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Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Wine Bars, Canadian (New) [Edit]
6th StCharlestown, MA 02129
Neighbourhood: Charlestown
(617) 242-0036
- Nearest Transit:
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First Ave @ Fifth St (93)
First Ave @ Eighth St (93)
Chelsea St @ Fifth St (89/93, 93)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
Wed 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Thu-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
99 reviews for Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar
Review Highlights
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"And the hanger steak was great too." In 9 reviews -
"...that the restaurant is small, cozy, and off the beaten path." In 4 reviews -
"i had lobster risotto which was awesome." In 5 reviews
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Michael W.
Charlestown, MA
12/1/2011 2 photos
A really good neighborhood bistro with a well deserved reputation from the locals.
Service is typically very good but can get crowded at peak times so recommend that you hit it at either 6 pm or wait till say 8:30 on Thursday, Friday, Sat. The bar is a good place to sit and you can watch the cooks do there thing. I like to check out the kitchen to see what comes out before I order and you can get a pretty good idea of what looks good.
Ginger Sake Salmon, Hanger Steak and Lamb are all good choices. Also mussels are very good app. I have never had a bad meal. Prices are not cheap but you will enjoy your food.
If you looking for pretentious and fancy you will probably not be pleased with this place. Its friendly and pretty laid back with an emphasis on good food.
There is good street parking nearby so no reason not to try it out.
My only gripe is it can get crowded and can feel small at times so make a note to hit it on off hours if you can. -
Review from Jon S.
Boston, MA
3/29/2012
I work nearby so I usually dine here on someone else's dime. Nonetheless, I'd happily pay out of pocket to eat here. The food is very good, the service is friendly, and the wine selection is great. The steak frites are solid. Most of the other main courses are seasonal. I think this place handles meat better than seafood (but that's just my opinion). Overall, I'm glad this place is slightly out of the way. It makes it easier to get a table for the rest of us.
Note, I once attended a tasting event here and the owner of the restaurant quickly whipped up some food to accommodate the vegetarians in the group. I was very impressed by this (and the vegetarian dish was the standout of the night). -
Review from Michael C.
Boston, MA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here first on a Friday at 9PM, it was a zoo inside. They don't take reservations and there was a 45 minute wait so we decided to go that Sunday, hoping to avoid the mayhem. Good thing we did as they have some great specials on Sunday on food and wine.
Here is what we had:
Sangria - Really good and just sweet enough
Roasted Figs - simple and delicious, they come wrapped in prosciutto
Lobster Gnocchi - Best dish of the night, these are not your store bought gnocchi's. Came in an alfredo sauce with big chunks of lobster
Meatloaf - The meatloaf was one of their Sunday specials, only $12! For the price it was very good and it came with some great mashed potatoes and asparagus. -
Review from Elizabeth M.
Middlesex, MA
5/14/2012
had dinner here on sunday - very pleased with food and service - had rack of lanb with pomme frites - excellent - my husband had meat loaf with mashed potatoes - food was excellent - fried oysters as starter - pommes frites were exceptional
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Review from J. N.
Boston, MA
5/11/2012
The food is so good here and the menu changes seasonally. You can eat outside at their tables in the summer, or sit inside their cozy dining room(s) otherwise. Great choice if you're in Charlestown, or a quick walk across the bridge from the North End.
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Review from Michael O.
Boston, MA
4/26/2012
Afraid to say too many good things about the Bistro, as it's crowded enough, but the word is already out. This is our favorite place, hands down, in the area. From Doug at the bar, to John the owner, you always get a warm welcome, even with the packed crowds. I assume the menu is good, but I always want the hanger steak and my wife always has the salmon - both are that good. She has their recipe of salmon as the standard when she orders it elsewhere and then always says "not as good as the Bistro". The wine specials are often interesting. Fun to talk at the bar: "are you from the Navy Yard or the main part of Charlestown" is the usual question. Great local crowd. Only downside is the crowd - too bad they can't expand! Fun to sit at the bar, drink some wine, and watch your meal being cooked. It's a show.
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Review from Larry L.
Wellesley, MA
4/1/2012
I am giving this "as good as it gets" for local bistro. The food was very good, buy how can you miss with all the butter and salt. A yum. Place is a little loud, but comfy in the neighborhood way. Nothing intrusive, just a good vibe for a local hot spot. Well worth the drive if you are out looking for another great local spot. Maybe a tad higher priced, but the location in the Navy Yard is cool.
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Review from Chris S.
Charlestown, MA
12/27/2011
Living in the navy yard I've eaten here a few times and have also gotten take out. The food has always been good, and the staff is always very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is very cozy inside and during the summer they set up tables outside.
The only "flaw" is that the menu is small and I sometimes can't find anything I'm in the mood for. -
Review from Bobby C.
Never knew about this place even though I worked a block or so away in Charlestown for four years. We were offered a table in the left room since it would be quieter as my friend had a baby with her. It was very nice of them.
Staff was very friendly and attentive. For apps, we had the fried oysters and the butternut squash ravioli (special). Both were decent. My friend had the scallops for her entree. I had the Apple Brined Pork Chop. I asked for medium and was afraid it might be undercooked but was cooked just right and not too pink. The sweetness was just right also. It wasn't too sweet like I have had at other places. For dessert, we had the Chocolate Ganache Cake.
It was a good meal with good service. It's typical comfort food. Just note they only have beer and wine so no cocktails. -
Review from Wendy S.
Romantic, inviting, yummy, and charming are all fitting words to describe this Charlestown wine bar. Located just off the water, the setting is lovely both inside and out. Since it was raining, we stepped inside and took in the space. It's warm and cozy, which felt romantic even on a hot and humid summer evening. That's saying something. The fella and I prefer to sit side by side whenever possible (we're romantic like that), and the hostess was very accommodating. We were given a table for four to ourselves, and cozied up whilst perusing the menu.
We shared the grilled flatbread with St. André, roasted red grapes, and Prosciutto. SUPER yummy. We also enjoyed the red beet salad with baby arugula, toasted goat cheese, and white truffle vinaigrette, and a side order of pommes frites. The nibbles were perfect with a couple glasses of wine. I tried their house sangria which I found way too sweet, so I'd stick to their regular wines by the glass or a bottle, of course.
A great spot to steal away with your sweetie.Listed in: Peace Out, Boston
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Review from Andria L.
Cambridge, MA
2/3/2012
Great ambiance with amazing food and wine for pairing! Knowledgable staff for wine recommendations. Romantic with dim lighting and light music playing jn the background. Excellent food. Scallops were within the top 5 dishes I've had yet to taste! Parking can be tough, however after 8pm its free to park on the streets meters and resident parking alike :)
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Review from Natalie T.
Boston, MA
10/21/2011
Quite possibly the best place on Earth (that I've encountered thus far) and I will give you 3 reasons.
#1 - If you sit at the bar (do not sit anywhere else BUT the bar section in front of the kitchen, if you sit bar left it will not be the same) you are basically at Top Chef Live! Who doesn't love that?
#2 - The mussels have almonds which is possibly the smartest thing I've ever tasted. Next time I make them myself I plan to add these slivered slices in and pass it off as my brilliant idea.
#3 - The wine glasses are engraved which is always a classy touch.
Besides the mussels, I have only ever tried the Steak & frites and one of there salads, both of which were spot on! Place is a home run, touchdown, or a Ray Allen on fire with 3's .. all rolled in one. -
Review from Philip C.
Montclair, NJ
2/21/2012
Staying with the family in the nearby Residance Inn and decided to look local rather than North End. Meter Parking till 8 pm is not a problem but sensed that the Bistro does not encourage families. Food was top class and very reasonable. Service was excellent and the decor was exactly as Old World dockland renewal restaurants should be. Would come back here tomorrow and would recommend it anytime as an alternative to restaurants on the other side of the river.
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Review from Archana V.
Cambridge, MA
10/28/2011
Pretty amazing food in a restaurant that is hidden away in a corner. The place is smallish but charming.
I tried the roasted monkfish special and loved it! The fish was slightly crusty and browned outside and soft and fleshy inside. It came with a side of sauteed kale (yum!) and white beans cooked with chorizo. The portion was pretty generous too.
I wasn't very interested in dessert but ended up splitting the chocolate ganache cake with a friend and I'm so glad I did. The cake is not exactly a 'cake' but more like a gooey bar of chocolate that melts in your mouth! With some vanilla ice cream and more chocolate sauce, its the perfect end to a great meal!
My friend says they have Sunday and Monday evening specials for much lesser prices, so I'll definitely be back for that! -
Review from Jason H.
Medford, MA
2/5/2012
Have been here a few times now and can't recommend it enough. On our last visit, I had the Tomato Soup w/ Lobster and the Pork Chop entree. My wife had the Beet Salad and Short Rib Gnocci. Everything was fantastic.
Restaurant can get a bit busy and crowded, but at peak time on a Friday our wait was only a half hour.
Overall, very highly recommended for food and service!! -
Review from Kimberly M.
Boston, MA
Updated - 9/6/2011
After my previous less than stellar review John, the owner contacted me to address my concerns. An establishment that concerned about a negative experience is definitely worth another try in my opinion. I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed to have given Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar another shot!
The meal started on a high note when we were able to be seated outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Although now we were faced with a conundrum, deciding which of the many appetizers and entrees, which virtually all sounding amazing, we were going to commit to. Not being a group big on committing to things as important as food, we ordered a bunch of appetizers, a few entrees and we split them all. There was not one dish on the table that everyone did not love. From shrimp & grits to heirloom tomato salad with goat cheese crema we all went home happy and decidedly lacking in hunger. And those frites that weren't so great last time? This time, perfection.
Thank you John for caring enough to make me come back and for turning out food more than good enough to warrant future return visits!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/8/2011
I will preface this by saying this past weekend was my third time dining here and the first two were… Read more »
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Review from Melanie J.
Nashua, NH
1/28/2012
I loved this place! I went last night with two girlfriends and the prices were great, the environment, the service.... I loved it!
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Review from Dave S.
Swampscott, MA
1/25/2012
What a nice find in an otherwise industrial-feeling neighborhood. Very cozy inside and the food is excellent and at reasonable prices. Very extensive wine list. Our waitress was attentive and helpful.
We ate on a Tuesday night, arrived around 7:30-8, had to wait about 15 minutes at the bar. Nice local scene. Highly recommended! -
Review from Robert C.
Cortlandt Manor, NY
9/3/2011
Makes me wish I lived in Charlestown.
The wine list is definitely deserving of the Wine Spectator award and selections were very reasonably priced. Offerings from regions around the world were available and included some exotic wines. We shared two terrific cabernets and conversation with our neighboring table.
It was a beautiful evening so we sat outside in the courtyard, which is between converted granite block buildings in the old Navy Yard district. While there was no water view it was cozy and relaxing. Inside looked like it would be fantastic during the winter months. The staff was knowledgable and friendly.
We ordered the shrimp and grits (delish) and the po-boy oysters with chourizo (authentic and wonderfully light and tasty). Our entrees were also terrific, a salmon with a Ginger sauce and fresh caught Cape Cod tuna. -
Review from Peter T.
Marshfield, MA
9/13/2011
This place is nice - good location, menu, ambiance, and service. I am not going to write about those attributes, which were all average to above. I would instead like to comment on the food, which put me in the hospital for two days with food poisoning. Two others in my party were also ill, though not to the same degree. I am sorry to report that the roasted corn soup, although delicious, was the culprit. While the food here was tasty going down, order at your own risk.
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Review from NJ C.
Boston, MA
3/4/2012
Navy Yard Bistro is a great "go-to" spot with an array of dinner selections to meet the needs of many palates. In the summer my favorite dish is their lobster sliders - amazing! The great thing about the Navy Yard Bistro is that it feels like the perfect cozy winter spot when it's cold and when the weather gets warmer, it is also ideal. The staff is always friendly and eager to please.
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Review from Paulina R.
Cambridge, MA
5/10/2011
This place is a hidden gem! Tiny, classy, and top quality food, wine and service make it so.
It's hard to find unless you're from the neighborhood. The only reason I know it's here is because they have outdoor dining in the summer when I'm walking to my car from the dance studio across the street. But what a gem!
The crowd is mostly locals also from the building across the street, but they are well-dressed, professional, and sophisticated. The restaurant has some good wine selections and a very helpful bartender. As a vegetarian I almost always get the beet salad for lack of vegetarian options, but I don't mind. It tastes SO GOOD!
The only thing I don't like is due to something that is actually a good thing generally. Their kitchen is open so you can see your food being prepared, but what that means is that when they cook some of their meats at high heat the entire restaurant smokes up and you leave smelling like one of the prep cooks. Not fun when you want to go out on the town after dinner. But if that is all that worries you, ask for a table in the back room or outside and enjoy the wonderful food and service. This place is top notch! -
Review from Zac C.
Boston, MA
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great meal..... I had been wanting to go and since I moved to the Charlestown I wanted to go on Neighborhood night (Sunday and Monday) where they have a $12 meatloaf and $7 glass of wine. I got both and the meatloaf was either the top or top two I have ever had. It was moist on a nice fluffy bed of mashed potatoes and some asparagus. Great gravy too but not flooded. My fiance got the mussels and the mushroom salad which were both great. The mushroom salad was well flavored and the mussels had a delicious broth with some toasted fresh bread. I would definitely go back. The negative for me was that I went for neighborhood night and there was no neighborhood atmosphere, the dim lighting was more romantic than friendly. Maybe next time I should sit at the bar for a more relaxed feel. Great mood for a serious date night though.
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Review from Sarah W.
11/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
Very warm, friendly environment. Small, soft lit bistro with open kitchen concept. Had the salmon and would recommend it most definitely.
Sat at the bar and watched the football game while I enjoyed my meal with a nice house chardonnay (from California, but I forget the label).
I was just visiting and staying at the Constitution Inn... Literally a 2 minute walk out the front door of the hotel.
*** Call ahead, kitchen closes early during the week.
Go, if you're in the are area... Reasonable prices and great service. -
Review from Steve G.
Charlestown, MA
8/19/2010
There are only a handful of really exceptional restaurants in Charlestown and this is one of them (perhaps Olives and Tangierino are the only other two in this league). The place is small, which makes it intimate. If you can, grab a seat at the bar which makes the whole process simpler. Food is incredible. I've been here at least 5 times and every time I leave raving about how good it is. Their lamb dishes are of particular note. For a place of this quality it's not as expensive as you might expect. That's not to say that it isn't a pricey meal, but it's not the kind of place you walk away from saying, "well, that was our annual visit - maybe we'll come back next year."
Just as an aside, there is something awesome about this place in the winter when it is cold and snowy and you sit down at the bar with a big glass of cab and a delicious leg of lamb. Hard to beat that picture. -
Review from Tim C.
Boston, MA
11/11/2011
This may be the best neighborhood restaurant in Boston. Food is amazing and the people are great.
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Review from Jeremy S.
Somerville, MA
8/27/2010
This place is truly a gem and more Bostonians should know about it. The Bistro sits in a delightful location close to the water in the Navy Yard part of Charlestown. The food is magnificent, the wine list affordable, and the atmosphere is as pleasant as can be. In the summer months there are even a few quaint little tables resting on the cobblestone walkway outside the restaurant.
I've never been disappointed by the food, and the prices are lower than the quality would suggest. Stop in on Sunday or Monday nights you can get an excellent meatloaf dish for $12, which has long been one of my favorites.
The dining area isn't huge, and they usually only take reservations for parties of 8 or more, but I've never had much of a problem getting a table. I guess the place is off the beaten path just enough so that it doesn't get too crowded. -
Review from Kimberley S.
Charlestown, MA
10/22/2010
I live 100 feet away and I've never been here before. A TRAVESTY. This place is amazing. I repeat- amazing. Can I give 6 stars?
My boyfriend and I came tonight for a belated birthday feast. This was the best meal I've had in a while.
The ambiance is so warm and cozy. It's a small place with an open kitchen, bordeaux walls, and exposed brick. Very warm inside.
I ordered the beet salad (I've had quite a few beet salads in my day and this one was perfection - complete with little nuggets of toasted goat cheese) and the grilled trout. The trout was grilled perfectly and came with a wonderful and unusual assortment of vegetables- brussels sprouts, turnips, and parsnips.
My boyfriend, who is rarely adventurous with food, ordered the duck on the waitress' suggestion. It was a duo of duck - breast and a leg. He let me try both and they were fantastic. We couldn't figure out what the sides were because he ordered it without looking at the menu [EDIT: turns out it was apple spaetzle and sauteed cabbage. The cabbage must have been sauteed in cherry sauce or wine because it was delightfully tart], but they were totally delicious. The entree on the whole was salty, sweet, sour, savory, and SCRUMPTIOUS.
I'm appalled with myself for never having been here before. I will not make that mistake again; this place is absolutely phenomenal. -
Review from Cara P.
Cambridge, MA
1/9/2009 ROTD 3/1/2009
This place is AMAZING! I can't believe I never heard of it until someone suggested to come here for dinner. It was SO amazing, I almost forgot the fact that I was with the world's biggest d-bag!
First of all, it is really difficult to find. It isn't on the main road, but BEHIND a Store 24. You have to go down a small side street. It's not on the water like you would think. No biggie, not like we were sitting outside during the winter (They do have an outdoor area).
We got there around 9:15 ( a bit early) and were seated within five minutes. I ordered a glass of wine off the bat. I was told they they were doing a wine pairing that evening....Four different reds, with a four course meal. I declined because...seriously? Four courses? No, thanks.
We ordered the Tuna tartar and I had the Salmon. The d-bag I was with, had the Shortrib, which looked amazing too. Their wine list is incredible. I had a Shiraz ( a few). I forget which type, but there were so many options to choose from. They can get pricey too.
Service was spot on. Attentive, but not in my face. He was more entertaining than my company.
So, five stars for Navy Yard and 0 for the D-bag. -
Review from Steve s.
MA
7/11/2007
Ah the Navy Yard. In 1972, Massachusetts was the only state to not vote for Richard Nixon. When he was voted in a landslide, he pulled the Navy from the yard. We responded by gentrifying the area.
Payback is not a b..., as it turns out.
Which brings us to The Navy Yard Bistro. NYB, as I will call it, has two rooms split by a fairly large bar and outside seating.
To be brief, if I ever have eaten a better piece of salmon, I really don't remember...Yes it was that good and at $16...A great deal
And for once, everyone else enjoyed their meals...Chicken and salmon
Excellent and unexpected....RIP Dick NixonListed in: Big time Surprises
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Review from luke b.
Somerville, MA
8/13/2008
Yeah... this place is pretty darned good. I gotta say i was a little surprised. I don't really venture into Charlestown but i may a little more often now.
So, first i have to say the service was amazing. Our waiter was super-extra nice and helpful. He let us taste some wines before committing to a bottle. Very awesome. I know a lot of restaurants will do this but rarely has the server ever just offered it up.
The food was really good too. i had lobster risotto which was awesome. Some salad... that was pretty good. The only thing i didn't like was the dessert. It was pretty mediocre. I'll still go here again for other foods though. -
Review from yana v.
Somerville, MA
Updated - 11/23/2009
I'm updating my rating to 5 stars, I'll explain why.
I just had my birthday this saturday and in the midst of trying to find a place for dinner all over the city I called every other restaurant looking for someone to sit a large party. So many restrictions, only at a particular time or on a particular day of the week, you have to get this or that, won't seat incomplete parties and so on.
I call Navy Yard Bistro, "sure we can seat you whenever, we have a prefix menu, oh you'd like you change it? no problem. You'd like to add something else, again no problem. Not a complete party, no problem. you can change your menu selections when you arrive as well.. all is no problem." I fell in love all over again. They were soooo accommodating and easy going about the whole dinner experience. It was a breath of fresh air dealing with them as apposed to many other restaurants in the boston area.
Thank you Navy yard, for being so accommodating and having such great food!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/30/2008
A definite find.
I remember reading reviews about this cute little neighborhood bistro and thinking… Read more »
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Review from DAVE I.
9/23/2008
Foie Gras was sublime. Seared, firm and slightly crispy on the edges, not just mushy. Served on Pain Perdu surrounded by Apple compote. It just doesn't get much better than this. And that's the problem. After such a smashing appetizer, it would be impossible for the chef to get out of that one.
Sadly the Steak Pommes Frites, the ubiquitous Bistro food was quite good, but the steak was a bit on the chewy side and I could taste the grill, I hate tasting the grill. But the Pommes Frties (French Fries) were actually good, I finally found good fries in the US after months and I don't know how many diners and dives, I have to go to a bistro to find some good tasty fries.
The Crème Brulée was a explosion of savory goodness served with fresh strawberries and blueberries, fruits worshiped in my neck of the woods.
The look and feel of the Bistro are a perfect blend of American Colonialism and French décor. You can't say your in Paris but then you don't feel like you are in some tourist trap either. Service was delightful as the Owner of manager took expert care of me and even asked for my name and shook my hand.
I'll definitely go back, just not for the steak. -
Review from Kate I.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2008
All around superb. Excellent service, great wine list, cozy neighborhood restaurant feel, a great meal.
We ordered the salmon, short ribs, and mashed potato side - all were great. The apple crisp... so good. And the value at $16 / entree is remarkable given the overpriced crap you can find just over the river in Boston.
It was a totally great experience. We'll be back soon. -
Review from chris j.
Waltham, MA
8/5/2010
*** Should be 4.5 Stars ***
I've gone here 3 times, so I decided I would review. This place does not have a large beer selection, but I guess that is to be expected at a wine bar. They do have UFO on tap, so that is a win for me.
I've had two appetizers here: The seared tuna, and the pork dumplings. Both were very enjoyable, and the dumplings were quite unique. They are not like usual Asian-styled dumplings where the outer shell is soft. It seems to be deep fried, which compliments the spiciness of the meat inside.
For entrees, I've had the Roasted Chicken, Skirt Steak, and French Sausage plate. I really enjoyed the first two, but not so much the French Sausage plate. I don't know why I thought a plate of 4 varying gigantic sausages would be good, but there was not enough variety in the taste.
To be fair, if I go again and have a different entree and it is awesome, I will bump them to a 5. Great place to go, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a higher scale dining experience in an extremely casual atmosphere.Comment from John M. of Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar 8/17/2010
Thank you for the great review. I agree with you that the… More » -
Review from Kate S.
Brighton, MA
11/25/2006
I have never been disappointed by any dish I've ordered here.
This place is a great little secret, tucked away.
It's a shame that mostly Charlestown natives are the only ones to visit it. The menu varies by season, so I was sad when the lobster risotto disappeared, but it will be back in the summer! -
Review from Julie R.
6/8/2009
Found this place through yelp for a Saturday night dinner. It was a little hard to find at first. Then we noticed the outdoor seating so knew it was it. Parking was easy right on the street by the place.
When we got inside there was a 15 minute wait to eat in but no wait to eat outside so we chose outside. No reservations unless you had 8 or more. They have small tea lights and some torches on the side walk but they could use more light out there. I could barely see what was on the table. Also the chairs outside where uncomfortable cheap looking plastic flimsy chairs. They should invest in some nice metal ones to match the tables.
Our server came over to take our drink order. We got 2 glasses of wine. They then brought over some bread and oil. The oil was plain. They should of added some red pepper flakes or vinegar to it. None was on the table.
We decided to get the duck confit appetizer but they were out of it so we chose the tuna tartare. I was disappointed with the size. It had 2 wontons stacked on top of each other with barely any tuna on each one. I could say one bite for each of us. For the $12 price we expected something more generous.
We had a long wait for our entrees. There was a guy dining alone next to us and he even noticed, using it as a way to start up a conversation with us. Right then our server had walked by and noticed us still without food so he went in and returned with our meals. I went with the Trout Almondine, my boyfriend the steak pommes. My trout was fantastic. Cooked with the skin on, very moist, a whole fish. Very generous portion. The fingerling potatoes underneath it were perfectly cooked. I was not a fan of the gratin fennel thing on the side though. My boyfriend enjoyed his steak. The fries on the side were thin, shoestring like with italian herbs on top. Our entrees were on the lower side, around $19 each. Wine list had some good choices starting at $6 a glass.
Just a note that I noticed the prices on the website have not been updated and are actually a few dollars more per item then what is listed online.
I would give another star if they actually had the appetizer we wanted, (when fine restaurants with small menus and are out of things, it's annoying, send someone to get more!), delivered a better tuna tartare and had quicker service. For now A-OK. -
Review from Kelli W.
Cambridge, MA
5/22/2008
I rarely give anything a perfect score, but this place is very near perfect. I decided to try it last Saturday with some friends after reading the reviews on Yelp. It was great!
We were able to get seated on a Saturday night without too long of a wait (i.e. 20 minutes). I ordered the artichoke and fontina cheese ravioli (one of the specials for the day) and it was wonderful. I am no connoisseur, but the pasta tasted handmade and the wine recommended by our server was perfect!
My friends ordered the ginger-sake salmon (regular entree) and I think my other friend ordered the halibut (special). I had a bite of each and they were both were very good. For dessert, my friends ordered the creme brulee and an ice cream sundae while I ordered the chocolate cake with ice cream. My cake was very good...warm, but not too hot with chocolate sauce and a perfect portion of ice cream. I also tasted the creme brulee and it was fantastic (and I am not normally a fan of creme brulee).
I highly recommend this restaurant.Listed in: Some of My Favorites
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Review from Graham C.
4/22/2007
Went here for dinner last night. Had two nice glasses of wine (Chardonnay and Shirazz) and then followed that with a steak frites. It was quite nice. The decor of the place is what I would call "Navy Yard Chic." Exposed brick, and a warm, cozy atmosphere. Good date place I'd imagine, though I wasn't on a date.
I'd come back here if I was over in that area again. It was a perfect day for a walk and a nice dinner. Don't miss the cannon at dusk and the lowering of the colors. -
Review from Michelle J.
Boston, MA
6/7/2009
I brought my family here based on the Yelp reviews, and the fact that I really wanted to walk around Charlestown for the day. The restaurant itself isn't very fancy--its a tiny little bistro that looks like it is tucked into the back corner of the store 24 building. The name of the restaurant is simply Bistro, so we walked around for a while unaware that the bistro was infact the Navy Yard Bistro we were searching for. Once inside, the restaurant is smaller than anticipated, and not quite as elegant as I thought it would be for the prices, but it was decent overall.
My dad's fiance is a former restaurant owner, so she often is a little pickier than the rest of us. Anyways, she was horrified that all the glasses in the room all had smudge marks on them. She mentioned this to the waitress, and 20 minutes later they had someone dilligently cleaning every glass in the room (so props to them for that, I guess.)
With the food, it was so so. There weren't many entrees available that were interesting to me, and the appetizers actually seemed to be more intriguing than the meals. All three of us ordered a salad with an appetizer as the meal, rather than a main course. The salads were well prepared. It took ages for the appetizer-meals to come out (we waited probably a good 30 minutes) but once they did we were pleased. I ordered the mussels and they were delicious, and my dad got the crab cakes and said they were the best he'd ever had. The wine and desserts were excellent as well.
I'm not sure I understand all the hype over this place. Sure its good, but in my opinion no better than others I've been too. I didn't see the bill but after each of us ordered a salad, appetizer, glass of wine, and desert, I imagine it was pretty $$$$ too. Overall, I thought this was a nice place to eat, although unless I have a craving for mussels or crab cakes someday, I probably wouldn't go back because there wasn't anything too special about it, food-selection wise, and atmosphere-wise.
