we have not been there for a long time, but love their outdoor patio. On past visits the food has been quite good. Our server was new and she told us that and since we both have been in the business, one of us in fine dining for over 25 years, we were very patient. Management did not do her any favors. She had a huge station with a very large party, no bus help and only one runner who was doing the whole patio. The house and other staff did nothing to facilitate more smooth and effective food delivery and overall service. We actually saw staff just standing around. There are also clearly too many things on the menu And so the kitchen execution is so so. the stuffEd sole so was just OK, dry , the risotto cake didn't even make sense with the dish and was terrible. The duck with gnocchi were OK, but the gnocchi were very gummy. Better to do fewer things and more simply. Fried calamari with cherry peppers were excellent. The bar was completely backed up and there was confusion around our cocktails. We each ordered a glass of wine to have with dinner and the wine did not arrive until we were at the end of our meals and we do not eat quickly. This location and restaurant has so much potential, but honestly as we were sitting there we were wishing we were on the other side of the patio at Sophia's grotto. Their service was 1000 times more efficient and the food just looked better overall. Hope that this review is helpful. But to management, please support your staff . It's always teamwork that gives the best product and experience for the customer.
Janet M.
The owner was so friendly and gave me the recommendations of the best salad (what his daughter gets all the time ) and OMG it didn't disappoint. The salad was fresh and chicken was cooked to order . I also got another salad and the shrimp was Well seasoned and delicious!!!
ilana olefson
So… a year or so ago this was a 5 star rating, but after getting take out recently (we picked up), I have to lower the rating. Same dish, take out both times—the swordfish—was AMAZING previously, the stuff of dreams. When I got it this week, it wasn’t particularly edible. Incredibly overcooked with a basic sweet potato with a slit on the side. I’d been looking forward to that fish for so long that the disappointment was massive. There’s nothing worse than a having celebration dinner, and then paying $30 for a dish that you can’t eat. I don’t want to be disappointed with the restaurant, so I may just try again and not order the fish, but I’m hesitant.
Will Tracy
Not good.Soda was flatter than the service.Calamari was bland, tempura fried and swimming in lemon juice. Also more peppers that actual squid. Solid at $17….The honey chicken sandwich was on par with a Wendy’s or another fast food entity.Definitely would not return.
Sam D.
My husband and I live in Roslindale and can walk to Rozzi square for dinner, unfortunately our favorite restaurant is closed on Monday's. We chose Birch St Bistro even though we knew better. The last time we tried to go to Birch St Bistro, a year before, I tried calling only to have the phone ring endlessly. When we arrived no one greeted us even though there were two employees behind the bar. A frazzled waitress eventually walked past us to the front area seating, without acknowledging us. She walked past us a few more times before we decided to try our luck elsewhere. Fast forward to 2022, we went to Birch St Bistro on a Monday night, seated on the back patio. Ordered a Cosmopolitan, which tasted like warm Country Time pink lemonade with almost zero vodka. The lime garnish was starting to turn brown on the edges. My meal was an arugula salad with chicken. The pear in the salad still had the sticker on it, the chicken was so dry it could have been a frisbee. My seat on the patio had a view of the dumpster. It is almost criminal that BSB takes hard earned money off of diners that think they are getting an edible meal.
Frances Donovan
A nice place to dine - patio is pleasant so is inside. Entrees are pricey but sandwiches are more reasonable. Less crowded than Sophia’s, and they have live music sometimes.
Chris
My friend and I wanted to try a new restaurant and ended up at Birch Street Bistro. We LOVED the outside patio. There was a 10-15 min wait due to business but the service was phenomenal.Kira, our waitress, was beyond accommodating. She was very friendly and had a great sense of humor, we will request her again when we come back!!The pesto gnocchi was to die for, and the cheesy garlic bread, for it's price, was well worth it. Has just enough of a quantity to share. The pork dumplings were amazing as well!Great wine and alcohol selection, mixed drink menu was very well-priced with a huge variety!
Maria Zolotarev
Been here several times over the last few weeks and have always had a good experience. The food is delicious and the drinks are great. The servers have all been very nice. I like to come here because there is never a wait for a table. Sometimes they do have live music, which can be a little loud.
Vanessa D.
Not enough food for a 2 year old in this $26 portion of gnocchi. We were planning to order meals for 5 of us but luckily ordered take out for the child first and realized we should not waste our money!
Paul P.
Met some friends at this charming, stylish restaurant. It was my first time. Owner/Maitre d was personable, friendly and professional. The place has the charm of a neighborhood bar and the style of a comfortable restaurant. Service was solid and pricing was fair. Now to the food. I broke my cardinal rule - again As one shouldn't order Pho at a Pizzeria or Chicken Parmesan at a Noodle House, I shouldn't order my favorites, I should order according to what I think the restaurant will do best Every time I break the rule, I'm disappointed This being a New England Eatery, I should have gotten the fish and chips (as my friend did - a huge piece of haddock done correctly, with home made chips - yum) because the calamari appetizer (while beer battered and unique) was a little too lemony and not as satisfying as I would get at a quality trattoria The bowl of olives was fine. The cheesy garlic bread was solid - especially when dipped in the oil from the olives, and the grilled Brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly - though just a tad dry. However, I regained my grasp on my number one rule for dessert (passed on the creme brûlée and Tiramisu) and had the most delicious almond, coconut bread pudding I'd come back for sure. This place deserves our support Really a 4.25
Jen was our server, a wonderful experience...she went the extra steps to serve us. Food was excellent and a great price point, I highly recommend the vibe of this place.
michaeltY7401PI
Jen was our server, a wonderful experience…she went the extra steps to serve us. Food was excellent and a great price point, I highly recommend the vibe of this place.
Leah R.
service was good, food was underwhelming. Dined with my partner, got the birch st burger and the gnocchi to share. Burger was decent, on the smaller side which I don't mind but the bun was pretty big. handcut fries were ok, some soggy some crispy good flavor. The brown butter gnocchi was in my opinion not good at all... there was no flavore of brown butter, the dish tasted like boiled white wine soup. No char on the veggies, soggy. I thought it was inedible but my boyfriend didnt want to waste it. I will probably be back as we live around the corner but will definitely not be getting that dish ever again. Beware.
Stephanie C.
The ambiance, the food & location are amazing. I have been here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. The food is always high quality and well made. I've pretty much tried everything on their menu. Plus, I always save room for desert or get it to go. The staff and owner are amazingly warm, attentive & friendly. I've bought many gift certificates as well for friends birthdays or gifts. Definitely stop in here if you're in the neighborhood.
Kelly O.
Nice little neighborhood spot. Menu has lots of choices, flavors are good, and my scallops were cooked nicely. Could use some more consistency though- the duck was overcooked, and my ~5 scallops ranged from giant to tiny. And squash and mushrooms in my risotto were all different sizes and shapes, which made each bite inconsistent and also led to very different done-ness (smaller pieces were falling apart because they were cooked so well, whereas larger pieces weren't really that cooked). Maybe an off day?
we have not been there for a long time, but love their outdoor patio. On past visits the food has been quite good. Our server was new and she told us that and since we both have been in the business, one of us in fine dining for over 25 years, we were very patient. Management did not do her any favors. She had a huge station with a very large party, no bus help and only one runner who was doing the whole patio. The house and other staff did nothing to facilitate more smooth and effective food delivery and overall service. We actually saw staff just standing around. There are also clearly too many things on the menu And so the kitchen execution is so so. the stuffEd sole so was just OK, dry , the risotto cake didn't even make sense with the dish and was terrible. The duck with gnocchi were OK, but the gnocchi were very gummy. Better to do fewer things and more simply. Fried calamari with cherry peppers were excellent. The bar was completely backed up and there was confusion around our cocktails. We each ordered a glass of wine to have with dinner and the wine did not arrive until we were at the end of our meals and we do not eat quickly. This location and restaurant has so much potential, but honestly as we were sitting there we were wishing we were on the other side of the patio at Sophia's grotto. Their service was 1000 times more efficient and the food just looked better overall. Hope that this review is helpful. But to management, please support your staff . It's always teamwork that gives the best product and experience for the customer.
The owner was so friendly and gave me the recommendations of the best salad (what his daughter gets all the time ) and OMG it didn't disappoint. The salad was fresh and chicken was cooked to order . I also got another salad and the shrimp was Well seasoned and delicious!!!
So… a year or so ago this was a 5 star rating, but after getting take out recently (we picked up), I have to lower the rating. Same dish, take out both times—the swordfish—was AMAZING previously, the stuff of dreams. When I got it this week, it wasn’t particularly edible. Incredibly overcooked with a basic sweet potato with a slit on the side. I’d been looking forward to that fish for so long that the disappointment was massive. There’s nothing worse than a having celebration dinner, and then paying $30 for a dish that you can’t eat. I don’t want to be disappointed with the restaurant, so I may just try again and not order the fish, but I’m hesitant.
Not good.Soda was flatter than the service.Calamari was bland, tempura fried and swimming in lemon juice. Also more peppers that actual squid. Solid at $17….The honey chicken sandwich was on par with a Wendy’s or another fast food entity.Definitely would not return.
My husband and I live in Roslindale and can walk to Rozzi square for dinner, unfortunately our favorite restaurant is closed on Monday's. We chose Birch St Bistro even though we knew better. The last time we tried to go to Birch St Bistro, a year before, I tried calling only to have the phone ring endlessly. When we arrived no one greeted us even though there were two employees behind the bar. A frazzled waitress eventually walked past us to the front area seating, without acknowledging us. She walked past us a few more times before we decided to try our luck elsewhere. Fast forward to 2022, we went to Birch St Bistro on a Monday night, seated on the back patio. Ordered a Cosmopolitan, which tasted like warm Country Time pink lemonade with almost zero vodka. The lime garnish was starting to turn brown on the edges. My meal was an arugula salad with chicken. The pear in the salad still had the sticker on it, the chicken was so dry it could have been a frisbee. My seat on the patio had a view of the dumpster. It is almost criminal that BSB takes hard earned money off of diners that think they are getting an edible meal.
A nice place to dine - patio is pleasant so is inside. Entrees are pricey but sandwiches are more reasonable. Less crowded than Sophia’s, and they have live music sometimes.
My friend and I wanted to try a new restaurant and ended up at Birch Street Bistro. We LOVED the outside patio. There was a 10-15 min wait due to business but the service was phenomenal.Kira, our waitress, was beyond accommodating. She was very friendly and had a great sense of humor, we will request her again when we come back!!The pesto gnocchi was to die for, and the cheesy garlic bread, for it's price, was well worth it. Has just enough of a quantity to share. The pork dumplings were amazing as well!Great wine and alcohol selection, mixed drink menu was very well-priced with a huge variety!
Been here several times over the last few weeks and have always had a good experience. The food is delicious and the drinks are great. The servers have all been very nice. I like to come here because there is never a wait for a table. Sometimes they do have live music, which can be a little loud.
Not enough food for a 2 year old in this $26 portion of gnocchi. We were planning to order meals for 5 of us but luckily ordered take out for the child first and realized we should not waste our money!
Met some friends at this charming, stylish restaurant. It was my first time. Owner/Maitre d was personable, friendly and professional. The place has the charm of a neighborhood bar and the style of a comfortable restaurant. Service was solid and pricing was fair. Now to the food. I broke my cardinal rule - again As one shouldn't order Pho at a Pizzeria or Chicken Parmesan at a Noodle House, I shouldn't order my favorites, I should order according to what I think the restaurant will do best Every time I break the rule, I'm disappointed This being a New England Eatery, I should have gotten the fish and chips (as my friend did - a huge piece of haddock done correctly, with home made chips - yum) because the calamari appetizer (while beer battered and unique) was a little too lemony and not as satisfying as I would get at a quality trattoria The bowl of olives was fine. The cheesy garlic bread was solid - especially when dipped in the oil from the olives, and the grilled Brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly - though just a tad dry. However, I regained my grasp on my number one rule for dessert (passed on the creme brûlée and Tiramisu) and had the most delicious almond, coconut bread pudding I'd come back for sure. This place deserves our support Really a 4.25
Restaurantji Recommends
Jen was our server, a wonderful experience...she went the extra steps to serve us. Food was excellent and a great price point, I highly recommend the vibe of this place.
Jen was our server, a wonderful experience…she went the extra steps to serve us. Food was excellent and a great price point, I highly recommend the vibe of this place.
service was good, food was underwhelming. Dined with my partner, got the birch st burger and the gnocchi to share. Burger was decent, on the smaller side which I don't mind but the bun was pretty big. handcut fries were ok, some soggy some crispy good flavor. The brown butter gnocchi was in my opinion not good at all... there was no flavore of brown butter, the dish tasted like boiled white wine soup. No char on the veggies, soggy. I thought it was inedible but my boyfriend didnt want to waste it. I will probably be back as we live around the corner but will definitely not be getting that dish ever again. Beware.
The ambiance, the food & location are amazing. I have been here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. The food is always high quality and well made. I've pretty much tried everything on their menu. Plus, I always save room for desert or get it to go. The staff and owner are amazingly warm, attentive & friendly. I've bought many gift certificates as well for friends birthdays or gifts. Definitely stop in here if you're in the neighborhood.
Nice little neighborhood spot. Menu has lots of choices, flavors are good, and my scallops were cooked nicely. Could use some more consistency though- the duck was overcooked, and my ~5 scallops ranged from giant to tiny. And squash and mushrooms in my risotto were all different sizes and shapes, which made each bite inconsistent and also led to very different done-ness (smaller pieces were falling apart because they were cooked so well, whereas larger pieces weren't really that cooked). Maybe an off day?