Franklin Cafe — Restaurant in Boston

I visited Frankkin Cafe recently with a friend. We had a reservation and arrived on time. On arrival, there were 3 open seating areas, two in the rear right outside the kitchen/restrooms. The other was a window both for two. The surly hostess gave us an annoyed look and started to lead us to one of the two tables in the rear. We asked if it were possible to have the window booth however, the hostess told us it was already reserved. We decided to sit at the bar. The server/ bartender was superb and helped blunt the surly hostess. The drinks were perfect and the food was fabulous. We were there for about 90 minutes and the place had pretty much emptied out. However, we noticed the "reserved" window booth was never occupied the entire evening. I'd hate to assume any profiling but, we were the only folks "of color" and this caused us pause. We will return as the food and other servers were both pleasant and welcoming. However, the hostess is the only "black mark" on an otherwise delightful evening. Hopefully, management will have a conversation with the...

Stopped in here on a whim for dinner after an evening flight into Boston. The atmosphere was loud and dark. Definitely felt like a bar that served food rather than a restaurant. It was hard to hear each other speak over the loud music. Food was decent, but the mussels came out luke warm with little broth and some shells were even cold to the touch. The burger was huge, cooked perfectly, and very good. It seems the food was either hit or miss.

Our waitress was friendly, but much more interested in sipping her own beer at the bar and talking to the bar crowd than serving us. She messed up our drink orders twice. When we asked her what she served us, she did not know what the beers were (but were not the ones we ordered). Also saw her cutting up bread for tables with her bare hands without washing them first or using gloves.

After a long traveling day, we just dealt with it at the time without complaint, but I would probably not...

Update... this was one of our favorite places- had been eating there for years (literally, probably 8+ years). The past few times we've gone have been less than satisfying. They seem to be having a problem with turnover. The food, which used to change seasonally, has seemed to have gotten stuck on a set menu (and it is a very limited menu to start with). And when my wife accidentally left her credit card there the last time we went, it has a hassle getting it back (whoever answered hung up on her, and the sec oi nd oerson was kind of snotty). The look wners have started a successful hamburger chain in town, and it seems like they are paying little or no attention to the Franklin anymore. Too bad. We are trying out other places now. ...prior review...One of my favorite places in all Boston! Small (SMALL), warm, friendly, great menu, incredible bar (and amazing bartender). "Neighborhood" joint... dang little parking (It's...