Pellana is a very classy restaurant with a beautiful, comfortable, and romantic ambiance. The customer service is excellent. They are very thorough with explaining the menu, educated in their wine list, and just friendly overall. They are always making sure that your table is clean from crumbs and taken care of. I highly recommend ordering the filet mignon. I order mine with the aged cheddar cheese melted over the top, but there are many other options to smother your steak in. Pellana has served me the best steak I ever had, and it keeps me going back there.
(5)
Kathryn G.
Went to Pellana for my birthday & to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary this evening. Our server Doug was outstanding !!! Extremely knowledgable , attentive & personable.. Food was even better.... This was our first time here & we can't wait to come back.
Pellana has been hands down, our favorite steak house in the area since first coming several years ago. Believe me, we go to all of them and my husband and I still love Pellana the most. It's like coming home every time we hit the door. Every single staff member is attentive. The bartenders make the best cocktails ever, the hostess is always smiling, the service is amazing and if you are fortunate enough to see Daniella who owns the place with her husband, well then that is a perfect night! The steaks are always cooked to perfection, the wine list is very comprehensive with plenty of great selections at every price point. They even hosted a large party in their private room for my son's High School graduation and we couldn't have asked for a better evening. Run don't walk to Pellana. You wont regret the decision.
(5)
Bill D.
For the 2nd year in a row, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Pellana's. I can't say enough great things about this restaraunt. The atmosphere is very comfortable and the lighting is perfect. The wait staff is top notch, watching them take care of all the tables is very impressive. My wife ordered the bone in Ribeye that was exceptional, cooked perfectly and the baked potato is so large we actually split it. I had the 10 ounce Filet that was tender and delicous. Obviously, you will be paying Boston steakhouse prices without the hassle of driving or taking the subway into town. With the tip the meal cost us $140.00, well worth a great meal while we celebrated our anniversary. I highly recommend going to Pellana's.
(5)
Lew S.
Been to them all, NY, CHI and this place is not equal it is better. Worth the trip. Service and food top-notch.
The service, the food, the atmosphere.. Pellana is an impeccable experience. Avoiding the drive and parking in the city but experience a Boston quality(even better) meal makes this gem the perfect spot for any special celebration.
(5)
BetterHalf A.
Last time when I ate there, I was very happy with food, servers, and speedy service. I was hopping to replicate the same experience when I took my family for the special occasion. Spending over $40 for a steak, I was expecting somewhat Boston's fine dine experience. Everything went wrong last night...simply said, it was bad. Overall foods are okay, but that is the problem. Why would i spend over $400 with a bottle of wine and 3 course meals for party of three? They need to improve everything about the restaurant. The server was not attentive, food quality was not great, and atmosphere is just okay. What's up with all those cheesy and cheap original oil paintings for? I think they bought their paintings from starving artist you see time to time on TV commercial. I will not go back there again.
(2)
Renee M.
This is our favorite restaurant. We usually come on special occasions. Food is excellent.Staff is exceptional.
(4)
Alicia S.
You know this prime steak house is the absolute best when you constantly compare other prime steak houses to it . Every time my husband & I go to another prime steak house we always say, "it's good but it's NOT Pellana" . Can't say enough great things about this place whether it's the service or the food . Once you go, your taste buds will fall in love !
(5)
Caitlin W.
I went here last Saturday night with my husband for our 1 year wedding anniversary. We had made the reservation on open table months in advance for 7pm. We arrive around 6:50, and had a drink at the bar (him a beer, me the Ginger Pear martini) until our table was ready. We were seated in a room in the back that was pretty quiet. Our server was very attentive all evening, providing the perfect amount of service, not rushing us at all, but was always there when we needed him. For starters we split the appetizer special, burrata cheese on beefsteak tomato slices. The cheese was delicious! So creamy and tasty. The breadbasket is also worth metioning, the popovers are a nice treat! For our dinner, my husband ordered the prime rib special with a side of lobster mac & cheese. I ordered the filet entree topped with lobster which came with white asparagus. My steak was cooked perfectly, and seasoned so well! My husband's prime rib was HUGE and also so so good. Cooked well, so tender, excellent. The lobster mac & cheese was also pretty good. He had more than enough to take home for leftovers the next day. Because of hte special occasion, we each got a dessert. Apple crisp for him, pumpkin cheesecake for me. Mine was good, but hte apple crisp was to DIE for! So delectable. I had dessert envy. All in all, we were there for over 2 hours, all the food & drinks were delicious, and we had an amazing first anniversary. Thank you Pellana!
(5)
Kimberly K.
I always order the French onion soup. The last time I ordered it (about a month ago), it was terribly watery and borderline gross. The steak was as awesome as ever. Please fix my favorite appetizer! I refer everyone to you for it! Can't do it until the quality returns...
(4)
Jon C.
The food and service is always excellent. They have a boned in ribeye that is so tastey. We sit at the bar almost exclusively which is so relaxing we never feel rushed and the bartenders are great......
(5)
James F.
I am always mystified by people complaining about the price of the food/drinks at Pellana. For those patrons there is not a steak in the world good enough to spend over $40 so why are they going to a fine dining restaurant? Let me start by saying the owners are sensational and their staff follows suit. Always courteous, including the lovely hostesses (yes, it's never a bad thing to have a pretty, smiling face to greet you when you're going to spend hundreds of dollars). Ask any man and he will tell you the same thing although not to his wife. Rather than repeat all the accolades about the food I will share one criticism. And it's not about the gorgeous artwork adorning the restaurant (someone yelped they didn't like the artwork which was laughable if you have seen it. Apparently only originals will do for this art connoisseur...idiot). Pellana absolutely has to change up their menu. Even the specials are the same. Tomato with mozzarella is a familiar refrain. Don't get stagnant guys...people will start to look elsewhere. Otherwise, this place is a homerun!
(5)
Jeff K.
Love love love all except the loud laughing hyena sitting in the corner the night we were there, the one with the tight pants...Other than that.. this is a must return every time you're in the area. From the decor, the steak, the leftovers to the drinks.. this place was everything I've wanted in a suburban steak house. I can't wait to come back and try more.
(5)
Jim M.
I'd rank this with the best Boston OR Chicago steakhouses. Terrific meal and ambiance. My compliments to the entire staff and owners! One of the most consistently great restaurants anywhere. North Shore folks, don't waste gas going in town to Grill 23 or Mortons. Pellana has everything you need.
(5)
James M.
I have been to steakhouses and restaurants all around the world and always find myself heading back to Pellana. Simply put the food is top notch, the service is top notch, the ambiance is top notch and I recommend that you give it a try. I dare say that this is my favorite restaurant and definitely the basis of my comparison when I go anywhere else.
(5)
Christie M.
Excellent! Great drinks and great food.
(5)
William M.
Great place! Overall, the best meal I've ever had. At least as good as my experiences at Morton's, Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille, but closer to home. Steak, sides, bread and dessert were perfect. My sirloin and wife's filet were perfectly done, exactly as ordered. Can't comment on the wine, as I don't drink. Wife said her martini was outstanding. "Special occasion" pricing, as expected for this quality, but not really outrageous. We will be back.
(5)
Jen X.
We received a gift card here & finally went for the1st time few weeks ago. Set back a bit & easy to miss. The decor and ambiance is very similar to The Capital Grille. Quality of food definitely of the same level too. French Onion soup, tomato cream something else in the name delicious soup, split a wedge salad (they kindly split the plates & they portions were stil huge) a bit too much bleu cheese, and I'm not sure I've ever thought any amount of cheese was too much. Breads, yum! Maple martini unexpectedly smooth & balanced & strangely addicting. We split the 16 oz bone in filet & added the oscar topping, which was all really flavorful & steak cooked med rare as asked. They had a special Parmesan and mushroom risotto that was ridiculous. We'll def be back.
(4)
Monique G.
Wonderful atmosphere, great steak! The best strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese ever. Great wine list and outstanding service the prices are somewhat overpriced; hence the four stars. Delfrisco prices without the Boston waterfront. The bartenders rock!
(5)
C- N.
Had reservation for 7:00 on Saturday night for party of four... Seated almost right away. Server (James) was excellent... Timing on the service / meal was spot on.... Three in the party had the fillet, I had the sirloin strip... all were cooked perfectly as requested. I expected to pay a bundle (and did)... But I must say, a little over priced considering the venue (although atmosphere inside is fantastic)... They are not paying Boston level rent for sure.... And they don't quite stack up to say an Abe & Louie's or Grill 23 in their day... Again, great meal, great service and convenient if on the North Shore. Just not sure you quite get the bang for the buck... Been here before and will return again vs. driving into Boston for a good steak.
(4)
Anthony D.
Been to every steak house in boston and this place tops them, hands down! Not a single bad experience in over a dozen times there.
(5)
A L.
The tricky thing about going to places like this for dinner... is that you just want to keep going back! Such elegance, class, and finesse, as well as high quality food and ambiance make this an experience that leaves you wanting more. I have been here for special occasions only in the past and wish I could afford to go every week! The cocktails are well made, with a charming and informative gentleman behind the bar. The wine selections are vast. The difference between a small steakhouse like this one and a larger steakhouse you might visit in Boston is that every steak served in this place is hand selected when it arrives off of the truck. For this reason, the T-bone steak is one of the best we've ever had! The sides and appetizers are delicious as well. You name it, this place has it. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants on the north shore (if not THE nicest!) Hope to go back soon. Note: They do have a bar menu which offers some smaller selections that are much more affordable and though I've never tried the burger, I hear it is to die for.
(5)
Tom D.
Came here on our anniversary 9/16. Pellana is by far one of the best steak houses if not one of the best restaurant's around. My wife and I have made this our anniversary go to place. I have to reiterate what I said on my last review. The 16oz NY sirloin is the best steak I have ever had. This was the third time coming here and it has been consistently perfect. The lobster mac n cheese side as well as the HUGE baked potato are perfect also. As usual the service was spot on. You could stay there all night if you felt like it. They never make you feel rushed no matter how busy they are. Yes you will pay Boston prices but it is worth every cent. I don't think any Boston steak house comes close. We will definitely be back !
(5)
Matt O.
My wife and I went here for my birthday last night (1/17/14) and our high expectations were met. From the onset, we were happy with the service from, attentiveness and friendliness of the staff. The bread and wine came promptly and was delicious. The wine and drink menu was extensive, yet affordable. Our waiter - Jason - was friendly and generous with his service. The food - filet for my wife, bone in NY sirloin for me - was fantastic. Cooked to perfection to each of our liking. Subtle seasoning on the NY made a world of difference. A fantastic evening. We will return for special occasions, for sure.
(5)
Eduart L.
You want great stakes without paying Boston prices ? Go to pellanas! Great service too, I love it.
(5)
Robert B.
My wife and I went to Pellana's with my family to share our Anniversary. The food and our waiter James were outstanding. It made for a memorable evening.
(5)
Joe S.
Went there last night everything was excellent don't no why I'm bothering writing this review but was so happy everything was good couldn't wait to tell all loved the bread basket people been raving about this place and I have been criticizing not as of last night .
(4)
Kathryn M.
By far, Pellana is my absolute favorite restaurant. I've had dinner here 4 times in the past 4 months- twice at the bar and twice in the dining room. On each visit, I had the same fantastic experience: 5 STARS! They have a thoughtful wine list, impeccable service and an outstanding chef that hits the mark every single time. My favorite dish is the sliced filet over vegetable risotto. My dining companion loves their dessert menu: sorbet, bananas foster, pumpkin cheesecake, and this chocolate cake that is incredibly decadent and could easily feed 3 people. This restaurant is typically regarded for "special occasions" so reservations are highly recommended. However, if you hit it right, you might be able to eat at the bar. They offer a full menu at the bar, and also have a filet sandwich and burgers. Parking is plentiful. They also have 2 private function rooms which are beautifully decorated and perfect for very small gatherings.
(5)
LeAnn L.
Love it here!! Perfect little hidden gem, you'd drive right past it unless you knew where the restaurant was. The waitstaff is always so kind and accomidating. I've eaten in the bar area, and in the dining area, both times with exceptional service and food. I wouldn't even call the food here pricey because it is really THAT good and SO worth it. The service is unmatched. Someone even comes around with a "crumb-catcher" to wipe the crumbs off your table inbetween courses. The most recent time, I came here with a group of 4 for my father's birthday. We called ahead to ask if we could provide our own icecream cake for after the meal and the staff said it was no problem at all! My mom arrived early with the cake and even presents, and the staff took them in the back for later on that night. Dinner was of course, delicious. also, they literally give you a 1/4 piece of a loaf of bread to start. Its really an obnoxiously large piece of bread but its still good! I couldn't recommend just what to order because everything is outstanding! Although I am a fan of the sesame crusted tuna, blue-cheese mashed potatoes, and beef carpaccio ;) After dinner, the staff brought out the cake, they even put candles in because we forgot them! Moments later a few more staff came out carrying these cumbersome wrapped boxes that were the presents. You should have seen the look on my father's face!!
(5)
Diane G.
FANTASTIC! We booked a room for my husband's 70th birthday dinner. We had a party of 10 people. They even set up a flat screen TV in the room so we could see the Patriots play the Broncos. Everyone got the filet. Some with the bone in some without. They were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The appetizers, the salads and the sides were perfect. A few of the guests got the Pellana Manhattan and they loved it. Daniella ordered a tiramisu cake and a chocolate cake for dessert. All in all I can't say enough about how good the food was, how good the staff was. It was a great experience and we will be back again. Thank you Pellana for making the event a great success.
(5)
Maximillian S.
Delicious menu with great knowledgable staff. I had the special that night: Veal Porterhouse. Never knew there was such a thing, but so happy there was! Cooked perfectly with amazing flavor. Atmosphere was comfortable and leaned towards business casual.
(4)
Kristen C.
Hubs was introduced to this place by a colleague and he was impressed. So the next time I wanted filet (doesn't happen often) hubs made a reservation. Fine by me. First I was a little surprised by the location (next to a nail salon?) but I got over that as soon as I stepped inside. It's dark inside but once my eyes adjusted I could see that it was an upscale joint. Any notion of the place being sketch due to location vanished when the wait staff took over. Supremely professional, quite attentive without hovering - exactly like other high-end restaurants in the city. You will think you are in a downtown steakhouse that caters to the high-end set, no doubt. Then there is the food. The bread basket impressed me (although the popovers could have been served straight from the oven, my single complaint). We shared a beefsteak & burrata salad drizzled in olive oil & balsamic - sublime because the tomatoes were perfectly ripe (yay for summer!). I had an 8oz filet - perfectly cooked medium as I requested. Hubs had the larger filet cooked medium rare. I like that they offer 8,10, and 12 oz filets. Some places don't give an option. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, as it should be. Bernaise sauce, awesome. Sides - we shared the grilled asparagus (ok one more tiny complaint: the ends not being carefully trimmed on all stalks, but really, so minor) and a baked potato. Every morsel of my filet was heavenly and I finished that bad boy off with gusto. Dessert menus were produced but I was glassy-eyed and passed. Hubs got the cheesecake - and miraculously they knew it was his belated birthday dinner & they brought it out on a plate rimmed with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate (yes, I tasted that to be sure!) and a lit candle. What a meal! You bet your bippy we will be back! Love this place.
(4)
Ted S.
You don't have to go to Abe&Louis for a great steak NY Sirloin was outstanding, great flavor, cooked perfect. Suggest corn off the cob as a side dish. Our waiter Doug did a great job, reservations on time. All staff were attentive, highly recommend!!!!
(5)
J V.
I have mostly good things to say about Pellana, so let me start there. I think the restaurant considering it is one of the only real Top Notch, high class steak Houses in the Danvers, Peabody, Salem area is a blessing. If you have never been, or didn't even know it existed, well too bad for you!! It is hidden back, over by the BMW dealership and Petco, across from the Peabody Mall. The food can truly rival all of the expensive Steak houses, down to Morton's and Abe & Louie's. Everything from the Steak to you deserts will be cooked to perfection. As far as the wine list, they do an amazing job at giving you a large selection to choose from, without being over the top obnoxious. Now for the only part of the experience, that I think is a draw back. As far as the staff, the waiters act like they are from the Kennedy family, seriously guys and girls, you are waiters get over yourself. If there is one thing that drives me crazy, is when I eat at prime steak houses, and the wait staff are so douchey, that you want to slap them. Unfortunately I like to eat quality food, so this is something you just have to deal with. But if you are reading this, and you are a stuck up steak serving waiter, seriously, get over yourself, you are a WAITER!!!! all in all, I with out a doubt recommend Pellana, food is great, place is nice, just the patron's and the staff sometimes come of like they are not sitting in Peabody, but some how got beamed to Bel Air.
(4)
Alex J.
This place is the real definition of class. My wife and I walked in and our table we reserved was still occupied, but we were directed to either wait by the bar or in the front. We had a two martinis at the bar which were a nice touch. Our table was ready and we were sat. Our waiter assistant which I believe was Anthony greeted us professional, and seemed to have great knowledge of the restaurant. Our waiter was James who presently started us off with a bottle of wine and from their it was history. The entrees came out and it was an incredible experience. These two men exemplified what service really is .
(5)
Sarah B.
My sister and I (and our respective spouses) took our mother here last night for Mother's Day. Our reservation was for 7:45, and we waited about 20 minutes to sit down. Although the restaurant is not a kid friendly place, when my brother-in-law made the reservation (by phone) he indicated they had a 2 month old, and we made the reservation for 6. The baby sat parked at the (round) table with the rest of us, out of the way of the waitstaff and other diners. The food was excellent, from soup (or in my case, the Wedge Salad, which was the best I have had to date), main course (grilled Swordfish), to nuts (creme brulee). I even tried their Chocolate Cake Martini, and as a non-martini drinker, I thought it was fantastic. The service was excellent, the a la carte sides were perfect, and everything about the dinner was what you would expect about an upscale steak house in Boston without having to drive into Boston.
(5)
Andrew G.
I have been fortunate enough to dine here about a dozen times. I have never been disappointed. You know exactly what you are going to get here. Prime Steak. It's not just the steak that is impressive. The decor is out of this world. Very unique, almost like an old mans smoking club that had a baby with an Upscale Irish Pub. Very nice wine list. Excellent sides. I hope you get a chance to try their Brussels sprouts. Service is what you expect. Bar could be bigger...hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Space is limited, so I understand why. I have never had to send a steak back. You get what you pay for, plain and simple.
(4)
Charlie B.
Filet mignon was dry i has to ask for sauce for the price it should've been perfect. Think I should definitely try it again but capital grille still has my heart. Service was ok. Went a bit late and staff was murmuring about us being there and them waiting for us to leave. Rude. And uncomfortable.
(3)
Nick B.
My boss took the whole office to dinner here for Christmas. It was amazing. I've never in my life had a better steak. It practically melted in my mouth. The sides were amazing also. Lobster mac and cheese was very good. Ambiance is very nice. Overall it was a great experience.
Service is extraordinary! And your food is definitely worth the price! Great way to woo a women
(5)
Brian G.
I have been here twice and it may be the best restaurant I have ever been to. The food is top notch and the environment is great. It is not inexpensive, but you certainly get what you pay for.
(5)
Jennifer O.
I have eaten here on a few different occasions, I will say the food is excellent, the prices are a little over the top considering the location. I think it is a little stuffy as far as the atmosphere is concerned. I go back because the food is great and there is not too much in the surounding area that isn't a chain, if you wanna avoid going to Boston, I would strongly reccomend Pellanna's
(4)
Jim W.
Like going to a convenience store. You'll pay more and not have to travel into the city. Not bad, but not great. Very expensive even when compared to Capital Grille. Take a drive.
(2)
Kell B.
This place is a great find in peabody. You have all charm and flavors of a Boston steakhouse without going to Boston. To me that's a win! After recently being to Ruth's Chris and being very disappointed, we were more than thrilled to find this amazing steakhouse that not only has 5 star food but 5 star service as well. Our food was cooked to perfection and tasted absolutely amazing! The reviews that complain about Boston prices outside Boston, you pay for quality of food and service. I'm fine paying Boston prices if every experience here is like this visit. Will definatly be going back.
(5)
Kurt K.
This is my favorite place to eat. Great service and host Danielle is awesome. Best place to go on date.
(5)
Michael R.
I have been a fan of steak houses for years and have eaten at the best ones from all over the country. I happen to stumble upon pellanas one sunday years back when they were open for brunch. from that day on ive been hooked! i have never had a bad meal there and ive eaten there 50+ times..... Im lucky enough to be able to eat dinner where ever i want..... I choose pellanas every time... best steaks in new england hands down.
(5)
Danielle M.
The best food I've ever had!!!! I'm pretty picky when it comes to dinner and the service and food was unbelievable I wish I could give Pellana more stars!! My boyfriend took me for our anniversary and it was perfection! Thank you Pellana for such a wonderful job.
(5)
Steve T.
I might have found my new go-to local steakhouse, a distinction formerly held by Tango in Arlington. Don't get me wrong, Tango is still good, but I've completely abused all it's had to offer over the past four years. Along comes Pellana. It all started with the bread, we were each given giant chunks of deliciously chewy, crusty sourdough. They offer a huge selection of seafood soups and salads for appetizers. We got a French onion soup and a wedge salad. The soup was one of the best I've had recently, and the wedge came out looking like a chunk of cake, standing on end drizzled with blue cheese and balsamic. It was phenomenal. We ordered a pair of filets, both medium rare and mine Au Poivre for three dollars more. They were fairly large and perfectly cooked, and my Au Poivre was the best pepper-crusted steak I've ever had. At first I was hesitant to scoop the sides onto my dinner plate due to the sauce, but by the end of the meal I was using the already-delicious mac and cheese to scoop it all up. We also grabbed a baked sweet potato which was huge, in fact both sides were could have satisfied three or even four people. I saved the sweet potato for the end of my meal which ended up replacing my dessert. I was actually looking forward to trying what they had to offer for dessert, but my stomach would have been hating me for it. As it was, we both left completely satisfied, anxiously anticipating our return. Prices are high but you get what you pay for. The quality of the food and service is no less than you'd find at a fancy steakhouse in the city, so I have no problem paying for it here.
(5)
Jonathan D.
Pellana's is a solid steakhouse with excellent service and a nice atmosphere. A few highlights: warm crusty bread to start you off well cooked steak diverse wine list--lots of california wines and a good Italian selection
(4)
Busy L.
I have been blessed and fortunate to have been able to eat at some of the upscale steakhouses across the country. I have found lately the quality from the typcial chains such as Capital Grille, Morton's, Abe & Louie's, etc have been serving lower qualtiy cuts of meat that are just not as tender or flavorful. Had business dinner last night and it was fantastic. My guest who also dines all over for business was also extremely happy with his meal. Started with the lump crab cocktail that had huge lumps of crabmeat served over ice. The special of creamy fresh mozzarella over beefsteak tomato was also delicious. We had bone in sirloin and lamb chops that were one of the best pieces of meat I've had. For sides, we had spinach and mushrooms that had portabello, button and baby bella that was fresh and flavorful. Asparagus was also great and just lightly grilled. I would definitely come back for dinner and avoid having to go to Boston for one of the top 5 steaks I've had.
Completely on par with your typical Morton's, Capital Grill, Abe&Lou experience. Once you get over the actual location (right behind where IHOP used to be) and you step into the restaurant, you are completed transported and you will forget you are in the midst of all that mall and traffic chaos, traffic lights, etc. Nice soft lighting and very handsome decor made for a nice atmosphere. The tables were spaced out enough that you could have nice conversation without sitting on top of your neighbor. We made reservations in advance. We were a party of 4, seated immediately. The service was absolutely perfect. Totally unobtrusive but 100% on top of things including filling our water glasses and wine glasses (me likey that!) Our table shared a large seafood appetizer with oysters and other goodies. Everyone raved. We all ordered steaks which were all cooked to perfection. Sides were very good as well. We shared a bunch of different desserts and everyone of them was fabulous. Also they have a fantastic wine selection. Wonderful experience. One comment regarding the dress attire. I thought it would be somewhat dressy but a quick look around and you will see a mixed crowd, some dressy, some dressed down (for men some wore jeans but dressed it up with a collar shirt) and for women I saw some wearing jeans but dressed up a bit with heels and dressy shirt.
(5)
David G.
Pellana has become the go to spot for special celebrations in our family, most recently my wife's birthday. From the front of the house to the back, the Pellana's staff was extremely accommodating. We wanted a festive, birthday feel to the table and they kindly set the table with the balloons and other favors we delivered earlier in the afternoon. The kitchen stepped up to the occasion with the most amazing French Onion Soup and Caesar Salad to start. The sirloins and filets were better than some we've had in Boston and all perfectly cooked as requested. Even the sides made a great impression, most especially the Mac and Cheese my son ordered. For dessert, the cheesecake was dense and creamy and the chocolate cake came decorated for a birthday party. The waitstaff were attentive, but not the least intrusive. Why go into Boston when these good folks are right around the corner?
(5)
Marisa C.
Experienced last night a memorable evening of great service with Jim as our waiter, nice atmosphere however table selection could have been better but the food, i.e. steak was "melt in your mouth tender", side dishes generous and wine was wonderful. Well worth the prices and would definitely return after this first visit! Marisa L. Cole, Board member of the Peabody Chamber.
Went here for dinner. Very pricey place to get food. The place does accept reservations but we showed up without them. The bread they gave at first was too crusty for my tastes. The food we had was superb though. You definitely pay for ambiance. For the intended price range, I would say it is good. They did accept my AmEx card. Edited to say dinner instead of lunch. My mistake.
(4)
Eric S.
No longer in a family-owned business, I can still spot a lot about what's right and wrong in the blink of an eye and, frankly, I didn't care much for Pellana's location. Up until their arrival, everything that was built on that distant oasis was soon sent packing with its tail between its legs. But not so with Pellana. To me, Pellana is a 5-star restaurant in a 4-star town. The front windows are tinted so the ambience is nice and ever-so-lightly subdued inside to create the conditions for good conversation, fine dining and easy digestion. The decor is very nice contemporary furnishings with the bar being subtly divided off to the right-front quadrant once you enter the building. I've ordered various dishes here from shrimp cocktail and prime rib to salmon and stuffed mushrooms and, except for one small detail, I have always been pleased with both the presentation and the quality of the food. The one exception is that some of the dishes can be a little on the salty side so you might want to request your food be "easy on the salt" and then just add-to-taste. It's easier and safer that way. I'm not a drinker but friends who have ordered wine have always enjoyed their selections and the desserts have been nothing short of completely satisfying. What's more is that the service has always been very professional, gracious and friendly. If I have something bad to say about a place, I'll say it but Pellana, so far, has been batting a thousand with me. Definitely recommend if you want a fine dining experience usually found only in the bigger cities. ps. They will not turn anyone away who is dressed casually, but if you're a little self-conscious, you'll want to be dressed at least a little more nicely.
(5)
Mark W.
My friends took me here for my birthday - I had never heard of it before. The location is a little odd however as noted by others once you walk in - it has a nice vibe. It was quite busy and the service was very good. While the ambiance is nice and typical of a steakhouse (formal, dark wood, dim lighting, fantastic knifes)......there are no windows and no view...and I'm a fan of a view especially when you're paying almost $50 for a steak. The food was excellent. I had Steak au Poivre - cooked perfectly! I started with beef steak tomatoe with blue cheese and vidalia onions - perhaps a little too much oliver oil - but it was very well presented and delicious. We shared mushrooms and sauteed spinach. You can really mess these up - but they were good. They have a nice wine list. I'm glad that I got a chance to dine here.... Excellent food, but a good value - I'm not sure. The location is akward and again for a $50 steak or $15 glass of wine - I like a nice location and enjoy a view.....
(4)
Lou P.
This restaurant surprised me. I had heard great things about it, but none of the recommendations had prepared me for this experience. I was prepared to discover a Boston-style steak house (ala Mortons, Abe & Louie, Capital Grille) at something less than Boston prices. I was hoping to find a Boston-style steak house with a suburban atmosphere (more intimate, more casual, more personal). I was surprised on both counts. Pellana's is a Boston-style steak house, with a Boston-style atmosphere at Boston prices. The food was good (I ordered the steak au poivre), the portions were reasonable (each side was enough food for 2 people), the wine list offered a nice variety of styles and selections. The restaurant was busy, the tables close together, and the atmosphere felt more like a power business climate than a romantic getaway. The bill was expensive, very expensive. You'll be challenged to spend less than $75 per person for food (salad/appetizer, entree, side), our bill inclusive of cocktails and tip was over $600 for a party of five. Would I go again, probably not. For the money, I'd prefer to celebrate a special occasion in the city. Pellana's is a suburban location that's too expensive for my tastes.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
This place does NOT have highchairs for young children. We are from out of town and none of the reviews discussed whether or not they were family friendly here. The host did not disccourage us from bringing the baby in and offered is extra pillows for her. However, i had a booster seat in my car for her. I know it's nuts to bring a one-year old to a steakhouse, but we're on vacation and I wanted a nice dinner. The staff was very Professional and stopped to say hello to the baby which is always nice. Aside from this The food was excellent. I got the NY sirloin and it was cooked perfectly (for me anyway, I don't like rare I asked for medium and that is exactly what I got) the creamed spinach was excellent as well it was not heavy like you will find in other places. The food came out VERY quickly. If we lived locally I would definitely come back...without the baby next time.
(4)
Tom G.
Great food. Worth every penny. Ask for Carlyn. I don't know too many places where the waitstaff carries their own business cards. What a relaxing night out.
(5)
E K.
Great selection of fish for a steakhouse
(4)
Jessica K.
So delicious and is a great alternative to the Boston Steakhouse staples(morons, ruths Chris, etc) but just as good. Great ambiance, small rooms make it feel cozy, amazing steaks and Mac & cheese is amazing. Delicious martinis too. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion.
(4)
Al B.
Outstanding steaks. Close to home and do not have to drive to Boston for fine dining. Great atmosphere. Excellent service. Only fault is the location can be hard to find. Love the creme brulee'.
(5)
M K.
Best sirloin steaks, prime rib, and filet mignon ever! Side dishes are outstanding, wine choices are great and the wait staff is excellent. If you want to impress someone or treat yourself go to Pellana's.
(5)
J B.
Well there's no doubt that having a Prime steak house on the North Shore is welcome. The steaks are fine. For those of you who have not had USDA designated Prime level steaks, they are designated because the meat is both from young cows and is the most marble-ladened with fat. You get that velvety mouth-feel and the most rich flavor you can get from a cow. Not the healthiest, mind you. I only know of Savenor's on Charles Street in Boston that actually offers Prime USDA steaks to the general public on a regular basis. Rib-Eyes can be had for about $25/lb. Restaurants probably pay a bit less, but that should give you an idea of why a USDA Prime (make sure the menu says USDA, otherwise it is likely NOT) steak dinner costs about roughly $40, and that's without any sides. There are two things that keep the restaurant from being 5-stars. One, importantly, their beef is NOT dry-aged, as you get from a Capital Grill and many other Prime steak houses. Dry aging does away with some of the moisture of the meat. The outsides of the slabs are cut away, wasting that part of the carcass, but what's left is even richer. The second thing that brings it down a star is the atmosphere. If anyone remembers the restaurant Mama Leone's and how tacky Italian that was decorated, this is also decorated in the way someone thought that an upscale restaurant should look from a middle class perspective (also brings to mind the old Chateau de Ville establishments). Lots of overly oiled paintings, probably obtained from one of those Holiday Inn painting sales where paintings are priced by the foot. So for the North Shore, it's great not having to go into Boston for a great steak, but it's not the ultimate either. One thing they offer, but I have yet to try, are Prime Kobe burgers. They only offer them at the bar, not at the dinner table. I'll try one and report back.
(4)
Dan F.
waste of time and money by dan faust By A Google User - Jan 31, 2010 Took my wife and son out last night. I will admit the steaks were good, but the sweet potato was awful (its hard to mess up a potato) The onion strings were full of grease and all the vegetables were horrible ( Bland and overcooked) The bill before the tip was $235.00 ( my wife only had 2 sides). Make the drive to Radius in Boston and see how great food is prepared for that kind of money.If you are looking for a better place in the north shore, try 62 on wharf in salem or the blue OX in lynn, they know how to cook.
(1)
Keri M.
Best prime steakhouse outside of Boston! Great ambience, fresh and intriguing menu!
(5)
kelly m.
This is my favorite steak house to go to and beats out ANY place in Boston. The food, staff, bartenders, atmosphere, plenty of parking, and wine list! I go here for birthdays, special occasions, and just to treat myself. I bring anyone I can that hasn't been here yet for a nice dinner....I recommend to ANYONE!
(5)
Peter P.
I have been there many times at table and the bar....It does get busy but the food and service have never let me down....Nick is great at the bar and knows his wines, Daniella the Mgr is always busy doing something to make your experience better.... The only thing is I would try and make the bar area a little bigger if possible...Go to Pellana if you don't want to drive into Boston.....Although I don't think they have Bleu Cheese Olives!!!
(4)
Suzanne G.
Fantastic steak and lamb, cooked to perfection and soft-as-butter. Delicious sides, more than enough for two to share. Top-notch servers, unobtrusive yet attentive. Lovely decor and atmosphere. Less-than friendly hostess. Pellana's could use a sommelier: we ordered a bottle of red wine with our dinner and the server 'topped up' our glasses during the meal. Big no-no with red wines and even full-bodied whites, On the plus side, the red wines are served at cellar and not room temp, also a big no-no. Pricey restaurant that really tries hard for good food and service and mostly delivers.
(4)
The Hungry American E.
Expensive. Ok atmosphere. And in the middle of Peabody. Alot of people are high on this place, and I was not. I'll have to give it another shake.
(2)
Warren W.
This gets five star for many reasons but as I compare to the "chop" houses of Boston and the 'burbs it is a tremendously better value. I took a group of 14 in total there last night with the same expectations I have had for my past dinners there. Being convenient to my offices, it just makes a ton of sense to stay local. The owners remember and appreciate support. I like to support good local businesses (and especially the new) as our community needs economic strength. So I got there a little early and all the way up 128 I kept thinking bloody mary. I never order bloody mary's for a coctail in the evening. Out comes a generous Kettle One very flavorful portion. Except as part of the garnish comes this honking big Italian pepper. Jesus Mary and Joseph! Now I know why it was put in there....damn thing bit me back. I had to drink that Bloody in record time to soothe the back of my tongue. With that done, I ordered another. Why not? In come the troops, and the bartender handled my staff with patience and expertise as the drinks varied from Bud Light to dirty martinis. With drinks in hand, off to our table situated right smack dab in the middle of the dining area. The hostess apologized for not having their private room avialable but hey what did we care.....we were the loud ones. Appetizers consited of lobster bisque, I did the Chop salad a (ten) and I noticed a couple of seafood towers were downed which had oysters (Duxbury) and I like Wellfleets better, shrimp 1/2 lobster and crab. Never knew we had so many meat lovers. I've been shying away from red meat so I went with the chicken which was done in a very flavoral mushroom wine sauce that was just wonderful. The chicken came out perfect and almost as if it were cooked under a brick but i think not. My guests raved about their cuts of meat and most brought home doggy bags. Sirloin strip; rib eye; bone in filet, NY strip and one other that was lost in my wine fog. The cut of swordfish was gigantic and it was simply put at least 4 inches thick. Cooked perfectly and impossible to finish ....so said Deb. Wines were 2002 Meritage by Domincus...decanted and a 2005 Merryvale Chard. Great waitstaff attentive, appreciative and well tipped. Not easy to find. Take a right at the BMW store as you would head to Danvers off 114 and right after the Getty.......into the lot on the right. Way at the back.
(5)
Tom D.
Who'd have thought that behind the pile of dirt where the now defunct IHOP stood would be possibly the finest dining on all of the North Shore? My loving boyfriend took me here for my birthday to feed my carnivorous cravings. After running some errands in the area, we decided to just go early for our 8:00 reservation and have a drink at the bar. To our surprise, and my delight, as I had been fasting in preparation for this meal, we were seated when we arrived, which was 20 minutes before our reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance of this place. You step into this place and you immediately forget you're at a restaurant in the back of a torn up parking lot and feel like you're somehwere exclusive in the Back Bay. There is no seeing into this place from the outside. The glass doors are tinted practically black and there are no windows inside. Now that I think of it, if this place ever closes, they could easily remodel the building into a strip club. Anyways, inside, the whole place is done in very dark wood with small lamps providing just the right amount of lighting to give it an intimate feel. The service here was impeccable from the moment we walked in. Everyone we came in contact with was ultra-courteous and completely unpretentious. Our server kept water glasses full at all times, something I always appreciate in a restaurant. I hate having to ask for water refills. My date ordered a 1/2 bottle of wine which was presented wonderfully, right down the tying of the napkin around the neck of the bottle. Service was attentive but unobtrusive throughout the whole meal--sometimes it's hard for people to find that fine line, but our waiter certainly understood the distinction. I started my meal with the clams casino appetizer. Honestly, they were good, but I didn't see what the big deal about them was. But that's my only complaint about the food. Everything else was spectacular. I had the sirloin au poivre for dinner. Seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The steak was gigantic, probably somewhere in the 18-20 oz range, and I ate the whole damn thing. I was in beef heaven. We had an order of the fried onion strings, too, which were great on top of the steak. We, well, I also had the creamed spinach and it was dynamite. Sides, at least with the steaks, are all a la carte, but they are sized for sharing. They have a huge selection of wines available by the bottle, but not too many by the glass. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see a red zinfandel available by the glass for only $9. Not a bad deal in a place like this. By the end of the meal, I was so stuffed I couldn't bring myself to get a real decadent dessert. And I'm usually a believer in pushing through to pain to get my chocolate fix, so that's saying a lot. We decided to split a lemon sorbet and it was the perfect, refreshing end to a marvelous meal. I don't recall seeing the bill, but I have a feeling it was pretty hefty. We're talking $$$$ here, folks, but for me, this place is well worth it. Unless you're fabulously wealthy, this isn't an everyday restaurant, but definitely splurge here for special occasions. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jared B.
I've been to Pellana three time now with the first time being a quite bad experience, the second mediocre and the third quite good. On my first visit I ordered the filet medium rare. It came out well done, with well done being an understatement. After showing the steak to our server they apologized and took it back to make a new one for me. After waiting literally 20 minutes (everyone else was coming close to finishing their meal) I asked the server where the steak was as a rare done steak should not need long to cook. When they came back they brought another well done steak. I cut into while the server was still at the table and showed them what it looked like and they offered to make me another, but since everyone was finished with their meals and I had yet to eat anything but some creamed spinach I said I would eat it. I was then told that they have a restaurant policy of not comping any food when its messed up. So we paid full price and left. On my second visit I went with the dry aged rib eye. Service was much better and everything we ordered was great (except for the rib eye). The steak was good and cooked right, however quite sinewy. I would give the trip three stars. The final visit, all was good, very nice steak and service was on par with the second visit. I guess third time is a charm, but at the quality of restaurant Pellana is supposed to be, every visit should have been like the first.
(2)
Jason A.
We had a reservation @ 9 and were seated immediately when we got there. The dining area was dimly lit, and overall the ambiance is quiet enough and romantic. The server was warm and attentive, and greeted us with abundant info. on the menu and specials. We skipped appetizer and ordered one arugula salad. The dressing was slightly sweet and tangy, and overall the salad was good but not phenomenal. For entrees we got pettite fillet and rib-eye (both med rare) and had asparagus as the side. The steaks were very good, esp. the rib-eye, which was much juicier than the fillet, and the portions were generous. They were served on nice heavy plates so they were still sizzling when they came to the table. The only seasonings were salt, pepper, and butter, and frankly, anything more would be too much. Tthe meat quality was good enough for it to be still delicious. Although what we ordered didn't sound like much, we were both very full and skipped dessert. Bill totaled to $120 including tips. It's on the spendy side, but considering the good service and very delicious rib-eye, it's worth trying and coming back.
(5)
AnnMarie G.
Great food. Very similar to Abe & Louies and Capital grille. Had the Beefsteak tomato Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing. Excellent! The bread that was served Delicious! Filet wrapped in Bacon...Delicious! The only minor complaints...I ordered a med filet..and it was a tad overcooked. Not acceptable for $42. Was a great size and delicious. Other minor complaint.. Was here on a quiet weekday night and when the waitor took the appetizer /salad order he asked to take the entire order. At a place like this...i really didn't care for that. But overall Pellana's was wonderful! Key Lime pie to die for!
(4)
ann l.
Pretty decent food and steaks. Service was good I like my Boston steakhouses a bit more.
(3)
Dana T.
Our dinner last Saturday was ruined by a loud,obnoxious table of six boorish people who we were told are regulars here. While the management is not directly responsible for customers' behavior, they did nothing to make it stop, nor did they somehow compensate all the other diners who were obviously annoyed. These people should have been asked to leave and now that I know they go frequently, I will have to think long and hard before returning. In addition, I think adding an extra charge for a sauce to go with a $40 steak is really over the top.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
This IS Fine Dining! Pellana is on the same level as Boston Fine Dining restaurants such as Abe & Louie's, Oceanarie (sp), The Capital Grill etc. Gorgeous interior. Attentive Bar. And the food is so delicious, Padma and Tom Collechio from Top Chef would praise this place. I had the baked stuffed shrimp which was heavenly. If you are looking for a place to celebrate something special, or to impress someone special, Go Here!
(5)
Joseph P.
Why go downtown? Pellana was a fantastic experience. We were not rushed at all. After a few drinks, we ordered our appetizers. It's nice to be in a restaurant that doesn't REQUIRE you to order your entire meal at once. My Duxbury oysters were briney and delicious. After the apps, we ordered our dinners. I had the Prime New York Sirloin, my wife had the salmon. My steak was done to perfection. Medium rare and very juicy. DW loved her salmon. The baked potato was bigger than my liver. I mean who really needs a potato that size? But it too was very good, coated with sea salt. Martinis? Not bad. I'd like them a little bigger but then again, I have 11 oz. martini glasses at home. The service was just super. Expect to pay Abe & Louies prices but then you don't have to pay 14 bucks for a valet plus tip. Again fantastic. Done.
(5)
Mr. Chang U.
Chang likes steaks! Abe & Louis and Capital Grill are two of my favorites. I prefer the Rib Eye and sometimes get a Fillet. This place gets a 5 because I no longer have to drive to Boston to get the same quality steak and service. The price is going to be the same as Boston so prepare for that. Yes, you will pay $36 for your steak. The drinks are equally as expensive. The cost for two people will approach $200 but it's no different in Boston. My Cohort this night was "The Matador" who has had his share of steaks. My Rib eye was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were excellent. The bartenders were very friendly and we chatted with them most of the night. There's a small LCD TV situated out of the way of the dinning room but in view of most people at the bar. Any bar that does not have a TV to me is missing the boat. I'll write a more detailed review when I've visited this place more than once. I just want to respond to Steve N's comment, "if i'm paying these prices when i walk out i'd rather be on Boylston, or at least in a Real City". Brilliant! The whole point Steve-o' is that you don't have to go to Boylston to get the same quality and if Boston is a "Real City" and Peabody is not why do you live in Haverhill? I think the fact that it is tucked away is fine and I am not going to judge the quality or class of a place by the building next door (which is no longer operating as IHOP). Nothing irritates me more than a jackass reviewer. Watch out for "The Matador"! So, Steve-o', get in your Mini Cooper and head to Boylston next time! Boo Yaa Dairy Queen!
(5)
Hungry C.
We're confident in declaring publicly that yesterday's visit to Pellana represents the last time we'll visit a steakhouse. It will never happen again. Ever. There was nothing especially wrong with the Pellana experience - at least nothing that was Pellana's fault. The lamb lollipops were nice. The French onion soup was terrific. The Pellana wine list was as thorough as it was ambitious. But, then came the giant steaks and the giant potatoes. I don't know. There was a moment - a shift, perhaps, in our sensibilities. It happened at once as we considered the plates before us: giant steak, giant potato, giant steak, giant potato, etc. We suddenly didn't want it anymore - even as it sizzled and glistened on its hot, white plates; the consumption we were about to undertake had the feeling of performance, of cabaret. And, it seemed arduous. We didn't want to be there anymore. We wished to drape our napkins over our plates and scurry through the lounge and out the door and into the Roadmaster. It was so clear. Intuitively, we knew that there should only be one reason to park in the unmarked, nightblack, rear of a shut IHOP, to wit: making out in the aforementioned Roadmaster. We shouldn't have been gnawing on cow; we should have been gnawing on each other! And there was an additional epiphany: if you've been to one upscale steakhouse, you've been to them all.
(3)
kevin g.
Yes this place is expensive but it is a jewel for the north shore. The martinis are great. The steaks are very good. They have the best swordfish aroung. The portions are huge and the sides are enough for 2-4 normal sized people. I had the best burger in my life here. I have been to Radius and I enjoyed this place better. The lobsta mac and cheese side dish is excellent. The brunch is also the best in the area. Just remember it is expensive. The only negative is that the clam chowder should be better than it is.
(4)
Chloe L.
First of all, let me start by telling you that I have been here three times and I would not be writing this if I had just been here once. All three times, we have waited at least 20-30 minutes past our reservation time. Granted, I am usually with a party of 6, but still if this is a reservation, shouldn't they be prepared for our arrival? The bar is super cramped and your constantly bumping into their wait staff, so it's not like waiting for a table is a fun experience. We noticed the last time we were here that they sat a party of two (who came after us), as a booth made for 6. I don't eat steak, but I am a huge seafood fan. The ahi tuna here is fattier than it should be, the salmon is always under cooked, and the lobster seems to me like it's previously frozen. The raw oysters and littlenecks are fair, but not as fresh as they could be. My friends love the steak here, so I can't judge that, but their other options are only fair and are way over priced. If you have seafood lovers in your party, my suggestion is to go to Capital Grille instead. You'll pay about the same, but the seafood is of a higher quality.
(2)
Lena G.
I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. We had the swordfish steak, filet mignon, and New York steak which were all exquisite. The onion rings side was also delicious; the sides are huge, you can probably do one side for 2-3 people. The wedge salad was also particularly good. Definitely one of the best steakhouses that I've been to.
(5)
Lia M.
One of the best meals I have ever had. The entire experience was great. Yes, prices rival any steakhouse in Boston. And yes, the location is not exactly haute couture. But the food and the service was amazing. Our server, Francis, was excellent. The ambience was relaxing and refined. The food - unbelievable. I had the lamb ribs, which were amazingly succulent. The grilled asparagus and sweet potato were both tasty. My father had the bone-in steak (so, it has a correct name, but I don't remember. I don't eat beef), and thought it was one of the best he's had. As a carb addict, I loved the hunk of bread that we were started with. And the chocolate cake was pure chocolate deliciousness, but without being overly heavy. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(5)
Susan L.
The BEST steakhouse north of Boston. Friendly staff, delicious food and free parking!! What more could you want??!!! My husband and I have dined there about 4 times and have never had a bad experience. I respectfully disagree with the last post about how the restaurant Radius in Boston is better. I went to Radius not too long ago for lunch and left there starving!! I wanted to get lunch somewhere else. The portions at Radius are tiny. They make the food look pretty and you pay a high price for presentation. Puhleeezeee!! Don't waste your money!! Go to Pellana in Peabody because it's worth the price! Bon Appetit!
(5)
Christopher W.
Cost is relevant to each individual. As for me, I consider cost a reflection of the service and experience that is rendered. If your service and price are lackluster or not inline with superior service, then I will rate you fervently. If I believe the service/experience that I received outweighs the cost, then you receive Diamonds not stars! If you have shallow pockets or money is an issue, then you should not consider being a patron of Pellana! This place is hard to find. I believe this is a strategy of the owners as it is very selective of it's' patrons! I entered Pallana's after a friend recommended (knowing my discerning pallet) I try the succulent morsels hidden within! To my amazement, I was not disappointed! I was immediately acknowledged prior to my choosing a seat! I chose a seat at the bar as I was by myself. The level of attentiveness and my overall experience, I would recommend Pellana's to anyone who wants to have an exceptional meal! My meal: 3 Bombay Sapphires and Tonic w/ lime Complimentary fresh bread service Appetizer: Lamb Lollipops Second Course: Pellana's Salad Main Course: Pellana's Rime Bisteca Dessert: Crme Brule After dinner, drink: Cappuccino Bill plus tip: $150 Service/selection: 5 Diamond Experience/Cost: 5 Star
(5)
Thomas A.
Pellana was everything we'd heard it to be - and more! The ambiance is calm, elegant, and quiet - even with both dining rooms and the bar full to capacity, room noise was a pleasant murmur. Quiet enough not only to have conversation at your table but quiet enough to hear the lovely background music. The service is out of this world! Best we've experienced is many a moon. The staff clearly likes working there. Now let's talk about the food. While not inexpensive, it was extraordinary! We ordered the filet, the pork chop, and stuffed shrimp. Prepared to perfection and presented elegantly. It is definitely a destination, and one we'll visit again and again.
(5)
Daniel M.
I have only been here once and I had the T-bone steak with lobster mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The steak was the softest most delicious steak I have ever had in my entire life!!! The lobster mac and cheese was great, but the mashed potatoes where not so good. They tasted like instant potatoes mixed with little chunks of potatoes, I was not a fan.
(4)
Jenna L.
This place is amazing!! We ate here last night for a birthday celebration. We live in Gloucester and wanted to eat at a top notch steak house without having to make the drive into Boston...SUCCESS! First of all I love the atmosphere. I was nervous after reading reviews about the location, but it is set far back from the street in a beautiful building, so that was a relief. Then walking in was another wonderful surprise...such a warm, cozy and elegant atmosphere and it was not as small as I thought it would be. There was a perfect mix of families, business executives and large tables of people celebrating engagements and what-not. The reviews here did not do it justice, so that was another nice surprise. Thecwaitstsff was perfect. Now the best part -the food! Amazing. Everyone in our group agreed it was on par with any top steak house. The caesar salad was perfect - the real deal. I also sampled the clams casino and the tuna tartare with wasabi cream - both got raves from all. Two of us split the 28oz porterhouse steak ($55) with the add on of crab stuffed lobster tail (+$16) and we still ended up taking leftover steak home. The porterhouse was the best steak I have ever had. Everyone else loved their steaks too (filet, ribeye) but to me porterhouse took the prize Four of us shared 3 sides and we only ate half of them, even though they were the best french fries and onion strings I have ever had. The creamed spinach was really good, too. Even the drinks were delicious - I had the Hollywood and everyone loved their coffee drinks. Great wine menu of course. Total for apps, dinner, dessert, drinks flowing, tax and tip was $440 for four people. Pricey but absolutely worth it. Only place that could beat it might be Ruths Chris. But even THEY could not beat Pellana's inside atmosphere and that porterhouse!!
(5)
Bob B.
Excellent food. Service was OK. I think, in general, that the service is generally really good, but our server seemed very disinterested tonight. Too bad.
(4)
Cindy C.
We love that we can get unbelievable steaks on the North Shore that rival the best of Boston! The location itself is kind of strange, but once you get inside, the decor is beautiful. Food is expensive but always excellent, and the service is incredibly attentive and friendly. Excellent cocktails & wine list. We have nothing but wonderful things to say about this restaurant.
(5)
Cosmo X.
Just went there recently..Not like the Capital or Abe & Louis. I like a good steak and I have to say theirs was good. I had the filet and it was a decent size. The clam chowder was not good,, the bread basket could of had a selection, the potatoes and salad was good.... Over all it was ok but over priced and I will not return and I will go intoBoston for my steak..
(3)
Scott M.
This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long while. My significant other and I have a tradition of doing really nice dinners in lieu of gifts on our birthdays, and yesterday was his. After hearing those crazy Andalmen brothers from Phantom Gourmet (before they became obsessed with chicken wings) rave about Pelanna, he decided that this would be the place. Our reservation was at 8, and we arrived at around 7.40. It being a Saturday night, we assumed that we'd have to wait at the bar until 8 or later. This was not the case. Though there was a line of people seemingly waiting, we were immediately whisked to our table. The ambiance is fantastic here. Rich, dark woods, leather and floor lamps surrounded us. We were immediately given water and delicious hunks of sourdough bread. Our server arrived shortly after and throughout the evening, he was relatively attentive and cordial. I'm sure my partner in crime will post a review of his experience, so from here on out, I'll only discuss what I had. I ordered a 1/2 bottle of Trimbach Pino Gris, which is one of my favorite wines. The wine service was excellent and added a classy touch. I started with a bowl of french onion soup. It was delicious, though it tasted pretty much like the onion soup you'd get in most restaurants. For my main course, I got the chicken, and I know, you're banging your head against the wall and asking why on earth I got the chicken at a steakhouse. The simple answer is, that I like chicken and I'm not a big steak fan. I'm still working on the complicated answer with my therapist. Anyway, the chicken was very good, and the accompanying crisp, fried Vadalia onions (which is a fancy way of saying onion rings), were light, numerous, and were delicious with my main course. For dessert, we split a lemon sorbet, which was a perfect ending to a practically perfect meal. I'm sure there were more decadent desserts on the menu, but we were so stuffed, that we needed something light such as that. I'd go back here again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Sean B.
The filet was cooked as desired and very tasty. If you can, make reservations. We showed up around 8:15 on a Sat and we had a 20 min wait. A nice alternative to heading into Boston for steaks, but expect to pay Boston prices
(4)
JOANNE S.
I made a reservation for my friends birthday celebration for last night. The minute we arrived to the moment we left, the experience was perfect. Daniella greeted us at the door and quickly brought us to our cozy table. Thank you Daniella for receiving my e-mail during the week and making our reservation and making our night very special. Our waiter was Doug and you couldn't get better than this waiter. He was professional yet attentive but never bothersome and he met our every need. We started with a Pomegranate Martini and it was delicious. The glass chilled perfectly which kept the drink cold and not overly sweet. That bartender knows how to mix a martini. The chowder we both got was the best chowder I ever had. It was thick and tasty. Just perfect... My friend got the Halibut special and she loved it. I got the chopped salad with grilled shrimp added and it was perfectly dressed and just the most perfect salad ever. For dessert we ordered two cappuccinos and our waiter surprised my friend with a delicious slice of chocolate cake for her birthday. It was decadent and delicious. If you want the Boston Steakhouse experience but don't want to travel to Boston. Please try this restaurant, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Steve N.
a very nice and completely serviceable steakhouse in Peabody. bartending was spot-on but they have no draft beers. of everything i sampled i found it all to be Very Good and prepared and plated to a very high standard. but, when you leave, you're behind an old IHOP, and you're in Peabody. if i'm paying these prices when i walk out i'd rather be on Boylston, or at least in a Real City.
(3)
Dee S.
This place IS tough to find; no signage on the road to speak of, but OH, once you get there....HEAVEN! I actually asked why they aren't more prominently featured, and the waitstaff said they wanted to 'work out the kinks' below the radar before expanding. Boy, did they ever! This is a serious steakhouse, honestly on par with those in the City. We ordered a cracked crab app...nice big nuggets of crab. Hubby ordered the ribeye; I had filet. PERFECTLY done on both counts. They have THE best onion rings...mmmmmmmm. Couldn't resist those. Amazingly enough, we stuck around long enough to do dessert. I'm not normally a fan of restaurant chocolate cake, but the 7-layer version they offer is positively MELT in your mouth....I'm STILL mentally savoring it nearly two months later. The creme brulee was equally good. We went on a Wednesday night at 7:45pm in mid-January - late by most standards around here for a weeknight, and it was moderately full, but no wait. We're going back again next week for my hubby's birthday, and we can't wait! MMMM
(5)
Melanie S.
Fantastic restaurant even though the curb appeal does not look as though it would be a high end place. When you walk through the doors, you would swear you were in Boston. The food is fantastic! The only drawback is the drinks are very pricey. We stopped in to grab a drink one night with friends and our tab for 6 drinks with tip was $100.
(5)
Mike B.
Ive been here twice now, and it's absolutly the real deal... If you're on the NS and dont want to travel for the high-end steakhouse experience, here it is!!! The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable, the food was delicious and cooked perfectly, and for this type of restaraunt the prices were right.. yeah the steaks were great as you would expect, but the second time i had the kurobuta pork chop it was awesome, a guest had the swordfish which he couldnt finish... Sounds nuts, but the also had the best mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes i ever had... the other sides/apps were great too... A must try
(5)
nancy g.
Food was excellent but service not so good. I received the wrong steak and was told if I wanted what I HAD ordered then I would have to wait another 20 minutes for my meal. Slow service to begin with. Our last visit here, steak had been over cooked. For the prices, not acceptable. Far too many excellent steak houses in our area!
(2)
Tracey K.
Just a quick update. I went back thinking I would give them a second chance since they were rated in North Shore Magazine. Nope...customer service really needs to be added to their training. I made a reservation this time and still we were asked to wait and we waited and waited and thought that being in the bar we could spend our time enjoing a glass of wine...Hmmm...we waited......
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Katie S.
Pellana is a very classy restaurant with a beautiful, comfortable, and romantic ambiance. The customer service is excellent. They are very thorough with explaining the menu, educated in their wine list, and just friendly overall. They are always making sure that your table is clean from crumbs and taken care of. I highly recommend ordering the filet mignon. I order mine with the aged cheddar cheese melted over the top, but there are many other options to smother your steak in. Pellana has served me the best steak I ever had, and it keeps me going back there.
(5)Kathryn G.
Went to Pellana for my birthday & to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary this evening. Our server Doug was outstanding !!! Extremely knowledgable , attentive & personable.. Food was even better.... This was our first time here & we can't wait to come back.
(5)Alyssa B.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, and it literally could not have been better. He had made a reservation, but unfortunately the hostess couldn't find it. She quickly found a table for us with no hesitation (even though it was 730pm on a Saturday). We ordered some rosé champagne to start, along with tuna tartare and the burrata. The tuna was delicious, though there was a tad too much wasabi crime. We loved the balsamic reduction that was served with the burrata and beefsteak tomatoes. For an entree, I chose the 10 oz filet mignon, which was served a bit over medium rare (I would have considered it a medium, as the edges were cooked fully through, with pink only in the middle). I was perfectly content with it because it was so flavorful and delicious. We had the macaroni and cheese, sautéed spinach, and fries as sides. All 3 were plentiful and tasty. Service was fantastic and made the experience very memorable. Everything was so seamless and without a hitch. Drinks came very quickly after ordering, and the waiter gave a fantastic wine recommendation. I can not wait to come back to Pellana Prime.
(5)Carol D.
Pellana has been hands down, our favorite steak house in the area since first coming several years ago. Believe me, we go to all of them and my husband and I still love Pellana the most. It's like coming home every time we hit the door. Every single staff member is attentive. The bartenders make the best cocktails ever, the hostess is always smiling, the service is amazing and if you are fortunate enough to see Daniella who owns the place with her husband, well then that is a perfect night! The steaks are always cooked to perfection, the wine list is very comprehensive with plenty of great selections at every price point. They even hosted a large party in their private room for my son's High School graduation and we couldn't have asked for a better evening. Run don't walk to Pellana. You wont regret the decision.
(5)Bill D.
For the 2nd year in a row, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Pellana's. I can't say enough great things about this restaraunt. The atmosphere is very comfortable and the lighting is perfect. The wait staff is top notch, watching them take care of all the tables is very impressive. My wife ordered the bone in Ribeye that was exceptional, cooked perfectly and the baked potato is so large we actually split it. I had the 10 ounce Filet that was tender and delicous. Obviously, you will be paying Boston steakhouse prices without the hassle of driving or taking the subway into town. With the tip the meal cost us $140.00, well worth a great meal while we celebrated our anniversary. I highly recommend going to Pellana's.
(5)Lew S.
Been to them all, NY, CHI and this place is not equal it is better. Worth the trip. Service and food top-notch.
(5)Matt L.
Traveling from Austin Tx to Danvers, I was a bit skeptical of going to a steak house. Particularly since Texas is know to be the land of beef, but I must admit Pellana's did not disappoint. In fact, I was even able to order a cut of meat that I've never even seen offered before. A 14 oz bone in filet mignon!.... What... are you kidding me... I know... Freaking awesome!!! Ok, so let me get on with it. The meal starts with a selection of homemade breads. The Yorkshire pudding is Awesome. Started with the seared ahi tuna, which they made into an app for us. Then went onto a tomato capresse salad. The tomatoes were super fresh and succulent. The mozzarella was home made, which earns instant points. Next we had our main course. Note the meals are al a carte. So we ordered the grilled asparagus and sautéed spinach. The filet was amazing. So tender and juicy. I ordered it rare to med rare, which came out the perfect temp with a beautiful caramelized crust. Everything was perfect, from the martinis, to the ambience, to the service, and of course the food! It is a little pricey, but for what you get it actually isn't bad. Highly recommend if going on a date or for a business dinner. And this is coming from a guy who grew up in the SF Bay Area, and now lives Austin (land of up and coming restaurants and don't forget the beef).
(5)Katelyn A.
The service, the food, the atmosphere.. Pellana is an impeccable experience. Avoiding the drive and parking in the city but experience a Boston quality(even better) meal makes this gem the perfect spot for any special celebration.
(5)BetterHalf A.
Last time when I ate there, I was very happy with food, servers, and speedy service. I was hopping to replicate the same experience when I took my family for the special occasion. Spending over $40 for a steak, I was expecting somewhat Boston's fine dine experience. Everything went wrong last night...simply said, it was bad. Overall foods are okay, but that is the problem. Why would i spend over $400 with a bottle of wine and 3 course meals for party of three? They need to improve everything about the restaurant. The server was not attentive, food quality was not great, and atmosphere is just okay. What's up with all those cheesy and cheap original oil paintings for? I think they bought their paintings from starving artist you see time to time on TV commercial. I will not go back there again.
(2)Renee M.
This is our favorite restaurant. We usually come on special occasions. Food is excellent.Staff is exceptional.
(4)Alicia S.
You know this prime steak house is the absolute best when you constantly compare other prime steak houses to it . Every time my husband & I go to another prime steak house we always say, "it's good but it's NOT Pellana" . Can't say enough great things about this place whether it's the service or the food . Once you go, your taste buds will fall in love !
(5)Caitlin W.
I went here last Saturday night with my husband for our 1 year wedding anniversary. We had made the reservation on open table months in advance for 7pm. We arrive around 6:50, and had a drink at the bar (him a beer, me the Ginger Pear martini) until our table was ready. We were seated in a room in the back that was pretty quiet. Our server was very attentive all evening, providing the perfect amount of service, not rushing us at all, but was always there when we needed him. For starters we split the appetizer special, burrata cheese on beefsteak tomato slices. The cheese was delicious! So creamy and tasty. The breadbasket is also worth metioning, the popovers are a nice treat! For our dinner, my husband ordered the prime rib special with a side of lobster mac & cheese. I ordered the filet entree topped with lobster which came with white asparagus. My steak was cooked perfectly, and seasoned so well! My husband's prime rib was HUGE and also so so good. Cooked well, so tender, excellent. The lobster mac & cheese was also pretty good. He had more than enough to take home for leftovers the next day. Because of hte special occasion, we each got a dessert. Apple crisp for him, pumpkin cheesecake for me. Mine was good, but hte apple crisp was to DIE for! So delectable. I had dessert envy. All in all, we were there for over 2 hours, all the food & drinks were delicious, and we had an amazing first anniversary. Thank you Pellana!
(5)Kimberly K.
I always order the French onion soup. The last time I ordered it (about a month ago), it was terribly watery and borderline gross. The steak was as awesome as ever. Please fix my favorite appetizer! I refer everyone to you for it! Can't do it until the quality returns...
(4)Jon C.
The food and service is always excellent. They have a boned in ribeye that is so tastey. We sit at the bar almost exclusively which is so relaxing we never feel rushed and the bartenders are great......
(5)James F.
I am always mystified by people complaining about the price of the food/drinks at Pellana. For those patrons there is not a steak in the world good enough to spend over $40 so why are they going to a fine dining restaurant? Let me start by saying the owners are sensational and their staff follows suit. Always courteous, including the lovely hostesses (yes, it's never a bad thing to have a pretty, smiling face to greet you when you're going to spend hundreds of dollars). Ask any man and he will tell you the same thing although not to his wife. Rather than repeat all the accolades about the food I will share one criticism. And it's not about the gorgeous artwork adorning the restaurant (someone yelped they didn't like the artwork which was laughable if you have seen it. Apparently only originals will do for this art connoisseur...idiot). Pellana absolutely has to change up their menu. Even the specials are the same. Tomato with mozzarella is a familiar refrain. Don't get stagnant guys...people will start to look elsewhere. Otherwise, this place is a homerun!
(5)Jeff K.
Love love love all except the loud laughing hyena sitting in the corner the night we were there, the one with the tight pants...Other than that.. this is a must return every time you're in the area. From the decor, the steak, the leftovers to the drinks.. this place was everything I've wanted in a suburban steak house. I can't wait to come back and try more.
(5)Jim M.
I'd rank this with the best Boston OR Chicago steakhouses. Terrific meal and ambiance. My compliments to the entire staff and owners! One of the most consistently great restaurants anywhere. North Shore folks, don't waste gas going in town to Grill 23 or Mortons. Pellana has everything you need.
(5)James M.
I have been to steakhouses and restaurants all around the world and always find myself heading back to Pellana. Simply put the food is top notch, the service is top notch, the ambiance is top notch and I recommend that you give it a try. I dare say that this is my favorite restaurant and definitely the basis of my comparison when I go anywhere else.
(5)Christie M.
Excellent! Great drinks and great food.
(5)William M.
Great place! Overall, the best meal I've ever had. At least as good as my experiences at Morton's, Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille, but closer to home. Steak, sides, bread and dessert were perfect. My sirloin and wife's filet were perfectly done, exactly as ordered. Can't comment on the wine, as I don't drink. Wife said her martini was outstanding. "Special occasion" pricing, as expected for this quality, but not really outrageous. We will be back.
(5)Jen X.
We received a gift card here & finally went for the1st time few weeks ago. Set back a bit & easy to miss. The decor and ambiance is very similar to The Capital Grille. Quality of food definitely of the same level too. French Onion soup, tomato cream something else in the name delicious soup, split a wedge salad (they kindly split the plates & they portions were stil huge) a bit too much bleu cheese, and I'm not sure I've ever thought any amount of cheese was too much. Breads, yum! Maple martini unexpectedly smooth & balanced & strangely addicting. We split the 16 oz bone in filet & added the oscar topping, which was all really flavorful & steak cooked med rare as asked. They had a special Parmesan and mushroom risotto that was ridiculous. We'll def be back.
(4)Monique G.
Wonderful atmosphere, great steak! The best strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese ever. Great wine list and outstanding service the prices are somewhat overpriced; hence the four stars. Delfrisco prices without the Boston waterfront. The bartenders rock!
(5)C- N.
Had reservation for 7:00 on Saturday night for party of four... Seated almost right away. Server (James) was excellent... Timing on the service / meal was spot on.... Three in the party had the fillet, I had the sirloin strip... all were cooked perfectly as requested. I expected to pay a bundle (and did)... But I must say, a little over priced considering the venue (although atmosphere inside is fantastic)... They are not paying Boston level rent for sure.... And they don't quite stack up to say an Abe & Louie's or Grill 23 in their day... Again, great meal, great service and convenient if on the North Shore. Just not sure you quite get the bang for the buck... Been here before and will return again vs. driving into Boston for a good steak.
(4)Anthony D.
Been to every steak house in boston and this place tops them, hands down! Not a single bad experience in over a dozen times there.
(5)A L.
The tricky thing about going to places like this for dinner... is that you just want to keep going back! Such elegance, class, and finesse, as well as high quality food and ambiance make this an experience that leaves you wanting more. I have been here for special occasions only in the past and wish I could afford to go every week! The cocktails are well made, with a charming and informative gentleman behind the bar. The wine selections are vast. The difference between a small steakhouse like this one and a larger steakhouse you might visit in Boston is that every steak served in this place is hand selected when it arrives off of the truck. For this reason, the T-bone steak is one of the best we've ever had! The sides and appetizers are delicious as well. You name it, this place has it. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants on the north shore (if not THE nicest!) Hope to go back soon. Note: They do have a bar menu which offers some smaller selections that are much more affordable and though I've never tried the burger, I hear it is to die for.
(5)Tom D.
Came here on our anniversary 9/16. Pellana is by far one of the best steak houses if not one of the best restaurant's around. My wife and I have made this our anniversary go to place. I have to reiterate what I said on my last review. The 16oz NY sirloin is the best steak I have ever had. This was the third time coming here and it has been consistently perfect. The lobster mac n cheese side as well as the HUGE baked potato are perfect also. As usual the service was spot on. You could stay there all night if you felt like it. They never make you feel rushed no matter how busy they are. Yes you will pay Boston prices but it is worth every cent. I don't think any Boston steak house comes close. We will definitely be back !
(5)Matt O.
My wife and I went here for my birthday last night (1/17/14) and our high expectations were met. From the onset, we were happy with the service from, attentiveness and friendliness of the staff. The bread and wine came promptly and was delicious. The wine and drink menu was extensive, yet affordable. Our waiter - Jason - was friendly and generous with his service. The food - filet for my wife, bone in NY sirloin for me - was fantastic. Cooked to perfection to each of our liking. Subtle seasoning on the NY made a world of difference. A fantastic evening. We will return for special occasions, for sure.
(5)Eduart L.
You want great stakes without paying Boston prices ? Go to pellanas! Great service too, I love it.
(5)Robert B.
My wife and I went to Pellana's with my family to share our Anniversary. The food and our waiter James were outstanding. It made for a memorable evening.
(5)Joe S.
Went there last night everything was excellent don't no why I'm bothering writing this review but was so happy everything was good couldn't wait to tell all loved the bread basket people been raving about this place and I have been criticizing not as of last night .
(4)Kathryn M.
By far, Pellana is my absolute favorite restaurant. I've had dinner here 4 times in the past 4 months- twice at the bar and twice in the dining room. On each visit, I had the same fantastic experience: 5 STARS! They have a thoughtful wine list, impeccable service and an outstanding chef that hits the mark every single time. My favorite dish is the sliced filet over vegetable risotto. My dining companion loves their dessert menu: sorbet, bananas foster, pumpkin cheesecake, and this chocolate cake that is incredibly decadent and could easily feed 3 people. This restaurant is typically regarded for "special occasions" so reservations are highly recommended. However, if you hit it right, you might be able to eat at the bar. They offer a full menu at the bar, and also have a filet sandwich and burgers. Parking is plentiful. They also have 2 private function rooms which are beautifully decorated and perfect for very small gatherings.
(5)LeAnn L.
Love it here!! Perfect little hidden gem, you'd drive right past it unless you knew where the restaurant was. The waitstaff is always so kind and accomidating. I've eaten in the bar area, and in the dining area, both times with exceptional service and food. I wouldn't even call the food here pricey because it is really THAT good and SO worth it. The service is unmatched. Someone even comes around with a "crumb-catcher" to wipe the crumbs off your table inbetween courses. The most recent time, I came here with a group of 4 for my father's birthday. We called ahead to ask if we could provide our own icecream cake for after the meal and the staff said it was no problem at all! My mom arrived early with the cake and even presents, and the staff took them in the back for later on that night. Dinner was of course, delicious. also, they literally give you a 1/4 piece of a loaf of bread to start. Its really an obnoxiously large piece of bread but its still good! I couldn't recommend just what to order because everything is outstanding! Although I am a fan of the sesame crusted tuna, blue-cheese mashed potatoes, and beef carpaccio ;) After dinner, the staff brought out the cake, they even put candles in because we forgot them! Moments later a few more staff came out carrying these cumbersome wrapped boxes that were the presents. You should have seen the look on my father's face!!
(5)Diane G.
FANTASTIC! We booked a room for my husband's 70th birthday dinner. We had a party of 10 people. They even set up a flat screen TV in the room so we could see the Patriots play the Broncos. Everyone got the filet. Some with the bone in some without. They were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The appetizers, the salads and the sides were perfect. A few of the guests got the Pellana Manhattan and they loved it. Daniella ordered a tiramisu cake and a chocolate cake for dessert. All in all I can't say enough about how good the food was, how good the staff was. It was a great experience and we will be back again. Thank you Pellana for making the event a great success.
(5)Maximillian S.
Delicious menu with great knowledgable staff. I had the special that night: Veal Porterhouse. Never knew there was such a thing, but so happy there was! Cooked perfectly with amazing flavor. Atmosphere was comfortable and leaned towards business casual.
(4)Kristen C.
Hubs was introduced to this place by a colleague and he was impressed. So the next time I wanted filet (doesn't happen often) hubs made a reservation. Fine by me. First I was a little surprised by the location (next to a nail salon?) but I got over that as soon as I stepped inside. It's dark inside but once my eyes adjusted I could see that it was an upscale joint. Any notion of the place being sketch due to location vanished when the wait staff took over. Supremely professional, quite attentive without hovering - exactly like other high-end restaurants in the city. You will think you are in a downtown steakhouse that caters to the high-end set, no doubt. Then there is the food. The bread basket impressed me (although the popovers could have been served straight from the oven, my single complaint). We shared a beefsteak & burrata salad drizzled in olive oil & balsamic - sublime because the tomatoes were perfectly ripe (yay for summer!). I had an 8oz filet - perfectly cooked medium as I requested. Hubs had the larger filet cooked medium rare. I like that they offer 8,10, and 12 oz filets. Some places don't give an option. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, as it should be. Bernaise sauce, awesome. Sides - we shared the grilled asparagus (ok one more tiny complaint: the ends not being carefully trimmed on all stalks, but really, so minor) and a baked potato. Every morsel of my filet was heavenly and I finished that bad boy off with gusto. Dessert menus were produced but I was glassy-eyed and passed. Hubs got the cheesecake - and miraculously they knew it was his belated birthday dinner & they brought it out on a plate rimmed with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate (yes, I tasted that to be sure!) and a lit candle. What a meal! You bet your bippy we will be back! Love this place.
(4)Ted S.
You don't have to go to Abe&Louis for a great steak NY Sirloin was outstanding, great flavor, cooked perfect. Suggest corn off the cob as a side dish. Our waiter Doug did a great job, reservations on time. All staff were attentive, highly recommend!!!!
(5)J V.
I have mostly good things to say about Pellana, so let me start there. I think the restaurant considering it is one of the only real Top Notch, high class steak Houses in the Danvers, Peabody, Salem area is a blessing. If you have never been, or didn't even know it existed, well too bad for you!! It is hidden back, over by the BMW dealership and Petco, across from the Peabody Mall. The food can truly rival all of the expensive Steak houses, down to Morton's and Abe & Louie's. Everything from the Steak to you deserts will be cooked to perfection. As far as the wine list, they do an amazing job at giving you a large selection to choose from, without being over the top obnoxious. Now for the only part of the experience, that I think is a draw back. As far as the staff, the waiters act like they are from the Kennedy family, seriously guys and girls, you are waiters get over yourself. If there is one thing that drives me crazy, is when I eat at prime steak houses, and the wait staff are so douchey, that you want to slap them. Unfortunately I like to eat quality food, so this is something you just have to deal with. But if you are reading this, and you are a stuck up steak serving waiter, seriously, get over yourself, you are a WAITER!!!! all in all, I with out a doubt recommend Pellana, food is great, place is nice, just the patron's and the staff sometimes come of like they are not sitting in Peabody, but some how got beamed to Bel Air.
(4)Alex J.
This place is the real definition of class. My wife and I walked in and our table we reserved was still occupied, but we were directed to either wait by the bar or in the front. We had a two martinis at the bar which were a nice touch. Our table was ready and we were sat. Our waiter assistant which I believe was Anthony greeted us professional, and seemed to have great knowledge of the restaurant. Our waiter was James who presently started us off with a bottle of wine and from their it was history. The entrees came out and it was an incredible experience. These two men exemplified what service really is .
(5)Sarah B.
My sister and I (and our respective spouses) took our mother here last night for Mother's Day. Our reservation was for 7:45, and we waited about 20 minutes to sit down. Although the restaurant is not a kid friendly place, when my brother-in-law made the reservation (by phone) he indicated they had a 2 month old, and we made the reservation for 6. The baby sat parked at the (round) table with the rest of us, out of the way of the waitstaff and other diners. The food was excellent, from soup (or in my case, the Wedge Salad, which was the best I have had to date), main course (grilled Swordfish), to nuts (creme brulee). I even tried their Chocolate Cake Martini, and as a non-martini drinker, I thought it was fantastic. The service was excellent, the a la carte sides were perfect, and everything about the dinner was what you would expect about an upscale steak house in Boston without having to drive into Boston.
(5)Andrew G.
I have been fortunate enough to dine here about a dozen times. I have never been disappointed. You know exactly what you are going to get here. Prime Steak. It's not just the steak that is impressive. The decor is out of this world. Very unique, almost like an old mans smoking club that had a baby with an Upscale Irish Pub. Very nice wine list. Excellent sides. I hope you get a chance to try their Brussels sprouts. Service is what you expect. Bar could be bigger...hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Space is limited, so I understand why. I have never had to send a steak back. You get what you pay for, plain and simple.
(4)Charlie B.
Filet mignon was dry i has to ask for sauce for the price it should've been perfect. Think I should definitely try it again but capital grille still has my heart. Service was ok. Went a bit late and staff was murmuring about us being there and them waiting for us to leave. Rude. And uncomfortable.
(3)Nick B.
My boss took the whole office to dinner here for Christmas. It was amazing. I've never in my life had a better steak. It practically melted in my mouth. The sides were amazing also. Lobster mac and cheese was very good. Ambiance is very nice. Overall it was a great experience.
(5)Jennifer C.
Excellent!! Wine: asked to taste one wine and the waiter (Jim) brought a 2nd selection to try. Great suggestion! Got the bottle for $70. Appetizer: burrata mozzarella - excellent. Creamy texture and room temp tomato melts in your mouth. Shrimp cocktail - 4 jumbo shrimp Wedge salad Dinner: filet mignon and bone-in filet for the hubby, sautéed spinach, roasted mushrooms and a sweet potato. Steaks were perfectly cooked and sides were delicious!
(5)Logan R.
Service is extraordinary! And your food is definitely worth the price! Great way to woo a women
(5)Brian G.
I have been here twice and it may be the best restaurant I have ever been to. The food is top notch and the environment is great. It is not inexpensive, but you certainly get what you pay for.
(5)Jennifer O.
I have eaten here on a few different occasions, I will say the food is excellent, the prices are a little over the top considering the location. I think it is a little stuffy as far as the atmosphere is concerned. I go back because the food is great and there is not too much in the surounding area that isn't a chain, if you wanna avoid going to Boston, I would strongly reccomend Pellanna's
(4)Jim W.
Like going to a convenience store. You'll pay more and not have to travel into the city. Not bad, but not great. Very expensive even when compared to Capital Grille. Take a drive.
(2)Kell B.
This place is a great find in peabody. You have all charm and flavors of a Boston steakhouse without going to Boston. To me that's a win! After recently being to Ruth's Chris and being very disappointed, we were more than thrilled to find this amazing steakhouse that not only has 5 star food but 5 star service as well. Our food was cooked to perfection and tasted absolutely amazing! The reviews that complain about Boston prices outside Boston, you pay for quality of food and service. I'm fine paying Boston prices if every experience here is like this visit. Will definatly be going back.
(5)Kurt K.
This is my favorite place to eat. Great service and host Danielle is awesome. Best place to go on date.
(5)Michael R.
I have been a fan of steak houses for years and have eaten at the best ones from all over the country. I happen to stumble upon pellanas one sunday years back when they were open for brunch. from that day on ive been hooked! i have never had a bad meal there and ive eaten there 50+ times..... Im lucky enough to be able to eat dinner where ever i want..... I choose pellanas every time... best steaks in new england hands down.
(5)Danielle M.
The best food I've ever had!!!! I'm pretty picky when it comes to dinner and the service and food was unbelievable I wish I could give Pellana more stars!! My boyfriend took me for our anniversary and it was perfection! Thank you Pellana for such a wonderful job.
(5)Steve T.
I might have found my new go-to local steakhouse, a distinction formerly held by Tango in Arlington. Don't get me wrong, Tango is still good, but I've completely abused all it's had to offer over the past four years. Along comes Pellana. It all started with the bread, we were each given giant chunks of deliciously chewy, crusty sourdough. They offer a huge selection of seafood soups and salads for appetizers. We got a French onion soup and a wedge salad. The soup was one of the best I've had recently, and the wedge came out looking like a chunk of cake, standing on end drizzled with blue cheese and balsamic. It was phenomenal. We ordered a pair of filets, both medium rare and mine Au Poivre for three dollars more. They were fairly large and perfectly cooked, and my Au Poivre was the best pepper-crusted steak I've ever had. At first I was hesitant to scoop the sides onto my dinner plate due to the sauce, but by the end of the meal I was using the already-delicious mac and cheese to scoop it all up. We also grabbed a baked sweet potato which was huge, in fact both sides were could have satisfied three or even four people. I saved the sweet potato for the end of my meal which ended up replacing my dessert. I was actually looking forward to trying what they had to offer for dessert, but my stomach would have been hating me for it. As it was, we both left completely satisfied, anxiously anticipating our return. Prices are high but you get what you pay for. The quality of the food and service is no less than you'd find at a fancy steakhouse in the city, so I have no problem paying for it here.
(5)Jonathan D.
Pellana's is a solid steakhouse with excellent service and a nice atmosphere. A few highlights: warm crusty bread to start you off well cooked steak diverse wine list--lots of california wines and a good Italian selection
(4)Busy L.
I have been blessed and fortunate to have been able to eat at some of the upscale steakhouses across the country. I have found lately the quality from the typcial chains such as Capital Grille, Morton's, Abe & Louie's, etc have been serving lower qualtiy cuts of meat that are just not as tender or flavorful. Had business dinner last night and it was fantastic. My guest who also dines all over for business was also extremely happy with his meal. Started with the lump crab cocktail that had huge lumps of crabmeat served over ice. The special of creamy fresh mozzarella over beefsteak tomato was also delicious. We had bone in sirloin and lamb chops that were one of the best pieces of meat I've had. For sides, we had spinach and mushrooms that had portabello, button and baby bella that was fresh and flavorful. Asparagus was also great and just lightly grilled. I would definitely come back for dinner and avoid having to go to Boston for one of the top 5 steaks I've had.
(5)Keri L.
My hubby & I came here for our 1yr anniversary & I cannot say enough great things about this place! My husband got the filet mignon & I got a NY sirloin and both were to die for! Is it a little pricey? Yes sort of but the ambiance is great & we got creme brûlée for dessert which tasted fabulous & the chef also added a sweet touch and wrote happy anniversary on the plate in drizzled chocolate. The drinks were strong & we will definitely be going back as soon as we can!
(5)Omeletteuknow O.
Completely on par with your typical Morton's, Capital Grill, Abe&Lou experience. Once you get over the actual location (right behind where IHOP used to be) and you step into the restaurant, you are completed transported and you will forget you are in the midst of all that mall and traffic chaos, traffic lights, etc. Nice soft lighting and very handsome decor made for a nice atmosphere. The tables were spaced out enough that you could have nice conversation without sitting on top of your neighbor. We made reservations in advance. We were a party of 4, seated immediately. The service was absolutely perfect. Totally unobtrusive but 100% on top of things including filling our water glasses and wine glasses (me likey that!) Our table shared a large seafood appetizer with oysters and other goodies. Everyone raved. We all ordered steaks which were all cooked to perfection. Sides were very good as well. We shared a bunch of different desserts and everyone of them was fabulous. Also they have a fantastic wine selection. Wonderful experience. One comment regarding the dress attire. I thought it would be somewhat dressy but a quick look around and you will see a mixed crowd, some dressy, some dressed down (for men some wore jeans but dressed it up with a collar shirt) and for women I saw some wearing jeans but dressed up a bit with heels and dressy shirt.
(5)David G.
Pellana has become the go to spot for special celebrations in our family, most recently my wife's birthday. From the front of the house to the back, the Pellana's staff was extremely accommodating. We wanted a festive, birthday feel to the table and they kindly set the table with the balloons and other favors we delivered earlier in the afternoon. The kitchen stepped up to the occasion with the most amazing French Onion Soup and Caesar Salad to start. The sirloins and filets were better than some we've had in Boston and all perfectly cooked as requested. Even the sides made a great impression, most especially the Mac and Cheese my son ordered. For dessert, the cheesecake was dense and creamy and the chocolate cake came decorated for a birthday party. The waitstaff were attentive, but not the least intrusive. Why go into Boston when these good folks are right around the corner?
(5)Marisa C.
Experienced last night a memorable evening of great service with Jim as our waiter, nice atmosphere however table selection could have been better but the food, i.e. steak was "melt in your mouth tender", side dishes generous and wine was wonderful. Well worth the prices and would definitely return after this first visit! Marisa L. Cole, Board member of the Peabody Chamber.
(5)Zoey F.
Had the rib-eye, lamb and pork chops. The steak and lamb was a perfectly cooked medium rare. The pork, however, was a tad dry. This may be due to the fact that we have never ordered pork at a specific temperature before, therefore at 165F, it was too overdone. We asked for it to be cooked, just not over cooked, but there was no recommendation for the appropriate temperature. The asparagus stalks was too thick for my liking, and was a bit too charred. The best part of the meal was the Crème Brûlée.
(3)Chris E.
Went here for dinner. Very pricey place to get food. The place does accept reservations but we showed up without them. The bread they gave at first was too crusty for my tastes. The food we had was superb though. You definitely pay for ambiance. For the intended price range, I would say it is good. They did accept my AmEx card. Edited to say dinner instead of lunch. My mistake.
(4)Eric S.
No longer in a family-owned business, I can still spot a lot about what's right and wrong in the blink of an eye and, frankly, I didn't care much for Pellana's location. Up until their arrival, everything that was built on that distant oasis was soon sent packing with its tail between its legs. But not so with Pellana. To me, Pellana is a 5-star restaurant in a 4-star town. The front windows are tinted so the ambience is nice and ever-so-lightly subdued inside to create the conditions for good conversation, fine dining and easy digestion. The decor is very nice contemporary furnishings with the bar being subtly divided off to the right-front quadrant once you enter the building. I've ordered various dishes here from shrimp cocktail and prime rib to salmon and stuffed mushrooms and, except for one small detail, I have always been pleased with both the presentation and the quality of the food. The one exception is that some of the dishes can be a little on the salty side so you might want to request your food be "easy on the salt" and then just add-to-taste. It's easier and safer that way. I'm not a drinker but friends who have ordered wine have always enjoyed their selections and the desserts have been nothing short of completely satisfying. What's more is that the service has always been very professional, gracious and friendly. If I have something bad to say about a place, I'll say it but Pellana, so far, has been batting a thousand with me. Definitely recommend if you want a fine dining experience usually found only in the bigger cities. ps. They will not turn anyone away who is dressed casually, but if you're a little self-conscious, you'll want to be dressed at least a little more nicely.
(5)Mark W.
My friends took me here for my birthday - I had never heard of it before. The location is a little odd however as noted by others once you walk in - it has a nice vibe. It was quite busy and the service was very good. While the ambiance is nice and typical of a steakhouse (formal, dark wood, dim lighting, fantastic knifes)......there are no windows and no view...and I'm a fan of a view especially when you're paying almost $50 for a steak. The food was excellent. I had Steak au Poivre - cooked perfectly! I started with beef steak tomatoe with blue cheese and vidalia onions - perhaps a little too much oliver oil - but it was very well presented and delicious. We shared mushrooms and sauteed spinach. You can really mess these up - but they were good. They have a nice wine list. I'm glad that I got a chance to dine here.... Excellent food, but a good value - I'm not sure. The location is akward and again for a $50 steak or $15 glass of wine - I like a nice location and enjoy a view.....
(4)Lou P.
This restaurant surprised me. I had heard great things about it, but none of the recommendations had prepared me for this experience. I was prepared to discover a Boston-style steak house (ala Mortons, Abe & Louie, Capital Grille) at something less than Boston prices. I was hoping to find a Boston-style steak house with a suburban atmosphere (more intimate, more casual, more personal). I was surprised on both counts. Pellana's is a Boston-style steak house, with a Boston-style atmosphere at Boston prices. The food was good (I ordered the steak au poivre), the portions were reasonable (each side was enough food for 2 people), the wine list offered a nice variety of styles and selections. The restaurant was busy, the tables close together, and the atmosphere felt more like a power business climate than a romantic getaway. The bill was expensive, very expensive. You'll be challenged to spend less than $75 per person for food (salad/appetizer, entree, side), our bill inclusive of cocktails and tip was over $600 for a party of five. Would I go again, probably not. For the money, I'd prefer to celebrate a special occasion in the city. Pellana's is a suburban location that's too expensive for my tastes.
(3)Elizabeth M.
This place does NOT have highchairs for young children. We are from out of town and none of the reviews discussed whether or not they were family friendly here. The host did not disccourage us from bringing the baby in and offered is extra pillows for her. However, i had a booster seat in my car for her. I know it's nuts to bring a one-year old to a steakhouse, but we're on vacation and I wanted a nice dinner. The staff was very Professional and stopped to say hello to the baby which is always nice. Aside from this The food was excellent. I got the NY sirloin and it was cooked perfectly (for me anyway, I don't like rare I asked for medium and that is exactly what I got) the creamed spinach was excellent as well it was not heavy like you will find in other places. The food came out VERY quickly. If we lived locally I would definitely come back...without the baby next time.
(4)Tom G.
Great food. Worth every penny. Ask for Carlyn. I don't know too many places where the waitstaff carries their own business cards. What a relaxing night out.
(5)E K.
Great selection of fish for a steakhouse
(4)Jessica K.
So delicious and is a great alternative to the Boston Steakhouse staples(morons, ruths Chris, etc) but just as good. Great ambiance, small rooms make it feel cozy, amazing steaks and Mac & cheese is amazing. Delicious martinis too. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion.
(4)Al B.
Outstanding steaks. Close to home and do not have to drive to Boston for fine dining. Great atmosphere. Excellent service. Only fault is the location can be hard to find. Love the creme brulee'.
(5)M K.
Best sirloin steaks, prime rib, and filet mignon ever! Side dishes are outstanding, wine choices are great and the wait staff is excellent. If you want to impress someone or treat yourself go to Pellana's.
(5)J B.
Well there's no doubt that having a Prime steak house on the North Shore is welcome. The steaks are fine. For those of you who have not had USDA designated Prime level steaks, they are designated because the meat is both from young cows and is the most marble-ladened with fat. You get that velvety mouth-feel and the most rich flavor you can get from a cow. Not the healthiest, mind you. I only know of Savenor's on Charles Street in Boston that actually offers Prime USDA steaks to the general public on a regular basis. Rib-Eyes can be had for about $25/lb. Restaurants probably pay a bit less, but that should give you an idea of why a USDA Prime (make sure the menu says USDA, otherwise it is likely NOT) steak dinner costs about roughly $40, and that's without any sides. There are two things that keep the restaurant from being 5-stars. One, importantly, their beef is NOT dry-aged, as you get from a Capital Grill and many other Prime steak houses. Dry aging does away with some of the moisture of the meat. The outsides of the slabs are cut away, wasting that part of the carcass, but what's left is even richer. The second thing that brings it down a star is the atmosphere. If anyone remembers the restaurant Mama Leone's and how tacky Italian that was decorated, this is also decorated in the way someone thought that an upscale restaurant should look from a middle class perspective (also brings to mind the old Chateau de Ville establishments). Lots of overly oiled paintings, probably obtained from one of those Holiday Inn painting sales where paintings are priced by the foot. So for the North Shore, it's great not having to go into Boston for a great steak, but it's not the ultimate either. One thing they offer, but I have yet to try, are Prime Kobe burgers. They only offer them at the bar, not at the dinner table. I'll try one and report back.
(4)Dan F.
waste of time and money by dan faust By A Google User - Jan 31, 2010 Took my wife and son out last night. I will admit the steaks were good, but the sweet potato was awful (its hard to mess up a potato) The onion strings were full of grease and all the vegetables were horrible ( Bland and overcooked) The bill before the tip was $235.00 ( my wife only had 2 sides). Make the drive to Radius in Boston and see how great food is prepared for that kind of money.If you are looking for a better place in the north shore, try 62 on wharf in salem or the blue OX in lynn, they know how to cook.
(1)Keri M.
Best prime steakhouse outside of Boston! Great ambience, fresh and intriguing menu!
(5)kelly m.
This is my favorite steak house to go to and beats out ANY place in Boston. The food, staff, bartenders, atmosphere, plenty of parking, and wine list! I go here for birthdays, special occasions, and just to treat myself. I bring anyone I can that hasn't been here yet for a nice dinner....I recommend to ANYONE!
(5)Peter P.
I have been there many times at table and the bar....It does get busy but the food and service have never let me down....Nick is great at the bar and knows his wines, Daniella the Mgr is always busy doing something to make your experience better.... The only thing is I would try and make the bar area a little bigger if possible...Go to Pellana if you don't want to drive into Boston.....Although I don't think they have Bleu Cheese Olives!!!
(4)Suzanne G.
Fantastic steak and lamb, cooked to perfection and soft-as-butter. Delicious sides, more than enough for two to share. Top-notch servers, unobtrusive yet attentive. Lovely decor and atmosphere. Less-than friendly hostess. Pellana's could use a sommelier: we ordered a bottle of red wine with our dinner and the server 'topped up' our glasses during the meal. Big no-no with red wines and even full-bodied whites, On the plus side, the red wines are served at cellar and not room temp, also a big no-no. Pricey restaurant that really tries hard for good food and service and mostly delivers.
(4)The Hungry American E.
Expensive. Ok atmosphere. And in the middle of Peabody. Alot of people are high on this place, and I was not. I'll have to give it another shake.
(2)Warren W.
This gets five star for many reasons but as I compare to the "chop" houses of Boston and the 'burbs it is a tremendously better value. I took a group of 14 in total there last night with the same expectations I have had for my past dinners there. Being convenient to my offices, it just makes a ton of sense to stay local. The owners remember and appreciate support. I like to support good local businesses (and especially the new) as our community needs economic strength. So I got there a little early and all the way up 128 I kept thinking bloody mary. I never order bloody mary's for a coctail in the evening. Out comes a generous Kettle One very flavorful portion. Except as part of the garnish comes this honking big Italian pepper. Jesus Mary and Joseph! Now I know why it was put in there....damn thing bit me back. I had to drink that Bloody in record time to soothe the back of my tongue. With that done, I ordered another. Why not? In come the troops, and the bartender handled my staff with patience and expertise as the drinks varied from Bud Light to dirty martinis. With drinks in hand, off to our table situated right smack dab in the middle of the dining area. The hostess apologized for not having their private room avialable but hey what did we care.....we were the loud ones. Appetizers consited of lobster bisque, I did the Chop salad a (ten) and I noticed a couple of seafood towers were downed which had oysters (Duxbury) and I like Wellfleets better, shrimp 1/2 lobster and crab. Never knew we had so many meat lovers. I've been shying away from red meat so I went with the chicken which was done in a very flavoral mushroom wine sauce that was just wonderful. The chicken came out perfect and almost as if it were cooked under a brick but i think not. My guests raved about their cuts of meat and most brought home doggy bags. Sirloin strip; rib eye; bone in filet, NY strip and one other that was lost in my wine fog. The cut of swordfish was gigantic and it was simply put at least 4 inches thick. Cooked perfectly and impossible to finish ....so said Deb. Wines were 2002 Meritage by Domincus...decanted and a 2005 Merryvale Chard. Great waitstaff attentive, appreciative and well tipped. Not easy to find. Take a right at the BMW store as you would head to Danvers off 114 and right after the Getty.......into the lot on the right. Way at the back.
(5)Tom D.
Who'd have thought that behind the pile of dirt where the now defunct IHOP stood would be possibly the finest dining on all of the North Shore? My loving boyfriend took me here for my birthday to feed my carnivorous cravings. After running some errands in the area, we decided to just go early for our 8:00 reservation and have a drink at the bar. To our surprise, and my delight, as I had been fasting in preparation for this meal, we were seated when we arrived, which was 20 minutes before our reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance of this place. You step into this place and you immediately forget you're at a restaurant in the back of a torn up parking lot and feel like you're somehwere exclusive in the Back Bay. There is no seeing into this place from the outside. The glass doors are tinted practically black and there are no windows inside. Now that I think of it, if this place ever closes, they could easily remodel the building into a strip club. Anyways, inside, the whole place is done in very dark wood with small lamps providing just the right amount of lighting to give it an intimate feel. The service here was impeccable from the moment we walked in. Everyone we came in contact with was ultra-courteous and completely unpretentious. Our server kept water glasses full at all times, something I always appreciate in a restaurant. I hate having to ask for water refills. My date ordered a 1/2 bottle of wine which was presented wonderfully, right down the tying of the napkin around the neck of the bottle. Service was attentive but unobtrusive throughout the whole meal--sometimes it's hard for people to find that fine line, but our waiter certainly understood the distinction. I started my meal with the clams casino appetizer. Honestly, they were good, but I didn't see what the big deal about them was. But that's my only complaint about the food. Everything else was spectacular. I had the sirloin au poivre for dinner. Seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The steak was gigantic, probably somewhere in the 18-20 oz range, and I ate the whole damn thing. I was in beef heaven. We had an order of the fried onion strings, too, which were great on top of the steak. We, well, I also had the creamed spinach and it was dynamite. Sides, at least with the steaks, are all a la carte, but they are sized for sharing. They have a huge selection of wines available by the bottle, but not too many by the glass. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see a red zinfandel available by the glass for only $9. Not a bad deal in a place like this. By the end of the meal, I was so stuffed I couldn't bring myself to get a real decadent dessert. And I'm usually a believer in pushing through to pain to get my chocolate fix, so that's saying a lot. We decided to split a lemon sorbet and it was the perfect, refreshing end to a marvelous meal. I don't recall seeing the bill, but I have a feeling it was pretty hefty. We're talking $$$$ here, folks, but for me, this place is well worth it. Unless you're fabulously wealthy, this isn't an everyday restaurant, but definitely splurge here for special occasions. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Jared B.
I've been to Pellana three time now with the first time being a quite bad experience, the second mediocre and the third quite good. On my first visit I ordered the filet medium rare. It came out well done, with well done being an understatement. After showing the steak to our server they apologized and took it back to make a new one for me. After waiting literally 20 minutes (everyone else was coming close to finishing their meal) I asked the server where the steak was as a rare done steak should not need long to cook. When they came back they brought another well done steak. I cut into while the server was still at the table and showed them what it looked like and they offered to make me another, but since everyone was finished with their meals and I had yet to eat anything but some creamed spinach I said I would eat it. I was then told that they have a restaurant policy of not comping any food when its messed up. So we paid full price and left. On my second visit I went with the dry aged rib eye. Service was much better and everything we ordered was great (except for the rib eye). The steak was good and cooked right, however quite sinewy. I would give the trip three stars. The final visit, all was good, very nice steak and service was on par with the second visit. I guess third time is a charm, but at the quality of restaurant Pellana is supposed to be, every visit should have been like the first.
(2)Jason A.
We had a reservation @ 9 and were seated immediately when we got there. The dining area was dimly lit, and overall the ambiance is quiet enough and romantic. The server was warm and attentive, and greeted us with abundant info. on the menu and specials. We skipped appetizer and ordered one arugula salad. The dressing was slightly sweet and tangy, and overall the salad was good but not phenomenal. For entrees we got pettite fillet and rib-eye (both med rare) and had asparagus as the side. The steaks were very good, esp. the rib-eye, which was much juicier than the fillet, and the portions were generous. They were served on nice heavy plates so they were still sizzling when they came to the table. The only seasonings were salt, pepper, and butter, and frankly, anything more would be too much. Tthe meat quality was good enough for it to be still delicious. Although what we ordered didn't sound like much, we were both very full and skipped dessert. Bill totaled to $120 including tips. It's on the spendy side, but considering the good service and very delicious rib-eye, it's worth trying and coming back.
(5)AnnMarie G.
Great food. Very similar to Abe & Louies and Capital grille. Had the Beefsteak tomato Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing. Excellent! The bread that was served Delicious! Filet wrapped in Bacon...Delicious! The only minor complaints...I ordered a med filet..and it was a tad overcooked. Not acceptable for $42. Was a great size and delicious. Other minor complaint.. Was here on a quiet weekday night and when the waitor took the appetizer /salad order he asked to take the entire order. At a place like this...i really didn't care for that. But overall Pellana's was wonderful! Key Lime pie to die for!
(4)ann l.
Pretty decent food and steaks. Service was good I like my Boston steakhouses a bit more.
(3)Dana T.
Our dinner last Saturday was ruined by a loud,obnoxious table of six boorish people who we were told are regulars here. While the management is not directly responsible for customers' behavior, they did nothing to make it stop, nor did they somehow compensate all the other diners who were obviously annoyed. These people should have been asked to leave and now that I know they go frequently, I will have to think long and hard before returning. In addition, I think adding an extra charge for a sauce to go with a $40 steak is really over the top.
(3)Elizabeth B.
This IS Fine Dining! Pellana is on the same level as Boston Fine Dining restaurants such as Abe & Louie's, Oceanarie (sp), The Capital Grill etc. Gorgeous interior. Attentive Bar. And the food is so delicious, Padma and Tom Collechio from Top Chef would praise this place. I had the baked stuffed shrimp which was heavenly. If you are looking for a place to celebrate something special, or to impress someone special, Go Here!
(5)Joseph P.
Why go downtown? Pellana was a fantastic experience. We were not rushed at all. After a few drinks, we ordered our appetizers. It's nice to be in a restaurant that doesn't REQUIRE you to order your entire meal at once. My Duxbury oysters were briney and delicious. After the apps, we ordered our dinners. I had the Prime New York Sirloin, my wife had the salmon. My steak was done to perfection. Medium rare and very juicy. DW loved her salmon. The baked potato was bigger than my liver. I mean who really needs a potato that size? But it too was very good, coated with sea salt. Martinis? Not bad. I'd like them a little bigger but then again, I have 11 oz. martini glasses at home. The service was just super. Expect to pay Abe & Louies prices but then you don't have to pay 14 bucks for a valet plus tip. Again fantastic. Done.
(5)Mr. Chang U.
Chang likes steaks! Abe & Louis and Capital Grill are two of my favorites. I prefer the Rib Eye and sometimes get a Fillet. This place gets a 5 because I no longer have to drive to Boston to get the same quality steak and service. The price is going to be the same as Boston so prepare for that. Yes, you will pay $36 for your steak. The drinks are equally as expensive. The cost for two people will approach $200 but it's no different in Boston. My Cohort this night was "The Matador" who has had his share of steaks. My Rib eye was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were excellent. The bartenders were very friendly and we chatted with them most of the night. There's a small LCD TV situated out of the way of the dinning room but in view of most people at the bar. Any bar that does not have a TV to me is missing the boat. I'll write a more detailed review when I've visited this place more than once. I just want to respond to Steve N's comment, "if i'm paying these prices when i walk out i'd rather be on Boylston, or at least in a Real City". Brilliant! The whole point Steve-o' is that you don't have to go to Boylston to get the same quality and if Boston is a "Real City" and Peabody is not why do you live in Haverhill? I think the fact that it is tucked away is fine and I am not going to judge the quality or class of a place by the building next door (which is no longer operating as IHOP). Nothing irritates me more than a jackass reviewer. Watch out for "The Matador"! So, Steve-o', get in your Mini Cooper and head to Boylston next time! Boo Yaa Dairy Queen!
(5)Hungry C.
We're confident in declaring publicly that yesterday's visit to Pellana represents the last time we'll visit a steakhouse. It will never happen again. Ever. There was nothing especially wrong with the Pellana experience - at least nothing that was Pellana's fault. The lamb lollipops were nice. The French onion soup was terrific. The Pellana wine list was as thorough as it was ambitious. But, then came the giant steaks and the giant potatoes. I don't know. There was a moment - a shift, perhaps, in our sensibilities. It happened at once as we considered the plates before us: giant steak, giant potato, giant steak, giant potato, etc. We suddenly didn't want it anymore - even as it sizzled and glistened on its hot, white plates; the consumption we were about to undertake had the feeling of performance, of cabaret. And, it seemed arduous. We didn't want to be there anymore. We wished to drape our napkins over our plates and scurry through the lounge and out the door and into the Roadmaster. It was so clear. Intuitively, we knew that there should only be one reason to park in the unmarked, nightblack, rear of a shut IHOP, to wit: making out in the aforementioned Roadmaster. We shouldn't have been gnawing on cow; we should have been gnawing on each other! And there was an additional epiphany: if you've been to one upscale steakhouse, you've been to them all.
(3)kevin g.
Yes this place is expensive but it is a jewel for the north shore. The martinis are great. The steaks are very good. They have the best swordfish aroung. The portions are huge and the sides are enough for 2-4 normal sized people. I had the best burger in my life here. I have been to Radius and I enjoyed this place better. The lobsta mac and cheese side dish is excellent. The brunch is also the best in the area. Just remember it is expensive. The only negative is that the clam chowder should be better than it is.
(4)Chloe L.
First of all, let me start by telling you that I have been here three times and I would not be writing this if I had just been here once. All three times, we have waited at least 20-30 minutes past our reservation time. Granted, I am usually with a party of 6, but still if this is a reservation, shouldn't they be prepared for our arrival? The bar is super cramped and your constantly bumping into their wait staff, so it's not like waiting for a table is a fun experience. We noticed the last time we were here that they sat a party of two (who came after us), as a booth made for 6. I don't eat steak, but I am a huge seafood fan. The ahi tuna here is fattier than it should be, the salmon is always under cooked, and the lobster seems to me like it's previously frozen. The raw oysters and littlenecks are fair, but not as fresh as they could be. My friends love the steak here, so I can't judge that, but their other options are only fair and are way over priced. If you have seafood lovers in your party, my suggestion is to go to Capital Grille instead. You'll pay about the same, but the seafood is of a higher quality.
(2)Lena G.
I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. We had the swordfish steak, filet mignon, and New York steak which were all exquisite. The onion rings side was also delicious; the sides are huge, you can probably do one side for 2-3 people. The wedge salad was also particularly good. Definitely one of the best steakhouses that I've been to.
(5)Lia M.
One of the best meals I have ever had. The entire experience was great. Yes, prices rival any steakhouse in Boston. And yes, the location is not exactly haute couture. But the food and the service was amazing. Our server, Francis, was excellent. The ambience was relaxing and refined. The food - unbelievable. I had the lamb ribs, which were amazingly succulent. The grilled asparagus and sweet potato were both tasty. My father had the bone-in steak (so, it has a correct name, but I don't remember. I don't eat beef), and thought it was one of the best he's had. As a carb addict, I loved the hunk of bread that we were started with. And the chocolate cake was pure chocolate deliciousness, but without being overly heavy. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(5)Susan L.
The BEST steakhouse north of Boston. Friendly staff, delicious food and free parking!! What more could you want??!!! My husband and I have dined there about 4 times and have never had a bad experience. I respectfully disagree with the last post about how the restaurant Radius in Boston is better. I went to Radius not too long ago for lunch and left there starving!! I wanted to get lunch somewhere else. The portions at Radius are tiny. They make the food look pretty and you pay a high price for presentation. Puhleeezeee!! Don't waste your money!! Go to Pellana in Peabody because it's worth the price! Bon Appetit!
(5)Christopher W.
Cost is relevant to each individual. As for me, I consider cost a reflection of the service and experience that is rendered. If your service and price are lackluster or not inline with superior service, then I will rate you fervently. If I believe the service/experience that I received outweighs the cost, then you receive Diamonds not stars! If you have shallow pockets or money is an issue, then you should not consider being a patron of Pellana! This place is hard to find. I believe this is a strategy of the owners as it is very selective of it's' patrons! I entered Pallana's after a friend recommended (knowing my discerning pallet) I try the succulent morsels hidden within! To my amazement, I was not disappointed! I was immediately acknowledged prior to my choosing a seat! I chose a seat at the bar as I was by myself. The level of attentiveness and my overall experience, I would recommend Pellana's to anyone who wants to have an exceptional meal! My meal: 3 Bombay Sapphires and Tonic w/ lime Complimentary fresh bread service Appetizer: Lamb Lollipops Second Course: Pellana's Salad Main Course: Pellana's Rime Bisteca Dessert: Crme Brule After dinner, drink: Cappuccino Bill plus tip: $150 Service/selection: 5 Diamond Experience/Cost: 5 Star
(5)Thomas A.
Pellana was everything we'd heard it to be - and more! The ambiance is calm, elegant, and quiet - even with both dining rooms and the bar full to capacity, room noise was a pleasant murmur. Quiet enough not only to have conversation at your table but quiet enough to hear the lovely background music. The service is out of this world! Best we've experienced is many a moon. The staff clearly likes working there. Now let's talk about the food. While not inexpensive, it was extraordinary! We ordered the filet, the pork chop, and stuffed shrimp. Prepared to perfection and presented elegantly. It is definitely a destination, and one we'll visit again and again.
(5)Daniel M.
I have only been here once and I had the T-bone steak with lobster mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The steak was the softest most delicious steak I have ever had in my entire life!!! The lobster mac and cheese was great, but the mashed potatoes where not so good. They tasted like instant potatoes mixed with little chunks of potatoes, I was not a fan.
(4)Jenna L.
This place is amazing!! We ate here last night for a birthday celebration. We live in Gloucester and wanted to eat at a top notch steak house without having to make the drive into Boston...SUCCESS! First of all I love the atmosphere. I was nervous after reading reviews about the location, but it is set far back from the street in a beautiful building, so that was a relief. Then walking in was another wonderful surprise...such a warm, cozy and elegant atmosphere and it was not as small as I thought it would be. There was a perfect mix of families, business executives and large tables of people celebrating engagements and what-not. The reviews here did not do it justice, so that was another nice surprise. Thecwaitstsff was perfect. Now the best part -the food! Amazing. Everyone in our group agreed it was on par with any top steak house. The caesar salad was perfect - the real deal. I also sampled the clams casino and the tuna tartare with wasabi cream - both got raves from all. Two of us split the 28oz porterhouse steak ($55) with the add on of crab stuffed lobster tail (+$16) and we still ended up taking leftover steak home. The porterhouse was the best steak I have ever had. Everyone else loved their steaks too (filet, ribeye) but to me porterhouse took the prize Four of us shared 3 sides and we only ate half of them, even though they were the best french fries and onion strings I have ever had. The creamed spinach was really good, too. Even the drinks were delicious - I had the Hollywood and everyone loved their coffee drinks. Great wine menu of course. Total for apps, dinner, dessert, drinks flowing, tax and tip was $440 for four people. Pricey but absolutely worth it. Only place that could beat it might be Ruths Chris. But even THEY could not beat Pellana's inside atmosphere and that porterhouse!!
(5)Bob B.
Excellent food. Service was OK. I think, in general, that the service is generally really good, but our server seemed very disinterested tonight. Too bad.
(4)Cindy C.
We love that we can get unbelievable steaks on the North Shore that rival the best of Boston! The location itself is kind of strange, but once you get inside, the decor is beautiful. Food is expensive but always excellent, and the service is incredibly attentive and friendly. Excellent cocktails & wine list. We have nothing but wonderful things to say about this restaurant.
(5)Cosmo X.
Just went there recently..Not like the Capital or Abe & Louis. I like a good steak and I have to say theirs was good. I had the filet and it was a decent size. The clam chowder was not good,, the bread basket could of had a selection, the potatoes and salad was good.... Over all it was ok but over priced and I will not return and I will go intoBoston for my steak..
(3)Scott M.
This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long while. My significant other and I have a tradition of doing really nice dinners in lieu of gifts on our birthdays, and yesterday was his. After hearing those crazy Andalmen brothers from Phantom Gourmet (before they became obsessed with chicken wings) rave about Pelanna, he decided that this would be the place. Our reservation was at 8, and we arrived at around 7.40. It being a Saturday night, we assumed that we'd have to wait at the bar until 8 or later. This was not the case. Though there was a line of people seemingly waiting, we were immediately whisked to our table. The ambiance is fantastic here. Rich, dark woods, leather and floor lamps surrounded us. We were immediately given water and delicious hunks of sourdough bread. Our server arrived shortly after and throughout the evening, he was relatively attentive and cordial. I'm sure my partner in crime will post a review of his experience, so from here on out, I'll only discuss what I had. I ordered a 1/2 bottle of Trimbach Pino Gris, which is one of my favorite wines. The wine service was excellent and added a classy touch. I started with a bowl of french onion soup. It was delicious, though it tasted pretty much like the onion soup you'd get in most restaurants. For my main course, I got the chicken, and I know, you're banging your head against the wall and asking why on earth I got the chicken at a steakhouse. The simple answer is, that I like chicken and I'm not a big steak fan. I'm still working on the complicated answer with my therapist. Anyway, the chicken was very good, and the accompanying crisp, fried Vadalia onions (which is a fancy way of saying onion rings), were light, numerous, and were delicious with my main course. For dessert, we split a lemon sorbet, which was a perfect ending to a practically perfect meal. I'm sure there were more decadent desserts on the menu, but we were so stuffed, that we needed something light such as that. I'd go back here again in a heartbeat.
(4)Sean B.
The filet was cooked as desired and very tasty. If you can, make reservations. We showed up around 8:15 on a Sat and we had a 20 min wait. A nice alternative to heading into Boston for steaks, but expect to pay Boston prices
(4)JOANNE S.
I made a reservation for my friends birthday celebration for last night. The minute we arrived to the moment we left, the experience was perfect. Daniella greeted us at the door and quickly brought us to our cozy table. Thank you Daniella for receiving my e-mail during the week and making our reservation and making our night very special. Our waiter was Doug and you couldn't get better than this waiter. He was professional yet attentive but never bothersome and he met our every need. We started with a Pomegranate Martini and it was delicious. The glass chilled perfectly which kept the drink cold and not overly sweet. That bartender knows how to mix a martini. The chowder we both got was the best chowder I ever had. It was thick and tasty. Just perfect... My friend got the Halibut special and she loved it. I got the chopped salad with grilled shrimp added and it was perfectly dressed and just the most perfect salad ever. For dessert we ordered two cappuccinos and our waiter surprised my friend with a delicious slice of chocolate cake for her birthday. It was decadent and delicious. If you want the Boston Steakhouse experience but don't want to travel to Boston. Please try this restaurant, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Steve N.
a very nice and completely serviceable steakhouse in Peabody. bartending was spot-on but they have no draft beers. of everything i sampled i found it all to be Very Good and prepared and plated to a very high standard. but, when you leave, you're behind an old IHOP, and you're in Peabody. if i'm paying these prices when i walk out i'd rather be on Boylston, or at least in a Real City.
(3)Dee S.
This place IS tough to find; no signage on the road to speak of, but OH, once you get there....HEAVEN! I actually asked why they aren't more prominently featured, and the waitstaff said they wanted to 'work out the kinks' below the radar before expanding. Boy, did they ever! This is a serious steakhouse, honestly on par with those in the City. We ordered a cracked crab app...nice big nuggets of crab. Hubby ordered the ribeye; I had filet. PERFECTLY done on both counts. They have THE best onion rings...mmmmmmmm. Couldn't resist those. Amazingly enough, we stuck around long enough to do dessert. I'm not normally a fan of restaurant chocolate cake, but the 7-layer version they offer is positively MELT in your mouth....I'm STILL mentally savoring it nearly two months later. The creme brulee was equally good. We went on a Wednesday night at 7:45pm in mid-January - late by most standards around here for a weeknight, and it was moderately full, but no wait. We're going back again next week for my hubby's birthday, and we can't wait! MMMM
(5)Melanie S.
Fantastic restaurant even though the curb appeal does not look as though it would be a high end place. When you walk through the doors, you would swear you were in Boston. The food is fantastic! The only drawback is the drinks are very pricey. We stopped in to grab a drink one night with friends and our tab for 6 drinks with tip was $100.
(5)Mike B.
Ive been here twice now, and it's absolutly the real deal... If you're on the NS and dont want to travel for the high-end steakhouse experience, here it is!!! The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable, the food was delicious and cooked perfectly, and for this type of restaraunt the prices were right.. yeah the steaks were great as you would expect, but the second time i had the kurobuta pork chop it was awesome, a guest had the swordfish which he couldnt finish... Sounds nuts, but the also had the best mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes i ever had... the other sides/apps were great too... A must try
(5)nancy g.
Food was excellent but service not so good. I received the wrong steak and was told if I wanted what I HAD ordered then I would have to wait another 20 minutes for my meal. Slow service to begin with. Our last visit here, steak had been over cooked. For the prices, not acceptable. Far too many excellent steak houses in our area!
(2)Tracey K.
Just a quick update. I went back thinking I would give them a second chance since they were rated in North Shore Magazine. Nope...customer service really needs to be added to their training. I made a reservation this time and still we were asked to wait and we waited and waited and thought that being in the bar we could spend our time enjoing a glass of wine...Hmmm...we waited......
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