Number 9 Park

This is another fabulous, expensive nouveau French/Italian kind of place. The food we had here was inventive and delicious; the wild boar we had w... more

I was dissapointed overall as I had high expectations for this restaurant since I heard that it was very good. The food in general was good. The atmosphere was somewhat cold but comfortable. The wait staff was friendly but slightly pushy as on multiple occasions asked if we wanted to order drinks and wine even after ordering one round and letting them know that we were all set. The real reason that I would not go back was that just as we were leaving the restaurant I was shocked to see a large - roachy looking - creature walking through the main dining room away from the kitchen! Maybe it knew something we didn't? Pros: Valet Parking Cons: Did not deliver on expectations more

On a whim my wife (who is from Spain) and I (Hungarian) decided to walk over to No.9 from MGH where she works on a Thursday afternoon for lunch. We were received with much fan fair by the Hostess who took our coats and seated us promptly at a comfortable tabel. We were a bit undecisive and so went for the menu. Having been all over Europe and the US for both work and business we had an a priory expectation of what a menu should be. We had a very nice endive salad which was followed by a lobster bisque. This is where everything went south! We have had lobster bisque before at several locations in Boston and were surprised to receive what we did. A large bowl with an amount of soup such that we could barely submerge our spoon underneath the liquid to eat. We actually had to START by tipping the bowl so we could ladle the soup! Unbelievable. Worse, I joked about this to the waiter by saying that had I known that the volume of soup I receievd would be less than the glass of wine, for the price, I would have chosen more wine...he did nothing! The dessert was nice, but after a $100 lunch we left hungary and had a snack later in the day. We are no chefs, rather a scientist and a business person, but the meal can best be described as all carb, no protein AND it took nearly 20 minutes to get the soup after the endive salad. Never knew restaurants made soup from scracth for each meal? \r \r If you have alot of money and are on a diet and want to feel important in a fancy place then by all means make a reservation, but we do not plan on it any time soon! Pros: Nice atmosphere Cons: Over priced for the quality and quantity. A place for pretenders. more

This is a place where the staff has read their reviews and they believe it. Their manifest attitude is 'we are grand, you are not' It's well suited for those poor souls who crave reflected glory and are willing to suffer for it. The bar is crowded with wannabees who could never expect to be treated well and No 9 Park does not disappoint. A fetid air of superiority permeates this place. It is tolerated by patrons who truly do not know better. Pros: Great reviews Cons: No interest in service more

What was one of Boston's best is simply not anymore. Despite reservation, waited for a considerable amount of time with no apology, no effort to give us somewhere to stand - just in the way. Had a very early reservation as it was all that was available (noted at res time that it was for a Birthday), so there were virtually no diners in the restaurant. Despite this - brought to the end of the back room and seated at a strip table (mext table 10"" away). When we asked if we could have a corner table, were told condescendingly, that those are requested... well shame on us. A fine Happy Birthday... Finally, begrudgingly we were seated. There was a definite snotty attitude, except for the busboys, water pourers, etc., who were lovely, and seemed to be the only employees who smiled, cared or 'got it' that they weren't doing us a favor by waiting on us. Cold host (an oxymoron in this case) and overall feeling from staff (again except bus staff,; water Poureres, bread givers, clearers, who were nice), otherwise not comforting at all. The food was overall okay, with some almost bright lights...no raves here. The fish wrapped in bacon was ice cold and portions were miniscule all around. For the price, a poor value both in quantity and quality and atmosphere. No 9 Park did not rock our world at all; so many better restaurants in Boston. Seems to be resting on some old laurels. For starters, lose the snotty attitude... You are a restaurant for goodness sakes!!!!! more

I eat here once a month, and usually, the meals are phenomenal but tonight was not great. Our wine list didn't have any pages -- no big deal, but when I asked for another wine list, the waiter looked at me pointedly and replied, ""That IS the wine list."" We started with the prune stuffed gnocchi (yum as usual) and squab (delicious). My husbands pork was tasty, but my roasted pheasant was served cold. I wouldve asked for it to be heated but no one came to inquire about our meal. The cheese course was wonderful, but afterwards, we were handed the bill without anyone asking if we'd like coffee (we did). It was as if they were in a hurry for us to leave, even though the place wasnt crowded. Since my past experiences have been excellent, Id definitely eat here again. Maybe just not on a Monday night. Pros: good cheese course, nice wine list, friendly staff Cons: service a bit off, variable food more

Simply fabulous. My wife and I went here for my 32nd birthday the other night, and we were simply blown away by the quality, service, wine list, basically everything. We started with a half dozen local oysters, which impressed with freshness and flavor. I second the review of the prune stuffed gnocchi with foie gras --- that was simply fantastic. My wife started with the White Bean Bouillon, and that was similarly exquisite. The Pekin Duck Breast was delicious, if served ever so slightly too cool on a cold winter night, while the Colorado Lamb was just right. We had Roederer champagne by the glass to start and then a delicious 2002 Cristom (Willamette Valley) Pinot Noir. Again, the latter was a little too chilly due to the weather outside, but it opened up nicely. They provided a decanter for attaining full bloom, a nice touch. An excellent place. Enjoy! Pros: Best in Boston, Great wine list Cons: You'll pay for it more

The prune stuffed gnocchi with fois gras is probably my favorite entreé (yes, you can have it as an entreé!) in all of Boston. The tasting menus are outstanding and the wine pairing superb. I never have enough room for dessert but can never resist ordering... and I always manage to finish! We've enjoyed the café side as well for a more casual atmosphere. Pros: Gnocchi, Cocktails, Fois gras more

I have been to no 9 park three times.Each time expecting more out of the food. People always talk about it being great, but the food is always a dissapointment. Its not bad its just isn't very special. To read the menu, it sounds great but is lacking true talent. The cheese plate they offer is the best in the city.Also the wine list is very nice.sevice is fine, and ambiance is nice. Its a good place to take someone for an experience, just make sure they're more into other things than just the food.cuz it's not very tasty. Pros: wine list, cheese plate, location Cons: food more

i can now say i had a good meal in boston. i had the prune ravioli with fois gras excelent! wine menu excelent. staff good. thank you for serving food with flavor please help the rest of boston. make sure you have a reservation and be prepared to wait. Pros: menu Cons: wait more

favorite place for a drink and a couple things off of the bar menu. fondue is the best. fun night out when you start here more

This place is always so packed, but the other option is to eat outside at the bar or the small tables by the bar. We did that and we were able to order from the bar menu, which is cheaper and just as good. Try the steak and make sure you have the fries. more

The decor is cold, the room was hot. It's March and the thermostat was set to a boiling 79 degrees. If I were wearing a summer dress, it would be comfortable. The food in the cafe was just so-so. The salmon was undercooked even though we asked it to be cooked medium well. My cocktail wasn't right and had to be sent back, even though the waitress picked up on that on my first drink and sent it back before I started drinking, she failed to notice the second time. All in all, a good experience, but No. 9 doesn't live up to it's ""fabulous"" reputation. If you do go, get there before 8 on a weeknight if you want to be seated. It got extraordinarily crowded after 8. Pros: good food, OK service, great location Cons: expensive, crowded more

We were told the wait would be 40 minutes. We were not in a rush and we did not make reservations, so that was not a problem. We waited 30 minutes and watched others who also didn't have reservations, who came in after us be seated before us! We checked with the hostess who told us we could dine at the bar, otherwise it would be another 15 minutes. 15 minutes pass, and more people are seated. The hostess continued to tell us the wait would be another 15 minutes and insisted we either eat at the bar or wait in the overcrowded lobby area. It was obvious we were not welcome there. It was obvious they did not want to service us. The staff and their service were deplorable. We had heard some good things about the restaurant and were severely disappointed. We will NEVER come here again. Cons: , hostess was terrible, overpriced more

I visited recently and ordered the prune gnocci which lived up to its reputation. My salmon was cooked to perfection. The drinks were wonderful as well. The watermelon martini was amazing. It tasted like summer in a glass...much appreciated on a chilly night that made me acutely aware of the onset of Fall. The service was all I could ask for-fast and attentive. A great evening. Pros: service, food, location more

This had to be one of the top 5 meals I have ever had in my life. Everyone from the hostess to the bartender to the waiter were extremely polite. The hamachi appetizer with pinapple was excellent. The sorbet assortment tasted like you were eating the actual fruit. I took a friend for his 30th birthday and the waiter must have overheard us because his dessert came out with a candle on it and ""Happy Birthday"" drizzled in chocolate around the plate. They obviously pay attention and have a fine eye for detail. I can't wait to go again! Pros: pear martini more

Although this was my first vist, and i had nothing to benchmark it to, I thought the food was good to great. Those people who cast doubts on the dining experience were probably looking for a steak. You have to be an adventurous eater and willing to try some of the intricate plates served. I ordered prune stuffed Gnoichi that had bits of Frois Gras. Honestly, one of the best appetizers i've had. Then I had the shank, drier than expected.My date chose better than i did with the Venison, served almost tartar. I loved it being a rare is better eater, but my date, who usually eats medium-rare, still was thrilled with her plate. The meat was so tender, you could almost cut it with a fork.We skipped desert but did enjoy some of the mixed drinks. The pear martini was by far the best of all specialty drinks more

I went here for the tasting menu paired with wine. For a bill of almost $400 for 2, it should have been MUCH better. The first 4 courses were great, but the savory courses seemed haphazard. Two dishes with baked apples? The service was the real issue. It was inconsistent and almost clumsy. Wine arriving after the dish is unacceptable. Also, one server poured us a ridiculously small glass of wine. I don't want to be intoxicated, but I do want to experience a wine and see how it compliments a dish. To add to our disappointment, we waited over 15 minutes between the final 3 courses. The final straw was receiving the bill and noticing charges for extra $11 cocktails. We then felt compelled to share our feedback with the maitre d', who somewhat graciously assured us that she would follow up with us. She has not. Cons: inconsistent service, overcharged more

Like many high-end restaurants, No. 9 Park seems to be in that phase of it's lifecycle where it's riding on its reputation, not its actual quality. My girlfriend and I went there after seeing the Nutcracker, looking to complete an elegant evening. The wait staff was very polite & helpful, jumping when I requested a new chair because the one I had was rickety. While the chef's salad was delicious (pumpkin!), my girlfriend's lobster dish wound up being very undercooked and had to be sent back, after which it was STILL undercooked. My glazed duck was uninspired & I was charged for the wrong bottle of wine (a 40% more expensive bottle of wine!). We had high hopes for No. 9 Park but, like many restaurants in Boston these days, it failed to hold up to its reputation. Pros: lovely atmosphere, great staff Cons: mediocre food more

Although we had to wait for our table, even though we had reservations. But the drink list at the bar was interesting and made the wait tolerable. The food was fantastic, The prune ravioli with fois gras is to die for, and is a premanent fixture on the menu. My entree was delicious - and the desserts are unusual and well worth the stomach ache. Expensive! Pros: Excellent Food, Beautiful View, Wonderful Service Cons: Noisy more