The lobster roll was overflowing with chunks of sweet, tender lobster and there was just enough mayo and seasoning to hold it together perfectly. As a lobster roll should be, it was served in a New England style, lightly toasted hot dog roll. It wasn't the best lobster roll I've ever had (come on - there's Maine in the summer, right?) but it was darned good. The steak tips were better than R.J. Crowley's, the restaurant that used to occupy this space, and that's saying something. They were superb. Tender, perfectly seasoned, and prepared as ordered, which happens with tips all too infrequently. The Local is a welcome addition to Newton's restaurant scene. I live in the Centre, so it's on the other side of town from me, but I'll make the trip to enjoy its offerings. Definitely an improvement over Crowleys, and after reading other reviews on here, there are additional menu items I'm eager to try.

Quyen C.

I've been here a few times and overall the food is solid and consistent but nothing to write home about. It's a neighborhood pub/restaurant after all. I might go if I was in the neighborhood but I don't think I'd seek it out for food especially after our last family dinner here. The last time we came we had the kids in tow. The restaurant is family friendly and if you eat dinner at 6 you'll see there's a lot of other families eating here too. The prices are moderate with most appetizers $5-8 and entrees hovering between $12-16 but beware the items not written up. They didn't have a written kids menu so the server just told us what they offered. We ordered buttered pasta and plain mac and cheese for the kids. The portions were decent sized for the kiddies but we were stunned that each dish was $7 (You've got to be kidding b/c their food cost for each item couldn't have been more than 50 cents). Then when we got dessert, the same thing happened again. When they first opened they didn't even offer dessert but now there are a few options but again no written menu. There were 2 or 3 dessert choices. We ordered the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Our server warned us that the portion was really small. We were ok with that but she wasn't kidding when she said it was really small. The cake was barely palm sized and I've got small hands! The dessert was also $7. Some highlights of the menu include: -lobster mac and cheese -mussels -parmesan fries -baby greens with sliced steak Note - the kobe beef burgers are ok but I don't think they really hit the spot (must be american kobe). Our family meal with two appetizers, two adult entrees, two kid entrees, mixed drink, soda and dessert ended up being a whopping $85 (incl tax and tip) for a neighborhood restaurant. Aside from the food, there's always a lot of action at the bar especially on Thursday nights when the after work crowd comes in. I've never come here just to have a drink but I think I might judge the place differently if that was all I was looking for. The inside is all dark wood, warm and casual so I think it would be a good spot to kick back a few with some friends.

Kate G.

We will not be returning to The Local for another meal. Horrible service, so-so food, a limited menu and kind of pricey for the quality. When the waitress first approached to take our drink order, I asked if they had any cider. Her response was a curt "No," and after I ordered water, she walked away without asking my dining companion what he wanted to drink. Drink nightmares continued later in the meal when I ordered a Diet Coke and was served a Diet Pepsi without any mention from the waitress. A personal pet peeve of mine... The food was alright. Parmesan truffle fries were generous and tasty, but there was a fruit fly in our ketchup, which arrived 5 min after the fries did. DC's burger was delicious, but my pea and ham mac and cheese was just alright. The best thing about it was the leftovers I brought home for a quick weeknight dinner. Desserts looked tasty, but we didn't get that far. Should have just gone to Blue Ribbon instead.

Karen K.

"Gastropub," my ass. If Cambridge1 and Applebee's had a child, it would be this place. I think we have more of a beef with the person who reviewed this place for the Globe, since we went in with such high expectations. Strictly suburban.

Erica C.

This is my absolute go-to spot for food and drinks. I only live a few minutes away, so it is extremely convenient. However, I would recommend to anyone outside of Newton as well; it's worth the drive. Delicious hefty poured COLD wine and 20 oz. local draughts keep me coming back. I have also never had a bad meal here. Isn't the saying, "stick to what you know?" Well, the Local is what I know and what I like. Why would you gamble anywhere else where you could have a less than memorable meal/experience? All appetizers/"snack things" are solid. I particularly enjoy the huge mussels in the choice of two broths and the fried pickles. I tend to order the salmon because it is cooked perfectly every time, crispy on top and cooked medium in the middle. The hubby loves the steak tips which are served with fries. Be warned of the fries, you will never enjoy another fry better and are great for nibbling off your date's plate. Basically, good food, good drinks, and a lively joint make me a happy girl! Thanks Local!

Queen V.

i would really give them 2.5 stars... we went to the local for the first time this past tuesday evening. we were sat right away which gets a check in the positive column. the wait for our server after we were sat was another thing...it took almost 10 minutes for him to come to our table (check - negative column). all we wanted was dessert and he seemed a tad bit annoyed with that (check - negative). we were limited to 3 choices (warm chocolate chip cookies & milk, bread pudding & pound cake). all were good but the bread pudding was my favorite. at $7 each, i feel that the pudding & cake were worth it, not so for the cookies. i would go back to the local to try an actual meal. we looked at the menu and the prices were reasonable. but for dessert...i think i would have been just as satisfied, or even more, with hitting the bakery at stop & shop

Eric S.

Cool vibe, good eats. Name says it all: the Local.

Jess G.

We just went here for my friends birthday dinner, and we all really liked it! They have awesome cocktails for $8.00, and the prices for the apps and meals were all legit. We ordered the Chips and French Onion Dip for an appetizer...AWESOME! For dinner I had an appetizer special, which was Crab Cakes for $8.00 and I got 2 huge ones...they were a perfect size and filling! My friends got the Hong Kong Noodles with veggies...those were awesome too. It's a nice casual place to have a relaxing meal with friends or family. Our waitress was really nice and pleasant.

Walt M.

A pleasant surprise! I ate at The Local because it showed up in my idine rewards program, so I got some miles for trying it out. The have a good beer selection. I got the 1/2 roasted chicken, my partner got the steak tips. Both were quite good. The server was pleasant. The cost was good the food was good. Nothing exceptional, yet nothing to complain about either. Just good food and beer at fair prices.

Christine M.

While nothing was really bad here, nothing knocked me out. The food was pretty good, I had salmon, nothing to write home about. The service, after we got our own menus because no one gave us any, was quite good. Wine was very good, big glass and tasty. Place was crowded, with a lot of largeish (4+) parties that looked like baby or wedding showers (this was a Thursday night) and several sets of late 30s/early 40ish couples at tables having a night out. My main complaint is that we were sitting near the door, and every time it opened we got a blast of Arctic Boston air ; you guys need to buy one of those curtains that encircles the door. I heard a guy several tables away, further from the door, also whooping at the icy blast .

James M.

In fairness and with full disclosure I have to admit that I know one of the owners. Doesn't matter. Awesome martini( $10.50 I think), Nice bartender, he chilled the glass with ice prior to serving(nice touch not done everywhere), and the fried pickles and the mussels were great. I'm looking forward to going back Thurs. nite.

MetroWest X.

This place didn't excite me or upset me. The wait is pretty decent on a Saturday night, and the prices were par for the course in Newton. The food was fine, the drinks were fine, but I don't think I'd spend an hour waiting to be seated again. The waitress was kind of rude and short with us - I'm not easily offended and it wouldn't prevent me going back again - but her attitude was very noticeable.

Pamela D.

Love the convenience & ambiance of this eatery in the context of its Newton neighborhood. It isn't fine cuisine - it's a few notches above great bar food. But it fits the bill for an easy comfortable evening out for a great martini, luscious truffle macaroni & cheese, flat bread pizza and salad. Service is pleasant and efficient. It's enough of a bar that it isn't really a family place & there are usually very few children. The atmosphere & fare feel a bit more special and have a little more flair than the "pubs" in the area. All without having to travel very far. I like to think of it as my neighborhood joint. If I had traveled more that a couple of miles I'd probably give 3 stars but I give the Local an extra star for being local and a cut above the others.

Megan D.

The Local has become one of my new favorites! I have been there twice in the last month and I really can't say enough great things about the service and food! It is a very casual atmosphere and it is comfortable for a variety of people whether you are in business suits or jeans and a t-shirt. One thing I love about the menu is that it is accessible from a variety of price points. You can go and share apps and entrees and easily get out with a $30 bill for two. Or, you could have a delicious lobster roll or entree that is a bit more expensive. It is one of those places where you could go a couple of times a week and have a completely different dinner each night. I love the snack things. In my two trips, we have shared the mussels, parmesan truffle fries, and the warm chips and onion dip. ALL ARE FANTASTIC! The mussels are particularly memorable and I have had them on both visits. On one visit, we shared a garlicky flatbread, which was good but not great. 2nd trip I tried the Kobe Burger and it was absolutely delicious. The best burger I have had in the area and with a healthy portion of super crispy fries. I can't wait to go again!

Tim G.

My wife and I have been seeking "our regular place." Here, I think we've found it. Nothing on the menu seemed particularly inventive; the menu lists a chef but I'd call him a really good cook and mean no offense by that. But what we had--salad and salmon, burger and fries--was well prepared. And who'd have thought you could impress with fries--they had, we think, a hint of rosemary. The beer selection--about a dozen on tap--was, like the food, solid, if a little unadventurous. Some of it was "faux micros" like Sam Adams and Harpoon. But it does include Whale's Tail and Long Trail and a couple of other less common pours. I gather that the schtick is to lean heavily on local brews, which make sense given the place's name. But, Sorry Sam, brewing is a not field in which New England thrives. So if I were The Local, I'd relax that stricture and introduce a few Pennsylvania or California beers to my draft lineup. Our server, Jesse, was friendly and funny, a bonus. He managed to hit that hard to reach place of neither rushing us nor making us wait around. He also accommodated, without even a momentary look of confusion, the needs of our disabled son. For that alone, I'd have probably given The Local four stars.

Jeremy B.

I had the misfortune of dining at the Local this evening. I was hoping it might live up to all the hype, but it did not even come close. I remember the bar that was here before, and after tonight, I def. miss the old bar. And the old bar was nothing special at all. The service was not good at all....and to say it was slow would be complimenting slow people. Took forever to get a seat. Took forever to get a beer. Well, it too forever to do anything here. If you have 6-7 hours to eat then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, if you like mediocre food then this is also the place. The "fancy" menu actually thinks it is better than it should be. This is W. Newton for Petes sake. Seriously, I wish I had something good to say...oh! Hmm, nevermind...nothing good at all.

Eric G.

I love The Local. It has truly become my favorite local spot. The menu offers, while not very extensive, offers creative and yummy options in various sizes and categories. The flat things are awesome as are their homemade chips with dip. I have yet to have a disappointing dish or visit. The wait staff are friendly and helpful. Love it!

Jeanne B.

Great local restaurant! I went for the first time on a Friday night around 8pm. The wait was only about 15 minutes for a table for two, but two seats opened up at the bar beforehand so we sat there. The bartenders were very nice. I overheard them discussing that it wasn't very busy, but they seemed to be busy to me so I'm not sure how crowded the place can get. My boyfriend and I shared the hummus plate appetizer and each got the lobster roll. Sooo good! The lobster rolls were overflowing with lobster meat and the buns were delicious and toasted. The hand cut fries were phenomenal! Good beer selection - not your typical beers on tap but I enjoy trying smaller breweries' selections. Prices are typical for the area, but the lobster roll was a steal at around $15.

Kristen M.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I live about 10 minutes away and my boyfriend and I love to go there and get drinks and dinner on a weeknight because the food is different than any other place in the area. Technically it's a gastropub, which I think is like a pub atmosphere with a bit more upscale food? I went there a few weeks ago for my birthday and my server's name was Christine. When she checked my ID she saw it was my brithday and was very kind the whole night. I've also had Carol as my server before, and she is really sweet and funny. They have a baby greens salad that is absolutely to die for, with apples and sunflower seeds. It's by far my favorite salad I've ever had. The dining area is fairly small, which can make wait times high sometimes, but the new addition behind the bar cuts down on that. I also think that some of the clientel there can be high maintenance, and stay way longer than they should. In response to a few of the bad reviews I've seen, it is NOT a gourmet restaurant, so don't act like it is. The staff is very efficient at trying to move people along so that other customers aren't kept waiting, and they are also knowledgable about the menu which makes it worth going to.

Jesse N.

My boyfriend and I went here an=bout a month ago. It was kind of dead when we got there and then all of a sudden it was crowded. I don't think that they were ready for the crowd because clearly they were under-staffed, but they were really friendly and pretty accomodating. They had initially put us in seats that were in a spot that had us completely blinded by the sunlight- to the point where it was totally intolerable. They moved us with no problem. My boyfriend got the kobe beef burger and loved it. I got the mac & cheese with lobster and while it did taste good, I would never pay $14 again for this because there wasn't so much as a HINT of lobster in it. I was very upset by this. The fried pickles and the home made potato chips with onion dip were fantastic. My boyfriend even tried the fried pickles and that boy doesn't TOUCH vegetables. It was pretty amusing. We definitely agreed to go back again at some point.

Robert D.

The food was great and had great presentation. I especially enjoyed the Tuna Shashimi with seaweed salad. The Espresso martini is good too. Moderate prices. The wait staff was very nice and attentive.

J F.

this place is exactly what west newton needed.Its perfect for what it is, a local bar. Food is pretty good, service has always been wonderful. $5 apps, pizzas, burgers,salads are always reliable. I do have to say the lobster roll was not very good, but I also know if you want a good lobster roll you go to the right place for it. I would ignore the awful reviews and check it out of you are in the area. Its not the place you would leave the city for but if you are out here check it out.

K R.

I could have cried my food was so good! Close to home, plenty of parking, and the Food is unreal. I really have nothing but praise for this place, I can't wait to go back!!!

Vito C.

Economic woes do not seem to affect this place. Glad we waited the 40 minutes on this Saturday night. Very neat, cool old style pub meets contemporary decor. Best part is the music not deafening like many bars, TVs turned down as well. Small comfort food menu ( steak tips, fish/chips), but very good nonetheless. Apps were cheapo at $5. Beer usual price. Hand cooked chips with what seems like homemade onion dip very good. Clam chowder okay, not "clammy" enough and low on salt. Dipping chips in chowder much better. Next table over had Buffalo chicken wings and the flavor was wafting to my table. Smelled really good and really hot. Lobster roll good, not the best I've had, not swimming in mayo either. Semolina fried cod was pretty good, tested fresh, also needed salt. Served with homemade tartar sauce which was very good because had more bitter than usual. Fried fish is usually coated with a thick and tough outer skin, but not this fish. This coating is very thin and easily removed if you want to save on calories. Thin homemade fries very crispy, very tasty, very good and comes with several entrees. Too stuffed for dessert, but they looked like normal brownies and ice cream. Overvall, pleasantly surprised. I may have a new pub style restaurant in Newton. I will definitely be back again.

Richard C.

Something just isn't right about The Local, a "Gastropub" that has been open for roughly a year in West Newton. There seems to be an identity crises with this place, they call themselves a Gastropub, meaning pub food that has been escalated to another level, and they claim to specialize in local, seasonal ingredients. How cliched. I can barely notice the Gastropub claim, I mean sure, you don't see Tuna Sashimi in pubs everyday, but maybe for good reason. What you do find are burgers, Iceberg salads with blue cheese dressing and chicken wings. Wait, The Local has all these things? What am I missing? Maybe they take the traditional and make them better you say, well, based on our meal there, not a chance. The chef here is the same chef from Isabella's in Dedham, and if you take a look at that menu, it's eerily similar. Uninspired, redundant, and uninteresting. Everything about this place screams pub, a local hangout, but on a Thursday night there is a 45 minute wait, as told by the not-so-friendly hostess, who gives me a small window to exit, stressing it could be even longer, giving the vibe that it's not worth the wait. But it's way too nice on the interior to be just a pub, kind of like a Not Your Average Joe's vibe, but a little classier. You come in expecting good, solid grub, but once you sit down, you feel like maybe the food will be better, the service top notch. After all, the wait was this long, the decor is nice, the music is not too loud, but there's the menu again, dumbed-down with word like: "small things, flatbread things, and bigger things." But we're here for burgers, and maybe some deep-fried pickles. The pickles are a disaster, fried they are not, battered they are not, but warm? Sure, they've been warmed, but that's it. Great, $5 for hot pickles and a poor attempt at a spicy mayo. The burgers are just okay, the bread is awkward, the cheese, once again is not melted, not even close, a huge block of white cheddar sits atop the charred burger, not even melted in the slightest. Am I in the minority here? Are there people who prefer unmelted cheese on a burger? The burger is juicy though, and has decent smoky flavor, which, as we discuss at the table, only masks the lack of flavor everywhere else. The beef is unseasoned and is typical pub fare, it's a burger you've had a million times and it's boring. It's supposed to be American Kobe but I call their bluff, and at $10, I know there's no way it could be. You want real American Kobe? Go to Lucky's Lounge and get back to me, you'll taste the difference. The fries are bad too, heavily greased yet somehow undercooked. Limp, pale, and just plain egregious, about a quarter of them are actually seasoned properly and about four of them have bits of parsley sprinkled over them. I'm not a huge shoestring potato guy either, just a preference maybe, but I find them impossible to eat, to small to grab with fingers, I always end up using a fork, and you can forget about dipping them in ketchup, which is no easy feat. There's no salt and pepper on the table, on any table for that matter, which I wouldn't have a huge problem with, unless the food was seasoned properly, which it is not. But seasoning is the least of the problems for The Local, which just doesn't know what it wants to be, kudos to them for packing it in on a Thursday night, but time will tell if they will survive

Eileen G.

A great local restaurant. Parmesan truffle fries are definitely one of the best appetizers on the menu. The wine and beer selection is very sufficient and well-priced. My favorite is the Apricot Wheat brewed by the Ithaca Beer Company. The menu is a bit limited, but has portion sizes to satisfy any hunger level and allows you to try several options. They have smaller appetizer portions, flatbread pizzas and larger entrees. Mixing and matching is a culinary adventure. I've had a great salad here topped with cherries, goat cheese, a house vinaigrette and steak (which was done just how I requested it to be done). I've also had the fish and chips, which was not remarkable, but satisfying. The service is always high-quality and friendly, and the place has a neighborhood vibe to it. It's a welcoming atmosphere for a relaxing casual meal or a good date place. Haven't visited in the summer yet, but given their focus on local foods, I expect some stellar produce and seafood dishes from them come warmer times here in New England. I'll be back to try it out.

Barbara S.

We go to the Local at least once every two weeks. The food is incredibly good pub food. The mussels are delicious and an exceptional value. The salads are delicious. I happen to love the hamburger and my husband loves the specials. We love to sit at the bar. The service is friendly and efficient.

Chris R.

We decided to give the local a try on our way to the BC hockey game yesterday afternoon. It's located a few doors down from Blue Ribbon BBQ in W. Newton Square. Plenty of parking available in the muni lot opposite the bar. We had the truffle fries which were very good but the buffalo wings were great. Just the right amount of crispiness and heat so I could share them with my wife. I'm sure they would be happy to juice them up if you ask. Nice beer selection as well. We didn't try anything else due to time constraints but we'll be back. ( the couple across the bar had the lobster roll and the kobe beef burger and I didn't see anything left on their plates) Good spot to watch a game with 3 large lcd's at the bar.

Kate F.

Every thing that I have put in my mouth at The Local has been delicious. The salmon with the mustard sauce is usually what I keep going for, the truffle Parmesan fries are to die for, and the hummus plate is amazing. The martini was pretty good. The downside is the wait. No reservations are taken and sometimes it seems like a lot of tables sit open while they shuffle things around. There is also a lot of space between the tables - which is nice if you are having a conversation, but annoying if you are told there is an hour wait.

Stacey M.

I've been to the Local a couple of times now, and have to say I'm a fan. The prices are good, staff is friendly, and the food is satisfying. I could make a dinner out of the apps alone. The second time we went we brought our 3 year old and arrived 6:30 and the place was packed with families, which I didn't expect, but was good for us. As we left, the place was filling up with a more adult crowd. There is a nice big bar and the beer selection is good, and beer and wine portions are big. So waiting for a table isn't that much of a hardship.

Nancy O.

This is a great addition to the neighborhood. The Local focuses on local, fresh ingredients. The menu has three sections - Appetizers, Small things, and Big things, so you can go in with any appetite you want. My husband and I brought our 18 month old and he had the hummus appetizer. Which sounds basic, but was unlike those tubs of hummus we all are so familiar with, and served with what seemed like homemade pita bread. Outstanding. For dinner we had the steak tips and pork chop, both of which were delicious. We will definitely be back and are glad to have a local food restaurant in the hood. Of course, I don't want to give the impression this place is at all crunchy - it is not. It has a nice pub atmosphere. As the cold months come on, we will be there more and more. Definitely worth checking out.

Agent Q.

Maybe I am not a huge fan of the imitation "gastro-pub" scene (taken from the UK), but The Local was...ok. I didn't dislike it, I didn't love it, but I found it hard to give the restaurant 4 stars which is telling. We went in around 6:00 on a Saturday night - sat right down and was greeted promptly by our server; who always looked very busy even though the restaurant was mostly empty. The beer list had some good craft beers but not as many as I expected for a "gastro-pub" which had a lot of domestic stampes on the menu. Nonetheless, the beers were a great value, many were $5 for a pint and $6 for a blockbustering 20oz, though guiness was $6,$7 respectively. I ordered the Mayflower Porter and was very happy. The cocktails were more expensive at $8-$9, but the large espresso Martini proved to be a great dessert and worth the price. They also claimed to make their own Falernum, and if they actually do, I would be impressed. I am going to head back for that one. As for the food, The fried shrimp were good, the Caeser was ok and the steak tips were cooked correctly and may have been finished with garlic butter which eliminated the need for steak sauce, which came to our table after reminding our waiter a few times. The steak tips rang in at a pricey $15 and they were one of the lesser expensive items. I can't believe the pork chop would have been worth $18 so I didn't bother to get it. We did spy some fantastic looking flatbread pizza dishes being delivered to some other tables and they were $10 - not bad. Lastly, I have a real problem with a restaurant putting the words "American Style Kobe Beef" Hambuger ($10) on their menu. There is nothing American about Kobe in either style or lineage. Perhaps some rougue cattle jumped ship in Japan and swam their way across the Atlantic to raise a family, but I doubt it is anything close to Japanese Kobe or Australian Wagyu (the next best thing). It's a hamburger, for 10 bucks nontheless, any type of Kobe worth it's weight would be $25 a burger, and then why would you eat Kobe beef in burger form anyway??? To sum it up, I liked the food, the service was ok, and the drinks were good. I am going to head back for the rum drink con homemade Falernum to see if it is indeed homemade, so I'll give it another shot.

Stacia R.

After watching the Phantom Gourmet on Saturday morning, my fiance' and I decided to try something new. So, about 4pm that afternoon, we tried The Local. We were seated right away, near the window which was nice. The waiter came over right away with an ice cold decanter of water and glasses, asked if we wanted a beverage and gave us a few minutes to peruse the menu. There was not anyone else dining yet, but the bar was pretty full, and people were watching sports on the TV. We ordered the bucket of Fried Pickles and Spicy Mayo...ooh, yummy! The give you quite alot of them too. Then my fiance' had the Kobe Beef Burger and fries, unfortunately, after asking for it to be well-done, it was still kind of mooing...not so good. I had the Lobster Mac 'n' Cheese...this was super-yummy! I was a little disappointed that there was no crunchy topping like when it's baked in the oven, but it was well worth the $14.00 price tag in my opinion. I even had leftovers to enjoy later that evening. When it started to get a little dark, the lights were slightly dimmed, and out came little lit candles on the table, which I thought was sweet. Our waiter came over once to check on us, so thankfully he didn't hover, which I do not like. When he noticed us not eating for about 5 minutes, he came over and asked if we wanted coffee and dessert, which we declined as we were quite full. Overall, I am really happy that we tried a new place, and were quite pleased with The Local.

Rick S.

We went there on a Friday night at about 7. We were seated immediately and ordered a bottle of their very reasonably priced white wines (every bottle is 28 bucks). We got the quesadillas which were good, not great, the ham and pea mac and cheese (very good, smoky ham and a nice sauce) and the steak tips (tender, very nice flavor, great fries). The service was great and the crowd was a mix of old and young. Pretty nice beer selection. Would certainly go back.

Andrew P.

I will keep it short and sweet. Server was very slow.. Recommended foods were blah to say the best.....Beer was cold, but took forever to get it......

Lauren C.

I haven't even left the restaurant and posting 5 stars. Tomato Basil flatbread is to die for, wonderful creative cocktail, fast and super friendly service. Not the first visit and definitely not my last I love this place.

Chris M.

Been here a few times. The cocktails are creative and tasty, especially the Cubano. I've only had apps here, but everything is very salty. Not sure why that's the dominating seasoning. The service is hit or miss as both times I've been here, the servers seem to disappear when it comes time to pick up the check.

Jenny B.

My friends and I love coming here for drinks and food is great too. It is a very friendly and warm environment, almost like the fictional Cheers bar. I strongly recommend this place to all.

Sean R.

Poor service and so, so food.... We were really looking forward to checking this place out, it being in the neighborhood and offering a green fare. But we couldn't have been more disappointed. The meal started off well--a very good green salad with goat cheese, cherries, and candied walnuts. We also had the mussels which were in a tasty dijon broth. But it was all down hill after that. My girlfriends martini was way too strong and tasted of nothing but vodka (I know...it's a martini!). Worse yet...there was a lovely little critter nesting in the bottom. We promptly sent that back--the waitress offered a half hearted apology but neglected to offer us another drink at the time. Next disappointment...the prime rib. We asked for it medium rare and it came out well past medium. We told the waitress it was over cooked and she offered no solace for this--only suggesting that this is how it is prepared!! Well if she knew that, why didn't she say something when we asked for it MR? They did not have horseradish sauce either so there was really no saving it or disguising it's overcooked flavor (it was like chewing on liver). The final disappointment was the lobster mac & cheese. I thought it would be difficult to screw up comfort food, but the Local succeeded in doing this as well. It came out in a bowl of gloppy cheese with a fair amount of lobster, but I think the texture left much to be desired. They should have finished it in the oven to firm it up more. It seemed like they just stirred it in a pot with lot of cheese and butter, hoping that would satisfy us. Come on Local...we should have went to Lumiere which was a half a block away. It's pricier but much more satisfying.

Barb K.

I had been here a few times before. Was in the mood to come back and was again pleased. Traveling on business and dining alone it's nice when the bartenders don't ignore you. They are wonderful here. I had the mussels and a side of shrimp and grits with chorizo. Both were excellent however there was a little grease from the chorizo that I could have done without. Even chatted up some locals who sat next to me. Very friendly place good food. Give it a try.

Kate M.

The macaroni and cheese is amazing! Once when we ordered the chicken mac & cheese without the bacon and it came with bacon, not only did they replace the order but they credited us back for the original order. Great service and great food!

Len B.

Last night we were plenty surprised that the kitchen was open til 1130 We arrived at 1115 and I ordered the classic burger...local meat with bacon and gluten free bun. It was delicious. The French fries were home and awesome!! My girl friend / lover ordered a lighter fare. Because she's silly:). She had the salmon and quinoa which was good. She also had a delicious glass of Mercedes red wine. They have a good amount of beer on tap! I had the angry orchard

Igor S.

I came expecting a decent meal and a good time. I left bloated with the best macaroni and cheese that I have ever had in my life (mushroom and truffle with garlic bread crumbs). The service and atmosphere did not disappoint, and this restaurant made my day. (My son wrote this review.)

Pete M.

We had a great experience at the Local tonight. We had a bit of a wait (25 min) for two, but were able to get tasty cocktails and sit on one of their benches by the window while we were waiting. Once we got seated we had the kale salad with goat cheese to start. Amazing! Dressing was super good and the crispy chickpeas added good texture to the salad. My fiance had the homemade gnocci special (appetizer size) and it was perfect. She said it had amazing flavor and that the roasted fennel was a great addition. I had the tuna and the wings (both small plates) as my "main" and enjoyed both. We didn't feel overly stuffed (in a good way) so we decided to order the flourless chocolate cake and I'm glad we did! It was basically like a gooey brownie sundae, but with a richer flavor. Absolutely delicious. The service was also great and the place had good atmosphere. We will definitely be back!

Alex G.

Went here during a weekend trip to Boston for brunch. They have a little bit of everything for decent prices. I went with the Huevos Rancheros - they were good, not great. Service was kind of slow too. Main mistake was not getting the lobster roll. Luckily two friends got them and were willing to share. Solid. Bumped the rating from 3 to 4 stars.

Chris P.

Went for dinner ended up getting two apps and a few drinks. Apps were decent and the drinks were good. Menu is limited for dinner options. Got a non alcoholic drink and they charged us $8 which is ridiculous. We will return but likely not for dinner. B-

Eme M.

I would have given 4 stars if it weren't for our initial interaction with a less than pleasant young brunette hostess when entering The Local... Myself and two girlfriends went to The Local Saturday evening around 7:30pm in search for some tasty mussels and gluten free options...When we walked in the Hostess didnt even acknowledge us when we finally got her attention she seemed aggravated we were there. She informed us then, that it would be a 25 minute wait ( the place didnt appear to be overly busy...but whatever..) regardless of the long wait we decided to stay and grab a glass of wine at the bar till a table opened which seemed to aggravate her even more, honestly if we didnt have our hearts set on a few things on the menu we would have walked right out of there because of her rude attitude. We grabbed some glasses on wine and waited by the bar and were seated in 10 minutes or less...NOT 25 as the girl had initially told us. When we sat our waitress filled our waters took our app order and gave us a while to catch up and chat with one another which we totally appreciated! We shared the truffle fries which were AMAZING. My gluten free friend ordered one of the pizza options, which she loved, then we ordered two orders of mussels which were just what we were looking for. I will say that when we left a new hostess had taken the stand, a woman with very short curly hair and she was very pleasant as we left. All in all we got what we came there for... with a little unwanted sass on the side.

Peter W.

I've been here during the busy dinner rush and also late at night at the bar. The food and drinks are very good both times. Service is a bit slower during dinner but that is to be expected. The bar staff are very friendly and attentive. One or two more televisions would help near the bar area.

Arden W.

This is a solid spot for a drink or a quick bite--yes the portions are a bit small but I prefer lots of "little things" (as they put it) over one big dish so their menu works for me and anyone who's with me! The atmosphere is fun and fresh--but it's not overly trendy at all. The Local definitely brings in a diverse crowd--even on say a Friday night you'll find groups of twenty-somethings, middle aged couples and even some families with young kids. Expect a wait but why not get tipsy and more hungry while waiting? My only real complaint is the spotty service, especially since the prices sort of are on the higher side. The wait staff could have had a lot to handle but it should have never taken that long for my boyfriend and I to be attended to or even acknowledged at first....Also, side note: my mother went a few weeks ago with a friend and said the bartender "ignored her because she was old" (lol). Although this is coming from my Mom who tends to be a harsh critic and enjoys making snap-judgements, I do agree that the effort could be stepped up a bit in both the bar and the dining room. Recommendations: try the special/signature cocktails--strong & delish, if you are feeling indulgent get the Lobster Mac & Cheese it's to dieeee, and any of the fried fish or seafood is really good especially with their homemade tartar sauce!

Leonard J.

The ice water in a large glass pitcher was the best part of the meal. The waiter kept it filled and was very pleasant. She disappeared after bringing the disappointing entrees. Oily & too sweet Hong Kong noodle dish. Strangely seasoned and hard to eat half of it. Turkey tips & fries were not much better. Tough turkey. No sides but fries. And they could have been more crispy. Wonder how they got so many high ratings. Was my experience a rarity? Not going to give it a 2nd try. Not worth it.

Jason H.

dependable menu, especially flat breads and great servers only word of caution is that there aren't a ton of restaurants in west newton so on a Friday or Saturday night from 6-9pm you should be prepared to wait

Beth C.

This place has delicious food and a great beer selection (baby tree and alagash white!) The waitstaff are friendly and professional. I personally love the Mac n cheese and the fries. The desserts are great. I recommend the peanut butter cheesecake and the chocolate chip cookies.

Mary B.

This place has a cool vibe, but the parking is not ideal and the food is nothing special. It gets crowded so I recommend making a reservation or be prepared to wait. My order came to me wrong but I didn't bother complaining because the waitress was too busy. I will give this place another chance...

Nina F.

I absolutely love the local. The food is pub-y but upscale and delicious. the truffle fries are out of control good. The flatbread pizza is TDF. The service is always friendly. The beer selection is great. The prices are so reasonable for how good the food is! I am so excited for the Wayland location to open - it's closer to my home, and i have really high hopes!

J Scott C.

Fried pickles were awesome. Good ham sandwich, with tasty fries. And a nice IPA from Maine. I liked it!

Kurt S.

The local is a wonderful restaurant. The food is always good and dependable and sometimes quite delicious. The mixed drinks are creative and very tasty. The beer selection is definitely way above average. It's a happening kind of place. I think almost anything you order here is going to be a winner. I should know-I've eaten almost everything off of that menu. The burger always gets great reviews and I will continue that tradition. The medium rare burger is nice and juicy and the fries that come with it are always perfectly cooked. I am so puzzled when I read about the rude staff because my experience with every waiter and every bartender has been nothing but positive. The food comes out at a pretty quick pace-it needs to, because the place is always so busy! For me and my family and friends, this restaurant is a go-to sure thing for your pre-or post-movie meal. I'm sorry others have not had a great experience I have; give it another try.

Maya T.

Went here on a recommendation from a friend who is a foodie who visited a few months ago from Dallas. I'm glad I took his advice and went to the Local! Went on a Friday night, so it was busy, but the wait didn't seem too long. They were busy, but our waitress was attentive to us. We got the mac & cheese and pizza. The pomegranate martini was delicious. Will definitely go back.

Maria M.

Loved the ambiance. Had dinner last night with two friends and we had a cozy little corner. Wasn't in the best mood, but the old school motown music and the food were just what I needed. My friends had been here before and recommended the fried pickles and shrimp and they were amazing - - worth every calorie with that delicious spicy mayo. I ordered the pan seared salmon which was cooked perfectly, but didn't love the eggplant mix it was served with (too salty). My friends ordered the short ribs and the chicken - - both delicious. Would definitely come back for the mood, music, food, and friends.

Angie B.

Mussels were A delight. Flatbread pizza was crispy. Easy parking next door in the courthouse lot after 5pm. The place was jumping and that's always a good sign.

Lily D.

Oh, how I miss thee, "The Local" of 2009. The girls from work and I go to the local about once every six months. Not all the time, but enough to be very familiar with their menu and prices. I'm sad to say that in the last year or so, our experience keeps getting worse with every visit. The prices keep going up, the portions keep getting smaller and things just don't taste as good as they used to. Next time we're thinking about where to go after work to blow off some steam, I won't be suggesting The Local. It's too bad. Back in the day, I used to go out of my way to go there...

Erin C.

I've added a star because The Local has never failed me in MANY visits. I love the food, the drinks are decently priced and the service is satisfactory. Overall, a great addition to the neighborhood!

Donna M.

This place is a great "local" place that has really good food. We live right around the corner, so we come here quite a bit for dinner and drinks. The fried pickles are incredible and are served with a spicy mayo sauce which is good, although verrrrrry spicy. The homemade, handcut potato chips are also awesome and something you must try. As for entress, I really enjoy the sauteed chicken with garlic mashed and my boyfriend loves the shortribs. They also have daily specials which are usually very appetizing too. Downsides: -- prices are a little high, but are probably standard at this type of restaurant. If it were a little cheaper, we probably would come here even more often. It's hard to get a $5 app, $12 cocktail (or two) and then an entree can be up to $25 or so. Maybe it's just me being a broke college student though :) -- service is a little spotty. Never have had anything overly bad, but most of my visits it hasn't been anything super notable. Our last visit our waitress was nice but barely made eye contact with us. Positives: -- food comes out fast! Almost too fast. Sometimes we aren't even done with our appetizers when our entrees come out. -- cool, low-key, but modern environment. A good spot to come for a Friday/Saturday night but also any day during the week. You'll fit in if you're casually dressed or nicely dressed.

Jo-Elle M.

We came here early on a Sunday evening, and while busy, it was not too crowded. Service was attentive and accurate. I had the fish and chips. Oh my goodness. Yummm! The fish and chips was one large piece of fried fish. It was not all greasy and the breading had a great flavor. The fries were their thin fries and very addicting. I am looking forward to coming back next time I'm in town!

Eric H.

Always good fun and not your typical bar food menu

matt m.

Great place to sit at the bar, have some well crafted cocktails and some good food. Who doesn't like fried pickles or homemade potato chips? We've also had the chicken mac and cheese, the italian sausage flatbread and the stir fried noodles all of which I would recommend.

Cecilia T.

Loved the bar and general overall restaurant. The staff were awesome and very friendly. I was disappointed with the food. Salad had too much dressing and my mushroom pizza was really salty (maybe I have forgotten what Pub food is like). Friends were pleased with their soup and Mac & Cheese.

Jeff V.

I came here with a couple friends on a Friday night. Finding a parking spot was absolutely maddening, and much of the reason for only average scoring. The host seemed a bit overwhelmed as he rushed around--too busy to give us much of a greeting anyway. We were seated after a brief wait. I couldn't help but notice that there wasn't a ton of space between tables--so much so that a young boy with his parents who was up well past his bed time leaned back in his chair and whacked my friend's seat. Aside from that, though, the atmosphere was nice (strangely casual yet classy if that makes any sense), and our waiter was friendly and attentive. We each had a drink from the menu. Pretty decent standard stuff, though getting a drink pushed the price range per person from $$ to $$$. And the food itself was quite tasty. I had a great cheese burger and my two accomplices had steak tips which they each raved about. I tried them and they were okay, but a little overcooked for my liking (both ordered medium well). I would come back for sure, but only if it wasn't during a busy time... that mini parking lot across the street was easily filled and the restaurant is on a one way street that sends you on an enormous loop if you have to pass it.

Tullu N.

This place was amazing, our food was cooked perfectly, and times just right. Highly recommend the fried pickles which are a great sharing portion... I had the mushroom truffle mac and my boyfriend had the short rib Benedict and both of couldn't have been happier with our orders. Most importantly, our waitress, Kerry was spectacular! She provided recommendations, knew the menu well, timed everything perfectly and was personable and friendly. I can't wait to go back!

Chris C.

Kind of the outskirts of West Newton, it's definitely a good relaxing place to sit and have a meal. The food here is very good, I have been here twice and I've had the Lobster roll which was delicious and the turkey club which is stacked with high with turkey meat. The fries are also very crispy and can cause one to salivate. I would recommend this place if you are looking for some good eats at a decent price.

Michelle S.

Let me start by saying the service was a 2 and everything else was a 4. Two of my friends and I sat at the bar on a pretty busy Thursday night for beers and dinner. The bartender who was serving us knew we were getting dinner, but it took her about 15 minutes to follow through and actually get us menus. We ended up grabbing some from the bus boy. I'm not sure why, but she spent the entire time we were at dinner being completely cold to us. Reaction-less and lacking any warmness or service courtesy. We got steak & frites, the swordfish, and the burger. All were fantastic. The Local also has a great choice of beers on tap, including a few locals like Pretty Things. Food came on time, but she took forever to get any services from. I couldn't get her attention nor would she check on us. I'll come by The Local again and if the service is better next time, I'l consider my first experience an anomaly and upgrade my review to a 4.

Doron A.

Was there yesterday after a movie. Had the Tuna sashimi. Poor quality of fish and preparation.

Luis M.

Excellent restaurant. The food was great. Amazing Fried pickles. I recommend this restaurant!

Kristina B.

This is my fav spot in Newton. They have a great staff, all super friendly. The food is amazing! Sausage & kale flatbread, mussels, fried pickles...I could go on and on. Diana is a great bartender! Love this place!

Nick M.

I ask myself if I would go out of my way to come here, and although it's definitely not bad, there are better options I prefer nearby (Cherry Tree, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Fiorellas, Sweet Tomatoes). The food isn't by any means bad, but it's not great either. The service is alright, nothing to write home about, but the menu is limited for what you'd expect at a restaurant in Newton, as is the seating (it's on the smaller side). I can't say I wouldn't mention it to someone in the area looking for a meal, but I wouldn't rave about it either. Not taking reservations is weak in my opinion unless you're constantly line out the door type busy, and I don't get the sense this place is. It's more bar than restaurant, there is definitely more seating at the bar than at most of the restaurant, so if you're looking for a drink in Newton, you're not likely to find a better spot for it than that. But for food, I'd say it's average. It's also an adventure finding parking if you're not from the area, which is worth noting if you're meeting friends there.

Tom B.

Went there specifically because they advertise a late night menu. Walked in at 10:15pm and was told the kitchen was closed. Will never return.

Julie B.

I took my boyfriend here for a surprise date night and it was great! This was the first time we had been there and minus the snobby middle aged Newtonite clientele, everything was enjoyable. A word to this wise, if you are going out at 7:30 on a Saturday night to a restaurant that does not take reservations, be prepared for a decent wait and don't be rude to the hostess. The people taking longer at their tables are enjoying their meals, just like you want to. The food came out very fast even though it was a busy Saturday night. We got the chicken wings to starts and they were great. He got the steak tips which were classic and delicious. I got the Mac and Cheese with chicken, chives, and bacon. While this is deemed a "smaller" item, it was jam packed with flavor. I actually ended up taking some of it home. To cap it all off, we got the special dessert: Vanilla bread pudding with bourbon caramel, walnuts, and vanilla ice cream. This was impeccable!

Lindsey H.

Probably my favorite restaurant of all time. I don't even want to write a review because this place is already so popular. It can be tough to get a spot at the bar even on a weeknight. They have a great selection of beers on tap including Cisco whales tale. All the wines are $7 a glass and they are great and the pours are generous. The menu isn't huge but everything is delicious. Steak tips and fries are great, as is their burgers. I didnt love their Asian noodle dish but everything else I've had has been amazing. Pizzas are sized for one and have a nice thin crust. The small plates are $5 a piece and are generous considering the price. My favorites are the mussels, fried pickles, Caesar salad, and hummus. Service here is always good in the dining area but the bar service is excellent - very friendly, they won't rush you if you go in and read a book, and have topped off my wine more than once. But please don't go here. It's mine.

Melissa D.

Great gathering place for the suburbanites! Menu items great for sharing and love the ever changing beer and wine menu, it's kind of a choose your own adventure book everytime I come here. My go to are the Fried Pickles! I can have two servings of these all on my own. Also, the name speaks for itself as it serves local, New England beers, REPRESENT! I like the bar a lot but it gets packed very easily. My other fave entrees are the mac and cheese, the bucket o'shrimp and their flatbread pizzas. Servers are always accommodating, friendly and always there to help you choose a nice beer or wine.

Anna M.

I got to come here with my friend who has called Boston her home for the past 5 years during her medical school training and I'm glad I was able to check out her stomping grounds. She mentioned eating here a couple times over the years and we made it her last stop in Newton before she moved out of state. I ordered the burger and a cocktail (I can't remember the name) and was very pleased. The atmosphere is nice and it seemed pretty busy for a weekday afternoon. I can see why she frequented this spot. The truffle fries were...amazing.

Bill S.

Torn with my review Pros: Very good food Nice Atmosphere Decent drinks Cons: Staff is completely rude (take a lesson in customer service, if you are rude, I won't want to go there. Ok morons?) Food variety is limited (no chicken on the menu really) So there you go, 3 stars

Leah C.

Went for Sunday dinner around 5pm to ease the time change. We were sorely disappointed on a few points: 1) menu seems to be disjointed and rather lack luster. Not enough "big things" in order to have choices of a filling entree and frankly they seemed like bar food or Applebee's on its finest day. As far as lack luster the dishes are boring and it seems they are all very average of the new "gastro pub" trend however the Local is missing some identity. 2) pickle chips are too thick and the coating too dry. The accompanying sauce does not pair well and when asked for a different sauce they charged us $0.50 - are you kidding me? It was blue cheese dressing!! 3) service was poor. The waitress was caring for 5 tables and it took forever to order or get any additional service. Our plates were never even cleared from the table. I actually had to push aside my plate to pay the bill - poor, poor service. We tried The Local because we were excited to hear they will be opening one in Wellesley, but we won't even bother after our visit in Newton.

jeff s.

the local is a step up from the other pubs around newton, better food, better ambiance, so I go fairly often. HOWEVER, last night. I went with 9 people , checked in with the hostess and said," hello, we are 9 for dinner" her reaction was great sadness. she repeated : Nine????? I said yes 9 she rolled her eyes and looked at her co host, and said " we have a 9, they both rolled their eyes, I asked if this was a bad thing? she said, oh I am sure we will be able to find something, ( the place was about 70 percent full) this went on for about 10 minutes the 2 woman walking around looking at tables, , lots of exasperation on her part, then we were seated, once that was over with: the waitress was VERY nice and the food was good. Too bad the first impression is so less than and sad. it is as if they are doing you a favor. I have experienced trouble with them before as when you are finishing up, they always come around the dining room looking for people who are finishing up and stare at them,because they want them to leave so they can sit another party, I have heard other people complain about this before, I always leave because its uncomfortable, and I dont take long to eat or finish

Melissa R.

We live in West Newton and this is our favorite local spot. I love the truffled mac and cheese and fried pickles. The beer and wine menu is also great and always changing. It can get packed, so arrive early or plan to hang out at the bar. Parking can also pose an issue on weekend nights.

Jeff B.

One of my favorites. I reccomend Truffle fries and an El Burro. The specials are often great as are the Spicy Hong Kong noodles.

Lee J.

We love The Local, have been going here for years. But no matter what night of the week you go, be prepared to wait. The food is delicious, the price is good. The one complaint I have is the female bartender. Forgive me, I do not know her name but every time we go, she has an attitude and I have never once seen her smile. That is, unless she is complaining about the clientele to her coworker. Love this place, Dave is a wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable bartender and the other gentleman is nice too. The waiters/waitresses are always friendly and attentive and the food comes out very quickly. We won't stop going here but it definitely ruins the whole experience when you're greeted with such an attitude.

Amy R.

I have been to the Local many times and have never been disappointed. My last trip was a couple of nights ago. Now, this place is usually jammed up after work, regardless of the day of the week, so I was surprised when I was able to score a couple of seats at the bar. They have a pretty decent beer selection, which I didn't tap into since I was in a Guinness mood the other night, and an added bonus to their cocktail repetoire is that if you chose to have a glass of wine, all glasses are $7.00. Yeahhh. A former co-worker of mine and I ended up splitting the parmesan truffle fries to nosh on while we guzzled on our beers and caught up on old office gossip. The fries were superb... they were oozing with truffley/cheesy goodness. Spot on. For dinner, I had the buffalo chicken w/ blue & gorgonzola cheese pizza. It was delicious. My friend got the "Godfather of Meat" burger... this sandwich was UGE. He let me have a bite and I have to say, it was one of the tastiest burgers I've had in awhile. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. Mmmm... Other notable items that I've enjoyed in the past is their hummus plate, the mussels (I prefer the tomato, pinot grigio and garlic butter broth), the iceberg wedge w/ the grilled chicken, the mac & cheese w/ truffle oil & chives, and their amazeballs steak tips. If you decide to venture into the Local... get there as early as you can, seats in the bar and restaurant side fill up very quickly!!

Debra L.

I have been here a few times and I like the food and the atmosphere. There's always a crowd but it never feels "crowded". I've never been on the weekend though. Service was excellent (and we were a bit annoying in that we had someone arrive unexpectedly and our 6-top became a 7-top). I would also like to point out that we were a table of 7 but they did not automatically add a tip - it's not that kind of place. Also, when we were finished we lingered a bit. We are all former co-workers who don't see each other often so it was hard to actually leave the table. No one gave us a hard time about it though and we left once we saw the place start to fill up and knew they'd want our table. We tipped generously for being table hogs. They have a pretty good beer on tap selection and most folks were happy with that. A few of us had the house appetizer that night which was homemade guacamole with fried pita chips and vegetables. The guacamole was delicious but the dish itself was awkward. I like to dip fresh veggies in certain things, but guacamole is not one of them. And the pita chips were oily and too big. I would have been thrilled if the guacamole was served with some warm, salty tortilla chips. For my entrée I had the Spicy HongKong noodles with Wok Fried Vegetables. It was lovely. Nice amount of spice, lots of fresh peanuts on top, and it was served in a great bowl, with chopsticks (which was a nice touch since this is not an Asian restaurant). My mistake was opting to add chicken (the menu provided the option of adding chicken, steak or shrimp). I should have left well enough alone. The chicken was not cooked with the noodles or veggies. Rather, it was added on to the top of the dish after the fact. It was basically chopped up, grilled chicken breast and it was pretty bland. It had none of the flavor of the rest of the dish since it was an add-on. It wasn't terrible - it just didn't add to the dish in any way. My fellow diners all enjoyed their meals of pork chop, short rib, tuna tartare and flatbread pizza. The mushroom and truffle pizza looked and smelled amazing. I had a little bit of food envy.

Sofia B.

I'm always sober when I arrive and leave, so I *know* the food is good. Is it pub food? Or is it just fantasy? They have terrific mac and cheese (yes, I've enjoyed all three kinds: chive, truffle, and lobster + original!), grilled cheese, truffle fries, and iceberg wedge salad with grilled chicken are awesome. It's really a must-go-to place.

Lea C.

About a month back, I saw a Ruelala special for this establishment. Although my quasi-in-laws live in the neighborhood, I didn't even know this place existed. I perused the menu, liked what I saw, and went ahead with my purchase. Moments later, I got an email from my quasi-MIL telling me about the same deal, mentioning that this was my quasi-SIL's fav spot in town. It was like a food prophecy. So after a grueling work week, we decided to stop by for a night of not cooking yesterday. Since we came in early, around 6:00, I figured it wouldn't be too busy...hahahahaha. Joke's on us! This place was SLAMMED. It was a 45ish-minute wait for a table, and the hostess literally tried to talk us out of leaving ("you know, by the time you drive somewhere else, find a place to park, get another table..."). Given how busy this place apparently is, I don't know why they don't just make their lives easier by taking reservations. We figured that we might be able to find a place at the ridiculously oversized bar, so we stayed and ordered drinks. After I paid the outrageous sum of $8 for a Sam Adams and a ginger ale, we waited and watched the bar patrons like vultures. Many people had dragged their small children here for dinner, which seems odd to me given that this is a gastropub, not Chuck E. Cheese, so we had to try not to knock them over. The layout is not great. The bar is way too large for the space, which leaves the hostess, waiting area, and dining room in awkward positions. The window seats are a nice touch, though. It was crazy loud, so we had to shout to have a conversation. All the patrons looked the same, which was creepy--all white people, late 20s to early 50s, mostly couples, the ladies all had straight, shoulder-length highlighted hair and huge rocks on their left hands, all the guys had the same haircut... The stars here are all for food. There were a ton of things on the menu that looked great, so it was difficult to just pick a couple. We started with the fresh chips and onion dip and a Caesar salad. The chips and dip were amazing. Fresh chips are always great, but I never knew fresh onion dip could be soooo good. My only criticism is that the herbs on the chips (maybe rosemary?) clashed with the chives in the dip, and it was sometimes a bit unpleasant. The bf liked his Caesar, but the large crouton on top was very difficult for him to break up and eat, which necessitated stabbing the salad repeatedly. I thought the dressing has a nice, mild flavor. For entrees, I ordered the special after the waitress told us there was only one left, the chef's take on stroganoff, and the bf had the mushroom truffle oil flatbread. The couple next to us had ordered the stroganoff as well and assured me that I'd made a good choice. You see, I love me some stroganoff, and I have found that it is a dish that's either really good or really bad--you can easily screw it up, so I wasn't entirely sold until it came out. It was really presented more like Swedish meatballs: pork and beef meatballs with farfalle pasta, a brown sauce, and a dusting of parmesan cheese and scallions. It also came with large garlic croutons, which I promptly set aside. Well, our restaurant neighbors didn't lie--that stroganoff was BANGIN. The portion was huge, so I ate about half of it and boxed the rest up for a midnight snack. The meatballs were, no exaggeration, the best meatballs I have ever had in my life. The meat was really well ground, so the inside was smooth, juicy, and super flavorful. OMG. I wish I could just eat a plate of those meatballs. They should seriously put them on the regular menu. The sauce was good, the combination was fab. It was a great dish overall. The bf's mushroom flatbread was also huge and delicious. The truffle oil really added something, the crust was great, and the mushrooms tasted very fresh. We wanted dessert, as the choices looked amazing but were way too full. All told, the bill was about $50. Some of the dinner options seemed overpriced, and some just right (EX: $5 chips and dip= good; $10 green salad= bad). Luckily, with our Ruelala groupon, it only cost us about $30. If one of those ever comes up again, I'd buy 10. I'm sure I'll be coming back. Maybe on a Tuesday or some other day that I don't have to fight for a table.

Steve S.

What is a Gastropub, exactly? I am not sure if the term is distracting or refreshingly different. At the time, I guessed restaurant/bar and The Local is a nice, open place with a bar and two rooms for seating. The space is warm and inviting. I have always been mindful of surburban eateries and have tempered my expectations accordingly. I would need no such tempering at The Local. My friend and I split the hummus platter with homemade chips and copious(love that word) amounts of veggies. Really nice dish. I then pushed my luck and ordered salmon. Salmon preparation must be almost perfect. Two minutes either way, and you have a ruined fish Salmon was perfect with homemade gnocchi and spinach. Another very likeable dish. My friend had the lobster roll with tons of fries. It looked very good. I like The local. It is city food in the burbs...Shout out to the hostess and the waitress staff. Kudos for the good service

Danielle F.

I have been here a couple times and always enjoyed my meal. My only issue was the service, could be better, but the food taste is great and beer selection is awesome

K H.

Great pub and great place for local food. We dine here often.

Kate L.

Didn't know there were hot spots in Newton - but there are! Come early for a seat at the bar. Great wines. Loud and fun. Hummus plate was yummy and all food looks amazing. Would def go back! And free parking in lot next door although not advertised.

Brian S.

Unfortunately I was really disappointed. I was told The Local had a very nice spread and the restaurant brags about their burger. So I got it. The burger was definitely perfectly round (I.e. Frozen). Lacked taste and the bun was breaking in pieces as I ate the burger. Glad the fries were decent. I was really let down.

C M.

Great restaurant. Cold beer,Nice appetizers and delicious entrees. (((Terrible clientele !! )))The people who eat here gawk at you incessantly, have king sized chips on their shoulders, and will treat you with the contempt, and disgust you so obviously deserve for being seated next to them. The scum of the Earth. And I can say that because I eat here at least twice a week. They really need to institute an IQ prerequisite in order to dine here.

Jacquelyn M.

I really like it here. It's always busy, so I wish they took reservations, but it's worth the wait every time. The truffle mac and cheese is phenomenal, and the fried pickles are the best I've ever had.

Shawna L.

Was in town for business and found the Local - couldn't be more pleased. We didn't make a reservation on a Saturday night so when we arrived at about 7pm we were told there would be a short wait. No problem, grabbed seats at the bar - and were seated about two minutes after we got our drinks. The ambience is cozy but hip. The food (bucket o'shrimp, short ribs and the pasta special of the day, dessert of the day) was fantastic; good portions and excellent flavors. I'd give five stars but the service was a little slow - we couldn't find our server and he didn't check with us at all throughout the meal. He was friendly enough, just not super attentive.

Manwe S.

Good food. Good beer. The fries especially. I liked the beer selection, although all the beers had pretty high ABV. The vegetarian options could be improved though, maybe add a garden burger to the menu. I liked the ambience. Relatively quiet for a Friday evening around 10.

Jason H.

Once again this place failed us. Waited about 8 months before coming back, and learned their burger is still garbage (but it was nice that the 3rd one actually wasn't purple, after asking for medium-well all 3 times). The lemon half-chicken my girlfriend tasted one bite of was unbelievably flavorless and under cooked. They are no decent restaurant, gastro-pub, bar, whatever- they fail on all levels. Maybe its a subruban thing, I dunno.This place just can't get food right, I'm sorry. And on top of it, they actually believe they make great food, judging by the prices. To be honest, the place probably deserves less than 2, but I'm in a good mood.

jenny d.

This place used to be great. I don't know what happened. Went last night.. Ordered carrot sticks veggie app for my daughters. The carrots were old. I sent them back hoping to get fresh ones & they came back still old and freezing. Maybe they were previously frozen. Yuck. The salmon on my salad was tiny and the kale salad was bare very little toppings, cheese. My husband ordered the burger & it never got eaten. For the money you'd hope this was much, much better. I won't be back.

Christina V.

I've only been here for lunch. I work within walking distance. Everything from salads to sandwiches have all been good. I've actually never had anything bad here. Service hasn't disappointed either. My office has also had Lunch & Learn seminars there about hearing loss. Those have always been successful. I'm looking forward to trying one of their cocktails, they have a fun drink list.

J S.

Was in town for a conference and came here twice. Got the gluten free lobster mac n cheese. Oh...my...yum!! Got the gluten free lobster roll the second time. The bread was frozen then microwaved. Halfway into it, I couldn't gnaw my way through the bread...but the insides were tasty!!!!

David V.

Dined here for the first time today for lunch. The restaurant is very nice and clean and the service was excellent. I had the Local Burger with fries and I was happy with my dish. The burger was cooked perfectly and the hand-cut fries were amazing. Actually, I think the fries were my favorite part! I think the prices are a little high, but then again, it is Newton. My burger and fries was $12 (plus another $2 for the added bacon). While I found the food to be delicious, I don't know that the price justifies it. However, I had a positive experience overall.

Kevin L.

Just your typical modern American pub with some fusion menu options. Food was not great, but it wasn't terrible. Best dish of the night was probably their Mac n' cheese with mushrooms and truffle oil. Overall the place was okay, but probably won't be coming back very often.

Dee T.

Parmesan Truffle Fries are a must with a nice cold beer! I usually order the fries, fried pickles, the chicken mac and one of the flatbreads. Went in the other night and felt sick after having the garlic roasted mushroom flatbread but it wont stop me from coming in and having the fries

Amanda G.

The quinoa and spinach stuffed squash is INSANE good. I had it with the crunchy tofu and my taste buds were buzzing- awesome! Service wasn't what it could have been- but we caught them when they were prepping for dinner, so they were preoccupied a bit. Nice atmosphere, and though we weren't there at night, seems like the bar is usually pretty hopping.

Dan R.

Four of us had a very enjoyable lunch here today. The Local is pretty big -it has a good sized dining room on the left, a big bar with lots of seating, and a downright huge dining room on the right. Everything was right on point- the atmosphere, the food, and the service. Our server Jennifer was absolutely terrific, full of smiles, very attentive and polite, but never hovering or intrusive. We started with some of the Small Plates - Roasted Garlic Hummus with Garden Vegetables, olive oil, and grilled pita wedges for $9 and Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Smoked Bacon, Dijon, and toasted garlic crumbs for $8. They both were great choices! I loved the pita and hummus and the Brussels Sprouts were excellent. Our entrees were a Caesar with chicken ($11), Stuffed Squash ($16), Lobster Mac and Cheese ($17), and a Sausage Flatbread ($14). I cannot possibly describe how happy I was with the Stuffed Squash. It was absolutely terrific. Half a squash was stuffed with a huge mound of quinoa, blue cheese, spinach, and topped with a spicy sweet maple drizzle. I didn't add chicken or shrimp, and I really didn't need to. The dish was freaking terrific just by itself. I sampled the Lobster Mac and saw it had a lot of lobster in there. I ogled the very meaty sausage flatbread and saw it had a lot of meat on it. Our food bill ran $75 and it was worth every penny.

Ama R.

My friend and I wanted to try something new so we headed over to West Newton and tried The Local! We were very excited to see a menu that had a unique but comfortable take on traditional dishes. Our server was excellent. I had the JP's Blackberry Smash- perfection. We shared a small dish of hummus which was wonderful. For entrees I had the Local Stuffed Squash (sans blue cheese) with tofu and it was delicious. A pleasant blend of sweet and spicy. It was nice to see quinoa being used in such a creative way. He had the Short Ribs and was very happy saying the Brussels sprouts were the best he'd ever had (I'll try not to be too offended as I've made them for him on countless occasions). Atmosphere was clean, cozy, and comfortable. We will be back!!

Jay B.

Ok, I don't know what all the talk is about middle-aged boring folk. This place has reasonably (for the area) priced food and awesome (for any area?) fried pickles, along with a decent beer/drink selection. I've gone twice and had a nice bartender as well as a good server. The last time I went I accidentally left my take out, and when I came back about five minutes later they had tossed it. (My fault for forgetting it, no big deal..) Multiple people apologized and offered (without any prompting from me) to re-fire the dish, which was very nice. I'll be back.

Thomas B.

Once a week since this place opened I love to get a spot at the bar and for Brian and his sidekicks to pour the very reasonable wines and bring something off the great menu. Tuna Sashimi and Edamame is a favorite as is almost everything at one time or another. Unusual three meat meatloaf is excellent. To die for Mac and cheese options on a cold winter night. Great specials. Never wait long and rarely have to sit anywhere else but at the bar though they do a brisk business. A gem.

Lindsey M.

If you want to go out to get a nice drink and some good food go here! I've been to the Local a few times, my last time only being about two weeks ago. We came on a Friday night around 7:30 pm. The wait was not long (about 15 minutes for two) and we got a drink while we waited. The local is very impressive when it comes to cocktails and beers. They have over 20 beers just on tap and many more in bottle form. I really really really like the bar here, but I've never been able to sit at it! From 5:00 pm and later the bar area is always packed! I do not recommend sitting in the bar area if you are sensitive to noise or cannot hear well. It can get very loud in that area during peak times. The past three times I've been to the Local I've always been seated at tables in the back rooms. Although these tables are on the smaller side, I do like that the area is quiet so you can have a conversation with your party and not have to scream. The food at the Local is pretty good bar food. I really enjoy their appetizers as well as their specials. Last time we went we got the fried ravioli special as an appetizer and then I got the mustard chicken special. Everything was excellent and we left full. The staff at the Local from the hostesses, bartenders and waitresses are excellent. Each time I come in here I am impressed with the service and how nice everyone who works here is! One thing that prevents me from coming here more often is the parking situation. Parking is very limited and hard to find after 5pm. With the crazy amount of snow we recently had, parking is just so much more limited. We had to drive around a few times (damn you Mass Pike!) but did find a spot a few blocks down the street. There is a little parking lot across from the Local, I've never been lucky enough to get a spot.

Jessica B.

I've been living in West Newton for nigh on eight years and had never been to The Local. I've been in twice in a week since discovering it. So. Much. Win. Great atmosphere. Nice, dark, and modern. Friendly, attentive, but unobtrusive service. This isn't a kiddie bar, er, gastropub, and I really like it. Outstanding Lobster roll. You can substitute a salad for the fries. Drool for days. The rest of the menu looks good too, but I haven't been able to move off the lobster roll yet. Small, but nicely curated beer list sometimes including one of my faves, Pretty Things. I would feel totally comfortable eating or drinking here alone and if I had to, it would be a short walk home. There is limited street parking, but this is West Newton, just drive a couple of blocks in back and there are metric tons of parking.

Kathleen M.

Fantastic gluten-free menu! I had mussels and the truffle mac and cheese, and both were outstanding. I would definitely recommend this place for a casual night with great food.

Ana B.

The only bad thing I can say about this place is that it is not near my home. But the trip to West Newton is so worth it. They serve some of the best french fries in the Greater Boston area - hand cut, shoestring and always crispy. My favorite entrees are the lobster roll (a steal at $15), the mushroom flatbread, and the lobster mac and cheese. Not the place to go if you are counting calories. However, I once ordered the fish tacos and it was mediocre - this is the only item on the menu that has disappointed. The snacks and appetizers are all fabulous and the prices are super reasonable. So, please, open a Local in or near Jamaica Plain. Pretty please ...

Kyle L.

Atmosphere was good and the place was packed but the food was subpar. I'm not sure if this is normal routine at a restaurant but they would not sit two people at any four tops. We had to wait for a table to open while there were four top tables sitting empty. They would sit groups of three before the groups of two who had been waiting longer. My wife ordered the crispy Brussel sprouts and they were good! However, the rest of the meal was underwhelming. The caesar salad was a little warm and the dressing didn't have much flavor. The Cajun salmon was cooked well but there wasn't enough of the Cajun seasoning to offset the really sour apple/lime topping. The corn risotto wasn't creamy and not really a "corn risotto" it was more of a rice dish with random pieces of corn mixed in. The steak tips were well seasoned but undercooked and a little too stringy. The side order of fries were really good! Overall, I'm not sure we would come back unless it is for a drink at the bar.

H M.

Good atmosphere and great drinks - perfect for a neighborhood hangout. The food is okay - but definitely better than having to cook!! My kids love the steak tips and I love the bang bang cauliflower.

Dee O.

I recently returned home from a 2 week trip to Massachusetts...Newton was one of the places I've stayed and HANDS DOWN The Local stole my heart! (And stomach and soul) LOL! I literally ate here everyday after my first taste and EVERYTHING I ordered was off the damn chain!! (Pics will be included) My first trip I ordered the Short Rib Grilled Cheese-RIDICULOUS! I'm salivating at the thought now! It came with hand-cut fries and I got a cup of roasted/stewed tomato soup...best tomato soup I've ever eaten. I'd also like to note that I paid less for all that than I did a sandwhich & large iced tea from Panerea Bread! Next trip I had the lobster hand roll...pretty sure that's an entire lobster on that sandwich and delicious! Then I had the marinated steak tips & roasted brussel sprouts...PERFECT! The demi glacé was delicious. Same with the short rib & stone ground grits...pure perfection! I also had their blackened tuna sashimi and it was 100% sushi grade and I'd eat the building if I could LOLOL! Clearly I can go on for days cuz this place is down right delicious!! The Local can have allllll my money! #Pimpin I'll be back in a few months!

Kate W.

This place has one of the best gluten free menus I have seen. I went straight for the comfort foods I've been missing. My husband and I split gluten free mac and cheese with lobster and a bacon cheeseburger on an Udi's bun with Caesar salad on the side. Was just what I needed. Only downside- their fryer is NOT GF only so fries were out. Strongly recommend for those who are GF!

Lyndsey C.

I enjoyed this place. Parking was ok, menu was pretty diverse, food was yummy and fresh, place had a good atmosphere, service was a little good and a little bad... some were pleasant and others were a bit offputting... overall a good experience.. yummy food.. nice variety on the menu.

Aaron G.

Not just a fluke, this place is the real deal! Great food, great service, and great atmosphere.

Cassie W.

When I was invited to a place called "the local" in a town outside of boston, I assumed one thing...townie bar. How wrong was I? The restaurant is trendy anf casual. The service was great as we were served right away having arrived around 7pm. The salmon! Oh my gosh the salmon! This salmon deserves a moment of silence. This is by far the best salmon I have ever had from a restaurant. The restaurant served the salmon medium rare, so it is still pink on the inside but seared on the outside. The salmon is served with a corn risotto and the salmon is served on top of apples and fennel ($20). My date ordered the stuffed local squash which comes with quinoa, blue cheese, spinach and spicy maple drizzle ($16). Although not something I would have ordered something I ended up eating half of. Cheese and maple....where can you go wrong?!?!? The squash was heavenly, perfectly cooked with a hint of maple, nothing too overbearing. The squash filled him up but if you want more substance meat or tofu can be added.

East Coast C.

Perfectly cooked food from apps to desert to wine service! This place has wonderful food and service. Every little thing was spot on perfect. We had mussels, seared Tuna and Salmon. Delicious!

Francine C.

I love The Local! Tricky to get in to get a table or spot at the bar because it can get so busy. The service is friendly and the food is delish. Love their fried pickles and their fries are yum. The bar area has lots of seats and great to grab a drink or have a nice dinner out.

Bob A.

Visited once a few weeks ago for dinner. The restaurant has a nice bar area and would be fun to drop by if I lived in the area. We had a party of 5 and the service was good for a busy time with the tables all full. I would like to say the food was great for the 'local food' concept, but it was pretty typical fare. Salads didn't seem outstanding for what should be the peak season in New England. I had the Chicken Mac and it was good enough. Not saying the food is bad, but I guess I expected a step up and it was pub typical. I would say 'try it if you are in the area'.

Big S.

great spot, there is a reason this place is always crowded. we came for brunch and sat right down. We both got bloody mary's which were very good. The food was great. Truffle fries were tasty, We got the bagel and cream cheese special and the mushroom mac and cheese. Both dishes were great, and we would like to go back. Great place!

Michael A.

My wife and I had a very good meal here the creel soup was quite good and I used to live in Louisiana so I know what I'm talking about. Brooke our waitress was extremely helpful at what she does she absolutely has the hospitality gene. We will be back

Jay K.

The food was excellent, the service was fast and staff was attentive. Portions could have been a little bigger, but that's the only small thing I'd change. Truffle fries were amazing, steak tips were perfection.

Sean R.

3 3/4 star review... Not a three because it was better than average and I will definitely return because I live in the area. Can't quite justify a full 4 because all I got was a grilled cheese and tomato soup which is pretty basic. Need to go back and collect more data. The tomato soup was average, but the grilled cheese was pretty good with crusty grilled bread and Vermont cheddar. The lady got the steak tips which were quite good and cooked perfectly. French fries were crisp and seasoned well too. She was a little disappointed that they took one of her favorites off the menu (mustard chicken), but I can respect a restaurant that changes their menu occasionally. They have an expansive beer/wine/cocktail menu including daily specials. Nifty bar area in the center of the restaurant would be a cool place to hang for some drinks. Service was great, and the prices were more than reasonable for an upscale gastropub type place. This place has some real potential and I will be going back; updated review to follow...

Julianne C.

I stopped by the local for dinner with a friend who lived nearby. Atmosphere is comfortable and casual. I had the truffle Mac and cheese and it was absolutely fantastic. Their cocktails are worth a try as well!

Ellen F.

Simply excellent. Great menu and equally outstanding food. Innovative, delicious and fun. Highlights include fried pickles, brussel sprouts app. Mushroom Garlic Flatbread and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Service, beer and atmosphere were just fantastic. Glad we tried it.

Marlana Y.

The atmosphere and service - I would give it a 5! You would never think that a cool hip place that you normally see on Boston would be in west newton. I thought it was romantic enough for a date but still casual enough for a group of friends. The waitstaff was pleasant and always refilling out waters. We weren't too hungry and just bought a bunch of little sides and an entree. We ordered crispy potato chips with French onion dip, Parmesan truffle fries, and the fried pickles and spicy mayo ($5 each) along with the Hong Kong spicy noodles ($16) with crispy tofu (+$4-about 4-5 pieces of square tofu). I've had fried Pickles before and they tasted like any other establishment, so compared with other reviewers I thought it wasn't something to rave about. I really did enjoy the potato chips and truffle fries! The chips were crispy enough and not oily at all. The Hong Kong noodles just had a hint of spicy to them and I enjoyed the crispy tofu but I feel the noodles weren't worth the price. There was something about them that made me not want to finish it. We also had one of the specials, the strawberry shortcake for dessert. It sounded better than it tasted. The shortcake was overly dry and tasted slightly doughy that even the ice cream, whip cream, and fresh strawberries couldn't fix.

Samuel H.

My mother is a big fan of this place. I've been once, very trendy, very ok. Not the best place in the world but if you're looking for decent healthy food you can feel "responsible" about look no further.

Rebecca W.

Sooo yummy once again went here last night and got one of the best desserts EVER! it was an amazing chocolate ganache cake...our waitress, Megan was also so amazing, she really helped--and went out of her way-- to make sure we had a wonderful dining experience!

Jason L.

I think I found the coolest bar in Newton, not that it means much. As usual I had finished a long day of work and was looking for somewhere to get a beer and some food while avoiding rush hour traffic. I stepped in and the staff greeted me in a very friendly manner, but I plopped myself at the last bar stool available. I quickly ordered a beer and then the fish and chips. As I waited for my food, I tried to assess my surroundings. Next to me were two middle-aged men apparently hitting on two 30ish women. They were using pick up lines such as "you're in financial services too?" and "do you think (whatever) is a good investment?" I was unsure what to think about this scene at first, but as I looked around, I quickly understood what I was witnessing was more the norm here than not. Just not my scene. The food came out pretty quickly and it was good, if not very traditional. One giant hunk of fish with a nice thin, crispy breading, and a mountain of very tasty herb-y fries underneath. Although it was nearly $20 for this, I didn't mind so much. Finally, I decided to order a bourbon-based cocktail. It was expensive, but I've never seen such an incredible pour before: and entire glass filled with booze. Holy crap! Ambiance was nice enough, kind of upscale but just a little bit hip. My parents would probably like it. Four stars for food and drink, but I had to knock one off for the clientele. Sure, it is Newton, but c'mon guys -- you financial services jerks ruined our economy in 2008 and we still haven't recovered. You don't get to use it as a pick up line.

Barbara A.

I finally got to go here after my third try ... I guess the key is to go at 5 before it gets too busy. I like the spot and it did fill up fast. We started off with the fried pickles with the spicy mayo and the crispy onion things. At first my daughter (the onion ring fiend) saw the thin onion rings and wanted nothing to do with them but she warmed up and now she thinks they are "off the charts" delicious. The fried pickles were also yummy. The two of us could not finish the apps because they are ample, fair warning. We split the marinated steak tips with hand cut fries. They split it in the kitchen so we did not have to fight over the tip selection. Considering we got 2 apps, the meal was more than enough to fill us.

Bean C.

I was absolutely thrilled with The Local. We were there quite early, but by the time we left, it was quite filled and the vibe was energetic. We shared the kale salad, very fresh. Great way to start the meal. They have different sized items. I had the "small thing" of Shrimp & Grits, with chorizio. It was the perfect size for me. My dc had the burger, on a brioche bun. He said it was v. good. I had some of his fries, we liked 'em. My other dc had the stuffed butternut squash. It was stuffed with quinoa and veggies. You have a choice of steak, crispy tofu, I forget what else. Likely chicken. This dish was amazing! I loved the stuffed squash. I want to get back there soon to have that!

Abby R.

Just fine to grab a beer. The bartender was Welsh, maybe? He was very friendly and quick getting our drinks and check and had us in and out in a jiffy. Didn't try the food, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if I was in the area.

Ashley A.

Stopped by here for dinner with a friend the other night, and I am already looking forward to my next visit. We arrived and were promptly seated. The staff was extremely friendly, which is always a bonus. We ordered a couple of cocktails, both of which were amazing. We shared an order of brussels sprouts, truffle fries, and a plain mac and cheese. Holy delicious! I couldn't believe how amazing everything tasted. We couldn't finish all of the food we had ordered, and it was so reasonably priced. The brussels sprouts were crispy and amazing; same for the truffle fries. The mac and cheese was an excellent blend of creamy and crispy, with the crumbled topping. I should probably avoid eating here too often, because I'd hate to know how many calories I consumed in just a half order of the mac and cheese, but I can see myself going here whenever I need to eat my feelings..soo..weekly? But seriously, I look forward to my next visit!

Jeremiah T.

It was a busy weekday night when we came in. The wait was reasonable and while loud (mostly patrons), the restaurant had a friendly, welcoming vibe. For dinner we had spinach and artichoke dip that was excellent, a mixed green salad with grilled chicken and the chicken, bacon and chive mac and cheese. We loved it all and were very satisfied with the whole experience.

Rebecca M.

Had to wait only 20-25 minutes on a Friday night -- which is okay with me. The Local was super busy, which surprised me that the wait was so short. Our waitress was extremely friendly, didn't make us wait long to order at all. Amazing food! My boyfriend and I shared the fried pickles, and there were enough that filled us before our meals arrived. I ordered a burger with cheddar cheese. I actually asked for some of the spicy sauce that comes with the fried pickles to put on the burger. He ordered a lobster roll, which was also great! The dessert options looked too good. But I was stuffed at that point and couldn't think to slug down a slice of peanut butter pie or something after eating an appetizer and the entree. I'll have to try the flatbread things next time, they looked really good too. Thanks for the great experience Local. I will definitely be back :)

Bita ..

Great quality food, very gluten friendly! They have a dedicated gluten free menu including pasta/Mac n cheese, salads and *drum roll* a burger with a gluten free bun!!!! (FINALLY a burger not wrapped in lettuce) They even brought out my burger with a salad instead of a side of fries (since normally GF can't have cross contamination) but I had asked for fries since I'm not that sensitive and the guy brought me out a side of fries, with no hesitation! And those fries tasted AMAZING! Whatever added seasoning they use is perfection. My friend enjoyed the lobster roll and we shared the mushroom Mac n cheese - again all great food. To top it all off they had a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on top... A gluten-free person's heaven!!!!

Julia W.

Great food and ambience. Food pairing is thoughtful and creative. Service is also excellent, courteous and attentive. I would give them 4.5 stars if it was possible. My only critique is dessert was slightly disappointing.

Tony S.

Just to clarify my rating: the service is 4 1/2-stars. The cocktails are 4-star. The food is 3 1/2 stars. Love the ambience. Spacious, warm colors, casual, and comfortable. Every staff member that saw a customer enter the establishment during lunch greeted or acknowledged the person. I love that. 4-stars for cocktails means that the drinks are standard. It's a good rating, and the best I give to any place that doesn't do craft cocktails. My group had several different dishes, from the edamame, to some spicy fried shrimp appetizer, and different combos of steak and Hong Kong noodles. Not sure if you'll understand what I mean when I describe the food as "comfortable". It isn't comfort food. It's.... hmm..... "heartfelt" food. I like that some thought was put into the menu items. However, it tastes more like something my best friend, who is a creative and highly enthusiastic chef (we all have a friend like that somewhere), could do, but not exactly gourmet gastro pub. The food isn't bad. It's decent. I'll definitely come back again as I now frequent the neighborhood for work, and I'm sold enough to become a regular.

R S.

Great drinks and pretty good food. Love the atmosphere!

Holly C.

I visited on 10/24. Here's a quick synopsis but details are below. Atmosphere- not bad, dark, busy Service- not good, we sat at the bar and I felt very much like I was in college trying to sway the bartender to pay attention to us. Food - bad. My reco would be to go to one of the other 100 bars, restaurants, pubs in the newton area. Ok here are the details: we stopped here as a recommendation of a friend. I am now questioning my friends standards. Service: it was busy and the bar is small (for the bartenders) so it's impossible for them to get any help behind the bar without literally stepping on one another. But expect to be ignored for awhile before legitimately having to grab them to get served, order food, reorder drinks. Food: so there was a special charterurie plate - which they called it that on the menu but then called it pate when hunting down its owner. There are usually more than one type of cured meat - however they delivered a piece of 'meat' that looked like head cheese (Google it if you don't know what that is). I typically would stay away from those pieces understand there is other meats to eat. Nope. So I tried it - Nope. I ate the little pickles and bread. Not worth $12. We also had truffle fries - no truffle oil. But who can screw up a fry? Those were ok, despite no truffle. I live in the newton area - I'll be going elsewhere. Check this one off the 'We should have known better' list.

Crystal P.

One of my favorite restaurants in the area! Great food, great beers, and great ambiance. My favorite dishes from here are the Parmesan truffle fries, mushroom and truffle flatbread or the sausage flatbread, PEI mussels, all of the Mac and cheeses, fried pickles, or the goat cheese salad!! Everything on their menu is amazing!

Carolyn V.

Went on a weekday for an early dinner, so it wasn't too busy yet. The mussels were delicious (an app), and the mushroom truffle pizza was both large and well seasoned. One person ordered the fish special, and it was ok, but not spectacular. Each of us (four people) ordered a cocktail, and three were average-tasting. The Farm House fizz had apple wine and was delicious, but it was awfully small for a $10 cocktail. Overall good service and good food, with room for improvement.

Jason K.

Another good spot in Newton (on the newton/waltham border) for a cocktail or food. I've never sat in the dining room, only at the bar, but my experience was great either way. It's not too too crowded and there's two levels to the bar, so it breaks up the flow of the space. The Service- Everyone is friendly and quick to ask what you'd like to drink. Drinks are strong but not overbearing and the craft beer selection is good as well. Wine changes from time to time, but it's always something good on the blackboard. The Food- So i think of this place as having a kitchen full of swanky grandmothers, and i saw that not to reference the speed of the kitchen, rather the comfort and love that goes into the food. There's nothing like a grilled cheese and great crusty bread, with a tomato and basil soup after a heard days work! If you like fried food they have that too, like wings and pickles, and the mains are right on par as well. All in all i love this place and I would have given it 5 stars, the only reason i didn't is because i haven't eaten in the dining area like i said before, otherwise it would have been 5 stars for sure!

Lisa O.

"I dare you to let me be yoooooouuuuurrrr one and onllllllyyyy..." I've had Adele in my head all morning and it just makes total sense that I would be singing an over-the-top love ballad to The Local. BECAUSE I LOVE IT. This is the perfect neighborhood bar, but it's not in my neighborhood, which makes me pretty sad. It is only 5 minutes away from my office though, and I predict I will be here weekly for apres-work drinks. They have HARPOON CHOCOLATE STOUT. Um, yum. Crispy chicken and BACON flatbread is obviously not the healthiest choice, but BACON so to hell with that. Chive and truffle oil mac and cheese managed to be both super creamy and had stringy cheese. Besides, anywhere that serves truffle oil mac and cheese gets two thumbs up in my book. "I promise I'm wooooooorrrrrrttttthhhhhhhyyyy...." The Local: The first bar to which I have ever sung a love song. It's just that good.

Lisa W.

I agree with previous Yelper..."I miss the Local of 2009"...This used to be my favorite spot but they have definitely gone downhill. - Was at the bar recently and one of only 4 people in the place and it took a half hour to get my burger. The bartender didn't apologize or offer any explanation - They upcharge for little things now. My friend has a gluten allergy and they upcharge a dollar for this. Not a lot of money but I have never seen this at any other restaurant. I was also up charged for vegetables vs. fries on my dish. - The water carafe was filthy which makes me wonder how often they're washed I like their food, but it runs hot and cold. Their seasonal dishes like beef short ribs are excellent but their burgers are just ok. Bottom-line note to the Local: Address your service problems and stop nickle-and-diming your customers.

Chris K.

I'm def. a big fan of The Local. The food is always spot-on, the drinks are high quality (the cheap stuff at other places gives me a bad headache) and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I will def. be back!

Laura S.

We came for lunch today, our first visit and found our experience to be quite good! We started with fried pickles at the recommendation of many on Yelp and enjoyed them, if you're a fried pickle fan you will like these. For lunch I had the apple & cheddar salad and the chive/truffle oil mac and cheese (also due to the Yelp recommendations). My dining companions had the mussels and the steak tips. The apple and cheddar salad had a refreshing quality to it, the greens were nicely dressed, fresh, and delicious. I enjoyed this salad. The mac and cheese, was, as other have mentioned, stringy and also creamy. It had a strong truffle oil taste while still having a nice cheesy taste. I notice that at many places the cheese is too mild of the creaminess is overpowering that you can't taste the flavor of the cheese, this is not the case at The Local. The cheese is great. The only thing that would make it better would be to add breadcrumbs or mushrooms. I'll have to try that next time. The mussels were great, this batch was not salty as others have suggested. We had the beer sauce which was also really nice (I would've poured it over my mac and cheese, it was that good). Steak tips were enjoyed, and the fries had a rosemary flavor which was a good touch. There was a seasonal Irish Red beer that we loved. We didn't get dessert this time because the three choices for dessert didn't sound that great, they were three ice-cream type desserts, nothing that wowed us. We will be back.

Barry G.

good... not great... but good.. So I do like the food there. I really like the atmosphere and Vibe.. The downside is, a lot of other people like it as well. If you go in on a Friday or Saturday night after 7, expect to wait and expect a crowd. So the food has some unique takes. The fries get a lot of attention, but well, to me they tasted like soggy french fries Some of the other things I have tried have been good, from seared ahi tuna and seaweed salad to salmon sliders Not your normal 'pub' food, but was a nice switch from burgers and fries and such The downside, well, the drinks. Jamison and Ginger.. $9.. really? $7 for a tall beer. Well, it is Newton, and it is a bar... but still, a little surprised. Although it did keep me from drinking to much! So if you are relatively local, and it is relatively convenient, stop by to try it for something different than the 'norm' Bu, in my opinion, it is not a destination place, and if you want to go for a few drinks, there are more economical options. Park across the street if possible, but watch out, when it gets busy, parking is not always available!

Rachel S.

I went here with 2 friends a few days ago for drinks after work, and was quickly seated at a table. The waitress kept asking us if we wanted food, and when we said we only were there for drinks - she had her manager come over and tell us we needed to move! He said we could move to the bar, but didn't help us find another seat or anything. The bar was full, and so essentially we were kicked out. I understand there were people waiting to sit down and my 2 friends and I are fairly young, but we were dressed appropriately and well-behaved. As a result, I'm never going back. I might have made this place my after-work dinner & drinks spot since I work nearby, but not after the experience I had. I'll have to find somewhere else. The hostess should have asked us when we walked in if we were there for dinner or drinks.

Kimberly O.

I love the food here, but the location, parking, and no-reservation policy make it hard for me to give it more than a 4. As I said, the food is wonderful. I love the truffle fries, the mac and cheese (any variety), the steak tips, the tomato soup and grilled cheese on the lunch menu, etc. However, if you go at a peak time, parking is very difficult. There is a small lot across the street, but it is not adequate for the restaurant during a peak period. My husband and I always feel like we are battling for parking. There are also spots on the street, as well as other small lots in the neighborhood, but again, at peak time, it's nearly impossible to get one. I can certainly understand why the restaurant does not take reservations, as they clearly don't need to given how many people show up, but it's very frustrating on weekend nights, especially if you don't want to be waiting in the bar area, which I never like doing. Perhaps if they had even a call-ahead system that would be enormously helpful. But honestly, the food is worth the wait and the parking hassle!

Christopher S.

I have read a lot of mixed reviews about "The Local" and decided to go there for lunch today with my girlfriend and see for myself. I enjoyed my visit and would go back again without hesitation. I arrived at opening and there were a few other customers already seated. With only one waiter on the floor I wasn't expecting fast service. We were welcome to sit anywhere and were told the waitress would be at our table in couple minutes. She arrived with a flask of water and took our order. Within 5 minutes she returned with our drinks and the cup of clam chowder I ordered for an appetizer. It was one of the better cups of chowder I've eaten. A nice medium body, creamy, smooth with a well balanced amount of clams vs potatoes. Interestingly, it had a unique garnish of parsley oil on the top in the shape of a "O." It was so tasty my girlfriend begged me to let her have the last few spoonfuls. Our meals arrived a few minutes after that: Kobe Burger and Mac & Cheese with Ham & Peas. My burger was cooked to my liking (medium-well) with a very generous amount of hand-cut fries on the side. The patty was slightly smaller than the bun it rested on but it didn't hurt the overall juicy taste. Each bit was full of flavor and did not leave my bun a soggy mess. A huge plus in my book! The serving of fries were tasty but a little too fried up for my liking; however, I did end up eating them all. I tried a bit of the mac & cheese and it was a nice twist on an every day favorite. Not too heavy and all the pasta was evenly cooked. The portion could have been a bit bigger but my girlfriend was not complaining when it was gone. I did not have room for dessert but it's a good excuse to go back for another meal to "The Local." I think it would be a good place to take friends or have a family meal. I have not experience the place on a Friday or Saturday night but would assume it would be a place that fills up fast. My thoughts: give it a shot!

Marisa F.

It was packed at the Local last night, but despite that, my friends and I never wanted for anything. Our bartender was efficient yet personable; I was surprised at how quickly we received attention, considering how full the bar was. Our server was always there when we needed him, but never intrusive or annoying. And the food was excellent. I've often heard the menu here referred to as "upscale pub food," but really, it's better than that. The short rib I ordered was mouthwateringly good, as were the truffle fries and the lobster mac and cheese. My ginger margarita was divine...refreshing, tart, sweet, yet boozy (just the way I like it). We left happy and full, and now that I live in West Newton, I'm looking forward to becoming a regular!

Rene' Y.

Great beer selections, most of the time we sat in the bar area. The bar tenders are friendly but it is always packed on the weekend nights. My favorite is the Truffle Parmesan fries, no kidding, it melts in your mouth. The Mushroom pizza is also delicious as well. I was also there with a friend girl one Saturday night, had the full course of dinner with couple of bottles of wine. The price is reasonable, and the ingridents of the meal are fresh. I love this restaurant and it is on my facebook.

Doug B.

This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The food, drinks and atmosphere are terrific. In particular, I recommend the fried pickles to start and a martini to wash them down. The best in Boston! It can be quite crowded, but it is worth the wait.

Sarah C.

This place is fine. One of the reasons it's so popular is because it seems to be the only place of it's kind in Newton (outside of Union Sq. in Newton Center), so it gets packed, but don't mistake that for it being amazing. Got there at 7pm on a Friday - it would have been a 45 minute wait for a table of two, but I snagged a couple of seats at the bar for me and my friend when I saw a group get up to sit at a table. They have big screen TVs in the bar area, but don't expect to be able to watch a game if you sit at a table. One nice thing is that the acoustics are pretty good, so while it was PACKED with people and there was music playing, I could still hear my friend sitting next to me pretty easily. The bar staff wasn't particularly friendly, but they were busy so I forgive them. My friend and I both got the burger with parmesan truffle fries. The fries are pretty awesome. The burger was fine. It was cooked medium, as I had asked, but for $11 (i added cheddar) it was definitely overpriced. I've had MUCH better burgers for that cost. This burger was more like a $7 or $8 quality at most. We ordered the berry crumble for dessert which was disappointing. It was basically a bowl of berries with MAYBE a tablespoon of "crumble". It was fine, but not what we were expecting. All in all this place is fine (seems to be the overall descriptive word) if you want to try someplace new and you live in the area and don't want to go far, but I wouldn't go out of your way to go there and I probably won't go back, mainly because of the prices. I know many places I can go with better food for the same cost.

Chris N.

Have been there twice now and the service is terrible. From the hostess at the front door (who is beyond pretentious). No hello, how are you? Just "30-45 minutes." Sorry? "Do you want to wait 30-45 minutes?" Not with that attitude. The bartenders had a full bar but I shouldn't be waiting 15 minutes for me to order one drink while I'm waiting. the wait staff who checked in on us once during our entire meal. It's like they couldn't even by bother with us. Really disappointing considering the good things I've heard about this place. I would have given this place one star but the food is good. I really enjoyed the lobster roll and my girlfriend had the turkey cutlets. Still the front of house girl needs an attitude adjustment and the service needs to improve or I will never be going back.

Claudia M.

Really want to give this place 3.5 stars but I will be generous! The food was good - although over the several times that we have gone the mussels seem to get saltier and saltier - used to be my favorite but not anymore. I love the truffle mac n cheese and the ham and peas mac n cheese - yummy! The place gets crowded but turn over is pretty good.

Steve L.

I've only ever sat at the bar, and I tend to stick with the same things sooo... hooray, for fried pickles that resemble dill flavored chips and hooray for truffle mac-n-cheese (very creamy, not baked). Draft beer selection is descent, although nothing too adventurous here (reason for 4 instead of 5 stars). Also, they've just expanded their dining area.

Cyndie B.

So many friends suggested an pretty good Yelp reviews I figured ok it's my turn. Three of us headed over and wow someone pulled out as we pulled up - easy parking - good sign! Friendly hostess tells us 40 minute wait so we sit at the bar order a couple of beers from their fairly good list of drafts and bottles. Weird guy sitting at the bar decides we are botherable but no big deal. About half hr later we get seated. The staff is great and the place feels very PUB and food matches. Nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either. Other people have almost swooned about the food and honestly I'm not getting that but I would go back for wings and good beer. Bring your friends, have a couple of beers and hang out!

Maurice H.

So I am in the area at lunchtime with an hour to kill , what a find. Live Simple, Eat Local !

Ben G.

If been to the local twice recently and I have to say I'm pretty happy with both experiences there. For those whom have never been, it's a small gastropub with excellent prices(cheap) The decor is simple and straightforward. But the food is the real reason to go. Most, if not all entrees are in the teens. Options like short rib pizza, asian noodles, and lobster rolls really exemplify the diversity available at the local. All around, an great cheap place to grab dinner with food that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Kristin M.

this place is AWFUL! A-W-F-U-L I went here with my boyfriend on a friday night, granted it was early maybe 6 and there was definitely an older crowd- fine by me not looking to pick anyone up. I ordered the truffle rosemary fries and the fish tacos with a sprite. my boyfriend ordered a burger- ordered medium (remember that fact) my sprite was hardly carbonated. my fish tacos consisted of fried fish nuggets. just imagine gumball sized deep fried fish nuggets piled on a plate with two small taco shells. the truffle fries were ok... nothing i'd go back for. throw some truffle oil and shake on parmesan to any fries and you've got the same thing. my boyfriends burger was a brick. it was well done, bordering charred. i think they used leftover veggies from the night before to dress the burger. the bun was falling apart, no amount of ketchup could save this culinary catastrophe. everything was overpriced, luckily I had a rue la la coupon deal. even with that i overpaid. oh and lucky for us! the daily special that day included a hot dog. a $15 hot dog. who do they think they are? so heed my warning. do not waste your energy with this place.

Lindsay C.

Perfectly battered fried pickles with spicy mayo dipping sauce? Check. Shaved filet mignon sandwich on grilled naan bread with horseradish cream, bacon and cheddar cheese? Check. Truffled-parmesan fries? Check. Delicious cocktail with random ingredients that don't sound like they should go together? Check. I liked this placed a lot more than I thought I would. We had great service, unlike some of the other yelpers. The prices were extremely reasonable and everything listed above was fantastic...although I never thought I would say this, but there was almost too much truffle going on in the fries. Other than that, fantastico.

Jim K.

I normally rarely come out this way, however I was pleasantly surprised at this place. Parking kind of sucks, however there's a free lot across the street that you'll miss if you blink (and if you're in the wrong lane). Inside was really cool. Sleek, clean, good atmosphere of the local Dockers and Keds type (I went on a weeknight for dinner). Barkeeps were attentive and professional and the 20-oz. brews are a crowd pleaser. Food was also the big winner, as the steak tips were excellent as well as the caesar salad and fries. Service was also top notch. Attentive, friendly, but knew when to leave us alone and when to refill. I'd come back if I'm ever in the area again.

Kristie Lynn K.

I've been here many times and always have a good experience. The drinks are strong, the food is solid, the staff is friendly, and it's always clean. My favorite things: chicken wings (VERY good), mussels, mac and cheese, truffle fries, gin gimlet, and the dirty martini. Yum.

Jay W.

Good location, spot, food, the like....parking can be tough though, and the one page menu can dry up if you go regularly, but they put out great product and it is certainly recommended.

G P.

There aren't enough good things to say about this place. After thinking about checking this place out for weeks, my boyfriend and I finally decided to give it a shot. The Yelp reviews that we read before coming here were a little wishy washy but I can't stress enough how I disagree with all of the negative comments. We arrived around 5:30. We've heard that this place can get pretty crowded pretty fast and that was definitely right. We prefer sitting at the bar and we got two of the last seats together. Within a half hour the place was packed and hopping with people waiting for seats at the bar and tables. Our bartender was immediately attentive, took our drink orders and provided us with menus within moments of us sitting down. I drank 3 glasses of wine over the course of the night and the pour I received from each bartender was very generous. We started off with the parmesan truffle fries. They were completely out of this world amazing. I honestly haven't had a more delicious fry in my life. They were piping hot and the truffle oil flavor was prominent without being overwhelming. They were seasoned with the perfect amount of parmesan. For entrees I got the lobster roll with a salad and my boyfriend got the burger with onion strings. The lobster roll was served in a hot dog roll and was packed with lobster meat. There was definitely no skimping or unnecessary fillers. The salad was a nice mixed green with some tomatoes and a balsamic dressing. The burger (ordered medium rare) was cooked perfectly. Anyone who complained that the burgers here are too rare don't know how to order a burger. If you want an overcooked hockey puck, order it medium well. If you order medium rare you're going to get some pink color in your burger, hence the use of the word "rare". It was juicy and delicious and the onion strings were crunchy, thin and perfectly salted. We didn't have room for any dessert but I'm sure it would also have been great. We left there planning to keep going back so we could try everything on the menu. I'll be coming back here again many times over.

Maggie S.

If I give The Local four stars, does that make me a middle class, middle aged boring person? Well, sign me up because I really like The Local. Their Parmesan truffle fries are delish. I like the ambiance there too. My minor whining relates to the fact that the street parking can be a bitch and it can be crowded there!