Woodward

1. Utensils should arrive before the first course, not after. 2. When a bourbon has something floating in it, that cannot be good. 3. Side dishes should arrive at the same time as the dish they’re on the side of, not after you’ve finished it.

Came here on a Saturday evening for a friends birthday, a good spot to get together early as it was shoulder to shoulder later in the evening and very loud.
When entering the valet/​door staff was very nice as I was unsure where to enter, etc. The hostess was sweet as I showed up early and it was just me and the birthday girl! We checked our coats and throughout the evening when we went out to meet others she grabbed them for us in a timely manner.
The staff was great with helping us setup the birthday area, the long table to the side of the bar. The staff wait staff was great with drink orders and even made some great cocktail recommendations as I always like to try something new. We had a party of 25 roughly and fit the venue great, the appetizers were nice and the staff took care of lighting and serving the cake perfectly. The place got loud around 10, when the cake was cut and the cake fight began between one or two of the attendees. The staff gave us extra napkins and let them know that the restrooms are located upstairs which is awkward, but manageable.
Overall the prices are average for that area of town, great cocktails, and there are TVs at the bar if the guys want to watch the game. A great place for drinks after work, a night on the town, or to celebrate a birthday.

Nestled in the heart of the financial district, Faneuil Hall and Downtown Crossing, Woodward is the perfect after work bar with its glitzy interiors, well-​to-​do financial types clientele, and loads of eye candy, despite being a «hotel bar» housed in the Ames Hotel at the Washington Street Mall.
The food here is rich and decadent, with duck confit flatbread, and affordable and creamy delicious mac and cheese. Cocktails and wine are what you come for… they only have a couple beers on tap. Behind the bar, Isabella slings said cocktails expertly with a big, beaming smile on her beautiful face while catching up with her regulars and training the newer bartenders on how tips and tricks on how to make the perfect drink. Her enthusiasm for everything is infectious, and she truly remembers everyone’s name and what they drink.

Came in Friday and have to say that I wish the kitchen could back up the front of the house. Matt provided excellent service, but the food was average (meh burger and somehow the seared scallop cassoulet was too salty). May be worth trying since I think the kitchen is hit or miss.

Came here for BOSTON’S FASHION WEEK…
STAFF: Hostess was clueless & aloof.
We asked where the advertised party was,
as the bar behind her was EMPTY, she shrugged
her shoulders and pointed into space, saying «that’s it.»
We left and came back to a fuller bar, but no «party.»
We asked her, again, if there was another space… NO.
DRINKS: The drinks were fine, and
the bartenders were cute and attentive.
Finally, two fun gay guys bounced down the back stairs.
They complimented my clothes, and told me to come upstairs…
where the «Fashion Week Party» was actually happening!
After we found the fun, the people watching & picture taking began…
THE DEAL: Don’t depend on others. Find your own way.
There is no excuse for a bad night. Make your own fun.

Came here for some late night drinks. It’s a cozy little bar, and we sat right up by the counter. Our bartender was Isabella, and she was absolutely wonderful throughout our stay. She gave me some pointers when I asked questions about being a bartender (I’ve been considering it as a part-​time gig), and was able to hold a conversation. She also cracked a few jokes as well!
I got some wine, and it wasn’t one of those «I’ll fill your glass a quarter of the way and charge you an arm and a leg for it» deal, I actually got a pretty generous glass for the price that was paid. Also tried their Pickle Back shot, though they used bread and butter juice with it… ick!
The service was great, and it had a nice ambiance to it. Definitely recommend it!

We sat down, we ordered, and the food arrived pretty quickly thereafter. Between the two of us gals, we made short work of two appetizers and one dessert and found ourselves content with our evening’s repast.
The two appetizers we selected could be considered signature menu items, according to our server, as they have been available at Woodward since its inception.
Short rib tortellini with Madeira and truffle butter $ 16 arrived as 5 thin skinned tender tortellini filled with a dollop of tender short rib and served draped with a yummy sauce that I longingly wished for some bread with which to finish it off. I found these to be an entirely different species from the thick skinned braised beef dumplings I had tasted at the Mei Mei Street Kitchen food truck earlier in the year.
The Duck confit with goat cheese and dried cranberries flat bread $ 19 was surprisingly large. The cracker thin crust sprawled across the serving plate was topped generously with mozzarella cheese and the other stated toppings, and cut into six pieces.
Both selections were well received and enjoyably consumed. But as we managed to find some excess space in our tummies, we decided to split a dessert. The Almond butterscotch bread pudding with bourbon peach sauce and vanilla ice cream $ 9 caught our eye, and indeed it was a good choice. Ah, the fragrance of caramel that wafted through the air… The portion was acceptable and the peach cooked in the bourbon sauce was sliced in wedges, which hinted at a generous hand in the kitchen.
Prices posted here for the two appetizers were obtained from
Okay, menu prices might be considered a bit high here (as a reference point, consider that Mistral’s most expensive brunch time 12 inch grilled thin crust pizza — Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraiche, Whipped Potatoes & Scallion — is $ 15), but with a Savored reservation’s 40% discount to help take the edge off, it was most definitely worth a trip to taste these dishes. And there was none of that awkward confusion with the bill on this visit.
Woodward is located in the Ames hotel on the Government Center Plaza. It is mainly a bar with a good amount of table space, and has a patio carved out on the Plaza. The facilities (aka bathroom) are out in the hotel, up on the 2^nd floor.

I have been here on dates a few times during the week and it is a good place for drinks and having a quick bite. I am not sure about the entrees as I have heard negative things. The setting is really nice and classy.
The nightlife aspect on the weekends can be really fun with a DJ and sometimes its a good young crowd. Its hit or miss though. It can be really packed or dead.
Overall, a good place to checkout with a date or some friends on the weekend.

Updated review for their patio dining. Have to say I’ve walked past many a time and finally sat outside! There can be a bit of a wait for a patio table but it was just long enough to finish a round of drinks inside at the bar.
Charcuterie was well presented and well-​executed although I have had better (hello, Sel de la Terre). Drink pricing as usual is a little overpriced ($ 14 for a glass of chardonnay, and similar if you go for a cocktail) but the glorious outdoor ambiance makes up for it. Picture-​worthy.
Would definitely stop by before the Boston weather stops being perfect!

Man must have a good first-​date bar, where service is predictably good and food is always superb. The bar rocks too, with skilled bartenders lacking any «attitude.» This is my place.
If I really want to talk with a chick, I make reservations on an un-​crowded Tuesday or Wednesday evening.
(start war story) During one such visit, our waitress was new, wanting to make a good impression and very bubbly. When she left, my ‘dang head was snapped-​off for not realizing she was «flirting» with me (she wasn’t). There’s a lesson to be had (somewhere) in this, but I digress. (end war story)
Woodward definitely has after-​work ambiance too. Sometimes I just chill at the bar, other times I’ve found good people to talk with.
Woodward can be a little hard to find. There’s no prominent signage! So, if you’re meeting someone there, have them Google it first.

I’m glad I was finally able to go here. Solid 4-​star rating all around. EXCELLENT cocktails, GREAT food, don’t care for the seating, but the service was spot-​on and the ambiance is all right by me.
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We were here last night, a Wednesday, for dinner. It was dead here but this was right after work. We had reservations but they weren’t for another hour. The hostess was OK with that and seated us immediately. Our waiter, Nick, was excellent. He told us the specials, I said we’d be having some drinks first then food and he was totally happy with that.
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Drinks: Their «Saint Sidecar» is easily my favorite take on my favorite cocktail to date. It’s stunningly good. I highly recommend this one. My friend had the «Bold Fashioned» which has white whiskey — unique and excellent. We each had second of each drink then ordered food.
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Seating: I wasn’t thrilled with the seating arrangement. Where we sat, it’s your typical crowded Boston seating with a long bench seat on one side, several small tables, then small chairs along the other end. So, you have «company» when other diners sit right next to you — I can’t stand that. The noise level was REALLY LOUD once the place filled up. I blame their shabby-​chic tiled floor.
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Food: We got the bone marrow dish to start. One reviewer here said the «smell hits you before the dish reaches the table» and folks this is 100% true! That was pretty amazing — super fragrant and nicely presented. It’s a piece of bone cut lengthwise and filled with marrow. 3 cracker-​chips are served with it for dipping. Tastewise? Pass. It smelled better than it tasted and the cracker-​chip things were extremely salty and I didn’t quite get this dish.
Dinner: I had the «brick chicken». I’ve noticed a lot of places rediscovering this method of cooking. It was good, but for the price, don’t get chicken. Go for the:
LAMB. The lamb was «unspeakably good». It was utterly divine. If you go here GET THE LAMB. It’s this 2 inch thick piece of lamb awesomeness. Hands down the best lamb dish I’ve ever tried. BRAVO Woodward!!!
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Desert! We had room, why not? Another drink for each, We got the Brownie Sundae thing with the peanut butter ice cream. EXCELLENT. The fat brownie was surprisingly light and airy but decadent at the same time. Really a great desert and a wonderful end to the meal.
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I had read here that the portions were family-​style, etc, but I did not find that to be the case at all. The food is that ultra-​flavorful, somewhat small portions thing going on — the kind that leaves room for desert which is a good thing in places like this.
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EXPENSIVE! Bill came to $ 160. 3 Drinks, app, dinners, desert. But was it worth it? Yes. That lamb was amazing and the cocktails are better than that foolhardy «Drink» over on Congress street.
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It’s a small place, and I wasn’t too keen on the seating, but — the food and our awesome waiter really were the stars of the show here. So, I recommend giving it a shot, if you have the money!

I have been to the Woodward at the Ames now for a number of group and intimate dinners, as well as bar events. With it’s more upscale persona and environment, I have found that the ambiance, service, and food choices at the Woodward have always met my wishes.
In terms of the entrees, one must go to Woodward understanding the the entrees and appetizers are meant to be shared. Many of the portions are quite large and would be more than enough for two people. Of the dishes I have had at this venue, I have found the short rib tortellini, the Caesar salad and the seasonal risottos to be the best. Although the tortellini is definitely enough for one person, I would recommend using it as a starter and splitting amongst 2 people. The Caesar salad is also quite the hefty portion, but you should note that it is a large uncut piece of arugula vs a chopped presentation. The risotto has also been quite good every time I have ordered this dish. With a rotating seasonal menu, you are kept guessing at the new fare. It is a very heavy dish and can be either split between 2 – 3 people or used as a heaping entrée for one.
On other occasions, I have also tried the Steak tartar with pickled beets and fried quail egg as well as the Roasted sirloin with seared mushrooms, watercress and roasted marrow butter. Both were good, but nothing to write home about as compared to other venues in the area.
With regard to the cocktail selection, the Woodward does boast some excellent mixologists who are always willing and able to create some new beverage of choice. And although their wine selection is not the greatest, they do offer wines by both the bottle and the glass.
On random occasions, I have also attended the bar competitions that take place on the second floor of the Woodward. I would definitely recommend checking out special events here as the second floor space is large, spread out, well decorated and quite accommodating to larger crowds. The fact that it is distinctly separated from the downstairs dining room also makes it a great space for a private party.

I went there for lunch with my wife the other day. She’s been bragging about their grilled cheese and tomato soup. I took one look at the menu… saw a lamb burger and was sold.
It’s covered in lamb bacon, feta cheese and an olive remoulade. It was AMAZING. One of the juiciest and tastiest (queue up samuel l jackson from pulp fiction) burgers I have ever eaten. It was cooked perfectly and served on a bun glistening with butter.
The fries on the side were cooked perfectly. Cripsy, piping hot and lighly covered in course salt.
For $ 19 it’s an expensive item but well worth the splurge.
The waiter was extremely attentive and nice… and the hostess is a little vixen. I’m sold.

Niiiice. Very niiice.
If you’re looking for swankerific in the State St/​Financial/​Haymarket area, definitely make it out to Woodward. Put on your business girl/​guy clothes and be prepared to rub elbows with trendy, chic, beautiful people in a space that looks like IKEA post-​makeover. Modern design lovers will adore it.
The food lives up to the hype. Our party had a bevy of appetizers including the much-​touted short rib tortellini (which lives up to the hype). Their various pizzas, especially the one with mushrooms and truffle oil, were quite good, and the thin-​cut fries were excellent.
Sweet-​loving cocktail drinkers should get the Yellow Peugeot. I know it’s named after a European car and no, I don’t know why, but it’s delicious and pretty. The Meyer Lemon Gin Fizz is also great for a more herbal feel and the Winning Greyhound satisfies that pink, fruitiness we all have.

Woodward is like your dream dining room at home, turned into a huge restaurant. The ambiance is modern, but cozy, with booths lining the perimeter of the restaurant. Booths = Co.Zy.
Had the lobster roll here, accompanied by cole slaw and chips. Very New England. And very good. Perfect place if you want a lunch that sits somewhere between fancy and casual. Plus, it’s tucked in a corner of the Ames Hotel. Can’t get much more chic than that.

Great place for dinner and/​or drinks if you’re in the Downtown Crossing area. My friend and I did dinner here on a Friday night and it was pretty delicious!
The short rib tortellini is indeed as tasty as others have said — spot-​on al dente along with both richness and sweetness from the madeira and truffle butter. I’d highly recommend the braised lamb breast with summer succotash. Seriously popping flavor, tender fatty meat and not too expensive either at $ 24.
The cocktails are also some of the better ones I’ve had in Boston. Def give the Boston Mule (love the fresh ginger) or Thyme Bee’s Knees a shot.
Oh and not surprisingly, it does get noisy on prime time nights so plan accordingly if you don’t feel like having to raise your voice through the entirety of your meal ;)

One of my most awesome friends ever took me to Woodward as a good-​bye dinner (I’m moving to Philly in a week). I hadn’t heard of it before, but when we got there, I realized I had been there once for drinks, ages ago– but had never tasted any food there. I arrived about 15 minutes before my friend did. I sat at the table, and nobody came to greet me for about 10 minutes, even though I wanted to order a drink and was actively staring at the waitstaff who passed me by. Eventually my waitress came over and I ordered a cocktail.
When my friend got there, the service got a bit better but was still a bit slow. We decided to share a starter, a flatbread, and a burger. We ordered the short rib tortellini with Madeira and truffle butter, the duck confit flatbread with goat cheese and dried cranberries and the lamb burger with feta, black olive remoulade and lamb bacon served with fries. Throughout the meal, I ordered 2 cocktails from their menu, and then just switched to an Old Fashioned. We also ordered bread at some point (it’s onion focaccia bread and they charge you $ 4, no free bread here) and my friend asked for pickled grapes at one point (it was a tiny plate and I think it was free).
The tortellini were huge and came with 5 pieces. I thought they were delicious and I’d definitely order them again. The flatbread came out second, and we both liked it but weren’t wowed by it. We took half of it home to eat later. The lamb burger came out and it was STUNNING. We both agreed we’d come back specifically to order the lamb burger. I’m craving another lamb burger as I’m sitting here writing this. The foccacia bread was tasty, but was it worth $ 4? No. Did I need some bread with all my alcoholic beverages? Yes. So kinda a necessary evil. The pickled grapes were so tasty and unique– the chef should definitely put a bowl of those on every table. The cocktails were creative and strong, but sometimes took a long time to come out.
I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Woodward. I thought my meal was really good, but I think it definitely had the potential to be even better if they made some small changes and had a bit more efficient service. If I wasn’t leaving Boston, I’d definitely be back if someone suggested dinner downtown!

I can’t speak for the food here, and having been here only for the bar, and having stayed here night after night to avoid being caught elsewhere when the MBTA stops running, I can only say that their cocktails are not to die for and this place is very, very, extremely noisy. If you’re staying on the 3^rd floor … good luck.
I do like the atmosphere, the lounge, the fact that it’s open from breakfast until midnight or later. I like that they have a selection of beers on tap that I discovered in Boston to be good. I like that the waitress took off the horrible cocktail that she recommended me because she said it would be fantastic (hey, $ 17 saved is … $ 17 saved!)
Oh yes and did I mention, it’s very expensive here?
The crowd is a bit on the late 20’s early 30’s side but still a good time nonetheless. It oozes a sports bar feel during the day until the night falls and all the ladies and their 5″ heels show up.
I liked it, but at the same time everything else about it was just mediocre. I wouldn’t make this your nightly joint but it’s fun once in a while!

I’ve been to the Woodward two times now — both for just drinks and some quality people watching. I’m a big fan i’d have to say! Despite the high price tag, i think the people watching is quite good. A few see and be seen types, a few celebrating their entry into adulthood and a few who are like me, want a good drink with a few friends, out on a night on the town!
the only issue I had is please don’t make me wait in line at 11:30 at night when there isn’t a huge crowed inside yet. that’s just lame.

Went to woodward for brunch. When we got there (11h) it was still relatively empty but at 12h it got really crowded. We over ordered :-) as everything looked so delicious and was a good price/​quality ratio.
Food: for brunch we ordered pastries, fruit bowl, two flat-​breads and warm tea. The salmon flat-​bread was delicious, light, fresh and delicious. The pastries were primarily sweet (I was craving croissants), but the warm tea made everything perfect. The last flat bread was too much for us, but it did look great.
Ambiance: we were sitting in the corner of a couch and had good overview of the room and the bar. The ambiance was calm, relaxing, and fun. The décor is contemporary, if you love architecture and design it is a must :-)
Service: so the service can be improved… when you looked in the room there were enough servers, but for some reason our server was nowhere to be seen. they are relatively new, so it seems to me that they didn’t figure out the server logistics.

Look for an attractive, tall, British man named Will– ask him to make you something incredible… and you will never be disappointed. He is the number one reason to go to Woodward! Try any and all of his cocktails– but don’t be afraid to let him surprise you.
I was shocked (although the Unilocal reviews warned me) to see how packed this two-​floor bar/​restaurant can get. I was also surprised when a DJ rolled in with some turntables… what kind of trendy, sophisticated hotel-​restaurant is this? I now classify it as a bar/​restaurant/​nightclub– and a pretty incredible one… Although the crowd here is the State St. crowd plus young rich people who like to roll up in Escalade-​limos. it’s a beautiful space with beautiful views and beautiful people.