576153 Sun Nov 30 08:58:10 -0800 2008 11 12 Boston Area 0 4209674 Got dragged to CBS Scene on Friday night with extended family. Based on the reviews here, I had VERY low expectations. The place is a madhouse, with overstimulus galore. At times, it felt like we were having dinner on the set of "Blade Runner", not a good thing. And, one of the worst things I've ever seen, each booth has its own TV screen, with a channel changer. So not only are there huge screens overhead and on the walls showing sporting events, at every table I saw people sitting at dinner watching old CBS TV shows. The kids (and many adults) love it, but I have no idea why you'd choose to do it. With that said, our food was surprisingly OK. The menu is extensive, and our waitress recommended the "Cowboy Steak", a bone-in rib eye at $34. Uh, no, I had the Kobe-beef burger, 10 ounces, with fries, at $13. There were a variety of possible extras, each at $1 (like cheese, sauteed onions, shrooms, etc.) I don't know if it was really Kobe beef (what does that even mean anymore? I don't think it came from Japan), but I have to admit, it was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Caesar salad was a passable version, with white anchovies, at $7. We had 2 pizzas for the table, both of which were good. One DC tried the asiago-crusted chicken breast. I thought it was dreadful, and just a fat bomb. We tried 2 desserts, the "signature" sizzling bread pudding, which was actually very good, served in a small cast iron skillet, and the hot fudge sundae, which was a large version, excellent ice cream and fudge, and served with 3 toasted marshmallows in a way-cool oval bowl. At $7, they were both good value. Personally, I'll have to be dragged back there based on the ambience, which isn't my cup of tea. But the food was better than I expected Sun Nov 30 08:58:10 -0800 2008 64696 winedude 1 4211552 I'm curious to know what about the burger made it the best you've had. The quality/taste of the beef or something else? Mon Dec 01 08:32:34 -0800 2008 4209674 40075 Northshoregirl 2 4211799 The burger was thick, juicy, perfectly-cooked as ordered (medium), and had a really good, salty char on the outside. The bun was brioche style, nice and eggy. Decent romaine lettuce, reasonably ripe tomate slice. Mon Dec 01 10:09:53 -0800 2008 4211552 64696 winedude 3 4212215 Wow. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Nothing like a good burger... Mon Dec 01 12:18:24 -0800 2008 4211799 40075 Northshoregirl 1 4212318 Eaten here twice. First time : chicken sandwich which was fine. Nothing great. Nothing awful. One of my kids ordered the kids pizza was nothing short of inedible which was a surprise b/c the adults pizza I saw a few people eating looked pretty decent. Second time went with a bigger crowd so more menu items were ordered. Wife had the chicken caeser wrap was pretty good. Grilled chicken pieces on a tasty homemade wrap. Father-in-law had the Wings for a meal and they were pretty tasty. Not extremely plump but slathered in a sweet and spicy sauce. I went with the BBQ chicken pizza which was decent. Thin, crispy crust and enough chicken, red onions and scallions to make me happy. Kids went with Pasta and chicken fingers which were both fine. Fries are ok. I wouldn't make this place a dining destination and there are plenty of better restaurants at Patriot Place but for a sports bar and fun place to take the kids, you can get a halfway decent meal. As an aside, in addition to the standard bevy of draft beers to choose from, they have a couple of other higher-end bottled beers as well. But beware they charge an arm and a leg for them. I'm a big fan of Dogfish and they had the 90min IPA which I happily ordered. Don't know if it was worth $8.50 tho!! Mon Dec 01 12:56:01 -0800 2008 4209674 24684 fabeneag 2 4214144 Depends on how you look at it. At 9% abv (which is double the abv of bud light - and 3 times the malt and at least 10x the hops), handcrafted in small batches, using quality ingredients, I would say yes. Considering a pint (sometimes less) of normal abv craft beer is going for about $6 these days, the price seems in line. Also I am sure many people wouldn't blink at paying that for 6 ozs of good wine these days. A friend who recently went said they had some real bargains on 22oz. bottled craft beers there - about the same price as retail. Tue Dec 02 07:33:37 -0800 2008 4212318 12014 LStaff 3 4214267 I took the "if it was worth" comment to imply comparing the same beer to other places that sell it - which is really the only way to look at it, thinking about how wonderful Calagione is doesn't really do it for me :). It does sound "about right" to me, but it's been years since I've ordered it. Tue Dec 02 08:13:17 -0800 2008 4214144 111910 jgg13 1 4212354 The wings were scrwany and quite tasteless, and my burger was cooked to a bone dry medium well. Maybe I had an off experience, but I thought this place was the pits. I won't be back for a second data point. I was there early in the season, so maybe they have worked out some kinks. They were willing to pour a stiff cocktail which was one bright spot. I was ashamed to be in this place before a game rather than at a normal tail gate. Mon Dec 01 13:10:25 -0800 2008 4209674 13687 Gabatta 2 4214080 I would think there's a huge difference in food quality on game days compared to every other day. I too, would be ashamed to eat there before a game rather than a normal tailgate! Tue Dec 02 07:06:29 -0800 2008 4212354 24684 fabeneag 3 4214123 I'd never venture near the place on a day when the Pats are playing, unless it was below 20 degrees. But I did want to report that, in my one experience with the place, the food wasn't as bad as the other terrible reviews I've heard. Your mileage may vary. Tue Dec 02 07:22:36 -0800 2008 4214080 64696 winedude 1 4215940 I have only stuck to the beverage menu so far, but my friend said she got a pizza with lobster on it...and then she melted off her seat because it was "incredible!" Tue Dec 02 17:39:19 -0800 2008 4209674 245010 SOBoston 1 4215943 oh yea, bar louie's food was pretty bland...just a head's up Tue Dec 02 17:40:33 -0800 2008 4209674 245010 SOBoston