First time experience was great, service was on point, food was delicious, and will plan on coming again in the near future!
Denis
Were very happy to get back to Alcove and celebrate our anniversary. Celebrated our wedding with them 5 years ago and today the food, service and ambiance are just as good!
Cat
First let me tell you- the drinks were unique and delicious! Try the Milk Punch. We had the Branzino, Pannela salad, dumplings and smoked pate. It was all so delicious! The bartender was attentive. And bonus - we could hear ourselves talking at the busy bar! Highly recommend!
Ariel
Alcove was tasty and surprisingly affordable, especially when ordering main plates. Service was timely and very smooth. The interior and exterior are nicely set up with large tables
Courtney
They forgot to make my meal and brought me the wrong drink and I did not receive my food or drink until everyone else in my party had finished.
Dan
Mixed bag. I had the prix fixe dinner (spinach salad, steak fries, curros) which was very good and reasonably priced. My wife ordered scallops and the potatoes from the small bites menu and they were at best so-so with the scallops overwhelmed by other items not mentioned in the menu description. Service was very helpful but it took 45+ minutes between our salad and our next course on a slow Sunday night. Wine list is excellent with prices to match. Outdoor seating has a great view of the water and bridges - with some noise from one bridge.
Marilyn
Food: some fun and different selections; Service: attentive without being obtrusive; Noise: pleasant chatting without loudness; All in all, a great place to enjoy lunch with friends and family!
Margot
A thoroughly enjoyable evening. We were clearly not in a rush and our server was very respectful of that. The cocktails and food were quite good.
Brad Franklin
Restaurant looked nice, food looked decent, but the hostess was incredibly rude and condescending. We turned and walked out - this isn't French Laundry...
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Anna
They were severely understaffed before an event at the garden. Our drinks took 1hr to arrive and we had to leave before we received our final small plate (which we had already paid for).
They were knowingly were understaffed and still filled the restaurant. The food took forever and our server had over 10 tables on his own. Management never came over to apologize. It's like they were totally fine with the crappy situation they created. The server handled it well, but it took forever for our food. EVERY table was frustrated.
Catherine
I don't think I have ever wrote a review on these platforms as I've worked in the restaurant industry myself and always try to be understanding, but last night was a complete disaster from start to finish I needed to let this out. We had a 4:45 outdoor dining reservation. When we arrived 15 minutes early (at 4:30), we were met by a hostess who seemed really put off by our presence. I asked if we could be seated at one of the many empty tables with an umbrella. She condescendingly replied, "Well I can try, but the sun rotates, dear," before seating us at a completely unshaded table nowhere near any umbrella. When I asked if we could have a table with an umbrella, she told me, "Why don't you just pick a table that you want, dear? Her patronizing attitude and unprofessional use of "dear" were completely uncalled for. The service was also really bad. Being small plates, we stated that we wanted to order some items, and then some more after we ate the first round. We waited and waited for our food. The entire outdoor patio was in a similar state—tables were waiting for drinks and food, and it was clear the kitchen and waitstaff were overwhelmed. After waiting 45 minutes for a second round of food we'd ordered, we had to get the attention of a table cleaner to explain that we could wait no longer and needed to leave. The waiter apologized and comped our nonalcohol beverages. We left at 6:25, about 2 hours after we arrived, hungry. Also, I used the bathroom. There was no soap. It was really odd - especially since the website promotes the restaurant as a quick pre-show dining option for TD Garden attendees. (PS I am 50 years old. Don't call me dear.)
M Moloney
The beautiful weather and patio setting made up for the lack of service due to understaffing. Was hoping the food would be fantastic but the monkfish was hard and fish and chips bad. If going for drinks to enjoy the view a great place to just sit and sip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fabio Arruda
Absolutely Horrific Experience – Management Is a Disgrace
I cannot overstate how awful my experience was at Alcove in Boston’s West End. I’ve dined in countless restaurants around the world, and yet what happened here was the single most disrespectful and humiliating encounter I have ever endured.
The source of the problem? The so-called manager/host, Alicia Bowman. At 3:30 pm, I was seated in the outdoor section. The area was calm and mostly empty. After finishing lunch, we decided to order another round of drinks. We had just received them when Alicia suddenly appeared — no introduction, no courtesy — and announced that our table was “reserved for 4:00 pm.” Fine, that’s understandable. What’s not understandable is the way she chose to handle it.
She approached with a hostile expression and, in the coldest, rudest tone imaginable, told us we had to leave. Not “Would you mind?” or “Let me explain,” but an outright command, as if we were an inconvenience she needed gone.
When I calmly pointed out that her manner was unnecessarily rude, she escalated. She raised her voice, argued with us loudly in front of other guests, snatched our drinks off the table mid-conversation, and barked, “Leave!” like we were trespassing. The arrogance, lack of professionalism, and disregard for basic customer dignity were staggering.
This wasn’t a small lapse in service — it was a complete collapse of hospitality and leadership. Alicia Bowman didn’t manage a situation; she created a public scene and humiliated paying customers.
I have never left a restaurant feeling so insulted and unwelcome. Alcove should be ashamed to have someone like this representing them. Until there is a serious change in management, I strongly advise anyone who values respect and common decency to avoid Alcove at all costs.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Suleiman Malikeh
Unbelievably Rude and Unprofessional Management – Worst Experience Ever
I have traveled extensively and lived in many countries, but I have never experienced such shocking disrespect from restaurant management as I did at Alcove in Boston’s West End. My recent visit was absolutely appalling, entirely due to the behavior of the host/manager, Alicia Bowman.
At 3:30 pm, my companion and I were seated in the outdoor area. The space was mostly empty, but apparently reserved for 4:00 pm. Instead of approaching us politely to explain, Alicia came over abruptly, without so much as an introduction, and ordered us to leave. Her tone was cold, rude, and unnecessarily aggressive.
When we calmly mentioned that her manner was uncalled for, she escalated the situation — raising her voice, arguing with us in front of other customers, and physically grabbing our drinks off the table before bluntly saying, “Leave,” in the most disrespectful way possible. This was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable had she shown basic courtesy or management skill.
This wasn’t a misunderstanding about the reservation. The real problem was her inability to handle a simple situation without hostility. A restaurant manager is supposed to de-escalate issues, not inflame them — and certainly not embarrass paying guests in front of a crowd.
Alicia Bowman’s behavior was, without exaggeration, the worst I have ever encountered in the hospitality industry. If Alcove cares about its reputation, I strongly suggest they address this immediately. Until then, I will not return, and I cannot recommend this place to anyone who values respect and professionalism.
First time experience was great, service was on point, food was delicious, and will plan on coming again in the near future!
Were very happy to get back to Alcove and celebrate our anniversary. Celebrated our wedding with them 5 years ago and today the food, service and ambiance are just as good!
First let me tell you- the drinks were unique and delicious! Try the Milk Punch. We had the Branzino, Pannela salad, dumplings and smoked pate. It was all so delicious! The bartender was attentive. And bonus - we could hear ourselves talking at the busy bar! Highly recommend!
Alcove was tasty and surprisingly affordable, especially when ordering main plates. Service was timely and very smooth. The interior and exterior are nicely set up with large tables
They forgot to make my meal and brought me the wrong drink and I did not receive my food or drink until everyone else in my party had finished.
Mixed bag. I had the prix fixe dinner (spinach salad, steak fries, curros) which was very good and reasonably priced. My wife ordered scallops and the potatoes from the small bites menu and they were at best so-so with the scallops overwhelmed by other items not mentioned in the menu description. Service was very helpful but it took 45+ minutes between our salad and our next course on a slow Sunday night. Wine list is excellent with prices to match. Outdoor seating has a great view of the water and bridges - with some noise from one bridge.
Food: some fun and different selections; Service: attentive without being obtrusive; Noise: pleasant chatting without loudness; All in all, a great place to enjoy lunch with friends and family!
A thoroughly enjoyable evening. We were clearly not in a rush and our server was very respectful of that. The cocktails and food were quite good.
Restaurant looked nice, food looked decent, but the hostess was incredibly rude and condescending. We turned and walked out - this isn't French Laundry...
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
They were severely understaffed before an event at the garden. Our drinks took 1hr to arrive and we had to leave before we received our final small plate (which we had already paid for).
Restaurantji Recommends
They were knowingly were understaffed and still filled the restaurant. The food took forever and our server had over 10 tables on his own. Management never came over to apologize. It's like they were totally fine with the crappy situation they created. The server handled it well, but it took forever for our food. EVERY table was frustrated.
I don't think I have ever wrote a review on these platforms as I've worked in the restaurant industry myself and always try to be understanding, but last night was a complete disaster from start to finish I needed to let this out. We had a 4:45 outdoor dining reservation. When we arrived 15 minutes early (at 4:30), we were met by a hostess who seemed really put off by our presence. I asked if we could be seated at one of the many empty tables with an umbrella. She condescendingly replied, "Well I can try, but the sun rotates, dear," before seating us at a completely unshaded table nowhere near any umbrella. When I asked if we could have a table with an umbrella, she told me, "Why don't you just pick a table that you want, dear? Her patronizing attitude and unprofessional use of "dear" were completely uncalled for. The service was also really bad. Being small plates, we stated that we wanted to order some items, and then some more after we ate the first round. We waited and waited for our food. The entire outdoor patio was in a similar state—tables were waiting for drinks and food, and it was clear the kitchen and waitstaff were overwhelmed. After waiting 45 minutes for a second round of food we'd ordered, we had to get the attention of a table cleaner to explain that we could wait no longer and needed to leave. The waiter apologized and comped our nonalcohol beverages. We left at 6:25, about 2 hours after we arrived, hungry. Also, I used the bathroom. There was no soap. It was really odd - especially since the website promotes the restaurant as a quick pre-show dining option for TD Garden attendees. (PS I am 50 years old. Don't call me dear.)
The beautiful weather and patio setting made up for the lack of service due to understaffing. Was hoping the food would be fantastic but the monkfish was hard and fish and chips bad. If going for drinks to enjoy the view a great place to just sit and sip.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely Horrific Experience – Management Is a Disgrace
I cannot overstate how awful my experience was at Alcove in Boston’s West End. I’ve dined in countless restaurants around the world, and yet what happened here was the single most disrespectful and humiliating encounter I have ever endured.
The source of the problem? The so-called manager/host, Alicia Bowman. At 3:30 pm, I was seated in the outdoor section. The area was calm and mostly empty. After finishing lunch, we decided to order another round of drinks. We had just received them when Alicia suddenly appeared — no introduction, no courtesy — and announced that our table was “reserved for 4:00 pm.” Fine, that’s understandable. What’s not understandable is the way she chose to handle it.
She approached with a hostile expression and, in the coldest, rudest tone imaginable, told us we had to leave. Not “Would you mind?” or “Let me explain,” but an outright command, as if we were an inconvenience she needed gone.
When I calmly pointed out that her manner was unnecessarily rude, she escalated. She raised her voice, argued with us loudly in front of other guests, snatched our drinks off the table mid-conversation, and barked, “Leave!” like we were trespassing. The arrogance, lack of professionalism, and disregard for basic customer dignity were staggering.
This wasn’t a small lapse in service — it was a complete collapse of hospitality and leadership. Alicia Bowman didn’t manage a situation; she created a public scene and humiliated paying customers.
I have never left a restaurant feeling so insulted and unwelcome. Alcove should be ashamed to have someone like this representing them. Until there is a serious change in management, I strongly advise anyone who values respect and common decency to avoid Alcove at all costs.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Unbelievably Rude and Unprofessional Management – Worst Experience Ever
I have traveled extensively and lived in many countries, but I have never experienced such shocking disrespect from restaurant management as I did at Alcove in Boston’s West End. My recent visit was absolutely appalling, entirely due to the behavior of the host/manager, Alicia Bowman.
At 3:30 pm, my companion and I were seated in the outdoor area. The space was mostly empty, but apparently reserved for 4:00 pm. Instead of approaching us politely to explain, Alicia came over abruptly, without so much as an introduction, and ordered us to leave. Her tone was cold, rude, and unnecessarily aggressive.
When we calmly mentioned that her manner was uncalled for, she escalated the situation — raising her voice, arguing with us in front of other customers, and physically grabbing our drinks off the table before bluntly saying, “Leave,” in the most disrespectful way possible. This was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable had she shown basic courtesy or management skill.
This wasn’t a misunderstanding about the reservation. The real problem was her inability to handle a simple situation without hostility. A restaurant manager is supposed to de-escalate issues, not inflame them — and certainly not embarrass paying guests in front of a crowd.
Alicia Bowman’s behavior was, without exaggeration, the worst I have ever encountered in the hospitality industry. If Alcove cares about its reputation, I strongly suggest they address this immediately. Until then, I will not return, and I cannot recommend this place to anyone who values respect and professionalism.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Loading...