L'Espalier Reviews

The experience was nice, but the food was only okay for what it was. I did enjoy the duck and my appetizer (oyster dish) was too sour. Wouldn t recommend.

It was in L'Espalier's dining room that I initially fell in love with my wife and, although the food was always great here and the service was impeccable, L'Espalier will be remembered by us as more than a mere restaurant. During my 20s, Chef McClelland's grand tastings were a true special occasion meal - one that I would budget for and look forward to for months.

That this historic 40-year-old restaurant sadly and suddenly closed on January 12th of this year has been difficult for me to process - it feels like a tragedy on the level of losing a close friend.



L'Espalier introduced me to so many "firsts" and influenced my dining vocabulary and sensibilities to the point that it became the quintessential French fine dining experience that I measure all others against. Even at the end, I was supremely delighted by McClelland's "Roasted Squab and Liver Vinaigrette," which bore strong nutty flavors of pine and acorn, yet did not feel out of place as a featured dish in a summer degustation. It was one of the best things I ate in 2018 as well as a dish that perfectly reflected the aesthetic sensibilities of L'Espalier's kitchen with its luxuriously decorative plating worthy of the exorbitant Back Bay rent-hikes that forced L'Espalier's closure.



The best thing I ever ate at L'Espalier? In late summer 2007, I was served a dish with lobster, Chatham squid, and pickled eggplant in a tomato broth that I can still remember every bite of.

Adieu, L'Espalier.

Incredible food and service. Some of the best meals I've had were here. Very expensive however.

I only ate a snack in the salon. Service is superb, the food is unparalleled.

The bento box was the bomb!!! Way too much food for me though but that only means leftovers!

The lunch Chef's Tasting Journey is a 10 course culinary adventure spanning 3-4 hours which is a must for anyone who loves food..The wine pairings worked beautifully, the service excellent, and food delicious. The price point is a bargain and easily double at other places.

The tasting menu is excellent. service is amazing, waiters very attentant. and the decor can't be beat. being in the mandarin tops it off. have a drink at the hotel bar before.

Very fancy French food. Impeccable service, as you would expect. Every plate was a work of art; delicate, cerebral and small.

My seafood was a little disappointing, but the steak was great. Service was topnotch as how it's supposed to be. Good price for the quality and high end service too.

Been here twice now, once for the regular tasting menu and another time for the Valentine's day special tasting menu. It's a shame that Michelin doesn't rate in Boston because this place deserves one.

We did the chefs tasting with wine pairing. Food is really good and service is good.

Overall, It s a very cost-effective place if one has to consider that for fine dining.

Though they let me wait in the lobby unattended a few minutes, they make it up by hospitality; the waitress/waiter are nice and helpful, though their pace is a bit off; the sommelier are quite helpful, and I certainly like the wine pairing.

The food is...well, nothing unexpected. The duck is pretty good.

Comparing with those snobbish NY restaurant which set the price out of ceilings, $98 for five courses dinner, you got your money s worth.

Underwhelming mediocre food at a high price. Meh is the first word that comes to mind. I have no problem with paying high for amazing food, but this was mediocre at best. Tried the Journey Menu... Dishes did not pair well and dessert was bird seed to be kind. Most expensive indigestion ever. Cheese plate was incredible as was the Fromager and Sommelier. Atmosphere was tainted by the group loudly arguing about their Greek Roots the last few courses and the service did nothing to quiet the VERY LOUD party....to give you an idea, I had to lip read to understand my husband sitting across from me! Hop in a cab and head to Bergamot in Somerville for better food and service. Very disappointed all around.

Our go-to for special occasions. The experience is impeccable from the moment you walk through the door. The team (they re way more than Staff ) quickly becomes your best friends and anticipates your needs. Ingredients are quality, pairings are perfect, and the fromage is on point. Book the chef s table. Enjoy the multi-course around the world tour. Do it.

Absolutely loved the taster menu here. It was such a delight to pick away at the different ingredients and see how they come together on the plate. Totally wonderful bravo to the chefs in the kitchen!

L'Espalier is one of the oldest true fine dining establishments in Boston. Having dined here many times throughout the years, I always enjoy coming back for another food journey.
The menu changes often enough, so you won't be repeating courses from previous visits.
Our last visit was excellent. We decided to choose the Tasting Journey, which was outstanding and we paired it with cocktails which were also great.
From the amuse-bouches to the desserts - we had a delicious meal and indeed a journey.
Caviar, lobster, foie fras, rib-eye, root vegetables, duck consomme, tough to go through all the ingredients that were made stars of their corresponding dishes and were delighful.
I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Service was great as well, and the pacing of the courses was timely and appropriate.
Overall, another outstanding visit at L'Espalier.

Great dinner. Wonderful atmosphere. Superb service. Extensive wine. Worth every $$$. And if I could rate more than 5 stars I would. Highly recommended!

I personally love the library room. Going here is an experience starting with an elevator ride up to the waiting area. Expensive but well-worth the price. A perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

french food here - super tasty. certainly a top place in the area. the service here is better than most. prices are reasonable.

Our recent lunch was spectacular. We went with the recommendations of the staff and enjoyed every course. Still number one in Boston in our minds.

An absolutely fantastic dining experience in all aspects. The staff acted in a wonderfully warm and professional manner, the ambiance was excellent, and the food was superb. I give this restaurant the highest recommendation.

Boston doesn't have a Michelin Guide and if it did, L'Espalier is the sort of restaurant to easily grab a star. Housed in an inconspicuous location right near the entrance to the Mandarin Oriental on Boylston, it would be easy to pass this everyday with little thought.

Of course, L'Espalier is built on a reputation and advertising is not a necessary component for an establishment of this caliber. I initially became interested after looking more into France's cuisine outposts here in Boston and L'Espalier's experience took the cake according to countless other reviewers.

L'Espalier is a full service dining experience, meaning everything from the moment you step in the door to the moment you leave, every minute is a curated part of this food journey. Upon entrance, you'll take an elevator up to the restaurant where, depending on the time or season, you'll be sat in one of the restaurant's styled and themed upper scale dining rooms. Service is immediate and there's never a moment of waiting. The server was knowledgeable alongside the server's assistant who both showed the expertise and professionalism required for a position like this.

Prix-fix is the recommendation here and the restaurant suggests it for the entire table should one person get it to ensure a streamlined experience. From perfectly cooked meats to cheeses that serve to compliment every course of this meal, everything here about the food is as good as it possibly can get. Everything here about the experience is memorable and leaves a lasting impression of a meal that is not in any way unimaginable or regular.

Such a dining experience is certainly not cheap and L'Espalier is a lunch or dinner to remember for a lifetime. Should you decide to go, make it a special occasion and dress the part. Your experience will be unparalleled.

In the heart of fashionable Back Bay, adjacent to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Boylston Street, one block from the Hynes Convention Center, Prudential Center and Copley Place. L'Espalier is walking distance to Symphony Hall, Berklee Performance Center and major colleges and universities.

Cuisine
Sophisticated and modern New England-French cuisine, with an emphasis on artisanal and New England ingredients.

This hidden jewel in the heart of Back Bay, is sure to amaze. Went here for Valentine's Day, and chose the 9-course prix-fixe menu. Each plate looks more exquisite than the next. Although the portion sizes are a bit small for my liking, there are many. So, although you won't leave hungry, you most certainly will leave wanting more. The service is flawless! If you have the means to reserve the Chef's Table, I highly recommend it. Won't disappoint!