Union Bar and Grille
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Overall Rating: The Sickest (90 out of 100)
1357 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
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Phone: 617-423-0555
Located in the South End's revitalized SoWa area, Union Bar and Grille serves sick American cuisine in a striking urban dining environment. Simply put, Union presents a delightful union of style and substance.
Our History at Union Bar and Grille
Our sixth visit to Union was on a Thursday at 7:30pm.
Appetizers
A varied appetizer menu includes mussels, pumpkin ravioli, risotto, and flaked cod and potato cakes. Prices range from $6 to $9 with an average price of $8.
We informed our waiter that we wanted to share the sweet corn risotto. To our surprise, we received two ample bowls of risotto, split evenly. A creamy, spicy mix, the risotto integrated chorizo sausage, fire roasted peppers, corn, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and fresh sage. Union cooked the risotto to perfection and the dish presented outstanding value for just $9.
Instead of plain old bread, Union serves freshly-baked cornbread in a hot cast iron skillet. The cornbread alone is worth a visit to Union.
Rating: 9.6
Main Dishes
Union's entree lineup includes steak, seafood, pastas, lamb, and chicken. Prices range from $16 to $34 with an average price of $24. On this evening, we went with the grilled lack of lamb and the Gloucester haddock.
The grilled lack of lamb was served with Jerusalem artichoke gratin, winter kale, and black mission figs. Tender and flavorful lamb was complemented by the creamy, slightly-crunchy gratin. At first bite, the flaky Gloucester haddock seemed plain, but quickly sprang to life when meshed with sick succotash - a medley of lima beans, corn, leeks, zucchini, and amazingly soft potatoes.
Union's pan roasted natural chicken is another can't-miss pick.
Rating: 9.3
Drinks
An all-American wine list starts at $34 for a bottle of white and $36 for a bottle red. We enjoyed a few glasses of J Lohr Bay Mist Riesling. However, Union's mixed drinks left a bit to be desired. Our first drink was mixed with too much juice. Our second drink was served with flat soda.
Rating: 7.7
Service
Service here is consistently above average. Our waiter was prompt and professional. He anticipated our needs throughout the evening.
Rating: 9.2
Ambiance
Union features a bar area and a main dining room. A steel and glass wall separates the bar from the dining room.
The bar area includes quite a bit of seating both at the long bar as well as at tables that run parallel to the bar. Union's full menu is served at the bar.
The main dining room is simple yet stunning. Plush, black-leather booths are shaped like saucers and provide luxurious seating. Candlelit tables and large candlelit chandeliers dimly light the bustling room.
Rating: 9
Et Cetera
Trivia: Union is owned by The Aquitaine Group, owners of Metropolis Cafe, Aquitaine Bar a Vin Bistrot, and Aquitaine Bis in Chestnut Hill.
Menu: Check out the menu here
Reservations: Union is on OpenTable
Transportation: Take the Silver Line to the Union Park stop or find street parking on Washington Street. Valet is available for $15.
Dress: You may dress casually at Union.
Hours: Union serves dinner Sunday through Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM and Thursday through Saturday from 5:30pm until midnight.
Labels: American, South-End, SoWa, The-Sickest, Union
