Bar at Union

[michela]

Stopped into Union Bar & Grille for a drink with a friend and ended up staying for dinner at the bar. There have been some nice changes to the menu since I was last there. Shared the grilled pizza with clams. It was delicious with the which taste/flavor of chowder. Also tried the braised pork belly - perfect for a chilly night. Friend was impressed by their wine list. The bartender was helpful with suggestions but not in our face. She made a special drink called At the Gates with Gin, Benedictine & St. Germaine -- loved it. Union is back on my radar.

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Union Bar and Grille
1357 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118

[C. Hamster]

It's sad.

I used to love the bar at Union. Had my birthday dinner there a few times.

But the surly, affected service totally poisons the experience.

[rozziegirl]

We had drinks and food at the bar Friday around 10. Pretty much ignored by the bartender and bartender-in-training despite the fact that there was only one other person at the bar - seemed to be a friend of the trainee, so that was most likely the reason. She didn't know what a gimlet was (??), and then the hostess had to help us get attention to order wine. Bummer, because the food was good.

[TurnerBos]

Similar experience to rozziegirl. Sat at the bar with two friends a couple of weeks ago.We each ordered a glass of wine and were then pretty much ignored. The bar was not busy. The manager stood behind us and seemed oblivious to the lack of service. It was such a challenge to get a refill we left and went to Stella - where we had attentive service. Union lost our business.

[alakate]

I'm a fan of Union and have to say their fried clams are my favorite. Always have had solid service.

[Berheenia]

Should have listened to all of you but we had reservations for the dining room after seeing a matinee Saturday and had hoped to have a fun time at the bar in between. Not fun. Lackluster service and warm drinks. No offer to refill anything or inquiries about if we liked our drinks but very anxious to settle up when they saw we were heading into the dining room. I wish I wasn't born with a tipping gene but I was.

[TurnerBos]

You should have listened. And now rumor is they are taking over the Rocca space. Is Aquitaine the new Todd English??? Chef Seth Woods hasn't stepped in a kitchen in years. Jeff Gates kept things on track at Union. Haven't seen him there in a long time. They are growing too big and can't even serve a cold drink to a customer at their bar? You know there are many new places that are getting it right.
#Union Boston Fail.

[C. Hamster]

I still really like Union but that dark haired male "pretty boy" bartender can be a rude SOB.

Havent been there in maybe 6 months but he was a major jerk the last trip. Other 'tenders are vey nice.

Still like the place despite that.

[omarba]

Glad they kept the risotto on the menu - I love that. Went with friends last week. One of them was pregnant and the waiter brought over a mock martini for her without her asking (she had been drinking club soda). We thought how nice until we saw the bill and he charged us for it. That I don't like but the food will keep me coming back.

[MC Slim JB]

Wow, that's a dick move on the server's part.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[twentyoystahs]

That is wrong on so many levels; I would have said something.

[postemotional1]

The server should be fired.

This is the converse of giving away drinks. The server should have ASKED "Would you like a specialty non-alcoholic drink?" I have done this on several occasions and the guests have always been pleased.

Unauthorized freebies and unrequested charges are the yin/yang of weaselry.

Yes, on this one i agree with you MC Slim JB

[omarba]

Wanted to say something but at that point, just so turned off I didn't even want to bother. Had the waiter a million times before and disliked him every time.

[Fort Point]

We also found the bartender to be obnoxious last night but this one had no hair. Food was really escellent though. Shame they seem to be having bartender issues; it is a real turn off if you like eating at the bar.

[MC Slim JB]

I don't get in often enough to be certain anymore, but my perception is that the bartending crew has been a revolving door at Union for a long time. It's a shame: in their early days, they had a couple of really solid guys that we liked enough to want to stop in at least once a week. Those days are long past.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Fort Point]

Agree with you it used to be a very stable a solid group of guys and gals. One in particular I remember was Lee; one of the original waiters there tells me Lee is now at Les Zygomates.

[MC Slim JB]

Yep, Lee was one of the stars I was alluding to. He has skipped around a bit, did some time at The Beehive, if memory serves; glad to know he's at Les Zyg.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[MC Slim JB]

New chef (hired last year) has revamped Union's menu. I mostly like it, though I preferred the original burger formulation. Prices seem to be edging back up, but that is true of practically every restaurant everywhere. I can't complain about any place in my neighborhood that switches it up once in a while: we now avoid places like Stella that haven't changed their menus in years.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[MartyF1112]

Went after a meeting last week, and got the chicken rillettes...WOW! Heaven on a plate.