Boston Restaurants

Grill 23 & Bar

Grill 23 & Bar Review

Pinstripe suits, dark paneling, Persian rugs, and waiters in white jackets give this steak house a posh demeanor. The food is anything but predictable, with dishes such as prime steak tartar with a shallot marmalade and weekly cuts of beef like the 14-ounce dry-aged New York sirloin. Seafood specialties such as scallops with cauliflowers, fingerling potatoes, pearl onions, and maple-curry beurre blanc give beef sales a run for their money. Chef Jay Murray uses prime, all-natural Brandt beef exclusively. Desserts, such as the wonderfully decadent apple-quince crisp, are far above those of the average steak house. Make sure to leave room.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 161 Berkeley St., Back Bay, Boston, MA, 02116 | Map It
  • Phone: 617/542--2255
  • Website: www.grill23.com
  • Metro Back Bay/South End.
  • Location: Back Bay

    Restaurant Details

  • Credit cards accepted.
  • No lunch.

Member Reviews

  • china_cat, from Boston
    2/5/09

    I think Grill 23 has the best steak in Boston. Absolutely wonderful, perfectly cooked. The truffled tater tots on the side are excellent.

    The wine list is huge, and full of interesting selections. It is a bit expensive, however, and short on selections at the low end of the price range.

    My biggest complaint about this place is the noise. It's huge, and busy, and incredibly loud. You can't even have a conversation with your dinner partner without yelling across the table. Definitely not a place for an intimate dinner.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 3 | Service: 4 | Value: 4
  • bachslunch, from US
    11/25/08

    With The Oak Room, this is one of the two best places for steak in Boston, and they also do good seafood. Beats the expensive chains by a mile. Good bartending and service, excellent on sides and bread as well as entrees. Only drawback is that's it's very noisy. Expensive, but you'll get your money's worth.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • Wigwam018, from Boston
    8/4/08

    Grill 23 is hands down the best steakhouse in Boston. Some of the other reviews compare it to steakhouses such as The Palm. First of all, The Palm is the worst steakhouse I have been to in Boston. Grill 23 can best be compared with Abe & Louie's and Capital Grille.

    The atmosphere at Grill 23 is loud, it is straightforward, and it is phenomenal. The steak is some of the best in the world, the service is outstanding, and the drinks are reasonably priced for a restaurant of this caliber.

    I have been to many many many restaurants in Boston, and I still find that Grill 23 is the best traditional steak house in the city. Consistent and delicious, through and through.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • Robtodd30, from Palm Beach, Florida
    9/6/07

    For a restaurant that is supposed to be on the same level as Abe and Louies, Capital Grill, The Palm, etc., this place really is not that good. I had THE WORST martini I have ever had. Houston's serves a better one. Order a $12 or more matini with olives on the side, and you get 4 olives in a small glass. When I asked for a olive pick, I was given a tooth pick. When I complained the waiter brought me a shrimp cocktail fork. The tooth pick was under the gin therefore I needed to put my fingers in the drink. The manager said no one ever complained about that, Doubt that. They should visit any fine, or even casual restaurant to see how a martini should be served. A toothopick????????? My NY strip was ok, nothing great for $39.00, the $9.00 creamed spinach was tasteless. I would never go back to this place again. Too many very good places to have a good steak and martini.

    Ratings details: Food: 3 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 3 | Value: 1
  • Monadnock, from New Hampshire
    1/10/07

    I hadn't been to Grill 23 in a few years and was looking forward to returning. The food however was just good, not great (the Wedge salad contained the stem of the head of lettuce), but the biggest problem and disappointment was the noise. We couldn't hear one another, asked to have our table moved, which they nicely did, but still the noise ruined our evening with friends.

    Ratings details: Food: 3 | Atmosphere: 1 | Service: 4 | Value: 3
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