Federalist Restaurant

Went there for dinner and thought it matched the reputation it has as one of the top-​notch restaurants in Boston. Ambiance was cool and sophisticated with all of the dark wood and low lighting, perfect for conversation and the politicians on Beacon Hill. The food was excellent and found the complementary bisque from the chef to be a pleasant treat. The wine list is extensive. I wouldn’t mind having a dinner party in their private dining area downstairs near the wine cellar. The service was okay since our main waiter seemed to have gone MIA after we finished our main course. The dessert was very good and there was a nice surprise dish for the birthday guest of honor.

I had the pleasure of having dinner in the wine cellar for a special event. What an incredible selection of wine! Great venue, great food, great service… no complaints about my experience there.

For private events only…
I planned 7 lunches for a demonstration/​sales junket in April and May. Working with the team at the XV Beacon/​Federalist was wonderful in every way. They were great in the lead up and kept the lines of communication open, and reports from the team were that the wait staff was remarkable. In fact — they remembered us from the year before!!! And the food was «the best meal of all the lunches» (We chose the oak leaf salad for starter and the cobb salad or steak for entrée).
This is a small space — but apparently it’s swank… I highly recommend this for rehearsal dinners and similar small (ish) dinners. We may change up some of our other locations next year — but the Federalist will definitely stay.

This was an excellent dinner, from start to finish: interesting yet understated décor, expansive wine list, and superior service.
They surprised us with an amuse bouchee just after we placed our orders, which was really delightful, probably more so because entirely unexpected. I believe it was some of their lobster bisque. Delicious. For apps I had market greens, and friend had the prawns. For entrees, my group had delicious game hen, halibut, and I had the steak (I was feeling a bit indulgent, and it was exactly how I wanted it). Dessert was a vanilla bean crème brûlée – not super exciting, but very, very well done.
I need to mention again that throughout the meal we had super attentive, superior service from our waiter. Could not have asked for a better evening!

Only been here for dinner… The oyster appetizers with caviar is out of this world! 4 billion stars for that. The appetizers made us extremely excited for our entrees which didnt have the same «wow» factor but was pretty good nonetheless. The décor and clientele are elegant. cant wait to try the brunch!

I really wanted to love the Federalist because it is so cool inside and just screams of old Boston, which I love… but it just wasn’t so great, which was upsetting.
The service started off wonderfully, and we did have a large party (8 of us) but we were quickly forgotten once the patron next to us ordered a $ 1200 dollar bottle of wine. I guess I can understand this, if I’m a starving waiter frothing at the mouth for a tip on a $ 1200 dollar bottle of wine, but still– our tab was several hundred dollars, and this doesn’t denote that we should get stiffed on service!
The lobster bisque was very good, my sirloin was tastey, but not very memorable– and the (supposed) signature desert– the baked alaska– was just OK. For the money spent, I’d much sooner go somehwere else, though I’d give the federalist another shot for an important date or dinner meeting if in a pinch. I still really want to like it!

We stayed at XV Beacon in the most gorgeous room and ate at The Fed for our super fancy anniversary dinner. The foie gras rated one of the best in the city for us. Dinner was excellent. Oh and room service eggs benedict was awesome the next morning… we love a good benedict.
We had a great little table in the back but they seated us (dressed to kill) next to this couple from Texas and I kid you not, he was in cut-​off jean shorts, a t-​shirt, and a baseball hat and she was wearing an oversized Winnie The Pooh sweatshirt. They talked so loud and chewed with their mouths wide open.
I know money can’t buy you class… but come on. It’s the Federalist!
So aside from the knuckleheads… the Fed was unbelievable. I’m so excited to go back!

Very cool spot for dinner or even drinks and appitizers.
I little on the pricey side for a frequent hang-​out.
But a great spot for a special occasion or a Friday night dinner.
The food was well prepared and the service was excellent.
They have a really good wine list with many wines by the glass — a rarity around the city.
The only downfall is the location of the bathrooms. Not well-​placed AT ALL. However, I understand enough about Boston to add them to the list of «local charms.»

If Vanity Fair was a restaurant it would be the Federalist… perhaps their stylists ‘did the place’
Swankyfied American Fare:
Great food,
excellent service (in a swishy sort of way — ),
contemporary décor,
not anywhere near as expensive as it looks (except for the prodigious wine menu which included several 5 figure offerings… prompting us to visit the cellar)
good air & climate control… high ceilings
Their powder rooms are tastefully tucked far away in the basement at the bottom of two banks of high stairs (which I think were also shag carpeted). If you have to go to the bathroom while you are: drunk, in a hurry, ill, dizzy, elderly, frail, in a wheelchair or simply Wearing Heels you will be finished.

Went here last night with my ex boyfriend. And although he did kind of hit on me all night, we agreed on one thing: it was the best meal we have had in a long time. Their wine cellar was fantastic. I admired it while on the way to the ladies room. Try the game hen.

The Federalist is like the Oak Room to me – its a touch old-​world presbyterian in a dining world gone — sometimes misguidedly — hip. Just to be clear: there are no apple martini’s here, nor are there guava-​encrusted, milk-​fed tuna skewers over jasmine-​scented rice… not that there is anything wrong with those things.
What you will find is Beef Wellington, a Waldorf salad and a fine gin martini. The wine-​list is superb. Seriously. (Ask to go down and check out the wine cellar — it will become obvious why the choices are superb.) If you want to go check it out without committing to a meal, yet, you can go hang out at the suitably swank dark-​mahogany bar and have glass while you check out the place.
Be warned, fellow diners, the patrons at «The Fed» take this place fairly seriously. Unlike most of the upscale restaurants in Boston, you will feel decidedly out of place here if you show up dressed in your True Religion jeans. So, put on the dress ladies, and break out nice jacket gentlemen… it won’t kill you, especially if you have foie gras this damn fine.

Great food, great atmosphere. Have had our office party there twice. Service is exceptional.

I’ve had brunch here twice and I absolutely ADORE this place. It’s a nice setting but very delicious! I’ve tried all of their breakfast items (sharing counts!) I really want to try their dinner out sometime as well! Their stuffed french toast is AMAZING!!! It’s quite a splurge (check out their menu) it’s not so bad for brunch but it’s def. for dinner (appetizers, main entrees, desserts, drinks, etc…)

One of the best meals we ever ate. Get the Kobe Beef Wellington and then you can die. We went here the night we got engaged and we were glad we did, they gave us champagne on the house.

Impressive wine list, nice menu choice, attentive wait staff… This is a 5 star dining experience! The décor is eclectic, yet luxurious (take a look at the ceiling!).
Most recently I had the Cornish game hen and it was very good. I have been a few times for drinks alone and would highly recommend stopping by after work for a cocktail with friends. The Bar menu offers a nice variety of choices as well.

posh, yummy and pricey

i think it might seem funny to say that it was a poor value, but i think it was. not really worth what it costs. i have no problem spending a couple hundred dollars on a meal as long as it is worth it.

I love the Federalist. Brunch, dinner, drinks — all worth 5 stars. The décor and service are fantastic and everything I’ve eaten has been terrific.
Brunch is quieter than most places in Boston, which is great if you want to linger over bloody Marys or mimosas or coffee. You won’t feel rushed at all, and you’ll have a perfect atmosphere to enjoy the conversation of your dining companions. The dinner menu is fantastic, and the service and ambience of day-​time dining is even better at night. (Bonus: If you are staying at the hotel, you can order from the full dinner menu for room service!) The bar is a great place to meet for a drink, with plush leather couches to lounge on and top-​notch mixologists serving you.

My highest mark for a restaurant in Boston. Outstanding wine list, phenomenal food. This is definitely one of the best if not the best place I have been to in Boston. Be sure to try their Kobe Beef.
Surprisingly enough, it is also a great place to grab a burger and a drink.

Very posh and laid back bar. I often meet friends here for a drink after work. Excellent service and bar menu. I love relaxing on the sofa at the Fed!
UPDATE – Rumour has it this place is going to be converted into a steak house!