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The Butcher Shop
Categories: Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Restaurants Canadian (New) Meat Shops, Canadian (New) [Edit]
552 Tremont StBoston, MA 02118
Neighbourhood: South End
(617) 423-4800
- Nearest Transit:
-
Tremont St @ Waltham St (43)
Tremont St @ Union Pk (43)
Tremont St @ E Berkeley St (43)
- Hours:
Mon 12 pm - 11 pm
Tue-Fri 12 pm - 12 am
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
283 reviews for The Butcher Shop
Review Highlights
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"My favorite was the steak tartare - absolutely a MUST." In 25 reviews -
"You can't go wrong with anything Barbara Lynch (No." In 19 reviews -
"the hot dog$ can't be beat." In 25 reviews
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283 reviews in English
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Review from Katie S.
Dover, NH
5/25/2012
My girlfriends and I had a weekend in Boston last week and this place was our fancy dinner out. Overall I would say it was FANTASTIC and would definitely recommend it to any meat, cheese and wine lover.
Let me start by saying that I hate when I don't understand what is on a menu. I go out to eat often, not always in super fine establishments, but I'm not at The Olive Garden. I feel like I'm a little smart and somewhat hip, and I hate feeling like an idiot. When I am out, I want to be comfortable, not intimated. So, if you must use fancy words on your menu, at least describe what the dish is in the description. I went to college, and I don't know what the F a Taliatelle is. (I found out later that it is very fancy Hamburger Helper) My number one and only gripe about this place is the language on the menu. The atmosphere is super laid back and the food is great, so why be pretentious?
What made ordering so much less intimidating? Our amazing waiter Matthew! We were smart enough to ask him what everything was on the menu and what he recommended. He went thorough his favorite things and it was great! We started off with meat, cheeses and pates. The cheese was AMAZING. We just asked for Matthew's 3 favorites from each category. I'm really not a pate person, but the lamb was pretty good. We decided to order 5 or 6 things from the menu and just share everything. This is the way to go. The MUST HAVES are the Hot Dog (a fat and juicy pork dog resting on a grilled buttery roll, topped with krout and served with homemade chips. It's what dreams are made of.) and The Parmesan Agnolotti. (pasta filled with cheesy goodness, topped with a light brown sauce, tasty mushrooms and tiny homemade meatballs. AMAZING!)
Now for the dreaded bill, which turned out not to be dreadful at all! There were five of us (the bill was split four ways) We got a bottle of wine, a meat and pate plate, 3 cheeses, 2 appetizers, a hot dog, an entrée, a mixed green salad and a side of sautéed spinach... and paid $64 per person. YAY! Did what we did and go here immediately, if not sooner! And afterwards you must visit The Beehive, a very fabulous bar across the street. The atmosphere and the drink called the "Queen Bee" just can't be missed. -
Review from Nicole R.
Boston, MA
I always have a GREAT meal and service at Butcher Shop.
Located in the South End in Boston, this place is quaint and has a very relaxed social atmosphere. With a very limited number of seats, I would always recommend putting in a reservation before trying to score a random table. This is especially important for parties of more than 2 people.
When dining here, guests have the option of a table, the bar, or a standing place at a communal table in the back. As odd and potentially uncomfortable as this may sound, I have often just stood at the communal table and split food and drinks with friends.
During our last visit, three of us decided to stop by Butcher Shop for a glass/bottle of wine and some starters before a full dinner. Our server, also the hostess (it was a Sunday night) took excellent care of us. She set us up at the communal table in the back and helped us pick out a full bodied Italian wine to share amongst the group. She then helped each of us pick out a mix of meats and cheese to form a specialty Charcuterie board. The amount of meats and cheeses, as well as jellies and bread that were provided perfectly suited our group. The wine also paired well with the cheeses that we chose, making the experience well worth the stop.
Throughout our stay, the restaurant stayed completely full, but the noise level never got so overbearing that we could not hear each other. The service was also never lacking. I think the fact that the venue is smaller, is actually a positive in this instance because you get the service you require during your stay. The fresh variety of meats and cheeses, as well as the semi-extensive wine list also was ideal.
Absolutely a fan favorite. -
Review from Julie B.
Boston, MA
4/23/2012
All my foodie friends were right, this place is amazing.
My favorite thing to do when I go out to eat is to ask the waiter what they recommend. From the perfect wine suggestion, to the melt in your mouth cheese, to the soda bread/honey/salted butter combination, our waiter had everything spot on.
I ordered the chicken special of the night, which alone I would probably only give a 4 (good but not the best thing I've ever had). BUT all things considered, I'm already planning my next trip back. My boyfriend got the bolognese, which is nothing like you would expect and everything you've ever dreamed of. I can't wait to go back and order it for myself. From the homemade pasta, to the meaty sauce with just enough of a kick, this was like no bolognese ever made before. And best of all was the steak tartare, which before last night I had somehow convinced myself I didn't like and by the end was licking the dish.
Although the menu isn't huge, with the selection of cheese and apps it's definitely a place that will become a new regular and I'm sure will never disappoint. -
Review from Rachel N.
4/18/2012
Darling place to grab a drink after work and nosh on some top rate snacks -- we went for the beet salad, side of brussels, and probably something with bread involved -- and it was all delicious. Olives, yes, olives were present and salty and succulent. Intimate atmosphere, though be prepared to wait for a space if you don't hit it early enough.
I haven't tried to eat a full meal there, but my sense is that it could be accomplished for $45-50/pp, depending on how boozy one is feeling that night. Everyone raves abt the charcuterie plate, though none of those meat parts are really my thing, so I can't vouch for it.
You'll be able to get a decent glass of something for $9 + , which is completely reasonable, esp for a city. OH! And for all you solo drinkers, it's totally acceptable to sit at the bar by yourself -- no judgy face here. Worth stopping in and grabbing a stool. -
Review from Susan F.
Santa Cruz, CA
4/9/2012
I am from CA and this was a MUST STOP! We went for lunch on the day we landed in town and what a way to spoil ourselves!
The steak tar tar was the BEST i have EVER had! The meats, wow. Hummus, omg!! Every single thing i ate was scurumptious!
If you love meat, or just excellent food in general check this place out!
The service was friendly and very attentive! -
Review from Julie B.
Chicago, IL
4/13/2012
My husband and I have made a hobby of foodventuring. Normal foodventure law clearly states one is never to repeat restaurants, but the Butcher Shop is different. This restaurant is not one to visit just once.
I recently moved to Chicago (where the meat is their pride), but God do I miss dinners and Sunday lunch at the Butcher Shop. The second time we went there, the GM Deirdre remembered us...only the 2nd time!
The cuts of meat are divine, the award winning wine list is ever changing and the servers are some of the best in the city--knowledgeable, polite and attentive without being overbearing (John being one of the many).
During dinner, order the tartar and a bottle of recommended red while you peruse the carefully selected menu. For Sunday late lunch, take a seat at the bar, order a crisp white with a petite charcuterie and enjoy. -
Review from Dustin O.
Boston, MA
5/9/2012
Cool layout. Not a very professional bartender. Food mediocre and overpriced. Would definitely not return. Not worth it.
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Review from Tyson F.
Boston, MA
4/7/2012
Yet another Barbara Lynch gem, I stopped in late one Friday night during the Spring Restaurant Week and tried the Restaurant Week menu.
The beer selection is OK, but nothing the rave about. The wine selection, however is quite impressive.
They have a great charcuterie selection as well, which can be somewhat overwhelming. Luckily, the servers & bartenders are very knowledgeable and are able to explain each item in detail.
I started with the lamb carpaccio, which was excellent. For my entree, they were out of Pork Belly, but was substituted with skirt steak. Served with a smoked tomato jam and arugula, the flavors worked great together. The pepperiness of the arugula against the smoky tomato was a great compliment to the steak.
Overall, I'd say my experience was fairly average. I would go back, but only if I didn't have a better option.
Side note: As I was sitting at the bar, a middle-aged couple sat down next to me, and proceeded to order a "vegetarian course" of salads and sides. Why, might I ask, do you walk into a place called The Butcher Shop if you're not going to eat any meat!? -
Review from Kristie G.
San Mateo, CA
5/1/2012
We were a table of 8 on a Monday night and were seated immediately. The staff was incredibly helpful and the food was amazing. The prices were a little on the pricey side for the portions but the food is well worth it!!!
We ordered the pate, seared foie gras (delicious!!), and the steak tartare for appetizers. All of them were AMAZING....like mouth-watering, finger-licking good.
Also, the Le Coulette steak was very good and decently priced at $29. Most other things were very expensive for what you got. I got my steak done medium rare and it was cooked to perfection! Will definitely be back but another Boston culinary adventure checked off my list! -
Review from Jeff M.
Updated - 1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I returned TBS to give it a chance at redemption. I was glad to see the catering menus removed from the tables but was let down by both the front and back of the house. Starting with the front, service was bit inattentive and at one point I had to ask a second time for a drinks because the server forgot about it. Everyone makes mistakes but she did not apologize and was sorta sassy when she brought them over. I also asked for a starter of foie gras to be dropped off at the same time as entrees but it came out first. The foie was burnt because it was cooked too quickly.
The peking duck, which seems to be a staple on the menu that changes daily, was not rendered enough. It was also cold. 'Assiette' of rabbit featured luke warm rabbit and cold sauces on an even colder plate. Gross.
TBS should be so good, and I want to to be so good, but its let me down too many times since my first impressions a few years a go to justify returning. Its kind of like a bad partner. I won't be back.5 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/20/2010
TBS has been a favourite spot of mine over the last eighteen or so months and have dined here on… Read more »
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Review from Dan P.
Chelsea, MA
2/22/2012
Stop 9 of my Best Burgers of Boston tour, and all I can say is wow! This place is easily in my top 5 burgers I've had, and it might be in my top 3. The burger was cooked to perfection. Nice and medium rare throughout. Great ratio of burger to bun, and very well seasoned. The only downside (at first) was that there was no fries as a side, but instead a small salad. I ended up eating the burger over the salad, and the juices and melted cheese that dripped onto it actually ended up making it a very good salad. They also had a dressing on the side that I wasn't sure it it was for the burger of the salad, since I ate the burger so fast, and it didn't need anything else on it, I used the dressing for the salad and it worked very well.
The restaurant itself was a little on the interesting side. I sat at the bar for lunch. The place was relatively full ( there's not a ton of room ) but it seemed like everyone in there knew each other. I felt a little like and outsider, and since there are no TV's, it ended up being a little awkward at times. I would say the place has a little "hipster" thing going, but it wasn't over the top. -
Review from Sandy V.
New Boston, NH
1/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have been to the Butcher Shop twice, once for lunch and once for dinner, and each time I was impressed with the food and service. I absolutely love the Charcuterie Plate with its Serano ham, salami, terrines and pates. All of the items on the Charcuterie Plate can usually be found in the back refrigerator area. For lunch an order of the petite charcuterie and a bowl of the corn chowder is perfect.
This is a small restaurant and so get there early and expect to sit close to your friends. I find the close quarters delightful because I never have to reach far to snatch a tasty bite from someone else's plate! As mentioned in other reviews, parking can be tricky so plan accordingly. -
Review from Jan Mark H.
Bedford, NH
1/1/2012 14 Check-ins Here
Went to the Butcher shop multiple times and it never disappoints.
You have to make sure either to be early or during "off" hours as it can get very busy and is only a small place. Also parking can be a challenge as there are pretty much no public parking spots in the area. You might be better off just park in Boston downtown and take a taxi to the place (5-10$ from any downtown garage/paking)
However if all else fails you can always raid their fridge/meat/cold cut section and just buy items to go and have your own party in your car :) . Or just take it home and have a good time.
Their food is very good , ranging from soups , burgers or charcuterie plates
My favorites are
Spicy Tomato soup , great flavor (and it is spicy!) and texture
Corn Chowder , very flavorful with nice touch of bacon, silky and creamy texture
Steak Tartar, probably the best I've found so far in Boston (the benchmark is still the Steak Tartar at Quality Meats in NYC)
Charcuterie Plate , nice selection of cold cuts (Serano Ham, Mortadella, Salami, different pates (Lamb, Venison, Foie Gras)
You can either go for lunch/dinner or just a quick snack but you'll never be disappointed.
And if you're hungry just check out the fridge section and take some of their delicious creations home. -
Review from Kenny C.
Eating here made me feel like a real carnivorous man, although the meat was of a very fancy, well-refined nature. So I guess it was like being a fancy caveman.
My friend and I came here based on the strength of the Yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation. And it did not disappoint. It was everything we had hoped for and more. The name is incredibly apt, with a master butcher in a tie and apron working in the open kitchen at the back. A lot of attention to detail was given to the decor. The hanging meat saw beyond the butcher, the framed pictures of their meat products, the butcher paper on the tables, meat scale in the bathroom, and lots of other features.
We arrived on a Sunday just in time to order from the lunch menu (the cut off was 3:30). Our waiter was friendly and answered all of our questions, confirming our original inclinations.
We decided to start with the steak tartare and an individual portion of the petite charcuterie to share. We were given bread before our food came: Irish soda bread and French bread mix with sides of organic Vermont Honey and whipped butter with sea salt. I thought the honey was good but didn't mesh well with the bread, and the butter was delicious and made me feel bad about the Norwegians for having a butter shortage (this review is super topical, I know).
Anyway, it did take longer than we expected to receive our appetizers (the table next to us showed up after we did and got their charcuterie first). But it was well worth it. The petite charcuterie had so many types of meat on it (in most cases two of everything sliced) that we thought they had accidentally sent us two portions. Thankfully that wasn't the case. I can't remember everything we had, but the highlights were definitely the prosciutto and the venison sausage.
The steak tartare was every bit as good as the reviews made it out to seem. Amazingly fresh and not overspiced. Exactly how high quality beef should taste, methinks. Well worth the $17.
For our main courses, we opted to share a hot dog and roast beef sandwich. A word of caution- the hot dog is huge! We saw a picture of it on Yelp and assumed it was smaller portions, but we were wrong. The sausage was tender and fresh on the inside, and the casing wasn't too tough. It came with a side of rosemary chips, which we couldn't even make a dent in because we also had to eat the roast beef.
The roast beef was a bit too much. Tons of meat, a huge chunk of cheddar, and I think it was pan fried in butter. It looked and felt like it would take years off my life. Ironically came with a side salad. Random story- the couple who showed up after us received the dinner menu instead and was jealous of our roast beef sandwich and asked what it was. I guess it looked good from a distance but I don't think I'd order it again. But then again I was so full after the first three dishes. Our waiter originally told us that ordering the four things would be good for two people to share, but I guess he overestimated our appetites.
All in all, it was a perfect way to cap off the afternoon. A little pricey for lunch, but the atmosphere was perfect.
My only major complaint is that we were seated at the last table in the back corner. There's a back exit, and for some reason this family could not control their kid and they had to storm out angrily chasing after him multiple times. It was one of the coldest days of the season so far, so it was annoying (combined with people who had legitimate reasons to leave out that exit). Control your kids, people or I'll roundhouse kick your six year old. -
Review from Lala I.
Malden, MA
3/25/2012
today, i had brunch with my friends and pork belly @ the butch shop in south end. this is actually a butcher shop, but kinda trendy atmosphere.
this is one of the Barbara Lynch restaurants. the food was very fresh and delicious!! service was friendly, but really slow.
i had a horrible morning, so i had to have a glass of wine. i ordered a glass of riesling, i have to say, it was one of the best rieslings i have had in a restaurant.
we had:
cauliflower soup
shepherd's pie
TBS sandwich.
chocolate mousse
creme caramel -
Review from Davant S.
Boston, MA
2/20/2012
I admit that that the food and wine are positively wonderful. The selections and knowledge by the staff is well informed and a positive match for the meats. I have worked behind the bar and strived to provide good service. All parties present were in the service industry in on capacity or another. NORMALLY, the Butcher Shop has met expectations...you get what you pay for.....not so much anymore. SHIFT CHANGE..After spending a $400 plus 2 hours we were ignored by bartender who could not be bothered to walk the extra two feet to take our glasses, remove our plates, give a shit if we wanted another drink.
After spending no less than 1 minute readjusting his shirt sleeve so we could see his innovative AND exciting star tattoos he finally asked if we wanted another drink...yep...25 minutes had gone by in which time he had enjoyed a wine tasting....13 of which were away from the bar, hit on a cougar, and yes...picked his nose. BTW....$200 worth of food and the bastard charged us $2 for a side of mustard. WOW. Its been five hours and I'm fired up I tipped him even 12%. -
Review from Megan N.
New York, NY
4/23/2012
I came across this place on the way to dinner in the South End. My boyfriend and I had drinks at the butcher block, where you can drink and eat appetizers standing up why watching the butcher chop up meat. The bar has a great cozy ambiance and reminded me of a bar you would find in West Village area of NYC. I would give this place five stars, but I did not try any of the food. I would love to go back and eat a meat and cheese plate, because the presentation and meat assortment looked great.
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Review from Lisfrancs C.
Houston, TX
10/6/2011
Meh is about right. The ambiance is nice, cozy, if you like a spot where you talk to your neighbors at the bar.
After perusing the menu, which I found rather unadventurous, we elected to have the charcuterie plate and some al a carte cheeses (especially since the rib eye was $54.00 with no sides). The cheeses and cured meats were tasty, but the portions were minuscule for the prices. The pates were ok, nothing to rock your world.
We essentially spent over $110 on cheese, bread and some tiny slivers of pate and prosciutto.
After a recent visit to New Orleans, I had some high expectations from this place after eating at Luke and Cochon Butcher. Both of these restaurants had interesting, savory and delicious offerings of meat in all forms.
The Butcher Shop needs a field trip, and needs to try a little harder. -
Review from Betts C.
2/4/2012
I admit that this review is based on two very, very nice glasses of wine and an overall impression of The Butcher Shop. After my partner-in-crime and I arrived early for our reservation across the street at B&G, we decided to stop in at The Butcher Shop for a quick class of wine. It was Friday night around 7, so it was very obviously busy, but we were offered a nice standing spot around the butcher block, and each had really nice, not over-priced glasses of white wine- the p-i-c had a riesling and I had the Trimbach Muscat, and I would be happy to go back just for either of those. The atmosphere is very hip, almost to the trying too hard point. And I'm not sure when raw meat because decor, but I realize that is part of the schtick of the butcher shop, and as a cook, I wasn't terribly offended. The offerings of charcuterie were plentiful, and if we hadn't already had hors d'oeuvres prior to our big date dinner, I would have been happy to try something.
What I was most impressed by was the staff at The Butcher Shop. Considering it is small and there are people standing and drinking and eating, it maintained a very efficient level of comfort. The waitstaff members who helped us were very accommodating, and did not give the impression of annoyance that we were only there for a glass of wine. We were served quickly, but felt no rush to finish our glasses.
I would like to go back to try the eats, but until I do, this is what I have to say about The Butcher Shop: in a neighborhood full of places that often seem like they're trying too hard, this is a place where at least the staff is trying just hard enough. And the overall atmosphere is pleasantly hip, without feeling like you're throwing yourself against a trendy wall. Thus, well done, Butcher Shop, for being a much hipper, cooler version of what your title claims, but not obnoxiously so. -
Review from Barney B.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 7/17/2011
I have determined that Barbara Lynch represents all that is wrong with the food scene in Boston. With so much potential in a place like this, you really don't have to try hard to hit it out of the park. Unfortunately Barbara tries hard - hard at being so overly pretentious that you feel like a sucker walking out of the place. A hungry sucker, because that 'salad' special was two slices of tomato drizzled in blandness. to a tune of $15. (Oh by the way, this is her low end place)
A friend described the experience much like that awesome http://match.com profile, only to find that the glamor shots don't even come close to the date that ends up sitting across the table from you. all potential, total style, and zero effin substance.
at least Cambridge has some offerings where you have serious chefs that focus on the whole package. I give it 2 years before Barbara has a pate' vending machine at Logan, a la Wolfgang Puck
blech
p.s. hope you had a chance to read this review. Yelp has this new feature (at least with my profile) of removing negative reviews for cherished businesses. I give it a week before I get the email stating why this review was inappropriate and removed.Listed in: 'Drunk' Yelping
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/27/2009
I still am loyal to my below review. This 4-star review doesn't erase the possibility of another… Read more »
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Review from Kelsey C.
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Butcher Shop is invitingly decked out with an array high tables with comfy barstools which make you feel happily compelled me to mingle with a glass of wine. And their extensive wine list wasn't exactly discouraging...There's bound to be a Bordeaux lying in wait.
My friend and I tried 3 of the house-made pates via the Petite Charcuterie. Loved the duck liver mousse, liked the lamb, not a fan of the ham and parsley en croute.
The Merguez is amazing, and the smoked tomato on the side is really amazing. Not sure where/how the border of boquerones fits in, but no complaints...
The Boeuf Bourguignon has a great gravy - thick gravy but doesn't taste like a pound of flour. The crostini island in the center soaks up the gravy but is just toasted enough to add a satisfying crunch, and the poached egg is icing on the cake.
All in all, Butcher Shop isn't my favorite restaurant among my rare 5-stars, but it just happens to be where all carnivores go to heaven. Not only is everything perfect, it's beautiful. It's this attention to detail that makes food fabulously unforgettable, and Butcher Shop is where you go to see how it's done. -
Review from bob o.
Brockton, MA
3/25/2012
Really, you've got to be kidding, I can go to the capital grille and get a much better steak for less than $ 48.00 and the wines are even less money. We had a glass of wine each to the tune of $ 35.00 no wonder the 20 to 30 year old crowd is broke they haven't learned the true value of a dollar, it's just about being in a trendy atmosphere, I will sacrifice trend for value any day
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Review from Milena P.
8/8/2011
I came here for burgers and beer. Unbelievable! We had to wait for 20 minutes but just went to Beehive for a quick drink. Our waitress was super knowledgeable about the wine and the menu. I asked about a French wine and she countered with one in the same price range that she liked better. It was great.
We ordered a cheese to start with, and she brought us more cheese on the house for us to try. I loved them both and I asked for the names so I could buy them at Formaggio. She came back swiftly with a slip with the names.
The burgers were amazing and I savored every bite of mine. I wish they had a burger on the regular menu-- I'd come back for it time and time again. I had mine with fingerling potatoes; they're nothing special but delicious. The simplicity really lets you taste the flavor in the skin.
We had the ricotta tart, which has a sweet, nutty flavor I thought was either almond or pistachio (turned out to be almond) and comes topped with cherries.
Overall, it is pricey, but for a splurge it's really worth it. I would definitely come back. The wine list is carefully curated and the meat is quality stuff. -
Review from Neva C.
Boston, MA
11/2/2011
I give the restaurant 3 stars and the meat 4 stars. We went for lunch and had steak tartare. It's $17 and there are no sides. Go to any brasserie in France and order steak tartare, and you'll get fries and salad too - you know, a meal. It's just strange to spend that much on a little cup of meat. We were still quite hungry afterwards but didn't feel like spending $5 for a small piece of cheese.
The tartare itself was good but not as good as in France. Too much mustard, covered up the meaty deliciousness you expect from a tartare.
The butcher himself was quite friendly. We bought boudin and merguez. The boudin was a little weird, in that it had big chunks of fat in it, which I've never seen before. But the rest was delicious, and boudin is tricky to find in Boston. We'll probably get it again and ask to not have the fat chunks be so big. The merguez was tasty but didn't really taste like merguez, more like a regular spicy sausage. -
Review from Jeremy K.
Being a Barabara Lynch fan for the past few years, this was a logical place to visit at some point or another. One of the last remaining establishments she runs that I had yet to have checked out. What better way to do so than on a sunny, Sunday afternoon while exploring and walking around the South End?
Ironically enough, it wasn't the first choice that we had in mind for a late lunch but the Beehive was closed and this was conveniently located across the street... I saw it, and proceeded to convince (without much efforts) the girlfriend that this would be THE spot for our meal.
We proceeded to walk right in and immediately I had to smile upon noticing Lynch's take on a traditional butcher shop but per usual, with a twist. A clever one at that as it's a fully functional restaurant with a fully functional butcher shop in it's confines. The uniqueness of the place doesn't just apply to the retail experience as it also applies to the dining one. You won't be finding any regular tables there. Instead there's counter service or a few high tables (that's where we sat). This provides yet another twist and offers a fresh new take on dining.
Excited, we promptly sat down and were immediately taken care of. As in all Lynch establishments service is pretty good although our waiter's breath was absolutely terrible. To the point where I almost lost my appetite and had to turn my head away in order to remain both conscious and hungry. The menu is diverse and offers everything from antipasti plates to local greens and steak tartare. There' also pasta of all sorts, something that Lynch is very well known for despite her Irish heritage and upbringing and hamburgers. Oh and there's also an interesting selection of desserts. Did I also mention the daily specials?
Being with the girlfriend, this made is more convenient to share and we settled, without much hesitation, for the antipasti della casa plate. At $19 a pop, it's a bit steep for an appetizer but the quantity of food on the plate, along with the quality of the cold cuts made up for it. We all all kinds of noshables on there: capicolla, parma ham, salami and hummus. There were also a few pickles veggies (carrots, broccoli) and some big chunks of parmesan cheese. The plate was massive and was devoured rather quickly. Along with it some complimentary bread was brought along with some soft butter and some honey from Vermont. Despite being complementary it was actually really good, something that most restaurants often overlook. But not here my friends, not here.
Next came our entrees. The misses had a plate of delectable ricotta gnudi ($21) which came with some parmesan and a bolognese sauce. They were fluffy, they were light, they were delicious. As a matter of fact they were so good that we've since then tried to replicate them using Lynch's "Stir" recipe book at home... with success I might add.
Personally, being in a butcher shop, seeing a cooler of fresh meat in the back, I decided to try the steak tartare ($17). It came plated with some pickled onions and some toasted brioche and was made to order. The beef tasted fresh and it was pretty rich although not as good as tartare's I've had in France. It somehow missed the mark. Maybe it was the spices? The balancing of the ingredients? I'm not sure. It was good but not great. I wanted the girlfriend' gnudi instead... They were just so good.
We washed everything down with a couple of Titan IPAs and left rather happy. Personally, having been to other Lynch establishments, I found this one a bit overpriced, especially since Sportello is in a similar price range but offers much better food. The uniqueness and quirkiness of it is refreshing though and the butcher aspect of it is both interesting and useful. Throughout our meal there many people went in to buy some meat and various other things such as patees and pantry items of all sorts. The quality of them looked exceptional, especially the pieces of beef which had beautiful marbeling.
All in all, the lunch there was good, some dishes being better than others. Service was solid throughout but the actual value wasn't all that great, especially when compared to Sportello which I found cheaper and significantly better. But looking past the value, a visit there makes for a memorable experience in a unique setting. We both left happy. -
Review from Angel C.
6/23/2011
List time!
Steak tartare - 4 stars
Prime tenderloin - 3 stars
Peas and ham risotto - 1 star
Merguez - 5 stars
I came to The Butcher Shop with high expectations, after hearing good things from my friends. Boy, was I disappointed.
I ordered the tenderloin medium-rare, and it came out medium to medium-well. Why can't a fancy steakhouse get the doneness of a steak right???? You'd think that's what they know how to do best!!! If I go to a restaurant and pay more than $30 for a steak, I expect it to be cooked right the first time, damn it! I returned it and got another one medium-rare to rare. A little under-cooked for my taste, but better than over-cooked. The flavor was alright, and their A-9 and vinaigrette sauces were pretty good. I will give our waiter props for noticing that I was interested in both sauces, so he brought out both, even though I only asked for one of them.
A peas and ham risotto had almost no flavor. I'm surprised something with ham would have no flavor.
Their best dish was the Merguez, which is a lamb sausage that just melted in your mouth and was packed with flavor (haha, pun intended). It came with a tomato jam that was outstanding. Very tomato-y and a little sweet. Think really tasty tomato paste. It also came with chopped nuts and boquerones (Spanish anchovies), which were also really good. -
Review from Anne W.
6/24/2011
So I wanted to come to this restaurant because I had so much about Barbara's restaurants.. I will just say... I am not impressed. I don't mind paying a lot for restaurants.. if the taste justifies the price.
We came on a rainy Wednesday night... be prepared to wait a lot... on any day. Yes, there are only 35 seats at this place and you probably shouldn't come with more than 3 people. The hostess estimated the wait wrong.. two seats opened up at the bar.. we sat down. The people next to us had dessert and then more wine.
The food was... not that special unfortunately. I saw that they charge $19/bone for a lamb chop. Really? I doubt your lamb chop is that good... definitely not better than one I had in Australia.
Anyways.. I didn't get that. I got the famed beef tartare. It was very good. The wine selection was very minimal.. at least they let you try it and if you do not like it, you can get something else. The bread is good with the raw honey and butter. The sweet and salty is good... but the raw honey reminds me of condensed milk.
I got a steak... coulette.. since this place is known for meat right? It was okay... I think we all agreed that the Capital Grille and other places are better. I think the steak tasted even better later that night and the next day. I have no idea why it did.. but it didn't taste that good in the restaurant. Maybe the meat wasn't rested enough. The side dishes are sucky... risotto sucked. I saw their asparagus.. skip it!
It's okay.. probably wouldn't come again. Not worth the price. -
Review from Emily P.
Boston, MA
11/21/2011
Amazing food but OVERRATED!
Super expensive!! -
Review from Kimberlee B.
Brookline, MA
1/27/2012
This was one of the most fun and luxuriously delicious meals I've had since being in Boston. I went with a fairly large group (7), so we got to make a reservation. We were seated in the back by the coat rack which would normally have given a star deduction, but the food and service was outstanding.
We ordered a bottle of wine for the table, bone marrow, charcuterie and I had lamb but tasted the bolognese and steak. It was DREAMY. First off, the bone marrow plate was a bone cut in half and stuffed with onions, cheese and marrow. It was tasty and served with a salad with fried balls on it. These were marrow croutons. Essentially, we at breaded, fried fat and while I felt my heart slow just a little bit, they were delicious. The charcuterie was great and a ton of fun. I love trying all different kinds of things so this was perfect. I even tried pate for the first time and dare I say... LOVED it.
The main course was lamb shank truffles and risotto. This dish was big enough for two and scrumptious. For dishes with truffles in them, I think they're usually a hidden ingredient, I enjoyed seeing the finely sliced truffle on top of my lamb. The risotto was great too.
We got three desserts (all of them) the chocolate moose was the best. I am not a cheesecake fan but could still tell that the pumpkin cheesecake was outstanding. I also tasted the apple dessert--also tasty but the chocolate mousse tasted light and like it had high end chocolate.
I loved that the service was great and we spent over two hours just enjoying the food and friends. Now all I need to do is save up so I can go back. -
Review from Andrew C.
Southborough, MA
1/26/2012
Very yummy and a fun wine selection!
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Review from Devon O.
1/7/2011 2 photos
We came here only because B&G is renovating. I've walked by this place many times, it's so dark wood street corner inconspicuous that it'd be easy to miss it entirely. But I'm glad we stumbled in. Once again Barbara Lynch makes sweet love to my mouth.
I'm convinced that the farm to table, butcher shop foodie shit is going to go the way of fondue sets and Joy of Cooking but I'll hang for the moment. One thing I do love about it: the salted sweet stuff craze. They put in front of me a small dish of unfiltered honey, a ramekin of butter with a fine crust of sea salt and a plate of sliced baguette. You taste the sweetness of the honey and butter first, magnified by the salt, then the melting, creamy mouthfeel and a lingering crunch from the bread and the salt. I ate three pieces of bread slathered in the stuff before I realized what I was doing. Ay. So good.
Since the menu had a heading of 'January 2011' I'm assuming it changes monthly. There were only about ten things on it, including a hot dog ordered by the person next to us that came out looking so large and intimidating i'd be embarrassed trying to get it into my mouth. We played it safe with pates and onion soup. No disappointments. The specials looked good, too: I saw a grilled cheese and tomato soup thing and smiled. The only way that could've pleased me more was if it came with a fireplace and a big purring cat.
The service was exactly what I like: chill, competent, beautifully paced. I've come to see meal-pacing as an art of intuition, a mark of synchronicity between back and front of house staff. Something to notice. Again, no disappointments.
I also liked the big coolers in back where you can buy about half of the things you can order on the menu, including the unfiltered honey.
When I remarked to the waiter that they were so inconspicuous he said, "That's how we like it. Feels more homey that way". Indeed. I know I did. -
Review from Me B. M.
Reading, MA
6/5/2011
I am torn a bit here, but going for the positive and giving it 4 stars. The food is really simple and wonderful. Salads, sausage, steaks, burgers...All pretty fantastic. A bit pricey, but that did not stop me from eating there 3 times on one week recently.
The atmosphere is silly and tries too hard to be something it isn't. That is probably my biggest complaint about any Lynch restaurant. They are like movie set versions of the actual restaurants they are trying to portray. It borders on camp. The crowded high boys, the silly brown paper place mats, the scrawled specials menu (looks like Ye Olde Pub font or something) all add up to fluffy distraction. And bad acoustics, devoid of any absorbing surfaces: it is impossible to hear people even a couple of feet from you unless they yell.
But, the food and service are great! -
Review from Nate Y.
11/21/2010
This being the fourth Barbara Lynch establishment I've patronized, there was much anticipation. Maybe that's why I found the Butcher Shop to be fine, but not at the same level when compared to the other experiences.
The place is small, and basically you are seated at the counter or other high tables by the windows. There is a HUGE butcher block table which they do partially use for butchering meat that can be bought to to cook at home, so it is an actual butcher shop, but a good portion is actually used for patrons as well.
Arriving right at 4:30 we had to wait a bit since they were still writing up the menu on butcher paper, cute. The drink list is limited to only wine, but the wine menu is several pages. If you want a cocktail you're out of luck.
We started with the steak tartare, of course, and a homemade pasta dish with three varieties of mushrooms. The tartare was seasoned well and had a nice consistency. The pasta was el dente and mushrooms very tasty, which says alot since I'm not a big mushroom fan.
For main courses we had the pork chop and lamb. Pork chop was a large piece, about 1.5 inches thick, with a warm sauerkraut side. It was sitting in a sauce that had a very nice flavor to it. The lamb was a loin cut, again a generous portion, and was rare. It was a little bit tough to cut through, but it was not all chewy when eaten. A bit overly salted, and did lack the lamb taste I enjoy. the side was cornmeal bread, fairly bland.
We shared a dessert, chocolate mousse, which was very rich, more like a fudge rather than the light whipped up variety, which I very much appreciated!
Service was at first non-attentive, but then again we arrived as soon as they opened. Once they were warmed up, service was excellent, didn't hurry us and answered our questions concerning cuts of meat, etc.
To wrap up, Butcher Shop reminded me of other quaint South End eateries, which is not a bad thing, it just didn't standout from the rest, Unlike Menton and No.9. It's more like a hitting a single/double rather than a home run. -
Review from Kelsey P.
Manhattan, NY
2/26/2011
I've been here a few times but today was SUBLIME!
I was here with a group watching a butchering demonstration by chef Robert Grant. He literally cut up an entire pig in front of a group of us, while explaining the technique and different parts of the animal. I learned a ton about meat and about the restaurant, so I had to write!
The Butcher Shop is one of Barbara Lynch's spots in the South End (right across from another favorite - B&G Oysters). It is a tiny, but cozy place where I'd suggest only coming for a drink and some appetizers (especially the charcuterie). The sausage and fois gras terrine are musts - especially when accompanied with burrata! You can have larger entrees as well, but with the set-up (bar stools/high tables), I'm not a huge fan of a big sit-down meal here.
The wine list is first-rate - and it is supported by very knowledgeable wait staff. ASK THEM for suggestions and specials to be paired with food choices. You won't be disappointed.
Grab a date or a friend and hit this place before a late dinner or movie. Yum! -
Review from Jungin L.
Cambridge, MA
12/30/2011
We went for lunch.
Great baguette, the portions are quite large.
The burger is really good - the brioche buns are soft, chewy, stands up very well to all the juices from the burger and the grease from the cheese. The bacon doesn't really shine through though, the cheese is too strong. I kind of wish there were more pickles provided. The house hot dog also comes with an amazing bun. The hot dog itself? It's hot dog, just as you expect, I don't know if it's really worth the price. The pastas looked good, after my experience I have enough confidence in the kitchen to say I can't wait to try the pastas. -
Review from Mindy L.
1/17/2011
Loved it. Loved everything from the dark wood, and chalkboard walls to the huge butcher block table that I would give my first born for. Seating was extremely limited and reservations can only be made for parties of 6 or more. We scored two bar stools at the end of the small bar and were ogling the extensive wine menu for several minutes before we could decide on anything. The beer and wine only bar is well-stocked with interesting selections of both so you don't necessarily miss out on a full bar.
We started with the antipasti plate - it was amazing. Fresh cuts of all sorts of meats, a heaping serving of spicy hummus, fresh Parmesan and pickled vegetables. Everything tasted fabulous. I followed the appetizer with a plate of the hangar steak with their signature "A-10" sauce. Hangar steak is naturally a chewy piece of meat but they worked it well and the A-10 was a tangy and flavorful addition. I also enjoyed a side of the risotto that was slightly undercooked and a bit salty for my taste buds (likely due to the huge chunks of bacon fat mixed in).
I will be back if only to buy some of the amazing honey they serve and sell with the fresh bread at the start the meal. -
Review from Ethan S.
This is a very cool and beautiful place. The problem is the size and the prices. It's not very big, so if the tables are filled up, you have to just stand around at the butcher block until one frees up.
This is not an authentic Boston place by any means... I felt like I was in LA.
The food is clean and rustic, but a little expensive for the small plate deal.
We sat at the bar and the bartender was very nice and helpful in ordering.
I probably wouldn't go back because it's just too expensive for what it is and there are so many other places like it now... just maybe not in Boston. -
Review from Colleen H.
South End, Boston, MA
8/26/2011
It's Boston's beloved restaurant week, and the Butcher Shop was my Thursday night destination. Unfortunately, my expectations were much higher.
We pretty much tried everything, with a little extra here and there. I'm not new to the Barbara Lynch restaurants, in fact, I'm kind of her number one fan. For some reason, it took me awhile to make it here, but I think I'm going to need a redo, because it was just okay.
I'll start with the wine. I discussed with our server the qualities I wanted in a wine, which were big and heavy, fruit forward, and more jammy than spicy. She gave three suggestions, 2 from Italy ($55-110) and 1 from France ($70). I chose the French only because I'm not as familiar, and I wanted to try something new. It was bright, fruit forward, but definitely a medium body wine. Good, but not what I was dreaming of.
Then we chose a cheese, and had the server choose another for us. You only got little tastes of each cheese, which I guess is okay, but I wanted more - ha! The first was great, really complex goat/cow blend that was offered in two different ages. The second was of the manchego family, which was light and a great suggestion.
As far as the food goes - we tried the entire menu pretty much. The lamb carpaccio was deliciously seasoned, with a crumbly blue cheese. Good, and predictable. The cucumber, yogurt, almond soup? Heaven. Really refreshing, and perfect for summer. 5 stars for that one! We both chose the Hanger Steak for our entree. It was paired with a delicious buttermilk dressing that really jazzed up the flavor of the meat. Without the dressing, it was just okay. As in, I probably wouldn't have finished it. Maybe I'm a snob about my meat cuts, but this was part of the restaurant week menu and the only other option was Pork Belly. I thought it was most appropriate to go for the Hanger Steak, but really wish I had upgraded to a nicer cut. It just didn't melt in my mouth and make me excited. Which, I want to happen when I got to a restaurant that takes pride in their meat selection. The desserts were a Chocolate Mousse and Creme Caramel. The Chocolate Mousse was much preferred, nothing like a rich dark chocolate finish to a red-meat dinner. The Creme Caramel was similar to flan, good, but I'd definitely suggest the Chocolate Mousse over it.
There were definitely ups and downs to our courses, but I really was let down by the meat. I probably should go back and try a nicer cut, or even just a plate of cured meats and cheeses with a nice glass of wine...but for now I'm really only feeling 3 stars.Listed in: Date You.
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Review from Grace O.
Brighton, MA
12/3/2011
Really really really delicious. Another reviewer said it best: every single bite makes you say "oh my god, that's good." I could have just eaten the raw unfiltered honey, fluer de sel, and whipped butter, but we soldiered on. Started with the petite charcuterie for two and some cheeses. I was full after that, but the man ordered a steak, rare, with bleu cheese butter (oh.my.god.) and I ordered the chocolate mousse (oh.my.god.) The bartender (and everyone else) was flawless - extremely knowledgable and unpretentious. We were perfectly happy with the wine list. I took off one star for price. I realize that they source most of their ingredients locally, and I truly appreciate that. I'm girl who doesn't mind paying for really good food. This was too much. That being said, it was so amazing, I am definitely going back to feel satisfied and swindled all over again.
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Review from Cassie H.
2/13/2011
My husband and I met up with some friends out of town at The Butcher Shop. We chatted and had some wine while hanging by The Block, waiting for a table.
I am not usually a wine person, but I loved the wine selection here. Something for everyone...
The appetizers were overpriced, but they were a great compliment to sipping wine and catching up with old friends. We had an order of the Burrata (two consistency mozarella cheese served with toast points) and the Antipasti della Casa (lots of variety of their different meats, cheeses, and hummus) along with the complimentary bread with honey and salted butter. I really thought the honey was amazing... my favorite part of the munchies...
We all ordered desserts -- the blueberry cobber (really good although beware of taking a big bite of the rich mascarpone cheese, and keep in mind it WILL make your teeth/tongue blue) and the Chocolate Mousse.
Overall, a great place to sit, drink, munch, and chat with friends... but beware that it's pricier than you might think when it all adds up! We easily blew $75 bucks on this get-together (when we had already had dinner!).
