The service was great, however, the food was mixed. We ordered dumplings and fried calamari to start. Both were delicious. Next we shared a number of main dishes. Each one had a very delicious sauce: duck curry- this was outstanding; eggplant-equally delicious; shrimp - over cooked; deep fried fish - over cooked, and lamb shank - over cooked. We didn't send any of the food back and perhaps in hindsight we should have let the restaurant know about the over-cooked food. If we had ordered only duck and eggplant as main dishes we would have rated the restaurant a 5, but given the overcooked food and the prices of everything we had to rate it lower.
CarolynR
The food was very good! We had the duck salad, which I really enjoyed. We also had Aceh chicken which was good but not amazing. Roti was delicious. I had the butterfly lemonade which was very different but enjoyable.
ZhexunX
The food was amazing. All the dishes were very unique, not authentic but unique. It's creative and the tastes were not something you would taste usually at home or regular restaurants. If you like Asian food and want to try something new, this is the place. If you are among for real authentic Asian food, consider your choice. The desserts are the tops. The vibe here is also very warm and cozy, quiet and chill. Service was excellent.
KatherineK
Delicious and unique food. Great service. Nice gluten free options. So nice to be able to actually be able to have a conversation and be able to hear my dinner companion. While I really like the unique options, would also like it if they had more traditional Thai options.
alicelittle
Food and drink were outstanding. For some reason, despite solicitous service from waitstaff, we waited almost 1.5 hours for our meals. Hopefully this is anomalous because the food is spectacular.
LilianH
The food is always excellent, and different from other Asian restaurants, the service is friendly and efficient - I hope the place makes a go of it. I certainly intend to help them do so.
GeKiPe
A wonderful surprise! This is a gem of a restaurant in an unassuming location. I must have passsed it by multiple times not realizing the deliciousness that I was missing. Went on a rainy Sunday night and it was quiet but still had a few tables occupied by a diverse clientele. Our party of four ordered four apps, four entrees, sides of roti and stirfried greens, and three desserts...too much, yes, but we ate every morsel and were completely stuffed and blissfully happy. The stars were: oysters, porkbelly and softshell crab apps, and eggplant, red duck curry and singapore chili beef entrees. Nothing was bad, but the snapper dumplings were a bit bland, so would skip those next time. Even the side of stirfried greens (so we could say we ordered vegetables) was flavorful enough to be a dinner. A nice touch, they offer both white and brown rice, which they serve tableside as needed so it never gets cold. Beer and wine only. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
Adam
Great ambiance and service but unfortunately this night the food was off. Dumpling starter was good but the soft shell crab and eggplant mains each had bizarre textures and were not very flavorful.
Sarah
Chalawan was a pleasant surprise. I visited for the first time with some “foodie” friends from out of town. Was initially surprised when the restaurant was very empty, and it took a while for a server to come over. The space is very nice- thoughtful but comfortable- with ample seating that's not too close together. Once we placed our orders though, the magic started! Every dish was unique and flavorful, and beautifully plated. Portion sizes were great and the dishes were very fairly priced. Our server became more attentive as the night went on and didn't rush us at all. My guests can't wait to go back. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who's looking for a great dining experience!
MilaC
The food is delicious, representing South East Asian cuisine that is hard to find. The servings - including the drinks! - were generous, the service was excellent and timely. A must-try.
Yesterday I had lunch at Clover Food at the Harvard Science Center. I was greeted by a Clover staff member (host) who said that Clover was a "guest" of Harvard. When I asked if that means Clover does not pay rent his answer was "I don't know". When I asked if Clover is on Tripadvisr his answer again was "I don't know". The staff is poorly trained. Anyway, by big gripe here is the OUTRAGEOUS prices. They charge $16.26 for a meager sandwich (two meatballs in a pita bread). I'm an adult. I feel for the students who may want to have lunch between classes and who are expected to pay exorbitant prices. Do those at Clover have no conscience? BTW, this is in advance and self service (cafeteria style).
KPET
The quality of the meats and cooking was good. Service was average. I would have preferred that entrees included some sort of vegetable—it was all meat and rice and we did not know to order sides and it was not suggested to us. We all disliked drinking out of the metal beverage cups.
Kate
This is a wonderful restaurant--it was quiet so we could have a conversation, and our food attendant was so helpful! He even filleted our crispy fish for us! All the food was spectacular. I'm coming back again and again.
KarenV
Absolutely delicious food! Starting off with a seared scallop was a great way to have an amazing mouthful and save room for the main course. Interesting spices and very different flavors in each of the four mains we tried. Desserts were also a delight, tasty and unusual- and a very nice way to extend the meal. We shared a reasonably- priced bottle of wine, and I also appreciated that there were several non-caffeinated teas. Service was prompt and attentive without being overly so. I want to return to try more apps and salads, along with reordering my favorites (beef cheeks and eggplant).
Ready2Go200
A new branch is now open in the Prudential Center betweeen the Hynes Convention Center and the Sheraton Hotel. I had the chickpea fritter and it was basically inedible. Very spicy, very burnt. (The salads which accompanied it were ok.) Also, servce was very slow even before they became busy. I assume all their branches use the same recipes.
The service was great, however, the food was mixed. We ordered dumplings and fried calamari to start. Both were delicious. Next we shared a number of main dishes. Each one had a very delicious sauce: duck curry- this was outstanding; eggplant-equally delicious; shrimp - over cooked; deep fried fish - over cooked, and lamb shank - over cooked. We didn't send any of the food back and perhaps in hindsight we should have let the restaurant know about the over-cooked food. If we had ordered only duck and eggplant as main dishes we would have rated the restaurant a 5, but given the overcooked food and the prices of everything we had to rate it lower.
The food was very good! We had the duck salad, which I really enjoyed. We also had Aceh chicken which was good but not amazing. Roti was delicious. I had the butterfly lemonade which was very different but enjoyable.
The food was amazing. All the dishes were very unique, not authentic but unique. It's creative and the tastes were not something you would taste usually at home or regular restaurants. If you like Asian food and want to try something new, this is the place. If you are among for real authentic Asian food, consider your choice. The desserts are the tops. The vibe here is also very warm and cozy, quiet and chill. Service was excellent.
Delicious and unique food. Great service. Nice gluten free options. So nice to be able to actually be able to have a conversation and be able to hear my dinner companion. While I really like the unique options, would also like it if they had more traditional Thai options.
Food and drink were outstanding. For some reason, despite solicitous service from waitstaff, we waited almost 1.5 hours for our meals. Hopefully this is anomalous because the food is spectacular.
The food is always excellent, and different from other Asian restaurants, the service is friendly and efficient - I hope the place makes a go of it. I certainly intend to help them do so.
A wonderful surprise! This is a gem of a restaurant in an unassuming location. I must have passsed it by multiple times not realizing the deliciousness that I was missing. Went on a rainy Sunday night and it was quiet but still had a few tables occupied by a diverse clientele. Our party of four ordered four apps, four entrees, sides of roti and stirfried greens, and three desserts...too much, yes, but we ate every morsel and were completely stuffed and blissfully happy. The stars were: oysters, porkbelly and softshell crab apps, and eggplant, red duck curry and singapore chili beef entrees. Nothing was bad, but the snapper dumplings were a bit bland, so would skip those next time. Even the side of stirfried greens (so we could say we ordered vegetables) was flavorful enough to be a dinner. A nice touch, they offer both white and brown rice, which they serve tableside as needed so it never gets cold. Beer and wine only. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
Great ambiance and service but unfortunately this night the food was off. Dumpling starter was good but the soft shell crab and eggplant mains each had bizarre textures and were not very flavorful.
Chalawan was a pleasant surprise. I visited for the first time with some “foodie” friends from out of town. Was initially surprised when the restaurant was very empty, and it took a while for a server to come over. The space is very nice- thoughtful but comfortable- with ample seating that's not too close together. Once we placed our orders though, the magic started! Every dish was unique and flavorful, and beautifully plated. Portion sizes were great and the dishes were very fairly priced. Our server became more attentive as the night went on and didn't rush us at all. My guests can't wait to go back. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who's looking for a great dining experience!
The food is delicious, representing South East Asian cuisine that is hard to find. The servings - including the drinks! - were generous, the service was excellent and timely. A must-try.
Restaurantji Recommends
Yesterday I had lunch at Clover Food at the Harvard Science Center. I was greeted by a Clover staff member (host) who said that Clover was a "guest" of Harvard. When I asked if that means Clover does not pay rent his answer was "I don't know". When I asked if Clover is on Tripadvisr his answer again was "I don't know". The staff is poorly trained. Anyway, by big gripe here is the OUTRAGEOUS prices. They charge $16.26 for a meager sandwich (two meatballs in a pita bread). I'm an adult. I feel for the students who may want to have lunch between classes and who are expected to pay exorbitant prices. Do those at Clover have no conscience? BTW, this is in advance and self service (cafeteria style).
The quality of the meats and cooking was good. Service was average. I would have preferred that entrees included some sort of vegetable—it was all meat and rice and we did not know to order sides and it was not suggested to us. We all disliked drinking out of the metal beverage cups.
This is a wonderful restaurant--it was quiet so we could have a conversation, and our food attendant was so helpful! He even filleted our crispy fish for us! All the food was spectacular. I'm coming back again and again.
Absolutely delicious food! Starting off with a seared scallop was a great way to have an amazing mouthful and save room for the main course. Interesting spices and very different flavors in each of the four mains we tried. Desserts were also a delight, tasty and unusual- and a very nice way to extend the meal. We shared a reasonably- priced bottle of wine, and I also appreciated that there were several non-caffeinated teas. Service was prompt and attentive without being overly so. I want to return to try more apps and salads, along with reordering my favorites (beef cheeks and eggplant).
A new branch is now open in the Prudential Center betweeen the Hynes Convention Center and the Sheraton Hotel. I had the chickpea fritter and it was basically inedible. Very spicy, very burnt. (The salads which accompanied it were ok.) Also, servce was very slow even before they became busy. I assume all their branches use the same recipes.