Menotomy Grill and Tavern

I had been in here a couple of time before but they seemed to have improved their food. I had tacos and fantastic brussel sprouts. Decent beer list, not great, but serviceable. My friend had a duck sausage pizza which was pretty tasty even though it was a little small for $ 12. Oh, and the place was packed, we had to wait 20 minutes for a bar seat on a Wednesday. Overall a good time and I would go back.

We had the best dinner and service. This is my first time here. I had the Salmon and my husband had the Chicken and it was awesome. We had the best waiter… Greg M. We will definitely come back.

Three stars because the food was decent. I would put it under the category of «average pub fare». My husband got the burger and enjoyed it. I got the Greek salad with shrimp– nice looking salad and the shrimp was tasty. The service left something to be desired. Our server dropped the food and didn’t come back for 25+ minutes although he walked by several times ignoring our empty glasses on the table. I’m guessing they were short staffed as our server was also playing host.

We loved the atmosphere (like a ski lodge feel — rustic with lots of wood, metal, brick, and stone) and the service was great (it’s refreshing to see servers over 40 who clearly have lots of experience.). Great for families and multi-​generational groups because it’s cool and hip but not too loud. Our food was very good (chips and dip app — awesome; musket chicken — alright; burger, Greek salad — awesome; and amazing mashed Yukon potatoes! Plus desserts were great.) I will definitely be back!

Average food, passable service, pretty decent wine selection for the atmosphere and level of Restuarant.
French dip was pretty good. Not outstanding, some odd flavor the the broth.
Not a bad little lunch spot and the prices were quite reasonable, but could be a fair bit better all around.
A take it or leave it kind of place, I wouldn’t rush back but if someone selected it for a quick business lunch I wouldn’t avoid it.

My friend lives close to this restaurant, so we’ve been here before. I was concerned about some of the reviews about service, but I didn’t need to be. Our server was on point, delivering our appetizers and main courses quickly, and frequently checking to see if we needed anything. My pork shank was large and delicious, with perfectly cooked grits. Can’t wait to come back!

I went here on a Sunday afternoon with a friend and was not impressed. I had seen good reviews for this place on Phantom Gourmet and being a local wanted to try it out. Maybe it was just the day I visited or the fact that they had two large parties they seemed more interested in catering but the service was terrible. There was no one at the reception area and I had to flag someone down from the back of restaurant to get a seat.
I ordered the fish and chips and my friend ordered the clam chowder and a burger. The clam chowder was very good with a creamy texture. The burger was so so and my fish and chips was awful. The batter tasted funny and the fish did not taste fresh and was leathery. The chips were standard and not something that could save the fish.
Service the entire time was spotty with us having to hail any person walking near us that might be associated with the restaurant in the hope of getting our request in.
I was debating on whether to check out their dinner menu (we got the lunch menu) but after the service we got and the sub par food, I will probably stay away.

I was really excited when it opened. It’s fairly close to where I live and the interior is beautiful. With lots of beers on tap and an interesting menu, I was sold. But the food is hit or miss. I’ve had at least two dinners that were amazing and more than two that were… Not.
The front staff is also hit or miss. I’ve been walked all over the place because the table she thought we would sit at was occupied. We were sat at a table once and no wait staff was assigned to it so we sat with no menus and no drinks for 15 minutes… Maybe longer.
The clientele seems «older» and the staff seems to want to keep it that way, as every time I’ve sat at the bar the bartender points out that there are other bars not far away in Davis square… Not very welcoming…
If there is a chef special that catches your eye, it’s probably worth a try. The burger is excellent. The tips are not. There was at one point a bluefish special that was excellent. Seasonal soups have all been delicious. The fish and chips was not cooked and by the time someone came by to check on us it was too late to do anything about it; my group was done with their meals.
Overall, it has some good qualities, but inconsistent and poor unwelcoming service makes it is not worth the price. Take their advice and go to Davis.

Love this place. Fantastic food, atmosphere, service. We love the fried pickles and the chicken dish with the awesome potato/​sausage stuffing.
In addition to the above listed items– we also love the hummus dish. Also, my husband loves the hamburger.
Seriously the best food in Arlington. People have their favs like Tryst, Tango, Flora, etc. — but Menotomy Grille is really the best.
If you make a res– def ask for a seat around the bar. The high tops are fun and kid friendly. Some of the seats in the reg. dining room are too close to other tables and/​or are bad proximity to the kitchen.

Went with a large party of 9 for a birthday. They were very pushy with drinks, and when we ordered just one bottle of wine and couple beers they seemed disappointed and lost interest in our group. I hate that; not everyone wants to booze it up every night, and it’s so obvious when they see your table as unprofitable. The dinner meals were lackluster at best; from the pork shank (way too salty), to the linguini (too spicy yet bland) to the steak chimichurri — everyone agreed the food was a solid «meh.» The fried pickles were fun but for the cost, kinda pricey. The desserts were bad. Stay away from the bread pudding and crème brûlée. The atmosphere is nice but we were so disappointed especially after all the good reviews. I do not recommend.

Five stars because thank you for being solid. 5 stars if I ALWAYS loved all the food.
Service: 5 star
Atmosphere: 5 star
Food: 4 star
Community: 5 star
Thanks for being in Arlington and bringing in the heart of Arlington as you’re so local local local.

After hearing a lot of nice things about MG we finally got around to checking it out.
It’s beautiful inside and the lighting is nice and if your lucky enough to get a middle booth they are comfy.
The bar is cool; they seem to lean towards having sports on.
We went twice: the first night was late, with a very limited menu of like, four things. Wings, pizza, and I forget what else. It was forgettable. Waitress was typical Cambridge sassy, drinks were decent but not cheap.
Returned a couple days later for full midweek meal. Place was not crowded but service was very very slow. The bigger crime though was the lack/​luster food. Pretty lame! No presentation or attention to detail. Just average.
Coupled with the slow service and a disappointing previous experience I can only give 2 stars.
Shocking right? As we had such high expectations and heard such rave reviews; for me there is nothing to rave about here. It’s just ok. Had far better experiences for the same $ a few doors up at Olivio and Zhu.

I’m not sure why It took so long for us to come here, but I’m glad we finally did. It was such a pleasant surprise. Its very casual and fun atmosphere. Nice addition to Arlington, not that we need more, but we do enjoy all the dining choices the town has to offer. We like this tavern so much better than the over-​priced tavern in Lexington. I won’t name any names, but it’s on Waltham St.
My husband and I started by sharing mussels appetizer. Good portion to share without over-​indulging. They were drenched in this rich, delicious broth. For entrees, I had marinated steak tips with fries. They were so delicious! It was prepared medium, and they were tender and juicy. My husband ordered pan seared salmon and it was cooked medium rare, which he requested. He loved it! It was quite unusual for a restaurant to be serving prosecco by the glass, so I took advantage of it and ordered 2 glasses. The bar was very generous with their pour.
It was a busy night, but it wasn’t obnoxiously loud. Maybe the high ceiling had something to do with it, as well as the tables not being so close to each other. Our waiter was Greg. Excellent service from him. So overall, we had a great time here. We will definitely be back.

There is no denying I am an Arlington Townie– born, raised, and still here. I love my hometown and can remember the days when Arlington was a dry town until the laws changed several years ago. Liquor stores finally began to appear. We no longer had to cross the Lexington or Medford borders for beer. The days of ordering food in order to have an adult beverage were gone and before long Arlington welcomed Menotomy Tavern — the first bar of its kind open until midnight. The old Blockbuster video store was transformed into a very trendy yet somewhat vintage, cozy, and casual dining atmosphere with lots of little tributes to Arlington’s rich history.
I anxiously awaited its opening a couple years ago and believe Menotomy Tavern has definitely lived up to its expectations. I have been a regular customer whether hanging at the bar or enjoying a casual dinner out with friends. Menotomy serves traditional pub food with a gourmet twist. The chef likes to use a lot of spices and hot peppers in certain dishes. Most entrees hit the mark for me while others are somewhat of a pepper overload. If you like it hot, you won’t be disappointed. I particularly love the roasted chicken, salmon, and the hangar steak and usually stick to these favorites. The burger is pretty decent too. My favorite appetizer are the citrus chicken wings which do have a spicy kick to them, but without going overboard. Oh and can’t forget the fried pickles! I believe the menu changes a bit seasonally and certain items are rotated such as the Mac and Cheese which is available during winter months. Menotomy offers a different soup and taco choice each day for added variety.
I love the dimly lit atmosphere at Menotomy Tavern and its cozy feel. There is a large bar area towards the back and the restaurant also offers a main dining area. There is a small patio area offering outdoor seating. The patio overlooks busy Mass Ave so do not expect too much of a view, however sometimes it is just nice to dine outside.
There always seems to be different faces amongst the waitstaff on my visits to this restaurant. Most are friendly and attentive. Thursday’s nights feature live music which is great only keep in mind it’s very loud so dinner conversation will not be easy.
I also need to mention the amazing dinner I had at Menotomy this past St. Patrick’s Day. Yes it was months ago, but no I have not forgotten the experience. I thought it was the best corned beef and cabbage I ever had followed by this absolutely delicious Cupcake with a Guiness frosting. This event will defintely be marked ony calendar for next year. There was also some great live Irish music as well.
Menotomy is one of my faves and so happy to have great food so close to home.

As someone who thinks it’s important to focus on customer service and serve consistently good food, I do not recommend this place. I’ve tried Menotomy Grill and Tavern 4x in hopes that the last three times would be even as close to the first, and they never are.
My last experience involved being ridiculed by our server for breaking up our check in order to help her swipe the cards for three different parties with three very different bills.
It’s such a bummer because this place has so much potential but it seems the management of the staff (both FOH and BOH) is truly lacking. Take your business elsewhere.

The food is decent, the atmosphere is hit or miss. The servers are also hot or miss. We came for the first time and had an awful, terribly rude and almost condescending server. We decided to try it again, just do to convenience at the time, it was much better the second time do to the server being lovely. He restored our faith in this place (or gave us some where it never was).
If a nice date is what you’re after, this doesn’t seem to be the spot. If you want a cold beer and decent food then it’s your place.

I’m really happy I decided to try this place out. They’ve got a great selection of draft as well as bottle/​can beer, as well as one of the better bourbon and scotch selections I’ve seen at a restaurant in quite a while. And the atmosphere is pretty cool.
I had a cheeseburger with this amazing tomato jam on it, and it really hit the spot. I don’t know why this place is near empty at the moment… But that just means I get it all to myself. Yummm.

Came here once on a week day for lunch during snowpocalypse with extended family to catch up and chat. There was a good lunch crowd in the dining room and the fireplace was lit so we found ourselves very cozy and enjoyed all of the food that we shared. I liked it so much that I came back again on a weeknight for dinner this time with my boyfriend and was surprised to find a live band performing. This was quite a treat since live music is not very common in the Boston area. It was kind of folk-​y music which I don’t claim to be a huge fan of but I can appreciate good music anywhere and this band (can’t remember the name) was killing it! Each time I sat in the comfy high-​top booths by the bar had friendly, attentive service (most recently by an adorable server named Brianna). For food…
–I got the GRILLED STAEK AND CARAMELIZED ONION FLATBREAD both times because it was AWESOME! I seriously dream about it.
–TUNA BURGER was a little bland but I prefer a more natural flavor than something thats packed with too much salt at restaurants. I felt healthy after eating it. Sweet potato fries were well executed.
–CAESAR SALAD was huge and the dressing was just to my liking.
–FRENCH ONION SOUP had a great, well blended flavor. The onions were cooked to perfection, cheese was phenomenal, crostini could’ve been a little crispier but it wasn’t a deal breaker. The only thing that left a bad taste in my mouth was the price. $ 11 for a French onion soup?! $ 7, maybe $ 8…okay $ 9 max, but $ 11 for a VERY small portion was just not okay. I was expecting it to be a large portion with some distinct aspect or flair that elevated it from the classic soup, but there was nothing truly spectacular about it. Again, I did enjoy it very much, nothing taken away from the soup itself.
–GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH was so good! The chipotle mayo and parmesan fries were great touches however I was shocked at the portion of chicken breast. It was so small that the person who prepared it didn’t even cut the chicken with the sandwich instead it had been ripped apart and centered on each half of the sandwich because if it had been sliced down the middle the meat wouldn’t have reached the ends of the bread. My boyfriend is a protein-​lover so he was particularly disappointed.
I have no problem making the slightly longer trip down Mass. Ave. for this place. I’ll totally come back for the décor, ambiance, service and flavor of food. My complaints aren’t deal breakers and I always leave feeling satisfied.

Came here with a group prior to seeing a show at the Regent Theater. The theater and restaurant have a partnership which includes a salad, entrée and a dessert with the purchase of a ticket, that’s the only reason to come here. The cost of $ 50 for a ticket and a meal was well worth it, but the quality of food just wasn’t there.
We didn’t have a reservation, and the hostess took care of us of getting a large table setup. She didn’t know the details of the partnership but got someone who did. She’s probably the best thing of the restaurant. She sat us near the open kitchen, which was nice.
We ordered 2 appetizers (not part of the ticket), ribs and chicken wings. The ribs were frankly not good at all. Too dry and tough, the St. Louis style rub had some flavor however. The chipotle citrus wings were very nice on the other hand. A nice kick to them with a peppercorn dipping sauce.
Salads were very basic, the caesar was ok. No real flavor, but they did have anchovies by request. I got the pork shank. It was nicely presented, large piece of meat served with bacon cheese grits and a fried egg. The grits and eggs were delicious, very smooth and the touch of egg hit the spot. The pork itself had good flavor, however the meat it’s was too dry similar to the ribs. I was hoping for it to be just a bit more tender. I will say I did not leave hungry, as it was a large shank. Most of the others got the steak tips, 5 medium pieces with Parmesan French fries. Again no one thought they were amazing.
Our poor waiter was just too overwhelmed. It took at least 15 minutes to get a couple beers after we ordered, not sure if it was the large crowd or what. Due to time we did not have dessert and when it came time to pay the owner had to come and figure out the theater ticket partnership. It clearly is a newer thing and all the details aren’t ironed out.
If it wasn’t for the theater partnership I wouldn’t come back, maybe a nice local bar but I wasn’t impressed.

Menotomy has really nice ambiance, and sees good for a date night with the dark wood and ambient lighting. It’s a little more on the upscale side for Arlington, without being too expensive or approachable, which is a good thing.
Our server was friendly and good at explaining the menu and specials. The food was good, and portion sizes were enough for two meals, which helps to offset the cost. My husband wasn’t a fan of the fish and chips because the fish was a giant slab of fried fish, which he found intimidating. He would have preferred smaller bites, but he’s funny like that sometimes, so I’d take this with a grain of salt. I enjoyed the fried chicken special with sausage mashed potatoes over biscuits. It was a nicer take on southern cooking, which I found quite tasty.
We went on a Sunday night and they seemed to be out of stock of a ton of basic ingredients (burgers, steak, etc.), so keep that in mind if you really want something. It was also pretty quiet, but it seemed like the kind of place that could be quite busy on a Friday or Saturday.