Waverly Kitchen & Bar Charlestown — Restaurant in Boston

They need to work on some things. I took a party of four (4) to three (3) different restaurants in the Town last month. I can state that Waverly Kitchen & Bar needs some work. I've otherwise been there three (3) times, including their opening week, so some of what I saw just now was a noticeable decline. First, the positive: immediate seating, pleasant server, prompt arrival of food. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was subpar. First, we were in pitch blackness even though the sun had not yet set. Proof of this - we found the previous occupants' personal effects at our table because it was so damned dark they had mislaid them on the way out and even the bussing staff had not seen them right out in the open. The place was thunderously loud, so loud we could not carry on a conversation in what was supposed to be a celebratory event. Finally, the food didn't appeal at all to two of the four guests with the comments that scallops over mashed potatoes were bland and heavy and that the tagliatelle was rubbery. I had the lobster roll, which I thought was about average in cost and quality. The fries were overdone, and it probably needs a small side accompaniment to make it a more interesting meal. Since two of the four hadn't even come close to finishing their meals, I picked up the whole tab by way of apology. The sticker shock was profound, almost as much as the sum of the two other sitdown dinners we would end up having and that for meals half the guests...

I’ve been craving buttermilk pancakes for weeks, despite not typically being a fan of heavy breakfasts, and I finally remembered a friend had highly recommended this spot.

From the moment I arrived, everything was impressively seamless from charming entrance, warm and accommodating hosts to seasoned and efficient waitstaff and prompt service, even amid the weekend morning rush.

The food was excellent: generous in portion, thoughtfully prepared, and of commendable quality. Although the meal leaned toward the indulgent side, it didn’t feel overwhelmingly heavy; rather, it was satisfying in a comforting, balanced way.

That said, one considerable drawback was the excessive noise level. Interestingly, it wasn’t due to blaring music, as is often the case, but rather the patrons themselves. The volume of conversation around me felt unusually amplified—particularly a woman at the next table who seemed to be delivering a public address without a microphone. While I’ll refrain from speculating aloud why certain guests seemed to lack social restraint, it did affect the ambiance noticeably.

Despite the auditory chaos, the overall experience was delightful. I look forward to returning, ideally on a quieter weekday when the atmosphere might be...

We live pretty close by and have been meaning to try it out so we went for brunch with no reservation, so bar was the only option which is always just fine for us. The bar tenders were really nice! They asked if it was our first time there because usually regulars sit at the bar haha and we said yes. Just chatting and being friendly with them got us sent out a complementary grilled banana bread which as someone who’s worked in the restaurant industry for years, always feels so welcoming. And the banana bread and maple walnut cream cheese is DAMN good. Aside from that, I really enjoyed the food! The eggs Benedict was unique with the addition of Brie and their hollandaise is on point which is highly important to me! One of my fav sauces ever. My husband got the fried chicken sandwich and fries. Love the crispy shoe string type fries and the sandwich was nice too! A bit heavy on the mustard for my husbands taste but I didn’t mind it at all. Also adored the tiny gingerbread shaped and flavored marshmallow atop my gingerbread cold foam cold brew (they make their own flavor syrups and cold foam.) It’s really the little details that make things special. We are definitely going to go back for a romantic dinner by the fireplace soon....