Bootleg Special is another restaurant I had attended over the years going since pre-Covid times. It has never failed to impress and they are consistently changing their menu for the better. The pictures listed are from both their dinner and brunch menu.
The restaurant itself is a wonderful location to bring a date or come to when it may be a rainy day due to its low lit and calm ambience. They have performances occasionally which adds a sophisticated and soothing charm to its atmosphere.
The brunch is my absolute favorite. Bootleg Special is renowned for their southern cuisine but my favorite dish to get is their souffle pancakes. They used to have chocolate hazelnut and banana foster, but have switched those flavors for macha coconut and apple streusel ones (The apple streusel is delicious and would recommend). They have kept their strawberry and creme pancakes which come with creme fraiche and two sauces to pair with. The softness and the sweetness of the pancakes are so decadent its almost like eating clouds. The bread pudding was a group favorite with the sauce having a hint of some sort of rum flavoring with a soft interior and perfectly crusted exterior for the bread. The sweetness was paired with savory dishes of shrimp and grits and the three little pigs. The shrimp and grits were packed with flavor. The grits were the right level of buttery and salty balanced by the green and the shrimp which paired oh so excellently. The 3 little pigs had fatty and not too crispy bacons, a slightly sweet breakfast sausage patty and sausage that was oozing with juice once it was cut through. While some people may prefer the seafood dinner, brunch is personally my favorite meal of the day.
The dinner items listed below are consisted of the Po' boy sandwich, chili crab pasta, vodka cajun chicken, the NOLA shrimp etoufee and the garlic noodles. Not listed is the dessert tower that is highly recommended to eat after Bootleg specials salty and savory dinner items. While the group was a fan of all the food items, the garlic noodles stood out the most and is an items myself or friends have purchased on multiple occasions both with an without shrimp. Seafood is expected to be expensive, but the only option out of the ones listed that were slightly underwhelming was the chili crab pasta. The price did not seem worth it compared to the flavor compared to the etoufee, garlic noodles, and vodka cajun chicken.
While drinks were not purchased on these occasions, I have purchased drinks here and definitely recommend them. They have quite a few drinks they do well such as their Negroni, espresso martini, lychee martini and other cocktails.
If you love brunch options, I cannot highly recommend enough bootleg special. If you're a big seafood fanatic, have a go at it as well whether it be lunch, brunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rheji Freeman
The food was AMAZING was in Boston for vacation from CT I love this restaurant it's definitely a 10/10 music good drinks good service was amazing and the gumbo is excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aznii Martin
I loved the atmosphere and the location was very patient and accommodating to my large party but we did not enjoy the food especially the fried rice. Maybe we just ordered the wrong items off the menu and next time we should just get seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Zach Ruszala Red 5 Recordings
Fantastic creative food! The menu brought us here and was way better than we expected. Just absolutely delicious! Service was prompt and very nice and the man seating us was very friendly. Highly recommend this place and we’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cajun Fried Rice, Garlic Noodles with Shrimp
Anna Ginelli
Unassuming on outside, but I really enjoyed this place! Tried the squid ink fried rice, something I’ve never heard of before, and I really really liked it. The atmosphere is cool and has some inflections of New Orleans culture in the decor. Lots of authentic dishes, probably the closest to creole you’ll get in Boston.
Leann Cirignano
First impression: The host welcomed us right on in! Ambience is amazing- like a portal out of Boston.
Our waitress Chantel was super helpful and nice. We cannot wait to return.
Everything we ate was great. We tried the Hanover fried rice, strawberry soufflé pancakes, and a side of bacon. As fellow restaurant workers we wish they offered brunch during the week too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Sinopoli
Had my first visit to Bootleg Special last night and it did not disappoint. Every aspect of the meal, from the creative drinks to the delicious appetizers to the fantastic main course was outstanding. Our server, Alex, was attentive and very pleasant. And last, but certainly not least, the beignets after dinner were spectacular. Looking forward to my next visit!
Martin Jahn
Great place. The food is delicious and so are the cocktails. Staff is wonderful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shanley
Drinks and food were absolutely amazing. Service was great, and super quick!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie L
I was excited to try this highly-rated Cajun seafood spot, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
We started with the Easy Street Corn, which turned out to be a messy affair, heavily drenched in mayo, cheese, and chili--way too much for my taste. The garlic fries, while crispy, were just skinny fries with a dollop of minced garlic and parsley sauce in the middle, nothing special.
For the main dish, we ordered the Bootleg Special, a large seafood boil with Cajun fried rice on the side. It was on the pricey side, and I didn't care for the signature Bootleg sauce--it just didn't stand out and felt rather bland to me.
Food is amazing but can no longer order certain things sad at the change in menus on delivery apps
Food: 5
Jenuine Correia
The atmosphere is like nothing I've ever experienced at a restaurant of this class. The decor is so cool & unique. Our waitress Chantelle was perfection. She rolled with my boyfriend's quips & even had some hilarious responses! The food was incredible! The scallops were the best I've ever had, and I'm from Boston & Quincy Ma where we have some amazing ones! The beef garlic pasta was unbelievable. The wings were amazing. They make amazing cocktails. I had a REAL margarita! Great pour! Hard to find a place without a mix... I really want to go back already! the prices are amazing!!!
Jasmine
Went solo during brunch and enjoyed my first time here! My waitress was lovely. I would agree with the reviews that describe this place as a speakeasy, underground, hidden gem. The ambience and adornments are really nice. Nice place for a date or a gals brunch. I’d like to come back to try more!
The lobster clam chowder was served in a cone-shaped pastry and the serving was small, but it was good! I also tried the soufflé strawberry pancakes and those were good, but not for me. I think the menus could do a better job describing the dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Salokya Sarira
Went here for brunch and got the Original Soufflé Pancakes, Garlic Noodles, and Blueberry Brioche Bread Pudding. The Soufflé Pancakes were very disappointing as they were misshapen and weren’t that fluffy. The condensed milk syrup was a nice touch tho. The garlic noodles tasted way too buttery, but the noodles were cooked very well. However, the blueberry brioche bread pudding was the highlight. I loved the crispy edges! My only minor gripe is that the blueberries were just sprinkled on top and they didn’t really enhance the dessert. I wish they had incorporated the blueberries into the dish in a better way (as a filling, compote, etc). It’s an amazing atmosphere tho! Very moody and elegant
Bootleg Special is another restaurant I had attended over the years going since pre-Covid times. It has never failed to impress and they are consistently changing their menu for the better.
The pictures listed are from both their dinner and brunch menu.
The restaurant itself is a wonderful location to bring a date or come to when it may be a rainy day due to its low lit and calm ambience. They have performances occasionally which adds a sophisticated and soothing charm to its atmosphere.
The brunch is my absolute favorite. Bootleg Special is renowned for their southern cuisine but my favorite dish to get is their souffle pancakes. They used to have chocolate hazelnut and banana foster, but have switched those flavors for macha coconut and apple streusel ones (The apple streusel is delicious and would recommend). They have kept their strawberry and creme pancakes which come with creme fraiche and two sauces to pair with. The softness and the sweetness of the pancakes are so decadent its almost like eating clouds. The bread pudding was a group favorite with the sauce having a hint of some sort of rum flavoring with a soft interior and perfectly crusted exterior for the bread. The sweetness was paired with savory dishes of shrimp and grits and the three little pigs. The shrimp and grits were packed with flavor. The grits were the right level of buttery and salty balanced by the green and the shrimp which paired oh so excellently. The 3 little pigs had fatty and not too crispy bacons, a slightly sweet breakfast sausage patty and sausage that was oozing with juice once it was cut through. While some people may prefer the seafood dinner, brunch is personally my favorite meal of the day.
The dinner items listed below are consisted of the Po' boy sandwich, chili crab pasta, vodka cajun chicken, the NOLA shrimp etoufee and the garlic noodles. Not listed is the dessert tower that is highly recommended to eat after Bootleg specials salty and savory dinner items. While the group was a fan of all the food items, the garlic noodles stood out the most and is an items myself or friends have purchased on multiple occasions both with an without shrimp. Seafood is expected to be expensive, but the only option out of the ones listed that were slightly underwhelming was the chili crab pasta. The price did not seem worth it compared to the flavor compared to the etoufee, garlic noodles, and vodka cajun chicken.
While drinks were not purchased on these occasions, I have purchased drinks here and definitely recommend them. They have quite a few drinks they do well such as their Negroni, espresso martini, lychee martini and other cocktails.
If you love brunch options, I cannot highly recommend enough bootleg special. If you're a big seafood fanatic, have a go at it as well whether it be lunch, brunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was AMAZING was in Boston for vacation from CT I love this restaurant it's definitely a 10/10 music good drinks good service was amazing and the gumbo is excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved the atmosphere and the location was very patient and accommodating to my large party but we did not enjoy the food especially the fried rice. Maybe we just ordered the wrong items off the menu and next time we should just get seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Fantastic creative food! The menu brought us here and was way better than we expected. Just absolutely delicious! Service was prompt and very nice and the man seating us was very friendly. Highly recommend this place and we’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cajun Fried Rice, Garlic Noodles with Shrimp
Unassuming on outside, but I really enjoyed this place! Tried the squid ink fried rice, something I’ve never heard of before, and I really really liked it. The atmosphere is cool and has some inflections of New Orleans culture in the decor. Lots of authentic dishes, probably the closest to creole you’ll get in Boston.
First impression: The host welcomed us right on in! Ambience is amazing- like a portal out of Boston.
Our waitress Chantel was super helpful and nice. We cannot wait to return.
Everything we ate was great. We tried the Hanover fried rice, strawberry soufflé pancakes, and a side of bacon. As fellow restaurant workers we wish they offered brunch during the week too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had my first visit to Bootleg Special last night and it did not disappoint. Every aspect of the meal, from the creative drinks to the delicious appetizers to the fantastic main course was outstanding. Our server, Alex, was attentive and very pleasant. And last, but certainly not least, the beignets after dinner were spectacular. Looking forward to my next visit!
Great place. The food is delicious and so are the cocktails. Staff is wonderful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drinks and food were absolutely amazing. Service was great, and super quick!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was excited to try this highly-rated Cajun seafood spot, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
We started with the Easy Street Corn, which turned out to be a messy affair, heavily drenched in mayo, cheese, and chili--way too much for my taste. The garlic fries, while crispy, were just skinny fries with a dollop of minced garlic and parsley sauce in the middle, nothing special.
For the main dish, we ordered the Bootleg Special, a large seafood boil with Cajun fried rice on the side. It was on the pricey side, and I didn't care for the signature Bootleg sauce--it just didn't stand out and felt rather bland to me.
Overall, I don't think I'd return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Love it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is amazing but can no longer order certain things sad at the change in menus on delivery apps
Food: 5
The atmosphere is like nothing I've ever experienced at a restaurant of this class. The decor is so cool & unique. Our waitress Chantelle was perfection. She rolled with my boyfriend's quips & even had some hilarious responses! The food was incredible! The scallops were the best I've ever had, and I'm from Boston & Quincy Ma where we have some amazing ones! The beef garlic pasta was unbelievable. The wings were amazing. They make amazing cocktails. I had a REAL margarita! Great pour! Hard to find a place without a mix... I really want to go back already! the prices are amazing!!!
Went solo during brunch and enjoyed my first time here! My waitress was lovely. I would agree with the reviews that describe this place as a speakeasy, underground, hidden gem. The ambience and adornments are really nice. Nice place for a date or a gals brunch. I’d like to come back to try more!
The lobster clam chowder was served in a cone-shaped pastry and the serving was small, but it was good! I also tried the soufflé strawberry pancakes and those were good, but not for me. I think the menus could do a better job describing the dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Went here for brunch and got the Original Soufflé Pancakes, Garlic Noodles, and Blueberry Brioche Bread Pudding. The Soufflé Pancakes were very disappointing as they were misshapen and weren’t that fluffy. The condensed milk syrup was a nice touch tho. The garlic noodles tasted way too buttery, but the noodles were cooked very well. However, the blueberry brioche bread pudding was the highlight. I loved the crispy edges! My only minor gripe is that the blueberries were just sprinkled on top and they didn’t really enhance the dessert. I wish they had incorporated the blueberries into the dish in a better way (as a filling, compote, etc).
It’s an amazing atmosphere tho! Very moody and elegant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Loading...