Perfection in Downtown Boston!
Written: Sep 26 '02 (Updated Oct 29 '05)
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Pros: Great food, beautiful setting, attentive service
Cons: Teeny potions, pricey
The Bottom Line: An expensive restaurant located in the heart of Boston's Financial District with amazing food, decor and service.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Radius |
Radius is the real deal. Chef Michael Schlow has won multiple national awards including one of the top ten chefs in America from Food & Wine. Radius has also won many accolades for food and service. The food is, in a word, amazing. The decor is elegant and understated. The service, perfect. The prices, well you get what you pay for and here you are going to pay a lot.
Radius is located in the heart of Boston's Financial District. Beginning at noon, the suits come by to power lunch. At dinner, there is still some overflow from the suit crowd plus a very well-dressed dinner date crowd. There is also a lively after work bar scene.
CUISINE
The menu changes very frequently. Each table gets a bread basket with different types of warm bread and crackers. Dishes include first courses, such as Seared NY Foie Gras and Warm Maine Crab Tartlet and Main Courses, such as Seared Scallops, Hallibut, and Lobster. There are also a few desserts such as Sweet Potato Cake. The menu usually includes a selection of fish, shellfish, pork, beef, game and poultry. There is usually a vegetarian option. If there is not one on the menu, the restaurant will make one.
I have been several times for lunch and once for dinner. The food is ALL good. The presentations are very artistic with sauce swirl decorations on the plate and stacked ingredients. The portions are very small. Even a dainty appetite can finish a First Course and Second Course. The desserts are amazing.
There is a bar and very extensive wine list. Having little knowledge of wines, I usually rely on my server to make a recommendation and have never been disappointed.
First Courses range from $12-17, Second Courses from $28-42 and desserts are around $10.
SERVICE
The tips must be good here because of the high bills and expense accounts. I am sure it is a primo place to work for Boston's best wait staff and you can tell. The service is subtle and top notch. The hostess will greet you and take your coat. You will never have to look for wait staff but they never hover. Somehow they blend into the background and appear when necessary.
AMBIANCE
You would expect a circular dining room in a restaurant named Radius and you won't be disappointed, although it is more semi-circle than full circle. The decor is mainly red and grey with wood accents. There is a lot of wood. The restaurant has a lot of style, my best association is Hollywood in the 40s, but the style is subtle. The focus here is on food, not trendy decor.
There is a bar with some tall tables for two in a window. This is the overflow seating for those foolish enough to attempt entering without reservations. Even these are often filled. You can get the full menu at these tables.
There is also a lively bar scene after working hours. This is a good way to scope out the restaurant without dropping $100 for lunch for two.
Tables in the dining room are placed at a discreet distance. The noise level is pretty low so you will have to strain to hear the power deal being brokered at the table beside you. You will be able to hear your companions very well.
Radius at lunch is all about the power. Expect all suits in groups of two to four power broking.
Dinner has a different feel. Sure, the power is still palpable. However, they turn down the lights and put candles on the tables so it does feel more romantic. This is a great restaurant for a small birthday celebration or anniversary.
The one time I had dinner here, the waiter brought out a small sampling plate of desserts the chef was working on. There were 2 pieces each of 5 different desserts, all delicious and on the house.
LOCATION
Radius is in the middle of the financial district near Downtown Crossing and South Station. There is no parking for the restaurant and almost no street parking. Downtown Boston is a maze of one way streets and most Bostonians don't even drive in this area. The business crowd walks to lunch here from all the near-by high rises. Radius provides valet parking after 5pm for the dinner crowd.
If you MUST drive, there are some parking lots within a few blocks. However, most lots are small in this area and many fill up. Expect to pay $25 and up for parking during the day. After 5pm, you might have better luck finding space, but will still pay at least $12.
RESERVATIONS
The restaurant takes reservations and they are necessary for both lunch and dinner. Without a reservation, you might get a seat near the bar or might be turned away.
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Really, this restaurant is top notch. The only complaint I have heard is that the potions are tiny - and you heard it here first, you will need to order from both courses to feel full, so budget accordingly. Everything from decor to the food to the service is perfected. Lunch is best for business types. Dinner is perfect for a special occasion.
OTHER INFORMATION
address: 8 High Street, Boston, MA 02108
phone: (617) 426-1234
smoking in the bar only
fully accessible
BOSTON: Caffe Vitoria; Excelsior; Jacob Wirth; Cottonwood Cafe; Imperial Seafood House; Sibling Rivalry; Fleming’s.
BROOKLINE: Mr. Sushi; Fugakyu; Takeshima; Tsunami; Anna's Taqueria; Zaftigs Delicatessen; Bangkok Bistro; Golden Temple.
NEWTON: Appetito; India Paradise; Blue Ribbon Barbeque; Ice Cream Works; Baker's Best; Bill’s Pizzeria; Cafe Nicolas; Union Street; O’Hara’s; Yeradi’s; Johnny’s Luchonette.
CAMBRIDGE: S&S Restaurant; The Japanese Mall; Jasper White’s Summer Shack.
WEST ROXBURY: Cafe Misono.
BRIGHTON: Tasca.
ESSEX: Woodman’s.
SAUGUS: Kowloon.
CHAIN RESTAURANTS: Not Your Average Joe’s; Bertucci’s; Legal Sea Foods; Cheesecake Factory; Rainforest Cafe; Fire & Ice; Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse; Friendly’s.
COFFEE, BAGELS AND DONUTS: Bruegger’s Bagels; Finagle a Bagel; Dunkin Donuts; >; Peet’s Coffee and Tea.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Teeny potions of amazing food. Order from both the First Course and Second Course to feel full. ALL of the food is amazing.
Best Suited For: Business
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modernmarvel
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