Lafayette House

The musty nursing home smell was overwhelming
Ordered a mixed drink and had to ask for a glass of juice to mix in to be able to drink it
Prime rib stone cold! Baked potato barely warm and green beans also cold
The dust and filth of light fixture and window sills is disgusting… Usually I would give a place a second chance but not this one unless I lose my sense of smell

Don’t go! Worst meal I’ve had in my life! They comped the bill because it was all uneatable, the meat was gray and when we told the waitress she wasn’t the least bit surprised! Sad

Not what it used to be. I have visited the Lafayette House many times over the years and always had what I regarded as a quality and first class dining experience. The last time I visited was two years ago and noticed a decline in the culinary quality but disregarded as perhaps an «off» day (it was a Mother’s Day brunch — beautiful presentation but failed on the palate). Due to a recent groupon, I decided to try again. Please keep in mind that this review is regarding the dining room experience.
Let me first say that the wine list was completely underwhelming with most red offerings being low-​end wines that I commonly see at local retailers. The wine was served in a modest-​sized glass. Much of the lettuce in my companion’s salad was brown. Although I did receive six shrimp for my baked stuff shrimp and the kitchen did prepare a special request for my guest, the wait time for our main meal was long, approximately 20 minutes … and the dining room was not nearly full. No apology was offered by our server so perhaps this was standard practice?
What was completely insulting is that I was charged $ 4 per person (total $ 8!) for substituting broccoli for their standard mixed vegetable (Veg-​All?). Although the server dutifully informed that there would be an additional charge of a couple of dollars for the substitution, in no way did I expect $ 8 for two portions that were barely ½ cup each. I have been charged perhaps $ 1 extra for asparagus in the past at various restaurants but never, ever for broccoli. Again, insulting.
I have now come to suspect that Groupons are offered by establishments who have declined in quality and are trying to drum up business. In summary, the Lafayette House should be ashamed of themselves since their new apparent corner-​cutting is tarnishing their historical fine reputation. No idea if there is new management there but regardless, the owner should re-​evaluate their practices and realize that there are too many other options in the nearby vicinity who will offer a more quality experience. I will not be back and do not recommend the dining room to to others.

Took over one hour on a not so busy night to get anything edible on the table (other than wrapped airline-​type crackers). 20 minutes after the order was placed, server came back and told us they were out of a particular appetizer, which was actually one of the specials. Then, broiled scallops entrée was not broiled at all, rather, the scallops were baked under a heap of bread crumbs. The accompanying vegetables were mushy. It took a LONG time to get basic drink refills. Bathroom was dark and dirty, and hard to find.

Easter was a disaster here. We had elderly in our group on walkers and canes and were seated as far as possible from the buffet room. The maitre d was extremely unpleasant and rude. My family won’t be back.

We made reservations for New Year’s Eve and were promptly seated. The Christmas decorations and the fireplace made for a great atmosphere. The appetizers, Prime Rib and New York Strip were great and so was our server. Moderately priced with good portions and we had a fantastic time. It is refreshing to go to a nice restaurant, where people dress up appropriately and there is no children’s menu. I do wish they would bring back the larger size lobsters though.

Don’t understand the last few negative reviews.
It was my first time here so i thought I’d take a chance
My choices were a bit mixed as I was spoilt for choice, first I had the mussels for a starter
Which was a generous portion and very tasty
Then going off theme I went for the liver and onions over sweet potato mash, this was outstanding
The staff were kind attentive and courteous.
What more can you ask for.

I was apprehensive about eating here because of some poor reviews. Pleasantly surprised, the food was great! From appetizers to dessert, everything was very tasty.

Hey, ‘Ron Young, Proprietor,’ do you have any clue how disappointing this place has become and is for customers? Do you realize it’s now 2015, not 1975 when reviewing what’s on your menu? Did you ever think people might like a food choice that’s not meat, seafood or fried (or all of the above)? Have you considered it may be time to put bar stools in front of your bar? I realize they may not have done this in Revolutionary times but let’s move on, shall we? And how about cleaning the carpets and heating the bathrooms, or is that too much of an expense for you? You know why I and many others are asking these questions? Because we love the idea of what the Lafayette House COULD BE with a little (ok, a lot) more attention and investment. You’ve got unique character and history there. Treat it with respect, but give your property and your menu the sorely needed updates they deserve. Maybe then you might start to attract clientele born after the Truman Administration.

I attended a family function here for a lunch buffet. It was a terrible experience in every way possible.
The food was tasteless at best. This can be forgiven, if not for the fact that the fish served in the buffet was undercooked. It also seemed like it was (partially) cooked, frozen and then reheated.
I have a toddler who needed a diaper change. The staff said that they didn’t have a changing area, but they offered me a room where they lifted a table cloth up to expose the table’s unfinished wood. Not exactly the first place I would chose to change my child. Also I was slightly grossed out wondering if someone later that day was having dinner on the surface I had changed my child’s dirty diaper.
Continuing the grossness was my cousin’s son who was crawling on the carpet in the dining room. He was covered in dirt and it even stained his clothing suggesting the carpet hasn’t been cleaned in possibly years.
Finally the service was terrible. I could have lived with no one approaching us for a drink order until half way through our meals, but the way the servers reached over my food to clean up really was very rude and kind of gross. One bumped into my cousin and when she turned to be polite and say excuse me (even though it was the waitress who bumped into her, not the other way around) the waitress just guffawed at her.
I don’t think I have ever had as disgusting of an experience at a restaurant. I could forgive the outdated décor and the need to renovate, but the level of revolting just left me feeling nauseous the rest of the day. I’m happily surprised I didn’t get food poisoning.
Sadly, I honestly think that if someone gave the restaurant a little TLC, it might be quite a charming and historical eatery that they try to market it to be. But by God people, clean the damn rug every once in a while!

I would give 2 ½ stars if possible. Did not live up to expectations. This place could be so much more as the building is charming but the food was tasteless and over priced
The staff were friendly and attentive but food let them down. I got the feeling the food had been re heated many times. Given the price I was expecting better quality.

Had a great time here Saturday night the prime rib was great the service excellent and I’m glad I took the ride will do it again.

Been here a few times and never good. The owner is particularly unfriendly and I feel like the food is all taken out of the freezer, heated for 10 minutes, and then slapped down on your plate. Plenty of better spots in the area.

I’m sure in 1985 this was considered good food.
The restaurant is rather pretty and this had me fooled for about 10 minutes. Perhaps the ownership has changed over the years. As I sit there waiting an hour for my filet mignon that tasted like a chewy placenta, I found myself feeling as though this could have been a lovely restaurant at some time and you get the sense that everyone there knows it.
It is the type of place where you expect to hear people reminiscing over wonderful meals they once had there. The food served made me believe that perhaps Sysco owned the restaurant and decided to exclusively served pre-​packaged, pre-​made, line cook food… open heat and serve.
It is a damn shame to see such a nice looking place serving food that could just as easily be found at place costing far less than $ 25 a plate.
My only hope is that new ownership takes over and takes this place back to it’s former glory… but maybe I’m now the one getting sentimental

Overall, a good meal, but not outstanding. A bit expensive on the dining room side. Entrees are more traditional American vs new American or creative.
Our waitress was friendly but harried, and service was a bit slow.
Prime rib was good, filet au poivre was good, salmon was excellent. Only off note was the penne with spinach and chicken, which tasted like Chinese takeout… Too much soy.
Excellent martini and good wine selection. Quite a few dessert choices.
Bathrooms need a remodel.

I’m visiting the Boston area on business and my guests took me here for dinner my first night. It doesn’t disappoint. I was told it is one of the oldest restaurants in America still in operation. Ben Franklin and George Washington ate here… now that’s pretty old.
My dinner was fantastic. I had the filet, cooked medium and it was perfect. It came with bearnaise sauce, salad, baked potato, a a smashed sweet potato. All good and very filling.
If you like history and historic buildings you’ll love the décor. It felt like I was walking into someone’s house and front parlor. The area we sat and ate in, felt like and old pub/​tavern.
After finishing my meal, I don’t understand the other poor reviews this place is getting. Everything about my experience was positive. I would definitely go back and I recommend to others.

Wonderful historic building super charming atmosphere. Fabulous gathering for the EE women’s network luncheon looking forward to next month. Network gathered at EWomen’s Network luncheon with Tracey Trottenberg — messaging trainer #empower

There are two sides to this restaurant, the more upscale, formal dining room, and the casual bar side. As far as the bar side is concerned, they have the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had, hands down. The cheese and crackers starter isn’t that great, but the main food more than makes up for it.
Since it was built in the 18^th century, it’s a little cold in the winter. Keep your coat and try sitting near the fireplace. The bathrooms are even colder due to their placement, but again, 18^th century.

I recently used Lafayette’s parking lot while on a way to a concert at Gillette Stadium. The parking was reasonably priced and well organized by the father-​son duo.
We had some extra time to stop inside the bar and grab drinks before walking to the show (about 1 mile away.) Drinks were good and strong and the service was excellent.
Only when I grabbed my wallet, did I realize I’d forgotten our tickets for the show, like a jerk. The waitstaff, owner Ron, his son John, and the parking flagger, Bailey all worked together to print the tickets for us. Although they were insanely busy in the lots, Ron sent his son to the office to help us.
Thanks for the amazing customer service, accommodation, and tasty drinks!

I had made a reservation for Mother’s Day and when I checked in at the appointed time, they told me they were running at least ½ an hour behind. While I had to fight a line of people to check in with the hostess, there was another patron fighting with the hostess about being seated. Basically, a line of people angry about the poor service and delayed reservations. I left before a fight broke out.
I have eaten in the lounge many times, the food is good but the service is lacking.
They need to hire more servers!
This was a huge disappointment!