Classic New England with an Orleans twist! Great Ribeye and Gumbo - BF had excellent Lobster Corn Chowder
(4)
Jeannie G.
Good food great service. Worth checking out. Gave 4 stars because the waitress's was great. Fish is the way to go.
(4)
A Z.
Most consistent quality in town. Good variety of american and creole food. Busy also during the week better make a reservation. Good selection of draft beers.
(4)
Jens M.
My wife and I were looking for something 'a little bit fancy' to experience our kid free evening. Sometimes we find stuff that's great, and sometimes we find Eastside Grill. The good:The menu was pretty extensive and had a lot of stuff with a New Orleans twist, which is always a plus in my book. The drinks were good, I got something with Makers and Sriracha, and the wife got a Mayan Mule (think Moscow Mule minus vodka plus tequila). The sangria was kind of so-so, I wouldn't get it again, but the pieces of fruit in it were plentiful. In lieu of dessert we got a couple of boozy coffees, which definitely were great. Overall, the place was pretty nice on the inside (decorated sort of like an old Southern colonial) and had it not been for the bad, I'd say our target of a 'little bit fancy' would have been a total success. Oh, and our waiter was pretty good too. The bad: Everything we ate was "eh". For an appetizer we got blackened alligator with some kind of deep fried cheese thing (the high point of the meal) with a side of "cajun sauce", which was really just thousand island dressing. We also got the fried cauliflower, which was exactly that: fried cauliflower. Usually you'd expect something a little bit more fancy than cauliflower tempura, but that's exactly what it was. Not even peppered. For dinner, my wife got a fried chicken with pine nut crust with sun dried tomatoes in some kind of cream sauce. She omitted the mushrooms, which they were more than happy to accommodate. I think the mushrooms could have had some added value, but the chicken tasted like absolutely nothing. I think they may have used the same breading from the cauliflower. They could make a killing in Plainville with this kind of stuff! Anyway, the real highlight was the Parmesan asparagus. All the cheese had melted together into some kind of puck in the middle. It was therefore impossible to enjoy your asparagus with parmesan cheese without cutting the puck. I think it was only like 3 pieces of asparagus too for 5 bucks, which makes it even more of an atrocity. For dinner I got some sesame shrimp with lobster pieces with asparagus and rice. I could write more about this, but it doesn't deserve more than me saying I would have rather got it at a Chinese restaurant. Something else worth mentioning: All the other reviews say fish is the way to go... but the guy in the booth behind us complained to the waiter about his blackened swordfish "definitely being something, but not blackened". The waiter was apologetic, and then came to ask us how our stuff was and when we said "good" he said, "are you sure?"... and we told him about the Parmesan puck. Poor guy man. I can't imagine trying to be a waiter somewhere where you pay 20 bucks a plate for mediocre when people expect better. That would suck, but he handled it well. In summary- at 25 bucks a plate, you could do better. A lot better. The menu items all seemed like they had a lot to offer, but there was just something missing... something to make it stand out from the realm of *gasp* chain restaurant food. If it were me reading this on a Friday night, I'd say go get a drink at the tunnel bar and make your reservations for somewhere else.... or you could stop here and have your drinks and then go elsewhere... or order some takeout and go blow a hundred bucks on liquor (maybe some 4-Loko??) and have a party for similar food quality and a lot more booze! If you want to fancy it up, go buy a candle and you'll still come out spending less!
(2)
Connie L.
Waitresses have a fairly basic job to do, take your order and bring it to you. One would think that concept is fairly simple but not for our waitress at the Eastside Grill last night. However, that wasn't the beginning of the nightmare dining experience. It took almost 40 minutes for our first waitress to bring us waters and well over an hour for orders to be taken. Some time later our third waitress came back to tell us that the kitchen was out of the tuna I had ordered and I needed to pick a different entree. "K" stated she would be back to take my order. Another hour later, when the meals arrived for the three other people at my table I asked her why she put a salad in front of me since I hadn't yet ordered anything to eat. She just looked at me with a dumb expression on her face. I reminded her that she forgot to come back and take my order. Since we were entering hour 3, and it was near closing time, there was no longer enough time to make me a meal. My dining companions ate while I watched. Good thing I started that diet two days ago. We ordered Gorgonzola garlic bread, which was slightly over cooked but tasty. One order is big enough to share with two people. That, and the ice water, were the two best tasting things out of the whole meal. The other appetizer was the calamari which was very bland. It only came with one dipping sauce which was a tasteless marinara. My friend had a shrimp dish over pasta which she had a hard time chocking down. After several bites she gave up. When "K" later asked if she wanted it wrapped to take home, her response was a quick no. Our male guest had steak, which was undercooked, mashed potatoes, just no, and three...count them, three limp pieces of asparagus. The last meal was jambalaya which looked fantastic on the plate. While I didn't taste it, my 12 yo liked it.
(1)
Jeff K.
I went here with a bunch of co-workers for the first time and we tried a little bit of everything! The PROS -service was very prompt, courteous and pleasant -food was served with good timing so that we could finish each course -portebello mushroom costini was super good -cider cocktail was good -apple/squash bisque was on point -parking lot has validation/reimbursement if you dine there which is $5, there is other parking too if you can get a spot The CONS -entrees tasted a bit sub par overall -the lobster/shrimp asian dish didn't meld well flavors-wise -oysters lacked flavor -key lime pie was just ok (I've had better from the grocery store bakery) Overall I was a little disappointed in the execution of Eastside Grill. I really wanted it to be awesome all the way around, but the key meal, the entrees did not deliver. The ideas sounded good on the menu, but most in my party, including me would not have ordered the same thing again. With all the other places to choose from, not too sure I'd return unless it was for cocktails and appetizers which is a bit pointless when on business travel.
(2)
Kris C.
Enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing dinner with my wife. We both had the Delmonico steak, which were prepared exactly as ordered and very tasy, I had mine with Bernaise sauce and she had the Horseradish sauce, both very good. My Lemon Drop Martini was perfect and came with the shaker for about 3/4 of a drink more. The Lemon Honey Vinaigrette was amazing and the Gorganzola Ranch was very good also. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are in Historic Northampton.
I've been here many times and never left disappointed. The food is solid and the service is very good. I sit at the bar which is cozy- good place to watch a game... The two bartenders, Samantha and Brian are great- really the reason why I keep going back and for the fourth star. The food highlights are the blackened Scallops served with sauteed spinach, the fried Oyster app, seared Tuna with Asian slaw and Sirloin with candied bacon. The menu hasn't changed in the three years that I've gone so my wish would be a smaller menu that changes frequently (including Beer), otherwise it's a great place to hang out.
(4)
Murray W.
Eastside Grill has its sights set on what amounts to a niche in Northampton: generic American food in a plain family restaurant. They can't all be fancy pants international or locavore places I suppose. They've got a sizable menu here, and I decided to go with the special that day instead - a top sirloin steak with a bacon, brandy and porcini mushroom demi glace, mashed potatoes, asparagus, as well as a side salad. The intimidating Newcastle Werewolf Red was my choice to wet my whistle. The bread they served my co-worker and I was tough and wasn't cut all the way through, and the butter was cold and just in packets. Not a good start. My salad was an improvement with its fresh veggies and the Gorgonzola dressing was tangy and had a hint of earthiness from the olive oil. MY bread induced anger was starting to subside. The steak continued the improvement from the bread. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and the demi glace was fantastic - balanced with the sweet and hearty, with peppery notes for a bit of pop, its smooth consistency clung to the meat and potatoes like a delicious brown passenger. The potatoes were smooth and buttery with a hint of garlic and some skins mixed in as well. All in all, a solid steak dinner. The Newcastle definitely had a badass name, but it wasn't nearly as red as purported but was tasty nonetheless. I can't imagine being wowed in a place like Eastside, but it did its job well, providing a decent, inoffensive meal at a reasonable price. Keep shooting for the middle, champ!
(3)
Ani S.
Came here for our one nice meal in Northampton and I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. My partner's steak was tough and our waiter, while eager to be helpful, had to run off to ask a coworker every time we asked him a question. I'll give him credit for asking, I suppose. The lobster corn chowder was good - lots of meet. The Italian white wine on special was also good, a huge improvement from the "local" wine we tried only a taste of, thank god. Are you sure that wasn't fruit punch? I ordered the duck because I was curious about the ginger blueberry jam, but without the risotto cakes (rolled in flour, I was told) the dish was lacking. I think I expected too much when I read ahead of time they had a gluten free menu. Oh well.
(3)
Sarah E.
Excellent dinner at Eastside Grill! I have visited Northhampton countless times, but somehow have missed an opportunity to eat here. I was warned ahead of time that the place is always packed and does not accept reservations on Saturdays. However, the staff recommended we get there early with a large group. We did and had no problem getting a table immediately. The drinks... they were very good. I enjoyed an Espresso Martini (with sidecar) and my friend enjoyed a dirty martini (with delicious stuffed olives). Appetizers... The oysters were delicious. Fresh and huge! My table also got their famous gorgonzola garlic bread. I could not partake, but judging by how quickly it disappeared, I'm thinking it was good! Soup... The lobster corn chowder was delicious/amazing! Entree... I split the tuna with asian slaw. The tuna was cooked to perfection. Rare and wonderful. I got to the point where I didn't think I could enjoy another bite, but I could not bear to leave the food behind :) It was an excellent meal and a wonderful night! One note to the contrary, a member of our party was overcharged on her credit card. Make sure to check your receipt. This can happen anywhere. As far as I know, the staff handled it fastidiously and apologetically.
(5)
Emily A.
You'd think you'd have to go out of your way to find such an aggressively mediocre establishment in Northampton, but you'd be wrong. I went with a group of friends-- six of us in total-- for a friend's birthday. We had told the hostess it was a party, but she walked us straight past a big round booth in favor of cramming us at a set of pushed-together tables in the middle of a busy walkway. We had to shout to be heard, and barely had room for ourselves, let alone our coats and bags. Our waitress was pleasant, if a bit on the brusque side. However, only two of us ordered alcoholic drinks, which obviously disappointed her, and after that the service slowed to a crawl. We waited to place our order, then waited more for our appetizers to arrive. The food was fine-- except that when the entrees came out, one of my friends who had ordered a shrimp and mussel pasta dish, got her meal with no mussels. We had to wait (again!) for the waitress to return, so she could ask why her meal was incomplete, only to be told the kitchen was out of mussels. Why they didn't supplement the meal with extra shrimp (or why the waitress didn't tell my friend that when she ordered) was a mystery. Everyone else's food was the same level of "fine"-- not stellar, not terrible. The soups were good, the grits were a bit on the gluey side. They comped my friend's incomplete meal, but after waiting as long as we had and dealing with that hassle, we weren't motivated to stick around for dessert. We're all 5 college alums who come back to the Valley for good food and good service-- things restaurants in Noho, especially, are known for. If that's what you're after, give Eastside a miss and check out Hinge or Mama Iguana's instead.
(2)
Jaecj W.
Just ok won't run back Beer that usually is great Berkshire steel rail was off too
(2)
Liz B.
Nice atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, prices ok for the area. However, as the 2-star review says, "I've had better." I ordered the steak with candied bacon, but found my cut of meat to be fatty and tough. I had to discretely spit out a few bites! Caeser salad and creme brulee tasted great though. They just really need to up their meat quality for the price!
(2)
Marz R.
Nice presentation. Food is good. Tables are just a tad small and a little to close to one another in my opinion. Prices and portions are reasonable. Very welcoming. I will probably return to this location and visit the Holyoke location in the near future.
(4)
DH A.
The Lobster chowder and Dirty Martinis here are worth the wait. It can loud and cramped on Weekends so if you want a quiet dinner I'd go here on a weeknight.
(5)
Nia G.
Like fish? Than head to the East Side Grill right now! This is my new favorite spot. The tuna was out of this world, both the Asian inspired appetizer and the main course. I was also blow away by the blackend gator with grits. Note: I read some of the other reviews complaining about the service. I was taken aback by this considering we have never had experienced anything but top notch service here.
(5)
Pat F.
Lunch menu is great selection. Gorgonzola bread is not what it used to be. I won't order it again blackened chicken delicious
(3)
Warren S.
Our waitress was on the ball and could tell you about anything on the menu, which was very helpful since it was our first time eating at Eastside. However, our first impression of her was that her shirt was filthy. Not like an, "Oops! Something accidentally spilled on it," more like the shirt had been worn several days in a row without a wash. Pretty gross. She suggested the NY Sirloin with candied bacon and smoked gouda fondue served (apparently on her shirt --- kidding!) with asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. The steak was really good and the bacon was delicious. However, the fondue was thick and covered three emaciated pieces of overcooked asparagus. I'm pretty sure the mashed potatoes were not freshly made. Indeed, they tasted as if they came from a box. If this is true, I'm not sure why a restaurant would go to such lengths to make a good steak and finish the plate with subpar sides. We didn't order dessert but the descriptions looked really delicious and the menu said they were all made in-house. Would we go there again? Sure, we'd give it another shot. It wasn't spectacular but I'd like to try other dishes before writing this place off entirely.
(3)
Logan S.
Just ate here, everything was awesome! Kyle was our server and he was extremely attentive and brought us everything we needed! Their cocktails menu was creative and delicious! Our appetizers came out quickly and the alligator was really good considering alligators aren't exactly native to the area. The blackened fish of the day (happened to be catfish) had a really great kick to it and really hit the spot! My only complaint is the rest of my party wanted to head home so I wasn't able to stay for desert, but I will definitely be back!!
(5)
Jessica L.
Absolutely delicious!!!! Fantastic ambience and terrific menu! We started with a dozen oysters. They were really fresh and amazing. Next we got the side salads with the gorganola vinaigrette, which were excellent. For main courses, we got the Butternut Squash Ravioli with spinach and gorganzola. The ravioli are homemade, fresh, and delicious. The butternut squash filling had a creamy consistency and wasn't too sweet, which was perfect. It's also a really generous serving. We also ordered the Cod with Breadcrumbs and Lobster Bisque as well as the Crawfish Etouffee. Both were fantastic. The cod was fresh and really flavorful, atop a delicious lobster bisque. The etouffee was stuffed with crawfish and excellent as well. For dessert, the bread pudding was excellent. Can't wait to come back and try more from the drink and dinner menus! Incredibly reasonable for the price range.
(5)
Greg T.
Sat at the bar and ordered oysters on the half shell to start. Very fresh and delicious. Drinks were well made however the stemware was not cleaned on the bottom and my drink kept sticking to the napkin. Salads were good. My main course of blackened prime rib was so-so and lacking in flavor. My wife enjoyed her etouffee and she is a real creole nut having spent time in Louisiana. The service was okay but I think being a bit more engaging in conversation would have helped.
(3)
Cindy R.
We ate here 2 years ago and had a terrible experience with tasteless food and paid our bill and decided to never Come back. Our friend told us to try again cause there is new management. So tonight we did...I'm very sorry I did. First: apps were so salty but we weren't gonna complain. Second: my New york strip came out raw when I asked for medium and the roasted potatoes looked old so, I ask the waitress to have the cook make it medium and to please replace the potatoes with mashed. They bring it back 5 min later still raw and burnt on the outside!! I told her I'm all set! She says to me would you rather a medwell steak! Are you seriously gonna stand there and tell me I don't know what a medium steak is? Please, I am 40 years old and eat out more than I should. The manager then tells us he is training a new cook! So punish the customer that makes sense to me! This place shouldn't be in lovely Nothampton. Never again!
(1)
Diane H.
I was very disappointed in the food last night. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli which was a gooey mess like a soup in a thick sauce with spinach and cheese, lacking in much flavor. The ravioli appeared to be wontons. My companion enjoyed her salmon however. Another companion found her meat so-so and not cooked well. I have enjoyed this restaurant before, and was surprised last night. Wait staff was excellent.
(3)
Patricia L.
What happened? Started going to Eastside in the 90's, and into the next decades. Asked my husband and son to take me there for my 60th birthday recently, because there was a great article in the newspaper. The blackened scallops were delicious as an appetizer, salads were great,. What happened to your steaks? 1/4 inch steak is not appetizing at all, esp. when ordered rare and medium. Very disappointed!
(3)
Paul H.
Good food at a very reasonable price. Tried the Jambalaya, lots of flavor and a bit of spice in the chorizo.
(4)
Karin N.
Not what it used to be! Have been twice in past 2weeks. First meals comped by manager as they were so bad (raw sweet potatoes in a dish, raviolis tasted like they were in a milk bath vs Gorgonzola). Tried it again and different items, no better. Won't go back again.
(2)
Abigail K.
Had the tenderloin with mashed potatoes, bacon, mushrooms, and asparagus. It was delicious and flavorful! Really enjoyed the attentive service and northhampton atmosphere! My friend had the vegetable risotto and it was the best risotto I have ever had. The garlic flavor and warm feeling it gave us was perfect for a cold evening.
(4)
Nick D.
Had soups, alligator, and duck - all were above expectations. Great restaurant and food but for some reason we had a Denny's waitress.
(4)
R P.
Alligator, grits and gumbo? Wow, did not see that one coming! Cheery staff, good food...
(4)
J R.
Seventeen years ago, this was an excellent restaurant, but over the past decade our dinners there have ranged from almost decent to dreadful. so every now and then I go back hoping it will have gotten better. Alas, it hasn't. We had eaten there a few weeks ago at 5 PM on a Thursday. My lobster and corn chowder was watery and tasteless, but my companion liked his tomato seafood chowder. The salads were greens straight out of the bag with no other vegetable but a thin slice of onion. (huh???). The bread served was gummy and too sweet. That time I had the crawfish etoufee which was spicy and full of fresh, sweet crawfish. Quite good. My companion had what was billed as steak tenderloin with bacon, but the bacon was more like bacon bits and the tenderloin overcooked and covered with a gluey sauce. Blah. For dessert the water carbonized a creme brulee announcing as he served it that he's overdone it and then leaving us to eat the blackened chunks of carbon that decorated it. We were too tired to complain but didn't finish it. So yesterday we went back (yeah, I know, but we are so desperately looking for some nice place to eat in Northampton at this price point and I had liked the crawfish dish.) We had a hint of what was to come when we walked in at 5:30 and told the hostess that we were waiting for another person. She snarled that they never seated incomplete parties and when queried told us it was quite possible there would be no tables left when our companion arrived. Her tone suggested she could care less. At that point I should have followed my instincts and gone down the street to another restaurant. But sadly, I didn't. To keep things short, this time the crawfish were NOT fresh but had that flavor cooked seafood gets when it sits in the fridge too long. There was no hint of spice in the sauce. I had a pork and black bean soup which was served in a very small cup 1/2 of which was filled with rice. There was little trace of beans and one chunk of pork. Nasty. It took forever for our entrees to arrive. My one companion had what was billed as "pork shank." I had warned that this sounded highly suspicious, but he ordered it anyway and got something that looked a lot like a pot roasted fresh picnic shoulder (the cheapest cut of pork available.) Since we were treating he didn't say anything about the flavor, but the lack of praise was notable. My other companion who was treating us had an encrusted chicken that was supposed to have 5 different kinds of peppercorns, but he said it had no pepper flavor at all. It looked a lot like fried chicken tenders to me. He later said it was mediocre. I asked the waitress not to carbonize the creme brulee this time so it was pretty good. My companion's "molton chocolate cake" had an unpleasant texture and not much chocolate taste. Our third companion was silent about his Key Lime Pie. So that's it for the East Side Grill for a few more years. The place was packed (which is why we dined so unfashionably early), confirming my belief that most people have no clue what high quality restaurant food should taste like.
(1)
Aime D.
"Dinner at the Eastside", from 1994-2001 those words were commonplace for me. Many friends enjoyed long careers with the founding owners -- yea, sometimes the restaurant biz is enjoyable, sometimes not. Well that was then, this is now.
(2)
Joshua T.
I feel obliged to write a review as I went here on a whim with my girlfriend after getting a $50 mail in rebate with my new phone. We knew nothing about the place when we went on in and were able to snag a table right away with no waiting. I had this amazing crawfish entre that was only $17 and my girlfriend got this chicken dish (whose name eludes me) that was quite great. For reference as to how good the food is here, my girlfriend can't stand seafood but she loved my meal. It's good food, quite exotic considering how reserved western mass can be and very very well priced. I'd recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Courtney R.
Not a fan of this restaurant. Service is rude and slow. Food is mediocre and is way over priced. However, the restaurant itself is pretty and clean.
(2)
Sara N.
A family restaurant with food that is not fit for any family I know. The squash ravioli in gorgonzola sauce was literally inedible. Slimy and swimming in tasteless, watery sauce. The fish was overcooked and dry. Our son liked the alligator, but that's just for the fact that he is now able to add alligator to his food bucket list. I ended up eating the Caesar Salad for my meal....which was decent.
(1)
Alfred S.
This was our first time and we were delighted with the food. I had seafood risotto. Most places you get lots of risotto and a few pieces of shrimp buried in the risotto. Not here. It actually was a sweet pea risotto on one corner of the plate and a mound of seafood in a tasty sauce on the rest of the plate. The seafood included crawfish that had been cooked perfectly. My wife also said her dish was great. The downside was that alot of people also liked their food. When we were seated I didn't see an empty table. The parking lot was full as was all the nearby on street parking. I ended up in a lot a couple of blocks away. The service was a little slower than I would have liked but the place was packed. Diane was a pleasant knowledgible waitress that anticipated our needs. I'll be back.
(5)
Scott K.
It had been years since I was here until last week and let's just say it has gone down hill in the quality of food. Both dishes my wife and I had were really not flavorful and the ingredients tasted off. We didn't finish our meals and were just not interested in telling them how bad the food was because we were having a nice time regardless. That said I want to say that our waiter was great and the staff was very nice and attentive but the food needs work.
(2)
Kylan M.
Overpriced mediocre food that seems to be popular with the over 50 crowd. I don't know why but it always seems to be crowded. There are many superior restaurants in Northampton.
(2)
Andy C.
Hey, don't hate on this place. It was solid. Good service, reasonable price, and tasty food. Is it a foodie experience??? Not really, but you can't do that every night anyway. It's a good place to bring the family and eat a good dinner. I would go again with my extended family.
(3)
Ellen D.
I would give Eastside 3.5 stars but rounded up. The menu is diverse so there is always something on the menu for everyone. I really like their options and the price is reasonable for Northampton. Seafood is always fresh and well prepared. I normally start with fried oysters and did this time as well. I had a fish of the day and it was very good. I do like their sides and salads. I recommend the Gorgonzola vinaigrette. It is a loud restaurant. I do like that they now take reservation except for Saturday night (I won't go on a Saturday as the wait can be too long).
(4)
Emily M.
We tried out Eastside Grill during the Northampton Restaurant week. Definitely make a point to make reservations prior to arriving regardless if it is a promotional week or not. We would have loved to dine outside on their patio, but we were lucky enough to get seating inside with how busy the place was. We had a wonderful server who was well rehearsed in the specials and knowledgeable about the menu itself. The food presentation and seasonings were spot on. Between steaks and the seafood, it was great. My tuna was a bit overcooked (I requested rare, and got it medium). Regardless, it was fine to eat. The four of us who dined that night tried out an assortment of food and each of us were impressed with the turnout. The seating is rather close, which is probably why they can fit so many guests in at one time. While the noise level was a tad loud, it was due to happy diners enjoying their meal with those they were with. We will be returning, but the next time I make reservations, I will request outdoor dining.
(4)
Susan W.
Although some consider this the best restaurant in Northampton, little distinguishes it from . . . oh, say . . . the 99. I have only been here twice, once for dinner, which I will admit was better than I thought but that was in 2000 and who really remembers? I went more recently while I was exploring chocolate martinis in the Pioneer Valley. In Greater Boston, a chocolate martini tends to include cream while in the Valley, it is pure alcohol. The chocolate martini at the Eastside Grille was watery with melted ice and the cake I had tasted of cake mix.
(2)
Jessika M.
Having lived in NoHo for close to five years now Eastside has become a go-to place when family is in town. They seem to have the perfect menu for a dinner out with parents, or aunts/uncles ect. That being said, the food is good, though nothing to get too excited for. They used to have a really great take on tuna tar tar, but when they changed the menu they switched from the tar tar with crispy wontons, to seared tuna on a bed of warm bulgar....BAD IDEA! The flavors are good, the problem for me is texture...its like eating fish on oatmeal...BLAH! However, like I said generally speaking the food is good, and if you want a good martini and don't feel like going across the street to the Tunnel Bar, Eastside is your place.
(3)
Bryan R.
After a second time I thought I would be able to give 4-stars but I am not able to. They have this ridiculous rule that if you get there before 5 PM they make you wait to seat you, even 2 minutes before. So everyone either crams in at the bar or in the main entry way, ridiculous. Our waitress was very friendly but most of the staff seems a little snoody. Very popular with the 50+ crowd in this area. This is a more up scale dining experience and not great for college students which makes it a miss for this area. We got the Potabella Gorgonzola bread, tried all of their homemade salad dressings, vegetable risotto and BBQ shrimp with grits. Although there is decent flavor for all items, I think the cheese is fairly overwhelming in all of these entree's other than the salads which are refreshing. We all had a hard time staying awake on the ride home. Although we thought the two non-meat options would be vegetarian friendly they really weren't, they were loaded with so much cheese that it was a little hard to handle. The grits were good but again a little over powering, as one would suggest by the food coma after the fact. After two mediocre experiences at their fine dining prices, I probably wouldn't do again for a while. The salad dressing is amazing, too bad they are not in the salad dressing business instead of the mediocre dining business.
(3)
Matthew S.
Sad to see such a low rating. I've gone here about twice a year for the last three years, and it still contends for my favorite restaurant in Northampton (in which I live). Staff is fine, drinks are fine, food is great. The gorgonzola bread is a fantastic starter, and one of my favorite entrees is the steak topped with gouda fondue and candied bacon. Everything else I've had has also been great. I am a picky patron, so I am very surprised by all the bad reviews.
(5)
Emily C.
Delicious meal, great service, nice atmosphere equals a super perfect evening with friends. Ahi tuna is amazing, as is the duck and the seafood risotto. We did not leave room for dessert but there were certainly tempting options.
(4)
Jessica R.
I have always had a great meal here. If you plan on going during the weekend go early as the wait time increases after 6. It does not always take reservations. The steak and scallops are my favorite.
(4)
David P.
Eastside Grill is certainly one of the most expensive places in town, which would be fine if the food was commensurate with the pricing, but it's not. It's quite overpriced. If you luck out, at least the service will be pretty good. Although no menu items are particularly bad, nothing will stand out as 'the best X' when thinking back on it, and you'll have way overpaid. If you are traveling through the area for 1, 2, or even 5 days, you can still find a new place for every meal and not have any need to try Eastside.
(3)
Alex G.
Went here for a birthday party. I would call this place average, nothing really special, just your typical american food. Although, they do have some interesting items, like roasted duck that I got, which was pretty decent. Overall I think the food here is not worth the price. Some people at our table got steaks, which were pretty much burned. Also the waitress was kind of rude. She kept constantly forgetting to bring stuff, or messed up orders and acted like it was our fault. Eventually another waitress replaced her, and she was nice. Also the atmosphere is not the best, very closely packed and noisy. I would go here once in a while, maybe for a birthday again, but definitely would not make it a regular place.
(3)
Chris W.
Went here as Sierra Grill had a 2 hour wait (because its good) and have not been before so figured i would suggest going here. Only a 20 minute wait without a reservation, but the place was packed, they were turning tables over very fast. So the place looked promising. The decor is fairly modern and the dining room is setup so that you like theres not as many people as there are. the different tiers block your view, but if you actually look around its busy and on the loud side. The wait service is fairly speedy, but unattendive once they get your food order. Food came somewhat quick for the volume of orders they had, but not for the easy to prepare meals they have. I ordered the East Side steak, which was very dry but i ordered it blackened to add a kick of spice which was decent but overall disappointing. On the side were roasted potatoes which tasted like they've been under heat lamps since noon and squash which was really watery. The rest of my party had seafood, which is probably the way to go. The ravioli came with mussels, shrimp and scallops which were all pretty good, but the fish dish at the table was another disappointment as it comes on a mound of boring rice with not enough sauce. Bottom line is that its not worth going to eat food that can be made a home. I would suggest ordering seafood or even try the duck as that caught my attention and itsnt something i would prepare at home.
Resting on their laurels, milking the rep. A dispiriting meal began with some table bread - whole wheat baguette imported from Stop and Shop I think. The Octoberfest brew was flat and timid. But I was hopeful the Delmonico I had ordered would redeem the experience. Alas, it was the singularly toughest piece of ribeye I have ever put a knife to. To top it off the baked potato was undercooked. 9/11/11
(2)
Andrew B.
I'm taking off a star because I feel that the meal at 5 star restaurant should be a vivid memory of one of the best meals I've ever eaten in my whole life. Even after re-reading my review I can't recall the restaurant for its food or the service, only the company I was with.
(4)
Lauren R.
I booked a reservation for my first anniversary though I probably needn't have bothered. I can't say I was disappointed. This is very upscale compared to most of Northampton. Boyfriend and I each got a steak and an appetizer to share. Quality of food was very good. Service was good. Decor is mellow and romantic (in parts. There IS a bar in the back). However, Eastside lacked the ability to make it a truly memorable occasion.
(4)
Fauzia I.
I've always liked Eastside but recently I've found myself questioning it a bit more, and whether my initial liking was more for the menu - intriguing and appetizing more in description than in actuality. Pricey no matter how you look at it. It's been a journey, from going more for the entrees and now more appetizers to make a meal of. This time, the latter for two (with sangria and beer) came to $40+. My favorite is the popcorn (fancy word for breaded) shrimp, and you can get a polenta appetizer for $3 or $4 - I think it's the cheapest thing on the menu and it's pretty good. Much has been said about the food, atmosphere, etc so I'll limit my comments to the two things that stood out for me about 3 days ago. First the server, while polite and attentive, lacked the friendliness and enthuasiasm that wins me over. Second, and more importantly, I ordered red sangria and it was horrible. Some generic cheap wine, no fresh fruit in it and less than half a glass gave me a headache that wouldn't go away. Between the cost and this ... as much as I like the place on paper, I don't think I'd go back anytime soon.
(2)
Jenn X.
I've been twice. They know how to cook steak well. The other things I have tried were average. Excellent prices.
(4)
Samantha L.
What a let down. The only redeeming quality of this place was the fall sangria half carafe we ordered to numb the pain of this poorly/lack of seasoned food. It was a party of 5, we were not too hungry so we ordered 3 apps to start. Basic stuff - gorgonzola garlic bread, blackened scallops, fried calamari. The best tasting app? The garlic bread. The least appetizing? The scallops. The calamari, though fried nicely, for $8... it was barely enough for each person to have 2 pieces! Ridiculous. The scallops I honestly thought were horrendous. Served on a small square plate, 5-6 okay sized scallops. Flavor? Okay first, this was NOT blackened. When I think blackened, I think a nice crispy outside with a juicy and tender inside. In other words, there would be a texture dimension in this dish. There as NONE. It was simply tossed in this pan that clearly had BURNT seasonings and it coated the scallops. The scallops had no crispy outside, and no flavor really besides spicy and burnt. The presentation was laughable as well. After placing the scallops on the plate they must have poured the "juices (burnt seasoning)" atop. So there was this unpleasant pool of liquid with black specks on the plate. Yummy? I think not. Garlic bread is garlic bread really. Yeah, instead of parm or pecorino, they used gorgonzola. It was honestly the best tasting thing I ate there besides my drink. Entrees, as mentioned we were not that hungry. So my bro and his girlfriend ordered a ribeye to share, my parents got the scallops with beef tenderloin tips, and I ordered the house side salad with crab cakes from the apps section. When salads came with the entree and my own order I was... confused? My house salad, and their dinner salad was EXACTLY the same size, on the same plate. I paid $4 for 3/4 cup of mesclun greens? Fine, I got over it. I dug in. First bite... okay a little heavy on the balsamic... fine. Second bite, it's starting to get too much. I put my fork under the small pile of greens and I see a POOL of dressing on the plate. It was disgusting. Period. I should have sent it back, but with my small salad almost already gone, I just dealt with it by moving the greens from my salad plate to my app plate. Even after the transfer, there was SO much dressing it even coated my appetizer plate. If it was a fluke and it was just my salad plate that was like that, I would have gotten over it. But my brothers salad was the same way. And on my way out, I saw another patron with the same issue of completely overdressed dinner salads and a pool of dressing left on the plate. I thought, this is going to be a tough dinner. Keep drinking the tasty sangria, smile and laugh with my family and pray this will be over soon. The time between apps, salads and dinner was poorly spaced. Even our server recognized how long our food took to come out that she told us it'll be right out, and even served us some bread between that lag time. Just keep drinking, everything tastes better while intoxicated... When our dinners arrived, my bro and his girlfriend were pretty happy with the ribeye. It was cooked to their specifications, but their sides, the potatoes and veggies looked boring. Plain even. Whatever. My parentals had no commentary on their food. When my mother is silent about her food it means it isn't tasty. My crab cakes were a bore as well. I do have to admit portion size was very hearty. It was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, warm and moist in the center. But it was weird, it just did not taste like.. much. I wish in the description they mentioned that there were capers in it because it's a strong flavor. I did not mind it, but it was a surprise nonetheless. It just was not one of the better tasting crab cakes I've had. It was unremarkable. And the sauce with it was... just bland. Overall, food was unremarkable, boring, poorly seasoned, though perfectly cooked. I would not come back here, it was not even my choice but my brothers.Service was ok to medicore. Our server seemed bored and looked exhausted. When she was pouring our sangria into our glasses she spilled a good amount on the table and it almost splattered onto my brother. She apologized, but that was about it. I wish we went somewhere else.
(1)
Danielle T.
I would have given it 4 stars 2 years ago. My husband and I are regulars here - every anniversary, valentine's day and we were engaged here. We even have a few servers who know our names. We love the food, they always do the steaks exactly right. It's casual enough for jeans, but not a bad setting for a dressy night, too. That being said, they recently changed their no-reservations policy. On our usual Valentine's date, I walked in to put our name on the list, as usual on v-day, expecting a 2 hour wait, during which we could walk around town, have a drink or two, then return. I was agast to discover that the foyer was empty and half the tables were empty. And I was told they were booked solid for the night, due to reservations we didnt know we needed. What!? I think the reservations policy will hurt them. This was the 1st valentine's day in about a decade that we didnt come to Eastside, even though we tried to. Anyway, the food is still good and a great value, I just feel a little less regular--ish now.
(3)
jpe j.
UR-INE FOR AN EXPERIENCE! Well, where to start . . . 4 of us dined at Eastside last night and we'll never go back again. The waitress was curt and became unfriendly when 2 in our party indicated that they only wanted salad and an appetizer, and no entre. Shortly thereafter we became aware of an unmistakable urine smell emanating from beneath our table (which was on the lower level near the front window). The taste of our meals were, shall we say, "uneventful" -- unless you count the fact that my wife spent the night vomiting and I and another dining companion both had "stomach issues" for the rest of the evening as the 4 of us sat through a play at Smith College. Our suggestion: AVOID this place at all costs.
(1)
Mary B.
Once again a disappointment. 16-20 years ago it was a 4-5 star restaurant w/ excellent food. We have tried it every few years since then and each time the food has been mediocre at best. We will not go back. This week we ordered appetizers of crab cakes (nicely spiced but bready and greasy) and blackened scallops which were tender and delicious (the best part of the meal). My husband had the sauteed lobster/corn chowder, the lobster had no flavor and the chowder was bland (tasted like frozen corn, not fresh). My entree was sesame shrimp (quite greasy/heavy coating) w/ asparagus over white rice. The salad baby mesclun leaf and little else with a tasty gorgonzola vinegarette. Our waitress was lovely but we felt rushed and that they just wanted to turn over the table to the next party.
(1)
Anne G.
I have been here more than a few times and over the years I still like the atmosphere very much and I still think the service is very good. That said....we went on Friday night at 5pm with out of town family (this does seem to be the perfect spot for older out of towners.....seriously). The place was already full with mostly large groups of out of town families! ;-). We sat in a comfortable booth and the service was really good. I just kept thinking to myself that the staff of servers must have A LOT of patience and good humor to continually recite the list of sides and salad dressings. We had a couple of drinks and some bread that was deeeeeelicious. For appetizers, we started with popcorn chicken and calamari. The chicken came with a bbq sauce and a honey mustard sauce. Both were fine. Calamari was lightly battered and fried (imho, it probably could have been cooked for just a few minutes more.....). For entrees we had: duck breast, tenderloin, salmon (salmon was 2nd choice since fish delivery hadn't occurred yet (??) and the jambalaya. The flavors were ok but every last one of us had one word to describe: DRY. Most of it was overcooked. Not by much, but enough to change the quality of the texture. The sides were ok: mashed potatoes, mashed butternut squash and potato cakes. Pretty basic. We opted for dessert at La Fiorentina and I think that was a good decision. I mean really....who doesn't love a cannoli. All in all - I guess it's what I expected and it was fine, but I probably won't be back until some out of town peeps come to visit again.
(3)
The H.
This place was disappointing. It has to be the snobbiest restaurant in Northampton (no offense to Northampton, but that takes skill!), and the food is so overpriced and bland. It tastes like diet food...Like those gross weight watchers frozen dinners kind of diet food. Not impressed.
(1)
Matt L.
This spot has been here for quite a while and has a lot of repeat business. It sits in a prime location in this busy downtown filled with many new restaurants, some very good. The outside looks like someones house, and the inside is very tight knit, a bit cozy and not bad. The staff is okay, but a bit snobby, thinking they are the best place in town. The wine list and drinks list is average, nothing ot really talk about. The menu is a selection of cajun dishes, some creative and some not. I think I have tried some dishes here that are okay and some that are terrible. I wouldn't say this is the best place to eat in this city, but it is not the worst. I would say give it a try, its hard to tell what you may get. Look around, because within walking distance is some very good places.
(3)
David X.
File this under family-friendly upscale. Consider it a fourth-rate Legal Seafoods. Most entrees are $20. I ordered "Sesame Crusted Scallops with Lobster in Sake-Scallion sauce". Sounds delicious. The scallops and lobster were clearly previously frozen. In fact, the 'lobster', if that's what it was, could have easily been artificial crabstick since that's what it tasted like. The 'sesame crust' consisted of a dash of sesame seeds sprinkled on the final dish. In the right hands, this dish could have been amazing. Instead, it reminded me of Stouffer's frozen meals at your local grocery store. My friend had some sort of allegedly high quality steak which clearly was an extremely cheap cut. He left half of it unfinished. Eastside is what you expect to see nowadays - food-service type restaurants that think putting fancy names on the menu bumps them up to four stars. I'll also say that the waitstaff was the type you'd see at your local diner. One would expect to see bright-eyed articulate attractive college students, considering the location.
(2)
T L.
eastsidegrill.com/menu.p… Nice layout with bar immeditely inside of the front door as you wait for seats, nice bar but lacking on draft beers on tap (went with the BBC steel rail which wasnt that bad). Dinner: we went with chicken and shrimp creole gumbo (not bad, not enough shrimp or chicken but flavor was good and a bit spicy), some bread, then gave us salads. I got the special of the day which was a maryland softshell crab that was encrusted in panko breadcumbs with a butter, scallion ginger sauce on it, it came with aspargus and some garlic mashed potatoes ( it was awesome, there was so much crab and I love the panko crumbs) ; maureen had scallops with roasted pork loin with a mushroom demi glace and mashed potatoes (the sauce was incredible, it made the dish) overall big servings for quality food (8 out of 10)
(4)
drew j.
Huge fan. Easily the best deal in town. Always solid menu and drinks. Wish they would take reservations.
(5)
S C.
Appetizers are always tasty, entrees i have found can sometimes be hit or miss. Love the fried oysters and the mussels, the butternut squash raviolis (both entree and appetizer) are absolutely delicious. The atmosphere feels inside has an oceanside feel even though its in the middle of western MA. Definitely recommend this place
(4)
Shelley C.
Before I moved to L.A. we dined here quite often, and the food was decent, but began to decline in quality. We heard there were new owners, and returned last week to check it out in hopes the food would be better. I hate to say it, they are still up to their old tricks. The menu sounds delicious and wonderful but the food simply falls flat. They are over priced for the quality, plain and simple. For $18 I was served a meager portion of risotto in too much broth, a scrap of lobster, and 5 shrimp. All 4 of us felt like our respective meals were a total rip off, and they were all served cold. Also, all 4 martinis were poorly made, with a dirty martini that was so briny it had to be sent back. I just don't get the appeal or the lines, this place pales in comparison to nearly every other restaurant in Northampton.
(1)
Steph L.
My friends and I went to Eastside Grill last night and loved it! We all enjoyed cocktails, and their fresh steamers outside on the patio. Our server was outstanding! She was friendly, quick and very attentive. We will be back, very soon!
(5)
Kathy W.
While the food was fine, the service was beyond horrible. Dinner on Friday night for a small party lasted for 2.5 hrs because the order was lost. When I flagged the server after 30 minutes of no food or drink refills, I immediately got an apology. I should not have had to raise my hand - when it was discovered that the order was lost, we should have been informed immediately. Additionally, we could barely hear each other speak because of the way the tables are crowded together. We will not be returning.
(1)
K C.
My partner and I and another couple of friends went there this past Saturday to celebrate a birthday. We arrived a 5:30 to a completely packed house (oops- we forgot it was Valentines Weekend too). There was an hour wait but honestly, we got a great spot up by the bar and enjoyed catching up with a glass of wine while we waited for our table. We were seated right on time at a great table in the front room. We ordered apps first-everything was delicious. If you're ever there, treat yourself to a side of the cheesy grits as one of your apps. They are TO DIE FOR. We each ordered a different entree and tasted off of each other's plates. They were all delicious. However, the thing we found the most impressive was the staff- how friendly everyone was-even amongst the huge crowd of people in the room. We had a great time (and an incredibly responsive server). She surely must have had many other tables but we never felt that way. We felt like we were her only priority. This place is a gem. It's always consistently wonderful with a very friendly staff in a warm atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Jared R.
The Eastside Grill was always a go to restaurant with my parents. I have had great meals here. The blackened fish is always great. I was disappointed in a chicken dish I had a few weeks ago. It reminded me of airline food. That was the only disappointing meal I have had there. The bar is nice to sit at before dinning. BBC on Tap is great. This one of the most consistently good restaurant in Northampton and a must go to when in Northampton.
(4)
Jeff P.
Went again to this place hoping that they had addressed many issues from previous visits. Service was very friendly and helpful, but not quite as fast as I would have expected from a classy place. It was, however, MUCH better than the quality of the food. I bought two rib eye steak dinners priced at $21 each. Both steaks were low quality, with lots of gristle. The salads we were served were small with minimal amounts of dressing. The garden salad was lettuce with a small amount of onion and about six tiny slivers of carrot. The Ceasar salad was bland. The baked potato served with one of the steaks was very small and barely warm. The roasted potatoes served with the other steak were inedible....cold and nasty. I have continued to patronize this establishment because of great dining experiences I had there many years ago. However, this meal is the final insult to my efforts. I will not be going back. From the looks of many of the reviews that others have posted about East Side, I am not alone. It's really too bad. I will miss it.
(1)
Sarah K.
I came here with two other friends during the weekend because we were craving meat. We are deprived college students that do not get enough protein from the dining halls on campus so you can imagine how excited we were about making the trip downtown to finally eat some quality food. I got the ahi tuna dish with caramelized onions and my friends both got some kind of steak. I haven't tried their dish so I can't speak on their behalf, but my dish was WAYYY too sweet. The sauce was overbearing so I could barely taste the tuna. The texture was great, however. It sliced like butter and I didn't need to do much chewing to swallow since it pretty much melted in my mouth. The waitress highly recommended this particular dish, which apparently is one of their most popular items on the menu. I think I would have liked it much better had the sauce been more light and simple. Price is fair because the portions are pretty big. Definitely nothing expensive. If you haven't been here, it's worth a try, but I won't be coming back. I prefer Sierra Grille next door. I've never been disappointed at that place!
(3)
Bob B.
Been going to east side grill for over twenty years. This was the worst service and food we ever had. Chicken was over cooked so I sent it back. Waited over 30 minutes, finally told the server I'll get it to go, after she told me three times it would be right out. They did comp me the meal. On my way out I told the host about my night. He was embarrassed, but great full I shared it with him. He did give me a $25 gift card to return to the Grill. It has declined over the years.willing to try one more time.
(2)
Pito S.
Just ok. Shrimp appetizer was good, salads were good, desert was good. But all four entrees were quite disappointing each for different reasons. Steak, ordered med rare came med, Asian salad with the tuna way too salty and too much sauce. Etc etc.
(3)
Meghan M.
Okay so our food was excellent. Our wine was excellent. Pur service however was not. We waited an hour because we were 7 minutes late for our reservarion. I called 5 minutes before we were late and said we were parking and would be there in 5. when we walked in the hostess explained our situation to the manager. The female manager with blonde mid length hair said loud enough for the 8 groups of people standing around at the bar "well its not our problem it took her too long to get ready put them at the bottom of the list." SERIOUSLY. Well we needed to use our gift card and it was a special occasion for my husband's promotion. So we got wine at the bar and settled in. We saw this manager frazzled to the bone walk back and forth trying to wisper/scream at her employees for 45 mins before we were seated.
(3)
Jay O.
The Alpine Stereo of Northampton restaurants. You'll pay pretty good money for a pretty decent experience. Cramped. Nothing special. Largely a "I could have cooked that at home" experience. Nice bar. Very pretty outdoor patio.
(3)
Milanes M.
I like that their menu has a variety of options and that you can get seated quite promptly. The first time I went, it looked like someone had splashed a can of tomato sauce onto my pasta. I asked them for less sauce and they admitted that the entree was draining in it. I tried it again a second time and ate their calamari. It did not taste that great and I did not feel good at all afterward. Service was slow. Wont return.
(1)
Ila S.
So good! Risotto with seafood was amazing. Packed with shell fish, and leftovers reheated well for lunch the next day. Crab cakes some of the best around- not too bready. Popcorn shrimp delicious too. Our wait person called herself V. She was great. Attentive, efficient, prompt. No reservations on Saturday. We got there at 5:30 and there was already a wait, but not to bad. We say in 20 minutes. When we left the entrance and bar were packed with people waiting. Everyone knows it's worth it. But they do take reservations other nights.
(5)
Sam H.
The food was delicious, overall. A couple things were slightly overcooked, but not so much that it compromised the meal. We ordered the Cajun Meatballs and Seared Ahi for appetizers. The meatballs were absolutely divine. The ahi was good, but overcooked (ordered rare and looks like it was left on the grill to sear just a little too long). The wasabi sauce with the ahi had great flavor. The house Gorgonzola vinaigrette that came on the salad was wonderful. For dinner, my husband got Shrimp with Grits and I got Sirloin with Gouda Fondue & Candied Bacon. My husband loved the shrimp. I loved my plate, except the quality of the meat wasn't stellar and it was slightly overcooked. The other flavors on the sirloin plate were great though. My husband's beer from the tap was a little flat, which was disappointing. Our waitress was friendly enough and gave us decent service.
(3)
Joey P.
East street grill was recommended by gentlemen in the street. So glad we went as food was amazing! Loved the character of the building. Server was awesome, even host checked on table after food was served. Lobster chowder was amazing & vegetarian risotto was really delicious.
(5)
Dan L.
The last time I ate at Eastside Grill it was outstanding. That was around eight years ago or thereabouts. A couple of friends/coworkers warned that this is not the Eastside Grill I remembered but chose to go anyway. They were right. We both ordered the evening specials, my wife chose the blackened red snapper and I chose the 14oz ribeye with pernod and sweet onion demi. The snapper was extremely dry, a fork stood firmly in the fish and even if you pushed on it, it wouldn't bend over easily. There was very little flavor and she had to use a fair amount of salt to compensate. Ultimately she only ate a few bites then bailed. My steak was very thin and very chewy/tough and also flavorless (I too had to use a fair amount of salt). I know good steaks and I know subpar. This was comparable to a chuck-eye steak from a supermarket....only a chuck-eye at least has very good beefy flavor. I would say it wasn't even as good as a ribeye from Big Y or Stop&Shop. That's hard to do I would imagine. In the end I ate about half before I decided it wasn't worth it. We would just go somewhere else and have a few appetizers before the show. The waitress was very nice and accommodating. She had recommended the steak and especially the demi sauce and and seemed genuinely upset that I/we were unhappy with our selections. She was able to remove the price of the snapper from the bill...Thank you. I would have paid anyway, that's just how it goes when you go out to dinner. It can be a crapshoot. Anyway, we left her a handsome tip and left without incident but won't be back. We had really looked forward to this dinner as a prelude to a show but in the end were very disappointed. The good news is there's tons of restaurants in Northampton to explore.
(2)
Dean R.
The Eastside Grill has really gone downhill. This used to be a good place to come to eat in a casual, but nice atmosphere with family - a step up, in other words. We came and were really disappointed. We started with portobello crostini and they did this very well! The bread served ahead of the meal arrived warm and crusty, but not terribly rich in taste. The butter was served in packaged wraps. The salads were mixed. House salads with dressing on the side were competent, but the Caeser I ordered was overdressed and humdrum, almost packaged. The entrees were terrible. The butternut squash ravioli was drenched in a salted-to-the-gills milky broth and although the ravioli appeared to be made from scratch, the otherwordly use of salt ruined the dish. The spaghetti squash was also obscenely oversalted - so much so that my dinner companion became ill after eating. Her dish at the restaurant was also completely ruined. Often, a chef who uses lots of salt on vegetarian dishes doesn't know how to cook them, other times the use of too much salt and cream displays a lack of culinary finesse. I had enjoyed coming here for years, but I would not go back to try it again unless someone else was picking up the tab, and even then, I would try to get recommendations ahead of time and stick to what's safe. The prices are not expensive, but the food isn't well prepared. The atmosphere can be loud. The dining can be comfortable, but this doesn't make up for poor cooking. I think that the Eastside Grill is a good place to go if you want to spend money and eat in a restaurant with a respectable mien, but the truth is that the people who come here today _and enjoy it_ simply have a little money to spend going out but can't tell the difference between what's good and what isn't.
(1)
Sarah O.
A group of us (nine in total) chose Eastside for our annual post-Christmas dinner this year, and on the whole, I had a really good experience. Our waitress, whose name I wish I could remember, was awesome. She did not miss a beat, was very friendly, and we received excellent service throughout. Our water glasses were always full, and she never forgot anything or made a mistake with our orders, which was impressive considering that we were a large party, and not her only table. I ordered a cup of lobster corn chowder to start, which was delicious. The lobster was cooked perfectly, and the corn was sweet. I also liked that there was more corn than potato, but that's just a personal preference. The duck breast entree was also very good. The duck was cooked to medium, which was maybe a tad more than I would have liked, but it wasn't at all dry or bland. It came with potato cakes (essentially mashed potatoes fried in a patty) which were as I imagined they should be-- crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. My only complaint about the entree was that the greens it came with-- spinach I think-- seemed to have been sauteed in the duck fat. As a result, the spinach wasn't very flavorful, and tasted like old oil. It seemed like an unnecessarily heavy and rich treatment of the spinach, especially considering how rich the duck and potato cakes were. The prices at Eastside are eminently reasonable. The duck was under $20 and came with a salad, and most items on the menu-- even the steaks-- are in the mid-to-high teens or very low $20's. The absence of the poor spinach execution, and the addition of more wines offered by the glass might have brought Eastside up to five stars, which is certainly an improvement from my last visit.
(4)
Joanna F.
Service was spectacular, food was just ok. Came in with a large group. Our waitress was really nice and helpful and our food arrived quickly. I like that all meals come with a salad to start - that's something that's not offered at a lot of restaurants in and around Boston and I forget how charming it is when I see that trend in Western MA. My dinner was pretty bland. I got the crawfish etouffee. I've never had etouffee before, so I'm not sure what it's supposed to taste like, but this had very little heat and very little flavor. I try not to add salt to any of my food but I had to add a lot here to get any flavor. My friend also got the etouffee and thankfully asked for some tobasco which spiced it up a little. My fiance and I split some Mud Pie for dessert. This isn't the most difficult dessert to make(coffee ice cream in a cookie crust with hot fudge on top) but the hot fudge tasted homemade, so that's a plus. I would probably come back and try something else. Some of the other dishes looked good.
(3)
Melissa T.
I went to Eastside Grill for the first time this afternoon with my mom and stepdad for Easter dinner. I hadn't given it much thought before, as it does not appear to be particularly vegan friendly on the surface. But they were one of the few places downtown open for dinner, so I decided to give it a shot as I learned that there was at least one vegan option on the menu. I am glad that I did! The staff was very friendly and the service was great. The bread was served warm and was delicious; I had to resist eating more than the slice and a half that I did! I ordered the roasted brussels sprouts with butternut quinoa. The brussels sprouts were amazing - roasted to perfection in a spiced cider syrup. The quinoa was okay, somewhat bland on its own, but better when combined with the delicious glaze from the brussels spouts. I did enjoy the large chunks of butternut squash in the quinoa, however. My mom ordered salmon and my stepdad ordered steak, and they both enjoyed their meals. Overall, a good choice for our Easter meal!
(4)
John B.
After returning to the Northampton area, I was anxious to try the Eastside Grill for two reasons. First, it was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Amherst in the 1980s and 1990s. Second, recent reviews on yelp have been mediocre, and a number of reviewers have suggested it is a shadow of its former self. So I have tried the Eastside Grill twice since returning to Northampton, most recently two days ago during Restaurant Week, and found it to be as good as I can remember. Both the food and service were excellent; in fact, the service on both occasions was better than anything I encountered in the Boston area in 13 years there. During my most recent visit, I had a watermelon gazpacho, scallops with porcini mushrooms, and a praline/blonde brownie sundae and only $25 during restaurant week. The dishes were creative, prepared perfectly, and the portion sizes reasonable. The bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand was excellent and reasonably priced.
(5)
Elizabeth K.
Service was awesome! Food was blah. Prices were crazy good! Apps, entrees, dessert, and booze for 5 was around $200. It was around $7 for a mojito and $6.5 for a Tanguery and tonic. Win! However, the food was just not good. If I was every in the area, I would not go back to eat there, because, I like good, adventurous food! If you are eating with your grandparents though, this place might be perfect! I got the butternut squash ravioli in Gorgonzola sauce and it tasted like they were sitting in a pile of water. There was not even close to a cheese taste, let alone the strong, pungent Gorgonzola taste! Those that had steak fared a little better in the flavor department, but, it's harder to go wrong when you order a plain steak. However, I shared my sister's Delmonico, and, even that was just really boring. Also, they deep fry everything in soy oil, so, if you're allergic to soy - beware. The best part by far was the mojito and the chocolate mousse cheesecake.
(3)
Peter M.
We've been going to the Eastside Grill for years now and have always loved it. We bring family and friends with the promise of amazing steaks and delicious sides. However, tonight was a much different experience. The service was still prompt and the bread and salad was as stellar as always. Imagine our surprise when our entrees arrived and the mashed potatoes were fake!! Granted, perhaps the kitchen ran out (though it was an average Monday night) but when I asked the waiter regarding them, I was lectured on the "buttermilk recipe that is used to create the smooth texture." Sorry bro, it doesn't take Gordon Ramsay to identify instant potatoes. What a disappointment - I really hope this place isn't going downhill...
(2)
Judith S.
We had dinner here a couple of nights ago on a Saturday. Dinner on Sat. nights is first come, first served, which was no problem as we got there just when they opened at 4:00. Our meals were excellent. My husband got the sesame shrimp with lobster and sake, and liked it very much. He said the sesame-encrusted shrimp had a very nice flavor, and he felt there was a nice balance with the lobster. The honey-lemon dressing on his salad was a nice change from the usual salad dressings at other restaurants. I got the tenderloin tips and scallops but not blackened (spicy) as the menu offers. The tenderloin was done perfectly and was, indeed, very tender and flavorful. The scallops were also done to perfection and very clean without the occasional bit of sand I've found in scallops I've ordered other places. They were juicy and fork tender and tasted very fresh. They came with deliciously creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes and broccoli. Usually the broccoli I get at restaurants is either overcooked mush or so hard that it needs to be cut with a steak knife. Even the vegetable was perfectly cooked. The service was fast, efficient, and very friendly. Our waitress Caitlyn (sp?) was most helpful and welcoming. We will definitely return to the Eastside Grill.
(5)
Althea G.
Tonight, I gave Eastside a second chance. All I can say is what a mistake!!! The first time we went the food was bland, watery, and totally disappointing. The gumbo was so lame it would've been laughed out of New Orleans! I absolutely love shrimp, grits n' greens, and I thought how could that go wrong....well, the shrimp had NO flavor, the grits were cold in the middle and the whole plate was soaked in water! So, back to tonight, we went with variety of items via take out. The food was packed with such disregard. The lids were not on and half the dishes leaked out all over my car. They forgot to pack 2 items that I ordered (and paid for) and once again the food was boring and super bland! If youre craving real creole I recommend going to Chef Wayne's Big Mamou. That's a restaurant that will never let me down!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joe F.
Classic New England with an Orleans twist! Great Ribeye and Gumbo - BF had excellent Lobster Corn Chowder
(4)Jeannie G.
Good food great service. Worth checking out. Gave 4 stars because the waitress's was great. Fish is the way to go.
(4)A Z.
Most consistent quality in town. Good variety of american and creole food. Busy also during the week better make a reservation. Good selection of draft beers.
(4)Jens M.
My wife and I were looking for something 'a little bit fancy' to experience our kid free evening. Sometimes we find stuff that's great, and sometimes we find Eastside Grill. The good:The menu was pretty extensive and had a lot of stuff with a New Orleans twist, which is always a plus in my book. The drinks were good, I got something with Makers and Sriracha, and the wife got a Mayan Mule (think Moscow Mule minus vodka plus tequila). The sangria was kind of so-so, I wouldn't get it again, but the pieces of fruit in it were plentiful. In lieu of dessert we got a couple of boozy coffees, which definitely were great. Overall, the place was pretty nice on the inside (decorated sort of like an old Southern colonial) and had it not been for the bad, I'd say our target of a 'little bit fancy' would have been a total success. Oh, and our waiter was pretty good too. The bad: Everything we ate was "eh". For an appetizer we got blackened alligator with some kind of deep fried cheese thing (the high point of the meal) with a side of "cajun sauce", which was really just thousand island dressing. We also got the fried cauliflower, which was exactly that: fried cauliflower. Usually you'd expect something a little bit more fancy than cauliflower tempura, but that's exactly what it was. Not even peppered. For dinner, my wife got a fried chicken with pine nut crust with sun dried tomatoes in some kind of cream sauce. She omitted the mushrooms, which they were more than happy to accommodate. I think the mushrooms could have had some added value, but the chicken tasted like absolutely nothing. I think they may have used the same breading from the cauliflower. They could make a killing in Plainville with this kind of stuff! Anyway, the real highlight was the Parmesan asparagus. All the cheese had melted together into some kind of puck in the middle. It was therefore impossible to enjoy your asparagus with parmesan cheese without cutting the puck. I think it was only like 3 pieces of asparagus too for 5 bucks, which makes it even more of an atrocity. For dinner I got some sesame shrimp with lobster pieces with asparagus and rice. I could write more about this, but it doesn't deserve more than me saying I would have rather got it at a Chinese restaurant. Something else worth mentioning: All the other reviews say fish is the way to go... but the guy in the booth behind us complained to the waiter about his blackened swordfish "definitely being something, but not blackened". The waiter was apologetic, and then came to ask us how our stuff was and when we said "good" he said, "are you sure?"... and we told him about the Parmesan puck. Poor guy man. I can't imagine trying to be a waiter somewhere where you pay 20 bucks a plate for mediocre when people expect better. That would suck, but he handled it well. In summary- at 25 bucks a plate, you could do better. A lot better. The menu items all seemed like they had a lot to offer, but there was just something missing... something to make it stand out from the realm of *gasp* chain restaurant food. If it were me reading this on a Friday night, I'd say go get a drink at the tunnel bar and make your reservations for somewhere else.... or you could stop here and have your drinks and then go elsewhere... or order some takeout and go blow a hundred bucks on liquor (maybe some 4-Loko??) and have a party for similar food quality and a lot more booze! If you want to fancy it up, go buy a candle and you'll still come out spending less!
(2)Connie L.
Waitresses have a fairly basic job to do, take your order and bring it to you. One would think that concept is fairly simple but not for our waitress at the Eastside Grill last night. However, that wasn't the beginning of the nightmare dining experience. It took almost 40 minutes for our first waitress to bring us waters and well over an hour for orders to be taken. Some time later our third waitress came back to tell us that the kitchen was out of the tuna I had ordered and I needed to pick a different entree. "K" stated she would be back to take my order. Another hour later, when the meals arrived for the three other people at my table I asked her why she put a salad in front of me since I hadn't yet ordered anything to eat. She just looked at me with a dumb expression on her face. I reminded her that she forgot to come back and take my order. Since we were entering hour 3, and it was near closing time, there was no longer enough time to make me a meal. My dining companions ate while I watched. Good thing I started that diet two days ago. We ordered Gorgonzola garlic bread, which was slightly over cooked but tasty. One order is big enough to share with two people. That, and the ice water, were the two best tasting things out of the whole meal. The other appetizer was the calamari which was very bland. It only came with one dipping sauce which was a tasteless marinara. My friend had a shrimp dish over pasta which she had a hard time chocking down. After several bites she gave up. When "K" later asked if she wanted it wrapped to take home, her response was a quick no. Our male guest had steak, which was undercooked, mashed potatoes, just no, and three...count them, three limp pieces of asparagus. The last meal was jambalaya which looked fantastic on the plate. While I didn't taste it, my 12 yo liked it.
(1)Jeff K.
I went here with a bunch of co-workers for the first time and we tried a little bit of everything! The PROS -service was very prompt, courteous and pleasant -food was served with good timing so that we could finish each course -portebello mushroom costini was super good -cider cocktail was good -apple/squash bisque was on point -parking lot has validation/reimbursement if you dine there which is $5, there is other parking too if you can get a spot The CONS -entrees tasted a bit sub par overall -the lobster/shrimp asian dish didn't meld well flavors-wise -oysters lacked flavor -key lime pie was just ok (I've had better from the grocery store bakery) Overall I was a little disappointed in the execution of Eastside Grill. I really wanted it to be awesome all the way around, but the key meal, the entrees did not deliver. The ideas sounded good on the menu, but most in my party, including me would not have ordered the same thing again. With all the other places to choose from, not too sure I'd return unless it was for cocktails and appetizers which is a bit pointless when on business travel.
(2)Kris C.
Enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing dinner with my wife. We both had the Delmonico steak, which were prepared exactly as ordered and very tasy, I had mine with Bernaise sauce and she had the Horseradish sauce, both very good. My Lemon Drop Martini was perfect and came with the shaker for about 3/4 of a drink more. The Lemon Honey Vinaigrette was amazing and the Gorganzola Ranch was very good also. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are in Historic Northampton.
(5)Steve E.
The Eastside Grill, in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts prides itself on being a little New England, and a little New Orleans. The first thing that you should know is that the correct address for this restaurant is 19 Strong Avenue, across from the train tracks. The restaurant is located on the right side of Strong Avenue, next to the municipal parking lot. From the outside, Eastside looks like a traditional New England gray clapboard house with lots of windows, and white shutters. There's an outdoor covered patio for al fresco dining in the warmer weather. Inside you'll find two large dining rooms as well as a bar area where guests may also dine on a separate bar menu. The Eastside Grill specializes in creative American fare, including grilled steaks, freshly prepared seafood and Cajun / Creole cuisine. Everything at the Eastside Grill is made fresh daily from the highest quality ingredients including the salad dressings, gumbos, chowders, sauces and desserts. The steaks and chops are fresh Midwestern grain fed beef, which is the highest quality choice beef available. They also serve only fresh, never frozen chicken and fish. The menu has all sorts of tasty appetizers including freshly-shucked oysters, New Orleans-style fried oysters, garlicky mussels, crab cakes, seared tuna, blackened alligator, Cajun-fried cauliflower, fresh salads, and homemade chowders, soups, and gumbo. Now the dinner menu is an eclectic blend of steaks, chops, duck, pork, lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian entrées with lots of Cajun / Creole-inspired food on the menu. I started my feasting with a cup of their homemade alligator, Andouille, and seafood gumbo. Sorry Darren, but this was THE best gumbo outside of New Orleans! All of the entrées came with a salad, so I had a small mixed greens salad before diving face-fist into (I mean, "daintily nibbling upon") a bowl of their New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp which was pan-seared, head-on jumbo shrimp in a traditional New Orleans dark roux / barbecue sauce, served over cheesy grits and baby spinach and accompanied by toasted French bread for sopping up the sauce. Wow!!! For dessert, my client forced me to try their warm New Orleans-style bread pudding which was the traditional fresh-from-the-oven sweet, bread custard topped with a bourbon sauce and pecans, raisins and coconut. I couldn't resist! My week on the road was done, and I deserved to oink all the way back to my hotel. :-) According to Eastside's website they have won numerous awards including Best Restaurant and Best Seafood Restaurant in the Pioneer Valley. They've taken home awards from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and the Boston Globe. I really enjoyed my meal, and will gladly come back the next time that I'm in town.
(5)Chris M.
I've been here many times and never left disappointed. The food is solid and the service is very good. I sit at the bar which is cozy- good place to watch a game... The two bartenders, Samantha and Brian are great- really the reason why I keep going back and for the fourth star. The food highlights are the blackened Scallops served with sauteed spinach, the fried Oyster app, seared Tuna with Asian slaw and Sirloin with candied bacon. The menu hasn't changed in the three years that I've gone so my wish would be a smaller menu that changes frequently (including Beer), otherwise it's a great place to hang out.
(4)Murray W.
Eastside Grill has its sights set on what amounts to a niche in Northampton: generic American food in a plain family restaurant. They can't all be fancy pants international or locavore places I suppose. They've got a sizable menu here, and I decided to go with the special that day instead - a top sirloin steak with a bacon, brandy and porcini mushroom demi glace, mashed potatoes, asparagus, as well as a side salad. The intimidating Newcastle Werewolf Red was my choice to wet my whistle. The bread they served my co-worker and I was tough and wasn't cut all the way through, and the butter was cold and just in packets. Not a good start. My salad was an improvement with its fresh veggies and the Gorgonzola dressing was tangy and had a hint of earthiness from the olive oil. MY bread induced anger was starting to subside. The steak continued the improvement from the bread. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and the demi glace was fantastic - balanced with the sweet and hearty, with peppery notes for a bit of pop, its smooth consistency clung to the meat and potatoes like a delicious brown passenger. The potatoes were smooth and buttery with a hint of garlic and some skins mixed in as well. All in all, a solid steak dinner. The Newcastle definitely had a badass name, but it wasn't nearly as red as purported but was tasty nonetheless. I can't imagine being wowed in a place like Eastside, but it did its job well, providing a decent, inoffensive meal at a reasonable price. Keep shooting for the middle, champ!
(3)Ani S.
Came here for our one nice meal in Northampton and I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. My partner's steak was tough and our waiter, while eager to be helpful, had to run off to ask a coworker every time we asked him a question. I'll give him credit for asking, I suppose. The lobster corn chowder was good - lots of meet. The Italian white wine on special was also good, a huge improvement from the "local" wine we tried only a taste of, thank god. Are you sure that wasn't fruit punch? I ordered the duck because I was curious about the ginger blueberry jam, but without the risotto cakes (rolled in flour, I was told) the dish was lacking. I think I expected too much when I read ahead of time they had a gluten free menu. Oh well.
(3)Sarah E.
Excellent dinner at Eastside Grill! I have visited Northhampton countless times, but somehow have missed an opportunity to eat here. I was warned ahead of time that the place is always packed and does not accept reservations on Saturdays. However, the staff recommended we get there early with a large group. We did and had no problem getting a table immediately. The drinks... they were very good. I enjoyed an Espresso Martini (with sidecar) and my friend enjoyed a dirty martini (with delicious stuffed olives). Appetizers... The oysters were delicious. Fresh and huge! My table also got their famous gorgonzola garlic bread. I could not partake, but judging by how quickly it disappeared, I'm thinking it was good! Soup... The lobster corn chowder was delicious/amazing! Entree... I split the tuna with asian slaw. The tuna was cooked to perfection. Rare and wonderful. I got to the point where I didn't think I could enjoy another bite, but I could not bear to leave the food behind :) It was an excellent meal and a wonderful night! One note to the contrary, a member of our party was overcharged on her credit card. Make sure to check your receipt. This can happen anywhere. As far as I know, the staff handled it fastidiously and apologetically.
(5)Emily A.
You'd think you'd have to go out of your way to find such an aggressively mediocre establishment in Northampton, but you'd be wrong. I went with a group of friends-- six of us in total-- for a friend's birthday. We had told the hostess it was a party, but she walked us straight past a big round booth in favor of cramming us at a set of pushed-together tables in the middle of a busy walkway. We had to shout to be heard, and barely had room for ourselves, let alone our coats and bags. Our waitress was pleasant, if a bit on the brusque side. However, only two of us ordered alcoholic drinks, which obviously disappointed her, and after that the service slowed to a crawl. We waited to place our order, then waited more for our appetizers to arrive. The food was fine-- except that when the entrees came out, one of my friends who had ordered a shrimp and mussel pasta dish, got her meal with no mussels. We had to wait (again!) for the waitress to return, so she could ask why her meal was incomplete, only to be told the kitchen was out of mussels. Why they didn't supplement the meal with extra shrimp (or why the waitress didn't tell my friend that when she ordered) was a mystery. Everyone else's food was the same level of "fine"-- not stellar, not terrible. The soups were good, the grits were a bit on the gluey side. They comped my friend's incomplete meal, but after waiting as long as we had and dealing with that hassle, we weren't motivated to stick around for dessert. We're all 5 college alums who come back to the Valley for good food and good service-- things restaurants in Noho, especially, are known for. If that's what you're after, give Eastside a miss and check out Hinge or Mama Iguana's instead.
(2)Jaecj W.
Just ok won't run back Beer that usually is great Berkshire steel rail was off too
(2)Liz B.
Nice atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, prices ok for the area. However, as the 2-star review says, "I've had better." I ordered the steak with candied bacon, but found my cut of meat to be fatty and tough. I had to discretely spit out a few bites! Caeser salad and creme brulee tasted great though. They just really need to up their meat quality for the price!
(2)Marz R.
Nice presentation. Food is good. Tables are just a tad small and a little to close to one another in my opinion. Prices and portions are reasonable. Very welcoming. I will probably return to this location and visit the Holyoke location in the near future.
(4)DH A.
The Lobster chowder and Dirty Martinis here are worth the wait. It can loud and cramped on Weekends so if you want a quiet dinner I'd go here on a weeknight.
(5)Nia G.
Like fish? Than head to the East Side Grill right now! This is my new favorite spot. The tuna was out of this world, both the Asian inspired appetizer and the main course. I was also blow away by the blackend gator with grits. Note: I read some of the other reviews complaining about the service. I was taken aback by this considering we have never had experienced anything but top notch service here.
(5)Pat F.
Lunch menu is great selection. Gorgonzola bread is not what it used to be. I won't order it again blackened chicken delicious
(3)Warren S.
Our waitress was on the ball and could tell you about anything on the menu, which was very helpful since it was our first time eating at Eastside. However, our first impression of her was that her shirt was filthy. Not like an, "Oops! Something accidentally spilled on it," more like the shirt had been worn several days in a row without a wash. Pretty gross. She suggested the NY Sirloin with candied bacon and smoked gouda fondue served (apparently on her shirt --- kidding!) with asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. The steak was really good and the bacon was delicious. However, the fondue was thick and covered three emaciated pieces of overcooked asparagus. I'm pretty sure the mashed potatoes were not freshly made. Indeed, they tasted as if they came from a box. If this is true, I'm not sure why a restaurant would go to such lengths to make a good steak and finish the plate with subpar sides. We didn't order dessert but the descriptions looked really delicious and the menu said they were all made in-house. Would we go there again? Sure, we'd give it another shot. It wasn't spectacular but I'd like to try other dishes before writing this place off entirely.
(3)Logan S.
Just ate here, everything was awesome! Kyle was our server and he was extremely attentive and brought us everything we needed! Their cocktails menu was creative and delicious! Our appetizers came out quickly and the alligator was really good considering alligators aren't exactly native to the area. The blackened fish of the day (happened to be catfish) had a really great kick to it and really hit the spot! My only complaint is the rest of my party wanted to head home so I wasn't able to stay for desert, but I will definitely be back!!
(5)Jessica L.
Absolutely delicious!!!! Fantastic ambience and terrific menu! We started with a dozen oysters. They were really fresh and amazing. Next we got the side salads with the gorganola vinaigrette, which were excellent. For main courses, we got the Butternut Squash Ravioli with spinach and gorganzola. The ravioli are homemade, fresh, and delicious. The butternut squash filling had a creamy consistency and wasn't too sweet, which was perfect. It's also a really generous serving. We also ordered the Cod with Breadcrumbs and Lobster Bisque as well as the Crawfish Etouffee. Both were fantastic. The cod was fresh and really flavorful, atop a delicious lobster bisque. The etouffee was stuffed with crawfish and excellent as well. For dessert, the bread pudding was excellent. Can't wait to come back and try more from the drink and dinner menus! Incredibly reasonable for the price range.
(5)Greg T.
Sat at the bar and ordered oysters on the half shell to start. Very fresh and delicious. Drinks were well made however the stemware was not cleaned on the bottom and my drink kept sticking to the napkin. Salads were good. My main course of blackened prime rib was so-so and lacking in flavor. My wife enjoyed her etouffee and she is a real creole nut having spent time in Louisiana. The service was okay but I think being a bit more engaging in conversation would have helped.
(3)Cindy R.
We ate here 2 years ago and had a terrible experience with tasteless food and paid our bill and decided to never Come back. Our friend told us to try again cause there is new management. So tonight we did...I'm very sorry I did. First: apps were so salty but we weren't gonna complain. Second: my New york strip came out raw when I asked for medium and the roasted potatoes looked old so, I ask the waitress to have the cook make it medium and to please replace the potatoes with mashed. They bring it back 5 min later still raw and burnt on the outside!! I told her I'm all set! She says to me would you rather a medwell steak! Are you seriously gonna stand there and tell me I don't know what a medium steak is? Please, I am 40 years old and eat out more than I should. The manager then tells us he is training a new cook! So punish the customer that makes sense to me! This place shouldn't be in lovely Nothampton. Never again!
(1)Diane H.
I was very disappointed in the food last night. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli which was a gooey mess like a soup in a thick sauce with spinach and cheese, lacking in much flavor. The ravioli appeared to be wontons. My companion enjoyed her salmon however. Another companion found her meat so-so and not cooked well. I have enjoyed this restaurant before, and was surprised last night. Wait staff was excellent.
(3)Patricia L.
What happened? Started going to Eastside in the 90's, and into the next decades. Asked my husband and son to take me there for my 60th birthday recently, because there was a great article in the newspaper. The blackened scallops were delicious as an appetizer, salads were great,. What happened to your steaks? 1/4 inch steak is not appetizing at all, esp. when ordered rare and medium. Very disappointed!
(3)Paul H.
Good food at a very reasonable price. Tried the Jambalaya, lots of flavor and a bit of spice in the chorizo.
(4)Karin N.
Not what it used to be! Have been twice in past 2weeks. First meals comped by manager as they were so bad (raw sweet potatoes in a dish, raviolis tasted like they were in a milk bath vs Gorgonzola). Tried it again and different items, no better. Won't go back again.
(2)Abigail K.
Had the tenderloin with mashed potatoes, bacon, mushrooms, and asparagus. It was delicious and flavorful! Really enjoyed the attentive service and northhampton atmosphere! My friend had the vegetable risotto and it was the best risotto I have ever had. The garlic flavor and warm feeling it gave us was perfect for a cold evening.
(4)Nick D.
Had soups, alligator, and duck - all were above expectations. Great restaurant and food but for some reason we had a Denny's waitress.
(4)R P.
Alligator, grits and gumbo? Wow, did not see that one coming! Cheery staff, good food...
(4)J R.
Seventeen years ago, this was an excellent restaurant, but over the past decade our dinners there have ranged from almost decent to dreadful. so every now and then I go back hoping it will have gotten better. Alas, it hasn't. We had eaten there a few weeks ago at 5 PM on a Thursday. My lobster and corn chowder was watery and tasteless, but my companion liked his tomato seafood chowder. The salads were greens straight out of the bag with no other vegetable but a thin slice of onion. (huh???). The bread served was gummy and too sweet. That time I had the crawfish etoufee which was spicy and full of fresh, sweet crawfish. Quite good. My companion had what was billed as steak tenderloin with bacon, but the bacon was more like bacon bits and the tenderloin overcooked and covered with a gluey sauce. Blah. For dessert the water carbonized a creme brulee announcing as he served it that he's overdone it and then leaving us to eat the blackened chunks of carbon that decorated it. We were too tired to complain but didn't finish it. So yesterday we went back (yeah, I know, but we are so desperately looking for some nice place to eat in Northampton at this price point and I had liked the crawfish dish.) We had a hint of what was to come when we walked in at 5:30 and told the hostess that we were waiting for another person. She snarled that they never seated incomplete parties and when queried told us it was quite possible there would be no tables left when our companion arrived. Her tone suggested she could care less. At that point I should have followed my instincts and gone down the street to another restaurant. But sadly, I didn't. To keep things short, this time the crawfish were NOT fresh but had that flavor cooked seafood gets when it sits in the fridge too long. There was no hint of spice in the sauce. I had a pork and black bean soup which was served in a very small cup 1/2 of which was filled with rice. There was little trace of beans and one chunk of pork. Nasty. It took forever for our entrees to arrive. My one companion had what was billed as "pork shank." I had warned that this sounded highly suspicious, but he ordered it anyway and got something that looked a lot like a pot roasted fresh picnic shoulder (the cheapest cut of pork available.) Since we were treating he didn't say anything about the flavor, but the lack of praise was notable. My other companion who was treating us had an encrusted chicken that was supposed to have 5 different kinds of peppercorns, but he said it had no pepper flavor at all. It looked a lot like fried chicken tenders to me. He later said it was mediocre. I asked the waitress not to carbonize the creme brulee this time so it was pretty good. My companion's "molton chocolate cake" had an unpleasant texture and not much chocolate taste. Our third companion was silent about his Key Lime Pie. So that's it for the East Side Grill for a few more years. The place was packed (which is why we dined so unfashionably early), confirming my belief that most people have no clue what high quality restaurant food should taste like.
(1)Aime D.
"Dinner at the Eastside", from 1994-2001 those words were commonplace for me. Many friends enjoyed long careers with the founding owners -- yea, sometimes the restaurant biz is enjoyable, sometimes not. Well that was then, this is now.
(2)Joshua T.
I feel obliged to write a review as I went here on a whim with my girlfriend after getting a $50 mail in rebate with my new phone. We knew nothing about the place when we went on in and were able to snag a table right away with no waiting. I had this amazing crawfish entre that was only $17 and my girlfriend got this chicken dish (whose name eludes me) that was quite great. For reference as to how good the food is here, my girlfriend can't stand seafood but she loved my meal. It's good food, quite exotic considering how reserved western mass can be and very very well priced. I'd recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Courtney R.
Not a fan of this restaurant. Service is rude and slow. Food is mediocre and is way over priced. However, the restaurant itself is pretty and clean.
(2)Sara N.
A family restaurant with food that is not fit for any family I know. The squash ravioli in gorgonzola sauce was literally inedible. Slimy and swimming in tasteless, watery sauce. The fish was overcooked and dry. Our son liked the alligator, but that's just for the fact that he is now able to add alligator to his food bucket list. I ended up eating the Caesar Salad for my meal....which was decent.
(1)Alfred S.
This was our first time and we were delighted with the food. I had seafood risotto. Most places you get lots of risotto and a few pieces of shrimp buried in the risotto. Not here. It actually was a sweet pea risotto on one corner of the plate and a mound of seafood in a tasty sauce on the rest of the plate. The seafood included crawfish that had been cooked perfectly. My wife also said her dish was great. The downside was that alot of people also liked their food. When we were seated I didn't see an empty table. The parking lot was full as was all the nearby on street parking. I ended up in a lot a couple of blocks away. The service was a little slower than I would have liked but the place was packed. Diane was a pleasant knowledgible waitress that anticipated our needs. I'll be back.
(5)Scott K.
It had been years since I was here until last week and let's just say it has gone down hill in the quality of food. Both dishes my wife and I had were really not flavorful and the ingredients tasted off. We didn't finish our meals and were just not interested in telling them how bad the food was because we were having a nice time regardless. That said I want to say that our waiter was great and the staff was very nice and attentive but the food needs work.
(2)Kylan M.
Overpriced mediocre food that seems to be popular with the over 50 crowd. I don't know why but it always seems to be crowded. There are many superior restaurants in Northampton.
(2)Andy C.
Hey, don't hate on this place. It was solid. Good service, reasonable price, and tasty food. Is it a foodie experience??? Not really, but you can't do that every night anyway. It's a good place to bring the family and eat a good dinner. I would go again with my extended family.
(3)Ellen D.
I would give Eastside 3.5 stars but rounded up. The menu is diverse so there is always something on the menu for everyone. I really like their options and the price is reasonable for Northampton. Seafood is always fresh and well prepared. I normally start with fried oysters and did this time as well. I had a fish of the day and it was very good. I do like their sides and salads. I recommend the Gorgonzola vinaigrette. It is a loud restaurant. I do like that they now take reservation except for Saturday night (I won't go on a Saturday as the wait can be too long).
(4)Emily M.
We tried out Eastside Grill during the Northampton Restaurant week. Definitely make a point to make reservations prior to arriving regardless if it is a promotional week or not. We would have loved to dine outside on their patio, but we were lucky enough to get seating inside with how busy the place was. We had a wonderful server who was well rehearsed in the specials and knowledgeable about the menu itself. The food presentation and seasonings were spot on. Between steaks and the seafood, it was great. My tuna was a bit overcooked (I requested rare, and got it medium). Regardless, it was fine to eat. The four of us who dined that night tried out an assortment of food and each of us were impressed with the turnout. The seating is rather close, which is probably why they can fit so many guests in at one time. While the noise level was a tad loud, it was due to happy diners enjoying their meal with those they were with. We will be returning, but the next time I make reservations, I will request outdoor dining.
(4)Susan W.
Although some consider this the best restaurant in Northampton, little distinguishes it from . . . oh, say . . . the 99. I have only been here twice, once for dinner, which I will admit was better than I thought but that was in 2000 and who really remembers? I went more recently while I was exploring chocolate martinis in the Pioneer Valley. In Greater Boston, a chocolate martini tends to include cream while in the Valley, it is pure alcohol. The chocolate martini at the Eastside Grille was watery with melted ice and the cake I had tasted of cake mix.
(2)Jessika M.
Having lived in NoHo for close to five years now Eastside has become a go-to place when family is in town. They seem to have the perfect menu for a dinner out with parents, or aunts/uncles ect. That being said, the food is good, though nothing to get too excited for. They used to have a really great take on tuna tar tar, but when they changed the menu they switched from the tar tar with crispy wontons, to seared tuna on a bed of warm bulgar....BAD IDEA! The flavors are good, the problem for me is texture...its like eating fish on oatmeal...BLAH! However, like I said generally speaking the food is good, and if you want a good martini and don't feel like going across the street to the Tunnel Bar, Eastside is your place.
(3)Bryan R.
After a second time I thought I would be able to give 4-stars but I am not able to. They have this ridiculous rule that if you get there before 5 PM they make you wait to seat you, even 2 minutes before. So everyone either crams in at the bar or in the main entry way, ridiculous. Our waitress was very friendly but most of the staff seems a little snoody. Very popular with the 50+ crowd in this area. This is a more up scale dining experience and not great for college students which makes it a miss for this area. We got the Potabella Gorgonzola bread, tried all of their homemade salad dressings, vegetable risotto and BBQ shrimp with grits. Although there is decent flavor for all items, I think the cheese is fairly overwhelming in all of these entree's other than the salads which are refreshing. We all had a hard time staying awake on the ride home. Although we thought the two non-meat options would be vegetarian friendly they really weren't, they were loaded with so much cheese that it was a little hard to handle. The grits were good but again a little over powering, as one would suggest by the food coma after the fact. After two mediocre experiences at their fine dining prices, I probably wouldn't do again for a while. The salad dressing is amazing, too bad they are not in the salad dressing business instead of the mediocre dining business.
(3)Matthew S.
Sad to see such a low rating. I've gone here about twice a year for the last three years, and it still contends for my favorite restaurant in Northampton (in which I live). Staff is fine, drinks are fine, food is great. The gorgonzola bread is a fantastic starter, and one of my favorite entrees is the steak topped with gouda fondue and candied bacon. Everything else I've had has also been great. I am a picky patron, so I am very surprised by all the bad reviews.
(5)Emily C.
Delicious meal, great service, nice atmosphere equals a super perfect evening with friends. Ahi tuna is amazing, as is the duck and the seafood risotto. We did not leave room for dessert but there were certainly tempting options.
(4)Jessica R.
I have always had a great meal here. If you plan on going during the weekend go early as the wait time increases after 6. It does not always take reservations. The steak and scallops are my favorite.
(4)David P.
Eastside Grill is certainly one of the most expensive places in town, which would be fine if the food was commensurate with the pricing, but it's not. It's quite overpriced. If you luck out, at least the service will be pretty good. Although no menu items are particularly bad, nothing will stand out as 'the best X' when thinking back on it, and you'll have way overpaid. If you are traveling through the area for 1, 2, or even 5 days, you can still find a new place for every meal and not have any need to try Eastside.
(3)Alex G.
Went here for a birthday party. I would call this place average, nothing really special, just your typical american food. Although, they do have some interesting items, like roasted duck that I got, which was pretty decent. Overall I think the food here is not worth the price. Some people at our table got steaks, which were pretty much burned. Also the waitress was kind of rude. She kept constantly forgetting to bring stuff, or messed up orders and acted like it was our fault. Eventually another waitress replaced her, and she was nice. Also the atmosphere is not the best, very closely packed and noisy. I would go here once in a while, maybe for a birthday again, but definitely would not make it a regular place.
(3)Chris W.
Went here as Sierra Grill had a 2 hour wait (because its good) and have not been before so figured i would suggest going here. Only a 20 minute wait without a reservation, but the place was packed, they were turning tables over very fast. So the place looked promising. The decor is fairly modern and the dining room is setup so that you like theres not as many people as there are. the different tiers block your view, but if you actually look around its busy and on the loud side. The wait service is fairly speedy, but unattendive once they get your food order. Food came somewhat quick for the volume of orders they had, but not for the easy to prepare meals they have. I ordered the East Side steak, which was very dry but i ordered it blackened to add a kick of spice which was decent but overall disappointing. On the side were roasted potatoes which tasted like they've been under heat lamps since noon and squash which was really watery. The rest of my party had seafood, which is probably the way to go. The ravioli came with mussels, shrimp and scallops which were all pretty good, but the fish dish at the table was another disappointment as it comes on a mound of boring rice with not enough sauce. Bottom line is that its not worth going to eat food that can be made a home. I would suggest ordering seafood or even try the duck as that caught my attention and itsnt something i would prepare at home.
(2)Tiffany G.
Ok, so I might not be from around here, but I know this place does NOT deserve 2 and a half stars. (I'm from South Florida.. So I know good food!) The lobster and corn chowder and the seafood chowder/gumbo were delish, and both FULL of meat!!! The roasted duck with the cranberry relish and fried mash potatoes was amazing, and the shrimp al fresco (shrimp pasta with Brie) was good too, however overshadowed by the duck which, again, was superb! It didn't end there either.. My table ordered the apple crisp, new orleans bread pudding, and the maple creme brûlée for dessert. The apple crisp was on the dull side, but the other two...Wow!!!! Soo amazing! Service was great too, so if you are in the area, give this place a try!
(5)Rob S.
Resting on their laurels, milking the rep. A dispiriting meal began with some table bread - whole wheat baguette imported from Stop and Shop I think. The Octoberfest brew was flat and timid. But I was hopeful the Delmonico I had ordered would redeem the experience. Alas, it was the singularly toughest piece of ribeye I have ever put a knife to. To top it off the baked potato was undercooked. 9/11/11
(2)Andrew B.
I'm taking off a star because I feel that the meal at 5 star restaurant should be a vivid memory of one of the best meals I've ever eaten in my whole life. Even after re-reading my review I can't recall the restaurant for its food or the service, only the company I was with.
(4)Lauren R.
I booked a reservation for my first anniversary though I probably needn't have bothered. I can't say I was disappointed. This is very upscale compared to most of Northampton. Boyfriend and I each got a steak and an appetizer to share. Quality of food was very good. Service was good. Decor is mellow and romantic (in parts. There IS a bar in the back). However, Eastside lacked the ability to make it a truly memorable occasion.
(4)Fauzia I.
I've always liked Eastside but recently I've found myself questioning it a bit more, and whether my initial liking was more for the menu - intriguing and appetizing more in description than in actuality. Pricey no matter how you look at it. It's been a journey, from going more for the entrees and now more appetizers to make a meal of. This time, the latter for two (with sangria and beer) came to $40+. My favorite is the popcorn (fancy word for breaded) shrimp, and you can get a polenta appetizer for $3 or $4 - I think it's the cheapest thing on the menu and it's pretty good. Much has been said about the food, atmosphere, etc so I'll limit my comments to the two things that stood out for me about 3 days ago. First the server, while polite and attentive, lacked the friendliness and enthuasiasm that wins me over. Second, and more importantly, I ordered red sangria and it was horrible. Some generic cheap wine, no fresh fruit in it and less than half a glass gave me a headache that wouldn't go away. Between the cost and this ... as much as I like the place on paper, I don't think I'd go back anytime soon.
(2)Jenn X.
I've been twice. They know how to cook steak well. The other things I have tried were average. Excellent prices.
(4)Samantha L.
What a let down. The only redeeming quality of this place was the fall sangria half carafe we ordered to numb the pain of this poorly/lack of seasoned food. It was a party of 5, we were not too hungry so we ordered 3 apps to start. Basic stuff - gorgonzola garlic bread, blackened scallops, fried calamari. The best tasting app? The garlic bread. The least appetizing? The scallops. The calamari, though fried nicely, for $8... it was barely enough for each person to have 2 pieces! Ridiculous. The scallops I honestly thought were horrendous. Served on a small square plate, 5-6 okay sized scallops. Flavor? Okay first, this was NOT blackened. When I think blackened, I think a nice crispy outside with a juicy and tender inside. In other words, there would be a texture dimension in this dish. There as NONE. It was simply tossed in this pan that clearly had BURNT seasonings and it coated the scallops. The scallops had no crispy outside, and no flavor really besides spicy and burnt. The presentation was laughable as well. After placing the scallops on the plate they must have poured the "juices (burnt seasoning)" atop. So there was this unpleasant pool of liquid with black specks on the plate. Yummy? I think not. Garlic bread is garlic bread really. Yeah, instead of parm or pecorino, they used gorgonzola. It was honestly the best tasting thing I ate there besides my drink. Entrees, as mentioned we were not that hungry. So my bro and his girlfriend ordered a ribeye to share, my parents got the scallops with beef tenderloin tips, and I ordered the house side salad with crab cakes from the apps section. When salads came with the entree and my own order I was... confused? My house salad, and their dinner salad was EXACTLY the same size, on the same plate. I paid $4 for 3/4 cup of mesclun greens? Fine, I got over it. I dug in. First bite... okay a little heavy on the balsamic... fine. Second bite, it's starting to get too much. I put my fork under the small pile of greens and I see a POOL of dressing on the plate. It was disgusting. Period. I should have sent it back, but with my small salad almost already gone, I just dealt with it by moving the greens from my salad plate to my app plate. Even after the transfer, there was SO much dressing it even coated my appetizer plate. If it was a fluke and it was just my salad plate that was like that, I would have gotten over it. But my brothers salad was the same way. And on my way out, I saw another patron with the same issue of completely overdressed dinner salads and a pool of dressing left on the plate. I thought, this is going to be a tough dinner. Keep drinking the tasty sangria, smile and laugh with my family and pray this will be over soon. The time between apps, salads and dinner was poorly spaced. Even our server recognized how long our food took to come out that she told us it'll be right out, and even served us some bread between that lag time. Just keep drinking, everything tastes better while intoxicated... When our dinners arrived, my bro and his girlfriend were pretty happy with the ribeye. It was cooked to their specifications, but their sides, the potatoes and veggies looked boring. Plain even. Whatever. My parentals had no commentary on their food. When my mother is silent about her food it means it isn't tasty. My crab cakes were a bore as well. I do have to admit portion size was very hearty. It was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, warm and moist in the center. But it was weird, it just did not taste like.. much. I wish in the description they mentioned that there were capers in it because it's a strong flavor. I did not mind it, but it was a surprise nonetheless. It just was not one of the better tasting crab cakes I've had. It was unremarkable. And the sauce with it was... just bland. Overall, food was unremarkable, boring, poorly seasoned, though perfectly cooked. I would not come back here, it was not even my choice but my brothers.Service was ok to medicore. Our server seemed bored and looked exhausted. When she was pouring our sangria into our glasses she spilled a good amount on the table and it almost splattered onto my brother. She apologized, but that was about it. I wish we went somewhere else.
(1)Danielle T.
I would have given it 4 stars 2 years ago. My husband and I are regulars here - every anniversary, valentine's day and we were engaged here. We even have a few servers who know our names. We love the food, they always do the steaks exactly right. It's casual enough for jeans, but not a bad setting for a dressy night, too. That being said, they recently changed their no-reservations policy. On our usual Valentine's date, I walked in to put our name on the list, as usual on v-day, expecting a 2 hour wait, during which we could walk around town, have a drink or two, then return. I was agast to discover that the foyer was empty and half the tables were empty. And I was told they were booked solid for the night, due to reservations we didnt know we needed. What!? I think the reservations policy will hurt them. This was the 1st valentine's day in about a decade that we didnt come to Eastside, even though we tried to. Anyway, the food is still good and a great value, I just feel a little less regular--ish now.
(3)jpe j.
UR-INE FOR AN EXPERIENCE! Well, where to start . . . 4 of us dined at Eastside last night and we'll never go back again. The waitress was curt and became unfriendly when 2 in our party indicated that they only wanted salad and an appetizer, and no entre. Shortly thereafter we became aware of an unmistakable urine smell emanating from beneath our table (which was on the lower level near the front window). The taste of our meals were, shall we say, "uneventful" -- unless you count the fact that my wife spent the night vomiting and I and another dining companion both had "stomach issues" for the rest of the evening as the 4 of us sat through a play at Smith College. Our suggestion: AVOID this place at all costs.
(1)Mary B.
Once again a disappointment. 16-20 years ago it was a 4-5 star restaurant w/ excellent food. We have tried it every few years since then and each time the food has been mediocre at best. We will not go back. This week we ordered appetizers of crab cakes (nicely spiced but bready and greasy) and blackened scallops which were tender and delicious (the best part of the meal). My husband had the sauteed lobster/corn chowder, the lobster had no flavor and the chowder was bland (tasted like frozen corn, not fresh). My entree was sesame shrimp (quite greasy/heavy coating) w/ asparagus over white rice. The salad baby mesclun leaf and little else with a tasty gorgonzola vinegarette. Our waitress was lovely but we felt rushed and that they just wanted to turn over the table to the next party.
(1)Anne G.
I have been here more than a few times and over the years I still like the atmosphere very much and I still think the service is very good. That said....we went on Friday night at 5pm with out of town family (this does seem to be the perfect spot for older out of towners.....seriously). The place was already full with mostly large groups of out of town families! ;-). We sat in a comfortable booth and the service was really good. I just kept thinking to myself that the staff of servers must have A LOT of patience and good humor to continually recite the list of sides and salad dressings. We had a couple of drinks and some bread that was deeeeeelicious. For appetizers, we started with popcorn chicken and calamari. The chicken came with a bbq sauce and a honey mustard sauce. Both were fine. Calamari was lightly battered and fried (imho, it probably could have been cooked for just a few minutes more.....). For entrees we had: duck breast, tenderloin, salmon (salmon was 2nd choice since fish delivery hadn't occurred yet (??) and the jambalaya. The flavors were ok but every last one of us had one word to describe: DRY. Most of it was overcooked. Not by much, but enough to change the quality of the texture. The sides were ok: mashed potatoes, mashed butternut squash and potato cakes. Pretty basic. We opted for dessert at La Fiorentina and I think that was a good decision. I mean really....who doesn't love a cannoli. All in all - I guess it's what I expected and it was fine, but I probably won't be back until some out of town peeps come to visit again.
(3)The H.
This place was disappointing. It has to be the snobbiest restaurant in Northampton (no offense to Northampton, but that takes skill!), and the food is so overpriced and bland. It tastes like diet food...Like those gross weight watchers frozen dinners kind of diet food. Not impressed.
(1)Matt L.
This spot has been here for quite a while and has a lot of repeat business. It sits in a prime location in this busy downtown filled with many new restaurants, some very good. The outside looks like someones house, and the inside is very tight knit, a bit cozy and not bad. The staff is okay, but a bit snobby, thinking they are the best place in town. The wine list and drinks list is average, nothing ot really talk about. The menu is a selection of cajun dishes, some creative and some not. I think I have tried some dishes here that are okay and some that are terrible. I wouldn't say this is the best place to eat in this city, but it is not the worst. I would say give it a try, its hard to tell what you may get. Look around, because within walking distance is some very good places.
(3)David X.
File this under family-friendly upscale. Consider it a fourth-rate Legal Seafoods. Most entrees are $20. I ordered "Sesame Crusted Scallops with Lobster in Sake-Scallion sauce". Sounds delicious. The scallops and lobster were clearly previously frozen. In fact, the 'lobster', if that's what it was, could have easily been artificial crabstick since that's what it tasted like. The 'sesame crust' consisted of a dash of sesame seeds sprinkled on the final dish. In the right hands, this dish could have been amazing. Instead, it reminded me of Stouffer's frozen meals at your local grocery store. My friend had some sort of allegedly high quality steak which clearly was an extremely cheap cut. He left half of it unfinished. Eastside is what you expect to see nowadays - food-service type restaurants that think putting fancy names on the menu bumps them up to four stars. I'll also say that the waitstaff was the type you'd see at your local diner. One would expect to see bright-eyed articulate attractive college students, considering the location.
(2)T L.
eastsidegrill.com/menu.p… Nice layout with bar immeditely inside of the front door as you wait for seats, nice bar but lacking on draft beers on tap (went with the BBC steel rail which wasnt that bad). Dinner: we went with chicken and shrimp creole gumbo (not bad, not enough shrimp or chicken but flavor was good and a bit spicy), some bread, then gave us salads. I got the special of the day which was a maryland softshell crab that was encrusted in panko breadcumbs with a butter, scallion ginger sauce on it, it came with aspargus and some garlic mashed potatoes ( it was awesome, there was so much crab and I love the panko crumbs) ; maureen had scallops with roasted pork loin with a mushroom demi glace and mashed potatoes (the sauce was incredible, it made the dish) overall big servings for quality food (8 out of 10)
(4)drew j.
Huge fan. Easily the best deal in town. Always solid menu and drinks. Wish they would take reservations.
(5)S C.
Appetizers are always tasty, entrees i have found can sometimes be hit or miss. Love the fried oysters and the mussels, the butternut squash raviolis (both entree and appetizer) are absolutely delicious. The atmosphere feels inside has an oceanside feel even though its in the middle of western MA. Definitely recommend this place
(4)Shelley C.
Before I moved to L.A. we dined here quite often, and the food was decent, but began to decline in quality. We heard there were new owners, and returned last week to check it out in hopes the food would be better. I hate to say it, they are still up to their old tricks. The menu sounds delicious and wonderful but the food simply falls flat. They are over priced for the quality, plain and simple. For $18 I was served a meager portion of risotto in too much broth, a scrap of lobster, and 5 shrimp. All 4 of us felt like our respective meals were a total rip off, and they were all served cold. Also, all 4 martinis were poorly made, with a dirty martini that was so briny it had to be sent back. I just don't get the appeal or the lines, this place pales in comparison to nearly every other restaurant in Northampton.
(1)Steph L.
My friends and I went to Eastside Grill last night and loved it! We all enjoyed cocktails, and their fresh steamers outside on the patio. Our server was outstanding! She was friendly, quick and very attentive. We will be back, very soon!
(5)Kathy W.
While the food was fine, the service was beyond horrible. Dinner on Friday night for a small party lasted for 2.5 hrs because the order was lost. When I flagged the server after 30 minutes of no food or drink refills, I immediately got an apology. I should not have had to raise my hand - when it was discovered that the order was lost, we should have been informed immediately. Additionally, we could barely hear each other speak because of the way the tables are crowded together. We will not be returning.
(1)K C.
My partner and I and another couple of friends went there this past Saturday to celebrate a birthday. We arrived a 5:30 to a completely packed house (oops- we forgot it was Valentines Weekend too). There was an hour wait but honestly, we got a great spot up by the bar and enjoyed catching up with a glass of wine while we waited for our table. We were seated right on time at a great table in the front room. We ordered apps first-everything was delicious. If you're ever there, treat yourself to a side of the cheesy grits as one of your apps. They are TO DIE FOR. We each ordered a different entree and tasted off of each other's plates. They were all delicious. However, the thing we found the most impressive was the staff- how friendly everyone was-even amongst the huge crowd of people in the room. We had a great time (and an incredibly responsive server). She surely must have had many other tables but we never felt that way. We felt like we were her only priority. This place is a gem. It's always consistently wonderful with a very friendly staff in a warm atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
(5)Jared R.
The Eastside Grill was always a go to restaurant with my parents. I have had great meals here. The blackened fish is always great. I was disappointed in a chicken dish I had a few weeks ago. It reminded me of airline food. That was the only disappointing meal I have had there. The bar is nice to sit at before dinning. BBC on Tap is great. This one of the most consistently good restaurant in Northampton and a must go to when in Northampton.
(4)Jeff P.
Went again to this place hoping that they had addressed many issues from previous visits. Service was very friendly and helpful, but not quite as fast as I would have expected from a classy place. It was, however, MUCH better than the quality of the food. I bought two rib eye steak dinners priced at $21 each. Both steaks were low quality, with lots of gristle. The salads we were served were small with minimal amounts of dressing. The garden salad was lettuce with a small amount of onion and about six tiny slivers of carrot. The Ceasar salad was bland. The baked potato served with one of the steaks was very small and barely warm. The roasted potatoes served with the other steak were inedible....cold and nasty. I have continued to patronize this establishment because of great dining experiences I had there many years ago. However, this meal is the final insult to my efforts. I will not be going back. From the looks of many of the reviews that others have posted about East Side, I am not alone. It's really too bad. I will miss it.
(1)Sarah K.
I came here with two other friends during the weekend because we were craving meat. We are deprived college students that do not get enough protein from the dining halls on campus so you can imagine how excited we were about making the trip downtown to finally eat some quality food. I got the ahi tuna dish with caramelized onions and my friends both got some kind of steak. I haven't tried their dish so I can't speak on their behalf, but my dish was WAYYY too sweet. The sauce was overbearing so I could barely taste the tuna. The texture was great, however. It sliced like butter and I didn't need to do much chewing to swallow since it pretty much melted in my mouth. The waitress highly recommended this particular dish, which apparently is one of their most popular items on the menu. I think I would have liked it much better had the sauce been more light and simple. Price is fair because the portions are pretty big. Definitely nothing expensive. If you haven't been here, it's worth a try, but I won't be coming back. I prefer Sierra Grille next door. I've never been disappointed at that place!
(3)Bob B.
Been going to east side grill for over twenty years. This was the worst service and food we ever had. Chicken was over cooked so I sent it back. Waited over 30 minutes, finally told the server I'll get it to go, after she told me three times it would be right out. They did comp me the meal. On my way out I told the host about my night. He was embarrassed, but great full I shared it with him. He did give me a $25 gift card to return to the Grill. It has declined over the years.willing to try one more time.
(2)Pito S.
Just ok. Shrimp appetizer was good, salads were good, desert was good. But all four entrees were quite disappointing each for different reasons. Steak, ordered med rare came med, Asian salad with the tuna way too salty and too much sauce. Etc etc.
(3)Meghan M.
Okay so our food was excellent. Our wine was excellent. Pur service however was not. We waited an hour because we were 7 minutes late for our reservarion. I called 5 minutes before we were late and said we were parking and would be there in 5. when we walked in the hostess explained our situation to the manager. The female manager with blonde mid length hair said loud enough for the 8 groups of people standing around at the bar "well its not our problem it took her too long to get ready put them at the bottom of the list." SERIOUSLY. Well we needed to use our gift card and it was a special occasion for my husband's promotion. So we got wine at the bar and settled in. We saw this manager frazzled to the bone walk back and forth trying to wisper/scream at her employees for 45 mins before we were seated.
(3)Jay O.
The Alpine Stereo of Northampton restaurants. You'll pay pretty good money for a pretty decent experience. Cramped. Nothing special. Largely a "I could have cooked that at home" experience. Nice bar. Very pretty outdoor patio.
(3)Milanes M.
I like that their menu has a variety of options and that you can get seated quite promptly. The first time I went, it looked like someone had splashed a can of tomato sauce onto my pasta. I asked them for less sauce and they admitted that the entree was draining in it. I tried it again a second time and ate their calamari. It did not taste that great and I did not feel good at all afterward. Service was slow. Wont return.
(1)Ila S.
So good! Risotto with seafood was amazing. Packed with shell fish, and leftovers reheated well for lunch the next day. Crab cakes some of the best around- not too bready. Popcorn shrimp delicious too. Our wait person called herself V. She was great. Attentive, efficient, prompt. No reservations on Saturday. We got there at 5:30 and there was already a wait, but not to bad. We say in 20 minutes. When we left the entrance and bar were packed with people waiting. Everyone knows it's worth it. But they do take reservations other nights.
(5)Sam H.
The food was delicious, overall. A couple things were slightly overcooked, but not so much that it compromised the meal. We ordered the Cajun Meatballs and Seared Ahi for appetizers. The meatballs were absolutely divine. The ahi was good, but overcooked (ordered rare and looks like it was left on the grill to sear just a little too long). The wasabi sauce with the ahi had great flavor. The house Gorgonzola vinaigrette that came on the salad was wonderful. For dinner, my husband got Shrimp with Grits and I got Sirloin with Gouda Fondue & Candied Bacon. My husband loved the shrimp. I loved my plate, except the quality of the meat wasn't stellar and it was slightly overcooked. The other flavors on the sirloin plate were great though. My husband's beer from the tap was a little flat, which was disappointing. Our waitress was friendly enough and gave us decent service.
(3)Joey P.
East street grill was recommended by gentlemen in the street. So glad we went as food was amazing! Loved the character of the building. Server was awesome, even host checked on table after food was served. Lobster chowder was amazing & vegetarian risotto was really delicious.
(5)Dan L.
The last time I ate at Eastside Grill it was outstanding. That was around eight years ago or thereabouts. A couple of friends/coworkers warned that this is not the Eastside Grill I remembered but chose to go anyway. They were right. We both ordered the evening specials, my wife chose the blackened red snapper and I chose the 14oz ribeye with pernod and sweet onion demi. The snapper was extremely dry, a fork stood firmly in the fish and even if you pushed on it, it wouldn't bend over easily. There was very little flavor and she had to use a fair amount of salt to compensate. Ultimately she only ate a few bites then bailed. My steak was very thin and very chewy/tough and also flavorless (I too had to use a fair amount of salt). I know good steaks and I know subpar. This was comparable to a chuck-eye steak from a supermarket....only a chuck-eye at least has very good beefy flavor. I would say it wasn't even as good as a ribeye from Big Y or Stop&Shop. That's hard to do I would imagine. In the end I ate about half before I decided it wasn't worth it. We would just go somewhere else and have a few appetizers before the show. The waitress was very nice and accommodating. She had recommended the steak and especially the demi sauce and and seemed genuinely upset that I/we were unhappy with our selections. She was able to remove the price of the snapper from the bill...Thank you. I would have paid anyway, that's just how it goes when you go out to dinner. It can be a crapshoot. Anyway, we left her a handsome tip and left without incident but won't be back. We had really looked forward to this dinner as a prelude to a show but in the end were very disappointed. The good news is there's tons of restaurants in Northampton to explore.
(2)Dean R.
The Eastside Grill has really gone downhill. This used to be a good place to come to eat in a casual, but nice atmosphere with family - a step up, in other words. We came and were really disappointed. We started with portobello crostini and they did this very well! The bread served ahead of the meal arrived warm and crusty, but not terribly rich in taste. The butter was served in packaged wraps. The salads were mixed. House salads with dressing on the side were competent, but the Caeser I ordered was overdressed and humdrum, almost packaged. The entrees were terrible. The butternut squash ravioli was drenched in a salted-to-the-gills milky broth and although the ravioli appeared to be made from scratch, the otherwordly use of salt ruined the dish. The spaghetti squash was also obscenely oversalted - so much so that my dinner companion became ill after eating. Her dish at the restaurant was also completely ruined. Often, a chef who uses lots of salt on vegetarian dishes doesn't know how to cook them, other times the use of too much salt and cream displays a lack of culinary finesse. I had enjoyed coming here for years, but I would not go back to try it again unless someone else was picking up the tab, and even then, I would try to get recommendations ahead of time and stick to what's safe. The prices are not expensive, but the food isn't well prepared. The atmosphere can be loud. The dining can be comfortable, but this doesn't make up for poor cooking. I think that the Eastside Grill is a good place to go if you want to spend money and eat in a restaurant with a respectable mien, but the truth is that the people who come here today _and enjoy it_ simply have a little money to spend going out but can't tell the difference between what's good and what isn't.
(1)Sarah O.
A group of us (nine in total) chose Eastside for our annual post-Christmas dinner this year, and on the whole, I had a really good experience. Our waitress, whose name I wish I could remember, was awesome. She did not miss a beat, was very friendly, and we received excellent service throughout. Our water glasses were always full, and she never forgot anything or made a mistake with our orders, which was impressive considering that we were a large party, and not her only table. I ordered a cup of lobster corn chowder to start, which was delicious. The lobster was cooked perfectly, and the corn was sweet. I also liked that there was more corn than potato, but that's just a personal preference. The duck breast entree was also very good. The duck was cooked to medium, which was maybe a tad more than I would have liked, but it wasn't at all dry or bland. It came with potato cakes (essentially mashed potatoes fried in a patty) which were as I imagined they should be-- crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. My only complaint about the entree was that the greens it came with-- spinach I think-- seemed to have been sauteed in the duck fat. As a result, the spinach wasn't very flavorful, and tasted like old oil. It seemed like an unnecessarily heavy and rich treatment of the spinach, especially considering how rich the duck and potato cakes were. The prices at Eastside are eminently reasonable. The duck was under $20 and came with a salad, and most items on the menu-- even the steaks-- are in the mid-to-high teens or very low $20's. The absence of the poor spinach execution, and the addition of more wines offered by the glass might have brought Eastside up to five stars, which is certainly an improvement from my last visit.
(4)Joanna F.
Service was spectacular, food was just ok. Came in with a large group. Our waitress was really nice and helpful and our food arrived quickly. I like that all meals come with a salad to start - that's something that's not offered at a lot of restaurants in and around Boston and I forget how charming it is when I see that trend in Western MA. My dinner was pretty bland. I got the crawfish etouffee. I've never had etouffee before, so I'm not sure what it's supposed to taste like, but this had very little heat and very little flavor. I try not to add salt to any of my food but I had to add a lot here to get any flavor. My friend also got the etouffee and thankfully asked for some tobasco which spiced it up a little. My fiance and I split some Mud Pie for dessert. This isn't the most difficult dessert to make(coffee ice cream in a cookie crust with hot fudge on top) but the hot fudge tasted homemade, so that's a plus. I would probably come back and try something else. Some of the other dishes looked good.
(3)Melissa T.
I went to Eastside Grill for the first time this afternoon with my mom and stepdad for Easter dinner. I hadn't given it much thought before, as it does not appear to be particularly vegan friendly on the surface. But they were one of the few places downtown open for dinner, so I decided to give it a shot as I learned that there was at least one vegan option on the menu. I am glad that I did! The staff was very friendly and the service was great. The bread was served warm and was delicious; I had to resist eating more than the slice and a half that I did! I ordered the roasted brussels sprouts with butternut quinoa. The brussels sprouts were amazing - roasted to perfection in a spiced cider syrup. The quinoa was okay, somewhat bland on its own, but better when combined with the delicious glaze from the brussels spouts. I did enjoy the large chunks of butternut squash in the quinoa, however. My mom ordered salmon and my stepdad ordered steak, and they both enjoyed their meals. Overall, a good choice for our Easter meal!
(4)John B.
After returning to the Northampton area, I was anxious to try the Eastside Grill for two reasons. First, it was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Amherst in the 1980s and 1990s. Second, recent reviews on yelp have been mediocre, and a number of reviewers have suggested it is a shadow of its former self. So I have tried the Eastside Grill twice since returning to Northampton, most recently two days ago during Restaurant Week, and found it to be as good as I can remember. Both the food and service were excellent; in fact, the service on both occasions was better than anything I encountered in the Boston area in 13 years there. During my most recent visit, I had a watermelon gazpacho, scallops with porcini mushrooms, and a praline/blonde brownie sundae and only $25 during restaurant week. The dishes were creative, prepared perfectly, and the portion sizes reasonable. The bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand was excellent and reasonably priced.
(5)Elizabeth K.
Service was awesome! Food was blah. Prices were crazy good! Apps, entrees, dessert, and booze for 5 was around $200. It was around $7 for a mojito and $6.5 for a Tanguery and tonic. Win! However, the food was just not good. If I was every in the area, I would not go back to eat there, because, I like good, adventurous food! If you are eating with your grandparents though, this place might be perfect! I got the butternut squash ravioli in Gorgonzola sauce and it tasted like they were sitting in a pile of water. There was not even close to a cheese taste, let alone the strong, pungent Gorgonzola taste! Those that had steak fared a little better in the flavor department, but, it's harder to go wrong when you order a plain steak. However, I shared my sister's Delmonico, and, even that was just really boring. Also, they deep fry everything in soy oil, so, if you're allergic to soy - beware. The best part by far was the mojito and the chocolate mousse cheesecake.
(3)Peter M.
We've been going to the Eastside Grill for years now and have always loved it. We bring family and friends with the promise of amazing steaks and delicious sides. However, tonight was a much different experience. The service was still prompt and the bread and salad was as stellar as always. Imagine our surprise when our entrees arrived and the mashed potatoes were fake!! Granted, perhaps the kitchen ran out (though it was an average Monday night) but when I asked the waiter regarding them, I was lectured on the "buttermilk recipe that is used to create the smooth texture." Sorry bro, it doesn't take Gordon Ramsay to identify instant potatoes. What a disappointment - I really hope this place isn't going downhill...
(2)Judith S.
We had dinner here a couple of nights ago on a Saturday. Dinner on Sat. nights is first come, first served, which was no problem as we got there just when they opened at 4:00. Our meals were excellent. My husband got the sesame shrimp with lobster and sake, and liked it very much. He said the sesame-encrusted shrimp had a very nice flavor, and he felt there was a nice balance with the lobster. The honey-lemon dressing on his salad was a nice change from the usual salad dressings at other restaurants. I got the tenderloin tips and scallops but not blackened (spicy) as the menu offers. The tenderloin was done perfectly and was, indeed, very tender and flavorful. The scallops were also done to perfection and very clean without the occasional bit of sand I've found in scallops I've ordered other places. They were juicy and fork tender and tasted very fresh. They came with deliciously creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes and broccoli. Usually the broccoli I get at restaurants is either overcooked mush or so hard that it needs to be cut with a steak knife. Even the vegetable was perfectly cooked. The service was fast, efficient, and very friendly. Our waitress Caitlyn (sp?) was most helpful and welcoming. We will definitely return to the Eastside Grill.
(5)Althea G.
Tonight, I gave Eastside a second chance. All I can say is what a mistake!!! The first time we went the food was bland, watery, and totally disappointing. The gumbo was so lame it would've been laughed out of New Orleans! I absolutely love shrimp, grits n' greens, and I thought how could that go wrong....well, the shrimp had NO flavor, the grits were cold in the middle and the whole plate was soaked in water! So, back to tonight, we went with variety of items via take out. The food was packed with such disregard. The lids were not on and half the dishes leaked out all over my car. They forgot to pack 2 items that I ordered (and paid for) and once again the food was boring and super bland! If youre craving real creole I recommend going to Chef Wayne's Big Mamou. That's a restaurant that will never let me down!
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