Eating Out: Harvard Gardens

Near neither Harvard, nor a garden, Harvard Gardens boasts a great singles scene and a warm romantic candlelit atmosphere. Located off the Charles MGH T-stop this Beacon Hill location is right outside of the Mass General Hospital.

As a note, the Harvard Gardens' website is a tad bit disorganized. The directions page is blank, save for a MapQuest map. The menu page has navigation buttons only, an included the purported "Nightly Specials" page filled with delicious descriptions of which none were available when Bostonist went. Bostonist found its appeal to be for the richer beacon hill scene.

The inside is a long space divided into two sections. The bar is plain solid wood with high two-top seating. The dining room, on the other side of the bar seating, splashed elegance with white booths and an orange colored lamp overhead. There is lots of soft candle light aglow.

Bostonist began our meal with their Spinach and Artichoke dip. Very well made the dip was dotted with small tomato chunks on top, parmesan cheese was sprinkled over their homemade tortilla chips. Ordering a fruity sangria also hit the spot, a surprising pricetag of $7.50 a glass was less than Bostonist expected after casing the location and decor. Two entree's were ordered this visit: plump garlic chicken served over a heaping mound of garlic mashed potatoes, and a "hanger steak" cooked at a cool medium rare served with green beans wrapped by carrots and spinach, and served with a bundle of deliciously crisp onion strings.

The presentation of the meal was phenomenal as well as the sides, which were perhaps the highlight. The meat was good but Bostonist expected more from the chef, especially with such an expensive price tag. The desert menu offered was sparce so we just opted for drinking elsewhere. The atmosphere seemed casual and people were enjoying themselves including a blind date that was going very well for one couple. The crowd was upbeat, but Bostonist felt eyes upon us as we were easily the youngest in the restaurant. Harvard Gardens was a good meal at a expensive price. In Beacon Hill, we wouldn't expect any less.

Bostonist gives Harvard Gardens three and half hats out of five

This review by Matthew Nelson