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L'Espalier Review

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L'Espalier

Reservations by

Address: 774 Boylston St., 2nd fl., Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02199 | Map It
Phone: 617/262-3023 | Reserve Online
www.lespalier.com

Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: French
Location: Back Bay/Beacon Hill

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.9/5

Fodor's Review:

In late 2008 L'Espalier left its longtime home in a Back Bay town house, reopening in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel complex. The new locale, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and modern decor, looks decidedly different. But chef-owner Frank McClelland's dishes—from caviar and roasted foie gras to venison with escargot de Bourgogne—are as elegant as ever. In the evening, three-course prix fixe and seasonal degustation menus tempt discriminating diners. À la carte options are available for weekday power lunches; finger sandwiches and sublime sweets are served for weekend tea.

Keep in mind: Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun. No lunch weekends
Metro: Copley.

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 11/30/08
Plenty of competition, but this is for me the best restaurant in the Boston area. Stunning food, remarkably attentive yet respectful service, best locally on both counts. Have not been since their recent move to bigger quarters, which some reports think are less attractive. Dress up and make reservations. A must.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by dj55 from Boston, MA on 2/18/08
Feb 2008: My wife and I experienced the Chef's Journey tasting menu ($175 each without wine pairings). Overall, the savory courses were amongst the best meals we've had - perhaps as good as meals we've had at Per Se in NYC and L'Atelier Joel Robuchon in Paris. The ingredients were seasonal and of the highest quality, making use of black truffles, a variety of different caviars, and what was easily the best seared foie gras that we've had. The pastry courses, however, were a major disappointment, especially for a French restaurant. (NB: we had gone to afternoon tea at L'Espalier in January 2008, and the pastries at that visit were similarly disappointing.)

Service and atmosphere were very good.

Member Rating: 4.8
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by BKC1997 from New York City on 2/12/07
Food was excellent, dinner for 2 was $300 (including $85 wine), but well worth it, as all aspects - food to service - were first rate